Piers Morgan has spoken out passionately in defense of free speech, calling the 'woke' cancel culture that cost him his job on Good Morning Britain a new form of 'fascism' that threatens the very foundations of democracy.

In his first sit-down interview since leaving the UK breakfast show, Morgan, the Editor-at-Large of DailyMail.com, on Monday slammed the 'illiberal mob' that increasingly controls public discourse.

'If we lose the right to have an opinion, the right to respect other opinions, then ultimately democracy dies. It's the bedrock of democracy,' Morgan told Tucker Carlson on the Fox News host's new online series for Fox Nation.

'You then become something different, you become a totalitarian state run by an illiberal mob, who are the new fascists. Is that what anybody wants? Do liberals want that? I don't want that, I'm a liberal,' added Morgan.

Piers Morgan has spoken out passionately in defense of free speech, calling 'woke' cancel culture a new form of 'fascism' that threatens the very foundations of democracy

Last month, Morgan became the target of online outrage and wild accusations of racism after stating that he did not believe key claims made by Meghan Markle

Last month, Morgan became the target of online outrage and wild accusations of racism after stating that he did not believe key claims made by Meghan Markle in her interview with Oprah Winfrey, including that a senior Royal made racist comments about her son Archie's skin tone, and that Palace staff rebuffed her attempts to seek counseling when she had suicidal thoughts.

He was forced out of his job at GMB when he refused to back down from his position, and the controversy spread to the U.S. when Sharon Osbourne was forced to leave as co-host of the CBS show The Talk after defending Morgan's right to his opinion.

Morgan pointed to these incidents, as well as the recent ouster of new Teen Vogue editor Alexi McCammond over racist tweets from her teenage years, which she deleted and apologized for, as evidence that 'woke cancel culture' has gone out of control.

'I don't believe any Americans I've met on my travels would be comfortable with what is happening here. What happened to me, to Sharon Osbourne, to the editor of Teen Vogue. None of this seems American to me. It's the country of freedoms, it's the country of the Constitutional right to have an opinion,' he said.

'This is not why our countries went to war with a fascist group like the Nazis. And yet here we are with a new liberal form of fascism, where you either sign up to a fake narrative, you either believe something that is untrue, or you have to be destroyed. Isn't that what fascism is? Isn't that the purest personification of fascism,' continued Morgan.

'It's exactly the same thing that they profess to detest most. If you ask anyone who is really woke, they hate fascists, and yet they behave exactly the same way,' said Morgan.

Morgan, the Editor-at-Large of DailyMail.com, spoke out in an interview with Tucker Carlson on the Fox News host's new online series for Fox Nation

Morgan pointed to the recent ousters of Teen Vogue Editor Alexi McCammond (left) and The Talk co-host Sharon Osbourne (right) as examples of woke cancel culture run amok

'It's getting worse and worse, more and more of these stories. And if you believe in free speech, it's incumbent upon you to stand up now. Whoever you are, whatever business you're working in, the right to have an opinion is at the bedrock of the First Amendment to the Constitution,' he continued.

'If the Nazis had prevailed then we in Britain would not have that right. We would not be able to express our freely held opinion. It would be like North Korea, where if you express an opinion against the ruler you get killed,' predicted Morgan.

'Is that the way we want to go in Britain and America? Is that the next stage in this where simply people losing their jobs or being cancelled is not enough for the woke mob? That you actually have to start killing people to make sure they don't ever say them again? This is fascism, it's the new form, and it's got to be repelled,' he said.

Morgan said that his ouster from GMB was driven by an 'orchestrated mob' of online fanatics, which didn't represent most of the British population.

'This cancel culture, it's a real thing. This woke mob want to cancel people who do not follow the narrative, and it's got increasingly dangerous,' he said.

'Only 20 percent of the population is on Twitter. And of that, 10 percent of the people make 80 percent of the noise,' Morgan added.

'Most people aren't on social media. Most people are just regular people, walking around trying to get through a pandemic right now,' he said.

Morgan said he stood by his belief that Meghan Markle's claims were false, pointing to evidence that has emerged that several of her assertions, such as her claim that she and Prince Harry legally married in a private ceremony, were inaccurate.

'I was angry because there was this growing sense that if you didn't believe Meghan Markle on everything she said, then you were the problem, you were a racist,' he exclaimed.

'At what point are we allowed to disbelieve her without being called a racist?' asked Morgan. 'What is happening to our democracies when people feel so cowed by the woke mob that they can't express an honestly held opinion without being immediately branded a racist.'

'I'm prepared to be proven wrong, but here we are a month later and there is still no evidence for any of this stuff,' he said of Markle's claims.

Morgan was forced out of his job as a Good Morning Britain presenter after insisting that he did not believe key claims made by Meghan Markle in her Oprah interview

Still, Morgan insisted: 'It's not about Meghan Markle. She's a delusional Duchess who's on the make and wants to make millions, hundreds of millions, off her titles whilst trashing the Royal Family and everything it stands for. Fine.'

'It's really about free speech, that's really what it's about. And what happened to me is happening all over Britain and all over America. I can take it, I've got broad shoulders. I've been in the rough and tumble of the media game a long time,' he said.

'There are many people who don't have our platform, who are getting wiped out, eradicated, lives destroyed careers ended over the most ridiculous things,' he went on.

'In a way what happened to Sharon Osbourne was even more disconcerting to me,' Morgan said. 'It's a show called The Talk!'

'She was taken down very deliberately, and it's all because she dared to tweet that I was entitled to my opinion,' he added. 'She was attacked on her own show by her co-host, who said that [her defense of me] effectively was her supporting someone who said racist things.'

'And when Sharon got annoyed and said, "Well what did he say that was racist," they couldn't say anything, because I never had. And yet now, Sharon's gone too,' mused Morgan.

'These people call themselves liberals, but there's nothing liberal about them,' he said.

Morgan called on 'woke liberals to wake up, to really wake up, and to start actually being liberal, because that means you listen to other people's opinions, and you respect them even if you don't agree with them, that you engage in debate and civil discourse with them.'

'But that's all gone, now there's no room for debate, it's their way or no way. And if you dare to defy the woke narrative about anything, then they will weaponize things like race or mental health, whatever it may be, to get people cancelled in their eyes,' he said.

'I'm not a victim and I haven't been cancelled. I'm here talking to you, you're the number one rated cable news star in America, so this is a very comfortable form of cancellation for me,' Morgan insisted.

The veteran journalist and outspoken commentator said that the solution lies with corporate America, and called on business executives to 'grow a spine' and stand up to online mobs.

'Bosses have to stand firm. And if they don't this will get worse and worse,' he said.

'When this woke mob comes again, like they did for this young Teen Vogue editor, who lost her job before she could even start, you need people at Conde Nast to go, "Nope, not having this, sorry, off you go Wokies," and she keeps her job.'
U.S. climate envoy John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met briefly in New Delhi, according to Russian media, and discussed the global climate agenda.

According to the reports, based on sources, the meeting occurred on April 6 at a hotel in the Indian capital where the two officials were staying on unrelated trips.

Lavrov is on a working visit to India, while Kerry is in New Delhi in connection with an online climate summit scheduled for April 22-23.

Leaders of 40 countries, including Russia and China, have been invited by Washington to take part in the summit.

Kerry and Lavrov discussed climate change and related issues in a telephone call earlier in February.

Under the new administration of U.S. President Joe Biden, the United States officially reentered the Paris Climate Accord in February, a move welcomed by European leaders.

Former President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the agreement in 2017, calling it a "disaster" for America's economy.

Based on reporting by Interfax and TASS
New Delhi, April 6 : A CBI court on Tuesday sentenced Ashutosh Verma, the then Deputy Director (Investigation) of the Income Tax and two others to one year rigorous imprisonment with Rs one lakh fine each.

A CBI spokesperson here said that the Special Judge for CBI cases sentenced Verma, a private person Suresh Nanda and chartered accountant Bipin Shah to undergo one year Rigorous Imprisonment with fine of Rs one lakh each in a CBI case.

The CBI had registered a case on March 8, 2008 against Verma and others including Nanda and Shah on the allegations that the accused had entered into a conspiracy to manipulate the Appraisal report of Income Tax Investigation to show undue favour to Suresh Nanda and his associates for obtaining pecuniary advantage.

The probe found that Verma, the then DD (IT) had conducted searches at the premises of Nanda and his associate companies on February 27, 2007.

The official said that Verma, in a conspiracy with others including Nanda and Shah, agreed to minimise the income tax liabilities and had several meetings with other accused in different hotels.

The Appraisal Report was submitted by Verma to higher authorities on March 4, 2008. On March 8, 2008. The accused were intercepted by the CBI while holding the meeting at a hotel in Mumbai. It was also alleged that that Nanda was associated with various companies dealing with defence equipments and Shah was also director in some of Nanda's companies.

"It was also found that Verma diluted the Appraisal Report to favour Nanda and associates on the behest of Shah," the official said.

The official said that after investigations, the CBI filed a charge sheet on November 30, 2011, against the accused and charges were framed against them on January 11, 2018.

The official added that the trial court found the said accused guilty and convicted them on April 1 this year.
Students walk from the quadrangle at the University of Sydney, in Sydney on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016. (AAP Image/Paul Miller)

Student Newspaper Takes Down Story on Academics Linked to CCP

Editors of a student-run newspaper in an Australian university have been slammed for their decision to withdraw an article detailing two academics ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) due to supposedly escalating Sinophobia in society.

University of Sydneys Honi Soit newspaper released a story on March 31 claiming two professors from its engineering department had ties to CCP recruitment programs and alleged that they collaborated with sanctioned Chinese universities on military technology research.

Just hours after publication, the editors decided to take down the story, saying they unreservedly apologised due to the harm it caused to the two mentioned academics, the Chinese community, and readers.

Honi acknowledges that directly naming those academics was negligent, particularly in the face of escalating Sinophobia and racism at the University of Sydney and in wider society, the editors wrote in a statement on Facebook.

Moving forward, we will ensure that we are always critical of the sources on which we rely, and we recognise our duty as student journalists to actively combat Western imperialist and xenophobic biases presented in mainstream media, they said.

Honi Soit editors told news.com.au the article was removed for the safety of the named academics.

We maintain that nothing in the article was incorrect, the editors said. At no time were we pressured by the university, or other individuals or groups, including the Chinese Communist Party or its supporters, in this decision.

The move was met with outspoken criticism from their readers, critics, and politicians alike.

Drew Pavlou, a human rights activist, slammed the decision, calling it a disgrace in a series of posts on Twitter.

This was possibly the strongest piece of student investigative journalism this country has seen in years, and they threw their journalists under the bus, Pavlou wrote. Criticising academics for collaborating on MILITARY RESEARCH with a regime committing genocide as we speak has absolutely nothing to do with Sinophobia.

It is a disgrace to see Honi Soit pulling important journalism on University of Sydney academics breaching China sanctions. This was possibly the strongest piece of student investigative journalism this country has seen in years, and they threw their journalists under the bus.  Drew Pavlou  (@DrewPavlou) April 1, 2021

Liberal Senator James Paterson told Sydney Morning Herald that the students editors were capitulating to the CCP tactic of weaponising claims of racism to shut down legitimate scrutiny.

Of course, we should have zero tolerance for anti-Chinese racism, Paterson said. There is nothing racist about exposing the links between Australian academics and Chinese military universities and talent recruitment programs.

Australians who generously fund our universities have every right to know where their dollars are going.

The detailed article was prefaced with Americas fight with CCP talent recruitment schemes, like the Thousand Talents Plan, in university campuses.

It then cited Alex Joskes findings that 19 recruits from the University of Sydney had joined the scheme and declared the finding of two additional academics with past or present links to talent recruitment schemes.

The university failed to respond to the student journalists request for comments on whether the university was aware of their academics foreign ties and on the due diligence on their collaboration with sanctioned Chinese universities.

The author expressed his concern at the universitys lack of response, saying it contrasted to the University of New South Wales, which immediately denied staff involvement in talent recruitment programs when asked the same set of questions.
Former Today show weather presenter Steve Jacobs is known for his cheeky on-screen persona.

And last month, the father of two was spotted hamming it up for the paparazzi while soaking up the sun at Sydney's Bondi Beach with a male friend.

In a series of photos published by New Idea, the television host, 54, planted a kiss on his companion after spotting a photographer nearby.

Scroll down for video

Cheeky: Former Today show weather presenter Steve Jacobs was spotted hamming it up for the paparazzi at Sydney's Bondi Beach last month

The photos showed the lovable larrikin placing his arm around his pal before leaning in for a friendly kiss.

The two men then laughed and glanced over at the photographer, confirming it was all a joke.

A source said Steve was in 'high spirits' before locking lips with his shirtless friend.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Steve Jacobs for comment.

Having a laugh: In a series of photos published by New Idea this week, the television host, 54, planted a kiss on his male companion after spotting a photographer nearby

Gone: Steve parted ways with Channel Nine in 2019, after being replaced as the Today show's weather presenter by Tim Davies

Steve parted ways with Channel Nine in 2019, after being replaced as the Today show's weather presenter by Tim Davies.

He had been a fixture of the program on and off since 2005, and had spent much of 2019 as an in-studio weatherman.

While his exit came amid a staff reshuffle, Steve insisted it was his decision to leave.

Taking to Instagram after the news broke, he claimed the real reason he was leaving was to spend more time with his daughters.

'Sadly I can't commit to future travel requirements of the job and have to put my beautiful daughters first... They are my world, my life, my joy,' he wrote.

Family man: Steve shares daughters Isabella, nine, and Francesca, seven, with his ex-wife Rose Jacobs, whom he split from in 2018

Steve shares daughters Isabella, nine, and Francesca, seven, with his ex-wife Rose Jacobs, whom he split from in 2018.

The former couple had relocated to Vanuatu with their daughters in mid-2017, in what friends say was a 'last-ditch attempt' to save their marriage.

However, things fell apart within a few months.
YEREVAN, APRIL 6, ARMENPRESS. Press Secretary of the Foreign Ministry of Armenia Anna Naghdalyan answered to the question of journalists about the Azerbaijani accusations of the Armenian side of not providing maps of minefields of the territories fallen under the Azerbaijani control, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Armenia.

Question: The Azerbaijani authorities in their recent statements accused the Armenian side of not providing maps of minefields of the territories fallen under the Azerbaijani control. How would you comment on those statements?

Answer: As you know, the Azerbaijani authorities are blatantly violating the international humanitarian law and their commitments under the provisions of the November 9 statement to repatriate Armenian prisoners of war and civilians who are still being held in captivity. In fact, in response to the pressure of the international community on this issue, the Azerbaijani side is trying to create grounds for justifying its non-compliance by putting forward a fake agenda of minefield maps. The fact that the Azerbaijani officials are raising this issue exclusively in the public field is a case in point.

Throughout the conflict, the Azerbaijani side didnt make any proposal to cooperate on demining issues; moreover, it made every effort to disrupt the implementation of demining programs in Armenia and Artsakh. It is enough to recall that Azerbaijan in 2016 blocked the extension of the mandate of the OSCE Office in Yerevan under the pretext of the latters support to demining programmes, which led to the closing of the OSCE field mission in Armenia.

We call on the Azerbaijani authorities to refrain from attempts to mislead the international community and to undertake tangible steps to fulfill its commitments undertaken by the November 9 trilateral statement and under the international humanitarian law, which entails the immediate, unconditional release of all prisoners of war, captured civilians and their repatriation.
A 22-year - old suspect, Isaac Larbi, has been arrested and detained by the Kwabenya Police in the Ga East District, with his suspected accomplice, Nii Benjamin aged 23, for allegedly stealing a motor bike at Onakwase in the Coaltar District of Eastern Region.



Speaking to Ghana News Agency (GNA), Police Sergeant Francis Gomado, Public Relations Officer for Eastern Regional Police Command, said the police was informed about the theft on April 2, about 1745 hours.



Consequently, the Coaltar District Police went for the suspects, with the stolen motor bike for investigation.



He said on April 3, at about 1100 hours, whilst Larbi, was under interrogation, he confessed that he had killed his wife, Akosua Abigail, aged 20, during a misunderstanding that ensued; and had dumped the body at a place near Onakwase, about three weeks ago, and that the spirit of the deceased was haunting him.



After the disclosure, police organized a search team and proceeded to Onakwase in the company of the suspect to identify the location where he allegedly dumped the body.



He said upon reaching the town, a mob of irate youth threatened to avenge on the suspect.



Police Sergeant Gomado said the situation thereby compelled the police to retreat to base safely with the suspect, in order to prepare adequately before going back to the said location.

Source: GNA









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Washington, April 6 : The team of scientists and engineers behind NASA's Curiosity rover has named a hill along the rover's path on Mars in honour of recently deceased mission scientist Rafael Navarro-Gonzalez.

A craggy hump that stretches 120 meters tall, "Rafael Navarro Mountain" is located on Mount Sharp in northwest Gale Crater, NASA said on Monday.

Navarro-Gonzalez died on January 28 from complications related to Covid-19.

A leading astrobiologist in Mexico, he was a co-investigator on the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM), a portable chemistry lab aboard Curiosity that has been sniffing out the chemical makeup of Martian soil, rocks, and air.

As such, he helped lead the team that identified ancient organic compounds on Mars; his many accomplishments also included identifying the role of volcanic lightning in the origin of life on Earth.

Navarro-Gonzalez was a researcher at Nuclear Sciences Institute at the National Autonomous University of Mexico in Mexico City.

"We are truly honoured to have a prominent hill named after our dad; it's his and our dream come true to see this happen," wrote Navarro-Gonzalez's children, Rafael and Karina Navarro Aceves, in a statement to NASA.

Rafael Navarro Mountain sits at a major geological transition in Gale Crater from a clay-rich region to one that is rich in sulfate minerals.

Analysing sulfate minerals may help scientists better understand the major shift in the Martian climate from wetter to drier conditions, according to Ashwin Vasavada, Curiosity's project scientist based at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text


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SALEM, Ore.  Governor Kate Brown announced on Tuesday the state will expand vaccine eligibility to all Oregonians over the age of 16 starting April 19, matching the timeline proposed by President Joe Biden.

Previously, eligibility for all adults was scheduled to open on May 1.

We are locked in a race between vaccine distribution and the rapid spread of COVID-19 variants, Brown said in a news release. Today, Oregon will pass the threshold of 2 million vaccine doses administered. And yet, in communities across Oregon, COVID-19 is spreading at concerning rates. We must move as quickly as possible to get more shots in arms.

The announcement comes on the same day President Joe Biden is expected to announce he is moving up the federal deadline for states to make all American adults eligible to April 19.

Also on Tuesday, the governors office and the Oregon Health Authority will announce county risk level movements based on the continued spread of COVID-19 in Oregon communities.
Award-winning actress Kathy Burke has praised the Lyric Theatre's new lockdown production, Sadie, saying it was so brilliant, she watched it twice.

The play, written by David Ireland for the Lyric, in association with Field Day Theatre Company, was filmed on the Main Stage in February, as part of BBC Arts 'Lights up' theatre campaign for a new Culture in Quarantine season.

Starring Abigail McGibbon in the title role, Sadie was broadcast on BBC Four on March 31 and then on BBC2 NI, the following night. It will also be available to view for 12 months on BBC iPlayer.

Burke, who has won many accolades, including Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival and British Comedy Awards, told her 436,000 Twitter followers that the production was 'amazing' and urged them to give it a watch.

Retweeting a reminder from the Lyric Theatre that the production was still available on iPlayer, Burke wrote: "If you're missing theatre and desperate to see a hard-hitting, brilliantly written play with an amazing cast and a stand out performance from the totally fantastic Abigail McGibbon, then this is for you.

"So good, I've watched it twice."

Directed by Conleth Hill, Sadie is a dark drama set in Northern Ireland last year. Going against lockdown rules, sharp-witted cleaner Sadie develops an intense, dysfunctional relationship with a much younger man, triggering a psychological showdown with the remnant demons of her past.

A one-night stand with the new office temp (Santino Smith) develops into something much more serious when he reveals he is in love with her. Sadie is flattered but with a long history of terrible relationships, she wonders if it is even possible for her to be happy in love.

She calls upon her long dead uncle (Paddy Jenkins), abusive ex husband Clark (David Pearse) and new therapist Mairead (Andrea Irvine) to help her face some horrifying truths she has kept hidden too long.

Jimmy Fay, Lyric Theatre executive producer, said: "We are thrilled with the reception this powerful play and production is getting online and to see it enjoyed by heroes like Kathy Burke is just magic."
[April 06, 2021] University of Virginia Partners with InStride to Help Workers Upskill and Finish Their Degrees

The past year challenged workers to learn new skills, try new roles, and adapt to a rapidly changing workplace, putting education and development back at the forefront of employer agendas. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005266/en/ A new partnership between the University of Virginia and InStride gives working adults access to career-accelerating, online programs from one of the nation's leading public universities. Through the partnership, UVA's School of Continuing and Professional Studies (UVA SCPS) will offer its online bachelor's degree completion and professional certificate programs to workers in InStride's network of corporate partners. "Employer education programs increase access and affordability to higher education for tens of millions of Americans, and this partnership aligns with our public mission of creating opportunities for working adults and building a more diverse workforce," said UVA SCPS Dean Alex Hernandez. UVA is regularly listed as one of the best values in higher education based on its affordability and high-quality programs, and it holds the number two spot in Money Magazine's 2020 Best Value Public University rankings. Students in UVA SCPS's degree completion program - working adults who return to finish their bachelor's degrees - graduate at rates over twice the national average compared to part-time students at other four-year public institutions. Given the impact of the pandemic, a tremendous increase in the equity gap has left many underserved students without access to education, due to job function, extended furloughs or financial constraints. Providing quality workforce education opportunities can help corporations better address their diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. "We feel incredibly fortunate toembark on this partnership with an institution with the prestige and reputation of the University of Virginia," said Vivek Sharma, CEO of InStride. "UVA's commitment to the working adult student makes them an excellent addition to InStride's growing academic network and an exciting new provider for InStride's corporate partners looking to meet in-demand skills and future workforce needs."



Beyond digital skills, the school's programs are also designed to develop the human skills employees need for long-term success, such as communication, resilience, emotional intelligence, and ethics. "Students finish our programs primed for collaboration and upskilling," Hernandez said.

As a public benefit company, InStride drives business and social impact forward through workforce education. InStride partners with industry-leading companies such as Aramark, Carvana, Labcorp, and Prime Communications to offer their employees the life-changing benefits of a college education, through a network of top-tier universities. As a result, InStride's corporate partners have enrolled more than 34,000 employee-learners in higher education, helping them avoid more than $300 million in student debt. About University of Virginia's School of Continuing and Professional Studies The University of Virginia School of Continuing and Professional Studies helps working adults finish their degrees and advance their careers. UVA SCPS offers a variety of online and in-person programs including bachelor's degree completion programs, professional certificates, a master's in public safety, and other career accelerators. There are many paths to a great education and UVA SCPS brings high-quality, accessible, and affordable education to working adults across the country. Follow UVA SCPS on Twitter and LinkedIn. About InStride As the premier global provider of strategic enterprise education programs, InStride enables employers to provide career-boosting degrees and credentials to their employees, through leading global academic institutions across the U.S., Mexico, Europe and Australia. InStride helps organizations achieve transformative business and social impact by unlocking the power of education, through advanced technology-enabled experiences for learners and corporate partners alike. Given its focus on generating social impact, InStride received Fortune's Impact 20 and Inc.'s Best in Business awards in 2020. For more information, please visit www.instride.com or follow InStride on Twitter and LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005266/en/

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Employees Reveal What Would Ease Their Transition Back On-Site

TORONTO, April 6, 2021 /CNW/ - More companies are calling workers back to the office, but will they readily return? A new study by global staffing firm Robert Half shows that about one in three professionals (33 per cent) currently working from home due to the pandemic would look for a new job if required to be in the office full time.

Returning to the Office (CNW Group/Robert Half Canada)

What Workers Want

More than half of all employees surveyed (51 per cent) said they prefer a hybrid work arrangement, where they can divide time between the office and another location. Professionals also expressed the following hesitations about working from home full time, underscoring the need for organizations to offer flexibility:

Relationships with co-workers could suffer: 39 per cent Fewer career advancement opportunities due to a lack of visibility: 21 per cent Decreased productivity while at home: 16 per cent

In addition, workers may not be ready to return to the office, and employers may want to consider what could help ease their transition back on-site. Professionals said the top ways their company can support them include:

Freedom to set preferred office hours Employer-paid commuting costs A personal, distraction-free workspace Relaxed dress code Employer-provided childcare

"After more than a year of uncertainty and pandemic-induced remote work, there is a growing desire among some business leaders to return to business as usual, including welcoming employees back to the office once it is considered safe," said David King, Canadian senior district president of Robert Half. "However, companies should be prepared for a potential disconnect between their ideal work structures and that of their employees."

"As we reimagine the future of work, now is the time for managers to engage in mindful discussions with their teams to determine what they most want and need," added King. "Establishing a return-to-work plan that prioritizes employee health and well-being and fosters a strong corporate culture can help bolster retention and recruitment efforts."

For tips on managing change as staff return to the office, visit the Robert Half Blog.

About the Research

The online survey was developed by Robert Half and conducted by an independent research firm from March 9-16, 2021. It includes responses from more than 500 workers 18 years of age or older at companies in Canada.

About Robert Half

Founded in 1948, Robert Half is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm. The company has more than 300 staffing locations worldwide and offers hiring and job search services at roberthalf.ca. For additional career and management advice, visit the Robert Half blog at roberthalf.ca/blog.

SOURCE Robert Half Canada

For further information: Allison Morris-Rosnak, 647-956-6221, [email protected]

Related Links

https://www.roberthalf.ca


Walgreens gave hundreds of thousands of Americans their second doses of Pfizer's Covid vaccine a week late, flouting U.S. guidelines and confusing customers, the New York Times has revealed.

Pfizer's vaccine is authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be given in two doses, spread three weeks apart, while Moderna's is given four weeks apart.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that second doses can be delayed up to six weeks if its not possible for someone to get their booster on time.

In an effort to ease the challenges of scheduling first and follow-up appointments for hundred of thousands of Americans, Walgreens put them all on the same dosing schedule as a matter of course, regardless of which vaccine they were getting

But it never announced that policy, which was in direct conflict with health officials' recommendations.

Walgreens is now amending that practice, after customers complained and the CDC asked the chain to stop giving its second Pfizer doses on the incorrect timeline.

Walgreens gave thousands of Americans their second doses of Pfizer's Covid vaccine a week late

'In many states, our stores carry COVID-19 vaccines from multiple manufacturers simultaneously, as determined by federal and state allocation,' Walgreens said in a statement.

'We are automatically scheduling patients' second doses to occur a minimum of 28 days following their first dose to ensure that no dose is administered earlier than the authorized intervals and patients are able to complete the series vaccination.

'We're continuing to work on system enhancements to our scheduler to account for multiple manufacturers with different dose #2 schedules to automatically account for scheduling patients' second dose either at day 21 or day 28. We plan to have an enhancement to our vaccine scheduler by the end of this week that will now allow individuals to schedule within three week timeframe for the second dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.'

Walgreens announced on March 9 that it had administered five million doses of COVID-19 vaccination since it began giving them in December.

It's not clear how many of those vaccinations were Pfizer shots, but it's safe to assume hundreds of thousands of people have gotten the firm's vaccines from Walgreens - on the wrong schedule.

Walgreens has been caught out on a number of scheduling and technological missteps.

Last month, the company had to apologize for a 'technical glitch' in its online scheduler system, which was booking second appointments for customers, but never actually assigning them a time for their first doses.

It resolved the issue on March 18, according to a company statement.

But the most recent issue goes beyond a 'glitch.'

Walgreens intentionally implemented a policy to ensure that no second doses were scheduled too early, instead automatically booking all booster shots at least four weeks after the initial doses, the company said.

That disregards the unknowns and potential risks of delaying doses longer than recommended.

Dr Anthony Fauci warned Monday that people who have only had one dose of Covid vaccines made by Moderna or Pfizer would have only 'tenuous' protection against variants

UK regulators allow second doses to be delayed by up to 12 weeks.

However, U.S. health officials have stated in no uncertain terms that they do not recommend this practice.

The CDC has issued guidance permitting delays, but due to extenuating circumstances.

Real-world data now suggests that a single dose of either the Moderna vaccine or Pfizer vaccine will reduce COVID-19 infection risks by about 80 percent two weeks after the first shot is given.

But the firms have no data on how long that protection lasts, or how the longer gap period might impact the efficacy of the booster dose.

Dr Anthony Fauci acknowledged on Monday that there is not a 'right or wrong' dosing schedule, but added that he is wary of the unknowns.

'There are are different approaches and different opinions,' he said during a Monday White House Covid Response Team briefing.

'We have been concerned, and still are, that when you look at the level of protection after one dose, you can say is 80 percent, but it is somewhat of a tenuous 80 percent, because the level of, for example, neutralizing antibodies against the coronavirus, when you just leave it at one dose, the question is, how long does it last?'

Walgreens will now book vaccinations with the Pfizer shot at the recommended three-week interval, the company said, but it comes after customers were left baffled and concerned that they weren't getting their shots on time.
Chinas central bank asked the nations major lenders to curtail loan growth for the rest of this year after a surge in the first two months stoked bubble risks, according to people familiar with the matter. At a meeting with the Peoples Bank of on March 22, banks were told to keep new advances in 2021 at roughly the same level as last year, said the people, asking not to be identified as the matter is private. Some foreign banks were also urged to rein in additional lending through so-called window guidance recently after ramping up their balance sheets in 2020, one of the people said. The comments give further detail to what the central bank stated publicly after the meeting, when it said it asked representatives of 24 major banks to keep loan growth stable and reasonable.

In 2020, banks doled out a record 19.6 trillion yuan ($3 trillion) of credit, with about a fifth directed to inclusive financing such as small business loans. Lending the same amount this year would bring the outstanding balance to about 192 trillion yuan, an annual increase of about 11 per cent, the slowest pace in more than 15 years.
Kathmandu, April 6

Nepal is among 28 countries to receive a debt service relief amounting to Euro 4.299 million (approximately Rs 582 million) through a European Union contribution of Euro 183 million to the Catastrophe Containment Relief Trust (CCRT) set up by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the EU Delegation to Nepal informs.

The CCRT aims to provide debt service relief on instances of disasters and catastrophes to the poorest and most vulnerable countries.

We are happy to share the good news and believe that the debt relief will create a fiscal space enabling Nepal to move to a green, resilient and inclusive recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, the EU Ambassador to Nepal, Nona Deprez, said in the statement.

Ambassador Deprez said the debt relief for Nepal is in line with the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyens Global Recovery Initiative, which called for linking investments and debt relief to the SDGs.

Through this contribution, Team Europe continues to stand in solidarity with its most vulnerable partners, Jutta Urpilainen, European Commissioner for International Partnerships, has been quoted in the statement, In this difficult period, the resources freed up can provide social services for the most vulnerable people, such as access to essential healthcare and education for young people, including girls.

The European Union says alongside the development partners community, it has been supporting Nepal in its green, resilient and inclusive recovery from the adverse impacts of the pandemic.
Until now, Europe has had two major collaborative networks for ground-based astronomy, one in the optical wavelength domain and the other in the radio-wave domain. OPTICON and RadioNet have now come together to form Europe's largest ground-based astronomy collaborative network. Launched with funding to the tune of 15 million under the H2020 programme, the project aims to harmonise observational methods and tools, and provide access to a wider range of astronomy facilities.

As our knowledge of the Universe advances, astronomers increasingly need a range of complementary techniques in order to analyse and understand astronomical phenomena. As a result, the European Union has decided to bring together the optical and radio networks OPTICON and RadioNet, who have successfully served their respective communities over the past twenty years.

With 15 million in funding from the European Commission's H2020 programme, the European astronomical community will now benefit from the formation of Europe's largest ground-based astronomy network: the OPTICON-RadioNet PILOT (ORP), which brings together some twenty telescopes and telescope arrays.

The ORP network is intended to harmonise observational methods and tools for ground-based optical and radio astronomy instruments, and provide researchers with access to a wider range of facilities, building on the success and experience of the OPTICON and RadioNet networks.

The new programme will make it easier for the astronomy community to access these infrastructures, as well as provide training for new generations of astronomers.

According to the management team,  it is very exciting to have this opportunity to further develop European integration in astronomy, and develop new scientific opportunities for astronomy research across Europe and globally. 

The ORP will in particular foster the development of the booming field of what is known as multi-messenger astronomy, which makes use of a wide range of wavelengths as well as gravitational waves, cosmic rays and neutrinos. Removing barriers between communities by harmonising observation protocols and analysis methods in the optical and radio domains will enable astronomers to work better together when observing and monitoring transient and variable astronomical events.

Astronomers from 15 European countries, Australia and South Africa, as well as from 37 institutions, have already joined the ORP consortium. It will be coordinated by the French Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), which runs and contributes to several optical and radio telescopes, the University of Cambridge (UK), and the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy (Germany).

In Belgium, the network involves the Institute of Astronomy at KU Leuven in charge of developing new instrumentation for the Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI, Chile) and coordinating one of the seven European VLTI expertise centers. The VLTI is a major European observatory at the forefront of astronomical research.

With the new ORP funding, the Institute of Astronomy will develop a new VLTI observing mode dedicated to exoplanet research, support the VLTI expertise centres network's activities, and gather the whole VLTI community in Leuven in 2023. "We are excited to be part of this new ORP network and to contribute to the development of astronomical research and community in Europe" says Denis Defrere, associate professor at the Institute of Astronomy.

The management team includes Jean-Gabriel Cuby, ORP project coordinator at the CNRS National Institute for Earth Sciences and Astronomy, and Gerry Gilmore, Professor at the University of Cambridge (UK) and Anton Zensus, Director of the Max-Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy (Germany), as ORP scientific coordinators for OPTICON and RadioNet respectively.

This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101004719.

###
Mathias Cormann, with help from the Biden administration in the US, may be able to start his term as secretary-general of the OECD with the successful delivery of a troubled project thats been nearly a decade in the making.

Since about 2013 the OECD and the G20 group of advanced economies have been working on the BEPS Project, targeting tax base-erosion and profit-shifting by multinational companies.

The complexity of the issues and the mechanisms for dealing with them - and fierce opposition from the US, which saw the proposals as an attack on its mega-tech companies - have frustrated the OECDs ability to develop a consensus among the 135 countries included in the process. A number of them, mainly in Europe, have introduced or are now proposing to introduce their own digital services taxes to capture the US tech giants in their tax nets.

With help from the US, Mathias Cormanns tenure at the helm of the OECD could get off to a flying start. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Without a multilateral consensus that includes the US and its global companies, there cant be the worldwide harmonisation of corporate taxes envisaged by the project, and multinationals would continue to shift profits from the economies where their customers reside to tax havens or lower-tax jurisdictions.
The mission of Invest in Kids is personal to me. My hometown of Dixon had good schools, both public and private. And while my father was a public schoolteacher, my parents chose to send my three siblings and me to Catholic schools. Paying tuition for four kids, even with parish discounts, wasnt easy for my family, and both my parents took on extra work to help us afford it. When I was in eighth grade, my father passed away from cancer, and tuition for my sister and me was no longer something my family could afford.
A teacher being 'treated like a prisoner' has slammed the government's 'complete lack of compassion' after she was refused permission to leave quarantine to see her dead mother's body prior to her funeral.

Mary Garvey is currently stuck in hotel quarantine after flying back from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates on March 31 to see her dying mother.

But she landed in Birmingham the following day to the news that her mother Margaret Garvey, who suffered from a brain tumour, had died a few hours earlier.

Her tragic passing rendered the exemption letter Ms Garvey was carrying stating that she was visiting a gravely ill relative totally useless.

Instead she was forced into a 10-day quarantine at the Holiday Inn Express in the Midlands.

The grieving 35-year-old has appealed to the government to allow her to leave the enforced-quarantine and visit her mother for a final time.

But the authorities have refused her request to visit the body and said she is only eligible for an 18-hour release on the day of the funeral, The National reports.

Ms Garvey told MailOnline how she began 'crying hysterically' when she switched on her phone after her flight landed to read the news that her mother had passed away.

The teacher said she is 'very, very angry' with the Government over her treatment - and hopes to be given permission to carry out the rest of her quarantine with her grieving family at home.

Mary Garvey, 35, flew to the UK from Dubai to visit her dying mother, but was told when she landed that her mum had died earlier that day

Ms Garvey told MailOnline how she began 'crying hysterically' when she switched on her phone after her flight landed to read the news that her mother (pictured with her daughter left, and right) had passed away

She said: 'Border force were nice to me, but that might have been because I was hysterically crying.

'They asked for an exemption, but obviously there wasn't one.'

She is only allowed out of the hotel for an 18-hour window for the funeral.

But that would involve her 67-year-old father driving a 266 mile-round trip from Birmingham to York to pick her up and drop her off.

She added: 'My father would have to come and get me on the day that he buries his wife. It is disgusting.'

Ms Garvey shared pictures and video of the sub-par food she had been provided in her hotel room

Officials also suggested that her father pays to quarantine with her in the red-list hotel to offer support.

Ms Garvey said: 'The fact that they even think it is acceptable to suggest that my 75-year-old father would drive to Birmingham and quarantine with me... It doesn't make any sense.

'I am very, very angry with the UK. With the UK Government.

Officials also suggested that her father pays to quarantine with her in the red-list hotel to offer support. Pictured: Ms Garvey's room

'I feel like I never want to come back to this country again. I think its treatment of its citizens is disgusting.'

Ms Garvey shared pictures and video of the sub-par food she had been provided in her hotel room. It included rock-hard bread and frozen-solid fruit bowls.

Ms Garvey's local MP, Rachael Maskell, slammed the government response telling MailOnline: 'She is being treated like a prisoner and that's how she sees it when her only crime is her mum dying.

'That is a tragedy. This is about keeping the country safe. It's not about criminalising an individual.

Ms Garvey was then forced into a 10-day quarantine at the Holiday Inn Express in the Midlands where she has been refused permission by a government spokesperson to visit her mother's body. Pictured: Ms Garvey's family

'Yet the treatment she is receiving is really poor. It's impacting on everyone's wellbeing at a time when she really needs support.'

Ms Garvey, a Dubai resident who has lived there for four years, said: 'I have no choice but to just deal with the complete lack of compassion.

'On reflection, I am appalled at the complete lack of mental health support.'

Mandatory hotel quarantines were introduced for international passengers arriving from 'red list' countries on February 15.

This includes Dubai, while other high Covid risk countries including Brazil and Portugal are also on the list.

The system was introduced in reaction to new variants of Covid that were seen in places such as Brazil and South Africa.

Travellers must spend ten days in quarantine at their own cost if they return to the UK on direct flights from any of 'red list' locations.

Ms Garvey is due to finish her quarantine on April 11 and will be able to attend the funeral on April 12.

Ms Garvey's local MP, Rachael Maskell, (pictured) has been trying to secure her release on compassionate grounds and said the teacher, 35, is being 'treated like a prisoner'

In the meantime, she has been forced to help her 67-year-old father organise the funeral over Zoom.

She has been working with her local Labour MP Ms Maskell who has been trying to secure her release on compassionate grounds.

The Member of Parliament for York Central has contacted Health Secretary Matt Hancock and the Prime Minister's office, but feels her inquiries are being ignored.

She said: 'I am incredibly frustrated a the lack of engagement I am getting.

'Three days have been lost that this family could have been kept together.

'The system itself does not support individuals in distress or grief, when they need that support. This is a deficiency in the system.

'It is frustrating because all they are asking is to do the quarantine at home where they would comply with isolation and testing requirements.

'This will only escalate their grief and the damage this is causing is of great concern to me.'

Despite Ms Maskell's intervention a government spokesperson has insisted Ms Garvey must complete her 10 day quarantine as she does not meet any of the exemptions to the strict policy.

Examptions include attending to emergencies, visiting critically ill relatives or attending a funeral.

Ms Garvey is six days into a 10-day quarantine at the Holiday Inn Express in the Midlands. Pictured: Her hotel room

Ms Garvey says the government has shown a 'complete lack of compassion' to her situation. Pictured: A meal provided during her hotel quarantine stay

Recalling the government official's response to her pleas, Ms Garvey told The National: 'The only compromise they came up with was that my 67-year-old father, who has just lost his wife, travel up to Birmingham and quarantine in the hotel with me, at full cost.

'The responses on email have been so cold, like a tick-list approach.

'I think they need to look at each individual case as human beings.

'The way the pandemic was initially handled by the government was ridiculous and it is policies like this where they are taking it out on their citizens.'

A DHSC spokesperson said:'We recognise the impact restrictions have on many and are grateful for the continued efforts to tackle this global pandemic. Quarantine measures reduce the risk of a new variant of the virus coming into the UK and in turn, protects the progress of the UK's vaccination programme.

'When considering quarantine exemptions, there is a need to balance the needs of the person applying with also ensuring that the general public are protected.

'Decisions for quarantine exemptions are considered on a case-by-case basis and include the option for temporary leave to attend funerals of close family members.'

Ms Garvey's situation is only of many similar stories where people have complained of the damage the enforced hotel quarantine is doing to their health.

The father of a teenager with autism who was forced to quarantine in a hotel at Heathrow said the experience left his son depressed, physically unwell and unable to eat properly.

Nelio Salles De Siqueira, a chef from Peckham in south London, said 16-year-old Caique Pires Salles would barely leave his bed after being forced to stay at the Holiday Inn near the airport following their return to the UK from Brazil.

He spoke of his anguish at being unable to help as his son begged to be taken home, despite notes from his psychiatrist and school warning that the experience would be 'psychologically unhealthy'.

Mr Salles De Siqueira travelled to Brazil with his wife and son to attend a family funeral and, while they were there, new rules on quarantining for people returning to England from red list countries were introduced.

'It's quite frustrating that he had to go through it,' Mr Salles De Siqueira said.

Another quarantine hotel guest previously complained the Government was breaching her human rights by forcing her to stay there when she could self-isolate in her home and has tested negative for Covid-19.


YEREVAN, APRIL 6, ARMENPRESS. The servicemen of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) initiated an action dedicated to the 76th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War called Family History  the History of Victory, the Russian defense ministry reported.

The beginning of the action was initiated at the monument to 104 soldiers - natives of the village of Khanabad of the Askeran region of Nagorno Karabakh, who died in 1941-1945 on the fronts in battles against the Nazi coalition.

In addition to the campaign Family History - the History of Victory, the Humanitarian Response Center of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, in cooperation with the administrations of Mardakert, Martuni and Askeran districts, initiated work on the improvement of monuments to soldiers who went to the front from Nagorno Karabakh and died during the Great Patriotic War.

These actions, carried out with the direct participation of the servicemen of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno Karabakh, will last until May 9  Victory Day.

In accordance with the agreements specified in the joint statement of the President of the Russian Federation, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, from 00:00 Moscow time on November 10, 2020, a complete ceasefire and all hostilities in Nagorno Karabakh were announced.

With the assistance of Russian peacekeepers, the restoration of vital engineering communications continues in the areas affected by the war.
Bidens Border Policies Are Not Compassionate: Former Sen. DeMint

President Joe Bidens policies regarding immigration and the border are not compassionate because they incentivize parents to send their children alone on long, dangerous journeys to the United States, former Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) said.

What his policies do is create incentives for parents to send their children on long journeys with very corrupt and abusive people, DeMint told The Epoch Times CrossRoads.

They get to our borders, the whole idea is to get them in our country, as Biden is telling them if [immigration officials] hear theyre afraid, and what they do is [release them] into our country as asylum seekers. This was supposed to be compassionate for them. If you look at what theyre going through now, its certainly not compassionate, he added.

The way the system is currently running undercuts the parallel system that sees some immigrants wait years to gain citizenship or other legal status, said DeMint, the chairman of the Conservative Policy Institute and author of the recently published Theyre Lying To You: 10 Lies That Shape Your Truth.

It just doesnt make any sense when we have the ability to bring people in, particularly in a meritorious way, of people who can make life better for Americans and create more jobs for Americans. Our immigration system in America should not be based on the idea that it is a charity program for the world, he said.

In the last month, weve seen people from the Middle East, known hotbeds of terrorism have been coming in through our southern border based on the new policies that Biden has put in place. It only takes a few people to hurt a lot of Americans, and that uncontrolled illegal immigration is anything but compassionate.

The White House has alleged its rollback of key policies implemented under former President Donald Trump, such as the abolition of the Remain in Mexico program and halting the use of Title 42 powers to expel unaccompanied minors, is part of an effort to create a more humane immigration system.

Former Sen. Jim DeMint, co-author of Conservative: Knowing What to Keep, in Washington on Oct. 29, 2019. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

We are all focused on improving the situation, on changing to a more humane and efficient system, Roberta Jacobson, Bidens coordinator for the southern border, told reporters in Washington last month.

The previous administrations policies created a pent-up demand, she added, noting that surges in border crossings tend to respond to hope and that there is currently significant hope because of Bidens new rules.

Even as the administration relaxes restrictions, officials, including Biden, have insisted the border is not open. However, the number of crossings has surged and the influx, combined with the policies, has put a severe strain on the system, stoking criticism from a range of lawmakers, including Democrats.

Bidens border policies are designed to create chaos with the ultimate aim of convincing Americans to support more relaxed policies toward illegal immigration, DeMint claimed in his interview with The Epoch Times. Chaos allows for more government control, he said, referencing how the financial crisis of 2008 saw the federal government becoming more involved with the financial system.

Rahm Emanuel was famous for saying we should never let a good crisis go to waste. The left has learned that when they create a crisis, even if its in the individual level, and with the victimhood of these individuals, what they call police brutality, they paint a picture that covers our whole country with racism or white supremacism, he said.

The chaos benefits those who want the government to control more.
By DARLENE SUPERVILLE, The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden was set to announce Tuesday that he is shaving about two weeks off his May 1 deadline for states to make all adults eligible for coronavirus vaccines.

With states gradually expanding eligibility beyond such priority groups as older people and essential, front-line workers, the president plans to announce that every adult in the U.S. will be eligible by April 19 to be vaccinated, a White House official said.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss Bidens plans before the formal announcement. Biden was scheduled to visit a COVID-19 vaccination site in Virginia on Tuesday, followed by remarks at the White House updating the nation on the administrations progress against the coronavirus.

April 19 is about two weeks earlier than Bidens original May 1 deadline.

Pennsylvania already plans to open vaccines to all adults on April 19.

Pennsylvania is rapidly accelerating its COVID-19 vaccine eligibility phases to meet President Joe Biden's directive.Courtesy Pennsylvania Department of Health

Biden is also expected to announce that 150 million doses have been put into peoples arms since his inauguration on Jan. 20. That puts the president well on track to meet his new goal of 200 million shots administered by April 30  his 100th day in office.

Bidens original goal had been 100 million shots in arms by the end of his first 100 days.

The announcement about vaccine eligibility is somewhat symbolic and comes as states already were moving up their deadlines from the original May 1 goal. It also comes as a flood of vaccine supply is being sent to states this week.

The White House said Monday that nearly 1 in 3 Americans and over 40% of adults have received at least one shot, and nearly 1 in 4 adults is fully vaccinated. Among older people, 75% have now received at least one shot, and more than 55% of them are fully vaccinated.

CNN was first to report on Bidens planned announcement.

More:

45 Pa. counties have substantial spread of COVID-19; positive test rate rises for third week in a row

COVID-19 vaccine eligibility expands nationwide, but prisoners continue to lack access
For the third year in a row, Alex Gino's George has topped the American Library Association's list of most challenged books in American libraries.

The ALA's Most Challenged Books list, released annually in conjunction with National Library Week, which runs April 4-10 this year, tracks attempts to ban or restrict access to books across the United States and raises awareness of censorship efforts in our libraries and schools.

"In 2020, more than 273 books were challenged or banned," states an ALA release. That number is down significantly from the 377 challenges logged in 2019but for an obvious reason: many libraries and schools were closed or moved online for much of the year.

"Demands to remove books addressing racism and racial justice or those that shared the stories of Black, Indigenous, or people of color grew in number. At the same time, books addressing themes and issues of concern for LGBTQIA+ people continued to dominate the list."

The top 10 most challenged books of 2020 include:

1. George, by Alex Gino

Challenged, banned, and restricted for LGBTQIA+ content, conflicting with a religious viewpoint, and not reflecting the values of our community

2. Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You, by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds

Banned and challenged because of the authors public statements, and because of claims that the book contains selective storytelling incidents and does not encompass racism against all people

3. All American Boys, by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely

Banned and challenged for profanity, drug use, and alcoholism, and because it was thought to promote anti-police views, contain divisive topics, and be too much of a sensitive matter right now

4. Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson

Banned, challenged, and restricted because it was thought to contain a political viewpoint, it was claimed to be biased against male students, and for the novels inclusion of rape and profanity

5. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie

Banned and challenged for profanity, sexual references, and allegations of sexual misconduct by the author

6. Something Happened in Our Town: A Childs Story About Racial Injustice, by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, and Ann Hazzard, illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin

Challenged for divisive language and because it was thought to promote anti-police views

7. To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee

Banned and challenged for racial slurs and their negative effect on students, featuring a white savior character, and its perception of the Black experience

8. Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck

Banned and challenged for racial slurs and racist stereotypes, and their negative effect on students

9. The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison

Banned and challenged because it was considered sexually explicit and depicts child sexual abuse

10. The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas

Challenged for profanity, and it was thought to promote an anti-police message

The State of America's Libraries

The release of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books also coincided with the release of the ALA's annual State of America's Libraries Special Report, which this year focuses on the challenges libraries face from COVID-19.

"Like many public institutions forced to close their doors, libraries worked to adapt to a new way of doing business," an ALA release notes, pointing out that closures did not prevent library workers and libraries from serving their communities, and in fact spurred librarians to find new ways to serve patrons and students.

"As most libraries were closed to in-person visits, libraries accelerated or adopted policies that let users access resources from a safe social distance, including offering digital library cards, creating curbside pick-up programs, and promoting e-book lending, which surged 40 percent over 2019," ALA officials point out. Libraries also played a significant role in bridging a digital divide that became more apparent during the pandemic.

"Multiple studies cited in the report show that a significant sector of the U.S. population lacks access to computers and broadband as well as the digital literacy skills needed to navigate the internet and ethically use communication platforms like Zoom and social media. Many libraries left their wi-fi on even as their buildings closed," the report points out. Further, library staff in 2020 worked to "eradicate misinformation about Covid-19," much of which, the report notes, was "infused with xenophobia, with significant surge in bigotry against Asian people.

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is observed each April by the American Library Association and libraries across the nation, with celebrations including National Library Workers Day (April 6); National Library Outreach Day (April 7); and Take Action for Libraries Day (April 8).

More on National Library Week is available here, and the full text of the State of America's Libraries Special Report: Covid-19, is here.
An Arizona hospital executive who started her career in coastal South Carolina and went to graduate school in Charleston is returning to the Lowcountry to become president and CEO of one of the region's biggest medical systems.

Christina Oh was named April 6 to succeed Todd Gallati, who is retiring June 1 after 13 years in the top job at the provider. She starts May 3.

Oh said she and her husband are excited about returning to the Palmetto State, where she began her 12-year management career at Hilton Head Regional Healthcare in Bluffton and at Coastal Carolina Hospital in Hardeeville.

She later worked at Piedmont Medical Center in Rock Hill, where she became chief operating officer, and earned a master's degree in health care administration from the Medical University of South Carolina.

Most recently, Oh was CEO of Abrazo Health's West Campus, a 200-bed community hospital near Phoenix since January 2019.

All of her previous management positions were with Tenet Healthcare, the Dallas-based owner and operator of East Cooper Medical Center in Mount Pleasant.

Trident said in a written statement that its new CEO's career "is highlighted by advancing through increasingly complex health systems while improving employee retention and expanding community outreach programs."

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Nurses are in higher demand than ever in Charleston during COVID-19 While some 130,000 South Carolinians are still receiving unemployment benefits following the pandemic-caused recession, workers in one profess

In addition to her MUSC degree, Oh has a bachelors degree in business administration from Baylor University with a major in marketing and a minor in Asian studies.

Trident is part of HCA Healthcare, a publicly traded company based in Nashville.

The local system operates acute-care hospitals with 445 patient beds  Trident Medical Center and Summerville Medical Center, which recently wrapped up a $100 million expansion. It also has three freestanding emergency care sites, in Moncks Corner, North Charleston and Summerville.

Trident recently announced plans to build a $30.4 million freestanding psychiatric hospital in the Ingleside tract off U.S. Highway 78 in North Charleston, not far from the Trident Medical campus.

The for-profit health system is one of the 10 largest employers in the Charleston region, with more than 2,500 workers and 600 physicians.

Gallati, who announced his retirement plans in December, said his newly named successor "has led hospitals that have similarly complex specialties as Trident that include trauma, cardiothoracic, neurosurgery, orthopedics, oncology, spine and womens and childrens services. But, just as important, she connects well with patients, staff and physicians."
A Pennsylvania man charged in connection with the riot at the U.S. Capitol was viciously and savagely beaten by a corrections officer at a prison in Washington, D.C., his lawyer said Tuesday.

The assault occurred while Ryan Samsels hands were secured behind his back with zip ties, Harrisburg-area lawyer Elisabeth Pasqualini said.

She said the March 21 incident is the subject of an ongoing investigation by the FBI.

Samsel, 37, of Bristol, Bucks County, is being held on charges that he assaulted a law enforcement officer during the Jan. 6 riot that temporarily shut down a session by Congress that was meeting to certify Joe Bidens election as president.

Authorities say Ryan Samsel is seen in this image, moving a Capitol Police officer who was knocked over and hit her head as the crowd pushed through a barricade. (FBI).

Pasqualini said Samsel was assaulted by the corrections officer soon after being awakened in the DC prison early on March 21.

He suffered serious bodily injuries including a shattered orbital floor and broken orbital bone which have caused him to lose sight in his right eye, perhaps permanently, Pasqualini said. His nose was broken and his jaw dislocated. He has lost feeling on the left side of his face. In addition to the severe bruising and swelling around his face, he has deep cuts and bruising to his wrists from the zip ties.

Mr. Samsel has had at least one seizure since the assault. An underlying medical condition makes him at higher risk for thoracic complications, she added.

Pasqualini said other inmates heard the alleged assault and told their attorneys, who then told her about it. She said Samsel was briefly hospitalized.

We are informed that an internal investigation is being conducted by the Department of Corrections and an independent investigation is being undertaken by the FBI, she said. She said Samsel was moved to another undisclosed prison Tuesday.

Everyone deserves the right be treated fairly under the law, Pasqualini said. Mr. Samsel has been charged with crimes as a result of his actions on Jan. 6, 2021. He is entitled to his day in court and is eager to correct the misconceptions that exist about himself and his actions and intentions during the Capitol riots. That day is coming.

For anyone inclined to think as a charged Capitol rioter, Mr. Samsel got what he deserved, I say get down from your mountaintop, the hypocrisy in that air is distorting your vision, she said. Either we live in a democracy that believes in due process and equal justice before the law or we do not. Correctional officers cannot be judge, jury, and executioners.

Samsel was arrested Jan. 30.

Investigators say he was part of a group of Trump supporters who pushed down a barricade, knocking over a female officer who was trying to stop them. The officer struck her head and briefly lost consciousness. Samsel moved that officer, who told investigators Samsel told her We dont have to hurt you, why are you standing in our way? Hours later the officer had to be rushed to the hospital after passing out from a concussion.

FBI agents said they identified Samsel, and found he was on parole in Pennsylvania and was wanted out of Riverside, New Jersey, on a warrant in a 2019 assault case. His drivers license photo appeared to match the images from the videos, investigators said.

Samsel is charged with forcibly assaulting, resisting, opposing, impeding, intimidating or interfering with a federal agent; committing or attempting to commit an act to obstruct law enforcement and obstruction of official proceedings.
GBP/USD Exchange Rate Slips from Best Levels but UK Reopening Optimism Persists

Despite the broad optimism around Britains economic reopening outlook, the US currency remains strong this week and the British Pound to US Dollar (GBP/USD) exchange rate has been struggling to sustain gains. The coronavirus pandemic outlook continues to dominate market movement, as the Pound avoids further losses on UK reopening and recovery hopes, while the US Dollar benefits from weakness in rival currencies and US economic optimism.

Movement in GBP/USD has been volatile lately, as both currencies strengthen from the markets coronavirus outlooks and developments. After opening last week at the level of 1.3691, GBP/USD dipped before ultimately recovering at the end of the week, and closing in the region of 1.3830.

When markets opened yesterday, quiet bank holiday trade saw GBP/USD jump to a new fortnight high of 1.3918.

Today so far though, GBP/USD has shed most of yesterdays gains and trends close to the weeks opening levels again.

Investors are hesitant to keep piling into the Pound today, as markets calm from the broad gains seen in recent weeks.

According to Stuart Cole, Chief Macro Strategist at Equiti Capital, part of todays movement comes from profit taking as markets reopen from the bank holiday weekend:

It is the reopening of London this morning that is seeing sterling under some initial pressure, as sellers have returned to take advantage of the rally seen over the last 24 hours or so.

Overall though, despite this mornings drop in Sterling, investors remain optimistic on Britains economic outlook. The UK government indicated today that its economic reopening plans remained on track, with more shops and bars expected to open next week.

According to Yohay Elam, Analyst at FXStreet:

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that the next phase of the reopening is a go and apart from watering holes, gyms, hairdressers and other types of businesses will also return to normal. The move has come after as Britain's vaccination campaign is bearing fruit  COVID-19 cases continue falling, contrary to what is happening next door on the continent.

US Dollar (USD) Exchange Rates Avoid Losses as US Outlook Resilient

The US Dollar continues its broad strengthening. In March, a rise of US economic recovery hopes combined with some fresh risk-aversion led to a reversal in the US Dollars strength, and since then the US currency has been surging higher.

While the US Dollars gains against a generally bullish Pound have also been mixed, the US outlook continues to rise due to recovery and US stimulus expectations.

The latest reason for the rise in the US Dollar strength is market optimism around US President Joe Bidens infrastructure plans. Hopes are rising that the plans could be passed despite opposition from the opposition Republican Party.

Yohay Elam at FXStreet said:

Perhaps the most significant factor moving forward is President Joe Biden's infrastructure plan. Democrats will have to go it alone, and once again, Senator Joe Manchin has the last word. The conservative member from West Virginia rejects a 28% corporate tax rate but is ready to settle for 25%.

Recent US data has been strong as well, which has led to continued US Dollar support. Yesterdays US non-manufacturing PMI from ISM rose from 52.7 to an impressive 57.2.

Pound Dollar Forecast

This weeks US PMIs beat forecasts, but UK PMIs are still due.

Britains own services and composite PMI results are expected to be published during Wednesdays European session. They will give investors a better idea of how Britains economy has performed over the past month.

Stronger than expected UK PMIs could boost hopes for the momentum of Britains recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. This could lead to stronger gains in the coming sessions for GBP/USD.

However, tomorrow will be one of the most influential sessions of the week for the US Dollar as well. The Federal Reserve will publish its March meeting minutes.

If the Fed minutes show any signs of a shift in tone or signal, the US Dollar could see a considerable shift in direction.

If the Fed remains cautiously optimistic while keeping signals dovish though, the Pound to US Dollar exchange rate is likely to remain mixed and volatile as both currencies would be strong.
Killed Capitol Police Officer William Billy F. Evans will be honored at the nations capitol this week.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced Tuesday that he will lie in honor in the United States Capitol Rotunda.

It is now the great and solemn privilege of the House of Representatives and the Senate to convey the appreciation and the sadness of the Congress and Country for the heroic sacrifice of Officer Evans with a lying-in-honor ceremony in the U.S. Capitol, Pelosi and Schumer said in a joint statement. It is our hope that this tribute will be a comfort to the family of Officer Evans, particularly his children Logan and Abigail, as will the knowledge that so many Americans mourn with and pray for them at this sad time. May this tribute also be a source of comfort and an expression of gratitude to the U.S. Capitol Police Force, which has awed our nation with their courage and resilience during this devastating time.

A congressional tribute will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 13, followed by a viewing period for members of the U.S. Capitol Police. Members of Congress are invited to attend the viewing period from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. A ceremonial departure will occur at 6:30 p.m. Additional details will be announced at a later date.

Flags at the U.S. Capitol, White House and federal buildings were ordered to be flown at half-staff on Friday in his honor.

Evans was killed Friday after a man rammed a vehicle into him and another officer at a barricade outside the Capitol building.

The second officer was hospitalized Friday with injuries.

The man, since identified as Noah Green, was shot by officers after he exited the vehicle and lunged at officers, USCP acting chief Yogananda Pittman said.

Evans, a North Adams native, grew up in Clarksburg and graduated from Drury High School in 1998, according to public records and his Facebook page. He went on to attend Western New England University in Springfield before joining the Capitol police in 2003.

He served with the department for 18 years.

He is survived by his mother, Janice, and children, Logan and Abigail.

This marks the second time this year a Capitol police officer was killed in the line of duty.

Officer Brian Sicknick died of injuries sustained during the Capitol siege on Jan. 6. In recognition of his service, he was given the rare distinction of lying in honor in the Capitol Rotunda.
SAGINAW, MI  A Saginaw woman is facing numerous felonies after allegedly trying to rob another woman at gunpoint and later trying to stab a third woman.

The first of two cases against Tina M. Romo, 40, dates to March 10. While in the area of Burt Street and South Park Avenue, Romo allegedly pulled a gun on a 57-year-old woman she knew. She did so in an attempt to rob the woman of some pills, prosecutors said.

The victim managed to flee to the nearby Saginaw Rescue Mission at 1021 Burt St., where she called 911. Romo had left the area by the time police officers arrived, prosecutors said.

Authorities on March 15 issued a warrant for Romos arrest.

While she was at large, Romo on April 2 was in an apartment on Parkside Court when she pulled a knife and tried stabbing a 33-year-old woman. Another adult woman and Romos own 12-year-old daughter tried intervening, at which point Romo swung the knife at the second woman and pushed her daughter away, prosecutors said.

Someone in the apartment called 911. Police officers arrived and arrested Romo, who was still present.

Romo on Monday, April 5, appeared in Saginaw County District Court for arraignment on a combined 10 charges between the two incidents. Related to the first, Romo is charged with assault with intent to rob while armed, carrying a concealed weapon, felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition and three counts of felony firearm.

In the second case, Romo is charged with two counts of felonious assault and one misdemeanor count of domestic violence.

Assault with intent to rob is a life offense, while a felony firearm conviction comes with a mandatory minimum two-year prison sentence to be served consecutively with any related stint.

The arraigning judge set Romos bond at $25,000 cash-surety.

Romo was previously imprisoned on a felony drug conviction. Sentenced in September 2013 to 18 months to six years, Romo was discharged in February 2019, Michigan Department of Corrections records show.

Romos next court date is pending.

Read more:

Jury deliberates for half-hour before finding Saginaw man guilty of pregnant girlfriends murder

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Piers Morgan has told Tucker Carlson he bought a cigar half-smoked by Winston Churchill because the wartime leader 'never surrendered to anybody ever' in his first interview since 'woke' cancel culture cost him his job.

The 56-year-old journalist paid 2,600 for the cigar, left behind by Churchill on his voyage aboard HMS Duke of York in 1941 as he met with US President Franklin D Roosevelt, at a Shropshire auction back in May 2018.

At the time, MailOnline columnist Morgan took to Twitter to tell his followers he had bought the wartime relic because he was feeling 'so patrotic'.

Sitting down with Fox Nation host Tucker on Monday for his first interview since quitting Good Morning Britain (GMB), Morgan revealed he looks at the half-smoked cigar when he starts 'thinking about rolling over'.

He sensationally left ITV breakfast show GMB last month after causing a social media storm when he said he 'didn't believe a word' of what Meghan Markle had said during her bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Morgan has since launched an impassioned defence of free speech and has called the very 'wokeism' that cost him his livelihood a new form of 'fascism' that threatens the foundations of western democracy.

Piers Morgan has told Tucker Carlson how he bought a cigar half-smoked by Winston Churchill because the wartime leader 'never surrendered to anybody ever'. Pictured smoking a cigar

The 56-year-old journalist paid 2,600 for the cigar, left behind by Churchill on his voyage aboard HMS Duke of York in 1941 to meet US President Franklin D Roosevelt, at a Shropshire auction back in May 2018. At the time, MailOnline columnist Morgan took to Twitter to tell his followers he had bought the wartime relic because he was feeling 'so patrotic'

Morgan said: 'Obviously no one can invoke his [Churchill's] spirit, but you can invoke part of his spirit. Just never give up and never give in on the point of principle.

'Stand up for what you believe in. As Churchill himself said, if you've got enemies good, because it means you stood up for something you believe in sometime in our life. Isn't that a good maxim for all of us to have in life?'

He also told the Tucker Carlson Today programme on the Fox Nation streaming service Churchill is his 'hero' because 'he never surrendered to anybody ever'.

On Monday, he doubled down on his original comments, saying he was right not to believe the duke and duchess because 17 of their claims have since been proven false, exaggerated or unverifiable.

The former GMB host also described Meghan, who came to fame on TV series Suits, as the 'delusional duchess who is on the make' as he accused the couple of the 'most extraordinarily disingenuous smear, hit job' on the royal family.

And he used his appearance on Tucker's show to rail against what he described as the 'woke mob' and urged the public to 'stand up and say 'no''.

Sitting down with Fox Nation host Tucker on Monday during his first interview since quitting GMB, Morgan revealed that he also has at least three pictures of Churchill

Morgan sat down for his own tell-all with Fox Nation host Tucker Carlson aired on Monday

He called the 'woke' cancel culture that cost him his job on GMB a new form of 'fascism' that threatens the very foundations of democracy.

'If we lose the right to have an opinion, the right to respect other opinions, then ultimately democracy dies. It's the bedrock of democracy,' Morgan told Tucker.

'You then become something different, you become a totalitarian state run by an illiberal mob, who are the new fascists. Is that what anybody wants? Do liberals want that? I don't want that, I'm a liberal,' added Morgan.

Morgan became the target of online outrage and wild accusations of racism after stating that he did not believe key claims made by Meghan, including that a senior Royal made racist comments about her son Archie's skin tone, and that Palace staff rebuffed her attempts to seek counseling when she had suicidal thoughts.

Morgan set off a social media firestorm the day after the Oprah interview on March 7 when he said he 'didn't believe a word' of what Meghan said about experiencing racism within the Royal Family and feeling suicidal when she was pregnant

Morgan has declared that he was right not to believe Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in their tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey last month because 17 of their claims have since been proven false, exaggerated or unverifiable

He was forced out of his job at GMB when he refused to back down from his position, and the controversy spread to the US when Sharon Osbourne was forced to leave as co-host of the CBS show The Talk after defending Morgan's right to his opinion.

Morgan pointed to these incidents, as well as the recent ouster of new Teen Vouge editor Alexi McCammond over racist tweets from her teenage years, which she deleted and apologised for, as evidence that 'woke cancel culture' has gone out of control.

'I don't believe any Americans I've met on my travels would be comfortable with what is happening here,' he said.

'What happened to me, to Sharon Osbourne, to the editor of Teen Vouge. None of this seems American to me. It's the country of freedoms, it's the country of the Constitutional right to have an opinion.

'This is not why our countries went to war with a fascist group like the Nazis. And yet here we are with a new liberal form of fascism, where you either sign up to a fake narrative, you either believe something that is untrue, or you have to be destroyed.

'Isn't that what fascism is? Isn't that the purest personification of fascism.

'It's exactly the same thing that they profess to detest most. If you ask anyone who is really woke, they hate fascists, and yet they behave exactly the same way.'
President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses the United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters on Sept. 24, 2019, in New York City where he criticized the international community for not taking up the cause of Kashmir. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

How Kashmir Fits Into Turkeys Agenda for Global Caliphate

News Analysis

NEW DELHITurkey is seeking to gain credibility in its bid for a global caliphate by championing the cause of Muslims in Kashmir, a region divided between India and Pakistan.

In order for Turkeys recent Islamist foreign policy to develop, Turkey needed to undergo a political change. After the First World War, there was the rise of a secular, Westernized Turkey. More recently, political parties have emerged, including President Recep Tayyip Erdogans AKP (Justice and Development Party), that have moved away from a secular Turkey.

Pandya, CEO of Indian geopolitical and security affairs think tank Usanas Foundation, told The Epoch Times that with Erdogans three subsequent election victories and presidency since 2014, Turkeys foreign policy has begun to change.

And as he progressed, these secular elements were gradually being marginalized from the Turkish polity and religion became a stronger force, Pandya said. A geopolitical game started to emerge in this context.

That was basically the revival of the Ottoman Caliphate or the Ottoman glory, in which he can project himself as the Caliph of the Muslim world.

By this time, Turkeys dream of joining the European Union was gone, he said.

So now, why not bring back the real glory of Ottoman power instead of begging in front of the European Union. That Ottoman glory can be brought only if Turkey goes back to its Islamic religious roots, Pandya said. Being a democratically elected leader, Erdogan would have more acceptability as caliph than any Islamist extremist leading a global terrorist organization, he said.

He knows that he is a democratically elected leader of a country like Turkey, which is a great military power or growing superpower, a country with a fairly decent middle-income group [population], good infrastructure, and the glorious history of the Ottoman Empire.

Adding to this possibility is the narrative of Islamophobia existing in the West and in India, which injects a feeling of fear among Muslims that they and their faith are in crisis, he said.

They are already looking for an alternative model of leadership, which is convincing, which is powerful, which is present. So no one else can satisfy that casehes a democratically elected sovereign leader of a sovereign nation, he said.

And then he has credibility, so he will have all chances of being accepted as a leader of the Ummah (community in Arabic) across the world. Imagine if he does that, how much power he would yield across the globe. In this context, the world needs to understand Turkeys interest in South Asia and particularly in Kashmir, he said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) walks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan prior to a meeting and exchange of agreements in New Delhi on May 1, 2017. (PRAKASH SINGH/AFP via Getty Images)

Turkeys Interest in Kashmir

Turkeys agenda to consolidate the Muslim ummah under its leadership would be directly challenged by the Arab world that seeks the same leadership. For this reason, Erdogan doesnt enjoy many leadership opportunities among Muslims there, Pandya said.

The original fight for the Islamic leadership of the Islamic world was not between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Today, we are mistaken when we see that its Iran and Saudi Arabia. Originally, it was between Turkey and Saudi Arabia, said Pandya, who noted the many battles fought between the Ottoman empire and the dynasties in Saudi Arabia.

The latter finally dislodged the Ottoman dynasty with the help of the British to become the custodians of Mecca and Medina, the holy places of the Muslim world.

Unlike Muslims in the Arab world, South Asias Muslims would be more willing to accept Erdogans leadership because Turkey has strong historical, cultural, and religious ties with South Asia. That dates from the time of Mughals who were ruling over the subcontinent before the British took over in 1857when many Mughal nobles fled to Turkey, according to Pandya.

Then, in the 1920s, when the Turkish Ottoman caliphate was uprooted by the British, Gandhi started a movement called the khilafat movement (civil disobedience movement) in 1920, said Pandya. It was the Khilafat movement that started first seeking the restoration of the Ottoman Caliphate, he added.

Mahatma Gandhi wanted to unify Muslims and Hindus against British colonial rule and for that, he needed a Muslim cause, Pandya said. But after a violent incident, Gandhi withdrew his support from the Khilafat movement, and at the same time, the British uprooted the Ottoman Empire from India.

These events sowed the seeds of the theory of two nations, which eventually led to the bloody partition of colonial India into India and Pakistan, Pandya said.

The partition also sowed seeds for the long, drawn-out conflict between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, background that needs to be understood to grasp Turkeys current agenda in Kashmir.

If [Erdogan] wants to get the support of Muslims of South Asia, what is the best way? Try and cultivate relationships with the Islamic organizations in India. And secondly, to try and raise the issues that are most important to the Muslims in South Asia, Pandya says.

Erdogan has a strategy, he said.

The Kashmir cause inside South Asia is a religious cause and since it affects Muslims, Erdogan picked it up, he said.

[He seeks] credibility in the Muslim world, to internalize the Kashmir issue and to win the hearts and minds of Muslims across South Asia, because the South Asian Muslims may not be as well connected to the Palestinian cause as they are connected to the Kashmir cause, said Pandya.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan (L) shake hands after a joint press conference at the presidential complex in Ankara, Turkey, on Jan. 4, 2019. (ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Turkeys Activities Inside Kashmir

Turkeys voice on Kashmir and its activities inside Kashmir have grown in the past four to five years and its modus operandi is multi-prongedincluding leveraging international platforms and waging and supporting information war against India on Kashmir through its social media and mainstream media channels, according to Pandya.

More recently, India Today reported that the Turkish SADAT, a shadow military organization, is now preparing to be active in Kashmir, a claim that Turkish Ambassador Sakir Ozkan Torunlar asserts is baseless and false. Yet, the Indian government is monitoring the situation, Pandya said.

In an interview last year, with The Wire, A.S. Dulat, former chief of Indias foreign intelligence agency worryingly said that 50 foreign mercenaries, including Turks, have crossed into Kashmir from Pakistan.

A Hizbul Mujahideen commander, Burhan Wani, was killed by Indian security forces in 2016. Before his death, he had released a video where he openly said that he wanted Kashmir to be an Islamic caliphate.

After that, Pakistan orchestrated violent civil unrest [inside Kashmir] for which Pakistans ISI (Interservice Intelligence) supplied 800 crores (over $100 million), said Pandya, referring to a sting operation by India Today that videotaped a separatist leader confessing receiving money from Pakistan to stoke the unrest. Police firing on protestors at the time killed 46 people, he said.

The details were reported in a book, K File: Conspiracy of Silence by Bashir Assad as well as in the investigation by Indias National Investigation Agency, Pandya said.

Turkey went on to globally spread news about the violent protests and the loss of life but never went into the background of the event, said Pandya. He stressed that Turkey has turned out to be a staunch supporter of Pakistan.

While the United States blacklisted Kashmir-based Hizbul Mujahideen as a terrorist organization in 2017, the Turkish state media TRT World included Wani on a list of 20 people who shook the world in 2016. The list included Boris Johnson, Bernie Sanders, and Ivanka Trump.

An Indian paramilitary trooper stands guard in Srinagar alongside graffiti bearing the name of the slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani during a curfew continued across large parts of Indian-administered Kashmir weeks after his death, on July 31, 2016. (TAUSEEF MUSTAFA/AFP via Getty Images)

A hero to Kashmiri people but a terrorist in the eyes of the Indian state, Burhan Wani was a 21-year-old insurgent in Indian-administered Kashmir, TRT World reported.

He amplified his voice using social media, uploading videos and photos with messages calling for Kashmir to break away from Indian rule. Although his gun-wielding presence was symbolic, a war of images against Indias continuing aggression in Kashmir, where about half a million of its troops are stationed to quell dissent, his call for freedom inspired tens of thousands of Kashmiri youth, TRT World said.

In August 2019, after India revoked Article 370, a constitutional provision giving limited autonomy to the state of Jammu and Kashmir, that state was dissolved and two federally governed territories created out of it. Pandya alleges that Turkeys voice on Kashmir then became louder.

Just a month after this political re-organization, Erdogan brought up the Kashmir issue at the UN General Assembly and criticized the international community for not taking up its cause.

Despite Indias official objection, Erdogan went on to again raise the issue during his address to the joint session of the Pakistan parliament in February 2020.

Our Kashmiri brothers and sisters have suffered from inconveniences for decades and these sufferings have become graver due to unilateral steps taken in recent times, he said adding that he would support Pakistans efforts to escape the Financial Action Task Forces (FATF) so-called Grey List.

Today, the issue of Kashmir is as close to us as it is to you (Pakistanis), said Erdogan.

While Pakistan continues to be on the just-released Grey List, which designates countries involved in supporting terror, Pandya said Turkey has always been a hindrance to the blacklisting of Pakistan in FATF, which would lead to direct economic sanctions.

Pandya also points to reports last year in India and global media about Pakistan seeking to acquire drones from Turkey for border surveillance and also for dropping weapons inside Kashmir.

Ive heard that the drones which Pakistan is using to drop in Kashmir are very high-quality drones. They drop the weapon and they just disappear within seconds; youre not even able to locate them. They are more like unidentified flying objects, said Pandya, whose upcoming book is about terror financing in Kashmir.

He says Pakistan isnt capable of manufacturing such sophisticated drones, so they are coming from China, Russia, or Turkey.

Turkey also is luring Kashmiri students with scholarships to study at Turkish institutions.

These students are being trained in human rights studies, in various international relations studies, and even technological studies like making good drones, warfare, etc, said Pandya, who added that Turkey is training them in its own narratives.

This is the second (following The CCPs Agenda in Kashmir) in the series on Global Agendas in Kashmir, based on an exclusive interview with Abhinav Pandya, a field researcher in Kashmir who also advised the former governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Satya Pal Malik, on radicalization and security issues during the critical phase of the abrogation of the Article 370 that led to the constitutional reorganization of the state.
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HB 673 is named Gail's Law after Gail Gardner, an Orlando woman who is survivor of a vicious sexual assault in 1988 by an armed man who broke into her home and raped her at knifepoint. Despite courageously consenting to an invasive forensic exam, where a sexual assault evidence kit was collected, Gail had to wait nearly 30 years before her kit was tested. In November of last year, Orlando police finally identified Gail's attacker as a man who was already in prison for another sexual assault. That man is accused of assaulting 15 other women in Florida, yet evidence that could have led to his conviction sat on a shelf for 33 years.

In response to Gail's Law passing out of its final House committee, Representative Slosberg, the Co-Chair of the Florida Women's Legislative Caucus, said, "I am absolutely elated that Gail's Law has passed its final House committee with unanimous support in all three committee stops. There is no reason why we should be able to track a pizza more efficiently than we can track critical evidence in a sexual assault case. Gail's Law will bring more accountability to the investigation of sexual assaults and eliminate the potential for evidence to go untested and for perpetrators to escape justice. I look forward to seeing Gail's Law head to the House Floor for a final vote in the coming weeks and ask my colleagues to join me in supporting sexual assault survivors by passing this bill."

CONTACT:

Jack Anderson

Office of Representative Emily Slosberg

(850) 717-5091

[email protected]

SOURCE Representative Emily Slosberg, Florida House of Representatives, District 91
by Bernardo Cervellera

Young people killed in Myanmar, oppressed in Bangkok, imprisoned in Hong Kong, with no prospects for the economic crisis ...Pope Francis long list of social "plagues". Easter is not a vague symbol or psychological consolation. Nor is it just a past event.

Rome (AsiaNews) - Never before has the Easter Proclamation, the resurrection of Christ been so welcome. Friends and family who have died due to or as a consequence of Covid; the young people killed on the streets of Myanmar - almost 600 at the time of writing - by a military dictatorship that goes against history; Beijing's decision to stifle any longing for democracy and freedom in Hong Kong; the Bangkok generals who despise the pressure of Thai youth; Uyghur Muslims victims of widespread repression

Added to this already sad list we are the situations that Pope Francis recalled in his message on Easter Sunday, last April 4: the sick without access to treatment and vaccines; young people without future prospects; migrants "fleeing from wars and misery".

And then the cauldrons of war or close to conflict in Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Israel, Palestine, Ukraine, Nagorno-Karabakh; terrorist threats from Africa (Sahel, Nigeria, Tigray and Cabo Delgado); the countries (without a name) where religious freedom is trampled, where "many Christians have celebrated Easter with severe restrictions and, sometimes, without even being able to access liturgical celebrations", such as in China.

Never before have we so longed for some hope in the defeat of this pandemic, in the defeat of the economic and social crisis that grows relentlessly, for the return to dialogue and understanding in a society frayed to the extreme where it now seems that the only criterion is to save oneself at the expense of everyone else. Instead, we are confronted with a widespread impotence, which flounders on short-term expedients, devoid of any certainty.

In itself, the proclamation of Christs resurrection struggles to take root in the mentality of our world. At best, it is thought of as a symbol of rebirth (like spring flowers from trunks blackened by winter), or some psychological consolation, to which one clings precisely because everything appears destined for nothing. But in this way, Christs Resurrection fails to motivate any commitment in history.

We Christians also contribute to the evanescence of this announcement. For too many faithful the resurrection of Jesus is seen as the event in a distant past; Jesus is simply a teacher who taught "so many right things", a respectable moral example, but He is powerless to move today.

At the Easter Vigil, Pope Francis outlined this attitude with perfection: "Many people  including us  experience such a faith of memories, as if Jesus were someone from the past, an old friend from their youth who is now far distant, an event that took place long ago, when they attended catechism as a child. A faith made up of habits, things from the past, lovely childhood memories, but no longer a faith that moves me, or challenges me."

If Jesus is risen, then it means that he has power over every instant of history and is alive today too, in our life: we meet him in the sacraments, in prayer, in fraternal relationships. But if He is alive, it means that all the love with which He loved us from the cross was not in vain, a flicker of generous feeling before the end: it means that His love is greater and stronger than all those who wanted to silence it, annihilate it.

In this way, every situation, even the most desperate, can evolve through an everyday hope and commitment which contains a horizon of guarantee for the future. This also means that God is not a placebo for the pain of life, but the absolute guarantee of truth and good.

In a certain sense, the desperate situation of our world puts us with our backs to the wall: either the world is all irrational nonsense, which slips towards nothingness, or it is a creature of God and for this reason it has the hope of growing, improving, in Gods covenant with man.

On Easter Monday ("of the Angel") Pope Francis said: " All of the plans and defences of Jesuss enemies and persecutors were in vainThe image of the angel sitting on the stone before the tomb is the concrete manifestation, the visible manifestation of Gods victory over evil, the manifestation of Christs victory over the prince of this world, the manifestation of the victory of light over darkness. Jesuss tomb was not opened by a physical phenomenon, but by the Lords intervention These details are symbols that confirm the intervention of God himself, bearer of a new era, of the last times of history because Jesuss resurrection initiated the last times of history which can endure thousands of years, but they are the last times."
They are one of Hollywood's hottest couples.

And Jason Statham and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley looked as close as ever as they enjoyed a recent electric bike ride together in London.

The Fast and Furious star, 53, and his model fiancee, 33 wrapped up warm for their spin across the English capital

Happy couple: Jason Statham and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley were spotted enjoying an electric bike ride together in London

Jason looked comfortable in a black padded jacket, grey joggers and a wooly hat, while Rosie looked elegant in a navy belted wool coat.

The model and actress paired her outfit with black cat eye sunglasses and wore her blonde locks loose in a centre parting.

Their appearance comes after the couple reportedly decided to ditch their California mansion in favour of a luxury pad in their home country

Fun: Fast and Furious star Jason, 53, and model and actress Rosie, 33, wrapped up warm for the spin across the city

The stars are said to have splashed out on a 7.5million property in Chelsea, The Sun reported.

A source told the publication: 'In the midst of a pandemic, both Jason and Rosie just want to be closer to home, closer to their families and UK friends.

'After months of house-hunting, they finally found their dream pad - and couldn't be happier.'

New home: It comes after the couple reportedly decided to ditch their California mansion in favour of a luxury pad in their home country (pictured in 2016)

Wow! They sold their 14million Malibu beach house last year, after first putting the property on the market for a whopping 15.5million in October 2019

Lavish: Jason originally bought the 3,909 square foot home back in 2009, one year before he sparked up a romance with his fiancee Rosie

They sold their 14million Malibu beach house last year, after first putting the property on the market for a whopping 15.5million in October 2019.

Jason originally bought the 3,909 square foot home back in 2009, one year before he sparked up a romance with his fiancee Rosie.

The former Victoria's Secret Angel has been in a long-term relationship with Jason since 2010 and they welcomed son Jack, three, into the world in June 2017.

The Hollywood couple, who have been residing in California, recently flew back to London where they spent the UK's second coronavirus lockdown.

Happy couple: The Hollywood couple, who have been residing in California, recently flew back to London where they spent the UK's second coronavirus lockdown

Rosie previously admitted that she comes under pressure to have invasive procedures in LA - but doesn't want to do anything 'extreme' to her body.

The former face of Burberry previously told the Daily Mail's Eden Confidential column: 'I don't like to try anything extreme.

'I'm cautious, especially in LA where people are like, "Do you want breakfast and Botox?" and I'm like, "Uh, no. I'll take the breakfast and you can keep the Botox".

'I never worry about my lips. They stay in good shape.''

Rosie also recently opened up about her relationship with Jason, insisting it is so strong that she doesn't get jealous about his on-screen kisses with other women.

Couple goals: The former Victoria's Secret Angel has been in a long-term relationship with Jason since 2010 and they welcomed son Jack, three, into the world in June 2017

While the thespian has locked lips with the likes of Eiza Gonzalez, Beyonce and Jennifer Lopez for work purposes, Rosie admitted she doesn't grow envious.

In a candid Instagram Q&A, she was asked: 'You're not jealous when you see Jason's kisses scenes in the movies? Love u both' (sic)

To which a confident Rosie boldly said: 'Ummm... nope', alongside laughing and shrugging emojis.

The businesswoman went on to detail what qualities she values in others, which she shared alongside a rare image of herself and the Fast and Furious star.

'Honesty, humour, positivity, ambition, vision, warmth, humility, integrity, good manners, authenticity', the M&S star said.

The media personality, who usually keeps her personal life relatively under wraps, enthused about her only child as she wrote: 'Best thing that you are thankful for? My son Jack Oscar.'
Russian President, Vladimir Putin has signed legislation formally granting him the right to stay in power until 2036. Putins second consecutive and fourth overall presidential term ends in 2024, the year when Russias previous Constitution would have required him to step down.



But an overhauled Constitution that Russians approved in a nationwide vote last year allows Putin to run for two more six-year presidential terms.



If elected both times, he would remain president until 2036, surpassing Josef Stalin as the longest-serving leader of Russia since Peter the Great.





The law which was signed on Monday April 5 by the 68-year-old leader, resets his number of terms served, allowing him to extend his 20-year rule until he turns 83.





Former President Dmitry Medvedev, who served in 2008-2012 when Putin was constitutionally mandated to step down after his first two consecutive terms, is also granted the right to run two more times.



Putin has previously said he hasnt yet decided whether to run for president again, saying 2024 is still far off.













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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[April 06, 2021] Local Logic Welcomes Linda J. Isaacson to Board of Directors

Local Logic, a location intelligence platform that provides powerful insights for homebuyers, real estate professionals, and developers, today announced that Linda J. Isaacson has joined its Board of Directors, and Audrey Whittington has joined its leadership team as Vice President of Sales. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005863/en/ Linda J. Isaacson (Photo: Business Wire) Based in New York, Linda currently serves as Managing Director, Global Head of Innovation + Technology, at Ferguson Partners, a global talent management boutique specializing in board, executive recruitment, and business advisory services to the real assets, hospitality and healthcare services sectors. Linda focuses on aligning C-Suite and Board Leadership, cutting-edge technologies, Big Data, and digital processes impacting the built environment. She also holds seats on the boards of several high-profile real estate organizations, including the Urban Land Institute and CRETech. "With Local Logic's unique perspective on placemaking and urban planning, Vincent and his team have built this company into one of the top location analytics firms in the world," said Linda. "I look forward to helping Local Logic expand industry connections and develop strategic initiatives that will take them to the next level and beyond." "Since securing our Series A funding round last year, Local Logic has been hard at work fulfilling our mission of infusing vital location intelligence into the traditional homebuying, development, and urban planning processes. As part of that process, we've also been able to bring in a range of experienced board members and advisors like Linda, who will help guide both the ongoin development of our platform and our growing list of users across North America," said Local Logic Co-Founder & CEO Vincent-Charles Hodder. "Her incredible experience and expertise in real estate data and predictive analytics from sales, governance and the establishment of vital data use standards - will be critical as we work to build the most powerful insights and further ignite our growth across the market. We are incredibly excited to have her on our Board of Directors and look forward to leveraging her unique perspective in the months and years ahead."



As Vice President of Sales, Audrey will be responsible for fostering and leading a talented sales team to meet Local Logic's sales goals across Canada and the United States. Based in Washington, D.C., she has a long history in the real estate technology space. Before joining Local Logic, she served almost a decade as the Vice President of Strategic Data Partnerships and then Vice President Of Business Development at Move Inc. Audrey has an MBA from The George Washington University School of Business, and a bachelor's degree from University of Colorado Boulder.

"I'm excited to bring my real estate expertise to this growing and innovative company," said Audrey. "Through the creative talents of its diverse leadership, Local Logic has pioneered a unique product for the industry - one which boasts massive flexibility, usability and sales potential, to provide an exciting perspective on location-based data." Local Logic offers the single largest location intelligence data set in North America - incorporating more than 30 billion data points spanning more than 200 million properties. By combining traditional real estate data with a vast trove of alternative data sources, its platform brings transparency to the real estate market by analyzing how external factors such as noise, vibrancy, walkability, transit access, and quality of schools impact market demand. This creates new levels of certainty around property-level attributes long treated as subjective, helping customers - in both the public and private sectors - to determine the highest and best use of any specific asset and enabling more accurate, efficient, and successful investment decisions. About Local Logic Local Logic is a data and analytics platform that quantifies the qualities of any given location - from suburban homes to urban high-rises and retail. Founded by a team of urban planners, engineers, data scientists, and real estate experts, the company combines geospatial, user-generated, and real estate data to offer a holistic perspective on cities, the way people perceive and value it, and how technology can introduce transparency into the real estate market. Its consumer-facing tools can be found on websites such as REMAX.com, Sotheby's, Inside Real Estate, Realtor.ca, and more. With more than 30 billion unique data points - the largest unique location data set in the U.S. and Canada - Local Logic offers predictive, precise analytics to inform decision-makers building and investing in the urban environment. The company has formed partnerships with numerous leading real estate developers and property management companies, including DevMcGill, Ivanhoe Cambridge, and Midwood Investment and Development. Learn more at locallogic.co. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005863/en/

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Quebec Premier Francois Legault, centre, flanked by Horacio Arruda, Quebec director of public health, left, and Quebec Health Minister Christian Dube, speaks during a news conference on the COVID-19 pandemic at the legislature in Quebec City, Wednesday, March 31, 2021. Several more Quebec municipalities will move into lockdown today to combat the spread of COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot
Allen last week called the charges a blatant attempt to squeeze his client and get her to cooperate in the ComEd case, even though she knows nothing whatsoever of that alleged scheme. Allen said she intended to fight the charges, which he characterized as minor.
Expands Portfolio of SaaS Offerings with Data-Driven Candidate Identification and Engagement Technology

HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / April 6, 2021 / Recruiter.com Group, Inc. (OTCQB:RCRT), an online hiring platform delivering on-demand recruiting technology, today announced that it acquired Upsider.ai, an artificial intelligence sourcing software that automates candidate identification and engagement to help employers make the best hires.

"Upsider.ai's AI-based scoring engine analyzes millions of data sources to identify qualified candidates faster, cutting through the inefficiencies of the often unpredictable and traditionally expensive recruiting process," said Evan Sohn, CEO of Recruiter.com. "Innovative, high-growth technology clients such as Bombora, Litify, MovableInk, and Vestwell have recognized the value of Upsider.ai, and we are excited to bring this leading-edge technology to a broader market."

Upsider.ai co-founder and CEO Josh McBride, a SaaS sales veteran, and entrepreneur, joins Recruiter.com as Senior Vice President. McBride's co-founder and CTO, Xuan Smith, a Stanford University engineering graduate with more than ten years of predictive analytics experience, joins the Recruiter.com team as Vice President.

"We've seen the impact data and analytics can have on business performance, and we also recognize the big gap that exists between high-tech recruiting solutions and what recruiters and hiring managers need to do their jobs well," said McBride. "That's where Upsider.ai can be impactful. We embed machine learning intelligence throughout each step of the sourcing process, and that gives us a huge advantage over the other options in the market. The Upsider.ai product is simply faster, more efficient, and more predictive than any other tool available today."

With the acquisition, Recruiter.com continues on its trajectory toward becoming a top-of-mind hiring solution, providing both the tools that enable expert hiring and a network of on-demand recruiters to assist businesses in their talent acquisition efforts. Last quarter, Recruiter.com successfully launched a candidate curation platform that delivers diverse pipelines of high-quality talent to companies weekly, streamlining sourcing processes to ensure a shorter interview-to-hire timeline. In Q4 of last year, Recruiter.com launched a video platform that replaces countless hours of traditional resume reviews and phone screens with short candidate videos, which help users quickly qualify candidates before delving into the nuances of their backgrounds and credentials.

Upsider.ai and its sourcing algorithm are critical components of Recruiter.com's growth plan. The acquisition adds industry-leading technology to Recruiter.com's portfolio of SaaS tools and expert sales and engineering talent to Recruiter.com's team, enhancing its ability to deliver promising technology advancements to its expanding client base.

The Upsider.ai team's intimate understanding of the industry is due, in part, to its strategic advisory board that includes executives from recruitment technology leaders like Greenhouse, Google, and AC Lion Staffing.

"With a constant need for incredible e-commerce and digital marketing candidates, AC Lion's talent acquisition team continuously utilizes Upsider's industry-leading technology to source and engage top talent," said Alan Cutter, CEO of AC Lion Executive Search and strategic advisor to Upsider, "The AI-powered platform has enabled my team to spend more time speaking with highly qualified and engaged candidates and less time sourcing, which results in a faster interview-to-placement timeline for our clients."

There is a significant market opportunity for efficiency-driving tech solutions in the HR and recruitment space. At present, nearly $130 billion is spent annually by companies seeking to hire suitable candidates. Upsider.ai's AI-based scoring engine and platform use machine learning and data science to help hiring teams quickly identify and engage the right talent from pools of millions of qualified passive candidates. Upsider.ai's scoring engine adapts to patterns in users' candidate selection and engagement results, creating a self-evolving sourcing experience that learns and becomes more efficient over time.

"Recruiter.com's on-demand recruiting teams have implemented Upsider.ai's machine learning technology in their sourcing and screening processes, which has saved them countless hours on projects while cutting costs and time-to-hire for our clients," added Sohn. "Upsider.ai solves for pain points that traditionally slow hiring down. We're excited to bring this technology to market and help companies scale their teams efficiently and predictively."

Recruiter.com's purchase of Upsider.ai was successfully closed on March 26, 2021, through an asset purchase agreement. Recruiter.com paid for the acquisition primarily in restricted common stock.

Recruiter.com Group, Inc.

Recruiter.com is an online hiring platform delivering on-demand recruiting technology and services to both large and small businesses. With AI and video technology, and the world's largest network of recruiters, Recruiter.com delivers on-tap recruiting that flexes with hiring needs. To learn more, visit https://www.recruiter.com. For investor information, visit https://www.recruiter.com/investors.html.

Please follow social media channels for additional updates:

LinkedIn Recruiter Network Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/42370/

LinkedIn Company Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/1240434

Twitter Company Page: https://twitter.com/recruiterdotcom

Facebook Company Page: https://www.facebook.com/RecruiterDotCom

Company Contact:

Sarah Schultz

Director of Communications

Recruiter.com Group, Inc.

sschultz@recruiter.com

Phone: (855) 931-1500

Investor Relations:

Dave Gentry

RedChip Companies, Inc.

Phone: (407) 491-4498

dave@redchip.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but is not limited to the demand for our services, revenue potential, and the economic re-opening. The words "forecasts" "believe," "may," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "should," "plan," "could," "target," "potential," "is likely," "will," "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements primarily on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements include continued demand for professional hiring, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the job market and the economy as virus levels are again rising in many states, and the Risk Factors contained within our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements publicly, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

SOURCE: Recruiter.com Group, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/639043/Recruitercom-Acquires-Artificial-Intelligence-Candidate-Sourcing-Tool-Upsiderai
New Delhi, April 6 : Resurgence of Covid infections along with re-imposition of partial travel restrictions in some major states has triggered a clamour among a section of airlines for reduction of flight capacity.

Accordingly, industry insiders contend that rising cases have severely impacted demand leading to cancellations.

Notably, the Centre till now has allowed airlines to deploy 80 per cent capacity.

The domestic sector was reopened on May 25, 2020 with a limited capacity of only 33 per cent.

Since then the operational capacity has only been increased in-consonance with rising passenger traffic.

"Covid cases have risen dramatically and loads have crashed drastically, thereby, leading to cancellations. Demand has been badly hit in multiple states especially Maharashtra," a senior executive with a leading private airline told IANS.

"As more and more states impose Covid based entry restrictions, the situation will only worsen. It's time that capacity is reduced. It's impossible to fly at 80 per cent right now." According to a Mumbai based industry insider: "All airlines are bleeding heavily and sustaining at these levels is not viable. Many airlines are mulling pay cuts." "Centre might have to intervene again to impose calibrated capacity deployment to save the industry." In the past week from March 29 to April 4, a Crisil note cited that daily cases shot-up from 68,000 to over 1 lakh - a whopping 52 per cent increase.

Besides, cases continue to be concentrated in Maharashtra, which accounted for 55 per cent of the new cases in March 29 to April 4 week.

Consequently, the rising cases, re-imposition of travel restrictions is expected to have a major negative impact on the industry.

In addition, industry insiders said that issue will be raised to the Ministry of Civil Aviation by the concerned airlines.
Union Home Minister on Tuesday appealed to the voters of West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry to exercise their franchise in huge numbers.

Shah requested the voters of Union Territory Puducherry to show up to vote for a corruption-free and progressive government.

"I appeal to all the voters of Puducherry to vote in large numbers for a corruption-free and progressive government," the Union Minister tweeted.

He appealed to the people of West Bengal to vote for peace, prosperity, and development of the state.

"Only a strong and decisive leadership can make Bengal self-reliant by ensuring peace, prosperity and development in the state. So, be sure to vote and be a partner in the development of Bengal," he said in a subsequent tweet.

Urging people of Assam to participate in the festival of democracy, he said, "Today is the third and final phase of voting in Assam. I appeal to all voters to cast their votes in maximum numbers while ensuring their participation in this festival of democracy."

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also appealed to the voters in poll-bound states to vote in record numbers.

" are taking place in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. I request the people in these places to vote in record numbers, particularly the young voters," tweeted Prime Minister Modi.

Polling began at 7 am on Tuesday for one of the busiest days in the ongoing Assembly election in all four states and one Union Territory - West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.Polling is being held for a total of 475 of the total 824 assembly constituencies across the states of Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and the Union territory of Puducherry.

(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.)
By Sanjeev Miglani and Vladimir Soldatkin

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Russia and India are discussing "additional" production of Russian military equipment in India, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday, in a move that could irk the United States which frowns upon countries engaged in defence trade with Moscow.

Speaking at a joint news conference with India's Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Lavrov did not specify what kind of equipment could be made in India.

Officials from both countries have said their governments have been discussing for some years the possibility of making Russian military helicopters in India.

We have confirmed our determination towards the development of military-technical cooperation," Lavrov told the briefing, adding there was an inter-governmental commission dealing with the subject.

"It has its own plans, and the prospects for additional production of Russian military equipment on Indias territory are under discussion, he said.

India has made Russian MiG fighter planes and Su-30 jets under license and the two countries have collaborated to develop and produce supersonic BrahMos cruise missiles in India.

While joint defence production would fit with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flagship make-in-India programme, it could rile the United States, which has been targeting Russia's defence and intelligence sectors with trade sanctions for Moscow's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and U.S. intelligence findings it has meddled in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

Lavrov said the United States has been trying to discourage countries from buying Russian weapons, but U.S. objections did not feature during his talks with Jaishankar, which had focused on deepening military ties.

Washington has already warned New Delhi that it could face sanctions if it goes through with the purchase of Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile systems under a deal struck in 2018, though it has not made the same threat over other Indian arms purchases from Russia.

Story continues

Last year, the United States sanctioned Turkey for buying S-400 systems. India made an initial payment of $800 million in 2019, and the first set of missile batteries is expected to be delivered towards the end of this year.

Jaishankar said ties with Russia were time-tested and that the two sides also discussed a summit meeting between Modi and President Vladimir Putin later this year.

"India-Russia ties are characterised by consistent ability to identify and update shared interests," he said.

Russia has traditionally been India's main arms supplier but Delhi has turned to the United States and Israel in recent years for supplies of attack helicopters, transport planes and high-tech drones and other surveillance equipment.

(Reporting by Sanjeev Miglani in New Delhi and Vladimir Soldatkin in Moscow and Chandini Monnappa in Bengaluru; editing by Simon Cameron-Moore and Bernadette Baum)
New vendors, live music and more will delight attendees this year at the Midland Area Farmers Market.

The market opens May 1, and will run from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Wednesday and Saturday at the Dow Diamond East parking lot. The season will close for Wednesdays on Oct. 30, and for good after the first three Saturdays of November.

Manager of the farmers market Emily Lyons said she is hoping this year will be more lively than last.

When we opened last year, people still weren't quite sure what to think about the virus, Lyons said. Michigan was still on full lockdown at the beginning of May, so there was excitement, but people were still trepid about coming out.

The market has vendors from farmers, cottage food providers (bakers), meat sellers and more. Many vendors will be returning from previous years, including:

 Arnold Farms, a hydroponic produce grower in the Midland area.

 OMacaron, a macaron baker.

 Reinhardt Blooms, a flower grower.

While old favorites are returning, Lyons said new businesses will be joining as well, including Pretzel Prize, Veloce Woodfire Foods truck, Love That Soap!, and Messenger Cookie Co. This years farmers market will look a lot like last years in terms of COVD-19 protocols, however. Lyons said guests are encouraged to wear masks and practice social distancing.

Live music will be performed adjacent to the market by the Isabella Bank booth, Lyons said. The bands and musicians that will be playing will be shared through the markets Facebook and Instagram pages, she said.

Currently, there are about 70 vendors accepted for the farmers market, Lyons said. Applications will be accepted until April 16 and are filled out on the markets website.
NEW YORK, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Egg and Poultry market will register an incremental spend of about USD 6.24 Billion, growing at a CAGR of 1.74% during the five-year forecast period. A targeted strategic approach to Egg and Poultry sourcing can unlock several opportunities for buyers. This report also offers market impact and new opportunities created due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Download free sample report

Key Highlights Offered in the Report:

Egg and Poultry Market Procurement Research Report

Information on how to identify strategic and tactical negotiation levels that will help achieve the best prices.

Gain information on relevant pricing levels, detailed explanation on pros and cons of prevalent pricing models.

Methods to help engage with the right suppliers and discover KPI's to evaluate incumbent suppliers.

Get a free sample report for more information

Insights into buyer strategies and tactical negotiation levers:

Several strategic and tactical negotiation levers are explained in the report to help buyers achieve the best prices for the Egg and Poultry market. The report also aids buyers with relevant Egg and Poultry pricing levels, pros, and cons of prevalent pricing models such as volume-based pricing, spot pricing, and cost-plus pricing and category management strategies and best practices to fulfill their category objectives.

For more insights on buyer strategies and tactical negotiation levers, Click here.

Key Drivers and Trends Fueling Market Growth:

The pressure from substitutes and a moderate level of threat from new entrants has resulted in the low bargaining power of suppliers.

Price forecasts are beneficial in purchase planning, especially when supplemented by the constant monitoring of price influencing factors. During the forecast period, the market expects a change of 4.00%-6.00%.

Identify favorable opportunities in Egg and Poultry TCO (total cost of ownership).

Expected changes in price forecast and factors driving the current and future price changes.

Identify pricing models that offer the most rewarding opportunities.

Some of the top Egg and Poultry suppliers listed in this report:

This Egg and Poultry procurement intelligence report has enlisted the top suppliers and their cost structures, SLA terms, best selection criteria, and negotiation strategies.

Tyson Foods Inc.

BRF S.A.

Perdue Farms Inc.

New Hope Holdings Co. Ltd.

Cargill Inc.

JBS S.A.

Industrias Bachoco S.A.B. de C.V.

Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL

Koch Industries Inc.

Arab Company for Livestock Development

To get instant access to over 1000 market-ready procurement intelligence reports without any additional costs or commitment, Subscribe Now for Free.

Table of Content

Executive Summary

Market Insights

Category Pricing Insights

Cost-saving Opportunities

Best Practices

Category Ecosystem

Category Management Strategy

Category Management Enablers

Suppliers Selection

Suppliers under Coverage

US Market Insights

Category scope

Appendix

Get access to regular sourcing and procurement insights to our digital procurement platform- Contact Us.

About SpendEdge:

SpendEdge shares your passion for driving sourcing and procurement excellence. We are the preferred procurement market intelligence partner for 120+ Fortune 500 firms and other leading companies across numerous industries. Our strength lies in delivering robust, real-time procurement market intelligence reports and solutions.

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SOURCE SpendEdge
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:
Mumbai: The Maharashtra government and former state Home Minister Anil Deshmukh have moved the Supreme Court, challenging the Bombay High Court order directing a CBI preliminary enquiry into corruption allegations levelled by former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh.

A division bench of Bombay High Court comprising Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice G.S. Kulkarni on Monday had asked the CBI to complete its "preliminary probe" within 15 days on the issues raised by Singh in his "letter-bomb" last month.

However, the court said that the CBI need not register a First Information Report (FIR) immediately as the Maharashtra government has already set up a `high-level committee` to probe the matter. "The Government Resolution by the state government for a high-level committee leads us to believe that there is no interference required," said Chief Justice Datta.

Hours after the verdict, Deshmukh quit his post.

According to the Supreme Court website, petitions filed by Maharashtra and Deshmukh have been filed in the top court. However, no date on the hearing has been finalised so far. The status on the top court website shows pending for both petitions.

Earlier on Tuesday, newly-appointed Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil, who took charge, had said: "The state government will challenge the Bombay HC order before the Supreme Court."

Besides Singh`s PIL, the court heard three other pleas - one filed by Ghanshyam Upadhyay seeking a court-monitored SIT, another by Mohan Bhide wanting a retired HC or SC judge to probe and a third by Jayshri Patil for a CBI, or any other independent agency, probe.

In his plea, Singh had sought a thorough probe by the CBI into his allegations that Deshmukh had asked arrested Mumbai policeman Sachin Vaze "to collect Rs 100 crore per month" and also challenged his own transfer to Commandant General, Home Guards.

The state had strongly objected to the plea on grounds that Singh made the allegations only because he was shunted out of his post as Mumbai police chief.

Live TV
Deep South Resources Inc (CVE: DSM- OTCQB: DSMTF) CEO Pierre Leveille joined Steve Darling from Proactive to share news the company has now been approved to have their shares traded in the United States on the OTCQB market with the ticker symbol DSMTF.

Leveille explains why this a big move for the company as they continue to advance the Haib Copper Project in Namibia.
On Jan. 18, 2021, San Francisco Giants principal owner Charles B. Johnson issued his second statement in four days about his donations to a dozen right-wing extremists during the 2020 election cycle.

After initially writing that his donations were supposed to be for candidates who "share my strong belief in a free market system," Johnson relented with the closest thing he could muster to an apology, conceding that he would request a refund from Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., and "any other individuals who are found to have engaged in similar behavior," referencing politicians and their ilk who employed inflammatory, violent language prior to the Jan. 6 Capitol riots. Johnson, an 88-year-old reclusive billionaire, noted that and would "reject and denounce any individuals, candidates or elected officials who do not honor our constitution or who espouse or assist in violence of any kind," and ended his statement by promising "to do my part in helping to heal our nation and restore peace and respect in our democratic system."

And then roughly two weeks later, according to FEC filings reviewed by SFGATE, Johnson maxed out a $5,000 donation to Elbert Guillory's America  a PAC that advertises its donation link via its affiliation with Guillory, a far-right extremist who offered plaudits to the Capitol rioters just a day after the fatal event occurred.

Before he became an internet personality, Guillory, 76, was in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 2007 to 2009, then the Louisiana State Senate from 2009 to 2016. He flipped parties when it was politically expedient, going from Republican to Democrat in 2007 while competing in a heavily Democratic district, then back to Republican in 2013. At that point, he released what is still his best-known video to date, "Why I Am A Republican," which has 1.5 million views.

From there, Guillory got into PACs. First up was the Free At Last PAC, which was intended to help elect Black conservatives. It appears to be no more. Now his PAC is called Elbert Guillory's America, which, if you read the fine print, espouses a similar mission statement (and did give to some Black conservative candidates during the 2020 election cycle).

When you visit Guillory's website, it's hard to tell if you're there to donate to the PAC or to a more nebulous media platform. The site is littered with Guillory's musings. The "about" tab features his background, with nothing on the PAC itself. The "donate" tab takes you to a new page asking for funding to "Help Elbert spread the real truth." There are lots of front-and-center options, from $25 up to $5,000.

Guillory isn't quite a star in MAGA circles, but he does have a following: a little more than 272,000 likes on his Facebook page, which highlights his cultural and political takes. He sticks to false talking points that are commiserate with the dredges of any comments section. A selection:

 He says Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., is an "illegal alien."

 He uses air quotes when describing Vice President Kamala Harris as a "Black woman," adding, "She is not a Black woman. Google it."

 He says climate change is a hoax because it snowed a bunch this year.

 He's made unfounded and offensive remarks about trans teenagers.

 He wrote of Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion's "WAP" performance at the Grammy Awards: "If one looks like a whore, dresses like a whore, behaves like a whore and talks like a whore then that person will certainly be treated like a whore! Therein lies some of the reason for the rise in battering, beating and even killing of women."

And on Jan. 7, in the immediate aftermath of the riots that led to five deaths, Guillory released a video on Facebook and Twitter with the caption, "The battle has begun!" The video opens with Guillory's narration: "Patriotic Americans, a message has been sent. To those who would steal elections, would run roughshod over the rights of Americans, who want to throw out America and replace it with some far-left, gender less, godless society, our battle is not about a man nor an offense, but about the character of our nation." While he speaks, photos from the riots are shown.

Guillory spent the next few weeks  right around the time Charles B. Johnson was on his multiple statements tour  defending President Trump. (If you're a fan of ranking presidents, on Feb. 14 Guillory asserted that Trump was the fifth-greatest president of all-time, one spot behind Richard Nixon.)

And on Feb. 2, Guillory's PAC, which releases monthly reports, notes that it received $5,000 (the maximum annual contribution) from Charles B. Johnson.

As SFGATE previously reported, Johnson gave to these right-wing extremists in addition to Rep. Boebert: Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala.; Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark.; Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga.; Rep. Madison Cawthorn, R-N.C.; Rep. Dan Bishop, R-N.C.; Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio; Rep. Bob Good, R-Va.; Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md.; as well as congressional candidates Laura Loomer, Jeanne Ives, Claudia Tenney and Ted Howze.

In 2018, before his last round of controversial donations, Johnson issued another statement and requested another refund when his $2,800 contribution to Mississippi Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, who made a lynching joke at a campaign stop, was unearthed. Back then, Johnson's lawyer said he should have paid more attention to where he was directing his money, but sometimes all of us screw up.

Flash forward to December of 2020, a few weeks before the Capitol riots. Guillory uploaded a video  not to be confused with his impending "The battle has begun!" post from Jan. 7  called "Battle Lines." It opens with a question: "What do we patriots do now?" If you sit through the full 14 minutes, you get Guillory's answer.

"What do we patriots do now? The answer is: we fight! We fight for God, and we fight for country. With every breath we fight. Because on this day, we fight for the soul and the future of America. We must not, we cannot, surrender."

SFGATE staff writer Joshua Bote contributed to this story.
Women tend to regret casual sex more than men  but not enough to stop themselves from having more one-night stands, a new study reveals.

Norwegian researchers found women experience higher levels of 'sexual regret'  meaning they're more likely to wish they hadn't hooked up with a random person.

But women who do regret a one night stand don't feel bad enough about it to change their behaviour for next time  likely due to the power of a high sex drive.

Men regret passing up 'short-term sexual opportunities' more than women, meanwhile.

Women are likely to regret a one-night stand more than men. Conversely, men are more likely to regret missing an opportunity for a one-night stand

CASUAL SEX IN THE COVID ERA Covid-19 has made us rethink everything  especially sex. The sexual freedom many previously enjoyed - having commitment-free sex that is no longer frowned upon - is no longer just a swipe away. Dating studies say lots of people, particularly women, stopped looking for a prospective partner once it became clear the virus was dangerous. The Kinsey Institute in America launched an ongoing sex and relationships study in March 2020 and found about half of those involved are less sexually active than before. Research indicates the same is happening in the UK and Australia. But online dating platforms like Tinder are still helping new partners connect. Video platforms are also making sexual activity virtual in the time of Covid. Read more: Sexpert Tracey Cox reveals how to hook up safely during the pandemic Advertisement

The experts found little evidence that sexual regret is 'functional'  in other words, it doesn't really contribute to any real change in behaviour.

In women, this change of behaviour would be reducing the number of one-night stands, as well as choosing better quality partners and shifting strategies to long-term relationships.

'We are not that surprised,' said study author Professor Leif Edward Ottesen Kennair at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).

'For the most part, people continue with the same sexual behaviour and the same level of regret.'

The research team previously found 35 per cent of women feel guilty about having casual sex, compared with 20 per cent of men.

Factors that drive this difference include pregnancy concerns, STD infections and getting a bad reputation, they revealed.

This new study looked at the potential of 'sexual regret' to alter future behaviours.

Many psychologists assume that regret and other emotions have a function  that they'll influence our behaviour so that we modify it.

For example, after experiencing negative emotions, we may change our behaviour to reduce the risk of having those negative feelings later.

Likewise, a feeling of disgust can protect us against infection, while fear can protect against danger.

'Researchers have found that most people believe this is true for regret,' said postdoctoral fellow Trond Viggo Grntvedt at NTNU.

'They assume that regret is actually a helpful negative feeling. People assume it guides them not to repeat what they regretted.'

Women (and men) repeat what they thought was a mistake, and we regret it just as much the next time around, the study suggests

For their study, researchers recruited 621 participants who answered a questionnaire about sexual regret two times, at approximately 4.5 month intervals.

This approach made it possible to study changes over shorter periods of time.

'We wanted to examine if their level of regret contributed to a change in behaviour the next time around,' said Professor Mons Bendixen, also at NTNU.

Both women and men regretted what they did the last time an opportunity for casual sex arose, but they often regretted completely different choices.

Men more than women reported regret passing up short-term sexual opportunities  something the researchers have termed 'inaction regret'  while women reported regret having had sexual encounters  called 'action regret'.

Interestingly, action regret generally wasn't enough to protect against casual sex in the future, the researchers said.

In other words, women  and some men too  feel regret for engaging in casual sex, but this emotion isn't powerful enough to overcome human lust.

As the researchers point out, when the opportunity for sex arises 'and horniness takes over', we probably react just like the time before.

'If regret helped, would not most sinners eventually become saints?' said Professor Kennair.

'We have repeated that regret is adaptive in all our articles on the subject in recent years  and now we have tested it.'

While men regretted passing up on one-night stands, researchers found 'no clear evidence' that this inaction regret was enough for them to engage in more one-night stands.

This may be because men aren't necessarily going to hook up with someone just because they want it to happen.

The study has been published in Evolutionary Psychology.
Labor has thrown its support behind establishing stadium-style coronavirus vaccination hubs to speed up the national rollout.

The federal government has played down the need for mass vaccination sites, insisting its growing network of general practice clinics has the program under control.

But opposition health spokesman Mark Butler said the strategy was not working and it was time for new ideas.

Labor has thrown its support behind establishing stadium-style coronavirus vaccination hubs to speed up the national rollout

'I don't understand why the Commonwealth is so resistant to an idea that has been rolled out in pretty much every country I have looked at around the world,' he told ABC radio on Tuesday.

'These large vaccination centres of the type that state governments would be able to operate fairly straightforwardly are the way in which other countries are racing ahead of Australia in their vaccine rollout.'

Mr Butler also wants pharmacists brought into the rollout sooner after chemists warned they had been delayed by a month and would not start administering coronavirus jabs until June.

He said it was unfair to force general practices to go it alone.

'I don't think the numbers lie. And the numbers show how far behind we are. The strategy put together by the Commonwealth is not working,' Mr Butler said.

'There's just not enough hands at the wheel and the Commonwealth has got to recognise that.'

Australia is on track to record one million vaccinations by the close of business on Monday, but the milestone is a long way short of the four million inoculations the federal government promised by the end of March.

Health policy expert Bill Bowtell said the slow vaccine rollout was creating serious problems.

The adjunct professor said Australia had inoculated just 2.34 in every 100 people.

Two women get vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine against Covid-19 at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid

'We're somewhere about 90th on the world league tables - sandwiched between Bolivia and Albania,' he told Melbourne radio 3AW.

'However you want to spin it, we are not doing very well.'

Professor Bowtell said there were serious problems with both vaccine supplies and distribution.

'We are not moving fast enough with mass vaccination centres and so on to supplement the distribution through the general practice networks and the doctors surgeries,' he said.

'We are falling way behind.'

Professor Bowtell said the virus was mutating faster than Australia was vaccinating its population.

A nurse is administered with a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine at the vaccination clinic at Austin Hospital in Melbourne

'Most of the other countries in the world ... have got this through their head that they need to mobilise urgently to get ahead of the variants of the virus that are spreading in the world,' he said.

'It's a very serious situation.'

The United Kingdom has transformed churches and warehouses into vaccination hubs and the United States has used sporting stadiums.

Acting Chief Medical Officer Michael Kidd said federal health authorities were not ruling out the idea of mass vaccination sites.

'We're working with the states and territories on the additional sites which the states and territories will continue to be setting up,' he told the ABC.

'Each state and territory is looking at what is the best way to meet the needs of their local population and to get the vaccine out to the people of Australia.'
Historians still debate how many Big Houses were burned across Ireland between 1920-23 as the chaos of war gripped the land.

In an account published 20 years ago, historian Terence Dooley estimated that 76 mansions were set ablaze, and twice that number destroyed during the Civil War.

The motivations for these burnings were complex. In some instances, blazes were justified on the basis that houses were or had been used as temporary barracks by the Crown forces; others were targeted because of the loyalism of their owners; others were destroyed as counter-reprisals against Black and Tan and Auxiliary actions.

In a few instances, the motivation was combination of all of these factors.

However, in a paper presented in a National Library lecture last week, Terence Dooley focused on a more controversial motive: land hunger.

Burnings which might have been seen as a counter-reprisal sometimes masked ulterior motives driven by local land issues because at the heart of the Irish revolution was land redistribution.

Dooley cites a host of high-profile examples to bolster his argument, including the demise of Moydrum Castle, Lord Castlemaines mansion in Co Westmeath. It was set alight on July 3, 1921, a week before the Anglo-Irish truce ended hostilities in the War of Independence.

On the surface, burning the castle was a reprisal for Black and Tan atrocities in the neighbourhood. However, Dooley says an examination of the evidence offers a much more complex story.

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In late June, the IRA had attempted to kidnap a British officer stationed in Athlone. The plan was to hold him hostage to barter for the release of Longford IRA leader Sean MacEoin, who was in Athlone prison awaiting execution.

However, during the operation, the British officer was shot and died.

A revenge rampage by the Black and Tans in Knockcroghery, Co Roscommon saw 20 houses burned. Instead of responding by burning an equal number of houses, the local IRA commander decided that Moydrum Castle would be burned as a counter-reprisal.

According to Dooley the commander did not reveal that he and his two brothers had been actively involved in agrarian agitation in the lead-up to the burning.

Dooley says the destruction and intimidation did not end with the burning of the castle. Between August 1921 and 1924, the gatekeepers cottage, stewards house and the estate office were burned, and locals drove their cattle onto the demesne and grazed them freely.

Dooley cites historian Eugene Dunne, who concluded it appears to have been an orchestrated and systematic campaign of vandalism and intimidation to force him [Castlemaine] to leave the Athlone area.

Expand Close Before: Moydrum Castle in Co Westmeath was the focal point of an agrarian campaign which continued after the War of Independence and the Civil War / Facebook

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If so, it succeeded. In 1924, Castlemaine, now permanently resident in England, had no alternative but to sell approximately 1,000 acres of Moydrum demesne and untenanted lands to the Irish Land Commission for redistribution.

Thus, the burning of Moydrum Castle did not merely serve as a reprisal for Black and Tan atrocities, it simultaneously ended centuries of aristocratic presence in the area and provided access to a sizeable amount of agricultural land to be divided amongst local uneconomic holders.

An action that appeared to be driven by the national struggle may also have had local agrarian intent, in essence a micro social revolution.

Dooley says land distribution was a key motive in the destruction of many other Big House including: Summerhill in Co Meath, the ancestral home of Barons Langford; Kilmorna House, Listowel, Co Kerry; Ravensdale Park in Co Louth; and Gola House in Monaghan.

Landless militants

Across the country there were similar episodes related to agrarianism. LP Curtis Jr in his micro-study of the Woodlawn estate in east Galway found that: Into the power vacuum rushed landless militants or evicted tenants whose hunger for land took precedence over any nationalist aspirations.

Analysing the burning of Ballydugan House near Loughrea in Co Galway, historian Ann ORiordan highlighted the role of agrarianism that escalated during the War of Independence, and eventually resulted in Ballydugans destruction during the Civil War era.

The ongoing agrarian intimidation and the history of unrest in this region combined to create the primary motive for the burning of Ballydugan House  the desire for land.

The political chaos of the time provided the conspirators with an opportunity to secure land for themselves and their families, an opportunity they were not going to miss.

Land War

Dooley says that rather than being directly motivated by the War of Independence and Civil War, these examples of Big House burnings reflect a new phase of Land War that began in 1917.

He says the 1903 Land Act did not, as many believe, solve the Irish land question even though most farmers owned their farms by 1922.

This is because the most pertinent issue was not proprietorship; it was farm viability. And, therefore, Big Houses became central to redistribution.

Expand Close Legacy: Moore Hall in Carnacon, Co Mayo was burned by local anti-Treaty forces in February 1922. This action was especially controversial as the Moore family had, as far back as the 1798 rebellion, a notable tradition of supporting the Irish nationalist cause. / Facebook

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Whatsapp Legacy: Moore Hall in Carnacon, Co Mayo was burned by local anti-Treaty forces in February 1922. This action was especially controversial as the Moore family had, as far back as the 1798 rebellion, a notable tradition of supporting the Irish nationalist cause.

The Land Acts had not addressed the inequalities of the Irish land system, Dooley says, highlighting Irish Land Commission statistics.

There were 2.6 million acres that would remain unaffected by existing land legislation, namely demesne and untenanted lands  extensive swathes of which were let on the conacre system, or 11-month system  belonging to around 1,600 landlords who had remained resident in Ireland.

At the same time in 1917, there were 226,468 farms below 15 acres, and 112,787 below five acres, not to mention the landless.

Thus from 1917, land redistribution was regenerated as a political catch-cry of revolutionaries, and, for a time, played a role in transforming Sinn Fein into a mass popular movement.

Redistribution simultaneously promised farm viability, access to lands for the landless and agricultural labourers, revenge against the colonial usurpers or the graziers, and it held out hope of a better way of life without having to leave Ireland.

This type of rhetoric appealed to the aspirations of a young rural generation who began to consider that Irish independence might offer them a better quality of life.

Citing the passing of the 1923 Land Act by the Free State government, Dooley argues: The Irish revolution in all its complexities cannot be understood until the records of the Land Commission are made available.

The impact of a Big House burning was not confined to the immediate point of destruction or to the impact it had on the family alone. Once the house and the owner were taken out of the equation, local conditions changed dramatically, as did the local landscape, and the wider community stood to benefit.

In other words, he asks, who won out in the end in places such as Gola in north Monaghan, Summerhill in Meath, Moydrum in Westmeath, Ballydugan in east Galway, Tubberdaly in Offaly: the State or local power-brokers who decided they would divide the lands?

Until we can find the answers, the more general case stated is that the 1923 Land Act did not just end a land war, it contributed significantly to ending a civil war, he says.
New Delhi:

A Goa court will formally frame charges against Tarun Tejpal, former editor-in-chief of Tehelka magazine, in a rape case on Thursday.

Tejpal earlier had challenged the lower court saying the case was false accusation of rape.

Justice Prithviraj Chavan has offered Tejpal was deferring examination of the first witness to a date after November 1, the day when High Court will hear his appeal.

Tejpal is accused of sexually assaulting a female colleague inside a lift at Hotel Hotel Grand Hyatt on November 7, 2013.

Also read: Sexual assault case: SC grants regular bail to Tarun Tejpal



Tejpals counsel, Aman Lekhi, had argued the fight is asymmetrical and made a case that the state has aligned with the victim, while the reputation of the accused is being systematically destroyed.

Tejpal counsel also maintained that the case doesnt stand a fit to trial and Tejpal should be relieved from undergoing trauma of a trial as there are no sufficient ground to proceed.

Also read: Sexual assault case: SC extends Tejpal's interim bail



While the public prosecutor S Lotlikar said, Charge will be framed by the court and there is a mandate under the law that it should be completed within a stipulated period of time.

He further added that the apex court had directed that the charge should be concluded.

It was earlier meant to be concluded in eight months. Now we have at least three years in this. There is no further justification for stay of order, added Lotlikar.

The Goa Police had booked Tejpal in multiple charges under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections including 354-A (sexual harrassment and punishment for sexual harassment), 376 (rape), 376(2)(k) (rape of a woman by a person being in position of control or dominance over the woman), 341 and 342 (punishment for wrongful restraint), 376 (2) (f) (person in position of trust or authority over women, committing rape of such women) and 376C IPC (sexual intercourse by person in authority) and Section 354 IPC.

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The family of murdered German teenager Inga Maria Hauser, whose body was found in a Northern Irish forest in 1988, have made a fresh appeal for information 33 years after their loved one died.

The body of the 18-year-old was found in Ballypatrick Forest near Ballycastle in north County Antrim after she was last seen on a ferry travelling from Scotland to Larne in April of that year.

Last summer after the PSNI submitted a file to the Public Prosecution Service on two people, however the PPS decided not to take the case further.

Now the family of the murdered teen, who was subjected to a particularly brutal attack before she died, have said that they would like an inquest into the murder.

Speaking on behalf of the family, a Northern Ireland-based lawyer said: "The Hauser family are now seeking an inquest to investigate the cold-blooded murder of beautiful Inga Maria.

"In the absence of any criminal prosecution the Coroner's Court have a duty to investigate any suspicious death in Northern Ireland.

"This will represent the first time after 33 years that evidence will be heard and challenged before a court and will offer some hope of getting information and justice for our clients who have suffered irreparable pain since the murder."

Since her murder, Inga's mother and father have passed away without ever seeing justice for their daughter.

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Also speaking in an appeal to anyone who may have information on the murder was SDLP councillor Helena Dallat O'Driscoll, the daughter of the late SDLP MLA John Dallat, who campaigned tirelessly for justice for Inga and her family.

She said: "The Hauser family has suffered nonstop for over thirty years. Inga Maria was a much loved young woman when she came to Northern Ireland in the late 80s.

"She deserved so much better than to be so callously taken from her family and friends and left in Ballypatrick Forest. People want to see a conclusion to this vicious and ruthless murder.

She added: Dads last piece of work was a press release, written with a frail hand just weeks before we lost him, to mark Inga Marias anniversary and to call on those with information about her murder to come forward.

"I am repeating the call for those who know anything about this murder to share that information. I appeal directly to anyone with information to give their account of what they know about what happened on the night of 6 April 1988 when Inga Maria Hauser didnt take the train from Larne to Belfast as planned, and her body was found two weeks later in Ballypatrick Forest."

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(Natural News) A new update to the privacy policy of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) reveals that the so-called defender of free speech is sharing sensitive information about its donors to service providers such as Facebook and Google.

Former Obama White House senior advisor Ashkan Soltani warned about the change on Twitter, explaining that the ACLU is complicit in selling people private data for targeted advertising, which fl[ies] in the face of the orgs public advocacy and statements.

The ACLU has refused to tell the truth about its shady activities for a while now, worrying that its reputation and image would be shattered over the hypocrisy. Now, however, the ACLU appears to no longer be worried about any potential backlash.

Soltani says he was actually retained by the ACLU last summer to perform a privacy audit after concerns were raised internally about the groups data sharing practices. He only agreed to participate based on promises from the ACLUs executive director that the findings would be made public.

Unfortunately, after reviewing my findings, the ACLU decided against publishing my report and instead sat on it for (about) 6 months before quietly updating their terms of service and privacy policy without explanation for the context or motivations for doing so, Soltani revealed.

Over the past several years, Soltani added, the ACLU has pumped nearly half a million dollars for targeted advertising into the Google abyss. Even more money, he says, was transferred from the ACLU to Facebook.

While Im bound by nondisclosure agreement to not disclose the information I uncovered or my specific findings, I can say with confidence that the ACLUs updated privacy statements do not reflect the full picture of their practices, Soltani further says.

For example, public transparency data from Google shows that @ACLU has paid Google nearly half a million dollars to deliver targeted advertisements since 2018 (when the data first was made public).

The ACLU just pretends to support free speech and privacy rights  in real life, the ACLU is just another extension of Big Tech

For years, the ACLU has been funneling money to Facebook behind the backs of its donors, presumably all of whom had no idea what the organization was doing. Only in 2021 did the ACLU come clean, and that appears to have only been because of Soltanis report.

He says the ACLU has given Facebook more than $5 million over the years for ad spending. Had the groups donors known about all this spending, many of them likely would have stopped donating to the ACLU, recognizing it as a corrupt operation pretending to be something it is not.

These relationships fly against the principles and public statements of the ACLU regarding transparency, control, and disclosure before use, even as the organization claims to be a strong advocate for privacy rights at the federal and state level, Soltani says.

In the past, Soltani added in his stream of tweets, the ACLU was investigated for its deceptive privacy policy  even as the ACLU was publicly pretending to oppose the types of privacy breaches that the group itself engages in behind the scenes.

The irony is not lost on me that the ACLU vehemently opposed the CPRA  the toughest state privacy law in the country  when it was proposed, Soltani explains.

My experience with @ACLU further amplifies the need to have strong legal privacy protections that *apply to nonprofits8 as well as businesses  partially since many of the underlying practices, particularly in the area of fundraising and advocacy, are similar if not worse.

More related news about the ACLU and Big Tech can be found at Corruption.news.

Sources for this article include:

BigLeaguePolitics.com

NaturalNews.com
Logicalis has a well-established relationship with 1E. The new agreement means Logicalis Australia will represent 1E in Australia and New Zealand with sales and technical expertise.

"Tapping into Logicalis Australia's deep knowledge of the market and locally-based technical resources allows us to expand our reach with a highly skilled and trusted provider," said 1E CEO and founder Sumir Karayi.

"This is a natural progression in our long-standing partnership and further positions us to support the needs of companies that are looking to improve their employees' digital experiences. There is a greenfield opportunity in Australia and New Zealand and together with Logicalis Australia we can unlock this market potential."

Logicalis Australia CTO Toby Alcock said "In the past 12 months, conversations with our customers have progressed well past just enabling remote working for our clients. We now seek to build and implement a first-class digital experience for users that increases productivity and employee satisfaction.

"Our partnership with 1E has evolved to be able to deliver this digital experience to our customers and we are excited about bringing their Tachyon Experience offering to the Australian market."
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged people to vote in large numbers in the assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

Polling is taking place for 31 seats in the third of the eight-phase West Bengal assembly elections, while 40 seats are at stake in the final and third phase of the assembly elections in Assam.

Elections are taking place in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. I request the people in these places to vote in record numbers, particularly the young voters.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 6, 2021

Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are voting on Tuesday in single-phase assembly elections.

"Elections are taking place in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. I request the people in these places to vote in record numbers, particularly the young voters," the prime minister tweeted.

Modi also tweeted in Bengali, Assamese, Tamil and Malayalam, urging voters in the four states and the union territory of Puducherry to vote in large numbers and strengthen the festival of democracy.
CHICAGO, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the new market research report "Drone Package Delivery Market by Solution (Platform, Infrastructure, Software, Service), Type (Fixed-Wing, Multirotor, Hybrid) Range (Short <25 km, Long>25 km), Package Size (< 2Kg, 25 Kg, > 5Kg), Duration, End Use, Region- Global Forecast to 2030", published by MarketsandMarkets, the Drone Package Delivery Market is projected to grow from USD 528 million in 2020 to USD 39,013 million by 2030, at a CAGR of 53.8% from 2020 to 2030. The growth of the market across the globe can be attributed to growing demand for fast delivery, rising amendments in regulatory frameworks to encourage drone package delivery, and increasing demand for lowering carbon emission.

Ask for PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=10580366

Based on solution, the service segment is projected to lead the drone package delivery market during the forecast period.

Based on solution, the drone package delivery market has been classified into platform, software, infrastructure, and service. Drones are becoming accessible to smaller logistics operations for running a warehouse and are increasingly adopted in the delivery of food items, product packages, and medical supplies, among others. The growing use of delivery drones leads to the requirement for proper software and infrastructure that support them. Combined with good logistics software, drones can drastically improve the efficiency. Online retail service providers and logistic companies are focusing on developing innovative drones which can carry heavy payload to deliver packages at customer's doorstep. In the industries such as healthcare, logistics, and food, multirotor drone has the capability to fly autonomously to delivery package at the location provided by customer of the respective company. Thus, the benefits of serial delivery drones in the service industry is driving the demand for drone services in the drone package delivery market.

Based on package size, the <2 kilograms segment is projected to lead the drone package delivery market from 2020 to 2030.

Based on package size, the drone package delivery platform market has been segmented into <2 kilograms, 25 kilograms, and >5 kilograms. The <2 kilograms package size segment is anticipated to lead the drone package delivery platform market in 2020, owing to a rise in demand for lightweight retail good packages across the globe.

Based on type, the hybrid segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on type, the drone package delivery platform market has been segmented into fixed-wing, multirotor, and hybrid. The hybrid segment is estimated to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Drone manufacturers across the globe are focusing on the development of drones for use in the delivery of packages within the city limits and also on the advancements of the drone technologies. The hybrid type segment is projected to witness the highest CAGR. Features such as vertical landing and AI-based collision avoidance will increase the market for hybrid drones. For instance, in June 2019, Amazon.com, Inc. launched its Prime Air delivery drone, a hybrid drone capable of delivering packages weighing up to 3 kilograms within 30 minutes to customers residing within a 25-kilometer range.

Based on end-use, the medical aids delivery is projected to lead the drone package delivery market from 2020 to 2030.

Based on end-use, the drone package delivery service market has been segmented into food delivery, retail goods delivery, postal delivery, medical aids delivery, precision agriculture delivery, industrial delivery, and weapon & ammunition delivery. The medical aids delivery segment is projected to lead the market during the forecast period. The medical and healthcare sector has adopted drones to carry out effective delivery of medicines and medicinal equipment within and outside the hospital premises. These drones are used for pharmacy and laboratory pickups and deliveries, thereby optimizing labour productivity in hospitals. The coronavirus outbreak has put increased pressure on healthcare services across the world. The virus has caused greater demand for laboratory testing a well as an urgent need for personal protective equipment and devices to enable remote monitoring of patients with milder symptoms. Drone delivery has proved to be a useful solution in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic providing contactless deliveries and driving the market for medical aids delivery segment.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Drone Package Delivery Market"

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The North American and Asia Pacific regions are projected to be high growth potential markets for the drone package delivery during the forecast period.

The drone package delivery market in the North American region is expected to witness substantial growth and register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The region's growth is attributed to the increasing trend of online shopping on e-commerce platforms and favorable FAA regulations in the US. The rise in investments from key players to support start-up companies for establishing parcel service platforms in the region will contribute towards the growth of region during the forecast period.

The market in Asia Pacific is expected to exhibit highest market share due to the increasing demand for online food purchases among the huge population. The rising trend of online grocery purchases in emerging economies such as India, China, South Korea, and Malaysia among others will drive the regional market growth in the upcoming years. In May 2020, India's Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) launched a new portal, GARUD, to provide conditional exemptions to drone companies. Such initiatives will open new expansion avenues for drone service providers.

Major players in the drone package delivery market are Amazon.com, Inc. (US), DHL International GmbH (Germany), United Parcel Service of America, Inc. (US), Zipline (US), Matternet Inc., (US), Airbus S.A.S. (Netherlands) FedEx (US), Matternet (US), EHang (China), and Wing Aviation (US), and Boeing (US). These companies have strong distribution networks in the logistics business across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and other regions in turn driving the demand for last mile deliveries and drone package deliveries.

Related Reports:

Autonomous Last Mile Delivery Market by Platform (Aerial Delivery Drones, Ground Delivery Vehicles (Delivery Bots, Self-driving Vans & Trucks)), Solution, Application, Type, Payload Weight, Range, and Region - Global Forecast to 2030

Drone Logistics and Transportation Market by Solution (Warehousing, Shipping, Infrastructure, Software), Sector (Commercial, Military), Drone (Freight Drones, Passenger Drones, Ambulance Drones), and Region - Global Forecast to 2027

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Vietnams cement and clinker exports up 22%

ICR Newsroom By 06 April 2021

Cement and clinker exports increased by 22.5 per cent YoY to over 8Mt in the year up to 15 March 2021, according to the latest data from the General Department of Vietnam Customs. In terms of value, there was a 14 per cent YoY rise to US$295m.



However, average prices dropped 6.7 per cent YoY to US$36.40/t. A drop in average cement and clinker prices in China led to a decline in Vietnamese prices from US$40/t to U$32-33/t since late 2020.

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Disaster Medical Assistant Team



Melbourne, Florida

DMAT Florida 6, Team Commander

Leading COVID-19 related missions in Washington State, Arizona, Montana, and Texas, Don Hughes saw first-hand how critical community medical needs were during the pandemic. You could see the relief on our local hospitals medical providerss faces when we showed up to help. It was in that moment they knew they were not forgotten.



These COVID-19 response missions are just a few of many National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) deployments that Don led since he became a deputy team commander in 1998 and a team commander in 2010. He has also had his boots on the ground for Hurricanes Charley, Katrina, Rita, Sandy, Harvey, Florence, and Maria and worked behind the scenes for several National Special Security Events (NSSE), such as the Bush and Obama inaugurations and the Fourth of July Celebration on the National Mall.



Which of these many deployments does Don consider the most successful? For me, a meaningful deployment means one person was impacted. We sometimes measure success by the numbers of people we helped, but it only takes one person helped to make it worth it.



With 34 years in public safety (fire and EMS), Don has seen and experienced a lot, but he considers his team deployments to Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Maria as special. When we were driving away from our deployment site in New Orleans and Puerto Rico, the local public was there with big Thank You signs! When people are willing to do that during their time of need, you know you did something good.



NDMS is the unsung hero of our national response system, states Don. Regardless of barriers, work conditions, staffing, equipment. We make it work and for that I am proud to continue to serve.



While all NDMS responders have different skills, they all approach their work with compassion for people who are often experiencing the worst day of their life. The combination of expertise and empathy for people and communities in the wake of disaster are what make these responders, like Don, heroes in every sense of the word.


A FATHER-of-three accused of burgling two businesses in the course of a weekend was allegedly identified through DNA found on two socks left at the scene.

Michael Daly (42) was arrested over the burglary at the offices of Aer Rianta and a medical centre in a Dublin business park, where a large quantity of property is alleged to have been stolen.

Judge John OLeary refused to grant him bail and remanded him in custody.

Mr Daly, with an address at Moatview Drive, Priorswood, is charged with two counts of burglary.

The offences are alleged to have happened at Aer Rianta International and Fresenius Medical Care Centre, both at Grattan House, City Junction Business Park, Malahide Road.

Objecting to bail, the prosecuting garda told Dublin District Court the two business premises were in the same building and it was alleged the accused carried out burglaries between February 21 and 23, 2018.

He said the two premises were broken into over the course of a weekend and a large quantity of goods was stolen.

The accused was tied to the scene by DNA samples on two socks that were left on the premises, the garda said.

One sock was found on the ground floor of the medical care centre and the other was found on the third floor of the Aer Rianta offices.

Defence barrister Lydia Daly said the case relied solely on evidence related to strands of DNA from two socks.

The accused wished to fully contest the matter, Ms Daly said.

He was prepared to comply with any conditions of bail if granted, including staying away from the premises in question.

Judge OLeary said the accused was presumed innocent and enjoyed a constitutional right to bail.
Justice Minister Stelian Ion said on Tuesday that there are discussions regarding the reassignment of the judicial police officer from the Interior Ministry to prosecutor's offices, mentioning that he will meet Interior Minister Lucian Bode to clarify the situation and that a compromise solution would be to take off from reassignment prosecutor's offices with courthouse.

"I have said that it is in the governing agenda and that depending on what information and points of view we will receive from the Attorney General's Office, we will find middle ground so that the governing agenda is implemented, meaning there is such a reassignment of police officers from the Judicial Police to the prosecutor's offices, broader than what is now in the law, but so that the activity of the Police is not affected. So, it is an ongoing discussion," said Ion at the Parliament House asked about the "political stake" of the intention to reassign the judicial police officers to the prosecutor's Offices.

He added that there was no intention to remove the possibility for the interior minister to give his opinion on the matter at hand.

"We have not regulated brutally; there are common sense regulations that can be accepted, but we have set up a meeting for tomorrow with the interior minister, and we will clarify all those aspects," added Ion.
Connecticut state Sen. Will Haskell (D-Westport) and Connecticut state Rep. Stephanie Thomas (D-Westport) recently cheered the Connecticut Government Administration and Elections Committee's approval of legislation increasing access to absentee voting and overhauling voting access and registration statewide. Sen. Haskell and Rep. Thomas, respectively Senate and House Vice Chairs of the Committee, joined in voting to send the legislation to the Senate for further consideration.

"We've known for years - well before the COVID-19 pandemic - that we need to modernize our voting systems," Haskell said. "The pandemic only further highlighted the barriers that make our democracy inconvenient for some. Expanding opportunities for absentee ballots will help more people cast their votes without undue interruption to their work and family life, and helping young voters learn about the voting process will strengthen our democracy for the long-term. This legislation will increase Connecticut's voter turnout and make the process of casting a ballot easier and safer. After all, the right to vote is too easily rendered meaningless without the opportunity to vote."
HARIBO's Funtastic Mix combines fun shapes, a variety of gummi textures, and several color and flavor combinations. The eight sweet flavors and colors include Orange (orange), Blueberry (violet), Pineapple (white), Lemon (yellow), Black Currant (blue), Strawberry (pink), Apple (green) and Raspberry (red). Inspired by imaginative adventures, the mix features multiple new characters and fan-favorite shapes including: caterpillars, crocodiles, flamingos, chameleons, dinosaurs, pacifiers, planes, racing cars, robots and lemonade bottles, to name a few.

"HARIBO is committed to keeping a pulse on innovative flavor and form trends that spark moments of childlike happiness," said Rick LaBerge, Chief Operating Officer, HARIBO of America. "Coming off the heels of our 100th birthday, we're excited to bring U.S. consumers a new treat that's been inspired by global favorites and offers a fun mix of unique characters and flavor combinations."

Each pack of HARIBO Funtastic Mix features a random assortment of new and out-of-the-box characters and flavor combinations that were carefully selected to appeal to U.S. consumers' tastes. The new treat makes for a fun-filled experience with a mix of traditional and soft foam gummies, double-colored and double-flavored gummies and triple-colored and triple-flavored pieces.

The new mix permanently joins HARIBO's over 20 crowd-pleasing varieties including fan favorites such as Goldbears, Starmix, Twin Snakes, Sour Goldbears and Happy Cola. HARIBO's Funtastic Mix is available now in 5 oz. (SRP $1.49) and 8 oz. (SRP $1.99) pack sizes at major U.S. retailers including Walmart, CVS, Dollar Tree, Walgreens, Target, Five Below, Albertsons and Wakefern.

For more than a century, HARIBO has delivered moments of joy to over 100 countries worldwide with its playful, sweet treats. The iconic gummi maker celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2020. For more information about HARIBO of America and Funtastic Mix, follow HARIBO on Facebook and Instagram or visit www.haribo.com/en-us.

ABOUT HARIBO

HARIBO is the world's leading manufacturer of gummi products, most famous for our classic Goldbears. Globally, the business employs nearly 7,000 Associates and operates 16 production sites in 10 countries. A family-owned business with a century long heritage, our founder, Hans Riegel, built HARIBO on a foundation of quality and delivering moments of childlike happiness through our products. Established in 1920, HARIBO is the acronym that comprises our founder's name and the city in which the company was born (Bonn, Germany): HAns RIegel BOnn. We pride ourselves on making playful gummies that are meant be shared so our inner-child can always experience joy through sweet treats. HARIBO global headquarters is in Grafschaft, Germany and its U.S. headquarters operates out of Rosemont, Ill. For more information, visit www.haribo.com.

SOURCE HARIBO

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OTC MARKETS USA UPGRADES ADVANCETC LTD FROM PINK MARKET TO THE OTCQB VENTURE MARKET TIER



OTC Market Upgrade

Sydney, April 6, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - AdvanceTC Ltd ( OTCMKTS:ATCLF ) ( NSX:A88 ) is pleased to advise that it has been approved and upgraded from Pink Market to the OTCQB Venture Market tier with effect from 5th April 2021.The Company believes that the move to the OTCQB will provide enhanced investor benefits including higher reporting standards, greater access to analyst coverage and news services, and more comprehensive compliance requirements. The OTCQB is considered by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as an "Established Public Market" for determining the public market price when registering securities for resale with the SEC. Historically, companies that have made the move up to the OTCQB tier have experienced increased investor awareness, greater liquidity and visibility of their common stock.Upgrading to OTCQB is the first of many positive moves we will continue to make.The Company will continue to update its progress as of when new information is made available to the Company.To view the Company on the OTC Markets , please visit:About AdvanceTC Limited

AdvanceTC is a premier technology company specializing in the design and development of mobile telecommunication and computing devices. AdvanceTC is listed on NSX Australia (NSX:A88). More information on the company can be found at www.advancetc.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.
The Baltimore plant that discarded 15 million doses of Johnson & Johnsons COVID-19 vaccine last week threw away up to 15 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine last year.

And it may have to scrap up to 120 million more due to shoddy factory conditions, according to the New York Times: Included would be 62 million of possibly bad J&J doses and around 58 million AstraZeneca doses.

Emergent BioSolutions, the factory, announced last week that it was forced to throw out 15 million doses of the J&J vaccine due to fears that the vaccine was contaminated with elements of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The loss of the 15 million doses came just months after the same Baltimore plant had to discard between 10 and 15 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine due to suspected contamination, according to The New York Times.

The mishaps took place after Emergent received a $628million contract from the federal government to improve the plant and prepare to manufacture a high volume of vaccine.

It then struck deals with J&J and AstraZeneca for a combined $875million. In total, Emergent received $1.5billion to churn out hundreds of millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccine - though so far none of have been administered, according to the Times.

Of the 150 million doses produced at the plant, none have made it into Americans' arms as of Tuesday.

After the latest mishap, the Biden administration ordered J&J to take over operations at the Emergent plant, which will now solely be devoted to manufacturing the J&J vaccine.

The Emergent BioSolutions plant in Baltimore, Maryland is pictured above on Thursday. Last fall, the plant discarded between 10 million and 15 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine due to suspected contamination. Last week, 15 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine were thrown out

The Times, citing internal logs, also quoted former employees who said that the plants management placed little emphasis on basic safety procedures and regulations.

A spokesperson for Emergent, Matt Hartwig, told DailyMail.com: 'No one, including employees at Emergent, wants to see vaccines that cannot be used.

'We empathize with everyones desire to see the pandemic come to an end.

'We are laser-focused on supporting Johnson & Johnsons goal of establishing a strong global supply chain for their COVID-19 vaccine.

'Unfortunately, a batch of drug substance can fail to meet rigorous quality standards especially during the early part of the manufacturing process.

'Importantly, our quality control systems are working as designed to detect and isolate any batch that fails to meet quality standards for any reason.

'Emergent has rigorous safety, quality, and compliance processes that allow early identification of issues and means to address them when they arise.

'Any allegation that our safety, quality, and compliance systems are not working or that we do not take these responsibilities seriously is unequivocally false.

'We remain exceedingly proud of the role the Emergent team is playing in support of the response to COVID-19 to help stem this pandemic.

'While being unfairly attacked, more than 400 Emergent employees continue to work literally around the clock to manufacture the drug substance for hundreds of millions of vaccinations.'

A medical worker holds a vial of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination center in Belgium on Tuesday. The White House says that the decision to halt production of the vaccine at the Baltimore plant is not a reflection of the vaccine's efficacy or safety

But former officials at the company told the Times that management was lax in enforcing industry safety standards.

When one senior manufacturing supervisor was told about repeated quality errors at the plant, they responded: Do you want me to make drugs or fix issues? I dont have time to do both.

J&J locked arms with Emergent in April 2020, enlisting the lesser-known company to manufacture the vaccine J&J was developing with federal funding.

Emergent was a key to J&Js plan to deliver 100 million doses of its single-shot vaccine to the United States by the end of May.

But the Food and Drug Administration repeatedly has cited Emergent for problems such as poorly trained employees, cracked vials and problems managing mold and other contamination around one of its facilities, according to records obtained by The Associated Press through the Freedom of Information Act.

The records cover inspections at Emergent facilities since 2017.

J&J said last week that a batch of vaccine made by Emergent at its Baltimore factory, known as Bayview, cannot be used because it did not meet quality standards.

It was unclear how the problem would affect future deliveries of J&Js vaccine.

The company said in a statement it was still planning to deliver 100 million doses by the end of June and was aiming to deliver those doses by the end of May.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Thursday that none of the J&J vaccine doses on the market are affected and the company was on track to deliver 24 million doses in April and 100 million doses by the end of May.

These are doses that the US government has purchased, but we also have plenty of doses from Pfizer and Moderna, regardless, Psaki said.

J&J locked arms with Emergent in April 2020, enlisting the lesser-known company to manufacture the vaccine J&J was developing with federal money.

At the time, Emergents Bayview facility wasnt scaled for making millions of doses of a potential COVID-19 vaccine, according to the FDA records, which describe the plant as a contract testing laboratory that did not manufacture products for distribution.

Upgrades in technology and personnel were required before Bayview could begin making what is known as drug substance material for the vaccine, a two-month process during which the required biological cells are grown.

The FDA inspected Emergents Bayview plant in April 2020, just as the agreement with J&J was being announced.

The federal agency criticized Emergent for problems with its testing of a potential treatment for anthrax, according to the records obtained by the AP.

The FDAs lead investigator cited the company for failing to train employees in the particular operations they perform as part of their function and current good manufacturing practices.

On the same day, J&, in a separate news release, heralded its partnership with Emergent as a step toward the pharmaceutical giants goal of supplying more than 1 billion doses of the vaccine globally by the end of 2021.

But the FDAs inspection of Emergents Bayview plant had faulted the company for a series of quality control shortcomings, according to the records. Although the inspection was not triggered by work on a COVID-19 vaccine, the issues listed by agency inspectors stand out due to the large role Emergent would soon have to combat the pandemic.

The FDA criticized the Bayview plant for failing to ensure that electronic data generated through testing of drug ingredients was protected from deletion or manipulation.

A closer review found 202 deletions and 543 reprocessed files, yet the company had not investigated how those alterations had occurred or their possible impact, according to the records.

The FDAs lead investigator, Marcellinus Dordunoo, wrote that Emergent had not investigated what he described as data integrity concerns.

Emergent was paid $1.5billion by the federal government as well as Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca to mass produce the COVID-19 vaccine. The image above shows a vial of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in Lakewood, California on March 31

Emergent also did not follow proper testing and lab procedures at Bayview, the FDA said, noting that deviations from test methods are not investigated, and are manually corrected days after performance, with no supporting data or documented justification.

The FDA also criticized Emergent for carelessness in the handling of rejected materials in the Bayview plant.

An inspector observed items in a reject cage that did not have reject labels, and wrote that separate or defined areas to prevent contamination or mix-ups are deficient.

The inspection was the most recent in a series of critical reports from the FDA about Emergent, including one following a December 2017 inspection at a plant in Canton, Massachusetts, in which the FDA said the company had not corrected continued low level mold and yeast isolates found in the facility.

Halting AstraZeneca vaccine at Baltimore plant is not a reflection of its safety, White House official says A US government decision to end production of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine at Emergent BioSolutions Inc's Baltimore manufacturing facility is not an indication of concerns about its safety or effectiveness and will not impact the output of doses, a White House official said on Monday. The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ordered Johnson & Johnson to take charge of production at the plant that was being used to produce both vaccines. Emergent was told to stop making AstraZeneca's shot after the contract manufacturer made an error that ruined 15 million J&J COVID-19 vaccine doses. 'This is not a decision that in any way has anything to do with any concerns about the AstraZeneca vaccine,' White House COVID-19 adviser Andy Slavitt told reporters during a virtual news conference. The AstraZeneca shot, which is being used in dozens of countries, has been under increased scrutiny over reports of extremely rare but serious blood clots in the brain in some people who received the vaccine. The US manufacturing mistake occurred several weeks ago, when it was discovered that a batch of J&J vaccine had been contaminated with ingredients from AstraZeneca's vaccine, The New York Times reported last week. J&J on Saturday reiterated that it will deliver 100 million doses to the government by the end of May. Emergent said on Sunday would ramp down production of AstraZenecas COVID-19 vaccine at the Baltimore plant. AstraZeneca, whose vaccine has not yet been authorized for use in the United States, said it will work with the Biden administration to find an alternative production site. 'This is a decision that HHS made with Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca in complete collaboration,' Slavitt said. Slavitt also said during Monday's briefing that nearly one-in-three Americans have had at least one COVID-19 shot and more than 55 per cent of seniors have been fully vaccinated. However, average daily coronavirus infections have increased 7 per cent over the previous seven-day period to around 64,000 daily, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, head of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told reporters on Monday. The United States has shipped out nearly 208 million COVID-19 shots and administered more than 165 million, according to federal data last updated on Sunday. Advertisement

In September 2018, agency investigators questioned why Emergent had an unwritten policy of not conducting routine compliance audits at a separate plant in Baltimore, known as Camden, where an anthrax vaccine, BioThrax, is filled into vials.

A few months earlier, FDA inspectors noted that the companys processes there were flawed.

Your firm received 3 complaints for residue on the outside of the vials for 3 different lots, the FDAs inspection report said.

Tests on that residue confirmed it was vaccine, according to the June 2018 report.

The agency, in another finding from that inspection, noted Emergents ongoing problems managing contamination at the Camden facility: Procedures designed to prevent microbiological contamination of drug products purporting to be sterile are not adequately established and followed.

FDAs inspectors also noted that Emergent staff filling vials of vaccine held their hands directly above open vials in a way that violated sterility safeguards.

The FDA declined repeated requests to discuss the inspections at Emergents facilities.

A spokesman said the agency cannot comment on any particular company or any potential or ongoing compliance matters.

In an emailed statement, Hartwig told AP the companys rigorous quality checks identified a batch of drug substance that did not meet its standards.

Discarding a batch of bulk drug substance, while disappointing, does occasionally happen during vaccine manufacturing, which is a complex and multi-step biological process, he said.

Emergents revenues skyrocketed during the Trump administration, from about $523million in 2015 to more than $1.5billion in 2020.

Emergent has invested heavily in lobbying the federal government, according to disclosure records that show the company spent $3.6million on lobbying in 2020 alone.

Emergent is one of about eight companies that J&J is using to speed up manufacturing of its recently approved coronavirus vaccine, the company said.

The Bayview factory where the tainted vaccine ingredient was found had not yet been approved by the FDA, so no vaccine in circulation is affected.

President Joe Biden has pledged to have enough vaccines for all U.S. adults by the end of May.

The US government has ordered enough two-dose shots from Pfizer and Moderna to vaccinate 200 million people to be delivered by late May, plus the 100 million single-dose shots from J&J.

A federal official said Wednesday evening that the administrations goal can be met without additional J&J doses.

A J&J spokesman said earlier Wednesday that the company met the end-of-March goal.

The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions online vaccine tracker showed J&J had provided more than 12 million doses to the US vaccine effort.

J&J has been shipping finished vaccines from its factory in the Netherlands to the US.

J&J said it was putting more of its manufacturing and quality experts inside Emergents factory to supervise production of the COVID-19 vaccine, a move meant to enable delivery of an additional 24 million vaccine doses through April.

J&J said it still expects to deliver more than 1 billion vaccine doses globally by the end of the year.

The J&J vaccine has been viewed as crucial for vaccination campaigns around the world because only one shot is required and it can be shipped and stored at standard refrigeration temperatures, unlike some other vials that must be kept frozen.

The company also has pledged to sell the vaccine without a profit, but only during the pandemic emergency.

The problem with the vaccine batch was first reported by The New York Times.

The FDA said it was aware of the situation but declined further comment.

After the Biden administration ordered J&J to be put in charge of the plant, it also placed a halt on the shipment of between 120 million and 130 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

Of those 62 million doses are of the J&J vaccine while some 58 million are from AstraZeneca. Federal inspectors must give final approval before allowing those doses to be released to the public.
[April 06, 2021] Artmarket.com: ultra-contemporary art conquers auctions, making Artprice subscriptions ever more useful

PARIS, April 6, 2021 /CNW/ -- In the absence of other cultural news, the art world is continuing to discover the joys of online auctions which seem better adapted to dematerialization than other art forums. One consequence has been a very substantial rise in the sale of new creations via auction. Indeed, the number of ultra-contemporary artworks produced less than two years ago and already resold at auction is experiencing phenomenal growth. Several young artists have generated 5- or 6-digit results before their work has even been exhibited by a major museum. "Auctions are currently at the forefront of the international art scene, concentrating all the trends in the Art Market. That's why the Artprice Databases and our Decision Support Tools have never been so valuable," concludes thierry Ehrmann, President and Founder of Artmarket.com and of its Artprice department. "Auctions are even attracting a significant section of the primary market; the latest records for Beeple and Banksy were established by works put on sale directly by the artists themselves." Cautious estimates Deprived of international art fairs, gallery openings and major exhibitions, collectors are paying more attention to works circulating in the auction sphere. This pushes up the prices which in turn encourages the holders of works by these popular artists to resell them. This stimulation of both supply and demand has allowed the emergence of young art market superstars in the space of just a few months. Artists under the age of 40, who had never before generated auction results, have suddenly reached dizzying price points with extremely recent works ("the paint is still wet" as we used to say a few years ago). These results are all the more disconcerting for having demolished the estimates posted by the major auction houses, proving either that this acceleration has taken contemporary art specialists completely by surprise... or that they wish to remain cautious. - Amoako Boafo (1984), The Lemon Bathing Suit (2019)

Estimated: $40,000 - $65,000

Price with fees: $881,400

13/02/2020 Phillips London - Matthew Wong (1984-2019), The Realm of Appearances (2018)

Estimated: $60,000 - $80,000

Price with fees: $1,820,000

29/06/2020 Sotheby's New York - Christina Quarles (1985), Tuckt (2016)

Estimated: $70,000 - $100,000

Price with fees: $655,200

08/12/2020 Phillips New York On the need to remain vigilant A few years, or even just a few months after their creation, these canvases have already been sold at auction. A situation that shocks the artists themselves, as Amoako Boafo explained in an interview with Bloomberg in February 2020, titled Hot New Artist Laments That His Work Is Being Flipped for Profit. www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-02-12/hot-new-artist-laments-that-his-work-is-being-flipped-for-profit So far, the prices of this young Ghanaian artist are holding firm: his 34 paintings put up for sale since 1 January 2020 all found buyers in London, New York and Hong Kong. Artprice nevertheless remains extremely vigilant regarding the development of Amoako Boafo'smarket. His next work to come up for sales, a canvas titled Grace (2018) was acquired directly by the seller from the artist and will be offered at Sotheby's in Hong Kong on 20 April 2021.



www.artprice.com/artist/904704/amoako-boafo/painting/23560098/grace Images:

[https://imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2021/04/1-Ultra-Contemporary-Lots-by-year.png][https://imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2021/04/2-artmarket-artprice-tools.jpg]

Copyright 1987-2021 thierry Ehrmann www.artprice.com - www.artmarket.com Don't hesitate to contact our Econometrics Department for your requirements regarding statistics and personalized studies: econometrics@artprice.com Try our services (free demo): https://www.artprice.com/demo Decision support tools, Artprice Indicators - Subscribe to our services: https://www.artprice.com/subscription About Artmarket: Artmarket.com is listed on Eurolist by Euronext Paris, SRD long only and Euroclear: 7478 - Bloomberg: PRC - Reuters: ARTF. Discover Artmarket and its Artprice department on video: www.artprice.com/video Artmarket and its Artprice department was founded in 1997 by its CEO, thierry Ehrmann. Artmarket and its Artprice department is controlled by Groupe Serveur, created in 1987. See certified biography in Who's who :

imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2019/10/biographie_oct2019_WhosWho_thierryEhrmann.pdf Artmarket is a global player in the Art Market with, among other structures, its Artprice department, world leader in the accumulation, management and exploitation of historical and current art market information in databanks containing over 30 million indices and auction results, covering more than 770,000 artists. Artprice Images allows unlimited access to the largest Art Market image bank in the world: no less than 180 million digital images of photographs or engraved reproductions of artworks from 1700 to the present day, commented by our art historians. Artmarket with its Artprice department accumulates data on a permanent basis from 6300 Auction Houses and produces key Art Market information for the main press and media agencies (7,200 publications). Its 4.5 million 'members log in' users have access to ads posted by other members, a network that today represents the leading Global Standardized Marketplace to buy and sell artworks at a fixed or bid price (auctions regulated by paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article L 321.3 of France's Commercial Code). Artmarket with its Artprice department, has been awarded the State label "Innovative Company" by the Public Investment Bank (BPI) (for the second time in November 2018 for a new period of 3 years) which is supporting the company in its project to consolidate its position as a global player in the market art. Artprice by Artmarket's 2020 Global Art Market Report published in March 2021:

https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/the-art-market-in-2020 Index of press releases posted by Artmarket with its Artprice department:

serveur.serveur.com/press_release/pressreleaseen.htm Follow all the Art Market news in real time with Artmarket and its Artprice department on Facebook and Twitter:

www.facebook.com/artpricedotcom/ (over 5 million followers)

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twitter.com/artpricedotcom Discover the alchemy and universe of Artmarket and its artprice department https://www.artprice.com/video headquartered at the famous Organe Contemporary Art Museum "The Abode of Chaos" (dixit The New York Times): https://issuu.com/demeureduchaos/docs/demeureduchaos-abodeofchaos-opus-ix-1999-2013 L'Obs - The Museum of the Future: https://youtu.be/29LXBPJrs-o www.facebook.com/la.demeure.du.chaos.theabodeofchaos999

(4.5 million followers) https://vimeo.com/124643720 Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1481626/Artmarket_Ultra_Contemporary_Lots.jpg

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Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1009603/Art_Market_logo.jpg Contact Artmarket.com and its Artprice department - Contact: Thierry Ehrmann, ir@artmarket.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/artmarketcom-ultra-contemporary-art-conquers-auctions-making-artprice-subscriptions-ever-more-useful-301262874.html SOURCE Artmarket.com

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A Republican who spent years garnering support for a bill in the Florida Legislature which would effectively make it illegal to share nonconsensual pornography had one major opponent: Matt Gaetz.

The Florida congressman and former state representative currently embroiled in a major child sex-trafficking scandal, which alleges he engaged in sugar daddy relationships with teenage girls, strongly opposed the legislation outlawing whats become known as revenge porn, former state Rep. Tom Goodson said on Monday.

The former lawmaker told the Orlando Sentinel Mr Gaetz was absolutely against his bill, saying the congressman thought the picture was his to do with what he wanted.

After explosive reports were published last week about a federal investigation surrounding Mr Gaetz and others alleged to have funded trips for girls as young as 17, CNN reported the congressman shared nude photos of women he claimed to have slept with to lawmakers while on the House floor. One anonymous source reportedly described the photos as a point of pride to the outlet.

The new interview with Mr Goodson added further backstory to an ever-developing controversy surrounding Mr Gaetz, who has denied all allegations and instead claimed his family were the victims of an alleged extortion plot.

Mr Goodson said that, when it came to sharing photos of ex-lovers, Mr Gaetz thought that any picture was his to use as he wanted to, as an expression of his rights.

Read more:

In a meeting between the two lawmakers, Mr Goodson said Mr Gaetz shared his view that photos sent to someone by another person were theirs to share and use however they like, regardless of the private nature of some content sent between consenting adults.

Mr Goodson added about his former colleague: If you crossed him, he was after you.

Since reports of the child sex-trafficking investigation have been reported, Mr Gaetz faced growing calls to step down or face expulsion from his committee assignments, with House Democrat Ted Lieu saying in a recent interview the congressman should be removed from the Judiciary Committee.

A version of Mr Goodsons bill eventually cleared the legislature and was passed in 2015, after the Republican worked for nearly three years to build support for the legislation. According to the Orlando Sentinel, the only two no votes came from Mr Gaetz and his former roommate, Republican State Rep. John Tobia.
[April 06, 2021] Mission Neighborhood Centers Inc. Receives $1 Million Grant From Jack Dorsey's #StartSmall for Vital Community Services

A $1 million grant from Jack Dorsey's philanthropic initiative, #StartSmall, has been awarded to San Francisco's premier Latino Community non-profit agency: Mission Neighborhood Centers (MNC). "MNC's board of directors and staff are most grateful to #StartSmall and Jack Dorsey for a visionary and generous investment in supporting essential services for the City's low-income families" stated Richard Ybarra, MNC's newly appointed chief executive officer. MNC Board President Beverly Hayon added, "We applaud #StartSmall for working with MNC to improve the daily lives of the communities we serve early care for children, seniors who have helped build this City, and young women who are its future. Together we make a difference." First, the resources provided by #StartSmall will enable MNC through its Mission Girls (MG) program to provide opportunities for girls of color to overcome extraordinary obstacles and fulfill their academic and social potential. The program prioritizes serving girls and young women so they can actively engage in leadership development activities designed to allow them the opportunity to acieve their dreams for themselves and society. MG, launched in 1989, is dedicated to women's empowerment and advancement.



Second, #StartSmall grant funds will help MNC's Senior Center programs, which provide one-on-one assistance to hundreds of diverse seniors. These programs help seniors navigate overly complex systems by streamlining resources based on needs - including food, housing and social services - and apply for naturalization/citizenship from local agencies to ensure our seniors have full access to social good and safety net programs. Thirdly, the #StartSmall award comes at a most challenging and timely juncture in the pandemic recovery effort to help with environments that connect our children to in-person early learning programming.

MNC recently launched a major effort aimed at retrofitting its early care and education facilities to increase capacity and its commitment to bilingual, play-based learning from cradle to preschool. Making it possible for young children to have access to high quality early learning is the key to school success. MNC is acquiring an additional site in the Bayview neighborhood to ensure early educational opportunities are made available for San Francisco's working parents and their children. About #StartSmall #StartSmall is Jack Dorsey's philanthropic initiative to fund global COVID-19 relief, girls health and education, and efforts towards Universal Basic Income. Dorsey transferred $1 billion (28% of his wealth) to #StartSmall in 2020. About Mission Neighborhood Centers, Inc. (MNC), is San Francisco's preeminent Latino-led community-based organization. For over 60 years, MNC has been at the forefront of providing early childhood education, social and supportive services to low-income youth, families, and seniors in an engaging, inclusive, culturally appropriate environment that promotes community empowerment and economic prosperity. MNC serves 12 neighborhood centers in the Mission, Excelsior, Mission Bay and Bayview Hunter's Point communities. For more info, please visit: www.mncsf.org View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005369/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
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We have administered more doses than all but five nations in the world. The state of California, that 20 million mark, represents over seven million more doses than any other state in the country. That four million, on the equity mark, to me though, as I noted, is more important and significant. This state set a commitment and a audacious goal of providing over 40 percent, or upwards of 40 percent, of all our first doses and providing them under an equity metric in order to deliver on the cause of equity. We still have a lot of work to do in that space. Were mindful of that. But that four million mark is as important as the 20 million mark. And today we have formally passed that. We are announcing today that on June 15, we will be moving beyond the blueprint and well be getting rid of the colored tiers, well be moving past the dimmer switch. Well be getting rid of the blueprint as you know it today. We anticipate enough vaccines are coming into the state of California, with two and a half million people just last week receiving the vaccine. We anticipate over 30 million people will have been vaccinated with at least one dose by the end of the calendar month. With the expectation of an abundance of doses coming in from the federal government through the end of this month and into May, we can confidently say by June 15 that we can start to open up as business as usual.
US start-up MeliBio, a company producing honey without the need for bees, has secured pre-seed funding from a group of investors ahead of its full commercial launch next year.

MeliBio, which was founded last year in Berkeley, California, by Aaron Schaller, PhD, and Darko Mandich, said it is developing a proprietary technology based on synthetic biology, precision fermentation, and plant science that replaces honeybees as a medium for honey production.

The company plans a soft launch at the end of the year to supply foodservice customers with honey as a base ingredient before a full roll out in the first half of next year.

MeliBio was part of an accelerator programme run by Big Idea Ventures (BIV), an alternative-protein venture fund with offices in New York, Paris and Singapore which contributed to the US$850,000 pre-seed round. BIV recently secured backing from Frances Bel Group, adding to Buhler, Singapores state venture-capital fund Temasek and US meat giant Tyson Foods.

Others joining the MeliBio round include global venture fund Joyance Partners, New York-based peer 18.ventures, Australian accelerator Sparklabs Cultiv8, Sustainable Food Ventures, plant-based products investor Capital V, angel investor Courtney Reum, and two mission-driven family offices.



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CEO Mandich said in a statement: "We are thrilled to have support from the investors who believe in the world our company wants to create. That world is the place where the most delicious and nutritious food is accessible to everyone, but not at the expense of the sustainability of our planet."

Andrew Ive, the founder and a managing partner at BIV, which has also invested in companies including Singapore cell-based meat firm Shiok Meats and Zhenmeat in China, added: "MeliBio has the real potential to change not just the honey category but the whole sweetener and skincare industries with a new and sustainable way to create real honey without the bees. MeliBio has created the first truly vegan honey."

From the just-food archive: A big idea: investing in meat alternatives  an interview with Big Idea Ventures founder Andrew Ive
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 6)  Those who fail to follow health protocols may only have to do community service instead of facing arrests, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Monday, over a year into the pandemic and with jails already jampacked with quarantine violators.

Guevarra bared that he already pitched to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to impose the penalty of community service in localities instead of imprisoning violators  a policy shift recommended as Metro Manila and nearby provinces are under enhanced community quarantine for the second time.

"I recommended that in the enforcement, the stricter enforcement of the ordinances, that local government units consider the possibility of imposing only the penalty of community service for those who will continue to violate our ordinances rather than imprison, or rather than putting them in jail or fining them," Guevarra said during the Palace briefing.

"Eh kasi talaga ngang mahirap na ang buhay sa ECQ," he added.

[Translation: Because life is really hard under ECQ]

Guevarra admitted that there were flaws in the implementation of the Republic Act 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act against quarantine violators.

"Hindi siya talagang very exact to the actual violation kaya (It's not really exact to the actual violation so) we are relying more on the ordinances issued by the local government units rather than a nationwide general statute like RA 11332," he said.

Citing Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Benhur Abalos Jr., Guevarra said Metro Manila mayors will be asked to "seriously consider" imposing community service as an alternative penalty.

In April 2020, over 77,000 quarantine violators were recorded in Luzon alone, as the whole island was placed under ECQ. President Rodrigo Duterte even warned of a police and military "takeover" should people continue to disobey his order to stay home.

Last Saturday, resident Darren Manaog Penaredondo of General Trias, Cavite died after authorities allegedly forced him to do 300-rounds squat-like exercises as punishment for buying drinking water past curfew hours. General Trias City Mayor Ony Ferrer said in a statement that the local government will look into the incident and provide assistance to the bereaved family.

A year too late

The National Union of People's Lawyers lauded Guevarra's recommendation, albeit a year too late. The group noted that they raised the idea as early as March last year.

"Looking back, it is not only enraging but tragic that hundreds of our citizens who do not have the same entitlements as those in or close to the corridors of power had to endure this manifest injustice through a patently erroneous reading and misapplication of a vague law to justify harsh implementation of quarantine protocols at best and cover up repressive measures at worst," NUPL President Edre Olalia said in a statement. "That it comes more than a year to have epiphany says a lot about the mess we are all in."
Here are todays leading news stories:

Politics

-- Leaders of countries around the world have sent messages and letters of congratulations and made phone calls to newly-elected Vietnamese leaders, including State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

-- Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong held phone talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, during which the leaders discussed recent major issues and achievements of the two nations.

COVID-19 Updates

-- Nearly 53,000 people have received COVID-19 vaccination in 19 provinces and cities across Vietnam as of Tuesday morning, according to the Ministry of Health.

Society

-- A woman, who was in her 50s, lost both of her legs after being run over by a train and later succumbed to her serious injuries at the hospital in Ho Chi Minh City on Monday afternoon.

-- Police in Hanoi confirmed on Monday they had arrested a 43-year-old man, who used to be a flight attendant, for running an illegal cigar smuggling ring.

-- Officers in Hanoi have apprehended a 30-year-old man with a history of mental illness for fatally hitting a female street sweeper with a brick on Sunday evening.

-- One person was killed and two others injured after a truck crashed into a motorbike and automobile along National Highway No. 2 in the northern province of Tuyen Quang on Monday afternoon.

-- A 24-year-old employee of an online game center in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City was found dead by hanging on Monday after being locked up by his boss, who thought he had stolen money from the shop.

-- Vietnamese border guards have arrested four members of a racket that smuggled drugs from Laos into Vietnam before transporting them to China. About 350 kilograms of narcotics was also confiscated.

Business

-- Vietnam exported US$10.61 billion worth of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products in the first quarter of 2021, up 19.7 percent compared to the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 16:08:31|Editor: huaxia

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KABUL, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Unknown armed men attacked a police van, killing a policeman and injured another in Afghanistan's capital Kabul on Tuesday, police spokesman Ferdaus Faramarz said.

The gunmen opened fire at the vehicle of police in the Chak-e-Arghandi area of Paghman district at 08:50 a.m. local time Tuesday morning, killing one policeman on the spot and injuring another, the official said, without providing more details.

Faramarz said an investigation was launched into the incident.

This is the second attack on security personnel in Paghman district over the past three days.

In the previous attack, a bomb blast targeted an army vehicle in Paghman on Sunday, leaving one security forces member dead and injured three others. Enditem
A man arrested during Friday's riot in south Belfast's Sandy Row plans to take a complaint to the Police Ombudsman after he was detained for over 18 hours without charge.

Joel Keys, from Taughmonagh in south west Belfast, said he was arrested by police as he attempted to take a 13-year-old boy known to him back to his mother and away from trouble.

The 19-year-old explained he was walking past the Shaftesbury Square area when he saw the large police presence.

Believing it was a bomb alert, Mr Keys went to take a look before he saw the 13-year-old involved in the clashes with police.

After texting the boy's mother, who arrived at the scene, Mr Keys stayed to keep an eye on him after he refused to leave the area.

"Eventually it got to a point where the police starting playing their sirens, basically telling everyone to get ready for them to advance," Mr Keys explained.

"I started to walk back but I noticed the wee fella was by the police line and he didn't look like he was moving. The police started moving forward and I noticed he ran into a wee side alley.

"He's from the area and I'm not so I just assumed he knew his way about. I didn't want to leave him by himself so I ran into the alley after him.

"We were in Kensington Medical Centre and that's when the police surrounded the place. We were fully co-operative and I made it very clear I was not a rioter and I was here to look after this wee lad."

Mr Keys said he was placed under arrest in the back of a PSNI Land Rover before being taken to Musgrave Custody Suite around 12.30am on Saturday morning.

Admitting he was frustrated after explaining he was not involved in the riot, Joel continued to be co-operative with police and insisted he told every officer he dealt with there were no grounds for what he described as his "unlawful" arrest.

He said he was continually told by police that his interview would commence shortly but claimed the on-call solicitor could not be contacted by the PSNI, leaving him with no legal representation.

Mr Keys said he was also unable to contact his mother to let her know where he was as his phone battery was dead.

After being interviewed for "about three minutes" at 4.55pm, Mr Keys was eventually released around 7.30pm on Saturday evening. He must now adhere to a series of bail conditions until May 7, when he will be informed whether he will be charged or cautioned.

Mr Keys added: "The whole thing was a joke and the whole time I made it very clear that it was all unlawful.

"It's absolutely ridiculous and there was no reason for any of it."

Belfast's District Commander, Chief Superintendent Simon Walls, said enquiries are continuing and, as this is an ongoing investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment further.

"Anyone with a complaint regarding police actions should contact the office of the Police Ombudsman," he added.

Mr Keys, who hopes to have a career in politics, insisted his future will not be affected by the incident.

"The job of a politician is to protect people and if that's all I'm guilty of then I'll happily take whatever it is that they're going to throw at me," he said.

"I know that I've done absolutely nothing wrong so they can try and dissuade me from filing reports because it'll affect my future - I don't care."
Digital health is here to stay and will continue to play an increasingly critical role in improving healthcare. The boost announced by the Government of India will also provide pharma companies an impetus to invest in new and innovative media, especially in the digital space that has emerged as a powerful medium for both the pharma brands and the doctor fraternity to engage with their audience.

Traditionally, the India pharmaceutical industry has always been conservative in their approach as they depended a lot on their field force to reach out to their doctors for promoting their brands. But the pandemic restricted the field force from meeting the doctors face to face. Similarly, the patients who are always at ease and comfort to meet the doctors face to face and seek his/her advice from time to time could not do so. All this has led to the new way of approaching the challenges, which today has made many healthcare companies to embrace digital technology.

Digital has made deep inroads into Healthcare

Digital has become a new way of thinking as social distancing, WFH and lockdown forced people to stay indoors. Telemedicine became a new way for patients to contact their doctors. E-Pharmacy has stepped up its operations and more companies are launching these services to mitigate the hardships of the patients. There was approximately 2.5x growth (about 8.8 million) in the number of households using E-pharmacy services during the lockdown period. There was a higher representation from the non-metro cities, compared to pre-COVID-19 households, according to a FICCI report. Today, the e-pharmacy companies are aggressively promoting their brands and services through high decibel advertising on television channels.

Digital is the need of the hour

According to some industry reports, disruptions in the healthcare provider operations have become the rule rather than the exception. Digital transformation efforts will need to continue during these unprecedented times. Healthcare providers, CIOs and CTOs should gear up themselves to take some key strategic decisions to embrace digital technology to not only grow the business, but also bring in pathbreaking innovations in technology that will helpthe healthcare sector to accelerate and adjust to the new behavioural changes which have come in as a result of the pandemic. The growth and reach of the Internet and rising consumption of data, especially through mobile phones, will only fuel the growth. Today, people are hungry for information when it comes to health, which will now be more easily accessible with the use of digital technology backed by strong and credible content.

Digital transformation in the healthcare sector has made rapid progress in the last one year. With everyone adapting to the new normal and bringing in the use of digital and technology to their organisations, there are also multiple challenges that the organisations are facing. To get a clear perspective, Adgully spoke to some industry experts and thought leaders from the healthcare sector.

Expressing his views and observation on behalf of the pharma body, KG Anandakrishnan, Director General, OPPI, said Digital transformation in healthcare and pharma industry is helping organisations to have greater access to healthcare professionals, transparency, better patient interaction, improved drug development, cost-effectiveness, enhanced production processes, improved supply chain efficiency among other advantages.

The groundwork for digital is already operational with healthcare providers, pharma companies and medical R&D centres deploying predictive analytics and big data in critical decision-making. There are many supply chain start-ups that saw an opportunity to provide blockchain-enabled supply chain solutions to improve efficiencies and reduce costs. Accessing data remotely is perhaps the biggest advantage that cloud storage of data offers. The amalgamation of cloud computing with healthcare has the potential to improve healthcare-related functions such as telemedicine, post-hospitalisation care and virtual medication adherence and follow through. Despite a few challenges, digital technology can be a game-changer in healthcare.

Salil Kallianpur, Founder & MD, Arks Knowledge Consulting, added here, It is heartening to see that Pharma marketers have finally decided to include digital into their marketing mix. Even if catalysed by COVID-19, this is good news. Evan Schwartz called it digital darwinism  a phenomenon that caused technology to evolve faster than the society which adopts it.

He further said, Gartner had predicted in 2014 that 75% of all businesses (not just pharma) would eventually become or prepare to become digital businesses by 2020. There is no way, they could have seen COVID-19 catalyse the change, and yet their prediction came true. This eventually means that >90% of customers are already online, since businesses merely follow customers and rarely blaze a new path. The forced shutdown since March helped us realise this in the best possible manner.

Heres hoping that Indian pharma is soon full of digital experts who have their intent honed well, content aligned with customer context, constantly upgrading skills and thinking of how their strategy can serve at a scale.

Commenting on how pharma companies are moving with digital and bringing in changes, Rajeev Sibal, President & Head - India Region Formulations, Lupin Ltd, remarked, Digital has played a vital role of a catalyst in enhancing stakeholder engagements for Pharma companies. It has enabled and unlocked value through adoption of alternate channels which provide faster, wider, and focused reach to pharma companies.

Pharma companies who were yesterdays laggards are todays front runners in leveraging digital and technology across all their business functions. Personalising scientific communication to HCPs, providing online platforms to HCPs for engaging with patients, generating health awareness amongst patients and creating an integrated digital health eco-system are major focus areas for engaging with audiences. Digital is also used to bring efficiency across the supply chain and distribution to ensure the availability of medicines to remote locations. Internally, pharma companies are using digital to drive their data and analytics practice to understand the behavioural aspects of stakeholders and sharpen their communication, Sibal added.

Anjani Kumar, Chief Information Officer, Strides Pharma Science Ltd, noted If we compare Pharma industry to other industries like Telecom, Finance, Consumer products from the digital scale point of view, Pharma is still in catch-up state globally. India is no different. I would say that the last two years have been a golden period of sorts for digital transformation in the Indian pharma industry.

He further said, Given the vast amounts of digitisation, data harvesting has been the next logical step in pharma as in any other industry. The COVID-19 pandemic has definitely accelerated it. Cybersecurity, as we know, has been in the spotlight during this pandemic. Most companies have stepped up greatly in this area now. Many pharma companies have turned to AR/VR (Augmented Reality/ Virtual Reality) powered virtual sales solutions. Virtual interactions with doctors have increased. Investigations are throwing up insights with analytics model when NLP (Natural Language processing) is used in the right way. Usage of cloud-based solutions is increasing in almost every pharma company and particularly in a multi-tenant hybrid cloud way.
Kolkata, April 6 : Despite Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee complaining of 'blatant' misuse of Central forces, 31.71 per cent voters turned out to exercise their franchise till 12 noon during the third phase of Assembly elections in West Bengal on Tuesday.

As many as 78,564,74 voters in 31 Assembly constituencies spread across three districts -- South 24 Parganas, Hooghly and Howrah -- are out to cast their votes during the third phase on Tuesday.

According to election commission data, around 31.71 per cent polling was recorded in the first five hours of polling much on the lines of Phase 1 and Phase 2 polls held on March 27 and April 1, respectively.

Hooghly district, where eight constituencies are going for the poll recorded the highest turnout till 12 noon at 37.39 per cent, followed by Howrah district where 37.04 per cent polling was recorded in seven constituencies.

The 16 constituencies of South 24 Parganas recorded the lowest turnout at 34.71 percent till 12 noon.

Long queues of voters could be seen at most of the polling stations. So far, voting has been peaceful barring a few instances of allegations and counter allegations between the Trinamool and the BJP.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee complained of blatant misuse of Central forces in the third phase of polling.

"The blatant misuse of Central forces continues unabated. Despite us repeatedly raising this issue, @ECISVEEP continues to be a mute spectator while men in uniform are being misused at several places to openly intimidate TMC voters & influence many to vote in favour of one party," Banerjee posted on her official Twitter handle.

There were complaints of violence and voter intimidation both from the Trinamool and BJP camp. While the BJP leaders claimed that the mother of one of their supporters was killed by Trinamool 'goons' at Goghat in Hooghly on Monday night, the Trinamool on its part claimed that its candidate from Arambagh, Sujata Mondal, was chased by BJP 'goons' at Arandi 1 gram panchayat.

Mondal happens to be the wife of BJP leader Saumitra Khan and had joined the Trinamool recently. The ruling party also alleged that their candidate from Khanakul in Hooghly, Munshi Najbul Karim, was beaten up by BJP supporters. The party is likely to lodge a complaint with the EC on Tuesday afternoon.

Earlier on Tuesday morning, the Election Commission suspended a sector officer after three EVMs and four VVPAT machines were found at Trinamool leader Goutam Ghosh's residence. According to reports, sector officer Tapan Sarkar, who was in-charge of Sector 17 in the Uluberia seat, had spent the night at a relative's house who happened to be Goutam Ghosh. The EVMs and VVPAT machines with Sarkar were part of the reserve stock. The commission has said that these EVMs won't be used for voting on Tuesday.

A three-cornered battle between the Trinamool, the BJP and the COngress-Left combine is on the cards in the 31 Assembly seats where polling is underway on Tuesday.

The total number of voters in these constituencies is 78,564,74, including 4,049 service voters, 39,972,18 male electors and 38,590,13 female voters. There are a total of 10,871 polling stations, including 8,480 main and 2,391 auxiliary booths.

The number of 80 plus voters is 1,26,177 while 64,083 are PWDs (persons with disabilities) voters. A total of 243 voters belong to the third gender, while there are two overseas voters.

In total, 205 candidates, including 13 females, from different political parties are in the fray in the third phase of polling. Prominent candidates among them are BJP leader Swapan Dasgupta, Trinamool minister Ashima Patra and CPI(M) leader Kanti Ganguly.

Marking all the 10,871 booths as 'sensitive', the Election Commission of India (ECI) has deployed 618 companies of Central forces for the third phase of polling besides retaining another 89 companies of Central forces from the second phase, which are already stationed in South 24 Parganas, pushing up the number of forces to 707 companies - the highest deployment in the ongoing Assembly elections so far.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
MILAN, APR 6 - MIlan police have busted a gang who allegedly faked wills of people who died intestate and without surviving relatives to pocket all their assets, judicial sources said Tuesday. The gang allegedly used a bogus American notary public to run their scams, police said. Milan police urgently sequestered assets worth a total of one million euros that was left by a 70-year-old Milanese man who was found dead in his Milan home in November 2018, about six months after he died alone there. Police said a Calabrian lawyer, Giuseppe Marra, was one of the gang leaders. The gang, composed of at least five members, operated similar scams in the provinces of Mantua and Vicenza, Venaria Reale near Turin, in the province of Genoa, at Nogara (Verona), at Castelfranco Veneto (Treviso) and at Aviano (Pordenone), police said. The scam consisted of naming a bogus heir in America who was allegedly represented by the fake New York notary, named as Carmine J. Guadagno. (ANSA).
Companies Sign Labor Union to Promote Construction Safety

OSHA Act is put in place on OHare Airport Terminal 5 Project

Large construction projects require partnerships and coordination with a contractor, subcontractor, tradesman and others working on-site to complete building on time and budgeting. Protecting the health and safety of workers and employees goes hand in hand; this is where OSHA comes in to play.

OSHA signed a partnership with the Austin Power Partners Construction, Illinois On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program, Local 73 Sheet Metal Workers, District Council 14 Painters, Chicago Council of Carpenters and IBEW Local 134 Electricians Unions. The partnership was created in order to prevent injuries to workers and hazard exposure of a $550 million expansion project.

Strategic partnerships are a collaborative effort focused on preventing workplace hazards and fatalities and developing effective safety and health programs, said OSHA's Chicago North Area Director Angeline Loftus. Hazard prevention and control is a continual process requiring employers and workers to monitor and identify job site hazards and take corrective actions to maintain a safe and healthful job site.

According to a press release, the project's general contractor, Austin Power Partners will:

- implement a safety and health program, patterned after OSHA's Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs in Construction

- Require a job site orientation for all employees and hold weekly meetings

- Require that all who enter the worksite use PPE
Every time we turn on the news, something like this is happening, Lando said at a news conference outside a Royal Farms store near the scene of the shooting. Today it happened in Frederick; a week or so ago it happened in Boulder. ... We always hope that we dont get that call, but today we got that call.
Nasser Sultan has publicly criticised Married At First Sight's Jason Engler after he made homophobic comments targetting fellow groom Liam Cooper.

In an impassioned video posted to Instagram on Tuesday, the 53-year-old former MAFS star said he'd seen the video of Jason 'ranting and raving'.

'That was really disturbing and really uncalled for. I want to say this: What's his preference got to do with the person himself?' Nasser began.

Furious: Nasser Sultan (pictured) has publicly criticised Married At First Sight's Jason Engler after he made homophobic comments targetting fellow groom Liam Cooper

'I like Liam, and I think he's a really lovely guy. Whether he's bi, gay, straight, queer... I don't care.

'This moron has gone and publicly put down this guy, calling him fat, calling him homosexual, calling him gay...

'And you know what disturbed me the most, that girl Georgia [Fairweather], that onscreen "wife", was in the background, laughing and urging him on.'

'Full-blown homosexual': Footage has surfaced of Married At First Sight star Jason Engler (pictured) insulting his bisexual co-star Liam Cooper and calling him 'ugly' and 'chubby'

He added: 'I want this beef jerky to come out and record a video apologising to this young man for calling him names. Sexuality's got nothing to do with it.'

Footage surfaced on Tuesday of Jason, 35, using a homophobic slur against his bisexual co-star and calling him 'ugly' and 'chubby' - as Liam's own 'wife' Georgia laughs in the background.

In the two-minute video obtained by Daily Mail Australia, Jason calls Liam, 29, a 'full-blown homosexual' - even though he has made it clear he is attracted to both women and men - and ridicules him for 'not going to the gym'.

Slurs: Liam's own 'wife' Georgia Fairweather (left) laughs in the background as Jason (right) calls her 'husband' a 'full-blown homosexual' - even though Liam has made it clear he is attracted to both women and men

The clip also features Georgia, 25 - Liam's partner on the Channel Nine show - and fellow MAFS star Johnny Balbuziente, who giggle along with a visibly drunk Jason.

The video was filmed and uploaded to Georgia's Instagram account in November as she, Jason and Johnny caught up Brisbane.

Jason's hurtful comments were made three days before Liam and Georgia filmed their final vows - which are yet to air on TV - and all but confirm the couple's split.

Spoiler alert: Jason's (left) hurtful comments were made three days before Liam and Georgia filmed their final vows - which are yet to air on TV - and all but confirm the couple's split. Liam and Georgia are pictured right on their wedding day

The video begins with Jason - who is shirtless, wearing two pairs of sunglasses and holding a glass of white wine - saying: 'Cheers to everyone. Can I just say one thing right now?

'He is not one hundred and ten per cent anymore I wouldn't give a s**t anymore, because we're free and we're going to run amok in Brisbane.'

Georgia can be heard saying off camera: 'Jason, tell them what you're talking about.'

Insults: 'Can I say Georgia's husband, a**, w**ker, I can't remember what his name is - Liam - is 110 per cent and is a wanker and Georgia is better than him,' Jason rambles

'Can I say Georgia's husband, a**, w**ker, I can't remember what his name is - Liam - is 110 per cent and is a w**ker and Georgia is better than him.'

'He's ugly, fat, and he is chubby,' Jason continues.

'I'm by the pool and just want to say Georgia's husband is full-blown homosexual. He is ugly and chubby and doesn't go to the gym.'

Hurtful: Jason says, 'Georgia's husband is full-blown homosexual. He is ugly and chubby and doesn't go to the gym.' Meanwhile, fellow MAFS star Johnny Balbuziente (right) urges Jason not to post the video, and Georgia is heard laughing

Johnny, who is a musical theatre actor, also says, 'You're bi-what? Bisexual?' referring to Liam being openly bisexual.

Jason adds: 'He hasn't gone to the gym in 64 years. Georgia is way hotter than him and he is batting way above his average.

'She can't wait to say "shut your mouth and get out of here you chubby little w**ker" in a couple of days [at the final vows] and that's all I have to say about that.'

Regrettable comments: 'He hasn't gone to the gym in 64 years. Georgia is way hotter than him and he is batting way above his average,' Jason continues

Should know better: Johnny (pictured), who is a musical theatre actor, also says, 'You're bi-what? bisexual?' referring to Liam being openly bisexual

Johnny then urges Jason not to post the video, before Georgia is heard laughing as the footage abruptly ends.

A source close to Liam told Daily Mail Australia he felt 'absolutely betrayed and heartbroken' after watching the footage.

Liam is understood to have kept quiet about the video until he was reunited with his castmates at the Married At First Sight reunion in February.

Heartbroken: A source close to Liam told Daily Mail Australia he felt 'absolutely betrayed and heartbroken' after watching the footage

'He called Jason, Georgia and Johnny out at the reunion because it was disgusting, but they didn't own up to their actions,' the source said.

'They didn't say it wasn't okay or believe they did anything wrong Georgia and Johnny have LGBTQI family and friends but not one of them stopped Jason.

'How would Johnny's family feel if he heard that Johnny didn't stop this? Georgia's best mate who attended their wedding as a bridesmaid is also a gay man.'

Confronted: Liam is set to confront Jason, Georgia and Johnny about the video at the reunion

The source also revealed the video took a significant toll on Liam, who has 'struggled mentally' and 'lost a lot of weight' because of it.

Jason has since apologised for what he said in the video - after he was approached for comment.

'I would like to sincerely apologise for my comments in regards to a fellow MAFS participant's sexuality,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

'After a few too many drinks I made some inappropriate remarks that I am ashamed of and greatly regret. I will learn from this and try to become a better person from this experience.'

Liam, Georgia and Johnny have also been contacted for comment.
A man with a history of mental illness has been arrested for fatally hitting a female street sweeper with a brick in Hanoi last weekend.

Officers in Cau Giay District confirmed on Monday they had apprehended Le Nhu Toan, 30, who hails from northern Ninh Binh Province, for murder.

Preliminary investigation showed that Toan was walking on the sidewalk of Cau Giay Street at around 8:45 pm on Sunday when he noticed V.T.H., a 43-year-old street sweeper.

Toan picked up a rock and hit H. on the back of her head, causing her to collapse on the ground.

The man continued hitting the victims head with the rock until she died, before running away.

Police officers arrived after being notified to examine the scene and arrested Toan about an hour later as he was hiding in the district's Dich Vong Ward.

The location where Le Nhu Toan killed V.T.H. with a rock in Cau Giay District, Hanoi, April 4, 2021. Photo: Tuoi Tre Contributor

Toan is unemployed and has a history of mental illness, officers said, adding that there was no conflict between him and the victim prior to the incident.

As of Monday evening, H.s body had been handed over to her family for funeral rites.

According to family members, H. was not married and lived next to her parents house in Bac Tu Liem District.

She worked for Vinh Yen Environment and Urban Services JSC and took care of her parents, who are over 80, and her young niece.

H. had been a street sweeper for more than 10 years.

Chairman of the Hanoi Peoples Committee Chu Ngoc Anh has tasked the municipal Department of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs with providing necessary support to the victims family.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
The United States is "open to engagement with Moscow" on the situation with Ukraine, a State Department spokesperson said.

"We are open to engagement with Moscow," Reuters cited him as saying.

"We call on Russia to refrain from escalatory actions," the spokesperson added.

Earlier on Monday, the U.S. has asked Moscow to explain the "provocations" near Ukraines border. State Department spokesman Ned Price told a news briefing that the United States would be concerned by any effort by Moscow to intimidate Ukraine whether it occurred on Russian territory or within Ukraine.
Fred Luter has been a Southern Baptist for 35 years. But the last four years have been some of the most difficult times to be black in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), he said, as white pastors appeared to support President Donald Trump uncritically despite character flaws for which they would have crucified President Barack Obama.

Noticing the disparity, members of the predominantly black New Orleans congregation Luter pastors told him theyre almost embarrassed to be Southern Baptist. They even asked to leave the SBC.

But Luter, the first African American SBC president, hasnt wavered in his support for the convention.

Were not in this convention because of who the president of the United States is, Luter said. Were in this convention because of our commitment to the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.

Luter shared his story as part of a YouTube series titled Why I Stay, featuring testimonies from leaders of color who have remained in white evangelical circlesincluding the SBCdespite mounting pressure to leave. The series is hosted by Dhati Lewis, a North American Mission Board (NAMB) vice president who is among the highest-ranking black employees at any SBC entity.

We have to be as loud as the detractors in letting people know all the positive thats going on in the denomination for black and brown Christians, Lewis said.

That positive message increasingly has been needed as high-profile black departures from the SBC spur Southern Baptists of color to question their own involvement in the convention. Thus far, most minority churches have stayed in the SBC. Black and brown Christians who have found a home in the convention hope to keep it that way.

The relationship between the SBC and Christians of color is kind of like a marriage, said Marshal Ausberry, SBC first vice president and president of the conventions National African American Fellowship (NAAF). In marriage, youre going to have some rough spots along the way, but we dont divorce one another.

The past year has been a rough spot. Chicagos Charlie Dates and Atlantas John Onwucheckwa have been among black pastors to announce their departures from the SBC, citing concerns over the denominations racial climate.

Texas pastor Dwight McKissic, a former trustee at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and perennial presence in SBC business sessions, said his church is leaving the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention (SBTC) and may leave the SBC too if it fails to stand behind a 2019 resolution endorsing limited use of critical race theory.

Nonetheless, ethnic minorities remain a strong presence in the SBC. Non-Anglo congregations comprised 22 percent of the 51,538 total Southern Baptist congregations in 2018, the last year for which data is available. That included a record high of 3,382 majority black churches, up 90 percent from 2000. The figure also included 3,509 Hispanic congregations and 2,095 Asian congregations.

Terry Turner, a Dallas-area pastor and former SBTC president, said relationships help keep him in the SBC. The denominations Cooperative Program, which funds missions and ministries, is the best way of building the kingdom, he said, and the convention is second to none in missions, hunger relief, and disaster relief.

When Turner led Texas Southern Baptists, he helped launch the Look Like Heaven initiative to spur cross-cultural worship and cooperation. When it comes to racial tension, I just want to be on the cutting edge of making things better, he said.

Turner is concerned, however, that the presidents of the six SBC seminaries caused an unnecessary disruption in race relationships late last year when they issued a statement declaring that any version of Critical Theory is incompatible with the Baptist Faith & Message, the SBCs confession of faith.

Other black Southern Baptist pastors share Turners concern. In Birmingham, Alabama, two years ago, SBC messengers adopted a resolution on critical race theory and intersectionality that provoked some objections from the floor and later a documentary alleging a social justice agenda in the convention. The seminary presidents issued their statement in part to address such objections.

But some African Americans have taken issue with the presidents complete rejection of critical race theory, wondering if they caved to pressure and subverted the will of SBC messengers. Critical race theory, while flawed as a worldview, has limited use, pastors of color say, including to help analyze unconscious bias at SBC institutionsnone of which has ever hired a chief executive who isnt white.

Ausberry has been dialoguing with the seminary presidents about non-Anglo Baptists concerns. The presidents did not diminish African Americans views intentionally, he said, and have admitted that including people of color in their deliberations about critical race theory would have been helpful. NAAF and NAMB are partnering to launch a new outreach effort to black churches, with details to be rolled out later this year.

The NAAF in March, though, said it was disappointed that the presidents had not moved from their original statement of CRTs incompatibility in all its forms and reiterated that we strongly believe that any discussions on systemic racism must consider the lived experiences of Blacks and other ethnic groups.

Continued SBC involvement is beneficial to Christians of color, Ausberry said, because of the conventions high view of Scripture and its focus on reaching the lost for Christ. He feels a sense of Gods calling to be in the SBC.

Chicago pastor Adron Robinson, a member of the SBC Executive Committee and former president of the Illinois Baptist State Association, feels a similar calling.

Among the numerous advantages of SBC affiliation for him are the international and North American mission opportunities as well as relationships with pastors of multiple ethnicities. But he believes the wholehearted embracing of Trump by some white Southern Baptists who tried to baptize the former presidents ideology is causing black and Latino pastors to reconsider their future SBC involvement.

Some told me theyve got one foot out the door, Robinson said. Others have told me that they are evaluating things and waiting to see, and some told me they have no intention of leaving at this time. The way forward is for the SBC to get back to what the Lord has called us to do. Thats to live out the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.

Robinson believes minority pastors are looking to this years SBC presidential election at the conventions June annual meeting in Nashville as an indicator of the path it will take. The four announced candidates to date are Northwest Baptist Convention executive director Randy Adams, Alabama pastor Ed Litton, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary president Albert Mohler, and former Executive Committee chairman Mike Stone.

All four have spoken to the issues being discussed by African Americans and other ethnic minorities. Adams leads Southern Baptists in one of Americas most culturally diverse regions. Litton has signed multiple statements on racial reconciliation in recent years and will be nominated by Luter. Mohler has drawn praise in the past for his work toward racial reconciliation, including helping to inspire the 2017 book Removing the Stain of Racism from the Southern Baptist Convention. More recently, he drew critique for endorsing Trump in 2020 after declaring himself a Never Trumper four years earlier.

Stone, a member of the Conservative Baptist Network steering committee, has expressed concern over critical race theorys influence in the convention. But Latino pastor Javier Chavez, a candidate for SBC second vice president this year, said Stone pressed diversity when he was Georgia Baptist Convention president and helped bring Chavez into the state conventions leadership.

While Chavez wants to see more Hispanics in SBC leadership, he is pleased with the SBCs outreach to Spanish speakers. Multiple SBC entities offer Spanish-language programs and resources, he said, including a host of publications from Lifeway Christian Resources, the SBCs publishing arm.

To overcome racial tension in the convention, lets open our Bibles, said Chavez, pastor of Amistad Cristiana, a Hispanic church in Gainesville, Georgia. Lets sit down, lets talk, and then lets pray, and lets move forward,  Lets bring closure to this conversation.

Last months Executive Committee meeting in Nashville provided a glimmer of hope such a moving forward is possible. In his presidential address, J. D. Greear suggested he has heard the concerns articulated by black and brown Southern Baptists. He addressed our leaders of color, many of whom I know are struggling to stay engaged in a convention that you think cares little about you.

At our best, we are Great Commission Baptists, he said, and that gospel and that Great Commission is what will keep us unified in trying times.

David Roach is pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in Saraland, Alabama.

[ This article is also available in Portugues. ]
Amazon might be going from strength to strength business-wise, but its having a tough week in the public eye. The National Labor Relations Board says Amazon illegally fired two employees that publicly criticized its climate and workplace practices. Former employees Emily Cunningham and Maren Costa were let go last year for repeatedly violating Amazon's internal policies that forbid workers from publicly discussing the company without formal approval. The decision prompted the Labor Relations Board to investigate claims that Amazon was retaliating against employees who organize or participate in protests. The news also comes not long after the company offered a public apology for tweets attacking criticism of working conditions for some of its drivers.

Cunningham and Costa's high-profile case gained national attention after they lambasted the retailer for its climate policies last year in a video shared by Bernie Sanders. They later spoke out against the company's workplace conditions during the pandemic. According to recent reports, the labor agency has also seen the number of complaints against Amazon's meddling more than triple during the pandemic. The board added it would accuse the company of unfair labor practices if it did not settle the case with the two former workers.

 Mat Smith

After that, you may never know.

Getty

Yahoo Answers will shut down on May 4th, 2021. The website has been around since 2005, making it one of the longest-running Q&A platforms on the internet. The shut-down process starts later this month, and the site plans to stop accepting new submissions from April 20th. After May 4th, you'll have until June 30th to download an archive of content you posted to the website. When the dust has settled, eventually the Yahoo Answers webpage will redirect to the Yahoo homepage. Continue reading.

And more Discovery later this year.

Paramount

To celebrate a fictional day in the future when humanity first made contact with the Vulcans (stop rolling your eyes), the Star Trek freight train announced the airdates for both Picard and Discovery. Production on Picard season 2 has started, with the show scheduled to premiere on Paramount+ in 2022. In a teaser showing off new footage, Paramount also announced that season four of Star Trek: Discovery will make its debut later this year. The series will, of course, only be available on Paramount+ upon release, along with the first seasons of Prodigy and Strange New Worlds and a new season of the animated Star Trek: Lower Decks. Continue reading.

If you cant wait for WiFi 6E routers later this year, this will probably fit the bill.

TP-Link has introduced the Archer AX5400 (aka Archer AX73), a WiFi 6 box that promises speedy access while keeping the price vaguely in check. The dual-band device mates six antennas with newer tech (such as HT160 and 1024-QAM) to deliver 5.4Gbps of total bandwidth and 4.8Gbps with WiFi 6.

The AX5400 is available now through Amazon for $200. It's not the lowest-priced WiFi 6 router you'll find (TP-Link's range starts at $90), but it arguably strikes a better balance between the modest speeds of the AX3000 and the spare-no-expense AX6000. Continue reading.

Theres a sneaker coupon, too.

Samsung

Samsung is co-branding with Adidas to create some buzz around its latest wireless earbuds. The Galaxy Buds Pro Adidas Original Special Pack comes in what looks like a mini sneaker box with the classic green-and-white Stan Smith branding. The snapback case is made of recycled plastic, and the Galaxy Buds Pro themselves are made of 20 percent post-consumer materials. The special edition Buds Pro will go on sale on April 7th in a limited edition of 6,000 units for 279,000 KRW ($250), only available in South Korea. Continue reading.

Pandemic project!

Michael Pick

YouTuber Michael Pick made a Switch thats 650 percent larger than Nintendo's portable hybrid. He claims it's the world's largest fully functioning Nintendo Switch, weighing in at 65 pounds and measuring 30 inches tall and 70 inches wide. You have to really stretch for those trigger buttons. If you think the entire endeavor is ridiculous, Pick says his goal was to create a Switch that was "harder to lose"  which I think he has achieved. He ends his YouTube tale by donating his creation to a nearby affiliate of St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Dont worry, theres a connected normal-sized controller. Continue reading.

But wait, theres more...

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What's on TV this week: 'Them,' 'Thunder Force' and 'Republic Commando'

Facebook's line of PC-only VR headsets ends as Rift S stock dries up
Guest Column Did India Change Its Stand on Myanmar Under US Pressure?

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Myanmar Military Chief Snr-Gen. Min Aung Hlaing in 2019. (Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.com.mm) Categories: Opinion, Analysis, Guest Column

India has injected some clarity into its stand on Myanmar with the countrys permanent representative to the United Nations condemning the ongoing violence and demanding release of detained leaders.

Indias top envoy at the global body, T.S. Tirumurti tweeted on April 1 that he made these remarks during a closed meeting at the UN Security Council. This is Indias strongest statement so far since the Feb. 1 military coup in the Southeast Asian nation. The country has witnessed an unprecedented bloodbath in the past two months with the death toll crossing the 550 mark as of last week.

There is speculation that New Delhi changed its position under pressure from its ally, the United States. But Indias reaction appears to be too little and too late. The latest move comes days after the worlds largest democracy was criticized for its tacit support to Myanmars military regime. On March 28, India sent its military attache to attend the annual Armed Forces Day parade in Myanmars capital Naypyitaw.

The same day, Tatmadaw, as the Myanmar military is known, was accused of killing more than 100 civilians in what was seen as the most brutal and barbaric crackdown since the coup detat.

In addition to India, seven other countriesChina, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Russiaattended the military parade. A section of Indias national media took exception to New Delhis position with hard-hitting editorials.

The fact that the United States, Indias closest ally and the worlds second-largest democracy, had asked countries to stay away from the event did not go unnoticed. The question that would bedevil India in the days to come is how it would distinguish itself from autocratic China when New Delhi has already made a policy decision to be a part of the US-led anti-China bloc QUAD.

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or QUAD is a US-led initiative to counter Chinas growing aggression in the Asia-Pacific region. The bloc comprising the US, Japan, Australia and India held its first-ever summit last month where their leaders discussed regional and global issues of shared interest and exchanged views on practical areas of cooperation towards maintaining a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.

Indias ambiguous stand on Myanmars coup may have stemmed from its own strategic dilemma, but its continued silence on large-scale violence and the killing of civilians sent confusing signals to the world community, something Washington must have taken note of.

The US, for its part, has been consistent in condemning the military coup and the ongoing bloodbath that the Southeast Asian nation has been witnessing since the military generals seized power, overthrowing a democratically-elected government two months ago.

Tightening the noose on the junta regime, the US and the UK have imposed a series of sanctions on Myanmars generals and two military conglomeratesthe Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC) and Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd (MEHL)which control significant portions of the countrys economy.

The refugee crisis

Meanwhile, India has eased the rigid norms announced earlier to check the influx of refugees from neighboring Myanmar.

Indias northeastern region, which shares a 1,600-kilometer land border with Myanmar, is getting a continuous flow people from the neighboring country. Mizoram alone had received more than 1,000 people as of March 18, according to a state lawmaker. Similarly, Manipur has been witnessing the entry of people fleeing violence in Myanmar.

In its latest directive, Indias federal government has asked these states to maintain a record of the refugees and allow them to stay until the situation improves in Myanmar. Earlier, the federal government had issued strict guidelines asking the northeastern states to stop the influx of refugees saying India is not a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention of 1951 and its 1967 Protocol.

However, Mizoram defied the central government order and its Chief Minister Zoramthanga shot off a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the federal governments directives were not acceptable.

I understand that there are certain foreign policy issues where India needs to proceed cautiously. However, we cant ignore this humanitarian crisis, he wrote. The CM also stressed the fact the Chin community, largely concentrated in areas just across the state border, has ethnic ties with Mizo people.

Mizoram cannot just remain indifferent to their sufferings. India cannot turn a blind eye to this humanitarian crisis unfolding right in front of us in our own backyard, Zoramthanga said in his letter.

The 2018 Land Border Crossing Agreement between India and Myanmar allows their citizens to cross the border and stay up to 14 days within 16 km.

The Adani Group controversy

While New Delhi attempts to shed ambiguity over its stand on Myanmar, Australian media outlet ABC News has recently published a sensational report alleging that Indias Adani Group was paying up to $52 million to a junta-controlled company that is facing US sanctions over human rights violations.

The ABC story was based on leaked documents from human rights lawyers and activists that showed Adani Groups business dealings linked to a proposed container depot in Yangon. It also cited a video and photos showing the top leadership of Adani Ports meeting with Myanmars army chief in 2019.

In the wake of the Feb. 1 coup, Adani Group issued a statement denying it had engaged with military leaders over the 2019 approval of its $290 million port.

The $80-billion Adani Group is an Indian multinational conglomerate headquartered in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Prime Minister Modis home state. It has diverse portfolios ranging from energy, infrastructure, ports and terminals, to defense, real estate to airports.

The Indian business behemoth has had its fair share of controversies both at home and abroad. In Australia, the group is still dealing with negative publicity for its Carmichael thermal-coal project, for which it won approval in 2019 after a decade-long struggle with regulators and environmentalists, according to a Bloomberg report.

Back home, Indias Defense Ministry, in January this year, dropped Adani Group from a mega submarine deal after the opposition Congress party had alleged that the Modi government was trying to favor the company.

(Jayanta Kalita is a senior journalist and author based in New Delhi. He writes on issues relating to Indias northeast and its immediate neighborhood. The views expressed are his own.)

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Singapore once again warned the public about the risks of trading cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. (PHOTO: Getty Creative)

By Joanna Ossinger

(Bloomberg)  Singapore once again warned the public about the risks of trading cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, a market that while relatively small in the city-state has surged in significance over the past year.

Cryptocurrencies can be highly volatile, as their value is typically not related to any economic fundamentals, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, the chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, said in response to a parliamentary question on Monday. They are hence highly risky as investment products, and certainly not suitable for retail investors.

He said that cryptocurrency funds are not authorised for sale to retail investors. The MAS also has powers to impose additional measures on digital token service providers, under which exchanges offering the trading of cryptocurrencies are regulated, as needed, according to Tharman, who is also senior minister and coordinating minister for social policies.

Tharmans comments come as the total market value of cryptocurrencies pushed past US$2 trillion for the first time, doubling in about two months amid surging institutional demand. Bitcoin has been on a tear as investors dabble in crypto as a way to boost returns on cash in a world of near-zero interest rates, with the likes of Tesla Inc. saying last month it will accept its use as payment for cars.

Cryptocurrency trading in Singapore remains small compared to shares and bonds, with the combined peak daily trading volumes of Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP accounting for 2% of the average daily trading volume of securities on the main stock exchange last year, Tharman said.

Money Laundering Risks

While the likes of Elon Musk, Mark Cuban and Paul Tudor Jones have endorsed cryptocurrencies, Tharman isnt the only regulator to express caution about an industry where fraud is still a concern. A European Union watchdog recently warned of significant investor risks after Bitcoins gains, and Gary Gensler, the nominee to lead the Securities and Exchange Commission, said in his confirmation hearing that ensuring the crypto market is free of fraud is a challenge for the agency.

Story continues

Meanwhile, authorities in Singapore have stepped up efforts to combat money-laundering and terrorism financing risks associated with cryptocurrencies, Tharman said.

Among the measures it has taken, the MAS has increased surveillance of the crypto sector to identify suspicious networks and higher-risk activities that may need further scrutiny, Tharman said. MAS is also continuing to raise awareness on risks of investing in digital assets to help people avoid being cheated or inadvertently used as mules, he said.

The crypto assets space is constantly evolving, Tharman said. MAS has been closely monitoring developments and will continue to adapt its rules as needed to ensure that regulation remains effective and commensurate with the risks posed. Investors, on their part, should exercise extreme caution when trading cryptocurrencies.

 2021 Bloomberg L.P.
Turnbulls appointment had been several months in the making and Kean had sought the backing of some ministers, including Deputy Premier John Barilaro, before taking his plan to cabinet. In the cabinet meeting, sources say Premier Gladys Berejiklian was enthusiastic, insisting Turnbull was highly qualified for the job, while Elliott pondered whether there were any potential conflicts of interest given Turnbulls business interests. Loading The only others to speak were Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres and Planning Minister Rob Stokes, who simply wanted it noted they had potential conflicts as beneficiaries of political donations from Turnbull (in the case of Ayres, it was his partner federal senator Marise Payne). On the morning after the appointment, Turnbull did an interview on the ABCs Radio National, where he called for a moratorium on new coal approvals in NSW. It proved to be the beginning of the end of his government role.

I think approvals for new mines are out of control, Turnbull said. On day two of the job, it was a bold statement to make, but one that became even more problematic a day later when the NSW government suddenly found itself facing a byelection in the coal capital of the Upper Hunter, the electorate with the highest proportion of mining jobs in the state. Loading Former Nationals Upper Hunter MP Michael Johnsen, who only narrowly won the seat in 2019, was forced out of Parliament after he was accused of raping a sex worker, a claim he strenuously denies. Already plunged into minority government, the Coalition sees the seat as a must-win. One Nation leader Mark Latham seized on Turnbulls comments, insisting he had set the scene for the byelection to be fought over coal jobs in the Hunter. Malcolm Turnbulls comments were, essentially, that we should shut down the coal industry and instead everyone in the Upper Hunter should grow grapes or breed horses, Latham told the Herald.

For a region very heavily reliant on the coal industry, Malcolm Turnbulls appointment and comments were arrogant and shockingly elitist. He was not alone in his concerns. Loading Barilaro had issued a directive to his Nationals ministers not to weigh into the debate after last years disastrous koala planning saga that almost tore apart the Coalition. He told them he did not want to be at war with the Liberals and the Liberals would need to deal with the fallout of Turnbulls appointment. But that was before the byelection. By Good Friday, Barilaro had made it clear to Kean that the situation was untenable. He did not make any threats, but pleaded with Kean to do the right thing and help the government  who will run a Nationals candidate in the seat  hold on to the Upper Hunter. Barilaro was insistent that if Turnbull was retained it was an impossible task.

Sources close to Kean say he was eager to protect Turnbull and did not want to embarrass a former prime minister. His preference was for Turnbull to resign. That did not happen. Loading Instead, after a long weekend of back-to-back calls, Kean on Tuesday took his plan to sack Turnbull to Berejiklian. She did not oppose it. But the Premier also did not shy away from her praise of him. At the end of the day the decision was made and we all move forward, but I want to stress for me personally it doesnt take away from the admiration and respect I have for Malcolm Turnbull, that will be everlasting, Berejiklian said on Tuesday. Late on Tuesday, Barilaro issued a statement.
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson at the state capitol in Little Rock, Arkansas, on July 20, 2020. (Staci Vandagriff/The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette via AP)

Arkansas Governor Vetoes Ban on Youth Gender Reassignment Procedures

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Monday vetoed a bill that sought to ban gender reassignment surgeries and hormone treatments for children under the age of 18.

Hutchinson said he believed the bill, House Bill 1570, is overly broad and could set a new standard of government interference into medical care and relationships between medical providers, youths, and their parents. The governor said he was also worried that the measure could lead to detrimental consequences for some youths, such as suicidal tendencies and drug use, and also took issue over the lack of accommodation for youths who are currently undergoing transition treatments.

If House Bill 1570 simply prohibited gender reassignment surgeries, then I would sign the bill. But the bill is overbroad, extreme, and does not grandfather those young people who are currently under hormone treatment, Hutchinson told reporters at a news conference on Monday.

The governor added that he believes the state legislature was well-intentioned in passing the bill and acknowledged that his veto could be overridden by the legislators, who passed the bill with an overwhelming majority. He said he has already shared his thoughts with the sponsors of the bill and will wait to see their next moves.

HB 1570, also known as the Arkansas SAFE (Save Adolescents From Experimentation) Act, prohibits physicians and healthcare professionals from providing gender transition procedures to people under 18 years old, or referring the minors to other healthcare professionals for the procedures.

Medical providers who violate the law could face disciplinary actions from the appropriate licensing entity or disciplinary review board.

According to state legislators, the bill would seek to protect children with gender dysphoria from the long-term complications and irreversible consequences of gender reassignment surgery and other risks associated with non-surgical transition treatments.

It is of grave concern to the General Assembly that the medical community is allowing individuals who experience distress at identifying with their biological sex to be subjects of irreversible and drastic nongenital gender reassignment surgery and irreversible, permanently sterilizing genital gender reassignment surgery, despite the lack of studies showing that the benefits of such extreme interventions outweigh the risks, the preamble of the bill read.

Hutchinson said the legislators have several options including overriding the veto, accepting his veto, or to re-do the legislation.

That is their prerogative, he said.

If the legislators decide to override Hutchinsons veto, Arkansas would be the first state to enact such a bill. Other states are also considering similar measures.

The bill, however, is met with intense opposition from progressive civil rights advocacy groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which has expressed an intention to challenge the bill if enacted.

Arkansas recently drew national attention after enacting two other bills, which have received push-back from progressive groups. One of the bills aimed to protect womens sport, while the other sought to protect medical providers right to exercise their conscience.
A day that began with convicted murder Michael Bridges telling a Brandon courtroom he was experiencing pure rage when he killed 18-year-old Erin Chorney in 2002 ended with an emotional and tearful apology to the victims family members seated in the room.

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A day that began with convicted murder Michael Bridges telling a Brandon courtroom he was experiencing "pure rage" when he killed 18-year-old Erin Chorney in 2002 ended with an emotional and tearful apology to the victims family members seated in the room.

Bridges himself took to the witness stand on the fifth day of his faint hope clause hearing in Brandon Court of Queens Bench. Bridges was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of first-degree murder in 2005, but is asking to be allowed to apply for parole early under a now-repealed section of the Criminal Code.

The approximately five-month-long relationship between the two started well and everything was "amazing," Bridges testified.

But an argument on the day Bridges killed Chorney started after she said she wouldnt drop assault charges she was pressing against him from a previous incident.

"When we started arguing about it I started to get mad  I was thinking just pure rage, just angry. I wanted to hurt her as bad as I could," Bridges said under questioning from defence lawyer Carley Mahoney.

"It was just everything that had bottled up and at that moment it just all came up, everything that I was going through the last month, everything. It was just pure rage."

Bridges wore a blue dress shirt, black pants, beard and glasses while sitting in the witness box to testify. He spoke in a soft voice and was asked several times to speak up.

The court heard earlier in the hearing Bridges choked Chorney before holding her head underwater in a bathtub for 20 minutes. After killing her, he buried her body in someone elses grave and lied to police about the incident for approximately two years because he was scared of going to jail.

After killing Chorney, Bridges said he started dating another woman, from whom he also hid the murder.

He was eventually arrested after admitting to the killing to an undercover police officer.

Bridges detailed his upbringing on Monday morning, which he described as "hard." He said his mom was a single parent at times and he had several stepfathers.

There was allegedly physical abuse at home from his older sister and one of his stepfathers beat his mother, he said. Bridges described him as a horrible person.

The family never talked about their feelings, he said, and as a teenager and young adult, he turned to alcohol to cope. Bridges drank every day and described himself as an alcoholic.

At the time of the murder, Bridges said he was trying to protect himself from going to jail and destroyed evidence to avoid being held accountable. He said he didnt care about Chorneys family in the moment.

He said, while choking back tears, Chorney was very special and someone he could love and count on  two things he lacked from his family growing up.

Justice John Menzies, the judge overseeing the faint hope clause hearing, sentenced Bridges to life in prison in 2005. He has so far served 17 years in Stony Mountain Institution.

Bridges said he remembered Menzies told him "You say you loved her, but you held her life in such little regard," while sentencing him.

"At the time when I heard that, being the selfish person I was  the reason I remember it was because I was thinking to myself, Who is he to tell me that I didnt love her?" Bridges said.

"But after years of thinking about it, I didnt know what love was, I didnt love her, I couldnt have loved her because if you love someone, you dont hurt them, you dont kill them."

When Bridges first arrived in prison, he referred to Chorney as "my victim" in counselling sessions, he said. This changed during an autobiography exercise during the high-intensity family violence programming with facilitator Tara Verbling, which he said hit him like a "wrecking ball" and was when he started taking responsibility.

"It opened me up to be honest with myself and understanding how much pain and suffering I had caused. I couldnt deny it anymore, I couldnt brush it off," he said.

Bridges enrolled in a number of different counselling programs and restorative justice sessions in his time in both the medium- and minimum-security units of the federal jail. He said the programs made him understand the perspective of the Chorney family and realize the harm he caused.

After Bridges read the court an apology letter he wrote during an exercise in prison, Mahoney asked him if there was anything else he wanted to say at the end of his testimony.

"I just want to tell her family how sorry I am, sorry that I robbed you of the chance of having Erin (Chorney) in your lives," Bridges said through tears. He spoke with his head down but looked at Chorneys family seated in the courtroom periodically.

"I saw how much she cared about you. She did not deserve to die. She was supposed to be here  to share her experiences with you."

"You prayed for answers, you asked for help and you received none because I was too much of a coward to admit to what I did."

Bridges apologized to both of Chorneys parents and said he doesnt deserve forgiveness for what he did.

Elizabeth Greer, the Manitoba representative for Prison Fellowship Canada, also testified for the defence earlier in the day. She described Bridges as a "god-fearing man" and said he did well in a restorative justice program she ran in Stony Mountain Institution.

The faint hope clause was repealed from the Criminal Code in December 2011, but Bridges can still apply under it as he was convicted before it was removed.

The clause, otherwise known as S.745.6 of the Canadian Criminal Code, was a statutory provision that allowed offenders sentenced to life imprisonment with a "parole eligibility period of greater than 15 years to apply for early parole once they have served 15 years."

Bridges is scheduled to be cross-examined by the Crown attorneys Mark Lafreniere and Joel Myskiw today before they call witnesses. The jury trial is scheduled to run until Friday.

 dmay@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @DrewMay_
MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Airbus Ventures congratulates IonQ, Inc. on its prospective milestone merger with dMY Technology Group, Inc. III. With this merger, IonQ will become the worlds first publicly traded pure-play hardware and software company in the quantum computing space.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005388/en/

IonQ System Enclosure (Source: Erin Scott, IonQ).

This merger accelerates IonQs clearly defined and scalable roadmap, said Peter Chapman, CEO & President of IonQ. Airbus Ventures, a key IonQ investor, has been a guiding force in the exploration of quantums cross-industrial benefits. One of those industries is aerospace, in which quantum may help improve aircraft design, identify new manufacturing materials, or optimize flight traffic. We are excited about the possibilities.

Based on 25 years of pioneering research, IonQs unique trapped-ion approach combines superior computing performance, precise qubit replication, optical networkability, and highly-optimized algorithms to create quantum computers that are scalable and powerful, and that will support a broad array of applications.

Airbus Ventures is delighted to continue to support and be part of this important next chapter for IonQ, affirmed Thomas dHalluin, Airbus Ventures Managing Partner. As IonQ scales the power of its quantum computing systems, were on the brink of solving intricately complex challenges beyond the current capabilities of even the worlds most powerful supercomputers. This presents critical opportunities for industrial sectors including commercial aerospace and green energy production, and importantly, for tackling the global challenges of sustainability.

By 2023, IonQ plans to develop modular quantum computers small enough to be networked together, which could pave the way for broad quantum advantage by 2025.

About IonQ, Inc.

Founded in 2015 by Chris Monroe and Jungsang Kim at the University of Maryland and Duke University, IonQ is developing quantum computers designed to solve the worlds most complex problems, and transform business, society, and the planet for the better. Currently, access to IonQs quantum computing is available through both Amazon Web Services (AWS) Amazon Braket and Microsofts Azure Quantum, and also to select customers via IonQs own cloud service. To learn more, visit: https://ionq.com.

About Airbus Ventures

Headquartered in Silicon Valley, with offices in Toulouse and Tokyo, Airbus Ventures is a fast-moving, early-stage venture capital company that independently funds and supports startups impacting the aerospace industry. Airbus Ventures has helped aspiring innovators reach new dimensions of achievement since 2015. To learn more, visit: https://airbusventures.vc.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005388/en/

Orli Robin

orli@airbusventures.vc

Source: Airbus Ventures
A Jersey City police officer struck a man with a police vehicle Saturday, a city spokeswoman confirmed.

The officer hit 31-year-old Jeremy Pearson with a police vehicle at the corner of Fulton and Bergen avenues around 4 p.m. Saturday, Jersey City spokeswoman Kim Wallace-Scalcione said. She did not identify the officer.

Pearson was fleeing an arrest for an alleged drug deal, Wallace-Scalcione said, when a JCPD officer observed Mr. Pearson running in his direction and attempted to tactically cut off his pathway by pulling his police vehicle up onto the sidewalk.

The collision occurred while the car was traveling at a low rate of speed as Pearson tried to squeeze himself between the vehicle and a fence, Wallace-Scalcione said.

After the incident, Pearson was taken to Jersey City Medical Center and held overnight. The extent of his injuries, if any, are unclear.

Pearson was charged Sunday with drug manufacturing, possession and distribution charges, as well as one charge of obstructing the administration of law, the spokeswoman said.

The incident will be referred to the Hudson County Prosecutors Office.
Phukets second delivery of 50,000 vaccine doses arrives

PHUKET: The second delivery of 50,000 doses of the Chinese-made Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine CoronaVac arrived in Phuket yesterday (Apr 5), completing the 100,000 doses promised by officials in Bangkok as part of the the push to have 70% of the islands population vaccinated in order to reopen the island to receiving international tourists from July 1.

COVID-19CoronavirushealthtourismeconomicsVaccine

By The Phuket News

Tuesday 6 April 2021, 10:20AM

The second delivery of 50,000 doses of the CoronaVac vaccine arrived in Phuket yesterday (Apr 5). Photo: PR Phuket

The second delivery of 50,000 doses of the CoronaVac vaccine arrived in Phuket yesterday (Apr 5). Photo: PR Phuket

The second delivery of 50,000 doses of the CoronaVac vaccine arrived in Phuket yesterday (Apr 5). Photo: PR Phuket

The second delivery of 50,000 doses of the CoronaVac vaccine arrived in Phuket yesterday (Apr 5). Photo: PR Phuket

The second delivery of 50,000 doses of the CoronaVac vaccine arrived in Phuket yesterday (Apr 5). Photo: PR Phuket

The delivery arrived at the medical supplies storage area at Vachira Hospital Phuket in Phuket Town, where Hospital Director Dr Chalermphong Sukontapol and staff inspected and received the delivery before having the doses moved to a temperature-controlled room.

Of the 50,000 doses delivered, 30,000 will be held at Vachira Phuket Hospital and 20,000 will be moved to Thalang Hospital before being transported to the five vaccination service points set up by the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO), Dr Chalermpong explained.

The mass-vaccination campaign, which began last Thursday, is currently seeing more than 7,000 people receive their first vaccination injection a day, Dr Chalermpong said.

Provincial officials are now expecting to be able to ramp that up to 10,000 a day, he said.

This will expand the vaccination campaign to meet the number of vaccinations required within the specified time [of July 1], he noted.

After this, in May and June, Phuket Province will be allocated another 300,000 doses COVID-19 vaccine per month.

Phuket has requested more than 930,000 doses of the vaccine so that more than 466,000 people in Phuket [sic] can be vaccinated in order for Phuket to be able to receive international tourists without quarantine from July 1, he added.

Dr Chalermpong urged people wanting to receive a state-provided vaccination to register through the online form posted here: https://www.xn--12cmj6ba0a7b3g4a6fud5d2a.com/

Those without access to the internet can walk in to register at their local health promotion hospital or contact the village headman for their area, he said.
She's due to star in a sequel to the blockbuster Marvel movie Black Panther.

And in an interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show set to air Tuesday, Lupita Nyong'o admitted that she's still struggling to come to terms with the loss of Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman.

'It's still so hard for me to come to terms with his passing,' the actress, 38, told Ellen.

In an interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show set to air Tuesday, Lupita Nyong'o admitted that she's still struggling to come to terms with the loss of Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman

Boseman, who posthumously won the outstanding actor in a leading role Screen Actors Guild Award Sunday for Netflix movie Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, died last August after a secret four-year battle with colon cancer.

'He was my friend and so it's hard to think of him in the past tense still,' Nyong'o shared.

Reflecting on working with Boseman on Black Panther, the 12 years a Slave Oscar winner recalled: 'He led the movie with such compassion and just presence.'

'When Chadwick came on set, he was present and he brought his entire being to that movie and he was just so humble as well, you know.'

She added: 'That leadership will be missed.'

He was my friend and so it's hard to think of him in the past tense still,' Nyong'o shared. 'He led the movie with such compassion and just presence'

Boseman died last August after a secret four-year battle with colon cancer. He was 43

'When Chadwick came on set, he was present and he brought his entire being to that movie and he was just so humble as well, you know' Nyong'o said . 'That leadership will be missed'

Boseman posthumously won the outstanding actor in a leading role Screen Actors Guild Award Sunday for Netflix movie Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

First up though for Nyong'o will be the Apple TV+ limited series Lady In The Lake in which she will star with Natalie Portman.

The drama is based on Laura Lippman's bestseller of the same name and both actresses have also signed on to serve as executive producers on the project.

Set in Baltimore, Maryland, in the 1960s, Lady In The Lake centers on housewife and mother Maddie Schwartz who sets out to investigate an unsolved murder in the city.

This brings her into conflict with Cleo Sherwood, a working mom and activist who supports Baltimore's Black progressive agenda, according to THR.com.

Portman will play Schwartz and Nyong'o takes on the role of Sherwood.

New project: Before filming Black Panther 2, Nyong'o will star in the Apple TV+ limited series Lady In The Lake with Natalie Portman
Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday wrote in a statement that it was "too bad" that the GOP-sponsored law restricting voter access in Georgia "didn't go further."

Why it matters: The law has garnered widespread condemnation from civil rights activists, Democrats, and more than 100 businesses and CEOs for instituting stricter ID requirements and limiting the use of ballot drop boxes, among other restrictions.

Support from Trump, whose false narratives about the 2020 election have gained traction among some Republican voters, could further embolden lawmakers in states with GOP majorities that are already pushing similar bills.

What they're saying: "Too bad the desperately needed election reforms in Georgia didnt go further, as their originally approved Bill did, but the Governor and Lt. Governor would not go for it," Trump wrote.

"This Bill should have been passed before the 2020 Presidential Election, not after," he added.

"Boycott all of the woke companies that dont want Voter I.D. and Free and Fair Elections," he concluded.

The big picture: Other high-ranking members of the Republican establishment have also spoken out against the backlash to the law.

On Monday Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) accused corporations taking a stand against the law of employing "economic blackmail."

Trump on Sunday called on his supporters to boycott the companies.

Go deeper: Dozens of states see new voter suppression proposals
Guwahati: Assam is all set to enter the final leg of its three-phased elections for 126-seat Assembly today. This final phase will decide the fate of 337 candidates in the fray. Over 40 constituencies of 12 districts in the state are going for polling on Tuesday (April 6).

There are a total of 12 female candidates and 325 male candidates in the fray, whose fates will be decided by 79,19,641 general electors in the third phase. Of these, 40,11,539 are males, 39,07,963 females and 139 are other genders. There are also 24,460 service voters.

Over 79 lakh electors, including 40,11,539 males, 39,07,963 females, and 139 persons of the third gender will cast their votes in this phase.

Assams Dispur LAC constituency with 4,11,636 has the largest number of electors. Guwahati West constituency with 15 candidates has the highest number of candidates in the fray.

The first phase took place on March 27 with a voter turnout of nearly 77 percent, while a voter turnout of nearly 74.76 percent was recorded in the second phase of polling on April 1. The total assembly segment in Assam assembly is 126 -- while 47 seats went to polls in the first phase, 39 seats in the second phase.

After the final phase of voting today, counting of votes will take place on May 2.

In view of the worsening COVID-19 situation, the poll body had issued guidelines lowering the maximum number of voters per polling booth from 1,600 to 1,000. The guidelines also include sanitisation of electronic voting machines (EVMs), wearing of masks and other protective gear by polling personnel, the availability of thermal scanners, hand sanitisers, soaps, and water at booths.

(With ANI inputs)

Live TV
A few incidents of violence interrupted elections in Kerala while polling in neighbouring Tamil Nadu was underway smoothly even as Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) chief Kamal Haasan alleged money distribution in Coimbatore and filed a complaint with the local returning officer.

Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry are being held in a single phase on Tuesday. The polling coincides with the third and the last phase of Assam elections

The third of the eight-phase elections in West Bengal is also being held on Tuesday.

Nearly 100 million voters were eligible to vote on Tuesday to elect 475 assembly members across four states and the Union territory of Puducherry.

It is the biggest election day since the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

The results of the assembly polls will be announced on May 2.

Mohammed Ashraf Kalathil, a presiding officer in Payyanur constituency in Keralas Kannur, was hospitalised after ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist), or CPI(M), activists allegedly attacked him for preventing a man from voting without an identity document.

The voting was paused for half an hour and another officer was appointed to replace Kalathil.
I would later realise that this was no ordinary man, my aunt and his family had enjoyed a close friendship for years.

Although I did not brush off the idea at once, I was not sure that I was ready to leave my Kenyan identity behind. I finally got to meet him in one of the family parties my aunt and his relatives had organised towards the end of July 2004.

Unlike relationships where an introduction is made, and a prospective couple is allowed to go out on a date and evaluate if they are compatible, our die was cast. Surjit was going to be my husband.

Once we were introduced, we sat next to each other and engaged in some light banter. Although I had never met him before, I was immediately attracted to his soft voice and respectful sociability. He had bright eyes and a great sense of humour.

I still smile whenever I remember how I uncontrollably laughed the evening away at his jokes. In the following days after that meeting, my aunt informed my parents and relatives in Nairobi that she had found a husband for me, and we started our wedding preparations.

We did not date at all. On August 28, 2004, about three weeks after meeting, we got married at the Sikh Temple known as Golden Triangle Sikh Association, in Kitchener Canada.

My wedding day was a cocktail of happiness and sadness. It was the happiest day of my life and at the same time, the saddest. The stress and sadness that had overwhelmed me during the wedding planning phase manifested after I said my vows. It hurt deeply to get married without my loved ones close by to witness it.

It almost felt as if I didnt have the blessing of my parents, but I took comfort in their assurance that they wished me good luck in my new marriage. Hard work began after our wedding. As two strangers who had come together to build a home, we had to quickly learn each others needs, hobbies, strengths, and weaknesses.

We had to adapt to each other and determine that wed grow love and stick by one another from that moment until the end of our days. This was not easy at first, especially when our natural pet peeves started coming out of the closet.

However, because we had started by building a friendship, it was not too hard for us to gradually fall in love with each other, and to find our compatibility rhythm.

About one year later, in November 2005, we were blessed with our first born son, Satnam. We would later be blessed with our second born daughter Gurleen in August 2009.

Although arranged marriages in the modern world may seem outdated, my experience has been nothing but blissful.

Perhaps if the choice had been mine, I would have selected a bad mate for a life partner. My marriage has greatly benefited from my aunts insight on the type of man that suited me best.

Today, I have no regrets, and if I could turn back the clock, I would still marry Surjit  and bring my parents, siblings, and friends from Ngara to witness it all!

Surjit Singh, 50

I was working as an editor with the Punjabi Duniya, a newspaper in Canada when I met Kaur. I was 34 at the time and was extremely anxious when I was told that I would be meeting my wife at a party that July 2004. I wondered what I would do if she didnt meet my expectations.

Deep down, I hoped that she was beautiful and admirable. I hoped she was attractive. I still remember how on that day I could hardly keep calm. I guess I could sense that she was the love I had been waiting for.

I was not wrong. She was gorgeous. She had this distinct smile and charm that filled the room. The moment I laid my eyes on her, I knew she was the woman I would marry.

It was the first time that Kaur had visited Canada, but this was home for me. I had lived in this country for 15 years at the time.

I was born in India in 1970, and moved to Canada in 1989 with my mum to fulfil my late fathers dream. He had migrated to Canada in 1976. For 11 years, he sought migration papers so that we could legally migrate to join him.
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SAGE's doomsday models which predicted more than a thousand coronavirus deaths at the peak of a third wave this summer have been criticised for cherry-picking 'very pessimistic assumptions' to arrive at a nightmare scenario.

Independent experts told MailOnline the data used by the Government's scientific advisers 'didn't match' how well the vaccine rollout is going and played down how effective the jabs are - and at least one was 'very confident the NHS is not going to be overwhelmed'.

Professor Tim Spector, an epidemiologist at King's College London, said SAGE had repeatedly made bleak forecasts that never came true, 'perhaps to avoid complacency' among the public.

The government was yesterday accused of using 'Project Fear' tactics to prolong coronavirus restrictions by stealth with plans for mass twice-weekly testing, vaccine passports and foreign travel restrictions.

But SAGE papers also reveal that No10 believes the most likely scenario is that any third wave of Covid this summer is most likely to be manageable, with deaths staying in double figures or the the low hundreds and hospitalisations well below previous peaks.

Some of the documents released by the Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies (SAGE) suggested that lifting curbs fully in June could cause push the NHS to the brink again.

The expert group included modelling from three different universities - Imperial College London, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and Warwick University.

After reviewing all three papers, SAGE said social distancing, mask wearing and Covid vaccine passports will need to remain in place for at least another year to keep the virus in check even when the most brutal curbs are lifted.

It added that while the vaccines prevent the vast majority of people from falling ill and dying from coronavirus, they 'are not good enough' to see all curbs lifted 'without a big epidemic'.

The gloomiest modelling was done by the London School of Tropical Hygiene and Medicine, which forecast 'a resurgence in admissions and deaths comparable to the magnitude of the second wave in January', when there were more than 1,000 deaths a day.

The LSHTM research team warned a third wave could be even larger if there is a British outbreak of a new Covid variant which makes vaccines weaker.

But their pessimistic model assumed the AstraZeneca vaccine only reduced transmission - the number of people who continue to spread Covid - by 30 per cent, which is far more cautious than data from the real world suggests.

The Government's own analysis of Britain's vaccine rollout, carried out by Public Health England, found the jab slashes infections by about two thirds after just one dose and more than 70 per cent after both injections.

Professor Spector, who is running a major Covid symptom tracking study tracking a million Brits, slammed LSHTM's modelling. He said that while there may be small outbreaks of Covid in the future, 'we're not going to see anything like we've seen previously' now that half the adult population has been immunised.

Dr Raghib Ali, a clinical epidemiologist at Cambridge University and former Government Covid adviser, told MailOnline that despite the gloomy forecasts, 'we can be very confident the NHS is not going to be overwhelmed Im optimistic we will be able to follow the road map'.

SAGE has been widely criticised for using worst-case scenario modelling in its advice to ministers, one of which predicted 250,000 deaths in the first wave. Another which came under scrutiny last ahead of the second national lockdown November warned of 4,000 deaths a day.

Professor Spector highlighted that the coronavirus vaccines have led Israel to freedom, allowing the country to re-open its economy safely without a surge in deaths or hospital admissions. He anticipates the same will happen in Britain.

The gloomiest modelling was done by the London School of Tropical Hygiene and Medicine, which forecast 'a resurgence in admissions and deaths comparable to the magnitude of the second wave in January', when there were more than 1,000 deaths a day. Its pessimistic model assumed the AstraZeneca vaccine only reduced transmission - the number of people who continue to spread Covid - by 30 per cent, which is far more cautious than data from the real world suggests.

LSHTM'S HOSPITALISATIONS SCENARIO: The group has said that in a worst case scenario there could be more than 40,000 patients in Britain's hospitals with the virus every day. The most realistic situation will see levels on par with the winter peak, according to the team. They warned a third wave of admissions could be even larger if there is a British outbreak of a new Covid variant which makes vaccines weaker

Modelling by Imperial College London shows how they expect daily deaths to stay below 100 in any third wave, if vaccine uptake is 90 per cent in under-50s and that jabs cause a significant reduction in transmission after the planned relaxation on June 21. The solid red line shows the actual number of daily deaths recorded, while the lighter line reflects the team's best guess and the pink line is what could happen in the worst-case scenario

IMPERIAL'S HOSPITALISATIONS SCENARIO: Most scientists told MailOnline the most realistic assumptions were those made by the team at Imperial College London. The team's most-likely scenario also estimated that coronavirus patients will take up 5,000 hospital beds during any future spike, far lower than the 30,000 occupied during the darkest days of January

Modelling by Warwick University - which also feeds into SAGE - has deaths peaking at between 250 and 750 in August, but they have already been forced to radically revise their death toll downwards after their assumptions about vaccine efficacy proved too pessimistic. The model was based on an R rate of around 3 and vaccine coverage of 90 per cent of adults under-50

WARWICK'S HOSPITALISATIONS SCENARIO: Warwick's modelling of hospital rates shows that the country can expect about 10,000 patients in beds by the autumn, a third of the levels at this winter's peak and half of occupancy rates last spring. The red line shows the most likely scenario. The top of the red shaded area is the worst-case scenario and the bottom of the red shaded area the best-case

Professor Spector told MailOnline: 'They seem to be picking the most pessimistic of the assumptions each time in order to come up with the worst case scenario, perhaps to avoid complacency.

'They might want to warn people that if we just relax our guard this is what could happen, that's why a lot of language is written like that [pessimistic].

'I'm certainly not arguing we should totally relax right now but I think the vaccine is doing better than they are saying... and they are just painting a much bleaker scenario than the reality.

'I'm hoping we won't need any further lockdowns. I think we're going to have a very relaxed summer and I think we'll see some outbreaks during the autumn, which will pick up at the end of year. But we're not going to see anything like we've seen previously.'

Even SAGE's own scientists are starting to backtrack on the pessimistic forecasts released yesterday. LSHTM infectious diseases expert Professor Graham Medley, who is also a chief modeller at SAGE subgroup SPI-M, told MailOnline: 'As we unlock and contact rates increase, so the the virus has more chance to spread.

'Three different models have been used to project forwards to see what impact this will have. Each of them show that there is likely to be another wave of the epidemic - the question is how big this wave will be.

'There is real uncertainty in this largely because we do not know exactly how effective the vaccines will be in two or three months time.

'If things go badly, then the wave could be large, but if things go well, it could be much smaller than we have seen before. It is not possible at this stage to say which is more likely.'

Earlier this morning he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'It really just depends upon the impact of vaccination, particularly on transmission, so whether or not people can get infected and pass the virus on.

'And we just don't know that. The vaccine hasn't been around in people in the real world... only in December it started... so we don't know what effect it's going to have in three, four months' time and that's the real unknown. So it's a question of genuine uncertainty.

'The only thing we can be sure of is that we don't know exactly what is going to happen but we do know that, because the vaccine isn't 100 per cent effective, there will be some transmission, and there will be some breakthrough of immunity.'

Asked if mask-wearing and social distancing will have to continue past the end of June 21, he said: 'Yes, so the amount of infection and death is dependent upon not only the vaccine, but also what it is that people actually do.

England's Covid crisis laid bare: Cases are back to their lowest levels in six months after an enormous second wave that far eclipsed the crisis last spring. However, a lack of testing at the start of the pandemic means the true scale of infections was vastly under-reported

What SAGE said in November: The modelling group's worst case scenario last year warned there could be up to 4,000 coronavirus deaths a day without a second lockdown, which plunged England into its second national shutdown

Britain's daily coronavirus deaths have fallen by two-thirds in a week, with 20 victims announced today. It means the UK has now gone a fortnight without registering over 100 daily deaths

Department of Health bosses recorded another 2,379 positive Covid tests, with the rolling seven-day average for infections now at the lowest levels since mid-September

Real-world data from Israeli epidemiologist Eran Segal of the Weizmann Institute shows all the key Covid metrics are still dropping even after the economy was fully reopened in mid-March. Israel's successful vaccination drive has given over 60 per cent of its population at least one jab

During a visit to an AstraZeneca Covid vaccine plant in Cheshire today, Boris Johnson insisted the country is still on track to end lockdown by summer

Boris Johnson's vaccine passport plans in jeopardy as Keir Starmer 'is likely to oppose' the 'discriminatory' documents Boris Johnson's plans for domestic vaccine passports are in jeopardy after it was claimed Sir Keir Starmer and Labour will oppose the rollout of the documents. Some 40 Tory MPs have already made clear they are against 'Covid Status Certification', warning that introducing the checks in everyday life would create a 'two tier' nation. The initial findings of a Government review on how the passports could be used left the door open to the documents being required for access to pubs and restaurants. A senior Labour source told The Guardian that Sir Keir and other prominent Labour figures 'are all minded to vote against' the documents amid fears over how the scheme could work and its cost. Meanwhile, shadow health secretary Jon Ashworth appeared to harden the party's stance further this morning as he said the passports would be 'discriminatory'. Tory MPs have demanded Mr Johnson put any passport plan to a vote in the House of Commons but the Prime Minister sidestepped the request at a Downing Street press conference last night. Labour's reported stance on the subject means that any vote could be very tight, with Mr Johnson's fate likely to be determined by how big of a Tory revolt he suffers. The initial findings of the review on the certification scheme said the documents could have an 'important role to play both domestically and internationally, as a temporary measure'. The Government ruled out using the documents to determine access to public transport or essential shops. But the findings said 'it is possible that COVID-status certification could also play a role in reducing social distancing requirements in other settings which people tend to visit more frequently, for example in hospitality settings'. Tory MPs back the use of the documents for international travel but many have significant privacy and civil liberties concerns about using them domestically. Sir Keir made clear his concerns over the potential use of the documents in day-to-day life in an interview with The Telegraph last week. He said: 'My instinct is that, as the vaccine is rolled out, as the number of hospital admissions and deaths go down, there will be a British sense that we don't actually want to go down this road.' Mr Ashworth went further this morning when he was asked during an interview on BBC Breakfast whether he intended to vote against domestic vaccine passports. He said: 'Well, the problem is the Government actually hasn't produced the piece of legislation which highlights the details of how this is going to work. 'Last night when Boris Johnson was asked he couldn't explain his own policy. 'So at the moment we are unconvinced but it is up to ministers to convince the country that they have a plan in place and what they are going to do. 'When we see the details of their legislation we will study it carefully.' Pushed again on whether he would vote against the plans, he replied: 'I am not going to support a policy that for here in my Leicester constituency if somebody wants to go into Next or H&M they have to produce a vaccination certificate on their phone on an app. I think that is discriminatory.' Advertisement

'And then that's related to the policies that are put in place. Both of those are uncertain - both the policies but also then how people behave with the policies - so it's quite likely that we will have to see some kind of measures to reduce transmission for a long time.'

It's unclear whether LSHTM factored in people who are protected against Covid due to prior infection, which is thought to be up to 30 per cent of the population.

Dr Simon Clarke, a microbiologist at Reading University, took issue with the lack of transparency in the models, telling MailOnline: 'They don't fully explain how they got those numbers.

'The problem with these SAGE documents, and I've been saying this for the past year, is that they are not actual evidence. Even in GCSE maths you're taught to show your workings and we don't get that from these papers.'

Modelling by Warwick University - which also feeds into SAGE - has deaths peaking at between 250 and 750 in August, depending on the impact of each major relaxation of lockdown on case numbers.

But the Warwick team has already been forced to radically revise its death toll downwards after earlier assumptions about vaccine efficacy and uptake in February proved too pessimistic.

Dr Ali told MailOnline: 'The reason I have some caution about these models and the conclusions from them is based on what happened in the second wave.

'A lot of people, myself included, didnt think the second wave would be that bad, and, as it turned out, the models were much more accurate, particularly the Warwick one. That makes me think their model is not as inaccurate as some people think.

'But we can be very confident the NHS is not going to be overwhelmed [thanks to the vaccines] Im optimistic we will be able to follow the roadmap.

'I would take [SAGE's] central scenario that we can be confident that we are in a much better situation than we were in the winter. If there is a surge, it will be smaller and may well be delayed from the seasonal effect, [in which case] it will be smaller again.'

The majority of scientists who spoke to MailOnline said the most realistic SAGE assumptions were those made by the Imperial College London.

The team, which includes the notoriously gloomy 'Professor Lockdown' Neil Ferguson, said daily deaths are most likely to stay below 100 later this year, even in the event of a resurgence.

And thanks to the effects of vaccines, the team's most-likely scenario also estimated that coronavirus patients will take up 5,000 hospital beds during any future spike, far lower than the 30,000 occupied during the darkest days of January.

Imperial's central assumptions project another 15,700 deaths from the disease from now until June 2022. For comparison, there have been at least 126,000 Covid fatalities during the pandemic so far.

It came as Boris Johnson insisted the country is still on track to end lockdown by summer, despite the Government being accused of using 'Project Fear' tactics.

The Prime Minister said he couldn't 'see any reason for us to deviate from the road map', which is due to see all legal limits on social contacts abolished by June 21 as part of the final phase of the four-step route out of the crisis.

But he is still accused of seeking to prolong Covid restrictions by stealth, with plans for controversial vaccine passports, testing twice a week and masks for another year. Mr Johnson said Covid passports were going to become a 'a fact of life' to keep the virus in check when the most brutal curbs are lifted.

During a visit to an AstraZeneca Covid vaccine plant in Cheshire today, the PM said: 'I just think it's important we take each step on the road map as it comes and continue to roll out the vaccine, build up our defences, build up the natural resistance of our whole population in the way that we are and then continue to look at the data in the intervals that we've set out.

'So we are going to see exactly what happens from the April 12 to May 17 openings and thereafter through to June 21. At the moment, as I look at all the data, I can't see any reason for us to deviate from the road map that we have set out, we are sticking to it.'

He said several other countries were also looking at 'the role of vaccination passports for overseas travel', which was 'going to be a fact of life, probably'.

Tory MPs accused the Government of opening the door to prolonged Covid restrictions by releasing the gloomy SAGE papers yesterday.

Sir Iain Duncan-Smith warned Britain was on course to be left in a 'demi-lockdown' even when the road map is completed. The former Tory leader accused No10's scientists of deploying 'Project Fear' tactics.

Moderna's Covid jab will be deployed in the UK in a fortnight: Minister reveals first of 100million doses The long-awaited Moderna coronavirus vaccine will be dished out in Britain within the next two weeks, No10's vaccine minister revealed today. Nadhim Zahawi said the first batch of the jab  approved by regulators in January  is set to arrive in the third week of this month, with 'more volume' expected in May. Ministers had promised Moderna's vaccine, which uses mRNA technology such as Pfizer's, would arrive by the spring. Britain has ordered 17million doses. But confusion erupted over Moderna's supply today, after Nicola Sturgeon revealed the first batch of doses arrived yesterday. If Scotland's First Minister is telling the truth, it means the UK is currently sitting on thousands of vaccines that are proven to work. The welcome boost to the vaccine roll-out came as Valneva's Covid jab  which has also been bought by No10  was shown to trigger antibodies in all volunteers who received a high dose in early-stage trials. Scientists testing the jab added they identified no safety concerns, and that it would now move to final phase three trials, with the view of submitting it for approval in the autumn. Britain has already ordered 100million doses of the jab  which contains a destroyed version of the real coronavirus  which are being made in Scotland. Health Secretary Matt Hancock heralded today's results as 'fantastic' and showing a 'strong immune response'. 'This is another boost to British life science,' he added. Mr Zahawi said the results were 'very promising' and provided 'renewed hope' that a jab using an inactivated virus could spark immunity. Bosses of Valneva, which is headquartered in France, added they were also looking at ways to tweak their jab to protect against future variants, which may be able to dodge immunity. More than 31million Brits have already received their first dose of either AstraZeneca or Pfizer's Covid vaccine, which were the first to be approved in the UK. Advertisement

Tory MP Sir John Redwood today said there was a 'range of possible outturns' from the three models SPI-M looked at, and that it should not stop 'anybody going around their normal life or duties in the meantime when the data is so visibly improving'.

And fellow Conservative Marcus Fysh told MailOnline: 'I think we need to get back to normal as soon as we are all vaccinated enough the end of June, for me, has always been a point at which I think we should be doing that. I have supported in general terms that roadmap and that being the end state where the regulations come off.'

Asked for his opinion on SAGE experts saying 'baseline measures' may be needed for another year, he added: 'I personally don't think we should keep social distancing or face masks anymore. Once we are ready to open up properly then I think that should be the end of that for the time being.

'I think SAGE's latest position is just unacceptable, one way or another, this idea that we are going to have to have masks for the next year, social distancing for another year or more. We cannot be living in fear of a new variant. The reality is that booster shots will be required in the future to address new variations of Covid, probably just as we have new booster shots for flu each year.'

Critics of lockdowns point to data showing how Covid fizzled out on its own last summer when restrictions were eased, even though there was no vaccination roll-out. Fewer than 500 cases were recorded several times in July and there was even one day with no recorded fatalities.

SAGE says the seasonality of the virus may 'delay or flatten the resurgence but is unlikely to prevent it altogether'. Advisers also project that most deaths will still occur in fully vaccinated elderly people because although they are around 80 per cent effective against severe illness, the exposure of millions to the virus will still result in a small number of fatalities.

Daily coronavirus cases in England have plunged from around 50,000 during the darkest spell of the second wave in January to around 3,500 now, despite fears that reopening schools would cause the outbreak to spiral. Deaths and hospitalisations have fallen even quicker, thanks to the hugely successful vaccination drive.

Meanwhile, Boris Johnson's plans for domestic vaccine passports are in jeopardy after it was claimed Sir Keir Starmer and Labour will oppose the rollout of the documents.

Some 40 Tory MPs have already made clear they are against 'Covid Status Certification', warning that introducing the checks in everyday life would create a 'two tier' nation.

The initial findings of a Government review on how the passports could be used left the door open to the documents being required for access to pubs and restaurants.

A senior Labour source told The Guardian that Sir Keir and other prominent Labour figures 'are all minded to vote against' the documents amid fears over how the scheme could work and its cost.

Meanwhile, shadow health secretary Jon Ashworth appeared to harden the party's stance further this morning as he said the passports would be 'discriminatory'.

Tory MPs have demanded Mr Johnson put any passport plan to a vote in the House of Commons but the Prime Minister sidestepped the request at a Downing Street press conference last night.

Labour's reported stance on the subject means that any vote could be very tight, with Mr Johnson's fate likely to be determined by how big of a Tory revolt he suffers.

The initial findings of the review on the certification scheme said the documents could have an 'important role to play both domestically and internationally, as a temporary measure'.

The Government ruled out using the documents to determine access to public transport or essential shops.

But the findings said 'it is possible that COVID-status certification could also play a role in reducing social distancing requirements in other settings which people tend to visit more frequently, for example in hospitality settings'.

Tory MPs back the use of the documents for international travel but many have significant privacy and civil liberties concerns about using them domestically.

Sir Keir made clear his concerns over the potential use of the documents in day-to-day life in an interview with The Telegraph last week.

He said: 'My instinct is that, as the vaccine is rolled out, as the number of hospital admissions and deaths go down, there will be a British sense that we don't actually want to go down this road.'

Mr Ashworth went further this morning when he was asked during an interview on BBC Breakfast whether he intended to vote against domestic vaccine passports.

He said: 'Well, the problem is the Government actually hasn't produced the piece of legislation which highlights the details of how this is going to work.

'Last night when Boris Johnson was asked he couldn't explain his own policy. So at the moment we are unconvinced but it is up to ministers to convince the country that they have a plan in place and what they are going to do. When we see the details of their legislation we will study it carefully.'

Pushed again on whether he would vote against the plans, he replied: 'I am not going to support a policy that for here in my Leicester constituency if somebody wants to go into Next or H&M they have to produce a vaccination certificate on their phone on an app. I think that is discriminatory.'

How vaccinations have led Israel to freedom but failed to stop third wave in Chile where ineffective Chinese jab was used

Israel, the UK and Chile are world-leaders in terms of administering Covid-19 vaccines  but when it comes to getting life back to normal, the three countries are seeing very different results.

Israel's successful vaccination drive has given over 60 per cent of its population at least one jab. In the UK, around 47 percent of people have been given a single dose, while that figure is around 35 percent amongst Chileans.

But while Israel has begun to ease lockdown measures and re-open its economy, Chile has recently implemented new restrictions, and last week recorded 49,542 new Covid-19 cases  the highest weekly levels since the start of the pandemic.

The UK is currently somewhere in the middle of the two - a low infection rate like Israel, but with restrictions in place - with fears about a third wave of coronavirus infections leading to officials taking a cautious approach to relaxing measures.

However, with the UK having given at least one dose to over 47 percent of its population, the Prime Minister has come under fire from MPs in his own Conservative party for the time it is taking to ease restrictions, with some saying the country could be left in a state of never-ending 'demi-lockdown' amid fears of a third Covid wave.

Speaking on Monday, England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty pointed to Chile as a warning that a quick vaccine roll-out does not necessarily guard against future outbreaks of the virus, which has killed over 2.86 million people worldwide.

'We absolutely need to learn from those countries that are far ahead of us in terms of or alongside us in terms of vaccine rollout,' he said, speaking during a news conference on Monday from Downing Street.

'This is the reason we want to do things in a steady way because the assumption that just because you vaccinate lots of people, then the problem goes away, I think Chile is quite a good corrective to that.'

Pictured: A graph comparing the seven day average daily new confirmed cases of coronavirus per million people in Chile, the UK and Israel, and the date each country began vaccinating

Pictured: A graph showing the progress made by countries in giving at least one dose of Covid-19 vaccines to their populations. Israel's successful vaccination drive has given over 60 percent of its population at least one jab. In the UK, around 47 percent of people have been given a single dose, while that figure is around 35 percent in Chile

Israel, Chile and the UK: compared Israel Pop. given single dose: 60 percent

Fully vaccinated: 50 percent

Those yet to be given first dose are largely either under 16 or reluctant.

Economy largely reopened with schools and businesses open at reduced capacity amid lowest infection rates since June.

Indoor dining reopened to those with a 'green pass', used to prove if a person is protected from Covid-19 through a vaccination or antibodies.

Borders open to limited number of entries per-day.

New confirmed Covid-19 cases per million people on Monday: 40.9 Chile Pop. given single dose: 35 percent

Fully vaccinated: 20 percent

Economy largely in lockdown (under Phase 1 - total quarantine) with a 21:00 curfew in place, as Chile reaches the peak of a third wave of Covid-19, and saw largest weekly new infections last week.

Borders closed for 30 days from April 1, with some exceptions for returning residents.

New confirmed Covid-19 cases per million people on Monday: 359.7 United Kingdom Pop. given single dose: 47 percent

Fully vaccinated: 8 percent

Economy reopening gradually, with schools reopened in March and non-essential shops and outdoor dining due to re-open on April 12.

Vaccination passport being considered as an option by the government, but is facing opposition.

Borders restricted, with a traffic light system set to be introduced.

New confirmed Covid-19 cases per million people on Monday: 52.2 Advertisement

Prof Whitty said that Chile's experience had contrasted with that of Israel, and it was unclear whether it's Covid figures were due to the timings of rollout, the vaccines used, interactions with coronavirus variants or other factors.

Despite only a few ranks separating them in the global vaccine race, a number of factors differentiate the situations in Chile and Israel.

Chile began its vaccination campaign with frontline health workers on 24 December, just as the third wave began in the country and days after the UK and Israel started rolling out their jabs as well.

All three were seeing rising infections at the time.

While Israel has so far exclusively used the US Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, Chile - which has vaccinated over 35 percent of its population with one dose, and over 20 percent with two - has been using a combination of Pfizer and China's CoronaVac vaccine.

And while data shows that the Pfizer/BioNTech jab is around 95 percent effective at protecting someone from Covid-19 after they have been given two doses, CoronaVac's effectiveness sits at around 50 percent after two doses.

This means that for every 100 people given the full vaccination programme - two doses of CoronaVac - 50 remain at risk of infection.

The Chilean government's goal is to immunise 15 million people by June 30, achieving coveted 'herd immunity,' when a sufficiently large proportion of the population is resistant to a pathogen that it has nowhere to spread.

To this end, Chile signed an agreement to purchase 20 million doses of China's CoronaVac vaccine, which was approved for emergency use on January 20, and so far, the bulk of doses administered in the South American nation have been CoronaVac.

While the vaccine will reduce the intensity of symptoms and therefore considerably reduce the risk of hospitalisation for the most serious of cases, vaccinated individuals may still spread the virus.

The European Union and other countries, such as the UK and the US, have not approved CoronaVac as it has not been proven to be sufficiently effective.

The UK, meanwhile, has been using a combination of the Pfizer/BioNTech jab and the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, which has shown to be around 90 percent effective.

This would suggest that compared to Chile, the number of people effectively vaccinated in Israel, and later in the UK, will be higher than in Chile in the coming months when more people are given their second dose.

Pictured: A graph showing the seven-day average number of new coronavirus cases in Chile

Pictured: A graph showing the seven-day average number of new coronavirus deaths in Chile

Israel has given at least one dose to over 60 percent of its population, has fully vaccinated over 50 percent, and has eased most coronavirus restrictions after seeing coronavirus cases and related deaths drop to their lowest levels since the summer of 2020.

Its rapid vaccine progress means more than 4.6million people have had two jabs and are eligible for a so-called 'green pass' in a scheme being closely watched by other countries, and that could be copied in the UK.

Israel began easing a nationwide lockdown in late February, with most businesses and schools gradually resuming activity with limits on capacity.

Along with the people who are fully vaccinated, another 8.7 per cent of the population are presumed immune after previously recovering from Covid-19.

That makes the majority of the population eligible for the 'green pass' certificates that show a person is protected from the virus, and thus gives them access to various leisure venues such as bars and restaurants to those who are inoculated against coronavirus.

Hezi Levi, the director-general of Israel's health ministry, has estimated that the entire adult population will be fully inoculated by the end of May.

About a third of the country is under 16 and cannot be vaccinated until the shot is deemed safe for children.

This month the health ministry said that recovered Covid-19 patients could get vaccinated with a single jab administered at least three months after recovery.

Israel recorded zero coronavirus deaths on Friday for the first time since June 29 last year, and 251 new cases. In total, the country has seen 834,603 cases and 6,248 deaths. The country has also seen a drop in the number of coronavirus ICU patients, currently at 24.7 per million, down from over 45 per million in February.

People eat at a restaurant in Jerusalem's main market after authorities reopened restaurants, bars and cafes to 'green pass' holders (proof of protection against Covid), on March 11, 2021

Pictured: A graph showing the seven-day average number of new coronavirus cases in Israel

Pictured: A graph showing the seven-day average number of new coronavirus deaths in Israel

The infection rate in Chile and the Israel are also very different. Israel is at the end of its second coronavirus wave and, as in the UK, cases and deaths are lower than they have been for months.

Chile on the other hand appears to have reached the peak of a third wave, seeing more new daily coronavirus infections than at any point during the pandemic, despite its impressive vaccine rollout efforts.

On Monday, there were 52.2 new confirmed Covid-19 cases per million people in the UK, and just 40.9 confirmed cases per million in Israel. In contrast, Chile saw 359.7.

Doctors in the country have criticised President Sebastian Pinera for lifting restrictions too quickly, with schools reopening and Chileans being allowed to travel domestically since early March, despite rising infections.

Now, the country finds itself in another lockdown, with the borders closed.

In the UK, the January lockdown imposed by Boris Johnson has seen cases fall to their lowest levels since last year, just as the number of single doses is set to pass 50 percent of the population.

Other reason's for Chile's rising infections have not been ruled out, with one major concern being that new variants - such as the British variant or the Brazilian P.1 variant - may be evading the vaccine.

Speaking on Monday, England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty (left) pointed to Chile as a warning that a quick vaccine roll-out does not necessarily guard against future outbreaks of the virus, which has killed over 2.86 million people worldwide

In March, Chilean scientists pleaded with people to stay indoors.

'The new variants arriving in Chile are a great worry, and we effectively have one pandemic on top of another now,' said Dr Ximena Aguilera, an epidemiologist who sits on the government's Covid-19 advisory committee, according to The Guardian.

'Unlike before, we are seeing serious cases among younger people too, and there is a sense that some people had become complacent towards the end of the summer with the vaccinations going so well.'

While the emergence of the British variant led to a surge of infections in the UK over winter, this also appears to have been brought under control by the long lockdown, a situation that is more similar to Israel than Chile.

Another factor that could be playing a part in the differences seen across the three countries is herd immunity, either through vaccinations or how many people have developed immunity against coronavirus through being infected by it.

Dr Tracy Husell, an immunologist at Manchester University, told the Mail Online: Herd immunity is likely to have something to do with it.

'The more people that are vaccinated means the less the virus will transmit, as each vaccinee clears the virus quickly.

However, other factors may contribute such as the proportion of people who have generated immunity from the natural infection, the climate (viruses like cool and damp) and the number of people per household. In a multigeneration family the virus spreads quicker.

As of April 6, over 7 million people have received at least one dose of either the Chinese Sinovac or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, and 4.04 million have had both jabs.

So far, Chile has recorded 1,032,612 total coronavirus cases, and 23,677 related deaths - a rate that is lower than many other South American countries.

Chileans will be hoping to see new daily infections begin to drop, and their impressive vaccine drive kick in, sooner rather than later.
Celebrate World Amateur Radio Day

Sunday 18 April is World Amateur Radio Day (WARD) and this year marks the 96th anniversary of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), which was founded at the 1925 International Radiotelegraph Conference in Paris.



The IARU has chosen "Amateur Radio: Home but Never Alone" as the theme for World Amateur Radio Day 2021. The theme acknowledges that during our physical distancing to reduce the spread of COVID-19, amateur radio stands out as a welcome respite for its variety of activities and opportunities. On World Amateur Radio Day, all radio amateurs are invited to take to the airwaves to share global goodwill with other amateurs
KYODO NEWS - Apr 6, 2021 - 22:49 | All, Coronavirus, Japan

Osaka confirmed on Tuesday a single-day record of 719 cases of the novel coronavirus, even as the western Japan prefecture has toughened measures in an attempt to stem a sharp rebound in infections.

The local government is set to declare a state of medical emergency on Wednesday as the occupancy rate of hospital beds in the prefecture has been nearing 70 percent, with the number of COVID-19 patients in serious condition increasing rapidly.

"If this continues, we will be on the verge of a medical collapse," Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura told reporters Tuesday.

While daily infection figures for Osaka Prefecture have been the highest in the country in recent days, health minister Norihisa Tamura warned that the situation in Tokyo is also worsening and urged residents, business operators and health care workers to remain vigilant.

Tokyo on the same day confirmed 399 new cases, bringing its cumulative total to 123,350, the highest among the nation's 47 prefectures.

The nationwide daily increase totaled around 2,650 as of late Tuesday.

With the number of infections in Tokyo trending upward since mid-March, the seven-day rolling average rose to 396.9 per day, up about 10 percent from the previous week, according to the metropolitan government.

Although the rise in daily infections in Tokyo is not as sharp as in Osaka, Hyogo and Miyagi prefectures designated recently as being on the brink of a state of emergency, Tamura said at a press conference the situation in the capital warrants "extreme caution."

He warned that a surge in the Tokyo metropolitan area could affect the whole country.

Yasutoshi Nishimura, the minister in charge of the nation's coronavirus response, said the same day in an interview with Kyodo News that the government will seek to introduce a "circuit breaker," or a new set of indicators designed to promptly request businesses to shorten operating hours.

Under the current scheme, longer procedures are required such as approval at a panel of experts in infectious diseases and explanations in parliament before issuing a legally binding request.

Nishimura said closing restaurants and bars by 8 p.m. has been effective among other measures to curb the risk of infections.

The minister will discuss details of the new indicators with a government panel of experts, he added.

The government can declare a state of emergency when the situation reaches Stage 4, the highest level on its four-point scale. The threshold for quasi-emergency measures, on the other hand, is Stage 2.

Under the quasi-emergency designation, which became possible after a revised law took effect in February, authorities can implement tougher COVID-19 measures in targeted cities and towns, rather than doing so on a prefectural basis.

As the quasi-emergency measures commenced officially in the three prefectures on Monday, restaurants and bars in six major cities are asked to close by 8 p.m. and could be fined up to 200,000 yen ($1,800) for noncompliance.
New Delhi: Anil Deshmukh, who resigned as the Maharashtra Home Minister on Monday, is likely to challenge the Bombay High Court order asking the CBI to conduct a preliminary probe into allegations of corruption levelled against him by former Mumbai police chief Param Bir Singh.

According to the NCP sources, he is likely to approach the Supreme Court on Tuesday. After tendering his resignation in the afternoon, Deshmukh visited the national capital and met senior lawyers here.

Deshmukh, a senior NCP leader, resigned after the Bombay High Court ordered a CBI probe into the allegations of extortion against him by Singh. He submitted his resignation letter to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. "I don't have the moral right to continue in office after the court order. I have decided to quit. Kindly relieve me from my post," Deshmukh's resignation letter said.

Meanwhile, a CBI team will reach Mumbai today to start the process of initiating a preliminary inquiry against Deshmukh. Normally, the agency waits for a formal order and a legal opinion before initiating any action in such cases but given the short period of 15 days granted by the high court to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the allegations, the CBI has taken swift action, officials said.

The CBI team will meet lawyers to collect the order, complaint along with annexure and other related documents to start the probe, they said. A bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice G S Kulkarni on Monday said this was an "extraordinary" and "unprecedented" case that warranted an independent inquiry.

In its 52-page judgement, the bench said Singh's allegations against Deshmukh had put at stake the citizen's faith in the state police. Such allegations, made by a serving police officer, against the state home minister could not be left unattended, and were required to be probed into if prima facie, they made a case of a cognisable offence, the HC said.

The court said a probe by an independent agency was necessary in the present case, to "instill public confidence and safeguard the Fundamental Rights of the citizens".

The HC pronounced its verdict on three public interest litigations (PILs) and a criminal writ petition filed last month, seeking several reliefs and a CBI probe into the matter. One of the PILs was filed by Singh himself, and the other two were filed by lawyer Ghanshyam Upadhyay and a local teacher Mohan Bhide.

The criminal writ petition was filed by city-based lawyer Jayshree Patil. Singh, in his plea filed on March 25, sought a CBI probe against Deshmukh who, he claimed, had asked police officers, including suspended cop Sachin Waze, to extort Rs 100 crore from bars and restaurants.

Waze himself is under NIA probe in the case pertaining to explosives found in an SUV near the mansion of industrialist Mukesh Ambani. Deshmukh has denied any wrongdoing.

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Photo credit: Chevrolet

General Motors announced that Chevrolet is introducing an electric Silverado pickup.

The company said the truck will be built at its Factory Zero plant in Detroit/Hamtramck.

GM said it plans to deliver more than 1 million EVs globally by 2025.

General Motors announced Chevrolet is introducing an electric Silverado pickup, built at the companys Factory Zero assembly plant in Detroit and Hamtramck, Michigan. GM president Mark Reuss made the announcement, also confirming that the recently shown GMC Hummer electric SUV will be built there. GM previously said the Hummer pickup and Cruise Origin will be built at Factory Zero as well. The Hummer pickup should start rolling out of the plant this year.



Photo credit: Hearst Owned

GM said it plans to deliver more than 1 million EVs globally by 2025 and intends to earn EV market leadership in North America, adding that with the companys Ultium Platform, virtual development tools and technology, GM has reduced vehicle development times by nearly 50 percent to just 26 months.

The company said the electric Silverado is designed from the ground up to be an EV. GM estimates that the Silverado will offer a range of over 400 miles on a full charge and will be available to both retail and fleet customers.

Photo credit: Chevrolet

Reuss said the Chevrolet takes everything Chevys loyal truck buyers love about Silveradoand moreand puts it into an electric pickup that will delight retail and commercial customers alike.

As we reported a couple of days ago, the 2024 Hummer EV SUV uses the Ultium Platform and launches with the Edition 1.

Photo credit: Hummer

In January 2020 GM said it was investing $2.2 billion in its Detroit-Hamtramck plant to produce several electric trucks and SUVs. GM renamed the plant Factory Zero a few months earlier to reflect the plants importance in advancing GMs vision of a future with zero crashes, zero emissions, and zero congestion, as the company puts it.

How important is the plant? GM says Factory Zero is the launchpad for GMs multi-brand EV strategy. The facility has advanced technology and tooling and was designed with a focus on sustainable manufacturing.

Story continues

To produce EVs, Factory Zero is being retooled and renovated and GM says its the companys largest-ever plant redo. The company says the paint and body shops and general assembly areas are getting comprehensive upgrades including new machines, conveyors, controls, and tooling.

General Motors has made several announcements in the last year and a half about its goals of an electric, zero-emissions future, including a modular propulsion system and flexible EV platform powered by proprietary Ultium batteries. The company said it has committed more than $27 billion to EV and autonomous vehicle product development, including $7 billion in 2021. It said it plans to launch 30 EVs globally by the end of 2025, with more than two-thirds available in North America. The company says that between Cadillac, GMC, Chevrolet, and Buick, GM will have EVs at all price points. Chevrolet recently announced its 2022 Bolt EUV and Bolt EV, both expected in dealerships this summer.

In January 2021, GM unveiled BrightDrop, a new business aiming to electrify and improve the delivery of goods and services by offering an ecosystem of electric first-to-last-mile products, software, and services, the goal being to help empower delivery and logistics companies to move goods more efficiently.

The company says its zero-emissions technology will extend to fuel cells, announcing it will supply its Hydrotec fuel-cell power cubes to Navistar for use in its production model fuel-cell EVthe International RHTM Series.

GM also said it would spend $2 billion on its Spring Hill, Tennessee, assembly plant to begin the transition to become the companys third EV plant, in addition to Factory Zero and Orion Assembly in Orion Township, Mich.

Back in 2019 GM announced the formation of Ultium Cells LLC, a joint venture with LG Energy Solution to mass-produce battery cells in Lordstown, Ohio, for future EVs. Construction of the $2.3 billion facility is underway, GM said.

How soon would you go for an electric Silverado? Log into the comments and let us know.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 22:45:59|Editor: huaxia

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-- Through continuous efforts, the final 98.99 million impoverished rural residents in China had all been lifted out of poverty, and all 832 impoverished counties and 128,000 villages had been removed from the poverty list by the end of 2020.



-- The strategy of targeted poverty alleviation is China's strongest "weapon" in its final battle against poverty, and a major innovation in the theory and practice of poverty reduction.

-- China's success in poverty alleviation has proven that the problem of poverty, in essence, is how the people should be treated: the people-centered philosophy is the fundamental driving force behind this cause.

BEIJING, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the world's largest developing country has achieved a complete eradication of extreme poverty, raising more than 770 million poor people from poverty since its reform and opening up in late 1970s.

According to the World Bank standard, the figure accounted for more than 70 percent of the global total over the same period, said a white paper released Tuesday by the State Council Information Office.

The 100-year history of the CPC is a history about eradicating poverty and backwardness, and leading people's fight for a better life, Xu Lin, director of the office, said at a press conference when introducing the paper.

Photo taken on April 6, 2021 shows the Chinese and English editions of the white paper titled "Poverty Alleviation: China's Experience and Contribution" issued by the State Council Information Office at a press conference in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai)

SOLEMN COMMITMENT DELIVERED

The Chinese nation had long been plagued by poverty at a scale and a level of severity which were rarely seen anywhere else in the world.

Since its founding in July 1921, the CPC has always taken the happiness of the people and rejuvenation of the nation as its aspiration, said the white paper titled "Poverty Alleviation: China's Experience and Contribution."

The founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949 and the establishment of the socialist system have provided basic institutional guarantees for addressing the root causes of poverty. The reform and opening up, which started about four decades ago, has accelerated the country's development and poverty alleviation.

"Ensuring that poor people and poor areas will enter the moderately prosperous society together with the rest of the country is a solemn promise made by our Party," President Xi Jinping was quoted as saying.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the Party Central Committee, with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, has fought a decisive battle against poverty that has been unprecedented in scale and intensity, and has benefited the largest number of people in human history, according to Xu.

To fulfill the commitment, the leadership has mobilized the energies of the whole Party, the whole country, and the whole of society. More than 3 million first Party secretaries and resident working team members have been selected and dispatched to carry out targeted poverty reduction since 2013.

Poverty relief assistants Liu Ying (1st L) and He Changle (2nd L), as well as village officers, help carry melons planted by villagers in Dongqin Village, Congjiang County of southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 11, 2020. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Through continuous efforts, the final 98.99 million impoverished rural residents had all been lifted out of poverty, and all 832 impoverished counties and 128,000 villages had been removed from the poverty list by the end of 2020.

The historic achievements came with huge sacrifices. More than 1,800 CPC members and officials have lost their lives in the cause of poverty reduction, according to the paper.

TARGETED STRATEGY

"To help the poor, we must know who they are," the paper said.

During its poverty alleviation practices, China has developed a set of standards and procedures to accurately identify the poor, the causes of their poverty and their needs. These were summarized as targeted efforts in six areas, referring to efforts to identify the poor accurately, arrange targeted programs, utilize capital efficiently, take household-based measures, dispatch first Party secretaries based on village conditions, and achieve the set goals.

For instance, poor households are identified primarily based on their incomes, with consideration given to other factors including housing, education and health, while for villages, consideration is given to the incidence of poverty, the per capita net income of the villagers, and income from businesses run by village collectives.

The individuals and villages confirmed as poor were then registered and a national poverty alleviation information system was created.

"Through this registration system, for the first time in the history of poverty alleviation, China has identified every poor individual in every village," the paper said.

The strategy of targeted poverty alleviation is China's strongest "weapon" in its final battle against poverty, and a major innovation in the theory and practice of poverty reduction, which highlights the CPC's sound approach whereby all actions are based on actual conditions and conform to the needs of development, it said.

PEOPLE-CENTRED PHILOSOPHY

China's success in poverty alleviation has proven that the problem of poverty, in essence, is how the people should be treated: the people-centered philosophy is the fundamental driving force behind this cause.

Combo photo taken between July and October 2020 shows villagers, who used to be registered as impoverished households in over 20 cities and counties of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, smiling as they have benefited from the businesses under poverty alleviation program. (Xinhua)

"The root cause of poverty is inadequate development," the paper said, adding that development is the most effective way to eradicate poverty.

During its fight against poverty, China has taken five measures, including boosting the economy to provide more job opportunities, relocating poor people from inhospitable areas, compensating for economic losses associated with reducing ecological damage, improving education in impoverished areas, and providing subsistence allowances for those unable to shake off poverty through their own efforts alone.

Over the course, investment from the central, provincial, city and county governments have totaled nearly 1.6 trillion yuan (about 244 billion U.S. dollars), including 660.1 billion yuan from the central budget.

China's successful practice and valuable experience in eliminating extreme poverty have deepened human understanding of poverty reduction trends, enriched the theory of international poverty reduction, and boosted the confidence of other countries, especially developing ones, in eradicating extreme poverty.

Aerial photo taken on June 14, 2020 shows a relocated area by the Gaqu River in Chido Township of Dengqen County in Qamdo, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Qadom City has witnessed a total of 194,600 residents, 38,400 households, 1,127 villages and 11 counties get rid of poverty thanks to the poverty alleviation efforts. (Xinhua/Tian Jinwen)

Poverty is not predestined, nor is it unconquerable, the paper said. "China's experience in poverty alleviation indicates that courage, vision, sense of responsibility, and the eagerness to take on challenges are the most essential."

(Reporting by Xie Jiang, Zheng Xin, Chen Yongrong, Cheng Jing, Zhang Yiyi, Guo Xiaoyu, Zhao Yang and Wu Qiong; Video editor: Yang Zhixiang)
By Gwen Hanlon

Once again, Union County is dealing with another battle against a preventable disease - Legionnaires disease. It was with great sadness that I read about the newest spate of 14 cases and one tragic death. Public officials should have been alerted to a serious issue throughout the county by the 2019 cluster that left five residents dead and 22 other individuals with significant illnesses. In both years, the cases were reported to public health officials beginning in late winter.

With Legionnaires disease symptoms  shortness of breath, coughing  similar to COVID-19, I have to wonder if we missed other cases around this time last year when everyones attention was hyper-focused on the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fact is, Legionella bacteria, which causes Legionnaires disease, was present in approximately 50% of all household faucets sampled, according to a 2014 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study. The issues that have come to light in Union County reinforce that the bacteria is all around us. Thankfully, most people do not contract an illness when exposed to Legionella. But, unfortunately, a small percentage, typically individuals with underlying health concerns, do get sick. Tragically, my family and I experienced this firsthand.

In 2016 and 2017, my 46-year-old husband, Kevin, was battling lung cancer. We were terrified but Kevin was ready to fight and he did. His doctors were optimistic and we began treatment at one of the countrys leading cancer centers. Kevin was still working in finance, he was active with our kids, picking them up from school, shuttling them to and from sports, he was still seeing family and being the amazing husband I married. Kevin was still living his life to the fullest.

We took action against his diagnosis and were making progress. To quote his doctor he was nowhere near end of life. But, Kevin did not even get a year. Less than a year later it was Legionnaires disease, not cancer, that took my husbands life.

Kevins is considered one of the 96% of Legionnaires disease cases that are individual and sporadic, not one of the 4% of cases that are considered a part of a large outbreak, which receives media attention and responses from public health officials. That is thousands of deaths that get no attention. When individual cases like Kevins occur, the traumatic results are often known only by family and close friends. Theres no media, no political pressure, no serious investigation  just unseen tragedy. Even though this is a traceable and preventable disease, my family still has no meaningful answers from public health officials about Kevins source of exposure.

My experience led me to a commitment to finding ways to prevent the tragedy inflicted on my family from happening to others. I joined an advocacy group and work tirelessly to bring awareness to the fact that we need to do more to protect ourselves and our loved ones, to demand clean water, to never accept that we are exposed to dirty water, pathogens and toxins in our environment, and to do all that we can to prevent Legionnaires disease.

The evidence is clear that the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in water usage for the last year create an increased risk of Legionnaires disease. We must take further action now, to protect all residents who are spending more time in their homes where they are most intimate with water use, and before our schools, offices, and businesses return to full capacity.

I urge our elected officials to support Senate Bill 695 and Assembly Bill 1075, which would help prevent further cases of Legionnaires disease by implementing real, effective disease prevention solutions  from ensuring higher levels of disinfectant in our public water supply before the water enters homes and buildings, to notifying residents about situations, like water main breaks and construction that could increase exposure to Legionella.

Water purveyors, home and facility owners and public health officials must all take steps to reduce Legionella exposure. Disease reduction requires systemwide solutions and this legislation provides the source-to-tap approach that is needed to appropriately address Legionnaires disease and prevent the unseen majority of Legionnaires cases like Kevins along with the attention-grabbing outbreaks.

I urge the New Jersey Legislature to pass this important legislation as soon as possible to prevent further preventable tragedy.

Gwen Hanlon lives in Morristown, is a clean water and environmental advocate and a mother of two.

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RICHMOND HILL, ON, April 6, 2021 /CNW/ - Staples Canada will provide up to three hours of paid leave for its employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available in their local jurisdiction. To help its employees make an informed decision for their health, Staples Canada will also provide educational resources and information sessions with a medical professional about the vaccine.

Staples Canada ULC (CNW Group/Staples Canada ULC)

"As one of Canada's largest national retailers, we recognize the important role we play in the lives of our employees, customers and the communities we serve," said Wanda Walkden, Chief Human Resources and Talent Officer, Staples Canada. "We want to make sure that our employees have access to the information they need to make an informed decision, as vaccination efforts across Canada continue to increase. Supporting employee health and safety is a responsibility we take seriously and providing our employees with paid time off to receive the vaccine, if they wish to, is a part of that commitment."

Staples Canada's approach is to ensure their employees have all of the resources they need to make an informed decision for both themselves and their families. In addition to a virtual information session with its corporate healthcare and telemedicine partners, Staples Canada employees and their eligible dependents have access to one-on-one virtual healthcare, an Employee Assistance Program, and other resources to help them make informed, healthy decisions. Throughout the pandemic, Staples Canada has also provided its employees with paid sick time.

ShopSafe in-store health and safety program

To maintain a safe working environment for its employees and shopping environment for its customers, Staples Canada store locations continue to observe its ShopSafe Program. In-store health and safety protocols include physical distancing guidelines, all-day disinfection and fogging, face mask requirements, sanitization stations and a ShopSafe app that gives customers the option to join a virtual queue in-store during peak times.

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About Staples Canada

Staples Canada is The Working and Learning Company. With a focus on community, inspiration and services, the company is committed to being a dynamic, inspiring partner to customers who visit and its over 300 locations and staples.ca. The company has five co-working facilities in Toronto, Kelowna, Oakville and Ottawa under the banner Staples Studio. As The Working and Learning Company, Staples Canada is committed to small businesses and consumers through thousands of new products from the best brands, an expanded service offering at Solutionshop, and informative content through its blog and Spotlight Speaker Series. A privately-owned company, Staples Canada is dedicated to helping customers work, learn and grow. Visit staples.ca for more information or get social with @StaplesCanada on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

SOURCE Staples Canada ULC

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2021/06/c8465.html
Just before the start of the coronavirus pandemic, things were going well for air travel in Alabama.

2018 had been a record year for the states largest airports, and 2019 was even better. The Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport welcomed 3.1 million passengers in 2019, and was on track for a record year through the first two months of 2020. The Huntsville International Airport saw nearly 21 percent more passengers in 2019 than it did in 2018, and its highest passenger total in more than a decade. And the Mobile Regional Airport saw its most enplanements in 2019 since at least 2010.

Then the coronavirus shut all that down.

Our lowest day was April 14, said Candace ONeal, Manager of PR and Marketing at the Birmingham Airport Authority. Fewer than 200 passengers flew out of Birmingham that day, she said, as air travel across the world was nearly frozen by the pandemic. For reference, BHM - the busiest airport in the state - saw an average of around 8,000 passengers per day in April of 2019.

Since that low back in April, traffic has significantly improved, ONeal said. We are starting to see more travelers come through the airport.

But traffic in Birmingham and across the aviation industry are still well below pre-pandemic levels.

At BHM on average, passenger traffic volumes over the past few months are between 40 to 50 percent of the normal passenger traffic volumes at BHM before the pandemic, she said.

[Cant see the chart? Click here.]

In all, just 1.3 million people flew in or out of Birmingham in 2020, compared to 3.1 million in 2019.

But things continue to trend up. Passenger numbers for March of this year arent yet available, but ONeal said preliminary data shows the TSA in Birmingham screened more passengers last month than it did in March of 2020, when 124,000 people flew in or out of Birmingham.

If Birmingham topped that number, then March would be the top month for air passengers since the pandemic began.

The Huntsville International Airport, much like its home city, had been growing at a blistering pace over the past few years. Between 2017 and 2019, HSV saw a 36 percent increase in air passengers - both arrivals and departures.

During that same time HSV climbed nine spots in the national rankings for enplanements - the number of people boarding a plane at a particular airport. Huntsville went from 122 to 113 on that list in just two years, according to data from the Federal Aviation Administration.

Barbie Peek, director of business development at the Port of Huntsville, said much there were a number of factors that contributed to that pre-pandemic growth, including increased capacity, new carriers and the booming North Alabama Economy.

We had a lot of positive factors driving that growth in passenger traffic, she said. Then the pandemic hit, and like Birmingham, the U.S. and the world, passenger traffic took a nosedive.

[Cant see the chart? Click here.]

Huntsville saw its annual traffic plummet by more than half in 2020. Just 560,000 people flew in or out of HSV in 2020, including a low of less than 5,000 passengers last April. Through the first two months of 2021, Huntsville saw a total of just 70,000 passengers - well below its pre-pandemic averages.

But like BHM, things at HSV may be trending in the right direction.

Passengers are feeling more comfortable, Peek said. Vaccines are definitely going to encourage people to start traveling again... And when businesses come back and start having travel again, thats really impactful to the airports, too.

She said that as of this month, all 10 of Huntsvilles non-stop destinations from before the pandemic will be back in service.

Things were a little different in south Alabama.

Because of the type of market it serves, the Mobile Regional Airport wasnt hit quite as hard by pandemic travel restrictions last year, but has also seen a slower recovery, according to Chris Curry, president of the Mobile Airport Authority.

Mobile is more of a business market than a leisure market, he said. Leisure markets have certainly recovered quicker than most business markets, but the business markets didnt suffer as much since last April.

Curry projected a potential long road to recovery. He said industry experts predict a return to 2019 passenger numbers by 2023.

Thats still down, he said. In a normal economy, you would have expected growth in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

Monthly passenger data for Mobile wasnt available as of Monday afternoon, but Mobile has seen some recovery, especially in March, according to Curry. He said there are a number of reasons to be optimistic about the future of air travel.

Between spring break, vaccines becoming available, and certainly more states opening up businesses conferences again... The combination of that has led the airlines to be more optimistic, and the people, as well, he said.

Curry also pointed to two new airlines - Breeze and Avelo - set to begin operations soon. For them to launch at this time shows some optimism for recovery, he said.

The only part thats lacking is international travel. Once that comes back, you will see a significant uptick in passenger travel, assuming theres not significant impact with COVID, Curry said.

ONeal, with the Birmingham Airport Authority, said the fact that airlines have restarted many of the routes once halted during the height of the pandemic means air traffic should continue to increase. She also said the airlines are trying to make it as safe as possible, saying multiple layers of protection are still in place for passengers and employees.

Do you have an idea for a data story about Alabama? Email Ramsey Archibald at rarchibald@al.com, and follow him on Twitter @RamseyArchibald. Read more Alabama data stories here.
DETROIT, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Stratview Research announces the launch of a new research report on FRP Pole Market by Application Type (Transmission, Distribution, Telecommunication, Lighting, and Others), by Process Type (Pultrusion, Filament Winding, and Centrifugal Casting), by Length Type (Up to 20ft, 20-40ft, and Above 40ft), by Resin Type (Polyurethane, Polyester, and Others), and by Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World), Trend, Forecast, Competitive Analysis, and Growth Opportunity: 2021-2026.

This strategic assessment report, from Stratview Research, provides a comprehensive analysis that reflects today's FRP pole market realities and future market possibilities for the forecast period of 2021 to 2026. The report estimates the short- as well as long-term repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on the demand for FRP pipes & tanks at the global-, regional-, as well as country-level. Also, the report provides the possible loss that the industry will register by comparing pre-COVID and post-COVID scenario. The vital data/information provided in the report can play a crucial role for the market participants as well as investors in the identification of low-hanging fruits available in the market as well as formulate growth strategies.

FRP Pole Market: Highlights from the Report

In the poles market, composites (FRP) have earned a largely unheralded but significant place on the account of their lightweight, strength, and low conductive properties. The poles made of FRP are highly resistant to corrosion, rot, UV rays, water absorption, insects, and woodpeckers. These poles do not lose strength as well as require less maintenance as compared to wood and concrete poles. They are highly recommended by experts in the wake of their electrical property and their ability to withstand heavy wind loads and impact.

COVID-19 Impact

The global economic growth had colossally dwindled with the rapid spread of the pandemic. Almost all the major industries are in the clasp of the pandemic, hammering hard to survive amid the uncertain market situation. FRP pole witnessed a slight disruption in its growth in 2020, mainly subjected to the lockdown, shortage of labor, postponement of various power projects and initiatives, and disruption in the supply chain. The minimum disruption in the demand for FRP poles amid the pandemic was because of the ongoing several power projects, such as transmission and distribution activities, guaranteeing a healthy demand for FRP poles.

The FRP poles market is likely to maintain its healthy growth pace, landing at the estimated value of US$ 245.9 million in 2026. Key driving factors are increasing acceptance of FRP poles over their arch-rivals, growing need for replacement of aged pole infrastructure, the excellent life-cycle cost of FRP poles, and their ability to withstand various weather and related impacts.

Click Here and Run Through the TOC of the Report: https://www.stratviewresearch.com/toc/1435/FRP-pole-market.html

FRP Pole Market Share by Application Type

Stratview Research has firstly segmented the market based on the application type as transmission, distribution, telecommunication, lighting, and others. Distribution is expected to remain the biggest demand generating-application of the market during the forecast period. There has been a dominance of different applications in different regions, demanding companies to have a greater knowledge about the market before investing in any region.

FRP Pole Market Share by Process Type

Based on the process type, filament winding is estimated to maintain its dominance in the market during the forecast period. Most of the manufacturers prefer to go with the filament winding process for FRP pole fabrication in the wake of its suitability for pole manufacturing and more feasibility over alternatives. On the other hand, pultruded poles also have a sizeable market share, and their growth can be attributed to their flexibility in manufacturing different shapes through the pultrusion process.

FRP Pole Market Share by Resin Type

Based on the resin type, polyurethane is likely to maintain its dominance during the forecast period, whereas polyester is expected to grow at the highest rate during the same period. Polyester resin is gaining traction on the account of its benefits such as easy to use and cost-effectiveness. Other key resins in the market include epoxy and vinyl esters.

Register Here for a Free Sample of the Detailed Report: https://www.stratviewresearch.com/Request-Sample/1435/FRP-pole-market.htmlform

Regional Insights

In terms of regions, North America is expected to remain the largest market for FRP Poles during the forecast period. The USA acts as the growth engine of the market with the highest penetration of FRP poles in the overall pole market. Among countries, Canada, Scandinavia, China, and Australia are some other key countries with lucrative market demand. Emerging economies, such as India and China, are currently having extremely low penetration of FRP poles; however, these poles offer good growth potential in the long run.

Key Players

Major FRP pole manufacturers are Jerol Industrial AB, RS Technologies, National Oilwell Varco, Valmont Industries, Creative Pultrusion Inc., Strongwell, Petrofisa Do Brasil, Europoles, Highland Industries, Alliance Composites Inc., Nantong Wellgrid Pvt Ltd., and Shanghai Tunghsing Composites Co. Ltd.

Report Features

This report provides market intelligence in the most comprehensive way. The report structure has been kept such that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights on the market dynamics and will enable strategic decision making for the existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market. The following are the key features of the report:

Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis.

Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porter's five forces analysis, SWOT analysis.

Market trend and forecast analysis.

Market segment trend and forecast.

Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, product portfolio, product launches, etc.

Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities.

Emerging trends.

Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players.

Key success factors.

This report studies the FRP pole market and has segmented the market in five ways, keeping in mind the interest of all the stakeholders across the value chain. Following are the five ways in which the market is segmented:

FRP Poles Market Size, Share & Forecast, By Application Type

Transmission (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Distribution (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Telecommunication (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Lighting (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Others (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

FRP Poles Market Size, Share & Forecast, By Process Type

Pultrusion (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Filament Winding (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Centrifugal Casting (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

FRP Poles Market Size, Share & Forecast, By Length Type

Up to 20ft (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

20-40ft (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Above 40ft (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

FRP Poles Market Size, Share & Forecast, By Resin Type

Polyurethane (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Polyester (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Others (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

FRP Poles Market Size, Share & Forecast, By Region

North America (Country Analysis: The USA , Canada , and Mexico )

Europe (Country Analysis: Scandinavia, Russia , Germany , and Rest of Europe )

Asia-Pacific (Country Analysis: China , Australia , India , and Rest of Asia-Pacific )

Rest of the World (Country Analysis: Brazil , Turkey , and Others)

Stratview Research has several high value market reports in the advanced materials industry. Please refer to the following link to browse through our reports:

https://www.stratviewresearch.com/market-reports/Advanced-Materials.html

About Stratview Research

Stratview Research is a global market intelligence firm providing wide range of services including syndicated market reports, custom research and sourcing intelligence across industries, such as Advanced Materials, Aerospace & Defense, Automotive & Mass Transportation, Consumer Goods, Construction & Equipment, Electronics and Semiconductors, Energy & Utility, Healthcare & Life Sciences, and Oil & Gas.

We have a strong team of industry veterans and analysts with an extensive experience in executing custom research projects for mid-sized to Fortune 500 companies, in the areas of Market Assessment, Opportunity Screening, Competitive Intelligence, Due Diligence, Target Screening, Market Entry Strategy, Go to Market Strategy, and Voice of Customer studies.

Stratview Research is a trusted brand globally, providing high quality research and strategic insights that help companies worldwide in effective decision making.

Stratview Research has launched 'Composights', an online portal which offers free thought leadership reports, whitepapers, market report synopsis and much more for Composites and allied industries, worth US$ 20,000 every year.

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Biden Admin Wants Global Minimum Tax Rate on Companies: Treasury Secretary Yellen

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the Biden administration is working with other like-minded world leaders to introduce a global minimum tax rate on companies.

In a virtual speech delivered to the think tank Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Yellen deplored what she said has been a race to the bottom over the past 30 years, in which countries have sought to reduce corporate tax rates to incentivize multinational businesses, including U.S.-owned businesses, to offset costs via accounting moves that transfer their revenues to countries with lower corporate taxes.

Competitiveness is about more than how U.S.-headquartered companies fare against other companies in global merger and acquisition bids, Yellen said. It is about making sure that governments have stable tax systems that raise sufficient revenue to invest in essential public goods and respond to crises, and that all citizens fairly share the burden of financing government.

She said, We are working with G20 nations to agree to a global minimum corporate tax rate that can stop the race to the bottom. Together, we can use a global minimum tax to make sure the global economy thrives based on a more level playing field in the taxation of multinational corporations, and spurs innovation, growth, and prosperity.

The Biden administration believes it is important to work with other countries to end the pressures of tax competition and corporate tax base erosion, Yellen added of the U.S. government efforts.

Yellens speech comes ahead of the World Bank and International Monetary Funds virtual meetings this week. Her remarks essentially serve as an endorsement of negotiations that have been underway at the 37-nation Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development for roughly two years, Alan Auerbach, an economist at the University of California at Berkeley, told The Associated Press.

President Joe Biden last week announced a $2 trillion infrastructure bill dubbed the America Jobs Plan that would have to be funded, in part, by increasing the U.S. corporate tax rate to 28 percent from the current 21 percent, which had been in place since 2017 when former President Donald Trump signed into law the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) that reduced the rate from 35 percent.

President Joe Biden speaks during a news conference in the East Room of the White House, in Washington, March 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Biden also proposed a minimum tax on overseas corporate income to 21 percenta doubling of the current 10.5 percentand eliminating some tax deductions on overseas income, moves that the administration says would discourage the shifting of jobs and profits overseas.

The America Jobs Plan also advocates for a global minimum tax rate on companies.

The United States is now seeking a global agreement on a strong minimum tax through multilateral negotiations. This provision makes our commitment to a global minimum tax clear. The time has come to level the playing field and no longer allow countries to gain a competitive edge by slashing corporate tax rates, reads a White House fact sheet on the proposal.

A minimum tax on U.S. corporations alone is insufficient. That can still allow foreign corporations to strip profits out of the United States, and U.S. corporations can potentially escape U.S. tax by inverting and switching their headquarters to foreign countries. This practice must end, it adds. President Biden is also proposing to encourage other countries to adopt strong minimum taxes on corporations, just like the United States, so that foreign corporations arent advantaged and foreign countries cant try to get a competitive edge by serving as tax havens.

Biden, when asked whether he was concerned that raising U.S. corporate tax rates could drive companies out of the country, said theres no evidence of that.

The tax was 36 percent, and its now down to 21 percent  Its bizarre, were talking about a 28 percent tax that everybody thought was just fair enough for everybody, he said. Here, you have 51 or 52 corporations in the Fortune 500 that havent paid a single penny in taxes for three years? Come on, man. Lets get real.

Increasing the corporate tax rate to 28 percent would raise the U.S. federal-state combined tax rate to 32.34 percent, making it the highest rate in the OECD, which would in effect reduce U.S. competitiveness, the Tax Foundation, a nonprofit tax policy think-tank, has reported (pdf). The average corporate tax rate among the OECD countries, excluding the United States, stands at 23.4 percent.

We estimate that this would reduce long-run economic output by 0.8 percent, eliminate 159,000 jobs, and reduce wages by 0.7 percent, the foundation said in February.
NOIDA, India, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A comprehensive overview of the Wearable Artificial Organs market is recently added by UnivDatos Market Insights to its humongous database. The Wearable Artificial Organs market report has been aggregated by collecting informative data of various dynamics such as market drivers, restraints, and opportunities. This innovative report makes use of several analyses to get a closer outlook on the Wearable Artificial Organs market. The Wearable Artificial Organs market report offers a detailed analysis of the latest industry developments and trending factors in the market that are influencing the market growth. Furthermore, this statistical market research repository examines and estimates the Wearable Artificial Organs market at the global and regional level. The Global Wearable Artificial Organs Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 16.9% from 2021-2027 to reach USD 17,457.2 million by 2027.

Market Overview

The Global Wearable Artificial Organs Market is experiencing significant growth on account of increasing frequency of organ failures and waiting time for the organ transplants and the growing number of geriatric population prone to kidney failure. The best and most cost-effective treatment option for end stage organ failure remains the donation and transplantation of organs. Organ scarcity, faith, under-represented ethnic groups, consent problems, lack of awareness, and general ethical issues, however, present daunting obstacles to organ donation, representing the difficulty of recruitment and allocation of graft. With 113,000 patients in the US in need of a transplant in 2019, and more than half (67,000) being ethnic minorities, the need for transplants greatly outstrips availability. Moreover, nearly only 58% of the US population is registered as a potential donor (145.5 million actual donors), making organ shortage an ongoing issue.

Furthermore, the increasing cases of hearing loss is also expected to drive the market. Almost 466 million people worldwide have hearing loss that is debilitating, and 34 million of these are children. By 2050, it is estimated that over 900 million people will have hearing loss that is debilitating.

Request Sample Copy of this Report @ https://univdatos.com/report/global-wearable-artificial-organs-market-current-analysis-and-forecast

COVID-19 Impact

The current impact of COVID-19 on global health is enormous, but in addition, the worldwide impact on the economy, employees, and companies is going to be considerable. For instance, the impact is more profound in the lives of the cochlear implantees seeking habilitation and facing technical challenges with the implant. Many governments and specialist bodies have suggested canceling elective procedures, including cochlear implantation, in response to the COVID 19 pandemic. It was recommended that elective surgeries be resumed after the authorities had provided sufficient authorizations and the hospital had adequate facilities in terms of equipment and manpower to initiate elective surgeries without compromising patient safety and treatment. The KEM Hospital-Pune, India have completed only 5 cochlear implants surgeries till October 2020 amid COVID-19.

Ask for Price & Discounts @ https://univdatos.com/report/global-wearable-artificial-organs-market-current-analysis-and-forecast

Global Wearable Artificial Organs Market report is studied thoroughly with several aspects that would help stakeholders in making their decisions more curated.

By Technology, the market is primarily bifurcated into

Mechanical

Electronic

Electronic segment dominated the by type of the global Wearable Artificial Organs market and will row at 17.4% CAGR to reach US$ 12,524.5 million by the year 2027.

By Product, the market is primarily segmented into

Kidney

Pancreas

Cochlear Implants

Exoskeletons

Bionic Limbs

Brain Bionics

Vision Bionics

Amongst product type, cochlear implants accounted for the largest share in 2020 and is expected to grow at 6.3% CAGR during the forecast period 2021-2027. However, the kidney segment is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR during the analyzed period and is expected to account for a revenue share of almost 35.8% by 2027.

Wearable Artificial Organs Market Geographical Segmentation Includes:

North America ( the United States , Canada , and Rest of North America )

( , , and Rest of ) Europe ( Germany , United Kingdom , Italy , France , Spain , and Rest of Europe )

( , , , , , and Rest of ) Asia-Pacific ( China , Japan , India , and Rest of Asia-Pacific )

( , , , and Rest of ) Rest of the World

Based on the estimation, the North America region dominated the Wearable Artificial Organs market with almost US$ 2,703.1 million revenue in 2020. At the same time, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to grow remarkably with a CAGR of 18.8% over the forecast period on account of the increasing elderly population and modernization of healthcare infrastructure.

Ask for Report Customization @ https://univdatos.com/report/global-wearable-artificial-organs-market-current-analysis-and-forecast

The major players targeting the market includes

Abbott Laboratories

Cochlear Ltd.

Cyberdyne

Demant A/S

Ekso Bionics

MED-EL

Medtronic

ReWalk Robotics

Second Sight Medical Products

Sonova

Competitive Landscape

The degree of competition among prominent global companies has been elaborated by analyzing several leading key players operating worldwide. The specialist team of research analysts sheds light on various traits such as global market competition, market share, most recent industry advancements, innovative product launches, partnerships, mergers, or acquisitions by leading companies in the wearable artificial organs market. The major players have been analyzed by using research methodologies for getting insight views on global competition.

Key questions resolved through this analytical market research report include:

What are the latest trends, new patterns, and technological advancements in the Wearable Artificial Organs market?

Which factors are influencing the Wearable Artificial Organs market over the forecast period?

What are the global challenges, threats, and risks in the Wearable Artificial Organs market?

Which factors are propelling and restraining the Wearable Artificial Organs market?

What are the demanding global regions of the Wearable Artificial Organs market?

What will be the global market size in the upcoming years?

What are the crucial market acquisition strategies and policies applied by global companies?

We understand the requirement of different businesses, regions, and countries, we offer customized reports as per your requirements of business nature and geography. Please let us know If you have any custom needs.

For more informative information, please visit us @ https://univdatos.com/report/global-wearable-artificial-organs-market-current-analysis-and-forecast

About UnivDatos Market Insights

UnivDatos Market Insights (UMI) is a passionate market research firm and a subsidiary of Universal Data Solutions. We believe in delivering insights through Market Intelligence Reports, Customized Business Research, and Primary Research. Our research studies are spread across topics across the world, we cover markets in over 100 countries using smart research techniques and agile methodologies. We offer in-depth studies, detailed analysis, and customized reports that help shape winning business strategies for our clients.

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SOURCE UnivDatos Market Insights
The investigation into the fatal shooting of an unarmed Black motorist earlier this year by a Clark County sheriffs deputy has concluded and is in the hands of Prosecuting Attorney Tony Golik.

Jenoah D. Donald, 30, died after being shot in the head during a traffic stop on Feb. 4 by Deputy Sean Boyle, a police dog handler. Donald was taken off life support and died Feb. 12.

Investigators said Donald and two deputies struggled inside Donalds Mercedes sedan and Boyle shot him when Donald ignored commands to let go of Boyle.

The shooting was investigated by the Southwest Washington Independent Investigative Response Team, which was led by the Vancouver Police Department. The lead investigator was Vancouver Detective Dustin Goudschaal.

Clark County Prosecuting Attorney Tony Golik said his office received the reports on Monday. Prosecuting attorneys are Washington states equivalent of Oregons elected county district attorneys.

Washington law calls for an independent team made up of members of outside police agencies to investigate circumstances of officer-involved shootings or deaths in custody. The investigations then go to the top prosecutors in the county to review for possible criminal charges. Though not required to do so under law, Golik said he will ask an outside prosecuting attorney to review the matter for potential criminal charges, a move aimed at protecting the independence of the review.

I think more and more people are starting to become of the opinion that it makes sense to have somebody outside of the local jurisdiction do the review, Golik said.

Donalds mother, Sue Zawacky, said she disagrees.

This happened in Clark County, she said in a statement released through her lawyer, Mark Lindquist. Hes the Clark County prosecutor. I feel like its his job to make this decision and be accountable and a lot of people I talked to feel the same way.

A similar outside review continues of the shooting of Kevin Peterson Jr., a 21-year-old Black man who was killed last fall by other Clark County deputies. Peterson, who lived in Camas, was shot as he ran with a gun from an undercover Xanax pill sting. His family has notified Clark County of its plans to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the county.

That case is with Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney Mary Robnett. Her spokesman said such reviews can take up to six months.

Donald lived in Clark County and had been stopped by deputies over a faulty taillight after they responded to a report of a suspected drug house and two cars circling the area in Hazel Dell, an unincorporated area of Clark County.

Investigators said Boyle fired twice at Donald when he and another Clark County deputy, Holly Troupe, tried to get him out of his Mercedes and Donald struggled against them. Donald pulled Boyle into the car by grabbing his ballistics vest and turned on the car, police said.

Vancouver police said Troupe reported seeing a ball-handled object with a three-to-four inch sharpened stake at the end. Troupe told investigators she was concerned Donald could quickly pick up the ball-handled object, according to the police account.

It took Vancouver police two weeks to confirm that the object that concerned Troupe was likely a screwdriver.

On Monday, Vancouver police spokeswoman Kim Kapp said Troupe was interviewed by detectives one day after the shooting. Greg Agar, another deputy who responded to the scene, was interviewed on Feb. 6.

Kapp said investigators interviewed Boyle on Feb. 9 -- five days after he shot Donald.

-- Noelle Crombie; ncrombie@oregonian.com; 503-276-7184; @noellecrombie
Forty years ago, Mehmood Ansari immigrated from Pakistan to Atlantic City and eventually opened a shop on the boardwalk: City Souvenirs.

The 66-year-old man worked hard, morning and night, and was always smiling, says his son Asif Ansari.

On Thursday night, tragedy struck inside the store. Mehmood collapsed and died shortly after being robbed by a knife-wielding 12-year-old boy during a confrontation with multiple juveniles who were rampaging through the store, authorities said. While Ansaris autopsy results are pending, his son said he believes Ansari died from the shock of the incident.

Following his death, Ansaris family and other boardwalk merchants are calling for more security in the area.

He worked every single day, open and close. He worked hard for us, Asif said. He always wanted to have (more) security. He was trying, trying. But we didnt know it was going to end up like this.

Asif Ansari said his dad was the heart of Atlantic City and moved to the beachside resort town because he viewed it as a land of opportunity.

He was friendly. He was always smiling, everybody loved him.  We all miss him. We just wish hed come back, Asif said.

Asif Ansari said his father noticed theft had become an issue on the promenade, with kids and teenagers running into stores to snatch clothes, sunglasses and souvenirs. He talked about wanting more security on the boardwalk, Asif said. His store is between Kentucky and New York avenues.

Around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Asif said his father returned to the shop after working a shift that morning to bring food to his son, who was working that night. Five minutes later, a group of young teens and preteens tried stealing items. When confronted, they started harassing and throwing items at his dad.

During the altercation, a 12-year-old boy brandished a knife and threatened Mehmood, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner said in a statement. Shortly after police arrived, the owner collapsed and was not breathing, the prosecutor said. He was taken to the hospital, where he died.

This is like our home and its not safe, Asif Ansari said. He said the incident was caught on surveillance video.

The two juveniles have not been charged in Mehmood Ansaris death. Both face counts of robbery, shoplifting, simple assault and conspiracy, the prosecutors office said. The 12-year-old boy was also charged with terroristic threats and weapons offenses, according to authorities.

Amer Kashmiri, president of the local merchants association, said harassment of store owners and theft on the boardwalk has been a problem for awhile and was an issue last summer, too.

A few months ago, he said, officials  including the mayor, county sheriff and a state assemblyman  met with owners to discuss security concerns. Kashmiri said the police department needs to devote more officers to the boardwalk full time, as well as adding police substations every few blocks.

A lack of security on the boardwalk deters tourists from visiting the city, Kashmiri said.

We need security. We dont want to do business with fear, said Kashmiri, who owns a clothing store and souvenir shop. If people are scared to come to the boardwalk  if tourists wont come, Atlantic City will not run.

Deputy Chief James Sarkos, interim officer-in-charge of the city police, responded to concerns from business owners in a statement on Friday, saying the department is aware of the concerns and complaints regarding juveniles and plans to work with business on the promenade.

Following his fathers death, Asif Ansari says he wants to see a change.

Its not going to bring my father back but I hope he died for something, Asif said, and it should change something here. ... We need better security.

Avalon Zoppo may be reached at azoppo2@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AvalonZoppo.

More:

U.S. Capitol Police officer killed in car attack remembered as friendly, humble and always willing to help others

Man arrested after refusing temperature check at Disney Springs: I spent $15,000!
Megan Fox showed off her sensational legs in a shirt-dress when she was spotted out and about in Hollywood this week.

The 34-year-old Transformers bombshell buttoned herself up in a colorful Versace cardigan to add a bit of snap to the look.

She let her luxurious dark hair down and strutted her stuff on a pair of snakeskin-style Christian Louboutin boots that sell online for over $1,200.

When you got it: Megan Fox showed off her sensational legs in a shirt-dress when she was spotted out and about in Los Angeles this week

She has spent nearly a year in a relationship with rapper Machine Gun Kelly whom she was spotted with in Las Vegas last month.

They were seen attending a UFC 260 event that was also attended by their fellow showbiz hot couple Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker.

A couple of months prior they were beset by engagement rumors but a People insider put the kibosh on the speculation.

Looking fab: The 34-year-old Transformers bombshell buttoned herself up in a colorful Versace cardigan to add a bit of snap to the look

'They are very serious and plan on spending the future together. There will be an engagement at some point, but they are not engaged now,' said the source.

'Megan needs her divorce to be finalized before she can fully move on. She is very happy though,' the insider dished to the magazine.

Her estranged husband Brian Austin Green announced their split last May and she finally filed for divorce the day before Thanksgiving.

Brian and Megan have been married since 2010 and are the proud parents of three sons - Noah, eight, Bodhi, seven, and Journey, four.

Having a ball: She has spent nearly a year in a relationship with blond rapper Machine Gun Kelly whom she was spotted with in Las Vegas last month

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.

Before the coronavirus lockdowns Megan and Kelly were in Puerto Rico as co-stars filming their upcoming movie Midnight In The Switchgrass.

Side by side: They were seen attending a UFC 260 event (pictured) that was also attended by their fellow showbiz hot couple Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker

Then last May the dynamic duo were glimpsed grabbing takeout in his Aston Martin amid rumors she was self-isolating separately from Brian.

A couple of days later Brian emotionally announced on his podcast ...With Brian Austin Green that Megan had left him.

She has since evidently become quite serious about Machine Gun Kelly, even getting a tattoo in his honor that reads: 'el pistolero' which is Spanish for 'the gunman.'
Kingstree, SC (29556)

Today

Thunderstorms early, then cloudy skies after midnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms early, then cloudy skies after midnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.
New Delhi: Actor R Madhavan along with former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientist Nambi Narayanan met Prime Minister Narendra Modi a few weeks ago and shared the picture of the same on his social media handles on Monday (April 5).

In the picture, all three of them can be seen maintaining social distancing while meeting up as a precaution to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Tanu Weds Manu actor, who is donning multiple hats for his ambitious film Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, met the PM to discuss his upcoming movie with him.

A few weeks ago, @NambiNOfficial and I had the honour of calling on PM @narendramodi. We spoke on the upcoming film #Rocketrythefilm and were touched and honored by PM's reaction to the clips and concern for Nambi ji & the wrong done to him. Thank you for the privilege sir, read Madhavans tweet.

Happy to have met you and the brilliant Nambi Narayanan Ji. This film covers an important topic, which more people must know about. Our scientists and technicians have made great sacrifices for our country, glimpses of which I could see in the clips of Rocketry. https://t.co/GDopym5rTm  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 5, 2021

Responding to the actors tweet, PM Modi tweeted that Madhavan film covers an important topic.

Happy to have met you and the brilliant Nambi Narayanan Ji. This film covers an important topic, which more people must know about. Our scientists and technicians have made great sacrifices for our country, glimpses of which I could see in the clips of Rocketry, read Modis tweet.

R Madhavan who stars in the titular role in Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, has also written, directed and produced the movie. The film will be released in six languages, which includes - Hindi, English, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, and Malayalam and is presented by Tricolour Films and Varghese Moolan Pictures.

Rocketry: The Nambi Effect is based on the life of Nambi Narayanan, a former scientist and aerospace engineer of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) who was caught in a spy scandal.
The film festival serves as a weapon, if you will, to fight back against societal evils, Vargas said. Were not using violence, were using our creativity to persuade people to think otherwise about who we are . And that is the power of film: to transform, to change. Particularly, for me, I think Im blessed with the opportunity to use our power to keep pushing the agenda for the betterment of Latinos and society as well.
Delhi government has imposed night curfew from 10 pm to 5 am with immediate effect till April 30 in the wake of deteriorating COVID-19 situation. The development comes at a time when COVID-19 cases in the country are surging rapidly, including in the national capital. The government has also decided to make vaccine shots available round-the-clock in Delhi from today.

Night curfew imposed in Delhi from 10 pm to 5 am with immediate effect till 30th April, in the wake of #COVID19 situation: Delhi Government pic.twitter.com/V3WufATG77 a ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2021

The state recorded 3,548 fresh cases and 15 deaths in the past 24 hours. On Sunday, the state had reported 4,033 coronavirus cases.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday had expressed concern over the rising Covid tally, saying Delhi was going through the fourth wave. He, however, said a complete lockdown was not an option for the country.

"As per the current situation, we are not considering imposing a lockdown. We are closely monitoring the situation and such a decision will only be taken after due public consultation," he said, while speaking to reporters.

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain has also said the state government is enhancing its Covid management strategy. He said the government will soon introduce micro containment zones to curb the rising Covid tally. These micro containment zones will be imposed in areas that have 2-3 coronavirus patients in order to curb the spread of COVID-19.

More than 59,000 beneficiaries were vaccinated against coronavirus in Delhi as on April 4. Out of these, more than 40,000 people who received the vaccinations were in the 45-59 age bracket and only one recipient reported adverse events.

The daily rise in new coronavirus infections in India remained above 90,000 for the third consecutive day taking the nationwide COVID-19 tally of cases to 1,26,86,049, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday. A total of 96,982 cases have been reported in a span of 24 hours, while the death toll increased to 1,65,547 with 446 daily new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed. On Monday, the country recorded an all-time high of 1,03,558 single day new coronavirus infections in a span of 24 hours.

Also read: PM Modi holds high-level meeting to review COVID-19 situation, vaccination drive

Also read: India records 93,249 new coronavirus cases in last 24 hrs; highest since Sept 19
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  An NYPD precinct commander fatally shot himself inside a department vehicle in Queens, the New York Post reported.

The incident occurred near Kissena Park on Underhill Avenue, according to the report.

The deputy inspector, who was reportedly rushed to a nearby hospital following the incident, was not immediately identified.

What to do if you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts.

The death follows a tumultuous period for the NYPD that saw multiple suicides within the past two years.

Former Police Commissioner James P. ONeill said the department was in a mental health crisis after 29-year-old Michael Caddy killed himself in a car behind the 121st Precinct stationhouse in Graniteville in June 2019.

Caddy was the first of three current and former NYPD officers to commit suicide in the borough in a year when the NYPDs internal policies regarding officers suffering from mental illness were called into question.

Det. Joseph Calabreses body was found in Plumb Beach, Brooklyn, with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound approximately a week prior, and Steven J. Silks, 62, was found dead in a parking lot close to the 112th Precinct, where he was stationed a day before.

The string of deaths rattled the department as officials publicly worked to combat the issue.

Approximately a month later, Sgt. Terrance McAvoy was found with what sources called a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside his New Dorp home. Shortly after, NYPD top brass issued a lifeline to officers suffering from depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.

In September 2019, a retired transit officer, Edward Rosa, was found with a fatal gunshot wound in a car in the vicinity of the Eltingville Transit Center.

In the first days of 2020, a 78-year-old retired NYPD officer shot himself in a suspected suicide inside of his Graniteville home, followed by two other department suicides later that year.

The National Suicide Prevention Hotline number is 1-800-273-8255. Additionally, the NYPD lists multiple mental health resources for its employees.
Spanish and Romanian police have freed 16 victims of sexual exploitation who were described by their pimps as cash registers.

Police freed the women as part of an operation targeting human trafficking which operated in Spain, Romania and the UK.

The gang forced the women to take drugs and engage in prostitution.

Nine suspected members of the trafficking gang have been arrested.

Spanish police said the gang controlled prostitution on the island of Tenerife which is generally popular with Irish holiday makers.

Read More

A Spanish National Police spokesperson said: The victims, of Romanian nationality, were flown from Romania to Tenerife and once there they travelled in cars belonging to the members of the organization to the towns of Adeje and Arona.

"Likewise, and from Spain, they were regularly transferred to London (United Kingdom) by air. In all these places they were forced to practice prostitution in hostess clubs or in flats.

The members of this criminal organization controlled their victims by forcing them to consume narcotic substances, especially cocaine, often provided by the pimps themselves, all with the aim of overriding their will and being more profitable for the business.

"Women were treated as sexual merchandise, considered the property of the leader and classified as cash registers. They suffered constant harassment, threats - both to them and their relatives - and physical attacks by their exploiters.

Four victims were freed and three suspected gang members were arrested in Spain while 12 victims were freed and six suspected gang members were arrested in Romania.

Phones, documents and cash were seized along with luxury vehicles and property believed to have been bought with the proceeds of crime.
SAVANNAH, Ga., April 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Administrative Advantage ("AA") provides billing support services to certain healthcare providers. AA is providing this notice on behalf of its customer, Remedy Medical Group, a medical practice with offices in San Mateo, San Francisco and Oakland, California. In July 2020, AA became aware of unusual activity involving a single employee email account. AA immediately began an investigation and worked quickly to assess the security of the email account. With the assistance of third-party computer specialists, on August 18, 2020, AA's investigation determined that an unauthorized person or persons may have accessed the email account between June 23, 2020, and July 9, 2020. Because AA could not conclusively rule out unauthorized access to information in the account, in an abundance of caution, AA reviewed the contents of the email account to determine whether sensitive information was present at the time of the incident. Through this review AA determined that certain information it received from healthcare providers was present in the relevant account at the time of the incident. To date, AA is unaware of any actual or attempted misuse of information as a result of this incident. AA's review determined that, while the information varies by individual, name, Social Security number, financial account information, driver's license and/or state identification number, credit and/or debit card number, expiration date, and CVV number, date of birth, passport number, electronic signature information, username and password information, medical record number, Medicare number, Medicaid number, treatment location, diagnosis, health insurance information, lab results, and other medical treatment were present in the impacted email account at the time of the event.

Information, privacy, and security are among AA's highest priorities. Upon learning of this incident, AA moved quickly to conduct an investigation with the assistance of third-party forensic specialists and engage in steps to ensure the security of the impacted email account. In an abundance of caution, AA is notifying affected individuals so that they may take further steps to best protect their personal information. As part of its ongoing commitment to the security of information, AA is reviewing and enhancing existing policies and procedures and conducting additional workforce training to reduce the likelihood of a similar future event. AA is also offering certain individuals' access to identity theft protection services at no cost to them as an added precaution.

AA recognizes that individuals may have questions about this incident. Individuals with questions may contact AA's dedicated assistance line at 855-654-0891 (toll free), Monday  Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Eastern Time, or may contact AA by mail at 6600 Abercorn Street, Suite 205, Savannah, GA 31405.

As a general reminder, AA encourages potentially affected individuals to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud, to review account statements and explanation of benefits forms, and to monitor free credit reports for suspicious activity and to detect errors. Under U.S. law, a consumer is entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. To order a free credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call, toll-free, 1-877-322-8228. A consumer may also directly contact the three major credit reporting bureaus to request a free copy of a credit report. Consumers have the right to place an initial or extended "fraud alert" on a credit file at no cost. An initial fraud alert is a 1-year alert that is placed on a consumer's credit file. Upon seeing a fraud alert display on a consumer's credit file, a business is required to take steps to verify the consumer's identity before extending new credit. If an individual is a victim of identity theft, he or she is entitled to an extended fraud alert, which is a fraud alert lasting seven years. Should a consumer wish to place a fraud alert, he or she may contact any one of the three major credit reporting bureaus. As an alternative to a fraud alert, consumers have the right to place a "credit freeze" on a credit report, which will prohibit a credit bureau from releasing information in the credit report without the consumer's express authorization. The credit freeze is designed to prevent credit, loans, and services from being approved in a consumer's name without the consumer's consent. However, using a credit freeze may delay, interfere with, or prohibit the timely approval of any subsequent request or application made regarding a new loan, credit, mortgage, or any other account involving the extension of credit. Pursuant to federal law, a consumer cannot be charged to place or lift a credit freeze on your credit report. Should an individual wish to place a credit freeze or a fraud alert, they may contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below:

Equifax Experian TransUnion https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/ https://www.experian.com/help/ https://www.transunion.com/credit-help 888-298-0045 1-888-397-3742 833-395-6938 Equifax Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 105069 Atlanta, GA 30348-5069 Experian Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013 TransUnion Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016 Equifax Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 105788 Atlanta, GA 30348-5788 Experian Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013 TransUnion Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 160, Woodlyn, PA 19094

Further information regarding identity theft, fraud alerts, security freezes, and the steps an individual can take to protect personal information may be obtained by contacting the consumer reporting agencies, the Federal Trade Commission, or the appropriate state Attorney General. The Federal Trade Commission can be reached at: 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20580; www.identitytheft.gov ; 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338); and TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The Federal Trade Commission also encourages those who discover that their information has been misused to file a complaint with them. Individuals can obtain further information on how to file such a complaint by way of the contact information listed above. Individuals have the right to file a police report if they experience identity theft or fraud. In order to file a report with law enforcement for identity theft, an individual will likely need to provide some proof that they have been a victim. Instances of known or suspected identity theft should also be reported to law enforcement. This notice was not delayed as the result of a law enforcement investigation.

For California Residents: Visit the California Office of Privacy Protection (www.oag.ca.gov/privacy) for additional information on protection against identity theft. The California Attorney General may be contacted at Attorney General's Office, California Department of Justice, Attn: Public Inquiry Unit, P.O. Box 944255, Sacramento, CA 94244-2550; (916) 210-6276.

For District of Columbia residents, the District of Columbia Attorney General may be contacted at: 441 4th St. NW #1100 Washington, D.C. 20001; 202-727-3400; and [email protected].

For Maryland residents, the Maryland Attorney General may be contacted at: 200 St. Paul Place, 16th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202; 1-410-528-8662; and www.oag.state.md.us. Whitehall Specialties is located at 36120 Owen Street, Whitehall, WI 54773.

For North Carolina residents, the North Carolina Attorney General may be contacted at: 9001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-9001; 1-877-566-7226 or 1-919-716-6000; and www.ncdoj.gov.

For Rhode Island residents, the Rhode Island Attorney General may be reached at: 150 South Main Street, Providence, RI 02903; www.riag.ri.gov; and 1-401-274-4400. Under Rhode Island law, you have the right to obtain any police report filed in regard to this incident. There are 0 known Rhode Island residents impacted by this incident.

For New Mexico residents, you have rights pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, such as the right to be told if information in your credit file has been used against you, the right to know what is in your credit file, the right to ask for your credit score, and the right to dispute incomplete or inaccurate information. Further, pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the consumer reporting bureaus must correct or delete inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable information; consumer reporting agencies may not report outdated negative information; access to your file is limited; you must give your consent for credit reports to be provided to employers; you may limit "prescreened" offers of credit and insurance you get based on information in your credit report; and you may seek damages from violator. You may have additional rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act not summarized here. Identity theft victims and active duty military personnel have specific additional rights pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act. AA encourages you to review your rights pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act by visiting www.consumerfinance.gov/f/201504_cfpb_summary_your-rights-under-fcra.pdf, or by writing Consumer Response Center, Room 130-A, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580.

For New York residents, the New York Attorney General may be contacted at: Office of the Attorney General, The Capitol, Albany, NY 12224-0341; 1-800-771-7755; or https://ag.ny.gov/.

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When Hanois Cat Linh - Ha Dong urban railway project is put into operation, every 6-10 minutes there will be a train arriving at the stations to pick up and drop off passengers.

Cat Linh - Ha Dong urban railway

The Cat Linh - Ha Dong urban railway project is being handed over to the Hanoi authorities to put into commercial operation. According to plan, there will be a train every 6 minutes during peak hours (serving 960 passengers), and every 10 minutes for off-peak hours.

Ticket prices are VND8,000-VND15,000 per turn, VND30,000 per daily and VND200,000 per monthly ticket.

The route will operate from 5am to 11pm daily.

Trains on this route will run at an average speed of 35km per hour. When entering the station, the train will stop 25-35 seconds for passengers to get on and off. Traveling time for the entire route is 25.5 minutes (including stop time).

Vu Hong Truong, general director of Hanoi Metro, the route operator, said that when the project is put into commercial operation, stations will be arranged with more services for passengers, such as ATMs, vending machines, fast food stores, fashion stalls, souvenirs and others.

Vu Van Vien, director of the Hanoi Department of Transport, said that the number of tourists traveling on the Cat Linh - Ha Dong urban train is very high. To ensure connectivity, bus routes in Hanoi will be adjusted and reassigned.

Vu Diep
General Secretary of VINASA Nguyen Thi Thu Giang is delivering her speech in the press conference. (Photo: SGGP)



Vietnam DX Day 2021, themed National Digital Transformation: Sharing and Linking, is expected to welcome 3,000 delegates nationwide from May 26-27 in Hanoi.

The program has four main parts of updating the latest trends in digital transformation, introducing effective digital transformation solutions, sharing experience of successful cases, and connecting partners in the digital transformation process.

Vietnam DX Day 2021 has 8 seminars especially for 8 key fields in the National Digital Transformation Program: finance-banking, healthcare, education, agriculture, transport-logistics, energy, natural resources-environment, and manufacturing-industry.

In addition, there will be 2 specially meetings focusing on digital transformation for small- and medium-scaled enterprises, promotion of digital startups in Vietnam.

Other activities held simultaneously include an exhibition for Vietnamese Digital Solution Platforms 2020, a program for supply-demand connection (Business-to-Business and Business-to-Government), an online conference to introduce Vietnamese digital solutions and platforms.

General Secretary of VINASA Nguyen Thi Thu Giang shared that the four major missions of her organization in the period from 2021-2025 are forming a technological ecosystem, developing platforms, focusing more on AI strategies, and building strong IT human resources.

When fulfilled, these missions can greatly contribute to speeding up the national digital transformation process. Vietnam DX Day 2021 is considered an essential annual activity to help achieve these goals.

By Tran Binh  Translated by Thanh Tam
When a police officer knelt on the neck of George Floyd in Minneapolis other officers at the scene didn't intervene, even while Floyd said he couldn't breathe and stopped moving.

That lack of action is leading a growing number of states to compel police to stop misconduct by a fellow officer.

Since Floyd's death, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Nevada, and New Jersey have passed laws requiring police to intervene when they see a fellow officer engaged in misconduct, said Katie Ryan of Campaign Zero, a group which encourages reforms to reduce police violence.

Previously, many laws were aimed at compelling police to only report misconduct. But activists say Floyd's death makes clear that alone is not enough.

The one essential component is that, in real time, a fellow officer has to intervene when witnessing another officer of any rank using excessive force, Ryan said.

Oregon's Legislature also passed a bill in a special session last year requiring intervention by an officer witnessing police misconduct. It also requires officers to report abuses to a supervisor.

This year, lawmakers are tweaking the new law to strengthen how the complaints are handled. It is sponsored by Rep. Janelle Bynum, a Democrat who chairs the House subcommittee on equitable policing.

For me, the original trigger was the George Floyd case, said Bynum, who is Black and from a Portland suburb.

Portland was an epicenter of Black Lives Matter protests that erupted nationwide after Floyd's death. On the night of Sept. 5, a Black resident came to police officers to inform them their tear gas was seeping into his house, affecting his son and dog. One officer whacked the man on the head with his baton, causing a concussion.

Other officers told their colleague the man was an area homeowner, not a protester. Bynum says that shouldn't matter, that even if he was a protester, he shouldn't be attacked unprovoked.

He wasnt doing anything. And so I never got really clear answers from the city about why that was OK," Bynum said.

Police said back then that the incident was being investigated, but a half-year later they remain mum on the outcome or status.

I have not been provided information to release about the incident, Lt. Greg Pashley, a police spokesman, said in an email. Generally, the Professional Standards Division does not provide updates about internal investigations.

Bynum's new bill aims to address such cases. Under a proposed amendment, it requires complaints to be filed with a direct supervisor of the reporting officer, their chain of command or with the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training, or DPSST, which licenses law enforcement officers across the state. The bill sets a three-month deadline for investigations to be completed.

Under the proposed amendment, if an investigation confirms misconduct occurred, the officer's unit must notify the DPSST, which would be tasked with establishing a database for reports of misconduct.

Rep. Ron Noble, a Republican who co-chairs Bynums subcommittee and previously served as a police officer for 28 years, said at a hearing that the additional steps over last year's bill are needed.

This is a result of our experience in ensuring that what officers do report does get investigated and is followed up on, Noble said.

Failure by an officers to intervene or report misconduct are grounds for disciplinary action. The employer may not retaliate against a reporting officer.

Maryland lawmakers are also working on legislation containing duty to intervene provisions. So is Washington state.

When the Washington state Senate passed such a bill in February, Republican senators opposed. Some said it should clarify that force being used by an officer should be excessive to an objective, reasonable observer, not just to the officer witnessing it. Democrats said that would cause an officer to think twice before intervening.

Sen. Manka Dhingra, the bill's sponsor, said good officers must be empowered to stop wrongdoing.

They want to make sure theyre doing the right thing. This bill helps them do that, Dhingra said.

___

Associated Press writers Gene Johnson in Seattle and Brian Witte in Annapolis, Maryland, contributed to this report.

___

Follow Andrew Selsky on Twitter at https://twitter.com/andrewselsky
Jaipur, April 6 : At a time when the Congress and BJP are engaged in a tug of war over three seats which will go for by-polls on April 17, the absence of Sachin Pilot from the Rajasthan stage has become a much discussed topic in political circles.

Pilot was last seen on the Rajasthan political stage on March 30 when the candidates filed their nominations. Ever since, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's camp has been dominating the stage taking all strategic decisions while former Deputy CM Pilot's camp is to be seen nowhere.

IANS contacted Pilot's office to know if any schedule for campaigning has been released, but the officials concerned said they are clueless about it.

They informed that Pilot was in Delhi at the time of filing of this report.

Pilot did not take any calls, however, his team said that his plan to travel to Jaipur on Tuesday has been cancelled.

Pilot was actively campaigning in Assam and Kerala a few days back. However, his absence in Rajasthan has now become a hot topic of discussion as he campaigned in Kerala on Thursday and since then has had no such engagements.

Sushil Asopa, Ex-Secretary Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee, says, "There is no point distancing Pilot from Rajasthan politics as he is the man who toiled for 5 years to form a government and surprisingly, all those who were given tickets chose Gehlot as the CM face which is a grave injustice to him (Pilot)." The state Congress, during nominations, showed a united face as CM Ashok Gehlot, Sachin Pilot, PCC chief Govind Singh Dotasara and Rajasthan in-charge Ajay Maken addressed nomination rallies together in three districts. Earlier too, the team shared their smiling picture while going in a helicopter together for a rally.

However, a few days later, things seem to have changed as the Congress in its star list released recently accommodated only one MLA from the Pilot camp -- Mukesh Bhakar.

Surprisingly, no other supporter of Pilot has been accommodated in the list despite the fact that two seats Rajsamand and Sahada have sufficient Gujjar votes to influence the results. Pilot is a leader of the Gujjar community.

However, Gujjar elders from the Gehlot camp including state minister Ashok Chandna, MLA Jitendra Singh, Shakuntala Rawat, Rajendra Bidhudi among others, have been given the upper hand.

Veteran leader Dharmendra Rathore, considered to be close to Ashok Gehlot, has also been included in the list at a time when he holds no place in the organisation nor any ministry, leaving many senior leaders of the party agitated for they have not been given any due place in these elections.

A Pilot camp MLA talking to IANS said, "Our leader Pilot is working like a disciplined soldier and is going for campaigning whereever he is asked to. But then, is he getting the due respect he deserves, there is a limit. Despite being in Government, he has no say even at a time when he spent 5 years struggling to form the government. We were promised a lot by the high command but nothing is being done so we will have to think afresh on our stand," he added.

Meanwhile, Pilot's followers have been tweeting and retweeting in favour of their leader.

Asopa recently tweeted, "Sachin Pilot is a leader who can make any father proud with his deeds. He has created a place in the hearts of the people of the country with his personality, through his language, speech, patience, style and struggle." The tweet was retweeted by MLA Vishvendra Singh who was stripped of his cabinet portfolio for supporting Pilot during the rebellion.

So while Gehlot, known as a magician, creates an environment depicting all his well, the ground reality tells a different story elaborating on the fact that 'All is not well' in the Congress camp.
Its not yet a big issue in the upcoming recall election against Gavin Newsom, but unless the governor changes some steady habits soon, it almost certainly will be.

Thats his pattern of favoring corporations that have been big donors to his campaigns and causes, past and present.

So far, corruption has not been raised as a big reason for dumping Newsom and placing someone else within his office in the state Capitols horseshoe-shaped gubernatorial wing. But if Newsom doesnt change his habits by reversing course at least somewhat, it very well could become one.

Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register.

For corruption would be a major counterpoint to the governors campaign to cast the recall as purely the work of bigoted supporters of the California-unpopular ex-President Donald Trump, who often refer to the coronavirus in terms even more incendiary than Trump did: Some recall organizers have called it the CCP Virus, short for Chinese Communist Party Virus.

That this obscure-seeming message contains a possible impetus toward violent prejudice is obvious to many voters. Tying Newsom to giant corporations known to exploit or even kill their customers is an entirely different matter.
The coalition said 35 percent of Vermonters live in areas where high-speed broadband is out of their price range, and another 15 percent live in areas where there's no service at all.

Quote
Gandhinagar, April 7 : Gujarat's coronavirus situation worsened on Tuesday, with the state seeing a spike of 3,280 new cases, taking its tally to 3,24,878, while the death toll rose to 4,598 with 17 more succumbing.

The alarming situation came as the high-powered Core Committee, headed by Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, convened in Gandhinagar, hours after a division bench of the Gujarat High Court, headed by the Chief Justice, advised the state government to impose a 3-4 day lockdown or curfew, looking at the rising cases in the state.

During March, Gujarat added 37,809 cases at an average of 1,220 per day, while in April so far, it has registered 17,180 cases at a daily average of 2,863.

A total of 2,167 patients were discharged, taking total recoveries to 3,02,932, while there are 17,348 active cases.

Ahmedabad saw 817 cases on Tuesday, closely followed by Surat with 811, Rajkot with 385, and Vadodara with 342.

Jamnagar saw 142, Patan 107, Bhavnagar 94, Gandhinagar 73, Junagadh 37, Kutch 35, Mahisagar 34, Morbi and Panchmahals 32 each, Kheda 29, Dahod 28, Amreli, Anand, and Banaskantha 24 each and Bharuch 21.

Seven deaths each were reported from Surat and Ahmedabad, two in Rajkot and one in Vadodara. During the six days of April, 79 have succumbed to the virus.

Till now, a total of 78,85,630 people have been vaccinated, out of which 70,38,445 have received their first dose, and 8,47,185 their second shot.

Moreover, over 3 lakh senior citizens over 60 and comorbid patients between 45 and 60 were also vaccinated, where 2,75,777 received their first shot and 29,886 the second.

Meanwhile, the Gujarat University has cancelled its examinations on April 12 and 23, and may hold them online.
Various historians and statesmen attributed the downfall of the Roman Republic to the decline in religious belief and the accompanying unraveling of morality. "Rome: Ruins of the Forum, Looking Towards the Capitol" by Canaletto, 1742. (Public domain)

Timeless Wisdom: George Washington Deemed Religion and Morality Essential to Political Prosperity

George Washington said something that many modern Americans would find nonsensicaland he did so not in some private document, but in perhaps the most public statement of his career, his Farewell Address published just prior to the end of his presidency.

He said the following:

Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens.  A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity.

According to Washington, it was impossible for an American to claim they were a patriot if they should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, namely religion and morality.

He provided two reasons for his claim. First: Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice?

Washington was referring to oaths taken by citizens took in courts of law, or when they assumed various public offices. Such oaths invoked God as a witness to the truthfulness of the claim being made, whether with respect to evidence and testimony, or the rectitude of ones intentions in assuming public office. No testimony of any kind could be accepted in court without an oath, for if the witness or expert were lying, they were also calling God a liar, and thus ensuring they would be cursed in the afterlifesomething unimaginable for the genuinely religious person.

A portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart, 1795. (Public domain)

An anecdote from Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocquevillea Frenchman who visited America in the 1830ssheds some light:

While I was in America, a witness attended a court in the county of Chester (state of New York) and declared his disbelief in the existence of God and the immortality of the soul. The judge refused to accept his oath given that the witness had destroyed in advance any confidence in his testimony. Newspapers reported the fact without comment.

Why would an American judge consider belief in God essential to an oath? For the same reasons cited by William Blackstone, the English jurist most often cited by the Founders:

The belief of a future state of rewards and punishments, the entertaining just ideas of the moral attributes of the supreme being, and a firm persuasion that he superintends and will finally compensate every action in human life (all which are clearly revealed in the doctrines, and forcibly inculcated by the precepts, of our savior Christ) these are the grand foundation of all judicial oaths; which call God to witness the truth of those facts, which perhaps may be only known to him and the party attesting: all moral evidence therefore, all confidence in human veracity, must be weakened by irreligion, and overthrown by total infidelity.

This was closely connected with the second reason Washington offered in his Farewell Address to support his position: Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.

As I have frequently observed, the Founders were among the best-read generations in history. Among the topics they were most familiar with was history, especially Greek and Roman history.

Greek historians like Polybius ascribed the rise of the Roman state to (among other reasons) the gravity with which they treated oaths (judicial and otherwise) as divine obligations. Roman statesmen like Cicero made the same observation centuries later. Such beliefs held the Roman state together, and reinforced the mutual confidence Romans had in one another.

Likewise, various ancient historians and statesmen ascribed the downfall of the Roman Republic to the decline in religious belief, and the concomitant unraveling of morality. Even in pre-Christian days, they considered religion and morality as indissolubly connected because of the reality of an afterlife of rewards and punishments for the actions in this life. You may elude mans justice, but you could never elude Gods justice, and this serves as a powerful bridle on the worst of human passions.

Belief in God, and what the Founders often referred to as a future state in which he would dispense rewards and punishments for ones conduct in life was the cornerstone of their beliefs on the necessity of religion to a free societywhether they were very religious (like Benjamin Rush) or less religious (like Thomas Jefferson). All of them were agreed on this point.

They would all say, with John Adams, some form of the following:

Religion I hold to be essential to morals. I never read of an irreligious character in Greek or Roman history, nor in any other history, nor have I known one in life, who was not a rascal. Name one if you can, living or dead.

Therefore, as Washington so bluntly asserted, subverting these great truths of religion and morality could never be compatible with patriotism.

Joshua Charles is a former White House speechwriter for Vice President Mike Pence, No. 1 New York Times bestselling author, a historian, writer/ghostwriter, and public speaker. Hes been a historical adviser for several documentaries and published books on topics ranging from the Founding Fathers, to Israel, to the role of faith in American history, to the impact of the Bible on human civilization. He was the senior editor and concept developer of the Global Impact Bible, published by the D.C.-based Museum of the Bible in 2017, and is an affiliated scholar of the Faith and Liberty Discovery Center in Philadelphia. He is a Tikvah and Philos Fellow and has spoken around the country on topics such as history, politics, faith, and worldview. He is a concert pianist and holds a masters in government and a law degree. Follow him on Twitter @JoshuaTCharles or see JoshuaTCharles.com.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday that President Joe Biden speaks with former President Barack Obama 'regularly' and pushed back on Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's assertion that Biden is no longer a moderate.

'I don't think this will surprise you, but the president is not eager to be labeled by anyone in his party or certainly even by his friend, Mitch McConnell,' Psaki said when asked about the Kentucky Republican saying 'a moderate he is not' about Biden, asserting he is now a member of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party.

McConnell made the comments as he vowed to fight against Biden's $2 trillion infrastructure plan, as he's slammed it for containing too many left-wing goodies.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday that President Joe Biden speaks with former President Barack Obama 'regularly' and pushed back on Senate Minority Mitch McConnell's assertion that Biden is no longer a moderate

FRIENDS? 'I don't think this will surprise you, but the president is not eager to be labeled by anyone in his party or certainly even by his friend, Mitch McConnell,' Jen Psaki said at Tuesday's briefing, after McConnell suggested Biden was now a progressive

FRIENDS. 'They speak regularly,' Jen Psaki said of former President Obama (left) and President Joe Biden (right), photographed together in 2012. Psaki added that the White House wouldn't read out their calls and so wouldn't confirm they'd been speaking about the infrastructure bill

Another reported asked Psaki if Biden had rang Obama to seek advice on how to get the behemoth package passed.

'They speak regularly,' she answered. 'They, of course, were president and vice president, but they are also friends and they share a bond of serving through eight years of the Obama-Biden administration, but also a personal friendship and kinship.'

'He speaks with him regularly,' she continued. 'But we're not going to read out those calls.'

White House readouts contain conversation topics that were addressed between the president and leaders on official calls.

Psaki didn't specifically say if Biden and Obama had talked about the infrastructure plan.

Biden announced the plan Wednesday with a speech in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

It's the administration's top Congressional priority after the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill that Biden signed in mid-March.

On Monday, McConnell said that Biden's infrastructure plan is 'something we're not going to do.'

However, as the minority leader, McConnell no longer controls what bills come to the floor.

And on Monday, the Senate parliamentarian gave Democrats the option to again use budget reconciliation rules - meaning they can buck the 60-vote filibuster and pass the infrastructure package with just a majority of votes, which they have if the Senate Democratic caucus stands together.

That may mean revising how the bill is financed.

Biden pitched taking the corporate tax rate from 21 per cent to 28 per cent.

It had stood at 35 per cent until former President Donald Trump signed the 2017 tax bill.

Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, who's become a pivotal swing vote in the 50-50 Senate, indicated he wanted to see the tax rate only hiked to 25 per cent.

Psaki said Tuesday that Biden has been 'encouraged by the openness we've heard from some who would identify as moderate Democrats or Republicans of discussing components of the package he's proposed.'

'And he's looking forward to having that conversation,' the press secretary added.
Managing Editor of the Daily Dispatch newspaper, Mr Ben Ephson is asserting that there is no guarantee that the grassroots of the largest opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) are actually angry at the Minority Caucus on the Appointments Committee of Parliament for approving President Akufo-Addos Ministers.



According to him, about 10 to 20 party members who have access to social media and privy to certain things have rather issued a statement purporting to have come from the entire grassroots of the party.



Speaking on Okay FMs 'Ade Akye Abia' Morning Show, Mr Ben Ephson posited that some people within the opposition NDC are hiding behind the fact that the party leadership and the Minority Caucus on the Appointments Committee of Parliament have misled the grassroots to issue a statement in the name of the grassroots on social media.



He, thus, challenged those who are claiming that the grassroots of the NDC are angry at the Minority Caucus on the Appointments Committee of Parliament to show those grassroots members that the statement is representing.



What is the proof that the statement issued emanated from the entire grassroots? The person who claims to be representing the footsoldiers, where did the person meet the footsoldiers and under what forum did they meet them to come up with the statement? he quizzed.



He maintained that there must be some proof of the grassroots being angry; insisting that they should show the research they conducted indicating that the grassroots are angry over the decision of the Minority Caucus to approve Ministers who have appeared before the Appointments Committee.



These Members of Parliament have been voted for and they can say that they are speaking on behalf of their constituents, but someone is hiding somewhere and has issued a statement in the name of the grassroots. They should show the grassroots they are representing outside of Parliament, he demanded.

Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com









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A 43-year-old man died while being arrested during a misdemeanor domestic violence call in Northwest Albuquerque on Sunday afternoon.

Gilbert Gallegos, a spokesman for the Albuquerque Police Department, said that around 1:15 p.m. Sunday officers were called to the 3100 block of Ronda De Lechusas NW, near Unser and Ladera NW.

He said they were arresting Danny White on misdemeanor charges when he suffered a medical episode and died at the scene.

Gallegos said an autopsy has been completed, but a cause of death has not yet been determined.

The Multi-Agency Task Force is investigating this incident as an in-custody death, Gallegos wrote in an email.

He did not provide any other information on the domestic violence call or what was happening when White died.

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

He did not know if any officers were put on leave as they typically are after being involved in a shooting.

The officers involved are consulting with their attorney in preparation for an interview, Gallegos said.

White has no criminal history in New Mexico, according to online court records.
No10 may have to roll back its target date for vaccinating all adults if AstraZeneca's jab is banned for under-30s, an expert warned today.

And Britain may need to approve vaccines developed by Russia or China in order to hit the goal of offering everyone a first dose by the end of July.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which polices the safety of drugs in the UK, is considering restricting AstraZeneca's jab for under-30s, it was claimed last night.

Vaccine watchdogs insist no decision has yet to be made and and insiders say they are not expecting any German-style ban for certain age groups.

But Dr Simon Clarke, an infectious disease expert at the University of Reading, told MailOnline the UK would struggle to hit its July 31 vaccination target if AstraZeneca's jab is banned for under-30s.

He said it would mean the UK would need to buy millions more doses of other jabs in a matter of a few of months.

But Dr Clarke added: 'Given the global demand, it seems unlikely that theyd be able to secure Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson and Johnson vaccines quickly enough and it seems unlikely that Novavax will be ready in time.

'The only other option seems to be for the government to roll back that target date, or perhaps try to secure approval and supply of vaccines from Russia or China.'

The UK may have to roll back its target date for vaccinating all adults if AstraZeneca's vaccine is banned for under-30s, Dr Simon Clarke, associate professor of microbiology at the University of Reading, has warned

Trials have shown China's vaccine is only 50 per cent effective at blocking Covid symptoms. It is being used in Chile, which has had to implement new restrictions in the face of a spike in cases.

Russia's vaccine, called Sputnik V, is thought to be around 90 per cent effective at thwarting infections.

Government sources last week claimed Johnson & Johnson's single dose jab could be given to under-30s.

But Dr Clarke warned it was not a likely outcome because the jab isn't expected to be approved until July.

He said this would mean that half the UK's 30million order would need to arrive in time for July, with officials estimating there are around 14million adults under the age of 30.

'J&J will have contracts to supply other countries and it seems highly unlikely that they would be willing or able to simply switch supply to the UK,' Dr Clarke said.

Britain has already began rationing first doses of Pfizer's vaccine, using supplies to ensure vulnerable people get their top-up within 12 weeks.

AstraZeneca has become the main weapon used in No10's roll-out, with almost all first-timers getting the UK-developed jab towards the end of March.

Moderna's coronavirus vaccine is set to come on stream by mid-April, with ministers having bought 17million doses  enough to vaccinate 8.5million people.

A TIMELINE OF THE ASTRAZENECA BLOOD CLOT SAGA March 7: Austria suspended the use of one batch of the vaccine after a woman, 49, who had been given it died of a 'severe coagulation disorder' and a 35-year-old developed a blood clot in her lung. March 11: Authorities in Denmark, Norway and Iceland suspended all use of the vaccine following a 60-year-old woman in Denmark died of a blood clot after the reports emerged in Austria. Danish health minister Magnus Heunicke said: 'It is currently not possible to conclude whether there is a link.' March 11: European Medicines Agency's safety committee began an investigation into the cases. It confirms 30 cases of 'thromboembolic events'  clots  were reported after five million vaccines in the EEA. March 12: Thailand suspended the use of the vaccine off the back of European worries. Bulgaria also stops using it. March 12: The European Medicines Agency, Britain's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, Health Canada, the World Health Organization and AstraZeneca itself, all spoke out to defend the vaccine and say there is no proof it's linked to blood clots. March 13: The Netherlands, Italy and Ireland temporarily stopped using the vaccine as fears about the cases in Austria and Denmark snowballed. March 14: Germany and France suspended the vaccine. March 15: Spain, Portugal and Slovenia suspended use of the jab. March 15: Professor Andrew Pollard, the Oxford expert who ran the clinical trials of the jab, insisted safety data are 'reassuring' and said 'clearly those blood clots still happen' as often as they would in unvaccinated people. March 16: World Health Organization officials met to discuss the issue. European Medicines Agency is still investigating. March 17: Scientists accuse governments of banning the jab on political grouns. AstraZeneca's vaccine has been a flashpoint in the past. March 18: European Medicines Agency holds a press conference on its investigation and rules that the vaccine is 'safe and effective'. It said there wasn't enough evidence to rule out a link to blood clots, but also not enough to prove one. On balance, it would be safer for countries to keep using the vaccine to stop Covid. The investigation would continue. March 18: Germany, France and Italy resume use of the jab after the EMA's conclusion. March 19: Finland suspends the jab after finding blood clot cases in its own population. March 19: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands and Spain all confirm they will start using the jab again. Scandinavian countries did not follow suit and kept the ban in place. March 22: A study is published that found public trust in the AstraZeneca vaccine collapsed in Europe at the time of the blood clot saga. A YouGov survey found more than half of people in Germany, France, Italy and Spain believed the jab was unsafe. March 30: Germany bans the vaccine for people under the age of 60 after officials said they had found 31 cases of CSVT after 2.7million vaccinations. April 2: UK regulators announce a total of 30 blood clots, 22 in the brain, have now been discovered in Britons vaccinated with the AZ jab. Advertisement

But supplies will come in drips between now and the end of the year and given they will be come on stream now, they are likely to be given to over-30s and 40s over the next few months.

No10 sources have repeatedly insisted the UK is on track to hit the goal of vaccinating all adults by the end of July.

The innoculation campaign could, however, be boosted by Novavax. Regulators have yet to approve the firm's jab  but it should be ready by July.

Downing St has already bought 60million doses of the Durham-made jab. But health chiefs remain tight-lipped as to when supplies are expected.

And if Pfizer's vaccine supply remains constant, it opens up the possibility that No10 will still be able to offer doses to younger adults.

Currently the immunisation drive is only open to over-50s and adults at-risk, with an expected shortage in April forcing ministers to pause on inviting over-40s. But Government sources are hopeful the roll-out can move down the age groups when Moderna finally gets deployed.

Technically Britain has enough vaccines to give everyone five doses  given it has ordered 457million doses from eight different pharmaceutical companies in total. But the roll-out depends entirely on supply, with not all vaccines coming at once.

Several European countries  including Germany, Spain and Norway  suspended AstraZeneca's vaccine after dozens of vaccinated people suffered a rare brain clot, known as CVST, or cerebral venous sinus thrombosis.

The UK's health watchdog announced last week it had saw 30 cases in 18.1million AstraZeneca-vaccinated people  around one in every 600,000 people (0.00017 per cent).

The MHRA is currently probing a link between the AstraZeneca jab and rare blood clots, but Government sources told The Daily Telegraph they were not expecting the regulator to put any restrictions on the company's vaccine.

James Lawson, fellow at the Adam Smith Institute think tank said withdrawing the vaccine would damage the UK's roll-out and should only be considered if there is 'sufficient evidence that this is appropriate'.

He said: 'The Oxford vaccine constitutes the majority of current UK supplies and plays an essential role in protecting the vulnerable and reducing Covid's spread.

'It provides us with the best path out of this horrible pandemic. It would be madness to fall prey to scaremongering by withdrawing the vaccine at this crucial moment until there is sufficient evidence that this is appropriate.

'The regulators are right to continue investigating any side effects and monitoring these isolated cases further to better understand the risks, ensure confidence is maintained, and if necessary, to guide tweaks to the rollout.

'If additional evidence emerges requiring a policy change, recipient groups should be altered at that stage.'

The MHRA has not confirmed when it will reveal its decision but insisted that while it was investigating blood clot fears, people should continue taking the vaccine.

It said: 'People should continue to get their vaccine when invited to do so.

'Our thorough and detailed review is ongoing into reports of very rare and specific types of blood clots with low platelets following the Covid-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca.

'No decision has yet been made on any regulatory action.'

It comes as one of the European drug regulator's senior officials today claimed there is now a 'clear' link between AstraZeneca's Covid vaccine and potentially deadly blood clots.

Marco Cavaleri, head of vaccines at the European Medicines Agency (EMA), said that CVST  a brain blockage that can lead to a stroke  was occurring more often than expected in younger people.

But he admitted that the body was still baffled about how the jab may trigger the rare complication.

EMA officials are already probing the link between the vaccine and CVST, which is more common in young women. Watchdog bosses are expected to make a formal announcement tomorrow.

Despite his comments, Mr Cavaleri's agency has repeatedly insisted AstraZeneca's jab is safe and the benefits outweigh any risks.
Oil investors now have to contend with another wildcard: Iran soon returning to the oil markets. After a three-year layoff, Iran could be poised to officially rejoin the ranks of oil exporters as early as 2021. But does it really portend oil price doom? Not necessarily.

Oil prices reacted positively after OPEC and its non-OPEC partners last week reached a favorable agreement to start gradually curbing production cuts beginning in May. Starting next month, OPEC+ will allow an additional 350,000 barrels per day to join the markets, with another 350,000 coming in June and June and 450,000 barrels per day slated for July.

Going by the margin of the increases, it's obvious that the alliance is trying to exercise plenty of caution to avoid upsetting a still-delicate market balance as the ongoing coronavirus crisis continues to cloud the market outlook.

The organization is currently holding back just over 7 million barrels per day, with OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia voluntarily cutting an additional 1 million barrels per day.

Enter Iranian oil, which by all accounts has already reentered the oil export market in a sanctions-busting manner, thanks mainly to China.

Abbas Araghchi, Iran's deputy foreign minister for political affairs, has named the removal of Trump-imposed US sanctions as the only pre-condition before Iran can agree to scale back atomic activities under the 2015 nuclear deal, aka JCPOA.

The United States, for its part, appears willing to play ball after president Joe Biden expressed support for a return to something similar to JCPOA. However, the Biden administration has been adamant that Iran must first take steps to return to compliancea parameter that Tehran has rejected.

Related Video: Saudi Arabia Goes All-In on Hydrogen



Nevertheless, many experts expect the two nations to reach some form of agreement, which could see the oil sanctions lifted in the current year. In fact, E3+2 members of the nuclear deal (the UK, France, Germany, Russia, and China) are now getting together in Vienna to discuss what happens next, with the Biden administration also in Vienna, though there will be no face-to-face with the Iranians.

Before the sanctions, Iran was one of the world's leading crude exporters, capable of pumping in excess of 4 million barrels a day in its heyday.

While the specter of millions of barrels flooding the market could be unsettling for the bullsand quite capable of derailing OPEC's curtailment efforts--investors should probably not fret too much about it.

Iran's crude exports

Iran's Crude Oil: Exports from 2008 to 2019

Source: CEIC

It's an open secret that Iran has been flouting U.S. sanctions by applying several cloaking methods to evade detection and sell its crude oil to China.

OPEC estimates that Iranian crude production in February clocked in at 2.14 million b/d, a 190,000 b/d increase from a 30-year low of 1.95 million b/d in August. Still, that's a long way off the 3.48 million b/d Iran pumped in 2016 and 3.79 million b/d in 2017.

But here's the kicker: Some tanker tracker sourceswhich rely on satellite imagery to follow global oil shipmentsare suggesting that Iran's oil exports are already fairly high, meaning we may not see a huge increase even if sanctions are lifted.

Iran's crude and condensate exports were estimated at 825,000 b/d in Q1, a considerable improvement from 420,000 b/d in Q3 2020 but a far cry from the 2.125M b/d the country exported in 2017. You can bet that China is more than happy to take the bulk of this crude, especially since Iran sells it to Chinese refineries at a steep discount to Brent crude.

Related Video: The Conditions Are Ripe for A Second Shale Boom

The relatively high level of exports amid those sanctions could mean that Iran is not desperate for a nuclear dealand could in fact be hoping to prove that sanctions mean nothing.

Big wildcard

Let's just say that at this point, Iran remains a big wildcard despite the lack of certainty that a deal with the U.S. will materialize anytime soon.

It's not like Iran will lack buyers for its crude if it decides coming back to the market is a good idea.

Bloomberg has reported that Iran has already contacted at least five of its old Asian customers to strike deals in anticipation of eased sanctions. China and India have traditionally been Iran's biggest buyers in Asia, followed by South Korea and Japan. India, the world's third-largest oil importer, will be hoping to diversify its crude sources and lower its reliance on Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

But ultimately, Covid-19 will continue being the oil market's biggest wildcard. Neil Beveridge, senior oil and gas analyst at Bernstein Research, says demand could potentially increase by 4 to 5 million barrels as we get into 3Q and 4Q if Covid-19 vaccine rollout progresses smoothlyat which point it might not matter much what Iran does or fails to do.

The United States has so far unveiled the world's fastest vaccine rollout as Bloomberg, placing itself in the best position for a re-opening economy. The latest vaccination rate stands at 3,053,566 doses per day, meaning it will cover 75% of the population, or the so-called herd immunity number, in just three months.

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Authorities have identified the 22-year-old man shot and killed by a Salem police officer on Friday, after officers responded to reports that he was in crisis.

Natzeryt Viertel, 22, died Friday after Salem Police Corporal Clinton Sealey shot him in the 400 block of Ewald Avenue Southeast.

Sealey, as well as Sgt. Steven Galvin, who did not fire a gun, are on paid administrative leave while Oregon State Police investigates the shooting.

According to state police, Salem police officers and firefighters responded around 5:15 p.m. to reports of a suicidal man who had injured himself. Firefighters arrived at the scene before police, and Viertel threatened them with a gun, a state police news release said.

After officers arrived, Viertel confronted them, according to the state police. He was still armed, and Sealey, the Salem officer, shot him. He died at the scene.

State police did not specify whether Viertel specifically threatened officers, or what exactly prompted Sealey to shoot. They did not specify how Viertel injured himself before officers shot him. Oregon State Police Capt. Tim Fox said the shooting happened in a residential area, but said he did not know if it was Viertels home.

Jayati Ramakrishnan; 503-221-4320; jramakrishnan@oregonian.com; @JRamakrishnanOR
SAUGATUCK, MI  Saugatuck is the latest West Michigan city to offer temporary expanded outdoor drinking amid the coronavirus pandemic.

In an effort to support bars and restaurants, which are operating at 50% capacity, the city launched its first social district last month. It permits customers to purchase open-container beer, wine or liquor from a participating business and consume it on foot within the social district.

The social district covers a big chunk of downtown Saugatuck, largely along Water and Butler streets, where many of the citys bars and restaurants are located.

It will be in place through May 24.

Stephen Phelps, owner of The Butler restaurant, said the social district is helpful at a time when reduced indoor capacity means customers may have to wait longer than usual for a table.

They can grab a cocktail and go sit in the park, wander around and do a little shopping while theyre on the list, said Phelps, who estimated he sold takeout drinks to about 100 people last Saturday.

To participate in the social district, bars and restaurants must purchase a special license from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission to sell open container, to-go drinks. Phelps said the license and accompanying inspection cost him $320.

In addition to the The Butler, two other businesses in Saugatuck, New Holland Spirts and The BARge, have purchased license to participate in the social district, said Lisa Mize, executive director of the Saugatuck Douglas Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.

From what Ive heard its been very well received, she said. The Butlers been busy. Sunday, as we know, the weather was gorgeous on Easter Sunday, and people were out walking around. I know friends of mine that went down and walked around with a drink. Its been very well received from guests.

Besides the social district, the city has given restaurants and bars the opportunity to offer expanded outdoor seating through its pop-up patios program, Mize said.

Saugatuck City Manager Ryan Heise said the social district is a temporary experiment, and that the city council could revaluate reinstating it following Labor Day, after the summer tourism season wraps up. The city council chose to make the district temporary because members wanted to see how the district functioned before committing to a longer period of time.

Everyone knows that the city is jammed in the summer, Heise said. Theres plenty of tourists and people visiting, and it wasnt really necessary  to have this go during the summer when things are already so busy. And so, the council thought lets just try this out and see how it gets managed, work with our emergency services, our police force and fire.

He added: If it works out and everythings cool, great. But if we run into problems, we may not do this going forward.

Social districts have been put in place in Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Kalamazoo and elsewhere in the state.

Read more:

Michigan could save 2,500 lives by reimposing COVID-19 restrictions, vaccine surge, researcher estimates

Counterfeit vaccine card dealers targeted by Michigan attorney general

Motion seeks details on common benefit fund in Flint water settlement
China's foreign minister has cautioned against teaming up with the US to counter China, ahead of a US- summit next week.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Japanese counterpart in a phone call Monday evening that their two countries should ensure that bilateral relations do not get involved in the so-called confrontation between major countries, a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement said.

It quoted Wang as saying that China hopes that Japan, as an independent country, will look at China's development in an objective and rational way, instead of being misled by some countries holding biased view against China.

Japan, a close US ally that hosts major American naval and air force bases, shares US concerns about China's military buildup and claims to territory in the South and East China Seas. However its major trade and investment interests in China have at times reined in its criticism of its larger neighbour.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga travels to Washington to meet President Joe Biden on April 16 in what will be the US leader's first in-person summit since taking office in January.

Biden, in contrast to his predecessor Donald Trump, has stressed rebuilding ties with European and Asian allies as the US prepares for competition with a rising China.

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi raised human rights in China's Xinjiang region and Hong Kong, both important issues for Biden. He also reiterated Japan's protest against China's presence in waters around a group of uninhabited, Japan-controlled islands that China claims in the East China Sea.

Wang opposed Japan's interference in China's internal affairs in Xinjiang and Hong Kong, the Chinese statement said.

Taiwan is another potential flashpoint, with Suga saying earlier this week that would cooperate with the US on the issue. China regards the self-governing island as a runaway province that should be under Chinese rule.

China, in a signal to the US and its allies. recently sent an aircraft carrier group to waters near Taiwan for training exercises.

(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 topping the previous seven-day record for COVID-19 vaccinations for the sixth consecutive week, Michigans count is up to 2,977,378 residents who have received at least one dose.

Last week, the state reportedly administered 548,034 shots, or about 78,291 per day. Thats up from 71,635 per day two weeks earlier, and 53,152 per day a month ago.

As of Sunday, April 4, Michigan has administered 4,706,383 doses of vaccine. About 36.5% of the states 16 and older population is partially vaccinated, and almost 23% is fully vaccinated, according to data from the Department of Health and Human Services.

The goal is to vaccinate at least 70% of the adult population before the end of the calendar year. As of Monday, all residents 16 years and older are eligible to get a shot.

Related: Vaccine eligibility opens to Michiganders 16+ April 5, heres what you need to know

Michigan has administered more than 2.45 million doses of Pfizers vaccine and nearly 2.14 million doses of Modernas vaccine, which require two doses administered three and four weeks apart, respectively. It has administered 110,382 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which only requires one dose.

All three vaccines have received emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after a group of independent experts determined the shots were safe and effective at reducing the risk of serious illness from COVID-19, and that their benefits far outweighed any risks associated with the vaccine.

The shot breakdown by age group looks like this:

75 and older: 68% initiated; 56.4% completed.

65 to 74: 68.1% initiated; 54.7% completed.

50 to 64: 44% initiated; 19.8% completed.

40 to 49: 26.9% initiated; 14.6% completed.

30 to 39: 23.9% initiated; 12,7% completed.

20 to 29: 15.5% initiated; 8% completed.

16 to 19: 7.2% initiated; 1.7% completed.

Data broken down by race remains incomplete, with about 29% of shots going to residents whose race/ethnicity is marked unknown in vaccination records.

Among those residents with available race data, 56% have gone to white residents, while about 5.5% have gone to Black residents, and less than 2% each have gone to Asian/Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, and American Indian/Alaska Natives. About 6% have gone to residents with an ethnicity/race marked other.

Local health departments have administered the most doses by provider type to date, followed by hospitals and pharmacies. The latter, however, is playing an increasing role. Over the last week, pharmacies administered 166,505 doses, compared to 148,588 from local health departments and 103,820 from hospital systems.

The federal vaccine clinic at Ford Field in Detroit administered 63,723 doses throughout its first two weeks. The site expects to administer at least 5,000 shots per day over the course of eight weeks.

Michigan received the highest one-week allotment from the federal government last week with 621,430 doses. The previous high was 559,960, which came the week prior. This weeks allotment isnt yet clear, though the state has received the largest shipment of Johnson & Johnsons vaccine to date -- 121,500 doses.

The interactive map below shows the number of adults per capita who have received as least one dose of vaccine so far. The numbers are based on residence of the vaccine recipient vs. where the the vaccine was given. You can hold your cursor over a county to see the underlying data. (Note: The number of first doses administered includes those who also have received a second dose.)

For more of the states vaccination data, check out the health departments online vaccine dashboard.

Read more on MLive:

Myths and facts about the COVID vaccine shot as Michigan opens access to all

Michigan coronavirus data for Monday, April 5: States positivity rate exceeds peak of fall surge

Michigan crosses 700,000 coronavirus cases, adds 21 new deaths between Sunday and Monday, April 4-5

Michigans active coronavirus outbreaks climb another 14% in April 5 report

By the numbers, how both coronavirus and vaccinations accelerated in Michigan during March
UPDATE: Police identify woman hit and killed by vehicle on I-475 in Burton

UPDATE: Woman hit by car on SB I-475 after jumping median on foot dies, police say

(This story has been updated to include information on one fatality.)

BURTON, MI -- A section of southbound Interstate 475 in Burton is closed due to a crash, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation.

MDOT is reporting northbound I-475 is closed after Bristol Rd (Exit 4).

Burton Police Chief Brian Ross confirmed one person was killed in the crash.

Southbound I-475 between Hemphill Road and Hill Road will be closed until further notice due to an accident, according to Genesee County 911.

No additional information was available at this time.

Read more on MLive:

Man killed in fire at Flint senior apartment complex, several residents displaced

Passenger ejected, killed after vehicle crashes into guardrail on I-75

16-year-old shot and killed in Flint, suspect in custody

Man critically injured in Flint shooting

Gaines Township police officers laid off, only chief remains amid funding shortfall

Man killed in Lapeer County after pickup truck crashes into tree

Flint area man ejected from pickup in I-75 rollover crash
Afghan refugee Abdulrahim Rostami, 66, holds his health insurance booklet in Tehran, Iran.  UNHCR/Andrew McConnell

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect refugees and host communities in the Islamic Republic of Iran, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is ensuring that another 20,000 refugees can access the countrys national health insurance scheme, taking the numbers assisted with health insurance to 120,000.

The health insurance aims to provide the most vulnerable among the nearly 800,000 Afghan refugees hosted in the country  as estimated by the Government of Iran - with desperately needed access to medical care.

UNHCR covered the costs of insurance premiums for some 100,000 vulnerable refugees enrolled in Irans Universal Public Health Insurance (UPHI) last year. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic and the prevailing economic downturn in Iran increasing vulnerabilities amongst refugees, UNHCR has agreed to temporarily increase the number of refugees covered by the scheme.

Despite the challenges, Iran has continued to generously give refugees access to education and health services. Iran is one of only a handful of countries in the world that offer refugees the option to enrol in national health insurance for essential secondary and tertiary public health services in the same way as Iranian nationals.

The national insurance scheme allows for free COVID-19 treatment and hospitalization. It also subsidizes the cost of surgeries, dialysis, radiology, laboratory tests, out-patient care and more.

However, many refugees are not able to afford the premium costs. The impact of the pandemic on livelihoods has been particularly severe for refugees, who usually rely on precarious and unstable jobs. Many can no longer cover their most basic needs, let alone the costs of health insurance, which is estimated to represent some 40 per cent of an average refugee familys monthly expenditure.

UNHCR is concerned that fewer and fewer refugees will be able to afford the cost of health insurance in 2021 and beyond, increasing the likelihood that they will not seek treatment for their urgent health needs or that they will resort to borrowing money or sending their children to work, just to be able to afford health care. As a result, refugees will become even more vulnerable.

At the same time, against a backdrop of rising needs, UNHCRs funding for its response in Iran is increasingly constrained, hindering our ability to adequately respond to rising needs. UNHCRs 2021 funding appeal of US$97 million is only 7 per cent funded.

In December 2019, UNHCR, with partners, launched a support platform under the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees to achieve more equitable burden-sharing and create real solutions for displaced Afghans. Health interventions for Afghan refugees in Iran are covered under this platform.

For more information on this topic, please contact:
News at 4Cs

Cape Cod Community Colleges 2021 Commencement Ceremony to be Held Virtually on May 27

Cape Cod Community Colleges 2021 Commencement ceremony, celebrating the graduating class of 2021, will be delivered virtually on YouTube on May 27, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. The event will feature photos and videos of graduating students, remarks from College faculty and alumni, and a keynote speech from 4Cs alumni Rear Admiral Douglas Verissimo, Commander of the US Navys Carrier Strike Group NINE.

The College invites graduating students to the West Barnstable campus on May 7, 2021 to pick up free congratulatory yard signs, caps and gowns, and watch-party giveaway bags. College faculty and staff will be on campus to cheer them on for the pick-up of Commencement materials.

Last year, in response to COVID-19, we successfully pivoted our Commencement ceremony to a virtual platform, giving our graduates and their families a safe way to celebrate their monumental achievements. This year, with public health remaining top-of-mind, were excited to once again have a successful virtual celebration, said John Cox, President of Cape Cod Community College. We have a great event lined up, and we are working hard to make sure our graduates get their moment to shine. Were looking forward to welcoming everyone at the YouTube Premiere on May 27.

Similar to the Colleges 2020 virtual Commencement ceremony, the event will premiere on the Cape Cod Community College YouTube Channel. Viewers can watch and participate in a corresponding live-chat, offering congratulations and sharing messages in real-time.

Real Admiral Verissimo, a 1987 graduate of Cape Cod Community College and our 1999 Alum of the Year, will serve as Commencement Speaker. A Falmouth native, he has a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics from California State University, a Master of Science in Campaign Planning and Strategy from the Joint Forces Staff College, and is a graduate of the Navys Nuclear Power Program. His awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and various other personal, unit, and service awards.

In addition to the May 7 on-campus pick-up date, graduates will also have the opportunity to get their caps and gowns from the Campus Bookstore starting May 3. The Bookstore will be open from 9:00 a.m.  3:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10:00 a.m.  2:00 p.m. on Fridays and may be contacted at bookstore@capecod.edu.
The president of a teachers union for a Hunterdon County school district has apologized for saying muted profanities in response to a parents comments during a virtual Board of Education meeting held earlier this year.

Kelly Hill, president of the Clinton Township Education Association, appeared to say the expletives a** and a**hole while onscreen but muted during a virtual board meeting held on Feb. 22.

The incident happened as a parent from the district said they supported the school district returning to in-person instruction five days per week.

There are several districts around us that are going or already in those five day half-days, the parent said during the meeting. Why would Clinton not be there already? After the parent made their comments, Hill mouthed an expletive.

The parent continued to speak, adding that they supported students being within six feet of distance to one another. Im one of the people that do say the six foot guidance is just that, they said. At the time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had not yet updated its guidance to recommend all students remain at least three rather than six feet apart in classrooms.

In response to the parents comments about not adhering to the six-foot guidance, Hill, still muted, appeared to say another expletive.

NJ Advance Media was sent a copy of the video, and reviewed the audio recording of the meeting posted on the districts website to confirm the video came from the meeting. We also spoke to the parent, who asked to remain anonymous, and stated they said they had not been aware of Hills response until being contacted by NJ Advance Media, and then found they had also received the same video in an email from someone who recorded the meeting.

NJ Advance Media also spoke to the person who sent the video, who had shared it with various media outlets.

Hill, in a statement emailed to NJ Advance Media, apologized for her reaction to the question and statement. It was unprofessional, and I should not have reacted to the commenters suggestion to ignore the CDCs recommended guidance the way that I did, she said.

However, she added that not only she but all teachers, administration, board members and parents are under a tremendous amount of stress and anxiety as they continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.

The notion of putting aside the data-driven guidance that has allowed us to remain safe and keep our case-count low is both dangerous and frightening  especially at a point in time in which educators werent eligible to be vaccinated, she said.

At present, schools within the district follow a hybrid schedule in which students are divided into cohorts for in-person instruction on alternating days.

Hill said there have been very low transmission rates and few incidents requiring the need to quarantine or close buildings in the district since it brought back students in September as a result of the education association, district, Board of Education, and community working together.

Over 140 people have signed an online petition urging the district to offer five full days of in-person instruction with appropriate prevention and mitigation strategies in place.

Lana Brennan, president of the board, said she and other board members were not previously aware of last months incident but that no complaints have been filed nor any issues raised during or after the meeting.

While the board is not aware of any specific incidents, we would like to be clear that the board expects everyone who attends to act in a respectful and appropriate manner during our public meetings, Brennan said in a statement emailed to NJ Advance Media.

She added that because Hill is not a member of the board, her microphone would have been muted at all times during the meeting, with the only exception being if she had spoken during the public comment period.

I find it disconcerting that someone felt the need to record solely my reactions at a public meeting and send it to the media more than a month after the meeting took place, Hill said in her statement. I am disappointed that whomever took issue with my actions did not give me an opportunity to address them directly and apologize at that time.

Sowing discontent and disunity at such a crucial point in our districts recovery is not only dangerous to the health and safety of the students and staff, but counterproductive to the progress we have made and continue to make by working together.

Tell us your COVID-19 vaccination stories, send us a news tip or questions about the vaccination process on our tip form.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Caroline Fassett may be reached at cfassett@njadvancemedia.com.
Arkansas Becomes 1st State to Ban Gender Reassignment Surgeries in Children

Arkansas has become the first state to outlaw gender reassignment surgeries and hormone treatments for children under the age of 18, after lawmakers enacted the measure following Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinsons veto.

The Republican-led House and Senate both voted on April 6 to override the veto.

The bill, known as House Bill 1570or Arkansas SAFE (Save Adolescents From Experimentation) Actwill become law 90 days after the Arkansas General Assembly goes into recess on April 30.

It would prohibit physicians and health care professionals from providing gender transition procedures to people under 18 years old, or referring the minors to other health care professionals for the procedures. Medical providers who violate the law could face disciplinary actions from the appropriate licensing entity or disciplinary review board.

It is of grave concern to the General Assembly that the medical community is allowing individuals who experience distress at identifying with their biological sex to be subjects of irreversible and drastic nongenital gender reassignment surgery and irreversible, permanently sterilizing genital gender reassignment surgery, despite the lack of studies showing that the benefits of such extreme interventions outweigh the risks, according to the text of the bill.

As he vetoed the bill this week, Hutchinson, a Republican, argued that signing the bill would be government overreach, saying that it would be starting to let lawmakers interfere with healthcare and set a standard for legislation overriding healthcare.

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson in the senate chamber of the state Capitol in Little Rock, Ark., on April 8, 2020. (Tommy Metthe/Arkansas Democrat-Gazette via AP)

If this was just to ban gender reassignment then I would support it, but those who are taking treatment are not grandfathered in, this is not the right path to put them on, Hutchinson added. He said that fewer than 200 children are using the treatments in Arkansas.

But the Arkansas-based group Family Council said the state Legislatures move was the right decision.

This is really good news. Gender-reassignment surgeries can leave children sterilized and scarred for life. Medical researchers do not know the long-term effects these procedures and therapies can have on kids. That is why many people equate them with experimenting on children, the group wrote. This good legislation will protect Arkansas children from sex-reassignment procedures. We appreciate their leadership, their moral courage, and their resolve to do what is right. This is historic legislation. Arkansans ought to be proud of their leaders for doing the right thing by passing the SAFE Act into law.

Pro-transgender organizations such as Arkansas-based group inTRANSitive had initiated a campaign to pressure Hutchinson into vetoing the bill. Some progressive groups have also opposed the passage of the bill.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said it would file a lawsuit to prevent the law from being enforced.

ACLU of Arkansas Executive Director Holly Dickson said in a statement that this fight is not over, adding, We will be filing a lawsuit to challenge this law in court.

Zachary Stieber contributed to this report.
The fallout from the tragic death of a seven-year-old in a Perth hospital has escalated with an acknowledgment that the extremely sick girl may have been 'overlooked' - and claims that staff cuts put patients at risk.

Western Australian Health Minister Roger Cook admitted Aishwarya Aswath may have been missed as he called for an urgent enquiry into her death at Perth Children's Hospital last Saturday.

Her devastated parents claim they repeatedly begged staff at the hospital reception for help as the little girl's eyes clouded over and her hands went cold - but had to wait more than two hours to be seen.

Aishwarya Aswath died after allegedly being made to wait for two hours for treatment in the Perth Children's Hospital emergency room, her parents claim

Now under-fire staff at the hospital have claimed that nurse-to-patient ratios have become dangerous, with cuts to nursing staff numbers putting patients at risk.

A Perth nurse recalled eight nurses trying to care for 93 patients during one recent shift, 7News reported.

The nurse said that ratio was dangerous but it was 'becoming the norm' due to staff cuts made during Covid.

There had also been 'several other incidents resulting in significant harm'.

The circumstances surrounding Aishwarya's death will be the subject of an internal investigation

Another Perth mum, Emma, claimed her extremely sick two-year-old - Amanda - was turned away twice from the Perth Children's Hospital ER.

Amanda was later diagnosed with sepsis and was at risk of organ failure, but she miraculously survived.

'I'm angry, you know I was hoping they would have woken up with what happened with Amanda,' Emma said.

A mother who took her one-year-old to Perth Children's Hospital the same night as Aishwarya Aswath lay dying in the reception area claimed the child was 'easily' the sickest when she was there.

'The whole process there on that night was deplorable,' the woman, who chose to remain anonymous, told WAToday. 'This whole system failed that young family and my heart breaks for them.'

Nurses at Perth Children's Hospital have defended themselves saying staff shortages were putting patients at risk

Emergency departments in Western Australia have been 'crying out for help' for months, said Australian Medical Association WA president Dr Andrew Miller.

'We know that bad things happen, we know that people get sick and die, even children, but what families need at this time is to know that everything possible was done, even if the worst outcome was unavoidable here,' Dr Miller told Perth radio 6PR.

The WA government blamed extra demand for mental health services, staff shortages and tough Covid cleaning standards for delays treating patients.

'We were down a few doctors that night,' said WA Health Minister Roger Cook told reporters.

'It's obviously part and parcel of running an emergency department in any sort of dynamic environment.'

Aswath Sasidharan pictured left with the youngster's mother Prasitha Sasidharan. He broke down as he called on authorities to get to the bottom of his daughter's death

'In a post-Covid world, we are seeing higher volumes and we are seeing greater acuity and complexity.'

Mr Cook acknowledged the WA hospital system was facing 'challenges' and said border closures had made it difficult to hire staff.

The circumstances surrounding Aishwarya's death will be the subject of an internal investigation by the Child and Adolescent Health Service which is expected to take four to six weeks.

CAHS chair Debbie Karasinski has revealed four doctors in the hospital's emergency department were off sick that night.

Aishwarya was triaged as a category four patient, the second-lowest urgency.

Ms Karasinski was unable to provide details about the incident and said she didn't know whether staff shortages had been a contributing factor.

Aishwarya's mother Prasitha Sasidharan claimed she was told a doctor 'would come and have a look' but no one came for two hours.

WA Health Minister Roger Cook admitted Aishwarya Aswath may have been 'overlooked'

'I asked them... her eyes are changing, they asked if it's normal and I said 'it's not normal, she didn't have it before',' Mrs Sasidharan told 9News.

'We pleaded with them to have a look. They didn't think it was an emergency.

'I went to the reception maybe four or five times. I was literally begging to them "please help, please help".'

The seven-year-old's father Aswath Chavittupara broke down as he called on authorities to get to the bottom of his daughter's death.

'I loved my daughter. This should never happen to any other child in this country,' he said.

The hospital's management offered the family their 'sincere condolences'.

Her death is also being investigated by the coroner.
NuScale Power has finalized an investment and strategic partnership agreement with JGC Holdings Corporation (JGC HD), a holding company of the worlds leading EPC contractor group companies headquartered in Japan. As part of a commercial relationship with Fluor CorporationNuScales majority investor and EPC partner in the United StatesJGC HD will provide a $40-0million cash investment in NuScale Power and partner with Fluor on the deployment of NuScale Power Plants.

The announcement marks the first commercial relationship and investment in NuScale Power from a Japanese-based company and is indicative of growing Japanese and global interest in NuScales groundbreaking small modular reactor (SMR) technology, the company said.

NuScales SMR design received approval from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 2020the only SMR design yet to do so. NuScale says it maintains strong momentum towards the commercialization of its SMR technology by the end of this decade. NuScale and Fluor are currently working for Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS) to bring the worlds first clean energy, carbon-free SMR project to commercialization.

NuScale Power continues to field growing domestic and international customer interest from those who see the NuScale power plant as a long-term solution for providing reliable, safe, affordable, and operationally flexible carbon-free energy for diverse applications. NuScale has signed and announced agreements with entities in the US and internationally.

NuScale Power has developed a new modular light water reactor nuclear power plant to supply energy for electrical generation, district heating, desalination, and other process heat applications. This small modular reactor (SMR) design features a fully factory-fabricated NuScale Power Module capable of generating 77 MW of electricity using a safer, smaller, and scalable version of pressurized water reactor technology.

NuScales scalable designpower plants can house up to four, six, or 12 individual power modules.

JGC Holdings Corporation is a holding company comprising world-leading EPC contractor group companies as well as functional materials manufacturing companies. JGC Corporation, its main subsidiary, is an overseas EPC contractor committed to delivering a complete range of project services to our clients, while providing safe and cost-effective project execution. Since its founding in 1928, the JGC Group has executed some 20,000 projects of all sizes across the globe for the oil refining, LNG, petrochemical, power, nuclear, pharmaceutical, and mining industries.
President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday appointed Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, as Nigerias Acting Inspector General ...

President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday appointed Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, as Nigerias Acting Inspector General of Police.

In November 2020, outgoing IGP Mohammed Adamu named him the Acting DIG, Finance and Administration.

Prior to the appointment, the new Police chief was the Force Secretary.

Born in 1963, he is an alumnus of Bayero University, Kano, and the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID).

Baba holds a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) and a BA(Ed) in Political Science.

The Acting IGP joined the Nigeria Police on the rank of Assistant Superintendent in March 1988. He was elevated to the rank of Commissioner on January 27, 2014.

Baba was at different times AIG Zone-4 Makurdi and Zone-7 Abuja. He was Commissioner of Police Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Delta Commands.

Earlier, he served in FCT as Deputy Commissioner, Investigation; in Kaduna as Deputy Commissioner, Administration; in Ebonyi as Deputy Commissioner, and an Assistant Commissioner, CID in Kaduna.

Baba was the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in various locations Yola, Gombe, Kaduna, and Jos.

The former member of several peace-keeping operations, attended all mandatory courses in the Force. He is trained in investigation, insurgency and counter-terrorism.

Baba Usman is a fellow of the National Defence College and a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

The former Director at the Police College is married with children.
A police officer speaks to people sitting outside a pub in Soho in London, England, on Sept. 24, 2020. (Peter Summers/Getty Images)

UK Lawmakers Oppose Government Plan for COVID-19 Certificates

The British governments plan to introduce COVID-status certification has met with resistance from lawmakers from across the political spectrum.

In a review published on Monday, the government said it will begin to trial COVID-status certification in certain settings, including large events, as England gradually exits the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus lockdown.

The government said it believes that COVID-status certification could have an important role to play both domestically and internationally to allow some freedoms to be restored more safely.

The COVID Recovery Group (CRG), a group of Tory MPs who are sceptical about COVID-19 lockdown measures, said that Parliament must give approval if the government wants to introduce COVID certificates.

Trying to do it by the back door by linking them to social distancing rules isnt on, CRG chair Mark Harper wrote on Twitter.

The Liberal Democrats also reiterated their opposition to the idea.

By rolling out Covid ID card trials this Government is going to damage businesses and our freedoms. @LibDems are clear, we will oppose these illiberal, unworkable and unnecessary plans.  Ed Davey MP  (@EdwardJDavey) April 5, 2021

By rolling out COVID ID card trials this Government is going to damage businesses and our freedoms. @LibDems are clear, we will oppose these illiberal, unworkable and unnecessary plans, said Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, on Twitter.

Jonathan Ashworth, shadow health secretary for the main opposition Labour party, said he would not support such certificates for everyday activities.

Im not going to support a policy thathere in my Leicester constituencyif someone wants to go into Next or H&M they have to produce a vaccination certificate on their phone, he told the BBCs Breakfast programme on Tuesday.

Minister for Vaccine Deployment Nadhim Zahawi defended the idea, saying: Its only responsible as we see how this virus behaves, as we see how other countries are utilising technology to make sure that they keep the virus under control, then we should look at the same thing.

The government said in the review that other countries are already developing their own certification systems, such as Israels Green Pass and the European Unions digital green certificate.

Zahawi told Sky News that any scheme would be designed not to be discriminatory, suggesting it would involve data on COVID-19 tests, not just vaccines. But he added no decision had been taken, and lawmakers would get a vote on any plans.

Last week, dozens of British parliamentarians from across the political spectrum joined hands in opposition to the possible introduction of COVID-status certificates.

Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the main opposition Labour Party, said in a newspaper interview that requiring vaccine passports for social activities would be against the British instinct.

Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the influential 1922 Committee of backbench Conservative MPs, called COVID-19 certification divisive and discriminatory.

Representatives of the British pub industry also wrote to Johnson to express their outrage at the idea of introducing COVID-19 certification for hospitality venues.

This could prevent millions of young people visiting the pub for months, unless they get themselves tested in advance, they said.

Reuters contributed to this report.
PHILIPSBURG On Thursday, April 1st, Member of Parliament for the United People's Party MP Omar Ottley sent a letter to Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs to urgently provide updates on a September 2020 motion that mandated her Government to establish a National Public Procurement Policy.

"We are talking about being able to redistribute the wealth locally, and Government being the largest purchaser of goods and services, can reshape the local market, " said MP Ottley in a press release issued Monday.



MP Ottley says the Executive Branch of Government can use its powers of purchasing to redistribute the wealth by ensuring local contractors have the first option on bids," said MP Ottley.

He suggested urgent attention be paid to the implementation of a procurement policy. Ottley also wants Government to revisit the funding agreement from The Netherlands through the World Bank for rebuilding after hurricane Irma in 2017.

"If we use Article 67 of the Constitution to reallocate the funds earmarked initially in 2017 for reconstruction, to boost our economy today since that money has not been used almost four years later."



Ottley submitted the Motion to Parliament on September 27, 2020. It resolved, amongst others, "to have the Government of St. Maarten establish a National Public Procurement Policy to guide the public bidding process for especially Government and Government-owned companies.

He said this is especially critical for construction-related projects funded by the National Recovery Project Bureau through the World Bank Trust fund and projects financed by foreign investors.



The Motion passed unopposed by the thirteen members of parliament present at the time of the Public Meeting. It mentioned COVID-19's impact on the global economy and stated, "the need to revitalize St. Maarten's economy after months at a standstill, will be dependent on construction."

However, one of the main points of the Motion is that St. Maarten did not have local legislation for public procurement, which prevents the "multiplier effect" [local dollars remaining in the local economy] from boosting economic activity.



"If we establish a points system, it will allow other relevant factors to be considered when awarding procurement contracts, and decisions will not solely depend on the bid price," said MP Ottley. The Motion asks for a detailed Contract Award Criteria with simplified local procurement preferences in a "best value evaluation and award" process. It also requires the Government to apply a streamlined bid price of between 6% and 10% threshold to allow local subcontractors to get the bids if the prices fall within that threshold. The MP also recommends using a joint venture policy that requires foreign contractors to subcontract local contractors if the supply of product or services is available locally. If the Motion is successfully implemented, local heavy equipment operators will finally be protected against foreign contractors bringing in locally available machinery. "We have to protect we" because they protect themselves," said Ottley. He said, "The struggle our people face today will only end if we can protect our own. We have to ensure Government can spend that money on development so the locals can have money in their pockets," said MP Ottley.
Mayor of North Las Vegas Switches From Democrat to Republican

The mayor of North Las Vegas, Nevada, said he is switching party affiliations from Democratic to Republican, citing the Democratic Partys lurch towards leftism in recent years.

They had an election recently for leadership, and four of the five people were card-carrying members of the Socialistic Party, North Las Vegas Mayor John Lee told Fox News on Tuesday. Its not the party that I grew up with 25 years ago in this environment, and its not the party I can stand with anymore.

He was referring to an incident last month where top Nevada Democratic Party staffers resigned at once after supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) won an election to control most positions on the committees board. It came as Judith Whitmer, a member of the Las Vegas chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, was elected chair of the state party.

Lee said that the Democratic Party has abandoned its traditional, working-class base and is now catering to socialists and elitists.

When youre a pro-life Democrat, a pro-gun Democrat, and youre a very conservative person, thats not really well-known in the Democratic Party anymore, Lee added. And so for me to hang on as long as I did, hoping the party would change, it didnt, it got worse. So therefore, I found a new place that I can put my allegiance to and help. Once again, forget about the last eight years. Its the next four years that predict the future.

Lees campaign website now reflects his party switch.

Though Ive been a registered Democrat on paper my entire life, I made the switch in my heart a long time ago, because on some things, theres simply no compromise, Lee also said in a statement. Thats why I voted for President Trump twice. He made reference to his A+ rating from the National Rifle Association (NRA), which typically supports Republican elected officials.

Last year, Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) made national headlines after announcing he would switch from the Democratic Party to the GOP, citing what he described as the partisan House impeachment inquiry into then-President Donald Trump in 2019. Van Drew later won his reelection in November 2020.

Lee was first elected to office in 2013 before he was reelected in 2017. His term ends in 2022.

North Las Vegas is a city of more than 200,000 people in Clark County, located within the Las Vegas metropolitan area.

The Epoch Times has contacted the Nevada Democratic Party for comment.
A Michigan-based home improvement store operator will pay $25,000 to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit, federal officials say.

In its sexual harassment lawsuit filed against Menards Inc., which operates over 300 home improvement stores in 14 states, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) alleged the company knew an assistant manager was sending female employees pornographic messages but took no action for a year.

According to the EEOC, a female employee at a Menards store in Wixom, Mich., complained that the assistant hardware department manager was sending her pornographic video clips and photos via text message. She showed some of the messages to another assistant manager, who in turn reported it to the department manager.

The department manager chose neither to discipline his assistant manager nor launch an investigation.

Close to a year later, another female employee complained to the department manager about receiving similar messages. Because the department manager again did nothing, she complained directly to a general manager and showed him some of the messages.

The assistant manager was finally investigated, admitted to the conduct and was terminated, one year after the initial complaint.

Such conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits harassment and discrimination because of sex. The EEOC filed suit against Menards in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan (Case No: 2:20-cv-11240) after first attempting to reach a voluntary pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process.

The 30-month consent decree resolving the lawsuit requires Menards to pay $25,000 to the two women who received the messages.

Menards must also implement equitable relief, including live training at the Wixom location and training for managers involved who have since moved to other locations. In addition, Menards must report annually to the EEOC regarding any additional sexual harassment complaints and create a private space in which employees can speak to management and/or make complaints.

Source: EEOC

Topics Lawsuits Michigan
Some Americans who work for the world's richest man, Jeff Bezos, the owner of retail giant Amazon, are forced to pee in bottles because they do not have time to take a toilet break given the work targets they are set.

The company admitted in a statement on 2 April that it was wrong to have told US politician Mark Pocan that his claim about employees being forced to do this were untrue.

Paying workers $15/hr doesn't make you a "progressive workplace" when you union-bust & make workers urinate in water bottles. https://t.co/CnFTtTKA9q  Rep. Mark Pocan (@repmarkpocan) March 25, 2021

Pocan, a Democrat in the House of Representatives who has been representing Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district since 2013, said in a tweet on 25 March that paying workers US$15 an hour did not make Amazon a progressive organisation when it was indulging in union-busting activities and making its workers urinate in bottles.

Amazon responded with a tweet from its @amazonnews Twitter account, saying: "You dont really believe the peeing in bottles thing, do you? If that were true, nobody would work for us. The truth is that we have over a million incredible employees around the world who are proud of what they do, and have great wages and health care from day one."

Sigh.



This is not about me, this is about your workerswho you don't treat with enough respect or dignity.



Start by acknowledging the inadequate working conditions you've created for ALL your workers, then fix that for everyone & finally, let them unionize without interference. https://t.co/tdIns0AR66  Rep. Mark Pocan (@repmarkpocan) April 3, 2021

But the company was forced to eat humble pie. "This was an own-goal, were unhappy about it, and we owe an apology to Representative Pocan," it said.

Despite having to back down, Amazon tried to spin the issue to some extent.

"First, the tweet was incorrect. It did not contemplate our large driver population and instead wrongly focused only on our fulfillment centres. A typical Amazon fulfillment centre has dozens of restrooms, and employees are able to step away from their work station at any time. If any employee in a fulfillment centre has a different experience, we encourage them to speak to their manager and we'll work to fix it," the statement said.

1/2 You dont really believe the peeing in bottles thing, do you? If that were true, nobody would work for us. The truth is that we have over a million incredible employees around the world who are proud of what they do, and have great wages and health care from day one.  Amazon News (@amazonnews) March 25, 2021

"Second, our process was flawed. The tweet did not receive proper scrutiny. We need to hold ourselves to an extremely high accuracy bar at all times, and that is especially so when we are criticising the comments of others.

"Third, we know that drivers can and do have trouble finding restrooms because of traffic or sometimes rural routes, and this has been especially the case during Covid when many public restrooms have been closed."

But the claim that only drivers had to resort to this humiliating practice, was countered by another writer named Kim Kelly.

I have a feeling we wont be seeing a shiny PR apology to workers like Linda, Jacqueline, and the thousands of other Amazon warehouse workers who cant even use the restroom at work without fear of reprisal: https://t.co/wgdEcqUztB  Kim Kelly (@GrimKim) April 3, 2021

The backflip occurred as workers at an Alabama warehouse await a vote count that could lead to the company's first unionised facility in the US.

Amazon has always tried to prevent its more than 800,000 US employees to form unions. Many workers have complained about inhuman conditions at work and as a result the American labour movement has made the creation of unions at the company's centres a goal.
WOODS CROSS, Utah, April 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- AutoSource Motors, an automotive industry leader in retailing branded title vehicles, has announced today that the company will begin operating under a new name and will be known as AutoSavvy, effective immediately. This rebranding strategy reflects both the evolution of the company as well as its vision for the future. Along with this change, a slightly redesigned company logo has been revealed and a new website URL is effective immediately, which is AutoSavvy.com. The company's ownership and staff have not changed.

CEO, Brett Parham stated "As part of our continued expansion from state to state, our leadership team and I decided it was time to rebrand our company to unify all of our dealerships under a single brand. We are very excited about our new company name, AutoSavvy, as it will help consumers more easily recognize the most trusted source of branded title vehicles in the world."

For more information about the name change or to learn more about AutoSavvy, please visit: www.autosavvy.com.

About AutoSavvy Management Company, LLC

Since 2005, AutoSavvy has been providing unparalleled value to car buyers by selling branded title vehicles, often referred to as salvaged or rebuilt titles. Starting with a single location, AutoSavvy has grown to 11 locations in 7 different states (AZ, CO, ID, NE, NV, TX, & UT) and with over 50,000 customers has become the largest dealer of branded title vehicles in America. Through our intensive multi-point inspection and restoration process we have become the most trusted name in branded title vehicle sales. Trust and consistency are what have led AutoSavvy to being named to the Inc. 5000 list, the Utah Business Fast 50, and the MountainWest Capital Network's Utah 100.

Please contact [email protected] for more information about AutoSavvy.

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Interview Suu Kyi Will Now Understand Her Mistakes: Karen National Union

Karen National Union Brigade 5 spokesman Padoh Mahn Mahn. / Karen News

The Karen National Union (KNU) is one of the ethnic armed organizations that has attacked Myanmars military since its February coup.

KNU Brigade 5 has seized two military outposts in Papun District in Karen State and blocked food deliveries to military troops based in Papun, prompting the military to carry out airstrikes, which killed several people and forced thousands to flee their homes.

Besides military action, the KNU is negotiating with the Committee Representing the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (National Parliament), the CRPH, a body representing elected National League for Democracy (NLD) MPs, to discuss establishing a federal union.

KNU Brigade 5 spokesman Padoh Mahn Mahn told The Irrawaddy about the situation in Papun and the KNUs talks with the CRPH.

How is the fighting between the military and KNU Brigade 5? Was there further bombing?

There were bombings from March 27 to 31. There has not been bombing since April 1. But it is not yet safe and there is still air reconnaissance.

We have seen a unilateral ceasefire announcement by the military council. It has stopped attacking perhaps because of its ceasefire. Perhaps, they are making preparations, citing a ceasefire.

How are the displaced coping?

The villagers dare not return home. Some of them fled to the Thai border but the majority are hiding in caves and forests to avoid further bombing. Some are in Thai forests and are struggling to find food and shelter.

At first, we heard the authorities in Mae Hong Son province prepared for the refugees. How is the situation on the ground?

First they said they made preparations in various places but when our people began to appear, they turned them back. There is no guarantee people can safely flee into Thailand.

Did the airstrikes deliberately target Karen villagers?

All the people who were killed or injured are villagers. All the buildings damaged are inside villages. We can say that the military targets civilians. This has never changed since the very beginning. They attack Karen fighters but they never spare villagers. Everyone has seen that they have brutally killed unarmed civilians even in cities which are not conflict zones. Such bombing is common to us.

What is your view on the CRPH federal democracy charter? Did Brigade 5 participate in drafting the charter?

They consulted the KNU as a whole rather than Brigade 5. Since they started drafting the charter, the KNU participated as an armed revolutionary organization. The KNU central committee leaders participated in the process.

The CRPH talked about establishing a federal army with ethnic armed organizations? What are the chances of that?

We dont see clear principles about a federal army in the charter. But we can see they will establish defense forces. On our participation in any proposed army, ethnic groups already fight for their autonomy. So we will continue to defend our land.

While the CRPH has issued the federal democracy charter, it has also scrapped the 2008 Constitution. We welcome that. We are satisfied to an extent with the charter to establish a federal union.

However, there is a question about how to overcome obstacles in the process of implementing the charter.

Do you mean many things remain to be done to establish a federal army?

The armed organizations have political backgrounds, clear political objectives and territories. It would be pragmatic to establish a federal army based on the existing ethnic armed organizations.

We have to defend and repulse the injustice and violence of the military council. A federal army can be established either by adopting a new constitution or based on existing armed organizations.

We heard that ethnic groups are concerned the CRPH will renege on commitments if Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is released? Is that the case?

Many expected Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to amend the 2008 Constitution. But there was no tangible progress after five years. Whats worse, the NLD only looked to get along with the military. It did not just ignore ethnic armed organizations but adopted policies to suppress them. These things still haunt us.

However, under the current political landscape, if the CRPH is totally committed to implementing a federal charter, we have nothing to worry about. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi might now understand that she was wrong to think she could change the military and that her national reconciliation efforts have failed. Though we have reasons to be concerned, we assume that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi understands this now.

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New Delhi: Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone recently took to Instagram to share the first look poster of the much-awaited Indian adaption of the American drama-comedy film 'The Intern'. The intriguing poster with a yellow background and silhouettes of the two main characters incited immense excitement among fans.

The 'Chhapaak' actress also took the opportunity to welcome Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan on board as he will be replacing late actor Rishi Kapoor in the movie.

In the caption, Deepika wrote, "What an absolute honour to be collaborating with one of my most special co-stars again! Welcoming @amitabhbachchan to the Indian adaptation of #TheIntern."

Have a look at the first look poster:

After Deepika's post, B-town flooded her comment section with supportive messages and cheered on the upcoming movie. Actor Hrithik Roshan seemed excited for the Indian adaption as 'The Intern' is one of his favourite films according to his comment. Deepika's husband and biggest supporter Ranveer Singh wrote, "amaze!!!" with clapping emojis.

Earlier, the Indian version of 'The Intern' was supposed to feature Rishi Kapoor in the role that Robert de Niro originally did. However, the unfortunate demise of the veteran actor in April 2020 called for a change of plans.

According to Deepika's post, it appears Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan is set to replace late actor Rishi Kapoor in the film. The crew will begin shooting for the remake in November 2021 aiming for a release in summer 2022. The Amit Ravindernath Sharma directorial is produced by Sunir Kheterpal and Deepika Padukone.

The film will also mark another collaboration between Deepika and Amitabh after their work in the hit movie 'Piku' released in 2015.

The original version of 'The Intern', released in 2015, featured Hollywood actors Robert de Niro and Anna Hathaway.
CHICO, Calif.  Two people were arrested Tuesday after an argument with Chico Police over expired registration of their vehicle.

The situation first began when Chico police officers received a report on March 29 of several vehicles parked with expired registration at Comanche Creek, 11301 Midway.



The image above is the notice provided by the Chico Police Department regarding expired registration. The image above is the notice provided by the Chico Police Department regarding expired registration.

Officers said they discovered several vehicles that were towable. However, instead of towing the vehicles, Chico police advised the owners of the vehicles they had one week to bring it into compliance to avoid being towed.

On the morning of April 6, a Chico Police motorcycle officer responded to Comanche Creek to check on the expired registration of vehicles previously marked. The officer said he observed a vehicle that was expired over six months and notified last week with the sticker.

As the officer called for a tow truck, two people identified as Andrew Forbescorkill and Michelle Goodwin approached the officer and began to argue with him about the vehicle being towed, according to CPD. The officer said he explained the seven-day grace period given to them had expired.

Officers said Goodwin jumped into the vehicle, started it, and drove forward aggressively. Goodwin drove about 10 feet before the vehicle struck a large boulder and high-centered.

The officer said he pulled Goodwin from the vehicle and she resisted. While Goodwin resisted the Officer, Forbescorkill took a hold of her other arm and attempted to pull her free from the officer, police said. The struggle continued while the officer gave several commands to follow.

At one point, Goodwin broke free from Forbescorkills grasp and punched the officer in the head which struck his helmet, according to CPD. The officer took Goodwin to the ground just as responding officers arrived to help.

Both Goodwin and Forbescorkill were arrested and taken to Butte County Jail. Their vehicle was towed from the scene.

Goodwin was arrested for striking an officer, resisting arrest, reckless driving, driving while unlicensed, along with her PRCS no-bail warrant, police said. Forbescorkill was arrested for trying to take someone from police custody and possession of illegal narcotics. Photos of the pair are shown below along with their vehicle.

Vehicles in California are subject to immediate tow if the registration is expired more than 6 months.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been given the task of forming a government from the country's splintered parliament for the fourth time in two years.

Israel's President Reuven Rivlin handed Netanyahu the task on Tuesday, giving the embattled leader a chance to prolong his lengthy term in office while on trial for corruption.

In his announcement, Rivlin acknowledged that no party leader had the necessary support to form a majority coalition in the 120-seat Knesset.

He also noted that many believe Netanyahu is unfit to serve in light of his legal problems.

Nonetheless, Rivlin said that there was nothing in the law preventing Netanyahu from serving as prime minister.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been given the task of forming a government from the country's splintered parliament for the fourth time in two years

Israel's President Reuven Rivlin handed Netanyahu the task on Tuesday, giving the embattled leader a chance to prolong he lengthy term in office while on trial for corruption

After consulting with the 13 parties in the newly elected parliament, Rivlin said that Netanyahu had the best chance of any candidate of forming a new government.

'No candidate has a realistic chance of forming a government that will have the confidence of the Knesset,' Rivlin said.

But, he added, Netanyahu has a 'slightly higher chance' of being able to.

'I have decided to entrust him with the task,' Rivlin said from Jerusalem.

Rivlin added that the choice was 'not an easy decision on a moral and ethical basis.'

With that, Rivlin nudged forward the twin dramas over the country's future and Netanyahu's fate, giving Israel's longest-serving premier a fresh chance to try to salvage his career.

Netanyahu now has up to six weeks to try to cobble together a coalition during his trial.

In his announcement, Rivlin acknowledged that no party leader had the necessary support to form a majority coalition in the 120-seat Knesset. He also noted that many believe Netanyahu is unfit to serve in light of his legal problems

It is believed Netanyahu will have the best chance of forming a lasting government, despite facing corruption charges, after previous coalitions collapsed

But many in Israel do support Netanyahu. Pictured: Supporters of the prime minister gather outside the district court in Jerusalem on April 5, 2021. Netanyahu is charged with accepting bribes, fraud and breach of trust in three cases

The three key cases brought against 'Bibi' Case 1000: Fraud and breach of trust The first case officially opened in 2016, and involves valuable presents and gifts - such as cigars and bottoms of champagne - allegedly received by Netanyahu and his wife from several wealth acquaintances in exchange for favours. Case 2000: Fraud and breach of trust The second case relates to recorded conversations between Netanyahu and Arnon Mozes, chairman and editor of Yedioth Ahronoth, one of the largest newspapers in circulation in Israel. The conversations are said to have discussed legislation that could harm a major competitor of the newspaper - Israel Hayom, despite it being seen as pro-Netanyahu. In exchange, Netanyahu is said to have received positive coverage. Case 4000: Bribery, fraud and breach of trust The fourth case alleges that Netanyahu promoted regulatory decisions favourable to the controlling shareholder in the Bezeq telecom giant, Shaul Elovitch. Netanyahu was both Prime Minister and minister of communications at the time, and is said to have received positive coverage by by Mr Elovitch's Walla news site in exchange. Advertisement

Early reactions from the premier's sworn rivals highlighted the difficult road ahead.

Yair Lapid, leader of the party that won the second-highest number of seats, acknowledged that the law left Rivlin 'no choice,' but in the same tweet denounced the development as 'a shameful disgrace that tarnishes Israel.'

A court ruling in the corruption case against Netanyahu could be months or even years away.

The proceedings are expected to take place up to three days a week, an embarrassing and time-consuming distraction that will shadow Netanyahu's appeals to his rivals.

Netanyahu holds the most support - 52 seats - in Israel's Knesset. But that is still short of a 61-seat majority.

He is likely to use his powers of persuasion to try to lure a number of opponents, including a number of former close aides who have vowed never to serve under him again, with generous offers of powerful government ministries or legislative committees.

Parties representing 45 members supported Yair Lapid, while Yamina, with seven seats, nominated its own leader, Naftali Bennett.

Three parties holding a total of 16 seats made no recommendation.

Rivlin's decision merges questions of Netanyahu's legal and political future in what's perhaps the starkest political challenge of his career.

In court, he faces fraud, breach of trust and bribery charges in three separate cases.

Proceedings resumed on Tuesday, though the premier was not expected to appear in court.

A key witness on Monday cast Netanyahu as an image-obsessed leader who forced a prominent news site to help his family and smear his opponents.

Netanyahu denies all charges and in a nationally televised address accused prosecutors of persecuting him in an effort to drive him out of office.

'This is what a coup attempt looks like,' he said.

Monday's court session focused on the most serious case against Netanyahu - in which he is accused of promoting regulations that delivered hundreds of millions of dollars of profits to the Bezeq telecom company in exchange for positive coverage on the firm's popular news site, Walla.

Ilan Yeshua, Walla's former chief editor, described a system in which Bezeq's owners, Shaul and Iris Elovitch, repeatedly pressured him to publish favourable stories about Netanyahu and smear the prime minister's rivals.

The explanation he was given by the couple? 'That's what the prime minister wanted,' he said.
A jailed Vietnamese blogger serving an 11-year prison term for writing articles criticizing Vietnams government is struggling with poor health and needs help to look after himself in the harsh conditions of his new detention center, sources close to his family said on Tuesday.

Nguyen Tuong Thuy, an independent journalist and former RFA Vietnamese Service blogger, was moved earlier this year from a Ho Chi Minh City Police detention center and sent to the Bo La prison in Binh Duong province, sources told RFA in an earlier report.

Thuy, 71, is older than many of the other inmates held at Bo La, and is often last in line when the prison canteen is opened for purchases of food, the wife of a former fellow prisoner told RFAs Vietnamese Service on Tuesday after speaking with her husband the week before by phone.

He is slower than the others and cant catch up, and by the time he arrives there, nothing has been left for him to buy, said Huynh Thi Kim Nga, the wife of Thuys former cellmate Ngo Van Dung.

Transferred on March 29 from Bo La and sent to An Phuoc Prison, also in Binh Duong, Dung told his wife on April 1 that a painful injury to Thuys hand has left him unable to do anything for himself.

When my husband was there, he could help Thuy, but now he wonders if anyone is still there who will help, Nga said, adding that Thuy and other prisoners held at Bo La on political charges are refused permission to receive family visits or to talk to relatives on the phone.

Speaking to RFA on Tuesday, Thuys wife Nguyen Thi Lan expressed concern at the news of her husbands health, saying that even though suffering high blood pressure at home, he had never relied on others to serve him and went himself to buy over-the-counter medications.

As for his injured hand, I believe that is the due to the wrench he received from the security officers on the day they arrested him and forced him to give them the code to open his mobile phone, she said.

His hand was already hurting him before at the Phan Dang Luu detention center, Lan said, adding, I have bought medication to be sent in to him, but I dont know if hes receiving the right medication.

Lan, who lives in Hanoi, had tried to visit Thuy at Bo La near Ho Chi Minh City on March 25, but was turned away by prison guards citing COVID-19 concerns and instructions from city police, Lan told RFA in an earlier report.

Even with concerns over COVID-19, the guards should have allowed her to see her husband at a distance or speak to him on the phone, Lan said.

Repeated calls by RFA seeking comment from Bo La Prison have rung unanswered.

Civil rights, freedom of speech

Thuy, who had blogged on civil rights and freedom of speech issues for RFAs Vietnamese Service for six years, was sentenced on Jan. 5 with two other bloggerslike Thuy members of the Vietnam Independent Journalists Associationwho were handed lengthy jail terms at the same time.

Arrested in May 2020, Thuy was indicted along with Pham Chi Dung and Le Huu Minh Tuan on Nov. 10 for making, storing, and disseminating documents and materials for anti-state purposes under Article 117 of Vietnams Penal Code.

Sentenced with Thuy, Pham Chi Dung was given a 15-year prison term, while Le Huu Minh Tuan was jailed for 11 years.

Thuy later refused to appeal his sentence, tearing up a petition form given to his after prison guards told him what to write on it, Thuys lawyer told RFA in an earlier report.

Dangerously high doses

A Vietnamese blogger held in a mental hospital while awaiting trial for criticizing Vietnams one-party communist state is meanwhile being given dangerously high doses of medication to treat his supposed mental illness, sources told RFA this week.

Le Anh Hung, a member of the online Brotherhood of Democracy advocacy group who had blogged for Voice of America, was arrested on July 5, 2018 on a charge of abusing democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the state under Article 331 of Vietnams criminal code.

He was later transferred in April 2019 from jail to Hanois Central Mental Hospital No. 1 for observation and treatment. If convicted at trial, he could serve up to seven years in prison.

Speaking to RFA on April 5, Hungs mother Tran Thi Niem said that Hung had recently called her on a borrowed phone to say he is being forced to take much higher doses of medication than usual.

He spoke to me the day before yesterday and told me that the dose of medication he is being given has now been increased to 12 pills per day, Niem said. I said this was a potentially fatal dose, and asked one of Hungs friends, Nguyen Van Binh, to put out an urgent call for intervention on the internet.

Writing on his Facebook page on April 4, Binh condemned the hospitals treatment of his friend.

This morning I got the phone call from Niem, Hungs mother. She told me that the hospital had increased his daily dose to 12 pills, and that if he resisted taking it, he was tied up and injected with sedatives, he said.

This is so barbaric and wicked! Binh said.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranked Vietnam 175 out of 180 in its 2020 World Press Freedom Index. About 25 journalists and bloggers are being held in Vietnams jails, where mistreatment is common, the Paris-based watchdog group said.

Vietnams already low tolerance of dissent deteriorated sharply last year with a spate of arrests of independent journalists, publishers, and Facebook personalities as authorities continued to stifle critics in the run-up to the ruling Communist Party Congress in January.

Reported by RFAs Vietnamese Service. Translated by Anna Vu. Written in English by Richard Finney.
RIDGEFIELD  A local man has been accused of participating in a years-long scheme to smuggle cosmetics in Iran while he served as president of a New York company, according to federal prosecutors.

Michael Rose, 50, of Ridgefield, was charged by an indictment Tuesday with conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, conspiring to launder money and conspiring to commit bank fraud. If convicted, the first and second offenses each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and the third carries a maximum 30-year term.

Rose was arrested Tuesday by the FBI and the Office of Export Enforcement.

The 13-page indictment, unsealed Tuesday, alleges that Rose was involved in a scheme that spanned years to violate government sanctions on Iran, Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said.

Todays charges underscore that those who violate our sanctions on Iran will be investigated and prosecuted, he said.

FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said Rose intentionally disguised where his products were ultimately going, and allegedly lied about the prices of the products to limit his customs liability.

Its a federal crime to violate sanctions the United States put in place to protect our national interests from Iran and other designated nation states, Sweeney said. Mr. Rose may have thought the rules didnt apply to him, but, if he did, todays action demonstrates otherwise.

Rose is the president of a Long Island-based cosmetics manufacturer and supplier. During his role as president, officials said Rose managed the companys operations and international sales.

From 2015 through 2018, Rose engaged in a conspiracy to evade U.S. actions on Iran, prosecutors said. Federal prosecutors said Rose exported more than $350,000 worth of cosmetics from the United States to an importer in Iran.

Sometime in June 2015, Rose signed a contract with the importer that indicated the importer would be the cosmetics companys exclusive distributor of its products in Iran, the indictment said. The importer then used front companies based outside Iran to make payments to the company and arrange for the shipment of goods to Iran through the United Arab Emirates, according to the indictment.

Authorities said Rose also filed false and misleading information on Department of Commerce Shippers Export Declaration forms in connection with the illegal shipments.
Vice President Kamala Harris promised White House backing Monday for Gov. Gavin Newsom in his likely recall election, saying she and President Biden will be supportive as much as we possibly can.

We are unambiguous in our support for Gov. Newsom, Harris told The Chronicle on her first trip to Oakland since becoming vice president.

Standing next to a vice president who described herself Monday as a kid from California could be a political boon for Newsom as he stares down the recall. Last week, a nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California poll found that 56% of likely voters surveyed opposed the recall, while 40% supported it.

Harris boost was much more energetic and definitive than White House press secretary Jen Psakis initial tepid expression of support for Newsom in February. In response to a reporters question, Psaki said Newsom  whom she erroneously called former Gov. Newsom  and Biden have a range of issues they have common agreement on ... and we remain closely engaged with him and his office. Later that day, Psaki tweeted a much more stout message opposing the recall.

Its important to Biden that Newsom remain in office. A Republican replacement governor could cause difficulties, particularly if 87-year-old Sen. Dianne Feinstein should leave office before completing her term. A GOP governor would be free to put a Republican in the job through 2024, tipping the Senate balance from Democratic-controlled to Republican.

Local elections officials in California are checking the 2.1 million petition signatures that Newsom opponents turned in to see if they gathered the nearly 1.5 million valid ones needed to qualify the recall for the ballot. Both sides assume the recall will be certified, but an election is unlikely to happen before October.

Harris was in Oakland on Monday partly to promote money that the Biden administration included in its $2 trillion infrastructure package to improve the nations drinking water supply. Harris, who was San Francisco district attorney when Newsom was the citys mayor, said that one of the things I know is that Gavin has always been a champion about what we need to do around our environment, and he and I have had many conversations over the years in particular about preservation of water.

She weighed in on several other topics of interest to Californians during an interview with The Chronicle:

Taxes: Harris was noncommittal on the question of restoring a tax break that some Californians enjoyed before 2018  the ability to write off their state and local tax payments from their federal tax bill. Republicans capped the so-called SALT deduction at $10,000 when they passed their 2017 tax-cut law. Newsom and six other governors have asked Biden to lift the cap, a position supported by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco.

Harris said she would leave the issue up to Congress as it turns the infrastructure proposal into actual legislation.

There are lots of discussions happening around whats going to be in this bill on top of whats already in there, Harris said.  And Im going to leave it to Congress to have those discussions.

Cannabis: Harris and Biden differ on cannabis, which is a major business in California. The legal industry generated $3.7 billion in sales the state last year and employed 57,970 people, twice as many as the year before, according to Leafly, a cannabis sales and news site. Harris and Newsom support legalization, while Biden does not.

The issue could be coming before the White House soon, as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., told Politico over the weekend that he plans to introduce a comprehensive cannabis legalization bill.

Harris said that we havent yet taken that on, because the administration has been focused on tackling the coronavirus pandemic. Nor has the administration moved forward on reclassifying cannabis, which the Drug Enforcement Administration still categorizes as a Schedule 1 drug  the most stringent ranking  with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.

Honestly, right now, weve been focused on getting people food, helping them stay in their apartments or in their homes, getting kids back to school, getting shots into arms, Harris said. That has been all-consuming.

Immigration: Biden has assigned Harris to lead the administrations response on border and migration issues. Asked how she would measure success, Harris suggested that people need to be patient.

The measure of success is, first of all, is knowing that the measure is going to have to be over a period of time because this is not going to be a quick fix, Harris said. This will not happen overnight. Youre talking about longstanding issues in these countries.

Harris said she has already had conversations with Central American leaders about the causes of migration to the southern border. She is still in the early stages of evaluating the the problem.

There is a piece of it thats about what we need to do to re-evaluate what the previous administration did and did not do around aid to Central American countries, Harris said. And around creating incentives for people to be able to stay in their homes and in their home country.

Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli
As the state grappled with challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, Nebraska businesses and public officials received much needed data, resources, and support from the Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC) and the Center for Public Affairs Research (CPAR), both housed at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO).

NBDC is based at UNOs Mammel Hall but extends across the state through 11 additional locations from Wayne to Scottsbluff. It strengthens Nebraska businesses for a healthy economy and prosperous communities. NBDCs credentialed consultants provide confidential, one-on-one business services to entrepreneurs, established business owners, innovators, and economic and community development professionalsmostly at no charge.

In 2020 alone, NBDC continued to serve more than 1,800 clients across the state, creating and saving nearly 700 jobs and generating $488.2 million in total statewide economic impact.

NBDCs support of businesses across Nebraska predates the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue long after the pandemic is behind us, Catherine Lang, NBDC State Director said. Through the collaboration and assistance of government, community, and university partners, we are able to supply resources that foster economically healthy and prosperous communities while also providing UNO students with valuable experiential learning opportunities.

UNOs Center for Public Affairs Research (CPAR) has also played a significant role in tracking the pandemics impact on Nebraskas businesses and their workforce.

CPAR partnered with the State of Nebraska and a number of local and state organizations to conduct the Nebraska Business Response Survey which explored how Nebraska businesses responded to the pandemic. Most respondents were small businesses that reported negative impacts on revenue, an increase in remote working operations, reductions in staffing, need for aid, and rising concerns about shifts in consumer behavior.

CPAR continues to work jointly with the Planning Committee of the Nebraska State Legislature to track the pandemics economic impact on the state through the Nebraska Economic Recovery Dashboard. The dashboard hosts over 20 indicators to track the economy. For instance, it shows steep declines in employment early in the pandemic followed by steady gains; however, Nebraska employment is still off from pre-pandemic levels.

Using the dashboard, legislators, business owners, and key stakeholders can track indicators that allow for both comprehensive and granular analyses, including unemployment claims, total employment, and net tax receipts.

Josie Schafer, CPAR Director, said these tools are invaluable to the states response to COVID-19. Effectively addressing challenges presented by the pandemic starts with having a better understanding of the problems businesses are facing, Schafer said. The Nebraska Business Response Survey and the Nebraska Economic Recovery Dashboard provide needed evidence of where the state is, where it has been, and where it is going  allowing public officials and business owners to make informed decisions.

Additional information on how NBDC and CPAR at UNO have supported the Nebraska economy in the pandemic can be found at impact.unomaha.edu.
KONNOR PERRIN, Chariho boys lacrosse, freshman: Perrin established a school record for assists in a game with nine in the Chargers 22-0 win over Ponaganset. Perrin leads the team with 21 assists to go with 14 goals.

LILA RICH, Stonington girls track, senior: Rich won two events at the ECC Division I track meet. Rich was first in the high jump (5-0) and the pole vault (10-0) as the Bears finished third at the meet.

MADIGAN HILTZ, Westerly boys lacrosse, senior: Hiltz scored seven goals and had three assists in pair of victories for the Bulldogs. Hiltz has 17 goals and seven assists for the season.

ADDIE HAUPTMANN, Wheeler softball, junior: Hauptmann was 4 for 9 with a home run and six RBIs in two games. For the season, Hauptmann is hitting .617 with eight homers and 42 RBIs. She has 50 hits.

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BOSTON, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Mendix , a Siemens business and global leader in low-code application development for the enterprise, today announced that the Port of Amsterdam, in partnership with seven seaports of the Netherlands, is rolling out an expanded, real-time security alert system to notify port authorities nationwide in the event of an incident or threat. The alerting system is an extension of the MOBI digital security platform developed by the Port of Amsterdam.

The MOBI app is the administrative and task-tracking platform that facilitates compliance with security requirements mandated by the United Nations, to earn ISPS ("international ship and port facility security code") certification. It has been adopted as the national platform for the certification process by the Port of Amsterdam, Port of Rotterdam, North Sea Port, Port of Moerdijk, Den Helder Port, Groningen Seaports, and the Port of Harlingen, and their 415 maritime shipping facilities and cargo terminals.

MOBI, a Dutch acronym for "methodology for an objective security inventory," was built from scratch with Mendix low-code technology. "Low-code" is a visual development approach to application development that allows developers with different levels of experience to create applications for web and mobile, using drag-and-drop components and model-driven logic through a graphical user interface. For two years in a row, Gartner analysts have positioned Mendix as a visionary leader in its Enterprise Low-Code Application Platforms Magic Quadrant .

Increased security needs in the aftermath of 9/11

The need for comprehensive safety and security measures for the world's ports and cargo facilities has its roots in the 9/11 terrorist attack, two decades ago on U.S. soil. Programs to protect and ensure uninterrupted trade and transportation were initially focused on airports. By 2004, the World Customs Organization ( WCO ) and the International Maritime Organization ( IMO ), operating under the aegis of the United Nations, extended this oversight to maritime operations. In response, the international shipping industry developed the ISPS requirements to evaluate and certify ports and facilities; approved certifications are valid for five years.

The MOBI app identifies 13 security risk scenarios including hijacking, terrorist threats, arms smuggling, human tracking, cyberhacking, and cargo contamination. Preventing these disruptions is a primary focus for the Netherlands' seaports, which serve as the global gateway to the European market and rank among the world's key logistics hubs for cargo transportation and storage. The Port of Rotterdam is the world's third largest port and the Port of Amsterdam is the fourth largest port in Europe. Rotterdam alone handles more than 469 million tons of cargo annually from nearly 30,000 ships and vessels.

One application to deliver a single source of truth

MOBI was developed with low-code specialists from Finaps , a consultancy and Mendix services partner, and product owners originally drawn from the Port of Amsterdam. Together, they digitalized a complex assessment process that previously was conducted manually using various Word and Excel documents.

"We originally thought MOBI would just be a small app for the Port of Amsterdam," says Peter Alkema, strategic policy advisor and project manager, Port of Amsterdam. Alkema has worked on the Mendix-built platform since 2017, collaborating with Mendix low-code developer Bram Van Der Linden, senior business engineer at Finaps. The first version of MOBI was launched in just eight weeks.

Today, the application supports 800 users throughout the seaports and maritime facilities of the Netherlands as they complete a comprehensive Port Facility Security Plan that is based on a Security Assessment. MOBI enables collaborators to undertake an objective risk analysis by tracking activities, progress, and feedback across five processes: certification, compliance, notifications, changes, and alerting. At the final stage, the port authority (who is often the Harbor Master, who operates under local government mandate) approves the plan and officially certifies the port facility.

Success attracts more users; Mendix makes it easy to iterate

"The success we encountered triggered attention from the other ports," recalls Alkema. "We considered making separate apps for different ports. But it was easier to iterate on the application in a modular way. Mendix enabled our small team to build a complex application fairly quickly, and reengineered the application for multi-tenant functionality across the Dutch seaports."

To develop the multi-tenant version of MOBI, Alkema and Van Der Linden held bi-weekly Friday afternoon sprints with project leaders from each of the seaports. Central to their effort was understanding each project owner's customized approach to tracking and maintaining port security. "We had everyone in one big room," says Alkema. "When someone said the application was not working correctly for their facility, the Mendix platform made it easy for a developer to quickly change it, test the correction, and get wide-spread adoption."

Trustworthy data gathering for coordinated actions

Using the MOBI application has reduced the time spent on ISPS certification from a potential eight-month cycle to one that can be completed within two months. "Before this process was digitalized, there was never a single source of truth. There were endless discussions between the IT people and the system auditors," says Jeffrey de Vlaming, policy advisor at the Port of Rotterdam. "We dedicated one employee to pull information from telephone calls, emails, and Google docs  it took half a month. Now, every discussion takes place within the platform, removing errors and increasing predictable outcomes. Now we can work remotely with these kind of actions and follow-up programmed into the system."

An additional 21 delegates, drawn from each of the participating ports, make up the current MOBI management group. This team of end-users consult with Alkema, Van Der Linden, and de Vlaming on additional support needs. "This system is way ahead of its time. Few, if any, other ports have such an advanced, digitalized system system as we have in the Netherlands," says Alkema.

Enterprise-grade low-code that's ready to combat unforeseen threats

"With their security oversight application, the Dutch seaports have shown the world that enterprise-grade low-code is more than a necessity  it's a reality," says Hans de Visser, vice president of product management for Mendix. "Not only are the ports following the highest standards for security oversight, their cloud-based data is safe and secure for use by a remote workforce. That's because we've built a rigorous information security management system into the Mendix platform, providing the highest level of ISO/IEC 27001 certification. We're proud our best-of-breed platform strikes the right balance between capabilities, flexibility, and ease of use. From a performance viewpoint, this is what enables world-class enterprises such as the Dutch seaports to digitally deliver critical business solutions and scale up with confidence."

Click here to access content free of charge from Mendix World, the world's largest virtual low-code conference, featuring more than 60 sessions, including more than 20 by customers, and covering the gamut of low-code application development topics from strategy to practical, hands-on platform training.

Learn more about the Mendix Platform

Background

In a pandemic-disrupted world, software is the new lifeblood of our daily lives and the connective tissue holding together the global economy. However, traditional software development takes far too long and very often fails to deliver the results business needs and users love. Even prior to COVID-19 there were simply not enough professional software developers in the world to build all the software currently required. The global pandemic has accelerated and exacerbated what was already a software and business crisis. Enter low-code software development. Low-code from Mendix is a powerful enterprise-grade visual development approach empowering citizen and professional developers to make cloud-native applications more than 10X faster for web and mobile using drag-and-drop components and model-driven logic  all through an intuitive graphical user interface.

About Mendix

Mendix, a Siemens business and the global leader in enterprise low-code, is fundamentally reinventing the way applications are built in the digital enterprise. With the Mendix platform, enterprises can 'Make with More,' by broadening an enterprise's development capability to conquer the software development bottleneck; 'Make it Smart,' by making apps with rich native experiences that are intelligent, proactive, and contextual; and 'Make at Scale,' to modernize core systems and build large app portfolios to keep pace with business growth. The Mendix platform is built to promote intense collaboration between business and IT teams and dramatically accelerate application development cycles, while maintaining the highest standards of security, quality, and governance  in short, to help enterprises confidently leap into their digital futures. Mendix's 'Go Make It' platform has been adopted by more than 4,000 leading companies around the world.

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Police identify 6 people dead in Texas murder-suicide plot View Photo

DALLAS (AP)  Authorities have identified six people found dead in a suburban Dallas home in what police said was an apparent murder-suicide plot.

The Allen Police Department said investigators believe brothers Tanvir Towhid, 21, and Farhan Towhid, 19, made a pact to kill their parents, sister and grandmother before killing themselves. The bodies were found early Monday by officers performing a welfare check, Sgt. Jon Felty said.

It appears that the two brothers had entered into an agreement, Felty said.

The victims were identified as Altafun Nessa, 77; Iren Islam, 56; Towhidul Islam, 54; and Farbin Towhid, 19.

Felty said the younger brother wrote a lengthy post on social media in which he said he and his brother had a plan to kill their family members and then themselves. He also wrote that all of his decisions were based on weighing pros and cons, including the decision to kill his family.

Several members of the Bangladesh Association of North Texas gathered near the home Monday after news of the familys death was released, the newspaper reported. Ahmad Hossain, who lives about a block away, told the newspaper that the family moved to the area about seven or eight years ago from New York.

Hossain said Nessa, the grandmother, was visiting the family from Bangladesh. He said she was scheduled to return home last week but couldnt because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fazia Rahman, who graduated Allen High School last year with Farhan and Farbin Towhid, said the family was welcoming and the parents treated everyone like they were their own kids.

We dont want this to be their family legacy, she said. They were such great people, they genuinely touched the lives of everyone who they came in contact with.  They were good people who had bright futures ahead of them.
ROCHESTER, Minn. - Pfizer announced last week its COVID-19 vaccine is safe and strongly protective in kids as young as 12.

Pfizer conducted a vaccine trial for kids ages 12 to 15 in late January, which was a little ahead of schedule. More than 2,000 kids participated in the trial. Half received the Pfizer vaccine and the other half received a placebo. Pfizer reports its vaccine is 100% effective in children. Dr. Melanie swift at Mayo Clinic explained it hasn't quite been long enough after they're fully vaccinated to know for sure if it's 100% effective, but early results are promising.

Medical experts found the kids who received the Pfizer vaccine had similar side effects to adults. It's also been reported the kids have higher levels of antibodies compared to young adults. Doctors are now battling emerging variants. "Children and young adults, these adolescents, are more susceptible to severe disease from some of the variants," Dr. Swift explained. "So particularly the South African variant was picked up and noticed to be really more severe in younger people who had not been so clinically effected by the original strain of COVID."

Dr. Swift said this is a huge step for students being able to go back to school in the fall and for youth sports. She explained vaccine hesitancy is starting to improve overall, but the next challenge will be parental vaccine hesitancy and reservations. "We need to be ahead of that. We need to start having these conversations now. Get parents really confident in the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines, which means letting them right now start getting a lot of information," she said. "Get questions answered, talk to your doctor, talk to your provider, read the information from reputable websites." Some employers are already requiring staff to get the COVID-19 vaccine and Dr. Swift said she wouldn't be surprised if schools require students to have it in the future.

Doctors anticipate Pfizer will file for emergency use authorization for 12 to 15 year olds in the next couple weeks. Johnson and Johnson started vaccine trials in ages 6 to 11 and Moderna is also starting pediatric trials in children as young as 6 months old.
Its happening all over again.



The daily active Covid-19 cases in India have gone through the roof, crossing the 1 lakh mark for the first time on Monday (April 5). Maharashtra, which recorded more than half of fresh infections, has imposed night curfew and lockdown during the weekends. The government said that ten districts account for 50 per cent of the total active caseload of the country--eight out of which are in Maharashtra.



TOI

In the past one month, Indias active Covid-19 caseload has exploded from 18,327 to a staggering 1,03,558. The current weekly average of 5,48,625 fresh coronavirus cases (March 29-April 4) is the highest since September 28-October 4 (when the count was 5.5 lakh). Maharashtra has been on the same course, growing 5.5 times in a month from 10,216 to 57,074 daily active cases.



ALSO READ: Maharashtra Curfew And Weekend Lockdown: What's Allowed Vs Banned

Reuters

Indias ambitious vaccination drive

The vaccination drive, which was launched in the country on January 16, was initially limited to healthcare workers and frontline staff; from March 1st, the eligibility criteria was expanded to include people over 60.

And as the second wave of the pandemic gains momentum, the government announced that as of April 1st, everyone over the age of 45 is eligible to receive a vaccine jab. It also mandated that all public and private vaccination centres stay open every day.

Seventy-nine days into the launch, India has managed to administer around 79 million doses of the vaccine. And the country really needs to get its skates on if it is to meet its ambitious target to inoculate 300 million people, or nearly one quarter of the population, by July.

India's Covid-19 vaccination needs to accelerate fast

Currently, its doing about 3 million doses per day, close to that being administered by the United States. And while it may be the worlds largest vaccination drive, experts believe that India should be giving 10 million shots daily. Thats because, the total vaccinations relative to Indias population of 1.3 billion still remains relatively low.

Note: in the above table, a vaccinated person refers to someone who has received at least one dose of a vaccine, and a fully vaccinated person has received all required doses of a vaccine.



According to data compiled by the University of Oxford, roughly 5 per cent of Indias population have jabbed for at least one dose of the vaccine, while only about 1 per cent of them have been fully inoculated against the deadly coronavirus. On the other hand, more than 55 per cent of Israels population have been fully vaccinated.

Indias 5.6 vaccine shots per 100 people is about 20 times less than that being administered in Israel; 15 times less than UAE; and 10 times less than the UK. Experts believe that the uptake has been slow because of initial hesitation or vaccine skepticism.

BCCL

Targeted vaccination to stop Covid-19 second wave

But India is one of the worlds largest vaccine manufacturers, and doesnt face supply constraints like other countries. Thats a silver living in inoculating a sizable population to contain this new wave. And although the government denied imposing any ban on the export of Covid-19 vaccines, the External Affairs Ministry asserted that the external supplies would be done keeping in mind our domestic requirements.

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and National Institute Of Industrial Engineering (NITIE) joint research has recommended that India should vaccinate all people aged 18 and above in 130 districts, which were identified as red zones during the first wave of the pandemic in the country.

Reuters

The findings estimated that the government will need six to seven months to vaccinate the remaining population of around 490 million people above 18 years (outside these 130 districts) at the rate of 2.5 million per day.

The paper also recommended that India needs to open all delivery channels including 24/7 vaccination centres, non-Ayushman Bharat hospitals and clinics as well as pharmacies which have reliable capacity and capability.

Rapid vaccination will not only reduce the peak cases but will significantly arrest the growth of disease, the report added. On top of that, the early lessons of the pandemic from 2020 shouldn't be forgotten -- it's important to wash your hands with soap or sanitizer whenever you're at risk of contamination, wearing face mask and social distancing is critical to cut down chances of catching Covid-19, whenever you leave your home bubble.
(Natural News) In her first official act as Director of National Intelligence, Avril Haines issued a flashing red alert to the country. Jihadi-like Americans, especially those on the political Right, lurk among us and are plotting to commit vicious crimes such as kidnapping and assassinations.

(Article by Jullie Kelly republished from AMGreatness.com)

These US-based actors allegedly will be moved to violence based on narratives of fraud in the recent general election, the emboldening impact of the violent breach of the US Capitol, conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and conspiracy theories, the March 1, 2021 document claims.

Haines divides domestic violent extremists, or DVEs, into three categories; a graphic of the U.S. Capitol building sits atop the category entitled anti-government/anti-authority violent extremists. That particular brand of terrorist, according to the report, is driven by their opposition to perceived economic, social, or racial hierarchies or perceived government overreach, negligence, or illegitimacy. (Perceived?)

The thin, three-page paper does little to substantiate her alarming assessment; it is short on proof but long on political usefulness for Democrats and the media, who continue to stoke fears about so-called domestic terrorists loyal to Donald Trump who orchestrated a deadly insurrection on January 6. (The word unclassified appeared on each page, as if to give the impression that a thick trove of classified material somewhere exists.)

A Politicized Intelligence Community

Haines, of course, takes her cues from the best in the business. As John Brennans top deputy at the CIA during the Obama Administration, Haines learned intelligence can be weaponized to work against political enemies, Donald Trump in particular, with impunity. In fact, Haines document conjures memories of Brennans 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment, issued just two weeks before Donald Trump was sworn-in as president, concluding Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election to help Trump win the White House, a claim that remains without evidence to this day.

But the DNI report is just the latest chapter in the narrative-building surrounding the events of January 6. From false accounts about the death of a Capitol Police officer and tales of an armed insurrection to the fortification of Washington, D.C., political protest is being criminalized in a way that sets an extremely dangerous precedent for the future.

Bidens top officials are fully on board, too. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, now responsible for a massive crisis at the border, insists violent domestic extremists are the countrys most lethal and persistent terrorism-related threat and describes the Capitol attack as a searing example.

Attorney General Merrick Garland compared January 6 to the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing; the investigation into what happened on January 6 is his top priority. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is rooting out extremists in the military.

But despite the incessant scaremongering, little evidence exists to make the case that armed groups of organized, violent domestic extremists attacked the Capitol.

One group often mentioned by the media and government officials as an insidious domestic threat is the Oath Keepers. An influential D.C.-based intelligence group recently identified Oath Keepers as one of the violent domestic militia groups involved in the Capitol melee.

In a 60 Minutes interview, Michael Sherwin, the acting U.S. attorney who led the first two months of the Capitol probe, referred to the Oath Keepers as a militia group. Sherwin claimed Oath Keepers had a plan to come to D.C., organize, and breach the Capitol in some manner.

The FBI and local law enforcement agencies began arresting Oath Keepers shortly after the January 6 fracas. (Sherwin bragged he authorized the arrest of more than 100 people before January 20 in a display of shock and awe meant to stop people from coming to D.C. to protest Bidens inauguration for fear of getting arrested.)

A D.C. grand jury indicted nine Oath Keepers last month. According to the indictment, some members of the Oath Keepers believe that the federal government has been co-opted by a cabal of elites actively trying to strip American citizens of their rights. (If this is crime, I suspect the overwhelming majority of Americans are guilty of it.)

Many Oath Keepers, the government wrote, are former members of the military and law enforcement faithful to their oaths to defend the Constitution.

Their grand conspiracy is based on text messages and travel arrangements made before January 6. Prosecutors claim the group, dressed in military garb, did knowingly combine, conspire, confederate, and agree with each other and others known and unknown, to commit an offense against the United States, namely, to corruptly obstruct, influence, and impede an official proceeding, that is, Congresss certification of the Electoral College. (As I explained here last week, the obstruction of an official proceeding is a vague provision in a 2002 law aimed at white collar criminals, not Americans engaging in political protest. More than 80 people now face that charge, which is a felony punishable by up to 20 years in jail.)

In addition to the conspiracy and obstruction count, each Oath Keeper is charged with entering restricted grounds. Hundreds of Americans should not have been near or inside the Peoples House because the Vice President was temporarily visiting and where a special event of national significance was in progress, prosecutors alleged.

Two Oath Keepers face an extra charge of tampering with documents for deleting photos and videos off their own social media accounts.

Yet only one chargedestruction of government property and the aiding and abetting of itremotely could be considered an act of violence and the governments evidence of that flimsy charge is absurd. No Oath Keeper is accused of smashing a window or stealing government property or leaving a mark anywhere inside the Capitol.

The mere act of entering the building, according to federal prosecutors, somehow propelled others to enter the building and therefore caused depredation against property of the United States. Even though the government does not cite any specific damages caused by the Oath Keepers, nonetheless, they together and with others known and unknown, forcibly entered the Capitol and thereby caused damage to the building in an amount more than $1,000.

Read more at: AMGreatness.com and Propaganda.news.
Inspired by the cosmos-probing technology of US space agency NASA, Turkish media artist Refik Anadol's latest exhibit in Istanbul tries to take art lovers on a virtual journey into the deepest space

Isatanbul,March 26,(UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Apr, 2021 ) Inspired by the cosmos-probing technology of US space agency NASA, Turkish media artist Refik Anadol's latest exhibit in Istanbul tries to take art lovers on a virtual journey into the deepest space.

Anadol's solo show Machine Memoirs: Space will be open through April 25 at Pilevneli Gallery in Istanbul.

The exhibit presents "machine-based visual speculations about space," according to Pilevneli's website. "Humanity's historical attempts to explore its depths unveil intricate connections between obscurity and openness," it added.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Anadol said that the inspiration for the exhibition was "NASA JPL and their engineers," referring to the US space agency's famed Jet Propulsion Laboratory, based in the state of California.

"It was a remarkable honor that I and my team have been working for the last three years with the team behind one of the most challenging missions, engineering, and archives of NASA JPL," he added.

"I was deeply fortunate to get inspired by them," said Anadolu, who led a "team of 14 people ... representing 10 countries." "As a team, we've always been trying to push our limitations or our imagination," he said. "So the project was a very natural fit to push the boundaries of our imagination." According to Anadol, they were also "able to create our own kind of ecosystem of creativity, thanks to NASA JPL data." Pointing out that the data was available to the public, Anadol said that it was easy to work with.

"So pretty much every single [piece of] data in the exhibition is public, and pretty much every algorithm is public, but that creates an amazing energy ... for the exhibition," he added.

- '3 machines that truly inspired me' "This exhibition is about three machines that truly inspired me," Anadol explained.

"I believe these are some of the most inspiring three machines showing humanity's collective memories of space," he added.

"One is the ISS [International Space Station], a large spacecraft in orbit around Earth," which launched in 1998, he said.

Another, he added, is the 1990 "Hubble Telescope, which is recording our galaxy, and trying to convince us that we are not alone in the whole thing and capturing stars and galaxies from thousands of light years away." The third is the 2005 Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, he said, explaining that the machine is documenting every single part of the Red Planet.

"So we just generate the experiences based on these three telescopes and their memories, and train artificial intelligence to just dream tentative machine dreams from those memories," he added.

According to Anadol, his time at NASA had a "100%" impact on his current show.

"Every single meeting I had, every, brilliant person I met was just a pure inspiration," he said.

- Popular show for everyone Istanbulutes are flocking to the exhibit, despite the ongoing coronavirus, and formed long queues, sometimes waiting for hours to enter the art gallery.

"I'm extremely happy," Anadol said, "First of all because for me, art should be for anyone from any age or background, so the exhibition is welcome from many perspectives.

"Anyone can go through that door, it's free for everyone," he added.

"Because of the pandemic, my hope is for one hour, people can still get out of their classical world, doubts, problems of life, and then just enjoy for one-hour meditation," he said.

The show should allow them to "just transform themselves into something else, something positive, something hopeful, something that allows you to get inspired," he added.
One hundred sixty years ago on April 12, 1861, Confederate guns fired on Fort Sumter, South Carolina, starting the Civil War.

Although Black soldiers had fought in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, the law kept Blacks out of the U.S. Army. At first, President Abraham Lincoln worried that allowing Blacks in the Army would cause slave-owning states still in the Union  Missouri, Delaware, Kentucky, and Maryland  to secede. As the war dragged on, Lincoln changed his mind, and tens of thousands of Black men enlisted in the Union Army. Nearly 40,000 of them died.

Black soldiers were segregated in regiments known as Colored Troops. They were led by white officers, paid less than whites, and faced execution if captured by southerners.

Harry Bradshaw Matthews, now retired from Hartwick College in Oneonta, combined his skills and interests in genealogy, family histories, and military history to document Blacks service in the Civil War and preserve their history. In 1998, he founded the United States Colored Troops Institute for Local History and Family Research at Hartwick College.

His interest in family-history research blossomed in the 1980s as an administrator at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. That grew into the Matthews Collection for the Preservation of African-American Freedom Journey Classics when he was a dean at Gettysburg College.

We continued it at Hartwick, and it really exploded once we established the USCT, Matthews said. After a while, my wife and I had amassed 2,500 items from the 1700s through the Korean War.

His work can lead to unexpected stories. For instance, NBC asked Matthews for research on a 2011 episode of the genealogy show Who Do You Think You Are. Matthews authenticated actress Vanessa Williams descent from David Carll, a Black soldier of the 26th United States Colored Regiment. Carll was born free, lived on Long Island, enlisted, and was severely wounded in Georgia.

Matthews retired from Hartwick in 2020, but he still is sought for his expertise. This summer, Matthews will be a featured speaker at the National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museums daylong Emancipation Day. It will take place Aug. 7 at the Gerrit Smith Estate National Historic Landmark in Peterboro, Madison County.

Matthews leadership roles in academia and in preserving history gave him this perspective about leadership: Know yourself, and that starts with your roots. Then I would say learn to walk in the other persons shoes.

What do you think we in contemporary America can learn about leadership from what those Black soldiers did in the Civil War?

Thats a really interesting question. Most of those soldiers were escaped slaves who found their way into the Union ranks. Most of them could not read or write. Once they got into the service, many of them learned to read and write. Another thing was that their earnings  there was discrepancy about how much it was supposed to be  were placed in banks. Once the Civil War came to an end, they had accumulated millions of dollars. Soldiers went back into their home communities and became leaders of those communities.

With the money that they had earned, they would help with the infrastructure, the development, and support of the Freedmen immediately after the Civil War. They supported the development of schools. They were instrumental in the founding of fraternal organizations, churches, and so on. These men set the standard for what other Black men would do in the wars that followed. The military served as a means of upward mobility for African Americans, and it continues to be so today. They played a pivotal role in setting that in motion.

Lets pivot to you. Were you in leadership roles growing up?

In elementary school, I found myself as the lieutenant of the safety patrol, which was a big deal. (Laughter) In the sixth grade, I was vice president of my class. In the ninth grade, I was also officer. In the 10th grade, I was vice president of my class, and in the 11th and 12th grade I was the president of my class.

During that senior year, I was selected for the national student body at A Presidential Classroom for Young Americans held in Washington, D.C., to honor the memory of President John F. Kennedy. Before I graduated from high school, I received other regional leadership awards.

I believe I moved into those early positions because I was being prepped by my mother (Lucretia Parler Matthews). I was born in Denmark, South Carolina, a small little community. We ended up as part of migration north. On my mothers side, all of our family migrated North  to Philadelphia, around New York City, and some came Upstate to Syracuse and Rochester. I grew up primarily in Roosevelt, Long Island, and thats where a lot of the family stories continued.

When I was very young, before I had started school, I had a bad dream and I woke up with a yell. My mother came into the room, sat on my bed, pulled me into her arms, and said: Dont worry, your ancestors will protect you.

My mother started teaching me about family history. She started wrapping me in a heritage. She began with her parents (Rebecca Killingsworth Parler and Richard Parler Jr.) and how her father came out of slavery and managed to become a Grand Master West Indian mason.

This was in South Carolina.

She told me about our earliest known ancestor. He was called Isaac the African the Killingsworth Cabinet Maker.

She told me about Elizabeth Evelyn Wright founding a school for African-Americans in Denmark in 1897. It was the Denmark Industrial Institute, and it became Voorhees College, a historically Black college. My family supported Wrights effort, and several of them are mentioned in the history of that institution.

By telling these stories, I think my mother was prepping me with the idea that leadership was a part of our family history.

When I got to college, SUNY Oneonta, I became involved in leadership positions. The college supported me in an internship on the New York State Ways and Means Committee in which I was responsible for preparing the first Poor Peoples Budget in New York history.

I received the Oneonta American Legion Award as a graduating senior who best represented leadership and community service. So the leadership thing is a part of my history.

What advice would you give for effective leadership?

Based on my own experience, one of the first things I would say is know yourself, and that starts with your roots. Then I would say learn to walk in the other persons shoes.

Learning to walk in the other persons shoes comes from my counseling background. Essentially, Im saying that before you judge individuals, find out who they are. Be able to compare who they are and what their background is with yours, so you can have a better understanding of common questions.

I like to say become a child of the window. What that means is that you are observing. You place yourself in situations where you are observing whats going on around you and how people are interacting with each other. Youre learning how different people engage in relationships and what their concerns are.

Essentially, Im saying to listen and watch more than speak.

If youre interested in taking on leadership, one of the other things you have to learn is how to research and plan strategies. As you come up with new ideas and new concepts, thats extremely important so you can show people how the ideas connect. That helps to reduce the fear of change.

People are afraid of change. One of the ways to get their support in what youre doing is to show what it is that you want to do and how it will link to what they have done and where they are now.

Dont be afraid to pursue new ideas for building an organization. A lot of people wont pursue a good idea because naysayers persuade them not to go forward.

So you have to be strong enough to believe in what it is that you are advocating for.

If youre planning on shaking up something, you should have a preliminary plan, what I call a skeleton. Make it available to the people that you would try to engage with. Provide them an opportunity to critique the skeleton. It gives them a starting point. If they have input in the plan, theyre going to become more accepting of it. Theyre going to feel that they helped develop it. Thats what I did with the Institute and everything else Ive done.

Its important for persons in leadership to be humble and to be accessible and to be kind to individuals. Do that, and people will trust you. Once you gain trust, they are going to be more apt to follow your lead.

What qualities do you see in leaders you admire?

Strong leaders respect individuals at all levels. For instance, if you are the president of an organization, you should be aware of individuals working in all positions, whether its in the mail room, or secretaries, or so on. You should let them know that you respect them and the work they do to uphold the organization.

I mentioned before about speaking less than watching or listening. Leaders I admire listen and are open to different points of views. They gain the confidence of those who are reporting to them.

When leaders make that preliminary plan, that skeleton, they need to be open to fair and honest critique. A successful leader respects differences in opinion. They respect diversity among their ranks, because it brings in new insights. Synergy is created. As a consequence, it takes the organization to a greater level. And then all of a sudden ideas pop out of nowhere. Actually, theyre not popping out of nowhere. Theyre coming from engagement across lines  racial, ethnic, or gender, or any kinds of lines. Essentially, good leaders are open to the possibility that they can learn something from someone else.

What attributes do you see in poor leaders?

Poor leaders are always saying, I, I, I, rather than we, we, we. Saying we is win-win. Constantly saying I indicates that youre not humble. Youre ego tripping. You probably are not listening to others or respecting the accomplishments of other people.

Being humble allows you to continue to reflect and grow and move forward. When youre not humble, youre constantly reflecting on what youve already accomplished rather than thinking about how far you have to go. So Im always talking about being humble. My wife Pamela and I had been married a long time before she passed away. (She died in 2017.) I was always receiving honors and recognitions and such. She always made me stay humble.

One of the stories I tell is about a lawyer who won a large case and as a consequence earned a million dollars. So he gets home, and he tells his wife this fantastic thing just happened. She looks at him and says: Did you remember to bring eggs home? (Laughter)

She kept him grounded. She respected him for what he did, but she also made sure he stayed on level ground. My wife always did that with me.

Tell me about your experiences and path through life. When did you graduate from SUNY Oneonta, and where did you go next?

In 1974. I had a dual major in Black-Hispanic studies and political science. It was those two departments that sponsored my internship in the state legislature.

When I graduated from SUNY Oneonta, the president encouraged me to stay in higher education rather than to go to law school. So I was hired to work with the residence halls and career services and then financial aid. By 1978 I was married. We went to Northern Michigan University where I was the director of Black Student Services. Thats where the Air Force became interested in me as a civilian assisting their military personnel with history studies. Later, I was named the distinguished visitor at the Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, the 8th Air Force.

Things were happening quickly. I was asked to help campaign for Carl Levin who was running for the United States Senate. I was contacted by the Congressional Black Caucus in Congress, and asked to help in the push for the Martin Luther King holiday. After about three years doing that, I came back to New York to Hobart and William Smith Colleges. By that time, but I had a masters degree (at Northern Michigan University). My masters thesis was on the role of culture in developing self-concepts among African-Americans. I incorporated it in a leadership training program that I put together working with students at Hobart and William Smith.

I involved history, family research, and leadership principles. The program took off.

How do I know that? The Rochester newspaper came in and wrote a banner-headline article about it: Black students dominate leadership positions at predominantly white college.

The reporter came to campus and asked people: How did it happen that the president of student government was a Black student? The head of the student newspaper was a Black student. The student representative to the board of trustees was a Black student and so on.

People kept telling the reporter they didnt know exactly how it happened, but they knew Harry Matthews had something to do with it. (Laughter)

I left Hobart and William Smith and went to Gettysburg College to be the Dean of Intercultural Advancement and a member of the presidents cabinet. It was there that I established a center to focus on the reconstruction of African-American family histories. Word got out and it was like an explosion. There was so much interest in the idea that there was going to be a center to help Black people reconstruct their family histories, even going back into slavery.

In 1993, I came back to Upstate New York, this time to Hartwick College. By that time I had conceptualized what I wanted to do in terms of using history, family research, and all that, as a means of creating common reference points.

I have a strong belief that people who are knowledgeable about their past are much more open to people who are different than themselves, because the fear factor is eliminated.

So I decided to use family history because everyone has a family. As people started doing research, it would be an opportunity to engage in dialogue, and that dialogue can lead from one point to another. Similarly, I did the same thing with the military.

When I was at Gettysburg, I did a study documenting the United States Colored Troops of Gettysburg. I ended up writing a book that remains a reference for scholars on African Americans of Gettysburg.

When I established the USCT Institute at Hartwick College, I found it fascinating that no one referred to it as Africana studies. It was always referred to as another aspect of the studies of the Civil War. Its intriguing to me that people were able to key in on military as being broad enough to include different racial, ethnic groups in a respectful way. And that still continues today.

The weekly Conversation on Leadership features Q&A interviews about leadership, success, and innovation. The conversations are condensed and edited. To suggest a leader for a Conversation, contact Stan Linhorst at StanLinhorst@gmail.com. Last week featured Father David McCallum of Le Moyne College, who is now the first executive director of the Discerning Leadership Program for the Jesuits in Rome.
Feds help family search for justice . . .

The FBI said as part of a continuing federal investigation into the death of Alonzo Brooks, his body was exhumed and taken to Dover Air Force Base for examination. The examiners report concludes that the case was a homicide. We knew that Alonzo Brooks died under very suspicious circumstances, said Acting U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard. This new examination by a team of the worlds best forensic pathologists and experts establishes it was no accident. Alonzo Brooks was killed. We are doing everything we can, and will spare no resources, to bring those responsible to justice.

Read more . . .
A Navy hospital corpsman shot two sailors at a business park in Maryland before breaching a gate at the nearby Fort Detrick Army base where he was killed by military personnel, authorities said.

Married, father-of-two Fantahun Girma Woldesenbet, 38, who had a rank of E-4, or petty officer third class, entered a business at the Riverside Tech Park, which is connected to the Fort Detrick base, causing people inside to flee, Frederick Police Chief Jason Lando said.

After the shooting, the medic drove about 10 minutes to Fort Detrick, where he was shot by base personnel, Lando said at a news conference.

Lando said Woldesenbet did not reside on base, adding that he lives in the 100 block of Willow Dale Drive in Frederick.

According to Lando, a rifle was used in the shooting, but he didn't give any other details. It's unclear if the rifle was issued by the military.

Authorities said the victims, who are both Navy sailors, were flown to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Centre in Baltimore where one remains in critical condition.

Lando said the second victim is still being treated, but he is expected to be released on Wednesday. Neither victim has been notified pending next of kin notification.

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Fantahun Girma Woldesenbet, 38, who had a rank of E-4, or petty officer third class, entered a business at the Riverside Tech Park, which is connected to the Fort Detrick base, causing people inside to flee, police said. An officer stands near a pool of blood from the scene

The man entered a business at the Riverside Tech Park (pictured, officers at the scene), causing people inside to flee, but it was unclear if the shooting took place inside or outside, Frederick Police Chief Jason Lando said

Authorities said the victims were flown to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Centre in Baltimore where they remain in critical condition. A sheriff's deputy puts bags with evidence into a police vehicle near the scene

A hospital spokeswoman did not respond to an email asking for an update on the victims.

The incident unfolded around 8.20am Tuesday morning, Frederick police said.

Just after 9am, police tweeted that they were responding to 'an active shooter in the 8400 block of Progress Drive'.

Woldesenbet then drove to the Fort Detrick base where he drove through a gate at an entrance to the base before base personnel confronted him on a road, according to Fort Detrick spokeswoman Lanessa Hill.

'It wasn't that long before he came through the gate. Not even a quarter of a mile,' Hill said.

She said Frederick police had given them advance notice by putting out a BOLO, 'so we knew that he was out there'.

In addition, Brigadier Gen Michael Talley confirmed that base personnel attempted to search Woldesenbet before he sped past them in his personal vehicle.

Brigadier Gen Michael Talley confirmed that base personnel attempted to search Woldesenbet before he sped past them in his personal vehicle

A member of the Frederick Police Department Special Response Team peers out of a minivan before the team entered Fort Detrick on Tuesday

After passing through the gate, Talley said Woldesenbet was stopped in a parking lot and exited his vehicle while brandishing a weapon.

He said base police then 'neutralized the subject' before rendering life-saving efforts for about 20 minutes'.

Talley said there were no other injuries on the Fort Detrick base.

Police cordoned off Woldesenbet's garden-style apartment building in Frederick City, a few miles from the site of the shooting.

A neighbor, Ava Target, said she knew Woldesenbet only by sight, and that he lived on the top floor of the apartment complex with a wife and two kids. She wasn't aware of any problems.

Mark Nelson, a firefighter who lives in a row of townhomes across the street from the base, said he heard the base blast warning sirens Tuesday morning.

'I heard, I don't know what they call it, but they were like air raid sirens, and I knew something was going on,' Nelson said.

Lando called the shootings 'very tragic'.

'It's happening too frequently. Every time we turn on the TV we're seeing something like this happening. And now it's happening in our backyards.'

After the shooting, the medic drove about 10 minutes to Fort Detrick, where he was shot by base personnel, Lando (pictured) said at a news conference

Members of the Frederick Police Department Special Response Team prepare to enter Fort Detrick at the Nallin Farm Gate in a convoy of vans and sedans following a shooting in Riverside Tech Park

Lando said investigators were still gathering information about the incident and could not say what the relationship, if any, was between the victims and the suspect. An aerial view of where the shootings occurred

Jeremy Mutschler, director of marketing for Nicolock Paving Stones, said that his understanding is that the shooting was near the company's Frederick location but not at the business itself.

'One of the victims who was wounded entered our facility looking for help and we were able to assist and call the authorities,' said Mutschler, who is based in New York.

Lando said investigators were still gathering information about the incident and could not say what the relationship, if any, was between the victims and the suspect.

Officials declined to disclose the duties of the shooter or the two victims, or to say whether the motive behind the incident may have been related to their work. All three were assigned to the base, officials said.

'We're still trying to sort through stacks of paper... to figure out exactly what the motive would be,' said Frederick police Lt Andrew Alcorn.

It's also unclear if Woldesenbet was scheduled to work on Tuesday. Investigators could not confirm Woldesenbet's length of service.

Police said they are working to determine if the attack was targeted. When asked about Woldesenbet's mental health status, authorities said they are unsure at this time.

'[I]don't know his mental status at the time, and were certainly going to find all that out,' Talley said.

Frederick Mayor Michael O'Connor noted that various defense contractors are located near Fort Detrick and that it wouldn't be unusual for a member of the military to be off base and working with a private firm that does business with the US government.

'When these incidents happen in other places, you're always grateful that its not your community,' O'Connor added.

'But you always know, perhaps in the back of your mind, that that's just luck - that there isn't any reason why it couldnt happen here. And today it did.'

Maryland Gov Larry Hogan released a statement Tuesday afternoon thanking first responders.

'I want to thank the federal, state, and local law enforcement officials for responding swiftly to the incident this morning in Frederick. We are keeping the victims in our prayers and @MDSP will continue to assist in the investigation,' Hogan said.

Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have also been called in to assist local police.

Fort Detrick houses the National Interagency Biodefense Campus, home to the military's National Interagency Confederation for Biological Research.

Its website describes it as a consortium of eight agencies working 'to achieve a healthier and more secure nation'.
MORE than 20 artists from across Limerick are among the Whos Who of Irish and international artists taking part in this years Incognito 2021 online art sale in aid of the Jack & Jill Childrens Foundation.

The Incognito art collection is now live at incognito.ie with the online art sale taking place on Thursday, April 22 at 10am sharp.

One of the fun and exciting about the Incognito art sale is that the identity of the artists behind the paintings  for sale at 60 each  is kept top secret until the sale has closed.

The collection is made up of more than 3,000 original postcard-sized artworks in a range of mediums, from oils and pastels, to glass and metalwork and potential buyers will have to be quick - everything sold out last year in just 15 minutes!

Among the Limerick artists taking part this year, are Clare Hartigan from Castleconnell, Mary Sadlier from Crecora, Alison Barry from Kildimo, Jackie OMahony Crowe and Gillian Jonker - both from Limerick city.

Some of the famous national and international faces taking part this year are U2s The Edge, rock star Bob Geldof, fashion designer Paul Costelloe, comedians Jason Byrne and Tommy Tiernan, artist Don Conroy and Nobel prize winner Dr William Campbell.

In the five years since its inception, Incognito has raised almost 450,000 for Jack & Jills home nursing care for children with highly complex medical conditions, including end-of-life care. This equates to more than 28,000 hours of specialist home nursing care provided by Jack & Jill nurses and carers the length and breadth of the country.

For curator Lucinda Hall, Incognito 2021 is an opportunity to bring the talents of Limerick artists to a brand-new audience:

We are so very grateful to each of our artists from Limerick who have shared their talents with us and given their art for free. It is a huge tribute to their generosity of time and spirit following what has been an extremely difficult period for the arts world. We hope that by hosting what is Irelands largest online public art exhibition, that we can shine a light on the amazing talent of our artists, and introduce a whole new audience to their work," she said.

For Carmel Doyle, CEO of the Jack & Jill Childrens Foundation, Incognito 2021 is about generous, talented artists turning their art into a real currency for care.

Each year, Jack & Jill has to raise over 4 million to continue doing what we do supporting families to look after their sick children at home, where they belong. Less than 20 per cent of our funding comes from Government, and with Covid-19 continuing to restrict our public-facing fundraising and our charity shops still closed, we are relying hugely on the generosity and support of the public for Incognito 2021," she said.

Buyers must register in advance and full details about the purchase process can be found at incognito.ie
A meeting of the Western Trust Board has heard that Northern Ireland doesnt have a budget to offer NHS staff a four per cent pay increase.

It remains unclear what pay rise health workers can expect in Derry and across the North.

The UK government announced a one per cent pay rise but Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said NHS staff deserve more than applause and one per cent is not enough.

More than 154,000 NHS Scotland staff are to be offered a pay rise of at least four per cent.

At Thursdays monthly meeting at Altnagelvin Hospital the matter was raised.

Professor Hugh McKenna, Non-Executive Director, asked if Northern Ireland followed Scotlands lead by offering health workers a four per cent pay rise, would that have any implications for the Trust generally  more specifically related to agency costs.

The Trust has spent over 40m on temporary doctors, health professionals, nurses and admin staff in the past year, according to a financial performance report dated February 2021.

It is the only Trust in Northern Ireland with a formal financial recovery plan in place to reduce its overall deficit of around 40m.

In response, Director of Finance Neil Guckian said: Firstly, the four per cent pay increase relates to 2021/2022.

A four per cent pay award would present problems in the fact that it would only be affordable if the budget is there for it.

Its my understanding that there wouldnt be a budget set aside for a four per cent uplift.

He added that the budget suggests one per cent from the British government and Northern Irelands budget hasnt been finalised.

The NHS will look to a pay review body in the Spring, he said, to see what they recommend.

I know Scotland has gone in advance of that with four per cent, but at this stage there certainly wouldnt be the money for a four per cent pay uplift, is my understanding at departmental level, Mr Guckian added.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is funding thousands of members to attend a six-week training programme ahead of a possible ballot of its members on industrial action later this year.

Speaking to the Derry News, People Before Profit Cllr Maeve O'Neill said there was a 'great showing' from all unions at Altnagelvin Hospital to demand proper pay rise at the April 1 NHS Pay Day of Action.

She commented: "All unions representing health and social care workers have unanimously rejected the insulting pay offer of 1%.

"How quickly the Tories went from cynically clapping health workers to slapping them in the face with insulting pay offers.

"We're calling on everyone to support the demand for a proper pay rise."

She added: "We call on everyone to back our nurses and all health and social care workers in their demand for justice and respect. We are united on the demand for respect and won't be divided.

"This is a fight for decent pay for us but this demand extends to all workers. It's also about safe staffing levels and saving the health service. All communities have a stake in uniting for pay justice and to stop privatisation of the NHS.

"This is about workers rights and social justice for all."
This is a huge exercise of states rights to self-determination of their own affairs. In short, Dont mess with Texas. However, this does not prevent the Federal government nor private companies from issuing their own vaccine passports for use within the state. Will other states follow suit?  Technocracy News & Trends Editor Patrick Wood

By

Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order Tuesday morning banning the creation or use of a vaccine passport. It prohibits state agencies or political subdivisions in Texas from creating a vaccine passport or conditioning services on a persons COVID-19 vaccination status.

Everyday, Texans are returning to normal life as more people get the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. But, as Ive said all along, these vaccines are always voluntary and never forced, Governor Abbott said in a video announcing the order. Government should not require any Texan to show proof of vaccination and reveal private health information just to go about their daily lives.

That is why I have issued an Executive Order that prohibits government-mandated vaccine passports in Texas, the Texas governor continued. We will continue to vaccinate more Texans and protect public health  and we will do so without treading on Texans personal freedoms.

Abbott stressed the importance of vaccines in reducing the spread of COVID-19 and the reduction of serious illness resulting in hospitalizations and fatalities.

The Lone Star State is on pace to have administered more than 13 million vaccine doses by the end of this week, the governor explained.

We will continue to vaccinate more Texans and protect public health, Abbott concluded, and we will do so without treading on Texans personal freedoms.

Read full story here
Pictured: Dr Thornton at the Entourage Finance ladies luncheon last Thursday

Chantel Thornton knew she wanted to be a doctor when she was just nine years old.

She watched her favourite aunt endure gruelling chemotherapy treatments for late stage breast cancer before her death, while two other aunts, a cousin and her maternal grandmother also suffered from the disease.

Her passion for helping people wasn't lost on her family even years earlier - her granddad bought her her first medical kit at age six.

But by nine her heart was set on medicine, helping women in particular, and the rest of her schooling was largely shaped around forging ahead with her dream.

Dr Thornton grew up in Tasmania and was one of the only girls in her grade taking senior science classes.

From there, she went on to study at the University of Tasmania and graduate top of her class, winning eight separate university accolades and earning herself a scholarship to study honours in Hong Kong.

The journey to becoming a fully qualified surgeon was long and tedious. It took 16 years, months on end without a day off and a permanent move to Melbourne.

Chantel Thornton knew she wanted to be a doctor when she was just nine years old

Dr Thornton watched her favourite aunt endure grueling chemotherapy treatments for late stage breast cancer before her death, while two other aunts, a cousin and her maternal grandmother also suffered from the disease

She works long days which often start at 6.30am and don't finish until at least 7pm most nights.

But Dr Thornton wants women to know it really is possible to have it all.

Dr Thornton has achieved some semblance of a normal work-life balance in recent years. She married her partner Srecko Lorbek in 2017 in Tasmania in front of their nearest and dearest - including former politician Julie Bishop.

The couple welcomed their son Thornton Felix Lorbek in 2020.

Dr Thornton has a bedroom for her son on the top floor of her office to ensure he can be close by even when she's working round-the-clock.

She says being entirely accessible for her 125 weekly clients is also a priority.

'It's hard to protect your schedule, but the patient comes first,' she said.

Dr Thornton has a bedroom for her son on the top floor of her office to ensure he can be close by even when she's working round-the-clock

She prides herself on having an inviting and warm office, and is renovating a home to house patients from rural areas

In her office, Dr Thornton has an installation artwork showcasing different types of female breast

A typical day in the life of a breast cancer surgeon Dr Thornton's day starts at 6.30am when she gets up to give her baby a bottle. She then checks some patient results, writes some letters and does a ward round if any of her patients are in hospital. From 9am to about 1.30pm she consults with her patients - seeing up to 25 in a single day. Then she might go into theatre to perform surgery from about 1.30 to 7pm, or she'll spend those hours continuing to consult patients and then start surgery of a night. In between all of this, she juggles emergencies, checking in on her son and personal matters. 'It's rather unpredictable,' she said. 'It's exciting but it also means you've got to have great back up, a great team around you, because your day can change very rapidly.' On average, Dr Thornton spends about two to three days a week in surgery and sees about 125 patients each week. Advertisement

This mantra is driven by a desire to keep her clients, many of whom are grappling with devastating diagnoses, as comfortable and stress-free as possible.

'It's difficult to be a part time surgeon. A patient needs to know that their surgeon will be available for them whenever they need.'

Dr Thornton said studies show high stress levels can impact survival rates, so she prides herself on offering immediate treatment to her patients, even offering her mobile number to anybody she treats so they know they can call her at any hour.

It's that reasoning that encouraged her to buy a three bedroom cottage in the heart of Melbourne to ensure her rural, interstate and international patients had somewhere cosy to call home during their treatment.

She's still in the process of renovating and allowed psychologists to take patients out of the rooms during Covid because she knew Melburnians' mental health was a major concern throughout lockdown.

'Sometimes a hotel environment just isn't as comfortable and we're trying to make this process as easy as possible for these women,' she said.

'This diagnosis can be so hard, sometimes you just need someone to take control and sort things like accommodation and flights out for you.'

Dr Thornton has previously discussed her belief that women have an innate and unique ability to practice medicine with a patient centred approach.

Fifty two per cent of first year medical students are women, and there are no shortage of driven females who want to become doctors.

But this number plummets when considering specialised fields of medicine. This is in some part due to the amount of women who leave the workforce to have children.

Just eight per cent of surgeons in Australia are women.

Dr Thornton was dux of her medical school and graduated with first-class honours before going on to complete her honours degree in medical science at the University of Hong Kong.

She prides herself on having an inviting and warm office to help alleviate stress among her patients

Dr Thornton has achieved some semblance of a normal work-life balance in recent years. She married her partner Srecko Lorbek in 2017 in Tasmania in front of their nearest and dearest - including former politician Julie Bishop

She went on to complete her surgical training at The Alfred Hospital and completed her surgical fellowship at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in 2010, where she still works in the public hospital stream to this day.

But Dr Thornton also runs a private practice, where she's able to develop a closer relationship with her patients over a long period of time.

She encourages any woman diagnosed with breast cancer to think carefully when choosing a surgeon and their medical team.

'I encourage them to choose a surgeon that's a similar age to them,' she explained. 'You're going to get to know them over a long period of time and you don't want to have to change halfway through the journey if your surgeon retires or moves on.'

The mother-of-one attended a luncheon alongside 140 other driven women in Melbourne last Thursday to celebrate what it means to be female and all that they have accomplished.

The luncheon was hosted by Antoinette Sagaria, Director of Property at Entourage Finance, who announced that their data proved women were excelling in the real estate sphere as the nation bounces back from the Covid crisis.

To read more about the luncheon and other key guests, click here.

The mother-of-one attended a luncheon alongside 140 other driven women in Melbourne last Thursday to celebrate what it means to be female and all that they have accomplished

Dr Thornton is particularly proud of her pink front door and inviting office, which she hopes help make patients feel more comfortable
KALAMAZOO, MI  The Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo announced Tuesday that its previously postponed 2020 Community Arts Awards celebration is going virtual.

Initially scheduled to be held in-person at the Wellspring Theater on Dec. 1, the celebration will now take place virtually at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 14, premiering live on the Arts Councils website.

The virtual celebration will feature speeches from award recipients and their nominators, as well as performances by Face Off Theatre Company, Farmers Alley Theatre, Jingqui Liu, Kalamazoo Chinese Academy, Kalamazoo West African Drummers, Last Gasp Collective and Rootead Youth Dance Company.

For over 35 years, the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo has been proud to recognize the exceptional artists, arts organizations and arts supporters in the Kalamazoo area through the Community Arts Awards, said Laura Latiolais, president of the Arts Council Board of Directors.

Each honoree brings talents and skills that deepen the artistic richness of our community and we are grateful for their work, Latiolais said. Congratulations to the nine winners of the 2020 Community Arts Awards.

The 2020 awards and winners are as follows:

Community Medal of Arts Awards: Andrew Koehler, Sandra Bremer and Dr. Thomas G. Evans

Gayle Hoogstraten Arts Leadership Awards: Michelle Stempien, Sonya Bernard Hollins and Kama Mitchell

Adam F. Carter Young Artist Award: Shelby Alexander

Business Arts Award: Fortitude Graphic Design

Epic Award: Crescendo Academy of Music

Full biographies of each of the recipients and award descriptions can be found on the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo website.

The virtual program is being produced by Public Media Network, and a digital program will be available for viewers to reference during the show, according to a news release from the council.

Also on MLive:

Among 1.7 million fully vaccinated Michiganders, state identifies small number of COVID-19 infections and deaths

Michigan reports 4,964 new coronavirus cases, 58 deaths Tuesday, April 6

Jared Goffs model girlfriend lands dream Sports Illustrated swimsuit shoot
The union representing striking Manitoba Hydro electrical workers claims four weeks of rotating work stoppages have already cost the Crown corporation tens of millions of dollars.

The union representing striking Manitoba Hydro electrical workers claims four weeks of rotating work stoppages have already cost the Crown corporation tens of millions of dollars.

Mike Espenell, business manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2034, said Hydro continues to be hamstrung at the bargaining table by the dictates of a tight-fisted provincial government.

"I think its been made abundantly clear that there is a significant amount of (political) interference," he said Monday, referring to the Progressive Conservative government.

The IBEW said its four-day general strike in 2009 reportedly cost Hydro around $6 million. The union said the figure was cited by a Hydro executive, in an appearance before the Manitoba Public Utilities Board in 2012.

The union claims the current strike is adversely affecting power sales, particularly export sales, and delaying key maintenance work. The rotating strikes also mean power outages are taking longer to restore, it says.

Hydro denied the labour disruption has had any effect on exports.

"There has been no loss of revenue either domestically or in export markets as a result of the strike," the corporation said in a statement to the Free Press.

However, it did not deny there have been costs.

"Theres no doubt the strike is having and will continue to have a financial impact on Manitoba Hydro and its customers," the statement said. "There are several factors that go into calculating these costs, and its likely we wont have an exact cost for some time.

"Our primary objective right now is to ensure we protect public and employee safety and maintain reliable service during the strike, although response times may be longer than usual."

Citing an internal work order cost report, the union claimed the Crown corporation is having to pay high overtime rates to supervisors and an untold amount to out-of-province contract workers to fill in or remain on standby in case a particular location is targeted in the ongoing rotating strikes.

The IBEW local represents 2,300 Hydro workers, who have been without a contract since Jan. 1, 2019.

Hydro has offered the union zero per cent increases for 2019 and 2020, a 0.75 per cent wage boost for the current year, and a one per cent increase for 2022  in line with government guidelines for the bargaining of new public-sector contracts.

The PC government so far has shown no signs of wavering from its demand public-sector workers accept wage freezes. A bill legislating the wage guideline was passed by the Manitoba legislature but never proclaimed. It was struck down in Court of Queens Bench, but the government has appealed the decision.

The union said it has offered to pare down its list of outstanding demands to 10 items and go to arbitration once the strike hits the 30-day mark later this week  a move, it says, that could potentially save the corporation millions of dollars.

Under Manitoba law, the union cannot be guaranteed an arbitrated settlement until it is out on strike for 60 days.

Hydro director of corporate communications Scott Powell said the company is not in a position to accept binding arbitration.

"We remain committed to finding a solution through the collective bargaining process," he said.

Hydro said it believes the offer made to workers is fair.

A spokeswoman for Crown Services Minister Jeff Wharton said its the governments historic role to set "broad and consistent" collective bargaining mandates for the public sector.

"These now reflect the unprecedented COVID-19 challenges all Manitobans are facing, as government continues to make massive expenditures for public health and protection and support for hurting Manitoba workers and businesses, while keeping taxes and rates as low as possible for all Manitobans," she said.

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca
The National Pension Service (NPS)' Investment Management headquarters in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province / Courtesy of NPS



By Park Jae-hyuk



The National Pension Service (NPS) is maintaining silence on POSCO's businesses in Myanmar.



Amid the steelmaker's continued denial of its ties with the Southeast Asian country's military junta, the state pension service appears to be facing a dilemma, as European institutional investors have begun urging POSCO and other global enterprises to leave Myanmar, in order to prevent possible inflows of cash to the junta.



According to the Financial Times, Park Yoo-kyung, an adviser of the Dutch pension fund, APG, which manages $668 billion, raised questions about POSCO's commitments to responsible investments, saying that a lot of investors are putting pressure on the company.



Reuters reported that Sweden's public pension fund, which owns POSCO shares, asked the firm about its investments in Myanmar, out of concern over human rights issues there. According to the news agency, Helsinki-based financial group Nordea also told the Swedish arm of Oxfam's Fair Finance Network that it had put POSCO "in quarantine until further notice," due to its ties in Myanmar.



In response, POSCO has emphasized that POSCO Coated & Color Steel has not paid dividends since 2017 to Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd. (MEHL), which is under control of the junta. POSCO is reportedly reconsidering its partnership with MEHL, which owns a 30 percent stake in the steel plate manufacturer.



An NPS spokesman said that the pension fund has nothing to say about the issue at this moment.



Civic groups here, however, have called for the NPS, as the largest shareholder of POSCO with an 11.75 percent stake, to stop its investments in the steelmaker unless it cuts its ties with the Myanmar junta.



Some of them cited the environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) criteria, considering the fact that human rights issues are social factors, and that the NPS has concentrated on making sustainable investments.



"POSCO's largest shareholder is the NPS, which is run by money paid by Korean people," the Manifesto for Global Citizenship said. "This fact means that the money paid by Korean people has flowed into the Myanmar junta. Korea should be in solidarity with the Myanmar people and take responsibility for having funded the coup."



During the annual shareholder proxy season last month, civic groups also urged the NPS to vote against the reappointment of POSCO chief, but the pension fund remained neutral about this topic.



"After careful deliberation, we decided to be neutral because there was no clear reason to oppose his reappointment, although we thought it was inappropriate to support it, considering the enactment of laws that hold CEOs responsible for industrial accidents," the NPS said at that time without mentioning the Myanmar issue.



People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy expressed its disappointment with the decision, calling for the NPS to demand that POSCO hold an extraordinary general meeting of its shareholders to appoint a nonexecutive director to protect the public interest.


The PSNI on Northland in Carrickfergus near Belfast following sporadic outbursts of disorder.

A fourth consecutive night of violence in Carrickfergus and Derry has been condemned as "disgraceful" by Doug Beattie from the Ulster Unionist Party.

Monday night saw a crowd of around 30 youths clash with police officers, throwing petrol bombs and masonry. The violence in the area once again centred around the North Road, with crowds forming barricades.

There were also separate violent scenes in Derry, where a car was set alight in Sperrin Park in the Waterside area.

The PSNI have also confirmed they are investigating following loyalist protests throughout Monday afternoon - as masked loyalist bands marched through the streets in towns across the region, including Portadown, Ballymena and Markethill.

It comes amid reports that the Alliance Party are to put forward a motion recalling the Assembly to condemn the violence over the last week. Such a motion would require 30 signatures for the Assembly to be recalled.

Read More

The continued scenes of violence have been condemned by the UUP's Doug Beattie, who also remarked upon reports that the paramilitary South East Antrim UDA group were behind the planning of violence in Carrickfergus.

Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster, Mr Beattie called the scenes "disgraceful" and said the violence was criminalising many young people in the area. He also said the violence was being orchestrated by criminal gangs.

"I mean it is utterly pointless and it is futile and destroying their own community. Right minded people must condemn where we see kids being goaded onto the streets by adults," he said.

"Where we have criminal drug gangs organising rioting in other parts of the country - it is utterly disgraceful.

"Let's not tar everybody here with a very small minority but that small minority is certainly capturing the headlines and all for the wrong reasons."

"I have long had an issue with these people [South East Antrim UDA] and they have to be called out time and time again.

"People have accused me for not being a unionist because I dont support criminal gangs like the South East Antrim UDA. What they do is detract from genuine concerns from a community who feel like they are not being listened to. These people have no place bringing kids onto the streets to get them a criminal record."

When challenged on whether tensions have been increased as a result of unionist concerns over the PSNI chief constable, Mr Beattie said unionists were raising "genuine concerns" and said all politicians had a responsibility to engage with each other.

All politicians are at fault when our discourse is not the way it should be. We all need to put our hands up... that we have not covered ourselves in glory with the way that we have engaged with each other. No matter what concerns we (unionists) raise, we are always accused of stoking the rhetoric," he added.
Taft-Hartley trust funds and plan sponsors will have the opportunity to realize significant cost savings from the standard inclusion of both the Payer Matrix and ELMCRx Solutions' Tesser Health programs. These two programs work in conjunction to create an advanced specialty drug cost management program and specialty drug prior authorization service that results in a 40% average savings while also limiting stop loss liability.

AEBRx offers a user-friendly, easy to navigate platform powered by Magellan Rx Management. It features visually engaging dashboards, intuitive functionality, and real-time data that is readily accessible online. Robust tools connect plan members on a 24/7 basis to drug and related healthcare information from their mobile devices or desktops. Using AEBRx's responsive member portal and quick response (QR) codes on select specialty prescription labels, plan members can easily access information and medication videos on demand and obtain refill reminders with real time alerts.

Paul Mallen, President and CEO of the Amalgamated Family of Companies stated, "Specialty drug costs represent 50% of the overall pharmacy benefit spend and that figure continues to rise. Further, for every $1 spent on specialty drug costs, there typically is at least another $1 spent on medical benefits. At the Amalgamated Family of Companies, we are committed to providing solutions that effectively help contain healthcare costs for trust funds and plan sponsors, as well as their members and we are excited to launch this innovative service."

About Amalgamated Employee Benefits Administrators

Amalgamated Employee Benefits Administrators (AEBA) is one of the nation's leading third party administrators (TPA) of employee benefit plans for unions, businesses, associations, and self-insured plans. A member of the Amalgamated Family of Companies, AEBA is a full-service TPA offering services across all benefit plans. The Amalgamated Family of Companies is a group of affiliated businesses which have grown from the flagship company, Amalgamated Life Insurance Company, a leading provider of comprehensive insurance solutions. Founded in 1943, Amalgamated Life operates in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. It has consistently earned an "A" (Excellent) Rating from A.M. Best Company since 1975, attesting to its strong fiscal position. In addition to Amalgamated Life, the Amalgamated Family of Companies includes: Amalgamated Employee Benefits Administrators, a third party administrator; Amalgamated Medical Care Management, a medical care management firm; Amalgamated Agency, a property and casualty broker; and AliGraphics, a printing firm. For more information, please visit amalgamatedbenefits.com.

About Magellan Rx Management

Magellan Rx Management, a division of Magellan Health, Inc., is shaping the future of pharmacy. As a next-generation pharmacy organization, we deliver meaningful solutions to the people we serve. As pioneers in specialty drug management, industry leaders in Medicaid pharmacy programs and disruptors in pharmacy benefit management, we partner with our customers and members to deliver a best-in-class healthcare experience.

About Payer Matrix

Payer Matrix, LLC is a Specialty Drug Cost Containment Company who partners with commercial plans, Taft-Hartley Funds, and TPAs in the industry to help mitigate the financial risk and growing liability related to specialty drug costs. With over 30 years experience in the Specialty Pharmacy business market, the Company was formed to address the rising costs of these medications. Payer Matrix focuses on procuring alternative funding for specialty drugs, providing a substantial cost saving to our clients and members who may not otherwise have this type of discounted access to the medication they need. For more information, visit payermatrix.com.

About ELMCRx Solutions

ELMCRx Solutions, LLC assists consulting firms, reinsurers, healthcare coalitions, health plans, insurance captives, TPAs, Taft-Hartley Trust Funds, and employers in negotiating contracts and managing the risks and costs associated with pharmacy benefit plans. ELMCRx's Tesser Rx Clinical Prior Authorization Program offers a unique method of eliminating cost from the pharmacy benefit delivery system through the proper program design, control of costs and clinical utilization. These consulting and cost containment services combine to deliver the best, unbiased outcome for both the plan sponsor and member. For more information, visit www.elmcgroup.com.

SOURCE Amalgamated Employee Benefits Administrators

Related Links

http://www.amalgamatedbenefits.com


Wesley Belisle, 4, died in April 2018 when he was swept into the Atlantic Ocean while on a vacation in North Carolinas Outer Banks with his parents, Lindsey and Derek Belisle. At the time, authorities said Wesley was walking along a beach with his mother when he was pulled out to sea by a rogue wave.
In a recently conducted poll on StarPlay, a popular idol voting application, K-pop fans worldwide voted on which K-pop songs best represent spring. From BTS to MAMAMOO, these are the songs that topped the ranks!

BTS's "Spring Day" Selected as the Top Song That Best Represents Spring

StarPlay recently held a poll titled "Spring is Here! What is the song to listen to in spring?" Topping the list is BTS's 2017 release is "Spring Day," which garnered 50.01% of the total votes.

It is no surprise the song ranked so high - "Spring Day" was considered a huge commercial success in South Korea, topping all eight of the major South Korean music charts upon its release, including MelOn, Mnet, Genie Music, and Olich.



"Spring Day" is the longest-charting song on the MelOn chart and is still charting to this day.

"Spring Day" was the sixth best-performing song in Feb. 2017, according to the Gaon Monthly Chart, based on the song's digital sales, background music (instrumental) downloads, and streaming. Overall, during the year of its release, "Spring Day" was the 13th best-performing song in South Korea.

ALSO READ: BTS to Release a New Single in May

In the United States, "Spring Day" peaked at the top of the Billboard World Digital Songs chart, making it BTS's first number one on the said charts.

PENTAGON's "Spring Snow" Selected as the Second Best Song That Represents Sping

Trailing after BTS is PENTAGON with their song "Spring Snow," which garnered 22.35% of the votes. "Spring Snow" was released in 2019 as a b-side from their "Genie:us" album. PENTAGON started promoting "Spring Snow" on Apr. 16, 2019, for a week.



"Spring Snow" is described as a happy and heart-pumping alternative rock song that talks about the group's experiences from the Spring of 2018. The lyrics are written by members Kino, Yuto, and Wooseok. Kino is also credited for helping produce the music for the track.

MAMAMOO's "Spring Fever" Selected as the Best Girl Group Song That Best Represents Spring

After PENTAGON's "Spring Snow" is MAMAMOO's "Spring Fever" at third place, which amassed 7.49% of the total votes. "Spring Fever" is a b-sidetrack from MAMAMOO's 2018 album, "Yellow Flower."

"Yellow Flower" is the first installation of MAMAMOO's "Four Seasons, Four Colors" project, focusing on spring. So it is no surprise that "Spring Fever" was able to rank so high!



"Yellow Flower" debuted and peaked at the top of the Gaon Album Chart, making it MAMAMOO's first number-one album. At the end of the year it was released, it charted at number 87 on the Gaon Album Chart's yearly edition for 2018. In the United States, "Yellow Flower" peaked at number seven on the Billboard World Album Charts/

The song "Spring Fever" was co-written by member Moonbyul.

These are the TOP 10 Songs That Best Represent Spring, According to StarPlay.

1. BTS - "Spring Day" (50.01% of the votes)

2. PENTAGON - "Spring Snow" (22.35% of the votes)

3. MAMAMOO - "Spring Fever" (7.49% of the votes)

4. Golden Child - "Spring Again" (5.84% of the votes)

5. SHINee - "Love Sick" (5.84% of the votes)

6. N.Flying - "Spring Memories" (3.50% of the votes)

7. Chen - "Beautiful goodbye" (2.26% of the total votes)

8. Yesung - "Spring in me (Duet. Dalchong of CHEEZE)" (1.26% of the votes)

9. Jung Eunji - "The Spring (feat. Hareem)" (0.17% of the votes)

Did your favorite spring song make the list? Tell us in the comments!

For more K-Pop news and updates, always keep your tabs open here on KpopStarz.

KpopStarz owns this article.

Written by Alexa Lewis
ROCHESTER, Minn. - It may feel like the first day of school again for many students and families as the Rochester Public School District welcomes all middle and high school students back into the classroom.

With students required to learn at a distance for nearly a year Willow Creek Principal Andrew Kappel says its been a combination of excitement and nerves on their first day back.

He explained, It's different but it's very good and it's very refreshing to see kids faces and for them to see each other. I would say overall the experience in the building and feeling in the building today was one of very positive energy and people just being re-energized to finish the year strong.

Kappel says the schedule hasnt changed too much from pre-pandemic learning however he does say more lunches have been built in to the schedule to allow for social distancing.

He also says inside the classrooms desks and class sizes are smaller. Technology is also being used in different ways to account for the 20% of Willow Creek Middle School students who have opted to still learn from home.

He added, Were utilizing technology, as we've learned how to do in different ways this year already, to incorporate both those students in-person and those students at home to collaborate whether you're sitting in the same room or you're in a different room. Some change, some stay the same. Its very much school as we knew it in a very different way.

A schedule change for both middle and high school students involves when the day ends. Its not a half an hour earlier at 2pm so teachers are able to have a bit of extra planning time.
What a thoughtful directive by the Napa City and American Canyon city councils  telling select grocery stores and pharmacies to raise their employees pay by $5 per hour for 120 days as a thank you for their continuous work through the shutdown.

But why only certain grocery stores? Why not all grocery stores and small market employees? Their staff also worked throughout the shutdown. What about the employees at Ace, Home Depot, Wal-Mart, auto repair businesses, plumbers, electricians, 7-11  the list goes on. Why are they not being similarly thanked by the councils $5 per hour wage increase? Why are they excluded? This thoughtful gesture is in fact discriminatory, with these governmental entities choosing winners over losers.

Is one of the reasons because of a belief larger businesses can absorb the higher overhead (as there are associated costs other than just $5 per hour to employees)? The large Southern California grocery stores closed because they could not afford such government-enforced generosity when they were similarly directed. This is the same issue presented by mandated minimum wages - why employees end up being laid off to afford such a mandate.
The answer to the question above obviously depends on the aficionado assessing the build. So, instead of getting caught up in the debate, perhaps it's best to let the big coupe do the talking. For now, this means focusing on a race that saw the Challenger Hellcat engaging in a friendly fire with a Dodge Charger Hellcat It looks like these drivers stuck to the Mopar or no car pathway even when it came to racing, with the two enthusiasts getting together for a series of night runs. However, we have to remind you to steer clear of such street battles and head over to the drag strip when you feel like doing battle.YouTuber Mod2Fame, who owns the two-door, decided to pursue a standout path for the project. So, even though this is a TT monster with an appetite for racing, it comes with a built six-speed manual rather than a two-pedal setup found on most builds that aim to grab the win.The HEMI under the hood packs ball-bearing oil-less Comp Turbo hardware, which delivers around 950 wheel horsepower when working at 15 PSI, while turning up the boost to 20 PSI sees the motor breaking the four-digit barrier, with an output of up to 1,100 whp.Returning to the muscle sedan we have here, which is obviously an automatic, it features goodies described as full bolt-ons, including an E85 setup. And, like its two-door opponent, it comes with an interchiller that uses the AC compressor to keep the intake air temperature in check.The first YouTube clip below showcases the Dodge vs. Dodge battle, with the action kicking off at the 4:40 point. As for the second video, it brings a recent dyno run of the Challenger that backs up the said muscle numbers in the Florida heat (10:20 timestamp).
A cooling headband could be the solution migraine sufferers have been looking for to be able to enjoy a pain free life.

The $69 headbands have been launched online by South Australian company Zoe Tech, and promise to rapidly sooth headaches and migraines.

The company says the headgear has been clinically proven to provide relief from headaches and migraines.

A cooling headband could be the solution migraine sufferers have been looking for to be able to enjoy a pain free life

The $69 headbands have been launched online by South Australian company Zoe Tech, and promise to rapidly sooth headaches and migraines

'Ice and pressure applied to the neck or head is a natural way to calm angry, painful headaches,' the company assures.

The Zoe headband fits on the head like a beanie, but has a strap on the back to be able to adjust the size or add pressure.

The hat comes with gel cushions which insert into pockets in the headband.

They are also infused with essential oils which the company claims can be soothing when suffering from a headache or migraine.

And customers seem pleased with the innovative product.

'I bought this for the occasional migraines I get. It has also been super handy for my sore neck,' one woman said - giving the product five stars.

Other five-star reviews claimed the hat was easy to wear and not too cold.

'I have tried most home remedies and nothing works quite like this,' another woman claimed and said she even gave one of the hats to her friend who also loves it.

'Ice and pressure applied to the neck or head is a natural way to calm angry, painful headaches,' the company assures

The caps are meant to be kept in the freezer so they are ready to be used when I migraine hits.

Zoe Tech is a company from Marleston, in Adelaide, South Australia.

They pride themselves on their holistic approach to care and say they aim to empower women to take back their power and live less painful lives.

They also sell infrared sauna blankets and devices to help reduce period pain.
The recent COVID-19 bill that was signed into law originally had a provision to raise the federal minimum wage to $15. That provision was removed and any such attempts to increase minimum wage appear to have died in Congress, for now. Thats the good news.

The not-so-good-news is where the support for raising minimum wage to $15 is coming from. As a talking point on the campaign trail for many liberal politicians, it is no surprise that a push from the left has moved the issue into the national spotlight. What is a bit surprising is the support from self-described evangelical Christians for the $15 an hour proposal.

Is a federal minimum wage biblical?

The argument that not paying people a living wage is immoral and, therefore, unbiblical, is prevalent in discussions with Christians on this topic. But, before we can label something immoral and tie it to a biblical mandate, we must first answer the question about what a living wage is and where it should be applied.

Source:The Christian Post
ROME, APR 6 - Walter Biot, the Italian navy captain arrested on suspicion of spying for Russia, reportedly told his lawyer Tuesday that "it is not possible to view on a PC the content of documents regarding State secrecy or at a high level of secrecy". Biot's lawyer, Roberto De Vita, said "they are documents that you can only print, and he was not cleared or equipped to print (documents)". Biot is accused of passing on dozens of classified documents on NATO telecoms systems and other top-secret matters to two Russian embassy officials who have been expelled from Italy. A judge who remanded him in custody reportedly said he had at least 81 screen grabs of top-secret documents. (ANSA).
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Lana Narine, an assistant professor of geospatial analytics in the Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, is part of a research team whose recent study presented a breakthrough in the capabilities of a NASA satellite to examine the three-dimensional structure of forests.

The study, Using ICESat-2 to Estimate and Map Forest Aboveground Biomass: A First Example in the Remote Sensing journal, shows how NASAs Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite-2, or ICESat-2, can be used to estimate aboveground biomass, or AGB, of forests and map its distribution. The upscaling of AGB estimates was done in conjunction with other available data, including vegetation indices from Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager.

Narine said limited information on the three-dimensional structure of forests has contributed to uncertainties in the carbon budget. However, ICESat-2 can capture this information using its photon-counting light detection and rangingor lidarinstrument, the Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System, or ATLAS.

Lidar facilitates direct three-dimensional structural measurements, and utilization of this technology from a space-based platform translates to exciting possibilities for assessing forest resources up to global scales, Narine said.

Knowing the capabilities of the novel ICESat-2, and specifically photon-counting lidar data from a space-based platform, allows for a better understanding of the satellites capabilities and limitations for characterizing vegetation.

With ICESat-2 providing elevation measurements globally, a plethora of indicators of ecosystem health and functionincluding a key surrogate measure of forest AGBcan be potentially estimated to support sustainable management of forests, Narine said.

The ICESat-2 mission was primarily designed to capture ice measurements, but its remarkable capture of data over vegetated areas offers current and future investigators broader insights into ecosystem structure and the potential to contribute to the sustainable management of forest ecosystems.

Narines research implemented methods she had worked on prior to the start of the mission to better understand the data and to develop methodologies for vegetation applications.

Janaki Alavalapati, dean of the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, said the study is groundbreaking in its field.

Dr. Narines role in researching the capabilities of the NASA Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite-2 is yet another notable contribution from our faculty in the rapidly evolving field of geospatial and environmental informatics, Alavalapati said. This study has provided the first example of the satellites unique ability to gather critical data from forests that was previously unavailable.

Narines co-authors were Sorin C. Popescu and Lonesome Malambo of the Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology at Texas A&M University, Narines former institution. Narine is a co-investigator on a NASA grant with the same team, with Popescu as principal investigator.

(Written by Teri Greene)
The Vermont Foodbank is extremely thankful to the USDA for addressing this significant gap in support for our neighbors in need, says Vermont Foodbank CEO John Sayles.

The Vermont Foodbank commends the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)s decision to expand Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, known in Vermont as 3SquaresVT, to an estimated 25 million people nationwide. Nationally, this increased benefit will provide about $1 billion per month in additional food assistance. In Vermont, the increase is estimated to be about $2 million per month.

Households receiving less than $95 in emergency allotment benefits under the previous policy will be eligible for this additional support, which supplements the lowest income households participating in each state.

The emergency SNAP increases authorized by Congress last year were not being distributed equitably, and the poorest households  who have the least ability to absorb the economic shocks brought about by COVID  received little to no emergency benefit increases, said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. As part of President Bidens commitment to deliver economic relief and ensure every family can afford to put food on the table, todays actions will provide much-needed support for those who need it most.

The Vermont Foodbank is extremely thankful to the USDA for addressing this significant gap in support for our neighbors in need, says Vermont Foodbank CEO John Sayles. The USDA has issued about $29 billion in additional benefits since the start of the pandemic, but households already at the maximum 3SquaresVT benefit amount received no additional support. This funding will help those who were already at or close to receiving the current maximum benefit. It also means that an additional $2 million a month will be spent at Vermont grocery stores, farmers markets, and farm stands in every community. We are very grateful to the USDA for this expanded emergency allotment and bringing more support to Vermont retailers and food producers.

To learn more about 3SquaresVT, see if you qualify, or to apply, visit vermontfoodhelp.com. For more information about the Vermont Foodbank, please visit vtfoodbank.org.

###

The Vermont Foodbank is the states largest hunger-relief organization, providing nutritious food through a network of 215 food shelves, meal sites, senior centers, and after-school programs, and directly to families, children, older adults and individuals at schools and hospitals. Last year, the Vermont Foodbank provided 11.7 million pounds of food to people throughout Vermont. The Vermont Foodbank, a member of Feeding America, is nationally recognized as one of the most effective and efficient nonprofits and food banks in the nation. Learn more at http://www.vtfoodbank.org.
NEW HAVEN  U.S. Marshals have obtained an Interpol red notice, defined as a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action, as the search for Qinxuan Pan continues.

New Haven police obtained a warrant charging Pan with the slaying of Kevin Jiang, a graduate student at Yale, in late February. The department had named him as a person of interest in the case Feb. 10. The search for Pan was expanded nationwide on March 1.

Jiang was shot to death on Lawrence Street in the citys East Rock neighborhood Feb. 6.

U.S. Marshal Matthew Duffy said Tuesday that the agency, in securing the Interpol notice, had not ruled anything out considering Pans whereabouts.

The U.S. Marshals and the New Haven Police Department are still working diligently on this fugitive case, said Duffy.

A red notice, according to Interpols website, is an international wanted persons notice, but it is not an arrest warrant.

Red Notices are published by INTERPOL at the request of a member country, and must comply with INTERPOLs Constitution and Rules. A Red Notice is not an international arrest warrant, Interpol officials said on their website. They are used to simultaneously alert police in all our member countries about internationally wanted fugitives. Police in other countries can then be on the watch for them and use the Red Notice to support extradition proceedings.

Jiangs fellow students and members of Trinity Baptist Church, where he volunteered, raised funds to support his family. He had proposed to his fiancee, Zion Perry, a week before his death.

The U.S. Marshals office for Connecticut previously had reported Pan, a graduate student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, could possibly be staying with friends or family in the Duluth or Brookhaven areas of Georgia.

New Haven police have said that anyone who knows of Pans whereabouts should use extreme caution and asked they call the department at 203-946-6304.

The U.S. Marshals office for Connecticut said they can be contacted at 1-877-926-8332, and tips also can be submitted via the USMS Tips app or online at www.usmarshals.gov/tips.

william.lambert@hearstmediact.com
Mumbai, April 6 : Same-sex love stories with male protagonists, although rare, have still been explored on the Hindi screen, but lesbianism is relatively rarer. The rise of OTT culture has created a platform to explore a variety of subjects. Lesbianism, a taboo word in India, is finding space, too, over the recent past.

Moving away from formula-driven content, the digital space has been intrepid in narrating stories where a woman would express love to another woman uninhibitedly.

There are quite a few projects that have come up spotlighting lesbian love. IANS lists some of these:

Ajeeb Dastaans

Image Source: IANS Anthology 'Ajeeb Daastaans' to digitally premier on April 16

The upcoming anthology is all about love and longing. However, one story featuring actresses Konkona Sen Sharma and Aditi Rao Hydari explores a relationship between two women. Titled "Geeli Pucchi" and directed by "Masaan" maker Neeraj Ghaywan, the story revolves around two women who long for an emotional connect and end up finding it in one another.

Bombay Begums

Image Source: IANS 'Bombay Begums' to release on Women's Day (credit: Instagram)

The show, starring Pooja Bhatt, Shahana Goswami, Amruta Subhash, Plabita Borthakur and Aadhya Anand, touches upon themes of ambition, desire, struggle for power and vulnerability through the stories of five modern Indian women in Mumbai. When it dropped, a sensual kissing scene between Plabita and co-actress Sanghmitra Hitaishi created quite a stir.

The Married Woman

Image Source: IANS The Married Woman

The web series is about a relationship two women develop, and the circumstances that lead to it. The show stars Monica Dogra and Ridhi Dogra and is based on author Manju Kapur's bestseller novel of the same name.

Four More Shots Please!

Image Source: IANS News Four More Shots Please.

The show isn't just about lesbian relationships but one of the lead characters, played by Bani J, is bisexual. Soon, the story shifts to Bani's character falling in love with Lisa Ray's character and the story revolves around their relationship.

-- Syndicated from IANS
A Sydney croupier has been charged as part of an alleged card cheating scam, banking $35,000 along with a casino customer, police claim.

The man will appear in court on Wednesday charged as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged card cheating scam.

In February 2021, police received information that an employee and patron had been observed cheating at a card table at a Sydney casino.

Detectives arrested a 26-year-old man at a casino in Sydney on Wednesday 3 March 2021.

In February 2021, police received information that an employee and patron had been observed cheating at a card table at a Sydney casino (stock image)

He was taken to Day Street Police Station and charged with engage in conduct that corrupts betting outcome of event and dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception.

Police will allege in court that the man, who was a Baccarat table dealer at the casino, was involved in an organised cheating scam with a patron between February and March 2021, totalling over $35,000.

The Hurstville man was granted conditional bail to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who is on a two-day visit to India, will hold talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at New Delhi on Tuesday. They are most likely going to have a discussion over the ongoing peace negotiations on Afghanistan. They are also likely to have a discussion on the development of COVID-19 vaccines. This comes after Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla visited Russia in February this year. Shringla met Lavrov and discussed a wide-ranging Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

On Monday, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi was quoted by ANI as saying "The visit will be a unique opportunity to discuss important aspects of bilateral ties, where preparations for the next India Russia annual summit will also be reviewed. Perhaps discussions will also be held on regional and international issues of mutual interest."

Jaishankar and Lavrov are also expected to prepare the ground for the summit meeting between the head of states which is expected to take place later this year. The India-China conflict in eastern Ladakh might also be an important topic.

The outcomes of the 20th Russian-Indian summit held in September 2020 will also be implemented by the Russian foreign minister. An official statement informed, "The heads of the Foreign Ministries of Russia and India will exchange views on vital issues of the international and regional agenda, including interaction in the #UN, the #SCO, and #BRICS, which is chaired by India this year, as well as the #RIC. An important set of topics related to the Asia-Pacific region and Afghanistan will be discussed."

COVID-19 In India

India reports 96,982 new COVID-19 cases, 50,143 discharges, and 446 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per the Union Health Ministry.

Total cases: 1,26,86,049

Total recoveries: 1,17,32,279

Active cases: 7,88,223

Death toll: 1,65,547



A total of 8,31,10,926 vaccinations have been administered in the country so far, including 43,00,966 vaccinations on Monday, informed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

(With Agency Inputs)

Image: AP
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  New Mexico State Universitys College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences is hosting a summer camp that will offer 30 teenagers the management skills behind ranching.

The deadline to apply for the camp, known as the New Mexico Youth Ranch Management Camp, is April 16, according to a news release from NMSU.

The program starts June 13 and runs until June 18 and is open to teenagers between the age of 15 and 19. Attendees will receive college-level instruction in how to manage a ranch, including financial statements, marketing strategies, producing quality beef and managing natural resources and wildlife, the release said.

Previously, the camp only accepted in-state students, but is now reserving three of the 30 slots for out-of-state students, according to the release.

Once applicants are accepted, a fee of $300 is required to cover a portion of the participants expenses at camp. Scholarship opportunities are available at https://nmyrm.nmsu.edu/index.html. To register, visit https://nmyrm.nmsu.edu/nmyrmc-app.html.

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Spain is stepping up its vaccination drive, with prime minister Pedro Sanchez saying that a steep rise in deliveries over coming months will allow the country to inoculate 70% of its adult population, some 33 million people, against Covid-19 by the end of August.

The priority now, more than ever, is to vaccinate without respite, Mr Sanchez told a news conference.

Vaccinate, vaccinate and vaccinate, he said.

Spains new Covid-19 infections have been edging higher in recent weeks.

The 14-day cumulative incidence, a key contagion metric, rose on Monday to 163 cases per 100,000 people, from 149 a week earlier.

Spain expects to receive 87 million doses by September.

Anyone who wants a vaccine will be able to get one, Mr Sanchez said.

Expand Close Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez removes his face mask (Bernat Armangue/AP) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez removes his face mask (Bernat Armangue/AP)

Those deliveries will include 38 million between April and June, 3.5 times more than in January-March, Mr Sanchez said, when vaccine deliveries across Europe fell short of expectations.

To help the rollout pick up speed, some cities are opening mass vaccination centres.

The Spanish health system has capacity to inoculate 3.5 million people a week, according to Mr Sanchez.

Mr Sanchez set out a series of intended milestones: five million people vaccinated by the first week of May, 10 million by early June, 15 million by mid-June and 25 million by July 15.

Supplies of the recently approved Janssen vaccine will help add momentum to the rollout, with five million of those jabs expected by the end of June.

We are at the beginning of the end of the pandemic, Mr Sanchez said, though such hopes have risen before in Europe only to be dashed by unforeseen problems with vaccine production.

He said that under the national vaccination programme about 98% of people who live in elderly care homes or who are disabled have already received a first jab, while almost 80% of people over the age of 80 have had their first dose.
GREENWICH, Conn., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Starwood Property Trust (NYSE: STWD) today announced that the Company will release its first quarter 2021 financial results on Thursday, May 6, 2021 before the opening of trading on the New York Stock Exchange. A conference call will be held on Thursday, May 6, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

During the conference call, the Company's officers will review first quarter performance, discuss recent events and conduct a question-and-answer period.

Webcast

The conference call will also be available in the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at www.starwoodpropertytrust.com. To listen to a live broadcast, go to the site at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time in order to register, download and install any necessary audio software. A replay of the call will also be available for 90 days on the Company's website.

To Participate in the Telephone Conference Call:

Dial in at least five minutes prior to start time.

Domestic: 1-877-407-9039

International: 1-201-689-8470

Conference Call Playback:

Domestic: 1-844-512-2921

International: 1-412-317-6671

Passcode: 13718432

The playback can be accessed through May 13, 2021.

Full Text of the Earnings Release

Internet -- The full text of the earnings release will be available on Thursday, May 6, 2021 at the Company's web site, www.starwoodpropertytrust.com.

at the Company's web site, www.starwoodpropertytrust.com. Mail -- For those without Internet access, the first quarter earnings release will be available by mail or fax, on request. To receive a copy, please call the Company's Investor Relations line at 203-422-7788.

About Starwood Property Trust, Inc.

Starwood Property Trust (NYSE: STWD), is a leading diversified finance company with a core focus on the real estate and infrastructure sectors. An affiliate of global private investment firm Starwood Capital Group, the Company has successfully deployed over $68 billion of capital since inception and manages a portfolio of over $18 billion across debt and equity investments. Starwood Property Trust's investment objective is to generate attractive and stable returns for shareholders, primarily through dividends, by leveraging a premiere global organization to identify and execute on the best risk adjusted returning investments across its target assets. Additional information can be found at www.starwoodpropertytrust.com.

Contact:

Zachary Tanenbaum

Starwood Property Trust

Phone: 203-422-7788

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Starwood Property Trust, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.starwoodpropertytrust.com


Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-05 15:39:59|Editor: huaxia

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Over 10,000 Asian Americans gathered in New York on Sunday for a "Stop Asian Hate" rally. The demonstrators assembled at Foley Square in Lower Manhattan, and marched to City Hall Park and across the Brooklyn Bridge before ending at Cadman Plaza in Brooklyn.

Local officials, victims of hate crimes and people from various ethnic communities participated in the event.

The Asian participants included Chinese Americans and hundreds of people with Nepali, Myanmar or Malaysian origins.

Organizers of the rally urged the government to track cases and data on hate crimes, give top priority to the issue, and crack down on hate speeches and actions.

Politicians should stop defaming and scapegoating Asian Americans right now, said the CAACR, which also calls on law enforcement departments to further fight discrimination and hate violence and impose harsh punishment on perpetrators.

Hate crime prevention divisions should provide more language service to Asian communities and victims and join hands with local communities to work out strategies, stressed the CAACR, adding that governments at both state and city levels should raise public awareness to fight Asian hate crimes and discrimination by providing people with more related information.

The government also needs to provide more resources and funds to non-profit organizations on crime prevention and education so as to safeguard solidarity in diversified communities, it said.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service
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Innocent was a man of the people and a man for the people. The world has lost a humanist, an intellectual, and a decent man. His legacy is forever etched in our hearts, and his immortality will be reflected in our continuous fight against injustice and inequality.

Writing this tribute is painful because I had intended to celebrate Innocent Chukwuma with a eulogy when he left Ford Foundation as Regional Director for West Africa in December 2020, but life got in the way and I kept pushing it till later. The plan was to recognise his pioneering efforts in Nigerias civic space and his contributions to entrenching democracy in Nigeria, including his fervent support for civic organisations and young emerging leaders, before his glorious exit on April 3. For many people in my generation who did not know him well, Innocent was my friend, brother, and mentor, and his death cuts so deep. Iroko, as many call him, had a significant influence on my life and career. He cleared the path for many people like me to follow. He was a leader of thought who bestrode several sectors and works of life in his activism, leaving imprints of innovation, knowledge, and impactful results.

Innocent was intentional about investing in people, especially young people. I was 25 and fresh out of Law School when Innocent invited me to join a high-level Civil Society Panel on Police Reforms established by CLEEN Foundation to perform a diagnostics on policing in Nigeria and to proffer recommendations for repositioning the Nigerian Police. Ms. Ayo Obe, a former Chairperson of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), chaired the panel, which had other leading CSO voices and scholars as members. At that point, I had limited knowledge of police reforms, but I was passionate about human rights. Innocent had faith in me, and he availed me the opportunity to learn. Fascinated by the panels theory of change, I asked Innocent after one of our sessions why he was so interested in reforming an institution like the police, which seemed resistant to change and decimated beyond redemption? Without sounding pedantic, he responded, I only see opportunities we transform our institutions by engaging them. My idea of activism and civil society was transformed from that day. Innocent was an unapologetic patriot who believed our democratic institutions could still work for the common good. This philosophy has shaped our work on elections, legislative engagement, and citizen participation at Yiaga Africa.

Innocent was a firm believer in young people and my generation. He stands out as one leader who cared so much about intergenerational transition. He made concerted efforts to bridge the gap between his generation of civic actors and emerging civic activists. His depth of knowledge on students unionism and Nigerias democracy struggle was unparalleled. I attribute my little knowledge of the internal dynamics that shaped the students movement during Nigerias dark days under the military to my one-on-one interactions with Innocent at various times. Having served as a students union leader in his days, he always lamented the deplorable state of students union activism in Nigeria and his determination to fix it. His proposed memoir was to serve as a guide and tool of inspiration for mine and the upcoming generation of civic activists. He never declined an invitation to speak to young people because he considered it an opportunity to pass the torch to the next generation. Inspired by Innocent, I launched a mentorship programme in January 2020 to build a new cadre of young civic leaders.

He taught me many valuable lessons on being an effective leader in the public space and managing successes and failures. He told me of his triumphs and struggles, personal values and convictions, and how he has continued to stay focused on his work, despite distractions and personal attacks from various quarters.

In 2019, Innocent invited me to join the working group of the Symposium on Strength in Solidarity in Human Rights, a fascinating new project he kickstarted with Professor Chris Stone at the Columbia University, U.S.A, to rebuild strength and solidarity in the field of human rights. This project saw us hosting meetings in New York and Jordan with other leaders of social movements across the world. On that particular trip, Innocent shared his fascination with social investing and impact bonds as a new way of financing development work. He counseled that I explore this emerging new area with my work at Yiaga Africa. He taught me many valuable lessons on being an effective leader in the public space and managing successes and failures. He told me of his triumphs and struggles, personal values and convictions, and how he has continued to stay focused on his work, despite distractions and personal attacks from various quarters. These lessons remain indelibly written in my heart, and it continues to guide my work in the civic space.

Innocent was a firm believer in leadership transition as a catalyst for institutional growth. This manifested in the way he managed CLEEN Foundation, an organisation he founded before joining the Ford Foundation as Regional Director in 2012. For Innocent, the best way to leave a lasting legacy as a civic leader is to invest in building institutions that outlive us. Nine years after his exit as Executive Director of CLEEN Foundation, the organisation still plays a leading role in the field of criminal justice administration and democratic governance, with the same degree of tenacity.

As a collaborator-in-chief who abhorred the silo-mentality, he facilitated collaborations to drive social and political change. I recall a dinner he hosted in New York with myself, Seun Onigbinde of BudgIT, Yemi Adamolekun of EiE Nigeria, and a few others to discuss pathways for addressing Nigerias dysfunctional political system. In 2019, he also facilitated a joint partnership between Ford Foundation, National Endowment for Democracy, and Yiaga Africa to mobilise international pressure for political reforms in Nigeria, following the outcome of the 2019 general elections. Through his support, we hosted our first major event in Washington D.C. in October 2019.

He ignited our fire and passion for the Nigeria project and gave us a roadmap on how to get there. He was indeed a bridge-builder between the past and future generations, and it is on the shoulders of men like Innocent that movements like the Not Too Young to Run continue to thrive. We owe him a debt of gratitude.

It will be remiss of me not to mention his unwavering support and dedication towards the Not Too Young to Run movement. A few months ago, he spent some time with the movements leadership to design scenarios for the 2023 elections. As a visionary, he painted a clear picture of the opportunities for young people to capture political power and transform Nigerias public governance space. He gave hope and sold the dream of the possibilities pervading our political space. He ignited our fire and passion for the Nigeria project and gave us a roadmap on how to get there. He was indeed a bridge-builder between the past and future generations, and it is on the shoulders of men like Innocent that movements like the Not Too Young to Run continue to thrive. We owe him a debt of gratitude.

I was looking forward to welcoming him to the Blavatnik School of Government here at the University of Oxford for his fellowship before the news of his untimely demise broke out. My heart goes out to his lovely wife, Aunty Josephine, and his daughters for this irreparable loss.

Innocent was a man of the people and a man for the people. The world has lost a humanist, an intellectual, and a decent man. His legacy is forever etched in our hearts, and his immortality will be reflected in our continuous fight against injustice and inequality.

Adieu, my brother and mentor! Rest in power and strength!

Samson Itodo is a Master of Public Policy candidate at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford. He serves as the Executive Director of Yiaga Africa and the Convener of the Not Too Young To Run movement. He tweets @DSamsonItodo
UW Fisher Innovation Launchpad Pitch Day Aims to Launch New Business Ventures

Six student-led teams from the University of Wyoming will pitch their business concepts to a panel of judges in hope of receiving startup funding for their ventures as part of the Fisher Innovation Launchpad Pitch Day Wednesday, April 7.

The virtual event begins at 9 a.m., with winners announced at 3:30 p.m. To register to attend, email laramie@uwyo.edu.

The Fisher Innovation Launchpad is a business startup competition hosted by IMPACT 307, UWs network of business incubators, and supported by a financial gift from Donne and Sue Fisher. The competition features teams that have been working over many months to hone their business models and create real-world companies that address real-world problems.

This years Fisher Innovation Launchpad finalist teams are:

-- Alere is a business with an application that specializes in intercity deliveries. Alere was founded by Ahmed Zankoor and Rami Alloush, both UW Ph.D. students majoring in petroleum engineering, and both from Egypt; and Ahmed Elnashar, a Ph.D. student in chemical engineering at the University of Utah.

-- B3 Solutions has created an inventory management program that works with midlevel retailers to keep an up-to-date stock. B3 was founded by Perri Meeks, a UW senior from Big Piney majoring in mechanical engineering; and Brayton Sanders, a 2020 UW MBA alumnus from Evanston.

-- Evoseer is a business that has created a new generation of more energy-efficient lithium batteries. Evoseer was founded by Kurt Stahlfeld, a UW Ph.D. student from Pittsburgh, Pa., majoring in mechanical engineering; and Erica Belmont, a UW associate professor of mechanical engineering.

-- HighPoint Plan is a business-to-business digital graphics team that helps contractors, architects and event planners visualize their end products. HighPoint Plan was founded by Alexzander Story, of Pacifica, Calif.; and Casey Bonagofsky, of Bismarck, N.D. Both are UW seniors in the architectural engineering program.

-- LifeGlass is a company that revolutionizes the way pharmaceuticals are transported and stored to make the process more efficient. The LifeGlass team consists of Ryan Bettcher, a UW Ph.D. student from Brighton, Colo., majoring in molecular biology; Chaz Childs, a UW associate research scientist in molecular biology; and Thomas Boothby, a UW assistant professor of molecular biology.

-- Wiredraw is a business that created a cloud-based project management software that reduces redundancies and delays, and allows for better information sharing among teams. Wiredraw was founded by Jared Henderson, a UW economics major from Greybull.
KSP Post 1 Welcomes Three New Sergeants

By West Kentucky Star Staff

WESTERN KENTUCKY - The Kentucky State Police in Post 1 is welcoming three new sergeants to supervisory roles.On March 18, Governor Andy Beshear joined the Kentucky State Police to recognize the promotion of 30 officers at a ceremony held at the KSP Training Academy.In September of 2020, Kentucky State Police Post 1 welcomed three new sergeants to its ranks. Due to the pandemic, the 2020 ceremony was postponed. With 'Healthy at Work' guidelines in place, the agency honored the troopers and officers promoted in 2020 with a private in-person ceremony.The governor congratulated the newly promoted officers at the event."I'm honored to be here and excited to see what is in your future," said Gov. Beshear. "We couldn't be in better hands as we confront challenge after challenge. I'm proud of each and every one of you for everything you have done."In Post 1, the following Troopers were promoted to Sergeant: Cory M. Hamby serves as the Detective Sergeant. Hamby has served with the KSP for ten years, all at Post 1. He is a Crittenden County native and lives in McCracken County with his wife and three children. Jonathan E. Murphy serves as the West Squad Sergeant. He was previously assigned to Post 2 Madisonville and has served with the KSP for nine years. Murphy is a Muhlenberg County native and still resides there with his wife and three children. Michael S. Settle serves as the East Squad Sergeant. He comes to Post 1 after serving with the KSP for 12 years at Post 16 in Henderson. Settle is a Todd County native and resides in Marshall County with his wife and seven children.
In 2004-2020, the United States provided more than $68 million for aging weapons and ammunition destruction and battle area clearance in Ukraine.

From 2004 to 2020, the United States provided more than $68 million for small arms and light weapons and ammunition destruction, as well as battle area clearance in Ukraine, reads the report of the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Political-Military Affairs.

As noted, Ukraine continues to address the legacy of the massive quantities of conventional arms and ammunition it inherited after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Most of these munitions are excess, aging, potentially unstable, and no longer suitable for use. They represent a significant security and proliferation threat domestically, regionally, and globally.

In addition, eastern Ukraine now suffers from extensive landmine and unexploded ordnance contamination due to the armed conflict with Russia. These explosive hazards pose a major threat to thousands of Ukrainians living in the conflict area, the report reads.

In 2020, the U.S. Department of State supported a number of partners working in Ukraine: HALO Trust, Danish Demining Group, Swiss Foundation for Mine Action, OSCE.

In general, the United States has provided more than $4 billion to support humanitarian mine action, physical security and stockpile management, and associated activities in over 100 countries since 1993.

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A teenager who is deaf and bald has fulfilled her childhood dream of being signed to a modelling agency after overcoming years of bullying because of her appearance.

Hannah Harpin, 18, from Mirfield, West Yorkshire, was born with Hay-Wells Syndrome, a rare condition which affects just 30 people worldwide and leads to the abnormal development of the skin, hair, nails, teeth and eyes.

'I have been bullied most of my life, from being sworn at in the street to strangers assuming I have cancer due to my baldness,' Hannah said.

'I've even been spat on by a boy and his friends filmed it. I have had really bad suicidal thoughts for years because of incidents like that.

'But I feel empowered now as I'm hoping to break down the stigma for disabled models.'

Hannah Harpin, 18, (pictured) from Mirfield, West Yorkshire, who was born with Haywell Syndrome, has signed with a UK modelling agency

Hannah (pictured) said strangers have sworn at her in the streets and some assume that she has cancer because she is bald

Hannah (pictured) revealed the years of bullying led her to battle suicidal thoughts, however she's now hoping to break the stigma for disabled models

Hannah is now hoping to fight against discrimination after signing with a UK modelling agency.

'It means the world to me to start off on my modelling career, getting to connect with lots of people and help people who are just like me,' Hannah said.

Hannah is the only person in her family with the genetic condition, also known as ectodermal dysplasia.

Despite the challenges she faces, Hannah has always dreamed of becoming a supermodel and breaking the stereotypes of the industry.

She said: 'When I was young I wanted to be a model but people said I would never make it.

'I want to be a model so I can help the fight against ableism and other forms of discrimination because I believe that everybody should have equal rights and be on the same level.

Hannah (pictured) who is the only member of her family to have the genetic condition, said she has been bullied for most of her life

Hannah (pictured) said she has wanted to be a model from a young age, however people told her she couldn't make it

'If we all teamed with each other I believe we could lower the rates of discrimination and my whole modelling career is going to be working towards this.'

Hannah has signed with Zebedee Management, a modelling agency that specialises in supplying diverse models and is passionate about redefining the perception of beauty and disability.

Although she expects to be met with barriers, Hannah hopes to one day travel the world as a model and walk in a Burberry fashion runway.

She said: 'It would mean so much to me to achieve this and I've made a promise to myself that I will help people and make a legacy for myself.'

Hannah (pictured) said wearing wigs has helped her career, however she has found empowerment from embracing being bald

Hannah revealed wearing wigs has helped her confidence in modelling, although she also embraces her naturally bald look.

She said: 'I love my wigs, the long ones especially, and reviewing wigs for people with medical hair loss.

'I just wish that human hair wigs would cost less for people with medical hair loss.

'I remember crying because I didn't have any hair as a child and I was jealous of other children but now I embrace the fact that I'm bald, it's really empowering.'

Hannah (pictured) revealed she plans to open her own charity to help women with medial hair loss access wigs

Hannah has already helped other women with medical hair loss by donating wigs to people who can't afford them and she plans to open her own charity to continue this in the future.

Hoping to inspire others to overcome hardship, Hannah said: 'It's okay to be who you are, hate makes the heart older and being kind makes the heart grow fonder.

'If you see any type of discrimination set that person aside and educate them instead of growing more hate.

'Spread love not hate and love yourself.'
A man who attempted to shoot Aliceville Assistant Police Chief Tony Thrasher outside a convenience store has been sentenced to serve life in prison with no possibility of parole.

John Robert Taylor, 65, was sentenced Monday for convictions of attempted murder, public intoxication and resisting arrest. 24th Judicial Circuit Judge Samuel Junkin noted Taylors extensive criminal history when he announced the sentence, saying that Taylors more than 40 arrests showed that he has no respect for the laws of the state.

Taylor was arrested at the B-Mart Convenience Store on Mobile Road in Aliceville on April 3, 2015. Assistant Chief Thrasher stopped there at 3:20 p.m. for a drink and noticed that Taylor smelled of alcohol and had been in a verbal altercation with the store manager.

Taylor resisted arrest and pulled a handgun when Thrasher attempted to arrest him for public intoxication.

The assistant chief witnessed Taylor attempt to pull the trigger several times before he deployed a Taser and took Taylor into custody. A jury found Taylor guilty after a trial in October. The cases were tried by District Attorney Andy Hamlin and Assistant District Attorney Jack Nolen. Taylor was represented by Joel Sogol.

Based on the violent nature of the offense and Taylors prior criminal history, I asked the court to sentence him to life without the possibility of parole, Hamlin said. This is the only way that I am certain that the public is protected.

Junkin also noted that the Assistant Chief Thrasher was a veteran of the Aliceville Police Department with more than 20 years experience who was serving and protecting the citizens of Aliceville when this occurred.

I think the Court sent a very clear message that there will be severe consequences for those that commit acts of violence in the 24th Circuit, especially against members of law enforcement.

Taylor was sentenced as a habitual felony offender, as the state proved that he had been convicted of three prior adult felonies. Because of that, he was subject to a heightened sentencing range under Alabamas Habitual Felony Offender Act, which has recently been a topic of much discussion, as there is currently a bill before the Alabama Legislature that would repeal the law leading to lighter sentences for repeat offenders.
Police on Tuesday detained supporters of Alexei Navalny outside his penal colony east of Moscow after they were denied access to the jailed Kremlin critic, who is on hunger strike demanding proper medical treatment

Pokrov, Russia, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Apr, 2021 ) :Police on Tuesday detained supporters of Alexei Navalny outside his penal colony east of Moscow after they were denied access to the jailed Kremlin critic, who is on hunger strike demanding proper medical treatment.

Among those detained was Anastasia Vasilyeva, Navalny's personal doctor and head of the Alliance of Doctors medical trade union which is critical of the government, according to the group and AFP journalists at the scene.

A CNN journalist was also detained.

Police in the Vladimir region where Navalny's penal colony is located said in a statement that nine people were detained for violating "public order".

They said that around 45 people had gathered at the colony, including some 30 journalists and bloggers.

Supporters of the 44-year-old opposition politician, including several doctors in white medical coats, arrived at the town of Pokrov around 100 kilometres (60 miles) east of Moscow earlier Tuesday to demand access to Navalny, but were rebuffed.

Navalny went on hunger strike last Wednesday to demand proper medical treatment for severe back pain and numbness in both legs, saying he had only been given painkillers.

On Monday, President Vladimir Putin's most vocal critic said he was now also suffering from a heavy cough and fever and that three people from his prison unit had been hospitalised with tuberculosis.

Later Monday, pro-Kremlin newspaper Izvestia cited the local branch of Russia's FSIN prison service in reporting that Navalny had been transferred to the colony infirmary and tested for the coronavirus. The FSIN declined to comment on Tuesday.

Navalny, who survived a near-fatal poisoning last August, has lost a total of 13 kilograms (28 Pounds) in the penal colony, including five kilograms over the past week, his lawyer Olga Mikhailova said.

Navalny's doctor Vasilyeva accused authorities of violating his rights by refusing to treat him properly.

"Of course I am afraid" for his health, Vasilyeva told reporters outside the penal colony.

"We are doctors -- that's why we are here today. Health should be a priority," she said, stressing that Navalny must be transferred to a "normal" hospital.

- 'Slow death' - Navalny's wife Yulia said in an Instagram post on Tuesday that she had received a letter from the head of the Pokrov colony saying that prison officials did not have the opposition figure's passport, meaning he could not be hospitalised or released early.

She also accused the head of the colony of cooking chicken within the colony's walls in an attempt to taunt her hunger-striking husband.

"Don't you forget, boss man, that if the unthinkable happens to Alexei, his death would be on Putin's conscience and yours, but Putin will throw you under the bus and make you a scapegoat," Navalnaya wrote, addressing the penal colony chief.

On Monday, the secretary general of Amnesty International, Agnes Callamard, said that she had written to Putin, urging him to make sure that Navalny is granted "immediate access to a medical doctor he trusts".

"There is a real prospect that Russia is subjecting him to a slow death," Callamard wrote on Twitter.

Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday said he was not aware of Callamard's letter, but added that Navalny was not entitled to any special treatment.

"Naturally, we cannot talk about any special conditions for one of the convicts," Peskov said.

Navalny was arrested in January after returning from Germany, where he spent months recovering from a poisoning attack he blames on the Kremlin.

He is serving a two-and-a-half year sentence for breaching the parole terms of a suspended sentence on old fraud charges in a penal colony that rights campaigners say is known for its harsh conditions.

On Monday, Navalny said that he would continue his hunger strike despite his deteriorating health.
De Beers plans put this new landfill in the vulnerable James Bay wetlands area, and in a place that has been of critical cultural, spiritual and subsistence importance to the Kattawapiskak Cree People for thousands of years. Attawapiskat First Nation fears another 'Juukan Gorge' disaster is going to occur if DeBeers gets its way, and the Indigenous community wants to alert De Beers' shareholders to be aware, before bad decisions are made.

Juukan Gorge was an Indigenous sacred site, thousands of years old, blasted by miner Rio Tinto in Australia. The violation of this Indigenous site resulted in widespread international media coverage and public outcry. The CEO of Rio Tinto and other senior executives resigned in September 2020, and Rio Tinto's Chair stepped down in March 2021 after the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility called on investors to "hold Thompson and other board members accountable". The Center said there would be "no realistic prospect of Rio Tinto rebuilding relationships, trust and reputation while those responsible for the degradation of its culture and social performance remain on the board."

The Victor Diamond Mine is now in the closure phase, where decommissioning and remediation are supposed to leave the landscape in a clean and safe state. The mine operated from 2005 to 2019 and with an annual production rate is 2.7 million tonnes a year, or about 600,000 carats a year in diamond grade. The proposed new landfill was not included in the original plans of the approved Environmental Assessment for the mine.

Major De Beers' shareholder Anglo American had a record USD $9.8 billion in earnings last year (before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization). Anglo American's CEO, Mark Cutafani, says the company has "a longstanding commitment as a leader in responsible mining, with numerous examples of our progressive business decisions across many decades" in association with its leadership for the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA). The Republic of Botswana promotes itself as an empowered, adaptive and environmentally conscious nation that has a long understanding of the impacts of diamond mining from colonialism, and the benefits of good environmental stewardship.

"We don't want another Juukan Gorge disaster in our Traditional Territory," says Attawapiskat First Nation, Council Member, Jack Linklater. "We don't believe that Anglo American and the Republic of Botswana want to allow De Beers staff to create a giant mine landfill in our Traditional Territory."

"Attawapiskat leadership says that the manner in which DeBeers is seeking Ontario approval for the new landfill is suspect. DeBeers has applied for 97,000 cubic metres of landfill volume, which is just shy of the 100,000 cubic metres threshold which would trigger a Comprehensive Environmental Assessment under Ontario law. This level gets the landfill under the legal radar, but does not mean it would be any less threatening," says Attawapiskat First Nation, Council Member, Sylvia Koostachin-Metatawabin.

DeBeers has a choice: it could pay the cost of transporting the demolition waste out of Attawapiskat First Nation Traditional Territory, where much of it could be reused and recycled and not left in vulnerable wetlands, threatening destruction of millenia-old cultural sites. Instead, DeBeers proposes this giant landfill that would leave the waste in this vulnerable area.

Even if this option is cheaper, do Anglo American and the Republic of Botswana really want to benefit from the extra profits DeBeers will make by building a giant landfill and leaving the waste to rot in this special and sacred place?

Leadership of the Attawapiskat First Nation is saying that Anglo American and Botswana have a choice to make: order De Beers to transport ALL of the mine waste that can be reused or recycled through the winter road it has maintained for the last many years, to markets and facilities where it can have future value.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1480747/Attawapiskat_First_Nation_Attawapiskat_First_Nation_Says_to_DeBe.jpg

Contact: Attawapiskat First Nation, Department of Lands and Resources: Charles Hookimaw, Director of Lands and Resources: +01-705-997-2375 ex. 137 / Email: charles.hookimaw@attawapiskat.org; Don Richardson, Environmental Consultant to Attawapiskat First Nation - +01-226-820-5086 / Email: don.richardson@sharedvaluesolutions.com

SOURCE Attawapiskat First Nation
Bengaluru, April 6 : Taking a tough stand, the Karnataka government on Tuesday ruled out any negotiations with various Road Transport Corporations employees deciding to go on an indefinite strike from Wednesday, demanding that their salaries be increased in accordance with the sixth pay commission recommendations.

The employees of four different state run road transport corporations have been demanding that the state government bring them under the government employees category in order to receive the benefits of pay commissions in the future too. They had gone on a four-day strike in December last year with the same demand.

After a detailed discussion with Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa, Chief Secretary P. Ravikmar told reporters that there is no question of treating RTC employees like other state government employees and implementing the sixth pay commission.

"The government has instead finalised a pay hike of eight per cent to RTC employees which we are ready to implement, but because of the model code of conduct in force due to the bypolls, we have not implemented this," he said.

The Chief Secretary claimed that he has already written to the Election Commission of India seeking its permission to implement the pay hike in light of the proposed indefinite strike from April 7.

"If the ECI permits, the pay hike will be implemented immediately. If not, after the bypolls. But for this we have decided there will be no negotiation and the strike will be dealt with strictly. The Chief Minister is clear on this," he said.

In response to a question, Kumar also dropped enough hints about enforcing the Essential Services Management Act (ESMA). "We are exploring 'every possible action within the legal framework' against the striking employees," he warned.

According to him, all the four transport corporations were reeling under severe losses already due to the reduction in ridership since last year due to the pandemic. "All RTCs combined, the government is incurring a loss of Rs 4 crore every day. The government had provided Rs 2,100 crore in the last one year to these RTCs and ensured all employees were paid salaries on time without any pay cut. We appeal to RTC employees to be considerate and not go on strike," the chief secretary said.

To minimize the strike impact, he stated that all alternate arrangements including appealing to the railways to run special trains and allowing private buses, maxi cabs to run routes, will be made to mitigate the inconvenience to the public.

Deputy Chief Minister Lakshman Savadi, who holds the Transport portfolio, told reporters that the demand for a salary hike as per the recommendations of the sixth pay commission needs a detailed discussion.

"This will put an additional burden of Rs 3,800 crore for next four years on the corporations at a time when the revenue is not sufficient to pay for existing salaries and fuel. Therefore, employees must take considerate view on calling the indefinite strike," he said.

The Karnataka transport department has about 37,019 workers. It runs a fleet of 17,138 buses through four separate transport corporations -- Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), North East Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NEKRTC), North West Road Transport Corporation (NWRTC) and Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC).

When the employees of all four corporations had gone on strike in December 2020 for four days, bus services across Karnataka had been severely affected.

Thousands of striking drivers and conductors of KSRTC were joined by those from BMTC, NEKRTC and NWKRTC at Bengaluru's Freedom Park.
New Delhi:

The Directorate of Higher Secondary Education (DHSE) has announced the results for Kerala Higher Secondary Plus One Improvement (Class 11) on Wednesday.

The DHSE Plus One Improvement Examination was conducted in July and the results were to be announced on September 20 but the announcement got delayed by a week.

The examination is conducted every year for the students who had failed in the regular annual exam conducted in March.

How to check the results

Visit the official website of Kerala DHSE - www.dhsekerala.go.in or Keralaresults.nic.in

On the page search for Plus One Improvement Exam Result 2017

Click on the link provided

Provide the details asked to assess results
Opinion

Why are school-age children being excluded?

Provincial government statistics indicate just under 13,000, or 12 per cent of, children aged six to 12 years, had the opportunity to attend licensed school-age (SA) child-care programs in our province. But if Bill 47, The Early Learning and Child Care Act, is passed this may no longer be the case. It is not what is written in this bill that is worrying, but what is missing.

This bill defines a "child" as an individual under the age of 12, a "preschool-age child", as a child two years of age or older who is not a SA and an "infant" as a child under two years. Yet, within the body of the bill there is no mention of services for SA children.

For example, under Part 2, it states, "A licensed provider who provides care and supervision of one or more infants or preschool-age children at a centre must provide an approved early-learning program as part of the care and supervision." Even though the act describes a SA child in the definitions, there is nowhere within the act that one could interpret that they have been included.

The omission of SA is leading those of us in the sector to question if there is a plan to eliminate this age group from the funding model.

If we examine the current legislation, the Community Child Care Standards Act, it defines a "child" as a person 12 years and under. This is clear; no one feels left out because it is an inclusive statement. Any six-year-old can tell you one of the biggest sins on the playground is to "exclude."

Another thing that children learn about is history. Regarding Bill 47, it is vital that the backstory to SA care in Manitoba be understood. Organized child care in Manitoba goes back to the early 1900s with day nurseries. These programs provided care for infants through to elementary-school children and assisted women who were the heads of households and who had to work.

In 1974, with the help of the Canadian Assistance Plan, the province established the Child Day Care Program. The focus of this was on infants and preschoolers. With more women entering the workforce the need for SA care was becoming an obvious issue.

In the 1970s and 80s, the term "latchkey kids" was being used to describe a generation of SA children who were being dismissed from school to spend the next few hours at home unsupervised. During this era, several charity groups started offering Lunch-and-after-Four programs (LAAF) but these were sparse. The documents from the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg and the Manitoba Legislature from 1975-80 illustrate the pressure that was being applied to fund care for SA children at the same level as preschool children.

In 1980, the door to funded SA care opened a crack when the budget included money to be used to meet the needs of families with SA children. Over the next few years there was a great deal of activity in relation to child care for all children up to 12 years as the province and the child-care sector geared up for the 1983 Community Child Day Care Standards Act. With this new Act, the care of SA children was under the same umbrella as their younger peers.

If the government plans to discontinue funding SA care, they will also lose control over the quality of care these children receive. Currently, licensed SA care programs must meet all regulations in the current act. One requirement is half of the staff must be trained Early Childhood Educators (ECEs). These professionals have specialized training in child development focusing on birth to 12 years. Many of these programs are also an extension of infant and preschool programs. This system works efficiently because the programs can share resources, expertise, and staffing. There can be a continuity of care and this can be critical when it comes to children with additional support needs.

By excluding SA children from the protection of the proposed Early Learning and Child Care Act, the government will take us back to the 1970s. Again, children in grades 1 through 6 will be left to fend for themselves until a parent gets home from work. This becomes a bigger issue for families on non-instructional days. The worst situation will be parents unable to re-enter the workforce, at the end of this pandemic because they are unable to obtain safe and affordable care for their SA child.

It is critical that all children and their families have access to quality care until the child is of the age where it is safe and reasonable for them to begin to experience independence.

Brenda Still is an early childhood educator who has been supervising a school-age child-care program for more than 10 years.
Saudi Arabian Logistics, the cargo logistics arm of national flag carrier Saudia, has sealed a cargo ground handling agreement with Dubai carrier Emirates SkyCargo.

A key player in the regional aviation sector, SAL provides premium ground handling services for multiple airlines at Saudi Arabias local airports and logistic support with cargo chain solutions.

The company also connects all means of transportation with local airports to make a larger contribution to vision 2030 and transform the Kingdom into a global logistic hub.

SAL said this deal comes as part of the companys strategy to logistically partner with the most reputed airlines with strong presence in the international arena.

CEO Omar Hariri said: "This cooperation with the leading Emirates SkyCargo as a logistic partner will have a positive effect on the flow of cargo operations at all our main stations in the kingdom."

"We take pride in this partnership which will boost the traffic of goods into the kingdom and also cargo from our domestic airports loaded into Emirates aircrafts where we have placed all logistic capabilities and resources including equipment and manpower to serve our mutual strategic objectives," he stated.

Hariri also highlighted the long track record of cooperation between Emirates SkyCargo and ground handling division at Saudia Cargo prior to the privatization of the sector when SAL has taken over all ground handling duties at all main airports in the Kingdom.

"Saudi Arabia is considered a market with high interest to Emirates SkyCargo and we have strong business relation with SAL," remarked Nabil Sultan, Divisional Senior Vice President at Emirates.

"We look forward, through the extension of this ground handling agreement, to continue our partnership and offer a rich and value-adding logistic services to our clientele in this market. We are confident that our operations will run smoothly and seamlessly due to SALs unique handling capabilities, which will consequently, bolster trade and cargo operations between the two countries," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Alexei Navalny went on hunger strike last week after the prison refused to acknowledge his complaints of a painful back. Photo: Shamil Zhumatov

Alexei Navalny, the jailed Russian opposition leader, has been moved to an in-house medical facility after running a fever and displaying signs of a respiratory illness, the prison service said.

In an earlier message released by his team, the 44-year-old  who went on hunger strike last week after the jail refused to treat back pain  claimed several cellmates had been hospitalised with tuberculosis.

The prisons statement offered no detail about when he took a turn for the worse, but said that all necessary tests had been done, including one for Covid-19.

In his message, the politician spoke of running a 38.1C temperature and experiencing a strong cough after three people from his prison section were hospitalised with TB.

He spoke about filthy plates in the dining room, joking that he was surprised that there is no Ebola outbreak here yet, such is our ideal, exemplary colony.

Mr Navalny went on hunger strike last Wednesday after authorities at his prison refused to let him see a doctor or receive medication from family. He has been in jail after returning to Russia from Germany in January, following his recovery from a nerve agent attack.

The fierce critic of Vladimir Putin has complained of a severe pain in his back that has spread to his right leg. He also said he is now losing sensation in his left leg.

His family and associates are worried that Mr Navalnys health problems could be related to his near-fatal poisoning last August when the politician fell suddenly ill on a plane from Moscow to Siberia.

Since he was airlifted to Germany, several independent laboratories have confirmed that he was poisoned with a Soviet-era nerve agent.

Mr Navalny has accused the Russian government of trying to kill him.

He was sent to the IK-2 penal colony, east of Moscow, last month after he was sentenced to almost three years in prison for failing to see his probation officer while convalescing in Germany.

Read More

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021]
Today

A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds light and variable.

Tonight

A few clouds. Low around 60F. Winds light and variable.

Tomorrow

Partly cloudy early. Scattered thunderstorms developing in the afternoon. High 86F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.
FORMER MDC vice-president Obert Gutu, who recently defected to the ruling Zanu PF party, has been shortlisted as one of the 30 candidates to fill eight vacancies at the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC).

But analysts yesterday described Gutus nomination for the NPRC as a tactic by government to reward him for defecting from the opposition party to the ruling Zanu PF party.

The NPRC public interviews will be conducted by the Parliament Standing Rules and Orders Committee on April 16 following the expiry of the term of office of the outgoing commissioners.

Six ex-members of the commission have been shortlisted for re-appointment and these include former deputy chairperson Lillian Chigwedere and Leslie Dube, among others.

Another big name on the shortlist is former executive director of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association, Okay Machisa.

Political analyst Alexander Rusero said Gutus shortlisting was a political charade by Zanu PF to prove that if opposition members dumped their parties in favour of the ruling party, they would be rewarded.

Zanu PF is operating on the logic of making all people in the opposition realise that there are dividends in joining Zanu PF rather than opposing for eternity, Rusero said.

Constitutionally, commissions are supposed to be apolitical, but the reality of the matter is that once you are serving in those commissions, in one way or the other, you have partisan bias of Zanu PF.

Rusero said Gutus shortlisting is testimony that if one defects to Zanu PF, they automatically have a ticket for lucrative positions. The commissioners have packages such as top-of-the-range cars and other benefits.

Some of the functions of the NPRC include ensuring post-conflict justice, healing and reconciliation, as well as developing and implementing programmes to promote national healing and peaceful conflict resolution in the country. Newsday
BRIDGEPORT  One person suffered non-life-threatening injuries in a shooting Monday night, a city official said.

Officers were dispatched around 11 p.m. to Bridgeport Hospital after a gunshot wound victim was dropped off by a private vehicle.

The initial investigation indicated the victim was shot in the right hip and hand, according to Scott Appleby, the citys director of emergency communications and emergency management.

Capt. Kevin Gilleran said the victim, a 28-year-old Stratford man, suffered two non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.

Appleby said the victim has been uncooperative with the investigation, so detectives are not yet sure where in the city the shooting occurred.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Abe Konoval at 203-581-5229 or the tips line at 203-576-TIPS.
Thermo Fisher Scientific to Host Oncomine World 2021 Virtual Event. April 29, 2021.

Thermo Fisher Scientific to hold Oncomine World 2021 virtually on April 29th, 2021, on the LabRoots platform. It is a chance to learn about the Ion Torrent Genexus NGS System in solid and hematologic tumor clinical research.

Thermo Fisher Scientifics Oncomine World 2021 will offer:



Dozens of on-demand educational presentations from our 2020 meetings

Demonstrations of the Ion Torrent Genexus System, recorded from a Thermo Fisher Scientific lab

The latest NGS research from Thermo Fisher Scientific with new posters in the Poster Hall

New content in the Precision Oncology Hall, with all about why and how genomic profiling for precision oncology should be done in-house, locally and close to patients

Thousands of professionals will be brought together for Thermo Fisher Scientifics inaugural, virtual next-generation sequencing (NGS) education meetings at this years event.

Earn CE credits from on-demand or live presentations and explore the virtual laboratories to learn about the new world of easy and fast NGS  the Genexus System.

To register for the event, and view the agenda and speakers, click here.

About Thermo Fisher Scientific:

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is the world leader in serving science, with annual revenue exceeding $25 billion. Our Mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. Whether our customers are accelerating life sciences research, solving complex analytical challenges, improving patient diagnostics and therapies or increasing productivity in their laboratories, we are here to support them. Our global team of more than 75,000 colleagues delivers an unrivaled combination of innovative technologies, purchasing convenience and pharmaceutical services through our industry-leading brands, including Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific, Unity Lab Services and Patheon. For more information, please visit http://www.thermofisher.com.

About LabRoots:

LabRoots is the leading scientific social networking website, offering top scientific trending news and premier educational virtual events and webinars. Contributing to the advancement of science through content sharing capabilities, LabRoots is a powerful advocate in amplifying global networks and communities. Not registered yet as a LabRoots user? Click here to sign up for free.
The (SII) will start supplying the first indigenously developed pneumococcal conjugate to the Centre from Wednesday, sources said on Tuesday.

The acts against potentially fatal pneumococcal infections such as pneumonia, septicaemia and meningitis.

The doses will be sent to government medical stores depots (GMSD) in Kolkata, Mumbai and Karnal on Wednesday.

The SII has to supply 2.4 crore doses of the to the Health Ministry by December 2021. It will be sent to 37 consignees all over India.

The supply order was issued on February 3 in the name of Prakash Kumar Singh, the director of Government and Regulatory Affairs at the Pune-based SII.

The Health Ministry's order was placed within two days of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announcing in her 2021-22 Union Budget speech that indigenously made pneumococcal vaccines will be rolled out across the country.

Sitharaman had said that this would avert over 50,000 deaths annually.

India's drug regulator had in July last year granted market approval for the Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine, after reviewing data of all the three phases of the clinical trial submitted by the SII.

The trials were carried out by SII in Indian and in Gambia.

According to the health ministry, this vaccine is used for active immunization against invasive disease and pneumonia caused by streptococcus pneumonia in infants.

"This is the first indigenously developed vaccine in the field of pneumonia," an official source had said, adding this would be much more affordable than the ones produced by Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline.

(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.)
SALT LAKE CITY, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Extra Space Storage Inc. (the "Company") (NYSE: EXR) announced today it will release financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2021 on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 after the market closes. The Company will host a conference call at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, April 29, 2021 to discuss its financial results. Hosting the call will be Extra Space Storage's CEO, Joe Margolis. Joining him will be Scott Stubbs, Executive Vice President and CFO.

During the conference call, company officers will review operating performance, discuss recent events, and conduct a question-and-answer period. The question-and-answer period will be limited to registered financial analysts. All other participants will have listen-only capability.

To Participate in the Telephone Conference Call: Dial in at least five minutes prior to start time.

Domestic: 855-791-2026 International: 631-485-4899



Conference ID: 8708307





Conference Call Playback:





Domestic: 855-859-2056 International: 404-537-3406



Conference ID: 8708307





The playback can be accessed beginning on April 29, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. ET through May 6, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. ET.

The conference call will also be available on the Company's website under Investor Relations at www.extraspace.com. To listen to a live broadcast, go to the site at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time in order to register, download and install any necessary audio software. A replay of the call will also be available for 30 days on the Company's website.

Full Text of the Earnings Report and Supplemental Data

The full text of the earnings report and supplemental data will be available at the Company's website at http://ir.extraspace.com immediately following the earnings release to the wire services after the market close on Wednesday, April 28, 2021.

For those without Internet access, the earnings release will be available by mail or fax, on request. To receive a copy, please call Extra Space Storage Investor Relations at (801) 365-1759.

About Extra Space Storage Inc.

Extra Space Storage Inc., headquartered in Salt Lake City, is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust, and a member of the S&P 500. As of March 31, 2021, the Company owned and/or operated 1,969 self-storage properties, which comprise approximately 1.4 million units and approximately 153.4 million square feet of rentable storage space offering customers conveniently located and secure storage units across the country, including boat storage, RV storage and business storage. The Company is the second largest owner and/or operator of self-storage properties in the United States and is the largest self-storage management company in the United States.

For more information, please visit www.extraspace.com.

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The biggest city in Brazil has ramped up efforts to empty out graves at one of its main cemeteries to make space for COVID-19 victims as deaths continue to soar at a staggering rate.

The decision to clear out 1,056 bodies from the old tombs came after the southeastern state of Sao Paulo registered record daily burials last week.

Gravediggers were spotted Thursday at Vila New Cachoeirinha cemetery in Sao Paulo's northern reaches working in white hazmat suits as they opened the tombs of people buried years ago.

The decomposed remains were placed inside large bags before the personnel at the cemetery transferred them to another location.

Gravediggers gathered last Thursday at Vila Nova Cachoeirinha cemetery in Sao Paulo, Brazil, to exhume remains from tombs as part of an order from the state to make room victims of COVID-19 who will have to be buried. The state reported a pandemic record of 9,350 people who were buried in March after succumbing to the ravaging virus

An aerial view of Vila Nova Cachoeirinha cemetery in the southeastern Brazilian city of Sao Paulo last Thursday. Gravediggers have been digging up old tombs and removing the remains of people who died years ago so that they cemetery could have enough space to bury victims of the coronavirus pandemic

A gravedigger wearing a protective suit handles pieces of an old damaged coffin during exhumations at Vila Nova Cachoeirinha cemetery in Sao Paulo, Brazil, last Thursday

Relocating remains is standard in cemetery operations, said the municipal secretary responsible for funeral services, in a statement. But it has taken on renewed urgency as Brazil suffers its worse coronavirus wave since the pandemic began over a year ago.

On Monday, Brazil's health ministry registered its highest daily COVID-19 death toll for Sao Paulo with 1,389 state residents dying from the virus during a period of 24 hours.

No other state in Brazil has been impacted worse by the coronavirus pandemic than Sao Paulo, which has reported 77,165 deaths and 2,532,047 cases.

The South American nation's COVID-19 outbreak is the second-deadliest in the world after the United States, with 332,752 deaths and 13,013,601 as of Tuesday.

A gravedigger wearing a protective suit hands a bag to another person during exhumations at Vila Nova Cachoeirinha cemetery in Sao Paulo, Brazil, last Thursday. The state of Sao Paulo tops the nation with 77,165 deaths and 2,532,047 cases

A gravedigger hands a coworker a bag with bones that were exhumed from a tomb at Vila Nova Cachoeirinha cemetery in Sao Paulo last Thursday

Aerial view of an excavator opening graves on a piece of land at Vila Nova Cachoeirinha cemetery in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where victims of COVID-19 will be buried. A total of 9,350 Sao Paulo residents who died of the coronavirus were buried in March - an increase of 56% from the previous month. The previous high was 8,368 people buried in May 2020

Brazil has averaged about 3,000 deaths and 75,500 new cases per day over the past week - a rate that has climbed steadily since February.

Sao Paulo has also resorted to late-night burials to keep up with demand, with some cemeteries authorized to stay open until 10pm.

At the Vila Formosa cemetery, workers in masks and full protective gear were digging rows of graves under flood lights and a full moon last week.

Coffins containing the bodies of victims who lost their battles with COVID-19 followed. A 32-year-old man was lowered down in a plain wooden box. Masked relatives gathered near the grave of a 77-year-old woman, before she too was lowered into a grave.

A police officer receives a dose of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, the first day of state government vaccination for police officers at the Barro Branco Military Police Academy in Sao Paulo

A total of 9,350 Sao Paulo residents who died of the coronavirus were buried in March - an increase of 56% from the previous month.

The previous high was 8,368 people buried in May 2020.

The city of Sao Paulo closed the month of March by registering 419 burials on Tuesday, the most since the pandemic began. If burials continue at that pace, city hall said it will need to take more contingency measures, without specifying.

Brazil currently accounts for about a quarter of COVID-19 daily deaths worldwide, more than any other country.

Infectious disease experts warn that it will only get worse, given President Jair Bolsonaro's attacks on efforts to restrict movement and a slow rollout of vaccines.
MINNEAPOLIS  The Minneapolis police chief testified Monday that now-fired Officer Derek Chauvin violated departmental policy  and went against our principles and the values that we have  in pressing his knee on George Floyds neck and keeping him down after Floyd had stopped resisting and was in distress.

Continuing to kneel on Floyds neck once he was handcuffed behind his back and lying on his stomach was in no way, shape or form part of department policy or training, and it is certainly not part of our ethics or our values, Police Chief Medaria Arradondo said on Day Six of Chauvins murder trial.

Arradondo, the citys first Black chief, fired Chauvin and three other officers the day after Floyds death last May, and in June called it murder.

While police have long been accused of closing ranks to protect fellow members of the force charged with wrongdoing  the blue wall of silence, as its known  some of the most experienced officers in the Minneapolis department have taken the stand to openly condemn Chauvins treatment of Floyd.

As jurors watched in rapt attention and scribbled notes, Arradondo testified not only that Chauvin, a 19-year veteran of the force, should have let Floyd up sooner, but that the pressure on Floyds neck did not appear to be light to moderate, as called for under the departments neck-restraint policy; that Chauvin failed in his duty to render first aid before the ambulance arrived; and that he violated policy requiring officers to de-escalate tense situations with no or minimal force if they can.

That action is not de-escalation, the police chief said. And when we talk about the framework of our sanctity of life and when we talk about our principles and the values that we have, that action goes contrary to what we are talking about.

On cross-examination, Chauvin attorney Eric Nelson asked Arradondo the last time he actually arrested a suspect.

Its been many years, the chief acknowledged.

Arradondos testimony came after the emergency room doctor who pronounced Floyd dead said he theorized at the time that Floyds heart most likely stopped because of a lack of oxygen.

Dr. Bradford Langenfeld, who was a senior resident on duty that night at Hennepin County Medical Center and tried to resuscitate Floyd, took the stand as prosecutors sought to establish that it was Chauvins knee on the Black mans neck that killed him.

Langenfeld said Floyds heart had stopped by the time he arrived at the hospital. The doctor said that he was not told of any efforts at the scene by bystanders or police to resuscitate Floyd but that paramedics told him they had tried for about 30 minutes.

Under questioning by prosecutors, Langenfeld said that based on the information he had, it was more likely than the other possibilities that Floyds cardiac arrest  the stopping of his heart  was caused by asphyxia, or insufficient oxygen.

Chauvin, 45, is charged with murder and manslaughter in Floyds death May 25. The white officer is accused of pressing his knee into the 46-year-old mans neck for 9 minutes, 29 seconds, outside a corner market where Floyd had been arrested on suspicion of trying to pass a counterfeit $20 bill for a pack of cigarettes.

Floyds treatment by police was captured on widely seen bystander video that sparked protests around the U.S. that descended into violence in some cases.

The defense has argued that Chauvin did what he was trained to do and that Floyds use of illegal drugs and his underlying health conditions caused his death.

Nelson, Chauvins attorney, asked Langenfeld whether some drugs can cause hypoxia, or insufficient oxygen. The doctor acknowledged that fentanyl and methamphetamine, both of which were found in Floyds body, can do so.

The county medical examiners office ultimately classified Floyds death a homicide  that is, a death at the hands of someone else.

The report said Floyd died of cardiopulmonary arrest, complicating law enforcement subdual, restraint, and neck compression. A summary report listed fentanyl intoxication and recent methamphetamine use under other significant conditions but not under cause of death.

Prosecutor Steve Schleicher noted that while some people may become more dangerous under the influence of drugs or alcohol, some may actually be more vulnerable. Arradondo agreed and acknowledged that this must also be taken into consideration when officers decide to use force.

Before he was pinned to the ground, a frantic Floyd struggled with police who were trying to put him in a squad car, saying he was claustrophobic.

Arradondo said officers are trained in basic first aid, including chest compressions, and department policy requires them to request medical assistance and provide necessary aid as soon as possible before paramedics arrive.

We absolutely have a duty to render that, he said.

Officers kept restraining Floyd  with Chauvin kneeling on his neck, another kneeling on Floyds back and a third holding his feet  until the ambulance got there, even after he became unresponsive, according to testimony and video footage.

The officers also rebuffed offers of help from an off-duty Minneapolis firefighter who wanted to administer aid or tell officers how to do it.

Langenfeld testified that for people who go into cardiac arrest, there is an approximately 10% to 15% decrease in survival for every minute that CPR is not administered.

Nelson noted on cross-examination that the department policies direct officers to do what is reasonable in a given situation. He asked whether officers need to take the actions of a crowd into account, and Arradondo agreed. Nelson has suggested that onlookers  many of whom were shouting at Chauvin  might have affected officers response.

Nelson also questioned whether Chauvins knee was on Floyds neck, playing a few seconds of bystander video side-by-side with footage from an officers body camera that Arradondo agreed appeared to show Chauvins knee on Floyds shoulder blade.

But prosecutors quickly got Arradondo to note that the clip played by Nelson depicted only the few seconds before Floyd was moved onto a stretcher.

Minneapolis police Inspector Katie Blackwell, who was the commander of the training division at the time of Floyds death, also took the stand Monday. She looked at a picture of Chauvin with his knee on Floyds neck and said it is not how officers are trained.

I dont know what kind of improvised position that is, she said.

The city moved soon after Floyds death to ban police chokeholds and neck restraints. Arradondo and Mayor Jacob Frey also made several policy changes, including expanded reporting of use-of-force incidents and attempts to de-escalate situations.

--The Associated Press
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said lies and rumours are being spread by the opponents of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to create political instability in the country.

Addressing the BJP workers on the occasion of the party's 41st foundation day, Modi said: "Wrong narratives are created against CAA, farm laws and labour law... it's a pre-planned conspiracy to create political instability in the country."

"These people spread rumours, lies and create atmosphere of imaginary fear like 'Constitution will be changed, reservation will end, land will be taken away. All these rumours are lies," Modi said, hitting out at the party's opponents.

The Prime Minister appealed to the party workers to create awareness about false narratives.

"Some people or organisation spread these lies. We have to stay alert, and with the help of correct information, we have to make the countrymen aware about false narratives," Modi said.

Speaking to the party workers about the people behind the false narratives, Modi said: "What they are doing will hurt the country in the long run. Therefore, the BJP workers have to stay alert and warn people about the truth."

"BJP means defeating the dynasty-based politics. It means an opportunity to able leadership. It means transparency and good governance. It means 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas, Sabka Vishwas'," he said.

"Parties that began with the help of local aspirations became a family-based party later. Parties that were wearing a mask of secularism are finally being unmasked," he said.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Colombian President Ivan Duque in a phone call exchanged views on the situation in Venezuela, climate change and other matters of shared concern, State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said on Tuesday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 06th April, 2021) US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Colombian President Ivan Duque in a phone call exchanged views on the situation in Venezuela , climate change and other matters of shared concern, State Department Spokesperson Ned price said on Tuesday.

"The Secretary and President Duque discussed their shared commitment to the restoration of democracy and rule of law in Venezuela and Colombia's efforts to promote democracy throughout the region," Price said in a readout. "Secretary Blinken conveyed his appreciation for President Duque's government's decision to grant temporary protected status to the more than 1.

7 million Venezuelan migrants in Colombia"

During the phone call, which took place on Monday, Blinken and Duque also spoke about ways to renew their focus on issues like climate change, the protection of human rights and regional economic recovery from the pandemic, Price said.

The United States does not recognize Maduro as Venezuela's president, supports opposition leader Juan Guaido and works through sanctions and diplomatic pressure to bring about "free and fair" elections in the country. Maduro has accused Guaido and the United States of trying to topple the government in Caracas to seize Venezuela's national resources.
A North Carolina woman has been charged with drug trafficking and child abuse after an elementary school student was found with 260g of cocaine in their backpack.

Sharae Monique Becton, 27, of New Bern, North Carolina, was arrested after a Craven County Sheriffs school resource officer attached to Trent Park Elementary School noticed what appeared to be a large amount of drugs in the child's book bag on March 30.

'After further investigation, the Craven County Sheriffs Office Special Investigation Bureau identified the drugs as over 260 grams of cocaine,' or 0.57 pounds, the sheriff's office said in a statement.

The sheriff's office has not revealed the gender of the child, or what his or her relationship is to Becton.

North Carolina woman Sharae Monique Becton, 27, is facing drug trafficking and child abuse charges after Craven County Sheriffs found 260g of cocaine in a child's book bag

A Facebook page belonging to Sharae Becton shows she had a daughter in 2012 and lists her occupation as working in sales at Walmart in New Bern

Becton, 27, of New Bern, has been charged with felony trafficking cocaine, felony possession with intent sell or deliver cocaine, and misdemeanor child abuse for allowing the child to possess over 260 grams of cocaine.

A Facebook account belonging to a Sharae Becton of New Bern shows she gave birth to a daughter in 2012.

Photographs of an ultrasound and newborn photos of the girl are posted on her public page.

It states Becton attended New Bern High School, and lists her job as a sales worker at Walmart.

In September 2019, she asked for donations to a fundraiser for an Autism charity.

Friends of Becton's took to social media to show their support for her.

'Sharae Becton keep your head up love,' wrote one person.
The funny thing about trying to compare ancient words is that their meanings are slippery. Our great-great-grandparents would roll in their graves if they knew that their beloved word religion had turned bad. Their old-time religion looked nothing like the legalistic, modern word that crept in to take its place. But maybe our grandparents wouldnt be too surprised by the swap. After all, it was their children who took the first steps to repurpose the word spirituality to mean a one-size-fits-all call to self-enlightenment. These two words evolved so much overtime that their meanings now appear diametrically opposite. But back in the day, the difference between religion and spirituality was rarely considered.

What Is Religion?

For just a moment put all your preconceived ideas aside. Is it possible that the information weve gathered through books, media, and isolated Scripture could have helped us form an opinion about the word religion thats skewed?

In its most basic form, the word religion simply refers to a particular system of faith. I think we can all agree on that. But of course, a system of faith is just thata system. This system establishes the way a person experiences their God, it outlines the truths contained in their belief system, and it shows a person how to live, based on those tenets and experience.

The earliest etymology of the word religion uses descriptors likerespect for what is sacred, reverence for a deity, fear of a deity, holiness, sanctity, and other terms we, as Christians, are well familiar with. Religion originates from the Latin word relegarewhich means to re-bind and therein lies the key to the words true nature.

When most people think about religion, the idea of ritualistic rules and regulations spring to mind. In the Old Testament God issued commandments, statutes, and ordinances. He required these rules to be followed with meticulous detail, or religiously. These rules were not meant to be burdensome. They were a temporary means by which God chose to reconnect or re-bind with His chosen people and bless them (Deuteronomy 7:12-13, 28:2-7).

The religious rules were also a vehicle that God used to reveal His Holiness. He did this to demonstrate to His people, and give them an opportunity to prove to themselves, just how incapable they were of ever being good enough to please God (Romans 3:20).

Step by step, little by little, sin by sin, sacrifice by sacrifice God used the law to show His people His true nature while exposing their own corrupt hearts in the process. This religious exercise of the law became the schoolmaster that would ultimately convince humanity of their desperate need for a Savior and bridge the gap between a fallen man and a Holy God (Galatians 3:24-25, Romans 8:3).

When Jesus came, He said, Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them (Matthew 5:17). Through His perfect life and sinless death, all the requirements of the Old Covenant were finally met. Because of Him we no longer need to rely on our ability to follow the rules to have a relationship with God (Ephesians 2:13-14). Christ fulfilled the law and established a New Covenant of grace, available to all who believe.

Remember our initial definition of religion? Christ is the re-binder the whole world waited for. For believers, He is the Way we experience God; He is the Truth that forms our belief system, and the Life we now live is in Him (John 14:6). Jesus is the author and perfecter of our particular system of faith (Hebrews 12:2).

So Christ, by every definition of the word, is a believers true religion. The old religious system was always meant to be a shadow of the new one to comeHim.

How Did Religion Get A Bad Rap?

Gods ways and plans are always good. At the perfect time, He provided each religious system to fulfill His purposes and bless His people.

The problem is, whenever God bestows a blessing, Satan uses it for target practice. Religion first took a hit when the arrows of pride and corruption pierced the hearts of the Scribes and Pharisees. These respected representatives of Gods law were more interested in using their high calling for their own gain than Gods glory. As a result, the religion they promoted was a self-serving counterfeit (Matthew 15:7-9).

These pseudo-religious leaders twisted Gods law into a weapon of intimidation and wielded it against the very people they were called to serve, placing cumbersome demands upon the peoples shoulders (Matthew 23:3-5). Full of greed and self-indulgence on the inside, the Scribes and Pharisees made it their top priority to appear righteous on the outside so that they could maintain the facade that facilitated their power (Matthew 23:27).

Jesus was so disgusted by their treacherous behavior that He pronounced seven woes upon this hypocritical group of leaders. But its important to note that Jesus condemned the Scribes and Pharisees because of their abuse of power, distortion of truth, and wayward hearts. He did not condemn them because they were promoting religious activity (Luke 11:42). Religion was not the problem; it was the means by which the Scribes and Pharisees corrupt hearts were revealed.

Just like the old system of religion was vulnerable to attack, so is the new. Throughout history, many Christian leaders have attempted to impose their own selfish agendas onto Gods redemptive plan for humanity. Criticism often focuses on [religious and physical] abuse, hypocrisy, and extremism; distortion of religious texts to satisfy a personal or minority agenda. Large-scale acts of terrorismbombings and racist rallies. Small-scale, and secret terrorism, lists Candice Lucey in What Is the Difference Between Religion and Spirituality?

But Christian leaders werent solely responsible for soiling the reputation of religion. The pejorative voices of 19th-century scholars and philosophers, like Karl Marx and Sigmund Freud, resonated with a mass audience who was already fed up with religious corruption and hypocrisy.

Its no wonder then that the rise of the charismatic movement in the 1960s facilitated a new ideology that redefined religion as a man-made effort that utilizes works to please God. Although the Scribes and Pharisees rogue behavior was the only biblical justification for this re-branding, the theory caught fire, and terms like a religious spirit were born to describe a demonic manifestation of pride-induced, legalistic behavior.

Around that same time, many Christian leaders began to shift their theological terminology to avoid the word religion. Terms like relationship with Jesus were deemed more practical and less controversial when speaking to the lost world, who had become wary of the word religion and all it had come to stand for.

What Is Spirituality?

The word spirituality originates from the Latin noun spiritulaitas which means spirit and is linked to the Greek noun pneuma, which means breath. Therefore, a spiritual person is one within whom the breath, or spirit, of God dwells.

Scripture supports this definition, as Bill Delvaux explains in 5 Important Ways Spirituality Differs from Religion, When the apostle Paul uses the word spiritual in his letters, he is referring to the Holy Spirit. The work of the Holy Spirit is to do all that anyones spirituality could ever imagine: to free our hearts, cleanse our sin, guide us into truth, and empower us to love.

For born-again Christians, this kind of spirituality is a must. When we accept Christ as our savior His Spirit lives inside us and breathes new life into all that was dead (John 3:6-8, 6:63). Spirituality, in this sense, is the mark of authenticity for every believer, and our new way of Life.

However, like the word religion, the original meaning of spirituality has evolved into something almost unrecognizable. The modern, mainstream connotation of spirituality has less to do with Gods Spirit living inside a person and more to do with harvesting the intrinsic power within oneself to gain personal enlightenment, reach ones full potential, and find true happiness.

Take for example Ava Lee Scott, an actress and theater-maker in New York who considers herself a deeply spiritual person. [she] doesnt practice an organized religion. Raised in both Catholic and Jewish traditions, Scotts own spiritual life is far more eclectic. She studies ancient languages, from the Aramaic of Christ to Hebrew to Arabic. She reads Tarot cards, runes, and cowrie shells. She believes in a higher power  something some people might call God  but believes that such a power transcends individual traditions dogmas. Whatever name you call your higher power, she told Vox, we are all connected.

An increasing number of people like Ava Lee Scott are pursuing spirituality outside the confines of system, order, or uniform thoughtin other words, apart from religion. In fact, according to Pew Research Center, 27 percent of Americans say they are spiritual but not religious. Thats up from 19 percent in the previous poll.

What Is the Major Difference between Religion and Spirituality?

Religion and spirituality have come a long way through history. At one time these two words both described the sacred way God chose to reveal Himself to His people. But the morphed connotations, defiled by sin and self, clearly pit the two words against each another.

In one corneryou have a word that has come to represent a system of belief that is harsh, legalistic, and morally unattainable. In the other cornera morally relative belief system that relies on a persons inner self to guide them to their own truth and power. Ding, ding, ding. There is no winner.

Despite their differences, modern religion and spirituality do have one thing in common; they are both a dangerous and faulty misinterpretation of the truth.

What Does the Bible Say About the Two?

Weve already discussed the biblical origin of religion from the Old Testament, as it refers to the Old Covenant law prescribed by God.

In Christ, we are new creatures that have finally been made right with God. That new life is the essence and purest definition of spirituality (Romans 8:10). But new life in Christ is not void of religionin its purest sense. The Bible gives clear direction about how we, as new creatures, are to order our lives, treat others, and honor our calling (Ephesians 4:1, Romans 12:2, Colossians 3:5-10, James 1:26).

In Scripture, this new religious system was first called The Way (Acts 9:2, Acts 19:19, Acts 19:23, Acts 24:14, 22) and later called Christianity, which meant followers of the anointed (Act 11:26, Act 26:28, 1 Peter 4:16). But the most important, and most prevalent, descriptor the Bible gives us to represent Gods new system is The Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-31).

The Body of Christ is not a group of free-range believers. Its a hierarchical system that places Christ as the head (Colossians 1:18). Its organizedmembers have specific duties, functions, and roles (Romans 12:4-5, Ephesians 4:11-12), and Gods new system requires cooperation between all believers to run properly (1 Corinthians 12:15-26).

The purpose of this new religion is not to acquire salvation. God created this system so that we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work Ephesians 4:16.

Both religion and spirituality are a means to an end, not the final destination. Explains Jennifer Hareen What Is the Difference Between Religion and Spirituality? That end echoes the combined definitions of both original wordsto point the Way back to God, through His Spirit.

Spiritualityor the Holy Spiritenables the light of Christ to shine in and through believers (John 16:13-16, Acts 1:8). And religionor the body of Christis the lampstand that takes that powerful light to the whole lost world (Revelation 1:12-13, Revelation 1:20).

Photo credit: GettyImages/ipopba

Annette Marie Griffin is an award-winning author and speaker who has managed and directed childrens and youth programs for more than 20 years. Her debut childrens book, What Is A Family? released through Familius Publishing in 2020. Annette has also written curriculum for character growth and development of elementary-age children and has developed parent training seminars to benefit the community. Her passion is to help wanderers find home. She and her husband have five childrenthree who have already flown the coop and two adopted teens still roosting at homeplus two adorable grands who add immeasurable joy and laughter to the whole flock.
Syria: NGO says 19 people kidnapped by ISIS Some are civilians

(ANSAmed) - BEIRUT, 06 APR - At least 19 people - 11 civilians and eight police officers - were kidnapped by ISIS in a central province of Syria, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.



Syrian state news agency SANA denounced the kidnapping of "some residents" of a village in Hama province while they were "looking for truffles" in Badiya, the vast Syrian desert.



(ANSAmed).




Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Ade Coker has said there a lot of speculations regarding what led to the resignation of North Tongu Member of Parliament from the Appointments Committee of Parliament.



This is as result of the failure of Mr Alabkwa to give reasons for his resignation, he said.



To that end, Mr Ade Coker said there is the need to know the voting line of Mr Ablakwa when he was on the Committee during the vetting of President Akufo-Addos ministerial nominees.



Mr Ablakwa resigned from the Committee on Wednesday March 31, 2021.



He said in a letter addressed to the Speaker, Alban Kingsford Bagbin that the decision was taken after days of careful reflection and thoughtful considerations.



I shall like to state that the reasons for this difficult decision are both personal and on principle.



Speaking on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday April 3, Mr Ade Coker told host Abena Tabi that In future your voting record in parliament can be pulled out. If you go to the US, there is nothing like consensus.



We will have to find out during the vetting process what his [Ablakwas] voting line was. That will determine and help us to make a judgment on what he is saying about principles.



If you had consistently voted against the nominees then it look like well, then you can say is of no use for me to still be on the committee.



I want to know how the voting pattern went. if the voting pattern went in such a way that you lost, then you are obliged to accept the results of what has taken place but here we are they only come and tell us it is consensus.



He added the resignation gives room for conjecture, it gives room for a lot of rumours against the NDC.





Source: 3news









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Ex-Boss of Chinas Major Weapons Firm Norinco Under Investigation

The Chinese regimes anti-corruption watchdog announced on April 4 that Norincos former chairman was placed under investigation over corruption charges.

The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection issued a notice, stating that Yin Jiaxu, the former party chief and chairman of China North Industries Group Corporation (officially abbreviated as Norinco), was placed under disciplinary review and investigation for alleged corruption.

According to public information, 65-year-old Yin Jiaxu is from Chongqing. In 2010, he was appointed as party secretary and deputy general manager of Norinco. He was promoted to chairman in 2013. He retired in 2016.

Norinco is one of the largest state-owned weapons manufacturers, with more than 20 overseas offices and 60 branches. According to its website, Norinco is currently the only enterprise among Chinas major military industry groups that provides weaponry and technical support services to the regimes army, navy, air force, public security, and space industry. Its business covers the production of military vehicles and missile defense systems.

In 2020, the Pentagon listed Norinco as one of the 20 Chinese companies that are owned or controlled by Chinas military, the Peoples Liberation Army.

Yin is not the only executive of a major weapons manufacturing firm to be taken down by authorities for corruption.

Hu Wenming, the chairman of China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation Ltd., was arrested for corruption in January, Hong Kong Media reported. Hu was also in charge of Chinas aircraft carrier development.

China Shipbuilding Industry is the largest shipbuilder in the world. In 2020, the company and its subsidiaries were blacklisted by the U.S. government in 2020 for developing infrastructures for the regime in disputed areas in the South China Sea.
Crisp sandwiches are a beloved snack for many Britons - and you can now pick up the treat at Subway as the chain will be adding the option Walkers in their subs from today.

Subway will be adding Ready Salted crisps to their selection of toppings for their sandwiches, wraps or salads and customers will be asked if they would like 'crisp in' or 'crisp out' for their order at branches across the UK.

It's the latest in the 53 customisable ingredients and toppings to add at the Subway counter, bringing the unique British delicacy to the high street until 23rd May.

Subway will be adding Ready Salted crisps to their selection of toppings for their sandwiches, wraps or salads and customers will be asked if they would like 'crisp in' or 'crisp out' for their order at branches across the UK

Alternatively, those who would rather have their 'crisps out' can still enjoy packs of Walkers Ready Salted, Cheese & Onion and Oven Baked Cheese & Onion flavours with their Subs at Subway stores, as a snack, side or part of a Meal Deal.

Angelina Gosal, Head of Marketing UK & Ireland at Subway told FEMAIL: 'The crisp sandwich is an iconic and important part of Britain's culinary traditions and we're excited to partner with Walkers to allow guests to now order one in store.

'With the addition of Walkers crisps to the toppings you can add to our Subs, we have one of the biggest, tastiest and the crunchiest menus on the high street!'

Fernando Kahane, Marketing Director at Walkers told FEMAIL: 'As a nation, we may not agree on everything, but we are united in the fact that a lunchtime sandwich without crisps is just not the same.

It's the latest in the 53 customisable ingredients and toppings to add at the Subway counter, bringing the unique British delicacy to the high street until 23rd May

'That's why we've teamed up with Subway to offer extra Walkers crunch with your Subs and to ensure lunchtimes are even more enjoyable.'

Earlier this year, Subway unveiled the new additions to its plant-based menu for 2021  the vegan T.L.C. (Tastes Like Chicken) Sub and Vegan Double Choc Cookie.

The plant-based T.L.C. Sub is packed with all the delicious flavour of the original, made with a bespoke recipe designed to mimic Subway's roast chicken breast strips, and available with slices of Violife vegan cheese.

Alternatively, those who would rather have their 'crisps out' can still enjoy packs of Walkers Ready Salted, Cheese & Onion and Oven Baked Cheese & Onion flavours with their Subs at Subway stores, as a snack, side or part of a Meal Deal

Angelina Gosal, Head of Marketing UK & Ireland at Subway told FEMAIL: 'The crisp sandwich is an iconic and important part of Britain's culinary traditions and we're excited to partner with Walkers to allow guests to now order one in store.

The T.L.C. is fully customisable and is available as a 6-inch or Footlong Sub, a salad or a wrap for even more choice.

The T.L.C. Sub is made from soy-based protein for the plant-lovers and flexitarians to enjoy and is the result of over 10 years of development  but tastes so much like the real thing that even meat-lovers should give it a try.

For the Subway cookie lovers out there, Subway will be expanding its existing cookie range to include a vegan offering for the first time.
Posted Monday, April 5, 2021 11:40 am

If you live in a rural area, state and federal lawmakers plan to pick your pocket.

Washington state lawmakers and U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg have proposed state and federal taxes on the miles a vehicle travels. For rural residents such as many in Lewis County, the efforts translate into taking more money from our pocketbooks.

In July 2019, I wrote about state Department of Transportation officials proposing a per-mile vehicle tax because too many people were driving fuel-efficient cars. That meant the states 49.5-cent-per-gallon (the nations highest) tax on gasoline wasnt bringing in as much revenue.

Now, state lawmakers have proposed Senate Bill 5444, which would place a per-mile charge on electric and hybrid vehicles starting in 2026. They may start with a fee on electric and hybrid vehicles, but they could easily expand that to all vehicles as fuel efficiency continues to improve. So much for being good stewards of the environment.

Rural residents, farmers, truck drivers, commuters  all would pay more under a per-mile tax. In 2019, state officials proposed replacing the gas tax with a per-mile tax. But do you believe theyll repeal the gas tax? And with a per-mile tax, the government would track where people drive in order to tell how many miles theyve traveled. Its not a pleasant thought.

Youd think lawmakers would realize how hard people have been hit economically during the 2020 pandemic.

But no  state senators have already passed a capital gains tax, described as a 7 percent tax only on the wealthy as the bill exempts an individuals first $250,000 of adjusted capital gains. But it easily could end up a tax on others if lawmakers decided to drop the monetary threshold.

When will state and federal lawmakers learn to live within their means? We have to.

And, after allowing scammers to steal more than $600 million in fraudulent unemployment claims, youd think state leaders would focus on cleaning up the places where theyre leaking hard-earned taxpayer dollars instead of simply tapping into more.

Gun Control

My heart breaks every time anyone grabs a gun and shoots innocent people, perhaps in a nonsensical catastrophic attempt to gain notoriety through the senseless slaughter of others.

Every shooting reignites the debate over gun control.

Gun control advocates want to ban assault weapons  semiautomatic rifles, pistols and shotguns.

Gun rights defenders repeat the mantra that guns dont kill people; people kill people, pointing to high murder rates in cities and states with strict gun laws.

I never understood why anyone needed a semiautomatic to hunt a deer. I still dont. But when I enrolled in a womens gun safety class in Olympia a few years ago, I found it much easier to pull the trigger and hit the target using a 9 mm semiautomatic.

Maybe theyre too easy to use.

I dont know how to stop the killing of people in churches, theaters, grocery stores or schools. It stems from hate, a lack of respect for others, and perhaps mental illness. I dont know how to fix it.

However, if someone opens fire in a public place, I hope a responsible gun owner on the scene can stop the shooter before carnage ensues.

Stolen Election

In defending herself in a defamation lawsuit, attorney Sidney Powell gained notoriety by insisting that the 2020 presidential election was rigged and stolen from President Donald Trump.

Afterward, Dominion Voting Systems filed a $1.4 billion defamation lawsuit against Powell  and a $1.6 billion suit against Fox News  but in her defense, Powells lawyers stated that no reasonable person would believe her outrageous claims.

Indeed, Plaintiffs themselves characterize the statements at issue as wild accusations and outlandish claims. They are repeatedly labeled inherently improbable and even impossible, her attorneys wrote. Such characterizations of the allegedly defamatory statements further support Defendants position that reasonable people would not accept such statements as fact but view them only as claims that await testing by the courts through the adversary process.

Guess I know a lot of unreasonable people then.

I hope Dominion doesnt settle. Id like to see Powell try to prove in court all those baseless claims she made that undermined our American democracy. If she can, Ill apologize for failing to believe her. If she cant, will all those who claim the election was stolen actually accept that it was a free and fair election? I doubt it.

Ive said time and again that only Jesus Christ is worthy of faith  believing without proof  not Donald Trump.



Julie McDonald, a personal historian based in Western Washington, may be reached at memoirs@chaptersoflife.com.
Candice Brown has opened up about suffering the 'worst year of her life' following her split from her husband Liam Macaulay.

The 2016 Bake Off winner, 36, candidly expressed that she doesn't know 'how she is still going' as she spoke about her mental health struggles in a new interview.

It was revealed that Candice and her tree surgeon ex Liam had decided to separate after less than two years of marriage last July.

Candid: Candice Brown has opened up about suffering the 'worst year of her life' following her split from her husband Liam Macaulay (pictured recently)

Candice has now spoken for the first time about how she has coped during the past year, as she told the told The Burn Chef Journal podcast:

'I had a very difficult year last year  the hardest of my life. How the f*** I'm still going, I don't know. But it was just a lot to take in, a lot to deal with.'

Candice, who runs her pub the Green Man in Eversholt, said: 'Mental health is something I've always struggled with.

'I also got diagnosed with ADHD, hence the disorganisation and forgetfulness.'

Ex files: The 2016 Bake Off winner, 36, candidly expressed that she doesn't know 'how she is still going' as she spoke about her mental health struggles in a new interview (pictured in 2018)

She revealed: 'On the days we were shut and towards the end of the year I said, "I don't know if I can do this on my own if lockdown happens again.

'I just can't do it. I need to be on the go all the time and that silence and darkness on top of a brain that can be quite dark anyway was a lot.'

Back in August, Candice hinted at her 'hopelessness' after liking a post by artist and author Charles Mackesy, which encouraged 'holding on' when 'your mind plays tricks on you'.

The post read: 'Sometimes your mind plays tricks on you. It can tell you you're no good, that it's all hopeless. But remember this; you are loved, and important and you bring to this world things no one else can. So hold on.'

That same day, claims emerged that Candice and her beau had secretly split earlier in the year.

The report claimed that Liam moved out of the pub in Milton Keynes - where the couple previously lived together, and back to Ampthill, Bedfordshire.

Marriage ends: The TV star hasn't had the easiest of years, which has seen her secretly split from her husband-of-two-years Liam (pictured in June 2018)

According to The Mirror, Candice's representative said at the time: 'I can confirm Candice and Liam separated earlier this year.'

The famous baker first met Liam in the bar where he worked while studying for a degree, back in 2012.

After five years of dating, the couple announced their engagement in October 2017, just over a year after she first appeared on Bake Off.

Candice exchanged nuptials with her longtime love at Chateau de Varennes in Burgundy, France, in September 2018.
Like her 2019 debut YA novel, The Love & Lies of Rukhsana Ali, Sabina Khans new book, Zara Hossain Is Here, features a Muslim teenage girl living a cross-cultural life in the United States. The new novel, however, was inspired by Khans familys own experience as immigrants in the U.S. Khan spoke with PW from British Columbia, where she and her husband and children made a new home when they were forced to leave this country in 1999.

Can you share what happened to you and your family in 1999 and how that experience led you to write Zara Hossain Is Here two decades later?

At that time my husband and I had been living in Corpus Christi, Tex., for nearly eight years; he had a work visa and I had a dependent visa and we had applied for a green card through his job. We had come into the country legallyhe from India and I from Bangladeshas university students, and we had done everything by the book. We knew getting the green card was a very long process, but we were okay being patient, even though everything in our lives was contingent on getting that green card.

It was March 1999 and our visas were going to expire in December, so my husband made a routine call to our lawyer to check on our green card application status. We couldnt believe it when our lawyer told us that he had missed a deadline for filing one of the documents, so our application wouldnt be processed, after all.

It didnt seem possible to us that one small detail couldnt somehow be rectified. We made lots of calls, but we were told over and over that it couldnt be and we would have to leave the country. Go home, everyone saidbut we were home. We had a 10-month-old baby and a four-year-old. They had been born in the United States, so they were American citizens, but obviously we couldnt leave them. So we had to pack up and leave immediatelyuproot ourselves completely. It was terribly sad; we had to leave behind so many little things. I cried when I saw the wall where we had been marking our older childs growing height over the years. We didnt know what to do, so we applied for immigration to Canada. We literally just looked at a map and decided to move to British Columbia.

Twenty years later, we have an amazing life here and we feel very lucky to have ended up in British Columbia, but we had no way of knowing that would be the case when we had to leave. And remembering the experience still brings up unpleasant feelings of being unwanted, of feeling that we dont matter. I know there are many stories that are far worse than ours. But that uncertainty, that fear of the rug being pulled out from under you at any moment, sits in your stomach all of your life. Its exhausting to live like that. You have absolutely no control and that doesnt matter to anybody. It is so easy for everything to unravel through no fault of your own.

In the case of Zaras family, its a hate crime that unravels everything for them, while in our case it was merely carelessness. But both experiences reflect a callousnesspeople can be so dismissive and treat other people with so little regard. When I wrote Zara, I wanted my character to fight back against this callousness and dismissiveness.

The protagonist in both of your novels is a queer Muslim teenage girl. Why did you make that choice in both of your books? And how did the experience of writing each of these two books differ?

I wrote The Love & Lies of Rukhsana Ali because our younger daughter came out to us as gay when she was 17. Even though my husband and I were very open and supportive of her, we talked a lot with her then about kids who had a very rough time coming out to their families or their communities, which is what I wrote about in Rukhsana. For Zara, I wanted to flip the switch, so to speak. My husbands and my response to our daughters coming out was closer to that of Zaras parentswe just want our kids to be happy.

I had been dreaming about writing for many years before I ever knew people would want to read stories about South Asian, Muslim girls and their experiences. So when I wrote Rukhsana, I had the urge to cram as much as possible into one story. I wasnt sure if I would ever get a chance to have more of my books published, and so I included quite a few of the things Id been wanting to write about for years. Now I feel I have more opportunities to write stories about people like me and my daughtersimmigrants and children of immigrantsso in writing Zara Hossain Is Here, I was able to calm down and focus on one strong storyline. And its such a big storyso personalthat I didnt want to dilute it with other plot complications. Also, I was writing it while America was under a different administration, and I had a lot of anger about how people of color were being treated. I wanted to write about the daily microaggressions that are never catastrophic in themselves, but that build up and start affecting how you see yourself.

In both books, though, I wanted to show that in every community, every culture, there is a wide spectrum of responses: that of Rukhsanas family, that of Zaras, and everything in between. There arent that many YA booksyet!about the Muslim community, so I wanted to write about the range of responses within that culture. I incorporate all the South Asian immigrants I meet here into my characters. Im so happy to see many Muslim authors and other authors of color now writing stories that reflect their experiences, because its so important for readers to have access to all the variations. I mean, it seems like a lot now compared to just a few years ago, but it is still a very small percentage of books.

What kind of response did The Love & Lies of Rukhsana Ali bring from the Muslim community?

Very positive! I was worried about backlash but there was none. I was very heartened by the support, especially from all the Muslim readers reaching out to say that they felt seen by reading my books. I havent had anybody lash out yet to say, Why are you writing these kinds of things?

But lots of non-Muslims said that The Love & Lies of Rukhsana Ali is unrealistic or unbelievable. The most common critique is that the way Rukhsanas parents and family treat her is unrealistic. I wish it were unrealistic. But its not just in Muslim cultures that teenagers get kicked out of their homes for their sexual identity. For example, Chloe in Zara Hossain Is Here is a white Catholic girl whose parents wont abide her being gay. I made this contrast on purpose: the Muslim family defends their gay daughter and the Catholic family tears their daughter down.

Non-Muslims also tell me that the way the characters talk to each other isnt believableeven though the characters speak English fluently, they speak with a somewhat different grammar or emphasis. People who have different first languages often speak English slightly differently. People whose first language is English sometimes think they know everything about how English is spoken. Ive even had people tell me, You speak funny. When you read about characters from different cultures, you need to have an open mind.

What inspired you to start writing for teens? Can we expect more YA novels from you?

I started writing seriously because of my children. They were both big readers and I would go to bookstores with them and not see any books about kids who looked like them. When my daughters started reading YA, I started reading a lot of it, too, because I wanted to talk with them about the books they were reading. I found the YA voices so refreshing and wished Id had books like that to read when I was growing upbut back then there were only childrens books or adult books. And then I began wishing that my kids could read YA books about brown kids, about South Asian teens.

So in 2011, I started writing seriously and joined some local writers groups. While we live in an ethnically diverse community, the writers groups were made up entirely of white people. Mostthough not allof the people suggested I try to publish my book in India, or for the Indian community here. They were kind, but a little patronizing. But I believed them when they said there was no market for the books I wanted to write.

And its true that until about 2014, I couldnt find many books by authors of color. When We Need Diverse Books was founded in 2014, I was inspired to hope that there could be some movement in that direction. And now there is.

Around that time, I began to find a lot of support online. There were voices on social media [platforms] like Twitter that were supportive and inspiring. In April 2016, I pitched my novel [as part of] the Twitter competition #DVpit, which is for marginalized and underrepresented voices. It was an amazing experience, but my manuscript wasnt quite ready. So I worked on it some more and then that summer I participated in #PitchWars and was paired with writer Natasha Neagle as my mentor. We worked together for about two months and then I participated in the #PitchWars agent showcase. I got quite a few requests for my manuscript and a few offers of representation, and I signed on with Hillary Jacobson at ICM Partners. It all happened pretty fast. Hillary and I revised a little moreshes an editorial agent, which I loveand then Scholastic made us an offer.

And to answer the second part of that question: I do have a new YA novel coming from Scholastic next year. It plays with time and point-of-viewand thats all Im allowed to say about it at this point!

Zara Hossain Is Here by Sabina Khan. Scholastic Press, $18.99 Apr. 6 ISBN 978-1-338-58087-7
YEREVAN, APRIL 6, ARMENPRESS. Amid increasing number of coronavirus infections, healthcare authorities are again urging people to maintain the safety guidelines as hospitals across Armenia are running short of ICU beds.

Knar Ghonyan, the Director of the Department of Medical Aid Policy of the Ministry of Healthcare told ARMENPRESS that the healthcare system is working heavily overloaded and all intensive care unit beds are almost full.

The number of beds deployed in more than 20 hospitals across the country has reached 2500.

Ghonyan says hospitals treating COVID-19 patients receive on an average 300 calls per day on patients who require hospitalization. We also have people waiting to get hospitalized, and their number fluctuates, Ghonyan said. I dont want to mention a concrete number because this number changes, and we are doing everything we can for our citizens to get hospitalized as soon as possible. In any case, let me note that indeed there are patients who may have to wait at home for a few hours or even days to get hospitalized.

According to her, every day the health authorities are including new medical centers in the process to increase capacity. However, Ghonyan warned that the resources and ICU beds arent unlimited.

She warned that even during 2020 October-November, a period which saw the most new cases per day, the health authorities were only able to deploy around 3000 beds, whereas now 2500 are already deployed.

We must realize that soon we might have a problem.

Reporting by Anna Gziryan

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
A Spirit Airlines crew reportedly kicked off a Jewish family off the plane bound for Atlantic City, New Jersey on Monday.

Faithwire reported that the incident became viral in social media through a video taken during the flight that showed the flight attendant rebuking the couple for not following the mask mandate for their two year old daughter.

The video tweeted by Breaking911 showed the masked husband explaining to the flight attendant while the wife, also wearing a mask, was seated in front of him with their daughter eating yogurt.

"WATCH THIS: A family was just kicked off a @SpiritAirlines flight from Orlando to NY, because their two-year-old child who was eating, wasn't wearing a mask. The mother is 7 months pregnant, and they have a special needs child. The entire flight was deplaned," Breaking911 tweeted.

The video also showed that other passengers assisted the family and explained to that flight attendant as well that the child was wearing a mask prior to eating her yogurt. The flight attendant eventually left the scene.

WATCH THIS: A family was just kicked off a @SpiritAirlines flight from Orlando to NY, because their two-year-old child who was eating, wasnt wearing a mask. The mother is 7 months pregnant, and they have a special needs child. The entire flight was deplaned. pic.twitter.com/dcjLIEbDfA  Breaking911 (@Breaking911) April 5, 2021

The Daily Mail explained that the video was taken while the plane was still in Florida and that several versions of the video could be seen online, which meant several passengers uploaded the incident. The female flight attendant was telling the couple that they had to exit the plane for not following the mask mandate. Accordingly, the female attendant spoke in behalf of a male steward who wants the family off the plane.

As per the Daily Mail, the wife was seven months pregnant and the couple refused to leave the plane that's why the female attendant left to call the police onboard. All the passengers were eventually asked to disembark the plane and wait at the gate while police officers arrived escorted by the male steward.

Faithwire added that another footage showed that the family was asked to board the plane with the rest of the passengers after the airline replaced the crew on the flight. The passengers applauded the said decision while waiting at the gate.

This meant, as per Daily Mail, that the flight attendant was kicked off the Spirit Airlines flight. A video showed that the police escorted the male flight attendant off the plane. The media outlet highlighted that the incident was the second of its kind as previously a six year old boy caused a flight to be deplaned for mask mandate compliance.

According to Faithwire, the mask policy of Spirit Airlines requires all travelers to wear masks at all times except when "eating, drinking, or taking medication." The policy gives an exemption to children "under the age of two years old" and for other special cases such as those that "may be other limited exceptions for a guest with a disability recognized under the Americas with Disabilities Act (ADA) who meet certain criteria."

Spirit Airlines on Monday posted a statement on the incident in their Twitter account regarding their masking policy.

"Please visit http://bit.ly/SpiritInfoCenter for more information about our face covering policy," Spirit Airlines tweeted.

In the statement, the airline clarified circulating "misinformation" about the incident" and their action on the matter.

"We're aware of incorrect information circulating about Spirit Airlines Flight 138 from Orlando to Atlantic City. The flight was delayed due to compliance issues with the federal mask requirement. We allowed our Guests to continue on the flight to their destination after assurances of compliance. The safety of our Guests and Team Members is our top priority," the airline said.
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP)  The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear an appeal by Infowars host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, who was fighting a Connecticut court sanction in a defamation lawsuit brought by relatives of some of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.

Jones was penalized in 2019 by a trial court judge for an angry outburst on his web show against an attorney for the relatives and for violating numerous orders to turn over documents to the families lawyers. Judge Barbara Bellis barred Jones from filing a motion to dismiss the case, which remains pending, and said she would order Jones to pay some of the families legal fees.

Jones argued he should not have been sanctioned for exercising his free speech rights. The Connecticut Supreme Court upheld Bellis ruling last year.

The families and an FBI agent who responded to the shooting, which left 20 first-graders and six educators dead, are suing Jones and his show over claims that the massacre was a hoax. The families said they have been subjected to harassment and death threats from Jones followers because of the hoax conspiracy.

Jones, whose show is based in Austin, Texas, has since said he believes the shooting occurred.

The U.S. Supreme Court turned down Jones request to hear his appeal without comment.

Jones attorney, Norman Pattis, called the courts decision a disappointment.

Judge Bellis, and the Connecticut Supreme Court, asserted frightening and standardless power over the extrajudicial statements of litigants, Pattis said in an email to The Associated Press. Mr. Jones never threatened anyone; had he done so, he would have been charged with a crime. We are inching our way case-by-case toward a toothless, politically correct, First Amendment.

Joshua Koskoff, a lawyer for the Sandy Hook families, said Jones deserved to be sanctioned for his threatening comments on his show.

The families are eager to resume their case and to hold Mr. Jones and his financial network accountable for their actions, Koskoff said in a statement. From the beginning, our goal has been to prevent future victims of mass shootings from being preyed on by opportunists.

The sanction came after Jones, on Infowars in 2019, accused an attorney for the families, Christopher Mattei, of planting child pornography that was found in email metadata files that Jones turned over to the Sandy Hook families lawyers. Pattis has said the pornography was in emails sent to Jones that were never opened.

Youre trying to set me up with child porn, Jones said on the show. One million dollars, you little gang members. One million dollars to put your head on a pike.

Jones showed a photo of Mattei, a former federal prosecutor, and said, Im done. Total war. You want it? You got it.

Jones added, One million dollars when they are convicted. The bounty is out, (expletive). ... Theyre going to get your (expletive), you little dirt bag. One million, (expletive). Its out on your (expletive).

The Connecticut Supreme Court said the sanctions against Jones did not run afoul of the First Amendment because they were imposed due to speech that was an imminent and likely threat to the administration of justice. Chief Justice Richard Robinson wrote, language evoking threats of physical harm is not tolerable.

The families are suing Jones, Infowars and others for defamation and infliction of emotional distress. They are seeking damages that have yet to be determined.

Certain individuals have persistently perpetuated a monstrous, unspeakable lie: that the Sandy Hook shooting was staged, and that the families who lost loved ones that day are actors who faked their relatives deaths, the lawsuit says.

The suit called Jones the most prolific among these fabricators, despite him not believing the shooting was a hoax, and alleged Jones has made tens of millions of dollar a year employing false narratives.

Jones previous lawyer had argued that comments on his show about the shooting being a hoax were protected by free speech rights, and Jones allowed others to state their opinions that the massacre was fake because his is a proponent of free and open debate.

Sandy Hook families also sued Jones and others for defamation in other states related to the hoax conspiracy.

In one of the lawsuits, a Texas judge in 2019 ordered Jones to pay $100,000 in legal fees and refused to dismiss the suit. And a jury in Wisconsin awarded $450,000 to one of the parents in his lawsuit against conspiracy theorist writers, not including Jones, who claimed the massacre never happened.
Contractors employed by Belfast City Council have put down more than 100 dogs in the last five years, it can be revealed.

Figures obtained by the Belfast Telegraph show a kennel provider hired by the council has euthanised 125 animals since 2016.

Dogs may be put down by the authorities for a variety of reasons, including if they are involved in violence against people or other animals, or found to be strays.

Last year five dogs were destroyed by the council, down from a high of 43 in 2017. One animal welfare charity said this may be due to the pandemic, as fewer dog wardens have been on the streets.

Karen Matthews of Almost Home NI said owners needed to ensure their pets are microchipped and their details are up-to-date to prevent strays being put down.

"This will mean that, if a stray dog is picked up, it will be reunited with its owner or at least have a fair chance of getting back home," she said.

"That's incredibly important at the minute with the amount of dog thefts that have been going on, it's vital those details are up-to-date. The other thing with stray dogs that is really important for people to know is to check every single pound in Northern Ireland if your dog goes missing.

"We had a dog last week, for instance, that someone picked up in Newcastle as a stray. They were coming back from a walk in the Mournes, and they brought it back to Lisburn. So that dog would have ended up in the dog pound in Lisburn and, being realistic, if you're from Newcastle, you're not going to think to ring the dog pound in Lisburn looking for your dog. That kind of thing happens all the time."

Ms Matthews said the pandemic has presented challenges for rescue centres.

"There has been an increase in cases involving stray dogs for us, because during the pandemic many dog wardens stopped picking up stray dogs, particularly during the first lockdown," she said.

"A lot of councils didn't send their wardens out to pick up stray dogs off the street, so it was left to the rescue centres. Even at weekends and out-of-hours, we've always had stray dogs in because many vets are closed at the weekends and such. Some dog wardens have out-of-hours services, but not a lot of them."

The Dogs Trust charity said it is saddened that councils are "still in the unfortunate position of having to put stray dogs to sleep if they haven't been reunited with their owners and no other suitable home has been found".

"While the number of stray dogs has continued to decrease in the last few years, we want this to remain at zero and would remind dog owners of the continued importance of ensuring they have an up-to-date microchip and licence for their dog, as this can help reunite dogs with their owners should they go missing," it said.

"Dogs Trust never puts a healthy dog down and we work with local authorities across the UK to find homes for as many stray dogs as possible. We don't believe that owners set out to abandon their dogs or give them up for adoption; however one of the most common reasons for dogs coming into our care is due to unwanted behaviours at home.

"Our Change the Tale campaign seeks to provide owners with information and resources that can help them if they are struggling with their dog and give them the tools they need to overcome these issues."
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP)  Campers looking to overnight in Iowa's state parks this year will pay more do so.

The Gazette reports that the Iowa Department of Natural Resources has raised camping fees at the state's parks for the first time in more than 20 years.

The move comes after the state Legislature passed a measure in 2018 allowing the department to set its own fees.

Under the agency's new four-tier pricing structure, out-of-the-way parks that get fewer visitors wont see a rate increase.

But larger parks that draw more visitors see nightly fee increases from 25% to 55%, which will mean an increase of about $3 to $7 per night, depending on amenities.
Burma Myanmar Junta Forces Shoot Dead Three Protesters in Sagaing Region

Anti-regime protesters ride on motorbikes in Pinlebu Township, Sagaing Region on April 1. / San

Three men were shot dead on Monday when junta forces fired on anti-regime protesters in Pinlebu Township, Sagaing Region.

Regime security forces launched a crackdown on the protesters at around 10am Monday. Police opened fire after they arrested two youths who were at the forefront of the protest. Seven others were injured, according to Pinlebu residents who spoke anonymously.

Ko Aung Naing Win, in his twenties, was the first victim to die.

The police arrested two protesters and also briefly detained a ward administrator who went to negotiate for their release. They opened fire on the protesters who called for the detainees release, injuring seven. Ko Aung Naing Win was hit in his chest and died soon after arriving at hospital, said a rescue worker who asked not to be named.

The rescue worker said one of the injured is a 12-year-old girl who was wounded while she was closing a window at her home after hearing the sound of gunfire. She was hit in her arm and had not been present at the protest, he added.

Although the administrator was released in the afternoon, the youths are still in detention.

Two other men died after being shot in the chest on Monday evening, when police opened fire on protesters calling for the release of those detained at Pinlebu police station at around 8pm. Residents said shooting could be heard from 8 pm to the early morning on Tuesday. The Townships court and administrative offices were also burned down on Monday night.

Some people fired back with traditional homemade percussion lock firearms. But as they were outgunned, several people got shot by the police. Two of them: Ko Ja Pan and Ko Mya Win, both of them in their late twenties, died that night, said a Pinlebu resident.

Mondays incident was the first time protesters in Pinlebu have been killed in a regime crackdown. Residents said that they had heard that reinforcements for the security forces are coming to the town from Kawlin Township.

Since late March, villagers and protesters in Sagaing Regions Pinlebu, Yinmabin, Kale and Tamu townships have used improvised weapons to defend themselves against the brutal crackdowns of the junta forces.

In Yimabin Townships Thabyayaye village, villagers fought back when regime forces raided the village at around 3am. on April 2. Two men, U Tin Maung Myint and U Aung Nyein, died. Their bodies were retrieved on April 5 for their funerals.

A youth protester from Yinmabin told The Irrawaddy that anti-regime protests are happening every day in dozens of villages.

However, news about anti-coup protests is not as widespread as before as the regime has blocked mobile internet and public wifi nationwide since mid-March, while internet services have also been cut from 1am to 9am every day since mid- February.

Protesters in Tamu, which borders India, also told The Irrawaddy that they would stick to the plan of the Civil Defense Force to protect themselves from the militarys violence.

As of April 5, 570 people have been killed by junta forces, while 2,728 people are still being detained, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

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The location marks the first dispensary in Dunedin, broadening access to the state's largest inventory of medical cannabis

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Trulieve Cannabis Corp. (CSE: TRUL) (OTC: TCNNF) ("Trulieve" or "the Company"), a leading and top-performing cannabis company based in the United States, announced today the opening of a brand-new Florida dispensary, the Company's 84th nationwide.

The dispensary furthers Trulieve's goal of ensuring direct, reliable access to medical cannabis across its home state of Florida. The company's 79th Florida dispensary joins nearby locations in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Tarpon Springs and brings direct, in-store access to registered patients in Dunedin for the first time.

In honor of the Company's brand-new dispensary, all patients  from those new to Trulieve to the dedicated Truliever community  will be eligible for a 25% in-store discount at the new dispensary on opening day.

ANNOUNCING: Trulieve Dunedin Grand Opening

WHERE: 1846 Main Street, Dunedin, FL 34698

WHEN: Thursday, April 8, 2021, at 9:00 a.m.

In stores and online, patients will find Florida's largest selection of THC and CBD products in a variety of delivery methods, including edibles, smokable cannabis, concentrates, tinctures, topical creams, vaporizers, and more. Trulieve also offers home delivery statewide for patients and convenient in-store pickup at each of its 79 dispensaries in Florida.

To assist patients with ordering, Trulieve has made the entire catalog of products available for online ordering, with in-store pickup and statewide home delivery options available. Patients can schedule a complimentary 30-minute virtual consultation with a Trulieve certified consultant to help navigate questions on products, devices, or review their doctor's recommendation.

All visitors are required to wear masks for the duration of their dispensary visit. Only patients and their state-approved caregivers will be allowed inside the waiting room and dispensary at this time.

To assist with CDC recommendations for social distancing and in compliance with additional company-enforced safety guidelines, several measures have been taken to ensure the health and well-being of employees and patients. These include modifications to the layout of all stores, installation of plexiglass partitions and HEPA air filtration scrubbers in every dispensary, increasing access to masks and sanitizer throughout the store for staff and visitors, utilizing visual aids to direct traffic throughout the store, and increasing the frequency of deep cleanings for all dispensaries.

Trulieve is closely monitoring the coronavirus situation and will update store policies as needed to ensure the highest level of safety of our patients and staff. All updates will be shared directly on Trulieve's website as they are enacted.

The Office of Medical Marijuana Use recently announced the registry has surpassed 520,000 registered medical marijuana patients with an active ID card, with Trulieve consistently selling approximately half of the state's overall volume per the Florida Department of Health. To support the state's rapidly growing patient base, there are over 2,500 registered ordering physicians in the State of Florida.

For more information, please visit www.Trulieve.com.

About Trulieve

Trulieve is primarily a vertically integrated "seed-to-sale" company in the U.S. and is the first and largest fully licensed medical cannabis company in the State of Florida. Trulieve cultivates and produces all of its products in-house and distributes those products to Trulieve-branded stores (dispensaries) throughout the State of Florida, as well as directly to patients via home delivery. Trulieve also has operations in California, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. Trulieve is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol TRUL and trades on the OTCQX market under the symbol TCNNF.

To learn more about Trulieve, visit www.Trulieve.com.

SOURCE Trulieve Cannabis Corp.

Related Links

https://www.trulieve.com/


San Francisco residents ordering sushi deliveries may have fallen victim to fakes after an eatery allegedly took the names and logos of two restaurants and fulfilled orders online.

The original owner of Blowfish Sushi to Die For on Mission Street said he is considering legal action against the operators of a restaurant that is using the same name and insignia even though he owns the trademark.

The restaurant once operated by Jason Teplitsky was forced to shut down in December after more than 20 years in operation, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

But he was shocked to learn that another eatery began operating out of the same location at 2193 Mission Street and was fulfilling orders online for sushi using both the original Blowfish name as well as another Tokyo-based restaurant, Wagyu Mafia.

'I don't know what to think,' Teplitsky told the Chronicle.

The original owner of Blowfish Sushi to Die For on Mission Street in San Francisco said he is considering legal action against the operators of a restaurant that is using the same insignia even though he owns the trademark

The restaurant has reopened with the new owners using the name 'Blowfish Sushi on Mission' to sell food on apps like Doordash, Seamless, and GrubHub

Jason Teplitsky, who was forced to shut down Blowfish Sushi to Die For in December after more than 20 years in operation, said he is considering legal action against the new owners

'How does someone decide to do something like this? Did they think we all got COVID and died?'

Teplitsky told the Chronicle that on Friday he showed up at his old restaurant and demanded to speak to whoever was operating the reopened eatery, which still had the old Blowfish name and logo above the entrance.

The confrontation grew tense as staffers replied that they didn't know the owner or the owner's name.

Dissatisfied with the response, Teplitsky threatened to bring a group of people who would stand outside the restaurant door in order to prevent customers from getting in or out.

He said the new restaurant was going to be subjected to 'a world of serious lawyership.'

Employees at Blowfish Sushi said that Teplitsky raised his voice and scared them.

'He was waving his hands frantically,' said one employee, Emily Wing.

'I was shaking. I was just like, 'Can you please leave? Can you please leave?' and he wouldn't leave.'

Police arrived on the scene and Teplitsky went home. The restaurant continued operating that day.

The restaurant manager, Kevin Chen, said that it was never the intention of the owner to steal the name of Teplitsky's restaurant.

Chen said that the eatery kept the old name because the signage remained and it was just easier to keep using that name rather than go through the bureaucratic paperwork of registering a new name.

'It takes time to do the paperwork and everything,' Chen said. The eatery will eventually be renamed 'Chome,' which means 'district' in Japanese.

Chen said the restaurant may take legal action against Teplitsky if employees feel like they are being harassed.

The undated image above shows the inside of the Blowfish Sushi restaurant before it was forced to shut down in December

Both Chen and Wing said they don't know who the owner is. City documents list a woman named Anna Zhao, though the employees say they do not know who that is.

Chen said the restaurant is owned by a 'corporation' that was not based locally.

Days after Teplitsky confronted the employees, the signage above the restaurant bearing the name and logo of the old Blowfish Sushi to Die For was painted over.

The restaurant also introduced a new menu that included new dishes like okonomiyaki and lobster tail-topped risotto.

But the old Blowfish Sushi continues to do business on delivery apps like Seamless, GrubHub, and Doordash.

Weeks after Teplitsky was forced to shut down his restaurant, the operators of the new eatery registered with the city of San Francisco as Mission Blowfish, Inc. Online, it is known as Blowfish Sushi on Mission.

'It's not some sort of accident,' Teplitsky said.

Teplitsky said that he decided to place an order just to get a sense of what the food was like.

'It's similar to sushi buffet  all you can eat,' he said.

'It's not worthy of the name.'

According to online reviews, the new Blowfish restaurant began operating in February.

On Yelp, the business promotes itself as the original, claiming that it was 'established in 1998.'

'Legendary sushi spot on Mission with new ownership and brand new menu concept to impress,' according to the description on Yelp.

As of Tuesday, there were only seven reviews posted on Yelp, with one reviewers claiming to know the previous owner.

'This is not the original Blowfish Sushi To Die For,' according to one reviewer, 'L N.' from San Jose.

The Mission Street location is also the listed address of another sushi restaurant based in Asia - Wagyu Mafia

Wagyumafia is the name of a famous Japanese chain of restaurants. It is warning American diners in San Francisco that anyone ordering from a listing online is being duped

Wagyumafia in Japan posted this image on social media showing the DoorDash listing for the San Francisco 'location' and calling it a 'fake'

'New owner stole the business name and logo and repurposed to pretend to be the original.

'I know some of the original people who ran Blowfish. Shame on the person who has the audacity to reuse the former name and its history as their own. What a fraud!

'I do not recommend eating here. You cannot trust what's in the food after knowing they are shady like that.'

Four of the reviewers, however, were glowing.

'Pretty good flavor and nice people. That's what it takes for me to become a return customer,' read one review.

Another reviewer known as 'Amisha S.' wrote: 'One of the better sushi experiences I've had in SF...The sushi can best be described as fresh in a way that literally melts in your mouth.'

The restaurant posted a menu on DoorDash which includes some 200 items, including $7 for an order of spicy tuna roll; $6 for an order of California roll; $14 for dragon roll; $8 for chicken kara-age.

An appetizer of lobster tempura would set diners back $20 while a five-piece set of shrimp tempura goes for $12.

The menu also offers giant bluefin tuna kama for $35.

The Mission Street location is also the listed address of another sushi restaurant based in Asia - Wagyu Mafia.

Last month, food writer Tamara Palmer of 48Hills was looking to order sushi on an app when she came across the Wagyu Mafia name.

Palmer assumed that the listing was for a local branch of the famous Tokyo-based brand.

The 'ghost kitchen' that Palmer ordered from offered $180 cutlet sandwiches as well as $35 for Wagyu nigiri.

'Although I enjoyed savoring every bite and have gratitude to be able to experiment like this from time to time in the name of science, I found that the presentation paled in comparison to how this quality Japanese beef is more competently handled by chefs all over the city,' she wrote in the review.

The above file photo shows a Wagyumafia restaurant in Japan. The restaurant said it is considering legal action against the operators of the Mission Street location

Palmer then received an email.

'I'm getting in touch on behalf of WAGYUMAFIA to let you know that the WAGYUMAFIA in San Francisco is a fake,' a representative from the Japanese brand wrote to her.

Palmer realized she had been duped.

'I know people love stunt food and I know people will splash out for crazy items, but right now? My god,' she said.

Besides $180 sandwiches, the Wagyu Mafia menu also included $100 for a omakase sashimi platter; $80 for wagyu katsu sando sandwich; and $50 for wagyu tataki appetizer.

Wagyumafia currently has locations only in Japan and Hong Kong. A representative from the company told the Chronicle that it bought a trademark to the name in the United States in 2018.

At the time, it was considering opening a location in San Francisco.

'While we are flattered to have such strong brand recognition in San Francisco, it is very unfortunate that another party is profiting directly off of the Wagyumafia name and its signature dishes, deceiving customers in the process,' Wagyumafia owner Hisato Hamada said in a statement.

'It was even more disappointing to learn this is becoming a common occurrence for other restaurant businesses.'

As of Tuesday, both Blowfish and Waguy Mafia were still offering their services.

Both Teplitsky and Wagyumafia said they will contact the delivery apps and encourage them to deactivate the listings of the Mission Street-based locations.
Dozens of Honduran civil society organizations on Monday demanded the "immediate" resignation of President Juan Orlando Hernandez and main government officials for having turned the country into a "narco-state."

Hernandez's brother was sentenced to life in prison by a New York judge at the end of March for large-scale drug trafficking. During the trial, US prosecutors said the president had been a "co-conspirator" in Tony Hernandez's crimes.

The organization leaders said they were "filled with indignation" in a statement released to "unconditionally demand... the immediate departure of Juan Orlando Hernandez from the government (and) the replacement of the high military command" that supports him.

They also called for the resignation of the "attorney general, the president of Congress, the head of the Supreme Court of Justice and the attorney general of the republic," and called to convene a transitional government to carry out the general elections on November 28.

"We are witnesses to the destruction of the rule of law and the construction of a party dictatorship that has turned into a narco-state," the civil society groups said in the statement.

The statement's 36 signatories include the United Confederation of Workers of Honduras and Convergence against Continuism, an alliance of non-governmental and political organizations.

Tony Hernandez, 42, was found guilty in October 2019 on four counts -- including conspiring to import cocaine into the United States, possessing machine guns and making false statements.

During his trial in March, the US government successfully argued that the former Honduran congressman was a large-scale drug trafficker who smuggled more than 185 tons of cocaine into the United States.

Judge P. Kevin Castel also said that Tony Hernandez had acted as an intermediary in providing bribes to politicians, including his brother President Hernandez and the ruling National Party.

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Earlier in March, a New York jury found Geovanny Fuentes Ramirez, an alleged associate of President Hernandez, guilty of drug trafficking.

During his trial, US prosecutors said the Honduran leader had helped Fuentes smuggle tons of cocaine into the United States.

Hernandez, who has styled himself as a champion in the fight against drugs, has repeatedly denied all allegations of drug trafficking.

nl/mav/gma-rsr/to/jh
Social Worker Alleges Supervisor Made Insensitive Slavery Comment

A Black social worker is suing the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, alleging a supervisor made a racially insensitive remark about jewelry she was wearing.

Why do you wear so many bracelets? Is it because you want to become a slave again? Mark Wing C. Cheung, a DCFS assistant regional administrator and co-defendant in the suit, allegedly asked plaintiff Jennifer Jackson Warren.

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Warren seeks unspecified damages in the suit filed Thursday. A DCFS representative did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Warren was hired by the DCFS sometime around February 1999 and currently works as a children social worker who finds homes for abused and neglected children, the suit states.

Cheungs alleged remark came Feb. 13, 2020, when Warren walked into an office of supervisors of the DCFS Accelerated Placement Team, to which the plaintiff was assigned, according to the suit. Cheung looked at a decorative bracelet Warren was wearing and made the alleged statement in a loud and voluminous tone for the entire room to hear, according to the suit.

After hearing what Cheung said, Warren felt a tremendous sense of shame, embarrassment, and humiliation. She was left breathless and shocked into temporary silence, the suit states. Warren looked around the room at all the other DCSF supervisors present, but no one said a word and not a single supervisor interjected, the suit states.

Warren tried to compose herself and she asked Cheung why he asked the question, to which he responded, They would put bracelets on the slaves each time they were sold in order to count the times the slaves were sold, the suit states.

Cheung then left the room, at which time another supervisor told Warren, I dont think he meant it like that, the suit states. None of the supervisors apologized to Warren or reprimanded Cheung for his racist conduct, according to the suit.

For the rest of that day, Ms. Warren was in extreme shock as she could not believe what was said to her, the suit states. Ms. Warren could not believe that the practice of racial profiling was occurring in her place of work, a place where she expected to feel safe from prejudice and racism.

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Warren felt sick to her stomach and in a constant state of stress and anxiety for the rest of the day, the suit states. She filed a complaint the next day to all of the supervisors present and only one apologized and also promised to send her protest to upper management, the suit states.

A few days later in response to a separate complaint Warren filed, a representative from the Board of Supervisors for the county called Warren, asked her a few questions about the incident and said he would be in contact, the suit states.

Cheung later admitted he should not have made the statement and told Warren, I was praying during my devotion time yesterday. I was struck by the spirit that I said something was hurtful to you in the other day regarding the bracelet. I was very insensitive when I said things without thinking. Please forgive my ignorance and accept my apology, according to the suit.

Warren took four days off at the direction of her psychiatrist and she was so scarred by Cheungs remark she does not wear the bracelet any more, even though she previously liked wearing them and the one she donned that day was given to her by her children and grandchildren and is special to her, the suit states.

Warren believes Cheung has made prior racial remarks to other employees of different ethnicities and that the DCFS did nothing about those incidents either, the suit states.

Warren, like Cheung, is still employed with the county and has trouble sleeping and concentrating, the suit states. She also suffers from depression, headaches and severe stress, the suit states.
LONDON, April 5 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday his government wanted to get the aviation industry flying again and would offer airlines "as much notice" as it could so they can prepare for the resumption of non-essential foreign travel.

"On the aviation issue, we are going to give as much notice as we possibly can. "We are going to want to get the country flying again, we continue to support the aviation industry in all kinds of ways," he told a news conference.

(Reporting by Kate Holton, writing by Elizabeth Piper)
After a delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 93rd Academy Awards will take place on April 25, 2021 to a limited crowd of in-person attendees. Those of us watching along at home will get to take in this night celebrating movies and the people who make them.

If wed like to get all caught up in watching the nominated films, theres still time! There are five nominees for Best Feature Documentary, and heres where you can see them.

Academy Awards (Oscars) Statuettes | Andrew H. Walker / Staff

Collective

Picking up nominations in both the Best Feature Documentary and International Feature Film, Collective has certainly earned the attention of the Academy. This Romanian film takes a look at the investigative journalists and team of activists who helped uncover corruption and health care fraud following the tragic 2015 nightclub fire in Bucharests Colectiv. When victims who escaped the flames died instead of infections acquired in the hospital, the country was outraged to discover the truth behind the tragedy.

The film is available to subscribers on Hulu. It can also be rented from YouTube, Google Play, or Amazon for $3.99.

Crip Camp

RELATED: What Projects Will Barack and Michelle Obama Debut on Netflix?

Created for Netflix under the executive production of Barack and Michelle Obama, Crip Camp explores the 1970s collective called Camp Jened. This camp located in the Catskills promised a kind of Utopia for disabled teens who built a community to support one another. A former camper named Jim Lebrecht served as co-writer and co-director, and the release in 2020  the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disability Act  gives this film an even more powerful core.

The film is available to subscribers on Netflix.

The Mole Agent

Elder abuse often goes underreported and undetected because its victims are isolated and vulnerable. When a private investigator in Chile wants to uncover these horrific crimes, he needs someone who can go undercover without being suspected. Who better to sneak into a retirement home than an elderly man? Thats the focus of The Mole Agent, a documentary that has the people involved playing themselves. That means Sergio Chamy, as Deadline explains, will talk about his time as an 83-year-old undercover sleuth.

The film is available to subscribers on Hulu. It can also be rented from YouTube, Google Play, or Amazon for $3.99.

My Octopus Teacher

Craig Foster spends his days in the ocean off the tip of South Africa, and there he forges an unusual friendship with an eight-tentacled beast. Over months, Foster earns the octopus trust, and the pair form a bond that has been inspiring viewers of My Octopus Teacher. The results have left the world with more questions about the relationships between humans and animals. With stunning footage of the octopus herself and the shockingly beautiful underwater world she inhabits, this film is a treat for the eyes and the mind.

The film is available to subscribers on Netflix.

TIME

In the early 1990s, Fox and Rob G. Rich attempted to commit a bank robbery out of desperation. As The Cinemaholic reports, Fox Rich served a three and a half year sentence  and discovered she was pregnant with twins along the way. Rob G. Rich is currently serving a 60-year sentence as a result of the crime, and his wife has spent two decades campaigning for his release. TIME features footage from Rob Richs video diaries as well as discussions with Fox Rich and their children. The tale is a deeply personal exploration of one familys struggles with separation, but its also a meaningful consideration of the criminal justice system and the aims that it serves.

The film is available to subscribers on Amazon Prime.
Sony's latest trick for Bravia TVs is something called "cognitive intelligence" that can enhance parts of an image depending on what's going on. The first 4K TVs it released with the tech were high-end OLED models, but those started at $2,999 and went up from there. Now, Sony has unveiled first LED models with the Cognitive Processor XR, and they're a lot more reasonably priced.

The X90J is the higher-end LED model launching today, and it's available in 50-, 55- and 65-inch sizes at $1,299 (Amazon, Best Buy), $1,499 (Amazon, Best Buy) and $1,799 (Amazon, Best Buy), respectively. These offer the Cognitive Processor XR, though cinephiles will likely want to turn that off to see the content as the creators intended. They also deliver 10-bit (billions) color and full array LED, though Sony didn't specify the number of zones.

Naturally, they have HDR support for HDR10, HLG and Dolby Vision, and offer HDMI 2.1 ports that allows 10-bit 4K at up to 120Hz for a superior gaming experience. All the sets feature Google TV for Netflix, Disney+ and other streaming content, along with Sony's own Bravia Core streaming service that promises 4K at up to 80 Mbps. That allows for near lossless quality comparable to 4K Blu-ray discs, according to Sony.

Sony

Sony also unveiled the budget-oriented X80J lineup (above), with 43- and 50-inch models for $749 and $849 respectively. Those sets lack the cognitive intelligence features, full-array dimming and other features, but still give you Google TV and 4K upscaling. All the new sets are now on presale at B&H Photo Video, Amazon, Best Buy and other authorized dealers, with initial shipping dates that range from tomorrow to next week.

Update 4/6/2021 9:39 AM ET: The post originally stated that the X90J was the top-end OLED model, but it's the higher-end LED model being released today. The post has been updated with the correct information.
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Armed bandits have killed eight persons in separate incidents in Kajuru and Kachia local government areas of Kaduna State.

The states Commissioner for Internal Security and Homeland Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

According to the statement, the bandits barricaded the Kaduna-Kachia road around Kadanye village in Kajuru LGA, and opened fire on a bus and a truck carrying firewood, killing five people.

Mr Aruwan gave the names of those killed as Alfred Makinde, who was the driver of the bus, Abdulrahman Dela, Dauda Adamu, Umar, Dauda and Abdulrasheed Musa.

He said three persons were also injured in the attack and are currently receiving treatment in a hospital.

He gave their names as Murtala Ibrahim, Ali Manager and Abdullahi.

Mr Aruwan further said bandits also barricaded the Kaduna-Kachia road at the Doka axis of Kajuru LGA and shot at a truck, killing the driver.

He said in another attack in Kachia LGA, bandits invaded a herders settlement in Inlowo village, and killed one Ibrahim Haruna, before carting away 180 cows.

He further explained that at Akilbu village in Kachia LGA, bandits shot at a vehicle, injuring two persons.

The commissioner gave their names as Mansur Ibrahim and Muhammadu Aminu. He said Mansur Ibrahim later died in a hospital while Muhammadu Aminu is still receiving treatment.

He said Governor Nasir El-Rufai noted the reports with sadness, and sent his condolences to the families of the deceased, while praying for the repose of their souls.

He also wished the injured a quick recovery, he said

He said the security agencies are conducting operations at identified locations in the general area.

Kaduna is one of the North-west states most affected by bandits attack. Other states that suffer from similar attacks include Katsina and Zamfara.

The attacks have continued despite the heavy deployment of security operatives to the states.
Phoenix, AZ -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/06/2021 -- This April students across the globe will join forces to tackle literacy and numeracy loss through a Global Call to Action service-learning project. The project is a partnership between the students and teachers at Study Alternative Center and Missouri State University in Springfield, MO and the St. Paul, MN based National Youth Leadership Council. Study schoolteacher Elizabeth Nickle and her students will join Amy Meuers on the Power of Young People to Change the World on April 15, 2021 which will broadcast during the 32nd Annual National Service-Learning Conference to discuss the project and the impact that young people can make on this issue that effects children globally.



"We are excited to lift up the voices of educators and students who are making a positive impact in their community," says show host and NYLC CEO Amy Meuers. "This Global Call to Action is designed to engage students in their own education while they address the important issue of literacy and numeracy loss which has been made even more prevalent because of the pandemic."



The Power of Young People to Change the World is broadcast live every Thursday at 3 PM Pacific Time on the VoiceAmerica Empowerment Channel. Archives of The Power of Young People to Change the World can be found at https://www.voiceamerica.com/show/4006/the-power-of-young-people-to-change- the-world



The VoiceAmerica(TM) Network offers the latest conversations in a talk radio format, providing education, interaction, and advice on key issues live, on demand as well as through podcast download. If interested in hosting a talk show on VoiceAmerica Network, contact Jeff Spenard, President of Internet Radio at 480-294-6417 or at jeff.spenard@voiceamerica.com .



Contact Executive Producer: Steve Palmatier at (480) 553-5758 for advertising / sponsorship or other show details. Listeners can download the current versions of the VoiceAmerica Talk Radio



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About The Power of Young People to Change the World with Amy Meuers:



This show is perfect for youth who want to change the world and for adults who want to foster youth innovation and imagination through real-world education. Youth listeners gain a connection to other young people who are passionate about making the world a better place by addressing issues like climate change, education equity, poverty, mental health, and more. Adult listeners are inspired by stories of youth as change agents and gain practical advice on how to partner with youth and how to incorporate service-learning into their classrooms, afterschool programs or homes.



Youth are recognized as partners who understand their rights and obligation to act in the benefit of the public good. From young people who are affected by issues, to adult allies who work with them, join me to discover and discuss leadership that creates space for each person to take ownership and affect change so that all people are inspired to Serve. Learn. Change the world.



For more information about Amy Meuers and NYLC go to www.nylc.org or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.



About VoiceAmerica

VoiceAmerica is the original digital broadcast company for the production and delivery of Live Internet Talk Radio programming and continues to be the industry leader in digital media, marketing, and distribution. We are the pioneers of digital radio programming and have been since 1999. We create and distribute over 500 unique and innovative radio programs for our millions of engaged listeners worldwide. Our network channels distribute live programs daily that reach a growing domestic and international audience who connect through all devices via our mobile, desktop, and tablet VoiceAmerica destinations. Learn more at http://www.voiceamerica.com . Download the VoiceAmerica App now to listen live on Apple and Android. follow us on Facebook and Twitter . Call us to learn how VoiceAmerica will help you with BRAND, REACH, and SCOPE. 1-855-877-4666.
MELBOURNE, Australia, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- PaperCut, an innovative print management software provider that allows users to track, control, and enable more thoughtful printing, has announced the public launch of its cloud-native print management solution, PaperCut Hive.

PaperCut Hive, cloud-native print management solution, launched today

PaperCut Hive brings the power, control, security, and savings of print management traditionally enjoyed by large businesses to organizations of any size, even the smallest around the world, via serverless printing.

When asked why workplaces would consider PaperCut Hive, Co-founder and CEO Chris Dance was clear:

"We think it's going to be attractive to businesses because of ease of use," he said. "We've put a lot of energy into making PaperCut Hive, and printing in general, simple for both administrators and particularly end users."

Chris continued on the theme of simplicity as a driving factor in PaperCut Hive's development philosophy:

"Printing is a necessity but managing and enabling printing is more complex than it needs to be, " he says. "What we wanted to do is bring that 'everyone can use it' mindset, and turn printing from complex to simple again".

PaperCut Hive is simple to set up and administer with no servers or extra hardware required. Says Chris: "PaperCut Hive brings the best of breed Internet of Things mindset and technology into the world of print, with one objective: to keep printing simple and secure."

This Internet of Things approach is in reference to PaperCut's adoption of Edge Mesh technology, the driving core of this print management solution.

"One of the strengths of the Edge Mesh within PaperCut Hive is you don't have to have infrastructure if you don't want it," says Chris. "At the same time, it removes single points of failure that affect other print management in the cloud solutions that use appliances to connect to the cloud."

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Another cloud print management problem PaperCut Hive has solved is the speed of printing for users. While some software vendors have slowed down the printing process by sending documents up to the cloud and back down againfrustrating workers who have to waste time waiting for their document to printPaperCut Hive keeps printed documents within the workplace via the Edge Mesh.

Companies interested in learning more about PaperCut Hive are encouraged to talk to their local print reseller, as PaperCut Hive is only available through PaperCut dealers and resellers.

Says Chris: "We're thrilled to make this solution available exclusively through our worldwide ecosystem of partners and PaperCut resellers. It's important to have a local contact when it comes to critical IT environments such as print. Workplaces need to know they've got support in their timezone who's ready to help in person if needed."

For more information about PaperCut Hive, see the PaperCut website: https://go.papercut.com/PaperCut-Hive-Is-Here.html

About PaperCut Software

Around the world, people continue to wrestle with printing costs and complexity  and PaperCut is solving both, one workplace at a time. Since 1998, PaperCut has helped over 100 million users in 192 countries save over a billion pages of paper. Today, businesses of all shapes and sizes enjoy unbeatable control, security, and savings in their printing. Learn more at www.papercut.com .

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/papercut-launches-new-cloud-native-print-management-solution-301262746.html

SOURCE PaperCut Software
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian says her respect and admiration for Malcolm Turnbull would be everlasting after the former prime minister was sacked as head of a climate change advisory body.

In a staunch defence of Mr Turnbull just hours after he was dumped as chair of the NSW governments net-zero emissions and clean economy board, Ms Berejiklian said Mr Turnbull deserved our collective respect.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian says her respect and admiration for Malcolm Turnbull would be everlasting. Credit:Brook Mitchell

We dont always have to agree with what everybody says or does but we have to really encourage people to speak their mind and be true to what they believe and I just want to thank Malcolm and continue to respect and support everything he does, Ms Berejiklian said.

Whether you agree with him or not, hes always been very courageous in his views and thats something that should be respected.
Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Sara Adwoa Safo has urged the media, as a matter of urgency, to take a tough decision against spiritualists and occultists' advertisement on Television enticing young ones to engage in evil acts.



Hon Adwoa Safo was contributing to the recent gruesome murder of 10 years old boy at Kasoa.



In a statement signed and copied to Peacefmonline, she sent her heartfelt condolences to the family, particularly the mother of the deceased.



As a mother myself, with a son just around that age, I can imagine her pain and the anguish she is experiencing. The thought of any parent losing a child is unbearable especially under such dastardly circumstances. My heart really goes out to her.



I also plead with the media to take a tough stand against spiritualists and occultists who openly advertise on their platforms and entice these young ones to engage in these acts. It is time to take the moral right and uphold the values of our nation and safeguard the future of our kids and our dear nation in that regard, portions of the statement read.



Read the full statement below:



Statement By Minister Of Gender, Children And Social Protection On Gruesome Murder Of 10-Year-Old Boy At Kasoa



It is with deep sadness that I learnt of the death of a 10-year-old boy at Kasoa who was allegedly brutally murdered for ritual purposes.



My heartfelt condolences go to the family, especially the mother of the young boy whose life has been cut short in such a gruesome manner.



As a mother myself, with a son just around that age, I can imagine her pain and the anguish she is experiencing. The thought of any parent losing a child is unbearable especially under such dastardly circumstances. My heart really goes out to her.



It is disturbing that this grotesque act was committed by teenagers who are barely 16 and 17 years respectively who ideally should have exemplified honorable aspirations for their lives instead of this undignified way to enrich themselves.



This is unfortunately indicative of the reality and times we live in, where a section of our youth would go to every extent to live ostentatious lives without putting in any commensurate hard work and effort.



This disturbing act should be a wake-up call to all Ghanaians, that as a country, we will teach our children that there is dignity in hard work and with it comes the benefits thereof. We seem to have pushed aside the values and attributes of hard work, honesty and service to each other which are the building blocks of every fair and just society.



I also plead with the media to take a tough stand against spiritualists and occultists who openly advertise on their platforms and entice these young ones to engage in these acts. It is time to take the moral right and uphold the values of our nation and safeguard the future of our kids and our dear nation in that regard.



I urge all parents and guardians to be very much interested in the growth of, and also be protective of their wards.



It is refreshing that the Ghana Police Service acted swiftly and apprehended the suspects. I trust in their investigative prowess to unravel the probable motive behind this heinous crime and it is my hope that they will expedite their investigations so we can give the family of young Ishmael the justice and closure they deserve. Once the culprits, who unfortunately happen to be teenagers are tried and convicted, we will be willing and ready to absorb them into our Juvenile Correctional Centres under the Department of Social Welfare.



MINISTRY OF GENDER CHILDREN AND SOCIAL PROTECTION



P. O. BOX MBO 186



Ministries - Accra



In case of reply the number and date of this letter should be quoted



Our Ref: 



Your Ref: .



Tel/Fax No. 0302943172



Date: 6th April, 2021 REPUBLIC OF GHANA



Once again, my sincerest condolences to the family. We will be with you every step of the way.



Thank You.

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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What do these news stories say about Adam Toledo? Nothing. They simply suggest that using his age as shorthand for innocence and harmlessness in this situation generates heat but sheds no light. He was not a baby. A 13-year-old pointing a gun, if thats what he did, is as dangerous as a 23- or 33-year-old, maybe even more dangerous given what we know about the lack of judgment and impulse control in adolescents.
The National Association of Landscape Professionals, Fairfax, Virginia, is starting National Lawn Care Month with the release of a new animated video that educates the public about how healthy lawns and landscapes help fight climate change.

The video is part of a suite of grassroots campaign resources that NALP makes available each April to amplify the message about the benefits of managed lawns and landscapes.

This years focus on climate change is a joint effort of NALPs Government Affairs Council, Marketing Advisory Council and Lawn Care Communications Committee.

There is more of a focus from the new administration and in state legislatures about addressing the impacts of climate change, says Andrew Bray, NALP vice president of government relations. We want to ensure that we are leading the discussion about how healthy lawns and landscapes help mitigate the negative effects.

The 60-second video and infographic were produced by the Emmy Award-winning animation studio Digital Brew. The video features lawn care and landscape professionals caring for greens spaces. It also provides a high-level look at how grass, plants and trees sequester carbon, produce oxygen and provide cooling and energy savings.

We want to show people that their backyards, public parks and other green spaces are not just places to relax and have fun, says Lisa Stryker, NALP vice president of marketing and communications.But they should also feel good about the yards ability to help fight climate change.

Watch the video and access the National Lawn Care Month resources on NALPs website. National Lawn Care Month is promoted by industry partners, including the Irrigation Association, Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, and Turf Producers International.
Efforts to resolve a very public Government rift over moves to add Germany, France, Italy and USA to the Covid-19 mandatory hotel quarantine list have been complicated by a spike in Covid cases across the EU.

The proposal, backed by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, but opposed by Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney, has led to a damaging ill-tempered row.

Officials and politicians are expected to begin contacts today in efforts to defuse the matter.

The discussions are expected to focus on the capacity of hotels, required numbers of staff and the warning by Mr Coveney about the legality of extending the quarantine list to more EU countries.

The political row erupted last week after details emerged of advice from the Governments travel expert advisory group recommending the addition of the four countries to the list.

After public strong reservations were expressed by Mr Coveney, the plans to add those countries to the list were shelved.

But 26 other countries were included in the extended emergency quarantine list.

In practice it means that from early today people arriving in Ireland from any of these countries and territories must pre-book accommodation for 12 nights mandatory hotel quarantine on arrival and pay about 1,800 for the stay.

Read More

People who take a Covid test which proves negative can have their stay reduced to nine days.

There is no scheduled meeting of the Cabinet this week due to the Easter break and this may give both sides time for more considered discussions.

Ideally a new proposal could be brought to Cabinet next week and discussion by ministers is deemed necessary after the public row.

The outcome may mean stricter rules for people landing in Ireland from USA, France, Germany and Italy  but it is not clear whether this would include a full-blown hotel quarantine term.

The move is advocated by health experts and aimed at minimising the risk of new Covid variants entering Ireland.

A more comprehensive quarantine regime has long been advocated by opposition politicians who say that it was first recommended by health experts in May 2020 but only finally implemented last month.

Objections to the latest proposed additions to the list turn on potential EU law limitations, hardship for Irish people travelling home from these countries and the practical problems which arise for vastly increased numbers in quarantine.

One possibility being mentioned is that officials consider enhanced checks for people on home quarantine instead of mandatory hotel quarantine.

However it is not clear who would carry out these checks and how they would be done.

Contacts are expected to take place between officials from the Foreign Affairs Department and the Health Department on Wednesday and Thursday of this week.

Discussions between Ministers Donnelly and Coveney would follow in the ensuing days.

Critics of the extended quarantine argue that both New Zealand and Australia had to put a ceiling on the numbers allowed into mandatory hotel quarantine. They claim that the system in Ireland may not have sufficient capacity.
In a first, Russia has registered the world's first coronavirus vaccine for animals, its agricultural regulator said last week. The announcement was made after tests showed that Carnivac-Cov generated antibodies against the virus in dogs, cats, foxes, and mink. The regulator, Rosselkhoznadzor said that the mass production of the vaccine for animals is likely to begin in April.

'Vaccine would be able to protect vulnerable species and thwart viral mutations'

While the World Health Organisation has expressed concerns over the transmission of Covid-19 between humans and animals, the Russian regulator stressed that "the vaccine would be able to protect vulnerable species and thwart viral mutations [sic]," according to agencies. Russia till now has recorded only two cases of Covid-19 in animals, and both in cats.



Given that WHO warned of contractions from animals to humans, last year, Denmark culled nearly 17 million mink in farms after it was discovered that a strain of the virus had passed from humans to mink and that the humans had later contracted the mutated strains of the virus. Rosselkhoznadzor has now said that the fur farms in Russia planned to buy the vaccine along with businesses in Greece, Poland, and Austria. Russias fur farm industry accounts for around 3% of the global market, down from 30% in the Soviet era, according to the main trade body.

Russia became the 1st country in the world to register a #vaccine against #COVID_19 for animals  Carnivac-Cov, developed by Russias Federal Animal Health Centre. Today it is the worlds first & the only anti-#COVID_19 vaccine for animals pic.twitter.com/DshM8j7A8O  Russia in RSA  (@EmbassyofRussia) March 31, 2021

Covid-19 is about to hit animals next: Institute that developed Sputnik V

The head of Gamaleya National Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Alexander Gintsburg was quoted by Russian media as saying that "Covid-19 is about to hit animals next." He had said, "The next stage of the epidemic is the infection with the coronavirus of farm and domestic animals." The clinical trials of the Russian animal vaccine started in October last year that involved cats, dogs, Arctic foxes, mink, foxes among other animal species.



The results of the trials allow us to conclude that the vaccine is safe and highly immunogenic as all the vaccinated animals developed antibodies to the coronavirus, Rosselkhoznadzors deputy head, Konstantin Savenkov said in a statement. The Russian regulator also said that the immune response of animals who were given the Carnivac-Cov was better in the last six months, while it said that the study will continue on the vaccine's effect.

Konstantin Savenkov, Deputy Head ofFederal Service for Veterinary & Phytosanitary Surveillance, onanti-#COVID_19 vaccine for animals, Carnivac-Cov: Clinical trials started in Oct.2020. Results showed Carnivac-Covs safety & efficacy - antibodies were detected in 100% of cases pic.twitter.com/rOdmiJjnxm  Russia in RSA  (@EmbassyofRussia) March 31, 2021



The Russian watchdog further stated, "The use of the vaccine, according to Russian researchers, can prevent the development of viral mutations, which most often occur during interspecies transmission of the agent.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 19:56:04|Editor: huaxia

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COPENHAGEN, April 6 (Xinhua) -- The gradual reopening of Denmark has begun with the introduction of a "corona passport" by the Danish Health Authority, through Sundhed.dk, a Danish e-Health portal, on Tuesday.

"We are pleased to deliver the solution that contributes to the gradual reopening of Denmark. We have been working hard under high pressure lately. So it is great to be able to say that we are ready to start," said Morten Elbaek Petersen, CEO of Sundhed.dk in a press release.

The passport, which can be downloaded and shown by an app onto a smartphone or alternatively printed out from the website of Sundhed.dk, will officially document either a negative COVID-19 test taken within the last 72 hours, a previous infection during the last two to 12 weeks, or a completed vaccination course.

The initial beneficiaries of the passport will be a number of liberal professions, such as hair salons and driving schools reopening.

However, customers are still required to use a face mask when they present their valid "corona passport." Children under 15 years are exempt from the requirements.

Sundhed.dk expects a huge application for the passport from people eagerly seeking to resume their "pre-COVID" lives.

According to a Voxmeter survey done by Danish news agency Ritzau on Tuesday, 67 percent of interviewees think a "corona passport" is a good idea while 16 percent answer that it is a bad idea.

The Danish government on March 23 announced a phased plan for reopening after lengthy negotiations between the government and the majority of parliamentary parties.

The "flexible and responsible" reopening promised by the new agreement will begin on April 6, when 5th-8th graders and home-schooled since the end of 2020, will be permitted to attend school every second week. The day will also see the reopening of hairdressers and beauty salons.

The "corona passport" thus granted access to outdoor dining at the now reopened restaurants and cafes and permitted entry to museums, art galleries and libraries.

Nevertheless, the agreement also specifies that relevant sanitary measures should continue to apply throughout the incremental re-opening. The agreement acknowledges it may not be possible in areas where there is a high incidence of transmissions or a sudden outbreak of the virus. Endtiem
The most powerful of the Central African Republics armed groups said in a statement Monday it will quit a rebel coalition aiming to unseat President Faustin Archange Touadera.

The Unity for Peace in Central Africa (UPC), mainly active in the countrys east, commits to withdraw from the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC), the groups head Ali Darassa wrote.

The coalition is an alliance of some of the war-torn countrys most powerful armed groups, who joined together on December 19 accusing Touadera, the frontrunner in the December 27 elections, of trying to fix the vote.

Its components were drawn from militia groups that, together, controlled two-thirds of the impoverished country.

Touadera was reelected with barely one in three voters able to cast their ballot because rebel groups control most of the country.

Darassa said Monday that since the electoral crisis, the population has suffered terribly from insecurity, the health situation, famine and the lack of humanitarian assistance.

The UPC, the statement continued, reiterates its commitment to the Khartoum Accord process, a peace agreement signed in February 2019 between the government and 14 armed groups.

 Surge in violence 

Tensions have been high in the Central African Republic since the December election, although the surge in violence in recent months is just the latest flare-up in a civil war that has lasted eight years since the ouster of president Francois Bozize.

More than 30,000 people have fled the country due to the violence surrounding the elections, the UN says, while tens of thousands more have been internally displaced.

On January 13, rebels launched twin attacks on the outskirts of the capital  the first time they had struck so close to the city since the start of their offensive.

But their offensive foundered faced with government forces backed by 12,000 UN peacekeepers force, Russian paramilitaries and Rwandan troops.

Since January, the government and its allies have recaptured towns once held by fighters from the alliance of militias.

Bangui has accused Bozize, now the head of the CPC, of attempting a coup.

The UPC announcement came just days after another powerful group in the CPC announced that its chief had died from wounds suffered during an attack, in another blow to the rebel alliance.

Sidiki Abass, head of Return, Reclamation and Rehabilitation (3R), died on March 25, the rebel group announced Friday.

Abass, whose real name was Bi Sidi Souleymane, died in hospital in the countrys north, 3R said in a statement, adding he had been seriously wounded during attacks in the town of Bossembele on November 16.

The 3R group is made up largely of the Fulani ethnic group, whose members are traditionally nomadic herders.

Abasss group has in the past been accused of war crimes, and judicial sources said he had been the target of an investigation by the countrys Special Criminal Court, set up to probe serious human rights violations committed since 2003.

Mineral-rich but rated the worlds second-poorest country on the Human Development Index, the CAR has been chronically unstable since independence 60 years ago.
NBC Bay Area obtained private text messages sent between members of the infamous Oakley Union Elementary School District Board that resigned in February after mocking parents during an online meeting while the public was listening.

The group texts show the board members lamenting the hot mic moment only hours after it happened. NBC's Investigative Unit discovered that at one point they joked about meeting for a quick "three way."

In one exchange, board president Lisa Brizendine wrote, "It's bad."

"We just gotta suck it up and move on," board member Kim Beede responded.

"Nope, it's so [bad]. Did you watch the video?" said Brizendine.

In another group message, board member Richie Masadas wrote, "Should we meet?"

"Should we do a quick three way?" asked board member Erica Ippolito.

"Excuse me," responded Beede.

"We're all married," joked Masadas, including four cry-laughing emojis.

A request for comment from the district Tuesday morning wasn't immediately returned.

All members of the Board of Trustees of the Oakley Union Elementary School District resigned after they were caught bad-mouthing parents at an online meeting. The incident occurred on Feb. 17 as some members of the board spoke to one another online while preparing for their monthly meeting. They didn't realize people were already logging on and the public could hear their comments about parents complaining that their students are still at home doing distance learning.

Brizendine referred to the people who write letters to the board calling for schools to reopen, noting that the board members are members of the community with kids who've gone to the schools.

"They don't know what goes on behind the scenes. It's really unfortunate they want to pick on us because they want their babysitters back," said Brizendine.

Masadas joked that his brother had a medical marijuana service and "the clientele were parents with their kids in school."

"When you got your kids at home, no more smoking out," Masadas added.

Beede used profanity in one instance when talking about parents.

Superintendent Gregory Hetrick, who was part of the meeting, released an apology to the community for what was said during the Zoom: "Last night at the Oakley Union Elementary School District Regular Board Meeting there were unfortunate and truly inappropriate comments made that were heard by many. These comments are not typical and more importantly they are not what the community should expect from our school district. The comments made were not in alignment with our Vision and are definitely not what any of us stand for as leaders. I know that we lost trust with the community. I will not make excuses for what happened or why it happened. I am the superintendent. I am responsible and accountable and I am truly sorry for what took place ... I know that our students deserve better from us."
Nearly two dozen royal mummies were paraded down the streets of Cairo on Saturday to celebrate their big move from the city's Egyptian Museum to the new National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in the Fustat neighborhood.

In what the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities called an "unrivaled, once in a lifetime event," the Pharaohs' Golden Parade featured 22 mummies  18 kings and four royals  on a procession of vehicles decorated with pharaonic designs.

The mummies, which included Ramses II and Hatshepsut, were kept in climate-controlled cases during the hour-long journey alongside the Nile, according to the Associated Press.

Most of the mummies were from the New Kingdom, which ruled Egypt between 1539 B.C. to 1075 B.C., the outlet reported. They were originally buried around 3,000 years ago in the Valley of the Kings and the Deir el-Bahri site near Luxor.

Karem Ahmed/Shutterstock

RELATED: Explorers Discover 2,500-Year-Old High Priest Mummy on Live TV: 'The Thrill of a Lifetime'

In addition to the mummies, the gala parade also featured 60 motorcycles, 150 horses, and a 21-gun salute, according to a press release for the event.

"By doing it like this, with great pomp and circumstance, the mummies are getting their due," Salima Ikram, an Egyptologist at the American University in Cairo, explained to Reuters. "These are the kings of Egypt, these are the pharaohs. And so, it is a way of showing respect."

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The extravagant ceremony ended with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi personally welcoming the mummies to their new resting place at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization.

"This majestic scene is new evidence of the greatness of this people, the guardian of this unique civilization that extends into the depths of history," he said in a statement translated from Arabic ahead of the event, adding that the parade was "inspired by the spirit of the great ancestors, who preserved the homeland and created a civilization in which all humankind is proud."
Conservative groups are calling on the Arkansas legislature to override Gov. Asa Hutchinson's veto of a bill aimed at preventing minors from receiving gender reassignment treatments.

Lawmakers in Arkansas passed the Save Adolescents From Experimentation Act last week, which would ban experimental medicalized gender transition procedures and treatments for minors. Under the bill, banned acts would include prescribing puberty blockers to minors struggling with gender dysphoria.

Hutchinson vetoed the bill on Monday, explaining at a news conference that he believed the SAFE Act would wrongfully interfere with the medical profession.

If [the bill] becomes law, then we are creating new standards of legislative interference with physicians and parents as they deal with some of the most complex and sensitive matters involving young people, stated Hutchinson.

Source:The Christian Post
The Catholic Bishops of Peru issue a statement in view of next weekends General elections calling for the respect of electoral rules and democracy in the current context of the pandemic.

By Vatican News staff writer

In view of the Presidential and Congressional elections scheduled to take place on Sunday, 11 April, the Episcopal Conference of Peru is urging political parties to respect electoral rules and ethical commitments as well as the official results of the vote.

The bishops launched their appeal in a letter, dated 5 April 2021. Looking ahead to a voting process that takes place within the context of the coronavirus pandemic, they highlight the need for a serene climate in which to promote tolerance and respect among voters throughout the process, as well as when final results are officially released.

Democracy undermined

In the past five years, the Peruvian bishops say, "democracy has been seriously undermined by the succession of four Presidents and two Congresses, giving life to a situation that has not allowed the country to pursue integral development, consolidate democratic institutions and deal effectively with the pandemic that is causing much suffering in the country.

Hence, in the wake of Pope Francis' call for "ethical politics, the bishops underscore how politics must be orientated towards the common good, care for those most in need, engagement with the most vulnerable populations in the pursuit of dialogue, justice, reconciliation and service to others, in order to guarantee the fundamental rights of each person.

They point out that impartiality is demanded of the competent authorities, as is the need to be informed of the official election results quickly and reliably, in order to dispel existing doubts and avoid confusion and polarization for the sake of the country's stability.

The future is in everyone's hands

Finally, the Peruvian bishops appeal directly to all citizens to exercise their democratic right and duty with responsibility, because the "future is in their hands".

The invitation includes the need to respect health safety protocols and the bishops conclude noting that: The pandemic must not prevent the holding of free and fair, transparent and responsible elections.

With almost 1,600,000 Covid-19 infections and more than 53,000 deaths, Peru is among several Latin American countries struggling to contain a recent surge in infections against the backdrop of a critically stretched health infrastructure.


ZURICH (dpa-AFX) - Swiss lender Credit Suisse Tuesday said it expects to report a pre-tax loss in its first quarter, hurt by a hefty 4.4 billion francs charge following the collapse of US-based hedge fund Archegos Capital Management.



Related to the issues, the company said Investment Bank Chief Executive Officer Brian Chin will step down from his role on the Executive Board, effective April 30. Further, Lara Warner, Chief Risk and Compliance Officer, will step down, effective April 6.



Credit Suisse has appointed Christian Meissner as Investment Bank CEO and member of the Executive Board, effective on May 1. Joachim Oechslin is appointed ad interim Chief Risk Officer and member of the Executive Board on an ad-interim basis, effective April 6. Thomas Grotzer is appointed ad interim Global Head of Compliance, effective April 6.



On March 26, Archegos defaulted on margin calls from several global investment banks, including Credit Suisse, Nomura Holdings Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. This prompted banks to sell more than $20 billion worth of holdings. On March 29, Credit Suisse had warned about significant losses in connection with positions linked to Archegos.



Credit Suisse now acknowledged that matters related to both the US hedge fund and the Credit Suisse Asset Management managed supply chain finance funds require substantial further review and scrutiny. It has launched investigations into both of the matters which will focus on the direct issues arising from each of them as well as on the broader consequences.



Thomas Gottstein, CEO of Credit Suisse, said, 'The significant loss in our Prime Services business relating to the failure of a US-based hedge fund is unacceptable. In combination with the recent issues around the supply chain finance funds, I recognize that these cases have caused significant concern amongst all our stakeholders.'



Regarding the four supply chain finance funds, where there are continued cash inflows, the bank will distribute a separate update on further repayments within the next few days.



For the first quarter, Credit Suisse projects pre-tax loss of about 900 million Swiss francs, while last year's pre-tax income was 1.2 billion francs.



According to the company, the expected loss 'will negate the very strong performance that had otherwise been achieved by our investment banking businesses and the increase in the year-on-year profits in all three of our wealth management businesses, as well as in asset management, with particular strength in our Asia Pacific division.'



Net new assets were positive during the quarter across three wealth management businesses as well as in asset management and in the Swiss corporate and institutional business.



For the first quarter, the company currently expects the CET1 ratio to be at least 12%, Tier 1 leverage ratio to be at least 5.4%, and CET1 leverage ratio to be at least 3.7%.



Credit Suisse plans to publish its first-quarter financial results on April 22.



Following the significant US-based hedge fund matter, the Board of Directors is also amending its proposal on the distribution of dividends and withdrawing its proposals on variable compensation of the Executive Board.



The Board now proposes to distribute a reduced ordinary total dividend of 0.10 franc gross per registered share, half from retained earnings and half out of the capital contribution reserves.



In Switzerland, Credit Suisse shares were trading at 10.25 francs, up 0.9 percent.



In pre-market activity on the NYSE, the shares were gaining around 1.1 percent to trade at $10.99.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

CREDIT SUISSE-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de
After lagging the rest of New Jersey all winter, Hudson County is finally getting a larger share of COVID-19 vaccines.

For weeks, Hudson has had the worst vaccination rate in the state, despite being the most densely-populated county and among those hardest hit by COVID-19. Local officials and U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez called on Gov. Phil Murphy and the New Jersey Department of Health to increase Hudsons allotment of vaccine.

Now, Hudson is suddenly flush with shots.

The county is slated to receive 20,850 doses this week, its largest allocation to date by a factor of roughly three. Jersey City is expecting to get 3,500 doses of vaccine this week, while the county site in Kearny will receive 3,000. North Bergen, which administers to several different municipalities in North and West Hudson, will receive 3,100. An additional 4,680 doses are expected to be sourced through a partnership between the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

As federal vaccine allocation to New Jersey has increased, so has the allocation to Hudson County, said Dawn Thomas, a Health Department spokeswoman. In the past two weeks, allocations to county and local vaccinators have doubled.

Hackensack Meridian Health will also be given 7,200 extra doses this week for special clinics in North Bergen, Thomas said. Its unclear if that number is included in the 20,850.

The greatest number of doses will be administered at a new vaccination site at Memorial High School in West New York, which was set up through a partnership with Holy Name Medical Center.

Nancy Palamara, Holy Names vice president of diagnostics and therapeutics, said the West New York site will have given out 4,000 first doses by the end of Monday. The site has enough vaccine to give out 10,000 doses this week.

The biggest message we need to get out there is that the site is open, and have people understand that it moves quickly, Palamara said, saying that registrations have been a little slow.

Youre going to be able to get appointments in West New York right now, she said.

The county has bought five freezers to store vaccines, three of which are already in use and two of which are expected to arrive soon. And the countys Kearny vaccination site is adding a new day of vaccinations every week, after giving out shots only Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

Its unclear whether or not Hudson will continue to receive high numbers of vaccine doses, but officials are optimistic.

Hudson County spokesman Jim Kennelly said that the county expects to receive the allotment of 4,680 FEMA doses for two weeks, then, following a week-long break, two more weeks of second doses.

After that, he said, the county expects to receive two weeks worth of the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

Were going to have to wait and see what the federal and state government will do in terms of this, but the hope is that were going to maintain this, he said. But certainly through April, our dosage allotment, at least what we have been promised through the next month of this cycle, will be raised from what it has been.

Palamara said it was hard to say if the doses will decrease again.

Were hopeful that it will not go down again, said. But theres clearly a lot of players in the mix and a lot of variables.
Local

After legislative defeat, county supervisor promises to meet with local mayors over jail

Adam Robison | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM Officer Ebony Pinson operates the doors from inside the cell block control room at the Lee County Jail. Adam Robison | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM Billy Joe Holland

TUPELO  Lee County supervisors had pinned their hopes for a new jail on a proposed sales tax hike  but with that plan dealt a defeat by the Mississippi Legislature, county leaders are now promising to involve municipal leaders as they mull next steps.

District 5 Supervisor Billy Joe Holland  the current president of the board of supervisors  told the Daily Journal that after municipal elections conclude, he wants to meet with the leaders of the nine municipalities inside Lee County to hear what proposals they may have about building a new jail.

I want to get their ideas, Holland said. I want to get everyone involved.

The new term for municipal officials begins on July 1. Holland did not provide details about how talks with city leaders may be conducted but did insist that he wants to bring more voices into conversation about an issue that has for years vexed county leaders.

Later on down the road, when we get into further discussion, we may bring in other folks, Holland said. We may bring in business folks.

Supervisors are also awaiting the conclusion of jail consultant Tom Weber, who was hired last year to study the jail's conditions and deliver an assessment of any problems as well as possible solutions.

Bill Benson, the Lee County administrator, said he anticipates that the consultant will present his recommendations to the board by the end of the month.

Hollands pledge to meet with local leaders comes after the county supervisors in January asked Sen. Chad McMahan, R-Guntown, and Rep. Jerry Turner, R-Baldwyn, to introduce legislation that would allow supervisors to hold a referendum seeking voter approval to increase sales taxes countwide.

Such a bill narrowly passed the Senate over the objections of some Northeast Mississippi lawmakers but was not even considered in the House of Representatives.

Holland's call for broader talks on the issues comes even as one state representative criticized supervisors for a lack of communication on the jail issue.

"I have not been contacted by a single member of our Board of Supervisors about this," Rep. Shane Aguirre, R-Tupelo, told the Daily Journal last month. "If they would like to have a local and private done, you would think they would seek to contact the local delegation."

But Speaking on Monday, Holland suggested supervisors may have communicated too much about the proposed local and private legislation, rather than not enough. County leaders should have been less forthcoming about their intent to use a sales tax increase to fund a new jail, he said.

"We kept using the word jail, and we might ought to have said 'projects,'" Holland told a Daily Journal reporter on Monday.

However, the supervisor did concede that Lee County supervisors are now widely known to be currently focused on the matter of the jail.

"I think people know when we talk about this what weve got on our minds," the District 5 supervisors said.

The jail issue has emerged as a campaign topic for mayoral candidates in Tupelo, by far the largest city in Lee County.

Markel Whittington, a current member of the Tupelo City Council and a Republican mayoral candidate, has said that he would be willing to discuss the jail with the county leaders and wants to improve communication between the city and the county.

Todd Jordan, a current county supervisor and a mayoral candidate, has said that he would use his connections with the county board to forge needed coalitions between the county and the city to find a solution to the jail.

Victor Fleitas, an attorney and a Democratic mayoral candidate, has previously expressed concerns over efforts to increase taxes to fund a jail and said last week he's not yet convinced a new jail is even needed.

Caleb Bedillion contributed to this report.

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The Daily Beast

Naperville Police Department In 1972, 15-year-old Julia Ann Hanson was found dead in an Illinois cornfield. The teen had been raped and stabbed at least 36 times.Her family has been haunted by the unsolved crime ever since, but finally, after a nearly 50-year wait, authorities say they are bringing her killer to justice.On Friday, 76-year-old Barry Lee Whelpley was arrested in connection with the July 1972 slaying, Naperville Police Chief Robert Marshall and Will County States Attorney James
A 66-year-old woman from Cambridge is accused of stealing Social Security and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits totaling nearly $200,000 in a scheme that began in 1993, the U.S. Attorneys office announced.

Shirley Buchanan was indicted on one count of theft of public funds and three counts of wire fraud. She is scheduled to make an initial appearance before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Jennifer Boal on Monday, the same day she was arrested.

Buchanan, authorities said, maintained and used two Social Security numbers under two names to apply for and receive Social Security and SNAP benefits that she was not entitled to.

Buchanan first received Social Security benefits in March 1993 that concluded in November in 2018. During that time she received $184,410 in Social Security benefits, authorities said. The SNAP benefits began in February of 2012 and continued through April of 2020 totaling $12,916, authorities said.

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Vietnam Airlines wants aviation authorities to set floor fares and increase the ceiling, saying it would ensure fair competition among carriers.

In a proposal it sent to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, it wants the fare ceiling to be increased by VND50,000-250,000 ($2.17-10.86), and minimum fares to be 35 percent of the ceiling, or VND787,500-1.01 million.

It claimed having minimum fares would ensure fair competition among airlines and help them overcome the hardship caused by the Covid-19 outbreak, but said they could be scrapped once the aviation industry recovers from the pandemic.

Analysts said if the proposal is accepted, airlines would not be able to offer free flight tickets under promotions, and tourism companies and passengers would be the losers.

In 2017, Vietnam Airlines had suggested fixing minimum domestic fares of VND1.54-4.2 million ($68-$185), while its subsidiary Jetstar Pacific had proposed VND600,000-1.2 million.

But both were rejected by the Ministry of Transport.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 22:03:25|Editor: huaxia

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RABAT, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Morocco has provided key intelligence about a planned attack on a church in France and helped the European country stop the terror attack, said Morocco's General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST) on Tuesday.

The DGST, according to a statement it released, informed the French side the precise information a French woman of Moroccan origin on April 1, who was in the final stage of executing a suicide attack on a church, adding that French authorities made a series of arrests on Saturday and Sunday and then neutralized the terror risks.

The French-Moroccan suspect is believed to have an association with the Islamic State, the Moroccan intelligence authority said.

Morocco will continue to support the international cooperation of fighting against terrorism, the DGST said. Enditem
India recorded 96,982 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, taking the total tally to 1,26,86,049 on Tuesday. This comes a day after daily cases crossed one-lakh mark.

On Monday, the country recorded 1,03,558 new coronavirus cases, the highest single-day tally since the coronavirus outbreak.

Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab have shown a steep rise in the daily new cases.

The Central Government has rushed 50 high-level multi-disciplinary public health teams to 50 districts across Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Punjab in view of the recent very large numbers of daily new Covid-19 cases and daily mortality being consistently reported by these States.

The active cases have now increased to 7,88,223 comprising 6.21 per cent of the total infections, while the recovery rate has further dropped to 92.48 per cent.

The death toll increased to 1,65,547 with 446 daily new fatalities. The number of people who have recovered from the disease surged to 1,17,32,279, while the case fatality rate stood at 1.30 per cent, the data stated.

A total of 25,02,31,269 samples tested for Covid up to April 5. Of these, 12,11,612 samples were tested on Monday, said the Indian Council of Medical Research.

The Centre has advised high-burden states and union territories to take stringent measures for containment of the surge.
A former CIA director has spoken of his new 'openness' to the possibility of alien life, telling a story of an airplane that was brought to a halt at 40,000 feet, and saying he hope that mankind was 'friendly' to extraterrestrials, if they ever made contact.

R. James Woolsey, who ran the CIA from 1993-1995, spoke to The Black Vault's YouTube channel on Friday.

Woolsey, 79, spoke to promote his new book, Operation Dragon - in which he claims that Lee Harvey Oswald killed JFK on the orders of the Kremlin.

The former intelligence chief, who served under Bill Clinton, said he had in recent years heard numerous stories of unexplained aerial phenomena.

'There have been over the years now events of one kind of another, usually involving some kind of aircraft-like airframe,' he begun.

R. James Woolsey, Clinton's CIA director, spoke on Friday to the YouTube channel

Woolsey is pictured speaking in 1994 as Clinton talks to Anthony Lake, national security advisor

Woolsey said that the stories 'always seemed pretty far-out to me.'

He continued: 'But, there was one case in which a friend of mine was able to have his aircraft stop at 40,000 feet or so and not continue operating as a normal aircraft.

'What was going on? I don't know.

'Does anybody know?'

Woolsey said that the source was 'someone I respect'.

John Greenewald Jr, the host, pointed out that other former CIA directors have said they are open to the possibility of alien life.

In December, John Brennan, CIA director from 2013-17, told a podcast he felt it was 'arrogant' to believe we were alone in the universe.

'Life is defined in many different ways,' Brennan said during the December 16 episode of Conversations with Tyler.

'I think it's a bit presumptuous and arrogant for us to believe that there's no other form of life anywhere in the entire universe.'

On March 19, Donald Trump's director of national intelligence, John Ratcliffe, said there were far more sightings reported than were publicly known.

John Ratcliffe appeared on Fox News last month to discuss the forthcoming report

Navy pilots recorded seeing unexplained objects spinning in mid air, in the summer of 2014

'There are a lot more sightings than have been made public,' he told Fox News.

'Some of those have been declassified. And when we talk about sightings, we are talking about objects that have seen by Navy or Air Force pilots, or have been picked up by satellite imagery that frankly engage in actions that are difficult to explain.

'Movements that are hard to replicate that we don't have the technology for. Or traveling at speeds that exceed the sound barrier without a sonic boom.'

Analysts are eagerly awaiting a forthcoming report into unexplained aerial phenomena.

The government was, in December, given a 180-day deadline to disclose what it knew, meaning that the report should be out before June 1.

The report, produced by the Pentagon and the intelligence agencies, must identify, among other things, any threats posed by unidentified aerial phenomena and whether they may be attributed to foreign adversaries.

Pictured: A photo from the Project Blue Book archive shows lights misidentified as a group of UFOs over a Coast Guard air station in Salem, Massachusetts in 1952

Woolsey said he hopes that 'we can be friendly and able to deal with a wide range of behaviors'

'These people have reported very curious behavior by aircraft,' Woolsey continued.

'And it may be something real that is an extraordinary change, for some unheralded reason.

'Or it may be a complex set of what is going on in the world of cyber and so forth.

'I just don't know.

'I am not as skeptical as I was a few years ago, to put it mildly.

'Something is going on that is surprising to a series of intelligent, experienced pilots and we'll just have to see what it is.'

Asked how he would define his mindset, Woolsey said: 'Openness to new things.

'Willingness to examine them.

'Hope that we can be friendly and able to deal with a wide range of behaviors, in terms of dealing with our fellow human beings, or other creatures if they exist.'
By Vu Anh April 6, 2021 | 10:39 am GMT+7

The 016 Quang Trung frigate in 2019. Photo by Quan Doi Nhan Dan Newspaper.

A Vietnamese frigate has performed combat drills along with an anti-submarine helicopter near the Spratly Islands.

016 Quang Trung, equipped with rockets and stealth capabilities, is used to combat submarines and other warships, Vietnam Television said on Sunday.

Ka-28 helicopters carried out emergency landing drills.

"On the Spratly Islands, combat preparations are at the highest levels," the national broadcaster added.

016 Quang Trung, commissioned in 2018, carries a lot of modern Russian weaponry and camouflage technologies like radar-absorbing paint.

Its main weaponry includes eight 3M24E rockets with a 130-km range, an AK-176MA gun and other rocket-gun combinations.

It is also capable of carrying a Ka-28 helicopter for anti-submarine warfare.
In 2003, Air Canada (TSX:AC) was the 11th-largest carrier in the world. April 2 of that year was a nightmare for investors, because the airline company filed for bankruptcy protection. Five factors, including the decline in travel demand due to September 11, 2001, World Trade Center terror attacks, nearly blew the chances of recovery.

Management cited the slowdown in the world economy, rising aviation fuel prices, and respiratory ailment SARS as the other reasons for the bankruptcy filing. The Iraq War was the fifth issue, because the Middle East became a hotbed. Costs outpaced revenue, so it was imperative to take drastic action.

Still, Canadas air dominant carrier emerged from creditor protection 18 months later following a restructuring program. Air Canadas reinvention was gut-wrenching, with creditors taking massive haircuts and shareholders holding worthless stocks.

Global pandemic 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic was more disastrous, as Air Canada has yet to take flight since March 2020. So far, management hasnt filed for bankruptcy more than one year after the outbreak. However, losses continue to mount while the company waits for sector-specific financial support from the federal government.

Last year was the bleakest year for Air Canada. Its full-year revenue fell by 70% to $5.83 billion versus full-year 2019. The operating loss was $3.77 billion compared to the operating income of $1.65 billion in the previous year. Investors lost 53% in 2020.

The catastrophe was too much to bear. Air Canadas Q1 2020 financial results were the first time in 27 consecutive quarters that management didnt report year-over-year operating revenue growth. It was downhill from there due to travel restriction extensions and the resurgence of COVID cases.

Stock performance

Many hope Air Canada can stage another remarkable comeback in 2021. However, the financial damage has been severe. While the airlines unrestricted liquidity was $8.013 billion at year-end 2020, the bleeding wont stop. Fresh infusion, whether bailout or loan from the federal government, is obligatory at this point.

Story continues

As of April 1, 2021, you can purchase Air Canada at $26.45 per share (+16% year to date). Market analysts forecast a high of $35 (+32%) in the next 12 months. I suppose the prediction hinges on a federal bailout soon. Otherwise, a steep correction could drop the price to less than $10 or closer to $0.

Slower recovery

Air Canada faces slower recovery than some airlines, because its heavily reliant on international traffic. The domestic business contributed only 30% to 2019 revenue. Prolonged travel restrictions could further hamper Air Canadas recovery.

Meanwhile, the $8.85 billion airline companys efforts to rapidly expand its cargo network are ongoing. After partnering with Cargo.one, Air Canada Cargo became the first North American airline to join the Germany-based cargo e-booking platform.

Freight forwarders will gain access to a booking experience with real-time capacity and quotes. Also, it paves the way for Air Canadas entry into e-commerce delivery. The customers online access includes connections to and from Europe, the U.S., Latin America, and Asia-Pacific.

The array of travel restrictions that are constantly changing continues to clip Air Canadas wings. Revenue from leisure travelers from the country to sun destinations may not come due to flight suspensions. The airline stock remains a risky bet in 2021.

The post Air Canada (TSX:AC) Stock: Could it Still Plummet to $0? appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

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Fool contributor Christopher Liew has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

The Motley Fools purpose is to help the world invest, better. Click here now for your free subscription to Take Stock, The Motley Fool Canadas free investing newsletter. Packed with stock ideas and investing advice, it is essential reading for anyone looking to build and grow their wealth in the years ahead. Motley Fool Canada 2021
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 10:25:42|Editor: huaxia

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KHARTOUM, April 5 (Xinhua) -- At least 40 people were killed in violent clashes in El Geneina, the capital city of Sudan's West Darfur state, according to the UN humanitarian coordination office in Sudan (OCHA).

"Since April 3, 40 people have been killed in recent clashes between the Al-Massalit and Arab tribes, and 58 injured," said the OCHA in a statement.

It added that the situation "remains tense" in El Geneina and gunfire could still be heard there as of late Monday afternoon.

Humanitarian operations and flights have been suspended in El Geneina until the security situation improves, the statement said.

Sudan's Security and Defense Council declared on Monday a state of emergency in West Darfur state and mandated regular forces to adopt all necessary measures to end armed clashes.

In January, similar attacks were launched by armed groups in El Geneina, leaving 159 people dead and 202 others injured.

Sudan's Darfur region has been mired in a civil war since 2003. On Dec. 31, 2020, the UN Security Council unanimously passed a resolution that ends the mandate of the United Nations-African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) in the region. Around 16,000 UNAMID soldiers deployed in Darfur since 2007 are set to complete their mission in July.

A UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) will take over UNAMID's tasks in the region. Enditem
CALGARY - The CEO of Cenovus Energy Inc. says the process to sell Husky Energy Inc.'s chain of retail fuel stations was halted at an "advanced" stage as part of the $3.8-billion all-stock takeover that closed early this year.

Cenovus CEO Alex Pourbaix announces a multi-year initiative focused on Indigenous communities near the company's oil sands operations in northern Alberta, at a news conference in Calgary, Alta., Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

CALGARY - The CEO of Cenovus Energy Inc. says the process to sell Husky Energy Inc.'s chain of retail fuel stations was halted at an "advanced" stage as part of the $3.8-billion all-stock takeover that closed early this year.

In a fireside chat at the 2021 Scotiabank CAPP Energy Symposium, Alex Pourbaix said the proposed sale would have taken place at a low point in the fuel retailing business cycle and was stopped in hopes that the market for those assets would improve.

"The retail business, you know, it's a great asset position of legacy Husky. We stopped that sale at the time of the deal; they were pretty advanced," said Pourbaix on a symposium webcast.

"From my perspective, they were trying to sell at, really, what was the very bottom of the market. I just wanted to take the time to go back and reassess, did a sale really make sense and if it makes sense, is there a better time to sell? And we're probably moving into a lot better market."

Pourbaix predicted that vaccine rollouts and an economic recovery in North America suggest the upcoming driving season could be "off the charts," a promising prospect for the retail operations and also for refinery assets it purchased in the Husky deal.

Cenovus spokesman Reg Curren said in a later email that Pourbaix was referring to the ongoing sales process, not a specific pending transaction for the retail assets. He said no other details would be released.

Husky announced its plan to get out of retailing fuel to consumers after 80 years in the business in early 2019, putting on the block more than 500 service stations, travel centres, cardlock operations and bulk distribution facilities from British Columbia to New Brunswick.

It struck a deal to sell its 12,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Prince George, B.C., in late 2019 but couldn't find a buyer for the rest of the assets.

Higher oil prices will allow Cenovus to reach its debt reduction target of $10 billion by year-end, removing the need to sell assets, but Pourbaix said the company is continuing to sort its operations into core and non-core buckets.

Husky's Asian-Pacific assets are also being assessed and are "not necessarily" going to be considered a core asset going forward, he said.

Husky has offshore natural gas projects with Chinese partner CNOOC Ltd. in China and Indonesia.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 6, 2021.

Companies in this story: (TSX:CVE)
Mitchell Chapman is an Eagle page designer/copy editor and columnist. He is a member of the MCLA Class of 2018.
Hunter Biden reveals in his upcoming memoir entitled "Beautiful Things" that he has no recollection of his encounter with an ex-stripper who gave birth to his child.

In his memoir, the son of President Joe Biden has opened up about his struggles with drugs, specifically in light of the death of his older brother Beau in 2015, according to a Fox News report.

Hunter Biden has detailed his four years of active addiction with failed attempts to get clean. He also shared that he fathered a child with a former stripper who worked at a club in Washington D.C. at the time.

It can be recalled that in 2020, Hunter Biden has agreed to pay child support to the said woman during an 11-hour deal, where he dodged to be in a public court appearance.

Hunter Biden reportedly reached a last-minute temporary settlement out of court with Lunden Alexis Roberts, with whom he has a child in 2018, according to papers filed in Independence County Circuit Court on Monday.

The papers stated that Hunter agreed to pay out monthly child support, as well as payments retroactive to Nov. 1, 2018, according to a Page Six report. However, the agreed amount of the said child support was not disclosed to the public.

The deal also mandates Hunter to pay lawyers' fees and court costs. Hunter had initially denied that the baby was his. However, the DNA tests showed that he was the father.

In the book, Hunter said he challenged in court the woman from Arkansas who had a baby and claimed the child was his because he "had no recollection of our encounter."

"That's how little connection I had with anyone. I was a mess, but a mess I've taken responsibility for," he added.

RELATED ARTICLE: Leaked Emails from Hunter Biden's Ex-Wife Details Affair With Sister-in-Law

'Beautiful Things: A Memoir'

Hunter Biden has long been reported to be dependent on alcohol and other substances, such as crack.

In his memoir, he has been honest about his story as an alcoholic and his drug problems. He said he had been so desperate for a drink that even he could not make the one block walk from a liquor store to his apartment, he would still do it.

Hunter Biden has started going to rehab facilities in his early 30s, including celebrity treatment centers in Mexico and other parts of the country.

According to an NPR report, he was in and out of the rehabs that led to sobriety but were followed by relapses. Aside from his substance and alcohol dependency, he also became candid about his affair with the widow of his late brother.

The said affair took place after Beau's death and after the widow retrieved him from a rehab center.

What rescued him from these dependency problems was his blind date with his future wife. On a blind date, he met Melissa Cohen, who is an aspiring filmmaker from South Africa.

Hunter Biden told her his story and admitted to Melissa that he was a crack addict, to which Melissa replied that that ends now.

Seven days later, they were married. Just last year, their son was born. They named their son Beau, after Hunter's late brother, who died of a brain tumor in 2015.

READ MORE: Hunter Biden Convinced Father To Release Approval Statement Over Affair With Brother's Widow, Hallie

WATCH: Hunter Biden on 'Beautiful Things' And His Struggles With Substance Abuse - From CBS Sunday Morning










Majority leader in Parliament Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu has intimated that it will not be wise on the part of the New Patriotic Party which has been tagged an Akan party to present another Akan after the tenure of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.



According to him, presenting another Akan as its flagbearer will give credence and validate the assertion that the NPP is an Akan party and is no respecter of other ethnic groups in the country.



He made this known while speaking on Accra-based Joy News The Probe which was monitored by MyNewsGh.com.



Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu said, for this reason, although he qualifies to contest for the flagbearership of the party, he has decided to drawback.



Inwardly, I know also I have the competence but is it wise for me now immediately after two Akans; Kufuor had been the president, Akufo-Addo follows from the Eastern Region and there is a third Akan to follow? Doing introspection, I think it may not hold well for a party that is accused by some as being overly Akanistic party. But not everybody agrees with me. And that is the beauty of democracy, he said.



On whether he will support the Vice President of Ghana if he contests for the flagbearership of the party considering the fact that he is not an Akan the Majority leader said Well, I said these are early days, in the future when I have to stick out my neck, I would stick my neck out. For now, I think these are too early days. We must be working towards repositioning the party to retain power. That is the most important thing. There shouldnt be any distraction.



The heat of who takes over from Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo after he serves his second term as President continues with several members of the NPP declaring their support for their candidate in the party.



This has brought about some form of infighting especially with the exchange of words, especially on social media by followers of these factions of the party.



However, the partys leadership has called for calm heads to prevail in the party to ensure that they are focused on delivering a transformed Ghana to the people.





Source: ghanaweb.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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Cillian Murphy transformed into the ruthless criminal Tommy Shelby as he filmed tense new scenes for Peaky Blinders' sixth and final series on Tuesday.

The leading actor, 44, sported his character's signature flat cap as he shot scenes in a quarry in Lancashire.

Cillian appeared to be making his way towards a small camp site set up with carriages and horses as an old-fashioned car followed him up the path.

On a mission: Cillian Murphy transformed into the ruthless criminal Tommy Shelby as he filmed tense new scenes for Peaky Blinders' sixth and final series on Tuesday

Sporting a long black coat and an immaculate black suit with gold pocket watch, the actor walked with purpose towards the group of people at the settlement.

Once he arrived at the campsite things turned even more tense as he seemed to be in an altercation with a woman in the group while holding a gun in one hand.

It comes after last week the show's creator Steven Knight hinted that the programme could continue without Cillian's pivotal character Tommy Shelby.

Filming: The leading actor, 44, sported his character's signature flat cap as he shot scenes in a quarry in Lancashire

Drama: Once he arrived at the campsite things turned even more tense as he seemed to be in an altercation with a woman in the group while holding a gun in one hand

Knight, 62, told Birmingham Live: 'There may be worlds that are part of the Peaky world that are about someone else.'

The award-winning screenwriter added that a Peaky Blinders world without Tommy would require the franchise to take on a totally new form, as he is currently 'the centre around [which] everything orbits.'

Steven continued: 'In the form it is in, it is absolutely impossible for this to work without Cillian. As it grows and progresses, who knows?

Trouble ahead: Cillian appeared to be making his way towards a small camp site set up with carriages and horses as an old-fashioned car followed him up the path

Scenes: The eerie quarry site where he was filming was set up with horses and carriages for the day of filming

He added: 'It will go on in another form, which will be the film, and beyond that we want to keep the world going.'

The sixth series will pick up where the fifth series left off on 7 December 1929, the morning after a rally led by Oswald Mosley.

Peaky Blinders centres around its eponymous gang which is run by the ruthless Tommy and his family, and sees them build their power and influence over Birmingham and beyond.

Tense: After Tommy visited the settlement he then headed back down the hill towards a waiting car

The fifth season ended on a cliffhanger, with Tommy seeing visions of his late wife Grace (Annabelle Wallis) and turning a gun on himself following his botched assassination attempt of the British Union of Fascists leader.

Production on the show was delayed last year by the Covid-19 crisis, but shooting was able to begin last month with cast and crew adhering to strict coronavirus restrictions.

The BBC drama has been running for eight years and has enjoyed huge popularity but the sixth season has been confirmed as the final one, with creator Steven Knight confirming the story will return 'in another form'.

The final tweaks were made to the Manchester-based sets in February after the cast had been filming in Scotland.

Changes: It comes after last week the show's creator Steven Knight hinted that the programme could continue without Cillian's pivotal character Tommy Shelby

The locations, however, are portraying Birmingham - the actual setting of the hit gangster drama.

Meanwhile, TV star Sam Clafin, 34, was recently seen on set for the first time since producers confirmed he'll be making his return as the politician.

Last month, Peaky Blinders revealed Oswald's fate in a tweet: 'Sam Claflin returns as Oswald Mosley in #PeakyBlinders series 6.'

The Hunger Games star played the fascist leader, who rose to fame in the 1920s as a Member of Parliament and later in the 1930s, having become disillusioned with mainstream politics.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 04:34:33|Editor: huaxia

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A waiter cleans tables at restaurant terrace in Lisbon, Portugal, April 5, 2021. Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on Monday called for "a national effort by all to avoid setbacks" at the beginning of the second phase of the country's de-confinement program. (Photo by Pedro Fiuza/Xinhua)

LISBON, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on Monday called for "a national effort by all to avoid setbacks" at the beginning of the second phase of the country's de-confinement program.

The head of state visited a school in Lisbon to celebrate the return of classes for all students in Portugal, saying that it was a "historic day."

In addition to schools, shops with up to 200 square meters, restaurants with open-air service, fairs and markets without food, museums, monuments, palaces, art galleries, and the like are allowed to reopen to the public as of Monday.

"We are here, symbolically, to say that this is a joint effort, believing that it is an opening for the future," but that it will only be possible with "respect for public health rules daily and permanently," said the president.

"If it goes well when we get to May and then June, we will have already passed what is the de-confinement program," he said.

As the world is struggling to contain the pandemic, vaccination is underway in some countries with the already-authorized coronavirus vaccines.

Meanwhile, 269 candidate vaccines are still being developed globally -- 85 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 April 2. Enditem
New Delhi, April 6 : Afshan Ansari, the wife of gangster-turned-Bahujan Samaj Party MLA Mukhtar Ansari, has moved the Supreme Court seeking protection and safety of her husband while being shifted to Banda district jail in Uttar Pradesh from Roopnagar jail in Punjab, and also during his trial in pending cases in Uttar Pradesh.

Following the top court's direction on March 26, Mukhtar Ansari on Tuesday was being moved from Punjab jail to a jail in Uttar Pradesh. He was lodged in a Punjab jail since January 2019 in an alleged extortion case.

Afshan Ansari in her plea sought a direction for government authorities to ensure that the life of her husband is protected and his rights under Article 21 of the Constitution are safeguarded while attending trial in all cases in Uttar Pradesh.

"Because the petitioner's husband' life is constantly in threat while attending trial physically in Uttar Pradesh and accordingly it is most imperative that while he is transferred from one jail to the other or produced before the court in Uttar Pradesh, the entire legal proceedings must be videographed and ought to be carried out in presence of central forces such as the Central Reserve Police Force/Border Security Force," said the plea.

The petitioner claimed the threat to her husband's life is not merely an apprehension, but has been substantiated in the past by several attempts made on his life by political enemies belonging to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Uttar Pradesh.

Ansari's wife contended that there are high chances that he might be killed if adequate protection or safeguards for his life are not directed by the top court.

Ansari's wife cited many incidents when her husband was attacked, even though he has been in judicial custody since October 25, 2005. The petitioner submitted that some of the gangsters who have become highly influential despite being in jail could conspire to kill her husband.

On March 26, a bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan directed that Ansari should be handed over to Uttar Pradesh within two weeks, and then he should be lodged in Banda jail. The top court allowed the Uttar Pradesh government's Article 32 petition seeking transfer of Ansari to an Uttar Pradesh jail from Punjab.

The UP government had said more than 30 FIRs and 14 criminal trials, including heinous crimes of murder and under the Gangster Act are pending against Mukhtar Ansari in various MP/MLA courts, where his personal appearance is sought.
FILE PHOTO: A researcher plants a semiconductor on an interface board during a research work to design and develop a semiconductor product at Tsinghua Unigroup research centre in Beijing

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. auto industry group on Monday urged the government to help as it warned the global semiconductor shortage could result in 1.28 million fewer vehicles built this year and disrupt production for another six months.

The U.S. Commerce Department should dedicate a portion of funding in a proposed bill to expand U.S. semiconductor production to auto sector needs, the Alliance for Auto Innovation said in written responses to a government-initiated review.

U.S President Joe Biden in February ordered several Federal agency actions to address the chip crisis and is also seeking $37 billion in funding for legislation to supercharge chip manufacturing in the United States.

Some funding should "be used to build new capacity that will support the auto industry and mitigate the risks to the automotive supply chain evidenced by the current chip shortage," the group's chief executive, John Bozzella, wrote.

The group said the U.S. government could specify "a particular percentage  that is reasonably based on the projected needs of the auto industry  be allocated for facilities that will support the production of auto grade chips in some manner."

The group represents nearly all major automakers with factories in the United States including General Motors Co, Ford Motor Co, Volkswagen AG, Toyota Motor Corp and Hyundai Motor Co.

Automakers have been hit particularly hard by the global chip shortage after many cancelled orders when auto plants were idled during the coronavirus pandemic.

When they were ready to recommence production, they found that chipmakers were busy fulfilling orders for the consumer electronics industry which as seen demand for premium devices - both for work and leisure - boom as people spent more time at home.

Most automakers have been hit by the shortage. In recent announcements, Ford said last week it would cut output at seven North American assembly plants, while Kia Motors said it was cutting two days of production in Georgia.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)
NORMAN, Okla., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Nextep Charitable Foundation is pleased to have made recent donations totaling $38,000 to four deserving nonprofits. The four recipients are La Luz, Neighborhood Services Organization, The Sharing Tree, and Mary Abbott Children's House. Each organization plays a vital role in supporting the community, which is the core of the Nextep Charitable Foundation's mission.

Nextep Donates $10,000 to Sharing Tree

"We created the Nextep Charitable Foundation to better serve the communities we call home," said Brian Fayak, Nextep founder and CEO. "During a year like 2020, we knew there was an abundance of need, and our hope is that Nextep can play a part in meeting those for local families."

In the midst of trying times, Nextep's employee-led committee looked at areas of the community that needed support. Whether it's helping struggling families fill their homes with basic necessities or getting children out of abusive homes, each donation will be used to support Oklahomans.

Nextep has supported Mary Abbott Children's House on numerous occasions over the company's 24 years in business. This donation will go directly to supporting children and families dealing with domestic abuse.

The Sharing Tree has four programs that each fulfill a different need in the Oklahoma City metro area, from providing school uniforms to public school children to gifting families with items for Christmas morning.

Through various outreach programs, Neighborhood Services Organization provides housing support and essential medical services to those in need throughout Oklahoma City.

La Luz OKC supports members of the Latino community who experience domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

All four organizations are making an incredible impact in the Oklahoma City metro. The Nextep Charitable Foundation looks forward to continuing to support local organizations that are making a difference in our communities.

Visit nextep.com/blog to learn more about each organization and how to support them.

About Nextep

As a CPEO, Nextep provides small and mid-sized companies access to big-company benefits and HR services, which can help them become premier employers. With Nextep as a partner, businesses have comprehensive HR, benefits, payroll, and risk and compliance solutions without the burden of the administrative duties. For more info on how a PEO helps a business, visit https://nextep.com/services/peo .

The IRS does not endorse any particular certified professional employer organization. For more information on certified professional employer organizations, please visit www.IRS.gov.

Nextep, Inc.

1800 N. Interstate Dr.

Norman, OK 73072

nextep.com

Phone 888.811.5150

[email protected]

Contact:

Christy Hrencher

Office 405.928.2318

[email protected]

Related Images

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Nextep Gives Back

Nextep Donates $10,000 to Sharing Tree

SOURCE Nextep
CALABASAS, Calif., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE: AMH) today announced that the Company will release its first quarter 2021 financial and operating results on Thursday, May 6, 2021, after the market closes. The Company will host a conference call on Friday, May 7, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time to review first quarter results, discuss recent events, and conduct a question and answer period.

Live conference call

Toll free number: (877) 451-6152 (for domestic callers) Direct dial number: (201) 389-0879 (for international callers) Passcode: Not required Simultaneous audio webcast link: www.americanhomes4rent.com under "For Investors"



Conference call replay

Toll free number: (844) 512-2921 (for domestic callers) Direct dial number: (412) 317-6671 (for international callers) Passcode: 13718331# Webcast link: www.americanhomes4rent.com under "For Investors" Date accessible through: May 21, 2021

About American Homes 4 Rent

American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE: AMH) is a leader in the single-family home rental industry and "American Homes 4 Rent" is fast becoming a nationally recognized brand for rental homes, known for high-quality, good value and tenant satisfaction. We are an internally managed Maryland real estate investment trust, or REIT, focused on acquiring, developing, renovating, leasing, and operating attractive, single-family homes as rental properties. As of December 31, 2020, we owned 53,584 single-family properties in selected submarkets in 22 states.

Additional information about American Homes 4 Rent is available on our website at http://www.americanhomes4rent.com.

Contacts:

American Homes 4 Rent

Investor Relations

Anne McGuinness

Phone: (855) 794-2447

Email: [email protected]

American Homes 4 Rent

Media Relations

Megan Grabos

Phone: (805) 413-5088

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE American Homes 4 Rent

Related Links

https://www.americanhomes4rent.com


A Minneapolis hospital emergency room doctor testified Monday that George Floyd most likely died from oxygen deprivation, supporting the prosecutions murder case against former police officer Derek Chauvin, who pressed his knee against Floyds neck for more than nine minutes as he pinned him down on a city street last May.

Dr. Bradford Langenfeld, the emergency room physician who tried to revive Floyd and later pronounced him dead, said he surmised that Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, most likely died of suffocation.

Chauvin, who is white, was a 19-year police veteran until he was fired last year in the aftermath of Floyds death. He has pleaded not guilty to murder and manslaughter charges in the case being heard by a racially diverse 12-member jury. Chauvins lawyer contends that Floyd died from underlying health issues and that Chauvin followed his police training in the way in which Floyd was arrested.

Langenfeld, testifying at the start of the second week of the trial, said Floyd's heart had stopped by the time he was brought to the hospital. The doctor said paramedics told him they had already tried for about 30 minutes to revive Floyd. But he was not told of any other efforts by police to resuscitate him after he was arrested on suspicion of trying to pass a counterfeit $20 bill at a convenience store.

Langenfeld said that based on the available information he was given, death by asphyxiation was "more likely than the other possibilities."

The first week of the trial was dominated by emotional testimony from eyewitnesses who watched as Chauvin pinned Floyd to the street with his knee on Floyds neck even as Floyd repeatedly gasped that he could not breathe.

The May 25 incident last year triggered widespread protests against police treatment of minorities in the U.S. and around the world.

On cross-examination, Eric Nelson, Chauvins attorney, asked Langenfeld whether some drugs can cause oxygen deprivation. The doctor acknowledged that fentanyl and methamphetamine, both of which were found in Floyd's body, can do so.

The Hennepin County medical examiner's office said that Floyd died of "cardiopulmonary arrest, complicating law enforcement subdual, restraint, and neck compression." A summary report listed fentanyl intoxication and recent methamphetamine use under "other significant conditions" but not under "cause of death."

The jury also heard testimony from Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo, the city's first Black police chief, who fired Chauvin and three other officers the day after Floyd's death. Arradondo later described Floyds death as murder.

Shortly before the trial started, the city of Minneapolis paid $27 million in damages to Floyds relatives.
One of Editor & Publishers 10 That Do It Right 2021
The man who died in a Queensland hospital from complications due to COVID-19 on Tuesday was former Papua New Guinean governor Malcolm Kela Smith.

Malcolm Kela Smith died from complications of COVID-19. Credit:Twitter

Queensland Health confirmed the 77-year-old man, a dual PNG-Britain national, died on Tuesday afternoon in Redcliffe Hospital, where he had been cared for since he was airlifted from Papua New Guinea on March 28.

Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said Mr Smith wasnt infectious during his time in the hospitals ICU.

Im very grateful, as we all are, to the staff there who managed him to the best of their ability to give him that chance, she said on Wednesday.
A union has been ordered by the Labour Relations Board to grant membership to a Kelowna woman. The union acted in an "arbitrary, unreasonable" manner in denying membership to Alicia Ferri, the LRB says.
Ben Lambert / Hearst Connecticut Media file

HAMDEN  One person was wounded in a shooting in a parking lot late Friday, according to police.

Officers responded to the parking lot of the Dixwell Social Lounge, 950 Dixwell Ave., at about 11 p.m. for a reported shooting.
Lucknow, April 6 : The BJP in Uttar Pradesh will celebrate its foundation day on Tuesday by hosting a series of functions at the booth level.

This is being done in order to connect with party workers at the booth level at a time when panchayat elections are underway.

While the party has lined up a function at its state headquarters in Lucknow which will be attended by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, state BJP chief Swatantra Dev Singh, party general secretary (organisation) Sunil Bansal and other senior leaders, party functionaries at the booth level have been asked to organise meetings and functions to mark the day.

UP BJP general secretary Govind Narayan Shukla said functions are also scheduled to be organised at the district, regional and divisional level.

These functions would be attended by public representatives, including MPs, MLAs, Mayors and Chairman of Boards and Corporations.

Shukla said that the party functionaries would be posting party flags at homes and at local offices before assembling to listen to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP national president JP Nadda's address on the occasion.

For this, the party has put up LED screens, TVs and other digital equipment at the local level.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, April 6 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Apr, 2021 ) :The Indian capital on Tuesday imposed an immediate night curfew one day after the nation posted a record coronavirus surge, with financial hub Mumbai also introducing similar restrictions.

Alarm has grown since India passed more than 100,000 new cases in a single day for the first time on Monday.

New Delhi, home to 25 million people, and other major cities have all ordered a clampdown on public movement.

The Delhi regional government said the "sudden increase in Covid-19 cases" and "high positivity rate" meant a night curfew was needed.

The ban will be in place each night from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am through the end of April, with only essential services or people travelling to and from vaccination centres allowed on the streets.

After the start of the curfew late Tuesday, shops and street vendors that would usually be open were closed, but there was still a regular amount of night traffic on some roads.

Delhi residents have expressed doubts about how effective the night-time restrictions will be in reducing the spread of the virus.

"Most people who are going to get Covid are going to get it in the day when they are out and about... The night curfew is not going to change anything much," financial consultant Arvind Khanna, 62, told AFP.

"India is a very populated country and Delhi is one of the most populated cities in the world. So there really is no effective way. People just need to follow the rules -- wear a mask, use sanitiser, keep the distance," added 18-year-old student Angel Miyamoto.

Delhi reported 3,548 new positive cases on Monday, still below its peak of nearly 9,000 in November, when it was one of the worst-hit cities across the nation of 1.3 billion people.

The government has so far shied away from a repeat of the nationwide restrictions imposed in March last year -- one of the world's toughest lockdowns -- as it seeks to revive the country's devastated economy.

But India's wealthiest state Maharashtra, which includes Mumbai, on Sunday announced a weekend lockdown and night curfew on its population of 110 million.

The state currently accounts for more than half of new cases reported each day nationwide.
[April 06, 2021] Santhera Commences Convertible Bond Exchange Offer and Continues to Seek Votes on the Bondholders' Resolution



NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH IT WOULD BE UNLAWFUL TO DO SO Pratteln, Switzerland, April 6, 2021  Santhera Pharmaceuticals (SIX: SANN) gives an update on the restructuring of its CHF 60 Million Convertible Bonds and the options from which bondholders may choose. As from today, April 6, 2021, holders of Santhera's outstanding CHF 60 million 5% Convertible Bonds due 2022 (the 2017/22 Bonds) are able to accept the exchange offer that Santhera had announced on March 25, 2021, subject to applicable offer restrictions. The exchange offer is open for acceptance until Monday, April 19, 2021, 5:00 p.m. CEST, unless extended by Santhera. The interim results of the exchange offer are expected to be published on April 20, 2021. If Santhera declares the exchange offer successful, an additional acceptance period is expected to begin on April 21, 2021, and end on April 27, 2021, 5:00 p.m. CEST. In parallel, Santhera continues to seek and obtain additional consents to the restructuring of the 2017/22 Bonds it had proposed to the bondholders meeting of March 8, 2021. The amendments proposed to the bondholders meeting and the terms offered in the exchange offer are economically the same, mutatis mutandis. Hence Santhera encourages bondholders to submit their consent, if not already done, and accept the exchange offer. Santhera still requires further votes in order to reach the necessary two thirds majority. If a two thirds majority is achieved, the bondholders' resolution would, subject to court approval, become binding on all bondholders, and the exchange offer would not be completed. The recent support of Santheras shareholders in approving additional capital has paved the way for a restructuring of our outstanding bond. In order to achieve this, we encourage all bondholders to consider this exchange offer in addition to the ongoing consent process, said Dario Eklund, CEO of Santhera. Such a restructuring of Santheras capital structure is the best way to secure the Companys operations past the 6-month VISION-DMD data readout, after which, if positive, we will seek additional financing to fuel our future growth plans. Currently, bondholders may both and simultaneously

(1) vote on the bondholders resolution (if they have held the bonds since March 5, 2021, or earlier, and if they have not already voted), and

(2) accept the exchange offer These two decisions are completely independent from each other. A vote for the bondholders' resolution does not constitute an acceptance of the exchange offer, and acceptance of the exchange offer does not constitute a vote for the restructuring proposed to the bondholders' meeting. To vote on the bondholders' resolution, bondholders should fill out and submit the forms that are published on the Santhera website under www.santhera.com/investors-and-media/investor-toolbox/share-bondholder-meetings . To accept the exchange offer, bondholders should instruct their custody bank accordingly. Bondholders requiring assistance or additional information on the procedures are invited to contact Santhera Pharmaceuticals Holding AG, Hohenrainstrasse 24, 4133 Pratteln (email: daniela.glatz@santhera.com ; phone: +41 61 906 89 50). Related Documents

Forms to cast bondholder votes are available here .

Invitation to the Bondholders Meeting (March 8, 2021), the EGM (March 18, 2021) and accompanying documents: http://www.santhera.com/investors-and-media/investor-toolbox/share-bondholder-meetings

Notice of a Repurchase Offer (Exchange of CHF 60,000,000 Senior Unsecured Convertible Bonds due 2022): https://www.santhera.com/investors-and-media/investor-toolbox/bond-exchange-offering







Preliminary Issuance and Listing Prospectus Regarding the New Bonds: https://www.santhera.com/investors-and-media/investor-toolbox/bond-exchange-offering

Corporate calendar

April 27, 2021 Publication of annual results and Annual Report 2020

June 22, 2021 Annual General Meeting

About Santhera

Santhera Pharmaceuticals (SIX: SANN) is a Swiss specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative medicines for rare neuromuscular and pulmonary diseases with high unmet medical need. Santhera has an exclusive license for all indications worldwide to vamorolone, a first-in-class dissociative steroid with novel mode of action, currently investigated in a pivotal study in patients with DMD as an alternative to standard corticosteroids. The clinical stage pipeline also includes lonodelestat (POL6014) to treat cystic fibrosis (CF) and other neutrophilic pulmonary diseases, as well as an exploratory gene therapy approach targeting congenital muscular dystrophies. Santhera out-licensed ex-North American rights to its first approved product, Raxone (idebenone), for the treatment of Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) to Chiesi Group. For further information, please visit www.santhera.com . Raxone is a trademark of Santhera Pharmaceuticals. For further information please contact:

public-relations@santhera.com or

Eva Kalias, Head External Communications

Phone: +41 79 875 27 80

eva.kalias@santhera.com Forward-looking statements

This communication does not constitute an offer or invitation to subscribe for or purchase any securities of Santhera Pharmaceuticals Holding AG. This publication may contain certain forward-looking statements concerning the Company and its business. Such statements involve certain risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Readers should therefore not place undue reliance on these statements, particularly not in connection with any contract or investment decision. The Company disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Offer Restrictions

The Exchange Offer is not being made and will not be made, directly or indirectly, in any country or jurisdiction in which the Exchange Offer would be considered unlawful or otherwise violate any applicable laws or regulations, or which would require the Company or any of its subsidiaries to change or amend the terms or conditions of the Exchange Offer in any material way, to make an additional filing with any governmental, regulatory or other authority or take additional action in relation to the Exchange Offer. It is not intended to extend the Exchange Offer to any such country or jurisdiction. Any such document relating to the Exchange Offer must neither be distributed in any such country or jurisdiction nor be sent into such country or jurisdiction, and must not be used for the purpose of soliciting the purchase of securities of the Company by any person or entity resident or incorporated in any such country or jurisdiction. United States

The Exchange Offer is being made in the United States in reliance on, and compliance with, Section 14(e) of the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Regulation 14E thereunder.

The Company, certain affiliated companies and the nominees or brokers (acting as agents) may make certain purchases of, or arrangements to purchase, 2017/22 Bonds outside the Exchange Offer during the period in which the Exchange Offer remains open for acceptance. If such purchases or arrangements to purchase are made they will be made outside the United States and will comply with applicable law, including the Exchange Act.

The Company as the offeror is a Swiss company. Information distributed in connection with the Exchange Offer is subject to Swiss disclosure requirements that are different from those of the United States. Financial statements and financial information included herein are prepared in accordance with Swiss accounting standards that may not be comparable to the financial statements or financial information of United States companies.

It may be difficult for you to enforce your rights and any claim you may have arising under the U.S. federal securities laws in respect of the Exchange Offer, since the Company is located in Switzerland and all of its officers and directors are residents of Switzerland or elsewhere outside of the United States. You may not be able to sue the Company or its officers or directors in a Swiss court or another court outside the United States for violations of the U.S. securities laws. Finally, it may be difficult to compel the Company and its affiliates to subject themselves to a U.S. courts judgment. United Kingdom

The communication of this publication and any other documents or materials relating to the Exchange Offer is not being made and such documents and/or materials have not been approved by an authorized person for the purposes of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended. Accordingly, such documents and/or materials are not being distributed to, are not directed at and must not be passed on to, the general public in the United Kingdom. The communication of such documents and/or materials as a financial promotion is only being made to persons within the United Kingdom falling within the definition of investment professionals (as defined in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the Order)) or falling within Article 43(2) of the Order, or to other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated (together "relevant persons"). The investment activity to which this document relates will only be engaged in with relevant persons and persons who are not relevant persons should not rely on it. European Economic Area

In any Member State of the European Economic Area (the EEA) or in the United Kingdom (each, a Relevant State), this Notice is only addressed to, and is only directed at, qualified investors in that Relevant State within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (the Prospectus Regulation). Each person in a Relevant State who receives any communication in respect of the Exchange Offer contemplated in this Notice will be deemed to have represented, warranted and agreed to and with the Company and the Tender Agent that it is a qualified investor within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation. The 2017/22 Bonds have not been admitted to trading on a regulated market in the EEA or in the United Kingdom. Switzerland

This communication qualifies as advertisement pursuant to the Swiss Financial Services Act (FinSA) and does neither constitute an offer or invitation to subscribe for or purchase any securities of Santhera Pharmaceuticals Holding AG nor a prospectus nor a key information document within the meaning of the FinSA. Investors should make their decision to accept the Exchange Offer solely based on the Notice of a Repurchase Offer (Exchange of CHF 60,000,000 Senior Unsecured Convertible Bonds due 2022) and the preliminary offering and listing prospectus regarding the New Bonds, each dated March 25, 2021 which, subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, is accessible via https://www.santhera.com/investors-and-media/investor-toolbox/bond-exchange-offering . Investors are furthermore advised to consult their bank or financial adviser before making any investment decision. # # # Attachment 2021 04 06_Bond Exchange Update_e_final



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CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Organic Remedies, a medical marijuana cultivation and research organization based in southcentral Pennsylvania, is celebrating the upcoming opening of its first Missouri dispensary at 350 N. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau. Organic Remedies President Eric Hauser, RPh., along with state and local dignitaries and medical marijuana advocates, cut the ceremonial ribbon during the Open House event on Tues., April 6 at 10:00 a.m., one of several special activities planned before the dispensary officially opens for business to patients.

"We are proud to bring our unique brand of patient-focused healthcare to the city of Cape Girardeau," said Eric Hauser, RPh., President, Organic Remedies. "Since 2018, we have been strongly focused on improving the health and wellness of patients through medical marijuana therapies, and we look forward to supporting Missouri patients who are struggling with serious health conditions. We are also committed to becoming a vital member of the thriving Cape Girardeau community by offering new employment opportunities, supporting local veterans' organizations, participating in community outreach events, and giving back to our communities through charitable contributions."

The ribbon cutting ceremony kicked off several special events planned at the Cape Girardeau dispensary, including:

Morning of Wed., April 7 , Organic Remedies plans to host an Open House for the area's first responders, law enforcement and emergency officials with tours of the dispensary and information about the medicinal benefits of medical marijuana.

, Organic Remedies plans to host an Open House for the area's first responders, law enforcement and emergency officials with tours of the dispensary and information about the medicinal benefits of medical marijuana. Afternoon of Wed., April 7 , the new dispensary will be open to the area's healthcare providers to tour the facility and learn more about medical marijuana products and the therapeutic benefits for patients.

, the new dispensary will be open to the area's healthcare providers to tour the facility and learn more about medical marijuana products and the therapeutic benefits for patients. Thurs., April 8 , the company is planning to host a "Meet the Cultivators/Manufacturers" community event, where the public can learn first-hand about the medical marijuana industry from many of Missouri's own marijuana cultivators and manufacturers.

The Cape Girardeau dispensary is expected to officially open for business mid-April. New patients can visit the company's website at www.organicremediesmo.com to learn more about the services provided or schedule a free pharmacist consultation via phone. Once the dispensary is officially open for business, only patients with a valid Missouri Medical Marijuana card and their designated guests may enter the dispensary.

About Organic Remedies

Organic Remedies is a life science organization committed to improving the overall wellness of patients by producing and dispensing affordable quality medical marijuana products while continuing the advancement of medical marijuana therapies through genetics, collaborative research, and superior patient care. Based in Carlisle, Pa., Organic Remedies provides safe, effective medical marijuana therapies to patients in Pennsylvania and Missouri. Organic Remedies delivers a clinical approach for the utilization of medical marijuana that is patient-focused, collaborative and outcomes based. For more information, visit www.OrganicRemediesMO.com.

SOURCE Organic Remedies

Related Links

www.organicremediespa.com


"Collective Bunch was created to make it as easy as possible for people of colour in the animation, film and creative industry to foster job opportunities, build relationships, share knowledge, and change perceptions. Not only does diversity and inclusivity contribute to a more aligned society, but there is also a strong business case for it as it allows companies to target new populations and increase response rates with relatable messaging, helping boost their bottom line. Growing up mixed race (half black, half white), I've always been acutely aware of how advertising and movies can be very stereotypical in the roles they cast and when I eventually became involved in the industry as a partner in a production company, I noticed how the people behind the camera weren't diverse at all. It's time to change that narrative and it's very exciting to see companies like Cinesite contributing and investing in this change," said Jason Mackay (he/him), founder of Collective Bunch and the executive producer for the Kid Carson Show on Z95.3FM and partner in Rich&Jay Creative.

"In the animation industry in Vancouver, we see some diversity of cultures, and yet, when it comes to our talent base, there is a severe lack of representation from Indigenous and Black communities. We have a lot of work to do to make the industry not only more accessible, but safer, more equitable, and a place where stories from these communities, led by Indigenous and Black artists, are made a priority. Engaging with Collective Bunch and supporting their efforts to create a place of community and connection is key for us to move from good intentions to real, respectful action," said Tara Kemes (she/her), General Manager, Cinesite Vancouver.

SOURCE Collective Bunch

For further information: Contact for media: Jason Mackay, [email protected], 778-846-8510
Perks for Chinas vaccinated

In Beijing, a Covid-19 vaccine will qualify you for a buy-one-get-one-free deal on ice cream cones. But in the town of Wancheng, officials warned parents that if they refused to get vaccinated, their childrens schooling, and future employment and housing were all at risk.

China is deploying a medley of tactics, some tantalizing and some threatening, to achieve mass vaccination. Its campaign got off to a slow start, but health officials are now picking up the pace, with a goal of vaccinating 560 million people  40 percent of its population  by the end of June.

Though China has approved five homegrown vaccines, public anxiety about them remains. It doesnt help that Chinese vaccine companies have been slow to release full data. The countrys near-total control of the coronavirus also makes many residents feel the shot is not so urgent.

Quotable: They say its voluntary, but if you dont get the vaccine, theyll just keep calling you, said one student in Beijing.
Piotr Rymaszewski and Julian Healy have ended their third terms in office with the Board of Nominees of Fondul Proprietatea, Franklin Templeton International Services informed on Tuesday.

"Franklin Templeton International Services S.A R.L, in its capacity as alternative investment Fund Manager and sole director (the 'Fund Manager') of Fondul Proprietatea S.A. (the 'Fund'), informs that on the April 5 2021 Mr Piotr Rymaszewski and Mr Julian Healy successfully completed their third mandates held within the Board of Nominees of Fondul Proprietatea," reads a press release sent to AGERPRES.

Mr Rymaszewski was also the Chairman of the Board and Mr Healy was the Chairman of the Audit and Valuation Committee.

'We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Mr Rymaszewski and Mr Healy for their outstanding contributions over the last 9 years, which played a critical role in the Fund's success to date. We have great appreciation for their commitment, thoroughness and deep understanding of the Fund, as well as the international perspective they brought to the Fund's Board. Furthermore, they were strong supporters of the Fund's efforts to improve corporate governance and promote the listings of state-owned portfolio companies, as well as the implementation of discount control mechanisms aimed at unlocking the value of the Fund's portfolio. It has been a great pleasure working with them and I would like to wish them all the best in their future endeavours,' said Johan Meyer, CEO of Franklin Templeton Bucharest and Portfolio Manager of Fondul Proprietatea.

Fondul Proprietatea adheres to the strictest standards of corporate governance of the London Stock Exchange, where the Fund is listed through GDRs. These indicate that Board members of listed companies are no longer considered independent after serving more than 9 years in the Board of a company.

On March 24 2021 the Fund's shareholders elected as members of the Board of Nominees, for a three-years period, Mr. Nicholas Paris and Omer Tetik, following the expiration of the mandates of Mr. Julian Healy, and respectively Mr. Piotr Rymaszewski on April 5 2021.

The appointment of a new Chairperson of the Board of Nominees and the appointment of a new Chairperson of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee will be on the agenda of the next Board meeting.
Press Release

April 6, 2021 POE TO BSP: HELP FRAUD VICTIMS GET THEIR MONEY BACK Sen. Grace Poe urged the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to advocate for the rights of consumers and use its influence on banks to ensure fraud victims get their money back. "Financial regulators are keen on throwing banks a line when they are deemed to be too big to fail. Equally, individuals deserve proper and timely support. People should be at the core of what government does and no one should be too small to ignore," said Poe, chairperson of the Senate committee on banks, financial institutions and currencies. The BSP itself earlier noted that people were still hesitant to transact online for fear of getting scammed or hacked, attributing such to lack of awareness. Groups in social media have been created by victims of online bank fraud. One group collated data on the amounts people lost to fraud, with over 150 victims coming out and losses amounting to P7.5 million. Poe said addressing the concerns of consumers and helping them get their hard-earned money back will help improve confidence in online transactions. Overseas Filipino workers have also been victimized and some are fortunate enough to be in a different time zone and are awake when the crime happens that they get a chance to call the bank to freeze their accounts and limit their losses. While the BSP's chatbot where victims can raise their complaints is a good start and information campaigns to increase the awareness on how to avoid being a victim of fraud also help, heightened measures are demanded by the public. "Some of the money stolen go to accounts that victims have identified. Banks are expected to timely and effectively act. Certainly, the BSP must leave no stone unturned in safeguarding the welfare of our consumers," urged Poe. Sponsored by Poe, Republic Act 11521 or An Act Further Amending the Anti-Money Laundering Act was timely passed and enacted in January this year. Such should also help equip regulators with a way of tracking the money trail to help resolve some cases. Coordination with other government agencies must also be improved. "People have lost their jobs. They shouldn't unduly lose their savings, too," Poe lamented.(30) Notes: The BSP said it has received 23,000 complaints from the online chatbot on its website since it was activated last year.

The BSP wants half of all transactions in the country done digitally by 2023.

Last year, the BSP said that the fear of getting scammed hindered the growth of e-payments in the country.

Banks and financial institutions under the BSP's supervision are required to keep records of their transactions.
[April 06, 2021] Aladdin Exchange Launched Its $1M Simulation Trading Event

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, April 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The long-awaited Aladdin Exchange simulation trading event has finally gone live. The team is very excited for their users to take part in this 1,000,000 USD event. Besides this massive giveaway, the exchange will also be giving away many other epic prizes.

Interested participants can head to the Aladdin Exchange website to get started for a shot at winning fabulous prizes. The event will be taking place between March 29, 2021 and April 27, 2021. Users who have completed the necessary verification processes on the platform can begin participating in the simulation trading event. To join the event without any issues, users on the platform need to complete three steps in particular. The first will be to register on the Aladdin Exchange. The second will be to complete SMS verification. The final third step is to complete Aladdin Pro verification (Level 3). Once verification is complete, users will receive coins which they will use for the simulation trading event . Both users from Aladdin Exchange and from the associated Aladdin Pro Wallet address can join the event. The coins that will be given to participants to use during the event will include BTC , ETH, TNC, LINK, BCH, LTC, PLF, USDT, ABBC, and HMR. These are digital currencies that are initially supported on the Aaddin Exchange. These coins will be used by the registered users exclusively for this simulation trading event. Winners will receive their prizes in 2 weeks starting from the events closing date. Moreover, the prizes will be valued in USDT.



The winners of the event will be determined by the individual profits made by each user during the simulation trading event. A massive total of 316,732 participants will receive spectacular prizes. The 1st place winner can win $100,000, while the 2nd place winner can win $50,000, and the 3rd place winner can win $10,000. Aladdin Exchange Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tO-M4Nf5aOA

This event is held to celebrate Aladdin Exchanges success and to invite more users to get on the platform. Since the platforms opening in Mid-March, over 2 million users have registered. Besides the jackpot prize from this event, users can also gain other rewards on the platform from several other events like the registration and referral events. Aladdin Exchange is a notable, simple, secure, and active cryptocurrency trading platform. It holds all significant digital currencies for users to trade on the platform. These include coins such as Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ether, and Tether. Thanks to blockchain technology, the platform can guarantee a safe space to trade, store, and exchange their cryptocurrencies. Besides these major cryptos, the platform also hosts various other altcoins which show great potential for investment. Users can use them to expand their digital currency collection. Aladdin Exchange is a project stemming from the TNC Blockchain Solutions Group. It strives to lead the firms mission to unify crypto trading platforms by implementing blockchain solutions. Participants and users can find details about the event from the Aladdin Exchange website . Aladdin Exchange also keeps very active and updated social media accounts to keep their users constantly updated. Official Social Media Platforms: Telegram Channel

Telegram Community

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram Media Contact Name - Ramaraj

E-mail - social@aladdin25.com

Company - Aladdin Exchange A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/17cd4b46-bad2-4eeb-8efe-e54d835f5ece



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Konstantin Maslak from Russia made his way through a field of 325 entries to take down the top prize of $103,125 after a short heads up battle with Damian Salas. Maslak also bagged $126,406 in bounties along the way, including the bounty of Salas, and his own. The 325 entries built a prize pool of $1.625 million.

Both players in the heads up battle were bracelet holders, and Maslak has amassed more than $1 million in wins during his live poker career. He also has almost $350K in tournament winnings on GGPoker. His biggest live score was $600,000 for 5th place in partypoker LIVE - partypoker Caribbean Poker Party, Bahamas in 2018, and he won almost $270K along with his bracelet.

The Final Table

Place Player Country Bounty Prize 1 Konstantin Maslak Russia $126,406 $103,125 2 Damian Salas Argentina $47,422 $102,963 3 Urmo Velvelt Estonia $4,375 $79,019 4 Daniel Dvoress Canada $46,172 $60,595 5 Giovanni "HEIZENBERG_G" Zanette South Africa $42,133 $46,467 6 Aliaksandr Hirs Belarus $19,180 $35,633 7 Joakim Andersson Sweden $28,438 $27,325 8 Gustavo "Astor" Mastelotto Brazil $17,500 $20,954 9 David Peters United States $11,875 $16,069

Action of the Day

Cards went in the air for H-03: $5,250 Bounty Hunters Main Event at 12:05 eastern time and Chris Moorman and Isaac Haxton build big early stacks. A couple hours after the tournament began, Haxton already had nearly 600,000 chips, about 200K more than his closest rival. However, he got into a massive spot against Thomas Muehloecker about 90 minutes before late registration ended, but his aces were cracked by Muehloecker's king-ten and Haxton never recovered.

They cracked the guarantee about 30 minutes before the end of the registration period, and by the time the desk closed, there were 325 entries in total, putting $1,625,000 into the prize pool. A total of 47 players were set to get paid, but still 70 players left in action.

It took less than an hour to play down into the money with Bruno Volkmann getting hit with a brutal beat to bubble in 48th. He got his money in good with jacks over tens against David Peters, but Peters spiked the case ten on the turn to put everyone in the money.

Action really picked up after the bubble, and within an hour, there were just 24 players left in action. After another hour of play, the final table was set with Joakim Andersson and Daniel Dvoress leading the way. Second place finisher Salas came into the final table in the middle of the list, but winner Maslak was the short stack when the final table convened.

Peters found the exit fairly quickly from the final table, but after that, play stalled. It took more than an hour of eight-handed play before Gustavo "Astor" Mastelotto ended his day in eighth place. Andersson followed a few minutes later after Dvoress got there with a flush to knock out the Swede.

They played six handed for a while with Salas gaining the chip lead after a huge river against Dvoress when he capped Dvoress' trips with the river boat. Salas took the bounty of Aliaksandr Hirs a few minutes later, and that opened the floodgates as Salas took out Giovanni "HEIZENBERG_G" Zanette and Maslak took out Dvoress and Urmo Velvelt.

Salas took over the lead right after heads up began, but Maslak went on a tear after that, winning 6 hands without showdown to take the lead before finding a cooler. Both players flopped a king, but Salas was dominated and Maslak held for the win.

Salas banked $47,422 in bounties along with $102,963 for second. Maslak took $126,406 in bounties plus the top prize of $103,125.
High wildfire danger levels have resulted in swaths of burn bans and travel restrictions to be put in place throughout the province.

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High wildfire danger levels have resulted in swaths of burn bans and travel restrictions to be put in place throughout the province.

Manitoba Wildfire Services announced Level 2 travel restrictions in the southern half of the province, including much of the southeast.

Similar restrictions are in place for various provincial parks, including Turtle Mountain, Spruce Woods, William Lake and Criddle/Vane Homestead, Whitemouth Falls, Marchand, Woodridge, Whiteshell, Moose Lake and Birch Point. Also affected is the Spruce Woods provincial forest and surrounding Crown Land.

Level 2 travel restrictions include:

 Motorized backcountry travel, including ATVs and other off-road vehicles, is prohibited unless under the authority of a travel permit

 Camping is restricted to developed campgrounds

 Campfires are permitted only between the hours of 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.

 Wayside parks remain open

 Landing and launching is restricted to developed shorelines only

 Industry and outfitters should contact local Manitoba Conservation and Climate offices for more information

Further, provincial burn permits within these areas will be limited to essential agricultural, municipal or industrial operations and will require the approval of an officer alongside site inspections.

Parts of Westman are some of the most at-risk for fires, according to Natural Resources Canadas online fire danger map.

A circular area surrounding Brandon extending from about 15 kilometres south of the city up to Rapid City and from the Trans-Canada Highways junction with PR 250 in the west to the highways junction with PR 340 in the east is considered to be at moderate fire risk. However, Brandon itself is not included.

Another area stretching from Turtle Mountain Provincial Park northeast to Treherne is also at moderate risk. A third area stretching from just north of Russell to the southern tip of Duck Mountain Provincial Park is considered to be at low fire risk.

Most at-risk in Manitoba is the Winkler-Morden area, which is considered to be at high fire risk.

Manitoba Conservation and Climates fire hazard maps show that much of Westman is at moderate or high risk of human-caused fires. The difficulty of mopping up any wildfires in Manitobas further southwest corner is considered to be extreme.

According to the fire update report issued by the province on April 3, there have been three fires reported so far this year. There were two fires in the east zone that burned an area equivalent to 205 hectares and one fire in the west zone that burned an area equivalent to 226 hectares.

As of Monday afternoon, at least 14 Westman municipalities had imposed burn bans of their own, the majority of which are total bans. The province will not contradict these bans.

The communities with full or partial burn bans in Westman are as follows:

 Municipality of Two Borders (all burning banned)

 Municipality of Brenda-Waskada (all burning banned)

 Municipality of Deloraine-Winchester (burning with municipal permit only)

 Municipality of Boissevain-Morton (all burning banned)

 Municipality of Grassland (all burning banned)

 Rural Municipality of Pipestone (agricultural burning banned)

 Rural Municipality of Prairie Lakes (all burning banned)

 Municipality of Glenboro-South Cypress (all burning banned)

 Rural Municipality of Cornwallis (all burning banned)

 Municipality of North Cypress-Langford (all burning banned)

 Town of Carberry (all burning banned)

 Town of Neepawa (all burning banned)

 Municipality of Glenella-Lansdowne (No outdoor burning allowed)

 Municipality of Westlake-Gladstone (all burning banned)

Additionally, three RMs in the southwest corner of Saskatchewan also had burn bans in place, according to a map posted online by the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency on Monday.

The plethora of bans comes on the heels of Thursdays large grassfire in the Municipality of North Cypress-Langford, which has had a burn ban in place since March 19.

The fire, in the Dane subdivision in the Camp Hughes area several kilometres west of Carberry, came within striking distance of multiple homes, though a shed was damaged in the blaze.

The Carberry North Cypress-Langford Fire Department believes the fire originated from an ATV.

Westman ATV Association president Chad Finlay said his club doesnt recommend heading out on ATVs at the moment, even in areas where they are allowed, but those who do should take precautions.

"Right now, were just advising to check with your local RM on travel bans, fire bans, and to travel with a fire extinguisher on your bike," he said.

Riders should keep their exhaust free of debris, stick to trails and not park their machines on long grass.

The province offers similar advice, in addition to ensuring your ATV has a working spark arrestor and to carry an axe and shovel.

The latest restrictions are posted online at gov.mb.ca/wildfire.

 tclarke@brandonsun.com and cslark@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @TylerClarkeMB and @ColinSlark
By Pavel Polityuk and Vladimir Soldatkin

KYIV (Reuters) -President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called on NATO on Tuesday to lay out a path for Ukraine to join the Western military alliance, after days in which Russia has massed troops near the conflict-hit Donbass region.

Zelenskiy's comments drew an immediate rebuke from Moscow, which said Kyiv's approach to NATO could further inflame the situation in Donbass, where violence has increased in recent days.

The Pentagon, perhaps due to the sensitivities, flatly declined a request to comment on Zelenskiy's request at a news briefing.

Russian-backed separatists have fought since 2014 against Ukrainian forces in the Donbass, a conflict that Kyiv says has killed 14,000 people. Kyiv reported two more soldiers killed on Tuesday and, in a separate statement, Zelenskiy said 24 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed since the start of the year.

"NATO is the only way to end the war in Donbass," Zelenskiy told NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in a phone call, according to a statement from Zelenskiy's office. A Membership Action Plan laying out Ukraine's entry path into the alliance "will be a real signal for Russia", he said.

He also called for NATO members to strengthen their military presence in the Black Sea region.

Stoltenberg in a tweet expressed "serious concern about Russia's military activities in and around Ukraine & ongoing ceasefire violations".

Ukraine has launched a diplomatic offensive to shore up support from Western countries and NATO in its standoff with Russia over Donbass, sounding the alarm since late March over the build-up of Russian troops. Russia says the troop movements are defensive and that NATO involvement would inflame the situation.

The standoff has also pushed Ukrainian sovereign bonds to their lowest level since November.

KREMLIN SAYS RHETORIC COULD INFLAME

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said those living in eastern Ukraine would not accept NATO membership, and that rhetoric could further destabilise the Donbass region.

Story continues

"So far we're not seeing an intention by the Ukrainian side to somehow calm down and move away from belligerent topics," he said.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, speaking during a visit to India, said Russia was worried by statements coming out of Kyiv, and was in touch with European countries about them.

The Donbass conflict erupted in the months after Russian forces seized Ukraine's Crimean peninsula in 2014. Ukraine and Western countries says Donbass separatists have been armed, led, funded and aided by Russians, including active Russian troops. Moscow has denied interfering. While a ceasefire halted full-scale warfare in 2015, sporadic deadly fighting never ceased.

Ukraine also said on Tuesday it wanted to move ongoing peace talks away from the Belarusian capital Minsk, saying Belarus was too much under the influence of Russia.

"We don't know where (the talks) could be relocated. This is the subject of discussion," Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Reznikov told Reuters.

(Reporting by Pavel Polityuk and Natalia Zinets in Kyiv, Tom Balmforth and Vladimir Soldatkin in Moscow, Gabriela Baczynska in Brussels, Karin Strohecker in London, Phil Stewart in WashingtonWriting by Matthias WilliamsEditing by Peter Graff and Jonathan Oatis)
GameStop has come in strong for its initial plan of the $1 billion "Share Sale Program" that would be a merry stock trading opportunity for the public on one of the highly profitable companies of 2021. Now, the video game retail company is cashing in its initial investment for the public and would proceed with its regular trading.

GameStop Cashes In, Setting Up for Share Sale

According to a report from Bloomberg, the success can be attributed to GameStop's new partner and investor, Ryan Cohen, who has strategically brought back the company's declining stocks in the market. Cohen is now leading GameStop to a crowdfunding capital for the video game retailer company for as much as $1 billion.

The company has recently cashed in after gathering a sufficient amount of the needed capital for GameStop, and this comes after the Dallas-based giant has announced its $1 billion Share Sale Program for the public. In the almost four months of 2021, GameStop's market performance has been through ups and downs, without a steady graph of its assets in place.

From a 14 percent drop, the company closed the gap to 2.4 percent at $186.95 per stock, and it would allow individual investors to take part in the company's shares and public offering as opposed to its tradition. Initially, the setup for GameStop investors is not easily given to the members of the public, but in a corporate setup.

Read Also: GameStop, 'Meme' Stocks Get Boost from Social Media Bots, Says WallStreetBets Trading Cybersecurity Experts

GameStop Trading of 2021

GameStop has been through several high and low moments throughout the year, which came from unstable management which they initially went against, eventually leading to the CFO's resignation. This event caused a stock rise surge for GameStop, which was expected as the company shares were hindered by the former executive.

GameStop Reddit: From Zero to 100

The arrival of January 2021 has marked a milestone for GameStop as it was able to surpass its previous $10 billion funding and investment which was high for the company. However, that again is toppled as GameStop sees another massive valuation of $13.4 billion that closed last week Thursday.

The company was assisted by Reddit's r/WallStreetBets to have its value skyrocket in the market, with the trading frenzy highly bordering on the social networking platform and surprising trend in their valuation. Back in April 2020, GameStop was initially doomed but has since bounced back after it focused on assets, strengths, and delivering goods for gamers.

Related Article: GameStop Begins Selling PC Components like Nvidia RTX 3080, AMD Ryzen, and Others

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Isaiah Alonzo

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will reach on Tuesday on a two-day visit to hold important talks with the country's top leadership and the Army chief on bilateral ties as well as on the situation in Afghanistan.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Lavrov's visit will be the first by any Russian Foreign Minister in nine years and that he would personally go to the airport to receive him.

Lavrov visited Islamabad in 2012.

There is no second opinion that is an important country of this region his visit to shows that our bilateral relations are taking a new turn, Qureshi said in a video statement.

The two countries want to take forward the North South Gas pipeline project, which is under discussion for quite some time, he said, adding that the Pakistan Steel Mill was set up in Karachi with the Russian help and there was an opportunity to cooperate to pull it out of the current financial crisis.

Pakistan and are playing a role in the Afghan peace process, Qureshi said.

He said Lavrov was coming to Pakistan after visiting India with which enjoys historical ties.

It can convince India to play a positive role in Afghan peace, he said.

Qureshi said he would hold delegation-level talks with the visiting foreign minister who would later on meet Prime Minister Imran Khan and Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

Lavrov, who arrived in New Delhi on Monday evening on a nearly 19-hour visit, has held extensive talks with the country's top leadership with a focus on various aspects of bilateral ties and preparations for the annual India-Russia summit.

(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.)
All of humanity now belongs to one community with a shared future: Kishore Mahbubani

08:57, April 06, 2021 By Yan Yunming ( People's Daily

"Covid-19 did real damage to the global economy. The world should send a thank you note to China for succeeding in achieving positive economic growth in 2020. China saved the world economy in 2020." Kishore Mahbubani, a Distinguished Fellow at the Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore, and author of the book, Has China Won? (which will soon be published in China), told the People's Daily in a recent written interview.

A student receives the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine at the Beihang University in Beijing, capital of China, March 24, 2021. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

"Covid-19 has had a massive impact on humanity," Mahbubani noted, adding that the pandemic reinforced the message: All of humanity now belongs to one community with a shared future.

As he documented in his book "The Great Convergence, before modern globalization, when humanity lived in 193 separate countries, it was like living in 193 separate boats. But now, "we no longer live in 193 separate boats. Instead, we live on 193 separate cabins on the same boat. It would be suicidal for us to only take care of our cabins only. We also have to take care of the boat as a whole because if the boat sinks, our cabins will sink," he said.

Mahbubani praised China's efforts to integrate with the world. China has continued to join the Free Trade Agreements, like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). It has also indicated that it may join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). "This is the best contribution that China can make to uplifting and improving the human condition: to keep its economy open and continue integrating with the world," he said.

Mahbubani believes that countries around the world should uphold and strengthen multilateralism to address global challenges. "It was a huge mistake for the US (with the complicit support of some European countries) to progressively weaken the UN multilateral system, especially by depriving it of funding," he said.

In his new book, Has China Won?, Mahbubani concluded that a rational and objective analysis of the core interests of the US and China will show that there are at least five non-contradictions between the US and China. "For example, if the core goal of the US government is to improve the well-being of the American people (as it should be), and if the core goal of the Chinese government is to improve the well-being of the Chinese people (as it should be), there is no contradiction between American and Chinese interests here. Similarly, both US and China share common interests in dealing with common global challenges like Covid-19 and global warming," he said, hoping that his book will help to improve mutual understanding between the US and China.

However, "the Biden Administration has not worked out a coherent and sensible balance between competition and cooperation in managing relations with China," Mahbubani said, adding that the US should halt the trade war and withdraw all the trade tariffs and sanctions to improve the livelihoods of the American workers.

As Covid-19 is still raging across the world, Mahbubani found that some countries, including China, have handled the pandemic well and competently, while others have not. Mahbubani believes China's success lies in its quality of governance. "China, learning from its East Asian neighbors, regenerated a culture and system of meritocracy in its government agencies. Hence, the quality of mind of government administrators in China has been going up," he explained.

"The best formula for any country to apply to improve its governance was to implement meritocracy, pragmatism and honesty (MPH). This MPH formula explains Singapore's extraordinary success. It is also being implemented in China. Hence, I am optimistic that the quality of governance in China will continue to improve," he believes.

A rigorous academic study of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government has documented how support for the Chinese government has gone up from 86% in 2003 to 93% in 2016. Similarly, last May, an Edelman Trust Barometer trust and credibility survey showed that trust in government in China has surged to 95 percent. Mahbubani quoted from a Stanford University psychologist, Jean Fan, saying "China's culture, self-concept and morale are being transformed at a rapid pace  mostly for the better"

Mahbubani believes that China will play an even more important role in the coming decade. "Countries all over the world, especially in the poor developing countries, will be looking for export markets to boost their economic growth. This is where China can play an important role. It can open its markets faster, especially for poor developing countries. History has taught us that trade is more effective than aid in promoting economic growth and reducing poverty. The world will be truly grateful if China can import more from the rest of the world," he said.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
An undercover report showing members of the Paris elite enjoying secret dinner parties in luxury restaurants and flouting Covid-19 restrictions has sparked fury in France, and prompted the city's prosecutor to launch an investigation.

The probe comes after a TV report by channel M6 that aired Friday, showing hidden camera footage of two upmarket restaurants filled with mask-free guests.

In the video, an undercover journalist enters a private dining club with closed shutters and is greeted by a waiter wearing white gloves. She is asked on whose behalf she has been invited and is told: "Once you're through the door, there's no more Covid."

The maitre d' is heard explaining that the menu starts at 160 euros ($190) per person. For 490 euros ($580) diners can sip champagne while feasting on foie gras with truffle and langoustine in a ginger sauce.

"We are looking into possible charges of endangerment and undeclared labor," a spokesman for the Paris prosecutor told CNN Monday. "We will verify whether the gatherings were organized in violation of sanitary rules and determine who were the potential organizers and participants."

Restaurants in France have been closed since late last year, as the country battles a third wave of coronavirus infections. A further "limited lockdown" took effect last week, as President Emmanuel Macron warned that the country risks "losing control" over the pandemic.

The video goes on to show another dinner party being held in lavish surroundings with large tapestries and gilded paintings. The guests are seen giving each other "la bise," kissing each other cheek to cheek.

The organizer appears to claim: "This week I dined at two or three restaurants, so-called clandestine restaurants, with a certain number of ministers."

Due to its recognizable decor, the restaurant was later identified as Palais Vivienne owned by Pierre-Jean Chalencon.

Chalencon's lawyer released a statement Sunday acknowledging the distorted voice on the video belonged to his client but that he was joking when he said government ministers had attended dinners.

The scandal has drawn the ire of many online, with the hashtag #OnVeutLesNoms (We Want The Names) trending on Twitter on Monday.

Government spokesman Gabriel Attal told LCI news channel Sunday that authorities have been investigating reports of illegal parties for months and that 200 suspects have been identified so far. "They will face a heavy punishment," Attal added.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that restaurants have been closed in France since last month. They've been closed since last year. This has been corrected.
Setting an example for the people, several movie stars, including Rajinikanth and actor-politician Kamaal Haasan, voted early on Tuesday soon after the voting started at 7 a.m.

Star couple Ajit Kumar and Shalini also exercised their democratic right by voting at a polling booth here. Wearing masks, they reached their polling booth about 20 minutes before the start of polling to vote early and reach home while avoiding the fan crowd.

Ajit Kumar never fails to vote in any election. In the past polls, he was seen standing in the queue to cast his vote.

Similarly, several other actors also cast their vote.

Kamal Haasan has floated the MNM party and he is contesting from Coimbatore (South) constituency.
Jillian Cantors new novel, Half Life, deconstructs the life of Nobel Prizewinning scientist Marie Curie with a fascinating premise: what if Maria Skolodowska had never left Poland in 1891 to go to Paris and reinvent herself as Marie Curie? Alternating narratives explore parallel realities of two fiercely independent women (one marries a Polish mathematician and finds her world constrained by domesticity, the other meets Pierre Curie and leads a phosphorescent life in France), while occasional crossovers underscore how both versions of Maria are dedicated to work, love, and family.

Half Life examines not only the life Marie Curie did live but also the life she might have led if shed made just one different choice as a young woman. I was first drawn to writing about Marie Curie when I read a piece about her personal life, which was filled with enormous struggle and marked by tragedy. I always knew she achieved amazing things in her career as a scientist, but what drew me to her story was examining what everyday life mustve been like for her. I was fascinated with how she managed to persevere, not only as a woman existing in a very male-dominated world and field, but also as a person dealing with so many obstacles to her own happiness and success. Here are ten things you probably dont know about her:

1. She wasnt supposed to get an education. Marie Curie was born Marya Sklodowska in 1867 and grew up in Russian controlled Poland, where women were not allowed access to higher education. She and her sister, Bronia, attended a Flying University as young women, educating themselves in secret, the location of their school ever changing to avoid detection.

2. She worked as a governess. After Bronia moved to Paris to study medicine at the Sorbonne, Marya worked as a governess in Poland to earn money to support her sisters education, with the agreement that her sister would, in turn, support her to do the same a few years later.

3. She almost didnt make it to Paris. Marya nearly got sidetracked when she fell in love and got engaged to the oldest son of the family she worked for. However, his mother made him break things off (believing Marya was not good enough for her son), and Marya moved to Paris to attend the Sorbonne in 1891 after all. She started going by the more French version of her name, Marie, once she moved there.

4. Lab space came before love. Marie was introduced to Pierre Curie in 1894 by a mutual acquaintance who knew Pierre had the extra lab space Marie needed to carry out research on the magnetic properties of steel.

5. Her career came first. Though Marie and Pierre fell in love, Marie turned down his marriage proposal three times, only accepting after he offered to give up his own scientific career to move to Poland with her, as shed always planned to do after she finished her studies in Paris.

6. She didnt get her dream job. Marie was turned down for the position she believed shed get in Poland because she was a woman, and she and Pierre stayed in Paris to live and work after they got married after all.

7. She kept Poland in her heart. Marie discovered both radium and polonium, naming the latter after Poland, a country she always thought of as home and hoped to return to. Though she lived her entire adult life in France, she did eventually open a research institute in Warsaw in 1932, which was initially overseen and run by her sister, Bronia.

8. She was a record-breaker in more ways than one. Marie was not only the first woman to win the Nobel Prize, but also the first person to win it twice. She shared the prize in physics with her husband Pierre Curie and Henri Becquerel in 1903. In 1911 she won in chemistry, during the height of a personal scandal playing out in the press. The Nobel committee asked her not to come to Sweden to accept, for fear of more bad press. But she went anyway.

9. Nobel Prizes ran in the family. Marie had two daughters. Irenewho also became a scientist and went on to win her own Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1935 (which she shared with her husband Frederic). And Eve  who became a concert pianist and then a writer and was the only one in the family not to win a Nobel Prize. However, she married a diplomat, Henry Labouisse, who did accept the Nobel peace prize on behalf of UNICEF in 1965 (where he was the executive director).

10. Her notebooks are radioactive. Marie Curie died in 1934 of aplastic anemia (likely due to so much radiation exposure from her work with radium). Maries notebooks are still today stored in lead-lined boxes in France, as they were so contaminated with radium, theyre radioactive and will be for many years to come. Radium, after all, has a half life of 1,600 years.
Tauranga businesses are hoping new leadership in the city will help revitalise the CBD, which has been hit hard by lockdowns and a lack of cruise ships.

Over the last five years, many have shut up shop or relocated as shoppers avoided the CBD in favour of heading to nearby malls.

A now-revoked begging ban was one of the more controversial moves made to make the city centre more welcoming to visitors.

When RNZ visited the CBD around lunch time on a week day last week, there was modest hustle and bustle at cafes and shops.

But there were also a number of vacant premises decked out with multiple 'for lease' signs. Some signs directed shoppers to new stores at two of the malls in the area, Bayfair or Tauranga Crossing.

Margaret Cowey-Roger ran The Collection, an arts and crafts gift shop nestled in Picadilly Arcade.

She says people came to the city centre to work, but not for a shopping trip because it's hard to find a park.

"If you just want to pop in for an hour or two, get something and catch up with whatever you need to do - it's very hard to do that."

Photo: RNZ/ Jean Bell.

Cowey-Roger says retailers are also feeling the lack of international tourists arriving on cruise ships.

Meanwhile, Hammon Diamond Jeweller has been located in the central city for the past 35 years.

Owner Julie Hammon says the last few years have been a struggle, but her customers have been loyal.

Hammon believes business will improve as life returned to normal after Covid.

"It looks a lot worse than what it actually is at the moment. We've found that customers have been very supportive and loyal and keen to support the CBD," she says.

"We are enjoying good business as a result of that despite the appearances of the CBD, which of course is pretty ghastly."

She says there are a number of factors that have contributed to the city centre's decline, including banks and other essential services moving out of the CBD.

"There are many, many factors that have culminated in this perfect storm and we've got this eyesore of a CBD. But [it's] changing I hope."

Many in the city hoped that changing force would be the team of four commissioners who took over the failing city council earlier this year.

Photo: RNZ/ Jean Bell.

Commission chairwoman Anne Tolley told business leaders at a hui last week she's astonished at the state of the CBD.

"I took a walk up the road and I've never seen anything quite like it for a city of 150,000 people. I understand there is a stack of plans of what to do with the CBD and the foreshore - a lot of hui, but not a lot of do-ey."

Business association Mainstreet Tauranga chairperson Brian Berry saw a brighter future for the CBD with less uncertainty caused by the pandemic.

He believed more people would be out and about shopping as the vaccine was rolled out.

"But also businesses were prepared to commit to new leases. We've had a bit of an influx in the last few months of small office tenants who were coming into the CBD."

Berry says the Farmers development - a $130 million building that includes retail space and residential apartments - were among the projects underway and companies were encouraging staff to work in the office rather than from home.

The organisation was looking to liven up the city through its Activate Vacant Spaces programme which filled empty sites with pop-up art installations, social enterprise shops and laneway murals in partnership with the council.

Mainstreet Tauranga records showed about 75 per cent of the CBD's 699 spaces are occupied.

-RNZ/Jean Bell.
Polling began at 7 am on Tuesday for 31 seats in the third phase of the West Bengal assembly elections amid tight security, officials said.

Voting is underway with strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols in 16 seats in South 24 Parganas district (part II), seven in Howrah (part I) and eight in Hooghly (part I), they said.





West Bengal: Polling yet to begin at booth number 129 of AC 200 in Arambag, Hooghly. Voters continue to stand in a queue. #WestBengalPollspic.twitter.com/PGbE8NehZl a ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2021

Long queues were seen outside polling stations, where voting will continue till 6.30 pm.

Over 78.5 lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise to decide the fate of 205 candidates, including BJP leader Swapan Dasgupta, state minister Ashima Patra and CPI(M) leader Kanti Ganguly.

The Election Commission has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC in all the constituencies, declaring them as 'sensitive'.

Tight security arrangements have been made to ensure peaceful voting, with 618 companies of central forces being deployed to guard 10,871 polling stations.

State police forces have also be deputed at strategic locations to aid the central forces.

The elections for the 294 assembly seats in West Bengal are being held in eight phases. The votes will be counted on May 2.

Also read: West Bengal Election 2021: Voting dates, poll full schedule, timings, election results, all FAQs

Also read: Assembly election: 475 constituencies go to polls in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, Bengal, Puducherry on April 6
We want people to go and sign up when its their turn, but given the supply of vaccine, it may be a few weeks or so before they get an appointment to be able to come in, Lightfoot said. So we just caution with folks to be patient, and in the meantime, to be diligent.
Christina Ricci and estranged husband James Heerdegen have reach a custody arrangement after their contentious split prompted accusations of abuse from both sides.

The arrangement was submitted to the Los Angeles County Superior Court last month and a judge signed off last week, according to documents obtained by Page Six on Tuesday.

The agreement will favor Ricci, allowing the actress custody of six-year-old son Frederick 'Freddie' Heerdegen after she relocates to Vancouver, Canada to film a new project. Heerdegen will have visitation rights.

Agreement: Christina Ricci and ex James Heerdegen have reached a custody arrangement which will let their six-year-old son Freddie live with his mother in Vancouver, Canada while she shoots a project. His father will have visitation. They're seen in 2019 above

Ricci has also agreed to pay 'reasonable costs for travel and accommodations,' which include 'economy airfare' for her ex. She will also get to choose where he stays during his visitation trips.

Ricci was granted a restraining order against Heerdegen in January. He attempted to obtain his own restraining order later that month but was denied.

Heerdegen made shocking accusations while filing for a temporary restraining order, claiming his ex abuses alcohol and prescription drugs, making her a danger to their young son.

Heerdegen also claimed he had to check their son's bottles of breast milk for fear of it being contaminated with alcohol she drank the night before.

His filing came just days after Ricci accused her estranged husband of physically abusing her.

She said she had to hide knives in the house because she feared Heerdegen could kill her after he allegedly said he would only feel sorry for her if she was 'dismembered into small pieces'.

A judge granted Ricci a domestic violence restraining order against Heerdegen in early January, six months after she filed for divorce.

Back and forth: Both Ricci and Heerdegen accused the other of domestic abuse and filed restraining orders against the other. Ricci's order was approved while her ex's (above) was dismissed by a judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court

Embarrassing: He also included photos of Ricci 'in a state of severe intoxication wherein she has 'blacked out' and is being passed around by numerous third parties who seem to find humor in the situation'

After Heerdegen request was denied his attorney Larry Bakman told DailyMail.com in a statement that, he still believes the court is 'more concerned' by the allegations made by his client than those made by Ricci.

'Despite the Courts denial of Mr. Heerdegens request for temporary orders, trial has been set on a far more abbreviated schedule than that provided to Ms. Ricci,' he said.

'Trial on Mr. Heerdegens request is set for February 11, 2021 wherein Ms. Riccis is not set until March 10th.

'A reasonable inference is that the Court is far more concerned with Mr. Heerdegens allegations particularly with respect to the best interest and safety of the couples child.'

In Heerdegen's request he also included embarrassing photos of Ricci 'in a state of severe intoxication wherein she was ''blacked out'' and passed around by numerous third parties who seem to find humor in the situation.'

He says the photos 'severely adversely affected my emotional calm and peace of mind.

The documents include messages between Ricci and Heerdegen where she apologizes for her alleged drunken outbursts.

Distubing: He said the photos of a drunken Ricci 'severely adversely affected my emotional calm and peace of mind'

'I get it this time,' Ricci writes. 'This morning was a huge alert'.

In other messages Ricci he labels herself a 'monster' and says she's 'detoxing.'

Heerdegen claims at one point she was so drunk she fell over while holding their baby in her arms and says she would drive their son in a car while under the influence.

He also claimed that Ricci once terminated a pregnancy without his knowledge.

The actress has accused Heerdegen of allegedly beating her, throwing her into a fire pit and mocking her with pig noises before she filed for divorce in June last year.

Ricci's allegations were included in a request for a domestic violence restraining order against Heerdegen, which a judge approved late on Wednesday.

Photos of bruises on her hands, wrists and arms were included in the court documents, which were obtained by TMZ, as proof of Heerdegen's alleged abuse.

Filings: In court documents obtained by DailyMail.com, Heerdegen claims that Ricci would get into drunken rages in front of him and their six-year-old son Freddie. He claims he had to check baby bottles where she pumped her breastmilk for fear of being contaminated with alcohol she drank from the night before

But in Heerdegen's filing, he claims any photos she has of her own bruising was caused by her hitting him.

Ricci's attorney Samantha Spector said in a statement to DailyMail.com that Heerdegen's filing is 'nothing more than a transparently abusive attempt to silence my client. It will not work. Christina will not be intimidated by Mr. Heerdegen and his barrage of misleading claims  and she remains determined to protect her family.'

A judge ordered Heerdegen to remain at least 100 yards away from Ricci and their son Freddie. He also cannot have visitations with the boy and must stay away from the family's dog.

Heerdegen's lawyer, Larry Bakman, said his client 'unequivocally denies all allegations of abuse made by Ms Ricci.'

He said Heerdegen, who works as a cinematographer, intends to file his own restraining order against Ricci that he claims will reveal 'her abusive conduct fueled by alcohol and substance abuse'.

He also claims that her restraining order is a preemptive fabricated strike against him.

Texts: The documents include messages between Ricci and Heerdegen where she apologizes for her alleged outbursts. 'I get it this time,' Ricci writes. 'This morning was a huge alert'. In other messages Ricci he labels herself a 'monster' and says she's 'detoxing'

Claims: Heerdegen claims at one point Ricci was so drunk she fell over while holding their baby in her arms and says she would drive their son in a car while under the influence

In Ricci's filing, she claimed the alleged abuse at the hands of Heerdegen started in late 2019.

During a family vacation in New Zealand that year, the Addams Family star claimed she feared Heerdegen 'could kill me' because of comments he made.

'He said the only way he could feel sorry for me is if I were dismembered into small pieces,' Ricci alleged in the filing.

'That night I hid all the knives in the cabin where we were staying. I feared for my life and the life of our son. I slept in a separate bedroom with Freddie and I locked the door.'

She claims Heerdegen 'brutally attacked' her in December 2019 where he allegedly beat her, spat at her and mocked her with pig noises.

This incident was what Ricci said sparked her decision to divorce her husband of eight years.

Ricci claims she told Heerdegen she wanted a divorce but it was hindered by the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March when lockdown quarantines were first initiated.

She said in the filing that she found herself 'stuck in the house with a man who had physically and emotionally abused me, and knew that I wanted to end the marriage'.

Ricci alleges that Heerdegen 'focused solely on punishing and terrorizing me 24 hours a day... I was afraid to sleep at night.'

The filing details two instances in June where Heerdegen allegedly physically attacked her.

Timeline: The couple married in 2013 after two years of dating. Ricci filed for divorce in June 2020 citing irreconcilable differences as the reason why she wants to end the marriage. They are pictured in February 2019

The first was June 2 when she claimed Heerdegen allegedly chased her through their house to stop her from calling 911.

'He grabbed my wrists and hands, dragged me, and slammed my body into the fire pit we have in the yard,' she said in the filing. 'I suffered cuts, bruising, and soreness of my hip, which still causes me pain today.'

The second occurred on June 25 when Ricci alleged that her estranged husband followed her through the house while 'screaming at me, spitting on me, throwing coffee at me and throwing a chair at me' in front of their son.

She called 911 in that instance was given an emergency protective order against him that prohibited any contact between the couple.

The court documents detail Ricci's fear that Heerdegen will harm their son, claiming that he has allegedly threatened to 'abduct' the boy.

In addition to the restraining order she requested, Ricci also asked the court to block Heerdegen's potential efforts to 'humiliate and embarrass' her with audio and video clips he amassed during their relationship.

The couple married in 2013 after two years of dating. They met on the set of ABC's Pan Am.

Ricci filed for divorce in June 2020 citing irreconcilable differences as the reason why she wants to end the marriage.
A support package worth over 1.2 million has been announced for Northern Irish sheep farmers impacted by poor wool prices over the past year.

The scheme, announced by the NI government, will provide 1.27 million to producers following the crash in the global market for wool as a result of the pandemic.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) said it recognised the financial impact that the downturn in the wool market had on the sector.

Over the past year the department has met with representatives of the industry to discuss the impact of the pandemic and the resulting impact for local farmers.

Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots said: To offset the losses incurred in their returns from wool sales, I am pleased to announce 1.27 million support from the Covid-19 fund.

This financial support will compensate for losses incurred and encourage farmers to value the wool that they produce as it is a sustainable natural product that has wonderful potential in many different product areas.

I am pleased that over 21.6 million has already been paid out by DAERA to local farm businesses impacted by the pandemic.

"This financial support will be very helpful in these difficult times.

When the scheme opens later this year, eligible farmers will be contacted and asked to complete a simple application form to claim their payments.

It comes as almost 2 million of Covid-19 support funding was paid out last week to over 100 pig and poultry producers in Northern Ireland.
Press Release

April 6, 2021 Drilon urges Duterte to call for special session to pass Bayanihan 3, expand emergency cash aid program To help poor Filipino families cope with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic that forced businesses to close down leaving millions unemployed and hungry, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Tuesday urged President Rodrigo Duterte to call for a special session of Congress to swiftly pass the necessary measure that will give emergency cash subsidies to vulnerable households and beef up the government's dwindling pandemic war chest. "I urge the President to call a special session of Congress to pass the proposed Bayanihan 3 and expand the government's cash subsidy program amid the spike in COVID-19 cases," Drilon said. "After all, it is the ineptitude of the Department of Health and the IATF which brought us to this situation," he said. Drilon recalled how the lockdown a year ago, the longest lockdown in the world, left 7.6 million families hungry. Likewise, the unemployment rate rose to 17.7%, equivalent to around 7.3 million unemployed Filipinos, last April 2020 due to the lockdown. "This is the situation that we have to prepare for. We cannot let another 7.6 million Filipino families go hungry this year. Our inaction or delayed action can make another 7.3 million Filipinos lose their jobs again this month. We cannot let businesses permanently shut down," Drilon said. Drilon first made the call in an interview with radio station DzRH where he also called for the realignment of some items in the General Appropriations Act to boost the pandemic fund. Drilon cited, for instance, the P19 billion anti-insurgency fund and the P9.5 billion for confidential and intelligence funds "Wala na raw extension dahilan wala ng perang. Sa akin, mali iyan. Dapat bigyan ng ayuda ang ating mga kababayan dahilan sa sila ay naghihirap dahilan naman sa hindi maayos na pagpapatakbo nitong pandemic response," Drilon said in the interview. Article VI, Section 15 of the Constitution allows the President to call a special session at any time. The government has extended a lockdown in Metro Manila and other provinces for another week due to the alarming spike in COVID-19 cases with some health experts predicting it will reach 1 million by the end of April. However, the executive ruled out another extension despite the alarming surge of infections citing the lack of funds to assist the people affected by the lockdown. Drilon said there is a need to provide more funding for the government's COVID-19 pandemic in order to help the poor and the vulnerable sectors of society and small and medium enterprises heavily affected by the pandemic. "Kailangan tugunan ito. Sa akin, kailangang tumawag ng special session ang Pangulo para po matugunan ito. Mag-realign ng mga items na hindi kailangan," he said. The minority leader said the Senate is always prepared to hold a special session in order to pass legislation to alleviate the suffering of the poor. Congress is on a break until May 17.
ATLANTA, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Marine Products Corporation (NYSE: MPX) announced today that it will release its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021 on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 before the market opens. In conjunction with its earnings release, the Company will host a conference call to review the Company's financial and operating results on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

Individuals wishing to participate in the conference call should dial toll-free (833) 968-2235 or (825) 312-2057 for international callers, and using conference ID number 6784804. For interested individuals unable to join via telephone, the call also will be broadcast and archived for 90 days on the Company's investor website. Interested parties are encouraged to click on the webcast link 10-15 minutes prior to the start of the conference call.

Marine Products Corporation (NYSE: MPX) is a leading manufacturer of fiberglass boats under three brand names: Chaparral, Robalo and Vortex. Chaparral's sterndrive models include SSi and SSX, along with the Chaparral Surf Series. Chaparral's outboard offerings include various models, such as OSX Luxury Sportboats, the 257 SSX, and SunCoast Sportdecks. Robalo builds an array of outboard sport fishing boats, which include center consoles, dual consoles and Cayman Bay Boat models. Chaparral also offers jet powered boats under the Vortex brand name. The Company continues to diversify its product lines through product innovation. With premium brands, a solid capital structure, and a strong independent dealer network, Marine Products Corporation is prepared to capitalize on opportunities to increase its market share and to generate superior financial performance to build long-term shareholder value. For more information on Marine Products Corporation visit our website at MarineProductsCorp.com.

For information about Marine Products Corporation or this event, please contact:

Ben Palmer

Chief Financial Officer

(404) 321-7910

[email protected]

Jim Landers

Vice President Corporate Services

(404) 321-2162

[email protected]

SOURCE Marine Products Corporation

Related Links

http://www.marineproductscorp.com


Attorneys representing Dana Pullman, a former police union leader accused of defrauding the State Police Association of Massachusetts, argue some of his federal charges should be dropped because his alleged actions did not amount to true fraud.

In a motion to dismiss filed Monday, attorneys asked the judge to drop the charges of honest services wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud, wire fraud and part of the racketeering charge. They argue the indictment against Pullman fails to explain how he committed honest services wire fraud and fails to inform him of the offenses against which he must defend.

Nor does the indictment show evidence of actions amounting to commercial bribery under state law, wrote attorneys Oscar Cruz and Brendan Kelley.

Lynch, a former State House lobbyist, also filed a motion to dismiss the same charges.

Pullman, 58, of Worcester, was indicted in September 2019 with former lobbyist Anne M. Lynch on charges of racketeering, fraud, obstruction of justice and tax crimes.

U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling addresses reporters after the arrest Dana Pullman and Anne Lynch.

A state trooper for nearly three decades, Pullman led the union that negotiates with the Massachusetts State Police from 2012 until his resignation on Sept. 28, 2018.

While Pullman was at the helm, Lynchs lobbying firm represented the union. He and Lynch were friends.

Lynch, 69, of Hull, founded Lynch Associates in 2001 and was the principal owner until she retired in October 2016. She sold the business to two family members.

Lynch and another lobbyist had helped negotiate the final terms of a $22 million settlement with Pullman, the MSP and the commonwealth, according to court records.

SPAM spent around $700,000 prosecuting the grievance, and the state had to pay the union half of those costs, court records say.

Pullman received a $5,000 check from Lynchs firm after he recommended her services to a company that was demonstrating products to him and the unions treasurer, court documents say. Pullman had called Lynch a true expert in the state of Mass procurement process.

Days later, the company agreed to pay the lobbying firm $20,000 for services, according to court records.

A company selling smart weapons paid Lynchs firm $138,000 over eight months after Pullman recommended her, court documents say. Pullman also set up a meeting between the company and the states undersecretary of criminal justice as the company sought to sell its products to the Department of Correction. Pullman received another $5,000 days after that meeting occurred, court documents say.

Lynchs attorney also disputes the prosecutors characterization of Pullmans recommendation. The indictment states based on Pullmans words and actions, employee B believed that company B would not be able to sell smart weapons to the MSP if it did not hire Lynch.

In a memorandum, Lynchs attorney states that Pullmans suggestion that Lynch could help get the Legislature to allocate funding for smart weapons wasnt false. Nor does the indictment allege Pullman had any authority to buy the smart weapons on behalf of MSP, attorney Scott Lopez wrote.

While the indictment alleges Lynch paid Pullman after he recommended her to companies that approached SPAM, his attorneys argue he did not defraud SPAM in failing to disclose payments he received from Lynch. His attorneys also argue prosecutors failed to produce sufficient proof of a quid pro quo between Pullman and Lynch.

One who deceives (by failing to disclose) does not necessarily defraud, the motion states. The indictment here does not allege a scheme or artifice to defraud, but at most one meant to deceive by nondisclosure.

Pullmans attorneys argue the actions listed in the indictment fail to amount to honest services fraud because prosecutors failed to show a scheme to defraud, intent to cause the victims  in this case the companies and SPAM  loss, material fraud, a fiduciary duty and evidence of a quid pro quo.

His attorneys say the indictment fails to allege a false statement, let alone a false statement that defrauds rather than deceives when promoting Lynchs expertise in contract procurement.

One could gain monetarily and still render honest services, his attorneys wrote.

Even if the state and the two companies wouldnt have engaged with Pullman if they had known about the alleged payments from Lynch, his attorneys argue the relevant issue is whether the alleged victims received what they bargained for. If they did, then no material fraud occurred and no wire fraud offense exists.

During the settlement negotiations with the state, his attorneys argue, Pullman negotiated the terms on behalf of SPAM and some 1,500 members  not on behalf of Lynch  and Lynchs firm also did work representing the union.

The indictment does not allege that Ms. Lynchs lobbying firm had not worked on the DOL settlement and, therefore, was not due payment, the motion states. Nor does it allege that the lobbying firm did less work than it should have, or that it did such shoddy work as to not warrant the payment made to it by SPAM.

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by Vladimir Rozanskij

Since 2014, a "low intensity" conflict continues in the Donbass. The provinces of Donetsk and Lugansk regularly use the Russian ruble, Russian weapons and Russian passports. Ukraine perhaps the victim of a geopolitical game.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - Russian armed divisions are moving near the Donbass, on the Ukrainian borders. It is the same area where a "low intensity" conflict between Russia and Ukraine has continued since 2014. The massive movement of armed forces is of great concern: The United States has placed its troops in Europe at the highest level of alert. They report to the Kremlin that the deployment of troops on the Ukrainian border "should not worry anyone", but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj spoke on the phone with Joe Biden, receiving assurances of the USAs "unchanged support" in the defence of Ukrainian sovereignty.

One of the Ukrainian representatives of the trilateral dialogue group for Donbass, Sergej Garmash (left in the photo), spoke about the situation with currentime.tv reporters. He was accompanied by the Russian expert for international relations Alexei Naumov (right in the photo). According to Garmash, " they are more concerned with this situation abroad than we are in Ukraine".

For seven years, Russia has continued to deny its participation in the conflict, without explaining why the provinces of Donetsk and Lugansk regularly use the Russian ruble and possess Russian weapons; their citizens receive a Russian passport; their representatives are calling for annexation to Russia.

According to Garmash, "if Russia insists that it is an internal Ukrainian conflict, it should not oppose the intervention of the Ukrainian government, and it should stop supplying weapons and money to the Donbass". Tensions all accumulate on the borders of the disputed area, while Ukraine is experiencing a decidedly calmer situation within it.

On April 2, the Security and Defense Council met in Kiev, under the presidency of Zelenskii, and the issue of the Donbass was touched upon only in passing, assuring that "the Ukrainian army is able to respond to any attack ". The state of alert of US troops in Europe, moreover, is not accompanied by similar measures for the army of Kiev. "One gets the impression - adds Garmash - that they are using us for some geo-political game", especially after Biden's description of Putin as a "killer".

Even Germany and France have declared that Russia is to be considered a party to the Ukrainian conflict, and not a mediator country, and the recent manoeuvres seem to be a response to these statements. Russia follows its own repertoire: when things go wrong in the diplomatic field, it reacts aggressively on a military level. However, Garmash believes that this is more of a provocation than a real threat.

Russia seems unwilling to sit at the negotiating table of the "Norman quartet" (Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine) linked to the 2015 Minsk agreements, even if according to Naumov "now Russia has no interest in the worsening of the conflict, especially in the final phase of the construction of the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline ".

The accumulation of war materials, in short, is a warning to Kiev, rather than a preparation for an initiative by the Russians; Kiev, on the other hand, is interested in the failure of the pipeline, as evidenced by its foreign policy efforts in recent months.

However, Russia claims a patronage based on the Russian" dimensions of social life in the Donbass area: the preservation of the Russian language over all, as well as the recognition of independent "special status" of the two provinces, a system that Moscow applies to various areas under its control, such as Moldovan Transnistria or Georgian Abkhazia and Ossetia. For this Moscow intends to flex its muscles, suggesting that it is always ready for the rekindling of hostilities. It is difficult to think, moreover, that the United States really intends to go to war with Russia for the regions of eastern Ukraine. It is more likely that they intend to sit down at the negotiating table of the "Norman" group as a fifth guest.
Politicians often say the only poll that matters is the one on election day.

Politicians often say the only poll that matters is the one on election day.

But what happens if, in the face of really bad inter-election poll results, those same politicians don't stick around long enough to fight the next campaign?

That is largely the dilemma facing members of the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba, which is facing an existential political crisis triggered by the rapidly eroding support for Premier Brian Pallister.

A Winnipeg Free Press-Probe Research poll shows the governing PCs trailing the opposition NDP by a significant margin.

The province-wide gap is modest (42 per cent for the NDP, 36 per cent for the Tories) but the NDP advantage in Winnipeg is now 22 points  a significant margin that falls well outside any mitigating factors, such as sample size or margin of error.

Federal Tories unaffected by Pallister's unpopularity: poll Click to Expand A cowboy hat is left inside an empty ballroom at the Conservative national convention in Halifax on Saturday, August 25, 2018. (Darren Calabrese / The Canadian Press files) Posted: 4:00 AM Apr. 5, 2021 OTTAWA  If a federal election were held last month, most Manitoba MPs would have kept their jobs, according to new polling that suggests Premier Brian Pallisters unpopularity isnt hurting his federal cousins. Probe Researchs recurring survey of Manitobans federal voting preferences puts the Tories at 37 per cent across Manitoba and the Liberals at 29 per cent, with the NDP following by four points. Read Full Story

The poll strongly suggests the main catalyst for this precipitous drop in support is the heightened disapproval respondents expressed about Pallister: 62 per cent of all Manitobans, and 68 per cent of Winnipeggers, disapprove of his performance amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

In net approval scores, that gives Pallister a minus-28; NDP Leader Wab Kinew was at plus-17, with Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont nearly break-even at plus-two.

Those results have PC backbenchers and cabinet ministers thinking long and hard about their political futures.

This is the kind of problem that can eat a party from the inside out, causing some elected members to bow out of the next election and discourage others from doing the fundraising and organizing that is the backbone of any successful re-election effort.

This uncertainty is further exacerbated by the pandemic, which has suspended traditional constituency activities  speeches, coffee parties, door-to-door canvassing  that are the lifeblood of all successful careers in elected office.

Add it all together, and you've got a profound morale problem in Tory ranks.

"When you take into account everything that is going on, I'm honestly not sure if I have the energy to go on," said one veteran Tory MLA.

If past experience is an indicator, many of those elected officials will need a major rebound in poll results or some clarity about Pallister's retirement plans before they can rededicate themselves. Unfortunately, the former relies the latter  and to date, the premier has only said he will remain until the pandemic is fully under control.

Many observers have theorized it could mean a departure as early as the fall, when most Manitobans will have been vaccinated and  notwithstanding the challenges of COVID-19 variants  life will be more or less getting back to normal.

That timeline gained some traction last week, when Pallister made off-the-cuff remarks at a news conference about how he would likely retire around the same time as veteran Free Press legislative reporter Larry Kusch, who was in attendance.

KEVIN KING/WINNIPEG SUN Manitoba premier Brian Pallister made off-the-cuff remarks at a news conference last week about his likely retirement date. (Kevin King / Pool files)

Kusch had planned on retiring in December (a fact at least some of the premier's senior staff knew) but recently decided to move the date up to June.

When Kusch told him about his updated plan, Pallister seemed genuinely gobsmacked. It was obvious he never intended to float the idea of a June departure.

Still, the exchange added weight to the idea December might serve as a launching pad for Pallister's retirement.

If so, it would almost certainly be a game-changer for the Tories.

The next provincial election is scheduled for the fall of 2023.

If Pallister left in December, that would give the party nearly two years to find a new leader and shake off some of the scuffs he left on the Tory brand. The PCs would still have to elect the right leader, but any such move holds open the hope of a change in support.

It also allows the Tories to take a glass-half-full view of current poll results.

Even now, most know no poll nearly three years before the next election has any real bearing on the final vote tallies. That said, Pallister carries a burden other leaders, in general have not: he is considerably less popular than his party.

In 2016, when he won his first majority, Pallister was slightly less popular than his party. In 2019, his net approval rating was a worrisome minus-14, making Pallister one of the least popular premiers to win a second majority term.

As long as Pallister is leading the Tories, they will be vulnerable in Winnipeg, particularly since the Probe poll results showed respondents are not parking support with the Liberals; the NDP appear to be reaping all of the benefits of the declining Tory support.

If that were to continue  a big "if"  the Tories would face huge losses in the provincial capital.

No matter how you slice it, the PC government is unlikely to see a meaningful rebound in support until it has a new leader.

The longer he stays, the worse the situation will become and the more new candidates the Tories will have to recruit for the next election.

dan.lett@freepress.mb.ca
Nigerian troops have killed Boko Haram fighters in a gun duel in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. The terrorists were eliminated ...





Nigerian troops have killed Boko Haram fighters in a gun duel in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

The terrorists were eliminated after an assault against soldiers of the 192 Battalion.

The sect members moved in via a route on the Gwoza Madara mountain.

Tango 9 troops responded with higher firepower and neutralised some of them; others were forced to retreat.

An intelligence told PRNigeria that eleven corpses of insurgents were counted after the general area was searched.

With the aid of heavy firing and mortar bombs, troops engaged them at their mountainous den, the source said.

Nearly a dozen AK-47 rifles, anti-aircraft guns, motorcycles and other items were recovered after the battle.
Since Cuomo became governor in 2011, New York has closed nearly 20 prisons. The main reason for the closures is the declining incarcerated population. Over a 22-year period, the number of incarcerated individuals has decreased from 72,649 to 31,412, a 56.8% drop.

The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision has eliminated more than 9,400 prison beds. The closures have saved the state approximately $282 million annually, according to DOCCS.

When Cuomo proposed additional closures this year, he asked the state Legislature to grant him the authority over two fiscal years  2021-22 and 2022-23. Acting DOCCS Commissioner Anthony Annucci told state legislators in February that "we anticipate additional facility closures in the upcoming two fiscal years." The number of facility closures wasn't disclosed, but Annucci said they would eliminate approximately 1,800 beds.
We are excited to join SWIF on this important effort supporting the workers and employers of Pennsylvania, says Tim Lenning, Director of CSGs Program Modernization Practice.

CSG Government Solutions, a national leader in government program modernization, today announced that it has been selected by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, State Workers Insurance Fund (SWIF) division, to provide Project Management Office (PMO) services for the replacement of its legacy IT system and redesign of business processes. The PMO will assist SWIF in planning and oversight for all phases of the modernization project.

We are excited to join SWIF on this important effort supporting the workers and employers of Pennsylvania, says Tim Lenning, Director of CSGs Program Modernization Practice. Our team will apply our many years of experience with state government employment and labor agencies to help improve the efficiency, flexibility, and customer service capabilities of SWIFs technology and business processes.

CSG Government Solutions deploys highly experienced teams and innovative methods, knowledge, and tools to help governments modernize complex program enterprises. CSG clients include 44 state governments, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Labor, and large municipal governments.

CONTACT:

Tim Lenning

Director, Program Modernization Practice

CSG Government Solutions

180 N. Stetson Ave

Suite 3200

Chicago, IL 60601

312.444.2760 Fax: 312.938.2191

tlenning@csgdelivers.com

About CSG Government Solutions:

CSG Government Solutions is a leading government operations consulting firm focused on helping states modernize critical program enterprises. Our highly experienced teams and industry-leading Centers of Excellence help governments leverage innovative technology and processes to meet the challenges of administering complex programs. Founded in 1997, CSG has established itself as a trusted adviser to government agencies across the U.S. For more information, visit http://www.csgdelivers.com and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.


Despite the announcement by the Lagos State government that residents with coronavirus-like symptoms can go to designated government-run facilities to get tested for free, these laboratories are instead redirecting patients to private laboratories where they are charged as much as N50,000 for the test.

This reporter deliberately exposed himself to cold for four days and came down with symptoms similar to those of coronavirus  cough, headache, runny nose and fever  and presented himself for testing at some public laboratories in the city but officials at the laboratories declined to test him.

Instead, they redirected him to private laboratories to get tested.

Yaba

After visiting several government-run laboratories, the reporter discovered how residents who might have caught the virus are routinely rejected or redirected to private laboratories.

You must convince them well enough for you to have your test here. Although it is free, if your reasons arent strong enough, they would redirect you to private laboratories where you have to pay nothing less than N50,000, a woman at the Yaba Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH), one of the public health facilities designated to offer the test for free, told this reporter as he waited to speak with a nurse.

The woman was also a patient at the centre and had been tested for the virus earlier that day.

My husband has been isolated here and undergoing treatment here, so it was easy for me and my children to get tested. They wouldnt agree to test anyone here but redirect you to the private laboratory where you have to pay money. I suggest you convince them well, she added.

The reporter, heeding her advice, requested the registration process and was shown a web address written on the door of the lab. As the reporter tried to register, the same woman asked: Are you here to know your status or do you think you have the virus?.

He has the symptoms because he might have had contact with someone who is already in isolation, the reporters colleague who accompanied him to the health facility replied.

While struggling to complete the registration, the woman advised this reporter to approach officials of the facility for assistance.

Go straight down to the office on your left, knock at the door and enter. You will see some nurses there, speak to them on the purpose of your coming, they will put you through the registration processes, she said.

After 15 minutes of waiting to be attended to, a lab official, wearing a deep-green apparel, walked in and asked the reporter impatiently: What are you here for?

I am here to get tested. I have been having symptoms like cough, dried throats and a runny nose for days and I think I might have the virus the reporter replied.

I havent heard you cough since you got here, the lab official shockingly responded. He had suffered these symptoms for days and might have had contact with someone already in the isolation centre, his colleague quickly replied.

Go and get a referral letter from your doctor or any hospital or go test yourself in a private laboratory, the lab official said and walked away.

LUTH

This reporter also tried to get tested at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, (LUTH) but he was also refused to test and redirected to a privately run laboratory.

At LUTH, a nurse led this reporter to the central laboratory besides the children emergency centre.

The reporter explained his symptoms to the doctor who attended to him.

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Have you collected your sample? If not, walk down to your left, youll see the laboratory where they do that, the doctor swiftly suggested.

This direction led the reporter to SYNLAB, a private laboratory, located inside the hospital beside the Accident and Emergency Unit. Officials of SYNLAB told this reporter to register online explaining that the test will be conducted after 42 hours for a N50,000 fee.

SYNLAB handles the most laboratory services for LUTH following a concession agreement between both organisations.

Other centres

Within the week, the reporter visited four other public laboratories listed on the Nigeria Center for Disease Control website. While three redirected him to a private lab, one offered to test him after 24 hours of his registration.

At the International Organisation for Migration, Clinic, run by the United Nations, the security operatives, said the clinic had been shut down for renovations. There are private labs around if you check online. You can go there because this place is no longer in operation, he said.

At the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Central Public Health Laboratory, the reporter was immediately stopped by the security operatives who redirected him to consult private laboratories or visit the IDH centre where the reporters request for a test was earlier turned down.

This place is not a testing centre. You can go to the Yaba IDH or check online to see any available private laboratories around, the security operatives said.

He got the same response at the Nigeria Navy Reference Hospital.

Access into NIMR testing centre

After consulting all listed public laboratories, the reporter visited the Nigeria Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) and was offered to be tested for free.

Candidates would be required to register online via portal, www.nimr.covid.com.ng, after which a scheduled date would be sent to the email to have the test.

The Free Mobile Laboratory centre was made possible by NIMR, LifeBank, Sterling Bank, UTL, Dan Holdings, The Rising Tide Africa and Daystar Christian Center.

The reporter, after registering, visited that lab 24 hours later to have his test. COVID-19 test in NIMR is carried out on the open ground of the institute under two canopies the first for registration and confirmation, while the second for testing.

Where is your invitation form, the security official stopped the reporter as this was a major access into the laboratory.

The security official, after confirmation, directed the reporter to meet with a staffer of the lab who took down his details and requested that this reporter filled a seven-page online form.

Take this form, and be careful holding it, go to the other canopy by your left, submit it there and have your test, the staffer told the reporter.

At the lab, an official verified the form submitted and told the reporter to take a second look at the details submitted to be sure they were accurate.

The lab official wore her medical gloves, brought out two long swabs from a transparent plastic bag and collected samples from this reporters throat and nose.

The official placed the samples extracted from the reporter into a separate bag and labelled it with a special NVC code contained in the form.

You can go, your test results would be sent to your mail within three days- 62 hours, she told the reporter.

However, after two days of having the test, the reporter got his result, sent to him via his mail, testing negative for the virus.

Poor testing erodes fight against virus

The investigation revealed that out of six public laboratories listed on the NCDC portal, only NIMR was accessible to the reporter for free treatment despite suffering COVID-like symptoms.

This experience gives an insight into how public laboratories contribute to poor testing records of residents in Lagos thereby undermining the effort of the government.

The reluctance of public laboratories to offer free testing might be posing a threat to the states healthcare systems which in turn contributes to the spread of the virus.

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, Lagos State has recorded the most cases in Nigeria.

The state had consistently led the COVID-19 chart pulling over 55,000 reported cases within a year since the index case of the virus was reported in Nigeria.

During this period, the state received funding and support from the federal government, private organisations, non-governmental bodies, and prominent individuals  who contributed resources and donated materials to help curb the virus.

The Central Bank of Nigeria said donations from individuals and corporate bodies in Nigeria to the Private Sector Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) Relief Fund surpassed N21 billion.

When asked if the financial expenses could be a major factor, the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Babatunde Salako, said the state government might be spending a lot of money to sustain the free testing operation.

The test cost N54k and for every free test, the government may be seen to be spending that amount on individuals doing the test for free.

I imagine it may be a constraint especially running free tests for travellers who can afford the test for their business or holiday trips. Government should not be running their business for them.

I believe the government should have allowed public laboratories to charge at cost price at least, making the test more available to a lot more people, he said.

Reaction

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association, Adetunji Adenekan, when reached for comments, said, I may not be able to respond to the questions as I dont have information on it.

In separate reactions, the spokesperson to the NCDC, Emeka Oguanuo, and spokesperson to the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Willie Bassey, said the Lagos State government was in the best position to answer.

This investigation was carried out with support from BudgIT Foundation
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Border construction may have to restart after U.S. President Joe Biden has halted the construction, according to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

This was to plug what Mayorkas called "gaps" in the current barrier.

Mayorkas discussed with Immigration and Customs Enforcement employees last week that despite Biden canceling the border wall construction, it still leaves room to make decisions on finishing some "gaps in the wall," according to a Washington Times report.

Mayorkas said that Customs and Border Protection has submitted plans for what it wants to happen moving forward.

CBP oversees the border wall.

"There are different projects that the chief of the Border Patrol has presented and the acting commissioner of CBP presented to me," Mayorkas was quoted in a report.

READ NEXT: Defense Department Halts Border Wall Building as It Reviews Biden's Order

Border Wall Gaps

Unfinished sections of the wall have become convenient areas for migrants to enter the United States. Border agents park their vehicles near the gaps to monitor the said access points, according to a Fox News report.

Smugglers were reported to send groups of asylum seekers through the gaps to overwhelm the agents.

One agent eyeing a group of 13 Brazilian migrants arrested said that it is insane, adding that the project is almost done.

"At least, they should be allowed to tie together the primary fence. Otherwise, we're trying to catch these people in the worst possible place. It's just sucking our manpower," the agent was quoted in a report.

Many criticized Biden's move on suspending the construction of the border wall at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Republican lawmakers are calling U.S. Government Accountability Office to weigh in on the legality of Biden stopping the border wall construction.

The lawmakers argued that it violated federal law and has caused an avoidable and unfortunate scenario at the southern border, according to a Christian Post report.

A letter signed by senators including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell also said that Biden's action TO end the border wall construction violated the Impoundment Control Act.

The senators added that the Biden administration's actions and decisions have consequences for the U.S.

Migrants Influx

U.S. authorities are turning back families and adults arriving at the border. However, unaccompanied migrant children are still being allowed to enter the U.S., according to Mayorkas.

Mayorkas urged the migrants not to come to the U.S., saying it is not the time and that the journey is dangerous, according to a DW report.

Mayorkas added that they are building safe and human ways to address the needs of the migrant children.

Around 15,000 migrant children are already in federal custody. The U.S. is expected to see two million undocumented migrants arrive this year.

Biden was set to removing some of the policies implemented by former U.S. President Donald Trump during his presidency.

More than 10,000 children are now in the care of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Meanwhile, CBP is housing 5,000 others.

The number of migrants coming to the U.S. increase before Biden took office in January.

READ NEXT: Congress to Approve $1.3 Billion for Border Wall on Monday

WATCH: Biden's vow to stop border wall construction could be costly - from Fox Business






OTTAWA - Provincial governments are grappling with how to bring the third wave of COVID-19 under control, as the more virulent variants of the virus begin to dominate and younger, healthier people are getting very sick, very quickly.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau looks on as Chief Public Health Officer Theresa Tam appears via videoconference at a news conference on the COVID-19 pandemic, Tuesday April 6, 2021, in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

OTTAWA - Provincial governments are grappling with how to bring the third wave of COVID-19 under control, as the more virulent variants of the virus begin to dominate and younger, healthier people are getting very sick, very quickly.

From Ontario and Quebec to British Columbia and Alberta, fear of the variants is growing as swiftly as the caseloads, particularly for young people who might still think the virus won't hit them that hard.

"This is a reminder that COVID-19 can impact people of all ages, and severe illness can occur at any age," said Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada's chief public health officer.

Provincial health officials report increasing numbers of hospital admissions of younger patients who soon need intensive care, she said Tuesday. "Many of them deteriorate quite quickly and have to be admitted to the ICU."

Tam said there were on average 6,100 new cases of COVID-19 a day over the last week, and 31 deaths, up from 4,600 new cases and 26 deaths a week earlier.

But the hospitalization numbers concern her the most, and the share of hospitalized patients who need critical care is growing fastest.

In the last week, the number of people in hospital with COVID-19 rose four per cent to an average of 2,400 people a day, she said. At the same time, the number of people in ICU grew by 18 per cent to 780 people.

That means about one in every three patients hospitalized with COVID-19 now need critical care. In mid-January, when hospitalizations during the second wave of the pandemic peaked at 4,775, about one-fifth, or 880 people, were in the ICU.

Several jurisdictions are reporting that a majority of patients in hospital are under age 60, and physicians across the country are increasingly taking to social media to drive home this is not a virus that attacks just the weak or the old.

"Younger people think they are invincible," tweeted Dr. Kevin McLeod, an internal medicine specialist in Vancouver. "That feeling quickly fades when we are blasting you with 100% oxygen ... and all you really hear is a team debating pros and cons of intubating you and hooking you up to a ventilator."

There is increasing pressure on provinces to get vaccines to younger, essential workers faster, in industries where it's known the virus is spreading and workers can't stay home.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with Ontario Premier Doug Ford Tuesday. A summary of the conversation provided by the Prime Minister's Office said they both agreed that it is important to keep working together on the vaccine rollout.

It also said they "both supported maintaining a Team Canada approach to protect the health and safety of Canadians."

Public sniping between Ontario and Ottawa over the vaccine supply and delivery grew in recent days with Ford blaming slow delivery of vaccines for uneven distribution, and federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu taking to Twitter to point out how many doses Canada had delivered versus how many provinces had injected.

Hajdu said Tuesday she was only offering up facts. About 6.7 million jabs have been administered, out of more than 10 million doses distributed. But as much as 15 per cent of those doses were received by provinces only in the last few days.

Canada was nearing the six million mark for the number of people vaccinated with at least one dose Tuesday afternoon.

Tam said vaccines are helping but warned they aren't a panacea and, with the variants exploding, there is still a need to limit interactions and to wear masks.

There are more than 15,000 confirmed cases of variants in Canada, up from 9,000 on March 30. Positive cases are now screened for a variant but it then takes several days to identify which one it is.

Ontario has confirmed about 2,300 variant cases but has more than 27,000 cases screened and awaiting full sequencing.

More than 90 per cent of confirmed variant cases are the B.1.1.7, first identified in the United Kingdom. But the P. 1 variant first identified in Brazil is also charging ahead quickly, particularly in British Columbia where 737 of the 857 P. 1 cases in Canada have been confirmed.

Tam said chief public health officers from federal and provincial governments met over the weekend to discuss the P. 1 spread, and are working to double efforts to manage known P. 1 cases.

Tam pushed again against Canadians travelling anywhere at the moment, be it internationally or within the country. Interprovincial travel is believed to have spread the P. 1 variant between British Columbia and Alberta in recent weeks.

Lab studies suggest vaccines are less effective against this variant, she said.

Just days after invoking a provincewide "emergency brake," Ford is pondering even more restrictions in Ontario, pushed by local public health doctors in Ottawa and the Greater Toronto Area.

The province has not closed schools, but local public health chiefs in Toronto, Peel and Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph ordered all schools closed until at least April 19.

Ontario reported more than 3,000 new cases for the fifth time in six days Tuesday, and provincial public health chief Dr. David Williams warned that number could rise dramatically following the Easter long weekend, when testing numbers were down and gatherings likely.

Quebec reported more than 1,000 cases for the seventh straight day Tuesday.

Citing a need to adapt to the more contagious variants, Quebec Premier Francois Legault announced more restrictions.

Beginning Thursday, gyms in the province's red zones, including Montreal and its suburbs, will close, and places of worship will have to limit attendance to 25 people.

As of next Monday, students in the last three years of high school will attend class on alternate days, and extracurricular activities will be cancelled.

In Alberta, where about 43 per cent of the 10,000 active cases are variants, Premier Jason Kenney announced a shutdown of indoor dining in restaurants and reduced retail shopping capacity.

He said the province, averaging about 1,000 new infections a day, is on track to have 2,000 daily cases and 1,000 people in hospital with COVID-19 by the end of April.

B.C. provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said she expected the U.K. variant to get a "competitive advantage" in the province and that variants of concern would make up about 60 per cent of infections by next month.

B.C. reached a new infection peak over the long weekend at 1,077 cases and reported 1,068 on Tuesday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 6, 2021.
With great fanfare  but few guests  Myanmars armed forces recently celebrated their 76th anniversary in the nations capital of Naypyitaw.

Only Russia, China, Thailand and a handful of other Asian countries sent representatives to attend the March 27, 2021, parade showing off Myanmars modern war machines  mostly imported from Russia and China over the past decade, to the tune of US$2.4 billion.

The Myanmar military has been terrorizing civilians since a coup two months earlier. On the day of the parade, soldiers killed over 90 people for protesting military rule, including a 5-year-old boy and three teenagers. An estimated 564 people have been killed in Myanmar since the Feb. 1 coup.

One of Asias poorest countries, Myanmar spends twice as much on defense as it does on education and health combined. With half a million soldiers, at least on paper, Myanmar has the worlds 38th strongest military, according to Global Fire Power, which ranks 140 nations on their capability to wage war.

Myanmars military wasnt always a repressive force. It began as an adored liberating force founded to end colonial rule.

History of the Burma army

Burmas first national army came out of World War II and the quest for independence.

Led by a group called the 30 comrades who received military training from the Japanese, the Burma Independence Army allied itself with Japan to fight the British. Everyday people sold their gold to support this revolutionary force.

The Burma Independence Army forced the British out in 1941. The Japanese then occupied Burma, fighting Britain, the U.S. and other Allied forces from this strategic location in Southeast Asia.

Soon, though, Burmas army wanted Japan out of Burma, too. So did many Burmese people. Thousands of members of ethnic and religious minorities from rural border areas joined the army.

Historically, these minority groups had kept their distance from the countrys Buddhist majority, called Bamar, and from each other. The British maintained and strengthened these ethnic divisions as a tactic to maintain their colonial rule.

Story continues

But during the 1940s resistance movement against the Japanese, everyone was united behind Burmas army, my research finds  including women.

In 2007 I interviewed the first five women soldiers who joined Burmas struggle for independence.

"When the resistance movement began, we were ready to give everything, including our lives, Daw Khin Kyi Kyi, then in her 80s, told me.

The women attended military training, traveled to villages near army camps to explain why the army was now fighting against the Japanese, and convinced locals to offer food and shelter to the soldiers. The women also enlisted locals to spy on Japanese troops.

Civil war begins

The Japanese surrendered to the Allied forces in 1945 and withdrew from all occupied territories, including Burma.

That put Burma back in British hands, with promises of full sovereignty.

Before the British would grant Burma independence, however, they demanded that the countrys Bamar leadership prove that its many minority groups also wanted independence as one nation. Burmas revolutionary army leader Aung San convened a summit in the town of Panglong with the leaders of various ethnic groups to negotiate the foundations of a unified, independent Burma.

However, the Karen, a mostly Christian population from the countrys southeast, had previously been promised British help in establishing their own free state. Karen leaders refused to join the 1947 Panlong Agreement.

Burma became independent in 1948. The next year, elite Karen troops staged an armed revolt against the new national government.

Black-and-white image of a guard hut and a wooden sign reading 'give me liberty or give me death'

Ever since, Myanmars military, called Tatmadaw, has essentially existed solely to fight against Myanmars minorities.

Myanmars war economy

For about a decade after independence, Burma had a democratic government. But the army was more powerful. Between 1962 and 2010, Burma was a military dictatorship. Military rule endured through occasional uprisings, show elections and several coups in which one set of generals overthrew another.

Civil war is costly, so Myanmar developed a war economy. At first, it funded its battles with rice exports and loans from the U.S. and Soviet Union. Over time, Burmas military entrenched itself in the global economic system.

In 1962, the military junta regime established Burma Trade Limited in central London as its legitimate international brokerage. The military also mined and sold jade, mostly in areas that were home to repressed ethnic minorities and profited from a lively opium trade in Burma.

This military-controlled economy enriched Burmas generals, but the money did not translate into national economic growth. In 1987, the United Nations rated Burma among the worlds least developed countries.

Children in white tops and green pants hang on the outside of a very crowded bus; other children sit on top of the bus

Burmas name was changed to Myanmar in 1989.

Sanctions and boycotts

Today, Myanmars economy is almost entirely controlled by the military, from telecommunications to drugs. The militarys sprawling business networks  which some rights groups call cartels  have protected the generals from attempts to democratize.

In 2008, for example, the Myanmar military assented to a new Constitution officially giving 75% of seats in Parliament to civilian politicians and reserving 25% for army representatives.

Unofficially, though, the military largely continued to run the nation. That included unrelenting repression of minority groups, including the Karen  who have maintained their insurgency for seven decades  and the Rohingya Muslims.

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Elections in 2015 were supposed to mark a turning point in this quasi-democratic system. Aung San Suu Kyi, daughter of the revolutionary Aung San and leader of a prior democratic uprising, and her National League for Democracy won in a landslide.

Suu Kyi faced criticism for failing to stand up to the military, particular in its assaults on the Rohingya. Even so, she was deposed in the February 2021 coup and is now detained in an unknown location. Some dissidents are fleeing into to Karen territory and other rebel-held ethnic areas to escape the military.

As the death toll in Myanmar mounts, international pressure is growing for countries to impose harsher sanctions on the junta and for companies to cease trade. Japans Kirin beer and a German company that supplies the Myanmar mint are among those that have cut ties with Myanmar.

Meanwhile, civil disobedience inside the country continues. Choking off the militarys funding could give the protesters and deposed civilian government a fighting chance.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. It was written by: Tharaphi Than, Northern Illinois University.

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Tharaphi Than does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
CHICAGO, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Oxford Hotels & Resorts, LLC, the Chicago-based hotel management affiliate of Oxford Capital Group, LLC, today announces the rebranding of Hotel Essex, the luxury lifestyle hotel located on Michigan Avenue adjacent to Grant Park, as Le Meridien Essex Chicago. The property, owned by an Oxford joint venture with Quadrum Global, and managed by Oxford Hotels & Resorts, will continue to operate as an independent hotel until it officially joins the Marriott Bonvoy family this summer.

"We are excited to join forces with Marriott International to marry our midcentury modern landmark Hotel Essex with the internationally-renowned Le Meridien brand," says John W. Rutledge, Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Oxford Hotels & Resorts, LLC and its parent company, Oxford Capital Group, LLC. "We're always looking for ways to optimize the performance and value of our hotels and as leisure and business travel regains momentum this year, and in the years ahead, we felt combining forces with Le Meridien was a prudent, strategic move. We look forward to our property becoming a top choice for Marriott Bonvoy members looking to explore Downtown Chicago and everything our beautiful city has to offer."

The landmark hotel re-opened in 2019 after undergoing a multi-million-dollar transformation from Essex Inn into Hotel Essex, giving new life to the iconic Michigan Avenue building. Its original midcentury modern aesthetic was re-imagined for the 21st century, drawing on the building's International Style architectural roots in the 1960s. The property's interiors convey a sophisticated yet comfortable style, with authentic materials and unexpected pops of color incorporated into the spaces, leveraging the floor-to-ceiling windows to maintain focal points of Grant Park, Lake Michigan, and the cityscape.

The hotel speaks to the spirit of Le Meridien, which celebrates the glamorous halcyon days of travel with a distinctly European flair and a mid-century modern design aesthetic. Guests at the brand's 100+ hotels around the world can enjoy chic signature programmes that put a playful twist on art, coffee, sparkling cocktails, summer and family, inspiring creative-minded travelers to explore the world in style.

"When we began speaking with Marriott International around potential collaboration opportunities, Hotel Essex's midcentury modern design was an obvious fit for the Le Meridien brand, which champions this aesthetic across its portfolio," says Sarang Peruri, Chief Operating Officer, Oxford Capital Group, and Partner, Oxford Hotels & Resorts. "We believe the Le Meridien Essex Chicago is a complementary positioning within this mixed-use project with clear synergies with the apartments and retail."

"We are pleased to work with Oxford Capital Group, LLC. to introduce the Le Meridien brand to downtown Chicago," said Tom Brinkman, Senior Vice President, Lodging Development, Marriott International. "This transformed modern landmark will serve as an excellent addition to our portfolio offering guests a prime location in the heart of the city."

Each of Le Meridien Essex Chicago's 274 king and double guestrooms include a work station, 55-inch smart TVs, SmartFridges, 300-count luxury linens, hand-held garment steamers, and Frette robes and Trussardi bath products made exclusively for the property. Guests keep connected with high-speed WiFi and Bluetooth-enabled bathroom mirrors with hidden speakers. The hotel's onsite, state-of-the-art fitness center houses top-tier workout equipment by Peloton, Star Trac, Life Fitness, and Powermill. Guests can enjoy connections to Hulu and Netflix on all cardio equipment.

Guests' dining needs, from breakfast to late-night, are fulfilled by Grant Park Bistro and SX Sky Bar. The ground-floor Grant Park Bistro is a modern French grill open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, serving a menu focused on grilled meats and vegetables and French wines. SX Sky Bar is a bi-level lounge, which houses expansive space for meetings and events, including sectioned lounge areas and a spacious private dining room. Additional meeting rooms are available on the second floor, offering flexible AV capabilities and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Grant Park.

Call 312.939.2800 or visit www.hotelessexchicago.com for more information. Follow Hotel Essex on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Hi-res images can be downloaded here.

About Le Meridien Essex Chicago

Formerly the Essex Inn, Le Meridien Essex Chicago is a reimagined and transformed mid-century landmark along Chicago's Cultural Mile, overlooking Michigan Avenue and Grant Park. The historic hotel is a part of a mixed-use lifestyle development, including the 479-unit Essex on the Park luxury apartment tower, bi-level, indoor-outdoor lounge SX Sky Bar, and ground floor, chef-driven French restaurant Grant Park Bistro. The hotel offers 274 sophisticatedly designed rooms, upscale guest amenities, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and unparalleled views of the city and its lakefront. In the South Loop and adjacent to some of Chicago's major attractionsBuckingham Fountain, the Art Institute of Chicago, Museum Campus, the "Bean," and the Magnificent Mile shopping districtLe Meridien Essex Chicago serves as a gateway for the city's exploration. Le Meridien Essex Chicago participates in Marriott Bonvoy, which offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including earning points toward free hotel stays and nights toward Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.marriott.com.

Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts

Born in 1960s Paris during an era of glamorous travel, Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts continues to celebrate cultures around the world through the distinctly European spirit of savouring the good life. With over 100 hotels and resorts in 30+ countries and territories, spanning from Mauritius to Monaco and from Santa Monica to Sichuan, Le Meridien's engaging mid-century designed spaces coupled with chic signature programmes put a playful twist on art, coffee, sparkling cocktails, summer and family and inspire creative-minded travellers to explore the world in style. Stay connected to Le Meridien on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Le Meridien is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.marriott.com.

About Oxford Capital Group, LLC and Oxford Hotels & Resorts, LLC

Oxford Capital Group, LLC is an award-winning international real estate investment, development, and management firm that focuses on large-scale acquisitions, developments, redevelopments, and operationally-intensive real estate. Oxford and its affiliates have been involved in over $3 billion of real estate and private equity investments, with a primary focus on hospitality (15,000+ hotel rooms); hospitality anchored mixed use projects including multi-family (1,000+ units); senior housing (3,000+ units); urban retail; and parking. Oxford Hotels & Resorts, LLC is its wholly owned hotel management affiliate, which specializes in operating, managing, and branding distinctive, high design luxury lifestyle hotels, and food & beverage venues. Its growing national portfolio of lifestyle hotel brands include Audrey, Cass, Essex, Felix, Godfrey, Julian, LondonHouse, and Versey. It also has a growing collection of restaurants, rooftops, bars and pool-centric food & beverage venues. These include About Last Knife (ALK), I|O Rooftop, LH Rooftop, Ruka, Spa Boutique, SX Sky Bar, and WTR. Oxford Living, LLC is its senior housing investment and management platform. Oxford Residential, LLC is its multi-family development affiliate.

Quadrum Global

Quadrum Global is a global real estate development, investment and management firm focused on value-add opportunities. Since 2009, the group has invested over $1 billion in equity capital in US real estate. For more information, visit www.quadrumglobal.com

SOURCE Oxford Capital Group, LLC
Tiger King fans turned on Joe Exotic after watching a new Louis Theroux documentary last night - as they declared the zoo keeper is 'scum' who should 'rot in jail'.

Louis Theroux: Shooting Joe Exotic revisited the story of the zoo keeper, 58, with the documentary maker, 50, sharing unseen footage from his 2011 show America's Most Dangerous Pets - nine years before Joe shot to worldwide fame in Netflix series Tiger King: Murder, Madness, and Mayhem.

Viewers were shocked as Joe laughed about hiring a hitman and described his feud with animal rights activist Carole Baskin becoming so 'serious' that 'somebody is going to be killed'.

In one clip from 2011, Joe said: 'She's either going to kill one of us or somebody is going to have her killed.'

In 2019, Joe was jailed for 22 years after being found guilty of plotting to kill his nemesis and fellow big cat lover Carole.

Many of those watching were left stunned by the footage, with one saying: 'Watching Louis Theroux's Shooting Joe Exotic makes me realise how much Tiger King glamourised a convicted zoo operator.

Tiger King fans turned on Joe Exotic after watching new programme Louis Theroux: Shooting Joe Exotic which revealed unseen footage of the zoo keeper last night - as they declared he is 'scum' who should 'rot in jail'

Meanwhile animal rights activist Carole Baskin told Louis that she had received hundreds of threatening phone calls and death threats after Tiger King aired - while her husband Howard called the Netflix series 'cruel'

'As always, Theroux is a superb storyteller who doesn't let bias or his opinion stand in the way of a story.'

Another said: 'Louis Theroux's new documentary about Joe Exotic has really opened a whole new tin of worms for the guy. He is absolutely never getting out of prison.'

Joe, real name Joseph Maldonado-Passage, is currently serving a 22 year jail sentence after being convicted of two counts of murder-for-hire.

He was found guilty of plotting to kill his rival - animal rights activist Carole, 58.

Viewers were shocked as Joe laughed about hiring a hitman and described his feud with Carole Baskin becoming so 'serious' that 'somebody is going to be killed'

The 'Tiger King' was convinced she wanted to destroy his zoo, Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park in Oklahoma.

He was arrested in September of 2018 and later convicted on 17 federal charges of animal abuse and two counts of attempted murder for hire in his plot to kill Baskin.

The Kansas native requested a pardon from one-term President Donald Trump back in September, sending him a handwritten letter, later suing the Justice Department in December as a last-ditch effort.

He most recently hired a new legal team, as they plan to use unaired Tiger King footage to push for a new trial.

A decade on from when he first met Joe Exotic for the documentary America's Most Dangerous Pets, Louis returned to Oklahoma in response to a direct call from Joe to tell the 'real story'

Last night's documentary saw Louis return to Oklahoma in response to a direct call from Joe to tell the 'real story', with the documentary-maker rewatching unaired footage from his 2011 programme.

One of Louis' discoveries going back over all footage indicated Joe had made dark and apparently serious references to the possibility of Carole being killed, even with Louis.

Previously unseen footage of Joe showed him describing Carole as a 'psychotic woman', a 'domestic terrorist' and 'the prime suspect in her husband's disappearance'.

He told Louis: 'I can't keep my park going as long as this b**** is around.'

Last night's documentary saw the documentary-maker rewatching unaired footage from his 2011 programme

Watching the footage on his laptop, Louis said: 'I haven't watched this in 10 years, I had no idea it would lead to a federal case and Joe getting 22 years.'

In one clip, Joe described himself as 'the most dangerous exotic animal owner in the world', saying: 'Before you bring me down, it is my belief that you will stop breathing.'

He later laughed as he discussed his feud with animal rights activist Carole, describing how 'people' were 'considering' a hit man in Florida.

The zoo keeper said: 'People are so fed up of it, that this guy is a hit man in Tampa, and he has gotten off every hit he's ever done. And people are considering it. That's how serious this is all getting.

In the shocking previously unseen footage from 2011, Joe described himself as 'the most dangerous exotic animal owner in the world' and openly discussed his hatred for Carole

'If we can't get anywhere with this law-suit...I don't even know anymore. I've been through Attorney General, I've been through the Court of Justice.'

'Who do you go to if you say, something bad is going to happen if you don't step in to stop all of this?

'It's getting to the point where somebody is going to die. She's either going to kill one of us or somebody is going to have her killed.'

Rewatching the footage, Louis said the discussions at the time 'felt like talk', and said he felt he took Joe's words as 'an expression of his overactive imagination'.

In his final interview with Louis in 2011, Joe told the camera that he was sick of the 'animal-rights bulls***', and said he was 'done' with filming.

He ranted: 'How many of your questions have gone from providing animals with a good life to 'Do I feel guilty about breeding animals and putting them in cages their whole life?'

Meanwhile the animal rights activist and her husband Howard described the hit Netflix series as 'unethical and downright cruel'

'Before they run me out of business, I guarantee you that these animals won't be the only ones euthanised. This is still America, we're still allowed to bear arms and by gold, I ain't afraid to use them.

'Anyone who wants to disrupt what's going on here...'

In another moment filmed earlier this year, Louis met with Joe's legal team, who declared Carole was 'evil' and said: 'Everyone believes with zero evidence that Carole killed her husband.

'Everyone believes beyond reasonable doubt that Carole killed her husband in 1997. Just by the way she speaks, she reeks deception.'

During the programme Louis also met with the Baskins at Big Cat Rescue and on the site of Joe's old park - now owned by Carole and Howard and up for sale, with covenants in the deed that state it can't be used to house exotic animals.

Eight years after Louis' first documentary aired, Joe was jailed for 22 years in 2019 after being found guilty of plotting to kill his nemesis and fellow big cat lover Carole

For her animal rights work, Carole has paid the price of being fiercely hated.

Louis told Carole: 'In 2011, I filmed at Joe's park and he ranted about Carole, calling you the number one terrorist in America. How can you account for the level of hatred he had for you?'

Howard explained: 'We were the ones who were stopping his mall exhibits, and we were effective. One by one, these malls were saying no, you can't come here anymore. And that, understandably, really p***** him off.'

Carole spoke about her husband Don, saying: 'I adored Don. We had been together since I was 19-years-old, so for 11 years, he was the center of my universe. He was crazy, even at his best, but it's part of what I love about him.'

Louis described Howard as 'protective' and said he had 'a steely-side', while the couple reflected on the Netflix series

Howard said he 'didn't want to sit for an hour and talk about Don', while Carole added: 'People often ask me what I think happened to him....I think the thing that makes the most sense, is he crashed an ultra-light out of the Gulf. If it was anything else, I think we would have found him by now.'

Louis described Howard as 'protective' and said he had 'a steely-side', while the couple reflected on the series.

Howard said: 'When [the documentary makers] they said they wanted to expose the bad guys, we wanted to believe them...what they did wasn't just unethical...it was downright cruel.'

The couple showed Louis a selection of death threats they had received after Tiger King aired, with one person saying: 'F*** you Carole Baskin, I want to put a ***** bullet between your eyes.'

Carole vehemently denies having anything to do with her second husband Don Lewis (pictured together during their marriage) going missing, but acknowledged 'these allegations have been made for 23 years'

Carole said: 'When we got through watching Tiger King, my phone rang every two minutes for the next three months and it was people screaming obscenities.'

Many of those watching the documentary were left stunned, with one saying: 'Tiger King the series was misogynistic and grossly unethical and treated Carole Baskin horribly.

'That viewers saw Joe Exotic, a murderous animal abuser, and took his side and made him a hero, is worrying.'

Another said: 'Fascinating documentary to see Louis revisiting old footage and seeing his take on it now. Joe Exotic is scum. Hes where he should be, and so should Jeff Lowe....'
Fairfax, United States, April 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Six years ago, when Nefr and Wessam Michaels opened the doors of their Northern Virginia based in-home care business, Care With Love, they could not have foreseen the rapid growth and success they would achieve. Recent arrivals in the US from Egypt, the hardworking couple was determined to base the business on their dream of helping other families, while at the same time raising a family of their own. They decided to offer in-home care services, a business firmly rooted in their love of family, reflecting values that run deep within their cultural heritage.

Learn more about Care With Love in-home care services here: https://carewithlove.com .

Fast forward to 2021 and the Michaels have built Care With Love into a one stop shop, full service in-home care provider employing more than 250 caregivers, clinicians and supporting staff. Their business continues to grow, expanding to two locations covering seven northern Virginia counties (the company is headquartered in Fairfax, VA and recently opened an office in Winchester, VA). There are multiple reasons for Care With Loves rapid growth in such a highly competitive industry and market territory, all of which center on providing the best possible service to meet the needs of their clients.

In a market territory with hundreds of competitors, several sound business practices have helped Care With Love stand apart from other in-home care service providers. Starting with experienced, competent leadership, the company is known to hire dedicated, highly skilled caregivers, medical professionals, and staff. The companys talented operations team plans and coordinates the delivery of services and facilitates communications between Care With Love caregivers who have primary contact with clients. They never lose focus on the unique needs of each individual client which are always the caregivers primary concern.

One of the most significant reasons for Care With Loves continued growth, is their ability to provide any in-home care service their clients may require. Nefr Michaels built the business from the ground up, continuously adding services as needed for her clients, so that they now operate as a one stop shop in-home care provider. Care With Love offers each of the four primary services critical to a high quality, full service homecare company including Private Personal Care, Medical Care, Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, and Staffing Services.

Not only does Care With Love offer a full range of services, with each of their primary in-home care services they offer market-differentiating capabilities that yield tremendous value to their clients. For example, with their Private Personal Care service, they offer no minimum contract hours for their service. Seen as quite unique in the homecare industry, clients may contract a Care With Love caregiver for a little as one hour. Additionally, Care With Love is able to place a caregiver on-site with a client within 2 hours of the initial request. This rapid response is made possible by having an extremely capable operations team as well as 250 insured and bonded caregivers and clinicians on staff, trained and ready to assist clients.

Also uncommon in the homecare services industry, Care With Love requires all caregivers to be W2 employees  no sub-contractors are brought on staff. This gives the company quite an advantage over competitors with regard to coordination of care and communication between staff about each clients needs and circumstances. It enables the company to provide continuous training to their caregivers including such critical skills as Dementia care and supplemental hospice care.

Care With Love offers Medical Care Services, with skilled nursing and therapist services. The companys credentialed medical experts can begin assisting patients as quickly as within 24 hours of notification, which is much faster than the industry standard response time. Medical staff help patients heal and regain independence by providing skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social worker and home health services. Services include medication and chronic disease management, IV infusions and blood draws. Care With Loves staff specialize in wound care and they are experts at wound VAC (Vacuum-Assisted Closure). They are a Medicare Certified Agency.

A third critical component of its full suite of homecare services, Care With Love offers Regular, Wheelchair, and Stretcher Transportation. The company is equipped with ADA compliant and wheelchair accessible transportation to serve any client needs.

Rounding out the one stop shop suite of in-home care services, Care With Loves Staffing Services places experienced and professional Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), Licensed Certified Nursing Assistants (LCNAs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Registered Nurses (RNs) with Assisted and Independent Living facilities, nursing homes, rehab centers, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities.

Finally, and perhaps the most impactful of all the reasons Care With Love has experienced tremendous growth over the past several years, is the commitment and positive, can do attitude of its founder, Nefr Michaels. Her primary focus and constant priority is the well being of the clients and patients in her companys care. Employees under Nefrs leadership know, that even when a client makes a request outside of normal circumstances regarding their care, or if a challenging issue arises, Care With Love steps up to resolve the situation and help their client.

Based in Fairfax, VA, Care With Love serves Virginias Fairfax, Loudoun, Arlington, Prince William, Stafford, Fauquier, and Culpeper counties. Their newest location recently opened in Winchester, VA. The company offers full service in-home care across Northern Virginia and the DC Metro area.

More information about Care With Love and the homecare services offered can be found at: https://carewithlove.com .
A nurse loads a syringe with a dose of Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine on March 9, 2021 in Athens, Ohio. Stephen Zenner/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

A factory for Emergent BioSolutions has produced 150 million Johnson & Johnson vaccine doses.

The doses remain unused because regulators haven't certified the factory to distribute the shots.

Last month it was revealed this facility botched 15 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

See more stories on Insider's business page.

A Baltimore factory that botched the production of 15 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine hasn't been able to distribute any of its doses because of a certification issue, according to The New York Times.

The factory for Emergent BioSolutions, a biotech firm that's known for producing anthrax vaccines, has produced at least 150 million Johnson & Johnson vaccine doses - none of which have been used, The Times reported.

The manufacturng plant ruined 15 million vaccine doses last month of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine when an employee reportedly mixed up vaccine ingredients.

The mistake came only a month after the vaccine had gained authorization in the US. At the time, the company said it planned to deliver 100 million doses by the end of June and 1 billion within the year.

As of April 3, about 3.8 million doses of the J&J vaccine have been administered, according to data from The Wall Street Journal. In total, about 162 million vaccine doses have been administered in the US between J&J, Moderna, and Pfizer.

The mistake did not impact Johnson & Johnson vaccines that had already been delivered but delayed production and shipment schedules of the vaccine for several weeks. The facility had been slated to produce tens of millions of doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine by the end of May.

Emergent BioSolutions told Insider that the company's quality control systems were "working as designed to detect and isolate any batch that fails to meet quality standards for any reason."

"No one, including employees at Emergent, wants to see vaccines that cannot be used," the company said in a statement, adding: "Any allegation that our safety, quality, and compliance systems are not working or that we do not take these responsibilities seriously is unequivocally false."

Story continues

Emergent Biosolutions also has a history of quality-control issues and was once cited by the Food and Drug Administration for a number of issues, including mold and cracked vials, the Associated Press reported.

Around the same time, J&J announced its partnership with Emergent Biosolutions. The company signed a five-year contract, of which the first two years of the agreement were valued at $480 million, according to Emergent Biosolutions.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Venice Commission will rule in July on the draft law on the abolition of the Judicial Crimes Investigation Section, adopted in the Chamber of Deputies with an amendment stipulating that magistrates may be prosecuted only with the approval of the Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM).

According to the website of the Venice Commission, an opinion on the request of the Romanian Ministry of Justice regarding the draft to abolish the Special Section is scheduled to be adopted in July, agerpres.ro confirms.

On March 29, the Minister of Justice, Stelian Ion, announced that he would ask the Venice Commission for an opinion on the draft law on the abolition of the Section for the Investigation of Judicial Crimes.

In March, the Chamber of Deputies adopted a bill on the abolition of the Judicial Crimes Investigation Section (SIIJ) with several amendments, including one by the deputy for national minorities Ionel Stancu, also supported by the UDMR, which provides that magistrates can be sued only with the consent of the CSM.

Two professional associations of magistrates - the Romanian Judges Forum Association and the Initiative for Justice Association - criticized this amendment, arguing that the opinion that the CSM must give when prosecuting prosecutors and judges is an inadmissible privilege and this filter will be seen by society as a "superimmunity".
The family of detained Hong Kong activist Andy Li has said they are once more in contact with him, amid reports of his solitary detention in a psychiatric facility, as fellow speedboat fugitives were back behind bars on Monday over charges linked to the 2019 protest movement.



"After [Andy came] back to Hong Kong and disappear[ed] again, were finally receiving communication from Andy thanks to your continued attention on the matter!" Li's sister Beatrice Li wrote on the "Andy is Missing" Facebook page.



"More to follow as we digest the information," she wrote.



Li, 30, was among a group of 12 Hong Kong activists intercepted on Aug. 23, 2020 by the China Coast Guard aboard a speedboat that is believed to have been heading for the democratic island of Taiwan.



Li and seven other detainees subsequently served seven months in jail for "illegally crossing a border," before being handed over to the Hong Kong police on March 22.



According to a report in the Apple Daily newspaper last month, Li is currently being held in solitary confinement at the maximum-security Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre, which the paper said "has a history of alleged abuses against its inmates."



He was arrested by the Hong Kong police soon after arriving back in the city, under a draconian national security law imposed on Hong Kong by the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from July 1, 2020.



Both the city's police force and the Correctional Services Department (CSD) had told his family they had no record of where he was being held.



According to the Apple Daily, Lis case is being handled by a special unit in the CSD colloquially known as the "secret unit."



Five fellow speedboat detainees were remanded in custody on Monday after appearing briefly at Shatin Magistrates' Court at the end of their 14-day quarantine period, government broadcaster RTHK reported.



Cheung Chun-fu, Cheung Ming-yu, and Yim Man-him face charges of conspiracy to wound with intent and possession of an offensive weapon or other instrument fit for unlawful purpose, the report said. Their cases have been adjourned to May 3 at Eastern Court.



Kok Tsz-lun is charged with possession of an instrument fit for unlawful purpose and with intent to use for any unlawful purpose. His case was adjourned to May 5 at Tuen Mun Magistrates' Court, RTHK said, while the next hearing date for Wong Wai-yin, charged with making explosives, has been set for May 3 at Fanling Magistrates' Court.

Police patrol cemetery



Meanwhile, police stepped up their patrols of a remote hillside cemetery after floral offerings began appearing over the weekend on anonymous graves, marking the Ching Ming festival of grave-tending and the honoring of ancestors,



Visitors to Sandy Ridge Cemetery, where unclaimed corpses are buried, burned incense and paper offerings, as well as laying fruit, flowers, and other offerings at unmarked graves. Some of the offerings bore the symbols of the 2019 protest movement, which have largely been banned since the CCP's national security law took effect.



One of the visitors, Chan Kei-kau, said he was a member of the Protect the Children group of mostly Christian volunteers supporting young protesters in 2019.



Chan said he felt the need to honor "people who died in unknown circumstances." Many of the visitors who left offerings at the unmarked graves wore black clothing, a color typically associated by the 2019 protest movement.



There was a strong police presence at the cemetery throughout the holiday weekend, and police were taking the ID card numbers of anyone entering the section containing unmarked graves.



Police also closed off a nearby intersection and set up roadblocks to ensure that non-residents couldn't enter the area near the cemetery by vehicle, but only on foot.

Disappearances, deaths



Throughout the 2019 protest movement, reports continued to circulate on social media citing protester disappearances and deaths reported by the authorities as suicide, prompting recurrent rumors that some protesters had lost their lives far from the public eye.



Protesters have repeatedly laid wreaths and other tributes outside Prince Edward MTR station following persistent reports that deaths occurred inside when riot police stormed the station on Aug. 31.



The selective release of surveillance footage from cameras inside the station by the Mass Transit Rail Corp. did little to assuage public mistrust in the police, who have been repeatedly accused by protesters, medical personnel, and human rights groups of the mistreatment, torture, and sexual abuse of arrestees since protests escalated in early June.



In October 2019, dozens of people paid their respects to Chan Yin-lam, a 15-year-old competitive swimmer who was ruled to have died by drowning after her body was found floating in the sea near Tseung Kwan O.



Chan Yin-lam had been enrolled on a youth training course at the Hong Kong Design Institute at the time of her death. Police said there were no marks of violence on her body, although it was found naked, and that her death wasn't being treated as suspicious.



Reported by Carmen Wu and Fong Tak Ho for RFA's Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
Over the past week, an additional 6,252 local residents became fully vaccinated against COVID-19, Napa County reported Tuesday.

The number of fully vaccinated residents reached 35,499. This is 25% of the countys total population and 29% of people 16 years and above who are eligible to be vaccinated.

The number of doses given to residents and people who work in the county reached 97,337, a small increment since Mondays report.

Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help We're offering our best deal ever with this Editor's Special. Support local news coverage by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register.

There were 17 new COVID cases reported Tuesday, bringing the total since March 2020 to 9,516 cases.

The number of deaths, 78, hasnt changed in two weeks.

Napa County reported Tuesday morning that the county would move from the red tier to the orange tier on Wednesday morning, permitting businesses to open up more fully.

However, Dr. Karen Relucio, the countys public health officer, said current case data might force the county to return to the red tier next week.

People wanting to sign up for vaccination through county channels should go to MyTurn at https://myturn.ca.gov/ Those without access to email can call the California COVID-19 Hotline at 1-833-422-4255 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. weekdays and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends.

Residents who want to be tested for COVID at the free county-sponsored site should go to countyofnapa.org/test for more information. For more information on COVID-19 and actions you can take to #stopthesurge, visit countyofnapa.org/coronavirus.

Editors note: Because of the health implications of the COVID-19 virus, this article is being made available free to subscribers and non-subscribers alike. If youd like to join us in supporting the mission of local journalism, please visit napavalleyregister.com/members/join.

WATCH NOW: CLOSE CALL FOR AMERICAN CANYON POLICE DEPARTMENT

SEE PHOTOS: THE NAPA VALLEY NEWS IN PICTURES IN MARCH

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When the vaccine for children becomes available, a new survey suggests there wont be an immediate mass rush to get the shot.

According to a new Axios/Ipsos survey published Tuesday as reported by Forbes, 48% of Americans surveyed in April said they arent planning on having their children immediately vaccinated when they become eligible.

On the contrary for adults, there is a growing acceptance of the vaccines. Acceptance has grown from around 38% in September and October to a current acceptance of nearly 70%..

Forbes noted that vaccine hesitancy remains a problem, with 2021 polls consistently suggesting one in five Americans are unlikely to get vaccinated.

Why it matters.

Forbes reported that ending the pandemic and getting life back to normal as schools return in the fall is going to depend largely on vaccinating children.

The report noted that while it does not happen often, children and young teens can and do get seriously ill from COVID-19. The New York Times reported 227 children have died from COVID-19 in the U.S.

Additionally, its been noted that children can pass on the virus to others, especially to the more vulnerable.

Reportedly, vaccine manufacturers have begun to trial shots in younger people, while adult vaccination is well underway. Pfizer said, in coming weeks, it will apply for an expanded emergency use authorization for young European and U.S. teens. Moderna is implementing trials to study its vaccines effectiveness in young children and adolescents.

Will vaccination be required for children?

While few states have begun to ideate on a COVID-19 vaccination requirement for children, Tennessee and Pennsylvania officials have reportedly said vaccination will remain optional.

However, some school districts have indicated an intent to mandate it, Forbes said. Its been suggested that should resistance levels remain high, this will set the stage for a wider conflict if and when vaccines are approved for use in children.

Currently, all states have the power to require vaccination among students attending school, which for diseases like polio and measles, many do.

READ MORE:
Gov. Greg Abbot issued an executive order early Tuesday banning state agencies from requiring vaccine passports to enter public spaces or receive public services.

The passports, either digital or printed, would verify that a person has been fully immunized against COVID-19 and allow people to more freely travel and shop.

So far, they only exist in a limited capacity in New York. Still, the passports have emerged as the latest subject of political clashes over the virus, with GOP politicians decrying the passes as an infringement on individual rights.

Government should not require any Texan to show proof of vaccination and reveal private health information just to go about their daily lives, Abbott said in a news release. We will continue to vaccinate more Texans and protect public health  and we will do so without treading on Texans personal freedoms.

As of Tuesday, nearly 8.2 million Texans had received at least one dose of the COVID vaccine.

TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox

The executive order applies to all public agencies, and any public or private organization that receive state funds. Nursing homes and long-term care facilities are exempt and can still require visitors to show proof of vaccination.

In New York, the Excelsior Pass is an app where residents can upload their proof of vaccination or a recent COVID-19 negative test result. The app then produces a barcode that can be scanned at businesses and other venues.

Think of it as a mobile airline boarding pass, but for proving you received a COVID-19 vaccination or negative test, the states website advertises.

Abbotts action follows that of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who last week also issued an executive order barring the practice. He said the passes would reduce individual freedom and ... harm patient privacy.

Several GOP lawmakers in other states, like Arkansas and Pennsylvania, have also said theyre drafting legislation to address the subject.

At the national level, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday that the federal government would not back any efforts to implement a vaccine passport.

The government is not now, nor will we be supporting a system that requires Americans to carry a credential, she said at a briefing.

Proponents, meanwhile, have pointed out that proof of vaccination is already required to travel to several countries. The passes, they argue, could further slow the spread of COVID-19 and ensure that crowded events do not become super-spreaders.

In Texas, some venues have decided to require rapid COVID tests before large-scale events, like sports games, or block off seats for social distancing  but enforcement is not uniform.

The Texas Rangers held their home opener on Monday at Globe Life Field, with the stadium nearly filled to capacity. More than 38,000 people attended the game, the largest crowd of any U.S. event during the pandemic.

The Rangers required fans to wear masks when they werent eating or drinking, but that stipulation proved difficult to enforce, the Dallas Morning News reported.

cayla.harris@express-news.net
Depressed Texas teen who killed family then himself was raised in religious family, friend says

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Farhan Towhid, a chronically depressed 19-year-old Texan who formed a murder-suicide pact with his older brother and killed their parents, sister and grandmother over the weekend, was raised in a religious Muslim family but acted against his faith, according to Hasmat Mobin, president of the Bangladesh Association of North Texas.

He was a ... religious person. He used to go to mosque. He used to go up to different places. His father used to take him. In the ninth grade, his problems [with depression] started, Mobin, who believes the strain of the COVID-19 pandemic on Farhans mental health could also have played a role, explained to The Christian Post on Tuesday.

Before joining his brother's plot to kill their family and then take his own life, Farhan detailed in a suicide note shared on social media that he was unhappy with his life. And life, he concluded, isnt worth living without happiness.

Lets start with the meaning of life. Everyone thinks the meaning of life is this deep unsolvable mystery, but the conclusion I came to is really simple: the only reason for existence is happiness. In fact, every decision you make is solely because it contributes to your overall happiness, he wrote.

He then pointed to choices he believes contributes directly to happiness like playing video games, going to school or worshiping God.

Some of you religious people might say you only live to please God, but the act of worship is yet another decision that makes you content. Even some selfless things, like going to your annoying friends birthday party, is something to make you happy. If the only reason to live is for happiness, then logically, you shouldnt live if you arent happy. That makes sense right? he wrote.

A family friend, according to The Washington Post, saw Farhans note which began, Hey everyone. I killed myself and my family, and called police in Allen where the family lived.

When police arrived, they found the dead bodies of Farhan; his brother, Tanvir Towhid, 21; his father, Towhidul Islam, 54; his mother, Iren Islam, 56; his grandmother, Altafun Nessa, 77; and his 19-year-old twin sister, Farbin Towhid. Police told The Washington Post they believe the murders happened on Saturday night.

When I heard the news I couldnt breathe for 20 to 30 minutes. How could it happen in a community like us? Were so close and we visit each other and talk to each other, we have dinner and stuff, but inside the house  his children were unhappy for some reason and one thing led to another, Shawn Ahsan, another family friend and member of the Bangladeshi community, told CBS News Dallas-Ft Worth. We are heartbroken. I dont know what else to say 

Mobin said he used to visit with the family before the pandemic began and is convinced it played a role in the darkness that was unleased on the family.

Before COVID, I think because of the COVID there is something to do [with it], he said.

He noted that although both Farhan and his brother were smart, they got kicked out of The University of Texas at Austin.

The university noted in a statement cited by CBS that: Today we received the extremely sad news about the deaths of two former students, Farhan Towhid and his brother Tanvir Towhid, and their family. The news is devastating to our university. We express our deepest sympathies to their extended family and friends.

Farhan said in his suicide note that after he dropped out of the University of Texas at Austin, he and his older brother spent their time watching NBCs The Office at home. On Feb. 21, 2021, they decided that if they couldnt overcome their struggles with depression within a year they would kill themselves and their family.

Farhan added that there is a need for people to treat depression as seriously as physical ailments and noted that many conflate feelings of sadness with depression.

Depression is when you feel that same sadness to the point where it interrupts your sleep or prevents you from doing your hobbies for over two weeks. Its a real illness, and if calling someone sillbilly as a joke is considered wrong then treating depression the same way should be too, he said. Also, I dont get why mental illnesses are treated so differently from physical ailments. No one expects someone without legs to walk, so it shouldnt be so much of a surprise that someone depressed has a hard time being normal.

After a month of not being able to overcome their depression, the brother decided to kill their family.

All my brother had to do was go to the gunshop, say something about wanting a gun for home defense, sign some forms, and that was it. There was a question asking if he had any mental illnesses but  get this  he lied. He literally just said no. They didnt ask for proof or if he was taking any medication (he was). Just a yes or no question. Literally anyone can get a gun if they havent been officially diagnosed, he wrote.

He also argued that they decided to kill their family and not just themselves out of love.

I know I said I operate on logic, but the one emotional aspect of my life is the only reason Im here. I love my family. I genuinely do. And thats exactly why I decided to kill them, Farhan wrote. If I killed just myself, they would be miserable. They would spend the rest of their lives feeling guilt, despair, and a multitude of other adjectives that mean sad.

Months into the pandemic, medical researchers warned that the decline mental health of communities, particularly among people of color and older adults, would lead to soaring suicides and drug overdoses.

While nations struggle to manage the initial waves of the death and disruption associated with the pandemic, accumulating evidence indicates another second wave is building: rising rates of mental health and substance use disorders, NYU Grossman School of Medicine researchers, Dr. Naomi M. Simon, Dr. Glenn N. Saxe and Dr. Charles R. Marmar, wrote in Mental Health Disorders Related to COVID-19Related Deaths published in The Journal of the American Medical Association.

This imminent mental health surge will bring further challenges for individuals, families, and communities including increased deaths from suicide and drug overdoses. As with the first COVID-19 wave, the mental health wave will disproportionately affect Black and Hispanic individuals, older adults, lower socioeconomic groups of all races and ethnicities, and health care workers.
Be the Change Job Fair, an initiative led by Cara Bertone, Philana Bouvier, Lia Jones and Rania Zayyat, in partnership with Diversity in Food & Beverage and Lift Collective announced today that registration for candidates is now open for the second virtual job fair on April 22, 2021. Following the success of the first job fair in December 2020 for the Wine industry, the 2021 Be the Change Job Fair adds exhibitors such as Boston Beer Company, Bacardi USA and more from the Beer and Spirits industries to the list of exhibitors.

Be the Change is the first initiative of its kind, dedicated exclusively to creating more diverse and equitable workplaces in the beverage alcohol industry. Through an ongoing partnership with Brazen and Forcebrands, Be the Change has created a best-in-class networking and digital recruiting platform that is encouraging diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in hiring practices among the leading companies in the beverage alcohol industry.

The four-hour event will host employers who are committed to DEI with space for up to 1,000 jobseekers and multiple job opportunities across the beverage industry. We are excited to expand our initiative this year to include the spirits and beer industries, comments co-founder of Be the Change and President, Demeine Estates, Philana Bouvier. We remain committed to creating sustainable change by facilitating job placements with the beverage alcohol industrys leading companies.

MORE INFORMATION

WHO: Be the Change is an equal opportunity initiative committed to changing the status quo through action and policy. The initiative seeks to establish a diverse beverage industry through facilitating job placement with companies dedicated to creating real solutions with diversity and equity training, measurable results, and long-term policy. Be the Change was founded by industry leaders Cara Bertone, Philana Bouvier, Lia Jones and Rania Zayyat in partnership with Diversity in Food and Beverage and Lift Collective. In addition, this year, the event will partner with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), the nations largest organization exclusively representing Historically Black Colleges and Universities, to further advance Be the Changes initiative and digital job fair to their networks.

WHAT: The virtual job fair is an equal opportunity job fair, open to all. Following the success of the first job fair in December 2020, Be the Change continues to focus on job placement and education for the beverage alcohol industry. Job opportunities that will be showcased during the virtual job fair will range from positions in marketing and sales, to production and winemaking, and more.

HOW: Job applicants will have the opportunity to network and interface with a litany of leading beverage alcohol brands as exhibitors including but not limited to Avaline, Bacardi USA, Boston Beer Company, Brown Forman, Constellation Brands, Crimson Wine Group, H-E-B, Jackson Family Wines, New Belgium Brewing, Moet-Hennessey, Scheid Family Wines, Silver Oak, Titos Handmade Vodka, WhistlePig Whiskey, Republican National Distributing Company, Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits, and more. Education partners include JP Morgan and the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET). Following registration, candidates will be able to check out exhibitor information to prepare for the event on April 22nd. Learn more about how it works here.

WHEN: April 22nd, 2021

WHERE: Candidate registration and a full list of exhibitors can be found here.

SPONSORS: Brazen, Forcebrands, Black Wine Professionals, Colangelo & Partners, Mat + Lo Creative.

For more information about Be the Change, to schedule an interview or request images, please contact hello@bethechangejobfair.com. Press image can be found here.

###

About Be the Change, http://www.bethechangejobfair.com

Be the Change is committed to changing the status quo through action and policy. The initiative seeks to establish a diverse industry through facilitating job placement companies dedicated to creating real solutions with diversity and equity training, measurable results, and sustainable change. Founded by industry leaders Cara Bertone, Philana Bouvier, Lia Jones and Rania Zayyat, Be the Change launched the alcohol beverage industrys first Virtual Job Fair with a core focus on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in December 2020. Be the Change champions diversity efforts that elevate the professional growth of many identities, including gender, racial, sexual orientation, national origin, and people with disabilities.

About Brazen

Brazen helps employers succeed in the new all-virtual world by giving recruiters a variety of virtual recruiting tools like virtual hiring events, virtual career fairs, text, audio, and video chat, live video broadcasts, and more. By providing more options for candidates to connect with recruiting teams other than the traditional 'Apply Now,' Brazen is converting candidate interest into quality hires at twice the industry standard and in half the time. Brazen's virtual hiring event platform is designed specifically for talent acquisition and is used by the world's most respected companies including CVS Health, Starbucks and KPMG. Brazen has been the leading provider of virtual hiring event software since 2013.

Brazen http://www.brazen.com

About ForceBrands

ForceBrands is the leading specialized recruiting firm for the consumer products industry  we build the teams that build the brands. Our industry-specific divisions across beverage, food, beauty, cannabis, and pet care offer executive search services, board of director assembly, and a digital job board to connect directly with qualified candidates. We are 'people for a hire purpose' and strive to transform the way consumer product professionals of all levels identify employment opportunities and employers are connected to world-class talent. Go HIRE with ForceBrands. http://www.forcebrands.com
A police officer has denied claims he repeatedly assaulted his girlfriend during a six year relationship.

PC Fraser Ross, 41, is alleged to have carried out attacks on Anne-Marie Hirdman before they split.

Miss Hirdman, a bank receptionist, has claimed Ross attacked and abused over the course of their relationship.

PC Fraser Ross, 41, is alleged to have carried out attacks on Anne-Marie Hirdman before they split. Ross denies all the allegations at Hamilton Sheriff Court, pictured

She told a court Ross attacked her in his home in Motherwell, Lanarkshire, after they had returned from a night out.

She said the alleged incident of October 2017 left her injured and unable to get out of bed for a week.

Miss Hirdman, 41, also told the court she secretly recorded him threatening her.

Ross is on trial at Hamilton Sheriff Court where he denies three charges of assaulting Miss Hirdman between October 2017 and August 2019.

The Glasgow-based constable also denies behaving in a threatening and abusive manner towards her between September 2013 and March 2019.

Under questioning from defence lawyer Gordon Williams, Ross, who has spent 16 years with the force, denied the assault claims and accused Miss Hirdman of being 'vindictive'.

He said: 'It is nonsense. Annie was a very jealous and paranoid person.

'After three months together she started seeing issues that were not there.

'Over the course of the six year relationship we never resolved any argument together.

'She was convinced I was hiding something, she thought I had ulterior motives and then I would get a few days of complete anger and then nothing.

'There is no doubt in my mind that it all stemmed from her.

'When she got a drink in her then any problems she had with the relationship would come up and things would go downhill from there.

'She is lying about all of this, she is a very vindictive person.

'All of this behaviour would happen when I told her I was no longer interested in the relationship and that seemed to send her off, sometimes she would go ballistic.

'Any injuries were a result of me trying to stop her damaging our home.'

Ross added: 'I admit I've lost control at times to the point of name calling and swearing but nothing more.

'It is something that I deeply regret and it is not something I would normally do.'

Miss Hirdman had earlier said she was left distraught after being attacked by Ross.

She told depute fiscal Jennifer Guy she was forced to the ground and Ross had put his hand over her mouth and nose leaving her gasping for breath while shouting in her ear for her to 'shut up'.

The court heard recordings of Ross saying 'why don't I just f****** push you down the f****** stairs Annie?' which were alleged to have happened during a row over him picking her up from a night in Glasgow with friends in May 2017.

Photographs were shown to the court of bruises to her arms and body which Miss Hirdman alleged Ross had caused when he pinned her down.

When asked how he felt about the recordings being played in court, Ross said: 'I was utterly embarrassed, especially at my language.'

The trial before Sheriff Ross Macfarlane QC continues and Ross, who is currently suspended from duty, remains on bail.
NorthStar HCM delivers unparalleled subject matter expertise, best practices and data insights to help elevate an organization's contingent labor program

PRO Unlimited, the modern workforce management solutions provider, announced the launch of NorthStar Human Capital Management (HCM). PRO's NorthStar HCM consulting and advisory team leverages the most robust dataset for contingent labor in the world, along with a massive team of industry experts that has spent decades specializing in and optimizing the contingent workforce.

As the modern workforce has grown more complex and more deeply intertwined with companywide strategic objectives, it has become increasingly important to align contingent labor management with corporate goals. However, many organizations ?nd they operate in silos, lack the proper governance and breadth of subject matter expertise, and are missing the overall data and analytics experience required to ensure optimal results as part of their human capital strategy.

NorthStar HCM provides industry-leading analysis and actionable business intelligence that impacts business decisions and supports client goals. It includes comparative benchmarking of client programs, global market analysis, regional employment trend guidance, risk mitigation guidance, and more. This offering continues to expand the breadth and depth of PRO's industry-leading contingent workforce platform, driven by billions of data points, to further enhance its clients' contingent labor programs.

"We are excited to introduce NorthStar HCM, a new standalone consulting solution, which is a critical part of our contingent workforce platform," said Kevin Akeroyd, CEO of PRO Unlimited. "NorthStar HCM allows us to tap into the subject matter expertise that PRO Unlimited has cultivated over the last 30 years in the MSP and VMS industry. But it goes further than that as this consultancy service has been recognized year after year as being on the leading edge in analytics and business intelligence, coupled with the most robust data repository for contingent labor in the world."

Akeroyd added: "It's an exceptional solution that is laser-focused on real-world problems companies are attempting to solve. As the world of work changes once again, NorthStar HCM allows us to adapt as our clients do providing solutions in a multitude of ways."

With over 30 years of contingent workforce management leadership in creating best-in-class contingent labor programs for Global 2000 companies, NorthStar HCM knows how to deliver solutions that drive material and sustainable results. It understands how to assess maturity and effectiveness of the status quo, where to find the data necessary to realize the current program dynamics, what the data means in relation to the global workforce and client-specific verticals, and how to provide best-in-class program solutions with tangible business outcomes. NorthStar HCM is a strategic partner to help guide companies through market expansion, workforce planning and forecasting, predictive modeling and much more.

NorthStar HCM consultants start with a holistic evaluation of a client's contingent workforce spend and practices including a discovery/strategy session to understand organizational objectives, stakeholders, processes, governance and data elements to address. NorthStar HCM capabilities include:

Workforce Analytics and Benchmarking: Review of current workforce (FTE and non-employee) including headcount mix and cost breakdown by department, geography, etc. Labor Market Rate Business Intelligence: Optimizejob title taxonomy, identify opportunities and make recommendations on workforce mix, pay bands, sourcing locations, and strategies. Cost Savings Engagements: Assess current program, identify areas to drive material cost savings, and provide guidance on best practices to implement for maximum ROI. Direct Sourcing Strategies and Deployment: Facilitate education on benefits of direct-sourcing; provide guidance and scoring on direct-sourcing strategies and how to deploy. Services Procurement (SOW) Framework and Process Guidance: Benchmarking on project costs/timelines, vendor analysis and recommendations, upstream/downstream SOW process and technology guidance. Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Best Practices: Leverage subject matter expertise to design a D&I strategy for contingent workforce, including measurable key performance indicators. Workforce Growth and Expansion Advisory Services: Analysis of costs, competition, talent supply/demand and other considerations required for global, regional, skills, and/or program scope expansion.

Other solutions include MSP strategy optimization, workforce performance metrics, RFP analysis and recommendations and much more.

NorthStar HCM offers strategic business intelligence and advisory services that enable organizations to move beyond short-term mindsets and instead drive better business decisions that help companies exceed program goals and position them for long-term growth. Either through a one-time engagement or as a recurring provider of consulting and analytics solutions, NorthStar HCM can deliver innovative and groundbreaking solutions to enhance a contingent workforce.

About PRO Unlimited

Servicing hundreds of the world's most recognizable brands, PRO Unlimited offers modern workforce management and a partner ecosystem supported by data, software, intelligence, and services to meet your flexible workforce needs. PRO's Modern Workforce Management Platform can adapt quickly to regional or industry economic shifts, and provides the speed, scale, flexibility, transparency, and expertise to serve as the holistic platform for the modern workforce. Headquartered in San Francisco, PRO has helped global brands and organizations achieve operational and financial success for more than 30 years. For more information, visit https://prounlimited.com/ and follow the company on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005328/en/

Contacts:

Christian Barbato

215.527.6616

cbarbato@prounlimited.com
The purpose of the day is to give high school students a glimpse into what life at university may look like.

The pandemic has certainly changed the way in which students live their lives at university, but will it also affect the institutional choices of future academics?

At the moment, restrictions and uncertainty render it difficult to make an adequate choice. ACEL, the Association of Luxembourg Student Unions, has long organised its "Student for One Day" initiative, which usually helps pupils get a better picture of their university options.

This year's edition was not held abroad, but at the University of Luxembourg in Belval.

A number of Luxembourgish student associations from different towns came back to the Grand Duchy for the occasion. Participants needed to register for the event beforehand as part of the new safety measures.

People were also invited to send in questions. Despite the difficulty of the situation, experienced students advise pupils to consider their choices wisely.

Government student funding will be extended for all people that were registered in the academic year 2019/2020. This means that concerned students now have three extra semesters that they can use to finish their degrees while still being eligible for financial support.

Both ACEL and the funding administration receive many questions regarding the pandemic. Officials report that more students want to study in the Grand Duchy due to the uncertainty stemming from the health crisis. Others may still be registered abroad, but are currently doing all their classes remotely from home.
JERUSALEM  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel was asked by the president on Tuesday to try to form a new coalition government, offering a possible path for him to remain in office even as he stands trial on corruption charges.

It wont be easy, and success is by no means guaranteed given the abiding divisions that have led to a political impasse, which has only worsened year by year.

While the country remains split along the fault lines of secular and religious, right-wing and left-wing and Jewish and Arab, the main rupture has increasingly revolved around the polarizing figure of Mr. Netanyahu himself. He got the nod to form a new government one day after the opening of the evidentiary stage of his trial on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust.

A political survivor and Israels longest-serving prime minister, Mr. Netanyahu has spent the last 12 years in office. But after four inconclusive elections in two years, he and his allies have failed to win enough support to ensure a parliamentary majority that could decisively end the countrys political deadlock.
Gardai in Louth have confirmed that two people have died and another person is seriously injured following a road traffic collision.

The men, one in his 30s and the other in his 50s, were killed when their cars collided on the Ardee Link Road, just off the M1 at Richardstown, Dunleer, Co Louth this morning at approximately 8.10am.

The man in his 50s who was the sole occupant of a car was fatally injured when his car collided into a second vehicle.

His body has been removed to the Mortuary in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda where a post mortem will take place.

The male driver, mid 30s, of the second vehicle was also fatally injured. His body has also been removed to the mortuary in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda.

A passenger of the second car was removed from the scene to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital to be treated for his non life-threatening injuries.

This car also struck a third vehicle and the driver of that car was removed to hospital for treatment of non life-threatening injuries.

The Garda Forensic Collision investigators are currently at the scene and the road is currently closed and local diversions are in place.

Gardai in Drogheda are appealing for any witnesses or for anyone with information to come forward.

They are also appealing for any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) who were travelling on the M1, or on the Ardee Link Road at Richardstown this morning, to make this footage available to Gardai.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Drogheda Garda Station on 041 9874200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.




Diversified has sold a 13 per cent stake in Company to the country's third largest private sector lender Axis Bank, which will now be a co-promoter of the insurer.

The completion of the deal comes more than a year after Max Financial Services and announced their intent to have a strategic partnership for the former's insurance venture.

Financial details were not disclosed.

Max Financial Services -- the holding company of Max Life -- has offloaded 12.99 per cent stake in the insurer to and its subsidiaries -- Axis Capital and Axis Securities Ltd, according to a regulatory filing.

The Axis entities have now become co-promoters of Max Life.

"The board of Max Life recorded the closure of the deal today," Max Financial Services said in the filing on Tuesday.

According to the company, the transaction was completed after the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) gave its formal approval in February this year.

Under the deal, the Axis entities also have the right to acquire an additional stake of up to 7 per cent in Max Life, in one or more tranches, subject to regulatory approvals.

Three nominee directors of the Axis entities will be part of Max Life's board of directors.

For the Founder and Chairman Analjit Singh, this is long-awaited deal as in June 2016, he had announced a deal with HDFC Life under a three-way merger. But this was called off a year later due to regulatory hurdles.

Interestingly, Amitabh Chaudhry, the head of now, was at the helm of HDFC Life when the proposed deal with Max fell through.

Axis Bank is the only large private sector lender without an insurance arm. The bank was keen on straight away acquiring over 20 per cent stake in Max Life but the Reserve Bank is reportedly not comfortable in allowing banks to have more than 20 per cent stake in the cash guzzling insurance business.

Max Life's Managing Director and CEO Prashant Tripathy told PTI that the top management, including himself, will not change on completion of the deal.

The company will continue to be known as Max Life but the tagline will change to 'a joint venture between and Axis Bank'.

According to him, the lender has the freedom to pick up another 7 per cent in the company, which may materilaise over the next 24 months.

He refused to share the deal value saying it is "not a primary capital infusion but a transaction between two promoter shareholders -- the Max Group and Axis Bank".

Axis Bank's Managing Director and CEO Amitabh Chaudhry said the bank has been a long-term partner to Max Life and together they have contributed to deepening insurance penetration in India over the last decade.

"We are confident this venture will enhance the value for all the stakeholders of Axis Bank and Max Life," he said.

The bank has been around with Max Life for over a decade as a bancassurance partner, under which long-term saving and protection products have been furthered to nearly 20 lakh customers.

The total premium generated through this alliance has aggregated to over Rs 40,000 crore, as per the release. The alliance contributed over 55 per cent of its total sales of Rs 84,724 crore as of December 2020.

Analjit Singh said the conclusion of this deal will bring added strength to Max Life and help it chart a new growth trajectory by combining the forces of the third largest private bank in India with the fourth largest private life insurer in the country.

"This closure marks a new phase of growth and stability for Max Life. The joint venture enhances our brand in the eyes of our customers, business partners and investors by integrating the resources and benefits that the two players bring," Max Life's Managing Director and CEO Prashant Tripathy said.

Max Life registered a 20 per cent yearly growth in its asset under management at Rs 84,724 crore as on December 31, 2020, which has more than doubled in less than four years, the filing said.

In the last four years (FY 16-20), its individual adjusted new sales registered a compounded annual growth rate of 18 per cent. In the first 11 months of the last financial year, Max Life outperformed the top three private players with year-on-year individual adjusted new sales growth of 14 per cent, it added.

"With the conclusion of this deal between Max Life and Axis Bank, we are ready and equipped to integrate the synergies of the two players and commence a relationship that will cement Max Life's position as a top quartile life insurer delivering sustainable and profitable growth," Max Financial Services' Managing Director Mohit Talwar said.

According to Max Life's Managing Director and CEO Prashant Tripathy, the company controls 10.8 per cent of the life insurance market among private players and 6.4 per cent of the overall industry, which is more than 70 per cent dominated by the national insurer LIC on the basis of individual adjusted first year premium.

On Tuesday, shares of Max Financial Services rose nearly three per cent to close at Rs 890.50 apiece on the BSE while that of Axis Bank declined little over one per cent to end the day at Rs Rs 677.85.

(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 Somerville man died Monday in Huntsville from injuries in a one-vehicle crash.

Senior Trooper Gregory Corble said the incident happened at around 12:30 p.m. Monday, two miles east of Hillsboro, on Alabama 20 at the 58 mile marker.

Antonio Cowley, 55, of Somerville, was killed when the 2002 Honda Shadow he was operating attempted to move into the right lane, lost control, ran off the roadway and struck a culvert. Cowley was airlifted to a Huntsville hospital, where he died.

Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agencys (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division continue to investigate.
TAMAQUA  Fire damaged an apartment in the borough early Monday, leaving a woman and child homeless.

Firefighters were called to an apartment building at 210 W. Broad St. around 1:20 a.m. and told by the Schuylkill County 911 Center that Tamaqua police on the scene confirmed a working fire.

Tamaqua Fire Chief James Connely said the woman, the child and their pets  two dogs and a cat  managed to escape their first-floor dwelling unharmed.

The chief said the fire started on the stove and was contained to the kitchen, although the rest of the apartment had smoke, water and heat damage.

Connely said a smoke alarm warned someone living in a second-floor apartment, who went downstairs and alerted the woman and her child.

Its a shame they (the first-floor tenants) didnt have smoke alarms, the chief said. They would have found out about the fire sooner.

Connely said the fire started after the woman hit a stovetop burner knob, unknowingly catching a cake box and other items on fire.

She made something in the oven about 45 minutes before and apparently bumped the knob for the burner, the chief said.

Little damage was reported to the second-floor apartment, with the exception of a hole that was made in a wall by firefighters to ensure flames did not extend from the downstairs apartment, Connely said.

Tenants of the second- floor apartment were able to return shortly after the fire was extinguished, he said.

They got in there quick and were able to stop it, he said.

No injuries were reported and Connely said firefighters brought the fire under control in about 30 minutes.

Patty Daley, disaster captain with the American Red Cross Tri-County Chapter, said her organization was not contacted to assist the victims.

Along with all Tamaqua fire companies, the Tamaqua Rescue Squad, Tamaqua EMS, a Carbon County Rapid Intervention Team and Tamaqua fire police responded.
NEW YORK, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Fred David ("Como Diffusion, Inc") announced today that it has signed a long-term licensing agreement with Tempur Sealy International, Inc ("Tempur Sealy") to extend the Sealy brand into the sleepwear, loungewear, and accessories categories, in a deal brokered by IMG. Sealy Sleepwear is slated to launch in Spring 2022 and will be sold in select department stores, e-commerce channels, and specialty retailers throughout the United States and Canada.

The Sealy Sleepwear and Loungewear collections will include sets, coordinates, separates, robes, and accessories to encompass the brand's ethos. They are designed with ease, comfort, and quality for the sleep you need to have a healthy & balanced life. The collections will be made of core essential fabrics, specially selected to improve sleep by maximizing cooling and breathability. Each style is specially engineered to increase airflow and comfort while in the bed. Premium, sustainably sourced fabrics will be available to support the goal of a more sustainable future.

"Sealy is the number one bedding brand in the US and a leader in the sleep industry. Sealy represents our focus to grow with the best and most influential partners. As we continue to deepen our brand assortment, we view the addition of Sealy as a step towards strengthening our licensed business," says Andy Kirstein, President and CEO at Fred David.

The assortment will quickly expand to include Mens and Womens loungewear and sleep accessories by Fall/Holiday 2022.

About Fred David

Fred David (Como Diffusion Inc.) is a leading, full service global apparel and accessories company that designs, produces and distributes a full range of private label, branded, and licensed products. With strong manufacturing capabilities and a deep retail distribution network, Fred David has become a key supplier to the largest private label brands in the world. Their long list of in-house brands can be found at most major apparel retailers throughout the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Fred David Contact:

Jenna Wasserman

Phone: 514 286 2666 ext. 6221

Email: [email protected]

About Tempur Sealy

Tempur Sealy is committed to improving the sleep of more people, every night, all around the world. As a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of bedding products, we know how crucial a good night of sleep is to overall health and wellness. Utilizing over a century of knowledge and industry-leading innovation, we deliver award-winning products that provide breakthrough sleep solutions to consumers in over 100 countries. Our highly recognized brands include Tempur-Pedic, Sealy and Stearns & Foster and our non-branded offerings include value-focused private label and OEM products. Our distinct brands allow for complementary merchandising strategies and are sold through third-party retailers, our Company-owned stores and e-commerce channels. This omni-channel strategy ensures our products are offered where ever and how ever customers want to shop. Lastly, we accept our global responsibility to serve all stakeholders, our community and environment. We have and are implementing programs consistent with our responsibilities.

About IMG

IMG is a global leader in sports, fashion, events and media. The company manages some of the world's greatest athletes and fashion icons; owns and operates hundreds of live events annually; and is a leading independent producer and distributor of sports and entertainment media. IMG also specializes in licensing, sports training and league development. IMG is a subsidiary of Endeavor, a global entertainment, sports and content company.



SOURCE Fred David
13:39 | Lima, Apr. 6.

The Head of State explained that the vaccination of the frontline workers (health care workers, firefighters, as well as members of the National Police and Armed Forces) is coming to an end and the immunization of the most vulnerable population (the elderly) has already started.

"In coordination with the Minister of Health and the Ministerial Cabinet, we are giving a new direction to the vaccination process in the next stage, in order to go from the frontline and most vulnerable scheme whose vaccination process will be completed at the end of this month or in the middle of next month to a new one," he said.





With this in mind, he noted that the redesign with a territory-based approach will consider the places with the most problems and those requiring direct support, by promoting equal access for all people who need to be vaccinated and protected.





Remarks were made as he led a delivery of medical equipment and supplies in Ica region.





(END) VVS/RMB
We must provide readers of all ages, races, backgrounds, and political affiliations with the tools to discuss racism today and to know Americas racial story, Kendis statement said. We must end the indoctrination that this nation is post-racial and colorblind that adults impart onto young people when we dont discuss racism with them and challenge books that do. The fact that Stamped is being challenged proves just how necessary and effective it is for young people.
[April 06, 2021] Bank of Hawaii Corporation Conference Call to Discuss First Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Bank of Hawaii Corporation (NYSE: BOH) will release first quarter 2021 financial results on Monday, April 26, 2021 before the market opens and hold its quarterly conference call at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time (8:00 a.m. Hawaii Time) on the same day. The live call, including a slide presentation, will be accessible on the investor relations link of Bank of Hawaii Corporation's website, www.boh.com. The webcast link is https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/xbnzsss3. The toll-free number for the teleconference is 1 (844) 543-5235 in the United States and Canada and 1 (703) 318-2209 for other international callers. Use the pass code "Bank of Hawaii" to access the call.



A replay of the conference call will be available for one week beginning approximately 11:00 a.m. Hawaii Time on Monday, April 26, 2021. The replay number is 1 (855) 859-2056 in the United States and Canada and 1 (404) 537-3406 from other international locations. Enter the conference ID 8037629 when prompted. In addition, the replay will be available on the Company's website, www.boh.com. Bank of Hawaii Corporation is a regional financial services company serving businesses, consumers and governments in Hawaii and the West Pacific. The Company's principal subsidiary, Bank of Hawaii, was founded in 1897. For more information about Bank of Hawaii Corporation, see the Company's web site, www.boh.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406006139/en/

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He told supporters before he left office in January that he wanted to raise $2 billion for a presidential library, according to The Washington Post, which would be the most ever. The most likely vehicle would be a nonprofit charity, the model used by modern presidents, because donations are tax deductible and the entity doesnt have to pay tax on the money it raises, said Paul Seamus Ryan of the government-accountability group Common Cause.
WASHINGTON  The Biden administration and top Democrats in Congress began detailing plans for significant changes to how the United States and other countries tax multinational corporations as they look for ways to raise revenues and finance President Joe Bidens $2 trillion infrastructure proposal.

On Monday, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen threw her support behind an international effort to create a global minimum tax that would apply to multinational corporations, regardless of where they locate their headquarters. Such a global tax, she said, could help prevent a race to the bottom in which countries cut their tax rates in order to entice companies to move headquarters and profits across borders.

Together, we can use a global minimum tax to make sure the global economy thrives based on a more level playing field in the taxation of multinational corporations, she said. The effort is aimed at making sure that governments have stable tax systems that raise sufficient revenue to invest in essential public goods and respond to crises, and that all citizens fairly share the burden of financing government.

At the same time, Democrats in Congress released their own proposal to add teeth to the de facto minimum tax that the United States already imposes on income earned abroad  one that would apply to American multinational companies regardless of what the rest of the world does. The proposal could raise as much as $1 trillion over the next 15 years from large companies by requiring that they pay higher taxes on profits they earn overseas, according to analyses of similar plans.

Yellens support for a global minimum tax could help catalyze an agreement being worked out through the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, which seeks to reduce companies practice of booking profits in low-tax haven countries to avoid higher tax bills elsewhere. Negotiators are discussing a range of possibilities for such a plan, but they have not settled on several crucial details, including the rate of the minimum tax.

The focus on raising taxes for large companies comes as the Biden administration begins its push to sell a $2 trillion infrastructure plan and finance it with higher taxes. Bidens proposal includes raising the U.S. corporate tax rate to 28% from 21% and a variety of changes to international tax law, all meant to force companies to pay more to the Treasury after a plunge in corporate tax revenues spurred by President Donald Trumps signature 2017 tax cuts.

Democrats and White House officials say that their goal is to ensure companies pay their fair share and that they do not move jobs and profits abroad to avoid paying taxes in the United States.

But some tax experts, along with large business lobbying groups, say the proposals could hobble U.S. corporations on the global stage by forcing them to pay significantly higher tax rates than their competitors pay. That could be true even if global negotiators eventually agree to a worldwide minimum tax  because that tax rate could still be lower than what companies pay in the United States.

If the Democratic plans succeed and Yellen and her global counterparts reach agreement, there could be a cogent international tax system with some effective incentives for investments in the United States, said Danielle Rolfes, a former international tax counsel for the Treasury Department in the Obama administration who is now a leader of KPMGs international tax practice in Washington.

But, she said, I would be concerned, if the rates get too high, that the U.S. might have competitiveness issues.

Sen. Patrick J. Toomey, R-Pa., said Yellens call for a global minimum tax was an admission that Bidens plan to raise the corporate tax rate to 28% would make U.S. companies less competitive.

This is why Secretary Yellen is imploring other developed countries to punish their workers and businesses with their own tax increases, Toomey said in a statement. Race to the bottom is the way the Biden administration describes competition among developed countries to get to a tax code that attracts investment and maximizes growth.

Biden dismissed that view Monday, saying U.S. companies could afford to pay a higher tax rate given many paid no taxes over the past several years.

You have 51 or 52 corporations of the Fortune 500 that havent paid a single penny in taxes for three years, he said. Come on, man. Lets get real.

And Yellen, in remarks before the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, noted that many developing and middle-income countries were struggling financially, in part because of insufficient tax revenue. That has made it harder for them to invest in robust rollouts of coronavirus vaccines, which she warned could hurt the global economy as the pandemic continues.

The result will likely be a deeper and longer-lasting crisis, with mounting problems of indebtedness, more entrenched poverty, and growing inequality, Yellen said, estimating that as many as 150 million people could be pushed into extreme poverty this year. This would be a profound economic tragedy for those countries, one we should care about.

At issue is how governments should tax income that multinational companies earn across borders. Large firms increasingly operate in multiple nations: Amazon sells to shoppers in Europe, for example, and Morgan Stanley offers financial services in China.

With operations spread across multiple countries, many companies seek to reduce their tax bills by locating operations  or simply booking profits  in low-tax jurisdictions like Bermuda or Ireland. When Republicans passed their sweeping tax law in 2017, supporters said it would help to curb that practice and encourage domestic investment, both by reducing the corporate tax rate in the United States and by setting up a new system for taxing income earned abroad, including a measure that was meant to be like a minimum tax for all global income.

But Democrats say the law and the administrations use of the tax did the opposite, giving companies new incentives to locate factories and profits abroad. Both the plan Biden sketched out last week and a new proposal released by three Democratic senators Monday would seek to reverse those incentives, taxing offshore income more aggressively and offering new targeted benefits for companies that invest in research and production at home.

The proposal would increase the rate of the 2017 minimum tax and change how it is applied to income that corporations earn in various countries overseas, effectively forcing many companies to pay the tax on more of their income, while offering new targeted tax relief linked to domestic investments.

The Senate plan comes from Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., who is in charge of writing tax legislation as chairman of the Finance Committee, and two Democratic colleagues: Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia.

The presence of Brown, one of the most progressive Democrats on tax issues in the Senate, and the more centrist Warner as authors suggests the Wyden plan could attract widespread support in a Democratic caucus that most likely cannot afford to lose a single vote for Bidens infrastructure plan.

Adam Looney, a former Treasury Department tax official in the Obama administration who is now the executive director of the Marriner S. Eccles Institute for Economics and Quantitative Analysis at the University of Utah, praised the senators proposal. The plan retains the now-familiar international tax regime, he said, but proposes to reform several lopsided tax breaks that provide rich benefits for international corporations without much in the way of investment or jobs in the U.S.

But Republicans, the leading business lobbying group and some tax experts panned the proposal and defended the Trump system as one that worked.

The 2017 law worked to improve a system that no one felt was working and struck a balance between the need for companies to be able to compete in the global economy while protecting the U.S. tax base, said Caroline Harris, the vice president of tax policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Todays proposal to increase international taxes threatens to move us to a system even worse than where we started, to the detriment of economic growth, competitiveness and job creation.

Tax experts expressed similar concerns about enforcing the kind of global minimum tax Yellen is calling for and about what that might mean for American companies.

Its administratively impossible to execute and it requires all countries in the world to hold hands, said Peter Barnes, a lawyer at the tax firm Caplin and Drysdale who was previously a senior international tax counsel for General Electric. Unless they can get 90% of the worlds countries to adopt it, countries will view exempting themselves from the system as a great way to create a potentially significant competitive advantage.

Other experts said the timing of the two efforts could pose challenges for U.S. businesses, particularly if Biden succeeded this year at overhauling the United States system of international taxation, but global negotiations take years to translate into the actual imposition of new minimum taxes elsewhere.

Any change to international taxation is far from guaranteed. The Senate proposal released on Monday is likely just the first of several plans to raise corporate tax revenue  all of which face a tricky road to passage given Democrats narrow margins in both chambers. And while global negotiations for a minimum tax are underway, an agreement, if reached, could take years to put in place.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
Park Young-sun, ruling Democratic Party of Korea's Seoul mayoral candidate in the April 7 by-elections, delivers a speech during a campaign at Jongno District, Tuesday, the last day of the 13-day official campaign period. Korea Times photo by Shin Hyun-chul



Parties, candidates engage in last ditch campaign



By Jung Da-min



Residents of the country's two major cities, Seoul and Busan, will select their new mayors in Wednesday's by-elections, which are receiving special attention nationwide.



This is not just because they include these mayoral elections, but because they also come less than a year before the next presidential election slated for March 2022.



The rival candidates supported by their political parties were engaged in last-minute campaigns in Seoul and Busan, Tuesday, the last day of the 13-day official campaign period, in attempts to win over swing voters



The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) focused on attacking the mayoral candidates of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), accusing them of engaging in improper real estate deals in the past using their then political influence. Meanwhile the PPP has been stressing the need to deliver a judgment on the government's performance, especially on its failed real estate policies.



DPK Seoul mayoral candidate Park Young-sun started her last day campaigning early in the morning by taking the No. 6411 local bus in Seoul's Guro District, whose service time starts at 4 a.m. every morning, earlier than other buses. The No. 6411 bus, which usually transports so-called "essential workers" including cleaners who start their daily work earlier than others, has often been cited in campaigns by the country's liberal bloc to promote the rights of the socially vulnerable.



Park then visited the Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market to meet vendors and small business owners there.





Oh Se-hoon, the main opposition People Power Party's Seoul mayoral candidate in Wednesday's by-elections, delivers a speech during a campaign in Gwangjin District, Tuesday, the last day of a 13-day official campaign period. Joint Press Corps
Panaji, April 6 : The Speaker of the Goa legislative Assembly Rajesh Patnekar, on Tuesday informed the Supreme Court through the Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, that he would pronounce his final order related to the disqualification of 10 BJP MLAs on April 20.

The Speaker's assurance came in the course of a hearing at the apex court before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde, advocate Abhijit Gosavi, counsel for state Congress president Girish Chodankar said.

Earlier, Patnekar while hearing the petition filed by Chodankar had said that he would be pronouncing his order related to the disqualification of 10 MLAs on April 29.

"The Supreme Court was not happy with such a long date and told the Solicitor General to ask the Speaker to pass the order in one week's time. In response, Tushar Mehta said that the order would be passed by April 22. Again the CJI enquired whether it could be done earlier and whether it would be passed by April 20," Gosavi said.

"The Solicitor General then took instruction from the Speaker and informed the Court that the order would be passed on April 20," Gosavi added. The matter will be heard again before the SC on April 21.

Chodankar, as the party's state president, had filed a disqualification petition with the Goa Speaker's office in 2019 and argued the split by the 10 Congress MLAs and their subsequent merger into the BJP was illegal and violative of the provisions of Schedule 10 of the Indian Constitution. Chodankar has also accused Speaker Rajesh Patnekar of dragging on the case.

Patnekar is hearing another petition filed by a Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party MLA, who has alleged that two other MLAs had attracted disqualification after they quit the regional party and joined the Congress on April 29. Patnekar is expected to pronounce the order in the matter on April 29.
Falun Gong practitioners take part in a candlelight vigil to commemorate the practitioners killed in China for their belief, in Washington on June 22, 2018. (Mark Zou/The Epoch Times)

On Chinas Memorial Day, Lets Remember Those Killed for Their Faith

Commentary

Chinas Qingming Festival (Tomb-Sweeping Day) marks the day when Chinese people visit the gravesites of their ancestors and loved ones.

To commemorate this special occasion, which fell on April 4 this year, my son and I drove more than 60 miles to visit the grave of his mother, who died after being brutally persecuted 11 years ago by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for her spiritual belief.

On this occasion, once again, I couldnt help but think of those Falun Gong practitioners who have lost their lives as a result of the decades-long violent persecution campaign by the CCP. How many tears have been shed for the victims?

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is an ancient Chinese spiritual practice consisting of simple, slow-moving meditation exercises and moral teachings that incorporate the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance in everyday life. It grew in popularity during the 1990s, with 70 million to 100 million adherents in China by the end of the decade, according to official estimates at the time.

Feeling threatened by its popularity, the CCP launched a systematic elimination campaign in July 1999. Since then, millions have been detained inside prisons, labor camps, and other facilities, with hundreds of thousands tortured while incarcerated, according to the Falun Dafa Information Center.

Ill mention a few Falun Gong practitioners who were persecuted to death.

On the eve of the Qingming Festival in 2003, Chen Hongping, a resident of Hebei Province, died. She had been detained at the Gaoyang Forced Labor Camp, where she was beaten by prison guards. Chens family members were also Falun Gong practitioners who had sufferedfour were persecuted to death and one sustained permanent injuries while in police custody. The plight of the family gained the attention of the United Nations in 2004, according to a report by Minghui.org, a U.S.-based website that documents the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners by the CCP.

Gao Rongrong, an accountant at the Luxun Academy of Fine Arts in Shenyang city, went to Beijing to petition for the right to practice Falun Gong. In June 2003, she was sent to the Longshan Forced Labor Camp for three years. In 2004, prison guards tortured Gao with high-voltage electric batons for seven hours, which left her severely disfigured. On June 16, 2005, she died in the emergency room at a local hospital at the age of 37. When her case was revealed to the international community, the brutality of the persecution shocked the world.

On March 5, 2002, a group of Falun Gong practitioners tapped into eight local channels of the cable TV network in Changchun, simultaneously broadcasting programs that reported the facts about the persecution campaign against Falun Gong, including Falun Dafa Spreads Worldwide and Self-immolation or Hoax? The programs were aired for 40 to 50 minutes.

One of the Falun Gong practitioners behind the heroic act, Liu Chengjun, was tortured and sentenced to 19 years in prison in Jilin, where he died as a result of torture in 2003. He was 32.

Sun Min, an outstanding teacher from Anshan city, Liaoning Province, had been imprisoned multiple times since 1999 and spent more than two years in detention and forced labor. In 2016, she was abducted from her home and illegally sentenced to seven years in prison. She was persecuted to death on March 8, 2018, at the age of 50 in the Liaoning Provincial Womens Prison. Suns father was only allowed to visit her once, after she was imprisoned in 2016. He didnt expect that visit to be the last time he would see her.

In late June 2020, Wang Shukun, a 66-year-old doctor from Hailin city, Heilongjiang Province, was beaten by local police for several hours after she refused to forsake her beliefs. She suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and died on July 2.

Two days later, Wang was cremated at a local funeral home. Her husband, Yu Xiaopeng, said: My wife died unjustly, my wife died unjustly! I will not let them get away with it! according to Minghui.org.

In the past and present, there have been many injustices and grievances in China. The world has been shocked by the ongoing brutal persecution of Falun Gong adherents.

During the Qingming Festival, may the international community pay attention to the plight of Falun Gong practitioners, help the Chinese people stop the persecution, and disintegrate the CCP.

Mi Zhen is a freelance writer and has contributed to numerous Chinese media outlets for years. He has witnessed firsthand the human rights abuses under the Chinese communist regime.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) -- There are new developments on Senate Bill 389, the wetlands bill News 10 has been covering for several months. On Monday, the bill was set to be voted on by the Indiana House Environmental Affairs Committee. However, due to growing attention and conversation from Hoosiers, the vote was canceled.

SB 389 has caught the attention of builders, farmers, activists, and residents across the state. If passed, the bill would repeal the state's wetlands regulation law and help developers, builders, and farmers with advancing projects quickly.

"Anytime there are less regulations, less permitting, and those things, that we have to do, it's going to make things more efficient. It's going to make it easier on us to get the job done in a timely manner, but also more cost-effective if we don't have a lot of extra expenses and time that we have to spend," said Indiana farmer, Carter Morgan.

Those who oppose the bill say it will negatively impact Indiana's water quality, migration of birds and insects, and also create flooding problems. State Representative Tonya Pfaff, who opposes the bill, believes a two-hour committee session is not enough time to discuss the scope of the wetlands bill.

"Send this to a task force or a study committee so that over the summer or in the fall, we can actually take time and hear from both sides of who wants it and who doesn't want it, the reason why, the reasons why not, and then come together with IDM and DNR and form a nice working relationship so that everyone's happy," said Pfaff.

Pfaff told News 10 that committee meetings must end by Wednesday. If the bill is not voted on by then, it could be put into another bill during the Conference Committee Session in the next two weeks, or just go away.

The Republican Caucus is now planning to debate the bill internally before deciding the next steps. To share your support or opposition to SB 389, you can contact your state representative. To find out who your representative is, visit here.
The Lyra Architecture

Lyras architecture is separated into two pieces, the encoder and decoder. When someone talks into their phone the encoder captures distinctive attributes from their speech. These speech attributes, also called features, are extracted in chunks of 40ms, then compressed and sent over the network. It is the decoders job to convert the features back into an audio waveform that can be played out over the listeners phone speaker. The features are decoded back into a waveform via amodel.models are a particular type of machine learning model well suited to recreate a full audio waveform from a limited number of features. The Lyra architecture is very similar to traditional audio codecs, which have formed the backbone of internet communication for decades. Whereas these traditional codecs are based on digital signal processing (DSP) techniques, the key advantage for Lyra comes from the ability of the generative model to reconstruct a high-quality voice signal.

The Impact

The Open Source Release

Acknowledgements

The following people helped make the open source release possible:

Hengchin Yeh, Alejandro Luebs, Jamieson Brettle, Tom Denton, Felicia Lim, Bastiaan Kleijn, Jan Skoglund, Yaowu Xu, Matt Frost, Jim Bankoski (Chrome), Chenjie Gu, Zach Gleicher, Tom Walters, Norman Casagrande, Luis Cobo, Erich Elsen (DeepMind).

While mobile connectivity has steadily increased over the past decade, the explosive growth of on-device compute power has outstripped access to reliable high speed wireless infrastructure. For regions where this contrast existsin particular developing countries where the next billion internet users are coming onlinethe promise that technology will enable people to be more connected has remained elusive. Even in areas with highly reliable connections, the emergence of work-from-anywhere and telecommuting have further strained mobile data limits. While Lyra compresses raw audio down to 3kbps for quality that compares favourably to other codecs, such as Opus, it is not aiming to be a complete alternative, but can save meaningful bandwidth in these kinds of scenarios.These trends provided motivation for Lyra and are the reason our open source library focuses on its potential for real time voice communication. There are also other applications we recognize Lyra may be uniquely well suited for, from archiving large amounts of speech, and saving battery by leveraging the computationally cheap Lyra encoder, to alleviating network congestion in emergency situations where many people are trying to make calls at once. We are excited to see the creativity the open source community is known for applied to Lyra in order to come up with even more unique and impactful applications.The Lyra code is written in C++ for speed, efficiency, and interoperability, using the Bazel build framework with Abseil and the GoogleTest framework for thorough unit testing. The core API provides an interface for encoding and decoding at the file and packet levels. The complete signal processing toolchain is also provided, which includes various filters and transforms. Our example app integrates with the Android NDK to show how to integrate the native Lyra code into a Java-based android app. We also provide the weights and vector quantizers that are necessary to run Lyra.We are releasing Lyra as a beta version today because we wanted to enable developers and get feedback as soon as possible. As a result, we expect the API and bitstream to change as it is developed. All of the code for running Lyra is open sourced under the Apache license, except for a math kernel, for which a shared library is provided until we can implement a fully open solution over more platforms. We look forward to seeing what people do with Lyra now that it is open sourced. Check out the code and demo on GitHub , let us know what you think, and how you plan to use it!
Hello, said the witness in a loud voice as he entered the modest meeting room transformed into a courtroom on the outskirts of Monrovia, the capital of Liberia. His frail body floated in a T-shirt and baggy jeans. Hello, how are you? he said with the same candour, once seated, to the prosecutor who introduced himself to the witness. On March 16, Civilian 36  his code name in this Finnish court temporarily relocated to Liberia to try the former Sierra Leonean rebel commander Gibril Massaquoi  brought the world of the Lofa County villagers into the world of foreigners justice. With him, some 15 inhabitants of this mountainous region, isolated in the far north-east of the country, have come to testify to the horrors that armed groups inflicted on them during the second Liberian civil war, between 1999 and 2003. They come from Kiatahun, Kortohun, Babahun or Kamatahun and Hassala. They all told of the raids carried out by armed men of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), a rebellion that officially operated from 1991 to 2001 in Sierra Leone, allied to forces loyal to Charles Taylor, a former Liberian warlord who became president of Liberia from 1997 to 2003 before being ousted from power and then tried and sentenced to 50 years in prison by a UN tribunal.

Raids, captures, executions or threats of execution, rapes, looting of meagre possessions and food reserves, beatings, forced labour to carry ammunition or supplies for the fighters: the same modus operandi was relentlessly described by these victims  an account of the terror that fell upon them on several occasions during the long years of civil war. After they herded the people, they said they would burn them. And then they killed one in front of us, right besides my uncles house, said Civilian 36.

This happened in 2001, said almost all the witnesses. Some of the names of the armed leaders came up regularly: Commander Stanley of the Liberian armed forces, or the infamous Zig Zag Marzah, a Liberian who publicly recounted his barbaric acts and cannibalism before the Special Court for Sierra Leone in 2009, but was never tried. But it is the accused who was obviously the focus of attention. The guy who did this was called Gibril  Second to God. These were the two names he was using, said Civilian 36, whose prominent eyebrows and very long eyelashes accentuated the depth of his gaze and his eagerness to testify. Who was Gibril? asked the prosecutor. Gibril Massaquoi, commander for the RUF rebels, the witness replied. He said he was near God.

The battle over dates

We saw a group of armed men, he continued. They captured us. They tied some of my friends. One of them said: we are to kill all of you people. They were some soldiers from Charles Taylor, some from the RUF. They had joined [forces]. They tied my friends one after another, the way they used to carry slaves. They said we should go to Kamatahun. One of them hit me with a gun on my head. On the way, we were all in fear. We reached Kamatahun. They put people in a home. And they set the home ablaze. Remembering this, the witness broke down in tears. After they burned them down, they gave me ammunition to carry to Popalahun. There we met Zig Zag Marzah. Before me, he executed a man and pulled out his heart and ate it. Zig Zag was not the only one, according to the witness, who engaged in this cannibalistic ritual. Another one came and said he was Angel Gabriel [the nickname most commonly attributed to Gibril Massaquoi in this trial]. They all contributed to the massacre. According to another witness, Civilian 50, it was Angel Gabriel who gave the order to gather the people in that house. He said: if we cannot kill you, than fire will kill you. However, when questioned by the Finnish police, Civilian 50 never mentioned this Angel, noted the defense lawyer. And he had named Zig Zag as the person who ordered the house to be burned down.

In this trial, the date on which the crimes were allegedly committed can be decisive for the accused, who is presenting an alibi defence. But in Lofa, the dates quickly became very vague. Civilian 36 and Civilian 50 gave an extraordinarily precise date: Monday 13 August. But the year? That was less certain. Another, Civilian 18, gave the exact date of Monday 16 August 2002 to the police, but at the hearing he could not remember. Civilian 45 gave the same date but did not repeat it before the judges. At the hearing, it was the year 2001, without any other real precision, which now largely dominated the testimonies.

If the facts in Lofa took place in 2001, the defence does not have an airtight alibi. The defence lawyer therefore tirelessly tried to point out inconsistencies between the statements to the police, taken in 2019 or 2020, and what the witnesses told the court.

Finnish prosecutors, lawyers and magistrates during a visit to the scene of one of the crimes for which Gibril Massaquoi is accused, in the village of Kamatuhun Hassal, Lofa County, where civilians were allegedly burned alive on his orders.  Thierry Cruvellier / JusticeInfo.net

Thats how the human mind works

Government forces came, took us from the bush and brought us in town, said Civilian 13, who was 9 years old in 2001. All of them were speaking Krio. They had one commander, they used to call him General Gabriel. He ordered to put fire on the house. They all died. They captured seven women. They tied all of them. General Gabriel said they could take these women and do whatever they wanted to them. He went there too. The next day they were found naked and dead. When we saw them I believe these people had raped them. Thats why they were naked. My very self I saw the bodies the next morning. Its what put fear in me. For some of them they had used knives. Others had been beaten.

Twenty years later, Civilian 13 estimated that there were about 35 people in the burned house. To the police, he placed the event in 2003. Now he placed it in 2001. He had also said that he only learned about the tragedy at the house in 2004 when he returned to Kamatahun Hassala, which he had fled in 2001. But in court, his testimony was direct and extremely detailed.

Civilian 16 is the chief of the town of Kamatahun Hassala. He appeared dressed in a traditional cotton ronko with multi-coloured stripes. The absence of eyebrows and high, open arches of the eyebrows that seemed to merge into his forehead gave him a gentle yet slightly dreamy look. He recounted in detail the burning of the house with dozens of inhabitants trapped inside, and then the rape of the seven women. According to him, it was Angel Gabriel  a thin, not very tall man wearing a cap and speaking Krio, the lingua franca in Sierra Leone  who gave the order. To the police, he said the massacre took place in September 2002. In court, he said it would have been July/August 2001. I cant forget it, he said.

Thats how the human mind works, Civilian 36 replied when he was caught out by the lawyer to explain the changing dates. We are humans, there are lots of things that play with our minds, warned Civilian 50 before he even began his testimony. Every living thing that drinks water can forget.

Sierra Leonean devils

All the victims described mixed armed groups of government forces, under the command of Taylors security chief Benjamin Yeaten, combined with RUF elements. Zig Zag, a subordinate of Yeaten and Taylor, was said by several witnesses to have ordered the immolation of people in this house in Kamatahun Hassala.

But from March 26 onwards, it was the turn of former Liberian fighters to testify against them. And the story that these former Taylor men, allies of the RUF, wanted to put forward was rather different. A story where the perpetrators of the atrocities were always Sierra Leoneans and where their troops  whose abuses were extensively detailed and documented by the Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2009  would have been shocked, they say, that civilians could be targeted in this way.

We had Sierra Leonen devils, these are those who killed the civilians, said Soldier 14, a one-eyed veteran. When we rushed to Kamatahun, they had already put people in a house and the fire was on. There was nothing we could do. There were even children in. It was on a Friday. It brought us to split because they were RUF and they were killing brutally. Soldier 13 supported this same account: We said: you are not Liberians, why are you killing our people? The Massaquoi trial then began to look like a strange and disturbing rewriting of history by former members of the notorious anti-terrorist unit or the government army.

Historically implausible statements

In their testimonies, the dozen or so Liberian veterans called to court named many of the top brass of the RUF: its former number 2, Sam Mosquito Bockarie (assassinated by Ben Yeaten under Taylors orders on 5 May 2003), his successor Issa Sesay (arrested in Sierra Leone on 10 March 2003, sentenced to 52 years in prison), Dennis Mingo alias Superman (killed in 2001) and even Johnny-Paul Koroma, former leader of a military junta allied to the RUF in 1997-1998 and elected to the post-war Sierra Leonean parliament in 2002 before fleeing to Liberia in January 2003 and allegedly being killed on Taylors orders in 2003. Soldier 28 described all these men, as well as Massaquoi, whom he called Angel Michael. Soldier 14 added another alias for Massaquoi: Black Friday Master, because most of the killings he used to do were on Fridays.

In court, Soldier 28 offered his version of history. Gibril committed the massacre in Kamatahun. When we sent for him, he escaped and we didnt know where. He also explained that Bockarie, like Koroma, was assassinated because of the atrocities they were committing against the Liberian population. To the police, however, he gave a version much more in line with a historical truth accepted since 2003 about the Bockarie killing. Taylor got to know that the UN were looking for Bockarie. Because he was afraid that Bockarie could reveal secrets, he told Yeaten () to get rid of that guy. So they decided to kill Bockarie at night. This witness had also told the police that he transported Bockaries body with Massaquoi. But at the hearing, Soldier 28 brushed aside this part of his testimony, while firmly maintaining that Issa Sesay was there, he carried the body to Sierra Leone.

When did Sam Bockarie die? asked the defence lawyer, who has been making hay of such historical inconsistencies. 2001, replied the witness, who was two years wrong. So was Soldier 09, who nevertheless offered a very precise account of Bockaries murder, much more in line with the known facts on the subject. Having also told the police that Gibril Massaquoi was present at the scene of the trap set by Ben Yeaten to eliminate Bockarie, and that the accused had participated in the attack on Cote dIvoire in 2002, Soldier 09 waived these two assertions at the hearing, which no history student could possibly retain. Soldier 13 also accused Massaquoi of having ordered the assassination of Koroma, which goes against basic knowledge of the history of the conflict.

The Waterside massacre

The veterans testimonies offered a strange perspective on known facts. They also came with some risk for the prosecution. Several of them claimed to have witnessed both Massaquois alleged crimes in Lofa and those allegedly committed in central Monrovia, in the commercial district of Waterside, an episode heard in detail by the court a few weeks ago.

Soldier 13 was one of those witnesses. There was a massacre at 6:45pm in one store, he said of the Waterside massacre. Civilians were looking for food. Salami and Gibril opened fire on them and killed a lot of people. I saw it. I was right there. Massaquoi was in a pick-up and Salami was the one manning the big gun on the pick-up, he said.

Again, the battle of dates raged on. Soldier 13 told the police that the Waterside massacre took place in 2003, when Charles Taylor handed over power to Moses Bah, his vice-president. At the hearing, he stated that it was in 2001, the same year as the massacres he said he had witnessed in Lofa. But Soldier 11 had no hesitation: When they told Charles Taylor to go, thats when this happened at Waterside. It was in 2003. He said he saw many of the RUF commanders there, including Sesay (then already in prison in Freetown) and Massaquoi (then in a safe house in Freetown). Later in his testimony, he said he had not seen the latter. And a little later still, he put the accused back at the scene: Massaquoi said anybody [who takes] things in the store, they should be shot at. The defence asked him to choose:

Was Massaquoi there or not?

Yes, the witness decided.

When?

In 2003, when people were saying that Charles Taylor had to go. Around July, I think.

Visit by members of the Finnish court to the Waterside area of Monrovia, where witnesses say Gibril Massaquoi carried out executions and sexual violence.  Thierry Cruvellier / JusticeInfo.net

Defence hopes

Soldier 07 was called Sweet Candy during the war. Unlike most of the combatant witnesses, who were junior in rank, Sweet Candy was a commander. Several witnesses at the trial were among his men. At the hearing, he dated the incident at Waterside in 2001, and said that, according to him, Massaquoi was in Monrovia after the assassination of Bockarie, before retracting his statement in the face of evidence to the contrary from the defence counsel. Sweet Candy also told the police that at the time of the Waterside massacre, the LURD rebellion was controlling the bridge in the city centre. And he had placed the event between May and July 2003. I cannot recall the year, he said when confronted with his various statements.

The defence took advantage of these testimonies to consolidate its thesis: the Monrovia massacre did take place at the end of the Liberian civil war, between June and July 2003, a period when Massaquoi was officially protected by the UN tribunal in Freetown and could not therefore be committing a massacre in Monrovia. With these ubiquitous combatant witnesses testifying on the crime scenes in Lofa as well as in Monrovia, the defence hopes for even more: that the Monrovia part of the case, by potentially being brought down, ends up contaminating to its advantage the more challenging part of the crimes in Lofa County.
Tegucigalpa, April 6 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Apr, 2021 ) :Dozens of Honduran civil society organizations on Monday demanded the "immediate" resignation of President Juan Orlando Hernandez and main government officials for having turned the country into a "narco-state." Hernandez's brother was sentenced to life in prison by a New York judge at the end of March for large-scale drug trafficking. During the trial, US prosecutors said the president had been a "co-conspirator" in Tony Hernandez's crimes.

The organization leaders said they were "filled with indignation" in a statement released to "unconditionally demand... the immediate departure of Juan Orlando Hernandez from the government (and) the replacement of the high military command" that supports him.

They also called for the resignation of the "attorney general, the president of Congress, the head of the Supreme Court of Justice and the attorney general of the republic," and called to convene a transitional government to carry out the general elections on November 28.

"We are witnesses to the destruction of the rule of law and the construction of a party dictatorship that has turned into a narco-state," the civil society groups said in the statement.

The statement's 36 signatories include the United Confederation of Workers of Honduras and Convergence against Continuism, an alliance of non-governmental and political organizations.

Tony Hernandez, 42, was found guilty in October 2019 on four counts -- including conspiring to import cocaine into the United States, possessing machine guns and making false statements.

During his trial in March, the US government successfully argued that the former Honduran congressman was a large-scale drug trafficker who smuggled more than 185 tons of cocaine into the United States.

Judge P. Kevin Castel also said that Tony Hernandez had acted as an intermediary in providing bribes to politicians, including his brother President Hernandez and the ruling National Party.

Earlier in March, a New York jury found Geovanny Fuentes Ramirez, an alleged associate of President Hernandez, guilty of drug trafficking.

During his trial, US prosecutors said the Honduran leader had helped Fuentes smuggle tons of cocaine into the United States.

Hernandez, who has styled himself as a champion in the fight against drugs, has repeatedly denied all allegations of drug trafficking.
Orange County Fair, Theme Parks Set Sights on Summer

As events and theme parks prepare for the return of customers throughout Orange County, officials say they expect the county to be almost fully reopened by July.

The Orange County Fair is set to take place this summer, and both Knotts Berry Farm and Disneyland are scheduled to open by next month. All three have started hiring employees.

Officials expect restrictions to ease further in the following weeks as more vaccine doses are distributed, according to Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley and Orange County Health Care Agency Director Dr. Clayton Chau.

Ive been talking to Dr. Chau about how can we get all the fair workersthe concessionaires, the vendors, people that will be here opening the fairvaccinated as quickly as possible, Foley told The Epoch Times at a recent press conference.

Currently, there have been over 1 million vaccine doses administered countywide, Chau said last week. He predicted that California would reach a significant 4 million mark for administering doses in disadvantaged areas sometime this week, making it easier for the state to ease restrictions even further.

The Orange County Fair

The Orange County Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa plans to hold its annual fair this summer, beginning July 16 and running until Aug. 15, with the theme Time for Fun. There are currently no ticket restrictions to attend the fair, but that could change, depending on the countys status at the time.

We remain very optimistic that well be able to maintain an in-person fair with limited capacity, Orange County Fair Board Chairwoman Natalie Rubalcava-Garcia told The Epoch Times.

She said they expect to hire 1,500 seasonal employees, adding that bringing jobs back from the community is a major initiative for the fair.

The fair expects a maximum capacity of 45,000 guests per day. Tickets go on sale May 1, and advance ticket purchases are required in order to manage crowds. Rubalcava-Garcia said details on rides, food vendors, and other fair features are still being determined.

Spokesperson Terry Moore told The Epoch Times that the economic impact of not being able to hold last years fair, which was canceled due to COVID restrictions, was approximately $20 million. This years fair is expected to net $10 million, she said, with an estimated $30 million in revenue and $20 million in expenses.

Theme Parks

Knotts Berry Farm in Buena Park is set to reopen in May following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, park spokesperson Diana Bahena told The Epoch Times.

Were looking forward to welcoming our guests back, celebrating our 100th Anniversary Milestone, The Knotts Family Reunion, debuting our new Bear-y Tales ride, Knotts Bear-y Tales: Return to the Fair, and sharing many more surprises we have in store, Bahena said in an email.

The company has already begun adding to its cast. We are currently in the process of hiring staff members in preparation of our grand reopening. We recently had a virtual hiring event in which we aimed to hire around 1,700 employees, she said.

In the meantime, Knotts Berry Farm has seen success with its Taste of Boysenberry Festival, a food-focused outdoor event that will continue running until May 2.

In nearby Anaheim, Disneyland is slated to reopen its theme park on April 30, but only California residents will be able to purchase tickets.

Other Southern California theme parks are already entertaining guests.

Six Flags Magic Mountain in Los Angeles County reopened April 1 at 25 percent capacity with COVID-19 regulations, including mandatory masks and social distancing.

Seaworld in San Diego County is operating as a licensed and accredited zoo, with indoor and outdoor animal attractions open with limited capacity. Its rides and rollercoasters are still temporarily closed, and reservations for tickets must be purchased before visiting the site.

Legoland, located in Carlsbad, opened with select rides and attractions April 1. Legolands resort, water park, and aquarium will reopen April 15 with limited capacities. Pass holders and existing ticket holders will have priority to be the first park guests.
Vice President Kamala Harris said the federal government plans to keep a mass vaccination site at the Oakland Coliseum open beyond its scheduled closure Sunday, after local officials expressed concern about the planned shutdown just as demand for inoculations is about to explode.

We are going to keep the site open, Harris told The Chronicle on Monday during her first trip to Oakland since she became vice president. We are extending it.

However, there was no immediate clarity on how it would run, given that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has said it will stop providing vaccine doses after this week. FEMA, which is running the operation with Californias Office of Emergency Services, has offered its support to keep the site open and is in discussions with the state about how to proceed, according to a letter that the federal agencys acting administrator sent to the state last week.

Sen. Alex Padilla, visiting the Coliseum vaccination site on Monday, said federal, state and local governments will continue to work together to extend the life of the facility.

Asked whether the site would close Sunday, the California Democrat said the goal was to avoid that, but he didnt provide concrete plans on who would run it. As for where the vaccine doses would come from, Padilla said, Were still working out those details.

We dont have a final plan or commitment, he added, but we still have several days before Sunday arrives.

FEMA did not respond to requests for comment on Harris promise. The agency had previously said the eight-week program meant to target hard-hit communities would end Sunday and that it could not keep giving vaccine doses to the Coliseum operation or a second mass vaccination site at California State University Los Angeles.

Last week, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors and Colleen Chawla, director of Alameda Countys Health Care Services Agency, each sent letters to acting FEMA Administrator Robert Fenton asking the agency to extend the program.

The Coliseum site administers 42,000 shots a week, and local officials are concerned about the effects of closing it just as vaccine demand is increasing. Demand is expected to skyrocket on April 15 when the state opens immunizations to anyone who wants them.

A FEMA spokesperson said last week that the closure was appropriate because the state should be getting a huge boost in vaccine supply soon. But local officials say they cant count on that increase.

Mark Ghilarducci, director of the California Office of Emergency Services, asked Fenton if the federal government could continue supplying both the Oakland and Los Angeles vaccination sites with their weekly doses if local authorities end up taking them over. Days later, Gov. Gavin Newsom said federal and local authorities had worked out a deal to keep the Cal State Los Angeles site open.

Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan said the county will not be able to take over the Oakland site by Sunday and that the operation will have to close without continued federal help. We need them here because its not feasible to replace these contracts and staffing on short notice, she said.

Chan added that  theres no way that we can take from our existing vaccine supply to make up for all the vaccines that are given here. So were very hopeful that with (Padillas) support, well be able to work out a transition plan.

Harris was in Oakland on Monday to tout the Biden administrations $2 trillion infrastructure plan and also spent time bucking up Newsom, as he battles a possible recall campaign against him.

Harris said she and President Biden will be supportive  as much as we possibly can for Newsom.

We are unambiguous in our support for Gov. Newsom, Harris told The Chronicle.

Joe Garofoli and Meghan Bobrowsky are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com, meghan.bobrowsky@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli, @MeghanBobrowsky
A fourth request has been made to the federal government to get involved in the environmental review of a coal mine proposed for Alberta's Rocky Mountains.

Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson responds during question period in the House of Commons on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020 in Ottawa. A third request has been made to the federal government to get involved in the review of a coal mine proposed for Alberta's Rocky Mountains. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

A fourth request has been made to the federal government to get involved in the environmental review of a coal mine proposed for Alberta's Rocky Mountains.

Landowners, Indigenous people and environmental groups have sent a letter to Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson asking for a joint federal-provincial review of Montem Resource's Tent Mountain project.

"It's important for the minister to understand that the concern is quite widespread," said Bobbi Lambright of the Livingstone Landowners Group, one of the signatories to the letter.

The others are the environmental law firm Ecojustice, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society and Niitsitapi Water Protectors. Their request for federal participation joins others from the Siksika and Blood First Nations, rancher Macleay Blades and an 18,000-name petition presented by Edmonton NDP MP Heather McPherson.

The petition goes further in requesting a general review of all potential coal projects in the area.

Ecojustice lawyer David Khan said one reason the mine needs federal review is that it would span the Alberta-British Columbia boundary.

"Some of the leases themselves are in B.C.," he said.

The letter spells out a long list of other reasons why the signatories believe Ottawa should be involved.

It says the mine would be in an environmentally sensitive region, would affect areas of federal authority such as fisheries and species at risk, and could pollute water flowing into the United States.

The letter adds the mine could make Canada's greenhouse gas targets harder to reach and would be one of similar developments that would have significant cumulative impacts.

It would also affect Indigenous rights, something Alberta's regulatory agency is forbidden by law from considering.

Khan noted that Montem's coal output, at least at first, would be just shy of a threshold triggering an automatic federal review.

"We certainly are concerned whether they've been manipulating volumes to get out of a federal assessment," he said.

Company materials say Canada's Impact Assessment Agency has already told Montem it won't get involved in a review. Communication to that effect does not appear on the agency's public registry.

Lambright said Ottawa conducts better reviews.

"One of the concerns with the Alberta Energy Regulator process is that it's not transparent. It's very difficult to find out what's going on and there's very limited opportunity for meaningful public input."

She said the joint federal-provincial review of the proposed Grassy Mountain mine offered much better access to information and opportunity for discussion.

The requests for federal involvement now go to the Impact Assessment Agency. The minister has 90 days to respond and can overrule the agency's initial decision. The first request was made on March 2.

A spokeswoman for Wilkinson said he couldn't comment until after the requests are processed.

"Lots of times these decisions end up in court or are judicially reviewed," said Moira Kelly.

Alberta's coal controversy began last May when the United Conservative government quietly revoked a policy that had protected the summits and eastern slopes of the Rockies from open-pit coal mines since 1976.

Concerns grew, both over the threat to a beloved landscape and the potential for water contamination from selenium, common in coal mining.

Facing a huge public backlash, the government restored the policy and its protections in February. However, it failed to cancel exploration leases sold in the interim and several companies have been drilling and road-building in an area where much of Alberta's drinking water originates.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 6, 2021.

 Follow @row1960 on Twitter

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. An earlier version said the latest request was the third to be made of the federal government.
Community members rally against anti-Asian violence and hate at El Monte City Hall in El Monte, California on Saturday, April 3, 2021. UPI-Yonhap



A Southern California man has been charged with throwing rocks at an Asian woman and her 6-year-old son as they drove down the street last month, authorities said Monday.



It comes as violence against Asian Americans across the country has ramped up in the last year, including several high-profile attacks in California.



Roger Janke, 28, of Fullerton, told police that Koreans in the area were trying to control him, the Orange County district attorney's office said in a news release.



Janke is accused of throwing two rocks at the woman's vehicle on March 31, damaging her bumper and cracking her windshield in Fullerton, officials said. The 38-year-old woman drove to a park and called 911.



Janke faces felony charges of violation of civil rights and vandalism as well as a felony hate crime enhancement and a misdemeanor count of throwing a substance at a vehicle. He could serve up to six years in prison.



He is being held on $51,500 bail and has pleaded not guilty. It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney who could speak on his behalf.



''A woman and her child should be able to drive down the street without worrying about being attacked because of the color of their skin,'' District Attorney Todd Spitzer said in the news release. ''Our commitment to continuing to prosecute hate crimes to the fullest extent of the law is sending a strong message to all the haters out there  there is no room for hate here  or anywhere.'' (AP)


CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Truist received the highest possible overall rating of "Outstanding" from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for its most recent Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) examination period.

"Truist's community development lending provides capital that impacts community and socioeconomic needs," said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Kelly S. King. "Since our previous evaluation, we've identified and responded to community needs by financing essential infrastructure, community health care, affordable housing, disaster recovery, and revitalization and stabilization efforts. We're committed to doing our part to create equitable and thriving communities."

During the examination period of Jan. 1, 2017, to Dec. 31, 2019, Truist:

Originated nearly 40,000 mortgage loans totaling $9.6 billion to support flexible or innovative product offerings to first-time or low- or moderate-income (LMI) homebuyers.

to support flexible or innovative product offerings to first-time or low- or moderate-income (LMI) homebuyers. Provided funding to create or rehabilitate more than 26,600 affordable housing units, recognizing affordable housing is a crucial community need throughout its markets.

Established itself as a leader in community development lending, issuing 1,773 loans totaling $6.3 billion .

. Provided $1.8 billion in CRA-qualified investments and philanthropic giving to inspire and build better lives and communities.

Looking ahead, the company's Community Benefits Plan continues to deliver on its 2019 commitment to lend or invest $60 billion to LMI borrowers and in LMI and minority communities from 2020 to 2022. Truist achieved 110% of mortgage lending and 328% of philanthropic targets for the Community Benefits Plan year-end 2020 goal.

The plan is a concrete example of Truist's commitment to supporting investment in heritage BB&T and SunTrust communities after completing the merger. The $60 billion three-year commitment includes:

$31 billion for home purchase mortgage loans to LMI borrowers, LMI geographies, minority borrowers and/or majority-minority geographies.

for home purchase mortgage loans to LMI borrowers, LMI geographies, minority borrowers and/or majority-minority geographies. $7.8 billion for lending to small businesses and to support the growth of businesses with revenues less than $1 million .

for lending to small businesses and to support the growth of businesses with revenues less than . $17.2 billion in community development lending to support affordable housing development and small business growth lending to nonprofits that support the LMI community.

in community development lending to support affordable housing development and small business growth lending to nonprofits that support the LMI community. $3.6 billion in CRA-qualified investments and philanthropy of which $120 million will be designated for CRA-qualified philanthropic giving.

Additionally, Truist plans to further the legacy institutions' commitment to underserved neighborhoods by seeking to open at least 15 new branches in LMI and/or majority-minority communities across its markets.

The CRA encourages banks to help meet the credit needs of communities in which they operate, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, consistent with safe and sound banking operations.

About Truist

Truist Financial Corporation (NYSE: TFC) is a purpose-driven financial services company committed to inspiring and building better lives and communities. Formed by the historic merger of equals of BB&T and SunTrust, Truist has leading market share in many high-growth markets in the country. The company offers a wide range of services including retail, small business and commercial banking; asset management; capital markets; commercial real estate; corporate and institutional banking; insurance; mortgage; payments; specialized lending; and wealth management. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Truist is the sixth-largest commercial bank in the U.S. with total assets of $509 billion as of December 31, 2020. Truist Bank, Member FDIC. Learn more at Truist.com.

Contact:

Audria Belton

[email protected]

SOURCE Truist Financial Corporation

Related Links

https://www.truist.com


On Sunday, the state of Florida began pumping millions of gallons of radioactive contaminated wastewater into Bishop Harbor, an ecologically sensitive inlet connecting to Tampa Bay. This was done to prevent the imminent collapse of the Piney Point retention pond, a phosphate reservoir that began leaking in late March. This breach is only the latest incident in a decades-long history of environmental disasters involving the property.

After a significant leak was detected Friday, April 2, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency, and Manatee County officials established an evacuation zone where it is possible that 340 million gallons could engulf the area in a 20 ft wall of water in a matter of minutes if the breach cannot be repaired. Engineers have been working since March to plug breaches in the reservoir with rocks and other materials and are performing a controlled daily release of 35 million gallons of water at Port Manatee.

Map showing Piney Point in relation to Tampa Bay (Credit WSWS)

The evacuation zone includes more than 300 houses, several businesses, and a local jail with more than 1,000 inmates. As of Sunday evening, only 345 inmates were reportedly being evacuated. This is being done to free up bed space for the remaining inmates on the upper level of the jail, which is only 10 feet above ground.

During his press conference, DeSantis tried to downplay the presence of radioactive materials in the water being pumped into the bay. The water meets water quality standards, standards for marine waters, with the exception primarily of the phosphorous and the nitrogen. The wastewater stored in the holding pools in fact contains not only these two chemicals but also ammonia and small amounts of radium and uranium. In a tweet announcing the state of emergency, DeSantis described the toxic water as mixed saltwater.

What were looking at now is trying to prevent and respond to, if need be, a real catastrophic flood situation, DeSantis stated. The water quality issues that are flowing from this for us is less than the risk of everyones health and safety, particularly folks who may live in the area. DeSantis noted that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) brought in 20 new pumps to ease pressure on the reservoir.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gestures as he stands with state and local officials during a news conference Sunday, April 4, 2021, at the Manatee County Emergency Management office in Palmetto, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Central Florida contains the largest known deposits of phosphate in the United States, part of the Pliocene-age Bone Valley Formation. These deposits are centered in present-day Polk County and underlay parts of Hardee, Hillsborough, and Manatee counties in central and western Florida. As of 2013, phosphate was being extracted from five mines in the Bone Valley mining district.

The phosphorite deposits of Florida contain between 0.005 and 0.02 percent uranium, which was extracted at multiple phosphate plants in central Florida between 1952 and 1998. Although no uranium has been recovered from these phosphate plants over the past 20 years, the deposits in central Florida are North Americas largest uranium resource, containing an estimated one million tons of the substance.

For each ton of phosphoric acid produced by processing phosphate rock, five tons of waste are generated. This waste takes the form of phosphogypsum, a radioactive solid which has no modern-day use. Somewhere between 100 and 280 million tons of phosphogypsum waste are estimated to be produced annually worldwide. Piney Point is notable for housing two large gypsum stacks on its property today. It is on top of these stacks that the holding pools store 400 million gallons of radioactive wastewater.

Piney Point has a long history of problems regarding pollution and the release of its wastewater into the surrounding area. The reservoir was once home to a phosphate plant that opened in 1966, and within the first years the owners were caught several times dumping waste into Bishop Harbor, resulting in a series of fish kills. The plant repeatedly changed hands and caused unending environmental problems, releasing toxic fumes that sickened workers, killed cattle, and drove neighbors from their houses.

Rather than stepping in, the DEP allowed the owners to operate freely before they declared bankruptcy and abandoned the property in 2001. Whenever rains filled the Piney Point pond to its brim, the DEP opted to keep the pollution out of Tampa Bay and release it into the Gulf of Mexico, based on the idea that a deeper body of water could better dilute the pollution. In 2004, a hurricane knocked a hole in one of the dikes, dumping 70 million gallons of contaminated water into Bishop Harbor.

The DEP then allowed Piney Points bankruptcy trustee to sell the property for $4.3 million in 2006 to HRK Holdings LLC, despite objections from local environmental activists. HRK turned part of the property into a storage terminal for companies using Port Manatee, and in 2011 a DEP official told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune that the site was now a success story. That same year, a liner beneath one of the two gypsum stacks on the site tore, spilling 170 million gallons of contaminated water into Bishop Harbor.

Governor Ron DeSantis describing the radioactive wastewater as mixed saltwater

HRK has since been in and out of bankruptcy, and yet again, in 2020 and 2021, rainfall has filled up the ponds to their brims. Last October, a DEP representative reported that the company had been getting rid of 55 million gallons of wastewater each year through spray evaporators, but that rainfall has exceeded their ability to get rid of the water. At that time, they said that they only had remaining storage for about 19 inches of rainfall. HRK staff also documented small holes or weaknesses in plastic seams in the decades-old plastic liner on several occasions throughout 2020.

Piney Point is not the only location with immense gypsum stacks in Florida. There are about 25 such stacks at phosphate processing sites all over central and north Florida, some as high as 200 feet, collectively storing more than a billion tons of radioactive waste.

In 1997, a dam broke atop one of the two phosphate stacks at a plant near Mulberry in Polk County, unleashing a 56-million-gallon spill of acidic wastewater into the Alafia River. The pollution killed everything in its path for 42 miles including one million baitfish and shellfish, 72,900 gamefish near the rivers mouth, and an unknown number of alligators.

In 2016, a massive sinkhole opened below a phosphate stack 30 miles east of the City of Tampa, releasing 215 million gallons of wastewater into the Floridan aquifer, the main source of drinking water in much of central and northern Florida.

When asked by the Florida Phoenix news outlet last year about how they plan to handle these pools of pollution going forward, Mike Williams, a government and industrial affairs manager for the Florida Phosphate Council, simply said: The regulating community says this is the way youll store it, so thats the way we store it.

Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes told journalists that he anticipates that the risk level will decrease by Tuesday but also admitted that this situation could have been resolved two decades ago. What Ive seen in the past four days from the governors office is that all agencies and entities are now committed to a permanent resolution.

Jeff Barath, a representative for HRK, appeared on video over the weekend with emotional distress and spoke through tears while briefing the Manatee County commissioners about the situation. Im very sorry, he said, before reporting that he had only slept a few hours that week because he was trying to fix the situation.

Barath submitted a report to the state on March 26, explaining, I was anticipating that the gypstack itself was destabilizing at a very rapid rate and recommended that we consider an emergency discharge. He noted that failure points were happening constantly, I mean hourly. On March 30, the DEP ordered the company to take immediate action and said that pipes at that time were repaired and discharges were initiated to prevent any pressure buildup. This did not, however, prevent the significant leak that occurred on Friday.

When asked about the danger posed to drinking water in the area, County Commission Chairman Vanessa Baugh assured residents that the water distribution system is a closed system without any way for flood water to enter. There is also no threat at all to our primary source of drinking water, Lake Manatee.

This entire ordeal has shown the criminal negligence of the Florida DEP, which has allowed a private company to continue to mismanage the property and profit from its use, despite the fact that it has been a ticking time bomb for the community and the larger region for decades. Private enterprises like HRK have repeatedly left state and local governments to pay for the messes they have left across Florida, resulting in a range of negative impacts on the health of the working class and the environment at large.
[April 06, 2021] Crothall Healthcare and Nuvolo Partner to Launch Next Generation Cloud Platform for Healthcare Clinical Engineering Program Management

Crothall Healthcare today announced that its Healthcare Technology Solutions (News - Alert) (HTS) division has launched teamCHAMPS, a modern, cloud-based Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) powered by Nuvolo. This modern, next generation cloud platform is now available at all hospitals served by Crothall HTS. Crothall Healthcare manages and provides oversight of a hospital's entire life cycle of medical devices. It is one of the largest U.S. companies in the market, maintaining approximately 1,000,000 medical devices annually and serving more than 200 hospitals and health systems across the country. "This strategic investment from Crothall represents the strongest possible commitment to our customers to truly modernize service management for clinical engineering. This exciting new technology from Nuvolo, built on the ServiceNow (News - Alert) platform, allows our customers to harness the value and power of improved uptime, better clinical engineering program management, and improved medical device safety and performance," said Division President Jim Cheek. "The teamCHAMPS platform provides modern, easy to use and mobile-ready capabilities in areas of data and analytics, robust, easy to create reporting and dashboarding, and flexible workflow management." Crothall's new teamCHAMPS platform, powered by Nuvolo, supports the full service management lifecycle of a hospital's medical device fleet. The platform's cloud-powered inventory control feature enables teams to track each step of the inventory process. The platform also captures information on service contract management, service requests, preventive maintenance management, capital equipment, and cyber security profiles. "We're excited to help Crothall bring teamCHAMPS to their network of Healthcare clients," said Todd Lefkowitz, Nuvolo Chief Customer Officer. "By using the Nuvolo platform, their clients can be sure they have the most modern solution to manage all assets within the helthcare system. Most importantly, Nuvolo connects departments like HTM, Facilities and IT on one platform, so cross departmental communication and data sharing is possible."



The teamCHAMPS platform's real-time reporting and analytics enables each hospital to receive data insights correlating to an asset and facility in just a few clicks. Crothall's HTS team can also track historical data and leverage the platform's three levels of maintenance analytics-corrective, preventive, and predictive-to optimize use of all equipment and improve decision-making with maintenance issues. Other capabilities include:

Integration with ECRI's database for product recalls and hazard alerts

Integration with the oneSource Biomedical database of validated manufacturer PM and repair guidelines

Shipping status and delivery arrivals, which speed up the workflow process

Designed to support the requirements of the Joint Commission, accreditation organization DNV, and Crothall HTS' ISO 13485:2016 Quality Management System. About Crothall Healthcare Crothall Healthcare is a Compass (News - Alert) One Company that provides specialized, high-quality, innovative, and responsive support services exclusively to the healthcare industry. Crothall serves many of the Top 100 Hospitals throughout its almost 1500 healthcare service teams in 46 states. Crothall has been recognized as one of Modern Healthcare's Best Places to Work and Best Places to Work in Pennsylvania since 2013 and Becker's Top 150 Places to Work since 2016. A division of Compass Group USA, we have more than 27,000 team members. Its EVS division is CIMS and CIMS-GB certified by the ISSA since 2009, and its HTS division is ISO 13485:2016 certified since 2019. Our core services include: Environmental Services, Patient Transportation, Patient Observation, Facilities Management, Healthcare Technology Solutions, Ambulatory, and Sterile Processing. About Nuvolo Nuvolo is the global leader in modern, cloud-based Connected Workplace solutions, Built on NOW. We provide a single platform to manage all people, all physical locations, all assets, and all work. Industries we serve include healthcare, life sciences, retail, government, higher education, technology, financial services and enterprise. Nuvolo is headquartered in Paramus, NJ with a global workforce located throughout North America, Europe and Asia at www.nuvolo.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005115/en/

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The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear an appeal by Infowars host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, who was fighting a Connecticut court sanction in a defamation lawsuit brought by relatives of some of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.

Jones was penalized in 2019 by a trial court judge for an angry outburst on his web show against an attorney for the relatives and for violating numerous orders to turn over documents to the families lawyers. Judge Barbara Bellis barred Jones from filing a motion to dismiss the case, which remains pending, and said she would order Jones to pay some of the families legal fees.

Jones argued he should not have been sanctioned for exercising his free speech rights. The Connecticut Supreme Court upheld Bellis ruling last year.

The families and an FBI agent who responded to the shooting, which left 20 first-graders and six educators dead, are suing Jones and his show over claims that the massacre was a hoax. The families said they have been subjected to harassment and death threats from Jones followers because of the hoax conspiracy.

Jones, whose show is based in Austin, Texas, has since said he believes the shooting occurred.

The U.S. Supreme Court turned down Jones request to hear his appeal without comment.

Jones attorney, Norman Pattis, called the courts decision a disappointment.

Judge Bellis, and the Connecticut Supreme Court, asserted frightening and standardless power over the extrajudicial statements of litigants, Pattis said in an email to The Associated Press. Mr. Jones never threatened anyone; had he done so, he would have been charged with a crime. We are inching our way case-by-case toward a toothless, politically correct, First Amendment.

Joshua Koskoff, a lawyer for the Sandy Hook families, said Jones deserved to be sanctioned for his threatening comments on his show.

The families are eager to resume their case and to hold Mr. Jones and his financial network accountable for their actions, Koskoff said in a statement. From the beginning, our goal has been to prevent future victims of mass shootings from being preyed on by opportunists.

The sanction came after Jones, on Infowars in 2019, accused an attorney for the families, Christopher Mattei, of planting child pornography that was found in email metadata files that Jones turned over to the Sandy Hook families lawyers. Pattis has said the pornography was in emails sent to Jones that were never opened.

Youre trying to set me up with child porn, Jones said on the show. One million dollars, you little gang members. One million dollars to put your head on a pike.

Jones showed a photo of Mattei, a former federal prosecutor, and said, Im done. Total war. You want it? You got it.

Jones added, One million dollars when they are convicted. The bounty is out, (expletive). ... Theyre going to get your (expletive), you little dirt bag. One million, (expletive). Its out on your (expletive).

The Connecticut Supreme Court said the sanctions against Jones did not run afoul of the First Amendment because they were imposed due to speech that was an imminent and likely threat to the administration of justice. Chief Justice Richard Robinson wrote, language evoking threats of physical harm is not tolerable.

The families are suing Jones, Infowars and others for defamation and infliction of emotional distress. They are seeking damages that have yet to be determined.

Certain individuals have persistently perpetuated a monstrous, unspeakable lie: that the Sandy Hook shooting was staged, and that the families who lost loved ones that day are actors who faked their relatives deaths, the lawsuit says.

The suit called Jones the most prolific among these fabricators, despite him not believing the shooting was a hoax, and alleged Jones has made tens of millions of dollar a year employing false narratives.

Jones previous lawyer had argued that comments on his show about the shooting being a hoax were protected by free speech rights, and Jones allowed others to state their opinions that the massacre was fake because his is a proponent of free and open debate.

Sandy Hook families also sued Jones and others for defamation in other states related to the hoax conspiracy.

In one of the lawsuits, a Texas judge in 2019 ordered Jones to pay $100,000 in legal fees and refused to dismiss the suit. And a jury in Wisconsin awarded $450,000 to one of the parents in his lawsuit against conspiracy theorist writers, not including Jones, who claimed the massacre never happened.
New Delhi: A 50-year-old man died after an under-construction pool gator collapsed in Ashok Park, police said on Tuesday (April 6).

A cement-cum-iron girder installed between two pillars of an under-construction bridge fell on four trucks in Punjabi Bagh area of Delhi.

The incident took place on Monday night when the victim, identified as Ram Bahadur, was sleeping in one of the trucks, said Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Prashant Gautam.

ALSO READ: CRPF receives mail threatening to kill Home Minister Amit Shah, CM Yogi Adityanath

Bahadur was a resident of Ashoka Park and used to work as a watchman guarding parked trucks at night, said police.

Even though the incident happened at night, the officials received a call at 8.48 am on Tuesday, after which two fire tenders were rushed to the spot.

A Disaster Management Team, along with police and CAT ambulance, reached the spot and the body was taken out of the debris.

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Moscow, April 6 : Russia has expressed concerns about plans by the US and the UK to deploy ground-based intermediate and shorter-range missiles.

In a statement on Monday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Pentagon officials in the US have recently made statements about the practical steps required to deploy in various regions of the world ground-based intermediate and shorter-range missiles, previously banned by the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, Xinhua news agency reported.

The British military has joined in on the "openly hostile, destabilizing" statements and actions in this regard, it noted.

The plans will narrow the space for a diplomatic solution to post-INF Treaty problems, it warned.

Russia will continue to carefully monitor the actions of the US and its allies to create a ground-based INF arsenal in Europe and Asia-Pacific, said the statement.

"We are by no means shutting the door to dialogue, but in the current conditions we do not rule out that Russia will be forced" to respond to the growing missile threats, the statement read.

In August 2019, Russia and the US formally withdrew from the INF Treaty after accusing each other of violating the landmark arms control deal signed in Washington in December 1987.
First Black Supreme Court justice in Colorado dies at 72

Gregory Kellam Scott, the only Black justice to serve on the Colorado Supreme Court, died unexpectedly at his home in Indiana. He was 72. Scott died Wednesday, the Denver Post reported.

He was sworn onto the court in 1993 after being appointed by Gov. Roy Romer. He served seven years before stepping down to become vice president and general counsel of Kaiser-Hill LLC, a private company contracted to clean up a former nuclear weapons facility in the Denver suburbs.

When announcing his retirement from the court, Scott said it had been an experience of a lifetime.

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Patty Powell, an adjunct faculty member at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and one of Scotts friends, said Thursday that Scott was a giant and a role model for the states legal community.

He was such an intellectual giant. He loved the law. He was a good person, too, Powell said, recalling when he asked advice from friends on whether he should seek a seat on the court. All of those things added up to your needing to do that. And you would be the first Black justice on the Colorado Supreme Court and that diversity is needed.

Scott participated in about 1,000 opinions, including Hill v. Thomas in which the court upheld a state law that created an eight-foot buffer zone between protesters and people entering abortion clinics. The opinion survived a challenge before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Retired Denver County Judge Gary Jackson said Scott was active in the community before he joined the state Supreme Court and continued to participate in organizations after his appointments to the NAACP, Urban League and Sam Cary Bar Association.

He had a calling, Jackson said. He served as a role model for many, many diverse people of color who didnt think they had the opportunity to be corporate lawyers, security lawyers, law professors, judges.

Scott earned his law degree at Indiana University. He and his wife, Carolyn Scott, moved to Denver in 1977 when he became a trial attorney with the Securities and Exchange Commissions regional office. Carolyn Scott also was a lawyer, and the couple had two sons, Joshua and Elijah. Both sons died within a year of each other while in their late 30s.

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Scott moved to Anderson, Indiana, later in life where he served as executive director of the Indiana Civil Rights Commission until a near-fatal car accident impacted his mobility and speech and forced him to retire.

Scott died the same day as retired Colorado Supreme Court Justice Mary Mullarkey, who was the first woman to serve as the states chief justice.

Funeral arrangements for Scott have not been set.
Highlights MyHeritage app now added more animations to its Deep Nostalgia feature.

So now apart from blinking, the people in the picture can now dance and blow kissing using the new animations tool.

In order to use the feature, you will have to subscribe to the MyHeritage complete pack to unlock the new animation tools.

MyHeritage app that brought the dead alive through its animations tool has now added more animations to its Deep Nostalgia feature. So now apart from blinking, the people in the picture can now dance and blow kissing using the new animations tool. The genealogy company garnered a mixed response from the users when it rolled out the Deep Nostalgia tool. The tool is used to animate old photos. The subject in the pictures starts moving when you apply the filters.

MyHeritage app, which can be downloaded from Google Play Store, Apple App Store, shot to instant fame within weeks. The people used the app to animate old pictures of their dead relatives mostly, public figures, and posted the pictures online. While some found the tool extremely creepy because it made the dead people move, some were happy to see their loved ones moving and smiling back at them. As per the app data, users have made over 72 million animations ever since the app was launched.

However, now more animations have been added to the Deep Nostalgia. Using the new animation features, you can make the people in your old photos dance and blow kisses. However, in order to use the feature, you will have to subscribe to the MyHeritage complete pack to unlock the new animation tools. The plan is priced at $299 and is $199 for the first year.

"Today, we're excited to announce that we have doubled the number of drivers. The 10 additional drivers released today, which we call special animations, allow you to see your ancestors express a wider spectrum of gestures and emotions, for example, smile wholeheartedly, blow a kiss, nod approval, and more. The special animations are available exclusively to subscribers on the Complete plan. Many of our users were moved to tears to see their ancestors look around and smile at them. Now you can enjoy this even more, with the new special animations," the app said in a blog.

But if you do not wish to pay for the special features, you can continue using the basic features that the app comes with. Apart from animating the old pictures, the MyHeritage app can now match the profile of users with their ancestors. "With over 4.4 billion profiles added by our users, MyHeritage can easily match your information against others' to provide you with meaningful new information about your ancestors. Discover new relatives and enrich the details of your family story with," the app description read.
With a video that ends with the search term "COVID-19 vaccine near me," Google is urging people to "get back to what you love."

Google's COVID-19 vaccine ad garnered emotional reactions

The minute-long video follows search words during the COVID-19 pandemic and reveals how they adjust as a consequence of vaccines, enabling citizens across the world to switch from interactive to in-person gatherings, USA Today reported. In a French search, the ad starts with a litany of search words from earlier in the pandemic, such as 'quarantine,' 'social distancing,' 'lockdown,' and 'restrictions de voyage.'

Then "sweat pants" become simply "pants," and a virtual "happy hour" calendar note becomes a true "happy hour" calendar notice. A theater's location on Google Maps changes from "temporarily closed" to "open." The song becomes more upbeat before ending with a final series of keystrokes that spells out "COVID vaccine near me."

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In the video's summary, Google states, "Though there's still doubt ahead, the vaccine gives us cause to hope. You may have concerns as the vaccine becomes more widely accessible. To learn more, do a Google search for 'covid vaccine.'" The commercial also urges people to access the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website.

Although Google posted the "Get back to what you love" video on YouTube in late March, it gained attention after broadcasting during the NCAA Final Four games over the weekend, according to 9to5Google, an unaffiliated website that covers Google-related news.

Google's video, which had over 6.3 million views as of 9:30 AM ET Monday, is garnering emotional reactions from viewers, with some "catching the light at the end of the tunnel," as Twitter user Stefano Maggi described it.

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Google urged the public to get vaccinated

@YouTube

Google has started marketing a new video in an attempt to persuade people to take the COVID-19 vaccines, as per India Times on MSN. The one-minute video, titled "Get back to what you love," attempts to convey the message in such a way that any apprehensions about the vaccine are disproved.

In the United States, Google's public awareness efforts have begun. Although the majority of Americans receive vaccinations, a significant number of Americans remain skeptical, expressing reservations over vaccine efficacy. Furthermore, people seem to be worried about the vaccine's possible side effects.

As a consequence, there is a deliberate attempt to dispel these misinformation-based misconceptions and myths. The latest video from Google is a step in the right direction. The one-minute video recounts our experience during the pandemic year, from being restricted to our homes to finally being able to return to "normal."

Donald Trump Claims America Is Turning Into a Communist After Facebook, Twitter Remove Interview With Lara

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Global rating agency Standard and Poors has raised the credit rating of and its subsidiary ABJA Investment Co from B+ to BB- on deleveraging and strong operating momentum. Ltd's debt level is expected to decline materially in the next two years due to a strong cash flow and the company's stated intention to reduce debt.

In the base-case scenario, Tata Steel's adjusted debt could decline by about 30 per cent by March 2023 from the March 2020 level of about Rs 1 trillion, leading to steady improvement in credit metrics. About half of this decline is expected to have been delivered in 2020-21 (year ended March 2021). It has committed itself to reducing the absolute debt level by at least $1 billion per year from financial year 2021-22.

The rating agency said the company's free operating cash flows would be adequate to reduce debt over the next two years, even with the revised capital expenditure (capex) estimates of about Rs 90 billion per year, up from Rs 50-60 billion in the financial year 2020-21. We believe will moderate its investment plans, if required, so as to meet this objective, said.

The company reported a sizeable debt reduction in 2020-21 on a stronger cashflow generation, recent equity raising of about Rs 33 billion, and working capital improvements of about Rs 120 billion.

The stable outlook reflects the expectation that the company would adequately deleverage over the next two years and build a comfortable headroom at the current rating level, it added.
Chris Mathey, Seasoned Government and Public Policy Executive, to Lead Stems Policy & Business Development Efforts



Mathey Will Focus on Driving U.S Federal Energy Storage Adoption

MILLBRAE, Calif., April 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stem, Inc. (Stem or the Company), a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven clean energy storage services, today announced the addition of Chris Mathey to the Stem leadership team as Vice President of Federal Policy and Business Development. Mathey brings more than 15 years experience in senior leadership positions at the intersection of policy, technology, and energy. At Stem, Mathey will focus on advancing federal energy policy and delivering smart storage solutions to government clients in collaboration with Stems network of channel partners and energy service companies.

Matheys extensive experience includes senior leadership positions at Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance, WGL Energy, and Constellation as well as a staffer to a senior Member of the U.S. Congress. Over that time, Mathey has successfully led public affairs campaigns and worked with federal stakeholders on clean energy, sustainability, and resiliency initiatives. He earned an MBA from the George Washington University School of Business and a BA in Political Science from Clemson University.

We are incredibly excited to welcome a seasoned government and public policy executive of Chriss caliber to the Stem team, said Alan Russo, Chief Revenue Officer at Stem. Chris joins at a pivotal time for energy storage and clean energy broadly amid President Bidens $100 billion plan to invest in grid modernization and green infrastructure. Chriss extensive expertise in the evolving government and public policy landscape, including experience executing third-party financed projects, will be invaluable to our ongoing success and growth. Stems enhanced focus on federal relations will offer the company and our network of partners discernable revenue streams. Together, we look forward to extending the proven capabilities of our market-leading Athena software to help build energy resilience at a national level.

I am honored to join Stem to spearhead federal market initiatives and open up new markets for energy storage, added Mathey. The energy transition is at an inflection point, and more flexible and on-demand energy solutions are critical to enabling a cleaner, more reliable grid. As federal agencies look to save energy costs, adopt more sustainable energy sources, and ensure resilience for our nation's critical infrastructure, Stems innovative smart storage solutions, with their proven track record, can be integral to achieving these ambitious goals. Im very excited to be part of a team that bridges the private and public sectors with smart energy storage technology.

With more than 950 energy storage systems and nearly one gigawatt-hour (GWh) operating or contracted, including at critical facilities such as hospitals and water treatment plants, Stem brings extensive experience to empower government clients to enhance their energy resilience. Stems best-in-class Athena smart energy software helps lower costs and optimize distributed energy resources (DERs) such as solar PV and backup generators.

Stem and Star Peak Energy Transition Corp. (NYSE: STPK) Business Combination Update

Star Peaks registration statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-251397), relating to the previously announced merger of Star Peak and Stem, was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 29, 2021. The Special Meeting to approve the pending business combination is scheduled for Tuesday, April 27, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. ET. If the proposals at the Special Meeting are approved, the parties anticipate the business combination will close shortly thereafter, subject to the satisfaction or waiver (as applicable) of all other closing conditions. Details about how to vote can be viewed at https://stpk.starpeakcorp.com/vote.

About Stem, Inc.

Stem provides solutions that address the challenges of todays dynamic energy market. By combining advanced energy storage solutions with Athena, a world-class AI-powered analytics platform, Stem enables customers and partners to optimize energy use by automatically switching between battery power, onsite generation and grid power. Stems solutions help enterprise customers benefit from a clean, adaptive energy infrastructure and achieve a wide variety of goals, including expense reduction, resilience, sustainability, environmental and corporate responsibility and innovation. Stem also offers full support for solar partners interested in adding storage to standalone, community or commercial solar projects  both behind and in front of the meter.

Headquartered in Millbrae, Calif., Stem is directly funded by a consortium of leading investors including Activate Capital, Angeleno Group, BNP Paribas, Constellation Technology Ventures, Copec, Iberdrola (Inversiones Financieras Perseo), GE Ventures, Magnesium Capital, Mithril L.P., Mitsui & Co. LTD., Ontario Teachers Pension Plan, RWE Supply & Trading, Temasek and Total Energy Ventures. For more information, visit www.stem.com.

About Star Peak Energy Transition Corp.

Star Peak is a blank check company incorporated in Delaware for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. Star Peak is led by a management team with extensive experience investing in the energy, energy infrastructure and renewables sectors, including Chairman, Michael Morgan and Chief Executive Officer, Eric Scheyer. Michael Morgan is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Triangle Peak Partners LP and currently serves as a director of Sunnova Energy International and lead director of Kinder Morgan, Inc., one of the largest energy infrastructure companies in North America, a company he joined at its founding in 1997. Eric Scheyer is a Partner at Magnetar and has served as the Head of the Magnetar Energy and Infrastructure Group since its inception in 2005. For more information, visit https://stpk.starpeakcorp.com/.

Additional Information

This communication is being made in respect of a proposed merger transaction (the proposed transactions) involving Star Peak and Stem. The proposed transactions will be submitted to stockholders of Star Peak for their consideration and approval at a special meeting of stockholders. In connection with the proposed transactions, Star Peak has filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the Registration Statement) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which includes a definitive proxy statement / prospectus / written consent solicitation that has been distributed to Star Peak stockholders in connection with Star Peaks solicitation for proxies for the vote by Star Peaks stockholders in connection with the proposed transactions and other matters as described in such Registration Statement, as well as the prospectus relating to the offer of the securities. Star Peak has mailed a definitive proxy statement / prospectus / written consent solicitation and other relevant documents to its stockholders as of the record date established for voting on the proposed transactions. Investors and security holders of Star Peak are advised to read the definitive proxy statement / prospectus / written consent solicitation in connection with Star Peaks solicitation of proxies for its special meeting of stockholders to be held to approve the proposed transaction because the proxy statement / prospectus / written consent solicitation contains important information about the proposed transaction and the parties to the proposed transaction. Stockholders may also obtain copies of the definitive proxy statement / prospectus / written consent solicitation, without charge at the SECs website at www.sec.gov or by directing a request to: Star Peak Energy Transition Corp., 1603 Orrington Ave., 13 Floor Evanston, IL 60201.

This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act.

Participants in the Solicitation

Star Peak and Stem and their respective directors, executive officers, other members of management, and employees, under SEC rules, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies of Star Peaks stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction. Information regarding the persons who may, under SEC rules, be deemed participants in the solicitation of Star Peak s stockholders in connection with the proposed business combination is set forth in Star Peaks registration statement / proxy statement that has been filed with the SEC. Investors and security holders may obtain more detailed information regarding the names and interests in the proposed transaction of Star Peaks directors and officers in Star Peaks filings with the SEC, and such information is also in the Registration Statement that has been filed with the SEC by Star Peak, which includes the definitive proxy statement / prospectus / written consent solicitation of Star Peak for the proposed transaction.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this communication may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events of Star Peak or Stems future financial or operating performance. For example, projections of future revenue and other metrics are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as may, should, expect, intend, will, estimate, anticipate, believe, predict, or or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Star Peak and its management, and Stem and its management, as the case may be, are inherently uncertain factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: 1) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the definitive merger agreement with respect to the business combination; 2) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Star Peak, the combined company or others following the announcement of the business combination and any definitive agreements with respect thereto; 3) the inability to complete the business combination due to the failure to obtain approval of the stockholders of Star Peak, to obtain financing to complete the business combination or to satisfy other conditions to closing; 4) changes to the proposed structure of the business combination that may be required or appropriate as a result of applicable laws or regulations or as a condition to obtaining regulatory approval of the business combination; 5) the ability to meet the New York Stock Exchanges listing standards following the consummation of the business combination; 6) the risk that the business combination disrupts current plans and operations of Stem as a result of the announcement and consummation of the business combination; 7) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the business combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of the combined company to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retain its management and key employees; 8) costs related to the business combination; 9) changes in applicable laws or regulations; 10) the possibility that Stem or the combined company may be adversely affected by other economic, business and/or competitive factors; 11) Stems estimates of its financial performance; 12) the impact of the novel coronavirus disease pandemic and its effect on business and financial conditions; and 13) other risks and uncertainties set forth in the section entitled Risk Factors and Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements in Star Peaks Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. Nothing in this communication should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward looking statements will be achieved. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Neither Star Peak nor Stem undertakes any duty to update these forward-looking statements, except as otherwise required by law.

Investor Contacts  Stem

Ted Durbin, Stem, Inc.

Marc Silverberg, ICR, Inc.

IR@stem.com

Media Contact  Stem

Cory Ziskind, ICR, Inc.

stemPR@icrinc.com

Contacts  Star Peak

Tricia Quinn

Courtney Kozel

info@starpeakcorp.com

847 905 4400

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/adf8c3bb-8564-409d-a44d-5aaf6bad91f8
The Cybereason mission is to drive healthier margins and profits for our MSSPs. We have the platform, tools and services to give our partners a competitive advantage, said Stephan Tallent, CISSP, Vice President of Managed Security Services Providers, North America, Cybereason.

Cybereason, the leader in future-ready attack protection, today announced further investments in its North American channel program with the launch of its Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) Program. The program will support current and future partners by enhancing their revenue streams and efficacy in detection and response services. Cybereason works with MSSPs to end cyberattacks with an operation-centric approach that delivers immediate context into malicious operations across endpoints, users and the cloud.

As part of the MSSP Program launch, Cybereason will provide MSSPs with specialized support from service creation, technical and operational onboarding to revenue and demand generation support. Cybereason will empower the defender service provider partners with technology built to reverse the adversary advantage and offer MDR and IR service enablement programs designed to enhance partner growth and profitability.

Cybereason recently expanded its North American channel team with several strategic hires, including Stephan Tallent, who is overseeing MSSP growth. In addition, Cybereason is one of 15 cybersecurity vendors securing a coveted spot in the recently published Forrester Wave: Managed Detection and Response, Q1 2021.

My goal is to build a stronger path to profitability for our current MSSPs and as we onboard new partners make it easy to integrate with Cybereason. With more and more security buyers across the healthcare, banking and insurance, retail and state and local government outsourcing their detection and response services, the Cybereason mission is to drive healthier margins and profits for our MSSPs. We have the platform, tools and services to give our partners a competitive advantage, said Stephan Tallent, CISSP, Vice President of Managed Security Services Providers, North America, Cybereason.

Cybereason gives MSSPs a competitive edge by protecting joint customers emerging security threats with industry-leading efficiency for detection and response.

"As part of our strategy to deliver impactful outcomes for customers, deepwatch allies with industry leaders to enhance our Cloud SecOps platform. Cybereason's innovative endpoint solution stood out as a clear choice to provide extensive visibility and enable targeted active response for critical cybersecurity issues. They have been a great partner for deepwatch, with a passion for collaboration and superb technology," said Corey Bodzin, CTO, deepwatch.

The roll out of the MSSP Program includes tools and initiatives to enable partner success and profitability:

*The Cybereason MSSP Program is purpose-built for the defenders, with an operation-centric approach that increases security efficacy, while reducing the complexity and cost of delivery for detection and response services.

*The Cybereason MSSP Program offers a flexible platform blending threat hunting and advanced incident response with endpoint protection, detection and response. This enables the MSSP to convert incident response engagements into ongoing managed detection and response engagements leveraging the same comprehensive platform.

Cybereasons platform has helped us protect our clients and partners from advanced threats and has simplified our security operations so we can focus our attention where it matters, said Justin Kallhoff, Chief Cybersecurity Officer, Ascend Technologies. Our partnership continues to be a critical part of our MSSP strategy and we look forward to Cybereasons continued innovation.

About Cybereason

Cybereason is the champion for todays cyber defenders providing future-ready attack protection that unifies security from the endpoint, to the enterprise, to everywhere the battle moves. The Cybereason Defense Platform combines the industrys top-rated detection and response (EDR and XDR), next-gen anti-virus (NGAV), and proactive threat hunting to deliver context-rich analysis of every element of a Malop (malicious operation). The result: defenders can end cyber attacks from endpoints to everywhere. Cybereason is a privately held, international company headquartered in Boston with customers in more than 30 countries.

Learn more: https://www.cybereason.com/

Follow us: Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Media Contacts:

Bill Keeler

Senior Director, Global Public Relations

Cybereason

bill.keeler@cybereason.com

(929) 259-3261
Marco Cavaleri, vaccines head at the European Medicines Agency, said there is a 'link' between AstraZeneca jab and clots

One of the European drug regulator's senior officials today claimed there is now a 'clear' link between AstraZeneca's Covid vaccine and potentially deadly blood clots.

Marco Cavaleri, head of vaccines at the European Medicines Agency (EMA), said that CVST  a brain blockage that can lead to a stroke  was occurring more often than expected in younger people.

But he admitted that the body was still baffled about how the jab may trigger the rare complication.

EMA officials are already probing the link between the vaccine and CVST, which is more common in young women. Watchdog bosses are expected to make a formal announcement tomorrow.

Despite his comments, Mr Cavaleri's agency has repeatedly insisted AstraZeneca's jab is safe and the benefits outweigh any risks.

Last week it slapped down Germany for suspending its use in under-60s, arguing there was 'no evidence' to support age-based restrictions.

But at the same time, the watchdog paved the way for a potential U-turn, warning that the rate of the complication did appear to be slightly higher than expected in vaccinated under-60s.

Experts across the board say the evidence is now 'shifting' and that the jab is likely  in extremely rare cases  to cause the brain blockage.

The UK's safety watchdog, the MHRA, has so far spotted 30 rare clotting events in 18.1million doses  around one in every 600,000. But the EMA believes it may occur in up to one in every 100,000 under-60s.

Britain's medical regulator may also impose a German-style ban of AstraZeneca's vaccine, it emerged last night.

Sources told Channel 4 it could stop under-30s getting the jab  which is the main one being deployed in Britain. But Government insiders told the Daily Telegraph that regulators were unlikely to impose any age-based ban.

Boris Johnson today called on Britons to still get AstraZeneca's jab while on a visit to one of the firm's factory in Macclesfield, saying the 'best thing' they can do is 'look at what the MHRA say'. He added: 'Their advice to people is to keep going out there, get your jab, get your second jab.'

But he glossed over questions about whether the UK could impose a ban on the jab for under-30s.

It comes amid reports that thousands of doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine are being wasted in France following a 'wave of panic' triggered by its suspension.

And it was also claimed today that EU officials are confident they will have enough doses to immunize the majority of their citizens by the end of June. Britain is aiming to have offered a first dose to all adults by the end of July.

AstraZeneca is on track to roll out a new booster vaccine that will tackle coronavirus variants by autumn, the firm said

The risk of dying from Covid-19 is significantly higher than the rate of CSVT blood clots, which haven't even been definitively linked to the vaccines (Based on fatality estimates from Cambridge University and CSVT occurrences in Germany)

More than 31million Britons have received at least one dose of a Covid vaccine in the UK

A TIMELINE OF THE ASTRAZENECA BLOOD CLOT SAGA March 7: Austria suspended the use of one batch of the vaccine after a woman, 49, who had been given it died of a 'severe coagulation disorder' and a 35-year-old developed a blood clot in her lung. March 11: Authorities in Denmark, Norway and Iceland suspended all use of the vaccine following a 60-year-old woman in Denmark died of a blood clot after the reports emerged in Austria. Danish health minister Magnus Heunicke said: 'It is currently not possible to conclude whether there is a link.' March 11: European Medicines Agency's safety committee began an investigation into the cases. It confirms 30 cases of 'thromboembolic events'  clots  were reported after five million vaccines in the EEA. March 12: Thailand suspended the use of the vaccine off the back of European worries. Bulgaria also stops using it. March 12: The European Medicines Agency, Britain's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, Health Canada, the World Health Organization and AstraZeneca itself, all spoke out to defend the vaccine and say there is no proof it's linked to blood clots. March 13: The Netherlands, Italy and Ireland temporarily stopped using the vaccine as fears about the cases in Austria and Denmark snowballed. March 14: Germany and France suspended the vaccine. March 15: Spain, Portugal and Slovenia suspended use of the jab. March 15: Professor Andrew Pollard, the Oxford expert who ran the clinical trials of the jab, insisted safety data are 'reassuring' and said 'clearly those blood clots still happen' as often as they would in unvaccinated people. March 16: World Health Organization officials met to discuss the issue. European Medicines Agency is still investigating. March 17: Scientists accuse governments of banning the jab on political grouns. AstraZeneca's vaccine has been a flashpoint in the past. March 18: European Medicines Agency holds a press conference on its investigation and rules that the vaccine is 'safe and effective'. It said there wasn't enough evidence to rule out a link to blood clots, but also not enough to prove one. On balance, it would be safer for countries to keep using the vaccine to stop Covid. The investigation would continue. March 18: Germany, France and Italy resume use of the jab after the EMA's conclusion. March 19: Finland suspends the jab after finding blood clot cases in its own population. March 19: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands and Spain all confirm they will start using the jab again. Scandinavian countries did not follow suit and kept the ban in place. March 22: A study is published that found public trust in the AstraZeneca vaccine collapsed in Europe at the time of the blood clot saga. A YouGov survey found more than half of people in Germany, France, Italy and Spain believed the jab was unsafe. March 30: Germany bans the vaccine for people under the age of 60 after officials said they had found 31 cases of CSVT after 2.7million vaccinations. April 2: UK regulators announce a total of 30 blood clots, 22 in the brain, have now been discovered in Britons vaccinated with the AZ jab. April 5: UK regulators begin reviewing their guidance amid concern the jab is considerably more likely among younger people. Advertisement

In other Covid news:

Boris Johnson insisted there is 'no reason' to delay lockdown easing after SAGE doomsday third wave scenarios sparked Tory fury;

Aviation chiefs blasted 'unfair' plans to require holidaymakers to take two Covid tests for trips to green areas;

Proportion of adults refusing to have a jab has more than halved in four months to just six per cent, figures show;

The world's Covid death toll has now passed three million - with the latest third recorded in the last three months;

Pub landlords said they were left with 'impossible choice' over vaccine passports.

The World Health Organization still maintains there is 'no link for the moment' between the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine and blood clots.

Rogerio Pinto de Sa Gaspar, director of regulation and prequalification at the WHO, told a briefing today: 'The appraisal that we have for the moment, and this is under consideration by the experts, is that the benefit-risk assessment for the vaccine is still largely positive.'

He added: 'For the time being there is no evidence that the benefit-risk assessment for the vaccine needs to be changed and we know from the data coming from countries like the UK and others that the benefits are really important in terms of reduction of the mortality of populations that are being vaccinated.'

Scientists insist the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine outweigh any risks for elderly people  who are most at risk of hospitalisation or death if they catch the virus.

But they warn that the picture is 'more complicated' for young people.

Experts estimate the risk of dying of Covid for 25 to 44-year-olds is 0.04 per cent  or one in 2,500.

For comparison, the rate of CVST cases seen in Germany  which originally banned the jab for over-60s over the same blood clot fears  is around one in 90,000.

It is not clear how many younger adults will suffer the blood clots naturally  but officials admit the risk is higher in women under the age of 50.

Officials are working round-the-clock to disentangle the statistical risk, analysing the background rate of CVST as well as the reported rate among people given AstraZeneca's vaccine.

'In the next few hours, we will say that there is a connection, but we still have to understand how this happens,' Mr Cavaleri told Italian newspaper Il Messaggero.

'Among the vaccinated, there are more cases of cerebral thrombosis... among young people than we would expect.'

Stella Kyriakides, the European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, said the results of the EMA's review of the AstraZeneca vaccine were expected tomorrow.

But France is already wasting thousands of doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine due to concern over the jab, even as the country battles against a third wave.

Medics have reported people turning down the inoculation in droves, despite it being a key part of the country's planned route out of the pandemic.

This is because President Emmanuel Macron has performed a series of U-turns over the highly effective vaccine, with critics suggesting the Brexit-critical leader had challenged the jabs safety and effectiveness to attack the UK.

European capitals have been told the EU has now secured enough doses for them to inoculate the majority of their citizens by the end of June, according to a briefing note seen by Bloomberg.

The forecast, however, assumes that some 70million AstraZeneca doses will be used, which could be put in doubt if regulators limit their use.

It also shows that some member states - including Austria, Croatia and the Czech Republic - are expected to lag behind.

EU Commissioner Thierry Breton, who is leading jabbing efforts, has previously claimed they will have the capacity to deliver enough doses to hit 'herd immunity' by July 14, which is Bastile Day in France.

Amid the MHRA's safety review of the jab, two senior sources told Channel 4 news that the data is still unclear on the risks of the vaccine.

But the insiders said there are growing arguments to justify offering younger people  below the age of 30 at the very least  a different vaccine.

Both sources, however, emphasised their support for the Oxford jab and their concerns that any restriction of its roll-out could damage public confidence.

Dr June Raine, the agency's chief executive, said: 'The benefits of Covid vaccine AstraZeneca in preventing Covid infection and its complications continue to outweigh any risks and the public should continue to get their vaccine when invited to do so.'

She added: 'Our thorough review into these reports is ongoing.

'We are asking healthcare professionals to report any cases they suspect to be linked with Covid vaccination via the Covid yellow card website.'

The head of the EMA, Emer Cooke, has previously stressed there is 'no evidence' to support restricting the use of the jab across the continent.

She added a link between unusual blood clots in people who have had the jab is 'not proven, but is possible', but added that the benefits far outweigh risks.

The World Health Organization has also urged countries to continue using the 'safe and effective' jab, which offers a backdoor to get the world out of the pandemic.

At least 10 countries in Europe, joined by Germany last night, have put some kind of restriction on the use of AstraZeneca's jab, mostly opting to give it only to over-60s because the CSVT cases seem to be happening in younger adults

Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi pictured receiving his Covid jab. He said today they are expecting the first doses of the long-awaited Moderna jab to arrive this month

But confusion erupted over Moderna's supply today, after Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon revealed the first batch of doses arrived yesterday

MOST EU MEMBERS WILL VACCINATE MAJORITY OF CITIZENS BY JULY Most European Union countries will have vaccinated the majority of their citizens by July, a leaked briefing note revealed today. It predicted supplies would pick up in the coming days, allowing countries including the Germany, France and Spain to jab more than 50 per cent of their populations by the deadline. But it also showed some members - like Croatia and Bulgaria - are expected to lag further behind. For comparison, Britain expects to have offered every citizen a first dose no later than July 31. The forecast, seen by Bloomberg, also expects some 70million inoculations with the AstraZeneca vaccine to be carried out between April and June - despite warnings its use may be suspended for younger age groups. EU Commissioner Thierry Breton, who is leading jabbing efforts, has previously claimed they will have the capacity to deliver enough doses to hit 'herd immunity' by July 14, which is Bastile Day in France. Advertisement

Scientists have shifted their position in recent weeks, to indicate other vaccines against Covid may be better for young people.

Professor Neil Ferguson  the scientist whose grim modelling that 250,000 may die without restrictions scared ministers into imposing Britain's first lockdown last March  said the jab may not be suitable for younger Britons, if a link is proven.

'In terms of the data at the moment, there is increasing evidence that there is a rare risk associated, particularly with the AstraZeneca vaccine,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme yesterday.

'But it may be associated at a lower level with other vaccines, of these unusual blood clots with low platelet counts. It appears that risk is age related, it may possibly be  but the data is weaker on this  related to sex.

'And so the older you are, the less the risk is and also the higher the risk is of Covid so the risk-benefit equation really points very much towards being vaccinated.

'I think it becomes slightly more complicated when you get to younger age groups where the risk-benefit equation is more complicated.'

Professor Paul Hunter, an infectious disease expert at the University of East Anglia, has also warned there may be a link between the AstraZeneca vaccine and blood clots.

He told the Today programme it is 'not uncommon' to get a cluster of rare events by chance.

'But once you find that cluster in one population and it then crops up in another  such as previously in the German and now in the English  then I think the chances of that being a random association is very, very low,' he said.

'Clearly more work needs to be done, but I think the evidence is shifting more towards it being causally related at the moment.'

'[But] the chance of dying if you don't have the vaccine is many times greater than the risk of dying from CVST after the AstraZeneca vaccine, even if it does turn out, as I suspect it will, that this link is causal.'

WHAT IS CVST? AND HOW COULD IT BE LINKED TO ASTRAZENECA'S JAB? Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is an extremely rare type of blood clot in the brain. It occurs when the vein that drains blood from the brain is blocked by a blood clot, resulting in potentially deadly bleeding on the brain. Symptoms can quickly deteriorate from a headache, blurred vision and faintness to complete loss of control over movement and seizures. John Hopkins University estimates it affects five in a million people in the US every year, which would suggest 330 patients in Britain suffer from the condition annually. According to the university, it can affect patients with low blood pressure, cancer, vascular diseases and those prone to blood clotting. Head injuries can also trigger the condition. Britain's regulator said CVST is so rare they aren't even sure how common it is in the general population. Although there isn't any evidence that the blood clots are developing because of vaccinations, some academics have a theory that it is the immune reaction making it happen. Research teams in Germany and Norway claim the blood clotting issue may be caused by the jab, in very rare cases, making the body attack its own platelets. Platelets are tiny chunks of cells inside blood that the body uses to build clots to stop bleeding when someone is injured. But they can also make unwanted clots. Experts from Oslo and Greifswald University believe the jab could cause the body to produce antibodies  normally used to fight off viruses  which mistake platelets in the blood for foreign invaders and attack them. To compensate, the body then overproduces platelets to replace those that are being attacked, causing the blood to thicken and raising the risk of clotting. They admitted they 'don't know why this is happening'. But the researchers say the phenomenon is similar to one that can occur in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), when sufferers take a drug called heparin. Advertisement

Although there isn't any evidence that the blood clots are developing because of vaccinations, some academics have a theory that it is the immune reaction making it happen.

Research teams in Germany and Norway claim the blood clotting issue may be caused by the jab, in very rare cases, making the body attack its own platelets.

Platelets are tiny chunks of cells inside blood that the body uses to build clots to stop bleeding when someone is injured. But they can also make unwanted clots.

Experts from Oslo and Greifswald University believe the jab could cause the body to produce antibodies  normally used to fight off viruses  which mistake platelets in the blood for foreign invaders and attack them.

To compensate, the body then overproduces platelets to replace those that are being attacked, causing the blood to thicken and raising the risk of clotting.

They admitted they 'don't know why this is happening'.

But the researchers say the phenomenon is similar to one that can occur in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), when sufferers take a drug called heparin.

It comes as No10's vaccine minister today revealed the long-awaited Moderna Covid vaccine will be dished out in Britain within the next two weeks.

Nadhim Zahawi said the first batch of the jab  approved by regulators in January  is set to arrive in the third week of this month, with 'more volume' expected in May.

Ministers had promised Moderna's vaccine, which uses mRNA technology such as Pfizer's, would arrive by the spring. Britain has ordered 17million doses.

But confusion erupted over Moderna's supply today, after Nicola Sturgeon revealed the first batch of doses arrived yesterday. If Scotland's First Minister is telling the truth, it means the UK is currently sitting on thousands of vaccines that are proven to work.

Announcing the impending arrival of the Moderna vaccine, Mr Zahawi told BBC Breakfast: 'It will be in deployment around the third week of April in the NHS and we will get more volume in May as well.

'And of course more volume of Pfizer and Oxford/AstraZeneca and we have got other vaccines. We have got the Janssen  Johnson and Johnson  vaccine coming through as well.

'So I am confident that we will be able to meet our target of mid-April offering the vaccine to all over-50s and then end of July offering the vaccine to all adults.'

Despite Mr Zahawi saying the vaccine won't be deployed until later this month, Ms Sturgeon said Scotland had already received its first batch of the jab.

Scotland is due to receive more than one million of the 17million doses ordered by the UK.

The First Minister also said that the doses have already been factored into forward planning for the vaccination programme, and will be delivered over the coming months.

Addressing today's coronavirus briefing in Edinburgh, she said: 'The arrival of this first batch doesn't mean that we are able to accelerate the vaccination programme.

'The speed of vaccination is already taking account of the expected Moderna supplies.

'Nevertheless the fact that we now have three vaccines in use is clearly very welcome and it does give us additional security of supply, which is important.'
realme is bent on making more possibilities come true for the Filipino youth this year with the launch of an exciting line-up of powerful smartphones. To amplify the pivotal role of a capable smartphone in the digital age, realme is collaborating with one of todays most celebrated showbiz royalties -- Kathryn Bernardo! As realme Philippines gears up to maintain the momentum of being the countrys number 1 smartphone brand -- a feat achieved in just two years, Kathryn and realme are set to work on several campaigns that are sure to inspire more young, passionate and bold fans to leverage the power of technology in their quest for success.

Kathryn Bernardo is the most fitting representation of every realme Squad member: fun, determined, and unapologetically real. She embodies the modern-day young adult who is ready to put in the hustle in pursuit of success and fulfillment. Having been in the showbiz limelight for almost two decades now, Kathryn has seen how the pivot to a more digital lifestyle significantly oiled daily nuts and bolts. From live auditions to online portfolios and content creation, Kathryns daily grind in showbusiness has greatly transitioned to digital - where everything is in the cloud and on smartphones. Seeing the crucial role of mobile devices in the lives of todays youth and being a witness to realmes own commitment to offering powerful yet attainable devices have convinced the showbiz A-lister to join the realme family.

My generation saw the dawn of the internet and the shift to digital. Iba na the expectations from young adults like me today. As we aim to perform and deliver better, we need brands like realme that can help us adopt a highly digital lifestyle. I am happy na I am now part of a brand that has the vision of making digital lifestyle experience more accessible to all Filipinos. I am a firm believer that all of us, regardless of financial capability, deserve to experience the help and convenience offered by technology, notes Kathryn. The primetime queen remains active in using the online space to share more of her artistry and real self to fans, racking up a fan base of more than 33 million across all her social media accounts.

realme Philippines Vice President for Marketing Austine Huang shares, As we leap to a new era of digital lifestyle experience, we prioritize collaborating with organizations and young ideators with the same passion and commitment to deliver the beauty of technology to more Filipinos. This is why we are beyond elated to work with one of the entertainment industrys most talented game-changers. We are excited to leap to several exciting projects and break more boundaries with Kathryn this year.

realme and Kathryn will be rolling out several campaigns this 2021 to promote the exciting array of smartphones the leading smart technology brand will be launching. The announcement of its first brand ambassador is among the many milestones realme gears to achieve this year as it maintains its momentum as one of the Filipinos top preferred smartphone brands.
NEW YORK, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Recognify Life Sciences, Inc. (Recognify), an atai Life Sciences (atai) platform company focused on developing treatments for cognitive impairment with initial efforts targeting Cognitive Impairment Associated with Schizophrenia (CIAS), today announced it has initiated a Phase 2a study for its lead compound RL-007, after receiving IND clearance from the Food and Drug Administration to commence clinical trials in the United States in this indication.

Schizophrenia is a mental health disorder primarily characterized by hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking. This condition effects over 21 million people globally and approximately 2.4 million people in the United States, with around 300,000 new cases being diagnosed each year in the US. Cognitive deficits are frequently present in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, and such deficits contribute to the marked disability associated with this condition. There are presently no effective treatment options for CIAS.

The Phase 2a study is a single-arm, multiple dose design in patients who exhibit CIAS, and it evaluates the effects of the drug on safety and tolerability, electroencephalograms and cognition. This study will provide the first data sets for RL-007 in CIAS patients and enable Recognify to progress the product towards a Phase 2b efficacy study in this area of high medical need.

"In a treatment landscape with no effective options, we are determined to progress RL-007 for the treatment of CIAS. We believe that the compound has great potential in CIAS, based upon the promising pro-cognitive profile demonstrated in previous preclinical and clinical studies," said Florian Brand, CEO and co-founder of atai.

"RL-007 is a unique asset that we believe has the potential to bring significant benefit to CIAS patients. We are focused on rapidly executing a series of high-quality studies to understand the utility of the compound in CIAS and clearly demonstrate the cognitive enhancing effects in these patients," said Matt Pando, PhD, CEO and co-founder of Recognify. "This study is the first step towards bringing an effective treatment option to CIAS patients."

About Recognify Life Sciences, Inc.

Recognify Life Sciences is a biotech company leveraging a Phase 2 ready asset to treat Cognitive Impairment Associated with Schizophrenia (CIAS). Recognify's mission is to provide pro-cognitive treatments solutions to mental health disorders, with a primary focus on schizophrenia. The company operates as part of the atai Life Sciences platform.

About atai Life Sciences

atai is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company aiming to transform the treatment of mental health disorders. atai was founded in 2018 as a response to the significant unmet need and lack of innovation in the mental health treatment landscape. atai is dedicated to acquiring, incubating and efficiently developing innovative therapeutics to treat depression, anxiety, addiction, and other mental health disorders. atai's business model combines funding, technology, scientific and regulatory expertise with a focus on psychedelic therapy and other drugs with differentiated safety profiles and therapeutic potential. By pooling resources and best practices, atai aims to responsibly accelerate the development of new medicines across its companies, seeking to effectively treat and ultimately heal mental health disorders. atai's mission is to bridge the gap between what the mental healthcare system currently provides and what patients need. atai is headquartered in Berlin, with offices in New York. For more information, please visit www.atai.life.

Investor Contact:

Greg Weaver

atai  Chief Financial Officer

Email: [email protected]

Media Contact:

Anne Donohoe

KCSA Strategic Communications

Phone: +1 (212) 896-1265

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE atai Life Sciences




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Three simple letters borrowed from a well-known Italian automaker kicked off the muscle car revolution that sent hearts racing for a decade starting in the year 1964. The Pontiac GTO may be best known today for Tri-Power carburetors, Hurst shifters, stacked headlights and Judge Sammy Davis Jr., but there can be little argument that the most rewarding of Pontiacs coupes to actually drive came several decades later.

After ending its initial production run in 1974 as a one-year-only variant based on the Ventura (otherwise known as Pontiacs version of the X-body Chevy Nova), GMs performance division brought the GTO back for the 2004 model year. This time, though, the Goat was built in Australia before setting sail to America, based on the well-regarded bones of the Holden Monaro.

Despite the flowing aerodynamic bodywork and modern fuel-injected engine, the basic GTO premise remained the same: plop the biggest and most powerful engine possible into the smallest chassis available and put it on the showroom floor. The reborn GTO survived just three model years, killed by high prices, poor marketing, the expense of shipping and certifying the Australian machine for the U.S. market and possibly even the rapidly approaching end of the Pontiac brand itself.

Why the Pontiac GTO?

Well, this seems obvious: performance. The 2004 GTO featured a 5.7-liter LS1 V8 engine (the classic 350 cubic-inch GM small block displacement), but for 2005 and 2006 the GTO was blessed with the larger 6.0-liter LS2. That pushed power from 350 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque to an even 400 horses and torques.

With the new, upgraded V8 underhood, the GTOs 0-60 time dropped from an estimated 5.3 seconds to just 4.7. The quarter-mile time fell from an already excellent 13.8 seconds to 13 flat, making this the quickest GTO that Pontiac ever (officially) produced and sold to the public. With a top speed of 180 miles per hour, it was also the fastest.

Story continues

But theres more to the late GTO than just performance numbers. The Holden Monaro-based chassis was a good one, with a stiff structure and independent suspension at all four corners. Unlike previous GTOs, Pontiacs last-ditch muscle car didnt roll over when the road got twisty. Still, its ride was tuned for comfort, making the GTO a lovely daily driver throughout the week thats capable of inducing grins at any kind of race track on the weekends.

General Motors LS-series of engines have proven very durable over the years. Its not the lazy, lumpy V8 that powered the original GTOs, despite the fact that it relies on pushrods and displacement to make a wide band of torque just like muscle cars of old. Its under-stressed and comparatively old-school design is a boon for longevity. The Long-Term Quality Index study found at dashboard-light.com bears this out with an above average reliability score.



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Which Pontiac GTO to choose?

Theres something to be said about grabbing the first model year of a potential future collectible, so there could be some intrinsic value to the 2004 GTO. Thats true of the seminal 1964 edition, despite the fact that power increased for 1965 and continued to climb until just about every automaker took a compression-lowering hit in 1971.

But if youre looking for the best version of the modern GTO, the 2005 and 2006 with the LS2 engine are the ones to look for. Past that, potential buyers will have to decide if they want the standard four-speed automatic or the optional six-speed manual. Either option will offer plenty of performance, with the auto likely equaling more repeatable runs at the drag strip. But for sheer driving excitement, its hard to beat a clutch pedal.

The GTO was offered in some interesting colors, including Cosmos Purple for the 2004 model year and Yellow Jacket in 04 and 05. Brazen Orange Metallic was available in 2006. If youre on the lookout for something unique, those far-out hues werent as popular as standard coupe colors like red, silver and black. Some GTOs also had eye-catching interiors with red, blue or even purple leather. Buyers who want to fly as far under the radar as possible may want to cast a wide net and look for an early model without the hood scoops that became standard in 2005.

Availability and listings

Pontiac sold a total of 40,808 GTOs over the relaunched models three-year production run. Fortunately, a good number of buyers recognized that the GTO had potential to appreciate after a bit of time passed. And it still may. So far, though, the 2004-2006 GTOs remain relative bargains.

As of this writing in April of 2021, Kelley Blue Book pricing ranges from between around $11,000 for a 2004 in very good condition to around $18,000 for a 2006 in similarly good shape.

Our used vehicle listings can be helpful to find a good deal near you. Narrow the offerings down by a radius around your ZIP code, and pay attention to the deal rating on each listing to see how a vehicle compares with others in a similar area.

What else to consider

Its not easy to pinpoint the GTOs competitors. The Ford Mustang offered a hundred fewer horses and wasnt as lavishly appointed or as expensive when new as the Pontiac, but also boasts an iconic nameplate. A nice 2006 Mustang GT coupe should pull something near $12,000.

The third generation of the Dodge Challenger debuted for the 2008 model year with an optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 that spun out as much as 375 horsepower or a bigger 6.1-liter in the SRT8 model with 425 horses. A 2009 Challenger R/T ought to cost less than $17,000 in very good condition.

We should also mention that the GTO wasn't Pontiac's last effort at making a strong performance push. The G8 was another Australian import produced from 2008 until the brand's untimely demise in 2009. The most desirable V8 versions of the G8 sedan are probably prohibitively expensive for buyers who may be considering a bargain-priced GTO, as are the Holden-built Chevrolet SS sedans that came several years later.
The heartbreaking moment a crying migrant child approached a U.S. Border Patrol officer near the Mexico-United States border in Texas and asked for help has been captured on video.

The boy can be seen walking towards the Border Patrol agent and asking for assistance because he had been dumped near the Rio Grande.

'It's that I was coming with a group and they abandoned me and I do not know where they are at,' the child told the officer in Spanish.

The boy is one of hundreds of unaccompanied children crossing the border each day.

New government statistics released last week revealed that 171,000 migrants were caught by US authorities at the border in March - the highest monthly total in two decades and the latest sign of the mounting humanitarian challenge confronting President Joe Biden.

The total includes about 19,000 unaccompanied migrant children and 53,000 family members traveling together, the preliminary figures showed.

The March arrest totals at the US-Mexico border represent the highest monthly level since April 2000 when border patrol agents caught more than 180,000 migrants.

President Joe Biden last month named Vice President Kamala Harris to lead the administration's efforts in finding a long-lasting solution for its immigration crisis.

A migrant boy, who was abandoned in southern Texas after crossing over from Mexico, was recorded on video in tears and asking a U.S. Border Patrol agent for help last Thursday. The child had spent the night in the desert after he was abandoned by the group of migrants he had crossed the border with and feared he would be 'abducted.' U.S. Customs and Border Protection has not released the child's age or nationality

A U.S. Border Patrol agent traveling on a dirt road east of Rio Grande City found an abandoned migrant boy crying and asking for assistance last Thursday after he had been abandoned by a group of migrants that had illegally crossed the Mexico-United States

In the video of the boy begging for help, the agent asks: 'You do not know where they are at? They left you alone?'

The distraught child, struggling to maintain his composure, had apparently been sent to the United States by his parents, who were not part of the migrant group he had been traveling with.

'At the end they abandoned me. I have come here to ask you for help,' the frightened boy said.

Vice President Kamala Harris has been chosen by President Joe Biden White House to find a solution for the migrant crisis at the southern United States border

The agent asked the boy if he had been instructed 'to come ask for help,' but the the child replied, 'no, I am coming because if I did not, where am I going to go? Somebody could abduct me, kidnap me. I am scared.'

The incident reportedly took place east of Rio Grande City on April 1 after the border agent had finished his shift, his friend Anjel Hernandez wrote on Facebook.

Univision reported that the child, whose age and nationality have not been made public by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, spent the entire night trekking through the Rio Grande Valley region after his unlawful entry into the country.

U.S. Border Patrol El Paso Sector chief Gloria Chavez told the network that parents should think about their children's well-being each time they are sent alone to cross the perilous Mexico-United States border.

Disturbing footage released by US Customs Border and Protection showed the moment the girls were dropped, one after another, over the barrier in the middle of the night

The girls, pictured above immediately after being dropped, were rescued by agents soon after and taken to the Santa Teresa Border Patrol Station for medical evaluation

The sisters from Ecuador, who are aged three and five, were pictured interacting with El Paso Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gloria Chavez after being rescued

Military builds six enormous tents at Fort Bliss Army post in Texas that can each hold 1,000 migrants The US Military has built six tents at the Fort Bliss Army base in Texas that can each hold up to 1,000 migrants - but soldiers have reportedly been banned from photographing the camp amid the border crisis. The tents, officially referred to as Emergency Intake Shelters, were set up at Fort Bliss in El Paso last month to house unaccompanied migrants amid an influx arriving at the US-Mexico border. Officials have refused to say how many migrants are currently being held at the army base but White House press secretary Jen Psaki said last month that the Fort Bliss facility could house about 5,000 beds. No official photos have been released of the Fort Bliss Emergency Intake Shelters so far. The tents, officially referred to as Emergency Intake Shelters, were set up at Fort Bliss in El Paso last month to cater for unaccompanied migrant children amid an influx of those arriving at the US-Mexico border. Photo courtesy of CBS4 Officials have refused to say how many migrants are currently being held at the army base but White House press secretary Jen Psaki said last month that the Fort Bliss facility could house about 5,000 beds. Photo courtesy of CBS4 Sources told Fox News that military personnel at the army base have been ordered not to take photos of the tents. The only images of the tents that have been made public have come from two lawmakers who visited Fort Bliss to inspect the intake shelters over the last two weeks. The six tents can be seen in the background of photos posted on Twitter by Democrat Rep. Veronica Escobar and Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales. Those same sources said there were plans to have more tents erected in the future to cater for more migrants. The tents put up so far came after the Department of Health and Human Services received approval from the Pentagon last month to house unaccompanied migrant children at the army base. The Biden administration has been battling to house and process an increasing number of unaccompanied children at the border in recent weeks, who have been backed up in crowded border stations and processing centers for days. The tents, officially referred to as Emergency Intake Shelters, (pictured above) were set up at Fort Bliss in El Paso last month to cater for unaccompanied migrant children amid an influx of those arriving at the US-Mexico border The only images of the tents that have been made public have come from two lawmakers, Democrat Rep. Veronica Escobar, who visited Fort Bliss to inspect the intake shelters over the last two weeks No official photos have been released of the Fort Bliss Emergency Intake Shelters so far The shelter system that houses the children has been overwhelmed and the Department of Health and Human Services has scrambled to open the emergency shelters. After weeks of shutting the media out and releasing their own photos, the Biden administration let a handful of photographers into its main border detention facility for migrant children in Donna, Texas, last week. More than 4,000 migrants, including children and families, were seen crammed into pods, with the facility running at 1,700 percent capacity. At that point, 2,000 children had already overstayed their 72-hour legal limit. Most of those inside the tents were unaccompanied children who were being processed before being taken to shelters run by the Department of Health and Human Services and then subsequently placed with a family member, relative or sponsor. After weeks of shutting the media out and releasing their own photos, the Biden administration let a handful of photographers into its main border detention facility for migrant children in Donna, Texas, last week (above) Advertisement

'To all parents who are considering sending their unaccompanied children to the border, please reconsider because it is very dangerous to expose children, Chavez said.

Official CBP figures show that apprehensions at the border have increased for 10 consecutive months, including the last nine of Trump's administration.

President Biden's administration has encountered a surge at the southern border over the last two months.

On March 24, Biden tapped Harris to lead the administration's efforts to stem what he called a 'serious spike' in immigration at the border.

The president announced his decision in a meeting with Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on the situation at the border.

Biden said he has asked Harris 'to lead our efforts' with Mexico and other nations that need help in 'stemming' immigration.

He described her as the most qualified person for the job, pointing to her work as state attorney general of California.

'I've asked her, the VP today because she's most qualified person to do it to lead our efforts with Mexico and the northern triangle and the countries that need help in stemming the movement of so many folks stemming migration to our southern border,' he said.

'She's most qualified person to do it to lead our efforts,' he said.

The image of the child asking the Border Patrol officer was recorded just two days after U.S. Border Patrol released a surveillance video that showed human smugglers dropping two girls from Ecuador over a 14-foot high border wall in the New Mexico desert.

The sisters, aged three and five, were rescued by agents Tuesday and transferred to the Santa Teresa Border Patrol Station for medical evaluation.

Fox News obtained a photo Friday, that shows the girls interacting with Chavez, who handed them snacks at the processing center.

Biden now wants to RESTART construction on Trump's border wall to 'plug the gaps' - with kids' camps way over capacity and a new surge of migrants coming from Guatemala

Joe Biden is considering restarting construction on Donald Trump's southern border wall as his administration continues to grapple with a growing immigration crisis including record numbers of illegal crossers.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told employees, according to the Washington Times, that construction might resume to plug 'gaps' in the current barrier between the U.S. and Mexico.

The move comes as Biden made a big spectacle on Day One of his administration by issuing an executive order freezing Department of Defense funding for border wall construction. He later officially ended the emergency order at the border, but there were concerns about where the funds would go that were already appropriated for the border wall project.

Now Biden's administration is facing record numbers of migrants arriving at the southern border every day and federal government holding facilities are 'stretched beyond thin,' according to an independent report concluded after a visit to the sites.

Mayorkas told Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) employees during a meeting last week that Biden canceling the construction left 'room to make decisions' on finishing 'gaps in the wall.'

Joe Biden is considering restarting construction on Donald Trump's southern border wall to fill 'gaps'

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said construction would help fill 'gaps in the wall' as the Biden administration faces an increased immigration crisis and record numbers of illegal crossers

These gaps allow migrants to cross into the U.S. by foot, likely exacerbating the ongoing crisis

Here many large unfinished gaps can be seen in the border fencing in Cameron County, Texas

In Douglas, Arizona, a gap is filled with vehicle barriers that don't stop people crossing on foot

'It's not a single answer to a single question. There are different projects that the chief of the Border Patrol has presented and the acting commissioner of CBP [Customs and Border Protection] presented to me,' Mayorkas said, according to notes of the ICE session reviewed by the Times.

'The president has communicated quite clearly his decision that the emergency that triggered the devotion of DOD funds to the construction of the border wall is ended,' he continued. 'But that leaves room to make decisions as the administration  as part of the administration  in particular areas of the wall that need renovation, particular projects that need to be finished.'

On February 11, Biden ended Trump's southern border emergency, which was issued through executive order in February 2019.

In the reversal, Biden slammed Trump by saying: 'Building a massive wall that spans the entire southern border is not a serious policy solution. It is a waste of money that diverts attention from genuine threats to our homeland security.'

There were immediate concerns with the legality of the reversal, with experts claiming it could be illegal for Biden to stop funding that was already appropriate in Congress-approved funding for the wall specifically.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) launched an inquiry last month related to Biden stopping funding for the border wall construction project.

The president campaigned on the promise of immediately ending the building work along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told ICE employees on Friday they are considering filling 'gaps' and 'gates'

Charles Young, a public affairs officer for the GAO, confirmed they were investigating whether Biden was legally allowed to end the construction.

Congress approved nearly $1.4 billion in border wall funding in December 2020 for fiscal year 2021 as part of a $900 billion coronavirus stimulus package under Trump.

Chair of the Senate Republican Policy Committee Roy Blunt slammed Biden for the change, claiming as a 36-year veteran of the Senate, he should know procedure better.

'He was in the Congress a long time,' Blunt said. 'He knows it's the Congress' job to authorize how the money is spent and the president's job to spend it efficiently.'

It now appears that Biden could be reversing his reversal by going forward with construction of the wall  at least in some parts.

Mayorkas says these new projects at the wall could include filling in 'gaps,' adding 'gates' and reconciling areas 'where the wall has been completed but the technology has not been implemented.'

Notes of the meeting show CBP, the agency that oversees the border wall, has submitted a plan for what it wants to see implemented.

Border and immigration agencies are struggling to find places for the mass amount of migrants.

While Biden's administration vows they are turning away the majority of adults and family units, they claim they will not turn away unaccompanied children arriving at the border.
[April 05, 2021] TriNet Webinar: HR Challenges and Pitfalls as Employees Return to Work

DUBLIN, Calif., April 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --







WHAT: TriNet Webinar: HR Challenges and Pitfalls as Employees Return to Work





The importance of creating a positive culture within a hybrid work environment and maintaining business continuity in the face of future COVID disruptions, just scratch the surface of topics that need to be addressed as business leaders prepare to return their workforce to the office.





Jacqueline Breslin, director, HR & compliance services at TriNet, and Kelly Pacatte, SPHR, MBA, senior consultant, HR & compliance services at TriNet, will share insights into potential HR challenges that small and medium-size businesses (SMBs) will face and how to prepare for them as companies adapt to a new normal in the workplace. This includes timely topics such as helping managers and employees adjust to life back in the office, team building in the time of social distancing, and prioritizing employee safety and well-being.



WHO: Jacqueline Breslin, director, HR & compliance services, TriNet





Kelly Pacatte, SPHR, MBA, senior consultant, HR & compliance services, TriNet



WHEN: Thursday, April 8, 2021 at 10AM PT / 1PM ET



WHERE: Register here to join the webinar.

About TriNet

TriNet (NYSE: TNET) provides small and medium-size businesses (SMBs) with full-service HR solutions tailored by industry. To free SMBs from HR complexities, TriNet offers access to human capital expertise, benefits, risk mitigation and compliance, payroll and real-time technology. From Main Street to Wall Street, TriNet empowers SMBs to focus on what matters most-growing their business. TriNet, incredible starts here. For more information, visit TriNet.com or follow us on Twitter. TriNet and the TriNet logo are registered trademarks of TriNet. All other trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, or registered service marks are the property of their respective owners. Investors: Media: Alex Bauer Renee Brotherton TriNet TriNet Investorrelations@TriNet.com PR@TriNet.com (510) 875-7201 (925) 965-8441 View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/trinet-webinar-hr-challenges-and-pitfalls-as-employees-return-to-work-301262400.html SOURCE TriNet Group, Inc.

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New Delhi, April 6 : realme on Tuesday unveiled a new smartphone quality standard for young users in the presence of renowned German certification agency TUV Rheinland, whose certifications are offered to handsets ranging from flagship to affordable ones.

The company is the first smartphone brand in the world to get TUV Rheinland High Reliability certification. realme C21 and realme C25 are the first smartphones to obtain this certification.

"We are also pleased to announce that we have partnered with the world-renowned authority in quality TUV Rheinland and have worked together with them to set new, upgraded quality standards for smartphones," Madhav Sheth, Vice President, realme and Chief Executive Officer, realme India and Europe said in a statement.

The company said it will use the certification to do quality control and tests across all of the realme smartphones.

The TUV Rheinland smartphone High Reliability Certification process encompasses 23 major tests, including 10 daily use test scenarios, such as drop, wear, and tear; seven extreme environment test scenarios, including super extreme temperature, extreme humidity, voltage fluctuation, button life, static electricity, air pressure; and six component reliability test scenarios.
Charles Leclerc says he is ready to extend his current Ferrari contract for an even longer period.

Ferrari stunned the F1 paddock in 2019 by announcing that its new Monaco-born driver, then just 21, would be staying for the next five full seasons.

"I have a contract until the end of 2024," the now 23-year-old Leclerc confirmed to La Repubblica newspaper, "but I would like to renew it already.

"I want to stay here even longer. I believe in Ferrari and the people who work for it," he added.

(GMM)
Update: LAPD Chief Says Credential Process Needs Reform After Journalists Detentions

After multiple journalists were detained by Los Angeles Police Department officers while covering the March 25 demonstrations at Echo Park Lake, Chief Michel Moore told police commissioners today that the department is working to reform its credentialing process.

We need a means of which to issue those credentials more expeditiously, including potentially on scene or announcing a site that will do credentialing for an upcoming announced event. Those are the processes that are being worked on now, Moore said during Tuesdays police commission meeting.

He also said that the department should work with members of the media to obtain from those individuals their definition of how credentialing should be accomplished, as well as who constitutes a member of the media,referring to journalists whose work is primarily through social media and not a traditional media outlet.

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Los Angeles Times reporter James Queally, who was detained while covering the protests despite showing officers his credentials, tweeted his response to Moores comments at the meeting: OK, but can we have a discussion as to what constitutes accepted creds? National news happens here, and out-of-towners wont have LAPD/LASD creds.

During the Echo Park Lake protests, reporters with Natl Press Photographers Assn. creds were arrested, Queally wrote. He added that the New York Police Department has accepted his LAPD credentials when he covered national news stories in that state.

The LAPD has come under fire in recent weeks from the public, the media and members of the Los Angeles City Council for its detention of journalists covering the protests against the citys closure of Echo Park Lake and the clearing of a large homeless encampment that had developed in the park during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On March 25, officers detained Queally, as well as Spectrum News 1s Kate Cagle, who had Los Angeles County credentials, and Knock L.A. reporters Jonathan Peltz and Kate Gallagher.

Councilmen Mike Bonin and Kevin de Leon introduced a motion on March 31 requesting a report from the LAPD on officers detention of journalists and the departments broader conduct toward journalists, including its credential process.

The Society of Professional Journalists Greater Los Angeles chapter said they requested an investigation by the police commission and the determination of what additional training is needed to ensure the LAPD correctly identifies members of the news media at breaking news events and allows them to have freedom of movement to cover those events.

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During Tuesdays meeting, commissioners asked Moore for information about the current credentialing process. Moore responded that members of the media who want credentials must provide proof to the departments media relations division that they are a bona fide member of a media outlet. Moore said the current system is criticized for being too narrow, too cumbersome and too slow, as well as leaving out freelance journalists.
Two barracks in the Banda jail have been converted into an isolation cell for mafia don and Bahujan Samaj Party MLA Mukhtar Ansari, who will be lodged here after he is brought back to Uttar Pradesh from Punjab.

The barrack will have a three-layer security, said the police. The outer security ring will be manned by two teams of civil police, each led by a sub-inspector and 10 armed constables.

The second security ring will comprise special CCTVs that have been installed at the entry points and a team of five jail officials which will keep an eye on the CCTV footage round-the-clock.

The third and innermost ring will comprise a team of jail warders.

The 100-member police team that is in Ropar, is likely to return with the mafia don, late on Tuesday night.

A security audit was conducted by prison headquarters after which the security has been beefed up.

A jail officer has also been deputed who will keep in contact with prison headquarters in Lucknow.

Pramod Tiwari, acting superintendent of the Banda District Jail, said no other prisoner can access Barrack Number-15 where Mukhtar Ansari will be kept.

"Three prison guards will be deployed inside the barrack," he said.

Inspector General, Chitrakoot Dham Range, K. Satyanarayan, said a PAC unit has also been deployed outside the Banda jail.

A temporary police outpost has also been recommended outside the jail.

Satyanarayan said the Banda police has been kept on high alert and checking of lodges, hotels, rest houses in the district was being done since Monday.

The Uttar Pradesh Police said that Mukhtar Ansari is facing 52 cases in the state and elsewhere, and 15 of them are in the trial stage.

The BSP MLA from Mau has been lodged in Rupnagar prison since January 2019 in connection with an extortion case.

The police have, till now, arrested 96 criminals and seized, freed, or demolished property worth Rs 192 crore linked to the BSP MLA and his associates.

Meanwhile, Mukhtar Ansari's family members have said that they fear for his life in Uttar Pradesh.

Mukhtar Ansari's brother and BSP MP from Ghazipur, Afzal Ansari, expressed apprehension that a 'conspiracy' may be hatched against him in the UP jail.

"The Ansari family is worried following the media reports and statements made by the BJP leaders. We will approach the judiciary on the issue of security for Mukhtar. When a problem is being created by the state government, then there is no option except seeking the shelter of the judiciary. Justice is still alive in the country. I am confident that justice will prevail and Mukhtar will be proved innocent in all cases," he said.

His wife Afshan Ansari had earlier written to the President of India, seeking his intervention in the matter.

Meanwhile, family sources said that they planned to take a house on rent in Banda to ensure that they remain close to Ansari.

It may be recalled that Mukhtar and his wife Afsha had suffered a heart attack in the Banda jail in 2018. The two reportedly fell unconscious after consuming tea inside the jail. Afsha had gone to meet her husband.
WINNIPEG, MB and TORONTO, April 6, 2021 /CNW/ - Wellington-Altus Holdings Inc. (Wellington-Altus) today welcomed Paula Kaner as Executive Vice-President and Chief Risk Officer. Paula has spent 30 years in the financial services industry in senior leadership roles and has deep expertise with the regulatory framework in Canada.

Paula Kaner, EVP and Chief Risk Officer (CNW Group/Wellington-Altus Holdings Inc.)

In this role, Paula will manage all elements of risk for Wellington-Altus. As the company sets its sights on $20 billion in Assets Under Administration ("AUA"), risk mitigation remains a key priority. Paula will further enhance Wellington-Altus' enterprise risk management framework to support the company's robust growth strategy.

"We are constantly investing in our business to enable our advisors to best serve their clients. Having a solid foundation in risk management and compliance allows our advisors to focus on innovation and growth," said Shaun Hauser, Wellington-Altus Co-Founder and President. "Paula's unique blend of entrepreneurial executive leadership and extensive regulatory experience is a powerful combination that fundamentally aligns with our values and goals."

Paula brings expert knowledge of securities regulation, capital markets, and regulatory infrastructure in Canada and internationally. She joins Wellington-Altus after a decade with the Alberta Securities Commission where she played a significant role in the regulation of Alberta's Capital Market, including oversight and policy development for self-regulatory organizations, marketplaces, clearing agencies and crypto-asset trading platforms.

"I am excited to join this dynamic, forward-thinking, independent firm. Wellington-Altus has an outstanding reputation for putting clients first. I look forward to building on this reputation by implementing practical solutions that foster the company's growth while mitigating risk and protecting investors," said Paula Kaner.

Paula has a strong entrepreneurial background, having co-founded and built a financial services company headquartered in Winnipeg. She was also previously Chief Financial Officer for a growing, publicly traded tech company. Paula began her career as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG and earned a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree from the University of Manitoba.

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About Wellington-Altus Holdings Inc.

Founded in 2017, Wellington-Altus Holdings Inc. (Wellington-Altus) is the parent company to Wellington-Altus Private Wealththe top-rated* wealth advisory company in Canada. With more than $15 billion in assets under administration, and offices across the country, Wellington-Altus identifies with successful, entrepreneurial advisors and portfolio managers, and their high-net-worth clients. For more information, visit wellington-altus.ca.

*Investment Executive 2020 Brokerage Report Card.

Wellington-Altus Holdings Inc. (CNW Group/Wellington-Altus Holdings Inc.)

SOURCE Wellington-Altus Holdings Inc.

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A delay in Somalias electoral process has created a political crisis in Somalia. The United States is deeply concerned by the electoral impasse in Somalia, which is creating political uncertainty that threatens security, stability, and development in the country, said Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a written statement.

According to Somalias provisional constitution, parliamentary and presidential elections must be held within the governments four-year electoral mandate.

In September 2020, President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, who is also know as Farmaajo, and Somalias five Federal Member State leaders agreed on a framework for holding elections, but implementation has broken down as the parties have accused one another of seeking to manipulate the process to their benefit. Multiple rounds of negotiations to resolve the electoral impasse have failed, resulting in political gridlock.

President Farmaajos mandate expired February 8, but he has remained in office, citing Parliaments decision when it endorsed the September 2020 election framework agreement to extend his mandate and its own until elections are completed.

President Farmaajo has thus far refused demands from opposition forces that he cede control over the election process and security institutions, as was the practice during delays in political transitions in 2012 and 2016. This has increased tensions and prospects for violence, and clashes between federal security elements and opposition-affiliated clan militias broke out in Mogadishu February 19 in advance of and during opposition-led protests against the government. This is a dangerous situation and must be resolved immediately.

We call on Somalias federal and member state leaders to set aside narrow political objectives, uphold their responsibilities to the people of Somalia, and agree to immediately hold transparent and inclusive elections, said Secretary of State Blinken.

The current impasse undermines progress made to date, delays reforms urgently needed for Somalia to continue on the path to full debt relief, and hinders the fight against terrorism. The United States supports the right of Somali citizens to protest peacefully and firmly opposes the use of violence by any party. We urge Somalias leaders to safeguard the countrys future and find agreement to immediately conduct parliamentary and presidential elections.
Canada Independent Bookstore Day is returning this April 24, the same day as Independent Bookstore Day hosted by the American Booksellers Association in the U.S.

The Canadian event went dormant for several years after being taken over by the Retail Council of Canada in 2018, but is now being run by the Canadian Independent Bookstore Association. So far some 60 bookstores across Canada and seven publishers including Anansi, ECW Press, HarperCollins Canada, Orca Books, Scholastic and others are offering discounts and promotions.

Shelley Macbeth, who is the head of the board of CIBA and owns Blue Heron Books in Uxbridge, Ont., told Quill & Quire, that they were doing their best to make the most of the event in a challenging year. In addition, she said they were trying to recruit new stores to participate, even if they were not yet members of CIBA, which launched officially last year and remains a nascent organization.

According to research from CIBA, there are between 200 to 250 independent bookstores in Canada. In 2019, sales at independent bookstores totaled C$79 million. As an overall percentage of sales, indie booksellers sell Canadian titles at twice the rate of the rest of the market.

Perhaps bookstores had not jumped on board previously because they felt they were too small, too far flung, too off-the-beaten track. The focus used to be on getting authors into your stores. The point this year is to celebrate who you are, where you are. What you do in your community. She added, "The overarching theme is to promote the fact that Canadian indie bookstores are an integral part of our culture and they are champions of Canadian authors and creators from diverse backgrounds. We are trying to get that word out.
A young woman with an obsession for designer labels has faced court after going on a violent Gumtree crime spree that left two men in hospital.

Brylie Stratton, 22, targeted Melbourne sellers on the popular classified website by posing as a potential buyer and then speeding off with their luxury goods.

On one occasion the woman from Coburg in the city's north bashed a man's face with the very same computer she was trying to steal as he attempted to stop her from driving away by reaching into the car window, the Herald Sun reported.

Brylie Stratton, 22, targeted Melbourne sellers on the popular classified website by posing as a potential buyer and then speeding off with their luxury goods (stock image)

The repeated blows with the MacBook Pro opened up a gash over the man's eye which required stitches.

He also badly injured his left foot in the June 9 incident in Derrimut, Melbourne's west, when he lost his grip and fell from the car.

The victim had to undergo surgery and was in hospital for two days.

But Stratton was back at it again just a few weeks later on July 30, dragging a man on Little Bourke Street in central Melbourne up to 50metres.

He was also trying to reach into her stolen red Mazda CX5 to retrieve an Apple device after the two discussed a sale.

The fall caused serious leg and arm injuries for the restaurant manager who had to be rushed to hospital.

Officers found three Louis Vuitton handbags, a Louis Vuitton purse, a Gucci purse, an Apple Watch, a Kathmandu jacket and $450 cash in Stratton's home (stock image)

Stratton often targeted sellers offloading Apple products like MacBooks, iPhones and watches (stock image)

Just hours before stealing the iPhone, Stratton had done a runner on another man in Bulleen, north-east Melbourne, who showed her his $1400 Apple MacBook Pro laptop.

Police finally pounced on the serial thief on August 7 with a subsequent search of her residence uncovering a treasure trove of designer goods.

Officers found three Louis Vuitton handbags, a Louis Vuitton purse, a Gucci purse, an Apple Watch, a Kathmandu jacket and $450 cash.

Stratton pleaded guilty to a litany of charges last week at the Melbourne Magistrates' Court including theft, car theft, wilfully damaging property, failing to comply with a court order and attempted theft.

'I'm not satisfied that you have a proper appreciation of how serious this matter is,' Magistrate Angela Bolger told Stratton.

She will be formally sentenced on April 20.

A co-accused, 17, also linked to the crime spree remains on bail awaiting trial.
TEL AVIV, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 06th Apr, 2021) Mohamed Mahmoud Al Khaja, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the State of Israel, today arrived in Tel Aviv on the inaugural flight by Etihad Airways from Abu Dhabi.

The initiation of regular flight services between the UAE and Israel by Etihad Airways comes in the wake of the historic Abraham Accords. The Accords, which established relations between the UAE and Israel, have fostered bilateral economic, political, diplomatic, and cultural cooperation since their signing in September 2020.

Delivering remarks upon his arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport, Mohamed Al Khaja stated, "Since the signing of the Abraham Accords between Israel and the UAE, our two countries have worked together to embark upon a new and dynamic era of cooperation."

He added, "As our countries recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, we have much to look forward to in commercial, diplomatic, technological, health, and tourism exchanges.

"

"Having made history with the Abraham Accords, the UAE and Israel are prepared to build upon our shared achievements to usher in the next phase of cooperation," he continued.

Onboard Etihads inaugural flight to Tel Aviv was a diplomatic and economic delegation representing the UAE with the aim of developing bilateral cooperation and promoting tourism between the two countries. The flight also included Eitan Naeeh, Israels Head of Mission to the UAE, and Tony Douglas, Etihads Group Chief Executive Officer of the Etihad Aviation Group.

Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, said: "Launching our first commercial scheduled operation is not only an important milestone for Etihad but a significant moment for the UAE and Israel." He added, "We are proud to welcome such a high-profile delegation on board, proving the importance of this occasion, and we look forward to connecting Israel with Abu Dhabi, the UAE and onwards to destinations worldwide."
Vets in Thailand have removed an enormous 3.7lbs (1.7kg) gallstone from a 50-year-old elephant.

Vets realised there was something wrong with Sai Thong when she lost her appetite and was struggling to go to the toilet.

They took action when the 50-year-old elephant collapsed with severe stomach-ache at an elephant camp in Pattaya, eastern Thailand.

Vets from Bangkok's Kasetsart University visited the three-tonne jumbo to check on her health. At first, they thought the condition was due to old age.

However, the medics were shocked when they performed an endoscopy on March 30 and found a 20cm by 15cm stone inside her gallbladder.

Vets in Thailand have removed an enormous 3.7lbs (1.7kg) gallstone from a 50-year-old elephant

Vets realised there was something wrong with Sai Thong when she lost her appetite and was struggling to go to the toilet

The vets operated on the jumbo the same day by tying her on a harness attached to a crane used on building sites to keep her upright and prevent her from falling over during the procedure, when general anaesthetics were given.

After six hours, the team of more than 20 vets were able to extract the huge 3.7lbs (1.7kg) stone from her gallbladder.

Associate Professor Dr Nikorn Thongthip, part of the veterinary team that operated on Sai Thong, said it was only the second time in the world that a gallstone had been removed from an elephant.

Vets took action after the 50-year-old elephant collapsed with severe stomach-ache at an elephant camp in Pattaya, eastern Thailand

Vets from Bangkok's Kasetsart University initially visited the three-tonne jumbo to check on her health

Initially, they thought her symptoms were a result of old age, but later discovered the massive gallstone lodged in her gallbladder

The vets made the shocking discovery when they performed an endoscopy on Sai Thong on March 30 and found the 20cm by 15cm gallstone

After six hours of surgery, the team of more than 20 vets were able to extract the huge 3.7lbs (1.7kg) stone from her gallbladder

Vets have performed the delicate operation on an elephant before, with Kham Moon who had more than 162 small stones weighing a total of 17.6lbs (8kg) (pictured next to Sai Thong's gallstone)

Vet Thongthip said the operation was a breakthrough for the international veterinary community and said many institutes had asked the faculty to share the knowledge on treating large animals

Vet Thongthip said the operation was a breakthrough for the international veterinary community and said many institutes had asked the faculty to share the knowledge on treating large animals.

The vet added: 'This is only the second case in the world of a gallstone being removed from an elephant. The first time, we performed a similar surgery on Kham Moon, a 45-year-old male elephant.

'However the case of Sai Thong is different, as we removed one big gallstone weighing 3.7lbs (1.7kg). In the case of Kham Moon, we removed over 162 small gallstones weighing a total of 17.6lbs (8kg).'

The poor elephant has been left with an infected urethra as a result of weeks of having difficulty urinating because of the massive gallstone.

Sai Thong was examined after she collapsed because of the massive gallstone. She has been left with an infected urethra as a result of the gallstone

The 3.7lbs (1.7kg) gallstone was discovered during an endoscopy - when a long, thin tube is inserted directly into the body to observe internal organs in detail

The vets operated by tying her on a harness attached to a crane used on building sites to keep her upright and prevent her from falling over during the procedure

Medics said that Sai Thong almost had an acute kidney failure due to the massive blockage in her bladder and needed blood transfusions following the operation.

Vet Thongthip said: 'I am relieved that we were able to treat her before the infection became acute. The operation was successful thanks to everyone's efforts.'

Elephants are the national animal of Thailand.

An estimated 2,000 elephants are living in the wild and a similar number in captivity where they live in sanctuaries, zoos or work privately for hire at weddings and festivals.

Sai Thong was held by a harness while she was under sedation so the vets could perform the vital surgery

The 50-year-old elephant was put under general anaesthetic while the vets removed the gallstone from her gallbladder
The Reserve Bank of Indias attempt to flush out excess dollars from the local market has offered a unique arbitrage opportunity for some banks.

Lenders are using a regulatory loophole to make a sizable profit, according to people with knowledge of the matter. A large bank could easily rack up exposures of more than $1 billion using this strategy, multiple traders said, asking not to be identified as the deals arent public. Top beneficiaries from these trades are foreign banks, which have large and easy access to dollar stockpiles.

At the center of the strategy is the RBIs decision in February to remove limits on local bank exposures to other countries and central banks. Governor Shaktikanta Das had been hoping that banks would use their excess dollars to buy US Treasuries, for instance, rather than offload them in the local market where price dislocations were making it costlier for Indian companies to hedge.

The cause of concern was the so-called forward premia -- the cost to buy dollars at a future date -- which was at the highest level in more than four years. The rate had surged partly because of the RBIs attempts at intervention: its long-dollar book rose to $47.4 billion at end-January from a negative $4.9 billion in March 2020. Rather than having to buy more dollars, Das wanted to prevent inflows of hot money.

In discussions between officials from the RBI and banks, the RBI made it clear that banks should deploy their own dollars abroad, the people said, though written rules only mention resources" and dont define the pool. Banks are using this lack of clarity as a loophole to make profits.

Heres how it works. A bank converts its rupee deposits into dollars using a buy-sell swap, which means it buys dollars today and agrees to sell the same amount of greenback at a specified date in the future. It uses these dollars to avail the RBI exemption and purchase US Treasuries. The big return is in the arbitrage: at prevailing rates the bank would be paying about 3.5% on its rupee deposit, while the one-year forward premia is 4.9%, netting the bank a cool 1.4 percentage points of profit.

Since there are no longer any limits on how much these banks can invest abroad, there are no limits on how much profit a bank could book.

The trades arent illegal and theres no suggestion of wrongdoing. In fact, the February relaxation has lowered the forward premia to 4.9% from 5.4%.

But officials at the RBI are in a quandry. As the biggest buyer of dollars in the forwards market, the RBI is effectively funding some of these trading profits for banks.

An email to an RBI spokesman was unanswered.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.

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Demand for mental health supports and suicide prevention services have soared across Ireland during the 13-month Covid-19 pandemic.

The revelation from Irelands first Professor of Public Mental Health, Prof Ella Arensman, has verified mounting anecdotal concerns that the pandemic is having a significant mental health impact through extended isolation, lack of social interaction, financial stress and personal fears about the virus. Studies are now under way to determine the impact successive pandemic lockdowns have had on mental health. Suicide statistics for 2020 will not be available for three years.

However, while there is anecdotal evidence of a surge in mental health-related pleas for help during the pandemic, there is no indication the number of suicides has soared significantly above levels experienced pre-Covid-19 in 2018 or 2019. GPs revealed that pleas for mental health supports over the past year have been linked to loneliness, isolation, depression, stress over financial issues and emotional problems due to loss of a loved one in the pandemic.

Medical experts warned that such feelings have been amplified by the loss of normal processing systems during the pandemic such as funerals, social gatherings and household visits.

Prof Arensman has worked for over 30 years on public mental health and suicide prevention research. Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic last year, the attention for public mental health and suicide prevention has been greater than ever, she said.

My colleagues and I in the National Suicide Research Foundation and School of Public Health have seen a significant increase in requests for policy briefings and research collaborations over the past year. For example, the requests for real-time suicide and self-harm data to inform mental health promotion and suicide prevention programmes during Covid-19 have increased over the past year.

Requests for mental health expertise in interdisciplinary research consortia focusing on intervention and prevention measures for infectious diseases and other public health emergencies have also increased. Prof Arensman said it was a great honour to become Irelands first Professor of Public Mental Health.

This position is timely and will contribute to strengthen suicide prevention research and public mental health in the NSRF, School of Public Health, UCC, and at national and international level, she said.

Prof Arensman will continue in her current role as Chief Scientist at the National Suicide Research Foundation (NSRF), while leading groundbreaking research on suicide and self-harm within UCCs School of Public Health.

UCCs Dean of the Public Health School, Prof Ivan Perry, said it was an enormously important appointment.

Prof Arensman is a global leader in public mental health who has made an enormous contribution to work on the causes and prevention of self-harm and suicide in Ireland and internationally, he said.

As well as being an expert advisor for the World Health Organisation (WHO), Prof Arensman is a former President of the International Association for Suicide Prevention, is Vice President of the European Alliance Against Depression, and a Steering Group member of the International Covid-19 Suicide Prevention Research Collaboration.
Media persons had an extensive discussion on issues they face in reporting on human rights at a consultation session titled "Role of Media in the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights" at Karachi Press Club here on Tuesday

KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Apr, 2021 ) :Media persons had an extensive discussion on issues they face in reporting on human rights at a consultation session titled "Role of Media in the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights" at Karachi Press Club here on Tuesday.

The session attracted good representation from regional,urdu and English newspapers and channels including a large number of women journalists.They were briefed about the role of media in the promotion and protection of human rights, Pakistan's national and international commitments on human rights and Solutions Journalism,a new media domain that promotes reporting on solutions rather than highlighting problems only.

Participants pointed out capacity issues, prevailing media crisis and priorities of media organizations as major issues that lead to lack of motivation to focus on reporting human rights. They suggested training opportunities, prompt information sharing, encouraging beat reporters and engaging with media in creative ways to improve reporting on human rights.

Speaking on the occasion, Huqooq-e-Pakistan Project (HeP) Senior Key Expert Human Rights and Communications Seema Jaffer said that HeP considered media a partner in promoting human rights in the country as it informed, educated, and sensitized the general public and policymakers, civil society, and those implementing the laws and policies.

Seema said that protection of human rights was the basis of all democratic and progressive societies.

Internationally, human rights indicators determine the image of a country. "Pakistan is the signatory of seven core international human rights treaties and two additional protocols. Media plays critical role in implementation and reporting on these international commitments," she said.

The event also featured screening of video and animations developed by HeP to raise awareness on human rights and legal protection provided under the constitution.

The event was organized by European Union funded HeP in collaboration with Sindh Human Rights Department.

Huqooq e Pakistan is a joint initiative of the European Union and the Ministry of Human Rights with the objective of supporting the continued efforts of the Government of Pakistan for the promotion of human rights.
The Iranian Military Prosecutor's Office on Tuesday filed charges against ten officials in connection with the downing of a passenger plane of Ukraine International Airlines in January 2020, according to Associated Press.

"The indictment of the case of the Ukrainian plane was also issued and a serious and accurate investigation was carried out and indictments were issued for 10 people who were at fault," Tehran military prosecutor Gholamabbas Torki was quoted as saying.

The names of the above persons and other details have not been disclosed.

On March 17, Iran's civil aviation agency released the final report on the crash of a Ukrainian passenger plane in January 2020. The document states that the reason for the decision to shoot down the plane was the mistake of an air defense operator, who identified the plane as an "enemy object."

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called Iran's report an attempt to hide the true causes of the crash, and his deputy, Yevhen Yenin, said that Ukraine would demand that Iran's report on the UIA plane crash be considered by the ICAO Council and that the Iranian side resume and continue its technical investigation.

On January 8, 2020, Ukraine International Airlines plane (Flight PS752) heading from Tehran to Kyiv crashed shortly after taking off from the Imam Khomeini International Airport. There were 176 people on board  nine crew members (all Ukrainians) and 167 passengers (citizens of Ukraine, Iran, Canada, Sweden, Afghanistan, Germany, and the UK).

On January 11, Iran admitted that its military had accidentally shot down the Ukrainian passenger jet. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) accepted full responsibility for the downing of the Ukrainian airliner.

On February 20, 2021, Iran announced the completion of the investigation into this case.

op
Colorado Politics senior political reporter

Joey Bunch is the senior correspondent and deputy managing editor of Colorado Politics. His 32-year career includes the last 16 in Colorado. He was part of the Denver Post team that won the Pulitzer Prize in 2013 and he is a two-time finalist.
Panacea Biotec surged 18.94% to Rs 218.90 after the company announced cooperation with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) to produce 100 million doses per year of Sputnik-V vaccine.

Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) is Russia's sovereign wealth fund established in 2011 to make equity co-investments, primarily in Russia, alongside reputable international financial and strategic investors.

Production of Sputnik-V at Panacea Biotec sites will help facilitate global supply of Sputnik V to international partners of RDIF.

Sputnik-V, the world's first registered vaccine against the novel coronavirus infection, has been registered in 59 countries globally with total population of over 1.5 billion people. Efficacy of Sputnik-V is 91.6% as confirmed by the data published in the Lancet, one of the world's oldest and most respected medical journals.

The price of Sputnik V is less than $10 per shot, making it affordable around the world. There are no strong allergies caused by Sputnik V. The storage temperature of Sputnik V at +2+8 C means it can be stored in a conventional refrigerator without any need to invest in additional cold-chain infrastructure.

Dr. Rajesh Jain, managing director of Panacea Biotec, said: "We are pleased to collaborate with RDIF to produce Sputnik-V for global markets. Panacea Biotec brings decades of vaccine manufacturing and distribution know-how to scale-up Sputnik-V supplies. Panacea Biotec will produce Sputnik-V in its internationally accredited facilities complying to strict GMP standards and prequalified by WHO."

Panacea Biotec is an innovation-led biotechnology group that focuses on discovery, development, and commercialization of prescription medicines.

The company reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 40.05 crore in Q3 FY21 as compared to a net loss of Rs 21.32 crore in Q3 FY20. Net sales during the quarter declined 15.49% YoY to Rs 141.76 crore.

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After the Bahrain Grand Prix it became clear that Max Verstappen was facing problems during the race. A differential problem cost the Dutchman around three tenths per lap, was claimed by Helmut Marko. F1-journalist Mark Hughes explains at Formula1.com Hughes what caused Verstappen to lose those three tenths to Lewis Hamilton.

Hughes explains that an open differential makes the car easy to drive. A fully closed differential regulates that the tyres have to spin at the same speed and therefore the car steers in faster. "Verstappen noticed early on that his tyres were spinning quickly on the inside of Turn 1-2, so he locked the differential a bit more."

This is also what appeared on his steering wheel, but that action was ultimately not performed.

Verstappen had to hold back

According to Hughes, that's not an immediate problem, but it did cause more problems. "That already lost him some lap time, but because the tyres spun, the tyres got a lot hotter as well."

On a track like Bahrain, in the middle of the desert, maintaining tyre temperature is extremely important. Hence, Verstappen also had to hold back.

"Verstappen had to drive the rest of his laps more conservatively than he would have liked, to make sure the tyre temperature at the rear didn't shoot through the roof. That also allowed Hamilton in his Mercedes to stay close to him in the race and perform the undercut during the first pit stops," Hughes concludes.

Read more Marko sees no reason to panic despite Honda's double battery swap
BUTTE FALLS, Ore-- According to Butte Falls School District Superintendent, Dr. Phil Long, the school district will be making the change from its current hybrid learning model to full-time in-person instruction starting on April 12.

"This is big news for Butte Falls because we are opening back up," said Dr. Long. "We are ready to get back to school."

Currently the school district is on a two-day a week schedule where students at Butte Falls Schools will come into the classroom to learn. While the other two days are spent learning online. However with the move to full-time instruction, students can expect to be back four times a week. That's something that Butte Falls Schools haven't experienced in over a year.

"I want them back and I want to see them every day," said Kayla White a parent and instructional assistant at Butte Falls Elementary. "It's been a struggle since the pandemic started."

The transition to in-person learning full-time was not only made possible because of the Oregon Department of Education's decision, to change social distancing guidelines from six feet to three feet, but also because of a grant that the Butte Falls School District recently received.

The school district was awarded a 5,000 dollar grant from AllCare Health's Covid-19 Resiliency Fund to help prepare its schools for the return of students back on campus. According to Dr. Long, the funds were used to purchase 65 individual student desks to provide student work spaces that met ODE's standards for healthy distancing.

"We are a hands on school," Dr. Long said. "Most students used to meet around a table, so we didn't have a lot of desks and with the distancing we needed that."

Although most parents are happy about the return of in-person learning to the Butte Falls School District, some say that they wish the transition would have happened sooner before they pulled their kids of out the district.

"We actually did pre-enroll our children at the Crater Lake Learning Academy because they were allowing in-person instruction sooner," said Rob Clark, a parent who took his oldest children out of the Butte Falls School District. "It was very difficult because we are from this town and we love this community."

According to Clark several other families that had children in the Butte Falls School District took their children out of the program as well.

Although the decision to move some of his own children out of the school district wasn't an easy choice, Clark hopes that his kids and other children that were taken out of the Butte Falls School District, can return in the near future.

"I hope I can bring my children back to the school district," said Clark. "It was just that some people felt the situation should be handle a little bit differently, and there's nothing more important than your child's education."
Tuesday, April 6, 2021

We have already did one blog post on this topic, and we showed that Gordon Novel didn't like to pay his legal bills from Elmer Gertz.

Here is a letter that was sent to Gordon Novel in June 1969 about some documents he wanted from Jerry Weiner, his lawyer in Ohio. Note that on page two, there are threats to countersue for legal fees:

It seems there was a "great dispute" about fees. Gee, why didn't the CIA pay those fees?

Reporters Hoke May and Ross Yockey of the New Orleans States-Item told Garrison that Gordon Novel's lawyers were being paid by the CIA. Here is an excerpt from Richard Billings journal from May 22-23, 1967.

"At this point, Hoke May came to Garrison's office; he had a report about Jerry Weiner, the Novel lawyer in Columbus, who, according to Hoke May, has admitted being paid by the CIA. This makes two lawyers who told reporters they were on the CIA payroll, the other being Plotkin, who is Novel's lawyer in New Orleans, who told States-Item reporter Ross Yockey of his CIA retainer."

Now, did Steven Plotkin really tell Ross Yockey that he was being paid by the CIA? Here is an affidavit of Ross Yockey from the Gordon Novel libel proceedings against Playboy Magazine and Jim Garrison:

It seems to be that Ross Yockey did not know how to interpret a laugh - for him it was "sufficient confirmation," that Plotkin was being paid by the CIA.

A few days later, Garrison received this memo:

Burton Klein was Al Beauboeuf's lawyer. There is no underlying evidence to support any of the allegations about the payment of funds to Klein or Plotkin made in this memo.

It is true that David Baldwin did work for the CIA in the early 1950s. He was stationed in India, but, according to Don Carpenter, author of Man of a Million Fragments, "he had been fired by the CIA for becoming romantically, or at least physically, involved with a woman, Lillian Baxter; during the relationship, certain classified information was divulged." (page 103)

Garrison also scribbled a note about Plotkin at the end of a memo about Betty Parrott, a local informant:

Garrison's notations were made long after the Parrott memo was written.

He writes:

" Re: Attorney STEVE PLOTKIN:

See statement of DA assistant WILLIAM MARTIN re confidential source informing him that CIA's New Orleans "pay-master" for attorneys was attorney STEPHEN LEMANN (of major New Orleans firm of MONROE + LEMANN) and that LEMANN had retained PLOTKIN to represent individuals, connected with the CIA., under inquiry by the New Orleans D.A.'s office.

Note that in DA's office interview of DALZELL on July 11, 1967, PLOTKIN appears with DALZELL as his attorney.

Note PLOTKIN's representation of GORDON NOVEL (mentioned in DALZELL's statement on "association with Cuban organization") in N.O.D.A.'s office unsuccessful attempt to extradite him from Ohio to testify before the Orleans Parish Grand Jury.

Note PLOTKIN's refusal, in response to press request, t o confirm or deny that he was being paid to represent NOVEL by the C.I.A."

Well, here is the New Orleans Times-Picayune of May 12, 1967 with some denials:

Garrison brought Steven Plotkin before the grand jury. He refused to answer questions about his client Gordon Novel, but in his second appearance, he agreed to answer:

Of course, conspiracy theorists have also chimed in that the CIA paid legal fees for people caught up in Garrison's probe. James DiEugenio writes in Destiny Betrayed (page 233) that:

"How could the out of work, itinerant Novel afford to finance an expensive civil suit against both a large company like Playboy, and a veteran attorney like Garrison? Especially since the suit would drag on for over three years, until 1971. David Krupp. attorney for Playboy, twice posed this question to Novel in the process of legal proceedings. The second time, the plaintiff answered that his attorneys "refused feels for this matter, but it is my understanding that they were clandestinely renumerated [sic] by a party or parties unknown to me..."

Here is exactly what Gordon Novel said in his answer to an interrogatory:

Not a massive amount of money - and certainly no indication that it was the CIA. Note that Gordon Novel was a massive braggart who was prone to inflate his involvement in almost anything. Saying he was "clandestinely remunerated" sounds better than "I never paid my lawyers."

DiEugenio doesn't mention this clarification from Novel's lawyer, Elmer Gertz:

As we know from above, Weiner was ready to counter-sue for his fees; Plotkin said he was never paid; and as shown in my earlier blog post , Elmer Gertz was always after Novel for payment.

And the answer to DiEugenio's question about how Novel could afford to finance such an expensive civil suit? Well, Gertz was to be paid a percentage of the recoveries, if any:

By the way, back in 1967, Novel was hounding reporters. Here is an excerpt from a deposition of Rosemary James, then a report for the New Orleans States-Item, from the libel proceedings:

And, here is what Rosemary James said about Novel's credibility:
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For anyone whos been to a shiva, a Jewish mourning ritual, the anxiety-laced comedy Shiva Baby feels instantly recognizable: the lox, bagels and rugelach are as plentiful as the overly inquisitive relatives.

Shiva Baby takes the mishegas up a notch. The film follows Danielle (Rachel Sennott), a college senior accompanying her parents to a shiva. In the crammed house, she isnt just forced to schmooze with aunts and family friends who prod for her post-graduation plans (spoiler alert: she doesnt have any). Danielle also encounters her ambitious ex-girlfriend, as well as her sugar daddy  and his shiksa wife. One would forgive Danielle for feeling verklempt.

Writer and director Emma Seligman originally made Shiva Baby as a short film while studying at New York University, drawing inspiration from fellow NYU students who were sugar babies. Danielle, who is still on her parents payroll, doesnt sugar for the money. Instead, she considers it a form of female empowerment.

It was important to Sennott that her characters decision to sugar  date in exchange for money or other support  was represented authentically.

I feel like so often, TV or movies [portray] it as this glamorous, fucking hot, thing  or its bad and scary and evil. I think this is a more realistic depiction, the 25-year-old Sennott tells Variety.

Thats not to say Danielles personal situation is entirely relatable to others who have turned to dating for money. Danielle is super privileged, she clarifies with a laugh. I wanted to be clear that its one persons experience.

Shiva Baby is the first major film role for Sennott, an internet personality known for the TV series Call Your Mother. Following the release of the movie, which is currently available on demand, she spoke to Variety about filming in Brooklyn and why Shiva Baby plays like a thriller.

I will admit, I was surprised to find out you werent Jewish.

I think that a lot of people have been surprised. When I first auditioned for the short film, Emma thought that I was Jewish and said I seemed like someone shed run into at a shiva. I come from a big Italian Catholic family. Obviously its not the same, but theres a lot of crossover between my family and Danielles family.

Whats the key to capturing neurotic Jewish energy?

Im a very anxious person, so I really channeled my own anxiety. My anxiety manifests in a different way. Its a little more outward  quick talking or being like, Are you mad? over and over and over. For Danielle, it was more inward, whether its her sweating or playing with her hair. Thats something Emma and I talked about a lot: What level of anxiety is Danielle at?

Had you been to a shiva before?

I went to a shiva when I was in high school for my friends family. I dont want to say it was fun, maybe its because I didnt know the person, but its a very nice release. Its not just all sad. Youre transitioning out of the period [of mourning] together. It felt really nice. It reminded me a lot of my family, except were having lasagna.

When you were graduating from college, did you feel a similar pressure to Danielle as everyone is asking her what shes planning to do with her life?

100%. I went to school for acting, so were starting off on a bad foot. While I was in school, I started doing stand-up and tweeting a lot. I was really being open about my sexuality. Thats my comedy. I was raised to be, I dont know if prude is the right word, but I wasnt going to have sex until I was married. I think my family thought I wanted to go to school to do plays. And then Im sitting there tweeting [sex jokes]. They were like, What is this? And I was like, This is my career. And they were like, What? Why! It comes from a place of love. They just want to make sure youre OK.

How did you find your comedic voice?

I didnt know what stand-up was in high school. I did theater growing up. When I got to New York, my vision of what you could do as a career expanded. And then my comedic voice, I think I felt very powerless in college. I struggled in my relationships. I was not confident in myself. I was struggling with a lot of eating stuff. I went on birth control, and it was a nightmare for many reasons. I did not feel good about myself. And no one that I liked ever liked me. There were so many times where Id be dating someone, and I would think we were going to be together, and they were like, No. I just like started tweeting so honestly, maybe even too honestly, about all of it. It made me feel way more in control.

People have been comparing the anxious energy of Shiva Baby to Uncut Gems. Do you agree?

I loved Uncut Gems, so thats a huge compliment. This movie shows that being a young woman is a horror movie. Nobody else at the shiva is in a horror movie. When youre a young woman, theres all this pressure to be independent and sexually adventurous, but also to have a boyfriend, soon. Theres pressure to be skinny, but not too skinny. All these pressures come from different places, your family, society, your friends. You never even listen to what you want. But Danielle is in this situation where all of these things are butting heads. Its terrifying.

Did you have to decompress after filming tense scenes?

I feel so lucky because Emma and I are best friends, so she really knows me. Every morning, Emma would come up to my dressing room, which was a childs bedroom, and sit on the floor and be like, What is Danielle going through today? She just knew how to take me in and out of the scene and give me space if I needed it. [We were] on the same page. She would check in and being like, What do you need? Do you need a minute? Do we want to talk about this, or do you want to like sit alone? That helped me a lot.

Did you learn any Yiddish while filming? Do you have a favorite word?

I think verklempt. We were sweating in the house, it had no air conditioning, 100 people and the smell of cream cheese and fish. Emma would say it a lot on set, and I honestly really felt it.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

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Hundreds of civilians in Myanmar  including activists, members of former de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyis National League for Democracy and villagers in the ethnic areas being bombed by the army  have gone into hiding. Some are seeking refuge in Kayin state, opposite Thailand. It is a region controlled by the Karen National Union, an ethnic armed organization that is no stranger to conflict, having been fighting for greater autonomy in Myanmar for more than seven decades. Steve Sandford reports from Mae Sot, Thailand. VOA Khmer's Sisovann Pin narrates.
Of the 14,589 Covid patients in Delhi, 7,983 are at home isolated. Most of them are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, according to a report by The Times of India.

Doctors say that such patients should be in contact with a physician during the isolation period, be it through teleconsultation or periodic visits.

Low levels of oxygen saturation, persistent cough, breathlessness and feeling very weak should be treated as warning signs, Dr Sumit Ray, head of the department of critical care at Holy Family Hospital, said.

Dr Suresh Kumar, medical director of Lok Nayak Hospital, said that delayed admission was one of the main factors behind the deterioration in condition and, in some cases, death due to Covid-19. Some people keep taking medicine on their own. And when the situation goes out of hand, they rush to the hospital. We have seen cases where assistive ventilation was necessitated due to delayed admission, he added.

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According to Dr Rajesh Chawla, senior consultant, pulmonary medicine at Apollo hospital, fever, loss of taste and smell are the most common symptoms of Covid-19. But, he added, they were also seeing many patients coming with diarrhea. With experience, we know better how to manage the Covid-19 patients. But even now, we are getting many cases requiring ICU care. This disease shouldnt be taken lightly, he said.

Treatment for Covid-19 involves three key components  drugs to reduce the viral load, steroids that can suppress a cytokine storm and drugs to prevent clotting of blood.

A number of drugs used for other illnesses, in addition to Hydroxychloroquine, were tried for treating Covid-19 patients last year because there was no known cure. Convalescent plasma therapy was also used extensively. As cases increase, there is a significant increase in demand for convalescent plasma again, said a senior doctor at the Institute of Liver Biliary Sciences that houses a dedicated plasma bank.

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Delhi witnessed three peaks in Covid-19 cases last year, in May, August and November, respectively. December onwards, the number of cases started to come down. However, there has been an exponential increase in new cases over the past two weeks. The presence of mutated strain of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, is considered a key factor behind this.


An Australian woman who came across a racist message engraved in a concrete footpath near her home has urged others to call out anti-Asian hate speech.

Sydneysider Zoe came across the offensive words 'F**k Off Back To China' engraved in concrete in Beaconsfield on Easter Sunday. The small inner-city suburb has a large Chinese-Australian community.

'This isn't something limited to the US, and it's not something we can say doesn't happen here,' Zoe wrote in a statement shared by Vietnamese-Australian activist and writer Alyssa Ho.

'This vandalism was done a street away, in the inner city suburb I live in. A street I walk down daily, a street where East Asian children ride their bikes up and down.'

Writer Alyssa Ho (pictured) shared the a photo of the racist slur with her Instagram followers

The words 'F**k Off Back to China' were found in the inner-city suburb of Beaconsfield, Sydney

After seeing the offensive slur near her home, Zoe contacted the City of Sydney council who sent out a crew to remove it the next day.

'[For] the next four hours residents of our Asian Australian communities who live in or walk down this street, will be reminded of their otherness,' said Zoe.

'That no matter how much they contribute to our society, we will forever be kicking our legs underwater; constantly trying to prove we are worthy of equality.'

Writer and activist Alyssa Ho said she was 'absolutely heartbroken' over the incident in a post on Sunday.

'Australia prides itself on its multiculturalism but we cannot ignore that racism is rife here,' Ms Ho wrote.

'Last year is when we saw a rise in attacks, hatred and fear against Asians in Australia.

'Stop refusing to believe that racism isn't well and truly alive in Australia. Dismantle the culture that exists here of us versus them. Call out racism.'

Alyssa Ho (pictured) said she was 'absolutely heartbroken' because of the racist incident

Sydney woman Zoe said racist attacks against Asians 'isn't something limited to the US'

The incident follows a spate of murders of Asian women and bashings of Asians in the United States of America, which are believed to have been racially motivated.

Nearly four thousand incidents of racist attacks against Asians, mostly women, were reported by US discrimination reporting forum 'Stop AAPI hate' in the last year.

This includes the murder of six Asian women in Atlanta, USA, and numerous brutal bashings of women - including elderly ones - recorded on video in public spaces.

A survey by the Australian National University found four in five Asian-Australians had experienced racism since the Covid-19 pandemic.

In March this year, a young pregnant couple in Perth were called n*ps and g**ks while waiting for an ultrasound.

Two international students were bashed in Melbourne in a racist attack and two sisters in Sydney were spat and told they carry coronavirus last year.

Ms Ho (pictured) says that the Covid pandemic has seen a rise in attacks against Asians

Sydney of City's response to Zoe's complaint

A study by the Australian National University found 84.5 per cent of Australians from an Asian background reported facing Covid-19 related discrimination in 2020.

'We know that sadly many Asian-Australians still face and experience discrimination every day,' survey Director Mr Jieh-Yung Lo said.

'In our survey last year, around 15 per cent of Australians identified as being Asian-Australian. The research shows that Asian-Australians play a pivotal role in the success of our society and nation.

'They have been a pillar of our society for generations. We must do better; we can do better.'

Anti-Discrimination NSW said they received 241 complaints between January and April of 2021, and said 62 were on the ground of race.

Reasons included being abused, spat at in public, harassed for wearing a face mask and having their car windows smashed in.
American Public Life Signs Deal with FINEOS for New Business & Underwriting Solution

FINEOS Corporation (ASX:FCL) today announced that American Public Life Insurance Company (APL), a leading provider of supplemental worksite benefits, has invested in the FINEOS Platform for New Business & Underwriting for eight lines of business.

"By leveraging the FINEOS Platform, we'll be able to improve user experience with a powerful core system that automates processes which have historically been manual for us," said Jerry Horton, President/CEO of APL. "This partnership will enable us to speed up quote turnaround time, improve accuracy, and reduce risk to drive our organization's growth and strategic innovation. Our customers will benefit from better service because of our decision to move from on-prem legacy systems to the cloud-based FINEOS Platform."

This investment comes as APL looks to improve operational efficiency and prepares to roll out three new product lines which they will license the FINEOS Platform for, in addition to five existing lines of business. The cloud-based FINEOS Platform for New Business & Underwriting automates workflows and decision-making throughout the quoting lifecycle, from request for proposal intake to policy implementation. Modern API service layers provide simplified integration with legacy systems and third-party ecosystems.







"We're thrilled about this partnership with APL and look forward to supporting them in achieving their organizational goals," said Michael Kelly, CEO of FINEOS. "With the FINEOS Platform for New Business & Underwriting, APL will be able to provide a superior digital user experience at every touchpoint of their quoting, rating and underwriting processes."

The deal with APL follows a year of unprecedented go live success for FINEOS in 2020 with 10 major carrier clients going live with 8 new installations and 7 upgrades of the FINEOS Platform for Employee Benefits.

For more information about the FINEOS Platform for New Business & Underwriting, please visit https://www.fineos.com/market-solutions/new-business-and-underwriting-solution.

About FINEOS Corporation

FINEOS is a leading provider of core systems for life, accident and health insurers globally with 7 of the 10 largest group life and health carriers in the US as well as 6 of the largest life insurers in Australia. With employees and offices throughout the world, FINEOS continues to scale rapidly, working with innovative progressive insurers in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.

The FINEOS Platform provides core administration capabilities including integrated disability and absence management (IDAM), billing, claims, payments, policy administration, provider management and new business and underwriting; all of which are configurable to operate independently or as FINEOS AdminSuite the leading Employee Benefits end-to-end core administration suite.

For more information, visit www.FINEOS.com.

About American Public Life

Founded in 1945, American Public Life Insurance Company (APL) continues expanding the benefits horizon as a leading provider of voluntary worksite benefits with offices in Jackson, MS and Oklahoma City. APL is licensed to conduct business in 49 states with sales through select independent brokers and has a financial rating of "A+ (Superior)" through A.M. Best (www.ambest.com). For more information, please visit ampublic.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005619/en/
Economist Emily Oster and the Massachusetts retrospective state-wide cohort study

The centerpiece study that the CDC used as evidence for changing the guidelines for social distancing at schools was a retrospective state-wide cohort study conducted in Massachusetts and published on March 10, 2021, a week before Dr. Walenskys subcommittee testimony. The title of the paper is Effectiveness of three versus six feet of physical distancing for controlling the spread of COVID-19 among primary and secondary students and staff.

The name of Emily Oster, Ph.D., listed as one of the authors of the accepted manuscript to the Clinical Infectious Diseases journal, should raise many red flags in readers minds. The journal cites her for her COVID-19 School Response Dashboard. The Harvard-graduated economist is currently a professor at Brown University, also author of books on pregnancy and parenting. She has been a staunch advocate for school reopening from day one and has utilized her influence with Ivy League academia to weigh in on the health science for which she, as an economist, is unqualified. The mainstream media has provided her a wide venue for her opinions.

Desks are spaced apart ahead of planned in-person learning at Nebinger Elementary School in Philadelphia, Friday, March 19, 2021. U.S. health officials are relaxing social distancing recommendations for schools, now saying students can sit as close as 3 feet to each other in classrooms. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

In her blog from May 4, 2020, she wrote: Full disclosure, I spend about 73 percent of my time obsessing about whether there will be summer camp in Rhode Island. I send borderline appropriate emails to people I work with on virus response, nagging them about this.

Rachel Cohen, a journalist and former American Prospect writing fellow, who wrote a scathing rebuttal on Osters engagement on the issue of schools and the COVID-19 pandemic, states upfront that Oster does not have a background in public health and has downplayed negative research findings that complicate the picture, and amplified studies that experts say were weak.

Early in her foray on this issue, Oster had concluded that infections among kids is simply very unlikely. She added, Its not that they are infected and dont know it, it seems like they are just not infected very often. She had utterly ignored the cautionary statements raised by infectious disease specialists and epidemiologists early in the pandemic when lockdowns had been instituted and children, who were rarely tested, were stuck at home.

In late August, Oster announced she would create, with the assistance of school superintendents and principals associations, a systematic data collection and reporting on COVID-19 in schools. After two weeks of data collection, she announced that only 0.23 percent of students and 0.49 percent of teachers had become infected, making her case that schools are not super spreader events.

Yet, as Cohen noted, Osters database of 550 public and private schools, where more than 200 of these were fully remote, accounting for just over one percent of all student populations was noted to be an extremely small and unrepresentative sample of schools. After a deeper dive into Osters school database, Cohen remarked, There was not a single urban traditional public school reporting data across 27 states in her dataset, including from Florida, Texas, New York, Minnesota, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Oster had also remarked to Cohen that those voluntarily reporting tended to be schools from higher income and suburban districts.

In August, Oster also reached out to Rebekah Jones, the geographic information systems data scientist who had been fired from Floridas Department of Health over her refusal to manipulate the states COVID-19 data. Jones had initiated her own national school coronavirus tracker possessing data from almost 4,000 school districts. She agreed to allow Oster full and free access.

According to Rachel Cohens report, Jones said of the meeting, But she [Oster] basically decided to just pick what data she wanted, not whats available. Its offensive to researchers, when you see something so unabashedly unscientific, and when the opportunity to do something scientific was there. You cant just have one point in a state and claim you have a grasp on what is occurring for a wide spectrum of school types and incomes, but that is literally what she does.

It is with these introductory remarks that we can begin a review of the Massachusetts study.

The 16-week study commenced on September 24, when public schools had just opened, and lasted until January 27, encompassing a time when the winter surge began a rapid acceleration in cases of COVID-19, reaching its peak around the new year. In total, data was obtained retrospectively from 251 school districts across the state. Sixty-four percent of school districts opened with low on-campus enrollment, meaning less than 80 percent and more than five percent of the student body was in attendancea wide range for which the exact details were left unspecified.

Forty-eight school districts had a policy that allowed for three-foot social distancing, while 194 school districts had stated they followed a six-foot distancing criterion. Student and staff case counts were based on a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2. No systematic or weekly testing of asymptomatic, pre-symptomatic or mild disease was conducted. The study concluded that student and staff case rates for the two distances were similar.

Figure 1 -Table 1 COVID-19 daily incidence among students and school staff participating in in-person instruction in Massachusetts

It needs mentioning that the title of the paper completely misrepresents what was actually studied and measured. The authors state in the body of their manuscript that they were evaluating the impact of three feet versus six feet of physical distancing policies in school settings. In fact, they could not ascertain if schools abided by or enforced such policies. As the Salt Lake County, Utah, study revealed, despite mandating a six-foot physical distancing, desks were on average three feet apart. Yet, the casual reader would assume actual distances were being evaluated.

Knowing that they would be held accountable for this sleight of hand, the authors wrote, However, it is unlikely that cases were differentially missed in districts with three versus six feet, mitigating the impact of this limitation on our main study finding.  We also did not have detailed contact tracing data available, and so we were not able to determine if cases in students were due to transmissions that happened within the school environment or independent introductions from cases acquired in the community.

They go on to add further non-sequiturs. It is possible that districts that officially allowed three feet or more of distancing between students ultimately succeed in attaining more distance between students, and our methods were only able to capture official policy, not the real-world implementation of the policy. One could turn this sentence around by restating, It is possible that districts that officially allowed six feet or more of distance between students ultimately failed, and still be completely valid. In support of the alternative conclusion, one must only turn to the Salt Lake County, Utah study mentioned above.

That the paper passed the reviewers with such assertionswhich had significant implications for national school policyis incredible and reeks of political considerations that run rampant through the paper. The study is being used to justify the reopening of schools at full capacity in-person instruction, meaning the bioburden of disease spreading throughout schools will be much higher. Glaringly, as it has come to be understood, the spread of disease indoors is through aerosol transmission, meaning that neither three nor six feet can be considered safe.

In this regard, probably the most crucial finding that Dr. Walensky failed to disclose in her congressional testimony was that during the study period, the incidence of cases among students and staff was highly correlated with community rates. In other words, cases in schools were climbing along with those in the community, regardless of ascribing to a three-foot or six-foot policy. As the table borrowed from the Massachusetts study shows, rates rose by eight- to 18-fold, essentially negating their safety conclusions. Both three feet and six feet were unsafe!

Yet, once more, they attempt to dismiss these essential findings by asserting an unproven counterfactual. They wrote: The finding of the strong correlation between community incidence and incidence in schools does, not, however, imply that there is increased transmission in schools when community disease prevalence is high, nor community metrics should dictate school opening/closing policies. By their admission, cited above, no surveillance or contact tracing was done to appreciate the relationship between school and community incidences.

Conclusion: The SARS-CoV-2 virus, schools, children and community transmission

The cited studies lack sufficient evidentiary weight to make any meaningful conclusions about the claim schools are safe for reopening. The authors go on to dig their own graves when they write: During the study period, active surveillance programs were rare, and thus we were not able to identify asymptomatic cases that may have resulted from in school transmission, or to measure the effectiveness of this intervention as a tool for controlling SARS-CoV-2 spread in school settings. Additionally, we were not able to measure the impact of physical distancing stratified by school type or age group.

On the contrary, they have shown that social distancing policies are challenging to enforce, and the inevitable slippage leads to a rise in cases both within schools and in the community with which they are inextricably connected. It also highlights the critical need for a prospective national surveillance initiative to determine the relationship between schools and communities during the pandemic. There has also grown a compelling need to revamp schools material conditions to assure air ventilation capacity at schools is optimized to provide a safe environment for students and staff.

On March 5, 2021, around the time the CDC was promoting the reduction of physical distancing requirements in schools, the agency published a small and barely mentioned study looking at the presence of antibodies (seroprevalence) among children and adolescents in Mississippi from May to September of 2020.

The number of COVID-19 cases reported in this age group had reached 8,993 by August 31, 2020. PCR testing was carried out to detect and confirm infection.

The study found, based on blood tests drawn from a random sampling of the child and adolescent population, seroprevalence had risen from 2.5 percent to 16.3 percent during the study period. These seroprevalence estimates placed the number of individuals infected in this age group at 113,842, with a confidence interval of 90,096 to 153,652. This means the actual rate was 11 to 18 times higher than what symptomatic testing had found.

A study conducted in Virginia, published to the medRxiv.org preprint server for health sciences on January 31, 2021, looked at the number of children infected with COVID-19. Over 10 weeks during the first half of the pandemic, researchers found that children had antibodies to the coronavirus at twice the adults rate. More than 65 percent never showed any symptoms. Dr. Rebecca Levorson, Division Director of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Inova Childrens Hospital, said, I think children have been a silent bearer of infection. They have more mild symptoms so they may not go and get tested because they dont have a high-grade fever. So, we just really didnt know that children had COVID to such an extent.

Yet, the implications of the CDCs Mississippi study and others were never raised by the director or congressional representatives during the March 17 hearing, when there was ample time to let all of the science weigh in on the issue of school reopening.

In a recent Independent Scientific Advocacy Group (ISAG) webinar discussing a better way forward toward the elimination of COVID-19, Dr. Deepti Gurdasani, a clinical epidemiologist and statistical geneticist at the Queen Mary University of London, highlighted data from the Office of National Statistics that conducted regional surveillance every two weeks throughout the pandemic in England.

Figure 2 - In England COVID-19 infection in children in the commuity closely track school attendance

The data clearly shows that the primary, secondary and college trends dominate in the decline and rise with school closures and openings. The peaks in December are due to the spread of the B.1.1.7 variant, which necessitated the strictest lockdown across the UK. Primary schools were allowed attendance with a subsequent rise in this age group while all others are declining.

In the Canadian province of Ontario, the city of Toronto is facing a brutal third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic with ICUs rapidly filling. On Thursday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced that he was placing the entire province under restrictions for four weeks. During a press brief, he said, I know pulling the emergency brake will be difficult on many people across the province, but we must try and prevent more people from getting infected and overwhelming hospitals. Our vaccine rollout is steadily increasing, and I encourage everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated. This is our best protection against this deadly virus.

In a recent Tweet, Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding, an epidemiologist and health economist, said, School closures have been extensively studied. We know they slow or stop pandemics. He then depicted an epidemiologic curve separating cases at schools and in the community, demonstrating indelibly that cases in school precede any subsequent rise in the community.

Figure 3 - Daily incidence of new cases in Ontario schools by date and daily incidence of new cases in Ontario

Compared to those being promoted by the CDC, these findings have important implications for what a genuinely scientific policy against the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic should entail. The three-foot physical distancing guidelines will ensure more students are packed into the classrooms, further fueling the pandemic underway in Michigan and the Northeast of the US.

Since evidence for asymptomatic transmission has become better understood, using symptom-based studies to endorse changing guidelines can no longer be considered valid, making the Massachusetts study flawed and its findings and the CDC guidelines circumspect. Teachers, parents, and the working class, be warned and take action accordingly.
Name calling is so commonplace in American political campaigns that its sometimes hard for candidates to come up with new, fresh material. But Eddie Connick, a candidate for a vacant legislative seat in Metairie, managed.

In a recent mailer, he breathlessly broke it to District 82 voters that his runoff opponent is.wait for it.a social worker!

Okay, first things first. She isnt. Laurie Schlegel is actually a licensed professional counselor.

But what if she were? What if Schlegel had pursued a profession largely populated by women who often earn low salaries to steer people through difficult times and help them access services to which they are entitled?

Might that actually be an argument for electing her, rather than a reason to vote against?

Connicks mailer argues in no uncertain terms that it wouldn't.

Sending a social worker to the legislature would be like washing money down the drain, it says. The mailer poses the choice on the April 24 ballot as between a self-made businessman who will lower taxes, cut bureaucracy and make Louisiana business friendly and a social worker whose policies will drain our states finances with costly, liberal leaning programs.

Schlegels platform suggests nothing of the sort. A Republican like Connick, she says shes a pro-business conservative, and has earned endorsements from PACs connected to the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry and the Jefferson Chamber. On her web site, she calls for investments in health care that are smart and fiscally responsible.

The response to the mailer was, one would guess, not exactly what Connick had hoped.

The National Council of Social Workers' Louisiana and California chapters blasted the attack and called on him to apologize for denigrating an entire profession.

Schlegel happily pointed out that Connick has his facts wrong, but responded to the supposed slur by noting that she too is a member of the helping professions.

Her video response, in fact, played up the connection: What we do all day long is we help people, and normally in their darkest hour. We help them move through crisis and develop solutions to their problems and to better their lives. And thats exactly what I want to do in the Legislature.

Youve got to admit, Connick teed that right up.
[April 06, 2021] Puppet Announces General Availability and New Price Tiering for Relay

PORTLAND, Ore., April 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Puppet , the industry standard for infrastructure automation, today announced the general availability of its cloud-native workflow automation platform, Relay. Relay enables CloudOps teams to build and share fully automated workflows in minutes versus days, regardless of coding or scripting experience, to ensure hybrid cloud environments are secure, compliant, and cost contained.

CloudOps teams struggle with managing a growing number of cloud-native applications, microservices, and APIs with manual ad hoc scripts and processes. The ability to automate these different triggers into a workflow is no longer a nice-to-have  its a necessity. Relay connects these various point solutions and provides teams with the ability to build and share fully automated low-code workflows to exponentially improve development times and operational efficiency with increased reliability, minimized hiring of specialized roles, and reduced time to recovery. Gartner forecasts that, by 2024, 75% of large enterprises will be using at least four low-code development tools for both IT application development and citizen development initiatives. Puppets general availability launch introduces two new pricing tiers in addition to its free Community tier: Team ($20 user/month): For small to mid-sized teams, this tier provides access of up to 30 users, 500 active workflows, Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), and Single Sign-On (SSO).

For small to mid-sized teams, this tier provides access of up to 30 users, 500 active workflows, Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), and Single Sign-On (SSO). Enterprise: For large organizations with on-prem needs, this tier provides up to 5,000 active workflows and up to 5,000 users. It also provides RBAC and SSO, as well as on-prem connectivity with Puppet Enterprise, Puppets flagship product. Contact sales for pricing. In order to make sense of todays highly complex IT environments and tool sprawl, cloud operations teams need a unified, self-service automation platform that both democratizes the ability to create automation and ties together the tools and APIs theyre already using, said Deepak Giridharagopal, CTO at Puppet. Once you've automated the lowest-level, most commditized parts of the infrastructure stack, you still have the rest of the iceberg to wrangle. Higher-level (and higher-value) problems like compliance, incident response, and cost optimization are just too complicated and time-consuming to automate, so teams often ignore them. Relay makes these seemingly intractable tasks simple and easy. Teams can look forward to reusable, low-code workflows that anyone can create for Day 2 cloud operations in mere minutes.



"As enterprises adopt cloud-native architectures, there's been an interesting outcropping of new tools and technologies to solve the complexities that exist on addressing day 2 operations within these environments," said Sriram Subramanian, Research Director at IDC. "Cloud workflow automation platforms, like Relay, are one manifestation of a changing market to address these new needs. The power of the platform will lie in its ability to tie newer architectures with heritage systems and the ability to ensure that these tools have a really easy learning curve to put the ability to automate in the hands of more people." Today, Relay connects dozens of cloud platforms, tools, and APIs already used by CloudOps teams, including AWS, DataDog, GitHub, Google Cloud Platform, Jira, Microsoft Azure, PagerDuty, Slack, Terraform and more . Relay addresses cloud automation use cases with the following capabilities:

Recover faster : Reduce recovery time with incident response workflows from alert enrichment to auto-remediation.

: Reduce recovery time with incident response workflows from alert enrichment to auto-remediation. Save money : Consolidate and simplify tool sprawl, prevent unnecessary run-away cloud spending, and clean up unused resources. With Relays pre-built integrations, organizations can save money on specialized hires; teams do not need to waste time learning new programming languages or boilerplate SDKs. With Relay, code reusability frees up time and saves money.

: Consolidate and simplify tool sprawl, prevent unnecessary run-away cloud spending, and clean up unused resources. With Relays pre-built integrations, organizations can save money on specialized hires; teams do not need to waste time learning new programming languages or boilerplate SDKs. With Relay, code reusability frees up time and saves money. Ensure compliance : Ad hoc automation is all too often poorly audited and controlled. With centralized workflow audited and governed with RBAC, Relay users can eliminate costly misconfigurations in cloud environments by enforcing compliance policies.

: Ad hoc automation is all too often poorly audited and controlled. With centralized workflow audited and governed with RBAC, Relay users can eliminate costly misconfigurations in cloud environments by enforcing compliance policies. Reduce toil: Replace the digital duct tape holding together complex cloud-based systems and dozens of tools with reusable, low-code workflows that anyone can create. With Relays easy to navigate UI with a flexible and composable catalog, we were able to start building production-ready workflows in a painless and practical way, said Stan Chan, Senior Software Engineer at Uber. Common tasks like enforcing tagged policies on instances across cloud providers were simple to compose and deploy. Implementing security workflows that enable DevSecOps is as easy as picking items from a catalog and inputting a simple access policy. Relay truly brings together the best practices and shared domain knowledge needed to drive faster iterations and deliver real value to our business. "Relay helps us connect all the dots, achieving true self-healing systems on cloud-native platforms. The ease with which we can create new workflows saves us countless hours of developing custom scripts leaving more time for our engineers to help our customers grow their business," said Dries Dams, DevOps Architect at Bryxx. To learn more about Relay, please visit our website . Additional Resources Learn more about Puppet

Follow Puppet on Twitter and LinkedIn 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

Head of External Communications @ Puppet

pr@puppet.com



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Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 19:11:48|Editor: huaxia

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ADDIS ABABA, April 6 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Monday said it needs 49.7 million U.S. dollars to meet the needs of refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Ethiopia.

A monthly fact sheet published by UNHCR said it needs the funding to meet the basic nutritional needs, as well as the education, health and accommodation needs of refugees and IDPs in Ethiopia.

The UNHCR appeal for Ethiopia covers the emergency situation in Ethiopia's northern Tigray regional state from January to June 2021.

The UNHCR had registered 96,223 Eritrean refugees in the Tigray region, sheltered mainly in four camps in the region, before the outbreak of conflict in Ethiopia's northern region last November.

Ethiopia is the third-largest refugee-hosting country in Africa, sheltering more than 800,000 registered refugees and asylum-seekers, mostly from South Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea and Sudan.

Fighting that erupted in early November last year in Ethiopia's Tigray between the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), which used to rule the regional state, and the Ethiopian National Defense Forces has left thousands of people killed and caused immense losses in the region.

According to Ethiopian government figures, the conflict in Tigray has displaced around 2.2 million people, while 4.5 million people are in need of emergency aid. Enditem
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Jocelyne Alfaro-Ruiz is a first-generation student and president of the student-led Im the First organization at ECU. | Photo: Rhett Butler

Left to right, Cheyenne Kober, Kayla Brown, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Dr. Virginia Hardy, Jocelyne Alfaro-Ruiz and Mohammad Sarsour attended the National First-Generation Celebration in 2019. | Photo: Contributed

ECU is a First-gen Forward institution.

I'm the First was founded by students in 2018 at ECU to provide peer support for first-generation students. | Photo: Rhett Butler

Kayla Brown of Richlands is a junior biology major at ECU, where she is a member of I'm the First. | Photo: Cliff Hollis

This post appears here courtesy of ECU News Services . The author of this post is Crystal Baity Being the first in a family to attend college can be exciting and challenging all at once.Kayla Brown, a junior and first-generation student at East Carolina University, said there were many unknowns beginning with the college application process, figuring out how to apply for financial aid, and completing other paperwork that is needed to simply be a student.It was a struggle, but things got easier, Brown said, especially with ECU's resources.In recognition of ECU's commitment to first-generation student success, the university was recently selected as a member of the 2021-22 First-gen Forward cohort by the Center for First-generation Student Success . The national organization is an initiative of NASPA, which is the Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education organization, and the Suder Foundation.Someone is considered a first-generation student if their parent or guardian did not earn a bachelor's or higher degree. About 35% of ECU's freshman class qualifies as first-generation students, said Karen Smith, director of the ECU Office of Student Transitions.Smith said.ECU will be able to network with national and regional colleagues of First-gen Forward institutions and will benefit from professional development, community-building experiences and access to the center's research and resources.At ECU, a student-run organization called I'm the First provides peer support through monthly meetings, and social and informational activities geared for first-generation students. Brown is a member and mentor for incoming students along with club president Jocelyne Alfaro-Ruiz, who has been involved since the group was founded in 2018.Alfaro-Ruiz said.Alfaro-Ruiz experienced many challenges and obstacles, especially at the start of her college career, when she felt she was at a disadvantage without insight about what to expect academically or socially.she said.An important step for first-generation students is asking for help when they need it, said Alfaro-Ruiz, who is from Kernersville and will graduate with a bachelor's degree in biology in May.she said.Both Alfaro-Ruiz and Brown took ECU's COAD 1000 freshman seminar tailored for first-generation students.Smith said.Brown said.Alfaro-Ruiz said the class helped her step out of her comfort zone.Other resources include a website developed for first-generation students and family members, which includes a listing of ECU faculty and staff who were the first in their families to go to college. The website also includes advice from other first-generation students and connects ECU students to the I'm the First organization. There's also a sister organization, I Am First, in the Brody School of Medicine for first-generation medical students at ECU.For the past four years, ECU has participated in the National First-Generation College Celebration with events ranging from receptions to panel discussions about supporting first-generation students.At orientation, there's a session for family members of first-generation undergraduate students to help them learn how to support their student in the transition to college and what to expect, Smith said.For students making their college decisions this spring, Alfaro-Ruiz and Brown want them to know they belong and won't be alone at ECU.said Brown, a biology major with a concentration in ecology who is from Richlands.ECU is one of 58 institutions selected in the 2021-22 class of First-gen Forward , the nation's first recognition program acknowledging higher education institutions for their commitment to first-generation student success. ECU joins a group of 157 colleges and universities from two previous cohorts in the national organization.
A pregnant mom was threatened by a flight attendant of Spirit Airlines that her family will be kicked off a plane in Florida on Monday since her two-year-old daughter was not wearing a mask.

All passengers were initially forced to get off the aircraft before the management later decided to get them back on the plane with a flight from Orlando to Atlantic City.

According to New York Post, the flight attendant told the Jewish family that they needed to exit the plane for not complying with the mask rules, and this was seen in video footage posted on social media.

The footage also showed a toddler sitting on the lap of her pregnant mom while eating yogurt. And a father, who pulled his mask down to speak with the flight attendant.

The father afterward pulled up his face mask to show compliance. However, the flight attendant emphasized that the two-year-old was still not wearing a mask.

READ NEXT: "That Violates Our Policy," Minneapolis Police Chief Says During Chauvin Trial

The pregnant mom reacted incredulously to the flight attendant, as she cannot believe that it will be that strict even for a two-year-old kid. Even a woman seated next to the family pointed out that there are a lot of kids who are not wearing masks.

The father argued that not all the time he wears his mask, but he was not being reminded.

A man, who was filming the commotion, can be heard assuring the flight attendant that he will make sure that the father will wear his mask and everything will be fine.

While the pregnant mom continued to argue that it was just a two-year-old child who was not wearing a mask, the flight attendant repeated that it was not her choice and they have to take their stuff and get off the plane. She also continuously insisted that non-compliance with the mask policy should be imposed.

Despite the pregnant mom's plea that the baby just turned two years old a month ago, and she was trying to wear the mask, the flight attendant refused to negotiate.

The flight attendant said they were done talking and that the pilot wanted them to get off the plane. She even threatened to call the police before walking away from the family, The Sun reported.

On different footage, all passengers of the flight can be seen packing up their stuff while the father talks to someone, telling the captain was fine with the non-compliance, and the entire plane was okay with it, except for the one African American.

He also stressed that his wife was pregnant, his daughter just turned two, and his son, who was sitting close to him, has special needs with a history of seizures.

The Spirit Airlines' Response

Before the cops arrived at the scene, Spirit Airlines resolved the issue, and a representative of the company clarified that it was the parents who broke the airline's face covering policy. However, their violation was not caught on camera.

The representative added that a warning was given, and they were allowed to re-board on the plane to proceed to their destination, Business Insider reported.

There was also an issue that the cops also escorted one of the male crew of the airline company, but the representative cleared that it was just a crew change.

READ MORE: $500,000 Face Mask Innovation Challenge Launched by the Biden Admin

WATCH: Spirit Airlines Flight Attendant Attempts to Kick Off Family for not Wearing Masks - From PapaStanimus
Operating income before depreciation and amortization up 1,170K

Vivendi debt fully repaid

Strong growth in the first quarter of 2021

Preparing for the launch of a new business line

Regulatory News:

AudioValley, an international specialist in B2B solutions in digital audio, (ISIN code: BE0974334667 mnemonic: ALAVY) has published its annual results for the 2020 financial year and its revenue for the first quarter of 2021.

Alexandre Saboundjian, CEO: "2020 was marked by several exceptional events. The health crisis of course, but also the early repayment of our debt to the Vivendi group and the signing of strategic partnerships that enabled us to make up for much of the decline in our business, heavily impacted by the fall in advertising investment at the start of the coronavirus crisis. As our results show, we were able to confront the crisis by controlling our costs. These measures and the resilient mindset that spurred each member of our teams led to a remarkable 1,170K improvement in operating income before depreciation and amortization (from -548K in 2019 to +622K in 2020)! In early 2021, we signed new strategic partnerships that give us access to new territories such as Scandinavia. We are also preparing to launch a new rights management business in Europe, a market worth 10 billion!"

KEY FIGURES

in 000 IFRS standards audited 2020 2019 Change Revenue 19.583 21.962 -10,8% Cost of sales (10.290) (12.223) -15,8% Payroll costs (6.409) (6.998) -8,4% Other administrative and commercial expenses (2.262) (3.289) -31,2% Operating income before depreciation and amortization 622 (548) +1.170 K Depreciation and amortization (3.977) (4.184) -4,9% Operating income after depreciation and amortization (3.355) (4.732) +1.377 K Other income 9 +9 K Other expenses (25) (44) +19 K Operating income (3.371) (4.776) +1.405 K Gain on disposal revaluation of equity interest 7.091 -7.091 K Financial income/loss (1.908) 2.276 -4.184 K Income taxes 448 (260) +708 K Net income from continuing operations (4.830) 4.331 -9.162 K Net income from discontinued operations 450 -450 K Net income (Group share) (4.830) 4.781 -9.612 k

ANALYSIS OF FIGURES

Revenue down only 10%

In 2020, the Group posted a slight decline in business of 10.8% compared with 2019 (19.6M vs 22M). At constant exchange rates, this fall was 10.1%.

Activity was strongly impacted by the coronavirus crisis, particularly in Q2 when lockdown measures appeared (-22% compared to Q2 2019). Targetspot's business was impacted by the fall in advertiser ad budgets, especially in the retail sector. The closure of retail outlets also impacted in-store music broadcast licensing.

There was a marked pick-up in activity at the beginning of the summer, mainly thanks to strong growth in European business at Targetspot, which helped to limit the decline in sales for the full financial year. The recruitment of several talents also worked in the Group's favor.

Globally, for the full year, media budgets fell -31% in Europe and -24% in the US1. AudioValley's activity was therefore, comparatively, very satisfactory.

Targetspot (89% of consolidated revenue): international expansion and European growth

Targetspot ended the year with revenue of 17.4M, down only 9.8% compared with 2019 (9% fall at constant exchange rates). This performance was the result of strong activity in the United States despite the crisis (11.3M compared with 14.1M in 2019, which represents a fall of 18.7% at constant exchange rates, and the rapid growth of Targetspot in Europe (6.1M compared with 5.1M in 2019, i.e. +18.4%). Despite the various lockdowns in Europe that impacted revenue in the 4th quarter, the growth observed reflects the potential in extremely buoyant markets.

The launch in April of Passport Explore, the most advanced digital audio campaign optimization and management platform on the market, was very well received (press release of 23 April).

Targetspot contributed to AudioValley's expansion with the signing of a major partnership in 2020 with MediaDonuts, an international group specializing in advertising technologies, covering India and South-East Asia, and a partnership with Sonos to exclusively monetize their new streaming service Sonos Radio, with its 60,000 radio stations, in 11 countries (press release of 29 April 2020). Targetspot is forecasting significant growth in 2021.

1 Source: World Federation of Advertisers.

Jamendo (11% of revenue): a highly promising collaboration

The Jamendo division recorded revenue of 2.2M, a decrease of 18.2%.

The Covid crisis significantly impacted Jamendo's activity during the 1st half of the year (-22.7% compared with the 1st half of 2019). Business improved somewhat in the second half of the year (-13.2%), mainly due to implementation of the new subscription offer, as well as the signing of a global partnership with Adobe (press release of 22 June 2020) for the launch of Adobe Stock audio which integrates thousands of Jamendo audio tracks with its Premiere Pro software. This partnership expands sources of revenue for Jamendo and its musicians, while benefiting from international visibility.

The creation of Jamendo Rights Management at the end of 2020, a new business line devoted to collective music rights management, will enable Jamendo to broaden its scope of action in terms of managing and monetizing rights. This new activity, which is being prepared for commercial launch, will be a springboard for attracting new talent looking for channels to showcase their musical works. The first revenue from the deployment of Jamendo Rights Management is expected in 2021.

Operating income before depreciation and amortization positive and up 1,170K!

The best illustration of Audio Valley's resilience is the sharp improvement in its operating income before depreciation and amortization (OIBDA) which was positive, up 1,170K! This grew to 622K compared with -548K in 2019 mainly due to:

a significant increase in the consolidated gross margin in 2020, at 47.5%, compared with 44.3% a year earlier; and

control of fixed costs: temporary or permanent layoffs in the different countries where they were applied facilitated a 8.4% reduction in personnel costs compared with 2019. More generally, other operating expenses, mainly marketing and travel expenses, were cut back as much as possible and were down 31.2% compared with 2019. The company also received grants amounting to 340K.

This improvement in OIBDA is a continuation of the trend that began in 2019, when it had already increased by 1,125K.

Sebastien Veldeman, CFO: "The speed at which the teams adapted as soon as the pandemic appeared enabled AudioValley to cope with this difficult period. We have implemented strict cost control and cash flow protection measures at Group level, through temporary or permanent layoffs, subsidies and maximum cutting back of other operating expenses."

Targetspot The improvement in the Group's operating profitability stemmed exclusively from the Targetspot division: its OIBDA rose from -0.2M in 2019 to 1.1M in 2020, an increase of more than 1.3M. In addition to controlling costs, this improvement was also due to the increase in the division's gross margin rate to 45.8% compared with 42.4% in 2019.

The improvement in the Group's operating profitability stemmed exclusively from the Targetspot division: its OIBDA rose from -0.2M in 2019 to 1.1M in 2020, an increase of more than 1.3M. In addition to controlling costs, this improvement was also due to the increase in the division's gross margin rate to 45.8% compared with 42.4% in 2019. Jamendo The Jamendo division saw a sharp downturn in its activity, with less leeway for reducing costs. It recorded a negative OIBDA of -0.1M for the year. The gross margin rate also improved compared with 2019 (60.8% versus 58%).

An improvement in operating income after depreciation and amortization

In 2020, operating income after depreciation and amortization improved by 1.4M it is of -3.4M after including largely non-cash2 depreciation and amortization of 4M, broken down as follows:

2.1M with no cash effect (in order to comply with IFRS standards) relating to the straight-line depreciation charge over technological assets recognized under the PPA (Price Purchase Agreement) following the acquisition of the Targetspot division, namely the Shoutcast streaming software and the Targetspot platform;

1.3M in depreciation and amortization of other assets linked to the Group's internal development, up 0.3M;

0.6M in depreciation and amortization of rights of use for assets recognized under IFRS 16 relating to lease accounting in respect of the consolidated financial statements, which came into force on 1 January 2019. AudioValley opted to apply IFRS 16 using the modified retrospective approach, without restatement of previous financial statements.

At the end of 2020, there was a net financial loss of 1.9M, compared with net financial income of 2.3M in 2019. It includes 1M in bond interest and 0.4M relating to a better-fortunes clause, the conditions of which were met under a debt waiver agreement.

Overall, the Group posted a net loss of (4.8M), compared with 4.8M in 2019, which had benefited from exceptional items amounting to 11.5M: a capital gain of 7.1M relating to the sale of the Storever division and income of 4.4M relating to the discount obtained following the early repayment of the Vivendi debt.

2 Non cash: no impact on cash.

Financial position: Vivendi debt fully repaid and deferral of bond maturity

As at 31 December 2020, equity totaled 14.8M compared with 14.4M in 2019.

2020 was marked by two positive financial events.

In June 2020, AudioValley successfully raised 5.4M via a private placement.

via a private placement. Thanks to which, in July 2020, AudioValley repaid the last 3M tranche of its debt to Vivendi. Signed in March 2020, the agreement to defer payment of the last instalment until 30 September 2020 (instead of 31 March 2020) enabled AudioValley to take advantage of the initially provided discount of 35%, representing 8.6M.

Closing cash came to 0.8M, compared with 1.9M at the end of 2019.

Financial debts for the 2020 financial year amounted to 15.4M compared with 18.2M at the end of 2019. They are mainly made up of:

8M in convertible bonds issued in July 2019, which mature in July 2024;

5M in bonds issued in December 2019 whose maturity has just been deferred from December 2021 to December 2024.

The Group can now fully focus its financial resources on its international development.

Events after the reporting period: see the quarterly results below

Outlook for 2021:

Now focused on 100% digital audio activities, AudioValley benefits from a solid positioning combining technology and international commercial coverage in a structurally buoyant market. Our various partnerships with leading players and the increase in the number of advertisers in the portfolio (more than 200) demonstrate the ongoing shift in advertising campaigns from traditional FM radio to digital audio media (smartphone applications, smart voice assistants, podcasts, video games, etc.) that enable better audience targeting. The arrival of new players on the market, such as SONOS, which has speakers in more than 10 million households worldwide, is likely to intensify advertisers' appetite for advertising campaigns giving unprecedented access to the listeners they wish to reach. The partnerships signed in 2020 should boost the Group's activity in 2021.

The financial position, strengthened by the discharge of the Vivendi debt and the deferral of a bond repayment, is also propitious for making it through to the end of the health crisis and quickly returning to growth.

The launch of the new rights management business Jamendo Rights Management (based on the liberalization of collective rights management in Europe) is also expected to generate revenue by the end of 2021. It is targeting a market worth an estimated 10 billion in Europe of which it aims to carve out a share.

To help Jamendo in its development, and support the Rights division, the Group is not ruling an IPO in the near future.

The statutory auditor, EY, Reviseurs d'Entreprises SRL, represented by Eric Van Hoof, confirmed that the audit procedures on the consolidated financial information included in this press release have been substantially completed and have not revealed any significant corrections which should be made to the information contained in this press release.

REVENUE FOR Q1 2021

Double-digit growth!

Revenue for Q1 was up 13.2% compared with Q1 2020 (+17.1% at constant exchange rates), to 5.1M. This was despite business continuing to suffer from the effects of the pandemic and the restrictive measures taken in the various countries, especially in Europe (non-essential shops closed, full or partial lockdown, etc.).

This very satisfactory result was driven by the Targetspot division, which posted revenue of 4.6M, up 17,8% (+22.3% at CER), compared with 3.9M in Q1 2020. Growth was driven by the United States (+34.8% at CER), with Europe still heavily impacted by the pandemic (-1.2%).

Meanwhile, the Jamendo division, still greatly impacted by the crisis, posted revenue of 0.6M, down 13.8%, compared with 0.7M in Q1 2020. Three new talents have joined the team to prepare for the recovery.

Revenue

in 000 unaudited Q1 2021 % of

revenue

2020 Q1 2020 2021/2020

change Variation

TCC3 Targetspot 4 574 89% 3 883 +17,8% +22,3% Jamendo 562 11% 652 -13,8% -13,8% Group total 5 136 100% 4 535 +13,2% +17,1%

3 At CER: at constant exchange rates.

NEXT EVENTS

Release of annual financial report

30 April 2021, after market close

2020 half-year revenue

Tuesday 27 July 2021, after market close

About AudioValley

AudioValley, based in Brussels in the heart of Europe, has been a pioneer and leader in digital audio since 2007. Active throughout the value chain in its sector, and with a global network, AudioValley offers its customers partners solutions to develop their business through digital audio, both locally and internationally.

The Group is home to iconic brands: Targetspot for the monetization of digital audio content, Jamendo for music sales and music rights management, Shoutcast for streaming technologies and podcast management, and Winamp, the iconic audio player.

The audio sector is undergoing an unprecedented digital revolution with ultra-connected consumers who want access to the best audio content wherever and whenever they want. To cater for these new consumer trends, AudioValley is developing technologies that allow people to instantly enjoy the benefits of digital audio and services that create links between brands and consumers, between publishers and their audience, between publishers and brands, and between artists and music lovers. AudioValley has sites in 9 countries and employs some 100 people worldwide. www.audiovalley.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210405005508/en/

Contacts:

Investor Relations: Sebastien Veldeman investorrelations@audiovalley.com

Press Relations: Emilie Dehan press@audiovalley.com
Today, CTO's mission has been to promote restaurants and their takeout offerings, to get Canadians to embrace eating from their favourite local restaurants, while it remains impossible to eat at those places. More than 14,000 restaurants from across Canada are spotlighted on the Takeout Map, making Canada Takeout a top digital platform for consumers and operators to find takeout options, industry news, takeout inspiration, offers, and more.

Canada's National Takeout Day is April 15th, let's set the national record for the most takeout ordered in one day.

The foodservice industry continues to be challenged by the pandemic, with many restaurants still closed for indoor and outdoor dining across the nation. National Takeout Day is an opportunity for Canadians to unite in celebrating and supporting local restaurants by ordering takeout. To mark National Takeout Day's first anniversary, CTO is challenging Canadians to set a national record for the most takeout ordered in one day.

On Thursday, April 15th, diners can order takeout and upload their takeout receipts to the Takeout Tracker form at www.canadatakeout.com/april-15-takeout/, to be included in the tally.

For foodservice operators to get in on this program, they need to ensure their receipt printing systems are setup to label "Takeout", so their receipts can be verified and counted, when customers upload them to the Takeout Tracker form.

Canadians can spread the word by sharing the complimentary Takeout Challenge creative assets on their social feeds, to help set a national takeout record. Creative assets are available at www.canadatakeout.com/april-15-takeout/ for download.

For more information on Canada Takeout and National Takeout Day, visit www.canadatakeout.com . Media buy and partnership opportunities are available.

About Canada Takeout

An organization dedicated to all things takeout across the country, Canada Takeout strives to make this foodservice offering a part of Canadians' regular routines while helping operators increase sales and keep their communities alive and vibrant. For exclusive newsletter content, weekly round-ups, our restaurant finder and more, visit CanadaTakeout.com.

FOR MEDIA ONLY: (CLICK HERE) for digital and social assets

SOURCE Canada Takeout

For further information: For all inquiries: Marian Staresinic, Branding & Buzzing, [email protected]
Someone stole seven new vehicles valued at more than $400,000 from a Chambers County auto dealership Monday.

Maj. Mike Reynolds of Valley police said officers were called to King Ford Auto dealership on Fob James Drive on a burglary call Monday. Employees arriving that morning found the business has been broken into, and seven new vehicles were missing from the lot.

According to police, the vehicles are a 2021 Dodge Charger SX, a 2021 Dodge Charger, four Ford F250 4x4s, and a Dodge Ram Laramie 3500.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Valley Police Department at (334) 756-7522 or the Central Alabama Crime Stoppers at www.215stop.com, 334-215-STOP, or 1-833-AL1-STOP.
A Philadelphia hospital that has been marketed on television in the Harrisburg area for years will be sold.

The Cancer Treatment Centers of America hospital in Philadelphia will be purchased by Temple University Hospital. Temple and Cancer Treatment Centers of America have signed an asset purchase agreement for the buildings, equipment and supplies of the current campus at 1331 E. Wyoming, Ave. in Philadelphia.

Following the transaction and pending approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the hospital will be reconfigured and operated as a nonprofit institution, according to a press release. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of June.

Temple University Health System includes Temple University Hospital; TUH-Episcopal Campus; TUH-Jeanes Campus; TUH-Northeastern Campus; The Hospital of Fox Chase Cancer Center and The Institute for Cancer Research among several other entities. Temple University Health System is affiliated with the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University.

Acquisition of these resources will enable us to expand access to Temple Healths outstanding academic medical services to the Philadelphias Juniata Park region and beyond, Michael A. Young, president and CEO of Temple University Health System and Temple University Hospital said in a press release. We will identify specific services we plan to offer in that location in the coming months.

The Cancer Treatment Centers of America has hospitals in Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix as well as several outpatient centers. The first hospital opened in Illinois in 1988. A hospital in Tulsa will close operations in June. The Philadelphia hospital opened on Dec. 19, 2005.

CTCA Philadelphia has been honored to serve cancer patients in this community, Maria Scenna, president of CTCA Philadelphia said in a press release. Temple Health is well-positioned to integrate these facilities into a broader continuum of care, while expanding access to their services for the local community. Our top priority will be to ensure the seamless transition of patient care as well as work with Temple Health on employee transitions.

The Cancer Treatment Centers of America filed a WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act) notice with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry on April 1. The Cancer Treatment Centers of America informed the state that it will lay off 365 people as a result of the sale. The hospital said in the WARN notice that some of the employees will be offered employment at affiliated entities outside of the state. A spokesperson for the Cancer Treatment Centers of America said in an e-mail that Temple Health and/or its affiliates anticipates hiring a significant number its employees.

The WARN Act is federal legislation that offers protection to workers, their families and communities by requiring employers to provide notice 60 days in advance of a covered-business closing or covered-business mass layoff.

You can follow Daniel Urie on twitter @DanielUrie2018 and you can like him on Facebook.
When Gov. Kay Iveys statewide mask mandate expires Friday, Alabama businesses will have decisions to make on whether to continue mask wearing for employees and customers.

A survey by the Birmingham Business Alliance gives some indication of what some in the Magic City plan to do.

More than 300 Alliance Investors responded to a call survey on how they plan to operate following the end of the mask order.

BBA CEO Ron Kitchens said the survey shows that businesses feel the weight of deciding what their next course of action is. The Birmingham City Council this morning approved a citywide mask ordinance that will extend through May 24.

According to the survey, a bare majority, 51% of businesses, plan on continuing to require employees to wear face masks once the order is over, with 49% saying masks will be gone.

Among individual responses, one business said wearing would be optional for individual employees. Another said it would depend on the employees role and how closely they work alongside other employees and the public. Another said all COVID precautions will remain until all employees have had a chance to receive the vaccine, along with a waiting period.

A majority of businesses responding, 60%, said they would not require customers to wear masks, with 40% saying they would. One business said it would require masks at least until May 31.

Not all of my clients are not or will chose to not be vaccinated, so Im hopeful our state infection rates are much lower by then, the business owner responded.

On whether business owners anticipate resistance from customers if they continue to require face masks, responses were mixed. A majority, 38%, said maybe, while yes and no broke equally at 31%.

We have to get back to a more normal at some point, one owner said. People can use their own judgment and do whats best for them.

Most owners who responded to the survey, 38%, said they were not sure if continuing a public face mask order would be helpful or harmful to their businesses. Thirty-four percent said it would be helpful, while 28% said it would be harmful.

Among the businesses surveyed, 46% have fewer than 10 employees. Only 13% have more than 100. The largest chunk of the respondents, 21%, are in the hospitality, restaurant or retail sectors. Seventy percent of the businesses, or 214 companies, do not have remote employees.

The 92 companies with employees working from home said they intend on recalling workers to the office when most have been vaccinated, or when they are comfortable. Three quarters of them said they intend to call back all remote employees at the same time.
Lockdown curbs put in place in Maharashtra to stem the further surge in COVID-19 cases can dent India's economic growth. Disruption in the country's largest regional economy and most industrialised state can undermine India's overall growth.

Maharashtra has been contributing over 50% to the daily coronavirus cases nationally with over 47,000 new cases reported on Monday, April 5. The state reported 57,074 novel coronavirus cases on Sunday, April 4, its highest single-day spike ever since the pandemic began last year.

To mitigate the situation, the Maharashtra government imposed a lockdown which entails complete shutdown at nights and on weekends, and limited activity during weekdays. The measures are in place until April 30.

The rising cases and probability of more restrictions in Maharashtra pose a big threat to businesses and the economy at large. But how?

Also Read: Maharashtra imposes night curfew, weekend lockdown amid COVID-19 surge

Dent in the Indian economy

Looking at the ramifications of the restrictions put in the state, the "radical" lockdown decision taken by the Maharashtra government will have an economic impact of Rs 40,000 crore. Hotels, trade, and transport sectors in the state are going to bear the biggest dent, according to Care Ratings.

The ratings agency further stated that the loss of economic activity will have a 0.32% impact on the GVA (Gross Value Added) at the national level. It also revised down its national GDP growth estimate to 10.7 - 10.9% from 11 - 11.2% given a week ago.

"...with FY22 starting on a sombre note with the lockdown fully in place for Maharashtra and to a lesser extent in other states, overall production and consumption would be affected," the agency said.

The dip in output by around Rs 40,000 crore in the case of Maharashtra would lead to a decline in Gross value added (GVA) growth by 0.32% at the overall domestic economic level, Care noted.

Out of the projected Rs 137.8 lakh crore of GVA at the country level projected for FY22, Maharashtra would account for around Rs 20.7 lakh crore, which will now decline by around 2% due to the lockdown, the ratings agency stated.

It explained that the loss of income is based on the relative share of Maharashtra in various sectors, and the one-month impact of lockdown/restrictions on them.

Also Read: Maharashtra COVID-19 lockdown rules: Restaurants, offices, malls - what's allowed, what's not

Loss to trade, hotels, transport

From a sectoral perspective, Care Ratings said trade, hotels, and transport will bear a Rs 15,772 crore hit, followed by financial services, real estate, and professional services which will see a loss of Rs 9,885 crore, and public administration at Rs 8,192 crore.

Terming the measures adopted by Maharashtra as "radical," it said the state is the largest in terms of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) and has a share of around 15% in GVA, followed by Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka.

Impact on consumer demand

As the movement of people has been curtailed to a large extent, overall consumer demand would also get impacted affecting certain segments in manufacturing, Care said.

Lesser activity in most segments will affect power consumption, and hence the overall production of electricity as well, it said, adding that even the pace of construction will slow down, and new projects will not be taken up.

Restrictions on the functioning of non-essential shops are likely to impact the discretionary retail segment, while e-commerce platforms are expected to benefit to a limited extent, it said.

Also Read: Sensex closes 870 points lower as record Covid-19 cases, Maharashtra lockdown roil investor sentiment

Maharashtra's contribution to India's GDP

The average share of Maharashtra's contribution to India's nominal GDP is the highest among all states at 14.2%, according to the state economic survey for FY21.

As per the advance estimates, Maharashtra's economy is expected to grow by (-) 8.0% during 2020-21. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Trade, Repairs, Hotels & Restaurants and Transport sectors, the services sector is expected to grow at (-)9.0%.

Meanwhile, the 'Agriculture & allied activities', 'Industry' and 'Services' sectors for the state are expected to grow by 11.7%, (-)11.3% and (-)9.0% respectively.

Also Read: Indian economy well prepared to handle second wave of COVID-19: FinMin

The 'Manufacturing' and 'Construction' sectors, as per the survey, were hit hardest and are expected to grow at (-)11.8% and (-)14.6% respectively, due to which 'Industry' sector's growth is expected to be (-)11.3%.

As per the advance estimates, nominal (at current prices) GSDP for 2020-21 is expected to be Rs 26,61,629 crore, and real (at constant 2011-12 prices) GSDP is expected to be Rs 19,62,539 crore.

Nominal GSDP of Maharashtra is expected to decrease by Rs 1,56,925 crore during 2020-21 as compared to 2019-20. Meanwhile, per capita state income during 2020-21 is expected to be at Rs 1,88,784.
No decision has yet been made on any regulatory action.

People under the age of thirty might soon be advised not to take the PLC ( )/Oxford University Covid-19 vaccines, according to reports today.

UK regulators, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), are said to be considering the change in advice very urgently, said the stories.

A change in recommendation might happen as soon as today, Channel Four said in a report, with an outright ban on the under-thirties also said to be under consideration.

Concerns again are focused on the possibility that the vaccine might spark a rare form of blood clot with the young deen sd much more at risk than older recipients.

Up until 24 March, there had been 30 cases of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) and eight other thrombosis events with low platelets among 18.1mln Britons so far vaccinated with the Astra jab, said the MHRA. Of these, seven have proved fatal.

Marco Cavaleri, a senior official at the European Medicines Agency, also said in an interview Tuesday there seemed to be a 'certain link' between the vaccine and some people getting blood clots especially the young but the reasons for this were unclear.

MHRAs chief executive Dr June Raine said no decision had been made on its advice over the Astra/Oxford vaccine.

Our thorough and detailed review is ongoing into reports of very rare and specific types of blood clots with low platelets following the Covid-19 vaccine AstraZeneca, she said.

No decision has yet been made on any regulatory action.

Government, doctors and scientists all say the risks are far outweighed by the lives saved, which has been estimated at 6,300 in the first two months of the vaccine roll-out programme.

No blood clot incidents have been reported with the /BioNtech vaccine.

The governments vaccination programme received a lift today as the Scotland-manufactured Valneva vaccine scored well in a phase I/II trial especially in the incidence of antibodies and cellular responses generated.
(Newser)  Those involved in a naked photo shoot on a high-rise balcony in Dubai will be deported, authorities said Tuesday after the footage went viral and prompted a crackdown in the Gulf Arab sheikhdom. Dubai authorities detained at least 11 Ukrainian women who posed naked in broad daylight along with a male Russian photographer on charges of public debauchery and producing pornography, the AP reports. Earlier this week, images and videos of the naked women splattered across social media and sent a wave of shock through the emirate, where a legal code based on Islamic law, or Shariah, has landed foreigners in jail for tamer offenses.

story continues below

After an unusually speedy investigation, Dubais Attorney General Essam Issa al-Humaidan announced that those behind the photo shoot would be sent back to their countries, without elaborating further. Dubai police have declined to identify those detained. The swift deportation is rare for the legal system in Dubai, an absolutely ruled sheikhdom. Such cases typically go to trial or are otherwise adjudicated before deportation. "The public prosecutor ordered the deportation of the accused for their behavior contrary to public morals," al-Humaidan said, adding that the group of women had been charged with violating the country's public decency law.

(Read more Dubai stories.)
Citizens of the United States who have been inoculated for COVID-19 can now safely travel. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released guidelines for fully vaccinated people, who no longer need to get tested before or after travel as long as the destination does not require it, and do not need to self-quarantine after the trip.

However, fully vaccinated people are still encouraged to wear a mask, keep a safe distance of six feet away from the next person and avoid crowds, and practice frequent handwashing.

According to the new CDC guidelines, "Fully vaccinated travelers are less likely to get and spread COVID-19." CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky recently told the Associated Press that she would "advocate against general travel overall" as COVID-19 cases are still on the rise. However, "If you are vaccinated, it is lower risk."

Some are skeptical about getting vaccinated for good reason. The vaccine can only place a person at a "lower risk" for contracting COVID-19 and not completely protect an individual from it. This is why the CDC still mandates wearing masks, socially distancing, and frequently washing one's hands.

The CDC revealed that over 100 million people in the United States have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Note that the term "fully vaccinated" means that it has been two weeks since an individual has received his second dose of the two-dose Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Christian Headlines reported that while airlines do not require a COVID-19 test or a proof of vaccination, some states have implemented testing and quarantine rules for travelers. The CDC is still discouraging travel for unvaccinated individuals and urged them to undergo COVID-19 testing one to three days before the trip and once more three to five days upon returning. For those unvaccinated people who travel, it is a must to stay home and quarantine for seven days even if their test results come back negative.

The Biden administration reported last week that it was able to administer 20 million COVID-19 vaccine shots in a week, one the most rapid in the world. However, President Biden cautioned that the fight is not over. He rallied Americans to "[continue] to do their part - mask up, practice social distancing" to hit the collective goal to have a "more normal July 4th" this year, one that is filled with travel, family reunions, and a better, more vibrant economy.

The president warned, however, that relaxing restrictions prematurely will compromise the vaccination campaign despite it putting people at "lower risk" for COVID-19. He said, "We need to finish this job. We need every American to buckle down and keep their guard up in this homestretch."

According to Forbes, the United States has administered over 165 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccines as of April 4, way ahead of China which has administered 138 million, the European Union that has administered 79 million, India with 74.4 million, and the U.K. with 36.6 million.

However, the U.S.' vaccination rate of 49 doses per 100 people is surpassed by Israel with 113 doses per 100 people, the United Arab Emirates with 89 per 100 people, and the U.K. with 55 per hundred people.
Nashville- Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III urged the U.S. Department of Education to cancel federal student loan debt for some students who attended ITT Technical Institute. The now defunct for-profit school defrauded thousands of individuals by encouraging them to enroll and borrow loans based on false and misleading information about the value of an ITT degree.

The borrower defense application that a bipartisan coalition of 24 states and the District of Columbia filed today includes students who attended ITT Tech between at least 2007 and 2011.

Federal law permits the Department of Education to forgive federal student loans when borrowers were deceived in obtaining them. The attorneys general are demanding full relief to ITT students, including refunding payments already made on those loans.

In Tennessee, we had hundreds of students simply trying to improve their lives through an education at ITT Tech and instead were harmed, said General Slatery. This Office will continue to work on their behalf enforcing out states consumer protection laws.

Based on a 2012 congressional report, ITT enrolled roughly 282,000 students across the country between 2007-2010. During this enrollment period, ITT misrepresented the value of its education, telling potential students they would get high-paying jobs after graduation with a constant rate of earning growth- sometimes more than $100,000 in average annual earnings than workers with the same credentials.

To read the letter, click here: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/attorneygeneral/documents/pr/2021/pr21-14-letter.pdf

The letter was led by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser and Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, who were joined by the District of Columbia and the states of Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

###

#21-14: AG Slatery Urges U.S. Department of Education to Forgive Loans for Some ITT Tech Students
(Natural News) A report released March 31 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that heart disease and cancer remain the leading causes of death for 2020 despite the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The report, which was based on provisional death certificate data between January and December of last year, showed that COVID-19 only came in third, contributing around 375,000 mortalities to the national total of about 3,360,000 mortalities. Heart disease ranked first after tallying more than 690,000 deaths, followed by cancer at nearly 600,000. Both conditions were also the leading causes of death for the year before.

The CDC said that the overall U.S. mortality rate increased for the first time since 2017, by almost 16 percent. COVID-19 led the surge, accounting for an increase of 11.3 percent.

The overall death rate was lowest among children between the ages of five and 14, according to the report. Meanwhile, the highest was among people over the age of 85. Only 134 children aged 14 and below died from COVID-19 while more than 120,000 individuals aged 85 and above died from the disease. Those aged 75 to 84 years accounted for over 104,000 coronavirus deaths.

In terms of race, whites made up the most number of COVID-19-related mortalities at nearly 230,000, followed by Hispanics at over 68,000 and then by Blacks at almost 60,000.

Provisional estimates from the CDC, which were released in February, indicated that life expectancy in the U.S. plummeted by a year in the first half of 2020  the biggest decline since World War II  and stood at the lowest levels since 2006. (Related: CDC reports thousands of coronavirus deaths involve other contributing causes, raising questions about Americas real death toll.)

It will take some time before the age-adjusted death rate and life expectancy return to pre-pandemic levels, said Marc Gourevitch, chair of the department of population health at Langone Health at New York University, who was not part of the report.

Gourevitch predicted that these trends wouldnt begin to normalize until 2022 at the earliest. He also suggested that the pandemics impact on jobs and the economy worsened the direct effects of COVID-19 on mortality.

Pandemic reduced screenings for heart disease, cancer

A study published last January showed that COVID-19 reduced the diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, sharply increasing mortality rates from the condition. Dr. Rishi Wadhera, an assistant professor of cardiology at Harvard Medical School and the lead researcher of the study, told Healthline that during the early phase of the pandemic, clinicians in regions hit hard by the virus noticed a huge drop in hospitalizations for cardiac conditions such as heart attacks.

This led Wadhera and his colleagues to compare pandemic death rates from cardiovascular causes to pre-pandemic rates in order to answer where all the heart attacks went. The researchers found that deaths from ischemic heart disease (a condition caused by narrowed arteries) and diseases related to high blood pressure significantly increased after the pandemic started.

New York City recorded the largest increase in deaths due to ischemic heart disease at 139 percent. The city also recorded a 164 percent increase in hypertensive disease. The rest of New York state, as well as New Jersey, Michigan and Illinois, also amassed significant increases in deaths due to heart disease. Death rates from heart failure, cerebrovascular disease and other conditions did not change.

Although the direct toll of COVID-19 has been devastating, many of us in the medical community have also worried about the indirect toll of the pandemic on patients with other medical conditions, like cardiovascular disease, Wadhera shared.

Fewer Americans also attended screenings for cancer last year, potentially leading to increased advanced cancer diagnoses. An analysis from the Epic Health Research Network showed that the rate of screenings for breast, cervical and colon cancer by mid-June were as much as 36 percent lower than their pre-pandemic levels.

Experts attributed the reduced number of screenings to months of lockdowns and waves of surging COVID-19 cases, both of which shuttered clinics and reduced operating hours. While it is still early to determine the full impact of the delays in screening, many cancer specialists have already encountered a significant number of advanced cancer cases. (Related: Its now looking like the lockdowns may have been a huge mistake.)

Theres no question in practice that we are seeing patients with more advanced breast cancer and colorectal cancer, said Dr. Lucio N. Gordan, the president of the Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute.

Learn more about indirect toll of the COVID-19 pandemic on Americans health at Pandemic.news.

Sources include:

Reuters.com

CDC.gov 1

CDC.gov 2

Healthline.com

NYTimes.com
Police say man not hurt in crash

HIGHRIDGE  State police at Frackville said a Frackville man escaped injury when the 2004 Buick Rainier he was driving crashed at the Highridge exit from the southbound lanes of Interstate 81 in Butler Township around 9:10 p.m. Saturday.

Police said David Kehler, 62, exited the highway onto the ramp but went off the right side of the road, hitting several sign posts owned by PennDOT, causing his SUV to become disabled.

As a result of the crash, police said, Kehler was charged with driving a vehicle without an official Certificate of Inspection.

Man cited after 3 hurt in crash

CRESSONA  Three people suffered serious injuries in a head-on crash on the Gordon Nagle Trail, Route 901, just before SPCA Road in North Manheim Township around 3:40 p.m. Saturday.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said Steven D. Reed, 48, of Williamstown, was driving a 2006 Subaru Forester south when he crossed over into the northbound lane and collided with an oncoming 1998 Ford Explorer driven by Anika Sine, 25, of Pottsville.

Reed was flown to Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center for treatment while his passenger  Tori Reed, 47, also of Williamstown  was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Allentown.

Police said Sine was taken to a Pottsville hospital for treatment.

As a result of the crash, police said, Reed was cited for not driving on roadways laned for traffic.

Police investigate mans death

HAMBURG  A death investigation is underway after a body was found in Tilden Township, Berks County, Sunday morning.

State police at Hamburg said the body of Chad Blackston, 49, of Hamburg, was found around 11:10 a.m. on the edge of the Schuylkill River near 101 Hill Drive.

Police said the cause of death is pending further investigation and an autopsy.

Man not injured in interstate crash

MAHANOY CITY  A Hazleton man escaped injury when the 2005 Ford Explorer he was driving crashed in the northbound lanes of Interstate 81 near mile marker 126.3 in Ryan Township around 12:10 a.m. Friday.

State police at Frackville said Jose Santos Ramirez, 49, was driving north when he lost control on an icy bridge and went off the road into the grass median.

The vehicle overturned and came to a stop on its roof, police said.

Woman cited for not reporting crash

ORWIGSBURG  State police at Schuylkill Haven investigated a crash that happened on Route 61 at the intersection of Holly Road in West Brunswick Township around 4:$5 p.m. Saturday.

Police said Mackenzie Mady, 41, of Orwigsburg, was driving a 2012 Honda Odyssey south on Route 61 when she slowed to make a right turn onto Holly Road but did not slow down enough to safely make the turn.

Police said the vehicle struck the guiderails and that Mady fled the scene and was located at her residence. The vehicle was disabled and had to be towed from the scene, police said, adding that Mady was cited for immediate notice of accident to police.

Police: 3 vehicles stolen from

AUBURN  Thefts from vehicles that happened between midnight and 10 a.m. Thursday are being investigated by state police at Schuylkill Haven.

Police said three thefts were reported and included money stolen from the vehicles that were not locked at the time.

Police urge everyone to lock their vehicles when not attended and to remove all valuable items.

Anyone with information on the thefts is asked to call police at 570-754-4600.
The animal's remains were found on Glenavon Lane in Lurgan. (Pic: Google)

Council officials have been left shocked and saddened following the discovery of a cats remains dumped in Lurgan.

The cats remains, a blanket and pet bed were dumped in Glenavon Lane and discovered on March 31 with council officers left to deal with the scene.

Commenting on the shocking discovery, a spokesperson for Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council urged anyone with any information about the incident to contact the councils environmental health department.

Council officers were shocked and saddened to discover the remains of a cat with its blanket and pet bed dumped in Glenavon Lane yesterday, a council spokesperson said.

This is an appalling scene left for any member of the public to find and council officers to deal with.

Anyone with information in relation to this incident is asked to please contact the environmental health department on 0300 0300 900.

Alternatively, you can email ehealth@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk.

Speaking about the incident, Alderman Stephen Moutray said he was disgusted to think an animal could be treated in this way and urged anyone with any information to come forward.

I am simply disgusted, he said.

To dump this poor animals remains at a roadside for any passer-by to find is truly shocking. What kind of people do this?

It is beyond revolting and I would ask anyone who knows anything about the incident to contact councils environmental health department.




At least 246 people in Michigan who were fully immunized against COVID-19, tested positive for the virus, have tested positive for coronavirus and three have died.

No identifying information was available for the three people who died except that they were aged 65 or older.

This makes Michigan among the first states to report 'breakthrough cases,' which occur when people test positive for the virus at least 14 days after receiving their final dose of the vaccine.

All the vaccines approved for emergency use authorizations - Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson - are between 72 and 95 percent effective.

This means between five and 28 percent of people get vaccinated may still get sick, which officials say is serious but not surprising.

They say it also underscores the fact that masks and other public health measures are needed until enough of the population is vaccined to reach herd immunity.

So far, about 2.95 million residents, about 36.5 percent of the state's population, have received at least one dose and 1.8 million Michiganders are fully vaccinated.

At least 246 people in Michigan, who were fully immunized with the COVID-19 vaccine, have tested positive for coronavirus and three have died. Pictured: A healthcare worker administers the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in Benton Harbor Michigan, March 9

So far, about 2.95 million residents have received at least one dose and 1.8 million Michiganders are fully vaccinated (above)

'While it is significantly less likely, it is still possible to contract the virus after being vaccinated,' Lynn Sutfin, a spokeswoman for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services told The Destroit New.

'Studies indicate that even if vaccinated people do become ill, they are far less likely to experience severe illness requiring hospitalization or resulting in death.

Sutfin said the cases were reported between January 1 and March 31.

'Some of these individuals may ultimately be excluded from this list due to continuing to test positive from a recent infection prior to being fully vaccinated,' she said.

'These cases are undergoing further review to determine if they meet other CDC criteria for determination of potential breakthrough, including the absence of a positive antigen or PCR test less than 45 days prior to the post-vaccination positive test.

'In general, these persons have been more likely to be asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic compared with vaccinated persons.'

According to the department, 11 people of the 246 breakthrough cases tested positive.

Sutfin says all three people who died were were 65 years or older and two of three had had their final dose within three weeks of their death.

'While the majority of the population develops full immunity within 14 days of completion of their vaccine series, a small proportion appear to take longer to mount a full antibody response,' she said.

'CDC is actively working to better understand the risk characteristics of this group

The news comes as Michigan reported a record number of coronavirus cases.

Officials recorded 11,082 COVID-19 cases, which surpasses the previous daily high k of 10,140 hit on November 20 and bringing the total case load to 779,974.

This makes The Great Lake State the only state to report more than 7,000 new infections on Monday.

In addition, the seven-day rolling average has sky-rocketed from about 1,800 new infections per day to over 6,700 cases a day.

Last week, Whitmer announced she was doubling the state's vaccination goal from administering 50,000 shots every to 100,000 per day.

An average of about three million adults are being vaccinated every day, with single-day totals reaching four million over the weekend.

It comes as President Joe Biden is set to announce Tuesday that he is updating the deadline for states to make all adults eligible for coronavirus vaccines to April 19, two weeks earlier than the original May 1 deadline.

'We are still very much in this pandemic, but we've learned a tremendous amount about how to protect ourselves and our loved ones,' Sutfin said, according to the Detroit Free Press.

'That's why every Michigander has a personal responsibility to do their part by wearing a mask, washing hands, and maintaining social distancing to help us slow the spread of this virus.
Mumbai, April 6 : As the hiring scenario improves in India after the pandemic-hit 2020, many employers are still not keen to hire for jobs requiring customer interfacing across the country, a new report said on Tuesday.

The data from job site Indeed showed that the employers' demand for roles like field engineer, sales lead and editor went down by 55 per cent-85 per cent during January 2020 and February 2021.

"In the first week of April, hiring in India was down by 9 per cent, which was still an improvement from June last year where it was down by 51 per cent," the report said.

However, postings for tech jobs as application developer, full-stack developer, software architect and development operations engineer grew multi-fold between 150 per cent-300 per cent.

"The relevance of tech jobs continues to remain consistent both pre and post pandemic. The continued reliance on technological solutions to meet the needs for shopping, remote working and learning has amplified the importance of tech developers across industries and cities," said Sashi Kumar, Managing Director, Indeed India.

"Moreover, shifting focus towards scaling up businesses online and developing solutions to connect customers, employees, students and various other entities in the ecosystem has led to an escalated demand for tech jobs post-pandemic as well," he said in a statement.

All the major cities witnessed a growth in tech job roles except Kolkata where the job postings were concentrated in the retail and business development sectors.

"With the continued adherence on social distancing and increasing reliance on online shopping, the job roles that require customer interfacing de-grew significantly," the report said.

Among the jobs that were least sought after, caller, customer service representative, sales executive and sales representatives saw a sharp decline.
Creating space for new narratives has always been an integral part of cultural change work, said Burke

In the wake of her recent book announcement, Tarana Burke has signed a new deal that allows her another chance to tell stories.

The founder of the #MeToo movement has teamed up with CBS Studios to develop scripted and unscripted documentary-style content for the companys streaming platform and TV network.

Burkes producing partner Mervyn Marcano will also collaborate on the deal. Their Field/House Productions is focused on highlighting underrepresented stories and releasing content that tells the stories of the rest of us.

The CBS deal includes creating content for CBS Television Network.

Tarana Burke attends the TIME 100 Gala 2019 on April 23, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for TIME)

In our quest to partner with compelling storytellers, Tarana and Mervyn stand out, David Stapf, president, CBS Studios said in a press release obtained by theGrio. Their drive and leadership as stewards of change bring a powerful and distinct voice to advancing stories of inclusion and impact. They are clearly magnets for many whose voices need to be heard and were excited to work alongside them in this new venture.

Read More: Byron Allens This TV expands distribution to ABC-owned station subchannels

Marcano is a storyteller, a producer, and a communications strategist who has worked on several TV projects such as BETs Finding Justice. He also sits as the head of communications at Blackbird, a strategic hub for social justice and racial movements.

Were thrilled to be building a powerful vehicle for inclusive stories with CBS Studios, said Marcano. Our goal has always been to create a pipeline of culturally progressive programming with our diverse network of creatives and storytellers. We look forward to working with the team at CBS Studios as these stories find their homes across the media ecosystem.

Through arts and culture, Burke, a native of the Bronx, New York, has dedicated the last three decades of her life to combating racial injustice, violence, and gender inequity. She began using the term Me Too, in 2006, to shed light on sexual abuse and assault.

Story continues

The phrase went viral in 2017 after the Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse allegations began to surface. Burkes memoir Unbound, is set to drop this fall.

Creating space for new narratives has always been an integral part of cultural change work, said Burke. Field/House is a platform for those new narratives. This partnership gives us the reach and scale to ensure that we build new audiences for new voices.

Another Black female storyteller has also gotten a new gig. As per theGrio, former BET executive Zola Mashariki snagged a new gig with Audible.

Mashariki has snagged the role at the audiobook company. Audible recently announced she will lead the companys original content team, per The Wrap.

Audible is an industry leader and the go-to home for extraordinary creators and gifted auteurs, said Mashariki in a statement. Im absolutely thrilled to join a best-in-class team to lead content creation, evolve our strategy, amplify original voices  both emerging and established  and deliver imaginative, immersive, and high-quality audio narratives to audiences everywhere.

Mashariki is a graduate of Harvard Law School. She spent 15 years working at Fox Searchlight Pictures as an SVP of production where she oversaw films such as 12 Years a Slave and The Secret Life of Bees.

Read More: Raven-Symone to star in new home makeover show for HGTV

Audible is in the business of fearlessly creating unparalleled audio experiences that showcase the best in storytelling. With Zola, a profoundly gifted executive, we are poised to conquer this important moment in audioa pivotal time when creativity and originality are at a premium and we deepen our commitment to re-imagine what audio experiences can mean for audiences, said Rachel Ghiazza, head of US content, EVP, in a statement.

Have you subscribed to theGrios podcast Dear Culture? Download our newest episodes now!

TheGrio is now on Apple TV, Amazon Fire, and Roku. Download theGrio today!

The post Tarana Burke signs overall producing deal with CBS Studios appeared first on TheGrio.
New York, April 6 : US researchers have claimed that blood group does not make a person vulnerable to Covid-19 infection nor does it increase the severity, debunking the earlier theories that SARS-CoV-2 infection is linked to certain blood groups.

For the new study, researchers from the University of Utah included more than 11,000 individuals who were newly infected with SARS-CoV-2.

The findings, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, showed that the blood types A, B, AB and O were not associated with disease susceptibility or severity.

Compared with type O blood, type A was not associated with increased viral positivity, hospitalization or ICU admission. Similarly, types B and AB were not associated with worse outcomes than type O.

"Given the large and prospective nature of our study and its strongly nil results, we believe that important associations of SARS-CoV-2 and Covid-19 with ABO groups are unlikely and will not be useful factors associated with disease susceptibility or severity on either an individual or population level for similar environments and ancestries," said the research team led by Jeffrey Anderson, from the varsity's School of Medicine in Salt Lake City.

Earlier, a report from China had suggested that blood group A was linked with increased susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection, while blood group O was associated with reduced susceptibility.

Another set of studies from Italy and Spain reported that blood group A was associated with an increased risk of severe Covid-19 and blood group O was associated with a reduced risk.

In contrast, a large Danish study implicated disease susceptibility but not severity. However, result of studies from Boston, Massachusetts, and New York, did not confirm any specific associations between ABO blood group and disease.

These reports led to widespread interest in examining ABO blood groups as potential Covid-19 risk factors, researchers said.

"The smaller sample sizes and retrospective, observational nature of many prior studies, in addition to their striking heterogeneity of ABO associations with disease susceptibility and severity, could be due to chance variations, publication bias, differences in genetic background, geography and environment, and viral strains," the researchers noted.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Using targeted electrical signals to harness the bodys natural mechanisms to diagnose and treat a range of diseases

Has commercialized its first product, a biomedical signal processing platform called PURE EP

To date more than 680 patient cases have been conducted with the PURE EP System across eight clinical sites.

What BioSig Technologies does:

BioSig Technologies Inc ( ) is working to develop and deliver advanced signal processing solutions that will unlock the future of bioelectronic medicine.

Bioelectronic medicine is a rapidly growing field of healthcare that explores how targeted electrical signals can harness the bodys natural mechanisms to diagnose and treat a range of diseases. The field represents not just a narrow category of medical devices, but an entire approach to detecting and treating disease  using electrical pulses and the bodys own mechanisms as an adjunct or alternative to drugs and medical procedures.

Founded in 2009, the Westport, Connecticut-based company has already built an impressive scientific and business track record. It has developed a first-of-its-kind technology, attracted significant investment, conducted pre-clinical studies with centers of excellence, signed a 10-year strategic agreement with Mayo Clinic, and developed a robust IP strategy.

The company has commercialized its first product, a biomedical signal processing platform called PURE EP, which is designed to improve signal fidelity and uncover the full range of electrocardiogram (ECG) and intracardiac signals. PURE EP elevates the standard of care in electrophysiology through enhanced signal acquisition, digital signal processing, and analysis.

The $4.6 billion electrophysiology (EP) market is growing at more than 10% annually and expected to exceed $8.5 billion by 2024, according to a 2018 report on Opportunities in Global Medical Devices and Diagnostics.

BioSig hopes to expand the applications of its technology to new disease areas and markets - helping to bring the promise of bioelectronic medicine to millions of patients worldwide.

BioSigs founder and CEO, Ken Londoner, has a proven track record as a business entrepreneur, a biomedical executive, and an investment expert.

How is it doing:

BioSig has been very busy in the first quarter of 2021, with significant progress in the commercialization of its PURE EP systems.

On May 4, BioSig revealed that it had increased its patient case goal for PURE EP to at least 1,500 procedures by the end of 2021. Previously, the company had announced its target to complete 1,000 patient cases in 2021, having delivered 425 procedures by the end of 2020.

The company noted that it is currently conducting patient cases in nine medical centers across the country. Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at St. Davids Medical Center in Austin, Texas, its first commercial customer, continues to be the biggest user of the technology with over 300 patient cases conducted to date.

Mayo Clinic Florida Campus and the University of Pennsylvania are the second and third largest patient case drivers with 130 and 112 cases, respectively. And more than 800 procedures have been conducted with the PURE EP System in the last 18 months,

The company had announced on April 27 that Mayo Clinics campus in Phoenix, Arizona had started using the PURE EP System in patient cases treating cardiac arrhythmias. It said the 30-day clinical evaluation of the PURE EP System was being conducted by the cardiac electrophysiologists Win-Kuang Shen, Hichan El Masry, Arturo Valverde, and Luis Scott.

And on April 6, the company announced that another unnamed top-rated leading hospital system had purchased PURE EP systems for multiple campuses in its national network. BioSig pointed out that more than 680 patient cases have been conducted with the PURE EP System to date across eight clinical sites.

On April 13, BioSig said it had completed enrollment in the PURE EP 2.0 clinical trial. The multi-center, prospective clinical trial was conducted at the Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at St. Davids Medical Center in Austin, Texas, Mayo Clinic Florida Campus in Jacksonville, Florida, and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

During the trial, BioSig said the PURE EP System was used in all types of arrhythmia cases, including atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, and atrial flutter. Atrial fibrillation, the most common arrhythmia type affecting over 6 million people in the US, accounted for more than 40% of enrollments. The company said it continues to accumulate significant amounts of data to be utilized in the development of its AI platform.

Earlier in the same month, BioSig had announced the release of the PURE EP Software Version 4. The company said the latest version builds on the main system capabilities of the PURE EP while improving the overall user experience. The software upgrade will be rolled out to all new and existing customers, it added.

At the end of March, BioSig had announced the first commercial sale of three PURE EP units to St. Davids HealthCare in Austin, Texas, an HCA Healthcare-owned hospital. The group also said then that at least three more clinical sites were scheduled to kick off evaluation of the PURE EP system in coming months.

In February, the group said it had entered into three new evaluation agreements for the PURE EP System with New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, Michigan MedicineUniversity Hospital - two centers that account for two of the largest EP programs in the country - and with Houston Methodist Hospital.

It also revealed then that new installations of the PURE EP System would follow a shorter assessment cycle of 90 days based on favorable data from installation evaluations in 2020.

And the company started the year with news that it had installed and conducted the first patient cases using the PURE EP system at Memorial Hospital of South Bend, part of Beacon Health System in South Bend, Indiana.

At the start of February, BioSig also announced a strategic collaboration with the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research to develop next-generation Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning-powered software for the PURE EP system.

The collaboration will include a research and development program that will expand the clinical value of the companys proprietary hardware and software with advanced signal processing capabilities and aim to develop novel technological solutions by combining the electrophysiological signals delivered by the PURE EP with other data sources.

On another front, at the start of January, BioSig announced a partnership with , which will deploy its M400 Smart Glasses for remote servicing of the PURE EP System. The deployment will support the planned nationwide rollout of the system, with remote servicing support offering an ideal solution for compliance with coronavirus (COVID-19) travel restrictions, it added.

On the patent front, at the end of March, BioSig said the US Patent Office had allowed it a utility patent covering its PURE EP noise-filtering technology. The firm said the patent describes and claims systems and methods for filtering noise during a quiet period. In particular, the patent involves filtering out harmonics and noise from an input cardiac signal, it added.

The company said the patent complemented its expanding patent portfolio which now includes 34 issued or allowed worldwide patents as well as exclusive licenses to 16 additional worldwide utility patent applications from the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, three of which have been issued and/or have been allowed to date.

And at the start of March, BioSig said the US Patent Office had allowed a utility patent that its majority-owned subsidiary NeuroClear Technologies, Inc. had exclusively licensed from the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. The patent describes and claims methods and materials for improving the treatment of hypertension via electroporation of nerves in the renal area. Electroporation is an emerging technique that has demonstrated efficacy in treatments for several critical conditions and is currently being evaluated for the treatments of autonomic nervous disorders, including hyper and hypotension/syncope, it noted.

In December 2020, BioSig revealed that NeuroClear Technologies had signed a new research agreement with the University of Minnesota. Under the terms of the agreement, BioSig said it intends to launch a program to develop novel therapies to treat sympathetic nervous system disease.

On the personnel front, on April 15 BioSig announced the addition of two experienced electrophysiology regional directors to lead its commercial expansion across the southeast and central regions of the US. The company said Robert Sandler, who will lead regional sales across Texas, brings more than 25 years of sales experience in medical devices. Before joining BioSig, Sandler led regional sales at CardioFocus Inc and Cardiva Medical Inc. In addition, BioSig said Timothy Jones, who was appointed to head regional sales across Florida, has over 20 years of medical equipment sales and sales management experience. Most recently, he was employed by Corp, where he led regional sales for its Augmenix division.

In the boardroom, on February 16, BioSig revealed that it had appointed Brenda Castrodad to lead its Human Resources department. The company noted that Castrodad has a wealth of experience in leading organizational development in start-ups and Fortune 500 companies within the life sciences sector.

Most recently, she led the HR department at TissueTech, Inc., a Miami, Florida-based biotech leader in regenerative amniotic tissue-based products, where she was responsible for transformation and automation of the companys HR practices, talent planning, and team building. Prior to TissueTech, Inc., Castrodad spent six years at HeartWare, Inc., a heart failure medtech company acquired by Medtronic in 2016 for $1.1 billion.

On the financial front, BioSig recently highlighted that its balance sheet remains robust, with $28.3 million in cash, cash equivalent, and short-term investments.

And in the Any-Other-Business category, on April 9, BioSig said it had accepted an invitation to join the Alliance for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare (AAIH). The AAIH invite came after the company was awarded US patents for its artificial intelligence-based platform. BioSig noted that the AAIH is the global advocacy organization for the advancement and use of AI in healthcare to improve patients lives and create more efficient, sustainable, and accessible healthcare systems.

Inflection points:

More news on commercial sales of PURE EP units

Further details of strategic collaboration with the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research for AIn and machine learning software

NeuroClear Technologies novel therapy program launch news

What the broker says:

In a note on September 15, 2020, Laidlaw & Company repeated a Buy rating and a 12-month price target of $17 on BioSig shares.

The analysts said they viewed the data readout from the first clinical study as very encouraging given the positive trend (based on identifying more signals) of applying the PURE EP system vs. the conventional method in facilitating AFib ablation procedures.

They added: We are also encouraged by the recent rapid opening up of cardiac surgical procedures in hospitals that could accelerate the adoption of testing and potential later purchasing of PURE EP system.

The Laidlaw analysts concluded: With the PURE EP system at an initial stage of commercialization, potential addition of Vicromax value and a positive outlook for its revenue stream, we believe BSGM shares remain undervalued.

What the boss says:

In the company's statement on May 4, 2021, BioSig chairman and CEO Kenneth L. Londoner said: Patient case volume is one of the leading indications of physician utilization of our technology."

We see steady procedural growth in almost all of our centers, which we believe will turn into commercial revenues. This case growth, combined with the consistently positive customer feedback, positions us well to deliver on our target of 20 installation sites by the end of 2021," he added.

Contact the author at jon.hopkins@proactiveinvestors.com
It is under water. It is unusable most of the time, Rafi Wilkinson, a park ranger with Indiana Dunes National Park, said of the current trail, where hes also found fish. The new trail, he added, will connect the parks features and tie in with neighboring Beverly Shores. We want to do this. Its a next generation asset for the park.
Singapore Airlines to partner up with Salesforce to revamp customer case and knowledge management system

Singapore Airlines (SIA) has selected customer relationship management (CRM) firm Salesforce to develop and implement a new customer case and knowledge management system for the airline. This new system, 1Point, will be deployed across SIAs contact centres and customer feedback handling units globally from late 2021.

1Point has also qualified for partial funding from the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapores (CAAS) Aviation Development Fund. Photo courtesy: Singapore Airlines

Touted as a dynamic case management tool, 1Point offers a contextual and holistic view of customer interactions through a single interface for SIAs service agents who will no longer need to toggle between multiple systems to retrieve customer data, up-to-date information on products, services, policies and procedures, and perform transactions, an official statement read.

Implementing 1Point is an important step in the SIAs digital transformation, as case management and guided workflows will also be integrated with SIAs in-house artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities.

It is an investment in new technologies that ensure that Singapore Airlines is ready to support the evolving customer requirements in the coming years. It also affirms our strong commitment to ensuring that our customers continue to receive world-class service across the entire travel journey, Marvin Tan, Senior Vice President Customer Services and Operations, Singapore Airlines, said.

1Point will help to enhance the travel experience by supporting consistent and more personalised service across various ground-based customer touchpoints. Service agents will have access to the relevant information, including those related to each customers previous interactions, at every step.

Sujith Abraham, Senior Vice President and General Manager for ASEAN, Salesforce said that over the last year, engaging digital experiences with customers has become an imperative.

1Point has also qualified for partial funding from the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapores (CAAS) Aviation Development Fund.

This project has received funding from CAAS Aviation Development Fund. By transforming the passenger experience for SIAs customers at Changi, it will augment our air hubs competitive offering, Ho Yuen Sang, Director (Aviation Industry), CAAS said.
Lucknow, April 6 : Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered suspension of two police officers in Pratapgarh regarding the sale of spurious liquor, which recently led to the death of seven persons.

The Chief Minister has also ordered a probe by the anti-corruption wing into the assets of the officials.

The two officials are Additional Superintendent of Police (west) Dinesh Kumar Dwiwedi and Circle Officer Kunda Jitendra Singh Parihar.

Action was taken after district police started a crackdown on illicit liquor trade in the aftermath of seven hooch deaths last week.

During the operations, illicit liquor worth over Rs 1 crore was recovered from the Kunda circle area twice while a manufacturing unit was unearthed in Babuganj area of Kunda.

The recoveries were made from the police station areas of Kunda and Hathgawan, both of which come under the supervision of ASP west, said a senior police officer.

Hence, prima facie, CO and ASP failed to discharge their supervisory duty properly and their neglect resulted in thriving illicit liquor factories.

Additional chief secretary, home, Avanish Awasthi said departmental action will also be taken against the two officers.

Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police Pratapgarh, Akash Tomar, has suspended SHO Kunda, Sub Inspector Ajay Singh of Babuganj Bazaar Halka, and Sub Inspector Hansraj Dubey of Hathgawan.

Tomar has also recommended suspension and action against SHO Hathgawan Uday Tripathi along with a probe by the anti-corruption wing.

Tripathi was transferred to the UP STF recently.
Oman Monday said only citizens and residents will enter the country from April 8 in view of curtailing the increase in the number of Covid-19 cases.

The Supreme Committee to deal with the pandemic, Times of Oman notes, said it had become necessary to restrict entry due to the increase in the number of cases across governorates.

The sultanate Monday registered 1,117 new cases, and 10 fatalities. The new figures bring the toll of contamination and death respectively to 164,274 and 1,722.

Oman before the new directives, in February imposed a 15-days entry ban on 10 countries, namely Sudan, Lebanon, South Africa, Brazil, Nigeria, Tanzania, Ghana, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Ethiopia as part of efforts to curb the spread of the respiratory disease. The committee also on Monday urged citizens and residents to avoid travel outside Oman during the coming days unless absolutely necessary.
Faragalla Group, an Egyptian private Food and Beverages giant, will set up by the end this year two plants in Sudan and Rwanda as part of the companys expansion plan.

Mohamed Farag Amer, chairman of the group told, Arab Finance reports, told Hapi Journal that the move seeks to increase the number of these centers over the coming period.

The company has not given more details about the plan but the announcement came following a line of credit from the food firm in September last year from a consortium of lenders led by state-run National Bank of Egypt (NBE).

The credit, reports said, would finance the companys working capital and restructure the existing debts. Faragalla, established in 1973, produces food and drinks products. It currently possesses 15 factories and exports to over 90 countries around the globe.
In an unprecedented move, Jordans foreign minister Ayman Safadi has accused Prince Hamza, the former crown prince and half-brother of King Abdullah, of plotting with foreign and local parties to destabilise the country.

The details are far from clear as the Jordanian authorities have released little information. Hamza is believed to be under house arrest, although officials deny this, while 14 to 16 former insiders have been arrested. According to the government-controlled Petra News Agency, all who were arrested, among others, for security reasons were unnamed except for Sharif Hassan bin Zaid and Bassem Awadallah.

Hamza, the 40-year-old son of the late King Hussein and his fourth wife Noor, attended an elite school in Britain before going on for military training at Sandhurst. Designated Abdullahs successor until 2004, and then largely sidelined, Hamza has caused tensions within the palace by forging links with disaffected members of Jordans powerful tribes, the East Bankers, who form the bedrock of support for the monarchy and feel marginalised by the presence of the West Bankers, the Palestinians displaced by Israel in the Arab-Israeli wars of 1948-49 and 1967.

On Saturday afternoon, after the Jordanian Armed Forces chief of staff visited Hamza at his home to give him an official warning to stop his destabilising activities, the BBC published a video of Hamza, passed on by his lawyer, in which he denied being part of any conspiracy or nefarious organisation or foreign-backed group.

In the video, Hamza claimed he had been placed under house arrest, with his telephone and internet connections cut, as part of a crackdown on critics. He lambasted the ruling elite in very general terms for its rampant corruption and nepotism, the outlawing of opposition and dissent, including any criticism of the king, and the all-pervasive security and intelligence services, all of which is common currency.

On Monday evening, Hamza signed a letter of loyalty to Abdullah, following a meeting with Prince Hassan, the king's uncle, and other princes, just hours after saying he would disobey orders by the army not communicate with the outside world after he was put under house arrest.

Awadallah, 56, was economic secretary to the Jordanian premier between 1992 and 1996, and headed the royal court in 2007. After his sacking the following year, he took up a business career in the Gulf, and is believed to have spent the last few years working as a consultant for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, advising him on the privatisation of Saudi Arabia's Aramco oil company.

Bin Zaid is a distant relation of the Jordanian royal family with extensive business activities in Riyadh, where he once served as King Abdullahs special envoy to Saudi Arabia.

Others arrested are reportedly Hamzas close associates, including his office manager, bodyguards and palace manager, as well as several former state officials.

Safadi said that the security agencies had detected interference and communications, including some with foreign entities, on the ideal timing for taking steps towards destabilising Jordans security, although he stopped short of calling it an attempted coup. He added that these plots were carried out in parallel with extensive discussions between Prince Hamza and key figures in the Jordanian society that sought to encourage them to undermine national security, with Hamza coordinating his activities with Awadallah. A man linked to a foreign security service, reportedly an Israeli businessman, had contacted Prince Hamzas wife to offer a plane to fly them out of the kingdom.

On Sunday, Hamzas mother, Queen Noor, took to Twitter to describe the allegations against her son as wicked slander, as his supporters defended him, claiming he was being set up by the king and his son, Crown Prince Hussein, to intimidate Abdullahs critics and cover up for the governments corruption and economic mismanagement.

Washington immediately reaffirmed its support for Abdullah, with whom it has recently reached a defence agreement allowing free entry of US forces, aircraft and vehicles into Jordan, although it does not authorise American forces to carry out combat actions within the country.

The Gulf petro-monarchs, none of whomwhatever their differences with Abdullahare anxious to see the kingdom destabilised, rushed to offer him their support. Relations have soured in recent years as Abdullah refused to allow Saudi Arabia to mount air strikes against Syria from Jordanian territory or support Riyadh in its dispute with Qatar, leading to a lengthy freeze on Saudi aid to Jordan.

Abdullah also fears that the price for formal relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, envisioned under the Abraham Accords, will be the transfer of control of Jerusalems holy sites, especially the al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, from himself to the Saudi monarch, even though the Jordanian-Israeli peace treaty grants Jordan special status there.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has remained notably silent. Relations between the Israel and Jordan have deteriorated in recent weeks amid a very public spat between Netanyahu and Abdullah, following Netanyahus refusal to allow Crown Prince Hussein to visit the al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem with his own security detail last month, prompting Hussein to cancel his visit.

Jordan then barred Netanyahus flight over its air space to make what would have been his first official visit to the United Arab Emirates, forcing Netanyahu to cancel his visit and try, unsuccessfully, to ban flights between Jordan and Israel and delay approving a request by Jordan for water.

The crisis gripping Jordan, hailed for decades by the imperialist powers as an oasis of stability in a region wracked by decades of US-led wars and conflicts, has been long in the making. The desert kingdom was carved out of the former Ottoman Empire by the British in the aftermath of World War I as a client state to promote its interests in the oil-rich region. Without oil or other natural resources other than phosphates, it was never a viable state, and deliberately so.

Jordan was from the beginning dependent on external aid, first from Britain, then the United States, which provided some $1.4 billion and hundreds of millions more in refugee aid last year, and later the Gulf States. It is ruled by a monarch, the scion of a sheikh from the Arabian Peninsula, who appoints and dismisses prime ministers at will as a means of deflecting criticism away from his own corrupt rule. Without a semblance of democratic norms, and with censorship and surveillance widespread, Jordan rests on a system of military patronage.

The country has been profoundly destabilised by the 2003 US-led invasion and occupation of Iraq and the proxy war to topple the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, orchestrated by the US, its Gulf allies and Turkey. Jordan has added more than one million Iraqi refugees and 655,000 registered Syrian refugees in addition to a similar number of unregistered Syrians refugees to its population, now numbering over 10 million.

The pandemic has exacerbated the already fragile economy, whose growth in the previous three years had slowed to just 2 per cent a year. Tourism has been gutted, which accounted for nearly 20 percent of GDP, along with remittances from the Jordanian diaspora working in the Gulf, another 12 percent of GDP.

With COVID-19 cases rising and deaths numbering more than 7,200, a public hospital in Al-Salt, close to the capital Amman, ran out of oxygen two weeks ago, which killed at least six people and fueled unrest and demonstrations.

Government debt is expected to rise to 112 percent of GDP, while estimates of growth for 2021 range from a paltry 1.4 percent to 2.5 percent. In March 2020, the International Monetary Fund approved $1.3 billion in emergency financing, but this is unlikely to be enough. Official unemployment is now 25 percent, undoubtedly a pale reflection of the actual unemployment and underemployment rate, as hundreds of thousands of Jordanians have been forced to quit their jobs in the Gulf.

The coup allegations and the absence of any means within Abdullahs autocratic regime for the Jordanian working classEast Bankers, Palestinians and refugees aliketo express its social concerns and interests testify to the contradictions wracking the global capitalist system. While the economic circumstances are different, this oasis of stability faces a crisis of bourgeois rule no less than its neighbours Lebanon, Israel and Iraq.

Abdullah will undoubtedly seek to use the coup allegations to extort financial and political concessions from the new Biden administration and his erstwhile regional allies to prop up his tottering regime.

The Jordanian working class must likewise turn to its allies, the working class throughout the region, to take power, eradicating the arbitrary borders imposed by the imperialist powers and expropriating the regimes ill-gotten wealth in the context of a broad international struggle of the working class against capitalism and for the building of socialism.
By Ruth Anderah

Former presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu has lost the bid not to have his armored vehicle repossessed and re-evaluated by URA.

This is after High Court Judge Emmanuel Baguma ruled that he sees no injustice and does see Kyagulanyi suffer irreparable damages if he surrenders his newly acquired Land Cruiser to URA for re-assessment.

At the beginning of March, Kyagulanyi petitioned the High Court seeking an injunction restraining the Commissioner General of the Uganda Revenue Authority from impounding and re-examining his car as it would be an infringement on his guaranteed constitutional rights to quietly possess and own property.

According to URA which has now been given the green light to impound and re-possess the said vehicle, inquiries were made and it was established that Kyagulanyis car was valued and cleared as an ordinary vehicle yet it is an armored car; whose importation and ownership are restricted under the customs law and laws regulating the UPDF.

Kyagulanyi, instead challenged this move as being illegal saying the vehicle was duly assessed while in URAs Warehouse, with all taxes cleared before it was released to him by the authority officials who never raised any queries at the time.

He wanted the High Court to intervene and stop URA from repossessing this car, arguing that it will not only render his movements difficult but also stop him from getting the protection he sought from this car, since the tax body does not specify how long it will take re-examining the car.

Justice Baguma says he has not been persuaded by this reasoning and hence dismissed Kyagulanyis application.
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A growing number of Journalists are increasingly falling prey to an ethic recently expressed openly by famed News Anchor Lester Holt. In a recent speech to fellow journalists after receiving an award at the 45th Murrow Symposium, Holt asserted: Its become clear that fairness is overrated.the idea that we should always give two sides equal weight and merit does not reflect the world we find ourselves in. Holt justified this emerging journalistic ethic by arguing that Decisions to not give unsupported arguments equal time are not a dereliction of journalistic responsibility or some kind of agenda. In fact, its just the opposite. Though Holts speech raised eyebrows outside the journalism community, it was part of a growing trend in the profession and was generally lauded from within. This new ethic is a dangerous direction for journalism and undermines the foundation of the free press. Let me explain.

Writing over a century and a half ago in arguably the most famous treatise about free speech and press, On Liberty, philosopher and author John Stuart Mill provided some of the most compelling justifications for fairness in covering both sides of an argument. According to Mill, censoring or even hindering one side of a debate harms all for multiple reasons: The peculiar evil of silencing the expression of an opinion is that it is robbing the human race; posterity as well as the existing generation; those who dissent from the opinion, still more than those who hold it. If the opinion is right, they are deprived of the opportunity of exchanging error for truth; if wrong, they lose, what is almost as great a benefit, the clearer perception and livelier impression of truth produced by its collision with error. His work explains how ignorance and prejudice are maintained by failing to give weight to both sides. How the disfavored side may be true, or may contain parts of the truth, or may help in better understanding the truth.

The ideal of providing the two sides equal weight, a growing anathema to Holt and many others, has been the standard sought by professional journalists through modern times. Journalist Jonathon Fenby has expressed the traditional ethic held by most credible news organizations throughout modern times: objectivity is the philosophical basis for their enterprises  or failing that, widely acceptable neutrality. In many ways, this ideal of objectivity in news reporting can be traced to Mills writing and the influence of On Liberty for free speech and freedom and objectivity of news coverage.

Unfortunately, many mainstream journalists have become so partisan to one side, the liberal side, they dont acknowledge the lack of objectivity. In some cases, such as in the coverage of the proven false allegations of the Steele Dossier asserting Trump as an agent of Russias Putin, the media ran with questionable sourcing. In other cases, such as the Hunter Biden laptop scandal which has proven true, the mainstream media refused to cover it due to alleged questionable sourcing. By Mills arguments, both stories would have received equal coverage by an objective and neutral media and truth would flow in the end.

A more egregious case of this dynamic of selective suppression of one side came after TV anchor George Stephanopoulos attempted to shut down Rand Paul when Paul took the side of problems with the 2020 election. Paul slammed Stephanopoulos, saying: where you make the mistake is that people coming from the liberal side like you, you immediately say everything's a lie instead of saying there are two sides to everything. Historically what would happen is if I said that I thought there was fraud, you would interview someone who said there wasn't, but now you insert yourself in the middle and say that the absolute fact is that everything I'm saying is a lie without examining the facts." In other words, Rand Paul explained how far things had come from the John Stuart Mills ethic of objective journalism to today.

NewsBusters managing editor Curtis Houck spoke about the psychological dynamic involved with many in the mainstream media. It comes down to a groupthink distain, in many cases, for those on the opposing side of the journalist: "The liberal media seems as intent as ever to browbeat viewers who don't think or vote like they do into submission, and if you dare to point this out to them, they'll suggest those not in lockstep have had their minds poisoned or are concerned with threatening the lives of journalists. In reality, journalism's credibility crisis is almost entirely self-inflicted."

Its time for mainstream media soul-searching about whether or not the profession of journalism can continue while moving farther away from John Stuart Mill and objectivity. The media has acted as a force for Liberty and truth throughout much of American, but dark clouds are gathering quickly. Fairness, in terms of seeking the truth, is always right and must be defended in spite of disagreement.
Amman: Jordan banned all news outlets and social media users on Tuesday from publishing any content related to King Abdullah`s half-brother Prince Hamza after the latter was accused of plotting to destabilise the country.

Prince Hamza pledged allegiance to King Abdullah late on Monday after mediation by the royal family, two days after the military warned him over actions it said were undermining "security and stability" in Jordan and placed him under house arrest.

In unprecedented public criticism, Hamza, who was crown prince until King Abdullah removed him from the post in 2004, accused Jordan`s leaders of corruption and serving only their own interests.

The government says he liaised with people linked to foreign parties in a plot to destabilise Jordan and that he had been under investigation for some time.

"To safeguard the secrecy of the investigations being undertaken by the security services in relation to His Highness Prince Hamza bin Hussain and others, Amman`s public prosecutor has decided to ban the publication of everything related to the investigations at this stage," the state news agency reported.

It said the ban applied to all news outlets as well as social media platforms. Prince Hamza said in a voice recording released by Jordan`s opposition on Monday that he would not comply after being barred from any activity and told to keep quiet.

While not considered a direct threat to the king, Hamza in recent weeks visited tribal gatherings where the king and his government have been criticised more openly.

Saudi Arabia was among the countries to issue statements of support to King Abdullah, and on Monday Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan travelled to Amman to meet his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi, the Jordanian foreign ministry said.

"King Salman reaffirmed the kingdom`s support to all measures to protect Jordan and its interests," Saudi state TV reported. King Abdullah had expressed "appreciation for the kingdom`s continuous support to Jordan," it said.
The last hug-Mom & Child in embrace deadbody recovered. Image Source: IANS News

The last hug-Mom & Child in embrace deadbody recovered. Image Source: IANS News

Dhaka, April 6 : Of the 30 bodies found after a ferry capsized in the Shitalakkhya river in Bangladesh's Narayanganj district, two corpses of a woman and her one-year-old daughter were discovered embraced in a tight hug.

"I was struggling to retrieve one of the bodies, but finally found that two corpses were holding each other tight. So, I did not separate them," a local diver, Mominul, said.

The diver added that he was left in utter shock following the discovery.

"What gave me goosebumps after all this is that we moved all the recovered bodies, but the woman and her daughter remained together," he added.

The victims were identified as Bithi Akter, 20, and her daughter Arifa Akter. The woman hailed from Char Masura in Munshiganj.

According to Bithi's grandmother Minu Begum, the two were returning home after visiting a doctor in Narayanganj.

The overcrowded ferry, ML Sabit Al Hasan, carrying some 50 passengers onboard, capsized after colliding with the SKL-3 cargo ship at around 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Around 20 passengers managed to swim to safety following the capsize.

Two separate probe bodies have been formed by the Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner and the Bangladesh Inland and Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) to probe the accident.

As of Monday, 30 bodies have been discovered, while nine remain unaccounted for.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Nahida Barik handed over the bodies to their families.

BIWTA Chairman Golam Maula Sadeque told IANS that divers from the local fire service and the Coast Guard managed to retrieve the ferry with the help of a salvage ship.

Police said the cargo ship has not been seized till now.
With his solid jaw and twinkling blue eyes, Armie Hammer has been hailed as a Hollywood star out of the Gary Cooper mould.

He has starred in films such as The Social Network, The Lone Ranger and a recent remake of Rebecca, and he played the dashing 24-year-old academic who beds a 17-year-old boy in the critically acclaimed gay film Call Me By Your Name.

The 6ft 5in heir to a multi-million dollar industrial fortune even had the perfect family to go with it  a beautiful wife and two young children.

Now, however, his life lies in tatters amid sensational allegations of rape and shocking claims that he harbours deeply disturbing sexual fantasies that extend to non-consensual sado-masochism  and even cannibalism.

Last month  after graphic messages swirled online detailing violent sexual scenarios and ex-lovers claimed his perverted demands traumatised them  Los Angeles police announced they were investigating a former girlfriend's claims Hammer violently raped her in 2017. She claims she thought he was going to kill her.

With his solid jaw and twinkling blue eyes, Armie Hammer has been hailed as a Hollywood star out of the Gary Cooper mould. The 6ft 5in heir to a multi-million dollar industrial fortune even had the perfect family to go with it  a beautiful wife (pictured) and two young children

The 34-year-old actor has dismissed the allegations by a number of women as 'vicious and spurious', insisting that all of his sexual relationships have been 'completely consensual'.

His lawyer also said of Hammer's rape accuser: '[Her] attention-seeking and ill-advised legal bid will only make it more difficult for real victims of sexual violence to get the justice they deserve.'

Given Hammer once po-facedly questioned why fellow star Casey Affleck continued to work in Hollywood after he faced sexual misconduct allegations (remarks for which Hammer later apologised), some in his industry may be experiencing a little schadenfreude.

He has been dropped like a stone by Hollywood, his agent deserting him as he pulled out of projects including a rom-com with Jennifer Lopez and a Broadway play. And he's been replaced by Downton Abbey's Dan Stevens in Gaslit, a drama about the Watergate scandal.

As for Death On The Nile, Sir Kenneth Branagh's new $90 million, star-studded adaptation of Agatha Christie's most lavish mystery  which had wrapped by the time the scandal broke  its release has been delayed.

Film giant 20th Century Fox reportedly doesn't know what to do with the movie, in which Hammer plays the charming but deadly lead character Simon Doyle.

And now, in a plot twist almost worthy of Christie herself, it has emerged that Hammer's own family history is every bit as lurid as the appalling claims swirling around him. No fewer than five generations of Hammers are mired in a scandal that includes debauchery, sexual perversion, drug abuse, corruption and lethal violence.

Hammer has starred in films such as The Social Network, The Lone Ranger and a recent remake of Rebecca (pictured), and he played the dashing 24-year-old academic who beds a 17-year-old boy in the critically acclaimed gay film Call Me By Your Name

The actor's tycoon great-grandfather was a friend of the Prince of Wales and alleged Soviet spy. His grandfather held drug-fuelled, gun-toting orgies and his father kept a 7 ft-high 'sex throne'.

As Armie's estranged aunt, Casey Hammer, observed: 'The acorn doesn't fall far from the tree.' Her family, she declared, had long been 'perfect on the outside and twisted on the inside'.

So how exactly has the sordid history of this clan  America's own Hammer House of Horror  unfolded?

In 1919, Armie's great-great grandfather, Julius, a doctor, Communist and Russian emigre, conducted an illegal abortion on the wife of a Bolshevik diplomat at his home in New York. She died three days later and Julius was imprisoned for manslaughter.

British intelligence, which had denied him entry into the UK, believed Julius was a Soviet spy whose company, Allied American, was a cover for smuggling Kremlin money to U.S. revolutionaries.

It's true that Armand, Julius's son, was chummy with Soviet leaders, including Lenin, and went on to make a fortune doing business with the Communist regime.

Indeed, the name given to Armand, who abandoned his medical career to take over his father's pharmaceuticals business while he was in jail, was inspired by the 'arm and hammer' symbol of the Socialist Labor Party of America.

One biographer described him as a 'virtual spy' for the Soviets. White House insiders said they were never sure whose side Armand was on, and FBI boss J. Edgar Hoover insisted he and his cronies were a 'rotten bunch'.

Armand used his third wife Frances's money to buy an obscure business, Occidental Petroleum, which then struck rich and became a multi-billion dollar enterprise and the world's biggest independent oil company.

Armie Hammer with his father Michael Hammer

A cynical opportunist and 'preening super-capitalist', according to The New York Times, he was friendly with the corrupt Libyan dictator Colonel Gaddafi, who allowed him to profit enormously from his country's oil wealth.

His money bought him influence and friendship with presidents. A former British aide to Armand later revealed that his dodgy, Communist-sympathising boss had showered expensive gifts on both Charles and Princess Diana, as well as allowing them to use his lavishly equipped Boeing 727 to fly around the world.

The aide said the Prince  who wrote to Hammer saying 'I have so many things to thank you for that I hardly know where to begin'  had been 'gullible and naive'.

Despite proclaiming himself a Democrat, Armand was convicted of making secret and illegal campaign contributions to Republican Richard Nixon.

He was also duplicitous in his private life. He put one of his many mistresses, Martha Kaufman, in charge of his art collection (much of it removed from Russian museums by his Kremlin friends) and when wife Frances became suspicious, Armand had Martha change her name and disguise herself with wigs, glasses and plastic surgery.

Martha complained Armand had tapped her phone and installed a tracking device in her car. He also made sexual demands that were 'extremely humiliating' and left her nothing in his will, she said.

Armand offered to donate his art collection to an LA museum but changed his mind when it refused his demand to remove the names of other benefactors and hang a life-sized portrait of him and his wife.

The old rogue died aged 92 of bone cancer in 1990, just a day before a gala party he'd been planning to throw to celebrate his life and achievements.

He had only one child, Julian, (by his first wife Olga von Root, a Russian dancer). Julian was plagued by mental illness and drug abuse, and, aged 26, shot dead a friend at his LA home in a dispute over a gambling debt.

He was charged with manslaughter but, after his father spent a small fortune on lawyers, the charge was dropped when Julian claimed self-defence.

Julian had two children  Michael and sister Casey. In a jaw-dropping, self-published 2015 memoir, Surviving My Birthright, Casey revealed the nightmare of living with an alcoholic and methamphetamine-addled father prone to violent outbursts and who was 'in and out of mental institutions for most of my early life'.

She wrote: 'His eyes would turn black and bulge out of his head. He would spit and scream words that were mumbled and strung together. The corners of his mouth would fill up with foam and white powder. I later found out that the white powder and foam were the result of all the drugs he did.'

She recalled as a little girl waking one Christmas Eve to the sound of a gunshot and seeing her pistol-toting father beating up her mother, Sue. 'Honey, go back to bed or Santa won't come tonight,' her mother told her. Casey woke the following morning to a house full of presents but no father, as he had 'gone to hospital'.

Diana, Princess of Wales, pictured dancing with oil magnate Armand Hammer

Sue frequently woke Casey and her half-sister Jan at night so they could 'literally run for our lives' and flee his rages.

They fled for good when Casey was 11, although she would return to spend occasional weekends with her dad in California, when he would be surrounded by girlfriends he called his 'housekeepers'.

Casey said she found photos lying around of her father and his friends having orgies, during which he would be toying with a gun. The pictures, she claimed, sparked repressed memories of her father sexually abusing her as a child.

'Deep down, I have always known that my father did things to me, but he was my father and I didn't want to believe it,' she wrote.

On another visit, Casey said she was chased by one of Julian's furious ex-girlfriends, high on drugs and brandishing a kitchen knife she had already used to decapitate the little girl's teddy bears.

And Casey described how her father once even offered to pay his son (her brother Michael) $1 million for his girlfriend, sparking a full-blown fight in a restaurant.

Casey alleged that her family repeatedly avoided trouble with the police and prosecutors thanks to their famous lineage  not to mention their money.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the tycoon Armand thought little of Julian's business nous and instead passed his empire and fortune (estimated in the early 1990s at $180 million) to his grandson, Michael, father of film star Armie.

Michael (whose family were nominally Jewish) became a Christian because of his wife, Dru Ann Mobley, and her father, an evangelical preacher. He diverted money his grandfather lavished on the arts and cancer research into organisations such as Jews for Jesus and other evangelical ministries.

After Julian died in 1996, Michael moved his family  including the couple's two young sons, Armie and Viktor  to a new home in the Cayman Islands, a tax haven.

In 2011, one of the family's art galleries was sued for allegedly selling a forged Jackson Pollock painting for $17 million and the gallery was accused of having made about $70 million selling 63 Abstract Expressionist fakes knocked up by a little-known Chinese artist in the New York borough of Queens.

The gallery settled nine lawsuits and during a trial over a tenth in 2019, while Michael  the sole shareholder in the gallery  was cleared of fraud or racketeering on the grounds that he wasn't aware the paintings involved were forgeries, accountants testified how he had treated the now-defunct gallery as a personal piggybank, using a company credit card to buy seven cars and expensive trips abroad.

Michael's wife divorced him in 2012, reportedly following decades of his infidelity. Family insiders have described him as having 'the mindset of a teenage boy' and friends told Vanity Fair magazine that he has boasted of keeping a 'sex throne' in the California headquarters of the Armand Hammer Foundation, where he lived for several years after his divorce.

A custom-built chair emblazoned with the Hammer coat of arms, it had a hole in the seat, underneath which was a cage big enough to fit a person. Michael allegedly described it as his 'naughty chair' and a photo reportedly exists of him sitting on it while holding the head of a smiling blonde woman crouched in the cage below.

A spokeswoman for Michael said the chair was an unsolicited gift sent by a friend as a joke. She also dismissed reports about his alcohol and drug use, finances and history with women as 'absurd'.

A former friend who knew about Armie's dad's sex throne told Vanity Fair he 'was not the least bit surprised' to hear later about the actor's alleged sexual depravity.

Armie, who has his not-so-illustrious surname tattooed on his wrist, inherited more than his blue eyes from his forebears. Despite saying his religious mother raised him with traditional values, he has repeatedly got into trouble.

He left school at 16 after setting fire to school property and, in 2011, a year after he married TV chef Elizabeth Chambers, spent a night behind bars after he was arrested when marijuana was found in his car. (He wasn't charged as prosecutors considered the amount too small to bother with.)

Elizabeth, now 38, announced in July last year she was divorcing Armie, with sources saying she took the decision after discovering he'd had an affair with a co-star.

It has also emerged that Armie has a secret Instagram account he uses to boast to his 'b******' of his sexual conquests and drug use.

He has moaned about the pressure of representing a high-profile family, although others complain that the real injustice of his life is that only his good looks have saved him from career extinction following a series of film flops.

His private life made headlines again last year when he deserted his father and family  including his own daughter Harper, six, and son Ford, four  while they were in Covid lockdown in the Cayman Islands. Armie said he'd felt like a trapped wolf who was close to chewing his foot off.

As soon as he landed in America, he reportedly sent a raunchy text message to his wife that had been intended for someone else.

A girlfriend, Courtney Vucekovich, told Vanity Fair that Armie revealed he had almost got into fist fights with his father in the Caymans. She also claimed the actor had persuaded her to take part in 'bondage sessions that I was not comfortable with' and, after their relationship ended, she was treated for trauma.

Another girlfriend, Paige Lorenze, said Armie was 'kind of a scary person' and that his mother had told her that the Devil was trying to 'take' him.

She said Armie had bombarded her with shocking details about his family, including his grandfather's 'crazy sex parties where there would be guns'.

Armie, she said, 'thought it was cool and was proud of him in a way'. She also confirmed claims that the actor had told girlfriends he wanted to eat their ribs.

There's been no suggestion Hammer has ever acted on such twisted fantasies, which his lawyer has disputed as salaciously intended to harm him. A family friend has described him as 'basically a sweet man  who apparently likes kinky sex'.

Meanwhile, Armie has followed his father's example in plastering his body with tattoos. One of the latest simply reads 'Chaos'. In his case, it certainly seems apt.
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., April 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Nevro Corp. (NYSE: NVRO), a global medical device company that is providing innovative, evidence-based solutions for the treatment of chronic pain, today announced that results of its SENZA-PDN randomized clinical trial (RCT) were published online in JAMA Neurology. Data from the SENZA-PDN trial formed the basis of the company's recent PMA supplement submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use of the Senza System for the treatment of chronic pain associated with Painful Diabetic Neuropathy (PDN). If approved, the Senza System would be the only spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system FDA approved with a specific on-label indication for treating PDN.

The JAMA Neurology publication can be accessed at:

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/10.1001/jamaneurol.2021.0538?guestAccessKey=aac5074b-819f-48cc-a293-5e17e3084b56&utm_source=For_The_Media&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ftm_links&utm_content=tfl&utm_term=040521

In addition, a JAMA Neurology podcast featuring Dr. Erika Petersen, Professor of Neurosurgery, Director of Functional and Restorative Neurosurgery at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and lead investigator of the study is also available at:

https://edhub.ama-assn.org/jn-learning/audio-player/10.1001/jamaneurol.2021.559

"It's been an honor to lead this clinical study showing the significant benefit of 10 kHz spinal cord stimulation for PDN patients who have suffered for years with refractory symptoms," stated Dr. Erika Petersen. "The substantial pain relief and improved quality of life sustained over six months demonstrates that this therapy can safely and effectively treat this patient population. I'm grateful to my co-investigators and the patients who participated in this study, as the results will have far-reaching impact on the lives of PDN patients."

"No conventional, low-frequency SCS treatments have been thoroughly evaluated or demonstrated such positive results in treating PDN patients, and we believe there is a significant opportunity to offer our innovative treatment option to patients who are unable to find relief with currently available pharmacologic options," said D. Keith Grossman, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Nevro. "A six-month review cycle by the FDA could position the company to achieve approval and initiate U.S. launch activities to provide HF10 therapy for the treatment of chronic pain in PDN patients during the second half of 2021."

The randomized SENZA-PDN study met its prespecified primary endpoint demonstrating that PDN patients with symptoms refractory to best available treatments can be safely and effectively treated with high-frequency (10 kHz) SCS. The study also demonstrated statistical significance in seven of eight prespecified secondary endpoints showing clear differences from the best available medical treatments. This safety and efficacy data will be used to support physician referral decisions as well as our market access initiatives to ensure adequate payer coverage of this procedure. The SENZA-PDN RCT results were previously presented during the plenary session at the 2021 North American Neuromodulation Society (NANS) Virtual Meeting in January.

An investor presentation is available in the "Investor Relations" section of Nevro's website at www.nevro.com.

About the SENZA-PDN RCT

Nevro's SENZA-PDN study, the largest RCT of spinal cord stimulation treatment conducted for PDN, compares 10 kHz SCS plus Conventional Medical Management (CMM) to CMM alone in 216 patients at 18 centers in the United States. The primary endpoint of the study is a composite endpoint that includes the difference in proportion of treatment responders without deterioration of neurological deficits at 3-month follow-up. Study participants continue to be followed out to 24 months. The SENZA-PDN RCT six-month data show sustained effectiveness of 10 kHz SCS versus CMM and demonstrated the following benefits:

Pain:

At six months, 85% of participants in the 10 kHz SCS study arm reported pain relief > 50% versus 5% in the CMM control arm ( p < 0.001).

50% versus 5% in the CMM control arm ( < 0.001). At six months, average pain relief in the 10 kHz SCS treatment arm was 76% (% reduction of VAS from baseline) as compared to an average worsening of 2% in the control arm.

Safety:

Safety was consistent with published reports of adverse event rates in traditional SCS trials, including for infections and explants in non-diabetic cohorts. 1,2,3

Only 2 of 90 permanent SCS devices were explanted at six months for a 2.2% explant rate (both explants were due to infection).

Neurological Improvement:

At six months, 62% of the 10 kHz SCS treatment group had observed improvement upon an investigator-assessed neurological examination, compared to 3% in of CMM subjects (p < 0.001).

Quality of Life:

At six months, 92% of patients were either "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with 10 kHz SCS therapy compared to 91% of CMM patients who were either "dissatisfied" or "very dissatisfied" with treatment.

At six months, sleep disturbance due to pain in the 10 kHz SCS group was remarkably diminished.

Crossover:

Subjects could opt to crossover to the other treatment arm at six months if they had insufficient pain relief (<50%), were dissatisfied with treatment, and were appropriate to proceed as determined by their physician. At six months, 82% of patients who met criteria in the CMM arm elected to crossover, vs none in the 10 kHz SCS + CMM treatment arm (p < 0.001).

SENZA-PDN RCT Abstract Awards

The SENZA-PDN RCT data has been presented at several physician meetings and recognized for scientific research excellence from the following professional societies:

About Painful Diabetic Neuropathy (PDN)

The World Health Organization estimates 422 million adults with diabetes worldwide and prevalence (8.5%) that has nearly doubled over four decades.4 Diabetes may cause systemic damage with profound impact on health-related quality of life and is potentially life-threatening. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a common complication presenting as pain and other dysesthesias, including numbness, burning, or tingling. Approximately 20% of patients with diabetes will develop PDN, a progressive, potentially debilitating chronic neuropathic pain condition.5 In the U.S., it is estimated that there are approximately 140,000 to 200,000 PDN patients each year that are refractory to conventional medical management, representing an annual total addressable market opportunity of approximately $3.5 billion to $5.0 billion.6,7

Internet Posting of Information

Nevro routinely posts information that may be important to investors in the "Investor Relations" section of its website at www.nevro.com. The company encourages investors and potential investors to consult the Nevro website regularly for important information about Nevro.

About Nevro

Headquartered in Redwood City, California, Nevro is a global medical device company focused on providing innovative products that improve the quality of life of patients suffering from debilitating chronic pain. Nevro has developed and commercialized the Senza spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system, an evidence-based, non-pharmacologic neuromodulation platform for the treatment of chronic pain. HF10 therapy has demonstrated the ability to reduce or eliminate opioids in 65% of patients across six peer-reviewed clinical studies. The Senza System, Senza II System, and the Senza Omnia System are the only SCS systems that deliver Nevro's proprietary HF10 therapy. Senza, Senza II, Senza Omnia, HF10, Nevro and the Nevro logo are trademarks of Nevro Corp.

To learn more about Nevro, connect with us on LinkedIn , Twitter , Facebook and Instagram .

____________________ 1 Hoelzer et al 2017 Neuromodulation DOI: 10.1111/ner.12609 2 Mekhail et al 2011 Pain Practice 11,(2) 148153 3 Hayek et al. Treatment-Limiting Complications of Percutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulator Implants: A Review of Eight Years of Experience From an Academic Center Database Neuromodulation 2015; 18:603609. 4 World Health Organization. (2016). Global report on diabetes. World Health Organization. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/204871 5 Schmader KE. Epidemiology and impact on quality of life of postherpetic neuralgia and painful diabetic neuropathy. Clin J Pain. 2002;18(6):350-354. 6 CDC National Diabetes Statistics Report 2020; Schmader KE. Epidemiology and impact on quality of life of postherpetic neuralgia and painful diabetic neuropathy. Clin J Pain. 2002;18(6):350-354. 7 Trinity Partners Market Research 2017.

Forward-Looking Statements

In addition to historical information, this press release contains forward-looking statements reflecting the company's current beliefs and expectations of management made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including: our belief that there is a significant opportunity to offer our innovative therapy to PDN patients who are unable to find relief with currently available pharmacologic options; our belief that our FDA submission, assuming a six-month review cycle and regulatory approval from the FDA, could position the company to achieve approval and initiate U.S. launch activities to provide HF10 therapy for treatment of chronic pain in PDN patients in the second half of 2021; and our belief that the safety and efficacy data from the SENZA-PDN RCT will be used to support physician referral decisions and market access initiatives to ensure adequate payer coverage of this procedure. These forward-looking statements are based upon information that is currently available to us or our current expectations, speak only as of the date hereof, and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including our ability to successfully commercialize our products; our ability to manufacture our products to meet demand; the level and availability of third-party payor reimbursement for our products; our ability to effectively manage our anticipated growth and the costs and expenses of operating our business; our ability to protect our intellectual property rights and proprietary technologies; our ability to operate our business without infringing the intellectual property rights and proprietary technology of third parties; competition in our industry; additional capital and credit availability; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; and product liability claims. These factors, together with those that are described in greater detail in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 24, 2021, as well as any reports that we may file with the Securities and Exchange Commission in the future, may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied by our forward-looking statements. We expressly disclaim any obligation, except as required by law, or undertaking to update or revise any such forward-looking statements.

###

SOURCE Nevro Corp.

Related Links

http://www.nevro.com


A woman who was raped and beaten by a husband and a partner in Mexico for expressing feminist views  like saying she had the right to be treated equally and hold a job  is eligible for asylum in the United States because she would face persecution in her homeland, a federal appeals court ruled Monday.

Those men mistreated her because she expressly asserted to them her political opinion that she was their equal, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco said in finding Maria Rodriguez-Tornes eligible to remain legally in the United States after fleeing Mexico.

Rodriguez-Tornes was brought up to be a victim, the court said: Starting at age 5, her mother told her to obey her future husbands orders and accept spousal abuse, and beat her almost daily to prepare her for the future.

She still believed in equality and became a schoolteacher. But when she married Esteban Baron Mata, he told her she had no right to work, burned her face with a cigarette when she refused to quit teaching, told her to obey orders and beat her regularly, the court said. She said she decided not to got to the police after a friend tried to report her own abuse and was told by officers to go home and do her duties.

After Baron left her while she was pregnant, she fled to the United States in 1993, settled in Arizona and became involved with another man, who responded to her assertions of equality by beating, raping and choking her, the court said. Both she and her abuser were deported in 2017, but, still fearing him, Rodriguez-Tornes again entered the United States, where officials began new deportation proceedings.

This time, however, an immigration judge found that Rodriguez-Tornes was eligible for asylum because of her status as a Mexican woman facing persecution, in the form of domestic violence, that her government had shown it was unable to prevent. Asylum is available to migrants who would face persecution in their homeland because of their race, religion or other categories, including their political views.

The findings of persecution were rejected by the Board of Immigration Appeals after then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions, in another case, declared in 2018 that abuse by private citizens, such as domestic violence, generally would not be considered persecution that would qualify the victim for asylum.

Sessions decision was binding on U.S. immigration courts but subject to review in appellate courts. The Ninth Circuit, whose rulings govern federal cases in nine Western states, rejected Sessions view in a case from Guatemala in August and amplified its stance in Rodriguez-Tornes case.

Feminism qualifies as a political opinion, Judge M. Margaret McKeown said in Mondays 3-0 ruling, quoting a 1993 case. In Rodriguez-Tornes case, she said, the record contains episode after episode of men stating, quite plainly, that they were beating, burning, raping and strangling her because she sought an equal perch in the social hierarchy.

Elaine Goldenberg, a lawyer for Rodriguez-Tornes, said the ruling shows that immigration law protects those persecuted because they are feminists, and not just those persecuted because they support a particular political party. It also shows that a spouse or a partner can be a persecutor, she said.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko
A dyslexic business owner who spelled his company name incorrectly when he set it up has had it valued at 3million.

Olly Fawcett, 24, who left college with an E in business, originally launched production firm Grean Tea in 2016.

The business owner had intended to call it Green Tea. As the production firm grew and started to put on plays Mr Fawcett employed more staff - who assumed the error was an intentional marketing plan.

It was only when Mr Fawcett landed a slot at the coveted Edinburgh Fringe Festival, that an organiser pointed out Grean Tea was not spelt the way he thought.

Olly Fawcett (pictured), 24, who left college with an E in business, originally launched production firm Grean Tea in 2016

Mr Fawcett - who has just rebranded as a digital marketing agency - has now just been told what his firm is worth.

He said: 'When it came back at that figure I was obviously thrilled. Not bad for a guy who can't spell his own company name and was told he was useless in school.

'I really struggled in lessons and the dyslexia was a massive factor.

'I have always had a good business mind but I just find it difficult to put these things down on paper, as any dyslexic will understand.

'So I binned education, left with no qualifications and set up on my own. I was drinking green tea at the time and I thought it was a cool name.

The business owner had intended to call it Green Tea. As the production firm grew and started to put on plays Mr Fawcett employed more staff - who assumed the error was an intentional marketing plan

'I had no idea I was spelling it wrong but our productions started to do well.

'One, Immortal, got us to Edinburgh Fringe. It was only then did someone actually ask me if I'd meant to spell Grean Tea the way I had and pointed out it was wrong.'

In order to expand his business into digital marketing, Mr Fawcett rebranded Grean Tea as 303.London and had the firm valued.

Mr Fawcett's clients have included San Miguel, BMW and Herbal Essences along with a string of start ups.

Such is his success that even during lockdown he more than doubled his staff to 15, refused to furlough them and instead paid all salaries in full.

He is now launching a second employment drive to fill four more roles.

It was only when Mr Fawcett landed a slot at the coveted Edinburgh Fringe Festival, that an organiser pointed out Grean Tea was not spelt the way he thought

The company also moved from 500 sq ft offices to a sprawling 1000 sq ft space in Fulham, west London.

And Mr Fawcett said he was a firm believer in getting people back into office after the pandemic, for their own well being as well as the profit lines.

He said: 'A work environment creates just that. People are happier, healthier and more productive when they can bounce ideas off the team and be involved at a level you can only get in the office.'
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DENVER  A man is recovering after he fell 30 feet (9 meters) into a water- and ice-filled sinkhole in the central Colorado mountain town of Leadville.

The Denver Post reports firefighter Alex Conlin with Leadville/Lake County Fire Rescue rappelled into the hole Saturday to rescue the man, whose name and age have not been released.

Conlin used a ladder that was placed across the top of the hole as a support to lower himself and attach a safety line to the man so he wouldnt sink into the water. The man was taken to a nearby airport, where a helicopter flew him to a hospital. His condition has not been released.

Conlin, who also was treated due to cold temperatures, said in a statement, Risk a lot to save a lot, risk a little to save a little, risk nothing to save nothing.

Leadville is about 75 miles (121 kilometers) southwest of Denver.

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Syracuse, NY  A Syracuse man in federal custody says in a lawsuit that he was a sex slave of his Onondaga County probation officer, and that she coerced and physically forced him into sexual acts over five months in 2017.

The probation officer, Bridget Duerr, 48, of Cicero, previously pleaded guilty to official misconduct and resigned in October 2018 after an investigation into sexual relationships she had with two of her male probationers. At the time, prosecutors didnt pursue charges that she physically forced herself on the men.

But a lawsuit filed in March accuses Duerr of using her position of authority to coerce sex, and physically taking matters into her own hands when rebuffed.

The 35-year-old man says that Duerr first initiated a sexual relationship with him in May 2017 as a favor for letting him take a birthday trip to Miami. Duerr told the man to meet her at a Carrier Circle hotel, where they had sex, according to the lawsuit.

Defendant Duerr made it clear to her probationer ... on many occasions during the time relevant herein that if he did not engage with her in these sexual acts, he would be going to jail, the lawsuit states.

In the following months, Duerr made the man have sex with her multiple times, including sometimes in public places, according to the lawsuit.

Defendant Duerr forcibly, and without plaintiffs consent, sexually assaulted, sexually abused, and forcibly touched Plaintiff, including manipulating Plaintiffs genitals in a sexual manner, the lawsuit states. Defendant Duerr used her position of power over Plaintiff when she forced Plaintiff to be her sex slave.;

Prosecutors have confirmed that Duerrs plea to official misconduct included the sex she had with the federal prisoner named in this lawsuit. However, details of the sexual encounters were not made public in the criminal case.

Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard is not identifying the man who filed the lawsuit, as he may be the victim of sexual abuse. He remains in federal custody on an illegal gun case.

Staff writer Douglass Dowty can be reached at ddowty@syracuse.com or 315-470-6070.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen outlined the case for a harmonized corporate tax rate across the worlds major economies, part of an effort to restore global leadership and credibility with U.S. allies following the unilateralist approach of the Trump era.

In her first major speech on international economic policy, Yellen marked an American return to the global stage. She singled out China, saying the U.S. needs a strong presence in global markets to level the playing field.

The Biden administration tax proposal also marks a U.S. return to years-long talks  led by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development with about 140 countries  to develop a global agreement on minimum levies. But participants havent yet reached a deal, and while most involved support the idea of a global minimum tax, the negotiations also include a potential accord on digital taxation that has been blocked by long-standing disagreements over how to approach the issue.

Together we can use a global minimum tax to make sure the global economy thrives based on a more level playing field in the taxation of multinational corporations and spurs innovation, growth and prosperity, Yellen said in her virtual remarks to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.

The new multilateral approach begins with the U.S. taking a leading role in working globally to find an appropriate minimum corporate tax, one of the revenue-raising proposals in President Joe Bidens $2.25 trillion package of infrastructure and other spending released last week. Yellen wants to halt what she described as an international race to the bottom by countries competing to lure corporations with lower taxes.

Tax talks

Yellens predecessor, Steven Mnuchin, walked away from the OECD talks because he wanted Americas system to qualify as the minimum tax.

With the change in White House control in Novembers election, Yellen has been laying the groundwork for the minimum-tax proposal since shortly after taking office in late January, when she used her first bilateral talks with counterparts to discuss tax negotiations with France, Germany and the U.K.

Yellen dropped a key demand in Trump-era negotiations over-taxation of technology companies such as Alphabet Inc.s Google and Facebook Inc., lifting a barrier that had raised transatlantic trade tensions and prevented an international deal combining minimum and digital tax issues. Yellen in February told her counterparts at a virtual meeting of Group of 20 finance officials that the U.S. is no longer calling for a so-called safe harbor rule that would allow U.S. tech companies to opt out of paying such a tax overseas.

Bidens plan to impose a 21% global minimum tax on foreign profits would be more robust than many of the proposals that have so far been discussed at the OECD. Its not yet clear if the nearly 140 participants will be able to strike a deal by the self-imposed deadline this summer.

Yellen, in her speech, criticized the strategy of President Donald Trumps administration, decrying four years when the U.S. isolated ourselves and retreated from the international order that we created.

America first must never mean America alone, she said. A lack of global leadership and engagement makes our institutions and economy vulnerable.

This week, Yellen is participating in her first round of meetings as Treasury secretary during the spring IMF and World Bank meetings, being held virtually this year.

During the week, she will meet with finance ministers to discuss climate change, finalize a boost to IMF resources to help poor nations cope with Covid-19, President Joe Bidens Made in America tax Plan, and attend bilateral meetings, including with her Canadian counterpart.

Fiscal support

In her speech, the Treasury chief also called on other major economies to continue a strong fiscal effort and avoid withdrawing support too early, to promote a strong recovery and help avoid the emergence of global imbalances.

She highlighted the Biden administrations plans for sustained economic support, with a $2.25 trillion infrastructure plan following the $1.9 trillion pandemic-relief bill signed last month. She said 130 million relief payments have now been sent to individuals and families.

Four years ago, then-President Donald Trumps newly sworn-in Treasury secretary, Mnuchin, shocked American allies during the administrations first international meeting with an approach so unilateral that it extended to outright disengagement.

Mnuchin barely spoke a word during closed-door sessions in his first meetings with Group of 20 finance ministers in March 2017, held in Germany. He spoke up during a plenary session just once -- to urge the group to set aside any vows to avoid protectionism.

Yellens speech demonstrates a major about-face. Credibility abroad begins with credibility at home, she said Monday.

---

Saleha Mohsin and Christopher Condon of Bloomberg News wrote this story, with assistance by Laura Davison and William Horobin.

For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com

2021 Bloomberg L.P.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC
The EU has approved the Governments small business Covid-19 support scheme.

The scheme offers up to 8000 in grants to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) between January and June this year.

The European Commission said on Tuesday the scheme is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy .

It was launched on 11 March as the Small Business Assistance Scheme for Covid (SBASC)  for companies with fewer than 250 employees and at least 50,000 annual turnover.

It is open to companies in all sectors except banking, agriculture and fisheries, as long as they are not receiving other grants under the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) or Failte Ireland supports.

Neil McDonnell, chief executive of the Irish SME Association, said the scheme plugs a lot of the gaps that were left in the CRSS scheme.

A lot of SMEs remain hugely challenged in the current environment, and its very hard to read how they will fare as restrictions are eased later this year, said Mr McDonnell.

He said many SMEs are debt averse, while banks are also reluctant to lend to them.

We consider direct supports like these to be a small price to pay to keep the SME base functioning. Ireland remains in one of the most stringent lockdowns in the world, and ours is the longest-running, he added.

The European Commission said on Tuesday that that the Irish scheme is in line with its temporary state aid rules, which allow for maximum payments of 1.8m per company, as long as they are granted by December 31 this year.

Under the Irish scheme, eligible businesses will receive a payment of 4000 for the first quarter of 2021 and a second payment of 4000 on the second quarter if they continue to meet the criteria.

The total envelope of the scheme is 60m.

Tanaiste Leo Varadkar, said the money could help around 7,500 mainly small businesses with fixed costs like rent, insurance, utilities and security.

While things remain very challenging for businesses, there is reason to hope, Mr Varadkar said at the launch of the scheme last month.

The latest public health numbers are going in the right direction, the vaccines work and there is light at the end of the tunnel.
The U.S. and Iran are holding indirect talks on Tuesday in what could be the first step toward reviving the 2015 deal that constrains Tehran's nuclear facilities in exchange for sanctions relief.

The meetings, hosted by the European Union, will work toward two separate agreements -- on how the U.S. and Iran can both return to compliance with the deal's terms.

Former President Donald Trump withdrew from the accord in 2018, re-imposing strict U.S. sanctions on Iran's economy and government. In response, the Iranian government began violating the restrictions on its nuclear program, now enriching more uranium, at higher levels, and with more -- and more advanced -- centrifuges.

PHOTO: Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a virtual meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres from the State Department in Washington, March 29, 2021. (Leah Millis/AP, FILE)

While both sides have downplayed Tuesday's meetings, it could mark the beginning of a quick return to the deal, which saw Iran agree to international inspections of and certain time-limited restrictions on its nuclear program. In exchange, sanctions were lifted by the United Nations, the U.S., and the other world powers who signed on -- the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia and China.

MORE: From COVID-19 vaccine to Jan. 6 siege, America's adversaries continue to stoke online misinformation: DHS

But especially amid fierce pressure in Washington and from regional allies like Israel, a renewed nuclear deal would still leave a long road ahead for the Biden administration, which seeks to "lengthen and strengthen" the original agreement, including by addressing Iran's support for proxy forces across the region and its ballistic missile program.

"We don't underestimate the scale of the challenges ahead. These are early days. We don't anticipate an early or immediate breakthrough," State Department spokesperson Ned Price said Monday -- before calling the indirect talks a "healthy step forward."

U.S. special envoy for Iran Rob Malley will lead the delegation, which will meet with European, Chinese and Russian counterparts. Iran's delegation will have its own separate meetings with those teams, which together constitute the remaining members of the agreement.

Story continues

While there is no face-to-face meeting planned with Iran, the U.S. still "remains open" to one, according to Price. The U.S. first offered to meet the Iranians in February, but weeks of outreach through European allies have been rejected by the Iranian government.

PHOTO: Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif meets with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi in Tehran, Iran, Feb. 21, 2021. (Majid Asgaripour/West Asia News Agency via Reuters, FILE)

Just last week, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif tweeted a face-to-face meeting was "unnecessary." Iran has called for the U.S. to move first in returning to the deal since Trump was the first to violate it, even refusing to meet the Americans until the U.S. government begins lifting sanctions -- while Biden has vowed to keep sanctions in place until Iran returns to compliance.

"What is promising about the Vienna talks is there seems to be an understanding now by both the Biden administration and the Iranians that neither side is going to go first. It may seem like semantics, and maybe it is. But I think what we have is at least the germ of a process whereby both sides can say we're moving simultaneously, both sides can save a little face and put together a roadmap going forward," said Suzanne DiMaggio, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a Washington-based think tank.

MORE: No body, no burial, no peace for Iran hostage Bob Levinson's family

The talks begin Tuesday in Vienna, the capital of Austria, where much of the diplomacy around the original deal unfolded. While they're slated for one day, it could extend on, especially if the separate "working groups" make progress and bring in technical experts to finalize details on Iranian and U.S. compliance.

PHOTO: The Arak heavy water nuclear facilities in Arak near Tehran, Iran, Jan. 15, 2011. (Hamid Foroutan/AP, FILE)

That alone will be no easy task. There are critical questions remaining, including how quickly Iran can dismantle the advanced centrifuges now spinning, how it will reduce its stockpile of enriched uranium, and what to do about its gains in research and development as it violated its terms of the deal.

On the U.S. side, there are questions around which sanctions the Biden administration will lift, after the Trump administration targeted hundreds of Iranian businesses, officials, economic sectors, and state-owned firms and agencies.

Iran has called for all Trump-era sanctions to be removed, saying they violated the deal. But the State Department indicated Monday that it will only lift those related to Iran's nuclear program.

"We certainly will not entertain unilateral gestures or concessions to get Iran -- to induce Iran to a better place," Price said during the department's daily press briefing. "We'll continue to be guided by what the original JCPOA called for, which is nuclear sanctions."

But Press TV, an Iranian state media outlet, reported that Malley and the U.S. delegation will "leave Vienna empty-handed if the Tuesday meeting would result in anything other than the removal of all U.S. sanctions," citing an "an informed source close to the Iranian negotiating team."

US, Iran hold 1st indirect talks in bid to save nuclear deal originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
New Jersey is changing its travel and quarantine guidelines to reflect new recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Gov. Phil Murphy said at his Monday coronavirus briefing.

New Jersey is no longer advising fully vaccinated individuals who travel domestically to self-quarantine after their trip or to get tested before or after travel, Murphy said. The federal requirement for testing upon return to the United States following international air travel stands.

All travelers still need to take COVID-19 precautions including wearing a mask, avoiding crowds, physically distancing and washing their hands while they are traveling, Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli said.

She said guidance for unvaccinated travelers has not changed. They should should defer travel until fully vaccinated. If they must travel, they should take a viral test one to three days before the trip and get tested three to five days after they travel.

It is recommended that they stay home and self-quarantine for a full seven days after travel, even if the post-travel test is negative, she said. If they are not tested after travel, they should stay home and self-quarantine for 10 days after travel.

Persichilli said international travel poses additional risks.

Even fully vaccinated travelers are at increased risk for getting and possibly spreading the new COVID-19 variants, she said.

Fully vaccinated people traveling internationally dont need to get tested upon departure unless its required by their destination country, she said.

But coming back to the United States is different, she said.

The federal government requires fully vaccinated air travelers coming to the U.S. from abroad to have a negative COVID-19 viral test within three days of travel, or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 in the past three months before they board a flight to the U.S., Persichilli said. Travelers should be tested again for COVID-19 three to five days after travel, she said.

Fully vaccinated travelers do not need to self-quarantine following international travel, she said.

Unvaccinated international travelers must follow the same testing guidance, but they also must self-quarantine for seven days, even if the test is negative, the CDC said.

Before the loosening of the restrictions. New Jerseyans returning from travel to any U.S. state or territory beyond the immediate region, which included New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, were required to self-quarantine at their home or hotel.

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Karin Price Mueller may be reached at KPriceMueller@NJAdvanceMedia.com.
Bengaluru, April 7 : Over 48-lakh people have been vaccinated so far amid surging Covid cases in Karnataka, said state health minister K. Sudhakar on Tuesday.

"Over 48 lakh people, including 23-lakh senior citizens above 60 years of age and 10-lakh above 45 years of age have received the jab across the state since the vaccination drive was launched on January 16," Sudhakar told reporters here.

According to the state health bulletin, 49,646 people, including 20,725 senior citizens and 28,058 above 45 years were vaccinated on Tuesday.

Cumulatively, 46,44,731 people, including 23,05,461 senior citizens and 10,80,361 above 45 years have received the shot till Monday across the southern state since January 16.

"Karnataka is in the sixth position across the country in the vaccination drive after Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal," said Sudhakar, who is a medical doctor by profession.

The state received an additional 15 lakh doses of vaccines on Monday for inoculating its citizens against the virus.

"Of the 15-lakh additional anti-Covid vaccines, 10 lakh are for Bengaluru region and 5 lakh for Belagavi in the state's northwest region," aid Sudhakar.

Ruling out vaccine shortage in the stare, Sudhakar said steps have been taken to ensure sufficient supply of the doses to all eligible people, including senior citizens and above and 45-59 years of age.

"We have 12 lakh dosages in stock after vaccinating 45 lakh people across the state since the drive was launched on January 16," said the minister.

Admitting that mortality among mid-age group in the state was a cause of serious concern, Sudhakar said he had directed the technical advisory committee of health experts to conduct a death audit in the state.

"The pandemic's second wave is spreading faster than the first wave across the country, with over a lakh cases registered on Monday. We cannot predict the severity of the situation now though we are prepared for it," asserted the minister.

As per the bulletin, 6,150 new cases were registered in Karnataka on Monday, taking the state's Covid tally to 10,26,584, including 45,107 active cases.

As epi-centre of the virus, Bengaluru reported 4,266 fresh cases on Monday, taking the city's Covid tally to 4,55,025, including 32,605 active cases, Touching a new high, 32 patients, including 26 in Bengaluru succumbed to the infection during the last 24 hours, taking the state's death toll to 12,696 and the city's toll to 4,693 since the pandemic broke in mid-March, 2020.

Of the 351 patients in the intensive care units (ICUs), 160 are in Bengaluru hospitals.

"We have reserved 33,697 beds in government and private hospitals for Covid cases across the state. Of them, 15,733 are oxygenated and 10,083 have been reserved for the virus cases," reiterated Sudhakar.

The state government directed private hospitals to reserve 20 per cent of their beds for Covid patients. More beds will be arranged across the state if cases increase in the coming days.

Noting that vaccine would reduce the severity of the infection, the minister said vaccination was preventive but would not give total immunity from the virus.

"As people who did not get vaccinated are getting admitted into ICUs, I urge all eligible people across the state to take the jab at the earliest as the dosage only reduces the severity of the infection," affirmed the minister.

Cautioning people against underestimating the scale and speed with which the virus was spreading in its second wave, Sudhakar said the state could face bed shortage if new cases increased drastically in the coming weeks.

"The state health department is in talks with private hospitals to reserve beds for Covid treatment. The technical advisory committee of experts has advised to consider the pandemic seriously till May-end to contain the second wave and save lives," Sudhakar pointed out.

The committee hinted that Bengaluru will have 6,500 cases a day if the virus spread is not contained at the earliest.

"If we do not contain the virus spread, surge in new cases will be inevitable," added the minister.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Syndrome Technologies announced diversification into software and services with a focus on key technologies around AI/ML, RPA, Cloud offering, block chain technologies, security services and managed services. The company plans to invest more $5M dollars to augment and support its diversification plan.

Sam Simon was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Effective January 1, 2021, Sam has been spearheading Syndrome Technologies to oversee the transformation and diversification plan for the business. He would focus on developing Syndromes new strategy on building a software and services led GTM whilst ensuring alignment on short and long-term growth strategy for the Infrastructure business. In his current role, he would also be overseeing and providing strategic direction to the sales team covering different verticals with an extended portfolio of Data Centre, Security, Networking, managed Services and Professional services business.

Staying aligned with the growing trend, Syndrome Technologies will increase focus on building a managed service and software solution practice to help clients derive great value and deliver measurable business outcomes. The strategic appointment of Sam will play a key role in driving the focus on building skill sets around emerging technologies and developing a strategic GTM team which would focus on offering solutions around data analytics, IAM/CIAM, AI&ML, and managed security services as the company further strengthens existing offerings around RPA. Another emerging area where the company is looking to invest is on developing an ecosystem to help accelerate the adoption of Block Chain technologies, especially with Fintech customers and will later expand among other industries as well. As part of the long-term robust planning, the advanced business offerings for customers will be later extended to other countries in order to enhance productivity.

Being a seasoned business leader in IT and Telecom space, Sam brings in 27+ years of blended experience in driving business growth, revenue models and change management by remodeling business processes. His extensive knowledge in the Telecom and System Integration verticals and cross functional experience will aid Syndrome Technologies to transform itself to achieve its FY 2025-26 growth vision for India and International market.

Over the years, we have had the privilege of building a lasting technology partnership with marquee clients in India. With our focus on transforming our business model we are more than keen to look at investing in building expertise across cloud, automation, block chain technologies, managed services and essential end-to-end security offerings to give us the ability to offer the entire ICT stack to our end clients who have accelerated their digital transformation due to the global pandemic. The positive feedback we have received from many of our clients to whom we supported during these unprecedented turbulent times has given us confidence to invest in developing our portfolio through organic and inorganic acquisitions to help cater to their evolving needs. Additionally, Sams excellent leadership track record, deep knowledge and a perfect blend of business and technical expertise will effectively contribute to our growth strategy, said Siddharth Mehta, MD, Syndrome Technologies.

Commenting on his appointment, Sam Simon, said, Im extremely pleased to take on this larger responsibility and challenge of transforming Syndrome Technologies and help our clients derive greater value while delivering business outcomes. I am passionate about building a people-oriented culture with a focus on diversity and increase career opportunities for our people. I am looking forward to working on the next phase of growth with key priorities of building diversification along with integrating our existing offerings of services led GTM with an end result of helping customers improve adoption of their technology investments. The essence of digital transformation is to partner with our clients and help them to embark on a CX journey that focusses on enhancing Customer satisfaction and delivering technology to transform the business ecosystem to fuel the tech for good movement.

Sam has held several leadership roles in his previous stints, which include of being a Vice President and National Head for Emerging technologies at Hitachi Systems, Strategic business head for BFSI vertical and Team lead of Business Solutions Group at Bharti Airtel Ltd, where he spent 12+ years. Prior to joining Airtel, Sam worked with CMS for about 7+ years as Senior Network Specialist.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 18:11:49|Editor: huaxia

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NAIROBI, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Kenya Airways said it will suspend its passenger flights between Kenya and Britain effective Friday until further notice.

The Kenyan carrier said in a statement issued on Monday evening that the suspension comes after the government issued a directive stopping all flights from Britain beginning April 9.

"Due to the increased demand for travel to the UK before the advisory takes effect on 9th April we have added two new flights on 7th and 8th April 2021," the airline said.

Kenya Airways said that customers impacted by the directive may change their booking for later travel or request a refund with all penalties waived.

The drastic move comes after Kenya on Saturday condemned the move by Britain to place it on COVID-19 Red List thereby barring visitors from the east African nation from landing at the European nation.

Britain on April 2 communicated its decision to add Kenya to the list of countries whose visitors will be banned from entering its shores from April 9 citing their risk of transmitting new COVID-19 strains.

According to the British Department of Transport, nearly a third of about 550 people who travel from Kenya to the UK each week have been testing positive to the COVID-19 variant originating from South Africa.

However, British, Irish and third-country nationals with residence rights in Britain who have departed or transited through Kenya will be exempted from the travel ban but will be required to undergo mandatory 10-day quarantine in a government-approved facility besides taking two COVID tests.

Kenya in retaliation against the travel ban said all visitors originating from or transiting through UK airports will be required to undergo a 14-day mandatory quarantine at a government facility at their own cost.

Nairobi said that exemption from the new travel restrictions includes cargo flights between the two countries and Kenyan nationals resident in the UK or transiting through the European nation's airports. Enditem
[April 06, 2021] Edge Pathways and University of New Haven Announce New Engineering Program for First-Year Students

Edge Pathways, the education technology company closing the STEM gap, in collaboration with the University of New Haven, today announced the new Edge Scholars Program designed to prepare ambitious first-year students from diverse backgrounds to pursue rigorous engineering degrees and rewarding STEM careers. Through the collaboration with Edge Pathways, the University of New Haven will be the first university in the nation with a program designed to better prepare students to graduate with a degree in engineering from University of New Haven or a transfer network school. Applications for the fall 2021 semester open today at https://edgepathways.com/scholarship/. Twenty-five students from underrepresented communities in STEM fields will be selected to receive a full scholarship from Edge Pathways awarded through the University of New Haven. "We are excited to collaborate with the University of New Haven to make degrees in technology and engineering more accessible to students from a diversity of backgrounds," said Dan Sommer, CEO and Co-Founder of Edge Pathways. "Edge Pathways and the University of New Haven share the belief that the biggest challenges require the boldest solutions and that our pathway program will open up opportunities for future inventors, problem solvers, and the people who will solve some of our nation's greatest challenges." The statistics illustrate the critical need for improvement in preparing students for STEM careers. Half of engineering students drop out or change majors and only 6% of college students graduate with a degre in engineering. 3.5 million positions in engineering and computer science are projected to go unfilled by 2025. Lack of educational access and preparedness has prevented students from completing degrees that qualify them to fill these jobs.



The Edge Scholars Program at University of New Haven eliminates roadblocks to success and replaces the traditional first year of college with an immersive experience. Created by educators who were once engineering students, the Edge Scholars Program provides students with exceptional instructors and mentors, small-format online classes, a community of other like-minded students and real-world professional experience through internships and co-ops. Edge Scholars Program students will receive ongoing support throughout their university experience and graduate with the advantage of more connections, more experience and more real-world skills they can apply in their STEM careers. "The Edge Scholars Program will provide exceptional opportunities for students and give them the building blocks they need to thrive in STEM careers," said University of New Haven President Steven H. Kaplan. "We are thrilled to be the first to offer this opportunity and look forward to the benefits this program will provide to aspiring engineering students."

For more information about the Edge Scholars Program at University of New Haven, visit edgepathways.com. About Edge Pathways Edge Pathways is closing the STEM gap by helping more students become engineers. This innovative pathway program, offered in collaboration with university partners, is transforming the college experience to offer students a unique for-credit freshmen year program that is highly supported through dedicated advisors plus access to real-world industry opportunities throughout the year and beyond. Edge Pathways students who transfer into four-year colleges are better positioned to drive meaningful ROI from their college degree. About the University of New Haven The University of New Haven is a private, co-educational university that was founded on the Yale campus in 1920. Over the past 17 years, under the leadership of President Steven H. Kaplan, the university has experienced significant growth - both in enrollment and in the expansion of the university's West Haven campus. Enrollment has increased by 60 percent to approximately 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students. In the last decade, the university has completed more than $300 million in major capital projects while launching more than two dozen new academic programs. The University of New Haven also has campuses in Tuscany, Italy, and Orange (News - Alert) , Conn. For more information about the University of New Haven, visit www.newhaven.edu. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005212/en/

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Shares of real estate company gained 8 per cent and hit an intra-day high of Rs 465 on the BSE on Tuesday after the company said it has reported record sales bookings of Rs 1,072 crore during the last quarter of fiscal year 2020-21 (Q4FY21) despite the Covid-19 pandemic. Its sales bookings stood at Rs 695 crore in the Q4FY20 financial year.

In Q4FY21, the companys gross sales volumes stood at 1.34 million square feet, up 48 per cent year on year (YoY) in volume terms, driven by a healthy uptick in Bengaluru and continued momentum in Kochi/Gurugram

The company said Q4FY21 has been the best-ever quarter in the history of the company on all the operational parameters. The companys foray into multiple regions is yielding results with market share gains across all the operating cities. "Due to consistent demand across all the product segments at sustainable prices, the company was able to achieve the best-ever price realization of Rs 8,014 per square feet amongst last 8 quarters," it said.

The company further said, low cost availability of home loans with income tax benefits is pushing demand for homes including the larger homes. "However, uncertainties of second Covid-19 wave and its impact is yet to be assessed. Similarly, increase in input cost also needs to be monitored. Sobha, due to its unique self-reliant business model, will be able to face any such future challenges," it added.

Analysts at ICICI Securities note that the company had earlier guided for achieving YoY growth in H2FY21 sales bookings (reported 25 per cent volume growth) on the back of new launches and monetisation of existing inventory. While sales volume recovery is positive, key monitorable will debt-equity of the company (at ~1.2x as on Q3), which has not seen any major reduction, they said.

At 10:10 am, the stock was trading 7 per cent higher at Rs 459 on the BSE, as compared to a 0.51 per cent rise in the S&P BSE Sensex. It hit a 52-week high of Rs 495 on January 13, 2021. A combined 533,000 equity shares had changed hands on the counter on the NSE and BSE till the time of writing of this report.
[April 06, 2021] BAE Systems to Support International F-16 Fighter Fleet

BAE Systems (News - Alert) has received an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract from the U.S. Air Force with a value of up to $600 million to supply the international fleet of F-16 aircraft with support equipment. The 10-year contract includes training, engineering support, specialized test equipment, and more than 1,200 support equipment items to ensure the availability of the F-16 fleet, one of the most versatile multi-role fighter jets. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005168/en/



The U.S. Air Force contract with BAE Systems will ensure support equipment for the fleet of F-16 aircraft in more than 25 countries through 2031. Photo credit: BAE Systems

"BAE Systems is a world leader in developing specialized test system products for the F-16. We also manage the full complement of support equipment required to ensure availability of the aircraft for the U.S. Air Force and allied forces," said Meg Redlin, director of Mission Systems at BAE Systems. "Our test product and support team ensures that all variants of this critical fighter are maintained through its lifecycle, optimizing operations." The contract will ensure support equipment for the fleet of F-16 aircraft in more than 25 countries through 2031. From Boresighting avionics testing and vehicle management system tests to aircraft power, hydraulics, and electrical systems support, BAE Systems' comprehensive approach is a key enabler for F-16 sustainment worldwide. The company will enhance aircraft supportability, reduce the logistics footprint, and minimize life cycle cost through the contract, which includes obsolescence management, logistics and sustainment, and on-base support and depot development. BAE Systems also provides the I-level avionics test systems and supports the USM-464/638 for the U.S. Air Force and F-16 international users. The support equipment development and management will be operated out of the company's Fort Worth, Texas location. In all, the company has delivered more than 100,000 support equipment and test systems. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005168/en/

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Reese Witherspoon's new movie, "Where the Crawdads Sing," is filming in New Orleans, and she's looking for extras.

The casting company is hiring people of all ages to work in the background of scenes shot around New Orleans and Houma, according to the online casting call. Witherspoon, a New Orleans native who was raised in Nashville, Tennessee, is producing the movie.

Filming is from mid-April to mid-June. Adults will be paid $105 for a 12-hour shift and minors will be paid $80 for 8 hours, according to the listing from Caballero Casting.

The film is an adaption of the bestselling novel that's set in North Carolina in the 1950s and 1960s.

Amy Schumer -- and her dog -- photobomb Audubon Park engagement shoot New Orleans photo shoots tend to attract unexpected guests  curious people, drunk people  so when a fun-spirited woman rushed over to photog

"As we follow Kya, a lonely marsh girl raised by the native land due to family abandonment, we soon will learn she will become the prime suspect in the murder case of a local man she was once involved with," according to the casting call.

Lucy Alibar, who co-wrote the screenplay for "Beasts of the Southern Wild," is doing to the screenplay. Daisy Edgar-Jones, from the TV mini-series "Normal People," has been cast as Kya.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Where The Crawdads Sing (@crawdadsmovie)

To apply, send a headshot and full-body photo to crawdads@caballerocasting.com, along with your contact information, measurements and detailed information about your appearance. The casting company said you should not wear makeup in your photos.

See more about how to apply.
We have no idea yet about the implications of the long-term storage of CO2 underground. We are talking about super critical highly pressurized carbon dioxide that is injected into rock formations where there is brine and gases and other materials, said Kerwin Olson, executive director of the Citizens Action Coalition, who opposed the amendment. This is something we just dont know enough about.
Active COVID infections in Massachusetts dipped slightly to 34,652 on Tuesday, down from 35,167 reported on Monday after the state missed a day of reporting due to the Easter holiday, according to the latest data from the Department of Public Health.

State health officials confirmed another 1,566 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday. Thats based on 61,251 new molecular tests, according to the Department of Public Health.

Officials also announced another 12 COVID-related fatalities, bringing the death toll from the pandemic to 16,993.

The seven-day average of positive tests is 2.5%, up from 2.36% reported on Monday.

Since the pandemic began, officials have confirmed 609,533 total COVID-19 cases across the state.

The number of COVID patients currently hospitalized on Tuesday is 725, up from 707 the day before. Of them, 169 are in intensive care, and 97 are intubated, data shows.

There have been a total of 4,022,836 COVID vaccine doses administered in Massachusetts to date, and 1,530,080 residents are now fully vaccinated.

New cases continue to be highest among the 0-19 age group, with 6,959 cases reported over the last two weeks, according to the latest data from the Department of Public Health. Twenty-somethings make up the second-largest age bracket, with 6,155 reported over those two weeks.

The number of Massachusetts cities and towns at high risk for COVID-19 spread increased to 55 last week, up from 32 the week before, according to the latest data from the Department of Public Health.

Earlier on Tuesday, Gov. Charlie Baker held a press conference in Boston after getting the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine at the large-scale vaccination site at Hynes Convention Center.

Between the federal allocation and the J&J shipment, Baker says the state has seen an increase in cumulative doses shipped. More than 2.5 million residents have gotten at least one dose of the vaccine  clear signs, Baker says, that were getting a little closer to returning to normal.

Federal officials this week repeated calls for caution about letting the guard down amid a concerning rise in more contagious COVID variants, including in Massachusetts. A surge of the P.1 variant, or the so-called Brazilian variant, on the Cape put Massachusetts ahead of the rest of the nation in the number of known cases, currently 58, according to the CDC.

Total COVID cases by county:

Barnstable County: 12,578

Berkshire County: 5,704

Bristol County: 60,968

Dukes County: 1,041

Essex County: 90,642

Franklin County: 2,277

Hampden County: 46,855

Hampshire County: 8,498

Middlesex County: 124,618

Nantucket County: 1,355

Norfolk County: 50,877

Plymouth County: 45,076

Suffolk County: 86,365

Worcester County: 71,462

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New Delhi, April 7 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said on Tuesday that it has registered a preliminary enquiry (PE) on the orders of the Bombay High Court within 15 days into the allegations of corruption and misconduct levelled by former Mumbai Police Commiasioner Param Bir Singh against ex-Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh.

A CBI official said, "The agency has registered a PE with respect to the Bombay High Court order dated April 5." The Bombay High Court had on Monday directed the CBI to conduct preliminary enquiry within 15 days against Deshmukh, who stepped down from the post of Maharashtra Home Minister after the alleged corruption charges levelled against him by the former Mumbai top cop.

Singh had sought a thorough probe by the CBI into his allegations that Deshmukh had asked arrested policeman Sachin Vaze 'to collect' Rs 100 crore per month and also challenged his own (Singh) transfer as Commandant-General, Home Guards.

The state had strongly objected to the plea on the grounds that Singh made the allegations only because he was shunted out of his post as Mumbai police chief.

Earlier in the day, Deshmukh had raised the issue of legality in the appointment of an interim CBI Director in his plea challenging the Bombay High Court order directing a PE by the agency into the corruption allegations levelled against him by Singh.

Deshmukh also sought a stay on the high court order as an interim relief.

The Maharashtra government and Deshmukh have moved the Supreme Court, challenging the order of a division bench of the Bombay High Court comprising Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice G.S. Kulkarni.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
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[April 06, 2021] LEXEO Therapeutics Strengthens Management Team with Key Appointments to Accelerate Development of Clinical-Stage Pipeline

NEW YORK, April 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LEXEO Therapeutics, a clinical-stage gene therapy company, today announced the continued expansion of its management team with the appointments of two seasoned executives leading critical business functions, including Paul McCormac, Ph.D., as Senior Vice President, Technical Operations and Libbie Mansell, Ph.D., MBA, RAC, as Senior Vice President and Head of Regulatory Affairs.

LEXEO Therapeutics was purpose-built as a fully integrated gene therapy company to advance a truly unique clinical-stage pipeline currently focused on monogenic rare cardiac and CNS diseases, said R. Nolan Townsend, Chief Executive Officer of LEXEO Therapeutics. One of our corporate priorities is building a world-class gene therapy organization, and we are thrilled to announce the appointments of two senior leaders, both with prior experience in the gene therapy field, to strengthen functions core to achieving LEXEOs mission to deliver our treatments to patients as quickly as possible. Dr. McCormac is an industry expert with a proven track record in the field of gene therapy and biologics chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC). Prior to joining LEXEO, he served as Medicinal Sciences Category Lead for Pfizer Rare Disease, where he among other responsibilities led gene therapy CMC and vector supply strategy for Pfizers rare disease business and research units. From 2008 to 2016, he was a product development leader in Pfizers manufacturing organization, leading late-stage development and commercialization of large molecule products. Prior to joining Pfizer, he held positions in process development at Avecia Biotechnology, a leading contract manufacturer of oligonucleotide therapeutics. Dr. McCormac received his B.S. in analytical science and his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Dublin City University and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Queen's University Belfast. I am excited by the opportunity to join the LEXEO team and rejoin Nolan after prior time working together in Pfizers rare disease unit, said Dr. McCormac. LEXEO has a unique opportunity at hand to advance the field of gene thrapy in meaningful ways, and it is rare to find a company at this stage with such an impressive clinical-stage pipeline.



Dr. Mansell is an experienced regulatory affairs leader whose strategic and tactical expertise in clinical research and global regulatory affairs has helped companies of all sizes progress drug candidates from discovery through post-approval. Prior to LEXEO, she served as Senior Vice President, Regulatory Affairs at Asklepios Biopharmaceuticals (AskBio). Over the past 30 years in the biopharmaceutical industry, she has held executive positions focused on global product development, regulatory strategy and product approval. Over the course of her career, she has overseen nine product approvals for rare and/or life-threatening diseases, as well as led regulatory and development strategy for numerous gene and cell therapies. Prior to her experience at AskBio, Dr. Mansell has held regulatory affairs or medical affairs leadership positions at Curis, Sigma-Tau, Genzyme and Millenium Pharmaceuticals among other companies. Dr. Mansell received her B.A. in biology and chemistry from Willamette University. She earned an MBA in finance and international business from New York University, Stern School of Business. She holds a Ph.D. in pharmacokinetics and biopharmaceutics with a minor in applied statistics from Oregon State University. "I am delighted to be joining LEXEO at this exciting time for the company as it continues to advance a pipeline of disease-modifying gene therapy programs, said Dr. Mansell. I look forward to applying my experience in drug development and regulatory affairs at LEXEO to help bring new therapies to patients in need."

In addition to these executive appointments, LEXEO has appointed other senior team members to key positions in the first quarter including Christopher Holterhoff as Vice President, Business and Corporate Development and Richie Khanna, Ph.D., as Executive Director and Head of Non-Clinical Development. Mr. Holterhoff and Dr. Khanna bring prior experiences in rare disease and gene therapy in their respective functions. About LEXEO Therapeutics, Inc.

LEXEO Therapeutics is a New York City-based, fully integrated biotechnology company currently headquartered at the Alexandria Center for Life Science that aims to apply the transformational science of gene therapy to address some of the worlds most devastating genetic and acquired diseases. LEXEO Therapeutics pipeline consists of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated therapies primarily developed at Weill Cornell Medicines Department of Genetic Medicine. Beyond LEXEO Therapeutics lead programs  which are focused on both rare and non-rare monogenic (single gene mutation) diseases  the companys preclinical pipeline spans monogenic diseases, as well as hereditary and acquired diseases across a spectrum of patient population sizes and a range of unmet medical needs. Importantly, LEXEO Therapeutics will focus on advancing clinical programs through to commercialization, with the goal of maintaining an ongoing research collaboration with Weill Cornell Medicines Department of Genetic Medicine to help advance the companys pre-clinical pipeline. For more information, please visit www.lexeotx.com or LinkedIn. Investor Contact

LEXEO Therapeutics, Inc.

investors@lexeotx.com Media Contact

Sheryl Seapy, Real Chemistry

(949) 903-4750

sseapy@realchemistry.com



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The Russian side has signed several contracts with Indian firms to manufacture over 700 million doses of the anti-coronavirus Sputnik V vaccine, Russian Foreign Minister said on Tuesday and indicated that there was also a possibility that an Indian vaccine could be manufactured in Russia.

At a joint press event after holding wide-ranging talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Lavrov lauded India's vaccine manufacturing capacity and said Russia has close cooperation with the country on vaccines to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

He said the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) signed contracts with several Indian contractors to manufacture the Sputnik V vaccine to the tune of 700-750 million doses.

This becomes possible because of the manufacturing capacity in India, he added.

"I do not exclude (the scenario) that further cooperation could cover the manufacturing of the Indian vaccine in Russia. I guess the experts are supposed to discuss this and to assess the efficiency of such a cooperation," Lavrov said while answering a question on the possibility of India's indigenous vaccine COVAXIN being manufactured in Russia in the near future.

In his remarks at the press interaction, Jaishankar said in meeting the COVID challenge, the India-Russia pharmaceutical collaboration has become more serious and "we have a Russian vaccine under discussion for production in India".

Responding to the question on Sputnik V, he said, "We had a discussion and clearly that decision has to be taken by our regulatory authorities."



"For us, were those vaccines to be made in India, it would be one more affirmation of the importance of made in India and our own vaccine capacities," he asserted.

Jaishankar said that so far India has sent COVAXIN to three-four countries abroad and going forward it would certainly like to promote "made in India and invented in India".

The RDIF and drug firm Panacea Biotec on Monday said they have agreed to produce 100 million doses per year of Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine in India.

The RDIF has also partnered with other Indian pharma firms such as Hetero, Gland Pharma and Stelis Biopharma to produce millions of Sputnik V vaccine in India.

An expert panel of India's central drug authority has also sought additional data and information from Dr Reddy's Laboratories, which has sought emergency use authorisation for Sputnik V, while deferring its decision on it till the next meeting, according to sources.

(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.)
Jake Edwards was recently praised for standing up for his wife, Rebecca Zemek, during a heated confrontation with Bryce Ruthven on Married At First Sight.

And just days after the 32-year-old defended his bride, the newlyweds were spotted enjoying a date night out in Sydney during a break from filming in mid-November.

Rebecca, 27, couldn't wipe the smile off her face as she joined her 'husband' for a rare outing together.

EXCLUSIVE: Married At First Sight couple Rebecca Zemek and Jake Edwards are all smiles as they were pictured stepping out for a rare date night in Sydney after he defended her

The Perth-based beauty looked sensational in a long sleeved crop top paired with denim jeans.

Rebecca wore her long balayage tresses out in carefully-sculpted curls and accessorised her look with a pair of transparent sandals and a black handbag.

Meanwhile. Jake opted for comfort in a black T-shirt, jeans and a matching bomber jacket.

So they do like each other! Rebecca couldn't wipe the smile off her face as she joined her 'husband' for a rare outing together

The charity CEO completed his look with a pair of Nike Air Jordan boots.

The sighting comes just days after the hunky groom was praised by fans after he confronted his co-star Bryce Ruthven during a fiery on-screen row.

Jake was left furious during last week's couple's retreat when Bryce stood up and began shouting at Rebecca at the dinner table.

Chic: The Perth-based beauty looked sensational in a long sleeved crop top paired with denim jeans

Stylish: Meanwhile. Jake opted for comfort in a black T-shirt, jeans and a matching bomber jacket

'Don't stand up and deliver a message to someone who's sitting down,' Jake yelled, standing up from his own seat at the table.

He continued: 'Sit down! Mate, don't do it. Sit down.'

Viewers were impressed with Jake taking charge of the situation, with many flocking to Twitter including one who wrote, 'Jake calling out his sh*t! I love it'
People wait in a line to enter a supermarket amidst the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Mumbai

(Reuters) -Here's what you need to know about the coronavirus right now:

India's daily virus cases breach 100,000

India reported a record rise in COVID-19 infections on Monday, becoming the second country after the United States to post more than 100,000 new cases in a day, as politicians stage massive election rallies raising fears of further spreading the virus.

Hospitals in the worst affected state, Maharashtra, are being overrun by patients. India's richest state, home to its commercial capital Mumbai and numerous industries, reported a record 57,074 new cases overnight.

The country's daily infections have risen about 12-fold since hitting a multi-month low in early February, when authorities eased most restrictions and people largely stopped wearing masks and following social distancing.

China reports biggest daily case jump in over 2 months

China reported its biggest daily jump in new COVID-19 cases in more than two months, as a city on the border with Myanmar in southwestern Yunnan province accounted for all new local cases.

Ruili's local government put residents in its urban area under home quarantine, launched a massive testing drive and began restricting people from leaving and entering the city from last week after reporting COVID-19 patients.

The city accounted for all of the 15 new local cases reported on April 4. The total number of new infections, including imported infections originating from overseas, stood at 32, the highest total since Jan. 31.

Japan fears variants are behind possible fourth wave

Japanese health authorities are concerned that variants of the coronavirus are driving a nascent fourth wave in the pandemic with just 109 days remaining until the Tokyo Olympics.

The variants appear to be more infectious and may be resistant to vaccines, which are still not widely available in Japan. The situation is worst in Osaka, where infections hit fresh records last week, prompting the regional government to start targeted lockdown measures for one month from Monday.

Story continues

A mutant COVID-19 variant first discovered in Britain has taken hold in the Osaka region, spreading faster and filling up hospital beds with more serious cases than the original virus.

UK's Johnson launches mass testing programme

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday everyone in England will be able to take a COVID-19 test twice a week in a new drive to track the pandemic as society reopens and the vaccine roll-out continues at its rapid rate.

Johnson, who is expected to confirm plans to relaunch international travel and open sections of the economy later on Monday, said the new mass testing programme would break the chain of transmissions and spot cases without symptoms.

As much of Europe enters new lockdowns to tackle surging cases, Johnson has set out a staggered plan to ease restrictions in the coming months.

Tourism first! Phuket in vaccination drive

In Thailand, it's the all-important tourism sector that has jumped to the head of the vaccination line, with the country's most popular resort island embarking on a mass inoculation programme two months ahead of the rest of the country.

The island of Phuket aims to deliver shots to at least 460,000 people - most of its population - as it gears up for July 1, when vaccinated overseas visitors will no longer be required to quarantine.

(Compiled by Linda Noakes; Editing by Giles Elgood)
Canada opposes recent actions taken by China in the East Sea, Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Peter MacArthur said in a tweet, noting that such actions escalate tensions and undermine regional stability and the rules-based international order.

Many other countries such as the US, Japan, the UK and Australia have also raised their voice expressing concern over Chinas deployment of over 200 ships around Sinh Ton island cluster in Vietnams Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago.



Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said in a diplomatic protest that the swarming and threatening presence of the Chinese ships creates an atmosphere of instability and shows that China is ignoring its commitments to promoting peace and stability in the region.



In his recent post in Twitter, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko stated that the East Sea issues are directly related to peace and stability and a concern for all. Japan strongly opposes any action that heightens tensions. We support the enforcement of rule of law in the sea and work with the int'l community to protect the free, open, and peaceful seas, he added.



Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Steven Robinson tweeted that Australia remains concerned about destabilising actions that could provoke escalation in the region. He said that Australia supports an Indo-Pacific region which is secure, open and inclusive, and that the South China Sea  a crucial international waterway  is governed by international rules and norms, particularly UNCLOS.

Spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang.  File photo

Vietnamese Foreign Ministrys Spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang said that the operation of the Chinese ships within the territorial waters of Sinh Ton Dong island in the Truong Sa archipelago has violated Vietnams sovereignty and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)s regulations on the operation of foreign vessels in the territorial waters of coastal nations, run counter to the spirit and content of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and complicated the situation which is unfavourable for the process of negotiations between ASEAN and China on a Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC). VNA

The East Sea is 'magnet' attracting many countries In early March this year, the East Sea saw the presence of warships from many countries.
The company said the two and eight-day quarantine tests are expected to impact positively on its revenues

( ) said it is now listed on the UK governments website to offer two and eight-day coronavirus (COVID-19) quarantine tests for travellers returning to the UK.

The company said the return tests are a significant addition to its current offering of COVID-19 tests for travellers leaving the UK and will impact positively on its revenues.

Sativa also said it now has 24 of its Goodbody clinics offering COVID-19 testing and is confident it will hit its target of 30 clinics by the end of April.

"Goodbody clinic customers can now arrange all their travel testing in one go which is a better service for them and a revenue boost for us", Sativa executive chairman Geremy Thomas said in a statement.
Developing content on YouTube has proven to be very profitable for young creators, from a 29-year-old Vietnamese girl to a 9-year-old boy from Texas.

Ryan Kaji was once again found in the list of YouTube's highest income earners in 2020 released by Forbes, with an estimated income of $29.5 million.

The boy, whose father is Japanese and mother is Vietnamese, is the owner of Ryans World channel with 29 million subscribers and 46 billion views since 2015.

Vietnam also has a rich YouTuber. Nguyen Thi Hong Tho, the owner of Tho Nguyen channel established in 2016, had 8.74 million subs and 8.2 billion views by the time she was called by the Binh Duong provincial Department of Information and Communications because of "anti-education" clip.

The common characteristic of both YouTubers is that they produce content for children and are famous in countries where they live.

In Vietnam, the boycotting of Tho Nguyen has increased, while Ryans family is also facing criticism because both earn money taking advantage of children's innocence.

Who is Tho Nguyen?

Her real name is Nguyen Hong Tho. She was born in 1992, and lives and works in Binh Duong. She graduated from the HCM City University of Law and was in the fashion business before becoming a YouTuber.

In 2016, Tho and her boyfriend, Tieu Bao Bao (not his real name) established a YouTube channel called Tho Nguyen with content targeting children.

In 2017, Tho Nguyen became famous after posting a clip showing her groaning in a giant jelly bathtub. The channel began attracting children thanks to its diverse content like cooking, toy box opening and challenges not suited to children.

Later, Tho Nguyen had to block comments or hide video clips which faced fierce criticism, such as videos on trying to boil a soft drink can or putting dry ice into a closed bottle.

As videos about challenges are now in fashion, Tho Nguyen published a lot of clips of this kind, saying they were nonsensical (for example, staying for 24 hours in a dumping ground; guessing objects by smelling while blindfolded  she tasted boyfriends feet with her tongue).

Developing content on YouTube has proven to be very profitable for young creators, from a 29-year-old Vietnamese girl to a 9-year-old boy from Texas.

In a clip posted on February 27, Tho Nguyen said that she made a video using a doll to "ask for good study", which reminded people of Kumanthong doll.

Tho Nguyen team then posted the clip on Facebook and faced criticism from parents. She then apologized to the audience after the clip became a hot topic on local newspapers and management agencies criticized her.

The Department of Radio, Television and Electronic Information under the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) asked the Binh Duong Department of Information and Communications to work with Tho Nguyen on the issue, stating that if Tho Nguyen was still uncooperative with management agencies.

After the working session with the agency, she was fined VND7.5 million for the act of providing and sharing information and promoting superstitious beliefs.

Meanwhile, Thuan An Citys taxation agency reported that Tho Nguyen has paid personal income tax of VND2 billion on revenue of VND28.5 billion from content for children on YouTube.

Tho Nguyen, under public pressure, has hidden all videos, turned off monetization on YouTube, and has stated she will stop making videos. She also did the same on her Tik Tok channel.

Tip of the iceberg

The years before 2020 witnessed the boom of YouTube channels for children. One of them was Spiderman Elsa which provided clips with vulgar content for children. The channel didnt have content in Vietnamese, but surprisingly was owned by a Vietnamese and belonged to Vietnam multi-channel network.

Because of criticism, YouTube has set up stricter requirements to tighten control over channels for children.

However, analysts believe that Tho Nguyen and Ryan are just two grains of sand out of the 50 million content producers on YouTube. And if some YouTubers have to stop making videos, other YouTubers will appear to provide content to more than 2 billion users.

Parents need to look after their children regularly and remind them of what they can watch and what they must not, because there are many toxic channels on YouTube, said Ngoc Linh, a mother with two children in Hanoi.

Phuong Nguyen

Famous YouTuber fined for posting 'superstitious' content After two days working with YouTuber Tho Nguyen, the authorities of Binh Duong province have imposed a VND7.5 million fine fine on the popular vlogger.
Australians could be able to travel to select Asian and Pacific destinations without facing lengthy stints in quarantine by August, as the Morrison government looks to open the border to more countries after establishing a safe travel zone with New Zealand.

Immigration and health authorities are exploring plans to open up to Singapore within months, followed by other nations with low COVID-19 numbers such as Fiji, Vietnam and Thailand, as well as Japan and South Korea, although their daily case numbers are higher.

Singapore holidays could be on the cards if Australia can provide tamper-proof vaccination certificates.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Tuesday that a trans-Tasman travel bubble between the two countries will be established in less than two weeks. From 11.59pm April 18 Wellington time (9.59pm AEST), Australians will be able to fly into New Zealand with no quarantine for the first time in more than a year.

The opening up of the travel bubble will complete the other side of a one-way travel bubble which was agreed to by both countries in October. Since October 16, New Zealanders have been able to travel to some Australian states without needing to quarantine, but they have still had to quarantine for a fortnight when they arrive back in New Zealand.
RICHMOND, Ky., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Buc-ee's, home of the world's cleanest bathrooms, freshest food and friendliest beaver, will break ground on its new travel center in Richmond, Kentucky, on April 13, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. EST.

Buc-ee's Rendering

Located at the southeast corner of Interstate 75 and Duncannon Lane, Buc-ee's Richmond marks the first Buc-ee's travel center in Kentucky. The outpost continues Buc-ee's multi-state expansion across the South, joining two recently opened locations in Florida, as well as stores in Georgia and Alabama. Buc-ee's first travel center in South Carolina is also currently under construction, and is slated to open in 2022. Additionally, Buc-ee's continues to operate 38 locations in Texas, where it was founded almost four decades ago.

Buc-ee's Richmond will occupy more than 53,300 square feet and offer approximately 120 fueling positions just outside its store with thousands of snack, meal and drink options for travelers on the go. The new travel center will also feature the same award-winning restrooms, cheap gas, quality products and excellent service that have won the hearts, trust and business of millions in the South for nearly 40 years. Buc-ee's favorites including Texas barbeque, homemade fudge, kolaches, Beaver nuggets, jerky and fresh pastries will all be available as well.

Attendees of the Buc-ee's Richmond groundbreaking ceremony will include Mayor Robert Blythe of Richmond; City Manager Rob Minerich of Richmond; Executive Director David Stipes of the Richmond Industrial Development Corporation; and members of the City of Richmond Board of Commissioners.

"We're excited to add Kentucky to our family of stores expanding throughout the Southeast," said Stan Beard of Buc-ee's. "Richmond is a vibrant city in the heart of the gorgeous Bluegrass region of the state, and we are thrilled to have this location as our first in the State of Kentucky."

Throughout the project, Buc-ee's corporate development team will work closely alongside state and local leadership. Buc-ee's Richmond will bring 200 permanent, full-time jobs to the area with great pay, full benefits, 401k and three weeks of vacation. Buc-ee's remains committed to providing a friendly, safe and fun stop for travelers everywhere.

About Buc-ee's

Buc-ee's is the world's most-loved travel center. Founded in 1982, Buc-ee's now has 38 stores across Texas, including the world's largest convenience store. Buc-ee's began its multi-state expansion in 2019, and has since opened two travel centers in Alabama, two in Florida, and one in Georgia. Buc-ee's broke ground on its first location in South Carolina in 2020, and will break ground on its first Kentucky outpost in 2021. Buc-ee's is known for pristine bathrooms, a large amount of fueling positions, friendly service, Buc-ee's apparel and fresh, delicious food. Originally launched and still headquartered in Texas, Buc-ee's has combined traditional quality and modern efficiency to redefine traveling for their customers. For more information, visit www.buc-ees.com.

Photos Courtesy of Buc-ee's: CLICK HERE

MEDIA CONTACT:

Rachel Austin

713-305-0419,

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PARLAMENTUL REPUBLICII MOLDOVA

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The Moldovan Parliaments website design was supported by the Democracy Support Programme in Moldova"  an initiative financed by the European Union and implemented by the Council of Europe
The company recently signed a 10-year contract with Evergy Inc., which serves about 1.6 million customers in Kansas and Missouri, to buy energy generated at a wind farm in Kansas for its site in St. Joseph. The change will reduce carbon emissions at the site by 76 percent as part of a broader company commitment to environmental sustainability nationwide.

In North Brunswick, N.J., a Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health research and development site has transitioned to renewable energy by purchasing green power. A poultry-vaccine manufacturing plant in Gainesville, Ga., is on pace to become Boehringer Ingelheim's first major U.S. production site to go carbon neutral.

A company site in Barceloneta, Puerto Rico, plans to reduce its carbon footprint by about 30 percent a year by using natural gas to generate electricity. That process will create steam and hot water that the site will use in its everyday operations.

Boehringer Ingelheim's U.S. headquarters in Ridgefield, Conn., which employs about 2,500 people, transitioned to renewable energy last year.

In St. Joseph, Gainesville and Ridgefield, the company has taken a variety of other steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, installing LED lights and solar panels and implementing numerous projects to increase energy efficiency at several U.S. sites.

"From reducing our carbon footprint to reducing the amount of electricity and water we use, we are dedicated to providing a more sustainable future for the people and animals we serve and the communities where we live and work," said Jean-Michel Boers, President and CEO of Boehringer Ingelheim USA Corp.

Renewable-energy use has tripled in the United States in the last 20 years to account for 11 percent of U.S. energy consumption, the U.S. Energy Information Administration says. Renewable energy plays an important role in reducing the greenhouse-gas emissions that contribute to climate change.

"Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to making a positive impact on the environment now and into the future," said Randolph Legg, President and Head of the Commercial Business at Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc. "As a company that thinks in generations, we know that an investment in environmental sustainability will pay dividends for years to come."

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health

The lives of animals and humans are interconnected in deep and complex ways. We know that when animals are healthy, humans are healthier too. Across the globe, our 9,700 employees are dedicated to delivering value through innovation, thus enhancing the well-being of both.

Respect for animals, humans and the environment guides us every day. We develop solutions and provide services to protect animals from disease and pain. We support our customers in taking care of the health of their animals and protect our communities against life- and society-threatening diseases.

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health is the second largest animal health business in the world, with net sales of $4.7 billion (4.1 billion euros) in 2020 and presence in more than 150 countries.

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health has a significant presence in the United States, with more than 3,100 employees in places that include Georgia, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, New Jersey and Puerto Rico. To learn more, visit www.boehringer-ingelheim.us, www.facebook.com/BoehringerAHUS or www.twitter.com/Boehringer_AH.

Boehringer Ingelheim

Making new and better medicines for humans and animals is at the heart of what we do. Our mission is to create breakthrough therapies that change lives. Since its founding in 1885, Boehringer Ingelheim has been independent and family owned. We have the freedom to pursue our long-term vision, looking ahead to identify the health challenges of the future and targeting those areas of need where we can do the most good.

As a world-leading, research-driven pharmaceutical company, with around 52,000 employees, we create value through innovation daily for our three business areas: Human Pharma, Animal Health, and Biopharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing.

In 2020, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of around $22.33 billion (19.57 billion euros). Our significant investment of over $4.2 billion (3.7 billion euros) in 2020 (18.9% of net sales) in R&D drives innovation, enabling the next generation of medicines that save lives and improve quality of life.

We realize more scientific opportunities by embracing the power of partnership and diversity of experts across the life-science community. By working together, we accelerate the delivery of the next medical breakthrough that will transform the lives of patients now, and in generations to come.

SOURCE Boehringer Ingelheim, Inc.

Related Links

https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com


The British public want Prince William to leapfrog his father Charles to become the next monarch when the Queen's reign ends, a poll found.

Just 27 per cent of Britons want the Prince of Wales to be king - compared to 47 per cent for the Duke of Cambridge.

Unsurprisingly, those aged between 18 and 24 want Prince Harry to bypass his brother and father to become King - despite the Duke of Sussex being only sixth in line to the throne.

But 51 per cent of those polled said the Sussexes - the couple generally more-popular with younger Britons - damaged the monarchy's reputation, The Mirror reports.

The British public want Prince William to leapfrog his father Charles (the family in 2019) to become the next monarch when the Queen's reign ends, a poll found

Just 27 per cent of Britons want the Prince of Wales to be king - compared to 47 per cent for the Duke of Cambridge

It follows the couple's bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in which they claimed one royal had 'concerns' about 'how dark' Archie's skin would be - but they refused to name who it was.

It was later confirmed that the person was not the Queen nor Prince Philip.

Just over 40 per cent of people think the Queen should remain in her position until her death - while 27 per cent feel she should step down if she falls ill.

The majority of Britons wanting William to be the next monarch will no-doubt be a blow to the palace's push to restore the Prince of Wales' public image after his 1996 divorce from Princess Diana and her death in 1997.

The poll comes amid an already-tumultuous year for the Firm, after the Sussexes' two-hour televised sit-down with Ms Winfrey at the start of last month left the royal family facing one of its worst crises for generations.

The majority of Britons wanting William (pictured with Kate) to be the next monarch will no-doubt be a blow to the palace's push restore the Prince of Wales' public image after his 1996 divorce from Princess Diana and her 1997 death

Meghan said an unnamed royal - later confirmed to not be the Queen nor the Duke of Edinburgh - raised concerns with Harry about how dark their son Archie's skin tone might be before he was born.

The duchess also told how she contemplated suicide but was not supported by the institution even when she begged for help.

Harry said he felt 'let down' by his father the Prince of Wales, said he was cut off financially by his family in the months before Megxit, and expressed his shock at his loss of taxpayer-funded security.

The interview was aired while Harry's grandfather 99-year-old Philip was in hospital recovering from heart surgery.

Unsurprisingly, those aged between 18 and 24 want Prince Harry (pictured with Meghan) to bypass his brother and father to become King - despite the Duke of Sussex being only sixth in line to the throne

Royal biographer Penny Junor earlier described the crisis as worse than the abdication of Edward VIII.

'The circumstances are very different. Edward VIII was pushed out, whereas Harry and Meghan chose to leave - but I think this is more damaging,' she said.

'It looked as if Edward's abdication was going to damage the monarchy, but in fact, it didn't because his brother was ready to step into his shoes, and George VI did a really good job and restored the reputation of the monarchy.'

She added of the Oprah interview: 'These are really terrible accusations that that will stick.'
ROCKY HILL  Police said a packaged dropped off Monday afternoon at Myrtle H. Stevens Elementary School  initially classified as suspicious  was deemed safe by investigators.

Police were notified that a suspicious package was delivered by the U.S. Postal Service to the school at 322 Orchard St. around 3 p.m., according to Sgt. Steve Morgan.
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.
Oxford University has today paused trials of its coronavirus vaccine in children while regulators probe the jab's link to rare blood clots.

A spokesperson for the prestigious university said the move was precautionary and that there were no health issues among any of the youngsters involved in the trial.

Oxford began studying the vaccine in five-to-17-year-olds in February, with the aim of eventually scaling up the trial and testing it in 200 people.

But scientists have stopped recruiting new volunteers and it is not clear how many children have already been given a dose.

Oxford is waiting for more information from the UK's regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, before restarting the study, the Wall Street Journal reported.

It comes as the MHRA prepares to give a decision about whether the jab is suitable and safe for people under 30, after dozens of vaccinated people developed a deadly brain clot.

Meanwhile, one of the European drug regulator's senior officials today claimed there is now a 'clear' link between the jab and CVST  a brain blockage that can lead to a stroke.

Marco Cavaleri, head of vaccines at the European Medicines Agency (EMA), said that CVST  a brain blockage that can lead to a stroke  was occurring more often than expected in younger people.

Oxford University has today paused trials of its coronavirus vaccine in children while regulators probe the jab's link to rare blood clots. Pictured: A 16-year-old getting the jab

A spokesperson for the prestigious university said the move was precautionary and that there were no health issues among any of the youngsters involved in the trial. Pictured: A young person getting the vaccine

AstraZeneca is on track to roll out a new booster vaccine that will tackle coronavirus variants by autumn, the firm said

More than 31million Britons have received at least one dose of a Covid vaccine in the UK

The risk of dying from Covid-19 is significantly higher than the rate of CSVT blood clots, which haven't even been definitively linked to the vaccines (Based on fatality estimates from Cambridge University and CSVT occurrences in Germany)

Marco Cavaleri, vaccines head at the European Medicines Agency, said there is a 'link' between AstraZeneca jab and clots

Britain's study of AstraZeneca's vaccine on children was also going to give 200 youngsters a placebo.

An AstraZeneca spokesman told the WSJ the company was awaiting the outcomes of the regulatory reviews and declined to comment further.

Sage adviser Professor Calum Semple urged people to continue accepting Oxford/AstraZeneca jabs after the trial was paused.

He told Channel 4 News: 'This has been done out of exceptional caution and the big story still is that for a middle-aged, slightly overweight man, such as myself, my risk of death is one in 13,000 - the risk of this rare clot, which might not even be associated with the vaccine, is probably one in a million.

'So I'm still going to say it's better to get the vaccine than not get the vaccine and we can pause and take time to carefully consider the value for children because they're not at risk of death from Covid.'

He added: 'If you've been called for the vaccine then you're in an age group that is very likely to benefit from the vaccine. So the bottom line is if you've been called for the vaccine I would urge you to take the vaccine.'

Mr Cavaleri today admitted that the body was still baffled about how the jab may trigger the rare complication.

EMA officials are already probing the link between the vaccine and CVST, which is more common in young women. Watchdog bosses are expected to make a formal announcement tomorrow.

Despite his comments, Mr Cavaleri's agency has repeatedly insisted AstraZeneca's jab is safe and the benefits outweigh any risks.

Last week it slapped down Germany for suspending its use in under-60s, arguing there was 'no evidence' to support age-based restrictions.

But at the same time, the watchdog paved the way for a potential U-turn, warning that the rate of the complication did appear to be slightly higher than expected in vaccinated under-60s.

Experts across the board say the evidence is now 'shifting' and that the jab is likely  in extremely rare cases  to cause the brain blockage.

The UK's safety watchdog, the MHRA, has so far spotted 30 rare clotting events in 18.1million doses  around one in every 600,000. But the EMA believes it may occur in up to one in every 100,000 under-60s.

Britain's medical regulator may also impose a German-style ban of AstraZeneca's vaccine, it emerged last night.

Sources told Channel 4 it could stop under-30s getting the jab  which is the main one being deployed in Britain. But Government insiders told the Daily Telegraph that regulators were unlikely to impose any age-based ban.

Boris Johnson today called on Britons to still get AstraZeneca's jab while on a visit to one of the firm's factory in Macclesfield, saying the 'best thing' they can do is 'look at what the MHRA say'. He added: 'Their advice to people is to keep going out there, get your jab, get your second jab.'

But he glossed over questions about whether the UK could impose a ban on the jab for under-30s.

It comes amid reports that thousands of doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine are being wasted in France following a 'wave of panic' triggered by its suspension.

And it was also claimed today that EU officials are confident they will have enough doses to immunize the majority of their citizens by the end of June. Britain is aiming to have offered a first dose to all adults by the end of July.

A TIMELINE OF THE ASTRAZENECA BLOOD CLOT SAGA March 7: Austria suspended the use of one batch of the vaccine after a woman, 49, who had been given it died of a 'severe coagulation disorder' and a 35-year-old developed a blood clot in her lung. March 11: Authorities in Denmark, Norway and Iceland suspended all use of the vaccine following a 60-year-old woman in Denmark died of a blood clot after the reports emerged in Austria. Danish health minister Magnus Heunicke said: 'It is currently not possible to conclude whether there is a link.' March 11: European Medicines Agency's safety committee began an investigation into the cases. It confirms 30 cases of 'thromboembolic events'  clots  were reported after five million vaccines in the EEA. March 12: Thailand suspended the use of the vaccine off the back of European worries. Bulgaria also stops using it. March 12: The European Medicines Agency, Britain's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, Health Canada, the World Health Organization and AstraZeneca itself, all spoke out to defend the vaccine and say there is no proof it's linked to blood clots. March 13: The Netherlands, Italy and Ireland temporarily stopped using the vaccine as fears about the cases in Austria and Denmark snowballed. March 14: Germany and France suspended the vaccine. March 15: Spain, Portugal and Slovenia suspended use of the jab. March 15: Professor Andrew Pollard, the Oxford expert who ran the clinical trials of the jab, insisted safety data are 'reassuring' and said 'clearly those blood clots still happen' as often as they would in unvaccinated people. March 16: World Health Organization officials met to discuss the issue. European Medicines Agency is still investigating. March 17: Scientists accuse governments of banning the jab on political grouns. AstraZeneca's vaccine has been a flashpoint in the past. March 18: European Medicines Agency holds a press conference on its investigation and rules that the vaccine is 'safe and effective'. It said there wasn't enough evidence to rule out a link to blood clots, but also not enough to prove one. On balance, it would be safer for countries to keep using the vaccine to stop Covid. The investigation would continue. March 18: Germany, France and Italy resume use of the jab after the EMA's conclusion. March 19: Finland suspends the jab after finding blood clot cases in its own population. March 19: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands and Spain all confirm they will start using the jab again. Scandinavian countries did not follow suit and kept the ban in place. March 22: A study is published that found public trust in the AstraZeneca vaccine collapsed in Europe at the time of the blood clot saga. A YouGov survey found more than half of people in Germany, France, Italy and Spain believed the jab was unsafe. March 30: Germany bans the vaccine for people under the age of 60 after officials said they had found 31 cases of CSVT after 2.7million vaccinations. April 2: UK regulators announce a total of 30 blood clots, 22 in the brain, have now been discovered in Britons vaccinated with the AZ jab. April 5: UK regulators begin reviewing their guidance amid concern the jab is considerably more likely among younger people. Advertisement

The World Health Organization still maintains there is 'no link for the moment' between the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine and blood clots.

Rogerio Pinto de Sa Gaspar, director of regulation and prequalification at the WHO, told a briefing today: 'The appraisal that we have for the moment, and this is under consideration by the experts, is that the benefit-risk assessment for the vaccine is still largely positive.'

He added: 'For the time being there is no evidence that the benefit-risk assessment for the vaccine needs to be changed and we know from the data coming from countries like the UK and others that the benefits are really important in terms of reduction of the mortality of populations that are being vaccinated.'

Scientists insist the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine outweigh any risks for elderly people  who are most at risk of hospitalisation or death if they catch the virus.

But they warn that the picture is 'more complicated' for young people.

Experts estimate the risk of dying of Covid for 25 to 44-year-olds is 0.04 per cent  or one in 2,500.

For comparison, the rate of CVST cases seen in Germany  which originally banned the jab for over-60s over the same blood clot fears  is around one in 90,000.

It is not clear how many younger adults will suffer the blood clots naturally  but officials admit the risk is higher in women under the age of 50.

Officials are working round-the-clock to disentangle the statistical risk, analysing the background rate of CVST as well as the reported rate among people given AstraZeneca's vaccine.

'In the next few hours, we will say that there is a connection, but we still have to understand how this happens,' Mr Cavaleri told Italian newspaper Il Messaggero.

'Among the vaccinated, there are more cases of cerebral thrombosis... among young people than we would expect.'

Stella Kyriakides, the European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, said the results of the EMA's review of the AstraZeneca vaccine were expected tomorrow.

But France is already wasting thousands of doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine due to concern over the jab, even as the country battles against a third wave.

Medics have reported people turning down the inoculation in droves, despite it being a key part of the country's planned route out of the pandemic.

This is because President Emmanuel Macron has performed a series of U-turns over the highly effective vaccine, with critics suggesting the Brexit-critical leader had challenged the jabs safety and effectiveness to attack the UK.

European capitals have been told the EU has now secured enough doses for them to inoculate the majority of their citizens by the end of June, according to a briefing note seen by Bloomberg.

The forecast, however, assumes that some 70million AstraZeneca doses will be used, which could be put in doubt if regulators limit their use.

It also shows that some member states - including Austria, Croatia and the Czech Republic - are expected to lag behind.

EU Commissioner Thierry Breton, who is leading jabbing efforts, has previously claimed they will have the capacity to deliver enough doses to hit 'herd immunity' by July 14, which is Bastile Day in France.

Amid the MHRA's safety review of the jab, two senior sources told Channel 4 news that the data is still unclear on the risks of the vaccine.

But the insiders said there are growing arguments to justify offering younger people  below the age of 30 at the very least  a different vaccine.

Both sources, however, emphasised their support for the Oxford jab and their concerns that any restriction of its roll-out could damage public confidence.

Dr June Raine, the agency's chief executive, said: 'The benefits of Covid vaccine AstraZeneca in preventing Covid infection and its complications continue to outweigh any risks and the public should continue to get their vaccine when invited to do so.'

She added: 'Our thorough review into these reports is ongoing.

'We are asking healthcare professionals to report any cases they suspect to be linked with Covid vaccination via the Covid yellow card website.'

The head of the EMA, Emer Cooke, has previously stressed there is 'no evidence' to support restricting the use of the jab across the continent.

She added a link between unusual blood clots in people who have had the jab is 'not proven, but is possible', but added that the benefits far outweigh risks.

The World Health Organization has also urged countries to continue using the 'safe and effective' jab, which offers a backdoor to get the world out of the pandemic.

At least 10 countries in Europe, joined by Germany last night, have put some kind of restriction on the use of AstraZeneca's jab, mostly opting to give it only to over-60s because the CSVT cases seem to be happening in younger adults

Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi pictured receiving his Covid jab. He said today they are expecting the first doses of the long-awaited Moderna jab to arrive this month

But confusion erupted over Moderna's supply today, after Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon revealed the first batch of doses arrived yesterday

MOST EU MEMBERS WILL VACCINATE MAJORITY OF CITIZENS BY JULY Most European Union countries will have vaccinated the majority of their citizens by July, a leaked briefing note revealed today. It predicted supplies would pick up in the coming days, allowing countries including the Germany, France and Spain to jab more than 50 per cent of their populations by the deadline. But it also showed some members - like Croatia and Bulgaria - are expected to lag further behind. For comparison, Britain expects to have offered every citizen a first dose no later than July 31. The forecast, seen by Bloomberg, also expects some 70million inoculations with the AstraZeneca vaccine to be carried out between April and June - despite warnings its use may be suspended for younger age groups. EU Commissioner Thierry Breton, who is leading jabbing efforts, has previously claimed they will have the capacity to deliver enough doses to hit 'herd immunity' by July 14, which is Bastile Day in France. Advertisement

Scientists have shifted their position in recent weeks, to indicate other vaccines against Covid may be better for young people.

Professor Neil Ferguson  the scientist whose grim modelling that 250,000 may die without restrictions scared ministers into imposing Britain's first lockdown last March  said the jab may not be suitable for younger Britons, if a link is proven.

'In terms of the data at the moment, there is increasing evidence that there is a rare risk associated, particularly with the AstraZeneca vaccine,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme yesterday.

'But it may be associated at a lower level with other vaccines, of these unusual blood clots with low platelet counts. It appears that risk is age related, it may possibly be  but the data is weaker on this  related to sex.

'And so the older you are, the less the risk is and also the higher the risk is of Covid so the risk-benefit equation really points very much towards being vaccinated.

'I think it becomes slightly more complicated when you get to younger age groups where the risk-benefit equation is more complicated.'

Professor Paul Hunter, an infectious disease expert at the University of East Anglia, has also warned there may be a link between the AstraZeneca vaccine and blood clots.

He told the Today programme it is 'not uncommon' to get a cluster of rare events by chance.

'But once you find that cluster in one population and it then crops up in another  such as previously in the German and now in the English  then I think the chances of that being a random association is very, very low,' he said.

'Clearly more work needs to be done, but I think the evidence is shifting more towards it being causally related at the moment.'

'[But] the chance of dying if you don't have the vaccine is many times greater than the risk of dying from CVST after the AstraZeneca vaccine, even if it does turn out, as I suspect it will, that this link is causal.'

WHAT IS CVST? AND HOW COULD IT BE LINKED TO ASTRAZENECA'S JAB? Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is an extremely rare type of blood clot in the brain. It occurs when the vein that drains blood from the brain is blocked by a blood clot, resulting in potentially deadly bleeding on the brain. Symptoms can quickly deteriorate from a headache, blurred vision and faintness to complete loss of control over movement and seizures. John Hopkins University estimates it affects five in a million people in the US every year, which would suggest 330 patients in Britain suffer from the condition annually. According to the university, it can affect patients with low blood pressure, cancer, vascular diseases and those prone to blood clotting. Head injuries can also trigger the condition. Britain's regulator said CVST is so rare they aren't even sure how common it is in the general population. Although there isn't any evidence that the blood clots are developing because of vaccinations, some academics have a theory that it is the immune reaction making it happen. Research teams in Germany and Norway claim the blood clotting issue may be caused by the jab, in very rare cases, making the body attack its own platelets. Platelets are tiny chunks of cells inside blood that the body uses to build clots to stop bleeding when someone is injured. But they can also make unwanted clots. Experts from Oslo and Greifswald University believe the jab could cause the body to produce antibodies  normally used to fight off viruses  which mistake platelets in the blood for foreign invaders and attack them. To compensate, the body then overproduces platelets to replace those that are being attacked, causing the blood to thicken and raising the risk of clotting. They admitted they 'don't know why this is happening'. But the researchers say the phenomenon is similar to one that can occur in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), when sufferers take a drug called heparin. Advertisement

Although there isn't any evidence that the blood clots are developing because of vaccinations, some academics have a theory that it is the immune reaction making it happen.

Research teams in Germany and Norway claim the blood clotting issue may be caused by the jab, in very rare cases, making the body attack its own platelets.

Platelets are tiny chunks of cells inside blood that the body uses to build clots to stop bleeding when someone is injured. But they can also make unwanted clots.

Experts from Oslo and Greifswald University believe the jab could cause the body to produce antibodies  normally used to fight off viruses  which mistake platelets in the blood for foreign invaders and attack them.

To compensate, the body then overproduces platelets to replace those that are being attacked, causing the blood to thicken and raising the risk of clotting.

They admitted they 'don't know why this is happening'.

But the researchers say the phenomenon is similar to one that can occur in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), when sufferers take a drug called heparin.

It comes as No10's vaccine minister today revealed the long-awaited Moderna Covid vaccine will be dished out in Britain within the next two weeks.

Nadhim Zahawi said the first batch of the jab  approved by regulators in January  is set to arrive in the third week of this month, with 'more volume' expected in May.

Ministers had promised Moderna's vaccine, which uses mRNA technology such as Pfizer's, would arrive by the spring. Britain has ordered 17million doses.

But confusion erupted over Moderna's supply today, after Nicola Sturgeon revealed the first batch of doses arrived yesterday. If Scotland's First Minister is telling the truth, it means the UK is currently sitting on thousands of vaccines that are proven to work.

Announcing the impending arrival of the Moderna vaccine, Mr Zahawi told BBC Breakfast: 'It will be in deployment around the third week of April in the NHS and we will get more volume in May as well.

'And of course more volume of Pfizer and Oxford/AstraZeneca and we have got other vaccines. We have got the Janssen  Johnson and Johnson  vaccine coming through as well.

'So I am confident that we will be able to meet our target of mid-April offering the vaccine to all over-50s and then end of July offering the vaccine to all adults.'

Despite Mr Zahawi saying the vaccine won't be deployed until later this month, Ms Sturgeon said Scotland had already received its first batch of the jab.

Scotland is due to receive more than one million of the 17million doses ordered by the UK.

The First Minister also said that the doses have already been factored into forward planning for the vaccination programme, and will be delivered over the coming months.

Addressing today's coronavirus briefing in Edinburgh, she said: 'The arrival of this first batch doesn't mean that we are able to accelerate the vaccination programme.

'The speed of vaccination is already taking account of the expected Moderna supplies.

'Nevertheless the fact that we now have three vaccines in use is clearly very welcome and it does give us additional security of supply, which is important.'
So as not to infect their families, Nowak and two other nurses rented an Airbnb for a while so they could isolate. He finds it frustrating that some people dont take the virus seriously and refuse to follow the precautions, although he says he understands that those who have not experienced the severity of the virus and seen the deaths the nurses have seen may not understand the seriousness.
Hitting a grim milestone, India recorded over 1 lakh Covid-19 cases yesterday, the highest single daily spike in infections since the coronavirus pandemic started last year. With this, India has become the third country after the US and Brazil to register a six-figure addition in COVID-19 cases in a single day.

According to doctors, the rise in cases in this wave has been several times faster than the first one. And what remains to unfold its magnitude and the total lives we will lose, both of which scientists predict to be more than our first one.

Mint spoke to Dr Trupti Gilada and Dr. Harish Chafle to understand about the present Covid-19 situation in the country.

Also Read | Why India needs a plan for climate talks

Here is what Dr Trupti Gilada, Consultant Infectious Disease Specialist, Masina Hospital said:

Reasons for resurgence of Covid

Wave with rise and decline in number of cases is a pattern seen in many viral pandemics, especially the respiratory ones. The cause of the resurgence in Covid cases may be multifactorial.

-Irresponsible human and societal behaviour

-Covid Fatigue

Asymptomatic Cases

Unmasking when most needed to mask

The possibility of a new variant:

Hesitancy in taking the vaccine

Despite having the vaccines ready in 2020, the vaccination drive only started in

Second wave more dangerous

The viral strain in this wave definitely is several times more transmissible than the previous one. This means that one infected individual can infect many more people and therefore, the exponential rise in the number of cases. But it definitely seems that the case fatality rate is lower than earlier. However, if the total number of cases continues to increase at the rate it is now, then even with lesser percentage of infected cases dying; we will still have a higher number of deaths in total.

Precautions to take

Irrespective of the transmissibility or virulence of the strain or the vaccine efficacy, we have three magic bullets that continue to be loyal to us if we are loyal to them:

Masking, Physical Distancing and Hand & Cough Hygiene.

Maharashtra the worst hit

Maharashtra was the first one to get hit probably because of the high population and population density and also rising numbers of gatherings due to festivities and weddings. But this very soon spills over to other states just like we saw in the first wave. Bihar and UP have shown a 15X growth in number of cases in the last 15 days and it only goes to show what our entire country is going to face going forward.

Here is what Dr. Harish Chafle, Consultant Intensivist, and Chest Physician, Global Hospitals, Mumbai said

How effective are Covid-19 vaccines against the new variants?

Vaccine is effective against all variants including UK and California variant only concern is the South African and Brazilian variant where there is doubt in vaccine efficacy.

Status of covid cases post-vaccine

The second wave is not co-related with vaccination. People coming to the hospital and then getting exposed is a possibility, but the cases arent rising due to vaccination.

Why does Covid cause breathing difficulty?

As we are all aware that the virus enters first through the respiratory tract. The most common Covid cases are that of Pneumonia. The lungs are like a sponge and Pneumonia causes inflation and swelling in the lungs, which causes the lungs to solidify and be less spongy. Balance between Ventilation and Perfusion ensures sufficient quantities of oxygen is absorbed by the lungs for the body. The ventilation part gets affected by the swelling and the solidification of the lungs, that is why its also called con-so-lidation of the lungs.

Another thing to note is that Covid infection is a Pro-thrombotic state ie. the body is prone to develop obstructions\clots in the vessels of the body. Therefore it affects the profusion, the absorbtion of the oxygen by the blood vessels. Therefore the infection casues disturbance in both Ventilation and Perfusion, causing less oxygen being absorbed by the lungs and hence people feel difficulty breathing. The lungs are not able to provide extra oxygen when ever required.

Go for the vaccine

Everyone must get vaccinated as this is how we will develop herd immunity and beat the virus in the long run, There are very few cases of side effects of the vaccine and they are temporary effects. Even if you do catch Covid after getting vaccinated, the severity of the infection will be very low. Getting vaccination is better than having the disease, it doesnt matter if its Covishied or Covaxin, getting vaccinated is a must.

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EUGENE, Ore.-- Thousands of students across Western Oregon transitioned to in-person learning on Monday.

After more than a year of remote learning, students were able to sit at a desk and learn from their teachers in the classroom. Willamette High School in Eugene was just one of many campuses across the area to open their campuses back up. Some students told KEZI, it feels weird to be back to in-person learning but they're happy things are slowly getting back to normal.

School districts are also seeing a good amount of their students choose to do hybrid learning. The Bethel School district said their enrollment is at 70%, 4J said they're at 71%, and Springfield said they're at about 88%. Roseburg Public Schools said 97% of secondary students chose hybrid learning, starting February 1. Students who opted out, are continuing with remote learning.

Throughout April, even more students will head back to the classroom. 4J said middle and high school students will transition to hybrid learning on April 12. Springfield Public School said 8th grade will return next week and high school will start April 19.
The cabinet has approved the decision to bring in the Regulation of Urban Premises Tenancy (second) 2021.

The provisions of the will lead to reduction in tenancy disputes and in older cases rents can be revisited.

Once the is promulgated, signing of contract will become compulsory to rent out a property. This will safeguard the interests of both, the property owner and the tenant.

The ordinance has made provision for a rent authority and rent tribunal to resolve disputes. These bodies will be tasked to resolve issues within 60 days.

Currently, there is no clear mechanism for conflict resolution under the present law and matters have been pending in court for years.

Keeping in mind the present and future demands of tenancy, the government had decided to replace the UP Urban Buildings (Regulation of Letting, Rent and Eviction) Act, 1972.

The Governor had on January 9, 2021, promulgated the Regulation of Urban Premises Tenancy Ordinance 2021. This was implemented in the state on January 11, 2021, but since the assembly was adjourned indefinitely due to unavoidable circumstances, the Bill could not be passed and, therefore, an ordinance is being brought.

The cabinet also cleared a proposal for setting up Uttar Pradesh State Institute of Forensic Sciences in place of the Uttar Pradesh Police and Forensic Science University.

The decision, said the government spokesman, was made in pursuance of a Central Government advisory to states to set up institutes and affiliate them with a single university, the Forensic Science University.

"Instead of multiple universities giving different degrees, now all degrees will be issued by one university. The Forensic Science University has two campuses, one in Delhi formed by merging the Institute of Criminology and Forensic Sciences and National University, and the other in Gujarat," said the spokesman.

--IANS

amita/skp/

(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 volcanos proximity to Icelands capital, Reykjavik, about 20 miles away, has brought a steady stream of tourists to the area, even with the country in partial lockdown to combat the coronavirus. Around 30,000 people have visited the area since the eruption began, according to the Icelandic Tourist Board.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 20:32:15|Editor: huaxia

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A man looks at exhibits at the Fish Museum in Istanbul, Turkey, on March 30, 2021. Turkey's only fish museum preserving the sea creatures inside a liquid solution is composed of a single room in a small fishing port area on the European part of Istanbul. The Istanbul governorate, along with other related state institutions, has recently decided to transform the museum into a compact exhibition center. (Photo by Osman Orsal/Xinhua)

ISTANBUL, April 6 (Xinhua) -- It became in the 1970s as a hobby when a sea enthusiast fisher started to collect fishes and different sea creatures he hunted in Turkey's seas.

Haydar Deniz, also a former head of an aquaculture cooperative in Istanbul, tried to preserve them inside jars and bottles filled with a particular solution that provides protection from the ravages of time and oxygen.

"When the inventory expanded, he founded this fish museum in 1994 and began exhibiting his collection," Mustafa Gumusoglu, the current director of the museum, told Xinhua about the story of the deceased fisher.

Turkey's only fish museum preserving the sea creatures inside a liquid solution is composed of a single room in a small fishing port area on the European part of Istanbul.

Hosting 585 sea creatures, the structure has aged as the years passed, and cracks appeared in the walls, leaking water.

"The inventory has also started to decay in time," Gumusoglu added, saying that the solution, which should be renewed every 10 to 15 years, cannot anymore guard the content.

As the liquid is toxic, the refilling process requires the intervention of experts and a series of detailed and well-conducted methods.

"All these mean money and manpower," said Gumusoglu, showing the damaged jars and spoiled content.

Due to difficult conditions, the museum halted collecting new inventories in 2006. "Since then, everything is on hold," he said.

But a beam of hope appeared on the horizon when the Istanbul governorate, along with other related state institutions, has recently decided to transform the museum into a compact exhibition center.

The process will also include the renovation of the containers and the liquids as well.

"Studies in the area continue," the governor's office told Xinhua. "We hope that it will turn into a beautiful museum," it said in a written message without revealing further details of the project.

According to Gumusoglu, at least 500,000 Turkish liras (approximately 61,000 U.S. dollars) will be required for the entire project.

"We want to pass the Turkish sea culture on to future generations in a decent way," Gumusoglu continued. "They will see how Turkey's waters were once rich, hosting numerous species, and maybe they will commit themselves to protect the seas more."

Most of the sea creatures in the museum are extinct for various reasons, according to Gumusoglu. "You can only find 50 of the entire inventory alive in our seas."

Gumusoglu mostly blamed illegal fishing for the fast extinction of sea species in this megapolis surrounded by the Black Sea in the north, the Marmara Sea in the south, and the Bosphorus Strait connecting the two.

But thanks to the recently adopted law, the seas will be more fertile this season, he added. Authorities imposed heavy penalties for poaching, such as confiscation of boats, as well as imprisonment.

In Gumusoglu's view, when the project is completed, not only the museum but also the entire fishing port will be transformed into a beautiful location.

"The visitors will have a chance to taste Istanbul's well-known grilled fish sandwich," he said, referring to a centuries-old fast food in the city served with freshly caught fishes from the Bosphorus Strait. "They will have a rest in the museum coffee house with a fascinating Istanbul view over the Marmara Sea."

One of the ultimate targets of Gumusoglu is to boost the inventory and add different types of sea creatures into the collection.

"Our museum is already a rare example of its kind in the world, attracting travelers, students, and academics, and it definitely deserves this facelift," he pointed out.

Pinar Esen Ismen, a faculty member of Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University Faculty of Marine Sciences and Technology, said a renewed museum with such an inventory would make a significant contribution to the marine culture of the city.

"Think about it. A youngster born after 2000 will be able to see a fish caught in the 1970s as if it was alive and get information about it," Ismen said. Enditem
He boasts an extensive collection of tattoos.

And Jeremy Meeks, 37, debuted his latest inking, in honour of the Black Lives Matter movement, as he stepped out in Los Angeles on Monday.

The 'Hot Felon' model's neck tattoo of the BLM logo of a raised fist was just visible as he used a black silk bandana as a face covering amid the pandemic.

Tribute: Jeremy Meeks, 37, debuted his latest inking, in honour of the Black Lives Matter movement, as he stepped out in Los Angeles on Monday

Jeremy cut a casual figure in a cream hoodie which was emblazoned with a pattern on the back and a khaki joggers.

He teamed the look with cool trainers and headed into a phone shop during his stroll.

Jeremy has been a vocal supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement. Last June, he joined thousands of protesters in the march over the killing of George Floyd in Beverly Hills.

Casually-clad: The 'Hot Felon' model's neck tattoo of the BLM logo of a raised fist was just visible as he used a black silk bandana as a face covering amid the pandemic

The model attended the demonstration with his son Jeremy Jr, 12, and raised his fist in the air in a show of support.

Jeremy went shirtless at the march, sporting a pair of black shorts with matching trainers and carrying a bag on his back.

The star chanted with protesters and was later seen sitting on the grass alongside his son who he has previously referred to as 'my junior'.

Jeremy shares his son with his ex wife Melissa Meeks, who he was married to for eight years.

Support: Jeremy has been a vocal supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement. Last June, the model joined thousands of protesters in the march over the killing of George Floyd

At the time of the protest, the model uploaded a video to social media, denouncing violent rioters who have been at some of the marches.

He said: 'Listen, I'm not gonna sit and act like we're not kicking up dust. We are pissed and frustrated and kicking s*** up.

'But I'm telling you right now, little white kids, they're looting just as much as we are. And we're gonna get the blame, not them. It's the way of the world.'

In another video, he said: 'No justice, no motherf***ing peace. Brought this on yourself. Prosecute or suffer the wrath of the people. The people are fed up. This is your guys' fault.'
By Sofia Menchu

GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden's special envoy to a group of Central American countries began a two-nation tour aimed at addressing soaring migration by meeting Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei on Monday afternoon.

Ricardo Zuniga's visit to the so-called Northern Triangle countries comes as the number of migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border leapt last month, adding urgency to Biden's push to revamp U.S. border policy while trying to manage people flows.

Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras constitute the Northern Triangle, a region which in recent years has provided the bulk of U.S.-bound migrants.

The Guatemalan government did not divulge details of the initial meetings with Zuniga's delegation on Monday, saying only in a statement that further talks focusing on economic development, security and immigration would be held on Tuesday.

Shortly beforehand, several Guatemalan cabinet ministers issued a statement urging Giammattei to dismiss the head of Guatemala's migration institute, Guillermo Diaz, alleging Diaz had acted in a manner contrary to the interests of his post.

Guatemalan media quoted one of the ministers as saying their recommendation was based on anomalies detected at the institute on Diaz's watch, which included hiring decisions.

A spokeswoman for the institute said Diaz had not been notified of any accusations and was still in his job.

Zuniga will also visit El Salvador later this week, the White House said. While he is not scheduled to visit Honduras on the trip, Zuniga did discuss migration "in a comprehensive fashion" with Honduran Foreign Minister Lisandro Rosales last Friday, according to a statement from the ministry on Monday.

Further talks between Honduran officials and Zuniga are expected to continue on April 9 in Washington.

U.S. authorities caught more than 171,000 migrants along the U.S.-Mexico in March, the highest monthly total in two decades and the latest sign of the mounting humanitarian challenge confronting Biden's administration.

(Reporting by Sofia Menchu in Guatemala City; Additional reporting by Gustavo Palencia in Tegucigalpa and Nelson Renteria in San Salvador; Writing by David Alire Garcia; Editing by Dan Grebler and Stephen Coates)
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Ugandan environmentalist Vanessa Nakate is taking the fight against climate change to schools, rallying students to join the fight. Ahead of Earth Day (April 22), Halima Athumani covers one of her school rallies from Kampala. VOA Khmer's Leakhena Sreng narrates the story in Khmer.
(CNN) -- A pediatric trial of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has been paused pending a review by the UK's medicines regulator of rare blood clot cases in adults, a University of Oxford spokesperson told CNN Tuesday.

The spokesperson said the trial in children had not raised any safety concerns, but it would be paused while Britain's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, or MHRA, reviews rare cases of people who suffer blood clots while at the same time having low levels of blood platelets.

"Parents and children should continue to attend all scheduled visits and can contact the trial sites if they have any questions," the spokesperson said.

When contacted by CNN, AstraZeneca referred queries to Oxford University.

Last week, the medicines regulator said at least 30 people in the country had experienced rare types of blood clots after receiving the vaccine, but warned it was too early to know whether the shot itself triggered the clots.

The head of MHRA, Dr. June Raine, told CNN on Tuesday that the MHRA was "aware of the decision taken by the University of Oxford to pause dosing in the trial...whilst the MHRA safety review is ongoing."

"Participant safety in any clinical trial is our top priority, and no safety concerns have been reported with this trial," she added.

MHRA said in a statement it received 22 reports of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), where clotting forms in the sinuses that drain blood from the brain, and eight other reports of thrombosis among a total of 15.8 million people who had been given at least one dose of the vaccine by March 21.

They did not say how many blood clots might otherwise have been expected among 15.8 million people

The agency has advised the UK to continue administering the vaccine in all groups, arguing that such clotting incidents are very rare and that the benefits still greatly outweigh the risks, echoing similar assessments by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Regulators in other countries have also reported blood clots among people who have received the vaccine, particularly in Europe, where the AstraZeneca vaccine is widely used. Some countries are choosing to suspend the vaccine altogether, while others have limited its use to certain age groups.

Blood clots in general are so common that it is expected that a certain number of people will get them for various reasons at any given day of any given week. If someone has had a vaccine and then develops a blood clot, it doesn't necessarily mean the shot caused the clot.

After initial reports of clotting last month, AstraZeneca was quick to point out that the incidence of clots overall is lower in people who have received the shot that in the general population.

An AstraZeneca spokesperson said in a statement to CNN last week: "Patient safety remains the Company's highest priority," and pointed to authorities in the UK, EU and the WHO's recommendations to continue its use.

"The benefit risk profile of the vaccine was reaffirmed in the EMA's monthly safety update," the spokesperson said.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "University of Oxford pauses pediatric trial of its vaccine with AstraZeneca, pending review by UK regulator"
Migrants are processed at the intake area of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility, the main detention center for unaccompanied children in the Rio Grande Valley, in Donna, Texas, on March 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills, Pool)

HHS Opens 2 More Emergency Holding Facilities for Unaccompanied Minors

The Biden administration has opened another two emergency holding facilities used to temporarily house unaccompanied minors who illegally crossed into the United States amid the ongoing crisis at the southern border.

Both facilities are located in Texas and will receive their first group of unaccompanied children on Monday, who will be transferred out of U.S. Customs and Border Protection custody, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office on Refugee Resettlement (ORR).

One of the facilities will be located at Target Lodge Pecos North property in Pecos, Texas, and will take in 125 children on Monday. The Pecos facility will house 13 to 17-year-old boys and girls and has a potential capacity of 2,000 beds.

The other facility will be located at Carrizo Springs, Texas, and will have a potential capacity of 440 beds.

These facilities will join a growing list of emergency intake sites and overflow facilities available to take in unaccompanied minors who enter into the country illegally without an adult.

The administration has been opening up such facilities to address the significant surge of illegal border crossings in recent weeks. It is seeking to build capacity for 13,500 beds, with the potential for additional capacity in order to meet what has been a continuous flow of unaccompanied minors coming across the border.

HHS is aggressively working with its interagency partners to ensure that UC are safe and unified with family members or other suitable sponsors as quickly and safely as possible, the department said.

During the month of March, Border Patrol apprehended more than 150,000 illegal border crossers50,000 more than Februaryaccording to former CBP Commissioner Mark Morgan.

A further 30,000 evaded capture, according to Morgan, who has received provisional CBP numbers from internal sources.

Administrations Messaging

Lawmakers have taken issue with President Joe Bidens messaging to Central Americans looking opportunities to emigrate to the United States and are calling for urgent action to address what is a growing humanitarian crisis. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) late last week floated the idea of a 90-day moratorium on immigration as a way of sending a message that would discourage those trying to enter the United States illegally.

Something has to be done and it has to be expedited, Manchin told reporters at a press conference. This problem is not going away. This problem will not cure itself, I can assure you, and theyre coming in droves.

Similarly, Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) is worried that the administrations message of telling migrants to not come is not getting through.

Biden has repeatedly pleaded with would-be border crossers to stay put in their home countries over the last several weeks. The president has said that his administration is continuing to quickly expel most adults and families under the Title 42 public health order imposed at the start of the COVID-19 outbreak by former President Donald Trump. But the administration is allowing teens and children, at least temporarily, to stay in the country.

Former DHS Chief Chad Wolf previously told The Epoch Times American Thought Leaders that he believes Bidens messaging is almost too late.

You have people that have left their home country 20 days ago, theyre still on this path coming up. Well see if some of their messaging actually works. What I found in my experience, U.S. officials, Mexican officials and others will continue to message. You have to continue to message. Its effectiveness is questionable, Wolf said.

He added that migrants tend to not listen to government officials. Instead, they listen to action and what is going on on the ground.

Actions speak louder than words in this case, and they can change the messaging but if they dont change any of their policies and have a different enforcement posture, then again, the crisis is going to continue, he said.

Meanwhile, the influx at the border has also renewed concerns about suspected terrorists taking advantage of the burgeoning crisis. Federal authorities announced on Monday that border patrol agents in the last two months have apprehended two Yemeni men on the FBIs Terrorism Watch List and No-Fly list.

The men were apprehended in separate incidents after crossing the border illegally just west of the Calexico Port of Entry in California.

The first man, a 33-year-old, was arrested on Jan. 29. They also found a cellular phone sim card hidden underneath the insole of his shoe, according to CBP. Meanwhile, the second man, a 26-year-old illegal alien, was arrested on March 30.

Tom Ozimek contributed to this report.
(Newser)  Longtime Congressman Alcee Hastings of Florida has died at age 84 after a two-year fight with pancreatic cancer. The Palm Beach County Democrat died Tuesday, according to chief of staff Lale M. Morrison. Hastings had been a reliably liberal voice on Capitol Hill since he first won his seat in 1992, becoming an outspoken advocate for minorities, gays, immigrants, and the elderly, per the AP. But for just as long, he was dogged by ethics questions, stemming from his impeachment from a federal judgeship prior to his election. Hastings was acquitted of charges that he solicited a bribe from two convicts seeking to shorten their sentences.

story continues below

The House impeached him anyway and the Senate convicted him, but he nevertheless won a seat in Congress in 1992 and took his oath before the same body that had impeached him. The case remained a nagging footnote throughout his career and was seen as derailing his ambitions for a greater leadership role in the Democratic Party. Still, at the time of his death, Hastings was seen as the "dean" of Florida's congressional delegation as its longest-serving member, per the Hill. Hastings began his career as a civil rights attorney before being nominated as a federal judge by President Carter in 1979. He would become only the sixth federal judge in history to be removed from office by the Senate.

(Read more Alcee Hastings stories.)
U.S. Border Patrol agents take illegal immigrants into custody, as seen from a Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter, near the U.S.-Mexico Border in McAllen, Texas, on March 23, 2021. (John Moore/Getty Images)

US Apprehending Terror Suspects at Border Is Rare, White House Says

U.S. agents apprehending terror suspects at the southern border is not typical, the White House said on Tuesday.

Encounters of known and suspected terrorists are very uncommon, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters in Washington.

They do underscore the importance of the critical work done by those at the border. DHS works not just at the border as you know but also with international partners to share intelligence and other information, including to prevent individuals on certain watchlists from entering the United States. They adjudicate individuals encountered at and between ports of entry against several classified and unclassified databases. So while this is rare, it is a reflection of them doing their jobs, she added.

She referred to the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for more information.

CBP officers captured two Yemeni men who are on the FBIs Terrorism Watch List at the border this year, including one on March 30, the agency said on Monday.

The agencys statement was later deleted.

CBP did not answer an inquiry about the deletion. A spokesperson told The Epoch Times via email that the agency doesnt have numbers for how many terror suspects have been caught at the border during the current fiscal year and the past two fiscal years.

Our border security efforts are layered and include multiple levels of rigorous screening that allow us to detect and prevent people who pose national security or public safety risks from entering the United States. DHS works with our international partners to share intelligence and other information, including to prevent individuals on the terrorist watchlist from entering the United States, the spokesperson said.

CBP adjudicates individuals encountered at and between our ports of entry against several classified and unclassified databases to determine if they pose a threat to national security, consistent with the law. While encounters of known and suspected terrorists at our borders are very uncommon, they underscore the importance of the critical work our agents carry out on a daily basis to vet all individuals encountered at our borders.

DHS said in January 2019 that an average of 10 known or suspected terrorists are prevented from entering the United States every day. Most are encountered at airports or even while still overseas as they apply for a visa.

But an additional 3,000 special-interest illegal immigrants were apprehended at the southwest border in 2018, the DHS secretary at the time said.

Mexican cartels control swaths of land in northern Mexico and theyre known to use large groups of families and children to tie up Border Patrol resources so they can send illicit goods and criminals through an unpatrolled area. Another tactic is to place criminals in with large groups so they can blend in.

Charlotte Cuthbertson contributed to this report.
2021 Fall elk hunting on the Baca NWR - Special Refuge Specific drawing is not required for hunting elk on the Refuge. Hunters possessing a Colorado Parks and Wildlife issued elk license valid in Game Management Unit (GMU) 82 (not including Private Land Only licenses) can hunt elk on the Refuge. However, there are specific areas on the Refuge that can be hunted and specific regulations that apply to elk hunting on the Refuge. Remember, that motorized vehicles are not allowed in elk hunting areas of the Refuge.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service encourages elk hunters interested in hunting on the Baca NWR to become familiar with the Regulations and Hunting Area Map which can be accessed below. For more information or clarification, please call the Baca NWR Office at (719) 256-5527.

E-bikes are now allowed on the Baca Refuge for elk hunting. However, they are not allowed in Wilderness Study Areas of the Refuge.

Hunters are encouraged to report their harvest by calling (719) 256-5527 Ext 10

2021 Baca National Wildlife Refuge Elk Hunting Regulations and Map (1.7 MB PDF).

If you are experiencing technical issues when trying to view or print a PDF, right-click the link to the PDF file, and then click "Save Link As" (Chrome or Firefox) or "Save Target As" (IE) from the sub-menu to save a PDF file to your computer's hard drive and view it.
[April 06, 2021] Michigan Angel Community to Host Annual Celebrates Angels Event, Release 2020 Research Report on April 20

The Michigan Angel Community is hosting its annual Michigan Celebrates Angels event, virtually, on April 20, from 10 a.m. to noon. The event, featuring early-stage investors and startups, will include: The results of the 2020 Michigan Angel report, detailing activity throughout the state

New Michigan angel groups, Commune Angels, Ark Angels, and Pointe Angels

A panel discussion highlighting the history and exit of successful startup Tetra Therapeutics

Keynote presentation by Irish Angels



"The Michigan Angel Community is also excited to release our fourth annual research report and present its findings at Michigan Celebrates Angels," Simms added.

The goal of the Michigan Angel Community's annual research report is to uncover the activity and trends in the state's angel investment market and community in 2020. Data for the report was collected in the first months of 2021 through surveys sent out to angels and entrepreneurs and utilizing databases like the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's EDGAR system (Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval) and Pitchbook. Among the key 2020 metrics compiled were: Total angel investment in Michigan in 2020

Number of companies that received angel investment

Investments by sector and geography

Angels by group

Investments by type Michigan Celebrates Angels is a free event, however, registration is required. For more information or to register, visit www.AnnArborUSA.org/events/michigan-celebrates-angels/. About Michigan Angel Community The Michigan Angel Community serves all of Michigan's angel investors and groups and is here to help strengthen and grow entrepreneurial investment in the state. Michigan has a great tradition of entrepreneurship, and the Michigan Angel Community intends to support its continued revival and growth. The Michigan Angel Community is supported by a grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. For more information, visit www.michiganangels.org. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406006072/en/

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The government will today announce when the country will begin a long anticipated trans-Tasman bubble with Australia.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will make the announcement this afternoon, after meeting with Cabinet.

Ardern says the government had carefully worked through the framework of a trans-Tasman bubble, but she warned travelling would not be without risk.

"We will have a number of precautions in place ready to go if in the event we need to alter people's travel, but anyone who is looking to book to travel to Australia will just need to factor in plans if there is something that happens on either side of the ditch," she says.

The three-day lockdown in the Greater Brisbane area was lifted over the weekend and there have been no new cases in Queensland for the second day in a row.

But authorities there said there was still a way to go before they would be absolutely sure the Brisbane outbreak was in hand.

In northern New South Wales coronavirus restrictions eased on Monday night, after another day of no new community cases.

Ardern says if there is a community outbreak in Australia, travelling New Zealanders may have to stay put, self-isolate or be tested once they return - depending on the circumstances.

The tourism industry has long been crying out for much needed Australian tourist dollars, with the sector estimating a bubble could bring a billion dollars into the economy.

Tourism Industry Aotearoa chief executive Chris Roberts is hopeful for a two-way bubble this month, but in the meantime said businesses needed more clarity on what would happen if there were outbreaks.

"How we look after our guests who are in the country in those circumstances and what messaging are we giving to people who want to come to New Zealand.

"If we have all that information provided by the government, then the industry will be raring to go," he says.

National Party leader Judith Collins didn't want to wait any longer and says she'd be disappointed if a bubble wasn't in place this week.

"I'm sure the Australians can do it for six months, we should be able to do it," she says.

Collins says the wait has been traumatic for many New Zealanders who have been unable to see family.

Otago University epidemiologist professor Michael Baker also thought the two countries were ready for a bubble.

He says this is a chance to harmonise the two country's Covid-19 response and learn from one another.

"The main area is, of course, the border we will have with the outside world, with the red zone countries where there is still very intense transmission of this virus, and really working out the best way to try and turn down this tap of importing this virus from the rest of the world."

He anticipates the travel zone could be a model for the rest of the world.

With Australians no longer having to quarantine, about 40 percent of MIQ spaces in New Zealand will also be freed up.

Baker says this would mean more people coming through from higher risk countries.

To reduce the risk, he wants those travelling to New Zealand to explain before departure how they plan to reduce their risk of transmission and for all positive cases to be more thoroughly investigated so gaps can be plugged.

"I think we could be much more systematic about this risk, in fact we need to be because we will be having far more travellers than Australia on a per capita basis coming into our MIQ facilities in the future," he says.

Collins says this risk is why pre-departure testing and testing on arrival needs to be rigourous.

"If people don't or refuse to be tested coming into New Zealand, then they shouldn't be allowed in, that is going to be crucial.

"I also think the government could step up on saliva testing as well, which can be done every day if necessary," she says.

Professor Shaun Hendy from the University of Auckland research centre Te Punaha Matatini wants to hear how New Zealand will deal with shutting the bubble if there are cases in Australia.

"I'll be looking to understand what are the criteria the government here will use to restrict or shut off that travel bubble. That will be key."

New Zealand would need to be proactive in cases like the recent infections in Brisbane, he says.

"There was always the chance that it was a much larger cluster that grew for some time so we'd want to be quite proactive in making sure we're not importing that cluster."

Hendy says Australia had handled the pandemic relatively well, and opening up to a travel bubble was worth the "relatively low risk".

-RNZ.
DHAKA, Bangladesh (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Apr, 2021 ) : The death toll from Sunday's ferry capsizing in central Bangladesh rose to 34, rescue officials said on Tuesday.

"Five more bodies were recovered from the Shitalakkhya River near the capital Dhaka on Tuesday, while another two were retrieved on Monday night in the water," Abdullah Al Arefin, deputy assistant director of the Narayanganj Fire Service and Civil Defense, told Anadolu Agency.

Earlier, 27 bodies were found late Monday before the rescue operation was concluded for the day.

"We retrieved 34 bodies out of a total 33 officially listed missing passengers, and 20 passengers on the vessel managed to survive. Though we completed the rescue operation, we're still trying to collect information to see if there are any missing people," he added.

The ill-fated ML Sabit Al Hasan capsized with over 50 passengers on Sunday evening after colliding with a cargo ship on the Shitalakshya River, about 30 kilometers (18 miles) from Dhaka.

- Compensation to relatives Members of the country's naval force, coast guard, fire service, and river police joined the rescue operation on Sunday.

The district administration has already started providing compensation to the victims' families in an effort to provide immediate support, the official said.

Mubarak Hossain, deputy director of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) in Narayanganj, told Anadolu Agency that three probe bodies have been formed, including the Shipping Ministry and the Narayanganj district administration, to investigate the incident.

The total number of missing and survivors will be known as soon as "we combine all the information from all rescuing government bodies and district officials," he added.

So far authorities have yet to locate the cargo vessel allegedly involved in the collision.

The South Asian country is crisscrossed by hundreds of rivers, including major ones such as the Padma, Meghna, and Jamuna.

According to the Shipping Ministry, from 1991 to 2020, over 3,600 people died and nearly 500 went missing as a result of the capsizing of more than 550 passenger vessels.

Seasonal natural calamities such as storms and cyclones, vessel fitness issues, unskilled pilots, and passenger overload are the main causes of those accidents.
Recent titles of interest:

LADY JOKER, VOL. 1, by Kaoru Takamura. Translated by Allison Markin Powell and Marie Iida. (Soho Crime, $28.95.) Hinging on a kidnapping plot, Takamuras prismatic heist novel (published in Japan in 1997) offers a broad indictment of capitalist society.

THE GOD EQUATION: The Quest for a Theory of Everything, by Michio Kaku. (Doubleday, $22.) Kaku, a physicist at the City University of New York and a leading proponent of string field theory, traces the effort to merge relativity and quantum theory, uniting the laws that govern the very large and the very small.

MINOR CHARACTERS: Stories, by Jaime Clarke and others. (Roundabout, paper, $15.95.) After publishing a trilogy of novels (Vernon Downs et al.), Clarke gives his supporting cast a turn on center stage, in stories written by him and a handful of other writers he invited to participate.

THE TRIUMPH OF NANCY REAGAN, by Karen Tumulty. (Simon & Schuster, $32.50.) This biography of the former first lady makes clear the extent to which Ronald Reagan depended on her social skills and psychological instincts as he moved from Hollywood into politics.
The Grand Ducal Court of Luxembourg has announced that Prince Louis is engaged to Parisian lawyer Scarlett-Lauren Sirgue - just over one month after ex-wife Tessy revealed she's expecting first child with Swiss businessman.

The official Royal Family Instagram account shared three new photographs to celebrate the happy news, with the newly-engaged couple opting for a relaxed-look in knitwear as Prince Louis, 34, holds Scarlett-Lauren's left hand, which features a gold engagement ring.

In the other two more formal portraits, Prince Louis dons a smart suit jacket and pastel blue-coloured shirt, which coordinates perfectly with his 29-year-old fiancee's pale blue top and trousers.

The third image shows the couple smiling alongside Prince Louis' parents, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg.

The Grand Ducal Court of Luxembourg has announced that Prince Louis, 34, is engaged to Scarlett-Lauren Sirgue. Pictured, the happy couple showing off Scarlett's engagement ring

A more formal portrait shows the couple smiling alongside Prince Louis' parents, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg (pictured)

Scarlett-Lauren first made her first public appearance at the side of Prince Louis - the third son of the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess - during an award show one year ago.

Prince Louis was previously married to Tessy Antony, whom he shares two sons with, Prince Gabriel of Nassau, 14, and Prince Noah of Nassau, 12. The couple divorced in 2019.

A date for the wedding has not yet been set.

In a statement, the royal court commented: 'We are happy to announce the engagement of our son, Prince Louis, to Miss Scarlett-Lauren Sirgue.

'Princes Gabriel and Noah join us in surrounding the new couple with all our affection. We wish them immense happiness.'

Former princess Tessy of Luxembourg, 34, announced she is expecting her first child with her hunky Swiss businessman boyfriend online in February

In another portrait, Prince Louis dons a smart suit jacket and pastel blue-coloured shirt, which coordinates perfectly with his fiancee's pale blue top and trousers (pictured)

Born in Bordeaux on 8 August 1991, Scarlett-Lauren is the youngest child of lawyers Pierre Sirgue and Scarlett Sigrue.

At the beginning of her career, she worked alongside her mother in Family Law, before decided to focus more specifically in Victims' Law.

Scarlett-Lauren works for the firm which was founded by her parents, which is also where Prince Louis works as a mediator.

The happy news comes over one month after former princess Tessy of Luxembourg announced she is expecting her first child with her hunky Swiss businessman fiance.

Taking to Instagram, the ex royal, 34, shared a snapshot of her blossoming baby bump as she snuggled up with financier and CEO Frank Floessel, writing: 'Spring is the perfect time for delicate flowers to grow.'

She is believed to have known businessman Frank for several years, and announced her engagement to him on New Year's Eve.

The couple, who are believed to have known each other for years, announced their engagement on New Year's Eve

Tessy shares sons Prince Gabriel of Nassau, 14, and Prince Noah of Nassau, 12, with ex-husband Prince Louis of Luxembourg, 34, who she divorced in 2019

In the photograph, Tessy and Frank could be seen cuddling up with one another, while the businessman's hands gently rested on the mother-of-two's growing baby bump.

The former royal did not reveal how far along she is or when her due date is expected in her post.

It comes after the couple announced their engagement to one another at the end of last year, with Tessy posting on Instagram : 'Yes to 2021 and many more years together.'

Frank also shared his own joy over the big news, telling RTL Today: 'After having mastered the extraordinary and difficult last year together, I took my chance to take the next step in our relationship and I am overjoyed that Tessy said yes.'

Tessy became a princess in 2006 when she married Prince Louis, with the couple sharing two sons and going on to divorce in April last year

Last year, she told Hello magazine that it 'took a long time' after her divorce, when she was stripped of her royal titles, explaining: 'After every relationship it takes a while to heal when the heart has been broken. It has been really, really wonderful for me to realise that I am able to trust and love again. It's nice to see that life goes on.'

Tessy went on to reveal how she is 'very happy' that her ex-husband Prince Louis maintains a close bond with their sons, despite the fact they can't see each other during quarantine.

She said her son's 'love and trust' with their father had 'become stronger' because of the separation during the pandemic.

Tessy has previously told how her family 'suffered greatly' when she became a princess in 2006 after marrying Prince Louis, whom she met in 2004.

Frank was first pictured on a family hike with the proud mother and her two boys on April 4, with Tessy captioning the photos 'Family is all that matters' with two love heart emojis

Speaking on Sky News special report The Meghan Effect, Tessy explained: 'My little cousin needed to change schools twice. My twin brother was incredibly bullied at work  he still is today.

'My sister, my parents suffered, my oldest brother doesn't talk to me anymore because of that, because it was too much for him to handle.

'That was when I married in, and when I got divorced, oh my gosh the same.'

Born a commoner, Tessy joined the Luxembourg Army in 2002 at the age of 18, rising to the rank of corporal. Two years later, when she was one of a handful of female UN peacekeepers in Kosovo, she met Prince Louis, who was visiting the army.

Born a commoner, Tessy joined the Luxembourg Army in 2002 at the age of 18, rising to the rank of corporal. Two years later, when she was one of a handful of female UN peacekeepers in Kosovo, she met Prince Louis, who was visiting the army

His family only became aware of their love affair when Tessy fell pregnant and gave birth aged 19, and unmarried, in September 2005, providing Grand Duke Henri with his first grandson.

It infuriated the royal family, and Prince Louis renounced any claim to the title of Grand Duke due to the constitutional crisis they had created by having a child out of wedlock.

When Tessy married Prince Louis in September 2006, six months after giving birth, in a modest country church wedding, the Grand Duke stripped her of any claim to his title.

The couple's fairytale marriage broke down in 2016, and they were granted a decree nisi in February last year.

The couple's fairytale marriage broke down in 2016, and they were granted a decree nisi in February 2019

Tessy, who in 2017 was named Woman of the Decade by the Women Economic Forum for her work in women's empowerment, now lives in London with Gabriel and Noah, while Louis lives in Paris - though she appears to be in isolation somewhere more rural.

The philanthropist is the co-founder of social enterprise Professors Without Borders which aims to improve access to higher education across the globe.

She also works as a consultant, public speaker and is a UN Association patro
Russian FM in Pakistan, Afghan talks to dominate agenda View Photo

ISLAMABAD (AP)  Russias foreign minister arrived Tuesday in Pakistan for a two-day visit expected to focus on efforts to bring peace to neighboring Afghanistan.

Sergey Lavrovs visit comes as a May 1 deadline for U.S. troops to leave Afghanistan in line with a deal Washington signed a year ago with the Taliban seems increasingly unlikely.

A common concern is the situation in Afghanistan, said a Russian Foreign Ministry statement. We look forward to an early finding of a constructive solution in order to end the civil war in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan through agreements on the formation of an inclusive government with the participation of the Taliban movement.

The U.S. has accelerated efforts to get a peace deal for Afghanistan but is also seeking a three- to six-month extension of the troop withdrawal deadline amid repeated statements from President Joe Biden that America wants to end its longest war.

The Taliban have warned against overstepping the deadline and threatened more attacks including an end to a moratorium on attacks against U.S. and NATO troops.

Afghanistan has seen a nationwide spike in bombings, targeted killings, and violence on the battlefield as peace negotiations in Qatar between the Taliban and the Afghan government have stalled.

Lavrov heads a 13-member delegation that includes Moscows special representative for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov. Russia has intensified efforts to interject itself as a key player in the peace push and last month, Moscow hosted Taliban and Afghan government officials for a one-day meeting.

Following a 10-year occupation and thousands of soldiers who died in Afghanistan, the Soviets negotiated their exit from Afghanistan in February, 1989. The exit came after so-called proximity talks between Afghanistans communist government and the U.S.-backed mujahedeen, many of whom are now in the Taliban, while others are warlords linked to the Kabul government.

Three years later the pro-Moscow government led by President Najibullah, who used only one name, fell to the mujahedeen.

Lavrovs visit to Pakistan is the first by a Russian foreign minister in nine years. Pakistans Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said in a video statement Tuesday that the visit is indicative of a closer relationship between the two countries.

The Russian ministry statement said the visit will also focus on bilateral trade, which last year was nearly $800 million, a lot of that in Russian wheat.

Russias top diplomat arrived from India. While in Pakistan, Lavrov will meet Prime Minister Imran Khan, who recently recovered from COVID-19, as well as Pakistans powerful army chief, Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa.

Pakistan and Russia are working together in the Afghan peace process, Qureshi said in the video statement.

By KATHY GANNON

Associated Press
NEW HARTFORD, N.Y.  New Hartford police arrested a man accused of stealing credit and debit cards from a vehicle and using them at various local businesses.

On March 11, police were called a business on Genesee Street after items were stolen from a vehicle parked in the parking lot. The vehicle owner told officers a black bag was taken, which contained credit and debit cards, a drivers license, a U.S. passport and other personal items.

Over the next several days, police say the cards were used at multiple banks and businesses in the area.

Police were able to identify the suspect as 37-year-old Jonathan V. Evans, of New Hartford, who also had several outstanding warrants related to other investigations, and was wanted for questioning regarding personal checks that were stolen and forged.

Through a joint effort between Utica and New Hartford police units, Evans was found and arrested at a home in Utica on April 5.

He was charged with the following:

Felonies:

Three counts of first-degree identity theft

Three counts of second-degree forgery

Three counts of criminal possession of stolen property

One count of fourth-degree grand larceny

Ten counts of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument

Misdemeanors:

One count of fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property

Two counts of petit larceny

Evans was processed and is being held at Oneida County Correctional Facility awaiting arraignment.
She recently spoke about how she felt 'a bit ashamed of her postpartum body' in an interview with Women's Health.

And Millie Mackintosh shared a behind-the-scenes snap from the accompanying magazine shoot of herself in pink and white bikinis on Tuesday.

The former Made In Chelsea star, 32, showed off her incredible figure in the stylish two-piece which featured metallic detailing as she posed for the mirror selfie.

Wow! Millie Mackintosh showed off her incredible figure in a pink bikini as she shared behind-the-scenes snaps from her recent Women's Health cover shoot on Tuesday

Snaps: The beauty wrote in the caption: 'Very excited for my most recent cover shoot to be on the shelves tomorrow.. here is a little sneak peek from the day!'

Millie displayed her taut abs and toned legs as she modelled one set of swimwear that featured in the final shoot.

She wore her golden tresses in loose waves over her shoulders and slipped on some comfy white slippers as she took a break from working the camera.

The beauty wrote in the caption: 'Very excited for my most recent cover shoot to be on the shelves tomorrow.. here is a little sneak peek from the day!'

Another snap showed her looking incredible in a flattering white bikini as she posed up a storm for the photographer.

Posing up a storm: Another snap showed Millie looking incredible in a flattering white bikini as she posed up a storm for the photographer

Swimwear: She donned a range of eye-catching swimwear in the footage shared on Instagram

And while she was required to be scantily-clad for the shoot, the star still gave in to her cravings, as she posted an image of herself indulging in a light snack.

'My favourite snack... rice cakes and peanut butter,' she captioned the photo, which showed her wearing a white bathrobe as she tucked into her savoury treat.

In the Women's Health interview Millie spoke about being a first time mum, how she felt 'a bit ashamed of my postpartum body' and Sienna's hip dysplasia.

Millie candidly revealed she struggled to even look in the mirror the first three months after Sienna's birth.

Yummy treat: And while she was required to be scantily-clad for the shoot, the star still gave in to her cravings, as she posted an image of herself indulging in a light snack

Jewellery: She was also shown wearing eye-catching costume jewellery in the range of images

'It was honestly quite hard to see my body after a baby. And I think it is for a lot of women,' she said.

'It can really feel like a shock and something that's hard to love, maybe  and hard to feel good about.

Cover star: Read the full Millie Mackintosh interview in the May issue of Women's Health UK, on sale from 7th April

'I did feel self-conscious when I went out and wouldn't want anything to be tight to my tummy.

'And, yeah, I did feel a bit ashamed of my postpartum body. And it's kind of sad that I felt that. It feels good to admit that and say, "yeah, I did struggle looking in the mirror for the first three months".'

But Millie, who has worked hard gradually reintroducing her fitness regime and nutrition in the months after Sienna's birth, said she has learnt to love her figure.

Joking she's 'mainly lived in a tracksuit for the last year', due to the pandemic, she added: '[My figure] definitely won't go back to being exactly the same as before and I'm okay with thatI feel more womanly, and I'm really loving it.'

The brunette beauty also touched upon receiving Sienna's hip dysplasia diagnosis.

The diagnosis meant that Sienna had to wear a special harness for six to 12 weeks in order to treat the dysplasia, making it hard for Millie to cuddle and breastfeed her daughter.

Change: Millie has candidly revealed she struggled to even look in the mirror the first three months after Sienna's birth (pictured in the final stages of her pregnancy)

Happy family: Millie welcomed her first child, a daughter named Sienna, with her husband Hugo Taylor in May last year (pictured)

'It was a really difficult and scary time,' she said. 'The stress of going from having quite a chilled baby to a baby that's just crying and upset and you can't do anything.

'It was really heartbreaking. But as she's crawling normally and doing well, we're hopeful and remaining positive that her hips are healthy. They caught the condition early, so it shouldn't affect her later in life.'

Millie also described what it was like becoming a mother to her little girl as she said: 'It's like crazy stupid love. Your life is turned upside down. [I've] just never felt the love like it  it's crazy how much your heart opens and, yeah, she's incredible.'

Millie and Hugo originally dated for six months in 2011, before Millie dumped Hugo when she found out he'd cheated with her best friend and co-star Rosie Fortescue.

Glowing: Millie, who has worked hard gradually reintroducing her fitness regime and nutrition in the months after Sienna's birth, said she has learnt to love her figure

Millie then met her future husband, rapper Professor Green, 37, real name Stephen Manderson, who she tied the knot with in September 2013.

The ex-couple were married for two-and-a-half years, before finalising their divorce in May 2016, the same week Millie and Hugo went public with their rekindled romance.

Rapper Stephen has since welcomed a little girl of his own with girlfriend Karima McAdams. Actress Karima gave birth to daughter Slimane Ray Manderson earlier this month.

Read the full Millie Mackintosh interview in the May issue of Women's Health UK, on sale from 7th April.

Toned: Millie also described what it was like becoming a mother to her little girl as she said: 'It's like crazy stupid love'
Co-chairman of the Save Romania Union - Freedom, Unity and Solidarity Party (USR PLUS) alliance Dan Barna said on Tuesday that Justice Minister Stelian Ion will soon consult with leaders of each member party in the government coalition on justice legislation so as to mount support for that.

"The justice legislation are on the way to reaching the form that the coalition will present to Parliament; in the coming days, discussions between the minister of justice and the specialists from each party in the ruling coalition will continue. The approval procedure is also running so in the shortest possible time, in a week and a half - two weeks, we can adopt these laws inside the government and bring them up to Parliament for debates. (...) The justice legislation has been in public debate for six months. More than a month and a half ago, the government passed a memorandum clearly establishing this timeframe, which Stelian Ion has been followed, and we are obliged to follow as well, hence today's discussion. It is very clear that we need a coalition agreement at the government level, so that we may come up with a solid and consolidated formula in Parliament," Barna said after a meeting of the ruling coalition.

He added that the substantive issues in the case of the justice legislation were not discussed at the meeting. "Any components on which we should reach political agreement will come at the next coalition meetings," Barna said.

Asked whether the Judicial Police should operate under the authority of the Interior Ministry as it is now or be reassigned to the Justice Ministry, as provided for in the government agenda he replied: "The laws are currently being discussed. (...) I cannot express myself on any point, because that will be a decision of the coalition.
Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 6:30PM

By Abe Friedtanzer

There are now officially two projects in development about former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir. The first, announced a month ago, is a TV series produced by Barbra Streisand called Lioness starring Shira Haas. The second, reported earlier today, is a film from Israeli director Guy Nattiv that will feature Helen Mirren. Golda Meir has been performed for cameras and on stage several times and the role is often an awards magnet. Both Ingrid Bergman and Judy Davis (A Woman Called Golda, 1982) were Emmy nominated playing her, and Tovah Feldshuh received a Tony nomination (Golda's Balcony, 2003). For the new projects lets consider these two very different casting choices and the famous woman theyll portray

Golda Meir photographed with Margaret Thatcher

Meir, the only woman ever elected as Israels prime minister, is a fascinating figure in the history of her young country, which right now is in the midst of an unbelievable fourth national election in two years due to its complex government system. The documentary Golda, which played at film festivals last year, offers great insight into who she was and how she operated, most comparable to Margaret Thatcher in terms of her strong will and reputation.

What many wont know  and which will surely be explored in Lioness  is that Meir spent a good deal of her childhood living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin after moving there from Kiev. A resident of Mandatory Palestine for decades before it officially became the country of Israel, Meir was already retired by the time she was elected prime minister in the wake of Levi Eshkols death in office. Her term, which ended in resignation following the 1973 Yom Kippur War, coincided almost exactly with the span of Richard Nixons presidency.

My first reaction to the news of Mirren getting this role is that, of course, she isnt Israeli. But Mirren has played an Israeli woman before, as a Mossad agent in the 2011 thriller The Debt, and shes certainly no stranger to commanding ruling personalities, winning Oscars and Emmys for portraying different Queen Elizabeths and most recently stepping into the shoes of Catherine the Great. Someone like Judi Dench might seem like a more logical fit for the role (the late Lynn Cohen played Meir most recently in Steven Spielbergs Munich), but Mirren will absolutely deliver. Director Guy Nattiv has already taken home an Oscar for his short film Skin (I liked his follow-up feature of the same name better), and he should be very much up to the challenge of this biopic.

Haas also isnt the obvious choice to play Meir, but its fair to assume that her next performance will be just as superb as all that shes done recently. Weve discussed her Emmy-nominated work in Unorthodox many times on this site, and shes been very busy with other projects too. Season three of Shtisel just dropped on Netflix, she was in Israels Oscar entry Asia and the VOD release Esau, and shes a star of The Wordmaker, an Israeli series from several years ago thats set to premiere on Topic next week. Shes already defied expectations numerous times, and shell surely do so again bringing to life a young Meir.

How do you feel about this doubled casting news?
There is concern that some variants may reduce the effectiveness of vaccines. Photo: AP/Rafiq Maqbool

As Covid-19 infections continue to spread throughout the globe, reports of new variants of the virus continue to emerge.

All viruses evolve over time. When a virus replicates or makes copies of itself, it sometimes changes.

These changes are called mutations.

A virus with one or more new mutations is referred to as a variant of the original virus.

Multiple variants of the virus that causes Covid-19 have been documented globally during this pandemic.

Scientists are scrambling to learn more about these variants and how widely they have spread, how the disease caused by these new variants differs from the disease caused by other variants that are currently circulating and how these variants may affect vaccines and tests.

There is evidence that they spread more easily from person to person and that they replicate more quickly in a new host.

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The vast majority of these are classed as "variants of interest, meaning they should be monitored, but the risks are considered minimal.

However, some are deemed "variants of concern" by the World Health Organisation (WHO), meaning they could have significant public health implications.

As the world continues to deal with the pandemic, what are the most common variants of coronavirus, where did they come from and have they reached Ireland yet?

Brazil variant P1

P1 was initially identified in four travelers from Brazil, who were tested during routine screening at an airport in Japan in early January.

It is thought to be more contagious than the original strain of Covid-19 but there is no evidence to suggest it causes more severe disease.

But it also shares a key mutation with the South Africa variant called E484K which is thought to evade the antibody response triggered by vaccination or infection.

A recent study reported on a cluster of cases in Manaus, the largest city in the Amazon region with two million inhabitants, where the P1 variant was identified in 42pc of people since late December.

Manaus was hit incredibly hard in the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic and there were some studies that suggested 75pc of the population had been infected.

Many thought this would give the city herd immunity, but a new surge of the P1 variant has taken over the city and is spreading throughout Brazil, wreaking havoc on their health system.

As of Saturday, there have been 12 confirmed cases of P1 detected in Ireland.

There is a second Brazilian variant known as P2 but this is not considered a variant of concern.

Experts say this variant (P2) is less worrying as it does not contain the other important mutations carried by the more concerning P1 variant.

To date, 14 cases of the P2 Brazilian variant have been detected in Ireland.

South Africa variant 501Y.V2

The variant found in South Africa is known as 501Y.V2 (or B.1.351) and is roughly 1.5 times more transmissible than the original strain of Sars-CoV-2.

The South African variant carries a mutation, called N501Y, that makes it more contagious or easy to spread.

It is already the dominant virus variant in the Eastern and Western Cape regions of South Africa.

At least 20 other countries including Austria, Norway and Japan, have also detected cases of this strain.

In the UK, 188 cases of the variant have been found.

To date, there has been no evidence that the South African variant causes more serious illness for the vast majority of people who become infected.

However, if the virus can spread more quickly, it could mean more people have severe disease as more become infected.

In January, researchers from South Africa found that 501Y.V2 contains mutations that may be resistant to immunity from previous coronavirus infection.

There is also increasing evidence that suggests 501Y.V2 may evade the antibodies produced by vaccines.

However, the Johnson and Johnson vaccine was 57pc effective in preventing severe and moderate disease in trials in South Africa and there were no hospitalisation or deaths among people who had this vaccine.

There have been 32 confirmed cases of the South African variant in Ireland.

California variants B.1.427 and B.1.429

B.1.427 and B.1.429 are two forms which have been collectively named the California variant as they share three key mutations.

The variant has spread widely since its initial detection in July 2020 in Los Angeles.

Experts predicted the homegrown strain is now responsible for 90pc of the states coronavirus infections, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Both B.1.427 and B.1.429 are 20pc more transmissible than the original Sars-CoV-2 strain and have a significant impact on the ability of some Covid-19 treatments.

They are also believed to cause a moderate reduction in vaccine performance.

The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also named them as variants of concern as early research suggests this particular variant may be more infectious and could potentially cause more severe disease.

Its unclear exactly where the variant came from, but recent research found that it is prevalent, accounting for 53pc of 630 positive Covid-19 cases detected in San Franciscos Mission District in mid-to-late January.

Further research conducted by scientists at Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre found that there has been dramatic growth of the California variant in the state since November 2020.

To date, there have been no detected cases of the California variant in Ireland.

Kent variant B.1.1.7

British scientists first detected the B.1.1.7 variant of coronavirus in September in the English county of Kent.

Three months later, they discovered that the Kent variant was 70pc more transmissible than existing variants and much deadlier.

Visit our Covid-19 vaccine dashboard for updates on the roll out of the vaccination program and the rate of Coronavirus cases Ireland

B.1.1.7 caused a surge in cases in the UK and triggered travel bans by dozens of countries.

The Kent variant has now been found in over 100 countries and has fuelled third waves of infections throughout Europe.

The strain was first detected in Ireland on December 24.

At first the case numbers for the variant were in the single digits, but it spread so quickly it now makes up over 90pc of our cases.

Breton variant

A new Covid-19 mutation found in Brittany on March 15 has been dubbed the Breton variant.

Since then, authorities have decided to list this new variant in the to be surveilled category.

The variant has caused concern as it may not be picked up in tests as easily as other forms of the disease.

Reports of the new variant come as France battles a fourth wave of infections that led President Emmanuel Macron to impose a third national lockdown in the country.

However, the Kent variant remains the dominant strain in France and is estimated to account for roughly 75pc of infections.

In a statement last month, Brittanys regional health authority said: Investigations will take place to determine how this variant reacts to vaccination and to antibodies developed during prior Covid infections.

Relatively little is known about the Breton variant, and health officials have said there is no evidence to suggest that it may cause more severe illness than other variants.

Nigeria variant B.1.525

B.1.525 was first detected in mid-December in Nigeria but was also quickly found in cases in the UK, France and elsewhere.

The mutation B.1.525 may increase transmissibility, virulence and immune escape.

Scientists are monitoring this variant closely because it has several mutations in the gene that makes the spike protein  the part of the virus that latches onto human cells.

These changes include the presence of the increasingly well-known mutation called E484K, which allows the virus to partly evade the immune system.

There is growing evidence that this mutation E484K may impact how effective Covid-19 vaccines are.

However, there is no suggestion so far that B1525 is more transmissible or that it leads to more severe disease.

To date, there have been 15 cases detected of the B1525 variant in Ireland.
Dehradun: The Indian Air Force (IAF) continues to carry out fire fighting operations in Uttarakhand on Tuesday (April 6), which is the second day. Several sorties are being conducted over the burning forests of Pauri and Tehri districts to spray water over the flames and extinguish them.

The IAF started operations in the state after the central government extended help to the Uttarakhand government to extinguish the fires in the forests of the mountainous areas that broke out on Friday. Amid the operation, water collected from Tehri lake was sprinkled with the help of a 5000-litre capacity bucket.

Earlier till Monday (April 5), the Uttarakhand forest department had received reports of at least 40 active forest fires. As the temperature is increasing in the state, the incidents of such forest fires is also on rise.

Following the rise in the incidents, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat on Sunday held an emergency meeting on the situation and apprised Union Home Minister Amit Shah. After which the Centre rushed NDRF teams and helicopters for assistance.

"To control over the forest fire in Uttarakhand, the Central government has given orders to deploy NDRF teams and provide helicopters to the Uttarakhand government," Shah tweeted in Hindi.

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"Beyond Limits' flagship product, the Refinery Operations Advisor, drives operational efficiency through streamlined decision making. It identifies operational issues in real time and recommends responses. For example, in refineries, numerous sensors generate massive amounts of data, much of which goes unused. Beyond Limits combines this data with human expertise and digitizes operational models to allow operators to plan, scale, and increase profitability," said Clare Walker, Industry Principal. "Beyond Limits also enables companies to retain industry knowledge that would otherwise be lost when veteran engineers retire. It embeds their domain expertise into systems to make it available to junior engineers."

While Beyond Limits has primarily worked within industrial settings, it recently entered the financial services sector. In 2020, it extended its presence to Asia-Pacific through three main segments: general administration, compliance and accounting, and transactional and new business issues. By minimizing manual labor, backlogs, false positives, and negative determinations, it enables its customers to drive revenue, comply with regulations, manage accounting operations, and process a continuous stream of financial transactions.

Significantly, Beyond Limits adopts a co-development approach to partnerships, wherein it gains access to partners' financial subject matter expertise and tools such as smart investment platforms, chatbots, natural language processing, and optical character recognition. It then leverages its Cognitive AI engine to enhance solutions' features and functionalities. As most of its customers require bespoke solutions, each deployment is unique.

"Beyond Limits is currently building out a full value chain, expanding its product portfolio with additional software-as-a-service products," noted Jeffrey Castilla, Best Practices Research Team Leader. "Overall, its technology focus and solid expansion strategies are expected to help it continue growing rapidly in the global cognitive AI market."

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents a Company of the Year award to the organization that demonstrates excellence in growth strategy and implementation in its field. The award recognizes a high degree of innovation with products and technologies and the resulting leadership in customer value and market penetration. This is Beyond Limits' second award from Frost & Sullivan; in 2019 it received the Technology Innovation Award for its Cognitive AI technology.

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 the industry's best practices.

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.

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About Beyond Limits, Inc.

Beyond Limits is an industrial and enterprise-grade artificial intelligence company built for the most demanding sectors including energy, utilities, and healthcare. Beyond traditional artificial intelligence, Beyond Limits' unique Cognitive AI technology combines numeric techniques like machine learning with knowledge-based reasoning to produce actionable intelligence. Customers implement Beyond Limits AI to boost operational insights, improve operating conditions, enhance performance at every level, and ultimately increase profits as a result.

Founded in 2014, Beyond Limits leverages a significant investment portfolio of advanced technology developed at Caltech's Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA space missions. The company was recently honored by CB Insights on their 2020 List of Top AI 100 most innovative artificial intelligence startups and by Frost & Sullivan for their North American Technology Innovation Award.

For more information, please visit www.beyond.ai

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Witnesses called by the prosecution in the Derek Chauvin trial provided a deeper look at police policies on the use of force on Tuesday and gave the former Minneapolis police officers defense team some potential openings.

Mr. Chauvins defense, led by attorney Eric J. Nelson, tried to bolster its argument that the crowd that formed on the sidewalk during George Floyds arrest might have made it more difficult for Mr. Chauvin to render medical aid or to move his knee, which he held on Mr. Floyd for more than nine minutes.
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The EU's drug regulator said Tuesday it is still deciding whether the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine causes blood clots, after one top official said there was a clear link.

The European Medicines Agency's safety committee "has not yet reached a conclusion and the review is currently ongoing", the Amsterdam-based EMA said in a statement to AFP.

"We will communicate and hold a press briefing as soon as the review is finalised. This is currently expected tomorrow (Wednesday, 7 April) or on Thursday, 8 April," it added.

EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides later said that the agency was expected to make its decision "late Wednesday", adding that she was in "close contact" with the EMA.

The statement came after the EMA's head of vaccine strategy Marco Cavaleri was quoted in Italian media as saying that there was a "clear" connection and that the agency would announce it within hours.

"In my opinion, we can say it now, it is clear there is a link with the vaccine," Cavaleri told Italy's Il Messaggero newspaper in an interview. "But we still do not know what causes this reaction."

After several countries suspended the use of the AstraZeneca jab, the EMA said on March 18 that the benefits of using it outweighed the risks and it should remain in use.

But it has said there is a possible link to rare blood clots and that it would issue updated advice during this week's meeting of its safety committee.

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

 2021 AFP
PALO ALTO, Calif., April 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gatik and Isuzu North America Corporation have agreed to collaborate on a project to develop and evaluate fully autonomous medium-duty trucks. Gatik is the industry leader in automating on-road transportation networks for B2B middle-mile logistics. Isuzu has consistently been at the forefront of truck evolution, introducing iconic models of superlative quality and reliability in the U.S. and Canadian markets. This collaboration is an industry first in the medium duty category and will accelerate the commercialization of autonomous delivery fleets while contributing to a safer and more sustainable logistics community in the future.



The first vehicles will be deployed this year thanks to the cooperative efforts of Gatiks and Isuzus engineering teams. The collaboration will integrate Gatiks autonomous driving technology into a number of Isuzu medium-duty N-Series trucks to produce SAE Level 4 delivery vehicles with redundant systems.

By bringing these two teams together, we can create segment-changing technology while positioning Gatik to safely commercialize autonomous delivery technology at scale, said Gatiks CEO and Co-Founder Gautam Narang. Isuzu N-Series trucks have been best-sellers in their class in the combined U.S.-Canadian market for 35 consecutive years, making them an ideal fit for our solution. We are excited to combine our industry-leading expertise and bring a long-term, sustainable solution to the supply chain.

As customer requirements for the medium duty product evolve at an increasingly rapid pace, having the ability to collaborate with Gatik, an industry leader in autonomous technology, is very exciting for our team said Takashi Sadaoka, President and CEO of Isuzu North America Corporation.

Rapidly increasing e-commerce sales and a well-documented driver shortage have caused businesses to struggle to meet the expectations of on-demand goods movement. This effort will combine Gatiks autonomous driving software and operational expertise with Isuzus award-winning truck platform to address these critical industry pain points, ensuring retailers can maintain capacity, lower operating costs and keep delivery times short.

About Gatik

Gatik was founded in 2017 by veterans of the autonomous technology industry and has established offices in Palo Alto and Toronto. The companys mission is to deliver goods safely and efficiently using autonomous vehicles. With its fleet of light to medium duty trucks, Gatik is leading the way in autonomous middle mile delivery. The company focuses on short-haul, B2B logistics for Fortune 500 retailers such as Walmart and Loblaw. Gatik enables its customers to optimize their hub-and-spoke supply chain operations, enhance inventory pooling across multiple locations, reduce labor costs and meet an unprecedented demand for contactless delivery.

About Isuzu

Isuzu commercial trucks have been the best-selling low cab forward trucks in the combined U.S.-Canadian market for 35 consecutive years. Headquartered in Anaheim, California, Isuzu North America Corporation is a subsidiary of Isuzu Motors Limited, one of the worlds largest manufacturers of medium- and heavy-duty trucks. For more information, call (866) 441- 9638 or visit www.isuzucv.com.

Isuzu N-Series trucks have been best-sellers in their class.

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South Koreas LG Electronics has announced that it will shut down its mobile division, making it the first major device manufacturer to fully exit the smartphone market.

As reported by Reuters, LG confirmed the decision after failing to find a buyer for its device unit, which across the past six years has registered consistent losses of around US$4.5 billion. LGs smartphone unit is the smallest of its five divisions, generating around 7% of group revenue. Negotiations with Vietnams Vingroup over a possible acquisition failed to agree on the terms of sale.

LG expects to shutter the unit by 31st July this year, allowing the group to shift its focus to growth areas such as electric vehicle components, connected devices, smart homes, robotics, AI and business-to-business solutions, as well as platforms and services.

While other brands  including BlackBerry, HTC and Nokia - have seen their share of the device market plummet, they have not yet wound up production entirely.

Currently, LGs share of the global device market stands at 2% - a far cry from its heyday. In 2013, it was the worlds third-largest smartphone brand after Samsung and Apple; Counterpoint Research reports that in 2020 it shipped 23 million devices compared to Samsungs 256 million.

The brand has something of a foothold in the Americas, placing third in the North American market with a 10% share, and taking fifth place across Latin America. Counterpoint Research analyst Tarun Pathak noted that LGs premium devices often underwhelmed, leaving it to compete in the mid-tier device market.

According, Pathak predicted that it will be mostly the Chinese and mid-tier brands benefiting through the LG exit. In its key market like USA  Samsung, Motorola, HMD mostly (ZTE, Alcatel to a lesser extent) will benefit, while Xiaomi, Motorola will benefit in LATAM and Samsung in Korea.

Geopolitical relations have seen Chinese firms somewhat frozen out of the US market, but brands such as Oppo, Vivo and Xiaomi perform well in Latin America due to their low and mid-tier pricing, as well as their effective marketing. Accordingly, they will likely see their market shares in this region following LGs exit.

LG is not out of the telecoms sector by any means, confirming that it will retain its 4G and 5G core technology patents along with its R&D department, and stating: Moving forward, LG will continue to leverage its mobile expertise and develop mobility-related technologies such as 6G to help further strengthen competitiveness in other business areas. It stopped short of confirming whether it would license out its technologies in the future.
President Muhammadu Buhari has named Usman Alkali as the new Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP).

Mr Alkali replaces Mohammed Adamu who was on official assignment to Imo State when the appointment of the acting IGP was announced.

The announcement of the new police chief was made by the Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi, while briefing journalists at the State House in Abuja on Tuesday.

The appointment comes a day after the police headquarters in Owerri, Imo State, was attacked by unknown gunmen.

Coincidentally, the outgoing IGP visited Imo State for an on the spot assessment of the damages of Mondays incident when his sack was announced.

Mr Buhari had extended the tenure of Mr Adamu as the IGP by three months.

The president said the extension was to allow him more time to choose a successor to outgoing IGP.

Mr Adamu was due to retire from the police on February 1, having spent the maximum 35 years in service.

The tenure extension by the president had caused many controversies, with lawyers slamming him for consistently violating the law.

By extending Mr Adamus tenure, the president contravened the amended Police Act 2020 which he personally signed into law the same year.

Section 7 (6) fixes a single term of four years without an option of extension of tenure for the holder of the office of the Inspector-General of Police.

A person appointed to the office of the Inspector-General of Police shall hold office for four years, it reads.

Section 18 (8) of the Act also states that Every police officer shall, on recruitment or appointment, serve in the police force for 35 years or until he attains the age of 60 years, whichever is earlier.

Best option

While announcing the appointment of the acting IGP, the police affairs minister said the president took his time to select the best amongst the options brought before him.

Just like it is provided in the Act, he said the president chose from within Deputy Inspector General (DIGs) and Assistant Inspector Generals (AIGs).

After a thorough check of a shortlist of suitably qualified police officers from the rank of DIGs and AIGs, who are eligible police officers, eligible for appointment as IGP, in line with Section 7, subsection 2 of the Nigeria Police Act (2020), and having regards to seniority, professionalism, record of service and competence, Mr President has approved the appointment of an acting IGP, in the person of Usman Alkali Baba, PSE, FDC, with immediate effect.

These changes are in line with the determination of Mr. President to rejig the security architecture country, to ensure that the security challenges bedevilling the nation are brought to an end.

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Mr President has therefore charged the new appointee to rise to the the challenge to ensure policing reform policy of this administration are fully prioritised and implemented to enable the police to perform most effectively for the peace and security of lives and property of all Nigerians.

Mr President thanks the outgoing IGP, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, for his professionalism and dedication to duty during the period of his tenure. He wished him all the best in his future endeavours, the minister said.

On why the president did not allow the outgoing IGP to complete the three months extension, the minister said the president has the prerogative to hire and fire.

Mr President is aware of this and you cannot take away that responsibility from him; hes the one who is in charge of appointing or extending tenures. He has now decided to appoint a new person. So please allow him that responsibility and we cannot do anything about it.
Lucknow:

In what is being seen as a reconciliatory move, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday met his father, Mulayam Singh Yadav, with whom he has been fighting a bitter battle, and invited him to a party meet to be held next week.



The SP chief went to his fathers residence to invite him to the October 5 national executive meeting, party MLC Sunil Singh Yadav said.



Though he did not elaborate on what transpired at the meetingbelieved to be the first between the two in many monthsit was being seen in the party as a reconciliatory effort by Akhilesh ahead of the crucial national conference.



Akhileshji met Netaji (Mulayam) to invite him for the meeting in Agra on October 5, the MLC told PTI.

Read | Mulayam Singh Yadav: 'I am not forming a new party as of now'

Mulayam and his brother Shivpal Yadav were not invited to the partys state executive meet held here on September 23.



Speculation was rife in political circles that the 77-year-old former chief minister was likely to announce a new outfit at a press conference along with the virtually defunct Lok Dal, while retaining the Samajwadi tag in its name.



While Shivpal had said he would declare his future course of action on September 25, a party leader said Mulayam did not read a press note at the press conference in which the formation of a new front was mentioned.



Netaji did not read the press note at the press conference. You must have noticed that Sharda Pratap Shukla (former SP MLA) was giving him a paper, which he did not read and said would read later. Now we will wait for the SP national executive meeting before deciding anything, Lok Dal President Sunil Singh, who has offered the SP patriarch his partys symbol and the presidents post, said.



Mulayam said he was not forming a party as of now at the crowded press conference here, responding to a volley of questions from the media on whether he was leaving the party he had formed 25 years ago.



Despite the bitter battle for supremacy in the party, Mulayam had said, My blessings are with him (Akhilesh Yadav) as he is my son, though I dont agree with his decisions.

Read | BJP, SP claim credit for Lucknow Metro launch



Akhilesh has sidelined Mulayam and Shivpal ever since he replaced his father as the party chief at a national convention here on Jaunary 1.



Mulayam had said his son had promised to leave the party presidents post after staying at the helm for three months, but did not do so.



People who cannot stand up to their words cannot succeed, he had said.Mulayam had last week replaced Akhilesh-loyalist Ram Gopal with Shivpal Yadav as the secretary of the Lohia Trust.



Shivpal had announced in June he would float the Samajwadi Secular Front to fight communal forces.



Taking full control of the party after being crowned head and alloted the SPs bicycle symbol by the EC on January 16, Akhilesh has been going full throttle, consolidating his grip over the party.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Unfortunately, there weren't enough people who loved LG's smartphones enough to buy them in the quantities required to sustain great longevity for LG's smartphone business, which has now breathed its last gasp.

Stating that it wishes to focus on "growth sectors including EVs, IoT and B2B solutions", LG has announced that it is closing its mobile business unit, with the decision approved by its board of directors "earlier today".

Reports last month and even earlier suggested LG was thinking of this action in January, even though LG was showcasing its rollable display at CES 2021 and was otherwise planning to launch a phone with such a display later this year, and was planning to launch new LG smartphones in the first half of 2021.

All of that is now no longer happening, although given LG does have a display business, there's no reason why its rollable screen technology won't find its way into other brands of smartphones, as it is pretty impressive, with TCL another company working on rollable screen tech, too.

LG pioneered and popularised the wide-screen camera on smartphones, 18:9 aspect ratios, it introduced a stylus into its phones that it sadly didn't continue doing, LG had modular attachments to ist LG G5 model that it sadly didn't continue, LG had dual screen phones, its innovative LG Wing dual-screen phone and more, but none of these innovations were enough to capture enough of the public's attention, nor the hearts, minds and wallets.

Personally, I'm sorry to see LG leave the smartphone business, but it is business and LG can now focus on other areas.

LG says its "strategic decision to exit the incredibly competitive mobile phone sector will enable the company to focus resources in growth areas such as electric vehicle components, connected devices, smart homes, robotics, artificial intelligence and business-to-business solutions, as well as platforms and services."

You'll still be able to buy an LG Android smartphone though, because current LG phone inventory will continue to be available for sale, but once those units are gone, LG's phone business will be long gone for good.

So, what about service support and software updates for existing models that still quality for updates?

We're told that "LG will provide service support and software updates for customers of existing mobile products for a period of time which will vary by region.

"LG will work collaboratively with suppliers and business partners throughout the closure of the mobile phone business. Details related to employment will be determined at the local level."

So, what's next? Well, we're told that, "moving forward, LG will continue to leverage its mobile expertise and develop mobility-related technologies such as 6G to help further strengthen competitiveness in other business areas.

"Core technologies developed during the two decades of LGs mobile business operations will also be retained and applied to existing and future products.

"The wind down of the mobile phone business is expected to be completed by July 31 although inventory of some existing models may still be available after that."

Indeed, LG is moving forward with its home automation business, with a media release from March 31 celebrating LG's ThinQ line of smart home devices, noting the smart home revolution is here, with the market predicted to reach US $622 billion by 2026, with LG suggesting such a figure is merely "scratching the surface" of what's possible.

LG has also been busy licensing its WebOS TV operating system, with Aldi's Bauhn brand offering a 70-inch WebOS TV last month for $799,99 AUD, which a friend purchased for his family. The TV had the WebOS interface and LG's "magic remote", along with the ability to set up LG ThinQ devices if you have any, and for the price, it was pretty impressive!

The Bauhn brand has previously offered Android TV as an interface, while the Soniq brand also has a WebOS-powered TV, a 65-inch model for $699 AUD, although Soniq's other models are Android TV powered.

LG has also just introduced its impressive 2nd-gen thin and light Gram notebook range to Australia, so while one business division closes, another one opens.

So, LG as a company isn't going to disappear - it is simply refocusing its business on areas where it believes it can make money by providing products and services that people and companies want to buy.

When you're doing that as a company, and succeeding, well... Life's Good!
A small group of us celebrated Easter in my backyard Sunday amid signs of renewal.

New flowers and plants had emerged to replace those destroyed by the snow, and the grass, recently cut, had grown enough to conceal Easter eggs.

The large fig tree just outside the gate had a single blossom, promising fruit that will be made into jam.

Where once there might have been dozens of people, there were eight: two children, one still in diapers, and six fully vaccinated adults, two of them new to our pandemic bubble.

All over San Antonio, cautious gatherings were held by people hopeful, if bruised, and grateful to have survived.

A year of precaution paid off, but the global pandemic isnt over. In parts of the country, infections are up. Some experts warn a fourth wave is coming, and vaccinations have yet to reach communities of color in significant numbers.

Still, while San Antonians continue fighting COVID-19, enough progress has been made to gather for lunch outdoors.

It was glorious.

In the past, Easter meant elaborate buffets that might have begun with barbacoa and Big Red, followed by pinata bashings, egg hunts, rounds of loteria, lunch and then dinner.

My mother and tias would prepare mole, rice, beans, piles of flour tortillas and fresh chile, or what you call salsa. Other years, wed celebrate in Brackenridge Park, where a scout would camp overnight to secure our spot.

Even on tight family budgets, my brother and I would wake up to find baskets in which candy shared space with socks, notebook paper and other necessities.

Looking at old Easter photos now is to realize just how many people weve lost, and how weve changed and endured.

My generation has replaced my parents generation, and a new one has emerged. A member of the latter set up two tables in my yard Sunday and hauled out a pail for ice.

The kids wore new clothes, reminding me of my late mother, who saw new church outfits as the most important of Easter rituals.

For several years, she bought me a hat and dress with petticoats. They itched. I focused on what I liked, the new purse and white gloves.

Were not as fancy anymore, San Antonio. A new T-shirt and a pair of shorts make do now.

On Sunday, Emma, my 5-year-old goddaughter, took center stage in a new pale-blue dress. The one-girl egg hunt yielded treasures, including a note. Good for one toy at Target, $20 limit, it said.

There were other joyful signs of renewal.

My best and oldest friend, who lost her husband to suicide a few years ago, saw her son marry in recent days. He and his bride went on a short honeymoon before he reports to Air Force basic training.

On Easter, his mother looked happy in a bunny suit, her smile proof that one can survive tragedy and begin again.

Around the world, Christians celebrated Christs resurrection and the promise of their own salvation.

In San Antonio, celebrants shattered eggshells called cascarones, unleashing showers of brightly colored confetti.

Years ago, Maria Elena Gonzalez, the late Catholic nun and president of whats now the Mexican American Catholic College, told me that in addition to being a beloved Easter tradition, cascarones hold spiritual significance.

Their empty shells symbolize Christs resurrection, the confetti our renewal. We, too, can be transformed.

In a 2019 article in Smithsonians Folklife digital magazine, Trinity University humanities professor Norma Cantu said South Texas Easter celebrations are reminiscent of Romerias, spring pilgrimages that Spaniards celebrated with food and prayer.

They likely brought the tradition of cascarones to Nuevo Santander, as this region of Northern Mexico and South Texas was called.

Over the last few weeks, Emmas grandmother, Catherine. followed suit, preparing a few dozen cascarones, carefully breaking the tops of eggs to save their shells.

Emma helped color them and watched as confetti filled them with promise.

We all took turns getting one cracked over our heads. We taught Emma early on to crush the cascaron before it reaches a persons head, and that crushing one directly on the head could mean a trip to the emergency room. My generation of cousins never learned that.

La coneja, the feminine Mexican American Easter bunny, delivered several baskets and left pink lipstick on a celery stick that had been put out to welcome her.

Emma wasnt the only one pleased with a day that left new memories along with bits of confetti.

May the same kind of memories fill your spring with hope.

eayala@express-news.net
[April 06, 2021] ConnectWare Provides a Universal Solution for Connecting Kitchen Equipment

BOSTON, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Powerhouse Dynamics, the provider of Open Kitchen, the leading IoT-based platform for food service and retail operators, and a division of the Middleby Corporation, announced today the release of ConnectWare. ConnectWare is a field installable communications module that enables kitchen equipment to connect to the cloud without the need to install radio units in the equipment itself. For manufacturers, this greatly simplifies the challenge of getting equipment connected, which should result in a more rapid rollout of connected equipment. Restaurant brands world-wide are accelerating the pace of getting their kitchen equipment connected to the Internet. Until now, each original equipment manufacturer (OEM) has developed its own connectivity approach  which has generally involved selecting and embedding a wireless radio module or providing wired Ethernet connectivity on all units regardless of whether customers chose to utilize those technologies. "With ConnectWare, OEMs are provided a consistent, simplified approach to connectivity that takes the burden of development and support off their plates and shifts it onto ours," said Martin Flusberg, Powerhouse Dynamics' president. "Operators looking to connect ConnectWare-enabled equipment can now purchase ConnectWare modules and simply plug them directly into the equipment at their locations. That equipment can then automatically connect to the Open Kitchen platform, providing a total solution for the customer, or be re-directed to a different cloud destination if so desired." ConnectWare is a versatile plug-and-play solution that has been designed to support multiple communications protocols. This provides future-proofing by enabling customers to simply swap in newer ConnectWare modules as new technologies or security requirements re introduced. ConnectWare initially supports two protocols: Wi-Fi and 802.15.4 (the Zigbee protocol utilizing a MiWi radio from Microchip Technology), with more options in the pipeline including Ethernet.



The ConnectWare's Wi-Fi module was developed by Powerhouse Dynamics in conjunction with Avnet and Microsoft using the highly secure Microsoft Azure Sphere chipset. "We are very excited to be collaborating with Microsoft on ConnectWare," said Flusberg. "Microsoft Azure Sphere provides an extremely secure connectivity path that will make it much easier for our customers to achieve widespread IoT adoption."

"It has been valuable to partner with Middleby, a major kitchen equipment manufacturer, who understands the benefits of securely connecting equipment to the cloud using Microsoft technology," added Dr. Galen Hunt, distinguished engineer and managing director of Microsoft Azure Sphere. Equipment connecting to Open Kitchen has the optional security benefit of being part of a PCI-Level 1 certified platform. Powerhouse Dynamics also offers a network device, the Secure Access Point (SAP), that can connect equipment without each piece of equipment needing to connect directly to the local network. The SAP manages all client security certificates and automates the provisioning process, saving time and effort. ABOUT POWERHOUSE DYNAMICS

Founded in 2009 and acquired by The Middleby Corporation in 2019, Powerhouse Dynamics is the leading provider of "internet of things"(IoT)-based solutions to connect, monitor, analyze and control equipment to deliver enterprise-wide operational efficiencies. Open Kitchen, focused on Food Service and Food Retail, provides operational transparency, enhances kitchen operations, improves equipment performance, enhances food safety and quality, lowers maintenance costs, and can significantly reduce energy expenses. To learn more, visit powerhousedynamics.com. ABOUT THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION

The Middleby Corporation is a global leader in the foodservice equipment industry. The company develops, manufactures, markets and services a broad line of equipment used in the commercial foodservice, food processing, and residential kitchen equipment industries. The company's leading equipment brands serving the commercial foodservice industry include Anets, APW Wyott, Baker's Pride, Beech, BKI, Blodgett, Blodgett Combi, Blodgett Range, Bloomfield, Britannia, Carter-Hoffmann, Celfrost, Concordia, CookTek, Crown,CTX, Desmon, Deutsche Beverage, Doyon, Eswood, EVO, Firex, Follett, frifri, Giga,Globe, Goldstein, Holman, Houno, IMC, Induc, Ink Kegs, Jade, JoeTap, Josper, L2F,Lang, Lincat, MagiKitch'n, Market Forge, Marsal, Middleby Marshall, MPC, Nieco, Nu-Vu, PerfectFry, Pitco, Powerhouse Dynamics, QualServ, RAM, Southbend, SsBrewtech, Star, Starline, Sveba Dahlen, Synesso, Taylor,Toastmaster, TurboChef,Ultrafryer,Varimixer,Wells and Wunder-Bar. For more information on Middleby and the company brands, visit www.middleby.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/connectware-provides-a-universal-solution-for-connecting-kitchen-equipment-301263328.html SOURCE Powerhouse Dynamics

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 01:17:59|Editor: huaxia

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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks at a virtual Downing Street press conference in London, Britain, on April 5, 2021. Johnson on Monday confirmed that from April 12, non-essential shops will reopen and pubs and restaurants will reopen outdoors as Britain moves to step two of the roadmap out of the COVID lockdown. (Pippa Fowles/No 10 Downing Street/Handout via Xinhua)

LONDON, April 5 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday confirmed that from April 12, non-essential shops will reopen and pubs and restaurants will reopen outdoors as Britain moves to step two of the roadmap out of the COVID lockdown.

Meanwhile, hairdressers and barbers as well as gyms and spas can reopen, along with zoos, theme parks, libraries and community centers.

"The net result of your efforts and of course the vaccine rollout is that I can today confirm that from Monday April 12, we will move to step two of our road map," said the prime minister.

The statement came as the prime minister was speaking at a virtual Downing Street press conference to give an update on his government's anti-coronavirus plan.

"But we can't be complacent we see the waves of sickness afflicting other countries, we've seen how this story goes we still don't know how strong the vaccine shield will be when the cases begin to rise as I'm afraid they will," he said. "Which is why we are saying please get your vaccine or your second dose when your turn comes."

Johnson said he will "cautiously but irreversibly raise a glass" to the vaccine rollout and easing of rules, adding that he "sees nothing in the present data that makes me think we'll have to deviate from the roadmap".

"We set out our roadmap and we're sticking to it," he said.

On Feb. 22, Johnson announced his roadmap exiting the lockdown, the third of its kind since the start of the pandemic. The four-step plan is expected to see all legal restrictions in England being removed by mid-June.

The prime minister said England has managed to meet the "tests" set by the government sufficiently to go ahead with further easing restrictions on Monday.

The government previously set out four "tests" for easing lockdown: the vaccine programme continues successfully; vaccines are effective in reducing hospital admissions and deaths; infection rates do not risk overwhelming the British National Health Service (NHS), and the variants of concern do not pose a large risk.

Nearly 31.6 million people have been given the first jab of the coronavirus vaccine, according to the official figures.

At the same time, Johnson said there is no decision yet on when international travel can resume.

The prime minister stressed that he does not want to "underestimate" the risk of travelers importing the virus into Britain.

Asked whether he can rule out whether vaccine passports will be used at the pub, Johnson said that they will certainly not be used next Monday when venues open outdoors.

He said the government is being careful to avoid a system which is "discriminatory", as some people such as pregnant women cannot get vaccinated for medical reasons.

"I want to stress there are complicated ethical and practical issues raised by the idea of COVID status certification because many people for many reasons may be unable to get a vaccine for medical reasons or perhaps they are pregnant or whatever," he said. "You have to be very careful in how you handle this and don't start a system that is discriminatory."

"But obviously we are looking at it and some test events, getting 20,000 people into Wembley on May 15," he added.

He added that large-scale events will "absolutely" need measures such as testing when they are allowed to go ahead again.

The prime minister said the rapid mass testing "will be a great advantage of us all."

Also on Monday, the British government published the latest findings from its reviews of COVID status certification, so-called "vaccine passports", and international travel.

The review suggested a certification scheme could have an "important role to play both domestically and internationally, as a temporary measure," but Johnson faces opposition from MPs on both sides of the House of Commons, lower part of the British parliament, who are reportedly concerned about the civil liberties implications.

A certificate could cover whether someone had received a vaccine, had a negative coronavirus test or had contracted and recovered from COVID-19 within the past six months.

Earlier Monday, British health authorities announced that everyone in England will be able to take a free rapid COVID-19 test twice a week from Friday as the government seeks to extend its testing program.

The lateral flow kits, which can provide results in around 30 minutes, will be available for free at testing sites, pharmacies and through the post.

Joining Johnson at the press briefing, England's Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty confirmed that the number of people in hospital with COVID-19 has been steadily falling from the peak and is continuing to fall.

The number of people dying with the virus has also been steadily decreasing and a faster rate than during the first peak, thanks to a combination of lockdown measures plus the effects of vaccines, according to Whitty.

The average number of deaths is now about 47 a day, down from a peak of about 1,300 a day earlier in the year, Whitty said.

Another 2,762 people in Britain have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 4,362,150, according to official figures released Monday.

The country also reported another 26 coronavirus-related deaths. The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain now stands at 126,862. These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test.

Experts have warned that despite progress in vaccine rollout, Britain is "still not out of the woods" amid concerns over new variants and the third wave of pandemic in the European continent.

To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Russia, the United States as well as the European Union have been racing against time to roll out coronavirus vaccines. Enditem
President Joe Biden delivers remarks about vaccinations, in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington on April 6, 2021. (Evan Vucci/AP Photo)

Biden Announces All Adults to Be Eligible for Vaccine by April 19

WASHINGTONPresident Joe Biden on Tuesday moved up the COVID-19 vaccine eligibility target for all American adults to April 19, but warned that with new virus variants spreading were still in a life-and-death race with the coronavirus.

Biden directed states to widen the vaccine eligibility to people 18 or older by April 19, two weeks earlier than the May 1 deadline he announced previously. No COVID-19 vaccine is authorized yet for children under 16, although testing is underway.

Most states had already said they would open vaccines to all adults by that new target date.

What we do now is going to determine how many people well save or lose in the month of April and May, and June, before we get to July Fourth, Biden said at a White House event.

More than 80 percent of teachers and school staff had received at least one vaccination shot, Biden said, but noted that variants of the virus are spreading and generating a rise in cases.

We arent at the finish line. We still have a lot of work to do. Were still in a life-or-death race, Biden said.

He said that by no later than April 19, every adult 18 or older will be eligible to be vaccinated.

White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Bidens announcement had confirmed for the public that everyone is eligible around the country.

This means Americans no longer need to check with state and local websites to see whether they qualify, she said.

No more confusing rules, said Biden.

Biden spoke after touring a vaccination site at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia.

When vaccine doses were in shorter supply, states initially limited distribution to high-risk groups, such as the elderly and front-line healthcare workers, and then gradually opened up vaccines to other age and at-risk groups.

Upon taking office in January, Biden set a goal of delivering 100 million shots into peoples arms within his first 100 days in office, which is the end of April. That goal has since been doubled to 200 million.

More than 167 million vaccine doses have been administered in the country. Four in 10 Americans have had at least one vaccine dose.

The authorized vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech both require two doses, while Johnson & Johnsons is a one-shot vaccine. The Pfizer vaccine is authorized for those aged 16 and up, while the other two can be given to adults age 18 and older.
COLUMBIA  Gov. Henry McMaster plans to name former U.S. Attorney Peter McCoy to lead South Carolina's embattled state-owned utility Santee Cooper, according to Senate Republican leaders.

Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey said the governor told him about his decision in a phone call April 5.

"He's well-respected. I think it's a good pick," Massey, R-Edgefield, told The Post and Courier on April 6, adding he hopes McMaster makes the announcement soon to jump-start the confirmation process.

Senate Judiciary Chairman Luke Rankin said he too was informed of the decision by the governor's office.

Both McMaster's office and McCoy declined to comment on the possibility.

The Senate must confirm McMaster's choice. The State newspaper first reported McMaster's intention, citing sources familiar with calls to senators.

McCoy, a Charleston Republican, clearly has a smoother path than the governor's last pick, who senators rejected.

"I think he would be stable," Sen. Katrina Shealy, R-Lexington, said of McCoy. "He would think things through, not be one of the good ol' boys that they have had down there. I think he's a smart person."

Massey noted that McCoy has knowledge not just of utilities but specifically Santee Cooper as he led the House's investigation into the 2017 failure of the nuclear power plant expansion at the V.C. Summer in Fairfield County.

South Carolina Electric & Gas, the projects majority owner, and Moncks Corner-based Santee Cooper jointly spent $9 billion before abruptly halting construction in July 2017.

After becoming U.S. attorney in March 2020, McCoy, the former House Judiciary chairman, led the prosecution of executives of Cayce-based SCANA Corp., SCE&G's parent company, which was sold to Dominion Energy about two years ago.

Like other Republican-appointed federal prosecutors, McCoy complied with the request of the Biden administration to step down. His Feb. 28 resignation came four days after former SCANA CEO Kevin Marsh pleaded guilty for covering up major flaws in the V.C. Summer project while the utility continued charging ratepayers for the costs.

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Senate President Harvey Peeler, R-Gaffney, said he didn't want to get ahead of McMaster's announcement.

But "if it is him, it's an excellent choice," he said of McCoy. "He brings to the table a wisdom and a work ethic and a proven trusted relationship with the General Assembly, something that Santee Cooper's needed for quite some time."

Senate Transportation Chairman Larry Grooms, whose district includes Santee Cooper, praised McCoy as a "well-respected colleague who possesses extraordinary insight into the electric utility business in South Carolina.

"I applaud the governor for selecting someone who will have a great interest in protecting ratepayers and taxpayers as Santee Cooper enters into a new era of transparency and reform," said the utility's chief defender in the Legislature.

McMaster is making his pick as it becomes increasingly apparent the Legislature won't take the governor's advice to sell Santee Cooper after its $4 billion share of the fiasco.

If Santee Cooper remains under state ownership, appointing a new chairman is one way McMaster can reassert control of the utility.

McMaster has repeatedly labeled Santee Cooper a "rogue agency" that lost $4 billion of ratepayers' money on a power plant that was never finished and then fought to prevent its own sale by state lawmakers.

Santee Cooper has been without a permanent chairman since McMaster pushed former chair Leighton Lord to resign in December 2017 over his handling of the nuclear debacle.

In June 2018, McMaster appointed former S.C. Attorney General Charlie Condon, a political ally, to the job. But senators sued to block Condon's off-session appointment, arguing they hadn't confirmed the Charleston Republican to lead the utility. The state Supreme Court sided with McMaster, but in 2019 the governor withdrew Condon's name after a Senate panel rejected him.

Since then, investment banker Dan Ray of Georgetown has led Santee Cooper as acting chairman.
- FN Media Group Presents Microsmallcap.com Market Commentary

NEW YORK, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Nevada region has just been named as the "world's top mining destination," leading to a growing number of mining portfolios in the area. Perhaps one of the reasons for this title is Nevada's substantial mining potential. With the state containing two key characteristics miners look for--best practice for mineral potential and policy perception--this makes Nevada an outstanding option for production. Mining companies such as Blackrock Silver Corporation (TSXV:BRC) (OTCQB:BKRFF),Barrick Gold Mines(NYSE:GOLD) (TSX:ABX), Nevada Sunrise Gold (TSXV:NEV) (OTCPK:NVSGF), Equinox Gold Corporation (NYSE:EQX) (TSX:EQX), and Victory Resources (CSE:VR) (OTCPK:VRCFF) go into more detail about the success they have achieved at Nevada mining sites.

Blackrock Silver Corporation (TSXV:BRC) (OTCQB:BKRFF), a mining exploration company focused on both silver and gold has attracted significant interest over the past year on the back of multiple high-grade discoveries made on its Tonopah West property. This property represents the consolidation of one of the largest silver districts in North America, of which Blackrock now controls more than half. In terms of historic production, the Tonopah silver district is second to only the Comstock Lode in the "Silver State" of Nevada. Since the company's initial discovery in August, Blackrock has wasted no time in advancing this exciting project, scaling up to a substantial and ongoing drill program that serves to determine just how big the deposit will be.

In early March 2021, Blackrock reported 13,000 meters of drilling since January 4, 2021 at its Tonopah West project, with a total of 41,300 meters of drilling since June 2020 in the area. Blackrock is looking to deliver a maiden resource on its Tonopah West property during Q4 2021. Currently, three main drills and one RC drill are operating on the project, with one specific drill exploring along the Victor vein system. Blackrock commented on its commitment to continue testing target areas while remaining focused on the bigger picture, a vision for the project to expand due to promising mineralization.

Nevada Mining Creates Partnership Opportunities For North American Companies

Barrick Gold Mines (NYSE:GOLD) (TSX:ABX), noted as one of the world's largest gold mining companies, established a joint venture in July 2019 with Newmont Corporation and introduced their subsidiary, Nevada Gold Mines. Barrick stated that the driving force behind the creation of Nevada Gold Mines was the large potential of the Nevada gold fields and prospective gold establishments.

With partnerships providing greater growth opportunities, Nevada Sunrise Gold (TSXV:NEV) (OTCPK:NVSGF) joined forces with mining company, New Placer Dome Gold Corporation. The 2020 Kinsley Mountain Gold Project, which is located close to Wendover, Nevada, reported its findings after completing 49 drill holes totaling 17,970 meters. During the exploration process, five target areas were also tested, but results are still pending for these areas. However, the second set of results from the 2020 drilling program at the Western Flank Zone reported a remarkable amount of gold contained throughout the Kinsley Mountain.

Heading in a slightly different direction to explore Nevada's mining reservoir, Equinox Gold Corporation (NYSE American:EQX) (TSX:EQX) has made the move to acquire Premier Gold Mines under its banner. By doing so, Equinox will own Premier's existing Nevada assets. Equinox has also executed a plan to introduce a US-focused gold production company, "i-80 Gold Corporation", which will operate the Nevada mining portfolio.

Victory Resources (CSE:VR) (OTCPK:VRCFF), a junior international mining corporation, is currently focused on developing its pre-existing projects , including its Loner property in Nevada. Previously considered a low priority, Victory has now reported a strong interest in the Nevada property. The company has had a busy start to 2021, with Victory gearing up for production on a 500-meter drill program at the Loner property. The company has organized a crew to begin the process and aims for drilling to be completed by mid-April 2021, as long as weather permits. The company anticipates that the drilling will provide a more detailed location of the mineralization demonstrated in the area.

With Nevada currently rated as the number one destination for the mining industry, companies like Blackrock Silver Corporation are set to take their Nevada portfolios to another level with a reassuring future of projects underway.

For more information on Blackrock Silver Corporation, click here .

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Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) speaks as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken testifies before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs in Washington on March 10, 2021. (Ken Cedeno/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

US Lawmakers Seek Accountability for Organ Harvesting in China

WASHINGTONA bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers last month introduced the first legislation to combat global organ trafficking, which, if approved, would end U.S. silence on the lucrative and illegal practice perpetrated by the Chinese communist regime, according to experts.

U.S. lawmakers in early March reintroduced legislation in the Senate and the House to stop Chinas state-sanctioned practice of forced organ harvesting from prisoners of conscience. Similar legislation was introduced in the previous session of Congress in December last year.

The United States and the international community have remained silent on the forced organ harvesting issue, despite the evidence of this practice, for far too long, Kristina Olney, director of government relations for the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, told The Epoch Times.

Noting that the first congressional hearing on the issue was held in 1996, she said the United States and other rights-respecting nations should confront the evidence and hold the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) accountable for its complicity.

There have been a number of congressional hearings and resolutions condemning forced organ harvesting. But until now, there has been no comprehensive legislation signed into law requiring the U.S. government to take action on the issue.

Hence, the new bill, the Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act, is an important step in that direction, according to human rights advocates.

The bill comes at an incredibly important time, since Beijings genocidal actions in Xinjiang makes very clear the lengths to which the CCP is willing to go to control Uyghur Muslims and other religious and ethnic minorities in China, Olney said.

If enacted, the measure would authorize the U.S. government to identify, expose, and sanction individuals and government officials responsible for human trafficking or organ harvesting across the world. The United States would be able to deny or revoke passports for people who engage in the illegal purchase of organs.

The bill also requires an annual report by the U.S. State Department on human organ trafficking in foreign countries. The report would introduce a tiered ranking system for determining the countries that have the lowest (tier one), intermediate (tier two), and the highest (tier three) levels of organ harvesting and trafficking. This reporting system would expose governments that are directly or indirectly involved in the crime.

Organ harvesting is an egregiously barbaric and inhumane act that has no place in our world, Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), lead sponsor of the House bill (H.R.1592) said, in a statement on March 10.

Smith, who has fought the issue of forced organ harvesting for more than 20 years, said that the United States must do more to put an end to the horrific abuse by international human trafficking gangs, terrorist organizations, and even some governmentsChinas Communist regime in particularwho kill innocent people and sell their organs for profit.

The House bill was co-sponsored by Reps. Thomas Suozzi (D-N.Y.), Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.), and Brian Babin (R-Texas), while the Senate bill (S.602) was reintroduced by Sens. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.).

Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on Feb. 22, 2021. (DEMETRIUS FREEMAN/The Washington Post/AFP via Getty Images)

The China Tribunal

Allegations of Chinas forced organ harvesting for transplant surgery first surfaced in 2006. Former Canadian Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) David Kilgour and human rights lawyer David Matas conducted independent investigations and later published a report, after finding more than 18 different kinds of evidence to support the allegations. Adherents of Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline thats also known as Falun Dafa, were prime victims of Chinas lucrative organ transplant trade, they concluded.

Investigative journalist Ethan Gutmann also conducted an independent investigation and published his findings in the book The Slaughter: Mass Killings, Organ Harvesting, and Chinas Secret Solution to Its Dissident Problem.

There has been a reticence in the international community, and even in the human rights community to speak about this issue, and that is precisely because of the propaganda that has been advanced on this issue by the Chinese Communist Party, Olney said, adding that a recent development has turned the tide.

While evidence of forced organ harvesting in China was already present in highly credible reports, including those released by the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, it was the judgment of an independent tribunal, released in 2020, that was a real game-changer, according to Olney.

Following its investigation, the China Tribunal, an independent peoples tribunal based in London, concluded that forced organ harvesting had taken place in China for years on a significant scale, with Falun Gong practitioners being the principal source of human organs.

The tribunal was chaired by Sir Geoffrey Nice QC, who previously led the prosecution of former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic for war crimes.

Independent Assessment

The China Tribunals decision has made a substantial difference in the fight against CCPs forced organ harvesting trade, according to Susie Hughes, executive director of the International Coalition to End Transplant Abuse in China (ETAC).

The Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act is one of the most significant international responses to the China Tribunals judgment to date, Hughes said in a statement on March 10.

The bill is also one of the most comprehensive ever introduced, Hughes noted, as it seeks to combat both global organ trafficking and the state-sanctioned trade in China.

The bill sets up a reporting mechanism in which the State Department would be responsible for assessing whether a country is designated as tier one, tier two, or tier three. Thus, the U.S. government wouldnt rely on the views of other parties such as the World Health Organization (WHO), and this is an important feature of the bill, Hughes told The Epoch Times.

Researchers have criticized international medical bodies, including the WHO and The Transplantation Society, for parroting CCP talking points denying evidence of mass organ harvesting.

In a UK House of Lords debate on forced organ harvesting in China, for example, the countrys reliance on the WHOs views was raised. During the debate, the UK Foreign Commonwealth Office informed the House of Lords that the WHO, who had previously advised that Chinas transplant system is ethical, responded that the evidence that it uses is based on the self-assessment made by the country that is a signatory, and in this case that is China.

The Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act removes this problem by ensuring the U.S. government independently evaluates the level of organ trafficking in countries of concern. Under the bill, a country would be rated tier three if it carried out a high level of forced organ harvesting or trafficking with direct or indirect support from its government.

Chinese doctors carry organs for transplant surgery in 2012. (Screenshot/Sohu.com)

Matas, who has been investigating Chinas forced organ harvesting practice for more than a decade, told The Epoch Times that the U.S. bill is unique and important because it sets up a reporting mechanism.

While the bill wouldnt restrict organ transplant tourism, he said, it would mandate an annual report on collaboration between the U.S. institutions and foreign entities involved in forced organ harvesting. This would allow the U.S. government to determine whether organ transplant surgeons in a tier-three country were trained by U.S. hospitals or universities. The bill would also prohibit the export of transplant surgery devices to entities involved in organ harvesting.

The bill could inspire more governments to take similar actions, Matas said.

More evidence of organ transplant crimes continues to emerge, even after the China Tribunals final judgment, which underscores the urgency of passing a measure to hold the Chinese regime accountable. Investigative reports show that the number of organs harvested from prisoners of conscience continues to rise and that organs are available on demand, with short waiting times.

ETAC warned that the current mass incarceration of Uyghurs in Chinas northwestern region of Xinjiang could provide a new pool of victims. Its estimated that up to 1.5 million Uyghurs and members of other Muslim minorities are detained in internment camps in Xinjiang.

According to human rights experts, China is the only country thats known to conduct state-run organ harvesting, a large-scale orchestrated crime involving the countrys health institutions, judiciary system, prison system, detention camps, military, and military hospitals.

This bill will identify and punish CCP members involved in forced organ harvesting, Cotton said in a statement. Its past time to hold Beijing accountable for these heinous acts.

Coons, a co-chairman of the Senate Human Rights Caucus, described forced organ harvesting as inhumane, immoral, and cruel and urged the U.S. government to do everything to fight this despicable practice.
Several Police personnel reached Punjab's Rupnagar district on Tuesday to bring back jailed gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, who faces trial in several cases in the state, officials said.

Around seven vehicles of the Police reached the Rupnagar Police Lines around 4:30 am, they said.

The Police Lines is around four kilometres away from the Rupnagar jail, where Ansari has been lodged since January 2019 in connection with an extortion case.

Punjab's home department in a letter had asked the government to take custody of Ansari from the Rupnagar jail on or before April 8.

It had written to the Uttar Pradesh additional chief secretary (home) following a March 26 Supreme Court order that had directed the government to transfer Ansari to UP's Banda jail in two weeks from the Rupnagar prison.

The 150-member Uttar Pradesh Police team, including a company of the Provincial Armed Constabulary, equipped with sophisticated weapons left from Banda on Monday morning to bring back Ansari, the BSP's Mau MLA, from

Delivering the order on Macrh 26, the apex court had also noted that Ansari was allegedly involved in various cases of attempt to murder, murder, cheating and conspiracy apart from offences under the Gangsters Act, lodged in Uttar Pradesh and 10 of these cases are at different stages of trial.

In the letter, the home department had asked the Uttar Pradesh additional chief secretary (home) for suitable arrangements to be made for Ansari's transfer. "The said handover is to be made at district jail Rupnagar on/before April 8," the letter stated.

It also said that Ansari suffered from certain medical conditions and the same may be kept in mind while making arrangements for his transfer.

The Supreme Court had directed the Punjab government to handover the custody of Ansari to the Uttar Pradesh police, saying it was being denied on trivial grounds under the guise of medical issues.

It had also said that a convict or an under-trial prisoner, who disobeys the law of the land, cannot oppose his transfer from one prison to another and the courts are not to be helpless bystanders when the rule of law is being challenged with impunity.

The Uttar Pradesh Police has said that Ansari is facing 52 cases in UP and elsewhere, and 15 of them are in the trial stage.

Acting Superintendent of the Banda District Jail Pramod Tiwari had said all arrangements have been made in Barrack Number-15 for Ansari and no other prisoner can access the area.

"Three prison guards will be deployed inside the barrack," 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.)
(Alliance News) - SpaceandPeople PLC has extended its contract with Land Securities Properties Ltd, part of Land Securities Group PLC, until 2026.

The contract allows the Glasgow-based marketing and promotions firm to be the exclusive provider of "experiential activity and short-term retailing" services at Landsec's 35 shopping centres, retail parks and leisure destinations.

The two companies also will work together at a small number of venues to provide brand experience bookings.

"I am delighted that we have further extended our relationship with one of the UK's leading retail owners and operators. This will enable us to continue to develop and deliver innovative and engaging activity into some of the country's most iconic and attractive retail destinations," said SpaceandPeople Chief Executive Nancy Cullen.

Shares in SpaceandPeople were quoted at 9.50 pence in London on Tuesday, unchanged. The stock is up 35% so far in 2021.

By Will Paige; willpaige@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
ASHEVILLE, N.C., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Bold Rock Hard Cider, which began selling its cider in Nellysford, Virginia in 2012, and has grown to be the country's #2 cider brand, is expanding its taproom footprint to Asheville, North Carolina. The new 8,000 sq ft. cidery and taproom will be in the located at 39 N. Lexington Avenue in downtown Asheville, a space formerly occupied by CANarchy's "The Collaboratory" concept. The new cidery and taproom will feature a small batch cider production system, scratch kitchen, and a private event space. Bold Rock established a local North Carolina presence in 2015 when it opened a cidery and taproom in Mills River, North Carolina. The new location will extend Bold Rock's North Carolina presence into downtown Asheville.

Brain Shanks, Bold Rock co-founder said, "We are fortunate that the North Carolina community truly embraced us when we arrived here in 2015. Now, we look forward to bringing the successes and popularity of the Bold Rock brand and of our Mills River experience to the heart of Asheville. We believe, this summer will mark the return to on-premise consumption channels and we also see a rebound occurring in the adult beverage related tourism industry. With Asheville's rapidly rising reputation of being the US top city for adult craft beverages, the timing for the project couldn't be better."

The story of Bold Rock Hard Cider starts with a partnership between John Washburn and Brian Shanks. John had a vision of bringing people together over a sustainably crafted alcoholic beverage while Brian dreamed of sharing his highly drinkable style of hard cider with the US masses. The duo launched Bold Rock Hard Cider in June 2012 out of a humble barn nestled in the Virginia foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Bold Rock has grown since those early days to become the #2 best-selling cider brand in the country and the same commitment to quality and great taste has never wavered. The refreshing line of Bold Rock products includes a wide variety of hard cider styles like Granny Smith Apple, Sangria, Watermelon and Pineapple ciders as well as recent innovations into neighboring craft beverage segments such as hard tea, hard lemonade, hard seltzer and ready-to-drink craft cocktails.

The new Asheville cidery and taproom will complement its other popular locations in Nellysford, VA, Mills River, NC, and its seasonal location at Carter's Mountain, VA. The design will reflect the brand's rustic roots and its connection with its heart and soul  the Blue Ridge mountains. The location will have a full-service menu that will be heavily influenced by local tastes and will feature locally sourced ingredients. It will also serve as an innovation center for new Bold Rock ciders, seltzers, teas and lemonades, while also having a full bar and craft beer selection from Bold Rock's sister brands  Southern Tier Brewing Company, Victory Brewing Company and Sixpoint Brewery.

"Asheville is the perfect place for Bold Rock to branch out with a stunning new cidery and taproom," said co-founder, John Washburn. "In 2015, we were welcomed as part of the North Carolina community when we located our hard cider production and taproom in nearby Mills River. At my family's home outside of Asheville and as a boy at summer camp in Hendersonville, I drank fresh cold apple juice in the orchard every morning. The Mills River location allowed us to take advantage of the high-quality apples from local orchards in the Blue Ridge mountains. Now, with the thriving craft beverage scene in Asheville, this is obviously the place for us to be. Locals and tourists alike can join us for a hard cider and a wonderful North Carolina experience."

The renovation of the space will begin immediately and is projected to open mid-summer 2021.

ABOUT BOLD ROCK HARD CIDER

Founded in June 2012, Bold Rock crafts a variety of hard cider styles from apples harvested in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and North Carolina. The leading regional cider brand in the United States features two cidery locations: the original Bold Rock Cider Barn in Nellysford, VA, featuring an innovative cidery and tasting room overlooking the Rockfish River, and a second, larger production facility and industrial styled taproom, nestled in the bucolic farm country of Mills River, NC.

Bold Rock's award-winning line of hard cider varieties includes the flagship Granny Smith Apple, favorites such as Pineapple and Premium Dry, and the best-selling seasonal cider assortment in the country. In addition to hard cider, Bold Rock has innovated across a wide spectrum of craft beverage to incorporate hard tea, hard lemonade, hard seltzer and ready-to-drink cocktail products which all feature the trademark Bold Rock commitment to refreshment and robust flavor.

In November 2019, Bold Rock joined the Artisanal Brewing Ventures family of brands which also includes Southern Tier Brewing Company, Victory Brewing Company and Sixpoint Brewery. Collectively the company is a top 7 regional craft brewer in the United States and has a leadership position in eight of the country's top 50 markets for craft beer. Artisanal Brewing Ventures is headquartered in Charlotte, NC, and has operations in Brooklyn, NY, Lakewood, NY, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and metro Philadelphia.

Debra Thom

[email protected]

SOURCE Bold Rock
ALULA, Saudi Arabia, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The world's most beloved tenor, Andrea Bocelli, is giving a world-first performance in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hegra on April 8th 2021. While the event will be for just 300 people in person, the performance will be streamed live and free on the maestro's YouTube Channel for millions of fans around the world.

The event in AlUla, Saudi Arabia will be set among the Nabataean tombs of the ancient city of Hegra. It's the first time the site has been the setting for a music event of this calibre and the master tenor has promised to deliver an intimate set comprising musicians from the Arabian Philharmonic and special guests Loren ALLRED, Matteo BOCELLI, soprano Francesca MAIONCHI with EUGENE KOHN at the piano.

The concert marks the third successive year that Bocelli has performed in AlUla having delighted audiences at the previous two Winter at Tantora festivals. The event promises to be an unmissable celebration of heritage, culture, music and optimism.

While the set list remains under wraps, organisers have promised that fans, both old and new, will not be disappointed. A surprise guest has also remained a secret to be divulged to viewers on the night and not before.

Hegra, built in the first century BCE by the Nabataean Kingdom, is an ancient desert city home to thousands of tombs cut into sandstone mountains. At least 100 tombs have elaborate carved facades, a signature of the skilled Nabataean craftsmen.

The concert will be broadcast live and free on Andrea Bocelli's YouTube channel on April 8th at 12pm in Los Angeles, 3pm in New York, 8pm in London, 9pm in Rome, Paris and Berlin, 10pm in Moscow and Saudi Arabia. The performance is not currently being made available on repeat or on demand so fans are encouraged to tune in, or miss out.

For further details about where to watch in your locations visit experiencealula.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1481811/AlUla_Andrea_Bocelli.jpg
California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly, discusses the state's response to the coronavirus at a news briefing held at the the Governor's Office of Emergency Services in Rancho Cordova Calif., on April 9, 2020. (Rich Pedroncelli/AP Photo)

With Vaccines Expanding, California Plans Summer End To COVID Restrictions

LOS ANGELESMarking a major step in a return to normalcy, California health officials announced April 6 that all COVID-19 restrictions on businesses, gatherings and recreational activities will be lifted June 15, although a statewide mask mandate will remain in place.

Assuming continued availability of vaccines and no spikes in COVID-19 hospitalizationsparticularly among people who have been vaccinatedthe state on June 15 will do away with its Blueprint for a Safer Economy, the four-tier, color-coded system that has guided economic reopening through a series of restrictions and capacity limits.

California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said the June 15 date was chosen for being two months after COVID-19 vaccines are made available to all Californians aged 16 and over. And the decision to lift all the blueprint requirements comes in response to rising vaccination numbers and continued decreases in all key pandemic-tracking metrics, such as case numbers, positivity rates and hospitalizations.

With all of that, we are at the stage where were ready to consider the next aspect of our pandemic response, Ghaly said. The road to this moment hasnt been easy. We have come together as Californians to save thousands of lives. And now we look at what is beyond that Blueprint for a Safer Economy that has been guiding Californias slow, public-health-minded transition and opening of our economy.  We look to get to that end of the blueprint.

Ghaly said scrapping the blueprintwhich will be done statewide, regardless of where individual counties may be ranked at the time in the tier systemreally means that every day activities will be allowed, and businesses can open with common-sense risk-reduction measures.

This means the end to our color-coded tiers, he said. You can go to movies, to the beach and see family.

Ghaly stressed, however, that a statewide mask mandate will remain in place to prevent illness and promote health.

He noted that the June 15 date could possibly be adjusted if the state begins over the next two months to experience rises in hospitalization numbers or a sudden lack of vaccine supply. He urged all residents to ensure the move occurs on time by continuing to practice infection-control measures.

We want to emphasize that we continue to focus over these now 10 weeks from today, a period where we continue to push out vaccinations and continue to focus on those personal protective measures, those mitigating measureswearing our masks in settings, especially indoors, when were in crowds, Ghaly said.

The announcement comes on a day the state crossed the 20 million threshold for the number of vaccinations administered. The state also reached the 4 million mark of vaccinations in lower-income communities that have been hard hit by the pandemic. Reaching that 4 million threshold will allow multiple counties, including San Diego and Riverside, to immediately advance to the less-restrictive orange tier of the states economic blueprint.

We will only keep moving toward this June 15 date, not only by emphasizing vaccines, but also by emphasizing the ongoing work of Californians, Ghaly said. This really continues to be on our shoulders to make the responsible decision to keep our masks on, to avoid crowds and other settings where we still might encounter COVID. But as we move toward that date on June 15, we look forward to this two-month period not just to keep our focus on vaccines, but to give our partners in communities, in businesses and other sectors a chance to prepare to be ready for this post-blueprint era in California.
A new web-based service to help UK wheat growers and agronomists stay a step ahead of unpredictable yellow rust outbreaks has been launched.

Rust Locator 2021 uses an interactive map to record the locations of yellow rust infections along with the variety affected.

The online service, developed by Syngenta, also shows yellow rust resistance rating and drilling dates.

The crop disease can cause yield losses of up to 50 percent in the United Kingdom.

But having a regional picture of where infections are appearing will give growers more information to help head off outbreaks before they become more damaging.

The information on Rust Locator 2021 is provided by Syngenta field staff, but growers are also encouraged to submit their own yellow rust sightings.

Syngenta disease control specialist, David Ranner said that by having more people uploading eyes-on-the-ground sightings, Rust Locator would be a collective benefit.

"Like Septoria tritici, it is a disease that is better prevented, rather than trying to cure it once established," he added.

"But we have seen over recent years how quickly infections can escalate, and how quickly variety resistance can decline.

Having an early warning that yellow rust is active underlines the need to manage it appropriately in your own crops."

The interactive tool can be used on Syngenta's website.
Highlights Oracle had alleged a copyright infringement on about 12,000 lines of code Google copied from the Java API.

Google argued that its use of the code was meant for fair use and therefore not subject to copyright liability.

The Court found Googles actions to be in support of interoperability and hence fair use.

A recent verdict on a long-running copyright dispute between two technology majors is now being hailed as a victory for the open web. Reason - the legal battle argued the use of copyrights on developer codes, deciding whether developers can reimplement an API or not.

API or application programming interface is a bridge between two applications that help carry out a request by transferring packets of data. Every time you interact with an app like Facebook, you use an API that sends your request to the servers and then retrieves the information to your device.

Oracle had alleged a copyright infringement on about 12,000 lines of code Google copied from the Java API developed by Sun Microsystems. Since Oracle acquired the latter in 2010, it argued that Google owed it, to the amount of $9 billion, for using the code to build Android.

Oracle had hence sued Google over its use of the code. In the past two instances, Oracle had won the case on the grounds that the code in question was copyrightable. On the other hand, Google argued that its use of the code was meant for fair use and therefore not subject to copyright liability.

Over the decade of legal proceedings, the case gathered steam as it would eventually define the interoperability and openness of developer codes. What had now become a landmark dispute would shape the way the open web would be evolved and further worked upon.

Why a landmark ruling for Google?

On Monday, the US Supreme Court ruled in favour of Google, stating that reimplementing an API by copying its declarations is legally fair use under US copyright law. The apex court said that the decision applies even (or especially) for building a competitive service.

The Court's reasoning applies to all cases where developers reimplement an API. The practice enables interoperability, allowing developers to use familiar commands. This further empowers more innovation on the software front.

The Court's decision was 6-2, reversing the appeals court's earlier decision. It was based on the understanding that Google's use of the API allowed programmers to use a familiar programming language to create new computing fronts. Google's actions were hence found to be in support of interoperability.

The fair use trumped Oracle's stance, which would have left the programmers in a closed environment for the time to come had it been taken up. Even though Google intentionally copied the material, its intent and implication were found to be in the general interest of the future of the Internet.

Google was not the only one supporting the cause. Mozilla also backed the tech major. In a recent blog, the company hails the Court's decision, having argued the earlier ones time and again. The company said that the earlier rulings were not in line with how software is developed and could have hindered the industry.

Mozilla had filed an amicus brief with the Court during the recent hearing, suggesting that APIs should not be copyrightable. Alternatively, it argued that the reimplementation of APIs should be covered by fair use. The Court took the second of these options, and it might just be the biggest decision to shape the Internet for the time to come.
The Indian stock markets, Sensex and Nifty, are expected to continue losing streak on Tuesday, tracking weak cues from Asian markets and flat trading at Nifty futures on the Singapore Exchange. Among the individual stocks, shares of HDFC, Maruti Suzuki, SBI Cards, Panacea Biotec, Marico, Sobha, JSPL, Adani Ports, HDFC Bank, YES Bank, Bank of India, will be in focus on Tuesday's trading session.

Also Read: Share Market LIVE Updates: Sensex, Nifty to open lower; HDFC, Maruti, SBI Cards, YES Bank in focus

Stocks to watch today: Here is a list of top stocks that are likely to be in focus.

HDFC: Mortgage lender HDFC to acquire a 9.90 per cent stake in Kerala-based infrastructure fund management company KIFML. In an exchange filing on Monday, the company said it has invested in 3,88,303 equity shares of Rs 10 each of Kerala Infrastructure Fund Management Limited representing 9.90 per cent of its share capital issued on a private placement basis.

Maruti Suzuki: The country's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India on Monday said its total production in March 2021 increased significantly to 1,72,433 units over the same month last year. The auto major had produced a total of 92,540 units in the year-ago period, Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) said in a regulatory filing.

HDFC Bank: The private sector lender said that its advances rose by 13.9 per cent to approximately Rs 11,320 billion as of March 31, 2021, compared to over Rs 9,937 billion in the year ago period. On the sequential basis, its advances grew by around 4.6 per cent over Rs 10,823 billion as of December 31, 2020.

SBI Cards: SBI Cards and Payment Services (SBI Card) has appointed former MD and CEO Ashwini Kumar Tewari as a nominee director on its board with immediate effect.

Bank of India: Bank of India has convened an extra-ordinary general meeting (EGM) of shareholders for seeking nod to the allotment of preferential shares to the government for Rs 3,000 crore.

Cadila Healthcare: The drug maker has filed application to seek nod from the Drugs Controller General of India (DGCI) for the repurposing of hepatitis drug PegiHep in hospitalised COVID-19 patients.

Marico: FMCG major has updated its overall summary of the operating performance and demand trends for March quarter. India business reported double-digit volume growth. The company, however, maintained caution amid recent surge in COVID-19 cases in the country.

Panacea Biotec: The drug maker has inked pact with Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) to produce 100 million doses per year of the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine in India.

Bharti Airtel, Apollo: Bharti Airtel has entered into partnership with health app Apollo 24/7 to offer a wide range of e-healthcare services to its customers as part of their exclusive Thanks benefits.

Adani Port: The company has inked pact with Vishwa Samudra Holdings Pvt. Ltd, to acquire 25 per cent stake of Adani Krishnapatnam Port Ltd (Krishnapatnam Port) for Rs 2,800 crore.

YES Bank: The private lender has released its Q4 business update on Monday. YES Bank's loans & advances grew marginally by 0.8 per cent to Rs 172,850 crore as of March 31, 2021, against Rs 171,443 crore in the year ago period. On the quarter-on-quarter basis, it rose by 1.8 per cent from Rs 169,721 as of December 31, 2020.
Ankara, April 6 : European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel are heading to Turkey on Tuesday for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in an effort to reset strained relations.

In addition to meeting the Turkish President, the EU officials also have discussions scheduled with representatives of the International Organization for Migration and other UN bodies, reports dpa news agency.

These meetings are likely to cover EU financial support for Syrian refugees in Turkey, as well as Ankara's recent withdrawal from the Istanbul convention on tackling violence against women.

Last month, EU leaders offered to discuss updating Turkey's 25-year-old customs union with the bloc and extend their migration pact with Ankara, as long as their neighbour continues to engage "constructively".

But the 27 member states warned they were still prepared to apply sanctions, if Turkey resumed its "illegal" energy exploration in the eastern Mediterranean.

In the most recent flare-up of a long-standing dispute last year, Turkey clashed with EU member states Greece and Cyprus over maritime boundaries and natural gas reserves in the eastern Mediterranean.

Tensions calmed towards the end of 2020.

Despite concerns about the deterioration of the rule of law and a crackdown on political opponents in Turkey following a 2016 failed coup, the European Union and Ankara remain major trading partners with shared security interests.

The bloc also cooperates with Turkey to curb immigration.

In 2016 Ankara promised to seal off its borders and take back irregular migrants from the Greek islands in exchange for some 6 billion euros.
SCREENSHOT: YouTube

SINGAPORE  The Singapore government was prepared to initiate legal proceedings to protect its position arising from its ownership of the song Count on Me, Singapore, said Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, on Monday (5 April).

Speaking in Parliament, Tong said that when addressing the use of copyright in Singapores national songs and symbols, the key consideration is to ensure that the country protects its ownership and interest in its national songs and symbols.

Tong was replying to a question by Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Leong Mun Wai, who asked about the actions that the government had taken to protect Singapores copyright in the case of Indian composer Joey Mendoza plagiarising Count on Me, Singapore.

The controversy arose after a video of "We Can Achieve" began causing a stir among local audiences, who pointed out its striking similarity to "Count On Me, Singapore". Described as "practically identical" by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY), the main difference between the songs was the use of "India" instead of "Singapore" in the lyrics to "We Can Achieve".

Mendoza later claimed that he had written "We Can Achieve" in 1983, a claim MCCY said is "untenable" as "Count On Me, Singapore" was written by Canadian composer Hugh Harrison in 1986.

Tong said, If his claim was right, it would be a direct affront to our own ownership and interest in the national song Count on Me, Singapore. We thus pressed Mr Mendoza to substantiate his claims. If he could not, then he should withdraw them. We were prepared to initiate legal proceedings, if necessary, to protect our position.

Mendoza later changed his position and admitted that he had no evidence to support his claims. He then wrote to withdraw his claims, give instructions to remove We can Achieve from all social media platforms, and state that he had no intention of attacking Harrisons integrity or professionalism.

Story continues

Our national songs hold a special place in the hearts of Singaporeans. MCCY takes any challenge to our proprietary rights and interests in our national songs and symbols very seriously, and we will take the necessary steps to protect them, Tong said.

The minister pointed out that the current legal position for Singapores national songs and symbols includes the Singapore Arms and Flag and National Anthem legislation, or Safna, as well as the Copyright Act. The legislation around the use of the national symbols and the governments stance on copyrights of the national songs are intended to prevent misuse that might diminish or denigrate the standing of such symbols and songs, Tong said.

The minister also responded to a question from Aljunied GRC MP Gerald Giam on whether MCCY regularly checks for possible infringements of Singapores national symbols.

Following MCCYs announcement last September that it is reviewing the rules governing the national symbols, it is also looking into whether there is a need to enhance intellectual property protection for these symbols, Tong said.

MCCY has also convened a citizens workgroup on national symbols to seek the publics feedback and views in this review, he added.

Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore

Other Parliament stories

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Analyzing Use of Force by Police Officers

As former Officer Derek Chauvin stands trial in George Floyds death, a central question is whether he followed the Minneapolis Police Departments guidelines on the use of force _ and used that force reasonably.

The departments longest-tenured officer sharply criticized Chauvins actions in testimony Friday, at one point calling Chauvins lengthy restraint of Floyd totally unnecessary.

Lt. Richard Zimmerman laid out a range of actions that officers can take in using force. He joined a retired Minneapolis police sergeant who also testified for the prosecution, as well as use-of-force experts interviewed by The Associated Press, in questioning Chauvins actions.

USE-OF-FORCE CONTINUUM

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Zimmerman, who has been on the Minneapolis force since 1985, told jurors that department policy spells out the use-of-force guidelines officers are expected to follow.

The lowest level, he said, is a police officer simply showing up in uniform at an event. One step up is using verbal skills to gather information and try to defuse a situation, he said.

The next step would be like a soft, soft technique, escorting the person by their arm, that type of thing, Zimmerman said. The next level would be a hard technique. Thats where you would use your, uh, you know, you maybe have to use your Mace or handcuffs, that kind of thing.

Finally, Zimmerman said, comes deadly force.

WAS CHAUVINS USE OF THE RESTRAINT REASONABLE?

Zimmermans testimony suggested not. Asked by a prosecutor what officers should do when a person has been handcuffed and is less combative, Zimmerman said officers may just have them sit down on a curb or the idea is to calm the person down. And if they are not a threat to you at that point, you try to, you know, to help them so that theyre not as upset as they may have been in the beginning.

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Chauvins attorney, Eric Nelson, sought to show that Floyd could still have been a threat to officers. He also noted that the decision to use force can depend on outside factors, too, such as whether officers felt threatened by bystanders.

Use-of-force experts have questioned how Chauvin and three other officers handled Floyd after they were called to a report of a person accused of passing a phony $20 bill. Body camera video played at trial shows Floyd saying over and over that he was claustrophobic as he struggled to avoid being forced into a police SUV.

Mylan Masson, who once headed police training at Hennepin Technical College and served on the Minnesota Police Officers Standards and Training Board for more than 20 years, said officers should have been asking whether Floyd knew the bill was counterfeit and whether he had others in his possession.

Masson questioned why they decided to arrest him at all, noting that he didnt seem to be a harm to other people.

The trajectory of the event could have been slowed down, said Geoffrey Alpert, a criminology professor at the University of South Carolina. There was no rush, no split-second decision. There was no reason to push things.

Alpert and Masson both questioned why the officers didnt try to put Floyd into a larger vehicle such as an ambulance or van, given that he said he was claustrophobic.

Police departments nationwide have been trying for years to train officers to avoid violence. In 2016, the Minneapolis Police Department rewrote its use of force policy to emphasize the sanctity of life, and began training officers in de-escalation _ calming people down to prevent violence.

WHY DOES IT MATTER AT TRIAL?

Chauvin, 45, is charged with murder and manslaughter in Floyds death. Prosecutors say the since-fired police officer knelt on Floyds neck for 9 minutes, 29 seconds, as he pleaded that he couldnt breathe. The most serious charge against Chauvin carries up to 40 years in prison.

Prosecutors contend Floyds death was caused by Chauvins knee. But the defense has argued that Chauvin did what he was trained to do and blame Floyds drug use, heart disease, high blood pressure and adrenaline.

Alex Piquero, chairman of the University of Miamis sociology department, said it is important for prosecutors to show that Chauvin, along with the other officers, made a series of decisions that led to Floyds death.

He said police officers often work with limited information and have to make decisions quickly. But he said its clear that regardless of what happened before Chauvin knelt on Floyds neck, it was wrong.

This is not the way you want to handle someone who is supposedly trying to pass a counterfeit bill, he said.
WOODBRIDGE, N.J., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Lucosky Brookman LLP (www.lucbro.com), a leading corporate finance and securities law firm, proudly announces that it has added acclaimed attorney Adele Hogan as a Partner and Co-Chair of the firm's Corporate & Securities Practice Group. Ms. Hogan is highly experienced in mergers and acquisitions and securities offerings, including SPAC's, PIPEs and IPOs. She regularly advises on corporate governance, risk, and compliance and is active in strategic growth advisory work, including the corporate side of restructurings inside and outside of bankruptcy.

Ms. Hogan joins Lucosky Brookman after ten years working at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP. She has also worked as a Partner at White & Case LLP and Linklaters LLP. She served as Director at Deutsche Bank and has done strategic consulting work including revenue enhancements, deposit growth, FX derivatives, and mergers & acquisitions for banks and financial institutions of all sizes. Ms. Hogan has led anti-financial crimes investigation, risk framework implementations, and corporate governance matters.

Managing Partner, Joseph Lucosky, commented, "We are thrilled to welcome Adele to the Firm as the Co-Chair of Firm's Corporate and Securities Practice Group. She will specifically oversee our Underwriters/Bank side practice group and our Mergers & Acquisitions teams. Adele's deep and varied experiences at some of the best, most demanding and prestigious law firms in the world will without a doubt be an invaluable resource for our diverse clients and a wonderful leader and mentor for our attorneys. She will work closely with attorneys and practice leaders in the Firm's various other practice areas in order to bring the full resources of the Firm to bear in addressing the needs of our clients and providing each of our clients with superior legal and strategic guidance.

Ms. Hogan is a graduate of Cornell University Law School. She has served as an Adjunct Law Professor at Fordham University School of Law, regularly presents at the Practicing Law Institute, and is a Visiting Instructor at Cornell University Law School.

ABOUT LUCOSKY BROOKMAN LLP

Lucosky Brookman is a corporate finance and securities law firm with offices in New York and New Jersey, representing both domestic and international clients in sophisticated corporate and securities transactions, mergers and acquisitions, secured and unsecured lending transactions, PIPEs and general corporate matters. The Firm provides a broad range of legal services within each of its Corporate, Securities, Mergers & Acquisitions, Banking & Finance, Business Planning & Start-Up, Real Estate, Intellectual Property, and Litigation & Arbitration practice areas.

CONTACT

Lucosky Brookman LLP

101 Wood Avenue South, 5th Floor

Woodbridge, New Jersey 08830

Phone: 732 395-4400

Facsimile: 732 395-4401

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.lucbro.com

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NEW YORK -- A U.S. judge has dismissed a lawsuit by residents of a suburban New York City county who accused the World Health Organization of gross negligence in responding to the coronavirus pandemic.

U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel on Monday said the WHO was immune under its own 1948 constitution and the International Organization Immunities Act from the proposed class-action lawsuit by the seven Westchester County plaintiffs.

The plaintiffs, including a New Rochelle doctor and six Mount Vernon residents who contracted COVID-19, sought damages for Westchester adults over the WHOs alleged downplaying of the coronavirus early in the outbreak, and failure to quickly declare a pandemic and coordinate a global response.

But the judge said the WHOs pandemic response involved policy judgments within its discretion, and rejected arguments that its alleged negligence voided its immunity.

Seibel said the complaint makes only the general and vague assertion that the WHO negligently failed to provide effective leadership and implementation of its core global functions under (International Health Regulations).

The plaintiffs also argued the pandemic likely could have been prevented had the WHO not been complicit in the spread and normalization of Chinese government propaganda after early COVID-19 cases were found in the Chinese city of Wuhan.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The WHOs lawyers did not immediately respond to similar requests. China was not a defendant. Seibel is based in White Plains, the Westchester county seat.

Westchester, whose population is about 968,000, became an early U.S. hot spot after a lawyer who attended a New Rochelle synagogue was diagnosed with COVID-19 on March 2, 2020, nine days before the WHO declared a global pandemic.

The county has had more than 121,500 COVID-19 cases and 2,200 deaths. There have been more than 30 million cases and 550,000 deaths in the United States, and more than 131 million cases and 2.8 million deaths worldwide.

The case is Kling et al v World Health Organization, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 20-03124.
Dallas, Texas, April 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Worksoft, the industrys leading provider of end-to-end enterprise automation for complex custom and packaged applications like SAP, Oracle, Salesforce, Workday and more, today announced the expansion of its Connective Automation Platform to include unmatched AI-driven analytics capabilities, becoming the first vendor to offer a genuinely codeless, scalable automation solution that seamlessly connects process intelligence, business process testing and production automation to drive comprehensive process insight and continuous process improvement.

Process Intelligence provides a unified view of end-to-end business processes with actionable insights, delivering unprecedented enterprise process visibility and maximizing process efficiency by eliminating business and IT silos. Combining multiple data sourcesincluding process mining, business process captures, test automation results, production performance, and moreProcess Intelligence generates a real-time roadmap for automation and process optimization.

This new level of Process Intelligence is a catalyst for CFOs and CIOs looking to unlock the full potential of their automation investment, providing them with a closed-loop view of their processes in real-time, said Tony Sumpster, Worksoft CEO. Process understanding is critical to driving digital transformation, and these platform enhancements reinforce our commitment to enabling real business change, uniquely bridging process understanding and business process automation in pre and post-production.

Digital transformation and automation strategies heighten the need to identify and understand business processes. The addition of Process Intelligence to Worksofts Connective Automation platform creates an unparalleled opportunity for enterprises to visualize and understand as-is business processes and identify and create resilient automation to enable continuous testing, RPA and Agile+DevOps development initiatives at speed and scale.

Worksofts AI-powered process intelligence is transforming the way business and IT teams align to deliver the best end-user experience and business outcomes. It provides real-time automation insights enabling customers to better understand, de-risk, and optimize their processes, said Shoeb Javed, Worksoft Chief Product and Strategy Officer. With nearly three-quarters of organizations today having adopted DevOps in some form, the request for advanced automation and deeper business/IT alignment is accelerating. Our platform now offers customers the ability to continuously evaluate process insights to target what to automate and build automation at scale, faster.

Key Process Intelligence Benefits:

Real-time ROI  Identifies candidates for process optimization and automation, prioritized by potential and realized cost savings to extend existing automation value to prove immediate impact.

 Identifies candidates for process optimization and automation, prioritized by potential and realized cost savings to extend existing automation value to prove immediate impact. Closed-Loop Automation  Uses AI-driven Process Intelligence to turn insights into automation and process optimization at the click of a button.

 Uses AI-driven Process Intelligence to turn insights into automation and process optimization at the click of a button. 360-Degree Insights  Unifies real-time business and IT data insights from the broadest sources to deliver the best end-user experience and business outcomes.

Process Intelligence Customer Beta Quotes:

With Process Intelligence, its easy to view optimization and automation opportunities across all of my process data.  IT Specialist for industry-leading consumer packaged goods manufacturer

Process Intelligence gives me a one-screen, easy-to-use view of what Ive automated and where I need to focus across my landscape.  QA Manager for leading HVAC and building supplies manufacturer

About Worksoft

Worksoft provides Connective Automation for the worlds leading global enterprises, automating the full lifecycle of a business process from process intelligence to testing to RPA. Our codeless automation empowers business users and IT to accelerate automation and arms organizations with process data insights to prioritize automation efforts and extend the value into RPA for maximum efficiency and scalability. With Worksoft, enterprises can speed project timelines and ensure data-driven quality for their complex end-to-end business applications, including SAP, Oracle, Salesforce, Workday, SuccessFactors, ServiceNow, and more. Recognized by leading Global Systems Integrators as the markets choice for large-scale continuous enterprise automation, Worksoft is embedded into their ERP practices to enable their Agile, DevOps, and SAFe methodologies and accelerate digital transformation.

For more information, contact Worksoft at info@worksoft.com or visit www.worksoft.com. For media inquiries, contact Liz Blackman, eblackman@worksoft.com, or +1 (806) 438-0556.
A is for Anger

You may have noticed that anger is making a comeback for women. Or rather, feminism is making a comeback; if anything, Second Wave feminism fell over its Birkenstocks or Slut Walk platform heels, fractioning and infighting itself into oblivion over the notion that feminists were angry, were unsexy, were anti-men. For Generations X, Y, and Z, the phrase Im not a feminist but . . . could often be heard as a disclaimer in college classrooms or drunken parties, before any tentative criticism of men could be voiced, as though toxic masculinity, rape culture, and misogyny were all entirely less embarrassing than to align oneself with Those Feminists: angry, hairy, frigid killjoys. Ironically, only since the 2016 election has a furious brand of feminism achieved mainstream vogue for the first time, with angry women taking to the streets (albeit often in bright pink hats) and exploding the Twittersphere with their collectively righteous burning of Any Fucks Left to Give in lieu of bras.

It might be fair to say that this is the moment Ive been waiting for since the sixth grade. Except now that all this pent-up rage is finally here, loud and proud, I am not entitled to it exactly. For starters, I am too oldpart of the problem, part of the internalized misogyny that led an actual majority of women my age, with my skin color, to vote for a pussy grabber over the most qualified presidential candidate in history. Theres that, but I have also been beaten to the punch. As women are finally rising up en masse to denounce their widespread mistreatment by men, I am left naked, with no pristine red robe of Victimhood. Rather, I have cheated, I have lied, I have done damage, I have been selfish and ruled by my desires . . . in other words, I have often conducted myself like a man, despite being a mother, and hence have perhaps forfeited my claim on female rage, which carries with it the implicit assumption that women are morally strongerthat we would do things better if given the chance. But I have lost the arrogance of youth (though I cheer it from the sidelines)I have lost belief in my own high ground, and so my anger hovers in the no-mans-land of displacement. Who the fuck am I to judge anyone? Or so my party line has gone, in the hopes that my kids, family, and friends will forgive my transgressions, will understand how sorry I am to have hurt anyone . . . will understand that I know myself to be a perpetrator here, an equal-opportunity dick.

What happens, though, if I cannot fold my fury neatly in a closet in favor of my scarlet letter? What happens if my affair has become inextricable from awakening to my own anger: a taboo force that scares me more than all the cumulative male rage I have seen and faced? I need to back into that space slowly before I can fully own it, before I can see its facets and understand what to do with it now.

I was about to say that if you have made it to Adulthood without witnessing male rage unleashed, then perhaps you will not understand what I am talking aboutperhaps you will not know what it means that I do not need to be good to be furious. Then I realized the folly of that sentence. You have not made it to adulthood without witnessing male rage. The very best you can possibly claim is that you made it without that rage being directed at you.

A is for . . .

Art cannot save anybody from anything, wrote Gilbert Sorrentino in perhaps the first sentence from a book that I ever underlined, ever committed to memory, suspecting it would somehow both belie and also exemplify the many truths of me. Who was that girl, barely nineteen, who knew so little of both herself and the transient, tumultuous world that unmakes and reforges us? Who am I, now, on the other side of so much wreckage, still loving, still typing, still here?

If I believe that art can, in fact, save us, over and over again, then does it follow that I risk the audacity of believing that you might be the very one who needs my words to save your life?

A is for Anton

And it seemed to them that they were within an inch of arriving at a decision, and that then a new, beautiful life would begin, Chekhov concluded his seminal 1899 adultery story The Lady with the Dog, which Nabokov considered one of the greatest pieces ever written. And they both realized that the end was still far, far away, and that the hardest, the most complicated part was only just beginning.

So it was for me, some one hundred and fifteen years later. And there, I begin.

[ Return to the review of Blow Your House Down. ]
SAO PAULO, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- FinanZero , Brazil's leading online credit marketplace, announces today that it has closed a US$ 7 million funding round in its fourth round of funding. The round was led by the Swedish investors VEF, Dunross & Co, and Atlant Fonder, all previous investors in the company. The use of proceeds will primarily go towards marketing, product development, and hiring new talent.

Thanks to its transparent value proposition, FinanZero empowers consumers to choose the loan that best fits their financial needs by comparing multiple offers from a network of 50 lenders in one search. With a surge in demand for consumer loans amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Finanzero's volume of credit applications has grown exponentially for the past months, and FinanZero is now the leading online credit marketplace in Brazil.

FinanZero was founded in 2016 by Swedish-Brazilian investment firm Webrock Ventures and Swedish entrepreneurs Olle Widen and Kristian Jakobsson. In total, FinanZero has raised US$ 22.85 million since 2016 and the largest shareholders today are Webrock Ventures and VEF.

Comment from Olle Widen, Co-Founder, and CEO at FinanZero:

"The volume of credit applications on our platform continues to grow exponentially, with an average of 750,000 applications per month, generated to our 50+ lending partners. Our mission is to empower Brazilian consumers by providing more transparency through a one-stop-shop for loans, and we are seeing great traction in a time in which digital transition and favorable regulatory changes are taking place. We raised funds to capitalize on this market opportunity."

Comment from David Nangle, CEO at VEF:

"Backing our portfolio companies and their founding teams harder, when they are delivering the kind of growth and value creation that FinanZero is, is one of the easiest decisions we make as investors. Olle and the team at FinanZero are at a really exciting point in their journey and with this additional capital, we are very excited that they can continue their path to being the leading credit marketplace in one of the clearest scale opportunities in Brazilian Fintech."

About FinanZero

Founded in 2016, FinanZero is Brazil's leading online credit marketplace. The company acts as an independent broker, negotiating with several credit institutions at once to find the best loan. Headquartered in Sao Paulo, FinanZero currently has 52 employees.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1481705/FinanZero_CEO.jpg
Highly anticipated: Apple has been rumored to work on augmented reality and autonomous electric car projects for a while, but the company is notorious for being tight-lipped about any development that happens inside its labs. In an interview with the New York Times, Apple CEO Tim Cook offered a few hints about what to expect from those projects if they ever see the light of day.

When it comes to AR, the best guess from industry insiders like renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is that Apple will start with a HoloLens-style device and slowly build a family of mixed reality devices in different form factors.

That certainly seems like the right approach if you look at Microsoft's recent contract win with the U.S. Army, but that means this new device could also end up being more of a prosumer, niche-type product that lends itself to industrial and military environments.

Tim Cook says augmented reality has great potential, and some of that may be in enhancing conversations by allowing participants to overlay information. He also believes there are numerous ways it can be integrated in education, gaming, and retail, and that AR has already taken off on phones. But more than anything, he is excited to see where that leads and admits that it's an essential component of Apple's future.

Apple has also been rumored to work on cars, with some reports even going as far as to pinpoint a debut for later this year. The company has been poaching talent from car makers, and Hyundai at some point confirmed negotiations with the Cupertino giant to develop an electric car. However it's not yet clear if Apple wants to build a car entirely in-house, or just supply the self-driving software, and Cook was hesitant to clarify this out during the interview.

However, he admits that Apple is experimenting with autonomy and refers to it as a "core technology." He also notes that "we love to integrate hardware, software, and services, and find the intersection points of those because we think thats where the magic occurs. And so thats what we love to do. And we love to own the primary technology thats around that."

We also know that during Tesla's struggles with the Model 3, Elon Musk tried (unsuccessfully) to meet up with Cook to discuss selling Tesla for one-tenth of the company's value at the time.

When Swisher asked Cook about it, he only noted that he's never personally spoken to Musk, "although I have great admiration and respect for the company he's built." Ultimately, the Apple Car project may never see the light of day, but Cook was careful not to dismiss the possibility entirely.
An ongoing online buying binge by consumers still stuck mostly at home by the pandemic led to the biggest month for cargo in the Port of Charleston's history in March.

The port moved 248,796 containers measured in 20-foot increments through its terminals last month  a 34 percent increase over the same period a year ago. It topped the previous record of 233,110 containers set in August 2019.

Imported goods from Asia and other markets  particularly furniture, electronics, exercise equipment and refrigerated foods  were up by nearly 50 percent in March and accounted for six out of every 10 loaded boxes during the month.

"All good things eventually come to an end, but I do believe that certainly within this year consumer demand is going to be at a pretty high level," said Jim Newsome, president and CEO of the State Ports Authority. "People are still spending money on their homes."

A report released April 6 by the Mastercard Economics Institute shows consumers spent $900 billion more with online retailers in 2020 versus the prior two-year trend as the COVID-19 lockdown shifted a majority of spending toward goods rather than services like vacations and restaurant meals. While many shoppers are heading back to stores now, the online buying trend is likely here to say, the group said.

Bricklin Dwyer, Mastercard's chief economist, told CNBC that between 20 percent and 30 percent of the $900 billion in additional digital spending will continue into 2021 and beyond.

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The port's record volumes are taking place as the new Leatherman Terminal in North Charleston is scheduled to host its first ship on April 9. The $1 billion first phase of the terminal will offer one berth with five ship-to-shore cranes capable of handling vessels carrying as many as 20,000 containers at a time. At full buildout, the Leatherman site will have three berths and an annual capacity of 2.4 million containers.

"It's opening very much at the right time when the industry needs the extra berth capacity to increase fluidity," Newsome said.

Charleston's port also saw a year-over-year increase in loaded exports in March, and the number of empty containers sent back to Asia and other markets so they can be refilled with goods was up 38 percent.

The SPA's inland port in Greer also reported its busiest-ever month with 16,688 containers moved between trucks and trains in March  up 20.3 percent from a year ago. The other inland port, in Dillon, moved nearly 3,000 boxes in March.

The SPA last month also handled more than 22,000 vehicles at its Columbus Street Terminal in Charleston, most of them exports of BMW sport-utility vehicles built at the automaker's plant in the Upstate.
Russian-Armenian strategic, allied relations are quite rich and extensive, he told the Interfax news agency. They are based on the historical proximity of our friendly peoples. The character of these relations does not depend on the outcome of the forthcoming pre-term elections.

Pashinian is scheduled to visit Moscow and meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday. The Kremlin said on Monday that the two leaders will discuss bilateral ties and the implementation of a Russian-brokered agreement that stopped the war in Nagorno-Karabakh in November.

Pashinian has pledged to hold snap elections in late June in a bid to end a serious political crisis in Armenia sparked by the six-week war.

A senior Russian official said late last week that Moscow hopes the planned vote will be a starting point for achieving long-term stability in Armenia.

Pashinian also told Interfax that his government is highly interested in continued military cooperation with Moscow and, in particular, fresh supplies of Russian weapons. He said in that regard that Yerevan has not abandoned plans to buy more Russian Sukhoi Su-30SM fighter jets for its armed forces. He gave no time frames for their possible acquisition.

The Armenian military received four such multirole jets in December 2019. The Defense Ministry in Yerevan has said that none of them was involved in the six-week war with Azerbaijan because it has still not acquired sophisticated rockets and bombs designed for Su-30SM.

Pashinian pledged to further deepen Russian-Armenian relations shortly after the hostilities which left at least 3,500 Armenian soldiers dead and more than 10,000 others wounded. He said that his country needs new security guarantees now.
Harvey Weinstein has launched an appeal against his convictions for rape and sexual assault, more 12 months after he was sentenced to 23 years in prison.

Lawyers for the disgraced Hollywood mogul, 69, argued in legal papers lodged in New York he was denied a fair trial and requested his convictions be reversed.

The Manhattan court Weinstein was tried in was permeated with negative publicity about him and his alleged relationships with women, according to the filing, and there were carnival-like conditions.

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The filing added: Mr Weinstein had a right to a fair trial by an impartial jury. The trial court should have exercised the utmost vigilance in protecting this most important right of the defendant.

Instead, the trial court was cavalier in its obligation to safeguard this right and the consequences for Mr Weinstein were disastrous.

Weinstein, a prolific film producer, was once one of the most powerful men in Hollywood before his downfall in October 2017 ignited the #MeToo movement.

Multiple women came forward in the New York Times and New Yorker to accuse Weinstein of sexual assault and inappropriate behaviour, triggering a wider reckoning for men accused of abuse.

He was convicted in February last year of raping a woman in a New York City hotel room in 2013 and forcibly performing a sex act on another woman at his apartment in July 2006.

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The appeal, which had been expected since the Oscar-winner had been found guilty, argued Weinsteins trial was overwhelmed by excessive, random, and highly dubious prior bad act evidence, none of which shed light on disputed issues.

It said some of the women who gave evidence should not have been allowed to testify.

Over almost 170 pages, lawyers said the evidence against Weinstein was weak and the prosecution instead inundated the jury with copious tales of alleged misconduct, much of which was not criminal and served no legitimate evidentiary purpose but merely depicted Weinstein as loathsome.

The filing added: Simply put, the prosecution tried Weinsteins character not his conduct.

Weinsteins lawyers also took issue with one of the jurors.

They said one of the people who found the producer guilty had written an autobiographical book about the predations of older men against younger women, and argued it proved they were biased against him.

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Weinsteins lawyers are requesting his convictions be reversed, the third degree rape charge dismissed as time-barred and a new trial ordered on a single count of first degree criminal sexual act based on the July 2006 incident.

They also argue his sentence was unduly harsh and excessive.

Weinstein is being held at Wende Correctional Facility in Alden, New York. He is also facing legal woes on the West Coast.

Prosecutors in Los Angeles are attempting to extradite Weinstein to California, where he is charged with attacks on five women, stemming from alleged assaults in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills from 2004 to 2013.

An extradition hearing is scheduled for April 9.

Weinstein was stripped of his CBE in September.
MUNCY, Pa.  A former substitute teacher in the Utica City School District is accused of forcibly raping a 15-year-old boy in Pennsylvania in the summer of 2019.

According to court documents, 36-year-old Casey L. Guyer was arrested and charged in Muncy, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 26.

Guyer is facing 25 separate charges, among them are felonies including rape forcible compulsion, statutory sexual assault - 11 years or older, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual assault and criminal attempted statutory sexual assault.

According to Utica CSD officials, Guyer was terminated on March 1 after they were notified about the arrest. They say the incident did not involve any students.

Guyer is currently being held in Lycoming County Prison with bail set at $150,000.

A list of Guyer's charges can be found on his court docket:
Superstar Justin Bieber surprised his millions of supporters on Easter Sunday by releasing his first-ever gospel EP titled Freedom.

The pop star took to social media on the day Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ to announce the release.

He shared the word "Freedom" typed on an iPhone notes app, which happens to be the EPs cover. The caption reads, "Freedom on all platforms."

The six songs on the record include collaborations with artists like Beam, Brandon Love, Chandler Moore, Pink Sweats, Tori Kelly and Lauren Walters. Each song features a strong Christian message, including one track that features mild language.

Source:The Christian Post
As the pandemic raged through the world and more of us retreated from the office to work from home, a threat of a different nature loomed large  cyberthreat.

A recent global report by SonicWall, a world leading IT security company, shows that the pandemics work from home reality made it even easier for cybercriminals to attack endless targets as global ransomware increased by 62% since 2019.

Leading the charge against cyberthreats is Irish company Nostra, a managed IT Services Provider, founded by Laois man Kevin OLoughlin 16 years ago with their headquarters located in Lucan, Dublin along with offices in Smithfield, Athenry and Mountmellick, Co Laois.

Rosenallis native and CEO of Nostra, Kevin OLoughlin, said Nostra is busier than ever to help build protections and first line defences for businesses.

Cyberthreat is not high on everyones agenda, but its high on ours. Our customers are predominantly business owners who are focused on ensuring their day-to-day operations perform as they should.

IT networks, systems and cybersecurity are generally not something they have time to consider and that is where we step in. We manage all of the IT requirements so that people dont have to worry about whether their data and systems are protected.

With more and more employees working from home the risk increases. Without adequate firewalls and defences, businesses are sitting ducks for malicious cyberattacks, Kevin went on to say.

At best, an attack could result in downtime, but more and more organisations are reporting much more significant and damaging outcomes such as data loss, crypto jacking and ransomware.

The stats speak for themselves. The 2021 SonicWall Global Cyber Threat Report showed that global ransomware increased by 62% since 2019. The report also found that never-before-seen malware variants were up by 74% and crypto-jacking is now at a three-year high.

No business is immune to cyberthreat and cybercrime, said Kevin. Cybercriminals are becoming more and more sophisticated, and their methods evolve all the time in line with technology, which is moving at an unprecedented rate. Threats that were once thought to be two or three years away are now a reality and can deliver devasting blows.

We are constantly on the lookout for the best new, innovative and best performing IT solutions for our customers and can offer them a suite of options which best fits their needs.

SonicWall is one such security solution that Nostra use to protect the systems of its clients. The software has robust security features including firewalls, email security solutions, endpoint security solutions, content filtering systems and the SonicWall Capture Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) multi-engine sandbox.

Nostra has just been awarded a SonicWall Platinum Partnership status. This accreditation is very significant as there is only one other MSP company in Ireland which holds this status.

We are delighted to have been appointed as a SonicWall Platinum Partner, said Kevin. It is a testament to the superior technical expertise of our technicians, our ongoing training, and our high standards. Cybersecurity will continue to be a hot topic right into 2021 as the pandemic continues and more and more people are working from home. Poor security, wormhole attacks and phishing are all unfortunate regular occurrences.

Nostra provides SonicWall software installation, technical support, and monitoring as part of our suite of managed IT services. By outsourcing IT a business owner no longer has to worry about systems and networks, we manage all of that for them, saving them time and money.

Tristan Bateup, Country Manager, SonicWall said: 2020, a year in which very little went as expected, highlighted the danger of approaching cyber-resiliency as merely a best practice.

It is vital that organisations expand their thinking from just, How are we going to prevent an attack? to also include, What will we do when (not if) we get attacked?. As a SonicWall SecureFirst Platinum Partner, Nostra are now well positioned to support their clients in defending their organisations from todays most evasive cyberattacks.
A single foster parent who gave a home to a child in 2020 has said other prospective carers should not feel put off by the pandemic.

Following a childhood dream, Sarah Smith, 37, from the outskirts of Stevenage in Hertfordshire, began her application to become a foster carer in February last year.

Within a matter of months, during which the coronavirus crisis had taken hold, she would find herself locked down with a young child she had only known for a few weeks.

Ive always wanted to do it, ever since I was really little, Ms Smith told the PA news agency.

My grandad on my dads side of the family was in foster care, and then on my mums side, her mum and dad fostered, so that may have had an influence.

Ms Smith said the process moved on so quickly after she applied through Hertfordshire County Council  something that unknowingly made it all possible.

The next week, someone came to see me here without that, I wouldnt have even been able to start the process in lockdown.

In September 2020, Ms Smith welcomed four-year-old Matthew  not his real name  into her home.

The change became even more dramatic for both of them when, due to a combination of rising coronavirus cases and difficulties with Matthews behaviour, Ms Smith made the decision to take him out of his nursery and keep him at home full-time until restrictions eased.

I really didnt understand how unique the situation was, she said.

I didnt really understand how much of an impact it can have on the child as well obviously, their routine was completely changed.

(It) was in a way really difficult, because obviously, he was suddenly with me a lot more  however, I felt that I had a much better connection to him.

I just felt it gave me more time to do things with him, and to make different memories.

Ms Smith has experience looking after children, having spent 15 years as a childcare manager for the holiday company TUI, before setting up a childminding business attached to her home in 2018.

She has now reduced the number of children she minds to five, to help her to focus her attention on Matthew.

Ms Smith lives in a home on her familys farm, which means she has support at hand when needed.

Matthew had issues with tantrums as well as trouble speaking and sleeping when he first arrived, making the early months a challenge even before considering the difficulties presented by the pandemic.

The hardest thing is he sometimes says to me, I want to go on the train  hes never been on a train, hes never been on a bus, said Ms Smith.

The first time when the shops opened I took him to one that had an elevator  he didnt know what it was.

He hasnt experienced things yet  I think thats been one of the biggest challenges to explain to him, why we cant just jump on a train.

I didnt think it would be a reality, but it actually was, it really made me well up, I realised he had made that attachment Id always dreamed about Sarah Smith

Despite the challenges they have faced, Matthews behaviour and happiness have since greatly improved  he is now able to write his name, recite the alphabet and is beginning to read.

This child is incredible, said Ms Smith.

I remember during the last lockdown, Matthew running to me and literally just jumping into my arms and hugging me and I thought this is what you read about when you learn about fostering.

I didnt think it would be a reality, but it actually was, it really made me well up, I realised he had made that attachment Id always dreamed about.

Matthew is still with Ms Smith, but is in contact with his birth parent and was always a child for short-term fostering.

Inspired by her positive experience with Matthew, Ms Smith is now looking to commit to foster a child on a long-term basis, and encouraged others to get involved in foster care too.

Even if youre a single person, as long as youve got a room  do it, she said.

Dont be put off by the pandemic, if anything, its probably been a plus to do it (during) the pandemic.
Fianna Fails Paul McAuliffe pictured after he was elected in Dublin North West constituency during the 2020 General Election count in the RDS.Picture Credit:Frank McGrath 10/2/20

Fianna Fail ministers are being urged to fight back against Fine Gaels ideological opposition to imposing hotel quarantining rules on more EU countries and the US.

Fianna Fail backbench TD Paul McAuliffe also suggested Fine Gaels reluctance to add more countries to the list may be down to the demographics of their constituencies.

Theres not many people in my constituency who are going on holidays in the South of France or who have kids studying in Erasmus programmes in Central Europe maybe thats the case in Fine Gael constituencies but this type of talk is alienating most people living under lockdown for the best part of a year, he told Independent.ie

Mr McAuliffe called on Taoiseach Micheal Martin to side with the public health advice on hotel quarantining rather than weighing in behind Tanaiste Leo Varadkar and Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney who have sought to delay the addition of new countries.

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There is an economic ideology in Fine Gael and also an EU ideology on the freedom of movement of member States and when they overlap you are going to have consequences here in Ireland, he added.

I think Coveneys position as Foreign Affairs Minister makes him more susceptible to listening to international voices on quarantining and I think he needs to turn his ear towards Ireland and listen to what people in this country are saying, he added.

The Taoiseach has not spoken on the Fine Gael opposition to adding countries the list but his spokesperson said there is a need to be balance between public health and legal advice. Mr Martins spokesperson, along with many others in government, have yet to reveal why legal issue are only arising now after mandatory hotel quarantine legislation passed through the Dail.

Mr Coveney and Mr Varadkar both publicly raised issues with Health Minister Stephen Donnellys plans to add EU states and the US.

Green Party Leader and Transport Minister Eamon Ryan has refrained from speaking publicly but is believed to be in favour of following the public health advice.

Mr McAuliffe, who has a quarantine hotel in his Dublin North West constituency, said he did not believe 10 days of quarantining is a major imposition on people who want to travel aboard for non-essential reasons.

The people of this country have been asked to quarantine for more than 52 weeks so people who want to go on holidays abroad should be asked to quarantine for less than two weeks when they return to protect everyone else, he added.

Mr McAuliffe said Irish people are currently prohibited from travelling into the US for non-essential reasons yet there is resistance in Fine Gael to adding America to the quarantine list.

As a backbench TD, I want the Government to crystallise very clearly why they are disagreeing with public health advice on quarantining and if they cant we need to press ahead and add those countries, he said.

An extension of the quarantine programme would be a vote of confidence in our vaccine programme which people are finally beginning to the impact of in their communities

We have worked too hard to not to impose a small sacrifice on people who travel into the country when new cases and variants are raging in central Europe, he added.

A spokesperson for Mr Donnelly said discussions on quarantining will be ongoing throughout this week in advance of next Cabinet meeting.

A spokesperson for Minister Coveney said: Officials will work away this week with a view to having a recommendation to cabinet at next meeting.
After serving almost two years in prison on charges of blasphemy in Algeria, former Muslim turned Christian Slimane Bouhafs sought asylum in Tunisia, but persecution still followed him.

"Honestly, I'm stuck - I am as scared here as I was in Algeria. I am as threatened here as I was in my country," Bouhafs told Morning Star News.

He arrived in Tunisia in October 2018 following his release in April 2018. Continuous troubles like receiving death threats and getting accosted in the middle of a road with no one intervening caused Bouhafs to seek asylum in another country.

"Once, three people on a motorbike accosted me in the middle of the street, in front of a multitude of people coming and going," Bouhafs said. "They asked for my papers with threats. I gave them my papers and told them I was a refugee. After taking a look, they handed them to me. It was then that they insulted me and threatened me without anyone intervening."

Bouhafs added that one of the men had an Algerian accent. He went to the police station to report the incident, but rather than being helped, he received more mistreatment.

"After finding articles on Google and finding out that I am a Christian and had been in jail accused of undermining Islam, the agents stood up against me, and they also insulted and mistreated me. I could only leave the premises forgetting the complaint," said Bouhafs to Morning Star News.

Fearful for himself and that his case would implicate his family in Algeria, Bouhafs started filing for asylum with the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees in November 2018. He was granted a refugee in October but could not still leave to his dismay.

"Honestly, I do not understand why they do not let me go, why I do not have my ticket, when countries have agreed to receive me. I find that unfair and humiliating," Bouhafs said. "I ask that the authorities concerned act quickly, without further delay, to allow me to reach a country of asylum, and that my family can join me."

The father of three is the only Christian in his family. His daughter, Thilleli, said that his official conversion was in 1999. Before that though, her father had started seeking for answers after his encounter with a Muslim prisoner while he was still a policeman until 1994.

"I loved my country, and I wanted to fight terrorism to save my country," Bouhafs said. "In 1994, we arrested an Islamist terrorist whom I took care of, treating and feeding him because I felt sorry for him then."

"My talks with this person changed my life and my convictions as the Muslim that I was," recalled Bouhafs. "What I saw and heard in this person, added to that all the victims slaughtered, burned and killed by the terrorists, had pushed me towards the door to leave this religion. Since that year, I no longer wanted Islam, or rather Islamism."

Beginning in 1998, Bouhafs started reading books about people's testimonies who encountered Christ and later, the Bible. His personal studies led him to finally embrace Christ in 1999 and soon became part of a Protestant church.

"My soul finally found the peace I so longed for, but at the same time a storm broke out against me. All of the society I lived in had suddenly risen up against me," said Bouhafs.

The persecution extended to his family although they did not share Bouhafs' faith. This broke his heart but remained optimistic that his sufferings were not in vain.

"But to these pains was added the joy of seeing many people from the region agree to follow me to become Christians. For me, it was a great victory," he said.

Editor's note: Believers are urged to pray for Slimane Bouhafs' safety and provision for asylum, and his family's salvation.
Ant Middleton was axed from Channel 4's SAS: Who Dares Wins last month following allegations of 'inappropriate behaviour' on set.

But the former British soldier, 40, was all smiles on Tuesday as he emerged from a Sydney hotel after completing his 14 days of quarantine.

Ant, who will return as SAS Australia's chief instructor for season two, looked happy to be working again on Seven's military-style series, which is based on the UK show.

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Free at last! SAS Australia chief instructor Ant Middleton was all smiles on Tuesday as he emerged from a Sydney hotel after completing his 14 days of quarantine

A smiling Ant displayed the shaka sign after spotting a photographer nearby.

His friends helped load his luggage into a vehicle before he was driven off to begin production on SAS Australia.

Ant has been keeping fit during hotel quarantine for the past two weeks by sharing workout videos on Instagram.

Ready for duty! Ant, who will return as SAS Australia's chief instructor for season two, looked happy to be working again on Seven's military-style series, which is based on the UK show

Dedication: The former British solider has been keeping fit during hotel quarantine for the past two weeks by sharing workout videos on Instagram

Packing light: Ant's friends helped load his luggage into a vehicle before he was driven off to begin production on SAS Australia

On Saturday, he boasted of completing a gruelling 150-burpee challenge, then said he was ready to attend some pool parties upon his release.

Ant had arranged for workout equipment to be in his hotel room for his 14-day stint.

As he left the hotel on Tuesday, his luggage trolley was stacked with a rowing machine, kettlebells and weighted plates.

We're back! Later Ant took to Instagram to share a snap along his co-stars as they got back to work on the show after completing their quarantine

Happy days! A smiling Ant displayed the shaka sign after spotting a photographer nearby

Crew: Ant's fellow SAS drill sergeant Matthew 'Ollie' Ollerton was also seen outside the hotel

Ant showed off his muscular arms and tattooed biceps in a black T-shirt.

He left the hotel wearing a face mask, but took it off to chat with his mates.

Ant's fellow SAS drill sergeant Matthew 'Ollie' Ollerton was also seen outside the inner-city hotel.

Thumbs up! Ant and Ollie will be joined again by Jason Fox and Mark Billingham on SAS Australia

Coming soon! Now that all of the British drill sergeants have completed their mandatory 14-day hotel quarantine, production is expected to begin imminently

Ollie wrote on Instagram on Tuesday: 'The sound of freedom! From the confines of a hotel room to the expanse of the mountains. Whatever the scenario, it feels great!'

Ant and Ollie will be joined once again by Jason Fox and Mark Billingham on season two of Seven's SAS Australia.

Now that all of the British drill sergeants have completed their mandatory 14-day hotel quarantine, production is expected to begin imminently.

Controversy: In early March, Ant was axed from the British version of the show, SAS: Who Dares Wins, over his 'personal conduct' on set of the popular program

In early March, Ant was axed from the British version of the show, SAS: Who Dares Wins, over his 'personal conduct'.

He previously claimed he was dropped for 'butting heads' with the show's team.

A spokesperson for Ant told MailOnline: 'Ant has worked on TV sets around the world for many years and has never at any point been accused of speaking inappropriately by anyone.

'He has only ever been informed of these allegations, which he wholeheartedly and emphatically rejects, via the media.

'If anyone felt that he did say anything verbally offensive we would have expected a formal process of review but no such discussion has ever taken place either via any of the networks he works for or via bodies such as Bectu.'

Denial: Ant has denied reports he was allegedly heard telling a contestant on Channel 4's SAS: Who Dares Wins he wanted to have sex with her via his microphone during filming

It followed reports that Ant was allegedly heard telling an SAS: Who Dares Wins contestant he wanted to have sex with her via his microphone during filming.

A source claimed his comment was meant to be in jest, but still prompted a member of the show's production team to complain.

It was alleged he said: 'I'm going to f**k you after this.'

A source added: 'Comments by Ant - whether made in jest or not - were picked up by production and someone complained. In total up to four women submitted concerns to production bosses.

'On the celebrity version of the show he made comments to two female celebrities, both of whom were not single.

'Everyone on the show was talking about it among themselves. Staff at Minnow Films, who make the show, say they've still got the audio of one alleged incident.'

Hitting back: Ant also denied claims of further behaviour after it was reported four women had accused him of making 'lewd and suggestive comments' on set

A representative for Channel 4 told the publication that measures are in place so any complaints from staff can be handled confidentially.

Ant also denied claims of further behaviour after it was reported four women had accused him of making 'lewd and suggestive comments' on set.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain last month, Ant denied claims he'd made 'inappropriate' comments to female staff which were subsequently investigated by Channel 4 bosses.

He said anonymous complaints had been made about 'indirect' behaviour that was typical of the hosts' military backgrounds, and said 'snowflakes' do not belong on the set of SAS: Who Dares Wins.
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Joe Biden is considering restarting construction on Donald Trump's southern border wall as his administration continues to grapple with a growing immigration crisis including record numbers of illegal crossers.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told employees, according to the Washington Times, that construction might resume to plug 'gaps' in the current barrier between the U.S. and Mexico.

The move comes as Biden made a big spectacle on Day One of his administration by issuing an executive order freezing Department of Defense funding for border wall construction. He later officially ended the emergency order at the border, but there were concerns about where the funds would go that were already appropriated for the border wall project.

Now Biden's administration is facing record numbers of migrants arriving at the southern border every day and federal government holding facilities are 'stretched beyond thin,' according to an independent report concluded after a visit to the sites.

NASA and other federal agencies are said to have sent out emails to their employees asking if they are willing to volunteer at the overcrowded child migrant facilities.

Mayorkas told Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) employees during a meeting last week that Biden canceling the construction left 'room to make decisions' on finishing 'gaps in the wall.'

Joe Biden is considering restarting construction on Donald Trump's southern border wall to fill 'gaps'

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said construction would help fill 'gaps in the wall' as the Biden administration faces an increased immigration crisis and record numbers of illegal crossers

The gaps, like this one in El Paso, Texas, allow migrants to cross into the U.S. by foot and exacerbate the ongoing crisis

Here many large unfinished gaps can be seen in the border fencing in Cameron County, Texas

Migrants from Central America continue to arrive at the U.S.-Mexico border

'It's not a single answer to a single question. There are different projects that the chief of the Border Patrol has presented and the acting commissioner of CBP [Customs and Border Protection] presented to me,' Mayorkas said, according to notes of the ICE session reviewed by the Times.

'The president has communicated quite clearly his decision that the emergency that triggered the devotion of DOD funds to the construction of the border wall is ended,' he continued. 'But that leaves room to make decisions as the administration  as part of the administration  in particular areas of the wall that need renovation, particular projects that need to be finished.'

On February 11, Biden ended Trump's southern border emergency, which was issued through executive order in February 2019.

In the reversal, Biden slammed Trump by saying: 'Building a massive wall that spans the entire southern border is not a serious policy solution. It is a waste of money that diverts attention from genuine threats to our homeland security.'

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told ICE employees on Friday they are considering filling 'gaps' and 'gates'

There were immediate concerns with the legality of the reversal, with experts claiming it could be illegal for Biden to stop funding that was already appropriate in Congress-approved funding for the wall specifically.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) launched an inquiry last month related to Biden stopping funding for the border wall construction project.

The president campaigned on the promise of immediately ending the building work along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Charles Young, a public affairs officer for the GAO, confirmed they were investigating whether Biden was legally allowed to end the construction.

Congress approved nearly $1.4 billion in border wall funding in December 2020 for fiscal year 2021 as part of a $900 billion coronavirus stimulus package under Trump.

Chair of the Senate Republican Policy Committee Roy Blunt slammed Biden for the change, claiming as a 36-year veteran of the Senate, he should know procedure better.

'He was in the Congress a long time,' Blunt said. 'He knows it's the Congress' job to authorize how the money is spent and the president's job to spend it efficiently.'

It now appears that Biden could be reversing his reversal by going forward with construction of the wall  at least in some parts.

Mayorkas says these new projects at the wall could include filling in 'gaps,' adding 'gates' and reconciling areas 'where the wall has been completed but the technology has not been implemented.'

Notes of the meeting show CBP, the agency that oversees the border wall, has submitted a plan for what it wants to see implemented.

Border and immigration agencies are struggling to find places for the mass amount of migrants.

While Biden's administration vows they are turning away the majority of adults and family units, they claim they will not turn away unaccompanied children arriving at the border.

A record 19,000 unaccompanied minors arrived at the southern border in March while thousands of adults are also risking their lives to try and get into the U.S. by way of Mexico.

Esto prueba que el muro fronterizo no sirve de mucho, mejor equipo tecnologico si. Aqui 20 migrantes cruzan por un hueco en el muro, sin embargo, una camara los detecta y son detenidos mas adelante. Esto ocurrio en Arizona, segun publica la misma patrulla fronteriza. pic.twitter.com/LoOxbI73Tf  Pedro Ultreras (@pedroultreras) April 5, 2021

In Douglas, Arizona, a gap is filled with vehicle barriers that don't stop people crossing on foot

Record numbers of unaccompanied minors have been flooding the southern border as Biden vows not to turn them away

Asylum-seeking migrant families wait to be transported by Border Patrol after crossing the Rio Grande river into the U.S. Monday night

In March, a record number of 19,000 unaccompanied minors arrived at the southern border while thousands of adults are also risking their lives to try and get into the U.S. by way of Mexico

Facilities at the border are overflowing with migrants, some reaching nearly 2,000% of its mass capacity.

A report filed Friday in a Los Angeles federal court, two inspectors appointed to monitor conditions of children in custody detailed 'severe overcrowding' that is further problematic in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

Social distancing was 'functionally impossible', the experts said, calling the overcrowding 'not sustainable.'

Trump received a lot of criticism for the border crisis under his administration where families were seen separated into different facilities when they arrived at the border.

Conditions were denounced as inhuman as children were pictured in cages.

The conditions, however, appear to be not nearly as bad as that under Biden, who has stopped border wall construction and issued more lax immigration policies since taking office.

Upon leaving Washington in January, about 460 miles of border wall were completed under Trump's presidency with funds directed after he declared a national emergency at the border so Pentagon funds could be used for construction.

Most was fixing or filling in areas where some sort of barrier already existed or replacing outdated designs or vehicle barriers that did nothing to stop people crossing on foot.

Here Customs and Border Protection created a makeshift, temporary processing and holding facility outside and under a highway as they are overwhelmed with the thousands of migrants flooding the southern border

Trump was particular about his promised border wall, with some reports indicating he micromanaged several aspects of the construction, like color and design.

During his last few days as president, Trump visited his wall to celebrate 400 miles completed  where he also penned his name on a paper attached to the wall with his famous bold signature.

During Biden's campaign, he promised all migrants seeking asylum would be granted it in the U.S. This led to several caravans from Central America departing for the U.S. when Biden was named the presidential election winner.

Since taking office, the crisis at the border has surged.

CBP's projected numbers show illegal crossings reaching 26,000 in September  a record high more than double that during Trump's administration.

During Trump's presidency, more than 400 miles of border wall was constructed with funds appropriated under a national emergency memorandum that redirected Pentagon money

Biden immediately froze funds on Day One and later ended the emergency order which brought a halt to all border wall construction and left several projects unfinished with gaps

'Somebody could kidnap me, I'm scared': Moment sobbing migrant boy approaches Texas border patrol after being abandoned and spending night in desert

By Adry Torres For DailyMail.com



Video footage recorded by U.S. Border Patrol officer captured the heartbreaking moment a crying migrant child sought help after being abandoned near the Mexico-United States border in southern Texas .

With tears in his eyes, the migrant boy can be seen in the video walking towards the Border Patrol agent before he asked him if he could provide him assistance because he had been left stranded near the Rio Grande.

'It's that I was coming with a group and they abandoned me and I do not know where they are at,' the child told the officer.

'You do not know where they are at? They left you alone?' the agent asked.

The distraught child, struggling to maintain his composure, apparently had been sent to the United States by his parents, who were not part of the migrant group who had already advanced further along the desert area.

'At the end they abandoned me. I have come here to ask you for help,' the frightened boy said.

A migrant boy, who was abandoned in southern Texas after crossing over from Mexico, was recorded on video in tears and asking a U.S. Border Patrol agent for help last Thursday. The child had spent the night in the desert after he was abandoned by the group of migrants he had crossed the border with and feared he would be 'abducted.' U.S. Customs and Border Protection has not released the child's age or nationality

A U.S. Border Patrol agent traveling on a dirt road east of Rio Grande City found an abandoned migrant boy crying and asking for assistance last Thursday after he had been abandoned by a group of migrants that had illegally crossed the Mexico-United States

The Border Patrol agent then questioned the child if he had been instructed 'to come ask for help,' but the migrant boy replied, 'no, I am coming because if I did not, where am I going to go? Somebody could abduct me, kidnap me. I am scared.'

The incident reportedly took place east of Rio Grande City on April 1 after the border agent had finished his shift, his friend Anjel Hernandez wrote on Facebook.

Univision reported that the child, whose age and nationality have not been made public by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, spent the entire night trekking through the Rio Grande Valley region after his unlawful entry into the country.

U.S. Border Patrol El Paso Sector chief Gloria Chavez told the network that parents should think about their children's well-being each time they are sent alone to cross the perilous Mexico-United States border.

'To all parents who are considering sending their unaccompanied children to the border, please reconsider that act because it is very dangerous to expose children,' Chavez said.

Human smuggling networks, who according to NBC News, have used public Facebook pages to hawk their services to Central American migrants have warned parents that their children would be guaranteed access across the Mexico-United States border if they travel alone.

The painful image of the child asking the Border Patrol officer was recorded just two days after U.S. Border Patrol released a surveillance video that showed human smugglers dropping two girls from Ecuador over a 14-foot high border wall in the New Mexico desert.

The sisters, aged three and five, were rescued by agents Tuesday and transferred to the Santa Teresa Border Patrol Station for medical evaluation.

Fox News obtained a photo Friday, that shows the girls interacting with Chavez, who handed them snacks at the processing center.

The sisters from Ecuador, who are aged three and five, were pictured interacting with El Paso Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gloria Chavez after being rescued

Official CBP figures show that apprehensions at the border have increased for 10 consecutive months, including the last nine of former President Donald Trump's administration.

President Joe Biden's administration has encountered a surge at the southern border over the last two months.

In February, CBP agents encountered 100,441 undocumented immigrants, including 9,457 unaccompanied migrant minors.

Government data shows that 171,000 migrants were caught by CBP at the United States-Mexico border in March, the highest monthly total in two decades. Border agents encountered at least 19,000 unaccompanied children.

The preliminary tallies for March are the highest since the agency reported more than 180,000 encounters with migrants in April 2000.
GUILDFORD, United Kingdom, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- LabVoice, which provides a workflow engine for scientific voice assistants, and IDBS, a leading R&D technology and solutions provider, are excited to announce an integration to accelerate research, innovation, and design. By introducing voice to IDBS scientific software platforms, scientists will have real-time access to their ELN, regardless of their location in the lab. More specifically, the integration will voice-enable E-WorkBook, a flexible R&D platform fueling research and development across a number of industries.

By leveraging LabVoice voice assistants, scientists will be able to unlock a new mode of engaging with E-WorkBook. Users will be able to query experiments and will have real-time, bench-side data capture enabled. Furthermore, context unavailable in data sets, such as experimental metadata or observations, can be easily added to any E-WorkBook experiment. Voice authentication from LabVoice will enable E-WorkBook to recognize the user and point them towards their instance, creating a robust audit log.

Scott Weiss, VP Product Strategy, said, "IDBS E-WorkBook is a best-of-breed platform for the planning, execution and reporting of scientific workflows across the R&D value chain. IDBS constantly strives to identify innovative technology to simplify our customer's workflow and are excited by the possibilities of incorporating LabVoice's market-leading voice technologies within our platforms. The prospect of voice guided workflow and hands-free data capture are potentially game-changing for many laboratory environments, improving lab efficiency, safety and overall data quality. Imagine pipetting samples, gathering data, recording observations, and initiating an instrument run all simultaneously through the power of your voice."

"At LabVoice, we believe strongly that our platform becomes more powerful when integrated with best-in-class scientific tools," said Fred Bost, CEO and co-founder of LabVoice. "The IDBS platform is a best-in-class tool, and we are excited to open new levels of productivity, data integrity, and discovery through this integration."

Both LabVoice and IDBS are committed to the support of the integration and will work with select customers to help discover new applications. Should you be interested in a specific use case, please speak with your LabVoice or IDBS contact, or reach out via email: [email protected] || [email protected]

Find out more information here.

About IDBS: IDBS helps research and development (R&D) teams and scientists, in biologics development and drug discovery and development, around the world make discoveries that have the potential to transform the lives of populations worldwide. Our diverse customer list includes 22 of the top 25 global pharmaceutical companies, and other R&D-driven organizations in biotechnology, agricultural sciences, chemicals, consumer goods, energy, food and beverage, and healthcare. Learn more at www.idbs.com or https://www.linkedin.com/company/idbs/.

About LabVoice: We know that scientists want to be safe, efficient, and most of all, focus on science. LabVoice gives you a hands-free laboratory experience by bringing you the first voice assistant tailored specifically for you and your workflows. No need to look away or take off your gloves while working in the lab and performing tasks like taking notes, working with software, or using instrumentation. We're working to voice-enable your lab of the future today. LabVoice was founded in 2018 by the founders of SciTegic & HEOS and has amassed a talented team of engineers to make the digitalization of the laboratory a reality. Visit our LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/company/LabVoice) or website (www.labvoice.ai) to learn more!

SOURCE IDBS

Related Links

https://www.idbs.com


Ships line the horizon seen from Seal Beach, Calif., as they await to come ashore to The Port of Los Angeles, on Jan. 12, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

San Pedro Port Largely Excluded From Bidens Infrastructure Proposal

Commentary

One out of 50 Americans derives their employment from the economic powerhouse at the combined ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

Even so, less than one percent of the infrastructure spending proposed last week by President Joe Biden would be spent on all inland waterways, coastal ports, land ports of entry, and ferries, according to an independent analysis done for The Epoch Times. The analysis is based on the White Houses fact sheet, published last week to accompany Bidens so-called infrastructure proposal.

Of course, it hasnt yet been disclosed how much of that spending would go toward improving coastal ports, as opposed to improving river waterways, border crossings, and ferries.

According to the fact sheet, $17 billion is proposed to be spent on the four modes of water and land ports, out of a proposed $2.3 trillion in spending.

The Port of Los Angeles website indicates nearly 3 million Americans nationwide derive their work from the economic impact created by the combined ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. The website refers to both ports together as the San Pedro Bay Port Complex.

Three million employed as a result of the San Pedro Bay Port Complex means one in 50 people nationwide are employed because of the facility, considering there are about 150 million employed in the U.S.

Before the current administrations infrastructure proposal, the ports were already undergoing capital improvements of more than $2 billion.

Both the city of Long Beach and the city of Los Angeles operate their ports under separate city departments and lease out the berths and other facilities to lessees who operate the facilities.

According to the Port of Los Angeles website, One in nine jobs across the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura is connected to the San Pedro Bay Port Complex, which includes the Port of Los Angeles and its neighboring Port of Long Beach (a separate entity and department of the City of Long Beach).

It also states that in California alone, nearly one million jobs are related to trade through the Port of Los Angeles.

The containers that cargo ships carry are called 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs). In 2019, more than 30 percent of all TEUs traded into or from the U.S. went through the San Pedro Bay Port Complex.

The Port of Los Angeles handled 9.3 million TEUs, and the Port of Long Beach handled another 7.6 million TEUsfor a combined 16.9 million TEUs handled by the combined ports. That figure accounts for more than 30 percent of all the 55.5 million TEUs shipped into or from the U.S. in 2019.

Even though Southern Californias twin ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles generate 1 out of 50 of all jobs in the U.S., and one out of nine jobs across most of Southern California, and they handle more than 30 percent of all container-shipped cargo for the country, they can expect to get only some small fraction of 1 percent of the infrastructure spending being proposed.

Tim Shaler is a professional investor and economist based in Southern California. He is a regular columnist for The Epoch Times, where he exclusively provides some of his original economic analysis.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Democratic Senators express their objection over the $2 trillion infrastructure package of Pres. Joe Biden by increasing the corporate tax.

Democratic Senators Express Objection Over Infrastructure Plan

Pres. Joe Biden plans to propose a $2 trillion infrastructure plan by increasing the corporate taxes, according to a recently published article in Business Insider. However, this plan might seem to face opposition from his own party.

In a recently published article in Vox news, two Democratic senators have already voiced their concerns over the infrastructure plan. One of them is the moderate Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin from West Virginia.

It can be remembered that Sen.Manchin has already proven himself to be an outside presence in the Democratic majority. He also expressed his opposition to the inclusion of the $15 minimum wage in the recently proposed American Rescue Plan.

Can Pres. Biden Unite the Two Parties for His Future Bills?

Concerns of the Democratic Senators

During an interview from Talkline, Sen. Manchin said that the infrastructure bill needs to be changed. This is because the budget for the infrastructure plan will be coming from the corporate taxes.

Pres. Biden proposed to increase the corporate tax rate from 21 percent to 28 percent. Manchin has already expressed his withdrawal of support in the plan and said that the international average rate is a little bit lower.

He explained that the corporate tax rate should have been below 25 percent. Sen. Manchi continued "That's the worldwide average. And that's what basically every corporation would have told you was fair."

Is President Biden To Blame for Gasoline Price Hikes?

Will Sen. Manchin Support the Corporate Tax Bill?

Meanwhile, Sen Manchin answered that the proposed Corporate Tax Bill is not going to end up that way. He further explained that the bill would not be passed without reconciliation not unless they will vote to support it. He also said if I he didn't vote to get on it, it would not go anywhere.

What is the Effect of Raising Corporate Taxes?

Basically, increasing corporate taxes is an advantage for different businesses. It is not a good idea because this will lead businessmen and investors to withdraw their investment plans in the country.

Meanwhile, Pres. Joe Biden expressed on Monday that he is not worried about increasing the corporate taxes and that it might lead corporations to other countries. Janet Yellen, the Treasury Secretary, also argued and support Pres. Biden explaining the global minimum tax rate today.

Sen. Manchin is Not Alone Who Opposes the Increase of Corporate Tax

Democratic Senator Mark Warner also expressed his opposition to the increase of corporate tax. He said "I've had some outreach from the White House, but it was more heads-up than input into the development of the package. So I've already expressed some concerns."

The only way for the proposed bill to pass in the Senate is to have unanimous support and votes from the Democrats since Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell has already said that it will not get any support from his party However, it seems that members of the Democratic Party in the House of Senate are divided either or not to support the bill.





@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
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Market Overview:

The continuously flourishing the automotive industry is likely to offer the most lucrative opportunities for growth in the coming years. Additionally, the aerospace industry is adopting the natural rubber-based tires, which is augmenting demand for rubber vulcanization. Swiftly changing the aerospace industry is fueling the growth of the global rubber vulcanization market. Furthermore, natural rubber is extensively used in the production of aircraft tires for its better quotient of heat resistance.

The vulcanization process modifies the properties of the rubber and adds elasticity and strength by forming a crosslink between the long chain of molecules. These properties make the material suitable for several end-use industries. Thus, the market for rubber vulcanization is likely to witness robust growth in the coming years. Rubber Vulcanization Market Analysis is anticipated to reach a valuation of USD 11,219.7 million by 2025 by exhibiting a growth rate of 4.94% over the estimated timeframe from 2018 to 2025. This growth is primarily attributable to the high demand for rubber from pharmaceutical, automotive, and consumer goods industries.

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Market Scenario and Growth Factors:

Additionally, thriving construction and infrastructural development globally and especially across emerging countries is propelling growth of the global rubber vulcanization market. Growing demand for the products including natural rubbers in gloves, rollers, injection parts, tubes, mammary prostheses, and the pacemaker is positively impacting the growth of the market. Further, the demand for the seals & gaskets, pipe, O-rings, tubing, hose, washers, grommets, sleeves and rubber bladders, connectors, couplings, and fittings in the oil & gas industry is propelling growth of the market.

Competitive Analysis:

The Key Players Operating In the Global Rubber Vulcanization Market:

LANXESS,

Arkema SA,

BASF SE,

Eastman Chemical Company,

Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.,

Kumho Petrochemical,

Duslo, a.s.,

Willing New Materials Technology Co., Ltd,

Shandong Stair Chemical & Technology Co., Ltd,

King Industries, Inc.

Industry News:

The automotive industry is trying to offer advanced featured vehicles such as self-seal tires. In these kinds of tires, the inner liner and covers the tread area. For instance, Ford Motor Co. announced the offering of a self-sealing version of Michelin Primacy A/S.

Segmentation:

The Rubber Vulcanization Market is segmented based on type, technique, end-user industry, and region.

In terms of type, the global rubber vulcanization market is categorized into the vulcanizing agents, accelerators, activators, and others. The vulcanizing agent segment is further categorized into sulfur, selenium, tellurium, and metallic oxides. The accelerators segment is sub-segmented into dithiocarbamate, sulfenamides, dithiophosphate, and xanthates. Of these, the accelerators type segment dominated the global rubber vulcanization market and is estimated to procure a value of USD 4,710.0 million by the end of the forecast period.

Based on the end-use industry, the market is segmented into automotive & transportation, industrial, consumer goods, healthcare, and others. Of these, the automotive & transportation segment held more than 58% share in 2017 and is estimated to witness lucrative growth over the forecast period.

Based on the technique, the market is segmented into sulfur vulcanization and other curing techniques. Of these, the sulfur vulcanization technique segment dominated the market in 2017 and is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 4.8% during the forecast period.

Regional Analysis:

By region, the market is segmented into North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Latin America. Of these, Asia Pacific held the lions share in the overall market in 2017 and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 5.68% over the forecast period. Among these, China accounted for 30% of the share in 2017. Indian market is likely to grab a value of USD 927.1 million during the forecast period. As per the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC), countries including India, Indonesia, China, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and others are producing around 91% of global rubber production in 2017.

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https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/signaling-analyzer-market-2020-global-analysis-by-size-growth-factors-emerging-trends-development-strategy-company-profile-future-plans-and-regional-forecast-to-2023-2020-08-20

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The Clackamas County Sheriffs Office on Monday released the name of a man whose body was found floating in the Willamette River late last month.

Samuel Lee Brooks, 40, was found in the water near Oregon City on March 26.

Deputies said Brooks cause of death has not yet been identified, and did not immediately say whether they suspect foul play. Brooks was known to frequent the Milwaukie area but had no fixed address.

According to the sheriffs office, a boater on a fishing guide expedition saw a body floating in the water downstream from the Sportcraft Landing Boat Ramp. When marine deputies arrived, they found Brooks body floating face-down in two or three feet of water along the riverbank. Deputies did not specify how long they think he had been there, but said his body was partially clothed and covered in mud and aquatic plant growth.

Deputies asked anyone with information about Brooks death, or who had seen him recently, to call 503-723-4949.

Jayati Ramakrishnan; 503-221-4320; jramakrishnan@oregonian.com; @JRamakrishnanOR
Enhanced contact tracing will aid in the uncovering of secret super-spreader events, such as family parties and social gatherings, which are fuelling the stubborn levels of Covid infection.

The new regime of tracing cases back seven days is finding missing links explaining why infection numbers are not falling faster.

Dr Una Fallon, Director of Public Health, HSE Midlands, said the new process, which was added to the national contact-tracing protocol just last week, would help reveal previously hidden information.

It has already alerted public health in her area to a positive case who had been at a family party involving around 15 people.

Theres a lot of testing around it now and there will be knock-on tentacles, said Dr Fallon.

Its early days but source investigation might uncover what you might call super-spreader events; an event like a party or people who have been to a shebeen or a big household gathering.

I think we are missing that currently. I dont think people volunteer that [information], but we probed and asked... I think that is the advantage of what the contact tracers are doing now.

Plans for contact tracers to identify the source of Covid-19 outbreaks in the community came into practice on Wednesday of last week after several months of delay.

Due to the surge in cases over the New Year period, the HSE said it had not been feasible at that time.

But now, contract-tracing centres are asking people with Covid  who are categorised under community transmission  about settings and events that they have attended going back seven days.

The aim of source identification is to gather information on community transmission cases, where the source of the infection is unknown.

It involves asking a series of questions in order to build a more accurate picture of where people are contracting the virus.

It can help with early treatment and to stop the spread to other areas and more people.

Ive been thinking about what we are going to pick up from this (source investigation by contact tracers) that we dont know already, said Dr Fallon.

I think its going to be that congregate socialising  that super-spreader event that happens, and is then over.

Read More

If you can imagine a school, a creche or a factory outbreak, that isnt something thats happened, and then its over. But a funeral is really something that happens, then its over and its not going to happen again. And the party is something that happens and is over. So, I feel that those sort of events, the system doesnt really pick them up and this new source investigation might do that.

In the midlands, Dr Fallon and her team are mainly seeing what is described as household transmission.

The most important thing for people to remember is that your home is really the most frequent source of a new case, she said.

Thats because if one person in the home becomes a case, they have a kind of special definition. Theyre not ordinary close contacts, they are household close contacts. They really have a very high chance of becoming a case. Its very different to any one person that you might have spent more than 15 minutes with at a distance of less than two metres.

At present, if you have five in your home and one person becomes a case, then two out of the other four will probably become a case.

It might have been one before, but now its two and thats because of the new variant. Its hard to prevent those cases but what we can prevent is the case that gets into the house in the first place.

Offaly still has by far the highest infection rate in the country, followed by counties Donegal and Dublin, the latest Covid-19 figures show.

The 14-day incidence rate in Offaly is most pronounced in the Tullamore area.

However, a walk-in test centre for those without symptoms has meant that more people have been tested in Tullamore than in many other parts of the country.

Dr Fallon said one of the drivers of this weeks figures is testing close contacts of a confirmed case on day 10, particularly household contacts.

She said about 40pc of household contacts of a confirmed B117 case end up becoming cases themselves, compared to around 20pc of household contacts during the first and second waves.

The day-10 testing of close contacts, on foot of two big outbreaks, is driving the numbers (in Offaly) this week, Dr Fallon said.

On top of that, weve had the walk-in test centre where weve done approximately 300 tests per day. This has basically doubled the amount of testing in Co Offaly.

Weve tested about 5pc of our population in one week, which is enormous. So we are picking up cases that we otherwise wouldnt have detected before.

Read More




HERZLIYA, Israel, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Respinova Ltd. is pleased to announce it has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market Pulsehaler. Pulsehaler is an innovative device that facilitates the opening of airways and clearance of secretions in patients with respiratory diseases.

"Despite the available pharma treatments, patients with COPD, Asthma, CF and other respiratory diseases unfortunately still suffer from poor quality of life," commented Professor Raphael Breuer, MD, former Head of the Institute of Pulmonology at Hadassah University Medical Center. "Pulsehaler brings a novel approach that will help patients with these conditions open their airways, which should improve their symptoms significantly", he added.

"This FDA clearance for Pulsehaler is an important milestone for the company," said Cliff Ansel, CEO of Respinova Ltd. "We are excited to bring this innovative technology to respiratory patients".

Pulsehaler is the first device to use patented Dynamic Multi-frequency Pressure Pulse technology. Driven by an internal turbine and multi-frequency vibration disc, Pulsehaler sends air pressure pulsations directly into the lung, making it easier to use for patients with airway restrictions.

About Respinova Ltd.:

Respinova is a privately held medical technology company based in Herzliya, Israel. Our team has decades of experience in developing and commercializing innovative medical devices in diverse therapeutic areas. Respinova is a two-time winner of the prestigious European Horizon program (Horizon 2020 SME and Horizon EIC).

Contact:

Cliff Ansel, CEO

[email protected]

www.respinova.com

SOURCE Respinova Ltd.
A Unions Support of Biden Does Little to Save Members Jobs in Pennsylvania

Commentary

ROARING SPRING, PennsylvaniaWhen the Appvion Inc. paper mill plant shut its doors for good on April 1, putting 293 people out of work, it marked the first significant manufacturing loss in this state since President Joe Biden took office.

We were all completely blindsided, said state Sen. Judy Ward, who claims she and other local officials had no hint that the plant, founded in 1866, was in danger of shuttering.

If you received a stimulus check in the mail, theres a good chance the men and women who work here produced the paper it was printed on. And yet there will be no stimulus for this factory, which produces carbonless security paper for official documents like car titles and house deeds.

Of the 293 jobs lost, 250 of them will be union; the rest are management. The average person here makes around $67,000 a year, based on a 49-hour workweek.

When 300 people lose good-paying jobs, its not just 300 people that are adversely affected, said Stephen McKnight, CEO and president of the local Altoona-Blair County Development Corporation.

For every one job lost, an additional four to seven jobs outside the company are hurt, too. The long-term impact is even worse, costing a region millions of dollars that used to go directly into the community, schools and businesses.

Mitchell Becker, president of the local branch of United Steelworkers, the union that endorsed Biden for president, said he thought his jobwhich hes kept for 25 yearswas safe.

Last year, we started to have layoffs, more than we have ever had since 1972, said 55-year-old Becker. But we never thought wed close; we just thought we would be sold.

Last month, he walked into what he thought was a routine labor management meeting to discuss plant issuesand instead received a brief and brutal announcement.

The mill leadership, including management from Wisconsin, just told us that were closing down on April 1. And then they got up and left the room and let us sit there to vent to each other.

Bidens vocal support of unions, including a group of Amazon employees in Alabama, has done little to stem the loss of blue-collar jobs in America. Last week, Ford Motors announced a plan to build their new vehicles in Mexico instead of Ohio, and the United Auto Workers, which also endorsed Biden in 2020, blasted the move.

In 2018, Appvion was sold to a private equity group. Now, they have decided to sell off their carbonless paper business to another corporation. Calls to Appvions management, based in Appleton, Wisconsin, were not returned, but in its official statement, the company blamed the plants closure on restrictions caused by COVID-19.

Locals claim thats just the half of it. They also speculate that inevitable climate change demands from the Biden administration would have forced Appvion to make costly upgrades, like when the plant underwent an expensive retrofit so it could meet new emissions standards set by the Obama administration.

With Biden pledging to make environmental justice an integral part of every aspect of his administration, many believe Appvion saw the writing on the walland decided to bail.

Ive actually seen that in some other companies in my district; as a business, you look down the road, and you have to be prepared for anything, said Ward. And if you look at these tighter environmental controls, that has to be a concern.

Sitting squarely in the center of this picturesque town, the plants gentle hum can be heard as you approach it from state Route 867, symbolizing work, prosperity, and stability for the people who live and work here. Church steeples and Victorian-era homes line the streets around the factory, like stately sentinels guarding it.

If the plant closes, the town of 2,400 will be down to two major employers: a trucking company and a limestone quarry, both locally owned.

Chris McNally, 48, was just six years out of high school when he started work at the plant. His mom worked there; so did his great uncle and his great grandfather and now his son-in-law.

Hiring family is encouraged because people know that comes with a lineage of a good work ethic, said McNally, vice president of the local United Steelworkers union. People rarely call off work here.

The fact that the plant is owned by a company many states away likely made it easier for them to pull the plug, said Ward.

It used to be businesses had an owner or a board of directors who lived in the same towns as their employees; they attended the same church services; their children were involved in sports; they were invested, she said. Now they live far away, and it is easier to turn out the lights and walk away because there is no societal pressure to try to remain invested in restructuring to save the plant.

Locals are not totally without hope. Some interested buyers have toured the plant, but thats all the workers know. In the meantime, they are facing the one thing they fear the most: silence.

For 155 years, that hum meant people were working, said Becker.

Becker remains a staunch supporter of Biden and said hed love to see the president come here and talk to his union brothers and sisters.

I would try to explain to him we really need his help, we really need that level playing field he always talks about, he said. Fair trade does not mean free trade, and if he comes through with that promise for that level playing field, well  we can manufacture better than any other place in the world.

Salena Zito has held a long, successful career as a national political reporter. Since 1992, she has interviewed every U.S. president and vice president, as well as top leaders in Washington, D.C., including secretaries of state, speakers of the House and U.S. Central Command generals. Her passion, though, is interviewing thousands of people across the country. She reaches the Everyman and Everywoman through the lost art of shoe-leather journalism, having traveled along the back roads of 49 states.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
announced on Tuesday that it has signed an agreement with for acquisition of right to use spectrum in the 800 MHz band in Andhra Pradesh, Delhi and Mumbai circles through spectrum trading.

After the transfer, Jio's spectrum footprint will be enhanced in 800 Mhz band to 2x15 Mhz in mumbai circle and 2x10 Mhz in Andhra Pradesh and Delhi circles.

Airtel's 800 MHz spectrum in Andhra Pradesh (3.75 MHz), Delhi (1.25 MHz) and Mumbai (2.50 MHz) will be transferred to Jio.

"The trading agreement is in accordance with the Spectrum Trading Guidelines issued by the Department of Telecommunications," Reliance Industries said in a filing.

"The aggregate value for the right to use this spectrum is Rs 1,497 crore, inclusive of present value of associated deferred payment liablity of Rs 459 crore, subject to any transaction related adjustments," it said.

"Through this agreement, we will receive a consideration of Rs 1037.6 crore from Jio for the proposed transfer. In addition, Jio will assume future liabilities of Rs 459 crores relating to the spectrum," Airtel said in a seperate filing.

Gopal Vittal, MD and CEO of Airtel said that the sale of the 800 MHz blocks has enabled the company to unlock value from spectrum that was unutilised.

Jio said that with the enhanced spectrum footprint, especially the contiguous one, and superior infrastructure deployed, it has further increased its network capacity.

The transaction is subject to the requisite regulatory and statutory approvals.
NASA has shared the first weather report from Jezero Crater on Mars  and the once ancient lake appears to experience frigid temperatures.

The Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer (MEDA) system aboard the Perseverance rover captured the surrounded temperatures for 30 minutes February 19 at around 10:25pm ET.

The data shows that it was just below -4F on the surface when MEDA turned on, but dropped to -14F 30 minutes later.

MEDA is designed with a suite of environmental sensors to record dust levels and six atmospheric conditions, along with the ability to measure radiation budge near the surface that will help prepare the first humans to explore Mars.

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The Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer (MEDA) system aboard the Perseverance rover captured the surrounded temperatures for 30 minutes February 19 at around 10:25pm ET (pictured)

Jose Antonio Rodriguez Manfredi, MEDA principal investigator with the Centro de Astrobiologia (CAB) at the Instituto Nacional de Tecnica Aeroespacial in Madrid, said: 'After a nail-biting entry descent and landing phase, our MEDA team anxiously awaited the first data that would confirm our instrument landed safely.

'Those were moments of great intensity and excitement. Finally, after years of work and planning, we received the first data report from MEDA.

'Our system was alive and sending its first meteorological data and images from the SkyCam.'

MEDA is strapped to Perseverance's mast by an extendable arm that is released periodically to check the weather.

The data shows that it was just below -4F on the surface of the Jezero Crater (pictured) when MEDA turned on, but dropped to -14F 30 minutes later

MEDA is strapped to Perseverance's mast by an extendable arm that is released periodically to check the weather. It weighs about 12 pounds and is able to capture wind (both speed and direction), pressure, relative humidity, air temperature, ground temperature, and radiation (from both the Sun and space

It weighs about 12 pounds and is able to capture wind (both speed and direction), pressure, relative humidity, air temperature, ground temperature and radiation (from both the Sun and space).

The system wakes itself up every hour, and after recording and storing data, it goes to sleep independently of rover operations.

And MEDA can operate even if Perseverance is asleep.

When NASA received the first weather report, they quickly went to work to piece it together.

It weighs about 12 pounds and is able to capture wind, pressure, relative humidity, air temperature, ground temperature and radiation

MEDA's radiation and dust sensor showed Jezero was experiencing a cleaner atmosphere than Gale Crater around the same time, roughly 2,300 miles away, according to reports from the Rover Environmental Monitoring Station (REMS) aboard the Curiosity rover stationed inside Gale.

And MEDA's pressure sensors told engineers the pressure on Mars was 718 Pascals, well within the 705-735 Pascal range predicted by their models for that time on Mars.

The system will collect, store and transmit particles interact with light, ultimately affecting both the temperature and weather.

Although these data points help NASA better prepare Perseverance, the measurements are also vital for future space faring heroes and hobbits that will one day travel to Mars.

Manuel de la Torre Juarez, deputy principal investigator for MEDA at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, said: 'We're very excited to see MEDA working well.

As Ingenuity achieved pre-flight milestones, a MEDA report from the 43rd and 44th Martian days, or sols, of the mission (April 3 to 4 on Earth) showed a temperature high of -7.6F and low of -117.4 F in Jezero Crater. MEDA also measured wind gusts at around 22 mph

'MEDA's reports will provide a better picture of the environment near the surface. Data from MEDA and other instrument experiments will reveal more pieces of the puzzles on Mars and help prepare for human exploration. We hope that its data will help make our designs stronger and our missions safer.'

MEDA can record the temperature at three atmospheric heights: 2.76 feet, 4.76 feet , and 98.43 feet, in addition to the surface temperature.

The system uses sensors on the rover's body and mast and an infrared sensor capable of measuring temperature nearly 100 feet above the rover, which is crucial for when the Ingenuity helicopter takes flight.

As Ingenuity achieved pre-flight milestones, a MEDA report from the 43rd and 44th Martian days, or sols, of the mission (April 3 to 4 on Earth) showed a temperature high of -7.6F and low of -117.4 F in Jezero Crater. MEDA also measured wind gusts at around 22 mph.

Perseverance, along with its travel companion Ingenuity, touched down on Mars February 18 with the mission of search for signs of ancient life in the Jezero Crater in a bid to help scientists better understand how life evolved on Earth.
As India completed an year of pandemic-induced curbs, a report has revealed that there has been a recovery in the hiring activity towards the end of March 2021 even as there were high opportunities for during both pre and post-pandemic.

There has been shoots of recovery in the hiring activity towards the end of March, with hiring in India witnessing a decline of 9 per cent, according to a report by global job site Indeed.

The report further stated that it is an improvement from June 2020, where it was down by 51 per cent.

The Indeed report is based on data on the site's platform between January 2020 and February 2021, analysing the impact of COVID-19 on India's job market.

It also found that the demand (job postings) for skilled technical job roles like Application Developer, Lead Consultant, Salesforce Developer and Site Reliability Engineer grew between 150-300 per cent, becoming the top sought after roles as of January 2020 to February 2021.

The continued reliance of tech solutions across organisations and extension of work from home structure, businesses ramping up their technological infrastructures to scale up businesses and ensure smooth operations resulted in soaring number of postings for tech jobs, it noted.

Indeed data revealed that the employers' demand for job roles like Field Engineer, Sales Lead and Editor that de-grew between 55-85 per cent during January 2020 and February 2021.

Job postings across sectors surged in key metro cities, including Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune and Delhi, it stated.

All the cities witnessed a growth in tech job roles except Kolkata where the job postings were concentrated in the Retail and Business Development sectors, it added.

Further, the data revealed that with the continued adherence on social distancing and increasing reliance on online shopping, the job roles that require customer interfacing de-grew significantly.

Among the jobs that were least sought after, Caller, Customer Service Representative, Sales Executive and Sales Representatives saw a sharp decline, it stated.

"Our data shows India Inc's inclination towards moving to a digital future in the post-pandemic world. The relevance of continue to remain consistent both pre and post pandemic. The continued reliance on technological solutions to meet the needs for shopping, remote working and learning has amplified the importance of tech developers across industries and cities," Indeed India Managing Director Sashi Kumar said.

Moreover, shifting focus towards scaling up businesses online and developing solutions to connect customers, employees, students and various other entities in the ecosystem has led to an escalated demand for post-pandemic as well, 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.)
The Democrats twin victories in the Georgia Senate runoffs gave them a tenuous majority. With the upper chamber balanced at 50-50, Democrats ability to exert control depends on their ability to hold all of these seats in 2022 (and the vice presidency, which is guaranteed through 2024).

Can they do it? History might suggest no. The phenomenon of midterm loss is well-established for the House of Representatives: The presidents party has lost ground in every midterm election dating back to the end of Reconstruction save for three: 1934, 1998 and 2002. All three of those elections took place in unusual circumstances, where presidents had job approvals approaching or exceeding 70% (we presume this was the case in 1934).

In the Senate, however, the record is somewhat more mixed. The presidents party gained seats in 1886, 1898, 1906, 1914, 1934, 1962, 1970, and 2018. Notably, many of these Senate gains occurred in years that were otherwise rough for the presidents party; Democrats lost 61 House seats in 1914, while Republicans lost 40 in 2018.

The key insight is that not all Senate seats are up in every year, and where those races occur can have a significant impact on the outcome of the election. In 2010, Republicans won every Senate race in states that Barack Obama won by less than nine percentage points (with the exception of Joe Manchins run in West Virginia) and were a nomination hiccup in Colorado away from the races in states Obama won by less than 13 points. Had the Senate class of 2012 been up for reelection in 2010, Democratic losses could easily have run into the double digits.

That Senate class was up for reelection in 2018, which partially explains why four Democratic incumbents lost despite the negative environment for Republicans. This is all to say, Senate elections are affected by the national environment, but vagaries of the characteristics of the class that is up in a given year affects outcomes.

What should we expect, then, in 2022? Democrats have no room for error, given their razor-thin majority, but they have one thing going for them: This class hasnt had a good Democratic year since 1998. Republicans ran well in 2004, and then pushed deeply into Democratic territory in the 2010 midterms. It was thought that Republicans would lose a substantial number of seats in 2016, but the party minimized losses by riding Trumps coattails.

Put differently, Democrats simply dont have much exposure this election. Democrats dont have any incumbents up for reelection in states Trump carried, although two hail from states that narrowly went Joe Bidens way (Georgia and Arizona). They have two other seats up in states that lean somewhat in the Democrats direction (Nevada and New Hampshire) and one in Colorado, which has elected Republicans narrowly in wave years but has since moved in the Democrats direction.

Republicans dont suffer from a massive amount of exposure either, but they do hold seats in two Trump-then-Biden states: Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Moreover, the incumbent in Wisconsin, Ron Johnson, has made some controversial statements recently, while the seat in Pennsylvania is open this time. The open seat in North Carolina will likewise be a tough hold, while those in Ohio, Iowa and Florida could come into play with retirements or with a good enough environment for Democrats.

To help sort this out, Ive employed a model I first used back in 2014. The idea is that weve become so polarized that elections are primarily referenda on the party in power, and that senators fates are increasingly tied to the fate of the president. If a president of their own party is popular in their state, they will likely win. If he is unpopular, they will likely lose.

It also looks at whether the seat has an incumbent and whether one of the candidates is uniquely problematic (think: Sharron Angle). So, for example, Republicans may nominate candidates who would have a difficult time winning under any circumstance in Georgia or Arizona, depending on how things shake out. As a final note, it only takes into account modestly competitive races, on the theory that safe races are effectively drawn from a different distribution (i.e., they are fundamentally different than races that are rated competitive).

The model isnt intended to get every race correct: It systematically under-predicts Joe Manchins chances, for example. The idea is that there will be errors in individual races, but they will tend to cancel out. In other words, it doesnt shoot for accuracy in particular races so much as it shoots for unbiased-ness.

It has performed well over the years. In 2014, it suggested that if Barack Obamas job approval were 44% on Election Day then Democrats would lose around nine Senate seats. This is what happened. In 2016, it suggested Democrats would gain three seats if Obamas job approval were 52% on Election Day; they gained two. In 2018, it said that Republicans would gain a pair of Senate seats if Donald Trumps job approval hit 45%; that is what happened. In 2020, a 47% presidential job approval translated to a wash; as of Election Day they had lost a seat. The model would also suggest that Republicans eventual loss of the Georgia Senate seats in January was mostly a function of Trumps declining job approval in the interim.

So what does the model see for 2022? Figure 1 shows the outcomes for 10,000 simulated elections across the five seats held by Democrats and seven held by Republicans, based on Bidens current job approval rating of 52%. It likes the Democrats chances of picking up a seat. Perhaps most importantly, they also would have strong likelihood of defending their seats. It would see Pennsylvania and North Carolina as solid pickup opportunities. It might like Ron Johnsons chances in Wisconsin too much  he arguably should be classified as a problematic candidate at this point  but it also might be too bullish on Democrats in North Carolina, given their recent track record there. Likewise, if Christopher Sununu runs for the Senate in New Hampshire, Republican chances would improve there.

Of course, President Bidens job approval is probably not going to be 52% on Election Day 2022. It could be higher, or it could be lower. To account for this, I ran 10,000 simulations with his job approval at every level between 37% and 60%, which seem like credible outer bounds for where his rating could wind up.

As you can see, Biden isnt that far off a job approval where he could see significant gains in the Senate -- enough to almost certainly jettison the filibuster and enact a wide-ranging agenda. Just four points higher, at 56%, Democrats would be expected to gain between two and five seats. But he also isnt that far off a job approval rating where things would go very poorly: If he enters the midterms at 45% -- roughly where presidents have been for the last four midterm elections -- Democrats would lose between one and four seats, possibly setting Republicans up for a massive Senate majority after the 2024 elections.

The break-even point appears to be around 49%. At that number, we would expect the Senate outcome to be very close, with Republicans roughly as likely to take the Senate as Democrats are to keep it.

Of course, like all models, no one should take this too literally, and (more importantly) the error margins are real. As the great statistician George Box famously put it, All models are wrong, but some are useful. The utility here is probably in generating reasonable bounds on our expectations. Democrats probably are favored to retain the Senate for now, but their outcomes are tied to their presidents performance, and they dont have much room for error.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 18:26:13|Editor: huaxia

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DAMASCUS, April 6 (Xinhua) -- A total of 29 Islamic State (IS) militants have been killed over the past 72 hours by Russian airstrikes in the Syrian desert region, a war monitor reported on Tuesday.

The Russian warplanes carried out around 70 airstrikes over the past 72 hours on positions of the IS militants in the desert region in the central province of Hama and the eastern Deir al-Zour province, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The death toll could likely rise due to the number of critically wounded militants, the Britain-based watchdog group added.

After losing key areas across Syria, the IS militants now have a presence in the sprawling desert region in eastern Syria.

The militants frequently carry out attacks and ambushes against Syrian government forces in the desert, prompting the Syrian and Russian warplanes to strike their positions.

Since March 2019, a total of 1,381 Syrian soldiers and pro-government fighters have been killed by IS attacks. Also, 896 IS militants have been killed during the same period. Enditem
Results from Surface Exploration Confirm Mapping, Define New Broad Target Areas at Pilar

Dieppe, New Brunswick--(Newsfile Corp. - April 6, 2021) - Colibri Resource Corporation (TSXV: CBI) ("Colibri" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that in a news release dated April 6th, 2021, its option partner Tocvan Ventures Corp. (CSE: TOC) has reported results from its surface exploration at Colibri's Pilar Gold-Silver Project. The aim of the program was to advance key targets with no previous mapping or detailed sampling to drill ready status for a Phase II drill program scheduled to begin in April. A total of 207 rock chip samples were collected covering the entire property (Figure 1). Sampling at the new Triple Vein Zone target has returned anomalous values over a 400-meter strike length, highlighted by 4.5 g/t Au with 735 g/t Ag and 4.3 g/t Au with 96 g/t Ag. Sampling along the 4 Trench Extension returned anomalous values over a 600-meter trend highlighted by 19.9 g/t Au with 8 g/t Ag and 5.1 g/t Au with 142 g/t Ag.

Tocvan is in year two of a five-year option agreement with Colibri to earn an initial 51% ownership of the Pilar Gold-Silver Project. For full details of the agreement, see Colibri's news release dated September 24th, 2019.

Highlights from Surface Sampling:

Triple Vein Zone

4.5 g/t Au and 735 g/t Ag, channel sample of quartz vein in previously unmapped artisanal working

channel sample of quartz vein in previously unmapped artisanal working 8.0 g/t Au and 8 g/t Ag, channel sample of oxidized brecciated andesite

and 8 g/t Ag, channel sample of oxidized brecciated andesite 4.3 g/t Au and 96 g/t Ag, channel sample of oxidized brecciated andesite

channel sample of oxidized brecciated andesite 5.1 g/t Au and 24 g/t Ag, channel sample of vein in previously unmapped artisanal working

and 24 g/t Ag, channel sample of vein in previously unmapped artisanal working 2.8 g/t Au and 15 g/t Ag, channel sample of silicified brecciated andesite 3-meters thick

4-Trench Extension

19.9 g/t Au and 8 g/t Ag, channel sample, andesite dyke with quartz

and 8 g/t Ag, channel sample, andesite dyke with quartz 5.1 g/t Au and 142 g/t Ag, grab float sample along vein strike

grab float sample along vein strike 3.7 g/t Au and 62 g/t Ag, grab float sample along vein strike

grab float sample along vein strike 3.4 g/t Au and 28 g/t Ag, channel sample of oxidized quartz vein

and 28 g/t Ag, channel sample of oxidized quartz vein 1.9 g/t Au and 178 g/t Ag, channel sample of oxidized quartz vein

*All samples are rock channel or grab samples. Grab samples are selective and may not represent mineralization over wider intervals.

Figure 1: 3D Target Map of Pilar Gold-Silver Project (Below)

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4269/79549_5764a66064c5792b_001full.jpg

About the Pilar Property

The Pilar Gold-Silver property is interpreted as a structurally controlled low-sulphidation epithermal project hosted in andesite and rhyolite rocks. Three zones of mineralization have been identified in the north-west part of the property from historic surface work and drilling and are referred to as the Main Zone, North Hill and 4 Trench. Structural features and zones of mineralization within the structures follow an overall NW-SE trend of mineralization. Over 19,200 m of drilling have been completed to date. Significant results are highlighted below:

2020 Phase I RC Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 94.6m @ 1.6 g/t Au, including 1.5 m @ 9.2m @ 10.8 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag; 41.2m @ 1.1 g/t Au, including 3.1m @ 6.0 g/t Au and 12 g/t Ag; 24.4m @ 2.5 g/t Au and 73 g/t Ag, including 1.5m @ 33.4 g/t Au and 1,090 g/t Ag

17,700m of Historic Core & RC drilling. Highlights include: 61.0m @ 0.8 g/t Au 16.5m @ 53.5 g/t Au and 53 g/t Ag 13.0m @ 9.6 g/t Au 9.0m @ 10.2 g/t Au and 46 g/t Ag



Soil and Rock sampling results from undrilled areas indicate mineralization extends towards the southeast from the Main Zone and 4-Trench Zone. Recent Surface exploration has defined three new target areas: Triple Vein Zone, SE Vein Zone and 4 Trench Extension.

About Colibri Resource Corporation:

Colibri is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company listed on the TSXV (CBI) and is focused on acquiring and exploring prospective gold & silver properties in Mexico. The Company has six exploration projects of which five currently have exploration programs being executed or planned. The flagship Evelyn Gold Project is 100% owned and explored by Colibri. Colibri is acquiring up to a 100% ownership interest in the Diamante Gold & Silver Project and will soon begin exploration work in preparation for a Phase 1 drilling program. Three additional projects, Pilar Gold & Silver Project (optioned to Tocvan Ventures - CSE: TOC), El Mezquite Gold & Silver Project and the Jackie Gold & Silver Project (both earn-in agreements with Silver Spruce Resources - TSXV: SSE) are also currently being actively advanced.

For more information about all Company projects please open the following link to our most recent corporate slide presentation at www.colibriresource.com.

For further information:

Ronald J. Goguen, President, Chairperson and Director

Tel: (506) 383-4274

rongoguen@colibriresource.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release contains "forward-looking statements". Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. These 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 results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will prove to be accurate.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79549.
Kolkata, April 6 : Amid sporadic violence, brisk voting was recorded on Tuesday in the third phase poll in 31 Assembly constituencies spread across three districts -- South 24 parganas, Hooghly and Howrah.

According to Election Commission data, 14.62 per cent polling was recorded in the first three hours of polling much on the lines of phase-1 and phase-2 polls held on March 27 and April 1 respectively.

There were reports of violence from Goghat in Hooghly where BJP alleged that a mother of a BJP worker was killed by the Trinamool goons last night. Similarly, Trinamool Congress alleged that people were not being allowed to vote in different booths of Sasta, Dagira, Babuldanga and Diamond Harbour in South 24 Parganas.

The Hooghly district, where 7 constituencies are going for the polls, recorded the highest percentage of 17.35 per cent followed by Howrah district where 15, 52 per cent poll was recorded in the 8 constituencies.

The 16 constituencies of South 24 Parganas recorded the lowest percentage of 12.81 in the first three hours of polling.

Earlier this morning, the Election Commission suspended a sector officer after three EVMs and four VVPAT machines were found at Trinamool leader Goutam Ghosh's residence.

According to reports, sector officer Tapan Sarkar, who was in-charge of Sector 17 in Uluberia seat, had spent the night at a relative's house who happened to be Goutam Ghosh. The EVMs and VVPAT machines with Sarkar were part of the reserve stock. The commission has said that these EVMs won't be used for voting on Tuesday.

A three-cornered battle is being witnessed in the 31 Assembly seats.

The total number of electors in these constituencies are 78,56,474 that includes 4,049 service voters, 39,97,218 male electors and 38,59,013 female voters. The total number of polling stations are 10,871 including 8,480 main and 2,391 auxiliary booths. The number of 80 plus voters are 1,26,177 while 64,083 are PWD (Persons with Disabilities) voters.

The total number of third gender voters are 243 while overseas voters are only 2. The election data also shows that 205 candidates, including 13 females from different political parties are in the fray during the third phase of polls that covers parts of South 24 Parganas, Howrah and Hooghly.

Prominent candidates among them are BJP leader Swapan Dasgupta, Trinamool Congress Minister Ashima Patra and CPI-M leader Kanti Ganguly.

Marking all the 10,871 booths 'sensitive', the Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided to deploy 618 companies of Central forces for the third phase and has also retained another 89 companies of central forces from the second phase, who are already stationed in South 24 Parganas and that pushes up the number of forces to 707 companies -- the highest deployment in this election so far.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
The parents of a two-week-old boy who died after his pram was hit by a car have paid tribute to their son.

A BMW is understood to have been involved in a collision with another car in High Street, Brownhills, England, before hitting the baby's pram at around 4pm on Sunday, West Midlands Police said.

The baby was being pushed along the pavement by a family member and suffered serious injuries.

Police said he was rushed to hospital, but nothing could be done to save him.

He was named yesterday as Ciaran Leigh Morris.

Expand Close A woman lays flowers at the scene on High Street, Brownhills, near Walsall in the West Midlands, where a two-week-old baby boy in a pram was hit by a BMW car at around 4pm on Easter Sunday. West Midlands Police said the baby was rushed to hospital but nothing could be done to save him. Picture date: Monday April 5, 2021. / Facebook

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Whatsapp A woman lays flowers at the scene on High Street, Brownhills, near Walsall in the West Midlands, where a two-week-old baby boy in a pram was hit by a BMW car at around 4pm on Easter Sunday. West Midlands Police said the baby was rushed to hospital but nothing could be done to save him. Picture date: Monday April 5, 2021.

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In a tribute, his parents said: "Mommy's and Daddy's hearts will always ache, we love you more than anything.

"We didn't get to keep you for long but we are happy we had the chance to meet you, look after you and call you our son. Fly high angel.

Sergeant Mark Crozier, of the West Midlands Police serious collision investigation unit, said: "We've all been left numb by the sad death of Ciaran. He was just two weeks old and his life has been tragically taken away.

"To see the loss of someone so young is difficult for us as officers, but we know the pain is greater for Ciaran's family.

"We'll be doing all we can to support them while also trying to establish what happened leading to the collision.

Expand Close A woman lays flowers at the scene on High Street, Brownhills, near Walsall in the West Midlands, where a two-week-old baby boy in a pram was hit by a BMW car at around 4pm on Easter Sunday. West Midlands Police said the baby was rushed to hospital but nothing could be done to save him. Picture date: Monday April 5, 2021. / Facebook

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Whatsapp A woman lays flowers at the scene on High Street, Brownhills, near Walsall in the West Midlands, where a two-week-old baby boy in a pram was hit by a BMW car at around 4pm on Easter Sunday. West Midlands Police said the baby was rushed to hospital but nothing could be done to save him. Picture date: Monday April 5, 2021.

"I would ask people to please respect the family at this sad time and allow them the privacy to grieve."

Police previously said a 34-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

He was still in custody last night.

A passenger in the BMW and the occupants of the other car are helping the inquiry.

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A Filipino man has died after allegedly being forced to do 300 squat thrusts by police as punishment for breaking Covid rules in his home country.

Darren Manaog Penaredondo, 28, died in General Trias city, on the outskirts of the capital Manila, on April 3 - two days after he was caught by police buying a bottle of water from a local shop after the 6pm curfew.

Partner Reichelyn Balce said he and a group of other curfew-breakers were forced to do 100 squat thrusts - but had to repeat the exercise if they failed to do it in unison.

By the time Mr Penaredondo arrived home the following morning, Ms Blace said he had performed 300 of the exercises and was barely able to walk.

Darren Manaog Penaredondo, 28, died after being forced to do 300 squat thrusts by police, leaving him struggling to stand (pictured) before he suffered a seizure

Mr Penaredondo (left), died on April 3 in the Philippines - two days after being forced to do 300 squat thrusts by police for breaking Covid curfew

'When he came home on Friday, around 8am, he was assisted by a fellow quarantine violator who was arrested with him,' Ms Balce told local news site Rappler.

'I asked if he was beaten up. He just smiled but it was obvious he was in pain.'

Ms Blace said he was unable to stand for the rest of the day, and was crawling across the floor because his legs and knees hurt so much.

Then, while trying to use the bathroom, Mr Penaredondo began suffering seizures and had to be revived by a neighbour using CPR.

He regained consciousness for a short time afterwards, but eventually passed away around 10pm without ever reaching hospital.

Cousin Adrian Lucena announced the death on Facebook, writing: 'We love you so much. We will not allow those responsible to escape justice.

'Sorry I can't go home because of these times. I love you so much.'

Reichelyn Balce (right), Mr Penaredondo's partner, said he collapsed and suffered seizures while trying to use the bathroom - then died before she could get him to hospital

Mr Penaredondo's cousin posted this image of his body on Facebook, pledging to get justice as the local mayor opened an investigation

Rodolfo Cruz Jr, head of local village guard units, confirmed that Mr Penaredondo was arrested for breaching curfew on the night of April 1 - but said he was handed over to municipal police shortly afterwards.

Lieutenant Colonel Marlo Solero, head of the local police force, denied that squats are used as a punishment for curfew violators and said officers are supposed to give lectures to rule-breakers.

If police are found to have ordered Mr Penaredondo to do squats then it will not be tolerated, he added.

Mayor Ony Ferrer released a statement on Facebook as news of the death spread, pledging to carry out a full investigation.

'We want to know what really happened for the familys sake,' he said.

He added that he had been in contact with Mr Penaredondo's family to offer his condolences.

Rodrigo Duterte extended a lockdown by another week after an alarming spike in coronavirus infections in the Philippines

It comes as Rodrigo Duterte extended a lockdown by another week after an alarming spike in coronavirus infections in the Philippines.

Duterte placed Metropolitan Manila and four outlying provinces, a region of more than 25 million people, back under lockdown last week as daily infections breached the 10,000-mark.

The president has increasingly faced criticisms of mishandling the pandemic and said this week that medical stuff who lost their lives from the virus were 'lucky' to die for their country.

Medics have complained of a lack of protective equipment for those on the front lines of the pandemic.

The Philippines, the third country after China and Italy to order home quarantine for a large part of its population of 107 million had until recently reported fewer cases than expected, with many deaths.

Authorities had attributed that to a lack of testing kits and lab capacity.

Duterte has put retired generals among his cabinet in charge of the task force battling the crisis, saying its management requires military-style discipline.
Millions of Chinese pay for virtual vocational courses, invest in themselves with architecture, design among popular choices Tan Qiang, 36, from Qimen, Anhui province, recently completed a one-time online photography class. The 54-minute session cost him 185 yuan ($23.5). Although he works hard at a factory for his keep, he still jumped at the chance to take the course. "It was during the pandemic that I realized having a skill is a must. I took the class to be a part-time, even full-time, photographer later to add a source of income for the whole family," he said. Millions of Chinese like Tan are paying for online vocational courses and investing in themselves, where they seek new skills to improve themselves, especially when the country is undergoing a huge industrial upgrading and transformation after the COVID-19 pandemic. As a shutterbug, Tan was always asked by his family members and friends to take pictures of them. Given the factory he worked at has laid off many workers due to a tough period caused by the pandemic, Tan decided to develop his interest into a marketable skill. In China, the online vocational education market has been booming at an unprecedented rate in recent years, with demand for vocational skills enhancement on the rise. According to a report by market consultancy iResearch, China's vocational education market is expected to hit 19.19 billion yuan this year, of which the online vocational market has been soaring 20 percent per year. "The online vocational education market will become the mainstay. The average revenue per user will gradually increase as heavy training replaces light training," said Ge Wenwei, partner of Duojing Capital. "The market will continue to boom and will have a higher penetration rate than the K-12kindergarten to 12th gradeperiod," Ge said. The iResearch report said COVID-19 has put online vocational education in the fast lane of development, which is likely to greatly accelerate the overall online education development. According to a report released by Tencent Classroom, an online vocational education platform by tech giant Tencent Holdings Ltd, users paying for medical and healthcare classes have seen strong recent growth. Architectural engineering, graphic design, practical English, medical and healthcare and artistic painting are among the top 10 most popular course categories. Tencent CEO Pony Ma has called for accelerated efforts from famous schoolteachers and training institutions to develop online classrooms to allow society to "vigorously develop online vocational education". "The main goal is to help various groups to improve their business skills and increase employment opportunities, especially with the development of the industrial internet and the acceleration of digital transformation and upgrading of the overall economy," Ma said. He said emerging technologies are accelerating the integration and innovation of different traditional industries, giving birth to a large number of emerging occupations. "The country is seeing urgent demand for high-quality compound talent with strong practical ability and innovation ability, such as 5G, artificial intelligence, the industrial internet and other new jobs," Ma added. The State Council earlier launched a document targeting reform of China's vocational education system, which strongly advocates for the integration of industries and education by encouraging universities and enterprises to work together to deploy training plans. Moreover, the reform also unveiled a pilot program"1+X "modelutilizing academic and vocational skill level certificates to encourage students to acquire more skills while obtaining a diploma. "1" symbolizes a strong foundation of knowledge via traditional degrees, and "X" stands for embracing the future, represented by vocational certificates. In the online vocational education market, exam training continues to be a significant portion, where consumers, mostly students, take courses to prepare for the national civil service exam, public institution exams and graduate school exam. Hou Yue, 25, a graduate from Nantong, Jiangsu province, recently shelled out 8,000 yuan for an online training for her postgraduate exam. "Those high-quality offline classes related to the postgraduate exam are often held in top-tier cities. The cost is high for students like me as we have to pay extra money for transportation and lodging. But now I can take such online courses anywhere and anytime. Tutors from online vocational platforms are also some very famous teachers who have worked in the area for decades," she said. Compared with the K-12 education market, characteristics of the vocational market are mostly part-time employees or students who take the initiative to learn, said Lyu Senlin, founder of Guiding Light Think Tank, an education consulting company. "They are suitable for the online teaching model which breaks limitations of time and space," Lyu said. A report showed that only 5 percent of employees have a bachelor's degree or above, leaving huge space for online courses aimed at helping people pass through key exams, experts said. Such demand for higher degrees or career advancement has boosted vocational companies like Offcn Education Technology Co Ltd and Beijing Fenbilantian Technology Co, which both have seen significant growth these past few years. Fenbilantian, better known as Fenbi, announced in February that it raised $390 million in its series A round of fundraising. Led by IDG Capital and Trustbridge Partners, the new round attracted several other key investors. "After the pandemic, we switched part of the offline business to online education and have quickly developed more all-around plans offering online courses for students to choose from," said Zhang Xiaolong, CEO of Fenbi. Founded in 2015, the company leverages internet technologies to offer professional training and tutoring for key tests. "Such measures have boosted business. More than 80 percent of our offline users have chosen to switch to online options and revenue from its online business has increased 100 percent since the adjustments were made," Zhang said. While the online education industry continues to boom, Zhang Lijun, an education veteran and partner of Sinovation Venturesa venture capital firm founded by famous investor Kai-fu Leepointed out that many challenges still exist. "It will be difficult for companies to retain users on a sustainable basis and for them to become loyal customers after the pandemic. Whether the online education sector is likely to replace offline businesses in the long run remains to be seen," she said. Gao Yan from online vocational livestreaming platform Xuehui added that although people have learning goals and the willingness to invest in themselves, the renewal rate is usually low due to limited time and energy. "Solving the problem of low user renewal rates has become a challenge for many vocational education institutions. Online vocational education institutions should rethink their profit model to check whether they can go deeper into a certain segment," Gao said. "They are expected to develop products and services that can be repurchased by users so as to improve the LTV, or lifetime value of vocational education users," Gao added.


The first shipment of long-awaited coronavirus vaccines finally arrived in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on March 3. One month later, theyre still sitting in a warehouse in the capital, Kinshasa.

Why it matters: Africa is at the back of the global line for vaccines, and most countries only expect enough doses to cover a fraction of their populations this year. But in some cases, even those limited supplies may not be fully deployed before they expire.

Zoom in: The DRC has received 1.7 million Oxford/AstraZeneca doses from the global COVAX initiative. The government delayed the rollout, citing health concerns stemming from the AstraZeneca rollout in Europe. But the challenges don't end there.

Health workers in the provinces haven't yet been trained to administer the vaccine due to funding shortfalls, says Freddy Nkosi, DRC country director at VillageReach, which is advising African governments on vaccine distribution.

A digital data collection system designed to guide the vaccination campaign is also not yet operational, Nkosi adds.

Once the rollout begins, it will be difficult to transport doses even to nearby provinces because of poor roads, he says. Other provinces in the giant country of 86 million people will only be reachable from the air.

Assuming the shots do arrive at distribution centers and health workers are prepared to administer them, there may not be much demand.

There are so many rumors circulating around the vaccines, and thats also contributing to so many people, even among the health workers, being very hesitant to receive the vaccine, Nkosi says.

VillageReach is involved in a public engagement campaign to inform people about the vaccines and their eligibility for them.

But the DRC is on the clock. Those 1.7 million doses will expire in three months, Nkosi says. If large quantities go unused, that will not only set back the first wave of vaccinations, it will undercut appeals for further shipments.

The state of play

The DRC isnt alone. In Ivory Coast, where a slow rollout could cause thousands of shots to expire, health officials are blaming a kind of systematic refusal of the vaccine, per the Washington Post.

While Rwanda has distributed nearly all of the vaccines it received last month and Ghana isnt far behind, most African countries that received vaccines through COVAX are moving very slowly (or, like the DRC, not at all).

The ticking clock and the distribution challenges could further exacerbate inequity if governments elect to prioritize capital cities like Kinshasa, or allow the well connected to cut in line.

In Kenya, as all over the world, wealthy people seem to be having a far easier time getting access. The government is now moving to shut down a secondary market in which private clinics are selling the Sputnik V vaccine for around $80 per shot, AP reports.

The funding gap

Countries had to submit distribution plans to receive doses through COVAX, but funding to help implement those plans has been slow to arrive.

Breaking it down: CARE, the global anti-poverty charity, estimates that for every $1 invested in procuring the shots themselves, $5 will have to be invested in distribution  much of it to pay, equip and train health care workers.

Other major costs include improving health infrastructure like cold chains and conducting public outreach to people who would likely have to travel long distances to get a vaccine they might not trust.

But while COVAX has received most of the $11.1 billion it sought to procure vaccines for lower-income countries, rich countries have donated just $565 million of the $9 billion required to prepare health systems, says CAREs Emily Janoch.

Resources follow the attention, she says, "but the goal isnt to have vials of vaccines, its to have vaccinated people.

What to watch: The World Bank is now ramping up funding for distribution, and the Biden administration may soon get involved as well.

The road ahead

Even with sufficient funding and vaccine supply, this might still be the greatest supply chain challenge ever, says Ron Cruse, CEO of Logenix International. His company moves medical supplies around Africa and is preparing to transport coronavirus vaccines as well once the U.S. starts exporting.

Cruse says the challenges are clear just by looking at sub-Saharan Africas two most populous countries, Nigeria and Ethiopia.

We have trouble running malaria nets around Nigeria. Any trucks that go from Lagos to Abuja have to be guarded, he says, including to ensure that authorities dont seize supplies for local use.

Meanwhile, Ethiopia is a tinderbox, Cruse says, noting that millions of people live in conflict areas in the north and west of the country.

Around the continent, the challenges will also include government corruption and a looming rainy season that could make some roads impassable for weeks at a time.

Cruse thinks it simply won't be possible to deploy the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccines at scale in Africa, as they require ultra-cold temperatures.

The COVAX rollout to date has been based almost entirely on AstraZeneca, but that vaccine is facing challenges of both supply and demand.

Johnson & Johnson's single-shot vaccine is a promising alternative, but supply is just now ramping up. That leaves a big role for vaccines from Russia and China.

What's next: Supply to Africa should increase significantly in the second half of this year, particularly as the U.S. starts exporting and manufacturing ramps up in South Africa.
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California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Tuesday in a press briefing the state will fully reopen its economy in less than three months if hospitalization rates remain stable and low and vaccines continue to roll out.

"We are moving beyond the blueprint," said Newsom, referring to the Blueprint for a Safer Economy that has been in place since August. "On June 15, we will be moving beyond the blueprint and getting rid of the colored tiers. Well be getting rid of the dimmer switch."

The governor added that "it will be back to business as usual" as long as progress continues.

The state will track hospitalization rates, vaccine access and vaccine efficacy against variants in the weeks leading up to June 15, and revisit the date if needed.

With the end to the tier system, California will move into this next phase where the state is fully reopened.

Newsom didn't provide specifics on what this means, but the state issued a press release stating "everyday activities" can resume and businesses can operate with "common-sense risk reduction measures, including encouraging all Californians to get vaccinated and mandating masking, to prevent illness and promote health."

Newsom said science and data will dictate how long residents will be required to wear masks and didn't provide a date for the end of the mask mandate.

This news comes after the state issued a record 2.5 million vaccines last week. Newsom lauded the vaccine effort in the state and said if the pace continues, more than 30 million people will have received a vaccine by the end of April.

With more than 20 million vaccines administered across the state, it is time to turn the page on our tier system and begin looking to fully reopen Californias economy, said Newsom. We can now begin planning for our lives post-pandemic. We will need to remain vigilant, and continue the practices that got us here  wearing masks and getting vaccinated  but the light at the end of this tunnel has never been brighter.

The question of whether school districts will be required to offer in-person learning when the state takes this next big step came up at the briefing. Newsom said he wants kids back in school and he's working with legislators to "more firmly advance that cause."

"By June 15, we anticipate there will be no barrier for kids being in school," he said.
Lauderdale County Emergency Management will start to give out coronavirus vaccines this week with the help of two mobile vaccination units at their drive-thru clinics.

Cornerstone Church of Christ is one of the vaccine locations. It's off of Highway 20 in Florence and will be a drive-thru clinic. The other clinic will be this Friday at Joe Wheeler State Park. Each of the trailers will hold 300 doses of vaccine.

"You don't have to worry with making appointments, you do not have to worry about getting out at a doctor's facility or things like that. You will not have to leave your car. You just drive through. Get your shot. Stay in your car and then you will be free to leave," said project manager, Mike Melton.

Melton came out of retirement to head this project up for Lauderdale County. He said the trailers have space for nurses to do paperwork and store vaccines.

"They've been customized with WiFi and they have freezers that will allow us to keep them in the temperature range after they've thawed out to be able to use, so that's what we will be using there will be no medications left on the trailers overnight," said Melton.

Any leftover doses will go back with nurses from the North Alabama Medical Center that will be administering the shots. Lauderdale County EMA Director George Grabryan said this wouldn't be possible without partnerships.

"This effort was simply a vision of the Lauderdale County Commission. We met with NACLOG for the potential of a grant. The problem with that grant was the time to wait. With the issue we are in with this pandemic and getting the vaccines out, time is of the essence," said Grabryan.

The Lauderdale County Commission funded $150,000 to outfit the trailers and get the project going to help serve the rural communities in the east and west ends of the county.

"At the end of the day, the thing we look at is what does it take to bring this out to the people? This certainly gives us capability at the east and west ends of the county in centralized locations that are easily accessible locations," said Grabryan.

Officials said the only reasons why these vaccination clinics would be shutdown is because of bad weather or if they run out of vaccines.

The clinics will be at Cornerstone Church of Christ Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Joe Wheeler one will just be this Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. All of this will restart next week.
Enhanced contact tracing will aid in the uncovering of secret super-spreader events, such as family parties and social gatherings, which are fuelling the stubborn levels of Covid infection.

The new regime of tracing cases back seven days is finding missing links explaining why infection numbers are not falling faster.

Dr Una Fallon, Director of Public Health, HSE Midlands, said the new process, which was added to the national contact-tracing protocol just last week, would help reveal previously hidden information.

It has already alerted public health in her area to a positive case who had been at a family party involving around 15 people.

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Theres a lot of testing around it now and there will be knock-on tentacles, said Dr Fallon.

Its early days but source investigation might uncover what you might call super-spreader events; an event like a party or people who have been to a shebeen or a big household gathering.

I think we are missing that currently. I dont think people volunteer that [information], but we probed and asked... I think that is the advantage of what the contact tracers are doing now.

Plans for contact tracers to identify the source of Covid-19 outbreaks in the community came into practice on Wednesday of last week after several months of delay.

Due to the surge in cases over the New Year period, the HSE said it had not been feasible at that time.

But now, contract-tracing centres are asking people with Covid  who are categorised under community transmission  about settings and events that they have attended going back seven days.

The aim of source identification is to gather information on community transmission cases, where the source of the infection is unknown.

It involves asking a series of questions in order to build a more accurate picture of where people are contracting the virus.

It can help with early treatment and to stop the spread to other areas and more people.

Ive been thinking about what we are going to pick up from this (source investigation by contact tracers) that we dont know already, said Dr Fallon.

I think its going to be that congregate socialising  that super-spreader event that happens, and is then over.

If you can imagine a school, a creche or a factory outbreak, that isnt something thats happened, and then its over. But a funeral is really something that happens, then its over and its not going to happen again. And the party is something that happens and is over. So, I feel that those sort of events, the system doesnt really pick them up and this new source investigation might do that.

In the midlands, Dr Fallon and her team are mainly seeing what is described as household transmission.

The most important thing for people to remember is that your home is really the most frequent source of a new case, she said.

Thats because if one person in the home becomes a case, they have a kind of special definition. Theyre not ordinary close contacts, they are household close contacts. They really have a very high chance of becoming a case. Its very different to any one person that you might have spent more than 15 minutes with at a distance of less than two metres.

At present, if you have five in your home and one person becomes a case, then two out of the other four will probably become a case.

It might have been one before, but now its two and thats because of the new variant. Its hard to prevent those cases but what we can prevent is the case that gets into the house in the first place.

Offaly still has by far the highest infection rate in the country, followed by counties Donegal and Dublin, the latest Covid-19 figures show.

The 14-day incidence rate in Offaly is most pronounced in the Tullamore area.

However, a walk-in test centre for those without symptoms has meant that more people have been tested in Tullamore than in many other parts of the country.

Dr Fallon said one of the drivers of this weeks figures is testing close contacts of a confirmed case on day 10, particularly household contacts.

She said about 40pc of household contacts of a confirmed B117 case end up becoming cases themselves, compared to around 20pc of household contacts during the first and second waves.

The day-10 testing of close contacts, on foot of two big outbreaks, is driving the numbers (in Offaly) this week, Dr Fallon said.

On top of that, weve had the walk-in test centre where weve done approximately 300 tests per day. This has basically doubled the amount of testing in Co Offaly.

Weve tested about 5pc of our population in one week, which is enormous. So we are picking up cases that we otherwise wouldnt have detected before.
Vizianagaram : , April 6 (IANS) Routhu Jagadeesh, the CRPF commander who was martyred in the recent Chhattisgarh encounter was given a state funeral during his final rites on Tuesday.

Vizianagaram district joint collector J.C. Kishore Kumar, RDO B.H. Bhavani Shankar and senior CRPF officials attended the funeral.

A large number of people from Jagadeesh's village Gajularega attended the funeral, where his body was shifted around 9 a.m.

The state government accorded a guard of honour. AP police as well as CRPF jawans shot three rounds in the air separately.

After the completion of official ceremonies, Kumar and Shankar laid wreaths in honour of the hero who sacrificed his life for the country.

CRPF inspector general G.V.H. Giri Prasad, DIG A. Srinivas, commandant Sanjeev and several other officials were also present at the funeral.

Vizianagaram MP Bellana Chandrasekhar, MLA Kolagatla Veerabhadra Swamy and other senior officials also paid their respects to the martyr.

Along with Jagadeesh, Shakamuri Muralikrishna, another jawan from AP also died in the encounter. Muralikrishna (32) hails from Gudipudi village in Guntur district's Sattenapalli mandal.

On Monday, Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy announced an ex-gratia of Rs 30 lakh to their families.
At least seven colleges have announced Covid-19 vaccination requirements for students if they want to return to campus for the upcoming fall semester.

Brown University, which is located in Providence, Rhode Island, has become the latest to announce intentions to require students to receive the vaccine in an effort to have a relatively normal fall semester amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Dr Ashish Jha, the dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, revealed the new policy in a tweet on Tuesday morning

"This morning, @BrownUniversity President Christina Paxson announced plans for close to traditional fall semester on campus (with some adjustments) ... And a requirement that all students on campus be vaccinated," he wrote.

"This is the right call. Vaccines get us our lives back," he added.

Read more:

Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, also announced on Tuesday that it would require all undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students to be fully vaccinated upon returning to campus in the fall. Students would be required to provide proof of vaccination to the school at the start of the semester, the university said, and it intended to fully reopen campus for the fall.

Other universities that have indicated they will require students to have a Covid-19 vaccination include Cornell University, Rutgers University, Fort Lewis College, Nova Southeastern Universit, and St. Edward's University. These students will be required to be fully vaccinated before the fall, and the schools will only allow exceptions related to underlying medical conditions and religious beliefs.

"A broadly vaccinated student body provides our best hope for returning to the hands-on, inclusive, experiential, and personalized learning environment that we have all come to love," Fort Lewis College President Tom Stritikus wrote in a letter to the college community upon making the vaccination announcement

"As such, all students enrolling at FLC for the Fall 2021 semester will be required to get a Covid-19 vaccine," Mr Stritikus added.

Similarly, a Cornell University letter to the student population indicated that the school would expect vaccinations for people on returning "to Ithaca, Geneva, and Cornell Tech campuses for the fall semester."

This decision comes as there have been pushback among officials and lawmakers about requiring people to receive a Covid-19 vaccine.

Florida Governor Ron DeDesantis and Texas Governor Greg Abbott, both Republicans, have issued executive orders that prohibited government-mandated "vaccine passports" in the two states.

"Government should not require any Texan to show proof of vaccination and reveal private health information just to go about their daily lives," Mr Abbott said when making the announcement. "That is why I have issued an executive order that prohibits government-mandated vaccine passports in Texas. We will continue to vaccinate more Texans and protect public health  and we will do so without treading on Texans' personal freedoms."

Mr DeSantis said last week that Florida would not force anyone to receive a vaccine.

But these executive orders were unlikely to prevent educational institutions, specifically private institutions, from requiring student vaccinations ahead of attending.

Already colleges require students to receive specific vaccinations before attending the school. This requirement has been challenged several times in court. In 1922, the US Supreme Court ruled in Zucht v King that a school district could constitutionally exclude unvaccinated students from attending  which has helped set a precedent for future vaccine requirements from educational institutions.

The issue of vaccine passports has been largely partisan, with more Republican lawmakers than Democratic lawmakers indicating they were against requiring the jab because it allegedly infringed on someone's personal freedoms.

Dr Anthony Fauci, the nation's leading infectious disease expert and member of the White House Covid response team, said on Monday that it would be unlikely that the federal government would require Americans to receive a Covid-19 vaccine. But he hypothesised that businesses and educational institutions, such as universities, could make the requirement.

"I doubt that the federal government will be the main mover of a vaccine passport concept," Dr Fauci said. "They may be involved in making sure things are done fairly and equitably, but I doubt if the federal government is gonna be the leading element of that."
Things are going strong in both her new relationship as well as that of the father of her children.

And Kourtney Kardashian posted splendid shots over the weekend and on Monday of a Utah ski vacation taken with her beau Travis Barker and their respective kids on Instagram.

The Keeping Up with the Kardashians star, 41, was on the wintry escape to the Deer Valley ski resort in Utah with Barker, 45, and their respective children.

Fun in the snow: Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker posted splendid shots over the weekend and on Monday of a Utah ski vacation taken together with their respective kids

In the first post, Kourt posed with her youngest son Reign on a stone embankment in front of a snowbank and a glowing mountain view.

The Poosh founder was in grey ski gear while the little boy sported bright orange duds.

'Chilling,' Kourtney captioned the gallery, which also contained video snippets of marshmallow roasting and hot chocolate.

In the first post: Kourt posed with her youngest son Reign on a stone embankment in front of a snowbank and a glowing mountain view

Another gallery saw the eldest Kardashian sister on snowmobiles with Travis's daughter Alabama Luella, 15, and her half-sister Atiana De La Hoya, 22.

'up to snow good,' she cleverly captioned those snaps, which saw the ladies posing in front of snowy vistas.

Travis also posted wonderful moments from their getaway, including a video of the loving pair hurtling down a snowy hill on a blue tube.

Travis also posted wonderful moments from their getaway: Including a video of the loving pair hurtling down a snowy hill on a blue tube

Kourtney could be heard screaming with glee in the brief snippet as they zoom down the hill.

Travis also added a blurry clip of himself cuddling up to Kourtney next to an outdoor fire pit while they were wrapped in winter coats.

'Real is rare,' he wrote in the caption, tagging Kardashian.

Winter moments: Another gallery saw the eldest Kardashian sister on snowmobiles with Travis's daughter Alabama Luella, 15, and her half-sister Atiana De La Hoya, 22

Yum: Kourtney included a gallery which also contained video snippets of marshmallow roasting and hot chocolate
For the second time in two years, the Marine Corps is reviewing the lead-up to a fatal accident -- a move that could leave more senior leaders facing fallout over a series of failures that led to nine troops losing their lives.

Assistant Commandant Gen. Gary Thomas on April 2 directed Lt. Gen. Carl Mundy III to serve as president of a new investigation into the way the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit assembled for its fall deployment last year. Eight Marines and a sailor assigned to that unit were killed during a July pre-deployment training exercise when their amphibious assault vehicle sank off California's coast.

The investigation into the fatal accident found that the tragedy was preventable. Mechanical problems, leadership failures and training gaps all played a role.

Read Next: Lack of Training a Factor in ATV Rollover That Killed 26-Year-Old Airman in Kuwait

Now, a new investigation will probe not only how the California-based 15th MEU came together ahead of its deployment and its units' training and readiness, but also its "higher headquarters oversight."

"The goal," Marine officials said in a statement, "is to ensure the Marine Corps is doing everything possible to prevent this type of mishap from happening again."

When the 15th MEU began to assemble before its fall deployment, the AAVs selected were far from mission-ready, the investigation found, with most being inoperable.

And once the decades-old vehicles were assigned to the MEU, the commander didn't prioritize their maintenance, according to the investigation. The resulting mishap was the deadliest AAV training accident in the Marine Corps history.

Two officers were later relieved of command. Lt. Col. Michael J. Regner, commanding officer of Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, was relieved in October. Col. Christopher Bronzi, the 15th MEU's commanding officer, was relieved last month while the unit was operating in the Middle East.

No one more senior has been reprimanded over the fatal accident. That's despite Lt. Gen. Steven Rudder noting that Maj. Gen. Robert Castellvi, 1st Marine Division's former commanding officer, bore "some responsibility" over the AAV platoon not completing a combat readiness evaluation before the training exercise. Despite that, Rudder decided "not to take administrative or disciplinary action" against Castellvi.

"[Castellvi] is not responsible for any failure that occurred after the MEU composite date, and he was not the on-scene commander during the mishap," Rudder wrote.

Castellvi is now the Marine Corps' inspector general, overseeing inquiries and investigations.

The investigation also recommended "appropriate administrative or disciplinary action" against the AAV platoon commander, AAV platoon sergeant and vehicle commander. Marine officials have not responded to questions about what actions were taken and when.

Families of some of the Marines killed in the accident say the two reliefs and recommended actions don't go far enough. Christiana Sweetwood said she was devastated by the chain of failures that led to the death of her 18-year-old son Chase.

"It goes clear back to March when they were choosing these AAVs that they knew they didn't have time to fix, that they knew that had major issues," she said. "... Everybody just passed the buck clear to the very, very top. And because of that, our boys are dead."

Anyone who failed the fallen Marines and sailor at any point in that long string of breakdowns must be held accountable, Sweetwood added.

Also killed in the AAV accident were:

Cpls. Wesley Rodd and Cesar Villanueva;

Lance Cpls. Marco Barranco and Guillermo Perez;

Pfcs. Bryan Baltierra, Evan Bath, and Jack Ryan Ostrovsky;

Navy Hospitalman Christopher Gnem.

They were assigned to Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines. Seven other Marines in the vehicle survived.

Aleta Bath, who lost her 19-year-old son Evan, said she worries people who've made mistakes that cost others their lives aren't being held accountable. That, she said, could put more Marines in dangerous situations.

"They may be sent to another command somewhere else -- it doesn't mean that your career is over," Bath said. "And this wasn't where someone made a mistake and missed one call. This was a series of bad judgment calls from start to finish."

The Marine Corps has not responded to questions about whether Castellvi's assignment as the service's inspector general is under review. Castellvi did not respond to a request for comment about the investigation.

Lawmakers are also pressing for action. Rep. John Garamendi, a California Democrat and chair of the House Armed Services subcommittee on readiness, told Task & Purpose that the Marine Corps lacks a culture of safety. Garamendi has been pushing for accountability on a series of fatal military ground vehicle accidents.

"The solution is to fire the generals," Garamendi told Task & Purpose.

This is the second time Thomas, the Marine Corps' second highest-ranking general, has called for another look at a deadly training accident. In 2019, he directed a review into the full investigation into a midair collision off the coast of Japan that killed six.

That review found faults with the previous investigation. Two senior officers who previously went unpunished -- a two-star general and a colonel -- later received formal reprimands over the renewed examination of shortfalls leading up to the crash.

Michael McDowell, the father of 1st Lt. H. Conor McDowell, who was killed in a 2019 vehicle rollover, said the need to perform a second investigation into a deadly mishap points to a cultural problem. In a recent opinion piece for Military.com, McDowell called for higher-ranking officers to be held accountable for training accidents.

"After nine young men ... died horrific drowning deaths in an eminently preventable training tragedy last summer, are general officers never to be held accountable, never to be held responsible, never to be penalized?" he wrote. "It certainly looks like it."

Castellvi, he noted, was the general responsible for both his son's unit, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, and the AAV battalion involved in July's accident.

Marine officials did not say when the new probe into the 15th MEU's makeup is expected to be completed. The 15th MEU is wrapping up a deployment to the Middle East and is headed back to California.

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

Related: 'Tragic Mishap Was Preventable': How the Marines Failed 9 Troops Whose 35-Year-Old AAV Sank in the Pacific
Hyderabad, April 6 : With the state witnessing a surge in Covid-19 cases, the Telangana High Court on Tuesday questioned the TRS government why no restrictions were imposed on pubs, bars and cinema theatres.

During hearing on a case relating to the Covid situation in the state, the court wanted to know what steps are being taken to contain spread of the virus.

It asked the government to submit a report within 48 hours on the cases booked against and fines imposed on those violating the guidelines issued to control the situation. The court suggested that action be taken to ensure that there are no large gatherings for marriages and funerals.

It also voiced its unhappiness over a report submitted by the government on Covid tests, treatment and steps taken to contain the spread, observing that the health authorities were conducting fewer RT-PCR tests as they appear to be focusing only on Rapid Antigen Tests. It noted that the number of RT-PCR tests is not even 10 per cent of the total tests being conducted in the state.

When the Advocate General informed the court that the government is gradually ramping up RT-PCR tests, the court said when Covid is spreading fast in its second wave, how long will it take for the government to increase the number of RT-PCR tests.

The court asked the government to publicise the number of tests of tests at bus stations, railway stations and at other crowded places. The health authorities were also directed to conduct a wide publicity campaign about Covid treatment centres and to specially focus on orphanages and old age homes.

The health authorities in the state recently ramped up number of daily tests to about 60,000. Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar on Tuesday asked officials to double the number of tests and Covid vaccinations.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, April 6 : Attacking the Opposition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas" has changed the meaning of secularism.

Addressing BJP workers on the occasion of its 41st foundation day, Modi said: "Parties, who were wearing a mask of false secularism, are finally being unmasked. For them secularism means planning, policy and favour for few. But "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas" has changed the meaning of secularism." Modi added that regional parties who had been formed to fulfil local aspirations, had become family-based parties later, while BJP means defeating dynasty-based politics.

"BJP means defeating the dynasty-based politics. It means an opportunity for able leadership. It means transparency and good governance. It means 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas'," he said.

The Prime Minister pointed out that despite attacks and threats, BJP workers stand firmly with ideology of party.

"Hundreds of our workers sacrificed their lives for the party. In states like Kerala and West Bengal, hundreds of our workers were killed, threatened, and their families attacked. But they firmly stand for their ideology. At the same time, the fate of dynasty is also being seen in 21st century India," he said.

Modi said lies and rumours are being spread by the political opponents to create instability in the country.

"Wrong narratives are created against CAA, farm laws and labour law... it's a pre-planned conspiracy to create political instability in the country. These people spread rumours, lies and create an atmosphere of imaginary fear like 'Constitution will be changed, reservation will end, land will be taken away. All these rumours are lies," Modi said, hitting out at political opponents.

The Prime Minister appealed to the party workers to create awareness about false narratives. "Some people or organisation spread these lies. We have to stay alert, and with the help of correct information, we have to make the countrymen aware about false narratives," Modi said.

Modi paid tribute to the party's ideologues Syama Prasad Mookerjee, Deen Dayal Upadhyay and also remembered Kushabhau Thackeray, Rajmata Scindia and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He also lauded the contribution of senior leaders.

He mentioned that the BJP is a movement to connect with the people.

"People who say we are an election-winning machine' don't understand India's Constitution. The truth is that BJP is not an 'election-winning machine', but a movement that connects with people," Modi added.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-05 23:29:00|Editor: huaxia

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Israeli President Reuven Rivlin (L) attends a meeting on forming a new government in Jerusalem, on April 5, 2021. Rivlin on Monday held talks with all elected parties to help form a new government amid yet another round of inconclusive elections in the country. (Yonatan Sindel/ JINI via Xinhua)

JERUSALEM, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Israeli President Reuven Rivlin on Monday held talks with all elected parties to help form a new government amid yet another round of inconclusive elections in the country.

In the meetings, the parties recommended which candidate the president should task with forming the next government.

Rivlin started the one-day talks by meeting with lawmakers with the Likud, Netanyahu's right-wing party.

"The main consideration that will guide me is entrusting a lawmaker with the task who has the best chance of forming a government that will have the confidence of the new parliament," Rivlin said in televised remarks at the beginning of the talks.

The consultations are a formal procedure in Israel after elections, in which the 120 newly-elected members of the parliament, or the Knesset, give their recommendations on which leader should form the government.

The president then selects the candidate with the best chances of forming a government. At no time in Israel's history did a party win an outright majority to form a government. A coalition needs at least 61 members of the 120-member Knesset.

In the elections held on March 23, neither Netanyahu's allies nor his rivals gained enough votes to secure a 61-seat coalition. It was already the fourth elections in Israel in the past two years amid a lingering political stalemate. Enditem
As travellers worldwide dream of escaping on holiday, Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott Internationals portfolio of 30 brands, is expanding in some of the most desirable leisure destinations across Europe and The UAE.

New openings for 2021 - including Moxy Bordeaux, Moxy Bergen, Moxy Lisbon City, AC Hotel Tenerife, Residence Inn Al Jaddaf, and Four Points by Sheraton Sesimbra - are set to quench the growing thirst for adventure and escapism amongst travellers, offering bright and innovative accommodation in stunning locations.

With travel on the horizon, leisure bookings are driving the demand for international stays as people urge to make up for lost time with friends and family. said Jenni Benzaquen, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Design Hotels & EMEA Brand portfolio. Looking forward, leisure destinations will play a significant role in our recovery and Marriott Bonvoy has a robust portfolio of leisure hotels across the EMEA region, with some fantastic new additions this year. These distinctive new openings, built with flexible and open spaces, signify a key to freedom for patient holidaymakers, and offer a chance to explore desirable, cultural destinations once again.

Marriott Bonvoys leading portfolio of select service brands has defined this flourishing market. Catering to travellers looking for an equilibrium between what they truly need and eliminating what they dont, the brands are known for their relaxed atmosphere, streamlined and consistently warm service all at an attractive price point.

According to World Bank, in 2019 Europe, Middle East and Africas international leisure tourism arrivals accounted for 48 per cent of global tourism. Leisure travel is set to outstrip business travel in 2021, particularly through a large volume of rescheduled trips, as well as an appetite to commemorate missed life events such as birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and honeymoons. Worldwide searches for European holiday have more than doubled from January 17 to March 7, according to Google Trends.

Travellers who cannot wait to start planning their holidays can choose from Marriott Bonvoys inspiring and varied selection of new hotels including:

Moxy Lisbon City  Opening April 2021

The 136-guestroom hotel is the perfect place to make the most of Portugals energetic spirit. Located in the city centre, the hotel sits atop the Avenida Duque de Loule, within walking distance from the renowned palm-lined shopping boulevard Avenida da Liberdade. Fun-hunters will fall head-over-heels for the city that boasts one of Europes hottest food scenes and a creative flair giving rise to emerging designers, artists and ceramicists.

Providing affordability without compromising on style, interiors expertly blend Portugese traditions with modern-day street art. Moxy hotels thrive off showing guests a good time with stylish, communal spaces and bars at the centre of the action, and cosy, smart guestrooms. Guests can enjoy playful Moxy touches, including check-in at the bar and a complimentary cocktail on arrival. The rooftop, which has a 15-metre pool, offers spectacular panoramas across the citys terracotta roofs, colourful ceramic-tiled facades, the glistening river Tagus and city landmarks including the Crito Rei statue and 25 de Abril Bridge.

Residence Inn Al Jaddaf  Just Opened

Newly opened in March this year, the Residence Inn Al Jaddaf marks the brand entry in the UAE. Located in a prime city district boasting spectacular views of the Burj Khalifa the hotel offers convenient access to key areas including Downtown Dubai and Business Bay. Welcoming guests into a thoughtful, comfortable, and intuitive space, the longer-stay brand experience is designed for guests to travel the way they love to live by blending comfort with style.

Featuring 134 modern residential suites, many of which boast private terraces and impressive views, the hotel offers travellers a home away from home experience. The spacious studio, one and two-bedroom suites, and three-bedroom duplex suites, all have fully equipped kitchens, large bathrooms, peaceful sleeping areas, and separate living and working spaces. Each well-appointed suite is thoughtfully designed to give guests a sense of openness.

Moxy Bergen  Opening May 2021

Located in Norways stunning Bergen, renowned for its eye-popping natural scenery, Moxy Bergens prime waterfront location offers views over Norways famed fjord. The hotels unique design is inspired by its destination; the exterior is coated with rails in a pattern mimicking the waves, and inside the centrepiece table is adorned with anchor ball lamps and rope decoration, telling the story of local harbour life. The stylish design uses natural elements, with wood being prevalent in furniture and installations throughout public spaces including the buzzing Bar, the centre of the Moxy experience. Interiors include unique decorations created by local artists, such as a Norwegian folklore figure from the forests of Norway.

Travellers can soak up the very best of the scenery throughout their stay with each of the hotels 199 guestrooms boasting views of either the fjords or the mountains. The perfect choice for eco-conscious travellers, the Moxy Bergen repurposes excess heat to CO2, used for the refrigeration system, and uses water directly from the fjord to heat and cool the building.

Moxy Bordeaux  Opening June 2021

Ideal for wine-lovers looking to make the most of the award-winning region, Moxy Bordeaux is located next door to the notorious La Cite du Vin museum, in the centre of the Bassins a Flots area, a vibrant and colourful destination infused with the districts cosmopolitan history.

The locations industrial and maritime heritage has inspired much of the hotels design, which features industrial metal sheets at the entrance of the elevators and exposed pipes in the ceilings. The hotel has a lively and upbeat lobby bar along with an impressive micro-forest terrace which is set beside the areas historic cylindrical silos that were once used for the oil mill industry, now a characteristic symbol of the district. The renewable energy-friendly hotel has 133 rooms including 128 standard rooms and 5 rooms of 24 square metres with rooftop terrace harbor view.

AC Hotel Tenerife  Just Opened

Newly opened in March 2021 and marking AC Hotels debut in Tenerife, the hotel offers an unparalleled location in Santa Cruzs historic district as well as ACs sleek, signature style. Situated in front of the marina, the hotel is just a few minutes walk from cultural sites including the Castillo de San Cristobal or Museo Municipal de Bellas Artes and is surrounded by a variety of shops. With the islands beautiful beaches nearby, guests can easily dive into the Atlantic or catch some rays on the stunning shores.

Occupying a building constructed in the 1980s, the hotel keeps the eras signature style and infuses it with ACs chic design. The hotel provides everything guests need, with carefully crafted, flexible open spaces to create a comfortable and effortless stay. Guests can bask in the sunny climes and stunning views on the hotels rooftop terrace, cool down in the rooftop pool, taste local dishes in the AC Lounge and unwind with a signature AC cocktail. The 83 well-appointed guestrooms boast an elegant, purposeful design.

Four Points by Sheraton Sesimbra  Re-Opening May 2021

An ever-popular destination amongst locals and tourists alike, the idyllic curving bay of Sesimbra set just 32 kilometres south of Lisbon, is one of the finest beach hotels in Portugal. Marking Four Points first hotel in Portugal, the property is set on a leafy hillside with views of the Atlantic Ocean, and a short stroll from Ouro Beach.

With maritime-inspired decor, a nod to the regions fishing trade, Four Points by Sheraton Sesimbra offers a place for guests to kick back, relax and unwind. Travellers can indulge in authentic local cuisine at the hotels contemporary restaurant and terrace, or relax in the fitness centre and swimming pool. The hotels Best Brew programme offers craft beers and authentic local flavours including their signature brew SADINA, which comes from a producer from nearby city Setubal.

Guests at all these properties can earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points during their stays and enjoy all the benefits of staying as a member. As the world continues on its journey to recovery, Marriott International remains committed to implementing a clean environment that aligns with expert protocols to defeat Covid-19. All hotels will implement Marriott Internationals Commitment to Clean operating standards and protocols that include enhanced health and safety standards, anchored by the companys Global Cleanliness Council. These include guest and associate face covering requirements, social distancing policies, reduced seating capacity for meetings, frequent cleaning of high-touch areas, hand sanitising stations throughout the hotel, mobile technology and hybrid meeting options. - TradeArabia News Service
More than three million doses are now being given on average each day, compared with well under one million when Mr. Biden took office in January, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Every state has now given at least one dose to a quarter or more of its population. About 62.4 million people  19 percent of Americans  have been fully vaccinated.

On Monday, Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland announced that all Maryland residents 16 or older would be eligible from Tuesday for a shot at the states mass vaccination sites, and starting April 19 at any vaccine provider in the state.

Also on Monday, Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey and Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington, D.C., said residents 16 or older would be eligible on April 19.

Gov. Kate Brown of Oregon announced Tuesday that all Oregonians over the age of 16 were eligible to receive a vaccine. The state had been limiting the doses to those with underlying conditions and frontline workers.

That leaves one state, Hawaii, keeping to Mr. Bidens original deadline of May 1.

In Hawaii, 34 percent of residents have received at least one dose. Alabama has vaccinated the lowest proportion of its residents, at 25 percent.
Soft-Tex Global Logo We look forward to bringing our array of proprietary technologies around the globe and are excited for the launch of Soft-Tex Global... [Ben's] extensive background as a proven leader in the areas of innovation, marketing, and sales make him the perfect choice to lead this entity. -Mark Smiderle

Soft-Tex International, Inc. is excited to announce the launch of a new subsidiary Soft-Tex Global, LLC to better serve the international market through establishing both distribution of Soft-Tex products in new markets and licensing opportunities for all of Soft-Tex intellectual property. Industry veteran Ben Ducatteeuw has been hired to lead Soft-Tex Global.

Ducatteeuw joins Soft-Tex with over 20 years of bedding industry experience and a proven leadership track record having held numerous sales and marketing executive positions, most recently serving as Chief Executive Officer of Latexco USA and prior to that Managing Director DesleeClama Innovation Center (acquired by BekaertDeslee).

We look forward to bringing our array of proprietary technologies around the globe and are excited for the launch of Soft-Tex Global with Ben at the helm. His extensive background as a proven leader in the areas of innovation, marketing, and sales make him the perfect choice to lead this entity, said Mark Smiderle, Principal of Soft-Tex International, Inc.

Owen Shoemaker will also transition to join the Soft-Tex Global team leading international licensing and supporting business development efforts. Shoemaker is a seasoned bedding industry veteran previously serving as Chief Operating Officer of King Koil, leading their global licensing efforts.

New Products

Soft-Tex Global will be launching top of bed accessories in the European market in Q2 2021 looking to translate successful products and technologies from North America and localize them for the European market. The entity is also establishing new distribution and licensing partnerships in Asia and South America launching in Q2 as well.

Were excited to bring Soft-Texs exciting portfolio of technology, innovations, and brands to the international markets such as Europe, Asia and Latin-America with the mission to support International growth by establishing strategic partnerships with local bedding manufacturers, International licensees, and local retailers. We are also seeking to further expand our innovative sleep technologies, concepts and mattress designs, localized for each market, offering local distribution and customized marketing support, said Ben Ducatteeuw, Head of Soft-Tex Global.

For more information on Soft-Tex Global, please visit softtexglobal.com to learn more about upcoming product launches and available brands, technologies, and licensing opportunities.

The Soft-Tex Global team will be available for meetings during Las Vegas Market week, April 11-15th. For appointments, please email marketinvites@soft-tex.com.
Celebrity investor Kevin OLeary claims that he is refusing to purchase any bitcoin that has been mined in China.

On CNBCs Capital Connection, OLeary brought up what he considers to be a growing issue with bitcoin.

First, he highlighted that bitcoin had yet to make any substantial inroads in institutional portfolios. He claims that a growing priority for investors is knowing where their investments are sourced.

OLeary explained, We have covenants around how assets are made, whether carbon is burned, whether human rights are involved, whether its made in China. All these issues that have now come to the fore on bitcoin.

Put simply, he said, institutions will not buy [BTC] mined in China, coins that have been mined using coal to burn for electricity, or coins mined in countries with sanctions on them.

He said there was now a significant demand for virgin coin. OLeary also said that in the next year or two, distinct classes of coins would emerge; blood coin from China, [and] clean coin mined sustainably in countries that use hydroelectricity, not coal.

Bitcoins Moral Hurdle

Although the chairman of OShares ETFs had once declared bitcoin to be garbage, he recently changed his mind. After announcing that he would be allocating 3% of his personal portfolio to the cryptocurrency, he said he was inundated with concerns over the source of his acquisitions.

At this point, OLeary said he was being very deliberate about making sure the Bitcoin he acquires is compliant. Im going on the side of clean coin. Im buying assets inside of miners that can do that, he added.

He continued by saying this was a major hurdle for those who are growing interested in crypto to overcome. Youve got this asset class held in limbo in a remarkable struggle, a remarkable situation.

OLeary explained that while before, many people didnt give it much thought. However, as more countries begin to regulate it, potential investors are concerned over whether the asset is compliant with their values.

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OLearys Issues With China

Although OLeary denied Chinas mining of Bitcoin to be a national security threat, he did admit that the US was in a bit of trade war still with China.

Despite the fact that by April 2020, 65% of Bitcoin had been mined in China, he says that BTC being sourced there negates institutional interest. Not just for the carbon issue, but also human rights issues. Do they want to support a regime that has issues with human rights or with Muslims, [theyre] saying we dont want to endorse this, OLeary explained.

Finally, OLeary highlighted how discriminating he has become when it comes to buying bitcoin. Now Im not buying coin unless I know where it was mined, when it was mined, the provenance of it. Not in China. No blood coin for me.
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New Delhi, April 6 : United States Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has argued for a global minimum corporate tax rate.

Wall Street Journal reported that President Biden's proposal to raise the corporate tax rate to 28 per cent from 21 per cent would push the US from the middle of the pack among major economies to near the top.

The Biden plan would also impose a minimum 21 per cent tax on US companies' foreign income, remove an export incentive and raise taxes on some foreign companies' US operations.

WSJ said if the US raises its tax rates and imposes higher burdens on US companies' foreign profits, a global minimum tax would help prevent companies based in other countries from having a significant potential advantage.

That coordination and the ensuing tax revenue-not necessarily the aims of US-based companies-rank high on the administration's priorities.

"Competitiveness is about more than how US-headquartered companies fare against other companies in global merger and acquisition bids," Yellen said in remarks to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs on Monday.

"It is about making sure that governments have stable tax systems that raise sufficient revenue to invest in essential public goods and respond to crises, and that all citizens fairly share the burden of financing government", WSJ reported.

Yellen's remarks came as Finance Ministers prepared to gather virtually for semi-annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank this week.

Speaking to reporters in Washington, Biden took aim at around 50 corporations on the Fortune 500 list that paid no taxes at all for three years, saying it was time for them to pay their share.

When asked if raising the corporate tax rate to 28 per cent from 21 per cent would drive away corporations, Biden said: "Not at all... there's no evidence of that."

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Even though the politics of Tamil Nadu is dominated by AIADMK and DMK which even sides BJP and Congress, there are still a number of regional parties along with actor-politician Kamal Hassan this year that are also contesting the state's Assembly elections.

People of Tamil Nadu, kerala and Puducherry will today vote for a new government as the polling for 234 Assembly seats, 30 assembly seats in Puducherry and 140 in Kerala in a single-phase Assembly elections of the state is currently underway. Ruling AIADMK has forged an alliance with Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) against the DMK-Congress alliance. AIADMK-BJP alliance is being led by Chief Minister Edapaddi K Palaniswami while the DMK-Congress alliance that swept 38 out of 39 Lok Sabha seats in 2019 is being led by MK Stalin. In Puducherry, out of the 30 assembly seats, five are reserved for candidates belonging to the Scheduled Caste.

A total of 10,04,507 voters in the territory will exercise their franchise which further would decide the fate of the 324 candidates in the region. The Election Commission of India recorded a voter turnout of 39.90% in TN, 53.76% in Puducherry and 47.28% in Kerala till 1 pm. Tamil superstar Rajinikanth and actor turned politician Kamal Hassan also turned up to cast their votes.

Even though the politics of Tamil Nadu is dominated by AIADMK and DMK which even sides BJP and Congress, there are still a number of regional parties along with actor-politician Kamal Hassan this year that are also contesting the states Assembly elections. the BJP is trying to gain a foothold in an already politically established state where many parties are jostling for spaces in a changed scenario.

#KeralaElections2021: Union Minister V Muraleedharan casts vote at Kottaram booth in Ulloor, Thiruvananthapuram. "This poll is going to create a sort of milestone in political history of Kerala. People will express their dissatisfaction & reject both UDF & LDF alliances," he says pic.twitter.com/TSVgNIuAW0  ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2021

#TamilNaduElections2021 | Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) Chief Vaiko casts his vote at Kalingapatty pic.twitter.com/90rupj0mh4  ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2021

I appeal to all to cast their vote in legislative assembly elections: Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K Palaniswami pic.twitter.com/0lHXs4HG4Z  ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2021

#TamilNadu: Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami casts his vote at a polling station in Siluvampalayam, Eddapadi pic.twitter.com/WTy8Cd01dH  ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2021

Also read: Scientist Nambi Narayanans case likely to send ripples to Kerala politics; Centre urges SC to take action

In the race to occupy the space left empty in Tamil Nadu politics after the death of J Jayalalithaa and M Karunanidhi, all national parties, regional parties and alliances are determinedly putting in all their efforts in these elections.

Also read: Bengal EVM controversy: Congress alleges CCTV blackout; Will Bengal witness a peaceful phase?
Press Release

April 5, 2021 De Lima belies Colangco's claim vs her in clip, says video recorded to ensure his safety Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has belied the recent allegations of Bilibid inmate Herbert Colangco against her in a video rant, stressing that such move was merely his attempt to ensure his safety in prison, and his handlers' ploy to try to deflect the real issue of Duterte administration's incompetence and failed pandemic response. De Lima said she was not surprised that Colangco, convicted of robbery and robbery with homicide, made the video rant right after the recent death of convicted Calauan Mayor Antonio Sanchez, who, like Jaybee Sebastian and other high-profile Bilibid convicts, died under dubious circumstances last March 27 inside his detention at the national penitentiary. "The video rant of convicted murderer Herbert Colangco of RCBC Massacre infamy, now being disseminated by DDS social media sites, is his way of telling Duterte not to kill him yet because he still has a purpose to serve," she said in her Dispatch from Crame No. 1051. Colangco, who is currently detained in the tightly guarded general headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Camp Aguinaldo, recently alleged in a 20-minute video clip from prison that their lives are at risk. He claimed that there was a supposed plan to transfer the supervision of witnesses against De Lima, including him, from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), adding that that such move was purportedly meant to delay his expose against De Lima as a witness in her drug trial. For her part, De Lima recalled that NBP inmate and Prosecution witness against her, Noel Martinez, revealed under oath that there were talks among Bilibid inmates that some of those who died in prison were victims of "nacovid-covid", most possibly referring to the supposed phenomenon of Bilibid inmates getting killed under the pretext of having infected with the Corona virus and immediately cremated to dispose of any evidence of the actual cause of death. "Indeed, an incinerated cadaver will no longer leave traces of cyanide, or any other evidence of foul play," said De Lima, the most prominent political prisoner under the Duterte regime. The lady Senator from Bicol said Colangco's video only proved that he continues to enjoy several perks as a DOJ witness, including cellphones and access to the internet. "All of this is not to mention how Colangco seems to be living in better quarters since he lied in his testimony against me before the House Justice Committee in 2016, probably more luxurious than his Bilibid kubol I ordered to be dismantled during the Bilibid raid of December 2014," she said. "These privileges are given to the killer of RCBC employees in exchange for his perjured testimony against me," she added. With the release of the video, De Lima lamented how Duterte is still more interested in this diabolical scheme against her rather than in solving the COVID-19 crisis which continues to destroy the country's economy and burden the public. "The mismanagement and incompetence is almost incomprehensible, definitely inexcusable, criminal, and a national scandal of epic proportions. Yet what is Duterte doing? Groping his household help with his lechon-oily hands on his birthday, a most cursed day in our history as a proud nation," she said. De Lima further lamented how Colangco's scripted rants and her trial are now being used as just another sideshow to distract Filipinos "from the doom that awaits them, as Duterte continues to bungle the COVID crisis and destroy our economy." "Tama na. Sobra sobra na ang Kalbaryong dinaanan at krus na pinasan natin sa ilalim ni Duterte. Isalba na po natin ang ating sarili at ang ating mga mahal sa buhay. Panahon nang paalisin ang buang at inutil na Pangulo sa Malacanang," said she. In a separate post on Twitter, De Lima pointed out that unlike Colangco and other morally depraved felons coddled by Duterte and the DOJ, she has no cellphone or electronic gadgets or access to the internet in her detention quarters in Camp Crame where she is currently detained unjustly. "Sulat kamay lahat and then I send them out to my staff for encoding and release," she maintained.
Miami-Dade Countys midnight curfew will be lifted next week, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava announced Monday, marking the imminent end of a measure to curb the spread of COVID-19 that has survived legal challenges and rankled business owners since its implementation last summer.

At a press conference, Levine Cava said that beginning at 12:01 a.m. April 12, businesses will be able to operate past midnight in Miami-Dade  the only county in Florida that continues to impose a COVID-related curfew.

She said her administration considered different data points in deciding to lift the curfew and also roll out a new, less stringent set of guidelines meant to help businesses stem the spread of the virus while getting back to work.

We developed these new guidelines based on the current status of the COVID response, the availability of the vaccine, the aggressive campaign that were mounting, Levine Cava said outside the Stephen P. Clark Government Center in Miami. We considered all the available data, including the 14-day [test] positivity rate, and also hospitalization from COVID and death rates. These have all declined significantly as vaccinations for the most vulnerable have expanded and our overall vaccination program has progressed.

The announcement  made the same day that Florida opened up vaccines to all adults  was a dramatic step toward loosening restrictions put in place by Levine Cavas predecessor, Carlos Gimenez, during the throes of the pandemic.

Before Mondays press conference, Levine Cava signed a new executive order that cancels a series of past COVID-related orders and says all businesses and facilities can remain open as long as they follow four basic rules: comply with mask requirements, provide hand sanitizer or hand-washing facilities, make reasonable efforts to keep social distancing and ensure sick employees do not report to work.

The new rules  not including the lifting of the curfew  will go into effect Tuesday at 6 p.m. Levine Cava said the eased regulations will allow childcare centers to double capacity, senior centers to resume programs and public water fountains to run again, under certain protocols.

Story continues

This truly is a turning point for us in addressing this disease, she said.

Under pressure

Levine Cava had been targeting Monday as the date to lift the curfew that forces businesses to stay closed between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. In a March 5 memo to county commissioners, the mayor said she would lift the curfew on April 5 if COVID-19 conditions improved and if the two-week average of positive test results countywide hit 5.5% or less.

As of Sunday, that number was 6.4%, slightly higher than it was both a week earlier and a month earlier.

But the mayor said the positivity rate was only one of many factors in her decision. And Levine Cavas chief medical officer, Dr. Peter Paige, said Monday that the county had expected a little bit of an increase in the positivity rate with the amount of activity in Miami this spring. The county, especially Miami Beach, has been a popular destination for spring breakers.

We thought wed get a little bump, but it really hasnt been as bad as we thought it could have been, he said. So thats also a positive.

Levine Cavas announcement comes amid pressure to lift the countys COVID curfew. When Levine Cava extended the midnight curfew through March, it irked some county commissioners and restaurant owners. A group of Wynwood bars and restaurants filed a challenge to the curfew in federal court, arguing that the county failed to present evidence that COVID-19 is more likely to spread ... during late-night hours as opposed to daytime hours.

Lifting the curfew will mean big changes for bar owners. Michael Beltran, who owns Taurus Whiskey Bar in Coconut Grove and Scapegoat on Miami Beach, told the Miami Herald the bars have been announcing last call at 11:20 p.m. each night and playing the song Closing Time at 11:55 p.m. for months, while hoping the curfew would be lifted after spring break ended.

Weve been preparing and planning for this for a while, Beltran said. The bars had been doing a fraction of the sales theyre used to. And ours are small, chill bars that arent crazy.

Staffing shortages throughout the restaurant industry will still present a challenge. Many part-timers have left the restaurant industry. In Miami, the hospitality sector is booming, but workers have been slow to return for a variety of reasons, including access to vaccines.

Beltrans bars have liquor licenses that allow them to stay open until 3 a.m., meaning they will have to quickly hire staff and rethink work schedules.

Were going to have to get creative, he said.

Nancy Torre, a 26-year employee at Miami International Airport and member of hospitality union Unite Here Local 355, said during the press conference that workers across the tourism and hospitality industry are eager to get back on the job now that vaccines are widely available and business restrictions are starting to ease.

We all need to work. We lost our jobs due to COVID. Some have been called back, but we all need to get back to work, she said. We are the face of tourism here, and so we need to work safely, vaccinated and with social distancing and masks on.

In the South Beach entertainment district, the epicenter of spring break revelry and a resulting backlash from Miami Beach officials, an even stricter 8 p.m. curfew remains in place on weekends. City officials voted last month to keep the restrictions in place until April 12, when they expect spring break to wind down.

New guidelines

Gimenez, the former mayor, issued the countys New Normal rules last May coming out of a statewide shutdown and first imposed a countywide curfew in July as a surge of COVID-19 infections spread through the population. The curfew started at 10 p.m. then, but was moved back to midnight.

Other than the curfew, which will be completely lifted, the countys new COVID rules are similar in many ways to the prior ones, with some wrinkles.

Masks are still required in public except in certain situations, including at religious institutions and hotels and outside while standing at least 10 feet away from non-family members.

Public gatherings of 10 or more people are still banned unless people are properly socially distanced. And theres an exception for people on private boats.

Levine Cavas executive order also clarifies that employees dont need a negative COVID test before returning to work, mirroring a change the county made in its policy for county employees last month. Instead, employees can return 10 days after a positive test if they have no symptoms, 10 days after a positive test if they had mild symptoms and havent had a fever for 24 hours, or 14 days or longer if they had severe symptoms.

As before, non-compliant businesses must shut down until they submit a form to Miami-Dade police attesting that problems have been addressed. After that, businesses must turn in compliance plans if theyre caught breaking the rules again.

The countys 34 municipalities can impose stricter COVID rules than the county as they see fit.

The executive order is supplemented by a 20-page handbook that isnt legally binding but provides guidance on best practices for mask-wearing, social distancing, business capacity, sanitation and signage for various types of businesses.

Vaccines and variants

Though Levine Cava said Monday that available data support reduced restrictions, there are some reasons for concern.

An analysis last week by University of South Florida professor Jason Salemi showed that, over the previous two weeks, cases in people 18-24 in Miami-Dade had increased by 39%.

Variants of the virus and a particular mutation have also caused concern among researchers in recent weeks.

And the deadly virus is still circulating at substantial rates in Florida, especially in Miami-Dade, where there are about 47 daily cases per 100,000 people. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers anywhere between 5 to 50 daily cases per 100,000 people moderate spread, while anything above that is considered high spread.

But the countys COVID dashboard shows that more than 458,000 of the countys approximately 2.7 million residents have received a complete COVID vaccine series (one dose of Johnson & Johnson or two doses of Pfizer or Moderna), and another 335,000 have received a first dose.

David Grutman, founder of Groot Hospitality, which runs LIV and Story nightclubs on Miami Beach, said during Mondays press conference that theres now reason to hope for better days in the near future because of the increasing availability of vaccines.

The fact that were able to roll out vaccines so quickly and act so quickly to get us back open, its amazing, he said.

Miami Herald staff writer Carlos Frias contributed to this report.
On Tuesday, the Standing Bureau of the Chamber of Deputies rejected a proposal from the Committee for Human Rights, Cults and Issues of National Minorities asking for a subcommittee on Romanians' issues in Covasna, Harghita and Mures Counties to be set up.

In a letter to the Standing Bureau, the Committee on Human Rights argues that "the need to set up such a subcommittee is determined by the specific problems facing the numerically reduced Romanian communities in Covasna, Harghita and Mures Counties, as well as by repeated public appeals launched by the central public administration institutions, by the Government and the President of Romania, through which they demanded the finding of solutions to ensure the preservation and affirmation of their identity, culture and tradition, agerpres.ro confirms.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) speaks during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on March 24, 2021. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Graham Urges Fauci to Assess If Biden Border Policies Are Creating COVID Super-Spreader Event

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Monday once again urged infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci to visit the U.S.-Mexico border to determine whether Biden administration policies are undercutting the nations herculean efforts to control the spread of COVID-19.

Graham published his letter to U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) director Fauci on Twitter, saying that he hopes Bidens chief medical adviser will travel to the Southern border to survey what many consider to be a public health crisis related to the surge of migration from Central America.

My letter to Dr. Fauci urging him to travel to the U.S.-Mexico border to survey what many consider to be a public health crisis related to the surge of migration from Central America. pic.twitter.com/mXDQsYufd7  Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) April 5, 2021

Is the Biden Administration undermining the work to stop the spread of COVID-19 with the current policies and procedures in place? I think so, but you [Dr. Fauci] are the expert, Graham said in his letter.

It comes as the United States faces a surge in illegal border crossings in recent weeks. More than 100,000 apprehensions of illegal crossers were made in FebruaryPresident Joe Bidens first month in officeand another 26,000 people evaded capture, according to internal data reviewed by The Epoch Times.

Border Patrol agents detained more than 150,000 immigrants in March, former Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Mark Morgan said on March 30, citing internal data he was provided by sources.

While the Biden administration has said that the border isnt open, Biden reversed or altered a number of key Trump-era provisions, which contributed to the surge, experts have told The Epoch Times.

Graham in his letter noted that as many as one in 10 migrants crossing the border have tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, and that some of the Customs and Border Protection facilities where they are housed are sometimes 800-900 percent over capacity.

Given the dire overcrowding situation, the Biden administration has decided to quickly release migrants from these facilities. In many cases, the American taxpayer is paying to transport them thousands of miles from the U.S.-Mexico border, Graham wrote.

The Republican senator said that he believes the current setup and procedures being used by the Biden administration are creating a COVID super-spreader event.

However, your expert opinion could confirm or alleviate these concerns, Graham wrote, adding that if his concerns are valid, we need to find ways to stop it.

Lets make sure the policies and procedures at the U.S.-Mexico border are protecting Americans from the spread of COVID-19, not accelerating its spread, he concluded.

Grahams letter comes just days after Fauci said that hes too busy to visit the border, in response to growing Republican criticism that he has been silent on the matter.

Fauci told Fox News Neil Cavuto on Friday that its not his role to travel to the U.S.-Mexico border, calling Grahams previous remarks a little bit bizarre.

When asked by Cavuto about whether he believes there could be a super-spreader event at the border, Fauci said that it is a very difficult situation, and that he believes the Biden administration is doing its best to alleviate the problem.

Having me down at the borderthats really not what I do, Fauci responded. I develop vaccines, I develop countermeasures. I mean, having me at the border, I dont know why theyre saying I should be at the border.

People crossing the southern border are tested to the extent possible, Fauci told Cavuto. If theyre positive, theyre quarantined. Thats what I know about it. No one is denying that its not a difficult problem at the border.

Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and John Cornyn (R-Texas), the top Republican on the Senate Immigration Subcommittee, have called for Democrats to hold a public hearing on the border crisis and question Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

Zachary Stieber contributed to this report.
Bonnie Wright-Miller, a Massachusetts denizen pursuing a career in brain healing and stroke recovery in the Boston area, has completed her new book The Apple Pantry: Suggestive Imaging Series Book 3: a gripping and potent analysis of mirror cells in relation to real-life application.

Published by Page Publishing, Bonnie Wright-Millers captivating book requires the reader to know whether they like the coffee, tea, and other items bought at the store. Coffee and tea are used as examples to show the reader how to approve of an image of what the jar looks like and see that it is clean and dry. This will allow the reader to lift the jar with their hand and know that they are placing an item that they like in the shelf. Then, the reader will be able to form a memory of how the jar looks on the shelf.

Readers who wish to experience this informative work can purchase The Apple Pantry: Suggestive Imaging Series Book 3 at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com.
Reopening

6 April 2021

Park Hyatt New York is pleased to welcome guests once again to experience Midtown Manhattan's exceptional five-star hotel on Billionaires' Row. The Award-winning hotel, which has secured several accolades and gained accreditation for its cleaning and safety protocols, welcome guests to rediscover the luster of Midtown Manhattan once again.

Five-Star Amenities:

The heated indoor saltwater pool will be available to guests daily from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. To ensure proper social distancing measures, pool access can be booked via a reservation for 45-minute sessions.

The state-of-the-art fitness center, which offers expansive city views, will be open 24 hours.

In-room dining will be available to guests from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily.

The Living Room Restaurant & Lounge, as well as Spa Nalai, expect to resume operations in the coming months.

Spacious Rooms & Suites:

Generously sized guestrooms start at 550 square feet. Suites start at 700 square feet. All guestrooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows with city views, spa-inspired 5-piece bathrooms, soaking tubs and rain showers with Le Labo amenities. Offering 12 different suite types, the One Bedroom Sky Terrace Suite spans 1,000 square feet, with a private open-air 350-square-foot terrace offering city views, sophisticated artwork, custom Yabu Pushelberg furnishings, separate bathtub and shower, and more.
In a magnificent building with a pyramid structure resting on four columns on top, and with a vast yard overlooking a natural lake, the newly-opened National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) in Cairo highlight the Egyptian civilization from the Predynastic period to the modern age.

Passing through the main door, visitors encounter a tube-like shiny hallway leading to the main premises that includes the Main Exhibition Hall, whose entrance has a downward stairway leading to the Royal Mummies Hall located underneath.

Both halls were inaugurated Saturday evening by Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, following a majestic festive parade celebrating the relocation of 22 royal mummies of 18 ancient Egyptian kings and four queens from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo to the NMEC in Al-Fustat neighborhood a few kilometers away.

Ahmed Ghoneim, executive director of the NMEC, described the museum as "a lighthouse for culture and tourism in Egypt, the Arab world and Africa."

Ghoneim pointed out that the size of the main hall is about 2,000 square meters, while the total area of the museum is approximately 33 feddans (some 138,600 square meters).

"We have now 65,000 artifacts but our warehouses can accommodate 100,000 artifacts. Of them, about 1,600 artifacts are displayed here in the Main Exhibition Hall," the director told Xinhua inside the museum.

The main hall showcases artifacts from the prehistoric times, the Pharaonic dynasties, the Islamic and Coptic eras until the modern-day Egypt.

Besides Pharaonic statues and objects, the main hall hosts a human skeleton dating back 35,000 years, the oldest artificial limb in history, which shows how ancient Egyptians advanced in medicine, according to the museum's executive director.

The royal mummies that were moved to the NMEC belonged to kings and queens of the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th dynasties, dating back some 3,000 years, including the mummies of famous ancient Egyptian King Ramses II and Queen Hatshepsut.

The mummies hall will be opened on April 18 to coincide with the International Day for Monuments and Sites, also known as World Heritage Day.

"The Royal Mummies Hall will exhibit about 150 pieces, including the mummies as well as their coffins. For the first time, each mummy will be exhibited near the coffin where it was found," Sayed Abu el-Fadl, supervisor of the main hall and the mummies hall, explained.

With joint efforts of the UNESCO and the Egyptian government, the NMEC's foundation stone was laid in 2002 and its temporary exhibition hall was opened in 2017.

The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said that at least 800 NMEC tickets were sold on Sunday, the first day of opening the main hall of the museum to visitors.

Walid Ahmed, an Egyptian civil engineer who was taking a tour inside the main hall, described the architecture and the design of the museum's interior and exterior as "super." "I didn't think it will look that impressive!"

"I am happy with the design, the method of exhibition and the technologies used. I believe it will be such an important attraction in Cairo," he added.

As for Laetitia Saunier, a Swiss young woman, she said that she decided to visit the museum after she watched the remarkable Pharaohs' Golden Parade that escorted the 22 mummies during their transfer to the NMEC.

"The museum is really amazing," the Swiss tourist told Xinhua. "All the stories of Egypt are amazing but the mummies attract me the most."
A Philippines activist protests in Manila against Chinese actions in the South China Sea, Feb. 24, 2021.

The Philippines will push to resolve differences with Beijing peacefully, President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday, after Manilas foreign office threatened to file diplomatic protests for each day that Chinese ships remain moored at a disputed reef in the South China Sea.

This was the presidents first direct comment on the issue since Philippine government officials said that Chinese militia ships were spotted moored together at Whitsun Reef in the Spratly Islands last month.

We will continue to resolve the issues on Julian Felipe through diplomatic channels and through peaceful means, Duterte spokesman Harry Roque said, reading a statement from the president that used the Philippine name for Whitsun Reef. Whatever differences we have with China will not define our bilateral relations."

It will not be an obstacle to the overall positive trajectory of our bilateral friendly relations and our deepening cooperation in pandemic response, including vaccine cooperation and in post-pandemic recovery, he said.

Julian Felipe, or Whitsun Reef, is within the Philippines 200 nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

In recent days, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has engaged in a war of words with the Chinese Embassy over the ongoing presence of dozens of Chinese ships in the area. After cancelling a news conference, which he had scheduled for Tuesday on the issue, Lorenzana announced he had tested positive for COVID-19 and would be observing quarantine guidelines.

On Monday, the Department of Foreign Affairs threatened to file daily diplomatic protests against China until Beijing removed its ships from the Philippine EEZ.

In a Facebook post two days earlier, the Chinese Embassy had said the ships were in Beijings territory.

The Niue Jiao is part of Chinas Nansha Islands. The waters around Niue Jiao have been a traditional fishing ground for Chinese fishermen for many years, the statement said. Niue Jiao is the Chinese name for the Whitsun Reef.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to requests from BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service, for comment on Tuesday.

Beijing claims nearly all of the South China Sea as its own while six other Asian governments  Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam  have their own claims overlapping Chinas. While Indonesia does not regard itself as party to the South China Sea dispute, Beijing claims historic rights to parts of the sea that overlap Indonesias exclusive economic zone.

Vaccines

The Philippines began its coronavirus inoculation program in early March, using vaccines donated by a Chinese state-run firm, Sinovac. Doses of British-Swedish AstraZeneca vaccines arrived and have been given out as well.

China has been giving us everything but never asked anything from us actually, Duterte had said in February when the Philippines took delivery of 600,000 doses of vaccine developed by Sinovac.

The Philippines has received 2.5 million vaccine doses from Sinovac and AstraZeneca and has administered 855,000 vaccinations as of Tuesday, according to a document released by Carlito Galvez, the official who leads the governments vaccine procurement efforts.

Galvez, a former military general, said Chinese vaccines and Chinas moves in the South China Sea were separate issues.

The Chinese government is joining us in fighting against COVID-19, he said.

Its a fight for humanity. This issue of the West Philippine Sea is separate, he said, using the Philippine name for the South China Sea.

Strike group drills

While the Philippines is pushing for China to remove its ships from the region, American navy ships have returned to the South China Sea.

A U.S. aircraft carrier strike group entered the waterway on Sunday to carry out maritime strike exercises, anti-submarine operations, coordinated tactical training, and other activities, according to the U.S. Navy. It did not state when the exercises were to end.

It is great to be back in the South China Sea to reassure our allies and partners that we remain committed to freedom of the seas, said the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Groups commander, Rear Adm. Doug Verissimo.

The strike group includes the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier, a guided-missile cruiser, and a destroyer squadron.

Recent U.S. military maneuvers in the South China Sea have drawn criticism from Beijing.

When the same strike group entered the South China Sea in January, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said it does no good to regional peace and stability for the United States to frequently send military vessels and aircraft to the South China Sea to show off muscles, BenarNews reported at the time.

A month later, the strike group was joined by the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group in carrying out dual-carrier operations in the South China Sea.

Other countries have been conducting military maneuvers in the region as well. Canada sent the Halifax-class frigate HMCS Calgary through the South China Sea last week while sailing from Brunei to Vietnam, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported.

Meanwhile a Vietnamese frigate conducted combat drills with an anti-submarine helicopter in the Spratly Islands, Vietnamese media reported on Tuesday while not releasing the date of the drills.

Reported by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service.
The solid support and enthusiasm of RMI, a dream partner, has empowered our team of independent, expert writers and reporters to fight another day. We share an urgent mission of addressing climate change with maximum reach and impact.

The leading voices in energy journalism are back, RMI today revealed, with the hiring of a cadre of the foremost energy and climate technology writers to launch Canary Media, an independent newsroom at the forefront of the clean energy transition. Canarys editorial team will be led by news industry veterans Eric Wesoff and Jeff St. John and feature Julian Spector and Emma Foehringer Merchant. The teams mission is to cover the global effort to combat climate change.

In addition, RMI is excited to announce David Roberts, formerly of Grist and Vox, will join as Editor-at-Large, bringing his incisive columns and podcast to Canary Media readers.

We are in the race of our lives and winning slowly is the same as losing. During this decisive decade for the climate crisis, we need to urgently build broad awareness of the accelerating clean energy transition, said Jules Kortenhorst, CEO of RMI. To help build this awareness we are adding a set of talented energy reporters to the RMI family of companies. We need powerful climate journalism now more than ever, and RMI can provide the reach and resources for this experienced team to flourish.

Canary debuts today at http://www.canarymedia.com with a free subscription newsletter.

"The solid support and enthusiasm of RMI, a dream partner, has empowered our team of independent, expert writers and reporters to fight another day, said Eric Wesoff, managing editor of Canary Media. We share an urgent mission of addressing climate change with maximum reach and impact.

Backed by the world-class data resources and analytical insights of RMI, Canary Media will provide the cutting edge information, insights and expert analysis needed by policymakers, investors and industry leaders who are under pressure to plan and execute the rapid and far-reaching changes required to meet much-needed decarbonization imperatives. Canary Media will become the go-to site for vital information on whats happening and whats next and offer a marquee venue for influential thought leaders and common-cause activists to share knowledge and coordinate on new approaches to bring about the clean energy transition.

Our team is committed to understanding and explaining the complex challenges we face in decarbonizing our global economy, said Jeff St. John, Canary Media editor-in-chief. You can trust us to tell the truth, follow the money, and leave no stone unturned in our mission  and I cant imagine a better partner than RMI to support that effort.

Canarys brand of dogged journalism is more important than ever. Corporate television coverage of climate change in the U.S. decreased 53% in 2020, according to Media Matters. For a sector that is poised to see $12 trillion of investment by 2050, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, Canary Media will fill an information void and provide foundational knowledge on the sectors business, technology, and policy impacts.

As a non-profit outlet, Canary Media will work with mission-driven corporate partners, as well as individual supporters. Marketing and content specialists Nicholas Rinaldi, Katherine Tweed, Michael Munsell, and Stephanie Primavera have signed on to build the organizations digital platform and brand studio in the coming months. The platform will amplify Canary Media partners making meaningful impacts in the industry.

Our goal is to create the next energy and climate community, said Rinaldi, general manager at Canary Media. We have a mandate to advance the energy transition through ambitious, independent journalism and welcome anyone aligned with that mission to join us.

Canary Media wants to recognize its launch sponsors for their support. Thank you to AWS Power & Utilities, Black & Veatch, Hannon Armstrong, Schneider Electric, and Uplight.

Visit http://www.canarymedia.com to subscribe and learn more about upcoming activities.

***

What The Industry is Saying

Im pleased to see RMI invest in covering the clean energy industry. While its disappointing to see Greentech Media shut down, Im encouraged to know the amazing reporting will carry on at an institution that has long covered and supported clean energy innovation. There is an urgent need for better, nuanced industry coverage as we continue rapidly accelerating our transition to a more sustainable energy system.

Lynn Jurich, CEO and co-founder, Sunrun

Decarbonizing by 2035 is not really about celebrating every new project. It is about teaching a generation of Doers how to take risks smartly through in-depth reporting on technology, finance, and regulatory know-how. We need to increase investment into decarbonization at least 4X and that means you have to support diversity of voices while having an intelligent arbiter. I couldn't be more pleased that the spirit of Greentech Media will live on at RMI. Eric Wesoff has always been a skeptical voice in search of the truth; glad to see him returning to bring this important voice back to the cleantech community.

Jigar Shah, Director, U.S. Department of Energy Loan Program Office

This rocks. RMI is a fantastic home for the GTM editorial team and I cant wait to have dozens of new browser windows open on the new stories.

Shayle Kann, Partner, Energy Impact Partners

***

About RMI

RMI is an independent nonprofit founded in 1982 that transforms global energy systems through market-driven solutions to align with a 1.5C future and secure a clean, prosperous, zero-carbon future for all. We work in the worlds most critical geographies and engage businesses, policymakers, communities, and NGOs to identify and scale energy system interventions that will cut greenhouse gas emissions at least 50 percent by 2030. RMI has offices in Basalt and Boulder, Colorado; New York City; Oakland, California; Washington, D.C.; and Beijing.

Media Inquiries please contact:

Alexandra Chin

+1 973.262.0002

media@rmi.org

About Canary Media

Canary Media is an independent newsroom covering the global effort to combat climate change from the business, technology, and policy perspective. Our mission is to discover, reveal and explain the most vital developments determining the course of the worlds multi-trillion dollar shift to a decarbonized economy and society. Our newsroom will cover this shift, and our media platform will serve as a hub for a diverse and inclusive community dedicated to this cause.
Get AfricaFocus Bulletin by e-mail! Format for print or mobile Africa/Global: People's Vaccine vs. Vaccine Apartheid AfricaFocus Bulletin

April 6, 2021 (2021-04-06 )

(Reposted from sources cited below) Editor's Note Despite the vast disparity in the pace of vaccinations for Covid-19, currently at over 20% having one dose in North America, 5% in the world, and less in 1% for Africa, the United States, other rich countries, and pharmaceutical companies are still rejecting growing demands to waive patents and transfer technology. See chart below and data by country at https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations. In prepared remarks Monday [April 5] to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs ahead of meetings this week of international finance officials, according to the Washington Post, Yellen called on richer countries to step up both economic and public health assistance to poorer nations reeling from covid. She noted as many as 150 million people across the world risk falling into extreme poverty as a result of the crisis. This would be a profound economic tragedy for those countries, one we should care about. But, thats obvious. Whats less obvious  but equally true  is that this divergence would also be a problem for America," Yellen said. Our first task must clearly be stopping the virus by ensuring that vaccinations, testing and therapeutics are available as widely as possible." [The full speech, in which Yellen also called for international agreement on a global minimum corporate tax, is available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eR-2jA1gtOQ This AfricaFocus includes several recent articles and other links documenting the potential to begin to repair this wide gap. The major barrier is political will on the part of those forces still trying to monopolize vaccinations and profits for themselves. For previous AfricaFocus Bulletins on Africa's health, visit http://www.africafocus.org/intro-health.php For an article on vaccination from January this year, see http://www.africafocus.org/docs21/vacc2101.php For a March 25, 2021 Zoom webinar on Covid-19 Vaccines for Africa and her diaspora

Africans Rising, Advocacy Network for Africa, and Africa and African Diaspora

https://fb.watch/4BpZ91RWOb/

Includes updates from the Africa CDC on current status and a wide range of well-informed speakers. For a global petition, now at almost 1 million signatures, visit https://secure.avaaz.org/campaign/en/peoples_vaccine_2021_loc/ For petitions to the U.S. Congress and to President Biden, visit https://www.oxfamamerica.org/explore/emergencies/covid-19-peoples-vaccine/, https://sign.moveon.org/petitions/support-the-people-s-vaccine-1 or https://rethinktrade.org/actions/urge-biden-reverse-trumps-deadly-obstruction-of-global-covid-19-vaccine-access/ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Webinar on April 12, 2021 Register at https://tinyurl.com/3b2erv5a ++++++++++++++++++++++end editor's note+++++++++++++++++ Coalition Calls on Biden to Use US-Owned Patent to Share Covid Vaccine With the World "The U.S. government can help end the pandemic if it uses its legal leverage with Moderna to jumpstart an ambitious vaccine manufacturing program to benefit the world." Common Dreams, March 26, 2021 by Jake Johnson, staff writer https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/26/coalition-calls-biden-use-us-owned-patent-share-covid-vaccine-world Public health advocacy groups and scientists are pressuring the Biden administration to use the U.S. government's ownership of a key patent as leverage to ensure that the coronavirus vaccine co-developed by Moderna and National Institutes of Health is widely produced and distributed around the world, particularly in developing countries. The patent in question covers crucial spike-protein technology developed by the NIH, an invention that has since been utilized in at least five major Covid vaccinesincluding the Moderna-NIH shot formally known as mRNA-1273. In a letter (pdf) earlier this week to Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, NIH Director Francis Collins, and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease Director Anthony Fauci, a coalition of advocacy groups led by PrEP4All and around a dozen scientists said the government-owned patent should be used as a "tool" to "facilitate scale-up of production of mRNA-1273 and ensure rapid, equitable global access." "The U.S. government has not licensed the patent to Moderna. It is imperative that the NIH uses any licensing agreement to include provisions to help increase global access to this lifesaving technology, rather than just a monetary royalty," the letter reads. "U.S. taxpayers have invested over $2.5 billion in the development of mRNA-1273. Now it is time for our government to ensure that this critical lifesaving technology be made available to all. This could contribute to saving millions of lives globally." The new demand comes as the United States and other rich nations continue to block an India and South Africa-led push to temporarily waive certain international patent protections in order to expand access to coronavirus vaccines in countries currently struggling to administer a single shot. In their letter on Wednesday, the public health organizations urged the U.S. government to use its leverage to negotiate patent licensing terms that "require technology sharing with the World Health Organization to help ramp up global production" and guarantee widespread distribution of the vaccine at a low cost. As the New York Times reported earlier this week, the WHO "created a technology pool last year to encourage companies to share know-how with manufacturers in lower-income nations. Not a single vaccine company has signed up." "The problem is that the companies don't want to do it," James Love, head of the nonprofit Knowledge Ecology International, told the Times. "And the government is just not very tough with the companies." Peter Maybarduk, director of the Access to Medicines program at Public Citizen, lamented in a statement that "the U.S. government has an embarrassing history of giving away publicly-funded and publicly- owned medical technology to corporations, which then ration it back to the people at monopoly prices." "The U.S. government can help end the pandemic if it uses its legal leverage with Moderna to jumpstart an ambitious vaccine manufacturing program to benefit the world," Maybarduk said. "We must do better. Many lives are at stake." Read the full letter: Dear Secretary Becerra, Dr. Collins, and Dr. Fauci: We write about the soon-to-issue-patent, U.S. Patent No. 10,960,070 ("the '070 patent"), that protects the use of proline-substituted coronavirus spike proteins stabilized in their prefusion conformation as a vaccine immunogen. The mRNA-1273 vaccine, co-developed by NIAID and Moderna, utilizes this technology for its immunogen. The '070 patent is owned by the United States Government, reflecting the critical contributions that NIAID and NIH made to the invention of this technology. This government-owned patent is an important policy tool that the U.S. government could use to facilitate scale-up of production of mRNA-1273 and ensure rapid, equitable global access. Currently, at best, only one billion doses of mRNA-1273 will be produced in 2021, far short of global demand. The U.S. government has not licensed the patent to Moderna. It is imperative that the NIH uses any licensing agreement to include provisions to help increase global access to this lifesaving technology, rather than just a monetary royalty. Specifically, the licensing agreement should: 1. Empower the U.S. government to authorize manufacturing of mRNA-1273including by government-owned production facilities. Currently, Moderna has only contracted with a single contract manufacturing organization (CMO), Lonza Group AG, to produce drug substance for mRNA-1273. By contracting with other CMOs to produce drug substance and help perform other manufacturing steps, more doses of mRNA-1273 could be produced. Such provisions should include the ability for the U.S. government to compel transfer of know-how from Moderna to other CMOs to facilitate scale up for all production steps of the manufacturing process. 2. Require technology sharing with the World Health Organization to help ramp up global production. The Director-General of the World Health Organization has urged countries to share vaccine technology and know-how openly to help build global manufacturing capacity. Moderna has so far ignored requests from developing country manufacturers to share technology. Requiring Moderna to work with the WHO's COVID-19 technology access pool can help unlock additional production. 3. Include requirements for accessible pricing universally. Moderna is currently charging between US$10 and US$40 a dose for mRNA-12738, despite it costing less than $3 a dose to manufacture. This high price, coupled with Moderna's lack of planned market entry for many low-and middle-income countries, may prevent those most in need from accessing mRNA-1273. Licensing the '070 patent gives the U.S. government leverage to increase global access by requiring accessible pricing to mRNA-1273. Assertion of U.S. government-owned intellectual property to increase access to pharmaceutical products is not unprecedented. In 2019, the federal government sued Gilead Sciences for its infringement of government owned patents protecting the use of Truvada and Descovy for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)and per the complaint itself, is using that litigation to increase access to PrEP. That lawsuit is ongoing. U.S. taxpayers have invested over $2.5 billion in the development of mRNA-1273. Now it is time for our government to ensure that this critical lifesaving technology be made available to all. This could contribute to saving millions of lives globally. It also will help protect public health here at home. Global vaccination with highly effective vaccines, like mRNA-1273, is our best defense against the development of vaccine-resistant variants of SARS-CoV2. Thank you. ************************************************************** U.S. and European COVID-19 shots arent enough. It is time to tap into Africa, Asia, and Latin Americas enormous production capacity. by Matthew Kavanagh, Mara Pillinger, Renu Singh, Katherine Ginsbach | March 1, 2021 [Excerpt: for full article visit https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/03/01/to-democratize-vaccine-access-democratize-production/ As wealthy countries inoculate millions of their citizens against COVID-19 and other countries wait to even begin the rollout, G-7 leaders are increasingly struggling to address geopolitically charged vaccine inequities. French President Emmanuel Macron recently noted his fear that countries would turn to China and Russia for vaccines and the power of the West will ... not be a reality. He later walked back his statement somewhat, clarifying that vaccines are a matter of public healthnot power. They are, of course, both. But Macron and other leaders will never get either issue right as long as they remain focused on what portion of a relatively small supply of vaccines to share. Rather, the real game-changer lies in a very feasible effort to expand the pool of available vaccines. At the moment, vaccine production approved in the United States and Europe is needlessly limited to a handful of companies struggling to get enough vaccines out the door to meet demand. Yet in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, there is enormous human and production capacity that could be mobilized to make more vaccines and address the needs of people in low- and middle-income countries. Governments and companies, especially in middle-income countries, have been asking to do so. As Western firms have demurred, Russia has taken them up on their offers, sharing Sputnik V know-how for production in Brazil, India, Turkey, and South Korea. If U.S. and European Union leaders want to address both the public health and diplomatic imperatives facing themwhile also vaccinating their own populationsthey should consider doing the same. Vaccine development is largely funded by public money. The United States and Europe have poured massive resources into research and development as well as advance purchase agreements that remove risks for companies to develop vaccines. The United States, for example, put $2.48 billion into the new National Institutes of Health (NIH) /Moderna vaccine alongside a huge investment of effort in government scientists who pioneered them. Likewise, the German government provided $445 million to develop the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. This spending brought remarkable breakthroughs for stopping COVID-19 and for future global health security. The kinds of shots Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, and others have developed are messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, which are simpler to make, easier to scale, and faster to adapt in the face of variants than traditional vaccines. The technology might soon bring breakthroughs against HIV, malaria, or influenza and enable rapid COVID-19 vaccine development against new emerging diseases. Logistical challenges that have dogged the deployment of COVID-19 vaccines, like cold chain storage, can be tackled. Moderna, for example, announced just before approval that its vaccine can now be kept refrigerated, not frozen, for 30 days. The United States and Europe have far more to gain by sharing these technologies than by hoarding them, from preventing a never-ending cycle of new variants to rebuilding global trade and gaining soft- power influence. They should immediately work to allow production of cutting-edge COVID-19 vaccines in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Some observers have claimed that such an effort would not be possible, take too long, or cost too much. They are wrong, as the worlds experience developing HIV medicines shows. After millions died without access to medications, todays cutting- edge HIV drugs frequently come to market with near-simultaneous production by multiple companies in low- and middle-income countries. This is a direct result of government investment in production capacity, sharing of technology, and use of voluntary and compulsory measures to overcome patent barriers. [more] ******************************************************* A national vaccine effort and speedy rollout is literally a matter of life and death By Mark Heywood 30 March 2021 Mark Heywood is the editor of Maverick Citizen. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-03-30-a-national-vaccine-effort-and-speedy-rollout-is-literally-a-matter-of-life-and-death/ Maverick Citizen: Editorial As South Africa stares at the looming third wave of Covid-19 and the strong possibility that travel restrictions will be reintroduced over Easter, it is now clear that the warnings and anger expressed by scientists and civil society early this year about SAs vaccine preparedness were not unfounded. As of Saturday, we have vaccinated only 220,129 healthcare workers with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, as part of the Sisonke clinical trial. This is about 25% of our health workforce but only 0.4% of our total population. It has not included many front- line workers in the health system, such as community health workers, or administrative staff, such as porters, cleaners and security guards. Vaccines have also not reached rural healthcare workers. This means that when the third wave breaks, health workers, many of whom have already been ill with Covid-19, will again find themselves in the line of danger. We should be doing much better and people are entitled to honest answers about why we are failing. It is a matter of life and death. In developed countries that have scaled up vaccine rollout there is growing evidence that vaccines are making a difference. For example, an editorial this week in the South African Medical Journal records that: Where the AstraZeneca vaccine is in use, mortality in vaccinated populations has plummeted, including in the UK, home to its own more infectious and virulent B.1.1.7 variant. Questions remain as to why we sold on a million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Similarly a study just published in The New England Journal of Medicine has shown that, after vaccination with the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, rates of infection among healthcare workers at California hospitals reduced the absolute risk of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 to between 1.19% and 0.97% among healthcare workers at two large hospitals. Life and death: these are the reasons why there is growing public anxiety and anger over South Africas failures so far. There is nothing people in SA want more than unity around a national vaccine effort. We are desperate to rally behind and contribute to a well-thought-out national strategic plan, which we are told will soon be approved by the Cabinet. But to achieve unity government will need to act differently. Below are six steps we believe will save lives and restore confidence. Consistent reporting of numbers vaccinated and of health system readiness Since early in 2020 government has released daily reports on the Coronavirus Resource Portal of the numbers of Covid-19 infections, tests, deaths and recoveries. It has also sent these reports to the media. This now includes the total number vaccinated. But it is also important that information include numbers of vaccinations by province; by category of health worker; and a list of vaccination sites that are ready for phase two of the rollout. Publishing all Ministerial Advisory Committee (MAC) advisories Since 11 January this year no MAC advisories have been made public, and in particular none of the advisories of the MAC on Vaccines. People have the right to know what scientists are advising the government and whether government is acting on these advisories. A high-visibility public communication campaign and community-based social mobilisation to overcome vaccine hesitancy We are well aware of vaccine hesitancy and misunderstanding. Even nurses are reported to be declining vaccinations in some areas. But there is very little visible or audible public information and education campaign. Where there has been information, much of it is on digital platforms, which leaves out millions of people, including those who are most at risk. A massive decentralised campaign in the media, but also on the ground, mobilising the very same people and organisations that will organise the vaccine rollout, needs to start now. Fixing the health system and rooting out corruption and incompetence This week Maverick Citizen raised the alarm about the near collapse of the public health system in the Eastern Cape. We appealed to the Minister of Health to intervene. Our health system is now in ICU. This threatens our ability to vaccinate and treat not only Covid-19 but also other epidemics of HIV, TB and noncommunicable diseases. There is an urgent need for a fully funded plan to fix the health system. This also means acting against corruption and incompetence that violates constitutional rights, including dignity, life and access to healthcare services. Transparent negotiations with pharmaceutical companies So far, we believe, the Vaccine MAC has recommended three vaccines for use in SA: they are Johnson & Johnson (J&J), Pfizer and Moderna. Moderna is a highly efficacious vaccine but is excessively priced and so is not being considered. It is of great concern that negotiations with AstraZeneca, J&J and Pfizer are taking place in total secrecy. We have learnt that this is on the instruction of the companies, which have imposed far-reaching non-disclosure agreements on our government. This has been their behaviour worldwide. Although it is accepted that not every aspect of a contractual negotiation can take place in public, total secrecy causes distrust and fear; it is open to abuse and corruption. In SA there is a constitutional right of access to information. Multinational pharmaceutical companies cannot be allowed to exploit desperation so as to escape public scrutiny about the terms they are imposing. These private companies have a monopoly over a public good. South Africa is a sovereign constitutional state, founded on human rights, and has power in relation to these companies. Government should be prepared to use it just as civil society demanded in relation to access to antiretroviral medicines for HIV. African and international solidarity and actively pursuing the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS) waiver SA and India have formally applied for a waiver of certain provisions of the World Trade Organisation TRIPS agreement during the course of the Covid-19 pandemic. Removing ill-deserved intellectual property barriers could increase the manufacture and supply of Covid-19 vaccines and give governments greater power through the use of compulsory licensing where warranted. So far SAs proposal has been supported by 100 countries, but is being opposed by the US, the UK and other countries. It is now one year since the start of the hard lockdown. Perhaps the greatest difference as we enter the second year is that we now have pharmaceutical interventions that can help us fight the pandemic. This is not a reason to dispense with masks, sanitisers or physical distancing. But it is a means to save lives, limit the damage to our economy and restore hope. Urgency, transparency and accountability must start now. ******************************************************* Links to more recent articles https://www.pressenza.com/2021/03/why-the-u-s-and-its-allies-are-stupid-to-turn-covid-19-vaccination-into-a-geopolitical-power-play/ https://carnegieendowment.org/2021/02/24/vaccine-geopolitics-could-derail-africa-s-post-pandemic-recovery-pub-83928 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/21/world/vaccine-patents-us-eu.html https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/03/20/covid-vaccine-global-shortages/ https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/12/nobel-economists-suspend-vaccine-patents-halt-pandemic https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/03/10/dont-let-intellectual-property-rights-get-way-global-vaccination/ https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/30/coronavirus-vaccine-distribution-global-disparity 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.
PORTLAND, Ore. and WASHINGTON, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- NWEA and Education Reform Now (ERN), in conjunction with multiple organizations representing state departments of education, school districts, policy and advocacy groups, and universities, today released recommendations and potential policy options for how to re-envision assessments and accountability measures this spring and beyond to better advance student success.

The paper, "Convening for a Common Cause: Reimagining Assessment and Accountability to Improve Student Learning," reflects a series of robust discussions among more than 100 experts from 60+ organizations that participated in several convenings throughout the fall of 2020. The goal was to engage in productive discourse about how to ensure systems are driving deeper learning and providing educators and policymakers with data that is useful for supporting students, improving student outcomes, targeting resources, and guiding new instructional policies and practices.

"Given all the changes in the last year, from remote learning to returning to the classroom, there has never been a more critical time to ensure that assessment and accountability systems are doing what they are supposed to  drive positive student outcomes and school improvements. This requires a rethinking of traditional measures and evaluating how current policies and practices are working," said Chris Minnich, CEO of NWEA. "With a data-informed lens, NWEA is dedicated to supporting state and district leaders in changing systems that have not given us the complete picture of student learning. The time is now to reconsider the system and include a more comprehensive view of student success."

The unique circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have raised questions about the role academic assessments and accountability systems play in supporting educators and policymakers to make data-driven decisions around instruction, resource distribution, continuous school improvement, and, ultimately, better outcomes for all students.

"This is a moment unlike ever before where we can choose to adapt for the short-term or commit to innovate our assessment and accountability systems to ensure that comparable, statewide disaggregated data is actionable and helps close longstanding opportunity gaps," said ERN Vice President for K-12 Policy Charles Barone. "The policy options presented here contain areas of both consensus and difference and reflect diverse perspectives across the education field that can serve as a guide for federal and state policymakers as they make decisions about how to best serve all students  especially those historically underserved."

Specific recommendations raised in the report include:

How spring 2021 assessments and opportunity-to-learn (OTL) indicators can support evidence-based interventions and equitably targeted resources given the unique circumstances of the pandemic and current needs for flexibility.

Ways in which these OTL indicators can help revamp reporting data to be fairer, actionable, and more comprehensive to support high quality learning.

Opportunities to reform accountability systems to better identify and reflect the responsibilities of schools, districts, and states.

How data from annual assessments can inform appropriate policy-level decisions to close opportunity gaps.

You can read the full report and recommendations here: https://www.nwea.org/resource-center/resource/convening-for-a-common-cause-reimagining-assessment-and-accountability-to-improve-student-learning/

About Education Reform Now

Education Reform Now (ERN) is a non-partisan, nonprofit think tank and advocacy organization that promotes increased resources and innovative reforms in K-16 public education, particularly for students of color and students from low-income families. We seek forward progress in public educationat the federal, state, and local leveldeveloping and advocating for new, bold ideas and mutually reinforcing policies in elementary, secondary and post-secondary education.

About NWEA

NWEA  (formerly known as Northwest Evaluation Association) is a mission-driven, not-for-profit organization that supports students and educators worldwide by creating assessment solutions that precisely measure growth and proficiencyand provide insights to help tailor instruction. Educators in more than 10,000 schools, districts, and education agencies in 146 countries rely on our flagship interim assessment, MAP Growth; our reading fluency and comprehension assessment, MAP Reading Fluency ; our personalized learning tool powered by Khan Academy, MAP Accelerator ; and our state solutions that combine growth and proficiency measurement. Visit NWEA.org to find out how NWEA can partner with you to help all kids learn.

SOURCE NWEA

Related Links

www.nwea.org


Congress attacks Nitish as Bihar is placed at the bottom of SDG index 04 Jun 2021 | 9:50 PM Patna, Jun 04 (UNI) Congress on Friday ridiculed Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for his claims of achieving development, saying he shoul explain to the public as to why Bihar is placed at the bottom in the list of states prepared by NITI Ayog on Sustainable Development Goals(SDG). see more..

SER despatched 13636 MT of liquid medical oxygen across country 04 Jun 2021 | 9:29 PM Kolkata, Jun 4 (UNI) South Eastern Railway (SER) has already moved 190 Oxygen Express

Trains with total 13636 tonnes of Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) to 12 different States and

Union Territories for treatment of Covid affected patients. see more..

Hulladek Recycling launches plastic & electronic waste collection drive on occasion of World Environment Day 04 Jun 2021 | 9:23 PM Kolkata, Jun 4 (UNI) Moving forward on its mission to create awareness about the importance of recycling and environment sustainability, Kolkata based e-waste and plastic waste management company Hulladek Recycling has launched a collection drive for plastic and electronic waste in the

city under the theme Kya aapke ghar Hulladek wala aata hai? ahead of World Environment Day

in order to create awareness about the importance of plastic waste management in todays life. see more..

Meghalaya seeks high capacity pumps to rescue coal miners 04 Jun 2021 | 9:22 PM Shillong, June 4 (UNI) The Meghalaya government has requisitioned high-capacity pumps from

the Coal India Limited to dewater the flooded coal mine at Umpleng area in East Jaintia Hills

district, where five miners have been trapped inside for five days now, an official said on Friday. see more..
With January 2021, FAIR Health's Monthly Telehealth Regional Tracker enters its second year of using FAIR Health private claims data to track the evolution of telehealth from month to month. As before, a free, interactive map of the four US census regions allows the user to view an infographic on telehealth in a specific month in the nation as a whole or in individual regions.

But this second year brings notable changes to the Tracker. In the first year, to study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on telehealth, each month in 2020 was compared to the corresponding month in 2019. In the second year, the focus is on monthly rather than year-over-year changes. Each infographic shows month-to-month changes in volume of telehealth claim lines, top five telehealth procedure codes, top five telehealth diagnoses (or diagnostic categories) and top five granular diagnoses within the most common diagnostic category.

The top telehealth diagnosis in January 2021, nationally and in every region, was mental health conditions. Within that category, nationally and in all regions but the West, the top granular diagnosis was generalized anxiety disorder. In the West, the top mental health diagnosis was major depressive disorder.

Diagnoses varied by region. In January 2021, nationally and in all regions but the Midwest, COVID-19 continued to be one of the top five diagnoses, as it had been the month before. But in the Midwest, COVID-19 dropped off the list, with developmental disorders and diabetes mellitus joining the list. In the Northeast, for the first time since September 2020, substance use disorders returned to the top five telehealth diagnoses.

One change that occurred nationally and in every region from December 2020 to January 2021 was the disappearance of exposure to communicable diseases (such as when a patient reports exposure to COVID-19) from the list of top five telehealth diagnoses.

Utilization of telehealth grew nationally and in every region. Telehealth claim lines2 increased 7.69 percent nationally, rising from 6.50 percent of medical claim lines in December 2020 to 7.00 percent in January 2021. The telehealth share of medical claim lines rose about 8 percent in every region but the Northeast, where the increase was 5.13 percent.

FAIR Health President Robin Gelburd stated: "As the COVID-19 pandemic enters its second year, FAIR Health begins our second year of tracking the evolution of telehealth in that context. The Monthly Telehealth Regional Tracker is one of the many ways we pursue our mission of bringing transparency to healthcare information."

For the Monthly Telehealth Regional Tracker, click here.

Follow us on Twitter @FAIRHealth

About FAIR Health

FAIR Health is a national, independent nonprofit organization that qualifies as a public charity under section 501(c)(3) of the federal tax code. It is dedicated to bringing transparency to healthcare costs and health insurance information through data products, consumer resources and health systems research support. FAIR Health possesses the nation's largest collection of private healthcare claims data, which includes over 33 billion claim records and is growing at a rate of over 2 billion claim records a year. FAIR Health licenses its privately billed data and data productsincluding benchmark modules, data visualizations, custom analytics and market indicesto commercial insurers and self-insurers, employers, providers, hospitals and healthcare systems, government agencies, researchers and others. Certified by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as a national Qualified Entity, FAIR Health also receives data representing the experience of all individuals enrolled in traditional Medicare Parts A, B and D; FAIR Health includes among the private claims data in its database, data on Medicare Advantage enrollees. FAIR Health can produce insightful analytic reports and data products based on combined Medicare and commercial claims data for government, providers, payors and other authorized users. FAIR Health's systems for processing and storing protected health information have earned HITRUST CSF certification and achieved AICPA SOC 2 compliance by meeting the rigorous data security requirements of these standards. As a testament to the reliability and objectivity of FAIR Health data, the data have been incorporated in statutes and regulations around the country and designated as the official, neutral data source for a variety of state health programs, including workers' compensation and personal injury protection (PIP) programs. FAIR Health data serve as an official reference point in support of certain state balance billing laws that protect consumers against bills for surprise out-of-network and emergency services. FAIR Health also uses its database to power a free consumer website available in English and Spanish and an English/Spanish mobile app, which enable consumers to estimate and plan for their healthcare expenditures and offer a rich educational platform on health insurance. The website has been honored by the White House Summit on Smart Disclosure, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), URAC, the eHealthcare Leadership Awards, appPicker, Employee Benefit News and Kiplinger's Personal Finance. FAIR Health also is named a top resource for patients in Dr. Marty Makary's book The Price We Pay: What Broke American Health Careand How to Fix It and Elisabeth Rosenthal's book An American Sickness: How Healthcare Became Big Business and How You Can Take It Back. For more information on FAIR Health, visit fairhealth.org.

Contact:

Dean Sicoli

Chief Communications Officer

FAIR Health

646-664-1645

[email protected]

1 CPT  2020 American Medical Association (AMA). All rights reserved.

2 A claim line is an individual service or procedure listed on an insurance claim.

SOURCE FAIR Health

Related Links

www.fairhealth.org


NASA's Hubble Space Telescope is "seeing double." Peering back 10 billion years into the universe's past, Hubble astronomers found a pair of quasars that are so close to each other they look like a single object in ground-based telescopic photos, but not in Hubble's crisp view.

The researchers believe the quasars are very close to each other because they reside in the cores of two merging galaxies. The team went on to win the "daily double" by finding yet another quasar pair in another colliding galaxy duo.

A quasar is a brilliant beacon of intense light from the center of a distant galaxy that can outshine the entire galaxy. It is powered by a supermassive black hole voraciously feeding on inflating matter, unleashing a torrent of radiation.

"We estimate that in the distant universe, for every 1,000 quasars, there is one double quasar. So finding these double quasars is like finding a needle in a haystack," said lead researcher Yue Shen of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The discovery of these four quasars offers a new way to probe collisions among galaxies and the merging of supermassive black holes in the early universe, researchers say.

Quasars are scattered all across the sky and were most abundant 10 billion years ago. There were a lot of galaxy mergers back then feeding the black holes. Therefore, astronomers theorize there should have been many dual quasars during that time.

"This truly is the first sample of dual quasars at the peak epoch of galaxy formation with which we can use to probe ideas about how supermassive black holes come together to eventually form a binary," said research team member Nadia Zakamska of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.

The team's results appeared in the April 1 online issue of the journal Nature Astronomy.

Shen and Zakamska are members of a team that is using Hubble, the European Space Agency's Gaia space observatory, and the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, as well as several ground-based telescopes, to compile a robust census of quasar pairs in the early universe.

The observations are important because a quasar's role in galactic encounters plays a critical part in galaxy formation, the researchers say. As two close galaxies begin to distort each other gravitationally, their interaction funnels material into their respective black holes, igniting their quasars.

Over time, radiation from these high-intensity "light bulbs" launch powerful galactic winds, which sweep out most of the gas from the merging galaxies. Deprived of gas, star formation ceases, and the galaxies evolve into elliptical galaxies.

"Quasars make a profound impact on galaxy formation in the universe," Zakamska said. "Finding dual quasars at this early epoch is important because we can now test our long-standing ideas of how black holes and their host galaxies evolve together."

Astronomers have discovered more than 100 double quasars in merging galaxies so far. However, none of them is as old as the two double quasars in this study.

The Hubble images show that quasars within each pair are only about 10,000 light-years apart. By comparison, our Sun is 26,000 light-years from the supermassive black hole in the center of our galaxy.

The pairs of host galaxies will eventually merge, and then the quasars also will coalesce, resulting in an even more massive, single solitary black hole.

Finding them wasn't easy. Hubble is the only telescope with vision sharp enough to peer back to the early universe and distinguish two close quasars that are so far away from Earth. However, Hubble's sharp resolution alone isn't good enough to find these dual light beacons.

Astronomers first needed to figure out where to point Hubble to study them. The challenge is that the sky is blanketed with a tapestry of ancient quasars that flared to life 10 billion years ago, only a tiny fraction of which are dual. It took an imaginative and innovative technique that required the help of the European Space Agency's Gaia satellite and the ground-based Sloan Digital Sky Survey to compile a group of potential candidates for Hubble to observe.

Located at Apache Point Observatory in New Mexico, the Sloan telescope produces three-dimensional maps of objects throughout the sky. The team pored through the Sloan survey to identify the quasars to study more closely.

The researchers then enlisted the Gaia observatory to help pinpoint potential double-quasar candidates. Gaia measures the positions, distances, and motions of nearby celestial objects very precisely. But the team devised a new, innovative application for Gaia that could be used for exploring the distant universe. They used the observatory's database to search for quasars that mimic the apparent motion of nearby stars. The quasars appear as single objects in the Gaia data. However, Gaia can pick up a subtle, unexpected "jiggle" in the apparent position of some of the quasars it observes.

The quasars aren't moving through space in any measurable way, but instead their jiggle could be evidence of random fluctuations of light as each member of the quasar pair varies in brightness. Quasars flicker in brightness on timescales of days to months, depending on their black hole's feeding schedule.

This alternating brightness between the quasar pair is similar to seeing a railroad crossing signal from a distance. As the lights on both sides of the stationary signal alternately flash, the sign gives the illusion of "jiggling."

When the first four targets were observed with Hubble, its crisp vision revealed that two of the targets are two close pairs of quasars. The researchers said it was a "light bulb moment" that verified their plan of using Sloan, Gaia, and Hubble to hunt for the ancient, elusive double powerhouses.

Team member Xin Liu of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign called the Hubble confirmation a "happy surprise." She has long hunted for double quasars closer to Earth using different techniques with ground-based telescopes. "The new technique can not only discover dual quasars much further away, but it is much more efficient than the methods we've used before," she said.

Their Nature Astronomy article is a "proof of concept that really demonstrates that our targeted search for dual quasars is very efficient," said team member Hsiang-Chih Hwang, a graduate student at Johns Hopkins University and the principal investigator of the Hubble program. "It opens a new direction where we can accumulate a lot more interesting systems to follow up, which astronomers weren't able to do with previous techniques or datasets."

The team also obtained follow-up observations with the National Science Foundation NOIRLab's Gemini telescopes. "Gemini's spatially-resolved spectroscopy can unambiguously reject interlopers due to chance superpositions from unassociated star-quasar systems, where the foreground star is coincidentally aligned with the background quasar," said team member Yu-Ching Chen, a graduate student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Although the team is convinced of their result, they say there is a slight chance that the Hubble snapshots captured double images of the same quasar, an illusion caused by gravitational lensing. This phenomenon occurs when the gravity of a massive foreground galaxy splits and amplifies the light from the background quasar into two mirror images. However, the researchers think this scenario is highly unlikely because Hubble did not detect any foreground galaxies near the two quasar pairs.

Galactic mergers were more plentiful billions of years ago, but a few are still happening today. One example is NGC 6240, a nearby system of merging galaxies that has two and possibly even three supermassive black holes. An even closer galactic merger will occur in a few billion years when our Milky Way galaxy collides with neighboring Andromeda galaxy. The galactic tussle would likely feed the supermassive black holes in the core of each galaxy, igniting them as quasars.

Future telescopes may offer more insight into these merging systems. NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, an infrared observatory scheduled to launch later this year, will probe the quasars' host galaxies. Webb will show the signatures of galactic mergers, such as the distribution of starlight and the long streamers of gas pulled from the interacting galaxies.

###

The Hubble Space Telescope is a project of international cooperation between NASA and ESA (European Space Agency). NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, manages the telescope. The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) in Baltimore, Maryland, conducts Hubble science operations. STScI is operated for NASA by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy in Washington, D.C.

Artist's Illustration: NASA, ESA, and J. Olmsted (STScI)

Science: NASA, ESA, Y. Shen and X. Liu (University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign), and H.-C. Hwang and N. Zakamska (Johns Hopkins University)

Media Contacts:

Claire Andreoli

NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland

301-286-1940

claire.andreoli@nasa.gov

Donna Weaver / Ray Villard

Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Maryland

410-338-4493 / 410-338-4514

dweaver@stsci.edu / villard@stsci.edu

Science Contacts:

Yue Shen / Xin Liu

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

shenyue@illinois.edu / xinliuxl@illinois.edu

Hsiang-Chih Hwang / Nadia Zakamska

Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland

hchwang@jhu.edu / zakamska@jhu.edu
USOSM President and CEO Richard Hall credits USOSM's recent growth to several factors, in particular: having the right team and support system. Thankfully, we have outstanding surgeon partners, and a talented, motivated team, who have all worked hard and sacrificed to help our company and our partner practices to not only survive but to thrive during this tumultuous time.

Specialty management services company U.S. Oral Surgery Management (USOSM) has experienced remarkable growth this past six months, despite the widespread economic destruction caused by COVID-19. USOSM President and CEO Richard Hall credits this growth to several factors, chief among them: having the right team and support system.

When our company was founded just a few short years ago, none of us could have accurately foreseen the depth and breadth of a worldwide pandemic like COVID-19; but thankfully, we have outstanding surgeon partners, and a talented, motivated team, who have all worked hard and sacrificed to help our company and our partner practices to not only survive but to thrive during this tumultuous time, said Hall.

USOSM was established in November 2017 by the Thurston Group and RiverGlade Capital, two private equity firms that are based in Chicago. Since then, USOSM has formed partnerships with approximately 30 practices, five of which in the past six months alone, with more partnership agreements on the horizon.

Weve completed five new partnerships since October of 2020, noted Hall. Collectively, they include 11 surgeons and 10 locations in three states  Georgia, Oklahoma and Louisiana  and were not done yet. During the next few months, we plan to announce several new agreements in states like South Carolina and Florida.

USOSMs newest partners include Richard E. Paul, DMD, PC, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Georgia; Oral and Maxillofacial Associates LLC of Oklahoma; North Valdosta Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of South Georgia; North Metro Oral & Implant Surgery of Georgia; and Oral Surgery Services of Louisiana.

Another contributing factor to USOSMs recent growth is a strategic and intentional focus on the companys mission and values, added Hall, defining the company vision: to be the oral surgery management company most admired for its people, partnership model and performance.

Hall explains that the everyday extension of this vision is USOSMs mission: to partner with premier oral and maxillofacial surgeons to help them enhance their clinical missions and their successes  both short- and long-term, which applies 24-7, 365-days-a-year, regardless of extenuating influences, even significant ones like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Another contributor may be economic concerns, fueled by COVID-19, but Hall adds that its not the determining factor for most USOSM partners. Financial support and opportunity are one of the advantages to partnering with us, but most of our partners tell us thats not why they wanted to partner. When we partner with a practice, we handle the day-to-day operational details, freeing-up precious time for surgeons to focus on patient care, and the practice maintains complete clinical autonomy  patient care, clinical direction, the name of the practice, locations, employees  all of that remains the same.

This was one of the reasons Dr. Richard E. Paul decided to partner with USOSM. Dr. Pauls practice has locations in McDonough and Griffin, near Atlanta, Georgia. His partnership agreement was announced on Oct. 1, 2020, almost six months after COVID-19 was declared a pandemic.

I've been a solo practitioner for many years, but the single doctor, private practice business model is disappearing, and the way we do business is changing, said Dr. Paul, when the partnership was announced. I specialize in oral and maxillofacial surgery. USOSM specializes in the business of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Partnering with an OMS business specialist means I can focus on the needs of my patients and USOSM can focus on the business side of my practice, which is a benefit to my patients, staff and myself.

Headquartered in Irving, Texas, USOSM has partner practices in Texas, Colorado, Georgia, Tennessee, Minnesota, Alabama, Oklahoma and Louisiana. A shared services organization, USOSM collaborates with premier oral and maxillofacial surgeons to offer a partnership solution for continued and accelerated practice success. USOSM provides operational, marketing and administrative support services, reinvests resources, and applies best practices to improve clinical and financial performance and produce steadier, more profitable growth for all.
[April 06, 2021] Japanese agritech startup inaho Inc. unveils a Tomato Harvesting Robot

AMSTERDAM, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- inaho Inc. (Headquarters: Kanagawa, Japan) announces the establishment of inaho Europe B.V. and starts doing business in the Netherlands. The company's latest product: a tomato harvesting robot is unveiled. inaho Inc.(hereafter, "inaho") is a Japan-based startup offering solutions for robotic automation in agriculture. Its European subsidiary, inaho Europe B.V., has been established and starts operation from 1st April 2021. Starting with the tomato harvesting robot, the company aims to address the challenges facing European farms. Key Features Fully-automated harvesting robot for snack tomatoes

AI algorithm identifies ripe fruits by color and size

Up to 12-hour operation on a single charge

Works day and night inaho began the development of their tomato harvestig robot in 2020. Four robots have already been manufactured and released; they are currently under operation, collecting feedback from several leading growers in Japan for further improvements.



inaho's mission is to make farming more sustainable. Through their solutions, the company will contribute to labour-saving and efficiency improvement in agriculture in Europe and other regions. "Farms and producers across various countries are suffering from labour shortages as a result of the pandemic of COVID-19. In addition to the global pandemic, the increasing wages for farmworkers are becoming a growing difficulty for businesses in agriculture. These challenges could eventually lead to food shortages in the coming years; therefore now is the time to introduce automation technologies and to transition away from the existing methods of farming," said Sohya Ohyama, Co-founder and COO of inaho.

"We believe that our cutting-edge technologies and solutions will contribute to the well-being of all persons in the agricultural industry and lead to the realization of sustainable agriculture in the future. To make this happen, we are seeking partners who can expand on these values together: growers, seed companies and facility equipment companies in the EU." About inaho Inc.: A Japan-based agritech company founded by Yutaka Hishiki and Sohya Ohyama in 2017. inaho launched the AI-equipped asparagus harvesting robot in 2019 and operates under the Robot-as-a-Service (RaaS) business model. The company won the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award in the 9th ROBOT AWARD , issued by the Japanese government. In 2020, despite the pandemic, 10 farms introduced the services in Japan in 2020. In addition to providing robotic solutions, inaho also develops new cropping systems and farm operation schemes with partners to make farming more sustainable. For more information about inaho Inc. and inaho Europe B.V. Please visit: https://en.inaho.co/ SOURCE inaho Inc.

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Peter Onyuike, who was arrested over a week ago on the instructions of the chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Danladi Umar, has been released on bail, his lawyer, Samuel Ihensekhien, told PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday.

PREMIUM TIMES on Monday reported how Mr Onyuike, a phone repairer at one of the outlets at Banex Plaza, Wuse, Abuja, where Mr Umar assaulted a security guard was arrested and detained at the Police Station in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja without bail or trial, since March 29.

Witnesses in separate interviews with our correspondent, said Mr Onyuike was severely beaten by the security agents who reportedly acted on Mr Umars order, before he was driven away.

Mr Umar, according to witnesses, accused Mr Onyuike of being rude in an encounter they had shortly after the CCT chairman attacked the plazas security guard, Clement Sargwak.

Mr Onyuike had helped Mr Umar to pick up his phone that fell to the ground without him knowing, and was trying to return it to him, when the CCT chairman picked a quarrel against him.

He was later picked up by security agents suspected to be State Security Service (SSS) operatives handed him over to the police, which detained him from then till Tuesday.

Released

Confirming his release, Mr Ihensekhien, a lawyer to the owners of Banex Plaza, told this newspaper on Tuesday that Mr Onyuike was released on bail.

Update: Peter Onyuike, in respect of Umar Danladi assault saga, held on suspicion of alleged assault by the F.C.T police command has been granted bail and the same bail condition has been met, Mr Ihensekhien said in a text message sent to our reporter.

Responding to a further enquiry by our correspondent, Mr Ihensenkhien, said, Yes, he has been released from detention.

Assault

This newspaper had reported how Mr Umar was caught on camera assaulting the security guard, Mr Sargwak an employee of Jul Reliable Guards Services Limited.

In the five minutes video footage that went viral, the tribunal chairman was seen slapping and kicking the 22-year-old, on March 29.

According to witnesses who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES, the altercation was over the space where the CCT chairman parked his car on the premises of the mall.

Despite video evidence, the CCT chairman denied the assault allegation.

Mr Umars denial was faulted by witnesses who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES.

The CCT chairman, who also accused Mr Sargwak of being rude in their parking space squabble, insisted he was the one assaulted by a mob of Biafran boys, a characterisation that was widely condemned as a slur on a particular ethnic group.
It's uncertain what this guy knows about the murders, but I'm confident he knows a great deal about rocking out.



Read more . . .
Underlining that India and Russia are tied through strategic partnership and have a long-lived friendship, Russian Foreign Minister on Tuesday said that bilateral and political dialogue between the two countries is at its "sustainable highest" even amid COVID-19 restrictions.

At opening remarks during delegation-level talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Lavrov said: "Our countries are tied through a strategic partnership and at the heart of our partnership is the long-lived friendship between our nations and proximity of our stance on relevant international issues and our friendship."

"Our bilateral, political dialogue is at its sustainable highest even amid the stringent epidemiological restrictions," he added.

Lavrov, who arrived here on Monday night, is on a two-day visit. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the visit provides a unique opportunity to discuss important aspects of bilateral ties, review preparations for the next annual summit and discuss regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Meanwhile, EAM Jaishankar said: "This year marks the 22nd year of our strategic partnership and 12th year of our special and privileged strategic partnership. So, I am sure that many of our conversations would be conducted in that spirit as very close partners.
Emma Watkins couldn't hide her tell-tale smile when she stepped out in Sydney on Tuesday, just a day after announcing her engagement to musician Oliver Brian.

The 31-year-old Wiggles star stepped out in a yellow floral-print shirtdress, which perfectly matched her sunny disposition.

The mid-calf length number featured a belted waist, and she also wore nude-coloured flats with criss-cross straps.

Getting married: Emma Watkins couldn't hide her tell-tale smile when she stepped out in Sydney on Tuesday, just a day after announcing her engagement to musician Oliver Brian

Emma wore her long curly red hair in a half-up, half-down style, with a thick pink headband.

The yellow Wiggle stopped by what appeared to have been a hotel, later emerging with a stack of books, a brown cardboard box and a pink vase with roses.

She gave onlookers a glimpse at her glitzy diamond engagement ring as she climbed into the backseat of a waiting vehicle.

Bright star: The 31-year-old Wiggles star stepped out in a yellow floral-print shirtdress, which perfectly matched her sunny disposition

Bling it on: She gave onlookers a glimpse at her glitzy diamond engagement ring as she climbed into the backseat of a waiting vehicle

Engaged: She shared a happy photo of herself and her fiance, Oliver Brian (right), on Instagram on Monday, in which she excitedly showed off her new engagement ring

Emma stopped to talk to the doorman as she left the building, smiling warmly as they chatted.

The children's entertainer only went public with her relationship with Oliver 15 months ago.

She shared a happy photo of herself and her fiance on Instagram on Monday, in which she excitedly showed off her new engagement ring.

Close: Emma's ex-husband, Lachy Gillespie and Oliver are also good friends, with the two men performing in the band, The Unusual Commoners, alongside Anthony Field and David O'Reilly

Pretty: The mid-calf length dress featured a belted waist, and she also wore nude-coloured flats with criss-cross straps

'When life gets more sparkly,' she simply captioned the announcement.

Emma shared more photos from the proposal to her Instagram Stories, revealing it had occurred in Warrnambool, a seaside city in Victoria.

Fans and friends, including Emma's ex-husband and fellow Wiggles member, Lachy Gillespie, were quick to congratulate the couple.

Stopping to say hello: Emma stopped to talk to the doorman as she left the building, smiling warmly as they chatted

Taking the next step: The children's entertainer only went public with her relationship with Oliver 15 months ago

'Love you guys,' Lachy, 35, commented on the post, adding a series of purple love heart emojis.

Emma and Lachy both met when they joined The Wiggles back in 2013, and started dating shortly afterwards.

They married in Bowral in New South Wales in April 2016, before announcing their split just two years later in August 2018.

Ex factor: Fans and friends, including Emma's ex-husband and fellow Wiggles member, Lachy Gillespie (right), were quick to congratulate the couple

Despite their breakup, Emma and Lachy have remained good friends, and continue to work together in The Wiggles.

'To be able to realise as a couple that we were going different ways and to stay as close as we are is a real testament, I think, to both of us,' Lachlan previously said in a statement.

He added: 'I love her more now than anything and she loves me more than anything.'

Think pink: Emma wore her long curly red hair in a half-up, half-down style, with a thick pink headband

Colleagues: Oliver also plays various instruments on The Wiggles, including guitar and banjo, and has joined the band on several of their world tours

Meanwhile, Lachy and Oliver are also good friends, with the two men performing in the band, The Unusual Commoners, alongside Anthony Field and David O'Reilly.

Oliver also plays various instruments on The Wiggles, including guitar and banjo, and has joined the band on several of their world tours.

Emma confirmed their relationship in an interview with The Daily Telegraph's Stellar Magazine in December 2019.

Making it official: Emma confirmed their relationship in an interview with The Daily Telegraph's Stellar Magazine in December 2019

'Yes, I'm in love and I feel very excited to tell you,' she told the publication, describing their relationship as 'new' at the time

'Yes, I'm in love and I feel very excited to tell you,' she told the publication, describing their relationship as 'new' at the time.

She said Oliver was the 'opposite' to her in personality, but described their relationship as being 'nice'.

'He's a very calm and thoughtful person and I've always been interested in his mind and his take on life and his morals,' she explained.

Opposites attract: She said Oliver was the 'opposite' to her in personality, but described their relationship as being 'nice'

Saying yes: Emma shared more photos from the proposal to her Instagram Stories, revealing it had occurred in Warrnambool, a seaside city in Victoria

'He loves talking about the environment and food production. It's not very "Wiggly", but it's been nice for me to talk about things not just concerning ourselves, but people everywhere around the world.'

The pair took the next step in their relationship in April last year, reportedly moving in together amid the coronavirus lockdown.

In September, Emma and Oliver showed further signs their relationship was becoming more serious, as they brought home a new puppy.
POTTSVILLE  Schuylkill County authorities are looking for a Forest City man who did not show up Thursday for his probation revocation hearing.

Brian S. Fritz, 44, must serve three to 12 months in prison, Judge Charles M. Miller ruled after revoking the defendants probation. Miller held the hearing in Fritzs absence, and decided Fritz violated his probation by failing to report to his supervising officer and not making payments on his court-ordered costs and fees.

Fritz originally pleaded guilty on March 5, 2020, to possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and retail theft on one case and possession of drug paraphernalia in another. At that time, Miller sentenced him to serve six to 12 months in prison and 12 months on probation, and to pay costs, $200 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $100 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, a $50 bench warrant fee and $79.99 restitution.

Rush Township police charged Fritz in the first case with possessing drugs and paraphernalia, and committing the theft, on May 25, 2017, in the township.

Tamaqua police charged Fritz in the second case with possessing paraphernalia on July 27, 2019, in the borough.

On Wednesday in the county court, Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin sentenced Ralph E. Judge, 33, of Nuremberg, to serve eight to 24 months in a state correctional institution.

Dolbin imposed the sentence after revoking Judges probation, which the defendant admitted violating by failing to report to his supervising officer, failing drug tests and using drugs.

Judge originally pleaded guilty on Sept. 12, 2018, to obstructing administration of law/government and driving under suspension-DUI related. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of fleeing or eluding police.

At that time, Dolbin sentenced Judge to serve 60 days in prison and 23 months on probation, and pay costs, a $50 CJEA payment and a $214.96 bench warrant fee.

East Union Township police charged Judge with committing his crimes on Jan. 14, 2018, in the township.

Judge already is an inmate at the county prison, and Dolbin conducted the hearing by videoconference.

On March 30 in the county court, Zachary W. Long, 33, of Valley View, pleaded guilty to terroristic threats, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person. Prosecutors withdrew charges of carrying a firearm without a license and harassment.

President Judge William E. Baldwin accepted the plea and sentenced Long to serve six to 23 months in prison, pay costs, a $50 CJEA payment and a $50 bench warrant fee, and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

State police at Schuylkill Haven charged Long with committing his crimes on May 8, 2020, in Hegins Township.

Long already is an inmate at the county prison, and Baldwin conducted the hearing by videoconference.
Judge blocks Ohio law requiring burial or cremation of aborted babies

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A judge in Ohio has temporarily blocked the enforcement of a state law requiring abortion clinics to give a proper burial or cremation to aborted fetal remains.

Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Alison Hatheway issued the preliminary injunction on the Unborn Child Dignity Act on Monday, the day before the law was scheduled to take effect.

Without the required rules and forms in place, the plaintiffs will be forced to stop providing procedural abortions because of a real threat of sanctions and penalties independent from criminal prosecution, concluded Hatheway, as reported by The Associated Press.

This substantially interferes with, if not denies, the plaintiffs' patients' rights to access abortion under the Ohio Constitution.

The Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region, the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Ohio and abortion provider Preterm-Cleveland issued a joint statement celebrating the ruling.

Were grateful for this victory for patients and while we can enjoy this moment of relief, there is more work to be done to ensure that abortion remains safe, legal, and accessible to all Ohioans who need it, they stated.

There is a history of aggressive enforcement against abortion providers in Ohio, and this ruling ensures that abortion providers are not vulnerable to severe sanctions, fines and penalties, including potential license revocation, during this interim period as we await final rules and regulations from the Ohio Department of Health.

In late December, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed the bill into law to require that the final disposition of fetal remains from a surgical abortion at an abortion facility be by cremation or interment.

The law also mandated that abortion clinics document in the pregnant womans medical record the final disposition determination made and maintain evidentiary documentation demonstrating the date and method of the disposition of fetal remains from surgical abortions performed or induced in the facility.

The organizations filed a lawsuit against the bill last month, claiming that compliance is impossible because the Ohio Department of Health did not establish or issue rules and regulations on the law. The judges ruling prevents the legislation from taking effect until 30 days after the rulemaking process.

After the bill passed, Mike Gonidakis, president of Ohio Right to Life, issued a statement declaring that in his state, we respect life and we bury our dead.

No longer will the tiny bodies of babies whose lives have been tragically taken through abortion be treated like trash, stated Gonidakis.

The abortion industry, who has for decades tried to convince women that the lives of their children dont matter and should simply be thrown away, will now be unable to hide behind this blatant lie.

In March, Gonidakis responded to the lawsuit, stating that the calloused actions of the abortion industry truly know no bounds.

"The abortion industry's desire to deny the innocent unborn even the right to a proper burial reveals where their allegiances lie: not with basic decency, but with their bottom line, he argued. Regardless of all obstacles thrown in our way, Pro-Life Ohio will never cease our advocacy until the dignity of every precious and irreplaceable human life is both respected and protected under law."
Colorado Gun Store Owner With 600 Violations Gets License Revoked After Judges Decision

A Colorado judge agreed to revoke the license of an Aurora-based gun dealer who had committed hundreds of violations over the years.

U.S. District Court Judge R. Brooke Jackson agreed with federal authorities when they revoked the firearms license of Timothy Taconiowner of A-TAC Gear Guns Uniforms and ATAC Arms, according to court papers.

The judge said (pdf) that Taconi knew the rules and made the express choice not to follow them. It would be difficult to find clearer evidence of willfulness than this.

A-TAC also states that enforcement of these regulations against A-TAC was selective, according to Jacksons ruling. Admittedly, it is the Courts impression that Mr. Taconi was not attempting to deceive the government or subvert the law for malicious purposes. Taking his hearing testimony at face value, it appears that he knew he was making mistakes and running afoul of the regulations, but in some instances he did it to avoid strife with his wife, and in others he believed it was simply the way most dealers were operating.

However, she said that neither of these explanations excuse his violations, adding that A-TAC may find it unfair that its license was revoked while other dealers engaging in similar violations have not faced the same fate.

But that is the risk of violating any regulation, and Mr. Taconi is a sophisticated enough businessman to have understood that risk. This supposed unfairness does not render the agencys decision unlawful.

Taconi, however, sees it differently, telling news website Colorado Politics that he does not believe some of the firearms laws and regulations are lawful. He received his federal firearms license in 2015, and the ATF granted him a regulation reference book, an acknowledgment form that he signed, and an in-person meeting.

Its a federal firearms license, not a state firearms license. Not to mention the rules are vague, he said. Theres no reason I feel that any federal firearms-licensed person should not be able to run a background check no matter where it is.

Officials with the ATF learned Taconi was allegedly selling firearms at a gun show in Wisconsin three years after he got his license, reported The Gazette, after an informant told Taconi he had some run-ins with the law, but Taconi sold the gun to him regardless of the claim and without paperwork. ATF officials warned him at another gun show in Wisconsin.

Then, an investigator visited Taconis store in December 2018 to check inventory, and the agency claimed Taconi had more than 600 violations in 16 categories.

The U.S. Attorneys Office for Colorado said the federal government is pleased to hear the courts decision, according to The Gazette.

The Epoch Times reached out to ATAC Arms for comment.
Rick Martin adjusted his white cowboy hat before bragging that his legal prowess has earned him a reputation as the most deadliest man in America.

Four hours later, Martin was sent to jail for impersonating a lawyer.

Martin advertised his services as assistance of counsel for businesses seeking to defy COVID-19 restrictions, promoting himself as the judge slayer who put scores of corrupt law enforcement officers behind bars. The Texas native, who is not licensed as a lawyer, traveled to Michigan to advise Marlena Pavlos-Hackney in her fight against public health orders.

Marlenas Bistro and Pizzeria has become a national symbol for conservatives outraged by government restrictions to curtail the pandemic. The small Holland restaurant also attracted conspiracy theorists and right-wing activists who argued Pavlos-Hackneys detainment reveals a plot by communist tyrants to strip Americans of their civil liberties.

Its in line with broader government ideas and conspiracies that have been around for decades about the government using some sort of crisis, which may be real or fabricated, to violate your rights, said Sam Jackson, an assistant professor at the University at Albany who studies extremist groups.

Pavlos-Hackney is the latest small business owner to become the mouthpiece of a statewide anti-government movement, but the first to go to jail. Owners of Karl Mankes Barber and Beauty Shop in Owosso, Cafe Rosetta in Calumet and Iron Pig Smoke House in Gaylord all gained a following after ignoring regulations they deemed unconstitutional.

Related: Michigans COVID health orders carry the weight of law, have not been proven unconstitutional

While the Michigan Supreme Court struck down Gov. Gretchen Whitmers use of executive orders to enforce restrictions in the fall, state law still gives the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services authority to impose orders during an emergency. The DHHS orders are issued under a separate section of law and have not been successfully challenged in court.

Josh Pasek, an associate professor of media and communication and political science at the University of Michigan, said theres a growing sentiment that citizens need to stand up and fight to preserve their perception of American values.

I think they view this as part of that fight, Pasek said. Theyre looking at these restaurants that want to stay open and they want to find a way to support them, because they believe their constitutional rights are being infringed upon, even though theyre not.

Republican lawmakers have also thrown their support behind defiant businesses while questioning the authority of MDHHS orders.

Related: Michigans COVID-19 surge is the worst in the nation. Whitmer is focused on vaccines, not restrictions.

State Sen. Tom Barrett, R-Charlotte, called Pavlos-Hackney Michigans first political prisoner of the pandemic. Barrett offered to take her place during a floor speech explaining his vote against the confirmation of the states new health director.

Governor, you know where to find me, Barrett said. You can send your secret police to come get me.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said businesses should challenge the orders in court instead of choosing not to follow them. The bottom line, Nessel said, is emergency measures were taken to prevent the coronavirus from surging across the state.

At the start of April, Michigans coronavirus trajectory is the worst in the nation. New cases are climbing to heights not experienced since mid-December.

When you have individuals like Karl the barber and Marlenas Pizzeria defying health orders in the name of liberty, it has a dangerous impact, Nessel said. If you look at our state right now, Michigan is on fire when it comes to new COVID infections. This isnt about trying to restrict peoples freedoms, its about saving lives.

Republicans accused Nessel, a Democrat, of targeting businesses to distract from controversy surrounding Whitmers pandemic nursing home policies. Protesters who rallied after Pavlos-Hackneys arrest demanded judges involved in the case to be locked up.

I think they no longer trust that system to address the issues that they see as wrong, and they actually believe that the system is in some way aligned against them, Pasek said. When you have very low institutional trust, your willingness to act outside the system is much higher.

Related: Republicans look for smoking gun on Whitmers handling of coronavirus in nursing homes. The data doesnt indicate there is one.

Martin, the constitutional lawman, sees the pandemic as an excuse for the government to pull off a communist takeover. In an interview, Martin said the Whitmer administration is playing satans game by arresting Pavlos-Hackney.

Its an act of treason, Martin said when asked to describe Whitmers handling of the pandemic.

This past year, the Department of Justice reissued the use of firing squads because an act of treason is unconstitutional. She might want to keep that in mind.

Marlenas resistance

The trouble started in November 2020 when Pavlos-Hackney, a 55-year-old Polish immigrant, defied a temporary ban on in-person dining. Pavlos-Hackney also ignored mask-wearing, social distancing and capacity requirements.

The Allegan County Health Department issued a cease and desist order last December, but Marlenas Bistro stayed open. Pavlos-Hackneys food license was suspended in January by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Pavlos-Hackney was given an opportunity to argue why her license should be returned at an administrative hearing in February. Instead, Pavlos-Hackney and Martin argued the coronavirus pandemic doesnt exist.

Marlena Pavlos-Hackney at her Holland restaurant, Marlena's Bistro & Pizzeria, on Thursday, March 18. (John Agar|MLive)John Agar

The restaurant stayed open, despite a court order. A warrant was issued to arrest Pavlos-Hackney for contempt of court.

Food inspectors and state officials were not allowed inside. A notice posted to the restaurant, and signed by Martin, claimed government officials who enter are committing an act of domestic terrorism.

Stand Up Michigan, an advocacy group formed to fight Whitmers COVID-19 regulations, hailed the restaurant as a beacon of freedom. The organization held rallies for other stand up restaurants that stayed open during the indoor dining ban.

Stand Up Michigan organized a statewide tour of eight diners and restaurants during a ban on indoor dining last December. The tour included several businesses that received cease and desist orders from MDARD, including D&R Daily Grind in Portage, Royal Scot in Lansing, Lakeside Inn in Sand Lake and Chapz Roadhouse in Lakeview,

Stand Up Michigan Executive Director Tammy Clark and Martin appeared in a video published on March 10, eight days before Pavlos-Hackney was ordered to turn herself in on a warrant for contempt of court. They advocated for other businesses to defy public health orders.

We said at every one of our protests, we can end this real fast with one word: non-compliance, Clark said. Thats what we all have to get to. It cannot just be one Marlena. Were encouraging all of you. Take off the masks, stand up and refuse to comply.

Martin took it a step further.

The word government means mind control, he said. We the people are supposed to control the minds of our servants. Whats happened is the tables have turned and our minds are being controlled by our servants. Its absolute insanity.

Pavlos-Hackney immigrated from communist Poland in the late 1980s. Supporters perceived her loss of freedom in the United States not only ironic, but a sign of communist tendencies influencing the government.

The story caught the attention of right-wing news networks. Conservative personalities like Tucker Carlson and Glenn Beck interviewed Pavlos-Hackney in the lead-up to her arrest. Carlson introduced her as a corona criminal in a primetime broadcast on March 17.

Authorities in Michigan are doing everything they can to put a restaurant owner in prison, Carlson said. Why? Because she owns a business during COVID.

Pavlos-Hackney told Carlson she would remain defiant, claiming she did not break any laws.

I encourage everyone, business owners, other people, stand up and fight for your freedom before it is going to be taken away, she said. What we see right now in this country is unacceptable, and we have to do the movement before its too late.

Pasek said right-wing media networks have amplified feelings of outrage during the pandemic.

Its hard to imagine that many of these folks would break the law in this way, were it not for the fact that theyre being egged on in this larger sense that there is a problem in the system, Pasek said. If they werent being told by folks like Tucker Carlson that their rights were under attack; if they werent being told that this country is going in some direction they view as dangerous.

Members of Michigans patriot movement, a loose collection of Trump-supporting conservatives with anti-government views, sprung to action after Pavlos-Hackneys arrest. Back in Holland, the restaurant continued serving customers as if nothing had changed.

Twenty protesters followed Pavlos-Hackney from the Ingham County jail in Mason to her court appearance at the 30th District Court in Lansing on March 19. The group included activists who run a conservative blog and veterans of protests against coronavirus restrictions at the state Capitol last year.

One of the loudest protesters was John Clore, a Lansing blogger who attended legislative committee hearings dressed as COVID Man. Clore -- donning a costume made of a plastic-wrapped laundry hamper, hazmat suit and the former Soviet Unions flag as a cape -- also protested President Joe Bidens visit to Pfizers vaccine manufacturing facility in February.

Martin called in to West Michigan Live with Justin Barclay on WOOD Radio to advertise the protest, falsely claiming there were hundreds of people outside the Ingham County Jail.

Mark Finchem, a Republican state representative from Arizona, also called into the radio program while traveling to an event in Holland focused on election fraud.

The arrest of this woman is just absolutely outrageous, but its what weve come to expect from little dictators like Gretchen Whitmer, Finchem said.

Finchem has described himself as a member of the Oath Keepers, an antigovernment paramilitary group that was heavily involved in planning the Jan. 6 riot in Washington, D.C. Martin also identifies as a member of the Oath Keepers.

Meanwhile, the protesters followed Pavlos-Hackney to Lansing for her arraignment.

Some chaffed at the requirement to wear masks inside the courthouse, at one point comparing staff to Nazi brownshirts who used vigilante force during Adolf Hitlers rise to power. A bailiff was asked how hes able to sleep at night after enforcing tyrannical rules.

Bill Gates, Dr. Seuss, the Holocaust and Cardi Bs WAP were topics of conversation in the Lansing courtroom as supporters awaited Pavlos-Hackneys arraignment. The group discussed how government elites wanted to kill families, churches and small businesses.

Marlena Pavlos-Hackney, takes the oath in during her arraignment, on Friday March, 19, 2020 at the 30th Judicial Circuit Court in Lansing. Pavlos-Hackney was arrested for violating the states food laws, and public health orders. Nicole Hester/Mlive.com

Julie VanderPloeg later equated Pavlos-Hackneys arraignment with the Biblical account of Jesus being sentenced to crucifixion. She wept as Pavlos-Hackney left the courtroom in handcuffs.

It felt like I was in a communist country, VanderPloeg said.

Jon Rocha, a Republican seeking to challenge U.S. Rep. Fred Upton in 2022, said support from patriot groups will form around Pavlos-Hackney.

Rocha started an online fundraiser that collected $309,500 from 6,100 donors as of April 2.

Rocha traveled to Owosso to get his haircut by Karl Manke, who branded himself as Americas Barber after reopening his barbershop despite an executive order by Whitmer.

Theres something bigger happening here, Rocha said when asked how the situations compare.

Angela Rigas, a West Michigan salon owner who cut hair with Manke on the Capitol lawn last year during a protest, said Pavlos-Hackney is being vilified by the government.

On her way out of the Lansing courthouse, Rigas said she would be calling Barry County Sheriff Dar Leaf and state Rep. Matt Maddock, R-Milford.

Leaf is a member of the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association, a group that claims sheriffs can disregard laws that dont align with their interpretation of the Constitution. Maddock is married to Michigan Republican Party Co-Chair Meshawn Maddock.

Hundreds of people gather in front of on Marlena's Bistro in Holland in support of the owner Marlena Pavlos-Hackney on Saturday March 20, 2021. Nicole Hester/Mlive.com

The next day, hundreds of supporters rallied outside Marlenas Bistro and Pizzeria. In an interview, Meshawn Maddock said Pavlos-Hackney represents small business owners across the state who have suffered financially during the pandemic.

For the 99.9% of us that know we will survive COVID If we should get it let us go eat; let us go shop; let our kids back to school; let our kids play sports, Maddock said. It feels like persecution. Were living in America and it feels like were being persecuted.

Later, Maddock stood on the back of a pickup truck to address the crowd of demonstrators. She accused Nessel of playing politics with the arrest, claiming Whitmer should instead face criminal charges for her pandemic nursing home policies.

In case Dana Nessel needs some help with legal ethics, lets jail the governor for killing grandma but not waitresses and line cooks that just want to earn a living, Maddock told the crowd.

Clark, the Stand Up Michigan director, promoted a petition demanding the release of Pavlos-Hackney and Martin. Stand Up Michigan Founder Garrett Soldano, who is considering running for political office, also gave a speech.

Soldano is a Kalamazoo chiropractor who introduces himself as a doctor at events. He is not licensed to practice medicine in Michigan.

The next week, GOP lawmakers cast doubt on the legitimacy of COVID-19 restrictions at a press conference convened by the Michigan Republican Party. Across the street, supporters called for other businesses to practice total non-compliance.

Others called for Whitmer and Nessel to be arrested.

The fight isnt over

Pavlos-Hackney spent four nights in jail while state officials waited to determine if her restaurant would remain closed in compliance with a court order.

The Holland business was boarded up. A sign reading complied was placed under its logo.

Signs posted on Marlena Pavlos-Hackney's closed restaurant, Marlena's Bistro & Pizzeria, in Holland on Monday, March 22, 2021. Pavlos-Hackney was arrested for operating without a business license and defying state COVID-19 health orders. The Michigan Republican Party views her punishment as the latest front in a war against government overreach. (Cory Morse | MLive.com)Cory Morse | MLive.com

The change of strategy can be attributed to Pavlos-Hackneys new attorney Robert Baker.

As soon as I was hired, I said shut (the restaurant) down, Baker said.

Baker describes himself as a small-town lawyer who is close to retirement but not afraid to take on the government.

Baker said he was alerted to the case by Holland Township Trustee Gretchen Molotky, who is also a legal investigator working on his team. They ate at Marlenas Bistro in early March; Baker said not a soul was wearing a mask but the restaurant was packed.

Martins legal strategy disintegrated as soon as he entered the courtroom. Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, who famously presided over the sentencing of convicted sex offender Larry Nassar, had Martin arrested for contempt of court and ordered him to spend 93 days in jail. He remains incarcerated.

Baker said he believes Martin and Pavlos-Hackney had their constitutional riots trampled by the court.

In an interview, he argued that Aquilina improperly denied his client a chance to seek bond. He also questioned whether the traffic stop that led to Pavlos-Hackneys arrest was lawful.

While Marlenas Bistro plans to remain complaint, Baker said hes preparing a flurry of legal actions designed to test the constitutionality of emergency orders issued under Michigans public health code. Baker also plans to challenge the decisions that led to Pavlos-Hackneys arrest, which he believes was unlawful.

Thats where Mr. Martin had run afoul of the Michigan judicial process; all these hearings that were occurring that he was supposedly representing her on, she got plowed over, Baker said. None of these things that should have been tested were tested. So Im putting the toothpaste back in the tube.

Baker said the goal is to restore Pavlos-Hackneys food service license.

Ill take it to the United States Supreme Court if I have to, Baker said. Im not going to stop fighting.

The Allendale attorney is not representing Martin. Posts on the Constitutional Law Groups Facebook page show the Martin is seeking legal representation and funding for his defense.

Baker was hesitant to say Martins legal advice created a negative outcome for Pavlos-Hackney, but he did indicate that conspiracy theories shared in the courtroom werent helpful.

Some of the statements hes made are on the mark, unfortunately, its in the middle of jibber-jabber, Baker said. Was he giving her improper advice? That is not my place to say.

Martin has shared various bizarre claims through the Constitutional Law Group about the coronavirus and 2020 election.

CLGs has a medical research team that has spread junk science and misinformation about the pandemic. The group includes Dr. Carrie Madej, a Dearborn native who has made unproven claims about COVID-19 vaccines changing peoples DNA and reprograming human behavior through 5G networks.

Baker acknowledged that a small Holland restaurant has become taken on a larger role as Americans raise big questions about the U.S. constitution. Powerful groups on both sides of the aisle are trying to use Marlenas Bistro to fit their narrative, Baker said.

But Baker disagrees with Nessel on whether Pavlos-Hackney should be revered. He described her as a poster child for the constitution.

Shes saying Marlena is no hero, Baker said. Thats debatable.

READ MORE ON MLIVE:

Ron Weiser says he will not be canceled after regents pass resolution for his resignation

Michigan man arrested after bragging about storming the Capitol on Facebook

Ryan Kelley pushed to arrest lawmakers, then stormed the Capitol. Now he wants to be Michigans governor.
Official estimates are that Iraqs proven reserves of conventional natural gas amount to at least 3.5 trillion cubic meters (tcm), or about 1.5 percent of the worlds total, placing Iraq 13th among global reserve-holders, with around three-quarters of this figure comprising associated gas that is found in the same reservoirs as oil. The International Energy Agency, though, estimates that ultimately recoverable resources will be considerably larger, at 8.0 tcm, of which around 30 percent is thought to be in the form of non-associated gas. Despite these huge potential gas resources, Iraq has made little substantial progress over the years on developing this potential either for associated or non-associated gas, mainly flaring the former and overlooking the latter. Last week, though, a heads-of-agreement deal was announced with French oil and gas giant, Total, to jointly work on four major projects that include developing the associated gas sector.

Part of the multi-billion dollar deal, according to Iraqs Oil Minister, Ihsan Abul Jabbar, will involve the building of a facility to produce natural gas at the five southern Iraq oilfields of West Qurna 2, Majnoon, Ratawi, Tuba, and Luhais, and this is expected to produce at least 300 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (mscf/d) and double that after the second phase of development. The agreement between Iraq and Total follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding on 27 January to develop various large-scale projects, including associated gas developments in Ratawi in the south, Diyala in the east, and Anbar in the northeast. Total already has ongoing experience of working across Iraq, holding a 22.5 percent stake in the Halfaya oil field in Missan province in the south and an 18 percent stake in the Sarsang exploration block in the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan in the north.

Related Video: Saudi Arabia Goes All-In on Hydrogen

The other key elements in this heads-of-agreement deal will be Totals involvement in the construction and operation of a 1,000-megawatt solar energy plant and a project that will utilize redirected and reprocessed seawater to boost the pressure at oil fields to counter declining output yields. In this latter regard, according to Iraqs Oil Ministry, Total will focus on treating around 2.5 million barrels of seawater per day and focusing these efforts on boosting output from Ratawi, and the Zubair, West Qurna 2, Majnoon, and Rumaila. This would appear to be an attempt by Total to gauge whether or not to take over the entire Common Seawater Supply Project (CSSP).

The CSSP  which involves exactly the same methodology as the project for which Total has tentatively signed up  has long been regarded as unwieldy, expensive, and prone to extreme reputational risk for any company taking it over due to the endemic corruption in the country. In its entirety, the CSSP is intended to take and treat seawater from the Persian Gulf and then transport it via pipelines to oil production facilities for the purposes of maintaining pressure in oil reservoirs to optimize the longevity and output of fields. The CSSP was intended to be rolled out initially to supply around six million bpd of water  not just the 2.5 million bpd in Totals deal - to at least five southern Basra fields and one in Maysan Province, and then built out for use in further fields. Whilst the CSSP has been delayed for many years  in turns involving the participation of the U.S.s ExxonMobil or the China National Petroleum Corporation (or related China entity) - Saudi Aramcos 2 million bpd expansion of the existing Qurayyah Seawater Plant facility took just four years from the awarding of the front-end engineering, procurement, and design contract  in May 2005  to the time that water first began to flow in early 2009.

The prospects for Totals intended associated gas project appear to be better than for its involvement in any stage of the CSSP, though. To begin with, there is a clear economic imperative for Iraq in that currently this vast resource of associated gas is simply burnt off, akin to burning cash. It could be monetized instead into gas exports or used to generate power in Iraqs chronically underpowered grid, which would also mean that precious crude oil would not have to be used to generate power and instead could be exported. This would go some way to alleviating the severity of the cash crunches that relatively new Prime Minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, has faced since taking office.

The most notable recent example of this was during the summer when he required IQD12 trillion (US$10 billion) just to pay the next two months salaries of more than four million employees, state beneficiaries, and the food relief for low-income families, which forced him to go to Washington to plead for assistance. These groups constitute the majority of households in Iraq and it is believed in Iraqi government circles that any failure to pay any of these obligations could result in the sort of widespread protests, bloodshed, and deaths that occur periodically in the country.

Related: Goldman Sachs Sees Large Oil Demand Rebound This Summer



This ties into the second imperative for Iraq to push ahead with the development of its associated gas sector, which is that its failure to do so thus far  and the power shortfalls that this threatens  has left it reliant on neighboring Iran to send it electricity and gas for its power grid. This, in turn, has been the source of continued concern from the U.S., which grants Iraq waivers to continue to export these two products from the sanctioned Iran but which shows its displeasure with Iraq over the enduring closeness of its relationship with Iran by providing very short waiver periods from time to time. It also shows its displeasure by suspending planned major investments by U.S. companies into Iraq, depending on how much assistance Iraq gives to Irans anti-U.S. activities across the region in any period leading up to the granting of a new waiver.

As it stands, Iraq still ranks as one of the worst offenders for flaring associated gas in the world, after Russia, burning off around 16 billion cubic meters last year, despite it joining in 2017 the United Nations and World Bank Zero Routine Flaring initiative aimed at ending this type of routine gas flaring by 2030. That said, it has made some progress in developing gas resources, most notably in 2019/2020 when the US$17 billion 25-year Basra Gas Company (BGC) project with Royal Dutch Shell reached a peak production rate of 1035 mscf/d, the highest in Iraqs history and sufficient gas to generate approximately 3.5 gigawatts of electricity - enough to power three million homes. The BGC - initially focussed on capturing gas from the fields of Rumaila, West Qurna 1, and Zubair, in the first instance - is also responsible for currently supplying around 70 percent of Iraqs liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and for enhancing Iraqs export capabilities, which helped the country to become a net exporter of LPG from 2017.

Successfully capturing associated gas rather than flaring it will also allow Iraq to revive the also long-stalled US$11-billion Nebras petrochemicals project with Shell, which if it went ahead in a correct linear fashion could be completed within five years and would generate estimated profits of up to US$100 billion for Iraq within its 35-year initial contract period. The original design plans for Nebras  formulated between Shell and the Iraq Oil Ministry and Ministry of Industry and Minerals - were for a project that could produce at least 1.8 million metric tonnes per year (mtpy) of various petrochemicals. This would make it Iraqs first major petrochemicals project since the early 1990s and one of only four major petchem complexes across the entire country. The others - Khor al-Zubair in the south, Musayeb near Baghdad, and the Baiji refinery complex in the north  are operated by Iraqs State Company for Petrochemical Industries. From 2012, though, the development of Iraqs hydrocarbons chain stalled in the upstream sector, with little impetus on the next stage that is critical for both the petrochemical and refining sectors - a focus on the midstream to attract sufficient capital with the strategic objective of developing an integrated master gas system. Further delays arose from disagreements between the Oil Ministry and Shell over whether or not to calculate feedstock prices for the plant on a different basis to vanilla market pricing, according to Iraqs Jabbar.

By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
New Zealands COVID-19 vaccine program is ramping up ahead of the trans-Tasman border bubble opening in two weeks.

New Zealands Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Tuesday that quarantine-free travel will begin from midnight on April 18.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the travel bubble will commence in two weeks. Credit:Getty

Prime Minister Scott Morrison described it as a win-win but said Australias vaccination efforts so far - with more than 843,000 doses administered by the start of week seven - were ahead of New Zealand and many other countries around the world.

So where is New Zealands vaccine rollout currently?
Infused with smoky, fragrant spices and tangy, umami-packed preserved lemon, this stovetop chicken can be the centerpiece of a Sunday dinner or the highlight of a busy weekday meal. (Photo from "The Mediterranean Diabetes Cookbook")

A (Moroccan) Chicken for Every Pot

When I first traveled to Morocco, I knew that I would be mesmerized by its cuisine and culturebut I never dreamed that it would have such a profound impact on my chicken game! A few forkfuls into the sweet and savory chicken tajines at Al Mounia Restaurant in Casablanca, however, I realized that I still had a lot to learn about Americas favorite protein.

Americans currently consume an average of 60 pounds of chicken per year, making it the nations protein of choice. Nutritionally speaking, chicken is a good choice, since the fat in chicken is mostly of the unsaturated type, which protects against heart disease. One 3-ounce serving contains just 1 gram of saturated fat and less than 4 grams of total fat, yet is packed with 31 grams of protein, which is more than half of the daily recommended allowance for adult females.

Chicken meat also contains a significant amount of B vitamins, which aid in metabolism, immune system and blood sugar level maintenance, cell growth, and nerve cell and red blood cell maintenance.

Because it is so widely used, however, many people fall into chicken ruts, making the same dishes over and over again with dispirited results. Luckily, theres plenty of inspiration to be found in time-honored recipes from cuisines around the worldlike this one for Moroccan chicken with preserved lemons. Versions of this dish date back to the ninth century.

An Ancient Recipe

North African ways of preparing chicken were popular even with the ancient Romans. De Re Coquinaria, a first-century Roman cookbook attributed to the philosopher, gourmand, and writer Apicus, includes a recipe for Numidian chicken, or Pullum Numidicum in Latin.

Numidia Quadrata, or Square Numidia, was a territory of the Roman Empire that extended from Rome down into modern-day Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, and Libya. The Roman ruins in various places in Morocco, such as Volubilis and Chellah, are markers of the area where many Roman officials spent the later part of their careers.

The ancient recipe described a parboiled and then pan-fried chicken, dressed with a spice mix that included crushed pepper, cumin, coriander seed, laser root, rue, fig, dates, and nuts. The chicken was then moistened with vinegar, honey, broth, and oil to taste.

At the time, the abundant use of spices, especially pepper, denoted wealth and access to trade routes and commerce with Asia that we now take for granted. The addition of figs, dates, and nuts made good use of local ingredients that are still part of Moroccan and Mediterranean lifestyles today.

I like to serve this Numidian chicken recipe as part of the ancient Roman dinner menus I recreate at restaurants in both the United States and Italy.

Adding Citrus

Citrus arrived in Morocco during Roman times, but its believed that it wasnt until the seventh century A.D. that it was planted and became widely used. In the ninth century, parts of southern Europe, such as Sicily, Italy gained citrus crops from North Africa. Citrus production in Morocco itself remained relatively small until the early 20th century. Some Moroccan scholars date the planting of the large-scale groves the country is now famed for to the 1930s, under French rule.

During the last century, however, both production and use of citrus have skyrocketed in Morocco. Preserved lemons, made by pickling lemons in salt and their own juices, have become a staple both in home and restaurant kitchens. The preserving process coaxes out the lemons maximum flavor, a powerful mix of sour, slightly sweet (lemons have a higher sugar content than strawberries do), and umami, which helps round out traditional Moroccan recipes and give them their characteristic flavor.

Preserved lemons, made by pickling lemons in salt and their own juices, have become a staple both in home and restaurant kitchens. (Lyudmila Mikhailovskaya/shutterstock)

Preserved lemons can be found in jars in most American supermarkets. I usually get mine from North African or Asian markets, but have seen them at Trader Joes and Whole Foods as well. You can also make your own. Prior to using, they are rinsed of their excess salt, then chopped up and added to salads, vegetable dishes, and tajines.

Other North African countries use preserved lemons as well, but often in a different manner. In Egypt, for example, they are rinsed and served with other preserved vegetables and eaten alone as pickles, but are never added to cooked dishes. Various spices can also be added to the preserving mixture, depending on the region.

In this recipe, simmering the chicken with preserved lemons adds a slight acidity, and helps to marry the flavors of the chicken, spice, and broth.

Moroccan Chicken With Preserved Lemons

Its hard to believe that just a few minutes of prep time and an hour of simmering on the stove can create a holiday-worthy aroma that transport your taste buds to a North African soukbut this recipe can do just that.

Infused with the smoky flavors of paprika and cumin, and laced with fragrant saffron, warming ginger, and tangy citrus, this stovetop chicken can be the centerpiece of a Sunday dinner or the highlight of a busy weekday meal.

This recipe yields a lot more sauce than it needs to dress the chicken. Save the remaining sauce in a plastic container in the freezer. The next time you are going to make this recipe, simply defrost the sauce in the refrigerator, heat it up on the stove, add the chicken, and allow to simmer until it is ready. You will be able to enjoy the same great taste with a lot less work.

Serves 8

1 tablespoon Amy Riolo Selections or other extra virgin olive oil

2 medium onions, sliced

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 (4-pound) whole chicken

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon cumin

Pinch of saffron threads

6 cups reduced-sodium chicken stock

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

4 preserved lemons, or 1 fresh lemon, quartered

1/4 cup black olives, pitted

1/4 cup freshly chopped cilantro

Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions and saute until tender, about 5 minutes.

Add garlic and stir. Add chicken and brown on all sides.

Once chicken is browned, add ginger, paprika, cumin, and saffron.

Cover with stock and bring to a boil. If stock does not cover chicken, add some water to the pot.

Add salt, pepper, lemons, and olives, and stir. Reduce heat to medium-low and cover the pot. Simmer the chicken for 1 hour.

When it is cooked through, remove the chicken and set it on a carving board. Cover it with aluminum foil and let it rest for 10 minutes.

Keep the pot with the sauce on the stove and increase the heat to high. Allow sauce to boil while chicken is resting.

Carve the chicken and arrange on a serving platter.

Ladle sauce over the chicken and garnish with chopped cilantro. Serve hot.

Recipe from The Mediterranean Diabetes Cookbook by Amy Riolo

Amy Riolo is an award-winning, best-selling author, chef, TV host, and educator. As a Mediterranean lifestyle ambassador, she is known for sharing history, culture, and nutrition through global cuisine, and simplifying recipes for the home cook. Find her at AmyRiolo.com
NEW YORK, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP, a personal injury law firm based in New York City, http://www.nycLawFirm.com has filed a lawsuit in New York County Supreme Court (950107/2021), alleging that Plaintiff, when she was a minor, was sexually assaulted and abused on the grounds and premises of Defendant St. Ignatius Loyola Preschool located at 240 East 84th St, New York, NY 10028. It is alleged that both Sister Maura and Sister Thomas committed the child sexual abuse. It is alleged that Sister Maura escorted Plaintiff to the bathroom or places adjacent to the classroom, including a dark hallway near the elevator, and forcibly fondled her naked breasts and her vagina under her clothes. It is alleged that employees, agents, and/or representatives of St. Ignatius Loyola School were aware and/or knew about the sexual abuse being committed by Sister Maura and Sister Thomas upon Plaintiff.

This lawsuit was filed under New York's Child Victims Act which allows innocent victims of child sexual abuse to seek compensation and hold their perpetrators accountable. Before enacting the Child Victims Act, the statute of limitations would have already expired for this child sexual abuse victim. New York residents who were sexually abused as children now have until August 14, 2021 to pursue child sexual abuse claims. https://www.greensteinmilbauer.com/deadline-for-new-york-residents-sexually-abused-as-children-extended-to-august-14-2021/.

DON'T BE A VICTIM TWICE  CALL 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462)

\If you were sexually abused as a child, the New York Child Sexual Abuse Lawyers at Greenstein & Milbauer LLP help. Schedule a free, confidential consultation by calling 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462).

The compassionate New York Child Sexual Abuse Lawyers at Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP are there to listen. They understand that coming forward is very difficult. They can help. They will walk you through the process. They are committed to holding sexual predators like Sister Maura and Sister Thomas and institutions such as St. Ignatius Loyola School accountable. The call is free. The consultation is free. You don't pay them unless they are successful.

Related Links

http://www.nycLawFirm.com

For more information contact:

Rob Greenstein

1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462)

[email protected]

SOURCE Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP

Related Links

https://www.greensteinmilbauer.com/


Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar has been admitted to hospital with Covid-19. Akshay took to social media on Monday to share the health update.

"Thank you everyone for your warm wishes and prayers, they seem to be working. I am doing fine, but as a precautionary measure under medical advice, I have been hospitalised. I hope to be back home soon. Take care," Akshay Kumar tweeted.
An Indian court on Tuesday said China's ByteDance must deposit around $11 million that federal authorities believe the company owes in an alleged case of tax evasion, a setback for the firm which wanted to unblock its bank accounts to pay salaries.

An Indian tax intelligence agency in mid-March ordered HSBC and Citibank in Mumbai to freeze accounts of ByteDance India as it probed some of the firm's financial dealings. ByteDance challenged the move in court saying the freeze amounted to harassment and was done illegally.

ByteDance has said in court it does not owe the tax government is demanding and does not agree with the tax authority's decision to freeze its accounts.

After a government counsel said ByteDance owed the authorities about 790 million rupees ($11 million), the High Court in Mumbai said the company will need to keep that amount blocked in a state-run bank.

That amount will be frozen, the two-judge bench said.

However, the four blocked bank accounts of ByteDance had just $10 million in funds, according to the company's court filing seen by Reuters.

A counsel for the federal tax authority, Jitendra Mishra, said ByteDance can utilize the $10 million for making the court mandated deposit, but cannot use it for any other activity. Effectively, Mishra said, the accounts still remain frozen until the amount is moved to the state-run bank.

ByteDance did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

ByteDance in January reduced its Indian workforce after New Delhi maintained a ban on its popular video app TikTok, imposed last year after a border clash between India and China. Beijing has repeatedly criticised India over that ban and those of other Chinese apps.

Still, the company has told the court it has a workforce of 1,335, including outsourced personnel, which includes 800 people working in its "trust and safety" team that supports activities like content moderation overseas.

In the tax probe, which started in July 2020, India's tax authority told ByteDance it had reasons to believe the company suppressed certain transactions and claimed excessive tax credits, Reuters has previously reported.

Also Read: ByteDance says India's freeze on bank accounts is harassment
(Newser)  For weeks, in a wake of attention promoted by law enforcement, residents of Washington state followed the story of a sheriff's department K-9 that the media reported had been shot by a suspect during a high-speed chase. A GoFundMe page set up by the Thurston County Deputy Sheriff's Foundation collected more than $73,000 to pay for Arlo's surgery. Police sold merchandise with his photo, the Intercept reports. Well-wishers could follow the dog's recovery through social media posts by Arlo's handler. In fact, the K-9 became a social media star with 2.5 million TikTok followers, and his recovery and return home were covered by local and national news outlets. But the feel-good story hit a roadblock: an investigation by another sheriff's department found the suspect's gun had had no bullets, and no shell casings from that gun were found. Arlo had been shot by sheriff's deputies.

story continues below

Police have taken no blame for the misunderstanding. "We did not make any statements that the dog was shot by the suspect or was shot by the officers until we were very comfortable," an investigator said. Arlo's handler wrote on Instagram that the suspect had shot the dog, a posting that's since been removed. Other reports referred to an exchange of gunfire in which Arlo was wounded. The GoFundMe page didn't say who shot him, per the Olympian. As for the suspect, he was shot three times and is now in the Thurston County jail. A nurse told him word was that he had shot Arlo; he said then his gun had no bullets and later confided that he was considering suicide. Police raised no money for his medical bills, notes the Intercept. Arlo retired in March after being honored for his courage by the American Kennel Club. (Read more K-9 stories.)
The BBC broadcaster Stephen Nolan has hit out at critics on social media, branding them as trolls who have "nothing else in their life".

Mr Nolan's popular Nolan Show returned to its usual live format following a break over the Easter period.

During a discussion in the wake of street violence in Carrickfergus on Monday evening, the broadcaster was responding to a caller who referenced abuse directed towards Mr Nolan on social media.

The 47-year-old BBC-man has previously hit out at "anonymous dark forces" that instigate abuse towards him and others over social media and has called out the "anonymous made-up" figures behind a petition set up to cancel his show.

Read More

Speaking on Tuesday morning, Mr Nolan said he has received "grief on Facebook and Twitter for years".

"Heres the score, there is some very legitimate criticism on Facebook and Twitter of me and they are real people," he said.

"Then you have got some little sad keyboard trolls who seem to have nothing else in their life other than to talk about me and I just feel sorry that their lives are so empty."

The remarks came after the broadcaster had clashed with a listener earlier on the show, disputing how many times the TUV leader Jim Allister is invited for interview.

The listener called Tim claimed that Mr Allister appeared on the show "two or three" times a week and that the show pushed a "hard right agenda".

Responding, Mr Nolan said that the accusation was "outrageous".

"I am going to stop this call because I find that accusation outrageous. I am a journalist in this country trying my very best.

"And my reputation as an impartial journalist, I will do everything I can to protect it and I find your comment outrageous."
Hanoi deputy chairman Duong Duc Tuan has approved the proposal of replacing all red-leaf maple trees planted on the median strips along Nguyen Chi Thanh and Tran Duy Hung Streets due to their underdevelopment.

The medians of the two streets in Dong Da and Cau Giay Districts have been landscaped with 262 red maple trees donated by a company since 2018, with the expectation that they would serve as beautiful and traffic-calming elements.

Nguyen Duc Manh, deputy general director of Hanoi Green Tree and Park Company, once said that this type of maple tree would change leaves in winter and grow well in summer.

After over two years of the pilot scheme, however, 119 maple trees on Nguyen Chi Thanh Street and 143 maple trees on Tran Duy Hung Street have failed to adapt to the climatic conditions of Hanoi, showing poor growth, according to the municipal Department of Constructions review.

Of that, 45 maple trees died, while alive trees have had leaves wilt and branches become dry, as well as being vulnerable to pests and diseases, affecting the landscape of the streets, the construction department reported.

Wilt red-leaf maple trees on the median strip of Tran Duy Hung Street in Hanoi. Photo: Pham Tuan / Tuoi Tre

Therefore, the department proposed the municipal Peoples Committee replace all of the maple trees with either 'Bang' (Terminalia catappa) or oil palm trees.

The replacement is expected to be carried out in April and completed before the end of the month.

Hanoi deputy chairman Tuan has approved the proposal and assigned the construction department to guide relevant units to implement the plan in accordance with the law.

Authorities in Dong Da and Cau Giay Districts are requested to publicly and widely inform the people about the maple tree replacement.

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The strategy of mastering the high-tech industry at a world-class level has been the foundation for Viettel Groups engineers to now have four patents protected as intellectual property in the US.

Nguyen Trung Tien is one of the young and promising engineers of Viettel High Technology Industry Corporation (VHT). He is now an engineer at the Broadband Radio Equipment Research Center under VHT.

For Tien, a telecommunications engineer's job is not merely operating and maintaining ordinary equipment. Instead, he was assigned a greater responsibility: joining a project of special importance to Viettel, which can put the name of Vietnam on the world technology map.

The task of Tien and his team is to optimize eNodeB 4G products manufactured by Viettel. The requirement is that the base stations must be of the same quality as those provided by major suppliers such as Ericsson, Nokia, Huawei and others.

Research by VHT engineers has contributed significantly to the successful production of Make in Vietnam products.

In the telecommunication systems in general and the eNodeB system in particular, the control of power of the receiver is very important because this detail directly affects the quality of the whole system.

There are some solutions provided by device manufacturers such as Nokia, Ericsson, and Huawei which also use this method, but due to the use of wide spectrum in a cell, 4G LTE network is very susceptible to interference between components.

All devices in the network are only initialized to the same initial capacity despite different terrain and environment. This causes control capabilities to fail to meet the operation, and to high interference and poor reception signals. Telecommunications networks are then more susceptible to failure.

Talking about his invention, Tien said the system set up according to this method is capable of correcting and controlling the power of the receiver line, bringing about optimum efficiency when it is compatible with each type of transmission medium, overcoming the disadvantages of devices of the older-versions.

This is the key to solving the problem throughout the optimization process and is also one of the great technology secrets that vendors hold and implement differently, adding VHT to the team of "big vendors" capable of self-optimizing the network made by the equipment they produce.

Vietnams intellectual imprint on international maps

Tien and his team.

As for his best memory, Tien said it was not a successful moment but a failed trial.

At that time, Tiens invention clearly showed superiority in the simulation process, but the results were beyond expectations when it was trialed.

We had only a month to change and improve or the project would have been canceled. Our team stayed up many nights on the field, to build simulation models and recalculate the parameters. Fortunately, these efforts have led to success, Tien said.

Vietnam is one of the first six countries in the world to successfully develop 5G products.

Spending eight times reviving the files, two years of implementation until getting the patent, Tien said the invention is not merely the time of application and implementation, but the whole process, until products reach customers and receive good feedback, and business efficiency as well.

Tien and his colleagues in their heart want to promote Make in Vietnam products. Although Vietnam has been behind the world for a long time, Vietnam can completely do the things that the world has done and even things that no one has done yet.

Tuan Nghia

Vietnamese engineer works on vaccine patch, high-tech face mask After inventing a biological mask with outstanding features, Dr Nguyen Duc Thanh, winner of many prestigious awards, and his co-workers are working on vaccine patches.
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Hundreds of hikers who had flocked to see an Icelandic volcano that erupted last month have been evacuated after a new fissure opened up.

Steam and lava were seen spurting from the new fissure by a sightseeing helicopter, prompting the evacuation.

The new fissure is about 500 metres (550 yards) long and about a kilometre (around half a mile) from the original eruption site in the Geldinga Valley in southwestern Iceland.

The Icelandic Department of Emergency Management announced an immediate evacuation of the area.

Hundreds of hikers who had flocked to see an Icelandic volcano that erupted last month have been evacuated after a new fissure opened up

The new fissure was about 500 metres (550 yards) long and about a kilometre (around half a mile) from the original eruption site in the Geldinga Valley

Steam and lava were seen spurting from the new fissure by a sightseeing helicopter, prompting the evacuation

The Icelandic Department of Emergency Management announced an immediate evacuation of the area but said there was no imminent threat to life due to the site's distance from popular hiking paths

The Icelandic Meteorological Office said the new volcanic activity was not expected to affect traffic at nearby Keflavik Airport, despite the plumes of smoke seen rising from the fissure

It said there was no imminent danger to life due to the site's distance from popular hiking paths.

The Icelandic Meteorological Office said the new volcanic activity was not expected to affect traffic at nearby Keflavik Airport.

The long-dormant volcano on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwest Iceland flared to life on March 20 after tens of thousands of earthquakes were recorded in the area in the past three weeks.

It was the area's first volcanic eruption, which took place in the Krysuvik volcanic system about three miles inland from the southern coast, in nearly 800 years.

The long-dormant volcano on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwest Iceland flared to life on March 20 after tens of thousands of earthquakes were recorded in the area

It was the area's first volcanic eruption, which took place in the Krysuvik volcanic system about three miles inland from the southern coast, in nearly 800 years

The volcano's proximity to Iceland's capital Reykjavik, about 32 kilometres (20 miles) away, has brought a steady stream of tourists to the area, even with the country in partial lockdown to combat coronavirus

Around 30,000 people have visited the area since the eruption began, according to the Icelandic Tourist Board, prompting an evacuation order

The first eruption occurred on March 19 around 8.45pm GMT, lighting up the night sky with a crimson glow as hundreds of small earthquakes shook the area

The last eruption in the surrounding area took place 900 years ago and the public have been warned to stay away

The volcano's proximity to Iceland's capital Reykjavik, about 32 kilometres (20 miles) away, has brought a steady stream of tourists to the area, even with the country in partial lockdown to combat coronavirus.

Around 30,000 people have visited the area since the eruption began, according to the Icelandic Tourist Board.

Gases from a volcanic eruption - especially sulphur dioxide - can be elevated in the immediate vicinity, and may pose a danger to health and even be fatal.

Live footage from the area showed small spouts of lava coming from the new fissure.

Gases from a volcanic eruption - especially sulphur dioxide - can be elevated in the immediate vicinity, and may pose a danger to health and even be fatal

The region had been under increased surveillance for several weeks after a 5.7-magnitude earthquake was registered on February 24 near Mount Keilir on the outskirts of Reykjavik

Streams of red lava bubbled and flowed out of a fissure in a valley in Geldingadalur on the southwest of the island in the first eruption on March 19

The Krysuvik system has been inactive for the past 900 years, according to the IMO, while the last eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula dates back almost 800 years and lasted about 30 years, from 1210 to 1240

Geophysicist Magnus Gudmundsson said the volcanic eruption could be moving north from its original location because the quantity of lava coming from the two original crates had reduced

Geophysicist Magnus Gudmundsson said the volcanic eruption could be moving north from its original location.

'We now see less lava coming from the two original craters,' he told the Associated Press.

'This could be the beginning of a second stage.'

Iceland, located above a volcanic hot spot in the North Atlantic and averages one volcanic eruption every four to five years

The last time an Icelandic volcano erupted was at Holuhraun in 2014, when a fissure eruption spread lava the size of Manhattan over the interior highland region

Members of the Search and Rescue Team, Bjorgunasveit, have been surveying the Reykjanes Peninsula since a new fissure opened up on the volcano

The vast island near the Arctic Circle straddles the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a crack on the ocean floor separating the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates.

The shifting of these plates is in part responsible for Iceland's intense volcanic activity.

The most recent eruption was at Holuhraun, beginning in August 2014 and ending in February 2015, in the Bardarbunga volcanic system in an uninhabited area in the centre of the island.

That eruption did not cause any major disruptions outside the immediate vicinity.

But in 2010, an eruption at the Eyjafjallajokull volcano sent huge clouds of smoke and ash into the atmosphere, disrupting air traffic for more than a week.

The massive eruption led to the cancellation of more than 100,000 flights worldwide, which left some 10 million passengers stranded.
Wayne LaPierre, the CEO of the National Rifle Association, frequently sought refuge on a friend's yacht when he received threats in the wake of a mass shooting, it has been revealed.

LaPierre's use of the 108-foot yacht owned by a Hollywood producer pal was disclosed in a deposition unsealed on Monday during NRA bankruptcy proceedings in a Texas court.

'They simply let me use it as a security retreat because they knew the threat that I was under. And I was basically under presidential threat without presidential security in terms of the number of threats I was getting,' LaPierre said in the deposition, according to the Daily News.

'And this was the one place that I hope could feel safe, where I remember getting there going, 'Thank God I'm safe, nobody can get me here.' And that's how it happened. That's why I used it,' he said.

Wayne LaPierre, the CEO of the National Rifle Association, frequently sought refuge on a friend's yacht when he received threats in the wake of a mass shooting, a deposition reveals

LaPierre retreated to the luxurious yacht when threats against him mounted, including after the deadly school shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012 and Parkland, Florida in 2018

LaPierre retreated to the luxurious yacht when threats against him mounted, including after the deadly school shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012 and Parkland, Florida in 2018.

The yacht, dubbed 'Illusions', is equipped with two jet skis, an excursion boat, and sleeps up to 10 people.

LaPierre's use of the yacht was brought out by a New York prosecutor who is challenging the NRA's bankruptcy filing, which came as the company reorganizes in Texas to avoid a lawsuit brought by New York State Attorney General Letitia James.

Assistant Attorney General Monica Connell argued in opening remarks that LaPierre's use of the yacht was a conflict of interest and violation of rules surrounding the NRA's nonprofit status.

The $1.8 million yacht, dubbed 'Illusions', is equipped with two jet skis, an excursion boat, and sleeps up to 10 people

Students hold their hands in the air as they are evacuated by police from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida following a shooting in 2018

Connell said that the NRA pays McKenzie $1 million a month for media projects, but did not disclose the CEO's use of the yacht.

The NRA countersued the New York AG in February, accusing James of 'weaponizing' her powers to pursue a 'blatant and malicious retaliation campaign' against the group because she dislikes what it stands for.

The ongoing hearing in Texas bankruptcy court is expected to last six days. A judge will rule if the bankruptcy case should proceed there, or return to New York.

The NRA was founded in New York in 1871 but in January announced its plan to leave the state and reorganize in Texas.

Noting that the NRA claims to be solvent, James has called its bankruptcy and plan to reincorporate in Texas after 150 years in New York a bad-faith effort to escape her lawsuit and oversight.
VeePN in brief:

P2P allowed: Yes

Yes Business location: Panama

Panama Number of servers: 2,600+

2,600+ Number of country locations: 52

52 Cost: $70 (billed annually)

$70 (billed annually) VPN protocol: OpenVPN

OpenVPN Data encryption: AES-256-CBC

AES-256-CBC Data authentication: TLS 1.2 with 2048-bit Diffie-Hellman

TLS 1.2 with 2048-bit Diffie-Hellman Handshake: SHA-512

VPN services are everywhere these days, and new ones pop up all the time. The one were looking at today is called VeePN. Based in Panama, VeePN debuted on mobile in 2017, and over the four years since has built up a service with connections in 52 countries and over 2,600 servers. There are apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and support for routers and other set-top boxes.

Note: This review is part of our best VPNs roundup. Go there for details about competing products and how we tested them.

Features and services

IDG VeePN for Windows 10 with an active connection.

When you first open VeePN for Windows youre greeted with a very generic desktop application. When I first saw it I was immediately reminded of a number of other apps, especially SaferVPN, but also HideIPVPN and Private Internet Access.

VeePN uses a single-panel application with a large connect button. Below that is a slider for the internet kill switch feature, a tile for selecting the VPN server location, and your current IP address.

Selecting the server location tile reveals a second panel listing all the various country options. If a country has more than one location to choose from, such as a city or state, then the list will expand to reveal those more granular locations. VeePN uses a cellular bars approach to showing the ping time between your PC and the various locations. The more bars, the better the ping time. You can also see the actual ping time by hovering over the bars.

Back to the primary window, youll also find a settings cog icon in the upper-right corner. The settings give you a few options to choose from. First, you can set the PC to automatically select from various protocols including OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard, as well as Shadowsocks. OpenVPN is the default.

The settings area also has a whitelist for networks where the VPN wont offer to connect, and there are ad, tracker, and malware blockers that are all turned off by default. Theres also the usual options to launch on startup, automatically connect at startup, and so on.

VeePN also offers a number of pre-set double-hop VPN options, such as Canada to New Jersey and the UK to Germany. VeePN also supports Netflix streaming in many countries around the world except for the British, German, French, and Japanese versions of the streaming service.

Pricing and performance

IDG VeePN for Windows supports blockers for malware, ads, and trackers.

VeePN costs $70 per year, $100 for five years, or you can pay $11 on a month-to-month basis. The company accepts payment via credit card, PayPal, as well as Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, and Ripple via CoinPayments.net.

To sign up for an account with VeePN you need to supply the standard email address and password.

In our tests, VeePN maintained 22 percent of the base speed over three days of testing. Speeds in the UK, Europe, and North America were stronger, but weaker speeds in Asia and Australia brought down the overall score. If youre using North American or European servers you should see good enough performance to carry out pretty much anything you need to without much issue.

Privacy, anonymity, and trust

IDG VeePN supports multiple locations in the United States.

VeePN is based in Panama, and its workforce lives in various locations around the world including Europe, the U.S., and Panama. I was told the CEO is Marcus Blunt, but I couldnt find any reference to him online.

VeePNs privacy policy states it does not log your browsing habits, traffic destinations, or data content. It does, however, collect analytics about how you use its mobile apps via services like Appsflyer and Firebase. It also logs some information within the app that is not transferred to VeePN, including your IP address and general location. The company told us these data points help it determine optimal servers to connect to, and appropriate display language for the app. The privacy policy also says it keeps connection timestamps and session durations, which the company says it uses to maintain and optimize its service. For example, we use this data to calculate our servers load values in order to provide and improve our services, the privacy policy states.

Conclusion

VeePN has reasonable speeds, and the desktop app is simple to use and will be familiar enough to longtime VPN users, while new users shouldnt have much trouble. Pricing is about average, though that five-year deal is particularly standout, bringing your cost down to $20 per year. If all you need is a simple VPN that works then that deal is worth consideration.

Editors note: Because online services are often iterative, gaining new features and performance improvements over time, this review is subject to change in order to accurately reflect the current state of the service. Any changes to text or our final review verdict will be noted at the top of this article.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A devastating fire tore through a Midland Beach home last week, ripping through its walls and swallowing up the personal belongings of Michelle Rosario and her family.

The building was left shuttered, and Rosarios family was left without a place to live.

Rosario, her husband, Randolph, her 19-year-old daughter, Lanena, and 20-year-old son, Giovanni, were contacted by the Red Cross with temporary housing after the blaze. They stayed at a Manhattan hotel for two days before being moved to the Hampton Inn on South Avenue to accommodate for the familys jobs, which are on Staten Island.

But, on Tuesday, their temporary stay ends, according to Rosario, and their next step is uncertain after she says an application to an apartment complex was declined.

I was believing that I was going to be moving in on Tuesday, said Rosario. I wasnt even thinking that far. And now, because this is going on and they denied me ... I dont know.

A fire tore through a home at 1150 Mason Ave. on Wednesday, March 31, 2021. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)

Rosario said her family was shown an apartment and hoped they would be able to move in by the time they would be required to move from their temporary housing.

But, they met an unexpected hurdle.

Because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Rosario said her credit took a hit and her student loans are in deferment. Despite that both she and her husband have jobs, she was required to provide a guarantor to sign for the apartment.

When her mother, who lives on a fixed income, served as a guarantor, Rosario was told her familys application for the apartment was declined.

Randolph Rosario, Lanena Rosario and Giovanni Rosario. (Photo courtesy of Michelle Rosario)

It is unclear if and when the familys old apartment in Midland Beach will be livable, said Rosario, whose family previously lost its home to Hurricane Sandy in Midland Beach in 2012.

I dont know when the house is going to be fixed, said Rosario. I dont even know if, after the house is fixed, if Im going to even be able to go back.

The Hampton Inn management offered a room to the family at a discounted rate, Rosario said, adding that they would still not be able to afford to stay at a hotel for a prolonged period of time.

In the wake of the fire, Rosario said her family has received an outpouring of support, and GoFundMe pages have been created to gather financial assistance. The community has been great, she said.

But, with concerns over where her family will sleep tomorrow, Rosario said her focus is on finding a place where they can stay.

We werent expecting to have a fire,' she said. Financially, we didnt even have money set aside for another rental.

Now, on the eve of the day when they were hoping to move into an apartment, Rosario is left with more questions than answers.

We have only one day, she said.
Google Doodle on Tuesday urged people to wear masks as the world grapples with the second wave of coronavirus pandemic. Google, sending a message across the globe about the COVID-19 safety precaution said, "Masks are still important. Wear a mask and save lives".

The characters G-O-O-G-L-E are shown with masks. The letter 'L' also has a vaccine syringe.

"As COVID-19 continues to impact communities around the world, help stop the spread by following these steps," Google said in its message.



Masks are still important. Wear a mask and save lives.



As COVID-19 continues to impact communities around the world, help stop the spread by following these steps  https://t.co/yn3hm5iZ5Y#GoogleDoodlepic.twitter.com/rH7xyNLoDP  Google Doodles (@GoogleDoodles) April 6, 2021

Google Doodle typically commemorates holidays, events, achievements, and notable historical figures. Last year, Google Doodle launched a series where it recognised and honoured healthcare workers, frontline workers, delivery partners, and sanitation workers.

Meanwhile, global COVID-19 caseload has topped 131.6 million, and deaths have climbed to more than 2.85 million, according to John Hopkins University.

The US is the worst-hit country with the world's highest number of cases and deaths at 30,777,338 and 555,403, respectively, as per Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) data. Nations with a death toll of over 50,000 are India (165,101), the UK (127,106), Italy (111,326), Russia (99,049), France (97,005), Germany (77,070), Spain (75,783), Colombia (64,293), Iran (63,332), Argentina (56,471), Poland (55,005), Peru (53,138) and South Africa (52,995).

Also read: Anand Mahindra thanks Maharashtra CM Thackeray for not imposing total lockdown

Also read: Akshay Kumar hospitalised; 45 crew members of 'Ram Setu' test COVID-19 positive
The event was held by the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Vietnamese Embassy in Algeria and Senegal, the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Dakar, Senegal, and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development of Algeria.

The conference was organised simultaneously in Algiers, Dakar and Hanoi on April 5 and 6 and aimed to promote trade and investment between the three countries.

Director of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (Vietrade) Vu Ba Phu said that the conference is one of important trade promotion events to connect enterprises of three countries in the context that many countries are closing their borders due to effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

I hope that Vietnamese, Algerian and Senegalese enterprises will make the most of the transaction time at the conference to share potentials and commercial needs to support each other in overcoming economic difficulties for mutual development. Vietrade is always ready to coordinate and create favourable conditions for Vietnamese, Algerian and Senegalese businesses to have more opportunities for effective, long-term and stable business cooperation, Vu Ba Phu said.

Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Dakar Abdoulaye Sow and Head of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development of Algeria Roubai Nasreddine Mounir shared the economic potentials and cooperation demand of Senegal and Algeria while giving recommendations to help three countries strengthen mutual understanding and establish a reliable partnership.

Bilateral trade revenue between Vietnam and Algeria reached US$190 million in 2019 but decreased to US$150 million in 2020, down 20% compared to 2019 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vietnams main export products to Algeria include coffee, rice, pepper, seafood, steel products, computers, electronic products while main import products from Algeria are pharmaceuticals, minerals, scrap paper, and animal feed.

Trade volume between Vietnam and Senegal posted a modest number at US$95 million in 2019.

The main commodities that Vietnam exports to Senegal include rice, pepper, confectionery, cereal products, mobile phones and spare parts, textiles, vegetables and seafood, while the main imports from Senegal are cashew nuts, animal feed, and cotton.
BUCKEYE, Ariz., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- American Humane, the country's first national humane organization, recertified Hickman's Eggs for their outstanding commitment to animal welfare. After conducting audits of Hickman's on-farm layer hen operations, protocols and procedures, American Humane determined that the birds on Hickman's farms live in a healthy and safe environment.

"American Humane is thrilled that Hickman's Eggs has achieved American Humane Certified for another year," said Robin Ganzert, Ph.D., president & CEO of American Humane. "Farmers who are committed to science and evidence-based welfare standards, like those who work with Hickman's Eggs, are doing their part to raise the industry standard for farm animals everywhere."

American Humane is the country's first national humane organization and its farm program is the first and largest of its kind. After more than two decades of operation, American Humane CertifiedTM improves the lives of some 1 billion animals every year.

Farmers who attain certification have third-party authenticated, independently verified proof that their care and handling of farm animals meets or surpasses science-based animal welfare standards. The metrics on which farmers and ranchers are judged are developed in collaboration with, and regularly reviewed by, an independent scientific advisory committee comprised of leading experts in the fields of agriculture, species-specific animal behavior and ethics.

"We are proud of farms, and our employees, who take such great care of our hens," said Clint Hickman, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Hickman's Family Farms.

Consumer demand for humanely raised products has risen sharply in recent years and producers and retailers are responding to this call to action. Ten of the nation's top 12 grocery retailers now carry products that are American Humane CertifiedTM, according to a recent analysis by American Humane. More than 90 percent of people surveyed in an American Humane study reported being "very concerned" about farm animal welfare and they consider the consumption of humanely raised products to be "very important."

"American Humane is interested in workable, pragmatic solutions that result in better lives for the animals on America's farms and ranches," said Dr. Ganzert. "Producers like Hickman's Eggs, who invite third-party audits of their farms, are exposing themselves to scrutiny because they're committed to animal welfare. That's something we should all applaud."

About American Humane

American Humane is the country's first national humane organization. Founded in 1877, American Humane is committed to ensuring the safety, welfare, and well-being of animals, and our leadership programs are first to serve in promoting and nurturing the bonds between animals and people. For more information or to support our work, please visit www.americanhumane.org and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE American Humane Certified

Related Links

http://www.americanhumane.org


USR PLUS Co-Chairman Dan Barna said on Tuesday that the government aims to ease the restrictions imposed in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic starting in June, depending on the stage of SARS-CoV-2 infections.

"The Prime Minister said the Government is permanently seeking to adjust the measures as much as possible to the pandemic reality. It is a wish, an objective that we all have to relax some of these restrictions in the shortest possible time, if possible in June, depending on the stage of the pandemic and the numbers at ICU, at the hospital and the number of positive tests. (...) The measures are among those that exist at the moment: those related to the hours of operation of the stores, those related to these intervals of restrictions that are currently in operation. We see that we have managed to reach a ceiling area and this is somewhat good news, we hope to stay for a little time at that level and then the numbers to fall," Barna said after the governmental coalition's meeting, agerpres.ro confirms.

He was asked if people vaccinated against COVID could have certain facilities based on the green certificate.

"Romania does not live on an island in the middle of the ocean, we are a European state and we are European citizens and we have rights - to use a well-known advertisement. We will adapt to what is happening in other European countries," the USR PLUS leader replied.

Barna mentioned that there is a distinction between certificates that can be obtained through anti-COVID vaccination, testing or the existence of antibodies to coronavirus. "The discussion is whether we will be able to link through a mobile phone code, a QR code for example, these ways of certifying that you no longer pose a risk between European states or each state will adopt its own mechanisms: that you carry the certificate that they gave it to you for vaccination (...) or some other formula. It is an adaptation to the European context, we will also adapt it so that we can actually ease the burden of proof of every citizen who says: I have to make a trip or something like that," the deputy PM said.
New Zealand parliament has been rocked by the shock cancer diagnosis of a cabinet minister.

Labour MP and conservation and emergency management minister Kiri Allan opened up about her stage three cervical cancer diagnosis and the warning signs she missed during last year's election campaign in a heartbreaking statement.

She will take medical leave and step down from politics to focus on her cancer battle with the support of close colleague and 'gutted' New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

Stage three cervical cancer patients have a five year survival rate of 33 per cent.

Ms Allan, 37, confirmed the harrowing news on Tuesday in a Facebook post as she shared a photo receiving treatment in hospital while hugging her young daughter.

New Zealand cabinet minister Kiri Allan has opened up about the fight for life ahead of her after being diagnosed with stage three cervical cancer. She's pictured in hospital with daughter Hiwaiterangi

'So now the fight of my life begins,' Ms Allan's Facebook post began.

'I'm one of those gals that hates anything to do with "down there". And have taken a "see no evil, hear no evil" type approach to that part of my body.'

Ms Allan admitted she first noticed pain in her back, stomach and legs during last year's gruelling election campaign but put it down to long hours and the stress of campaigning.

By January, the pain was so bad she was unable to sit for extended periods.

By the end of the month, Ms Allan had began menstruating non-stop but still put off seeing a GP for another six weeks before she was by a doctor friend to get it checked out urgently.

An ultrasound found a three centimetre growth originally thought to be benign before hospital tests the next day on March 4 revealed a six centimetre tumour.

Ms Allan then bravely and privately put the worrying scan aside to address the nation on earthquake and tsunami warnings happening at the time.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (left) was 'gutted' when she learned the news of minister Kiri Allan's (pictured right) heartbreaking cancer diagnosis

She later had a colposcopy and found out the news of her shattering diagnosis while alighting from a flight.

'The "C word" hits you like a jolt I had never experienced. I gripped the wall in the airport,' Ms Allan recalled.

'In the car, I called my dad first. Mum was listening in on speaker phone. And I lost it. In the car. On the way to the event.'

'Since then, it's been a whirlwind of MRIs, CT PET scans, and preparing for chemo and radiotherapy, and any other therapy I'll need.'

Ms Allan ended the post by thanking Ms Ardern and her colleagues for their support in recent weeks and paid tribute to the gynecological and oncology teams at Wellington Hospital Women's Clinic.

'Everyone along the journey this far has been simply incredible. I've never really had much engagement and always been a little scared of hospitals. They have communicated incredibly well, been clear, shown compassion, and made themselves available.

She also had an important message to all Kiwis for all women to have regular cervical smear tests and look out for the early warning signs she failed to address.

'I've told a few folks by now, and often the question is, "is there anything I can do?". My answer now is yes. Please, please, please - encourage your sisters, your mothers, your daughters, your friends - please #SmearYourMea- it may save your life - and we need you right here,' Ms Allan pleaded.

Kiri Allan (pictured) has taken medical leave to focus on her cancer treatment

Ms Allan has been inundated with message of support from both sides of parliament since her health battle became public this week.

Labour colleague and Prime Minister Ardern was gutted when learned about Ms Allan's diagnosis.

'It's fair to say, as a friend and a colleague, I've been gutted by the news - the whole team has,' Ms Ardern told reporters on Tuesday.

'But we're also so heartened by the character, the person that Kiri is.'

Kris Faafoi will be acting emergency management while Ayesha Verrall will look after the conservation portfolio in Ms Allan's absence.

National leader Judith Collins hailed Ms Allan as 'very brave' while reiterating the need for women to have regular cervical smear tests.

'It must be an incredibly traumatic time for her and the fact that she had to deal with the Civil Defence issue while she knew this was all happening really does speak volumes about her dedication and courage,' Ms Collins said.

Ms Allan first entered politics in 2017 and was promoted to the ministry by Ms Ardern after last year's landslide election win.
A LIMERICK man has been remanded in custody after he appeared in court charged in connection with an alleged hijacking on Easter Sunday.

Francis Casey, aged 28, who has an address at Clonlong Halting Site, Southill, Limerick appeared before a special court sitting in Kilmallock this Tuesday evening.

He faces a number of charges including that he unlawfully seized a Ford S-Max car on the northbound carriageway of the M7 near Portlaoise on Sunday evening.

That offence - under the provisions of the Criminal Law (Jurisdiction) Act, 1976 - is alleged to have occurred at a location between junction 17 and Junction 16 on the motorway.

Mr Casey is also accused of making threats to cause criminal damage at O'Malley Park Southill on Easter Sunday and with stealing 42 worth of diesel from a service station in Portlaoise.

It is alleged the defendant, who was arrested in the Tallaght area of Dublin, had asked another man for a lift from Limerick to Portlaoise earlier at around 5pm on Sunday.

During this evening's brief court sitting, Inspector Padraig Sutton said there would be a garda objection to any application for bail.

However, Solicitor Darach McCarthy told Judge Patricia Harney his client was not seeking bail immediately but that he intends doing so on the next date.

The judge noted this and she adjourned the matter to this coming Friday, April 9, when she will hear the application for bail.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing and a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosections.
After a years unprecedented freezing up of most of the machinery of public justice, Bexar County might see in-person jury trials again as early as June, thanks to local vaccination numbers rising and infections subsiding.

It will still be a very slow ramp-up, to ensure the health and safety of courtroom participants and visitors entering the judicial complex, said state District Judge Ron Rangel, the administrative judge for the countys civil and felony courts.

He issued a 16-page set of Minimum Standard Health Protocols on April 1.

Rangel, presiding judge of the 379th District Court and author of the plan, said the new standards set specific schedules and requirements for justice of the peace and municipal courts, which handle low-level misdemeanors, small claims, code enforcement cases and other matters; and for the district, county and probate courts, which hear criminal and civil cases. It also sets occupancy limits for courtrooms.

For courtroom jury trials, the absolute earliest, best case scenario would be mid-May, but June sounds more realistic at this point, he said.

On ExpressNews.com: 'It's truly a new age'  Bexar County administrative judge plans for virtual jury trials in October; in person in January

State District Judge Sid Harle, who oversees the Fourth Administrative Judicial Region, a 22-county area that includes Bexar, said in September that COVID-19 presented problems no one had ever before encountered, except, on a more limited basis, during the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918.

This is a tragic and unusual event, said Harle, who has been on the bench for more than three decades. We have had flu where we shut the courthouse down, but a pandemic of this scale is unprecedented in this time, in my lifetime. Nothing has ever approached this.

Not just in his lifetime. In its history, Bexar County has never gone an entire year without an in-person jury trial, courthouse observers said.

The Texas Supreme Court suspended jury summonses in March 2020 as the pandemic forced most of the nation to shut down. Since then, the court has issued 36 orders modifying court procedures.

Hearings, guilty pleas and sentencings slowed but didnt stop. To keep cases moving, buildings were overhauled and courtrooms retrofitted.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio lawyers' early verdict on virtual trials: Let's keep them

Technicians installed laptops and large screens to begin Zoom videoconferencing; Plexiglas shields; hand-washing and sanitizing stations; barriers and marked seating to recognize social distancing. Occupancy limits and face coverings were mandated and rooms were sanitizing after each proceeding.

People entering any courthouse must have their temperatures taken.

To clear the backlog, the oldest cases will be the ones tried first, District Attorney Joe D. Gonzales said recently.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys have both expressed alarm at the trial delays, which affect crime victims as well as the accused. But everyone can agree that resuming in-person juries depends primarily on the health conditions in the county, Rangel said. He regularly confers with San Antonio Metropolitan Health District officials.

We will monitor and continue to review the local health conditions, he said. Those emergency orders arent going to end anytime soon.

On ExpressNews.com: In San Antonio, crime victims and accused face long wait for trial dates

But even when they do end, the year of upheaval will have produced permanent changes, lawyers and court officials say, because the sudden reliance on new technology has proven to be cost-effective and convenient.

Civil district court judges have conducted at least two virtual jury trials per week for the past several months, with jurors watching via teleconference, Rangel said.

When Judge Mary Lou Alvarez, who presides over the 45th District Court, recently conducted a follow-up Zoom meeting, seeking feedback from attorneys, court officers and a few jurors, she found it surprisingly positive.

We collectively are developing our expertise, she told the group, as they discussed what went right and what could be improved.

Rangel said as long as emergency orders are in effect, remote proceedings will be allowed. But it might extend beyond that.

I could see virtual proceedings, short of jury trials, being a part of the legal process, Rangel said, citing in particular trial dockets, conferences and pleas from inside the jail. I could see those being a permanent fixture in our courts system.

ezavala@express-news.net | Twitter: @elizabeth2863
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 6, 2021 / Sativa Wellness Group Inc. (CSE:SWEL) (OTC PINK:SCNNF) (FSE:484) (AQSE:SWEL) ("Sativa Wellness" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it is now listed on the United Kingdom (the "UK") government website to offer 2 and 8 day quarantine tests (the "Return Tests") for travellers returning to the UK.

The Return Tests are a significant addition to the Company's current offering of COVID-19 tests for travellers leaving the UK and will impact positively on the Company's revenues, that continue to build. There are now 24 Goodbody clinics offering COVID-19 testing and the Company is confident that its previously announced target of 30 testing clinics will be met on or before the end of April.

Geremy Thomas, Executive Chairman says "Goodbody clinic customers can now arrange all their travel testing in one go which is a better service for them and a revenue boost for us."

The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the contents of this announcement.

Further information regarding the Company can be found under the Company's issuer profile on www.sedar.com.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Geremy Thomas Executive Chairman Sativa Wellness Group Inc. +44 (0) 20 7971 1255 enquiries@sativawellnessgroup.com www.sativawellnessgroup.com Joseph Colliver Chief Financial Officer Sativa Wellness Group Inc. +44 (0) 20 7971 1255 enquiries@sativawellnessgroup.com www.sativawellnessgroup.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and may also contain statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are not representative of historical facts or information or current condition, but instead represent only the Company's beliefs regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company's control. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans," "expects" or "does not expect," "is expected," "budget," "scheduled," "estimates," "forecasts," "intends," "anticipates" or "does not anticipate," or "believes" "plan is" or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results "may," "could," "would," "might" or "will be taken," "will continue," "will occur," "will be achieved" or "shortly." The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to information concerning the COVID-19 testing clinic, the number of future clinics that may be opened, the revenue generating opportunity and the expected future growth.

Although Sativa Wellness believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing, and the expectations contained in, the forward-looking information and statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and statements, and no assurance or guarantee can be given that such forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information and statements. In particular, there is no guarantee that any further clinics will be opened, that the Company will meet its goal of 30 COVID-19 testing clinics, that revenue will increase or that the additional tests will have a positive impact on the business. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this press release, and Sativa does not undertake to update any forward-looking information and/or forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

SOURCE: Sativa Wellness Group Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/639017/Sativa-Wellness-Group-Announces-New-Test-for-Travellers
Tesla is faced with several backlashes, tarnishing its images. Its die-hard fans have been documented on social media after aggressive comments and serious threats against other EV owners. The so-called "Tesla superiority" has been reigning on for a long time now, and has resulted in a toxic and cult-like fanbase.

Is Tesla Connected to Toxic Fandom?

While Tesla has no connections or hands leading to the toxicity of its fans on social media, its image on different online platforms and forums where its fans have flocked is surely affected. There were reports of serious threats and wishing other people harm, particularly those who drive other electric vehicle brands.

According to Electrek, the issue has been long-running and has been apparent across social media for a long time now, and this had led to a lot of complaints against the company from different users. The attacks were focused on most electric car brands that are not Tesla, and toxic fans are attacking others despite having no interaction with them.

Read Also: Tim Cook Reveals Apple Car is Autonomous like a Robot, Hopes Parler Returns to App Store in Sway Podcast

Toxic Fans Give Tesla a Bad Name

Initially, Tesla was the one at the "bad end" of the stick, especially as its fans were the ones attacked before, for supporting the cause of electric mobility over internal combustion engines or ICEs. However, in the present world where EVs are the "ideal" and more advanced vehicles, the tables have turned and resulted in a wide acceptance of electric mobility.

However, the rise in the use of electric vehicles, espeically by one of the most popular EV companies in the world, also came with a negative behavior embodied by its fans and enthusiasts who attack other brands and vehicles. According to a Detroit Free Press, a Ford Mustang Mach-E owner was verbally attacked by a Tesla fan, leading to serious threats against his well-being.

These posts were initially documented but have been removed by the alleged Tesla fan after sending it to Sergio Rodriguez, the Mustang Mach-E owner that has pressed complaints against the unsettling behavior online. The rivalry between Tesla and Ford in electric vehicle superiority has led to the horrific scenario, where a person was threatened with death and harm.

Its annoying. Ive had some message me death threats over my joy with the Mach-E. You would swear Tesla was their great auntie or other kinfolk. Some of them are complacent with the the defect and just want to be part of the cult.... I mean club. https://t.co/U128qnULYY  Sergio Rodriguez (@LyftGyft) April 3, 2021

Toxic Behavior Also Led to Deleting Negative Comments Against Tesla

The toxic behavior does not end with bashing heads in the online platforms that involve other electric vehicle brands and companies like GM, Rivian, Volkswagen, Lordstown Motors, and the like. Reports indicated that these toxic fans were also deleting and attacking negative comments against Tesla to create a "perfect" image for the company.

Related Article: Tesla Beats Analysts Estimates Sales Reaching 184,800 Cars in 2021 Alone: China and Europe Efforts Paying Off

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Isaiah Alonzo

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The academy is part of a development program called Aviate, announced in late 2019, designed to give aspiring pilots a more direct path to a job at United. Candidates can join at any stage of their careers, whether theyre just starting out or already have some experience, and United will connect them to partner organizations where they can work toward the next stage, whether thats working as an instructor at a flight school or joining one of Uniteds regional carriers.
(Newser)  Although Austria wanted to try him for war crimes, Franz Josef Huber wasn't put on trial at Nuremberg. He didn't have to go into hiding or flee, newly released documents show, as other Nazi leaders did. Instead, Huber, a high-ranking Gestapo official who helped send thousands of Jews to their deaths, served a short sentence and was fined after World War II ended. Then he was put to work by the US and Germany in the Cold War, the New York Times reports. "Many former senior Nazis took advantage of the new communist threat to secure for themselves both immunity from war crimes prosecution and hefty salaries from US and West German intelligence agencies," says professor Shlomo Shpiro of Bar-Ilan University in Israel, who has researched the cases of former Nazis joining Western intelligence agencies.

story continues below

Huber, who led one of the Gestapo's biggest sections, mostly in Austria, worked with Adolf Eichmann on sending Jews to concentration and extermination camps during the war. Eichmann was executed. The US, though, saw a role for Huber. "Although we are by no means unmindful of the dangers involved in playing around with a Gestapo general, we also believe, on the basis of the information now in our possession," a 1953 CIA memo said, "that Huber might be profitably used by this organization." Spy agencies were having a hard time finding contacts they could count on in their operations against communist countries, Shpiro says. He worked for Germany's intelligence service for almost 10 years, per the Times, helped by the efforts of both countries to cover up his past. It wasn't until the 1960s that Germany, fearing the effects of disclosure on public confidence, decided Huber's employment was too risky. He retired and, still not needing to hide, spent his last eight years with his family in Munich, on a German civil service pension. (Read more Nazi Germany stories.)
Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi in Brasilia, Brazil on January 8, 2021 / Reuters





Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned Japan against sanctioning China over alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang and Hong Kong, ahead of a high-level meeting between Tokyo and Washington.



Wang and his Japanese counterpart, Toshimitsu Motegi, had a 90-minute phone conversation on Monday, an exchange that came at the request of Beijing, according to the Japanese foreign ministry.



Japan's growing importance in the increasingly tense US-China rivalry is evident in US President Joe Biden's decision to host Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga at the White House on April 16, the first visit by a foreign leader since Biden took office.



In a rare move, the Chinese foreign ministry put out a two-part statement on the phone call between Wang and Motegi. One statement criticised Biden's recent efforts to coordinate with allies on a joint strategy on China, warning Tokyo to avoid following the US in sanctioning China over alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang and Hong Kong.



"If under the guise of multilateralism, countries engage in bloc politics or big power confrontations, or even arbitrarily impose unilateral and illegal sanctions on other countries based on false information, the world will regress to the law of the jungle of right and wrong," said Wang.



"A certain superpower's will does not represent the international community; the small number of countries that follow this country do not have the right to monopolise the rules of multilateralism."



In another statement released on the same day by the Chinese foreign ministry, Wang repeated his jab at the US, urging Japan to not get "carried away" by countries that were biased against China.



"The US and Japan are allies, but similarly, China and Japan have also signed a treaty of peace and friendship so Japan has a responsibility to uphold this treaty," said Wang.



Beijing's warning comes as Japan has shown signs of taking an increasingly assertive role in the Indo-Pacific region, which has become a hotspot for US-China tensions due to a range of territorial tensions between China and US allies like Japan and the Philippines.





In this Nov. 24, 2020, file photo, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, left, and his Japanese counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi bump elbows as they meet amid the coronavirus outbreak, in Tokyo. AP
ANN ARBOR, MI  Ann Arbor officials are urging local residents to stay vigilant in the fight against COVID-19 and sign up for a vaccine now that eligibility in Michigan is expanded to everyone 16 and older.

I just want to encourage people in the community, particularly those who are traveling, to avail themselves to the ample opportunities for COVID testing thanks to the county, and also today is the day when anyone over the age of 16 can make an appointment for a vaccination, City Council Member Julie Grand said at councils meeting Monday, April 5.

So, if you havent done so, we can now do that in our state and not have to take advantage  like myself and so many did  of the vaccine-hesitant in Ohio, Grand said, referring to the fact that some Michigan residents have been traveling to Ohio to get vaccinated, finding easier access there.

So, hopefully we can do that closer to home, Grand said of the new opportunities to get vaccinated in Michigan.

Among 1.7 million fully vaccinated Michiganders, state identifies small number of COVID-19 infections and deaths

The Ann Arbor VA also is now vaccinating all veterans and their spouses, regardless of eligibility status, Council Member Travis Radina, D-3rd Ward, noted.

So, to the extent that that was a barrier for any members of our community in the past, I hope they will take advantage of that and do what they can to sign up and get an appointment and get vaccinated, he said.

And I would also just remind everyone that we are not through this, and so continue to mask up and make sure youre taking necessary safety precautions, he added.

As we see a surge here in Michigan again, we want to make sure were doing everything here in our community and doing our part to make sure that folks remain safe.

The Washtenaw County Health Department has information about COVID-19 vaccination appointments on its website, including links to schedule appointments through local pharmacies at CVS, Kroger, Meijer, Rite Aid, Sams Club and Walgreens, as well as at Ford Field in Detroit.

COVID-19 case trends in Washtenaw County.Washtenaw County Health Department

Vaccine supplies are increasing but still limited and vaccination is by appointment only, health officials caution.

Please remember there is not enough vaccine to vaccinate everyone eligible right away. It may be several weeks before an appointment is available to you, the health department website states, noting anyone can call 211 to learn more about options and get help requesting a COVID-19 vaccine.

The county health department reported more than 33,000 first doses and over 22,000 second doses were administered as of Tuesday, with thousands more expected in the coming days. About 82% of county residents 65 and older and 43% 16 and older have received at least one dose.

But the virus is still spreading locally right now.

As of Tuesday morning, there were 151 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and five more hospitalizations among county residents within the last 24 hours, according to the health department. From March 19 to April 1, a two-week snapshot, there were 1,284 new confirmed cases and one death.

The number of total confirmed and probable cases among county residents is now up to 21,895, including 1,263 hospitalizations and 255 deaths.

MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:

Ann Arbor mayor urges council to cut losses on short-term rentals and move on

Ann Arbor council unanimously supports developing unarmed 911 response program

Ann Arbor administrator tells central park group to temper funding expectations

Washtenaw County sees some increases to COVID vaccine supply, but expects delays once eligibility expands

Ann Arbor VA to vaccinate all veterans, spouses regardless of healthcare enrollment
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.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki speaks during the daily press briefing in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington on April 6, 2021. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)

Obama and Biden Speak Regularly, Says White House Press Secretary

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Tuesday that former President Barack Obama speaks regularly with President Joe Biden, in response to a reporters question during a daily briefing.

A reporter asked Psaki if Biden had spoken to Obama about how to pass the much-discussed infrastructure bill and if Obama had given him any advice on getting it through Congress.

They speak regularly, she told reporters. They of course were president and vice president but they are also friends and they share a bond of serving through eight years of the Obama-Biden administration but also a personal friendship and kinship.

But were not going to read out those calls, Psaki added.

Some economists have criticized the package as failing to deliver on traditional funding, and that it amounts to a massive federal power grab. They also found fault with the administrations broad definition of infrastructure.

Biden is currently willing to push through his $2 trillion infrastructure plan without the support of Republican lawmakers if he cannot reach a bipartisan deal, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said on Sunday.

Former Vice President Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama make a stop at a canvass kickoff event at Birmingham Unitarian Church in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., on Oct. 31, 2020. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Granholm said Biden would prefer that his plan have Republican backing but, if that does not work, he would likely support using a procedural strategy called reconciliation to allow Democrats to pass it in the Senate.

As he has said, he was sent to the presidency to do a job for America. And if the vast majority of Americans, Democrats and Republicans, across the country support spending on our country and not allowing us to lose the race globally, then hes going to do that, Granholm said on CNNs State of the Union.

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) recently expressed he is not likely to support Bidens infrastructure plan due to the hefty tax hikes. According to the White House, the $2 trillion plan will be paid for, in part, by increasing the corporate tax rate to 28 percent from the current 21 percent.

The administrations non-infrastructure infrastructure bill looks like another Trojan horse for far-left demands. Rolling back Right to Work laws. Imposing the biggest new tax hikes in a generationkilling jobs and slowing wage growth when workers need a fast recovery, he said on Twitter.

Our nation could use a serious, targeted infrastructure plan. There would be bipartisan support for a smart proposal. Unfortunately, the latest liberal wish-list the White House has decided to label infrastructure is a major missed opportunity by this Administration, McConnell said.

My advice to the Administration: If you want to do an infrastructure bill, lets do an infrastructure bill. Before the pandemic, we had the best economy in 50 years. We should not raise taxes under the guise of an infrastructure bill and send our economy in the wrong direction.

When Biden first outlined his infrastructure plan last week, which is the first part of a two part plan, he pitched it as a once-in-a-generation investment in America, unlike anything weve seen or done since we built the interstate highway system and the space race decades ago.

Reuters contributed to this report
The advert begins with a dad pointing a torch at a boiler and filling a hot water bottle for his child.

Then a voiceover starts: 'Boiler playing up? Dreading waking up to a freezing home and an unexpected repair bill? Not when you're covered by British Gas HomeCare.'

But the energy giant's latest TV campaign offers little comfort to the hundreds of thousands of customers being forced to wait weeks for repairs.

Money Mail has heard from dozens of furious homeowners who pay around 300 a year for the company's HomeCare plan.

Abandoned: British Gas HomeCare insurance should cover the cost of boiler and thermostat repairs and annual services. Yet customers are struggling to get an appointment

There are more than 3.5million policyholders, and the insurance should cover the cost of boiler and thermostat repairs and annual services.

You can also pay extra to cover your home electrics, drains and plumbing.

Yet many customers have been told they must wait weeks for an appointment, leaving some families without heating and hot water.

Others say they can't get through on the phone and are repeatedly let down when engineers don't turn up as promised. And some have gone nearly two years without an annual boiler service.

British Gas says it had to cancel all but essential jobs in the third national lockdown, including most boiler services.

But experts accuse it of using Covid as an excuse. They say the real reason for the delays is recent strike action.

The union GMB claims at least 170,000 homes are stuck in a queue for repairs after thousands of workers downed tools earlier this year. British Gas disputes this figure.

Despite the backlog, British Gas is offering new HomeCare customers gift cards worth up to 75 if they sign up before May 10.

Now experts say families caught out by delays could be in line for hefty payouts.

British Gas promises repairs or visits for HomeCare customers within a 'reasonable time' unless something 'beyond [its] control makes that impossible'.

But consumer law specialist Gary Rycroft says the current long delays could pave the way for compensation claims potentially worth hundreds of pounds each.

'For anyone without hot water or heating, I would say anything more than a week is not at all a reasonable time to wait for repairs,' he says. 'And for vulnerable people such as the elderly, that time-frame should be less.

'The current strike by engineers puts British Gas in potential breach of its own contract, because you could say the proper human resources management of its workforce is very much a matter that should be within its control.'

The union GMB claims at least 170,000 homes are stuck in a queue for repairs after thousands of workers downed tools earlier this year. British Gas disputes this figure

Mr Rycroft says customers could take their cases to the Financial Ombudsman Service and claim a year's refund, plus the cost of hiring other engineers, and potentially more for inconvenience.

British Gas's terms also state that it may reschedule repairs and visits if non-essential travel is banned under government guidelines.

But Mr Rycroft, a partner at Joseph A. Jones & Co, says lockdown rules shouldn't stop engineers doing their jobs, as they are key workers.

Baroness Ros Altmann's mother had to call British Gas about her boiler on Monday. Although she has a HomeCare plan, the 89-year-old was told she would have to wait four weeks for an engineer.

'My mother has been paying for this plan for years,' says the former pensions minister. 'At the very least, British Gas needs to offer refunds to customers who are unable to benefit from their cover.'

In late January, retired building manager Peter Auger, from Windsor, woke up without hot water or heating.

The 67-year-old called British Gas HomeCare, but was met with 'endless' voicemails saying the pandemic meant that staff were unable to speak to him.

Peter and his wife Anne, 63, had paid 17.50 a month since September 2020, and before that were on an even costlier British Gas plan for several years.

Eventually they were told the earliest an engineer could come out would be on February 16, leaving them without heating for more than three weeks.

The couple had to fork out 160 on the day, when an engineer told them their timer needed replacing. He put in place a temporary solution but said British Gas would need to replace it.

Despite dozens of phone calls and many promised appointments that failed to go ahead, the couple are still waiting to have their timer replaced. Anne says: 'We just felt helpless. It's impossible to get anyone on the phone.'

Landlady Lorraine Mawer, from Bedfordshire, has been paying 5.50 a month to British Gas for more than five years as part of a basic plan that includes central heating breakdown cover.

Sales drive: Despite the backlog, British Gas is offering new HomeCare customers gift cards worth up to 75 if they sign up before May 10

But when her tenants reported having no hot water or heating last Friday, her letting agent contacted British Gas and was told the earliest appointment available was on April 22, leaving the tenants without heating for 20 days.

Lorraine says: 'British Gas is taking money for a service it is not providing. In the end, my letting agent had to send some heaters round to my tenants. We then had to pay for a local plumber, who visited on Easter Sunday.'

Grumblings over boiler services not being carried out were already rife before the pandemic.

Complaints website Resolver has received 1,844 gripes about boilers in the past year, but the average number of monthly cases rose from about 70 in December to 150 in January and February.

Martyn James, of Resolver, says: 'Often these kinds of plan are not worth the paper they are written on, as there is so little clarity in the small print.

'British Gas should set out in their documents how long customers should expect to wait for a visit and state what it will do if it cannot meet this deadline.'

British Gas customers have also vented their fury after seeing their premiums hiked at renewal.

Review site Trustpilot is littered with complaints about the company. GMB says 200,000 annual service visits had been cancelled following 12 days of strike action by the end of January.

It says these numbers have since risen 'significantly' as there have now been 42 days of strike action in total.

British Gas says annual service visits are being delayed and it will clear the backlog shortly, adding that it has now resumed non-essential jobs.

It claims it is reaching vulnerable customers with boiler breakdowns on the same day, and non-vulnerable customers within two to three days.

A spokesman adds: 'We've had to rearrange some annual service visits, primarily driven by our response to the Covid-19 lockdown, to safeguard the health and safety of our staff and customers.

'During the lockdown we have focused on immediate threat to health, life or safety, including heating breakdowns and uncontrollable water leaks.'

moneymail@dailymail.co.uk
WALTHAM, Mass., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Technologies (NYSE: RTX) will issue its first quarter 2021 earnings on Tuesday, April 27, prior to the stock market opening. A conference call will take place at 8:30 a.m. ET.

A presentation corresponding with the conference call will be available on the company's website at www.rtx.com for downloading prior to the call. To listen to the earnings call by phone, dial (866) 219-7829 between 8:10 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. ET. Please limit your use of the phone's speaker mode to optimize the audio quality of the call for all participants.

Analysts who wish to ask a question following the prepared remarks should press "1" on their phone during the call. Your name will be placed in queue. To remove yourself from the queue, press "#." If you need assistance, press "*0" to reach the conference operator.

The call will be broadcast live on the Internet at www.rtx.com. A recording will be archived on the site and will be available for replay by phone from 11:30 a.m. ET Tuesday, April 27th, to 11:30 a.m. ET Tuesday, May 11th. For a replay, dial (855) 859-2056. At the prompt for a conference ID number, enter 9535368.

About Raytheon Technologies

Raytheon Technologies Corporation is an aerospace and defense company that provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide. With four industry-leading businesses  Collins Aerospace Systems, Pratt & Whitney, Raytheon Intelligence & Space and Raytheon Missiles & Defense  the company delivers solutions that push the boundaries in avionics, cybersecurity, directed energy, electric propulsion, hypersonics, and quantum physics. The company, formed in 2020 through the combination of Raytheon Company and the United Technologies Corporation aerospace businesses, is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Media Contact

C: 860.493.4364

Investor Contact

C: 781.522.5123

SOURCE Raytheon Technologies
Singapore to begin vaccinating under 45-year-olds from June

Singapore is planning to vaccinate its population against coronavirus and plans to invite those under the age of 45 from June to get their first jab, maintaining its end-2021 schedule, Senior Minister of State at the Health Ministry Janil Puthucheary told parliament.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) confirmed 17 new COVID-19 cases yesterday, taking the country's total case count to 60,495. Photo courtesy: MOH

About 1.05 million people, or 18.4% of Singapores population, have received their first vaccine dose. More than 468,000 people have completed the two-dose regimen. Roughly 60% of Singapores senior citizens have obtained the vaccine.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) confirmed 17 new COVID-19 cases yesterday, taking the country's total case count to 60,495.

All new cases are imported, marking the second day in a row with no locally transmitted infections. "All new cases today are asymptomatic, and were detected from our proactive screening and surveillance," said the MOH.

Among the 17 imported cases, four are permanent residents who returned from India, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Two other cases are a dependants pass holder and a work pass holder who arrived from India.

Another is a long-term visit pass holder, a two-year-old baby boy, who arrived from the UK. Six of them are work permit holders who arrived from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia, of who one is a foreign domestic worker.

The remaining four cases are short-term visit pass holders, of whom three arrived from Brazil, Canada, and Serbia to participate in a sporting event. The fourth short-term visit pass holder arrived from the US with her child who is studying here.
3 1 of 3 BirdImages /Getty Images / iStockphoto Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Facebook screenshot Show More Show Less 3 of 3





Spring migration for birds has begun. And there is one simple thing Texans can do to ensure our feathered friends have a safe journey.

Lights Out Texas is a statewide initiative to help guide birds as they travel during the night. In taking part, Texans are asked to turn off all nonessential lights from 11 p.m. - 6 a.m. Though peak migration for birds is April 19 - May 7, switching off lights is encouraged through June 15, according to a Facebook post from the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 6)  The country recorded a new all-time high of COVID-19 fatalities in a day after 382 patients were reported dead on Tuesday, the Department of Health's case bulletin said.

It is higher than the previous Sept. 14 record of 259 deaths, but the DOH explained that the new surge is due to technical issues in its data collection the past week, that left hundreds of fatalities unreported.

"[T]here were 341 deaths prior to April 2021 that went unreported," the department noted in its bulletin. "The number of deaths reported today (382) already includes the said deaths not reported in previous counts."

The DOH added that 166 survivors were also reclassified as fatalities after validation.

The death toll is now 13,817 which is 1.70% of the total number of cases. The DOH also reported 9,373 new COVID-19 infections, pushing the total to 812,760. But this does not yet include data from 10 laboratories that have yet to submit their reports, it added.

Active cases or currently ill patients are also at 152,562, equivalent to 18.8% of the COVID-19 total. At least 97.5% of the active cases have mild symptoms, 1.1% have no symptoms, 0.5% are in critical condition, 0.5% are severe cases, and 0.31% in moderate condition.

Meanwhile, 313 more patients got better, raising the recovery count to 646,381 or 79.5% of the case total. The DOH also said it removed 11 duplicates from the count, including three recoveries.

The bulletin also posted a positivity rate of 19.9% based on data as of noon of April 5. Positivity rate is the percentage of individuals that tested positive out of all patients tested. Although this rate is lower than the previous figures reported in the past few days, the DOH noted that there were only 27,055 tests conducted.

Experts had earlier warned that COVID-19 cases would be lower due to fewer laboratory personnel available to conduct and process tests during the Holy Week break.

However, the rate is still high since the World Health Organization recommended that positivity rates be kept below 5%. Experts said a bigger percentage suggests higher viral transmission within the community and the need to increase testing capacity. The DOH is expected to update the rate later on.

The DOH COVID-19 tracker also gave the updated positivity rate for April 4 at 21.5%, with 5,275 positive tests out of 24,546 tests in total.

Among Filipinos abroad, the Department of Foreign Affairs also reported a surge of 146 new infections. The total is 16,569 in 91 countries with 3,973 cases verified by the DOH, the DFA said. Nine more patients died, while seven more people recovered. The death toll is 1,058 and the survivor count is 10,065, while 5,446 others are undergoing treatment.
(Photo : Pexels/Pixabay) Brazilian cyberattack Janeleiro

On Apr. 6, ESET published an advisory on a malware, whcich has been in development since 2018.

Named Janeleiro, the Trojan is focused on Brazil as a hunting ground and has been used in cyberattacks against corporate players in sectors such as engineering, healthcare, finance, retail, and manufacturing.

Operators have also tried to use the malware when infiltrating government systems.

Janeleiro Trojan discovered

According to the advisory published by the researchers at ESET, the Trojan is similar to those that are currently operating across the country, such as Casbaneiro, Mekotio, and Grandoreiro, but it is the first one to be detected that is written in .NET instead of in Delphi, which is more common.

Ssmall batches of phishing emails are sent to corporate targets, pretending to relate to unpaid invoices.

Also Read: Telegram vs Signal App: One MAJOR Security Flaw Gives One Advantage Over the Other!

These messages contain links to compromised servers, where victims are encouraged to download a .zip archive hosted in the cloud. If the victim unzips the archive file, a Windows-based MSI installer then loads the main Trojan DLL onto the system.

According to Production Rev, ESET says that in some cases, the URLs have distributed both Janeleiro and other Delphi bankers at different times.

This suggests that either the numerous criminal groups share the same provider for sending spam emails and for hosting their malware, or that they are the same group. The researchers have not yet determine which hypothesis is correct.

The Trojan will first check the geolocation of the target system's IP address. If the country code is other than Brazil, the malware will exit.

But if the target fits the requirement, the malware will collect a variety of operating systems data and will get the address of its command-and-control or C2 server from a GitHub page.

What Janeleiro is used for

Janeleiro is used to create fake pop-up windows on-demand, such as when banking-related keywords are detected on a compromised machine, as per ESET.

The pop-ups are made to appear to be from some of the largest banks across Brazil, and they request the input of sensitive data and banking details from victims.

The malware's command list includes options for controlling windows, killing the existing browser sessions like those that are launched in Google Chrome, capturing screens, keylogging, and hijacking clipboard data.

The operator of the Trojan appears to prefer a hands-on approach and may control the windows remotely and in real-time.

Most malware operators at least make a token attempt to conceal their activities. In this case, the code obfuscation is light but there is no attempt to circumvent existing security software and there are no custom encryption.

The operator uses GitHub, a code repository, to host files containing C2 server lists to manage Trojan infections. These repositories are updated every day.

As of March, four variants of Janeleiro have been detected in the wild, although two of them share the same internal version number.

Some samples have been packaged together with a password stealer in attacks, which suggests that the group behind Janeleiro has other tools in their arsenal, according to the team.

ESET says that GitHub has been made aware of the threat actor's account and abuse of the platform. The page has now been disable and the owner has been suspended.

Related Article:SHAREit Alternatives: Security Bugs Still Unpatched, Could Completely Leak Your Personal Data

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Written by Sieeka Khan

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
At the moment, the coronavirus pandemic persists, and this drives the companies to resort to a virtual meeting. In the case of tech giants like Microsoft, the upcoming Build Developer Conference 2021 will now be staged from May 25 to May 27 through a virtual set-up.

The annual conference which will involve developers, and other professionals like engineers, architects, and computer programmers will take part in the event.

Besides these individuals, aspiring students who want to learn more about coding, system development, and innovation could also join the digital program.

It's official: All Microsoft conferences will be digital-only through July 2021. pic.twitter.com/wTBb7Z6pQB  Ginny Caughey (@gcaughey) April 6, 2020

Microsoft Reschedules Build Conference 2021's Data

According to a report by Ars Technica's Jim Salter on Apr. 6, Microsoft has decided to make its yearly Build Conference event a digital assembly. Since the surge of COVID-19 cases is happening, the firms were forced to adjust to the situation through conducting virtual arrangements for their employees and clients.

Last 2020, the tech giant announced that all of its virtual events will be pushed through July this year.

It was the same year when the news about "evil" conspiracy theories involving Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates had spread. The 65-year-old tycoon at the time was shocked when he learned that some reports claimed that he inserted microchips into other people to accomplish his vaccination mission.

The COVID-19 pandemic also prompted the companies to set aside their in-person meetings since the evident increase in the number of positive cases was observed. Most likely, the company will either extend the scheduled data for the conference or impose a temporary suspension of all physical activities.

Read Also: Apple Event Set to Launch on March 23, According to Chinese Leaker

Microsoft's Flagship Conferences Beside Build

The tech giant's Build Conference is only one of its three flagship conferences done every year. The other two meetings, which are named Inspire and Ignite, were also set to happen this 2021.

The Ignite conference was already finished last Mar. 30. It started on Mar. 2. On the other hand, the Inspire conference is about to commence in July.

While it seems that the three events share a close theme, the Build conference is dedicated to aspiring and professional developers. Meanwhile, the Ignite conference tackles the operational side of the company, and the Inspire conference discusses more the business side like sharing learning about business strategies and management.

It is expected that the upcoming Build event will feature more about Windows 10 21H2, which introduces a lot of new content together with the Windows'10 visual overhaul.

Particularly, the Windows special version, Windows 10X will focus on the two-screened tablets and other related smart devices.

Meanwhile, Cupertino giant Apple has also announced its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) to be staged starting June 7 to June 11.

Last 2020, the company's WWDC featured pre-recorded presentations of Apple's products and services like Beta iOS testing and other smartphones. This year, the conference could share a similar setup due to the looming COVID-19 crisis.

Related Article: Microsoft Exchange Servers Get Hacked--Company Publishes Mitigation Technique to Stop Chained Attack



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Written by Joen Coronel

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  New York City is preparing to administer state exams to public school students in classrooms this spring amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic  but families will need to indicate their interest in having their child take the tests.

The city Department of Education (DOE) released guidance for schools, which only applies to the 2020-2021 academic year, in an effort to plan for the health and safety of students and staff

Schools will reach out to families on whether you would like your student to participate in this years state exams so they can prepare and create a testing schedule.

Fully remote and in-person students both have the option to participate in the state tests, but they must be taken in-person. If a family doesnt notify their childs school of their interest in participating, that student will not take this years state exams, and they wont be penalized, according to the DOE.

We recognize that our students are facing many different circumstances due to the pandemic and in accordance with New York State Education Department guidance, we will be offering State exams in-person for those families who are interested in having their children participate, said Schools Chancellor Meisha Ross Porter in a statement. Schools will send information about how families can sign up, and we will work closely with our school communities as they prepare to safely administer tests to those who choose to participate this year.

Here are answers to some key questions about the state exams this school year.

When are the English language arts and math state exams?

The state English language arts and math exams are usually administered in two separate sessions over a two-day period. This year, all schools will administer only Session 1, which includes only the multiple-choice items.

For the English language arts exam, tests will be given on any day or days from April 19-29. The math exam will be given on any day or days from May 3-14.

Your childs school will schedule exams within the testing windows and notify you in advance of the test date and time. Testing will not occur on May 13, when schools are closed for Eid Al-Fitr.

When is the state science exam for grades 4 and 8?

According to the DOE, only the one-day, written portion of the science exam will be administered to students in grades 4 and 8.

The exam will be held during the testing window from June 7-11. Your childs school will schedule the exam within the testing window and notify you in advance of the test date and time.

Testing wont occur on June 8, when schools are closed for Clerical Day.

When do I need to notify my school?

Families interested in having their child take state exams must let their school know by these dates:

Grades 38 ELA: Thursday, April 15

Grades 38 Mathematics: Thursday, April 29

Grades 4 and 8 Science: Friday, May 28

Will the exams look different this year?

In previous years, the state English language arts and math exams were two-day exams. For this year only, the first-day portion, or the multiple-choice portion, will be administered.

Grades 4 and 8 science exams usually included both a performance test and a written test. But this year, the science exams will consist only of questions that are multiple-choice or require a short, written answer.

What if my child is a full-time remote learner?

The DOE said full-time remote learners can express interest in taking the state exams, but they must go to their school building for administration.

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) is requiring that exams take place in-person in the school building, and its not possible to administer state exams remotely.

Will my child be penalized if they dont take the tests?

The short answer is no.

Any student, regardless of his or her selected learning preference, who chooses not to or cannot participate in the state exams, wont be penalized in any way, the DOE said.

Students who dont take exams will continue their instructional programs.

Is it safe to take the exams in school buildings?

All schools will follow coronavirus health and safety protocols, including having enough personal protective equipment (PPE).

All students also must complete the DOE Health Screening to enter the building. Students in full-time remote learning wont need to consent to COVID-19 test in order to enter the building for the exams.

The flexibility in testing dates allows schools multiple days to schedule student testing when needed. The DOE said school staff will create proctoring schedules and room assignments to allow for social distancing.

What if my childs school building or classroom is closed on testing dates?

If a classroom is closed on a testing date, students from that classroom wont take the state exams on that date and will be tested within the remaining testing window when the classroom reopens. If the classroom doesnt reopen within the testing window, students wont be tested.

The same protocol will be followed if a school building is closed to all students, in which students will be tested during the remaining testing window when the school opens. If the school doesnt reopen within the testing window, students wont be tested.

Will this affect middle and high school admissions?

According to the DOE, some middle and high schools have academically screened programs that use exam scores as criteria for admissions. Given the impact of COVID-19, the way in which these schools consider exam scores has been altered for 2021-2022 school year admissions.

Information on 2022-2023 school year admissions is forthcoming, the DOE added.

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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Moscow, April 6 : Russia on Tuesday warned against imposing sanctions on Myanmar, as the military junta continues its bloody crackdown on protests in the country since the February 1 coup.

Threats, pressure and using sanctions against the acting authorities in Myanmar are futile and extremely dangerous, dpa news agency quoted the Foreign Ministry as saying to Interfax media outlet.

Such policies "only contribute to setting the parties against each other", the Ministry said, adding that it would drive people into civil war.

The US, the UK, the European Union and Canada have already hit the military with a raft of sanctions.

The military seized control of the Southeast Asian country after the November 2002 general elections which former de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi's ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) party won by a landslide.

Since the coup, the military junta has violently cracked down on protests and at least 564 people have been killed, including 46 children, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), a non-profit organization.

Nearly 2,700 people are in detention, the organization said.

Last week, the UN Security Council called on the military to exercise restraint, while Washington said it was working on reacting to the military violence with more sanctions.

Russia called on the military not to interfere in Myanmar's internal affairs.

At the same time, Moscow wants to continue its military cooperation, it said.

Russia's Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin attended a military parade in Myanmar just over a week ago.
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Before we wore time, we heard it. Clocks chimed in the heart of every medieval city. Clocks made by brilliant craftsmen who would, through miniaturisation , create domestic clocks, and then hand held timepieces, capable, despite their small size, to strike the passing hours. Inspired by watchmakings past and the possibility of moving musical timekeeping into the future, Ulysse Nardin wants you to hear time again, not read it.

Blast Hourstriker  Ulysse Nardin

The mechanics of power

It has been several years in the making but Ulysse Nardin has found a new way to make sound Introducing the Blast Hourstriker an innovative new striking watch that breaks barriers in sound technology This art of marking the time with music has always been a part of Ulysse Nardins technical arsenal It was revived in the 1980 s, under the impetus of Rolf Schnyder and given a new lease of life in 2019 when the Swiss Manufacture collaborated with French audio technology company Devialet on the next level of watchmaking acoustics, which was launched in the Classico Hourstriker Phantom This year Patrick Pruniaux Ulysse Nardins CEO, has again made the choice to make sound central to the brands drive for more futuristic ways to reinterpret traditional watchmaking crafts.

The power of mechanics

Ordinarily, to generate the sound needed to mark the passing hours, the hammers strike a wire gong wrapped around the movement to which it is attached The acoustic wave spreads into the middle of the mechanism and is partly absorbed by it In these conditions, the sound heard lacks power and its harmonics are partially muffled by the material of the timepiece.

Blast Hourstriker  Ulysse Nardin

For the Blast Hourstriker Ulysse Nardins team of engineers decided to set themselves two challenges: make the chiming mechanism visible on the dial side and further improve the quality/power output ratio A challenge that was already started with the Classico Hourstriker Phantom watch.

To achieve these goals, Ulysse Nardins engineers and watchmakers developed the UN 621 caliber In order to guarantee optimal precision of Ulysse Nardins first in house automatic striking manufacture movement, it is powered by a flying tourbillon one that is equipped with a variable inertia balance wheel, a silicon hairspring, anchor and escape wheel Its contemporary lines have also been made sleeker and stamped with the now iconic X associated with the brands latest generation of timepieces.

The most complex phase of the Blast Hourstrikers development involved redesigning the entire kinematics of this 330 component striking caliber to allow this highly sophisticated mechanism, which is usually hidden from view, to be seen dial side.

A design tailored to break the sound barrier

An exceptional mechanism requires an exceptional case So Ulysse Nardin decided to encase a movement inspired by the power of nature in a design inspired by a powerful man made machine the stealth airplane.

Blast Hourstriker  Ulysse Nardin

To truly allow the sound of the Blast Hourstriker to resonate, the distinctive 45 mm Blast case was given a black DLC titanium middle, capped with 5 N 18 kt rose gold, for improved acoustics To silence this imposing timepiece with the button located at 8 oclock on the middle must be pressed and then the  or  position at the tip of the function selector hand located at 8 oclock checked.

The three straps that come with the Blast Hourstriker allow its different personalities to be explored The black high tech, waterproof velvet option emphasizes its aerodynamism, while the alligator brings its more sophisticated side to the fore In addition, a rubber strap is also available for this model Whatever you choose, remember the Blast Hourstriker is made to be heard not seen.
Gefco, a global provider of industrial supply chain services and the European leader in automotive logistics, has formed a partnership through its subsidiary in the UAE with the leading smart trade enabler, DP World, UAE Region for new car solutions.

Through this partnership, Gefco UAE now offers automotive customers a flexible, integrated solution for vehicle storage and handling in covered parking at DP World, UAE Regions flagship, Jebel Ali Port.

Gefco UAE has been operating vehicle handling and stock maintenance services in covered parking at DP World, UAE Regions flagship Jebel Ali Port, which provides protection against hailstorms, sun exposure and dust. The companys flexible, tailor-made solutions enable automotive manufacturers to reduce transport costs, while benefitting from storage, stock maintenance and other value-added services in line with international standards. Customers can also monitor their vehicle stocks and status through a dedicated Gefco portal.

This partnership with DP World, UAE Region strengthens Gefcos position in the UAE market where it has been operating for more than eight years. Gefco UAE offers a complete range of logistics solutions, specializing in finished vehicle logistics for import/export automotive customers. These solutions include sea freight from factories to Jebel Ali Port, transportation, storage, stock maintenance, inventory management, and outbound transportation via Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) to GCC countries as well as Jordan, Iraq, Turkey and Africa.

Commenting on the new partnership, Thierry Bocquillet, Operations Director for Gefco Middle East FZE, said: As a major international logistics player, we offer the most intelligent flexible and competitive logistics solutions to support our customers development. We are proud to have a reliable partner like DP World, who shares our goal of contributing to the growth of the GCC automotive industry.

Shahab Al Jassmi, Commercial Director of Ports and Terminals - DP World, UAE Region, said: We are proud of our association with Gefco and hope they can leverage our competencies to reinforce the regional auto industry. DP World, UAE Regions trade and logistics hub comprising the Jebel Ali Port and Jafza create the leading gateway for automotive trade in the GCC and around the world.

Jebel Ali Port is a prominent RoRo hub in the Middle East region and has an annual handling capacity of nearly 1 million units and a storage capacity of around 33,000 units. The car storage yards offer both short and long-term storage solutions to regional and international customers who can use the Tax and Vat free quayside facility for the transit of vehicles.

DP World, UAE Region has the only terminal in the region that has a quayside multi-storey parking facility with a capacity of around 13,000 CEU. It has an added capacity of around 13,000 CEU in National Industries Park (NIP), which is in close proximity to the Automotive Logistics Cluster in Jafza. The Free Zone is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure and is home to a cluster spread over an area of 1.37 million sqm that hosts 600 companies from 68 countries including some of the biggest automobile companies from around the world.TradeArabia News Service
Karachi, April 6 : It seems that hopes of renewed peace between arch-rivals India and Pakistan have started to show positive affects on the ground with both sides showing intent towards normalisation of ties through small but positive considerate actions.

In a recent event, the Indian authorities sent an eight-year-old boy, who had mistakenly ended up on the Indian side, back home to Pakistan.

Kareem Dino, a resident of the Chachro area in Tharparkar in Sindh Province, was taken into custody by the Indian border security forces on April 3. The Pakistani Rangers, after being informed about the matter, contacted the Indian side before the boy was reunited with his family.

"Wing No. 31 of Pakistan Rangers contacted the Indian forces and reunited Dino with his family members, who live near the border area," confirmed the Deputy Commissioner of Tharparkar, Mohammad Nawaz Soho.

The residents of the village and the family members of Dino also confirmed the return of the boy, expressing their happiness on his return.

"There are fences at the border, but people sometimes mistakenly cross them," said Sajid Bajeer, a journalist from Tharparkar.

In another recent incident, a teenager was killed by the Indian forces while crossing the border from the Nagar Parkar area. The family later received the body of the teenager.

The positive gesture comes in the wake of exchange of letters and compliments between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistan counterpart Imran Khan, expressing their desire to build a cordial relationship between the two nations.

Modi's letter was responded with similar gestures by Imran Khan, who also highlighted the need for a dialogue based on positive intent and progressive approach to see resolution of the disputed issues between the two countries.

Both India and Pakistan have lowered down the rhetoric ever since the Director General Military Operations (DGMO) level talks restored the 2003 ceasefire understanding on February 25.

Since then, statements from Imran Khan and Pakistan Army chief Genral Qamar Javed Bajwa have sounded the desire to bury the past and move forward.

However, Pakistan still maintains that India needs to take the first step towards dialogue, assuring that Islamabad would reciprocate with a similar response for resolution of issues between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
The chairman of the National Committee for Vaccination Activities Coordination, Valeriu Gheorghita, on Tuesday said that people's interest in scheduling for vaccination is high and announced the decision to notify only once a person on the waiting list, who will have 24 hours available to confirm that appointment.

"People's interest in scheduling for vaccination is high, namely at the moment in the centres, for example, where the inoculation is made with the Pfizer vaccine, the rate of confirmation of appointments after notification is between 85-90% of the people on the waiting lists, even from the first notification. As we know so far, the rule was that a person is notified up to three times, after which, if he/she does not respond to that confirmation, other persons were notified instead. Since there are many people on the waiting list who are waiting to receive notifications, we have decided to notify a person on the waiting list only once, to have 24 hours to confirm. If the notified person does not confirm the appointment at the vaccination center within 24 hours, other persons on the waiting list will be notified," the military doctor explained at a press conference, agerpres.ro confirms.

He said that people who do not confirm their appointment after the first notification will be able to register on the waiting list of another center, or to be scheduled on the places that will be available in the vaccination centers and that will not have a waiting list.

Gheorghita said that this requirement will be operationalized starting Wednesday.

According to him, from April 10, it will be displayed on the programming platform, for each person who is on the waiting list, how many people are registered before him/her and what is the daily vaccination capacity in the vaccination center for which the respective person has opted.
Worried Facebook users can now check whether their mobile numbers are included in the latest data leak

Irish Facebook users caught up in the leak of over a million mobile numbers can now check whether their number is affected.

The website haveibeenpwned.com has updated its system to include searches by mobile numbers.

Users can input their numbers using the country code and full mobile number, without the zero prefix.

A typical search would be inputted as 353871234567.

The reputable site, run by the respected IT security researcher Troy Hunt, also lets people check whether their email addresses have been part of any large data breach in recent years.

Read More

Meanwhile, the Irish Data Protection Commission has criticised Facebook for a lack of communication over how and when the global dataset of 530m Facebook accounts including up to 1.5m Irish accountscame to be leaked and shared.

The watchdog said that its efforts at getting an answer from Facebook about the matter have been met with a tepid response.

The DPC attempted over the weekend to establish the full facts and is continuing to do so. It received no proactive communication from Facebook. Through a number of channels, it sought contact and answers from Facebook, said a spokesperson for the Irish DPC.

Facebook Ireland today responded to queries about the leak with a two-sentence statement.

"This is old data that was previously reported on in 2019, a spokesperson told Independent.ie. We found and fixed this issue in August 2019.

However, it gave a slightly longer response to the DPC, according to a statement from the Irish regulator.

Based on our investigation to date, we believe that the information in the data-set released this weekend was publicly available and scraped prior to changes made to the platform in 2018 and 2019, Facebook told the regulator, as quoted by the Irish DPC. As I am sure you can appreciate, the data at issue appears to have been collated by third parties and potentially stems from multiple sources. It therefore requires extensive investigation to establish its provenance with a level of confidence sufficient to provide your Office and our users with additional information.

The Irish regulator is now warning of risks around spam and security.

Risks arise for users who may be spammed for marketing purposes but equally users need to be vigilant in relation to any services they use that require authentication using a persons phone number or email address in case third parties are attempting to gain access, its statement says.

However, on the question of whether punitive action will follow, the DPC hinted that the behaviour may have occurred before the introduction of the GDPR.

Much of the data appears to been data scraped some time ago from Facebook public profiles, the DPC says.

Previous datasets were published in 2019 and 2018 relating to a large-scale scraping of the Facebook website which at the time Facebook advised occurred between June 2017 and April 2018 when Facebook closed off a vulnerability in its phone lookup functionality. Because the scraping took place prior to GDPR, Facebook chose not to notify this as a personal data breach under GDPR.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 5, 2021) - SKRR Exploration Inc. (TSXV: SKRR) (OTC: SKKRF) (FSE: B04Q) ("SKRR" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed a non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") consisting of 277,780 units (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.27 per Unit for gross proceeds of $75,000.60. Each Unit is comprised of one common share and one- half of one common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant is exercisable to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of $0.40 per share for a period of twenty-four (24) months from the date of closing the Private Placement.

The proceeds from the Private Placement will be used for exploration expenditures on the Company's projects and for general corporate purposes and working capital.

All securities issued in connection with the Private Placement are subject to a four month hold period from the closing date in accordance with applicable securities laws.

About SKRR Exploration Inc.:

SKRR is a Canadian-based precious metal explorer with properties in Saskatchewan - one of the world's highest ranked mining jurisdictions. The primary exploration focus is on the Trans-Hudson Corridor in Saskatchewan in search of world class precious metal deposits. The Trans-Hudson Orogen - although extremely well known in geological terms has been significantly under-explored in Saskatchewan. SKRR is committed to all stakeholders including shareholders, all its partners and the environment in which it operates.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Sherman Dahl

President & CEO

Tel: 250-558-8340

Rich Matthews, Investor Relations

Integrous Communications

rmatthews@integcom.us

+1 6047577179

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 news release.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including any of the securities in the United States of America. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information or statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which may include, without limitation, statements that address the Private Placement, use of proceeds, other statements relating to the technical, financial, and business prospects of the Company, its projects, and other matters. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward- looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the price of metals, the ability to achieve its goals, that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms. Such forward-looking information reflects the Company's views with respect to future events and is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions, adverse weather conditions, decrease in the price of gold and other metals, equipment failures or failure to obtain the necessary equipment, adverse weather conditions, failure to maintain all necessary government permits, approvals and authorizations, the impact of Covid-19 or other viruses and diseases on the Company's ability to operate, failure to maintain community acceptance (including First Nations), increase in costs, litigation, and failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations. The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, except as required by law.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION DIRECTLY, OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79486
Alessandra Ambrosio got into the Easter spirit by throwing a fun-filled party alongside her two children, new beau Richard Lee, and some friends.

One day later, and the entrepreneur and former supermodel took it down a notch, and headed out for some food to-go from one of her favorite spots, Kreation Organic, in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles.

While there, she also got a delicious fresh smoothie for her ride back to her spacious home near the ocean in Santa Monica.

On the go: Alessandra Ambrosio, who turns 40 on Sunday, stepped out to pick up some food to-go in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles on Monday

The Brazilian-born beauty kept it casual in the fashion department in old denim jeans that had a couple of rips in the front of the legs.

She paired the pants with a cropped grey sweatshirt and white sneakers as she made her way out the the establishment with her phone strapped over her shoulder.

With the sun glaring down and the temperature hovering around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, Ambrosio donned stylish sunglasses and had her long brown tresses pulled back off her face with a ponytail.

Easy does it: The former supermodel kept it casual in the fashion department in old denim jeans, a grey cropped sweatshirt and white sneakers

Holiday: Ambrosio shared a kiss with new beau, Richard Lee, during their Easter Sunday celebration with family and friends at home in Santa Monica

New love: The new couple were first seen out together on a date in February

In celebration of Easter, the GAL Floripa co-founder posted an array of videos and photos of her family and friends partying at her home on Sunday.

Ambrosio and Lee snuggled up together for one of the first photos, which was followed up by a boomerang of the new couple sharing a kiss with the headline: 'love you with my whole [heart],' while wearing bunny ears.

Some of the most recent snaps showed Lee cooking up some BBQ on the grill with his ladylove's eight-year-old son Noah.

Cooking up a storm: Some of the most recent snaps showed Lee cooking up some BBQ on the grill with his ladylove's eight-year-old son Noah

Tasty: The pair also got to eat plenty of BBQ they cooked on the grill

There's also images of all the children playing Easter games out on the lawn, and the hostess enjoying fresh tropical drinks.

The party included an egg hunt around the yard as the temperatures soared close to 80 degrees Fahrenheit on another sunny Southern California day.

She also snuggled up with Noah for a photo showing mother and son wearing bunny ears, along with a few bunny animations.

Ambrosio and Lee stepped out for the first time publicly for a dinner date at Nobu in February.
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The infamous 'haunted' Massachusetts home where Lizzie Borden's father and stepmother were found hacked to death in 1892 has been sold for $2million and will continue to be run as a bed-and-breakfast for brave tourists.

Borden was sensationally tried and found not guilty of her parents' violent murders at the house in Fall River but, more than a century on from the grisly crimes, she continues to be the prime and only suspect in the slayings.

The house, located at 230 2nd St. in Fall River, was listed for sale in January by The Seybouth Team at Century 21 and was able to be viewed by the curious as well as prospective buyers during open house tours.

The infamous 'haunted' Massachusetts home where Lizzie Borden's father and stepmother were found bludgeoned to death in 1892 has been sold for $2million. Pictured: The room where Mrs Borden was found murdered

The house in Fall River, where Lizzie was suspected of killing her parents with an ax, will be run by its new owner as a bed-and-breakfast for brave tourists

The black sofa where Andrew Borden was found with ax wounds to his head and body in 1892

Another view of the room where Abby Borden was found murdered with ax wounds on August 4 1892

The house, located at 230 2nd St. in Fall River, was recently listed for sale in January by The Seybouth Team at Century 21 and was able to be viewed in open house tours

Lizzie was sensationally tried and found not guilty of her parents' violent murders but, more than a century on from the grisly crimes, she continues to be the prime and only suspect in the slayings

Lizzie Borden, seen here a year after the killings, was acquitted for the murders of her parents

The new owner, Lance Zaal, was one of those visitors and placed an offer for the house, which features eight-bedrooms.

'It's not official yet. We still have to go through closing,' Zaal told Realtor. 'It's certainly a process. We're buying the property as well as the business.'

The listing says the property is 'an unbelievable opportunity to own and operate one of New England's top tourist attractions'.

The sprawling mansion boasts eight bedrooms, four bathrooms, and two walk-in closets while being nestled in under half an acre of land.

The house was owned by Lizzie's father Andrew Borden from 1874 to 1892, when he was found murdered with his second wife Abby.

It has been run as an B&B since 1996 and had provided overnight stays and house tours - which will continue under the new owner - albeit with a few changes.

All of the bedrooms have been given various names including the John Morse Guest room, where the body of Mrs Borden was found, and the Lizzie and Emma suite, where Lizzie and her sister Emma slept.

The new owner, Lance Zaal, was one of those visitors and placed an offer for the house, which features eight-bedrooms

The listing says the property is 'an unbelievable opportunity to own and operate one of New England's top tourist attractions'

The house was owned by Lizzie's father Andrew Borden from 1874 to 1892, when he was found murdered with his second wife Abby

One of the many sitting rooms in the house, which feature antique furniture and old family pictures

This is a two-room suite on the second floor, which was Andrew and Abby Bordens bedroom

The property features an exquisite fireplace in the room where Mr Borden was found murdered

There is also an onsite library of books and videos relating to the Borden family, the murders, trial and aftermath.

The new home is fully furnished with period pieces including an old fireplace, items of clothing from the Borden family and exquisite furnishings such as the black sofa where Mr Borden was found slain.

'We'll be adding several different events for both visitors and locals. We want this to be a place where people can kind of come in just to have a good time as well,' Zaal said.

'We really want to give more people a reason to go thereso more activities and more events'.

The sprawling mansion boasts eight bedrooms, four bathrooms, and two walk-in closets while being nestled in under half an acre of land

The new home is fully furnished with period pieces including an old fireplace, items of clothing from the Borden family and exquisite furnishings

One of the eight bedrooms featured in the house which some claim is haunted by ghosts since the 1892 murder

Lizzie is suspected of murdering her father Andrew and stepmother Abby back in 1892. Pictured: The kitchen

Lizzie (pictured in 1889) was sensationally tried and found not guilty of her parents' violent murders but, more than a century on from the grisly crimes, she continues to be the prime and only suspect in the slayings

Andrew's body was found on the living room couch, where he had been sleeping. His face was almost split in two from the violent ax attack (pictured the crime scene)

Those events could include, quite ironically, ax throwing, Victorian dinners, murder mystery evenings and escape rooms, he said.

'Just a couple of ax-throwing lanes, which would be a lot of fun,' Zaal said.

'We're going to look at producing an official Lizzie Borden ax  that we will provide for ax-throwing, and also to sell to guests.'

The property also features a gift shop where guests can hope to snap up pieces of American history.

Zaal hopes to introduce events such as ax throwing, Victorian dinners, murder mystery evenings and escape rooms. Pictured: The dining room at the property

The property has three bathrooms complete with old furnishings and busy wallpaper to bring guests back to the Victorian age

All of the bedrooms have been given various names including the John Morse Guest room, where the body of Mrs Borden was found and the Lizzie and Emma suite where Lizzie and her sister Emma slept

Zaal revealed he stayed at the home for two nights and heard some strange noises.

'I did hear voices and I heard footsteps,' he says.

'I was alone in the house in the second night, so I definitely had some things happen there, but I slept like a baby.'
Two brothers in Dallas, Texas have killed their entire family after they made a pact to kill their relatives and then themselves.

One of the brothers detailed the said plan in a six-page suicide note that was posted online. In the letter, he detailed his years-long battle with depression and self-harm.

The 19-year-old boy also expressed his hatred at the latter seasons of the TV sitcom "The Office," and ranted about inadequate gun control in the United States, according to a Daily Mail report.

READ NEXT: Father Stabs 9-Year-Old Daughter To Death Before Killing Self in Murder-Suicide in Illinois

The Horrific Incident in Texas

Officers responded on Monday after receiving a call at around 1 a.m. asking for a welfare check to a home in the 1500 block of Pine Bluff Drive. Police said the call came from a friend who was concerned that a person inside the residence was suicidal.

When police arrived at the scene, they discovered six bodies, all with gunshot wounds, inside the family's home, The Sun reported.

"Apparently two brothers made an agreement to commit suicide and ended up taking the entire family with them," police Sgt. Jon Felty told the Dallas Morning News.

Police confirmed that 19-year-old Farhan Towhid and 21-year-old Tanvir Towhid carried out the massacre that killed their parents, sister, and grandmother.

Authorities believed that Farhan had convinced and teamed up with his older brother to kill the rest of their family and then themselves.

"Hey everyone. I killed myself and my family... If I'm going to die, I might as well get some attention," Farhan Towhid reportedly wrote in the suicide note before he killed himself and his family.

The Daily Beast reported that Farhan Towhid also bragged about how easy it was for him and his brother Tarvin to buy guns.

The murder-suicide was very shocking to the tight-knit Bangladeshi American community that the family belonged to.

Sahnewaz Hossain told the Dallas Morning News that the mother always talked about the two brothers, saying that they were good in studies and getting to good schools with scholarships.

The victims were identified as Towhidul Islam, 54; his wife, Iren Islam, 56; Farbin Towhid, the twin sister of Farhan; and grandmother Altafun Nessa, 77.

Farhan Towhid wrote the suicide note in Google Docs and posted it on his Instagram account. He and his older brother were both former students at the University of Texas at Austin.

The note stated that he decided to kill his family as he believed that his loved ones would be miserable if they will live without him and they would spend the rest of their lives feeling guilt and despair.

Police said there was no record of any previous disturbances at the family's residence.

Depression in the U.S.

According to a Mental Health America National report, major depression affects 6.7 percent of American adults each year.

Only about 35.3 percent of those suffering from severe depression seek treatment from a mental health professional as many people still believe that depression is not a serious illness.

There can be many factors that can contribute to clinical depression, such as biological, cognitive, and gender. It was reported that more women experience depression than men. The reasons are still unclear, but it was believed that it may include hormonal changes that women go through.

Depression is also more likely to happen with illnesses, such as heart disease, cancer, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and other hormonal disorders.

Depression can also be caused by the side effects of some medications. Certain situations, particularly difficult life events, can also trigger depression.

WATCH: Allen Police Find 6 Dead, Say Suicide Pact Shared On Social Media Mentions 'Killing Family' - From CBSDFW






A Muslim nuclear plant worker has won a religious discrimination claim after his bosses reported him to counter terrorism police for allegedly saying British troops in the Middle East 'deserved to die'.

Engineer Mo Master was quizzed by officers at his home after colleagues began to suspect him of holding 'extremist Islamic views', a tribunal heard.

Workmates at the site - where radioactive materials capable of constructing a 'dirty bomb' could be found - were concerned Mr Master had 'become more religious' and 'vocal about Allah', the hearing was told.

One unsubstantiated rumour he had remarked 'British troops in the Middle East deserved to die' spread around the nuclear plant he had worked at for 28 years.

But when bosses warned the authorities he might be a security risk, he sued them for discrimination.

Now he has won 3,500 after the employment tribunal agreed he had been the victim of a 'kneejerk' reaction.

Engineer Mo Master was quizzed by officers at his home after colleagues at Springfield Fuels in Preston (file photo) began to suspect him of holding 'extremist Islamic views'

The hearing in Manchester was told Mr Master had been employed in the workshop of Springfield Fuels in Preston, Lancashire, which produces fuel for nuclear power plants.

But in 2018 his manager Tim Berry reported him as a potential security risk after staff reported him becoming more extreme in his views.

Mr Berry told the tribunal: 'Mo had changed. They [other colleagues] said that recently he had become a lot more outspoken, that he would say British troops in the Middle East deserved to die.

'He would be quite vocal about Allah whereas before Allah was rarely mentioned, and he was prepared to voice opinions whereas before he would be quite quiet about things.'

Simon Johnson, head of security, filed a report about Mr Master to the the Office for Nuclear Regulation in January 2018 which in turn contacted Prevent, the anti-terrorism Government agency.

Mr Johnson said: 'Mr Berry told me he was concerned by Mr Master's behaviour.

'He explained he had worked with Mr Master for many years and that recently, at times in the canteen, Mr Master had started to say things that suggested that he held extreme Islamic views.'

Mr Johnson told the tribunal there was material at the site which could be 'stolen to manufacture a dirty bomb'.

Mr Master, who was not told about the report, took voluntary redundancy in February 2018, taking a payment of 70,000. He was visited by police at his home around three months later.

The tribunal heard: 'Mr Master was visited on one occasion by Prevent. Police officers attended his house in plain clothes... His father and wife were at home and he was required to explain [the visit] to his close family who the visitors were.'

No action was ever taken against him by police.

The tribunal found Mr Johnson had reported his concerns 'not as an unsubstantiated rumour but as a fact' to the ONR.

Workmates at the site (file photo) - where radioactive materials capable of constructing a 'dirty bomb' could be found - were concerned Mr Master had 'become more religious' and 'vocal about Allah', the hearing was told

It found Mr Master never made a comment about British troops and that being reported to counter terrorism police amounted to religious discrimination.

Employment Judge Mark Leach said if Mr Master was not Muslim the rumour would not have been reported.

Judge Leach said reporting Mr Master was 'little more than a kneejerk reaction to being presented with unsubstantiated allegation about an employee making an extremist comment and displaying behaviour of greater religious observance'.

Judge Leach added: 'We note that there is no explanation for the circulation or persistence of the rumour.

'There is no evidence at all about when this comment was supposed to have been made by Mr Master, where it was made, the context in which it was made, who made it, who it was made to and who reported it.

'[Springfield Fuels] has no explanation at all for the rumour.

'We find that a significant influence on that rumour persisting, that Mr Master made the comment, was Mr Master's religion.

'Mr Master had become more religious. He displayed more openly his observance of Islam.

'Had Mr Master not been Muslim, this rumour would not have persisted to the extent that it did.

'We find that the rumour was allowed to persist as it was reported up the management reporting chain to Mr Johnson. It was then reported by Mr Johnson to the ONR; not as an unsubstantiated rumour but as a fact.'

Springfield Fuels - part of the Westinghouse group - was ordered to pay Mr Master 3,500 compensation for religious discrimination.

But he was ordered to pay his former employers 7,622 in costs after making a series of other claims which were all dismissed by the tribunal.
So much of the news today is grim and worrisome. As a nation, we are at each other's throats because of sociopolitical change, Covid, election fall out and more. April is typically loaded with feel good autism stories. Some are maddening, others give us hope for the future. This United States Capitol Police patch was created for Autism Action Month 2021. Here's the story of how I came in possession of this badge, because (say it with me) all roads lead to autism. I have had helpers for my three daughters over the years. One young woman joined our ragtag army when she was in college. Her older brother has autism, and attends the same day program as my two oldest daughters. He's tall, handsome and has a smile that could light up the night sky. His sister came to us fully trained, because she had lived with autism all of her life. Fast forward four years, and she achieved her dream job - she was recruited to the United States Capitol Police force! I watched her swearing in ceremony on Zoom last year. Her first months on the job have been harrowing, as you can imagine. She has seen two colleagues die, more than many police officers will see in a lifetime. But she's tough, dedicated and so ready to move up the ranks of the force. And she will be a strong voice for people with autism who may come into contact with the police. That's something to salute.






Several Montgomery County leaders took to social media Tuesday to show their support of Gov. Greg Abbott who issued an executive order prohibiting state agencies or political subdivisions in Texas from creating a vaccine passport requirement for what they say is protected medical information.

The order also prohibits organizations receiving public funds from requiring documentation of vaccine status in order to receive any service or enter any place.

Everyday, Texans are returning to normal life as more people get the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. But, as Ive said all along, these vaccines are always voluntary and never forced, Abbott stated in a press release. Government should not require any Texan to show proof of vaccination and reveal private health information just to go about their daily lives. That is why I have issued an Executive Order that prohibits government-mandated vaccine passports in Texas. We will continue to vaccinate more Texans and protect public health  and we will do so without treading on Texans personal freedoms.

Abbott has maintained his stance that vaccination are voluntary.

Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough said in a Facebook post he wholeheartedly agreed with Abbotts order.

No person should be forced or required to take a vaccine against their will nor should they be required to share proof of a vaccine in order to participate and function in daily life activities, he stated. These records are protected medical information that is private and they should remain that way.

State Rep. Will Metcalf, R-Conroe, echoed Keough and has filed legislation addressing the issue.

Texans should feel confident that their private health information does not become a condition for returning to normalcy following the last year of living with COVID-19, Metcalf stated. That is why I have joint-authored and co-authored legislation to prevent businesses from discriminating against employees based on COVID-19 vaccine status, and legislation protecting public school children from immunization being required for admission to public school. Parents and all Texans have the right to make individual decisions for themselves and their families when it comes to getting vaccinated, and COVID should not change that right going forward.

The Texas governor isnt the first to prohibit vaccine passports. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also issued an executive order prohibiting businesses from requiring vaccine documentation on April 2. Texas has administered more than 12.5 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine as of April 5, according to Houston Chronicle data.

Montgomery County health officials noted another significant drop in active COVID-19 cases Tuesday down 160 to 1,757. Total number of cases increased 97 to 49,936. The county also recorded another death bringing that total to 273. The death was a Montgomery woman in her 30s who was hospitalized at the time of her death and had no other health conditions listed.

Total hospitalizations increased 12 to 103 with 33 of those patients in ICU. To date 26,131 people have recovered. The countys testing positive rate remains at 10 percent.

Both county and health officials continue to stress appointments are needed to get the vaccination at the Woodforest Stadium hub in Shenandoah. To check eligibility and make an appointment , visit https://dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/immunize/vaccine.aspx.

For residents without access to the internet, the county COVID-19 Call Center number is 936-523-3916 and it is available Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

cdominguez@hcnonline.com
John Gray secures Atlanta area location for new Relentless Church campus

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Relentless Church leader John Gray and his wife, Aventer, have settled on a location for their new Atlanta area campus, the couple revealed in an announcement Sunday.

In a short video, Gray revealed that they will establish a second campus of their Greenville, South Carolina-based church in Powder Springs, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta with a population of over 15,000.

The neighborhood, according to Niche, is one of the best places to live in Georgia and attracts many families and young professionals.

Were getting ready to drive up onto the campus of a miracle. Were gonna fill this campus with the love of Christ, Gray said in the promotional video for the campus as his wife Aventer smilingly agreed.

And were going to diffuse hope to hurting people and were going to grow and build disciples. Were getting ready to create an atmosphere where everyone knows they belong.

The new campus located at 4665 Macland Road in Powder Springs was formerly occupied by Seven Springs Church. But the campus was sold to Seven Springs Investors in June 2018, The Greenville News reported.

The property was listed for sale on the commercial website LoopNet with a total assessment of over $7.2 million.

While Seven Springs Investors will maintain ownership of the property, Gray and Relentless Church have entered into an agreement with the company to use the facility.

The Relentless Church pastor told The Greenville News that the church is also "in the process of acquiring the building and is satisfied with the current agreement.

Weve been talking about this for two years, but I never knew, I could never see where God wanted us to plant, Gray said in the video.

Atlanta is in a moment in time. And I believe that we have something to add to the conversation. Everything thats happening finds a home in this city. I believe that theres space for a church that has a multicultural, multigenerational, uncompromised approach to loving every single human being that walks through the door. We make no apologies for it. Thats the kind of church I want to lead. Thats the kind of man I want to be.

He told The Greenville News that the campus will start as a mid-week campus and will not hold weekend services. The first interest meeting for prospective members will be held on April 14.

The Relentless Church pastor first announced the idea of an Atlanta campus in December.

Gray further noted that his church settled a longstanding property dispute with Redemption Church leaders, Pastors Ron and Hope Carpenter, who own the Greenville campus where Relentless Church is currently based.

While the Carpenters sought to evict Relentless Church in an explosive and public dispute, The Greenville News reported last year that the parties reached an undisclosed settlement allowing Relentless Church to remain at the facility.

"We are very satisfied with what the courts have decided," Gray told the publication. "Every aspect has now been satisfied."
Three-Quarters of Canadian Energy Workers Could Lose Jobs Due to Green Transition: Report

Three-quarters of the workers in Canadas oil and gas industry could lose their jobs due to the governments green energy strategy, according to a new report, which calls for developing measures to secure workers job transition.

Published by TD Economics on Tuesday, the report estimates that 50-75 percent of the 600,000 workers in the oil and gas sector, or roughly 312,000-450,000 workersmostly located in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland and Labradorare at risk of displacement as a result of Canadas commitment to cut carbon emissions.

In December 2020, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Canadas new climate plan, titled A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy, which aims to reduce up to 40 percent of carbon emissions by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050.

These aggressive targets come at the expense of the carbon-intensive oil and gas sector. The report notes that the extraction and distribution of oil and gas account for over one quarter of Canadas greenhouse gas emissions, yet oil and gas also account for two-thirds of Canadas energy consumption.

Reducing carbon emissions comes in two steps, the first being a fundamental shift towards electrification, renewable electricity and clean fuels, and the second the reduction of emission intensity in the oil and gas sector through new technology.

The report says even under the net-zero scenario, the demand for fossil fuels will not disappear completely, but the industrys viability will be determined by its ability to regulate all forms of emissions.

Under the net-zero scenario, demand for oil and gas would drop by half in North America, followed by a sharp decline in production, which would directly or indirectly lead to the displacement of thousands of workers.

Past experience in the manufacturing sectors in both the United States and Canada offers a precautionary tale. In the 1990s through the early 2000s, automation and skill-biased technological changes slashed manual, routine jobs, causing widespread displacement among middle-skilled, middle-income workers.

The TD report warns of the danger in assuming that displaced workers from the oil and gas sectors would be fully accommodated into the green energy industry. First, skill-biased transition obstacles also exist between the oil and gas sectors and the clean energy industry. Geographical backdrop for green energy jobs should also be taken into account during workers transition; unlike fossil fuels, the extraction of renewable energy is not necessarily bound by the location of the resources natural deposits.

The report suggests the federal and provincial governments incorporate three elements into the transition policy framework. First is work with industry and training service providers to identify the skills needed in the clean energy sector, to redesign a new retraining framework for those who would bear the impacts of the transition.

The governments should also focus on clean energy infrastructure and development for the same affected communities, and also provide broad-based income support programs to partially offset income losses due to displacement.

History has shown that natural unintended dynamics can press on inequality and underemployment if market forces are left unchecked, the report stated. Efforts and resources on the clean energy transition should be matched by efforts and resources to transition workers displaced in the process.
You are here: China

Ruili City in southwest China's Yunnan Province will launch the second round of nucleic acid testing that includes all residents of the city proper Tuesday.

The recent increase in COVID-19 cases and asymptomatic cases was mainly due to a new round of testing among key groups of people and people in high-risk areas on Saturday, said Gong Yunzun, Party chief of the city, at a press conference Monday.

The city reported 15 new locally-transmitted COVID-19 cases and five new asymptomatic cases on Sunday, the provincial health commission of Yunnan said on Monday.

It added three high-risk and three medium-risk areas for COVID-19 outbreak on Monday.

Dozens of locally-transmitted COVID-19 cases have been reported in the city since March 30. Local authorities launched a citywide nucleic acid testing drive on March 31 and urged residents to observe home quarantine.
[April 06, 2021] Tauriga Sciences Inc. Sets New Daily E-Commerce Records for Both Revenue Generated [$10,000+] and Number of Individual Transactions [207]

These E-Commerce Records Were Achieved on the Date: Monday  April 5, 2021

NEW YORK, April 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire -- Tauriga Sciences, Inc. (OTCQB: TAUG) (Tauriga or the Company), a revenue generating, diversified life sciences company, with a proprietary line of CBD & CBG infused Supplement chewing gums (Flavors: Pomegranate, Blood Orange, Peach-Lemon, Pear Bellini, Mint, Black Currant, Cherry Lime Rickey, Golden Raspberry), additional product offerings, as well as an ongoing Pharmaceutical Development initiative, today reported record daily results, with respect to its highest margin E-Commerce business segment. On Monday, April 5, 2021, the Company generated $10,000+ in Daily E-Commerce Sales and recorded 207 individual E-Commerce Order Transactions. As of 8:00am EST this morning, the Company has received Approximately 5,900 E-Commerce Orders. In other news, the Company has completed payment for the initial production run of its Delta-8-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-8-THC or Delta-8) infused version of Tauri-Gum (9th Overall Tauri-Gum SKU). This product is being manufactured in Evergreen Mint flavor with an MSRP of $18.99 per Blister Pack. ABOUT TAURIGA SCIENCES INC. Tauriga Sciences, Inc. (TAUG) is a revenue generating, diversified life sciences company, engaged in several major business activities and initiatives. The company manufactures and distributes several proprietary retail products and product lines, mainly focused on the Cannabidiol (CBD) and Cannabigerol (CBG) Edibles market segment. The main product line, branded as Tauri-Gum, consists of a proprietary supplement chewing gum that is Kosher certified, Halal certified, and Vegan Formulated (CBD Infused Tauri-Gum Flavors: Mint, Blood Orange, Pomegranate), (CBG Infused Tauri-Gum Flavors: Peach-Lemon, Black Currant), (Vitamin C + Zinc Infused Tauri-Gum Flavor: Pear Bellini), (Caffeine Infused Tauri-Gum Flavor: Cherry Lime Rickey), & (Vitamin D3 Infused Tauri-Gum Flavor: Golden Raspberry). The Companyscommercialization strategy consists of a broad array of retail customers, distributors, and a fast-growing E-Commerce business segment (E-Commerce website: www.taurigum.com). Please visit our corporate website, for additional information, as well as inquiries, at http://www.tauriga.com



Complementary to the Companys retail business, is its ongoing Pharmaceutical Development initiative. This relates to the development of a proposed Pharmaceutical grade version of Tauri-Gum, for nausea regulation (specifically designed for the following indication: Patients Subjected to Ongoing Chemotherapy Treatment). On March 22, 2021, the Company announced that it had Converted its U.S. Provisional Patent Application (filed on March 17, 2020) into a U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application. The Patent, filed with the U.S.P.T.O. is Titled MEDICATED CBD COMPOSITIONS, METHODS OF MANUFACTURING, AND METHODS OF TREATMENT. On December 18, 2020 the Company disclosed that it had entered into a Master Services Agreement with CSTI to lead the Company's clinical development efforts. The Company is headquartered in Wappingers Falls, New York. In addition, the Company operates two full time E-Commerce fulfillment centers: one located in Montgomery, Texas and the other in Brooklyn, New York.

DISCLAIMER -- Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 which represent managements beliefs and assumptions concerning future events. These forward-looking statements are often indicated by using words such as may, will, expects, anticipates, believes, hopes, believes, or plans, and may include statements regarding corporate objectives as well as the attainment of certain corporate goals and milestones. Forward-looking statements are based on present circumstances and on managements present beliefs with respect to events that have not occurred, that may not occur, or that may occur with different consequences or timing than those now assumed or anticipated. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in forward looking statements due to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, such as are not guarantees of general economic and business conditions, the ability to successfully develop and market products, consumer and business consumption habits, the ability to consummate successful acquisition and licensing transactions, fluctuations in exchange rates, and other factors over which Tauriga has little or no control. Many of these risks and uncertainties are discussed in greater detail in the Risk Factors section of Taurigas Form 10-K and other periodic filings made from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this release, and Tauriga assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Contact: Tauriga Sciences, Inc. 4 Nancy Court, Suite 4 Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 Chief Executive Officer Mr. Seth M. Shaw Email: sshaw@tauriga.com cell # (917) 796 9926 Company Instagram: @taurigum Personal Instagram: @sethsms47 Twitter: @SethMShaw Corp. Website: www.tauriga.com E-Commerce Website: www.taurigum.com



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SAN ANTONIO, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Home Tax Shield (HTS), a San Antonio-based property tax tech company, and Keller Williams Heritage, a San Antonio-based real estate brokerage, are partnering to bring professional property tax services to San Antonio homeowners. The partnership enables Keller Williams Heritage to offer exclusive pricing to San Antonio clients in 2021. The announcement comes a few weeks before homeowners across Texas receive their 2021 property tax value notice from the county and one month before the May 15 filing deadline. San Antonio homeowners can contact their Keller Williams Heritage agent for an exclusive sign-up link.

AI-Powered Property Tax Protest Platform San Antonio's Top-Producing Real Estate Brokerage

"Our vision is to provide clients with the best service throughout their homeownership experience. The Home Tax Shield platform enables our agents to offer convenient and affordable property tax services to their clients, which will be particularly important this year given the strong real estate market," said Jack Hawthorne, CEO of Keller Williams Heritage.

Keller Williams Heritage is the leading residential real estate brokerage in San Antonio with 11% market share and $2.8 billion in annual volume (BrokerMetrics, Feb. 2021). The brokerage's production, client satisfaction, and support of the community earned the brokerage numerous awards from the San Antonio Business Journal, the San Antonio Board of Realtors, Platinum Top 50, Property Spark, NAHREP, Texas Monthly and more.

"We're thrilled to partner with Keller Williams Heritage to deliver professional property tax services to their clients in the San Antonio area. Property taxes are a critical part of the annual homeownership experience but can be confusing and frustrating to homeowners. To see Keller Williams Heritage step up to help solve this annual challenge for their clients is exciting and validating for the Home Tax Shield team," said Craig Hancock, CEO of HTS.

Home Tax Shield's platform simplifies the annual property tax appeal process for homeowners, ensuring they pay a fair property tax and often helping reduce their property tax bill. In 2020, HTS secured an average savings of $433 per home with an 87% success rate. The platform recently expanded to serve 30+ counties across Texas.

Residential property tax valuations are expected to rise significantly in 2021, increasing the potential for homes to be overvalued and creating inflated tax liability for homeowners. Despite COVID, the median sales price in the San Antonio metropolitan area increased by 11% YoY as of Feb. 2021 (SABOR). Only 15% of homeowners in Bexar County filed a protest in 2020, resulting in up to $100 million in unclaimed tax savings.

Homeowners can learn more by contacting their Keller Williams Heritage agent or calling (210) 493-3030.

Read more about KW and HTS at Keller Williams Heritage and Home Tax Shield.

Media Contact:

Kirky Galt

888 337 0150

[email protected]

SOURCE Home Tax Shield

Related Links

https://hometaxshield.com


[April 06, 2021] Aaron's Announces First Quarter 2021 Earnings Call and Webcast

ATLANTA, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Aaron's Company, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), a leading technology-enabled omnichannel provider of lease-to-own and purchase solutions, will host a conference call and webcast on Tuesday, April 27, 2021, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its first quarter 2021 financial results scheduled for release before the market opens on that day. Chief Executive Officer, Douglas A. Lindsay, and Chief Financial Officer, C. Kelly Wall, will host the call.



The public is invited to listen to the call by dialing 1-833-979-2858 a few minutes before the scheduled start time and requesting to join the Aaron's call. For international participants the number is 1-236-714-2899. The call will also be accessible by visiting the company's investor relations website at investor.aarons.com. The webcast will be archived for playback at that same site.

About The Aaron's Company, Inc.

Headquartered in Atlanta, The Aaron's Company, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), is a leading, technology-enabled, omnichannel provider of lease-to-own and purchase solutions. Aaron's engages in direct-to-consumer sales and lease ownership of furniture, appliances, consumer electronics and accessories through its approximately 1,300 Company-operated and franchised stores in 47 states and Canada, as well as its e-commerce platform, Aarons.com. For more information, visit Aarons.com or investor.aarons.com. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aarons-announces-first-quarter-2021-earnings-call-and-webcast-301263343.html SOURCE The Aaron's Company, Inc.

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The irresistible call of a lavish Easter feast in Sicily landed a prominent mobster behind bars on Sunday after authorities arrested him as he was returning to the island from Brazil to celebrate with family.

Considered by authorities to be the newly appointed capo of the Pagliarelli Mafia district in south-east Palermo, Giuseppe Calvaruso (44), had been living for months in Brazil, from where authorities say he was delegating mob affairs to loyal subordinates.

Easter in Sicily is one of the most important Catholic celebrations. After being away from home for nearly a year, Calvaruso had planned a brief stay to feast with family, authorities said, departing from Natal and stopping over briefly in Paris before landing at Falcone Borsellino airport in Palermo.

He was arrested on Easter Sunday by Carabinieri police while waiting for his luggage. Anti-Mafia prosecutors are charging him and four other loyalists who were also arrested, including his right-hand man in Palermo, Giovanni Caruso (50) with Mafia association, extortion, assault, kidnapping and fraud-related charges.

The Sicilian Mafia divides Palermo into eight local districts, including Pagliarelli, home to the citys maximum security prison. Prosecutors maintain Calvaruso was appointed head of the Pagliarelli district after the oldest boss of the Sicilian mafia, Settimo Mineo (82) was sent to prison in December 2018.

Prosecutors say Calvaruso ordered a violent assault on a gang of thieves who carried out several unauthorised thefts in his neighbourhood. In one case, they say a local retailer hit by thieves twice in one week turned over video of the robbery to the local boss, who identified the thieves and brought them to a garage where they were allegedly brutally beaten in Calvarusos presence.

 Telegraph Media Group Ltd 2021




The widow and surviving children of a man killed in a drunken driving crash involving a tractor-trailer two years ago have settled a wrongful death lawsuit for more than $4.6 million, court records show.

Jason Appio, 45, of Ocean Township, died on Sept. 6, 2017, when a tractor-trailer struck his car on Route 440 in Woodbridge, according to a lawsuit and police reports at the time.

Aleksander Isserovich, of Brooklyn, New York, who was driving the truck, later pleaded guilty to driving under the influence, vehicular homicide and three counts of assault by auto for others injured in the crash. He will also lose his license for 10 years after leaving prison.

Isserovich, 42, is serving a seven-year sentence at Southern State Correctional Facility in Cumberland County and is eligible for parole on April 21, 2024, prison records show.

Aleksander Isserovich, 42, in prison photo.New Jersey Department of Corrections

Appios widow and her three children filed suit against Isserovich and the owners of his truck in Superior Court on May 1, 2018.

The lawsuit stated that for some time prior to the crash, Isserovich exhibited dangerous or reckless behavior that should have been known to the owners of the truck.

The New Jersey Law Journal reported a total $6.85 million settlement was reached during mediation in November 2020, with more than $2 million to cover attorney fees and costs in the case.

Superior Court Judge Andrea Marshall in January approved a plan to allocate $3.11 million to Appios widow and $518,811 to be placed into trust each of her three children, according to court documents.

Jason Appio grew up in Little Silver and graduated from Red Bank Regional High School and Brookdale Community College, according to his obituary. He worked for Verizon Communications for more than 20 years.

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.
WASHINGTON (AP)  U.S. employers added 559,000 jobs in May, an improvement from Aprils sluggish gain but still evidence that many companies are struggling to find enough workers as the economy rapidly recovers from the pandemic recession.
I have worked at Compassion International for nearly ten years in the complementary intervention space. We focus on needs like disaster response, water sanitation and hygiene, income generation, and vocational training. If you are familiar with Compassion, you know that we are Christ-centered, church-based, and child-focused in the context of poverty.

In February 2019, our national office in Colombia reached out, expressing concern for children and families crossing the border from Venezuela in very large numbers  and wanting to find ways to support them. A growing political and economic crisis in Venezuela forced millions to leave.

The team in Colombia began to plan and submit interventions to provide for the physical, emotional, and economic needs of migrant children and families from Venezuela.

In June 2019, I traveled to Colombia to witness the work they were doing firsthand  and see what else we could do to support these churches and families in crisis.

While we were in Cucuta, we traveled to the famous Simon Bolivar International Bridge. We happened to be there the first time the bridge had been opened in months, and that particular day was chaotic. People were crossing the border, carrying everything they could manage, on a brutal migrant route. And once they made it past border patrol inside Colombia, they had to stand in line for hours in the hot sun just to register to be there.

Throughout the rest of the trip, we visited multiple churches, and I heard story after story that broke my heart. One mother told me she had been walking for days with nothing to feed her children when she arrived in Cucuta. She left her parents and extended family to try and find something better for her children. They had no food or electricity in Venezuela, and she had to do something.

No one we heard from wanted to be in Colombia, but all of them were grateful to be there.

Many Colombian families from the churches in Cucuta opened their homes and shared their food with families they had no relation to. They truly welcomed and cared for strangers in need  even if they lived in poverty themselves and sent their own children to Compassions program.

I asked myself, If I were in their situation, would I do the same?

It was a question I brought home and wrestled with. Would I love my neighbors (or even strangers) the same way? Do I love my neighbors (or even strangers) the same way?

Forced migration/displacement is a complex and growing issue facing the humanitarian section. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that the number of forcibly displaced people has grown by 50 percent in the last 10 years, with current figures showing 79.5 million displaced at the end of 2019. Out of the 79.5 million displaced, 5.4 million were Venezuelans.

Over the past few years, Colombia has welcomed more than 1.7 million Venezuelans. Venezuelans can register to work, send their children to school, and receive health care. It is truly remarkable.

I asked a Colombian colleague why Colombia would respond in such a benevolent and generous way. She said it wasnt long ago when Venezuela welcomed Colombians in need, and now, it is Colombias turn to care for their brothers and sisters.

Fast forward to February 2021. We are living in the time of COVID-19 and social distancing, and if Im being honest, Im struggling to connect with people in meaningful ways. On a random Saturday morning, I scheduled a meeting with a local business owner in my community. The owner was roughly my age (from what I could see behind her mask), and she was excited to discuss the need I brought to her.

During the course of our conversation, she mentioned that she was from Venezuela. She had grown up in San Cristobal  the town just on the other side of the bridge where I had stood in 2019, watching droves of migrants cross over into Colombia.

We talked about the beauty of the area and my last visit there. She and her husband had been in Colorado for about a year, and they had a young daughter in preschool. She shared that her parents still lived in Venezuela. Even with a mask on, I could see in her eyes and hear in her voice how much she missed her home.

I had many questions about what life had looked like for her over the last few years, but I decided all I needed to say in the moment was, Im so glad youre here.

She is my neighbor, and I hope to continue to connect with her and hear more of her story. But for now, I want her to feel loved and welcomed here. Knowing that like others I met in Cucuta, she may not have wished to be here, but shes grateful to be here.

Danielle Kettunen graduated from the University of Colorado, Denver with a BA in History, focusing on African history. She will graduate in May 2021 with a M.A. in Humanitarian Disaster Leadership from Wheaton College. She currently coordinates and supports global Complimentary Interventions (CIV) at Compassion International.
Assessing the impacts of nodule mining on the deep-sea environment

Joint press release of GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Alfred-Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Senckenberg-Gesellschaft fur Naturforschung, Jacobs University Bremen gGmbH, MARUM - Center for Marine Environmental Sciences at the University of Bremen, Max-Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Utrecht University, Ifremer, Ghent University, Universidade de Aveiro, Institute of Marine Research Okeanos at Universidade dos Acores, Instituto Portugues do Mar e da Atmosfera, Centre for Marine and Environmental Research at Universidade do Algarve, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Biodata Mining Group at University of Bielefeld, SNF Centre for Applied Research at NHH, German Marine Research Alliance, Joint Programming Initiative Healthy Seas and Oceans

21/2021

6 April 2021/Kiel, San Diego. Scientists of the JPI Oceans project "MiningImpact" are embarking on a 6-week long expedition to the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone (CCZ) in the Pacific. Their goal is to carry out an independent scientific monitoring of the test of a prototype nodule collector machine conducted at the same time by the Belgian company Global Sea Resources (GSR). "MiningImpact" fully adheres to good scientific practice and will make all data publicly available. The findings of the integrated impact analysis will be transferred into recommendations for improved standards and guidelines of the Mining Code currently drafted by the International Seabed Authority (ISA).

The study sites of "MiningImpact" in the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone (CCZ) are located in water depths of more than 4,000 meters and more than 1,500 kilometers off the Mexican coast. Here, in an area of five million square kilometers, manganese nodules are abundantly found on the seafloor. Concentrated within the nodules are metals of economic interest for high-tech products used for energy transformation, mobility and telecommunication, such as copper, cobalt, and nickel.

This area between Mexico and Hawaii lies outside the Exclusive Economic Zones of any country and is part of the common heritage of mankind. This common area is managed by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) based in Kingston, Jamaica, under the United Nations' Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which has been joined by 167 countries and the European Union. The ISA is currently working on the so-called "Mining Code", which will form the legal framework for future deep-sea mining activities, and is developed in an iterative process with several stakeholder consultations. These international regulations are expected to include stringent definitions of environmental standards, such as for establishing the environmental baseline, the monitoring of mining operations as well as threshold values for impacts and indicators of ecosystem health. To shape these regulations, scientific knowledge on the ecological impacts of deep-sea mining is urgently required. The JPI Oceans collaborative project "MiningImpact" is dedicated to contributing to the assessment of these impacts and to proposing solutions to prevent serious harm to the abyssal ecosystem.

During the 6-week long research voyage the scientists will take the opportunity to accomplish an independent monitoring of the test of the prototype of a nodule collector that is conducted by the Belgian company GSR at the same time. These trials will take place in the Belgian and German contract area of the CCZ. "This offers the unique opportunity for us to collect, for the first time, quantitative scientific evidence on the environmental consequences of nodule extraction in a more realistic scenario than was previously possible" explains project coordinator Dr. Matthias Haeckel from GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel. Investigations will not only address the direct impacts that the collector vehicle will produce by harvesting manganese nodules, but also those induced by the suspended sediment plume that is created by this process and affects a much larger area. The data will provide the "MiningImpact" researchers with information on ecosystem consequences of a potential future mining that cannot be drawn from the small-scale benthic impact experiments conducted in the past.

At the same time a fully integrated monitoring approach is tested that will serve future needs for the surveillance of human activities in the deep sea to ensure that they comply with environmental standards and targets. "Employing state-of-the-art scientific equipment will allow us to determine the spread of the suspended sediment plume created by the vehicle harvesting the nodules as well as the blanketing of the adjacent seabed by resettling fallout from this plume. We will finally be able to put numbers to this type of impact", says Dr. Henko De Stigter from the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), who is leading the plume sensor group on board.

Together with the manganese nodules the collector machine is expected to remove the top 10-15 centimeters of the seafloor and the fauna living on and within it. "In addition to surveying the loss of biodiversity across different faunal classes, our work also includes studies on biogeochemical fluxes, microbial turnover rates and ecosystem functioning, in-situ ecotoxicology, release of trace metals from the suspended sediment plume as well as emissions of noise and light by the collector vehicle and much more", summarizes Dr. Haeckel the main goals of the expedition. Among the specialized instruments that will be deployed are two remotely-operated vehicles (ROV), an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), in situ oxygen profilers and experiment chambers, in situ pumps as well as sixty inter-calibrated hydro-acoustic and optical sensors for measuring the suspended sediment concentrations and particle sizes.

The JPI Oceans project "MiningImpact" has investigated the ecological consequences of deep-sea mining and how the impacts may be mitigated since 2015. It included an assessment of decade-old tracks of previous studies as well as small experiments to understand the interaction between nodule removal and the responses of deep-sea life. The first phase, which is already completed, provided substantial first insights into the expected longer-term effects of deep-sea mining. Now, in the second phase, the scientists plan to conduct a comprehensive monitoring of the immediate environmental impacts of the first test of an industrial collector prototype in real-time. However, the first attempt to test the collector by GSR in spring 2019 did not take place due to a technical failure of this instrument. The German Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) has now chartered the multi-purpose vessel Island Pride and invited "MiningImpact" partners to conduct their independent research of the collector test.

"The research of the MiningImpact consortium is extremely important and essential to ensure that the marine environment in the deep sea will be protected according to highest possible standards", says Professor Katja Matthes, Director of GEOMAR. "The results of this project will provide the scientific evidence that is urgently needed by the International Seabed Authority as input for improved standards and guidelines of the Mining Code currently drafted by the ISA", Matthes continues.

After more than ten days of self-isolation in San Diego and repeated Covid-19 PCR tests the scientists are ready to embark on the expedition that is carried out under strict hygiene conditions.

###

Background: MiningImpact - Environmental impacts and risks of deep-sea mining

The second project phase of "MiningImpact" (2018-22), builds on the first phase and addresses three major research foci concerning deep-sea mining: (1) the larger scale environmental impact caused by the suspended sediment plume, (2) the regional connectivity of species and the biodiversity of biological assemblages and their resilience to impacts, and (3) the integrated effects on ecosystem functions, such as the benthic foodweb and biogeochemical processes.

The "MiningImpact" project is conducted independently of DEME-GSR's activities and does not receive any financial contributions from DEME-GSR. DEME-GSR does not receive any funding from the "MiningImpact" project. DEME-GSR is further responsible to set up a monitoring programme for its industrial component trial as required by the International Seabed Authority.

Funding for the project was provided under the framework of the Joint Programming Initiative Healthy Seas and Oceans (JPI Oceans) by:

Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO) and Flanders EWI Department, Belgium

The Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF), Germany

Research Council of Norway (RCN), Norway

The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), The Netherlands

Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT) and Direcao-Geral de Politica do Mar (DGPM), Portugal

Links:

https:/ / miningimpact. geomar. de

MiningImpact project website

https:/ / miningimpact. geomar. de/ events

Stakeholder information event for the cruise

http://jpi-oceans. eu/ ecological-aspects-deep-sea-mining

JPI Oceans website

https:/ / isa. org. jm

International Seabed Authority (ISA)

https:/ / www. deme-gsr. com

Global Sea Mineral Resources (GSR)

Project Partner

https:/ / www. awi. de

Alfred-Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research

https:/ / www. senckenberg. de/ de/ institute/ sam/ dzmb

Deutsches Zentrum fur Marine Biodiversitatsforschung, Senckenberg am Meer

https:/ / www. geomar. de

GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel

https:/ / www. jacobs-university. de

Jacobs University Bremen gGmbH

https:/ / www. marum. de

MARUM - Center for Marine Environmental Sciences at the University of Bremen

https:/ / www. mpi-bremen. de/

Max-Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology

https:/ / www. nioz. nl

Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research

https:/ / www. uu. nl

Utrecht University

https:/ / www. ifremer. fr

Ifremer

https:/ / www. ugent. be

Ghent University

http://www. cesam. ua. pt

Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro

https:/ / imar. org. pt

Institute of Marine Research Okeanos, University of the Azores

https:/ / www. ipma. pt

Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere

http://www. cima. ualg. pt

Centre for Marine and Environmental Research, University of Algarve

https:/ / www2. ciimar. up. pt

Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research

https:/ / biodatamining. cebitec. uni-bielefeld. de

Biodata Mining Group at University of Bielefeld

https:/ / snf. no

Centre for Applied Research at NHH

https:/ / www. allianz-meeresforschung. de

German Marine Research Alliance

Further Readings:

Boetius, A., Haeckel, M. (2018) Mind the seafloor. Science, 359(6371), doi: 10.1126/science.aap7301

https:/ / science. sciencemag. org/ content/ 359/ 6371/ 34

Vanreusel, A., Hilario, A., Ribeiro, P.A., Menot, L., Martinez-Arbizu, P. (2016) Threatened by mining, polymetallic nodules are required to preserve abyssal epifauna. Scientific Reports, 6, doi:10.1038/srep26808,

https:/ / www. nature. com/ articles/ srep26808

Biogeosciences Special Issue: Assessing environmental impacts of deep-sea mining - revisiting decade-old benthic disturbances in Pacific nodule areas

https:/ / bg. copernicus. org/ articles/ special_issue942. html

This story has been published on: 2021-04-06. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Women make up only one-third of the workforce of Brisbane City Council and are paid less than their male counterparts in all but one division, data released by Australias largest local government shows.

The council said that, overall, women are paid more on average than men but when the figures are broken down, that is true in only one division/department.

One governance and gender expert has described the figures as surprising, with a peak sector body suggesting the rare insight shows how much work is needed across the sector.

Finance, Administration and Small Business committee chair Adam Allan has stressed all staff were given the same pay for the same job and labelled comments from the Labor opposition as political grandstanding. Credit:Lucy Stone

More than 8600 council employees carry out the day-to-day work of Brisbanes local government, which boasts a $3 billion annual budget and the largest pool of residents among councils nationwide.
Senior-most judge Justice Nuthalapati Venkata Ramana was on Tuesday appointed as the next

According to a notification issued by the government, Justice Ramana would take over as the 48th on April 24 after incumbent S A Bobde demits office a day before.

Justice Ramana would retire on August 26, 2022.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (2) of Article 124 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Nuthalapati Venkata Ramana, Judge of the Supreme Court, to be the with effect from 24th April, 2021," the notification read.

As per convention, Principal Secretary to the prime minister PK Mishra and Secretary (Justice) in the Law Ministry Barun Mitra handed over the warrant of appointment signed by the President to Justice Ramana this morning, sources said.

Justice Bobde had recently recommendedJusticeRamana as his successor in keeping with convention and norms of seniority.

The CJI's recommendation to the union government had came on a day when the had made public its decision to dismiss a complaint of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy against Justice Ramana after giving the matter "due consideration".

As per norms, a written communication from the incumbent Chief Justice is sent a month before his retirement.

Born on August 27, 1957 in Ponnavaram village of Andhra Pradesh's Krishna district, Justice Ramana was enrolled as an advocate on February 10, 1983.

He was appointed as a permanent judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court on June 27, 2000 and functioned as acting Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court from March 10, 2013 to May 20, 2013.

Justice Ramana was elevated as the Chief Justice of Delhi High Court on September 2, 2013 and was appointed as a Judge of the on February 17, 2014.

Justice Ramana has dealt with several high-profile cases in the apex court.

A five-judge constitution bench headed by Justice Ramana had in March last year declined to refer to a larger seven-judge bench a batch of pleas challenging the constitutional validity of the Centre's decision to abrogate provisions of Article 370.

He was part of a five-judge constitution bench which had in November 2019 held that office of the is a public authority under the Right to Information Act.

In the November 2019 verdict, the top court had also said that "judicial independence has to be kept in mind" while disclosing information in "public interest".

In an another important verdict, Justice Ramana-led bench had in January last year held that freedom of speech and conducting business on the Internet are protected under the Constitution and had directed the Jammu and Kashmir administration to immediately review curb orders.

The bench had directed the authorities in the Union Territory to immediately review all orders suspending Internet services and said orders not in accordance with the law must be revoked.

He was also a part of a five-judge constitution bench of the top court which had in a landmark verdict in 2016 ordered restoration of the Congress government in Arunachal Pradesh, saying the "clock should be turned back", as it quashed all decisions of the Governor that precipitated its fall in January, holding them "violative" of the Constitution.

In November 2019, a bench led by Justice Ramana had ordered floor test for then Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to prove his majority in the House saying there is a "possibility of horse trading" in case of delay.

Justice Ramana-led bench has also dealt with a plea which raised the issue of inordinately delay in disposal of criminal cases against former and sitting lawmakers.

In September last year, the bench had said there has been no substantial improvement in disposal of pending criminal cases against sitting and former lawmakers and directed the chief justices of high courts to submit an action plan for rationalisation of special courts to deal with these matters.

(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 trial of Xiaorong You is set to begin today, April 6, in Greenville, TN. She is accused of trade secret theft and economic espionage after allegedly stealing bisphenol-A-free (BPA-free) technologies owned by several companies, including her former employers Coca-Cola and Eastman Chemical Company. The value placed on the development of the stolen technologies is $119.6 million. Other affected companies include Azko-Nobel, Dow Chemical, PPG, TSI, Sherwin Williams and ToyoChem.

The details of the case suggest that the damages You is allegedly responsible for could have been minimized if better real-time insider threat detection methods had been in place. They also outline possible motives for the theft of the intellectual property: ego and money.

Timeline for the alleged trade secret theft

You (a.k.a. Shannon You) is a naturalized US citizen with a PhD in Polymer Science and Engineering from Lehigh University. She has worked in US industry since May 1992.

You originally faced a nine-count grand jury indictment in February 2019 within the US District Court in the Eastern District of Tennessee for her actions involved in the theft of trade secrets. In August 2020, a superseding indictment was filed that added charges related to economic espionage.

You worked for Coca-Cola from December 2012 through August 2017 as a principal engineer for global research and then from September 2017 through June 2018 for Eastman Chemical Company as a packaging application development manager. In both roles she was one of a handful of employees with access to trade secrets and inter-company trade secret exchanges. When she departed Coca-Cola, You signed a statement that attested she did not retain trade secret information owned by Coca-Cola and in exchange received a check for $39,912which appears to have been her last paycheck from the company.

In the summer of 2017, You applied for Chinas Thousand Talent program. As the application proceeded, her co-conspirator Xiangchen Liu, a Chinese national, informed her that she had to submit false information to the PRC government to increase the chances of You being given the award. The Chinese government has used this program to bring advanced technologies into China from abroad. The Department of Justice has successfully prosecuted cases with this program at the nexus of the prosecution.

How You allegedly stole BPA-free trade secrets

You is alleged to have stolen trade secrets from her two employers and availed these to a Chinese company that her co-conspirator managed. The theft was carried out in a straightforward manner: She uploaded information to Google Drive; for the more sensitive documents she used her smartphones camera to take screenshots of the documents, avoiding detection from the infosec team.

At Eastman Chemical Company on June 11, 2018, You photographed secure and restricted laboratories. Then ten days later, knowing she was about to be discharged, she uploaded company documents and those of the other companies doing BPA-free research directly to her an external drive. When confronted during a company investigative interview, she claimed that she was not retaining any of the companys intellectual property.

The formulation of a company in China in which You had part ownership was the avenue by which the trade secrets would be monetized and exploited. The court documents show You and Liu intended to form a joint venture with an established Italian BPA-free manufacturer to integrate the stolen technologies, ostensibly belonging to the new Chinese company.

Insider threat takeaway: Early detection is critical

The time between Yous departure from Coca-Cola (August 2017) and her indictment (February 2019) indicates that the upload of the trove of documents from the Coca-Cola infrastructure to Yous Google Drive account was not detected by the information security team in real time and was discovered after the fact. The actions taken at Eastman Chemical are indicative of a real-time detection of an anomaly that resulted in an immediate investigation resulting in Yous firing. She copied internal information to an external drive.

Two actions could have stopped the theft or lessened its impact:

Real-time alerts and processes designed to prevent sensitive and protected data from exiting the corporate environment.

Prohibiting personal and non-authorized electronic devices, including smartphones, from proximity to trade secrets or sensitive installations. Using the smartphones camera to copy documents and workspace is a throwback technique of espionage days of old, when miniature and subminiature cameras would be used to copy documents from within restricted spaces.

Yous apparent motivation to break trust can be found in both greed and ego. Her ego was satiated by recognition in the form of the Thousand Talent award and other Chinese financial awards. Her financial greed was addressed with part ownership in a new company in China that would attempt to exploit and monetize the technologies she had stolen.
A health care worker immunizes Juan Guevara with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at the Miami Dade College North Campus in North Miami, Fla., on March 10, 2021. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

US Colleges Push to Mandate Student Vaccinations Before Fall Semester

A growing number of U.S. colleges are announcing plans to mandate the vaccination of students returning to campus this fall, in line with President Joe Bidens pledge to make all adults in the country eligible for COVID-19 shots by early summer.

At least six collegesCornell University, Rutgers University, Fort Lewis College, Nova Southeastern University, St. Edwards University, and Roger Williams College in Rhode Islandhave so far said that all students would need to be vaccinated before a fall return.

Three COVID-19 vaccines have been authorized for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States so farPfizer/BioNTechs two-dose vaccine, Modernas two-dose vaccine, and Johnson & Johnsons single-shot vaccine. Emergency use authorization is a faster, less rigorous process compared to full FDA approval.

Vaccines that have previously been required by U.S. colleges, for example shots for rubella or measles, had full FDA approval.

Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway said in a statement that its vaccine requirement will apply to three of the universitys main campusesNew Brunswick, Newark, and Camden. Beginning this fall, students will be required to present proof of vaccination before they are allowed to move into their dormitories, or attend physical classes.

Holloway said students may file for an exemption for religious or medical reasons.

Fort Lewis College President Tom Stritikus said in a letter that the requirement will provide our best hope for returning to the hands-on, inclusive, experiential, and personalized learning environment that we have all come to love.

As such, all students enrolling at FLC for the fall 2021 semester will be required to get a COVID-19 vaccine, Stritikus said.

Cornell University President Martha E. Pollack wrote in a letter that it plans to require students returning to Ithaca, Geneva, and Cornell Tech campuses this fall to be vaccinated against COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.

The decision was made following recent announcements of expanded vaccine eligibility in New York and other states, and increasing vaccine production, Pollack said.

On Friday, Nova Southeastern University said in a statement that it intends to resume full, in-person classroom learning for on-ground courses in the fall, and that all students, faculty, and staff will need to be vaccinated.

At St. Edwards University, all employees and students aged 16 and above will be required to be vaccinated for a return to campus this fall semester, its COVID-19 Steering Team announced (pdf). Pfizers vaccine is the only one with FDA authorization for use in people as young as 16.
Joss Whedon allegedly threatened Gal Gadot's career and said he could 'make her look incredibly stupid' on the set of Justice League according to a bombshell report.

The Hollywood Reporter released an extensive article full of many claims against the 56-year-old filmmaker including alleged friction he had with the 35-year-old Israeli actress.

According to a source for the the publication, Gadot had 'multiple concerns with the revised version of the film, including issues about her character being more aggressive than her character in Wonder Woman. She wanted to make the character flow from one movie to the next.'

For context, Wonder Woman had been released in June of 2017 with Justice League being released just months later in November.

Controversy: Joss Whedon (right) allegedly threatened Gal Gadot's (left) career and said he could 'make her look incredibly stupid' on the set of Justice League according to a bombshell report from The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday

Whedon has been hit by multiple allegations against him in the past year including many accusations about what happened on set during the filming of the DC Comics movie.

The insider also claimed that the biggest conflict came when Whedon urged the actress to record lines which she didn't like and 'threatened to harm Gadot's career and disparaged Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins.'

THR report that a witness on production who had later spoke to investigators said: 'Joss was bragging that he's had it out with Gal. He told her he's the writer and she's going to shut up and say the lines and he can make her look incredibly stupid in this movie.'

A source told the publication that this all came to a head when Gadot and the 49-year-old Jenkins having a sit down with then-Warner Bros. chairman Kevin Tsujihara.

Not pleased: According to a source for the the publication, Gadot had 'multiple concerns with the revised version of the film, including issues about her character being more aggressive than her character in Wonder Woman. She wanted to make the character flow from one movie to the next'

Gadot was asked for comment on the THR story and released a statement which read: 'I had my issues with [Whedon] and Warner Bros. handled it in a timely manner.'

Back in December the actress confirmed that she was interviewed as part of WarnerMedia's investigation into allegations made about Whedon on set of Justice League.

'I know that they've done a very thorough investigation, even just by how much time I spent with them,' the Israeli actress said during an interview for The Big Ticket podcast on December 17.

On December 11, WarnerMedia issued a statement saying the investigation into allegations of a toxic workplace on the Justice League set had been completed.

Signature role: For context, Wonder Woman had been released in June of 2017 with Justice League being released just months later in November

Bond: The insider also claimed that the biggest conflict came when Whedon urged the actress to record lines which she didn't like and 'threatened to harm Gadot's career and disparaged Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins.

The company added that 'remedial action has been taken.'

'I don't know what that means either,' Gadot said on the podcast. 'I'm curious to know what's going to be the outcome.'

The investigation was sparked by allegations from Ray Fisher, the actor who plays Cyborg, that Whedon had engaged in 'gross, abusive, unprofessional' conduct on the set of the superhero movie.

Gadot, who didn't shoot at the same time has Fisher, did tell the LA Times back in December that her own experience working with Whedon 'wasn't the best one.'

'But I took care of it there and when it happened,' she said. 'I took it to the higher-ups and they took care of it.'

Leading the way: The investigation was sparked by allegations from Ray Fisher (seen in December 2018), the actor who plays Cyborg, that Whedon had engaged in 'gross, abusive, unprofessional' conduct on the set of the superhero movie

Fisher first raised concerns over Whedon on June 29, posting a video to Twitter of himself previously singing the director's praises, writing: 'Id like to take a moment to forcefully retract every bit of this statement.'

Whedon stepped in to finish the superhero film in 2016, after director Zack Snyder was called away over a family emergency. Snyder has since released his own cut of the movie on HBO Max.

Fisher followed it up on July 1, tweeting: 'Joss Whedons on-set treatment of the cast and crew of Justice League was gross, abusive, unprofessional, and completely unacceptable. He was enabled, in many ways, by Geoff Johns and Jon Berg.'

The Baltimore-born actor revealed on Twitter in August that the studio had launched an independent investigation after 'five weeks of interviews' with cast and crew.

The Justice League investigation was sparked by Ray Fisher's claims that Whedon engaged in 'abusive, unprofessional' conduct on set. Fisher plays the character Cyborg in the film

Update: Last week, Fisher had tweeted the news that WarnerMedia had completed its investigation and had introduced 'remedial measures' though it's not known what they are

Fisher had an extensive interview in the same The Hollywood Reporter piece released on Tuesday about the ordeal, as he slammed the studio's handling of the allegations and claimed that some executives are not fit for their positions.

The studio's parent company, WarnerMedia, said back in December that its investigation into Fisher's complaints had concluded and 'remedial action' had been taken.

It did not elaborate and Fisher has since demanded that the results of the investigation be released publicly.

Speaking about what he claims was a cover-up by studio executives regarding the investigation, Fisher said: 'I don't believe some of these people are fit for positions of leadership.

'I don't want them excommunicated from Hollywood, but I don't think they should be in charge of the hiring and firing of other people.'

He said he feels he has been able to make a point over the last year.

'If I can't get accountability... at least I can make people aware of who they're dealing with.'

Whedon and the studio have not commented about Fisher's allegations.
[April 06, 2021] Leading Australian ETF Manager BetaShares Appoints Global Industry Veteran Blake Grossman as Non-Executive Director

Leading Australian ETF manager, BetaShares, today announced the appointment of former BlackRock Vice Chairman, Blake Grossman, as a non-executive director. Mr. Grossman is a pioneer in the global index and ETF industry, and has helped pave the way for exchange traded funds to forever change how millions of investors around the world construct their portfolios. Mr. Grossman was previously the Global Chief Executive Officer of Barclays Global Investors/iShares from 2002 until its sale to BlackRock in 2009. From 1985 to 2002, Mr. Grossman held various executive positions with Barclays (BGI) and its predecessor organisations, including Chief Investment Officer from 1992 to 2002. Mr Grossman founded BGI's Advanced Strategies Group in 1992, where he was responsible for leading the development of the firm's quantitative, enhanced index, and asset allocation strategies. Following BlackRock's acquisition of Barclays Global Investors in 2009, he served as vice chairman at BlackRock until early 2011. Mr. Grossman currently serves as managing partner of ThirdStream Partners LLC., which focuses on private and early-stage investments in financial technology and asset management businesses. Mr. Grossman has also served on the boards of a number of leading financial services companies, including Financial Engines, Axioma and ETF.com. With assets under management of approximately A$100 billion, the Australian ETF ndustry is growing at a rapid pace, having expanded by 34% p.a. over the last ten years and 75% over the 12 months to 31 March 2021.



Despite this pace of growth, ETFs still account for only 3% of total managed fund assets in Australia, which is the 4th largest pension market in the world.1 The level of ETF penetration in Australia is far less than markets such as the U.S. (~19% of managed fund assets) and Canada (~13% of managed fund assets2). Since its inception approximately 10 years ago, BetaShares has grown to become a leading player in the fast-growing Australian ETF industry. In 2020, BetaShares held the #2 position for share of net inflows in the Australian industry - accounting for 26% of all new money received in the industry. BetaShares' assets have increased from ~A$10 billion at the start of 2020, to over A$16 billion as at end March 2021.

Commenting on Mr. Grossman's appointment, BetaShares Chief Executive Officer, Alex Vynokur, said, "We are excited to welcome Blake to the Board of BetaShares. Blake's extraordinary experience across the industry globally will provide us with invaluable expertise as we enter the next phase of our development." "I have admired the outstanding innovation, investor-centric focus, and strong culture at BetaShares for many years, and I'm delighted at the opportunity to join its Board," said Mr. Grossman. "I'm very excited to help support BetaShares' next stage of growth, and look forward to helping the firm further extend the breadth of expertly engineered, highly efficient investment solutions for its clients." The appointment of Mr Grossman follows BetaShares' recent announcement that it has received a significant investment from TA Associates, a leading global growth private equity firm, to fuel a major expansion of its business activities. About BetaShares BetaShares is a leading Australian manager of exchange traded products ("ETPs") traded on the Australian Securities Exchange. BetaShares offers the broadest range of ETPs on the ASX, covering Australian and International equities, fixed income, cash, currencies, commodities, and alternative strategies. BetaShares currently has over $16 billion in assets under management. 1 Source (News - Alert) : 2020 Willis Towers Watson Global Pensions Asset Study

2 Source: BetaShares, ASX, Chi-X, ICI View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005918/en/

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A team of ornithologists from the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Paraguay has described a new species of trogon from the Atlantic Forest of north-eastern Brazil.

The trogons and their close relatives, quetzals, are members a pantropically distributed order of birds consisting of a single family, the Trogonidae, which contains at least 43 species and 109 subspecies.

They are among the most colorful birds in the world: males are patterned with hues of iridescent green, blue, violet and purple above, and a bright red, yellow or orange abdomen; females have gray or brown plumage.

They are most diverse in the Neotropics with 29 species, of which 24 species and 66 subspecies belong to the genus Trogon.

One of them, the black-throated trogon (Trogon rufus), represents a polytypic species-complex with a controversial taxonomy.

First described in 1788, it is widely distributed in the understory and mid-levels of humid forests from Honduras to northern Argentina.

Trogon rufus is easy to distinguish from its congeners by the unique combination of a green head in males, brown in females, and a yellow belly, said Jeremy Kenneth Dickens, a researcher at the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de Sao Paulo and the Fundacion Para La Tierra, and his colleagues.

However, with the collection of more material, it soon became recognized as notoriously variable across its distribution.

In the new study, the researchers examined 906 specimens (547 male and 359 females) housed at 17 different museums.

We integrated morphological, vocal and genetic datasets, including spectral data and digital quantification of barred plumage, to assess and redefine its species limits according to the foremost species concepts, they said.

They identified five distinct populations with evidence of reproductive isolation: lack of interbreeding, levels of divergence, and divergence in traits involved in species-recognition, such as plumage, voice and behavior.

Of these, four already possessed common and scientific names: the Amazonian black-throated trogon (Trogon rufus), the southern black-throated trogon (Trogon chrysochloros), the graceful black-throated trogon (Trogon tenellus) and the Kerrs black-throated trogon (Trogon cupreicauda).

The fifth isolated population from the mountain Atlantic Forest of Brazils Alagoas state had a previously unknown combination of morphological, song, and mitochondrial DNA features, and represented a completely new species.

Named the Alagoas black-throated trogon (Trogon muriciensis), it can be distinguished from all other species of trogons, besides Trogon rufus, T. chrysochloros, T. tenellus and T. cupreicauda, by the combination of the green head and citrus-yellow belly.

It is only known from Estacao Ecologica de Murici in the Alagoas state, at just over 500 m elevation, where it occurs in mid-levels of the montane Atlantic Forest, the scientists said.

It was presumably once more widespread throughout this habitat in the Pernambuco Centre of Endemism before the deforestation of the region.

According to the authors, the conservation status of the Alagoas black-throated trogon is worrisome with all records originating from only a single locality.

During our fieldwork in 2019, we were able to detect only about 20 individuals, and explicitly avoided collecting more than one specimen, they explained.

We, therefore, recommend that it be listed as Critically Endangered as less than 30 km2 of the forest remains at the site, mostly in small fragments and not all suitable for this species.

The discovery is reported in a paper in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society.

_____

Jeremy Kenneth Dickens et al. Species limits, patterns of secondary contact and a new species in the Trogon rufus complex (Aves: Trogonidae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, published online March 6, 2021; doi: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa169
BATON ROUGE  Gov. John Bel Edwards, Port of New Orleans President and CEO Brandy D. Christian, and Lineage Logistics President and CEO Greg Lehmkuhl announced the company will build a $42 million expansion of its Jourdan Road cold-storage facility in New Orleans East, where Lineage plans to create 50 new direct jobs.

One of two major Lineage facilities at the Port of New Orleans, the cold-storage complex at Jourdan Road along the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal will grow from 160,000 square feet to 304,000 square feet. The company will retain 188 existing Louisiana jobs with the new project, while creating an estimated 50 new direct maritime and warehousing jobs with an expected average annual pay of $61,000, plus benefits. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will result in an additional 56 new indirect jobs, for a total of more than 100 new permanent jobs in the region.

The Lineage Logistics project at the Port of New Orleans is a boon for the City of New Orleans and our entire state, Gov. Edwards said. The value-added exports of Lineage Logistics will continue to strengthen Louisianas $1.6 billion poultry industry, including nearly 300 commercial broiler producers throughout 11 parishes. We welcome this significant new investment and its economic impact across Louisiana.

Shipments from the existing and expanding cold-storage facilities of Lineage Logistics draw upon multiple Louisiana poultry producers, including hatcheries, feed mills, broiler complexes and processing plants. In 2020, Lineage facilities in New Orleans partnered with the Port of New Orleans to export 380,000 tons of poultry to global markets. The expansion will support imports of fresh produce as well.

This expansion is critical, due to increasing worldwide demand for U.S. poultry, primarily from Angola, Cuba, Hong Kong, Mexico and Taiwan, said Mike McClendon, Lineages president of International Operations and executive vice president of Network Optimization. Lineage and Port NOLA have worked closely on this project to accommodate growing volumes and new lines of export agriculture commodities, and a growing trade of fresh produce imports.

Lineage represents the largest network of temperature-controlled warehouses globally, with more than 340 strategically located facilities offering over 2.1 billion cubic feet of capacity and spanning 15 countries across North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and South America. In New Orleans, the company operates two cold-storage and blast-freeze facilities that have the capacity to blast-freeze 2.8 million pounds of product to zero degrees in 24 hours.

This expansion of Lineage Logistics in New Orleans East is a win-win-win for the City of New Orleans," said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. Not only does it create economic impact and strengthen our role in the poultry industry, it will also help us get our people back to work by creating 50 new direct jobs, and another 150 construction jobs. On our road to recovery from COVID-19, we have to diversify our economy in order to make a real impact and move the needle for our people around economic mobility, and this expansion is a great step.

To secure the expansion project, the State of Louisiana is providing $10 million in capital outlay funds, while the Port of New Orleans is providing $2 million and Lineage Logistics is investing the remaining $30 million in capital for the cold-storage project. The company also is expected to utilize Louisianas Quality Jobs Program.

Port NOLA is elated to see this project move forward, said port President and CEO Brandy Christian. Poultry exports have traditionally been a strong segment of our cargo portfolio and, due to worldwide demand, we see poultry and other temperature-sensitive cargoes as critical to Port NOLAs future.

In 2020, Lineage acquired New Orleans Cold Storage as part of its acquisition of Emergent Cold. The port and New Orleans Cold Storage opened a new 140,000-square-foot, blast-freeze facility in 2012 at the Henry Clay Avenue Wharf upriver, adding 1.25 million pounds of daily blast-freeze capacity and 38 million pounds of storage capacity for frozen goods. That capacity is in addition to the Jourdan Road site.

The benefit of this project cannot be overstated, said Commissioner Mike Strain of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry. Between 30 percent and 40 percent of the poultry exported through this facility is produced and processed at Louisiana commercial broiler farms, and the Lineage project is critical not just for Louisianas poultry industry, but for our soybean farmers as well. Soybeans feed our poultry industry, and our poultry industry feeds the world.

Lineages expansion project, which will generate an estimated 150 construction jobs, is projected to be complete in the second quarter of 2022, and the company will begin hiring for its new jobs in early 2022.
(Natural News) The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) are on a witch hunt against Dr. Joseph Mercola, who was threatened to stop writing about the health benefits of vitamin D in warding off respiratory illnesses like the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19).

Last summer, CSPI launched a social media campaign that aimed to put an immediate end to Mercola.com, the longtime health information website of Dr. Mercola. Not long after, the FDA issued Dr. Mercola a warning letter to stop writing about nutritional products that can lower your risk of respiratory infections such as COVID-19.

CSPI, in case you are unfamiliar with it, is a so-called consumer advocacy group bankrolled by the likes of Bill and Melinda Gates, the Rockefeller Foundation, the Rockefeller Family Fund, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and other deep state organizations advancing a global eugenics agenda.

CSPI is also partnered with Monsanto. Several years back, Gregory Jaffe, the groups director of biotechnology, issued a statement declaring that mandatory labeling of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) should not happen because it would be confusing and misleading for consumers.

CSPI rails against published science demonstrating certain nutrients can boost your immune function and help lower your risk of severe infection, saying it discourages mask-wearing, which has no published scientific evidence to back its universal use, Dr. Mercola further explains.

CSPI has a history of promoting industry science and propaganda, having supported artificial sweeteners, trans fats, GMOs, fake meat and the low-fat myth. Theyve also actively undermined transparency in labeling efforts.

Dr. Mercola puts FDA in its place, says it has no authority to restrict free speech

Being the fighter that he is, Dr. Mercola did not back down in the face of FDA aggression. In fact, he told the FDA off while asserting his First Amendment right to free speech, which he has been exercising for decades in the interest of promoting human health and longevity.

On June 21, CSPI issued a press release falsely accusing Dr. Mercola of making illegal claims about at least 22 vitamins, supplements and other products available for sale on his web site. Dr. Mercola was quick to point out that no Covid-19-related claims exist on any of the product links, thus meaning that none of them are in violation of anything outlined in the Appendix of Illegal Claims.

CSPI upped the ante by testifying in a Senate hearing against Dr. Mercola, urging the FDA and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to take regulatory action against him. The FDA responded by issuing a warning letter to Dr. Mercola for Unapproved and misbranded products related to COVID-19.

Not only did Dr. Mercola rebut the letter, but he also co-authored a peer-reviewed paper alongside Dr. William Grant, PhD, and Dr. Carol Wagner establishing a clear link between vitamin D deficiency and severe cases of the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19).

With that, I have established my medical and scientific merit, and will continue to express my professional opinions, based on the available science, and defend my freedom of speech as the U.S. Constitution provides for, Dr. Mercola says.

The FDAs warning letter highlights statements in articles on my website that are fully referenced and supported by published science. I am committed to providing truthful information, for free, to anyone that wants it, and Im all for having a rigorous scientific debate when necessary. CSPI has taken credit for pressuring the FDA to issue this warning letter to suppress free speech. The FDAs warning letter is simply another attempt by CSPI to smear me with false accusations.

We encourage you to read the full account from Dr. Mercola of everything that happened to him at this link.

You can also keep up with the latest news about Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) persecution at Pandemic.news.

Sources for this article include:

Mercola.com

NaturalNews.com
Ambient air pollution is a global public health crisis, causing more than 4.9 million premature deaths per year around the world. In Africa, it has surpassed AIDS as the leading cause of premature death. According to one study, air pollution--specifically, fine particulate matter (PM2.5)--may cause at least as many as 780,000 premature deaths annually in Africa and worsen a significant number of diseases, including asthma, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Brazzaville, capital of the Republic of Congo, are both large metropolises. However, neither Kinshasa (population 14. 3 million) nor Brazzaville (population 2.4 million) have had comprehensive air quality monitoring programs. There are no national ambient air quality standards in either country, according to an analysis done by the UN Environment Programme.

A new study, led by Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory atmospheric scientist Daniel Westervelt and Columbia University undergraduate student Celeste McFarlane, has yielded the first-ever multi-year ambient PM2.5 dataset in Kinshasa and Brazzaville. The team deployed a cadre of low-cost sensors and interpreted data in the context of changing weather and changing human activity related to COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. The study was supported by two local universities and their scientists in both cities, and is published online on Aerosol and Air Quality Research.

What it shows is concerning. During the investigation, which began in March 2018, researchers found PM2.5 is highest during the dry season--June, July, and August--when it is up to five times higher than World Health Organization guidelines. It is lower in the remaining months, thanks in part to rainfall, but even then, it is more than four times higher than WHO guidelines.

"Average PM2.5 concentrations suggest unhealthy levels of human exposure, which, over time, can lead to cardiopulmonary problems and premature death," said Westervelt.

The study also found that last year's stay-at-home and lockdown directives in response to COVID-19 corresponded to a 40% decrease in PM2.5.

"We were able to demonstrate that it is possible to robustly characterize air quality in African megacities using well-calibrated, relatively simple, cheap devices," Westervelt said.

He added that given the health risks from air pollution, this data is urgently needed to draw attention to the problem. Researchers hope this study will lead to more concerted efforts to characterize sources of air pollution and develop strategies to mitigate the negative health impacts.

###

Study collaborators include: Columbia University, Department of Chemical Engineering; Ecole Regionale postuniversitaire d'Amenagement et de Gestion Integres des Forets et Territoire tropicaux (ERAIFT) Kinshasa Democratic Republic of Congo; World Bank Group; Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo; Departement de chimie, Universite Marien Ngouabi, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo; Washington State Department of Ecology; Department of Chemistry, University of California Berkeley; 9OSU-EFLUVE - Observatoire Sciences de l'Univers-Enveloppes Fluides de la Ville a l'Exobiologie, Universite Paris-Est-Creteil, France; NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellow; Goddard Space Flight Center; Center for Atmospheric Particle Studies, Carnegie Mellon University; Kigali Collaborative Research Centre, Kigali, Rwanda; and NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies.

Scientist contact: Dan Westervelt: danielmw@ldeo.columbia.edu

More information: Kevin Krajick, Senior editor, science news, The Earth Institute kkrajick@ei.columbia.edu 212-854-9729

The Earth Institute, Columbia University mobilizes the sciences, education and public policy to achieve a sustainable earth. http://www. earth. columbia. edu .
Malcolm Turnbull has been dumped from his new job as the NSW government's climate change tsar after widespread public ridicule at the appointment.

NSW Climate Change minister Matt Kean was forced into an embarrassing backflip on Tuesday over his decision to appoint the unpopular former prime minister as chair of the Net Zero Emissions and Clean Economy Board.

Mr Kean said in a statement that the position should be 'focus should not be on personality'.

'It is important that the focus is on achieving these outcomes, based on facts, technology, science, and economics,' he said in a statement on Tuesday.

'The focus should not be on personality,' he said.

Mr Turnbull had 'contributed much to our country ... however, no person's role on the board should distract from achieving results for the NSW people or from the government's work in delivering jobs and opportunities for the people of NSW'.

'For this reason, I have decided not to proceed with his appointment as chair.'

The NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer will act in the role until a new chair is named.

The announcement comes hours after The Daily Telegraph published a letter Mr Turnbull wrote to the NSW government objecting to the expansion of a coal mine in the Upper Hunter near his family's 2,700 acre property.

Deputy Premier and Nationals Leader John Barilaro was the first person to declare Mr Turnbull had been axed.

'We are not proceeding with the appointment of Malcolm Turnbull as chair,' he told Sydney radio 2GB ahead of Mr Kean's statement.

'You need someone who brings people together and not divides and unfortunately Malcolm has done the opposite.

'Great result for common sense.

'He pulled my pants down within 48 of his appointment on an area that I take seriously,' he said of Mr Turnbull's recent comments on coal mines.

'I'm the deputy premier ... and I chose to be the mining minister because I thought for the last 10 years we have not done enough to support the industry which has been the backbone of our economy and the nation.'

Last week, Defence Minister Peter Dutton weighed in on the appointment of Mr Turnbull.

'All I can say is that Malcolm was very consistent as prime minister, and that is that he supported coal mining, and he said that on the public record on a number of occasions.'

MORE TO COME
The minister (extreme right) said that opposition parties, including Telugu Desam and Jana Sena, should question the Union Government about the exorbitant hike in petrol and diesel charges.  Twitter

KAKINADA: Agriculture minister Kurasala Kannababu told Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan to stop criticising Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and instead question Bharatiya Janata Party about the Special Category Status and other funds that have to be released by the Centre.

Speaking to reporters here on Monday, he said that rather than frequently mentioning faction politics, Pawan Kalyan would do well if he pays attention to the development of Rayalaseema.

The minister said that opposition parties, including Telugu Desam and Jana Sena, should question the Union Government about the exorbitant hike in petrol and diesel charges. He said that when N Chandrababu Naidu was the chief minister, many idols of deities were destroyed and the subsequent curse brought him down in 2019. He said that YSRC would win Tirupati Lok Sabha elections with an overwhelming majority.

Yanamala demands white paper

Meanwhile, senior TD leader Yanamala Ramakrishunudu demanded a white paper on the finances of Andhra Pradesh.

In a statement issued here on Monday, the leader of the Opposition in the AP Legislative Council slammed the state government for the deteriorating financial situation which was so enormous that they were able to pay salaries in time.

He said that the state had the dubious distinction of taking loans to the tune of Rs 79,191.58 crore loans by February for the 2020-21 fiscal. He pointed out that the state had additional revenue of Rs 29,109.30 crore when compared to last year and had received a huge amount in the form of Covid assistance and donations, it still took Rs 73,812 cr loans in just three months of 2021.
US DOLLAR OUTLOOK: DXY INDEX EYES 200-DAY MOVING AVERAGE, FX VOLATILITY TO ACCELERATE

US Dollar edged broadly lower on Monday and pressured the DXY Index toward its 200-DMA

AUD/USD price action is expected to accelerate owing to event risk posed by the RBA decision

Sharpen your technical analysis skills or learn more about implied volatility trading strategies

US Dollar bulls have had a rough start to 2Q-2021. The broader DXY Index is already down -0.7% to trade back near the 92.50-price level as US Dollar buying pressure starts to dissipate. Fading US Dollar strength has helped EUR/USD and GBP/USD price action snap higher. Other major currency pairs like USD/JPY and USD/CAD have similarly capitalized on a softer US Dollar.

Interestingly, the Greenback has faced headwinds over the last few sessions despite red-hot economic data, like nonfarm payrolls surging 916K or the ISM Services PMI hitting its highest reading on record. Not to mention, Eurodollar futures have now priced in a full rate hike from the Federal Reserve by December 2022. This could provide US Dollar bulls with an opportunity to fade recent weakness  particularly if the full return of market liquidity following Good Friday and Easter ushers along the prevailing uptrend.

DXY  US DOLLAR INDEX PRICE CHART: DAILY TIME FRAME (04 DEC 2020 TO 05 APR 2021)

Chart by @RichDvorakFX created using TradingView

US Dollar bulls could look to defend this technical support zone around the 92.50-price level, which is highlighted by the ascending trendline200-day simple moving average. This potential area of buoyancy is also underpinned by prior resistance-turned-support from the 09 March swing high. Rebound efforts might see the upper Bollinger Band drift into focus. If a deeper push by US Dollar bears materializes, however, the 91.00-handle could come back into play.

USD PRICE OUTLOOK  US DOLLAR IMPLIED VOLATILITY TRADING RANGES (OVERNIGHT)

That said, currency volatility is expected to accelerate into Tuesdays trading session judging by overnight US Dollar implied volatility readings. Not only have overnight implied volatility readings ticked broadly higher following the holiday lull, they also trade above their respective 20-day averages for the most part. AUD/USD price action is expected to be one of the most active majors on Tuesday with an overnight implied volatility reading of 11.6%. Potential for elevated Aussie-Dollar volatility likely coincides with event risk posed by the upcoming RBA rate decision due for release 06 April at 4:30 GMT.

-- Written by Rich Dvorak, Analyst for DailyFX.com

Connect with @RichDvorakFX on Twitter for real-time market insight
Iranian oil potentially returning legitimately to the market will not be a shock and a complete return will not take place at least until the summer of next year, Goldman Sachs says, as the U.S. is taking part in indirect talks about the so-called Iran nuclear deal.

With OPEC+ appearing to manage its exit for now, supply concerns will likely shift to the potential return of Iran to the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) agreement, analysts at Goldman Sachs said in a note on Monday, as carried by Reuters.

The United States is engaged in indirect talks about the Iran nuclear deal with diplomats from Europe, Russia, and China in Vienna.

Currently, the U.S. sanctions imposed by the Trump Administration are preventing Iran from exporting all of its oil, as many buyers around the world dont want to risk their U.S. assets by doing business with Iran.

U.S. President Joe Biden has signaled a willingness to return to the nuclear deal, but only if Iran returns to full compliance in its nuclear activities.

We dont anticipate an early or immediate breakthrough, as these discussions we fully expect will be difficult. But we do believe that these discussions with our partners and, in turn, our partners with Iran is a healthy step forward, Ned Price, U.S. State Department spokesman, said on Monday.

According to Goldman Sachs, reaching an agreement that could lead to the U.S. potentially lifting the sanctions on Irans oil will likely take months. During that time, the OPEC+ group will monitor these events and will, if needed, tweak policies to accommodate Iranian supply, the investment bank says.

Goldman Sachs continues to be bullish on oil and anticipates strong demand that would require OPEC+ putting another 2 million barrels per day (bpd) on the market in the third quarter, after the around 2 million bpd that the alliance and Saudi Arabia decided to return between May and July.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
CAMBRIDGE, England, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cambridge Pixel, a developer of radar display, tracking and recording sub-systems (www.cambridgepixel.com), is supplying its HPx-250 PMC radar interface cards and SPx radar and IFF plot extraction software to the Naval Air Warfare Centre for the United States Navy's AN/SYY-1 Shipboard Air Traffic Control Processing and Display System.

The AN/SYY-1 is the US Navy's upgrade to the AN/TPX-42 system used for shipboard air traffic control. The new system will be deployed on all CVN-class aircraft carriers as well as on helicopter landing ships (LHA and LHD-class vessels). Cambridge Pixel's technology will be used to process radar returns, extract radar and IFF plots and display radar video from the primary and secondary radar video on all the ships.

Engineers developing the AN/SYY-1 system at the Naval Air Warfare Center  Webster Outlying Field (NAWC WOLF) in Saint Inigoes, Maryland, USA, needed a radar acquisition card and supporting software that provided radar plot extraction, IFF plot extraction, radar distribution and scan conversion. The AN/SYY-1 system uses a multi-sensor tracker to provide the Air Controller with a fused (composite) track comprised from all available sensors.

David Kenney, electronics engineer, Naval Air Warfare Center's Shipboard Air Traffic Control and Landing Systems, said: "We chose the Cambridge Pixel HPx-250 PMC card because it satisfied our three key requirements in a low powered, small form factor solution. The Cambridge Pixel team has also worked closely with NAWC WOLF personnel during development and responded to requests for unique modifications in an economical and timely manner."

David Johnson, CEO, Cambridge Pixel, said: "We are delighted to be offering our modular HPx and SPx radar processing components into this technology refresh program. We have incorporated considerable flexibility into the radar interfacing and data processing modules which has allowed us to accommodate the needs of the AN/SYY-1 upgrade."

Cambridge Pixel's HPx-250 is a PMC-format daughterboard that fits onto a VME processor board. The card receives radar signals, including video, trigger and azimuth, and passes the digitised and processed video to the SPx Server plot extraction software, which runs on the host computer.

For combined primary and IFF requirements, two HPx-250 cards are deployed on a single VME processor, with one instance of SPx Server software handling IFF decoding and plot extraction, and the other handling primary video plot extraction and video processing.

For IFF video, mode tags embedded in the video are used to identify the interrogation mode to permit correct decoding of altitude and call sign data. For primary radar video, plots are identified as areas of video passing a target-like acceptance criteria. Plots, along with digitised video, are passed out of SPx Server into downstream track processing and display.

Cambridge Pixel's HPx-250 card is part of a family of radar acquisition and processing components that provide system integrators with a powerful toolkit to build server and client display systems. A wide variety of signal types and input voltages are supported on the card, allowing connection to a diverse range of commercial and military radar types including those from Furuno, Hensoldt, JRC, Koden, Raytheon, Sperry, Terma, as well as specialist military radars.

The company's SPx suite of software libraries and applications provides highly flexible, ready-to-run software products or 'modules-of-expertise' for radar scan conversion, visualisation, radar video distribution, target tracking, sensor fusion, plot extraction and clutter processing.

Cambridge Pixel's radar technology is used in naval, air traffic control, vessel traffic, unmanned systems, Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS), commercial shipping, security, surveillance and airborne radar applications.

Its systems and software have been implemented in mission-critical applications with companies such as BAE Systems, Frontier Electronic Systems, Blighter Surveillance Systems, Exelis, Hanwha Systems, Kelvin Hughes, Lockheed Martin, Navtech Radar, Raytheon, Royal Thai Air Force, Saab Sensis, Sofresud and Tellumat.

For more information about Cambridge Pixel's HPx hardware and SPx Server technology please visit www.cambridgepixel.com or call: +44 (0) 1763 852749 or email: [email protected].

Media photo

https://cambridgepixel.com/site/assets/files/3267/pr-nawcad.jpg

Data sheet for HPx-250 card

https://www.cambridgepixel.com/site/assets/files/1268/hpx250-datasheet-v1-4.pdf

About Cambridge Pixel (www.cambridgepixel.com)

Cambridge Pixel is an employee-owned developer of sensor processing and display solutions including primary and secondary radar interfacing, processing and display components for military and commercial radar applications. It is a world-leading supplier of software-based radar tracking and scan conversion solutions through its modular SPx software, and HPx hardware product range. Based near Cambridge in the UK, the company operates worldwide through a network of agents and distributors.

SOURCE Cambridge Pixel
Passengers disembark a chartered flight at terminal 4 of Melbourne Airport on April 12, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

All Victorias Hotel Quarantine Staff To Be Vaccinated Ahead of International Flight Arrivals

All frontline hotel quarantine workers will have received a COVID-19 vaccine before flights of international returnees arrive in Melbourne on April 8, the Victorian state government has confirmed.

This comes as the Andrews Labor government commits to a reset of the hotel quarantine program following an inquiry that found last years second wave and its devastating social and economic consequencesincluding over 800 associated deathswere caused by breaches in hotel quarantine.

The advice I have is that all staff working in hotel quarantine in those front-facing roles will be vaccinated once the program resumes on the 8th of April, Labor Minister Jacinta Allan said on April 5.

The vast majority of hotel quarantine workers have already been vaccinated, and only those who have been vaccinated will be working in hotel quarantine from the 8th of April in those front-facing roles, Allan said.

This also follows a review of variants of concern, led by Deputy Chief Health Officer Allen Cheng, that concluded vaccinating hotel quarantine staff would be the most effective measure in preventing the viruss spread.

Nearly 5000 hotel quarantine workersincluding quarantine staff, hotel staff, police and Australian Defence Force personnelhave received their first dose, while 2283 await their second dose, reported The Australian.

Meanwhile, Thursdays restart will mark the third time Victorias hotel quarantine scheme has been overhauled since the start of the pandemic. The states hotel program was suspended on Feb. 13, 2021, following leaks from the hotel quarantine, including the Holiday Inn cluster, which triggered the state government into enacting a snap, circuit-breaker five-day lockdown.

Arrivals will now be tested four timeson arrival day, day four, 12 and 14and contacted on day 16 for a symptom check, according to key actions (pdf) outlined by the state government.

The state government has also developed ventilation standards in quarantine facilities, including equalising air pressure in rooms and hallways to avoid viral particles from entering communal spaces.

The state government will also standardise all Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) across all facilities.

In response to the hotel quarantine inquirys final report, the Victorian government said it is taking action to implement all 81 of the Inquirys recommendations; 49 have been implemented, four have been implemented in part, eight have been committed to, and 20 will be referred to the National Cabinet.

[T]he Government is committed to learning from these lessons, to ensure that Victoria continues to deliver the safest and most effective quarantine system possible.

A cap of 800 returned travellers per week is planned before the number increases to 1,120 by April 15.

No new cases of COVID-19 were reported on April 5, marking the states 38th consecutive day without a locally acquired case.

AAP contributed to this report.
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Malibu, CA, April 6, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Join Ellis Martin for a conversation with Robert Rohlfing, the President and CEO of Desert Mountain Energy ( CVE:DME ) ( OTCMKTS:DMEHF ). Desert Mountain Energy is a resource company actively engaged in the exploration and development of Helium and Rare Earth Gas properties in the American Southwest with a substantial land holding at the Holbrook Helium Project in Holbrook, Arizona, the world's best address for Helium with prolific historic production.The company intends on becoming completely vertically integrated, producing helium from their wells in Arizona for delivery to off take candidates within the region. The consumption of helium along with recent prices has proliferated as its uses in the medical world, in computers and other arenas has grown.To view the interview, please visit:About Desert Mountain Energy Corp.

Desert Mountain Energy Corp. is a publicly traded exploration and resource company focused on the discovery and development of rare earth gas fields in the US. The Company is primarily looking for elements deemed critical to the green energy and high technology industries.
Fords Pandemic Performance Has Kyboshed Another Majority Government

Dont believe the polls showing another conservative victory in Ontario

Commentary

Ontarios Progressive Conservative premier, Doug Ford, gets high marks for his handling of the pandemic, is more popular than he was before the pandemic hit, and would handily win another majority government if voters went to the polls today, according to several recent public-opinion surveys.

More likely, however, Fords chances for another majority are doomed, mainly because of his economy-killing handling of the pandemic.

Ford cant be blamed much for his early decision to lock down the provinceeven then-president Donald Trump initially acceded to the urgent demands for lockdowns emanating from the public health establishment. But Trump soon recognized that he had been suckered, that the science was all over the map, and that the cure of lockdowns was worse than the disease. Unlike most national leaders, Trump took on the state and local governments applying lockdowns to become a voice of sanity and a symbol of freedom for millions of Americans.

Trumps anti-lockdown stance clearly resonated with conservatives. In the 2020 presidential election he received 74 million votes, 10 million more than in 2016; more, in fact, than any previous sitting president in history.

The conservative reaction to lockdowns can also be seen in Israel, which at one stage spent more time in lockdowns than any other country, helping to give it the worlds highest score in the containment and health index developed by Oxford Universitys Coronavirus Government Response Tracker project. Many Israelis gave Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus conservative government stellar marks for being fast off the mark in identifying the COVID-19 threat, imposing strict lockdowns, and securing vaccines. Many others bitterly opposed the lockdowns, leading to public protests.

The upshot played out in Israels recent general election, where a staggering 21 percent of those who voted for Netanyahus Likud party just one year earlier either stayed home or voted for other parties. An analysis of the stay-at-homes showed they especially came from Likud strongholds. If discontent over lockdowns was responsible for just one-third of the stay-at-homesa reasonable assumption, since among Likud voters Netanyahu is highly respected on both foreign policy and economic groundsthen under Israels system of proportional representation, lockdowns lost for Netanyahu the votes needed to easily remain in power.

In the United States at the state level, where no-lockdown-Florida under a popular governor outperforms lockdown-California whose governor faces a recall, lockdowns and other COVID restrictions have become litmus tests for conservative legitimacy. On March 2 this year, Texas Governor Greg Abbott tweeted: I just announced Texas is OPEN 100%. EVERYTHING. I also ended the statewide mask mandate. On April 6, Indiana became the 2oth Republican-led state to eschew mask mandates. Not only do the states that shun severe restrictions fare better than states with strict restrictions in terms of economic metrics, they also tend to have better health outcomes.

Ontario, meanwhile, is in the throes of its third province-wide lockdown, despite the questionable evidence in favour of lockdowns, despite the World Health Organizations recommendation against lockdowns as the primary control method, and despite a letter to Ford from Dr. Richard Schabas, a former Ontario chief medical officer of health, which stated that Lockdown was never part of our planned pandemic response, nor is it supported by strong science.

When one of the premiers own members of Parliament, Roman Baber, wrote Ford to say that: The lockdown isnt working. Its causing an avalanche of suicides, overdoses, bankruptcies, divorces and takes an immense toll on children, Ford expelled him from his partys caucus. When the public protested lockdowns outside the provincial legislature, Ford called them a bunch of yahoos.

Ford doubtless reasons that lockdowns make for good politics. After he cast himself as Ontarios COVID saviour, the presswhich previously mocked him as a boor and a rubelavished him with praise and he rose in the polls. But that ascent could be short-lived. Ontario, the worlds largest sub-sovereign government borrower, will soon be carrying a debt that approaches one-half trillion Canadian dollars. It has disclosed no plan to balance the budget and admits that taxpayers may not see a balanced budget until a decade from now.

After Ford bankrupted small businesseshis baseand put working-class Ontariansagain his baseout of work, conservatives will have few reasons to vote for him. The provinces many civil servants, who have been protected from lockdown income losses, wont vote for him. And sometime soonwell before the next provincial election in June 2022, 14 months from nowthe overwhelmingly left-leaning press will turn on him, having furthered its mission of increasing government spending, promoting social justice, silencing dissent, and generally aiding a Great Reset.

The sexist, racist, anti-environmental, crony-appointing, vindictive lout that the press portrayed the pre-pandemic Ford as being will then once again be a fixture on the nightly news. Conservativesmany of them the yahoos that Ford deridedwont be tempted to switch their allegiance to a left-leaning party. But they may not be as rankled as before to see Ford mocked, and rather than go to the polls, hold their nose, and vote, many will be tempted to stay home.

Lawrence Solomon is an author and columnist with The Epoch Times. LawrenceSolomon@nextcity.com @LSolomonTweets

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) speaks during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, on July 29, 2020. (Graeme Jennings/Pool via Reuters)

Gaetz Says He Wont Resign Over False Sex Allegations

WASHINGTONRep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) said Monday he will not leave Congress and denied that he slept with an underage girl, suggesting that accusations against him stem from political foes angry that he loathes the swamp.

The Florida Republican, starting his fifth year in Congress, has been battling to preserve his political career since reports last week that he is under federal investigation for possible sex crimes. In a column in the Washington Examiner, a conservative news outlet, Gaetz predicted that some of my feckless colleagues in Congress will call for him to step down.

No, I am absolutely not resigning, he wrote Monday.

A high-profile ally of former President Donald Trump, Gaetz has so far received almost no public support from his congressional Republican colleagues and none from the former president.

Gaetz, 38, is under scrutiny over whether he violated federal sex trafficking laws, including if he had sex with a 17-year-old and other underage girls, paid them, or offered gifts in exchange for sex. Thats according to people familiar with the investigation who spoke on condition of anonymity because they could not discuss details publicly.

Gaetz, who has not been charged with any crimes, denied the accusations Monday.

First, I have never, ever paid for sex, he wrote. And second, I, as an adult man, have not slept with a 17-year-old.

Engaged since New Years Eve, he wrote, My lifestyle of yesteryear may be different from how I live now, but it was not and is not illegal.

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) smiles with his fiancee Ginger Luckey before speaking to a rally against Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) in Cheyenne, Wyo., on Jan. 28, 2021. (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)

Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) speaks during a news conference with other House Republicans at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Dec. 10, 2020. (Erin Scott/Reuters)

Gaetz used his column to attack Democrats, news organizations, and others, saying his enemies are just repeating false allegations about a congressman who loathes the swamp and fights both sides of it on a daily basis.

He also predicted, Im sure some partisan crooks in Merrick Garlands Justice Department want to pervert the truth and the law to go after me.

The FBI, the Biden administrations Justice Department, and the Cheney political dynasty were among the entities Gaetz accused of unjustly targeting him.

The Justice Department investigation began last year while Trump was still president. Gaetz helped lead an unsuccessful battle in January to depose Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, from her job as No. 3 House GOP leader. Days earlier, she was among just 10 House Republicans to vote to impeach Trump.

Gaetzs article was published the same day a former congressional aide told reporters he was interviewed last week by the FBI. Nathan Nelson, a military adviser who left Gaetzs office in October, said he was questioned about whether hed left that job because he knew of Gaetzs involvement in illegal activities.

Im here this morning to state that nothing could be farther from the truth. Neither I nor any other member of Congressman Gaetzs staff had any knowledge of illegal activities, Nelson said at his home in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.

Nelson provided no specific details about the FBIs questioning. Without detailing them, he said he believes the charges against Gaetz are false.

By Alan Fram
On Monday, 13,881 happy  and lucky  campers managed to book a yurt, cabin or Birds Hill campsite at Manitoba's provincial parks when the online reservation system opened at 7 a.m., Conservation Minister Sarah Guillemard told MLAs Tuesday.

On Monday, 13,881 happy  and lucky  campers managed to book a yurt, cabin or Birds Hill campsite at Manitoba's provincial parks when the online reservation system opened at 7 a.m., Conservation Minister Sarah Guillemard told MLAs Tuesday.

Many others  who tried and failed to connect to the system or waited for hours without booking a spot  were disappointed, said NDP critic Lisa Naylor, who raised the issue during question period. The province's reservation system for all cabins, yurts, group use areas and Birds Hill Campground opened Monday for those booking online or by phone.

The provincial government should've prepared for the massive demand this summer for campsites, cabins and especially yurts, Naylor send. Yurts are fabric-sided domed shelters for campers.

"We all saw what happened last year," Naylor said. "We all saw how important it was for people to get outside and get some fresh air," she said. "There were opportunities for the government to prepare for this."

The province could've tried something "creative," like opening yurts a month earlier and leaving them open a month later, Naylor suggested.

"What we're seeing over and over again is this government is simply unprepared," she said.

Guillemard, who didn't scrum with reporters Tuesday, hailed the success of the system when challenged by Naylor during question period.

The minister said the province was able to book 13,881 reservations in a single day  more than twice the number previously booked in a single day.

She said the former NDP government faced complaints about the online reservation system. Now, the demand has soared during the pandemic, and it was not unexpected, she said.

Many Manitobans will rely on a campsite getaway this summer "unless they're rich or lucky enough to have a cottage somewhere to go to," said Naylor. "That's not most Manitobans."

On Wednesday at 7 a.m., reservations for Winnipeg Beach and all campsites in the Whiteshell Provincial Park open. Naylor said she expects a repeat of Monday's online reservation problems.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca
HOUSTON and WASHINGTON, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ENGIE and Georgetown University in Washington DC, USA announced today that they have entered into a comprehensive energy agreement to address sustainability and energy conservation through ENGIE's management of the university's utility system. This strategic alignment will help the university achieve its ambitious sustainability goals, positively impacting students, faculty and the community.

Georgetown University's main campus is located in the historic Georgetown neighborhood of Washington DC. It covers more than 100 acres and houses approximately 60 main buildings and has 19,000 students, and 6,200 employees, including 2,200 faculty. Its campus also includes MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.

During the term of the agreement, ENGIE will assume responsibility for the enhancement, operation and upkeep of the electrical, heating and cooling and domestic water systems. Georgetown will retain ownership of its facilities and control over decisions related to capital improvements. Through capital improvement and energy conservation programs, the partnership will generate operational efficiencies, position Georgetown to reduce its energy use intensity by at least 35 percent by 2030 and create additional resources that will enable the University to deepen its focus on fostering a leading academic community in a sustainable way.

"After committing to divest from fossil fuels and launching a power purchase agreement that will ensure that two-thirds of the university's electricity needs will be sourced through solar power, this partnership further enhances our ambitious sustainability goals," said Geoff Chatas, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Georgetown University. "We are excited to partner with ENGIE to accelerate our progress toward aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, integrating sustainability across our functional areas, and becoming a model for how universities and other complex organizations can strengthen their sustainability efforts. We are confident that ENGIE's expertise in clean energy management will improve the experience of students, faculty and the broader Georgetown community."

"ENGIE is proud to become Georgetown University's energy partner to achieve its sustainability goals," said Cecile Previeu, Executive Vice President in charge of Client Solutions at ENGIE. "Innovative solutions will be developed through our collaborative program with the campus community and will help us to operate, maintain, and improve campus utility services."

ENGIE is a leader in energy services for major universities, cities, and critical infrastructure entities around the world. The 50-year partnership with globally-renowned Georgetown University is the latest example in which institutions are turning to a partnership model to manage and operate energy infrastructure upgrades. Over the last three years, ENGIE has implemented successful energy concession partnerships at The Ohio State University and the University of Iowa. Most recently, ENGIE announced its new collaboration with Howard University, for a 20-year agreement managing the design, construction, operation and maintenance of a new central utility plant on campus. Barclays served as exclusive financial advisor and Jones Day served as exclusive legal advisor to Georgetown University for the transaction.

For more information on Georgetown Energy Partners please visit https://georgetownenergypartners.com/

About Georgetown University

Established in 1789 by Archbishop John Carroll, Georgetown is the oldest Catholic and Jesuit university in the United States. Located in Washington, DC; Doha, Qatar; and around the world; Georgetown University is a leading academic and research institution, offering a unique educational experience that prepares the next generation of global citizens to lead and make a difference in the world. For more information about Georgetown University, visit Georgetown.edu or connect with Georgetown on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Instagram.

About ENGIE North America

ENGIE North America Inc. offers a range of capabilities in the United States and Canada to help our customers achieve their sustainability goals as we work together to shape a sustainable future. Our comprehensive services include helping run facilities more efficiently and optimize energy and other resource use and costs; clean power generation; energy storage; and retail energy supply that includes renewable, demand response, and on-bill financing options. Nearly 100% of the company's power generation portfolio is low-carbon or renewable. ENGIE S.A. is a global organization focused on low-carbon energy and services, that relies on its key businesses (gas, renewable energy, services) to offer competitive solutions to its customers. With 170,000 employees, along with its customers, partners and stakeholders, the group is committed to accelerating the transition to a carbon-neutral world through reduced energy consumption and more environmentally-friendly solutions.

For more information on ENGIE North America, please visit our LinkedIn page or Twitter feed, https://www.engie-na.com/ and https://www.engie.com.

Media Contacts:

Georgetown University Media Contact: [email protected], (202) 687 4328



ENGIE North America: Sandrine Deparis, [email protected], (202) 855 3705

SOURCE ENGIE North America

Related Links

engie-na.com


Delhi government has imposed a night curfew with immediate effect from today as Coronavirus cases are surging in the country. The night curfew will be effective from 10 pm to 5am till 30th April.



ANI took to Twitter to confirm the news saying, Night curfew imposed in Delhi from 10 pm to 5 am with immediate effect till 30th April, in the wake of #COVID19 situation: Delhi Government.

Check out the post here-

Night curfew imposed in Delhi from 10 pm to 5 am with immediate effect till 30th April, in the wake of #COVID19 situation: Delhi Government pic.twitter.com/V3WufATG77  ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2021

The state was earlier contemplating the idea of imposing a night curfew in the national capital. A senior government official told PTI, A proposal for imposing night curfew is under consideration. The details are being discussed, including the time period of the curfew which could be from 10 pm to 5 am.

Heres what people on the internet have to say about the decision of imposing night curfew in the national capital-

Useless to put night curfew that too after 10 PM  Ashish Vashist  (@ashishvashist) April 6, 2021

Isse kya hoga Kanjarwal...    (@ishuklaharish) April 6, 2021

Woww.. what a decision..!!   Sanchita Roy  (@sanchita_in) April 6, 2021

As effective as Odd-Even rule hmm  anand krishna (@awesum_ak) April 6, 2021

Night curfew are useless  Rakshit Jain (@imrj287) April 6, 2021

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said that the national capital is under the fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic. Now the micro-containment zones are being set up in places where there are two or more cases.

It is also being said that the sudden rise in the COVID-19 cases is as people are not following proper social distancing norms and proper Coronavirus guidelines.

Apart from Delhi, other states that imposed night curfew include other states like Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Odisha, Gujarat, and Punjab. This has been done to contain the surge in Covid-19 cases.
Ryan OConnor, 43, of the 9900 block of Holly Lane, Des Plaines, was charged with possession of a controlled substance and driving on a suspended drivers license at 2:47 p.m. March 31 following a traffic stop in the 400 block of North Austin Boulevard. Connor was also found to have an active Cook County warrant for criminal trespass to vehicle.
Ghanaian Highlife legend, Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, has called on music industry players to preserve, develop and promote Highlife as a genre that represents the national identity.



At the launch of the Highlife Is Alive Fan Club in Accra, on Monday, he bemoaned the missing identity of music in recent times and expressed the belief that the club would help uplift and sustain the Highlife genre.



The Club seeks to make highlife a national art form, promote it as an international art and work towards its recognition as a national cultural heritage.



Every country has its own music, so why do we have to leave highlife and chase other genres like reggae, and dancehall, among others. It is quite sad that our radios are supporting the promotion of other genres, which is a total deviation, Mr Ambolley said.



Highlife is the mother of every dance music in the world. We cannot sit down and let highlife die because the younger ones are now doing songs on borrowed rhythms.



The deviation from our original music is becoming very rapid due to the missing links between the older and younger musicians. So we the older ones have to put our minds together and salvage the situation, Mr Ambolley said.



Mr George Aryee (Nii Krotia I  Noyaa Mantse Ngleshie Alata), Chairman of the Fan Club, said the Club would help create a common platform for highlife lovers, artiste and other industry players.



Highlife is a national treasure. It is our heritage. Highlife unites us as people and it is one music that brings everybody to the dance floor. In our history as a people, highlife has served as a medium for commentary on all kinds of social, economic, or political situations, he said.



The creation of the music genre that has come to be known as Highlife is just about 100 years old, therefore, it is time that we find ways to ensure the continued development, advancement, promotion, and preservation of this unique national art form.



Mr Aryee said it was about time that highlife was recognized and instituted formally as a national art treasure and heritage.



Mr Amin Alhassan, the Director-General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, who was the Guest of Honour, emphasized the need to celebrate and promote highlife as the national identity.



He said the Fan Club was an important platform to advocate the institutionalization of highlife as a national art form, which most advanced countries had done over the past years.

Source: GNA









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Through its Million-Shield Challenge, InstaShield pledged to donate one shield for each one purchased on its website until it sold 1 million. InstaShield reached that sales mark in November and just fulfilled its millionth donation, as it delivered 120,000 shields to United Way of Central Ohio, United Way of Greater Cleveland and MedWish, a non-profit that distributes medical supplies to people in need.

"Our goal is to get high-quality American-made face shields to the masses, and it's exciting to see that happen," said Dan Brown Jr., InstaShield CEO. "We owe the success of our donation program to our non-profit partners. They were able to assess the needs in their communities and efficiently distribute shields through their networks of agencies."

InstaShield worked with 24 non-profits in 9 states: (numbers of shields listed by each)

(The remaining 7,000 shields were donated directly by InstaShield through various requests by individuals.)

These non-profits worked with hundreds of partner agencies to distribute shields to essential workers, educators, volunteers and others in need. The shields went to labor unions, small businesses, restaurants, school districts, Covid-19 response teams, homeless shelters, meal centers, food pantries, reading programs, churches and many other organizations.

"The events of this year have created a level of need in our communities like we've never seen, making our work that much more important," said Michelle Van Dyke, president and CEO of the Heart of West Michigan United Way in Grand Rapids. "We are grateful for partners like InstaShield and the dedication of our hard-working team members, partners and volunteers."

In Los Angeles, Strength-Based Community Change is providing shields to struggling small restaurants for their employees and patrons. In Illinois, the Greater Chicago Food Depository is distributing InstaShield to frontline workers, volunteers and guests at food pantries and meal programs to wear as extra protection over their masks.

InstaShield is available for $3.99 at InstaShieldUSA.com. It can easily be cleaned and reused, or recycled.

About InstaShield

InstaShield LLC makes comfortable, affordable face shields for the masses. The company is headquartered in Chicago and manufactures its products in St. Louis. For more information, visit InstaShieldUSA.com. Follow us at @InstashieldUSA.

Contact:

Elizabeth Pasternock, Imprint Communications LLC

[email protected], 630-833-0206

SOURCE InstaShield LLC

Related Links

http://InstaShieldUSA.com


BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - German stocks rose notably on Tuesday as economic recovery hopes underpinned sentiment and helped offset China credit concerns. The People's Bank of China has reportedly asked the country's major banks to curtail loan growth for the rest of this year, Bloomberg reported. The banks were told to keep loan growth stable and reasonable amid fears about bubbles in the property and financial markets. Growth optimism prevails after data showed the U.S. economy created the most jobs in seven months in March, beating expectations. Closer home, Sentix's index for the euro zone climbed to 13.1 from 5.0 in March. The benchmark DAX rose 123 points, or 0.8 percent, to 15,230, with cyclicals leading the surge. Banks Commerzbank and Deutsch Bank rose 0.7 percent and half a percent, respectively while automakers BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen were up between 0.8 percent and 1.8 percent. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
City of Hope, a best-in-class comprehensive cancer center, extends its global reach to South America through a collaborative effort with Brazil-based Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, a top hospital in Latin America.

DUARTE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- City of Hope, a world-renowned independent research and treatment center for cancer and diabetes, today announced that it will extend its leading-edge cancer expertise to South America via an education agreement with Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, a top cancer center in Latin America.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210401005185/en/

The three-year agreement calls for City of Hope to share its specialized cancer expertise with Hospital Israelita Albert Einsteins oncology residents and clinical staff. City of Hope will provide educational experiences and host multidisciplinary tumor boards. Both institutions will explore potential innovative collaborations in precision oncology and research.

This agreement marks another milestone moment, allowing City of Hope to extend its mission to eliminate cancer to a new continent, said Harlan Levine, M.D., president of strategy and business ventures at City of Hope, which is headquartered near Los Angeles.

Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein has an exceptional medical team, Levine added. City of Hope will offer our best-in-class expertise as a comprehensive cancer center to both their residents in training and clinical staff. We hope to collaborate with our Latin American colleagues to improve cancer care outcomes not only in Sao Paulo, but also throughout Brazil and Latin America.

Among other services, City of Hope will provide a virtual multidisciplinary tumor board that will initially focus on gastrointestinal, genitourinary, lung and brain cancers. Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein physicians will share specific patient cases with complex issues involving molecular diagnostics, immunotherapy and innovations in cancer care delivery for review and discussion. City of Hope will also provide educational webinars and offer professional training on topics such as genetic testing, supportive care services and nursing.

Sidney Klajner, M.D., Ph.D., president of Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, said, We will incorporate City of Hopes multidisciplinary approach to oncology precision medicine to address the cancer burden in Brazil. Together with City of Hope, we hope to collaborate on molecular diagnostics and innovative care advancements for the benefit of patients in Latin American and beyond.

Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein has been ranked as the best hospital in Latin America by the America Economia Business Intelligence Unit for 12 years in a row. Additionally, it is positioned 36th overall globally and 21st for specialized oncology on Newsweeks ranking of the Worlds Best Hospitals 2021.

This collaborative agreement was made possible through efforts by City of Hopes Center for International Medicine (CIM), which seeks to collaborate with international organizations to improve cancer and diabetes care for more people worldwide. CIM works with governments, hospitals, private companies and investors, and offers a range of services in the areas of clinical research and innovation, education and professional development.

About City of Hope

City of Hope is an independent biomedical research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a leader in bone marrow transplantation and immunotherapy such as CAR T cell therapy. City of Hopes translational research and personalized treatment protocols advance care throughout the world. Human synthetic insulin, monoclonal antibodies, and numerous breakthrough cancer drugs are based on technology developed at the institution. Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) became a part of City of Hope in 2016. AccessHopeTM, a wholly owned subsidiary, was launched in 2019, dedicated to serving employers and their health care partners by providing access to City of Hopes exceptional cancer expertise. A National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, City of Hope is ranked among the nations Best Hospitals in cancer by U.S. News & World Report. Its main campus is located near Los Angeles, with additional locations throughout Southern California and in Arizona. For more information about City of Hope, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram.

About Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein

Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein is a not-for-profit health care system based in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It encompasses activities in health care delivery, teaching, research, innovation and consultancy. In the private setting, the system manages a 600-bed general hospital and 10 satellite units spread around the greater metropolitan area of Sao Paulo and is dedicated to diagnostics and ambulatory medicine. In the public setting, the system manages two hospitals, with 600 beds in total and 24 ambulatory units. In 1999, the hospital became the first hospital outside of the U.S. to be accredited by Joint Commission International. It is currently the strategic partner of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement in Latin America.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210401005185/en/

Zen Vuong

626-409-9367

zvuong@coh.org

Source: City of Hope
Construction managers ignore safety because they are under pressure to meet strict deadlines.

A construction site worker stands over a ground excavation project for the construction of 10,000 homes in the Songsin and Songhwa areas of Sadong District, Pyongyang, North Korea on Thursday, March 25, 2021.

At least 20 North Korean construction workers died last month when an electrical fire tore through their lodging on their Pyongyang jobsite as they slept, RFA has learned.

The workers were part of a quasi-military construction brigade of storm troopers, tasked with building 10,000 houses in the North Korean capital. They worked long and grueling hours during the day, retiring to their hastily made workers dormitory for about three hours of sleep each night.

Sources told RFA that faulty wiring in their temporary living quarters started the fire on March 30, and many were unable to escape as it engulfed the entire building.

Late last month more than 20 storm troopers were killed at a residential construction site in Pyongyang where they lived and worked, a source in Pyongyang told RFAs Korean Service Monday.

The construction command conducted an investigation and found the cause to be a short circuit in an electrical wire, said the source, who requested anonymity for security reasons.

The source said the exhausted workers were unable to evacuate even though the fire lasted only a short while.

The storm troopers lodging at the construction site was built in a hurry. The roof and walls were made of boards and vinyl film and the electrical wiring was not properly done. The wires were all tangled, and it caused a short circuit which led to the fire, said the source.

Because their living quarters were hastily built with flammable materials, it burnt down after only about 10 minutes. If they had been evacuated immediately after the fire started, there would have been fewer casualties The person who was on night-watch duty had fallen asleep, so many died, the source said.

Authorities give construction managers unrealistic deadlines to complete their projects. The immense pressure forces many outfits to ignore the safety of the workers, according to the source.

Once an accident happens, the authorities put all the blame on the construction site officials, saying it was caused by their negligence, said the source.

The citizens of Pyongyang are concerned. They say that so many workers are victims of accidents at construction sites, and they do not know how many more must be sacrificed in the future. The construction command knows that the order to complete 10,000 houses in such a short time is unreasonable, but they dare not object to the Central Partys orders. This is what forces the workers to be sacrificed, said the source.

Another source from the capital confirmed the fire to RFA, saying that there were many workers cramped into the temporary shacks, with some even living in tents.

The living situation for those construction workers is so poor, even though the construction command orders that they take thorough measures for their own safety. But most of the storm troopers fall into a deep sleep as soon as they get to bed, said the second source, who requested anonymity to speak freely.

They are exhausted from 12 to 14 hours of hard labor each day, so thats why most of the storm troopers in the barracks were killed, said the second source.

Construction deaths increased in North Korea after leader Kim Jong Un took office in 2011 and made large-scale national projects a priority to boost his own profile, according to the second source.

Construction commanders are so eager to achieve results within the deadline set by the party. They never mention safety issues or the unfair sacrifices of the construction workers, and this is causing resentment among the people.

Accidents at construction sites are relatively common but casualties are usually in the single digits. RFA has reported several major construction accidents over the past few years.

In May 2015, RFA reported that 20 were killed while working in a hydropower project in the countrys northern Ryanggang province, during two separate spillway tunnel collapses in March and April that year. The 20 were the latest of hundreds killed at the power plant since construction began two decades prior.

A year before that, RFA reported that an unfinished 23-story apartment building in Pyongyang collapsed, with possibly hundreds living inside.

The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the construction of the apartment building "was not done properly, and officials supervised and controlled it in an irresponsible manner," in a rare disclosure that an accident had happened.

Though KCNA did not publish a death toll, a South Korean official told domestic and international media that 92 families may have been living in the apartment complex at the time.

Reported by Myungchul Lee for RFAs Korean Service. Translated by Leejin Jun. Written in English by Eugene Whong.
Cybersecurity

Senators seek details on Einstein's performance and limitations

The top two senators on a committee overseeing the Department of Homeland Security are calling on the agency to provide documents that would highlight the capabilities and limitations of the federal government's flagship cybersecurity programs.

Sens. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) want the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to provide "documents sufficient to show" the technical capabilities and any planned improvements of Einstein and the Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation program, according to an April 5 letter the lawmakers sent to CISA's acting director Brandon Wales.

The senators are also asking for "specific information systems compromised at federal agencies shared with CISA in regards to the SolarWinds and MS Exchange cyberattacks" as well as a report CISA produced in 2020 on the efficacy of Einstein utilizing classified indicators.

Peters and Portman are the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Both senators during oversight hearings with Wales and other government cybersecurity officials have signaled they are interested in making changes to Einstein's authorization, which is due to expire at the end of 2022.

"I believe the urgency here is clear," Portman said during a March 18 hearing. "The statutory authorization expiring next year gives us a chance to do this. It seems like the significant limitations you've talked about means we need to work together to address the next authorization."

Separately, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said during his confirmation hearing he would direct his agency to conduct reviews of both programs.

The Einstein system is meant to defend government networks at the perimeter using information on known threats and exploits. The SolarWinds and Exchange attacks leveraged zero-day flaws that were not included in Einstein's catalog of known malware. Wales has been straightforward about the fact Einstein was not developed to counter unknown threats, but the program has remained the target of lawmakers during hearings.

The senators also sent a separate letter to Chris DeRusha, the federal chief information security officer. Both letters were in part a reaction to a March 29 story by the Associated Press reporting top DHS officials' email accounts were compromised by the hacking campaign against SolarWinds, including Chad Wolf, then the acting DHS secretary for the Trump administration.

From DeRusha, the senators are requesting the current federal cybersecurity strategy as well as any planned changes, documents showing what systems were compromised either by the attack against SolarWinds or vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange and a list of roles and responsibilities for federal cybersecurity.

The list of roles should include "an assessment of how these defined roles prevent duplicative efforts and facilitated the federal government's response to the SolarWinds attack," according to the letter.

About the Author Justin Katz covers cybersecurity for FCW. Previously he covered the Navy and Marine Corps for Inside Defense, focusing on weapons, vehicle acquisition and congressional oversight of the Pentagon. Prior to reporting for Inside Defense, Katz covered community news in the Baltimore and Washington D.C. areas. Connect with him on Twitter at @JustinSKatz.



During the March hearing with Wales, DeRusha and Tonya Ugoretz, a senior cybersecurity official at the FBI, Portman voiced frustrations with the trio's unwillingness to name a single official who should be held accountable for the government's cybersecurity failures.
[April 06, 2021] AKASA's AI Technology Lead, Byung-Hak Kim, Ph.D., Presents at the Healthcare Natural Language Processing Summit 2021

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- AKASA, the only Unified Automation company for revenue cycle management in healthcare, announced that its AI Technology Lead, Byung-Hak Kim, Ph.D., is leading a discussion today at 3:10 pm ET on how to address Baumol's cost disease in healthcare with machine learning. Baumol's cost disease is the rise of salaries in jobs that have experienced no or low increase of labor productivity, in response to rising wages in other jobs that have experienced higher labor productivity growth. The Baumol effect has been a significant driver of costs in healthcare for decades with no clear path to reversing these effects in our healthcare system. In his talk, Kim presents the recent progress of harnessing state-of-the-art deep learning techniques in automating how medical bills are processed and paid in healthcare revenue cycle management. Making the billing process more efficient allows health systems to redirect investment into patient care while minimizing wasteful spending. These advancements can help health systems and hospitals increase prouctivity, maximize the value delivered by their administrative staff, and minimize the impact of Baumol's cost disease on their organization so they can invest more in patient care.



Byung-Hak Kim, PhD, has focused on machine learning research and development in real-world applications in the challenging areas of human health, education, and speech. Kim holds a bachelor's and master's degree in Electrical Engineering from Korea University and a doctorate degree in Electrical & Computer Engineering at Texas A&M University. You can register for free to listen to Kim's presentation at: www.nlpsummit.org/curing-baumols-cost-disease-in-healthcare-with-machine-learning/

About AKASA

At AKASA, we believe every dollar spent on healthcare matters because healthcare matters to everyone. The only Unified Automation company for healthcare, AKASA uses the same machine learning approaches that made driverless cars possible to provide health systems with a single solution for automating revenue cycle operations. AKASA's unique expert-in-the-loop approach, Unified Automation, combines modern machine-learning with human judgment and subject matter expertise to provide robust and resilient automation. Unified Automation adapts to the highly dynamic nature of revenue cycle operations and has been purpose-built for healthcare. AKASA enables health systems to decrease their cost to collect so they can invest more in patient care and be better stewards of the healthcare dollar. AKASA is based in the heart of Silicon Valley. Learn more at www.akasa.com. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/akasas-ai-technology-lead-byung-hak-kim-phd-presents-at-the-healthcare-natural-language-processing-summit-2021-301262576.html SOURCE AKASA

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Employees of the Embassy of Moldova in Romania have got their first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 jab, and got booked for their second and last jab after 21 days, according to the Radio Chisinau public broadcaster.

Romania has started a vaccination campaign for the diplomatic corps accredited in Bucharest, with over 1,000 diplomats being placed on vaccination lists. The Romanian government has included members of diplomatic missions and their accompanying family members on a list of people who can be immunised against COVID-19 under its the national vaccination strategy, the Moldovan Embassy in Bucharest reports, agerpres.ro confirms.

"We want to sincerely thank you for this action, so necessary for the safe conduct of diplomatic activity!" the embassy says on it Facebook page.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Romania has provided medical assistance worth 3.5 million euros, and 42 Romanian doctors have saved lives in COVID-19 hospitals in Moldova, with assistance continuing all through 2020. In 2021, medical supplies worth 2.3 million euros have been donated to Moldova, with Romania being the first country to donate COVID-19 vaccines to Moldova.
Tattoo ink that could cause cancer would be banned in Queensland under laws introduced by the state government.

In a crackdown, the laws introduced to State Parliament by Treasurer Cameron Dick would make it illegal to sell ink or tattoo someone without a compliant analysis certificate.

There are fears some tattoo inks might be carcinogenic. Credit:File image

The certificate would ensure substances contained in tattoo ink had been identified and disclosed after a 2016 report found one in five tattoo inks in use in Australia contained carcinogenic chemicals.

In 2016, the national regulator of the importation and manufacture of industrial chemicals found there were 471 inks used in the country and chose 49 for a chemical analysis.
1E, a leader in digital experience management, today announced an exclusive regional reseller agreement with Logicalis Australia, a long-time 1E partner and provider of IT solutions and managed services. Under this new agreement, Logicalis Australia will represent 1E in Australia and New Zealand with sales and technical expertise, growing 1E's footprint within the region as enterprises increasingly commit to full-time remote and hybrid working.

Leveraging the 1E Tachyon Platform, Logicalis Australia will provide customers complete visibility into the digital experience of their employees through real-time endpoint management capabilities, enabling remote working at scale. The agreement will also promote enhanced communication and support, ensuring customers get the most value from their software.

"Tapping into Logicalis Australia's deep knowledge of the market and locally-based technical resources allows us to expand our reach with a highly skilled and trusted provider," said Sumir Karayi, CEO and founder of 1E. "This is a natural progression in our long-standing partnership and further positions us to support the needs of companies that are looking to improve their employees' digital experiences. There is a greenfield opportunity in Australia and New Zealand and together with Logicalis Australia we can unlock this market potential."

Through close cooperation with industry-leading partners like 1E, Logicalis Australia provides technology solutions to transform its customers' business operations, making them more flexible and efficient.

"In the past 12 months, conversations with our customers have progressed well past just enabling remote working for our clients. We now seek to build and implement a first-class digital experience for users that increases productivity and employee satisfaction," said Toby Alcock, CTO of Logicalis Australia. "Our partnership with 1E has evolved to be able to deliver this digital experience to our customers and we are excited about bringing their Tachyon Experience offering to the Australian market."

About 1E

1E is the real-time digital experience management company. We help IT give employees what they really need IT that just works. Our 1E Tachyon Platform provides real-time diagnosis, remediation and automation that fixes issues, fast and without interruption. It puts employees in control, through self-service, self-heal and sentiment monitoring to understand how they really feel and reduces help desk calls and ultimately costs. That is why more than 1,700 organizations in 42 countries trust 1E to help them manage 14 million endpoints seamlessly. For more information, visit www.1E.com.

About Logicalis

Logicalis Australia enables customers' digital transformation: providing technology solutions that drive business outcomes and enable greater value from IT investments. Logicalis helps transform business operations, making them more flexible, efficient and productive working with customers across the corporate and government sectors to achieve these outcomes.

Logicalis Australia is a division of the Logicalis Group, a global IT Solutions Integrator who employs 6500+ staff, across 65 locations worldwide. Visit www.au.logicalis.com for more.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210405005471/en/

Contacts:

Amy Collins

+44 208 326 3880

amy.collins@1e.com
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) -- A West Lafayette-based company is giving back to the community with a food drive this month.

The SOS Relocation Specialist team is partnering with the national non-profit "Move For Hunger." SOS Relocation is a moving-service company mainly focused on helping seniors downsize their homes if they are relocating to assisted living or a senior community home.

Move For Hunger is an organization that works to create sustainable ways to reduce food waste. The company founder, Adam Lowy saw a need after working for his family-owned moving company. He saw how much food would go to waste as movers transitioned from one place to another. The non-profit provides a guide for moving companies across the nation to use that helps their movers easily donate the food in their pantry rather than throw it away.

The Move for Hunger organization estimates the number of Americans facing hunger this year could increase by 46%. That's about 17 million more people in need of food. They report this is a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

That statistic is on par with the need we're seeing right here locally. SOS Co-Owner Danielle Gaylord is encouraging people to start gathering food now. The drop-off dates start on Apr. 24 - May 1.

List of foods (food drive only accepting non-perishables):

- 100% fruit juices

- Baking items

- Beans (dry and canned)

- Boxed rice and potatoes

- Canned fish and meats

- Canned fruits and vegetables

- Cereal

- Meals in a can/box

- Peanut butter

- Canned soups & stews

Donation locations:

Menards -- 2868 US-52, West Lafayette, IN 47906

Menards -- 2850 S Creasy Ln, Lafayette, IN 47905

Pooch Palace -- 2833 US-52 W, West Lafayette, IN 47906

Pooch Palace -- 35 Beck Ln #101, Lafayette, IN 47909

Ace Hardware -- 1194 Sagamore Pkwy W, West Lafayette, IN 47906

Ace Hardware -- 119 Beck Ln, Lafayette, IN 47909

All food donations will go to Food Finders Food Bank. President and CEO Katy Bunder said these foods are particularly great donations as they go a long way for families in need. She reports out of the 16 counties the organization serves, 1 out of 8 adults go hungry every day and 1 out of 6 kids also suffer from not being fully fed every day.

Gaylord and her business partner Rita Smeyak worked for a local non-profit that served people experiencing homelessness here locally. They heavily depended on food from FFFB to held serve their clients. That's why Gaylord their company hosts this food drive, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

"People suddenly found themselves very vulnerable and in need and this is why it's so important, you know, people need help so I think if you can do a small part, every small part counts," said Gaylord.

She's hoping to see a big turnout during the donation week.

"I'm hoping people think more about what they can do individually and maybe it'll spark people to continue with giving," said Gaylord.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 19:36:40|Editor: huaxia

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HANOI, April 6 (Xinhua) -- The 14th National Assembly (NA) of Vietnam, the country's top legislature, on Tuesday elected Vo Thi Anh Xuan as the country's vice president.

A resolution was adopted by the top legislature with an approval rate of 93.13 percent to elect Xuan as the new state vice president at the ongoing 11th session of the 14th NA, Vietnam News Agency reported.

With the resolution coming into force immediately, Xuan officially replaced Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh, who was relieved from duty by the NA on Tuesday morning.

Vo Thi Anh Xuan, born on Jan. 8, 1970, joined the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) in 1994. She had been secretary of An Giang's provincial CPV committee since October 2015.

Also on Tuesday, the legislators cast secret ballots to relieve several members of the NA Standing Committee, chairpersons of some NA committees, the NA's secretary general and the state auditor general from their posts before electing their successors.

On Monday, the NA elected Nguyen Xuan Phuc as the new president of Vietnam and Pham Minh Chinh as the new prime minister. Enditem
The University Committee on Naming Honors, which is reviewing contested historic names and examining new historic names, will issue its report to Emorys president in May.

Planning to release its report to President Gregory L. Fenves in May, the University Committee on Naming Honors is moving into the last phase of its work. Chaired by Fred Smith Jr., associate professor of law, the Naming Honors committee was charged with examining new historic names and reviewing contested historic names associated with buildings, spaces, programs, scholarships and other celebratory titles that honor individuals.

There is synergy with the Task Force on Untold Stories and Disenfranchised Populations, which issued its report to the president on April 1. The task force addressed how to recognize contributions by enslaved persons whose labor helped build the Emory campus, and their descendants, as well as Indigenous nations and peoples on whose lands Emorys campus was erected.

According to Smith, as timely as the work before the Naming Honors committee is, even more critical is its ability to provide a viable framework for the future.

We are creating a rigorous process so that this work can be continued into the future in ways that are transparent and reflect Emorys values, Smith says. One of the most meaningful outcomes of our efforts has been to reframe the conversation so that the university can identify those whom it wants to celebrate at this time in its history.

Guiding principles and gifted helpers

Emorys Task Force on Legacies in 2017 established key principles that have guided the Naming Honors committee. Those guidelines stipulate that naming honors bestowed by Emory should be consistent with the universitys mission and reflect its values; that all names have the potential to affect the universitys reputation; that a presumption against renaming should prevail, absent exceptional circumstances; that strategies other than renaming be considered; and that in cases of adding or removing a name, Emory must commit to telling that story as transparently and completely as possible.

These principles remain foundational; however, the Naming Honors committee has adjusted them to make evaluating honorific names more tractable, recognizing that this process will need to be undertaken at various points in Emorys future and not as an exceptional event.

The Naming Honors committee has reviewed scholarly resources and heard from guest speakers, including Joseph Crespino, chair of the history department and Jimmy Carter Professor, who served on the Task Force on Legacies.

The committee also added two research assistants, both of whom are PhD students at Emory. They are working with committee member Alison Collis Greene, associate professor of American religious history at Candler School of Theology. The graduate students, in conjunction with University Archivist John Bence, have assembled the background information on contested historic names for the full committee to consider.

Greene acknowledges that Emory has a difficult history to confront. But President Fenves and the members of this committee are doing that work, and I believe it will yield real change. It is a hopeful time at Emory, and I am happy to be here for it.

What the call to serve has meant

Jill Hamilton, associate professor in the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, enthusiastically accepted the invitation to join the committee, welcoming the chance to leave my comfort zone and be exposed to community members representing other types of expertise across campus.

Her contribution has been to assist with the framework that is so critical to evaluating the names. These types of conversations can invoke strong emotion, as has been clear, for example, in national discussions about Confederate names. Hamilton says that her colleagues on the committee have put emotions to the side and been extremely respectful of one another. We have listened, she says, to the experts and one another.

Before she got the letter of invitation to join the committee, Hamilton mirrored the experience of many community members. Immersed in the work of her discipline, she acknowledges that there were gaps in her knowledge of Emorys history; she also wasnt fully aware of the actions Emory is taking for racial justice outlined by Fenves on August 13, 2020.

For that reason, she is appreciative of the deeper education that the two presidential committees will offer the community. Even though I represent health sciences, I intend to be as committed as anyone else at Emory to knowing its history as fully as I can and to sharing it with our students as well, says Hamilton.

As a person of science, Hamilton has been pleased with the committees rigor, saying, we will not make the ultimate decisions. But I am confident that our recommendations are based on the best evidence.

Anticipating being able to deliver a final product in a few weeks, Hamilton adds, I want people at Emory to look back on this time and say that we did something good.

Guiding the community through new forms of reflection

As was true of Hamilton, Salmon Shomade, associate professor of political science at Oxford College, had general awareness of the issues that arise from Emorys history but has learned so much more in the process of serving on two of the committees working groups.

Emory has a rich and powerful history and some of it might be complicated and less inclusive, especially when examined in the context of our world today, he says.

In Shomades view, all that is being done  the work of the presidential committees and the racial justice initiatives  should reinforce Emorys strength as an academic institution. We are critically examining these complex issues, just as we teach our students to do, rather than pushing them in one direction or the other along the ideological spectrum, he says.

If Shomade has any concern, it is that the university must get fully out of a reactive mode. It should not wait for when certain communities within the institution demand change or when things happen in the larger society for it to react. I am a believer that we must always act and not just occasionally react, he adds.

Emorys vice provost for global strategy and initiatives, Philip Wainwright 85G, has a unique perspective as a committee member, a graduate of both Emory College of Arts and Sciences as well as Laney Graduate School, and now a long-serving employee.

Describing the university as a place of deep meaning for him, Wainwright notes that the committees work acknowledges the profound experiences that so many of us have had on Emorys campuses.

Yet it also calls us to recognize that Emory is a dynamic place and a changing community, Wainwright adds. We therefore are taking a serious look at the meaning of places, changing priorities and values, and the alignment of place names with the values of todays Emory community.
The lesson from the China-India military stand-off is profound and it should not be repeated, Beijings envoy to New Delhi Sun Weidong said, even as the two sides could not yet reach an agreement for the complete withdrawal of front-line troops from all the face-off points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

However, he argued that the boundary row was not the whole story of China-India relations.

Chinas ambassador to India recently had a virtual discussion with eminent columnist Sudheendra Kulkarni, who had served as an aide to late and former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and had accompanied him on his visit to the communist country in 2003.

China-India relations are multi-faceted. It should be viewed in a comprehensive way rather than limited to one part, Sun said when Kulkarni asked him if the resolution of the boundary dispute should now be on the top of the agenda for the two neighbouring nations.

Read: India pitches for early disengagement in remaining areas in eastern Ladakh

The boundary question is not the whole story of China-India relations and should be put at a proper place in the overall bilateral relations. We should not allow differences to become disputes, he said.

Beijings envoy to New Delhi said the past experiences of the two nations had repeatedly indicated that highlighting differences would not help solve problems but erode the foundation of mutual trust.

He added that a sound bilateral relationship was conducive to enhancing political mutual trust and creating favourable conditions and atmosphere for the settlement of the boundary question.

He also reiterated Chinas position that its boundary dispute with India was a historical burden: imposed on the two nations by the western colonists. It (the dispute over boundary) is very sensitive and complex. Border disputes are reality to both of us.

Read: Chinese military says situation in eastern Ladakh "eased distinctly" but silent on further pullout of troops

The Indian Army and the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) last month withdrew frontline troops from the northern and the southern banks of Pangong Tso in eastern Ladakh. The mutual disengagement from both banks of the lake raised hope for an early end to the military stand-off, which had started in late April and early May in 2020 and had taken the bilateral relations to a new low over the past 11 months.

Beijings envoy to New Delhi said disengagement of frontline troops by both sides in the Pangong Tso area was conducive to building mutual trust and further easing the situation on the ground.

Against this backdrop, we should implement the consensus reached by the two leaders and strictly abide by the existing agreements, step up dialogue and communication, and improve the border management and control mechanisms to further ease, stabilize and control the border situation, avoid relapse and jointly safeguard peace and tranquillity in the border areas.

Kulkarni referred to the June 15, 2020, violent clash between Indian and Chinese soldiers in the Galwan Valley and noted that the time had come to ensure that no more military stand-off could take place along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the future.
For more than a year, Annie Smith has seen the up-close damage COVID-19 has had on her patients and the emotional toll its had on her colleagues.

As a longtime intensive care unit nurse at Ochsner in Baton Rouge, she cared for people during the 2008 swine flu epidemic, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and, like many health workers, she braced before breathing a sigh of relief when the country reported a handful of Ebola cases in 2014.

None of those have compared to the latest health crisis and the burden its had on health workers and their spirits.

"Everyone is just as exhausted and ready for a break, said Smith, 40. I think right now, there seems to be some sense of relief, but everyones exhausted.

As more Louisianans have received their vaccinations, the number of people sickened by the virus has dropped significantly since the beginning of the year, and some Baton Rouge hospitals have even had days recently when they admitted no new COVID-19 patients.

Despite a lull in the number of patients needing intensive care for COVID-19, local hospitals are now seeing secondary impacts from the pandemic in the form of people developing complications sometimes months after recovering from the virus, as well as an increase in patients with existing conditions worsening because they may have delayed seeking care in the past year.

Some hospitals are meanwhile still caring for people with severe and potentially life-threatening COVID-19 and some health leaders have been cautiously optimistic, fearing the low point in hospitalizations may only be temporary, especially as more people resume some semblance of pre-pandemic daily life.

We are in a better place, but I do not believe we are all clear, said Dr. Stephen Brierre, who heads critical care at Baton Rouge General Hospital.

Just more than a year after the pandemic intensified in Louisiana, there hasnt been a day when the hospital's ICU havent had a patient, and the state hasnt recorded a deathless day. The latest state Department of Health figures show more than 10,100 people are suspected of dying from the virus thats also sickened at least 400,000 since last spring.

For health workers, the long slog of the pandemic has been emotionally draining. Some hospitals have reported an increase in PTSD among some workers, as well as higher levels of burnout.

Hospitals have brought in counselors to help overstretched health workers cope with seeing the grim realities of the pandemic day in and day out, and staff have leaned heavily on each other for support.

"We're still living it every day and losing people," said Ochsner Baton Rouge ICU nurse Tammy Dickerson. It is hard when you hear people saying 'I don't wanna do this or I don't wanna do that. But in our world, we've got the sickest of the sick, and we're still losing people."

Health experts raised alarms last year after noticing a significant drop in the number of patients coming into emergency rooms for heart attacks, strokes and other urgent health issues. The capital area's largest ambulance providers also saw upwards of one-quarter of patients refusing emergency care due to fears of contracting the virus in an ambulance or hospital, despite facilities going through lengths to assure a nervous public that they were both safe.

Though emergency service providers have no longer seen those issues in recent months, the impacts of putting off care are beginning to show themselves in hospitals.

Vaccine politics? 40% of Louisiana Republicans don't want COVID shot, LSU poll finds More than 40% of Republicans in Louisiana said they don't plan on getting vaccinated against COVID-19, revealing a starkly partisan divide whe

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Baton Rouge General, for instance, saw a 50% rise in patients early this year who developed congestive heart failure, a permanent condition that can be managed but often diminishes a persons life because their heart is unable to pump enough blood.

At Ochsner, doctors have observed a growing number of patients with underlying conditions that have worsened in the past year.

Dr. Russo, the health chains regional medical director in Baton Rouge, said in some cases, people may have fallen behind on taking medications or werent treating other conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

Its a pretty concerning thing and were not expecting the volumes to go down soon, he said. The fact that COVID admissions are down, that doesnt mean anything.

Baton Rouge General has also seen a rise in the number of drug overdoses in recent months, a trend that Brierre said may be a result of the pandemic leaving people in recovery isolated and unable to stay connected with sobriety and support groups.

His observation also comes on the tails of the deadliest year for fatal drug overdoses in East Baton Rouge Parish. With at least 232 drug overdose deaths last year, that figure shattered the previous record in 2019 nearly twofold, according to the parish coroners office.

Parish officials say they fear that trend may be continuing into this year after reporting earlier this year that Baton Rouge was on track to eclipse the 2020 drug-death toll.

Along with hospitals reporting a significant increase in patients needing care for other conditions that they may have neglected in the past 13 months, some facilities are seeing the aftershock the virus has on peoples bodies even after theyre no longer infectious.

+3 With vaccinations expanded in Louisiana, some in Baton Rouge take advantage, overcome fears Early in the rollout of the novel coronavirus vaccine, hair salon co-owner Jacqueline Richardson was hesitant to receive the shot.

For some patients, the virus has left them weak and more prone to falls, pneumonia, heart damage, and a host of other issues, and doctors don't yet fully understand what the long-term impacts may be. Some people become malnourished because the illness has weakened them to the point they struggle to feed themselves.

COVID leaves you with a very sick life to recover from, said Catherine ONeal, chief medical officer at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center.

The added stress of caring for those patients, too, is putting strains on health systems and the full impacts may continue to echo several months later as each surge has been accompanied by an aftershock of patients with health problems, ONeal said.

Though the currently approved vaccines appear effective at shielding people from severe illness, more infectious variants have health experts concerned it could cause new cases to balloon. A greater fear, they say, is a version of the virus that can sicken people whove already been vaccinated.

As of now, ONeal said the trend in Louisiana could go either way and either more people get vaccinated and drive infections down further or cases take off again for the fourth time. Convincing people to receive the vaccine will likely be the ultimate challenge, especially those who are on the fence about it.

Its really hard to read the tea leaves right now because we are on the cusp of doing a better job, but we are not there yet, she said. That last push will be the hardest. It will be convincing people who really arent ready to get the vaccine that they need to get it to end the pandemic.
DENVER, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Business Enterprise Institute , Inc. (BEI), the leader in the Exit Planning industry, will release their enhanced Advanced Exit Planning Series to the public in the coming weeks. This 16-week course will also include access to a free BEI Full Service License during the entirety of the training.

The new Advanced Exit Planning Series will offer updated content as well as an online learning management system that utilizes tasks, assignments, and a forum for discussion with peers. Participants of the new Advanced Exit Planning Series will also get to work closely with experts in the industry and a group of like-minded advisors to discuss real life case studies and share insights throughout the course.

BEI is thrilled to provide participants access to BEI's Full Service License during the training. This allows advisors to expand their market with the BEI Marketing Tools while simultaneously improving their planning efforts with the BEI Planning and Engagement Tools.

"Now, more than ever, business advisors need the multi-faceted professional development that comes from top experts, collaboration with peers, access to software solutions, and multi-media learning." Elizabeth Mower, President of BEI, comments. "BEI has always been the leader in the Exit Planning space, and we're proud that this new training series will allow more advisors to get better outcomes for their business clients."

Contact BEI to learn more.

About BEI:

Founded in 1996, BEI is the global leader in the Exit Planning industry and the only organization offering advisors access to a comprehensive and proven Exit Planning process. Its mission is to train and support business advisors with proprietary planning, marketing, and training tools to help their clients successful excel then exit their businesses. As a BEI Licensed User , members ultimately seek to help business owners and their families benefit from their lives' work.

Media Contact:

Lisa Fannin

303.321.2242 x205

[email protected]

SOURCE Business Enterprise Institute (BEI)
[April 06, 2021] Dwolla Unlocks Real-Time Payments

DES MOINES, Iowa, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Dwolla , a modern payments platform, releases access to Real-Time Payments, an instant* payment option that can send money directly to a bank account in seconds using the RTP Network. Dwolla's solution for programmable Real-Time Payments powered by Cross River Bank comes after a decade of experiences in faster payments. The company contributed to the Federal Reserve Faster Payment Task Force and Mojaloop initiatives in partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to truly refine a customer-centric real-time experience. Today, businesses can integrate Dwolla's payment API to connect with RTP-enabled financial institutions and send funds within seconds to a bank account. Existing clients can change a single line of code to initiate an RTP transaction using the Dwolla API. "Today is game-changing," says Dwolla CEO Brady Harris. "Not just for adding real-time payments to Dwolla's payments technology. But because of how we collaborated with a forward-thinking financial institution to make real-time payments easily accessible to businesses of all sizes. The immediacy of real-time payments will fundamentally change how businesses operate. As electronic payments continue to grow in adoption, RTP is the perfect complement to our ACH and Push-to-Debit offerings." By integrating Dwolla's simplified API, businesses have the flexibility to initiate transfers across multiple payment modalities (ACH, Push-to-Debit, RTP) to their vendors and customers for an ideal experience. In partnership with Cross River, Dwolla has lowered the barrier for its clients to access the RTP Network for instant* bank transfers that are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. "We are always working on ways to provide our partners with the most innovative and cutting-edge solutions to align with their needs," said Adam Goller, EVP, Head of Fintech Banking at Cross River. "The payments space is rapidly evolving to meet customer demands and instant transactions are the next wave. We are excited to power Dwolla's new, Real-time Payments offering, positioning us to lead the industry into the fture."



The Clearing House established the RTP Network as the only provider of real-time clearing and interbank settlement. As one of the first community banks to join the RTP Network, Cross River provides the ability for its fintech clients to seamlessly send, clear and settle payments instantaneously* via API with advanced messaging capabilities, while maintaining a strong focus on compliance. Real-time payments give companies a convenient option for those making consistent or larger vendor payments, while avoiding the higher payment costs that can be associated with cards. Other benefits of Dwolla's Real-Time Payments offering include:

Send and receive payments that are immediately* available, 24/7/365. The RTP Network is available whenever a business needs it.

Bank-agnostic payments technology gives businesses an efficient and faster way to get access to RTP transfers.

Avoid 'in transit' payment delays for improved cash flow.

Greater contextual data for business operations with transactions that include remittance, invoicing information.

Easy access to the RTP Network after a single, simple integration with Dwolla's payment platform. Organizations that integrate with Dwolla's payment API have the flexibility to configure a tailored payment solution with various pricing options, transfer speeds and support levels, depending on the needs of their customers. With various pricing options, businesses can pay per-transaction or exchange a monthly payment for a more expanded feature set and premium support. For more information on Dwolla's comprehensive payment solution, visit www.dwolla.com . To learn more about Dwolla's Real-Time Payment offering for your business visit www.dwolla.com/access-real-time-payments . About Dwolla

Dwolla, Inc. is a FinTech company that is changing the way innovative businesses move money. Since 2008, Dwolla's modernized platform has powered billions of payments for millions of end users. Today's most innovative companies are programming their payments with Dwollaor they should be. About Cross River

Cross River Bank is a fast-growing financial services organization that merges the forward-thinking offerings of a technology company with the established expertise of a bank. Since its founding in 2008, Cross River has developed strategic partnerships with leading technology companies, marketplace lenders and payment providers, while maintaining a strong focus on regulatory compliance and consumer protection. Cross River provides a highly secure, API-based banking platform and comprehensive suite of products encompassing lending, payments, risk management and Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) offerings to deliver responsible financial solutions that empower businesses and consumers anytime, anywhere. Cross River is a New Jersey state-chartered FDIC insured bank. For more information, please visit Cross River's website at www.crossriver.com or on Twitter @crossriverbank. Contacts

Audrey Weidman

Dwolla, Inc.

press@dwolla.com Eden Hoffman

Cross River

ehoffman@crossriver.com *Recipients receive the payment within seconds of the sending bank initiating the transaction; RTP network receiving financial institutions are required to make funds available immediately, except where necessary for risk management or legal compliance purposes. https://www.theclearinghouse.org/payment-systems/rtp/institution View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dwolla-unlocks-real-time-payments-301262368.html SOURCE Dwolla

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WALES  U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal saw firsthand Tuesday the slow but unstoppable cracking that plagues home foundations in Massachusetts and Connecticut built decades ago with pyrrhotite in the concrete, an issue hes addressed for years in Washington.

Its one thing to hear about it, said state Sen. Anne M. Gobi, who has advocated on behalf of pyrrhotite-afflicted homeowners in her district. Its another thing to see it happening.

Gobi and state Rep. Brian Ashe organized Thursdays visit to two affected homes in Wales.

Ashe, D-Longmeadow, said the biggest challenge is getting state lawmakers and officials from places where the contaminated concrete is not found to understand just how devastating it can be. The damage requires total replacement of the foundation.

Homeowner Lee Hamer showed Neal cracks that started at a 16th of an inch, then an eighth and now more than a quarter-inch, a gap big enough to put a pencil in.

Its stressful, Hamer said. You try not to think about it. We dont want to leave our home.

Neal, D-Springfield, promised Tuesday both more research and advocacy and said hes brought the issue up already with the White House and with Gov. Charlie Baker. As chairman of the tax-writing House Committee on Ways and Means, Neal successfully urged the Trump administration to change tax rules and make it easier for homeowners to write off the damage and cost of repairs.

Neal visited after touring the future home of the Creative Hub Worcester with U.S. Rep. James McGovern, D-Worcester.

In Wales, he pointed to waves of federal money that have come into Massachusetts through the CARES Act and the more recent American Recovery Plan. The American Recovery Plan alone brought $8.3 billion in state and local aid to Massachusetts.

I think something can be done with the CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) program, Neal said. I think this is certainly an issue for the federal, state and local governments.

Neal drew a parallel between the pyrrhotite issue and the issue of polluted industrial brownfields where the original polluter has long since disappeared, so the property sits without getting put to a new use. The brownfields issue is one of the priorities in the new $2.3 trillion American Jobs Infrastructure Plan, which Neal has already begun work on passing.

On Tuesday he visited the homes of Heidi and Lee Hamer and of Mike and Sue Milanese, a few miles apart and tucked into the wooded hills of Wales in southeast Hampden County.

At the Milanese home, the telltale spiderweb cracks radiate all across each basement wall.

It was 2016 when I first noticed them, Milanese said. Twenty years almost exactly from when we poured the foundation.

Pyrrhotite is a naturally occurring mineral that reacts with air and water when incorporated into concrete. The slow reaction makes the concrete expand and crumble.

The now defunct J.J. Mottes Concrete used pyrrhotite-tainted stone in concrete it sold from 1983 until it was told to stop doing so by the state of Connecticut in 2015. The concrete was shipped to construction sites across eastern Connecticut and central and Western Massachusetts, with documented cases all over eastern Hamden County and western Worcester County and into the Hampshire County town of Ware.

Gobi, D-Spencer, said that as she becomes more vocal on the issue, shes begun hearing from more areas across central and Western Massachusetts. The state is investigating if other quarries are involved. Gobi said pyrrhotite exists in other rock on both sides of the state line.

Connecticut is a few years ahead of Massachusetts on the issue. The Nutmeg State estimates it impacts as many as 35,000 homes, condominiums and municipal buildings.

The state has a captive insurance program funded by surcharges on homeowners insurance policies that can help pay the six-figure cost of repairs.

A Massachusetts task force estimates that about 2,000 central and Western Massachusetts homes were built with the material.

The Hamers built their home in 1994, noticing the cracks after about two decades. Like other homeowners, they still have their paperwork from Mottes Concrete. They even have a photo in their scrapbook of the concrete truck making the pour.

Lee Hamer said repairs could cost him $280,000, more than the $250,000 assessed value of the home, an assessment that already takes into account the damage.

Gobi, Ashe and state Sen. Eric Lesser, D-Longmeadow, have sponsored a state law that may make Massachusetts homeowners with pyrrhotite eligible for property tax abatements and waivers of fees for construction permits to make repairs. Sellers would also be required to disclose any testing or repairs to a foundation.

The bill would set standards for entities seeking a permit to mine or expand a quarry to include a test for pyrrhotite, and require that producers of concrete and aggregate products maintain a record of their sources.

Last year, Gobi had a piece of legislation passed that allows homeowners to be reimbursed at a rate of 100% for visual testing conducted by a licensed professional engineer up to $400, and a rate of 75% for core sample testing up to $5,000.

On Tuesday she said only about 50 homeowners have taken the state up on the offer. One issue is homeowners are reluctant to get their concrete tested, because once they know of the contamination, they are responsible for it and would possibly be asked to disclose it if they sold.

We wanted to keep the home and pass it on, Hamer said. But you cant pass on nothing.

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One of their friends missed the polio vaccine by several months and ended up contracting the disease, which caused lasting struggles for him throughout his whole life, they said. The experience of the last year feels reminiscent of that, they said, as they think about who gets chosen for vaccines in different areas and about those who have already died and didnt get a chance to receive the vaccine.
Monopolies dominate the American economy. Last year, House Democrats took the first steps to address this problem by publishing a landmark 450-page report on the exclusionary conduct engaged in by Big Tech over the previous 15 years. Now, Congress has begun a second set of antitrust hearings to determine what remedies it should incorporate into a series of new bills to address the stranglehold of monopolies.

These hearings will continue to catalyze the growing movement against concentrated corporate power in America, but whatever Congress proposes afterward, the legislation must include comprehensive, bright-line rules.

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Rules govern most aspects of our daily lives. If someone gets caught jaywalking, a rule determines if they are fined. If a company lies to a federal agency, a rule will decide if corporate executives go to prison. If a bank charges too much interest for a loan, a penalty imposed by a rule is issued.

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Rules like these are inherently desirable in a democracy. Rules can simplify the administration of justice against those that have broken the law. The law essentially becomes reduced to an if-then construct for both judges and enforcers, with little leeway for circumvention by either sympathetic members of the judiciary or even powerful parties that can afford prime legal counsel. Rules also can create a predictable environment for everyone to know what behavior is permissible beforehand and what behavior is not. In other words, bright lines ensure that a democratically elected legislature is deciding the rules and conditions for everyone to follow, rather than unelected members of the judiciary. Rules can be constructed that create harmful outcomes, such as mandatory minimums for certain drug offenses. But, if done right, they create a more transparent legal environment, reduce discretion and subjective decision-making, and, in the antitrust context, constrain corporate power.

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From the 1940s to the late 1970s, antitrust had many similar rules-based enforcement mechanisms. Mergers were challenged and presumptively illegal if the merging companies had greater than 30 percent market share in total. Contracts that forced a company working with commodities to exclusively work with another were illegal if a firm foreclosed the market by more than 23 percent. And distributors imposing geographic restrictions on suppliers was prohibited outright. There are areas where rules didnt exist in antitrust enforcement, and the historical antitrust rules were created by the judiciary. But by reading the legislative history of these laws and seeking to effectuate Congress desire in the simplest way possible, courts ensured that the antitrust laws were vigorously enforced. This enabled federal, state, and private entities to facilitate Congress intention to protect the vitality of independent businesses, workers, and consumers from concentrated corporate power.

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In the late 1970s, however, judges began to adopt a malevolent antitrust framework, which they claimed was beneficial to consumers, while actually relishing, praising, and incentivizing the concentration of corporate power. This new consumer welfare standard emerged in large part because of the rule of reason.

The rule of reason was initially created by the Supreme Court in 1911 to help the judiciary navigate the vast range of variance in antitrust harms. The rule of reason allows judges to determine whether ostensibly predatory or exclusionary corporate conduct is legal based on the reasonableness of the suspected violators behavior.

Exclusionary antitrust conduct analyzed under a rule of reason analysis generally functions by allowing each side of a lawsuit to argue the predatory effects and the justifications for the conduct. Although the rule of reason is perceptually fair by giving each side of the litigation an opportunity to argue about the conduct at issue, in practice it is anything but. Judges began using the ambiguity of the rule of reason to push a standard focused on consumer welfare, one that favors corporate concentration and turns away from strict antitrust rules. Courts initially only applied the rule of reason selectively. After adopting the consumer welfare framework, the Supreme Court now applies the rule of reason to most antitrust violations.

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Antitrust is about determining and allocating the rights, privileges, and duties of all economic actors. When Congress originally enacted the Sherman Act, the law was intended to protect consumers, workers, and democracy from excessive concentrations of corporate power. Because of this reality, it is an inherently political area of law. The shift toward rooting it in economics, and making its application substantially more obscure than a bright-line rule, is effectively a means by the judiciary to strip the historical foundations of antitrust from the record and instead substitute its own judgment on what the priorities are for the economy and how it should be structured.

When combined with the rule of reason, the judiciarys consumer welfare framework effectively erases Congress intent for the antitrust laws to operate as a comprehensive charter of economic liberty that does not confine its protection to consumers, or to purchasers, or to competitors, or to sellers. Such values are best determined by members of the elected legislature rather than unelected judges, a point ironically acknowledged by the Supreme Court in 1972.

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Lower federal courts today continue to push the consumer welfare standard even further by, in violation of controlling Supreme Court precedent, weighing the competitive harms of a dominant firms conduct against one group to the benefits provided to another group. In ongoing litigation against the NCAA that was heard by the Supreme Court last week, the district court judge ruled that the NCAAs compact with universities to set a ceiling on the amount of compensation that student-athletes can receive is legal because of the reputed benefit consumers derive from watching athletes knowing there is a cap on their compensation. The court employed the rule of reason to arrive at this result. In an alternative enforcement regime, the NCAA would be a per se illegal employer cartel that is suppressing workers wages.

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Comprehensive empirical analysis has revealed that the rule of reason has been a rubber stamp for even the most egregious antitrust conduct. A 2009 analysis revealed that 97 percent of cases analyzed under the rule of reason result in victories for defendants. That means corporations are effectively shielded from most antitrust violations.

Part of the reason for such a skewed result in favor of antitrust defendants is that dominant firms have access to high-salaried economists that are able to manipulate analyses to mask the corporations conduct to look like it is operationally efficient instead of engaging in predatory practices. Such a situation also deters antitrust litigation because a plaintiff will also have to incur the cost of an economistwhich can cost several thousand dollars and, in some cases, several hundred thousand dollars. Thus, the battle over the legality of a business tactic under a consumer welfare framework and rule of reason legal analysis depends on access to immense financial capital and judicial appeasement of policies that favor corporate integration rather than common notions of fairness, equity, and deconcentrated marketswhich was the original purpose of the antitrust laws.

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Despite controlling Supreme Court precedent prohibiting the use of economics in certain antitrust violations, courts now routinely use it to justify corporate consolidation. For example, in the context of merger analysis, the economization of antitrust has led courts to believe and depend on theoretical assumptions on how mergers are beneficial for society and consumers. In the case of AT&T and its pursuit of acquiring Time Warner in 2018, the corporation stated its merger would produce efficiencies and save customers money. District Court Judge Richard Leon was persuaded by AT&Ts statements holding that vertical integration is able to shrink its costs and will lead to lower prices for consumers. But such assumptions have been categorically repudiated by researchers. In one example, the economist John Kwoka found that 80 percent of studied mergers led to high prices and even reduced output. Other studies have found equivalent results. In the context of AT&T, subsequent evidence showed that AT&T did raise prices on consumers.

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As Congress considers enacting new legislation, it must start by reclaiming control over antitrust by enacting laws with clear rules that could deter exclusionary conduct and greatly simplify the litigation process for plaintiffs. Moreover, instead of just restoring many of the historical bright-line rules that the judiciary has eroded over the last 60 years, new laws should go further to ensure that markets remain deconcentrated and to promote economic fairness. For example, Congress could enact strict prohibitions on firms entering certain lines of business, such as AT&T being prohibited from entering the computer industry in 1956, or ban the use of specific competitive practices outright, such as noncompetes that restrict the mobility of workers. Rules like these ensure the markets are structured by publicly accountable institutions to incentivize socially beneficial corporate conduct, such as investments in research and development and product quality.

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Importantly, rules-based laws would also ensure the judiciary is adhering to Congress directive to keep markets deconcentrated and acknowledge that the judiciary is not a reliable safeguard for smaller independent firms and workers who often do not have access to significant amounts of capital to litigate an antitrust lawsuit. In fact, in commonly applied rules for how judges interpret Congress laws, the judiciary views ambiguity as an opportunity to fill any legal gaps with its interpretation and ideology.

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History has consistently shown that only bright-line rules will lead to an effective and vigorous enforcement environment, as they do in other areas of law, and prevent the judiciary from favoring dominant economic enterprises and distorting the antitrust laws to preference increased concentration. The Supreme Courts original development of the rule of reason and its subsequent gutting of the enforcement of the Clayton Act in the 1930s is particularly illustrative of why bright-line rules are necessary.

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A critical weakness of the Sherman Act when it was passed in 1890 was that it did not incorporate bright-line rules and left the interpretation of the act almost entirely to the judiciary. Despite its broad moral intentions, the first 15 years of its enforcement were anemic against concentrated private power and even hostile to organized labor. Eventually the federal government would obtain its first significant victory in 1904, but the legal standard that the court would use to determine the legality of antitrust violations was not fully decided until the 1911 Standard Oil case, in which the Supreme Court codified the rule of reason.

Standard Oil v. United States is widely known for breaking up the company. However, the case was actually a pyrrhic victory for antitrust enforcers. In the case, the court created the foundation for the rule of reason by declaring that only unreasonable trade practices (known as restraints of trade) were illegal under the Sherman Act. In other words, the judiciary in Standard Oil anointed itself with unilateral discretionary power to manage and organize the economy and neutered the Sherman Acts application. Outrage from Congress and the public over the judiciarys seizure of power resulted in swift action. Less than three years later, Congress would try to reassert its position to ensure a deconcentrated marketplace with the Clayton Act.

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When Congress enacted the Clayton Act in 1914, its primary goal was to supplement the Sherman Act by bolstering a plaintiffs ability to arrest certain enumerated conduct in its incipiencyto nip monopolistic behavior in the bud. The Clayton Act explicitly lessened the litigation burden on plaintiffs for certain exclusionary practices, including certain forms of tying (conditioning the purchase of a product on the purchase of another product), price discrimination, and exclusive dealing (contracts or coercive behavior that prevents suppliers or distributors from engaging with a firms rivals). Most importantly, Congress included in the Clayton Act a highly deferential and plaintiff-friendly legal standard meant to prohibit mergers (although only limited to acquisitions of assets and not for stock) that only may be to substantially lessen competition or tend to create a monopoly.

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The Clayton Act made clear that Congress was trying to arrest certain antitrust violations such as mergers as a means to grow corporate operations, and to reverse the Supreme Courts declaration in Standard Oil. However, the Supreme Court would instead successfully hijack this antitrust law too, in order to favor its own prescription for managing the economy.

In a 1930 case known as International Shoe, the Supreme Court decided to interpret the Clayton Acts directive on mergers, despite its explicit purpose and statutory language, in an equivalent way to the Sherman Act. The court said the Clayton Act also deemed the indicator of an illegal merger to be whether it injuriously affect[ed] the publicyet again, a gutting of Congress intentions for a robust antitrust law. After the courts holding in International Shoe, almost no merger cases were brought either by the Federal Trade Commission or the Department of Justice between 1930 and 1950. Even though the New Deal during the 1930s invigorated antitrust enforcement for violations of the Sherman Act targeting cartels and monopolies, it still took decades of advocacy for the Clayton Act to be significantly amended in 1950 to undo the Supreme Courts damage. Even then, however, Congress did not impose a bright-line rule for mergers. And although the 1950 amendments to the Clayton Act did lead to vigorous enforcement, it would last only for another decade until the Supreme Court would, in a series of decisions, invent two doctrines, known as antitrust injury and antitrust standing. These doctrines would again erode significant aspects of antitrust enforcement of both the Sherman Act and Clayton Act to the present day.

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The implementation of the consumer welfare framework since the 1970s is additional evidence from more than a century of consistent judicial mismanagement and hostility toward Congress desire to stop corporate concentration. Simply put, the courts cannot be trusted to adequately enforce antitrust laws without bright-line rules. If Congress is going to amend the antitrust laws to ensure they are effectively administered, rules that ban big mergers and the monopolization of markets, prohibit coercive contracts against small suppliers and distributors, and protect workers from dominant corporations must be imposed. Anything less leaves the door open for the judiciary to continue subverting Congress economic agenda, as dictated by the voting public, and instead substitute its own. Without bright-line rules, the current reform efforts will be in vain.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
A New Jersey family had to be rescued after hiking up a mountain in western Maine on Saturday after temperatures dropped and they couldnt find their way down, officials said.

The Freehold Township family spent the day climbing Tumbledown Mountain in Franklin County, Maine but were unable to locate the snow and ice-covered trailhead when it was time to descend, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife said in a statement.

The family called 911 at about 6:45 p.m and huddled together for warmth while waiting for help from the Maine Warden Service as the sun set and temperatures dipped into the low 30s, officials said. The five adults had neither proper clothing nor enough food, water or lighting to attempt to hike down, Maine authorities said.

When game wardens arrived, they built a fire to warm the family before leading them down to the base of the mountain, where they arrived around midnight

The family  a 53-year-old man, his 52-year-old wife as well as their 22- and 20-year-old daughters and 18-year-old son  were ill-equipped for the hike, according to Maine officials.

This family was not prepared for the conditions they experienced on this hike,  Maine Game Warden Sgt. Scott Thrasher said. There still is ice snow, and sub-freezing temperatures on the trails of many Maine mountains. These conditions can be extremely dangerous for those who are unprepared.

The peak of the mountain  about 90 miles north of Portland  is 3,052 feet above sea level. Temperatures in the area were in the mid 40s in the early afternoon on Saturday.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JGoldmanNJ.

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Sen. Danny Carroll's Legislative Update

By Kentucky State Sen. Danny Carroll

PADUCAH - The Kentucky General Assembly has wrapped up proceedings for the 2021 Regular Session and has adjourned sine die. Our final legislative days consisted of overriding gubernatorial vetoes, finishing the state budget, and approving several other measures that will impact the Commonwealth.To adjourn "sine die" means without assigning a day for a further meeting or hearing or to close official business for an indefinite period. For Kentucky lawmakers, the phrase means the current legislative session has ended.Some could argue that "sine die" day resembles the last day of school, as members socialize with their colleagues before routinely taking their seats in the chamber. The day begins with the normal ritual of prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance before diving into official business, and it ends by adjourning the annual legislative session sine die.After a busy but productive 30 days in Frankfort, there was anticipation for the final strike of the gavel. Nonetheless, we remained diligent, as there was crucial business to complete on behalf of our constituents before heading home to our respective districts.Our constitutionally mandated veto recess was brief, but concluded with over 20 bills receiving vetoes from the Governor. These bills and other remaining business resulted in a packed agenda for both chambers.Again, the legislature exercised its constitutional right to override vetoes. Bills that did not withstand the Governor's veto address a variety of issues including child care, public protection, elections, delinquent child support payments, local government regulations, and much more. Several of these measures will go into effect 90 days after adjournment, except for those that specify a different effective date or include an emergency clause that makes them take effect the instant they become law.Notably, lawmakers voted to override the governor's veto on all or parts of House Bill 320, House Bill 192, and House Bill 195, all which are related to the state budget.Many of our final days in Frankfort were spent passing a series of measures to spend a little more than half of the $2.63 billion that the state received directly from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, known as ARPA.The largest appropriation of ARPA money was $575 million to pay back a federal loan the state took out to cover a surge of unemployment benefit claims made during the height of the pandemic.Without the appropriation, Kentucky businesses faced an increase in unemployment insurance taxes to cover the interest and principal on the federal loan. Small businesses and some nonprofits are in no financial position to pay increased unemployment insurance taxes. The money was contained in language added to House Bill 382.The second largest appropriation was $300 million for broadband expansion contained in the language added to HB 382 and House Bill 320. The pandemic highlighted the need for broadband service in rural Kentucky, and I am pleased that this money will go toward helping these communities stay connected.The third largest appropriation was $250 million for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure improvements. This addresses the lack of clean drinking water in some rural communities. In addition, it provides some relief from costly federal consent decrees concerning wastewater. This money was contained in language added to Senate Bill 36.The fourth appropriation was $127 million to renovate or replace old school buildings. It is evident that too many schools, some of which date to the 1930s, are in dire need of repair. This money was contained in language added to House Bill 556.Also included in HB 556, $37 million was allocated to mitigate the spread of COVID19 in congregate or vulnerable population settings. The Justice and Public Safety Cabinet will distribute the money by awarding grants.On top of spending ARPA money, the General Assembly appropriated state tax dollars in addition to what was included in the roughly $12 billion executive branch budget (House Bill 192) passed earlier in the session.The additional appropriations included $140 million for full-day kindergarten. State government currently provides funding for only half-day kindergarten although most districts use local taxpayer money to offer a full-day option. Expanding kindergarten funding would free up local tax dollars for other much-needed school programs. The money was contained in language added to HB 382.There was also $75 million for renovating vocational education centers, $30 million in tax incentives for local jails to provide treatment and training programs, $20 million for a rural hospital revolving loan program, $14.7 million for technology to offer virtual court hearings, and $10 million for a tax increment financing (TIF) district in west Louisville. TIFs are widely used across the country as economic development tools. All of these appropriations were contained in HB 556.HB 382, SB 36, and HB 556 were delivered to the governor who has 10 days, excluding Sundays, to sign, veto, or allow them to become law without his signature.The bills were among nearly 200, including two proposed constitutional amendments passed during the 30-day session. Many of the bills were similar to measures that were introduced last year but didn't have a chance to make it through the legislative process after COVID-19 cut the session short.Several other notable bills received final passage this week, including:Senate Bill 4 limits and sets guidelines for the use of no-knock warrants, which allow officers to enter premises without notice. Under this legislation, such warrants would be allowed in limited instances if someone was in immediate danger or in other cases, such as those involving violent crimes or terrorism. These warrants would have to be executed by a special weapons and tactics (SWAT) team or a team with special training. The bill also specifies in statute that it would be perjury if an officer made a false statement in an application for a no-knock warrant. Finally, there are concessions granted under critical circumstances to rural law enforcement personnel who may not have access to a SWAT team or the required recording equipment.Senate Bill 48 is a bill I sponsored which defines "Public Officer" (police officers, judges, prosecutors, corrections officers, social workers, etc.) and exempts open records act disclosure for certain personally identifiable information of the public officer and certain immediate family members, if the public officer notifies in writing the agency responsible for the record that he or she does not want the information disclosed. Approved requests are valid for three years. The officer must also provide a letter from his or her employer verifying past or present employment.Senate Bill 51 prohibits health benefit plans and Medicaid from requiring or conducting a prospective or concurrent utilization review for a prescription drug that is used to treat alcohol or substance use disorder and contains methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone.House Bill 91 will allow Kentucky voters to decide next year whether to add the following words to the state constitution: "To protect human life, nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to secure or protect a right to abortion or require the funding of abortion."House Bill 125 requires the Transportation Cabinet to establish a restriction category on motorcycle operator's licenses which limits the operator to the operation of a 3-wheeled motorcycle only.House Bill 309 allows a consolidated local government to create a Civilian and Accountability Review Board, establish membership and duties of the board, and authorize the board to request subpoenas from the Government Audit and Oversight Committee.House Bill 310 requires notice and hearings prior to parole of persons convicted of a Class D felony classified as a sex crime.We concluded the 30-day session shortly before midnight on Tuesday, March 30. However, work in Frankfort will continue throughout the year. To provide continuity of study and action between sessions, interim joint committees are formed to discuss issues in-depth for the 2022 Regular Session. More information on these committees will be available at a later date.Thank you for all of your questions, comments, and support. I will be sending a full recap of this session's events in the coming weeks.If you have any questions or comments about these issues or any other public policy issue, please call me toll-free at 1-800-372-7181 or email me Danny.Carroll@LRC.ky.gov. Or, you can review the legislatures work online at www.Legislature.ky.gov.
CHICAGO, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In-depth analysis and data-driven insights on the impact of COVID-19 included in this global blood glucose monitoring consumables market report.

The blood glucose monitoring consumables market is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 13% during the period 20202026.

Key Highlights Offered in the Report:

The COVID-19 pandemic has prioritized treating coronavirus patients and diagnostic labs are preoccupied with samples for diagnostics. This is encouraging diabetic patients to use their own self-monitor blood glucose devices, thereby fueling the purchase of consumables due to the fear of shortage of goods during the pandemic. The usage of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices is high among the patients in the long-term care. Patients undergoing surgeries requiring postoperative blood glucose level monitoring which is also propelling the demand for the CGM devices in the market and driving the demand for the sensors used in the CGM, as majority of the patients are restricted to move to the hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. The US accounted for around 39% globally and more than 92% in the North American region in 2020. The usage of the blood glucose consumables comparatively higher in this country. The test strips product segment accounted for the largest share in the market accounting for more than 64% in 2020. Individuals using the blood glucose monitors along with the consumables have gone high due to the pandemic COVID-19. This segment is further expected to post an absolute growth of more than 117% during the forecast period. The online distribution channel accounted for the larger share with around 58% in the market in 2020. The e-commerce in the developing countries provide huge discounts on the products making it affordable to the patients largely attracting the patients to purchase the product such as test strips, lancets, and sensors.

Key Offerings:

Market Size & Forecast by Revenue | 20202026

Market Dynamics  Leading trends, growth drivers, restraints, and investment opportunities

Market Segmentation  A detailed analysis by products, end-users, distribution channel, and geography

Competitive Landscape  6 key vendors and 30 other vendors

Get your sample today! https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/blood-glucose-monitoring-consumables-market

Blood Glucose Monitoring Consumables Market  Segmentation

Test strips accounted for over 64% of the global blood glucose monitoring consumables market in 2020. As revenues from test strips are recurring, vendors strategize to maximize sales volume and profit margins by offering innovative products. However, the growing use of self-monitoring blood glucose testing by patients and professionals in several POC testing sites such as emergency care, physician offices, ambulatory settings, and nursing homes increases test strips' consumption.

In 2020, the end-user segment was segmented into individuals, hospitals and clinics, and others. The individuals segment accounted for the highest share of the market with 75%. The individual segment accounts for the highest share due to the wide acceptance of SMBG monitoring devices and consumables such as test strips, lancets, and lancing devices among consumers.

Online distribution channels are increasing significantly, although retail channels are maintaining their lead. Online purchasing channels expect to grow at a CAGR of over 12% during the forecast period. However, retail stores continue to be preferred for purchasing consumables and BGM devices in low- and middle-income countries.

Blood Glucose Monitoring Consumables Market by Product

Test Strips

Lancets and Lancing Devices

Sensors

Blood Glucose Monitoring Consumables Market by Distribution Channels

Offline

Online

Blood Glucose Monitoring Consumables Market by End-users

Hospitals & Clinics

Individuals

Others

Blood Glucose Monitoring Consumables Market  Dynamics

Most patients prefer personal blood glucose monitors that can be self-operated. The availability of lancets and glucose test strips through online channels has facilitated patients to undergo testing at their homes and consult doctors through telemedicine remote access. In the case of patients requiring continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), sensors are placed in contact with the patient's body to constantly measure their blood glucose levels. Doctors, therefore, are kept informed about the patient's condition. Thus, the usage of CGM sensors, self-monitoring glucose meters, and test strips have increased after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Diabetes is a significant co-morbidity that can lead to hospitalization and deaths among patients suffering from COVID-19. COVID-19 patients admitted in hospitals are given a separate BGM device with a set of test strips. These steps taken to reduce the spread of COVID-19 have increased the adoption of blood glucose monitoring devices, including consumables such as lancets and test strips.

Key Drivers and Trends fueling Market Growth:

Technological Advancements in Test Strips & Lancets

Availability of Large Number of Generic Test Strips

Increasing Prevalence of Diabetes

Availability of Wide Range of Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices

Blood Glucose Monitoring Consumables Market  Geography

The North American region dominates the market due to its developed healthcare infrastructure and increased awareness among patients. The usage of CGM sensors, test strips, lancets, and lancing devices is high among patients in the region. In Europe, BGM devices and consumables are not uniformly distributed. In several major countries in the region, BGM devices and their consumables are covered under insurance, whereas in certain eastern European countries, patients need to pay exorbitant amounts out of their pockets to purchase blood glucose devices and consumables. North America is seen as an attractive market for product launches by global vendors in the blood glucose monitoring consumables market. Several products including Abbotts' flash blood glucose monitors (CGM) with sensors and Dexcom's CGM devices sensors were first launched in the US as these products are more affordable for the patient population living in the region.

Get your sample today! https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/blood-glucose-monitoring-consumables-market

Blood Glucose Monitoring Consumables Market by Geography

North America

US



Canada

Europe

UK



Germany



France



Italy



Spain

APAC

China



India



Japan



South Korea



Australia

Latin America

Mexico



Brazil



Argentina



Colombia

Middle East & Africa

Saudi Arabia



Turkey



South Africa



Iran

Major Vendors

Abbott

F. Hoffmann-La Roche

Dexcom

Medtronic

Ascensia Diabetes Care Holding

LifeScan

Other Prominent Vendors

77 Elektronika Kft

ARKRAY

A. Menarini Diagnostics

AgaMatrix

Alliance International

B. Braun Melsungen

Bionime

Bioptik

BioTest Medical

BTNX

EASYMAX

i-SENS

iHealth Lab

MED TRUST

Medisana

Major BioSystem

Sanofi

TaiDoc Technology

Terumo

Trividia Health

HMD

Rossmax International

Bioland Technology

e-Linkcare Meditech

Diagnosis SA

Microlife

Ypsomed

National Diagnostics Products

Norditalia

IME-DC

Explore our healthcare & lifesciences profile to know more about the industry.

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In recent weeks, news that the Ever Given ship blocked the Suez Canal went around the world. No one knew what exactly happened, but they did know that it would take time to resolve. And although the story ended in a "happy" ending, there was a rumor that Marwa Elselehdar, Egypt's first female captain, was responsible for the incident. However, she is hundreds of miles from the scene, in Alexandria, on the ship Aida IV, serving as no less than first officer.

Image: MartinLueke | Shutterstock

According to the BBC, the rumors were based on false screenshots of an article allegedly published by the Arab News portal, which later spread quickly through social networks. They claimed that Marwa was involved in the Suez incident.

The captain revealed that she has no idea who may have started the false story, nor does she know the reasons. "I felt that I was the target of these rumors maybe because I am a successful woman in this field or because I am Egyptian, but I'm not sure," Marwa, 29, told the same outlet.

Women represent 2% of sailors worldwide, according to data from the International Maritime Organization. In a sector historically dominated by men, a woman's entrance to the field is a complicated path, but not impossible, as proved by Marwa Elselehdar.

Image: Marwa Elselehdar, Instagram

In 2013, Marwa graduated from the Department of Maritime Transport and Technology of the Arab Academy of Science, Technology and Maritime Transport of Egypt (AASTMT). For the position, the president of the country at that time, had to give her permission, since women were not accepted.

"People in our society still do not accept the idea that women work in the sea away from their families for a long time," said the captain.

By 2015, she had become the first woman to cross the Suez Canal aboard the Aida IV and the youngest Egyptian captain.

Image: Marwa Elselehdar, Instagram

She is now afraid the rumor will affect her reputation, but she has received a lot of positive comments, so she has decided to focus on the positive. She also hopes to be an example for other women in the industry. "My message for women who want to be in this career is to fight for what you love and not let negativity affect you," she concluded.

Copyright 2021 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
Over two months since the coup by the Myanmar military on February 1, violence and mass arrests by the junta have failed to stem protests calling for the reinstatement of the democratically-elected government.

According to the activist group Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), at least 16 people were reported killed over the Easter weekend bringing the total to 564, while a further 299 were given arrest warrants. These numbers are likely higher due to an almost-complete internet blackout in the country.

Protesters shout slogans during a protest against the military coup in Mandalay, Myanmar, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. (AP Photo)

Following a surge of violence in the final weekend of March, which saw 169 civilians killed including 14 children, anti-coup demonstrations have reportedly become smaller and shorter.

On Saturday, security forces in Monywa reportedly opened fire on pro-democracy protests killing at least four people and wounding several more.

Speaking to Reuters via a messaging app, one unnamed protester said, They started firing non-stop with both stun grenades and live rounds. People backed off and quickly put up barriers but a bullet hit a person in front of me, in the head. He died on the spot.

According to the Bago Weekly Journal, an online news site, a man was shot and killed in the southern town of Thaton, while another was wounded by police in the southern town of Bago.

In the largest city of Yangon, demonstrators held an Easter Egg Strike, chanting protests and decorating eggs with anti-coup slogans, including Spring Revolution. Early Monday morning, demonstrators in the second largest city of Mandalay called for the release of deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi and for international intervention.

Killing by the junta has been wanton and indiscriminate. It was reported last week by the non-government organisation, Save the Children, that at least 43 children have been killed by armed forces in Myanmar since the start of the coup. The youngest known victim was six years old.

Raids have also been conducted against hospitals. On March 30, the security forces raided Sanpya hospital and other hospitals in Yangon. Many lost the right to treatment as the junta prepared to arrest patients in advance. Pinnya Alin Library, which was converted into a makeshift medical centre, was also destroyed, leading to further deaths.

A third member of Suu Kyis deposed National League for Democracy (NLD) was also allegedly tortured to death by security forces in Naypyidaw. U Kyaw Kyaw, an executive member of the NLDs branch in the capitals Zabuthiri Township, died on March 30.

Censorship escalated Friday with wireless broadband providers ordered to end their services. This follows the ending of mobile networks and public wifi earlier in March in a bid to block the organisation of and reporting on protests. Only those with fibre networks installed have access to the internet, and that at significantly reduced speeds.

At least 56 journalists have reportedly been arrested and charged under draconian state-security laws. Local news outlets are still suspended.

Under these repressive conditions, a CNN news team arrived in Myanmar on the invitation of the military which is desperate to counter negative international press coverage. In a carefully managed tour, CNN news correspondent Clarissa Ward was escorted throughout Yangon on the weekend by a military convoy.

The day prior to the arrival of the CNN team, a leaked memo signed by police Maj Myo Khine Oo stated:

Every stage of the process must be done step-by-step in accordance with [riot control] procedures, and responsible officers at all levels need to supervise police to ensure that they do not go beyond [these] limits.

The directive was confirmed as genuine to the website Myanmar Now by dissidents in the police force.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, an ex-military officer explained, It is obvious. When CNN was present, security forces were on hidden sentry duty. Soldiers and police were kept as invisible as possible.

Vendors and local residents also confirmed a heavy police presence although most were not in uniform.

In the wake of the CNN team, locals who were approached at random and questioned have subsequently been detained by security forces. On Friday in Mingaladon Market, five people were taken into custody by plainclothes officers.

One witness reported two young women being taken away. The two girls were shouting, wanting to know why they had been arrested. They also asked why nobody was helping them. The officer asked if anybody dared to help them. He said it in a threatening manner, said the witness, who added that the officer was carrying a gun.

The lack of press coverage has meant the significant delays in reporting important strikes by workers.

Reports emerged only last week of a critical strike by hundreds of skilled workers at military-owned factories, taking part in anti-coup demonstrations beginning on March 7. Responsible for making military vehicle parts, the workers are employed in five factories across the country including Yangon, Magway, Myaing, Myingyan and Htone Bo.

According to Myanmar Now, at least 193 workers at the Htone Bo plant said they were striking, roughly a third of the workforce. Sixty-five were confirmed in Magway, 34 in Myaing but involvement at the rest is unclear. The strikes, though small, were highly significant as they had the potential to spread and to undermine military control of the country. They were only partially dissipated by the military leadership and the personal intervention of Major General Ko Ko Lwin, vice chief of Defence Industries.

According to the Irrawaddy, reprisals have begun taking place against police stations and administrative offices in cities and towns throughout the country. In late March, more than two dozen were attacked by incendiary devices and hand grenades, and 21 members of security forces were either killed or injured in the attacks.

Protesters have continued to show considerable courage and determination in the face of the juntas bloody repression. However, the limited character of their demandsthe reinstatement of Suu Kyis NLD government that has collaborated closely with military and defended its crimes against the Rohingyaacts as an impediment to the broad involvement of workers.

A struggle for democratic rights necessarily has to be based not on appeals to the international communitythat is, the major imperialist powersbut to the working class on the basis of fighting for its basic social rights and a decent standard of living that Suu Kyi and the NLD are incapable of addressing. That signifies a political struggle based on a socialist perspective.
An NYPD precinct commander shot himself to death in Queens inside his police vehicle Monday, sources said.

Deputy Inspector Denis Mullaney, who commanded the Queens 107th precinct, had called another precinct official to say he was thinking about killing himself, a source told DailyMail.com.

The official immediately called the NYPD's Technical Assistance Response Unit to try and locate Mullaney by the position of his phone.

But by the time they managed to locate him, he had pulled the trigger, the source said.

Deputy Inspector Denis Mullaney reportedly shot himself to death in Queens inside his police vehicle Monday, sources said

Mullaney, 44, was found dead by officers in his police vehicle across from Kissena park in Queens just after 5.10 p.m, police sources told the New York Daily News.

He was rushed to the New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Mullaney joined the NYPD in 2000 and was appointed as the commanding officer of the 107th Precinct in September last year.

After acquiring the position, Mullaney told The Queens Chronicle of the importance of neighborhood communication and urged local residents to call the police if they need them.

'Whether it's a robbery of the purse or someone smoking weed, just call us and we'll address it,' he said.

'Our main goal is to have everyone living in this precinct to go outside, walk around and not be scared and not be a victim of crimes. Our goal is to make sure that their safety is paramount.'

Mullaney (left) on his first day as commanding officer of the NYPD Transit District 20 in 2015

Mullaney, who commanded the Queens 107th precinct, had called another precinct official to say he was thinking about killing himself, a source told DailyMail.com (file photo)

Mallaney had previously worked as the commanding officer of the NYPD Transit District 20 for four years.

He is believed to the first active-duty police officer to kill themselves this year after a rise in police suicides over 2019 and 2020.

An NYPD transit cop, who was not identified, committed suicide inside a Midtown police station in March 2020 using another officer's gun to shoot herself after her own service weapon was taken away from her by the department.

A month earlier, NYPD detective Paul Federico, 53, committed suicide at his mother's home in Queens after being stripped of his gun.

In 2019, 10 NYPD officers took their own lives, prompting the department to launch a new suicide prevention program.

There were at least 228 officer suicides nationally in 2019 alone, according to Massachusetts-based nonprofit Blue H.E.L.P.

If you are a member of the NYPD in crisis or know someone who is, you can text "Blue" to 741741 for help.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. The number to call is 1-800-273-8255.
The US Supreme Court has wiped away a lower court opinion holding that then-President Donald Trump violated the First Amendment when he blocked followers from his Twitter account.



Ruling on Monday, April 5, The Supreme court dismissed the case because Trump is not in office so there is no longer a live case or any controversy. Trump created his Twitter account in 2009, and in May and June of 2017, while serving as President of the US he blocked seven individuals who had expressed displeasure with him.



Lawyers from the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University sued on behalf of the seven individuals, arguing Trump's action violated their First Amendment rights.



In court papers, they said Trump's account, @realDonaldTrump, "functions as an official source of news and information about the government, and as a forum for speech by, to, and about the President."



A district court ruled that the then-President's action of blocking followers violated the individuals' First Amendment rights because it excluded them from a public forum based on their viewpoints -- a decision an appeals court later affirmed.



The case was transferred to the Supreme Court as Prosecutors argued that Trump's account is personal, even if it is sometimes run by his assistant Dan Scavino.



"By ignoring the critical distinction between the President's (sometimes) official statements on Twitter and his always personal decision to block respondents from his own account," Then Solicitor general Wall argued, the lower court opinion "blurs the line between state action and private conduct -- notwithstanding this Court's repeated and recent exhortations to heed that line carefully in applying the First Amendment."



But since Trump has lost the presidential election and Trump's ban from Twitter, the Supreme court decided on Monday April 5, to toss off the case.









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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At least five justices on the Supreme Court identify as originalists, meaning they believe judges must interpret the Constitution as it was understood when ratified. Originalism is ascendant everywhere: on SCOTUS, on the lower courts stacked with Donald Trump nominees, in law schools and Congress and state legislatures. The Republican Party endorses originalism in its platform every four years. GOP politicians wield the doctrine to justify their own policies to attack those favored by Democrats. Progressive lawyers may fight and Democrats may gripe about it, but originalism is clearly here to stay.

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All of which raises an important question: Where, exactly, did originalism come from? Its proponents frequently assert that it is a reaction to freewheeling liberal judicial activists imposing their own views on the Constitution through an approach often called living constitutionalism. In a groundbreaking article published in American Political Science Review, however, University of Chicago Ph.D. candidate Calvin TerBeek argues that modern originalism arose out of the backlash to Brown v. Board of Education, the landmark 1954 Supreme Court decision prohibiting public school segregation. TerBeeks researchwhich spanned 14 archival collections, thousands of newspapers and magazines, and interviews with key playersall points in one direction: Originalism has fundamentally racist roots.

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On Tuesday, I spoke with TerBeek about the link between opposition to desegregation and a theory that dominates the current Supreme Court. Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.

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Mark Joseph Stern: How did conservatives develop originalism as a weapon to combat Brown?

Calvin TerBeek: After Brown came down, conservatives developed a handful of different arguments against it. The first was, lets revive interposition and nullification, which would let states ignore Brown. It was not simply Southern conservatives making this argumentelite intellectual conservatives were, too. But after Little Rock and James Meredith at Ole Miss, these conservatives start to realize they were not going to revive interposition and nullification because theyre obviously rooted in antebellum Southern slavery.

This is where Barry Goldwaters 1960 book The Conscience of a Conservative comes in. Goldwater alights on this original intent idea that had been floating around saying that the 14th Amendments framers had no intent of creating integrated schools. He said, this is simply a constitutional principleitd be great if schools were desegregated, but unfortunately the Supreme Court cant do that, because its not the original intent of the 14th Amendments framers. From then on in the 1960s, you really start to see the conservative movement, particularly intellectuals, the folks in the law schools, start to build this up into an academic theory.

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You mentioned that the theory had been floating around for a while before it migrated to law schools. Where did it crop up first?

It was one of the main charges against Brown from the jump. But initially, the conservatives making these arguments were not elite legal academics. They were mostly media impresarios who opposed desegregation, like Dan Smoot, Clarence Manion, folks on National Reviews masthead, and politicians like Goldwater. You do have some less elite academics, as well as some state court judges and lower federal court judges, making these intent-based arguments. They would say, well the original intent of the framers was only to secure a few basic rights for Black people; they certainly never meant to have desegregated schools.

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As it became taboo to make more racially explicit arguments, these conservatives moved toward treating this as a matter of first constitutional principles of interpretation. Theyd say: Whether or not segregation is moral or immoral has nothing to do with the inquiry. We must simply look to what the 14th Amendments framers thought, and thats simply what the law is. And so, what Chief Justice Earl Warren did in Brown is not only wrong, but illegitimate as law. By moving the terrain of the argument to what they called first constitutional principles, it was no longer immediately apparent that this theory is racialized. Browns critics could say, Well, are you claiming these first constitutional principles are themselves racist? That cant be true.

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How did the argument catch fire with the conservative legal elite?

Some folks in the law schoolsmost notably a conservative lawyer and law professors named Alfred Avins, who defended literacy tests at the Supreme Courtstarted to build up this idea into an academic theory. Yale Law professor Robert Bork talked about the framers intent in a now-canonical law review article in 1971. Six years later, Harvard Law professor Raoul Berger endorsed original intent in his book Government by Judiciary. Bergers book repeatedly attacked Brown. When Berger went on William F. Buckleys show Firing Line to promote his book, he said the intention of the framers was to create separate schools. But Berger said he didnt support overturning Brown because the expectations have been aroused in the breasts of the Blacks.

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These are the type of racialized things that todays originalists leave on the cutting room floor when they tell their own history of originalism. Originalists both on the court and in the legal academy have not dealt with the theorys racist roots.

The standard origin story of originalism today often starts with Borks 1971 article. But you found that Borks role is vastly overstated.

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As it turns out, Bork was not all that important of a thinker. He was far more interested in being a public intellectual and also active in Republican and movement conservative politics. When hes getting ready to write this now-canonical 1971 law journal article, he even says, these are preliminary thoughts. And during the 1970s, his article wasnt cited all that much, or viewed as a new huge theoretical statement. Berger was probably more important for cohering the idea of original intent.

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But Bork became Richard Nixons solicitor general, and he gave the theory a pedigree that allowed Ronald Reagans Justice Department to promote originalism. And thats when the theory really took off.

It was terribly important that Bork was at Yale and Berger was at Harvard because this allowed legal academics and governing eliteslike Ed Meese, who was counselor to Reagan, then his attorney generalto claim that this was a sophisticated theory from the highest echelons of the legal academy. Meese said originalism had to be taken seriously. And he was seen as the conservative guy in the White House.

By the way, Reagans chief of staff James Baker called Meese big bigot, and called assistant counselor T. Kenneth Cribb baby bigot. It was an open secret that these guys were racists.

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How do you respond to originalists who say, well, weve moved from original intent to original meaning, so all this history is irrelevant?

The politics of it never change. You can go from original intent to original public meaning, but the same politics are always driving the bus. Its not an objective theory. Its a deeply, inherently political one. And what that move did more than anything else, theoretically, was give conservatives a wider terrain of space to have a more proactive originalism, one that was not simply interested in cutting down Brown and the Warren court but also laying the groundwork for a more muscular, proactive conservative jurisprudence.

How do you respond to those who claim that originalism was actually the accepted theory of constitutional law until progressives overthrew it in the 20th century with living constitutionalism?

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What we think of as originalist theory today is not what people were doing before living constitutionalism. To impute back to them the theory of originalism is to take our present day framework and place it onto them in ways that they would not have understood. This is Intellectual History 101. When people invoked the original intent construct prior to Brown, they almost always did so in this high level of generality, an argument from 10,000 feet. They would say things like, The growth of the bureaucracy has resulted in the perversion of the intent of the Constitution. Or they would criticize progressive amendments, like those allowing womens suffrage and an income tax, as running afoul of what the Constitution was supposed to mean as originally drafted.

They did not mine specific clauses in constitutional amendments to figure out what the Framers thought when they wrote the text of the Constitution; that was just not part of their toolkit. Originalism as we know it today developed directly in response to Brown.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 00:05:45|Editor: huaxia

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Tunisian President Kais Saied (R) meets with the visiting Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit in Tunis, Tunisia, April 5, 2021. (Tunisian Presidency/Handout via Xinhua)

TUNIS, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Tunisian President Kais Saied received Monday the visiting Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit.

According to the presidency, the two officials reviewed the activities of the general secretariat of the League of Arab States and discussed the latest developments in the region.

"Saied stressed the need to adopt a new approach in the service of joint Arab action, while calling for reviewing regulations, developing specialized Arab structures and organizations and making their work more effective," reads the presidency statement.

"The new approach aims to achieve the objectives of the League of Arab States and to conform its initiatives to the aspirations of the peoples of the Arab region," said the president.

For his part, Aboul-Gheit talked about the means and mechanisms likely to develop the structure of the League of Arab States and "guarantee the success of its actions." Enditem
Update: The union health ministry took exception to the report by India Today based on an ANI news alert, and labelled this as "fake" and "incorrect". The ministry took exception to the reports headline claiming the central government had described the congregation as a super-spreader event.

In the midst of a huge spike in COVID cases all over India, a senior official in the Central government expressed apprehension that the ongoing Kumbh Mela might become a "super spreader", as per TNN.

According to ANI, a top source said that during a Secretary-level meeting over the COVID-19 situation in the country a member said: "If the government does not decide to end Kumbh before the stipulated time, it may become a COVID-19 'super spreader'."

The source further told the agency that the Centre is constituting a team that will take the help of sadhus and religious leaders to urge pilgrims to ensure that they wear masks and follow social distancing during their visit to Kumbh.

PTI

"At the same time, the government also suggested that a message should be given through TV and radio, and posters should be put up at public places to create awareness amongst masses that the pandemic is not over yet," added the source.

However, the Centre is not planning to prematurely conclude the holy congregation.

The government has asked officials to come up with ideas to curb the COVID-19 spread.

The government, as per the source, is mulling running a Healthy Fear for Corona mission to ensure that people remain cautious of the disease and feel discouraged while violating the established health norms.

ANI

The Uttarakhand government has released a set of guidelines as per which people are advised to strictly obey the COVID-19 norms. Moreover, a negative RT-PCR test report not older than 72 hours before arrival has been made mandatory for devotees assembling for the Kumbh.

Last month, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, in a letter to Uttarakhand Chief Secretary, "strongly" highlighted the concerns raised by the high-level central team during its Uttarakhand visit and about the "need for stringent measures to control the spread of COVID-19 during the ongoing Kumbh" Mela in Haridwar.

Meanwhile, the Centre has already asked the Uttarakhand government to follow all the "stringent measures" to control COVID-19 spread during the Kumbh.

This year, the three major bathing dates (shahi snan) fall on April 12, 14 and 27.

Kumbh takes place every four years at four different locations in India -- Nashik, Haridwar, Prayagraj, and Ujjain.

Usually, Kumbh continues for around four months. However, this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the duration of the congregation has been reduced to one month.


Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 07:29:50|Editor: huaxia

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Family members of the victims of the Beirut port explosion stage a sit-in and demand for expediting investigation in Beirut, Lebanon, April 4, 2021. Two huge explosions ripped through the port of Beirut on Aug. 4, 2020, killing about 200, injuring at least 6,000 and leaving 300,000 homeless. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)
ATLANTA, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- RPC, Inc. (NYSE: RES) announced today that it will release its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021 on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 before the market opens. In conjunction with its earnings release, the Company will host a conference call to review the Company's financial and operating results on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

Individuals wishing to participate in the conference call should dial toll-free (833) 579-0910 or (778) 560-2620 for international callers, and use conference ID number 3471295. For interested individuals unable to join by telephone, the call also will be broadcast and archived for 90 days on the Company's investor website. Interested parties are encouraged to click on the webcast link 10-15 minutes prior to the start of the conference call.

RPC provides a broad range of specialized oilfield services and equipment primarily to independent and major oilfield companies engaged in the exploration, production and development of oil and gas properties throughout the United States, including the Gulf of Mexico, mid-continent, southwest, Appalachian and Rocky Mountain regions, and in selected international markets. RPC's investor website can be found on the internet at RPC.net.

For information about RPC, Inc. or this event, please contact:

Ben M. Palmer

Chief Financial Officer

(404) 321-2140

[email protected]

Jim Landers

Vice President Corporate Services

(404) 321-2162

[email protected]

SOURCE RPC, Inc.
[April 06, 2021] Contact Center Software Market worth $75.5 billion by 2026 - Exclusive Report by MarketsandMarkets

CHICAGO, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the new market research report "Contact Center Software Market by Component (Solutions and Services), Deployment Model (Cloud and On-premises), Organization Size (Large Enterprises and SMEs), Industry, and Region - Global Forecast to 2026", published by MarketsandMarkets, the Contact Center Software Market size is expected to grow from USD 24.1 billion in 2020 to 75.5 USD billion by 2026, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 20.9% during the forecast period. Major factors that are expected to drive the growth of the Contact Center Software Market include the rising adoption of advanced contact center technologies, need for handling contact center attrition and absenteeism, emerging role of social media in contact center operations, increasing adoption of virtual and cloud-based contact center solutions during and post-COVID-19 to achieve better business continuity, growing need for omnichannel solutions to minimize efforts in reaching end customers, continuous transitions to cloud-based contact centers, and rising demand for personalized and streamlined customer interactions to achieve high customer satisfaction. Browse in-depth TOC on "Contact Center Software Market"

232  Tables

52  Figures

325  Pages Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=257044641 Solutions segment to hold a larger market size during the forecast period Contact center solutions include omnichannel routing, workforce engagement management, reporting and analytics, customer engagement management, and others (CTI, messaging, compliance, and data integration). These solutions address critical contact center needs related to the management of agent performance, and inbound and outbound operations such as customer query resolution, selling and prospecting, and information delivery and customer communication management. The need for minimizing AHT, TAT, call bounces, abandoned calls, and ACW and increasing CSAT, CES, and NPS scores and customers' life time value are expected to drive the demand for omnichannel routing, reporting and analytics, and customer engagement solutions. Omnichannel routing solutions deal with routing calls and assigning work to agents based on their skills in terms of understanding customer requests from any digital channel. These digital channels can be web, social media, email, text, or phone. SMEs segment to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period SMEs considered for this report are organizations with an employee size of 1999. SMEs are majorly dependent on manual processes to manage their contact center processes due to the lack of aareness and budget constraints. However, the intensely competitive market scenario has encouraged SMEs to invest in automated solutions to achieve high business efficiency. Being constrained by limited budgets, small IT infrastructure, and limited staff, SMEs are looking for flexible, scalable, and cost-effective solutions. The need for minimizing costs associated with the manual routing of calls and management of contact center processes and the requirement for the diffusion of technologies at contact centers for WFO drive the adoption of contact center solutions among SMEs.



Retail and consumer goods industry vertical to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period The retail and consumer goods industry is highly customer-centric, and companies across this industry are adopting different penetration strategies and leveraging various industry-ready technologies to enhance customer experiences and improve customer retention. IT budgets are huge as retail and consumer goods companies try to maintain a certain brand image in terms of both employee and customer retention, which is key to higher revenue. The need to capture a larger market share, increase sales, and enhance customer experiences with the accurate management of customer profiles and agent interactions with customers drives the use of contact center solutions in the retail and consumer goods industry.

Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=257044641 North America to account for the highest market share during the forecast period North America is estimated to hold the largest market size in the global Contact Center Software Market in 2020, and the trend is expected to continue during the forecast period. The adoption of contact center solutions is expected to be the highest in North America as compared to other regions. This is mainly because of the presence of various contact center solution providers as well as developed economies, such as the US and Canada, in the region. Companies leverage contact center solutions to reduce churn, maximize customer satisfaction, and increase upselling and cross-selling to drive their revenues. According to American Express, an America-based financial services company, 58% of consumers are willing to spend more on companies that provide excellent customer services. The Contact Center Software Market comprises major providers, such as NICE (Israel), Genesys (US), Cisco (US), Avaya (US), Five9 (US), Talkdesk (US), Vonage (US), 8x8 (US), AWS (US), Atos (France), Alcatel-Lucolent Enterprise (France), SAP (Sweden), Oracle (US), RingCentral (US), IBM (US), Lifesize (US), Content Guru (UK), Aspect Software (US), Enghouse Interactive (US), 3CLogic (US), Ameyo (India), Verizon (US), Intrado (US), AT&T (US), BT (UK), Twilio (US), Vocalcom (France), NEC (Japan), Evolve IP (US), Mitel (Canada), and ZTE (China). The study includes an in-depth competitive analysis of key players in the Contact Center Software Market with their company profiles, recent developments, COVID-19 developments, and key market strategies. Browse Adjacent Markets: Software and Services Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: Cloud-based Contact Center Market by Component (Solutions and Services), Deployment Model (Public Cloud and Private Cloud), Organization Size, Industry (BFSI, Telecommunications, and Retail and Consumer Goods), and Region - Global Forecast to 2025 https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/cloud-based-contact-center-market-160166082.html About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model  GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve. MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. Contact:

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UPDATE: The chair has been used as a toilet and will be returned, group says

A Confederate monument valued at $500,000 was stolen in March from a Selma cemetery, officials confirmed today.

This morning, a group that claims to have taken the monument, the Jefferson Davis Memorial Chair, sent emails to AL.com saying they will give the chair to the United Daughters of the Confederacy if that organization agrees to hang a banner outside its Richmond, Va. headquarters.

In those emails, a group calling itself White Lies Matter say they stole the chair from the Old Live Oak Cemetery and are demanding that the UDC hang a large banner at 1 p.m. on Friday -- the anniversary of the Confederacys surrender in the Civil War -- and leave it there for 24 hours.

Pictures provided by White Lies Matter appear to show the theft of the chair.

The banner bears a quote from Assata Shakur, a Black Liberation Army activist wanted by the FBI for the 1973 murder of a New Jersey state trooper: The rulers of this country have always considered their property more important than our lives.

White Lies Matter said it had already delivered the banner to the UDC.

Failure to do so will result in the monument, an ornate stone chair, immediately being turned into a toilet, the email states. If they do display the banner, not only will we return the chair intact, but we will clean it to boot.

A woman who answered the phone at the Virginia offices of the UDC said she had heard the reports of the theft and ransom demand were fake news and there was no immediate response to an email to the organization seeking further comment.

They need to return the chair. Its grand theft, Patricia Godwin, a longtime member of the Selma chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy told The Associated Press.

The email went out two days after the UDC ran an ad in the local paper seeking the chairs return, Godwin said.

Selma police and District Attorney Michael Jackson confirmed the theft and said they were aware of the ransom demand.

The felony theft occurred sometime between midnight and 3 a.m. on March 19, according to a Selma police report.

District Attorney Michael Jackson said the chair is reportedly worth $500,000.

This incident is sending Selma back into The Twilight Zone, he said. Theres never a dull moment in Selma.

There is a $5,000 reward leading to information about the disappearance of the chair, described as being about 3-feet-tall and weighing several hundred pounds, The Montgomery Advertiser reported.

The Ladies of Selma presented the stone chair in memory of Jefferson Davis in 1893, over 20 years after hed last visited the city, that report stated.

In 2012, a bronze bust of Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest was stolen from the cemetery.

Like most Confederate monuments, (the chair) mostly exists to remind those whos freedom had to be purchased in blood, that there still exists a portion of our country that is more than willing to continue to spill blood to avoid paying that debt down, the White Lies Matter email states.

We took their toy, and we dont feel guilty about it. They never play with it anyway. They just want it there to remind us what theyve done, what they are still willing to do. But the south wont rise again. Not as the Confederacy. Because that coalition left out a large portion of its population. All thats left of that nightmare is an obscenely heavy chair thats a throne for a ghost whose greatest accomplishment was treason.

A response to an email query from The Associated Press to the address that sent the ransom note said the groups aim is to creatively address the argument surrounding Confederate monuments and hope that the UDC chooses to play ball.

Many in this country seem more concerned with violence against things than violence against people, as long as they can continue to convince themselves those people are just things, the reply said.
New Delhi, Apr 6 (UNI) Environment and Climate Change Minister Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday had an engaging and fruitful discussion with US climate envoy John Kerry, who is on a three-day visit to India.

Javadekar and Kerry, former Secretary of State in the Obama administration, discussed a range of issues including climate finance, joint research and collaboration.

"Had an engaging and fruitful discussion with Mr.@JohnKerry, Special Presidential Envoy for Climate.

We discussed a range of issues including #ClimateFinance, joint research and collaboration etc," Javadekar said in a tweet.



Kerry is in India ahead of President Joe Bidens virtual Leaders Summit on Climate to be held with 40 world leaders later this month.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the Summit and the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate to be held on April 22 and 23.

MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi earlier said during his April 5-8 India visit Kerry would discuss climate issues in general in the context of the UN climate change summit COP26, which is to be held later this year.

Bagchi said Kerry would be interacting with several ministers, including the external affairs minister as well as ministers of finance, petroleum and natural gas, power and new and renewable energy.

During the day, Kerry also had a short meeting with visting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

The meeting took place in the lobby of a hotel where both diplomats are staying, Russia's Sputnik news service reported, quoting a source.

The envoys focused on the climate agenda, the source said.

In February, Lavrov and Kerry held a phone call on the implementation of the Paris Climate Accord.

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov disclosed that Moscow has received the invitation the Climate Summit and that the details are now being worked out through diplomatic channels.

UNI SRJ
(Newser)  Rep. Matt Gaetz insisted Friday that he won't resign despite reports of a federal sex trafficking investigationand he doubled down in a Washington Examiner op-ed Monday. "I am a representative in Congress, not a monk, and certainly not a criminal," wrote the Republican, who blamed the "false allegations" against him on the "swamp." He said the "bizarre claims" are being made after he decided to "take on the establishment; the FBI; the Biden Justice Department; the Cheney political dynasty; even the Justice Department under Trump." Gaetz, who has received little public support from other Republicans in Congress, said he is "absolutely not resigning," though he predicted that some of his "feckless colleagues" might urge him to do so.

story continues below

"Just like the Mafia, the swamp protects its made men," said Gaetz, who repeated his denial of the allegations against him. "First, I have never, ever paid for sex," he wrote. "And second, I, as an adult man, have not slept with a 17-year-old." Gaetz said he had changed since his lifestyle of "yesteryear" and accused his opponents of trying to "sensationalize and criminalize" his "prior sex life," the Hill reports. Nathan Nelson, Gaetz's former military adviser, said Monday that he told FBI agents that he had no knowledge of any "illegal activities" and there was no connection between the allegations and his departure from Gaetz's office in October, the AP reports. (Last week, sources said Gaetz had shown fellow lawmakers pictures of nude women on his phone and bragged about having sex with them.)
Credible compiled a list of 20 U.S. metro areas where homes are selling the fastest, using data from Zillow and ranking homes according to the average number of days they were listed before there was a pending sale in December 2020, the most recent month in which data was available for all metros.
Aurangabad : , April 6 (IANS) Veteran journalist Fatima R. Zakaria, the former Editor of the Sunday Times, Mumbai, and mother of renowned global media personality Fareed R. Zakaria, passed away here on Tuesday due to Covid at a private hospital, a close family friend said.

Fatima R. Zakaria was the widow of former Maharashtra Minister and Islamic scholar Dr. Rafiq Zakaria, and had been admitted to a local hospital since the past few days, Aurangabad AIMIM MP Syed Imtiaz Jaleel told IANS.

She is survived by four children - Tasneem Zakaria-Mehta, an art historian, Manzoor Zakaria, Arshad Zakaria who is with a US-based global hedge fund and Fareed Zakaria, the US-based former Editor of Newsweek magazine and ex-Editor at large with Time magazine, and currently hosting the 'Fareed Zakaria GPS' show on CNN.

"This is shocking and an irreparable loss to the media fraternity. Details of her last rites and other formalities are being finalised in consultation with her family members in view of the stringent Covid restrictions imposed here," he added.

Conferred with the Padma Shri in 2006, she was associated with the Times of India Group for many years, and went onto become the Editor of The Sunday Times, the Bombay Times, and later edited the Taj magazine, a coffee-table publication brought out by the Taj Group of Hotels.

According to Jaleel, though hailing from Mumbai, since the past few years, Fatima Zakaria was mostly living in Aurangabad and handling the affairs of the reputed 'Maulana Azad Education Trust' (MAET).

The MAET was founded by her husband in 1963 - a prominent Congress leader and former state minister - and runs a chain of prominent educational institutions in the backward Marathwada region of Maharashtra, with branches elsewhere.

Fatima Zakaria carried forward her late husband's legacy and transformed these academic institutions, brought in foreign educational collaborations, and ultimately made them comparable with the best centres of learning in Asia.

Among the institutes of higher education are regular degree colleges, engineering, pharmacy, medical, catering, journalism, IT and Computers, business management, and other fields, plus schools and a women's college, for the upliftment of all sections of society, including the minorities.
(TNS)  Fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination cards are being sold online, and authorities have warned individuals not to buy or make one  which is illegal."Be aware of individuals selling fake COVID-19 vaccination record cards and encouraging others to print fake cards at home," the FBI said in a public service announcement last week. "Fake vaccination record cards have been advertised on social media websites, as well as e-commerce platforms and blogs."Vaccine providers issue individuals a vaccination card after they are immunized against the coronavirus. The cards, usually issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, contain an individual's personal information, like name, birth date and which vaccine a person received.The National Association of Attorneys General on Thursday sent a letter to the CEOs of Twitter, eBay and Shopify to "act immediately to prevent" the selling of fake vaccination cards on their websites. "We are deeply concerned about this use of your platforms to spread false and misleading information regarding COVID vaccines," says letter, signed by more than 40 officials including acting California Attorney General Matthew Rodriquez. "The false and deceptive marketing and sales of fake COVID vaccine cards threatens the health of our communities, slows progress in getting our residents protected from the virus, and are a violation of the laws of many states."The association asked the companies to carefully monitor their platforms, remove ads or links that are selling fake cards and to take note of the ads and individuals who are selling them.The FBI also urged the public to not post photos of their vaccine cards to their social media."Your personal information could be stolen to commit fraud," the FBI said.The FBI's alert comes a month after the Federal Trade Comission warned that photos of a vaccination card can lead to identity theft. If individuals want to share that they've been vaccinated, the agency recommended sharing a photo of their adhesive bandage or "I got my COVID-19 vaccine!" sticker.A spokesman for Shopify on Sunday said selling COVID-19 vaccination cards on its platform is a violation of company policies."We have been proactively monitoring our platform for the sale of COVID vaccine cards since February, and all stores that we identified for violating our policies were actioned swiftly," Vivek Narayanadas, Shopify's vice president of legal and data protection officer, said in a statement.Parmita Choudhury, a spokeswoman for eBay, said Sunday that the company has been blocking or removing items from its marketplace, including vaccination cards, that falsely claim a person has been vaccinated. Since December, it has removed or blocked 50 million listings that have violated company policies related to COVID-19, she said."eBay is also working closely with the FDA to monitor for listings related to COVID vaccines," Choudhury said in a statement.A Twitter representative said Sunday a response to arequest for information was in the works.
A police car was travelling at 34mph over the speed limit when it hit and killed a young woman as she waited for her boyfriend, a court heard.

PC Gary Wilkinson was driving at 64mph in a 30mph zone on Warwick Road, Kensington, when he crashed into Jade Mutua, 22 on August 13 last year.

The social studies student suffered a brain injury, a broken back, neck, ruptured pelvis and broken leg when she was hit.

Paramedics managed to revive her but she died two days later at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington when the decision was made to switch off her life support machine.

A police investigation following the deadly collision has suggested PC Wilkinson was driving 'properly' said coroner Bernard Richmond, QC.

Jade Mutua, 22, was hit by a marked police car in August 2020 which was travelling at twice the speed limit

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) found that PC Gary Wilkinson was driving properly at the time of the incident

'There is nothing to suggest that PC Watkinson was driving any other than properly,' said Mr Richmond, referring to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) report.

But the coroner said the PC should nonetheless have his own legal representation during the three day inquest.

He added: 'The risk is that whatever the outcomes are, he has been involved in killing somebody.

'However much the IOPC have come to a conclusion, the family may have questions which might become uncomfortable.

'I'm going to continue in the view that he should be an Interested Person, unless he tells me that he has been properly advised by his Federation rep.'

Nick Stanage, for the family, called for a jury inquest due to police involvement in the collision.

He said: 'We say, this being a police conduct death those factors on the face of it do give rise to public concern.

'He was travelling at 64mph in a 30 mph area, causing death.

'It may be that in the way the facts come out there may be an issue with regards to driving.'

The coroner agreed, saying there would be different 'ramifications' if PC Wilkinson was not a serving police officer.

He said: 'If somebody is driving at 64 in a 30 then that calls for an explanation as to why they were driving at double the limit.

'If somebody is driving at that limit who is not a police officer then there would certainly be ramifications.'

Ms Mutua's father Jermaine Laxmidas also agreed to speak to the inquest about his daughter's life at the request of the coroner.

Mr Richmond said: 'Jade's life is not defined by the way she died, that's sadly the last chapter in her story.

'But I think it's really important that we have a short time in the inquest to reflect on the person we are talking about.

'Absolutely, I would love that,' said Mr Laxmidas.

The victim's mother Mina Agyepong said after her death: 'She was a beautiful, fun loving 22-year-old who had her whole life ahead of her. All her family are devastated.'

A full inquest of three days will be heard before a jury at a date yet to be fixed.

Mr Laxmidas said: 'My daughter was very bright. She was training to be a social worker because she wanted to help disadvantaged children.

'She was beautiful. Her innocent life was tragically and violently ended because of a speeding police driver.

'I still haven't had a proper explanation about what happened. It has been a long time and I don't have any answers.

'I believe facts about what happened that night are being hidden. I welcome the coroner's decision to require the IOPC to provide him with the evidence.

'I hope to be able to see the evidence for myself shortly.' He has set up a charity in Jade's honour, The Jade Mutua Foundation Trust, which provides help to disadvantaged young people living in London to access education, training, and employment opportunities.

'This is a tragic case involving a young woman who had amazing prospects of making a positive impact to society.

'But her life was cut short. Her family need answers about what happened and those responsible must be held to account, if necessary in the criminal courts.

'Too many people are dying a result of the actions of police officers. It has to stop.'
If youve seen a tall man walking around town wearing a contraption surrounded by a shower curtain, youre not alone.

Reddit user u/MichaelG4 shared a video he secretly took of the man while dining at Sea Island. In the video, you can see the man, who has not been identified, filling up his cup at the drink station. Seems normal enough, right? Well, the man also has a halo of sorts floating around his head that allows him to be enclosed by a clear shower curtain.

Oh, and hes wearing a highlighter-yellow vest, on which hes spelled out 6 Feet 4 Life in what appears to be tape.

According to comments on the post, this seems to be a regular getup for the man.

He shops at my [T]arget from time to time, said one user, who added that they had seen him in his COVID-friendly outfit as early as last summer. Others commented that they had seen the mystery man at Ingram Park Mall and H-E-B as well.

Some people had feelings about the display.

I would expect something like this in Austin, not San Antonio, one comment read.

But alas, thats where things get interesting. Another user noted that the contraption probably isnt actually for protection, especially considering the man isnt wearing a mask in the video. Instead, some believe the display is nothing more than a gimmick poking fun at individuals taking precautions to avoid COVID-19.

I've talked to this guy a couple times, said a commenter by the name of Wayne. It's a joke he's making about maskers. He's very right-minded and loves getting attention.

Well, hes definitely going to get some attention after this.

When you try too hard to own the libs and end up owning yourself, another comment read.

Sir, you played yourself.

Have you seen this man? Are you amused? Let us know!
Ketchup has become the latest product impacted by a pandemic-related shortage, with packets of market leader Heinz in short supply after many restaurants turned to take-out - and COVID-19 safety precautions keep shared bottles off of tables.

Restaurant chains across America are scrambling to get their hands on single-serve packets of the red stuff, with many being forced to turn to generic alternatives or to pouring the condiment from big tubs into smaller containers, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The shortage comes as Heinz, which accounts for 70 percent of the tomato ketchup retail market in the US, has struggled to keep up with a spike in demand over the last year.

Ketchup has become the latest product impacted by a pandemic-related shortage, with packets of market leader Heinz in short supply after many restaurants turned to take out only and COVID-19 safety precautions continue to keep shared bottles off the table

The surge began when stay-at-home orders were first issued in spring 2020, leading Americans to stockpile household goods.

Restaurants across America also shuttered, with many turning to take-out and delivery only as a way of staying afloat.

This meant restaurants started dishing out single-serve ketchup packets along with their orders, as opposed to simply having a bottle on the table for customers dining at their restaurants.

As a result, retail ketchup sales rose around 15 percent from 2019 to 2020, topping $1 billion, according to Euromonitor.

Now, even with many restaurants reopened for outdoor and indoor dining, COVID-19 safety precautions mean bottles shared by different customers are still a no-go.

Guidance from many local health departments advises restaurants against offering shared condiment bottles with even Texas - where Governor Gregg Abbott last month vowed to 'open Texas 100 percent' and lifted the mask mandate - recommending 'single use, non-reusable portions.'

Chris Fuselier, owner of Denver-based Blake Street Tavern, said he has been 'hunting high and low' to get his hands on ketchup and last month was shaken when none of the condiment arrived from its supplier.

Restaurant chains across America are scrambling to get their hands on single-serve packets of the red stuff. Diners enjoying single-serve sachets at a restaurant in Los Angeles

The restaurant was forced to opt for a generic version and is apologizing to customers about the issue.

But as well as the limited supply, the shift is costing hard-hit restaurants more, with single-serve packets more expensive than bulk.

This comes as the price of ketchup has also soared over the last year due to demand outpacing supply, with packet prices 13 percent higher than back in January 2020, the Journal reported.

Steve Cornell, Kraft Heinz's president of Enhancers, Specialty and Away from Home Business Unit, said the company is opening new manufacturing lines to meet demand

Long John Silver's, which runs around 700 fast food joints across America, told the Journal it is spending an extra $500,000 a year on ketchup than it did in pre-pandemic times.

Heinz said it is boosting manufacturing and developing new innovations in an effort to meet the surge in demand.

Steve Cornell, Kraft Heinz's president of Enhancers, Specialty and Away from Home Business Unit, told the Journal the company is opening new manufacturing lines starting with two in April.

This will bolster production by around 25 percent to create more than 12 billion packets a year of the condiment, he said.

The company has also increased shifts at its plants and diverted production from some varieties toward making more single-serve packets.

'We're busy doing everything we can,' Cornell told the Journal.

Heinz has also developed a no-touch ketchup dispenser in efforts to find alternatives to the single-serve packets that can still be safe amid the pandemic.

This is just the latest in a long line of products whose supply chains were hard hit by the pandemic.

COVID-19 safety precautions mean bottles shared by different customers are still a no-go even now restaurants have reopened across America

Panicked shoppers started stockpiling grocery items last March as the nation ground to a halt and stay-at-home orders were issued.

Essential goods such as toilet rolls, cleaning products, bottled water and canned foods were in particular short supply and scenes of grocery stores with depleted shelves became a common occurrence.

Soda shortages followed in the summer due to a lack of aluminum cans, driven by a change in drinking habits amid the pandemic.

With bars and restaurants closed, shoppers turned to buying cans of beers and seltzers such as White Claw to drink in the safety of their homes.

This had a knock-on effect on the supply of cans for soda companies with Dr Pepper reporting a shortage in August.

Meat supply chains were also impacted by the pandemic as several meatpacking plants shuttered due to widespread virus outbreaks among staff.
VEJLE, Denmark, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ARCEDI Biotech ApS, a company developing technologies for rare fetal cell detection for use in prenatal diagnostic applications, today announced the launch of EVITA TEST COMPLETE (EVITA), the first prenatal genetic blood test to identify and isolate fetal cells in maternal blood. EVITA provides a complete overview of all 22 chromosome pairs and sex chromosomes of the fetus to identify the presence of a number of serious chromosome abnormalities that can cause syndromes, and it can also identify the sex of the baby from as early as week 12 of pregnancy. EVITA, developed through a 16-year-long public-private research collaboration with Denmark-based Aarhus University Hospital, is intended for use by all pregnant women via a simple blood-draw, not just women who fall into high-risk categories like with currently available gold-standard tests. EVITA will first become available to private fertility clinics in Denmark, beginning with the AAGAARD Fertility Clinic, Aarhus (a member of Virtus Health) on April 6, 2021.

"Launching the EVITA test is a significant milestone in our journey to create simpler, safer and more accurate non-invasive prenatal diagnostic testing (NIPT) so that all pregnant women have the opportunity to get a comprehensive genetic overview of the growing fetus without any risk to the mother or fetus," says Palle Schelde, Chief Executive Officer, ARCEDI Biotech. "I am grateful for the deep scientific collaboration and commitment to expectant mothers our team and partners exhibited that led to the creation of the EVITA test and the possibility of more confident pregnancies."

All women, between 10-14 weeks of their pregnancy, can take the EVITA test via a simple blood draw with no risk to themselves or the fetus. EVITA detects, identifies and isolates fetal cells in the mother's blood and uses DNA of cells to give a comprehensive genetic overview of the fetus. The test analyzes for serious chromosome defects that can cause common syndromes, such as Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome and Patau syndrome. Less frequent syndromes that can lead to genetic impairment and cause significant life-long impacts for the child are also detected.

After the test is conducted, geneticists analyze the fetal cells and a medical professional then follows up with pregnant women whose test results show chromosome aberrations. The result of the EVITA test is combined with an individual medical expert assessment of whether there are significant chromosome abnormalities. When deviations are detected that require extra attention, the pregnant woman is offered an interview with a doctor with expert knowledge of clinical genetics to discuss the outcome and next steps.

"The EVITA test is a groundbreaking and critical offering to the growing number of families that want to know the genetics of their unborn child in a manner that is completely safe for the pregnant mother and fetus, with no risk of miscarriage," says Johnny Hindkjr, Scientific Director and Laboratory Manager at the AAGAARD Fertility Clinic. "We are proud to be the first clinic worldwide to implement use of this testing option to all of our current and future patients. We are eager to begin testing with ARCEDI Biotech's EVITA test, as we expect high demand and want to help expectant mothers feel more informed during what can be a stressful time."

EVITA was designed as a safe alternative to invasive placenta tissue sampling [chorionic villus sampling (CVS)], the standard for many years, which requires the insertion of a long needle and can result in involuntary miscarriages in up to 0.5 percent of tested women. Additionally, the EVITA test will help to expand the number of pregnant women who can undergo prenatal genetic testing because all women, not just those who are considered high-risk, can take it. Currently, of the 60,000 births per year in Denmark, three percent of pregnancies have fetuses with one or more genetic defects, which means that approximately 1,800 pregnant women in this high-risk group receive a chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or a cell-free non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) test, a blood test which analyzes five chromosomes.

To date, OB/GYNs have been limited to either invasive testing options, such as CVS and amniocentesis, or NIPT, that are focused on the use of free floating fetal-DNA within the maternal blood, which do not allow medical professionals to fully micro-analyze the genetics of a fetus. Using the technology behind EVITA TEST COMPLETE, fetal cells go through whole genome amplification, which allows for a full genome analysis to determine a greater number of abnormalities without using invasive methods which have been known to cause miscarriages and fetal damage, including the gold-standards, CVS and amniocentesis.

ARCEDI is preparing to introduce the EVITA TEST COMPLETE to several other IVF clinics in Denmark during the fall of 2021. The Company also plans to engage regulatory authorities, potential future commercialization partners and potential future investors in the US, UK and EU in 2021 to accelerate global roll out and expansion in those markets.

About EVITA TEST COMPLETE

The EVITA TEST COMPLETE (EVITA) is the first and only maternal blood test based on fetal cells on the market that examines every chromosome of the fetus and highlights any significant aberrations (gains and losses). The test reveals numerical aberrations and detects microdeletions and microduplications down to a size of five megabases. The chromosomal aberrations that are detected can cause syndromes such as Down syndrome, as well as a series of other lesser-known genetic syndromes that could lead to health complications later in life.

With ARCEDI's approach to chromosome testing, a medical expert evaluates each sample and determines whether there are any significant chromosomal and clinically relevant aberrations. EVITA can also identify the sex of the baby from as early as week 12 of pregnancy.

About ARCEDI Biotech

ARCEDI Biotech, established in 2005, is a Danish biotech company which has developed technology to isolate fetal cells from maternal blood samples with the potential to provide detailed genetic information about the fetus. The company's internal testing to date has identified fetal cells in every sample, a significant advancement over currently available technology. ARCEDI is currently performing a clinical validation study on 'high risk' pregnancies which will enable a comparison of results from cell-based analysis with the results from cell-free NIPT and CVS. ARCEDI is also researching the potential utility of its rare cell isolation technology in the early detection of trophoblastic diseases. For more information, please visit www.arcedi.com .

Company/Media Contacts:

Mr. Palle Schelde, CEO

Tel: +45 2964 1545

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE ARCEDI Biotech ApS

Related Links

http://www.arcedi.com


The report said as AFA inspectors combed through Dassault accounts in 2017, they raised an eyebrow when they came across an item expenditure costing 508,925 euros entered under the heading gifts to clients. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: In a fresh controversy over the Rs 59,000-crore Rafale fighter jet deal, French investigative news portal Mediapart has claimed that its manufacturer Dassault Aviation agreed to pay one million euros to a middleman who is now under investigation in India in connection with another defence deal.

In 2016, India had agreed to buy 36 Rafales for the Indian Air Force in a deal worth Rs 59,000 crores.

Mediapart said the French anti-corruption agency Agence Francaise Anticorruption (AFA) discovered this separate arrangement during a routine audit of Dassault. The AFA nonetheless decided not to alert the prosecution authorities over the payment.

The report said as AFA inspectors combed through Dassault accounts in 2017, they raised an eyebrow when they came across an item expenditure costing 508,925 euros entered under the heading gifts to clients. It said this amount of money seemed disproportionate in relation to all other entries under the same heading. The sum is indeed huge for a gift. Though French law does not set out precise limits, legal precedents suggest that giving a watch or an expensive meal costing several hundred euros can be enough to constitute corruption, the Mediapart report said.

It said Dassault supplied AFA with proforma invoice, which was supplied by an Indian company called Defsys Solutions. This invoice, that related to 50 per cent of the total order (1,017,850 euros), was for the manufacture of 50 replicas of the Rafale with the price of each model 20,000 euros. AFA asked Dassault why it ordered an Indian company to make a replica of its aircraft at 20,000 euros per piece. AFA enquired whether these replicas, supposed to be the size of a car, were really ever made? Dassault was unable to provide single document or photograph showing that these models existed and were delivered, said the news report.

The news report said inspectors suspected this was a bogus purchase designed to hide a hidden financial transaction.

On reports that some of these models have been put out in India including at the Indian Air Force Chief's residence, Yann Philippin, the journalist who wrote the story, said that besides the huge price of these models, what was strange was that Dassault refused to confirm if they were the same models manufactured by DefSys. "Dassault refused to confirm to me that these are the same models. Are they the same model that were ordered to this Indian company? We don't know. What is strange is that if there was no problem and that was just an Indian company manufacturing models, Dassault should have spoken to us and told us everything was clear. We ordered these models they are to be given to institutions in India to celebrate the Rafale deal. They could have explained to us. They said no comment. There seems to be some kind of embarrassment regarding these plane models at Dassault headquarters," he told a news channel.

The CBI and Enforcement Directorate is investigating Defsys Solutions run by Sushen Gupta in the AgustaWestland case involving kickbacks paid in India in a deal for VVIP helicopters. Defsys is one of the Dassault sub-contractors in India.

The BJP, meanwhile, on Monday dismissed as completely baseless the fresh allegations of corruption in the Rafale deal, stressing that the Supreme Court had rejected the demand for a probe into the purchase of the fighter aircraft and the CAG also found nothing wrong.

Responding to a question about the Congress attack on the Narendra Modi government over the bribe allegations, senior BJP leader and Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said at a press conference that the Opposition party had made it a big issue in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls but had lost badly.

He said the allegations of corruption were completely baseless and said that a report in the French media about the alleged financial irregularity in the deal may be due to corporate rivalry in that country.

Noting that the Congress had raised the issue earlier too, he said the Supreme Court had rejected the demand for a probe and the Comptroller and Auditor General also found nothing wrong in the fighter jet deal.

The Congress on Monday sought a thorough probe in the Rafale defence deal and demanded answers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the French media report claimed that 1.1 million euros were paid to a middleman by the aircraft manufacturer.
The family of a teenager found dead four days after she went missing have made an emotional appeal for information about her final movements.

Shona Gillen left her mother's home in Valiant Court in Antrim on Wednesday, March 3.

Her body was found by a dog walker on the Saturday morning in a one-foot deep stretch of Six Mile Water.

The bubbly 18-year-old - the youngest of nine children - had gone to meet friends but was never seen alive by her family again.

Relatives were originally told there was nothing suspicious about her death.

Having ruled out suicide, police appeared to be investigating a tragic accident.

However, major aspects of Shona's disappearance and the circumstances in which she was found set off alarm bells almost immediately.

Amy Reid had been looking for her sister since she disappeared.

She explained how, with Shona's phone switched off, the family made a series of appeals on Facebook for anyone who may have seen her to get in touch.

Expand Close Mourned: Shona Gillen / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Mourned: Shona Gillen

On the Saturday morning, by now frantic with worry, they rang police to report her missing.

Amy said: "Shona would have always rung to let someone know where she was, she was 18 so she had her own life, but we knew something wasn't right.

"My younger brother would be really protective over her and he rang her on Wednesday night to see if she was okay.

"A male answered, he asked to speak to Shona, and managed to briefly talk to her. When he tried to ring back the phone was switched off. That's the last time anyone spoke to her."

Shona's phone was last used at 11.40pm on Wednesday, and after that police say there was no other activity from her number.

Four hours after Shona was reported missing the family received a call to say "an object" had been discovered in Six Mile Water.

Amy rushed to the scene. She was told a body had been found.

By this time Shona was in the back of a coroner's van. It was then that 27-year-old Amy had the unthinkable task of identifying her sister's body.

"They warned me she was still wet. Her fake eyelashes were still attached, one was sitting on her cheek, but she didn't look as though she'd been in the water for any length of time," she explained.

"Where she was found, the water is really shallow. It's a popular place with walkers. I can't understand, if she'd been there since Wednesday night or Thursday morning, how she wouldn't have been found sooner."

Police at first explained they had to search Shona's room in case there were any notes or anything that might indicate she took her own life.

"There was nothing," added Amy.

"Shona was signing up to do a nail course, she was talking about getting her own place. In the week after she died packages of creams and make-up she'd ordered online were still arriving at the door.

"They (police) ruled out suicide, and said her cause of death was consistent with drowning, but added we shouldn't read too much into that as it was still being investigated."

However, as the days went on the family became aware of more unusual aspects to Shona's disappearance.

Amy explained: "There are questions about how she got to the river. It would be less than 15 minutes' walk away from where we think she was last seen, I find it difficult to believe that she would have walked there alone in the dark.

"Shona was scared of the dark, and I mean terrified. She wouldn't even go to the toilet if the light was off. She would never have walked alone at night."

But the biggest cause for alarm was on the Monday after Shona had been found.

The family were told a post-mortem examination would take place in the morning and that she would be returned home to be waked by 4pm.

As they waited for her body to be returned they got a call from the undertaker shortly before 4pm saying the PSNI had told him to return the remains immediately for further examination.

Despite suspecting a crime may have been committed, the teenager's remains had already been embalmed, ruling out a second post-mortem.

When her body was finally returned to the family they noticed marks on her face and scratches on her knuckles.

Amy's brother Ryan Reid said he was alarmed to discover the marks.

"There was a dark bruise just behind her ear," he said.

"We just want to know what happened to Shona, that's our only motivation for speaking out - to encourage anyone who feels they may have information who can help us put together Shona's last movements."

Shona's mother Deirdre is devastated by the loss of her youngest child, and had to be hospitalised on the day of the post-mortem.

"On the Monday when Shona's body was found, my mother went blind in both eyes and I had to take her to hospital," said Amy.

"The staff in the Royal were amazing. The pressure had built up behind her eyes so much she had lost her sight completely.

"She needs an operation, and we don't know what the outcome of that will be."

Amy has been trying to gather information to pass to police and went through her sister's social media accounts looking for anything that may give an indication as to what happened to her.

She added: "We just want to know what happened, and as her family we all feel like we owe it to her to make sure that her death is fully investigated."

PSNI Inspector Julian Buchanan has urged anyone who believes they saw the teenager at any time between Wednesday and Saturday to get in touch.

He 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.

"This is obviously a deeply upsetting and distressing time for Shona's family and loved ones, and 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."
Baghdad, April 6 : At least 34 Islamic State (IS) militants were killed and 99 others arrested during a three-month security operation in the country against the terror group, the military said.

Yahia Rasoul, spokesman of the commander-in-chief of the Iraqi forces, said in a statement on Monday that the Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) conducted 109 security operations against IS positions in the past three months across the country, reports Xinhua news agency.

The operations were backed by the Iraqi and international coalition aircraft, with 337 airstrikes launched against the terror group, according to the statement.

The three-month-long CTS operations were part of Iraq's efforts to eliminate the IS militants who have intensified their attacks on security forces and civilians in Sunni provinces, the group's former strongholds.

The security situation in Iraq has been improving since the security forces fully defeated the IS militants across the country late in 2017.
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Jordan's former crown prince Hamzah bin Hussein has pledged allegiance to King Abdullah, two days after he was accused of destabilising the country and placed under house arrest.

In a letter released by the palace, he pledged his support for the king. I put myself at the disposal of His Majesty the King, and I reaffirm that I will always remain committed to the covenant of the ancestors, loyal to their legacy, following in their footsteps, devoted to their path and mission, and to His Majesty the King, the letter read.

Prince Hamzah  the half-brother of King Abdullah  was accused by the government of plotting to destabilise the country by liaising with foreign parties.

Deputy prime minister Ayman Safadi said investigations had monitored communications with foreign parties over the right timing to destabilise Jordan, according to Reuters. He said 14 to 16 people had been arrested in connection with the plot.

But in a video statement obtained by the BBC, the prince denied being part of any conspiracy or nefarious organisation or foreign-backed group. He said he was under house arrest and had been told to stay at home and not communicate with anyone.

Read more:

The prince had earlier struck a defiant tone, saying that he does not plan to follow the unacceptable orders by the country's security agencies. I dont want to escalate now, but of course I will not abide when he tells me you are not allowed to go out, tweet or connect with people and you are only allowed to see family members, he said in a voice recording released Monday.

The rift within the ruling family was resolved after mediation by Prince Hassan  brother of former King Hussein, according to the Associated Press.

Prince Hamzah said in the letter that national interest must remain above all else, and we must all stand behind His Majesty the King in his efforts to safeguard Jordan and its national interests, and ensure the best for the Jordanian people.

He was appointed the crown prince in 1999, but stripped of the title in 2004 when King Abdullah designated his son as heir.
ResMeds AirView platform allows healthcare professionals to monitor large numbers of patients remotely

ResMed, A US based digital health and cloud-connected medical devices company, has expanded AirView for Ventilation, its cloud-based remote monitoring and management platform for respiratory care patients, in India.

ResMeds AirView platform allows healthcare professionals to monitor large numbers of patients remotely, safely, and efficiently, enabling them to quickly support those who need it, optimising their device use and health outcomes.

AirView connects with ResMeds respiratory care devices such as Lumis through a built-in wireless module, and with Astral and Stellar ventilators through a ResMed Connectivity Module (RCM).

AirView enables:

a comprehensive view of patients therapy data that enables authorised members of the care team to interpret and optimise patient therapy outcomes,

filtering patients into actionable groups based on a specific therapy issue they may be having that need immediate attention,

easier identification of patients that require assistance,

reduced lengthy or unnecessary or unscheduled visits,

remote troubleshooting to resolve patient therapy and device issues - greater flexibility in managing patients in compliance with regulatory guidelines.

Carlos Montiel, Vice President, Latin America and South Asia, Asia and Latin, ResMed, said. AirView allows healthcare providers to remotely monitor and assess patients and ultimately tailor treatments. It helps save time by identifying therapy issues early in the process and enabling relevant solutions, thereby optimising therapy use.

Currently, more than 15 million patients with cloud-connectable devices in ResMeds global network are allowing doctors to remotely monitor their patients for the diagnosis and treatment of their sleep and respiratory disorders.

AirView for Ventilation is already available in the US and across Europe.
Cyber

Former CISA chief cautions on push for national cyber director

Chris Krebs, the federal government's former top cybersecurity official, on Thursday pushed back on statements from lawmakers urging the White House to rapidly nominate a national cyber director.

The former CISA chief said the establishment of a national cyber director within the White House is one of the few areas he disagreed with the recommendations of the congressional Cyberspace Solarium Commission, arguing instead the government should be "clarifying and strengthening existing agencies."

"There is a role for an NCD, but I believe the appointment of Anne Neuberger as Deputy NatSec Advisor to @POTUS addressed many of the concerns that prompted the creation of the NCD," Krebs tweeted.

Krebs' tweets were in response to a statement from Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) and Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), who chair the congressional commission, addressing a Politico story reporting Russian hackers managed to breach the email inboxes of State Department officials last year.

"The problems we face in cyberspace, in federal networks or otherwise, are too complex and expansive for a small team at the NSC to handle. The Biden Administration must nominate a National Cyber Director in short order and begin constructing his or her office," King and Gallagher said.

The statement also said it is not clear whether the breach at the State Department is connected to the hacking campaign against SolarWinds.

Since Politico's story was published, the hack report has not come up during two subsequent daily press conferences with State Department spokesman Ned Price.

Lawmakers have been growing increasingly impatient with the White House as it continues to confront multiple cybersecurity incidents without a national cyber director nominee or a permanent director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

Separately, the White House is expected to soon unveil an executive order focused on cybersecurity that will mandate software companies notify the federal government when their networks are breached. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Wednesday announced his agency would begin a series of 60-day sprints focused on ransomware, workforce, critical infrastructure and other areas.

This article first appeared on FCW, a Defense Systems partner site.
New Jersey on Tuesday reported another 3,382 cases of the coronavirus and an additional 53 deaths as more than one in four adults in the state are now fully vaccinated.

Gov. Phil Murphy announced the latest figures in the outbreak after touring a vaccination site in Elizabeth.

The states seven-day average for confirmed cases is 3,703, down 2% from a week ago and up 32% from a month ago. New cases have increased since early March and officials have warned that variants are likely driving a third wave of infections.

New Jersey health facilities and vaccine centers have now administered nearly 4.8 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine since the states first shot was given Dec. 15. That includes more than 3 million people with at least one dose and more than 1.8 million people considered fully vaccinated, according to state data.

The governor said Monday hes still confident the state will hit its goal to vaccinate 70% of its eligible adults  about 4.7 million people  within six months.

Daily cases as of 4/1/21.

The number of coronavirus patients across the states hospitals was at 2,292 people as of Sunday night. After dropping below 2,000 late last month, hospitalizations have slowly crept up the last few weeks.

The states rate of transmission is 1.06, down from 1.07 on Monday. Any number over 1 indicates that the outbreak is growing, with each new case leading to at least one other case.

In all, New Jersey has now reported 820,686 coronavirus cases out of more than 12.3 million PCR tests since the state reported its first case on March 4, 2020. There have also been 113,050 positive antigen tests. Those cases are considered probable, and health officials have warned that positive antigen tests could overlap with the confirmed PCR tests because they are sometimes given in tandem.

The state of 9.2 million people has reported 24,700 residents have died from complications related to COVID-19  22,132 confirmed deaths and 2,568 fatalities considered probable.

Officials said last week that younger people are at the center of the new wave as older residents are more likely to be vaccinated. The state has recently seen a 31% increase in people ages 20 to 29 being hospitalized and a 48% increase in those 40 to 49.

The governor announced Monday all New Jersey residents age 16 and over will be eligible to make an appointment for a vaccine beginning on April 19.

CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracker | Newsletter | Homepage

VACCINATIONS BY COUNTY

ATLANTIC COUNTY - 153,055 doses administered

BERGEN COUNTY - 539,433 doses administered

BURLINGTON COUNTY - 255,182 doses administered

CAMDEN COUNTY - 285,994 doses administered

CAPE MAY COUNTY - 64,932 doses administered

CUMBERLAND COUNTY - 67,521 doses administered

ESSEX COUNTY - 366,825 doses administered

GLOUCESTER COUNTY - 174,704 doses administered

HUDSON COUNTY - 265,529 doses administered

HUNTERDON COUNTY - 67,369 doses administered

MERCER COUNTY - 186,011 doses administered

MIDDLESEX COUNTY - 411,868 doses administered

MONMOUTH COUNTY - 359,166 doses administered

MORRIS COUNTY - 343,019 doses administered

OCEAN COUNTY - 289,467 doses administered

PASSAIC COUNTY - 216,144 doses administered

SALEM COUNTY - 30,852 doses administered

SOMERSET COUNTY - 196,901 doses administered

SUSSEX COUNTY - 76,533 doses administered

UNION COUNTY - 255,304 doses administered

WARREN COUNTY - 48,426 doses administered

OUT OF STATE - 120,589 doses administered

UNKNOWN COUNTY - 19,186 doses administered

HOSPITALIZATIONS

Daily hospitalizations as of 4/5/21.

There were 2,329 patients hospitalized with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases across New Jerseys 71 hospitals as of Monday night  40 more than the previous night.

That included 461 in critical or intensive care (15 more than the night before), with 227 on ventilators (six fewer).

There were also 202 COVID-19 patients discharged Sunday.

By comparison, hospitalizations peaked at more than 8,300 patients during the first wave of the pandemic in April and more than 3,800 during the second wave in December.

SCHOOL CASES

New Jersey has reported 221 in-school coronavirus outbreaks, which have resulted in 1,002 cases among students, teachers and school staff this academic year, according to the states dashboard.

The state defines school outbreaks as cases where contact tracers determined two or more students or school staff caught or transmitted COVID-19 in the classroom or during academic activities at school. Those numbers do not include students or staff believed to have been infected outside school or cases that cant be confirmed as in-school outbreaks.

There are about 1.4 million public school students and teachers across the state, though teaching methods amid the outbreak have varied, with some schools teaching in-person, some using a hybrid format and others remaining all-remote.

Murphy last week announced most New Jersey schools can move classroom desks three feet apart, instead of six feet, under new social distancing guidelines.

The governor also said the states schools will return to full in-person classes for the next school year and districts will not be allowed to offer virtual learning, even for parents who want that option due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns. But Murphy clarified Tuesday that students and teachers who have health issues that could put them at greater risk of a serious coronavirus case will have a virtual option.

AGE BREAKDOWN

Broken down by age, those 30 to 49 years old make up the largest percentage of New Jersey residents who have caught the virus (30.9%), followed by those 50-64 (22.9%), 18-29 (19.8%), 65-79 (10.5%), 5-17 (9.2%), 80 and older (4.6%) and 0-4 (1.9%).

On average, the virus has been more deadly for older residents, especially those with preexisting conditions. Nearly half the states COVID-19 deaths have been among residents 80 and older (46.9%), followed by those 65-79 (32.88%), 50-64 (15.68%), 30-49 (4.06%), 18-29 (0.37%), 5-17 (0%) and 0-4 (0.02%).

At least 7,989 of the states COVID-19 deaths have been among residents and staff members at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.

There are active outbreaks at 225 facilities, resulting in 3,676 active cases among residents and 4,366 among staffers. Those numbers have been slowing as vaccinations continue at the facilities.

GLOBAL NUMBERS

As of Tuesday, there have been nearly 132 million positive COVID-19 tests across the world, according to a running tally by Johns Hopkins University. More than 2.86 million people have died from coronavirus-related complications.

The U.S. has reported the most cases, at nearly 30.8 million, and the most deaths, at more than 555,700.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com

Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com.
New York, April 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Smart Manufacturing Platform Market Research Report by Type, by Industry, by Application, by Deployment Type - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06045522/?utm_source=GNW



Market Statistics:

The report provides market sizing and forecast across five major currencies - USD, EUR GBP, JPY, and AUD. This helps organization leaders make better decisions when currency exchange data is readily available.



1. The Global Smart Manufacturing Platform Market is expected to grow from USD 4,884.29 Million in 2020 to USD 9,524.68 Million by the end of 2025.

2. The Global Smart Manufacturing Platform Market is expected to grow from EUR 4,282.63 Million in 2020 to EUR 8,351.42 Million by the end of 2025.

3. The Global Smart Manufacturing Platform Market is expected to grow from GBP 3,807.27 Million in 2020 to GBP 7,424.43 Million by the end of 2025.

4. The Global Smart Manufacturing Platform Market is expected to grow from JPY 521,277.51 Million in 2020 to JPY 1,016,524.71 Million by the end of 2025.

5. The Global Smart Manufacturing Platform Market is expected to grow from AUD 7,092.63 Million in 2020 to AUD 13,831.10 Million by the end of 2025.



Market Segmentation & Coverage:

This research report categorizes the Smart Manufacturing Platform to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets:



Based on Type, the Smart Manufacturing Platform Market studied across Application Enablement Platform, Connectivity Management, and Device Management.



Based on Industry, the Smart Manufacturing Platform Market studied across Discrete and Process. The Discrete further studied across Aerospace and Defense, Automotive, Electronics and Semiconductor, Industrial Manufacturing, and Medical Devices. The Process further studied across Chemicals, Food & Beverages, Metals and Mining, Oil & Gas, Pharmaceuticals, and Power & Energy.



Based on Application, the Smart Manufacturing Platform Market studied across Asset and Condition Monitoring and Performance Optimization.



Based on Deployment Type, the Smart Manufacturing Platform Market studied across On-Cloud and On-Premises.



Based on Geography, the Smart Manufacturing Platform Market studied across Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa. The Americas region surveyed across Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and United States. The Asia-Pacific region surveyed across Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand. The Europe, Middle East & Africa region surveyed across France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom.



Company Usability Profiles:

The report deeply explores the recent significant developments by the leading vendors and innovation profiles in the Global Smart Manufacturing Platform Market including ABB, Accenture, Altizon, Amazon, Atos, Bosch, C3IoT, Cisco, Emerson, Flutura, Fujitsu Ltd., GE, Hitachi, IBM, Litmus Automation, Losant, Microsoft, Oracle, PTC Inc., QiO Technologies, Rockwell Automation, SAP SE, Schneider Electric, Seebo, Siemens, Software AG, and Telit.



Cumulative Impact of COVID-19:

COVID-19 is an incomparable global public health emergency that has affected almost every industry, so for and, the long-term effects projected to impact the industry growth during the forecast period. Our ongoing research amplifies our research framework to ensure the inclusion of underlaying COVID-19 issues and potential paths forward. The report is delivering insights on COVID-19 considering the changes in consumer behavior and demand, purchasing patterns, re-routing of the supply chain, dynamics of current market forces, and the significant interventions of governments. The updated study provides insights, analysis, estimations, and forecast, considering the COVID-19 impact on the market.



FPNV Positioning Matrix:

The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Smart Manufacturing Platform Market on the basis of Business Strategy (Business Growth, Industry Coverage, Financial Viability, and Channel Support) and Product Satisfaction (Value for Money, Ease of Use, Product Features, and Customer Support) that aids businesses in better decision making and understanding the competitive landscape.



Competitive Strategic Window:

The Competitive Strategic Window analyses the competitive landscape in terms of markets, applications, and geographies. The Competitive Strategic Window helps the vendor define an alignment or fit between their capabilities and opportunities for future growth prospects. During a forecast period, it defines the optimal or favorable fit for the vendors to adopt successive merger and acquisition strategies, geography expansion, research & development, and new product introduction strategies to execute further business expansion and growth.



The report provides insights on the following pointers:

1. Market Penetration: Provides comprehensive information on the market offered by the key players

2. Market Development: Provides in-depth information about lucrative emerging markets and analyzes the markets

3. Market Diversification: Provides detailed information about new product launches, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments

4. Competitive Assessment & Intelligence: Provides an exhaustive assessment of market shares, strategies, products, and manufacturing capabilities of the leading players

5. Product Development & Innovation: Provides intelligent insights on future technologies, R&D activities, and new product developments



The report answers questions such as:

1. What is the market size and forecast of the Global Smart Manufacturing Platform Market?

2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Smart Manufacturing Platform Market during the forecast period?

3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Smart Manufacturing Platform Market?

4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Smart Manufacturing Platform Market?

5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Smart Manufacturing Platform Market?

6. What are the modes and strategic moves considered suitable for entering the Global Smart Manufacturing Platform Market?

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06045522/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



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[April 06, 2021] Lob Launches Lob.org to Drive Positive Social Impact and Sustainability

Lob, the leading direct mail platform, today announced Lob.org, a dedicated social impact arm. Lob.org is committed to driving change through more sustainable and strategic direct mail. "Lob.org gets at the values at the heart of Lob and allows us to apply our unique direct mail capabilities in service of social good," said Leore Avidar, Lob CEO and co-founder. "We believe we can make a meaningful difference by partnering with innovative nonprofits and taking responsibility for environmental stewardship." Lob.org will be run by Lob's Head of Social Impact, Christina Louie Dyer, who formerly led global programs for Box (News - Alert) .org. Lob.org expands the work for social good that is already underway at Lob, and focuses on making an impact by leveraging its people, product and resources in three key areas: racial justice, civic action and sustainability. Lob has joined the Pledge 1% movement by committing to donate 1% of time and product. Starting this month, Lob will offer employees 1% of paid volunteer time off to engage with the organizations and causes they care most about. Through Lob.org, the company will now expand its product donation and discount offer and will increase the number of organizations it will be able to support through its platform. Lob's current nonprofit customers include Ameelio, Congress.Cards, JustFix.nyc, and MuckRock. "By adopting Lob's direct mail platform, we've significantly sped up our processes and gained more insight into tracking the status of our public records requests," said Michael Morisy, founder and executive director of MuckRock, a nonprofit collaborative news site with a focus on racial equity and policing. "Using Lob has also freed up our staff from administrative work to focus on more strategic aspects of our government transparency mission." Racial Justice Lob.org is rooted in the belief that all businesses play a vital role in addressing systemic racism and advocating for racial justice and equity. Employees started a program last year to leverage Lob's product to support organizations on the front lines fighting against racial injustice, and Lob.org will be expanding upon that work. In support of this cause, Lob recently joined Slack's Next Chapter program, a six-month apprenticeship program to shift perceptions and bring formerly-incarcerated individuals into highly-skilled engineering roles. Mass incarceration disproportionately affects people of color, in ways that persist even after incarceration, and Lob wants to help change that through their own hiring practices.



Lob.org will also spearhead inclusive policies to make Lob a more diverse and equitable company. After raising $50 million in Series C funding in February, Lob plans to more than double its workforce over the course of 2021, and equity will be a pillar of this hiring growth. Civic Action

Lob.org is partnering with organizations that drive civic engagement, particularly in the areas of voting, civil rights and communication with elected officials. Direct mail is an effective communication channel for social change. The company is part of the Civic Alliance, a nonpartisan coalition of more than 1,000 businesses working together to encourage every American to participate in shaping our country's future. Currently, Lob is partnering with Ameelio, a nonprofit startup centered on criminal justice reform, in its voter outreach efforts in NYC prisons to educate and encourage those who are legally able to vote to do so. "Lob's easy-to-use direct mail platform gives us the infrastructure and data we need to focus on our mission of connecting incarcerated individuals with their loved ones," said Uzoma Orchingwa, co-founder of Ameelio. "Lob has been a supportive and enthusiastic partner whose leadership team understood immediately what we wanted to accomplish and helped us achieve our goals." Sustainability Lob.org is committed to building more sustainable practices into Lob's products and across its entire supply chain operations, including its print delivery network, which is already the largest in the U.S. A company-wide materiality assessment is in progress to help Lob identify the most impactful areas to address first. Lob will integrate more sustainable practices that will scale simultaneously with the growth of the company and will give more insight to customers on their own environmental impacts and opportunities to offset them. Since 2017, Lob has partnered with Eden Reforestation Projects to offset the ecological footprint of its direct mail services and planted more than 200,000 trees to date. By planting more trees than used, Lob has a net-positive impact on forests. Lob also helps its more than 8,500 customers reduce their environmental impact through the paper it uses. All of Lob's products are printed on paper that is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council for responsible harvesting and contains at least 10% post-consumer waste recycled paper. To learn more about Lob.org, visit our website here. About Lob Lob automates direct mail for modern businesses. More than 8,500 companies use Lob's cloud software to move faster and create new growth opportunities, including Expedia (News - Alert) , Clover Health, Marley Spoon, Root Insurance, SeatGeek, ThredUp and Twitter. Lob's APIs dramatically reduce mail processing time, reclaiming thousands of hours and improving data quality. One in two households in the U.S. have received mail generated through Lob's platform. Headquartered in San Francisco, Lob is backed by leading investors including Y Combinator, First Round Capital and Floodgate. For more information, visit https://www.lob.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005341/en/

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Though misunderstood, young morticians proud of job mission

By:Zheng Qian | From:english.eastday.com | 2021-04-06 17:14

Mortician is a profession that is most misunderstood and shunned because of peoples innate fear of death, but for those who choose to be a mortician, it is great way to give the deceased respect by preparing them for a dignified burial.

(Chen Yunqiu at her work)



Chen Yunqiu and Liu Sansan are young morticians from the Hangzhou Xiaoshan Funeral Service Center. Every day, they get up at 5 oclock to work and sometimes even need to deal with emergencies at midnight. Bathing, dressing, doing manicures and makeup and sometimes a 1-hour massage for the dead bodies are their daily tasks. If the body is damaged, repairs are also needed.

Chen and Liu both graduated from the Beijing College of Social Administration and majored in modern funeral technology and management. When Chen, a Sichuanese lady, applied for this major before entering college, she was totally opposed in her choice by all her relatives. She thus even walked out to avoid their dissuasion. Liu Sansans parents have also been worrying about his future career development and marriage.

But for the two, doing technical repairs and treatment for the deceased is a glory, and it is a way to comfort the family members. Chen is really touched that two years ago when she did high-quality organ repairs for three traffic policemen who died on duty, the father of one of the deceased was quite comforted, saying to her,this is what my son really looks like, and he is just sleeping.

Someone must do this job. I think it is glorious. Even if in the future I dont work on the front line, I will consider funeral management. Those at the last time of life should be treated with gentleness and dignity. Dead bodies mean lives in my eyes. Words of gratitude from their family members make me full of strength. I will keep doing it and I feel proud to do it, said Chen.




Celebrity hairstylist Sam McKnight has told how he gave Princess Diana the iconic haircut she wore for the last years of her life.

Sam, 65, who has also worked with Kate Moss and Lady Gaga, revealed he first met Diana during a Vogue shoot where he was working as a hairstylist.

He revealed that following the shoot she asked him what he would do to her hair given the chance and he told her:? 'I would cut it all off and just start again'.

Signature style: Celebrity hairstylist Sam McKnight has told how he gave Princess Diana the iconic haircut she wore for the last years of her life

Recalling their meeting on British Vogue and YouTube UK's series of free masterclasses, Vogue Visionaries, Sam said: 'The first time I met the Princess of Wales was on a shoot.

'This leggy blonde comes bouncing up the stairs, smiled and made us all melt, and it was Princess Diana...

'We had a really lovely day and we were doing facial portraits for [British Vogue] magazine and [Diana] wore a tiara and I made her hair look short under the tiara.

'This was 1990, I made it look short under the tiara - I faked it a bit... At the end of the day she said, 'What would you do with my hair if I was to say 'just do anything'?' and I said 'I would cut it all off and just start again'.

Screen star: Sam also spoke about an encounter with the on-screen Diana - Emma Corrin - who plays the mother of Prince William and Harry in Netflix drama, The Crown (pictured 2020)

'It was the beginning of the 90s and it was at the time that I was doing lots of shows and covers and a lot of the girls had short hair and we were moving from the big frou-frou 80s into the sharp, more androgynous, business chic of the 90s.'

So she said, "Well, why don't you just cut it off now?", so I cut it off then and we never looked back.'

Sam also recalled the sweet moment Diana stopped to talk to his mother during a factory visit in Scotland where she had turned up to see the late Royal.

Warm: Sam also recalled the sweet moment Diana stopped to talk to his mother during a factory visit in Scotland where she had turned up to see the late Royal (pictured 1990)

Admitting it was the 'most pride he'd ever felt in his job', he said: 'I had one moment in the 90s...I remember Princess Diana had gone to visit a factory near where my mum lived in a village in Scotland.

'My mum and her friends were standing outside and [Diana] had never met my mum before. So, I think the story goes, one of my mum's friends shouted out "This is Sam's mum" and for some reason the Princess knew exactly who she was talking about and went over and spoke to her and that made my mum's day.

'I think for me that was probably the most pride I've ever felt in my job.'

Sam also spoke about an encounter with the on-screen Diana - Emma Corrin - who plays the mother of Prince William and Harry in Netflix drama, The Crown.

Famous faces: Sam McKnight is a hairstylist known for his work with celebrities including Princess Diana, Kate Moss and Lady Gaga (pictured 2019)

He said he met Emma ahead of her British Vogue cover in October 2020 and said their meeting washed away any doubts that he was the 'right choice'.

Sam said: 'Emma [Corrin]. From one Princess Diana to another. I remember that day. That was my first job after the first lockdown in summer [2020] and I remember when the job came in I wasn't quite sure that I was the right person to do this...

'And actually it was a pleasure and Emma was a pleasure, and I was quite taken by how alike Emma was to Princess Diana in her looks. And she was such a lovely girl that any doubts and fears were laid and I think it's a great cover.'

Vogue Visionaries Episode Three - Hair with Sam McKnight is available to watch on British Vogue's YouTube channel now.
DALLAS (dpa-AFX) - ViacomCBS Inc. (VIAC, VIACA) said that ViacomCBS Networks International has agreed to acquire Chilevision from WarnerMedia, a division of AT&T (T). Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The acquisition will include Chilevision's free-to-air television network, which will complement ViacomCBS Networks' global content offering. Chilevision attracted approximately 24 percent share of viewership in 2020. ViacomCBS Networks said it further expands its footprint in Latin America and bolsters its streaming business with a new premium content library and pipeline to fuel the increasing demand for Spanish language content across platforms including Paramount+ and Pluto TV. Chilevision will fall under the leadership of Juan 'JC' Acosta, President of ViacomCBS International Studios and Networks Americas. 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.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-05 22:46:43|Editor: huaxia

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KUNMING, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Ruili City in southwest China's Yunnan Province will launch the second round of nucleic acid testing that includes all residents of the city proper Tuesday.

The recent increase in COVID-19 cases and asymptomatic cases was mainly due to a new round of testing among key groups of people and people in high-risk areas on Saturday, said Gong Yunzun, Party chief of the city, at a press conference Monday.

The city reported 15 new locally-transmitted COVID-19 cases and five new asymptomatic cases on Sunday, the provincial health commission of Yunnan said on Monday.

It added three high-risk and three medium-risk areas for COVID-19 outbreak on Monday.

Dozens of locally-transmitted COVID-19 cases have been reported in the city since March 30. Local authorities launched a citywide nucleic acid testing drive on March 31 and urged residents to observe home quarantine. Enditem
The European Commission approved on Tuesday a French proposal to grant up to 4bn to recapitalise virus-hit Air France KLM in return for giving up to 18 slots per day at Paris Orly airport to a rival carrier.

The EU executive said France will have to present an exit strategy for the airline within 12 months unless it has reduced the state stake to below 25pc by then.

It said Air France KLM will be banned from paying dividends, non-mandatory coupon payments, making share buybacks and giving out bonus payments to management until the recapitalisation is redeemed.
On the 5th of March, New Zealand was awoken by earthquakes and Civil Defence tsunami warnings. People were asked to evacuate, and to stay out of water and off beaches.

I dont think any of us knew this was going to happen or wanted to be awoken in the early hours of the morning. When these unpredictable and life-threatening emergencies occur, there is usually little time to act.

Are you calm and prepared or are you stressed and flustered?

Do you know what to do, where to go, or what to bring with you?

The preparation

I vaguely remembered what to do when I received those alerts, but not enough to act immediately. Thankfully the area where I was living was not heavily affected and I wasnt pressed for time to make decisions. I still had time to Google what to do.

However, it made me question how I could be more prepared.

I planned to make buns that day, but I contemplated whether to continue because what if there was a Civil Defence alert warning to evacuate when I was making the dough?

What would I do with the uncooked dough? If I brought it along with me, where would I bake it? What use would a raw ball of flour bring? Isnt it more beneficial to bring something substantial like canned foods and muesli bars?

I could not help but reflect on the first Passover the Israelites experienced. I truly felt and understood for the first time why the Israelites were instructed not to add yeast to their dough for the Passover meal; it was because they had to leave hastily.

Nobody had the time to wait for yeast to rise before baking the dough.

They were told.

At least the Israelites were prepared. They were warned by God through Moses what to paint on their doorframe, what food to eat and how to eat it.

They knew the tragedy was coming.

When midnight struck, the plan was in place. The Israelites took their dough without yeast, asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing. And off they journeyed from Egypt.

God was in constant communication with Moses. Rather than Moses searching on Google what to do, God was telling him and giving him live updates.

It seems like the Israelites had it easy  everything was mapped out for them.

And maybe it is for us too.

What are we told?

There is a Get Ready section on the Civil Defence website with additional resources informing us how to prepare for emergencies. How many of us have read through those? Have we made the effort to equip ourselves?

Like the Israelites, we dont know the exact timing of when tragedies and emergencies will occur. Maybe we are too obsessed in the comfort of normality that we become blindsided towards the unexpected. But it would be an understatement to say we dont know these situations will occur.

As followers of God, the Bible explicitly tells us Jesus will be coming back. We are warned of wars, famines, and earthquakes in Matthew chapter 24. We are also called to keep watch and not be alarmed.

God did not leave us blindsided, nor does he leave us out of the loop in communication. He is our constant source of information that is not contradictory.

We can trust in what he has warned us. We are to bring the gospel with us, we are to set our minds on eternal things, and we are to choose life.

What do you do as you wait for the catastrophes in life to occur? Do you ignorantly continue in living a self-absorbent life, pushing aside the warnings and preparations? Or are you actively preparing yourself for these moments?

When that emergency alert warning comes, are you ready?
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) issued a statement Monday accusing U.S. corporations that oppose the GOP-sponsored law curbing voting access in Georgia of using "economic blackmail to spread disinformation."

Why it matters: Dozens of CEOs and corporations have spoken out in the wake of Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signing the new law, which institutes strict new ID requirements, gives the Republican-controlled state legislature more control over elections, and limits the use of ballot drop boxes, among other restrictions.

Many of the statements of opposition came after activists threatened to boycott Georgia-based corporations, such as Coca-Cola and Delta Air Lines.

The MLB announced last week that it would move its All-Star Game out of Atlanta as a result of the new restrictions.

What he's saying: We are witnessing a coordinated campaign by powerful and wealthy people to mislead and bully the American people," McConnell said in the statement.

"The President has claimed repeatedly that state-level debates over voting procedures are worse than Jim Crow or Jim Crow on steroids. Nobody actually believes this," he continued.

"Nobody really thinks this current dispute comes anywhere near the horrific racist brutality of segregation. But theres an old cynical saying that history is just the set of lies agreed upon.'"

McConnell points to a Washington Post fact-check that debunked a claim by President Biden that the Georgia law "ends voting hours early," and he calls it "the big lie"  a phrase frequently used by Democrats to describe former President Trump's false claims about widespread election fraud.

Our private sector must stop taking cues from the Outrage-Industrial Complex. Americans do not need or want big business to amplify disinformation or react to every manufactured controversy with frantic left-wing signaling," McConnell argued.

"Corporations will invite serious consequences if they become a vehicle for far-left mobs to hijack our country from outside the constitutional order. "

Driving the news: McConnell's statement comes just two days after Trump urged his followers to boycott corporations that have spoken out against Georgia's voting restrictions.

Trump specifically targeted MLB, Coca-Cola, Delta Airlines, JPMorgan Chase, ViacomCBS, Citigroup, Cisco, UPS and Merck.

Go deeper: CEOs, corporations speak out against Georgia's voting restrictions
Bombay High Court on Tuesday said China's must deposit around $11 million that federal authorities believe the company owes in an alleged case of tax evasion, a setback for the firm which wanted to unblock its bank accounts to pay salaries.

An Indian tax intelligence agency in mid-March ordered HSBC and Citibank in Mumbai to freeze accounts of India as it probed some of the firm's financial dealings. challenged the move in court saying the freeze amounted to harassment and was done illegally.

ByteDance has said in court it does not owe the tax government is demanding and does not agree with the tax authority's decision to freeze its accounts.

After a government counsel said ByteDance owed the authorities about Rs 79 crore ($11 million), the High Court in Mumbai said the company will need to keep that amount blocked in a state-run bank.

That amount will be frozen, the two-judge bench said.

However, the four blocked bank accounts of ByteDance had just $10 million in funds, according to the company's court filing seen by Reuters.

A counsel for the federal tax authority, Jitendra Mishra, said ByteDance can utilize the $10 million for making the court mandated deposit, but cannot use it for any other activity. Effectively, Mishra said, the accounts still remain frozen until the amount is moved to the state-run bank.

ByteDance did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

ByteDance in January reduced its Indian workforce after New Delhi maintained a ban on its popular video app TikTok, imposed last year after a border clash between India and China. Beijing has repeatedly criticised India over that ban and those of other Chinese apps.

Still, the company has told the court it has a workforce of 1,335, including outsourced personnel, which includes 800 people working in its "trust and safety" team that supports activities like content moderation overseas.

In the tax probe, which started in July 2020, India's tax authority told ByteDance it had reasons to believe the company suppressed certain transactions and claimed excessive tax credits, Reuters has previously reported.

(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 secluded Texas beachside community of Boca Chica Village was once a haven for retirees, snowbirds and outdoorsy people who enjoyed dirt biking, fishing or lounging near the water.

Today, traffic backs up the lone highway out of the unincorporated area thats now home to only about half a dozen residents  and SpaceXs Starship facility. During the day, selfie-seeking tourists line the road for photos with the stainless steel spaceship under development. At night, excavators plow the earth at the busy construction site. Before test launches, residents receive a notice suggesting they temporarily evacuate for safety.

Even more change could be in the Texas neighborhoods future. In March, SpaceX Chief Executive Elon Musk tweeted that he wanted to create a city encompassing Boca Chica Village and the surrounding area.

Its name? Starbase.

Please consider moving to Starbase or greater Brownsville/South Padre area in Texas & encourage friends to do so! Musk tweeted this week. SpaceXs hiring needs for engineers, technicians, builders & essential support personnel of all kinds are growing rapidly.

Creating a city could have several benefits for SpaceX. In theory, it might help the private spaceflight company attract future employees, foster a political climate friendly to a business thats bound to be a noisy neighbor and even pave the way for the development of the kinds of amenities that might crop up near a would-be transportation hub.

Musk is hardly the first entrepreneur to think about forming a city.

The late 19th and early 20th centuries are rife with examples of company towns, chocolate-centric Hershey, Pennsylvania, among them. The idea is now gaining new life as tech entrepreneurs voice dissatisfaction with government restrictions and limitations. In Nevada, the governor wants to allow tech companies to essentially create their own local governments.

This initiative in Nevada to me reads as a new way of doing business, a new way of trying to avoid some of the common challenges that some of these companies have been running into the last couple of years, said Jared Mondschein, associate physical scientist at Rand Corp. who has studied the digital transformation of cities. The wild card in all these conversations is always: How will people who live there react?

The company town of old was typically formed to attract workers to new job sites. Industries such as mining and smelting often set up sites far away from population centers  inconveniently far for daily commutes. A company town was almost a necessary overhead expense, said Tracy Hadden Loh, a fellow at Brookings, a D.C.-based think tank.

A modern iteration of the company-town idea can be found in Silicon Valley. There are tech-firm campuses with laundry amenities, free food and Wi-Fi-enabled buses. Providing such services can erode the boundary between employees work time and personal time and removes reasons to leave the campus bubble, which can lead employees to stay at work and labor longer.

Another iteration: startup societies, which are small locales that try new policies and forms of governance. They have the potential to make regulatory changes that can accelerate technological progress, but none have moved beyond the planning phase in the U.S.
PHILADELPHIA, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Compelled to inspire future generations of girls and her own daughters to dream big, author and youth career education advocate Ellen Langas created Girls Know How books, the award-winning series that inspires young readers to discover careers, and the life skills to help them achieve them. The series was named Book Series of 2021 by Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Foundation. Langas has been tapped to host the first virtual Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Day on April 22, 2021.

The Girls Know How book series has been named the Book Series of 2021 by the Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Foundation. Author Ellen Langas encourages all girls to explore and pursue careers without preconceived notions of what they can or cannot achieve. Created for girls ages 7 - 12, the chapter books are available at QVC.com, bookstores and www.GirlsKnowHow.com Girls Know How author Ellen Langas will host the 28th annual and first virtual Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Day, Thursday April 22, 2021. Register for free at www.DaughtersAndSonsToWork.org

Girls Know How is donating a portion of proceeds from book sales throughout April to Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Foundation. The books launched nationally on QVC and are available at QVC.com with special event pricing at https://qvc.co/3fgTHEE, at book stores, and www.girlsknowhow.com.

"Research indicates that, even though girls perform as well as boys on tests, girls lag behind when it comes to pursuing STEM courses and eventually STEM-related careers, and the gap widens as they grow," says Carolyn McKecuen, Executive Director, Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Foundation. "Girls Know How books are part of the solution by helping girls see themselves in leadership roles in all fields, encouraging them to use their voices, and introducing real-life role models. Through books like these, I think girls and boys alike can get a realistic glimpse of some of the sensitivities and challenges that girls often face during the tween years." https://www.daughtersandsonstowork.org/

"As parents, teachers and business leaders, we must advocate for all children, and especially build an inclusive culture for girls by eliminating preconceived notions of what girls can or cannot achieve," says Langas. "Children from every background should be able to see themselves in the hero's role in books, in the media, through role models and tangible experiences that occur in their everyday lives to help make their dreams more believable."

One of the most significant ways for children to learn about jobs is to experience them firsthand. For 28 years, Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Day has inspired future generations of girls and boys by bringing them into the workplace to explore the many life choices they have. Each year, millions of individuals in the U.S. and 187 countries participate in Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Day at no cost. Langas will host the April 22 virtual morning session starting at 9 am ET, headlined by iconic political activist and feminist organizer Gloria Steinem. The program will be repeated at 12 pm ET, hosted by television host, beauty and lifestyle expert, Courtney Cason, with keynote Gitanjali Rao, TIME Magazine's first Kid of the Year. Register for free at www.DaughtersAndSonsToWork.org.

Langas is president of NouSoma Communications, one of the Philadelphia region's top marketing agencies. Prior to founding NouSoma in 1995, Ellen was on the executive leadership team of QVC, Inc., where she gained national visibility as an original on-air host. An accomplished commercial actress and voice-over artist, she has recorded more than 200 broadcast spots and, notably, has remained the voice of QVC for over three decades.

"At home and at school, we can all play pivotal roles by providing rich, age-appropriate learning opportunities that help children visualize career paths," says Langas. "Let's make the message clear that with hard work, perseverance, and passion, all girls can achieve anything to which they set their minds. Collectively, we can redefine the notion of 'girl power' for the next generation."

Media Contact:

NouSoma Communications

[email protected], 610-658-5889

SOURCE Girls Know How

Related Links

https://www.girlsknowhow.com


(Natural News) More than 100 companies, including Twitter, Zillow, and Uber, have issued a joint statement expressing worry about a new law passed in Georgia that aims to prevent the type of election fraud that occurred in 2020.

According to these companies  which should all be boycotted, by the way  putting protections in place to ensure election integrity is akin to curbing voting access, and thus cannot be allowed for interfering with democracy.

Axios, a far-left fake news rag, has sided with these large corporations in declaring that election integrity measures impose barriers that result in longer lines at the polls, as well as reduce access to secure ballot dropboxes.

The corporations in question, several of which are based in Georgia, are basically telling the public to boycott the state of Georgia for trying to secure its election process and make it legitimate. Because of this, these corporations must be boycotted to send a message that We the People support free and fair elections.

States often take cues from how hard businesses push back, Axios notes, suggesting that large businesses can bully Georgia and other states into protecting unfair elections that are stolen.

But many of these corporations, several of which are based in Georgia, could have spoken up earlier when the law was being considered or before the governor signed.

Angry activists who support stolen elections are urging people to boycott these companies for not speaking up sooner. We are urging readers to boycott the companies for expressing support for fraudulent elections.

I would encourage these CEOs to look at other states that theyre doing business in and compare what the real facts are to Georgia, said Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, in a recent statement.

Other notable corporate signees that support stolen elections include Abercrombie & Fitch, Co. (that place still exists?), Lyft, Etsy, Reddit, Snap Inc., Salesforce, ViacomCBS, Facebook, Google, Patagonia, Mailchimp, Bank of America, Apple, Business Roundtable, Microsoft, American Express, Coca-Cola, Cisco, Delta Airlines, and JPMorgan Chase.

Large corporate conglomerates like Patagonia say election fairness disenfranchises black voters

These corporations could not stop at simply signing a joint statement, though. Many of them issued their own statements virtue signaling the merits of stolen elections for the preservation of democracy.

Facebook, for instance, says it supports making voting as accessible and broad-based as possible. The Silicon Valley tech giant also opposes efforts to make it harder for people to vote.

Google feels similarly, noting that it has long created tools and resources to make fraudulent voting easier.

Were concerned about efforts to restrict voting at a local level and we strongly support the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

Remember when Netflix urged a boycott against Georgia for passing legislation to protect innocent unborn lives from being murdered in the womb? Well Patagonia feels similarly about Georgias efforts to preserve free and fair elections.

In a statement, Patagonia called Georgias election integrity measures a new wave of Jim Crow bills that seek to restrict the right to vote.

In other words, fraudulent elections are important because that is how black people are allowed to vote, according to Patagonia. Trying to do things fairly during an election is an act of racism against black voters.

It is urgent that businesses across the country take a stand  and use their brands as a force for good in support of our democracy, Patagonia insists.

Mailchimp agrees, having expressed worry that protecting elections against fraud undermines free and fair elections and makes it harder for people to exercise their right to vote, especially people of color.

Georgians deserve better, contends Mailchimp CEO Ben Chestnut.

More of the latest news about fraudulent elections and the large corporations that support them can be found at Corruption.news.

Sources for this article include:

Axios.com

NaturalNews.com
Manila, April 6 : Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte said on Tuesday his country's dispute with Beijing over activity in the South China Sea will not affect "bilateral friendly relations".

"We will continue to resolve the issues on (the Whitsun Reef) through diplomatic channels and through peaceful means," dpa news agency quoted Duterte as saying in a statement.

Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana last week asked China to withdraw ships that have been moored on the Whitsun Reef since early March.

The Philippines says the reef sits in its exclusive economic zone, while China says the waters are their traditional fishing grounds.

"Whatever differences we have with China will not define our bilateral relations and will not be an obstacle to the overall positive trajectory of our bilateral friendly relations and our deepening cooperation on pandemic response including vaccine cooperation and in post-pandemic economic recovery," Duterte said.

The President also expressed thanks to China for its donation of 1 million Covid-19 vaccines in March.

The Philippines is banking on China and other countries for the supply of vaccines.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea as its territory and has built artificial islands with military-capable facilities over reefs and outcrops in the area.

Aside from the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have overlapping claims to the area, which is believed to be rich in marine and mineral resources.
The age of electric planes may still be years away, but the fight for that market is already heating up.

Wisk Aero, a start-up developing an electric aircraft that takes off like a helicopter and flies like a plane, on Tuesday sued another start-up, Archer Aviation, accusing it of stealing trade secrets and infringing on Wisks patents.

The lawsuit brings into public view a dispute between two little-known companies in a business that has become a playground for billionaires. It also entangles giants of aviation and technology. Wisk is a joint venture of Boeing and Kitty Hawk, which is financed by Larry Page, who co-founded Google. Archers investors include United Airlines, which is a major Boeing customer and plans to buy up to 200 aircraft from the start-up.

The niche market for electric vehicles and planes has become frenzied in recent months as so-called blank check companies, which have little more than a stock market listing and a pot of cash, have snapped up fledgling businesses with little or no revenue, let alone profits. Investors in the blank-check firms  formally known as special purpose acquisition companies, or SPACs  are hoping to acquire businesses that they believe could follow Teslas recent trajectory on the stock market. To entice those investors, start-ups like Archer promise top-notch technology and optimistic business plans.
After news of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine having positive results in children between the ages of 12 and 15, LISD discussed the possibility of moving forward to provide the vaccine to middle school students.

Additionally, LISD officials discussed the current progress of the COVID-19 vaccine clinics and efforts during the Student Service Committee Meeting on Monday.

Maggie Martinez, Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services, said that after discussions with community partners, the Pfizer vaccine will be available next week which will allow the vaccination of middle schoolers. She believes that the addition of the new age group would benefit student-athletes as practices have restarted.

According to Pfizer, a vaccine study on adolescents showed a 100% antibody response, a response from a trial that included 2,260 adolescents.

We share the urgency to expand the authorization of our vaccine to use in younger populations and are encouraged by the clinical trial data from adolescents between the ages of 12 and 15, Albert Bourla, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Pfizer stated in a company press release. We plan to submit these data to FDA as a proposed amendment to our Emergency Use Authorization in the coming weeks and to other regulators around the world, with the hope of starting to vaccinate this age group before the start of the next school year.

Superintendent Dr. Sylvia Rios believes that the news of the adolescent age group study is a promising step forward in providing vaccines to all students. Last week, LISD held its first staff and student vaccine clinic that invited students that were 18 years and older to receive their vaccine.

In the case where the district is given the opportunity to provide the vaccine to students between 12 and 15, Rios said that parents will need to give their permission prior to their students vaccination.

According to Graciela Lopez, LISD Health Services Coordinator, six in-person student cases were recorded throughout the month of March with 70 remote-only students. Furthermore, the number of COVID referrals have decreased with 136 COVID referrals and 946 nurse office visits.

Last week, 324 vaccines were provided during the first staff and student vaccine clinic which included 200 students 18 or older and 124 staff members. Lopez reminds that there is an additional vaccination clinic this Wednesday that invites students, staff and parent volunteers.

Overall, there were 7,736 first doses administered during the city, Gateway and LISD clinics provided. Lopez said that further discussion with Gateway will take place around the time that Pfizer is heard by the Emergency Use Authorization Committee over the new age group.

While the Pfizer vaccine has been discussed over the younger age groups, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is also be sought after due to it only needing one dose. According to the officials, while the J&J is unavailable, Gateway has been trying to receive the vaccine, but there are higher chances of receiving the vaccine that have already been used, such as the Moderna vaccine.

Regardless, Trustee Hector Garcia believes that also providing the J&J vaccine would invite those people who want to avoid the two-dose vaccines and opt into a singular dose. Lopez said that regular communication with Gateway is still ongoing.

cocampo@lmtonline.com
The second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in Mumbai has prompted the central bank to beef up the back-up centres to carry out essential services such as payments systems, while cutting down on staff attendance at its head office. The central bank has three back-up centres  two in adjoining Navi Mumbai and one in Nagpur, nearly 850 km away from Mumbai.

Last year when the pandemic broke out, one of the centres was activated to ensure the financial system runs smoothly in the wake of a once in a century event. The disaster management operations that were activated in March last ...
The mother of missing student Richard Okorogheye has spoken of her devastation after she was told that police searching for her son had found a body that matched his description.

Mr Okorogheye was last seen on CCTV in Loughton, Essex, in the early hours of 23 March, walking towards Epping Forest.

The family of the 19-year-old, who has sickle cell disease, have been spoken to by officers as they wait for formal identification of the body.

We thought Richard would be found, or would just come home. But hes not, Evidence Joel, 39, told the Evening Standard.

My baby will never come home to his mummy again. He was taken away from me too early.

The only child I have. Its devastating and the last thing I thought Id hear.

Speaking to reporters outside Scotland Yard on Tuesday, Metropolitan Police Detective Superintendent Danny Gosling said: Yesterday afternoon we were informed by colleagues from Essex Police that a body had been found in a lake in the Epping Forest area.

Whilst we wait for formal identification, we have spoken to Richards family to update them with this latest development.

Our specially trained officers remain with the family as they have done throughout this inquiry.

Read more:

Body found in Epping Forest matches missing student, mother told

Police divers join search for missing student Richard Okorogheye

Det Supt Gosling said police remained in Epping Forest to carry out further searches as they tried to piece together what happened to Mr Okorogheye.

The postmortem examination will take place shortly and we are also waiting for formal identification, he said.

This is an extensive inquiry, and we are working tirelessly to establish the full circumstances. This includes forensic medical and specialist inquiries, which all take time to complete.

Mr Okorogheyes mother, Evidence Joel, previously said her son had spoken of struggling to cope with university pressures and had been shielding during the Covid-19 lockdown.

As someone with sickle cell disease, the teenager would only leave the house to go to hospital for regular blood transfusions for his condition, she said.

Ms Joel and Richards father, Newton Okorogheye, also criticised the polices handling of the case, claiming that officers did not take their concerns seriously following his disappearance.

They said their son was not considered high risk until he had been missing for almost one week, despite his health condition.

I told a police officer that my son was missing, please help me find him, and she said, If you cant find your son, how do you expect police officers to find your son for you? Ms Joel said. I was expecting assurance.

A Met spokesperson told The Independent that the forces Directorate of Professional Standards was aware of Mr Okorogheyes case amid concerns about the forces response to his disappearance.

We are not aware of any formal complaints. Even in cases without significant publicity, the public can be reassured that work will be going on behind the scenes, they added.

Speaking after the body was discovered on Monday, she told the MyLondon website: [The police] said the description matches his, but well go in tomorrow to find out.

Mr Okorogheye was last seen on CCTV in Loughton, Essex, in the early hours of 23 March, walking towards Epping Forest.

The force said Mr Okorogheyes phone has not been in use since his disappearance.

The Samaritans are a charity available 24 hours a day offering a confidential listening service to anyone in distress. To contact the Samaritans helpline, call 116 123. The phone line is open 24 hours, seven days a week.
At the fringes of the Greenland Ice Sheet, where glaciers are constantly melting, water rushes everywhere through an intricate system of lakes and streams that branch out like slip and slide shoots of super chilled, bright turquoise water. Some of that water eventually cascades straight into the surrounding land and ocean through channels and cracks. Some of it thunders off into sinkhole-like structures on the ice called moulins. Rumbling 24 hours a day, these holes swallow water from the surface and funnel it to the bedrock at the base of the ice. Credit: Image courtesy of Dr. Laurence C. Smith.

With data from a 2016 expedition, scientists supported by NASA are shedding more light into the complex processes under the Greenland Ice Sheet that control how fast its glaciers slide toward the ocean and contribute to sea level rise.

On the surface of the ice sheet, bottomless sinkholes called moulins can funnel meltwater into the base of the ice. As that water reaches the ice sheet's underlying bed, it can make the ice detach slightly and flow more rapidly.

Glaciers that slide faster can eventually lead to the ice sheet melting a bit faster than expected, also increasing the amount of ice calved into the ocean. With a vast surface area roughly the size of Mexico, Greenland's melting ice is the largest contributor to global sea level rise.

In a new study, published April 5 in Geophysical Research Letters, the authors concluded that the one important factor influencing the speed of a sliding glacier in southwest Greenland was how quickly water pressure changed within cavities at the base of the ice where meltwater met bedrock.

"Even if the cavities are small, as long as the pressure is ramping up very fast, they will make the ice slide faster," said Dr. Laurence C. Smith, a professor of environmental studies and Earth, environmental, and planetary sciences at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.

It's the first time observations directly from field research show how changes in the volume of water under the Greenland Ice Sheet drive the flow velocities of a glacier.

The findings contradict a long-held view about ice sliding velocities and water stored under a glacier known as steady-state basal sliding law, which has helped scientists predict how fast ice sheets will slide based on the total volume of water underneath the ice.

Dr. Lauren Andrews, a glaciologist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, likes to explain the interactions between surface meltwater, basal ice, and the bedrock, as tires that slide very rapidly on a wet road because of hydroplaning.

"If you have a rapid perturbation of water going into the subglacial system, you overwhelm the system, and so you create essentially a layer of water at the interface that's not contained in channels or cavities anymore," Andrews said.

It's not the actual volume in water that drives ice velocity, she explained, but the speed with which it builds up at a bedrock ice interface. For slow increases in water the subglacial system has time to evolve to accommodate the same amount of water.

Until recently, the lack of data directly from the ground had made it difficult for scientists to probe the interactions that speed up glaciers in Greenland. One of the trickiest aspects preventing scientists from fully understanding ice sliding dynamics is the need to pair measurements of the flow of meltwater into a glacier with observations of the motion of the ice at the surface.

The research team set camp on Russell Glacier near Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, and studied a glacial river named to honor the late NASA researcher Alberto Behar. By comparing GPS measurements of the motion of ice at the surface with the amount of meltwater discharging into a vertical shaft in the glacier, known as a moulin, as well as meltwater exiting the glacier's edge, the team identified changes in water stored under the ice that corresponded with small accelerations in the ice at the surface. Past research on small alpine glaciers guided the design of the study.

"There's not a direct one-to-one relationship between the melting on the top and the meltwater exiting the ice sheet because the water is going through goodness knows what down below," Smith said.

The new findings will be valuable for satellites such as the upcoming NISAR satellite mission, a joint Earth-observing mission between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), which will measure changes in ice surface velocity with unprecedented resolution for the entire Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets, said Thorsten Markus, Cryospheric Science program manager at NASA. Projected to launch no earlier than 2022, NISAR may also enable further studies of ice surface velocities at much larger scales.

Eventually, combining satellite observations with data acquired from the ground can help scientists as they consider adjusting their models to represent the hydrology at the base of ice sheets more accurately.

Integrating new data in models is a gradual process, but Smith hopes the new findings can improve how climate models predict the pace of future sea level rise from Greenland's ice in the face of climate change.

"The only tools that we have to predict the future are models," Smith said. "We have remote sensing, and we have field campaigns, so if we can use both to improve our modeling capability, we'll be better able to adapt and mitigate sea level rise and climate change."

The fieldwork is one of many projects NASA has supported over the last two decades to interpret satellite observations and study the Greenland Ice Sheet using local field data.

Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook.
Radius Residential Care Limited is pleased to announce that it has exercised its right to acquire c. 4.3 hectares of development land in Belfast, Christchurch. Resource consent has been issued by Christchurch City Council for a new integrated aged care and retirement village facility totaling 70 care beds, 30 care suites and 94 retirement village units to be constructed on the property. An independent valuation obtained by Radius Care from CBRE has confirmed that the propertys fair value exceeds the purchase price of the property (including the price to Radius Care of its right to acquire the property).

Settlement of the acquisition is expected to take place between December 2021 and March 2022, with the balance of the purchase price for the property (being $5.5 million) payable on settlement. Following exercise of its right to acquire the property, Radius Care is now in a position to progress the final facility design, obtain building consents and commence construction contracting discussions in relation to this development.

Please see the link below for details:

Chch Dev Property Update

Source: Radius Residential Care Limited

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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 5) President Rodrigo Duterte is standing by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzanas latest remarks demanding that China withdraw its vessels from the Julian Felipe Reef at the West Philippine Sea, Malacanang said Monday.

The chief executive also expressed hope the latest impasse between the two countries will be resolved soon, his spokesperson Harry Roque added.

Under the qualified political doctrine, of course the President stands by the statements of our Secretary of Defense, Roque said in an interview with CNN Philippines The Source.

But I hasten to add that the President has been clear that this is not an issue that will lead to war between friendly nations. We are hoping that our friendly relations will soon resolve this latest impasse, he added.

Despite Manila's demand and diplomatic protest lodged against the East Asian giant weeks ago, about 44 Chinese vessels remain moored at the boomerang-shaped Julian Felipe Reef. The Philippines said the reef, also known as Whitsun, lies 175 nautical miles west of Bataraza town in Palawan, and is within the country's exclusive economic zone.

The Chinese Embassy earlier argued the ships were merely fishing vessels that took shelter near the area due to rough sea conditions  a claim Lorenzana questioned in a strongly worded statement over the weekend.

Lorenzana said Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian "has a lot of explaining to do, adding that he wont be fooled by the excuse of bad weather for the continued presence of the vessels in the vicinity.

In response, the Chinese Embassy called Lorenzanas statement "perplexing" and "unprofessional." It reiterated its claim that the reef is part of China's Nansha Islands, and that it was "completely normal" for Chinese fishing vessels to fish near the reef.

RELATED: Lorenzana blasts China anew amid refusal to remove vessels at WPS

The Foreign Affairs Department, on the other hand, has warned it will fire off diplomatic protests for each day the Chinese vessels refuse to leave Philippine waters. It said the lingering presence of the vessels "blatantly infrige upon Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction."

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, and has repeatedly rejected the 2016 arbitral ruling that recognized Manila's sovereign rights in areas of its EEZ that Beijing contests. The tribunal also invalidated China's sweeping "historic rights" claims to the sea.
Texas State business freshman Heather Tran (left) and communication and English senior Amrin Madhani talk with each other, Friday, April 2, 2021, at Mochas & Javas.
Colombo:

Radical Buddhist monks stormed a United Nations safe house for Rohingya refugees near Sri Lankas capital on Tuesday and forced authorities to relocate the group, officials said.



Saffron-robed Buddhist monks led a mob that broke down gates and entered the walled multi-storied compound as frightened refugees huddled together in upstairs rooms, a police official said.



We have pushed back the mob and the refugees will be relocated in a safer place, the official told AFP, asking not to be named as he was not authorised to speak to the media.



The 31 Rohingya refugees were rescued by the Sri Lankan navy in May after they were found drifting in a boat off the islands northern waters.

Read | Rohingya issue: Myanmar to send team to Dhaka to find durable solution



The Rohingya were eventually to be resettled in a third country, the official said, adding that they were authorised to remain in Sri Lanka pending the processing of their papers.



A monk who stormed into the building was filmed by his radical Sinhale Jathika Balamuluwa (Sinhalese National Force) as he urged others to join him and smash the premises.



These are Rohingya terrorists who killed Buddhist monks in Myanmar, the monk said in his live commentary on Facebook, pointing to Rohingya mothers with small children in their arms.



Sri Lankas extremist Buddhist monks have close links with their ultra-nationalist counterparts in Myanmar. Both have been accused of orchestrating violence against minority Muslims in the two countries.



The police official said the refugees were taken into protective custody and had been brought back to their safe house when the mob returned and started throwing stones.

Read | UN says 480,000 in latest Rohingya exodus to Bangladesh



Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims have fled Myanmar in the face of the current wave of violence in that country.



The Rohingya Muslims have been the target of decades of state-backed persecution and discrimination in mainly Buddhist Myanmar.



Many view them as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, despite their long-established roots in the country.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
A paramilitary guard watches as people wait to vote at a polling station during state elections in South 24 Parganas district, about 70 kilometres from Kolkata, India

Fresh deadly violence rocked the restive state of West Bengal on Tuesday as India held its biggest democratic exercise in two years with 175 million people eligible to vote in five regional elections.

The votes were being held even though India is experiencing a sharp rise in coronavirus infections, with several regions imposing restrictions on activities.

West Bengal in eastern India was the most important, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu-nationalist BJP party attempting to win power there for the first time in what would be a major symbolic victory.

The state, home to about 90 million people, has seen thousands killed in decades of political violence, and the current campaign has triggered deadly clashes between supporters of the BJP and the ruling TMC party.

The TMC, headed by fierce Modi critic Mamata Banerjee, has accused the BJP of attempting to import divisive sectarian politics into the state, which has a large Muslim minority.

On Tuesday two people were killed including the mother of a BJP supporter and a man in his 30s who was a member of the TMC, police said.

Shots were fired outside several polling stations during clashes in areas outside the state capital Kolkata, leaving at least 20 people injured, police said.

Voters were being intimidated into staying away from polling stations "in hundreds of villages", Dilip Ghosh, a senior local BJP member, told AFP.

- Stalin's alliance -

Because of the need for extra security, West Bengal has spread its election over eight phases culminating on April 29.

The north-eastern state of Assam, home to 32 million people, was also holding the last out of three phases on Tuesday, with the BJP vying to hold on to power.

The state is polarised along ethnic and religious lines, with immigration from neighbouring Bangladesh one of the biggest campaign issues.

A "citizenship list" in Assam state in 2019 left off almost two million people unable to prove they were Indian, many of them Muslims, a process many fear the BJP wants to roll out nationwide.

Story continues

The southern regions of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry also went to the polls, with local parties dominating the race but the BJP hoping to make inroads.

In Tamil Nadu an alliance led by MK Stalin -- named by his father after the late Soviet ruler -- was aiming to win power with his DMK party.

In Kerala the Left Democratic Front, a coalition including two communist parties, was fighting to retain power against an alliance led by Congress, the BJP's main national rivals.

Puducherry, a small former French colony previously known as Pondicherry, has been rocked recently by political defections and resignations leading to the collapse of its Congress-led government.

Results from all the elections, which come two years after Modi was elected to a second straight term, are due on May 2.

str-bb-stu/reb
The Biden administration wants to increase the corporate income tax rate by a third, from 21% to 28%, a move that would lower business investment and therefore economic growth. It would also reignite a new wave of so-called corporate inversions, the process by which companies relocate their home to an overseas location in order to enjoy lower corporate taxation. For example, Medtronic, a giant medical electronics company, moved its headquarters and corporate domicile from Minneapolis (where it was founded) to Ireland in 2015, costing jobs and tax revenue for Minnesota and the United States.

Janet Yellen, the secretary of the Treasury, wants to put a stop to this  not by keeping taxes in the United States competitive, but by convincing other countries to form a cartel enforcing a (high) minimum corporate income tax. Hans Nichols of Axios reports:

Janet Yellen will use her first major address as Treasury secretary to argue for a global minimum corporate tax rate, Axios has learned, as she makes the case for President Biden's plan to raise U.S. corporate taxes to fund his $2 trillion+ infrastructure plan. Why it matters: Convincing other countries to impose a global minimum tax would reduce the likelihood of companies relocating offshore, as Biden seeks to increase the corporate rate from 21% to 28%. "Competitiveness is about more than how U.S.-headquartered companies fare against other companies in global merger and acquisition bids," Yellen will say today in a speech to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, according to an excerpt of her prepared remarks obtained by Axios.

"It is about making sure that governments have stable tax systems that raise sufficient revenue to invest in essential public goods and respond to crises, and that all citizens fairly share the burden of financing government."

"We are working with G20 nations to agree to a global minimum corporate tax rate that can stop the race to the bottom."

Corporate income taxes are among the stupidest possible ways for governments to raise money. It sounds like forcing the rich "to pay their fair share," but all it does is discourage business investment, which is calculated on the basis of expected after-tax profits that could be realized from a prospective investment. Lower the expected after-tax profits, and you lower the number of investments that pass the threshold. That means fewer jobs, lower wages, and lower economic growth. If you want to tax the rich, then tax them when the profits reach actual human beings. Corporations are legal abstractions.

Yellen's tax cartel is recipe for global stagnation. I wonder what kind of pressure will be brought to bear in Ireland, whose 12.5% corporate income tax rate has attracted a huge amount of foreign investment on the Emerald Isle. Would Ireland willingly kill that golden goose?

Caricature by Donkey Hotey, CC BY 2.0 license.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
Burma Myanmar Regimes Thugs Target Doctors and Clinics Aiding the Wounded

Medical Professionals staged a protest against the military regime on March 13 in Yangon. / Kaung Htet

Early Saturday morning, troops of Myanmars military regime stormed into a doctors home in Mayangone Township of Yangon region and arbitrarily arrested the physician. His hands were tied behind his back, a black bag was put over his head and he was dragged away from his residence by soldiers and police, according to a witness.

The arrested man was orthopedic surgeon Dr. Kyaw Min Soe, a professor at University of Medicine, Yangon, who has been involved in the civil disobedience movement (CDM).

As they abducted the doctor, the soldiers and police swore at residents, destroyed closed-circuit TV cameras and threatened those present with guns. Who dared to take the picture? they asked.

The way they arrested Sayargyi [a respected professor] is totally unacceptable. He was arrested like a criminal, a doctor close to Dr. Kyaw Min Soe said.

The professor had been providing medical treatment to those injured in anti-regime protests. Some assumed that he was targeted because of that.

Some speculated it may also have been because of his close relationship with Dr. Zaw Wai Soe, a prominent figure in the CDM who has been appointed as an acting minister of three ministries by the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), Myanmars shadow government.

Doctors and healthcare workers who walked off the job as part of the CDM set up charity clinics for those needed emergency treatment and went undercover to treat patients wounded during crackdowns on anti-regime protests. Many public hospitals are closed because of the CDM. The popular movement was launched by medics and was later followed by other government workers nationwide, refusing to work under the men in uniform in an effort to make the country impossible for the regime to govern.

Frustrated with the failure of their violent crackdown to deter people from protesting, soldiers and police have started using lethal force in search of protesters to arrest, dragging them out of hiding and beat them before taking them away.

Mobile medical teams and secret medical clinics giving treatment to wounded anti-regime demonstrators have been increasingly targeted with violence and arrests.

On Monday, soldiers and police raided a charity clinic in Sanchaung Township and arrested four volunteer medical staff members: Dr. Aung Kyaw Oo, Dr. Soe San Phyo, Dr. Chan Myae Zaw, and Ma Khin Su Su Tun. They also arrested five other volunteers.

On Friday, Dr. Nay Myo, a physician providing free medical treatment, was detained by plainclothes police in Bago region, after leaving his clinic.

They were arrested while treating the patients. Is it a crime for doctors and nurses to save patients lives? a doctor wrote on her Facebook account, calling for the immediate release of the detained medics.

A number of healthcare facilities in several areas including in Yangon and Mandalay were also raided and attacked last month.

One doctor, speaking anonymously to protect his security, told The Irrawaddy that regardless of the threats posed against them, the medics will continue their work helping those in need of treatment.

If we dont cure the patients who else will cure them? The soldiers blocked the hospitals to prevent from reopening and accepting the wounded anti-regime protesters. [They] raided and harassed the healthcare facilities. We cant accept that. We wont stop what we are doing whatever they threaten, he said.

At least 11 other striking doctorsincluding Dr. Than Min Htut (Pindaya Mee Eain Shin), administrator of Pathein Township Hospital, Dr Pyae Phyo Naing, a doctor at Maezale Gone hospital, and Dr. Wai Wai Aye, a senior consultant chest physicianwere arrested over the past two months. Many of them are still being held in detention.

Several medical students and medical affiliated university students were also detained by the regime for their active participation in anti-coup protests.

The regime has also issued warrants for a number of prominent doctors in the CDM, including Dr. Zaw Wai Soe, Dr. Khin Maung Lwin who is the rector of the University of Medicine Mandalay and Dr. Wai Wai Oo, the superintendent of a 300-bed hospital in Mandalay.

Hundreds of doctors who are actively involved in the CDM or leading the movement have gone into hiding to evade arrest.

A 17-year-old first year medical student Khant Nyar Hein in Yangon, a doctor Phyo Thant Wai in Mandalay, an assistant surgeon Dr. Thiha Tin Tun in Mandalay, and a 20-year-old nursing student Ma Thinzar Hein in Sagaing are among the estimated 570 people killed by regime forces.

You may also like these stories:

Myanmar Youths Call for Boycott of Traditional Water Festival to Defy Junta, Honor Those Slain

Myanmar Military Raids Kachin Churches

Myanmar Regime Detains Family of NLD Fugitive, Including Three Children
LoneStarMike/ Wikimedia Commons

St. Edwards University, a small, private university in Austin with about 4,300 students, is one of a few universities in the country so far requiring students and employees to get a COVID-19 vaccine for the fall semester if they need to return in person.

According to a campus announcement late last month, people can opt out of the vaccine requirement for religious, medical or personal reasons. But they must obtain a notarized exemption document, as is needed for other required vaccines such as the meningitis shot.
The three-month nickel price was up by 2.1% on Tuesday at 9am to $16,555 per tonne. The metal had a 0.9% increase on April 1, while it was down by 2.7% over the first quarter of the year.

The US Dollar Index eased to 92.62 on Tuesday morning, from 92.92 at the close on April 1. The index reached a year-to-date high of 93.44 on March 31.

Tins three-month price jumped by 3.4% to $25,985 per tonne at 9am on Tuesday, the biggest increase in the complex, closely followed by zinc, which was up 2.7% to $2,858.50 per tonne from last Thursdays close of $2,774.50 per tonne.The Caxin Composite [Index] came in at 53.1 against a previous of 51.7 and that seems to have triggered a wave of speculative buying in the metals, Kingdom Futures Malcolm Freeman said in a morning note.Meanwhile, in the US, the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) purchasing managers index for the services industry jumped to 63.7 in March from 55.3 in February.Coppers three-month price also jumped this morning, rising by 2.4% to $9,006.50 per tonne at 9am. There was a 15,000-tonne fresh cancellation of copper at LME warehouses in Rotterdam on Tuesday.Inventory levels more than doubled to 111,500 tonnes over March, having started the month at 42,125 tonnes in Rotterdam. Sheds in the Dutch city had just under 20,000 tonnes of intake last week.And copper's price on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange jumped as much as 4.3% yesterday [on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange] after reports the top producer, Chile, will close its borders for a month to stem the surge of new Covid-19 cases. The market feared a closure might cause delays in replacement equipment at leading mines, but the Chilean government said the restrictions will not disrupt mining operations, Marex Spectron's LME Desk analyst Anna Stablum said.Data released by the countrys national copper commission, Cochilco, showed a 5% decrease in Chilean copper production over February to 425,500 tonnes.Elsewhere in LME stocks, 10,500 tonnes of aluminium were rewarranted on Tuesday in Port Klang, Malaysia. This follows the over 65,000 tonnes that were also rewarranted on March 29 and April 1.A spate in cancellations over the last two weeks of March, after the delivery of more than 650,000 tonnes on March 11-12, caused queues of over three months to build up in the citys warehouses to take out material.The LME aluminium price was up by 1.4% on Tuesday at 9am to $2,256.50 per tonne.
Ryanair has announced a new route from Shannon Airport to Corfu, operating twice weekly from July, as part of the airline's summer schedule in Ireland.

"Irish consumers can now book a summer getaway," it says.

The announcement comes as Government continues to advise against all overseas travel for non-essential purposes, and has given no indication as to when that advice may lift.

Ireland currently requires all arriving (or returning) passengers to show a negative PCR test result for Covid-19 and to quarantine for up to 14 days at home or in a quarantine hotel.

Corfu and Greece are not currently on the "designated states" list for quarantine hotels.

Ryanair says that as vaccination rollout programmes continue, it is "hopeful that international travel will recover" in time for summer holidays.

Customers can also postpone or change their travel dates "up to two times with a zero change fee until the end of October 2021", added the airline's Director of Commercial, Jason McGuinness.

This is a really difficult period for the aviation sector and todays announcement by Ryanair is very welcome and positive news for Shannon Airport," said Mary Considine, Shannon Group CEO.

She described it as "a chink of light" in an extremely challenging period.

Read More

Ryanair plans to run at about 80pc of its usual capacity this summer, has previously announced new summer services between Dublin and the Greek islands of Santorini and Rhodes, and has also launched a Covid-19 "travel wallet" in which passengers can store travel documentation such as vaccination certificates or test results.

It is also scheduled to fly from Dublin to Corfu this summer, as is Aer Lingus.

Greece has said it plans to welcome overseas visitors from May, as long as they can prove they have been vaccinated, have a recent negative Covid-19 test or have coronavirus antibodies.

"This new route will help boost air traffic as vaccination programmes continue and Europe prepares to re-open for summer holiday season," Ryanair said.
NEW YORK, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Rockefeller Foundation released a new roadmap for financing the end of the Covid-19 pandemic by the end of 2022 and kick-starting a just and sustainable global recovery. An Action Plan for Financing Global Vaccination and Sustainable Growth issues a call to action to leverage $44 billion in special drawing rights (SDRs) through the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in order to achieve a 70% vaccination rate in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) by the end of 2022. These special drawing rights would be a part of a broader issuance of $650 billion in SDRs to jump start a more inclusive, sustainable recovery in LMICs at no additional cost to wealthy nations, which have spent heavily on their own recoveries. The Foundation's financing roadmap calls for this new allocation to be finalized and distributed as swiftly as possible. Arguing that without it, the pandemic will rage on in these countries, giving rise to variants and supply chain disruptions that threaten efforts to defeat the virus in every country. The roadmap also cites the need for a re-allocation of no less than $100 billion in wealthy countries' SDRs to further support pandemic response and recovery in LMICs with relatively low cost to donors.

"At a moment when countries are facing populism and vaccine nationalism, this plan provides initial proposals on financing options to end the pandemic in 20 months and requires minimal additional dollars from individual nations," said Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, President of The Rockefeller Foundation. "Leveraging $44 billion in special drawing rights through the IMF can fund the vaccination of up to 70% of developing countries' populations and stop the pandemic everywhere, for all of us."

$44 billion to bridge the financing gap & end the pandemic in 20 months.

As of the end of March 2021, high- and upper-middle-income countries accounted for an estimated 86% of Covid-19 shots administered worldwide.

The price of achieving 70% vaccination among lower- and middle-income countries by the end of 2022 is estimated to be $44 billion, considering costs of the vaccine and the logistics and staffing to vaccinate these populations. The roadmap notes even some additional donor commitments would be unlikely to cover these costs in the short term. At the same time, a dozen of the world's Covid-19 vaccine manufacturers, collectively, have the facilities to produce up to 12 billion doses in 2021 alone.

"Right now, the supply side of a global vaccination effort of this kind is projected to be ahead of the operational and financing side," said Dr. Rick Bright, SVP of Pandemic Response and Prevention at The Rockefeller Foundation. "We know how to stop this virus, but the funding behind current global vaccination plans and the commitment required to drive supply and vaccine administration are simply not enough to get the vaccine into the arms of the majority of the world's population  and as the virus continues to spread unchecked, it's likely that even more dangerous variants will emerge."

In addition to bridging the critical financing gap, successfully utilizing special drawing rights to ensure equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines globally can pave the way for future creative use of SDRs.

$650 billion to kick-start a sustainable and just global recovery.

The IMF projects that the pandemic will strip $11 trillion of global economic output by the end of this year.

"The surest, easiest, and most obvious way to contain the pandemic and jump start a global recovery is through a new issuance of special drawing rights by the IMF, and to direct a substantial portion of the new SDRs towards vaccine production and deployment," said Jeffrey Sachs, University Professor and Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University and President of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

An allocation of $650 billion worth of special drawing rights, from which the $44 billion for vaccination could be drawn, would also provide an immediate injection of balance-sheet liquidity for the poorest countries, which have had limited to no ability to provide domestic fiscal support during the worst of the pandemic. This would automatically yield almost $23 billion for the Sub-Saharan Africa region alone, bolstering reserves, improving overall credit worthiness, and freeing up additional funding for critically needed domestic spending for the region's 46 countries.

At the same time, the pandemic is expected to push as many as 163 million into extreme poverty by the end of 2021 as the risks associated with climate change continue to grow, including droughts, fires, and other extreme events. Billions of people are currently held back because of a lack of access to safe, reliable, and affordable electricity, and even though solar and wind energy generation doubled during the last five years and now make up about one-tenth of global electricity generation, the use of coal only fell by 1% from 2015-2020 in real terms.

As part of that recovery, investments should speed the transition to cleaner forms of energy that will create jobs and stimulate a more sustainable recovery. Unfortunately, only 2.5% of total spending currently announced as a part of recovery packages is expected to enhance sustainability. CO 2 emissions are also starting to rebound aggressively as some economies recover. A new SDR issuance should set the stage for a clean and equitable recovery that unlocks access to the modern economy.

As of the publication of this roadmap, IMF Executive Directors have conveyed broad support among Fund members to move towards agreement of a $650 billion allocation of SDRs. A formal proposal is expected to move forward in the coming months.

The roadmap provides a financing plan to help achieve two key goals in The Rockefeller Foundation's landmark billion-dollar commitment announced in October 2020: end the Covid-19 pandemic and drive a more inclusive, sustainable global recovery. In the coming months, it will release a series of detailed plans to revitalize global growth by deploying a larger, multilateral financing effort focused on equity, sustainability, and climate.

On Tuesday, April 6, 2021 (10:00 am  11:30 am ET), The Rockefeller Foundation is hosting an event to discuss practical steps that global leaders can take in the coming months to finance the end of the pandemic and assure a more inclusive, sustainable recovery. The event will be broadcast live across The Rockefeller Foundation's social media pages via Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn and will be available on this Eventbrite page.

About The Rockefeller Foundation

The Rockefeller Foundation advances new frontiers of science, data, and innovation to solve global challenges related to health, food, power, and economic mobility. As a science-driven philanthropy focused on building collaborative relationships with partners and grantees, The Rockefeller Foundation seeks to inspire and foster large-scale human impact that promotes the well-being of humanity throughout the world by identifying and accelerating breakthrough solutions, ideas, and conversations. For more information, sign up for our newsletter at rockefellerfoundation.org and follow us on Twitter @RockefellerFdn.

SOURCE The Rockefeller Foundation

Related Links

http://www.rockfound.org


About a month ago, we spotted the first renders for the upcoming flagship the HUAWEI P50 and HUAWEI P50 Pro+. Today, we have a second version of higher quality renders and also a little more information of the smartphone which was leaked from schematics.

According to the renders, we can clearly notice that there are two large circles housing two lenses each which total up as 4 cameras. There is one LED flash on the center right of the camera housing as well with Leica imprinted on the top circle. The HUAWEI P50 is expected to come with a Sony IMX800 main camera sensor, ultrawide angle lens and a telephoto lens.

As for the HUAWEI P50 Pro, it will have a standard main camera, ultrawide angle lens and a periscope lens while the P50 Pro+ will have an additional 3D ToF camera on top of the three sensors. The HUAWEI P50 series will be powered by a Kirin 9000 chipset with Harmony OS out of the box and 4 colour variants,White, Black, Blue, and Beige.

Either way, there is still no official confirmation on the tech specs and release dates for the HUAWEI P50 series, so do take this with a pinch of salt. But we are expecting it to be unveiled in late April or within May-June. So stay tuned for more tech news updates on TechNave.com.
BRI supply chains embraced amid Suez Canal jam

Global Times) 15:04, April 06, 2021

The Suez Canal jam, caused by a stranded container ship, has posed an unprecedented challenge to the global supply chain, pushing businesses to look for new options to diversify their trading routes, especially along the Belt and Road, which during the pandemic has become a major channel for cargo transportation and anti-virus supplies from factories in China to the markets in Europe.

While the backlog was finally cleared nearly two weeks after the blockage caused by the grounding of Japanese-owned cargo ship Ever Given, the aftermath of the congestion has still sent shivers down traders' spines.

Several traders that the Global Times reached following the canal congestion said that they have received increasing inquiries from clients asking about changing transport methods from ship to train in order to get their goods delivered on time. Some said that the new inquiries concerning train cargo services have jumped three-fold since the jam.

Buck the trend

Suez Canal Authority has said that all 422 ships stranded by the grounding of the giant container ship Ever Given passed through the canal by Saturday, ending the backlog caused by the blockage, Aljazeera reported on Saturday.

However, experts believe that the aftermath of the jam could last much longer and deeper.

Allianz, the German insurance giant, estimates that the blockage of the Suez Canal could cost global trade between $6 billion and $10 billion a week.

At the same time, the container shortage that was exacerbated in the second half of last year would be worsened, industry experts said.

"This was a relatively short blockage, but its consequences will be felt for a long time and will serve as a boost to China and Russia, both of whom are introducing new game-changing intercontinental freight routes," Tom Fowdy, a British political and international relations analyst, said in his RT article published on March 30.

Fowdy's words echoed the rising popularity of the China-Europe freight train. According to Zhou Shihao, founder and CEO of YQNLINK, a global logistics online services platform, there are more people asking them about the train services these days following the canal jam.

While some goods of Zhou's company were stranded on the ships in the canal, they have started offering more alternatives for clients with urgent needs, including cross-border freight trains.

"We have seen client queries about China-Europe cargo trains jump 2-3 times since the canal was blocked," said Zhou.

Another trader in the international cargo business and working for a large cargo company in East China's Zhejiang, named Bao, told the Global Times on Sunday that even after the jam was cleared, international shipping companies are still having huge backlogs of cargo to unravel, which takes additional time, adding that they just cannot afford any more delays after the canal jam.

In the last week, Bao's company has shipped about 30-35 percent more goods via the trains dispatching urgent goods, including several containers of electronic devices from Yiwu to Hamburg, after some of their goods were already held up on ships at the canal.

Such a change in transport use is expected, given the advantages of trains compared to sea transport regarding price and time, industry insiders said.

"What normally takes 30-40 days by ship from China to Europe, only takes 15-25 days by train," said Zhou, noting that during the blockage, some ships needed to detour around the Cape of Good Hope, taking an additional 10 days.

Not only are trains faster than ships, but their on-time rate is also higher.

"The punctuality of the cross-border train between China and Europe can be up to 80 percent in general terms, whilst sea transport is only around 40-60 percent due to the low operation rate at some overseas ports caused by the pandemic," Wu Minghua, an independent shipping industry analyst from Shanghai, told the Global Times.

To ensure the fast delivery of goods and smooth trade flows, Urumqi's customs office in Xinjiang is completing customs clearance in one to two hours, a source with the office told the Global Times.

Such high efficiency is contributed in part by the high level of automation in loading and unloading goods and the digitization of customs clearance, enabling freight train transfer verification procedures for exported goods to be handled in 20 minutes, according to customs.

China's Belt and Road Initiative has invested hundreds of billions in the creation of new ports, railways, and roads on multiple continents, all of which are changing the logistical landscape, according to Fowdy.

More than 2,000 freight trains were running from China to Europe in the first two months of 2021, double the number at the same time a year ago.

Other routes

While the upward trend toward freight trains is resilient, there are also limitations compared with ships.

"The ships' capacity is at least five times bigger than trains, and although railways can be expanded, the gap is still big, making it essential to further diversify the trade routes," said Wu.

Other routes, such as detouring to the Cape of Good Hope, are a new alternative for many Chinese traders. Although the detour would take an extra week than the canal, a freight agent in Ningbo said, it would not necessarily cost more financially because the extra fuel would almost equal the passage fees charged by the Suez Canal.

Other alternative lines that have come under discussion after the jam are via the Arctic.

The total journey from Shanghai to London via the Suez Canal is around 10,413 sea miles, but the Arctic route in the north is only around 8,000, experts said.

(Web editor: Liang Jun, Bianji)
GREENWICH  The Board of Estimate and Taxation is slated to finalize the 2021-22 municipal budget proposal on Tuesday when it holds its second day of cutting, adding to or placing conditions on the $450.6 million spending plan.

The BET began its budget work last Thursday, but the long agenda forced a second day of deliberations, scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday. There are a number of big topics to discuss, including funds for design work for Julian Curtiss School, a possible condition to require private funds in building a new Eastern Greenwich Civic Center and a $102,000 feasibility study to determine whether to replace Central Middle School.

We need to finish the capital budget, BET Chair Michael Mason said Monday. From there, we have to also discuss how we handle COVID.

The town expects to receive its first allocation of $16.4 million from the federal American Rescue Plan stimulus package in May, with the other half of the more than $30 million slated to come in May 2022.

I think the BET is unanimous that we want to have a message about how were dealing with COVID and how this money is going to get allocated, Mason said. We have to set a message of how it is allocated and spending it and reporting it.

When it comes to school spending, parents and PTAs have pushed hard for the $1.7 million in the budget for Julian Curtiss. The allocation would pay for finalizing plans for school improvements, including improved accessibility, security and science facilities. But some BET members, including Mason, have balked at the possible $25 million construction price tag for 2022-23.

I believe all 12 members of the BET fully supports the Julian Curtiss plan, Mason said. I just believe theres a further dialogue about the (educational specifications) that need to happen. I believe the current ed specs have items in there that caused the project to escalate in costs. I also think there are things not in the ed specs that we should have dialogue with the Board of Ed about setting minimum standards for our capital projects going forward.

Republicans have the majority on the BET, and Mason can use his tie-breaking vote if the 12-member board is split between the six Republicans and six Democrats.

Beyond the debates over Julian Curtiss and Central Middle School, there will also be focus on funding the towns overall capital plan and what Democrats have said is a reliance on using the towns cash reserves to balance the budget and lower mill rate increases, said BET member Leslie Moriarty, head of the Democratic caucus.

It is imperative that the BET properly fund the capital plan and, while the Budget Committee did increase support for capital, additional increases will provide the town with more resources for necessary projects, Moriarty said.

Consideration of longer bond maturities for soil remediation projects, budgeted to be $32 million over the next three years, will also provide additional resources to fund the near term capital needs, she said. The proposed budget uses significantly more cash reserves to balance the level of property taxes. This increasing reliance on cash reserves is not sustainable and will be a major point of discussion.

Mason said he did not expect the debate over field remediation to be a big discussion, with the remediation only in the first phase.

Moriarty expressed concern over possible cuts in the Julian Curtiss Schools design money. She noted the aging condition of the towns school buildings and the need to bring them up to current standards.

This motion, if approved, effectively says the BET can better judge the educational and facility needs of the schools than the Board of Education, delays this and other projects, and sets the expectations for the Old Greenwich and Riverside School projects in the (school buildings) master plan, Moriarty said. It is vital that the BET supports the needs of our school facilities.

Mason noted that the BET has gotten changes made to ed specs, pointing to its successes with the plans for the new performing arts center at Greenwich High School.

The BET also has the power to set conditions, when it includes money for a project in the budget but also requires that the town department involved meet certain criteria before spending the funds. A condition is likely on the $18.6 million allocated for construction of the new civic center in Old Greenwich  that would require some private financing.

An initiative from First Selectman Fred Camillo seeking $1.25 million to develop improvement plans for Roger Sherman Baldwin Park is also on the agenda. That money seemed likely to be cut, but Camillo has vowed to push on with the project, perhaps with private money.

The meeting will be held via Zoom. A link to the meeting can be found under the agenda section at https://www.greenwichct.gov/680/Board-of-Estimate-Taxation.

The final vote on the budget is set for May 10 before the Representative Town Meeting.

kborsuk@greenwichtime.com
KYODO NEWS - Apr 6, 2021 - 21:19 | All, Japan, Coronavirus

Japan said Tuesday it will tighten border controls on travelers from Spain, Finland and the Canadian province of Ontario in response to the spread of new variants of the novel coronavirus detected there.

Under the new measure, people arriving from the three areas will be required to quarantine in a designated facility and retake a COVID-19 test after three days.

If the results are negative, they will be asked to leave the facility without using public transport and self-quarantine at home or other locations for 14 days.

So far, Japanese authorities required such people to stay at home or elsewhere for two weeks after entering the country.

At present, Japan bans all entries of nonresident foreigners except for those given approval under "special exceptional circumstances."

The latest additions join the 26 countries that have been subject to stricter quarantine measures.

The 26 are Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Britain, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Poland, the Philippines, Slovakia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates.
NEW YORK, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Credit Referencing market will register an incremental spend of about USD 5.7 Billion, growing at a CAGR of 7.21% during the five-year forecast period. A targeted strategic approach to Credit Referencing sourcing can unlock several opportunities for buyers. This report also offers market impact and new opportunities created due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Download free sample report

Credit Referencing Market Procurement Research Report

Key Highlights Offered in the Report:

Information on how to identify strategic and tactical negotiation levels that will help achieve the best prices.

Gain information on relevant pricing levels, detailed explanation on pros and cons of prevalent pricing models.

Methods to help engage with the right suppliers and discover KPIs to evaluate incumbent suppliers.

Get a free sample report for more information

Insights into buyer strategies and tactical negotiation levers:

Several strategic and tactical negotiation levers are explained in the report to help buyers achieve the best prices for the Credit Referencing market. The report also aids buyers with relevant Credit Referencing pricing levels, pros, and cons of prevalent pricing models such as volume-based pricing, spot pricing, and cost-plus pricing and category management strategies and best practices to fulfill their category objectives.

For more insights on buyer strategies and tactical negotiation levers, Click here.

Key Drivers and Trends Fueling Market Growth:

The pressure from substitutes and a moderate level of threat from new entrants has resulted in the low bargaining power of suppliers.

Price forecasts are beneficial in purchase planning, especially when supplemented by the constant monitoring of price influencing factors. During the forecast period, the market expects a change of 5.00%-8.00%.

Identify favorable opportunities in Credit Referencing TCO (total cost of ownership).

Expected changes in price forecast and factors driving the current and future price changes.

Identify pricing models that offer the most rewarding opportunities.

Some of the top Credit Referencing suppliers listed in this report:

This Credit Referencing procurement intelligence report has enlisted the top suppliers and their cost structures, SLA terms, best selection criteria, and negotiation strategies.

Story continues

Equifax Inc.

Experian Plc

TransUnion

Fair Isaac Corp.

Schufa Holding AG

Dun & Bradstreet Inc.

CRIF High Mark Credit Information Services Pvt. Ltd.

NortonLifeLock Inc.

Creditsafe Business Solutions Ltd.

CARE Ratings Ltd.

To get instant access to over 1000 market-ready procurement intelligence reports without any additional costs or commitment, Subscribe Now for Free.

Table of Content

Executive Summary

Market Insights

Category Pricing Insights

Cost-saving Opportunities

Best Practices

Category Ecosystem

Category Management Strategy

Category Management Enablers

Suppliers Selection

Suppliers under Coverage

US Market Insights

Category scope

Appendix

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FARMINGTON  Fotis Dulos former home  a focal point during the police investigation into his estranged wifes disappearance and where he attempted suicide last January  has been sold.

The 10,000-square-foot home built by Fotis Dulos on the private Jefferson Crossing road developed by his company has sold for $1.85 million. The home had been listed for $1.75 million.

Attorney Richard Weinstein, who represents Jennifer Dulos mother, Gloria Farber, said the money will go to his client, who foreclosed on the property.

Eventually, it will go to the children, Weinstein said.

As of Monday, the property was still listed as being owned by Farber's trust, according to the Farmington assessor's office and land records filed with the Farmington Town Clerk.

Farber has been caring for the five Dulos children since their mother vanished in May 2019. Jennifer Dulos has never been found, but the states chief medical examiner said she would not have survived the attack in the garage of her New Canaan home without immediate medical attention, according to arrest warrants in the case.

Fotis Dulos died from a suicide in January 2020 while facing murder, kidnapping and other charges in the case.

Attorneys have agreed to allow Fotis Dulos estate to access his $194,000 individual retirement account without a judge declaring his estranged wife dead.

From our viewpoint, its largely an academic issue, Weinstein said. We have every reason to believe she is dead, that she predeceased him and the money belongs to his estate.

Attorney Christopher Hug, the administrator of Fotis Dulos estate, has not been allowed to access the IRA unless it is determined that Jennifer Dulos predeceased her estranged husband since no beneficiary was named.

Hug had asked Farmington Probate Court Judge Evelyn Daly to declare Jennifer Dulos dead based on arrest warrants in the 50-year-old mothers disappearance. But Daly declined, instead seeking more evidence, including police testimony. Rather than stage a second hearing, Hug and attorneys representing Farber and the interests of Jennifer Dulos reached an agreement that granted the estate the right to the funds, court documents said.

We believe that we dont have a right to the IRA since Jennifer predeceased Fotis, Weinstein said.

The best interests of her children were paramount to Jennifer Dulos, said Peter Jay Alter, the guardian ad litem assigned to represent Jennifer Dulos in probate court proceedings.

Further considering the unfortunate publicity and stress that would be imposed on her children if the court requires extensive evidence to be given to determine if Jennifer Farber Dulos did in fact predecease her late husband, the undersigned on behalf of Jennifer Farber Dulos and acting in her best interests, irrevocably waives any interest in the IRA, Alter said in court documents.

Daly is expected to announce whether she will accept the terms of the stipulation in the coming weeks.

However, Fotis Dulos estate is still long from being settled. There is also the issue of the $250,000 Fotis Dulos gave his criminal defense attorneys, Norm Pattis and Kevin Smith, to represent him in the murder case weeks before he died.

Hug and the trustee handling the financial affairs between Farber and Fotis Dulos are suing Pattis and Smith on the grounds they represented their client for only three weeks after receiving the money.

That case is scheduled to go to trial remotely on May 28.

Jennifer Dulos was last seen around 8 a.m. May 24, 2019 after dropping off her five children at school, arrest warrants state. Police said they believe Fotis Dulos was lying in wait for his estranged wife to return to her New Canaan home, where he attacked her in the garage, arrest warrants state.

Around the time Jennifer Dulos was reported missing, Fotis Dulos and his former girlfriend, Michelle Troconis, were seen on surveillance video in Hartfords North End, arrest warrants state. The video showed Fotis Dulos dumping bags that were later determined to contain his estranged wifes blood and clothing, according to the arrest warrants.

Troconis and Kent Mawhinney, a longtime friend and former attorney for Fotis Dulos, have each pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit murder. Troconis has also pleaded not guilty to tampering with evidence and hindering prosecution.
KHARTOUM (Reuters) -Sudan's Cabinet voted on Tuesday to repeal a 1958 law that forbade diplomatic and business relations with Israel, it said in a statement, the latest development in relations between the two countries.

The move needs the approval of a joint meeting of Sudan's sovereign council and Cabinet, which serves as Sudan's interim legislative body, to come into effect, the Cabinet said.

While Sudan's civilian authorities have maintained that the decision to initiate relations with Israel would be left to the yet-to-be-formed transitional parliament, Tuesday's vote is seen as a step that could pave the way for official visits and further diplomatic ties.

Sudan last year joined the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco in agreeing to move toward normalized relations with Israel in Abraham Accords deals brokered by the Trump administration.

Normalization with Israel is seen in Sudan as an initiative led by the military, which has welcomed visits by Israeli officials in recent months.

One of those officials, Intelligence Minister Eli Cohen, welcomed Khartoum's move.

"This is an important and necessary step toward the signing of a peace accord between the countries," Cohen said in a statement, which did not expand on when such an event might take place.

(Reporting by Khalid Abdelaziz and Dan WilliamsWriting by Nafisa Eltahir and Mahmoud MouradEditing by Kevin Liffey and Matthew Lewis)
MAK ONE Spring 2021 Release The enhanced capabilities of this MAK ONE release will enable our customers to provide better, faster, and more realistic training systems for warfighters. This release is especially well suited to those needing to simulate Multi-Domain Operations.

MAK Technologies (MAK), a company of ST Engineering North America, today announced the spring 2021 release of MAK ONE, a whole-world synthetic environment simulation platform. The latest release to the MAK ONE suite builds on the capabilities and features in the 2020 release to include new enhancements in its VR-Forces simulation solution, VR-Engage multi-role virtual simulator, VR-Vantage 3D simulation visualization and VR-Link toolkit.

MAK ONE features rich libraries of models, behaviors, and environmental effects, allowing users to model, simulate, and visualize the most realistic scenarios. Trainees can immerse in beautiful virtual reality rendered in high-resolution accurate detail, both visually and through imaging sensors. Instructors are able to create rich scenarios to fill the entire earth environment with activities spanning the air, land, sea and space domains. Developers will benefit from the flexibility of application programming interfaces (APIs) to plug in their custom models and behaviors, while scientists and engineers leverage controls over the environment that enable the design of new system concepts, prototypes, and doctrines.

The enhanced capabilities of this MAK ONE release will enable our customers to provide better, faster, and more realistic training systems for warfighters. This release is especially well suited to those needing to simulate Multi-Domain Operations. It underscores our continued dedication to creating leading-edge products that push the limits of simulation technology and exceed our customers expectations, said Bill Cole, President and CEO, MAK Technologies.

I often think of MAK ONE features as threads that run through time, crossing individual releases, said Jim Kogler, Vice President of Products, MAK Technologies. As we weave the intricate MAK ONE tapestry, we introduce new threads or complete threads that we started earlier. We may spend years working on a significant feature or enhance bits of its functionality throughout product releases, to deliver richer experiences and capabilities.

This release of MAK ONE features several new, completed, and continuing threads to the MAK ONE tapestry of products:



New Indirect Rendering pipeline. The VR-Vantage render engine has been moved to the new Indirect Rendering pipeline, enabling users to generate scenes with significantly more models that are more complex with better performance than ever before.

Content pipeline overhaul. While many in the industry continue to use OpenFlight for traditional runtime-ready moving models, this release adds support for a full Autodesk/FBX pipeline, allowing customers to create and import models in the same way they would for modern game engines. This new pipeline enables MAK customers to add and modify content quickly, using resources from artists worldwide.

Updates to the atmosphere. Users can now define multiple wind levels ("winds aloft") and numerous environmental conditions, like blowing dust and blowing snow. Customers can also define areas of turbulence to stimulate their high-fidelity pilot training flight simulators.

Model enhancements. Aircraft can now be tasked to fly using Air Speeds, like True Air Speed (TAS), Indicated Air Speed (IAS), or Mach. When tasked to fly at 569 knots (IAS), the aircraft will consider local weather conditions, altitude, and other factors to maintain that airspeed even when flying through local weather areas or wind corridors. VR-Forces aircraft can also now take advantage of VR-Forces full Earth magnetic model. Users can task vehicle movement (ships, aircraft, etc.) to follow a magnetic course with a correct magnetic declination worldwide.

More dynamic terrain. This release introduces persistent vehicle tracks. Vehicles will leave tracks on the ground-based on the land use conditions such as dirt, hardpack, pavement and grass, and those are published on the network as part of the simulation. Information about vehicle location during the exercise is visualized and can be manipulated by instructors and saved in the scenario.

For more information about the spring 2021 MAK ONE release, visit https://www.mak.com/mak-one-spring-2021

As part of this latest release, MAK will host a series of virtual and interactive MAK ONE seminars to share product roadmap updates, application of MAK ONE in cloud environments and other use cases. To register for MAK ONE seminars, visit https://mak.com/live.

*****

ST Engineering North America is the U.S. headquarters of ST Engineering, a global technology, defense and engineering group with a diverse portfolio of businesses across the aerospace, smart city, defense and public security segments. Based in Alexandria, VA, it has major operations across 16 cities in 12 states and employs about 5,000 people providing innovative products and solutions to commercial and government customers across diverse market segments.

MAK Technologies is a global leader in modeling and simulation software that links, simulates and visualizes virtual worlds in networked synthetic environments. Continuing a tradition that stretches back almost three decades, our tools are used by the worlds top organizations for training, experimentation, mission rehearsal, research and development, and virtual prototyping. We empower our customers to build on top of our open standards-based COTS platforms, and assist customers in creating winning systems.
Amman, April 6 : Jordan's top prosecutor on Tuesday banned the publication of any information or material relating to a case involving former Crown Prince Hamzah.

The ban aims to preserve the secrecy of the investigations conducted by the security services, the prosecutor said in a statement, according to the official Petra news agency.

"The ban includes audio and visual media and social networking sites, and the publication and circulation of any pictures or videos related to this topic," dpa news agency quoted the statement as saying.

The government said it had foiled a destabilising plot involving Prince Hamzah, King Abdullah II's half-brother.

Investigations showed there were movements by Hamzah and others that were targeting the kingdom's stability and security, and that they were in contact with "foreign parties", the authorities said on Sunday.

Several high-profile individuals have since been arrested.

The Jordanian Army denied Hamzah was under house arrest, but that he was asked to refrain from activities that could be damaging to the Kingdom's stability.

In recorded videos, Hamzah said the Army told him not to leave his house or communicate with anyone.

Two audio recordings by Hamzah have been circulating on social media since April 3.

One is of a conversation between Hamzah and the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Yousef Ahmed al-Hunaiti.

On Monday night, the royal court released a statement signed by Hamzah, in which he affirmed his loyalty to King Abdullah II.

Hamzah, 41, was Jordan's Crown Prince between 1999 and 2004.

At the time, he said he will remain a devout support to Abdullah in official letter published by state media.
Below is a recap of all the witnesses who testified at Derek Chauvin's trial through April 16, in order of appearance.

PROSECUTION

911 dispatcher Jenna Scurry

The prosecution's first witness on March 29 was Jenna Scurry, a 911 dispatcher who watched live video of police kneeling on Floyd and testified that she called the officers' supervisor with concerns about their use of force.

It was Scurry who sent officers to the Cup Foods at 38th and Chicago Avenue on May 25, 2020, after receiving a call about a man using a counterfeit bill.

Scurry told how she had seen surveillance footage of the incident from one of the city's pole mounted cameras and been struck by a 'gut instinct' that 'something wasn't right'.

The video, which had not previously been released publicly, showed Chauvin and fellow officers Lane and Kueng perched atop Floyd next to a squad car while officer Thao looked on.

Scurry noted that she wasn't watching the stream the entire time because she was fielding other calls. But she said that as she glanced away and back again, she was struck that the officers hadn't moved and asked a colleague if the screen had frozen.

'I first asked if the screens had frozen because it hadn't changed. I thought something might be wrong,' she said.

She said that she hadn't wanted to be a 'snitch' but she recognized what appeared to be use of force and stated: 'I took that instinct and I called the sergeant.'

Assistant Attorney General Matthew Frank played audio from the call, in which Scurry said: 'I don't know if they had to use force or not. They got something out of the back of the squad and all of them sat on this man. So I don't know if they needed to or not but they haven't said anything to me yet.'

'You can call me a snitch if you want to,' she added.

She said she made the call to 'voice my concerns' and noted that she had never made one like it to a police sergeant before.

Cross examining Scurry, Chauvin's attorney Eric Nelson was at pains to underscore gaps in what she saw and the facts that she had no police training, little knowledge of what the calls to which she sent officers actually looked like and pointed out that her attention was not trained on the screen at all times.

Bystander Alisha Oyler

Alisha Oyler, a cashier at the Speedway gas station opposite Cup Foods who recorded video of Floyd's arrest was the state's second witness.

'Trying not to cuss' and frequently failing to recall events Oyler explained that she had first noticed police 'messing with someone' outside the Dragon Wok restaurant opposite Cup Foods.

She said she had watched officers handcuff Floyd and take him across to the now infamous site of squad car 320 in front of the store's entrance and continued to record events on her cell phone as she stepped out to have a cigarette.

She said she had done so because the police were 'always messing with people and it's not right'.

MMA fighter and bystander Donald Williams

Donald Winn Williams II, a mixed martial arts fighter and the prosecution's third witness who had yelled at Chauvin to check for a pulse and accused him of placing Floyd in what he called a 'kill choke', testified first on March 29 before continuing on March 30.

Williams became emotional as he spoke about how he called 911 after Floyd was placed in an ambulance because: 'I believed I had just witnessed a murder. I felt the need to call the police on the police.'

He began to cry as jurors were played audio of the call, in which he named officer 987 and said: 'He just pretty much killed this guy. He wasn't resisting arrest. He had his knee on his neck. He wasn't resisting arrest or nothing, he was handcuffed.'

Williams said he witnessed Chauvin 'shimmying', or adjusting his position on Floyd's neck, in a recognized martial art maneuver designed to double-down on and tighten a choke hold.

He told how he watched Chauvin squeeze the life out of Floyd, who he said was in 'tremendous pain' and 'faded away like a fish in a bag'.

He said that when he called Chauvin out for using a blood choke the officer looked him straight in the eye and did not stop.

Williams also told how Officer Tou Thao put his hands on his chest and pushed him back to the curb when he tried to intervene.

At the end of his 911 call Williams was heard shouting at Thao: 'Y'all murderers man, y'all murderers.'

On cross-examination, Chauvin's attorney Eric Nelson attempted to undercut William's presentation of himself as a controlled and professional observer of events who remained schooled by his training and experience in sports and security.

Nelson appeared to be trying to provoke Williams into a display of anger as he repeatedly tried to discredit his claims to having remained calm.

'You started calling [Chauvin] names didn't you?' Nelson asked. 'You called him, 'a tough guy.' You called him 'such a man,' 'bogus.' You called him a 'bum' 13 times. You called him a 'bitch.''

But while Williams agreed to all of these assertions he would not be persuaded to agree to Nelson's characterization of him as 'angry' or threatening.

Asked if he had told Officer Tou Thao that he hoped he would shoot himself he said: 'No..I said you will shoot yourself in two years because of what you did.'

Bystander Darnella Frazier, 18

Darnella Frazier, who was 17 years old when she recorded the most famous viral video of Floyd's arrest last spring, took the stand on March 30 and told how she felt helpless as she watched him lose consciousness.

'There's been nights I've stayed up apologizing to George Floyd for not doing more and not physically interacting, not saving his life,' Darnella, now 18, said. 'But it's not what I should have done - it's what [Chauvin] should have done.'

Darnella - who was not shown on camera in court because of her age - asserted that Chauvin pressed his knee into Floyd's neck even harder as the growing crowd begged him to stop - and that he didn't remove his knee even when paramedics were searching for a pulse.

'I heard George Floyd saying: "I can't breathe, please get off of me." He cried for his mom and he was in pain,' Darnella said. 'It seemed like he knew it was over for him. He was terrified, he was suffering. This was a cry for help.'

When an ambulance arrived, Darnella said paramedics had to tell Chauvin to remove his knee from Floyd's neck.

Darnella said that she felt 'threatened' by both Chauvin and Thao who she said 'were quick to put their hands on their mace' when a woman who identified herself as a firefighter asked Chauvin to check for a pulse and she and Darnella made to move towards Floyd where he lay.

Asked if, at any point, Chauvin had 'got up or let up' she said: 'If anything he actually was kneeling harder. It looked like he was shoving his knee in his neck.'

At the close of her testimony Darnella broke down as she told jurors how witnessing and filming Floyd's death affected her life.

'When I look at George Floyd I look at my dad, I look my brothers, I look at my cousins, my uncles because they are all black,' she said. 'I have a black father, black brother, black friends and I look at that and I think how that could have been them.'

Bystander Judeah, nine

Nine-year-old witness Judeah, took the witness stand on March 29 and described how she and her cousin Darnella, who testified earlier, had gone to Cup Foods for snacks on May 25 when they found Floyd pinned to the ground by Chauvin and two other police officers.

The girl, who was not shown on camera due to her age, gave gut-wrenching testimony about how Chauvin refused to remove his knee from Floyd's neck even after paramedics arrived and 'asked him nicely to get off of him'.

'He [Chauvin] still stayed on him [Floyd],' Judeah said. She said the medics eventually 'just had to put him off, get him off of him.'

'I was sad and kind of mad. If felt like he was stopping his breathing and kind of hurting him,' Judeah said of Floyd.

Judeah is pictured second from the right in a green shirt in video from Floyd's fatal confrontation with police that was shown in court

Bystander Alyssa, 18

The prosecution's fourth witness on March 30 was an 18-year-old named Alyssa, who told how she had walked towards the incident and started recording on her friend's cell phone because she felt 'something was wrong'.

Alyssa broke down in tears as she described what of Floyd, saying: 'It's difficult [to talk about] because I felt like there wasn't anything I could doand I felt like I was failing him, failing to do anything.'

Alyssa said that Chauvin did not move his knee even on the arrival of paramedics and in fact she saw him put more weight on Floyd's neck as the minutes ticked by.

'He [Chauvin] didn't really take his eyes off him [Floyd] for the most part. At one point I saw him put more and more weight onto him. I saw his back foot lift off the ground and his hands go in his pocket.'

'I saw him move his knee down more, make little movements,' she added.

The prosecution played the video recorded by Alyssa, in which she could be heard shouting: 'He's not moving. Check his pulse. Tell me his pulse right now. It's been over a minute [since he moved].'

She told the jury: 'I knew that time was running out. He was going to die.'

Finally she said, there came a point when 'I kind of knew that he was dead and not breathing, no longer fighting, no longer resisting.'

Bystander Kaylynn, 17

Alyssa's friend, 17-year-old Kaylynn, was the last minor to testify on March 30.

She said that it was the police officers who were 'hostile' not the crowd recalling how Chauvin was 'digging his knee into George Floyd's neck' and 'grabbed his mace and started shaking it at us' when onlookers shouted at him to check for a pulse.

'I was scared because I didn't know what was going to happen,' she said. Asked directly what she was scared of, she replied: 'I was scared of Chauvin.'

Off-duty firefighter Genevieve Hansen

Off-duty Minneapolis firefighter and paramedic Genevieve Hansen, 27, caused a stir in the courtroom on March 30 when she was admonished by Judge Cahill for repeatedly interrupting and talking back to Chauvin's attorney Nelson during cross examination.

Hansen had wiped away tears as she recalled how she had identified herself as a first responder and begged to help Floyd when she believed he was dying outside the Cup Foods store on May 25, 2020.

But soon after her demeanor changed as she was questioned by Nelson, who asked if she would describe bystanders at the scene of Floyd's arrest as upset or angry.

Hansen replied: 'I don't know if you've seen anybody be killed, but it's upsetting.'

At this point Judge Cahill stepped in and cautioned Hansen for being argumentative, telling her to 'just answer his questions'.

Minutes later Cahill sent the jury out for the day before turning to an increasingly combative Hansen and telling her in no uncertain terms: 'You will not argue with the court, you will not argue with counsel.'

Under direct examination, Hansen explained how her desperate pleas to be allowed to provide Floyd with life-saving medical assistance were ignored by the officers who pinned him down and blocked by officer Thao.

'I tried calm and reasoning, I pleaded and was desperate. I was desperate to help,' Hansen said.

Her calls fell on deaf ears as Chauvin remained unmoved and Officer Thao told her to remain on the curb, at one point saying: 'If you really are a Minneapolis firefighter you would know better than to get involved.'

In court Hansen said: 'That's exactly what I should have done. There was no medical assistance on the scene and I could have given [it].'

'The officers were leaning over his body with what appeared to be the majority of their weight on him,' she said. 'He wasn't moving, he was cuffed and three grown men putting all their weight on somebody  that's too much.

'Chauvin seemed very comfortable with the majority of his weight balanced on top of Mr Floyd's neck. In my memory he had his hand in his pocket. He wasn't distributing the weight on the car, on the pavement.'

Hansen said that she had assessed that Floyd had a 'altered level of consciousness,' that concerned her greatly.

She said that his face was 'smooshed' into the pavement and said: 'I was really concerned. I thought his face looked puffy and swollen which would happen if you were putting a grown man's weight [on him].

'I noticed some fluid coming from what looked like George Floyd's body and a lot of time we see a patient release their bladder when they die - that's where my mind went. He was restrained but he wasn't moving.'

Hansen said she recognized that Floyd was unconscious because he was not responding to the 'painful stimulae' of Chauvin's knee on his neck.

'What I needed to know was whether or not he had a pulse anymore,' she said. But she said she was not permitted access to the scene and the officers ignored her offers to talk them through CPR.

She said she felt 'helpless.' 'There's a man being killed,' she said, 'and had I had access I would have [helped]. This human was denied that right.'

Before she took the stand jury saw video she had recorded on the scene and heard audio of the 911 call she placed immediately after.

Her voice trembling with shock and emotion she could be heard telling the operator: 'I literally just watched police officers not take a pulse and not to do anything to save a man and I am a first responder myself and I literally have it on video.'

In an uncomfortable cross-examination, Hansen refused to be drawn into an admission that she would be distracted from her job if a threatening crowd were gathered telling her she was 'doing it wrong'.

Time after time Nelson attempted to get an admission out of her until she said: 'I think a burning structure where there are buildings and homes and people living on either side is much more concerning than 20 people.

'I'll repeat myself, I know my job, I'm confident in doing my job and there's nothing anybody can do to disturb me.'

When he asked if she had grown angry, she said she had been 'desperate' before admitting: 'I got quite angry after Mr Floyd was loaded into the ambulance and there was no point in trying to reason with them anymore because they had just killed somebody.'

Cup Foods employee Christopher Martin

Cup Foods clerk Christopher Martin testified on March 31 about how his coworker called the cops on Floyd because he believed he used a counterfeit $20 bill on May 25.

Looking back, Martin said he wished he'd never raised alarm about the bill because he believes Floyd might still be alive if he hadn't, telling the court: 'This could have been avoided.'

Martin told the court that he became suspicious of the bill because it had an unusual 'blue pigment so I assumed it was fake'.

'The policy was if you took a counterfeit bill you had to pay for it out of your pay-check,' Martin explained. 'I took it anyways and was planning to just put it on my tab - until I second guessed myself and eventually told my manager.'

The manager then instructed Martin to go outside and bring Floyd back, he said. When Floyd refused, a co-worker called police. One of the responding officers was Chauvin.

Martin said that the two things he noticed about Floyd were his 'size' and he appeared to be 'high'.

However he said that he did not find Floyd's demeanor to be threatening, saying: 'He seemed very friendly, approachable, talkative, he seemed just to be having an average Memorial Day living his life. But he did seem high.'

Martin said he went back to manning the cash register when police arrived but soon after noticed a commotion at the front of Cup Foods and went outside, where he saw Floyd pinned to the ground.

'I saw people yelling and screaming I saw Derek [Chauvin] with his knee on George's neck on the ground,' he said.

'George was motionless, limp and Chauvin seemed veryhe was in a resting state, meaning like he just rested his knee on his neck.'

Martin, who lived above the store, said: 'I pulled my phone out first and called my mom and told her not to come downstairs. Then I started recording.

'Later on that night I deleted it because when they picked George up off the ground the ambulance went straight down 38th and the quickest way to get to the hospital is straight down Chicago Avenue.'

Martin said he assumed from this that Floyd was already dead and deleted his recording as he didn't want to have to show it to anybody or answer questions about it in the aftermath.

Asked how he had felt as he absorbed what he had just witnessed, Martin said 'disbelief and guilt'.

Martin, who had earlier told jurors that he had almost not reported the fake bill and only done so after second-guessing himself, said: 'If I would have just not taken the bill this could have been avoided.'

Asked if he still worked at Cup Foods, Martin's voice cracked as he said: 'No. I didn't feel safe.'

Bystander Christopher Belfrey, 45

Christopher Belfrey testified on March 31 about video he recorded when he drove past Cup Foods and say officers Lane and Kueng approaching Floyd in his car.

Belfrey, 45, said he started recording when parked directly behind Floyd's SUV because he was 'startled' to see Lane draw his handgun.

He explained that he pulled to the other side of the street, not wanting to 'get in the middle' of whatever was occurring and continued recording.

The court watched the footage in which Floyd can be seen, apparently cuffed and compliant, seated against a wall having been removed from his vehicle. According to Belfrey, Lane and Kueng then walked Floyd across to their squad car and put him in it.

Belfrey said that he had simply gone home at that point because 'I thought he was detained. I thought it was over.'

Bystander Charles McMillian, 61

Charles McMillian, who was the first person to confront police about their treatment of Floyd on the day of his fatal arrest, broke down in tears as the prosecution played footage of cops wrestling with the handcuffed black man.

McMillian, 61, said he was driving by the Cup Foods convenience store when he noticed officers struggling with Floyd and pulled over simply because he was 'being nosy'.

In footage from Lane's body camera McMillian was heard calling out as cops grappled with Floyd in their squad car.

McMillian said he 'tried to make the situation easy,' by telling Floyd: 'You can't win.'

Floyd could be heard telling McMillian: 'I'm not trying to win. Don't do me like that, I'm claustrophobic.'

As he described how Floyd began to cry out for his mother minutes later while pinned to the ground by the officers, McMillian wept as he revealed that he understood how Floyd felt after losing his own mom.

'I couldn't help but feel helpless. I don't have a mama either, but I understand him. My mom died June 25th,' the witness said through tears.

He revealed that he had experience of being handcuffed himself and as Floyd became more agitated, having been apparently calm as he was walked towards officers Lane and Kueng's squad car, McMillian said he tried to help.

The court played footage of the events as McMillian described them. One clip of McMillian on the sidewalk was spliced with body camera footage of Floyd in the squad car.

'I'm watching, you know, Mr Floyd,' McMillian said. 'He collapsed onto the back seat and I'm trying to get him to understand when you make a mistake, once they get you in cuffs you got to wait there. Once they get you in cuffs you can't win.'

McMillian then described how he continued to try to help Floyd after officers Lane, Kueng and Chauvin had pinned him to the ground.

'[Floyd] kept saying: 'I can't breathe. Mama they're killing me, they're killing me.' He started saying: 'My body's shutting down.''

As more of the video was played McMillian's voice could be heard urging Floyd: 'Get up and get into the car. Get up and get into the car man.'

Floyd responded: 'I can't.'

Later McMillian could be heard telling Chauvin: 'Your knee on his neck, that's wrong man.'

Of his own part in the scene, McMillian said: 'I was trying to help him. He appeared to be in and out [of consciousness], with foam around his mouth. I said: 'Man he said he can't breathe,' and they said: 'Well if he keeps talking he can breathe.''

The jury was shown body-cam footage in which McMillian told Chauvin: 'I don't respect what you did.' The officer replied: 'Well that's one person's opinion. We got to control this guy because he's a sizeable guy and looks like he's probably on something.'

Minneapolis Police Lt Jeff Rugel

Lt Jeff Rugel, who runs the Minneapolis Police Department's Business Technology Unit, testified on March 31 to authenticate officers' body camera footage and other video evidence from the scene.

Brief footage from Chauvin's camera was played, revealing his perspective as he approached Floyd for the first time.

Chauvin was seen with his hands around Floyd's neck as he and Officer Thomas Lane struggled with to get him into a squad car.

After a chaotic, blurred portion of footage, Chauvin's camera fell to the tarmac and there was no more footage from his perspective.

In footage recorded by Lane's body camera, Chauvin's camera could be seen lying beneath the squad car. It's unclear exactly how the camera came to be on the ground during the confrontation.

Rugel told the jury how that Minneapolis police policy demands that officers wear their cameras at all times and to activate them during any activity or public interaction.

Asked if Chauvin wore a body camera and if that was 'the box on the floor [beneath squad car 320]', Rugel said: 'Yes.'

George Floyd's girlfriend Courteney Ross

Courteney Ross broke down in tears within minutes of taking the stand on Thursday as she described how she and Floyd first met in 2017 at the Salvation Army's Harbor Light Center, a shelter where he was working as a security guard and she was visiting her son's father.

The married mother-of-two said she was touched when Floyd asked to pray with her because she was going through a hard time in her own life - and they kissed in the lobby that same day.

Ross - who wore a gold necklace with her late boyfriend's name - began crying even harder when Frank pulled up a photo of Floyd.

Then she laughed as she called the photo a 'dad selfie', before telling how hard it was for Floyd to be so far away from his two daughters, who lived in Texas.

She described the man who had called out for his mother in his dying moments as 'a mama's boy' who was 'devastated' and 'broken' by her death in May 2018.

'He seemed like a shell of himself like he was broken, he seemed so sad,' she said. 'He didn't have the same kind of bounce that he had.'

Ross was then asked to tackle head on the issue of drug abuse with which, she admitted, both she and Floyd struggled.

She said that they were both addicted to opioids having been prescribed them for chronic pain - including oxycodone, which he took in pill form, obtaining it through other people's prescriptions to make sure the pills were safe.

'Both Floyd and I, our story  it's a classic story of how many people get addicted to opioids. We both suffered from chronic pain. Mine was in my neck and his was in his back.

'We both have prescriptions. But after prescriptions that were filled, and we got addicted, and tried really hard to break that addiction many times.'

Though he tried to get clean, she said it was something that he struggled with 'every day'.

In March 2020, she said, she noticed 'behavioral changes' that made her suspect that Floyd was using again, or more, and that she too fell into heavier use at that time.

On cross examination by Chauvin's attorney Eric Nelson, Ross revealed that that she and Floyd both purchased opioids from Morries Lester Hall, a friend who was in the passenger seat of Floyd's car on the day he died.

Jurors heard that Hall sold controlled substances to both her and Floyd and that she 'did not like Morries at all'.

Ross told the court how, in March 2020, just two months before Floyd's death, he purchased pills that she did not recognize as the opioids to which both she and Floyd were addicted.

She said the pills, which she believes landed Floyd in the hospital due to an accidental overdose, appeared 'thick' and were not uniform, and that when she took them they did not have the same effect as opioids.

'The pill seemed like it was a really strong stimulant. I couldn't sleep all night. I felt very jittery,' Hall said.

Ross also revealed that Floyd had been hospitalized twice in March  on one occasion due to a drug overdose that saw him hospitalized for five days.

Paramedics Seth Bravinder and Derek Smith

Paramedics Seth Bravinder and Derek Smith testified on Thursday as the jury was shown shocking new images of EMTs loading Floyd into an ambulance and attempting to resuscitate him.

Bravinder and Smith were asked by the prosecution to explain what was happening in graphic video and stills of Floyd being placed on a stretcher and treated in the ambulance.

Some of the images came from video recorded by witnesses on the scene, while others came from the body camera of officer Thomas Lane, who rode with Floyd to the hospital.

Asked to describe Floyd's condition, Smith said: 'In lay terms, I thought he was dead,' as the prosecution showed a screengrab of him checking for Floyd's pulse.

Video showed Smith gesturing to Chauvin to remove his knee from Floyd's neck so they could put his limp body on a stretcher.

In images shown during Smith's testimony, Floyd was seen slumped, and with his mouth bloodied as Smith said he did not have an obvious physical injury that would explain his dire condition.

Smith told the court that Floyd's pupils were 'large and dilated'.

Bravinder was asked during his testimony what a medic would expect to see in the eyes of a patient who had suffered an opioid overdose. 'We look to see if their pupils are really small, constricted, pinpoint,' he said.

But when Nelson countered, asking what methamphetamine  one of the substances found in Floyd's blood - does to the pupils, Bravinder said: 'It dilates them.'

Smith told the court that he detected a flicker of electrical activity in Floyd's heart as they sped to the Hennepin County Medical Center and administered a shock in hopes of restarting a pulse. But, he said, Floyd remained 'in his dead state'.

Both Bravinder and Smith testified that they wanted to get Floyd into the ambulance quickly because he was in cardiac arrest.

Bravinder added: 'On top of that there was also a crowd of people who were yelling and in my mind we had to get away from that because running a cardiac arrest takes lot of mental power, can be taxing and we want to do that in the optimum environment to be in a controlled space.'

Bravinder said he stopped the ambulance en route to the hospital and went into the back to assist his partner when Floyd's cardiac monitor was showing 'asystole' - the medical term for 'flat-lined'.

'It's not a good sign,' Bravinder said. 'Basically just because your heart isn't doing anything at that moment. There's not  it's not pumping blood. So it's not  it's not a good sign for a good outcome.'

Asked if it was important to start resuscitation efforts as soon as a pulse was lost, Bravinder said: 'Yes, as soon as possible.'

'The longer a patient goes without receiving resuscitation the less likely it is that resuscitation will be successful.'

Cross-examined by Nelson, Bravinder confirmed he had personally been called out to emergencies involving drug overdoses and that police were called to such cases as a matter of course.

Nelson asked: 'Is that because sometimes when people are treated for an overdose and they come round they become aggressive and violent?'

Bravinder responded: 'Yes.'

Minneapolis Fire Department Captain Jeremy Norton

Minneapolis Fire Department Captain Jeremy Norton testified on April 1 about the initial confusion that saw their fire rig arrive at Cup Foods to assist paramedics only to find that the ambulance had pulled off the scene and was treating Floyd a few blocks away.

He explained that they had received very little information beyond receiving a call out to Cup Foods which was elevated from code 2 (non-emergent), to code 3, (lights and sirens en route).

According to Norton the only information he had was that the patient had sustained 'a mouth injury'.

On arrival at the store Norton found 'people upset' and searched for a patient.

Norton said: 'I was looking for a patient. The call was confusing because I didn't have a lot of information so was essentially looking on the floor for someone.'

The fire rig ultimately joined the ambulance crew at 36th and Park Avenue, two blocks away.

By the time he saw Floyd he was, he said: 'Face up on the stretcher. He had an advance airway in an he had the Lucas compression device in place and working.'

Norton cleared Lane out of the ambulance and took over attempts to resuscitate Floyd who was, he said, 'to all intents and purposes dead'.

Minneapolis Police Department Sergeant David Pleoger

David Pleoger, who recently retired as a sergeant with the Minneapolis Police Department and was Chauvin's supervisor, testified on April 1.

The jury heard new audio of Chauvin speaking with Pleoger moments after Floyd's death, saying: 'I was just going to call you come out to our scene we had to hold a guy down he was going crazy, wouldn't go in the back of the squad.'

Pleoger said that Chauvin did not tell him that he had applied his knee to Floyd's neck or that he had held him down for any length of time.

'I believe he told me he'd become combative he mentioned he'd injured either his nose of his mouth and eventually having struggled with him,' Pleoger recalled. 'He said he'd suffered a medical emergency and an ambulance was called.'

As supervising shift sergeant, Pleoger was tasked with investigating any use of force incidents that occurred during his shift  3pm to 1am.

Describing the call he'd received from 911 dispatcher Jenna Scurry, Pleoger said: 'She called to say she didn't want to be a snitch but she had seen something while viewing a camera that she thought was concerning.'

Pleoger had not received a call from Chauvin at that time and initially told Scurry that what she saw 'might not count'.

According to Minneapolis Police Department policy officers are required to report use of force incidents under certain circumstances but not if it is a 'take down', which Pleoger  who had not been called by any of the officers on the scene - initially assumed was the case.

The jury was shown footage from Pleoger's body camera in which officers Chauvin, Thao, Kueng and Lane could be standing near the site of where they took down Floyd.

Pleoger instructed Chauvin to identify and speak with witnesses, to which the officer replied: 'We can try but they're pretty hostile.'

Additional video showed Pleoger arriving at the hospital where Floyd was pronounced dead, in which Chauvin appeared to be wringing his hands.

Asked if he had an opinion as to when Chauvin's restraint should have ended, Pleoger responded: 'Yes [it should have ended] when Mr Floyd was no longer offering up any resistance.'

MPD Sergeant Jon Edwards

Sgt. Jon Edwards, who was called to secure the scene in the aftermath, testified that two of the officers involved were still at the site when he arrived and that he was ordered to remove the crime scene tape just hours after his death was confirmed.

Edwards said he encountered Lane and Kueng at the scene when he arrived and he instructed them to turn on their body cameras.

Edwards said: 'I asked them to chill out because I knew from Sergeant Pleoger that he had a couple of escort sergeants coming down to transport them to interview room 100.'

Edwards told jurors that at approximately 10.13pm news came through that Floyd had died and the situation was confirmed as a critical incident. By then homicide was on the scene and Lane and Kueng were transported to City Hall to be interviewed.

Edwards testified that he was then ordered to remove the crime scene tape he had earlier put up at about 3.30am.

MPD Lt Richard Zimmerman

Richard Zimmerman, the head of the Minneapolis Police Department's homicide division, told jurors that Chauvin's use of force in arresting Floyd was 'totally unnecessary' because a handcuffed person doesn't pose a threat and kneeling on someone's neck can 'kill them'.

Zimmerman, who responded to the crime scene after Floyd's deadly arrest, testified that he had watched multiple videos showing the moment the officer knelt on the black man's neck after handcuffing him.

Having watched the videos, Zimmerman was clear: 'Pulling him down to the ground face down and putting your knee on his neck for that amount of time is just uncalled for.'

He added that once Floyd was handcuffed, he saw 'no reason why the officers felt they were in danger and that's what they would have to feel to use that level of force.'

Zimmerman told jurors that kneeling on the neck of someone who is handcuffed and in the prone position is 'top-tier, deadly' force and should not be used. 'If your knee is on a person's neck, that can kill him,' he said.

Asked by prosecutors whether a handcuffed person was a reduced threat, Zimmerman said: 'Once a person is cuffed, the threat level goes down all the way. They are cuffed, how can they really hurt you.

'You getting injured is way down. You could have some guy try to kick you or something, but you can move out of the way. That person is handcuffed, you know, so the threat level is just not there.'

Zimmerman, who is trained every year in the use of force, told jurors he had never been trained to 'kneel on the neck of somebody who's cuffed and in the prone position'.

'Once you secure or handcuff a person you need to get them out of the prone position as soon as possible because it restricts their breathing,' he said, adding that having your hands cuffed behind your back 'stretches the muscles back through your chest and makes it more difficult to breathe'.

Dr Bradford Langenfeld

Dr Bradford Langenfeld, the medic at the Hennepin County Medical Center who pronounced Floyd dead, told jurors on April 5 that he believed the cause of death last May 25 was asphyxia.

He told the court, 'Any amount of time that a patient spends in cardiac arrest without CPR markedly decreases the chances of survival' before explaining that those chances dropped by 10 to 15 percent with each passing minute.

There was nothing in the paramedics' reports, he said, to suggest that they were concerned that Floyd had either suffered a heart attack or drug overdose.

Dr Langenfeld also told how paramedics had fought to revive Floyd for 30 minutes by the time he arrived in his ward but that despite their efforts he was in cardiac arrest and save for occasional Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA)  activity in the heart not strong enough to establish a pulse  he flat-lined.

The medic could not recall whether or not Floyd was still cuffed on arrival but he did remember seeing indentations from the handcuffs on his wrists.

Dr Langenfeld said he had considered a host of possible causes for Floyd's cardiac arrest and concluded that hypoxia  oxygen deficiency or asphyxia was most likely, he said 'based on the information that I had.'

He declared Floyd dead after 30 minutes in the hospital, by which time he had been without a pulse for close to an hour.

Speaking softly and soberly he recalled, 'In the absence of any apparent reversable cause, [I felt that] the likelihood of any meaningful outcome was far below 1 percent and we would not be able to resuscitate Mr Floyd, so I then pronounced him dead.'

The court also heard from Dr. Bradford Langenfeld Monday, pictured, the medic at the Hennepin County Medical Center who pronounced Floyd dead

Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo

Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo told jurors that Chauvin 'absolutely did not' follow police policy on de-escalation or use of force when he pressed his knee into Floyd's neck for 9 minutes and 29 seconds.

In explosive testimony on April 5, Arradondo said Chauvin's use of force 'absolutely' violated the department's policy and belief in 'the sanctity of life,' and that the pressure he used was contrary to all departmental teachings.

He said: 'Once Mr Floyd had stopped resisting and certainly once he was in distress and trying to verbalize that, that should have stopped.

'Once there was no longer any resistance and clearly when Mr Floyd was no longer responsive and even motionless to continue to apply that level of force to a person proned out, handcuffed behind their back that in no way shape or form is by policy, part of our training, certainly not part of our ethics or values.'

Shown a still image taken from the bystander video Arradondo said: 'When I look at the facial expression of Mr Floyd that does not appear in any way shape or form that that is ight to moderate pressure [as per policy].

'That action is not de-escalation and when we talk about the framework of our sanctity of life and principals and values that we have that action goes contrary.'

Arradondo, Minneapolis's first black police chief, also told the court that he agreed the Chauvin had violated policy by failing to provide any medical aid to the clearly suffering Floyd. He fired Chauvin and three other officers the day after Mr Floyd's death on May 25 last year and in June called it 'murder'.

As well as his clear condemnation of the actions he described as violating policy, Arradondo told the court that Floyd's alleged crime - passing a fake $20 bill at Cup Foods store - did not rise to the level of violent crime that demanded use of force or a custodial arrest.

Inspector Katie Blackwell

Inspector Katie Blackwell, former commander of the Minneapolis police department's training division, took the stand on April 5.

She said that she has known Chauvin for close to twenty years having first served as a community officer with him. And she herself appointed Chauvin, who was by far the most senior officer on the scene May 25, to the role of Field Training Officer, responsible for training and mentoring new recruits.

But when shown an image of Chauvin, with his knee on Floyd's neck, Blackwell was damning. She said, 'I don't know what kind of improvised position that is.'

According to Blackwell officers are taught to use one or two arms, not knees, for neck restraints and to constantly reassess the situation.

She also said that 'positional asphyxia' was a concept known to her for as long as she had been an officer  roughly the same period of time that Chauvin has served.

She echoed testimony already heard by the jury regarding the dangers of keeping a person in the prone position  one in which they are not able to adequately breath.

For that reason, she said, officers are taught to put suspects on their side, in the side-recovery position or sitting upright 'as soon as is possible.'

MPD Inspector Katie Blackwell also gave evidence Monday. She told jurors about the training officers recieve

Ker Wang, Crisis Training Coordinator

On April 6 the court heard from Sergeant Ker Wang, 49, Crisis Training Coordinator with the MPD and the man who wrote significant portions of that training.

He said that he recognized Chauvin's name, not because he knew him personally, but from training.

The court heard that Chauvin took part in a 40-hour crisis training course in 2018  though this was not a course in which Wang had personally instructed him.

Wang described a 'crisis' as anything that took an individual 'beyond their coping mechanisms' and said that the primary goal of any intervention was to 'de-escalate' and restore the situation to a pre-crisis level.

Steve Schleicher asked Wang to talk the jury through the Critical Decision Making Model  a graphic of five spheres around a central sphere.

Wang, who introduced the model to MPD training in 2018, explained how the outer spheres which contained the topic headings: Information Gathering, Threat/Risk Assessment, Authority to Act, Goals and Actions, Review & Re-Assess linked to the 'key pillars of procedural justice' expressed in the centre 'Voice Neutrality Respect Trust.'

The model could be read and enacted in any direction, as officers respond to crisis in a state of flux and constant reassessment.

He said that every officer could apply this model, 'like memory' and in doing so 'can slow down time,' in a crisis situation.

He said, 'I believe in this model because it works.'

When Nelson cross-examined the witness he sought to widen the focus from Chauvin's assessment of and actions towards Floyd to take in the context of the crowd  the part that they played in events and the extent to which their understanding of them was limited.

He pointed out that an officer had to consider 'the totality of the circumstances,' which 'is more than just how you react to the person being arrested.'

Wang agreed with Nelson's statement that this included, 'citizen bystanders, what to do when a citizen bystander starts filming you, how to identify when a citizen constitutes a risk.'

The model was, Nelson asserted, 'a very dynamic, ever-changing thing based on the information that comes to the officers in real time.'

Much of that may be invisible to the onlookers, he said  such as tactical thinking, knowing that medical help is on the way, considering officer safety.

Nelson then steered toward a presentation of Chauvin's conduct and appearance as textbook.

Referencing training he said, 'An officer should appear confident, they should be able to try to stay calm, they should try speak slowly and softly, they should avoid staring or eye-contact' Wang agreed.

They should, he said, in all respects attempt to 'create time and distance.,' acting only when it was 'safe and feasible' to do so.

Lieutenant Johnny Mercil

Minneapolis Police Department's use of force expert and the man in charge of officer training told jurors on April 6 that Chauvin's knee on Floyd's neck is not, and never has been, an MPD trained neck restraint.

Asked by prosecutor Steve Schleicher if such a level of restraint would be authorized when a subject is handcuffed Lieutenant Johnny Mercil replied, 'I would say no.'

Mercil also told the court that officers were taught to use the minimum amount of force needed to detain someone.

Asked about leg neck restraints Mercil explained that, while not taught to officers, they were something that might be shown to young cadets. But they would not look like the restraint carried out by Chauvin on May 25.

As Schleicher walked him through the training and concepts in MPD's Use of Force Mercil told the court that officers are not taught to use leg neck restraints and never have been.

Mercil was responding to a picture of Chauvin with his knee pressed into Floyd's neck shown to him in court.

According to Mercil officers are taught how to deliver conscious and unconscious neck restraints with their arms and only under very limited circumstances when the level of resistance and threat would make such a measure proportional.

MPD medical support coordinator Nicole MacKenzie

Nicole MacKenzie, Minneapolis police medical support coordinator, testified that it is 'very difficult to focus on a patient if you don't feel safe', arguing a noisy crowd could have made it hard for officers to hear Floyd struggling to breathe.

She told jurors on April 6 that treating a person under the eyes of a noisy crowd was 'incredibly difficult.'

MacKenzie said: 'It might sound wrong but bystanders do sometimes attack EMS crews so sometimes just getting out of the situation is the best way to diffuse it.'

'It's incredibly difficult [to treat under those circumstances] because you're trying to be heads down on a patient [but] it's very difficult to focus on the patient if you don't feel safe around you.'

MacKenzie also said Floyd could have displayed 'super-human strength' due do 'Excited Delirium' brought on by the consumption of the illicit drug speedball.

Explaining this potential side-effect of taking the illicit drug MacKenzie said, 'The person might be experiencing elevated body temperature, the heart rate might be extremely elevated and insensitive to pain. Because you don't really have that pain/compliance edge that would normally control somebody's behavior.

'Somebody experiencing this might have what we would call super-human strength, lifting things they wouldn't normally be able to lift, breaking things.'

One of other officers at the scene, Thomas Lane, said he was 'worried about excited delirium' and suggesting rolling Floyd on his side.

The prosecution established that Chauvin had undergone training in CPR and AED as well as other first aid before MacKenzie told the jury that trained officers must provide medical aid when necessary.

It was not enough, she said, for an officer to simply call for an ambulance and wait when in a 'critical situation'.

She talked the jury through the basic steps in which officers are trained to establish responsiveness and  if no response is forthcoming  to check for breathing and a pulse before commencing chest compressions.

Asked if it was true to say that if a person can talk they can breathe, MacKenzie said, 'No sir, somebody can be in respiratory distress and still be able to verbalize it.'

But under cross-examination MacKenzie agreed that the policies on rendering emergency medical aid were 'somewhat qualified or contingent on what was going on at the scene at the time.'

Put simply the scene had to be safe, she accepted, before an officer should turn their attentions to first aid or CPR.

Nelson focused again on the scene. Painting the picture of a busy road and volatile, vocal crowd he asked if it would be possible for an officer to confuse the gasps of 'agonal' ineffective 'breathing' with effective breathing and if this mistake would be more likely, 'when there's a lot of noise and commotion.'

MacKenzie agreed on both points.

Use-of-force expert Jody Stiger

Derek Chauvin's use of force was 'excessive', according to Jody Stiger, a Los Angeles police sergeant who gave testimony as the state's use-of-force expert on April 6.

Stiger told the court that he has served in some of the most dangerous places and some of the most dangerous beats  Skid Row, gangs, narcotics  both in uniform and undercover and on LAPD's Use of Force Board, as a peer reviewer of high profile uses of force.

Stiger was also a tactics instructor of six years and has travelled nationally in his capacity as an aid to the Inspector General  an independent oversight entity in LAPD  consulting with police forces across the country to establish consistent standards and training nationwide.

He has conducted 2500 use of force reviews including use of deadly force.

Stiger told the jury that he had reviewed all of the state's materials body-worn cameras, cell and pole-camera video footage, reports and MPD manuals and training materials. He told the court that he also took into consideration legal standards, the level of the offense and the person's actions.

Asked about Floyd's crime  attempting to pass a fake $20 bill  he said, 'Typically you wouldn't even expect to use any force.'

He said officers were initially justified in their use of force because Floyd was 'actively resisting' but said 'once he was placed in the prone position on the ground he slowly ceased his resistance and at that point the ex-officers should have slowed down or backed off their force as well.'

Instead, he noted, 'They continued the force that they were utilizing from the time when they put him on the ground.'

Stiger told the court that the officers could have continued trying to talk to Floyd and noted that Kueng had already established some sort of rapport.

But despite this he said that they had not behaved unreasonably in their efforts to get a struggling Floyd into the back of the squad car.

He recalled, 'Mr Floyd was actively resisting moving around clearly, trying to get out. He didn't want to be there and the officers were initially trying to place him in the back seat, grabbing the seat belt and things of that nature and eventually the decision was made to remove him from the vehicle.'

He said, 'They were pulling him from the driver side, passenger door  the street side  pulling on his legs and his arms and once they got him out he kind of went on his knees.

'He was saying he couldn't breathe, saying he was claustrophobic. Numerous times he stated he was afraid, he had had covid and couldn't breathe and he had anxiety and was claustrophobic.'

Jody Stiger, 50, who gave testimony as the state's Use of Force expert, said Chauvin's use of force was 'excessive'

Senior Special Agent James Reyerson, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension officer

James Reyerson, the lead investigator in Derek Chauvin's murder case on April 7 reversed his testimony regarding George Floyd's declaration, 'I ate too many drugs', later clarifying he heard: 'I ain't doing no drugs'.

Defense attorney Eric Nelson had played the clip to the court from one of the officer's body-worn cameras at the scene last May 25.

Asked if he recalled hearing that Reyerson said no he did not.

After the segment was played in court, when asked again if he had heard it he said, 'Yes I did.'

But in a stunning about face, when recalled by the prosecution and played a longer portion of the bodycam footage, Reyerson said that he now believed Floyd to be saying, 'I ain't doing no drugs.'

Reyerson told the jury both the patrol car Floyd was pulled out of and the car he was in were processed on May 27, two days after Floyd's death, then again in December 2020 when the prosecution requested a search of the Blue Mercedes SUV before the defense asked to see squad 320 in January.

It was at that time a half- chewed speedball pill was found bearing Floyd's DNA and saliva.

BCA forensic scientist and Lead Crime Scene Investigator McKenzie Anderson

BCA forensic scientist and Lead Crime Scene Investigator McKenzie Anderson told the jury on April 7 how she had found a crumpled and open packet of Suboxone  a medication given to adults with an opioid addiction  in the driver's seat footwell of the Mercedes Floyd had arrived in, as well as an unopened packet on the seat.

She also told them about two round white pills found in the center console of the car. Jurors were shown pictures of all of these findings.

Anderson and her colleagues had not found the pills or containers on an initial search of the Mercedes on May 27 when she photographed the interior and searched with little sense of what she might be looking for.

The car was searched again on the request of the Attorney General's office December 9 when the pills and $20 bills stuffed between the passenger seat and center consol.

Anderson told jurors that she 'didn't give any forensic significance' to the small white pill clearly visible on the floor on the passenger side of the vehicle's back seat in the first set of pictures.

She explained that she had been looking for blood or something to do with fake bills.

The potential significance was immediately spotted by the defense who requested a second search of the car having seen the half-chewed pill in pictures.

On a second search Anderson found the white pill as well as several other small irregular shaped white objects that could, she said, have been parts of a pill.

There were no visible markings on either the pill or the fragments, all of which, she said had a rough texture and irregular shape.

There was one fragment, stuck to the back seat and reddish-brown in color, that, she said, seemed 'consistent with the other pieces,' except for the color difference.

Forensic testing found Floyd's DNA in saliva left on the half-chewed pill which was found to be a 'speedball' or compound of methamphetamine and fentanyl when sent to drug chemistry division.

Forensic scientist Breahna Giles

BCA's Breahna Giles was the forensic scientist tasked with analyzing the glass pipe and pills found in the Mercedes.

On April 7 she testified that she found traces of THC  the psychoactive component found in marijuana  in residue scraped from the pipe and determined the pills, which had pharmaceutical markings, to be a compound of Oxycodone and Acetaminophen.

She also tested the tablet and fragments found in the back of squad 320 and found the partial white pill to be methamphetamine as well as identifying methamphetamine in the fragments found.

Under cross-examination Giles said that there was the presence of other substances but not enough to make a positive determination of its nature.

Asked by Nelson, 'But that was fentanyl?' she said she could neither confirm nor deny its presence. Eleven nanograms of Fentanyl was found in Floyd's bloodstream.

BCA's Breahna Giles was the forensic scientist tasked with analyzing the glass pipe and pills found in the Mercedes. She found traces of THC  the psychoactive component found in marijuana  in residue scraped from the pipe and determined the pills, which had pharmaceutical markings, to be a compound of Oxycodone and Acetamenophin

Forensic chemist Susan Neith

Forensic chemist Susan Neith was the last witness on April 7. She also tested the pills from both vehicles and told the jury that she found trace levels of fentanyl and methamphetamine in the pills taken from the back of the squad car.

She put the levels of fentanyl at less than 1 percent the amount she said she would expect to find in street fentanyl. But put the levels of methamphetamine at between 1 and 2.9percent which she said was much lower in her experience than that found in street drugs which she would expect to come in at 80 to 90 percent.

Forensic chemist Susan Neith was the last witness of the day. She also tested the pills from both vehicles and told the jury that she found trace levels of fentanyl and methamphetamine in the pills taken from the back of the squad car

Pulmonology expert Dr Martin Tobin

Dr Martin Tobin, a specialist at the Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital and Loyola University's medical school in Chicago, testified he believed Floyd's cause of death was due to a lack of oxygen that damaged his brain and caused his heart to stop.

During his hours-long testimony on April 8, he said there were several factors that he said made it difficult for Floyd to breathe, beyond Chauvin's knee on his neck: Officers lifting up on his handcuffs, the hard street, lying face down, his turned head and a knee on his back.

'A healthy person subjected to what Mr. Floyd was subjected to would have died as a result of what he was subjected to,' Dr Tobin said.

Tobin, analyzing a graphic presentation of the three officers holding down Floyd for what prosecutors say was almost 9 1/2 minutes, testified that Chauvin's knee was 'virtually on the neck' for more than 90% of the time by his estimate.

Chauvin also kept his knee on Floyd's neck for 3.02 minutes after Floyd had 'reached the point where there was not one ounce of oxygen left in the body,' Tobin said.

When asked if Dr Tobin, based on his medical expertise, had determined a cause of death for Floyd after viewing videos from the scene, he said: 'Mr Floyd died from a low level of oxygen... The cause of low level of oxygen was shallow breathing. Small breaths that weren't able to carry the air through his lungs.

'He was being squashed between the two sides,' Dr Tobin said as he described the position Floyd was in lying face down on the ground with the officers pinning him down.

Dr Tobin told the court that the impact of the pressure of the officers and handcuffs rendered movement so impossible that Floyd's left lung was greatly affected.

'When you breathe you use your diaphragm, next thing you recruit is the big muscles in the neck, when those are wasted up then you're relying on these kinds of muscles to get air into the right side.'

Elsewhere in his testimony, Dr Tobin said he'd calculated that Floyd's lung capacity was reduced by 43 percent when Chauvin was pinning him down.

Forensic toxicologist Dr Daniel Isenschmid

Dr Daniel Isenschmid took the stand on April 8 and told how he found traces of fentanyl and methamphetamine when he tested blood drawn from Floyd at the hospital and urine from his autopsy.



He told the court that even though there was a high level of fentanyl in Floyd's bloodstream  11ng ml where a 3ng ml could be lethal  individual tolerance had to be taken into account.

The toxicology expert suggested Floyd's tolerance have been high as a regular user.

He also pointed to the presence of norfentanyl  a metabolic of fentanyl.

Isenschmid said that he wouldn't expect to see this in a case where death had occurred as a result of fentanyl overdose because the body wouldn't have had a chance to metabolize the drug.

He described the level of meth in Floyd's bloodstream  19ng ml - as no more than he would expect to find in the blood of a patient who had consumed a single legally prescribed dose and his amphetamine was below reportable levels.

Forensic expert Dr William Smock

Dr William Smock took the stand on April 8 and testified that Floyd died from positional asphyxia, which he said was 'a fancy way of saying he died because he had no oxygen left in his body'.

'When the body is deprived of oxygen, in this case from pressure on this chest and back, he gradually succumbed to lower and lower levels of oxygen until he succumbed and he died,' he said.

Smock said that he had considered and dismissed other causes including the defense's causes of choice  fentanyl overdose and excited delirium.

One by one he explained the symptoms of excited delirium  including excessive sweat, being unaffected by pain and super-human strength  and dismissed them pointing out that Floyd was cold to the touch, complaining of pain from the moment he was on the ground and unable to throw the police officers from his back.

Asked by prosecutors how many of the 10 recognized symptoms he observed, Smock answered: 'Zip.'

He discarded fentanyl overdose as a possible cause of death because he said, Floyd was not falling into a coma, snoring, or slowing down in breathing.

He was, instead, fighting for his life and demonstrating 'air hunger' as he struggled to breathe. He pointed to Floyd's weakening voice as evidence that the life was draining from him and recognized Floyd's dying moments in his altering facial expressions and anoxic seizure  when his legs kicked out straight behind him.

Smock explained that since Floyd was a chronic drug users the levels of narcotics and their metabolites found in his blood stream really meant very little. 'You don't rely on the level, you look at the patient,' he said.

The defense has pointed to the fact that there was no bruising on Floyd's neck and throat post mortem as proof that Chauvin's knee did not dig into him until the life was squeezed out of him.

But Smock, who is also a specialist in strangulation, said: 'You can be fatally strangled and died of asphyxia and have no bruising.'

Dr William Smock, a forensic medicine expert, told the jury in Derek Chauvin's murder trial on Thursday April 8 that when George Floyd cried out 'I can't breathe' he was exhibiting the desperation of 'air hunger'

Forensic pathologist Dr Lindsey Thomas

Forensic pathologist Dr Lindsey Thomas, who works as a medical examiner in Reno and Salt Lake City, testified on April 9 that Floyd died as as result of 'low oxygen' or 'asphyxia.'

Thomas said that in this case the autopsy itself did not tell her the cause of death in her investigation but the 'unique' amount of documentation in terms of videos and records was vital in establishing 'mechanism' of death.

She agreed with Hennepin County Medical Examiner Dr Andrew Baker's finding that the cause of death was 'cardiopulmonary arrest, complicating law enforcement subdual restraint and neck compression'.

Thomas told the court that there are no physical findings in autopsy that show low oxygen but there are sometimes findings consistent with a cause of death that may result in low oxygen. She gave as an example a partial hanging in which a person may have petechiae, tiny burst blood vessels in the eye.

She said that she had found such supporting signs in Floyd's autopsy. According to Thomas, 'Mr Floyd had superficial injuries on his face, shoulders and wrists. What that does is it supports what I saw in the videos which is that he's being forcibly restrained and subdued and trying to move into a position by rubbing his face against the ground, pulling against his handcuffs and by pushing with his shoulder.

'And he also had some scrapes on his knuckles on his right hand and again that was from him pushing trying to get into a position where he could breathe.'

She explained: 'There are really two parts; cardiopulmonary arrest which doesn't really provide much additional information because essentially we all die when our heart and lungs stop, but as a forensic pathologist I would use it to differentiate from cardiac arrest. This is not a sudden cardiac arrest.

'This is a death where both the heart and lungs stopped working and the point is that it is due to subdual restraint and compression.'

Thomas concluded: 'The activities of the law enforcement officers led to Mr Floyd's death.'

And by that she meant placing him in the prone position, handcuffing him and kneeling on his back and, specifically, neck.

Hennepin County Chief Medical Examiner Dr Andrew Baker

Hennepin County Chief Medical Examiner Dr Andrew Baker, who performed Floyd's autopsy, took the stand on April 9 and said that he did not find the cause of death to be asphyxia or low oxygen levels and that he did not believe that Chauvin's knee was on Floyd's neck for 'the majority' of the time.

In a massive departure from the prosecution's contention, Baker said: 'In my impression from the video it would appear that Mr Chauvin's knee was primarily on the back, on the side or the area in between Mr Floyd's neck (and back).'

Under cross examination, Baker told the court that asphyxia was 'a very common cause' of the deaths that he had seen across 2,900 to 3,000 autopsies but it was not the conclusion that he came to before, or after, having seen the videos of the incident on May 25, 2020.

In a startlingly brief direct questioning by Jerry Blackwell, Baker told the court that Floyd died because being pinned down on the ground with his neck compressed was, 'just more than he could take,' given his severe underlying heart disease.

Asked if, in his opinion, the positioning of Chauvin's knee would cut off Floyd's oxygen supply, Baker said: 'In my opinion it would not.'

In his view, he said: 'It was the stress of that interaction that tipped him over the edge given his underlying heart disease and his toxicological status.'

The doctor told the court that he had deliberately avoided all video footage until after he conducted the autopsy because he did not want to introduce any 'bias' that might, 'lead [his] examination down any particular path'.

In his conclusion Floyd's death occurred 'in the context' of law enforcement subdual, restraint and neck compression but he did not give the cause of death as set out by others.

Cardiologist Dr Jonathan Rich

Dr Jonathan Rich, a cardiologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, took the stand on April 12 and said Floyd would still be alive if it weren't for Chauvin's restraint as he asserted that the black man did not have heart disease and his tolerance for fentanyl was so high that the drug played no role in his death.

'In this case Mr George Floyd died from a cardiopulmonary arrest,' Rich told the jury. 'It was caused by low oxygen and those low oxygen levels were produced by the prone restraint and positional asphyxia that he was subjected to.'

Rich refuted key arguments from the defense when he said he had considered and discounted Floyd's cause of death as having originated from the heart itself or being the result of an overdose.

'After reviewing all of the facts I can state with a high degree of medical certainty that George Floyd did not die from a primary cardiac event and he did not die from a drug overdose,' he said.

Instead, he said Floyd 'was just unable using all of his muscles, his accessory muscles, he was unable [to breathe] because of the position he was subjected to'.

'The heart thus didn't have enough oxygen either which means the entire body didn't have enough oxygen,' he said.

Asked whether he thought Floyd would be alive today were it not for 'Mr Chauvins subdual and restraint of nine minutes and 29 seconds on the ground', Rich said: 'To a high degree of medical certainty, he would have lived.'

Rich told the court that, in his view: 'Mr George Floyd's death was absolutely preventable.'

He said the first thing that could've been done to prevent Floyd's death would have been to simply not place him in the prone position at all.

After that happened, Rich said Floyd should have been moved into the side recovery position when his complaints of not being able to breathe became audibly weaker.

While Floyd had high blood pressure which could, Rich said, become a problem over time if not treated, he told the jury: 'Every indicator is that Mr Floyd had an exceptionally strong heart because he could generate pressures at some points upwards of 200.'

Rich explained that a problem with some of the patients he sees who are suffering heart failure is that they cannot generate pressures of even 80 as a top number. Normal blood pressure is around 120/80.

As doctors Martin Tobin, William Smock and Lindsey Thomas had before him, Rich asserted that the deterioration he observed in Floyd was not the sudden loss of consciousness of a primary cardiac event, but the slow seeping way of one deprived of oxygen for a prolonged period of time.

'In the course of the restraint I was looking to see if his deterioration occurred rapidly,' Rich said. 'A primary cardiac event, the most common arrhythmia is ventricular fibrillation, when that happens the individual will look relatively okay and then they will immediately become unconscious.

'On the other hand if the cause is from something else  for example low oxygen levels  you will typically see that happening more gradually and slowly.

'I could see his speech starting to become less forceful, his muscle movements becoming weaker until eventually his speech and muscle movements were absent. And then of course he was in a PEA (Pulseless Electrical Activity) cardiopulmonary arrest.'

Turning to the autopsy report, Rich said that he had found no evidence of the sort of tell-tale damage to the heart that a heart attack would have left behind.

And while he called Floyd's arterial disease 'notable', he said it was not something that surprised him because it is so common. What was most significant, he said, was that Floyd's arteries were only partially blocked, not completely occluded  a sign of that a heart attack had occurred.

Rich discounted a fentanyl or methamphetamine overdose saying that he felt the latter 'played no substantive role at all'.

He said from what he had seen, Floyd's behavior  his talkativeness, alertness, ability to walk  was the opposite of what a person would witness in an opiate overdose.

On cross examination, Nelson tried to take the sting out of Rich's testimony that Floyd would be alive today were it not for Chauvins actions.

Flipping the outcome back on Floyd, Nelson asked: 'If Mr Floyd had just got into the seat of the squad car do you think he would have survived?'

Rich tip-toed into his answer, denying Nelson the straight yes or no that he sought.

'Had he not been restrained in the way in which he was, I think he would have survived that day. I think he would have gone home had he not been subjected to the prone position that he was,' he said.

'So in other words,' Nelson summed up for the court. 'If he had just gotten into the squad car.'

Philonise Floyd, George Floyd's younger brother

Floyd's younger brother Philonise Floyd broke down in tears at trial on April 12 as the court was shown pictures of his slain sibling - as a young boy, sleeping in his smiling mothers arms, as a teenager studying, pen in hand and as a young athlete who got a basketball scholarship to South Florida before transferring to Gainesville, Texas, where he played football, and smiling with his seven-year-old daughter Gianna in his arms.

Philonise, 39, recalled his oldest brother as a 'leader,' who organized his younger siblings and made sure they had their school uniform each morning and a snack before school. He said that people in their community would go to church just because they saw that Floyd was there.

He said that his older brother always wanted to be taller and to be the best, measuring himself as he grew and throwing hundreds of hoops in a bid to be the 'best' at basketball.

Philonise recalled playing video games and catch with Floyd growing up before telling the court with a smile that his brother 'couldn't boil water' but would make the best 'banana and mayonnaise and syrup sandwiches'.

Toward the end of his brief testimony, he told how broken Floyd was by his mother's death, saying that at the funeral, 'George just sat there at the casket saying: "Mamma" over and over again.

'He was just kissing her. He didn't want to leave the casket.'

George Floyd's brother Philonise Floyd testified at Derek Chauvin's murder trial on Monday afternoon (pictured)

Use-of-force expert Seth Stoughton

The prosecution's final witness, use-of-force expert Seth Stoughton, testified on April 12 that Floyd did not pose a threat during his fatal arrest and said officers should have relented after the handcuffed black man pleaded: 'I can't breathe' 27 times.

Stoughton, a former cop turned law professor, was asked to provide his analysis of body camera video of Floyd pinned to the ground by Chauvin and two other officers on May 25 in Minneapolis.

In a damning sequence prosecutor Steve Schleicher asked: 'Did Mr Floyd present any threat of escape? Did he present any threat to physical property? Did he present any threat to the physical safety of officers or anyone else?'

Again and again Stoughton answered: 'No he did not.'

Asked: 'Did he present any sort of threat at all?' Stoughton again said: 'No he did not.'

Stoughton concluded: 'No reasonable officers would have believed that was an appropriate, acceptable or reasonable use of force.'

Stoughton said it was 'never' necessary or reasonable to place Floyd in a prone position, adding: 'It's clear from the number of officers the fact that he's handcuffed and has been searched he doesn't present any threat of harm, his actions don't suggest he's any threat of escape.'

'Given the range of alternatives available to officers its just not appropriate to prone someone when theyre already compliant,' Stoughton said.

Stoughton went on to draw a distinction between 'threat' and 'risk'.

He explained: 'Threat is not some abstract notion. It's specific; threat "of" something. Threat exists when the individual has the physical ability, the opportunity and apparent intention to cause whatever harm we're envisaging.

'That's how we identify threat. Risk you can think of as a potential threat. Risk is something officers can use tactics and communications to address. The goal is to prevent risk becoming threat and that threat to turn into whatever the apparent harm intended is.'

He added: 'While threat can justify use of force, risk can't.'

Stoughton said that he considered a use of force review as 'kind of a balancing of harms. The idea is an officer cannot use more force than the situation justifies.

'The foreseeable effects can't be disproportionate to the perceived threat.'

That is exactly what he concluded they had been on May 25, 2020.

Stoughton told the court: 'Before he fell silent Mr Floyd said: "I can't breathe" by my count at least 27 times. If somebody is describing that they're in distress then officers have to take that into account.'

'The officers are maintaining Mr Floyd in that prone position but there are some indicators that the foreseeable effects are occurring and that hes experiencing positional asphyxia.

'Not only does he indicate it with the words he's using but [as the restraint continues] his voice is slower and thicker.'

According to Stoughton a 'reasonable officer' would 'absolutely' have been aware of Floyd's complaints and in fact Chauvin can be heard acknowledging both them and, later, Officer J Alexander Kueng telling him that he could not find a pulse.

Returning to his threat assessment as a vital part of establishing the reasonableness of force used Stoughton said: 'Somebody who does not have a pulse does not present a threat in any way.'

Stoughton also dismissed the notion that the crowd posed any credible threat or could be perceived as such by a 'reasonable officer'.

He pointed out that the first negative comment from the crowd came more than three minutes into the restraint and he noted Officer Tou Thao's flippant comment: 'This is why you don't do drugs, kids' as an indication that the officers were not truly afraid of trouble.

'That's relevant because if you are concerned about a crowd you don't say things that are likely to exacerbate that situation,' he explained. 'A comment like: "This is why you don't do drugs, kids," is not rapport building.'

After Floyd had been removed by paramedics Chauvin returned to his squad car and could be heard in a interaction with a bystander.

Paraphrasing what he could recall, Stoughton said that Chauvin attempted to justify his actions by saying, 'something akin to describing Mr Floyd as a pretty big guy, possibly intoxicated possibly on drugs and that officers needed to keep control over him'.

According to Stoughton: 'All of those individual statements are true; Mr Floyd was a larger individual and there was ample reason to think he may have been impaired by alcohol or drugs.

'But a reasonable officer in this situation would have perceived that they could have maintained control over him without putting a knee on his neck or keeping him in that position.

'The sanctity of human life is the absolute priority in policing.

On cross examination, Nelson pressed Stoughton: 'Does the reasonable officer decide whether they should be put in the squad car or does the suspect decide whether they should be put in the squad car...the suspect does not get to dictate I get to sit on the ground or in the front of the squad car?'

Stoughton agreed they did not.

Nelson re-iterated Stoughton's view that the use of the prone position was never reasonable suggesting that 'reasonable minds' can disagree.

'On this particular point? No,' Stoughton countered.

Stoughton agreed that the use of force is often not very pretty but that that did not necessarily mean that it was unlawful.

But he added: 'I don't think that's the case here.'

DEFENSE

Retired Minneapolis police officer Scott Creighton

Retired Minneapolis police officer Scott Creighton was the first witness to take the stand for the defense on Tuesday April 13 as the court watched body-camera footage of Floyd's arrest on May 6, 2019.

In a remarkably brief direct examination Nelson asked Creighton what he had observed of Floyd as he approached his vehicle. Creighton told the jury that Floyd was not responsive and that he had to 'physically reach in [to the car] because I wanted to see his hands.'

In the video Floyd can be heard saying: 'I don't want to be shot' before Creighton pulled him out of the car.

Under cross examination by Erin Eldridge, Creighton observed that the situation had 'escalated really quick' once Floyd refused to show his hands and that he was compelled to pull his gun.

He described Floyd as 'incoherent' but able to walk and talk.

Nelson had hoped to show the jury that, under similar circumstances, when approached in a car by an officer with his gun drawn, Floyd rapidly ingested drugs and pretended to have a medical emergency.

On re-direct Nelson asked if Creighton had heard his partner instructing Floyd to 'spit it out'. Creighton said, he may have done.

Retired Minneapolis Police Officer Scott Creighton (pictured) testified about what he witnessed of Floyd during an arrest on May 6, 2019

Retired paramedic Michelle Moseng

Retired paramedic Michelle Moseng was the prosecution's second witness on Tuesday April 13 as Nelson drew out the parallels between May 6, 2019 and what he contests took place on May 25, 2020.

Moseng was called to Floyd's arrest during which he had required medical care.

According to Moseng, Floyd was agitated and upset and told her that he had been taking seven to nine opioids  oxy and Percocet  every twenty minutes throughout the day and another just before the officer had approached the car.

When asked for details of her physical assessment of Floyd she revealed that she recorded a blood pressure of 216 over 160  so high that she recommended he be taken immediately to hospital.

Floyd told her, she said, that he had not been taking his blood pressure medication, 'for months'.

In an aggressive cross-examination, Eldridge peppered the witness with questions demanding her acknowledgement that Floyds blood oxygen, pulse, respiration, heart rhythm and EKG were all normal.

'And you took him to the hospital and he was monitored for two hours and he was released,' Eldridge said, to which Moseng answered: 'Yes.'

Michelle Moseng (pictured) was the paramedic called to administer medical aid during Floyd's arrest on May 6, 2019

George Floyd's friend Shawanda Hill

The third witness called by the defense was Shawanda Hill, the woman who was in the car with Floyd and his friend Morries Hall, on May 25, 2020, after having bumped into Floyd in Cup Foods where he offered to give her a ride home.

At times hard to hear and irritable, Hill told Nelson that Floyd was 'happy, normal' and 'alert' when she spoke to him in the store.

But back in the car  after she had been on a call with her daughter  Hill said she saw that Floyd had suddenly fallen asleep before Cup Foods clerks came out to confront him about using a counterfeit $20 bill.

By then, she said: 'He was already sleeping. When they came to the car and when they came try to wake him up, I tried to wake him up over and over, he kept, he'd wake up, then say something, then nodded back off. He did that a couple of times.'

Hill went onto relate how she had struggled to get Floyd to focus when the police arrived, telling him: 'Baby that's the police, open the door, roll down the window.'

Hill said Floyd was 'startled' when Officer Thomas Lane pulled his gun, prompting him to grab at the steering wheel and plead: 'Please don't shoot me, please don't shoot me.'

Judge Cahill spoke to Hill, who had been named in earlier testimony as a heroin dealer, ahead of the jury being seated after a brief morning break.

He explained to her that the attorneys might ask her whether or not she was under the influence of drugs or alcohol and that, though he did not think the questions would incriminate her and he had instructed the limit of their scope, she had the right to consult and attorney regarding invoking her Fifth Amendment right.

She said she did not need one and that she was 'ready to go'.

In his brief cross-examination Assistant Attorney General Frank Matthew established that, despite his sleepiness, Floyd was not short of breath or complaining of chest pains at any point.

Minneapolis Park Police Officer Peter Chang

The fourth witness for the defense was Minneapolis Park Police Officer Peter Chang, who arrived at Cup Foods after officers Thomas Lane and J Alexander Kueng had already confronted Floyd.

The jury was shown video from Chang's body-camera, which revealed Floyd's friends reactions to his arrest for the first time.

Chang described a relatively calm scene on his arrival at Cup Foods where he saw Kueng next to Floyd who was seated on the ground, handcuffed and leaning against the wall outside Dragon Wok restaurant.

Chang told the court that he had been 'concerned for the officers' safety' due to the 'very aggressive crowd' that gathered outside Cup Foods on 38th and Chicago as police struggled with and subdued Floyd.

As the scene in front of Cup Foods clearly becomes more heated, Chang can be seen pacing to and fro - movement he explained to Nelson as due to checking on his fellow officers safety - and repeatedly telling Hill and Hall to stay put as they agitate to see whats going on.

He informs them: 'Right now they're grabbing an ambulance for your buddy. He might have heart himself.'

Cautioning both to stay away from the car and the scene, he tells Hill: 'Shawanda you're not helping.'

In a very brief cross-examination Frank established that there had never been a 'code 3' or emergent call out to the scene at Cup Foods and undercut Changs concern for his fellow officers by pointing out that he knew there were four officers on scene and that none ever radioed for help.

MPD Medical Support Coordinator Nicole MacKenzie

Minneapolis Police Department Medical Support Coordinator Nicole MacKenzie made her second appearance on the stand directly before the court broke for lunch on Tuesday.

When appearing as a state witness last week, MacKenzie gave her opinion that treating a person under the eyes of a crowd, hostile or otherwise, 'is incredibly difficult'. She also told the court about 'excited delirium', saying that it could give a person, 'super-human' strength.

Today Nelson focused on the symptoms of the condition and recent training materials that, he established, of which Chauvin as a veteran would not have had knowledge.

In contrast, rookie Lane did and in body-worn camera footage he can be heard expressing concern that Floyd may be suffering from excited delirium.

MacKenzie explained that Lane would have received training that included the acronym NOTACRIME of signs and actions cadets were trained to note and take.

She talked the jury through each letter. She said that a person may be Naked, exhibit violence towards Objects, by Tough and unstoppable. The onset could be Acute, the person Confused and Resistant as well as Incoherent, the condition could be due to Mental health issues and always required an EMS to be called early as it could lead to a sudden cardiac arrest.

In another brief cross Frank established from MacKenzie that as a medical support coordinator it was not her job to diagnose conditions. She agreed she would always defer to a paramedic.

Minneapolis Police Department Medical Support Coordinator Nicole MacKenzie made her second appearance on the stand directly before the court broke for lunch on Tuesday

Use-of-force expert Barry Brodd

Barry Brodd, a former cop and use-of-force expert who specializes in police and civilian defense cases, testified for Chauvin's defense on Tuesday April 13 and said the defendant did not use deadly force against Floyd.

In fact, Brodd argued that Chauvin's placing the handcuffed black man in the prone position and kneeling on his neck for nine minutes and 29 seconds did not constitute use of force at all.

'It's a control technique. It doesn't hurt,' Brodd said. 'It's safe for the officer, safe for the suspect and you're using minimal effort to keep them on the ground.'

During direct examination by Nelson, Brodd said Chauvin was 'justified' and acting 'with objective reasonableness' in his interactions with Floyd.

He told the jury that police officers 'don't have to fight fair', explaining that they can use a level of force that is 'one up' from the level of any resistance. He noted that when dealing with suspects who are under the influence of drugs, officers can 'find themselves in a fight for their life in a heartbeat'.

Brodd also leaned in to the defense narrative that Chauvin and his fellow officers felt 'threatened' by the gathering crowd.

Brodd's confident testimony took a turn when prosecutor Steve Schleicher stepped up to cross examine him, wasting no time in tackling the assertion that keeping Floyd in the prone position did not constitute a use of force and did not hurt.

He asked Brodd if he truly believed that it is unlikely that 'orienting yourself on top of a person on the pavement with both legs [on top of them] is unlikely to produce pain?' Brodd conceded that it could.

Schleicher countered that if that position could produce pain, by Brodd's logic, it could also constitute a use of force.

Looking at the all-too-familiar image of Chauvin kneeling on Floyd's neck, Brodd was forced to concede: 'Shown in this picture, that could be use of force' - but argued that Floyd had grown increasingly non-compliant.

Schleicher then showed a screengrab of Floyd pinned to the ground and asked: 'What part of this is not compliant?'

Refusing to deviate from his narrative Brodd insisted: 'I see his arm position. A compliant person would have both their hands in the small of their back and be resting comfortably.'

The disbelief clear in his voice, Schleicher asked: 'Did you say resting comfortably?'

'At this time when he's attempting to breathe by shoving his shoulder into the pavement,' Brodd replied.

Pathologist Dr David Fowler

Dr David Fowler, the former chief medical examiner of Maryland, took the stand on April 14 to share his conclusion that Floyd's death should have never been ruled a homicide because there were too many competing potential causes of death.

One of the potential causes Fowler presented was Floyd's exposure to exhaust from the squad car he was pinned next to, which the witness said could have caused some degree of carbon monoxide poisoning.

But on cross examination by trial attorney Jerry Blackwell, Fowler was forced to admit that he had no concrete evidence to support the carbon monoxide poisoning theory.

Blackwell seized on the fact that Fowler had never set eyes on the squad car or attempted to simulate the conditions to sample possible levels of carbon monoxide in Floyd's vicinity.

The prosecutor bluntly challenged: 'For that matter cutting even more to the chase how do you even know the car was on?'

Fowler said that it was a question he had specifically asked and that he had observed water dripping from what appears to be a tail pipe.

Blackwell pressed: 'You just assumed based on observing something dripping from a tail pipe that the car was on?'

'It's not an assumption,' Fowler bit back. 'It's an evaluation based on an indicator that the car was running.'

The carbon monoxide point was one of many on which Fowler contradicted the opinions of medical experts who testified before him.

Blackwell drilled down on those contradictions while attempting to chip away at Fowler's credibility, at one point telling him: 'You're not a toxicologist..a pulmonologist.. a cardiologist, a physiologistYou don't treat patients.'

Fowler's earliest contradiction across more than five hours of testimony came when he shared his conclusion that Floyd died from a 'sudden cardiac arrhythmia' due to his underlying heart disease during his restraint by police. That conclusion was refuted by Dr Andrew Baker, the Hennepin County chief medical examiner who performed Floyd's autopsy.

Among the 'significant contributing conditions' that he listed was the presence of fentanyl and methamphetamine, paraganglioma - the adrenalin secreting-tumor that Floyd had - and his exposure to the squad car exhaust.

Fowler also said that Floyd had an enlarged heart, which meant he needed more oxygen to function, and that methamphetamine use heightened his risk of cardiac arrhythmia.

Later in his lengthy and technical testimony, Fowler cited multiple studies which challenged the notion that the prone position - in which Floyd was held for nine minutes and 29 seconds - is inherently dangerous.

He also referenced studies which concluded that it doesn't matter how much a person weighs if they are applying a single knee to another person - and a double knee restraint makes only a modest difference.

According to those studies a person transfers just 23 percent of their bodyweight during a double knee restraint. So, Dr Fowler said, Chauvin  who he viewed as applying a single knee restraint for most of the restraint  would have been applying less than 30 to 35 pounds of weight to Floyd.

Asked if any of that weight compromised Floyd's neck structures, Fowler said: 'None of the vital structures.'

'There was absolutely no evidence of any injury to the skin or deeper structures of the back or neck,' he said, citing photos from Floyd's autopsy.

In fact, he said the pressure applied to Floyd was less than the amount necessary to even bruise him.

PROSECUTION - REBUTTAL

Pulmonology expert Dr Martin Tobin

The state recalled its star medical witness, pulmonologist Dr Martin Tobin, to the stand for its rebuttal on April 15.

Tobin told the jury that the defense expert who testified at length yesterday, Dr David Fowler, was 'simply wrong' in his conclusions that carbon monoxide played any role in Floyd's death.

Addressing Fowler's claim that the levels of carbon monoxide in Floyd's blood could have been between 10 and 18 percent, Tobin said: 'I believe it is not reliable.'

Tobin started to tell jurors that his view was based on arterial blood gas obtained from Floyd in Hennepin County Medical Center when Nelson objected.

Before the witness stepped up, Judge Cahill warned the state that he would declare a mistrial if Tobin sought to introduce any new evidence during his rebuttal to Fowler's testimony.

Instead Tobin walked the fine line and explained: '[Floyd] had an arterial blood gas obtained, so that's sticking a needle into the artery and you measure a number of different items like the pressure of oxygen, carbon dioxide, acid, and the oxygen saturation and that is how much of the hemoglobin the protein in the blood that carries the oxygen.'

Asked for Floyd's oxygen saturation levels, Tobin told the court: 'It was 98 percent saturated with oxygen when they measured it at Hennepin County Medical Center and that was 9.16pm.'

As for what, if anything, that tells about Floyd's carbon monoxide levels, Tobin said: 'If hemoglobin is saturated at 98 percent, all there was for everything else was two percent.

'The maximum amount [of carbon monoxide] was two percent, it could be something else but two percent is within the normal range.'

Pressing that point he told the jury: 'You and I have somewhere between zero and three.'

He said Fowler's statement that Floyd's carbon monoxide could have increased to between ten and 18 percent was 'simply wrong'.

Tobin also cast doubt on Fowler's testimony with respect to the hypopharynx  the area of the throat that, he said, would not have been narrowed by Chauvin's knee on his neck.

Fowler said he could find no research to support the notion that it would have.

Today Tobin said: 'There's at least a dozen maybe 20 studies that show the relationship between how if you lower the size of the lungs you must get a decrease in the hypopharynx.'

But he said there was no specific research into how pressure on the neck narrows it because 'we try to do research and studies that might be puzzling'.

Tobin explained: 'If you think about sticking your fingers into your neck you know it's going to narrow the hypopharynx. It's common sense.'

In a brief cross-examination, Nelson pointed out that Tobin had not produced for the courts review any of the dozens of articles which he cited.
(Natural News) A study published in February in the journal Science shows that immunity to the Wuhan coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) lasts at least eight months after a person has contracted COVID-19. This finding is an optimistic sign that immunity can probably last for many years.

There was a lot of concern originally that this virus might not induce much memory, Shane Crotty, an infectious disease professor at the University of California, San Diego and one of the study researchers, told MIT Review. Instead, the immune memory looks quite good.

How survivors develop long-term immunity to coronavirus

According to the National Institutes of Health, the immune system remembers a virus after a person gets infected with it. Immune cells and proteins in the body can then recognize and kill the virus if that person catches it again, preventing a second infection. This immunological memory is the basis for adaptive immunity.

There are several components of adaptive immunity, including antibodies, helper T cells, killer T cells and memory B cells. Antibodies recognize foreign substances such as viruses and neutralize them. Helper T cells, on the other hand, activate other immune cells while killer T cells eliminate pathogens. Finally, memory B cells reactivate and produce new antibodies when the body needs them.

But it was unclear how long immunity against COVID-19 would last. To that end, Crotty and his team measured the levels of each of these immune components in 188 COVID-19 survivors and patients. More than 40 of the participants provided samples of their blood six to eight months after catching the virus.

The researchers found antibodies specific to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, which the virus uses to infect cells, in 98 percent of the participants a month after symptom onset. Levels of these antibodies declined only modestly six to eight months after infection, consistent with previous studies.

Meanwhile, virus-specific memory B cells increased over time. The participants had more memory B cells six months after symptom onset compared to a month afterward. Though memory B cells reached a plateau after a few months, they did not decline over the period studied.

Levels of virus-specific T cells also remained high. Six to eight months after infection, 92 percent of the participants still had detectable helper T cells while around half still had detectable killer T cells.

This implies that theres a good chance people would have protective immunity, at least against serious disease, for that period of time, and probably well beyond that, Crotty said.

A strong immune system is key to prevent reinfection

The researchers noted that the immune systems response to COVID-19 varies from one person to another. People with a weak immune system may be more susceptible to reinfection or are more likely to infect others than those with a robust immune system. But overall, the findings bode well for COVID-19 survivors.

Several months ago, our studies showed that natural infection induced a strong response, and this study now shows that the responses last, said Daniela Weiskopf, a researcher at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) in California and a co-author of the study.

Past studies suggested that survivors might be vulnerable to reinfection since COVID-19 antibodies steadily plummet after recovery. For instance, a study released last November indicated that antibodies peak 24 days after infection and drop by half just three months after symptom onset. But Alessandro Sette, one of the studys researchers who heads his own lab at LJI, allayed fears of a second infection.

Of course, the immune response decreases over time to a certain extent, but thats normal. Thats what immune responses do. They have a first phase of ramping up, and after that fantastic expansion, eventually the immune response contracts somewhat and gets to a steady state, Sette explained. (Related: Infected patients develop long-term immunity to coronavirus.)

The researchers continue to analyze blood samples from COVID-19 patients to track their responses 12 to 18 months after symptom onset. They are also working to understand how adaptive immunity differs across people of different ages and how that may influence disease severity.

Learn more about how the bodys built-in defenses ward off COVID-19 at ImmuneSystem.news.

Sources include:

DarkDaily.com

NIH.gov

Science.ScienceMag.org

LJI.org

DailyMail.co.uk
WHO needs feminism? The short answer to this question is everyone.

This and the issues involved were discussed when a panel of inspirational women came together to celebrate the launch of a new book titled, The Futures of Feminism written by the University of Huddersfield's Professor Emerita of Politics, Valerie Bryson.

Professor Bryson has published extensively on feminist theory and politics and was accompanied on the panel by activist and actress Julie Hesmondhalgh, ambassador for the Jo Cox Foundation Kim Leadbeater MBE and the University's Director of the None In Three (Ni3) global research centre, Professor Adele Jones OBE.

The debate was chaired by Dr Georgina Blakeley, Director of Teaching, Learning and Student Experience for the School of Human and Health Sciences, with all four panel members contributing to the discussion through their own particular lens.

Published by Manchester University Press, Valerie's book combines academic rigour with accessibility and makes the case for an inclusive form of socialist feminism that puts women with multiple disadvantages at its heart.

Feminist Ideas & Inspiration

The event began with Valerie outlining how her ideas for the book had developed over time.

She explained that her own feminist ideas are bound up with more collective experiences and developments, reflecting the times she has lived through, the general political climate, and developments in feminist theory and politics as well as her own experiences, which included the enormous importance of female friendship.

She described how she had always thought of herself as a socialist feminist and had been aware of the inequalities of class as well as gender but admitted that she didn't initially appreciate the extent to which other inequalities were built into society, and how they could change the very meaning of what it meant to be a woman.

"I didn't fully see that when I thought I was writing about feminism," explained Valerie, "I was actually writing as a white woman, about mainly white European and US-based feminisms."

Since then, she added, she has read a lot of black feminist theory which she hoped had changed her understanding for the better and made her feminism more inclusive.

Valerie, who is an affiliate member of the University's Centre for Citizenship, Conflict, Identity and Diversity (CCID) reasserted the argument for the kind of socialist feminism which puts the most disadvantaged women at its heart.

She explained how this was very different from the kind of feminism represented by the Prime Minister Boris Johnson as well as his predecessor Theresa May, who both described themselves as feminists, although their Conservative Party's policies have done so much damage to so many women.

To conclude Valerie delivered some grounds for optimism about a future that could be both more feminist and more socialist.

Socialist Feminism

Valerie welcomed the webinar's first speaker Julie Hesmondhalgh who is perhaps more well known by her work as an actress rather than as an activist. Julie, who also co-runs Take Back Theatre, a Manchester-based company that creates immediate responses to social and political events, began with an appreciation for the book and reflected on the ways it had spoken to her personally.

As a socialist, Julie said she particularly welcomed the book's chapter on trans rights which featured Valerie's argument that both socialist principles and an intersectional approach could suggest ways of moving forward, beyond the increasingly fraught disputes which could often be seen in the women's movement around the topic.

Feminism Is Nothing Without Activism

The talk that followed was delivered by the University's Professor of Social Work Adele Jones OBE where she described her own feminism journey and referred to a time when, as a young academic, she had made a stand with Black students against racism only to find herself on the receiving end of a backlash by White women in the department. This made her wonder how it could ever be okay for one group to feel that the discrimination they faced meant they were beyond discriminating against others.

The Director of the None in Three research centre for the global prevention of gender-based violence, revealed how her political footing didn't return until she became inspired by the writings of women such as Audrey Lorde, Bell Hooks, June Jordan, Heidi Mercer and Amina Mama.

"I began to understand," explained Adele, "why Alice Walker coined the term womanism, in opposition to a feminism that seemed preoccupied with the interests of White middle-class women and why Audrey Lorde felt compelled to write, 'when radical lesbian feminist theory dismisses us, it encourages its own demise'."

However, it wasn't until she stumbled upon the concept of intersectionality that she began to fully reconnect with feminism. Since then, she described how intersectionality had been the route through which she was able to expand her own versions of feminism and in doing so had reclaimed her space and peace as a feminist.

Adele emphasised the importance of 'inclusive activist feminism' and disclosed how in the 1980's she was one of many Black women who waved placards and protested against the treatment of women who, having left their violent husbands, were put into holding centres only to eventually be deported and forcibly separated from their children.

"Imagine how deeply depressing it was to learn 30 years later that the domestic abuse bill currently being debated in parliament again disregarded the specific needs of migrant women," she said.

In an act of political solidarity, Adele explained how a coalition of more than 50 Black Asian and minority ethnic migrant and women's rights organisations accused the Government of placing the lives of these women at serious risk and it was this activism which had forced the Government to rethink.

"Feminism is nothing without activism and this, dear friends, is what inclusive activist feminism looks like," she added.

We All Need Feminism

Kim Leadbeater MBE an ambassador for the Jo Cox Foundation which was set up after the murder of her sister Jo Cox MP in 2016, also chairs the Batley & Spen 'More In Common' volunteer-group and was the event's final speaker and panel member.

Kim, who is also a spokesperson for The Great Get Together, an annual weekend of community events held in June across the UK, referred to a question her sister Jo was once asked which was, 'What kind of a feminist are you?', to which Kim said her sister replied, 'A massive one!' and explained how this was evident in the work carried out by Jo when she was an MP.

Kim described how Jo was previously quoted as saying that only 23% of the House of Commons were female and if women didn't make that 50/50, then the people making decisions about their communities were never to going to reflect their needs. Although this number was now standing at 34%, which Kim disclosed was an all-time high, there was still a long way to go if the country was ever to achieve equal representation.

In her role as an ambassador, Kim said she is invited to talk at events on a wide range of topics but is often struck beforehand with feelings of self-doubt. However, there was no shame in admitting this and feels it is important within the Feminist movement that female role models are transparent and open about their vulnerabilities.

Kim concluded with an inspirational note and thanked the thousands of women around the world who have rolled their sleeves up and made many amazing things happen after being inspired by her sister Jo.

"Be the change you want to see in the world," said Kim.

"Be a role-model to other women and indeed men. Be a strong resilient, powerful woman, but also be kind to yourself. Look after the basics of your health - sleep, nutrition, stress, hydration, physical activity - and don't be afraid or embarrassed about asking for support when you need it because you can't pour from an empty cup.

"And as I'm still trying to put into practice myself," she added, "asking for help is a strength and not a weakness. We all need feminism, but we also sometimes just need a helping hand, no matter how fierce a feminist you are."

The webinar drew to a close with Julie reading out the short concluding chapter from Valerie's book before Dr Blakeley invited Huddersfield Students' Union, Women's Network Assistant, Isma Rashid, who has done a huge amount of work to empower women and tackle gender inequalities, to facilitate the final session of the webinar which featured a wide ranging Q&A session with the panel.

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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.
By Ritah Kemigisa

The late Archbishop has been given a 17 gun salute at the state funeral organized by Government held this morning at the Kololo independence grounds.

Addressing mourners, President Museveni said he had ordered for an official send off of Lwanga because he was among the five Archbishops of the catholic church in the country.

He however added that honoring him is also part of building the national culture to not only honor political and traditional leaders but also the church leaders.

Museveni says the Archbishop was part of the guerilla war sympathizers who offered them food and remembers him for being innovative.

President Yoweri Museveni has demanded for more answers regarding the death of the Kampala Archbishop Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga.

President Museveni revealed that, the condition killed the Archbishop is well known and could have been prevented.

While explaining the prelates sudden demise on Monday, his personal physician Dr Andrew Ssekitoleko said the Archbishop had succumbed to Ischemic heart disease  a heart attack that is due to a blood clot that was found inside the artery that supplies blood to the heart.

However Museveni has put on the spot his doctors and now wants them to explain and clarify how they failed to manage his condition.
A mother who was at Perth Childrens Hospital the night Aishwarya Aswath died says the seven-year-old was the child in the worst condition in the emergency department but didnt get the attention she deserved, with staff preoccupied with a violent teenager.

Aishwaryas parents rushed her to hospital on Saturday with a fever but she died following a two-hour wait in the emergency department, despite multiple pleas for help, telling staff she was getting worse.

The mother, who asked to remain anonymous, was at PCH with her one-year-old son Saturday night and told WAtoday she watched on as Aishwarya struggled to keep her head up while hospital staff tried to give her painkillers.

Surely the severity of something like this should have been alarm bells, she said.
 Flash

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday sent a congratulatory message to Nguyen Xuan Phuc on his election as Vietnam's state president.

In his message, Xi pointed out that China and Vietnam are socialist neighbors linked by mountains and rivers.

Since last year, the two countries have helped each other and together made major achievements in the COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control, Xi said.

With continuous sound development in bilateral relations, the two countries have jointly written a new chapter of China-Vietnam neighborly friendship, Xi said.

Noting that the world today is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, Xi stressed that the China-Vietnam relations and their cause of socialist construction have entered a crucial stage of inheriting the past and ushering in the future.

Saying he attaches great importance to the development of China-Vietnam relations, the Chinese president expressed willingness to work with Phuc, guided by building a community with a shared future with strategic significance to both sides, to strive for continuous, fresh and greater achievements in their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and better benefit the two countries and peoples.

On the same day, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also sent a congratulatory message to Pham Minh Chinh on his election as Vietnamese prime minister.

Li said he stands ready to work with his Vietnamese counterpart to steadily promote the synergy of the two countries' development strategies, speed up the construction of a mutually beneficial cooperation paradigm, and make positive contributions to the development of China-Vietnam relations featuring good-neighborly friendship and all-round cooperation.
A man uses the IATA Travel Pass in a handout photograph. (Courtesy of IATA)

COVID-19 Vaccine Travel Pass to Be Launched on Apple in Mid-April

A mobile application that will enable travelers to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test or a vaccination will be rolled out on Apples platform in mid-April.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which is developing the digital pass, had planned to release it by the end of March. A spokesperson told The Epoch Times via email on April 6 that the IATA Travel Pass will be launched in mid-April for iOS, Apples platform, and mid-May for Android.

Governments requiring testing or vaccination proof as a condition of travel can use the app, trusting that the information supplied is verified, the association states on its website.

With this app, IATA also aims to provide governments with the confidence to reopen borders without imposing quarantines on incoming travelers, it states.

The free app will include up-to-date travel, testing, and vaccine requirements for different legs of a trip, a global registry of testing and vaccination centers, and an option to create a digital passport that would let travelers share testing or vaccination certificates with airlines and authorities to facilitate travel.

IATA Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East Kamil Alawadhi said late last month that the pass will only achieve its success once airlines, different countries, airports adopt it, Reuters reported.

A huge amount of airlines have requested to be on board, he added.

The IATA Travel Pass is seen in a handout photograph. (Courtesy of IATA)

Virgin Atlantic plans to trial the app on UKBarbados flights starting on April 16. The trial is in collaboration with the government of Barbados, which will accept the pass at its border.

Fliers can participate in the trial by downloading the pass on their smartphone and creating a digital ID that will feature a profile photograph and passport information before uploading the relevant COVID-19 information, Virgin Atlantic stated in a recent statement.

Our Barbados trial with IATA Travel Pass is an exciting step towards a digital health pass as we actively explore secure solutions to integrate testing, vaccination, health documents, and locator forms into our customer journeys, said Corneel Koster, chief customer and operating officer for Virgin Atlantic.

Barbados Sen. Lisa Cummins, the countrys tourism minister, added that we welcome this progressive step which complements our already implemented public health protocols and programs.

The IATA Travel Pass lends an extra element of safety to both our visitors and Barbadians, giving them the confidence that we are engaging in and promoting travel that protects us all, she said. As we look ahead to the next few months, our intention is to create a new-look tourism industry that holistically reflects the new public health imperatives.

Other airlines, including Emirates and Air New Zealand, are also trying out the pass, according to IATA.

An official with the association told The Epoch Times this week that it doesnt support governments making COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for travel.

U.S. companies are also developing so-called vaccine passports, which a slew of officials envision being required across different modes of transportation in the near future.

While enthusiasm for the passports is high among some, experts have expressed concern for the loss of freedom they represent.

As we start to get this virus properly under control, we should start getting our freedoms back. Vaccine passportsessentially COVID ID cardstake us in the other direction, said Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats in the UK.
Kasiem Chaves, who earned around $7.50 a week as Paulies mobility guide, helped Paulie with just about everything: cleaning his cell, communicating, walking. Kasiem had been incarcerated 38 years for a robbery and murder in the Bronx. Now a gangly, graying 65-year-old, he was known at Sullivan as the Old God. It was a reference to his affiliation with the Five-Percent Nation, an offshoot of the Nation of Islam whose members refer to men as Gods and women as Earths. But I also thought of the nickname as a nod to the thoughtful steadfastness we saw in him.

Several times, after Kasiem and Paulie returned from a medicine run, I heard Kasiem arguing with the pantry servers because theyd forgotten to put aside a tray. Hed hustle up a cake, heat some water for instant coffee and serve it to Paulie. Kasiem tried hard to follow physical distancing guidelines, because he saw himself as responsible not only for his own life but also for Paulies. In early February, Paulie was supposed to go before a parole panel for the ninth time, to determine whether, after more than 40 years of being locked up, hed be allowed to leave. Given the pandemic, Kasiem thought Paulie might get his chance. Kasiem, scheduled to see a parole board for the first time in March, was hoping hed get his chance, too.

In prison, everything that happens feels like part of our punishment. Over the last year, that has included living through a pandemic while behind bars. Critics of New Yorks vaccination plan point out that prisoners are already being punished for our crimes with incarceration  none of us were sentenced to be at extra risk during a pandemic too.

As the lawyer and human rights advocate Bryan Stevenson has written, we are more than the worst thing weve ever done. Thats the ideal. Yet the worst thing weve done is part of us, too; we are the sum of all our deeds. I murdered a man, and I sometimes feel that the act did diminish the value of my own life. I sometimes feel that I am less deserving of the vaccine than an innocent person.

I called my mom in Fort Lauderdale and told her, over a phone handset that reeked of bleach and burned my nostrils, about the state governments decision not to offer us the vaccine. I can get it, Mom told me. I dont want it. I wish I could give it to you. Im not productive anymore. Im shot. Mom said she doesnt trust the vaccine, anyway  she thinks they injected water into Joe Bidens arm: Ha, I sound like a nut, right?

Moms Parkinsons has robbed her of aging gracefully. She falls, urinates on herself. My older siblings had a different father, and they resented my mom for leaving them with him. She married my father, had me. Then he left her, and we wound up in a housing project. My father later took his own life. In 2001, when I was selling drugs, I shot and killed a man in Brooklyn and was sentenced to 25 years to life for murder, plus three years for drug sales and possessing a gun. One of my brothers died a decade later of an overdose. Now Mom is alone.

The hardest part of my punishment is that its also Moms punishment. Ive felt it acutely these last several months, unable to be there for her when she needs me most. Ive been having the same conversations with my mom that many other sons and daughters have had with their aging, sometimes stubborn parents: Make sure your home health aides wear masks and wash their hands, and make sure they dont touch you. But how can I be certain my mother will do anything I ask her to do from in here?
YEREVAN, APRIL 6, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian received today President of the Supreme Judicial Council Ruben Vardazaryan, the Presidential Office told Armenpress.

The meeting touched upon the legislative package on making amendments and changes to the Judicial Code which has been approved recently by the Parliament and submitted for the Presidents singing.

Ruben Vardazaryan presented his position and approaches over the legislative package.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
Finn AI Credit Union Service Organizations need to update their offerings to meet the growing demand from the industry and their customers.

Finn AI, the leading AI-powered chatbot platform for banks and credit unions, today announces that it has joined The National Association of Credit Union Services Organizations (NACUSO), the only trade association focused on growing and protecting the CUSO movement.

Consumers increasingly want to interact with their credit unions using text, chat and AI, said Jake Tyler, CEO of Finn AI. Credit Union Service Organizations need to update their offerings to meet the growing demand from the industry and their customers.

For credit unions using CUSOs to deliver technology services, their CUSO is in an ideal position to add conversational AI chat as an enhancement to the member digital experience. Small credit unions in particular will benefit from their CUSO bringing a fast and cost effective path to AI based service.

Finn AI recently worked with the United Federal Credit Union on a full-featured conversational AI chatbot to deliver fast, 24/7 service for routine member questions and requests. Operated in the cloud as a managed service, the Finn AI chatbot gives credit unions the fastest path to a conversational AI developed exclusively for their needs. The chatbot will benefit from continuous and collective AI learning across all of Finn AIs financial institution clients.

In a live webinar event produced by NACUSO and Finn AI, Finn AIs co-founder and COO Natalie Cartwright will join Amber Harsin, CEO of the CUSO Prodigy, and Becky Reed, CEO of Lone Star Credit Union, in a panel discussion on use of emerging technology to raise the credit union member experience on April 14, 2021. To register for this webinar, go to: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3055956643963901452.

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About NACUSO

The National Association of Credit Union Service Organizations was formed in 1985 to help credit unions explore the use of CUSOs and the delivery of non-traditional products and services. Over the years, NACUSOs focus has evolved to educating credit unions on the benefits of collaboration, helping credit unions find innovative collaborative partners & solutions, helping CUs form multi-owned CUSOs that help credit unions achieve economies of scale, risk reduction and obtain expertise, as well as being the collaboration focused regulatory & legislative advocate for CUSOs and their credit union owners.

About Finn AI

Founded in 2014, Finn AI is the leading AI-powered chatbot platform for banks and credit unions, working with top financial institutions including one of the largest US card networks, a top 10 US retail bank, ATB Financial, United Federal Credit Union, Banpro Grupo Promerica, Fidor Bank, TymeBank and more. Banks and credit unions use the award-winning Finn AI chatbot to transform and deepen customer engagement, while delivering the operational efficiencies and cost savings of conversational AI. For more information visit http://www.finn.ai.
At least seven US colleges have said students must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to come back to their campuses this fall with Brown University and Northeastern University the latest to implement such rules.

Brown, Northeastern, Cornell University, Rutgers University, Fort Lewis College, Nova Southeastern University and St. Edward's University each announced COVID-19 vaccination requirements for returning students in recent weeks.

Students with specific underlying medical conditions and religious beliefs can apply to be exempt from the rule which the institutions say is crucial to be able to welcome people back to in-person learning at full pre-pandemic capacity.

The move comes as a third of the US population is now at least partly inoculated against the virus and Joe Biden is set to bring forward a roadmap for all American adults to be eligible to get the vaccine.

At least seven US colleges have said students must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to come back to their campuses this fall with Brown University (above) and North University the latest to implement such rules

Brown, a member of the Ivy League based in Providence, Rhode Island, on Tuesday became the latest to announce that students are to receive the vaccine before they will be permitted to return to campus for the fall semester.

Brown President Christina Paxson announced the decision in a letter, revealing that the vaccine is mandatory 'for all undergraduate, graduate and medical students who will be on campus or engage in any level of in-person instruction.'

Paxson said students can apply for medical or religious exemptions but warned that anyone who does not get the shot and does not qualify for an exemption will not be allowed to step foot on campus in person.

These students will need to either petition to study remotely or will be required to take a leave of absence.

At present, the vaccine is not mandatory for all staff members at the college.

Paxson said the college's COVID-19 Vaccine Working Group is still deciding whether to also make them mandatory for staff with a recommendation expected by June 1.

The university president said a vaccinated student body would allow for the fall 2021 semester returned to a similar sense of normalcy as seen in pre-pandemic times.

Northeastern in Boston (pictured) also announced Tuesday the decision that all students must be vaccinated saying it is necessary to reach herd immunity

'We have every reason to expect that fall 2021 at Brown will look and feel much more like fall 2019 than fall 2020,' Paxson wrote.

This will include inviting all graduate, undergraduate and medical students to enroll in-person, standard course enrollments and class sizes, standard room occupancy for student residences, on-campus student residency requirements restored and expanded dining and recreation options.

Paxson added: 'Our top priority is safeguarding the health and well-being of our community while continuing to deliver an exceptional educational experience and supporting research and scholarship.'

Brown is home to 10,257 students, according to its website, including 7,043 undergraduates, 2,629 grad students and 585 medical students.

The fall semester is due to start on September 2.

Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, also announced Tuesday that all students must be fully vaccinated by the first day of the semester in September so that it can begin the new school year with full-time, in-person learning.

Ken Henderson, chancellor and senior vice president for learning at Northeastern, said this is crucial for the college to achieve herd immunity.

The move comes as a third of the US population is now at least partly inoculated against the virus and Joe Biden is set to bring forward a roadmap for all American adults to be eligible to get the vaccine

'In order to get herd immunity, we need to get a maximum number of people possible vaccinated,' he said.

'If all, or nearly all of our students are vaccinated, we expect that we'll be able to achieve herd immunity.'

Students will need to show the school proof of their vaccination status at the start of the semester, the university said.

Rutgers became the first major university to announce it was requiring students to get inoculated before the start of the fall semester.

The New Jersey-based college announced the move on March 25 with the rule applying to all three of its campuses: New Brunswick, Newark, and Camden.

The university pointed towards guidance from the CDC as well as the president's aim at the time that everyone would be eligible for the vaccine as soon as May.

'President Biden recently announced that he is encouraging all states to open their COVID-19 vaccine eligibility requirements to include all adults and, further, that he expects that all adults could have access to at least one inoculation dose by the early summer,' the college wrote.

Meanwhile, faculty and staff meanwhile are so far not part of the mandate with the college saying it will 'continue to strongly urge' them to get vaccinated.

Others soon followed suit after Rutgers with St. Edward's University announcing March 29 that all staff and students aged 16 or over must be vaccinated come September 1.

Cornell's president and provost released a statement Friday announcing students must get vaccinated if they want to be allowed onto its upstate New York campuses.

Rutgers became the first major university to announce it was requiring students to get inoculated before the start of the fall semester

St. Edward's University announcing March 29 that all staff and students aged 16 or over must be vaccinated come September 1

Nova Southeastern University in Florida (above) sent a letter also on Friday requiring students, faculty and staff returning to in-person learning to be fully vaccinated before the start of the semester

'With the recent announcements of expanded vaccine eligibility in New York and other states, and increasing vaccine production, it is likely that all members of our community will be able to obtain vaccination sometime this spring or summer,' Cornell President Martha Pollack and Provost Michael Kotlikoff wrote in a joint statement.

'Accordingly, Cornell intends to require vaccination for students returning to Ithaca, Geneva, and Cornell Tech campuses for the fall semester.'

The letter continued: 'Individuals who are not able to obtain vaccination prior to arrival for the fall semester, or whose vaccination is not recognized by New York state, will be expected to be vaccinated as soon after their arrival as possible, and Cornell is investigating ways to facilitate this process.'

Fort Lewis College sent a letter to the college community Friday with a similar mandate.

'A broadly vaccinated student body provides our best hope for returning to the hands-on, inclusive, experiential, and personalized learning environment that we have all come to love,' wrote President Tom Stritikus.

And Nova Southeastern University in Florida sent a letter also on Friday requiring students, faculty and staff returning to in-person learning to be fully vaccinated before the start of the semester.

'We reached this decision after careful planning and consultation with our health care and operational professionals to ensure that we can indeed return to healthy campuses with appropriate safety precautions in place while implementing new guidelines,' the university said.

US universities started shifting to online learning back in March when the virus spread across the country.

Most colleges started welcoming some students back ahead of the fall 2020 semesters.

Many opted for hybrid models with in-person learning for some and remote for others while colleges clamped down on college life including banning parties.

Now, 32.4 percent of Americans have received at least one dose of the vaccine and 18.8 percent are fully vaccinated.

Joe Biden is expected to announce Tuesday that all American adults must be made eligible by states to receive the vaccine by April 19.

This would move the eligibility goalpost up by two weeks from the previous plan of May 1 as the pace of the rollout has steadily climbed.

A total of 34 states have already opened up vaccination eligibility to those 16 and older and 41 states will have it opened up to adults before April 19 anyway.

But there is much debate around organizations mandating people get the vaccine.

The Biden administration said there are several vaccine passport initiatives being developed by public and private entities.

The idea is facing a growing pushback from Republicans with Texas Governor Greg Abbott issuing an executive order Tuesday prohibiting the government from requiring state residents to show proof of inoculation.

This came one week after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis took the same action.
Nashville- Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III today joined Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron in a lawsuit challenging a mandate from the Biden Administration in the American Rescue Plan Act (the Act). The lawsuit, filed against Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, argues that the tax mandate unconstitutionally usurps the authority of each States legislature to enact beneficial tax policies.

The American Rescue Plan Act was passed by Congress and signed into law on March 11, 2021. Of the nearly $2 trillion included in the Act, approximately $200 billion will assist state governments with COVID relief. But, as a condition of receiving the COVID aid, the Act requires states to comply with a tax mandate that prevents it from lowering taxes for its citizens for four years.

The states have a constitutional right to implement their own tax policy, said General Slatery. We should not have to choose between accepting COVID-19 relief funds or surrendering to Washingtons attempt to override what only our elected officials in Tennessee are authorized to do.

Kentuckians expect state tax policies to be set by the men and women they elect to represent them in the General Assembly, and not as a result of an edict from the Federal Government, said Attorney General Cameron. These COVID relief funds are essential to helping the Commonwealth and hardworking Kentuckians recover from the effects of the pandemic, and it is unconstitutional for the Biden Administration to hold the funds hostage if we dont agree to Washingtons preferred tax policies. Im proud to join with Attorney General Slatery to push back against federal overreach in its worst form.

The Attorneys General allege in the lawsuit that requiring states to acquiesce to a sweeping tax mandate is an unprecedented power grab by the federal government at a time when elected officials should be singularly focused on helping their constituents overcome the devastating effects of the pandemic. It usurps the States sovereign authority by coercing them into making the policy choices that a bare majority of Congress prefers, and a strictly partisan majority at that, without regard for the citizens of the States or the leaders they elect.

Tennessee expects to receive about $3.7 billion under the Act, more than one fifth of Tennessees annual general revenue.

In March, a coalition of Attorneys General sent a letter to Secretary Yellen urging clarification of the Tax Mandate and asking for Treasury to adopt a more sensible interpretation of the mandates language. Secretary Yellens response did not provide clarity about using relief funds to indirectly offset a reduction in tax revenue.

Without this necessary clarity, Attorneys General Cameron and Slatery argue that the broad and ambiguous scope of the Tax Mandate has the likely and foreseeable effect of chilling almost any legislative action by the States that affect tax revenue.

To view a copy of the motion, click here: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/attorneygeneral/documents/pr/2021/pr21-15-complaint.pdf

###

#21-15: Tennessee, Kentucky File Lawsuit against Biden Administration State Tax Policy
Chennai/Puducherry, April 6 : Polling in the 234 Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu and the 30 Assembly seats in the neighbouring Puducherry began at 7 a.m. on Tuesday.

Similarly, voting began for the lone Kanniyakumari Lok Sabha seat where bypoll is being held simultaneously.

In Tamil Nadu a total of 3,998 candidates are in the fray seeking the 6.26 crore 'one day Sultan's or the voter's favour.

With 77 contenstants, the Karur Assembly seat sees the highest number of Assembly aspirants.

About 1.58 lakh security personnel have been deployed for security.

There will be a six cornered contest for occupying Fort St.George though the main contest will be between the ruling AIADMK-led alliance and the DMK-led front.

The others in the fray are actor-turned-politicians Kamal Haasan's Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) alliance, Vijayakant promoted DMDK, the alliance led by Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) floated by T.T.V.Dhinakaran and movie director Seeman's Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK).

This election is a waveless poll with AIADMK-led by Chief Minister K.Palaniswami seeking a third term for the party while the DMK-led by its President M.K.Stalin will be seeking to break the decade long power drought.

In order to have a good voter turnout and also enable Covid-19 patients to vote the poll body has allowed them to perform their democratic right by wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) kits.

Voters have to compulsorily wear mask, thermal scanning will be done at the polling booths.

Arrangements for live webcast of the polling process in sensitive booths have been made.

The ruling AIADMK is fighting the poll in 179 seats and six other small parties each contesting in one seat under the former's Two Leaves symbol.

The others in the AIADMK alliance are the BJP (contesting in 20 seats) and PMK (23), TMC (6).

On the other hand, the DMK will be fighting in 173 seats while alliance parties Congress (25), CPI, CPI-M, MDMK and VCK in six seats each, IUML, KMDK (3 each), MMK (2), All India Forward Bloc, Makkal Viduthalai Katchi, Athi Thamizhar Peravai and Tamizhaga Vazhuvurimai Katchi each contesting in one seat.

A total of 187 candidates -- DMK's own and that of alliance parties -- will be contesting under the former's Rising Sun symbol.

The MNM is allied with actor Sarathkumar's AISMK and IJK while Dhinakaran's AMMK has allied with the DMDK, AIMIM and others.

The Seeman-led NTK is going it alone contesting in all the 234 constituencies.

The other parties in the fray on their own are the Bahujan Samaj Party (contesting in 160 seats), Puthiya Tamizhagam (60 seats) and Republican Party of India (16 seats).

Notable candidates in the polls and the constituencies are: Palaniswami, Deputy Chief Minister O.Panneerselvam (Bodinayakkanur), Stalin (Kolathur), his son Udhayanidhi Stalin (Chepauk-Tiruvallikeni), DMDK Treasurer and Vijayakant's wife Premalatha (Vridhachalam) MNM founder Kamal Haasan (Coimbatore South), TN BJP President L. Murugan (Dharapuram), actor Khushbu Sundar (Thousand Lights), TN BJP Vice President K.Annamalai, PMK's G.K.Mani (Pennagaram) and Seeman (Tiruvottriyur).

In the bypoll for the Kanniyakumari Lok Sabha seat, the fight is between former Union Minister and BJP's Pon Radhakrishnan and Congress party's Vijay Vasanth thought there as a dozen candidates.

The bypoll was necessitated owing to the death of Congress MP H. Vasanthakumar, the father of the current Congress candidate.

In the neighbouring Puducherry, Union Territory having just over 10 lakh voters the fight for the 30-member Assembly is majorly between the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) consisting of Congress (contesting in 14 seats), DMK (13), CPI, VCK (one seat each) and an Independent.

The rival National Democratic Alliance (NDA) comprises of All India N.R. Congress (16 seats), BJP (9) and AIADMK (5).

Polling in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry will end at 7 p.m.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Christmas Day Killing of Wife in Anaheim Heads to Jury

Christmas Day Killing of Wife in Anaheim Heads to Jury A 39-year-old man repeatedly threatened to kill his wife and had done time for domestic violence before beating her to death on Christmas Day 2011 at their apartment in Anaheim, a prosecutor told jurors today, while the defendants attorney said the victims death was an accident and followed a night of heavy drinking.

William Wallace is charged with murdering 26-year-old Zazell Preston, whose 3- and 8-year-old daughters from a prior relationship and the couples 7- week old baby were in the apartment at the time their mother died.

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Wallace called 911 about 9:30 a.m. that Christmas morning to report his wife needed medical help, according to police. He repeatedly threatened to kill her, Senior Deputy District Attorney Heather Brown said in her closing argument. Wallace was beating her in the head  thats the kill zone, Brown said. Thats why shes dead. He hit her in the head over and over all the injuries to her head killed her.

Brown characterized it as a night of terror, and told jurors that the crime scene in the apartment in the 200 block of Laxore Street near Lincoln Avenue looked like a scene from `The Shining.

Jurors were instructed to consider first- and second-degree murder as well as voluntary and involuntary manslaughter in their deliberations. Brown dismissed any suggestion by the defense that Preston may have fallen down and hit her head because she was drunk.

Even if you believe this was an accident, his failing to get medical attention is implied malice murder, Brown said, referring to evidence that suggests the victim died about 1 a.m., but the defendant did not call police until later that morning. Brown also discounted a suggestion that the defendant was also drunk from a Christmas Eve gathering with neighbors.

There is so much evidence to indicate he was not drunk that night, Brown said. He carried a 114-pound woman up a flight of stairs at 1 a.m.. He wasnt too drunk to repeatedly punch her in the face, and call her horrible names.

A neighbor also saw the defendant pick up the victims shoes and heave them up a flight of stairs as he was taking her to their apartment, Brown said. The prosecutor also argued that Wallace wasnt too drunk for a clean- up job of the victim, telling the jury that the defendant changed her clothes in the bathroom.

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When paramedics arrived, they saw no blood or evidence of a beating so they tried to perform CPR to revive the victim, Brown said. A 911 dispatcher had tried to instruct Wallace on how to revive her as paramedics rushed over to the apartment, but he hung up, Brown said. He wasnt too drunk to call his brother around midnight and tell him that his wife wasnt moving, she said. He had the wherewithal to dial his brothers number. Wallace pleaded guilty to beating the victim and threatening to kill her in 2008 and did 18 days in jail, Brown said.

Three days before this brutal beating, Preston had confided to family while on a holiday shopping trip that she wanted to leave Wallace, the prosecutor said. Perhaps he learned she was making plans to leave him, Brown said, adding that the defendant was so insecure that he would beat his wife if she was at the store too long.

Brown alleged that Wallace told Prestons then-8-year-old daughter to lie to police, which is why she gave inconsistent reports of what happened to her mother. Wallace had been in and out of jail and the girl didnt know whether she would remain in his custody, Brown said. No incarceration stopped him, no protective order stopped him, she said.

If Preston had suffered a debilitating accidental fall, innocent people call 911, Brown said. He told her, `If you leave me I will kill you, and he made good on his promise. Wallaces attorney, Heather Moorhead, said, Did Mr. Wallace intend to kill his wife? And the answer to that is an emphatic no.

Moorhead argued that the couple had both gotten drunk that night and that Ms. Preston fell down more than once at the bottom of the stairs, against a glass table, in the bathroom. By accident she fell  The whole situation was horrible, but it was not murder. Moorhead said that the bleeding in the brain was so widespread that it was impossible to determine which injury to her head caused the bleeding.

The defense attorney added, If you believe this was from an accident then Mr. Wallace is not responsible for her death We cant say which injury caused the death. There is absolutely no proof.

Moorhead said the 8-year-old daughter woke up about 8 or 9 a.m. and opened a Christmas gift. She said her mother was propped up on a couch at the time. Moorhead argued that the couple had their ups and downs and times when they were happy together. She said Preston at one point in August 2011 moved to modify a stay-away order so they could be together again.

This case is about what Mr. Wallace intended, Moorhead said. He wasnt perfect that day, but he did not act with any intent to kill and because of that you cannot find him guilty of murder.
That could have been me, my friends or any of my cousins, he said. Armendariz said he began to participate in protests and actions to demand accountability from the Police Department after the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis last summer.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 23:24:05|Editor: huaxia

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BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Brunei's Prime Minister's Office (PMO) announced on Tuesday that the temporary suspension of cross-border activities between Brunei and Malaysia will be extended for another two weeks from April 7 to April 22.

Temporary suspension on entry of foreign nationals from Malaysia, including transits through Brunei via land and sea ports, is extended by 14 more days until April 22.

"Transit through Brunei Darussalam may only be considered for official government travels, students required to attend school, emergency services (such as ambulances, police and military) and Malaysia-registered Transport Operators with Cross-Country Permits issued by the Brunei government for import deliveries of essential goods to Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia, granted that the travelers attained endorsement from the relevant Malaysian authorities for their travels," the PMO said.

Located in Southeast Asia, northwest of Kalimantan, Brunei shares land and sea borders with East Malaysia.

According to the PMO, temporary suspension on commuters via land and sea for the purpose of employment is also extended by 14 days.

Brunei and Malaysia have earlier agreed to establish a green lane for essential cross-border movement of people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

After the 23rd Annual Leaders' Consultation held here between Brunei's Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and visiting Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on Monday, a joint statement said that both leaders discussed the possible cooperation between Brunei and Malaysia in COVID-19 vaccines.

The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining people's movement during the COVID-19 pandemic by ensuring their safe cross-border movement.

In this regard, both sides have agreed in principle to establish a Reciprocal Green Lane, with effective COVID-19 prevention and control measures, to facilitate essential business and official travel between both countries.

Brunei reported one more recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic on Tuesday, bringing the total number of recovered patients to 198.

According to Brunei's Ministry of Health, no more confirmed COVID-19 cases were recorded, with the national tally unchanged at 214. There are 13 active cases being treated at the National Isolation Center.

The country has recorded 335 days without local COVID-19 infection cases. There have been three deaths reported from COVID-19 so far in Brunei.

Meanwhile, Malaysia reported 1,300 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the national total to 353,329, the Malaysian Health Ministry said Tuesday. Enditem
Barbados and Bermuda were two of the first places to offer remote-work opportunities. Rachel Hosie/Insider

Some countries have introduced remote-work visas to promote economic recovery.

Insider spoke with professionals who opted to participate in these programs.

They reported lower costs of living, better weather, and achievable work-life balance.

See more stories on Insider's business page.

Remote work existed long before the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic, but 2020 made it a "normal" part of life. As a result, workers are no longer tied to specific locations, and many are taking advantage of that fact to pursue lifestyles that weren't feasible pre-pandemic.

For some, that meant moving away from urban centers and settling in quieter or more affordable cities. Others opted for adventure and traveled to countries and territories that hadn't closed their borders or provided special exemptions for foreign remote workers, self-employed freelancers, and entrepreneurs.

As countries look to recover their economies, more and more have started to provide remote-work visas to boost economic activities.

These programs vary in cost and eligibility. Some, like Iceland's, are targeting higher-income professionals with a minimum monthly income requirement of 1 million Icelandic krona - which equates to just under $8,000 a month and $96,000 a year.

Others, like Bermuda's, haven't set a prescriptive income threshold. The Work From Bermuda certificate requires only that applicants "have substantial means and/or a continuous source of income" and is open to college students in addition to remote workers and the self-employed.

Workers who've followed this path shared their experiences with Insider, from how they chose their destinations to the process behind securing their visas and permits and their plans for the immediate future.

A relief from working from home

Abbie Sheppard, 26, was at her parents' residence in London when the UK first went into lockdown.

Abbie Sheppard. Abbie Sheppard

She's no stranger to remote working, having done so before the pandemic as the chief of staff to the chief operating officer of the US video-sharing website Cameo. Though she started working in its head office in Chicago, visa restrictions dictated that she return to the UK, and she's been remote since September 2018.

Story continues

But like many others, she wasn't used to having to quarantine in one place.

Sheppard regularly traveled to Los Angeles and Chicago as part of her work. During the early days of the pandemic, the company became a fully distributed workforce.

"It was probably the longest I've been in the UK straight," she said. She felt the need to escape the dreary London winter and started looking into destinations that were letting in British citizens in July, she said.

Ultimately, it came down to Bermuda or Barbados, which were among the first places to announce remote-work schemes. Sheppard ended up choosing Bermuda, partly because some of her family friends had recently moved over there. "The plan was totally not to move," she said. "I just needed to get out of the UK for a couple of weeks."

Toward the end of Sheppard's second week, she decided to apply for the Work From Bermuda one-year residential certificate, which she received five days later. She's been in Bermuda since then.

An opportunity for better quality of life

Sheppard said that working on the island had allowed her to have a better work-life balance.

"I used to hate working remote," she said. "I'm such an extrovert, and I love being around people all the time. Now that everyone's remote, it's miles better."

The great weather and low COVID-19 case count also help. Reuters reported that Bermuda's total case count was 1,400 as of Monday (Bermuda's population is just under 70,000).

"You want to go outside because it's nice," Sheppard said. In London, she said, there's a shortage of leisure opportunities outside of going to restaurants, bars, and pubs.

"It's cold during winter. You don't really do anything outdoors," she said. Contrast that with Bermuda, where there are plenty of options to take part in water sports.

Since she's been on the island, she regularly swims, cycles, and runs. At the beginning of her stay, she tried stand-up paddle boarding but "wasn't very good at it," she said. She's also in the process of obtaining her scuba-diving certification with the Professional Association of Diving Instructors.

On the whole, Sheppard said that the cost of living in Bermuda was comparable to London's but that groceries were a little more expensive.

The sentiment of a better quality of life also appealed to Amy Franzen, 35, who works for a Chicago biotech company, and her husband, Willy Franzen, 36, a digital entrepreneur.

The Franzen family. The Franzen family

The Franzens are in Aruba with their 2-year-old son, taking advantage of the Aruba "workation" program - which allows US citizens to work remotely for up to 90 days.

Working from home in Chicago during its "very cold and dark winters confined us to our small apartment," Amy Franzen said.

"Working from Aruba has given us the opportunity to spend considerably more time outside, even while working," she added.

The Franzens regularly travel to Aruba during the holidays, and when they visited the country in 2020, they decided to extend their stay. When they're not working remotely, they explore many of Aruba's sandy beaches. They also visited Arikok National Park, which features a natural pool, as well as caves and land formations made out of lava, quartz diorite, and limestone. (The park makes up 18% of Aruba's landscape.)

At the start of December, Aruba had experienced just 4,902 cases of COVID-19, but the number has increased since then.

The application process

Franzen and Sheppard both said they experienced straightforward processes for applying to remote-work opportunities.

But that's not always the case in every country or territory.

For Aruba, all that's required is a US passport, along with proof of employment by a US company or self-employment.

There's an online application process in Bermuda, which Sheppard described as "seamless" and "the easiest visa application" she'd ever done. All that she had to submit was proof of income, employment elsewhere, and health insurance, which doesn't have to be local.

"You have to submit a photo ID and answer a bunch of questions like where you're going to be staying," Sheppard said. "I got the thing five or six days later. They must email you a confirmation that basically you have to show when you get there."

The downsides of traveling during the pandemic

Of course, traveling during a pandemic comes with its share of risks.

Stefania Guglielmi, a 31-year-old travel blogger and English teacher, took advantage of the Remotely from Georgia program, which allows foreign nationals with a minimum income of $2,000 a month to stay in the country for 360 days without a visa. Unlike Franzen and Sheppard, Guglielmi has been traveling full time for several years.

Stefania Guglielmi. Stefania Guglielmi

When COVID-19 hit, she and her Argentinian partner were looking to go somewhere to "ride out COVID long term" together, she said.

"When we did decide to go to Georgia, there weren't as many countries that were open," she said. Like Bermuda, Georgia requires an application process to participate in the program, but it was a short and straightforward process, Guglielmi said.

When Guglielmi entered Georgia in October, it seemed like COVID-19 was under control, with case counts relatively low compared with other countries. But not long after she and her partner completed their mandatory nine-day quarantine, "the situation went downhill," she said.

In November, the government introduced curfew measures from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. and ordered shops and restaurants to close. Since then, the numbers have gone down, and the government is lifting some restrictions, Democracy & Freedom Watch reported. But Guglielmi said since she arrived in Georgia, she hadn't been able to experience the country and had been forced to stay in her apartment.

What comes next

That hasn't discouraged Guglielmi from continuing with her digital-nomad lifestyle. She's hoping that 2021 will include more traveling.

When Sheppard's 12 months in Bermuda are up, she plans on heading to Costa Rica, Barbados, or Uruguay, "depending on the COVID situation," she said.

She said she missed going into an office and acknowledged she would work in a physical office if she had the choice. But she said she believed traveling was a better option for now.

"I work for a startup that's remote. I'm not in a relationship or married," she said. "For me, now's the time to do that."

Sheppard, Guglielmi, and Franzen stressed the importance of preparation, but Franzen also advised people to try and be flexible with their plans.

One also needs to be realistic about what to expect. Guglielmi said the cheaper cost of living in Georgia allowed people to have a high quality of life for a lot less than what they'd have to pay in Western Europe or the US. Guglielmi pays $600 a month for a two-bedroom apartment, which is equipped with "high-quality" furniture.

"One can easily eat out with $2 or even less if you want to eat Georgian food," she said.

Still, it might not be the life that they're used to.

"People need to understand the context of the country," she said. "Georgia is not as developed. I think people need to understand if their priority is to be more exposed to different cultures or if they prefer to have comforts."

"It's not for everybody," she added.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Courtesy of Suzanne Leclercq

Audience members and staff attending the April 1 Woodland Park City Council meeting follow COVID-19 protocols with social distancing and masks. Three members of the Woodland Park City Council were in chambers; the other three were on Zoom.
SAN FRANCISCO, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Shippo, the leading shipping platform for modern e-commerce, announced today that it is powering native shipping capabilities for CommentSold, a digital commerce solution that enables small and medium-sized retail businesses to unlock sales growth through live and social selling.

With Shippo's native shipping integration, CommentSold merchants can access deeply-discounted USPS rates and every shipping feature and functionality they might need. In addition, Shippo's patent-pending local rating and label generation has a 99.99 percent uptime, so CommentSold merchants can print labels worry free.

"This past year has highlighted for retailers and brands how important timely, reliable shipping is to the customer experience," said Brandon Kruse, CEO of CommentSold. "We're very pleased to partner with Shippo to empower our merchants with more comprehensive shipping options and a more seamless way to manage orders with increased functionality."

Shippo helps businesses of all sizesincluding top e-commerce platforms, marketplaces, warehouses, and brandsnavigate the complexities of shipping and fuel growth. In addition to providing merchants with a seamless shipping experience via its web app, Shippo's comprehensive, easy-to-use API standardizes carrier processes and streamlines shipping, so platforms like CommentSold can offer a best-in-class shipping experience without the upkeep.

"Our native integration with CommentSold is going to really ease the pain points of shipping and fulfillment for merchants," said Laura Behrens Wu, CEO and co-founder of Shippo. "Instead of seeing shipping as a cost center, e-commerce sellers can start to see shipping as the growth engine it is."

About Shippo

Founded in 2013, Shippo is the leading shipping platform for modern e-commerce. More than 100,000 businesses, including top e-commerce platforms, marketplaces, warehouses, and brands, trust Shippo to navigate the complexities of shipping and fuel growth. With Shippo's platform, businesses of all sizes can access 60+ global carriers, get real-time shipping rates, print labels, automate international paperwork, track packages, facilitate returns, and more. To learn more, visit goshippo.com.

About CommentSold

CommentSold provides the complete technology infrastructure retail SMBs need to operate and grow their businesses. The digital platform simplifies inventory and order management, payments, invoicing, labeling, packaging and fulfillment processing for business owners, and enables live and social selling on social media, mobile apps and websites. Retail SMBs can run their entire selling operation on the CommentSold platform, while DTC and larger traditional retailers will soon be able to use the platform to expand from conventional selling channels into live and social selling. The company was named for "comment selling," which refers to retailers posting on social networks and enabling shoppers to purchase items in real time by typing "sold" in the comments of a post. Based in Huntsville, Alabama, CommentSold currently powers e-commerce operations, including live and social selling, for more than 6,000 companies. For more information, please visit CommentSold.com.

SOURCE Shippo

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Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 6, 2021) - Stratabound Minerals Corp. (TSXV: SB) (OTCQB: SBMIF) ("Stratabound" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has qualified for and has commenced trading of its common shares on the OTCQB Venture Market in the United States under the symbol "SBMIF". The Company's continued listing on the TSXV under the "SB" symbol is now further enhanced by the visibility and larger global presence through ease of access to U.S. investors.

Mr. R. Kim Tyler, President and CEO of Stratabound, commented, "In response to requests from U.S. investors along with the considerable recent trading volume exceeding 1.8M shares on the U.S. OTC Pink market since July 2020 we were pleased to have taken this important market exposure upgrade. We look forward to more U.S. investor participation in the future of our Company."

About the OTCQB

OTC Markets Group Inc. operates the OTCQX Best Market, the OTCQB Venture Market and the Pink Open Market for 11,000 U.S. and global securities. The OTCQB offers early stage and developing U.S. and international companies the benefits of being publicly traded in the U.S. The OTCQB helps companies build shareholder value with a goal of enhancing liquidity and achieving fair valuation. U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time level 2 quotes for the Company on www.otcmarkets.com.

About Stratabound Minerals Corp.

Stratabound Minerals Corp. is a well-funded Canadian exploration and development company focused on gold exploration at its flagship Golden Culvert Project, Yukon Territory and its new McIntyre Brook Project, New Brunswick, Canada. The Company also holds a significant land position that hosts three base metals deposits in the Bathurst base metals camp of New Brunswick featuring the Captain Copper-Cobalt-Gold Deposit that hosts an NI 43-101 Measured and Indicated Resource.

For more information, please visit the company's website at www.stratabound.ca or contact: R. Kim Tyler, President and CEO 416-915-4157 info@stratabound.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

WARNING: The Company relies upon litigation protection for "forward-looking" statements. The information in this release may contain forward-looking information under applicable securities laws. This forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking information. Factors that may cause actual results to vary materially include, but are not limited to, inaccurate assumptions concerning the exploration for and development of mineral deposits, currency fluctuations, unanticipated operational or technical difficulties, changes in laws or regulations, failure to obtain regulatory, exchange or shareholder approval, the risks of obtaining necessary licenses and permits, changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets and the inability to raise additional financing. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information. The Company does not assume the obligation to revise or update this forward-looking information after the date of this release or to revise such information to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79496
TORONTO - Rogers Communications Inc. shouldn't be allowed to buy Canada's fourth-largest wireless service, Freedom Mobile, because it would undo attempts improve prices and services through competition, experts in telecommunications policy told MPs on Tuesday.

A woman holds two cellphones with the corporate logos of Rogers Communications and Shaw Communications in a photo illustration in Chelsea, Que., Monday March 29, 2021. A review of the proposed $26-billion purchase of Shaw Communications by Rogers Communications continues into its third day today in Ottawa before a committee of federal MPs. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

TORONTO - Rogers Communications Inc. shouldn't be allowed to buy Canada's fourth-largest wireless service, Freedom Mobile, because it would undo attempts improve prices and services through competition, experts in telecommunications policy told MPs on Tuesday.

In a third day of hearings into the Rogers proposal to buy Shaw Communications Inc., which owns Freedom as well as Western Canada's largest cable internet network, University of Ottawa law professor Michael Geist said regulators should require a spinoff of the wireless assets before approving the deal.

"While some seek to justify it or explain it away, the simple reality is that Canadians already pay some of the highest prices for wireless services in the world," Geist said, echoing other opponents of the deal.

"If this merger is approved, the situation is likely to get worse. Indeed, when Rogers promises that it will not raise prices for Shaw Freedom Mobile customers for three years, it effectively signals that it will be raising them as soon as the clock runs out on that time."

Shaw chief executive Brad Shaw and Rogers CEO Joe Natale told the same committee on March 29 that they'd be stronger competitors to Bell and Telus by combined their spending power and assets. That would allow an enlarged Rogers to reach more rural and underserved areas, they said.

Brad Shaw also said the company founded by his father J.R. Shaw just wasn't big enough on its own to fund the enormous investments required to build fifth-generation wireless networks.

Under questioning from committee members, Geist  who holds the Canada Research Chair in internet and e-commerce law  said the "most palatable" outcome would be to have Shaw and Freedom remain independent rivals to Canada's biggest three biggest telecommunications companies (Rogers, Bell and Telus).

"Shaw is a viable, innovative competitor," Geist said. "So taking them out of the market  is a loss ultimately for consumers."

Ben Klass, a member of a research team studying ownership concentration in Canada's telecom and media industries, said the government needs to stick with aiming for a fourth wireless carrier in every region.

Most of the new wireless competitors that emerged in 2008 and 2009 have been absorbed by the Big Three. Shaw bought the largest independent provider, Wind Mobile, rebranding it as Freedom after the 2016 purchase.

"What we're left with is Freedom (in Ontario, Alberta and B.C.) Videotron in Quebec, Eastlink in the Maritime provinces," Klass said.

"If this merger is allowed, it would be tantamount to the government's admission that they're no longer interested in supporting real competition in this space."

The deal announced March 15 needs regulatory approval to go forward. Key officials, including the federal competition commissioner, are scheduled to address the committee on Wednesday.

The Competition Bureau may not be able to block a deal because of an unusual feature of Canadian law, said Robin Shaban, an economist and co-founder of Vivic Research.

The Competition Act contains what's commonly known as the "efficiencies defence"  that can be used to justify a merger if it creates a more efficient business, Shaban said.

"Rogers and Shaw claimed in their press release that the transaction will create $1 billion in synergies, or efficiencies, per year. If their claim is truthful, then the Bureau may be unable to take any action to protect competition in telecommunications markets," Shaban said.

A representative of the Competitive Network Operators of Canada said the CRTC could be a more effective guardian of competition and consumer prices if it chooses to force the Big Three to share their internet or wireless networks at a reasonable wholesale price.

"The CRTC currently has the tools for it," said Geoff White, CNOC's director of legal and regulatory affairs.

"The CRTC regulates this industry and has clear policy direction," White added. "It just needs the government to stand behind it when it does make a decision."

On Wednesday, the industry, science and technology committee will hear from CRTC chairman Ian Scott, Competition Commissioner Matthew Boswell and officials from the Department of Industry.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 6, 2021.

Companies in this story: (TSX:RCI.B, TSX:SJR.B, TSX:QBR.B, TSX:BCE, TSX:T)
Task Force to Investigate Unemployment Fraud

By West Kentucky Star Staff

FRANKFORT - Monday afternoon, Governor Andy Beshear signed an executive order creating an unemployment fraud task force.The governor signed an executive order creating the Kentucky Unemployment Insurance Fraud Detection and Prevention Task Force. The task force will coordinate between state and federal entities to detect, investigate, prosecute, and prevent unemployment insurance fraud across Kentucky."Like many other states across the country, Kentucky has seen a surge in fraudulent unemployment insurance claims," Gov. Beshear said. "This task force will bring together the needed resources to combat this scourge."Throughout the pandemic, the country has seen a surge in fraudulent claims for unemployment insurance. To date, more than $63 billion in fraudulent benefits have been paid nationwide. Beshear said the fraud was complex and required a multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional response.The task force will include the Kentucky State Police commissioner, the executive director of the Kentucky Department of Homeland Security, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet secretary, the state's chief information officer, and the executive director of the Kentucky Office of Unemployment insurance.To address the high volume of fraud in Kentucky, the Office of Unemployment Insurance has added a new welcome screen to the claimant website with a more secure login. They have also updated the fraud form to report identity theft on the site, entered into a partnership with ID.me, implemented reCaptcha, and adopted new measures for out-of-state Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.More recently, the OUI has stopped all claimants from making changes to the bank account information on file with the agency.Additionally, the U.S. Department of Labor has launched a new website to educate the public on unemployment identity theft.
BATTLE CREEK, MI  Veterans in West Michigan and across the state, as well as their caregivers and spouses, are invited to receive COVID-19 vaccines at more than a dozen clinics planned across the region this month.

The push to vaccinate more veterans and their spouses and caregivers is the result of the SAVE LIVES Act signed into law March 24 by President Joe Biden, according to a news release from the Battle Creek VA Medical Center. The legislation removes some of the legal limits on the medical care the VA can provide to veterans, based on health care eligibility.

The Battle Creek VA Medical Center has been focused on vaccinating as many veterans as possible, and we are excited to multiply our efforts to thanks to the SAVE LIVES Act, Director Michelle Martin said in a statement. We are bringing the vaccine to where veterans, spouses and caregivers live to make it simple and easy to be vaccinated.

Veterans, regardless of age or preexisting conditions, are already being vaccinated at the Battle Creek VA Medical Centers COVID-19 clinics. That availability opens to spouses and caregivers who qualify under the SAVES Lives Act, starting April 10, at the medical centers mobile and walk-in clinics.

The following clinics are planned this month across West Michigan:

April 10: Battle Creek VA Medical Center auditorium , 5500 Armstrong Road, from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Those 65 and older can come in from 10 a.m. - noon. Those 55 and up from noon - 2 p.m., those 40 and up from 2-3 p.m. and all ages from 3-6 p.m.

April 10: Muskegon VA Clinic , 5000 Hakes Drive, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Enrolled veterans only.

April 12: Ludington Danish Hall , 1013 S. Madison St., Ludington, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

April 13: Kalamazoo Salvation Army, 1700 S. Burdick St., from noon-5 p.m.

April 14: Muskegon USS Silversides Museum, 1346 Bluff St., from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

April 16: Newago VFW Post 4249, 9075 Mason Drive, Newaygo, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

April 17: Wyoming VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic, 5838 Metro Way. Those 65 and older can come in from 9-11 a.m. Those 55 and up from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., those 40 and up from 1-2 p.m. and all ages from 2-5 p.m.

April 22: Senior Services of Van Buren County (First Baptist Church annex), 10781 76th St., South Haven, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

April 23: Grand Valley State University , 515 S Waverly Road, Holland, from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

April 29: American Legion Charles Conklin Post #28, 700 Harbor Ave., Grand Haven, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Registration for the vaccine can be completed online at www.va.gov/covid-19-vaccine. While pre-registration is not required at all clinics, it is both simple and quick and will help speed up the process the day of vaccination by having the information on file, according to a news release from the Battle Creek VA Medical Center.

Nearly 3 million Michiganders have received at least their first dose of one of the COVID-19 vaccines. All VA mobile and walk-in clinics are using one-shot vaccines.

Related: Michigan crosses 700,000 coronavirus cases, adds 21 new deaths

Mass vaccination events are planned to kick off the vaccination efforts  at the Battle Creek VAMC on April 10 and at the Wyoming VA Outpatient Clinic on April 17.

Vaccine clinics are also being scheduled, based on availability of vaccine, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday, at the Battle Creek VAMC and, in Wyoming, from 9-11 a.m. Tuesday-Thursday. To schedule an appointment, call 269-966-5600 and press 8.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 269-966-5600 or click here.

Also on MLive:

Michigans active coronavirus outbreaks climb another 14% in April 5 report

Michigan could save 2,500 lives by reimposing COVID-19 restrictions, vaccine surge, researcher estimates

Nearly 3M Michiganders have received first dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Ali Jarekji via Reuters

In an unprecedented attempt to control the messaging on a simmering feud embroiling the Jordanian monarchy, Ammans prosecutor general on Tuesday banned the publication of any information about the royal rift.

In order to keep the security services investigation into Prince Hamzah and the others secret, [it is decided] to ban the publication of anything related to this inquiry at this stage, prosecutor Hassan al-Abdallat said on state television. The ban on publication involves all audiovisual media and social networks, as well as the publication of all images or video clips relating to this subject on pain of legal action.

Jordanian Monarchys Takedown of a Prince Is a Master Class in Quashing Dissent

The kingdom-wide gag order came within hours after a secret recording of Hamzah and Gen. Yousef Huneiti, the military chief of staff, was released. In the recording, Huneiti can be heard accusing the former crown prince of conspiring with those critical of the ruling class, who he says started talking more than they should.

Hamzah can be heard becoming irate, raising his voice and accusing the general of threatening him.

You come to me and tell me in my house what to do and who to meet with in my country and from my people? Are you threatening me? You come to my house and tell me you and security leaders are threatening me? Not to leave your house, only go to your family and dont tweet? Hamzah says, according to the Associated Press account of the recording. The bad performance of the state is because of me? The failure is because of me? Forgive me, but the mistakes are my fault?

Huneiti then appears to try to calm the situation, telling the prince he is only a messenger, delivering the news of the house arrest from the heads of intelligence and general security. Hamzah interrupts, according to the AP, commanding him to leave. Get in your car, sir! he says.

At no time is there a mention of a foreign plot or Hamzahs alleged conspiring with foreign powers.

Story continues

Over the weekend, Hamzah, the half-brother of ruling King Abdullah and first son of American-born Queen Noor, released a series of cryptic messages to the BBC and others about what he called house arrest. At least 16 of his close associates were also reportedly taken into custody. Representatives of the kingdom denied that he was being detained in any way.

Prince Hamzahs mother, the last wife of the late King Hussein, who died in 1999, tweeted support for her son on April 4. Praying that truth and justice will prevail for all the innocent victims of this wicked slander. God bless and keep them safe, she wrote.

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

Hamzah was essentially dethroned and stripped of his crown prince status in 2004 when his half-brother King Abdullah II, the first son of King Hussein, tried to consolidate power. Hamzah is accused of becoming increasingly highly critical of his step-brothers rule, and over the weekend was accused of orchestrating what the government called a malicious plot involving foreign powers to destabilize the kingdoms security.

After the accusations, wild conspiracy theories swirled while major allies of Jordan in the Gulf region quickly expressed support for the kingdom, lest they be accused of being part of the foreign involvement.

Daoud Kuttab, director-general of the nonprofit media organization Community Media Network, told Al Jazeera that the problem was an internal criticism issue. Former Crown Prince Hamzah has been making the rounds, especially in tribal areas, and that is a kind of a red line for the government and for the king, Kuttab told Al Jazeera. These are the strongest supporters of the monarchy and the ones who are more courageous in standing up to government corruption. So I think thats what has really upset people in the palace.

On Monday, Hamzah suddenly appeared to change tack, pledging his allegiance to Abdullah, just hours after publicly declaring he would not be silenced. I dont want to make moves and escalate now, but of course Im not going to obey when they say you cant go out, you cant tweet, you cant communicate with people, youre only allowed to see your family, Hamzah said through a voice message early Monday.

Then, after what is reported as a mediation between the former crown prince and his half-brothers representatives, he issued a letter vowing his obedience. I place myself in the hands of His Majesty the King, he wrote in a letter released by the kingdom. I will remain committed to the constitution of the dear Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and I will always be of help and support to His Majesty the King and his Crown Prince.

The letter went on to say, The interests of the homeland must remain above every consideration. We must all stand behind the king in his efforts to protect Jordan and its national interests.

A few hours later, the prosecutor general banned any further public discussion of the matter, making it illegal to report on what happens next inside the kingdom.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo answers questions on the sixth day of the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin (L) for second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. April 5, 2021 in this courtroom sketch. REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg

Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo answers questions on the sixth day of the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin (left) for second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Sketch: REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg

Dr Bradford Langenfeld, the emergency room doctor who pronounced George Floyd dead, answers questions on the sixth day of the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin (left) yesterday. Sketch: Jane Rosenberg/Reuters

Derek Chauvin, the former police officer on trial for the murder of George Floyd, received extensive training and would have been well-versed in police de-escalation techniques, the Minneapolis Police chief told a courtroom in rare testimony against a former officer.

Police chief Medaria Arradondo told Mr Chauvins trial that officers in his department receive extensive annual training, including in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and crisis intervention tactics, regardless of how long they have been in the job. Training is absolutely vital and essential to us as a department, he told the court.

The prosecutions decision to call the citys police chief to testify against one of his own former officers is highly unusual.

It will bolster the prosecutions argument that Mr Chauvin ignored police protocol when he knelt on the neck of Mr Floyd, an unarmed and handcuffed black man, for more than nine minutes.

Mr Arradondo (54) fired Mr Chauvin and three other officers involved in the fatal arrest shortly after bystander footage of the incident went viral and sparked a wave of unrest in Minneapolis and other US cities.

This was a violation of humanity, he said of the incident at the time.

This was a violation of the oath that the majority of the men and women that put this uniform on [make].

Mr Chauvin (45) is on trial charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter and third-degree murder.

His lawyer, Eric Nelson, says Mr Chauvin was doing exactly what he had been trained to do over the course of his 19-year career and argued that Mr Floyds death was caused by drugs and underlying heart problems.

But in critical testimony, Mr Arradondo told jurors that his officers receive extensive training in tactics they can use to diffuse a volatile situation instead of using force.

The goal is to resolve the situation as safely as possible. So you want to always have de-escalation layered into those actions of using force, he told the court. He said that the sanctity of life was at the core of the departments use of force policy. Mr Floyds younger brother, Terrence (44) was sitting in court during the testimony. He told reporters in the room that he believed the jury had taken note of the de-escalation policy.

Mr Arradondo also undercut another part of the defences case  that bystanders who heckled and filmed Mr Chauvin as he knelt on Mr Floyds neck distracted him from the 46-year-olds condition. The police chief said the public has the absolute right to record officers as long as it does not obstruct them in the course of their duties.

Earlier in the day, the doctor who pronounced Mr Floyd dead on May 25 told the court, he likely died because of a lack of oxygen, not a heart attack.

Dr Bradford Wankhede Langenfeld added that it is essential to begin CPR for patients who are in cardiac arrest as soon as possible, but he was told this was not performed on Mr Floyd until the paramedics arrived at the scene.

The medical examiner who performed an autopsy on Mr Floyd ruled that he died of cardiopulmonary arrest.

However, the prosecution contend the term can be applied to any death because it simply means a persons heart and lungs have stopped, and that Mr Chauvins actions were a substantial factor in Mr Floyds death.

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021]
Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.) passed away on Tuesday, ending his lifelong career fighting for civil rights and his 15th term in Congress, the Orlando Sentinel reports. He was 84.

Why it matters: Hastings was a civil rights lawyer and Florida's first Black federal judge, though he was later impeached due to allegations of bribery and perjury. He was also one of the first Black members of Congress from Florida following Reconstruction, and the dean of the Florida delegation, the Sentinel notes.

Hastings was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in 2018. He'd been in hospice care in the days leading up to his death.

He was a Florida native and an alumnus of Fisk University and Florida A&M University.

President Biden said in a statement on Tuesday, "Across his long career of public service, Alcee always stood up to fight for equality, and always showed up for the working people he represented. And even in his final battle with cancer, he simply never gave up."

The big picture: Hastings is survived by his wife, Patricia Williams, and three adult children. He will be replaced via a special election  for which the date will be set by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R).

Editor's note: This story has been updated with Biden's statement.
Sen. Sinema: Change Senators Behavior Instead of Axing Filibuster

One of the few Senate Democrats against eliminating the filibuster said this week that she feels lawmakers should change their behavior instead of changing the bodys rules.

When you have a place thats broken and not working, and many would say thats the Senate today, I dont think the solution is to erode the rules, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) told The Wall Street Journal.

I think the solution is for senators to change their behavior and begin to work together, which is what the country wants us to do, she added.

Sinema and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) have publicly voiced opposition to axing the filibuster, which would enable a party to pass legislation with a simple majority.

Under current rules, 60 votes in the 100-member chamber are needed to end debate on a piece of legislation and bring it to a vote. Democrats have been frustrated with the general refusal from Republicans to back bills that the GOP has painted as extreme. Democrats were forced to use a budget process to ram President Joe Bidens COVID-19 relief package through the 50-50 Senate last month, and are poised to do so again for the presidents $2 trillion infrastructure proposal.

Biden recently called the filibuster a Jim Crow relic, or a rule that dated back to an era where racism was pervasive in American society, claiming the threshold is being abused in a gigantic way by Republicans to stymie Democrat efforts to pass a wide range of bills.

The president understands, as I do, that the maintenance and integrity of our democracy is much more important than any Senate rule. And in a real sense, the Republicans have created this crisis by their scorched-earth approach to winning power by any means, including silencing voices of voters, Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) told reporters on Capitol Hill late last month.

But Sinema and Manchin, as well as virtually all GOP senators, have challenged that view.

The Senate is the most deliberative body in the world, Manchin told reporters in Washington.

Why do we have two senators for every state, no matter how large or small? That should you give you the thought process of our founding fathers. This is designed to be something different. That means the big guy doesnt pick on the little guy. Ive been in the minority. Ive been in the majority. So thats all Im trying to protect, is basically civility, but making it work, he added.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said on the Senate floor last month that nobody serving in this chamber can even begincan even begin to imaginewhat a completely scorched earth Senate would look like, describing partisan gridlock during recent administrations as childs play compared to what would happen.

While Manchin has signaled a willingness to alter the filibuster while not eliminating it entirely, Sinema told the Wall Street Journal that she did not want to talk about whether to change back to the so-called talking filibuster, which requires senators be on the Senate floor to block the passage of bills.

The Senates job is to craft bipartisan solutions to solve the challenges we face in our country, she said, adding that she has a pretty good track record on bringing both parties together to pass new bills.
ROCHESTER, Minn.  A woman who admitted to stealing from a disabled parent is sentenced.

Anne Marie Reick, 68 of Rochester, pleaded guilty to one count of financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult. Four other counts of the same charge were dismissed.

Reick was arrested in November 2018. Court documents state Reicks parent has a neurologic disorder and has been in a nursing home since 2016. Reick was accused of using her status as caretaker to take approximately $21,692.98 from her parents account and neglecting to pay her parents nursing home bills, resulting in a debt of $58.970.65.

Reick was sentenced Monday to five years and unsupervised probation. She must also perform 100 hours of community work service and pay $9,259.99 in restitution.
(Natural News) Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday warned that anti-white racism might be building in the United States and said that political correctness taken to the extreme would have lamentable consequences.

(Article by AFP republished from TheMoscowTimes.com)

In an interview with political scientists broadcast on national television, Moscows top diplomat said Russia had long supported a worldwide trend that everyone wants to get rid of racism.

We were pioneers of the movement promoting equal rights of people of any skin color, he said.

But Lavrov stressed it was important not to switch to the other extreme which we saw during the BLM (Black Lives Matter) events and the aggression against white people, white U.S. citizens.

Founded in the United States in 2013, Black Lives Matter is a movement which became a rallying cry after the killing by U.S. police of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, last May.

The movement has led to a major debate about race, rights of people of color and the toppling of statues of figures linked to slavery or colonization in countries including the United States and the United Kingdom.

Lavrov accused the United States of seeking to spread what he called a cultural revolution around the world.

They have colossal possibilities for it, he said in the interview.

Hollywood is now also changing its rules so that everything reflects the diversity of modern society, he said, calling that a form of censorship.

Ive seen Black people play in Shakespeares comedies. Only I dont know when there will be a white Othello, Lavrov said.

You see this is absurd. Political correctness taken to the point of absurdity will not end well.

Read more at: TheMoscowTimes.com and AntiWhite.news.
iStock/AlessandroPhoto (MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.) -- The court battle against Derek Chauvin, the ex-Minneapolis Police Officer accused of killing George Floyd after kneeling on his neck while in custody, continued Monday with Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo on the witness stand.

Arradondo, who is the highest-profile witness to take the stand, said Chauvin violated numerous use-of-force and ethics policies in the fatal on May 25, 2020 incident.

When asked if he believed the use of force demonstrated by Chauvin was proper according to training and policy of Minneapolis police, Arradondo answered, "I absolutely do not agree with that."

"That action is not de-escalation and when we talk about the framework of our sanctity of life and when we talk about the principles and values that we have that action goes contrary to what we're taught," he added.

When attorneys showed a picture of Chauvin kneeling on Floyd's neck, of which he was recorded doing so for nine minutes and 29 seconds, Arradondo said that was not a "conscious neck restraint" his officers have been trained to use.

Added the chief, "I absolutely agree that violates our policy." He also said Chauvin should have stopped using the restraint once Floyd "had stopped resisting and certainly once he was in distress."

Arrondondo terminated Chauvin, a 19-year veteran officer, the day after his fatal encounter with Floyd.

Minneapolis police Inspector Katie Blackwell -- who knew Chavin for nearly 20 years and was the department's training commander at the time of Floyd's death -- was also invited to the stand and, when asked if the restraint technique used on Floyd was proper, she responded, "It is not."

Dr. Bradford Lagenfeld, another star witness and who declared Floyd dead, said the primary reason for Floyd's cardiac arrest was a lack of oxygen -- saying he likely died from asphyxia.

Added Lanenfeld during cross examination regarding the fentanyl and methamphetamine found in Floyd's system that the use of those drugs can cause shortness of breath and suppress a person's breathing.
New Delhi, April 6 : Credit Suisse has taken a hit of around $4.7 billion because of the default by a major US-based hedge fund on margin calls.

"While our financial results are still subject to detailed finalisation and review, we would expect to report a pre-tax loss for 1Q 2021 of approximately (Swiss Franc) CHF 900 million. This includes a charge of CHF 4.4 billion (around $4.7 billion) in respect of the failure by a US-based hedge fund to meet its margin commitments as we announced on March 29, 2021," Credit Suisse said in a statement, although it did not name the fund house.

Media reports suggested that Archegos Capital Management defaulted on the margin calls.

The bank added that this will negate the very strong performance that had otherwise been achieved by its investment banking businesses and the increase in the year-on-year profits in all three of its wealth management businesses, as well as in asset management, with particular strength in its Asia Pacific division.

"Net new assets were positive during the quarter across our three wealth management businesses as well as in asset management and in the Swiss corporate and institutional business," the statement said.

It further said: "With regard to the four supply chain finance funds, where we continue to see cash inflows, we will distribute a separate update on further repayments within the next few days." It acknowledged that both the US hedge fund and the supply chain finance fund matters require substantial further review and scrutiny.

The Board of Directors of the company has launched investigations into both of these matters which will not only focus on the direct issues arising from each of them, but also reflect on the broader consequences and lessons learned.

It has also undertaken senior management changes within the investment bank division and within the risk and compliance organisation.

In another statement, Credit Suisse said that Brian Chin, the CEO of the Investment Bank, and Lara Warner, the Chief Risk and Compliance Officer, will step down from their roles.

Thomas Gottstein, CEO of Credit Suisse Group said: "The significant loss in our Prime Services business relating to the failure of a US-based hedge fund is unacceptable. In combination with the recent issues around the supply chain finance funds, I recognise that these cases have caused significant concern amongst all our stakeholders.

"Together with the Board of Directors, we are fully committed to addressing these situations. Serious lessons will be learned. Credit Suisse remains a formidable institution with a rich history," the CEO said.

Its financial results for Q1 2021 will be published on April 22.
Advertisement

Navy Seabees have built Vice President Kamala Harris her own desk made of materials from historic U.S. warships in the model of the famous Resolute Desk that sits in the Oval Office.

Harris' desk, which sits in her office in the West Wing of the White House, was put together using wood, copper and nails taken from the USS Constitution, which was commissioned under George Washington in 1794.

The USS Constitution is one of the country's first frigates and is the oldest commissioned warship still afloat. It was launched in 1797 in Boston, Massachusetts, and now sits in Baltimore Harbor.

The vice president's desk has carvings of an eagle surrounded by stars from the Constitution's stern decorations. It was built by the United States Naval Construction Battalions, better known as the Navy Seabees.

In the pen tray is a piece of the USS Arizona that was sunk by Japanese torpedo bombers at Pearl Harbor in 1941. The wreckage still lies on the seabed in Hawaii.

The desk project was approved under Donald Trump and construction began January 4. The desks were the idea of Trump's Navy Secretary Kenneth Braithwaite, the Military Times reported.

The Seabees also built a desk for the Navy secretary, using materials from the Constitution, the frigate Chesapeake; the battleships Texas, New Jersey and Arizona; and sloop of war Constellation

Vice President Kamala Harris' desk, in her West Wing office, is built from wood, copper and nails taken off the USS Constitution. The front of her West Wing desk has an eagle and stars from the stern of the warship that was built in 1794 and still floats in Baltimore Harbor. Inside the pen tray is a piece of the USS Arziona that sunk during the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor

The two desks - the Navy secretary's on the left and the vice president's on the right - took about seven weeks to build and were constructed at the Washington Navy Yards. The two new desks are known as 'heritage desks' and are similar to the Resolute Desk, which has been used by the five most recent presidents in the Oval Office

Builder 1st Class Hilary Lemelin gives a speech during an executive desk presentation event at the National Museum of the U.S. Navy

The desks took about seven weeks to build and are the property of the Navy. They will be available for future vice presidents and navy secretaries to use.

They were built in a workshop at the Navy Yard's National Museum in Washington D.C.

'It's a huge opportunity to be a part of,' said Builder 1st Class Hilary Lemelin, who is assigned to USS Constitution, in a statement. 'It's amazing to create a desk for someone who makes such large decisions for the country and Navy knowing they'll sit there every day is huge. The importance of their job can affect everything we do. It's a piece of history now.'

The two new desks are known as 'heritage desks' and are similar to the Resolute Desk, which has been used by the five most recent presidents in the Oval Office

The Resolute Desk was a gift from Queen Victoria to President Rutherford Hayes in 1880. It was built from the oak timbers of the British Arctic exploration ship HMS Resolute, which was abandoned in the Artic in 1854 and found by an American whaling ship a year later.

The 1,300-pound desk was created by William Evenden at Chatham Dockyard in Kent.

Braithwaite didn't get to use the desk he had the idea for building. Instead acting Navy Secretary Thomas Harker sits at it. But Braithwaite was able see the completed desk before it went to the Pentagon during a visit to the Washington Navy Yard.

Inside each desk is a pen tray with a note from Braithwaite and a piece of the USS Arizona, the battleship that sank during the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.

The desk is the property of the US Navy and will be available for future vice presidents to use

VP Harris showed off her historic desk in this March 27 tweet, on the anniversary of George Washington signing the 1794 Naval Act that authorized construction of the USS Constitution

The USS Constitution, with its topsails unfurled, is towed through Boston Harbor past Boston's financial district skyline in August 2014. It was built in 1794 and is the world's oldest commissioned warship that is still afloat

In the pen tray of Harris' desk is a piece of the USS Arizona that was sunk by Japanese torpedo bombers at Pearl Harbor in 1941. The wreckage still lies on the seabed in Hawaii and the bodies of more than 900 sailors and Marines are inside

There are no current plans to build more 'historic desks.

The Seabees have built two others, reports the Military Times: one made from flight-deck planking from the aircraft carrier Essex that's now in the office of the chief of naval operations, and a draftsman-style desk made from deck planking of the submarine Nautilus in the office of naval reactors.

Both desks are part of the Navy's 300,000-plus historic artifact collection maintained and curated by the Naval History and Heritage Command at the Washington Navy Yard.

THE RESOLUTE DESK: THE GIFT TO THE US FROM QUEEN VICTORIA In September 1855, the American whaler the George Henry found the British warship the HMS Resolute stuck in an ice floe off Baffin Island in Canada. It was a year after Sir Edward Belcher abandoned the trapped ship and returned to the UK. The Americans then returned the frigate to Queen Victoria in 1856, and the British Government commissioned three desks to be made from it. In 1880, Victoria gifted one of them to President Rutherford B. Hayes in a gesture of thanks for the Resolute's rescue and return. It has been used by every president since Hayes, excepting Presidents Johnson, Nixon, and Ford, 1964-1977. It was used in the President's Office on the Second Floor of the Residence from 1880 until 1902, at which time the office was moved to the newly constructed West Wing. This desk remained, however, on the Second Floor of the Residence in the President's Study. President Franklin D. Roosevelt requested that the rear kneehole be fitted with a panel carved with the presidential coat-of-arms, but he did not live to see it installed in 1945. The new desks are similar to the Resolute Desk, the desk gifted by Queen Victoria and used in the Oval Office by the five most recent presidents, including Joe Biden; above President Obama and then-Vice President Biden discuss the desk with Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, during a 2015 meeting After the Truman Renovation of the White House, 1948-1952, it was placed in the Broadcast Room on the Ground Floor where it was used by President Dwight D. Eisenhower during radio and television broadcasts. It was first used in the Oval Office in 1961 at the request of President John F. Kennedy. After President Lyndon B. Johnson selected another desk for his office, it was lent to a Kennedy Library traveling exhibition, 1964-1965, and then to the Smithsonian Institution for exhibition, 1966-1977. In January 1977, President Jimmy Carter requested that this historic desk be returned to the White House for use again in the Oval Office. In 1981, President Ronald W. Reagan also chose to use this desk in the Oval Office. President George Bush used it in the Oval Office for five months in 1989 before having it moved to his Residence Office in exchange for a partner's desk which he had used in his West Wing office as Vice President. It was returned to the Oval Office for use by President Bill Clinton, 1993-2001. President George W. Bush chose to continue using it in the Oval Office during his terms. A brass plaque affixed to the desk records the history of its creation: 'H.M.S. 'Resolute', forming part of the expedition sent in search of Sir John Franklin in 1852, was abandoned in Latitude 74 41' N. Longitude 101 22' W. on 15th May 1854. She was discovered and extricated in September 1855, in Latitude 67 N. by Captain Buddington of the United States Whaler 'George Henry'. The ship was purchased, fitted out and sent to England, as a gift to Her Majesty Queen Victoria by the President and People of the United States, as a token of goodwill & friendship. This table was made from her timbers when she was broken up, and is presented by the Queen of Great Britain & Ireland, to the President of the United States, as a memorial of the courtesy and loving kindness which dictated the offer of the gift of the 'Resolute'.' Source: The White House The HMS Resolute was built in 1849 for Arctic exploration. It was trapped in ice and abandoned in 1854, but was returned to Queen Victoria two years later. Timbers from the frigate were used to build the Resolute Desk and two other desks. Victoria then gifted it to President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1880 has a gesture of thanks for the Resolute's rescue Advertisement

Inside Trump's Mar-a-Lago office with a REPLICA Resolute Desk, figurine of himself, photo of his trip to Mt. Rushmore - and a tucked away bottle of Coke (which he's supposed to be boycotting!)

Former President Donald Trump on Monday attacked a New York Times story that reported his campaign was forced to pay back $122 million to donors who got roped into making recurring donations during critical weeks of his 2020 campaign.

He released the scathing statement as aide Stephen Miller showed off the first glimpse of Trump's Mar-a-Lago office, where he could be planning a 2024 run for the White House.

It shows Trump grinning and leaning over the Rupert Murdoch-owned Wall Street Journal and sitting behind a large wooden desk that is somewhat smaller than the Resolute Desk he occupied in the Oval Office.

Surrounding him was a photo of Air Force One flying over DC, and of photo Marine One in front of Mt. Rushmore - a monument of which he once tweeted he wanted to be a part.

The desk also shows off his military challenge coins, which he brought from the Oval Office

All presidents since Bill Clinton have carried distinctly-designed challenge coins to present to foreign dignitaries and military personnel. President George W. Bush often gave them to injured troops returning from the Middle East; President Barack Obama made a tradition of passing them to service members stationed at the stairs of Air Force One.

The coins were initially used by military commanders, who gave pocket-size medallions to service members as a mark of camaraderie. A commander's unique coin  often copper, bronze or nickel  carries symbols and mottos denoting the unit or office. Coins are usually circular, but also can be pentagons, spades or even dog tags to be worn around the neck.

Trump also had photos of his family, a Border Patrol plaque mounted on a section of his wall and carefully placed glass bottle behind his phone.

The former president, who is a known Diet Coke fan, called for a boycott of Coca Cola over the weekend because of their criticism of the Georgia voting rights bill.
Dundalk TD Ruairi O Murchu said that unity is 'a topic now in all corners of Ireland' and called on people to remember the 40th anniversary of the Hunger Strikes.

The Sinn Fein deputy gave an online speech on Easter Sunday, ahead of the party's main online event, hosted by leader Mary Lou McDonald.

He recalled all those who had died from Covid-19 across the island and said that Ireland was 'now entering a more hopeful phase' because of vaccine roll-out.

The issue of unity is now front and centre, Deputy O Murchu said.

He said: 'We remember our republican friends, some from here and others who made their home here, who are not with us now, but played significant roles in our struggle.

'We continue to demand rights for all, north and south and make no apologies for this.

'We will stand firm against the threat to the Irish Protocol and the madness of the British Conservative Party and the DUP.

'We stand firm against the snide remarks, the side-swiping from other parties in the 26 Counties who have yet to realise that by attacking us, they are only making us stronger.

'They are only showing their own own fear.

'Unity is now a topic in all corners of Ireland, across all sections of society.

"Republicans played a huge part in creating the conditions for peace and now are leading these conversations.

"We will seek a unity referendum and we plan to win it.

'That is our focus, that is our core belief that remains constant and unwavering'.

And he highlighted that 2021 marks the fortieth anniversary of the deaths of ten men on Hunger Strike in 1981.

He said: 'Forty years on we remember the selfless sacrifices of Bobby Sands and Francie Hughes, who alongside their comrades died on Hunger Strike in Long Kesh in 1981, changing the history of this island forever.

'We remember that the people of Louth returned Paddy Agnew, POW as their TD during this period.

"This is what enabled the huge electoral wins for republicans of recent times'.
News

Blythe, California - A driver who fled from Blythe Border Patrol agents rolled his vehicle on Interstate 10 Wednesday morning.

A vehicle with two illegal immigrant

occupants crashed while trying to elude

Border Patrol agents

At approximately 11:30 a.m., Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Blythe station initiated a vehicle stop on a Honda Pilot that was traveling westbound on I-10 near Blythe, California. The driver of the vehicle initially yielded to the agents; however, when the agents exited their vehicle and approached the Honda, the driver sped away.

Agents returned to their service vehicle and were in the process of attempting to locate the fleeing Honda, when they found it crashed a short distance from the initial stop. The driver attempted to turn around in the median and rolled the vehicle.

Agents provided initial medical treatment to the two vehicle occupants until paramedics arrived on scene and transported them to the hospital for further evaluation. One of the two men in the vehicle suffered minor injuries and the other was not injured. Both men, Mexican nationals illegally present in the United States, were returned to Border Patrol for further processing.
Kerrville, TX (78028)

Today

Cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 75F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Showers early, then cloudy overnight. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.
Hyderabad, April 6 : Telangana Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar on Wednesday tested positive for Covid-19.

The top bureaucrat was found infected hours after he held a video conference with District Collectors and other officials to review the pandemic situation in the state and issued directions to double the number of Covid tests and vaccinations.

The Chief Secretary, who spends a busy day holding review meetings at his office at the state Secretariat, felt unwell during the day. He underwent Covid-19 test, which turned out to be positive.

The IAS officer, who took first dose of Covid vaccine three days ago, revealed that he tested positive and though there are no symptoms, he has isolated himself at home.

He has cancelled all his meetings and decided to stay away from official work for few days.

Somesh Kumar has suggested that if anybody among those who met him in recent days finds any symptoms of Covid, they should get themselves tested for the virus.

The state has been witnessing a surge in Covid-19 cases for last few weeks. The daily count on Tuesday jumped to nearly 1,500.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Chennai, April 6 : Tamil Nadu's Labour Department control room here has been flooded with complaints from employees against information technology and other companies asking them to continue working from home on election day on Tuesday.

"Lot of complaints are being received against information technology (IT) and other companies compelling their employees to login and work from home," an official in the state Labour Department told IANS.

According to him, the details of the complaint are being sent to district labour officials for verification and action, and an "overall picture" will be known only later.

The state Labour Commissioner on Monday had said that strict action will be taken against industrial/business/commercial establishments if they don't declare Tuesday as a paid holiday so that workers and employees can vote in the Assembly elections.

Polling for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections is underway since 7 a.m. on Tuesday, and slated to formally end at 7 p.m.
[April 06, 2021] BDA to Spotlight Bermuda Market at RIMS Virtual Conference

The Bermuda Business Development Agency (BDA) will host a virtual panel discussion on Bermuda's liability market and a Bermuda networking break as part of RIMS, the risk management society annual conference, a comprehensive risk management event that connects and informs the risk management community. The BDA is proud to be a diamond sponsor of this year's event, RIMS LIVE, which takes place from April 19-30. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406006077/en/ Bermuda Educational Session at RIMS LIVE 2021 (Graphic: Business Wire) The panel, titled "Changes and Trends in Liability Risk," will be held on April 22 from 2-3 p.m. ADT. The session will feature Judy Gonsalves, division president at Chubb Bermuda; Saadia Savory, vice president and head of casualty Bermuda at Aspen Insurance; and Kirsten Beasley, interim head, Willis Towers Watson Bermuda. Moderated by Jasmine DeSilva, the BDA's business development manager for risk and insurance solutions, the panel will explore the current state of the liability market, emerging trends, and the Bermuda market's response. "RIMS is the largest risk event of the year - i is a staple in the calendar and the Bermuda market has proudly attended for more than 35 years," BDA's CEO Roland Andy Burrows said. "The BDA and Bermuda are extensively committed to supporting and growing the risk management industry here, and participating in the RIMS annual conference is a key part of that. Bermuda continues to work hard to remain at the forefront of commercial trends and drives innovation forward as one of the world's most important insurance and reinsurance hubs."



For those who want to connect with Bermuda and the BDA, or find out more, the BDA will host a virtual booth where delegates can learn more about the market, view videos, and engage in live chat. Delegates can also schedule video meetings. On a lighter note, the BDA will be bringing Bermuda to the attendees during the "Take a Break in Bermuda" networking event on April 20 at 4:30 p.m. ADT, providing an opportunity to hear from the Premier of Bermuda, the Hon. E. David Burt, JP, MP; Bermuda's Minister of Finance, the Hon. Curtis Dickinson, JP, MP; and BDA CEO Roland Andy Burrows, who will all be speaking from the beautiful Hamilton Princess & Beach Club.

Also from the Hamilton Princess, Jasmine DeSilva and Andrew Holmes, Bermuda brand director for Goslings, will make Bermuda's famous Rum Swizzle cocktail in Sheila Gosling's Maytag vintage washing machine from 1964 - the same appliance Bermuda's late social queen used to prepare drinks in the 1960s. The BDA will also announce the winner of an all-expenses paid trip to Bermuda, including a stay at the Hamilton Princess. For more information on RIMS and to register for the conference, click here. To schedule a meeting with a BDA team member, please email jasmine@bda.bm or olivia@bda.bm. For more information on the BDA, click here. CONNECTING BUSINESS

The BDA encourages direct investment and helps companies start up, re-locate or expand their operations in our premier jurisdiction. An independent, public-private partnership, we connect you to industry professionals, regulatory officials, and key contacts in the Bermuda government to assist domicile decisions. Our goal? To make doing business in Bermuda smooth and beneficial. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406006077/en/

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 15:26:05|Editor: huaxia

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TASHKENT, April 6 (Xinhua) -- The Xinjiang cotton boycott instigated by some Western countries is part of their tactics to curb China's development, a Uzbek political expert has said.

In an interview with Xinhua on Saturday, Anri Sharapov, professor at the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, said that under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC), stunning results have been achieved in China's national economy, and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has become a major producer and exporter of cotton to the world market, where competition is tough.

Moreover, China's determination to further beef up its manufacturing sector "deeply affects the political and economic interests of Western countries and, above all, the United States," the Uzbek scientist said.

Against this backdrop, an attempt to link cotton production with the so-called issue of "human rights of the Uygurs" is another tactic employed to impede China's development.

Sharapov reckons that the main goal of the boycott is to reduce the employment opportunities of the Uygurs and sabotage Xinjiang's achievements in the fight against terrorism. Enditem
Aerial photo taken on April 28, 2020 shows a view of a poverty-relief relocation site for the Baiku Yao People in Nandan County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Cao Yiming)

China's State Council Information Office will release a white paper on poverty alleviation on Tuesday morning.

The white paper, titled "Poverty Alleviation: China's Experience and Contribution," will be released at 10 a.m. Tuesday and a press conference will be held by the office.
Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business.
Married At First Sight's Booka Nile and Brett Helling's 'marriage' came to an end after they both announced to 'leave' during Monday night's final commitment ceremony.

And the 31-year-old looked carefree as she stepped out in Sydney's CBD during filming in November, around the time of the events that are now playing out on screen.

The Make Them Suffer vocalist appeared in good spirits as she went for a solo stroll while she chatted on the phone.

Something to smile about? Booka Nile, 31, (pictured) looked carefree as she was spotted talking on the phone in Sydney back in November last year - as her onscreen 'marriage' with Brett Helling comes to an end

Booka dressed casually for the outing in a khaki shift dress.

The heavy metal musician teamed the ensemble with a pair of brown boots.

Booka styled her long blonde hair in loose curls, carried a black bag, and opted for a neutral palette of makeup.

Stylish: Booka looked carefree as she stepped out in Sydney's CBD during filming

Glamorous: Booka styled her long blonde hair in loose curls, carried a black bag, and opted for a neutral palette of makeup

The outing comes after Booka and Brett's marriage came to an explosive end during Monday night's final commitment ceremony.

The former couple agreed their relationship had come to a natural end after a drama-filled season, viewers applauded their ability to walk away from the relationship respectfully.

Sitting in front of the show's love experts, Booka revealed that she had voted to 'leave' the experiment, but had nothing but respect for Brett.

'I've written "leave". But it's a smiley face and a love heart, because Brett's a legend. But I don't know. I feel like that romantic side of things had kind of gone,' she said.

Brett agreed with Booka's decision to leave the show, and said he was also opting out of the experiment.

'We put a lot of effort into this, and we learnt things about ourselves and... I've chosen to leave,' he added.

Sad split: Booka and Brett's marriage came to an end during Monday night's final commitment ceremony (both pictured)

Although their decision upset many of the show's other participants, Booka and Brett insisted they were still friends.

'I did come here to find love, and even though it was really hard at times and I felt sad, I do want you to be in my life,' Booka told an agreeable Brett.

She added: 'We have this awesome bond because of this experiment. And no one could ever take that away from us.'
EDWARDSVILLE  To better prepare future educators in fostering inclusive classroom environments, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) passed the Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading (CRTL) Standards in February. The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Education, Health and Human Behavior (SEHHB) has played a pivotal role in the development of the new standards, and will serve as the pilot program.

By providing a framework of how to better engage and connect with students from different backgrounds, the CRTL Standards aim to improve student outcomes after training new educators to embrace student identities and diversity.

SEHHBs Jennifer Hernandez, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning, was a major contributor in the creation of the CRTL Standards. As a member of ISBEs Diverse and Learner Ready Teachers (DLRT) network, Hernandez assisted in drafting and providing feedback for the new provisions.

The primary goal of implementing the CRTL Standards is to create a paradigm shift from teaching a Eurocentric curricula that centers on whiteness and white supremacy into a socially just education that represents all people, and tells the stories of the marginalized people in our national and cultural history, Hernandez said.

In compliance with the new standards, culturally responsive teachers throughout the state of Illinois will:

Be self-aware and reflective of their relationships with others

Be understanding of systems of oppression

Value their students as individuals

Center learning around student experiences and position them as co-creators

Support and create opportunities for student advocacy

Collaborate with families and communities to build rapport and engage in effective cross-cultural communication

Embrace student identities and prioritize representation in chosen curriculum

Ensure diversity in student representation throughout the classroom

Hernandez assisted in writing the fifth learning standard in collaboration with educators, students, administrators and professors from state-wide educator preparation programs. Her role has since evolved to create professional development for ISBE to support faculty in switching to the new standards and provide training for the states public schools.

We have spent the last two years working independently to re-design our current program into a socially just and culturally responsive educator preparation program, Hernandez said. We stand to be the first educator prep program to be both socially just and culturally responsive in the state.

Currently, Hernandez is conducting anti-racism education professional development in local school districts to create field placements for teacher candidates that demonstrate a socially just and culturally responsive pedagogy.

To learn more about the CRTL Standards, visit isbe.net.
FCW Insider: April 6, 2021

With the SolarWinds breach as a catalyst and new leadership across government, agencies are rethinking their roadmaps.

A request for information for the Inmarsat Broadband Global Area Network and Global Xpress contract was amended March 31 to include requirements for the CMMC pilot program.

The Supreme Court ruled that Google was within its rights to copy and repurpose 11,500 lines of Java software code in the Android mobile operating system.

Quick Hits

*** Teresa Carlson, longtime leader of Amazon Web Services' federal operation, is departing the cloud giant to take up a post at Splunk. Washington Technology takes a look at Carlson's legacy at AWS and what awaits her successor.

*** Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Calif.) and Jim Langevin (D-R.I.) are urging the Department of Education to issue written guidance to permit schools to spend funding from pandemic relief legislation on cybersecurity to protect student data and safeguard IT systems.

"Many schools are already in the process of allocation decisions, and ongoing ambiguity about cybersecurity as an allowable use will prevent them from expending these funds quickly as Congress intended," the lawmakers wrote in an April 1 letter.

*** The Office of Personnel Management announced the extension of Schedule A hiring authority to onboard staff to support the COVID-19 response through Dec. 31, 2021.
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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday (April 6) that the party has fulfilled Shyama Prasad Mukherjee's vision (of one India), scrapped Article 370 and gave Kashmir the constitutional right while addressing party workers on BJP`s 41st Sthapna Diwas (Foundation Day).

The Prime Minister said, "Our mantra has been "Vyakti Se Bada Dal Aur Dal Se Bada Desh". This tradition continues to this day. We fulfilled Shyama Prasad Mukherjee's vision (of one India), scrapped Article 370, and gave Kashmir the constitutional right."

Reiterating the `Nation First` mantra, PM Modi said also lauded the contribution of stalwarts Lal Krishna Advani and Murali Manohar Joshi in shaping and expanding the party.

Virtually addressing the party workers across the country, he said that "false narratives" about his government are spread as part of a big conspiracy to create political instability in the country, and asked BJP members to spread awareness regarding them among the people.

PM Modi said blatant lies like farmers' land will be seized, citizenship of some people will be revoked, the reservation will be scrapped or the Constitution will be changed are spread by certain individuals and organisations, adding that these false narratives have been spread over his government's measures like farm laws, Citizenship (Amendment) Act and labour laws.

He said, "Deliberate politics is behind it. It is a very big conspiracy and its aims is to trigger political instability in the country by creating misconceptions and stoking imaginary fears," and told the BJP members about this "serious challenge".

Opposition parties have criticised the laws on citizenship, and farm and labour reforms over a number of issues, including some of which the prime minister has often rejected as blatant lies.

He also hit out at those who have often dubbed the BJP as an "election-winning machine" over its poll triumphs, and accused them of double standards, saying rival parties and their leaders are lauded when they win. He added that the poor and rural India have embraced the BJP as for the first time they have seen 'antyodaya' (welfare of the most deprived) being realised through a number of schemes.

The BJP evolved from the Bharatiya Jana Sangh which was founded by Syama Prasad Mookherjee in 1951. Later Jana Sangh was merged with several parties in 1977 to form the Janata Party.

In 1980, the National Executive Council of the Janata Party banned its members from being `dual members` of the party and the RSS. It forced the former Jana Sangh members to leave the party and float a new political outfit, and then the BJP came into existence on April 6, 1980.

Live TV
Khartoum, April 6 : Sudan reiterated the need to change the approach to negotiations regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile river after 200 "ineffective" days of talks in the previous rounds.

"The previous rounds, under the patronage of the African Union chaired by South Africa, were ineffective and wasted 200 days in the negotiations, which resulted in a retreat from what had been achieved and agreed upon in the earlier rounds," Sudanese Foreign Minister Mariam Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi was quoted as saying on Monday by Xinhua news agency.

"Sudan still calls for a new approach to avoid the negative aspects of the past and calls on the African Union to lead the mediations to overcome the stalemate in the talks," she added.

The future talks should take place in a formula of 1+3, which means the mediation led by the African Union and backed by the UN, the European Union and the US, to reach a fair and binding agreement for the filling and operation of the GERD, Al-Mahdi noted.

She renewed Sudan's rejection to any unilateral filling of the GERD as "dispute over resources is undesirable for Africa", calling for "innovative solutions to spare the peoples from useless conflicts".

Earlier, Sudan had proposed a mediation quartet of the UN, the European Union, the US and the African Union regarding the GERD issue.

Ethiopia, however, has announced its rejection to this formula.

In February, Ethiopia said it would carry on with the second-phase 13.5-billion-cubic-metre filling of the GERD in June.

The volume of the first-phase filling last year was 4.9 billion cubic metres.

Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia have been in talks for years over the technical and legal issues related to the filling and operation of the GERD.

Ethiopia, which started building the GERD in 2011, expects to produce more than 6,000 megawatts of electricity from the dam project.

But Egypt and Sudan, downstream Nile Basin countries that rely on the river for its freshwater, are concerned that the dam might affect their share of the water resources.
how can i tell if i'm pragnant without yahoo! answers???





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Just about to post this! I bet this is all the doing of Big At-Home Pregnancy Test.

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I wonder whos more powerful: Big Globe or Big At-Home Pregnancy Test.

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damn it, you beat me!!

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This is one of my favourites!

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I was just gonna post this!

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fuck, this kills me.

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starch masks.

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how is babby formed

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i'm crying a;sdlkfjaldskjflskj

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Omg I've never seen this before and I'm crying

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I'm cryingggg

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few things are life are as genuinely funny as this video

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should i get a luigi bored?





Edited at 2021-04-06 12:20 am (UTC)

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RIP Uncut King.

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Everytime i think about that RIP Luigi Post i always remember that iconic comment 'Another gay buried'.



LMAAAAAOOOOOOO

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I have not seen this one lmao Im crying

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lol omg

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Or vegan is sending me

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so weird, i just watched this and "am i pegnart" yesterday! we will never forget the classics 

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holy fuck i am SOBBING I never saw this one

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Omg nooo waay lmao. Yahoo Answers legit got some WILD shit. Oh man those were good times

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this is stupid but this answerer swallowing a candy wrapper has stuck with me for years

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What about making a Luigi board?







Edited at 2021-04-06 12:23 am (UTC)

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I still havent quite recovered from the Yahoo! GeoCities shut down.

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rip the hilary duff fansite i made back in 2003

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Im laughing bc I actually did make a hilary duff fan site back in the day too!!

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Ah good times learning html and plastering my page with sailor moon



sailor_moon_myonlylove.mid

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I wish I could go back and look at my geocities website. It was a tacky mess but I was so proud of learning HTML and making it myself.

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THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YAHOO TRYING TO TAKE DOWN MY CHILDHOOD?

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What the fuck is going on here?

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You can browse old Yahoo Geocities sites here: https://restorativland.org/

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NOOOOOOOO!!! :( Well, I'm glad there are plenty of anthologies to preserve the funniest questions/answers!



(Side note: my childhood frenemy pronounced it "pregnick." She was ten when she got her period, and she ran around telling everyone that because she had her period, she was "pregnick" -- with twins.)

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I just think it's funny that they decided to stop giving us answers, but gave us questions instead.

I just think it's funny that they decided to stop giving us answers, but gave us questions instead.

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I used to love going through the Yahoo Answers names board and seeing the ridiculous names that people were proposing to give to their children... :'(

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fuck this post is killing me!!

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prawn for your spawn lmaooo

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"if you are a human" - so open minded and inclusive; how dare they take this away from us!!!

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mcelroy brothers are having a rough couple of weeks

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But how is babby formed?!

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How girl get pragnant?

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*I Will Remember You plays in the distance*

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It feels like the old internet is dying and it makes me sad.

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Graystone Company, Inc. (OTC: GYST) announced today its intention to move into Bitcoin Mining with the objective of setting up operations in Miami, Florida.

In February 2021, the City of Miami began offering incentives to businesses in the crypto industry including mining operations (link to Mayor's interview). Graystone's CEO has been involved in the cryptocurrency space including Bitcoin mining since 2019.

The company feels it would be remiss if it did not take advantage of its experience and knowledge in this field and pursue this opportunity, especially considering the recent shift in momentum within the cryptocurrency industry. With that in mind, the company will be pursuing BTC mining as a hedge against its Health and Wellness line. This will allow the company the flexibility to move in whatever direction is most favorable over the long term.

This adjustment to the business plan will require a revision to our recent Reg A filing. As such, the company will cease any offerings under the Reg A filing and will begin working on a Post-Effective Amendment that will include the new division.

Further details will be provided in our next press release. The company thanks each of you for your ongoing support and looks forward to sharing more with you soon.

About The Graystone Company, Inc.

Graystone Company operates two divisions: (1) BitCoin mining operations and (2) Wellness, Longevity and Anti-Aging product line. The Graystone Company, Inc. (OTC PINK:GYST) is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, FL., and can be reached at www.thegraystonecompany.com or by phone at (954) 271-2704.

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that any beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate.

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Graystone Company

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Phone: +1 (954) 271-2704

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BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - French stocks advanced on Tuesday as upbeat jobs and service sector activity data released overnight added to evidence the economic recovery is gaining momentum in the United States. Investors, meanwhile, shrugged off concerns about rising coronavirus cases and U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's calls overnight for a global minimum corporate tax rate. The benchmark CAC 40 jumped 53 points, or 0.9 percent, to 6,156 as trading resumed after a long holiday weekend. Suez SA shares were marginally higher. The waste and water utility fighting the takeover ambitions of rival Veolia Environnement SA, has reached an agreement to sell its Australian business to Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd. Automaker Renault rose over 2 percent while banks BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole and Societe Generale were up between 0.7 percent and 1.2 percent. In economic releases, Sentix's index for the euro zone climbed to 13.1 from 5.0 in March. 'Investors are building their expectations on accelerated vaccination success across the EU. The economic recovery process is supported by a massive expansion of fiscal policy,' Sentix said. 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.
(Natural News) Is the revolution finally devouring its children?

Seems like it now that the wokester mob has decided to come for President Obama.

(Article by Monica Showalter republished from AmericanThinker.com)

According to Fox News, reporting from Obamas own political hometown Chicago:

Immigration activists are objecting to renaming a Chicago school after Barack Obama. I will not be part of renaming a school after someone who did not and does not represent the undocumented community, said District 60 school board member Edgar Castellanos, who says he came to the U.S. as an undocumented child, according to ABC 7 Chicago.

Waukegans Board of Education met Tuesday evening to debate renaming Thomas Jefferson Middle School and Daniel Webster Middle School, after it was decided the historical figures either owned slaves or supported slavery. One of the top contenders for Thomas Jefferson Middle Schools new name is that of the first Black president, Barack Obama, and former First Lady Michelle. But that name is drawing the ire of immigration activists and some in the Latino community. Activists staged a protest outside the board meeting Tuesday. From the time Barack Obama became President until 2017 when he left, he today is still the highest-ranking president with deportations in our nation, said Julie Contreras, who runs shelters for immigrant children at the U.S.-Mexico border. She said Obama failed to deliver on his promises on immigration. We feel that Barack Obama did disservice to us. He denied us, and he didnt stop the deportations, the way he promised, Contreras continued. If youre removing the name of Thomas Jefferson, one oppressor, the name of Obama is another oppressor, and our families do not want to see that name, she added.

The ridiculousness of the whole thing is pretty obvious. Radical-left Obama, who ushered in the era of Black Lives Matter by stoking the Ferguson riots, as well as university snowflake wokesters, suddenly finds himself the bad guy, the latest scapegoat for the left. No more first black president; hes now not at all different from a Confederate general. This rather tells you theyve run out of historic figures to cancel. As French Revolutionera figure Jacques Mallet du Pan famously wrote: Like Saturn, the Revolution devours its children.

And what, again, is it that Obama did that was oh, so bad? That cancels out all the left-wing outrages that he did? I think it was partially enforce the border, to keep the television cameras off. The foreigners involved, otherwise known as illegal aliens, are upset they couldnt break into the U.S. as they pleased, and for that, Obama, and all those racists who elected him, must be canceled, erased from history. They write the history now. Fancy that: foreigners canceling an American president and in the wokester era, quite possibly getting away with it.

Obama was a lot like the current Joe Biden. Like Joe, he encouraged waves of illegal immigration, but I guess he had to allow the Border Patrol to do some of its lawfully committed duty. He also built the kids-in-cages cages, not President Trump, though the left tried to pin those on Trump. During his presidency, leftists yelled that he was the deporter in chief based on the fact that he encouraged illegal immigration yet didnt completely open the border. The logical outcome of that is obvious: human waves plus kids in cages. Joe Biden, who was placed in charge of the matter at the time, is now making his same old mistakes, senile and unable to learn.

So now we have people who shouldnt be here, and their advocates, demanding that Obama be canceled. Theyve already done their worst on George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Now theyve moved on to Obama. The funny thing here is that if it were anyone but Obama, Obama would support the move. Now that its Obamas turn in the barrel, and theres no Trump to kick around, it will be interesting to see whether and how he reacts.

Read more at: AmericanThinker.com and BarackObama.news.
The Islamic rebel group Boko Haram was reported to be receiving funds from the kidnappings in Nigeria based on findings of the Kaduna state government.

According to the International Christian Concern, the Kaduna State Governor Nasir El Rufai have announced on national television that the Boko Haram is receiving funds from the recent kidnappings in Nigeria.

"It has been established that the kidnapping operations (by bandits) are substantially funding Boko Haram activities in the North East. These are insurgents, they are terrorists; they are fighting the sovereignty of Nigeria and we must treat them as such," El Rufai said.

"The bulk of the money is going into terrorist financing; there is a branch of ISWAP called Ansar-Ur that is congregating in the forest in Birnin Gwari, led by a man and their objectives are very similar to Boko Haram, except that they are not against western education," he added.

"Boko Haram has no way of getting any money and some of them have slipped and joined the ranks of the bandits, and together they are doing this to raise a large amount of money."

ICC explained that Boko Haram have been engaged in kidnapping since 2014 beginning with those of 276 Christian school girls from Chibok, Nigeria. Of those abducted, 100 still remains nowhere to be found.

There have been several large-scale kidnappings happening since the beginning of 2021 that were said to be organized by a smaller group of bandits. However, the statement of Rufai zones in on Boko Haram as the main perpetrator of the said kidnappings since they aim to establish an Islamic state in Northern Nigeria.

The Human Rights Watch reported on Monday that the Boko Haram attacks are escalating in Cameroon, Nigeria's towns and villages resulting to 80 civilians dead and looting of hundreds of homes.

Human Rights Watch Africa researcher Ilaria Allegrozzi revealed that the group is "waging a war on the people of Cameroon at a shocking human cost." Allegrozzi said the region is becoming the epicenter of the group's violent activities and suggested that local law enforcements should carry out "a new, rights-respecting strategy to protect civilians at risk."

HRW has been documenting the Boko Haram since the beginning of the year and have interviewed its victims across the region. It has also provided its report to the local government, members of the media, and even the United Nations. The group said that there are thousands of government soldiers deployed in the Cameroon region to prevent the Boko Haram from attacking yet these are still "far too thin to effectively protect civilians" since other vigilante groups are also attacking.

The Council On Foreign Relations Global Conflict Tracker, an independent organization focused on international affairs, reported that there are more than 37,50000 number of people killed by Boko Haram in Nigeria since 2011. The group has left an estimated 2.5 million people displaced in the Lake Chad Basin and nearly 244,000 estimated number of Nigerian refugees.

In March, The Guardian reported that almost 300 schoolgirls were kidnapped by from their boarding school by the group. All the students were reclaimed by the government military after government officials engaged in talks with the kidnappers, which is the third attack in schools in less than three months.

The group has become renowned for its kidnap-for-ransom strategy and was said to have received a total of $11M in for cases 2016 and 2020.
The body of a pregnant 21-year-old has been found in the woods near Philadelphia and police are hunting for her boyfriend, who has been named as a person of interest in her death.

Dianna Brice was found on Monday at 11pm in a wooded lot in south Philadelphia. She had been missing since March 30 and was four-and-a-half months pregnant.

Police are now hunting for her 23-year-old boyfriend, Justin Smith. His car was found on fire at 5.30pm the day she went missing.

Dianna Brice, 21, was found on Monday at 11pm in a wooded lot in south Philadelphia. She had been missing since March 30. Her boyfriend, Justin Smith, is on the run from police

According to Dianna's mother, she also has a medical condition that requires daily medication.

On Monday night, police discovered her body in a wooded area of south Philadelphia.

She had been shot to death. It's unclear how many gunshot wounds she suffered.

On the day she went missing, Dianna's mother had taken her with her to a laundromat.

She said she came out of the laundromat to find her sitting in her car with Smith.

Dianna was crying, she said, but told her nothing was wrong. The mother then drove them both to Smith's car nearby, she said.

'I asked her, "You good?" and then I drove off. And I havent seen my baby since,' her mother, Betty Cellini, told Dateline.
Three defense witnesses of actor Efremov to go on trial

 RAPSI, Eugeny Varlamov

10:52 06/04/2021

MOSCOW, April 6 (RAPSI)  A court will hear a case against three persons witnessing in defense of actor Mikhail Efremov, who had been earlier sentenced for a fatal crash incident, the Interior Ministry press service reports Tuesday.

Pretrial investigation into them is completed, according to the Interior Ministrys spokesperson Irina Volk.

The defendants are charged with intentionally making false statements. Two of them insisted that they saw not Efremov, but someone else driving the car at the time of the accident. The third defendant alleged that he detected another person being in the car alongside the actor.

In October 2020, the Moscow City Court reduced jail sentence of Efremov by 6 months, from 8 to 7.5 years. The actor was found guilty of driving under influence (DUI) resulting in vehicular homicide.

As established by the court, on the evening of June 8, Efremov driving his car crossed into the oncoming lane in central Moscow and collided with a delivery service vehicle. He was arrested on the scene. Alcohol and drugs were reportedly found in his blood. Victim Sergey Zakharov was taken to hospital where he died early in the morning of June 9.

Efremov pleaded guilty in the case.
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Britain's economy will rebound more than previously thought this year thanks to the success of the vaccine programme.

The International Monetary Fund raised its forecast for British economic growth, which is set to outpace the euro zone this year, from 4.5 per cent to 5.3 per cent.

It cited the country's fast Covid-19 vaccination programme and a latest round of stimulus by the government, including the furlough scheme.

Britain has suffered Europe's highest coronavirus death toll and its economy shrank by almost 10 per cent last year, the worst performance among the region's big economies except for Spain.

But it has moved more quickly than almost all other countries with its coronavirus vaccination programme.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak, responding to the IMF's forecasts, said the vaccines rollout and the lifting of restrictions on the economy meant 'there are reasons for optimism, and we are paving the way for brighter times ahead.'

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said the vaccines rollout and the lifting of restrictions on the economy meant 'there are reasons for optimism, and we are paving the way for brighter times ahead.'

Almost half the total population of the United Kingdom has had a first jab compared with less than 15 per cent in Germany and France.

The IMF forecasts published on Tuesday predicted growth of 4.4 per cent for the euro zone in 2021 and 3.6 per cent for Germany, while France was expected to show a 5.8 per cent expansion.

However, the IMF forecasts do not take into account new lockdown measures announced by France and other countries in continental Europe in recent weeks.

Britain is in the process of easing its third lockdown which began in January.

The IMF said that the UK economy would outgrow the eurozone after its slump in 2020 but is unlikely to regain its pre-pandemic size until some time in 2022.

Both Britain and the euro zone will take longer to recover from the economic hit from COVID than the United States or Japan, which are both on track to return to pre-crisis levels of output this year, the IMF said.

The 0.8 percentage-point upgrade for the U.K. economy was stronger than increases of 0.1 and 0.3 percentage points for Germany and France respectively, but less than a 1.2 percentage-point improvement for struggling Italy.

Petya Kovea-Brooks, deputy director of the IMF's research department, said the extra round of emergency spending and tax cuts announced last month by Mr Sunak accounted for just under half the increase in Britain's 2021 growth forecast.

For 2022, the IMF raised its forecast to British economic growth slightly to 5.1 per cent which would be the strongest expansion among Europe's big economies next year, according to the Fund.
A Navy medic shot and critically wounded two sailors at a Maryland business park before fleeing to a nearby military base where he was shot and killed, police and US Navy officials have said.

Reports said that two men were left in critical condition at a Baltimore hospital after a shooting in the area of Riverside Tech Park.

Police identified the suspected shooter as Fantahun Girma Woldesenbet, reports said.

The 38-year-old suspect is said to have entered a business at the park, but it was unclear if the shooting took place inside or outside, Frederick Police Chief Jason Lando said.

Following the shooting, the man drove about 10 minutes to Fort Detrick, where he was shot by police who followed him onto the base, Mr Lando said.

Our number one priority is the safety of our people, said US Army Garrison Fort Detrick Commander Colonel Dexter Nunnally.

Read more:

He added: Our emergency responders are well trained for these types of situations and the fast response of our military police enabled us to contain this threat quickly.

Fort Detrick told 7NewsDC that police had neutralised an active shooter situation involving an armed gunman.

They said: After a shooting incident off post, the suspect breached the Nalin Pond gate located off Opossumtown Pike.

The gunman was neutralised and medical life saving procedures were initiated, Fort Detrick said, before adding that the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Navy Medical Research Center at Fort Detrick said: We are aware of an active shooter at Fort Detrick, Maryland, that has involved at least two Navy Medical personnel.

The business Riverside Tech Park, Nicolock Paving Stones, released a statement saying the shooting did not occur inside their business.

One of the victims who was wounded entered our facility looking for help and we were able to assist and call the authorities, Jeremy Mutschler, director of marketing, who is based in New York, said.

We have two different scenes. All I can tell you is that we have confirmed there is only one shooter. The public is no longer at risk. Everyone is safe, Mr Lando said.

The Navy did not release further details. A statement from the Pentagon just said that an active shooting incident on the base involved a Navy medic who was later killed.

Additional reporting by the Associated Press
Hemptown moves to enhance direct-to-consumer sales via e-commerce channels.

Portland, Oregon--(Newsfile Corp. - April 6, 2021) - Hemptown Organics Corp. ("Hemptown" or the "Company"), and its wholly owned subsidiary Kirkman Group ("Kirkman"), are pleased to announce they have entered into a strategic engagement with a leading, Los Angeles-based, digital marketing firm, Hawke Media ("Hawke") combining cutting-edge cannabinoid products with customized, performance-driven marketing solutions.

Hemptown and Kirkman have engaged Hawke, to implement a results-driven multimedia strategy to increase the scope of our company's digital presence and direct-to-consumer sales through e-commerce platforms. The agency will be focused on elevating the Hemptown and Kirkman brands through an omnichannel of social media avenues to promote e-commerce traffic and brand awareness.

Hawke has extensive experience in building and executing unique marketing strategies designed to leverage both digital and traditional mediums of marketing including SEO, e-commerce, print and broadcast. The agency has worked with several leaders in the hemp and cannabinoid industry, including Papa & Barkley, the experience that Hemptown looks forward to leveraging.

Beyond the cannabinoid industry, Hawke has led campaigns for leading global brands, including K-Swiss, Diamondback, Red Bull, Proactiv, among others. Hawke has also played an instrumental role in the e-commerce strategy and success of various direct-to-consumer brands, including The Plug and Formula 10.0.6.

"On behalf of Hemptown USA and Kirkman Group, we are thrilled to be working with the experienced marketing team at Hawke Media," commented Eric Gripentrog, CEO of Hemptown USA and Kirkman Group. "We look forward to the opportunity of increasing our direct-to-consumer sales and brand identity through Hawke Media's digital expertise."

About Hawke Media:

Hawke Media is a full-service outsourced CMO based in Los Angeles, CA, that provides the guidance, planning and execution required to grow brands of all sizes, industries and business models.

The company offers best-in-class marketing services, including an in-house team of media experts that specialize in customizable data-driven solutions that drive profitability. Since the company's inception in 2013, Hawke Media is situated as one of the nation's fastest-growing marketing consultancies, representing an impressive portfolio of internationally renowned companies and brands.

Hemptown USA and Kirkman Group look forward to collaborating on future projects designed to drive valuation, deepen stakeholder engagement, and streamline the complex workflows involved in creating, distributing, and updating content and products for investors and customers.

About Hemptown Organics Corp.

Hemptown is a diversified, industry-leading cannabinoid company delivering a diverse product offering across the value chain, in multiple sales channels, to meet the growing global demand for cannabinoid-based products. State of the art cultivation in Oregon's Rogue Valley, FDA-licensed and cGMP certified product manufacturing, and a strong leadership team with Fortune 500 experience, including Kellogg's, Nike and Intel, are the pillars for Hemptown's growth model as the Company pushes into the consumer-packaged goods sectors with top quality white label and branded product lines for the consumer market. For more information, visit www.hemptownusa.com.

Hemptown Investor Relations

John Martin

jmartin@hemptownusa.com

1-833-436-7896

Hemptown Sales and General Inquiries

info@hemptownusa.com

1-888-CBG-NOW1 (1-888-224-6691)

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties regarding future events. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations of management, involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and are not guarantees of future performance. 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 anticipated flavours of the Hemp Naturals line, the anticipated size and growth of the smokable hemp industry and hemp-derived CBD consumer products industry the Company's goal of having its hemp cigarette 20-packs in every convenience store and gas station counter in America, and the timing of the rollout of the Company's products into retail stores. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include general market conditions, significant business, competitive, political and social risks, governmental regulations being implemented regarding the production and sale of products containing hemp/CBD and other factors beyond the control of the Company. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79461
English Lithuanian

INVL Technology announces a presentation that will be used for the meetings with investors.

Additional information:

INVL Technology, a company that invests in IT businesses, had equity of EUR 34 million at the end of 2020, or EUR 2.77 per share. Equity per share increased 16.46% during the year. The value of INVL Technologys financial assets at the end of the reporting period was EUR 32.65 million and increased EUR 6.74 million in the year. The companys 2020 net profit, after revaluation of assets and provisions, was EUR 4.8 million, while its earnings per share was EUR 0.39.

The aggregated revenues of the businesses INVL Technology owns grew 6% in 2020 to EUR 36.6 million (from EUR 34.5 million in 2019). Aggregated EBITDA rose 37% to EUR 2.99 million (versus EUR 2.18 million in 2019).

The global events of 2020 impacted the performance of the companies INVL Technology owns unequally. Compared to the previous year, the biggest contributor to their EUR 2.1 million increase in sales was projects implemented in Lithuania. Revenue from such projects accounted for 62% of all the businesses revenues, or EUR 22.6 million, and compared to 2019 grew by EUR 3.1 million or 16%.

In 2020, INVL Technology managed to achieve its main objectives  the reorganization of the Novian group and firming up of the structure of three business areas it has been forming since 2018. In terms of the results achieved by the business holdings, growth in the companies value was also ensured by a strengthening of strategic partnerships, international operations and consolidation that was carried out, said Kazimieras Tonkunas, INVL Technologys managing partner.

The biggest contribution to revenue growth in Lithuania came from the Novian group, which increased such revenue by EUR 2.9 million, or 20%, to EUR 17.2 million. Sales in foreign markets were increased most by NRD Companies; they totalled EUR 6.4 million in 2020 and compared to 2019 rose by EUR 1.5 million or 31%.

In total, INVL Technologys companies conducted projects in 54 countries in 2020 for 38% of their revenue, with 62% earned in Lithuania. New countries where activities were carried out include Portugal, Serbia, Anguilla, Afghanistan, Saint Lucia, Senegal, Nigeria and Kenya.

INVL Technology contributed to societal change with its projects in 2020

INVL Technology, a company that invests in IT businesses, had equity of EUR 34 million at the end of 2020, or EUR 2.77 per share. Equity per share increased 16.46% during the year. The value of INVL Technologys financial assets at the end of the reporting period was EUR 32.65 million and increased EUR 6.74 million in the year. The companys 2020 net profit, after revaluation of assets and provisions, was EUR 4.8 million, while its earnings per share was EUR 0.39.

The aggregated revenues of the businesses INVL Technology owns grew 6% in 2020 to EUR 36.6 million (from EUR 34.5 million in 2019). Aggregated EBITDA rose 37% to EUR 2.99 million (versus EUR 2.18 million in 2019).

The global events of 2020 impacted the performance of the companies INVL Technology owns unequally. Compared to the previous year, the biggest contributor to their EUR 2.1 million increase in sales was projects implemented in Lithuania. Revenue from such projects accounted for 62% of all the businesses revenues, or EUR 22.6 million, and compared to 2019 grew by EUR 3.1 million or 16%.

In 2020, INVL Technology managed to achieve its main objectives  the reorganization of the Novian group and firming up of the structure of three business areas it has been forming since 2018. In terms of the results achieved by the business holdings, growth in the companies value was also ensured by a strengthening of strategic partnerships, international operations and consolidation that was carried out, said Kazimieras Tonkunas, INVL Technologys managing partner.

The biggest contribution to revenue growth in Lithuania came from the Novian group, which increased such revenue by EUR 2.9 million, or 20%, to EUR 17.2 million. Sales in foreign markets were increased most by NRD Companies; they totalled EUR 6.4 million in 2020 and compared to 2019 rose by EUR 1.5 million or 31%.

In total, INVL Technologys companies conducted projects in 54 countries in 2020 for 38% of their revenue, with 62% earned in Lithuania. New countries where activities were carried out include Portugal, Serbia, Anguilla, Afghanistan, Saint Lucia, Senegal, Nigeria and Kenya.

INVL Technology contributed to societal change with its projects in 2020

In developing and deploying their products all over the world, the companies that INVL Technology owns contribute to economic well-being and cyber security in the countries where they operate and bolster citizens trust in their countries. Solutions which the companies develop help to undertake a range of reforms and projects of national significance related to population registers, safer banking systems and automated solutions.

High-performance computing solutions that the Novian group company Novian Technologies has deployed in more than ten countries of Southern Africa enable extremely high-speed analysis of large volumes of atmospheric, oceanic, geological, and flora and fauna data, broken down by time period and other factors, for use modelling climate changes in the region. That information helps prepare for possible natural disasters and significantly reduce their impact.

Novian Systems developed software which modernised the census data subsystem of Lithuanias integrated statistical information system. As a result, data from 19 main government registers and information systems can be used to conduct the 2021 population and housing census. Under the new approach, the countrys 2021 census can be carried out by five specialists, whereas in the past 6,000 interviewers were needed.

In the 2020 Naujasis Knygnesys competition, which identifies top IT solutions to further represent Lithuania in the prestigious UN-sponsored World Summit Awards , a solution developed by the NRD Companies subsidiary NRD Systems and its partners  a personal income tax declaration wizard  won in two categories. It was recognized as the The Best Solution for Lithuania and The Publics Favourite. The solution has already started helping people in the country declare their income easily and intelligently, saving time and avoiding mistakes.

During the pandemic that struck last year, companies owned by INVL Technology contributed to bringing the situation under control. Our company NRD Systems, together with its partners, helped set up a temporary Covid-19 call centre , while Novian Technologies (BAIP) offered free antivirus software installation and licences for all Lithuanian healthcare institutions, Tonkunas said.

NRD Cyber Security last year conducted projects with the Central Bank of Nigeria, the European Investment Bank (EIB), and Sierra Leones National Revenue Authority. Together with the United Nations Office for Project Support (UNOPS), it is consulting on and assessing the Republic of Serbia's cybersecurity ecosystem. And with researchers at Vilniaus Kolegija University of Applied Sciences it is developing a unique system for monitoring and analysing the information space.

NRD Cyber Security is one of Europes two Centres of Excellence for Cyber Security for the 2019-2022 cycle and last year successfully delivered a training course on Building and Managing Cybersecurity Teams for public and private-sector participants from Nigeria, Croatia, Poland, Romania, Estonia and Lithuania. It has developed a advanced technical CSIRT training course to be taught at national CSIRTs in various countries, and in collaboration with the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) has published a set of recommendations titled  How To Setup CSIRT and SOC . The publication offers results-driven guidance on establishing and improving computer security incident response teams.

Tonkunas notes that INVL Technology works closely with researchers, giving great attention on the process of scientific advancement and the development of ideas. That is why for years now INVL Technology together with the ICT Industry Association INFOBALT and the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences has been awarding prizes to young scientists for the best scientific work on information and communication technologies .

Seventeen group companies operate in three business directions

INVL Technologys companies now operate in three directions. Working in the area of business climate improvement and e-governance is the Norwegian company NRD Companies AS with its subsidiaries: Norway Registers Development AS of Norway with a Lithuanian subsidiary, NRD Systems UAB and Etronika UAB of Lithuania, Norway Registers Development Rwanda Ltd in Rwanda, NRD Bangladesh Ltd in Bangladesh, and the associate company Infobank Uganda Ltd in Uganda.

Working in the IT services and software area is the Novian group: Novian UAB in Lithuania with the technologies companies Novian Technologies UAB, Andmevara Services OU in Estonia and Andmevara SRL in Moldova, with the software services companies Novian Systems UAB and Estonias Andmevara AS, and with the digitization and media monitoring software provider Zissor AS of Norway. Operating in the area of cybersecurity is NRD CS UAB.

In July 2016, INVL Technology began to operate as a closed-end investment company. Its management was assumed by INVL Asset Management  a part of Invalda INVL, one of the leading asset management groups in the Baltics. INVL Technology will operate as a closed-end investment company until 14 July 2026.

The person authorized to provide additional information:

Kazimieras Tonkunas

INVL Technology Managing Partner

E-mail k.tonkunas@invltechnology.lt

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[April 06, 2021] Spotlite a.k.a Kudos - Relaunches Version 2 Of Their Popular And Safe Network For Kids This Spring!

PALO ALTO, Calif., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The other social media giants are not doing enough to protect children. That is the claim being made by Silje Larsen, the Chief Executive Officer of Spotlite, a kids social media and content company that caters to tweens and teens. According to Larsen, current networks do not provide the necessary protections that would make it a safe environment for children to use, nor do they police themselves in a way that ensures children who are too young for the platform cannot gain access to it. Larsen, who runs Kudos&Co. Inc, the company which owns Spotlite, said that other networks do not have the necessary in-house knowledge base to cater to the additional needs of minors on social media and to keep kids safe online. Spotlite, on the other hand, has built up almost seven years of experience as a responsibly run social media and content platform for youngsters. "We have worked closely with kids, parents, the police, the FBI, Save The Children, and many other organizations to create a safe level of moderation that will protect kids," Larsen said. Speaking as she announced the re-launch of the children's social content platform globally under its new branding in the spring of 2021. Spotlite, which was previously known in US AppStores as Kudos, thinks that proper moderation is the key that will make any social media platform more friendly to children. According to Larsen, to build a truly effective moderation system, kids' social mediaand content platforms need to invest more than money. "You need time, as in years, to come up with the right sort of data that will help you to be effective in safeguarding children," she said. "You can't buy this sort of knowledge with cash alone," Larsen went on to say.



"As a parent and having served as the Head of Moderation at Spotlite from 2014 to 2020, I am concerned by the intentions of popular grown-ups social media platforms," Larsen said. Larsen pointed out that the lack of moderation on the other platforms was concerning insofar as it meant that young people and children could be exposed to inappropriate content and contact without any action being taken. Larsen urged the responsible parties at the other networks - to reach out to her. "Kids' lives should be protected, not played with," she said. "Our insights around psychology and user-patterns are groundbreaking."

According to Spotlite's CEO, it took over six years and around 2 million installations to build a proper moderation system that successfully protects children. "We were the first in the world to come up with a real, self-learning moderation system based on artificial intelligence," Larsen said. For the monthly cost of a Starbucks Coffee, we can take care of your kids. However, this may mean a sea of change will be required in the way that the likes of other networks operate at the moment. "To succeed in this space you need to build with your heart, not your head," Larsen said. Other "adult build platforms" should get their own house in order before opening up their platforms for kids, according to the Spotlite CEO. Notes for editors: Spotlite is a good-vibe community that is focused on good-vibe content and keeping teens, tweens, and kids safe online. www.gospotlite.com Spotlite has been building a digital ecosystem of content with safety at its core since 2014. The app is specifically designed as a place where youngsters can explore, learn, and understand how to be positive and thrive in the ever-changing world of social media. Since it began, Spotlite has been backed by former executives from diverse businesses, such as Disney, Google, DreamWorks, Pixar, Stanford, Instagram, EA, and Unity. Based in Palo Alto, California, London, UK, and Asker, Norway, version 2.0 of Spotlite is slated for a global release in the spring of 2021. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/spotlite-aka-kudos---relaunches-version-2-of-their-popular-and-safe-network-for-kids-this-spring-301262303.html SOURCE Spotlite - Kudos&Co. Inc

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Jaipur, April 6 : In what seemed like a scene out of a Bollywood flick, 16 prisoners escaped from Phalodi jail in Rajasthan's Jodhpur district on Monday night by putting chilli power in the prison staff's eyes.

The prisoners then proceeded to make a daring escape in a Scorpio that had been parked strategically, right outside prison premises.

DG Jail Rajeev Dasot reached Phalodi and told IANS said that four staff members have been suspended with immediate effect and the investigation handed over to deputy IG Surendra Singh Shekhawat.

Police officials, meanwhile, informed IANS that barricades had been put on roads leading to the surrounding districts -- Barmer, Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Nagaur -- soon after the jail-break.

However, there was no clue of the prisoners till the time of filing this report.

Police sources said that the prisoners who escaped were smugglers and were well-acquainted with the rural landscape and hence, might have taken routes in the countryside.

This seems to be the second biggest jail break of the state. In February 2010, 23 prisoners had escaped from the District Jail in Chittorgarh.

Officials scrutinising CCTV footage at Phalodi jail said it appeared that this jail break had been meticulously planned.

The police are interrogating the guards posted in the prison. CCTV footage from the road leading to the jail is also being examined.

The footage indicates that the prisoners were often roaming in the open space next to the barracks during the day hours. Later in the evening, they were being put in the barracks.

During the escape, the prisoners first pushed the constable unlocking the gate. They went on to overpower the caretaker and a guard standing next to him. They then threw a chilli and vegetable solution in the eyes of the guard. Next, they pushed the female guard aside and escaped.

Jodhpur MP and Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has criticised the state government over the escape and said: "The security in prisons appears to be deteriorating along with the law and order in the state. Thankfully, the government does not have responsibility of governing the borders connected with our neighbouring country, otherwise the Rajasthan government would have topped the world in that failure as well." It needs to be mentioned here that the Rajasthan police had recently launched Operation Flush Out in which phones and SIM cards were seized from prisoners. Also more than 100 police officers were suspended for their alleged proximity to prisoners.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
In an effort to improve its relations with EU countries, Turkey last year withdrew its seismic exploration ship from the eastern Mediterranean, while claiming that this withdrawal was only for maintenance purposes. However, it is unclear what will happen when the maintenance is complete. Arab News reports that relations with Turkey were the dominant agenda item at last weeks EU summit. However, the chapter dealing with Turkey in the final communique was titled East Mediterranean, suggesting that the bloc is not interested in Ankara on issues other than the situation in this area.

Oil and gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean is a complicated issue for reasons other than the maintenance of the seismic exploration ship. In 2018, Turkey and Libyas Government of National Accord signed a memorandum of understanding demarcating their maritime jurisdiction areas, creating a contiguous Turkish-Libyan area separating the eastern Mediterranean from the remainder of the sea. According to this disputed agreement, if gas is to be extracted from the eastern Mediterranean to be transported to Europe by a pipeline laid on the seabed, it has to cross Turkeys maritime jurisdiction area, thus requiring Ankaras consent.

The EU made clear in the final communique following last weeks summit that it is ready to engage with Turkey in a phased, proportionate and reversible manner to enhance cooperation in a number of areas. This wording gives advance warning to Ankara that the EU may take further decisions at its next summit in June.

Another important subject in the EU communique was the reference to updating the Turkey-EU customs union agreement, which entered into force at the end of 1995. This subject has two aspects. One is Turkeys insistent request to prevent trade diversion from countries with which the EU has a free trade agreement (FTA). This is because the industrial commodities of such third countries can enter the Turkish market without being subjected to customs duties because of Turkeys customs agreement with the EU. But if Turkey does not have its own FTA with that third country, it has to pay customs duty in order to export its industrial products to that country. Ankara has insisted that the EU should make it a condition for such countries to sign a similar agreement with Turkey, but the bloc has so far turned a deaf ear to this suggestion.

The second is related to the EUs indirect pressure on Turkey to recognize Cyprus as a state. The Republic of Cyprus was created in 1960 with Turkey as one of its three guarantors, along with Greece and the UK. According to the constitutional treaties establishing the state, Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots are two politically equal components of the republic. The Greek Cypriots refuse this equal status and insist on treating the Turkish Cypriots as a minority.

Now, by using the customs union agreement as a tool, the EU forces Turkey to indirectly recognize the state of Cyprus. This arrangement is formulated in the final communique as follows: On economic cooperation, we (the EU leaders) invite the Commission to intensify talks with Turkey to address current difficulties in the implementation of the Customs Union, ensuring its effective application to all Member States. This text reveals that the EUs aim in updating the customs union is not the elimination of the trade diversion, but to ensure that Turkey recognizes the Greek Cypriot state.

There is a similar difference in the EUs approach to an international meeting to be held in Geneva this month for the solution of the Cyprus problem under UN auspices. It is a 5+1 meeting, with the participation of the Turkish and Greek communities of Cyprus, the three guarantor states, and the UN. The relevant paragraph of the EU summit communique reads as follows: (The EU) looks forward to the resumption of negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations in which the EU will participate as an observer. Turkey is not happy with the participation of the EU, and its presence  even in an observer capacity  will further complicate the negotiations.

Another important issue for Turkey resulting from the EU summit was that of visa facilitation for Turks who want to visit EU countries. This is important for tens of millions of Turks, but the EU does not even mention it in the communique. However, the side that failed to fulfill its obligations in this particular issue is Turkey, because it could not fulfill the 72 criteria required by the bloc.

European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are scheduled to visit Turkey this week. This will be a new attempt to mend bridges following Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans repeated harsh rhetoric against the EU.
The exterior of the former First Methodist Church is a familiar sight to Alvin residents, but what may be unknown to many is that a treasure trove of historical documents is housed inside.

How they got there started with a father in California taking his children to the library.

Real estate magnate David Karpeles would take his kids down to the library and the kids would trigger on the manuscripts, Sam Tanksley said. So, he said, This is what I need to do and he starts gathering manuscripts.

Now he has the largest private collection of manuscripts in the world.

Over time, Karpeles started collecting buildings to house the collection. There are now 17 Karpeles Manuscript Library Museums spread across the country, and the former church at 800 W. Sidnor is the newest one.

Before purchasing the former church in 2011, Karpeles had converted former Carnegie Libraries to his purposes, but this project was different.

Built in 1924, the stately Alvin building, which covers half an acre, had been all but abandoned for many years and had fallen into disrepair.

Tanksley, who is the director of the Alvin museum, said that among other issues, there was termite and roof damage, mildew and a large amount of trash and whatnot that had accumulated over the years.

It was the fifth building that he bought, and it's the 17th museum nine years later, Tanksley said of the Alvin facility. Usually when you get a Carnegie Library, you can open it in two or three weeks.

Between 1893 and 1919, philanthropist Andrew Carnegie built more than 1,300 public libraries in the United States. More than 800 still serve their original purpose, but more than 350 have been repurposed.

The museum in Alvin opened quietly in November. This being Texas, the first collection of original documents and reproductions on display has a decided Lone Star feel.

Born in Goliad, Tanksley said that was by design.

I sat (Karpeles) down and explained to him that the only thing bigger than Texas generosity is Texas pride, and so all the manuscripts that we have here now point to Texas history, he said.

More than half of the documents on display at the Alvin museum are original. Others are facsimiles.

One of the documents is an Original 300 land grant, Tanksley said.

We also have an order from Sam Houston as president of the republic that requires all departments in Texas government to file their accounts, and names and half the page is his really ornate signature, he said. Then there is the law of April 6, 1830 warning about illegal immigration coming into Mexico from the United States.

One of the documents has a special spot in Tanksleys heart. It is a letter from Sam Houston to his brother and one line in particular appeals to the museum director.

It says, Jack, Texas is the finest portion of the globe that has ever blessed my vision. Doesn't that sound like a Texan? Tanksley said, laughing.

There are more than documents in the museum, too. One section has several large-scale models of ships.

There is the HMS Victory, which is the worlds oldest naval ship still in commission, and the USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides.

Theres also one of the RMS Titanic and another of the Wasa, a 17th century Swedish warship.

Its famous for sinking, Tanksley said. It made about 1,400 yards from the dock, on its maiden voyage.

Alvins Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday. Admission is free. For more information, visit karpeles.com/alvinfo.php.

John DeLapp is a freelance writer. He can be contacted at texdelapp@gmail.com.
An ex-presidential guard and a militiaman who fought for jailed President Charles Taylor have testified before the Finnish court conducting the war crimes trial of Gibril Massaquoi that he ordered the killing of former Sierra Leonean leader Johnny Paul Koroma.

The death of Koroma, the military head of state of Sierra Leone from May 1997 to February 1998, remains a mystery as his body was not found.

He was declared murdered in Liberia on June 1, 2003, a month after he was indicted by the Special Court for Sierra Leone. However, Sierra Express Media reported that he died of natural causes on August 10, 2017 and buried the next day.

But the witnesses, in separate accounts on Monday, told the court that Massaquoi ordered Koromas murder while the accused was fighting for Taylor in Lofa County between 2001 and 2002.

What I know is he (Massaquoi) was leading his troop and he ordered his men to kill Koroma, said the first witness, identified as Soldier 39. He ordered the arrest of the man, and that if the man refused to report to him, they should shoot him on sight.

The ex-fighter claimed to be a member of the Special Security Services (SSS)the defunct, elite presidential guardand he was assigned to Lofa between 2001 and 2002. He told the court another soldier named Marley informed him the incident happened between Masabolahun and Kolahun.

The second witness, Soldier 22, told the court that while serving as a junior militia fighter, he was in a town in Lofa County when Massaquoi ordered Koroma arrested.

He gave the instruction that Johnny Paul Koroma should be arrested and later on we only heard the sound of a gun. I did not see his body. We heard that he was killed.

Following his indictment, Koroma reportedly fled to Liberia. Koromas remains were found buried in Foya, according to an unconfirmed report in September 2008.

However, DNA test on the remains found in Lofa showed it was not Koromas. As of 2010, many still believe Koroma was executed somewhere in Lofa at the hands of Taylors forces.

Contradicting statements

The first witness also accused Massaquoi of killing dozens of civilians in Kamatahun, Kolahun District in the early 2000s.

It was in 2001 that Angel Gabriel ordered his men to shoot the people in Kamatahun, he said. Angel Gabriel was Massaquois alias. I cant remember the month but I remember those who were killed were refugees from Sierra Leone and Liberia, mainly women and children.

The second witness explained a similar story, accusing Massaquoi of summary executions.

He alleged that while en route to the battlefront with his commander, General Sweet Candy, they saw several men tied at the back of Massaquois vehicle and when his commander inquired, Massaquoi told him that they were spies.

The witness said when they returned from the frontline, Massaquoi had already killed the men. Later, he said they discovered that those murdered were civilians.

Massaquois trial is held in the District Court of Tampere in Finland and was moved to Liberia on February 23 at a secret location to allow the court to hear directly from more than 80 Liberian witnesses.

The court has ordered journalists to conceal the witnesses identities for fear of reprisal and intimidation.

Minister of Justice Musa Dean visited the courts venue on Monday and was welcomed by its representatives, the Court and Laurent Delahousse, the ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Liberia.

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Massaquoi himself is following the trial via videoconference from Finland. He has been assisting his lawyer, Kaarle Gummerus to draw up some of the questions.

Inconsistencies

Throughout their four-hour cross-examination, Gummerus, raised potential inconsistencies in the witnesses testimonies and pretrial statements.

The first witnesses had told Finnish police that he was present when Massaquoi allegedly ordered Koromas execution. In an excerpt of the recording played in the court, the witness is heard saying he was present when the order was given.

However, he backtracked his statement before the judges, and said his response was based on the context of the question asked him but he did not necessarily mean he witnessed the incident.

In another instance, the first witness told the court that he saw Massaquoi in active combat at Waterside in Monrovia between 2002 and early 2003. He alleged at one point, Massaquoi was assigned with General Benjamin Yeaten, the head of the SSS at the time, with a machine gun and on another occasion a sniper rifle at the E.J. Roye Building on Ashmun Street.

Gummerus quickly pointed out that the witness had earlier told Finish police that he saw Massaquoi in Monrovia but did not see him in combat.

The defence attorney pressed the witness on that point and requested him to state the year he had seen Massaquoi in combat. But the witness said he could not remember after nearly 20 years since the alleged incident happened.

Like the first witness, the second witness also admitted that he backtracked from several statements he gave Finnish police during pretrial, saying it might have been due to oversight. He was unable to state the Massaquois actual name, repeatedly calling him Dugbeh Washington. When pushed by the Gummerus, he said he could not remember the accuseds name because &he left his diary home&.

So far, the court has heard 50 witnesses since it started work in Liberia.

The hearing continues Tuesday with three witnesses expected to take the stand. The courts work in Liberia will end this week and it will move to Sierra Leone to hear other witnesses there.

This story is a collaboration with New Narratives as part of the West Africa Justice Reporting Project.
Active COVID infections in Massachusetts rose to 35,167 on Monday, up from 34,157 reported on Saturday, according to the latest data from the Department of Public Health. Because of the Easter holiday, no new COVID data was reported on Sunday.

State health officials confirmed another 2,912 new COVID-19 cases on Monday. Thats based on 113,587 new molecular tests, according to the Department of Public Health.

Officials also announced another 43 COVID-related fatalities, bringing the death toll from the pandemic to 16,981.

The seven-day average of positive tests is 2.36%, down from 2.44% on Saturday.

Since the pandemic began, officials have confirmed 607,967 total COVID-19 cases across the state.

The number of COVID patients currently hospitalized on Monday is 707. Of them, 163 are in intensive care, and 93 are intubated, data shows.

There have been a total of 3,941,555 COVID vaccine doses administered in Massachusetts to date, and 1,491,804 residents are now fully vaccinated.

New cases continue to be highest among the 0-19 age group, with 6,959 cases reported over the last two weeks, according to the latest data from the Department of Public Health. Twenty-somethings make up the second-largest age bracket, with 6,155 reported over those two weeks.

The number of Massachusetts cities and towns at high risk for COVID-19 spread increased to 55 last week, up from 32 the week before, according to the latest data from the Department of Public Health.

Federal officials this week repeated calls for caution about letting the guard down amid a concerning rise in more contagious COVID variants, including in Massachusetts. A surge of the P.1 variant, or the so-called Brazilian variant, on the Cape put Massachusetts ahead of the rest of the nation in the number of known cases, currently 58, according to the CDC.

Total COVID cases by county:

Barnstable County: 12,539

Berkshire County: 5,685

Bristol County: 60,827

Dukes County: 1,038

Essex County: 90,423

Franklin County: 2,275

Hampden County: 46,719

Hampshire County: 8,481

Middlesex County: 124,297

Nantucket County: 1,355

Norfolk County: 50,732

Plymouth County: 44,915

Suffolk County: 86,144

Worcester County: 71,325

Related Content:
With Pynwheel Access, prospects who tour properties with Pynwheel Self Tour will be notified in the application that secured areas will unlock when their smartphone is within range of the vicinity.

Pynwheel, Inc. today announced a new feature into their self-guided tour product, Pynwheel Self Tour, that allows prospects to utilize their smartphones as a fob to enter locked areas when touring a multifamily housing property. The addition of Pynwheel Access into the application makes Pynwheel Self Tour the only solution of its kind to be recognized by any fob reader.

With Pynwheel Access, prospects who tour properties with Pynwheel Self Tour will be notified in the application that secured areas will unlock when their smartphone is within range of the vicinity. The new component is compatible with both Apple and Android operating systems and has the ability to work with any existing fob readers that are located on-site at any property. Properties do not have to install new access control systems throughout their property or use workaround solutions to offer self tours for their prospects. Additionally, Pynwheel Access provides an added layer of security for property management staff as the feature allows for secured, temporary access to only a specified tour route.

I am incredibly excited to be able to offer multifamily housing properties the opportunity to add even more ease into their self-guided tour experience with the inclusion of Pynwheel Access in Pynwheel Self Tour, says Jennifer Cyphers, Founder and CEO of Pynwheel. This new tool will make the experience more seamless for prospects as lock instruction and administration will be removed from the process. Pynwheel Access also provides property staff with the opportunity to save time and resources since they will no longer need to coordinate lock access for their self-guided property tours. It will also assist them in catering to COVID-19 protocols as it will help with decreasing the frequency of contact with public touch points on property.

Pynwheel Self Tour debuted in June 2019 as a solution to aid multifamily real estate properties in meeting the demand of prospects who preferred self-guided tours. The industrys introduction to Pynwheel was through the companys premiere product, the sales and leasing touchscreen application, which was re-released in 2016.

For additional information, visit http://www.pynwheel.com or e-mail info@pynwheel.com.

About Pynwheel

Pynwheel is a privately-held marketing technology company in Denver, Colorado founded in April 2012 by Jennifer Cyphers, formerly Founder/President of Engrain (fka Multifamily Edge) and Director of ApartmentGuide.com at PRIMEDIA. Pynwheel designs interactive leasing touchscreen applications for the multifamily housing industry. Pynwheel innovation makes leasing easier for hundreds of apartment communities across the United States. For more information, visit http://www.pynwheel.com or follow Pynwheel on Facebook, LinkedIn, or @Pynwheel on Instagram and Twitter.

MEDIA CONTACT:

303.640.3652 Ext. 119

media@pynwheel.com
DUBLIN, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Aircraft Maintenance Tooling Market Forecast to 2027 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis by Tool Type and Users, and Geography" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

According to this report the global aircraft maintenance market was valued at US$ 3,177.70 million in 2019 and is projected to reach US$ 4,340.71 million by 2027; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.1% from 2020 to 2027. The report highlights the key factors driving the market growth and prominent players with their developments in the market.



The growth of the aircraft maintenance tooling market is mainly attributed to increasing investments in the aviation industry in developed and developing nations. Aircraft maintenance tooling is done to maintain the optimum condition of an aircraft to extend their life span; otherwise, airlines would have to procure new aircraft. Thus, it has major adoption in commercial aircraft fleet. With the immense growth in the aircraft technology, each country is witnessing the increased demand for aircraft maintenance tooling solutions.



The cost of procurement of a new aircraft is much higher than the cost for the maintenance of the existing aircraft. Therefore, market players are developing advanced aircraft maintenance tools to conduct timely and efficient maintenance activities for the aircraft. The COVID-19 pandemic is hindering the market growth as many airlines are suspended in several countries due to travel restrictions. Moreover, the growing demand for aircraft maintenance tooling services from developing countries such as India and China are compelling aircraft maintenance tooling providers to improve their offerings with modern technology. The aircraft maintenance tooling companies adopt various marketing strategies such as new product developments, partnerships, and acquisitions to optimize their existing offerings and expand their portfolio to meet the demand from a significant number of customers. For instance, in July 2018, PROTO Industrial Tools introduced a new range of 1,500+ aerospace-compliant (AS) mechanics tools for the aerospace industry. The newly developed wrenches, sockets, ratchets, extensions, torque tools, and accessories are launched for the aviation industry.



Surge in Demand from Emerging Countries Offer Business Opportunities to Market Players



The aircraft industry is growing at a faster rate in Asia Pacific, North America, and Europe with the rising integration of blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), augmented reality (AR), artificial intelligence (AI), and big data analytics in maintenance operations. China, India, the US, Germany, and the UK are among the countries that are strongly adopting aircraft maintenance tooling systems in the commercial aircraft sector. Furthermore, rising airline services in Asian countries are strongly supporting market growth. In addition, government is also playing vital role to support aviation industry even in the COVID-19 outbreak pandemic. For instance, government of South Korea announced the financial support up to US$ 269 million or smaller local air carriers.

Reasons to Buy

Save and reduce time carrying out entry-level research by identifying the growth, size, leading players and segments in the Aircraft Maintenance Tooling market

Highlights key business priorities in order to assist companies to realign their business strategies

The key findings and recommendations highlight crucial progressive industry trends in the Aircraft Maintenance Tooling market, thereby allowing players across the value chain to develop effective long-term strategies

Develop/modify business expansion plans by using substantial growth offering developed and emerging markets

Scrutinize in-depth South America market trends and outlook coupled with the factors driving the market, as well as those hindering it

market trends and outlook coupled with the factors driving the market, as well as those hindering it Enhance the decision-making process by understanding the strategies that underpin commercial interest with respect to client products, segmentation, pricing and distribution

Key Topics Covered:



1. Introduction

1.1 Study Scope

1.2 Research Report Guidance

1.3 Market Segmentation



2. Key Takeaways



3. Research Methodology

3.1 Coverage

3.2 Secondary Research

3.3 Primary Research



4. Aircraft Maintenance Tooling Market Landscape

4.1 Market Overview

4.2 PEST Analysis

4.2.1 North America - PEST Analysis

4.2.2 Europe - PEST Analysis

4.2.3 Asia-Pacific - PEST Analysis

4.2.4 Middle East and Africa - PEST Analysis

4.2.5 South and Central America - PEST Analysis

4.3 Ecosystem Analysis

4.4 Expert Opinions



5. Aircraft Maintenance Tooling Market - Key Market Dynamics

5.1 Market Drivers

5.1.1 Rising Production Rate of Commercial Aircraft

5.1.2 Increasing Requirement of Predictive, Prescriptive, and Condition-Based Maintenance of Aircraft

5.2 Market Restraints

5.2.1 Stringent Aviation Compliance and Regulations

5.3 Market Opportunities

5.3.1 Surging Aircraft MRO Services in Emerging Economics

5.4 Future Trends

5.4.1 Growing Adoption of Blockchain, IoT, AI, and Big Data Analytics by Maintenance Providers

5.5 Impact Analysis of Drivers and Restraints



6. Aircraft Maintenance Tooling - Global Market Analysis

6.1 Overview

6.2 Aircraft Maintenance Tooling Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2027 (US$ Million)

6.3 Market Positioning - Global Market Players Ranking



7. Aircraft Maintenance Tooling Market Analysis - By Tool Type

7.1 Overview

7.2 Aircraft Maintenance Tooling Market, By Tool Type (2019 and 2027)

7.3 Speed Handle

7.3.1 Overview

7.3.2 Speed Handle: Aircraft Maintenance Tooling Market -Revenue and Forecast to 2027 (US$ Million)

7.4 Wrenches

7.4.1 Overview

7.4.2 Wrenches: Aircraft Maintenance Tooling Market -Revenue and Forecast to 2027 (US$ Million)

7.5 Safety Wire Pliers

7.5.1 Overview

7.5.2 Safety Wire Pliers: Aircraft Maintenance Tooling Market -Revenue and Forecast to 2027 (US$ Million)

7.6 Vibration Meter

7.6.1 Overview

7.6.2 Vibration Meter: Aircraft Maintenance Tooling Market -Revenue and Forecast to 2027 (US$ Million)

7.7 Metalworking Tools

7.7.1 Overview

7.7.2 Metalworking Tools: Aircraft Maintenance Tooling Market -Revenue and Forecast to 2027 (US$ Million)

7.8 Others

7.8.1 Overview

7.8.2 Others: Aircraft Maintenance Tooling Market -Revenue and Forecast to 2027 (US$ Million)



8. Aircraft Maintenance Tooling Market Analysis - By Users

8.1 Overview

8.2 Aircraft Maintenance Tooling Market, By Users (2019 and 2027)

8.3 MRO Service Providers

8.3.1 Overview

8.3.2 MRO Service Providers: Aircraft Maintenance Tooling Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2027 (US$ Million)

8.4 Airline Operators

8.4.1 Overview

8.4.2 Airline Operators: Aircraft Maintenance Tooling Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2027 (US$ Million)



9. Aircraft Maintenance Tooling Market - Geographic Analysis

9.1 Overview

9.2 North America: Aircraft Maintenance Tooling Market

9.3 Europe: Aircraft Maintenance Tooling Market

9.4 APAC: Aircraft Maintenance Tooling Market

9.5 South and Central America: Aircraft Maintenance Tooling Market

9.6 MEA: Aircraft Maintenance Tooling Market

10. Aircraft Maintenance Tooling Market - COVID-19 Impact Analysis

10.1 Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Global Aircraft Maintenance Tooling Market

10.1.1 North America: Impact Assessment of COVID-19 Pandemic

10.1.2 Europe: Impact Assessment of COVID-19 Pandemic

10.1.3 Asia-Pacific: Impact Assessment of COVID-19 Pandemic

10.1.4 Middle East and Africa: Impact Assessment of COVID-19 Pandemic

10.1.5 South America: Impact Assessment of COVID-19 Pandemic



11. Industry Landscape

11.1 Overview

11.2 Market Initiative

11.3 New Product Development

11.4 Partnership



12. Company Profiles

12.1 AeroWest Mfg. Corp.

12.1.1 Key Facts

12.1.2 Business Description

12.1.3 Products and Services

12.1.4 Financial Overview

12.1.5 SWOT Analysis

12.1.6 Key Developments

12.2 Frank Brown & Son Ltd

12.2.1 Key Facts

12.2.2 Business Description

12.2.3 Products and Services

12.2.4 Financial Overview

12.2.5 SWOT Analysis

12.2.6 Key Developments

12.3 Farwest Aircraft

12.3.1 Key Facts

12.3.2 Business Description

12.3.3 Products and Services

12.3.4 Financial Overview

12.3.5 SWOT Analysis

12.3.6 Key Developments

12.4 Norbar Torque Tools Ltd

12.4.1 Key Facts

12.4.2 Business Description

12.4.3 Products and Services

12.4.4 Financial Overview

12.4.5 SWOT Analysis

12.4.6 Key Developments

12.5 Inspection Technologies Ltd

12.5.1 Key Facts

12.5.2 Business Description

12.5.3 Products and Services

12.5.4 Financial Overview

12.5.5 SWOT Analysis

12.5.6 Key Developments

12.6 PROTO

12.6.1 Key Facts

12.6.2 Business Description

12.6.3 Products and Services

12.6.4 Financial Overview

12.6.5 SWOT Analysis

12.6.6 Key Developments

12.7 Red Box Aviation

12.7.1 Key Facts

12.7.2 Business Description

12.7.3 Products and Services

12.7.4 Financial Overview

12.7.5 SWOT Analysis

12.7.6 Key Developments

12.8 Shanghai kaviation Technology Co., Ltd

12.8.1 Key Facts

12.8.2 Business Description

12.8.3 Products and Services

12.8.4 Financial Overview

12.8.5 SWOT Analysis

12.8.6 Key Developments

12.9 Alberth Aviation

12.9.1 Key Facts

12.9.2 Business Description

12.9.3 Products and Services

12.9.4 Financial Overview

12.9.5 SWOT Analysis

12.9.6 Key Developments

12.10 HYDRO SYSTEMS KG

12.10.1 Key Facts

12.10.2 Business Description

12.10.3 Products and Services

12.10.4 Financial Overview

12.10.5 SWOT Analysis

12.10.6 Key Developments



13. Appendix

13.1 About the Publisher

13.2 Word Index



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SPRINGFIELD  Christ Church Cathedral, the seat of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts, will reopen for in-person services beginning Sunday, April 11, as well as continue to offer them remotely amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are reserving 30 spots and then well gradually increase from there, said the Very Rev. Tom Callard, cathedral dean, of capacity at the 10 a.m. Sunday service in English that will launch the return to onsite worship. Ive had both vaccinations for more than a month and so have all of the other clergy on staff.

Callard added that after months of remote only worship it brings me all the happiness in the world to minister directly with people again, in their presence and in their midst.

I was not trained to be a camera technician or a Zoom expert, Callard said.

We have had to learn a lot in the last year, and I am happy to have new skills developed during COVID-19. But in my heart, I am a priest because I love God and I love interacting with people, and thats so much harder to do on the phone, on Facebook, and by text. And I am also so happy that others are going to be returning to worshipping together in person.

Callard said that it has been hard to say, No, to people who want to go to church.

Its much more fun to say, I hope to see you on Sunday, he said.

He added that there are people who are concerned about being in large gatherings.

I know people who have not been with anyone except their families since the pandemic began, and others who have not gone out except to the grocery store and gas station, Callard said. People may be apprehensive, which is fine and normal. We expect that it will take a while to return to normal.

The cathedral transitioned to online services about a month before Easter last year as the World Health Organization declared the highly contagious novel coronavirus out of China a pandemic and the commonwealth issued public health emergency mandates to help reduce its spread here.

Capacity limitations closed many houses of worships temporarily last March. Many turned to remote services as well as outdoors services with some reopening several weeks later in May in accordance with the mandates.

Others have continued to hold online services only as the state moves through is final phase of allowing businesses and others to reopen and efforts accelerate to immunize Massachusetts residents against the respiratory virus that has killed more than one-half million Americans.

Parishes in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield have been holding in-person as well as virtual services for several months under capacity limits and infection control measures.

Some six clusters associated with 26 confirmed cases of COVID-19 were traced to houses of worship between Feb. 28 and March 27. The most clusters during that time period - 6,932 associated with 17,688 confirmed cases - were traced to households, according to current data from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

The Right Rev. Douglas Fisher, bishop of the Episcopal diocese here, noted in a March 24 communication to clergy and staff in his diocesan churches that there is reason to hope we can gather together indoors after Easter, in small groups and in some church contexts, while adding he supports parishes that did not feel ready for this transition.

I fully support those church leaders who cannot have indoor worship at this time, Fisher said. You know your context. Your church building might be too small to gather safely. Perhaps it does not have proper ventilation. Your community might be an at risk population. Your priest might not yet be vaccinated. There might be anxiety about doing this now.

He added, Given these concerns, it is better for some of our congregations to wait.

He also thanked his clergy for ministry through the pandemic that to date has killed 17,325 in the commonwealth and infected some 646,220, saying, History will remember the lives you saved and the grace you conveyed.

Some church leaders have told me they will continue with outdoor worship or live streaming until the fall, Fisher said. That is a good and wise plan, too.

Callard said the decision to reopen the cathedral for in-person worship was a collaborative, but difficult one with many people calling for extreme caution at the same time.

He said that caution was a factor in not reopening the cathedral for Easter as the feast day central to Christian faith in its celebration of the resurrected Christ draws large attendance.

This decision to reopening to in-person worship was very emotional and it seems like few people were impartial about the decision, Callard said. That made it more difficult than most big decisions we have had. Everyone had a strong opinion one way or another.

He said the decision was made by cathedral and diocesan leaders and that the congregation seems generally to be in agreement.

There are some who we know will not come until things have settled down with the virus, and there are others who are waiting to be vaccinated, Callard said. But everyone seems generally happy to know that were opening to people again. They know other churches have been doing it, and they know how much people need it.

He said a number of measures are in place to address potential community spread of the virus and comply with state regulations. These include the cleaning of services and wearing of masks.

People need to stand and sit separated from each other, so we have lines on the floor indicating where to stand and line up, and pews are roped off so no one can sit in them, Callard said.

We are not using the chalice but only hosts for Holy Communion, and people are instructed in how to consume them carefully. And no congregational singing. Thats a hard one. People can hum, though.

Callard said the cathedral will increase capacity, in accordance with state guidelines, slowly as long as the COVID numbers allow us.

With increases we hope to be able to accommodate most, if not all the people who want to come to services, Callard said. We will also start with one service and then add another one earlier in the morning. Once we get going, every service will be held in person. And we will also continue to broadcast every service on Facebook Live and YouTube. We imagine we will continue broadcasting live from here on. Thats been one of the gifts of the COVID era.

Callard said that since people have not been worshipping in our building, people have been realizing that God can be found in more places than the pew where they always sit and the ritual which they pray on Sundays.

Humans tend to limit God, but once we find God outside of our little box, it can be transformative, Callard said. People have found God in their families, in nature, in compassion for those who are sick, in Zoom conversations, and in their hearts. I think more people have become contemplative mystics because COVID-19 has encouraged them to focus on the presence of God wherever they are.

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A man arrested on human smuggling charges claimed he wanted to give a ride to two people who had no money, food or water, according to an arrest affidavit.

Jose Alberto Briones was arrested and charged with transport, attempt to transport and conspire to transport immigrants who were in the country illegally.
Remarks: As previously reported by Mr. Ackman in MAR 19 filings, Mr. Ackman holds securities, including shares of the issuer, in an account subject to a pledge (the "Original Account"). On 31 March 2021, 1,000,000 shares were transferred from the Original Account to a different account not subject to any pledge (the "New Account"). Mr. Ackman owns both the Original Account and the New Account, and his total share ownership did not change as a result of the transfer of shares between the accounts.

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.
Tip Leads to Drug Arrest in Lyon County

By West Kentucky Star Staff





LYON COUNTY - A tip led to the arrest of a Fredonia woman Monday on drug charges.Monday night, Lyon County deputies, Kentucky State Police troopers, and Eddyville Police officers responded to a drug complaint at 3531 US Highway 641 North.A search of the home reportedly uncovered suspected illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia.The investigation led to the arrest of 40-year-old Kelly J. Rogers of Fredonia. She is charged with possession of controlled substance first degree (methamphetamine), possession of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia possession.At the time of this arrest, deputies say Rogers was on bond for a felony case in Caldwell Circuit Court. In that case, she is accused of trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Additionally, she was out on bond for a felony case in Lyon Circuit Court, where she is accused of complicity in receiving stolen property over $10,000.Rogers was lodged in the Crittenden County Jail.
"...we decided to join forces with Greg Cangialosis annual Betamore event and pitch competition to create something bigger that includes all of Maryland. - Kathie Callahan Brady, FITCI CEO

Betamore and Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc. (FITCI) have announced their collaboration on a new, more impactful, hybrid conference event, Founder City. Founder City brings together into one event some of the most essential pillars of the startup community; demos, pitches, capital, mentorship and connection. From April thru May, weekly programming focused around aspects of the entrepreneurial journey will highlight our regions best and brightest, providing exceptional value to the startup ecosystem.

Amplifying Founder Citys weekly programming is a venture capital pitch competition open to all Maryland-based startups. More than $25,000 cash and services prizes will be awarded at Founder Citys Final Celebrations. On May 27th, finalist companies will pitch LIVE at the drive-in style events, taking place simultaneously at Betamores City Garage campus and at the Fairgrounds in Frederick, MD. These celebrations are the culmination of this dynamic conference-event, and mark a new horizon for Marylands forward-thinking business founders.

All applying companies will have the opportunity to engage with investors and Maryland business leaders. To prepare for the competition, all finalists will also receive feedback & mentorship with from leading professionals including Chris Haug of Startup Grind (Columbia chapter), Mustafa Wahid of Johns Hopkins University, Henry Mortimer of Mortimer Communications, and Mike Thielke of Hot Desks and F3 Tech Accelerator.

In 2020 both of our organizations were disappointed to not have the opportunity to host our annual fundraising events. said Kathie Callahan Brady, FITCI CEO. With a sponsorship from Rural Maryland Council and Maryland Business Innovation Association (MBIA) we were able to purchase Thumbraise, the app-based video pitch platform. Having this amazing tool as a way to connect our founders to thousands of investors on the platform, we decided to join forces with Greg Cangialosis annual Betamore event and pitch competition to create something bigger that includes all of Maryland.

Kimmy Andrulonis, Betamores Director of Operations, is equally enthusiastic. Kathie and her FITCI team are extremely passionate about getting founders the mentorship and exposure they need to raise more capital and grow, so partnering on this new state-wide event made perfect sense. The weekly Founder City programming is poised to provide exceptional value to Marylands entrepreneurial community. The pitch competition aims to bring founders to the forefront and connects them directly with successful business leaders, VCs and angel investors. Kimmy also added As many organizations continue to pivot and grow post-pandemic, it is important to us that Founder City be a place where all Maryland-based startups have the opportunity to be seen and supported, both on a regional and national scale. We want more for our founders.

While we continue to raise support and there is a need for additional funding, we are very thankful for the many sponsors and collaborators that have shown early support for the event. Any organization interested in sponsoring this event can contact the team at foundercity@betamore.com.

To learn more about Founder City, please visit https://foundercity.com

About Betamore

Established in 2012, Betamore is an award-winning campus for entrepreneurship + innovation, co-working space and dynamic community for the doers of Baltimore. As a non-profit organization, Betamore has been home to 175+ companies that have collectively raised more than $75M in venture capital and contributed over $100M to Baltimore Citys economy since its inception.

About FITCI

Advised, Guided & Governed by CEOs. We, the CEOs of FITCI will meet you where you are in your business! Our promise is to provide our fellow CEOs with our most supportive, yet critical advice and connections; the kind we want for our own businesses. The Advisory Board is comprised of the best, brightest, and most proven CEOs who are actively engaged in supporting the local entrepreneurial community, ensuring businesses flourish in Frederick. FITCI specializes in the strategic business support of local entrepreneurs in the early stages of mostly science and technology based businesses.
An anti-racist group calling itself White Lies Matter stole a $500,000 stone chair dedicated to Confederate leader Jefferson Davis and claims it will use the monument as a 'toilet' unless a Confederate women's group hangs a banner outside its headquarters bearing the words of a black militant who killed a state trooper.

The Jefferson Davis Memorial Chair was first noticed missing on March 19 after it was taken from the Old Live Oak Cemetery in Selma, Alabama.

The stunt comes as a debate has raged around the country over monuments to historical figures who were involved in the Confederacy, with Black Lives Matter advocates pushing to remove them and others saying history shouldn't be erased.

The group claiming responsibility for the theft, White Lies Matter, sent emails to local media outlets in Alabama spelling out its supposed demands for the return of the chair. It isn't clear who's behind the 'White Lies' group.

According to AL.com, the group claims it will not return the chair unless the United Daughters of the Confederacy, a women's club that says it is dedicated to preserving the history of its Confederate relatives, hangs a banner outside its Richmond, Virginia headquarters at 1pm on Friday.

The banner would say: The rulers of this country have always considered their property more important than our lives.'

The women's group has said memorial statues and monuments are 'shared American history' and should remain in place. It hasn't issued a response to the supposed ransom demands. DailyMail.com has contacted the UDC for comment.

The Jefferson Davis Memorial Chair was first noticed missing on March 19 after it was taken from the Old Live Oak Cemetery in Selma, Alabama

The image above shows the chair being stolen by vandals sometime between midnight and 3am on March 19

The chair stands at 3ft tall and weighs several hundred pounds

'White Lies Matter' released a ransom note demanding that a banner be displayed by a pro-Confederate group on Friday

The banner, which White Lies Matter wants displayed and claims was already delivered to the UDC, bears a quote from Assata Shakur, a Black Liberation Army terrorist who was convicted of murdering a New Jersey state trooper in 1973.

Shakur, 73, escaped prison in 1979 and fled to Cuba, where she was granted political asylum. She remains wanted by the FBI.

According to The Montgomery Advertiser, the stolen chair stands at about 3ft tall and weighs several hundred pounds. Authorities are offering a $5,000 reward leading to its return.

The chair was dedicated to Davis by Ladies of Selma in 1893, more than 20 years after he last visited Selma.

It once showed detailing of ferns, tree trunks and branches before it became weathered, the Advertiser reports. A dedication to Davis was once visible on the seat.

Selma police said that the chair was likely stolen sometime between midnight and 3am on March 19.

The theft comes near a significant date in American history: Friday is the 156th anniversary of Confederate General Robert E. Lee's surrender to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox, Virginia, effectively ending the Civil War.

The above image is a Photoshopped picture showing the banner that White Lies Matter wants displayed outside the headquarters of United Daughters of the Confederacy in Richmond, Virginia on Friday

The banner, which White Lies Matter claims was already delivered to UDC, bears a quote from Assata Shakur, a Black Liberation Army terrorist who was convicted of murdering a New Jersey state trooper in 1973. Shakur escaped prison in 1979 and fled to Cuba, where she was granted political asylum. She remains wanted by the FBI

The 'White Lies Matter' group apparently wants to commemorate the date with its demands for a banner-hanging.

Failure to do so will result in the monument, an ornate stone chair, immediately being turned into a toilet, the email from White Lies Matter states, essentially holding the chair for ransom.

If they do display the banner, not only will we return the chair intact, but we will clean it to boot.

The UDC is a historical and commemorative organization that honors the memory of those who served and those who fell in the service of the Confederate States.

The Dallas County, Alabama, District Attorneys Office has confirmed the theft and the ransom demand.

This incident is sending Selma back into The Twilight Zone, the DA, Michael Jackson, told AL.com.

The chair was dedicated to Davis by Ladies of Selma in 1893, more than 20 years after he last visited Selma

The undated file photo above shows the chair dedicated to Davis

Theres never a dull moment in Selma.

The city was the site of the 1965 march where civil rights advocates were beaten by police as they walked across the Edmund Pettus bridge - an event that was televised and brought a new awareness of the issue to the broader American public. ,

Meanwhile, this is the second time in recent years that a monument was stolen from the cemetery in Selma.

Who was Jefferson Davis? Jefferson Davis (1808-1889) Jefferson Davis (1808-1889) was the president of the Confederate States of America throughout its existence during the American Civil War (186165). Before the Civil War, he operated a large cotton plantation in Mississippi, which his brother Joseph gave him, and owned as many as 113 slaves. Although Davis argued against secession in 1858,he believed that states had an unquestionable right to leave the Union. After the war he was imprisoned for two years and indicted for treason but was never tried. In the last year, several statues and monuments honoring Davis were torn down. The movement to remove Confederate monuments and depictions of historical figures who mistreated Native Americans became part of the national reckoning over racial injustice following George Floyd's death last year in Minneapolis. Advertisement

In 2012, vandals took a bronze bust of Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest. After the Civil War, Forrest was the first Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, a domestic terrorist organization that targeted blacks mainly in the South.

As for the chair, the 'White Lies' group says it and other Confederate monuments exist 'to remind those whos [sic] freedom had to be purchased in blood, that there still exists a portion of our country that is more than willing to continue to spill blood to avoid paying that debt down.'

'We took their toy, and we dont feel guilty about it. They never play with it anyway.

They just want it there to remind us what theyve done, what they are still willing to do. But the south wont rise again.

All thats left of that nightmare is an obscenely heavy chair thats a throne for a ghost whose greatest accomplishment was treason.

The police-involved death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man from Minneapolis, last year triggered a wave of nationwide protests that included demands to remove statues and monuments dedicated to the Confederacy.

More than 160 were removed nationwide last year, though some 2,000 remain standings due to legal protections put in place primarily by southern state governments.

The symbols - from monuments to building names - appear in public spaces nationwide, more than a century and a half after the Civil War ended slavery, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

While many of the monuments, a majority of which went up in the early Jim Crow era, have been removed or torn down by protesters - it has proven difficult to remove those that remain.

At least six Southern states have policies protecting monuments, the law center said, while historical preservation boards and Republican legislative majorities have slowed the momentum, saying it's important to preserve America's past.

Texas boasted more than 180 public symbols of the Confederacy including monuments and school names, the Texas Tribune noted in 2017.

It remains unclear how many of them total are still standing in 2021 but the Dallas Morning News reported in 2018 that Texas had removed more Confederate symbols than any other state at the time.

According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, Virginia led the US in removals in 2020 taking down 71 Confederate symbols in total.

The state was followed far behind by North Carolina with 24 and Alabama and Texas with 12 each.

A 1933 statue of Confederate leader Jefferson Davis was removed from University of Texas' South Mall last year. The May 2020 police-involved death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man in Minneapolis, sparked a nationwide racial reckoning that included demands for the removal of statues and monuments to Confederate figures

Thirty states didn't take down any symbols at all, according to SPLC's count.

Among the most frequent names on the list of removals were Davis and General Stonewall Jackson.

The men are seen as top figures of the Lost Cause, a term referring to a belief that fighting on the side of slaveholders in the Civil War was just and heroic.

Davis, who served as president of the Confederate States of America before becoming a US senator from Mississippi, had his name and likeness removed 11 times.

Jackson, a top confederate general, was on the list eight times, with his name removed from five different schools.

But by far the most frequent was Lee, who showed up more than 15 times.

His removals included a statue which represented the state of Virginia as part of the National Statuary Hall Collection in the US Capitol for 111 years.
KYODO NEWS - Apr 6, 2021 - 12:07 | All, World, Japan

Japan decided Tuesday to extend its unilateral sanctions on North Korea, including a ban on all trade, by two years to maintain pressure on the country to give up its nuclear and missile programs, and to make progress on the issue of its past abductions of Japanese nationals.

The sanctions extension, approved by the Cabinet of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga before the measures' expiration on April 13, bans trade and prohibits the docking in Japan of North Korean-registered ships and any vessels that have called at a North Korean port.

North Korea test-fired two ballistic missiles on March 25, the first such provocation in a year, in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions. Japan, the United States and South Korea have vowed to cooperate toward full implementation of the U.N. sanctions and to make "concerted" efforts toward the North's denuclearization.

Japan has long sought to repatriate its citizens kidnapped by North Korean agents in the 1970s and 1980s, one of the sticking points that have stood in the way of the countries moving toward a normalization of diplomatic ties.

Suga recently reiterated his willingness to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in the hope of making a breakthrough on the stalemate, although the prospects of such a meeting remain unclear.

Tokyo implemented sanctions against Pyongyang in 2006, banning imports from North Korea and the arrival of affiliated vessels.

It has since expanded the scope of the punitive measures by adding a prohibition against exports to North Korea in 2009.
Following many months of shutdown, cafes and restaurants in Luxembourg will partially be allowed re-open again this week. From Wednesday 7 April, customers can have lunch or grab a drink on an outdoor terrace again. Here are the rules.

It may be a "small step", but it is highly symbolic: from Wednesday 7 April until at least 25 April, Luxembourg allows its bars and restaurants to serve their customers on their terraces. But unlike customers in Rhineland-Palatinate, customers in the Grand Duchy do not have to present a negative Covid-19 test result.

Read also: Times like Covid - We cannot have Merkel decide whether cafes on Place dArmes can open

Although open, the terraces will only be accessible from 6am to 6pm. In addition, strict rules are imposed on customers:

No more than two people per table, except for people from the same household;

Each table is spaced 1.5m apart or separated by a physical barrier (such as perspex);

Consumption at the table is compulsory for the customer. Food and drinks may only be consumed while seated;

Customers must wear a mask when not seated;

Staff in contact with customers must also wear a mask

Although there can only be two customers at any one table (or more if they live together), the Horesca federation points out that the managers of cafes or restaurants are "not authorised" to carry out an identity check. Recently, the government had already decided that the establishments will not be obliged to keep a register with the customers' contact details.

However, if they fail to comply with the rules, customers could be penalised with a warning of 300, which can even climb to 1,000.
We're taught early in life that making mistakes  as long as they aren't life-threatening  is not necessarily bad because that's how we learn, and that experience is one of the best teachers. It's how we learn from our mistakes, and how to avoid them in the future, that really matters. As Bill Gates put it, "It's fine to celebrate success, but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure."We've had hundreds of colossally significant cybersecurity-related failures over the past couple of decades, and yet new attacks and exploits continue to be labeled by public officials, CEOs and the media as "unprecedented," "a reminder," "a seminal event," "a watershed moment" or, with mind-numbing frequency, "a wake-up call"  as if they are some kind of unique occurrence.In fact, they are so un-unique that they've become routine. Unremarkable. Expected. The only true unknown is who the next victim will be. And yet we seem stuck in an endless "wake-up call" loop. The Russian cyber attack against Estonia in 2007 was called a "wake-up call," as was Yahoo's security breach in 2012  by the hackers themselves . U.S. Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger called the 2015 hack of the federal Office of Personnel Management "a wake-up call," and the Obama White House said it "has the potential to be a seminal test case for the government's developing deterrence efforts." Now we are hearing that the recent SolarWinds attack "is a wake-up call for taking cybersecurity action. If you want to immediately lose credibility with a cybersecurity professional, call a cyber event "unprecedented" or "a wake-up call." As Richard Stiennon, author of a number of books including There Will Be Cyberwar , told me, "Every attack is a wake-up call!" In a 2017 Heritage Foundation article , David Inserra wrote that "when it comes to cybersecurity, the U.S. is stuck in its own 'Groundhog Day.' But a happy ending may not be in the cards. Unlike the weatherman, it's not clear that we are learning from the past."But learn we must, and collectively. The next vulnerability may be a new zero-day exploit or a new version of ransomware, but the reality is that every security event is of course a wake-up call. Meanwhile, government organizations are bearing the costs and citizens are bearing the disruption for constantly reacting to foes who have far more time and resources than any single government security team can rally to.Just a few years ago, the federal government was solely responsible for dealing with cyber aggressors from nation-states. Fast forward to 2021, and every government organization in America is fighting for its cyber life in battles where they are vastly out-manned and out-resourced. The nonstop embellishment of security breaches with terms like "clarion call" simply diminishes the very real challenges and unique cybersecurity dynamics facing governments today. While it's obviously critical to respond to major breaches like the SolarWinds and Microsoft Exchange Server events, too often we become so focused on the latest attacks that we lose sight of ensuring that we're prepared for the next big one.There are some hopeful signs, at least from the private sector. A recent Gartner report predicted that "by 2025, 40 percent of boards of directors will have a dedicated cybersecurity committee overseen by a qualified board member, up from less than 10 percent today." What about government organizations? Shouldn't states, counties and cities have the equivalent of a cybersecurity subcommittee that reports to leadership? It's not like we need more evidence that cybersecurity risks are real. "I'm not sure my elected officials even know my name," one government chief information security officer told me recently. How is that possible in 2021?We don't need any more wake-up calls. The question is, are we awake? If we can agree that cyber events are no longer unprecedented but rather the cost of operating in the digital world we live in today, public officials and security leaders need to do better. Here are some recommendations: Every government leader must know the name of their CISO and meet regularly with the security leaders of their organization. And "regularly" means more than once a quarter for 15 minutes. I'm a firm believer that the CISO should have direct access to government leaders to avoid any unintentional (or intentional) filtering of the security message. Cybersecurity is a tough business, and sometimes the security message is a bitter pill. Far too often politics or personalities get involved, and government leaders hear what someone wants them to hear rather than what they need to hear. Conduct cybersecurity exercises with mandatory participation by all layers of the chain of command. If everyone is not involved, how will they know how to react when the inevitable cyber event occurs? There have been a number of security events in recent years where government leaders, not truly understanding the problem, made things worse for the organization while making themselves look silly. If your government organization is responsible for citizen and consumer privacy-related data, you have a higher level of responsibility to your constituents. Citizens can make a choice about providing personal information to public places where they shop and visit. They don't have the same choice about providing personal information to government. Those government organizations should have no higher priority than allocating all the cybersecurity controls and qualified people necessary to protect that information.The security events of the past 12 months  of which SolarWinds and Microsoft Exchange Server are only the most recent and highest profile  prove that there is nothing more important for government organizations than to be prepared for the unexpected. Calling these events "a wake-up call" for action is naive at best and negligence at worst. We must do better.GoverningGoverning
Education Minister Norma Foley has ruled out a Government U-turn on the issue of teacher vaccinations

She said she understood the disappointment among teachers about no longer having prioritisation on the vaccine schedule - but said the Government was guided by medical and scientific advice.

This is not a value judgment on any given profession. This is simply the science, she told the annual conference of the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO).

The Government refusal to budge means that all three teachers unions will now ask their seek the support of their conference to ballot on industrial action.

Read More

Addressing the issue of the vaccination roll out, Ms Foley told the INTO delegates the new schedule had disappointed many in the education sector, as it has those in other sectors.

"I understand that sense of disappointment, she said.

For the past 12 months, we have been managing and living alongside a global pandemic which presents a significant threat to our healthcare systems and to our more vulnerable citizens.

"In all of these months, we have had to be flexible and resilient. We have had to adapt to new circumstances and challenges as they present themselves. And throughout it all, we in the education sector have been guided by public health and medical experts.

At a briefing last Thursday for representatives of education unions and management bodies, Dr Ronan Glynn, Acting Chief Medical Officer, and Dr Kevin Kelleher of the HSE, presented the medical evidence underpinning the recent changes to the vaccine programme.

"Fundamentally, this recommendation has been driven by the fact that national and international evidence now confirms that age is the strongest predictor of whether a person who contracts Covid-19 will be admitted to hospital or ICU or die as a result of their infection.

She said to put this into context, Professor Karina Butler of NIAC has confirmed if we compare a person aged between 30 and 34 with a person aged between 60 and 64, the person aged between 60 and 64 years old is 70 times more likely to die as a result of Covid-19 than the younger person.

This is the latest medical and scientific evidence available.

INTO general secretary John Boyle told the minister they were crestfallen and said the decision showed a blatant disregard for our members safety.

He said teachers must be reinstated to a priority group for early vaccinations .

Mr Boyle said reports last week seemed to suggest that the government was not concerned about teachers who may contract this deadly virus or those who suffer the excruciating and debilitating impacts of long Covid.

Rather, concern appears only to be with decreasing hospitalisations and taking the easy rather than the fair approach to vaccination.

It is simply not good enough. When our members returned to schools in February and March with infection levels still extremely high , your Government promised in writing that they would be in the first one third to be vaccinated.

He said when INTO members returned to schools in February and March with infection levels still extremely high, your government promised in writing that they would be in the first one third of the population vaccinated.

Last week, your Government broke that promise. Its simply not good enough Minister.

He repeated his call for teachers to be considered in the new group nine on the revised vaccine list, which gives priority to those who work in crowded settings.

Surely spending nearly six hours a day in a small room with children from 25 or more families is a crowded setting, he said
SEATTLE (dpa-AFX) - Starbucks (SBUX) has announced concrete plans to reduce its carbon footprint by 30 percent by the year 2025 in South Korea. The company also unveiled plans to increase employment opportunities in the country by 30 percent by the same year. As part of its Starbucks 2030 environmental goals to bring down carbon, water and waste footprints by half worldwide, the company will completely discontinue the single-use cup in all its South Korea stores by 2025. In summer, the company will launch a reusable cup program in some of its Jeju stores and then moving on to other places over the next four years. Under the program, people will get their coffee in a reusable cup for a small deposit and they can scan their cup at a related store's contactless return kiosk. Additionally, the company said that by 2025, it is committed to create over 5,500 new employment opportunities in South Korea, equivalent to 30 percent of its present workforce. The company will also diversify its employment opportunities to include young graduates, return-to-work mothers, elderly citizens and persons with disabilities. Starbucks also said that it has designed an environmentally-friendly menu as part of its climate change actions so that customers can enjoy a wide variety of plant-based and local ingredients as part of the Starbucks Experience. 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.
Congressman Matt Gaetz  who has spent the last week doing damage control as allegations that he is being investigated by the FBI for trafficking a 17-year-old girl for sex have emerged in national headlines  appears to be using the still unfolding scandal to raise money.

Mr Gaetz sent an email on Tuesday asking for donations to help him "fight back against the fake news."

The email opens up by alleging the "far-left New York Times" had published "salacious allegations" against Mr Gaetz, who claims he is "fighting for the forgotten men and women of this country."

He then claims the media is only attacking him to cover up stories about Hunter Biden and sexual harassment allegations about New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. Mr Biden is not an elected official and Mr Cuomo's scandal has been covered exhaustively by media outlets.

Mr Gaetz then claims "the swamp is out to drown me but I'm not giving up."

Read more

The congressman has denied allegations that he ever slept with a 17-year-old girl, and says the allegations are the result of a $25m extortion campaign by former Department of justice prosecutor David McGee.

Mr McGee has denied having any involvement with any extortion campaign against Mr Gaetz and said the congressman was lashing out to distract from the allegations against him.

The New York Times reported that Mr Gaetz's investigation grew out of an investigation into one of his close allies, former Florida tax collector Joel Greenberg for alleged child sex trafficking.

The Washington Post reported that Mr Gaetz frequently showed fellow Republican lawmakers pictures of topless or nude women he had on his phone, and apparently bragged about the access Mr Greenberg gave him to women.

The individuals who spoke to the paper anonymously said the photos always appeared to show adult women.

Mr Gaetz first discussed the allegations during an appearance on Tucker Carlson's show on Fox News. He claimed Carlson had attended a dinner with himself and a woman, and said Carlson knew what it was like to be "falsely" accused of sexual misconduct.

Carlson said he did not recall the dinner and later said it was "one of the weirdest" interviews he had ever conducted.

Since news of the scandal broke, accusations of Mr Gaetz's questionable behaviour have emerged.

In one instance, Mr Gaetz and other young lawmakers in Florida were accused of playing a game where men were awarded points for sleeping with women, with higher scores for sleeping with married women or certain lawmakers.

It has also called into question certain votes Mr Gaetz has cast on legislation. In 2017, Mr Gaetz was the lone "no" vote on an anti-human trafficking bill, and he also opposed a revenge porn bill in 2016 while serving in the Florida legislature.

Thus far, the only Congressional Republican to stand up for Mr Gaetz has been Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has supported the QAnon conspiracy theory in the past  a narrative that alleges powerful government figures actively engage in child sex trafficking  but says she believes the congressman's denials.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said if Mr Gaetz was found to have committed any of what has been alleged, he will be removed from his Congressional committees, and said he would "deal with it" if it is proven the congressman is guilty.

Despite being an ardent supporter of Donald Trump, neither Mr Trump nor his allies have stepped up to defend the congressman.
Illinois is offering to pay off up to $40,000 of new homeowners' student loan debt in a bid to attract new buyers as part of a new $25 million scheme.

The Illinois Housing Development Authoritys SmartBuy program will offer a loan equal to 15% of the home purchase price, or pay off up to $40,000 in student loans, whichever is lower. It will also provide $5,000 that can be applied to your down payment or closing costs.

One couple from Florida considered moving to Indiana before hearing about the SmartBuy program.

It definitely made the decision to move easier, and buying a home possible, says Peter Maloney, 26.

Illinois is now providing a $25 million program that offers eligible residents up to $40,000 off of student loans. Pictured: file photo of a housing lot in Des Plaines, Illinois advertises a 'lot for sale' sign

Maloney and his fiancee thought his $44,000 in student loans would make it nearly impossible to buy a home for several years, but they are now closing on a two-bedroom, two-bathroom condominium in Plainfield, Illinois.

Prospective homebuyers with an income of less than $109,200 may be eligible for the SmartBuy program. The price limit for home purchases is between $325,000 and over $500,000 depending on the type of home and location.

The program expects to help between 500 and 1,000 new homeowners purchase their first home.

Illinois is one of many states offering repayment assistant programs and tax incentives for those with student debt.

Maryland also offers a SmartBuy program, where homebuyers who have an existing debt of at least $1,000 can receive a payoff amount up to $30,000.

Texas offers several programs to those in the teaching, legal, and healthcare fields.

One repayment program offers physicians who practice in Texas for four years up to $180,000 in awards.

Kansas has designated 77 counties in the state as 'Rural Opportunity Zones,' and is offering additional benefits to new homeowners in those areas.

Kansas has designated 77 counties as 'Rural Opportunity Zones' where financial incentives are offered for new full-time residents

Selected counties offer state income tax waivers for up to five years or student loan repayments of up to $15,000 over five years.

At the end of 2020, the Federal Reserve estimated that Americans owed more than $1.7 trillion in student loans.

President Joe Biden has asked Education Secretary Miguel Cardona and the U.S. Department of Education to conduct a review on the presidents authority to cancel up to $50,000 in student debt.

Biden has previously expressed that he supports $10,000 in student loan forgiveness but he is now looking into the higher amount after growing pressure from progressive Democratic lawmakers.

Senator Chuck Schumer tweeted on Saturday, Today would be a great day for President Biden and Vice President Harris to #CancelStudentDebt.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) speaks during a press conference about student debt outside the U.S. Capitol on February 4 in Washington, D.C.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez attacked President Biden last month for flatly refusing to write off $50,000 student debts, which he said he didn't think he had the jurisdiction to wipe out.

White House Chief of Staff Rob Klain says the memo regarding whether the administration has the authority will be 'hopefully' be released 'in the next few weeks.'
Region 2, which includes five of the six counties, had a seven-day test positivity rate of 6.7% as of April 3, 2.4 percentage points higher than the statewide rate on that date. The region also had an ICU capacity of 21% as of April 5, 6% below the statewide level.
DALLAS, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --

What's the news?

AT&T* Business erases the line between business wireline and mobile phone service with AT&T [email protected] Wireless. Available today, AT&T [email protected] Wireless introduces game-changing communication tools for businesses to remove complexity and communicate more efficiently and effectively. In today's ultra-competitive environment, this can mean delivering better service, building lasting customer relationships and improving employee productivity.

Why is this important?

The future of work can be summed up with one wordflexibility. As businesses continue to assess how to optimize their operations and plot their next moves, flexibility will be critical to growth and success. According to recent studies, as many as 74% of employers plan to allow their employees to work from home permanently.

No matter their size, industry or location, phones continue to serve as a business gateway for revenue generation and collaborative problem solving. As things evolve, it may grow even more critical.

Whether the workforce is in the office, at home or even the cafe down the street, AT&T [email protected] Wireless empowers users with a single phone number that allows businesses to maintain a high-performing voice presence across all devicesmobile, desk phones, tablets and personal computers. It also ensures that important features are available no matter the device including:

Native dialing and voicemail options mean no extra software to disrupt normal workflows

mean no extra software to disrupt normal workflows Simultaneous and sequential ring options enable better service by minimizing calls going to voicemail

enable better service by minimizing calls going to voicemail A cloud-based Auto Receptionist voice response service routes calls quickly to wherever your employees are working

routes calls quickly to wherever your employees are working Universal Outbound Number ID for every employee displays company information for better brand recognition

for every employee displays company information for better brand recognition An easy-to-use web portal allows for simple configuration and control features such as voicemail and corporate directories

allows for simple configuration and control features such as voicemail and corporate directories Fast deployment that could have businesses up and running within minutes

that could have businesses up and running within 24/7 support so that users have help whenever they need it

This can all be integrated into the leading AT&T [email protected] collaboration platform built together with RingCentral, giving users another seamless way to initiate and capture calls with colleagues and customers.

When paired together with AT&T Mobility service, users can optimize their connections using AT&T's LTE network as well as its 5G network that now covers 230M Americans in 14,000 cities and towns and AT&T 5G+ is now available in parts of 38 cities in the U.S.

What are people saying?

"While the pandemic accelerated the needs of businesses to decentralize their operations, we've seen this trending for years. Businesses need the tools to activate their workforce from anywhere to compete, grow and even survive in today's environment. AT&T [email protected] Wireless gives them a communications tool providing a powerful way to adapt to shifts on the playing field."  Rich Shaw, Vice President, Voice and Collaboration, AT&T Business

"Together with AT&T, we look forward to meeting the needs of businesses who want to empower their employees to work across any mode, any device and from anywhere. Combining [email protected] with AT&T's 5G network delivers blazing speed, high bandwidth with low latency, and the enhanced security needed for mobile communications."  Homayoun Razavi, Senior Vice President, Global Service Providers at RingCentral

"During the global crisis, many businesses found themselves at the mercy of various factors outside of their control. This has highlighted the importance of using advanced technology to enable greater business agility and the ability to promptly respond when disaster strikes. Modern, mobile-first communications and collaboration tools enable business users to maintain vital connections, both internally and with customers and partners, regardless of their physical location."  Elka Popova, VP of Connected Work Research, Frost & Sullivan

Where can I find more information?

For more information on AT&T [email protected] Wireless, please visit here.

*About AT&T Communications

We help family, friends and neighbors connect in meaningful ways every day. From the first phone call 140+ years ago to mobile video streaming, we @ATT innovate to improve lives. AT&T Communications is part of AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T). For more information, please visit us at att.com.

SOURCE AT&T Communications
PHOENIX, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As many people continue to struggle to provide necessities such as food and healthcare for themselves, many are also struggling to provide for their pets. In fact, one out of four pet owners experience barriers to obtaining veterinary care. While these barriers can range from geography to culture and language, the primary obstacle for many pet owners seeking any type of care is finances  which has likely been amplified by unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of its commitment to make affordable veterinary care accessible to communities in need and to support future veterinarians, PetSmart Charities announced the second year of the Steve Marton Veterinary Student Scholarship. Named after a former long-time chairman of PetSmart Charities' Board of Directors and champion of animal welfare, the award provides up to $50,000 for one year's tuition to a veterinary student who has demonstrated interest and aptitude to pursue a career in accessible veterinary care.

"At PetSmart Charities we believe all pet parents want to provide the best care for their pets, and we want to help them access that care in the face of challenges," said Aimee Gilbreath, president of PetSmart Charities. "At the same time, we know students pursue a career in veterinary medicine because they want to help all pets in need, but often struggle financially to realize their dream. This scholarship enables us to bring those two principles together by funding future veterinarians who are committed to community accessible programs."

According to the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC), the median annual veterinary school tuition is about $53,000 for out-of-state students and $32,000 for in-state students. The total average educational debt of veterinary school graduates in 2016 ranged from over $143,000 to over $167,000, with 20% having at least $200,000 in debt. Many veterinary students rely on federal, private, and/or personal student loans to fund their education.

Devon Mims, the inaugural winner of the scholarship, is currently a third-year veterinary student at the University of Florida and works as a student clinician while volunteering to oversee cases for pet parents with disabilities and low incomes.

"For me, a career in veterinary medicine has always meant a dedication to both animals and humans in need," said Mims. "PetSmart Charities' support allows me to champion the mission of accessible veterinary care while continuing to engage and uplift individuals from marginalized communities."

Scholarship applications are open through April 28, 2021 to first- and second-year veterinary students attending a College of Veterinary Medicine within the United States. For more information or to apply visit: https://petsmartcharities.org/pro/grants/steve-marton-scholarship

About PetSmart Charities

PetSmart Charities, Inc. is committed to finding lifelong, loving homes for all pets by supporting programs and thought leadership that bring people and pets together. Through its in-store adoption program in all PetSmart stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, PetSmart Charities helps to find forever homes and families for more than 600,000 shelter pets each year. Each year, millions of generous PetSmart shoppers help pets in need by donating to PetSmart Charities using the PIN pads at checkout registers inside PetSmart stores. In turn, PetSmart Charities efficiently uses more than 90 cents of every dollar donated to fulfill its role as the leading funder of animal welfare in North America, granting more than $450 million since its inception in 1994. Independent from PetSmart Inc., PetSmart Charities is a 501(c)(3) organization that has received the Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator, a third-party organization that reports on the effectiveness, accountability and transparency of nonprofits, for the past 17 years in a row  placing it among the top one percent of charities rated by this organization. To learn more visit www.petsmartcharities.org.

Follow PetSmart Charities on Instagram: @PetSmartCharities

Follow PetSmart Charities on Twitter: @PetSmartChariTs

Find PetSmart Charities on Facebook: Facebook.com/PetSmartCharities

See PetSmart Charities on YouTube: YouTube.com/PetSmartCharitiesInc

SOURCE PetSmart Charities
LAS VEGAS, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A Las Vegas hypnotherapist has seen a dramatic rise in calls for anxiety relief, confounding expectations that vaccination would help allay Nevadans' pandemic-related fears. Before the pandemic lockdowns shuttered his hypnosis practice in early 2020, the majority of Kevin Cole's clients came to him to stop smoking, with the rest seeking help for anxiety relief or to get over heartbreak or past relationships.

Las Vegas hypnotherapist Kevin Cole helps clients overcome anxiety, stop smoking, overcome past relationships and let go of fears and phobias at Las Vegas Hypnosis Center in Nevada. He's a certified hypnotherapist and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) master practitioner who trains hypnotherapists and NLP practitioners worldwide.

When the Las Vegas Hypnosis Center finally re-opened for virtual sessions last summer, the vast majority of Cole's clients were seeking help for fear, anxiety, sleeplessness, and repetitive, worrisome thoughts. "This isn't surprising, given the uncertainty about the pandemic and the lockdowns at that time," said Cole.

Now that several COVID-19 vaccines are available, the Las Vegas hypnotherapist and NLP practitioner expected to get back to his stop smoking work. Instead, anxious clients are keeping him busy both in person and via virtual sessions. "I've never seen anything like it. Anxiety is through the roof, and many people who've never been anxious before are suffering terribly with repetitive thoughts about the virus, a fear of needles that keeps them from getting vaccinated, the lockdowns, their kids' education, the economy, current eventspeople are just crazed after being locked up for a year," he says.

Cole believes clients are attracted to hypnosis because it's a fast-acting, drug-free method people can use to rid themselves of negative thinking patterns that manifest as anxiety and trouble sleeping. For a limited time Cole is offering free access to his hypnosis audio MP3, "Deep Sleep," to help people who are kept awake by anxious thoughts. Most users say they've never heard the end of the recording, because they quickly and easily fall asleep long before the audio ends. The free hypnosis sleep recording is available at https://LasVegasHypnosisCenter.com/deepsleepmp3.

Though there are times when it's appropriate to seek help from a licensed mental health professional, for many people feeling anxious is often simply the result of bad thinking habits, Cole says, and those habits can be un-learned with the help of hypnosis. Negative, catastrophic thinking has become habitual for many people during the pandemic, and "these un-helpful thinking patterns are actually encouraged by the algorithms that drive social media," says the hypnotherapist.

Hypnosis helps people build more productive and positive thinking patterns that make them feel happier and more in control of their emotions. With hypnosis, people can learn to feel good, no matter what's going on in their lives or in the world at large.

Overcoming anxiety is often the first step to quitting smoking. "Many of my smoking cessation clients say they smoke because it helps them calm down. In reality, of course, nicotine is a stimulant. It's the act of taking a deep breath that makes the smoker feel less stressed-out," says the Las Vegas hypnosis expert, who teaches his clients deep breathing and other de-stressing techniques in addition to hypnosis.

Hypnosis appears to change activity levels in certain parts of the brain related to perception and processing emotions, Cole adds. "During a session, I help the client vividly imagine and emotionally connect to their desired positive future without anxiety, or without tobacco, or without the heartache attached to a past relationship. It's much easier to manifest a positive future when you can see and feel yourself experiencing it."

For more information about anxiety relief, smoking cessation and overcoming heartbreak with hypnotist Kevin Cole, visit https://www.lasvegashypnosiscenter.com or call 702-626-4901.

Contact:

Kevin Cole

702-626-4901

[email protected]

SOURCE Las Vegas Hypnosis Center

Related Links

https://www.lasvegashypnosiscenter.com/


Dr Rogers was volunteering her time to monitor elderly residents for adverse reactions to the vaccine when a shot was given to her by Aspen Medical staff after a number of Pfizer vials were left over from residents. We were advised then that if we got our first dose we were guaranteed our second one when the Aspen team came out to the aged care facility again, and we would be notified on which day this would happen, she said. The problem has been that GPs working in aged care facilities have been on nobodys radar this whole vaccination rollout, even though were the ones that provide most of the medical care at aged care facilities. Its like we dont exist and the problem is were a really high-risk group. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video Last week, Dr Rogers went to an aged care facility with two colleagues to get their Pfizer boosters, only to be told there were not enough vials. She spent days last week trying to get her second shot at Pfizer hubs in Melbourne before being told it was not possible to book her in as there was no record of her receiving the first shot.

The Age and Sydney Morning Herald previously revealed that only half of the nations aged care residents have been vaccinated in the past six weeks, falling well short of the governments plan to have all residents and workers vaccinated in that time. Loading Dr Rogers estimates dozens of her Victorian colleagues are in the same situation and she has heard similar reports from doctors interstate. There are staff who work closely with the elderly such as nursing staff and personal care assistants who have got their first dose and they cant get a second dose and they have no voice in all of this, she said. She said the healthcare workers were told by the Victorian Vaccination Control Centre to get their Pfizer boosters through their GPs, even though most GP clinics do not have the correct freezers. Dr Price said the medical college had raised the matter with the federal government, labelling the delays unacceptable. The college was still determining how many healthcare workers had been affected.

The Department of Health recommends all Australians get two doses of the same type of COVID-19 vaccine. This is because the evidence from clinical trials shows this is effective and is what is approved for use by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, the department says on its own website. Associate Professor Paul Griffin, director of infectious diseases at Mater Health in Queensland, said it was difficult to determine the implications for people who received their second Pfizer dose beyond the 42-day period. We just havent done the studies to know this yet, so itd be really hard to know exactly what the protection would be if the second dose was extended beyond that recommended period, he said. It is very likely that it will probably have minimal impact. We know that coverage from a single dose is probably in the order of 60-odd per cent and it goes up to those quoted figures of about 95 per cent or thereabouts after the second dose.

Professor Griffin said delays in adequately protecting doctors and health workers caring for some of the countrys most vulnerable people against coronavirus were simply unacceptable. Loading We have to get this right, he said. A federal Health Department spokeswoman said to minimise wastage some vaccines were administered to those eligible under phase 1a when excess doses were left following vaccination of residents. She said generally a second dose was given when medical teams returned to the aged care facilities to give residents their booster shots. There are some people who have not been able to present to the aged care facility to receive their second dose, she said.

She said primary health networks were working with aged care facilities to ensure those who get their first Pfizer vaccine get their second dose, and she urged those waiting for their second dose to contact their local network. People can access evidence of their COVID-19 vaccines in their immunisation history record through Medicare Online, the Medicare app. Australias vaccine rollout has been marred by delays, with some Australian GPs saying they have been set up to fail as the federal government allows millions of patients to book appointments while providing few doses to clinics Victoria is having to throw out about three in every 1000 Pfizer doses that were destined for hotel quarantine workers, according to the Department of Health. On Tuesday night a spokesperson for Aspen Medical said the company had identified that some healthcare workers had been vaccinated at aged care facilities but did not have their first vaccination recorded accurately on the Australian Immunisation Register. We would like to apologise to those healthcare professionals concerned for any inconvenience caused, the spokesperson said.
MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP)  Former Vice President Mike Pence said Thursday that he wasnt sure that he and former President Donald Trump would ever see eye to eye over what happened on Jan. 6 but that he would always be proud of what we accomplished for the American people over the last four years.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Biden administration is moving again to increase U.S. assistance to the Palestinians as it fires up a new Mideast policy that is directly opposite of the one pursued by its predecessor.

For the third time in two weeks, the administration has either publicly announced or quietly notified Congress of its intent to provide the Palestinians with tens of millions of dollars in aid. On Monday, the administration informed lawmakers that it would give the Palestinians $40 million for law enforcement and security costs in the West Bank and Gaza.

Supporting an enduring solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a core U.S. national security objective, the State Department said in the notification, which was dated April 2 but transmitted only on Monday. As an essential part of this effort, U.S. government assistance seeks to build professional and accountable security and criminal justice institutions that maintain security and stability in the West Bank, uphold the rule of law, contribute directly to regional security, and protect the population.

The Biden administration has made no secret of its belief that former President Donald Trumps approach to the Mideast, which alienated the Palestinians, was flawed and made prospects for peace less likely. The new assistance appears aimed at encouraging the Palestinians to return to negotiations with Israel, though there is no indication it will have that effect and Israel has yet to weigh in publicly.

The newly allocated $40 million comes on top of $75 million in assistance for infrastructure, health and civil society groups the administration told Congress about on March 28 and $15 million in coronavirus assistance it announced a day earlier.

The administration is also expected as early as this week to announce a resumption in funding to the U.N. agency that deals with Palestinian refugees, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. The Trump administration had slashed funding to the Palestinians to almost nothing and ended support for the U.N. agency as it adopted a staunchly pro-Israel approach in its handling of the Middle East.

Story continues

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley had championed the removal of funding for the relief agency, suggesting it was responsible for perpetuating Palestinian poverty and questioning whether all of the millions of people it serves are actually refugees.

Just a week before leaving office, Pompeo accused UNRWA of being riddled with waste, fraud (and) concerns of support to terrorism" and said there are fewer than 200,000 legitimate Palestinian refugees still alive.

Pro-Israel lawmakers are signaling opposition to the renewed funding, noting in particular that federal laws prohibit direct assistance to the Palestinian Authority or the provision of aid that benefits the PA as long as it continues to pay stipends to people convicted of anti-U.S. or anti-Israel attacks and their families.

Already, a handful of Republicans are preparing to challenge the aid, maintaining that it violates the so-called Taylor Force and the Anti-Terrorism Clarification acts, both of which passed with strong bipartisan support.

The resumption of assistance comes days after the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office issued a report that found the U.S. government had not properly vetted all of its Palestinian funding recipients for U.S. antiterrorism criteria as required by law between 2015 and 2019, when Trump severed most of the aid.

While it said the U.S. Agency for International Development had followed the law with respect to people and groups it funded directly, it had not done the same with entities, known as sub-grantees, to which those groups then distributed taxpayer dollars. If funding resumes, we recommend measures to improve compliance, said the GAO report, which was released last week,
SAN JOSE, Calif., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A new type of battery system, Switching Battery, offers a glimpse of hope for electric vehicle (EV) charging from renewable energy directly.

"All commercially available batteries are non-switching," says Kannappan Chettiar, the Singapore-born founder of the battery tech startup, Switching Battery Inc.

Switching Battery prototype - using 100 batteries (3.7V 3Ah)

The Switching Battery is a new type of hardware with PCB that connects all the batteries to a renewable energy source as well as to the load, simultaneously, using software. The Switching Battery does two things differently compared to non-switchable batteries. Firstly, it charges and discharges the batteries instantly using two independent switching circuits at 50-60Hz with transistor switches. Secondly, the switching circuits enables a new "voltage shifting" technology.

The technology behind the patent-pending Switching Battery is relatively simple. While batteries cannot be arranged in both parallel and series in the same circuit, batteries can be arranged in parallel and series in two separate circuits with two separate independent cycles to form a new battery connection method called para-series.

The para-series arrangement produces a new technique for energy flow called "voltage shifting" when the first battery circuit is connected to the renewable power source, such as solar panels, in parallel initially to be charged. The circuits then switch to a second battery circuit that is timed precisely and connected to the load in series, thus enabling a higher voltage to the load.

Voltage shifting technology is useful where there is a space constraint for solar panels, such as in electric vehicles, as the Switching Battery takes over the voltage requirement to drive the load. The technique is also useful for all other renewable energy such as wind turbines that may be affected by slow wind speeds.

"The Switching Battery is like a flexible water tank that is able to squeeze all the water out by constantly shifting between a wider parallel arrangement and a taller series arrangement that makes it more efficient in extricating all the electrons from the batteries," says Chettiar.

Chettiar is an education entrepreneur who has worked with reputed universities such as London School of Economics, University of London, Golden Gate University and University of New Brunswick to offer these courses in Singapore from 1990 until 2017. The battery research was initially undertaken by his education group, Stansfield College in 2005 through its India campus. Chettiar continued the battery research with a team of independent experts from around the world after he left Singapore to pursue his full-time studies in Energy and Clean Technology at Berkeley School of Law.

The Switching Battery will be commercially available in early 2022.

About Switching Battery

Switching Battery is a startup founded by Kannappan Chettiar https://www.linkedin.com/in/kannappan-chettiar-7a505a16a/

The website for Switching Battery is currently under construction. Preliminary information is available at www.switchingbattery.com

Details of the technology are available from U.S Patent Publication No. 2020/0112184 A1 titled "Energy Storage System and Method to Improve Battery Performance by Battery Connection" published on April 9, 2021 and supplemented by recent additional patent filings on March 26, 2021 (USPTO 17/213,621).

Press and media contact:

Kannappan Chettiar

e-mail: [email protected]

Tel: +1 (831) 643 5919

SOURCE Switching Battery

Related Links

https://www.switchingbattery.com/


Thor star Chris Hemsworth recently said his bodybuilder physique means people don't take him seriously as an actor.

But the 37-year-old brushed off the criticism on Tuesday as he hit the gym for yet another intense workout.

He shared a video to Instagram of himself pumping iron with his friend Paul Fisher, better known as DJ Fisher.

Hard at work! Chris Hemsworth (left) hit the gym on Tuesday with his friend Paul Fisher

Chris began the workout using a rowing machine, which drew attention to his bulging biceps and washboard abs.

He then jumped on an air cycle machine, pedalling hard while wearing a weighted vest as DJ Fisher cheered him on.

It was then DJ Fisher's turn to do bicep curls with a barbell, as Chris said in the background: 'You're a big fish, you're the biggest fish dammit!'

Muscular frame: Chris began the workout using a rowing machine, which drew attention to his bulging biceps and washboard abs

Support: It was then DJ Fisher's turn to do bicep curls with a barbell, as Chris said in the background: 'You're a big fish, you're the biggest fish dammit!'

Can you even lift? The Avengers star then completed curls with the barbell as the music producer yelled out in support of him

The Avengers star then completed curls with the barbell as the music producer yelled out in support of him.

After this, DJ Fisher turned his attention to running with the sled.

Once this was done, Chris showcased his incredible strength by slamming a big and heavy-looking medicine ball into a wall and onto the ground.

Strength: Once this was done, Chris showcased his incredible strength by slamming a big and heavy-looking medicine ball into a wall and onto the ground

The pair continue doing strenuous workouts in the video, drawing praise from Chris' legion of Instagram followers.

The end of the clip saw Chris approaching DJ Fisher from behind and holding him in a Hulk Hogan-inspired headlock.

The Australian star will soon play the WWE legend in a Netflix biopic.

Chris' workout comes after he told The Telegraph he'd be regarded as a 'serious actor' if he put on a 'bunch of unhealthy weight' or got 'unhealthily skinny' for a role.

Bulked up: Chris' workout comes after he told The Telegraph he'd be regarded as a 'serious actor' if he put on a 'bunch of unhealthy weight' or got 'unhealthily skinny' for a role

He said: 'There's an aesthetic that the role [of Thor] requires. Bodybuilding is seen as vanity, whereas if I put on a bunch of unhealthy weight, or got unhealthily skinny for a role, I'd probably be called a serious actor.

'The training across 10 years of doing it is a full-time job. That and then a 12-hour shooting day - it's real grind. It's incredibly rewarding, too - you have to look at it like a professional athlete.'

Chris, who is currently filming the fourth installment of Thor, said he is probably the 'fittest' and 'strongest' he has ever been while filming as the Marvel character.

'This is probably the fittest and strongest I've been before all the Thors. Having this time at home meant I explored different methods, to see how I can manipulate my body with just the right amount of powerlifting and bodybuilding workouts,' he said.

Commitment: Chris (pictured with a friend) told The Telegraph, 'Bodybuilding is seen as vanity, whereas if I put on a bunch of unhealthy weight, or got unhealthily skinny for a role, I'd probably be called a serious actor'

Chris is well-known for having a strict exercise regimen, which helps him maintain his superhero physique.

In an interview with Australian Men's Health last month, he said his 'body shuts down' when he doesn't work out.

'I just don't feel good. I like it for a couple of days, then everything just starts to hurt,' he confessed.

'I get achy and there's inflammation, my back's stiff. I'm just well aware that in order for me to live healthier and happier, I've got to keep moving.'

In shape: Chris, who is filming the fourth installment of Thor, said he is probably the 'fittest' and 'strongest' he has ever been. Pictured in Thor: Ragnarok

The Australian production of Thor: Love and Thunder was made possible by a $24million location incentive by the NSW and Australian Governments.

The fourth film in the Thor franchise stars Chris as the titular hammer-wielding superhero, Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie, Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, Chris Pratt as Star-Lord, and Christian Bale as Gorr the God Butcher.

Thor: Love and Thunder sees Portman's character, astrophysicist Jane Foster, take up the mantle of Thor after transforming into a female version of the Norse God.

Thor: Love and Thunder is slated for release on May 6, 2022
The legendary voiceover artist behind some of Disney's most famous animated films, Mark Elliott, had died at the age of 81.

Rest in peace: The legendary voiceover artist behind some of Disney's most famous animated films, Mark Elliott, had died at the age of 81

Elliott passed away in a Los Angeles hospital following two heart attacks on Saturday, according to a friend who spoke with The Hollywood Reporter.

Perhaps not recognizable by his face or name, Disney fans will immediately know Elliott's voice which he lent to the movie trailers and promos for some of Disney's most popular films in the 80s, 90s and early aughts.

'He was one of a kind  and kind is a great word to describe him,' friend and fellow voice artist Charlie Van Dyke told THR.

At the time of his death, Elliott had been battling lung cancer, EW reported.

Another colleague, Joe Cipriano, who had a bit role with Elliott in Lake Bell's voice over comedy In A World, shared a touching tribute on Facebook.

Cipriano shared the story of how he got his start in the business by watching Elliott record primetime comedy promos for CBS on the studio lot in Television City.

Elliot passed away in a Los Angeles hospital following two heart attacks on Saturday, according to a friend who spoke with The Hollywood Reporter (Pictured with friend and fellow voice over artist Joe Cipriano)

'We talked in between his promo sessions and he told me two things about promos - never take a vacation and never buy a home based on voice over income,' he penned.

'Mark was a true gentleMAN - Getting to share all of our scenes in Lake Bell's 'In a World' was icing on the cake. I'm so sad about Mark's passing,' Cipriano said.

Mark worked first in radio and then made the transition to voice over work. He was hired by Disney to voice the trailer for the theatrical release of Cinderella in 1977.

He was the voice of Disney during the studio's animated feature hey-day, with films like The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Hercules and Aladdin.

'He was one of a kind  and kind is a great word to describe him,' friend and fellow voice artist Charlie Van Dyke told THR.

He worked as the voice of the Mouse House from 1983-2008 and also did voice work throughout his career for commercials, films and networks like CBS and FOX.

'You think about decisions that were made and paths that were chosen and all that sort of thing, and [working for Disney] for me is the defining moment in my life, not just my career but in my life. Because it did is give me this identity which  continues to this day,' he was once quoted as saying, according to THR.

'[Being the voice of Disney] is a wonderful touchstone for my career. If that's the identity that I carry with me for the rest of my life, I wouldn't have it any other way,' he added at the time.

Iconic voice: Elliott was the voice of Disney during the studio's animated feature hey-day, with films like The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Hercules and Aladdin; he worked with the studio from the 1980s until 2008

Mark was born John Harrison Frick Jr in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1939. He legally changed his name for professional reasons.

During an interview with VO Buzz Weekly, Mark shared the story of how network executives had wanted to change his name to Johnny Barron but he refused because he didn't like the sound.

After mulling over 'silly' names like Vic Vanilla and Charlie Chocolate, the team narrowed it down to Mark Anthony and Clark Elliott. Ultimately he landed on Mark Elliott and made the change official.
Just like 2020, the current year will not be the most fun and successful one when you are a Ferrari driver. Charles Leclerc, for example, managed to climb the podium only twice last year, where in 2019 it happened with some regularity. To change things up, the Scuderia swapped Sebastian Vettel for the younger, fresher Carlos Sainz. Although the latter and Leclerc finished within the points at the last race in Bahrain, it won't be another glory year for Ferrari.

Passion for Ferrari

Leclerc will no doubt often be asked what his team is missing out on compared to top teams like Mercedes and Red Bull. For the young Monegasque it's not all so black and white. He still feels it is a great honour to drive for the Italian team. Also in conversation with DLui Magazine, Leclerc was asked what exactly Ferrari is lacking, but he prefers to focus on the things Ferrari does have instead of other teams.

"I know one thing that the other teams will never have, and that is the Tifosi. The passion that Ferrari creates with millions of fans around the world, the other teams will always envy that."

Emotions

Leclerc claims to still be emotional in the moments when he realises he is allowed to drive for the team from Maranello. When he was young and attending the Monaco grand prix, he says he was already looking for the red cars on the track. "I was probably born a Ferrari fan, without knowing it myself. So when I see myself in red I'm not only proud, but I still get emotional."
Because the school where she works moved to remote learning early last spring, Ms. Duchesneau had time to do what she called a deep dive into watches. She even ordered one, the Brew Mastergraph, which Brew Watch marketing describes as having been inspired by the colors and textures of coffee and espresso machines.

It was the only model that wasnt sold out, she said. When the box came in summer and I opened it, I got tears in my eyes because it was so much more beautiful than I anticipated. Then I just kind of went crazy.

She purchased 19 watches in eight months, ending up with a 21-piece collection. What am I saving my money for? I thought, she said. I cant travel, but I could get Covid and drop dead.

The watch market seems to reflect Ms. Duchesneaus sense of carpe diem, exploding in both popularity and price. In auction sales at Sothebys, for example, 50 percent of buyers in 2020 were new to the category, an increase of 20 percent on the previous year, and 40 percent of all auction participants were younger than 40, according to a year-end report by Sam Hines, the worldwide head of Sothebys watches.

These are nonessential, passion items that no one needs but that become part of your identity, said Reginald Brack, an industry expert and former watches and luxury analyst for NPD Group. People didnt stop celebrating graduations or weddings; they just purchased luxury items differently.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has confirmed that a Trans-Tasman bubble will open on April 19.

Ardern has announced the opening of the bubble in a post cabinet meeting conference alongside COVID-19 response minister Chris Hipkins.

The director-general of health considers the risk of transmission of COVID-19 from Australia to New Zealand is low and that quarantine free travel is safe to commence, Ardern says.

Our teams success in managing COVID-19 and keeping it out over the past 12 months now opens up the opportunity to reconnect with loved ones and resume Trans-Tasman travel.

One sacrifice that has been particularly hard for many to bear over the past year has been the separation from friends and family who live in Australia, so todays announcement will be a great relief for many.

The bubble will give our economic recovery a boost and represents a world leading arrangement of safely opening up international travel while continuing to pursue a strategy of elimination and keeping the virus out.

We have worked hard to ensure travel is safe and that the necessary public health measures are in place.

However, Ardern warned that quarantine free travel will not be what it was pre-Covid 19.

Those undertaking travel will do so under the guidance of flyer beware. People will need to plan for the possibility of having travel disrupted if there is an outbreak.

Just as we have our alert level settings for managing cases in New Zealand, we will also now have a framework for managing New Zealanders in the event of an outbreak in Australia, which involves three possible scenarios: continue, pause, suspend, says Ardern.

Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says to ensure New Zealand remains on top of Covid-19, the Government has added further layers to manage risk at the border.

To be eligible to travel to or from New Zealand on a quarantine-free flight, people must not have had a positive Covid-19 test result in the previous 14-day period and must not be awaiting the results of a test taken during that period, says Hipkins.

When those in Australia decide to come to New Zealand, they will be making a booking on a green zone flight. That means that there will be no passengers on that flight who have come from anywhere but Australia in the last 14 days. They will also be flown by crew who have not flown on any high risk routes for a set period of time.

The Quarantine-Free Travel flow chart highlighting the details behind the 'continue, pause, suspend' system. Photo. Supplied.

Passengers will also need to provide comprehensive information on how they can be contacted while in New Zealand, complete a pre-departure health declaration and wont be able to travel if they have cold or flu symptoms.

When they fly, they will be required to wear a mask on their flight, and will also be asked to download and use the NZ Covid Tracer app while in New Zealand, Hipkins continues.

On arrival, passengers will be taken through what we call the green zones at the airport  meaning there will be no contact with those who are arriving from other parts of the world and going into managed isolation or quarantine.

We will also be undertaking random temperature checks of those arriving as an added precaution.

Final infection control audits for airports in particular are occurring over the next two weeks and are a requirement for each airport to operate. The Ministry of Health expects to have completed these and to have reported on them on 16 April.

Chris Hipkins said it is estimated the bubble will free up 1,000 to 1,300 rooms per fortnight within MIQ.

Of these, we will retain roughly 500 spaces as contingency should they be needed for the Trans-Tasman arrangement.

We also have a small number of facilities that we consider to have only been suitable for travellers in quarantine from low risk countries. With the opening of travel, we will look to decommission these facilities  but in the meantime we are considering whether they could be used for other low risk countries, such as the Pacific Islands.

As a result of this, we do not anticipate a large number of vacant quarantine spaces to come on stream. There will, however, still be thousands of spaces in MIQ for Kiwis. Thats how we have helped 130,000 safely return home through our managed isolation facilities.
This article was first published on NerdWallet.com.

The cost of travel will slowly rebound from historic lows as more people receive COVID-19 vaccinations and book long-deferred trips, according to industry experts.

This time last year, air traffic in the U.S. plummeted, with 95% fewer travelers passing through Transportation Security Administration checkpoints in April 2020 compared with April 2019. This reduced demand led to a corresponding decrease in airfare prices.

The average cost of a domestic round-trip ticket in the second quarter of 2020 dropped 28% from the same period in 2019, down to $259, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Few travelers were monitoring these prices at the time since so few were booking flights. But now, with COVID-19 vaccinations opening the possibility of travel to millions more Americans each week, prices are once again set to change.

If you're one of those would-be travelers, experts cautiously advise booking your travel soon. Much remains uncertain, but prices are unlikely to return to 2020 levels.

Flight demand set to take off

Experts who track travel deals and consumer interest say demand for airplane seats is likely to increase, driving prices back up.

Domestic airfare prices are expected to rise 4%-5% every month until summer 2021, said Adit Damodaran, an economist with Hopper, a travel search tool. "A lot of that is based on the vaccination rollout."

And this increased demand might combine with decreased supply. Airlines scaled back routes and flight frequency in 2020, parking aircraft and furloughing staff. They may be slow to return capacity to pre-pandemic levels, even as bookings pick up steam.

"Airlines are burning so much cash, so what were seeing is that theyre slowly expanding supply," said Jesse Neugarten, who founded the flight deal newsletter Dollar Flight Club. "If we have to shut down travel again, they dont want to get caught in a similar situation as they did in 2020."

Hotel prices may rise slowly

Hotel prices have also dropped during the pandemic, though not as uniformly. Room rates in February in New York City were down 37% year-over-year according to Hoppers data, while small-town hotels saw only a 5% dip. This reflects a larger exodus from crowded cities during the pandemic. This pattern could reverse as vaccinated travelers flock back into metropolitan areas later in 2021, driving prices up.

But tourism accounts for only part of travel demand. Business travel, which has all but ceased during the pandemic, will likely be slower to return. This could keep hotel prices low throughout 2021, especially in large cities. It could also suppress airfare prices somewhat, even as more tourists take to the skies.

Booking flexibility likely to continue

Neugarten, who tracks flight deals, points to a changing travel landscape that extends beyond considerations of supply and demand. The pandemic changed how airlines and hotels handle flexibility, with many eliminating change and cancellation fees altogether. This, in turn, has changed the logic for how and when to book travel.

"Im not going to book last-minute because I can get a good deal if Im booking three months in advance," Neugarten said. "Theres a lot of incentive to book a deal now because of the flexibility."

Furthermore, the travel trends that mark a typical year remain in flux. Memorial Day and July Fourth travel could follow unusual trends, especially in terms of when bookings will occur.

"The traditional events of the year in travel are simply not happening, so there isnt the same 'best time to book' that we would normally see," said Mark Crossey, travel expert for Skyscanner, a flight search tool.

And then there is the question of international travel. Many countries have limited tourists, particularly from the U.S., and these restrictions may remain even as more travelers receive vaccinations.

"Were not expecting an increase in prices for international airfare until May," said Damodaran. And changing prices are unlikely to be geographically uniform, as countries update their policies one by one. Damodaran noted that Hopper is seeing the strongest interest in Caribbean and Latin American destinations.

Uncertainties abound. Vaccine distribution hiccups could dampen prices, as could surges in COVID-19 variants. Flexible booking options, although good for customers, could lead to mass rebookings later in the year. And volatile oil markets could impact airfare prices, as they do in normal years.

Despite these unknowns, experts remain cautiously confident that those looking to book 2021 travel should do so sooner rather than later. Greater flexibility reduces the risk of changing plans, and increased travel demand is unlikely to drive prices below current levels.

"I booked a one-way (flight) to Portugal in July for $109," Neugarten says. "Well see if I get the vaccination before. If not, Ill push it out."

This article was written by NerdWallet and was originally published by The Associated Press.

Sam Kemmis writes for NerdWallet. Email: skemmis@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @samsambutdif.

The article Will Travel Costs Change as Vaccines Roll Out? originally appeared on NerdWallet.
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South of Rome, an American military cemetery has a grave that is thought to contain the remains of a young Army private named Melton Futch. But the white marble marker reads only, Here rests in honored glory a comrade in arms known but to God.

It is one of some 6,000 graves of American troops killed in World War II whom the military was not able to identify with the technology of the time.

Today, of course, there is DNA analysis. Increasingly sophisticated techniques make it possible to obtain, even from bones that may have deteriorated for decades, a unique genomic profile that can reliably confirm their identity.

But in order to work, DNA identification requires a sample from a blood relative for comparison. And in the cases of many of the World War II dead the military can find no siblings, no parents, no children, not even distant cousins. In these cases, despite remarkable advances, the Army runs into the same dead ends today that it encountered in the 1940s.
PHILADELPHIA-- Approximately 6.5 million people are under correctional supervision in the United States on any given day. Justice-involved individuals (people currently or recently in prison or jail, on probation or parole, or arrested) experience higher rates of substance use disorders than the general population. In fact, among people with opioid use disorder (OUD), more than half have reported contact with the criminal justice system.

Numerous clinical studies have shown that medications for OUD -- specifically, methadone or buprenorphine -- lead to superior outcomes for retention in treatment, reduced illicit opioid use, and decreased opioid-related overdose rates and serious acute care compared with treatments that rely on psychosocial interventions alone. However, due to a number of barriers, including access to health insurance, access to medications for OUD for those on parole, formerly incarcerated, or recently arrested remain significantly lower than the general population.

A new study published today in Health Affairs reveals that Medicaid expansion is associated with substantial improvements in access to medications for OUD for individuals referred to substance use treatment by criminal justice agencies. However, the study, led by Utsha Khatri, MD, an emergency medicine physician and a research fellow in the National Clinician Scholars Program and Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, also reveals that individuals referred for treatment by the criminal justice system were substantially less likely to receive medications for OUD as part of the treatment plan when compared with those referred through all other sources.

"The response to substance use disorders in the United States has historically been criminalization. As a result, many individuals with OUD are involved with the criminal justice system, and this may influence their treatment prospects," says Khatri. "Any policy or intervention that seeks to mitigate the harms of risky substance use must also consider the impact among populations with criminal justice involvement specifically."

The study evaluated 10 years of data from the Treatment Episode Data Set-Admissions (TEDS-A), a national survey of substance treatment facility admissions conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Researchers reviewed the data for a flag indicating that medications for OUD were part of the treatment plan during the admission.

The data revealed a total of 3,209,691 adults with OUD between 2008 and 2017. Of these, 21% were referred by a criminal justice agency - such as police, probation officers, judges, or prosecutors. It also showed that the proportion of people with OUD receiving medications as a part of their treatment increased substantially between 2008 and 2017 across all referral sources. Overall, though, individuals referred by these agencies were less likely to receive medications for OUD (MOUD) than were those referred by other sources during the study period, although this disparity narrowed slightly after Medicaid expansion: among people with OUD referred by a criminal justice agency, the proportion of people receiving MOUD increased from 6.3% in 2008 to 16.5% in 2017.

"Our study shows that Medicaid expansion is an important tool for expanding access to evidence-based care for people involved in the criminal justice system," says senior author Tyler Winkelman, MD, MSc, Co-Director of the Health, Homelessness, and Criminal Justice lab at the Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute and a clinician-investigator in the Division of General Internal Medicine at Hennepin Healthcare. "However, Medicaid alone will not entirely close gaps in care between people with and without criminal justice involvement. Additional work is needed to understand key drivers of the persistent disparities we identified."

Researchers say that there is room for improvement in addressing OUD treatment, both for people with and without criminal justice involvement. There is an abundance of data that consistently shows the use of methadone or buprenorphine is associated with reduced risk for overdose and opioid-related morbidity and mortality when compared with other treatment modalities, such as abstinence-only approaches, or behavioral interventions. However, incarceration-related stigma and preferences of criminal justice agencies might also influence the treatment plans among individuals with criminal justice involvement.

"Medicaid expansion improves evidence-based treatment for individuals with criminal justice involvement and OUD, and should be prioritized by states that have not yet expanded Medicaid," concludes Khatri, "However, additional policy changes, like unobstructed access to medications for OUD, are likely needed to reduce persistent treatment disparities."

###

Penn Medicine is one of the world's leading academic medical centers, dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, and excellence in patient care. Penn Medicine consists of the Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (founded in 1765 as the nation's first medical school) and the University of Pennsylvania Health System, which together form a $8.9 billion enterprise.

The Perelman School of Medicine has been ranked among the top medical schools in the United States for more than 20 years, according to U.S. News & World Report's survey of research-oriented medical schools. The School is consistently among the nation's top recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health, with $496 million awarded in the 2020 fiscal year.

The University of Pennsylvania Health System's patient care facilities include: the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center--which are recognized as one of the nation's top "Honor Roll" hospitals by U.S. News & World Report--Chester County Hospital; Lancaster General Health; Penn Medicine Princeton Health; and Pennsylvania Hospital, the nation's first hospital, founded in 1751. Additional facilities and enterprises include Good Shepherd Penn Partners, Penn Medicine at Home, Lancaster Behavioral Health Hospital, and Princeton House Behavioral Health, among others.

Penn Medicine is powered by a talented and dedicated workforce of more than 44,000 people. The organization also has alliances with top community health systems across both Southeastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey, creating more options for patients no matter where they live.

Penn Medicine is committed to improving lives and health through a variety of community-based programs and activities. In fiscal year 2020, Penn Medicine provided more than $563 million to benefit our community.
One of the first things U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern did Tuesday morning was speak with Tenet Healthcare in an attempt to nudge the Dallas-based parent company of Saint Vincent Hospital to return to the negotiating table with the nurses who are striking in Worcester.

It has been four weeks since the nurses at Saint Vincent Hospital began an open-ended strike calling for increased staffing to provide better patient care.

While McGovern has been seen publicly meeting with nurses on the picket line, hes also been working behind the scenes to get Tenet to return the negotiating table and get the nurses back to work.

Tenet needs to get back to the negotiating table and sit with the nurses and try to work something out for however long it takes, McGovern said. You cant solve a strike, you cant get moving on this moment, unless you talk.

Since the nurses began the strike on March 8, the two sides have not met to negotiate. The last meeting between the two was on March 3 when the Massachusetts Nurses Association countered an offer brought by Tenet two days earlier.

Since Tenet hasnt responded to that offer, McGovern placed the onus on the for-profit company to spark a new conversation. The nurses union has said it will not negotiate against itself.

The strike makes McGovern think about his late father who underwent dialysis treatment at Saint Vincent hospital and would tell his son how nice the nurses were to him.

Those nurses, locally based, who knew this community not only gave him the best professional care but also the emotional support, that is also very, very important, McGovern said. Having replacement nurses coming in from God knows where, they dont know this community. They couldnt find Kelley Square if you gave them a map.

Saint Vincent Hospital is paying the replacement nurses double what it pays salaried staff.

Emails from U.S. Nursing, obtained by MNA and shared with the Boston Business Journal, showed the hospital offered between $95-$110 an hour for replacement staff and guaranteed 60 hours of work the first week, followed by 48 hours in week two and three.

The amounts are double the rate of what the hospital normally pays for nurses. The salaries, calculated over a three-week period, mean the hospital is spending between $3 million to $3.4 million on replacement staff salaries alone in the first three weeks.

The MNA represents 800 nurses at Saint Vincent Hospital. According to the hospital, about 15 percent of those nurses opted not to participate in the strike.

On Feb. 23, nurses at Saint Vincent Hospital delivered a 10-day notice of their intention to strike. On March 8 at 6 a.m. the nurses strike began and Saint Vincent brought in replacement nurses.

Public complaints from nurses at Saint Vincent Hospital date back more than a year 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 Saint Vincent Hospital CEO Carolyn 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.

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ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey called in China's ambassador on Tuesday after his embassy said it had "the right to respond" to Turkish opposition leaders who criticised China's treatment of Uighur Muslims when they issued statements referring to violence three decades ago.

The politicians, IYI Party leader Meral Aksener and Ankara mayor Mansur Yavas of the main opposition CHP, had marked what they called the 31st anniversary of a brief uprising by Uighurs against the government in China's far west.

"We will not remain silent about their persecution" and martyrdom, Aksener said on Twitter. Yavas said: "we still feel the pain of the massacre" in 1990.

Ambassador Liu Shaobin was summoned to the ministry after his embassy issued a statement on Twitter denouncing the comments.

"The Chinese side determinedly opposes any person of power that in any way challenges China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and strongly condemns this," the embassy said.

"The Chinese side reserves its legitimate right to respond."

China has come under scrutiny over its treatment of its Uighurs minority, a mostly Muslim people who speak a Turkic language. China has denied mistreating Uighurs.

U.N. experts estimate at least a million Uighurs and other Muslims are held in detention centres in northwest China's Xinjiang. The United States said in January China had committed "genocide and crimes against humanity" by repressing Uighurs.

Many of the 40,000 Uighurs in Turkey have criticised the government's approach to China after it approved an extradition treaty in December, which they fear may lead to them being sent back to China to face vague charges which they deny.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Wednesday that some people in Turkey were encouraging terrorists and separatism in China with their remarks on Twitter.

"We hope that people in Turkey from all walks of life can correctly, rationally and objectively view the firm position of China to protect its national sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said, at a daily news conference in Beijing.

Story continues

Hundreds of people protested as China's foreign minister visited Ankara last month.

Aksener and Yavas are seen as potential rivals to President Tayyip Erdogan in elections slated for 2023.

(Reporting by Yesim Dikmen and Tuvan Gumrukcu; Additional reporting by Gabriel Crossley in Beijing; writing by Jonathan Spicer; editing by Ece Toksabay and Philippa Fletcher)
ROME, APR 6 - New Democratic Party (PD) leader Enrico Letta on Tuesday met fellow ex-premier Matteo Renzi, the leader of the centrist Italia Viva (IV) group, for talks. Sources said that the leaders agreed on the need to keep backing Premier Mario Draghi's broad coalition government and prioritize the vaccination campaign and aid for households and businesses affected by the COVID-19 emergency. But they disagreed about forming an alliance with the 5-Star Movement (M5S), which Letta is on favour of but Renzi is not, sources said. The PD, IV and the M5S were allied in backing ex-premier Giuseppe Conte's second government until IV brought it down by pulling its support at the start of the year. Letta recently returned to the fray to take the helm of the PD, having stepped back from frontline politics after then-PD-leader Renzi brought down his executive in 2014 in order to take over the helm of government himself. Renzi subsequently split from the PD to form his own party. (ANSA).
New Braunfels, TX (78130)

Today

Cloudy this morning. A few showers developing during the afternoon. High 79F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with more showers at times. Low 66F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Japanese public broadcaster NHK on Sunday, April 4, said that about 70% of Coronavirus patients screened at a Tokyo hospital last month had a mutation known to reduce vaccine protection. According to reports, the E484 K mutation, named "Eek" by some scientists, was discovered in ten of fourteen people who tested positive for the virus last month at Tokyo Medical and Dental University Medical Hospital.

E484 K mutation, known to reduce vaccine protection, found in Tokyo

According to the study, 12 of 36 COVID-19 patients carried the mutation in the two months through March, with none of them having recently travelled abroad or documenting contact with people who had. On Sunday, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said that he would increase emergency measures as required to contain a new wave of coronavirus infections, citing concerns about the spread of virus mutations.

Prior to the start of the summer Olympics in July, Japan is dealing with a COVID-19 resurgence, with large-scale vaccinations of the general population yet to begin. According to reports, 355 new infections were registered in Tokyo on Sunday.

'Eek' variant sparks fear in Japan

Reports said health officials have been concerned about an increase in mutations among those who have recently tested positive in the Osaka region. The variant, which has been identified in the United Kingdom, is thought to be highly transmissible. However, Hospital officials, where the patients were tested, have not made any official statement related to the British Strain carrier. On Sunday, 594 new coronavirus cases were reported in Osaka, up from a previous high of 666 recorded the day before. As per the reports, different strains of the virus have appeared all over the world since last year, including the E484 K mutation, which has been found in an increasing number of cases in Tokyo.

(Picture Credit: Hakan Nural/ Unsplash)
OTTAWA - The latest news on COVID-19 developments in Canada (all times eastern):

A couple walks to a COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Montreal, on Tuesday, March 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

OTTAWA - The latest news on COVID-19 developments in Canada (all times eastern):

7:05 p.m.

Alberta is reporting 931 new daily cases of COVID-19.

The province says 676 variant cases have been identified.

It says nearly 43 per cent of the 10,809 active infections are variants.

There are 328 people in hospital with the illness and 76 of them are in intensive care.

7 p.m.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney is reinstituting some public-health restrictions, saying that variant cases of COVID-19 continue to soar and are on track to swamp the health system by mid-May.

Kenney says that as of Friday, restaurants must close to in-person dining.

Retail stores will be allowed 15 per cent customer capacity rather than the current 25 per cent, and low-intensity group fitness activities are once again banned.

Kenney says Alberta is now seeing a third wave of COVID-19, driven mainly by the more contagious and dangerous variants.

The province averaged about 1,000 new COVID-19 cases a day during the Easter long weekend, and the death total has now surpassed 2,000 in the province.

6:20 p.m.

British Columbia is reporting 1,068 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the provinces total to 105,988.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says three more people have died.

Officials have administered 912,056 COVID-19 shots, 87,474 of which were second doses.

Testing has confirmed 207 cases involving variants of concern and all but one are in the Vancouver Coastal Health region.

5:25 p.m.

Less than two weeks after easing restrictions, Quebec is reversing its decision to reopen gyms and to bring back all high school students to in-person classes.

Premier Francois Legault says students in grades 9, 10 and 11 in red zones, including Montreal, will return to alternative schedules of in-person learning one day out of every two, starting next Monday.

Legault says gyms in red zones will be forced to close on Thursday.

Health Minister Christian Dube says vaccination appointments will be open to all Quebecers 60 and over by the end of the week.

He says anyone as young as 55 can book an appointment for an Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine by this Thursday.

4:55 p.m.

Starting tomorrow, Nunavut will ease restrictions in its central Kivalliq region.

Masks remain mandatory in Arviat, the last Nunavut community to have an outbreak of COVID-19, while gatherings in homes will be limited to five people.

Outdoor gatherings in Arviat will be limited to 50 people, while indoor gatherings in community spaces will also be limited to 50 people.

Schools in Arviat will operate using a blend of in-person and remote learning.

In the rest of the Kivalliq, up to 15 people can gather in homes and up to 100 people can gather in community spaces indoors.

The last case of COVID-19 in Nunavut was declared in Arviat on March 20 and there are currently no active cases in the territory.

3:40 p.m.

Saskatchewan is reporting 217 new cases of COVID-19 and three additional deaths.

The province says nearly half of the new infections are in the Regina zone.

There are 202 people in hospital with COVID-19 and 44 of them are in intensive care.

1:50 p.m.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says his government will be implementing further public health restrictions as COVID-19 cases continue to rise.

Ford says the situation with variants of concern of the virus is changing day to day and people are not following a request to stay at home.

He did not provide any specific details about the additional measures or when they might be imposed.

His comments come a day after top doctors of three COVID-19 hot spots in Ontario urged the province to impose tougher restrictions, including a stay-at-home order.

1:40 p.m.

Manitoba health officials are announcing 62 new cases of COVID-19 and two more deaths from the virus.

Screening has also found five additional cases that are variants of concern.

Dr. Brent Roussin, the chief provincial public health officer, says people need to avoid non-essential travel as the number of variants has significantly risen in neighbouring provinces.

Public health orders require anyone returning to the province to isolate for two weeks.

The age eligibility for vaccines remains at 64 and older and 44 and older for First Nations people.

1:25 p.m.

New Brunswick is reporting three new cases of COVID-19 today.

Health officials say the Saint John, Fredericton and Edmundston regions each have one case.

Officials are also confirming that the seven cases reported Monday in the Moncton region are connected and are travel-related.

The Vitalite Health Network says the intensive care unit at the Edmundston Regional Hospital is at capacity and new patients will be diverted to other hospitals.

There are 162 active reported cases of COVID-19 in New Brunswick and 18 patients are hospitalized with the disease, including 12 in intensive care.

12:45 p.m.

Canadas chief public health officer is advising Canadians to avoid interprovincial travel amid concerns COVID-19 vaccines might not be fully effective against new variants of the disease.

Dr. Theresa Tam says she is concerned about people travelling as tourists and gathering for leisure activities.

With new variants of concern now being identified in provinces such as British Columbia, Ontario and Alberta, there is concern Canadians could further spread these strains of the virus across the country.

Tam says some laboratory tests show the P1 variant, in particular, might elude a person's immunity response.

This means people who have been vaccinated or who have contracted COVID-19 could still get sick or reinfected by the virus.

12:15 p.m.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says most provinces have made it clear they dont need Ottawas help when it comes to getting COVID-19 vaccines into the arms of Canadians, but he adds the federal government will be there if needed.

He says political leaders are just as exhausted as Canadian families, business owners and frontline workers, which he believes is why some premiers, including Ontario's Doug Ford, have been critical of the vaccine rollout in Canada.

Trudeau says that when he speaks with Ford later today, he hopes to determine how the federal government can assist Ontario with the third wave of COVID-19 now sweeping the province.

11:45 a.m.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government is delivering the final instalment from billions of dollars announced last summer to help provinces and territories through the COVID-19 pandemic.

He says the federal funding has been used to bolster the capacity of Canadas health-care systems, secure personal protective equipment for essential workers and protect the most vulnerable.

It has also helped support child-care needs during the pandemic and keep municipalities and public transit operating.

Trudeau now says $700 million, the final instalment from the Safe Restart Agreement, will help provinces and territories with efforts including testing and contact tracing.

11:40 a.m.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he will speak today with Ontario Premier Doug Ford about the COVID-19 situation in Ontario.

He says he expects to discuss what the spike in cases in Ontario means for hospitals and the importance of vaccinating as many people as possible, as quickly as possible.

Trudeau says he will also speaks to all provincial and territorial premiers Wednesday about their efforts to protect and support Canadians from the new variants and rising cases in areas across the country.

11:30 a.m.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is calling on the federal government to do more to help provinces get vaccinations into the arms of essential workers.

Singh says a priority should be workers who cannot stay home and toil in industries where the virus is known to be spreading.

He says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau can help by offering assistance from the military and pushing for paid sick leave.

Singh says he won't accept the excuse that administering vaccinations is a provincial responsibility.

11:20 a.m.

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole is pressing the government to ask the auditor general to appoint a "special monitor" to track the federal pandemic response as it happens to glean lessons promptly.

O'Toole also says a Conservative government would call a public inquiry to study the federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He says the federal Liberals "dropped the ball" on vaccines and Canadians need to know what worked and what didn't.

---11:15 a.m.

Quebec is reporting 1,168 new cases of COVID-19 today and four additional deaths, including one within the previous 24 hours.

The provincial Health Department says hospitalizations rose by 11 to reach 514, with 121 patients in intensive care, a drop of two.

Public health authorities say 39,816 doses of vaccine were administered in the province yesterday, bringing the total to 1,592,197.

Quebec has reported 318,532 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 10,701 deaths since the pandemic began.

11:05 a.m.

Nova Scotia is reporting six new cases of COVID-19 today and a total of 36 active cases.

Five cases have been identified in the Halifax area with one related to travel outside of Atlantic Canada, three close contacts of a previously reported case, and one case under investigation.

There is also one case in the province's eastern health zone identified as a close contact of a previously reported case.

Health officials say that unrelated to the new cases are four new cases of the variant that first emerged in the United Kingdom that have been identified in the Halifax area and have since been resolved.

11 a.m.

Prince Edward Island is reporting no new cases of COVID-19 today.

Chief medical officer of health Dr. Heather Morrison says there are eight active reported cases on the Island.

Morrison says two cases reported on March 26 have been confirmed as the B.1.1.7 variant first identified in the United Kingdom.

She says both variant cases are related to travel outside Atlantic Canada.

10:30 a.m.

Ontario reports 3,065 new cases of COVID-19 and eight more deaths linked to the virus.

Health Minister Christine Elliott says that 955 of those new cases are in Toronto, 561 are in Peel Region, and 320 are in York Region.

She also says there are 165 new cases in Ottawa and 132 in Niagara Region.

More than 76,000 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine were administered in Ontario since Monday's report.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 6, 2021.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version said Quebec students in grades 3-5 in red zones will return to alternative schedules of in-person learning one day out of every two. In fact, it is students in grades 9-11.
[April 06, 2021] Trenton Systems releases cybersecure 3U BAM Server

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Trenton Systems, a manufacturer of cybersecure, rugged, made-in-USA computing solutions, has released its long-awaited 3U BAM Server, a dynamic, high-performance military computer designed to perform seamlessly at the edge and effectively secure customers' sensitive information using a holistic hardware, firmware, and software trusted computing methodology. The 3U BAM Server is designed, manufactured, assembled, tested, and supported in the USA by security-savvy engineers who place supply chain security, counterfeit electronics prevention, and layer-specific cybersecurity protections at top of mind. It's equipped with innovative and trusted cybersecurity technologies developed by Intel and other leading, cybersecurity-innovative companies, purposefully designed to protect the BAM's hardware, firmware, and software completely and help ensure a high degree of confidence-instilled resistance to unauthorized access to and disclosure of customers' highly sensitive information. "For more than 31 years, Trenton Systems has focused on domestic, secure, high-performance computing," said Michael Bowling, CEO of Trenton Systems. "I'm particularly excited to see the impact our latest BAM product will have on the military's security infrastructure." The 3U BAM Server is not only a cyber-resilient solution but also a powerful and superior juggernaut of high-performance computing and ruggedization. Sporting two next-generation Intel Xeon SP CPUs, 11 PCIe Gen 4 slots, and 24 ECC RDIMM slots neatly arranged in a lightweight, ruggedized aluminum chassis, the 3U BAM Server is, without question, ready to perform smoothly, decisively, steadfastly, and uninterruptedly at the military-industrial edge. "On a broad level, we want to help DoD Key Decision Makers modernize their infrastructures enough to take full advantage of truly transformative technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, deep learning, Big Data and the Internet of Things, among others," said Sean Campbell, VP of Sales, Marketing & BD of Trenton Systems. "As such, we have carefully shaped our Secure, Trusted BAM Server offerings to empower our DoD customers to fully benefit from emerging future technologies by building around our elite partnerships with Intel and NVIDIA." An exceptionally secure edge computing server, the BAM offers platform-wide cybersecurity protections but not merely as an afterthought. Designed from inception as secure by security-conscious engineers and Trenton Systems' pioneering technology and brand partners, the 3U BAM Server is: Designed, manufactured, assembled, tested, and supported in the USA

Compliant with the Trade Agreements Act (TAA)

Equipped with verified parts and components from a trusted, vetted, and secure supply chain

Secured by Intel PFR, Intel SGX, and Intel TME

Secured by Star Lab's Titanium Security Suite and FIPS 140-2 encryption

Titanium Security Suite and FIPS 140-2 encryption Secured by a Counterfeit Protection Program (CPP)

Adherent to CSfC, ITAR, and ISO9001

Holistically protected at the hardware, firmware, and software layers



Best of all, the 3U BAM Server is free to implement and test in your current computing platform via Trenton Systems' 45-Day Loaner Program. Here's how it works: we'll send you a 3U BAM Server for free; you use it how you want for 45 days, and you send it back if you're not pleased - no risk, no hidden fees, and no strings attached.

"The BAM system, from the start, has been designed to address pain points. For starters, it's US-made, created within an actively managed supply chain, and offers the longest life cycle the industry has to offer," says Yazz Krdzalic, Director of Marketing & BD at Trenton Systems. "Digging a bit deeper, we see multiple layers of system hardening to keep your sensitive data encrypted/protected. It's lightweight, ruggedized, stress-tested, certified, and it works at the tactical edge just like it does in a climate-controlled environment. It has it all. That's the BAM." About Trenton Systems, Inc.

Trenton Systems designs, manufactures, assembles, integrates, tests, and supports made-in-USA rugged servers, workstations, processor boards, PCIe backplanes, storage systems, blade servers, PCIe expansion kits, mini PCs, and custom high-performance computers for programs and applications operating in harsh environments worldwide. Founded in 1989, Trenton Systems provides the defense/military, government, industrial, and commercial markets with in-house engineering, testing and support services, computer life cycle planning, revision control, a five-year warranty, and customization/configuration support. Trenton Systems' rugged computers and components meet or exceed UL, CE, FCC, ITAR, and military standards (MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-461, MIL-S-901, DO-160), are backed by a five-year warranty and in-house support, and are manufactured in the company's Lawrenceville, Georgia, USA facility, which is certified to ISO 9001:2015 quality management standards. CONTACT: Yazz Krdzalic, (678) 971-5518, yazz@trentonsystems.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/trenton-systems-releases-cybersecure-3u-bam-server-301263444.html SOURCE Trenton Systems

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Henry Golding and wife Liv Lo announced on Monday that they have welcomed their newborn child.

The Crazy Rich Asians actor, 34, and Lo, 35, took to Instagram to reveal they are new parents, as Golding wrote to his wife, 'Your strength brought us our greatest joy.

'This woman right here. Beyond anything I could have ever imagined. Your strength brought us our greatest joy. Thank you, I love you.'

The latest: Actor Henry Golding, 34, and wife Liv Lo, 35, announced on Monday that they have welcomed their newborn child.

Lo, who works in the exercise industry with her company Fitsphere, posted, 'On March 31st our lives changed forever,' sharing a shot of the baby.

The Taiwan-born entrepreneur added, 'Ill prob be up during midnight breastfeeds checking in on you, but otherwise "Ill be back" xx.'

The couple, who exchanged vows more than four years ago in an August 2016 wedding in Sarawak, Malaysia, did not reveal the child's name or gender in the set of social media announcements.

The Gentlemen actor, speaking in February with Us Weekly, opened up about his forthcoming fatherhood, after the couple last year said they were expecting.

The Taiwan-born entrepreneur relaxed in her hospital bed

Lo, who works in the exercise industry with her company Fitsphere, posted, 'On March 31st our lives changed forever,' sharing a shot of the baby

He said he and Lo were not anxious to make public all of the information about their child.

'We know the sex,' he said. 'We're keeping it on the down-low. We've got a name sort of rattling around, which I think it's only fair that my wife, she thinks that the baby should actually hear the name first. So, we've been trying to hold out on telling anyone.'

Golding, who stars in Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins, explained how he had been thinking about his nascent fatherhood.

Focused: The pair displayed shots of Lo in a hospital amid the birthing process

New dad: Golding made an appearance on Sunday's pre-taped SAG Awards

The couple last November revealed via social media that they're expecting their first child, in a set of pics displaying Lo's baby bump

'I want to be one of those cool dads; it's harder than it sounds,' he told the outlet. 'I think, I'm sure your kids go through phases of you being that greatest hero, to the most embarrassing human in their eyes. So I look forward to living out all of those.

'I want to be the guy sort of dressing up in weird outfits and picking them up from school and embarrassing them, like, continuously.'

The couple last November revealed via social media that they're expecting their first child, in a set of pics displaying Lo's baby bump.

Golding wrote: '2021 is already looking brighter,' with an emoji of a heart and a baby.

Lo, who works in the exercise industry with her company Fitsphere, posted a shot writing, 'Such immense joy this little one has brought us already. Now we get to share it with you ... we love you!' with emojis of hearts and stars.
Authorities in several provinces expressed concern on Monday that the recent rise in COVID-19 cases was putting renewed strain on the health-care system, as Quebec and Ontario brought in new restrictions to contain the spread of the virus.

A lone person enters the COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Montreal's Olympic Stadium, on Wednesday, March 31, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

Authorities in several provinces expressed concern on Monday that the recent rise in COVID-19 cases was putting renewed strain on the health-care system, as Quebec and Ontario brought in new restrictions to contain the spread of the virus.

Ontario on Monday reported nearly 6,000 new COVID-19 cases over a two-day span, and the Peel region west of Toronto announced it was closing all schools for two weeks to slow transmission and protect students and staff.

The province set a new all-time high for the number of patients in intensive care on Monday, with 494. Many of those cases are in the Greater Toronto Area, prompting hospitals to transfer 88 patients to other regions to help address capacity issues.

The sobering numbers prompted the chief medical officers for Toronto, Ottawa and Peel to ask the Ontario government to implement stricter measures, including a provincewide stay-at-home order.

A letter dated Sunday and signed by Dr. Eileen de Villa, Dr. Vera Etches and Dr. Lawrence Loh cited variants of concern, the hospitalization of younger patients and high intensive care unit occupancy as reasons justifying more restrictions. In the letter, which was published on Etches' Twitter account, they argued the order is necessary "to prevent and mitigate large scale morbidity and mortality and irreparable strain on the health-care system."

Toronto Mayor John Tory announced he is working on a plan to vaccinate high-risk workplaces. He said the province needs to go further by working with the federal government to expand paid sick leave programs to help workers stay home and self-isolate.

The Ontario government has said it will not duplicate the paid sick leave program run by Ottawa, but Tory said rising case counts and the resulting pressure on the province's hospitals show that approach needs to be reconsidered.

"If paid sick days' time hadn't come before this ... then the time has certainly come now when we're in the third wave, and it is taking an even worse toll, it would seem, in terms of ICU occupancy, and hospital overload," Tory said.

Quebec Health Minister Christian Dube also pointed to the situation in hospitals Monday as the province added five regional municipalities south of Quebec City to a list of cities that will have to abide by strict lockdown rules.

"The situation in our hospitals is concerning, hospital capacity in intensive care is fragile," Dube wrote on Twitter. Quebec currently has 123 people in intensive care for COVID-19, which is still well below the stated capacity of 383.

The province announced Sunday that non-essential businesses and many cultural venues must close, schools will move to virtual learning and the overnight curfew will be advanced to 8 p.m. from 9:30 p.m. starting Monday in five parts of the Chaudiere-Appalaches region.

Dube said officials are also worried about the Montreal area, which he described as "under pressure," although the province has not yet announced new measures for the metropolis.

New Brunswick's chief medical officer expressed concerns over hospital overcrowding in the hard-hit Edmundston area, in the northwest of the province, where cases have been linked to the variant of the novel coronavirus first identified in the U.K.

"The U.K. variant brings with it a higher transmission rate, but it also brings a higher risk of mortality and morbidity and a higher risk of hospitalizations and ICU admissions," Dr. Jennifer Russell said.

Over the weekend the health network that includes the Edmundston hospital said some patients may have to be transferred if the situation doesn't improve.

Canada's chief public health officer said the jump in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks and the rising proportion of cases involving more contagious variants were resulting in more hospitalizations.

"The rise in severe and critical illnesses is placing renewed strain on the health system and health-care workforce," Dr. Theresa Tam said in a statement.

She said that while deaths have continued to level off despite the rise in cases, there is concern this trend could shift, especially since the more contagious variants have been linked to more severe illnesses and deaths.

Vaccination efforts took a hit in Manitoba, where officials announced some 7,200 vaccination appointments set for Monday to Thursday of next week would have to be rescheduled due to a delay in shipments of the Moderna vaccine.

The government said the delay would affect appointments at so-called "pop-up" clinics in smaller communities across the province, including Steinbach, Portage la Prairie, Dauphin and Swan River.

Not all provinces had bad news to report, however. Newfoundland and Labrador reported that it has had no new cases for four straight days and counts just four active cases.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 5, 2021.

 With files from Shawn Jeffords in Toronto and Kevin Bissett in Fredericton
The Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) to resolve the situation in eastern Ukraine will initiate an extraordinary meeting due to the death of three Ukrainian servicemen and the injury of a civilian in Donetsk region within the week.

"Head of the Ukrainian delegation, Leonid Kravchuk, appealed to the OSCE leadership to support Ukraine's initiative to convene a Trilateral Contact Group to discuss the immediate adoption of decisive measures to restore the ceasefire and return to the implementation of the agreements reached on July 22, 2020," the Ukrainian delegation on TCG said on Facebook.

As reported, since the previous online meeting of the TCG, on March 30, as a result of shelling of positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, a civilian of the settlement of Krasnohorivka, Donetsk region, was wounded. In addition, as a result of targeted enemy fire, including sniper fire, three servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were killed and four more received combat wounds and injuries.
The following is a roundup of some of the latest scientific studies on the novel coronavirus and efforts to find treatments and vaccines for Covid-19, the illness caused by the virus.

Vaccinating adults appears to protect children as well

New data from Israel, where health officials moved quickly to distribute the Covid-19 vaccine from Pfizer Inc and partner BioNTech SE, suggests that the vaccination of adults also protects unvaccinated people living around them. Roughly one third of Maccabi Healthcare Services (MHS) 1.95 million members - all above the age of 16 - had received at least a single vaccine dose by Jan. 30. In analyzing outcomes in 223 communities, researchers found that as the number of vaccinated adults went up, infection rates among unvaccinated MHS members in the same community went down - particularly among children. MHS is Israel's second largest healthcare maintenance organization. "While the observed vaccine-associated protection of unvaccinated is encouraging, further studies are required to understand whether and how it might support the prospect of herd immunity and disease eradication," the researchers concluded in the study posted on Wednesday on medRxiv ahead of peer review.

Illinois bar-opening event linked to 46 cases of Covid-19

An indoor celebration of a bar opening in rural Illinois in February led to 46 new cases of Covid-19 and wider ramifications, according to a U.S. study that serves as a caution about how such events can affect local communities. Four attendees had Covid-19-like symptoms that day. Of the 46 coronavirus infections linked to the party, there were 26 cases among patrons, three in staff members and 17 "secondary cases" in people infected by them, according to a report published on Monday in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The secondary cases included children and residents of long-term care facilities. "Transmission associated with the opening event resulted in one school closure affecting 650 children (9,100 lost person-days of school) and hospitalization of one long-term care facility resident with Covid-19," researchers said. "These findings demonstrate that opening up settings such as bars, where mask wearing and physical distancing are challenging, can increase the risk for community transmission of SARS-CoV-2," researchers said. Businesses should "work with local health officials to promote behaviors and maintain environments that reduce the risk for SARS-CoV-2 transmission and develop strategies for reopening safely to prevent outbreaks in the community, such as modifying layouts and operating procedures," they said.

Congenital heart disease does not worsen Covid-19 risks

Adults with congenital heart defects are not more likely than the average person to have severe Covid-19, or to die from it, according to an international study. Risk factors associated with poor outcomes in these individuals are the same as those associated with poor outcomes in the general public - older age, male gender, a history of heart failure, irregular heart rhythm, kidney problems, diabetes, and need for extra oxygen before becoming infected with the coronavirus, said study co-author Dr Jamil Aboulhosn of the UCLA Adult Congenital Heart Center. Researchers analyzed data from 1,044 adults with Covid-19 from 58 congenital heart disease centers worldwide. Even people with very complex heart defects did not appear to have an increased risk of severe Covid-19 as long as they did not already have severe signs and symptoms of heart disease, Aboulhosn said, calling the finding, "somewhat surprising." The study was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. (https://bit.ly/2PPhFxQ; https://bit.ly/2OcdzQ0)

Stroke patients with Covid-19 have worse outcomes

Among patients who went to a hospital because they were having a stroke, those who tested positive for Covid-19 had higher odds of dying there, a new study shows. The patients with Covid-19 were also more likely to have more severe stroke and to suffer another stroke while hospitalized, researchers reported in the journal Stroke. They studied close to 42,000 patients who arrived at 458 hospitals with ischemic stroke, caused by blockages in arteries that carry blood to the brain. About 3% of the patients tested positive for Covid-19. On average, they got to the hospital as quickly as patients without coronavirus infection. After that, things slowed down. "Likely due to the need for personal protective equipment use and other precautions" by hospital staffers, it took longer for Covid-19 patients to get clot-busting treatments that reopen the clogged vessels, said study coauthor Dr Gregg Fonarow of the University of California, Los Angeles. The study cannot prove that treatment delays caused the worse outcomes. However, Fonarow said, "these findings suggest there is a need to further enhance stroke protocols to provide more timely diagnosis and treatment for patients with (ischemic stroke) to speed care while still protecting healthcare workers from exposure."
A victim of the Rochdale grooming gang last night urged Priti Patel to kick her abusers out of Britain as the ringleader was pictured stocking up on fizzy drinks in the town where he abused children nine years ago.

Girl A, the main victim of the grooming gang, said it was a disgrace the Government had failed to act and called for an explanation from the Home Secretary.

She spoke out after Abdul Rauf, 51, was pictured buying food and drinks in Rochdale, where he and other gang members groomed and sexually abused young girls.

When the married father-of-five was released on licence in 2014 he was told he faced deportation to Pakistan because he holds a dual-nationality passport.

Scandalously, however, Rauf remains free to move around Rochdale - one of three former taxi drivers still fighting efforts to throw them out of the country.

Already one victim has revealed how she had 'never been so scared in all my life' after bumping into her attacker in the town.

Campaigners warn the continuing failure to deport them would continue to blight the lives of the girls, now in their twenties and thirties.

Girl A, now 28 and played by Molly Windsor in the BBC drama Three Girls, told the Sun: 'We were told they would be kicked out of the country.

Stocking up on fizzy drinks, this is a member of Britain's most notorious grooming gang  still living in the town where he abused children nine years after being told he would be deported. Abdul Rauf, 51, served six years in jail for trafficking and sex with a 15-year-old girl

'Knowing that had been done would have been a huge help for all of us in trying to rebuild our lives. But instead we're still haunted by the paedophiles who raped and trafficked us. Every day we run the risk of bumping into them.'

Last night campaigners and politicians called for Ms Patel to act, with Tory MP Andrew Bridgen charging 'there can be few individuals more deserving of deportation' than father-of-five Rauf.

Nazir Afzal, who as Chief Crown Prosecutor for North West England was instrumental to bringing the men to justice, said there could be 'no reasonable excuse' for the continuing failure to throw the trio out of the country.

'I feel enormous sympathy for the victims who are reliving the terrible trauma because of the lack of urgency on the part of the Home Office to carry out the deportation order,' he said.

'The message it sends to criminals is that they can move on with their lives while their victims continue to suffer.'

Rauf was part of a nine-strong grooming gang convicted for targeting 47 girls as young as 13 between 2005 and 2008.

They plied the girls with drugs and alcohol and passed them around for sex. The youngsters were assaulted and raped by as many as five men, one after the other, often multiple times.

Rauf wept in the dock, claiming one of his victims 'looked maybe 30' and saying he made a mistake. He was jailed for six years for trafficking and conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a child.

Scandalously, however, Rauf remains free to move around Rochdale  one of three former taxi drivers still fighting efforts to throw them out of the country for preying on underage girls

The Rochdale grooming gang's abuse was dramatised in a BBC programme called Three Girls

The trial judge condemned the gang for their 'callous, vicious and violent' attacks motivated by 'lust and greed'. Their crimes were dramatised in the BBC's Bafta-winning Three Girls.

After he was jailed in 2012, then home secretary Theresa May ordered that Rauf be stripped of his citizenship, along with fellow abusers Abdul Aziz, now 50, and Adil Khan, 51.

All three are dual nationals, having moved to the UK from Pakistan but gaining British citizenship due to their time in the country. They appealed on the grounds that their family life would be harmed, but in 2018 the plea was rejected.

In 2019 the Mail discovered Rauf living close to where some of the attacks took place. This weekend he was seen at a store in Rochdale stocking up on food and fizzy drinks.

'It's awful to think a victim could bump into him,' an onlooker told the Sun. Only one of the original gang, all but one of them of British-Pakistani origin, is thought to remain behind bars  ringleader Shabir Ahmed, 68.

Yesterday Maggie Oliver, a former Greater Manchester Police detective who quit to speak out about failures in dealing with grooming gangs, branded the deportation scandal 'another kick in the teeth' for the victims. She said it exposed 'monumental failures'.

Any foreign criminal sentenced to more than 12 months in prison is liable for automatic deportation. However, guidelines say those who have finished their jail terms should be detained only if removing them is a realistic prospect.

A Home Office spokesman said: 'The cases of the foreign national offenders involved in these crimes have recently been reviewed at the request of the Home Secretary.'
The Sabarimala women's



entry issue, one of the major poll planks of the opposition UDF and the NDA against the ruling LDF during the campaign, took centre stage of debate even on Tuesday, the day of assembly election, in Kerala as major leaders locked horns over the matter.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said Lord Ayyappa, the presiding deity at the Sabarimala, and all other gods are with the LDF government which has worked for the welfare of people.

Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala in his reaction said the Left government would surely face the wrath of the Lord Ayyyppa and his devotees in this election.

Lashing out at Vijayan, BJP state president K Surendran said what the CM had done in Sabarimala three years ago was the 'act of demon' and people of the state would never forget his "wicked deeds".

Kerala had witnessed violent protests by right wing activists after the LDF government decided to implement the 2018 Supreme court verdict allowing women of all age groups to offer prayers at the hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala, where traditionally women in the menstrual age group of 10-50 are barred from offering worship.

The war of words became intense as the polling continued with the several prominent leaders in both fronts coming up with sharp reactions supporting and opposing the statements of the CM.

All began when Sukumaran Nair, the general secretary of the Nair Service Society, an outfit of influential Hindu Nair community, on Tuesday said the people of Kerala wanted a change of rule in the state.

In a veiled attack against the LDF government, which had faced severe criticism from the majority community against its alleged hastiness in implementing the Supreme Court verdict allowing women of all age group at Sabarimala, Nair said the protest of Ayyappa devotees still persist.

When reporters sought his reaction, the Chief Minister said he does not think that Sukumaran Nair would tell anything against the state government.

"He is an Ayyappa devotee. Ayyappa and all other gods are with this government which has protected the interest of people belonging to all religions.

Gods are always with those who do good for people," Vijayan told reporters in Kannur after casting his vote at a school there.

Responding to the CM's statement, Chennithala sought to know whether atheist Vijayan was seeking the blessings of the Lord Ayyappa to win the elections.

"Neither Lord Ayyappa nor his devotees would forgive the Left government for hurting their sentiments," the Congress leader said.

K Surendran said Vijayan's remarks over Sabarimala show his "weakness".

The atheist woman had been sent to Sabarimala misusing the government machinery, he alleged adding that women were escorted by police in an ambulance in the midnight to enter the hill shrine.

"Pinarayi Vijayan was the one who had challenged the Ayyappa devotees to hold hartal after the women's entry at Sabarimala," the BJP leader alleged.

Former Congress Chief Ministers A K Antony and Oommen Chandy also reacted sharply against Vijayan's Sabarimala comments on the election day.

Chandy asked who would believe in Kerala when Vijayan spoke about Sabarimala.

"Not a single devotee in Kerala will believe his words.

No one will forget his negative reply when the opposition asked him to withdraw the government's affidavit at the apex court with regard to Sabarimala," he said adding that it was out of fear of failure that the CM was talking about Lord Ayyappa during the poll.

If the UDF was voted to power, it would take all possible legal measures to protect the faith of devotees in Sabarimala, Chandy added.

Congress Working Committee (CWC) member A K Antony urged Vijayan to tender apology to Lord Ayyappa and the devotees for what the government had done at the hillock shrine.

If the Chief Minister was not ready to express sincere regret, his words about Sabarimala and Lord Ayyappa were just 'hypocrisy ", he said.

Meanwhile, ministers A K Balan and Thomas Isaac came out defending the Pinarayi Vijayan over the Sabarimala remarks.

Isaac said not Sabarimala but people are discussing development during the election and expressed confidence that the LDF has the support of people from all walks of life.

Balan, however, sought the urgent intervention of the Election Commission against the opposition 'misusing' and flaring up the Sabarimala issue on the election day.

Alleging that the propaganda was part of a deliberate attempt to fail the Left government, he said the God has never been misused so badly ever in the elections.

"It is unconstitutional and a challenge to the Representation of the People Act," the minister claimed.

Criticising Sukumaran Nair, he said he did not believe that NSS general secretary would stoop to the level of turning this election to a struggle between believers and non- believers.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 18:49:23|Editor: huaxia

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Dacho (C) and her family members pose for a photo at home in Lalho Township, Saga County of Xigaze, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Jan. 14, 2021. Dacho, born in 1929, is a resident in Lalho Township, Saga County of Xigaze, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. She was made a serf in her early childhood and had suffered an unimaginable ordeal until the democratic reform in 1959. "The serf owner kept a roster listing dates of birth of all local residents, who would be made serfs at certain age, regardless of gender or health condition," Dacho recalled, adding, "I was too young to undertake heavy chores but to help my mother take care of lambs. A serf was merely dispensed a small bowl of zanba (a traditional rice cake) after an entire day of hard labor, and would have nothing to eat if he or she was too sick to work on that day." Along with tens of thousands of other serfs, Dacho embarked on a whole new life in 1959 when she received residence, farm land and sheep from the local government. Today, Dacho enjoys her peaceful life in her spacious Tibetan-style house, where up to 100 relatives, neighbors and friends gather every year to celebrate the Tibetan New Year. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)
by Sumon Corraya

Fewer people went to church. The installation of the new the Archbishop of Chattogram, Mgr Lawrence Subrato Howlader has been postponed. Weddings too have been delayed; in one case, 400 people had been invited.

Natore (AsiaNews)  Bangladeshi Christians celebrated Easter amid fear of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, relatively few people went to church.

About 7,087 new cases were reported on Easter Sunday with and 53 deaths caused by the coronavirus.

Due to the pandemic, many Christians did not return to their villages for the Easter holiday. The government banned public transport for seven days as a nationwide lockdown starts today.

This year fewer people have joined Easter Sunday celebrations due to the coronavirus, said Father Bikash Reberio, pastor at the Bonpara parish in Naore, speaking to AsiaNews on Easter Sunday. Catholics are afraid of this deadly virus. At Easter we asked Jesus Christ to remove the pandemic from Bangladesh and other countries.

The pandemic has led the authorities to postpone major social and religious activities, including the pilgrimage of St Anthony of Padua, which takes place in Panjora, a village in Gazipur. Traditionally, some 60,000 people gather at the stie for this annual event, but this year it was postponed because of the coronavirus.

On Easter Sunday we announced that the pilgrimage for the feast of St Anthony of Padua scheduled for 23 April, was being postponed, said the convenor of the pilgrimage and parish priest at the St Nicholas Catholic Church, which includes the pilgrimage area. We might conduct the pilgrimage in mid-June if the coronavirus situation becomes normal, he told AsiaNews.

The clergyman noted that on Easter Sunday, fewer people attended Mass as a result of the pandemic. Many people did not come back from the cities and prayed at home instead.

The installation of Archbishop Lawrence Subrato Howlader of Chattogram (Chittagong), scheduled for next Friday, was also postponed.

A statement from the Archdiocese of Chattogram reads: We regret to report that the installation of His Grace, Most Rev Lawrence Subrato Howlader, CSC, as the Archbishop of Chattogram has been postponed till further notice due to the recent surge of coronavirus and countrywide lockdown. The programme will take place at convenient time in future.

Not only have religious activities been postponed due to the pandemic, but so have events such as weddings and the school jubilee.

Subash Gomes was supposed to get married tomorrow. We had invited 400 people for our wedding, he explained, but owing to the lockdown and the pandemic, we postponed it and informed our relatives about the delay. We will set a date for our marriage later.

In Bangladesh, 9,266 people have died so far from the coronavirus. About 637,364 have tested positive and 552,482 have recovered.
Tirupati : , April 6 (IANS) Ravu Subrahmanyam, founder of the Navataram Party, which has been allotted the glass tumbler symbol for the Tirupati bypoll by the Election Commission, on Tuesday said once a symbol has been allotted it cannot be revoked.

"Once Form 7A has been given, there is no objection raised on the party symbol. The decision of the returning officer is final," Subrahmanyam told IANS.

However, Andhra Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Jana Sena Party (JSP) leaders have objected to the allotment of the glass tumbler election symbol to Navataram Party, alleging that "it has been deliberately done to confuse voters in the forthcoming Tirupati bypoll".

Glass tumbler is the symbol associated with the JSP founded by actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan, which is also the local ally of the BJP in the southern state.

Jana Sena contested the 2019 general elections on this symbol and extensively publicised it as the party's identity.

However, both the BJP and Jana Sena leaders fear that the symbol now allotted to the Navataram Party may eat into the vote share of the allies, who are jointly contesting the Tirupati bypoll.

Subrahmanyam alleged that Jana Sena complained to the authorities on its letterhead that another party has been allotted the tumbler symbol without invoking the Navataram Party's name.

"Jana Sena also raised an objection that its tumbler symbol is being used in the local body polls and how can it be allotted in the Lok Sabha bypoll. But actually the bypoll notification came first while the notification for Man Mandal Parishad (MPTC) and Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies (ZPTC) polls came after Nilam Sawhney took over as the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commissioner (SEC) on April 1," he said.

He said these two elections are different and cannot be linked.

Subrahmanyam highlighted that the tumbler symbol was available in the list of 'free symbols' and on top of that Navataram Party is a registered and recognised political party which was established earlier than the Jana Sena Party.

Subrahmanyam said the Navataram Party was founded on January 1, 2012 while the Jana Sena was set up just before the 2014 general elections.

According to Subrahmanyam, during the 2013 Avanigadda Assembly bypoll, Navataram Party contested on the symbol of a ceiling fan which was synonymous with the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP), considering the latter party was established before that bypoll.

"By then YSRCP had even won 13 seats. Ceiling fan was available in the list of 'free symbols' and any recognised political party can use it. If a candidate belonging to that party (YSRCP) is contesting, then that symbol will be allotted to him," he said.

The Navataram Party founder asserted that once Form 7A has been finalised, which confirms candidates and their symbols, nothing can be done.

He said the Jana Sena Party initially complained over this issue to the State Election Commission while the Tirupati by-poll falls under the purview of the Election Commission (EC).

"Jana Sena Party does not have the required voting percentage and also only one Assembly seat, that's why the symbol (tumbler) has not been reserved for it," said Subrahmanyam.

Moreover, he claimed that Pawan Kalyan approached him while establishing the Jana Sena Party and said the star symbol in the Jana Sena flag originally belonged to the Navataram Party, which he later replaced with a tiger.

"First we had a six-pointed star and NTP letters in the middle of the flag. We thought it was good if the symbol goes through a popular person like Kalyan as it can appeal to the masses. We are happy with the star fluttering on their flag. But now they are feeling bad because we got the tumbler symbol for the bypoll," he said.

Akin to the symbol issue, more than a decade ago when the actor's brother Chiranjeevi had also founded the now defunct Praja Rajyam Party (PRP), already another person had established a party with that same name by then.

Later, Chiranjeevi and his emissaries approached that person for PRP's name and it was amicably settled with Chiranjeevi retaining the name which also later vanished from the political landscape after merging with the Congress in 2012.

Subrahmanyam, Navataram Party's National President, said the BJP leaders are now unnecessarily creating a ruckus even though there is a provision to allot symbols in this way.

The Tirupati bypoll is scheduled for April 17. The BJP and the Jana Sena Party are jointly contesting the bypoll with their candidate Ratna Prabha, former Karnataka Chief Secretary.

From the Navataram Party, Goda Ramesh Kumar is contesting the bypoll.
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With more than 470 deaths since the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody 30 years ago, and news over the Easter weekend of a fifth person dying since the start of March, Aboriginal pain and suffering are palpable. This is a national crisis deserving national attention and urgent action.

The federal government is claiming the 339 recommendations of the royal commission have been largely implemented, but recent Aboriginal deaths highlight those that were not implemented. These deaths were preventable and should not have occurred.

This is a national crisis deserving national attention and urgent action. Credit:Getty

One important recommendation that has not been implemented is that imprisonment of Aboriginal people should only be a matter of last resort. This recommendation was supported as recently as 2018 by the Australian Law Reform Commission in the Pathways to Justice inquiry aimed at reducing Aboriginal incarceration which recommended imprisonment for sentences under 12 months be abolished. This has not happened in Western Australia or the Northern Territory, where mandatory detention laws, condemned by UN treaty bodies, remain a key driver of Aboriginal incarceration and also deaths in custody.

The royal commission also made it clear that solitary confinement was very harmful and should not be used for Aboriginal people. And yet correctional authorities in several states have developed policies that segregate prisoners, isolating them from others. These policies were challenged recently in the Supreme Court of Western Australia on behalf of two Aboriginal prisoners who have been detained in separate confinement since October last year. The court heard that the Aboriginal prisoners were being kept in their cells between 21 and 23 hours a day, denied review rights, and had their health and safety placed at risk from this treatment. According to the Mandela Rules, excessive solitary confinement is prohibited and a form of psychological torture.
Aboriginal Victoria is investigating the destruction of part of an ancient Indigenous ceremonial and cultural site in western Victoria after a landowner allegedly removed a significant portion of carefully arranged stones, claiming the area was becoming a fire hazard.

The Kuyang Stone Arrangement near the town of Lake Bolac, 200 kilometres west of Melbourne, is an Aboriginal cultural landmark composed of two lines of stones depicting the life-cycle of an eel.

Part of the Kuyang Stone Arrangement near Lake Bolac in western Victoria were removed in recent days. Credit:Neil Murray

The 176-metre-long structure curves across the landscape and is believed to have been created more than 1500 years ago.

It is well-documented as a highly significant Aboriginal place and is registered with state government agency Aboriginal Victoria under the Aboriginal Heritage Act. The act puts some limits on interactions with the land and interference with the site.
Dani Dyer showcased her post-baby figure in a stylish green tracksuit after revealing she has lost a stone since giving birth to her first child Santiago.

The Love Island star, 24, welcomed her son with boyfriend Sammy Kimmence in January and revealed she started losing weight after five weeks.

The reality personality looked glowing in the stylish one-piece, which featured a hooded top joined to a pair of wide-legged trousers.

Stylish: Dani Dyer showcased her post-baby figure in a stylish green tracksuit after revealing she has lost a stone since giving birth to her first child Santiago

Dani was every inch the natural beauty as she went make-up free and wore her hair swept off her face into a chic bun.

The media star previously revealed she's already started losing the weight she gained during pregnancy five weeks after giving birth.

Dani said she had lost a stone since giving birth to her first child - but insisted she's 'still got a long way to go'.

She was asked by a fan about how she has lost her pregnancy weight and she revealed she had so far shed 14lb.

New mum: The Love Island star, 24, welcomed her son with boyfriend Sammy Kimmence in January and revealed she started losing weight after five weeks

Revealing she is in no rush to 'bounce back', Dani wrote on Instagram last month: 'I've lost a stone! 'But I've got a long way to go. It's horrible when none of your clothes fit.

She continued: 'I'm literally living in loungewear haha. But it's all worth it - I have my beautiful boy.

'I am trying to eat more healthy just so I do feel better in myself. But I'm not stressing too much about the weight. Being a mum is a full-time job. My body can wait.'

Revealing she is in no rush to 'bounce back', Dani wrote on Instagram last month: 'I've lost a stone! 'But I've got a long way to go. It's horrible when none of your clothes fit\

Last week Dani said she wore jeans for the first time since giving birth as she celebrated her boyfriend Sammy Kimmence's 25th birthday.

Dani looked typically radiant as she dressed up for a candle-lit dinner with her child's father.

Catching the eye, the influencer styled her ripped denim trousers with a black racerback bodysuit.

New mum: Dani revealed she wore jeans for the first time since giving birth as she celebrated boyfriend Sammy Kimmence's 25th birthday with a cosy date night in on Saturday

The reality star complemented her complexion with neutral-toned make-up, while her tresses were worn in loose waves.

Romance was alive for the new mum and the stockbroker, who marked his occasion with a three-course meal

Earlier in the week, the blonde uploaded a gushing message to celebrate her partner's milestone.

'Love you forever!' The Love Island star, 24, looked typically radiant as she dressed up for a candle-lit dinner with her child's father

Cute: Romance was alive for the new mum and the stockbroker, who marked his occasion with a three-course meal

The media personality wrote: 'Happy birthday to my boyfriend, baby daddy and best friend.

'Today is all about you and hope you have a special day even though we are celebrating it again in lockdown!

'You are such an amazing dad to Santi and we are both so lucky to have you. Love you more than I could ever describe'

'Today is all about you': Earlier in the week, the blonde uploaded a gushing message to celebrate her partner's milestone (pictured with their two-month-old son Santiago)

The TV star first dated Sammy in 2018 before they split up and she rose to fame on ITV's Love Island, where she won the show with Jack Fincham later that year.

The former couple called it quits in April 2019 and soon after it was reported Dani and Sammy had rekindled their romance.

They confirmed they are expecting their first child together in July 2020, with Dani documenting much of her pregnancy journey on social media, and they welcomed baby Santiago in January.

The pair are set to tick off another big milestone in their lives as they're currently in the process of moving into a new home.
BRISBANE, Calif., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- VOX Network Solutions (VOX) announced today that CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has named VOX Network Solutions, a leading IT solutions and managed service provider, to the Elite 150 category in its 2021 Managed Service Provider (MSP) 500 list. Released annually, the list recognizes the leading North American solution providers that have demonstrated innovative and forward-thinking approaches to managed services. Their services help end users improve operational efficiencies and navigate the ongoing complexities of IT solutions, while maximizing their return on IT investments.

CRN once again recognizes VOX for their extensive managed services portfolio, with achievements in both the Enterprise and Midmarket spaces. This is the 3rd consecutive appearance VOX has made in CRN's MSP 500 List, and 4th overall. This announcement aligns with the recent recognition from Avaya, where VOX was named for the 2nd consecutive year as their 2020 Overall U.S. Partner of the Year and 2020 Midmarket Partner of the Year.

"We are proud to be named in the CRN MSP 500, Elite 150 category. It is a testimate to our people, inspiring and enabling them to make a difference through superior teamwork, robust methods and amazing technologies. VOX's decision to expand to a cloud and managed service provider is validated with this acknowledgement from CRN," said VOX Network Solution's VP of Sales & Marketing Ron Kingsford. "Our experience in serving the midmarket and enterprise with our extensive managed services offerings gives VOX a considerable advantage as we continue to focus on improving processes and technology for our customers. Our clients who experience our approach and methodology realize an increase in revenue, improved efficiencies and simplified procedures."

Through their Enterprise Lifecycle Management approach, VOX relies on a high-touch partnership that produces tangible results by focusing on solutions that best align with your organizational strategy and unique scenarios. Our proprietary framework is instrumental in this unique approach, delivering a prescriptive methodology and robust success plan that will enhance your customer experience. VOX is committed to developing a healthy, dynamic partnership, dedicated to helping you prosper.

VOX continues to build upon its cloud and managed services portfolio. In addition to managed services, VOX's fundamental technology practice areas also include consulting, contact center, collaboration, network and security. With their Process Optimization Program (vPOP) and their strategic partnerships with industry leaders such as Avaya, Cisco, Microsoft, Swampfox and Verint, VOX is positioned to enable our clients to make informed business decisions resulting in measurable business and solution outcomes.

"Effective MSPs enable companies to focus on their core objectives while improving the quality and reliability of their cloud computing capabilities," said Blaine Raddon, CEO of The Channel Company. "The solution providers on CRN's 2021 MSP 500 list deserve recognition for their innovative and forward-thinking approaches to managed services, and the ability to optimize operational efficiencies and systems to maximize return on investments."

The MSP 500 list will be featured in the February 2021 issue of CRN and online at www.CRN.com/msp500.

About

At its core, VOX Network Solutions is driven by a diverse team of consultants, entrepreneurs, and technologists. With six fundamental practices (Consulting, Contact Center, Collaboration, Network, Security, Managed Services) and a prescriptive process methodology, VOX seeks to empower clients, partners, and employees to create something better. For organizations with a focus on improving processes and technology to increase revenue, improve efficiencies and simplify procedures. Our proven track record with the top fortune 250 enterprise brands have enabled our clients to make informed business decisions resulting in measurable business and solution outcomes. As a result of this cooperative approach, VOX has been named one of the fastest growing companies in the United States and has strategic partnerships with industry leaders such as Cisco, Avaya, and Microsoft. Learn more at http://www.voxns.com.

SOURCE VOX Network Solutions

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Lindsay Boylan, 36

Former aide Lindsay Boylan, 36, was the first woman to accuse Cuomo of sexual harassment in a Medium post on February 24. She claimed that the governor asked her to play strip poker and kissed her on the lips without her permission when she worked for him in 2017.

Lindsay Boylan, 36

Charlotte Bennett, 25

Charlotte Bennett, 25, came forward a few days after Boylan and claimed that Cuomo sexually harassed her last June while she was working as a health policy adviser in his administration at the height of the COVID-19 crisis.

Bennett accused Cuomo of 'grooming' her and asking inappropriate questions about her sex life.

She also claimed that he told her he was open to dating women in their 20s.

BENNETT said the governor asked her about her love life - including whether she ever had sex with older men - and talked about his own, saying that age differences didn't matter in relationships and he was open to dating women over 22.

During a meeting alone in his office, the governor said he was lonely and talked about wanting to hug someone, Bennett said.

She said she swiftly complained to Cuomo's chief of staff and was transferred to another job.

She said she spoke to a lawyer for the governor, but didnt insist on further action because she liked her new post and wanted to move on.

Charlotte Bennett, 25

Anna Ruch, 33

Anna Ruch was the third woman to accuse Cuomo of sexual harassment and the only one thus far who did not work with him in a professional capacity. She claimed that Cuomo put his hands on her face and asked if he could kiss her just moments after they met at a September 2019 wedding in Manhattan.

Anna Ruch, 33

Ana Liss, 35

Ana Liss, 35, a former aide, said Cuomo asked her whether she had a boyfriend, once kissed her hand at her desk and called her by patronizing names, including 'blondie,' 'sweetheart' and 'honey.'

At a reception, the governor hugged her then put his arm around her lower back and waist as they posed for photo, Liss said.

She said she eventually asked for a job transfer. In an interview, Liss said she was 'not claiming sexual harassment per se,' but felt the administration 'wasn't a safe space for young women to work.'

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.

Ana Liss, 35

Karen Hinton, 62

The oldest allegations against Cuomo came from Karen Hinton, who served as a press aide for him when he led the US Department of Housing and Urban Development two decades ago and she was a consultant for the agency. 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.

Karen Hinton, 62

Unnamed sixth accuser

The most damning allegations leveled against Cuomo to date came from a sixth accuser, whose name has not been released.

The accuser, who is a member of Cuomo's staff, alleged that he closed a door, reached under her blouse and fondled her after summoning her to the governor's mansion in Albany for help with his cellphone, according to the Times Union of Albany.

It first reported on her accusation last month; she then gave more detail in her first interview on the matter, published Wednesday.

The woman spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect her privacy, although her identity is known within the governors circle, the Times Union reported.

The woman, an executive assistant, told the Times Union the governor gave her kisses on the cheek and inappropriately tight hugs for years and made remarks including, 'If you were single, the things that I would do to you' and 'I'm single and ready to mingle.'

Then, one day in November, she was summoned to his Executive Mansion office to help him with a cellphone problem, she said.

He got up from his desk, started groping her and told her 'I don't care' after she tried to deflect him by saying he was going to get them into trouble, and then he slammed the door, she said.

Then he reached under her blouse and clutched one of her breasts over her bra, she told the newspaper.

The woman told a colleague this winter about the alleged encounter, and the co-worker told a supervisor in early March, according to the newspaper.

Cuomo called the report 'gut-wrenching' in a March statement and said: 'I have never done anything like this.'

Another female aide, who has remained anonymous, claimed he called her to his Executive Mansion last year, reached under her blouse and fondled her

Jessica Bakeman

Jessica Bakeman claimed in a first-person article for New York Magazine that she was sexually harassed by Cuomo on several occasions since the start of her journalism career in 2012.

Bakeman added her voice as the seventh accuser as she detailed inappropriate touching by the governor as he continued to deny all of the claims.

'He took my hand, as if to shake it, then refused to let go,' Bakeman wrote of an interaction with Cuomo as she said goodnight at a holiday party in 2014 when she was only 25 years old.

'He put his other arm around my back, his hand on my waist, and held me firmly in place while indicating to a photographer he wanted us to pose for a picture.'

At the time Bakeman had been working for what is now Politico New York and claimed that red flags went up as her 'job was to analyze and scrutinize him'.

'I didn't want a photo of him with his hands on my body and a smile on my face,' she wrote.

Jessica Bakeman, a reporter who once covered the Cuomo administration, was the seventh woman to come forward with claims of harassment

'But I made the reflexive assessment that most women and marginalized people know instinctively, the calculation about risk and power and self-preservation. I knew it would be far easier to smile for the brief moment it takes to snap a picture than to challenge one of the most powerful men in the country.'

In an earlier 2012 incident while she was working for USA Today, Bakeman also claims that Cuomo kept her pinned to his side as he told a story to her male colleagues.

'He left it there, and kept me pinned next to him, for several minutes as he finished telling his story,' she said. 'I stood there, my cheeks hot, giggling nervously as my male colleagues did the same. We all knew it was wrong, but we did nothing.'

The reporter, who now works in Florida, claimed that Cuomo 'never let me forget I was a woman' as she also alleged that he made frequent attempts to humiliate her, including calling out her purple phone instead of answering her question during a press gaggle.

Alyssa McGrath, 33

McGrath, a current administrative assistant in Cuomo's office, told The New York Times that he looked down her shirt, quizzed her about her marital status, and told her she was beautiful, using an Italian phrase she had to ask her parents to interpret.

McGrath didn't say the governor made sexual contact with her but thought his behavior was sexual harassment.

She recalled Cuomo kissing her on the forehead and gripping her firmly around the sides while posing for a photo at a 2019 office Christmas party.

Alyssa McGrath (pictured) is one of two aides who have come forward to accuse the governor of harassment

Sherry Vill, 55

Sherry Vill, 55, accused Cuomo of sexual misconduct during a press conference with her attorney Gloria Allred on Monday.

She alleges Cuomo grabbed her face and kissed her 'aggressively and in a sexual manner' on both cheeks in May 2017 while he was touring her home in Greece, near Rochester, as he inspected local flood damage.

Vill, who said she felt uncomfortable at the time, shared an image her daughter took on the day that showed Cuomo holding her face as he kissed her cheek and her attorney held up multiple photos showing the Governor inside her home.

The same photos appear on Cuomo's Flickr account, as well as multiple others that show him kissing and greeting residents as he toured the town.

None of the women in the other photos have accused the governor of inappropriate behavior or wrongdoing.
AMMAN, Jordan  Employees and associates of a Jordanian prince accused of plotting to undermine the government were still being held incommunicado by security forces on Tuesday, their relatives said, casting doubt on earlier claims by the royal court that it had resolved an unusually public and bitter rift.

The royal court released a statement on Monday saying that the prince, Hamzah bin Hussein, had pledged his loyalty to King Abdullah II, his older half brother. But Prince Hamzahs chief of staff, Yasser Majali, and Mr. Majalis cousin, Samir Majali, are still being held in an unknown location, according to their family, which comes from one of Jordans main tribes.

The two were among 18 people arrested on Saturday, the day that the government claimed that the prince had been involved in a plot to destabilize the kingdoms stability.

Every time we call someone, they say we will get back to you, said Abdullah Majali, Yassers brother, in an account corroborated by a second senior member of the Majali family. We still dont know where they are.
UPDATE: Police identify woman hit and killed by vehicle on I-475 in Burton

BURTON, MI -- A woman was hit and killed by a car after crossing a grassy median onto southbound Interstate 475 in Burton, according to police.

Just after 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 6 police were called to a report of a woman getting hit by a car after jumping from a median onto southbound I-475 between Hemphill Road and Hill Road, Burton Police Chief Brian Ross confirmed with MLive-The Flint Journal.

One car swerved and missed the woman. Another car hit her, the chief said.

The woman is in her early 20s, Ross said, but police have not yet been able to identify her.

No additional injuries were reported.

Related: 1 dead in crash that closed portion of SB I-475 after Bristol Road in Burton, police say

A section of southbound Interstate 475 after Bristol Road was closed for more than two hours due to the crash. It has since be reopened, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation.

Grand Blanc Township police and the Genesee County Sheriffs Office provided assistance at the scene.

No further information is available at this time.

Read more on MLive:

Man killed in fire at Flint senior apartment complex, several residents displaced

Passenger ejected, killed after vehicle crashes into guardrail on I-75

16-year-old shot and killed in Flint, suspect in custody

Man critically injured in Flint shooting

Gaines Township police officers laid off, only chief remains amid funding shortfall

Man killed in Lapeer County after pickup truck crashes into tree

Flint area man ejected from pickup in I-75 rollover crash

Genesee County District Court extends closure to public
A toddler who died after being found unconscious inside his cot had traces of drugs in his system and internal injuries similar to those caused by 'high speed' road crashes, a coronial inquest has heard.

The 22-month-old boy was rushed to Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital on February 19, 2015 after his mother's partner discovered him laying on a pillow covered in vomit. He was pronounced dead the next day.

A port-mortem examination found the boy had gone into cardiac respiratory arrest but the cause of his death was unable to be determined.

The circumstances leading up to his death are now the subject of a coronial inquest by Victoria's Deputy State Coroner Caitlin English, along with previous emergency hospital visits and children protection measures, NCA Newswire reported.

A coronial inquest in Victoria is examining the circumstances leading up to the death of a 22-month-old baby in Melbourne in 2015 (stock image)

The Coroners Court of Victoria on Tuesday heard how the boy had internal bleeding, suffered an injury to his testicles three days before dying, had weeks-old fractures to his wrist and ribs and trace levels of methylamphetamine and amphetamine.

Forensic pathologist Dr Yeliena Baber, who performed the boy's autopsy, told the court the bleeding found on the boy's abdominal membrane was commonly caused by 'high speed' road accidents where seat belts are in use.

Dr Baber also told the court there was 'quite a lot' of dark purple bruising on the boy's testicles and the injury was 'relatively recent'.

She said it was unlikely the boy's toddler brother caused the injury 'in the normal rough and tumble of siblings', although it was 'possible'.

'It's not from just doing normal routine stuff no - you'd see little boys going to the emergency room all the time,' Dr Baber told the court.

Forensic toxicologist Dimitri Gerostamoulos told the court the presence of drugs in the boy's hair, blood and urine 'mean that they have to have been ingested'.

The 22-month-old boy was rushed to the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne (pictured) after being found unresponsiveness inside his cot

The court heard how the boy was taken to hospital in a separate incident three months before his death, where he had presented as 'floppy'.

The partner of the boy's mother had found the toddler with baby wipes in his mouth, before taking him to hospital.

Dr Timothy Cain told the court weeks-old fractures the boy had to his wrist and broken ribs were 'non-accidental inflicted injuries'.

He said broken ribs require 'significant' force and were not common in young children.

The coronial inquest continues on Wednesday.
Lisa Krantz /Lisa Krantz

Texas education officials advised districts to suspend the first day of STAAR testing after thousands of students showed up in-person and were prevented from taking the standardized test online because of widespread technical issues across the state.

If your students have been able to access the test, they should continue testing. If your students have not been able to access the test, they should be dismissed from testing until the issue has been resolved, the message from TEA said.
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., April 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PowerTap Hydrogen Fueling Corp. (PowerTap or the Company). The Company is pleased to announce that it has appointed Mr. Yves Gionet, a former Toyota executive, to its advisory board.

Mr. Gionet, a former Toyota executive, was part of the team that launched Lexus Canada in 1990 and finished his Toyota career leading the division. During his 40-year illustrious career, Mr. Gionet demonstrated a strong focus on brand and dealer network development which served him and Toyota well in transforming the Toyota and Lexus network for growth in the year 2000 and beyond. With the arrival of the new Lexus IS in 2005, Mr. Gionet was a key team member in the launch of Lexus Canadas Moments campaign as a way to link the values of L-finesse, the basis of the IS design philosophy and the Lexus brand philosophy to the promise of seeking out something personal, of real value. This lead to Mr. Gionets leadership of Lexus Canada from 2006 to 2008.

I am thrilled to join the PowerTap advisory board in its effort to bring blue hydrogen infrastructure to the industry, said Mr. Gionet. He continued, Infrastructure is the most critical piece right now for the future of hydrogen in transportation in North America and beyond.

PowerTaps President, Salim Rahemtulla stated that Yves Gionets relationships in the automotive industry are invaluable to PowerTap. We are excited to welcome Mr. Gionet to the advisory board and looking forward to being a beneficiary of his expertise in the automotive industry.

ABOUT POWERTAP

PowerTap is a California-based hydrogen fueling technology company. PowerTap is leading the charge to build out cost-effective hydrogen fueling infrastructure through its environmentally friendly intellectual property, product design for the modularized and lowest tier production cost of hydrogen, and launch plan. PowerTap technology-based hydrogen fueling stations are located in private enterprises and public stations (near LAX airport) in California, Texas, Massachusetts, and Maryland. Additional information about PowerTap and the Hydrogen Industry may be found at its website at http://www.powertapfuels.com

The majority shareholder of PowerTap is Clean Power Capital Corp. (Clean Power), who owns 94.5% of PowerTap. Clean Powers common shares are listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol MOVE. The shares of Clean Power are also quoted on the Frankfurt Exchange under the symbol 2K6 and on the OTC Markets under the symbol MOTNF.

About Clean Power Capital Corp.

Clean Power is an investment company, that specializes in investing into private and public companies opportunistically that may be engaged in a variety of industries, with a current focus in the health and renewable energy industries. In particular, the investment mandate is focused on high return investment opportunities, the ability to achieve a reasonable rate of capital appreciation and to seek liquidity in its investments.

Learn more about Clean Power by visiting our website at: https://cleanpower.capital/

NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATIONS SERVICES PROVIDER HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

Clean Power ContactSalim Rahemtulla, Presidentsalim@hydrogenfueling.co

PR Contact Vito Palmeri AMW PRc: 347.471.4488 | o: 212.542.3146vito@amwpr.com

Notice Regarding Forward Looking Information:

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" (collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, forecasts, estimates, expectations and objectives for future operations that are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of PowerTap. Some assumptions include, without limitation, the development of hydrogen powered vehicles by vehicle makers, the adoption of hydrogen powered vehicles by the market, legislation and regulations favoring the use of hydrogen as an alternative energy source, the Companys ability to build out its planned hydrogen fueling station network, and the Companys ability to raise sufficient funds to fund its business plan. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur or be achieved. This press release contains forward-looking statements pertaining to, among other things, the timing and ability of the Company to complete any potential investments or acquisitions, if at all, and the timing thereof. Forward-looking information is based on current expectations, estimates and projections that involve a number of risks, which could cause actual results to vary and, in some instances, to differ materially from those anticipated by the Company and described in the forward- looking information contained in this press release.

Although the Company believes that the material factors, expectations and assumptions expressed in such forward- looking statements are reasonable based on information available to it on the date such statements were made, no assurances can be given as to future results, levels of activity and achievements and such statements are not guarantees of future performance.

The forward-looking information contained in this release is expressly qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements and is made as of the date of this release. Except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward- looking information to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, or otherwise.

Source: PowerTap Hydrogen
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., has introduced a bill aiming to squash racial bias training in the military as the force faces a reckoning on extremism and white supremacy in the ranks.

The Combat Racist Training in the Military Act would prohibit the military from examining what Cotton considers "racist theories," most notably Critical Race Theory.

The military would be forbidden to "promote or otherwise encourage anti-American and racist theories that demoralize and divide its members," the bill states. The text adds that the force would not be allowed to facilitate any teaching that the "U.S. is a fundamentally racist country."

Read Next: 2 in Critical Condition After Navy Hospital Corpsman Opens Fire Near Fort Detrick

Critical Race Theory, in a broad sense, is an intersection of academia and activism that examines how U.S. law and institutions are inherently racist and largely responsible for inequities against some minorities, especially African Americans.

In an appearance on Fox News last week, Cotton called Critical Race Theory "left-wing nonsense," adding that the military should not be "endorsing, recommending or requiring" anything that suggests "any race is inherently inferior, or racist, or oppressive."

Critical Race Theory assesses race issues in the context of centuries' worth of policy. It also emphasizes "white supremacy" as a common thread running through American history and laying the groundwork for contemporary inequalities. Proponents argue that some policies and institutional actions -- including long voting lines, aggressive policing and the drug war -- have inhibited some groups' ability to get ahead while keeping white people at the top of the social hierarchy through a combination of design and unconscious bias.

A statement from Cotton's office suggests that he was motivated to offer the bill after the Navy added "How to Be an Antiracist" by Ibram X. Kendi to a list of 74 books it recommends to leaders; that list is overwhelmingly focused on warfare and leadership. It is unclear what specifically about the book spurred the action; Cotton's office did not return a request for comment.

Cotton also takes issue with the Navy's Second Fleet book club reading "White Fragility" by Robin DiAngelo, which he says makes the claim white people are inherently racist. The book was the topic of a reading club in the Second Fleet last July. A Navy spokesperson said the club is not mandatory.

"The U.S. 2nd Fleet staff book club is designed to provide opportunities for staff members to stimulate conversation and critical thinking about topics pertinent to our lives and operations at 2nd Fleet," a spokesperson said in a statement. "Book topics are chosen by staff members, participation is voluntary, and 2nd Fleet does not officially endorse the views of any particular author."

A Navy official told Military.com the book club has also read "The Obstacle Is the Way" by Ryan Holiday, "The Man Without a Face: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin" by Masha Gessen, and "Legacy" by James Kerr.

Cotton's call for the military to refrain from promoting certain books came shortly after he blasted so-called "cancel culture" for discontinuing six Dr. Seuss books for racist imagery, saying on the Senate floor last month that "the left-wing media" has been "busy canceling Dr. Seuss."

Rioters try to break through a police barrier, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

The existence of white nationalists and extremists in the military's ranks was spotlighted in the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol. Dozens of current and former service members were part of the pro-Trump mob that overran the building. Several people, including a police officer, died; the mob also threatened the lives of lawmakers and the vice president.

Alexander McCoy, political director of Common Defense, a progressive veteran and foreign policy advocacy group, said the military's ugly history with racial issues and its pattern of sluggish social progress is why the force needs to set aside time to learn about social issues.

"To this day, the military is still hurting itself by letting racism get in the way of a fair and meritocratic system, as revealed by report after report showing unequal treatment, unfair structural barriers to promotions and opportunities for troops who are people of color, and pervasive problems with interpersonal racism from fellow service members," said McCoy, a Marine Corps veteran.

As of late February, veterans made up about 13% of total arrests in the Capitol riot. However, more veterans have been detained since then. Veterans made up about 7% of the U.S. population in 2018, according to Census Bureau data.

When 27,000 National Guard troops deployed to Washington, D.C., to secure the Capitol, at least 12 service members were taken off the mission as a cautionary measure. Law enforcement and military officials have yet to detail what led to the troops being sent home.

But Republicans have been reluctant to acknowledge underlying issues with the military. In a House Armed Services Committee hearing on the matter two weeks ago, GOP members scoffed at the hearing's legitimacy, suggesting there are no problems in the armed forces or veteran community that warrant the attention of Congress.

-- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon

Related: 'Why Are We Talking About It?' Congress May Face Impasse on Extremism in the Military
Encore RX2 the industrys lightest, most durable, and agile medication workstation We know from our experience that nurses always want lightweight mobility and medication security

With nursing fatigue and burnout challenging hospitals across the nation, Enovate Medical, a leading provider of EHR workstations and asset management software for hospitals, is delivering on its commitment to reduce stress for nurses with the launch of Encore RX2 medication workstation. Enovates RX2 is the latest addition to its Encore EcoFlex workstation lineup, creating the industrys lightest, most durable, and agile medication workstation.

We know from our experience that nurses always want lightweight mobility, explained Kevin Bridges, Enovates Vice President of Marketing and Business Development. With RX2, they will get a lightweight medication solution to resolve two of a hospitals clinical concerns  nursing fatigue and medication security.

To achieve a 40 percent weight reduction over traditional medication carts, Enovate built RX2 on Encores lightweight, durable aluminum platform which includes Enovates advanced EcoFlex power management system. This battery and power system combination drops the weight by 20 pounds resulting in a lighter, more agile medication delivery workstation that reduces nursing fatigue and maximizes mobility during long 12-hour shifts.

The Encore RX2 equipped with MobiusPower Plus offers flexible power options to fit multiple clinical workflows. During non-stop or intermittent use, a simple battery swap or parking to recharge keeps nurses moving without patient care interruptions.

When Encore RX2 is connected to Rhythm, Enovates cloud-based asset management system, the IT team supporting nurses can remotely assign and manage end users within the hospitals Active Directory. This simple integration eliminates the security risk of sharing a PIN for medication access. In addition, the RX2s bin configurations hold medications for up to six patients which reduces the number of footsteps back and forth to the medication room giving nurses more time with patients.

The advanced design of the Encore RX2 shines through when connected to Rhythm, explained Mark Dalen, Enovates Chief Technology Officer. And, it fits into the full Enovate ecosystem that includes end-user management, asset tracking, fleet maintenance, and more.

All of Enovates mobile EHR workstations, including Encore RX2, are designed with input from nurses and IT professionals to improve clinical efficiency and simplify IT support.

ABOUT ENOVATE MEDICAL

Enovate Medical delivers innovative EHR workstation solutions, asset management software and comprehensive services for acute care hospitals that improve clinical workflows and facilitate real-time clinical documentation at the patients bedside. Enovate Medicals specialty-focused approach enables healthcare facilities to advance the highest standards of patient care. Thousands of healthcare providers rely on Enovate Medicals solutions to enhance nurse workflows, simplify IT support, improve patient care, and deliver on the promise of todays EHR systems.

For more information, contact Dawn Wilson, Content & Event Manager at 615-896-1652 x121.
As COVID-19 variants start to take hold in Manitoba, the province is still only testing slightly more than half the capacity it insists is in place, despite metrics suggesting many cases arent being detected.

As COVID-19 variants start to take hold in Manitoba, the province is still only testing slightly more than half the capacity it insists is in place, despite metrics suggesting many cases arent being detected.

Manitobas test-positivity rate is 5.1 per cent as of Monday, and the percentage of COVID-19 tests coming back as positive within Winnipeg is 4.3 per cent.

Officials generally suggest keeping that rate below 2.5 per cent  and have used three per cent as being the threshold for losing control of COVID-19 spread  by knowing where cases are occurring and who needs to be isolated.

Dr. Tara Moriarty, an infectious-diseases professor at the University of Toronto. (Supplied)

"That's pretty high; there's not enough testing with that percentage," said University of Toronto infectious-diseases expert Dr. Tara Moriarty.

"You really have to be scaling up testing to get it down to two per cent, to really know if you've captured your cases. And that's been known around the world for a long time; it's pretty standard."

Manitobas test-positivity rate peaked at a sky-high 14.2 per cent in mid-December, amid a brutal second wave, which gradually dropped to three per cent on March 4.

But instead of continuing to fall, the positivity rate has instead shifted over the past month between 3.8 and 5.5 per cent, plateauing in a range that is well beyond the baseline for having an accurate sense of COVID-19 spread.

The World Health Organization advises that jurisdictions implementing temporary restrictions keep them in place until the positivity rate holds below five per cent for at least two weeks.

Manitoba has been in that situation for only five days this year. The provincial rate dropped to 4.6 per cent on Feb. 23 but crept back up to 5.1 per cent 20 days later on March 15.

"You're probably missing quite a few cases," said Moriarty, who tracks COVID-19 case and death numbers across Canada.

"You definitely need to be scaling up testing if you can, especially in areas with high test positivity."

As of Monday, the provinces seven-day moving average of COVID-19 tests sits at 1,675.

Manitoba pledged last October to have capacity to perform 3,000 daily tests, though it hasnt reported doing that many tests on any day in 2021.

On Monday, a Manitoba Health spokeswoman suggested the issue is people not showing up for tests.

"The province consistently has capacity to complete over well over 3,000 tests per day, a capacity that greatly exceeds current testing demand," wrote the spokeswoman, who would not be named.

"Same-day testing appointments are readily available and wait times for walk-in and drive-thru testing are minimal.

"We continue to encourage anyone with symptoms to seek COVID-19 testing at one of the many testing locations across the province."

Meanwhile, the province on Monday reported 135 new cases and two deaths along with two deaths. Those numbers include Easter Sunday data as well.

That brings Manitobas latest tally to 34,487 lab-confirmed cases, of which 1,280 are active, along with 141 current hospitalizations, 29 intensive-care patients and 940 deaths since March 2020.

Official data suggests more than 250 active cases in two remote areas that include large Pukatawagan and Island Lake, both large First Nations.

The province still has yet to categorize 15 cases involving highly contagious variants flagged Thursday. Since then, another three cases of the B.1.1.7 variant that took hold in Britain have been detected in Manitoba, bringing the province to a total of 270 cases involving more infectious variants.

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca
United Nations, April 6 : The Covid-19 crisis "has revealed how unequal our societies are," said United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in his message released on Monday for the World Health Day.

Highlighting the inequalities and injustices that have been apparent throughout the pandemic, the UN chief said in his message for the day to be marked on Wednesday that the vast majority of vaccine doses administered so far have been confined to "a few wealthy countries" or those producing the shots cleared for distribution, the Xinhua news agency reported.

"Within countries, illness and death from Covid-19 has been higher among people and communities that contend with poverty, unfavourable living and working conditions, discrimination and social exclusion," said Guterres.

Thanks to the COVAX initiative, the UN backed international effort to provide equitable vaccines across the world, more countries are receiving doses, "but most people in low and middle income countries still must watch and wait," the top UN official added.

"Such inequities are immoral, and they are dangerous for our health, our economies and our societies." To date, COVAX has shipped more than 36 million doses to 86 countries, the UN chief's spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told correspondents at the UN headquarters on Monday.

Algeria received more than 36,000 doses over the weekend from COVAX, he said, helping to accelerate the vaccination campaign already underway there.

"The UN Resident Coordinator, Eric Overvest, said the new doses will help ensure that no one is left behind," Dujarric added. "Our teams on the ground have helped to train healthcare workers, sensitize people on vaccines, and supported the cold chain." As of April 5, the World Health Organization is reporting that there have been nearly 131,021,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19, including more than 2,850,520 deaths.

Up to the end of March 31, there had been 547,727,346 vaccine doses administered worldwide.

"As we recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, we must implement policies and allocate resources so all can enjoy the same health outcomes," said Guterres.

That will involve reaching the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, he added, "and it means delivering universal health coverage so everyone, everywhere, can thrive."

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
NORTH CHARLESTON  Lowcountry libraries and public transportation are working together to promote literacy by providing free book access.

The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority and Charleston County Public Library System have partnered to offer free reading materials to riders at two major bus stops in North Charleston.

Lack of transportation is one of the barriers to book access because it makes it hard for people to get to physical libraries, said Devon Andrews, CCPL's associate director of community engagement.

Andrews added the new "book boxes" are convenient for people who'd like to pick up a book on their way to work or home.

We understand that there are members of our community who cannot easily access our libraries or the services we offer, so we hope this will help bridge those gaps, Andrews said.

CCPL approached CARTA about the initiative as the library system evaluated creative ways to reach the community. CARTA supported the idea as a way to help improve people's quality of life, said CARTA Board Chairman Mike Seekings.

He said the transportation system is committed to providing people with needed resources, from free COVID-19 testing to books that unlock new avenues of learning.

Giving people access to books is an absolute natural," Seekings said.

The Books on Buses program features book kiosks at the Rivers Avenue Park and Ride lot at 1251 Melnick Drive and the Superstop at the intersection of Rivers and Cosgrove avenues. The sites were chosen because of the large amount of people who use the locations.

The Cosgrove location is CARTA's busiest stop, Seekings said.

The boxes contain books for all ages from CCPLs Community Collection, which uses donations and discarded materials to encourage literacy outside of library walls. The books are free and do not need to be returned to the box or any other library location.

The two kiosks, installed April 5 in North Charleston, are showing early signs of popularity. More than a dozen people took books from the Superstop location the day it was installed.

CARTA and CCPL hope to expand the program to other locations. Seekings said he thinks that will happen, given the program's apparent initial success.

To see it all come to fruition is really rewarding," Andrews said.

CCPL is involved in a number of outreach endeavors aimed at increasing book access. There are library programs that provide books to senior communities, offer readings of short stories over the phone, mail library items to people who are homebound, and use a vehicular library to take books to underserved communities.

More information about the library's outreach initiatives can be viewed at ccpl.org/outreach.
Intellectsoft Ranks No. 244 on Inc. Magazines List of the Fastest-Growing Private Companies in the NYC Metro Region Our dedication and relentless work has helped us achieve great business results and see an explosive growth even during these times of uncertainty, as we kept delivering effective software solutions and offering high-end customer service.

Intellectsoft, a digital transformation consultancy and engineering company delivering cutting-edge solutions for global organizations, has been ranked No. 244 on Inc. magazines annual Inc. 5000 Regionals 2021, a ranking of the nations fastest-growing private companies. The company demonstrated solid revenue growth of 37% over the last two years, fueled by their customer's need for innovative software solutions in the era of digitalization.

Since 2007, Intellectsoft has worked with giants like EY, Jaguar, Harley Davidson, Nestle, Eurostar, Land Rover, Guinness, and Walt Disney. The company delivers outstanding software solutions to companies in various sectors, such as healthcare, fintech, hospitality, construction and insurance, to increase business efficiency and support their transformation to a more digital-oriented business model.

Our dedication and relentless work has helped us achieve great business results and see an explosive growth even during these times of uncertainty, as we kept delivering effective software solutions and offering high-end customer service,  said Vladimirs Vahromovs, CEO of Intellectsoft. The last couple of years have brought us amazing forward-thinking customers and ambitious projects for which we are honored that all of our efforts have been recognized by Inc. magazine.

Complete results of the Inc. 5000 Regionals: NYC Metro area, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, metro area, and other criteria, can be found at https://www.inc.com/inc5000/regionals/new-york starting March 16, 2021.

This list proves the power of companies in the New York City area no matter the industry, says Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. The impressive revenues and growth rates prove the insight and diligence of CEOs and that these businesses are here to stay.

About Intellectsoft

Founded in 2007, Intellectsoft is a digital transformation consultancy and engineering company that delivers cutting-edge solutions for global organizations. For over 10 years, Intellectsoft has been helping Fortune 500 companies and established brands in building solid software foundations for their businesses. Intellectsoft delivered innovative software solutions to companies like Guinness, EY, Land Rover, Jaguar, and Walt Disney. The company was named one of the most highly-rated software development B2B companies in 2021 by Clutch.

More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000 Regionals

Methodology

The 2021 Inc. 5000 Regionals are ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2017 and 2019. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2017. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2019. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2017 is $100,000; the minimum for 2019 is $1 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons.

About Inc. Media

The worlds most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit http://www.inc.com.
New Delhi:

After a rocket landed near Kabuls international airport today shortly after US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis arrived in the Afghan capital for talks, three explosions were reported in a span of 25 minutes in the city.



A rocket landed near the airport this morning. No casualties reported, interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish said in a tweet.



There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

At least 20 to 30 rockets reportedly landed near the airport. According to TOLO News, the rocket attack started at about 11.15am with eyewitnesses saying as many as ten were fired at the airport.

Reports have said that a number of rockets have landed at Hamid Karzai International Airport in the centre of Kabul. Officials say the airport is being evacuated and all flights are cancelled for now.



No details on casualties yet.



Here are the live updates:

# Another explosion reported in Kabul- bringing the total to three explosions in past 25 minutes

# 2 more explosions reported in vicinity of airport in Kabul city following earlier rocket attack

#Afghan interior ministry confirms 3 rockets fired at Kabul international airport, police says no casualties and flights are back to normal (1:30 PM)

#Gunfire stopped near Kabul airport: Local media

#Roads leading to Kabul airport cordoned off amid attack



#Helicopters flying over the city after area surrounding Kabul airport comes under attack amid visit by US defense secretary, NATO chief



#KabulAttack - Reports indicate between 20 and 30 rockets landed in airport and surrounds but target could be NATO base adjoining airport



#Rocket lands near Kabul airport after US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis arrives: official



#Rocket landed around Kabul Airport while US def Sec Mattis & NATO Sec Gen Stoltenberg are in Kabul. I counted at least 13 explosion

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
As the cannabis industry explodes across the United States, one university in Michigan is now offering a scholarship to study cannabis chemistry.

Lake Superior State University (LSSU) is the first school to offer a scholarship to study chemistry.

On Monday, the school announced Steadfast Labs is establishing an annual $1,200 scholarship for students pursuing their degree in cannabis chemistry.

'We are very excited about this latest collaboration with Steadfast Labs,' said Dr. Steven Johnson, who serves as the Dean of the College of Science and the Environment at LSSU.

A university in Michigan is now offering a scholarship for studies in their cannabis chemistry program. Pictured: A student works at the Cannabis Center of Excellence at LSSU

Lake Superior State University became the first school in the country to offer a program in cannabis chemistry when they established their program in 2019

'This donation not only continues our trendsetting ways in this vital new field but also makes our already affordable tuition even more reasonable.'

'It is our great pleasure to grant this unprecedented scholarship for a cutting-edge program in an innovative industry,' said Steadfast Labs CEO Avram Zallen.

Those who apply for the scholarship need to be at least sophomores with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Preference will be given to those who reside in Wayne County or Oakland County, which is where Steadfast Labs operates.

This is the second time LSSU has made history with their cannabis chemistry program, as it was also the first one established in the nation in 2019.

Lake Superior State University will offer a $1,200 annual scholarship to applicants who are at least sophomores at the school with a 3.0 GPA (Pictured: Cannabis Center of Excellence)

Students in the program can either work towards a Bachelor's Degree or an Associate Degree.

In addition to more typical chemistry classes, students in the cannabis program are offered classes such as Cannabis Chemistry, Cannabis Plant Sample Prep, and Cannabis Separations Chemistry.

The stated goals of the program include to 'allow students to develop techniques in cannabis extraction and separation' and 'build a base of chemistry knowledge with applications in the quantitative analysis of cannabis related compounds and contaminants.'

Some of the jobs the program points towards for employment include cannabis extraction manager, field application scientist, and laboratory technician.

Pictured: Greenhouse of Walled Lake, a popular cannabis shop in Michigan

Steadfast Labs, which tests cannabis products for safety purposes, employs a number of analytical chemists.

The new scholarship opportunity comes as cannabis continues to become a bigger part of daily life across the country.

In Michigan, medical marijuana has been legal since 2008. Recreational marijuana was legalized in 2018, with the first dispensaries opening in the state in December 2019.

New York became the third state this year to legalize marijuana use when the bill was signed on March 31.

There are now 17 states where marijuana use has been fully legalized, in addition to Washington D.C. It remains illegal at the federal level, though.

Pictured: Inside of Greenhouse of Walled Lake, a popular cannabis shop. The legal cannabis industry was responsible for $17.5 billion in sales in 2020, a new record

The growing support of legalization across the country has helped turn marijuana into a cash cow.

In 2020, recreational and medical marijuana sales that were legal totaled a record $17.5 billion.

According to the BDSA, the cannabis sales data platform that published the report, the sales were a 46 percent increase from the previous year.

The pandemic may have helped the industry, as well as new markets in states across the country.

Forbes reports that the BDSA is predicting the industry will reach $41 billion in sales by 2026.

Illegal marijuana sales, meanwhile, are still estimated to top over $100 billion on an annual basis.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 6, 2021) - Ophir Gold Corp. (TSXV: OPHR) (FSE: 80M) (OTC Pink: KPZIF) ("Ophir" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received approval from OTC Markets Group Inc. to begin trading on the OTCQB Venture Market (the "OTCQB") under the ticker symbol "KPZIF" effective today at the open of markets. The common shares of Ophir will continue to be listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the ticker symbol "OPHR", as well as on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "80M".

"Ophir is excited to be listing on the OTCQB Venture Market. We believe a US listing will provide the company with increased access and exposure to U.S. institutional and retail investors and a broader shareholder base, ahead of the Company's upcoming maiden drill program at the Breccia Gold Project in Idaho," comments Shawn Westcott, Chief Executive Officer of Ophir.

The OTCQB offers early-stage and developing Canadian companies the benefits of being publicly traded in the U.S. with lower cost and complexity than a U.S. exchange listing. Streamlined market standards enable Canadian companies to provide a strong baseline of transparency to inform and engage U.S. investors. To be eligible, Canadian companies must be current in their SEDAR reporting and undergo an annual verification and management certification process.

Nauth LPC acted as the Company's OTC Markets Sponsor in connection with the listing of the Company's common shares on the OTCQB.

About the Company

The Company is a fully financed gold exploration company focused on the exploration and development of its flagship property, the past producing Breccia Gold Property located in Lemhi County, Idaho. The Company has an option to earn a 100% interest in the property over a three-year period from Canarc Resource Corp. and DG Resource Management.

About the Breccia Gold Property

The Breccia Gold Property consists of 98 claims covering approximately 1,973 acres (~798.4 ha) within the Blackbird Mining District, in Lemhi County, approximately 40 kilometres southwest of Salmon, Idaho. The Property is accessible by paved highway and a network of well-maintained gravel roads and is host to the historical Gahsmith Gold Mine. Exploration and development activity on the Property dates back to the 1930's and has been exploited by at least eight adits, with several thousand tons of mineralized material extracted. The Breccia Gold Property now covers both the Meadows Fault Zone and the parallel Musgrove Mine Trend. Recent exploration carried out in 2018 and 2019 has included the re-mapping and sampling of the Meadows Fault Zone and the results are suggestive of the existence of a significant low-sulfidation, epithermal gold system.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Shawn Westcott"

Ophir Gold Corp.

For further information, please contact:

Shawn Wescott, CEO

Phone 1 (604) 365 6681

swestcott@ophirgoldcorp.com

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

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There have been nine new deaths of people with Covid-19 and 443 further cases of the virus confirmed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) this evening.

Three of these deaths occurred in January, two in February, three in March and one in April.

This brings the number of people who have died with the virus in Ireland to 4,727, while the total case count has risen to 238,907.

There were 208 new cases confirmed in Dublin, 32 in Cork, 24 in Kildare, 20 in Meath, 17 in Donegal and the remaining 142 spread across 19 other counties.

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Carlow and Kilkenny recorded no new cases in the last 24-hour reporting period.

As of 2pm today, there were 261 people with Covid-19 in Irish hospitals, of which 60 are in intensive care settings. There have been 12 newly confirmed cases in hospitals in the past 24 hours, while six people were discharged.

Of the cases notified today; 239 are men and 203 are women; 75pc are under 45 years of age and the median age is 31 years old.

The national 14-day incidence rate has fallen to 157.1 cases per 100,000 people.

Offaly (407) continues to have the highest incidence in the country while Sligo (27.5) has the lowest.

Latest HSE data shows that 660,800 have received at least one vaccine dose as of last Saturday, with 271,524 people now fully vaccinated in the State. 932,324 doses have been administered in total.

Earlier today, EMAs head of vaccines Marco Cavaleri told Italian newspaper Il Messaggero that there is a link between the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine and blood clots.

In my opinion, we can say it now, it is clear there is a link with the vaccine. But we still do not know what causes this reaction, he said.

In the next few hours, we will say that there is a connection, but we still have to understand how this happens, Mr Cavaleri continued.

Mr Cavaleri said they are still trying to understand where exactly this link comes from.

We are trying to get a precise picture of what is happening, to define in detail this syndrome due to the vaccine, he said.

Among the vaccinated, there are more cases of cerebral thrombosis ... among young people than we would expect.

An investigation is also underway in the UK, where researchers are looking at the possibility of links between the AstraZeneca vaccine and rare blood clots. Many countries have already begun to restrict the use of the vaccine in younger people.
A federal civil rights lawsuit was filed Monday against city and police officials in Rochester, New York, alleging decades of "inhumane" and racist police violence against demonstrators and residents. The lawsuit comes more than a year after Daniel Prude died in police custody, which led to national condemnation of police use of force in the city.

"Simply put, a stunning historical record spanning more than four decades demonstrates that the Rochester Police Department's use-of-force practices continue to be inhumane, racist, and antithetical to the functioning of a civilized society," the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit, filed by a group of lawyers, activists and people who attended protests in the city, alleges that police in Rochester routinely deploy excessive force against minorities, especially during protests, and that department and city officials have let such conduct go largely unpunished. The nearly 100-page document details more than 50 instances of alleged police abuse against people of color, for which the vast majority of officers were never formally disciplined.

As an example of the pattern of alleged conduct, the lawsuit focuses heavily on the use of force against demonstrators, medics, journalists and legal observers who took to the streets in September 2020 to protest Prude's death.

Prude, a Black man, died last March after he suffered a mental health episode and his family called police for help. At approximately 3:15 a.m. on March 23, Rochester police said they found Prude lying naked in the middle of the street.

While Prude complied with their orders to lay in his stomach and allowed himself to be handcuffed, he then sat up and started yelling at officers, according to body camera footage of the interaction. Police then put a spit hood over his head and pressed his face into the ground for more than three minutes. Prude eventually became unresponsive, and later died at a hospital.

Story continues

The medical examiner ruled his death a homicide, attributing it to "complications of asphyxia in the setting of physical restraint," as well as "excited delirium" and PCP intoxication. A grand jury declined to charge the officers involved in Prude's death in February.

The circumstances surrounding Prude's death did not become public until September 2020, when Prude's family released body camera footage of the incident at a press conference on September 2. The news sparked immediate outrage and the first protest occurred later that night.

During that protest and the demonstrations in the weeks that followed, the lawsuit alleges that Rochester police used "extreme and unnecessary force" including tear gas, pepper spray, blunt-impact projectiles, pepper balls and other "less-than-lethal" weapons. Over the first three nights of protests, authorities deployed 77 tear gas canisters and 6,100 pepper bullets, the lawsuit says.

"To be blunt, what I've witnessed has been nothing short of abject terror, carnage and unwarranted brutalization," Rochester photojournalist Reynaldo DeGuzman, who attended the protests, said at a press conference announcing the lawsuit, according to CBS affiliate WROC.

Rochester Police use Pepper spray and tear gas as protesters gather in Rochester, New York, on September 5, 2020, on the fourth night of protest following the release of video showing the death of Daniel Prude. / Credit: MARANIE R. STAAB/AFP via Getty Images

The lawsuit details dozens of instances of alleged police violence at the protests, including a September 3 incident in which an officer allegedly shot a man in the eye with a pepper ball at "close range," leaving him permanently blind. Officers are accused of then "intentionally" firing at the medics who attempted to provide aid  despite the medics allegedly wearing bright red jackets identifying who they were.

On September 4, Rochester resembled "a war zone," with officers "unleashing flash grenades, tear gas, and thousands of pepper balls on the crowd," the lawsuit said.

That night, police allegedly trapped a group of protesters on a bridge  a tactic commonly known as "kettling"  before attacking them with a number of weapons. "Videos from that night show heavily armored phalanxes of police using pepper balls, 40mm kinetic bullets, tear gas, and batons to assault diverse groups of protesters outfitted only with umbrellas, cardboard boxes, and plastic children's sleds against the RPD's military grade arsenal," the lawsuit says.

"In New York City, for example, which saw thousands of demonstrators take to the streets, NYPD officers fired not one pepper ball," the lawsuit added. "By contrast, one RPD officer the night of September 4, 2020, fired 148 pepper balls in the span of just twenty minutes."

Protestors use umbrellas as protection against tear gas launched by Rochester police during a Daniel Prude protest in Rochester, New York, United States on September 5, 2020. / Credit: Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

The lawsuit also accuses city officials of running a "sham internal disciplinary system" and refusing to hold officers who used excessive force either during the protests or in their daily work accountable.

Out of 923 civilian allegations of excessive force between 2001 and 2016, the police chief only sustained 1.7%, the lawsuit says. The strictest penalty administered in those 16 sustained cases "were 6 suspensions, most ranging from 1 to 20 days."

"By failing to meaningfully train, supervise, and discipline officers who use excessive force and instead suppressing evidence of officer misconduct and attacking critics of the department, the City has fostered a culture of violence and impunity in its ranks," the lawsuit says.

In a statement to CBS News, the city said Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren "welcomes" a Department of Justice investigation into the police department, and cited recent reforms the city has implemented, including requiring new officers to live in the city and allowing the mayor to fire officers for cause.

The lawsuit names Rochester city and police officials, as well as hundreds of police officers, as defendants, and seeks monetary damages and the appointment of an independent monitor for the police department, among other requests.

"Absent external enforcement, the system will not change itself: to date, the Department has not fired or disciplined any of the officers known to have engaged in the use of excessive force against Daniel Prude or any of the officers who engaged in blatant displays of force during the September 2020 protests, including those captured on video," the lawsuit says, adding, "Plaintiffs bring this suit to end the RPD's decades-long use of violent, unconstitutional forcebefore more lives, more Black and brown lives, are lost."

Neither the Rochester Police Department nor the union representing the officers immediately responded to CBS News' request for comment.

Eye Opener: Minneapolis police chief testifies in Chauvin trial

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Analyzing the pandemic's toll on mothers and their mental health
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (UAL) announced on Tuesday that it will start accepting applications for its flight school as it plans to train around 5,000 new pilots within the next decade. The airlines further stated that half of the applicants will be women and people of color. United Airlines' flight school, United Aviate Academy, will train students, supported by scholarships help from its parent company as well as JP Morgan Chase. The Academy plans to enrol a strength of around 100 students this year. United Airlines said that the first class of 20 pilots will start their studies in the third quarter of this year, with the class graduating in the first half of 2022. The company has plans to hire around 10,000 pilots by 2030, with half bring from the academy and the remaining from other airlines or the U.S military. The flight school sponsor JPMorgan Chase will invest a sum of $1.2 million to fund women and people of color who get through to the United Aviate Academy. The airlines has also tied up with Sallie Mae to offer private students loans to the enrolling ones. 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.
The head of the United States Navy has admitted he has no idea where a swarm of mysterious Tic Tac-shaped drones that menaced four US destroyers originated.

Admiral Michael Gilday, the chief of naval operations, led an investigation into the July 2019 incident in which a group of unmanned aerial vehicles chased four US Naval destroyers for up to 100 nautical miles off the coast of California.

Flight logs revealed as many as six mystery aircraft swarmed several US Navy warships close to a sensitive training area at the Channel Islands at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour and with a greater maneuverability than US military drones.

When asked directly if the Navy had confirmed the identity of the drones at a media event on Monday, Gilday responded: 'No, we have not.'

Gilday's response appears to rule out the theory that the drones could have come from a secret US military program.

That has led to growing speculation that they were either built by a rival military power or 'something else beyond our understanding is going on'.

Admiral Michael Gilday says a Navy investigation has failed to identify the origin of six drones that swarmed US destroyers in July 2019. Lawmakers have compelled the military to reveal what it knows about UFO encounters by June 1

In the most recent documented encounter in July 2019, USS destroyers on patrol were suddenly swarmed by flashing, Tic Toc-shaped drones, which were able to travel long distance at high speeds

The USS Kidd, pictured above in 2011, was one of four Navy destroyers swarmed by sophisticated drones in 2019. An investigation has failed to uncover the origin of the drones

The USS Gonzalez, a guided-missile destroyer, is in the same class as the naval ships targeted by drones in a brazen attack off the coast of California in 2019. It uses a high-tech an onboard intelligence team known as a SNOOPIE to track unknown flying objects

UFOs or a rival military power? What in the world is behind all these mysterious drone sightings... Since the 1960s, there have been dozens of encounters with unidentified aerial phenomena. Possible explanations include: 1. The US military. It has been secretly designing and testing unmanned aircraft for decades. This would seem the most plausible explanation, given the US spends more than the next 10 countries combined on Defense. 2. Another military power such as China has developed its own advanced drone weaponry. If so they would have had to make extraordinary technological breakthroughs and managed to keep them out of the public eye. 3. A private company built the UFOs and wanted to test them out in a high-stakes stand-off with the US military. Both Elon Musk with SpaceX and Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin have spent billions of dollars on space exploration programs, so perhaps it's not out of the question. 4. The drones are in fact the creations of alien life forms, in which case Mulder was right all along about the truth being 'out there'. Advertisement

The Drive revealed last month that US Navy warships stationed off the coast of Los Angeles had encountered swarms of mysterious drones, which pursued them at high speed in low visibility.

The Drive obtained ship logbooks and internal emails from the Navy under the Freedom of Information Act, and eyewitness descriptions from the staff on board to establish the UAVs had a far greater aeronautical capability than any previously known drones.

The sighting has eerie parallels to previous UFO encounters, in particular an infamous 2004 incident when six Super Hornet pilots made visual or instrument contact with a mystery aircraft in November 2004.

Scores of similar sightings have been reported dating back to the 1960s, but most of the US military investigations into them remain classified.

Lawmakers have been calling for the Pentagon for years to open up its classified records about the encounters, citing national security concerns.

In January, as part of a COVID-19 relief package, Congress set a deadline of June 1 for US intelligence agencies and the Defense Department to release UFOs and unidentified aerial phenomena.

Speaking to the Defense Writers Group in Washington this week, Gilday, the senior ranking Navy officer, was quizzed about his knowledge of recent UFO encounters.

'I am aware of those sightings, and as it's been reported, there have been other sightings by aviators in the air and by other ships not only of the United States, but other nations  and of course other elements within the US joint force,' Gilday said.

'Those findings have been collected and they still are being analyzed,' he said.

NBC News correspondent Gadi Schwartz, host of The Overview on Peacock, says the origin of the drones remains a mystery.

Gadi Schwartz, host of The Overview on Peacock, and an expert on UFO encounters, told NBC News, that the Navy's response only added to the intrigue surrounding the sightings.

'There's either another nation or possibly a secret program that has made some technological breakthroughs that would change the way we understand physics, or something else beyond our understanding is going on,' Schwartz said.

A detailed account of the 2019 encounter published by The Drive shows the drama began on the night of July 14 2019.

Deck logs from the USS Kidd show that just before 10pm that night two drones were spotted.

An onboard intelligence crew responsible for documenting and investigating contact with unknown vessels - known as the Ship Nautical Or Otherwise Photographic Interpretation and Exploitation team - or SNOOPIE - was engaged to figure out who, or what, the mystery flying objects were.

Within a few minutes of the sighting, reports show the USS Kidd moved into quiet mode, minimizing communications as it sought to work what the threat level was.

It contacted a nearby warship also on patrol, the USS Rafael Peralta, who also engaged their onboard photo intelligence team, or SNOOPIE.

Several other US Navy destroyers on patrol nearby began noticing strange lights.

The USS John Finn also reported UAV activity, and noticed a 'red flashing light' at 10:03pm, according to its logbook.

Just over an hour later at 11:23pm, the USS Rafael Peralta spotted a white light hovering over the flight deck.

The drone was able to remain hovering above the destroyer's helicopter landing pad while traveling at speeds of 16 knots and in low visibility.

The nearly 90-minute encounter was well beyond the capability of commercially-available drones.

The next night, the drones returned, this time as the warships were patrolling closer to the Californian mainland.

US warships have state-of-the-art detection systems, but an investigation by the US Navy chief and the FBI has been unable to discover the origin of drones

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter shows off its high-tech weaponry

The bridge of the USS Porter, which is the same Arleigh Burke-class destroyer as those targeted in the July 2019 drone skirmish

They were first spotted by the USS Rafael Peralta and the ship's SNOOPIE team was engaged at 8:39pm.

At 8:56pm, logs show the USS Kidd had also come into contact with drones.

'The drones seem to have pursued the ships, even as they continued to maneuver throughout the incident,' The Drive reported.

Logbooks onboard the USS Russell show drones were swarming all over it, dipping in elevation from 1000 to 700 feet and seemingly able to move in any direction.

The USS Russell had separate contact with drones nine occasions in less than an hour.

Then at 9:20pm that night, the USS Kidd noticed 'multiple UAVs' around the ship.

The USS Rafael Peralta was also swarmed by as many as four drones. It was contacted by a passing cruise ship, the Carnival Imagination, to say they too had spotted up to six drones.

The three-hour frenzy of activity continued until close to midnight, with none of the warships able to say with certainty where the drones had come from.

Filmmaker and UFO enthusiast Dave Beaty was the first to bring the drone encounter to light, revealing it was in the same area as the 2004 Nimitz Encounter

He said the drones were 'tic-tac shaped', similar to previous reported UFO sightings

The Navy's top commanders including the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) and commander of the Pacific Fleet were notified.

The Los Angeles bureau of the FBI was also brought in to look at the incident.

An initial investigation found that just a handful of civilian ships were in the area at the time that could have been used as landing pads for the drones.

Investigators suspected the drones may have been launched from the ORV Alguita, a catamaran in the area.

And while the Alguita did have drones onboard, it was soon established its aircraft were not capable of such aeronautical feats.

Naval intelligence was brought in on the investigation and it was soon turning its glare inwards.

The area is home to a large US Naval Base on Sam Clemente Island, where sensitive training operations are often undertaken.

Soon afterward, the Navy classified the investigation, preventing further information from being released to The Drive.

There were further drone sightings later in July 2019, with SNOOPIE teams aboard the destroyers again being called on to identify the drones and work out where they were coming from.

The bizarre incident was first noticed by filmmaker Dave Beaty, a UFO researcher who UFOs.

In June 2020, he Tweeted: 'Did the navy ship #USSKidd #DDG100 encounter a UAP in July 2019 in So Cal OPAREA Trying to find out more. The ship logs indicate a 'Snoopy Team' was deployed - an intel section that tries to visually ID objects. DM if you know more. Near San Clemente island.'

Later, relaying information he'd received from a Navy source, Beaty said a crew member on board 'could see them with the naked eye and they were almost eye level with the bridge hovering'.

'They were the same tic-tac shaped objects.'

Beaty said the sightings occurred in the same areas as another infamous UFO sighting in 2004 which became known as the 'Nimitz Encounters'.

Tantalizing details about UFOs continue to emerge from the highest levels of Government.

Last month, the former Director of National Intelligence revealed the US has evidence of UFOs breaking the sound barrier without a sonic boom and making maneuvers impossible with known technology.

John Ratcliffe, who served as Donald Trump's Director of National Intelligence, said that many of the incidents still have no easy explanation.

'There are a lot more sightings than have been made public,' Ratcliffe told Fox News.

'Some of those have been declassified.'




One day should be put aside over the coming months to vaccinate special education staff the General Secretary of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) has said.

Speaking on RTEs Radio Ones Morning Ireland, John Boyle said that teachers working in special schools should be given top priority in particular.

The letter that was issued to schools - it said very, very clearly - that within the education cohorts, the top priority was going to be given to the workers who work in special schools and special classes, he said.

Theres only 8,000-9,000 workers across primary and secondary between SNAs and teachers that work in special education, and the infection levels have been really, really high there compared to other schools.

Last weekend in the Helix, 6,500 people were vaccinated in one day. So youre really talking about giving a message to teachers that we care about you as workers, and about the SNAs, and that youre prepared to put one day aside in the next two to three months to vaccinate the special ed staff.

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Mr Boyle added that many schools have had difficulties getting in substitute teachers when some of their staff fell ill with Covid-19.

Before Easter, with the infection level rising, staff were falling everyday, we were getting phone calls, another class closed, another school closed, he said.

To think the amount its costing to get subs in - we cant even get subs for them - to spend one day testing them.

Mr Boyle did note though that many teachers do continue in-person work with students during the Summer period, and that this would still affect teachers returning to work in September.

Theres a big difference in being vaccinated in July, or June - when Summer programmes are going to run for the children with the special education - and getting your first dose if youre a 35 year old teacher towards the end of August, the same day that your cousin who is maybe on a course with a university abroad, sitting at their computer for the last number of months, he said.

On the exact same day, the two of them are vaccinated. How could that teacher build up immunity to be back inside in an overcrowded classroom in early September if she or he is only getting a vaccine in August?

The current Government plan is to have in the region of 80pc of adults vaccinated with their first dose by the end of June.

The General Secretary of the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland Kieran Christie was also asked on the same RTE radio programme whether his members were prepared to possibly go on strike before the Summer holidays.

Well, I think were making leaps and bounds here in terms of decision making, we have to get through our conventions this week and we will be discussing at length with our members - as I know our colleagues in the other three unions will be doing so, he said.

But certainly, the anger and the dismay is such that I wouldnt be ruling anything in or anything out.

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-03 19:55:10|Editor: huaxia

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Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Xiong Bo (front 2nd L) and 30 other members of the Chinese embassy pay tribute to Chinese martyrs at a cemetery in Hanoi, Vietnam, April 3, 2021. The cemetery accommodates 48 Chinese martyrs who died while assisting Vietnam in the battles against French and American aggression and in the country's socialist construction. (Xinhua/Jiang Shengxiong)

HANOI, April 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Xiong Bo and 30 other members of the Chinese embassy on Saturday paid tribute to Chinese martyrs ahead of the traditional Tomb-Sweeping Day that falls on Sunday.

At a cemetery in Gia Lam District of the Vietnamese capital Hanoi, Xiong and the members of the Chinese embassy observed a moment of silence and made a bow in tribute before laying a wreath to the martyrs' monument.

The cemetery accommodates 48 Chinese martyrs who died while assisting Vietnam in the battles against French and American aggression and in the country's socialist construction.

Xiong said that in the 1950s and 60s, a large number of Chinese people answered the call of the Communist Party of China (CPC) to join forces with the Vietnamese people, and illustrated with their flesh and blood the patriotism, internationalism and revolutionary heroism of the Chinese nation, as well as the China-Vietnam friendship.

"The great spirit of the heroes formed the spiritual legacy of the members of the CPC, and provided rich nourishment for the development of the party over the past 100 years," the ambassador said, calling for efforts to carry on the martyrs' spirit and generate energy for the party to always stay vigorous.

Currently, over 1,400 Chinese martyrs are buried at 40 cemeteries in 19 provinces and municipalities across Vietnam, which are maintained by Vietnamese authorities and regularly visited by members of the Chinese embassy in Vietnam. Enditem
Steve Schleicher, a prosecutor, displayed a picture of Mr. Chauvin pinning George Floyd to the ground and asked, Is this an M.P.D.-trained neck restraint?

No, sir, Lieutenant Mercil responded.

The lieutenant, who is currently on medical leave from the Minneapolis Police Department, is the seventh member of the department to testify for the prosecution in Mr. Chauvins trial.

But Eric J. Nelson, a lawyer for Mr. Chauvin, countered with a line of questioning emphasizing the unpredictability of people who are being taken into custody, the possibility that they could stop resisting arrest and then suddenly become violent, and the challenge for police officers in assessing a situation as circumstances shift.

He suggested that Mr. Chauvins knee was not the cause of Mr. Floyds unconsciousness, and asked Lieutenant Mercil whether a restraint requires pressure on both sides of the neck for the person to go unconscious. That is what we teach, yes, he said.

Mr. Nelson repeatedly invoked the chaotic scene around Mr. Chauvin last May, asking Lieutenant Mercil whether bystanders yelling insults at an officer would reasonably tend to rise alarm in an officer. He agreed that they would.
Former Home and Away actress Tammin Sursok has revealed she was rushed to hospital over the weekend.

And on Tuesday, the 37-year-ols shared an update on her health via Instagram, revealing that doctors had found a large cyst in her right ovary.

In an Instagram post, the brunette shared a photo of herself looking pained while lying in her hospital bed, surrounded by photoshopped screen-grabs of comments from her Instagram followers.

In pain: Former Home and Away star Tammin Sursok, 37, revealed on Tuesday that doctors had found a large cyst in her right ovary

Tammin wrote in the lengthy caption: 'After a lot of tests we found out I have a large cyst in my right ovary. I will now be ok and going forward, knowing what it is, can manage and fix the problem.'

She noted that after sharing her journey, 'thousands' of her followers reached out to her with their heartbreaking stories of misdiagnoses and struggles with pain management.

'So many of you also said that this subject is not really spoken about and how alone it makes you feel. So let's talk about it.

Results: Tammin wrote in the lengthy caption: 'After a lot of tests we found out I have a large cyst in my right ovary. I will now be ok and going forward, knowing what it is, can manage and fix the problem'

'Let's make women's health a priority. It is completely unacceptable that so many live in constant pain and anguish with no real answers,' she wrote.

The South African-born Australian thanked her fans for their support and urged women to find their answers and research to help bring change to the health issue.

It comes after Tammin revealed she was open to the idea of having another baby.

'Let's make women's health a priority': The South African-born Australian thanked her fans for their support and urged women to find their answers and research to help bring change to the health issue

In an Instagram Q&A with her followers last month, a fan asked: 'Will you have another baby?'

The former soap star responded: 'Not sure... Going to leave it up to a higher power!'

Tammin is a doting mother to two daughters - Phoenix, seven, and Lennon, two - who she shares with her film husband director Sean McEwen.

The couple met in 2007, when she was auditioning for his film Albino Farm. The couple married in 2011 in Florence, Italy.
Pakistan sees 44% rise in demand for March

06 April 2021

Pakistans cement sector posted its highest-ever monthly growth of 44.4 per cent YoY for March 2021, rising to 5.773Mt from 3.722Mt in the year-ago period on the back of an increase in domestic consumption and exports.

The All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association reported a 42 per cent increase in local cement dispatches to 4.563Mt, compared to 3.214Mt in March 2020. Exports also advanced 60 per cent YoY from 507,480t to 810,962t.

During the 9MFY20-21, total cement dispatches climbed 17 per cent to 43.325Mt from 37.035Mt. Local dispatches increased by 18.3 per cent to 36.182Mt from 30.588Mt, while exports rose 11 per cent YoY to 7.144Mt.

However, an APCMA spokesman also noted that power and coal prices are consistently increasing. "Cement is an energy intensive product. The industry is finding it hard to operate due to continuous rise in major input cost elements," the spokesman said. "The industry is not demanding any special favours but wants to be treated on a par with five export-oriented sectors. Import levies on coal have to be rationalised as it is the main input of the cement sector," he added.

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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has formally dismantled the Commission on Unalienable Rights, a blueprint developed by the Trump administration to promote religious freedom.

The Commission on Unalienable Rights is no longer in effect after Biden's Secretary of State Antony Blinken dismissed the Trump-era blueprint that aimed to ramp up the promotion of religious freedom internationally.

During his confirmation hearings, Blinken sought to promote LGBT rights globally. But in a press conference presenting the 45th State Department country reports on human rights practices, he only briefly mentioned religious persecution.

These annual human rights reports encompass individual, civil, political and worker rights which are internationally recognized and defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as other international agreements between 200 countries and territories.

According to NBC News, Biden's Secretary of State referred to former State Secretary Mike Pompeo's Commission on Unalienable Rights and dismissed the Trump-era blueprint meant to promote religious freedom globally. The commission was formed in 2019 and was composed of several experts who believed that religious freedom and the right to property were imperative human rights.

Blinked argued that one of the "core principles" of human rights is that they are "universal" and that every person is entitled to these rights regardless of sex, gender, origin, race, or "any other characteristic." He declared, "Human rights are also co-equal; there is no hierarchy that makes some rights more important than others."

"Past unbalanced statements that suggest such a hierarchy, including those offered by a recently disbanded State Department advisory committee, do not represent a guiding document for this administration," Blinken affirmed. Biden's Secretary of State also recounted how during his confirmation hearing, he made a promise that the Biden-Harris administration would in fact "repudiate those unbalanced views," which they did so "decisively" in the end of March.

As per the Christian Post, the vice president of Center for Religious Liberty at the Family Research Council, Travis Weber spoke out against Blinken's decision to end the Trump-era commission, calling it an "unfortunate development." Weber believes that this move "[downgrades] the role of religious freedom in foreign policy and domestically."

Weber insisted, "Certain human rights are more important than others and religious freedom is one of them." He pointed out how Christians and Muslim minorities are being persecuted in China and how Christian persecution has become rampant in Muslim-majority countries. Weber believes that saying all rights are equal diminishes the importance of religious persecution.

International Christian Concern director Matias Perttula also expressed concern with Blinken's condemnation of the Trump-era commission meant to promote religious freedom. Perttula said they are "concerned" as to whether the Biden administration is still "committed to putting religious freedom as a central principle in the United States' foreign policy priorities."

Biden's Secretary of State reiterated their commitment to expand women's reproductive health rights, which was added back to the report after the Trump administration removed it and which conservatives believe is a code for abortion access, another point that Christian leaders are vehemently opposed to.
Frankly, its surprising that its taken this long for an investigation of a public pension fund over allegations that it lied about its returns. But its not a surprise that it took Federal investigators, as in the FBI, to saddle up, in this case against a Pennsylvania Public School Employees Retirement System, aka PSERS.

Readers regularly lament how CalPERS regularly and obviously runs roughshod over the law and board members openly violate their fiduciary duty by not even pretending to oversee staff adequately and undermining anyone who dares to do so. Thats because CalPERS has the deficient governance structure that is pervasive among US public pension funds: boards captured by staff and a dearth of other local or state supervision and enforcement. So things have to get really bad, as with CalPERS former CEO Fred Buenrostro taking bribes, to get the FBI to go after misconduct. And yes, Buenrostro is now in Federal prison.

The incentives are obvious: most public pension funds base staff bonuses on investment performance. But a second, powerful motivation is that raising pension contributions to shore up pension funding is deeply unpopular. Even at CalPERS, where any increases fall on employers and not on the paychecks of beneficiaries, the giant pension fund clearly regards more realistic funding assumptions, which would mean higher employer contributions, as anathema, and so is moving slowly and reluctantly in that direction. [Clarification: The mechanism is more complicated. CalPERS sends annual contribution requirements to employers. While the employer can/does pass costs on to employees, they are also required to bump employee pay in classic CalPERS contracts. This is at risk of being rescinded in collective bargaining. The typical short-term adaptation is to cut government staffing, usually of the most junior employees].

By contrast, at PSERS, who bears the pain of shortfall is more complicated and is directly tied to the fraud allegations.

As the Philadelphia Inquirer, which broke this story, explains, even in the event that the PSERS investment performance meets or exceeds its investment target, only taxpayers will be on the hook to make up for a funding shortfall. If it falls below the target, both employees and taxpayers pony up. As the Inquirer explained:

PSERS must abide by a so-called risk-sharing rule that requires public school workers to pay extra when the pension fund falls short of an investment target. If the target is met, but the fund still needs more money, taxpayers alone pay more.

We dont yet know how big the adjustment was but it pushed the returns just over the line:

The target was a return of 6.36%. In December, the board endorsed a report from the plans experts that the fund had actually grown by 6.38%  just enough to spare teachers an increase. State and local taxpayers are expected to pay $5 billion to keep PSERS finances on an even keel this year, slightly more than last year. School staff were to pay $1.1 billion.

And the article explained which population was being protected via these bogus figures:

The mistake, if uncaught, could have improperly spared 100,000 teachers and other employees from a hike in pension paycheck deductions, leaving taxpayers to cover more of the rising gap between the funds assets and future payments to working and retired public school staff Any bump in payments into the pension system by teachers and other education employees would only apply to staff hired after 2011  about 100,000 of the 250,000 workers paying to support the fund. This focus on newer employees reflects legal bars on changing the state contracts with older ones.

PSERS is trying to depict the performance overstatement as an error but its body language says otherwise. It has launched an investigation of its three top staff members and has gone from denying that PSERS has any information that anything criminal had taken place to ducking the question.

The Inquirer described how three of PSERS 15 board members voted against a staff effort to say the return numbers were fine after some sort of not fully disclosed brouhaha with an outside consultant. This section comes close to saying the majority of the board chose to lie:

In its December meeting, the board acknowledged investment profits had not met the systems own target, but found them just barely good enough under state law to avoid an increase in teachers deductions.

WTF? This earlier section gives just a tad more color:

The Pennsylvania Public School Employees Retirement System also disclosed it is investigating an error by an unnamed outside consultant as well as the response by the consultant and its own staff once the error was discovered. The error was incorporated into a report approved by a majority of PSERS board members in December after executive director Glen Grell, investment chief James Grossman, and chief financial officer Brian Carl assured board members it was accurate. Even with their assurances, three board members who raised questions about how it was calculated declined to approve the report.

The governor is engaging in a big handwave, demanding that any trustees who breached their fiduciary duty need to resign immediately, and everyone is lawyering up:

On March 19 the board hired two law firms  one to investigate the error in its performance report, the other to review the impact of correcting the error on payments by taxpayers and teachers, and also any resulting impact on PSERS investments tax-exempt status.

The impact on PSERS tax exempt status is alarming, and its frustrating that the article does not probe what the issue might be.

Needless to say, expect more shoes to drop as the FBI keeps digging. A friend who was the DA for Bridgeport, the most corrupt city in Connecticut, said the FBI arent the brightest bulbs but are relentless and as a result generally take down their targets.
Guwahati, April 6 : Over 61 per cent voters have exercised their franchise till 2 p.m. in the third and final phase of the Assam Assembly polls, conducted in 40 constituencies amid tight security, according to election officials.

Tuesday's balloting would decide the fate of 337 candidates, including 25 women aspirants.

All Covid-19 protocols for the voters including social distancing and thermal screening are being maintained.

Election officials said that no untoward incident was reported from anywhere of the 12 western Assam districts, bordering Bhutan, West Bengal and Arunachal Pradesh, where balloting is underway peacefully and smoothly.

The voters comprising men, women and the first time electorates, in large numbers queued up in front of the polling stations well before they opened at 7 a.m.

The polling would continue till 6 p.m. without any break as the Election Commission has extended an hour in view of the Covid-19 induced situations.

According to the state's Chief Electoral Officer Nitin Khade, a total of 79,19,641 voters, including 39,07,963 women electorates, are eligible to cast their ballots across 9,587 polling stations in 6,107 locations.

Of the 9,587 polling stations, 316 are all women managed polling stations.

Khade told the media that around 32,000 Central Armed Police Forces, along with thousands of state security force personnel, have been deployed to maintain law and order during this phase in which 45,604 polling personnel were engaged to conduct the polls.

Tuesday's electoral battle is crucial for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress as both the parties won 11 seats each in the 2016 Assembly polls.

The BJP's ally Asom Gana Parishad had bagged four seats, while the Bodoland People's Front (BPF) and All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) secured eight and six seats, respectively.

Both the BPF and the AIUDF this time are part of the Congress-led 'Mahajot' (grand alliance).

In the last elections, the BPF was with the BJP and the AIUDF fought independently.

Tuesday's polling would also decide the fate of incumbent Finance, Health, Education, PWD Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and the ruling party's state President Ranjeet Kumar Dass.

Sarma, convener of the BJP backed anti-Congress body North East Democratic Alliance, is contesting from the Jalukbari seat from where he has consecutively won since 2001.

Meanwhile, Dass is contesting from the Patacharkuchi seat. In the 2016 elections, he was elected to the Assembly from the Sorbhog constituency.

Nearly 81 per cent of the 73,44,631 voters exercised their franchise in the second phase across 39 constituencies on April 1.

Around 80 per cent of 81,09,815 voters cast their votes on March 27 in the first phase in 47 constituencies.

The results will be declared on May 2.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Michigan health authorities are investigating more than 240 confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and three potentially disease-related deaths between January and the end of March that occurred two weeks after full vaccination, a health department spokeswoman told the Detroit Free Press.

These are individuals who have had a positive test 14 or more days after the last dose in the vaccine series, said Lynn Sutfin, a spokeswoman for the state health department, told the outlet.

While 246 people are under investigation, according to the report, some of those cases may be excluded from the states tally of breakthrough cases  instances of people being infected after full vaccination  because they could have had earlier coronavirus infection and remained positive two weeks after immunization.

The three people who died after receiving full vaccination were over 65, the report said, and two of those deaths occurred within three weeks of immunization. While most people will develop immunity within two weeks, others will have a slower immune response.

Generally, the people who tested positive had mild or no symptoms. Of 117 people whose data was available, 11 were hospitalized, the report said.

In general, these persons have been more likely to be asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic compared with vaccinated persons, she said, adding that hospitalization data were available for 117 of the cases, while 129 were incomplete.

Michigan, which is in the throes of a devastating virus surge, has multiple counties with the highest rate of recent cases and has seen hospitalizations rise steadily in recent days.

All three vaccinations currently granted emergency use authorization by the Food and Drug Administration have shown strong efficacy, especially against severe illness, and have been shown to be safe.
Berlin, April 6 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Apr, 2021 ) :German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz on Tuesday welcomed Washington's backing for a global minimum corporate tax, calling it a "great step forward" in the battle to stem the erosion of government revenues.

"The support of the USA gives this initiative a strong tailwind," Scholz told reporters, a day after US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the US was pushing G20 countries to create "a more level playing field" in the taxation of multinational companies.
ANNAPOLIS, Md., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- New Energy Equity LLC, a solar developer and financier based in Annapolis, MD, announces the creation and funding of its Lift as We Climb Foundation. The Foundation was started by New Energy Equity employees as part of a 2020 initiative called Operation Shared Success, supporting New Energy's core purpose of "Leaving behind a better world".

Each year, New Energy Equity will donate a portion of profits from the company based on achieving goals set throughout the year. The foundation will deploy these funds to support non-profits dedicated to leaving behind a better world within their community, including the installation of solar energy projects, education, and training. New Energy has provided initial funding of $25,000.

"New Energy Equity is thrilled to create a foundation with the goal of giving back to a community and industry that has given each of our employees so many opportunities professionally and personally over the last eight years," says New Energy Equity CEO and President Matthew Hankey. "Power 52 and SEI are two tremendous organizations and perfect partners for our first funding of the foundation."

The Foundation's first contribution of $12,500 will fund Project Solar Rise Maryland, a collaboration of New Energy, The Power52 Foundation, and Solar Energy International (SEI).

Project Solar Rise will provide Maryland residents pursuing careers in solar energy with scholarships for solar skills job training and support. The project is designed to serve eligible participants identified by Power52, including Maryland residents who are under or unemployed, previously incarcerated, immigrants or refugees.

"Project Solar Rise is an incredible way to kick off the Lift as We Climb Foundation by partnering with two organizations who share many of the same values as our employees at New Energy Equity," says New Energy Equity General Counsel and President of the Lift as We Climb Foundation, Jim Wrathall. "We look forward to continuing to invest time and funding into these organizations as well as finding additional partners to do the same."

Power52 will receive $7,250 to support construction of an interactive training space for teaching clean energy technical skills and cover the professional certification exams fee for six participants.

SEI will receive $5,250, providing approximately eight Power52 sponsored Maryland residents with scholarship assistance, technical training, and career resource support.

"Power52 prides itself in developing the quality talent that businesses seek while also providing our students with a highly structured career pathway," says Cherie Brooks, President & CEO of Power52 Foundation. "We are incredibly appreciative for the funding opportunity brought forth by New Energy as well as the newly formed partnership with them and Solar Energy International."

"We are so excited to partner with Power52 Foundation and offer our industry-leading training to their network. Working with local partners is essential to training the solar workforce with the speed, skill, and intentionality needed to steer people towards meaningful career pathways. We are grateful to New Energy Equity for bringing us together and making our vision a reality," said Marla Korpar, Director of Development at SEI.

Through the Lift as We Climb Foundation, New Energy Equity is looking forward to contributing to these and other organizations committed to building a better world.

About Lift as We Climb Foundation

Lift as We Climb Foundation was started by the employees of New Energy Equity LLC to support organizations which share the purpose of "Leaving behind a better world." The Foundation is funded by New Energy Equity LLC and is actively looking for non-profit partners who are interested in installing solar energy projects on their facility as well as solar industry education and training. If your organization is interested in working with the Lift as We Climb Foundation, contact us at [email protected].

About New Energy Equity

New Energy Equity LLC develops and finances solar power generation assets, providing clean electricity to commercial, industrial, municipal, and utility customers under long-term contracts. New Energy has successfully developed over 250MW of solar projects since 2013, and was ranked as the sixth-largest developer on "Solar Power World's "2019 Top Solar Contractors" list.

About Power 52 Foundation

The Power52 Foundation is a Baltimore non-profit dedicated to providing career training and job placement opportunities in renewable energy, bringing forth opportunities to a highly underrepresented population while advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the clean energy sector. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @power52official.

About Solar Energy International

Solar Energy International (SEI), is a global nonprofit educational organization with a vision of a world powered by renewable energy. SEI is dedicated to training the global solar energy workforce to significantly impact climate change.

Media inquiries:

Bridget Plunkett

[email protected]

443-267-5012 x1028



SOURCE New Energy Equity

Related Links

http://www.newenergyequity.com


Oriole said it had acquired, at no additional cost, a 51% interest in RMC's three newly granted licences - Mana, Dogon and Sanga - in central Cameroon

(LON: ORR) said it acquired a controlling stake in local holding company Reservoir Minerals Cameroon Sarl (RMC) for its early-stage exploration licences in Cameroon.

Under an option agreement, Oriole secured an initial 51% interest in RMC after the AIM-listed company recently completed US$1.56mln of exploration funding over two years for RMCs parent company at the Bibemi and Wapouze gold projects in northern Cameroon. RMC is a former subsidiary of Bureau d'Etudes et d'Investigations Geologico-minieres, Geotechniques et Geophysiques SARL (BEIG3).

Oriole said it acquired, at no additional cost, a 51% interest in RMC's three newly granted licences - Mana, Dogon and Sanga - in central Cameroon.

The exploration company said it expected to reach its second expenditure commitment, giving it a 90% interest in all five licences, once the ongoing maiden drilling programme at Bibemi is completed.

"The transfer of ownership of 51% of RMC Cameroon SARL is another key milestone for Oriole, with the final increase to 90% ownership expected at the end of this initial drill programme, said Oriole chief executive Tim Livesey.

"With controlling interest in a total of ten licences at varying stages of exploration (held between RMC Cameroon SARL and our 90%-owned subsidiary Oriole Cameroon SARL), including a significant footprint in Central Cameroon, giving us a total land package of almost 4,000km2, we are well placed as first movers in this new frontier for gold exploration," he said.
New Delhi:

India has improved in the infrastructure, higher education and training and technological readiness along with ICT but the rampant corruption has bogged down its international competitive ratings, a World Economic Forum report said on Wednesday.



The global competitiveness index of the international organization has ranked India as the 40th most competitive economyslipping one place from last years ranking.



India has slipped from the 39th position to 40th while neighbouring China is ranked at 27th.



India stabilises this year after its big leap forward of the previous two years, the report said, adding that the score has improved across most pillars of competitiveness. These include infrastructure (66th rank), higher education and training (75) and technological readiness (107), reflecting recent public investments in these areas, it added.



According to the report, Indias performance also improved in ICT (information and communications technologies) indicators, particularly Internet bandwidth per user, mobile phone and broadband subscriptions, and Internet access in schools.



In South Asia, India has garnered the highest ranking, followed by Bhutan (85th rank), Sri Lanka (85), Nepal (88), Bangladesh (99) and Pakistan (115).



Improving ICT infrastructure and use remain among the biggest challenges for the region: in the past decade, technological readiness stagnated the most in South Asia, WEF said.

Read | India is Asias most corrupt country with 69 per cent bribery rate: Forbes



Corruption the key concern



The WEF said the private sector still considers corruption to be the most problematic factor for doing business in India.



In fact, Transparency International recently put India on top of five most corrupt countries in Asia by bribery rates.



In five of the six public servicesschools, hospitals, ID documents, police, and utility servicesmore than half the respondents have had to pay a bribe.



A big concern for India is the disconnect between its innovative strength (29) and its technological readiness (up 3 to 107): as long as this gap remains large, India will not be able to fully leverage its technological strengths across the wider economy, it noted.



According to WEFs Executive Opinion Survey 2017, corruption is the most problematic factor for doing business in India.



The second biggest bottleneck is access to financing, followed by tax rates, inadequate supply of infrastructure, poor work ethics in national labour force and inadequately educated work force, among others.The survey findings are mentioned in the report.

Read | PM Modi at Yangon: Creating India free from poverty, terrorism, corruption and casteism



Switzerland tops the global index



On the list of 137 economies, Switzerland is followed by the US and Singapore in second and third places, respectively.



Among the BRICS, China and Russia (38) are placed above India.



South Africa and Brazil are placed at 61st and 80th spots, respectively.Other countries in the top 10 are the Netherlands (4th rank), Germany (5), Hong Kong SAR (6), Sweden (7), United Kingdom (8), Japan (9) and Finland (10).



The Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) is prepared on the basis of country-level data covering 12 categories or pillars of competitiveness.



Institutions, infrastructure, macroeconomic environment, health and primary education, higher education and training, goods market efficiency, labour market efficiency, financial market development, technological readiness, market size, business sophistication and innovation are the 12 pillars.(With inputs from PTI)

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (APRIL 6, 2021). New research by a team from the Cleveland Clinic and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) has determined that surgeries performed late in the workweek, and those culminating in discharge to a specialty care facility, are associated with higher costs and unnecessarily longer stays in the hospital following a common elective spine surgery.

Sebastian Salas-Vega, PhD, and colleagues retrospectively reviewed the data for all adult patients who underwent elective lumbar laminectomy over a nearly three-year period at any Ohio hospital included within the Cleveland Clinic system. The laminectomies were performed for degenerative stenosis of the lower spine and included both open and minimally invasive procedures. The surgeries were performed to release pressure on spinal nerves at one or more sites in the lumbar spine, reducing patients' pain and improving their neurological function.

Following surgery, recuperation in the hospital over several days can be very expensive and, in some cases, unnecessary. In efforts to curb expenses, shortening the hospital length of stay is paramount--as long as it is clinically justified and does not negatively impact patient outcomes.

The authors' goal in this study was to distinguish between clinical and nonclinical factors that drive the length of a patient's stay in the hospital for this common spine procedure and to understand the relationships between these factors and both patient outcomes and hospital costs. The findings can be found in a new article, "Late-week surgery and discharge to specialty care associated with higher costs and longer lengths of stay after elective lumbar laminectomy," published today in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine.

Using generalized linear modeling, the researchers assessed relationships between the day of the week when surgery was performed and the length of hospital stay (LOS) and patient discharge to specialized care, while making adjustments for underlying patient health risks and other non-clinical factors, including health insurance and the facility where the surgery was performed.

The researchers found that patients' mean LOS varied according to what day of the workweek the surgery was performed: 2.01 days on Monday, 2.04 days on Tuesday, 2.16 days on Wednesday, 2.64 days on Thursday, and 2.47 days on Friday. For patients treated on Thursdays or Fridays, the mean LOS was approximately 20% to 30% longer than that for patients treated on Mondays or Tuesdays.

The association between surgery performed late in the week (Thursday or Friday) and a prolonged LOS was apparent regardless of the extent of patients' comorbidities or the occurrence of postoperative complications. These findings also "persisted even after adjusting for patient demographics, ... hospital surgery site, and insurance."

The paper reveals that total costs of care also vary according to when surgery is performed, with surgical costs being about 20% higher for patients who undergo surgery on Friday than for patients treated on Monday. Among patients who are later discharged to specialized care facilities, the costs are 24% higher for those treated late in the week than for those treated earlier. The trend for higher costs among patients treated late in the week is also observed across all health insurance groups (private/commercial, Medicare, Medicaid, and so forth), pointing to potential cost savings irrespective of insurer.

The researchers suggest that costs and lengths of hospital stay could be lowered by improving the surgical scheduling process and care coordination. They believe that predictive analytics could, for instance, assist in identifying which patients might be more likely to require specialty care after hospital discharge. Surgeries for those patients could then be scheduled earlier in the week, helping to avoid weekend discharge and resulting in shorter lengths of stay and lower costs to patients, insurers, and healthcare providers.

When asked about the findings of this study, Dr. Salas-Vega responded, "Without considering what care is delivered, our study suggests that changing how it is scheduled can help improve patients' surgical experience, reduce hospital lengths of stay, and lower costs. These findings remind us that even some of the more mundane aspects of patient care can significantly impact their hospital course. If the ambition for providers around the world is to deliver the highest quality care, optimizing surgical scheduling and care coordination may represent low-hanging fruit among efforts to reduce unnecessarily long postoperative stays."

###

Article: Salas-Vega, S, Chakravarthy VB, Winkelman RD, Grabowski MM, Habboub G, Savage JW, Steinmetz MP, Mroz TE. Late-week surgery and discharge to specialty care associated with higher costs and longer lengths of stay after elective lumbar laminectomy. J Neurosurg Spine, published ahead of print April 6, 2021. DOI: 10.3171/2020.11.SPINE201403.

Disclosure: Dr. Savage reports a consultant relationship with Stryker. Dr. Steinmetz reports a consultant relationship with Globus; receipt of speaker's fees from Zimmer Biomet, Globus, and Elsevier; and receipt of honoraria from Globus and Stryker. Dr. Mroz reports receipt of royalties from Stryker. Publication of this work was graciously supported by grants to Dr. Salas-Vega from the Sanford J. Larson Honor Your Mentor Fund and the Academy of Medicine Education Foundation.

For additional information, contact: Ms. Jo Ann M. Eliason, Communications Manager, JNS Publishing Group, One Morton Drive, Suite 200, Charlottesville, VA 22903; Email joanneliason@thejns.org; Phone 434-982-1209.

The Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine is a monthly peer-reviewed journal focused on neurosurgical approaches to treatment of diseases and disorders of the spine. It contains a variety of articles, including descriptions of preclinical and clinical research as well as case reports and technical notes. The Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine is one of six journals published by the JNS Publishing Group, the scholarly journal division of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Other peer-reviewed journals published by the JNS Publishing Group each month include Journal of Neurosurgery, Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics, Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons, Neurosurgical Focus, and Neurosurgical Focus: Video. All six journals can be accessed at http://www. thejns. org .
A West Virginia man who tried to help his wife fake her death by telling police she had fallen over a cliff so she could avoid healthcare fraud charges has been sentenced to to eight months in prison.

Rodney Wheeler was sentenced on Monday after pleading guilty to federal charges of conspiracy to obstruct justice.

Wheeler and his wife Julie Wheeler had come up with the elaborate plan to fake her death in order to keep her out of prison for healthcare fraud.

He had called 911 back on May 31 last year to report that his wife had fallen from a steep overlook at the New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia while she was supposedly looking for her earing.

Rodney Wheeler was sentenced on Monday after pleading guilty to federal charges of conspiracy to obstruct justice after helping his wife Julie fake her own death in May last year

His call sparked a massive two-day search and rescue mission for the mother-of-two that involved hundreds of volunteers and law enforcement.

Police later found Julie hiding in her home.

During the search, rescue personnel had found a shoe and cell phone that belonged to Julie at the base of the overlook.

Wheeler repeatedly also gave false statements to state and federal investigators while the search was underway.

He also kept their lie going on social media with posts about the ongoing search.

'I have been getting a lot of private messages so I feel it best that I address this... the accident at Grandview yesterday involved my wife,' he wrote in a Facebook post the evening June 1, 2020.

Rodney had called 911 back on May 31 last year to report that his wife had fallen from a steep overlook at the New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia. His call sparked a massive two-day search and rescue mission for the mother-of-two (pictured above)

Wheeler repeatedly gave false statements to state and federal investigators while the search was underway. He also kept their lie going on social media with posts (above) about the ongoing search

'They haven't found her yet but I am holding out hope that she will be found and she is ok... I am heartbroken and lost right now but I have to keep the faith... please give us time to work through this and please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.'

Julie was found two days later hiding in a closet at her home.

Authorities said the Wheelers had been planning to go into hiding together.

Prosecutors said the Wheelers hatched the plan so she could avoid federal sentencing in a health care fraud case related to overbilling.

She was sentenced to three years and six months for fraud related to the health care fraud after she admitted to submitting fraudulent applications to the VA Spina Bifida Health Care Benefits Program where she overbilled for providing spina bifida care for a family member.

In addition to that prison sentence, Julie was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $289,000 for the overbilling scheme.

She also received an addition year in prison for conspiring to obstruct justice related to the fake death plan.
New Delhi, April 6 : Dhrupad maestros, Gundecha brothers have been accused of sexual harassment and assault by female students of their school, Dhrupad Sansthan in Madhya Pradesh, as per a BBC investigation.

BBC said Monica's name has been changed to protect her identity because she fears reprisal. But she is keen to share her story. She alleges that she was raped by the late Ramakant Gundecha, a famous classical Indian musician, while she was a student at his school, Dhrupad Sansthan, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.

Gundecha died in November 2019 but he and his brothers, Umakant and Akhilesh, have since been accused of sexual harassment and assault by female students of the music school.

Over the course of a three-month investigation, the BBC has heard multiple allegations against all three Gundecha brothers. Umakant and Akhilesh deny the allegations, the report said.

Ramakant was and Umakant still is a famous exponent of Dhrupad, one of the oldest genres of Hindustani music, while Akhilesh is a percussionist. In 2012, Ramakant and Umakant received the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award for their contribution to music.

The report said Dhrupad Sansthan, the prestigious school they founded and taught at, has attracted hundreds of students, foreign and Indian, from across the globe. It claims to have accreditation from Unesco's Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee. But the Unesco told the BBC that it had no links to the school and said it will be sending a 'cease and desist' notice demanding the withdrawal of such claims.

BBC said the allegations against the brothers have sent shockwaves through the classical music world, where they enjoy fame and status. The allegations have also shone a spotlight on an ancient tradition, the guru-shishya parampara - an informal contract by which the student is usually expected to completely surrender to the will of the teacher.

Allegations against the three brothers range from sharing flirtatious and sexually suggestive messages to exposing themselves during class to molestation and, in the case of Ramakant, even rape, the report said.

As per the report, Monica said she was in her first week at the school when she began receiving inappropriate WhatsApp messages from Ramakant. She alleged that one evening he drove her to a dark car park and molested her in the backseat of his car.

"He started kissing me. I pushed him away but he kept trying," she said. "He touched my body and tried to unclothe me. At that time, I realised I was not moving. I was like a stone. At one point he realised that I was not responding. So he asked me, should I drop you back at the school? But I couldn't even reply." The report mentioned that Monica said she wanted to erase the memory of the incident. She didn't leave the school immediately because she loved the music and was keen to pursue it further. She had left her job and invested all her money to study at the school.

But then three months later, she alleged, Ramakant raped her. "[He] entered the room, pulled my pants off and forcefully had sex with me. And when he had finished he just left. I went to the door and bolted it. And for three days, I didn't eat," she said.

The report said Sarah, another student at the school, whose name has also been changed, told the BBC that she was molested by Akhilesh Gundecha.

"I got sick when I was there and was hospitalised," she said. "Akhilesh came to take me back to the school. He sat next to me in the car and started touching my hands. I pulled them away. It felt very strange." In total, five women told the BBC they had witnessed abuse and harassment on the Dhrupad Sansthan campus. Some said that when they rebuffed sexual advances from Ramakant Gundecha, he lost interest in teaching them. They also alleged that if a student complained, she was often publicly humiliated in class.

BBC said Rachel, who didn't want to remain anonymous, said she had found the strength to speak up now, several years later, only after similar allegations came to light in a Facebook post shared by a group called 'Dhrupad Family Europe' in September 2020.

As per the report, through their lawyers, both Akhilesh and Umakant Gundecha denied all of these allegations, stating that "vested interests" from outside the student community were trying to "further their agenda of causing damage to the art and reputation of the Gundecha Brothers and Dhrupad Sansthan".

But the charges are also being investigated by an internal complaints committee over the last four months.

BBC said students say the committee at Dhrupad Sansthan was formed only after they put pressure on the school. Former students, who are part of a support group for the survivors, have also alleged that they have received threats on multiple occasions for speaking out in support. Survivors are bound by law not to disclose the results of the investigation.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 15:42:41|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Countries in Europe and Latin America are maintaining restrictions and bolstering their vaccination campaigns to curb a new surge in COVID-19 cases.

Colombian President Ivan Duque announced on Sunday new restrictive measures for several cities where COVID-19 cases are on the rise and the occupancy of intensive care units is over 70 percent. His country on Monday reported 10,190 new COVID-19 cases and 199 more deaths over the past 24 hours.

Overwhelmed hospital capacity poses a risk in Brazil, too. The South American country on Monday reported 28,645 new COVID-19 infections and 1,319 deaths in the past 24 hours, still suffering the world's second-worst outbreak in terms of both deaths and infections, after the United States.

Hospitals in most parts of Brazil were under severe strain from a spike in COVID-19 infections, with ICU bed occupancy exceeding 90 percent, the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, the most prominent science and technology health institution in Latin America attached to the Brazilian Ministry of Health, warned last week.

Europe has been facing hospital bed shortages for some time.

In the latest monitoring report unveiled on Friday, Italy's National Health Institute said that coronavirus patients still occupied 41 percent of all beds in the country's intensive care units, which stood well above the critical threshold of 30 percent.

"The incidence (is) still too high and the severe burden on our health services does not allow a reduction of restrictions currently in place," the institute wrote in its report.

Italy's lockdown for the Easter holidays has come to an end, but the country on Monday registered 10,680 new COVID-19 cases.

Over 11.2 million people of the country's population of 60 million have been administered vaccines by Monday, and 3.4 million have received both doses, official figures showed.

France's coronavirus situation further worsened. Nearly 30,000 people with COVID-19 are now hospitalized after 551 new admissions were reported in the past 24 hours, the biggest one-day increase in a week. The cumulative number of infections went over 4.8 million, with 10,793 people testing positive within a day.

This weekend, France went into a one-month confinement to cope with the pandemic's third wave. Movement is limited to a radius of 10 km from home, and inter-city travel is banned.

Schools will be closed for three to four weeks and non-essential shops are shut. Catering businesses and culture venues, forced to suspend their activities since last October, remain closed.

France has relied on a faster vaccine rollout to contain the virus' spread. The goal of inoculating 10 million people by mid-April is likely to be met, according to Health Minister Olivier Veran.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday confirmed that non-essential shops will reopen from April 12, and people can dine outdoors in pubs and restaurants, as Britain moves to step two of its roadmap out of lockdown.

"But we can't be complacent. We can see the waves of sickness affecting other countries, and we've seen how this story goes," Johnson said at a virtual press conference. "We still don't know how strong the vaccine shield will be. When the cases begin to rise as I'm afraid they will, which is why we are saying please get your vaccine or your second dose when your turn comes." Enditem
New Delhi, April 6 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday said that it has attached movable and immovable properties to the tune of Rs 30.14 crore of Unickon Securities Pvt Ltd (USPL), its directors and group companies, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), in connection with its probe into the money laundering case, an ED official said.

The ED case is based on the charge sheet filed by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) against the USPL, Unickon Fincap Pvt. Ltd. (UFPL) and other related persons.

The USPL and UFPL were providing share trading or broking service to various customers.

The official said that the money laundering investigation revealed that USPL, in connivance with the UFPL and others, cheated and defrauded its clients who used its shares trading platform.

"These companies unauthorisedly pledged the securities of the clients with various third party financers and thus raised funds and illegally diverted and utilised the funds in their group concerns," he said, adding that this practice was in contravention of the provisions of several sections of the SEBI Act and various regulations issued under Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices relating to Securities Market Regulations.

The official also said that the USPL had not segregated its business bank account from that of the clients accounts held with it.

"The clients' funds were unauthorisedly appropriated, transferred and utilised from the designated client accounts to the business account of the USPL and from these business accounts funds were transferred to the account of group companies including its real estate arm, Unickon Real Estate Pvt. Ltd," he said.

The official pointed out that the USPL in connivance with others, mis-utilised their clients' funds for funding the business activities of its sister concerns in the form of Inter-Corporate Deposits (ICDs) and loans and advances.

The official added that total proceeds of crime in the case is Rs 88.84 crore out of which Rs 30.14 crore have been attached.
Just as they have for the last 35 years, hundreds of people converged on Balboa Park as dawn broke on Sunday for an Easter service featuring a mix of inspiring music and prayer.

One of San Diegos most consistent traditions, the parks annual sunrise service at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion didnt disappoint those who braved the early morning mild chill  many of them wearing beanies or carrying blankets for their laps.

Some used their smart phones to film parts of the hour-long service, particularly musical performances by St. Stephens Cathedral Choir, and post them on social media for others to experience.

Overcast skies deprived the celebration of whats typically the highlight of an early morning Easter service: the sun rising as a metaphor for the resurrection of Jesus Christ that the holiday celebrates.

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But no one complained or seemed to mind, with the booming organ music, traditional choir vocals and thoughtful sermon by Elder Fred Johnson carrying the day.

Johnson, an elder at St. Stephens Cathedral Church of God in Christ, urged those in attendance to embrace Christ as a way to quench their thirst for satisfaction and meaning in life, warning them that likes on Facebook and other social media affirmations will never do the trick.

Only Jesus can satisfy the longing thirst of the soul, said Johnson.

The church is among five that annually rotate handling the program at the organ pavilions sunrise service.

Faith Presbyterian is scheduled to handle the 2019 ceremony. The others are La Jolla Presbyterian, Mount Sinai Baptist and Grace Lutheran.

The ceremony is one of many Easter sunrise services across the county, including large gatherings at Mount Helix, Cabrillo Monument and the Carlsbad Flower Fields.

But the Balboa Park event has had a unique twist since it began in 1984: all of the proceeds go to homeless services every year, with the San Diego Rescue Mission receiving all of this years donations from the audience.

The event raises between $10,000 and $15,000 in a typical year, even with crowds dwindling somewhat recently, said Cindy Peterson, a La Jolla resident who has coordinated the event every year since founding it.

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We dont have as many people as in the past because religion is not as important in some peoples lives, said Peterson, who sings in the La Jolla Presbyterian choir.

Thats not to say Sundays crowd was sparse. Every bench surrounding the iconic organ pavilion had at least one person on it and people continued to arrive after the 6:30 a.m. service began, but there was no need to sit shoulder-to-shoulder.

The crowd was also an eclectic mix of local residents, some of whom brought their dogs along, and out-of-towners visiting San Diego on spring break.

Virtually all age groups and ethnicities were represented, with some folks dressing up for the holiday service and others choosing to wear sweats and other casual clothing.

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Peterson, 87, said she has no plans to stop coordinating the annual event or to turn it over to someone else. But other congregations have expressed interest in having Easter sunrise services, so the long-term future isnt totally clear, she said.

Peterson raises the $500 it costs each year to have the Sunday service at the organ pavilion, plus a Saturday rehearsal. She could take the money out of the collections received, but she wants every cent of that to go to the Rescue Mission.

Its hard, but we scrape it all together, she said.

The event began when Peterson, inspired by an Easter sunrise service held each year at the Hollywood Bowl, suggested something similar at Balboa Parks Starlight Bowl outdoor theater.

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The College Avenue Baptist Church hosted the first of four sunrise services Peterson coordinated at the Starlight, which gave way to the organ pavilion in 1988.

I think its a nicer, warmer place, Peterson said. That organ is so magnificent.

Organ music opened Sundays service, which also included hymns, readings from scripture, Johnsons sermon and several songs by the St. Stephens choir whose members were dressed all in white.

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david.garrick@sduniontribune.com (619) 269-8906 Twitter:@UTDavidGarrick
Your bedroom should be a sanctuary of relaxation, whether you're staging your home to sell, or planning on staying put. But it's also one of the trickiest rooms to spruce up.

Since you probably store most of your clothing and personal items in your bedroom, it can become a cluttered mess in the blink of an eye. Because it's not seen by many people (hosted any dinner parties in there lately?), many of us rate bedrooms a low priority for decorating.

However, beautifying your bedroom doesn't need to be an arduous task. In fact, you can make a world of difference in less than an hour. Need some direction?

We reached out to several real estate and interior design experts to walk us through an array of bedroom improvement projects, with a range of budgets and time constraints in mind.

If you have 5 minutes

Five minutes isnt a lot of time, but its definitely enough to give your bedroom a quick sweep. Throw dirty clothes in the laundry hamper, and hang or fold and put away any clean clothes.

Kasia McDaniel, a home stager with Blue Diamond Staging and Design in Carthage, NC, recommends dusting and decluttering your nightstand.

Cost: Free



If you're staging your home to sell, remove as many family photos and personal items as possible," says Jennifer Ward, a professional home flipper and founder of House Buying Mamas in Indianapolis. All the agents we spoke to stressed the need to create a neutral atmosphere, something like that of a hotel, so buyers can envision themselves and their possessions in the space.

Cost: Free



If you have 30 minutes

Half an hour is just enough time to upgrade any tired, outdated, or dinged-up hardware in your room.

Focus on door handles and closet door handles, says Brooke Grasley, founder of Restore Decor and More in Joliet, IL. You could also replace and update light switch and electrical outlet covers.

Cost: Door handles run upward of $18, while light switch and electrical outlet covers typically cost upward of $5.



Ali Wenzke, the Chicago-based author of The Art of Happy Moving, recommends removing your TV and any other large electronics from the bedroom.

You dont want a buyers eyes to go straight to the TV, Wenzke says. You want to evoke a feeling of relaxation and intimacy, and TVs tend to do the opposite.

Cost: Free



If you have 1 hour

A full hour provides you with enough time for a major overhaul and ambiance reset.

A bedroom without draperies can make the room look exposed and naked, but outdated or cheap-looking drapes can be even worse. Professional stagers and seasoned real estate agents recommend replacing your blinds and old curtains with new ones.

If you have an hour to spare, new curtain rods and curtains can dramatically improve a bedrooms aesthetic, says Grasley. Sticking to the same color scheme, preferably a neutral one, and avoiding busy patterns is wise.

Cost: Rods and curtains start around $75 a window and go up from there.



Another great project that can be tackled in an hour or less? Lighting.

Andra DelMonico, lead interior designer for Trendey in Wesley Chapel, FL, advises taking out a builder-grade, flush-mount ceiling light or fan and replacing it with a chandelier for an elegant look. If you have crown molding surrounding your bedroom, add LED lighting to create a gentle ambiance.

Cost: $100-plus, with an additional $50 to $100 per hour for a licensed electrician.



If you have 3 hours

In three hours, you can focus on making the big-ticket itemthe bedlook its best, and also still have time to curate the space around it as well.

Tomas Satas, founder and CEO at Windy City HomeBuyer in Chicago, recommends refreshing your linens. Spend a few hours shopping in person or online, and treat yourself to a new set of sheets, in simple, matching colors. Layering the bed with throw pillows, a plush duvet, and down blankets adds a luxurious look.

Cost: Linen sets start at $100, duvets and blankets start at $50, and throw pillows start at $10.



How much furniture do you have? If your bedroom is stuffed with multiple dressers and an armoire you inherited from your great-aunt, now may be the time to downsize. Take an afternoon to clean out and donate anything you no longer need or want.

One of the biggest mistakes I see home sellers make is having way too much furniture in their bedroom, says Jason Gelios, a real estate agent with Community Choice Realty in Southeast Michigan. Too much furniture in a bedroom is a turnoff to home buyers."

Of course, many of us are using our bedroom as a home office because of the pandemic. If you're staging your home for a showing, however, try moving that extra desk and chair to the basement.

Cost: Free



If you have a weekend

With an entire weekend ahead of you, youll be able to tackle several of the projects mentioned above, and at least one of the two biggies below.

Elevate your bedroom by installing decorative crown molding along the top of your walls.

Crown molding is the best way to instantly make a bedroom feel elegant, says Ben Wagner, owner of New Yorks Leave the Key Homebuyers. Crown molding comes in a variety of styles, but a few of the most popular are Federal (great for low ceilings), Colonial Revival (upscale), and Early American (refined).

This can be done in a day with the help of YouTube tutorials, or you can hire a handyman.

Cost: $1 to $8 per linear foot, $50 to $100 an hour for labor



Another high-impact bedroom update is to add storage space. DelMonico recommends either adding floating shelves or a built-in bookshelf, or reworking the closet to add additional cubbies and shelving units.

While youre in the closet, our experts recommend removing and donating any extraneous clothing to make the closet appear more spacious and neater.

Cost: If you do it yourself, the cost will be much less, starting at $250 for modest shelving. A more extensive closet redesign can cost thousands, depending on the design. For labor, count on $50 to $100 an hour.

The post 10 Best Bedroom Improvement Projects Based on How Much Time You Have appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com.
The Pentagon says it is watching Russia's military activities in the Arctic "very closely" as signs mount of Moscow's ongoing efforts to boost its presence in and around its northernmost territories.

The statement by the U.S. military comes amid reports of advanced weapons tests and satellite imagery showing continued buildup of bases, storage, and equipment on Russia's Arctic coastline.

"Without getting into specific intelligence assessments, obviously we're monitoring it very closely," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told a briefing on April 5. "Nobody's interested in seeing the Arctic become militarized."

Rapid melting in the Arctic brought on by climate change has opened increased shipping and resource-exploitation opportunities in polar regions, intensifying a race to project power and defend national interests by coastal and other powers.

The region is also thought to be home to enormous oil and gas deposits.

Russia's navy used nuclear-powered submarines to break through thick Arctic ice late last month in an apparent display of power in the Far North.

Washington has also cited the refurbishment of Soviet-era installations, new port construction, search-and-rescue centers, and a fleet of new icebreakers that includes nuclear-powered craft.

Kirby noted that the region "is key terrain that's vital to our own homeland defense and as a potential strategic corridor between the Indo-Pacific, Europe, and the [United States]."

"We're committed to protecting our U.S. national-security interests in the Arctic by upholding a rules-based order in the region, particularly through our network of Arctic allies and partners."

Washington last year boosted aid to Greenland to strengthen military ties in the Arctic region, after a public offer floated by then-President Donald Trump to buy that vast autonomous Arctic island angered Denmark.

China describes itself as a "near Arctic state" as it, too, tries to lay the foundations for greater shipping and mining activities in the region.

Based on reporting by dpa, CNN, and Reuters
California plans for broad pandemic reopening in mid-June View Photo

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday signaled an end to more than a year of closures in California, announcing that the nations most populated state plans to lift most coronavirus restrictions on businesses and workplaces June 15, when enough people should be vaccinated to start returning to normal.

A statewide mask mandate will stay in effect, Newsom said, and he cautioned that California will reopen more widely in mid-June only if vaccine supply is sufficient and hospitalization rates stay stable and low.

Still, the Democratic governor, who has overseen some of the most restrictive pandemic rules in the country, said it was time to forge ahead because the states infection rate is among the lowest in the U.S. and 20 million vaccines have been administered so far.

We can confidently say by June 15 that we can start to open up as business as usual, subject to ongoing mask-wearing and ongoing vigilance, Newsom said. So this is a big day.

The announcement comes as states nationwide have lifted health restrictions and mask mandates as more people get vaccinated, despite rising infection rates in some places and concerns of another surge.

California has had some of the nations strictest pandemic rules, becoming the first to institute a statewide stay-at-home order last spring and adopting a complex color-coded tier system in August that dictated which businesses could open and at what capacity depending on how widespread the virus was in a county.

The pandemic has taken its toll on California, with more than 58,000 people dead, businesses closed and students who have been out of classrooms for much of the year.

Now, the new plan says businesses can open with common-sense risk reduction measures such as wearing masks and encouraging vaccinations. Most capacity limits for businesses and recreational activities will be lifted, although larger indoor events, such as conventions, will be allowed only with testing or vaccination verification requirements, Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said. Other modifications may be needed.

The move toward a June 15 reopening comes with far fewer and must-hit metrics than Newsoms prior announcements about reopening. While the color-coded system is based on detailed metrics for assessing risk, daily monitoring of infection rates and detailed calculations for capacity, the new plan has none of that.

Despite the caveat that California would only lift the restrictions based on hospitalization and vaccination rates, officials could not say how they would assess that or what would constitute a good trajectory. Both Newsom and Ghaly struggled at times Tuesday to explain the changes without adding caveats.

Vaccine supply must be sufficient for Californians 16 years and older who wish to be inoculated though state officials declined to give a must-hit number of shots. Hospitalization rates must be stable and low, but officials didnt say what exactly that means.

Dr. Monica Gandhi, infectious disease expert and professor of medicine at University of California, San Francisco, believes California can begin reopening because many residents were exposed to the virus during the winter surge and many others are getting vaccinated.

He wouldnt have been able to keep it closed past June 15 anyway, because the cases would have been so low, she said.

The announcement comes as the first-term Democrat faces a likely recall election pushed by critics of his handling of the pandemic.

Kevin Faulconer, a former San Diego mayor and Republican who is hoping to replace Newsom, said in a statement that it took millions of Californians signing a recall petition for him to finally begin reopening our state.

Newsom said he expects 30 million doses of vaccine to be administered by the end of April, putting the state on track to at least partially inoculate most of the estimated 32 million people 16 and up who will be eligible for the vaccine starting next week. Roughly 7.5 million residents are fully vaccinated, and 6 million are partially inoculated.

Bernadette Boden-Albala, dean of the public health program at the University of California, Irvine, said the governor sent a hopeful message but she worries that younger people wont get vaccinated in the numbers needed to fully reopen and protect children from the virus.

The population of 16-plus, among that population are those that defied all guidance and went to places like South Beach in Miami in crowds, she said. We needed a good message, but the message may be too soon.

Michael Rodriguez, owner and general manager of the Cadillac Bar & Grill in San Franciscos empty downtown, cant wait for the tech employees at Twitter and Square to return for happy hour cocktails and for theaters to reopen to live audiences.

Everybody has something to look forward to now, he said.

As of Tuesday, only Inyo and Merced counties remain in Californias most restrictive purple tier, while 16 other counties moved into less-restrictive tiers, including San Diego. The state also hit its goal of administering 4 million doses to people in the ZIP codes hardest hit by the pandemic, further loosening metrics for moving between tiers.

State officials said the two-month notice should give people enough time to schedule their first dose, wait the recommended three to four weeks for a second shot and get through the two-week period for the vaccines to fully kick in.

___

Taxin reported from Orange County. Associated Press writer Kathleen Ronayne contributed to this story from Sacramento, California.

By JANIE HAR and AMY TAXIN

Associated Press
After more than 60 dead dolphins were found washed up on several beaches, the authorities in Ghana have launched an investigation. According to the reports by the Ghana News Agency, the resident suspect that the dolphins might have eaten contaminated or poisonous substances. The species were found dead on the coast of Brawire and Ankobra, both in the Lower Axim Traditional Area of the Western Region. According to the reports by BBC, the local fishermen said that such a phenomenon is extremely rare. To investigate further into the cause, Ghana's Fisheries Commission said that the samples have been forwarded for laboratory analysis.

Two days ago, thousands of dead fishes washed ashore at the Osu beach, Ghana    pic.twitter.com/oEcbYrmvki  NewAfrica (@NewAfricanRepo1) April 5, 2021

Two days ago, thousands of dead fishes washed ashore at the Osu beach, Ghana . This can be due to water poisoning pic.twitter.com/oKYmajSiCC  Marvin (@marvin_H96) April 5, 2021

Also, the officials have warned the people against eating the dolphins and various other fish species as the reason for their death is unclear. According to the reports by Ghana News Agency, seven out of the 60 dolphins had been butchered and sold off by some residents to fishmongers.

Another such incident in Mauritius

This is not the first time that such an incident is taking place. Last year, 52 dead dolphins were found on the coast of Mauritius. Earlier, after an investigation by Mauritius's fisheries ministry, it came forward that the incident took place due to a rare phenomenon known as barotrauma.This emerges from an abrupt change in pressure and can be caused by various factors such as military sonar, an underwater earthquake. Explosives or a volcanic eruption can also contribute to the phenomenon.

Also, after the very controversial oil spill in Mauritius, tons of dolphins were found dead. Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth declared a state of environmental emergency after the incident. Also, it happened when a Japanese vessel started to leak fuel into the waters. The ship was reported to have been carrying nearly 3,800 tonnes of low-sulphur fuel oil, 207 tonnes of diesel, and 90 tonnes of lube oil. Not just dolphins but also three sailors lost their lives after the incident. Their boat capsized while assisting in the clean-up operations. As per BBC reports, four others were rescued after the boat collided with a barge.

(Image Credits: Twitter/NewAfricanRepo1)
Dien Bien Provincial Public Securitys leader presents the gift of 30 computers and 30 printers to the public security force of Northern Lao provinces. (Photo: TDO)

During the presenting ceremony, Vietnamese representatives confirmed they would always strictly work with the Lao public security forces to develop the peaceful, friendly and cooperative border line, effectively struggling against criminals.

Expressing their deep gratitude for the Dien Bien Provincial Party Organization and authority, especially its public security forces for assisting them in ensuring security in the region, Lao representatives suggested the two sides continue to foster the great friendship and special solidarity between the two countries and two forces.

Earlier, Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung led a delegation to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Lao public security.

Lieutenant General Kongthong Phongvichit affirmed that during its 60 years of construction and development, the Lao public security force has always received enthusiastic support and assistance from the Party, State and people of Vietnam in general and the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam in particular. This has made an important contribution to help the Lao public security force always fulfill the tasks assigned by the Party, State and people, he said.

He also expressed his hope that in the coming time, the two countries' public security forces would strengthen cooperation more to ensure security, safety and order in each country, creating favorable conditions for the economic development of the two countries; affirming that Lao Police are always ready to cooperate with Vietnamese public security forces so that the people of the two countries can live in peace and stability, while promoting and nurturing a special Laos-Vietnam friendship relationship.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung congratulated the Lao public security forces on the glorious achievements over the past 60 years; emphasizing the strong and effective cooperation in all aspects of the two countries' public security forces, not only shown in the bilateral framework but also in regional and international forums.

He showed his trust that in the coming time, the cooperation between the two countries' public security forces will continue to be strengthened, contributing to nurturing the friendship between the two countries.

The Vietnam Embassy in Laos, the representative agency of the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security in Laos and the Lao Ministry of Public Security have opened an exhibition on 60 years of Vietnamese public security experts in Laos with hundreds of photos reflecting the cooperation between the police forces of the two countries during the past 60 years.

During 60 years of history, generations of Vietnamese public security experts have not been afraid of difficulties and hardships, and have accepted all sacrifices to help the Lao public security force grow and develop./.
It's been nearly five years since former "Great Day SA" host Bridget Smith left San Antonio, but she's been doing big things since then.



Smith has set her eyes on the prize: Hollywood. Today, the Los Angeles-based reporter works as an entertainment host interviewing celebrities during major red carpet events like the Grammys, Oscars, MTV Video Music Awards, and movie premieres.



If you lived in San Antonio during her decade-long stint on "Great Day," you probably knew of Smith, even if you didn't watch her on TV. It wasn't just because she was a "local TV celebrity," but her charisma that made her a household name.



She brought that famous charisma to our interview, where just minutes after we began our phone chat, I felt like I was talking to a dear friend. Smith makes those around her feel comfortable, and it's a trait that's captured the attention of major television executives.

READ ALSO: Roma Villavicencio named as permanent host of 'Great Day SA'



In November 2019, a group of execs wanted to meet with Smith regarding an idea they were floating around that they thought would be perfect for her.



"I agreed to shoot a pilot called 'Bridget,' which would be a one-on-one interview series with celebrities in front of a live studio audience," she said.



The show would mimic the format of "Inside the Actors Studio," and early last year, Smith was scheduled to tape the show's first live broadcast with a full audience. But as the world stopped due to coronavirus, so did production on "Bridget."



"We worked on development the next two months, then in March got word from the production company that [Los Angeles] County was shutting down and the pilot was on hold," she told MySA.



But that didn't stop Smith from delivering a product.



"By the end of March [2020], a team of producers and I began working from home and shifted content we were working on," she said. "When COVID peaked, it didn't make sense to do a sit down with Jamie Foxx and talk about [a] movie when we are in the middle of a pandemic."



Instead, Smith spent 2020 interviewing more than 30 people on the front lines of the pandemic, including healthcare workers and teachers trying to get back in the classroom. Producers would then send out those stories to TV affiliates, including here in Texas.
(Natural News) The Environmental Working Group (EWG) published a paper recently that exposes a common food preservative for damaging the immune system.

Tertiary butylhydroquinone, or TBHQ, is added to more than 1,250 food products, many of them marketed for children. The latest data shows that it suppresses immunity, which is especially concerning during a global pandemic.

Published on March 24 in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, the study used data from the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) Toxicity Forecaster, also known as ToxCast.

Based on this data, EWG concluded that TBHQ damages immunity both in humans and animals.

The pandemic has focused public and scientific attention on environmental factors that can impact the immune system, says Olga Naidenko, PhD, EWGs vice president for science investigations and lead author of the paper.

Before the pandemic, chemicals that may harm the immune systems defense against infection or cancer did not receive sufficient attention from public health agencies. To protect public health, this must change.

As it turns out, TBHQ has been used in processed foods for decades. It serves no beneficial purpose other than to extend shelf life, which means more profit for large food conglomerates.

Non-animal test results from an EWG analysis show that TBHQ negatively impacts immune cell proteins at doses similar to those that cause harm in traditional studies that have looked at the chemical.

Further, TBHQ has been known to trigger and exacerbate food allergies, as well as interfere with the efficacy of influenza vaccines.

Watch out for PFAS, too, because they also damage immunity

Polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are another class of dangerous chemicals commonly used in food packaging that data show are dangerous.

These forever chemicals, meaning they pretty much never break down, are toxic-polluting-chemicals added to food wrappers, to-go bags, boxes, and other materials coating and surrounding food.

Research shows that PFAS likewise damage immunity while interfering with the way vaccines impact the body. These fluorinated chemicals persist in the blood following exposure, and can increase the severity of Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) infection.

Unfortunately, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not even considered any of this latest science, and thus continues to allow the use of both TBHQ and PFAS in food sold for human consumption.

EWG has repeatedly tried to get the attention of federal regulators concerning the dangers of these two chemicals, along with many others, but to no avail. The FDA and the rest cater to Big Food at the expense of public health, and that is unlikely to ever change.

Keep in mind that EWG published a report last year entitled, Food Additives State of the Science, which highlighted all sorts of approved chemicals that are damaging peoples hormones, harming their nervous systems, and damaging immunity. The FDA could not care less, it turns out.

Chemicals linked to health harms can be legally added to packaged foods because the FDA frequently allows food manufacturers to determine which chemicals are safe, explains Childrens Health Defense (CHD).

Additives like TBHQ were approved by the FDA decades ago, and the agency does not consider new science to reassess the safety of food chemicals.

According to Scott Faber, EWGs senior vice president for government affairs, food manufacturers thus have no incentive to ever change their formulas, even if the chemicals they use are killing people.

Too often, the FDA allows the food and chemical industry to determine which ingredients are safe for consumption, he warns. Our research shows how important it is that the FDA take a second look at these ingredients and test all food chemicals for safety.

More related news about preservatives and other deadly processed food chemicals can be found at ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

ChildrensHealthDefense.org

NaturalNews.com
Two 'totally irresponsible' women have been slammed after they were pictured walking along a live railway track with a buggy and child in tow.

It comes only days after officials urged people to steer clear of railway lines ahead of the Easter break.

British Transport Police issued a series of warnings ahead of the long weekend urging people to stay of the tracks after reports of several incidents in different areas of the UK.

The appalling photograph captured the seemingly oblivious women and child as they took a shortcut along Keighley and Worth Valley Railway (KWVR) in West Yorkshire on Monday.

One woman can be seen pushing an empty green and white pushchair along the middle of the tracks, which was famously featured in the 1970 film version of Edith Nesbit's story, The Railway Children.

Another woman was seen holding hands with the child, believed to be around four-years-old, as they walked along the tracks without considering the dangers faced.

Local MP's and social media users have hit out at the women on Facebook - after it emerged the trainline is still in use.

The two women were photographed with their buggy and child as they took a shortcut along Keighley and Worth Valley Railway (KWVR) in West Yorkshire on Monday

The local MP slammed the 'totally irresponsible' women for their actions in a post on Facebook

Member of Parliament for Keighley and Ilkley, Robbie Moore MP shared the image on Facebook last night warning locals to 'stay off the tracks.'

He wrote: 'Rather worryingly, despite the obvious dangers, people are trespassing on our railway lines.

'I was sent this photo today, of two adults, with a child walking along the Keighley and Worth Valley railway.

'This is extremely dangerous, risky and totally irresponsible to encourage children to walk along a railway line.

'Even though the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway aren't hosting visitors at the moment due to Covid restrictions, the railway line is still being used.

'Trespassing on the railway is illegal and dangerous - please stay safe, and do not do it. I would be grateful if you could spread the word.'

British Transport Police also urged anyone who witnesses similar behaviour to report it - specifically urging parents to speak to their children about the dangers.

Monday's incident appeared even more unusual in light of their comments, after the parents were seen leading the child down the track.

Although KWVR is part of the Worth Valley railway which is a heritage line and so is not policed by BTP as it is not part of the national rail network.

In her warning ahead of the Easter break, Superintendent Alison Evans of British Transport Police, said: 'Trespassing on the railway can have serious, life-changing consequences for the individual, their loved ones and the wider community.

'Please, make sure you know the rail safety basics and pass that knowledge onto your loved ones. Lead by example and stay off the tracks.'

Sergeant Rob Pile added: 'Parents and carers play a vital role in preventing tragedy resulting from trespass by ensuring they know where their children are and talking to them about the dangers of trespassing.

'So please, have that conversation with those in your care and encourage them to stay off the tracks.'

The unnamed woman and her bridegroom kissed while standing on a pedestrian path over the track near Whitby, North Yorkshire

The outrageous image caused shock amongst social media users.

Penny Hutchinson wrote: 'It was an unbelievable, not to mention, an uncomfortable sight. Especially as just 24hrs earlier trains were running on that very line.'

Natalie Farrar said: 'What is wrong with people? One thing putting their own lives in danger but their kids too. Shocking behaviour!'

Indya Clarke added: 'Very worrying to see! If people want to be pure stupid don't involve innocent kids.'

KWVR announced last month that they would be running some trains in preparation with their re-opening of the train lines next week.

Before the pandemic, they operated steam train journeys every weekend of the year and daily during the summer months.

The trainline was famously featured in the 1970 film version of Edith Nesbit's story, The Railway Children.

It also featured in World War 1 drama Testament of Youth, children's classic Swallows and Amazons and hit TV series Peaky Blinders.

Network Rail said more than 5,000 incidents were recorded between June and September with many cases involving people using the railways as a backdrop for photographs

This is the moment a jogger wearing headphones, in orange, can be seen crossing a railway level crossing in Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire earlier this month

How to use a level crossing safely Network Rail has produced a guide on using a level crossing safely. Concentrate  its easy to get distracted, especially by phones, music and conversation.

Stop, look and listen.

Follow signs and instructions.

Check both ways before crossing  if there is a train coming, dont cross. Understand the warnings (lights, barriers, alarms).

Visit level crossings for pedestrians to find out more.

Cross quickly, keeping children close and dogs on a lead. Advertisement

But these women are not the first to fall foul of the rules and risk their lives by playing on live railyway tracks.

In October, Network Rail released a photograph of a bride and groom carrying out a photoshoot on a railway track to warn about a new craze for level crossing pictures.

Only a month later, another shocking incident was recorded when a video showed the moment a jogger wearing headphones was almost wiped out by a train after crossing railway tracks unaware the speeding locomotive was approaching.

Earlier this year CCTV released by Network rail again showed a woman lying down on railway tracks to pose for photographs - despite the dangers.

Wearing a bright jacket, the woman can be seen sprawled across the rails at a level crossing in East Sussex while her companion takes pictures.

On the wider dangers of trespassing on railways, BTP Inspector Bryan O'Neill said: 'The railway is full of hidden dangers.

'Too many times we have seen the tragic consequences of young people ignoring the warnings about trespassing on the railway and taking risks that have resulted in terrible injuries or death, so it's vital that parents play their part and ensure they know where their children are and what they are up to.'
Rising COVID-19 cases will once again squeeze indoor dining in Portland as Multnomah and Clackamas counties move from moderate to high in Oregons risk categories, Gov. Kate Brown announced Tuesday.

Starting Friday, 14 counties will be in the high risk, six at moderate risk, and 16 at lower risk. A complete list of counties and their associated risk levels is available here. The changes remain in effect until April 22.

Brown also dramatically revised longstanding COVID-19 benchmarks Tuesday in an apparent bid to keep restaurants and other businesses largely operating as is, The Oregonian/OregonLives Brad Schmidt reports. The governor made the revisions as cases and hospitalizations have climbed in recent weeks, with the state Tuesday reporting 544 new cases and 33 deaths  although many of the fatalities likely occurred weeks ago.

For restaurants in Oregons largest city, the change to high risk means that, starting Friday, dining rooms can be filled just to 25% capacity or 50 people, whichever is fewer.

Under moderate risk, restaurants are allowed to operate at 50% capacity. Washington County remains in the moderate risk category under the governors latest guidance, although county officials there warned residents in a Facebook post that the county is only about six cases a day away from being moved into high risk in two weeks when the governor updates the risk categories again.

Multnomah County spent just four weeks in the moderate risk category as restaurants were allowed to expand service March 12.

Here are the guidelines for restaurants and bars in high risk counties:

Indoor dining allowed

Takeout highly recommended

Indoor capacity: not to exceed 25% maximum occupancy or 50 people, whichever is smaller

Outdoor dining allowed

Outdoor capacity: 75 people maximum, including individual dining pods.

Individual dining pods allowed outdoors subject to outdoor capacity limit.

Indoor and outdoor seating: 6 people per party and per table maximum, limit 2 households

11 p.m. closing time.

 The Oregonian/OregonLive
WATERBURY, Conn., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Therap's comprehensive online solutions for aging and home health providers feature a range of flexible tools with proven desirable outcomes for service providers in the aging community. The elderly population of the United States require medical care and supervision for chronic disease management and health risks. Therap's suite of applications allows the care providers to flexibly record and follow up on the medical needs and well-being of these individuals receiving services.

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In addition to this feature, users also have a useful option to import Care Plan Templates from Therap's Global Care Plan Template Library. Furthermore, Therap's health screening and assessment tools can easily be linked to the Care Plans for greater effectiveness of services and improved quality of care provided to the elderly individuals.

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The U.S. Department of the Treasury has already distributed more than 130 million payments worth approximately $335 billion to millions of Americans and more funds are on the way.

The Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Bureau of the Fiscal Service announced that several million more payments in the third batch of Economic Impact Payments from the American Rescue Plan are being disbursed.

A large set of payments began this month going to social security and other federal beneficiaries who didnt file a 2020 or 2019 tax return and didnt use the non-filers tool last year.

These payments will go to Social Security retirement, survivor or disability (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) beneficiaries, the IRS said.

The majority of these payments will be sent electronically and received by Wednesday, April 7.

The beneficiaries had to wait longer than millions of other Americans in part because the Social Security Administration did not forward all the necessary payment information to the IRS. The SSA said it was effectively barred from sending the IRS the payment files without a specific provision or agreement in Bidens legislation.

Lawmakers on the House Ways and Means Committee, chaired by U.S. Rep. Richard Neal of Massachusetts, wrote to SSA to say the delay for some of the most vulnerable Americans was inexplicable.

Steve Richardson, SSA communications director for the New England region, noted that unlike last years Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the American Rescue Plan did not directly appropriate funds or establish a reimbursable agreement with IRS to fund us for our work to support their issuance of the payments.

Both before and after Bidens relief bill became law, SSA discussed with Treasury and IRS that the agency is unable by law to use our administrative appropriation to conduct work on any non-mission provision or program, he said.

We have been aggressively working with Treasury and IRS since passage and successfully signed the reimbursable agreement in less than one week after passage (on March 17th), he added. We sent test files to IRS a few days following the execution of this agreement.

Others check recipients in this batch include some Americans who already received their third stimulus payment. Some Americans will receive a plus-up payment - an additional amount for individuals and households who received stimulus checks in March based on 2019 tax returns but are eligible for a new or larger payment due to a change in their income or household size.

These plus-up payments could include a situation where a persons income dropped in 2020 compared to 2019, or a person had a new child or dependent on their 2020 tax return, and other situations, the IRS said in a statement.

The direct payments are meant to send $1,400 to adults earning less than $75,000 and couples less than $150,000, as well as $1,400 for dependents. The checks phase out for Americans making more than $75,000, with a hard cut-off at $80,000 for individuals and $160,000 for married couples.

All three major stimulus packages since the pandemic hit the U.S. have made clear that those who do not earn enough to file taxes, including many of the beneficiaries the Democratic lawmakers pressed IRS and SSA about, are eligible for payments.
Facing a tourism slump due to the Covid-19 pandemic, elephant ride operators around Nepals Chitwan National Park are selling their animals to India in defiance of laws.

Padam does not remember when he began keeping elephants at his hotel. But he says that guests used to pay well for elephant rides in the community forests outside Nepals famous Chitwan National Park.

Padams two elephants were kept busy from dawn to dusk until March 2020. But as soon as the Covid-19 pandemic restricted travel worldwide, one of Nepals most popular tourist sites was largely deserted. Although the Nepali government has now lifted most travel restrictions, Chitwan hoteliers like Padam are still faced with less than 50% occupancy.

Captive Asian elephants are used for tourist rides, wedding processions and temple ceremonies. The practice is highly controversial, with campaigners attesting the long-lived animals are often taken from the wild and subjected to cruel treatment to make them compliant.

In February, Padam sold one elephant for NPR 6.5 million (approximately USD 56,000) to a trader in India. He hopes this decision will reduce his hotels monthly running costs by at least USD 1,000, which had been spent on the elephants food and mahout (keeper).

Bishal, another hotelier who leads a cooperative of elephant owners, says the groups members have sold at least 20 elephants to Indian traders in 2021. They now hold 35 elephants, the lowest number since the cooperative was formed two decades ago.

However, Nepal and India are both signatories to the global Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Asian elephants are listed on Appendix I of the convention, a category for species that are threatened with extinction which are or may be affected by trade. Importing live animals listed on Appendix I (or their parts) for primarily commercial purposes is not allowed so as not to endanger further their survival.

CITES rules state that before Appendix I species can be transported from one country to another, the exporting CITES Scientific Authority must have advised that export will not be detrimental to the survival of the species, while the CITES Management Authority must be satisfied that the animals were legally obtained, after which they may issue an export permit. Meanwhile, the importing countrys Management Authority must issue an import permit, having been satisfied that the animal(s) are not to be used for primarily commercial purposes, and following determination from the Scientific Authority that the import will be for purposes which are not detrimental to the survival of the species and that the recipient of a live animal is suitably equipped to house and care for it.

In order to implement CITES, the Nepali government introduced the Act to Regulate and Control International Trade in Endangered Wild Fauna and Flora in 2017. It states, No person shall purchase, sell, possess, use, plant, rear, captive-breed, transport or import or export or cause to be done so a threatened or vulnerable wild fauna or flora or a specimen thereof. As defined in the act, threatened fauna or flora are all species included in Appendix I of CITES.

In 2019, the government published a set of regulations on how to implement the act. Section 2 of the regulations note that any person wishing to trade in such species or their parts should meet various statutory obligations and obtain a permit from the government.

There is no evidence that any of these rules have been followed in the cross-border sale of live elephants. Hari Bhadra Acharya, spokesperson for the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation  the government agency responsible for implementing the act  says no one has sought any approval so far.

In March 2021, residents protested against illegal trade in elephants near the Chitwan National Park [Image by: Prabesh Shrestha]

Clearly illegal trade

The ongoing trade is clearly illegal, and the government has a responsibility to stop it, says senior advocate Prakash Mani Sharma. The department has not done anything because it has not been formally informed about the trade, says Hari Bhadra Acharya. Nevertheless, he adds, he has heard about these activities, and needful action would be taken once the sale is proved.

Acharya also says Chitwan National Park officials have been made responsible to look into the issue, but the parks information officer Lokendra Adhikari says the park has done nothing about it.

The Third Pole contacted Chitwans chief district officer Prem Lal Lamichhane to ask if he had taken any initiative to stop the trade, two days after reports of an elephant being sold to India appeared on social media and one day after the issue was covered in a national media outlet.

We tried to confirm whats going on, but we were told that there was nothing unusual, Lamichhane said. We couldnt confirm the news.

If you formulate a law but fail to implement it, it is meaningless, said Sharma. The state failing to implement it suggests there is a big nexus between the two [the state and the traders]. We are also violating the international law that we are signatory to.

Lack of records on captive elephants

The 2019 regulations also say any person or business holding an endangered animal captive should register it with the relevant government agency or face confiscation. No one has applied for registration yet, nor has any elephant been confiscated.

The government does not have any official record of the number of captive elephants in Nepal. A CITES review in 2016 put the number at 216, with almost half being under the management of the government and the rest kept by individuals and businesses. Around 80% of privately owned elephants are estimated to be in Sauraha and Amaltari towns outside Chitwan National Park.

The park authorities may not have taken any action against the elephant sellers, but last year they did start recording the number of captive elephants in the area. As of late 2020, hoteliers in Sauraha, Amaltari and Kasara owned 65 elephants, according to information officer Adhikari. Hotelier Rishi Tiwari estimates the population at around 80 as of last year.

This would mean that a quarter of all elephants in the area have been sold to Indian traders in the past three months.

Amir Sadaula, a wildlife veterinarian at the National Trust for Nature Conservations Biodiversity Conservation Centre in Chitwan, has been monitoring animal trade for the past five years. He says that prior to this, he had seen at most three elephants being sold a year, and within Nepal. People sell them whenever they do not give any profits. But in the past, that was not the case, he says.

Carol Buckley, the founder of the US-based non-profit Elephant Aid International, calls this an exodus. The pandemic has been going on for a year, but now the market is flooded with buyers. The payment they are offering is inflated and always in cash, she says.

Sold into uncertainty

Activists are also worried about the kind of life the elephants will lead in India. Surajan Shrestha, an animal rights activist in Chitwan, notes that in India, captive elephants are used in religious functions and even rallies.

Buckley suspects these elephants could be sold over and over again within India or even further afield, maybe again into Nepal. Those selling the elephants now do not know where the animals are being taken. Most Indian traders operate through Nepali middlemen.

One middleman from Birgunj, a city near the Indian border, told Padam that the elephant he sold would be taken to the home of a local moneylender. I believe the elephant can now eat better, Padam says.

Some might think its a good thing, states Association Moey, an international NGO that provided care to retired captive elephants of Chitwan for their journey into freedom, in a Facebook post. But, that only shifts the suffering of elephants elsewhere, away from our eyes. They will endure loneliness, abuse and bad living conditions on a daily basis, in temples, weddings, chained and shown as objects of prestige.

Animal rights NGO Association Moey has said that this elephant that it photographed in Sauraha near Nepals Chitwan National Park in March 2021, has been sold to India [Image by: Association Moey]

Campaigners oppose the use of elephants in tourist rides. This has created a schism, says Ashok Ram, a wildlife researcher. Activists opposing the rides make the hoteliers think they cannot earn from the animal any more. Elephants have been used by humans since ancient days. Hotelier Bishal argues that laws should be revised to meet the interests of people as well as animals.

Activists like Carol Buckley and Surajan Shrestha maintain it is inhumane to hold the animals captive for riding or other activities. Shrestha says the government should establish an elephant sanctuary in Chitwan, acquire all the captive elephants and set them free there. He believes the towns could still benefit from the elephants by attracting tourists, thereby generating revenue and promoting the sanctuary as a model conservation project.

Meanwhile, oscillating between tour operators and animal rights activists, government spokesperson Hari Bhadra Acharya blames the lockdown forced by Covid-19 for the failure to implement the laws of the land.

Editors note: names of some sources have been changed.

The story first appeared on The Third Pole.
Another coronavirus variant has emerged in the United States, a so-called double mutant strain detected for the first time in California, news outlets reported.

The San Fransisco Chronicle reported that one case of the emerging strain, which originated in India, was confirmed in the Bay Area by the Stanford Clinical Virology Lab through genomic sequencing. Lab director Dr. Benjamin Pinsky told the newspaper the lab is screening seven other presumptive cases. The results from those tests should come back early this week, according to the Chronicle.

Pinsky explained to ABC7 the strain is called the double mutant variant because it contains two somewhat well-described mutations.

In the spike protein of the virus, this includes the L452R mutation, which is found in the California variant, and then it has a mutation in another position, E484, thats found in the South Africa and the Brazil variant, he told the news outlet.

According to the Chronicle, the confirmed case of the emerging variant is a patient in the Stanford Health Care clinic. The infection likely occurred in Santa Clara County, the newspaper reported.

Health officials in the county told the Chronicle they arent monitoring the new strain yet as it hasnt made it onto the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventions list of variants of concern.

The identification of the new strain in the United States comes as concerns mount about the increasing number of variants of COVID-19 across the country and the world. Most of the strains the CDC has listed as being of concern are linked to the increased spread of the virus and reduced antibody protection against it.

Viruses constantly change through mutation, the CDC explains on its website. A variant has one or more mutations that differentiate it from other variants in circulation. As expected, multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been documented in the United States and globally throughout this pandemic.

The agencys listed strains of variants of concern include B.1.1.7 from the United Kingdom, P.1 from Brazil/Japan and B.1.351 from South Africa as well as B.1.427 and B.1.429 from California.

A surge in the P.1 variant on Cape Cod led Massachusetts to initially top all U.S. states in its number of confirmed cases of the strain. However, Florida and Illinois are now leading the commonwealth, with the Bay State reporting 58 cases of the Brazil/Japan variant as of Tuesday, CDC data showed.

Massachusetts is also reporting 712 of the U.K. strain and 12 of the one from South Africa, according to the CDC.

Related Content:
Press Release

6 April 2021

Meetings and conferences generate big business for hotels. The pandemic made a big mess of that. On the rebound, hoteliers are eager to see that demand segment return.

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The arrival of COVID-19 vaccinescoupled with a societal eagerness to get out of the househas led to a relatively robust bounce in leisure travel, which helped underpin a listless hospitality business. Add Zoom fatigue of workers to the list of travel motivators and the return of medium-sized and large-scale gatherings aren't too far behind.

That's good news for hotels, as properties suffered massive losses due to the near evaporation of group business last year. Pre-pandemic, when hotels were riding high, total conference and banquet RevPAR (excluding rooms) for 2019 in North America was $40.15. That revenue source fell to $9.28 in 2020. Simultaneously, conference volume mix percentage dropped nearly 30 percentage points from its height in January 2020 to a low of 10.1% in December 2020.

The Business Mix  HotStats

In Europe, total conference and banquet RevPAR (excluding rooms) was down 77.8% in 2020 compared to 2019.

Meanwhile, China saw a noticeable bounce in conference volume mix percentage in November 2020, almost matching the November 2019 number, before trailing off to a low of 16.2% in February 2021.

U.S. Conference Volume Mix Percentage  HotStats

Welcome Back

But are hotels ready to welcome back meetings? Marriott and Hilton think so. Both companies established vigorous cleaning protocols for all spaces at their properties during the pandemic, and they've created programs to help meeting planners get back to business.

Marriott's meeting-centric Gaylord brand is assisting planners with arranging COVID testing and health screenings, before and during meetings, as well as on-site temperature checks.

Hilton is offering planners flexibility on pricing, space and contract terms; particular responsiveness to customers' needs, with offerings such as simplified contracts for small meetings; and, broadly described, the company promises to work closely with clients to address health and environmental concerns, with measures such as creating physically distanced meeting sets, as well as sharing environmental impact practices.

China Conference Volume Mix Percentage  HotStats

Sustainability is, in fact, an area that has become even more important to group customers over the past year, as have other long-standing societal issues, said Sarah Shewey, founder and CEO of Happily, a network of more than 1,000 freelance meeting and event planners.

"Last year was an incredible perfect storm, and us all being home in our own spaces, and slowing down, has given us time to reflect on priorities," she said. "Our stakeholders and guests require a greater level of detail in reporting on safety, sustainability and diversity programs from us and our vendor partners than ever before."

In their post-pandemic return to hotels, planners also will be seeking unconventional spaces, Shewey added. "We'll be looking at how many different places we have to activate a group. For example, do we have outdoor spaces to work with? Is there more indoor meeting space for, say, six to 10 attendees?"

Guest Protection

In terms of protecting meeting attendees from COVID-19, there's more work to be done, Shewey said. "We want to know hotels' contract tracing and quarantine policies for employees and other groups. We are finding that some properties are allowing frontline workers who contracted the virus to go back to work three to seven days later, but it should be at least 14 days. And if we're not doing a full buyout, and others are using the same facilities, we want to know about that."

Both Marriott and Hilton adhere to local health department and current public health guidelines, including the notification of authorities when a worker gets sick.

But meeting organizers are seeking out properties that go over and above what's expected, Shewey stated. "I'm hoping hotels can enforce compliance of best practices and take it more seriously than what's required, rather than skate around regulations. That's how you get around the risk, by doing more than required."

For meetings to return, she asserted, "Hotels would be wise to err on the side of a higher level of precaution."
In truth, Followsoshi makes both dishes very, very well. It also offers some flourishes that help it stand out in the citys rising jianbing industry. The standard batter is made from mung beans and produces a softer, more pliable crepe than the wheat batter used by some other makers. For a dollar more you can have a green spinach crepe, a red beet crepe or a soothingly plum-colored one made from purple rice. Although sausage king is offered as a filling once again, there are other choices that arent available with roasted cold noodles: chicken Parmesan, spicy ramen, and simple slices of roast duck with hoisin.

Followsoshi is the work of Yibo Han and Peng Li, two young entrepreneurs who were born in China and now live in Rego Park. Mr. Han is from Tianjin, one of two major centers of jianbing activity. Neither owner traveled north to study roasted cold noodles at the source in Heilongjiang; their research was limited to Beijing and other cities at lower latitudes. Both were struck by how similar the two preparations are, despite having different geographic, cultural and historical origins. (Jianbing has been around for centuries, while roasted cold noodles seem to have emerged some time in the last few decades.) They opened Followsoshi, their first food business, in November.

Compared with Manhattans Chinatown, where commerce began to go slack when Covid descended on China and has not really recovered, Flushing is relatively busy, in part because it caters to people who live nearby. The lines for orders at Followsoshi can spool out on to the sidewalk at midday, and in the morning. Jianbing is especially popular for breakfast.
The Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) has affirmed its commitment to responsible and sustainable mining at an Environmental workshop it held for Twenty-Two (22) journalists from Sixteen (16) media organizations in Accra.



Preserving and sustaining nature is paramount to us at GIADEC; we know its important too for all our stakeholders, Mr. Michael Ansah, CEO of GIADEC told the participants.



That is why we consider it our responsibility to bring the media and other stakeholders on board right from the beginning and keep you informed all the way through, Mr. Ansah said.



The workshop held on Wednesday, 31st March 2021 updated the journalists on GIADECs strategic measures aimed at preserving the environment, including original flora, fauna and topsoil within its bauxite mining concessions at Awaso, Atewa, Mpasaaso and Nyinahin.



GIADEC is a state-owned corporation established by the Ghana government in 2018 to develop and promote Integrated Aluminium Industry in Ghana.



Mr. Ansah said GIADEC would be transparent and accountable to the mining communities and the people of Ghana.



GIADEC intends to keep every detail of its exploration, exploitation and restoration activities within the public domain to ensure that everyone appreciates that weve adhered strictly to national regulations and best international standards, said Mr. Ansah, a globally-respected estates specialist and former Senior Vice President of Dell.



Journalists at the workshop were taken through three essential thematic areas, namely environmental protection practices, research, and protection of water bodies.

The facilitators were Mr. Ransford Sekyi of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Prof. Benjamin B. Campion of the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources (KNUST), and Ms. Adwoa Painstil of Water Resources Commission



ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION



The Director of Mines at Environmental Protection Agency Mr. Ransford Sekyi, outlined the processes for acquiring permits and commended the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation for duly following EPAs procedures.



He explained that even though mining was yet to begin, GIADEC had consulted and involved the EPA in all of its preliminary activities toward exploration.

Mr. Sekyi, confirmed that the EPA on behalf of GoG commissioned KNUST to conduct a baseline biodiversity study in the Atewa forest reserve and the outcome would address the concerns on preservation of the environment.

He said mining companies went through a rigorous process of permitting before they could start exploration and mining.



Companies were required to submit a reclamation strategy with a bond paid to the EPA that will be used for reclamation should the companies fail to deliver on their environmental obligations.



FLORA AND FAUNA



Prof. Campion who is leading the research at Atewa said some of the current threats to the reserve include invasive alien species, climate change, tourism, hunting, increasing wildlife trade, and logging.



However, he acknowledged that the greatest threat to Atewa forest was the activities of illegal small-scale mining (Galamsey) rather than legal mining companies who were bonded to restore the pre-mining environment.



Our findings will be presented to the EPA, which will be the basis for advising Government of Ghana on policy options, Dr. Campion said.



He therefore urged the media to assure the public, that, whatever the circumstances, mining would be done sustainably if it went ahead.



WATER BODIES



Ms Paintsil, Director  Environmental Quality at Water Resources Commission said her outfit would restrict any activity that threatens water sources and livelihoods. She took participants through the commissions permitting processes, saying once GIADEC and its partners went through the appropriate permitting processes then the Birim, Densu and Ayensu, all rivers in the Atewa forest, were sure to be protected.



TO MINE OR NOT TO MINE



The training rounded up with a consensus by both facilitators and Editors that it is imminent for GIADEC to be supported by the media especially, government, private sector partners and all other stakeholders to develop the Aluminium industry in Ghana as the base for the countrys economic development. Participants were particular about GIADEC being allowed to mine in Atewa. This they believed would bring sanity and predictability to the forest reserve and prevent the destru

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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My friend is a non-resident Indian (NRI). He wants to sell a plot in India. A long-term capital gain ( LTCG ) tax of 20% will be applicable on the capital gain since the plot was bought in 2015. If he transfers the registration to his wifewho is an Indian residentand then sells the property, will the tax deducted at source ( TDS ) reduce to 1%?

Name withheld on request

Under the Indian income tax law, if the seller" of an immovable property (other than agricultural land) qualifies as a resident" of India during the relevant financial year and the sale consideration exceeds 50 lakh, the buyer is required to deduct TDS at 1%.

If the seller" qualifies as a non-resident" in India, the buyer is required to deduct TDS at a specified rate on taxable capital gains on the sale of immovable property. The specified rate is 20% (plus applicable surcharge and health and education cess) in case of long-term capital gains and 30% (plus applicable surcharge and health and education cess) in case of short-term capital gains. Alternatively, the buyer or seller may approach the income tax officer to apply for lower or nil TDS certificate.

The NRI seller may transfer the property in the name of his resident wife by way of gift. However, there will be stamp duty, registration and documentation cost on such a transfer.

Further, due to income clubbing provisions in the income tax law, the capital gains income will be clubbed in the hands of the NRI seller, who will be liable to pay income tax in India on LTCG.

The clubbing does not apply only if the transfer is for adequate consideration or in connection with an agreement to live apart. Considering the clubbing provision, the buyer may prefer to deduct TDS at a higher rate in the name of the NRI seller only.

Sonu Iyer is tax partner and people advisory services leader, EY India.

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NEW ORLEANS, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, the former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have only until April 6, 2021 to file lead plaintiff applications in securities class action lawsuits against Clover Health Investments, Corp. (NasdaqGS: CLOV, CLOVW) f/k/a Social Capital Hedosophia Holdings Corp. III (NYSE: IPOC), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's securities between October 6, 2020 and February 4, 2021, inclusive (the "Class Period") or pursuant or traceable to the registration statement and prospectus issued in connection with the December 2020 merger of Clover and Social Capital III. These actions are pending in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.

(PRNewsfoto/Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC)

What You May Do

If you purchased securities of Clover and/or Social Capital as above and would like to discuss your legal rights and how these cases might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email (lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nasdaqgs-clov/ https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nasdaqgs-irtc/ https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-pen/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action by overseeing lead counsel with the goal of obtaining a fair and just resolution, you must request this position by application to the Court by April 6, 2021 .

About the Lawsuits

Clover and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

On January 7, 2021, the Company completed its merger with Social Capital Hedosophia Holdings Corp. III and began to trade on the NasdaqGS under "CLOV." On February 4, 2021, a report issued by Hindenburg Research revealed that the Company was under active investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice prior to the merger relating to potential kickbacks and marketing practices, which was not disclosed by the Company. Then, on February 5, 2021, the Company acknowledged that it was aware of the DOJ investigation before entering into the merger, and also disclosed the receipt of an SEC inquiry following publication of Hindenburg's report.

Story continues

On this news, the price of Clover's shares plummeted.

The first-filed case is Bond v. Clover Health Investments, Corp., et al., No. 3:21-cv-00096.

About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients  including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors  in seeking to recover investment losses due to corporate fraud and malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, California and Louisiana.

To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com.

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Australian Netflix users have been warned to be vigilant of a sophisticated email phishing scam attempting to steal thousands of dollars from their bank accounts.

The email tells recipients their last Netflix bill was accidentally charged twice and to request a refund by using the link provided.

While users are taken to a Netflix log-in page that appears genuine, cyber security firm MailGuard said there are key signs the emails have been sent by scammers.

Australian Netflix users have been warned to be vigilant of a sophisticated email phishing scam pretending to be from the online streaming giant

Those red flags include the subject line being left blank and the company's display name being misspelt as 'Netlfix', the company said in a recent blog post.

In some cases, the recipient will also not be addressed correctly in the body of the email.

MailGuard said the web address the scammers use also does not belong to Netflix and is instead a cheap URL bought from a cheap domain name provider.

Users' details are then harvested by the fraudsters on a page asking for their credit card number.

Red flags include the subject line being left blank and the company's display name being misspelt as 'Netlfix'

To make the ruse appear legitimate, the scammers even offer to send a one-time authentication code to users' phones

To make the ruse appear legitimate, the scammers even offer to send a one-time authentication code to users' phones.

'If you see an email from Netflix, please make sure it is a legitimate communication before you open it,' the MailGuard warning reads.

'With more than 203million subscribers, theres a high likelihood that many of those that are receiving the email are subscribers and that a portion of those will be too time poor to check the details in the email.'

MailGuard said the sophisticated phishing attempt was the latest in a series of scams pretending to be sent by Netflix.
Actor R. Madhavan has surprised one and all with the trailer of his next movie, Rocketry: The Nambi Effect. The movie is not just conceptualised by him and he is not only playing the lead role, this movie is special because this will also mark his directorial debut in the industry. So far, the response to the trailer has been stellar.



While celebs and the  janta have given their nods for this one, a very special appraisal in terms of words of appreciation have come his way. The actor recently revealed on social media that he had the golden opportunity of meeting PM Modi and showing him glimpses of his work. The actor is left elated after the PM tweeted words of praise for his work and specially the topic of the movie, a subject which is very important for the people to know about and get acquainted with.

Happy to have met you and the brilliant Nambi Narayanan Ji. This film covers an important topic, which more people must know about.



Our scientists and technicians have made great sacrifices for our country, glimpses of which I could see in the clips of Rocketry. https://t.co/GDopym5rTm  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 5, 2021

The movie has been inspired from the life of an ISRO scientist named Mr. Nambi, who was entangled in an ugly spy scandal while he was working as an aerospace engineer. The movie is receiving a very positive response in terms of acceptance and an appetite for this intriguing subject. The movie will be released in six languages which include Hindi, English, Tamil and even Telugu.
The Google Translate app has just passed a milestone that all app developers pine after. According to Android Police, it now has over one billion downloads on the Google Play Store. This inducts Google Translate onto the list of just over 60 apps to surpass one billion downloads.

Google Translate takes advantage of Googles massive amount of data

Its a well-known fact that any Google app has a backing of tons of data gathered from the numerous users who use Google products. Its what makes Googles Assistant the digital assistant to beat. It edges out Siri and Bixby by a significant margin when it comes to usability. Google Translate has a lot of data from users in different countries to use when translating. From utilizing data taken from basic usage to having users participate in studies, Google has made a very robust translating app.

Google boasts 108 languages that can be translated. Thats quite a large list of languages, and Google translate is still learning and gathering more data.

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Google Translate is integrated into several Google products

Google Translate has its DNA stitched into a handful of Googles products and services. Theres the classic text translation- thats what youre greeted with when opening up the app. It goes past that, however. Theres also the voice translate where you say Translate Hello to Spanish. These services arent only accessed through the Google translate app. You can also use the Google app itself.

Its also integrated into Googles Assistant. Like many of Googles services-including weather reports, traffic, map services, etc- translate can be accessed via Assistant. The Assistant will respond with a response in the respective language and politely ask if you would like to translate more.

Googles translate service goes beyond text and audio. In an ambitious leap of faith, Google also invested in translating text on the fly via Google Lens. This is a massive undertaking, as text can have many different fonts and sizes, and they can vary wildly from language to language. There are also the lighting conditions to consider, as well as the quality of the phones camera. Google has pulled it off with surprising proficiency. Though Google Lens hasnt really picked up much steam, they still continue to add features.

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Google Translate has come a long way

In the earlier days, Google Translate was definitely a work in progress. The languages that it could translate and its accuracy have both improved. On a personal note, back in 2011, I asked Google it translate liebestraum to English. I got body beautiful as a translation from Hungarian. Today, its translated as Love Dream from German, which is the proper translation.

Google Translate has come a long way, and the fact that it has surpassed one billion downloads is a testament to that fact.
Jamie King and beau Sennett Devermont debuted their romance last December amid her ongoing custody battle with ex-husband Kylie Newman.

The actress, 41, and entrepreneur, 32, looked casual as they enjoyed a rare couple's outing on Monday.

King was classically chic donning a jeans and tee-shirt look as she picked up pizza from Joe's NYC Pizza of West Hollywood while her other half waited in the car.

Sighting: Jaime King and boyfriend Sennett Devermont enjoyed a rare public outing on Monday while picking up pizza in West Hollywood

Passenger seat: The Hart Of Dixie actress' other half waited in the car while she grabbed their dinner

The Hart Of Dixie star showed off her hip side wearing a white shirt bearing a phrase from a piece by artist Jenny Holzer.

She teamed her statement piece with loose jeans in a faded black hue and well-worn sneakers while keeping her chin-skimming blonde locks down loose.

A disposable white medical mask kept the mother-of-two safe amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Jaime didn't need her purse as she quickly popped into the pizza parlor with just her wallet tucked under her arm.

After she picked up the pie, the star headed back to the car where Sennett waited with his hoodie pulled up.

Statement piece: The actress/mother-of-two showed off her hip side wearing a white shirt bearing a phrase from a piece by artist Jenny Holzer

Jaime and Sennett's outing comes after he ex Kyle revealed he and girlfriend Cyn, 27, secretly welcomed a child together in February.

Retired model King was reportedly blindsided by the news when she learned they were expecting late last year, with a source telling Us Weekly: 'Jaime was completely unaware of the pregnancy up until right before the holidays.'

'Shes been trying to move on and get this divorce over with and Kyle continues to hold it up.

'Hes been making it difficult for her. She had no idea he even had this secret girlfriend or even that Cyn was pregnant. It was a big shock for her.'

The White Chicks actress filed for divorce from her husband in May and the exes are locked in a custody battle over their kids.

Surprise! Jaime and Sennett's outing comes after he ex Kyle revealed he and girlfriend Cyn, 27, secretly welcomed a child together in February

At odds: The White Chicks actress filed for divorce from her husband in May and the exes are locked in a custody battle over their kids. They're pictured in December 2019 above

Newman has petitioned the court for sole physical custody of sons James, seven and Leo, five.

In his legal documents, he described King as an 'absent parent', ET reported, who was 'either away at work in Canada or otherwise choosing to be away from them for weeks and months at a time during the Covid-19 pandemic.'

A spokesperson for King, however, told the outlet: 'Once again, Kyle's lawyers have filed selectively redacted documents which perpetuate a false narrative about Jaime.

'Jaime's utmost priority has been the well-being of her children and she will continue to pursue this privately for their sake.'

The rep added that the actress 'looks forward to harmonious co-parenting of the boys.'
A senior official in the Central government, during a Secretary-level meeting over the COVID-19 situation in the country on Monday, expressed apprehension that the ongoing Kumbh might become a "super spreader", according to a top source in the government.

The source said the government is worried about the Kumbh and discussed this at a high-level meeting on Monday.

"If the government does not decide to end Kumbh before the stipulated time, it may become a COVID-19 'super spreader'," a member in the high-level meeting said.

"The government is forming a team that will appeal to all with the help of sadhus and religious leaders to ensure pilgrims, who are visiting the Kumbh, wear masks and follow social distancing," the source told ANI.

"At the same time, the government also suggested that a message should be given through TV and radio, and posters should be put up at public places to create awareness amongst masses that the pandemic is not over yet," the source added.

However, the Centre is not considering prematurely ending the holy congregation.

The government also asked for ideas from the officials to curb the spread of the infection.

Sources added that the government is planning to run a "Healthy Fear for Corona" mission to ensure that the fear of the disease remains in the people and they feel discouraged to flout the established health norms.

The Uttarakhand government already released a set of guidelines that is to be followed, which requires people to strictly adhere to COVID-19 norms. A negative RT-PCR test report not older than 72 hours before arrival has been made mandatory for devotees gathering for the Kumbh.

The Central government has already directed the Uttarakhand government to follow all the "stringent measures" to control the spread of the deadly virus during the Kumbh.

There will be three major bathing dates (shahi snan) on April 12, 14 and 27 during the this year.

Kumbh is held periodically at four different locations in India -- Nashik, Haridwar, Prayagraj, and Ujjain -- every four years.

In normal circumstances, Kumbh continues for nearly four months but this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the duration of the congregation has been curtailed to one month.

(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.)
Turkey: Von der Leyen, Michel in Ankara meeting with Erdogan On migrants and relations with EU, democracy and women's rights

(ANSAmed) - ISTANBUL, 06 APR - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel travelled to Turkey on Tuesday to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.



The visit comes following the road map outlined by the European Council 10 days ago, with the aim of relaunching the fluctuating relations between the EU and Turkey after recent moves by the Turkish government on democracy and human rights.



The meetings will take place on Tuesday afternoon and will focus on various strategic issues, from migration to regional geopolitical disputes on the Eastern Mediterranean, Syria and Libya.



In particular, the leaders will discuss the renewal of the controversial March 2016 accord on Syrian refugees.



The Erdogan government is asking for more resources to continue to handle reception for the more than 3.6 million refugees of the Syrian war, after the six billion euros already committed by the EU over these years.



For its part, the EU seems intent on aiming for cooperation in development, given the poor prospects for the refugees' return to their home country anytime soon.



At the same time, a meeting is scheduled to discuss bringing the 1995 EU-Turkey Customs Union up to date, which Turkey has been requesting for some time; as well as resuming high-level dialogue meetings, which have been suspended since 2019.



In addition, Turkey is pushing for visa liberalisation.



The possible relaunch of bilateral relations will have to take into account Erdogan's recent moves in terms of the protection of minority rights, with the request to ban the main Kurdish party and the arrests of opposition leaders; as well as the controversial withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention against violence against women. (ANSAmed).




Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson appeared perturbed that journalist and author Ta-Nehisi Coates modeled Marvel villain Red Skull after him in the latest issue of Captain America.

The uncanny resemblance was brought to Peterson's attention Monday morning by a fan commenting on the controversial psychologist's tweet claiming that The Atlantic magazine 'helped develop' an 'insanely bullying and self-righteous culture.'

The tweet from the fan included a panel from Captain America (2018) #28, published March 31, 2021, that showed the Red Skull offering sermons titled Ten Rules for Life, Chaos and Order, Karl Lueger's Genius and The Feminist Trap.

Jordan Peterson's fans brought the comic by Ta-Nehisi Coates to his attention after the controversial psychologist tweeted about The Atlantic

The comic panel came from Captain America (2018) #28, published March 31, 2021

Peterson's most popular book and its sequel both have titles that are strikingly similar to titles from Red Skull's sermons.

The psychologist is well-known for his 'grow up' approach to adulthood along with his conservative views. His 2018 book, 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos, is an international bestseller, having sold more than 5million copies around the world.

Peterson's latest book, Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life, is being published by Random House Canada to the dismay of some of the staff there.

Panel showed the Red Skull offering sermons titled Ten Rules for Life, Chaos and Order, Karl Lueger's Genius and The Feminist Trap. Peterson's most popular book and its sequel both have titles that are strikingly similar to titles from Red Skull's sermons

The psychologist is well-known for his 'grow up' approach to adulthood along with his conservative views. His 2018 book, 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos, is an international bestseller, having sold more than 5million copies around the world. Peterson's latest book, Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life, is pictured right

'What the hell,' Peterson said when seeing the tweet, sharing it to his 1.8million followers on Monday night.

Peterson followed up the tweet with another that included more panels from the page, showing Captain America talking with a detective about the domestic terrorism as a result of followers of Red Skull deploying a bomb.

Captain American explains that most of the Red Skulls followers are people who dive deep into the internet and come out brainwashed by his 'theory on the world.'

'It's the same for all of them. Young men. Weak. Looking for purpose. I found the flag, you found the badge. They found the Skull,' he explains.

'He tells them what they've always longed to hear. That they are secretly great. That the whole world is against them. That if they're truly men, they'll fight back.'

Peterson got confirmation from his fans that the panels came from the same issue before actually dubbing the panels a 'parody.'

Peterson asked: 'Do I really live in a universe where Ta-Nehisi Coates has written a Captain America comic featuring a parody of my ideas as part of the philosophy of the arch villain Red Skull?'

He asked: 'Do I really live in a universe where Ta-Nehisi Coates has written a Captain America comic featuring a parody of my ideas as part of the philosophy of the arch villain Red Skull?'

The Red Skull is a longtime villain to Captain America known for his ties to Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany. His mind was trapped along with former Soviet General Aleksander Lukin after the renegade general had the Marvel villain assassinated by the Winter Soldier during the Civil War among superheroes.

One Twitter user noted that even Lukin had striking similarities with Peterson - though it is unclear whether the psychologist has seen the reference.

One Twitter user noted that the current Red Skull had striking similarities with Peterson - though it is unclear whether the psychologist has seen the reference

Junior staff at the Penguin Random House Canada publishing house tried to block the publication of Peterson's Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life, calling him an 'icon of white supremacy and hate speech' for his series of controversial remarks.

In 2017, he said in an interview: 'The idea of white privilege is absolutely reprehensible and it's not because white people aren't privileged. Most people have all sorts of privilege.

In a 2018 exchange on the British TV network Channel 4, he told interviewer Cathy Newman that young men were crying out to be told to grow up and be more 'competent' and that women 'deeply' wanted them to.

Marvel comics have had a long history of providing commentary and support for movements pushed by marginalized groups through their panels and superheroes.

Stan Lee notably said that the X-Men's Professor Xavier and Charles Magneto were inspired by Civil Right Movement greats Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. The X-Men were introduced in 1963 during the height of the Civil Rights Movement and Lee would co-create Black Panther just a few years later in 1966, History.com reported.

'Let's lay it right on the line. Bigotry and racism are among the deadliest social ills plaguing the world today,' Lee wrote in December 1968. '[I]t's totally irrational, patently insane to condemn an entire raceto despise an entire nationto vilify an entire religion.

'Sooner or later, we must learn to judge each other on our own merits. Sooner or later, if a man is ever to be worthy of his destiny, we must fill our hearts with tolerance.'
Chandigarh, April 6 : Amid tight security, gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) legislator from Mau wanted in heinous crimes, was handed over to Uttar Pradesh Police by its Punjab counterparts for taking him back to a jail in Banda district by road, officials said on Tuesday.

After covering some 900-km road stretch in over 16 hours, a 100-strong armed contingent of Uttar Pradesh Police, headed by a Deputy Superintendent, on Monday reached the Central Jail in Punjab's Ropar town, some 60 km from the state capital, where Ansari was lodged for two years and two months in an extortion and criminal intimidation case.

"Mukhtar Ansari was handed over to Uttar Pradesh Police after completing all legal and medical formalities. He has been taken to the Banda jail in an ambulance under a heavy security cover," a senior police official told IANS here.

A medical check-up of Ansari, comprising a coronavirus test, was done before handing over to the Uttar Pradesh police.

Punjab Police brought five-time legislator Ansari in 2019 from the Banda jail on a production warrant in an extortion case relating to a builder of Mohali town. Since then he had been lodged in the Ropar jail.

The Supreme Court had on March 26 asked the Punjab government to hand over Ansari to Uttar Pradesh Police within two weeks, ignoring pleas of the former.

The Punjab government had written to the Uttar Pradesh's Additional Chief Secretary (Home) on April 3 to make suitable arrangements for handing over Ansari to the police before April 8.

Interestingly, Ansari was produced on a wheel-chair in a Mohali court near here last week in the extortion and criminal intimidation case. He was brought to the court in a bullet-proof ambulance registered in Uttar Pradesh, whose documents were later found fake.

The ambulance later was found abandoned on the Chandigarh-Nangal highway.

Justifying the use of ambulance, a Punjab Police official told the media that a jail inmate could be transported in a private ambulance on medical grounds and the cost of the vehicle has to be borne by the prisoner.

The opposition Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) had accused the state government of giving 'political shelter' to Ansari by keeping him in the Ropar jail as a 'state guest' on a frivolous charge.

As per the police, Ansari has over 50 criminal cases against him, including those related to murder and kidnapping.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
The impact of Covid-19 on the education system was always going to be a major feature of the teacher union conferences, but up to a week ago no one expected teacher vaccinations to be the main talking point.

The pandemic caused the cancellation of the Easter conferences in 2020 and this year, for the first time, the conventions are taking place online, over two days.

Despite assurances from medical experts that schools are safe places once public health measures are strictly observed, teachers are nervous about picking up the infection at work.

Throughout all the difficult talk about schools re-opening, unions were told teachers would be in the top 30pc of the population to be vaccinated, While there was no particular timeline for that, they were satisfied they were being given priority. There was an expectation that it would translate into teachers being inoculated well before the return to school in September.

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Last week the Government accepted a recommendation from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) about overhauling the vaccination schedule and rolling it out based on age, with no prioritisation for occupational groups, other than those already done.

Teachers see it as a broken promise. Coming a week before the annual conferences, it lit a short fuse.

What happens next?

Education Minister Norma Foley is addressing the INTO conference today and the TUI conference tomorrow. The unions next move hinges on what she says about vaccines for teachers.

If the minster does not signal a change of heart on the part of the Government, all three teacher unions will discuss a joint motion tomorrow seeking support for ballots on industrial action, up to and including strike. If it comes to it, that action would happen next term.

What else are the conferences discussing?

There are a lot of the usual themes such as class size, educational disadvantage, special education and the need for more resources for schools generally, including more funding for technology. After a year of significant disruption to education, including extended school closures and an unprecedented pivot to online teaching and learning, these issues have taken on an even greater relevance.

Remote teaching presented a lot of challenges and has well and truly exposed deficiencies in the system. Inequalities have been exacerbated with teachers reporting that students from disadvantaged backgrounds have suffered most. Examples would be children who dont have a laptop to facilitate home schooling, or those who are living in overcrowded conditions that dont allow for a quiet space for school work.

What are the unions suggesting?

Because of the pandemic a lot extra money was given to schools to support principals, teachers and pupils. Much of it was targeted on PPE  but there was also extra investment in areas such as substitute teachers and freeing up principals for the wide range of duties they cover.

The unions have long campaigned for more funding for education, highlighting how Irelands investment is below the international average and say the pandemic supports must be retained to make up for decades of under investment. They say the money is needed for more teachers and extra resources generally to help students to catch up when this is over.

On the class size issue, INTO general secretary John Boyle said smaller classes have a positive impact on pupils learning and development, contributing to better life outcomes.

During a pandemic, we had the particular shame of being the only country in the EU to issue guidance for social distancing in a class of 30 or more. The Government has the opportunity over the next few years to bring our class sizes into line with the rest of Europe, he says.

Are there any new issues?

The adequacy and quality of school buildings would often be raised at teacher conferences but this year there is a particular focus on ventilation and air quality, two issues that came under the spotlight because of the pandemic

TUI general secretary Michael Gillespie said the experience of the past year must inform new thinking on school design. We always knew that ventilation and air quality were important. We now know just how important. Students learn better and teachers teach better when air quality in the teaching space is of a good standard. It has never been a requirement in our classes, but it must be now, he said.

For starters, he called for the installation of air quality meters in every classroom.

What about pay?

Pay, particularly lower pay scales for new entrants introduced in 2011/2012, have dominated teacher conferences for a decade. Less so this year, but it remains an issue.

Successive pay agreement have restored a lot the cuts but, significantly for second-level teachers, they are still at the loss of what was known as a HDip allowance. Over a career, this amounts to a loss of about 50,000 when compared with someone who started before it was abolished in 2012. With other cuts, they reckon they end up about 80,000 behind a pre-2011 colleague.

In a related issue, the ASTI is discussing a motion highlighting how it now takes six years in college to become a second-level teacher, including a two-year masters qualification that costs between 11,000 and 16,000 to complete. They are seeking support for students, including a payment while on placement as is the case for student nurses.


Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo answers questions on the sixth day of the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. April 5, 2021 in a still image from video. Pool via REUTERS

Derek Chauvin violated Minneapolis Police Department rules and its ethics code on respecting the "sanctity of life" during the deadly arrest of George Floyd last May, the city's police chief testified at the former officer's murder trial on Monday.

"It's not part of our training, and it is certainly not part of our ethics and our values," said Chief Medaria Arradondo, referring to how Chauvin, who is white, held his knee on the neck of Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, for more than nine minutes. A bystander's video of Floyd's dying moments sparked global protests against police brutality.

Over 3-1/2 hours of testimony, Arradondo disputed the defense's claim that Chauvin, who has pleaded not guilty to murder and manslaughter charges, was following the training he had received in his 19 years on the force.

According to law experts who track police prosecutions, it is highly unusual for a city's senior police official to testify that one of his former subordinates used excessive force. Chauvin, who along with three other officers was fired by Arradondo a day after the arrest, sat nearby in a suit, taking notes.

In opening statements last week, a prosecutor told the jury that it would hear from Arradondo, who would not "mince words." Last year, the chief released a statement castigating Chauvin, saying: "This was murder  it wasn't a lack of training."

On Monday, he appeared dressed in a blue uniform, placed his chief's hat on a ledge in front of him with its golden badge visible to the jury, and spoke with his hands clasped in front of him.

"I vehemently disagree that that was appropriate use of force for that situation on May 25," he said.

He said officers are trained to treat people with dignity and are sworn to uphold the "sanctity of life." They are trained in basic first aid and given annual refresher courses, be it in tying a tourniquet to a bleeding gunshot victim or using a naloxone inhaler to reverse an opioid overdose.

Chauvin failed to follow his training in several respects, Arradondo said. He could tell from Floyd's grimaces that Chauvin was using more than the maximum "light-to-moderate" pressure an officer is allowed to use on someone's neck.

The officer did not relent in using deadly force even as Floyd fell unconscious and he did not provide the mandated first aid to a dying Floyd, Arradondo said.

"It's contrary to our training to indefinitely place your knee on a prone, handcuffed individual for an indefinite period of time," he said, echoing testimony last week by the department's most senior homicide investigator who called Chauvin's use of force "totally unacceptable."

In cross-examination, Eric Nelson, Chauvin's lead lawyer, began with getting Arradondo to say it had been "many years" since he himself had made an arrest.

"I'm not trying to be dismissive," Nelson said. He also had Arradondo agree with him that a police officer's use of force is often "not attractive."

Arradondo was at home on the night of Floyd's death when a deputy chief called him to say a "critical" situation appeared to have unfolded at the intersection outside a food store where Floyd was arrested on suspicion of using a counterfeit $20 bill to buy cigarettes.

That Floyd was taken into custody at all was unusual, Arradondo said, given it was a non-violent misdemeanor. He said he called the state agency that investigates any case where police kill someone. He then called Mayor Jacob Frey, who in 2017 appointed Arradondo as the first Black person to lead the city's police, and headed downtown to his office in City Hall.

The first video he saw, a long shot taken on a city surveillance camera across the street, did not show him much. But shortly before midnight, he got a call from someone "in the community."

"They said almost verbatim: 'Have you seen the video of your officer choking and killing that man at 38th and Chicago?'" Arradondo recalled. "Eventually, within minutes of that, I saw for the first time what is now known as the bystander video."

He could see how long Chauvin had kept Floyd pinned facedown, and concluded it was in breach of his department's "principles and values."

"We are oftentimes the first face of government our community will see, and we will often meet them at their worst moments," Arradondo told the jury when asked by a prosecutor to describe the meaning of the badge the city's roughly 700 sworn officers wear. "That has to count for something."
Constance Moofushi in the Maldives has recently been refurbished by Studio MHNA, ensuring guests enjoy the ultimate luxurious desert island experience.



Soft white sand beaches, sapphire seas and towering coconut trees further enhance this paradisical island resort located in the South Ari Atoll.



Viewed from above, Constance Moofushi is an emerald pearl set in the turquoise blue gradient that is typical of the archipelago. Studios MHNA have used the beauty of the ocean and the vivid colour palette of the surrounding nature to give the resort a new and natural freshness.



In the water villas they have used turquoise tones harmonised with fawn and ivory and alternating stripes, fish patterns and cut coral designs to exude an atmosphere of calm, daydreaming and gentle cruising. In the beach villas there is a nod to the exuberant natural foliage with a palette of greens and vivid flower patterns that awaken the entire decoration.



A new collection of contemporary furniture, inspired by travel pieces from around the world, decorates the different spaces of the hotel and brings freshness, modernity and novelty. Lamps made of rope, a large shell chandelier, back-lit columns made of bottles, vibrant sofas, whitewashed bricks and neon lights are just a few of the additions.



Theres even an old Citroen food truck set in the sand by the new Grill Lounge, adding extra character and providing a real focal point while guests chill under bamboo pergolas playing games, reading or simply relaxing with a drink.



With its brand new atmosphere, exceptional service and deserted white beaches, Constance Moofushi is the destination of choice for travellers in search of calm and pleasure. Hugely popular with scuba diving enthusiasts who appreciate its teeming coral reefs, its manta ray colonies and the very special sunset boat trips, this little piece of the Indian Ocean provides the idyllic island retreat. No shoes, no news is the motto here, allowing guests to truly escape from everyday life.



The authentic and contemporary decoration, reflecting the breathtaking nature that surrounds us, have given a modern reinterpretation to the island. White sand, coconut palms, turquoise sea ....all the ingredients that make a perfect Maldivian holiday are here, said Henri Arnulphy, Managing Director of Constance Moofushi.



 Sensitive to the protection of nature and sustainable development, we focused on using recovered and transformed wood, recycled glass, raffia and shells. Some of these materials have been combined with elaborate and colourful fabrics and materials in order to create vibrant spaces, all different from each other and all breathing happiness and the joy of living, added Marc Hertrich and Nicolas Adnet from Studio MHNA.



The venue is offering up to 40% off the price on all-inclusive rooms, until April 10, 2021.  TradeArabia News Service
AOSTA, APR 6 - Italian police have placed 10 people under investigation in a probe into deaths from COVID-19 in care homes in the northwestern region of Val d'Aosta, on the French border, judicial sources said Tuesday. The probe, which was opened a year ago, is into possible multiple manslaughter and culpable epidemic. The deaths took place in the first few months of last year. Those probed include care home directors and two health operators who examined a patient who then died, sources said. (ANSA).
The pandemic is continuing to pile the pressure on Spains intensive care units (ICUs). The effect of the third wave is still being felt, with one in five ICU beds occupied by Covid-19 patients, and the threat of a fourth wave putting hospitals on alert. Any uptick in infections under these circumstances would put the countrys health system in danger once more.

Between each wave, there isnt enough time for deescalation, and each wave is catching us with more beds occupied by Covid patients, complains Ricard Ferrer, the head of the UCI at the Hospital Vall dHebron in Barcelona and the president of the Spanish Society of Intensive Medicine.

While it seems like infections are falling, in the ICUs we have never been able to breathe easily Jose Eugenio Guerrero, ICU chief at Madrids Gregorio Maranon Hospital

Madrid, Catalonia, La Rioja and Melilla currently have more than a third of their ICU beds occupied by Covid-19 patients. The Health Ministrys alert system considers anywhere between 5% and 10% to be low risk.

The pandemic has forced hospitals to shore up their infrastructure for ICU beds and there are currently 10,000 spaces across the country  more than double the number before the pandemic hit. Hospitals are working like a kind of accordion at the moment, providing or removing beds according to demand. Right now, in Catalonia, the beds that are occupied by Covid patients [more than 400] more or less correspond to those that we have increased during the pandemic, so they dont affect non-Covid patients. But if they grow more, they will once again affect the surgical schedules, Ferrer warns. According to the Health Ministry, there are 1,925 patients with Covid-19 in Spanish ICUs.

The incidence of new infections has been growing for some days now, coming in on Monday at 163 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over 14 days. This rise has already been reflected in ICU admissions, which are also going up  the figure has grown 4.45% since April 1. The time patients spend in the ICU is very long, explains Jose Eugenio Guerrero, ICU chief at Madrids Gregorio Maranon Hospital. While it seems like infections are falling, in the ICUs we have never been able to breathe easily.

The ICU for Covid patients in Barcelonas Bellvitge hospital. Massimiliano Minocri

The patients who are entering the ICUs are younger and are recovering well in general, but not any quicker. And the rhythm of admissions and discharges is not the same as the curve of new infections. The incidence curve is progressing faster than that of the ICUs, warns Daniel Lopez-Acuna, a former director at the World Health Organization (WHO). If there is a fourth wave, even if its smaller, we will have a cumulative effect.

Alberto Lafuente, the manager of the health system in La Rioja, agrees. The situation is very worrying because patients have been left in a chronic condition from the third wave and we are already seeing how the pressure on the system is starting to rise once more, he says.

If the ICUs fill up again, consults, tests and surgeries will be put on hold Alberto Lafuente, manager of the health system in La Rioja

With 35.8% of ICU beds occupied by Covid patients, La Rioja is one of the worst-affected regions in this respect. During the peak of ICU admissions during the third wave, on February 1, 45.3% of ICU beds in Spain were occupied by Covid patients  nearly 4,900 people. But in La Rioja, the figure was as high as 71%. We have a smaller healthcare system and we dont have the flexibility of other regions, so we had to improvise, explains Lafuente. In Madrid, the current ICU occupation rate by Covid patients is 37%, while in Catalonia it is 35% and in the North African city of Melilla, it is 41%.

Spains ICUs were used to working with high occupation rates, but their resources were limited and the flood of patients during the first wave overwhelmed the system  hospitals had to halt all other activity, suspending surgeries and other activity and assigning most of the ICU beds to the most serious Covid patients.

During the second and third waves, hospitals had to find a way to combine coronavirus treatment and normal activity, but also had to suspend the latter at times. Lafuente insists that the challenge this time will be to try not to stop the system. He continues: If the ICUs fill up again, we will have to turn to professionals from other areas and consults, tests and surgeries will be put on hold.

The experts consulted by EL PAIS are predicting a flatter fourth wave compared to the previous ones, but they are counting on ICUs suffering once more and warn that staff are exhausted. I think that a dramatic fourth wave is unnecessary, says Ferrer. We know how to stop it, so lets not be in a hurry to deescalate [coronavirus restrictions].

English version by Simon Hunter.
She moved out of her rented Surrey property late last month.

And Katie Price is reportedly on the hunt for a nine bedroom home and is willing to splash out 1million for her fresh start with beau Carl Woods following her divorce.

The mother of five, 42, was pictured house-hunting over the weekend with her toyboy boyfriend, 32, in the hopes of finding somewhere for her family to live.

New beginnings: Katie Price is reportedly on the hunt for a nine bedroom home and is willing to splash out 1million for her fresh start with beau Carl Woods following her divorce

Katie, whose divorce from ex Kieran Hayler was finalised earlier this year, is searching in the Hertfordshire area and apparently hopes to find somewhere big enough to sleep all of her children and friends.

A source told the Sun: 'Katie wants somewhere big enough for all of the kids to have their own bedrooms and for friends to stay - a house with nine bedrooms, or seven at the least.

'She needs paddocks outside for her horses, and is willing to splash out up to a million for a fresh start. She's excited about starting the next chapter of her life with Carl.'

Loved-up! And Katie Price is reportedly on the hunt for a nine bedroom home and is willing to splash out 1million for her fresh start with beau Carl Woods following her divorce

A spokesperson confirmed to the publication: 'I can confirm Katie and Carl are looking for a house to accommodate them.'

Katie is currently looking to purchase a family home with the former Love Island star, who recently listed his Essex abode for 445,000.

The couple were seen looking at a collection of properties with a real estate agent who stood at a distance outside amid the Covid pandemic.

Katie moved out of her 2m 'mucky mansion' in Sussex last year while it undergoes renovations and had been staying at a rented home in Surrey with Carl.

It comes after Katie was seen visiting her 2m 'mucky mansion' in Sussex and even thinking about moving back into the house in a YouTube video posted on Monday.

Brood: The mother of five, 42, was pictured house-hunting over the weekend with her toyboy boyfriend, 32, in the hopes of finding somewhere for her family to live

However, while on a tour of the run-down abode, the former glamour model had to warn her partner to be 'careful' as the bathroom floor might 'cave through'.

Carl gingerly put his foot down on one of the bathroom floors while inspecting the house and working out what could be done decoration wise to improve it.

Being wary not to put too much weight on the ground, Carl laughed as he turned to the camera and said: 'I'm a bit worried it's gonna cave through'.

Looking around: It comes after Katie was seen visiting her 2m 'mucky mansion' in Sussex and even thinking about moving back into the house in a YouTube video posted on Monday

Terrible: Back in June 2020, thieves flooded her bathroom, causing a ceiling to collapse into the kitchen

Over the past few months, the TV star's abode stood decrepit and unkempt with abandoned facilities amid her recent financial woes.

Renovations kicked off in June 2019, but the influencer was left devastated when the 'mucky mansion' was broken into and destroyed by intruders a year later.

In June 2020, thieves broke in to steal her I'm A Celebrity rucksack and put the shower head over the ceiling which caused the bathroom to flood and the ceiling to collapse.

Just weeks later, she suffered a fresh blow as thieves broke in again, and she vowed to up security after a neighbour witnessed three men on her private property.
CHICAGO, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL) is pleased to announce the sale of the real estate portfolio of Precision Spine Care, totaling approximately 39,814 rentable square feet across two buildings (the Properties/the Portfolio) in Tyler & Texarkana, Texas. BGL's Healthcare Real Estate team served as the exclusive advisor to the seller in the transaction.

BGL's Healthcare Real Estate team served as the exclusive advisor to the seller in the transaction. Tweet this BGL Announces the Sale of the Real Estate Portfolio of Precision Spine Care

The Portfolio includes one clinical office & imaging center, and one clinical office & ambulatory surgical center. The practice has 14 highly trained and qualified physicians who specialize in spine care and pain management.

The Properties are strategically located in Northeast Texas and are considered medical hubs, as both Tyler and Texarkana are the primary destinations for healthcare and economics for their respective regions.

About Brown Gibbons Lang & Company

Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL) is a leading independent investment bank and financial advisory firm focused on the global middle market. The firm advises private and public corporations and private equity groups on mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, capital markets, financial restructurings, valuations and opinions, and other strategic matters. BGL has investment banking offices in Chicago, Cleveland, and Philadelphia, and real estate offices in Chicago, Cleveland, and San Antonio. The firm is also a founding member of Global M&A Partners, enabling BGL to service clients in more than 30 countries around the world. Securities transactions are conducted through Brown, Gibbons, Lang & Company Securities, Inc., an affiliate of Brown Gibbons Lang & Company LLC and a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC. For more information, please visit www.bglco.com.

SOURCE Brown Gibbons Lang & Company

Related Links

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Wellington, April 6 : New Zealand's successful management of the Covid-19 pandemic means quarantine-free travel between the country and Australia will start on April 19, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Tuesday.

The conditions for starting to open up quarantine free travel with Australia have been met, Ardern told a press conference.

"The Director-General of Health considers the risk of transmission of Covid-19 from Australia to New Zealand is low and that quarantine free travel is safe to commence," Xinhua news agency quoted the Prime Minister.

The quarantine free travel "opens up the opportunity to reconnect with loved ones and resume Trans-Tasman travel", she said.

"One sacrifice that has been particularly hard for many to bear over the past year has been the separation from friends and family who live in Australia, so today's announcement will be a great relief for many," she added.

The Prime Minister highlighted economic recovery and arrangement of safely opening up international travel while continuing to pursue a strategy of elimination and keeping the virus out.

However, she warned that people will need to plan for the possibility of having travel disrupted if there is an outbreak.

Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said that to be eligible to travel to or from New Zealand on a quarantine-free flight, people must not have had a positive test result in the previous 14-day period and must not be awaiting the results of a test taken during that 14-day period.

"When those in Australia decide to come to New Zealand, they will be making a booking on a green zone flight. That means that there will be no passengers on that flight who have come from anywhere but Australia in the last 14 days.

"They will also be flown by crew who have not flown on any high risk routes for a set period of time," he said.
Old-fashioned police work and a never-give-up attitude have brought closure for a family after 43 years.

In 1978, when 30-year-old Terry Jordan, a librarian from Canberra, left Wanaka with his friend Marc Weinstein to climb Mount Aspiring, his family had no idea it would be the last theyd hear of him for 43 years.

Terry and Marc departed Wanaka on 3 December and planned to return in 10 days' time. According to reports, they left French Ridge Hut to climb Popes Nose on 10 December. The weather that day was severe.

When they failed to return on 15 December, a search was initiated. Marcs body was found two days later. Despite an extensive search, Terry wasnt found. An inquest concluded that he had died from injuries resulting from a fall on the West Face of Mount Aspiring.

The site where the remains were recovered in 2016.

Back in Canberra, Terry's family mourned his death but the story didnt end there.

Thirty-eight years later in 2016, human remains, items of clothing and property were found on the lower reaches of Bonar Glacier, one of Mount Aspirings three major glacial systems.

The cause of death wasnt clear but there was significant trauma consistent with a fall from height. Various lines of enquiry came up empty and the remains lay unidentified for five years.

They would have stayed that way if it werent for a last-ditch effort from Gaye Robinson of the Coroners Office and a dogged search for the truth by Canterbury Police Emergency Management Coordinator, Sergeant Phil Simmonds.

I was contacted by Gaye to see if I could help, says Phil. I knew there would be a family out there somewhere without answers, so I was happy to look into it.

Phil has been involved in search and rescue (SAR) and disaster victim identification (DVI) for more than 25 years. He has brought countless trampers and hunters home to their families from all over New Zealand.

He also played a key DVI role after the Thailand tsunami, the Christchurch earthquakes and the 15 March terror attacks.

Despite the challenging nature of such work, Phil counts himself lucky.

Ive got a great job where I can make a real difference to people. I get to bring their loved ones home. Sometimes its not in the circumstances they would have liked but theyre always grateful.

With no DNA, dental records or fingerprint evidence because of the passage of time and environmental conditions on the mountain, Phil started with what he knew.

I reviewed all the paperwork, files and recovered property first.

Among the items of interest there was a pair of distinctive togs, a pair of tramping boots, a pair of glasses and a wristwatch.

Phil immediately ruled out a previous focus on another missing tramper because of their estimated height and discrepancies between the missing tramper's watch and the watch found with the unidentified remains.

He then reached out to a network of mountaineers, avalanche experts and SAR volunteers to build a picture of who was in the area at the time. This helped narrow his search further.

The glasses recovered in 2016.

A mountaineer contact in Australia identified Terry Jordan as a climber who had never been recovered. Contact was made with his family who confirmed the togs and watch were likely to have been Terrys.

Phil also discovered a curveball that may have thrown the initial investigation in 2016 off-course. A pair of glasses was found among the property, but Phil discovered they didnt match Terrys.

He checked the property report relating to Terrys friend Marc, who also wore glasses, and discovered no glasses were found with his body. A photo confirmed the likelihood that the glasses found with Terry were actually Marcs.

The final piece in the puzzle was to complete a glacial flow map. Phil contacted glaciologist Brian Anderson to provide a map and timeline from the accident site to the location of the recovered remains. Brian confirmed Phils hypothesis.

Although all the evidence was circumstantial, Phil concluded that the human remains found in 2016 on Bonar Glacier were those of Terry Jordan. Coroner Marcus Elliot reviewed the results of Phils investigation and his coronial findings came to the same conclusion.

Terry's family told Phil they always thought he would be found one day and were pleased that it had finally happened.

At the family's request, Terrys remains were cremated. Some of the ashes will be returned to Australia with the reminder to be scattered at Bonar Glacier, his final resting place.

On March 19, 2021, additional human remains were found on Mount Aspiring, not far from where Terry's remains were recovered in 2016. These have not been formally identified yet.

-Police Ten One Magazine.
The most harrowing story Ive read in The New York Times in recent days was Miriam Jordans account of a car crash last month in Southern California involving a Ford Expedition that had come from Mexico, straight through a breach in the border wall. The Ford was crammed with 25 people when it hit a tractor-trailer rig on Route 115, 110 miles east of San Diego.

Few of the survivors have been able to describe what happened next, Jordan writes. The crunch of metal and glass, the bodies flung dozens of feet across the pavement. Twelve people died on the spot, a 13th at a nearby hospital.

Jordan follows the stories of the victims and survivors, and theres a heartbreaking sameness to them: people who have been driven by fear or want from their homes in Mexico and Central America, and who are willing to take grave risks and pay exorbitant sums to make it to the United States. These are not terrorists, gang members, lowlifes, benefit seekers or  except in their willingness to violate U.S. immigration laws  lawbreakers. They are seekers of the American dream, worthy of our compassion and respect.

Yet those 13 people  along with others who have recently lost their lives in dangerous crossings  might not have met their grisly fate if the Biden administrations concept of compassion wasnt also an inducement to recklessness.

And they would not have been killed if a wall had been standing in their way.

Thats a conclusion Ive come to reluctantly, and not because Ive abandoned my disgust with Donald Trump. Walls are ugly things: symbols of defensive, suspicious, often closed-minded civilizations. Walls are, invariably, permeable: Whatever else a border wall will do, it will not seal off America from unwanted visitors or undocumented workers  roughly half of whom arrive legally and overstay their visas.

Walls also cannot address the root cause of our immigration crisis, which stems from a combination of social collapse south of the border and the pull of American life north of it.

But a well-built wall should still be a central part of an overall immigration fix. Its an imperfect but functional deterrent against the most reckless forms of border crossing. Its a barrier against sudden future surges of mass migration.

Its also a political bargaining chip to be traded for a path to citizenship in a comprehensive immigration-reform bill. And its a prophylactic against the next populist revolt, which is sure to overtake our politics if the Biden administration cannot competently control an elementary function of governance.

That deterrent is needed now. U.S. agents apprehended 170,000 migrants along the southwest border in March, a 70 percent jump over Februarys numbers and the highest level in 15 years. Notwithstanding the administrations claims to the contrary, there is a crisis, led by a massive surge in child migration spurred by President Joe Bidens promises of a more humane policy than his predecessors.

Some of this surge is seasonal. And some can be dealt with by building more shelters for unaccompanied minors and families, or speeding up the process of finding relatives or others who can take in unaccompanied children.

But the administration would be foolish to suppose the surge will recede on its own. The years of relative economic prosperity in Mexico that, for a time, led to a net outflow of Mexican migrants from the U.S. is over, thanks to a combination of drug cartels, a pandemic and the misgovernance of its inept populist president. Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua are failing states. A Plan Colombia-style package of security assistance could help. But it will cost billions and probably take a decade for its effects to be felt.

In the meantime, the United States risks a version of the European migration crisis of 2015. Thats the one that contributed heavily to the Brexit vote, turbocharged the rise of far-right parties like Frances National Front and the Alternative for Germany, and paved the way to Trumps election.

Theres little question that our own migration crisis is a political boon for immigration restrictionists. The wonder is why a serious Democratic administration would aid and abet their cause.

Its also putting the interests of comprehensive immigration reform further out of reach. Congress has not passed a significant immigration bill in over three decades. Biden came to office with an opportunity to get a bipartisan accord, but no Republican will sign on to legislation that widens the doors to legal immigrants, much less one that offers some form of amnesty to illegal ones, without a serious plan for border security. Nothing accomplishes that more visibly than a wall.

For Democrats, thats an opportunity to defuse the political bomb Republicans would love to plant right under them. And its a jobs-creating infrastructure program to boot.

Will a wall solve all of our immigration problems? Hardly. It will take years to build, and some practical, regulatory and legal hurdles might be hard to surmount. But for anyone who hopes for America to remain a proud nation of immigrants, it has to be a part of the solution.

Stephens is a columnist for the New York Times.
The Company has received results from the first two holes of the program, while 14 additional holes (550 samples) are currently being analyzed by ALS Minerals. Highlighted results include:

Hole FB-DH-21-01

783.8 g/t AgEq (650.6 g/t Ag, 3.44% Pb, 0.11% Cu) over 1.0m from 155.5 to 156.5m

g/t AgEq (650.6 g/t Ag, 3.44% Pb, 0.11% Cu) over from 155.5 to Including 1,556.5 g/t AgEq (1,290 g/t Ag, 6.89% Pb, 0.22% Cu, 0.12% Zn, 0.15 g/t Au) over 0.5m from 156.0 to 156.5m

Hole FB-DH-21-02

640.76 g/t AgEq (437.38 g/t Ag, 5.8% Pb, 0.38% Zn) over 1.35m from 92.65 to 94.00m

g/t AgEq (437.38 g/t Ag, 5.8% Pb, 0.38% Zn) over from 92.65 to Including 1,433.6 g/t AgEq (976 g/t AgEq, 13.05% Pb, 0.63% Zn) over 0.6m from 93.40 to 94.00m

"We're very pleased to receive the first results from our drill program at El Fierro. With intervals in excess of 1,000 g/t silver equivalent, these first two holes demonstrate the continuity of the outcropping high-grade silver structures at depth. As the first two holes ever drilled in the district, we are greatly encouraged by the potential over the 8.5 km vein strike length defined by our work so far," stated Ruben Padilla, President and CEO of Sable, who added, "We expect results over the coming weeks from additional completed holes currently in the laboratory where we have intercepted visible polymetallic mineralization."

Holes FB-DH-21-01 was drilled below a series of artisanal workings and intercepted the mineralized structure approximately 85m below surface (Figure 2); hole FB-DH-21-02A was drilled from the same collar than hole FB-DH-21-02 which hit a void at 65m depth. Hole 2A successfully intercepted mineralization 80m below surface (Figure 3). Both holes targeted the main structure of Fierro Bajo (Vein A) and are separated 440m along strike showing good lateral continuity of the mineralization (Figure 1). Observed mineralization consists of galena, sphalerite, antimony sulphosalts, and minor silica with carbonate. Veins at Fierro Bajo are hosted by Paleozoic chlorite schist, meta-sandstones, and meta-conglomerates.

Figure 1. Location of holes FB-DH-21-01 and FB-DH-21-02A

Mineralization intercepted in drill holes FB-DH-21-01 and FB-DH-21-02 represents between 90% and 100% true width. Maps and tables associated with this press release will be available on Sable's website (www.sableresources.com). Silver equivalent (AgEq) is calculated based on 100% recovery and prices of USD 18 per oz for silver; USD 1,500 per oz for gold; USD 0.85 per pound for lead; USD 1.1 per pound for zinc; and USD 3.0 per pound for copper. Cu, Pb, Zn values lower than 0.1%, and Au values lower than 0.1 g/t have not been considered within the AgEq calculation.

Figure 2. Schematic cross-section along drill hole FB-DH-21-01

showing the reported intercept.

Figure 3. Schematic cross-section along drill hole FB-DH-21-02

showing the reported intercept.

Sable is providing an opportunity for shareholders and other interested parties to participate in a Webinar to be held at 4 pm ET on Wednesday, April 7, 2021. To register, please click on the following link - https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dfVcdRXjRcq-pugCdc4EAQ.

ABOUT EL FIERRO PROJECT

The El Fierro Project is located 250 km northwest of San Juan, Argentina and 120 km north of Sable's Don Julio Project in one of the best-known historical mining districts in the San Juan province. The El Fierro Project consists of three main known mineralized areas - Fierro Alto, Fierro Bajo, and La Verde over an area of 8km x 4km. The three areas host a number of old artisanal mining workings where silver, lead and zinc were intermittently mined since the late 1800's until the 1960s decade; the property has never been drilled. Sable currently controls 46,391 hectares covering all the historically mineralized areas and additional highly prospective ground over a large magnetic anomaly.

ABOUT SABLE RESOURCES LTD.

Sable is a well-funded junior grassroots explorer focused on the discovery of new precious metal projects through systematic exploration in endowed terranes located in favorable, established mining jurisdictions. Sable's main focus is developing its large portfolio of new greenfields projects to resource level. Sable is actively exploring the San Juan Regional Program (128,892 ha) incorporating the Don Julio, El Fierro, La Poncha, and los Pumas Projects in San Juan Province, Argentina; and the Mexico Regional Program (1.16Mha in application, 39,000ha titled) incorporating the Vinata and El Escarpe projects.

Related link: sableresources.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider, as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SAMPLE PREPARATION AND QA/QC

Sample preparation for projects in Argentina is carried out by ALS Chemex Argentina, a subsidiary of ALS Minerals, at its facility located in Mendoza, Argentina. Analyses are carried out at their laboratory in Lima, Peru. Sample preparation includes drying in an oven at a maximum temperature of 60C, fine crushing of the sample to at least 70% passing less than 2 mm, sample splitting using a riffle splitter, and pulverizing a 250 g split to at least 85% passing 75 microns (code PREP-31).

Gold was analyzed by fire assay of a 30 g sample split with detection by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES); multi-elements were analyzed by an aqua regia digestion of a 1 gram sub-sample with detection by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES) for 35 elements (Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, Hg, K, La, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Sc, Sr, Th, Ti, Tl, U, V, W, Zn) (codes Au-ICP21 and ME-ICP41). This digestion method dissolves most minerals but not all elements are quantitatively extracted in some sample matrices. Over limit Ag, Cu, Pb, Zn OG46 analyses are conducted when samples exceed the upper detection limits; this method includes Aqua Regia digestion and ICP-AES finish. Method Ag-GRA22 which includes Fire Assay with gravimetric finish is applied when Ag exceeds 1500 g/t. Control samples (standards, blanks, and duplicates) are inserted systematically and their results evaluated according to the Company protocols.

QUALIFIED PERSON

Luis Arteaga M.Sc. P.Geo., Vice President Exploration is the Company's Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. He has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release.

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on Sable's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. Although such statements are based on reasonable assumptions of Sable's management, there can be no assurance that any conclusions or forecasts will prove to be accurate.

While Sable considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. Forward looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to changes in project parameters as plans continue to be redefined, risks relating to variations in grade or recovery rates, risks relating to changes in mineral prices and the worldwide demand for and supply of minerals, risks related to increased competition and current global financial conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic, access and supply risks, reliance on key personnel, operational risks, and regulatory risks, including risks relating to the acquisition of the necessary licenses and permits, financing, capitalization and liquidity risks.

The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and Sable 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. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.

SOURCE Sable Resources Ltd.

For further information: Ruben Padilla, President & CEO at [email protected] or +1 (520) 488-2520

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Eamonn Holmes put on a brave face as he returned to front This Morning alongside wife Ruth Langsford on Tuesday, after detailing his plight with chronic pain.

The presenter, 61, - who had an MRI scan last week and is waiting on his diagnosis- said his condition is 'too difficult to explain' after Ruth said viewers had been asking how he was doing.

Eamonn replied: 'Since the last time I saw you I'm doing very well, thank you for asking.'

In pain: Eamonn Holmes put on a brave face as he returned to front This Morning alongside Ruth Langsford on Tuesday, after detailing his plight with chronic pain

He continued: 'It's too difficult to explain. We're not here to talk about my troubles and my pain.'

Eamonn returned home from having tests in hospital after struggling with chronic 'pain he's never experienced in his life' on Friday.

The presenter has said he 'needs to find out what's causing' him pain all over his body and has revealed he has no diagnosis as of yet.

Candid: The star, 61, - who had an MRI scan last week and is waiting on his diagnosis- said his condition is 'too difficult to explain' after Ruth said viewers had been asking how he was doing

Treatment: Eamonn previously admitted his rehab plan included an hour of physio followed by a bracing cold shower

And Ruth, 61, admitted it would take longer than the episode's run time to explain Eamonn's condition. She said: 'We could be here all day. We've only got two-and-a-half hours.'

Eamonn previously admitted his rehab plan included an hour of physio followed by a bracing cold shower.

Sharing a tweet with followers, he wrote: 'Physio just left after second session of the day. He said my body was hot result being that I needed to cool off with my second cold shower of the day. Let's hope it helps me sleep soundly Zzzzz.'

Gruelling: The presenter took to Twitter to admit the physical therapy would either 'kill me or cure me' as he joked about getting 'match fit' for his return to This Morning

Shock: Elsewhere on the show, the host left viewers cringing as he told chef Clodagh McKenna she could start up an OnlyFans account, if her TV career didn't work out

Elsewhere on the show, the host left viewers cringing as he told chef Clodagh McKenna she could start up an OnlyFans account, if her TV career didn't work out.

The conversation arose as Ruth revealed they would be talking to a former police woman who is now making thousands posting X-rated snaps.

He told Clodagh: 'I was just thinking then that Clodagh, this might be something that you might want to consider.

'Just if the cooking never works out for...'

Whoops: The presenter was teasing the programme's upcoming line-up alongside his wife Ruth and made a clumsy joke at Clodagh's expense

Clodagh said: 'What has that got to do with me?', to which Eamonn replied: 'Well, I'm just saying. If things went wrong you can always be the sexiest cook on the internet.'

Baffled viewers quickly took to Twitter to share their shock at the comment, before slamming the presenter's 'sexist ramblings'.

'Did Eamonn just basically tell Clodagh she can strip on the internet if her cooking fails?' wrote one, while a second sarcastically sniped: 'Eamonn, hes on top form.'

Another furious viewer raged: 'Nothing to see here, just the usual dose of Eamonns sexist ramblings!!

'Telling Clodagh that she can sell her body if the celebrity chef thing doesnt work out is prime time Eamonn Holmes!'

Baffled viewers quickly took to Twitter to share their shock at the comment slam the presenter's 'sexist ramblings'

On Tuesday night, Eamonn revealed he had undergone a second physio session of the day and he was advised to have his second cold shower of the day.

He wrote on Twitter: 'Physio just left after 2nd session of the day . He said my body was hot ... result being that I Needed to cool off with my 2nd Cold Shower of the day.....Let's hope it helps me sleep soundly Zzzzz (sic)'

Earlier in the day, Eamonn admitted he had undergone a physio session at 4.30am ahead of co-hosting This Morning.

He tweeted: 'Hey , busy day so far ..... 1 hour physio at 4.30 am to get match fit for today's #ThisMorning .... followed by the Cold shower routine ! All this will either kill me or cure me. So far , so good though and remember I'm going to be sharing your #ChronicPain stories & advice. (sic)'

It was on Monday's episode that Eamonn admitted his suffering was due to a back injury.

Despite Clodagh asking what the segment had to do with her, Eamonn went on to say that she could be the 'sexiest chef on the internet' if things were to 'go wrong'

He said: 'Those of you who follow me on social media will know, about a month ago I did something to my back, I don't know how I did it, getting into the car, getting out of a car, getting out of bed, whatever.

'I've got an MRI scan, but the trouble is, everything closes for Easter, I haven't got it analysed yet, but what I do know is, I can't sleep at night.

'The pain is absolutely worse at night. The humbling thing is when you go on social media and you talk to people who suffer from this, age isn't a barrier, where you live isn't a barrier, how much you earn isn't a barrier.'

Struggles: On Monday's show, the presenter used a walking stick to enter the studio as his wife Ruth admitted it 'takes him so long walking'

Eamonn's situation prompted a phone-in on the show about chronic pain.

He added: 'So many of you have this chronic pain situation, from all different sources. So let's talk about this, let's talk to each other, let's talk to a doctor, we are talking to a pain expert.

'I've had this a month, I hope I won't have this much longer, but there are people who have lived with chronic pain their whole lives.'

Later on the show, the presenter used a walking stick to enter the studio as his wife Ruth admitted it 'takes him so long walking'.

She said: 'Many of you who follow Eamonn on social media know he has been talking a lot about chronic pain. It's ironic actually he's not here as he had to nip to the loo.

'Because it takes him so long walking, he's just on his way back and he will be here any minute. Here he is, it takes him longer to walk.'
Goodall was groundbreaking in the way she studied chimpanzees by living with a community in the wild and spending so much time just observing. She gave her subjects names, rather than just numbering them as specimens, and discovered in them many behaviors previously only thought of as human. Such as toolmaking, said Parr, and having different personalities and emotions and being capable of affection.
Channing Tatum reveals he initially feared not being able to connect with his seven-year-old daughter Everly, after becoming a single father.

Following his divorce from Jenna Dewan after nearly nine years of marriage in 2019, the Magic Mike star worried he wouldn't be able to relate to his little girl, who he gushed is 'bold, beautiful and magical in every way' in a new interview with Parents.

In an effort to dive into his 'daughter's world' and discover who she is, the 40-year-old father became comfortable wearing tutus, face paint and learned to braid hair.

Navigating girl world: Channing Tatum reveals he initially feared not being able to connect with his seven-year-old daughter Everly, after becoming a single father

'When I became a single father, I had a lot of fear about connecting to Everly in every way that a little girl might want.

'I didn't wear nail polish or know how to braid hair,' he told the outlet. 'But now I do both.'

Tatum continued: 'I jumped with both feet into this magical world, and I was rewarded with a kind of love that I don't think I would have ever been able to have otherwise.'

All the quality time with his youngster under quarantine amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic eventually inspired his book, The One and Only Sparkella, out on May 4.

Co-parents: Following his divorce from Jenna Dewan after nearly nine years of marriage in 2019, the Magic Mike star worried he wouldn't be able to relate to his little girl, who he gushed is 'bold, beautiful and magical in every way' in a new interview with Parents; seen in 2017

Too cute: In an effort to dive into his 'daughter's world' and discover who she is, the 40-year-old father became comfortable wearing tutus, face paint and learned to braid hair

He first announced his upcoming picture book on Instagram with an image of him wearing a pair of pink fairy wings surrounded by stuffed animals and dolls in August.

'Guys, I don't know about you but things got a little weird for me in quarantine,' he captioned his Instagram post.

'I ended up accidentally locking myself in my 7 year old daughter's room. And I ended up finding my inner child.'

'So this is what I created for my little girl,' he went on. 'From what is, I guess, the little girl in me. Thanks for reading.'

Author: All the quality time with his youngster under quarantine amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic eventually inspired his book, The One and Only Sparkella, out on May 4; seen in 2020

The book is described as a 'charming ode to self-esteem and the love between a father and daughter' on its website.

After the protagonist, a girl named Ella, is teased for her glittery ribbons, disco-ball shoes and eating a PB&J-with-sprinkles sandwich, she 'decides to try to be less sparkly at school.'

Her dad, however, encourages her to stay unique and the little girl 'soon learns the importance of just being herself, no matter what other people say.'
A group claiming responsibility for the theft of a Confederate monument in Selma, Ala., laid out ransom terms in emails to local media Monday.

The price for the relic's return? Not cash, but a demand that the headquarters of the United Daughters of the Confederacy in Richmond hang a banner quoting a Black radical on Friday, the 156th anniversary of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's surrender at the end of the Civil War.

The Jefferson Davis Memorial Chair, which was first reported missing from Live Oak Cemetery in Selma last month, is an ornately carved stone chair that was dedicated in 1893 to the Confederate president's memory and is estimated to be worth $500,000.

Calling themselves "White Lies Matter," the group sent a message to the Montgomery Advertiser and AL.com that included a proof-of-life type photo of the chair, a ransom note styled to look like it came from the 1800s and a photoshopped image of what their banner might look like hoisted above the UDC headquarters more than 700 miles away.

"Failure to do so will result in the monument, an ornate stone chair, immediately being turned into a toilet. See enclosed photograph," the group said in the email to AL.com, with the photoshopped image below.

Until local media reported on the ransom emails Monday, many in Selma didn't even know the chair had been stolen, including the local district attorney. He confirmed it with the police chief.

"Nobody knows what to make of this, it's just really strange," Dallas County District Attorney Michael Jackson told The Washington Post. "But you get used to 'The Twilight Zone' in Selma. Rod Serling would have a good time if he were down here himself."

At first, the Black prosecutor thought the group was calling itself "White Lives Matter," he said, until he realized it was "a play on words," - White Lies Matter - and meant "the exact opposite," he said and laughed.

The group cited U.S. history as their motive for the theft:

"America's original sin is that people were kidnapped from their homes and forced to build one of the most prosperous nations in the world, without being allowed to participate in it . . . We decided, in the spirit of such ignominious traditions, to kidnap a chair instead. Jefferson Davis doesn't need it anymore. He's long dead. To be honest, he never even had the chance to sit in it in the first place."

Davis died in 1889, four years before the chair was dedicated. He was a Mississippi native and had not visited Selma for decades before his death.

"Like most Confederate monuments," the White Lies Matter email continued, "[the chair] mostly exists to remind those who's freedom had to be purchased in blood, that there still exists a portion of our country that is more than willing to continue to spill blood to avoid paying that debt down."

The chair was stolen on March 19, according to the Advertiser, the same weekend as the Selma Pilgrimage, an annual festival celebrating Selma's antebellum architecture and featuring tours led by White women dressed in hoop skirts.

It sat in an area of the cemetery known as Confederate Circle, which holds the graves of Confederate soldiers and several monuments. The city sold the area around Confederate Circle to the UDC in 2011. Who owns the circle itself is a subject of debate, according to the Selma Times-Journal, though a sign currently posted in front of it says it is privately owned and maintained by the local UDC chapter.

Confederate Circle also includes a bust of Confederate general and Ku Klux Klan founder Nathan Bedford Forrest. The bust was vandalized several times before being stolen in 2012. It has since been replaced by the UDC and another local group.

White Lies Matter demanded the UDC, which is responsible for many of the nation's Confederate statues and memorials, hang a banner it said it had already provided on its headquarters in Richmond, Va. The banner reads: "The rulers of this country have always considered their property more important than our lives," which is a quote by Assata Shakur.

Shakur, as a member of the Black Liberation Army, was convicted of the murder of a New Jersey state trooper in 1977. She escaped from prison in 1979 and has been living in asylum in Cuba for decades. From there she has written books and become a cultural hero to some Black artists, including Common and Yasiin Bey.

The Richmond headquarters was also targeted last summer during the George Floyd protests when it was briefly set on fire. The UDC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

"We took their toy, and we don't feel guilty about it," the White Lies Matter group wrote. "They never play with it anyway. They just want it there to remind us what they've done, what they are still willing to do.

"But the south won't rise again. Not as the Confederacy. Because that coalition left out a large portion of its population. All that's left of that nightmare is an obscenely heavy chair that's a throne for a ghost whose greatest accomplishment was treason."

In a slightly newer section of the cemetery lay the burial site of Edmund Pettus, a Confederate officer and namesake of the bridge in Selma made famous during the civil rights movement.

On March 7, 1965, a young John Lewis led a group of peaceful protesters across the bridge, where they were attacked by police and a White mob. "Bloody Sunday," as it became known, was a turning point in the struggle for voting rights.

Following Lewis's death in July 2020, calls swelled to rename the bridge after the congressman. The debated raged in Selma for several months, Jackson, the district attorney, said.

Jackson said he personally doesn't support renaming it, because "John Lewis didn't support a name change." But he knows a lot of people are hurt by the continued presence of Confederate statues and images, and he supports taking them down if local communities want it.

In the meantime, Jackson and other authorities are trying to get a copy of an alleged video the group filmed of themselves stealing the chair.

If the thieves are caught, he said, "I'm the district attorney of everybody [in Dallas County], so yes, they will be prosecuted." Because of the estimated value of the chair, stealing it would be considered a felony. They could also face extortion charges.

"If they do display the banner, not only will we return the chair intact, but we will clean it to boot," the group claimed. "For all that talk about heritage, they really haven't taken care of the thing."
Gabriella Graham, 9, a third-grader from Bloomingdale, offers an egg filled with a dog treat to her pup Francesca, 9 months, a female mini Aussiedoodle mix. Gabriellas mother Melissa Graham is on left as the hunt continues. On right are Luke Lesniak, 10, a fourth-grader from Niles and and family pup Xena, 12, a female chihuahua rat terrier mix. Images from the Doggie Egg Hunt on April 2, 2021 in Morton Grove at Prairie View Park. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)
New Delhi: Amid an unprecedented surge in COVID-19 cases in the country, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggesting that vaccination be allowed for all people above the age of 18 years.

The daily rise in new coronavirus infections in India remained above 90,000 for the third consecutive day on Tuesday taking the nationwide COVID-19 tally of cases to 1,26,86,049, according to the Union Health Ministry. The country had a day ago reported 1,03,558 new cases.

"At present, we are vaccinating the population above 45 years. In view of the rapid spread of the second wave of the disease, we suggest that our vaccination strategy be geared up with immediate effect and on a war footing," the Indian Medical Association (IMA) said in its letter to the Prime Minister.

Indian Medical Association writes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggests "gearing up of COVID19 vaccination drive with immediate effect and permit those above 18 years to receive vaccine". pic.twitter.com/1mMpfC5e4y  ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2021

The doctors' body said that "we request following suggestions in the COVID-19 vaccination drive -- all citizens above 18 years of age shall be permitted to receive COVID vaccination and walk-in COVID vaccination should be available for all, free of cost at their nearest possible place".

The IMA also suggested that private sector family clinics should be included actively in the vaccination drive along with private hospitals.

Making vaccination certificates mandatory for entering public places and receiving products under the public distribution system, was also part of the suggestions made by the association.

The IMA stated that the pandemic's second wave surge is reaching record highs and added that "vaccination against COVID-19 stands as a single evidence-based resource for us to restrict cases by raising the personal immune response and pave the way for herd immunity to decrease the severity of the disease".

It said that the availability of vaccination with all doctors and family physicians will have a positive impact on the inoculation drive.

District level vaccine task force teams should be constituted with public and private participation to enforce mass vaccination, monitor and mitigate adverse drug events, and to build confidence, the IMA suggested and added that it is willing to actively take part in it.

The doctors' body said that in view of rising cases and as a measure to break the transmission chain, "limited period continuous lockdowns" should be implemented, "especially for all non-essential areas like cinemas, cultural and religious events, sports, etc."

"Indian Medical Association assures and places its proactive support of its entire manpower and infrastructure facilities for rapid vaccination and stands with the government during this hour of crisis," it said.

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Hefei Origin Quantum Computing Technology Co. and Hefei Nexchip Co. signed an agreement recently in Hefei, Anhui province, to build a joint laboratory for quantum computing chips, according to a Peoples Daily report.

Quantum technology is the frontline of new wave of science and technology evolution and industry reformation. The CPC Anhui Provincial Committee and the provincial government highlight development of the quantum industry, and will propel construction of innovation origin place for the industry and industrial clustering zone, build up quantum technology industry innovative chains and erect quantum center.

The lab, the first of its kind in the province, will develop technology and verify engineering flow sheets in the field of integrated circuits operating at very low temperatures, and achieve the whole-chain development from designing to packaging and testing.

The development of the lab will play an important role in promoting the integrated development of quantum computing chips, filling the gaps in domestic manufacturing and accelerating the application.

(By Yang Zixuan)




After almost 30 years of service, Wilma Tichenoff has decided to retire from her role as Standardbred Canada Field Representative.

Wilma was a well-known figure at both Dresden Raceway and Hiawatha Horse Park in Sarnia. Tichenoff said I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working for Standardbred Canada and I'm surely going to miss all my co-workers.

SC's Val Boom, Manager of SC Field Services, wished Tichenoff well in retirement and thanked her for her years of service to the harness racing industry.

"She was a great employee who always paid particular attention to detail and her work was meticulous. I would sincerely like to thank Wilma for her years of service, hard work and dedication."
I have a friend who is fearful of commercial airlines.

At the gate, before boarding, he asks the agent the following question: "What is the captain's name?" If the answer indicates the pilot is female, he will not board that flight. Any criticism of my friend's lack of confidence in any qualified aviatrix is answered along these lines: "She can't drive a stick shift. I should trust her with a Jumbo Jet?"

My friend is right to be cautious about flying, but for different reasons. Like most air travelers, he doesn't know what he doesn't know.

After a career of being closely associated with the air traffic control system, I can confidently opine that female pilots should be near the bottom on anyone's list of safety concerns. Closer to the top of that list? Affirmative action.

Affirmative action has eroded the efficacy of the air traffic control system to an alarming degree. The air traffic controllers' strike in the summer of 1981 was a crisis that the social engineers did not let go to waste. They replaced the PATCO workforce with many of the liberal left's favorites. Let's just say their favorites do not include straight, white, competent, experienced males. However, some level of competence still must be added to the mix; the nature of air traffic control demands it. When flying tubes of flesh and jet fuel are hurtling hither and yon at breakneck speeds, someone has to break the ties. We can't have controllers doing a "bang-up" job.

Now, you shouldn't be blamed for thinking that incompetence would easily be outed and vanquished in an age of black boxes, videotapes, and other gotcha devices. Unfortunately, the responsible are not always fingered, and mostly they are coddled and protected by the same bureaucrats who appointed them to the positions they can't handle. An illustration follows:

January 25, 1990. Avianca 052, a Boeing 707 en route from Columbia to JFK Airport in Queens, N.Y. After two missed approaches in bad weather, the pilot told the approach controller that he was "running out of fuel" and that he "needed priority." The flight received neither sympathy nor priority. All four engines flamed out, and the 707 crash-landed in a wooded area of Long Island. Seventy-five dead. The FAA pointed to poor communication by the pilot and a language barrier. At the time, when asked about this by a New Yorkarea journalist, I informed the scribe that the ATC tapes were transcribed fully in English and that no foreign language was heard on the tapes.

As hard as it may be to believe, the controller(s) apparently did not know that running out of fuel is a serious event when it happens to an aircraft in flight. The rulebook mandates that a controller, if in doubt as to the existence of an emergency, should treat such an event as if it is in fact an emergency.

The FAA and the NTSB lied about the cause of a multi-fatal aviation disaster. I believe that the reputation of the FAA Air Traffic Division in general, and the controllers involved in particular, is more important to FAA bureaucrats than maintaining a safe system.

Affirmative action rewards incompetence and degrades safety. That government agents would cover up the sad outcomes of the bad policy they foisted upon us should have been predictable.

I recommend avoiding the friendly skies altogether. This way, the sex of the pilot is not a consideration.

Willie Shields is a talk radio host, and the author of Exit 13A  A Control Tower Diary. A former U.S. Marine and an FAA air traffic controller, Mr. Shields resides in Wilmington, Delaware. Email: WSHIELDS1775@VERIZON.NET; Twitter: @WILLIEONRADIO.

Image via Public Domain Pictures.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
English Lithuanian

Annual General Meeting of Shareholders of akcine bendrove Pieno zvaigzdes, registered address Perkunkiemio str. 3, Vilnius, the Republic of Lithuania, company code 124665536, VAT payer code LT246655314, data collected ant stored in the Register of Legal Entities, is called on 28 April 2021 at 11.00 a.m. at the initiative and according to the decision of the Companys Board. The Meeting shall take place at the registered address of the Company at Perkunkiemio str. 3, Vilnius. Registration of shareholders shall start from 10.30 a.m.

In case on the day of the Meeting the quarantine regime shall still be in force in the territory of the Republic of Lithuania, all the shareholders shall have a right to participate in the Meeting only by a single mean, foreseen in the Law of the Republic of Lithuania on Companies  by filling the General Ballot Paper and providing it in advance to the Company at its address Perkunkiemio str. 3, Vilnius 12127, the Republic of Lithuania. If the quarantine regime will already be revoked on the day of the Meeting, it shall take place with no limitations regarding the form of attendance thereof.

Accounting day of the Meeting 21 April 2021. Persons who at the end of the accounting day of the Meeting will be shareholders of the Company shall have a right to participate and vote at the Meeting personally or by proxy, or to be represented by the person with whom an agreement on the transfer of voting right is concluded.

12 May 2021 is the rights record day, i.e. persons who shall be shareholders of the Company at the end of the tenth business day after the Meeting (12 May 2021) will have the right to receive profit (dividend) of the Company.

Proceeding from the above, the ex-date is 11 May 2021. From that date the new owner of the shares, which were acquired on stock exchange with settlement cycle of T+2, is not entitled to dividends for the year 2020.

Audrius Statulevicius

CFO

+3702461419

Attachments
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., defended himself Monday against allegations involving sex with underage girls and trafficking as a former congressional aide stepped forward to vouch for his embattled ex-boss.

The staunchly pro-Trump lawmaker used very specific phrases to deny having sex with a 17-year-old and paying for sex.

But the 38-year-old also acknowledged having an active lifestyle, before getting engaged last year.

I am a representative in Congress, not a monk, and certainly not a criminal, Gaetz wrote in an op-ed piece for the right-wing Washington Examiner news outlet. My lifestyle of yesteryear may be different from how I live now, but it was not and is not illegal.

Gaetz lashed out at Democrats and liberal media for smearing him as part of what he called an attack on all conservatives.

They arent coming for me  they are coming for you. Im just in the way, Gaetz said.

The beleaguered lawmaker devoted just 12 words in the op-ed piece to a supposed $25 million extortion plot he had previously floated as his primary defense to the sex charges.

Gaetz did catch a break when his former military liaison stepped up to defend him.

Retired Air Force Capt. Nathan Nelson, a wounded Afghan war veteran who now works as a tech executive, said he had never seen or heard Gaetz do anything illegal.

Hes always been very, very professional in his public life, Nelson said of Gaetz.

Nelson refuted rumors that he quit his post as Gaetzs military affairs liaison last November over the growing sex scandal.

Nelson said FBI agent quizzed him for two hours last Wednesday about the allegations.

Gaetz tweeted that the FBIs questioning of Nelson somehow discredits the probe, without elaborating.

The FBI is literally running down false media rumors, Gaetz tweeted.

Nelson dodged questions about why an announcement of the event was issued on the official taxpayer-funded letterhead of Gaetzs congressional office.

I remain loosely affiliated with Congressman Gaetzs office as an unpaid adviser, Nelson said.

Nelson was paralyzed from the chest down in a 2013 rocket attack on his base in Afghanistan, where he was serving his third tour of duty as an Air Force intelligence officer.

Nelson now works as executive director of Northwest Florida Supercomputer Research Group. He also says hes a motivational speaker with Nelson Ministries.

Gaetz was rocked Friday when his longtime communications director abruptly resigned.

Gaetz has admitted he is the subject of a federal investigation sex trafficking charges and other charges.

The three-term lawmaker was caught up in the probe of his friend and political ally Joel Greenberg, a former Orlando, Florida-area official who is awaiting trial on 30 counts involving various alleged misdeeds, including sex with underage girls.



2021 New York Daily News. Visit at nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The latest numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Canada as of 10:00 p.m. ET on Monday April 5, 2021.

Police talk with people as they gather in a park amid the COVID-19 pandemic, in Montreal, Sunday, April 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

The latest numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Canada as of 10:00 p.m. ET on Monday April 5, 2021.

There are 1,014,373 confirmed cases in Canada.

Canada:1,014,373 confirmed cases (58,673 active, 932,582 resolved, 23,118 deaths).*The total case count includes 13 confirmed cases among repatriated travellers.

There were 6,267 new cases Monday. The rate of active cases is 154.38 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of 42,654 new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is 6,093.

There were 43 new reported deaths Monday. Over the past seven days there have been a total of 218 new reported deaths. The seven-day rolling average of new reported deaths is 31. The seven-day rolling average of the death rate is 0.08 per 100,000 people. The overall death rate is 60.83 per 100,000 people.

There have been 27,946,280 tests completed.

Newfoundland and Labrador: 1,020 confirmed cases (eight active, 1,006 resolved, six deaths).

There were zero new cases Monday. The rate of active cases is 1.53 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of four new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is one.

There have been no deaths reported over the past week. The overall death rate is 1.15 per 100,000 people.

There have been 223,240 tests completed.

Prince Edward Island: 160 confirmed cases (13 active, 147 resolved, zero deaths).

There were zero new cases Monday. The rate of active cases is 8.14 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of four new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is one.

There have been no deaths reported over the past week. The overall death rate is zero per 100,000 people.

There have been 127,300 tests completed.

Nova Scotia: 1,742 confirmed cases (31 active, 1,645 resolved, 66 deaths).

There were three new cases Monday. The rate of active cases is 3.17 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of 31 new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is four.

There have been no deaths reported over the past week. The overall death rate is 6.74 per 100,000 people.

There have been 437,783 tests completed.

New Brunswick: 1,662 confirmed cases (169 active, 1,463 resolved, 30 deaths).

There were 10 new cases Monday. The rate of active cases is 21.63 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of 75 new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is 11.

There have been no deaths reported over the past week. The overall death rate is 3.84 per 100,000 people.

There have been 269,376 tests completed.

Quebec: 317,364 confirmed cases (10,271 active, 296,396 resolved, 10,697 deaths).

There were 1,252 new cases Monday. The rate of active cases is 119.78 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of 8,162 new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is 1,166.

There were four new reported deaths Monday. Over the past seven days there have been a total of 46 new reported deaths. The seven-day rolling average of new reported deaths is seven. The seven-day rolling average of the death rate is 0.08 per 100,000 people. The overall death rate is 124.75 per 100,000 people.

There have been 7,001,156 tests completed.

Ontario: 364,537 confirmed cases (25,487 active, 331,600 resolved, 7,450 deaths).

There were 2,938 new cases Monday. The rate of active cases is 172.98 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of 19,303 new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is 2,758.

There were 10 new reported deaths Monday. Over the past seven days there have been a total of 113 new reported deaths. The seven-day rolling average of new reported deaths is 16. The seven-day rolling average of the death rate is 0.11 per 100,000 people. The overall death rate is 50.56 per 100,000 people.

There have been 12,630,159 tests completed.

Manitoba: 34,487 confirmed cases (1,280 active, 32,267 resolved, 940 deaths).

There were 68 new cases Monday. The rate of active cases is 92.8 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of 512 new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is 73.

There was one new reported death Monday. Over the past seven days there have been a total of six new reported deaths. The seven-day rolling average of new reported deaths is one. The seven-day rolling average of the death rate is 0.06 per 100,000 people. The overall death rate is 68.15 per 100,000 people.

There have been 592,786 tests completed.

Saskatchewan: 34,763 confirmed cases (2,202 active, 32,121 resolved, 440 deaths).

There were 219 new cases Monday. The rate of active cases is 186.82 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of 1,528 new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is 218.

There was one new reported death Monday. Over the past seven days there have been a total of seven new reported deaths. The seven-day rolling average of new reported deaths is one. The seven-day rolling average of the death rate is 0.08 per 100,000 people. The overall death rate is 37.33 per 100,000 people.

There have been 679,507 tests completed.

Alberta: 153,194 confirmed cases (10,582 active, 140,614 resolved, 1,998 deaths).

There were 887 new cases Monday. The rate of active cases is 239.31 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of 6,309 new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is 901.

There were four new reported deaths Monday. Over the past seven days there have been a total of 15 new reported deaths. The seven-day rolling average of new reported deaths is two. The seven-day rolling average of the death rate is 0.05 per 100,000 people. The overall death rate is 45.18 per 100,000 people.

There have been 3,746,782 tests completed.

British Columbia: 104,920 confirmed cases (8,628 active, 94,806 resolved, 1,486 deaths).

There were 890 new cases Monday. The rate of active cases is 167.61 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of 6,725 new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is 961.

There were 23 new reported deaths Monday. Over the past seven days there have been a total of 31 new reported deaths. The seven-day rolling average of new reported deaths is four. The seven-day rolling average of the death rate is 0.09 per 100,000 people. The overall death rate is 28.87 per 100,000 people.

There have been 2,203,547 tests completed.

Yukon: 74 confirmed cases (two active, 71 resolved, one deaths).

There were zero new cases Monday. The rate of active cases is 4.76 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of one new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is zero.

There have been no deaths reported over the past week. The overall death rate is 2.38 per 100,000 people.

There have been 8,563 tests completed.

Northwest Territories: 42 confirmed cases (zero active, 42 resolved, zero deaths).

There were zero new cases Monday. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of zero new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is zero.

There have been no deaths reported over the past week. The overall death rate is zero per 100,000 people.

There have been 16,084 tests completed.

Nunavut: 395 confirmed cases (zero active, 391 resolved, four deaths).

There were zero new cases Monday. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of zero new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is zero.

There have been no deaths reported over the past week. The overall death rate is 10.16 per 100,000 people.

There have been 9,921 tests completed.

This report was automatically generated by The Canadian Press Digital Data Desk and was first published April 5, 2021.
Advertisement

A spooky Gothic mansion that resembles a haunted house complete with turrets and nightmarish decor is up for sale for 1.25million.

Bryn Corach in Conwy, Wales, which needs a complete renovation, once stood as a hotel overlooking an historic castle and the derelict walls are steeped in history.

Buyers now have the chance to breathe new life into the eerie mansion that boasts a 26-bedroom extension for a holiday let.

Bryn Corach was previously home to Thomas Arthur Leonard - a pioneer of outdoor activity holidays who helped introduce youth hostels to Britain.

He lived at the holiday centre from 1914 until about 1935. Among his visitors were playwright George Bernard Shaw and many early members of the Labour Party.

Bryn Corach in Conwy, Wales, once stood as a hotel overlooking an historic castle and the derelict walls are steeped in history

Buyers now have the chance to breathe new life into the eerie mansion that boasts a 26-bedroom extension for a holiday let. Pictured: An upstairs bedroom strewn with debris with peeling wallpaper and exposed wiring

Bryn Corach was previously home to Thomas Arthur Leonard - a pioneer of outdoor activity holidays who helped introduce youth hostels to Britain. Pictured: Crumbling plaster and exposed masonry is seen in one of the bedrooms

He lived at the holiday centre from 1914 until about 1935. Among his visitors were playwright George Bernard Shaw and many early members of the Labour Party. Pictured: Crumbling walls, loose wiring and peeling wallpaper inside one of the upstairs rooms

Because the Labour members shared Mr Leonard's pacifist views, their meetings during World War I drew suspicion. Pictured: Makeshift lighting is strung up along the ceiling in a room with a ladder

Because the Labour members shared Mr Leonard's pacifist views, their meetings during World War I drew suspicion.

Mr Leonard once recalled: 'More than once, armed men came up and charged us with showing Morse signals from our windows, but left satisfied that it was only a case of ''walloping window blinds''.'

The property is listed for its social historical interest as a hotel and for its 'special architectural interest and definite character'.

Estate agent Dafydd Hardy said: 'The property must have some of the best views over Conwy, the castle and the river; has both residential and commercial potential.

Mr Leonard once recalled: 'More than once, armed men came up and charged us with showing Morse signals from our windows, but left satisfied that it was only a case of ''walloping window blinds''.'

The property is listed for its social historical interest as a hotel and for its 'special architectural interest and definite character'. Pictured: The mansion with holiday lets in the background

Planning permission is already in place to demolish the modern extension and reinstate the site as a family home

The price also includes a lodge house in the grounds of the mansion that could become a self-contained studio apartment

Pictured: The inside of the ageing mansion with ornaments gathering dust and moulding wallpaper

'Renovation works have commenced on Bryn Corach and it now offers enormous potential through completion of works to provide a beautiful, detached family home together with an exciting business opportunity.'

Planning permission is already in place to demolish the modern extension and reinstate the site as a family home.

The price also includes a lodge house in the grounds of the mansion that could become a self-contained studio apartment.
Three prominent members of the F1 circus have defended the under-fire Nikita Mazepin.

After a scandalous pre-season and nightmare opening race in Bahrain, many are now openly laughing at the plight of the Russian rookie.

However, Ralf Schumacher warned his nephew Mick not to become complacent about the 22-year-old Mazepin's presence.

"Getting control of someone like Nikita Mazepin is not that easy," former driver Schumacher, who is Mick Schumacher's uncle, told Sport1.

"The boy has no limits and will be a danger to Mick."

Former Kevin Magnussen advisor Jesper Carlsen, meanwhile, now works alongside Mazepin at Haas, and the Dane calls his new Russian colleague "actually a really good guy".

"He's also a fast racing driver," Carlsen told BT newspaper, adding that if Mazepin's sponsors hadn't stepped in, "I do not think the team would have survived".

"In a way, I'm glad that Kevin is not sitting in one of the cars this year, because it's clear that they are now betting only on 2022," he added.

Finally, McLaren driver Lando Norris defended Mazepin from the 'haters' on his Twitch channel, pointing out that Mick Schumacher also spun in Bahrain.

"Are you going to start hating on Mick as well because he also spun?" the Briton charged.

(GMM)
Scott Distler: Finding a way out of 'the cave'
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Engineers have ruled out a feared second breach at a Florida wastewater reservoir as emergency crews continue work to drain the leaking 480million toxic gallons.

The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) ruled out a second breach on Monday after a drone identified a second possible leak in the reservoir, which is filled with toxic levels of phosphorus and nitrogen.

Emergency workers, assisted by the National Guard, have been pumping around 33million gallons per day out of the pond after a leak sprung in its plastic lining.

More than 300 homes near the abandoned phosphate mine and fertilizer-production facility were evacuated over the weekend as Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency.

Some prisoners from a county penitentiary have been bussed to an undisclosed location, while others were moved to higher floors in the facility.

 Slide me  BEFORE AND AFTER: A new satellite image shows the site before and after the breach in the wall of the reservoir at an old phosphate mine and fertilizer-production facility. Authorities said they were particularly concerned that towering stacks of phosphogypsum waste, a byproduct of fertilizer manufacturing, might suddenly collapse and be swept into adjacent communities.

The reservoir is shown, right, with the stacks which are beneath it tabbed up. Right now, water is being pumped from it into Tampa Bay, to the left, to avoid the total collapse of the reservoir wall, which would unleash water on homes and businesses

An aerial view of the breached reservoir at Piney Point, near Tampa, where water containing pollutants has been leaking underground for days. Officials are now trying to pump water out of it, into Tampa Bay, to avoid a total collapse and 'catastrophic flooding'

The crisis began over the weekend when a worsening week-old leak in the containment wall prompted authorities to order the evacuation.

Authorities said they were particularly concerned that towering stacks of phosphogypsum waste, a byproduct of fertilizer manufacturing, might suddenly collapse and be swept into adjacent communities.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) describes phosphogypsum waste mounds, which are common to such sites around Florida, as posing a health hazard to humans in close proximity because they are known to contain radioactive minerals and emit radon, a cancer-causing radioactive gas.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, however, said tests of water oozing through the Piney Point containment wall showed the seepage was not radioactive.

'In fact, the water meets all water quality standards for marine waters with the exception of pH, total phosphorous, total nitrogen and total ammonia nitrogen,' the agency said on its website. 'It is slightly acidic.'

State crews and Army Corps of Engineers teamed up on Monday to 'reassess the stability of that wall and a second breach that we might have found,' Jacob Saur, direct of public safety for Manatee County, said in a video statement.

Nevertheless, he and acting county administrator Scott Hopes said the imminent flood threat had eased on Monday as expanded pumping operations lowered the level of the reservoir, reducing stress on the containment structure holding back the wastewater.

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, addresses the media Monday, April 5, 2021. Officials announced that at 2am, they detected a second possible leak using infared drones which detected a change in temperature

Another view of the breach which has been allowing millions of gallons of water to gush out of the reservoir for days

There are a number of homes and businesses near the plant that are at risk of being flooded. Above, Port Manatee, where the water is being pumped into the Tampa Bay now

The Florida National Guard has flown pumps to the reservoir site and the Army Corps of Engineers is also there

'By the end of the day today when the additional pumps come online, we will more than double the volume of water that we're pulling out of that retention pool,' Hopes said at a news conference. Just under 300 million gallons remained as of midday Monday, he said, adding that crews were looking to drain an additional '75 to 100 million gallons a day.'

Wastewater from the property, owned a company called HRK Holdings, was being pumped into Port Manatee at the mouth of Tampa Bay, raising concerns that the nutrient-dense discharge could spawn algal blooms toxic to marine life in the estuary.

'The biggest concern from our standpoint right now is the amount of nutrients being loaded into the lower Tampa Bay,' Ed Sherwood, executive director of the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, told radio station WMNF on Sunday. 'This event, in probably five to 10 days, is introducing the amount of nutrients into the bay that we would want to see over an entire year.'

Wastewater from Piney Point is flowing into Tampa Bay at this berth at Port Manatee. Above, the port on Monday

In this photo taken by a drone a new expanded emergency evacuation order was sent out to an area around Piney Point, the former phosphate mine, Saturday, April 3, 2021 near Bradenton, Florida

Millions of gallons of industrial wastewater from the former Piney Point fertilizer processing plant in north Palmetto, is being released into Tampa Bay in response to the facility's second leak in a decade

U.S. Highway 41 northbound and southbound is closed due to a possible wastewater breach at the former Piney Point phosphate plant on April 5, 2021 in Gillette, Florida

U.S. Representative Vern Buchanan, a Republican who represents Florida's 16th district, told reporters on Monday that reducing possible ecological harm from the draining was a top priority and that the EPA was working with local agencies to monitor and mitigate the situation.

'Just the fact that we're running water into the Tampa Bay is not a great thing,' Buchanan said. 'But the reality of it is, it seems like it's the right thing to do right now.'

Representatives for HRK Holdings could not immediately be reached for comment.
By Damali Mukhaye

Members of Parliament sitting on the defence committee have declined to approve the armys Shs 4 trillion budget for the next financial year 2021/22 until the ministry of defence accounts for the Shs21bn it spent on activities that were not approved by parliament.

The committee members last financial year approved over Shs46 billion for renovation of the cargo aircrafts to save the army from outsourcing these services.

However, while appearing before the committee chaired by Doreen Amule today, the Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs, Adolf Mwesige said the Uganda Air Cargo Corporation (UACC) under the army, has already used Shs21.2b out of Shs46.1bn to pay insurance and to conduct simulator training and maintenance of equipment.

He also said part of the Shs21bn was used by the corporation to participate in UPDF troop rotations and also procured aircraft spares.

This sparked anger among committee members, who accused the army for diverting the money meant for renovating their cargo aircraft to other things and have vowed to block their budget until they fully explain their move.

The defense ministry has now been asked to appear again before the same committee with the aircraft corporation later this week over the same.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI)  Purdue is taking a giant leap in the fight against COVID-19. The university has opened its vaccination clinic for students.

"Today feels like a huge victory for Purdue," said Purdue Junior Eeman Khan.

Tuesday marked the first day for Purdue's COVID-19 vaccination clinic.

"To have the COVID-19 vaccine is like a burden lifted off my shoulders," said Purdue Senior Ross Klink.

Khan and Klink were some of the first Boilermakers to get their shot.

"I feel euphoric and a lot less anxious about the possibility of getting COVID or spreading it to the people around me who are a lot more vulnerable," said Khan.

The university partnered with the Indiana State Department of Health to open the clinic. The goal is to vaccinate 3,500 students a day from April 6 until May 17.

"It's another way we can protect Purdue, protect the community and protect our population here on campus," said Purdue Vaccine Allocation Task Force Chair Willie Reed.

All students are eligible regardless of residency. After registering online, students go to the France A. Cordova Recreational Center and line up for their turn.

Once they get their Pfizer vaccine, they are registered for the second dose.

"It's really kind of our duty as students, who are living amongst so many other people, to get vaccinated and protect our community from COVID," said Khan.

The clinic is open seven days a week and can be used by any student for free. Klink said it was a small effort that makes a big impact.

"It's not to help you," Klink said. "It's to help everyone else around campus and it's to make us safer and you to be safer. It's super easy. Just do it."

Khan said she's grateful for the opportunity.

"The kind of ambition with which they are getting students vaccinated is really admirable and makes me really proud to be a Boilermaker," said Khan.

Students who aren't able to get their second shot will still be able to schedule it in their hometowns.

For more information on the clinic, click here.
NEW YORK, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Owl Rock Capital Corporation (NYSE: ORCC) ("ORCC") today announced it will release its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021 on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 after market close. ORCC invites all interested persons to its webcast / conference call on Thursday, May 6, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its first quarter ended March 31, 2021 financial results.

Conference Call Information:

The conference call will be broadcast live at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the Investor Resources section of ORCC's website at www.owlrockcapitalcorporation.com. Please visit the website to test your connection before the webcast.

Participants are also invited to access the conference call by dialing one of the following numbers:

Domestic: (866) 211-4123

International: (647) 689-6612

Conference ID: 8473755

All callers will need to enter the Conference ID followed by the # sign and reference "Owl Rock Capital Corporation" once connected with the operator. All callers are asked to dial in 10-15 minutes prior to the call so that name and company information can be collected.

Replay Information:

An archived replay will be available for 14 days via a webcast link located on the Investor Resources section of ORCC's website, and via the dial-in numbers listed below:

Domestic: (800) 585-8367

International: (416) 621-4642

Conference ID: 8473755

About Owl Rock Capital Corporation

Owl Rock Capital Corporation (ORCC) is a specialty finance company focused on lending to U.S. middle-market companies. As of December 31, 2020, ORCC had investments in 119 portfolio companies with an aggregate fair value of $10.8 billion. ORCC has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. ORCC is externally managed by Owl Rock Capital Advisors LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser that is an affiliate of Owl Rock Capital Partners. Owl Rock Capital Partners, together with its subsidiaries, is a New York based direct lending platform with approximately $27.1 billion of assets under management as of December 31, 2020.

Certain information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking statements" that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors and undue reliance should not be placed thereon. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about ORCC, its current and prospective portfolio investments, its industry, its beliefs and opinions, and its assumptions. Words such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "will," "may," "continue," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "would," "could," "should," "targets," "projects," "outlook," "potential," "predicts" and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond ORCC's control and difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements including, without limitation, the risks, uncertainties and other factors identified in ORCC's filings with the SEC. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date on which ORCC makes them. ORCC does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or any other information contained herein, except as required by applicable law.

Investor Contact:

Dana Sclafani

212-651-4705

[email protected]

Media Contact:

Prosek Partners

David Wells / Josh Clarkson

[email protected]

SOURCE Owl Rock Capital Corporation

Related Links

http://www.owlrockcapitalcorporation.com


Stray Kids is taking the lead in terms of YouTube views with their "MIROH" performance video in the Mnet "Kingdom" Episode 1. As of April 5, "MIROH" is millions far from the views of the videos of the other competing groups.

Mnet "Kingdom" Episode 1: Boy Groups Go One-On-One in a 100-Second Performance Battle

On April 1, Mnet's "Kingdom: Legendary War" broadcasted its first episode where the six competing groups performed one of their hit songs for a total of 100 seconds. The order of the stages was decided on the spot, with the participants volunteering on who will go first and who follows.

ATEEZ was the first one to perform with "WAVE: Overture," featuring their distinct pirate concept. Next was BTOB with a sentimental ballad stage of "Beautiful Pain." It was followed by performances of SF9's "Good Guy," Stray Kids' "MIROH," The Boyz's "The Stealer," and iKON's "RHYTHM TA."

The 100-second performance battle was broadcasted online back in February. At that time, global fans voted for three groups each - and the rankings for this round were determined based wholly on fan votes.

On the same day, Mnet uploaded the performance videos of The Boyz, Stray Kids, ATEEZ, iKON, BTOB, and SF9 to their official YouTube channel.

For starters, video streaming on YouTube and Naver TV is one of the means of voting for your favorite group in Mnet's "Kingdom," aside from directly voting through the Whosfan application. Hence, gaining lots of YouTube views for the contestants' performance videos is crucial.

Stray Kids' "MIROH" Has the Highest YouTube Views among the Performance Videos for Mnet "Kingdom Episode 1

The performance videos of the competing groups were posted on Mnet's YouTube channel on April 1 at 10 p.m. KST. The video ranked in the top 10 of YouTube's trending videos on April 2 with viewers coming from different countries such as Mexico, Peru, Japan, and Spain.

On April 4, the full version of Stray Kids' "MIROH" had the highest views among the clips. It gained five million views at 12:49 p.m. KST on that day. Stray Kids was the only participating team on Mnet's "Kingdom" to reach this number of views.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Mnet 'Kingdom' Participants Receive Unfair Treatment in Terms of Production Cost

And as of noon KST on April 5, Stay Kids' "MIROH" has surpassed five million views. In particular, the video has hit 5.87 million views. The performance videos of the six competing groups have exceeded 15.58 million views overall.

Rankings for the Mnet "Kingdom" Episode 1: Introduction Stage

Meanwhile, half of the results of the global votes for the Mnet "Kingdom" Episode 1 have been revealed. In third place is BTOB with 540,621 votes, next is SF9 with 533,458 votes, and then ATEEZ with 504,215 votes. The first, second, and sixth places are yet to be unveiled in the second episode of the show.

The upcoming episode was teased with a preview uploaded to Mnet's YouTube channel on April 2. Parts of the group's performances were shown in the video, along with the announcement of the team who placed first in episode 1.

Who do you think ranked first in the introduction stage of Mnet's "Kingdom: Legendary War"? Tell us in the comments!

For more news updates about other K-Pop news, always keep your tabs open here at Kpopstarz.

Owned by Kpopstarz.

Written by Mhaliya Scott
TORONTO, April 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- By 1945, Bill Willis certainly recognized the immense business potential heavy equipment distributors would have supplying to a booming post-war Canadian economy. Bill worked for one of the earliest and largest heavy equipment dealers in Ontario. With this insight and business vision in mind, Bill parted ways with that company and on April 6th, 1946, Equipment Sales & Service was born.



With its humble beginnings operating out of an automotive garage on Queen Street E. in Toronto, Mr. Willis started his legacy distributing Lima shovels. The mantra was simple: hire the best, most experienced people in the industry to sell and support the highest quality products available. Bill Deuel was hired in 1951 and was a key player in the companys early growth and subsequent success, ultimately rising to become the companys President. That same year in 1951, ESS was appointed the exclusive distributor for Link-Belt cranes and shovels in Ontario. The late Dan Wood was brought on board in 1960 and would also become one of the most well-known industry characters in the business, contributing immensely to the companys successes for 60 years! In 1962, ESS purchased its first large property from the Reichmann brothers and moved into it at 1030 Martin Grove Rd., Toronto. This location remains the companys headquarters today.

The growth strategy proved to be sound, carving out an early niche business for ESS and building for future generations. It offered customers a unique one-stop-shop for aftermarket parts and service solutions for all makes and all models of equipment, in addition to representing their OEM machinery lines.

Seventy-five years later, now in its third generation, ESS proudly operates from 12 branches across Canada, representing multiple top-tier OEM lines supporting the construction, mining, forestry, foundation, and drilling industries. ESS is a Platinum Member of the prestigious Canadas Best Managed Companies award program, having retained this designation for 10 consecutive years.

After the passing of Bill Willis in 1973, sons Michael and Peter continued diligently in their fathers footsteps establishing strong relationships with equipment manufacturers both in North America and abroad. They spurred company growth by securing OEM distribution contracts from manufacturers, as well as by acquiring distribution rights via well-timed acquisitions of established heavy equipment/parts dealers across Canada. The companys geographic foot-print was expanded into Western Canada in the late 1970s, robust lines were acquired such as Esco wear parts in 1978 through the acquisition of W.E. Bolt, the then Esco dealer in Alberta and South East British Columbia and ESS then opened branches in Edmonton and Calgary. 1980 was marked with the purchase of W.J. Knox, the dealer for Esco wear parts in Southern Ontario.

Mike Smith was hired in 1984 to run the Western division and became Vice President of ESS as he solidified ESSs status as a bonafide distributor of Link-Belt and Esco wear parts to the booming energy, construction and mining markets of Western Canada. Later on Berco undercarriage distribution was added.

1993 marked the hiring of aftermarket parts expert George Parps and with him the companys all-important appointment to distribute world renowned Berco undercarriage.

At the turn of the century, after struggling with 5 different Ontario equipment dealers in as many years, Komatsu Ltd. was desperately seeking dealership stability and asked ESS to become the OEM distributor and it was officially appointed in 2001.

Morgan Cronin was hired as President in 2012, bringing his wealth of knowledge and guidance to the ESS table, having had over 30 years of experience in the industry.

Recent expansion ventures include acquiring Selix Equipment Inc. in 2018, adding Soilmec foundation, Sandvik & Geax drilling equipment lines to ESSs diverse OEM arsenal, as well as the purchase of Belcher Machinery Parts further bolstering its Quebec aftermarket parts presence.

The third-generation successors, consisting of Michaels daughter Meghan, her husband Drew Paton, as well as Peters two sons Simon & Jodie, are poised to continue the Willis family legacy. They beam with pride, truly grateful of the companys team of extraordinary individuals who made and continue to make ESS the industry leader it is today.

ESS thanks all its loyal customers, suppliers, and employees for their confidence in, and unwavering commitment to ESS over the past three quarters of a century. We look forward to forging many more prosperous partnerships for the next 75 years!

Our success is our people. Our passion is customer service.

Milestones:

ESS is the longest acting distributor of Link-Belt equipment in the world.

ESS is one of the largest aftermarket supplier of construction parts in Canada.

ESS is the largest Esco wear parts dealer in North America.

ESS is the largest Berco dealer in Canada.

2021 marks the 20th anniversary for ESS as the exclusive Komatsu construction equipment distributor for Southern Ontario, which coincides with Komatsu celebrating its 100th year company anniversary as a world class equipment manufacturer.

Contact Information:

Equipment Sales & Service Limited

Morgan Cronin

President

1-800-268-0679

www.essltd.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/03fac56f-9d7e-41c4-9451-817964044fbd
Gov. Phil Murphy praised three officials in Newark on Monday as the states largest school district prepares to resume in-person, classroom instruction April 12.

During his regular COVID-19 briefing, Murphy said that while nearly 362,000 New Jersey students, in 118 schools or districts, remain in all-remote learning programs, there is momentum behind returning to classrooms.

We are seeing definite movement as a return from spring break to more students going back to full-time, in-person instruction, Murphy said.

I want to give a particular shout-out to Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Newark Superintendent of Schools Roger Leon and Newark Teachers Union president John Abeigon  their collaborative efforts that will see the citys schools reopen for a hybrid schedule Monday, Murphy said.

Newarks approximately 36,000 students have been relying on virtual instruction from home since schools across the state first closed in mid-March 2020 at the onset of the pandemic.

Murphys remarks on Newark came five days after school district officials in Paterson, the states third-largest city, withdrew a plan to return to classrooms on May 1 and did not set a new date. Students in Jersey City, the states second-largest school district, are on all-remote learning schedules through April 21.

Abeigon, who had opposed reopening in January, told NJ Advance Media following Murphys remarks that he supports returning to classrooms next week.

I believe we have done everything humanly possible, Abeigon said.

Abeigon cited the school districts decision to offer weekly COVID-19 testing to students and staff and the ongoing effort to vaccinate teachers and other employees. Approximately 2,000 who received the first of their two doses at Barringer High School in mid-March will be returning to the high school next week for their second shot, he said.

I think were going to move forward safely and competently. What remains a question mark is the COVID in the community, Abeigon said.

New Jersey is in the midst of the pandemics third wave, but there are some hopeful signs. About 24% of the states 6.9 million adult residents have been fully vaccinated, state officials said Monday, though the states seven-day average for newly confirmed cases was 3,918  up 7% from a week ago and 44% from a month ago.

Murphy has been encouraging more schools to resume in-person instruction. Woodbridge, the states 7th-largest school district, is aiming for five days per week of classroom instruction in most buildings by the end of April, according to its schools superintendent.

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.

Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com.
A County Derry entrepreneur has linked up with an online marketplace company based in Tallinn, Estonia.

Henry Joseph-Grant has joined Gigimot, which connects customers with on-demand service providers, as an investor and advisor.

The Draperstown native is already an award-winning entrepreneur, and has been named in the Top 25 UK entrepreneurs by Smith and Williamson.

He is CEO and co-founder of Belfast-based stealth start-up Alpha Exploration Co, and was part of the team that built Just Eat from start-up to $2.44bn initial public offering (IPO).

Gigimot said they were 'thrilled' to welcome Henry on board.

He brings vast experience in building and scaling tech startups in addition to his world-class knowledge of commercial, product and operational strategy," said Arseni Santashev, CEO.

"We've seen how his experience, strategic approach to product building and growth will accelerate our upcoming product launches, help us expand and become a driving force in the future of work and lifestyle.

Henry has recently relocated back to County Derry after several years in Berlin, Germany, launching his own start-up, and was initially reluctant to get too involved.

I've scaled back on the other projects I'm involved in, so when Arseni initially approached me for help, It was a polite, firm no.

However, he was persistent and I was very impressed with the calibre of the team, which is diverse, mostly female and based in Tallinn.

"Estonia has many parallels with Northern Ireland in terms of population size, exceptional talent and huge potential.

The Gigimot team are a perfect example of this, a highly credible, experienced and compelling team, with a sprinkle of kick-ass alumni from Estonian unicorn Transferwise.

They've demonstrated to me they can execute on a clear vision.

and I believe they have the potential to go all the way, so it's a pleasure to join them on their journey."
United Airlines said on Tuesday that it had started accepting applications to its new pilot school, promising to use scholarships, loans and partnerships to help diversify a profession that is overwhelmingly white and male.

The airline said it planned to train 5,000 pilots at the school by 2030, with a goal of half of those students being women or people of color. The school, United Aviate Academy in Phoenix, expects to enroll 100 students this year, and United and its credit card partner, JPMorgan Chase, are each committing $1.2 million in scholarships.

About 94 percent of aircraft pilots and flight engineers are white and about as many are male, according to federal data. United said 7 percent of its pilots were women and 13 percent were not white.

Airlines have had more employees than they needed during the pandemic, when demand for tickets fell sharply, and they have encouraged thousands, including many pilots, to retire early or take voluntary leaves. Since September, nearly 1,000 United pilots had retired or taken leave. Last week, the airline said it would start hiring pilots again after stopping last year.
 Flash

Another shipment of COVID-19 vaccines from China was welcomed on Monday by Prime Minister of Serbia Ana Brnabic.

Brnabic was accompanied by the Chinese ambassador to Serbia Chen Bo at the Nikola Tesla airport to receive the vaccines.

"This delivery speaks enough about the partnership with China, and how much our partners from that country and the company Sinopharm met our needs, and helped the mass immunization campaign in Serbia," Brnabic said.

She said Serbia aims to vaccinate roughly 40 percent of adults with the first dose by the end of April.

Ambassador Chen Bo pointed out that China was undergoing its own mass vaccination campaign at home.

"China is the most populous country in the world. Domestic demand for vaccines is huge, but we believe that all countries in the world belong to one community with a shared future," she said.

Serbia confirmed a total of 617,669 COVID-19 cases and 5,458 death as of Monday. A total of 7,794 people were hospitalized across the country, of which 292 were on ventilators.
[April 06, 2021] SAP and Onapsis Proactively Notify and Help Customers Protect Mission-Critical Applications from Active Cyber Threats

SAP (NYSE: SAP (News - Alert) ) and Onapsis today jointly released a cyber threat intelligence report providing actionable information on how malicious threat actors are targeting and potentially exploiting unprotected mission-critical SAP applications. The companies have worked in close partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and Germany's Federal Cybersecurity Authority (BSI), advising organizations to take immediate action to apply long-available SAP patches and secure configurations, and perform compromise assessments on critical environments. SAP and Onapsis are not aware of known customer breaches directly related to this research. The report also does not describe any new vulnerabilities in SAP cloud software as a service or SAP's own corporate IT infrastructure. Both companies, however, note that many organizations still have not applied relevant mitigations that have long been provided by SAP. Customers who fail to apply these protective measures and allow unprotected SAP applications to continue to operate put themselves and their business at risk. The intelligence captured by Onapsis and SAP highlights active threat activity seeking to target and compromise organizations running unprotected SAP applications, through a variety of cyberattack vectors. Observed exploitation techniques would lead to full control of the unsecured SAP applications, bypassing common security and compliance controls, and enabling attackers to steal sensitive data, perform financial fraud or disrupt mission-critical business processes by deploying ransomware or stopping operations. These threats may also have regulatory compliance implications for organizations that have not properly secured their environments. "This proactive research effort is the latest example of our commitment to ensure our global customers remain protected," said Tim McKnight, chief security officer, SAP. "We're releasing the research Onapsis has shared with SAP as part of our commitment to help our customers ensure their mission-critical applications are protected. This includes applying available patches, thoroughly reviewing the security configuration of their SAP environments and proactively assessing them for signs of compromise." The scope of impact from these specific vulnerabilities is localized to customer deployments of SAP products within their own data centers, managed colocation environments or customer-maintained cloud infrastructures. None of the vulnerabilities are present in cloud solutions maintained by SAP. "As a SAP partner for cybersecurity and compliance, we have observed firsthand the outstanding improvements SAP has made in the recent years to develop more secure software, patch critical vulnerabilities faster and overall proactively ensure SAP customers are secure," said Mariano Nunez, CEO and cofounder of Onapsis. "The critical findings noted in our report describe attacks on vulnerabilities with patches and secure configuration guidelines available for monts and even years. Unfortunately, too many organizations still operate with a major governance gap in terms of the cybersecurity and compliance of their mission-critical applications, allowing external and internal threat actors to access, exfiltrate and gain full control of their most sensitive and regulated information and processes. Companies that have not prioritized rapid mitigation for these known risks should consider their systems compromised and take immediate and appropriate action."



To support customers that require investigation, threat remediation and additional post-compromise security monitoring, Onapsis is offering a 3-month free subscription to the Onapsis Platform for Cybersecurity and Compliance, an SAP endorsed app that can be accessed through SAP Store. About Onapsis

Onapsis protects the mission-critical applications that run the global economy, from the core to the cloud. The Onapsis Platform uniquely delivers actionable insight, secure change, automated governance and continuous monitoring for critical systems - ERP, CRM, PLM, HCM, SCM and BI applications - from leading vendors such as SAP, Oracle (News - Alert) , Salesforce and others. Onapsis is headquartered in Boston, MA, with offices in Heidelberg, Germany and Buenos Aires, Argentina. We proudly serve more than 300 of the world's leading brands, including 20% of the Fortune 100, 6 of the top 10 automotive companies, 5 of the top 10 chemical companies, 4 of the top 10 technology companies and 3 of the top 10 oil and gas companies. The Onapsis Platform is powered by the Onapsis Research Labs, the team responsible for the discovery and mitigation of more than 800 zero-day vulnerabilities in mission-critical applications. The reach of our threat research and platform is broadened through leading consulting and audit firms such as Accenture, Deloitte (News - Alert) , IBM and PwC - making Onapsis solutions the standard in helping organizations protect their cloud, hybrid and on-premises mission-critical information and processes. For more information, connect with us on Twitter (News - Alert) or LinkedIn, or visit us at https://www.onapsis.com. About SAP SAP's strategy is to help every business run as an intelligent enterprise. As a market leader in enterprise application software, we help companies of all sizes and in all industries run at their best: 77% of the world's transaction revenue touches an SAP system. Our machine learning, Internet of Things (IoT) and advanced analytics technologies help turn customers' businesses into intelligent enterprises. SAP helps give people and organizations deep business insight and fosters collaboration that helps them stay ahead of their competition. We simplify technology for companies so they can consume our software the way they want - without disruption. Our end-to-end suite of applications and services enables business and public customers across 25 industries globally to operate profitably, adapt continuously and make a difference. With a global network of customers, partners, employees and thought leaders, SAP helps the world run better and improve people's lives. For more information, visit www.sap.com. # # # 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 SAP are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. SAP undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations. The factors that could affect SAP's future financial results are discussed more fully in SAP's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (" SEC (News - Alert) "), including SAP's most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates.  2021 SAP SE. All rights reserved. SAP and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP SE in Germany and other countries. Please see https://www.sap.com/copyright for additional trademark information and notices. Note to editors:

To preview and download broadcast-standard stock footage and press photos digitally, please visit www.sap.com/photos. On this platform, you can find high resolution material for your media channels. To view video stories on diverse topics, visit www.sap-tv.com. From this site, you can embed videos into your own Web pages, share video via email links, and subscribe to RSS feeds from SAP TV. Please consider our privacy policy. If you received this press release in your e-mail and you wish to unsubscribe to our mailing list please contact press@sap.com and write Unsubscribe in the subject line. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005506/en/

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The United States and Iran were expected to begin indirect talks Tuesday in an effort to bring the U.S. back into a 2015 nuclear deal.

The deal -- which the U.S. left in 2018 under President Donald Trump -- restricts Irans nuclear program in exchange for easing U.S. and international sanctions.

The U.S. reestablished economic sanctions after withdrawing from the agreement. Iran answered the action by violating some of the deals restrictions on its nuclear program.

U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters that Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley will lead the U.S. team during the talks, which are taking place in Vienna. The discussions will include representatives from the five world powers still in the deal -- Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia.

The goals of the talks include returning the U.S. to the deal and getting Iran in full compliance with it. The nuclear agreement is known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Price said the talks will be structured around working groups that the European Union will form with Iran and the other parties to the deal. He said negotiators would work to identify the nuclear steps that Iran will need to take to become compliant. In addition, the talks will seek to define sanctions relief steps the U.S. will need to take to rejoin the deal.

Price said the U.S. would consider lifting sanctions reestablished by the Trump administration in return for more permanent and verifiable limits on Irans nuclear program.

President Joe Biden came into office saying one of his first goals would be to return the U.S. to the deal and get Iran to comply with it. But Iran and the U.S. have disagreed over Irans demand that sanctions be lifted first.

Price said Monday he sees the talks as a healthy step forward. But he added that the U.S. side expects the negotiations to be difficult and does not expect "an early or immediate breakthrough.

In Tehran, government spokesman Ali Rabiei said Iran's aim remained the lifting of all sanctions that have been placed on Iran. He added that Iran was ready to return to all our commitments immediately after the American side lifts sanctions in a complete and verifiable way.

EU diplomats said the talks could continue for several days to resolve some of the easier issues before restarting next week. One official told Reuters news agency the aim is to reach some form of a deal ahead of Irans presidential election in June.

Im Bryan Lynn.

Bryan Lynn adapted this story for Learning English, based on stories from The Associated Press, Reuters and VOA News. Hai Do 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

sanction  n. a restriction, usually limiting trade, that are meant to cause a country to obey international law

comply  v. to obey an order, rule or request

relief  n. help given to people in need

verify  v. to prove that something is true, or do something to discover whether it is true

breakthrough  n. an important discovery
PM Modi on Tuesday addressed the party workers virtually on the occasion of BJPs 41st foundation day. Silencing opposition by taking a jibe at family-owned parties and stating that BJP is on a continuous and relentless campaign to win hearts, PM urged party workers to chalk out a 25-year personal goals and goals for the party.

On the occasion of BJPs 41st foundation day on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi not only paid tribute to party stalwarts such as Shyama Prakash Mukherjee, Pt. Deen Dyal Upadhyay, Murli Manohar Joshi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, silenced opposition by taking a dig at family-owned parties but also urged party workers to chalk out a 25-year grand plan for BJP.

In his address, PM said, Party cadres must continue to work for the welfare of the people and set 25 year personal goals and goals for the party. He further emphasised that BJP not only represents national interest but also regional aspirations. The underpinning on the partys regional aspirations particularly hold prime importance amid a terse electoral battle in West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Puducherry.

Addressing the party workers, PM Modi said that the mantra of Vyakti Se Bada Dal and Dal Se Bada Desh (the party is bigger than the individual and the nation is bigger than the party continues till today. The reflection of this vision of One India expressed by Shyama Prasad Mukherjee continues till today.

Lashing out at the critics, who dub BJPs electoral victories as an election-winning machine, PM said that those who say that BJP is an election-winning machine cannot understand the maturity of Indian democracy and the hopes and aspirations of voters. He reiterated that BJP is not an election-winning machine, rather it is on a continuous and relentless campaign to win hearts.

In a hard-hitting jibe at regional and dynastic political parties, PM Modi further added that the BJP party workers toil hard and make several sacrifices. They have been threatened, attacked and their families have also not been spared in states like Kerala and West Bengal but they remain steadfast on their mission to live and die for the country. Speaking about how parties who speak about regional aspirations have become family-owned parties, PM pointed out that the fake mask of secularism worn by these parties is finally coming off.

From his address today and multiple public addresses during election campaigning in the past couple of months, PM Modi has said it out loud that the party is not just focusing on the present but also where it is heading and should be heading in next 25 years.
[April 06, 2021] Trifacta Announces Industry's First Data Engineering Cloud

Trifacta, the global leader in data preparation, today announced a major expansion to its platform to deliver the industry's first data engineering cloud. In keeping with its mission to create radical productivity for people who work with data, Trifacta's expanded capabilities now fully support modern data engineers, who apply software development and DevOps practices to build curated, accessible data products for advanced data insights and analytics. With expectations for these data products rising and cycle times falling, the key to unlocking enterprise value is to enable a broader set of users to collaborate, experiment, and iterate quickly on data science and analytics projects. "Trifacta is addressing the needs of modern data workers by providing a collaborative, cloud environment where users of all skill levels can come together to improve data quality and streamline data operations as they on-board, assess, and refine raw data," said Trifacta CEO Adam Wilson. "Accelerating data preparation and democratizing ETL for these users and their cloud data warehousing projects requires an enterprise-grade data engineering platform that is open, intelligent, and self-service. We've created the Trifacta Data Engineering Cloud to meet these needs." Open: A data engineering environment needs to be flexible to operate seamlessly within end-to-end analytic workflows and integrate fully into modern tool chains. By design, the environment should be extensible enough to allow users to bring their own magic to fill in the gaps and free them from the tyranny of monolithic stacks and vendor lock-in. An open data engineering environment sustains independence and loose coupling while fostering composability of services and the interoperability that enables users to embrace the best-of-breed tools that can help solve complex data problems faster. To support this, Trifacta now offers: Multi-cloud Support: The Trifacta data engineering cloud offers native solutions optimized for each platform: Google (News - Alert) , AWS, Azure. Multi-cloud support means freedom of choice and freedom from code. Users can change their minds about which platform they prefer or run different workloads in different environments without re-writing any code.

The Trifacta data engineering cloud offers native solutions optimized for each platform: Google (News - Alert) , AWS, Azure. Multi-cloud support means freedom of choice and freedom from code. Users can change their minds about which platform they prefer or run different workloads in different environments without re-writing any code. Flexible Execution: Users can choose between ETL or ELT, or an optimal combination of the two based on cost. Flexible execution also means users have the freedom to generate SQL, Spark, Dataflow/Beam, or Python.

Users can choose between ETL or ELT, or an optimal combination of the two based on cost. Flexible execution also means users have the freedom to generate SQL, Spark, Dataflow/Beam, or Python. Universal Connectivity: Users can connect any application with data from more than 180 enterprise data sources-both on-premise and in the cloud-and publish refined data to spreadsheets, BI and reporting tools, as well as to data science notebooks. The connectivity of the Trifacta data engineering cloud is extended with Trifacta's REST, XML, and JDBC frameworks.

Users can connect any application with data from more than 180 enterprise data sources-both on-premise and in the cloud-and publish refined data to spreadsheets, BI and reporting tools, as well as to data science notebooks. The connectivity of the Trifacta data engineering cloud is extended with Trifacta's REST, XML, and JDBC frameworks. API-driven: The Trifacta cloud integrates with any and all tool chains. Through SDKs and OpenAPI standards available in a multitude of languages, users can integrate Trifacta into existing workflows or use Trifacta to orchestrate across third-party applications, from source control, ingestion, and replication tools to catalogs and business glossaries. Intelligent: Modern data engineering tools should be intelligent and learn from the data itself and from user interactions to automate the most complex and time consuming parts of data cleaning and transformation, improving the user experience and accelerating data-driven innovation. This intelligence should also apply to improving ongoing data operations, providing self-monitoring and, in some cases, automated remediation of issues that would normally disrupt data pipelines. To support this, Trifacta now offers: Predictive Transformation: The Trifacta data engineering cloud features a visual "guide and decide" interface that leverages machine learning to make understanding and resolving data transformation challenges issues intuitive to users of all backgrounds, regardless of their technical acumen. Predictive transformation capabilities include: automatically detecting and applying format to unstructured and semistructured data sets; using examples to infer transformation logic; synthesizing data models from source data; and auto-mapping data to a predefined target.

The Trifacta data engineering cloud features a visual "guide and decide" interface that leverages machine learning to make understanding and resolving data transformation challenges issues intuitive to users of all backgrounds, regardless of their technical acumen. Predictive transformation capabilities include: automatically detecting and applying format to unstructured and semistructured data sets; using examples to infer transformation logic; synthesizing data models from source data; and auto-mapping data to a predefined target. Adaptive Data Quality: Trifacta's active data profiling that extends beyond traditional data quality rules. Users can now more easily discover and validate data quality issues. Statistical data profiles are used to identify complex patterns, automatically suggesting possible quality rules such as integrity constraints, formatting patterns, and columns dependencies. Users are offered transformations to consider based on classifiers for probabilistic data quality rules and can more easily standardize data with support for sophisticated clustering.

Trifacta's active data profiling that extends beyond traditional data quality rules. Users can now more easily discover and validate data quality issues. Statistical data profiles are used to identify complex patterns, automatically suggesting possible quality rules such as integrity constraints, formatting patterns, and columns dependencies. Users are offered transformations to consider based on classifiers for probabilistic data quality rules and can more easily standardize data with support for sophisticated clustering. Smart Data Pipelines: Trifacta empowers users to model data flows while managing relationships across data sets and recipes. They can operationalize and automate data flows through plans that enable parallel and conditional execution, as well as pre- and post-processing. In addition, monitoring point-in-time and historical data quality trends provides the context for proactive alerting (via email, Slack, PagerDuty, and other platforms) to changes of schema and data distributions that may affect data's fitness for use downstream.



Self-service: "See for yourself, help yourself" has always been Trifacta's mantra, but this means different things to different users, depending on their technical know-how. The Trifacta data engineering platform expands the number and variety of people who can participate in the data engineering process. It removes bottlenecks and leverages the collective wisdom of the organization to create new and interesting data products. It provides modern data workers and analytics innovators with the tools they need to collaborate and share knowledge. It caters to less technical subject matter experts as well as to more technical developers who want to operate at differing levels of abstraction from the raw data. To support this, Trifacta is offering: Low-Code/No-Code Authoring: Whether building data engineering logic visually or from the command line with SQL, Python or Javascript, the Trifacta data engineering cloud has users covered. It supports a mix and match of both approaches based on users' skills and needs. Users can also author popular frameworks like dbt and Google Dataform. With live feedback and continuous validation, users always have eyes on the data as they work to see the immediate impact of their work.

Whether building data engineering logic visually or from the command line with SQL, Python or Javascript, the Trifacta data engineering cloud has users covered. It supports a mix and match of both approaches based on users' skills and needs. Users can also author popular frameworks like dbt and Google Dataform. With live feedback and continuous validation, users always have eyes on the data as they work to see the immediate impact of their work. Macros, Templates, Sharing : The Trifacta data engineering cloud features macros, shareable data flows, recipes, and templates that reduce repeated tasks, increase consistency of implementation, and enable new projects to be onboarded quickly. These reusable assets increase knowledge sharing within and across organizations, standardizing the approach to common data engineering problems.

: The Trifacta data engineering cloud features macros, shareable data flows, recipes, and templates that reduce repeated tasks, increase consistency of implementation, and enable new projects to be onboarded quickly. These reusable assets increase knowledge sharing within and across organizations, standardizing the approach to common data engineering problems. Knowledge Sharing: Best practices, "how tos", discussions, certifications all come together in the new Trifacta Community. The Community extends Trifacta's commitment to self-service by empowering users to build on each other's innovation. More than just a place to learn, this forum is where users can easily contribute their best ideas and assets, and clone and customize what other users have done in a wide range of ETL, data quality and automation scenarios. Instead of always starting from scratch, users can tap into the Trifacta Community to benefit from each other's hard work, creative thinking, and problem-solving.

Best practices, "how tos", discussions, certifications all come together in the new Trifacta Community. The Community extends Trifacta's commitment to self-service by empowering users to build on each other's innovation. More than just a place to learn, this forum is where users can easily contribute their best ideas and assets, and clone and customize what other users have done in a wide range of ETL, data quality and automation scenarios. Instead of always starting from scratch, users can tap into the Trifacta Community to benefit from each other's hard work, creative thinking, and problem-solving. Usage-Based Pricing: It's not enough for technology to encourage democratization; its pricing and packaging must also enable broad adoption. Trifacta lets users start on its data engineering cloud for free and only pay as they see value. Convenient online credit card purchasing, and "pay-as-you-go" options bring the power of data prep, ETL, and data quality to individuals, teams, and organizations of all sizes. Enterprise-grade: Analytic innovators increasingly relying on data engineering as mission- critical. Questions of scalability and governance must be considered up front. To support this, Trifacta is offering:

Unlimited Scalability: The Trifacta data engineering cloud is completely serverless and completely elastic. It handles it all- from individual spreadsheets to petabytes of data, from smart samples to entire data sets.

The Trifacta data engineering cloud is completely serverless and completely elastic. It handles it all- from individual spreadsheets to petabytes of data, from smart samples to entire data sets. Built-in Governance: With full audit trails and lineage, versioning and SDLC support, the Trifacta data engineering cloud tracks and manages change automatically across projects and environments.

With full audit trails and lineage, versioning and SDLC support, the Trifacta data engineering cloud tracks and manages change automatically across projects and environments. Support and Reliability: With follow-the-sun support, high availability, and built-in redundancy, the Trifacta data engineering cloud ensures full resilience and eliminates DevOps costs. There's nothing to deploy. An in-product "advisor" chat bot also makes Trifacta experts and expertise available at the moment they're needed.

With follow-the-sun support, high availability, and built-in redundancy, the Trifacta data engineering cloud ensures full resilience and eliminates DevOps costs. There's nothing to deploy. An in-product "advisor" chat bot also makes Trifacta experts and expertise available at the moment they're needed. Best-in-Class Security: Authentication, authorization and encryption, combined with VPC support and a host of certifications with leading security standards (SOC2 Type 2, GDPR, etc.), ensure data is fully protected at all times. To learn more about the trends and technology in data engineering, register now for the Wrangle Summit on April 7-9, 2021, the first conference dedicated exclusively to data engineering hosted by Trifacta and Google Cloud. About Trifacta The Trifacta Data Engineering Cloud leverages decades of innovative research in human-computer interaction, scalable data management, and machine learning to make the process of preparing data and engineering data products faster and more intuitive. Around the globe, tens of thousands of users at more than 10,000 companies, including leading brands like Deutsche Boerse, Google, Kaiser Permanente, New York Life and PepsiCo, are unlocking the potential of their data with Trifacta's market-leading data engineering platform. Learn more at trifacta.com. Supporting quotes: "With over a thousand stores and hundreds of thousands of employees, Woolworths Australia requires careful planning and optimization of our facilities to maximize returns. Every step to produce useful data insights, from data collection to advanced analytics, influences the company's strategy," says Radha Goli, lead data engineer at Woolworths. "With Trifacta's new capabilities, such as orchestration, the addition of new connectors, and enterprise operationalization, we are able to deploy data engineering more broadly and guarantee repeatable and trustworthy data outcomes to inform our business." "Google Cloud's goal is to offer an analytics platform that delivers actionable insights in real-time, and we have conviction that to do that, solutions must be open, intelligent, and flexible," said Debanjan Saha, Vice President, Data & Analytics, Google Cloud. "Trifacta's Data Engineering Platform is built on those same principles, making Dataprep by Trifacta a perfect companion solution for Google Cloud customers to assess and remediate data quality and enable self-service analytics across their organization." "Clean and annotated data is essential to the success of modern machine learning and artificial intelligence. However, achieving clean data takes time and, of course resources, creating friction for analytics initiatives," said Ankur Mehrotra, General Manager, AWS AI. "We are excited to have Trifacta as a data preparation partner to help our customers reduce the effort required to clean and prepare their data and spend more time creating intelligence." "Clean data is critical to any information-based organization," said Charlotte Yarkoni, VP C+E Growth and Ecosystems, Microsoft (News - Alert). "But the process of cleaning and preparing data for use is time consuming and challenging. Trifacta, by leveraging Microsoft Azure big data and advanced analytics services, arms our shared customers with the ability to simplify those processes in order to more efficiently analyze the data and seek out meaningful insights." " Infosys (News - Alert) helps organizations with their data and analytics challenges, transforming them into data-driven enterprises leveraging its Cobalt ecosystem - a set of services, solutions and platforms for enterprises to accelerate their cloud journey. Because client environments, data, and personnel can vary greatly, it is critical that the cloud data engineering platform underpinning our work be open and intelligent, while also enabling effective governance," said Sunil Senan, SVP, Data and Analytics, Infosys. "Trifacta brings unique strengths to the Infosys Cobalt (News - Alert) ecosystem and helps our clients modernize and transform their data and analytics capabilities." "Data preparation is an important part of the continuing trend toward end-user empowerment and self-service business intelligence, approaching the same level of importance given to reporting, dashboards, and data integration. Our research shows increasing investment in data preparation technology which provides a solid foundation for an information democracy initiative, bringing data engineers, data analysts, and business people together as one team," said Howard Dresner, Founder and Chief Research Officer at Dresner Advisory. "Trifacta continues to show leadership in our annual Data Preparation and Data Pipelines and Integration market studies." View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005267/en/

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Thiruvananthapuram, April 6 : At sharp 7 a.m on Wednesday, polling got underway to elect a new 140-member Kerala Legislative Assembly.

The fate of 957 candidates would be decided by an electorate of 1,41,62,025 women, 1,32,83,724 men and 290 transgender voters.

Polling is taking place according to strict Covid protocols and while in the 2016 Assembly polls, 21,498 polling booths were there, this time due to the Covid pandemic the number of polling booths has been increased to 40,771.

The poll will end at 7 p.m. and the last hour has been kept aside for Covid positive patients and for those in quarantine.

The principal political fronts contesting the elections are the ruling CPI-M led Left Democratic Front (LDF) the Congress led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the BJP led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

In the outgoing Assembly (2016 polls) the LDF had 91 seats, the UDF 47 the NDA one seat and there was one independent candidate.

Across the state people was seen queuing up before the polling time.

The poll officials at 5.30 a.m. conducted a mock polling to see that all the electronic voting machines are in order.

59,292 Kerala police officials and 140 companies of CISF, CRPF and BSF officials are also deployed for duty, which is by far the biggest deployment of central forces for any poll in the state.

Counting of votes will take place on May 2.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
SPRINGFIELD  Michael Cecchetelli, regional leader of the Latin Kings, pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy in U.S. District Court Tuesday, opening himself to a potential 20-year prison sentence.

Cecchetelli, 41, of Springfield, became entrenched in the violent street gang when he was just a teen, according to court records and published accounts.

He has risen through the ranks from statewide leader to the head of all the East Coast chapters, according to federal prosecutors.

Cecchetelli, aka Merlin or King M, was among dozens of Latin Kings members and associates arrested in Operation Throne Down, a massive crackdown on the gang in late 2019. He also is among the last to plead guilty in the case, following a parade of his underlings from Worcester to New Bedford and Boston.

He is scheduled for sentencing on June 8.

Cecchetelli specifically pleaded guilty to ordering a murder and a beatdown of two other gang members, respectively, for circulating a rumor that he was cooperating with law enforcement. Neither suffered harm, however, because cooperating government witnesses were already embedded in the gang in this state.

In one case, Cecchetelli order designated shooters to kill one witness after he agreed to make a video saying Cecchetelli was not an informant.

During his plea hearing, U.S. District Judge Rya W. Zobel asked Cecchetelli  who is Italian American  whether he was a member of the Chicago-based street gang.

I am, your honor, he answered.

Were you one of its leaders? Zobel asked.

Yes, your honor, Cecchetelli said contritely, adding that his responsibilities included approving or vetoing various proposals presented to him by other members.

Cecchetelli pleaded guilty to illegal weapons charges in 2005 and was sentenced to four years in federal prison, telling a judge at the time he intended to disavow thug life and set a better example for his daughter. But by the time he was released or shortly thereafter, Cecchetelli had ascended even higher in the ranks, according to investigators.

At least one would-be murder plot was hatched at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Society social club in the citys South End, court records say.

I have to find a permanent solution for (a victim), Cecchetelli told one of the governments witnesses, an FBI affidavit reads. We cant even go old school and merk the f---er because the whole world and every fed in it knows hes my arch-enemy. Im gonna have to somehow expose him. ... F--- it, in honor of Al Capone we will reenact the Valentines day massacre.

Merk is street slang for murder, the document notes. Later that year, Cecchetelli met with another Latin Kings leader to discuss the creation of a hit squad, it adds.

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Burma Myanmar Regime Detains Family of NLD Fugitive, Including Three Children

Three children among the six people detained for more than 13 hours by the military. / Ko Jar Lay / facebook

Myanmars security forces have detained the family of a Bago Region National League for Democracy (NLD) information officer, including three young children, after failing to arrest him.

Ko Ja Lay is in hiding after he was charged under Article 25 of the Disaster Management Law in February for allegedly interacting with a crowd during the coronavirus pandemic. Following the coup, he led anti-regime protests in Thayawady Township, Bago Region. The military has since pressured his family, demanding he hand himself in to the police.

A relative said Ko Ja Lays four-year-old daughter, two-year-old niece and 13-year-old brother-in-law were abducted by the security forces for more than 13 hours.

His wife is already in hiding to avoid the security forces who kept asking about his whereabouts. She had to leave her daughter with her family. We were detained by the military while we were taking their daughter to her mother, she said.

We were taken to a police station and then an army camp. The children were frightened. They kept asking where Ko Ja Lay was. They released us when they realized we knew nothing about Ko Ja Lay, she added.

Their daughter is already traumatized about being separated from her parents. I am worried that she might suffer more trauma after being seized, she said.

Relatives of NLD members, protest leaders and civil servants who joined the civil disobedience movement have been seized by the security forces to force suspects to turn themselves in.

In Mawlamyine Township, Mon State, two adult sons of a university academic, who was refusing to work under the military regime, have been detained for nearly two weeks after the authorities were unable to arrest him.

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It was a glittering start for the newest news channel on the block as India News Joy Bangla was launched on Sunday amid a galaxy of stars. West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar, several Union Cabinet Ministers like Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Dr Jitendra Singh, Giriraj Singh, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Congress Bengal in-charge Jitin Prasada, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, TMCs Firhad Hakim, and Subrata Mukherjee, were among the prominent personalities who attended the event.

Addressing the India News Joy Bangla e-conclave, Kartikeya Sharma, the founder of iTV Network, said, Regional and local concerns often get subsumed in national and broadcasting formats. We strongly believe regional programming must be given the due spaces and promotion it deserves and we are committed to airing relevant and impactful regional content in Bangla.

India News Manch Bangla was inaugurated by Jagdeep Dhankar, Governor of West Bengal. Addressing the conclave, Governor Dhankhar said, I can say it without contradiction that there is no city like Kolkata. It is truly the City of Joy. Bengal is the epicentre of culture. If you go to any part of Kolkata, you will witness things that cannot be compared to anywhere else in the world. Be it art, music, science or literature, you will find a Bengali mind performing at the highest level.

While congratulating iTV Network on the launch of its Bangla channel, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that the people of West Bengal have made up their mind about poriborton and nobody can stop it. They trusted Mamata Banerjee but suffered great betrayal at her hand, he said.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh also hit out at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Ba nerjee and said that she is scared of losing, which is why she is using the gotra card. He further said, Now we have to find out whether the gotra of the Rohingyas is Shandilya or not.

MoS PMO and DoNER Minister Dr Jitendra Singh added that the people of West Bengal have suffered a lot and have realised that if they need to get redemption, if they need to get a way out of this nightmare, then only the BJP can give it to them.

Meanwhile, Congress Bengal president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said that the BJP only comes during elections and tries to divide communally and create law and order problems. When asked about Mamata Banerjee, Chowdhury said that she has lost the battle at Nandigram. Cabinet Minister of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs West Bengal Firhad Hakim said that the BJP is misusing Central agencies like the CBI and ED, adding, We also demanded CBI enquiry when we were in the Opposition. They only use the Central agencies during the polls for their own advantage.
The Fisheries Commission says it is investigating the cause of death of fishes washed ashore the Osu Castle Beach.



A release signed by Mr Michael Arthur-Dadzie (Esq.), the Executive Director of the Fisheries Commission, and copied to the Ghana News Agency on Monday, in Accra, said the Commission received information in the evening of April 3, 2021, about fish mortalities sighted at the Osu Castle Beach.



It said a team from the Fish Health Unit and the Fisheries Scientific Survey Division of the Commission dispatched to the area noticed that there were dead small pelagic and demersal fishes at the shore.



It said the initial observation of the fishes showed no wound or lesions on their bodies.



The release explained that the colour of the sea and temperature at the time of visitation was normal.



It, however, said the usual happening was that after two to three days of death of an animal, pathological signs changed.



Therefore, samples of the fish had been collected on ice to be examined critically in the laboratory, the release said, while sea water samples had also been collected at the Korle Klottey District in the Greater Accra Region to be tested.



Examinations will be carried out on the fish gills and other histological examinations will equally be conducted to ascertain any pathological cause, the release said.



The sea water samples collected would also be analysed for physical, chemical and other biological parameters.



We assure everyone that we are working hard to ascertain the actual cause of mortality of the fish, it said.

Source: GNA









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Senate Parliamentarian Lets Democrats Use Reconciliation Process on Bidens Infrastructure Plan

Senate parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, ruled in an opinion to allow the Democrats in the evenly-split 50-50 Senate to use the reconciliation process again in fiscal year 2021, a spokesman for Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said on Monday.

The ruling potentially allows Democrats to pass President Joe Bidens $2.25 trillion infrastructure proposal, dubbed the America Jobs Plan, via the reconciliation processa procedural tool that allows a bill related to taxes, spending, and debt to be passed in the chamber by a simple 51-vote majority rather than having to pass the 60 vote filibuster threshold that would require support from 10 Republicans. The process also limits debate on the bill to 20 hours.

The Parliamentarian has advised that a revised budget resolution may contain budget reconciliation instructions, spokesperson Justin Goodman said late on Monday in a statement to news outlets.

While no decisions have been made on a legislative path forward using Section 304 and some parameters still need to be worked out, the Parliamentarians opinion is an important step forward that this key pathway is available to Democrats if needed, he said.

The 51-vote threshold can be achieved without any Republican votes because Vice President Kamala Harris, who holds the title of Senate president, can vote to break ties on bills. But a single senator can break ranks to influence the size and shape of the package.

On Monday, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), a centrist Democrat, indicated he would prefer a corporate tax rate at 25 percent, lower than what Biden is proposing.

If I dont vote to get on it, its not going anywhere, Manchin said. As the bill exists today, it needs to be changed.

Schumers staff had recently argued to MacDonough that under Section 304 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, budget resolutions can be revised before the end of the fiscal year that they cover, and doing so could bring about another set of reconciliation instructions. As such, Democrats could revise the budget resolution for fiscal year 2021 and include instructions for another reconciliation bill, thereby opening the way for them to push forward with Bidens proposal.

Democrats previously used the reconciliation process to pass Bidens $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package dubbed the American Rescue Plan. No Republicans supported the bill in either chamber.

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said on Sunday that Biden would be prepared to push through his infrastructure package without any Republican support.

Bridges spanning the Allegheny River in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on April 2, 2021. (Gene J. Puskar/AP Photo)

Biden has said that the core of the package is to modernize transportation infrastructure. The White House earlier released a fact sheet detailing the first of a two-part plan that Biden wants to pass through Congress in the coming months. A separate plan addressing child and health care is expected to be announced later this month.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has signaled multiple times that he will not support Bidens latest infrastructure proposal. On Monday, he told reporters in Kentucky that Bidens infrastructure proposal is something were not going to do, adding that Republicans would favor a much more modest approach, and one that doesnt rely on corporate tax increases to pay for it. McConnell previously said that the America Jobs Plan does not heavily focus on infrastructure and is more like another Trojan horse for far-left demands.

A clear point of contention between the two parties on the bill is Bidens effort to pay for it by raising the corporate tax rate to 28 percent from the current 21 percenteffectively undoing former President Donald Trumps signing of a Republican-backed tax cut bill in 2017 that reduced the corporate rate to 21 percent from 35 percent. The infrastructure plan also calls for a global minimum corporate tax rate.

Isabel van Brugen and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
HELSINKI, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Happeo and AODocs have joined forces to create a rich integration, offering Google Workspace's better alternative to Microsoft SharePoint. The integration will be released on Happeo's platform on the 6th of April.

Perttu Ojansuu, CEO of Happeo, says: "By integrating with AODocs, we're offering one seamless digital experience for everything around file-centric collaboration. Its capabilities are on par with SharePoint, but the experience is friendlier, more modern and centered around Google Workspace." Happeo and AODocs have joined forces to create a rich integration, offering Google Workspace's better alternative to Microsoft SharePoint. The integration will be released on Happeo's platform on the 6th of April.

Together, Happeo and AODocs empower employees to use the Google Apps they're familiar with, while allowing organizations to automate repetitive tasks and to enhance collaboration across departments and regions. Whether it's approval workflows for newly-created documents, status-updates on deliverable files or notifications when a document is ready  it's an all-in-one place to collaborate effectively together.

Perttu Ojansuu, CEO of Happeo, says: "By integrating with AODocs, we're offering one seamless digital experience for everything around file-centric collaboration. Its capabilities are on par with SharePoint, but the experience is friendlier, more modern and centered around Google Workspace."

"Happeo and AODocs complement each other to provide a full SharePoint replacement solution," said AODocs Founder and CEO Stephan Donze. "Our integration allows customers to expose in Happeo intranet pages the content that has been migrated from SharePoint lists and libraries to AODocs, and to interact with AODocs workflows from Happeo."

Happeo and AODocs will demonstrate the integration during a free live webinar on 13th of April.

About Happeo

Happeo is the community-powered employee communications platform that acts as a company's news stream and enterprise social network, combined into a branded intranet environment. We enable your business communications to flow seamlessly, making work a happier place for all.

Business success in today's world depends on talent and a company's ability to build and maintain a high-performing digital culture  a place where employees lead the conversation, share information freely and fuel business growth. Large enterprises and fast-growing organizations like the Tide Cleaners, State Auto and Randstad Sourceright use Happeo to engage, align, and retain more than 300,000 employees worldwide.

In 2019, Gartner named Happeo a Cool Vendor. That same year, The Next Web recognized Happeo as one of Europe's fastest-growing scale-ups. In 2021, G2 awarded Happeo with the "Easiest to Use" and "Momentum Leader" badges. Happeo's talent is spread across locations, generations, and time zones, helping Happeo's continued growth of 280% year on year. To learn more visit https://www.happeo.com .

About AODocs

AODocs is the only business process and document management platform tightly integrated with Google Workspace. It provides a collaborative, user experience-focused platform, allowing organizations in all industries to easily implement their business-critical processes, control their documents, and meet compliance requirements without burdening users. Headquartered in Atlanta, with offices in San Francisco, Paris, and Milan, AODocs was founded in 2012 by software veterans with decades of experience at organizations including Exalead, Actelion, and Logica. Built to automate business workflows in full compliance with various regulations, AODocs' patented content services platform is a Google Recommended Partner Solution for Google Workspace. For more information, visit www.AODocs.com or follow @AODocs.

Media contact: Jonathan Davies, [email protected], +31614197466, Media Kit

SOURCE Happeo

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Email Thomas Elias at tdelias@aol.com. His book, "The Burzynski Breakthrough, The Most Promising Cancer Treatment and the Governments Campaign to Squelch It" is now available in a soft cover fourth edition. For more Elias columns, visit www.californiafocus.net
MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russia said on Monday it was in high-level contact with the United States about tensions over Ukraine and dismissed fears of a Russian military buildup even as it vowed to respond to new Ukrainian sanctions.

U.S. President Joe Biden used a first phone call with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Friday to offer "unwavering" support after Western nations and NATO voiced concern over Russian troop movements near Ukraine.

There has been a recent spike in violence in Ukraine's eastern Donbass region where Kyiv's troops have battled Russian-backed separatist forces in a conflict it estimates has killed 14,000 people since 2014.

"We are in contact with the Americans, this is happening at a high level," Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted as saying by Interfax news agency.

He said Moscow had rejected as "unfounded" concerns raised by Washington over the situation. He accused Ukraine of failing to implement agreements over the region.

"If our American colleagues were concerned about this, it would really help stabilise the situation," he was quoted as saying.

Ukraine, Western countries and NATO accuse Russia of sending troops and heavy weapons to prop up proxies in Donbass who seized a swathe of eastern Ukraine in 2014. Russia says it provides only political and humanitarian support to separatist fighters in what it casts as an internal conflict.

Ukraine over the weekend targeted several Russian companies with sanctions as part of what it said was a clamp-down on smuggling.

On Monday, the Kremlin said Moscow would respond to those sanctions. It also said it was up to Moscow to move its military around in Russia as it saw fit and that those movements posed no threat to Kyiv.

(Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin; Writing by Alexander Marrow and Tom Balmforth; Editing by Alison Williams and Dan Grebler)
Thousands of Texas students who showed up in-person to take the STAAR tests in the middle of a pandemic are sitting idly while education officials frantically investigate the source of widespread technical issues that have prevented the test from being administered.

Texas officials mandated that students take the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR test, in-person this year at monitored test sites, despite millions of students still conducting their studies remotely due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Tuesday is the first day of the statewide test.

The outages appear to be affecting districts administering the tests online, a first for a majority of districts. TEA plans to transition the test fully online by the 2022-23 academic year. For districts that also planned on administering paper tests with scantrons, students taking non-virtual versions have been able to go forward with testing.

RELATED: Texas public school students could be taking STAAR online by 2022

TEA is monitoring the situation and may stop online testing for the day, according to an email from the agencys student assessment division. The email said Educational Testing Service, one of the companies the state contracts to develop and administer the test, is investigating the issue.

Dr. Mark Henry, superintendent for Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District, said online testing has been down statewide since before 9 a.m.

Students in Austin Independent School District have been waiting for at least an hour to take the test. Dick Frazier, a music teacher in Austin ISD, also said there is a shortage of devices for students in his district for all the students who showed up to take the test.

In some instances, these kids have never been to our school before, because they were in the pandemic all of last year and have been in the pandemic this year, Frazier said.

READ ALSO: UT-Austin won't require SAT or ACT scores for 2022 applications due to COVID-19

While the test is required this year, there is no penalty for fifth and eighth graders who dont show up or fail the STAAR test this year. Texas officials have said the test would not affect students ability to move up to the next grades.

But high school students must pass five subject-specific courses by the time they graduate, a requirement that will not be waived this year. Henry said that expecting students to take a high-stakes standardized test in-person this spring was silly, and he attributed the push to administer the STAAR this year to the states large contract with the testing company.

Any time you have a $100 million testing contract in place, theres a lot of pressure on people to make sure those contracts are delivered, Henry said. So this spring, testing is not about improving academic performance. Its about improving the bottom line of a testing company.

Disclosure: Educational Testing Service has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

The Texas Tribune is a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that informs Texans  and engages with them  about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
YEREVAN, APRIL 6, ARMENPRESS. Ahead of his working visit to Moscow on April 7, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan gave an interview to Interfax correspondent in Armenia Oganes Kosyan, in which he speaks about the future of Armenian-Russian relations, economic ties and prospects for military-technical cooperation, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister.

Question: To what extent does the future of Armenian-Russian relations depend on results of the upcoming early elections?

Answer: Armenian-Russian strategic allied relations are quite rich and extensive. They rely upon the historical proximity of our friendly peoples. The nature of these relations does not depend on the outcome of the early elections.

Q.: And to what extent does the process of establishing regional economic ties depend on politics, in particular on the normalization of relations with Turkey?

A.: I'd like to remind everyone that Turkey unilaterally closed the Armenian-Turkish border back in 1993. Armenia has always been in favor of normalizing relations with Turkey without any preconditions, but Turkey itself has rejected this. Such a hostile policy on Ankara's part took on a new dimension during Azerbaijans 44-day aggression against Artsakh [Armenian name for Nagorno-Karabakh]. In particular, Turkey extended direct military-political and military-technical support to Azerbaijan by relocating foreign armed militant terrorists to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone as well. In this context, Turkey needs to change this aggressive policy toward Armenia so that lasting peace is established and a semblance of an economy is restored in the region.

Q.: Does Armenia plan to continue buying Russian arms, in particular Sukhoi Su-30SM fighter jets and armaments for these aircraft?

A.: Armenia is committed to broad and long-term military-technical cooperation with the Russian Federation, which stems from the long-term strategic interests of the two states. Two Armenian-Russian groups - the joint group of forces and the joint regional air defense system in the Caucasus collective security region - have been formed and function in Armenian territory in accordance with interstate bilateral agreements. Also, the two countries are members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), within which collective forces and joint groups of forces have also been established. Bearing this in mind, it is clear that Armenia is immensely interested in such deliveries from Russia in order to have advanced weapons and ammunition that are compatible, above all, with those of the Russian Federation and other allies within the CSTO.

It is for the same reasons that we are also interested in the continuation of deliveries of weapons and ammunition to Armenia in the same modification as they are supplied to the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

As regards the type of aircraft you have mentioned, I will also reply in the affirmative, because these are advanced multirole fighter jets and their acquisition is envisaged both in our bilateral contracts and treaties and the program for the development of the national Armed Forces.

Q.: Is Armenia considering taking another loan from Russia to buy arms and military hardware? What arms does Yerevan need? When does Armenia expect to repay the current arms loan?

A.: Decisions on such issues will be adopted depending on the results of the army reform which we are currently implementing. I don't see any point at this stage in discussing the sources or structure of this funding separately from the goals and tasks that will be determined in the process of this reform. As regards our current loan commitments, they will naturally be serviced in due course and in a timely manner.
A Victorian man allegedly found in possession of more than 317,000 child abuse files was one of 10 people recently charged by police amid a spike in the trafficking and production of child abuse material during the coronavirus pandemic.

State and federal police have carried out 30 raids across Victoria as part of an operation targeting the sharing of child abuse material on peer-to-peer networks, which allow files to be shared in a decentralised way directly between users.

Police say an increasing amount of child abuse material has been shared on peer-to-peer networks and other platforms during the pandemic. Credit:File Image

The 10 people charged include a 52-year-old man from Melbournes south-east who is accused of having more than 317,000 child abuse files. He was charged with one count of possessing and two counts of accessing child abuse material.

A 26-year-old man from the north-east suburbs and a 48-year-old man from the northern suburbs were charged with possessing child abuse material, while a 76-year-old man from regional Victoria was charged with possessing and accessing child abuse material.
CALEDONIA, MI -- A 53-year-old Barry County man crashed a car into a Caledonia power pole after fleeing from police, then threatened self-harm as police closed in.

State police said they tried to arrest the Nashville man in Barry County but he fled in a car.

Police terminated the pursuit for safety reasons.

A short time later, the car crashed along Kraft Avenue SE just south of 76th Street. The crash knocked out power to some in the area.

Police arrived to find the man threatening self-harm with a knife. They were able to take him into custody without further incident.

He was then taken to a hosital for treatment of injuries from the crash, but also because he ingested drugs at some point.

Kraft Avenue was closed for a lengthy period as crews fixed the power pole and police investigated the scene.
Hunter Biden has admitted that he got a job on the board of Ukrainian gas company Burisma because of his father's name.

The 51-year-old said Burisma viewed his family name as 'gold' when the firm hired him in 2014 because it is 'synonymous with democracy and transparency' and hoped to capitalize on that reputation while trying to counter Russian 'aggression' in Crimea.

Hunter was paid up to $50,000 per month by the gas firm despite his lack of experience in the energy sector.

But he denied leveraging connections to his father Joe - who was then US vice president and leading Obama's policy on Ukraine - while in the job, saying his day-to-day was '100% limited to... corporate governance and transparency'.

He also admitted that being a Biden had 'opened doors that wouldn't be opened up to other people', but said that was 'both a privilege and a burden'.

Hunter Biden has admitted that he got a job on the board of Ukrainian gas company Burisma in 2014 because of his family name (pictured, Hunter at his father's inauguration as President)

President-elect Joe Biden, his son Hunter and wife Jill appear on stage during a celebratory event held outside of the Chase Center in Wilmington, Delaware, in November 2020

Joe Biden (second from right) and his son, Hunter (far right), golfing in the Hamptons with Devon Archer (far left), who served on the board of Burisma with Hunter. The photo from 2014 emerged during the presidential campaign

Asked by the BBC whether his father's reputation had got him the Burisma job, he replied: 'I think it played a large part.

'I think that they saw my name as gold and the reason they did was this: Right at that time, the Russians had invaded and taken Crimea and they were after the natural resources and the pipeline.

'And I know that Burisma wanted to do one thing: They wanted to create a bulwark against that Russian aggression, they knew they had to expand internationally and into other sectors to diversify and protect themselves.

'The Biden name is synonymous with democracy and transparency and that's why I said it was gold to them.'

Hunter's position on the board of Burisma came under intense scrutiny during the presidential campaign, with Donald Trump referring to 'quid pro Joe', to suggest that the then-VP had pressured the Ukrainian government to assist his son's career.

Prior to this, it formed a central part of the impeachment saga, with Trump telling Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy during a July, 2019, phone call: 'There's a lot of talk about Biden's son.'

Although no criminality by the Bidens was ever proved, a senior state department official had raised concerns over a potential conflict of interest as far back as 2015.

Hunter defended his qualifications for the position, but admitted that he 'missed... the perception that I would create' by taking the job at Burisma.

'I know that it is hard to believe with 2020 hindsight how I could possibly have missed that,' Hunter told the BBC.

Senate Republicans last year found no evidence of wrongdoing by the Bidens but called Hunter's lucrative work while his father was the VP 'problematic.'

Hunter has previously admitted that taking the job may have been 'poor judgement' as it became a lightning rod during the presidential battle.

Speaking to the BBC this morning, he said he wanted his new memoir, Beautiful Things, to describe 'the love of a family and how it saved me.'

He described how the love of his father had helped to pull him through addiction - which, like Ukraine, had become a major talking point in the race for the White House.

'And, you know, we're going through two pandemics right now... there's the pandemic of coronavirus, and there's a pandemic of addiction too,' Biden told the broadcaster.

He described how the death of his mother and sister at the age of two in 1972 had left a lasting trauma which he believes is linked to his struggled with alcohol and drugs.

'There's something at the centre of each addict that's missing, that they feel that they need to fill... Nothing can possibly fill it. And so you numb yourself,' he said.

Hunter said that after his brother Beau died of cancer in 2015, he 'descended into a really dark, dark place.'

'My brother had just died, I'd separated with my wife, I was in an apartment by myself, and I was basically drinking myself to death. It was awful. I mean, grief does funny things. And combine that with addiction and it is a really hard thing to overcome,' he told the BBC.

But he said it was the love of his father that pulled him through and described how Joe had come knocking on his door when he was living alone and abusing alcohol.

'I know no one's ever loved a son as much as my Dad loved me,' Hunter said.

He also described how his wild private life became the source of fuel for the Trump campaign but said that in the end, 'We won and he won.'

He said he had been filled with pride during one of the presidential debates when Joe told the country: 'My son is an addict and he's in recovery and I'm proud of him - and I know millions of people out there who understand exactly that.'

Hunter added: 'It wasn't a political calculation, it was from the heart.'

Photos of Hunter that were discovered on the laptop that was handed into a Delaware computer repair store last year. He says he was so hooked on drugs and alcohol at the time that he doesn't know if the laptop is even his

Photos of Hunter that were discovered on the laptop that was handed into a Delaware computer repair store last year. He says he was so hooked on drugs and alcohol at the time that he doesn't know if the laptop is even his

Asked whether his father had plans to run for re-election at the age of 82, Hunter told the BBC: 'My dad is younger than me in his physical and mental capacity... I don't know anyone that has more energy.'

It comes after Biden spoke to CBS on Sunday to promote his new memoir in which he revealed new details about his addiction, including that he was smoking crack 'around the clock' and drinking a quart of vodka every day at his lowest point.

He also spoke about his controversial affair with his late brother Beau's widow, Hallie, and how the pair of them thought their shared love and grief would 'bring him back' but that it 'didn't work'.

Hunter, 51, also described meeting his current wife, Melissa, and marrying her within seven days of their first date. He says she is a 'miracle' and that she saved his life.

He claims to have been sober for seven years, from 2008 until 2015, after battling drug and alcohol addiction his entire life. His brother Beau's death in 2015, he says, sent him hurtling back into addiction.

It all comes from an unresolved feeling of 'not fitting in', he said, that he thinks is from the trauma of losing his mom, Neilia, and sister Naomi, in a car crash when he was two in 1972. Hunter and Beau both survived the accident.

'I am more convinced now that trauma is at the center of it. I don't know why I had such a hard time ever admitting that. There's a lot of research that points to the idea that addicts who suffer from addiction suffered from trauma.

'Beau and I never grieved the loss of our mother and sister. We talked about my mom all the time, but the accident no. The darkness that I know my dad suffered isn't something we talked about until much later. This is why I don't want to admit... we probably should have. I think they were trying to protect us,' he said.

Hunter called his current wife Melissa, who he married seven days after meeting, a 'miracle'

As a young adult, he said he slipped into a period that was a 'blur of complete debauchery'.

'Drinking a quart of vodka a day by yourself is absolutely completely debilitating... smoking crack around the clock, drinking insanely lethal amounts of alcohol,' he said.

He said becoming a laughing stock of the Trump campaign and liability to his father's campaign did nothing to stop his addiction.

'It didn't change my behavior - I still needed to get high and hide and fill that hole,' he said.

Last year, his father and stepmother, Jill, staged an intervention. Jill pretended that Joe was desperate to see him, he said, and called him to the family home in Wilmington.

'My mom said he missed me, 'dad really needs you.' I walk in and there are my three girls, niece and nephew, mom and dad and two counselors from a rehab center I have been to before. I looked and said not a chance. I exploded. I literally began to run up the driveway.'

In a previously teased clip of the interview, Hunter said Joe chased him, grabbed him into a bear hug, and begged him to stay.

In the interview, Hunter also talked about his controversial relationship with his brother Beau's widow, Hallie. The pair dated for two years, after Hunter's marriage to his wife Kathleen broke down.

It ended around the same time he met Melissa, his current wife, and after he impregnated a stripper in Arkansas, with whom he now has a baby son.

'Both of us had gone through the most incredibly painful loss and it was out of love. I thought maybe that love would bring my brother back. It didn't work,' he said.

Asked how he told his children about the relationship with Hallie, he said: 'It was hard. It was really hard.'

Hunter with his sister Ashley and brother Beau in 2012. He says the pair never dealt with the grief and trauma of losing their mom and sister

Hunter and his brother's widow Hallie had a two year affair after Beau's death. Beau and Hallie are shown, left, in 2010

Hunter was just two when his mother Neilia and baby sister Naomi died in a car crash in 1972. He is shown, far left, with his family. The crash happened later that year

'The hardest amends to make was to my brother. I made a promise to him that I would be OK,' he said.

He met Melissa on a blind date and married her seven days later. He said he told her within an hour that he was a crack addict and that she put a stop to it.

'I told her an hour later, I'm a crack addict. She said well that ends now. I knew it was my last chance,' he said.

They now have a baby son, Beau Biden Jr.

Hunter said that he was so addicted to drugs that he was not 'keeping tabs on possessions' like the laptop that was handed in to a computer repair store in Wilmington, Delaware, last year and contained incriminating photos of him drunk and high.

It also contained emails between him and a Ukrainian businessman that suggested Joe had met the businessman when he was Vice President.

Hunter, Melissa and their baby son Beau Biden Jr. are pictured on March 26. He also has a baby son with Arkansas stripper Lunden Roberts

'You don't need the laptop, you've got a book it's all in the book - the serious answer is i don't know not that i remember. Whether or not somebody has my laptop, mine was hacked, exists a laptop at all - I truly don't know.

'Read the book and you'll realize I wasn't keeping tabs on possessions very well for the last four years or so,' he said.

In 2018, while dating Hallie and hooked on drugs, Hallie confiscate a gun he'd bought and threw it in a trash can outside a grocery store in Wilmington.

The Secret Service got involved in trying to retrieve it, and they even asked owner of the gun store where Hunter had bought it for the deed which proved his ownership of it, according to Politico.

Hunter said Hallie was trying to make sure he didn't hurt himself.

'It's a concern that I would hurt myself or do something. She was just concerned about me.

'Again, the period of my life that was difficult, I don't know. Hallie's intent was to make certain that I didn't do anything to hurt myself. We knew the gun was lost, Hallie had thrown it into a trash can I told her you can't do that... someone had gone through the trash.

'That was the end of the story. I had no idea [that the Secret Service was involved] why they would be - I don't think that's true,' he said.

He added that he will cooperate 'fully' with an ongoing investigation into his taxes and that while he never did anything wrong by serving on the board of Ukrainian gas company Burisma, he wouldn't do it again.

He added that he never gave his father a 'nickel' from his foreign business dealings and that he underestimated the extent to which the Trumps would criticize them.
Public school districts across the country are on the lookout for new methods to monitor the spread of COVID-19 as millions of K-12 students make the gradual return to in-person learning. And with some tests taking days to record and send results, officials need tests that promise both speed and accuracy.To help fill this need, med-tech company Cue Health announced its Cue for Schools initiative Monday to help provide K-12 schools and universities with its proprietary COVID-19 at-home test, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for emergency use as the first over-the-counter molecular coronavirus test.Clint Sever, co-founder and chief product officer at Cue Health, said the test kit includes nasal swabs, sample cartridges and the Cue Health Monitoring System cartridge reader, as well as a mobile smartphone app that analyzes samples. Test results can then be recorded and quickly reported to officials and school administrators.The cartridge reader consumes disposable test cartridges, which allow a user to just insert a cartridge, take a sample from the lower portion of their nose, insert the sample into the cartridge and the test starts automatically, Sever explained. The result is delivered to the smartphone right in front of you while you run the test, and you have performance comparable to centralized lab testing.Sever noted that the test provides results within about 20 minutes. He said existing school staff can administer and read the test with very little training, which could help mitigate staffing concerns found in districts struggling to test large numbers of students.In an email to, the company said additional details about the new program have yet to be decided, but schools will be invited to work with Cue to formulate a testing program that fits their needs and budget.According to a Mayo Clinic study released in February, the Cue test finds the same result as lab-based molecular tests about 97.8 percent of the time. Unlike other COVID-19 tests that can take days to send results to patients, Sever said the Cue method eliminates the need for lab infrastructure to analyze results.For administrators and policymakers, he said, accurate and timely results play an important role in ensuring school safety during the ongoing pandemic.Testing is a critically important part of returning to in-person learning and being able to screen children before they interact with other teachers and staff, and its a really effective way of managing COVID-19 because it allows schools to identify a problem area quickly and quarantine if necessary, he said. Youre able to see all the test results on the back end if youre an administrator.In recent efforts to find cheap screening methods, districts have looked to pooled testing , which analyzes combined samples and then uses further testing to narrow down the results if one is positive. Some schools with limited resources have found this method cost-effective and efficient, but criticisms linger about the methods accuracy and sensitivity , as well as its efficiency when large numbers of positive samples are identified.We think [our test] is an appropriate solution because the results go directly into the mobile device and as a result of that, we have every individuals test results automatically integrated for reporting use, Sever said.Last year, the company received $481 million through the U.S. Department of Defense and the Department of Health and Human Services to produce more tests and loan devices to school districts, including the School District of Philadelphia. According to an emailed statement from the district, the program enabled schools to obtain the test without using district funds. Administrators gave no further comment.Part of that contract is for us to be able to grow our manufacturing infrastructure domestically and then deliver those test cartridges, Sever noted, adding that the DoD contract enabled the company to produce and distribute about 30,000 cartridge readers and 6 million tests.The company said the test has also been used in other sectors, as well as schools in Seattle, Wash., and Fairbanks, Alaska. The test has been used broadly by the Minnesota Department of Health and elsewhere in clinical settings.
The allure of the wide open road gets to Texans come springtime.

There's nothing quite like rolling the windows down and heading out on a true Texas road trip. If you're yearning for a good Lone Star State adventure but want a little ranch luxury, the Hill Country's Rancho Buena Vida might be calling you. Rancho Buena Vida is one of the 20 private ranch rentals that you can snap up through Explore Ranches.

Just 25 miles out of Austin, Rancho Buena Vidaa.k.a. "Good Life Ranch"sits right on a bluff near the famous Hamilton Pools at the edge of the Texas Hill Country. The sumptuous spot goes for $5,000 per night. The 150-acre original ranch featured a main house, guest house and small chicken coop. Its since been spruced up into a highly-coveted, bucolic Hill Country retreat.

Explore Ranches

"Whether knee deep in the waters of Cypress Creek, high above in a Hill Country blind, or....plunging into a horizon line pool, one way or the other, we lose ourselves and a sense of time enjoying all the ranch has to offer," Landowner Meridith Nusbaum writes.

GET OFF THE GRID: Here are the countries now allowing U.S. travelers to visit

The private rentals through Explore Ranches open up to hundreds of acres with all different price points, with the average listing going for $1,500 for a dozen guests. Some of the luxurious oasis rentals go all the way up to $18,000 per night. Note to the curious traveler: most ranch stays typically have a two-night minimum that range from $3,000 to $5,000 a night.

Explore Ranches

Touted as "the Airbnb of ranches," Explore Ranches showcases hidden gems all throughout the Lone Star State. Most of the rustic properties are actually working ranches. Originally founded in 2018, Explore Ranches offered a way to open the door for others to view some breathtaking Texas vistas, Explore Ranches co-founder Allison Ryan told Chron. Ryan collaborated with co-founders Jay Kleberg and Jesse Womack to launch the distinctive ranch rental venture.

"We founded the company for two reasons. Our hope was to get more people outside and expose to the outdoors and to these really wild and scenic places that Texas has to offer that are behind locked gates," Ryan said. "We wanted to try to offer that authentic ranch experience to more people. The other reason was to provide a new revenue stream to landowning families. It is important to us to be able landowners to keep land in the families."

It also helped provide the resources for stewardship and conservancy of these lands for landowners, according to Explore Ranches co-founder Jesse Womack.

We wanted to get people outside, Womack told the San Antonio Express-News' Rene Guzman. As well, we wanted to find a way to provide landowners with an alternative income stream.

The luxury ranch rentals have added amenities which include catering with a chef, kayaking and outdoor adventures with a tour guide. If you want to venture out and explore "the new wild where people and nature thrive together," you've got a few rentals to choose from including Chalk Draw, Chandler Ranch, Middle Creek Ranch, Rocker B Ranch, Withers and Ranch 2810 Marfa.

"Being landowners ourselves, we felt we could do a much better job than the out-the-box product offered by most hospitality companies," Explore Ranches co-founder Jay Kleberg told Austin Monthly. "We're able to work with ranch owners to provide an experience--not just a place to stay."
Chen Fayuan, a 16-year-old Falun Gong practitioner whose parents were kidnapped by the CCP. She is studying in the United States. (Li Guixiu/The Epoch Times)

Teen Girl Fears Parents Detained in China Will Be Tortured Over Their Faith

A 16-year-old girl has been left to fend for herself in the United States after her parents were arrested by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for practicing Falun Gong.

She cried often after her parents were arrested. Now and then she would cry her heart out, said Julia, the girls guardian in the United States.

The teenager, Chen Fayuan, came to the United States from central Chinas Hunan Province two years ago for study. An avid player of the erhua two-stringed Chinese instrumentshe attends a school in New York state to concentrate on developing her music skills.

But the arrest of her parents in October has upended Chens life in America. She is now left without a source of income and has been relying on others to help with food and clothing.

Although her school has deferred her tuition, she is afraid, said Julia.

She said she didnt know what will happen to her parents or where her future will be. She said she is afraid of seeing police cars or hearing police sirens.

Chens parents, Chen Yang and Cao Zhimin from Changsha City, were taken by Chinese police solely because they practiced Falun Gong.

Falun Gong is a spiritual practice that originated in China in 1992. By the end of the decade, 70 to 100 million people were practicing, according to official estimates at the time. Threatened by its popularity, the then-CCP leader Jiang Zemin ordered the crackdown of the practice in 1999. Since then, millions of Falun Gong practitioners have been imprisoned while hundreds of thousands have been tortured, according to Faluninfo.org.

Chens father used to have asthma from when he was in middle school. Her mother had glaucoma, an eye disease, from when she was very young. However, after they started practicing Falun Gong, their illnesses disappeared, Chen told The Epoch Times.

Chen said her parents were changed after learning the practice.

In 1998, there was a devastating flood in Hunan, she said. My father silently donated thousands of yuan. Even though it was years worth of savings, he didnt try to show off.

However, on Oct 27, 2020, Chens parents were arrested while attending a meeting with other Falun Gong practitioners in Changsha City.

Now I am worried because there is no news about my parents, Chen said.

I am most worried that they will be beaten and tortured again  forcing them to transform and give up practicing.

Falun Gong practitioners are often subjected to torture while incarcerated in an effort to force them to renounce their faith, a process dubbed by the CCP as being transformed.

Chens father, Chen Yang, had been tortured while detained in Hunan Provinces Chishan prison in the early 2000s, according to Minghui.org, a website dedicated to chronicling the persecution of Falun Gong. When Chen Yang went on a hunger strike to protest his detention, he was force-fed with a bamboo stick. The prison guards also shocked him with electric batons. Once he was beaten by multiple prisoners with bamboo sticks, reported Minghui.org.

Chens mother, Cao Zhimin, was also previously detained over the practice. In 2015, she described to Minghui.org the devastation wrought by the persecution on her family.

From the age of 24 to the present, my most precious youth has passed in this persecution initiated by Jiang Zemin, Cao said at the time.

After being released from prison, my husband and I have been left without any money, a house, and have been stripped of all our social resources.

Although Chen is separated from her parents, she believes that the pain will pass.

I hope my parents can be unconditionally released as soon as possible, she said.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help Chen cover her fall semester tuition, food, and lodging.
Oh Dearling, My Nar-Dar, Est-Est-Est!

Our terms of endearment have always evolved. Once, after a movie, dear and darling morphed into dearling. During lockdown in Prague, the evolution accelerated: Darling became Dar-Dar, then Dar, followed by Nar-Dar and Nar, and finally Nar-Nar. Meanwhile, Dearling transformed into Dearlingest, then Est, then Est-est-est. It makes sense: Working from home for a year and stuck in a second lockdown as the Czech Republic battles one of the worlds highest Covid death rates, weve had far more time together than usual. I just wonder: In what other ways has humanity evolved faster than usual this year?  Melody Rose McClure
This summer will be the 50th anniversary of the release of So Long, Bannatyne, the 1971 Guess Who album.

This summer will be the 50th anniversary of the release of So Long, Bannatyne, the 1971 Guess Who album.

That fact and countless other details of the Winnipeg groups recording career fill the pages of Wheatfield Empire: The Listeners Guide to the Guess Who, written by Toronto rock historian and author Robert Lawson.

Supplied Toronto author Robert Lawson has also penned books about Nazareth and Cheap Trick.

Lawson grew up in Winnipeg  not on Bannatyne Avenue but in East Kildonan, where he delivered the Free Press as a kid  but he moved away when he was 10. His family says the first concert he attended was the Guess Who, but he was only two, tagging along with his father, who was an avid record collector.

Reunion tours in 1983 and 2001-02 gave Lawson, 52, opportunities to see the band in a more memorable way. Hes seen Burton Cummings perform solo, Randy Bachman on his own or with Bachman-Turner Overdrive bandmate Fred Turner, and both Cummings and Bachman together over the years.

But its those original Guess Who albums and singles  going all the way back to the early 1960s, when the group was called Chad Allan and the Reflections, and until the 1975 record Power in the Music  that grabbed and held Lawsons attention.

"At the core theyre just a great rock band," Lawson says. "Every single album you have a couple of hits, then you have a couple of weird songs, thered be a bluesy tune and a psychedelic kind of thing. Every album its a mix of every genre and not a lot of bands do that."

Wheatfield Empire offers some well-researched looks at the bands infancy in 1958, when Allan formed the Silvertones, which would become Chad Allan and the Reflections, with Jim Kale, Garry Peterson, Bob Ashley and Bachman in 1962.

Their first recordings were in December 1962 at Kay Bank Studios in Minneapolis, which led to their first single: Tribute to Buddy Holly on the A-side and Back on Forth on the B-side.

The group was obsessed with early British Invasion groups such as the Shadows and Johnny Kidd and the Pirates, whose version of Shakin All Over led to the first hit for the group in 1965, which by then had become Chad Allan and the Expressions.

"I really wanted to give that early Chad Allan era as much respect as the later, more well-known Burton Cummings era," Lawson says.

Wheatfield Empire finds its groove when focusing on the Guess Who records, whether its 1969s smash hit Wheatfield Soul or 1970s Share the Land, which featured Kurt Winter on guitar.

"The thing that interests me and is important to me is to get into the guts of the albums," says Lawson, who includes recording dates and locations, as well as serial numbers of hard-to-find Guess Who material for the bands superfans. "I know that people are just interested in listening to the music and dont collect albums and import singles. They dont need those product codes, but the collectors do, so I put them in there for them."

Lawson has also uncovered early concerts, whether it was a Feb. 25, 1966, date at the Winnipeg Arena or a 1968 concert with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra at the Centennial Concert Hall. Readers might also remember the bands many television appearances on shows such as Lets Go, the CBC comedy specials Wayne & Shuster or U.S. mainstays such as American Bandstand or The Midnight Special.

Lawsons book, which is out of stock at McNally Robinson, according to its website, is a self-published project through FriesenPress publishing. He has written two similar listeners guides about bands he followed during his younger days: Nazareth and Cheap Trick.

Interviews with some Guess Who band members, including Cummings, add insight to Wheatfield Empire that the other two books dont have, Lawson says. He said at first he was able to get Bachmans co-operation on the book, but the guitarist suddenly got cold feet and backed out.

"He was told by somebody that the book was a tell-all gossip book and he didnt want anything to do with it any more, after we exchanged quite a few emails about it," Lawson says. "Id explained to him, as I pitched it to him backstage at Toronto, that the book wouldnt have any gossip in it and it wouldnt be about rumours... It was very disappointing that he chose to believe somebody who tried to undermine the book."

Wheatfield Empire is long on details about music and recordings. Its short, though, on why the personality clashes that started five decades ago persist to this day.

"I purposely tried to stay away from too much of that," Lawson says. "If you want to dig for dirt, theres definitely dirt there, probably like any rock band of that stature.

"Im not really interested in the drama. I know a lot about it and I even learned more about it. Id interview certain band members and they would go off on another guy in the band and lay out their feelings about how they feel about it. Id just nod and go along with it, because I knew I wasnt going to include any of that stuff in the book."

Bachman and Cummings are scheduled to play a free concert at the Manitoba legislature on Aug. 28. The show was supposed to have taken place in 2020 to mark Manitoba 150 and as part of a Bachman-Cummings tour and box set, but the free show, the tour and the box set release were all postponed, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lawson hopes the shows finally can happen this year.

"Burton played a show here (in Toronto) at the CNE (in 2019) and Randy joined him for the encores," he says, remembering the strong and fond reaction from the crowd. "I think now, if were able to get back to some kind of concert setting again, itll feel really good to see those guys onstage."

alan.small@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter:@AlanDSmall
[April 05, 2021] SHAREHOLDER ALERT: CLAIMSFILER REMINDS LDOS, REGI, VLDR, WKHS INVESTORS of Lead Plaintiff Deadline in Class Action Lawsuits

NEW ORLEANS, April 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors of pending deadlines in the following securities class action lawsuits: Renewable Energy Group, Inc. (REGI)

Class Period: 5/3/2018 - 2/25/2021

Lead Plaintiff Motion Deadline: May 3, 2021

SECURITIES FRAUD

To learn more, visit https://www.claimsfiler.com/cases/view-renewable-energy-group-inc-securities-litigation Velodyne Lidar, Inc. (VLDR)

Class Period: 7/2/2020 - 3/17/2021

Lead Plaintiff Motion Deadline: May 3, 2021

SECURITIES FRAUD

To learn more, visit https://www.claimsfiler.com/cases/view-velodyne-lidar-inc-securities-litigation < align="justify"> Leidos Holdings, Inc. (LDOS)







Lead Plaintiff Motion Deadline: May 3, 2021

SECURITIES FRAUD

To learn more, visit https://www.claimsfiler.com/cases/view-leidos-holdings-inc-securities-litigation Workhorse Group, Inc. (WKHS)

Class Period: 7/7/2020 - 2/23/2021

Lead Plaintiff Motion Deadline: May 7, 2021

SECURITIES FRAUD

https://www.claimsfiler.com/cases/view-workhorse-group-inc-securities-litigation

If you purchased shares of the above companies and would like to discuss your legal rights and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact us toll-free (844) 367-9658 or visit the case links above. If you wish to serve as a Lead Plaintiff in the class action, you must petition the Court on or before the Lead Plaintiff Motion deadline. About ClaimsFiler ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations. To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com



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Mike has reported on the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem's wildlife, wildlands and the agencies that manage them since 2012. A native Minnesotan, he arrived in the West to study environmental journalism at the University of Colorado.
PHILADELPHIA-- While the emergency department (ED) functions as an integral part of the United States healthcare safety net by handling all medical complaints regardless of insurance status, ED visits are expensive, and many are for lower-acuity conditions that may be amenable to care in other settings. Previous research has suggested that greater availability of urgent care centers - freestanding facilities with extended hours that staff emergency physicians, primary care physicians, or nurse practitioners, and focus on a broad range of lower acuity complaints, like rash, muscle strain, bronchitis, and urinary tract infection - helps decrease ED visits, but whether the centers reduce or increase net spending for patients and insurers has yet to be determined.

A study published today in Health Affairs documents for the first time that urgent care centers are associated with increased spending for lower-acuity visits across EDs and urgent care centers. Urgent care centers increase the number of people seeking care. For every 37 urgent care visits, one fewer lower acuity ED visit occurs. Urgent care centers increase access, but pose risks for health insurers and patients who must pay these increased costs.

"Previous studies have used different approaches to show that urgent care centers reduce emergency department visits for lower acuity conditions," says senior author Ari Friedman, MD, PhD, an assistant professor of Emergency Medicine, Medical Ethics and Health Policy in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. "Our findings confirm ED visits go down, but then show that total costs across both settings actually go up, not down."

Researchers conducted analyses using a claims database with more than twenty million patients per year covered by a national managed care plan from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2019, spanning all fifty states. They assessed how the number of lower acuity ED visits changed when an urgent care center visit occurred within each ZIP code.

Across the twelve years of the study period, researchers found that by 2019, the opening of an urgent care center led to a decline in the number of lower acuity ED visits, and that these ED visits were approximately ten times more expensive than urgent care center visits. Researchers found that the substitution ratio (the number of urgent care visits needed to deter a single ED visit) was high: an increase of 37 urgent care center visits was associated with the substitution of a single lower-acuity ED visit. While urgent care center visits are less expensive than ED visits, it's not enough to offset this difference. Each $1,646 lower-acuity ED visit prevented was offset by a $6,327 increase in urgent care center costs.

First author Bill Wang notes, "We expected urgent care centers to increase access and decrease emergency department visits, but we were surprised by just how many urgent care visits it took to substitute for a lower acuity ED visit."

Friedman points out that cost saving shouldn't be the only factor considered when determining where and how to access care. "We should evaluate new care models and interventions on the same standard as we evaluate new drugs - do they improve lives more than they increase costs? That's the important metric. But the cost increases here are so large that the value side of the equation would have to do a lot of work to make it pay off."

The authors note that the possibility remains that the availability of urgent care centers in a market, when combined with other interventions - like telemedicine, primary care, or changes to benefits - could be effective in augmenting the substitution ratio.

Beyond access, the clinical benefit of these additional visits to unscheduled care requires further research, as does the impact and role of telemedicine, says Friedman. "We're watching the field with interest."

###

Ateev Mehrotra, MD, MPH, associate professor of health care policy and medicine in the Department of Health Care Policy at Harvard Medical School, was also a key collaborator.

The Emergency Medicine Foundation provided a grant to support Ari Friedman's time in preparing the manuscript.

Penn Medicine is one of the world's leading academic medical centers, dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, and excellence in patient care. Penn Medicine consists of the Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (founded in 1765 as the nation's first medical school) and the University of Pennsylvania Health System, which together form a $8.9 billion enterprise.

The Perelman School of Medicine has been ranked among the top medical schools in the United States for more than 20 years, according to U.S. News & World Report's survey of research-oriented medical schools. The School is consistently among the nation's top recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health, with $496 million awarded in the 2020 fiscal year.

The University of Pennsylvania Health System's patient care facilities include: the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center--which are recognized as one of the nation's top "Honor Roll" hospitals by U.S. News & World Report--Chester County Hospital; Lancaster General Health; Penn Medicine Princeton Health; and Pennsylvania Hospital, the nation's first hospital, founded in 1751. Additional facilities and enterprises include Good Shepherd Penn Partners, Penn Medicine at Home, Lancaster Behavioral Health Hospital, and Princeton House Behavioral Health, among others.

Penn Medicine is powered by a talented and dedicated workforce of more than 44,000 people. The organization also has alliances with top community health systems across both Southeastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey, creating more options for patients no matter where they live.

Penn Medicine is committed to improving lives and health through a variety of community-based programs and activities. In fiscal year 2020, Penn Medicine provided more than $563 million to benefit our community.
Police came under attack during another night of violence and disorder in a number of loyalist areas in Northern Ireland on Monday (Liam McBurney/PA)

Police were attacked during another night of violence and disorder in a number of loyalist areas in Northern Ireland on Monday.

Further unrest swept across parts of Carrickfergus and Londonderry, with petrol bombs and other missiles thrown at officers.

Cars, a JCB digger and a phone box were set alight in the Waterside area of Londonderry.

Officers from the PSNI Tactical Support Group (TSG) attended the loyalist Nelson Drive Estate, where a group of youths clashed with police.

The surrounding roads were blocked with fires and barricades.

Elsewhere, petrol bombs were thrown at police officers in Carrickfergus, near Belfast.

A crowd of young people gathered in the North Road area and lit a fire in the middle of the road.

Petrol bombs were sporadically thrown at police, according to witnesses.

Expand Close A member of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service extinguishes a digger which was set alight close to the loyalist Nelson Drive Estate in Londonderry (Liam McBurney/PA) PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp A member of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service extinguishes a digger which was set alight close to the loyalist Nelson Drive Estate in Londonderry (Liam McBurney/PA)

Earlier, the PSNI had appealed to community leaders to put a stop to the disorder that has taken place throughout much of the last week.

On Monday afternoon, a group of masked loyalists marched through the streets in towns across the region, including Portadown, Ballymena and Markethill.

The PSNI are investigating those marches, which appear not to have been notified to the Parades Commission.

It follows a turbulent week of events in Northern Ireland, as loyalist tensions boiled over into violence.

Five officers were injured after police were pelted with petrol bombs and masonry in Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus, near Belfast, on Sunday night.

It takes the total number of police injured in incidents in Londonderry and Belfast over the Easter weekend to 32.

Expand Close A phone box was set alight and surrounding roads were blocked with fires (Liam McBurney/PA) PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp A phone box was set alight and surrounding roads were blocked with fires (Liam McBurney/PA)

Petrol bombs have been thrown at PSNI officers and bins and pallets set on fire in disturbing scenes in Belfast and Derry in recent days.

Speaking earlier on Monday, PSNI Chief Superintendent Davy Beck urged community leaders to put a stop to further violence.

He said: Right now, as we speak, my officers are in those areas, theyre working hard to provide those police services. Be that in respect of crime, be that in terms of road safety, be that in terms of other concerns in the community.

Were there and were doing that. I will have additional resources available to me and we will respond to whatever may develop.

But theres an opportunity to stop this. This doesnt have to be a third night of trouble in the Cloughfern and Newtownabbey/Carrickfergus area.

I would encourage people with influence in those communities to put a stop to this.

Expand Close PSNI Tactical Support Group officers were called to the loyalist Nelson Drive Estate on Monday night (Liam McBurney/PA) PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp PSNI Tactical Support Group officers were called to the loyalist Nelson Drive Estate on Monday night (Liam McBurney/PA)

Mr Davy said the attacks were clearly orchestrated.

I believe that theres a small group of disaffected criminal elements that are clearly involved in influencing young people, and I would appeal to young people in those areas not to allow this to happen, he said.

I think its also fair to say that theres probably no coincidence to this. We have been successful in that area in respect on some of these criminal gangs.

So I think that this perhaps has been a reaction from some of those people who are involved in criminality.

Asked if he thinks the South East Antrim UDA are behind the attacks, he replied: As I said, I believe that this is a group of disaffected criminal gangs and we will investigate that.

We will review all our footage. We will review all the information coming in, in terms of who has been involved.

Mr Davy said the PSNI will be engaging with the local community, councillors and representatives to try and put a stop to this.

Expand Close A barricade burns in the middle of North Road in Carrickfergus during another night of loyalist disorder (PA) PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp A barricade burns in the middle of North Road in Carrickfergus during another night of loyalist disorder (PA)

On Monday night, a masked loyalist band marched through the streets of Portadown, playing drums and flutes and waving flags.

Sinn Fein MLA John ODowd condemned the march, which he said was intended to intimidate the local community.

He said: Tonights so-called band parade in Portadown was led by masked men through the streets, reminiscent of the scenes recently in Pitt Park in East Belfast when a loyalist mob went on a rampage to intimidate families out of their homes.

Irresponsible and dangerous sabre-rattling and reckless rhetoric from unionist politicians has seen tensions rise right across the community.

Similar marches took place in Markethill and Ballymena throughout the day.

It raised questions as to whether these events were notified to the Parades Commission, as is required by law.

Children as young as 12 were involved in some of the incidents that took place over the weekend, police said.

Update on disorder in Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus which has left five officers injured.



Read our full statement below. https://t.co/hvVrHydfkx  Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) April 5, 2021

Tensions have soared within the loyalist community in recent months over post-Brexit trading arrangements, which it is claimed have created barriers between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

Anger ramped up further last week following a controversial decision not to prosecute 24 Sinn Fein politicians for attending a large-scale republican funeral during Covid-19 restrictions.

All the main unionist parties have demanded the resignation of PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne, claiming he has lost the confidence of their community.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-07 06:12:31|Editor: huaxia

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HOUSTON, April 6 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday issued an executive order that bans government requirement of so-called COVID-19 "vaccine passports".

According to the executive order, it prohibits state agencies or political subdivisions in the state from creating a "vaccine passport" requirement, or otherwise conditioning receipt of services on an individual's COVID-19 vaccination status.

The order also prohibits organizations receiving public funds from requiring consumers to provide documentation of vaccine status in order to receive any service or enter any place.

"Everyday, Texans are returning to normal life as more people get the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. But, as I've said all along, these vaccines are always voluntary and never forced," said Abbott.

"Government should not require any Texan to show proof of vaccination and reveal private health information just to go about their daily lives. That is why I have issued an Executive Order that prohibits government-mandated vaccine passports in Texas," he said.

The executive order came as vaccine credentials, often referred to as vaccine passports, are being developed around the world as a way to quickly prove someone's vaccination status.

According to a report in The Texas Tribune, it has become a fierce debate, with Republicans largely opposing the move, saying it is an infringement on individual freedoms and privacy. Supporters, including a number of private companies, point to the passports as a way to confidently return to activities and ensure safety at workplaces.

New York became the first U.S. state to unveil this measure in its Excelsior Pass - which can be used to quickly show proof of a vaccination or a negative test. Enditem
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The Representatives Council is fully committed to developing legislation and laws that support Bahraini womens advancement and their active participation in public and civil society institutions. This was assured by Council of Representatives Speaker Fawzia bint Abdulla Zainal as she received a delegation from Al Khalidiya Youth Society in the presence of Services Committee Chairman MP Ahmed Yussif Al Ansari.

The Speaker patronised a celebration held by Al Khalidiya Youth Society recently on International Womens Day and honoured several GCC women for the influential role they are playing.

Al Khalidiya Youth Society Chairman Ibrahim Rashid Al Nayem expressed sincere thanks and appreciation to the Speaker for supporting youth societies.

Al Nayem noted that the Speaker represents an honourable image of Bahraini women and their landmark achievements thanks to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifas wise leadership, the interest of the government and the efforts of the Supreme Council for Women (SCW), under its president Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of HM the King, ministries and NGOs.

Zainal has lauded the support enjoyed by Bahraini women from HM the King and the major strides they have made in all development fields thanks to the efforts of the government, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

The Speaker expressed deep pride in the efforts exerted by HRH Princess Sabeeka to enhance the advancement of Bahraini women, praising Bahraini womens achievements and major contributions, along with men, to enhancing the Kingdoms progress and ensuring it a prosperous future.
[April 06, 2021] Scott+Scott Attorneys at Law LLP Investigates Range Resources Corporation's Directors and Officers for Breach of Fiduciary Duties - RRC

Scott+Scott Attorneys at Law LLP ("Scott+Scott"), an international securities and consumer rights litigation firm, is investigating whether certain directors and officers of Range Resources Corporation ("Range Resources") (NYSE: RRC) breached their fiduciary duties to Range Resources and its shareholders. If you are a Range Resources shareholder, you may contact attorney Joe Pettigrew for additional information toll-free at 844-818-6982 or jpettigrew@scott-scott.com. Scott+Scott is investigating whether members of the Range Resources Board of Directors (the "Board") made, or caused Range Resources to make, false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts, about Range Resources's business, operations, prospects, and financial health. Specifically, Scott+Scott is investigating whether the Board failed to disclose material information, including whether: (i) Range Resources had improperly designated the status of its wells in Pennsylvania since at least 2013; (ii) the foregoing conduct subjected Range Resources to a heightened risk of regulatory investigation and enforcement, as well as artificially decreased Range Resources's periodically reported cost estimates t plug and abandon its wells; (iii) Range Resources was the subject of a Department of Environmental Protection ("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 Range Resources incurring regulatory fines; and (v) as a result, statements about Range Resources's business, operations, and prospects lacked a reasonable basis.



On February 10, 2021, shortly before the close of the trading session, the DEP issued a press release announcing that Range Resources had paid a $294,000 civil penalty to the agency on January 8, 2021, for violating the 2012 Oil and Gas Act. The DEP had begun investigating the Company after the agency found conflicting and inaccurate information on the status of a Company well in Fayette County, Pennsylvania-specifically concerning whether the well in question was correctly designated as inactive for the purposes of DEP regulation. After subpoenaing Range Resources for information on other wells the Company had requested to designate as inactive, the 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 in use for 12 months at the time Range Resources submitted its applications for inactive status," even though "after 12 consecutive months of no production, the well would be classified as abandoned and must be plugged." In addition to paying the DEP's civil penalty, Range Resources was ultimately required to plug the wells the agency identified as having no viable future use to remediate the issue. The following day, as the market fully digested the significance of the DEP's announcement, Range Resources's stock price fell $0.62 per share, or 6.08%, from its closing price on February 10, 2021, to close at $9.57 per share on February 11, 2021.

What You Can Do If you are a Range Resources shareholder, you may have legal claims against Range Resources's directors and officers. If you wish to discuss this investigation, or have questions about this notice or your legal rights, please contact attorney Joe Pettigrew toll-free at 844-818-6982 or jpettigrew@scott-scott.com. About Scott+Scott Scott+Scott has significant experience in prosecuting major securities, antitrust, and consumer rights actions throughout the United States. The firm represents pension funds, foundations, individuals, and other entities worldwide with offices in New York, London, Amsterdam, Connecticut, California, and Ohio. Attorney Advertising View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406006037/en/

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The candidate said that despite his complaint, the same incident was repeated on Sunday as well. In response to this complaint, the Election Commission said on Monday that there was some technical glitch that led to this. In another instance involving EVMs, some Election Commission officials were caught in Assam's Ratabari constituency with EVM in a vehicle that is owned by a BJP candidate.

In a significant development in the ongoing Bengal elections, a Congress candidate contesting from Baghmundi Assembly constituency of Bengal on Saturday filed a complaint alleging that the CCTV cameras carrying the video feed of stored EVMs were switched off for over one hour.

The candidate said that despite his complaint, the same incident was repeated on Sunday as well. In response to this complaint, the Election Commission said on Monday that there was some technical glitch that led to this. Bengals Chief Electoral office tweeted that the screen being used to display the CCTV footage malfunctioned on the said days but the cameras were working even when the screens malfunctioned. The tweet further read that the candidates were informed about this whole matter.

(Conti..) The CCTV cameras were working the entire time & their footage is intact& stored for the whole duration as checked by CAPF on duty also. The candidates have been apprised of the same to their satisfaction and the LED screen has been changed.@SpokespersonECI  CEO West Bengal (@CEOWestBengal) April 5, 2021

The Congress candidate in his letter had written that he felt most uncomfortable to request the officer to let him know why the CCTV cameras installed before the strongroom at Purulia polytechnic were stopped for a considerable amount of time.

In another instance involving EVMs, some Election Commission officials were caught in Assams Ratabari constituency with EVM in a vehicle that is owned by a BJP candidate. The Election Commission later suspended four of its officials connected to this case.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 6, 2021) - Canuc Resources Corporation (TSXV: CDA) (OTCQB: CNUCF) ("Canuc" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company has granted, under its rolling stock option plan, 6,000,000 incentive stock options ("Options") to officers, directors, employees, and consultants of the Company. 3.5 M of these Options will vest immediately. The remaining 2.5 M Options will vest 12 months from today's date of issue (April 2nd, 2022).

The stock Options have an exercise price of $0.35 and a three-year term (expiring April 2nd, 2024).

Issuance of these Options is subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval.

About Canuc

Canuc is a junior company focusing on the San Javier Silver-Gold Project in Sonora State, Mexico. The Company generates cash flow from natural gas production at its MidTex Energy Project in Central West Texas, USA where Canuc has an interest in eight producing natural gas wells and has rights for further in field developments. Canuc also has exclusive rights, through a Partnership Agreement with Ioticiti Networks Inc., to sell Industrial IoT applications and infrastructure in the Provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada and in the State of Texas, USA.

For further information please contact:

Canuc Resources Corporation.

(416) 525 - 6869

cberlet@canucresources.ca

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking information. All information, other than information of historical fact, constitute "forward-looking statements" and includes any information that addresses activities, events or developments that the Corporation believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future including the Corporation's strategy, plans or future financial or operating performance.

When used in this news release, the words "estimate", "project", "anticipate", "expect", "intend", "believe", "hope", "may" and similar expressions, as well as "will", "shall" and other indications of future tense, are intended to identify forward-looking information. The forward-looking information is based on current expectations and applies only as of the date on which they were made. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, the ability of the Corporation to fund the exploration expenditures required under the Agreement. Other factors such as uncertainties regarding government regulations could also affect the results. Other risks may be set out in the Corporation's annual financial statements, MD&A and other publicly filed documents.

The Corporation cautions that there can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as required by law, the Corporation does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking information contained in this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79492
Waitrose has stopped selling shoe polish  after the shift to home-working led to a fall in demand for shiny office shoes.

The supermarket chain confirmed it had ditched the classic cleaning product to make way for new product launches.

Lockdown has already seen a slump in sales of everything from high-heel shoes to alarm clocks, ironing boards, lunchboxes and lipstick, according to research by the John Lewis group.

There has been a fall in demand for shoe polish, leading it to being taken off Waitrose shelves

Meanwhile cobblers Timpson, which has many supermarket outlets, recently confirmed that demand for shoe repair had also collapsed despite launching an online service.

Richard Preston, from Maidenhead, Berkshire, said he had become frustrated at not being able to find shoe polish in Waitrose stores.

I contacted its head office and was advised that shoe polish has been discontinued in all stores to free up space for more popular items, he said.

Apparently, few people buy it today. Are we becoming a nation of scruffs?

And Anita Milton, 51, from Chislehurst, south-east London, a hospital manager, said: Its a shame Waitrose have stopped selling polish but I suppose we live in a throwaway society and people arent bothered about looking after their shoes as much now.

Traditional polish brand Cherry Blossom can trace its history back to 1906 and a factory in Chiswick, west London.

Waitrose says demand for shoe repairs has collapsed due to home-working life (picture taken pre-pandemic)

It is the only shoe polish made in Britain and is part of Derbyshire-based Grangers International, which has expanded the brand to reflect changing lifestyles. Today, its biggest sellers include spray on cleaning foams and protective coatings, together with cleaning wipes for trainers, scuff cover and spray on polish, which provides a shine without the need for any added elbow grease.

The idea of learning how to get a perfect sheen on school shoes was a rite of passage - albeit a time consuming chore - for generations of youngsters.

While in the military the art of 'bulling' to produce a parade gloss mirror finish is still considered an essential skill.

During lockdown, many workers have spent their lives in trainers and tracksuits, which has made smart shoes redundant.
Biosecurity officers and detector dogs stopped the two packages  one containing live, bacteria-contaminated asparagales shrub plants with heavy fungal growth and the other fig cuttings - at the Sydney Mail Centre.

Both species are known hosts of Xylella fastidiosa, which kills plants by damaging their water conducting system, which appears as leaf scorching.

It's one of the world's most devastating plant pests and has no cure.

Priceless olive trees over 100 years old were infected by the virus and destroyed

The deadly plant pest kills plants through a process called leaf scorching in a process called leaf scorching

An incursion could be ruinous for 10 Australian industries, including cherries, citrus, tree nuts, production nurseries, summerfruit and viticulture, Agriculture Minister David Littleproud says.

It can also impact significantly on a wide range of native plants.

'According to ABARES (Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics), a Xylella fastidiosa incursion could cost our wine grape and wine-making industries up to $7.9billion over 50 years,' Mr Littleproud said in a statement.

'It has destroyed priceless olive tree groves in Italy that are centuries old and is known to infect more than 350 plant species in 89 plant families.'

Australia is Xylella free, and keeping it that way is the country's top priority when it comes to plant pests.

Key to that is stopping the import of live plants to our shores, Mr Littleproud says.

'If you are considering purchasing live plant material from overseas, think again.'

'Most live plants must not be imported to Australia unless the importer has a valid import permit.'

Australian biosecurity officers intercepted the plants hosting the deadly plant pest at the Sydney Mail Centre
Thanks to everyone who voted, this was down to the wire and thrilling to follow. Now that @Xbox won, we will move forward on our promise to make those Xbox Series X Mini Fridges. First one off the line will be filled with games & headed to our friends @Skittles of course! s https://t.co/xeeN8yLGV8  Aaron Greenberg EuBsU (@aarongreenberg) April 2, 2021

What started as a joke on Twitter has now become serious business. Microsofts Aaron Greenberg, Xbox Games Marketing at the company, promised they would mass produce Xbox Series X mini-fridges if they won a Twitter context for the top brands in the United States.Fast forward to today, and Microsoft managed to win the battle against second-placed Skittles, so Greenberg is back to confirm that the software company will indeed build the fridges, just as promised.The first Xbox-branded fridge will go to Skittles, the Microsoft exec said.Thanks to everyone who voted, this was down to the wire and thrilling to follow. Now that @Xbox won, we will move forward on our promise to make those Xbox Series X Mini Fridges. First one off the line will be filled with games & headed to our friends @Skittles of course! Greenberg tweeted.While hardcore Xbox fans obviously cant wait to get their hands on these Xbox mini-fridges, very little is known at this point about them because Greenberg hasnt shared any specifics as to when they are supposed to launch or how much theyre going to cost. Or, more importantly, if the company plans to make only a handful of them or actually mass-produce the fridges so that anybody can get one.On the other hand, what is pretty clear is that Microsoft is betting big on marketing, and this whole buzz that it created on Twitter certainly helps the company in the console battle.And lets not forget that while Microsoft is so active on Twitter and announces Xbox fridges, buying a PlayStation 5 is still as hard as it gets, with Sony itself still remaining tight-lipped on inventory updates.
DUBLIN, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Single-Use Bioreactors Market by Type of Reactor, Cell Culture System, End-User, and Geography: Industry Trends and Global Forecasts, 2020-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The modern biopharmaceutical industry, which is poised for significant growth over the coming years, is characterized by several blockbuster therapies and a robust pipeline of product/therapy candidates. Traditionally, stainless steel bioreactors were the preferred choice for production of biologics; however, over the past couple of decades, biopharmaceutical manufacturing has gradually witnessed a shift towards the use of single-use technologies. Apart from low contamination risk and better product yield, single-use bioreactors are easy-to-install and have a much smaller footprint, compared to the traditional stainless steel systems. In addition to enabling substantial cost savings (by eliminating the need for additional steps, such as sterilization, cleaning, and maintenance), single-use bioreactors are also less demanding of energy and are known to help conserve resources, such as water and CO2. Moreover, the upfront cost of such bioprocessing solutions is also not very high.

To date, many biopharmaceutical companies and contract service providers have upgraded their manufacturing infrastructure and facilities to include more of single-use systems. In addition, there are a number of companies that are now involved in the development and production of single-use bioreactors. Several of these players are now focusing on incorporating a variety of additional features, including provisions for alerts/alarms, built-in system process control sensors, electronic process logs, remote monitoring features, touch screens, and advanced safety provisions, in their proprietary offerings. We are also led to believe that the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to result in an increased demand for advanced biomanufacturing solutions. In fact, single-use bioreactors are extensively being used for the production of various COVID-19 vaccines. This presents lucrative opportunities for companies engaged in single-use bioreactors domain. The overall single-use bioreactors market is anticipated to witness substantial growth, primarily driven by the increasing adoption of such manufacturing solutions among small companies and startups in the coming years.

Scope of the Report

The report features an extensive study of the current landscape and the likely future potential of single-use bioreactors, over the next decade. The study also features an in-depth analysis, highlighting the capabilities of various industry stakeholders engaged in this field.

In addition to other elements, the study includes:

A detailed assessment of the overall market landscape of single-use bioreactors based on a number of relevant parameters, such as status of development (commercially available and under development), type of single-use bioreactor (stirred tank, pneumatically mixed, rocker/rotating, wave-induced, paddle sleeve, fixed-bed, hollow fiber, diffusion, orbitally shaken, and others), scale of operation (laboratory scale, pilot scale, and large scale), area of application (cancer research, drug discovery/toxicology testing, stem cell research, tissue engineering/regenerative medicine, and others), typical working volume, weight of the bioreactor, stirrer speed, cell culture system (mammalian, insect, microbial, viral, plant, bacterial, and others), and type of molecule (vaccine, monoclonal antibody, recombinant protein, stem cell, cell therapy, gene therapy, and others). In addition, it presents details of the companies manufacturing single-use bioreactors, highlighting their year of establishment, size of employee base, and geographical presence.

A contemporary market trend analysis, which include [A] a tree map, comparing the type of single-use bioreactor and company size, [B] an insightful grid representation based on scale of operation, area of application and type of cell culture, [C] heat map representation analyzing type of single-use bioreactor and area of application, and [D] a world map representation highlighting the regional distribution of players based on the location of headquarters.

Elaborate profiles of prominent players (shortlisted based on number of products being offered) engaged in the development of single-use bioreactors. Each company profile features a brief overview of the company, along with information on year of establishment, number of employees, location of headquarters and key members of the executive team. It also includes details of their respective product portfolio, and recent developments and an informed future outlook.

An analysis of the various partnerships related to single-use bioreactors, which have been established till September 2020 , based on several parameters, such as year of agreement, type of partnership (full business acquisition, product/technology development agreement, product/technology integration agreement, product distribution/marketing agreement, product portfolio acquisition, service alliance, and supply agreement), focus area (expansion/upgrade of manufacturing facility, incorporation of automation solutions, product development/testing, product maintenance, product portfolio expansion, supply of cell media products/equipment), and most active players. It also provides the regional distribution of the players involved in the collaborations.

, based on several parameters, such as year of agreement, type of partnership (full business acquisition, product/technology development agreement, product/technology integration agreement, product distribution/marketing agreement, product portfolio acquisition, service alliance, and supply agreement), focus area (expansion/upgrade of manufacturing facility, incorporation of automation solutions, product development/testing, product maintenance, product portfolio expansion, supply of cell media products/equipment), and most active players. It also provides the regional distribution of the players involved in the collaborations. A detailed competitiveness analysis of single-use bioreactors, taking into consideration several relevant parameters, such as the supplier power (based on expertise of the manufacturer) and key product-related specifications, including status of development, working volume, stirrer speed, weight of the product, scale of operation, type of cell culture, type of molecule, and area(s) of application.

An insightful three-dimensional bubble chart representation, highlighting the competitiveness analysis of single-use bioreactor manufacturers, taking into consideration the supplier power (based on expertise of the manufacturer), product portfolio strength, portfolio diversity, and number of area(s) of application.

A detailed brand positioning analysis of the key industry players, highlighting the current perceptions regarding their proprietary products by taking into consideration several relevant aspects, such as experience of the manufacturer (in terms of number of years), number of products offered, product diversity, number of area(s) of application, number of patents and number of partnerships inked.

An in-depth analysis of over 2,800 patents that have been filed/granted for single-use bioreactors, between 1995 and 2020 (till September), highlighting key trends associated with these patents, across type of patents, publication year, issuing authorities involved, emerging focus area, patent age, CPC symbols, leading patent assignees (in terms of number of patents granted/filed), patent characteristics and geography. It also includes a detailed patent benchmarking and an insightful valuation analysis.

A discussion on the key technological innovations, such as built-in system control sensors, advanced alarm systems, electronic-log records, touch screens, real-time tracking, remote monitoring, and advanced mixing technologies in the single-use bioreactors industry.

A discussion on affiliated trends, key drivers and challenges, under a SWOT framework, which are likely to impact the industry's evolution, including a Harvey ball analysis, highlighting the relative effect of each SWOT parameter on the overall single-use bioreactors industry.

Key Questions Answered

Who are the leading manufacturers engaged in the development of single-use bioreactors?

What are the different applications for which single-use bioreactors are currently being used?

Which partnership models are commonly adopted by stakeholders in this industry?

Which features of single-use bioreactors are most important to end-users?

What are the challenges currently faced by stakeholders in this industry?

What are the key factors that are likely to influence the evolution of this market?

How is the COVID-19 pandemic likely to impact single-use bioreactors market?

How is the current and future opportunity likely to be distributed across key market segments?

What are the anticipated future trends related to single-use bioreactors market?

Key Topics Covered:

1. PREFACE

2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

3. INTRODUCTION

3.1. Chapter Overview

3.2. Overview of Single Use-Bioreactors

3.2.1. Historical Evolution

3.2.2. Single-Use vs Traditional Bioreactors

3.3. Types of Single-Use Bioreactors

3.3.1. Based on Cell Culture

3.3.2. Based on Agitation Mechanism

3.4. Advantages of Single-Use Bioreactors

3.5. Challenges Associated with Single-Use Bioreactors

3.6. Key Applications Areas

3.7. Prevalent Regulatory Standards

3.8. Future Prospects

4. MARKET LANDSCAPE

4.1. Chapter Overview

4.2. Single-Use Bioreactors: Overall Market Landscape

4.2.1. Analysis by Status of Development

4.2.2. Analysis by Type of Single-Use Bioreactor

4.2.3. Analysis by Scale of Operation

4.2.4. Analysis by Area of Application

4.2.5. Analysis by Working Volume

4.2.6. Analysis by Weight of Bioreactor

4.2.7. Analysis by Stirrer Speed

4.2.8. Analysis by Type of Cell Culture Handled

4.2.9. Analysis by Type of Molecule

4.3. Single-Use Bioreactor Manufacturers: Overall Market Landscape

4.3.1. Analysis by Year of Establishment

4.3.2. Analysis by Company Size

4.3.3. Analysis by Location of Headquarters

4.4. Leading Manufacturers: Analysis by Number of Products

5. KEY INSIGHTS

5.1. Chapter Overview

5.2. Tree Map Representation: Analysis by Type of Single-Use Bioreactor and Company Size

5.3. Grid Representation: Analysis by Scale of Operation, Area of Application and Type of Cell Culture

5.4. Heat Map Representation: Analysis by Type of Single-Use Bioreactor and Area of Application

5.5. World Map Representation: Analysis by Location of Headquarters

6. COMPANY PROFILES

6.1. Chapter Overview

6.2. Leading Players based in North America

6.2.1. Celartia

6.2.2. Cell Culture Company

6.2.3. Cytiva

6.2.4. Merck Millipore

6.2.5. Pall Corporation

6.2.6. PBS Biotech

6.2.7. Synthecon

6.2.8. Thermo Fisher Scientific

6.3. Leading Players based in Europe

6.3.1. Cellexus

6.3.2. CerCell

6.3.3. Eppendorf

6.3.4. Pierre Guerin

6.3.5. ProlifeCell

6.3.6. Sartorius Stedim Biotech

6.3.7. Solaris Biotech

6.4. Leading Players based in Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World

6.4.1. CESCO Bioengineering

7. PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS

7.1. Chapter Overview

7.2. Partnership Models

7.3. Single-Use Bioreactors: Recent Partnerships and Collaborations

8. PRODUCT COMPETITIVENESS ANALYSIS

9. COMPANY COMPETITIVENESS ANALYSIS

10. BRAND POSITIONING ANALYSIS

10.1. Chapter Overview

10.2. Key Parameters and Methodology

10.3. Brand Positioning Matrix: Cytiva

10.4. Brand Positioning Matrix: Eppendorf

10.5. Brand Positioning Matrix: Merck Millipore

10.6. Brand Positioning Matrix: Pall Corporation

10.7. Brand Positioning Matrix: Pierre Guerin

10.8. Brand Positioning Matrix: Sartorius Stedim Biotech

10.9. Brand Positioning Matrix: Thermo Fisher Scientific

11. PATENT ANALYSIS

11.1. Chapter Overview

11.2. Scope and Methodology

11.3. Single-Use Bioreactors: Patent Analysis

11.4. Single-Use Bioreactors: Patent Benchmarking Analysis

11.5. Single-Use Bioreactors: Patent Valuation Analysis

12. MARKET FORECAST

12.1. Chapter Overview

12.2. Forecast Methodology and Key Assumptions

12.3. Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Single-Use Bioreactors Market

12.4. Global Single-Use Bioreactors Market, 2020-2030

12.5. Global Single-Use Bioreactors Market: Distribution by Type of Cell Culture

12.6. Global Single-Use Bioreactors Market: Distribution by Type of Molecule

12.7. Global Single-Use Bioreactors Market: Distribution by Area of Application

12.8. Global Single-Use Bioreactors Market: Distribution by Scale of Operation

12.9. Global Single-Use Bioreactors Market: Distribution by Purpose

12.10. Global Single-Use Bioreactors Market: Distribution by End-User

12.11. Global Single-Use Bioreactors Market: Distribution by Key Geographical

12.11.1. Single-Use Bioreactors Market in North America, 2020-2030

12.11.2 Single-Use Bioreactors Market in Europe, 2020-2030

12.11.3. Single-Use Bioreactors Market in Asia-Pacific, 2020-2030

12.11.4. Single-Use Bioreactors Market in Latin America, 2020-2030

12.11.5. Single-Use Bioreactors Market in Middle East and North Africa (MENA), 2020-2030

12.11.6. Single-Use Bioreactors Market in Rest of the World, 2020-2030

12.12. Concluding Remarks

13. CASE STUDY: KEY TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS IN THE SINGLE-USE BIOREACTORS INDUSTRY

13.1. Chapter Overview

13.2. Innovations in Bioreactor Display/Control Features

13.3. Innovation in Mixing Technologies

13.4. Concluding Remarks

14. SWOT ANALYSIS

15. CONCLUSION

16. EXECUTIVE INSIGHTS

17. APPENDIX I: TABULATED DATA

18. APPENDIX II: LIST OF COMPANIES AND ORGANIZATIONS

19. APPENDIX III: LIST OF BUSINESSES OFFERING ACCESSORIES, EQUIPMENT, AND AUTOMATION SOLUTIONS

Companies Mentioned

3Dnamics

ABEC

ABL Europe

Abzena

Adello Biologics

Advanced Scientifics

AdvantaPure

Aetos Biologics

Alector

Applikon Biotechnology

Artelis

ARTeSYN Biosolutions

ATMI LifeSciences

Baxter International

Bayer Technology Services

bbi-biotech

B-CULTURE

Biobrain

BioInvent International

Biosan

Brammer Bio

Broadley-James

Catalent

Celartia

Cell Culture Company

Cellexus

Celltainer Biotech

CELLution Biotech

CelVivo

CerCell

CESCO Bioengineering

Charter Medical

Cobra Biologics

Commonwealth Serum Laboratories (CSL)

Cytiva

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Danaher

Distek

EirGenix

And Many More Companies!

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/emnfd9

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



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SOURCE Research and Markets

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HOUSTON, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- When well-known Houston builder Matthew Reibenstein scrolled through his social media feed, he didn't expect to find his next business opportunity. Little did he know it would lead to joining AR Homes, the nation's leading custom homebuilding franchise.

AR Homes recently awarded Reibenstein and his company, MJR Royal Homes, a franchise to continue the legacy brand in Texas. The move marks AR Homes' entrance into its tenth state and North Houston's thriving real estate market.

"Matthew and his team illustrate everything we look for when selecting a franchise candidate," said Jim Rosewater, CEO of AR Homes. "His proven track record of building superior custom homes and knowledge of the Greater Houston market make a great fit for the AR Homes family of home builders. We're excited to have him lead our launch in North Houston"

With more than a decade of experience, Reibenstein says he and his team are excited to bring AR Homes' innovative technology, designs, and proven custom homebuilding process to the area. His company will remain locally owned and operated, but now have the outstanding resources of the award-winning franchise.

"I came across AR Homes on social media," Reibenstein recalls. "What impressed me was the incredible model home photography, but as I explored the website more, I was captivated by the functionality of the floor plans, the ability to truly customize homes, and the technology and virtual tours that help potential homebuyers visualize their new home."

As a new franchisee, Reibenstein will offer custom homes with exceptional craftsmanship that truly fit the unique needs and lifestyles of his clients who range from growing families to empty nesters.

Reibenstein has been honored with numerous building awards including Custom Builder of the Year by GHBA. Reibenstein has also served on boards of the Montgomery County Builders and Developers and the Greater Houston Builders Association.

To learn more about Reibenstein's AR Homes franchise in North Houston, visit the website or call 936-597-5445.

About AR Homes

AR Homes is the nation's leading custom homebuilding franchise. Every one of the company's independent builders share a commitment to exceptional design, premier craftsmanship and personalization. AR Homes are independently owned and operated franchises located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia, with additional home-building companies and new home models anticipated to open throughout the country. AR Homes has consistently ranked in the top 10 percent in customer satisfaction among all builders, according to Avid Ratings. In fact, AR Homes builders have won Avid Ratings' top ranking four years running. To learn more about AR Homes, visit www.ARHomes.com

SOURCE AR Homes

Related Links

https://www.arhomes.com/


Russia on Tuesday promised joint production of weapons systems in India as the two countries held extensive talks covering key areas of bilateral cooperation as well as pressing issues like the Afghan peace process and each other's outlook on the Indo-Pacific region.

In the talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, the Indian side apprised the Russian delegation of its views on China in the backdrop of the border row in Ladakh, people familiar with the matter said.

At a press conference with Lavrov, Jaishankar, describing the talks as "very warm", "comprehensive" and "very productive", said much of the discussions covered the preparations for President Vladimir Putin's visit to India for the annual India-Russia summit later this year.

To a question, Lavrov dismissed the possibility of any future military alliance between Russia and China and asserted that the cooperation between the two countries was not directed against anyone.

Referring to bilateral defence ties, Lavrov said Russia was ready for transfer of cutting edge technologies and production of weapons systems in India.

"I am sure deepening of military cooperation serves national interests of both the countries. At the same time, we respect the right of the Indian friends to diversify ties in this area," he said, while describing the outcome of the talks as "satisfactory".

Without elaborating, Jaishankar said, "Our defence sector requirements in the past year were expeditiously addressed."



The Russian foreign minister arrived here on Monday evening on a nearly 19-hour visit amid apparent unease in Moscow over the proactive approach of the Quad member nations, including India, in dealing with geo-political developments in the Indo-Pacific region.

Lavrov is travelling to Islamabad from India On Tuesday evening.

"Of course none of you would be surprised to learn that the discussions were very warm, they were comprehensive and they were very productive," Jaishankar said in his media statement.

He said both the countries understand the importance of the India-Russia relationship to global peace, security and stability and that the review of the was "really encouraging".

"I shared our view-point on the Indo-Pacific. As our prime minister pointed out at the Shangri-La Dialogue some years ago, contemporary challenges require countries to work together in new and different ways," Jaishankar said.

"Such cooperation also reflects the multi-polar and rebalanced character of global politics. India is strongly committed to ASEAN centrality and this is underlined by the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) that it has been advocating at the East-Asia summit," he added.

The 10-nation grouping of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a key stakeholder in the Indo-Pacific region.

Russia has been critical of the Quad grouping that has been aimed at ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific against the backdrop of China's growing assertiveness in the region. Quad comprises India, the US, Japan and Australia.

The Russian foreign minister referred to the Indo-Pacific as Asia-Pacific and said both sides highlighted the need to preserve the central role of ASEAN in the region.

He also highlighted the need for interaction among Russia, India and China under the existing trilateral framework.

In the press conference, Lavrov dismissed suggestions of any future military alliance between Russia and China.

"By the way, we have heard speculation about pro-military alliances not only with respect to Russia and China relations, we have also heard about such alliances allegedly being promoted such as Middle East-NATO, Asia-NATO. Today we exchanged views on this and our Indian friends have the same position as we. We believe this is counter-productive," he said in Russian.

"We are interested in inclusive cooperation that is for something, not against somebody," Lavrov said.

Jaishankar said some time was spent on discussing developments in and around Afghanistan.

"For India, what happens in Afghanistan impacts its security directly. I shared our approach that a durable peace there would require harmonising interests of all, both within and around that country," he said.

"The peace process must be based on foundational principles to which we all subscribe. And a political solution should mean an independent, sovereign, united and democratic Afghanistan," he said.

Jaishanar said there were discussions also on trade and investment.

"We note the appetite for greater investments in each other by both countries. Russian support for our Gaganyaan programme has progressed which we deeply appreciate," he said.

"Time-tested is a frequently used and clearly justified description of India-Russia relations. Though the world has changed in the last seven decades and there have been different governments at both ends, our ties, I am sure Minister Lavrov would agree, have remained uniquely strong and steady," he said.

He said the longstanding partnership in nuclear and space sectors too figured in the talks.

"Our rapidly expanding energy cooperation that now includes long-term commitments was also on the agenda."



Lavrov said both sides agreed on the need to galvanise work on renewed intergovernmental agreement on mutual security of investments and settlement of issues relating to national currencies.

"We have to launch as soon as possible talks on the free trade pact between India and the Eurasian Economic Union based on mutual benefit," 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.)
Like many Massachusetts residents eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, Carlton and Linda Ho were struggling to secure an appointment.

The Amherst couple, both in their 60s, were continually looking online for open appointments in Amherst, Northampton and other Pioneer Valley communities. But the vaccine eluded them.

It was horrible, Carlton said. You cant continuously check the web. It usually would say that the sites didnt have appointments. When they did, you would click on it and by the time you got in they were gone. My wife and I were very frustrated.

But their son Jonathan, who grew up in Amherst and now lives in Baltimore, had a solution.

He wrote a script, a simple computer program, that could monitor vaccine appointment websites in Western Massachusetts and notify his parents by text when there were vaccination appointments available.

No one person can be or should be refreshing 15 different locations, Jonathan, 31, said.

His program began checking four locations in Amherst, Northampton and Springfield. When it noticed that the words no appointments available at this time disappeared from a registration page, it sent texts to Carlton and Linda.

Within a day, they were booked to receive their shots at the Eastfield Mall in Springfield.

Once his parents were able to secure appointments, Jonathan began looking for others who could benefit from the tool.

It didnt feel right to just put it away on a shelf, he said. For younger adults, the process of helping your parents or grandparents search for appointments is a common experience, so while I was lucky enough to succeed, many others were still struggling in the search.

He made some changes to the software, including expanding its search area to other Pioneer Valley vaccination sites and switching it from sending text notifications to automatically posting to Twitter. The result, @ValleyVax, was born.

A screenshot of the Twitter account @ValleyVax

When vaccination appointments open up or are posted online, the bot tweets out a message providing the location, number of available slots and a link to register.

Wednesday night, for example, it tweeted, 3 vaccine appointments may be available at Northampton Clinic, along with a link to the clinics webpage. Tweets like these often come more than 10 times each day.

Since its inception, @ValleyVaxs following has grown modestly but steadily. It now has over 700 followers, up several hundred from last week. The account has a sizeable reach beyond its followers  in the last roughly four weeks, an average of over 5,000 people have viewed each tweet, Twitter data shows.

The account has helped some of Western Massachusetts most COVID-vulnerable citizens secure vaccination appointments.

At the Amherst Senior Center, administrative assistant Jennifer Reynolds and a small group of volunteers have used @ValleyVax to register the elderly for appointments.

Back in January, people were calling looking for assistance finding appointments, Reynolds said. The states registration website, plagued by early issues managing a large number of people seeking a limited availability of shots, had been difficult to use and was crashing.

Along with a team that grew to eight volunteers, Reynolds perused the various individual vaccination sites in the area.

The only way we could do it was going onto websites and continually hitting refresh, she said. My team was learning the tricks, but it was a lot of strenuous work combing these websites.

On March 13, Jonathan reached out offering his Twitter bot to assist with the process.

To date, the senior center volunteers have registered more than 600 people for vaccinations, a small, more recent proportion of which have been a direct result of @ValleyVax.

Reynolds, who had never used Twitter before, said the account had been instrumental in locating cancellations and getting seniors registered.

Similar projects have sprung up in Massachusetts and across the country. Another Twitter bot, @vaccinetime, monitors the states vaccination page and tweets out when it has available appointments.

But many coders have used their skills slightly differently, writing programs that automatically register users for appointments, rather than simply notifying them of availability.

In Franklin County, officials watched as 350 appointments disappeared moments after being posted.

Most of them were all gone at the same time, so we knew it was not a human being that could be doing it that quickly, Tracy Rogers, the countys emergency preparedness program manager, said in an interview with Business Insider. Then we found out that there is both a Twitter hashtag and a website that people can go to and sign up and the bot will just scour the state website all day long signing them up.

The Franklin County vaccination clinic was intended for locals, but few county residents ultimately obtained appointments. Officials ultimately canceled the clinic and rescheduled it for county residents only, Business Insider reported.

Jonathan wasnt comfortable creating the type of tool that could automatically sign his parents or others up. He worried that other seniors, who didnt have access to a person with his qualifications, would be disadvantaged.

It was something that to be honest I felt a little ethically complicated about, Jonathan said. Those skill sets are going to be highly concentrated toward people who are already receiving a higher rate of vaccination, people who are educated or in wealthier socioeconomic groups.

But @ValleyVax splits from these programs in that it only alerts users when appointments are available. It leaves the actual registration up to its followers and their ability to get online quickly.

Jonathan said hes unsure how many people have successfully become vaccinated based on his tool, but Twitter data shows his tweets have received nearly 5,000 clicks.

Some Twitter users have posted messages enthusiastically thanking Jonathan for helping them secure vaccinations.

I got an appointment!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, one user tweeted.

My colleague almost cried!!! another said. She has been trying for weeks to get her elderly parents.
Coronavirus-related deaths worldwide crossed 3 million on Tuesday, according to a Reuters tally, as the latest global resurgence of Covid-19 infections is challenging vaccination efforts across the globe. Worldwide Covid-19 deaths are rising once again, especially in Brazil and India. Health officials blame more infectious variants that were first detected in the United Kingdom and South Africa, along with public fatigue with lockdowns and other restrictions. According to a Reuters tally, it took more than a year for the global death toll to reach 2 million. The next 1 million deaths were added in about three months. Brazil is leading the world in the daily average number of new deaths reported and accounts for one in every four deaths worldwide each day, according to a Reuters analysis. The World Health Organization acknowledged the nations dire condition due to coronavirus, saying the country is in a very critical condition with an overwhelmed healthcare system. Indeed there is a very serious situation going on in Brazil right now, where we have a number of states in critical condition, WHO epidemiologist Maria Van Kerkhove told a briefing last Thursday, adding that many hospital intensive care units are more than 90 per cent full. India reported a record rise in Covid-19 infections on Monday, becoming the second nation after the United States to post more than 100,000 new cases in a day.

The European region, which includes 51 countries, has the highest total number of deaths at nearly 1.1 million. Five European countries including the United Kingdom, Russia, France, Italy and Germany constitute about 60 per cent of Europes total coronavirus-related deaths.

NZ agrees to open travel corridor with Australia New Zealand has agreed to open a quarantine-free travel corridor with Australia. The so-called travel bubble will open on April 19, New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern said. It will restore unrestricted, two-way travel for the first time since the pandemic forced them to close borders more than a year ago. EU denies blocking 3.1 million Astra shots The European Union on Tuesday denied blocking shipments of 3.1 million doses of AstraZeneca's Covid vaccine to Australia as it steps up scrutiny of vaccine shipments to address EU shortages. An Australian government source told Reuters that the EU had blocked 3.1 million shots and the country had little hope of getting the remaining 400,000 doses it has been promised on time.
Polling for 40 seats in the final phase of the assembly elections in Assam began at 7 am on Tuesday to decide the fate of 337 candidates, including senior minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, his five cabinet colleagues and state BJP president Ranjeet Kumar Dass. People wearing masks and maintaining social distance were seen queuing outside polling stations even before the voting began in the 40 constituencies spread over 12 districts.

In several polling stations, the first voter and senior citizens were greeted with a 'gamosa' (traditional towel) and, in some cases, with saplings. Elections are being held amid tight security as 320 companies of security forces were deployed in the third phase, the highest among all the phases.

Altogether 79,19,641 voters -- 40,11,539 men, 39,07,963 women and 139 of the third gender -- are entitled to exercise their franchise in 11,401 polling stations. A total of 45,604 polling personnel have been deployed for this phase.

A direct contest between nominees of the BJP-led NDA and Congress-headed Grand Alliance is on the cards in 20 constituencies while there is a triangular fight, including friendly contests, in the remaining seats with the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) being considered as the third force.

The newly floated AJP is contesting in 22 seats while there are 126 independents in the fray in the final phase of the election in which the BJP-led coalition is seeking to return to power for the second term in a row. The fate of 20 sitting MLAs - eight from the Congress, five from the BJP, three each from the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) and the BPF and one from the AGP -- will be decided in the final phase.

Besides Himanta Biswa Sarma, other ministers who are in the fray included Chandra Mohan Patowary, Siddhartha Bhattacharya and Phanibhushan Choudhury. The BJP is contesting in 20 seats while its allies the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) in nine and the United Peoples Party Liberal in eight, including a friendly contest between the BJP and the UPPL in Bijni.

The Congress has put up 24 candidates and its partners - the AIUDF in 12, the Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF) in eight and CPI(M) in one. The Congress and the AIUDF are engaged in friendly contests in the five constituencies of Jaleswar, Baghbar, Sarukhetri, Chenga and Barkhetri.

Also read: Assembly election: 475 constituencies go to polls in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, Bengal, Puducherry on April 6

Also read: Assam Election 2021: Voting dates, full poll schedule, timings, election results, FAQs
Democrats already had two more opportunities to use the reconciliation process during the 117th Congress, under budget blueprints for fiscal years 2022 and 2023. But the ruling from Ms. MacDonough allows them to use the maneuver at least two more times during this calendar year alone, and could further increase the opportunities for them to do so before the end of 2022.

The option does not guarantee a smooth path for Mr. Bidens agenda; with narrow majorities in both chambers, party leaders will have to keep Democrats almost entirely united to be able to use the maneuver successfully. And reconciliation is subject to strict budgetary rules that limit what can be included.

Top Democratic officials have declined to say when they will use the budget tool again. But lawmakers and aides have floated a number of possibilities, ranging from infrastructure to immigration, that could be steered around Republican objections and into law.

Its important because it gives us a little more flexibility  we dont have to push everything into one package, Senator Bernie Sanders, the Vermont independent who is chairman of the Budget Committee, said on MSNBC, listing a number of priorities he wanted to pass. The ruling of the parliamentarian gives us a little bit more opportunity in that direction.

Bidens 2022 Budget A new year, a new budget: The 2022 fiscal year for the federal government begins on October 1, and President Biden has revealed what hed like to spend, starting then. But any spending requires approval from both chambers of Congress. Ambitious total spending: President Biden would like the federal government to spend $6 trillion in the 2022 fiscal year, and for total spending to rise to $8.2 trillion by 2031. That would take the United States to its highest sustained levels of federal spending since World War II, while running deficits above $1.3 trillion through the next decade. Infrastructure plan: The budget outlines the presidents desired first year of investment in his American Jobs Plan, which seeks to fund improvements to roads, bridges, public transit and more with a total of $2.3 billion over eight years. Families plan: The budget also addresses the other major spending proposal Biden has already rolled out, his American Families Plan, aimed at bolstering the United States social safety net by expanding access to education, reducing the cost of child care and supporting women in the work force. Mandatory programs: As usual, mandatory spending on programs like Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare make up a significant portion of the proposed budget. They are growing as Americas population ages. Discretionary spending: Funding for the individual budgets of the agencies and programs under the executive branch would reach around $1.5 trillion in 2022, a 16 percent increase from the previous budget. How Biden would pay for it: The president would largely fund his agenda by raising taxes on corporations and high earners, which would begin to shrink budget deficits in the 2030s. Administration officials have said tax increases would fully offset the jobs and families plans over the course of 15 years, which the budget request backs up. In the meantime, the budget deficit would remain above $1.3 trillion each year.



Progressive lawmakers have increasingly agitated for a change to the rules of the Senate that would allow the party to dismantle the filibuster.

But any effort to pass further legislation with a simple majority will be considerably more difficult than it was with the stimulus package, which cleared both chambers and became law in less than three months. Democrats are already haggling over what should be included in the infrastructure plan, and how to pay for it.

Republicans, who have largely criticized Mr. Bidens agenda, are likely to object to any use of the tool, which would virtually cut them out of the process. Reconciliation also consumes a substantial amount of floor time, which could otherwise be used for approving administration nominees and judicial appointments.
PHOENIX and NEW YORK, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ReadyCloud, a Shipping, Returns and CRM suite built for ecommerce, has teamed up with aACE Software. The integrated solution helps growing businesses that sell online improve the way they work and deliver a great after-purchase experience to customers.

"We're working with aACE to help SMBs understand the benefits of delivering the best possible after-purchase experience to their customers," comments Michael Lazar, an Executive at ReadyCloud. "A great after-purchase experience has a direct impact on improved sales and reduces operational and customer service costs. Everybody wins."

aACE's Accounting, Production and Inventory integrates with the ReadyCloud Suite to leverage an "Amazon-like" returns solution and modern, hybrid-cloud shipping. The result is a powerful end-to-end solution that has mutual customers thriving, even during unexpected spikes in demand.

In a recent aACE user success story, Southwest Auto Accessories co-founder, Lane Carter, commented on the speed and efficiency of the ReadyShipper X shipping software integration for aACE via ReadyCloud, stating: "Once the orders are transmitted to ReadyShipper X, processing a package to get it ready to ship takes seconds  it doesn't take minutes, it takes seconds  to complete the transaction and have the package ready to ship. Now that aACE 5 is integrated with ReadyShipper X, we're able to ship packages faster than ever before!"

"We continuously extend aACE's core functionality through seamless integrations with best-of-breed solutions like ReadyCloud's ReadyShipper X," explains Brian Voll, Director of Product Development at aACE. "This integration eliminates the need for users to manually enter shipping information into their shipping terminal or enter cost and tracking information into their accounting solution. Instead, that information is automatically shared between the two solutions, cutting out the wasted time and potential for costly errors that come from duplicate data entry. These streamlined workflows add up to a lot of savings for our customers."

aAce Software and ReadyCloud are co-hosting a live event online on April 13th, 2021 at Noon EST to showcase the integrated solution. Register for FREE to see how your business can gain new efficiencies while delivering a better shopping experience for your customers. You can register for this webinar Here.

The ReadyCloud Suite is now available for a 14-day free trial. Visit https://www.readycloud.com/ to sign-up. Simply add your desired users, select your preferred shopping cart integration, and connect your aACE account from the App Store.

Got questions? Give ReadyCloud a ring at: 877-818-7447 ext. 1. Or email them at: [email protected].

Learn more about ReadyShipper X at: https://www.readycloud.com/readyshipper-shipping-software

Learn more about aACE at: https://www.aacesoft.com/

About ReadyCloud

ReadyCloud is a suite of connected systems designed to improve the way you work. Shipping , Returns , Growth Marketing and more are all connected through ReadyCloud for better communications from Admin to Operations.

About aACE Software

In 2002, the aACE Software founding team came together while developing a business software package that was robust yet appealing for one of midtown Manhattan's premier creative agencies. As they expanded to create new tools for additional clients, the team organized as Avant Garde Information Solutions, LLC (dba aACE Software). They gradually crafted a compelling product, envisioned as a comprehensive, yet affordable ERP solution for small businesses. After over 15 years of close collaboration with clients from many industries, that initial product has evolved into a software suite designed around the end-user. The aACE 5 suite is artisan software, which our clients describe as a delight to deploy and a pleasure to use. It is a comprehensive tool that seamlessly supports sales, operations, and accounting teams, yet is also flexible, affordable, and elegant. aACE 5 realizes the team's vision of Art in ERP.

Contact:

Michael Lazar

4809399372

[email protected]

SOURCE ReadyCloud Suite

Related Links

https://www.readycloud.com


Texas systems for deciding who should remain behind bars while awaiting trial have long been criticized for unfairly keeping poor people locked up simply because they don't have the cash to post bail. But it is the death of a police officer and rising homicide rates that have prompted the Texas Legislature to prioritize rewriting the rules for pretrial release this session.

Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick have each put their weight behind efforts to change the states bail practices, when courts decide the terms for releasing people legally presumed innocent as their criminal cases are pending.

TEXAS ELECTION: Democrat Mike Collier is set to challenge Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick again in 2022

Their priorities, aimed primarily at keeping dangerous defendants behind bars, are largely detached from what many bail reform advocates seek  keeping fewer people in jail simply because theyre poor.

In the House, the governor is reupping a push from 2019 to keep more defendants deemed dangerous in jail before trial in the name of a slain state trooper, Damon Allen, who was shot during a traffic stop in 2017 while the suspect was out on bond.

In the Senate, Patrick has boosted legislation largely reacting to a shifting bail system in his hometown of Houston after federal courts found the countys cash bail practices unconstitutional.

The two measures are starkly different, though both authors think the two chambers will be able to find common ground by the time lawmakers go home in May.

Houston Republican state Sen. Joan Huffman said her bill, Senate Bill 21, is meant to address the appalling uptick in violent crimes by defendants out on multiple personal bonds, which dont require cash up front. State Rep. Andrew Murr, a Junction Republican who has worked for several years on bail legislation, called his House Bill 20 a honest and sincere attempt to provide for bail reform in the State of Texas.

Political pressure from the top is pushing both Republican-led bills steadily through the Texas Capitol. SB 21 is set to go before the full chamber, and HB 20 is up for debate Tuesday in what is expected to be a lengthy committee hearing.

Some aspects of the bills have garnered widespread support  like increasing training for judges and hearing officers who set bail for criminal defendants. But other major provisions, like a statewide risk assessment tool called for in the House bill, and restrictions on who can pay for a defendants release in the Senates, have met with opposition from bail reform advocates.

And both bills, the advocates argue, continue to rely on a money-based system  allowing someone who is arrested to quickly walk out of jail if they have access to cash, while a similar defendant who is poor could languish behind bars for months. Both measures would ban courts from releasing certain defendants on no-cost, personal bonds at any point, taking away what advocates argue is important judicial discretion.

Both bills' main features is that they will make more legally innocent Texans purchase their freedom from jail, said Nick Hudson, a policy and advocacy strategist with the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas. Our hope is that lawmakers will go back to the drawing board and find a path to the bail bill that will meaningfully improve our bail system instead of moving us backwards.

In the House

Constitutionally, most Texas criminal defendants are eligible to be released on bail, though some  like capital murder suspects and those accused of a felony while out on bond for another alleged felony  may be kept in jail without the option to bail out. Generally, the riskier a court thinks a defendant is to skip town or commit a new crime, the higher their money bail is set. Courts often determine that risk by applying a preset sliding scale to set bail based only on the current charge a defendant faces.

So some murder suspects are able to post bond on a $750,000 bail amount and walk free, as was recently seen in Harris County, while others accused of minor crimes sit in jail for months unable to pay $100.

BACK TALK: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick lashes out at Harris County, media during presser defending voter security bill

HB 20 seeks to gauge risk differently. It would let courts more often prohibit any pretrial release in more violent cases, and allow more low-risk defendants to be freed without posting cash, Murr said. (To allow for more detention without bail, the legislature and Texas voters would also have to approve a constitutional amendment.)

The imposition of bail against low risk arrestees should not punish those who are likely to appear for court and not a danger to the community but simply cant pay whatever amount of bail has been set, he said in a written response to questions. Conversely, we want to make sure that policy provides a framework that higher risk, more dangerous persons dont easily bond out  either because they are wealthy or because a personal bond was set.

The legislation would create a statewide risk assessment tool for judges to use when estimating the likelihood of a criminal defendant committing another crime or skipping court hearings while their case is pending. But the tool, a critical piece highlighted by Abbott, is mistrusted by bail reform advocates who fear its focus on past criminal convictions will perpetuate already-existing racial disparities in the criminal justice system.

Risk assessment tools make people without money seem risker, said Laquita Garcia with the Texas Organizing Project. They just reinforce systemic racism by labeling Black and brown people as higher risk.

Murr said work has been done to ensure the tool does not disproportionately affect those in racial or ethnic minority groups, and that as it is implemented, it will be monitored for any potential disparities.

The House bill would also restrict who could be released from jail on a no-cost, personal bond. Murr said that a restriction would only be for specific, very egregious offenses. But advocates have railed against a further restriction on moneyless bail and slammed some of the initially included offenses as political, like a felony committed while participating in a riot  striking a nerve after arrests during protests against police brutality last year.

And some activists note that the bar included low-level assaults against a police officer. Krish Gundu with the Texas Jail Project worries it would lead to an even more people with mental illness being stuck in jail, because it is common to see resisting arrest or officer assault charges tied to a mental health crisis. She said spitting and negative reactions to being touched are common among people with mental illness, and are counted as assaults on law enforcement.

We already have a huge problem of people with mental illness sitting in our county jails, she said. This is only going to make that much much worse. This is like pouring gasoline on a burning house.

An updated version of HB 20, set to be presented to the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee Tuesday, did not include the personal bond restrictions for low-level assault against officer or riot charges.

Houstons hold on the Senate

In the Senates major bail bill, Harris Countys influence is apparent.

In early 2019, eager to resolve a federal civil rights lawsuit, Texas' most populous county stopped requiring most people accused of low-level crimes from putting up cash to get out of jail on bond. Independent monitors of the misdemeanor system settlement have since found that the percentage of defendants arrested for new crimes within a year of their original arrest went down after the county changed its bail practices.

Still, in the last year, homicides have been steadily increasing in Houston as they have throughout the nation. Though some county officials say the bail system changes have no connection to the increase, many law enforcement officials and local Republicans have blamed newer misdemeanor and felony bail practices.

With repeat high-profile murders allegedly committed by people released on bonds, Huffman is pushing for the state to step in to change bail practices in her county. Many of the suspects in highly publicized murders cited by Houston politicians or crime victim supporters had been released on cash bail, though that system would not be altered under the bill.

When judicial discretion is being abused, and violent habitual offenders are continuously released through the use of minimally restrictive personal bonds, the legislature must act, she said in written response to Tribune questions.

SB 21 would bar courts from releasing defendants on no-cost, personal bonds if they have ever been convicted of a violent crime, or are rearrested while out on bond for a pending violent criminal case. Those restrictions were already largely in effect for much of 2020  the language closely resembles that in Abbotts still-in-effect emergency order that limited cashless jail release after Harris County officials sought to reduce the jail population at the start of the pandemic.

Another sticking point for some bail reform advocates in Huffmans bill is restrictions it would impose on charitable bail organizations, originally with language similar to what has been proposed by the powerful bail bonds industry. After the in-custody Minneapolis death of George Floyd prompted nationwide unrest and protesters were arrested across the country, nonprofits that sought to post peoples bail saw millions of dollars in donations.

As it was voted out of committee, SB 21 would bar charitable organizations that are not churches from posting bond for anyone accused, or previously convicted, of a violent crime. Huffman said she included restrictions and data collection on the organizations in her bill because they are new players in the bail system.

The purpose of this language is to collect information that would allow us to better understand how these organizations work and to make sure they are not bailing out violent criminals or misleading donors, she said.

For Garcia, who works at the Texas Organizing Project, the restriction feels like a response to George Floyd protests. She said her organization, which bailed out more than 250 people in Dallas, Bexar and Harris counties last year, works hard to understand the needs of individuals for whom they post bond, and to make sure they are able to get to court.

Our community is clearly saying were willing to put up our money to get these people out of jail pretrial, she said.

A rocky path forward

The governor has declared HB 20, dubbed the Damon Allen Act after the slain trooper, an emergency legislative item. And Patrick listed SB 21 as a priority bill at the beginning of the legislative session.

The political will to pass some form of bail legislation may outweigh the strong pushback from some long-term bail reform advocates. For Derek Cohen at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a conservative think tank, Murrs bill has the most promise  paired with the resolution that would be required to alter the state constitution. He said resistant advocates are laser-focused on the issue of a defendants financial status and eliminating cash bail.

Their focus on this indigency part makes them kick this idea of a dangerousness issue into the future or not consider it at all, he said.

Murr and Huffman both said they hope for a path forward on meaningful bail legislation this year. Huffman has already largely rewritten her bill based on feedback from the Senate committee hearing, and the new version of Murrs bill is expected to be ready before it is debated Tuesday.

But for many advocates, and a former Republican judge who was a defendant in the Harris County misdemeanor bail lawsuit, the continued reliance on cash as a means for release from jail will remain a problem. Mike Fields, who was voted out in a Democratic sweep of the county bench in 2018, testified that after 20 years as a judge, he learned that money doesnt make us safer. Conditions make us safer.

We need to seriously consider how we do bail in Texas and in the U.S. in general, he reflected on the phone later. The federal system has eliminated it and it seems to work well.

Disclosure: The Texas Public Policy Foundation has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

The Texas Tribune is a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that informs Texans  and engages with them  about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
Sesame Street debuted in 1969 when PBS the Public Broadcasting Service was still named the National Educational Television Network. For many, 53 years of being a positive platform to educate children around the world via satellite television and more recently the internet, has been a long wait before enlisting African sounds.



In a statement on the sesame street website, the producers affirmed that All children need to feel strong in their skin, which can be challenging in a racist society. They further stated that The aim of the song is to promote learning about diversity and help children develop a strong sense of self



The song titled Giant was made by YolanDa Brown who has won awards as a musician, toured with the Temptations, Asa, Billy Ocean and collaborated with 2Face Idibia, Kelly Jones and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.



YolanDa Brown has worked as a broadcaster on radio and Tv with remarkable marks that include her YolanDas Band Jam series on CBeebies receiving an award from the Royal Television Society as Best Childrens Programme. Yolanda sounded excited as she wrote, I can finally tell the world! A dream come true, while announcing the Sesame Street gig to her Instagram audience.



Sesame Street is a production of Sesame Workshop, a nonprofit educational organization. Sesame Street programs have been seen in over 150 countries.



The world-famous television show recently included Wes and his father Elijah  black puppets to broaden diversity. Sesame Street also features popular puppets like Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird, Kermit the frog and other family-friendly characters who have featured prominently on merchandise ranging from pencils and erasers to school bags.



Over the years the show has been used to educate children on issues like racism, death in family, poverty and much recently, COVID-19.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gS9xOczDEZY

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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EQS Group-Ad-hoc: Polyphor AG / Key word(s): AGMEGM

Polyphor Annual General Meeting 2021



06-Apr-2021 / 19:00 CET/CEST

Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 KR

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





Allschwil, Switzerland, April 6, 2021

Polyphor Annual General Meeting 2021

Polyphor AG (SIX: POLN) today announced that its shareholders approved all proposals of the Board of Directors at the 24th Annual General Meeting (AGM) with a significant majority, with the exception of the proposed increase of the conditional capital for the employee stock option plan (ESOP), which did not receive the required two thirds majority. In line with the COVID-19 Ordinance 2 of the Swiss Federal Council, no shareholders were allowed to attend the AGM in person. The independent proxy represented 47.7 percent of the company's shares.

The members of the Board of Directors, Kuno Sommer, Bernard Bollag, Silvio Inderbitzin and Andreas Wallnofer, were re-elected for a further year in office and Hugh O'Dowd was elected as a new member of the Board. In addition, shareholders confirmed Kuno Sommer as Chairman of the Board of Directors. The agenda items on compensation for the members of the Board of Directors and the executive management were also approved. Furthermore, the reduction of the company's share capital through decrease of nominal value of shares was approved. The management report, the consolidated financial statements, and the annual financial statements for 2020 were also approved.

"On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank all of Polyphor's shareholders for their trust and support at today's AGM," said Kuno Sommer, Chairman of the Board of Directors.

AGM documents

The invitation with proposals and explanations on the agenda items is available on the company's website at www.polyphor.com/investor-relations/corporate-governance.

For further information please contact:

For Investors:

Hernan Levett



Chief Financial Officer



Polyphor Ltd.



+41 61 567 16 00



IR@polyphor.com Mary-Ann Chang



LifeSci Advisors



Tel: +44 7483 284 853



mchang@lifesciadvisors.com

For Media:

Bernhard Schmid

LifeSci Advisors

+41 44 447 12 21

bschmid@lifesciadvisors.com

About Polyphor

Polyphor is a research driven clinical-stage, Swiss biopharmaceutical company committed to discovering and developing best-in-class molecules in oncology and antimicrobial resistance leveraging the company's leading macrocyclic peptide technology platform. Polyphor is advancing balixafortide (POL6326) in a Phase III trial in combination with eribulin in patients with advanced breast cancer and exploring its potential in other cancer indications. In addition, it has discovered and is developing the Outer Membrane Protein Targeting Antibiotics (OMPTA). OMPTA are potentially the first new class of antibiotics in clinical development in the last 50 years against Gram-negative bacteria. The company's lead OMPTA program is an inhaled formulation of murepavadin for the treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in patients with cystic fibrosis. Polyphor is based in Allschwil near Basel and is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX: POLN). For more information, please visit www.polyphor.com.

Disclaimer

This press release contains forward-looking statements which are based on current assumptions and forecasts of the Polyphor management. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors could lead to material differences between the forward-looking statements made here and the actual development, in particular Polyphor's results, financial situation, and performance. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only of the date of this communication. Polyphor disclaims any intention or obligation to update and revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Mr. Chauvin, who is facing murder charges after kneeling on Mr. Floyds neck for more than nine minutes, was a field-training officer. He had supervised two of the rookie officers involved in Mr. Floyds arrest.

Every police agency has a mission statement, but the culture is what is accepted by leadership on a day-to-day basis, Sean Hendrickson, an instructor at Washington States police academy, told The New York Times in an article last year. That gets backed up by other officers and is extremely deep and very difficult to change.

Some activists have argued that the Minneapolis police  and other police agencies  were so irreparably broken that no amount of new training can reform them. Others have expressed concern that officers do not receive proper or enough training.

Most states require fewer minimum training hours to become licensed as a police officer than they do for barbers or cosmetologists. As of last year, for example, New York State law mandates 1,000 hours of training for massage therapists, compared with around 700 hours for officers. Hawaii has no minimum requirements for police officers, but manicurists must train for 300 hours.

Becoming a police officer in Minneapolis requires first getting a peace officer license from the state, which entails as many as 1,050 hours of training. Once recruits obtain their licenses, they have to go through additional training run by the Minneapolis Police Department that includes 19 weeks in the academy.
Commitment supports National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's "Restaurants Advance" Campaign

VICTOR, N.Y., April 06, 2021(NRAEF) and the launch of their "Restaurants Advance" campaign. The commitment represents a multi-year collaboration with the NRAEF to rebuild the restaurant industry and create opportunities for restaurant workers from all backgrounds.



According to the NRAEF, the restaurant industry finished 2020 nearly 2.5 million jobs below its pre-COVID-19 levels. Constellation's collective contribution - which includes support from the Corona brand family, SVEDKA Vodka, and Meiomi - will go to support the NRAEF's programs dedicated to recruiting employees to help rebuild the restaurant industry's workforce.

"Many of our retailer partners, particularly local restaurants and their employees, have been significantly impacted by this terrible virus," said Bill Newlands, Constellation Brands' president and chief executive officer. "We are proud to partner with the NRAEF and play a role in helping to rebuild the industry, and we believe that starts with the people who serve as its backbone. Our hope is to not only help rebuild the industry's workforce with talented and diverse individuals to position it for future growth, but also to help bring financial security through enhanced employment opportunities to the thousands who have been impacted financially by the pandemic."

In March 2020, Constellation and several of its flagship brands contributed more than $1 million to the NRAEF's Restaurant Employee Relief Fund, which raised more than $21.5 million and helped over 43,000 restaurant workers hit hard financially by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Constellation Brands stepped up at the onset of the pandemic and helped us provide much-needed assistance for restaurant workers through our Restaurant Employee Relief Fund, and we are thrilled to have their support once more," said Rob Gifford, president of the NRAEF. "While we have much work to do, this substantial donation will help rebuild the industry and support our work to open new doors of opportunity."

Working alongside its partner organization, the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance (MFHA), the NRAEF's "Restaurants Advance" campaign will support recovery efforts by focusing on investing in initiatives to attract talent to the industry, advance career development and increase equity for restaurant workers, and assist in the creation of pathways to small business ownership.

"Our brands and company have a long history of giving back to the communities where we live and work," said Mike McGrew, Constellation's chief corporate social responsibility officer. "These restaurants and their employees are vital to not only our business, but to our collective communities across the country. We are committed to doing our part to support them over the long term."

The NRAEF is the non-profit arm of the National Restaurant Associationand has an extensive history of supporting the restaurant, bar, hospitality and foodservice community. NRAEF programs include preparing high-school students for restaurant jobs and careers; offering scholarships to anyone building a future in restaurants; helping the military transition into the industry; providing apprenticeships and building pathways to independence for justice-involved individuals through job skills training and mentoring. For more information about the NRAEF and the "Restaurants Advance" campaign, go to ChooseRestaurants.org/Advance, and follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

ABOUT CONSTELLATION BRANDS

At Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ and STZ.B), our mission is to build brands that people love because we believe sharing a toast, unwinding after a day, celebrating milestones, and helping people connect, are Worth Reaching For. It's worth our dedication, hard work, and the bold calculated risks we take to deliver more for our consumers, trade partners, shareholders, and communities in which we live and work. It's what has made us one of the fastest-growing large CPG companies in the U.S. at retail, and it drives our pursuit to deliver what's next.



Today, we are a leading international producer and marketer of beer, wine, and spirits with operations in the U.S., Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy. Every day, people reach for our high-end, iconic imported beer brands such as Corona Extra, Corona Light, Corona Premier, Modelo Especial, Modelo Negra, and Pacifico, and our high-quality premium wine and spirits brands, including the Robert Mondavi brand family, Kim Crawford, Meiomi, The Prisoner brand family, SVEDKA Vodka, Casa Noble Tequila, and High West Whiskey.

But we won't stop here. Our visionary leadership team and passionate employees from barrel room to boardroom are reaching for the next level, to explore the boundaries of the beverage alcohol industry and beyond. Join us in discovering what's Worth Reaching For.

To learn more, follow us on Twitter @cbrandsand visit www.cbrands.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACTS Mike McGrew 773-251-4934 / michael.mcgrew@cbrands.com (mailto:michael.mcgrew@cbrands.com)

Amy Martin 585-678-7141 / amy.martin@cbrands.com (mailto:amy.martin@cbrands.com) Patty Yahn-Urlaub 585-678-7483 / patty.yahn-urlaub@cbrands.com (mailto:patty.yahn-urlaub@cbrands.com)

Marisa Pepelea 312-741-2316 / marisa.pepelea@cbrands.com (mailto:marisa.pepelea@cbrands.com)

A downloadable PDF copy of this news release can be found here. http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/b4110147-be9f-4fd0-a9d5-14a4bfb588d3
A Los Angeles Traffic control officer directs vehicles to an alternative entrance to the Dodgers Stadium vaccination site in Los Angeles Friday, April 2, 2021. California has administered nearly 19 million doses, and nearly 6.9 million people are fully vaccinated in a state with almost 40 million residents. But only people 50 and over are eligible statewide to get the vaccine now. Adults 16 and older won't be eligible until April 15. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

California plans to lift most coronavirus restrictions on businesses and workplaces June 15, with officials saying enough people should be vaccinated by then to allow for life to almost get back to a pre-pandemic normal.

The mask mandate in the nation's most populated state will stay in effect, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Tuesday, and he cautioned that California will reopen more widely in mid-June only if vaccine supply is sufficient and hospitalization rates stay stable and low.

Still, the Democratic governor, who has overseen some of the most restrictive pandemic rules in the country, said it was time to forge ahead, with 20 million vaccines administered in California to date. The announcement signals an end date to more than a year of isolation after California resisted reopening too quickly even while other states pushed ahead.

"We can confidently say by June 15 that we can start to open up as business as usual, subject to ongoing mask-wearing and ongoing vigilance," Newsom said. "So this is a big day."

The announcement comes as states across the country have lifted health restrictions as more people get vaccinated. California had some of the nation's strictest pandemic rules, becoming the first to institute a statewide stay-at-home order last spring and adopting a complex, color-coded tier system in August that dictated which businesses could open and at what capacity depending on how widespread the virus was in a county.

Governor Gavin Newsom speaks with news reporters at Park de la Cruz Recreation Center on Friday, April 2, 2021 in San Diego about the San Diego's newest pop-up vaccination site in the City Heights neighborhood. (Nelvin C. Cepeda/The San Diego Union-Tribune via AP)

Newsom said he expects 30 million doses to be administered by the end of April, putting them on track to inoculate many of the estimated 32 million people eligible for the vaccine.

The pandemic has taken its toll in California, with more than 58,000 people dead, businesses closed and students who have been out of classrooms for much of the year. Newsom, who has pushed for in-person instruction to resume, said he expects no barriers to getting students back into classrooms safely by June 15, including college students.

Under the plan, businesses can open with "common-sense risk reduction measures," including mandated masking and encouraging vaccinations. The state will continue contact tracing and testing.

Most capacity limits will be lifted, although large-scale indoor events, such as conventions, will be allowed only with testing or vaccination verification requirements, said Dr. Mark Ghaly, the secretary of health and human services.

Fashion designer Josie Vand wears a facemask as she retrieves a bag with organic vegetables from a farm box from County Line Harvest in Los Angeles on Friday, April 2, 2021. California has been easing COVID-19 restrictions as it recovers from a deadly winter surge, although public health officials still urge people to follow social distancing and mask-wearing protocols. Rates of hospitalizations and deaths have plunged, and the rate of people testing positive for the virus is at a near-record low. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

In this March 16, 2021 file photo, a sign advertises a restaurant opening in Santa Monica, Calif. California will allow indoor concerts, theater performances and other private gatherings starting April 15, 2021, as the rate of people testing positive for the coronavirus in the state nears a record low. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez,File)

Vaccine eligibility will expand to people in California 16 and older starting April 15, although some counties have already started vaccinating young adults.

The two-month advance notice should give people enough time to schedule their first dose, wait the recommended three to four weeks for a second shot and get through the two-week period for the vaccines to fully kick in, he said.

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.
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The global Industrial Microwave Heating Equipment Market size is expected to reach USD 1.57 billion by 2027 according to a new study by Polaris Market Research The market is expected to grow at a substantial rate over the forecast period. Government regulations aimed at reducing energy usage, efforts taken by companies to achieve sustainable goals, coupled with rising industrialization across the globe especially in Asia Pacific region is expected to benefit the overall industry growth. Inherent advantages of industrial microwave heating systems such as low energy requirement, better control over the process and ability to offer customized services have resulted in wide applicability of these systems in a spectrum of end-use industries thus further driving the market growth.

The market is characterized by frequent mergers, acquisition, as well as other strategic initiatives by leading market participants. In August 2020, Meyer Burger Technology, a Swiss based conglomerate sold its subsidiary business Muegge, to Germany based equity firm HQ Equita. Muegge is involved in providing industrial microwave heating systems in addition to plasma equipment to a host of application industries.

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Industrial Microwave Heating Equipment is finding widespread applications in food & beverage industry and is used for microwave food drying, pasteurization, sterilization, tempering, heating, among others. The usage of microwave equipment ensure that all these processes are ensured with high efficiency, retention of original nutritional content, and in less cost. This scenario is further driving the penetration of these equipment in the food & beverage industry. This trend has resulted in a rise in demand for industrial microwave heating equipment for applications in food & beverage industries thus resulting in overall market growth.

China occupies a majority of market share in the Asia Pacific region. The country is highly industrialized and has emerged as a major manufacturing hub in the world. These trends have benefitted the overall market growth. The country effectively curbed the coronavirus outbreak and hence, did not suffer as much as other European countries. This ensured that the manufacturing in the country to be operational, thus benefitting the overall market growth.

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Industries, in the recent past paid special attention to development and modification of Industrial Microwave Heating Equipment technology to exactly match the process needs of their clients. Different application needs have different process requirements and it is imperative that these heating systems have the ability to modify parameters such as Working Frequency, Working Temperature, Working Temperature, Control Method, Conveyor Speed, Drying Temperature, among others. Continuous R&D has enabled participants to achieve the same and this trend is a major contributor to the generalization of Industrial Microwave Heating Equipment in various application industries.

Some of the key market participants that operate in the industry include Hitachi Power Solutions Co., Ltd., Muegge GmbH, Teledyne e2v Limited, Industrial Microwave Systems Ltd., CoberMuegge LLC, Communications & Power Industries LLC (CPI), L3 Technologies, Inc., Richardson Electronics, Ltd., MDP Components, STT International Limited, Panasonic Corporation, and Toshiba International Corporation among others

Read More : https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/industrial-microwave-heating-equipment-market-size-worth-1-57-billion-by-2027--cagr-4-3-polaris-market-research-301179670.html
The fate of Tarrant Fire Chief Jason Rickles, who is on administrative leave with pay after being arrested in Georgia last month after he allegedly pulled a gun on an Atlanta realtor and her photographer at a property he owns there, is expected to be decided Wednesday.

An independent investigation into the chief was completed Monday, the citys mayor said.

Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton said he expects to receive the independent investigators findings on Rickles on Tuesday and then make a decision on the fire chiefs fate Wednesday.

On Wednesday, Im going to have a determination hearing with Chief Rickles to determine his future with the city, Newton said during Monday nights Tarrant City Council meeting in response to a question from Franco Woodson, who said he owns multiple businesses in Tarrant.

The council initially said it could not discuss Rickels without going into executive session, but Newton said the matter could be discussed publicly.

Rickels was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm during commission of a felony, and second-degree criminal damage to property stemming from the March 12 incident. Roswell, Georgia police say Rickels pulled a gun on the pair and smashed the photographers camera.

The real estate agent, Regina Lee of PalmerHouse Properties, and the photographer, Dwayne Clifford Boddie, owner of Dope Videos unlimited, claimed to Atlanta media they were targeted because they are Black.

Atlanta attorney Brian Steel, who is representing Rickels, called the charges against the fire chief outrageous, unfounded, and meritless.

This is a baseless charge,' Steel told AL.com. The bottom line is we are going to fight this case ethically, lawfully and zealously until the end and Chief Rickels will be exonerated. He has done nothing wrong.

Roswell police officers responded at 3:33 p.m. March 12 to a reported disturbance at 185 Spring Drive.

A neighbor summoned police stating there were eight to 10 people outside of the house, which is for sale, and they were about to fight, according to the police report. Dispatch advised the responding officer that property was damaged, people were attempting to break into the house and one person had brandished a gun.

When the first officer arrived on the scene, Rickels and his wife, Melody, were there, along with Lee and Boddie. They were standing about 100 feet apart from one another and arguing, according to the report.

The officer said he asked who had a gun and Rickels responded that he did, and then complied with the officers request to let him have the 9mmm Ruger.
And if you were keeping an eye on local protests and protesters in 2020, you may have already seen him. According to Gaston, 39, he has taken part in or led 67 protests from March 27, 2020, to Nov. 6, 2020. These days, his protests have more of a solo nature or take a different approach by way of community grassroots organizing. Chicago Tribune photography intern Youngrae Kim captured Gaston on the front lines of social unrest, expressing his need to see change when it comes to the protection and safety of Black bodies.
Genesys has announced its new capabilities for Genesys Cloud in India by enabling businesses to keep their interactions and data located within the country. This is especially crucial for organisations in highly regulated industries with stringent compliance and security standards, such as healthcare, financial services and government, which often have data sovereignty requirements. Now, Indian businesses across all sectors can deliver more personalised digital-first customer experiences using Genesys Cloud.

Data privacy and security are critical components of the digital customer experience. Businesses need to quickly adapt to consumers shifting preferences toward digital engagement, while maintaining control and transparency of their data. Genesys Cloud is compliant with Indian government regulations relating to local Private Branch Exchange (PBX) for domestic call ingress, no toll bypass, Call Detail Record (CDR) data and call recording to be stored and available in the country, thus allowing enterprises to handle all customer interactions originating from within the country and outside.

With the newest connection to the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Asia Pacific (Mumbai) Region, Genesys Cloud is now available in 10 AWS Regions globally. Genesys Cloud provides multi-national organisations with dispersed contact centre operations advanced flexibility, redundancy and scale. In addition to helping ensure data sovereignty, in-country data centres give organisations further advantages, including reduced data latency and accelerated communication with customers. Genesys Cloud has experienced increased adoption by large companies, highlighted by more than 320 per cent year over year growth in new enterprise bookings during fiscal year 2021 (1). The solutions expansive global footprint can be attributed as one of the reasons for its growth.

Genesys has supported Indian businesses for more than 16 years, with customers such as ICICI Bank, Cleartrip and Tata Sky. Currently, Genesys offers a full-featured omnichannel engagement solution Genesys Engage in the market which enables highly sophisticated customer experience, superior choice and flexibility, and maximum control for organisations. In India, new Cloud and Subscription bookings increased by more than 120 per cent year over year during fiscal year 2021, and the company expects adoption of Genesys Cloud in India to accelerate with the local data storage option.

Now, with a local data centre, the company is positioned to help more organisations take advantage of the reliability and security of Genesys Cloud, an all-in-one solution and leading public cloud contact centre platform. Today, Genesys Cloud boasts 99.999 per cent uptime globally, and it is compliant with GDPR and certified for HIPAA, ISO27001, SOC-2 and PCI.

In addition, the company has more than 500 employees across India, with the companys second-largest R&D centre located in Chennai. With a local workforce representing product management, professional services, customer care, engineering, finance and sales, Genesys is developing innovative and cutting-edge customer experience technology in India to support the global market and enabling its local customers to be self-reliant on solutions co-created in the region.

Genesys recently announced record-setting cloud business growth in fiscal year 2021. This was driven by new and expanded customer deals, as well as new cloud bookings growth in all regions, with a nearly 25 per cent increase in Asia Pacific. The company witnessed significant traction across sectors such as government, healthcare, finance, telecommunications and e-commerce with Asia Pacific customers including Atomy, ASKUL Corporation, Beyond Bank, MyBudget, The Kiyo Bank, Ltd., Tokopedia and Tonik.

Commenting on the launch, Olivier Jouve, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Genesys Cloud said, Were expanding Genesys Cloud capabilities in India to help more Indian businesses reap the maximum benefit of the ongoing global cloud revolution by delivering the right technology, innovation strategy and strategic partner ecosystem. We aim to put Genesys Cloud within reach for any organisation, enabling them to proactively understand and predict consumer behaviour for more effective and empathetic customer experiences.

Raja Lakshmipathy, Managing Director, India & SAARC, Genesys said, Our vision is to bring the worlds best cloud customer experience solutions for all Indian businesses. Todays launch is a step toward delivering on this promise while adhering to the Indian regulatory framework that espouses data sovereignty. With Genesys Cloud, enterprises have the ability to scale, savings in costs and agility in innovation offered by cloud deployments. In addition to domestic demand, a significant opportunity exists for Indian IT companies to capture global demand in cloud computing.
She recently returned home to Rome after spending several weeks filming her upcoming movie Across The River And Into The Trees in Venice.

And Matilda De Angelis showed she was thrilled to be back in the arms of her fiance William Mezzanotte on Monday, when the pair were seen enjoying a trip to the park.

The Undoing actress, 25, was spotted locking lips with her rapper beau, 26, as they relaxed on a park bench while doting on their adorable pet pooch.

Sealed with a kiss: Matilda De Angelis and her fiance William Mezzanotte were seen enjoying a kiss in a park in Rome on Monday

Matilda looked casually cool for the outing, sporting a black jacket, which she teamed with cropped jeans and white running shoes.

Accessorising with a black leather handbag, the stunning screen star partially covered her flowing chestnut brown locks with a bucket hat.

Meanwhile, her musician beau donned a black quilted coat and distressed designer jeans, rounding out his look with a pair of box fresh white running shoes.

The lovebirds only had eyes for each other as they entered the park with their four-legged friend on a leash, before setting the pooch free to roam.

Adorable pooch: The lovebirds were joined on their leisurely stroll by their adorable pet pooch

Casually cool: Matilda looked casually cool for the outing, sporting a black jacket, which she teamed with cropped jeans and white running shoes

It's good to talk: The couple chatted and laughed with one another as they relaxed on a bench

Back with the beau: Matilda recently returned home to Rome after spending several weeks filming her upcoming movie Across The River And Into The Trees in Venice

Matilda has previously remained coy over her love life and William is absent from her social media feed, but Italian site Tuttosul Gossip reported the couple are engaged.

On his own social media page, musician William, known professional as Nayt, includes photos with his friends but also does not feature Matilda.

Mezzonotte is an Italian rapper and he debuted in 2011 with the single No Story and his first album titled Nayt One was released in May 2012.

Nayt is best known for his trilogy Raptus (2015), Raptus 2 (2017), Raptus 3 (2019), re-released in a collection box edition by Jive Records in 2019.

Ensemble: Accessorising with a black leather handbag, the stunning screen star partially covered her flowing chestnut brown locks with a bucket hat

Coy: Matilda has previously remained coy over her love life and William is absent from her social media feed, but Italian site Tuttosul Gossip reported the couple are engaged

Casually cool: Meanwhile, her musician beau donned a black quilted coat and distressed designer jeans, rounding out his look with a pair of box fresh white running shoes

So in love: The lovebirds only had eyes for each other as they entered the park with their four-legged friend on a leash, before setting the pooch free to roam

Little has been revealed about Matilda's upcoming film Robbing Mussolini, which she is now shooting in Rome, but it is likely to focus on the ruthless Italian dictator of the same name, who ruled over the country from 1922 to 1943.

Forming the Fascist party in 1919, the journalist used his organised of ex-war veterans to - known as Black Shirts - to terrorise his political opponents, and after joining the coalition government in 1921, gradually took power as dictator.

Eventually Mussolini was overthrown by Allied troops at the height of the Second World War, and after fleeing north, was captured by Partisans and shot in 1945.

Despite being buried in an unmarked grave in 1946, Mussolini's body was famously stolen by Fascists supporters before being recovered, missing a leg, four months later.

Discreet: On his own social media page, musician William, known professional as Nayt, includes photos with his friends but also does not feature Matilda

Sweet music: Mezzonotte is an Italian rapper and he debuted in 2011 with the single No Story and his first album titled Nayt One was released in May 2012

Body of work: Nayt is best known for his trilogy Raptus (2015), Raptus 2 (2017), Raptus 3 (2019), re-released in a collection box edition by Jive Records in 2019

It's been an exciting few months for the thespian after she soared to fame at the end of last year due to her role as Elena in The Undoing alongside Hollywood stars Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant.

More recently, the brunette was filming Across The River And Into The Trees alongside Liev Schreiber in Venice.

In the film, Matilda plays an 18-year-old Italian contessa called Renata, while Liev's character Colonel Richard Cantwell falls in love with her.

Set in post WW2 Venice, US Army Col. Cantwell, haunted by the war, is a hero who faces news of his illness with stoic disregard.

Film: Little has been revealed about Matilda's upcoming film Robbing Mussolini, which she is now shooting in Rome, but it is likely to focus on the ruthless Italian dictator of the same name

Exciting: It's been an exciting few months for the thespian after she soared to fame at the end of last year due to her role as Elena in The Undoing alongside Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant

Busy schedule: More recently, the brunette was filming Across The River And Into The Trees alongside Liev Schreiber in Venice

Plot: In the film, Matilda plays an 18-year-old Italian contessa called Renata, while Liev's character Colonel Richard Cantwell falls in love with her

Determined to spend a weekend in quiet solitude, he commandeers a military driver to facilitate a visit to some of his old haunts in Venice.

As Cantwell's plans begin to unravel, a chance encounter with a remarkable young woman begins to rekindle in him the hope of renewal.

Based on the last full-length novel by Ernest Hemingway, the movie captures a fleeting moment of immortality where time stands still.

Matilda has previously revealed that her first ever role was the lead in an Italian film after an open casting call and she got the part as the director was looking for a 'non-professional actress who had a specific accent from a specific region in Italy'.

The star said that she has never studied acting and has instead learnt on the job, which can be both 'great' and 'frightening'.

Passion: The pair struggle to contain their affection as they relaxed together on the park bench

Earrings: Matilda added a glam touch to her causal look with a glittering pair of drop earrings

Open casting call: Matilda has previously revealed that her first ever role was the lead in an Italian film after an open casting call
The head of a Co Wicklow-based centre for peace and reconciliation, which has played a key role in building bridges between communities in Northern Ireland, has called for the establishment of a state-of-the-art centre for conflict resolution.

Barbara Walshe, chair of the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation, said raising awareness of the complexity of Northern Ireland in the Republic of Ireland over the next five years will be crucial if a border poll takes place.

In an interview with the New York-based Irish Central website, Ms Walshe said: "It's unfair and short-sighted to ignore the concerns of the unionist community.

"It's more important than ever that the Republic of Ireland really engages with this and understands the complexity of Northern Ireland."

She added: "There are nearly one million people who identify as British and that identity will have to be accommodated.

"If a border poll returns a 51-49 result, we have seen across the water what a close referendum like that has caused over the past four years."

Ms Walshe said Glencree has stood as a symbol of hope in the quest for an end to violent conflict.

Over the past five decades, the former English military barracks in the heart of the Wicklow Mountains has been helping both communities in Northern Ireland move towards peace and reconciliation.

In 1974, Una O'Higgins O'Malley, the daughter of Ireland's first Minister for Justice Kevin O'Higgins, sought to build a reconciliation centre for people living through the Troubles.

Her father had been assassinated in 1927 when she was just five months old and she spent much of her life attempting to reconcile violence as a result.

O'Higgins O'Malley sought to bring people from both communities in Northern Ireland to the centre where they could discuss their differences in a private and safe space.

"It was a safe space. It was expert facilitation," Ms Walshe told IrishCentral.

"It was a kind of speaking and listening, even when people felt very strongly about things.

"It was a place for people to hear and to listen at a time when nobody wanted to listen to anybody," she added.

"There's no judgment. People who wanted to come, regardless of their background, could engage in peace and create the conditions for peace if they wished."

After the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, Glencree's role shifted toward the legacy of the conflict.

The centre has since hosted more than 50 confidential discussions between politicians and community and civic leaders on both sides of the border, seeking to iron out contentious issues in the historic peace agreement.

It has also hosted discussions between representatives from the UK and Ireland and has continued working with victims of the Troubles, allowing people to discuss the lasting impacts of the violent conflict.

"What we saw in Glencree after the Troubles was the legacy of the Troubles. You had the end of the conflict. You had the peace agreement," Ms Walshe said.

"Then suddenly, people started to talk about what had happened to them 20 or 30 years ago. It became evident from people coming to Glencree that it might have been 30 years ago, but for them, it was 30 minutes ago."
At least three people were shot after police in Bangladesh opened fire on the anti-lockdown protesters leaving one critical, reported Al Jazeera. Nationwide demonstrations were sparked after the government enforced a week-long strict lockdown suspending domestic air travel, railway operations, reducing office capacities by 50 percent, and shutting malls, cafes, and all other nonessential services and establishments within the country to control the rising trajectory of the COVID-19 cases and mitigate the death toll. On Sunday, the country registered 7,087 new cases within 24 hours and 52 fatalities, the highest since August last year when the pandemic hit, according to Johns Hopkins University Center data.

"Other than the emergency services, all government, and private offices, and industrial units will have to be run with 50 percent workforce in view of the situation," an emergency order issued by the Prime Minister's Office stated.

In high-risk zones the government banned movement, issuing home confinement orders and slashing public transportation capacity by half, and keeping banks open for just 2 and a half hours. Citizens were warned not to leave homes between 6 pm to 6 am, according to the government advisory.

[Bangladesh enforced lockdown to bring covid cases down. Credit: AP]

[Lockdown was imposed in Dhaka. Credit: AP]

In opposition to the new measures to curb the coronavirus wave, which is near-collapsing Bangladeshs healthcare system, protesters demanded that the ban must be lifted, shouting slogans against the government. Mob confronted the police force deployed to ensure adherence to mask rule and attempting to disperse the uprising. According to multiple local press reports, the mob turned violent as they burnt vehicle tires, hurled bricks at the law enforcement officers, and vandalized government offices in the central town of Saltha in the Faridpur district.

Anti-lockdown protest in several districts in Bangladesh . pic.twitter.com/1grqnCPN6E  M. A. I. Sarkar, M.B.A (cu) (@apu00276) April 6, 2021

Protesters torch officer's house

Police shot live bullets after a group of enraged protesters attempted to set a police station on fire. Protesters also reportedly torched an officers home and at least two government employees vehicles. Officers told news agencies that the protests were joined by the hardliners Hefazat-e-Islam who ransacked the Saltha police station. A senior inspector told press reporters on the ground that the officers opened a round of firing as an act of defense from the attacking mob that outnumbered them. Several protesters were reported injured due to the stampede and were rushed to the state-run Faridpur Medical College Hospital.

(Image Credit: AP/Twitter/@apu00276)
More than 80 cases of the British coronavirus variant have been registered in Russia, all of them are imported cases, head of the Russian public health watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, Anna Popova said.

"At the moment, 81 samples of the British strain and six South African ones have been isolated in Russia. This suggests that we are still in contact with other countries of the world, all of these cases are imported. Today, the prevalence of these strains is high in Europe, Asia, South American, and, of course, the African continent," Popova told the Russian Izvestia newspaper.

She warned that a growing number of coronavirus cases of the British and South African variants are being registered across the world and urged Russians not to travel abroad.

"While in a number of European countries 60-70 per cent of all finds are precisely the British strain, in our country, it is still not widespread. Thanks to our restrictive measures inside the country and on the borders. Therefore, today it is better not to travel outside the country if there is no special need," Popova said.

According to the Rospotrebnadzor head, a total of over 20 coronavirus strains have been isolated in Russia; these strains, in turn, have various mutations that are now being studied.

On Monday, Russia reported 8,646 new COVID-19 cases, down from 8,817 the day before, taking the overall tally to 4,589,540, according to the country's coronavirus response center
WINNIPEG, MB, April 6, 2021 /CNW/ - Pollard Banknote Limited (TSX: PBL) ("Pollard Banknote") is pleased to announce that, following a competitive procurement process, it has been awarded a primary contract from the Idaho Lottery to provide Scratch Ticket Printing. Under this contract, Pollard Banknote will provide at least 71% of the Lottery's instant scratch tickets on an annual basis. The contract term is two years, with the option for three additional two-year extensions. Estimated contract value, including all available extensions, is approximately $26 million.

Pollard Banknote Logo (CNW Group/Pollard Banknote Limited)

This new contract elevates the existing relationship built between Pollard Banknote and the Idaho Lottery. Since 2012, Pollard Banknote has worked as a secondary contractor to the Lottery, offering several innovative products and strategic recommendations to enhance its scratch ticket product category. Since FY 2014, sales of the Idaho Lottery's scratch tickets have grown by almost 40%, with Pollard Banknote-printed games playing a significant role in this growth. A strong track record of successful collaboration and a shared vision for future growth has culminated in this new primary partnership that will undoubtedly translate to even greater success ultimately benefiting Idaho's public schools and buildings.

As a testament to the Idaho Lottery's innovative spirit, in 2018, they became the first lottery in the world to launch an instant scratch ticket using Pollard Banknote's Clear Play print innovation. The following year, the Idaho Lottery was recognized by the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL) with the Best New Instant Game of 2019 award for its 30th Anniversary family of games, featuring Pollard Banknote's patented Scratch FX and an interactive 2nd chance game available through the Lottery's app. In addition, Pollard Banknote has collaborated with the Lottery on instant strategies, retail initiatives, and introduced a number of other high performing games.

Story continues

"We are very pleased to grow our partnership with Pollard Banknote," said Jeff Anderson, Idaho Lottery Director. "Throughout our relationship, we have leveraged Pollard Banknote's unparalleled expertise, innovative products and services to bring the best instant scratch tickets to our players. Now, with Pollard Banknote as our primary partner, we look forward to working together in this new capacity to achieve even greater success and maximize returns that benefit public education in Idaho."

"We are proud that the Idaho Lottery has chosen Pollard Banknote as its primary partner for instant scratch tickets," said Byron Peterson, Senior Director, Sales & Marketing. "The Idaho Lottery has proven itself to be at the forefront of instant scratch ticket innovation and technology. Coupled with our long-standing commitment and passion for innovative product development, we are excited to see what we can achieve together through this contract term."

The Idaho Lottery responsibly provides entertaining games with a high degree of integrity to maximize proceeds for public education in the State. Since its inception in 1989, the Idaho Lottery has returned $961.5 million to the State's public schools and buildings. For more information, please visit idaholottery.com.

About Pollard Banknote

Pollard Banknote is a leading lottery partner to more than 60 lotteries worldwide, providing high quality instant ticket products, licensed games, Schafer Systems and Fastrak retail merchandising solutions, and a full suite of digital offerings, ranging from world-class mkodo game apps to comprehensive player engagement and iLottery solutions, including strategic marketing and management services. The company is a proven innovator and has decades of experience helping lotteries to maximize player engagement, sales, and proceeds for good causes. Pollard Banknote also provides pull-tab tickets, bingo paper, and its Diamond Game and Compliant Gaming electronic games and devices to charitable and other gaming markets in North America. Established in 1907, Pollard Banknote is owned approximately 64.3% by the Pollard family and 35.7% by public shareholders, and is publicly traded on the TSX (PBL). For more information, please visit our website at www.pollardbanknote.com.

Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking" statements and information, which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. When used in this document, such statements include such words as "may," "will," "expect," "believe," "plan," and other similar terminology. These statements reflect management's current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date of this document. There should not be an expectation that such information will in all circumstances be updated, supplemented, or revised whether as a result of new information, changing circumstances, future events, or otherwise.

SOURCE Pollard Banknote Limited

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2021/06/c8458.html
Vehicles working with the Vietnamese ridesharing solution 'be' will be allowed to use a dedicated lane to pick up customers from Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, a favorable outcome for the firm after the airport banned all ride-sharing vehicles from its passenger pick-up lane back in November 2020.

Passengers of be, who once had to go to uncomfortable lengths to embark their ride, can now be picked up in Lane B at the international terminal, which is located right next to the domestic arrival hall.

The dedicated lane for be vehicles, which was specified as the section from pillar No. 7 to No. 11 in Lane B at the international terminal, was launched on Monday.

It is considered the fruit from a long negotiation between the ride-hailing app and the airport, after the ban caused major inconvenience to the customers.

As per the rule introduced on November 14, 2020, only specified types of cars are allowed to use the four internal lanes in front of the domestic terminal.

Lane A, which is closest to the terminal, is restricted for vehicles dropping off departing passengers.

Lane B and Lane C are reserved for private vehicles picking up passengers after they land, while Lane D, located within the TCP parking structure, is now for taxis.

App-based cars must go to the 3rd, 4th or 5th floors of the parking garage to pick up customers at Tan Son Nhat, which means their customers must cross the internal car lanes and climb up the stairs or wait for the crammed elevators to reach the rides.

On Monday, be users were instructed by the app to go to the international terminal after leaving the arrival hall, but no physical guiding signs were seen around, which made it hard for customers to pinpoint the correct location.

After disembarking a Vietjet flight from central Da Nang City, Hung, a be customer, found it confusing to find his booked vehicle at Tan Son Nhat, as he had to ask the security staff to find the right way.

However, Hung was still relieved that he did not have to wait for the overcrowded elevator to climb the parking garage as before.

[With be,] I get informed about the ride fare, which helps me make better choices instead of having to wait for the taxi meter, Hung stated.

Meanwhile, customers of other apps, including the Singapore-based solution Grab, still have to head to the parking garage for their rides, despite paying the same entrance fee of VND25,000 (around US$1) as be customers.

According to a be representative, the VND25,000 fee for each ride includes VND15,000 for the pick-up location, while the remaining VND10,000 is for the entrance fee at the airport gate, an approach seen as double charging by many customers.

The representative also affirmed that be is the only ride-hailing service provider to be granted an internal lane at the moment.

The ride-hail firm is also petitioning for its rights to use Lane E, a new lane in front of the domestic terminal with a putative launch date in April.

Meanwhile, Grab has not seen any success in its negotiation with Tan Son Nhat operators so far, which means its vehicles still have to use the upper floors of the parking garage to pick up riders.

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Nacogdoches, TX (75965)

Today

Thunderstorms, accompanied by locally heavy rainfall at times. High around 75F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Showers this evening, becoming a steady rain overnight. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.
The youngest victim wounded when gunfire erupted at a busy Birmingham park on Easter night remains critical, but stable, and his mom is expecting a full recovery.

Amaryllis Holness said she and her boyfriend were at the park with their children celebrating the holiday when shots rang out.

One of the bullets, she said, hit her 5-year-old son Justices lungs and fractured his collar bone. His left lung received the most damage, and he is currently on a breathing tube.

Justice, she said, is receiving excellent care at Childrens of Alabama as the doctors and nurse try to wean him off the breathing tube.

Hes very strong and was responsive the whole way to the hospital, Holness said. Hes still very alert and will nod his head and hold your hand.

He still has a long road, she said, but the doctors are expecting him to make a full recovery.

Holness has been by her sons side in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit since he was admitted Sunday night. I am trying to stay positive, but yesterdays shooting was senseless.

Sundays shooting happened at W.C. Patton Park at 7 p.m., according to authorities. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service transported three of the victims and two others arrived at hospitals by private vehicles.

Initially, fire officials said two of the injured were in serious condition and one critical. Birmingham police Sgt. Rod Mauldin later said all of the surviving victims are stable for now.

Areyelle Yarbrough, 32, was killed in the shooting. Aside from Justice, four others were injured - ages 21, 17, 16 and 15.

An eyewitness said there were roughly 1,000 people in the park, many of them grilling and eating with their families. She said two women were sitting on top of a blue Dodge Charger when someone opened fire, striking the Charger and the two women. The witness said one of those women is the person who authorities say was shot in the chest; the witness said the other was Yarbrough.

The witness said one person opened fire, and then multiple people started shooting in different directions. She saw people running and leaving, so police and ambulances were having trouble getting in. They didnt even know what they were shooting at, she said, estimating that about 100 shots were fired.

Mauldin said investigators believe an altercation among a group of males led to the shooting. The majority of the victims are believed to have been innocent bystanders.

We know people saw things,' Mauldin said. We need people to come forward with any information you have concerning this incident. No matter how big or small you think it is, its valuable to us tonight. We need descriptions. We need names.

Patton Park has long been a gathering place on Sundays. While there has been trouble there in the past, police said there have not been any problems there in quite some time. Today is a major problem,' Mauldin said Sunday.

No arrests have been made.

Comedian Rickey Smiley earlier Monday announced a $5,000 reward for information in the case, and the Birmingham Urban League also is offering a $5,000 reward. The Carlos Chaverst Foundation is offering a $500 reward. All reward money will be combined.

City, neighborhood and pastoral leaders met at Patton Park for a prayer vigil on Monday, where there were remnants of the crowd that had gathered just one day before and had to leave hurriedly once the shots were fired. Trash littered the parking lot. An abandoned stroller sat in the grass. Burned ribs remained on a now-cooled grill, just feet from where Yarbrough died.

Birmingham City Council President William Parker said these senseless acts of violence must stop. Its hard to even grasp how something like this can happen during a time that families are celebrating a holiday in a park. This was an unimaginable tragedy and the Birmingham City Council is committed to working with the mayor, law enforcement, Park Board, community leaders and local stakeholders to ensure that something like this never happens again.

We are tired of the senseless violence that continues to plague our communities. There is no reason families should not be able to go to the park on Easter and celebrate, William Barnes, CEO of Birmingham Urban League, said earier in the day. What happened yesterday is heartbreaking, and we are joining together to discuss solutions. We have got to stop the violence in Birmingham.

The Rev. John Dansby, senior pastor New Creation Christian Fellowship, said the city needs more preventative measures in place. We need police presence and police planning,' he said. I would have felt better if we had 10 police officers out here. It took too long, (for police to get there) and too may shots were fired. I dont know if anything could have stopped this, but we have to try.

The Rev. Dwayne Thompson of Youth Against Violence said more witnesses must come forward. Dont be the punk that dont tell,' he said. If they did it in front of you, thats them saying to you that you are not man enough to turn them in. It is sad when we sit back and say nothing.

Holness is asking that anyone with information come forward to provide justice for her son, and all of the victims.

Theyre better off turning themselves in, she said, because they will be caught.

Anyone with information is asked to call Birmingham police at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
Known particularly for the Original Calming Donut Pet Bed, BEST FRIENDS BY SHERI's innovative pet bed designs have been praised by FORBES, TODAY SHOW, and MARTHA STEWART.

"BEST FRIENDS BY SHERI is one of the strongest pet bed brands in the world with a great following and long history of success," said OUTWARD HOUND CEO Michael Black. "Sherry has done an amazing job building a product line that is beloved by pet parents and veterinarians alike. We're excited to expand OUTWARD HOUND's offerings into the growing pet bed category," said Mr. Black.

"The OUTWARD HOUND family of pet brands has always been built on innovation," said David Fiorentino, Partner at Prospect Hill Growth Partners. "Our acquisition strategy is to identify innovative brands with high growth potential. BEST FRIENDS BY SHERI meets and exceeds that criteria and we are excited to further grow OUTWARD HOUND with such a strong brand," said Mr. Fiorentino.

McDermott, Will, and Emery served as legal advisor to OUTWARD HOUND. Proskauer Rose and Andreas F. Pour, Esq. served as legal advisors and Hexagon Capital Alliance served as financial advisor to BEST FRIENDS BY SHERI.

About OUTWARD HOUND

Outward Hound is a Prospect Hill Growth Partners Portfolio Company that is an award-winning innovator, creator, manufacturer and distributor of the highest quality toys, games, gear and feeders for dogs and cats. The company's portfolio of brands includes Outward Hound, Planet Dog, Petstages, Wholesome Pride Pet Treats, and Nina Ottosson treat puzzle toys. Outward Hound is headquartered outside of Denver in Centennial, CO. For more, visit OutwardHound.com and follow @OutwardHound on Instagram.

About Prospect Hill Growth Partners

Prospect Hill Growth Partners is a Boston-area private equity firm that makes control equity investments in North American consumer and healthcare growth companies. The partners at Prospect Hill have collectively invested $2.7 billion of capital in more than 35 portfolio companies over two decades. The partners' successful investment track record has been built on their sector-focused investment strategy and expertise, a robust operational value-add model, and strong alignment of interests. For more, visit www.prospecthillgrowth.com .

Contact:

Michael Parness

[email protected]

SOURCE Outward Hound
Once author Kristin Hannah decided to set the first half of her latest novel, The Four Winds, in the Texas panhandle during the Dust Bowl, she knew she had a lot of homework to do.

She had to dig into the the time period, looking at both big historic events and everyday life in that era of drought and deprivation. And she had to figure out Texas, too.

Im a West Coast girl, said Hannah, who lives in Seattle. I live in a world of soaring mountains and deep green forests and blue oceans, and so the Great Plains was a very unfamiliar setting for me. Obviously, it took a lot of research. I took some trips down to Dalhart, Texas, and that area, and my husband and I drove Route 66  that was great.

Hannah will talk about the bestseller with fellow author Meg Wolitzer on Saturday as part of the ninth annual San Antonio Book Festival.

The book is a cousin of Hannahs 2015 novel The Nightingale, which is set during World War II and looks at women involved with the French Resistance to the Nazi occupation.

San Antonio Book Festival When: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Where: This year's festival is entirely online. Sessions will stream on the book festival site, sabookfestival.org. Cost: Most sessions are free. All require registration at sabookfestival.org. After registering, scan the schedule; click "Bookmark" on the sessions you want to attend and you're good to go. Ticketed events: There are four ticketed events. Fees cover the cost of the book being discussed. Walter Isaacson will discuss "The Code Breaker" with science journalist Shradda Chakradhar at noon Friday; it costs $41.51. Jeff VanderMeer will talk about "Hummingbird Salamander" with author Silvia Moreno-Garcia at 8 p.m. Friday; it costs $33.27. Kristin Hannah will talk about "The Four Winds" with author Meg Wolitzer at 12:30 p.m. Saturday; it costs $32.67. And Isabel Allende will talk about "The Soul of a Woman" with writer and journalist Anjanette Delgado at 3:30 p.m. Sunday; it costs $29.15. Lit Crawl: S.A. debut of popular concet that combines a bar crawl with book readings will be virtual, too. It begins with a cocktail-making demo at 7:30 p.m. Friday. To take part, festival attendees must be at least 21 and must register for the demo and one other Lit Crawl event. The options include the ticketed discussion with Jeff VanderMeer at 8 p.m. and two chats at 9 p.m.: "America: Ripe for Satire," featuring "Interior Chinatown" writer Charles Yu and "Black Buck" writer Mateo Askaripour; and "Notes from the Bathroom: A Conversation withe the Funniest Women in Comedy," which is pegged to a new anthology and features Catherine Cohen, Tien Tran and Samantha Irby. More highlights There are 100 sessions taking place throughout the weekend, including: "Bloody Knuckles: Politics in Texas": Bill Minutaglio, author of "A Single Star and Bloody Knuckles," and Gregg Cantrell, author of "The People's Revolt," talk about the state's power dynamics. Stephen Harrigan moderates. 11 a.m. Friday. "Sandra Cisneros Presents": Cisneros will chat with four writers she'd like to put on readers' radars: Christine Granados, author of "Fight Like a Man and Other Stories We Tell Our Children"; John Olivares Espinoza, author of "The Date Fruit Elegies"; Diana Marie Delgado, author of "Tracing the Horse"; and Joe Jimenez, author of "Rattlesnake Allegory." 10 a.m. Saturday. "Come as You Are: The Complexities of Queer Life": Jen Silverman, author of "We Play Ourselves," and Zak Salih, author of "Let's Get Back to the Party," talk about their books, which landed on O: The Oprah Magazine's list of LGBTQ Books That Will Change the Literary Landscape in 2021. Jeanette Honermann will moderate. 1 p.m. Saturday. "Get Me Out of Here: Fiction About Families Stuck on Vacation Together": Amanda Eyre Ward will talk about her book "The Jetsetters," and Grant Ginder will talk about his, "The People We Hate at the Wedding," which is in development for a feature film. Georgia Erck moderates. 2 p.m. Saturday. Nic Stone in Conversation with J. Elle: Both writers have made a splash in YA. Stone's latest is "Dear Justcye," a sequel to "Dear Martin," and Elle's debut YA book is the best selling fantasy "Wings of Ebony." Moderated by Jordan Ifueko. 1 p.m. Sunday. "All Our Intersections: Memoirs of Family and Odyssey": Family immigration stories take center stage as Louis Chude-Sokei talks about "Floating in a Most Peculiar Way" and Claudio Lomnitz talks about "Nuestra America." Emilio de Antunano will moderate. 1 p.m. Sunday. See More Collapse

When that book came out, I began to start hearing from readers about how much it meant to them to tell this story about women who were so courageous and standing up and fighting for what they believed in, she said. And I gradually began to want to write a book that readers would feel that way about that was a quintessential American novel.

On ExpressNews.com: Walter Isaacson will talk about The Code Breaker at the SA Book Festival

The Four Winds focuses on Elsa, a woman who discovers a sense of purpose and the affection she had always lacked when she marries into a farm family. When their lives are upended by the drought and relentless dust storms of the 1930s, Elsa and her children make the perilous drive to California to seek better fortunes.

The book brings to mind such current issues as climate change, the treatment of migrants, economic inequality and how the nation responds to a crisis.

Obviously, I didnt see the pandemic coming, but the idea of climate change, the idea of how we steward the earth and how we farm and the idea of immigration and the great economic disparities in the country right now, all of those were very much evident during the Great Depression, Hannah said. Im a real believer in the idea we can learn from history, and its a great reminder, especially now when things are so unsettled in the country, to know weve been through these kinds of hard times before and survived.

On ExpressNews.com: Jenny The Bloggess Lawsons new book deals with anxiety, awkwardness

The Four Winds isnt Hannahs only contribution to pop culture this year. Firefly Lane, Netflix hit adaptation of her 2008 novel about the lifelong friendship between two women, debuted in February.

Hannah said she watched it much the same way many other viewers did: It was so fun watching it and texting with my girlfriends, some of whom lived through that important period with me, some who helped me while I was working on the book.

Fans of her work will have to wait a while to see another adaptation. A feature film based on The Nightingale was in production last year, but it had to shut down because of the pandemic. Hannah said the production company hopes to get back to the project soon with the intent of releasing it around Christmas of 2022.

She is in the early stages of work for her next book.

It feels really exciting and deeply frightening, she said. Im always just a little afraid that Im not going to be able to pull it off or not be able to write the book in my head.

dlmartin@express-news.net | Twitter: @DeborahMartinEN


ZURICH (dpa-AFX) - Credit Suisse (CS) said Tuesday that it expects to report a pre-tax loss of about 900 million Swiss francs in the first-quarter of 2021. It includes a charge of 4.4 billion francs in respect of the failure by a US-based hedge fund to meet its margin commitments.



The Zurich-based lender also said that chief executive officer of its Investment Bank, Brian Chin, will step down from his role on the Executive Board, effective April 30, 2021. Lara Warner, Chief Risk and Compliance Officer, will step down from her role on the Executive Board, effective April 6.



The company has appointed Christian Meissner as chief executive officer of the Investment Bank and member of the Executive Board, effective on May 1, 2021.



Joachim Oechslin is appointed ad interim Chief Risk Officer and member of the Executive Board on an ad-interim basis, effective April 6, 2021.



Thomas Gottstein, CEO of Credit Suisse Group said, 'The significant loss in our Prime Services business relating to the failure of a US-based hedge fund is unacceptable.'



Credit Suisse acknowledged that both the US hedge fund and the supply chain finance fund matters require substantial further review and scrutiny. It has launched investigations into both of the matters which will not only focus on the direct issues arising from each of them, but also reflect on the broader consequences and lessons learned.



On March 29, Credit Suisse reportedly disclosed that it anticipated significant losses in connection with positions linked to Archegos Capital Management after Archegos failed to meet margin calls the prior week, forcing the liquidation of more than $20 billion in holdings.



On 26 March Archegos defaulted on margin calls from several global investment banks, including Credit Suisse and Nomura Holdings, as well as Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

CREDIT SUISSE-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de
New Jersey launched a groundbreaking website Tuesday showing every time cops statewide used physical force, a level of transparency experts said doesnt exist in other parts of the country.

Officers must fill out a use-of-force report whenever they hit, tackle or shoot suspects, and thousands of recent reports are now available to search and download on an interactive portal.

Heres how you use it.

Where do I start?

Go to the state attorney generals website here.

If youre asked to enter a username and password, just click guest instead.

Youll get a page that looks like this:

Near the top are six tabs.

Youre currently looking at the Introduction tab.

Click on the Overall Report Data tab next to it to review a summary of how officers used force statewide.

For example, the graph on the right shows that incidents have generally declined in the past few months.

Other tabs go into more detail.

Injury Data, for example, is exactly what it sounds like.

How do I find my police department?

In the upper left-hand corner is a button that reads Select County, PD, & Officer.

Clicking there will open a menu letting you choose a county or department.

You can also type in an officers name to see how often they reported using force.

If youre not sure how to spell a name, just start writing and the website will suggest officer names to choose from.

Once you select a cop, youll see that officers statistics from Oct. 1 through the end of February.

Is it a problem if an officer used force a lot?

Not necessarily.

More uses of force may just mean they have a more dangerous job.

Every incident must be reviewed by at least two supervisors, according to new rules from the state attorney generals office that take effect at the end of this year.

What else I learn about my department?

Lots. Other tabs offer all sorts of details, from why someone was restrained to a suspects race to weapons used.

If you click on the last tab, Use of Force Report Details, youll get this spreadsheet.

Each row represents one use-of-force report filled out by one officer.

To the left of the spreadsheet, you can narrow the data by race, date and other categories.

For example, under Interaction Type you could click Canine bit to only see incidents where dogs were used.

...

Can I look up an incident that happened yesterday?

No.

While cops generally must fill out of a use-of-force report within 24 hours, the portal isnt updated that quickly. Officials hope to eventually be able to refresh the database monthly, according to attorney general spokesman Steven Barnes.

The data currently covers five recent months, October through February.

Does the portal tell me who police used force on?

Those names are not included, nor is the specific location of where an encounter took place.

The omissions are meant to protect peoples privacy, Barnes said.

Being restrained by an officer doesnt necessarily lead to an arrest, much less a criminal conviction. Sometimes officers hold somebody down whos having a mental health issue or trying to hurt themselves.

However, the information may still be available. Residents can file public records requests with police departments for specific use-of-force reports with more details.

Why are some officer names missing?

A glitch is causing some names not to appear, Barnes said. Theyre working on that.

An officers identity may also be withheld if theyre receiving threats.

Whats the difference between a force report and a force incident?

If five officers tackle one suspect, all five must fill out a force report.

But that event only qualifies as a single incident.

Thats why the portal shows 5,513 reports for only 3,099 incidents.

Officials are fixing a few cases where one incident accidentally appears as multiple incidents, Barnes added.

I have a suggestion for how to make this portal better.

You can give state officials advice here. Theyre actually asking for it.

We are committed to making New Jersey a national leader on policing reform, state Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said in a statement. Thats why were so eager to get public feedback.

Can I download my own copy of the data?

Yes, using this link.

Choose one of four formats. If youve never worked with data, the file ending in .csv is a good option because you can open it with Microsoft Excel.

Dont forget to read this document to learn what the categories mean.

Can I look up the data on my phone?

Yes, if you download the SAS Visual Analytics App from an app store.

This guide from the state attorney generals office will both walk you through mobile viewing, and give you more tips about how to interpret the data.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Blake Nelson can be reached at bnelson@njadvancemedia.com.

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The New IRA has indicated it will continue its armed campaign despite speculation that it may call a ceasefire after a year of significant setbacks which put its alleged leadership behind bars.

In a hardline Easter statement, the organisation paid tribute to its membership and said efforts to defeat republicanism had failed.

"The IRA will continue to attack the problem at its root, and make no apology for undertaking this necessary task," it said.

"The IRA will continue our struggle until a 32-county socialist republic has been achieved."

Ten people are currently in custody accused of a total of 39 offences, including directing terrorism and trying to obtain Semtex, as part of the MI5-led Operation Arbacia last summer.

More arrests are expected on the basis of secret recordings of New IRA meetings made by British agent Dennis McFadden who became involved in Sinn Fein over 20 years ago before joining the dissidents.

The New IRA has been largely inactive since Operation Arbacia, but it gave no indication in its Easter statement that it was preparing to call a ceasefire.

The paramilitary group said that despite ongoing Brexit turmoil and "a rise in militant loyalism", Britain remained determined "to quash republicanism".

The New IRA added: "They have failed and their efforts have been in vain. While the liberation of Ireland has not yet been achieved, British manipulation coupled with the treachery of former republicans has upheld the partition of Ireland.

"For the solution, the army must look in radical terms to attacking the cause of Ireland's problems.

"Almost 100 years since the partition of Ireland, it's clear it has failed and those who attempt to uphold it will fail."

Meanwhile, members of Saoradh, the New IRA's alleged political wing, held a wreath-laying ceremony in Derry City Cemetery yesterday with around 30 people present.

A planned march for the event to mark the 105th anniversary of the Easter Rising was cancelled.

The ceremony passed off without police intervention. DUP MLA Gary Middleton said he would be raising the issue with the PSNI.

Saoradh national executive member Stephen Murney said: "Saoradh are reminded that men and women were incarcerated in British and 26 county jails for standing by the Republic proclaimed in 1916."

Mr Murney claimed Saoradh "grew more confident daily in our political analysis and position".

He said: "The British and 26 county establishments must fear our message and our analysis as we continue to bear the wrath of MI5-led harassment across the country.

"Our social media pages face regular censorship, yet we are getting our message out there and it is resonating with people."

Mr Murney added: "We hope to pass the unrepentant revolutionary republican flame onto the next generation.

"We remember that in 1916, it was so-called dissidents and radicals within the broader nationalist movement who led the charge and pushed the revolutionary agenda forward to rise and strike a blow for liberty.

"We are proud to inherit the title dissident in the Irish context.

"The Good Friday Agreement was not the end of Irish history.

"There has been and always will be dissenting voices until the socialist republic that so many gave so much for is achieved."
At almost 6 feet tall with dreadlocks flowing past his shoulders, DeBray Carpenter is not what most people picture when they imagine a techie.

He doesnt wear All Birds or Patagonia vests, he doesnt work for a major tech company and hes not white. While that stereotypical description certainly doesnt describe all tech employees in San Francisco, perhaps the most notable attribute about Carpenter that separates him from a typical techie is that he actually grew up in the city.

But Carpenter isnt quick to blame the tech industry for how San Francisco has changed. With all the complaints about big tech from the monumental to the minute, some would argue weve lost a kind of nuance about what needs fixing. Hes among the five current and former Bay Area tech workers we interviewed for this story who are trying to make the industry better  because so much is undoubtedly broken.

Carpenter, 32, was born and raised in Bayview-Hunters Point and he said even though he grew up in this tech-obsessed area, that didnt trickle down to local culture or public school curriculum. He decided he wanted to change that and, after years of activism work, driving for Uber and Lyft and doing construction, he decided to enroll in a coding bootcamp that offered an income sharing agreement (where the school provides a free or reduced program in exchange for the student agreeing to pay back a percentage of their income for a fixed number of years), so he could afford to become a developer and hopefully start his own company one day.

Now hes working on a startup and teaching coding, and, pre-COVID-19, he hosted tech events aimed at artists looking to make the jump to the tech world. He said when he began attending tech events he didnt usually feel comfortable there, so he decided to create his own. Tech Trap House was created to bridge the community gap between underrepresented communities and the tech industry using arts, music and gaming. [Kids growing up near me] don't see a Black guy working for Twitter and think, I could do that. We can blame all these tech companies and we can blame all these factors for gentrification, but these tech companies wouldn't have to hire people from India or Howard University or Nigeria or wherever if we were creating that talent right here, Carpenter said. ... What does it say about our public schools that they have to outsource this talent around the world?

Carpenter said hes not upset that tech has dominated the San Francisco industry in the past 20-plus years, but he is upset that more native San Franciscans arent included in it. He said thats a combination of failures from the companies themselves in their hiring practices, but also a reflection on San Francisco public schools and the lack of examples available specifically for Black and Latinx residents. Carpenter said hes interviewed at a few tech companies, but it always came down to him not being a culture fit. A lot of time when you apply at these different tech companies one thing they'll tell you is you're not a culture fit. What does that mean? Im for sure not going to be a culture fit when I walk in there with dreadlocks.

Further, he said those that do make it into tech have to assimilate to spaces not created for them. I'm big on identity. I want to be able to be myself when I go to places, said Carpenter, who is also a hip-hop artist. When I would go to a lot of different tech events I didn't really fit in. It wasnt really my vibe. It wasnt designed with me in mind.

Carpenters experience can be seen in the data  major tech employers still have a relatively low percentage of Black employees, with just 2.9% at Salesforce, 3.8% at Facebook, 4.4% at Slack and 6% at Twitter. A 2020 study from San Jose State University showed that among the top 75 tech companies in the Bay Area, only 3% of the employees are Black.

Mira Stern, an activist and third generation San Franciscan, agreed that the tech industry itself isnt the problem  its the way tech in the city is growing. Like Carpenter, she thinks that as companies expand their workforces, theyre not hiring enough talent from inside the city itself.

Stern worked as a teacher for 10 years before deciding to pursue a job in tech. She said shed seen the potential in her students and wanted to work for a company where she could create and facilitate social impact projects and community partnerships, maybe even creating a pipeline for those same kids to get into the industry. While many of her projects were derailed after she was laid off because of the pandemic, she said it gave her valuable time to analyze the tech industry from the inside and collect data she needed to prove her hypothesis.

In the 350-person office she sat in, she could only find six people who were from the Bay Area (and none of them were Black or Latinx). Its a data point companies dont collect (likely because asking someones birthplace is illegal in a job interview), but Stern believes it should be collected, especially for entry level roles where skills can be taught. I think if I moved to Austin or Korea and I wanted to start a theater company or a school or a restaurant and I didnt collaborate with anyone locally, what implications and message does that send? she said.

I was personally very shook, she said of how disconnected her colleagues at the time seemed from their local community. Some tech companies do a good job giving back to the community  Salesforce has given $118 million to San Francisco Unified School District and Oakland Unified School District over the years, and just last month, Ripple founder Chris Larsen donated $1.7 million to the city to be used for projects to improve S.F. commercial corridors  but the majority arent helping their employees get engaged within the neighborhoods they live and work in.

This only exacerbates the disconnect between tech and other communities like artists, a chasm that has grown as the wealth gap widens and residents have been priced out of the city. According to rental site Apartment List, San Francisco saw rent prices swell 42.5% from 2010 to 2020, while U.S. census data showed the median rent for San Francisco increased more than 50% from 2010 to 2018. Its been evident in everything from rising homelessness to incidents like protests over "Google buses" and that time patrons hurled insults at a woman wearing Google glasses in punk dive bar Molotov's.

Stern said tech has a responsibility to lead by example since it's the dominant industry in the Bay Area. One recent positive example she pointed to was when some tech companies like Square and Twitter established Juneteenth (a holiday celebrating the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the U.S.) as a paid company holiday. She said small steps like these set examples for other companies to follow, in tech and in other industries.

Tech is not the problem itself, she said. ... It is societal. ... The thing about tech that I think is nuanced and is hypocritical and self-serving is they set the stage for the rest of corporate America. For example, they were the first companies that sent people to work from home in the pandemic and then everyone followed.

Stern now does equity and antiracism education work, consulting with companies to change their practices. As a white woman, she said she recognizes that she herself must constantly be doing antiracism work and includes a reparations framework into her income, where 20% of her profits go to fund Black- and Indigenous-led movements.

---

While the Bay Area exodus amid the pandemic has largely been overblown, the San Francisco exodus has not, as many residents fled the city amid the pandemic in search of backyards and Zoom rooms. But some that have made a life in the city since the tech boom are using this same time to commit to the city theyve come to call home, finally buying homes or getting more involved in efforts to make the city a better place.

Sachin Agarwal came to the Bay Area in 1998 to study computer science at Stanford. Hes worked in the Bay Area ever since, with a short stint in New York City in the late 2000s, founding tech companies and working within the ecosystem. He said he fell in love with San Francisco and city living, and about three years ago, he and his wife decided they would stay in the city long term. As part of his commitment, last year he started Grow SF, an organization dedicated to building the city for the future.

Since much of his personal community is intertwined with the tech community, he started reaching out to them, hoping that he could motivate tech professionals to get involved in local issues. He started with one that was important to him personally, the expansion of UCSFs Parnassus campus, which has been embroiled in controversy, and he said he will continue to focus on different local issues in the future. Most recently, the group started a petition to encourage the city to make the Shared Spaces program permanent.

While the group was initially bolstered by the tech community, Agarwal said he realizes that needs to change and he wants the group to be inclusive of all people living in San Francisco who want to help push the city forward. Some tech companies have done a good job at advocating for their local community, he said, but the majority could be doing a whole lot more.

Agarwal said hes often heard the criticisms of transplants like him that came here for a tech career, but he doesnt think tech is to blame. When he started to explore getting involved in local issues in his community, he was shocked by the stark disagreements and the inability to get things done quickly in local government. "How do we build a city that no matter what there's a place for you?" Agarwal said. "My two daughters were born here. I've lived here longer than anywhere else I've ever lived. I'm a proud S.F. resident. It makes me sad when people say, 'You're not a local, you don't belong here.'"

As rents have fallen, hes encouraged about the revitalization of the city that could happen, which is why hes excited that while some people have left, many more could be able to move in.

Designer and North Beach resident Ben Ramirez said he feels similarly. Hes thankful for the dip in rental prices and also wants to see a new wave move in. We are looking forward to people moving in who may have not had the opportunity to move to the city before, Ramirez said. Not everyone is a rich tech person coming into San Francisco. I'm excited for the mes of 20 years ago to come into the city and understand the city for what it is  this interesting thriving place where you can be weird and artistic and wear costumes to parties. I think this gives people this opportunity again.

This feeling has given rise to the idea of a new San Francisco renaissance  musicians to journalists to bar owners are positing that the pandemic and the decline in rents could actually be a good thing for the city.

Ramirez and his wife decided to make their long-term commitment to San Francisco amid the pandemic, and he said theyve begun to look at buying a home in the city. Ramirez moved to San Francisco in 2002 and has worked in tech ever since. While he said he realizes that the tech industry afforded him and his wife the opportunity to stay in the city, his favorite parts of it have nothing to do with tech. He loves his North Beach neighborhood and hopes to open his own coffee shop there, a hobby hes been funding with those tech dollars for years.

For many, thats exactly what tech does  helps people fund their interests instead of defining their identity. Amy Copperman grew up in the Bay Area, bouncing between San Francisco, Marin County and Oakland. She worked in journalism and eventually transitioned into doing social media work at different tech companies, most recently at Adobe. She said the transition into tech has actually given her more time to pursue her passions, like painting, yoga and tarot card reading. I leaned into all those creative pursuits, more into all of that in the last few years while I was working in tech, she said. They were always important to me but having this job at Adobe has freed up some space mentally to solve my creative work and have it be a release.

But when she first made the switch, she said she wrestled with what it meant for her identity. I was hesitant to be honest. I felt like a real writer and I felt like that was core to my identity. I had some fears I was going to lose my identity a little bit, Copperman said. ... Once I understood that I can totally work in tech and maintain my humanity. It helps to work for a company like Adobe that ultimately is creating tools for people to express themselves.

As much as Im a local I'm totally on the receiving end of a lot of privilege and I rode the tech boom. ... Its very complicated, Copperman said. I've met some of the most engaged, kind, politically engaged people at Adobe. ... There's a lot of power in tech. I think it's a hopeful moment.
 Flash

The death toll of Sunday's ferry sinking in the Shitalakkhya River near Bangladesh's capital Dhaka has risen to 26 Monday afternoon, after another 21 bodies were retrieved, an official said.

Ershad Hossain, senior duty officer of the Fire Service and Civil Defence Headquarters, told Xinhua that the bodies of the victims, including children and women, were recovered from the river in Narayanganj district, about 20 km away from Dhaka.

The jam-packed boat, carrying on board some 50 passengers capsized after it was hit by another boat in the river at around 6:00 p.m. local time Sunday.

"Another 21 bodies were recovered on Monday afternoon, taking the number of total death toll to 26 from five," Hossain told Xinhua over phone.

He said a search operation is still under way for the unknown number of people still missing.

"We've come to know that the ferry was carrying about 50 passengers," he said, adding that the boat has been dragged to the bank

Ferry and boat disasters are common in Bangladesh, which is crisscrossed by hundreds of rivers.
Headliner

The Sentry Flatiron

A well-appointed rooftop is about as good as it gets when it comes to complying with pandemic protocols while dining out. At this new 18th-floor perch atop the Hotel Henri, the Midtown views are an added bonus. The Sentry is the work of Parched Hospitality, founded by Barry Dry with Tom Rowse and the chef Brent Hudson as partners; the three also own the Hole in the Wall restaurants. Mr. Rowse said the space could be divided to accommodate smaller groups, up to 10, in semiprivate areas. During the day, its a club for hotel guests. After 5 p.m., the general public is admitted for drinks and small plates of Impossible sausages, crispy pork with chile paste and fish sauce caramel, and salt-and-pepper squid with fried curry leaves and Kewpie mayonnaise. Drinks are the responsibility of Gates Otsuji and Jeremy Ortiz, who own Controlled Substances, a bar consulting company. (Opens Thursday)

Hotel Henri, 37 West 24th Street, 212-243-0800, thesentrynyc.com.

Opening

Chick Chick

Korean-style fried chicken, seasoned with sweet gochujang, is one of several sandwich options at this new corner spot offering takeout, delivery and outdoor seating. Hot Nashville-style chicken is another. In addition to sandwiches, it also serves fried chicken plates, ramen bowls, fried rice and salads. Alcohol and indoor seating are on the way.

618 Amsterdam Avenue (90th Street), 212-799-1026, chickchicknyc.com.

Somm Cellars Wine & Spirits

This new wine shop, from Jason Jacobeit, the wine director for Batard, and Daniel Jung, the head sommelier of Tribeca Grill, is tucked among the new towers of the Waterline Square development on the far Upper West Side. Its deeply stocked with Burgundies and wines of the Rhone. Prices range mostly from $10.95 to the mid-three figures, though some marquee labels will set you back more than $1,000. (Thursday)

8 Riverside Boulevard (59th Street), 212-333-5400, sommcellarswine.com.

LOstal

The chef Jared Sippel, who came to New York, after stints at Frasca Food & Wine in Boulder, Colo., and Quince in San Francisco, to open what became Trattoria Italienne in Chelsea, has decamped for Darien, Conn., where he now lives. It was a pandemic move. His new restaurant, with a name that nods to old French and to LOustau de Baumaniere in Provence, where he also worked, combines tastes of France (escargots, salmon rillettes, vichyssoise), Italy (burrata, gnocchi, tagliatelle with porcini) and Spain (boquerones). He is also offering a chicken in the style of the Zuni Cafe in San Francisco. It pays homage to the chef Judy Rodgers, who died in 2013. There is seating indoors and in a courtyard.

22 Center Street (Old Kings Highway South), Darien, Conn., restaurantlostal.com.
Employees and visitors of the Dauphin County Courthouse are being allowed back into the building late Thursday morning after a bomb threat was made earlier in the day, authorities said.

Everyone was evacuated from the courthouse and administration building around 10:30 a.m., when a bomb threat was made over the phone, according to Dauphin County dispatch. County spokesman Brett Hambright said the building was reopened around 11:45 a.m.

Hambright said Harrisburg police and the Dauphin County Sheriffs Office swept the building and did not find any signs of a threat.

READ MORE: Adult, 12-year-old killed in head-on collision in Lebanon County

Mistaken report of man pointing gun at traffic closed Cumberland County highway for hours: police
NEW YORK, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Lafayette Square, an impact-driven, minority-owned investment platform, announced today the appointment of Caitlin McLaughlin as Chief People Officer. Ms. McLaughlin, who formerly served as Executive Vice President at PNC Financial Services Group, will oversee human resources for Lafayette Square as it continues to build a team of seasoned executives from diverse backgrounds.

Ms. McLaughlin has nearly three decades of human capital experience within financial services. Most recently during her twelve-year tenure at PNC, she was responsible for enterprise talent strategy, which included talent acquisition, talent enablement, career management, diversity recruiting, and development programs. Before joining PNC, Ms. McLaughlin was a managing director at Citigroup, where she led teams in the United States, United Kingdom, and the Asia-Pacific region, and oversaw global campus recruiting and program management. She held several roles at Citigroup and its predecessor organizations Salomon Smith Barney and Salomon Brothers.

"I've known Caitlin for the span of my career, and I have full confidence in her ability to recruit the best talent across industries, enabling a culture of entrepreneurship, integrity, transparency, and accountability," said Damien Dwin, Founder & CEO of Lafayette Square. "As part of our continued effort to build a new, more inclusive financial paradigm, we intend to show first-hand the power of developing a diverse workforce."

Ms. McLaughlin is a member of the executive committee of Vibrant Pittsburgh, The Forte Foundation, and Carlow University. She is also a member of the board of directors of Partner4Work. Additionally, she chairs the Talent Attraction and Retention Committee for the Allegheny Conference for Community Development. Ms. McLaughlin graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a B.A. in Political Communications.

"I look forward to working with Damien to continue building a passionate organization that is aligned in its mission to serve communities and confront societal challenges," said Ms. McLaughlin. "Lafayette Square's best-in-class approach to recruiting and training its team is designed to foster long-term innovation, collaboration, and high-performance."

Lafayette Square currently has a team of 38 professionals with an average of about 15 years of experience.

About Lafayette Square

Lafayette Square Holding Company, LLC ("Lafayette Square") is an impact-driven, minority-owned investment platform. Founded by Damien Dwin in 2020, the firm confronts critical societal challenges with capital and services in three core areas: housing, jobs, and financial inclusion. For more information about Lafayette Square, please visit lafayettesquare.com

SOURCE Lafayette Square Holding Company

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After facing months of ridicule and the prospect of costly litigation, the San Francisco school board is poised to reverse a decision to purge 44 schools of names it claimed were linked to racism, sexism and other injustices.

The city's Board of Education had voted to strip schools of the names of historic figures including Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Robert Louis Stevenson, in late January.

The bizarre move was seen as the height of liberal self-indulgence in the Democrat-controlled city as the pandemic had forced schools to shut in March 2020.

Parents and teachers had been left juggling Zoom classes while working from home, while child psychology experts were warning of a possible mental health crisis among isolated students.

The renaming effort also was criticized for shoddy research and historical inaccuracies.

The board is scheduled to vote Tuesday whether or not to overturn its January decision and revisit the matter after all students have returned full time to in-person learning.

Former US Presidents Abraham Lincoln, left, and George Washington, right, were among 44 historical figures whose names were to be stripped from San Francisco schools

The San Francisco school board wanted to strip the schools - including George Washington High School - for what they described as racist and sexist deeds

But now the embattled San Francisco school board is poised to reverse a decision to rename 44 schools, including Abraham Lincoln High School

Roosevelt Middle School was another on the San Francisco school board's hitlist

Among the names on the banned list were Francis Scott Key, who wrote the words to the national anthem; former presidents William McKinley, James Garfield, James Monroe and Herbert Hoover; Revolutionary War hero Paul Revere; and author Robert Louis Stevenson.

An advisory committee wrongly accused Revere of seeking to colonize the Penobscot people.

It also confused the name of Alamo Elementary School with the Texas battle rather than the Spanish word for 'poplar tree.'

Even current California Senator Dianne Feinstein's name did not escape the chopping block, as the first female mayor of San Francisco and lifelong Democrat became the only living person whose name was noted for removal.

Some of the citys youngest students are expected to begin returning to in-person instruction this month after more than a year of distance learning because of the pandemic. There is no timetable for middle and high school students to return.

As well as the lack of focus given to school reopenings, the $400,000 price tag to replace the signage at all the schools was also criticized in light of the district's budget deficit.

California Senator and former San Francisco Mayor Dianne Feinstein, left, was supposed to have her name stripped from a city school, in a move labeled 'completely unacceptable' by the current mayor London Breed, right,

San Francisco Mayor London Breed called it 'offensive and completely unacceptable' for the board to focus on changing school names rather than getting children back into classrooms.

Amid the outcry, board president Gabriela Lopez said in February that the process would be paused until all children were back in school.

Lopez acknowledged in a statement that mistakes were made in the selection of schools and said that when the board returns to the issue, it will engage historians for a 'more deliberative process.'

Since the renaming vote, the board has faced multiple lawsuits, including one from City Hall and the mayor to pressure the school district and board to reopen classrooms more quickly.

Another was filed in March by San Francisco attorney Paul Scott, whose children attend public schools, alleging the school boards renaming decision violated Californias open meeting law and did not involve the community.

San Francisco Superior Court Judge Ethan Schulman issued a ruling calling on the board to do what the lawsuit requests - rescind the vote and dissolve the renaming advisory committee - or show by April 16 why it shouldnt be compelled to do so.

The resolution being considered Tuesday does not address the criticism but denounces the lawsuit, saying it 'wishes to avoid the distraction and wasteful expenditure of public funds in frivolous litigation.'

In other recent controversies, the school board was widely criticized for a plan to end merit-based admissions to San Francisco's top public high school, Lowell, and use the same lottery-based system that admits students to other high schools.

Tuesdays meeting also will be the first since the board voted last week to remove one of its members, Alison Collins, from her role as vice president and other titles over her tweets about Asian Americans dating to 2016.

In the tweets, Collins said Asian Americans use 'white supremacist' thinking to get ahead. She has resisted calls to step down and last week sued the school district and five of her six colleagues, accusing them of violating her free speech rights. She is seeking $87 million in damages.

Activist Jeremiah Jeffries is said to have pushed back against consulting with historians over changes to the school names

The controversial decision to rename the schools was made three years after a task force was established to study the names of the city's 125 schools to determine which ones needed to be replaced amid a nationwide reckoning on race.

Activist and teacher Jeremiah Jeffries served as committee chair on the task force and is said to have 'ridiculed' a proposal to bring in historians for consultation.

Jeffries reportedly stated: 'What would be the point? History is written and documented pretty well across the board. And so, we don't need to belabor history in that regard. We're not debating that. There's no point in debating history in that regard. Either it happened or it didn't.'

He added: 'Based on our criteria, it's a very straightforward conversation. And so, no need to bring historians forward to say  they either pontificate and list a bunch of reasons why, or [say] they had great qualities. Neither are necessary in this discussion.'

Instead, committee members allegedly used references from Wikipedia and other non-scholarly sources to determine which personalities were racist and problematic. Several of those citations has now been proven to be factually incorrect.

According to Mission Local, one committee member urged that the name of acclaimed American poet James Russell Lowell should be stripped off a high school because a Wikipedia citation stated that he did 'not want black people to vote'.

However, that claim is false - and scholarly articles assert that Lowell 'unequivocally advocated giving the ballot to the recently freed slave'.
[April 06, 2021] Comcast Business and Versa Networks Drive Further SD-WAN Innovation on ActiveCore? Platform

Comcast Business today unveiled new enhancements to its software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) solution on the ActiveCore? SDN Platform that enable distributed workforces to bring new levels of intelligence to the network. The feature is made possible through Comcast (News - Alert) Business' partnership with Versa Networks and harnesses the power of application-level recognition and applies it to context-driven SD-WAN traffic prioritization. As employers and their IT departments extend office infrastructure to remote locations, they increasingly rely on technologies like SD-WAN to manage the prioritization, quality of experience and security of application traffic. At the same time, businesses are grappling with how to effectively route the increased traffic on their networks. In the past, IT managers had to manually tag (News - Alert) digital content (i.e. videos and emails) to ensure proper prioritization; implementing numerous static rules to direct the right traffic over the right path. "Organizations had to adapt quickly when faced with the sudden shift to a distributed and remote workforce last year. These changes drastically transformed the way businesses interact, collaborate and communicate. As a reult, IT departments have continued to be tasked with meeting evolving security, access and bandwidth challenges brought on by the need to support a hybrid workforce model," said Jeff Lewis, VP, ActiveCore Product and Operations, Comcast Business. "Our latest SD-WAN enhancement is another example of how Comcast Business is continuing to innovate on the ActiveCore? SDN Platform to help our customers succeed in today's increasingly distributed world."



This new feature leverages proprietary artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to dynamically optimize SD-WAN traffic based on application priority and the real-time status of the network connections. The capability uses a real-time calculation to determine the best performing path per session between a content source and its destination. It looks at all available options and dynamically determines the optimal path at any point in time for traffic for an optimal user experience possible. Customers can better support business-critical applications and: Increase the usefulness of backup links with application-level, granular policy control

Increase uptime and create a smarter network through proactive mitigation strategies

Improve the quality of experience by prioritizing critical applications such as real-time voice and video "Versa Networks and Comcast Business collaborated to enhance the AI/ML-based traffic steering algorithm," said Apurva Mehta, CTO, Versa Networks. "This algorithm provides Comcast Business with a powerful ability to steer traffic for any application - including real-time over optimal transport paths. Additionally, this enables them to help minimize down time and deliver the best application user experience with fast switchover when any transport degrades or fails."

Comcast Business became the first cable company to introduce a carrier-grade, SD-WAN platform for enterprises and multi-site businesses when it first partnered with Versa Networks in 2017. Today, ActiveCore? is an award-winning software-defined networking (SDN) platform. It enables intelligent, centralized, abstracted network control and delivers a ground-breaking experience for virtualized network functions (VNF) like SD-WAN and Managed Router and Advanced Security. When paired with the nation's largest converged IP network, this powerful combination reduces complexity, automates network functions, speeds up application deployment, and simplifies resource management - allowing businesses to innovate faster and gain business agility. To learn more about the Comcast Business ActiveCore? platform and the latest SD-WAN features, please visit: https://business.comcast.com/enterprise/products-services/activecore-software-defined-networking About Comcast Business Comcast Business offers Ethernet, Internet, Wi-Fi, Voice, TV and Managed Enterprise Solutions to help organizations of all sizes transform their business. Powered by an advanced network, and backed by 24/7 customer support, Comcast Business is one of the largest contributors to the growth of Comcast Cable. Comcast Business is the nation's largest cable provider to small and mid-size businesses and has emerged as a force in the Enterprise market; recognized over the last two years by leading industry associations as one of the fastest growing providers of Ethernet services. For more information, call 866-429-3085. Follow on Twitter (News - Alert) @ComcastBusiness and on other social media networks at http://business.comcast.com/social. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005077/en/

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A pair of Christian Hollywood stars shared their reactions about the "Roe v Wade" movie, revealing how the media played a big part in legalizing abortion in America.

Kevin and Sam Sorbo attended the movie premiere on Feb. 26 at the Hyatt Regency in Orlando, Florida. Speaking to The Christian Post, the couple explained the reason of their strong support for the film.

"I'm a pro-life person, just as my wife is. I've done a lot of pro-life speaking through the years as well. I'm here to support a movie that I wish I could have been in. I love what they did," Kevin began.

He added that he was surprised at some people's belief that killing "unborn babies" is "OK", pointing out that these are human lives. He also mentioned about the politicians' discussion on "killing babies the minute they're born," describing this occurrence in the country as "horrific and evil."

His wife, Sam, also spoke about her opinion on individuals supporting abortion.

"You can't be against slavery and for choice," she said.

The actress further shared about the movie.

"Media tells the story and stories are compelling and they're convicting. But they're also very convincing. You'll see in the movie, the media played the pivotal role in this whole saga, telling a lie, a story about a young woman that was an outright lie. Then perpetuating this myth that it's not a human being, that it's a clump of cells, that the young woman will never have to think about it again. All of these other stories that they tell, and none of which are true," she stated.

"I think it's incumbent upon new media to retell the story with truth and with facts," Sam continued.

The couple were also asked about the removal of Kevin's account on Facebook.

In earlier reports, Facebook banned the actor from the social media platform, claiming that he repeatedly shared "debunked claims about the coronavirus or vaccines."

"Facebook just took him down without ceremony, just digital assassination and then buried the body," the actress replied.

Kevin also responded by stating that people must "fight back," adding that "apathy is a big killer."

The actor concluded by saying that people must be a "little stronger" and raise their voice. He further pointed out that people on the "right" must "have the same strong passion" as the "left," but without the hate, anger and divisiveness.

"Roe v. Wade" was co-directed and co-produced by Nick Loeb, who also played as Dr. Nathamson, the main character. Other cast members include Hollywood stars Jon Voight, Corbin Bernsen, Robert Davi, Stacey Dash and John Schneider.

The film was illustrated in accordance with Dr. Bernard Nathamson's perspective, who performed more than 70,000 abortions. Realizing the human value of aborted babies, he would later stop from the practice and expose the deceptions behind the victory of Jane Roe's case in the Supreme Court.

It was released in theaters nationwide on April 2.
SVMC Opens Visitation for Fully Vaccinated Adults

BENNINGTON, Vt.  Patients at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) are now permitted to have a visitor as long as the individual is fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

The change follows the loosening of visitor restrictions at hospitals enacted by Vermont Governor Phil Scott last week.

"Vaccination has made visiting hospitalized patients much safer for everyone, including our staff, other visitors, and patients," said Trey Dobson, SVMC's chief medical officer. "A loved one can play an important role in a patient's wellbeing and recovery, and we are pleased to be able to safely welcome one vaccinated visitor per patient back to SVMC."

The immediate past policy, directed by the Governor, indicated that only a required caregiver, someone whose presence is necessary for the purposes of delivering care, was allowed to accompany a patient in the emergency department, perioperative department, adult inpatient units and outpatient appointments for adults, and pediatric appointments and inpatient stays. Narrow exclusions allowed for expectant parents to have a certified doula in addition to their required caregiver and those at the end of life to have up to two visitors at a time.

The new policy allows patients in several departments and who do not need a required caregiver to have a fully vaccinated visitor instead. Those departments include the emergency department, inpatient units, and adult outpatient visits. A person is considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after their last required dose of vaccine. Hours are noon  6 p.m. Monday  Friday and 11 a.m.  3 p.m. on weekends. The previous policy remains in effect for the perioperative, women's and children's, and pediatric departments, allowing patients to be accompanied by a caregiver when needed regardless of vaccination status.

Everyone  patients, caregivers, and visitors  is required to stop at the check-in desk located at entrances in the hospital, Medical Office Building, and standalone practice sites.

Those visiting under the new visiting policy will be asked to present their vaccination card or a photo of their vaccination card on their mobile device.

All are expected to arrive wearing a mask or face covering. Those who do not have a mask will be provided one. All masks must be worn over the mouth and nose for the entire duration of the visit. Those who do not comply will be asked to leave the premises.

Everyone will have their temperature checked at the check-in desk. Patients who are symptomatic or have been exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19 will be provided with a medical-grade face mask. Caregivers and visitors with symptoms of any kind are not permitted at this time.

All non-staff persons entering an SVMC building will be given a sticker marked with the date and department they are visiting and are asked to keep the sticker visible and remain in the area of service for the entire time they are in the building.

Everyone is expected to sanitize their hands upon entry and exit from the building, units, and patient rooms.

Both inpatients and outpatients who would benefit from additional support during a visit or stay should request the use of technology to bring important family and friends virtually into exam and hospital rooms.
[April 05, 2021] Relativity Continues to Expand its Offering in Asia with RelativityOne Now Hosted in South Korea

CHICAGO, April 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Relativity today announced that its secure, end-to-end SaaS platform RelativityOne, is now offered in Korea. Intellectual Data is the first e-discovery service provider in Korea as well as the first Relativity partner in Korea to offer RelativityOne, matching the growing need for enterprise cloud services in Korea and throughout Asia. Relativity customers and partners in Korea can now control their data in-country and innovate faster with a flexible and extensible cloud platform. With RelativityOne, users can streamline their technology stack to manage large volumes of complex, unstructured data and reduce risk with proactive threat prevention, 24/7 monitoring, automated security processes and leading compliance certifications. The Korean litigation landscape is evolving, whereby digital forensics will play a larger role in Korean companies' foreign litigation. Amid the pandemic, many international companies look to partner with Korean law firms and litigation service providers to conduct e-discovery inspections across borders. Such global matters require collaboration across several jurisdictions, resulting in Korean firms to assess workflow efficiency while still maintaining the utmost data security. Firms are beginning to turn to cloud-based systems like RelativityOne to ensure a seamless process and the security of all data. "Korea is a rapid growt market for us in terms of Relativity usage," said Georgia Foster, Managing Director, APAC at Relativity. "After long-standing demand from our customers to bring RelativityOne to Korea, we are delighted to now offer our trusted SaaS solution deployed locally for the Korean market."



The deployment of RelativityOne in Korea will provide Intellectual Data's customers with the choice to leverage a more powerful cloud platform in addition to Relativity Server (On-Premises). "We're pleased to announce our expansion with Relativity, becoming the RelativityOne launch partner in Korea," said Yongmin Cho, CEO, at Intellectual Data in Seoul. "We look forward to continuing to take part in bringing the best technology to Intellectual Data's customers with the addition of Relativity's cloud-based solution, RelativityOne."

Intellectual Data will offer RelativityOne as a localized solution to address the increasing need for e-discovery services in the Korean market and throughout Asia. As more evidence is requested through the e-discovery process from foreign authorities, the number of cases involving Korean parties has grown, resulting in an increased appetite for enterprise cloud solutions that can automatically scale to project needs, while keeping sensitive data inside Korea. "As cloud adoption continues to rise throughout Asia, I am extremely excited about our partnership with Intellectual Data. Combining their expertise in the Korean market with the scalability, extensibility and security of RelativityOne, our community of users will be able to tackle a diverse set of e-discovery, regulatory, and compliance challenges with ease," said Foster. RelativityOne is currently available across 11 global geographies with two more to be added in 2021. About Relativity?

Relativity makes software to help users organise data, discover the truth and act on it. Its SaaS platform RelativityOne manages large volumes of data and quickly identifies key issues during litigation and internal investigations. The AI-powered communication surveillance platform, Relativity Trace proactively detects regulatory misconduct like insider trading, collusion and other non-compliant behaviour. Relativity has?more than 300,000 annual users in 49+ countries serving thousands of organisations globally primarily in legal, financial services and government sectors. Please contact Relativity at? sales@relativity.com ?or visit? http://www.relativity.com ?for more information.? About Intellectual Data

Intellectual Data is the first Korean eDiscovery service provider in Korea. It specializes in providing end-to-end eDiscovery services for each client's custom IT environment with Korean legal industry expertise and experiences to support cross-border legal disputes. Our robust security and technology practice in place provide the client a comprehensive suite of secured environment of client's data and cost-effective solutions to eDiscovery, data analytics and other litigation support needs in Korea. Please visit www.inda.kr for more information. Media Contacts

Mila Taylor

Relativity

PR@relativity.com Angie Cho

Intellectual Data

info@inda.kr View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/relativity-continues-to-expand-its-offering-in-asia-with-relativityone-now-hosted-in-south-korea-301262294.html SOURCE Relativity

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Guwahati, April 6 : A 92-year-old elderly voter, who has been voting in every election since India's independence, on Tuesday cast his vote at a polling station in western Assam's Goalpara district, officials said.

Election officials said that nonagenarian Siramjit Rabha, was felicitated with a traditional 'Gamocha' after he cast his vote at Kothakuthi Lower Primary School under the Dudhnai assembly constituency. The traditional 'gamocha' is a white piece of cloth with a red border having a customary pattern, which is almost synonymous with Assamese culture.

Rabha, who came to the polling station escorted by his family members, told the media that he has been voting in every election since independence.

At another place, a young woman holding her new-born baby cast her vote while a large number of otherwise abled voters assisted by the polling officials cast their votes in various polling stations.

Like the elderly voters, physically challenged, women and first time voters were also greeted to encourage participation in the festival of democracy. The poll officials felicitated the new generation and women voters with saplings of various varieties and species. A Model polling station in Ambari under Goalpara West constituency features elements of Assamese culture and a children's play area, where parents kept their children while they cast their votes.

Of Assam's 2,33,74,087 voters, 2,89,474 electorates are 80 years old or above while 1,38,290 are People with Disabilities (PwD) and 12,81,918 are new enrolment mostly first time voters.

The election officials said that e-rickshaw facilities were also made available to the voters aged 60 years and above, especially to those who have difficulty in moving. They are also being felicitated for their will to cast their votes.

Election officials said that to avoid crowding, the number of voters for every booth has been brought down to a maximum of 1,000. As a result, the number of polling booths has been augmented by 34.71 per cent to 33,530 across Assam (in all three phases) from 24,890 in 2016. To avoid direct contact with the Electronic Voting Machines, every voter is being given hand gloves.

The Election Commission for the first time arranged postal ballots for the Covid-19 infected people and those above the age of 80 years, which were held two weeks before the polling began. The EC had earlier said that all the voters in certain categories would have to apply within five days of notification of elections if they wished to use the option of postal ballot for voting.

Election officials said that a polling team comprising two officials along with a videographer and security staff went to the elector's house along with a voting compartment to get the elector to vote using postal ballot by maintaining complete secrecy.
Reporter

Debra Pressey is a reporter covering health care at The News-Gazette. Her email is dpressey@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@DLPressey).
"Our posture's gonna be that we're posted outside of DC, awaiting the president's orders. We hope he will give us the orders. We want him to declare an insurrection, and to call us up as the militia."

Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes, in November, looking ahead to Jan. 6
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Monday arrived in the Indian capital of New Delhi for an official visit, Indian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Arindam Bagchi said

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 05th April, 2021) Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Monday arrived in the Indian capital of New Delhi for an official visit, Indian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Arindam Bagchi said.

"Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov arrives in New Delhi for his official visit," Bagchi tweeted.

Last week, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Lavrov's visit will last two days, during which the top diplomat will hold talks with his Indian counterpart, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

The foreign ministers are expected to discuss bilateral relations, cooperation in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, preparations of the upcoming high-level bilateral meeting, and other issues on the regional and global agenda.

Lavrov and Indian officials will also assess approaches to the interaction between Moscow and New Delhi in the international arena, including at the United Nations, BRICS, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Former legislators Assembly segment in-charges of TD are not objecting when some cadre wish to contest the elections. (Representational Photo: DC)

KAKINADA: Even though party chief N. Chandrababu Naidu has given a call to boycott ZPTC and MPTC elections, the disillusioned Telugu Desam cadre is actively participating at the ground-level supporting one candidate or the other.

TD not being in the fray may benefit YSRC and dash the hopes of Jana Sena candidates, who are garnering the support of TD in many places. The local TD leaders say that if they avoid the elections at this juncture, the party cadre may be scattered and many heads to YSRC. However, if the TD is in the contest, and though its candidates may lose, the cadre will be working for the party with vigour.

Meanwhile, former legislators Assembly segment in-charges are not objecting when some cadre wish to contest the elections. In fact, they are advising them to spend money only if their winning chances are bright. Some former MLAs have gone to Tirupati for the Lok Sabha by-election campaign.

After Naidu announced the boycott decision, some cadre members abandoned the campaign but in some villages, the cadre and candidates did not agree with the decision and are keen on contesting, said Undi constituency social media convener Yashoda Krishnaiah.

He said that in his native village Aredukaligotla, the party cadre is aggressively campaigning to ensure wins of TD candidates. He said that he had convened a meeting and had sought their feelings. The cadre unanimously said that they would participate in the elections.

In some mandals like Mummidivaram in East Godavari, the cadre and candidates stayed away to honour the boycott decision of their leader.

Meanwhile, Jana Sena candidates are approaching TD leaders and cadre for their support while local TD leaders are assessing the political equations. If YSRC candidates have winning chances, the TD leaders are supporting them indirectly to reap future benefits.
The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy is heading to the Northwest Passage this summer in a joint effort with Canada.
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Furlan Marri is a new watch brand whose marketing tagline is Highly Attractive Wristwatches. The founders say there is a world of Swiss horological history in those three words, and yet their prices top out at $500.

The main idea of the brand is to tell stories, said Andrea Furlan, the brands designer and co-founder, based in Geneva. The first story of our brand is a mechanical quartz story.

Rather than using a mechanical movement, which Mr. Furlan and his business partner, the artist and watch collector Hamad Al Marri, had intended to do, they have chosen a hybrid meca-quartz alternative for the brands first model and its five variations.

The hybrid was invented in Switzerland in the 80s during the quartz crisis, said Mr. Furlan, 28, referring to when the popularity of inexpensive Japanese watches all but overwhelmed the Swiss watch industry. Meca-quartz was seen, he said, as a solution to have the same feeling of a vintage chronograph, but with the actual technology of the quartz.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 6, 2021 / Vicinity Motor Corp. (TSXV:VMC)(OTCQX:BUSXF)(FRA:6LG) ("Vicinity Motor" or the "Company") (Formerly Grande West Transportation Group), a leading supplier of electric, CNG, gas and clean diesel buses, today announced the State of Washington has selected Vicinity buses in a statewide purchasing contract that gives State transit agencies the right to purchase from the Company's diverse bus portfolio.

Vehicles for selection can be produced from the Company's planned "Buy American Act" compliant assembly facility in Washington state, which will be capable of producing 1,000 electric, CNG, gas and clean-diesel units annually across all sizes and powertrains.

"We are pleased to announce that Vicinity Motor Corp. has been chosen as an OEM supplier for Washington state's growing fleet of buses - driving forward the transition to a more sustainable public transportation system," said William Trainer, Chief Executive Officer of Vicinity Motor Corp. "This contract win marks yet another exciting milestone in our expansion into the significant U.S. market, where our purpose-built Vicinity line of products' quality and consistency allows us to capture market share.

"Our guidance to deliver over 100 buses in the first half of 2021 is a testament to the value proposition that Vicinity brings to private and public transportation operators. I look forward to continued execution in the months ahead, creating sustainable, long-term value for our shareholders," concluded Trainer.

The Company also announces that certain Eligible Directors have requested that their respective director's remuneration for the calendar year 2021 be paid in Deferred Share Units ("DSUs") and accordingly, the Company has granted 3,269 DSUs in connection with Directors Remuneration for Q1.

About Vicinity Motor Corp.

Vicinity Motor Corp. (TSXV:VMC)(OTCQX:BUSXF)(FRA: 6LG) is a leading supplier of electric, CNG, gas and clean-diesel buses for both public and commercial enterprise use in the U.S and Canada. The Company's flagship line of Vicinity buses, which maintain a dominant market share in Canada, are produced by the Company's world-class manufacturing partners or at the Company's Buy America Act compliant assembly facility in Washington state. The Company's innovative Vicinity Lightning EV bus, enabled through a tier-1 strategic supply agreement with BMW batteries and components, seeks to lead the global transition to more sustainable transit vehicles in the private and public markets. For more information, please visit www.grandewest.com or www.vicinitybus.com for product details.

Company Contact:

John LaGourgue

VP Corporate Development

604-288-8043

IR@grandewest.com

Investor Relations Contact:

Lucas Zimmerman or Mark Schwalenberg, CFA

MZ Group - MZ North America

949-259-4987

VMC@mzgroup.us

www.mzgroup.us

Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including without limitation, statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Private Placement, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.

Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Vicinity's expectations include uncertainties relating to the receipt of final approval from the TSX-V; and other risk and uncertainties disclosed in Vicinity's reports and documents filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time. Vicinity's forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made. Vicinity assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

SOURCE: Vicinity Motor Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/639059/VicinityTM-Buses-Selected-for-Washington-Statewide-Contract
YEREVAN, APRIL 6, ARMENPRESS. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin had held a telephone conversation last week with the former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan while the latter was visiting Moscow to attend a meeting of the board of directors of Sistema, a financial corporation where he serves as independent director.

I can confirm it, they indeed held a phone conversation, Peskov told reporters when asked to confirm or deny the report. You know that theyve had good relations for a very long time, and it continues, and they are in contact rather often, Peskov said according to RIA Novosti.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
A former US Marine suspected of killing his girlfriend in 2016 has been added to the 15 Most Wanted list for the US Marshals.

He is believed to be hiding out in Central America or in Mexico.

The agency is now offering up to $50,000 for any information leading to the arrest of Raymond 'RJ' McLeod, Jr., 37, who was initially wanted by the San Diego Police Department for the murder of 30-year-old Krystal Mitchell.

'Raymond McLeod will be the first fugitive in history on our 15 Most Wanted list with an initial reward of up to $50,000,' U.S. Marshal Service Director Donald Washington said in a Monday release.

'We want McLeod's new status as a 15 Most Wanted fugitive and the $50,000 reward amount to be broadcasted far and wide. McLeod poses a significant threat to the public and must be brought to justice.'

U.S. Marshals offering up to $50,000 for any information leading to Raymond 'RJ' McLeod's arrest

McLeod was initially wanted by the San Diego Police Department for the 2016 murder of 30-year-old Krystal Mitchell. The pair had been visiting friends in San Diego, California, at the time of Mitchell's murder

McLeod has been described as 5'11' and 245lb. He is also known to go by RJ, Matt, or Mateo.

On June 10, 2016, San Diego police found Mitchell not breathing at an apartment on the 7600 block of Mission George Road in San Diego, California. She was pronounced dead at the scene by medics.

At the scene, detectives found signs of a struggle and determined that Mitchell was last seen with McLeod. The pair had been in San Diego visiting friends at the time.

McLeod was charged with murder by the San Diego District Attorney's Office and in Dec. 2016, the U.S. Marshals were tapped to join in on the manhunt for him.

McLeod's last reported location was in Guatemala March 2017, but he has also been spotted in Honduras along with Belize and Mexico

On June 10, 2016, San Diego police found Mitchell not breathing at an apartment on the 7600 block of Mission George Road in San Diego, California. She was pronounced dead at the scene by medics

McLeod disappeared without a trace after taking Mitchell's car to the airport, where he rented a new car and drove straight to Mexico.

The father has an extensive history of violence against women, with many past girlfriends describing him as 'very dangerous'

The father has an extensive history of violence against women, with many past girlfriends describing him as 'very dangerous.'

McLeod had been charged twice with domestic violence, one of which occurred just three months before Mitchell was murdered.

The Marine pleaded not guilty to assaulting his second wife in Riverside, California and was released on $50,000 bond.

McLeod's last reported location was in Guatemala March 2017, but he has also been spotted in Honduras along with Belize and Mexico.

The US Embassy in Belize issued a bulletin to police and media to look out for McLeod in 2016.

'The passage of time will never deter the Marshals' fugitive investigation for McLeod,' said U.S. Marshal Steve Stafford of the Southern District of California. 'If anything, it fuels our determination. We will leave no stone unturned until he is brought to justice.'
Credit Suisse said Tuesday that it had taken a $4.7 billion hit from its links to troubled hedge fund Archegos Capital Management, cut dividends and announced the departure of two senior executives.

Switzerland's second-biggest bank and Japan's Nomura warned last month that they could face significant losses due to their exposure to a US hedge fund forced to liquidate its holdings.

"The significant loss in our prime services business relating to the failure of a US-based hedge fund is unacceptable," chief executive Thomas Gottstein said in statement on Tuesday.

Bloomberg News reported last month that the troubled fund was little-known Archegos Capital Management, which sold at least $20 billion in stocks from US media and Chinese companies as it sought to cover its obligations to its lenders.

Credit Suisse said its pre-tax loss of 900 million Swiss francs in the first three months of the year includes 4.4 billion Swiss francs ($4.7 billion, 3.9 billion euros) related to "the failure by a US-based hedge fund to meet its margin commitments as we announced on March 29".

Trading on margin is the practice of using borrowed funds to invest in financial assets such as stocks. It can be very profitable for borrowers as they are often only required to put down a small percentage in cash while the stocks serve as collateral for the lender.

But large shifts in share prices can force borrowers to put up more money to meet their margin commitments, or sell the shares and potentially lose more than their investment and default on their loan.

Andreas Venditti, an analyst with the Zurich financial services company Vontobel, said the 4.4 billion Swiss franc hit was "at the higher end of the range" but had been limited thanks to "very strong operating results".

"While the short-term impact seems less severe than feared, the full consequences from the reputational loss will only be visible over time."

Story continues

- 'Significant nightmare' -

Credit Suisse also announced the departure of the head of its investment bank and chief risk and compliance officer, pulled bonuses for senior executives and chopped its proposed dividend payment to shareholders.

The bank's board of directors opened an investigation into the matter.

It also pulled a traditional resolution for shareholders to discharge the board and executive committee members of responsibility for actions taken during the previous year.

"The board of directors believes it is in the best interest of the shareholders to consider this proposal when the internal investigations into the recent developments have been completed and the outcome communicated," it said in a statement.

AvaTrade analyst Naeem Aslam said "the Archegos fallout... has become a significant nightmare for Credit Suisse, and the bank has to take the right steps for its survival as losses are just too big to digest."

- Greensill exposure -

Credit Suisse shares initially plunged but rallied and were down 0.1 percent in afternoon trading.

Credit Suisse also announced a separate probe into its supply chain finance funds, a reference to its exposure to the collapse of Greensill, a British firm which specialised in providing short-term financing to companies.

Greensill's complex and opaque business model collapsed last month after an insurer withdrew cover for $4.6 billion worth of loans the firm had issued to customers.

Realising that the insurance underpinning Greensill's contracts had expired, Credit Suisse then suspended $10 billion in funds managed by Credit Suisse Management (CSAM).

Greensill crashed into insolvency and Credit Suisse has said it is working with the firm's administrators to recover its funds.

David Herro, deputy chairman at US global asset managers Harris Associates -- one of Credit Suisse's core shareholders -- told Bloomberg last week: "This is a wake up call to expedite the cultural change that's needed in this company".

"The company is repairable," he said, but needs to "clean up the people who are responsible for accepting a culture that does not balance risk and return".

The Ethos foundation, one of the large shareholder organisations in Switzerland, said it "welcomes the bank's decision not to pay variable remuneration" and said it expected "full transparency" on the investigations requested by the board.

"Ethos demands that these investigations also examine the accountability of the board of directors and that their results be made public," it added.

noo/rjm/lth
SHANGHAI (Reuters) - A Chinese carrier group is exercising near Taiwan and such drills will become regular, China's navy said late on Monday in a further escalation of tensions near the island that Beijing claims as its sovereign territory.

Taiwan has complained of an increase in Chinese military activity near it in recent months, as China steps up efforts to assert its sovereignty over the democratically run island.

China's navy said the carrier group, lead by the Liaoning, the country's first aircraft carrier put into active service, was carrying out "routine" drills in the waters near Taiwan.

The aim is to "enhance its capability to safeguard national sovereignty, safety and development interests", it said.

"Similar exercises will be conducted on a regular basis in the future," the navy added, without elaborating.

China's statement follows Taiwan's Defence Ministry reporting a new incursion by China's air force into the island's air defence identification zone on Monday.

Taiwan's Defence Ministry said it had a "full grasp" of the situation in the air and at sea surrounding Taiwan and that it was "appropriately handling" the matter.

Japan's Defence Ministry said on Sunday that the Liaoning, accompanied by five escort ships, had transited the Miyako Strait on their way to the Pacific.

China's widely-read Global Times, published by the ruling Communist Party's official People's Daily, noted the Nanchang, the first of a powerful new fleet of Type 055 destroyers that entered service last year, was part of the carrier group.

"The combination of aircraft carriers and Type 055 large destroyers will become a standard configuration of Chinese aircraft carrier task groups in the future," it added.

The Liaoning and its sister ship the Shandong have carried out drills or sailed near Taiwan before.

In December 2019, shortly before presidential and parliamentary elections in Taiwan the Shandong sailed through the sensitive Taiwan Strait, a move condemned by Taiwan as attempted intimidation.

Story continues

Taiwan is China's most sensitive territorial issue and a potential military flashpoint. China has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen is overseeing a revamp of the island's military, rolling out new equipment such as "carrier killer" stealth corvettes.

(Reporting by Andrew Galbraith; Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in Taipei; Editing by Michael Perry and Edwina Gibbs)
Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has directed the ministers to monitor sugar prices in all the divisions of the province, besides asking the line departments to submit a report about the stocks' situation as well as rates of sugar every day

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Apr, 2021 ) :Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has directed the ministers to monitor sugar prices in all the divisions of the province, besides asking the line departments to submit a report about the stocks' situation as well as rates of sugar every day.

In a statement on Tuesday, CM Buzdar directed all concerned to ensure sufficient availability of sugar before and during the holy month of Ramazan.

He has asked the ministers and government officials to monitor sugar prices in all districts." No one would be allowed to exploit the poor strata", the CM asserted and vowed that protection of rights of the common man was prime responsibility of the government.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has the capacity and commitment to fulfill the responsibility of protecting rights of citizens, he added.
Opinion Policies

Editorials are longer opinion pieces that are written by a group of community members recruited across campus who address relevant issues on a local, national and international level. Editorials are research-based. The purpose of the Editorial Board is to promote discussion concerning relevant issues in the community while advising on possible solutions. Topics are chosen via relevancy and interests of the members, which are then discussed by the Editorial Board in order to reach a general consensus concerning the topic or issue.

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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
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  Gov. Gavin Newsom is setting a hopeful date for things to start getting back to a pre-pandemic normal in California.

He says the nation's most populated state will lift most coronavirus restrictions on businesses and workplaces June 15 as long as enough people continue to be vaccinated and hospitalization rates stay low.

Officials said Tuesday that they hope enough people will be vaccinated by mid-June to allow for many activities to resume.

The Democratic governor says a statewide mask mandate will stay in place, while states nationwide have lifted those and other health restrictions.

California has had some of the nation's strictest pandemic rules.
By the time the waves reach certain locations, the storm may be done, so people are coming back to the beaches, Kristovich said. So being able to advise people about when meteotsunamis may be occurring and especially to remind them that you need to keep an eye out for a while after the storm passes  I think it could be very important.
Foreign exchange analysts at Danske Bank have been a champion for the Norwegian krone since November. It has, however, now changed its position, closed long trades and considers that the currency has or is very close to a peak with the potential for significant losses over the next few months.

The bank expresses its view through a recommendation to sell the krone against a basket of Euro and Dollar. From a current notional level 100, it has a target of 107.0.

Given the basket trade, there are no specific target levels for the Euro to Krone (EUR/NOK) exchange rate or Dollar to Krone (USD/NOK) exchange rate.

Nevertheless, it implies a target of above 10.50 for EUR/NOK and above 9.00 for USD/NOK, potentially as far as 9.20, compared to spot levels of 10.08 and 8.52 respectively.

Danske Bank notes that global reflation trends have been very supportive for the Norwegian krone over the past few months.

Central banks have maintained very accommodative policies while commodity prices have posted strong gains and there was a strong global industrial cycle on the back of 2020 dollar weakness.

According to Danske, these fundamental trends are now likely to be less supportive and potentially reverse which will undermine krone support.

In our base case we are now entering quarters characterised by a turn in the industrial cycle (our MacroScope medium lead length models have now turned negative), economic gravity shifting towards the US, wider USD real rate spreads and a strengthening of the broad USD.

Danske also expects that the trend in commodity prices will be less supportive. Given the strong sensitivity to commodity prices, the bank expects a weaker krone trend.

We think rising oil supplies from the US and OPEC+ alongside a peaking China and a strengthening USD increasingly will turn a headwind for commodities and by extension Norways terms of trade.

Norges Bank tightening priced in

Although Danske notes the potential for a Norges bank rate increase by September and the probability that it will be the first major bank to increase rates, it now considers that this potential factor has been priced in, limiting the potential for further krone support.

It also notes that foreign investors have bought the currency in anticipation of a tightening, lessening the potential for further buying and increasing the risk of a correction if the currency starts to lose ground.

After a strong first quarter, Danske also notes that seasonal trends trend to be less favourable for the krone in the second quarter, especially with the payment of dividends in the April to May period.

The bank also expects that domestic liquidity will improve within the next few weeks and this tends to be correlated with a weaker domestic currency.

The Norges Bank is also likely to reduce the amount of krone buying in global markets which will limit structural support for the currency.

This is potentially significant given that that Norway runs a domestic current account deficit.

Danske also does not consider that the krone is undervalued, further lessening potential support for further buying.

When incorporating Norways relatively high unit labour costs (ULC) we do not think NOK is fundamentally undervalued.

If the analysis is correct, the Pound to Krone (GBP/NOK) exchange rate is likely to strengthen, but the Pound overall is likely to under-perform against the Euro and Dollar.
Rahul Kadakia may have brought the hammer down on the auction worlds priciest wristwatch sale  31 million Swiss francs ($33 million) for a Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime  but an early career experience was far less lofty.

Sell me this salad, Francois Curiel, then Christies global head of jewelry and chairman of its European operations, instructed a 24-year-old Mr. Kadakia one day at lunch in Geneva.

Mr. Kadakia had announced his ambition to be an auctioneer. I started conducting an auction and calling out bids  3,000, 3,200, 3,500  and went on to sell him his lunch, item by item, he said. I must have checked some boxes as, immediately after the fondue, Francois said that, Well, you did a good job selling me la salade and Christies gave me a trial session soon after.

Mr. Kadakia, 46, related the incident a little more than two decades later, sitting in his large corner office at Christies headquarters in New York, where he has worked since 2004. His rise is chronicled in a framed collection of his business cards on the office wall: graduate trainee, London; junior specialist, London; specialist, Geneva; head of jewelry, Americas, New York; and international head of jewelry since 2014.
Stellantis is developing a hydrogen fuel cell powered light commercial vehicle (LCV) in addition to its battery-electric offerings. The company says that fuel cells show great promiseespecially for LCVsas the next level of zero-emission propulsion technology. Fuel cell technology can fulfill customer range expectations combined with towing and payload capacity, the company said.

In LCV applications, Stellantis said, not all use cases can be covered by battery-electric technology. The company says that LCV customers are asking for longer range, shorter charging times, and payload capability.

The Stellantis fuel cell LCV solution offers:

Same cargo and loading capacity as the ICE version

Less than 34-minute refueling

More than 400 km (249 mile) range

To deliver this, Stellantis designed a mid-power fuel cell system architecture. To preserve payload, all fuel cell components were integrated outside the cargo space. By integrating the system into the current LCV electrified platform, Stellantis enabled a minimum amount of change between the full battery-electric platform and the hydrogen version.





Stellantis chose its existing medium vansCitroen Jumpy, Peugeot Expert and Opel Vivaroas the base vehicle for the mid-power architecture. Because a mid-power fuel cell is also mid-size, the whole system can be integrated under the hood.

For the development of the fuel cell stack and the hydrogen storage system, Stellantis entered into a strategic partnership with Faurecia and Symbio, Faurecias JV with Michelin.

Faurecia will develop, supply and assemble hydrogen storage systems from its global center of expertise in Bavans, France. With three high-pressure homologated tanks at 700 bars and carrying a total of 120 liters of hydrogen per vehicle, Stellantis light commercial vehicles will have a zero-emission range of more than 400 kilometers.

Drawing on 10 years experience, Symbio has developed for Stellantis a compact, low-weight fuel cell system delivering 45kW gross power. These systems will be produced in France at Symbios Venissieux facility and, from 2023, in its new St Fons site.

Faurecia worked with Stellantis to optimize the systems design as well as its integration to offer the best-in-class weight/performance ratio on the market.

The fuel cell system is capable of providing enough power for continuous highway speed. When required, peak power is provided by the battery located under the front seats. The battery is a carry-over from Stellantis existing plug-in hybrid (PHEV) program.

The battery covers power requirements for conditions such as acceleration, but also during start-up and first mile. This enables improved durability when compared to full-power systems, as the fuel cell system can run at optimum operating conditions.

In addition, the battery enables regenerative braking.
Recording on-farm weather data is helping arable farmers to manage their businesses more effectively.

Technology now exists which helps guide farmers to better manage their operations around the conditions.

A new wave of systems have become popular among farmers which automate on-farm weather recording, meaning farmers can analyse data to make real time decisions.

A whole host of companies are now offering this technology in the UK, with the devices made by Sencrop, Davis, and Pessl Instruments (under the name Metos UK) proving particularly popular.

The automated weather stations can collect a wide range of data including rainfall, temperature, wind, and humidity, live in the field.

Management

The systems produced by all three companies connect to apps where farmers can access both live and historical data, and can also set alerts for particular conditions, such as frost or rainfall.

Sencrop were setup in Northern France in 2016 and already have nearly 1000 stations installed in the United Kingdom.

Harry Atkinson, UK Business Development Manager, said that in their most basic form automated the weather systems give producers who operate over multiple blocks of land an overall view of their farm.

Arable farms are growing in size and operating over wider areas, this is particularly the case on potato farms where a lot of our technology is being used, he said.

We have one client who is operating over almost a 50 mile radius and they have eight different irrigation teams in action.

"Instead of having to manually manage where to send those teams, they can now see how much rainfall there has been on different parts of their land at the touch of a button.

This helps farmers to eliminate unnecessary work and costs. Mr Atkinson explained that the systems can act as a spraying assist, helping operators to target chemical use.

Not only is the data telling farmers when conditions are adverse and not to spray, but it is also telling them when the optimum time is."

He said that the technology could prove invaluable with policy driving producers to use less chemical.

Automated weather stations can collect a wide range of data

A lot of spraying is done in a very preventative manner, but with this technology we want farmers to become more reliant on data to make the decision as to when they spray.

For example, when there is a high alert for blight in potatoes, farmers can find themselves spraying as often as every two or three days, so we need to find ways of optimising the sprays we do.

Networks

Whilst recording weather data appears to be ideal for large scale operations, does it really have a place for smaller farms where the land is largely in one block? Mr Atkinson believes so.

When we first moved into the UK market, one of the first complaints we got from farmers was that they could just look out of the window and see what the weather is doing.

"But what farmers are actually getting is an accurate reading of the conditions as well as automated records of historical data.

The Sencrop system also offers private networks that allow users to see the data from other Sencrop stations in the area, so farmers can build up a picture of the weather around them as well as on their own farm.

On the farm

Michael Scantlebury farms around 2000 acres of arable land in East Essex. He first invested in a Sencrop weather station in 2019, and now has one on both his home farm and a block of land he farms 10 miles away.

The main benefit for me is that I no longer have to travel over to the other farm to see if it is wetter than it is at home, he said.

The Sencrop, Davis, and Metos systems each have weather forecasting platforms built into them. The Sencrop app allows users to choose between different forecasting services.

It is ideal when you are deciding whether to fill the sprayer up again or whether it is worth moving the combine to another farm during harvest, Mr Scantlebury said.

He also uses the feature that allows him to see the data from other weather stations and he said he is part of a buying group that have set up a network of stations between their members.

I do not actually have the capacity to measure wind using my station, but because there is a farm a couple of miles away that does, I can use that information.

The data we are getting from the station is useful, instead of trying to keep track of rainfall manually it is now automatically recorded.

While weather data has come a long way in the last few years, it still holds huge potential

"It makes it very simple to look back and compare seasons or look back at earlier points in the year. For example, after harvest you could look back and see what the weather was like when the crop was flowering.

The future

Whilst recording and using weather data has come a long way in the last few years, it still holds huge potential.

Companies such as BASF and Dacom have developed decision support tools (DSTs) which aim to include this weather data in guiding farmers even more closely in the management of their crops.

These platforms are not yet being used in the UK but are being rolled out across Europe. Harry Atkinson said that Sencrop are involved.

Our data directly integrates into those platforms. For example, across France there are now a lot of Septoria risk platforms, our data is fed into those systems to give farmers accurate readings of what the risks are to them, he said.

Features that measure leaf wetness and humidity are becoming a more common feature on weather systems, having been regularly used by systems on vineyards and fruit farms.

The Sencrop, Metos, and Davis hardware all offer these options which also have the potential to feed into risk platforms, providing a further insight into the fungal risks in cereal crops.
[April 06, 2021] Grain Management Closes Flagship and Spectrum Funds with $3.75 Billion in Total Commitments

Grain Management ("Grain" or the "Firm"), a leading private investment firm focused on broadband technology and the global communications sector, announced today the closing of its flagship fund, Grain Communications Opportunity Fund III, L.P. ("GCOF III"), with $2.25 billion in commitments, exceeding its target of $1.5 billion. Grain is also pleased to announce the closing of its third spectrum-focused investment vehicle, Grain Spectrum (News - Alert) Holdings III, L.P. ("GSH III" and together with GCOF III, the "Funds"). GSH III closed quietly on $1.5 billion of commitments in September 2020, exceeding its $1.0 billion target. The Funds attracted excess demand driven by strong, early support from existing limited partners and significant interest from new investors on a global scale. Since its founding in 2007, Grain has managed more than $6 billion across its investment vehicles. The formation of GCOF III allows Grain to continue its exclusive focus on opportunities in mission-critical communications assets, both U.S. domestic and abroad, and equity investments in companies that own ad operate them. The formation of GSH III preceded Grain's participation in the Federal Communications Commission's Auction 107 ("C-Band Auction"), the largest auction of mid-band 5G spectrum and the highest-grossing spectrum auction ever held in the United States.



"We are thrilled to announce the closings and proud to have built a global investor base of blue-chip institutional partners during unprecedented times," said David Grain, Founder and CEO. "Deploying this capital in continuation of our flagship strategy allows us to deliver value on behalf of these well-regarded investors. Moreover, we are pleased at our success in the recently concluded C-Band Auction." Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC served as the exclusive placement agent for GCOF III and GSH III and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison as fund formation counsel.

About Grain Management Grain Management, LLC is a leading private investment firm that focuses on broadband infrastructure and technology companies that connect the world to the information economy. Founded in 2007, the Firm invests exclusively in the telecommunications sector, employing a rigorous, data-based process buoyed by deep industry expertise to identify investment opportunities in key areas of telecommunications infrastructure, including fiber networks, wireless spectrum, and cell towers. For more information visit www.graingp.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005571/en/

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For Subscribers Mom shares story of son's suicide, shines light on teen mental health

After Aiden Alexander's suicide, his family wants to break the stigma associated with suicide so more youths can be helped.
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Haiti - Petit-Goave : 3 bandits killed, a police officer injured





Monday April 5, 2021 around 11:00 a.m. police officers from the Petit-Goave police station carried out an intervention against armed individuals who ransomed and terrorized peasants in Depalice, a locality of the 11th Communal Section...



During the exchange of fire between these individuals and the police, one of the thugs was killed and the others managed to escape. During the shooting, Police Officer Renel Sanon, an officer 3 was wounded in the head and rushed to Port-au-Prince.



According to some information, the failure of the intervention was caused by a lack of means of transport. The Petit-Goave police station would not have a vehicle available, its two vehicles have been broken down for several days...



That same day in the afternoon, during a second intervention carried out by agents of the Departmental Unit for the Maintenance of Order (UDMO) accompanied by some police officers from the city police station and a municipal police officer, two suspected bandits, Max alias "Ti Ernest" (son of Rozaleme) and Ernst were lynched and their bodies burned by the population of Depalice "We dismantled a gang which was going to settle in Depalice under the command of a man named Brillant," said area houngan Colbert Godart.



Last minute : Police officer Renel Sanon injured in the morning is out of danger, said Police Commissioner Charles Maunaude.



HL/ HaitiLibre / Guyto Mathieu (Correspondent Petit-Goave)


















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SARASOTA, Fla., April 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Nutrien Ag Solutions, the retail division of Nutrien Ltd. (NTR) and the world's largest crop inputs company, has signed a distribution agreement with EcoClear Products for VoleX, the non-toxic solution for eliminating voles.

VoleX is a poison-free, biodegradable, patented pellet designed to safely eliminate voles without posing risk to birds of prey, wildlife, or crops. It contains water-resistant ingredients, preventing the pellets from easily washing away during outdoor use.

EcoClear Products - Nutrien AG- Distribution Agreement

In the past, rodenticides like zinc phosphide have been the primary means of controlling voles. There is a documented correlation between the use of zinc phosphide products & the widespread deaths of migratory geese and other wildlife. Like most other rodenticides, these products kill not only the intended rodent but other livestock and wildlife. As a company focused on safer, more eco-friendly solutions to common pest problems, EcoClear is thrilled to offer VoleX as a sustainable solution to a larger network of farmers, through this new partnership with Nutrien Ag Solutions.

About EcoClear Products

EcoClear Products is dedicated to innovating effective pest & rodent control products that are safe for use around people, pets, livestock and wildlife. The EcoClear team's chemists are passionate about creating environmentally conscious products and have received four Presidential Green Chemistry awards. EcoClear provides consumers and professionals excellent alternatives to harmful rodenticides and insecticides. For more information, visit www.ecoclearproducts.com.

Ashley Cooper

EcoClear Products

[email protected]

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image1.jpg

SOURCE EcoClear Products, Inc
Moscow: Supporters of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny have been detained outside a penal colony east of Moscow where the Kremlin critic is currently serving time.

Navalny has been on hunger strike for nearly a week to protest what he says is the failure of authorities to provide proper medical treatment for his back and leg pains.

Police officers detain Dr Anastasia Vasilyeva outside the prison where Alexei Navalny is being held. Credit:AP

Doctors from the Navalny-backed Alliance of Doctors union and the politicians supporters gathered in front of the prison on Tuesday, local time, but authorities denied their demand for access to him.

Local police said they detained nine people who allegedly breached public order. They included Navalnys physician and leader of the Alliance of Doctors, Dr Anastasia Vasilyeva, and several journalists.
FARMINGDALE, N.Y., April 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Precision LTC Pharmacy takes the next step toward expansion and acquires Prime Care Pharmacy Services located in Yonkers, New York. The merger was finalized during the last quarter of 2020. The commencing plan for this growth was initiated three years ago by moving into a brand-new expanded pharmacy facility headquartered in Farmingdale, New York. In addition, Precision LTC Pharmacy has since increased the company's client success department to enhance their services while integrating automation in the operations of dispensing prescriptions.

The executive team from Prime Care Pharmacy Services has united with Precision LTC Pharmacy. The joining forces have strengthened the management structure to create the ultimate experience for its clients and enhance clinical outcomes for the residents they are committed to servicing.

Precision LTC Pharmacy is a long-term care pharmacy providing pharmaceuticals in New York since 2000. Precision LTC Pharmacy dispenses prescriptions, over the counter medications, IV medications, durable medical equipment and surgical supplies to nursing homes, assisted living, residential living, adult care facilities, addiction treatment centers, correctional facilities and life care communities.

Commenting on the announcement John DiMartino, Chief Financial Officer of Precision LTC Pharmacy said, "This growth is a great opportunity to bring forth personalized service by our dedicated team of seasoned professionals in the LTC arena. Our pledge to our clients is to provide high standards along with cost containment strategies. Having ownership involved in the core business ensures community relationships which is vital to having consistent organic growth."

Also commenting on the merger is Irien Moawad RPh, EVP of Client Management & LTC Business Development was appointed in 2017 and has expanded our nursing home growth efforts. ''This transaction marks the start of another chapter for Precision LTC Pharmacy which confirms Precision's commitment, endurance in the LTC industry while providing Resident Centered Care. Delivering solutions and exceeding our client's expectations develops lasting partnerships which will set us apart from our competitors."

The visionary, optimistic Chief Operating Officer Jimmy Spaulding also states that "being confident and open to embracing change is a standard criterion across all industries. It's the only way to sustain an upward path for success."

For additional information, please contact Daniel Longo at [email protected]

SOURCE Precision LTC Pharmacy
It really is bizarre, when you take a step back and think about it for a minute, that we are now in the second year of living with lockdown restrictions.

Twelve months ago, we were all coming to terms with what seemed like a strange, once-in-a-lifetime experience. No hairdressers. No pubs. The strange novelty, for many people, of working from home. City centre streets as deserted as the opening scene from 28 Days Later. But we also thought that this would be merely a temporary aberration; a brief moment of pressing the pause button on normal life before we vanquished the virus.

Now its a very different story indeed as the 13th month of restrictions begins to kick in. Rather like Monty Pythons Spanish Inquisition, nobody expected this. Most of us simply assumed that we would just have to suck it up for six weeks and then go back to normality. Well, now were all too aware of the reality and its a reality that bites very hard indeed.

This has been a year of unintended and unforeseen consequences. Many of those who enjoyed the initial thrill of working from home are now losing their minds with boredom and ennui. Frankly, Im no longer sure that we will ever fully go back to the dim and distant days of February 2020, when all we knew about Covid-19 was that there was a strange new disease popping up in Chinese wet markets.

But another unintended consequence of Covid is that trust in politicians is at an all-time low. Of course, giving out about politicians is Irelands real national sport. Its what we do and, lets be honest, we do it rather well.

But while holding a healthy disdain for politicians is obviously a good thing, what were witnessing isnt just a lowering of regard for elected TDs, but a growing disdain for politics itself.

In a democracy such as ours, the politicians rule by consent. The more excitable among us who claimed, upon introduction of the first lockdown, that we were bring ruled by dictators were openly laughed at. But a lot of those people arent laughing now.

Public patience, with both the lockdown and our politicians, has now really begun to fray around the edges.

The latest research by the Department of Health, conducted by the Amarach polling company, has indicated a massive increase in public disgruntlement.

Back in January, during the peak of the third wave, a mere 6pc of the population believed that the restrictions were too onerous.

By last Monday, when the poll was completed, that had figure jumped to 24pc.

Read More

Even more concerning, a Kantar/Sunday Independent poll discovered that public support for the Government has dropped below 50pc for the first time.

Support is lowest amongst young people and the working class  in the wake of scandals such as the infamous Beacon vaccine debacle, thats hardly a surprise.

Polls should always be taken with a pinch of salt, but there is an undeniable sense of growing anger among large swathes of the population.

On one level, its hard not to have a degree of sympathy for the Cabinet members, who have consistently pointed out that they are merely following the advice of Nphet and various officials.

But, ultimately, we vote for our leaders to be, well, leaders  not followers.

Its fair to say that no government has handled the crisis well, and the only difference between them all is the scale to which they messed up. Boris Johnson had a disastrous start to the crisis.

But the UK far outstripped its former EU neighbours when it came to rolling out the vaccine. That, coupled with a Labour Party which remains almost comically hapless, will stand him in good stead when the British public next goes to the voting booths.

Lets put it this way, he has a comfort blanket which this current government in Dublin sorely needs and sadly lacks.

But we are now confronted with issues which have far deeper ramifications than mere party politics.

It has been incredibly disheartening to see the growing popularity of conspiracy theories which would once have been laughed out of the room.

Im instinctively opposed to the censorship of any daft idea so long as it doesnt incite violence. But social media has fostered a weird growth of bonkers theories which normally sensible people now swallow rather than scoff at.

Six more people were arrested before a planned anti-lockdown rally in Dublin over the weekend and, while were all frustrated at the restrictions, some of us have completely abandoned rational thought and have embraced the arcane and the ludicrous.

Lets put it this way, it was clear that we had wandered down some terrible rabbit hole when people began to spout the theory  borrowed from the QAnon lunatics in America  that senior RTE presenters were using the hormones of murdered children to keep themselves looking youthful.

Even by the standards of fringe beliefs, that is really out there. But, in another way, it serves to make the anti-vaxxers who dont share that belief look positively sane by comparison.

The last year has been a period of the growing acceptance of wild conspiracies and a growing rejection of traditional politics.

When we get out of this mess, and we will, Im not so sure that well ever see common sense returning to the levels we once enjoyed.

As the recent polls have so starkly shown, many people have simply given up on the idea of the traditional parties ability to handle this crisis.

While the virus has changed the way we live, it has also changed the way many of us think, hence the rise of paranoia and non-sensical notions that no rational

person should ever countenance.

That development should concern us all.
A new laboratory has been created by the CNRS in Australia, in cooperation with three major Australian universities, IMT Atlantique and Naval Group, the European leader in naval defence.

Its main objective: to develop new ways for humans to work with robots and autonomous systems.

This collaboration between complementary partners will solve scientific problems, specifically those encountered by Naval Group.

The new international laboratory Crossing1 (CNRS/IMT Atlantique/The University of Adelaide/University of South Australia/Flinders University/Naval Group) will provide solutions for efficient and ethical collaboration between humans, artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous systems. Established in Australia and launched on 22 February 2021, it will strengthen already rich scientific collaborations between France and Australia.

This laboratory project, located in Adelaide, Australia, is based on the premise that multidisciplinary collaborations are needed to address research jointly involving humans, AI and autonomous systems. Specialists in AI, artificial vision, virtual and augmented reality and signal and image processing will pool their expertise alongside experts in human-machine interactions, cognitive and physiological psychology, neuroscience, embedded and autonomous systems and design within the new Crossing laboratory, which will be launched on 22 February 2021.

The launch ceremony will be opened by the Premier of South Australia, the Honourable Steven Marshall, in the presence of Jean-Pierre Thebault, Ambassador of France to Australia and Pierre-Eric Pommellet, Chairman and CEO of Naval Group. Gillian Bird, Australia's ambassador to France Antoine Petit, CNRS Chairman and CEO, and Anne Beauval, IMT Atlantique Vice-President will join them by videoconference from Paris. Peter Hj, David G. Lloyd and Colin Stirling, Vice-Chancellors from the Universities of Adelaide, South Australia and Flinders, will participate in a roundtable with the CEOs of Naval Group, the CNRS and IMT Atlantique.

Crossing will develop four research pillars, which will support industries such as health, defence and "Industry 4.0":

- To improve models and our understanding of humans as individuals and groups; - To improve the efficiency and implementation of learning algorithms within the environment and the group; - To explore new interaction paradigms and improve understanding of how autonomous systems behave and make decisions; - To propose ways of managing tasks and teams for hybrid teams.

Each partner will provide complementary expertise. The University of Adelaide, recognized worldwide in the field of AI, will provide Crossing scientists with access to the exceptional calculation resources at the Australian Institute of Machine Learning (AIML). The university will also provide robotic platforms, testing spaces and advanced physiological measurement equipment. For its part, Flinders University, recognized for its expertise in the field of autonomous marine vehicles, will provide Crossing with the state-of-the-art equipment at the Centre for Maritime Engineering, Control, and Imaging (CMECI). The University of South Australia will offer the unique resources of its internationally recognized centre for sleep and fatigue studies (Sleep, Chronobiology and Cognitive Neuroscience Research Labs). It will also provide priority access to a first-class laboratory dedicated to augmented reality and to its design resources, which scientists will use to make prototypes for testing human-machine interfaces. Finally, Naval Group will provide an industrial vision for the development of leading-edge fundamental research. The group will put to use its expertise in the fields of intelligence and embedded architectures, unmanned vehicles, industry of the future and human performance measurement in this laboratory.

Crossing will be an unparalleled workplace for scientists at CNRS, IMT Atlantique, Naval Group and their academic partners, who wish to make short- or long-term research stays in Adelaide.

###
A U.S. Border Patrol agent sits in a vehicle along a border wall near the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) San Ysidro Port of Entry at the U.S. Mexico border in San Diego, Calif., on Feb. 19, 2021. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)

CBP Arrests Murderer Convicted in California in 2003 After Entering US Illegally

A Mexican national previously convicted for second-degree murder over a decade ago was arrested near the U.S.-Mexico border, federal authorities said.

The 45-year-old man was located by border patrol agents on April 2 after a concerned citizen called the department to report two suspicious men wandering in harsh terrain for several days near Marron Valley Road in California.

As the agent approached, the men asked for water and explained they became lost after crossing the border, according to a Monday press release from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

The agent provided water and determined both men had entered the U.S. illegally, the agency added. The two men were arrested and transported to a nearby Border Patrol station for processing.

Following processing at the station, agents learned that the man was convicted of second-degree murder in California in 2003, and was sentenced to 15-years to life in prison. He was deported from the United States in 2019.

The work our agents do, matters not only to communities along the border, but to every city and town in America, Chief Patrol Agent Aaron M. Heitke said. Our vigilant agents prevented this dangerous man from re-entering our communities and I am proud of their dedication.

Details around the individual that accompanied the murder convict were not provided by the agency.

#BorderPatrol agents arrested a 45-year-old Mexican man near Dulzura, CA who was previously convicted of attempted murder in CA. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2003.

Read: https://t.co/KbhtXPZPGy pic.twitter.com/wfoxCadjUV  Chief Patrol Agent Aaron M. Heitke (@USBPChiefSDC) April 5, 2021

The incident happened as the nation sees a surge in illegal immigration along the U.S. southern border, concerning border authorities.

CBP figures show that illegal crossings rose to over 100,000 in February, while the number of family units caught trying to enter illegally rose to over 19,000, nearly three times the January figure.

Republicans and others have blamed President Joe Bidens immigration policies and messaging for fueling the border surge, particularly his reversal of key border security measures enacted by the Trump administration. While the Biden administration has sought to portray the spike in illegal crossings as a seasonal phenomenon, officials have at the same time rolled out more aggressive messaging in a bid to discourage would-be illegal immigrants who seek to take advantage of the relaxed laws.

Separately, Deputy Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz estimated that more than 1 million illegal immigrants would arrive at the U.S.-Mexico border in 2021 as the White House grapples with how to find facilities and process them.

Tom Ozimek contributed to this report.

From NTD News
Click here to read the full article.

Half of Republicans believe the lie that the January 6th attack on the Capitol was mostly peaceful and largely a non-violent protest, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Monday.

Delusional Republican respondents also told pollsters that left-wing activists were to blame for the insurrection and were trying to make Trump look bad. Eighty percent of Democrats and 60 percent of Independents, however, rightly believe that Trump and his mob were responsible for the attack that left five dead and dozens injured.

But the Republican delusion doesnt end with the Capitol attack. Sixty percent of Republicans still buy into the lie that the presidential election was fraudulent and was stolen from Trump.

Elected Republicans are at least partly responsible for their constituents lack of a grip on reality. As Reuters points out, not only have top GOP leaders avoided language condemning Trumps mob, 12 Republicans in Congress voted against a resolution to honor Capitol Police officers who put their lives on the line that infamous day.

Republicans have their own version of reality, John Geer, an expert on public opinion at Vanderbilt University, told Reuters. It is a huge problem. Democracy requires accountability and accountability requires evidence.

Unsurprisingly, Trump is still lying about what happened that day. During an interview on Fox late last month, the former president said the attack on the Capitol posed zero threat and claimed his mob was hugging and kissing the police and the guards. Of course, Trump conveniently neglected to mention that two of his supporters present at the Capitol attack have been arrested and charged with using bear spray to assault Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who died after the riot. Hugs and kisses indeed.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said a quarantine-free travel "bubble" with trans-Tasman neighbor Australia will start on April 18. It will allow unrestricted movement between two countries that have managed to contain the virus through strict lockdowns and international border closures.

New Zealanders have been allowed into most parts of Australia since October, but travel the other way was banned. New Zealanders who did make the journey across the Tasman Sea also faced a mandatory two-week stay in hotel quarantine on their return.

Those arrangements will soon change. New Zealand authorities say that just before midnight local time on April 18 a so-called travel "bubble" allowing unrestricted movement will start between the two countries.

Authorities believe the risk of transmission of COVID-19 from Australia to New Zealand is low.

At a press conference in Wellington, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the travel plan was the only one of its type anywhere.

"I can confirm that quarantine-free travel between New Zealand and Australia will commence in just under two weeks' time," she said. "This is an important step forward in our COVID response and represents an arrangement I do not believe we have seen in any other part of the world. That is safely opening up international travel to another country while continuing to pursue a strategy of elimination and a commitment to keeping the virus out."


Authorities are investigating a body found Monday near a church in east Harris County with apparent stab wounds.

The Harris County Sheriff's Office received a tip around 5 p.m. about a possible dumped body in the 400 block of E. Wallisville Road, police said.

NEWS IN YOUR INBOX: Sign up for breaking news email alerts from HoustonChronicle.com here

Investigators found the body of an unidentified young man dumped along the fence line behind the church, police said. It appeared the man had been stabbed and it was unclear when the body was dumped.

An investigation remains ongoing.
Multiphoton Optics maskless 3D lithography enables the fabrication of complex structures in a single process step. The SEM image exemplarily shows the capability to generate lens systems for novel imaging or illumination applications.

Multiphoton Optics GmbH has become a wholly owned subsidiary of Heidelberg Instruments Mikrotechnik GmbH. The pooling of development capabilities and technologies for producing microstructures further underscores the global importance of research, development and production of direct-writing laser systems Made in Germany. The merger also extends the companys market position in the micro-optics sector.

Following the successful conclusion of M&A negotiations, the employees of Multiphoton Optics (MPO) are now part of the Heidelberg Instruments family, one of the international market leaders in laser lithography.

"MPO is a pioneer of two-photon lithography and has developed a high-performance exposure system for 3D printing down to the sub-micrometer range. With this, MPO closes a gap between conventional laser lithography  the basis of our strong core business  and the nanostructuring technology (t-SPL) we added to the Heidelberg Instruments Nano division three years ago. Together with MPO, we will further expand our position in the field of micro-optics and structured surfaces", said Konrad Roessler, CEO Heidelberg Instruments

At present, MPO specializes in the production of free-form 3D surfaces and 3D structures of any design, with a particular focus on micro-optics. In research and development, the current focus is mainly on manufacturing processes using two-photon polymerization (TPP) and on application-specific software and hardware modules.

While Heidelberg Instruments has high expectations for the further development of 3D lithography systems at the MPO site in Wurzburg, Multiphoton Optics will gain access to the sales potential, sales structures, production capacities and worldwide service network of the new parent company.

"Heidelberg Instruments is the perfect partner for us, as the merger will benefit customers, employees and the technology itself. Their global network increases our visibility and enables us to develop new systems based on two-photon polymerization as well as support more and more customers in implementing their applications and ideas", said Dr. Benedikt Stender, who will be the CEO of Multiphoton Optics.

Dr. Boris Neubert was previously responsible for Operations on the MPO management board and now driving the integration from within Heidelberg Instruments.

"By combining the strengths of both companies we will offer our customers even more powerful products and excellent service", said Dr. Boris Neubert.

"It is a pleasure that MPO was affiliated into the HIMT family. I personally appreciate HIMT and I am convinced that these two technological market leaders ideally fit in their business activities. Good luck to both of them", said Dr. Ruth Houbertz, President and Founder of Multiphoton Optics GmbH.

"MPO was our third fund investment. It is great that the companys success story continues with the strong partner HIMT and I am grateful that the FTTF was able to accompany part of this journey. For me, MPO is an excellent example of how German Deep Tech can be successfully and sustainably commercialised from research", said Joerg Wamser, Managing Partner at Fraunhofer Technologie-Transfer Fonds (FTTF).

"We were involved as seed investor from the very beginning. Therefore, we are now very pleased that MPO was not only able to exit to HIMT, but has also found a new home there for the market launch of the 3D printers. We wish all employees and management of MPO all the best for this and thank them very much", said Dr. Andreas Olmes, Principal/Prokurist at High-Tech Grunderfonds and investment manager at MPO.
NEW YORK, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) has selected Keisha Greaves from Cambridge, Massachusetts, to represent families living with muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular diseases alongside current National Ambassador eleven-year-old Ethan LyBrand of Decatur, Alabama.

MDA Names 2021 National Ambassador Keisha Greaves as Spokesperson for Neuromuscular Community

"I have been involved with MDA because muscular dystrophy is now a part of me," said Keisha. "I feel like it is my job to bring awareness about this progressive muscle disease, what it means to live with it, and the daily struggles that go along with it. I want others to know that many of us live just like everyone else, but we may need certain accommodations. I'm honored and excited to be selected as MDA's 2021 National Ambassador."

"We are honored to welcome Keisha Greaves as our newest MDA National Ambassador and are grateful to have her share her incredible story of strength," said MDA president and CEO, Donald S. Wood, PhD. "Keisha is a dedicated advocate who has represented MDA with distinction as Massachusetts State Ambassador and as a champion of fundraising for research and advanced patient care for the neuromuscular disease community. MDA Ambassadors play an integral role in furthering MDA's mission of transforming the lives of people living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular diseases. To Keisha and all our ambassadors, I can't say thank you enough for everything you do."

As National Ambassadors, Keisha and Ethan will share our important mission with the public as well as our partners, sponsors, and supporters via national and social media andwhen possiblelive events. Their work aims to deepen MDA's reach among its audiences, educate and champion improved services for individuals and their families living with disabilities and neuromuscular disease by motivating millions to help MDA through donations or volunteer action.

About Keisha Greaves

Keisha Greaves is 35 years old and has been active in the MDA community since being diagnosed with limb girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) in 2010. Reaching out to MDA was Keisha's first step toward accepting her diagnosis and seeking the support of people who understood her situation. Since then, Keisha has continued to support the MDA, serving on committees, and raising funds for a variety of events including Fill the Boot with our fire fighter partners, Muscle Walks, MDA's annual Black-N-Blue Ball and Toast to Life benefits, as well as helping to increase awareness about muscular dystrophy through her social media platform and presentations.

Keisha is the CEO and founder of Girls Chronically Rock, a clothing brand created to help inspire and empowers others within the disability community. She expresses her feelings and relates her journey through her brand.

About Ethan LyBrand

Although the COVID-19 pandemic prevented Ethan and his family from attending live events and meeting MDA families, partners, and sponsors in person, he didn't let it slow him down. Ethan shared his story of living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy with numerous audiences virtually through videos, media campaigns, and more. He quickly made a name for himself through his "Joke A Day for MDA" campaign to increase awareness, raise funds and bring joy to people throughout the pandemic. Ethan gained national acclaim when he was named one of Newsweek's "Heroes of the Pandemic." Ethan's MDA campaign also increased awareness of the neuromuscular disease community, which is among the highest risk populations for COVID-19.

"My first year as ambassador has been amazing," said Ethan. "I have enjoyed being in this role as it has given me the opportunity to share my story and raise awareness for MDA. MDA is like a second family to me so being able to support MDA in this role has been incredible. Making people smile through this year has made my heart happy!"

About MDA

For 70 years, the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) has been committed to transforming the lives of people living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular diseases. We do this through innovations in science and innovations in care. As the largest source of funding for neuromuscular disease research outside of the federal government, MDA has committed more than $1 billion since our inception to accelerate the discovery of therapies and cures. Research we have supported is directly linked to life-changing therapies across multiple neuromuscular diseases. MDA's MOVR is the first and only data hub that aggregates clinical, genetic, and patient-reported data for multiple neuromuscular diseases to improve health outcomes and accelerate drug development. MDA supports the largest network of multidisciplinary clinics providing best in class care at more than 150 of the nation's top medical institutions. Our Resource Center serves the community with one-on-one specialized support, and we offer educational opportunities for families and healthcare providers by providing conferences, events, and materials. MDA Advocacy supports equal access for our community, and each year thousands of children and young adults learn vital life skills and gain independence at summer camp and through recreational programs, at no cost to families. During the COVID-19 pandemic, MDA continues to produce virtual events and programming to support our community when in-person events and activities are not possible. MDA's COVID-19 guidelines and virtual events are posted at mda.org/COVID19. For more information, visit mda.org.

SOURCE Muscular Dystrophy Association

Related Links

https://www.mda.org


MDC-Alliance activist Netsai Marova, who is facing a number of criminal charges at the Harare Magistrates Court including making a false report about her alleged abduction, yesterday could not get her passport temporarily released to travel to Liberia for a young women development programme as the deadline for acceptance had already passed.

Harare regional magistrate Mr Stanford Mambanje dismissed her application saying she should have approached the court before March 26, a date when she was supposed to confirm her interest in undertaking the development programme and noted her lawyer failed to submit evidence that proved that the deadline for confirming her participation had been extended.

Marova, through lawyer Mr Charles Kwaramba, told the court that the programme would give her an opportunity to advance herself as a young woman.

Mr Kwaramba said Marova has demonstrated that she can be trusted with bail conditions since she has never violated any of the bail conditions imposed against her.

She wants to travel to Liberia from April 11 to 19 and wants the temporary release for her passport to travel to attend the educational trip. The exchange visit is a special program intended for development of young women in Africa. She is desirous to engage in this personal programme. This programme is an opportunity for personal advancement in life.

The lawyer noted that the bail system was not supposed to put the ordinary life of accused is not put on a standstill pending duration of trial. Participating in these forums is an opportunity for accused person to continue with life while trial continues, he said.

Mr Kwaramba said State would not suffer any prejudice is Marovas passport was temporarily released.

She has religiously appeared in court when she was due to appear. She has therefore proved that she can stand trial even when given an opportunity to personally develop. Its for a week and State will not suffer prejudice. She has no interest in absconding. She intends, at all cost, to go for trial to have her name cleared, he said.

Mr Michael Reza, appearing for the State, opposed to the application said the invitation period lapsed 11 days ago and there was no reason for the court to release the passport. He said Marova was given up to March 26 to respond to the invitation, but failed to do so before the due date.

A look at the invitation letter shows it is purely for academic purposes. The very last sentence of the invitation letter says March 26 was the late date to accept this invitation. This application should have been done some 11 days ago. Organisers of this are not expecting her anymore. The basis of this application is per letter, he said.

Mr Reza said Marova was set to appear in court on April 28 on allegations of faking her abduction along with other MDC-Alliance Joana Mamombe and Cecilia Chimbiri and once she fails to return, the trial will not kick-off.

Accused appears on three separate records and she is expected to return to court on April 28 for trial on making false reports. If she does not return for any reason, then that trial will not be possible.

The State has nothing against accused in her personal development. The State would have congratulated her because this country needs women who are developed.

But because of these cases her freedom of movement can be interfered, he said. Herald
FREDERICK, Md. (AP)  A shooting at a Maryland Business park Tuesday left two people critically injured and the suspect dead, police said, while the U.S. Navy reported an active shooter incident at Fort Detrick involving sailors.

The shooter went into a business, causing people inside to flee, Frederick Police Chief Jason Lando said. He could not say whether the shooting was inside or outside. He said after that shooting the suspect drove about 10 minutes to Fort Detrick and was killed there. The first shooting happened at the Riverside Tech park, about 4 miles (6 kilometers) from Fort Detrick. The Navy did not release further details.

We have two different scenes. All I can tell you is that we have confirmed there is only one shooter. The public is no longer at risk. Everyone is safe, Lando said.

Jeremy Mutschler, director of marketing for Nicolock Paving Stones, said that his understanding is that the shooting was near the companys Frederick location but not at the business itself.

One of the victims who was wounded entered our facility looking for help and we were able to assist and call the authorities, said Mutschler, who is based in New York.
A hiker survived falling 1,000 feet in the mountains of North Carolina before being safely rescued.

Authorities say the outdoor enthusiast suffered only minor injuries after slipping from an overlook near the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The hiker was able to walk after rescue crews rappelled 150 feet down Slate Rock in the Pisgah Forest to reach the man, officials added.

The unidentified hiker had been on the trail two hours before sunrise on Sunday when he fell, according to his rescuers.

We estimate he rolled/tumbled almost 1,000 feet from start to finish, The Transylvania County Rescue Squad said in a statement.

Read more:

Somehow, he only had minor injuries.

Slate Rock is known for its view of mountain peaks in the western part of the state.

The rescue took six hours to complete and is the third rescue of a hiker in the state in 2021.

In January a hiker was critically injured after falling 50 feet at Pilot Mountain State Park, and in February a hiker fell and was hospitalised after an incident at Hanging Rock State Park.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
If you need an SSD, youll be hard pressed to find a deal that mixes solid pricing with good performance like this one. Amazon is selling the magnificent 1TB Samsung 870 EVO for $115. Thats the all-time low and cheaper than the $120 to $130 it usually sells for. This deal is also available at B&H Photo and VideoRemove non-product link.

For years, Samsungs EVO line reigned as our top pick as the best SSD for most people, but it has since been supplanted by the SK Hynix Gold S31, which mainly earns the nod thanks to its incredible mix of speed and value. Nevertheless, the 870 EVO remains the runnerup behind SK Hynix's SSD. It's flat-out fantastic and today's deal makes it even more appealing.

We reviewed the Samsung 870 EVO in January, giving 4.5 out of 5 stars and an Editors Choice Award. We hailed it as the fastest SATA SSD weve tested. Samsung says you can expect sequential read speeds up to 560 megabytes per second, and sequential write speeds up to 530 MB/s. In our tests, we found that Samsungs claims were about accurate. It also performed well in random read and write tests.

If you havent swapped out your hard drive yet this SSD would be an excellent upgrade. Its also a good choice as a secondary drive if you simply need more storage.

[Todays deal: 1TB Samsung 870 Evo for $115 on Amazon and B&H Photo VideoRemove non-product link.]
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The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has signed a contract with Italys Maire Tecnimont for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery.

The $1.5 billion contract was signed Tuesday by the managing director of the Port Harcourt Refinery, Ahmed Dikko, and the vice president of Tecnimont, Sub-Saharan Africa, Davide Pellizola, respectively for NNPC and Tecnimont.

The signing is the latest indication the contract for the repairs of the 210,000 barrels per-day-refinery has taken off. The Federal Executive Council approved the contract last month, a decision many analysts criticised.

Nigeria has four refineries, owned by the government, but imports basically its refined petroleum products. The approval for the Port Harcourt Refinery was welcomed with mixed reactions as the country in the past spent billions of dollars on refinery maintenance with no success.

Atedo Peterside, who was on the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) between 2010 and 2015, advised the federal government to halt the brazen & expensive adventure.

Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, also kicked against the project. Analysts advise the government to instead privatise the refineries and allow private investors manage them.

Contract details

In March, the Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, said the rehabilitation will be done in three phases of 18, 24 and 44 months.

He said the funding will be from many components including the NNPC, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), budgetary provisions, and Afreximbank.

The minister also said a maintenance company would also be put in place to ensure an effective maintenance culture.

Talking about operations and maintenance, that has been a big problem for our refineries and that was also exhaustively discussed in council and the agreement is that we are going to appoint a professional operations and maintenance and operations company to manage the refinery when it is finally rehabilitated, he said.

It is actually one of the conditions presented by the lenders because the lenders said they can give us the money if we have a professional operations and maintenance company and that already is embedded in our discussions with the lenders. Were not going back on that, he said.

Pierroberto Folgiero, Maire Tecnimont Group Chief Executive Officer, said With this great result we confirm the soundness of our business strategy on geography diversification, as one of its key elements is to grow and assist our clients in their revamping initiatives, leveraging on our technological know-how to ensure more efficient and environmentally better performing processes and products.

It represents a testament of our technological DNA, as we are strongly increasing our focus on initiatives for the modernization of the refining sector, such as these strategic rehabilitation works. Moreover, we enhance our footprint in Nigeria and in Sub-Saharan Africa, a market with excellent downstream prospects given its demographics and the necessity to unlock greater added value from the transformation of natural resources. We are eager to keep on supporting a leading player in the area such as NNPC to develop Africas downstream sector, he added.
Federal prosecutors are negotiating a plea deal with an Indiana man charged with attacking Capitol police on Jan. 6, a federal court filing disclosed on Monday shows.

Why it matters: The governments ongoing plea negotiations with Jon Schaffer "are the first and most advanced plea negotiations involving any of the over 300 Capitol Riot defendants," Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ahmed Baset and Louis Manzo wrote in the brief, which was published publicly and then quickly removed from the docket BuzzFeed News reported.

Catch up quick: Schaffer was arrested on Jan. 17 and faces six charges including using physical violence in the Capitol building and spraying police officers with bear spray, the FBI Indianapolis branch said in a statement.

Read the court filing, via Politico:


Earn your Associate of Applied Business in Business IT (BIT) degree online from the University of Cincinnati. This program can be completed fully online, with curriculum customized to fit your schedule, interests and how quickly you want to complete your degree. Application deadline July 1, 2021. Learn More 

A rich cache of data on some 533 million Facebook users was posted to a hacker forum over the weekend and is available to download for practically free. The information is from a data breach that occurred in 2019, but hasn't been widely available until now.

The data was posted to an English-speaking cybercriminal forum called RaidForums by a hacker going by the handle TomLiner.

"The Facebook data was first listed for sale on RaidForums on June 6, 2020, but the initial sale allegedly asked users for US$30,000 in exchange for the data," explained Ivan Righi, a cyber threat intelligence analyst with Digital Shadows, a San Francisco-based provider of digital risk protection solutions.

"TomLiner's post exposed the data for eight forum tokens -- approximately $2.52," he told TechNewsWorld. "The data has been unlocked by close to 3,800 users, generating TomLiner over $9,500."

Michael Isbitski, a technical evangelist with Salt Security, a Palo Alto, Calif.-based provider of API security, added that at the time of that incident in 2019, Facebook indicated the data of 220 million users was scraped prior to the company restricting access in the platform to preserve users' privacy.

"It's plausible that this is partially the old data set resurfaced and combined with other scraped data sets since the number has now ballooned to 533 million users," he told TechNewsWorld.

Phone Number Flaw

In a statement provided to TechNewsWorld by Facebook, the company said it is confident the posted information is old data that originated from a weakness in its contact importer feature that was discovered and fixed in August 2019.

At that time, it explained, the company removed people's ability to directly find others using their phone number across both Facebook and Instagram -- a function that could be exploited using sophisticated software code to imitate Facebook and provide a phone number to find which users it belonged to.

Using that software, it continued, it had been possible to input multiple phone numbers and, by running an algorithm, connect numbers to specific users.

Facebook never returned a phone number, it explained, the attacker provided the numbers by which to do the matching.

Through this process, it was possible at that time to query user profiles and obtain a limited amount of publicly available information, it added.

Playbook for ID Theft

Although the data may be old, it still has value to hackers, cybersecurity experts told TechNewsWorld.

Admittedly, the data's value has been diminished as a saleable asset, observed Andrew Barratt, managing principal for solutions and investigations at Coalfire, a Westminster, Colo.-based provider of cybersecurity advisory services.

"But the data is still a ready-made playbook for identity theft, impersonation, and potential Facebook account take over, which often has more far reaching consequences if Facebook accounts are used to access other sites, or services," he said.

"Look at the number of fitness tracking systems, which log relevant healthcare data that leverage a Facebook login to get in," he added.

Righi noted that it is likely that most phone numbers are still active and remain linked to legitimate Facebook users.

"Cybercriminals can use information such as phone numbers, emails and full names to launch targeted social engineering attacks, such as phishing, vishing, or spam," he said. "As most users are still working from home due to the pandemic, these attacks could be effective if personalized to target victims."

"Now more than ever it is important to seriously reconsider using phone numbers as logins or sharing phone numbers with apps," added Setu Kulkarni, vice president for strategy at WhiteHat Security, a San Jose, Calif.-based provider of application security.

"Switching phone numbers is inordinately more taxing than switching email IDs," he added.

Exploiting the Pandemic

Being in the middle of a pandemic may also add value to the recycled data from the Facebook breach.

"Having access to all the data may be a golden nugget for criminals orchestrating large spam or phishing campaigns, many of which have been tailored to pandemic-themes -- stimulus checks, mask politics, geographical restrictions or track and trace scenarios," observed Barratt.

"Whether it's more or less valuable is complex because of the general state of the global economy," he continued.

"It might be harder to scam an individual for a higher amount of money, however it might be possible to scam a larger volume of people for smaller amounts that are 'on trend' from a pandemic perspective," he explained.

Saryu Nayyar, CEO of Gurucul, a threat intelligence company in El Segundo, Calif. added that the global scope of the pandemic can be an asset to scammers armed with data from the Facebook breach.

"Every country is in different stages of grappling with their Covid-19 vaccine rollout, and cybercriminals can absolutely use this data to socially engineer vaccine misinformation," she told TechNewsWorld.

"I can already see the targeted phishing email headlines: Get your vaccine today -- new vaccination center near you! Find out which of your neighbors have Covid-19. Choose which vaccine you get with our new app," she described.

Daniel Markuson, digital privacy expert with NordVPN, a VPN service provider based in Nicosia, Cypress noted in a statement that his company found that vaccine-related Google searches in the United States grew by 1,900 percent since January.

"This shows that Americans are becoming increasingly anxious to get their Covid-19 vaccine and might be an easy target for hackers," he reasoned.

Markuson added that in December, Interpol issued an alert to law enforcement across 194 countries, warning them to prepare for crimes revolving around Covid-19 vaccines.

Investigators have also reported vaccine-related activities on the Dark Web, he added.

No Stranger to Breaches

Over the years, the social network has been the target of a number of headline-grabbing data breaches.

"Facebook has been hit with data incidents from every angle," observed Paul Bischoff, privacy advocate at Comparitech, a reviews, advice and information website for consumer security products.

"It has left user data sitting on exposed servers, allowed app developers to abuse access to user accounts, and left bugs in code that hackers could exploit to steal data," he told TechNewsWorld.

"On top of that, most Facebook profiles are public, which means third parties can scrape them using bots," he said.

Data security and privacy was never high in the minds of the Facebook developers when they built the platform, maintained Purandar Das, CEO and cofounder of Sotero, a data protection company in Burlington, Mass.

"On the other hand, the platform was all about monetizing the users' data," he told TechNewsWorld.

"When you design products or platforms that start with no attention to security and privacy," he said, "it becomes very hard to go back and retrofit those capabilities."

John P. Mello Jr. has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2003. His areas of focus include cybersecurity, IT issues, privacy, e-commerce, social media, artificial intelligence, big data and consumer electronics. He has written and edited for numerous publications, including the Boston Business Journal, the Boston Phoenix, Megapixel.Net and Government Security News. Email John.


New York: More than a year after Harvey Weinsteins rape conviction, his lawyers are demanding a new trial, arguing in court papers that the landmark #MeToo prosecution that put him behind bars was buoyed by improper rulings from a judge who was cavalier in protecting the disgraced movie moguls right to a fair trial.

In a 166-page brief filed with a state appellate court, Weinsteins lawyers took repeated aim at Manhattan Judge James Burke, arguing that he swayed the trials outcome with repeated rulings favourable to prosecutors  including a decision allowing additional accusers to testify about allegations that never led to criminal charges.

Harvey Weinstein departs a Manhattan courthouse during his rape trial in New York in February, 2020. He is appealing his conviction and 23-year prison sentence. Credit:AP

Weinsteins lawyers also challenged Burkes refusal to remove a juror who had written a novel involving predatory older men, as well as his decision to allow prosecutors to have an expert on victim behaviour and rape myths testify while rejecting testimony on similar subjects from defence experts.

Mr Weinstein had a right to a fair trial by an impartial jury, lawyers Barry Kamins, John Leventhal and Diana Fabi-Samson wrote in the brief.
New Delhi:

Union minister KJ Alphons on Tuesday called upon the young generation to make the country a better place by keeping the surroundings clean and thus promote tourism.

While talking about the cleanliness, Tourism minister Alphons said India, with 5,000 years old civilisation, amazing culture, beaches, back waters, hill stations and philosophical school of thoughts, is lagging behind in tourism.

The entire nation is a garbage dump and it is the people only who are dumping garbage so they themselves have to take the responsibility of keeping their neighbourhood clean, the minister said during a function.

If everyone takes the onus, the country would become clean; civilisation is within us and if we dont demonstrate it then there is no civilisation, the minister said.

The tourism minister called upon youths to carry in their hearts a mission to make India a better place and to take steps to ensure that in the next five years, over 25 million come to the country every year.

(With PTI inputs)

ALSO READ: Modi's minister Alphons Kannanthanam says beef will be consumed in Kerala

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Crime Stoppers of Morgan, Scott and Cass Counties is asking for help in identifying a person captured on surveillance video during a burglary at a Jacksonville business.

See videos here

Between 12:15 and 12:25 a.m. Monday, someone broke a window at American Rental on South Main Street and stole a red Toro self-propelled lawnmower. The person can be seen walking southbound on Mauvaisterre Avenue with the mower.

Anyone with information can submit a tip online by going to www.morganscottcrimestoppers.webs.com and clicking the "leave a tip button" on the home page or calling Crimestoppers at 217-243-7300. Tips may also be submitted by texting 274637 (CRIMES) with "payout" as the first word of the text.
Alvarez & Marsal (A&M), a leading global professional services firm has appointed Ali Anwar as a Managing Director and Middle East Practice Leader of A&M's Global Transaction Advisory Group based in Dubai, UAE.



The Middle East, particularly the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the UAE, is embracing a diversified economic outlook along with visionary advancements to legal and regulatory frameworks. This scenario increases the need for independent advisory services, driving our strong business growth in the region, said Tony Alvarez III, Managing Director and leader of A&Ms European and Middle East practices.



Our work on high-profile assignments across the region, including NMC in which I am personally involved, showcases our leadership, action, results differentiators. A&Ms ability to attract accomplished local talent supports our ability to build depth and breadth service offerings aligned with our integrated approach.



Our expanding transaction advisory footprint, combined with Alis appointment, will help create value for Middle East-based businesses, sovereign wealth funds, and regionally located international investors deploying capital and resources inside and outside of the region, he added.



The expansion of A&Ms Global Transaction Advisory Group to the Middle East is the continuation of our firms global growth strategy, said Paul Aversano, Managing Director and Global Practice Leader of A&Ms Global Transaction Advisory Group.



Alis experience and local market relationships align with A&Ms global network and boots-on-the-ground approach. He strengthens our ability to help clients be successful investors and maximize value amidst a fluctuating landscape regionally and globally.



Anwar has provided financial due diligence and related services on transactions involving some of the most well-known Middle East-based businesses. He has advised clients on more than 130transactions/projects in the past decade in the Middle East. He has wide-ranging experience in helping sovereign wealth funds, global and regional private equity firms, multinational corporations and family offices navigate M&A and capital markets transactions.



Additionally, Anwar has worked with clients on deal origination, market entry approaches, feasibility studies, expansion strategies, and operating model and business case development. He joins A&M after nearly 15 years at Ernst & Young (EY), where he served as an Engagement Partner and a trusted advisor to some of the firms key clients in the Middle East.



Anwar said: A&Ms integrated platform positions the firm to advise Middle East-based clients, as well as those around the world, on domestic, inbound and outbound transactions. Our Middle East Transaction Advisory Group further amplifies A&Ms restructuring heritage and deep operational expertise. It advances our mission to drive change that helps clients turn market challenges into investment opportunities.



Anwar earned a bachelor of science in mathematics from Imperial College London and is a qualified Chartered Accountant.  TradeArabia News Service
A New Jersey man who argued with Burger King employees over not wearing a mask returned later in the day and choked one of the workers, authorities said Monday.

The attack occurred shortly after 4 p.m. on March 27 at the fast food restaurant on Route 23 in Wayne, according to township police Capt. Dan Daly.

David Siversten, 47, of Wayne, walked into the business, approached the female employee, wrapped both hands around her neck and began strangling her, Daly said in a statement.

The attack only ended when another female employee intervened, Daly said. The victim complained of pain, but declined transport to a hospital, he added.

Siversten ran before police arrived, Daly said. Officers later found him sitting in a driveway on nearby Newark-Pompton Turnpike, Daly said.

As the officer approached, the suspect came toward him stating, You got me, Daly said. The suspect was agitated and appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.

Daly said Siversten was the same man who entered Burger King earlier that day and argued with restaurant employees about his not wearing a mask.

He fled the restaurant prior to the arrival of police in that incident as well, Daly said.

Officers brought Siversten back to the restaurant after the choking incident and the worker identified him as the man who assaulted her, Daly said.

Siversten was charged with aggravated assault. During processing, he allegedly became uncooperative and and injured himself by intentionally slamming his head into the steel bench to which he was handcuffed, Daly said.

Daly said Siversten was taken to a local hospital, treated and then taken to the Passaic County Jail to await a first appearance court hearing.

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.
Its off to the races for this years Democratic and Republican primaries in New Jersey.

Candidates had to meet a Monday deadline to file petitions to run in the states June 8 primary elections. Now the fields are all set in a big election year  with the governors office and all 120 seats in the state Legislature on the ballot, as well as numerous local races.

The primaries determine who wins the Democratic and Republican nominations to run in the Nov. 3 general election.

And traditional in-person voting will be back. Gov. Phil Murphy recently announced that the primary elections be conducted primarily in person again after last years elections were mostly mail-in because of the coronavirus pandemic.

To see the full list of who has filed to run in the governors race (click here) and legislative elections in the state Senate (click here) and the state Assembly (click here).

And here are some of the key primaries to watch over the next two months  including at least five races where incumbent lawmakers are running despite losing the support of local party leaders:

GOVERNORS RACE

Murphy, a Democrat, is running for a second term. He is expected to win his partys nomination.

The incumbent filed more than 14,500 petitions for his re-election bid (1,000 are required for a gubernatorial hopeful).

Roger Bacon of Phillipsburg Is challenging him for the Democratic nomination.

Bacon, who submitted 1,271 petitions, is running under the Make New Jersey Great Again slogan. He has been a candidate in multiple failed races in the state, including running for Congress as a Libertarian in the early 1990s and placing fourth in a Democratic gubernatorial primary in 2009m when three people tried to challenge former Gov. Jon Corzine.

There are four people running in the primary for the Republican nomination: former state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, former Franklin Mayor Brian Levine, pastor Phillip Rizzo, and businessman Hirsh Singh.

Ciattarelli  who lost the partys nod for governor in 2017  is considered the favorite, having picked up support from Republican county organizations across the state. He and Murphys campaigns have already started calling each other out.

He faces three other GOP candidates in the primary: former Franklin Mayor Brian Levine, pastor Phillip Rizzo, and businessman Hirsh Singh.

LEGISLATIVE RACES

37th District

This is the most high-profile legislative primary. Democratic state Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg is set to retire after three decades in the Legislature  and her two district mates, Assembly members Gordon Johnson and Valerie Vainieri Huttle, are running against each other to replace her in the Bergen County district.

The Democratic primary between the allies turned adversaries is stacked with drama. Johnson won the backing of the local party  known as the line  as well as the endorsement of both Weinberg and Murphy. Vainieri Huttle is mounting a challenge despite that  known as running off the line.

Whoever wins is likely to take the seat in November because the district is deeply blue.

26th District

A mini Republican civil war has been brewing in this North Jersey district. Four people are running for the partys nomination for two Assembly seats: incumbents Jay Webber and BettyLou DeCroce are being challenged by union official Christian Barranco and Thomas Mastrangelo.

DeCroce recently lost the support of party leaders in Morris County, who backed Webber and Barranco. Then, In Passaic County, leaders backed DeCroce and Barranco over Webber. Then, in Essex County, leaders endorsed DeCroce but not Webber, and they didnt support a second candidate.

Whoever wins is likely to take the seat in November because the district is deeply red.

31st District

This one is an oddly Jersey story. State Assemblyman Nicholas Chiaravalloti is running for re-election off the line after Democrats in the Hudson County district  which includes Bayonne and Jersey City  declined to support him for a fourth term.

Instead, the party is backing William B. Sampson IV, a Port of Bayonne crane operator and union leader. Reports say county Democrats are honoring a decades-old peace treaty that allows Bayonnes mayor to pick an Assembly candidate in the district. Mayor Jimmy Davis is supporting Sampson.

Whoever wins is likely to take the seat in November because the district is deeply blue.

13th District

Heres yet another incumbent seeking re-election despite losing party support: Republican Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso in this Monmouth County district.

The county party ditched DiMaso and is instead backing Holmdel school board president Vicky Flynn to take her seat. But DiMaso is running for a third term anyway.

16th District

State Sen. Christopher Kip Bateman, the veteran Republican incumbent, announced earlier in the year he wont seek re-election in this increasingly purple Central Jersey district.

Theres a two-candidate primary for the Republican notation to succeed him. Former Congressman Mike Pappas is running against Jeffrey Grant.

The winner will face incumbent Democratic Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker.

20th District

Heres another fight between former running mates. State Assemblyman Jamel Holley is running an off-the-line campaign to snatch the Democratic nomination for Senate away from incumbent Joseph Cryan in this Union County district. Another challenger, Jason Krychiw, a biology teacher at Kean University, is running, as well.

Holley has courted controversy over the last year for supporting anti-vaccine conspiracy theories during the COVID-19 pandemic. And there was talk he may have lost party support if he ran for re-election to the Assembly.

Cryan has the backing of most Democratic leaders in the state. Krychiw is running as a progressive.

Whoever wins is likely to take the seat in November because the district is deeply blue.

2nd District

Theres also a two-way race for the Republican nomination to succeed state Sen. Chris A. Brown, a Republican who is retiring after a decade in the Legislature representing this Atlantic County district. Former state Assemblyman Vince Polistina has the backing of the local party. But hard-line  and often controversial  conservative Seth Grossman, a former Atlantic County freeholder who lost a bid for Congress in 2018, is running against him.

Whoever wins will likely face state Assemblyman Vincent Mazzeo, a Democratic who is aiming to move up to the Senate in November.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com.

Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com.
Lawton, OK (73501)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. High 86F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 63F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.
Chinese autonomous driving startup Plus announced it has raised US$220m in its latest fundraising round led by FountainVest Partners and ClearVue Partners.

The company, which describes itself as a leading provider of self-driving technology for trucks, had already raised US$200m in a previous fundraising round earlier this year.

The latest round attracted investors such as Quanta Computer, Phi Zoyi Capital and Millennium Technology Value Partners, which join existing investors including Sequoia Capital China, SAIC Capital and Full Truck Alliance (FTA).

In November 2020 Plus established a joint venture with leading Chinese truck maker FAW Jiefang to develop self-driving trucks.

The new company has since unveiled an FAW model fitted with a Level-2 semi-autonomous driving system based on the PlusDrive Level-4 platform.

It is in the final stages of certifying the self-driving technology in China ahead of mass production of a self-driving truck range scheduled by FAW for later this year.

The new funds will also enable Plus to expand its global operations and launch the PlusDrive platform in North America, Europe and other countries in Asia.
We've all been there. That unflattering snap when the camera caught you unawares and you get to see what you really look like.

It can come as quite an unpleasant shock, like catching sight of some old bag in a shop window and realising, to your horror, that it's your own reflection in the glass.

God knows, it has happened to me enough times. At first it used to upset me, this clear discrepancy between how I looked in my head and how I was in real life.

But then I realised that's just life and there is a limit to what you can realistically do about it. Besides, there are more important things to worry about.

Unless, that is, you are someone whose entire existence is based on projecting a certain appearance. Whose vast popularity and wealth are predicated on being an 'uber-influencer' who is paid to show the world how perfect they are.

We've all been there. That unflattering snap when the camera caught you unawares and you get to see what you really look like, writes Sarah Vine. Pictured: Khloe Kardashian

If that's your schtick, a dose of reality can be a genuine calamity.

Step forward Khloe Kardashian, whom fate dealt a cruel blow last weekend when a  gasp!  un-retouched photograph of her in a bikini surfaced online.

Judging by the frantic efforts of her 'team' to have it expunged from the internet, you might have thought it revealed something truly terrible about the lovely young Khloe.

A scaly tail, perhaps, or a tattoo of Donald Trump. In fact, the problem was far more serious: she looked like any ordinary young woman.

No wonder there was such a panic, and her lawyers sprang into action. Because ordinary is not something Kardashians do. Neither is natural. They have built an empire out of being fantasies of womanhood designed to bewitch men and inspire awe and imitation in women.

Having one of their clan out there on the internet looking perfectly unremarkable in a bikini is a PR disaster. Especially as this Khloe  the real Khloe  is far removed from the glossy version we usually see.

Step forward Khloe Kardashian, whom fate dealt a cruel blow last weekend when a  gasp!  un-retouched photograph of her in a bikini surfaced online

That one has perfect smooth skin and a sultry pout, her body permanently arranged in a provocative pose that promises all sorts of behaviour unsuited to a family newspaper.

This one is smiling goofily at the camera, standing unselfconsciously in front of a pool, entirely unready for her close-up.

Instagram Khloe is heavily retouched and Photoshopped. Pool Khloe is as nature intended (apart from the surgeries, of course). In Kardashian terms, that is a PR disaster.

Sussex factor made us all racist limeys I hate to admit it, but Piers Morgan is right when he says the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are going to keep dishing the dirt on the Royal Family for the simple reason that it's their only currency. That said, given the number of holes in their Oprah interview, I'm amazed anyone is still paying attention. The Americans, however, appear to be lapping it up: a friend of mine who lives there says everyone now hates the Queen and thinks all British people are racist. Cheers, Harry. You've really done your country proud. Advertisement

Don't get me wrong: she looks lovely. But for someone rarely seen in public without heavy retouching, this is too real by far.

For it exposes an uncomfortable truth (almost as uncomfortable as those bikini bottoms) about the clan's empire: it is built on a fantasy, aided and abetted here and there by the skilled ministrations of a surgeon.

The image projected by Khloe and her sisters, and the lifestyle they sell, is not real. It is, in layman's terms, false advertising.

This wouldn't matter if they were upfront about it. After all, everyone knows pictures on the internet and in the media often get a little help from Mr Photoshop. But the Kardashians refuse to acknowledge this.

This occasionally makes them look vain and stupid, which is fun for the rest of us; but it exposes a more serious problem: the way people like the Kardashians get away with using digital manipulation to flog their merchandise.

In this respect, Khloe's sister Kylie is probably the worst offender. She became (allegedly) America's youngest billionaire by selling lipgloss that promised to give wearers a pillowy pout like hers, when it appears that pout was created by fillers and filters.

This is deeply damaging to the minds and self-esteem of the millions of girls and young women who compare themselves with their role models and are left feeling hopelessly inadequate, increasingly to the point where they subject themselves to unnecessary procedures in order to replicate the perfection they see on screen.

Which is, as Khloe here so clearly demonstrates, all a fantasy.

I dont know about you, but my hall now resembles the inside of a hospital triage cubicle: digital thermometer, masks, hand sanitiser.

Not only is it thoroughly depressing, its also aesthetically very unappealing.

I tried putting the masks in a little basket but for some reason they just looked like a washing basket full of old pants, which was unanimously felt to be sub-optimal in interior design terms.

All suggestions gratefully received.

Following the revelation last week that Gucci are selling a pair of 'virtual trainers' at 8.99 a pop for those poor saps who can't afford 400 for the real thing, Waitrose has announced it is no longer stocking shoe polish, as people don't use it any more.

Further evidence, were it required, that civilisation is doomed.

Gucci are selling a pair of 'virtual trainers' at 8.99 a pop for those poor saps who can't afford 400 for the real thing, writes Sarah Vine

Celebrity shepherdess Amanda Owen says today's children are all snowflakes who 'can't do anything'.

But this is a woman who gives birth alone in front of a fire with only her terrier for company, then heads out to check the flock in a miniskirt with the newborn baby strapped to her chest.

Let's face it, she makes even Boudicca look like a bit of a flake.

Celebrity shepherdess Amanda Owen says today's children are all snowflakes who 'can't do anything'

A new report estimates that more than 200,000 children will move from primary to secondary school this autumn without being able to read properly  with the number of youngsters struggling with literacy up 30,000 over the past year as a result of lockdown.

Yet when surveyed, only 2 per cent of teachers back longer school days or shorter holidays for a pandemic catch-up. So much for vocation, hey?

There has been a huge rise in the number of crimes associated with e-scooters.

If only the police werent so busy breaking up church congregations, maybe they would be able to do something about it.
The United Mine Workers of America say a tentative agreement has been reached between the union and Warrior Met Coal.

About 1,100 workers with Warrior Met Coal began striking at 10 p.m. Thursday. Warrior Met produces coal used in steel production in Asia, Europe and South America.

The union is not releasing details of the agreement until its members have heard them and held a ratification vote. Contract explanation meetings will be held on Wednesday.

A ratification vote is scheduled for Friday at each local. The results of the vote will be announced as soon as it is certified by the UMWAs Auditor/Tellers. UMWA International President Cecil Roberts said the strike will end if the union ratifies the agreement, but will resume, along with negotiations, if it is rejected.

I am so very proud of our members at Warrior Met for standing up for themselves, their families and their communities, Roberts said in a statement Monday night. Going on strike is a difficult thing to do, but they have shown tremendous unity on the picket lines. Their story is being told across the world right now, and it is one of strength, determination and solidarity. The decision to begin this strike rested with me. The decision to end the strike now rests with the membership of the union at Warrior Met.

In a statement, Warrior Met Coal said the company is pleased to have reached a tentative agreement and hope it is ratified in order for our miners to resume work and continue the positive impact this industry has on our states economic growth.

Throughout the negotiations process with the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), Warrior Met Coals vision has remained on the future, the company said. A future where we provide our employees with a competitive package while protecting jobs and the longevity of the company and its workforce. We have always valued and appreciated our employees hard work and our priorities remain keeping people employed with long-lasting careers and ensuring Warrior Met Coal remains financially stable in a particularly volatile coal market.
Cellphone video has emerged showing the moment a police officer from an affluent San Francisco suburb fatally shot a black homeless man who was said to be holding a knife.

The officer-involved shooting took place on the morning of March 11 in a parking lot in Danville and resulted in the death of 32-year-old Tyrell Wilson.

Police said in a press release that when confronted by an officer investigating reports of a person throwing rocks off of an overpass, Wilson opened a folding knife, refused commands to drop the weapon and then advanced on the cop, prompting him to open fire.

Bystander video released on Monday shows Danville, California, police officer Andrew Hall fatally shoot Tyrell Wilson, 32, on March 11

Wilson died of his injuries less than a week later; family attorney said he had been shot in the face during the confrontation

Police said Wilson was armed with a folding knife and advanced on Hall, but family lawyer says the video disputes that

Video recorded by an eyewitness from a passing vehicle does not appear to show Wilson walk toward officer Andrew Hall, or make any sudden moves, in the moments before he aims his gun at the homeless man and pulls the trigger, causing him to crumple to the ground.

'Oh, my God, what the f***?!' the person in the car exclaims off camera. 'This dude just got shot and killed, bro.'

Wilson was said to be mentally ill and living in a parking lot in Danville

Wilson remains lying motionless in the street as Hall slowly approaches and stands over him.

Wilson died less than a week later at a local hospital. Civil rights attorney John Burris, who represents the man's family, said the 32-year-old had been shot in the face.

'The video and witness accounts show this was a cold murder. Wilson never had a chance,' Burris said in a statement.

Last week, dozens of people, including Wilson's family, held a vigil in his honor and marched to the Danville Police Department to demand justice for him.

Activists said he was struggling with mental illness and relying on his father, Marvin Wilson, for financial support while living on the streets.

Marvin accused Hall of using deadly force instead of attempting to de-escalate the situation, reported KRON4.

Officer Hall has been placed on paid administrative leave and has requested a new assignment outside of Danville.

The Contra Costa Sheriffs Office, which contracts to provide police services in Danville, is working with District Attorney Diana Becton to investigate the shooting.

Hall's attorney told the San Francisco Chronicle the newly released video does not show what actually happened during the interaction between the officer and Wilson, because it was shot from an odd angle, it does not include the verbal exchange between the two men, and a road sign obscures some of the key moments before the shot is fired.

It has since emerged that Hall shot and killed Laudemer Arboleda, 33, in November 2018 in Danville.

Police quickly released photos showing Wilson holding a shopping bag in his left hand and a folding knife in his right. Pictured tight: a folding knife is seen lying on the ground

A march was held on March 28 in Danville in Wilson's honor, with activists demanding justice for him

According to the police, the incident involving Wilson began unfolding shortly before noon on March 11, when the 911 call center received several reports concerning a person who was throwing rocks off of the Sycamore Valley Road overpass onto Highway 680.

Hall arrived on the scene and made contact with Wilson, a homeless man who had been living near a parking lot.

'As the officer tried to talk to him, the subject pulled out a folding knife and then opened it,' the press release from the police stated. 'The officer ordered him to drop the knife several times. He then advanced toward the officer, who discharged his weapon striking the subject once.'

Hall shot and killed Laudemer Arboleda, 33 (pictured in a photo), in November 2018 in Danville

Police quickly released still photographs showing Wilson holding a brown paper bag in his left hand and a folding knife in his right.

Burris, the family's attorney, claimed that it was 25 minutes before paramedics responded to the scene and rendered aid to Wilson, reported KTVU.

He was expected to file a federal lawsuit on Tuesday, accusing Hall of violating Wilson's civil rights.
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What was once an avant-garde architecture development meant to restore a flood-ruined 9th Ward neighborhood has become a legal battleground. Back in early September, Brad Pitts Make It Right Foundation was sued by two Lower 9th Ward residents who accuse the non-profit organization of building and selling substandard houses that are rapidly deteriorating.

The two homeowners are harbingers of a class action lawsuit on behalf of other residents who purchased the 109 experimental, energy-efficient Make It Right homes. Millions of dollars are at stake. Pitt, the Hollywood leading man who founded Make It Right, and other former officers of the foundation were named among the defendants in the September lawsuit.

Brad Pitt's Make It Right group sued over post-Katrina houses it built in New Orleans

On Nov. 20, lawyers representing Pitt filed a motion asking a judge to dismiss the claims against Pitt and remove him from the lawsuit. Pitts lawyers argue in the court filing that, even though Pitt spearheaded the project in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, he cant be held personally responsible by the owners for construction of the buildings.

In mid-September Make It Right sued New Orleans architect John C. Williams, who oversaw the construction of the modernistic homes, for defective design work that led to leaks and other flaws. According to the Make It Right lawsuit, repairing the damage caused by rain and humidity to the homes could cost Make It Right $20 million.

Read: Architect says it was shocking and insulting to be sued by Make It Right.

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In Pitts motion to dismiss, his lawyers argue that even if the homeowners' claims against Make It Right are credible, Pitt isnt to blame. Nor, they say, can he be accused of fraud. Pitts lawyers, who filed the motion in the United States District Court For The Eastern District Of Louisiana, could not be immediately reached for comment.

Lawsuit against Brad Pitts Make It Right has become a federal case

Starting in 2006, Pitt used his celebrity clout to establish the Make It Right charity that provided homes at affordable prices tailored to displaced residents. The endeavor, which used house plans by architectural superstars such as Shigeru Ban, Thom Mayne and Frank Gehry, was certainly one of the most audacious post-K recovery proposals.

Ground was broken on the first Make It Right homes in 2008. By 2015, the development had cost over $26 million and had become a popular post-K tourist attraction. Construction discontinued by early 2016. In recent years Make It Right has been tight-lipped, not responding to questions from the press and conducting what residents describe as scant communication with home owners. Pitt has not spoken publicly about Make it Right since the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina in 2015.

A batch of experimental weatherproof lumber allowed considerable water damage to some of the homes, the residents say. Owners have complained of other problems as well. The worst case came to light near the 10th anniversary of the start of construction, when an abandoned 7-year-old Make It Right house at 5012 North Derbigny St. was demolished on June 30 at the insistence of neighbors, because of rain damage and rotting.

Doug MacCash has the best job in the world, covering art, music and culture in New Orleans. Contact him via email at dmaccash@nola.com. Follow him on Twitter at Doug MacCash and on Facebook at Douglas James MacCash. As always, please add your point of view to the comment stream.
New Delhi, April 6 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Goa Assembly Speaker to pass order on April 20 on the plea filed by a Congress leader seeking disqualification of 10 party MLAs, who switched to the ruling BJP in July 2019.

A bench, headed by Chief Justice S.A. Bobde said there should be not long delays in deciding the matter as after April 24, following the Chief Justice's retirement on April 23, the matter will not be heard by the same bench.

As Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted the Speaker has agreed to pass the order on the disqualification petitions on April 20, the bench, also comprising Justices A.S. Bopanna and V. Ramasubramanian, scheduled the matter for further hearing on April 21.

During the hearing, the bench observed that the Solicitor General can ask the Speaker to decide the matter. Mehta said he will seek instructions and urged the top court to list the matter for hearing on either April 22 or April 23.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Congress leader Girish Chodankar, submitted that orders must be passed at least in a week and the delay in deciding the matter is making mockery of the whole procedure. He argued that in the absence of the Speaker's decision, the matter cannot be argued on merits.

The top court asked Mehta to seek instructions once again from the Speaker on the possibility of passing the order on April 20, and he informed them that the Speaker has agreed to do so.

On February 10, Speaker Rajesh Patnekar had informed the Supreme Court that the Assembly would consider on February 26 the petition filed by the Congress leader seeking disqualification of 10 MLAs.

The top court, in its order then, said: "Tushar Mehta, Solicitor General appearing for the Respondent(s), states that the disqualification petition(s) has been listed by the Respondent - the Speaker Goa State Legislative Assembly, for disposal on February 26, 2021. List these matters in the first week of March." A plea was filed by Congress leader Chodankar seeking disqualification of 10 MLAs who switched to BJP from Congress in July 2019. He had argued that the disqualification pleas have been pending for one and a half years, and it is yet to be heard.

In the disqualification plea, Chodankar had contended that these MLAs had ex-facie incurred disqualification under Article 191(2) of the Constitution, read with para 2 of the Tenth Schedule.
New Orleans Police Department investigators are searching for a man and a woman who may have information related to a homicide in New Orleans' Pines Village neighborhood.

Investigators want to speak with Dejean Lindsey, 24, and Abryanne Jones, 23. The two aren't wanted on criminal charges.

But they are considered person of interest in the March 29 shooting death of Keenan Baham, 19, according to NOPD.

Baham was shot multiple times in about 6:22 p.m. in the 5900 block of Boeing Street. He was taken to the hospital in a private vehicle but later died of his injuries, according to authorities,

Initial reports from NOPD said there were two male gunman. No other details were available.

Anyone with additional information about the shooting is asked to contact NOPD Homicide Unit Det. Christopher Puccio at 504-658-5300. The public an also call Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans at 504-822-1111 or toll-free 1-877-903-STOP. Callers do not have to give their names or testify and can earn a $2,500 reward for information that leads to an indictment.
Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 6, 2021) - C-COM Satellite Systems Inc. (TSXV: CMI) (OTCQB: CYSNF), the world's leading provider of commercial grade mobile auto-deploying satellite antenna systems, is pleased to announce today that on April 6, 2021, the Company's common shares began trading on the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol "CYSNF". The Company shares continue to trade on the Toronto Venture Stock Exchange (TSXV) under the symbol "CMI".

Trading on the OTCQB is expected to make the Company accessible to a broader range of U.S. investors and should increase liquidity and visibility in the United States. U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and real-time level 2 quotes for the Company on the OTC Markets website at https://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/CYSNF/overview.

To be eligible for approval to trade on the OTCQB, companies must be current on disclosure obligations, to pass a minimum bid price test and undergo an annual company verification and management certification process. The OTCQB also provides timely news and disclosure to investors. and may provide access for investors who cannot access trading on the TSXV.

"Trading on the OTCQB is an extension to our capital markets strategy and an important step to increase investor awareness in the Company. As we progress with the development of our new antenna technology, U.S. investor interest has been increasing. We want these investors to be able to trade the Company shares with as much ease as possible," said Leslie Klein, President and CEO of C-COM Satellite Systems Inc.

"C-COM is in late-stage development of Ka-band, electronically steerable, modular, conformal, flat panel phased array satellite antenna. In cooperation with the University of Waterloo, C-COM is engaged in the design of this unique antenna with the intent of providing low-cost, high-throughput mobility applications over satellite for land, airborne and maritime verticals. There is an increased interest in this technology by U.S. investors. We believe that by trading on the OTCQB exchange, U.S. investors will benefit from having seamless access to the C-COM stock," he added.

About C-COM Satellite Systems Inc.

C-COM Satellite Systems Inc. is an innovator and one of the first to design, develop and manufacture transportable communications on the pause satellite-based antenna systems. The Company has developed proprietary, auto-acquisition controller technology for rapid antenna pointing to a satellite with just the press of a button, enabling Broadband Internet via Satellite across a wide range of market applications worldwide, including regions unserved or underserved by terrestrial access technologies.

C-COM has sold more than 8,500 antenna systems, in over 100 countries, through a dedicated dealer network that provides service to a wide range of vertical markets such as Oil & Gas Exploration, Military Communications, Disaster Management, SNG, Emergency Communications, Cellular Backhaul, Telemedicine, Mobile Education, Government Services, Mobile Banking, and others. The Company's iNetVu brand is synonymous with high quality, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. For additional information please visit www.c- comsat.com .

iNetVu is a registered trademark of C-COM Satellite Systems Inc.

The Company is publicly traded on the Canadian Venture Exchange (TSXV: CMI) and is also traded on the OTCQB Venture Market (OTCQB: CYSNF).

# # #

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.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions.

Statements about C-COM's expectations as to the accessibility and benefits to U.S. investors resulting from trading on the OTCQB, increased liquidity and investor awareness, and its intentions with respect to its Ka-band antenna version all contain forward-looking statements. A number of factors could cause actual events, performance or results to differ materially from the events, performance and results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Anticipated benefits of trading on the OTCQB may not be realized. Continued trading on the OTCQB is dependent on C-COM's ability to meet the OTCQB's ongoing requirements. Anticipated benefits from new technology under development may not be realized, and new products and services may not be released or, if released may not gain market acceptance. Any of those events and others could have an effect on future performance and C-COM Satellite Systems Inc.'s ability to achieve the results mentioned above. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and C-COM Satellite Systems Inc. does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Readers are directed to the risk factors associated with the business of C-COM Satellite Systems in the company's most recent MD&A available at www.SEDAR.com .

INVESTOR RELATIONS

C-COM Satellite Systems Inc.

Tel: (343)-803-5245

Fax: (613) 745-7144

lklein@c-comsat.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79443
This Is The Plan, Western Joe and Leonidas A scored victories in the trio of $40,000 divisions of the fourth leg of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series on Monday night at Yonkers Raceway.

In addition to the on-track action, betting was also brisk on Mondays 10-race card as the handle entered seven-figure territory at $1,037,217.95.

After finishing second in all three of his appearances in the series coming into this leg, This Is The Plan (Yannick Gingras) broke through for the first time in style, taking the opening split in 1:51.1. Gingras fired This Is The Plan to the top from post four, and he would put up fractions of :27.2, :56.1, and 1:23.3 before he closed in :27.3 to win by three lengths over pocket-sitter Raukapuka Ruler N (Jordan Stratton). Mach N Cheese (Joe Bongiorno) held third over favourite Let It Ride N (Dexter Dunn).

Ron Burke trains This Is The Plan, a six-year-old gelding by Somebeachsomewhere, for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, J&T Silva- Purnel & Libby and Larry Karr. This Is The Plan is now a 15-time winner in his career, and he pushed his earnings to $1,806,700. This Is The Plan, the 3-2 second choice, paid $5.00.

In the second section, driver Todd McCarthy put the hammer down with None Bettor A and roared through stations of 26.3, 55.1, and 1:23.1. On the far turn Sheriff N (Daniel Dube) attacked the leader two-wide from the pocket, with favourite Rockapelo (George Brennan) picking up cover from third to sit second-over. Even though Sheriff N and Rockapelo had first dibs on the tiring leader, it wound up being a cavalry charge through the stretch after the hot tempo, and taking advantage was Western Joe (Dunn), who sat inside in sixth and rallied through a gap on the pylons on his way to the win by a neck in 1:52.4. Rockapelo wound up second, with Sheriff N back in third.

Western Joe, a seven-year-old gelded son of Western Ideal, scored his second straight victory in the series for trainer Chris Choate, co-owner/breeder Anthony Ruggeri, and co-owner Richard Tosies. Western Joe now has a record of 33-16-11 from 105 starts, and he has banked $781,858. Western Joe, who was the second choice at odds of 5-2, returned $7.70 to win.

Leonidas A (Austin Siegelman), returning after a one-week break, ran his MGM Borgata Pacing Series record to an unblemished three-for-three in the final flight. Leonidas A settled in third behind Ostro Hanover (Tyler Buter) and Lyons Steel (Corey Callahan) in the early going, but Siegelman had him out and on move before the :28-second opening quarter went on the board, and he would take command after that marker. Leonidas A would go on to put up a :56.4 half and a 1:24.4 three-quarters, and a 28.3 final kicker gave him the victory by 2 1/4 lengths in 1:53.2. Lyons Steel was second after a first-over try, narrowly bettering Ostro Hanover.

A six-year-old Mach Three gelding, Leonidas A is trained by Sheena McElhiney for owner Jesmeral Stable. Leonidas A posted his 28th career victory, and he has now put away $291,848. Leonidas A, hammered down to 1-9, paid $2.30 to win.

There is one more leg of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series to go, and that will be held next Monday (April 12). The final will take place on Monday, April 19.

Stakes action resumes at Yonkers on Wednesday night (April 7) when the track plays host to four $20,000 divisions of the second leg of the John Brennan Trotting Series. Opening round winners Guilty Desire (race five/post six, Jordan Stratton/Betty Clegg), Hunting AS (race six/post one, Todd McCarthy/Jenny Melander), Look In My Eyes (race six/post eight, Jordan Stratton/Anette Lorentzon), and Lady Jeter (race seven/post four, Scott Zeron/Ed Gannon Jr.) are all back in action.

Then, on Friday (April 9), Yonkers has a couple of $35,000 splits of the final preliminary round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series for pacing mares. The first of those races will take place as a non-wagering contest, and the second one is race two on the pari-mutuel program. In the non-wagering tilt, Blue Ivy (post one, Tyler Buter/Todd Buter) and Machnhope (post three, Andrew McCarthy/Noel Daley) will both shoot for their third win in the series, and in the other Blue Chip Matchmaker match-up, Alexa Skye (post four, Todd McCarthy/Jeff Cullipher), currently three-for-three in the event, meets up with one of last Friday's victors in Siesta Beach (post three, Matt Kakaley/Nick Devita).

(Yonkers)
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.
The overnight riches of young politicians in Ghana coupled with the wealth they flaunt after gaining office, are to blame, among other factors, for the worsening moral decadence in Ghana, epitomised by the recent murder of a 10-year-old boy by his two teenage friends at Kasoa, Central Region, for alleged get-rich-quick ritual purposes, the Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Mr Sulemana Braimah, has posited.



In his view, the failure by the media, specifically, and society, in general, to question the source of wealth of young politicians, has contributed to the menace, which, in his view, is now coming to a head.



The teenage suspects, Felix Nyarko, 15, and Nicholas Kini, 17, allegedly conspired to kill the Class Four pupil of the Maranatha School, Ishmael Mensah, at about 10 a.m. on Holy Saturday.



They hid the body in an uncompleted building and were to transport it to a Juju man under the cover of darkness, for the money ritual.



They are to appear before the Ofaakor district today, Monday, 6 April 2021.



Commenting on the medias role in all of this, Mr Braimah said told Class FM on Monday that: I think that we have to look at it as a collective national failure, explaining: A failure in our morals, as a country; a failure in our collective attitudes as a country.



He admitted: Yes, the media certainly have a role to play in terms of educating people about morals and values and so on; that we should do, regardless of whether these things are happening or not  thats the fundamental thing that the media have a responsibility to do.



Beyond that, however, Mr Braimah complained: I think the other thing that the media have to do which we havent been doing over the years, is this whole issue about unexplained wealth: people suddenly, either they claim they are pastors, they claim they are businesspeople or whatever, and within a space of one year or two, are flaunting multiple cars, multiple mansions and so on and so forth and no one cares to interrogate: How did they make this money?, How much taxes have they been paying to the state and so on and so forth?



Now, the other side is our politicians. We know the big mansions, the structures coming up at the Cantonments, East Legon, Airport residential area and so on and so forth.



A lot of these belong to politicians, some of whom are young people; if we should look at young to be, maybe, somebody under the age of 40, and again, we dont ask: How did they come by the money? he observed.



Demonstrating his concerns further, Mr Braimah said: During elections, parliamentary primaries, presidential primaries, the election itself, look at the amount of money that people pump in in order to become candidates of political parties and in order to become Members of Parliament.



Where do they get these monies from and how are they intending to recover these monies that they are spending? he wondered, adding: I think, as a country, we have had leadership failure in this area, and I think, over the years, whether it is NDC leaders [or] NPP leaders, they have all been culpable of this particular practice that has then led us into the moral decadence that is leading to these kinds of horrific incidents that we are witnessing.



In his view, it appears everyone wants to make money quick and regardless of how the money will be made: if it is about stealing, if it is about killing, if it is about corruption; people are eager just to make money and it appears that the only way you can be somebody in this country, is to have money and, so, people are eager.



To him, people go into politics these days, really, not for any values, not for the commitment to develop our country, it is about making money and having power.



And, so, I think as media, we have a major and massive responsibility to tackle this issue. And, of course people will tell you that its not as though we, those of us in the media, are also saints. We also are part of the problem.

Source: classfmonline.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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Her daughter Chrissy Teigen has two successful Cravings cookbooks under her belt.

And now the model's mom Vilailuck, known affectionately as Pepper, is getting in on the act.

The Pepper Thai Cookbook: Family Recipes from Everyone's Favorite Thai Mom will be published on April 13 and on Monday, Pepper revealed that she has dedicated the book to her stillborn grandson Jack.

Touching: Chrissy Teigen's mom Vilailuck, affectionately known as Pepper, is publishing her first cookbook this month and revealed Monday it's dedicated to her late grandson Jack

'We talk about him every day,' Pepper, 59, explained in an interview with WSJ. 'Thats how we grieve. Were getting better each day.  Were getting so much better, and Chrissy too.'

Jack died in September after Chrissy, 35, suffered a pregnancy loss at 20 weeks.

Pepper also spoke about the loss in October, sharing a video of herself saying goodbye to Jack at the hospital.

Heartache: In October, Pepper, 59, had shared images of herself saying goodbye to baby Jack who was stillborn at 20 weeks after Chrissy suffered pregnancy complications

Close: Thai-born Pepper lives with Chrissy, 35, and her husband John Legend and helps to care for the celebrity couple's children, daughter Luna, four and son Miles, two

Family fun: She told WSJ that the youngsters love to help out in the kitchen and serve as taste testers for her recipes

The grandma, who is divorced from Chrissy's dad Ron, lives with her daughter and son-in-law in Beverly Hills.

She helps care for the couple's children, daughter Luna, four, and son Miles, two.

She told WSJ that the youngsters love to help out in the kitchen and serve as taste testers for her recipes.

Love to cook: Pepper is following in the footsteps of her famous daughter who has authored two successful Cravings cookbooks

Chrissy and John had revealed the loss of their third child in early October when they shared a series of heartbreaking photos from the hospital.

Doctors had diagnosed the TV personality with partial placental abruption - where the placenta separates from the wall of the uterus causing the baby's airflow to be blocked or limited.

Her body was no longer able to sustain the pregnancy and despite 'bags and bags of transfusion', doctors couldn't halt the bleeding.
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Market Research Future Published a Half-Cooked Research Report on Global Microcrystalline Cellulose Market.

Market Definition:

Microcrystalline cellulose is a partially depolymerized, naturally occurring cellulose form wood pulp. It has properties such as anti-caking, bulking, and texturizing that are majorly required for keeping processed food fresh. The unique properties such as powder porosity, moisture sorption, and swelling capacity. Being a chemically inert substance, it has very less absorption capacity and does not dissolute during digestion. Due to this reason, it is highly used in excipient production in pharmaceuticals and is the major driver of the global microcrystalline cellulose market. The other driver for the global market growth is it being a fat substitute, primarily used in low-fat processed food.

Market Scenario:

The increasing demand for pharmaceuticals with the growing population consumes a major quantity of microcrystalline cellulose followed by food and beverage industry. The global Microcrystalline Cellulose Market Size growth is also driven by the cosmetic and personal care industry. The unique properties of extender, binder, and texturizer are extensively used in personal care products. The growing demand for personal care products with the concerned grooming and self-care population is expected to increase the market growth.

Competitive Analysis

Some of the prominent players of the microcrystalline cellulose are: FMC Corporation (the U.S), Mingtai Chemical Co. Ltd. (Canada), DFE Pharma (Germany), Dupont (the U.S.), Avantor (the U.S.), Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (Japan), Asahi Kasei Corporation (Japan), Blanver (Brazil), JRS PHARMA (the U.S.), FrieslandCampina (the Netherlands), Accent Microcell Pvt. Ltd (India), Sigachi Industries Pvt. Ltd. (India), Libraw Pharma (India), Huzhou City Linghu Xinwang Chemical Co., Ltd (China) and Shandong Xinda Biotechnology Co., Ltd (China) among others.

Market Segmentation

The global microcrystalline cellulose market is segmented as per the raw material, end-user, and region.

There are only two raw material sources available, namely wood based and non-wood based. Out of these, the non-wood based raw material source is likely to dominate the market due to the excessive demand for synthetically produced and cheap products.

Based on end-user, the market is segmented into pharmaceuticals, food & beverage, cosmetic & personal care, and others.

Regional Analysis

The global microcrystalline cellulose market is segmented into five key regions namely North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. North America is the major contributor to the market growth due to the increasing food & beverage industries. The increasing number of pharmaceutical and food & beverage industries in this region in expected to fuel the market growth in near future. The regulatory association named the U.S Pharmacopeial Convention has identified microcrystalline cellulose as an excellent excipient, which has propelled the market growth. The U.S contributes significantly to the market share in terms of revenue followed by Canada. Europe is another substantial region contributing to the market growth owing to the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries in this region. Asia Pacific is expected to hold a considerable share of the market in coming years. Countries such as China are concentrated to the production of microcrystalline cellulose due to the low raw material and labor cost. The U.S is the major producer of microcrystalline cellulose followed by China.

In Latin America & Africa, the growing medical support and availability of pharmaceutical at ease is expected to fuel the market growth during the forecast period. However, poor health and safety standards may hinder the market growth in this region.

BROWSE RELATED REPORT @

https://www.abnewswire.com/pressreleases/fiber-optic-sensor-market-size-and-global-trends-2020-covid19-business-impact-industry-analysis-sales-revenue-opportunities-top-leaders-and-regional-forecast-to-2022_505731.html

https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/fiber-optic-sensor-market-size-and-global-trends-2020-covid-19-business-impact-industry-analysis-sales-revenue-opportunities-top-leaders-and-regional-forecast-to-2022-2020-09-07

http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/4797814

https://www.wboc.com/story/42598499/fiber-optic-sensor-market-size-and-global-trends-2020-covid19-business-impact-industry-analysis-sales-revenue-opportunities-top-leaders-and-regional-forecast-to-2022
In an interview with Russias leading state-run TV channel aired late on Monday, Kocharian did not name any of those parties. He said only that he will lead the electoral alliance.

Kocharian first announced his intention to contest the anticipated elections in early February. If the elections are held they will most probably be bipolar, he said, implying that the political force led by him will be Prime Minister Nikol Pashinians main challenger.

Reports in the Armenian press have said that the Kocharian-led bloc will comprise the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun), a major opposition party.

A Dashnaktsutyun leader, Ishkhan Saghatelian, on Tuesday declined to confirm or refute those reports. Dashnaktsutyun has not yet made a final decision [regarding the elections,] he told reporters when asked to comment on Kocharians remarks.

Saghatelian claimed at the same time that Pashinian may still abandon plans to hold the elections in late June. Its best to kick out this government of evil before the elections, he said.

Dashnaktsutyun is a key member of the Homeland Salvation Movement, an opposition alliance which has been holding street protests in a bid to force Pashinian to resign over his handling of last years war with Azerbaijan.

Speaking to the Russian First Channel, Kocharian again blamed Pashinian for Armenias defeat in the war. He claimed that the Armenian prime minister has methodically weakened the armed forces and other state institutions since coming to power in May 2018.

The ex-president, who had ruled Armenia from 1998-2008, also accused Pashinians administration of being linked to Western-funded nongovernmental organizations which he said have been trying to undermine Russian-Armenian relations.

Kocharian was arrested in July 2018 on coup charges rejected by him as politically motivated. He was released on bail in June 2020 pending the outcome of his ongoing trial.

Russia has criticized the criminal proceedings launched against Kocharian. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly made a point of congratulating him on his birthday anniversaries and praising his legacy.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed on Tuesday reports that Putin spoke with Kocharian by phone when the latter visited Moscow last week. As you know, they have long maintained a warm rapport and talk to each other quite often, Peskov said, according to the RIA Novosti news agency.
Chairman of Romania's National COVID-19 Vaccination Coordination Committee (CNCAV) Valeriu Gheorghita said on Tuesday that 3,082 family physicians have opted to use their own practices to administer the COVID-19 vaccinations, which means 30% of the total of 10,940 physicians who are in a contractual relationship with the National Health Insurance House.

"We have a centralised nationwide situation: there are 3,082 family physicians who have chosen to participate in the vaccination campaign with their own offices, out of a total of 10,940 physicians who are in a contractual relationship with the National Health Insurance House, which means a percentage of about 30%. It is less than we have expected and estimated from the available REVISAL [general record of employees] data," Gheorghita told a news conference at the Government House.

He added that an instruction based on which the vaccination process will be carried out through the family physicians' offices was also worked out.

"I would just like to mention that starting tomorrow, a pilot project in Timis will already start comprising 50 family physicians," the CNCAV official said.
By Prossy Kisakye

Former presidential candidate, also Forum for Democratic Change president Patrick Amuriat has faulted parliament for the death of many people during the scientific campaigns for the 2021 elections.

He was appearing before Parliaments human rights committee which is investigating rights violations and violence that was experienced during the just concluded 2021 general elections.

Amuriat has told the committee chaired by Bugiri District Woman MP Agnes Taka that he was arrested 41 times during the election period.

He said that parliament was partly to blame for the violence because it rejected a proposal for postponement of the election.

Amuriat said that parliament and the president should take responsibility for not taking appropriate action to avert election violence that claimed lives of many people and left scores with serious injuries.

He asked parliament to identify the police and military officers who caused violence against the opposition members during the election campaigns under the pretext of enforcing the covid-19 guidelines that were issued by the president.
Eyelit's Integrated Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Deployed by Raytheon Technologies

Eyelit Corp., a manufacturing software provider for visibility, control, and coordination of manufacturing operations announced today that Raytheon Technologies Corporation, a Global 500 leader, has completed the deployment of the Eyelit MES suite at one of its manufacturing sites.

Raytheon (News - Alert) conducted a thorough evaluation of enterprise MES solutions and chose Eyelit to replace its legacy MES. The migration to Eyelit's advanced manufacturing suite expanded the scope of their execution controls.Eyelit modules deployed into production span a wide spectrum of functionality in addition to MES: including data collection with Statistical Process Control (SPC), Eyelit's Quality Management System (QMS), Operator Certification, Asset Management, Operational Data Store (ODS) and Reporting software. An important consideration was Eyelit's proven track record in migrating companies from legacy MES systems.







"Raytheon's migration to the Eyelit MES suite is another case in point for companies looking to modernize their MES solutions. Eyelit has successfully migrated several companies from mission critical legacy MES solutions," stated Dan Estrada, Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, Eyelit.

About Eyelit Inc. (www.eyelit.com)

Eyelit Inc. is the leader in Manufacturing Execution and Quality Management (MES and QMS) solutions for visibility, control, and coordination of manufacturing operations for the aerospace & defense, electronics, life sciences, medical device, semiconductor, and solar industries. Eyelit uniquely delivers a broad set of manufacturing solutions, including Asset Management (Semi E10, SEMI PV2-0709), Dispatching, Factory Integration (Automation), Manufacturing Execution (MES/MOM), Recipe Management, Supply Chain Management, Quality Management (CAPA/OCAP/SPC/ APC (News - Alert) /RMA), and Business Process Management, that enable its customers to rapidly and cost-effectively optimize production and company processes.

With exceptional customer service, Eyelit has time and again proven that superior, innovative technology can increase efficiency and value. More than 50 leading companies, including austriamicrosystems, CEA-Leti, eMagin, Enovix, Innovative Micro Technology (IMT), LFoundry, Murata Electronics Oy, Northrop Grumman Corporation, NXP Semiconductors (News - Alert) , PerkinElmer, Raytheon Technologies, Skyworks Solutions, TowerJazz, and multiple global 50 companies rely on Eyelit as a trusted software partner. Follow Eyelit on LinkedIn and Twitter.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406006050/en/
After getting a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday, Gov. Charlie Baker urged residents to book an appointment and get the shot when they are eligible, adding that the vaccine will also protect you against the new variants.

I just received my first dose of the vaccine here at the Hynes Convention Centers mass vaccination site, Baker said. The process was quick and easy and I feel fine.

Baker said he pre-registered on the state website for the shot and was notified last week that he was eligible to make an appointment. Even after pre-registering, residents can continue to look for appointments at other sites using the states vaccine finder tool.

At the large-scale vaccination site at the Hynes Convention Center, officials have the capacity to administer up to 7,000 vaccinations a day. He said on Tuesday the state will surpass 1.5 million fully vaccinated residents.

Baker reiterated that the shots are safe and effective.

You may experience some side effects from the vaccine, but as the nurse downstairs told me thats just a sign that the vaccine is taking, Baker said. And you certainly wont get COVID from the shot.

Between the federal allocation and the J&J shipment, Baker says the state has seen an increase in cumulative doses shipped. More than 2.5 million residents have gotten at least one dose of the vaccine  clear signs, Baker says, that were getting a little closer to returning to normal.

Many businesses are starting to reopen, vaccines are letting families see their friends and family ... and this week many elementary schools across the Commonwealth that have been remote-only have returned to the classroom, Baker said. But we all need to hold on a little bit longer until we get passed this pandemic.

Related Content:
Italy split into red and orange coronavirus zones from 6 April.

Italy returns to the colour-coded system of covid-19 restrictions on 6 April, after the nationwide Easter red zone lockdown, with the country split again between high-risk red and medium-risk orange zones.

There are 10 regions classified as orange zones from 6 April: Abruzzo, Basilicata, Lazio (Rome), Liguria, Marche, Molise, Sicily, Sardinia, Umbria and Veneto, as well as the autonomous provinces of Bolzano and Trento.

The red zones are Lombardia (Milan), Tuscany, Emilia Romagna, Calabria, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Piemonte, Puglia, Valle d'Aosta and Campania (Naples).

Italy recently extended its system of covid-19 restrictions and closures for the duration of April, as part of a decree approved by the government of premier Mario Draghi.

The measures take effect on 7 April and remain in force until 30 April.

However the decree allows the government to ease restrictions in regions if the virus data improves. There are also currently no moderate-risk yellow zones, where rules are more relaxed.

Italian news agency ANSA reports that the government will evaluate the situation in mid-April to assess whether any region can be re-classified as a yellow zone, based on its covid-19 contagion rate.

The most restrictive rules apply in red zones, with bars and restaurants closed except for takeaways and home deliveries. Only essential shops are open and travel is tightly restricted.

In orange zones restaurants and bars are closed except for take-away but shops, including hairdressers, stay open. People can only leave their towns and cities for work, health or emergency reasons.

The nationwide nightly curfew from 22.00 until 05.00 remains in place.

For official information relating to Italy's covid-19 restrictions, in English, see the health ministry website.

Photo Wanted in Rome
Imperial Valley News Center

Violence in America, dont be surprised

Washington, DC - The most recent attack at the United States Capitol will most likely insure a permanent fence and additional security. The attack which resulted in the loss of life for a long serving Capitol police officer and the attacker is another senseless violent act.

Recently we have heard about a brutal attack on a Filipino woman in New York City. A 75-year-old Asian woman was brutally attacked in San Francisco and ten people were killed by a lone gunman at a grocery store in Boulder Colorado. A business park shooting in Orange, California left four people dead including a nine-year-old boy who died in the arms of his mother who was trying to protect him. A lone gunman walked into various spas in Atlanta recently and took the lives of eight people. None of these violent attacks made sense.

According to the FBI there is a violent crime every 24.6 seconds in the United States. One murder occurs every 30.5 minutes. One rape every 3.9 minutes. One robbery every 1.7 minutes. One aggravated assault every 30 seconds. One burglary every 22.6 seconds and one motor vehicle theft every 40.9 seconds. You can read more at FBI.gov.

Chicago statistics show shootings and murders were up 50% in 2020 with 875 people who died from gun violence. Seventy-eight percent of the victims were black according to ABC Eye Witness News of Chicago.

Capitol Hill was tragically and fatally surprised last Friday. They were surprised on January 6th as Capitol police never imagined they would face such a menacing mob. The woman walking down the street or someone in a grocery store seldom suspects a lunatic is on the prowl. We let our guards down. We want to believe we are safe but we arent.

Because of so much violence in our society people are unnerved by a stranger knocking on the door. Someone walking too close to us in the store or riding our rear bumper on the highway causes concern. Unfortunately, violence typically happens when we are least suspecting.

While our leaders will be strengthening the fence around the nations Capitol, I hope they will strengthen our security on the southern border. About 5,000 people a day are entering our nation. Many are paying Mexican gangsters up to $8,000 each for help in reaching our border. Are they going to come here and be law abiding people? Since President Biden doesnt want to return to the detention policies of Donald Trump, thousands of asylum applicants are being released into the country. These people are not going to remain on the border. They are coming to your town in Iowa, Utah, Ohio and Vermont and all the rest of the country.

The fence around the Capitol will become a monument to the future of our nation. Many third world houses in Brazil, South Africa and many places in Mexico are surrounded by walls or fences. If we dont do better with our security on the Border look for most houses and subdivisions in America to follow this same course. And, dont be surprised.

Books By Glenn Mollette , Find his books on Amazon.com

Learn more at www.glennmollette.com Like his facebook page at www.facebook.com/glennmollette

Additional biographical, Dr. Glenn Mollette is a graduate of numerous schools including Georgetown College, Southern and Lexington Seminaries in Kentucky. He is the author of 13 books including Uncommon Sense. His column is published weekly in over 600 publications in all 50 states.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-05 23:02:48|Editor: huaxia

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Georgian Health Minister Ekaterine Tikaradze (C) attends a press conference in Tbilisi, Georgia, April 5, 2021. Tikaradze said on Monday the Chinese vaccine that arrived in Georgia earlier last week is safe and effective. Georgia on Saturday received the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines it purchased from China. The newly-arrived vaccines manufactured by China's Sinopharm Group are the third type of vaccine Georgia has introduced in the country so far. (Photo by Tamuna Kulumbegashvili/Xinhua)

TBILISI, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Georgian Health Minister Ekaterine Tikaradze said on Monday the Chinese vaccine that arrived in Georgia earlier last week is safe and effective.

"Sinopharm vaccine is recognized by the strict regulator of Hungary, on the basis of which we decided that Sinopharm could be allowed on the Georgian market," Tikaradze said at a press conference in Tbilisi.

Li Yan, the Chinese ambassador to Georgia, said at the press conference that China will continue to work alongside Georgia to fight the pandemic and help build a community of common health for mankind.

Georgia on Saturday received the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines it purchased from China.

The newly-arrived vaccines manufactured by China's Sinopharm Group are the third type of vaccine Georgia has introduced in the country so far.

Georgia on March 15 launched its nationwide inoculation campaign against COVID-19 after receiving its first batch of vaccines from COVAX.

According to the government's plan, people working in the health sector will be eligible to get vaccinated first.

Georgia plans to vaccinate at least 60 percent of the country's population by the end of 2021.

According to Georgia's National Center for Disease Control, the country on Monday registered 228 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, bringing its total to 284,061. Enditem
Tweets about Russia by Donald Trump during his presidency caused short but noticeable depreciations of the rouble. Meanwhile, the introduction of new sanctions, upon which the president did not comment, had no such effect. This was the finding of a group of researchers, which included Elena Fedorova, Professor of the Faculty of Economic Sciences of HSE University. The group published their findings in in the Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization.

With the growing influence of social media, officials, politicians, and entrepreneurs increasingly express their positions on various issues directly (for example, using Facebook or Twitter), and their messages serve as an independent source of financial and business information. When global political and economic processes depend on the decisions of this person (as in the case of the President of the United States), their social media posts can even affect indicators such as oil prices or the rouble exchange rate. Researchers have already examined the impact of Trump's tweets on the stock market.

To see if there is a connection between the former US president's tweets and the exchange rate of the Russian currency, researchers collected 5,548 of Trump's tweets posted from October 2016 to August 2018. Of these, the authors chose those that mentioned Russia, Moscow, the Kremlin, sanctions, the rouble, and other key words. For the remaining 296 tweets, they rated the tonality of the text (neutral, positive, or negative; those falling in the latter category were the most frequent).

'To assess the tonality of the English-language tweets, we used five already proven dictionaries, and as part of a textual analysis project group with undergraduate and graduate students, we are working on a toolkit for assessing economic and financial texts in Russian. So, I think there will be similar studies on the Russian market,' said Elena Fedorova, article co-author and professor of economics at HSE University.

Using mathematical methods, the authors of the study assessed the impact on the rouble exchange rate of several control variables reflecting oil prices; Central Bank policy; the intensity of sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union, and other states; and the attention of the media to relations between Russia and Western countries. These were considered beyond the period of the tweets to make sure that the rouble exchange rate was in fact responding specifically to the tweets, and not these other factors.

The researchers found that of the two 'political' variables (tweets and the degree of sanctions), only the tweets affected the exchange rate. The authors of the work highlighted several episodes when, after Trump tweeted anti-Russia statements, the rouble exchange rate dropped and the drop lasted for several days. The researchers note that all these episodes coincide with the announcement of new sanctions. However, in cases where sanctions were introduced, but Trump did not comment on them on Twitter, the rouble did not fall.

Calculations of both Russian and foreign researchers show that if sanctions affect the Russian economy, they do so to a much lesser extent than fluctuations in oil prices. New research confirms this conclusion and additionally shows that the emotional reaction to the sanctions of various players affects the exchange rate more than the restrictions themselves. Based on the results of the analysis, the authors suggest that the way market participants assess the severity of the new sanctions and their consequences for the Russian economy is rather strongly influenced by the president's tweets and the reaction of the press.

'Our research, on the one hand, draws upon the contemporary field of behavioural finance. On the other hand, it partially touches upon the philosophical theories of Marxism-Leninism about the role of personality in history (which people of my generation studied both in school and college). Who would have thought more than a hundred years ago that now, with the development of technology for assessing the textual tonality, it would be possible to quantify the impact of statements made by important politicians on the financial and economic market!' said Elena Fedorova.

###

Elena Fedorova co-authored the study with Svetlana Ledyaeva (Aalto University School of Business, Finland).
China cautions Japan as it speaks up before Biden, Suga meet View Photo

BEIJING (AP)  Chinas foreign minister cautioned Japan against teaming up with the U.S. to counter Beijing, as Japan speaks up more on human rights in Chinas Xinjiang region ahead of a U.S.-Japan summit next week.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Japanese counterpart in a phone call Monday evening that their two countries should ensure that their relations do not get involved in the so-called confrontation between major countries, a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement said.

It quoted Wang as saying that China hopes that Japan, as an independent country, will look at Chinas development in an objective and rational way, instead of being misled by some countries holding biased view against China.

Japan, a close U.S. ally that hosts major American naval and air force bases, shares U.S. concerns about Chinas military buildup and claims to territory in the South and East China Seas. However, its major trade and investment interests in China have at times reined in its criticism of its larger neighbor.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is to travel to Washington to meet President Joe Biden on April 16 in what will be the U.S. leaders first in-person summit since taking office in January.

Biden, in contrast to his predecessor Donald Trump, has stressed rebuilding ties with European and Asian allies as the U.S. prepares for competition with a rising China.

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi raised human rights in Chinas Xinjiang region and Hong Kong, both important issues for Biden. He also reiterated Japans protest against Chinas presence in waters around a group of uninhabited, Japan-controlled islands that China claims in the East China Sea.

Motegi told reporters Tuesday that he expressed grave concern and strongly requested China to take concrete actions for improvement on those issues, including the human rights situation in the Xinjiang region.

Some members of a foreign policy team within Sugas conservative ruling party have called for his government to take a tougher stance against China over the Xinjiang situation. They say Japan should adopt a law to impose sanctions against a foreign country over human rights violations.

The United States, Canada, Britain and the European Union have adopted such a law, and they say Japan is the only Group of Seven country without it.

Japan has taken a softer approach by maintaining dialogue rather than imposing unilateral sanctions. But Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato on Tuesday said Japan is open to the possibility of having such a law.

It is necessary to analyze and consider whether Japan should adopt a system that would unilaterally determine human rights violations and impose sanctions, taking into consideration various views including our ongoing human rights and foreign policies and trends in the international community,(asterisk) he said.

Kato said it is important for each country to do what it can to improve human rights conditions. Japan will continue to cooperate with the United States and other related countries, he said.

Wang opposed Japanese interference in Chinas internal affairs in Xinjiang and Hong Kong, the Chinese statement said.

Taiwan is another potential flashpoint, with Suga saying earlier this week that Japan would cooperate with the U.S. on the issue. China regards the self-governing island as a renegade province that should be under Chinese rule.

China, in a signal to the U.S. and its allies, recently sent an aircraft carrier group to waters near Taiwan for training exercises.

___

Yamaguchi reported from Tokyo.

By KEN MORITSUGU and MARI YAMAGUCHI

Associated Press
MANZINI  Seemingly, the issue of the demand of having Princess Sikhanyiso, the Minister of ICT, repay the money she earned while on protracted leave will be taken up by MPs.

This is because some Members of Parliament (MPs) are in the process of consulting with the electorate on what they should do about the matter involving the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) minister. In fact, one of the parliamentarians, Mduduzi Gawuzela Simelane, whose constituency is Siphofaneni, said as they represented the people of Eswatini, they should not be scared to pursue anything from the public, as long as it was within the perimeters of the law.

Maternity

He said some members of the public had already raised the issue of the minister and they did so referring to the law. The public referred to the Employment Act of 1980, which says an employee is entitled to a maternity leave of three months. They also quoted Section 72 of the Constitution, which speaks about the exercise of ministers functions during absence or illness, which says; Where a minister is absent from Eswatini or is by reason of illness or any other cause unable to exercise the functions of the office of that minister, the minister may, after consultation with the PM, delegate those functions to another minister in writing for a maximum period not exceeding six months. Princess Sikhanyiso had been away from work for about 14 months.

MP Simelane said in the House of Assembly, the Office of the Attorney General (AG) was asked how many times the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Manqoba Khumalo, would act as minister of ICT. He alleged that the response they got from the AGs Office was presented as if it was lawful to renew the status of Minister Khumalo as acting ICT minister.

Thereafter, he said after the matter was raised by some members of the public, the ICT minister publicly apologised for allegedly breaching the Constitution. This means that the AGs Office might have misled us. However, I am still consulting because if indeed the AGs Office misled the House, it should apologise too. In fact, the question will be; how can we trust it going forward? the MP said.
gettyimagesbank



By Jun Ji-hye



Single parents with foreign nationalities, who have not officially married Koreans but are raising a child or children of Korean nationality, will be able to apply for monthly child support expenses from the government beginning next month, according to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Tuesday.



Among the applicants, those who earn less than 52 percent of the median income can receive a government subsidy of 200,000 won ($178) per child each month.



The ministry said the measure, aimed at expanding welfare benefits to multicultural families, was part of revised enforcement ordinances of the Single-Parent Family Support Act that were approved during a Cabinet meeting earlier in the day.



Before the revisions, child support expenses for foreign single parents have been given only to ones who had married Koreans and became a single parent due to divorce or death of their spouse.



Foreign single parents who did not officially marry Koreans have been unable to apply for the subsidy even though they were raising a child or children of Korean nationality.



"The latest revision comes as there have been calls to provide aid to those who have fallen through the cracks of the welfare safety net," a ministry official said.



The official said the revision will enable immigrants who came to Korea to wed Koreans and then gave birth before marriage but could not marry for reasons such as abandonment by their prospective Koreans spouses, to be given financial support.



The latest measure is expected to benefit about 100 people, the ministry noted, adding that the monthly child support expenses are offered until a child turns 18.



"There may be many more different cases, and the enforcement ordinances would not be able to cover all of the cases. But the latest revision is meaningful in that legal grounds have been prepared to support more foreign single parents who raise Korean children," the official said.



The revisions also include a measure enabling single parents who receive basic living expenses from the government to be offered additional child-support payments of 100,000 won per child every month.



The basic living expenses have been given to single parents who earn less than 30 percent of the median income. So far, those who receive that subsidy have been unable to simultaneously receive the child-support payments.



Minister of Gender Equality and Family Chung Young-ai said, "The ministry will continue to keenly cooperate with local governments to more actively deal with issues facing single-parent families so they can live a more stable life."


The Fair Work Commission is currently mulling the minimum wage rate. Images: Getty.

The Australian Government has warned against increasing the minimum wage in the wake of the COVID-19 downturn, saying small businesses will struggle to meet the increased costs.

However, unions have described this decision as hypocritical as the JobKeeper subsidy comes to an end.

In its submission to the annual minimum wage case, the Morrison Government called for a cautious approach to raising the minimum wage, given uncertainties in the domestic and international economic outlook.

Around 2.3 million workers have their pay set relative to the minimum wage, which is typically updated each July by the Fair Work Commission. Of those, 180,000 earn the minimum wage.

Thats currently set at $19.84 an hour or $753.80 per week, and makes up around 52.7 per cent of the national median wage.

The risk of domestic outbreaks and ongoing disruptions to other major economies mean the economic environment remains uncertain, the submission reads.

Although the vaccine rollout is underway, COVID-19 outbreaks that would necessitate further containment measures remain a significant risk and even localised outbreaks could have an impact on consumer and business confidence weighing on consumption and investment.

In its submission, the Government also noted that the Superannuation Guarantee is scheduled to increase by 0.5 percentage points in July.

Unions, social services urge increase

However, the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) blasted the Governments stance as hypocritical.

The hypocrisy of the Federal Government is breathtaking  they say its fine to get rid of JobKeeper because the economy is recovering, but workers shouldnt have a pay rise because the economy is faltering. They cant have it both ways, ACTU assistant secretary Scott Connolly said on Tuesday morning.

Profits are soaring over 8 per cent and the Reserve Bank are calling for wage growth above 3 per cent, but the Federal Government still wants the minimum wage to go backwards in real terms.

Story continues

If wages dont increase it threatens the entire recovery. Money in the hands of working people is what will create sustainable economic growth, not bigger profits for big business.

The ACTU is calling for a 3.5 per cent increase to the minimum wage, which would take it to $20.53.

The Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS) has also called for a substantial increase to the minimum wage.

In its submission, it said poverty among wage-earning households was trending upwards even before the COVID recessions, with 38 per cent of people living below the poverty line in 2017-18.

In our view, to sustain growth in consumer demand and employment through this year and the next, stronger growth in wages in the lower half of the pay distribution is needed, along with an adequate, permanent increase in the JobSeeker Payment and higher levels of public expenditure to improve care services and public infrastructure, ACOSS said.

The Housing Industry Association has called for a deferred commencement of any minimum wage decision, while also calling for caution. The National Retail Association has said any minimum wage increase should be tied to the Consumer Price Index.

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"As a designer, you have to orient yourself towards that which inspires you. You have to look for those sources of energy in your everyday life and in those around you. I chose Formcraft because I see a company poised for success. My impression is one of dynamism, energy, and ambition," says Lauren.

As Formcraft's Director of Workplace Strategy & Design, Lauren will be responsible for engaging clients to develop a thoughtful approach to their workplace, one that aligns with their business goals and supports their culture. She will work with Client Relations, Business Development, and serve as a mentor for the Design Studio.

Lauren will also lead Formcraft's WorkforceDiagnostics program, which helps clients build data-driven solutions for the evolving workplace. Through diagnostic surveys and strategic discussions, Lauren will help clients develop meaningful workplace strategies and return-to-work strategies.

"We are excited to add Lauren to our team. Lauren is passionate about everything she does, has an analytical thought process, and thoroughly enjoys learning about what is important to our clients. Lauren's versatile skill set and leadership experience will be integral to the firm's success," says Jeremy Drummond, Design Principal at Formcraft.

About Formcraft

Formcraft is the premier office design and renovation firm serving the greater Philadelphia region. Headquartered in Center City Philadelphia, Formcraft is a design-led integrated project delivery firm offering workplace strategy, architecture, design, and construction services to take your project from start to finish. We design and build dream offices for businesses in technology, finance, life sciences, healthcare, industrial, communications, transport, insurance, and professional services industries.

Media Contact:

Philip Lock

Principal, Formcraft

[email protected]

215.645.0325 (office)

SOURCE Formcraft

Related Links

https://formcraft.net




Are you looking for a job where the team is fun, friendly and supportive? Do you have the compassion and willingness to provide direct support to children and their families? Our Sierra Vista location is looking for an English/Spanish Bilingual Case Manager to join their team! As a Case Manager you will have the opportunity to provide direct in-home and in-office behavior management and parenting skills building while working collaboratively with children and families to create service plans tailored to individual needs. You would also spend time advocating for your clients to receive a variety of social services and celebrating successes as client's progress toward treatment goals. **English/Spanish Bilingual is a requirement for this position.** Who We Are: Founded in 1912, Arizona's Children Association is one of the oldest and largest statewide comprehensive child welfare and behavioral health not-for-profit agencies in Arizona. Located in all 15 Arizona counties, we provide a variety of programs and services to meet the needs of more than 40,000 children, youth and families each year. When working with AzCA, you'll be surrounded by highly talented and dedicated individuals who are committed to our mission of protecting children, empowering youth, and strengthening families. Why You'll Love Working for Us: At Arizona's Children Association, our employees are our most valuable asset; and as such we offer a wide range of benefits to aid your health and wellness including: We have a whole new comprehensive benefits package for 2021! Click hereto view our 2021 Benefits Guide for full details! All full time employees working 30 hours or more per week are eligible and we offer several plans for Medical, Dental, and Vision so you can choose the option right for you and your family! Plans are effective the first of the month following 30 days of employment Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Health Savings Account (HSA), Life and AD&D, Short Term Disability and Long Term Disability, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and more!

Employee Wellness and Support Time every Friday morning

Flexible Schedules

Generous paid time off, paid sick leave, and 8 paid holidays

403B Retirement Savings Plan provided through Mutual of America

Tuition Reimbursement and Discounts Find your passion. Join our team! What You'll Do: Complete initial intake assessments for clients and families seeking services for the first time, creating an emotionally and physically safe environment.

Collaborates with CFT teams to develop treatment plans which include the continued identification of the child and family strengths, needs and culturally and linguistically appropriate, trauma informed approach.

Monitors treatment plans with clients and participating agencies as appropriate to contract and client's progress toward treatment goals.

Provides information about available services and identifies the most appropriate providers for services including the identification of specialty providers when needed.

Reviews the assessments and plans completed by other agencies (IEP, 504, IBP) and integrate key aspects of the multiple assessments and plans into the behavioral health service plan.

Facilitates Child and Family team process and coordinates with all team members to secure needed services and referrals.

Facilitates the involvement and communication with other agencies such as Schools, DCS, DDD, SWN and other participating agencies as appropriate by phone, email or face to face interactions.

Provides effective trauma informed educational activities that promote client understanding of treatment issues

Provides and maintains complete and accurate client records

Ensures the development and implementation of transition "transition into adulthood", discharge and aftercare plans prior to discontinuation of behavioral health service or I anticipation of major life transitions. Minimum Education & Experience: Master's degree in a behavioral health field, or Bachelor's degree and 2-year full time experience in behavioral health with children.

English/Spanish Bilingual Required Minimum Qualification & Requirements: Must be 21 years of age (licensing requirement).

Possess a valid Arizona driver's license and be insurable under the agency's automobile policy.

Must be able to provide own transportation to and from clients' homes and/or other relevant organizations/agencies.

Must be able to provide DPS fingerprint clearance.

Must be able to meet training and agency compliance requirements for the position.

An individual may qualify for this position if the individual is able to "perform safely" the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations. AzCA is an EEO/Veterans/Disabled/LGBTQ employer


Reel Telecommunications Builds upon Successful Track Record with Investment from Full Circle Fiber

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Reel Telecommunications (Reel or the Company), a communications construction services firm, announced that it has been acquired by Full Circle Fiber Partners (Full Circle), an affiliate of Mill Point Capital. Reel will continue to operate independently under its new name, Reel Broadband LLC.

Reel is a fast-growing business that will continue to expand its leadership in telecommunications infrastructure services within the Full Circle Fiber platform. The Reel team includes tenured, industry-experienced management with a proven track record of providing quality service under demanding timeframes. Since the Companys founding in 2001, Reel has specialized in a wide variety of services, including project management, fiber optic replacement & splicing, aerial & underground construction and engineering & design. The Company is headquartered in Deerfield Beach, Florida, with additional offices in Texas, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Indiana, Virginia, West Virginia, Florida, Georgia and the Bahamas.

Mill Point is a middle-market private equity firm focused on control investments in North America. Mill Point employs an Executive Partner model and has extensive experience investing in transactions in the communications and business services sectors. The board of Full Circle includes communications industry veterans such as Wayne H. Davis. Reel marks Full Circles fourth acquisition in the communications services space, following investments in Knight Broadband, Noble Broadband and MTC Consulting in 2020.

Under the ownership of Full Circle, Reel will continue to build upon its strong track record of performance and reliable customer service, while executing on the variety of opportunities in front of the Company today. The combination of Reels expertise in the telecommunications sector, with Full Circles existing presence in the cable space, immediately enhances the platforms value proposition while expanding customer relationships and geographical reach.

Les Smith, Chairman of Reel, commented, We are thrilled to be joining the Full Circle family, and are excited about their commitment to our growth going forward. I am extremely proud of the extraordinary track record our team has built over the years, and look forward to the next chapter for Reel.

Under the leadership of Les Smith and Wes Parsons, Reel has established a proven history of dependable execution for its customers. We look forward to partnering with the entire Reel team to support the extensive growth opportunities in front of the Company as well as the broader Full Circle platform, said Michael Duran, Founder and Managing Partner of Mill Point.

About Reel

Headquartered in Deerfield Beach, FL, Reel specializes in a wide variety of telecommunications construction services, including project management, fiber optic replacement & splicing, aerial & underground construction and engineering & design. Reel has an outstanding reputation in the North American communications industry for new build, rebuild, upgrades, telephone construction and storm restoration projects. Reel is a pioneer in the field, at the forefront of technology and innovation. For more information, please visit www.reeltel.com.

About Mill Point Capital

Mill Point Capital is a middle-market private equity firm focused on control-oriented investments in the industrial, IT services and business services sectors. The firm works with executive partners to leverage its investment professionals' experience while providing strategic and operational guidance to drive long-term value creation in its portfolio companies. Mill Point is based in New York, NY. For more information, please visit www.millpoint.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210405005456/en/

Jiaeh Kim

info@millpoint.com

212-416-5800

Source: Mill Point Capital
ROCHESTER, Minn. - Bethel Lutheran Church is asking for the publics help.

The Women's Shelter provides support services to domestic violence victims in southeast Minnesota, and assists them in finding safe housing.

As part of its April mission, the church is collecting paper products and household cleaning supplies for new households.

Donations may be left in the wooden mission bin.

Monetary donations may be left in the office or made online at https://onrealm.org/bethellutheran/-/give/bethel. The church asks that you designate "Mission of the Month. Information about The Women's Shelter support services is available at the mission center or visit their website: https://www.womens-shelter.org/.
Over the weekend, personal data of upwards of 533 million worldwide Facebook users - including an estimated 1.5 million Irish users - was published online.

The information included phone numbers, Facebook IDs, names, locations, birthdates, and email addresses.

In a statement, the Data Protection Commission (DPC) said: A dataset, appearing to be sourced from Facebook, has appeared on a hacking website this weekend for free and contains records of 533 million individuals.

A significant number of the users are EU users. Much of the data appears to been data scraped some time ago from Facebook public profiles.

"Previous datasets were published in 2019 and 2018 relating to a large-scale scraping of the Facebook website which at the time Facebook advised occurred between June 2017 and April 2018 when Facebook closed off a vulnerability in its phone lookup functionality.

"Because the scraping took place prior to GDPR, Facebook chose not to notify this as a personal data breach under GDPR."

How to check if your personal data was leaked from Facebook?

A reputable website - haveibeenpwned.com - lets you check whether your email address or mobile number is part of the leak.
The company said the collaboration is hoping to achieve faster growth, increasing bud yield, powdery mildew suppression and lower CO2 energy use and lower overall production costs

The commercial feasibility will be conducted in part of Pharmocanns greenhouse for a term of at least six months

( ) ( ) (FRA:4021) has announced its first commercial feasibility in Israel with cannabis producer Pharmocann Global Inc to assess its CO2 Delivery Solutions technology.

In a statement Tuesday, the Toronto-based company said that the commercial feasibility will be conducted in part of Pharmocanns greenhouse for a term of at least six months.

CO2 Delivery Solutions dissolves and saturates carbon dioxide gas into water, creating a bubble-less, aqueous CO2 solution that results in a combination of larger plants and shorter crop grow time.

CO2 Gro told investors that at Pharmocanns 348,000-square foot facility, CO2 gassing is not feasible as greenhouses require continuous venting. With Delivery Solutions technology, the saturated CO2 misting allows open venting greenhouses to provide more carbon to their plants for enhancing growth.

The company said that the collaboration is hoping to achieve faster growth, increasing bud yield, powdery mildew suppression and lower CO2 energy use and lower overall production costs.

CO2 Grow estimates that these outcomes can help boost revenue for crop growers up to 30%.

"We are very interested to see how much additional value CO2 Delivery Solutions technology will create in our cannabis operation, Pharmocanns head of cultivation Asaf Shaked said in a statement.

Until now we have not been able to utilize CO2 gas given the structure of our greenhouses. The benefits seen with other cannabis growers in Canada makes CO2 Delivery Solutions a very promising and potentially valuable technology to us."

Big opportunity in Israel

The commercial feasibility was sourced by CO2 Gros Israeli marketing partner Greenmist Ltd, which will be managing the project with remote assistance from CO2 Gro.

"GROW's revolutionary CO2 Delivery Solutions technology and lack of global competition inspired us to form a new company focused on pursuing the many protected agriculture opportunities available in Israel, Greenmists CEO Uzi Breier said.

Breier estimates that Israel has nearly 1.5 billion square feet of protected agriculture including tunnels, shade houses, net houses, hoop houses and greenhouses outside its cannabis sector.

Aaron Archibald, CO2 Gros vice president, sales and strategic alliance called Pharmocann an ideal customer as they understand the benefits of additional CO2 for their plants but cannot currently gas due to their greenhouse structure.

We look forward to working with Greenmist in pursuing additional opportunities in Israel both in the Cannabis market and the larger protected agriculture market, Archibald added.

CO2 Gro has marketing partnerships covering 14 countries.

Contact Angela at angela@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow her on Twitter @AHarmantas
Agreement-In-Principle reached between Canada and France for 3Ps cod fishery

April 06,2021 | Source: India Education Diary

Since 1994, Canada and France (in respect of Saint Pierre and Miquelon) have co-managed fish stocks, including cod in the 3Ps zone off the south coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. Under the Proces-Verbal Agreement, the two countries meet annually to negotiate management measures, including the total allowable catch (TAC) of shared stocks in the North Atlantic.



Today, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Bernadette Jordan announced that an agreement in principle has been reached with France regarding 3Ps cod for the 2021 fishing season. Both countries intend to support a TAC of 1,346 t, a 50 per cent TAC reduction from last year.



Given that the stock is in the critical zone, a TAC reduction is necessary. The reduced fishing effort will allow the fishery to remain open, while promoting growth of the stock.



Additionally, Canada has committed to work with stakeholders and harvesters over the coming year to develop a rebuilding plan for 3Ps cod in advance of 2022 discussions, and to continue with full, robust, and comprehensive science assessments on this important species. This will help create a more sustainable fishery for future generations.



Furthermore, Canada and France have agreed in principle on a rollover of TACs for 3Ps Witch flounder, Unit 2 Redfish, and 3Ps Iceland scallop, and to maintain a moratorium for 3Ps American plaice.



Canada values the long-standing Proces-Verbal Agreement with France and intends to implement the negotiated outcomes of this years meetings.

 2021 - India Education,Education News India,Education News | India Education Diary. All Rights Reserved.

Theme(s): Fisheries Development and Aquaculture.
NYSE American Symbol  UEC

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Uranium Energy Corp (NYSE American: UEC) (the "Company" or "UEC") is pleased to report that it has now secured an additional 705,000 pounds of U.S. warehoused uranium, with delivery dates out to December 2022.

Including the previously announced contracts to acquire 1,400,000 pounds of uranium concentrates, UEC has now entered into additional purchase contracts for a total of 2,105,000 pounds of U 3 O 8 at a volume weighted average price of ~$30 per pound.

The Company is also pleased to announce that it has entered into definitive agreements with institutional investors to purchase an aggregate of 3,636,364 common shares of the Company (each, a "Share") at a purchase price of $3.30 per Share and for gross proceeds of approximately $12,000,000 in a registered direct offering (the "Offering"). The closing of the Offering is expected to occur on or about April 8, 2021, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

Following the closing of the Offering and delivery of contracted drummed uranium, UEC will have more than $110 million of cash, equity and inventory holdings.

As previously disclosed, UEC's physical uranium initiative will support three objectives: 1) strengthens the Company's balance sheet as uranium prices appreciate; 2) provides strategic inventory to support future marketing efforts with utilities that could complement production and accelerate cashflows; and 3) increases the availability of UEC's Texas and Wyoming production capacity to pursue specific opportunities for uranium of U.S. origin; which may command premium pricing due to the scarcity of domestic uranium production.

The Company anticipates that the net proceeds from the Offering will be used for additional uranium purchases and for general corporate and working capital purposes.

H.C. Wainwright & Co. is acting as the exclusive placement agent for the Offering.

The Shares are being offered by the Company pursuant to the Company's effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-236571) previously filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and became effective March 3, 2020. The Offering is being made only by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus that form a part of the effective shelf registration statement. A prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to the Offering will be filed by the Company with the SEC. Electronic copies of the prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to the Offering may be obtained, when available, from the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov, or from H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, 430 Park Avenue, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10022 by e-mail at:[email protected] or by telephone at: (212) 856-5711.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities, nor shall there be any sale of the 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 state or jurisdiction. The securities being offered have not been approved or disapproved by any regulatory authority, nor has any such authority passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the prospectus supplement, the prospectus or the Company's shelf registration statement.



About Uranium Energy Corp

Uranium Energy Corp is a U.S.-based uranium mining and exploration company. As a leading pure-play American uranium company, UEC is advancing the next generation of low-cost and environmentally friendly In-Situ Recovery (ISR) mining uranium projects. In South Texas, the Company's hub-and-spoke operations are anchored by our fully-licensed Hobson Processing Facility which is central to our Palangana, Burke Hollow, Goliad and other ISR pipeline projects. In Wyoming, UEC controls the Reno Creek project, which is the largest permitted, pre-construction ISR uranium project in the U.S. Additionally, the Company's diversified holdings provide exposure to a unique portfolio of uranium related assets, including: 1) major equity stake in the only royalty company in the sector, Uranium Royalty Corp; 2) physical uranium warehoused in the U.S.; and 3) a pipeline of resource-stage uranium projects in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Paraguay. In Paraguay, the Company owns one of the largest and highest-grade ferro-titanium deposits in the world. The Company's operations are managed by professionals with a recognized profile for excellence in their industry, a profile based on many decades of hands-on experience in the key facets of uranium exploration, development and mining.

Stock Exchange Information:

NYSE American: UEC

WKN: AJDRR

ISN: US916896103

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, market and other conditions, risks that the Offering will not be completed, failure to satisfy the conditions to closing of the Offering, the actual results of exploration activities, variations in the underlying assumptions associated with the estimation or realization of mineral resources, 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 of the mining industry including, without limitation, those associated with the environment, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, permits or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, title disputes or claims limitations on insurance coverage. 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 within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the Federal securities laws. 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. For forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 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 Uranium Energy Corp

Related Links

http://www.uraniumenergy.com/


The Orion spacecraft made a splash. Literally.

A 14,000-pound test version of the NASA spacecraft was dropped 7 feet into a water basin Tuesday at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va.

Related: NASA test successfully fires moon rocket for 8 minutes and 19 seconds

The Orion capsule is being developed to take astronauts to the moon. It will be launched atop the Space Launch System rocket, travel to the moon and then return to Earth by splashing down in the ocean.

Tuesday's drop test was with an exact replica of the Orion capsule that is being prepared for launch on NASA's Artemis II mission. Artemis II will be Orion's first launch with people onboard. An uncrewed mission, Artemis I, is scheduled for later this year.

Data analyst Jacob Putnam said sensors on the Orion replica would allow NASA to measure how forces act on the capsule when it's dropped into the water and to measure the motion of the vehicle as it moves through the water.

"Those forces are going to tell us a lot about any risk to the structure of the test article, or any components inside of it, and the motion of the capsule through the water is going to tell us a lot about what the occupants inside might be experiencing," Putnam said during a live video of the test. "So really with this test we're ensuring that both the test vehicle, or future Orion vehicle, as well as the occupants inside are safe during any future landings."
The International Trade Administration (ITA), under the United States department of commerce, has recommended levying a countervailing duty against equipment manufacturers from India. The recent steps are a stark reminder of the Obama era battle in the World Trade Organization (WTO) between India and the United States to protect the latters local renewable energy industry.

With the Joe Biden-led Democrats now in office, the US clean energy lobby appears to be back in action.

A notice by the department of commerce said, The department of commerce preliminarily determines that countervailable subsidies are being provided to producers and exporters of utility scale wind towers from India. The period of investigation is April 1, 2019, through March 31, 2020.



In November last year, the US department of commerce published its initiation of the countervailing duty investigation of utility scale wind towers from India.

In February 2021, nine additional new subsidy allegations were filed and the department recommended initiating investigations on eight programmes under question.

Among the Indian government programmes under investigation are the priority sector lending programme, concessional Customs duty exemption certificate and the enhancement of competitiveness in the capital goods sector: technology acquisition fund programme. The incentives to industries under the Gujarat industrial policy are also subject to investigation.

The ITA said, The merchandise covered by this investigation consists of certain wind towers, whether or not tapered, and sections thereof. Certain wind towers support the nacelle and rotor blades in a wind turbine with a minimum rated electrical power generation capacity. This is in excess of 100 Kw and with a minimum height of 50 m measured from the base of the tower to the bottom of the nacelle when fully assembled.



Vestas Wind Technology India is the only individually examined exporter/producer in this investigation. The department of commerce has preliminarily determined a subsidy of 3.74 per cent. It has estimated a rate of 397.16 per cent (subsidy) against Naiks Brass & Iron Works, Nordex India, Prommada Hindustan, Suzlon Energy, Vinayaka Energy Tek, Wish Energy Solutions and Zeeco India based on the adverse facts available.

This aggressive posturing by the US government is similar to the stand taken during the previous stint of Democrats in the US. India had faced criticism at the WTO for its domestic content requirement clause in government tenders.

The US had then alleged that Indian tenders were discriminating against American businesses that wanted to participate in Indias solar energy deployment programmes. India had lost this case at the WTO in 2016.
Ahmedabad, April 6 : As the world is on the path to recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, Gujarat-based Ahmedabad University has been selected to lead India in a global climate education initiative that seeks to find out what can be done this year to meet the challenge of climate change while supporting struggling communities that have faced joblessness, sickness and loss.

As a part of this initiative, Ahmedabad University will host a public discourse on the topic "Communicating climate urgency: How to get our messaging right" in India on April 7, 2021. Members of the public can register at https://bit.ly/3spBSbD This will be one of 125 similar events to be held across the planet in early April focused on ambitious but feasible regional and local solutions to help meet the challenge of climate change.

This event is a part of a global project called Solve Climate By 2030, in association with Bard College in New York. Worldwide, from Australia to Kyrgyzstan, Colombia to Malaysia, and South Africa to Hungary, audiences will hear from local climate experts about steps that can really help the nation solve climate change, while creating much-needed jobs and income.

Ahmedabad University is the only institute to be selected from India to be part of this global initiative.

"We firmly believe that sustainability is central to human existence and no discipline, today, can shy away from integrating in its thinking. For Ahmedabad, Climate change is a serious area of academic-action endeavour and we engage with all of its manifestations," Professor Pankaj Chandra, Vice Chancellor of Ahmedabad University, said ahead of the event.

Located in the urban centre of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Ahmedabad University is building itself into a research hub that is premised on liberal education. It is a university in the global academy that is being envisioned to promote subcontinental traditions of knowledge to act as a bridge between the arts, the sciences and the professions. Interdisciplinary curriculum, experiential learning environment, and research thinking define an Ahmedabad education.

At the April 7 webinar, Bhuvana Venkatesh, a Grade 10 student from Bengaluru, Bijal Vachhrajani, Author and Senior Editor at Pratham Books and Raj Shah, an MBA student of the Class of 2022 at Ahmedabad University, will participate in the interdisciplinary conversation on "Communicating climate urgency: How to get our messaging right".

Dr. Eban Goodstein, economist and Director of the Solve Climate project at Bard College, has urged climate-concerned teachers at the college, university and high school level to assign the Ahmedabad University webinar as homework - either live or recorded - and then engage students in this critical dialogue.

"Ahmedabad University is taking a leadership role among global universities on education for climate solutions," said Goodstein. "The experts they have brought together for this event have an important message about what we can and must do now to stabilise the climate." Minal Pathak, Senior Scientist, Global Centre for Environment and Energy, Ahmedabad University, will moderate the April 7 event.

"The science around climate change is unanimous - solving the climate challenge needs unprecedented and rapid action," said Pathak. "How do we best communicate this urgency? How can we improve our messaging for the wider public - for young audiences in particular?" On April 7, 2021, the Solve the Climate movement launches at over 100 universities worldwide.

"Ahmedabad University is proud and humbled to be part of this amazing initiative," said Pathak. "We are proud to be the only institution from India to participate in this global conversation." The Solve Climate by 2030 project comes even as the United Nations has declared the years 2021-2030 as the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. The aim behind this declaration is to massively scale up the restoration of degraded and destroyed ecosystems across the world as a proven measure to fight the climate crisis and enhance food security, water supply and biodiversity.
Last month, Gov. Greg Abbott blasted the actions of Facebook as un-American [and] un-Texan, accusing it and other social media giants of spearheading a dangerous movement to silence conservative voices.

The First Amendment is under assault by these social media companies, and that will not be tolerated in Texas, Abbott said.

MORE ABBOTT NEWS: Abbott declines Rangers' first-pitch invite in protest of MLB's stance on voting restrictions

At the same time, his office was working quietly with the company with the hope that it will soon build a second data center in the state, according to documents provided to The Texas Tribune by the Tech Transparency Project, a technology research arm of the nonprofit watchdog group Campaign for Accountability.

That contrast in public and private messaging highlights the dissonance with which some Texas GOP leaders approach the tech industry. Abbott and other state officials have engaged in a coordinated line of attack against the companies, publicly lambasting them and pushing for laws to address what they perceive as liberal biases. At the same time, state leaders have privately courted them and publicly bragged about the thousands of jobs they have created here.

Broad details of the behind-the-scenes courting of Facebook are included in a letter from a lawyer representing the company.

Earlier this year, the Tech Transparency Project filed an open records request that sought communications between Abbotts office and employees of certain technology companies, including Facebook. Instead of releasing the records, Abbotts office asked Attorney General Ken Paxton to intervene on Facebooks behalf, according to a letter obtained through a records request from the attorney generals office.

The letter, by Justin Hoover, an attorney at the law firm Winstead PC who is representing Facebook, argued that the release of more than 100 pages of communications between the social media company and the governors office would expose confidential information including:

The fact that Facebook is considering Texas as a site for its data center

The project codename for the data center

The name of the subsidiary that will purchase land for the data center

The names of Facebook employees working on the project

The nondisclosure agreement between Abbotts office and Facebook

Spokespeople for Abbott and Facebook did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Reference

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The letter states that Texas is one of several states being considered by Facebook for the data center and that the company has been engaged in preliminary discussions with Abbotts Economic Development and Tourism office about possible site locations and related economic incentives. Discussions with Texas officials began in August, the letter said, and it will likely be at least a year before the company selects a site.

READ ALSO: Here's why Ted Cruz (and others) are talking about Coca-Cola

Hoover wrote that withholding the information is paramount to the ability of the State of Texas to remain in consideration for the data center.

Katie Paul, director of the Tech Transparency Project, said in a statement that it's "entirely likely" that an agreement between Texas and Facebook would "end up being a raw deal for Texas taxpayers."

"A similar data center in Tennessee granted Facebook $19.5 million in tax incentives for a project that would only create 100 new jobs," Paul said. "If Facebook throws its weight around in Texas in the same way it did in Tennessee, its no wonder that both the company and the governors office are trying to keep their negotiations under wraps.

If a deal were inked, it would be Facebooks second data center in Texas. Construction on a $1.5 billion Fort Worth location began in 2015 and is expected to be completed in 2022. The facility employs about 150 people.

The city of Fort Worth at the time approved a lucrative incentive package for Facebook, which included a 20-year, $147 million tax-exemption deal on real and business personal property taxes, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported. The company committed to creating at least 40 jobs with average annual salaries of $70,000.

Abbott attended the facilitys groundbreaking in 2015, touting his efforts to bring Facebook to Texas and declaring that the facility would create an even more robust and diverse economy.

Make no mistake, this project does far more than just create jobs and add capital to the region, Abbott said. It is a magnet that high-tech companies are welcome to the state.

Abbott has long boasted that the Silicon Hills of Texas are a low-tax, business friendly alternative to the expensive tech-mecca of Silicon Valley in California, while also bashing Austin as a bastion of liberalism for policies such as diverting police funds to other community services.

Texas has won over major corporations. Software giant Oracle announced in December that it was moving its headquarters from California to Austin. Other tech companies with offices in the Austin area include Amazon, Apple, Google, Facebook, Dell and Intel. Even Elon Musk, the CEO of electric car company Tesla, recently announced a high-profile exit from the Golden State for Texas.

Meanwhile, Paxton is ensnared in litigation with a number of technology companies. In December, Paxton joined 47 attorneys general and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission in filing an antitrust lawsuit against Facebook. The suit accused the organization of monopolizing the market for social networking services. Paxton is also leading a separate, multi-state lawsuit against Google, alleging the search giant conspired with Facebook to manipulate online advertisement sales.

And in January, after former President Donald Trump was banned from Twitter for inciting violence during the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, Paxton announced an investigation into Google, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon Web Services and Apple. He is seeking information about the companies content moderation policies and practices. Paxton also requested information related to Parler, a social networking site used by the far right. Google and Apple booted the app from their app stores, and Amazon Web Services said it would no longer provide web hosting services.

Paxton's office did not respond to requests for comment.

The revelation that Abbott is courting Facebook comes as the Texas Legislature is pushing a proposal to punish social media companies for canceling conservative speech. State Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, is championing Senate Bill 12  a legislative priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick that would prohibit social media companies with at least 100 million monthly users from blocking, banning, demonetizing or discriminating against a user based on their viewpoint or their location within Texas. The state Senate approved the proposal last week by an 18-13 vote, but it has not had a hearing in the Texas House.

The measure would apply to anyone who lives in, does business in or even has social media followers in Texas. It would also require the companies to disclose their content moderation policies, publish quarterly reports about the content they remove and create an appeals process for user content that has been taken down.

The Texas attorney general would be allowed to file suit against any company that violates a provision of the bill. If upheld in court, the attorney general could recoup "reasonable" attorneys fees and investigative costs.

Spokespeople for Hughes and Patrick did not respond to multiple emails seeking comment.

Abbott joined Hughes at a news conference last month in Tyler to throw his support behind the measure, and singled out Facebook by name.

What Facebook and Twitter are doing: they are controlling the flow of information  and sometimes denying the flow of information, Abbott said at the time. Texas is taking a stand against Big Tech political censorship. We're not going to allow it in the Lone Star State.

Disclosure: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Apple, Dell, Facebook and Google have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
ICMSA president Pat McCormack has called on the minister to row in behind the dairy industry

ICMSA president Pat McCormack has called on Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue not to sit on the fence regarding the dispute between Glanbia Ireland and An Taisce over proposed plans for a 140m cheese plant in Belview, Co Kilkenny.

With a judicial review of An Bord Pleanalas decision to grant planning permission for the proposed project ongoing and political and dairy industry pressure mounting on Government to intervene, the farm leader is urging the minister to row in behind the sector.

It comes as Glanbias dairy farmer suppliers continue to level criticism at the processor for its proposed introduction of peak milk supply restrictions for the months of April, May and June from next spring until at least 2024 as, without its new plant, Glanbia wont have enough capacity to process further volume growth.

Speaking to the Farming Independent Mr McCormack said: This is a very significant issue to the dairy industry with 25pc of suppliers and 30pc of the milk pool being put into stagnation - but, it means even more than that.

"We need to know is the minister with us or against us on this? He cant sit on the fence. Hes either with the dairy industry or hes not.

"I have a list of farmers who have expanded and are trying to build milking parlours, but they are being objected to on the ground by An Taisce.

"Theyve upped their cow numbers and all they want to do is develop their enterprise, but their planning is being objected to. An Taisce are gone a bit crazy on this.

"The question has to be asked how much employment is the dairy industry creating and the spin off in rural Ireland and how much employment is An Taisce creating in the rural economy, said Mr McCormack who raised this issue at last weeks meeting of the Dairy Forum  which brings all key stakeholders in the sector together to discuss the strategic development of the sector. The meeting was chaired by Minister McConalogue.

Judicial review

Last month, a High Court case commenced between Glanbia Ireland and An Taisce over proposed plans to build a 140m continental cheese plant in Belview, Co Kilkenny.

The judicial review centres on the decision of An Bord Pleanala to uphold planning permission for the joint venture between Glanbia and Dutch dairy producer Royal A-Ware Food Group  a family-owned company in business for the last 150 years.

An Taisce's challenge to the planned plant include claims the environmental effects of the milk inputs for the cheese plant were not properly taken into account for the purposes of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Habitats Directives.
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On March 30th, 2020, Zhengzhou Vtops Machinery Co Ltd exported one set of a high accuracy protein powder packaging line to Slovakia.

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After many discussions, Mr. Mar confirmed all the order details in December 2020 and confirmed the partnership in January 2021. According to the contract, VTOPS completed all machines within 2 months.

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A social media video is attracting attention over a Northern California cafes controversial promotion that encourages customers to throw away their masks.

In mid-March, Fiddleheads Cafe in Mendocino prominently posted a sign in the window of its cafe reading, "Throw your mask(s) in our trash bin and receive 50% off your order."

A TikTok video posted of the flyer last week has taken off on social media, reaching at least 39,000 likes and receiving almost 1,700 comments since its posting; animosity toward the cafe has also spilled over onto Yelp, as users have begun trashing the cafe for its new promotion, leading the review site to post its Unusual Activity Alert warning usually saved for businesses under a negative spotlight from a news report or, in this case, social media.

But according to Ted Williams, 5th District Supervisor of Mendocino County, theres not much the government can do about the promotion.

As far as I can tell, there's nothing illegal about him giving a discount to people who throw masks away, Williams told SFGATE. ... if it happens to be the mask that they're wearing, that seems to go against the health order and just common sense and caring for neighboring businesses and residents.

My only comment is, imagine the good that you could do with all this energy he has. I've equated it to giving discounts to people who don't wash their hands when they use the restroom.

Mendocino County Code Enforcement Supervisor John Burkes did not want to comment on the situation, but did acknowledge that he has received complaints about the sign. He did, however, tell local news website Redheaded Blackbelt Thursday that he is investigating as we speak. (A followup call to the county for a statement was not returned to SFGATE.)

Fiddleheads Cafe owner Chris Castleman stands by his sign, however. By his own estimation, the reception to the discount from customers has been 50-50, you either love it or you hate it, he said. Castleman said that since hes posted the sign, hes received a number of bogus, negative reviews on Google from people who have not been to his cafe, but rather detest his mask protest.

Its very alarming how people have gotten all up in arms about this sign  the sign isn't breaking any law or any ordinances, Castleman told SFGATE. If people are upset with it, they don't have to come here.  My point is, if you don't like me, that's fine. I respect that opinion of yours, and you can go anywhere else in this county right now to eat and pretend that you're in a safe environment.

Courtesy Chris Castleman / Fiddleheads Cafe

Many locals, however, arent supportive of how Castleman is treating the masking and safety ordinances in the state and county. Scott Roat owns a real estate business located near Fiddleheads Cafe, and although he noted that Castleman has been relatively peaceful in previous protests about the mask ordinance, he does feel that Castlemans actions will have a negative impact on Mendocino.

I think there's this feeling that the town has, that they've been working so hard to do all this right and then there's this guy just sort of embarrassing them, Roat said. So I think it's like, however many steps forward and how many steps back. And I personally think as a business owner, I think it makes us look bad  we're supposed to be this romantic getaway, cute town on the coast, and here's some guy taking a strong political stance, that's beyond just what you think politically. It's like a social responsibility.

This is not the first time Castleman has been caught up in controversy with his stance on the pandemic; in late June 2020, he faced two $10,000 citations for violating health orders requiring restaurant employees to wear masks, the North Bay Business Journal reported. Instead, he chose to shut down his business for months, reopening just over two weeks ago.

When the mask ordinance came down last year, [Castleman] was inviting people into his restaurant ... And so people were gathering without masks and they were having this sort of 'freedom' attitude, Roat said. That's fine, I suppose, at least in theory, but the general sentiment around town was that we're all really working hard to flatten the curve. And then here are these people out here doing this  it's not responsible. It's not part of the social fabric we've worked together on and that really kind of got exacerbated when the counties got opened up  So, his attitude was, Tough, I'm going to go ahead and do it. I have a right. I'm an American citizen.

During his monthslong closure, Castleman said he traveled across the country to states like Florida and Texas, that have only solidified his stance that lockdown orders, like the ones implemented in California, were unnecessary.

And although there were initial articles in March stating that Florida and California have experienced almost identical outcomes in COVID-19 case rates despite differing approaches to lockdowns, other analyses do show otherwise. In a look at some of Floridas more populous counties (Miami-Dade and Orange), the San Francisco Chronicle found that Florida is seeing notably higher levels of coronavirus transmission over California; the Los Angeles Times has also reported that the cumulative death rate in Florida has been higher than Californias, with a difference as wide as 84% last fall, to as low as an 11% difference during Californias winter COVID-19 surge. (SFGATE and the San Francisco Chronicle are both owned by Hearst but operate independently of one another.) California has seen 151 deaths per 100,000 people during the pandemic; in contrast, Florida has seen 157 deaths per 100,000 and Texas has had 169 deaths per 100,000 people, according to the New York Times COVID-19 tracker. If Texas had the same deaths per 100,000 rate as California, more than 5,000 people wouldnt have died in the state  or the equivalent of the population of Guerneville, Calif.

For his part, Castleman is not patronizing any businesses with mask policies and has worked around them, either by employing delivery from grocery stores, or calling ahead to places to see what their mask requirement is, he said. He emphasized, however, that he is not supportive of anti-mask protests at businesses that require them.

I don't advocate for people to walk into other businesses without their mask on and just protest, Castleman said. I mean, I've had people come to me and say, Hey, Chris, let's get a thousand people together and go march into a grocery store without their mask on. I think that is horrible. I don't think that that solves anything and I don't think that that's the right message. You know, if I'm asking people to respect me and my customers and their choice, you can't go into somebody else's business and be disrespectful.

Castleman has been affected by his actions, saying that he has been forced to sell his trailer, motorcycle and other items to pay rent for the cafe, essentially living in his camper van to stay afloat.

This year, it came at great financial risk and loss for me, and I would not have done what I did if I didn't have a good reason for it, Castleman said. And the bottom line is that I think that the shutdown mandates or mask mandates are having a terrible effect on our way of life and our American way of life. I think COVID did not cause people to have an increase in suicides and drug overdose and domestic violence, shutdowns did that.  So you ask, Well, why don't you just wear a mask and do the protocols at your business and still support or all those things to support your community? and the reason is because I would be participating in the problem.

Although Castleman has his detractors who disagree with his stance on things, others have come out in support of him. Ryan Genaro delivers milk to businesses along the Mendocino Coast, including Fiddleheads Cafe; while he doesnt agree with how Castleman is putting his message out to the public, he also doesnt care for how people have treated Castleman over his views, which have included death threats, vandalism of Castlemans van and people leaving horse manure in front of the cafe. As far as Genaro is concerned, Castleman hasnt been retaliating over his treatment due to the anti-mask stance.

[Detractors are] trying to ruin his livelihood because they hate him as a person, and if you hate him as a person, just don't go in there, dont talk to him, Genaro said. He's a human, just like the rest of them, you know? And I just hate seeing the animosity around here, [it's] kind of getting a little childish in my eyes. I'm not right-wing, I'm not left-wing, I'm just right in the middle and I want to be left alone. It's really disgusting, calling for his family to die and st like that.

Castleman agreed.

I think at this point, you know, people who don't want to come in here have made the choice not to come in here, he said. And that was kind of my request all along. If this environment makes you uncomfortable, unfortunately I won't have your business right now. Maybe I'll have it in the future, but that's the price I'm willing to pay right now.
Student Government Association Executive Officer Inauguration set for April 7

Mon, 04/05/2021 - 17:35pm | By: David Tisdale

Photo by Kelly Dunn

An inauguration ceremony for University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Student Government Association (SGA) executive officers will be held Wednesday, April 7 at 6 p.m. in Bennett Auditorium on the Hattiesburg campus.

Prior to their swearing in ceremony, the new SGA officers will participate in the Legacy of the Coin ceremony at 4:30 p.m. in the Leadership and Student Involvement offices, located in the Student Activities Hub.

SGA executive officers to be inaugurated include:

President: Lucas Williams, a public relations and advertising major from Picayune, Mississippi



Senior Vice President: Cynthia Myles, a political science and legal studies major from Clinton, Mississippi



Vice President for Judicial Affairs: Patterson White, a biological sciences major from Birmingham, Alabama



Vice President for Communications: Ashley Lankford, a communications studies major from Satsuma, Alabama

Vice President of Finance & Administration: Maritza Diaz Castillo; double major in chemistry and criminal justice; Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Chief of Staff, Olivia Williams; marketing major; Laurel, Mississippi

SGA Gulf Park President -- Jayce Lynn Pearcey, marine biology major from Martin, Tennessee

For information about the USM Student Government Association, visit http://www.southernmisssga.org/.
US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate praised India as a world leader in renewables as he began talks with government leaders aimed at cutting carbon emissions faster to slow global warming.

India is the worlds third biggest emitter behind the United States and China and is under pressure to commit itself to net zero emissions by 2050, in line with pledges made by several other countries. India is getting the job done on climate, pushing the curve, Kerry said.

You (India) are indisputably a world leader already in the deployment of 



Government sources told Reuters that India was unlikely to bind itself to a goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 as its energy demand was projected to grow more than that of any other nation over the next two decades.

Kerry is leading efforts to get countries to step up commitments ahead of a summit of 40 leaders on April 22-23 called by U.S. President Joe Biden.

Later this year, world leaders are due to gather for a U.N. climate summit to build on the 2015 Paris accord to limit global warming.

Kerry said India was setting a "very strong example" for other nations on powering a growing economy with clean energy.
LONDON, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Open innovation firm InnoCentive is supporting global housing nonprofit Habitat for Humanity in a new Challenge to find low-cost solutions to harvest water and remove impurities so that water is suitable for human consumption.

Around 768 million people in the world do not have access to clean drinking water, and Mexico is one country that faces challenges in this area. Although more than a third of homes in Mexico suffer from water shortages, torrential rain does fall during certain months. However, without a proper management system, this water is unusable. Most rainwater is not fit for human consumption because of pollutants and microorganisms that cause severe illness when consumed.

The Challenge - Affordable Water Harvesting for Low-Income Households in Urban Areas - seeks to find solutions, both immediate and long-term, with experts predicting that Mexico's drinking water issues will only increase over time.

"Leveraging rainwater can improve the water supply in Mexico, but the systems currently in place are not sufficient to make it drinkable," said Patrick Kelley, vice president of Habitat for Humanity's Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter. "We are looking for the InnoCentive solvers to come up with low-cost solutions that improve the availability of quality drinking water, with suitable storage capacity, to suit the needs of low-income urban households."

Roofs are a reliable catchment surface for rainwater, but existing solutions have typically lacked a separation step to remove debris. Ideas must therefore separate debris and incorporate a flushing component to remove initial contaminated rainfall. They must be low-tech, simple to install and, ultimately, provide water that is drinkable after boiling.

InnoCentive, a Wazoku brand, is the Open Innovation Marketplace component of Wazoku's Enterprise Innovation Platform, a suite of tools to power innovation at scale across global enterprises. InnoCentive has a strong track record working with NGOs, nonprofits and businesses, who benefit from the expertise of its global network of nearly 500,000 registered expert problem 'solvers'.

"Clean drinking water is easy to take for granted for those that have it, but sadly, that's not the case for millions of people around the world," said Simon Hill, CEO, Wazoku. "Addressing the world's biggest challenges, such as providing clean drinking water to every human on the planet, requires big solutions. This is exactly the type of challenge that open innovation and the InnoCentive crowd can help address."

InnoCentive's partner SeaFreight Labs, a crowdsourcing consultancy that delivers solutions to the global seafreight community, supports this challenge as part of SeaFreight Labs' commitment to the Pledge 1% movement.

"Open innovation is a highly effective way for any organisation to address a challenge of this type," said Harry Sangree, Founder and CEO, SeaFreight Labs. "It's a critical issue, and crowdsourcing will help provide a solution to this RTP (reduction to practice) Challenge."

Habitat for Humanity has previously run open innovation Challenges with InnoCentive. Details of which can be found here.

For further information about Wazoku, visit https://www.wazoku.com

For further information about InnoCentive, visit https://www.innocentive.com/

For further information about SeaFreight Labs, visit https://www.seafreightlabs.com/

For further information about Habitat for Humanity, visit https://www.habitat.org/

PR Contact:

Paul Allen - Rise PR

+ 44 (0) 7515 199 487 / [email protected]

SOURCE InnoCentive
Posted Monday, April 5, 2021 12:03 pm

During a career spanning decades as both a flight instructor and commercial passenger pilot, Vashon Island resident Truman OBrien never experienced a situation where he had to crash into a Pacific Northwest forest.

That changed the afternoon of March 29, when he and his passenger, Craig Beles, experienced engine trouble above Clark County in their small four-cylinder aircraft and were forced to land in tree cover near the Clark-Skamania county border. They were rescued by a U.S. Navy helicopter hours later with only a cut on OBriens forehead for injuries.

The Washington State Department of Transportation first reported the crash and rescue later that evening. According to their report, air traffic control in Portland lost voice and radar signals from the plane at about 3:45 p.m.  OBrien had been speaking to air traffic, alerting that the planes engine started running rough and the plane was losing altitude.

In an interview with The Reflector, OBrien said the first inkling of a problem came when the plane experienced a really strong vibration, which he said didnt feel like an engine issue for the first few seconds. He dropped the plane lower in altitude to about 6,000 feet in a hope that the issue would clear up, and then (the engine running) just kept getting rougher and rougher, and there was no way we could maintain altitude.

OBrien and Beles, also an experienced pilot, asked air traffic control for the closest airstrip once it was clear that the plane would need to land, OBrien said. When the plane broke out of the clouds he saw nothing but trees as well as a logging road, which although clear, he said would not have been a good location for landing.

OBrien said prior training taught him that putting the plane down in a thick stand of trees to slow the aircraft as much as possible would be the best option given the situation.

Its still not a great option, but its better than any other, OBrien said.

He said he did notice a nearby clearing, but explained that in the Pacific Northwest those could be more dangerous as they could be the result of logging, leaving a surface of stumps and debris that could do more harm than good. OBrien still aimed for near the clearing, reasoning that upon landing it would make it easier for rescuers to approach the planes location.

The plane, a model built by Piper Aircraft, came to a rest upside-down, with both OBrien and Beles hanging upside-down by their straps, OBrien said. The two managed to get loose and checked their conditions  OBrien had a cut on his forehead, which he said looked worse than it was.

Aircraft like the one OBrien was piloting are equipped with emergency beacons designed to assist in recovery following a crash, he explained. The one in that aircraft had not activated, so OBrien turned it on manually, and Beles was able to activate a portable antenna, which was necessary as the installed one was pointing toward the ground, given the upside-down aircraft.

WSDOT reported that the last-known signal from the plane provided search crews a good target for where to search. A release from the Clark County Sheriffs Office stated that air traffic control contacted Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA), alerting them to the possibly downed aircraft, after which deputies were dispatched and set up a command post at Sunset Falls Campground.

The deputies requested aid from the Clark County Sheriffs Office Civilian Search and Rescue Team (CCSO SAR), the Volcano Rescue Team, as well as a search and rescue helicopter from the U.S. Naval Air Station on Whidbey Island, the sheriffs office release stated. While waiting for the helicopter, sheriffs deputies and CCSO SAR used unmanned aircraft to search the area, while additional CCSOR SAR and Volcano Rescue Team members did ground searches.

Although it was nearly six hours between the plane losing communications with air traffic control and OBrien and Beles rescue, OBrien said the two stayed fairly busy in the intervening time. OBrien took out the seats from the airplane to keep the two off the ground as they awaited rescue, though he estimated they only saw a few minutes of use. He and Belles assessed the need for a fire, though material Beles gathered from the surroundings was too wet to burn well. The two were able to use the aircraft battery and some fuel dripping out of the tank to start the fire, which given the wet material produced more smoke than flames and heat.

OBrien said that proved advantageous in the end, as the rescue team was only a few miles from the crash, and were able to see the smoke plumes to locate him and Beles.

The helicopter arrived near the scene at about 8:30 p.m. and located the aircraft at 9:10 p.m., the sheriffs office reported. The airlift rescue was pretty much a non-event, OBrien commented, given the training that the Navy crews receive in preparation for such operations.

These guys do this all the time  very, very efficient, terrific young men, OBrien remarked.

He said two of the crew dropped down, with Beles donning a vest to go up with one of the crew, and OBrien riding the rescue basket.

OBrien said the flight from the crash site was about 10 minutes to Yacolt Primary School, which served as a landing zone for the operation. OBrien and Belles were treated for injuries and given food and water at Yacolts North Country EMS station, the sheriffs office reported, and were later transported to the sheriffs West Precinct Office where they were picked up by a family member.

OBrien said he and Beles were heading back to Vashon Island after the two flew separate aircraft down to Bend, Oregon, to have one of the planes receive some work  Beles flew the plane that would crash. OBrien said that to his knowledge he had not flown the particular route in years, if ever.

OBrien said he started flying when he was 16, not becoming a professional pilot until his early 30s. During his career he made charter flights and at one point was the chief instructor of a large flight school in the Seattle area. He also spent time flying a DC-4 hauling fish in Alaska before returning to the Seattle area, eventually spending almost 20 years as an Alaska Airlines pilot.

In his decades-long career, OBrien said he had never been in a crash like what happened March 29, and I dont want to ever do it again, he remarked. Though the event was new, he said years of training for such a situation made him know what to do in what could have been a life-or-death ordeal.

Ive taught all these procedures that people need to use  it wasnt my first rodeo, OBrien remarked.

The crash is now under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. Though he had no clear theory on what led to the engine malfunction, it had to be catastrophic, OBrien said. The plane had a four-cylinder engine, and an issue with only one of the cylinders could have led to severe problems, though ultimately he did not have an idea as to what exactly happened.

We filled up with fuel when we left, and we put a little oil in  we did everything that you should do on a normal flight, OBrien said.

Though the plane in the crash is toast, as OBrien put it, and his other plane is out of commission for painting for several weeks, forcing somewhat of a break from flying, OBrien said he wont be taking any time off flying following the crash.
Carls Corner in Bethlehem, known in the area as a hometown favorite, is readying to expand after more than three decades in business.

If all goes well, current owners Cindy and Matthew Weintraub plan in June to open their second location next to Dunkin, 848 Nazareth Pike, Lower Nazareth Township. The space previously housed a chain sandwich shop. The Lower Nazareth location is approximately 1,000 square feet larger than the site in Bethlehem.

The venture also will create jobs with positions open for manager, assistant manager, and another 15 part-time and full-time staff member slots. There will be seating for 20 patrons, which will include booths, high-top tables, and regular tables. There is ample parking in the Lower Nazareth strip mall.

Current indoor dining guidelines set forth by Gov. Tom Wolf allow for 75% capacity for currently self-certified restaurants and those undergoing the self-certification process. The Bethlehem location, however, currently does not have any indoor dining amid the pandemic.

The Lower Nazareth menu also plans to be exact to the Bethlehem menu. The mainstays are the cheesesteaks -- chipped steak or chicken with optional cheese, with an assortment of fixings before being topped with Carls proprietary house-simmered special sauce. The filling then is enclosed inside a roll from Amorosos in Philadelphia.

Theres also chicken fingers and chicken sandwiches, as well as classic Italian cold cut and tuna hoagies. Theres hot meatball and sausage sandwiches, as well as an assortment of wraps and salads. A staple is the hamburger sub topped with lettuce, onion, tomato, Russian Dressing, and pickles. On the side are straight-cut fries, curly fries, and onion rings to choose from. VIPs know the cheese sauce concoction on Carls fries is called liquid gold.

Prices are modest, with subs priced around $4.50-$6 for a regular, 7-inch sandwich and $7-$8 for a 14-inch giant sandwich. Everything is made onsite from scratch.

The restaurant offers takeout, and will do the same in Lower Nazareth. Catering is a possibility at the Lower Nazareth location but currently not available in Bethlehem due to the smaller location.

While the Bethlehem location has more of a nostalgic feel to it with the initial menu board still up from the opening in the early 1990s, the Lower Nazareth site will have a more renovated vibe with new appliances and even a touch of glitter sprinkled into the flooring, Cindy described.

Cindy and Matthew in late 2018 bought the corner restaurant, 2 W. Elizabeth Ave., in Bethlehem from its previous owners, Carl and Betsy Souders, who owned it since 1991. It was the Weintraubs favorite family restaurant, where the couple frequented often with their blended family of four teenagers: David, now 20; Lauren, now 20; Molly, now 17; and Alexa, now 16.

Carls Corner had even more significance for David, who has autism. It was the place he celebrated boys night excursions in his youth with his father. David even wrote the Souders a holiday letter explaining his fondness for their establishment. It was then the Souders told Cindy they wanted to retire and planned to sell the restaurant by summer 2018.

Artwork hangs in the Bethlehem restaurant of the Weintraub family, which includes Cindy and Matthew and children, David, now 20; Lauren, now 20; Molly, now 17; and Alexa, now 16.

At the time, Matthew Weintraub -- a former Bethlehem paramedic and volunteer firefighter -- was working at as a MedEvac flight nurse at Lehigh Valley Hospital (now employed by St. Lukes University Hospital in Fountain Hill). His only previous restaurant experience was managing an area Dominos Pizza in college. Cindy is employed as a real estate agent with Preferred Properties Plus in Coopersburg and has worked as a voiceover artist.

Still, Matthew wanted to take on the reins of Carls Corner and Cindy said her gut was telling her the same.

The Weintraubs also were able to retain the six employees working for the Souders, eventually growing the staff to 15. David joined the crew, learning valuable skills in the culinary industry.

Cindy noted when students with intellectual disabilities age out of the school system, they sometimes lose services they previously had. The goal is to help other adults, like David, have additional opportunities in the future that goes beyond the workplace. The couple plans to begin training employees with special needs by fall for the Lower Nazareth location.

The restaurant also is known for giving back to the community, donating sandwiches during the coronavirus pandemic to first responders, schools and churches. They also host a Special Needs Sunday -- inspired by David -- designed to offer individuals with special needs a warm, inviting, relaxed social experience with fellow peers and families, Cindy said.

Cindy initially didnt plan on expanding the restaurant just yet but a chance of fate this past year gave her the added push. Cindy suffered a brain aneurysm and stroke, saying the diagnosis made her realize life is just too short to wait.

I didnt want to leave without doing something more, she said. All my days ahead, I decided to do something positive and meaningful in my life. If we all did all these small things to make a difference, it all adds up to something miraculous.

Hours of both locations will be from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday. The restaurant is closed Sundays.

Asked if the couple has any plans for a third location, Cindy Weintraub said she isnt ruling it out. The couple previously looked into an expansion in South Bethlehem. Cindy also has some other future business plans to announce soon.

I cant change the whole world, but I can tell you from my little corner shop in Bethlehem, Im doing my best to make a difference, she said.

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Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.
Carole Hopson loved airplanes as a girl, when she used to lay on the grass and watch them fly over her grandmothers house.

I wanted to be an airline pilot from the day I can remember wanting to be anything. I was four years old and I used to lie in the grass in my grandmothers backyard. It was on the approach path to Philadelphia International Airport and Id look at the airplanes overhead, she said.

Two college degrees and three career changes later, during a business trip from Amsterdam, prior to Sept. 11, 2001, the Newark native realized she didnt want to travel on airplanes anymore, she wanted to fly them.

The captain got up and went to the bathroom. On the break he saw me looking into the flight deck and he said, why dont you come up, Hopson recalled. I sat in the jump seat as we crossed the Atlantic and asked him every question about every button in the airplane. By the time I landed, I knew thats what I wanted to do.

The road wasnt an easy one. Hopson saved up money for flight school and at age 36 left a lucrative job as vice president and director of Footlockers training group, to go to flight school. Today, she is First Officer Hopson at United Airlines, and said she wants to see that future pilots dont have as long a path to the cockpit.

A program the airline announced Tuesday, United Aviate Academy, will help people of color and women pilots realize the dream more directly.

The Aviate program has a goal of training 5,000 pilots by 2030, with a commitment to recruit and train women and people of color to fill at least 50% of those pilots seats, said Josh Earnest, a United spokesman. The airline is taking applications for Aviate starting Tuesday on its website at unitedaviate.com.

Hopson was one of several speakers on a Zoom press conference about the Aviate program Monday.

I dont want the next generation of people who look like me to wait that long to get started, said Hopson, who is based at Uniteds hub at Newark Liberty airport. Aviate, I hope, will provide that opportunity for young women who look like me, to know their path is not nearly as long or circuitous as mine.

Noting that there are less than 100 of us who fly for major airlines, Hopson said that needs to change.

Aviate will be the way we do that, she said.

Despite the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the travel and airline industry, United estimates there will be a need to replace a total of 10,000 retiring pilots by 2030. FAA rules require pilots to retire at age 65.

United and J.P Morgan have committed $1.2 million in annual scholarships to Aviate and partnered with Sallie Mae to offer private student loans to ensure that no highly-qualified, eligible applicants will be turned away due to economics. Loans would be repaid once a student is working for the airline.

The scholarships and loans are seen as a way to take down the economic barriers to a career as a pilot, Earnest said.

Aviate Academys first class of 20 pilots will begin studying in the third quarter of 2021 and graduate in the first half of 2022. Each student is assigned an employee who is their mentor while in the program.

The price tag isnt cheap. It costs $100,000 annually to go through the training. However at the end, graduates will have the necessary Federal Aviation Administration endorsements to start their career and airline jobs.

I went through private flight school and studied engineering, said Capt. Mary Ann Schaffer, United chief pilot. Out of college, I could teach people to fly a small plane, but there was no clear path to the airlines. Aviate changes that.

Currently, the ranks of United pilots are 7% women and 13% people of color.

The program will work with three historically Black colleges and universities and minority professional groups such as Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, Sisters of the Skies, the Latino Pilots Association and the Professional Asian Pilots Association to help identify and recruit candidates for the Aviate Academy.

Hopson, who worked as a reporter in New Jersey at the Bergen Record and later at the Philadelphia Inquirer, also will be involved in recruiting. She has a goal of talking to as many as 2,500 students, some as young as middle school, about aviation careers.

I travel to Dallas and L.A. and Cleveland, Newark and any where I get invited to tell of the opportunity that exists, she said, adding Zoom has made the task easier.

United is the only airline that has a training academy, and created Aviate after it purchased an aeronautics school in July 2020, said Capt. Curtis Brunjes, Managing Director Aviate and Pilot Strategy for Aviate.

The other 5,000 pilots needed to replace retirees will be recruited from other airlines and the military, Earnest said.

We will go extra step make sure the door to this opportunity is available to all people willing to work hard and study hard to put this career in reach, Earnest said.  This is not a charity effort. We are tapping new resources to build a strong airline.

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Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com.
Organizers of the Tokyo Olympic torch relay in Osaka Prefecture have called for holding the event in the capital city of Osaka at alternative sites amid a rise in the number of coronavirus cases.

The organizers officially made the request on Monday to the Tokyo Games organizing committee as coronavirus infections are spreading in the city.

This comes after Osaka Governor Yoshimura Hirofumi said last week that the torch relay in the city, scheduled for April 14, should be canceled.

He later said he hopes the event will take place somewhere other than on public roads.

Yoshimura told reporters on Monday that the torch relay will not be held on public roads. But he stressed that in consideration of the feelings of those who have been looking forward to the relay, he is thinking of possible alternative sites where crowds won't be able to gather.

He added that the Tokyo Games organizing committee will make an announcement on the request to hold the torch relay at alternative sites.


Serbia plans to build a new international airport for the city of Belgrade to overcome future expansion constraints at the existing site. According to the eKapija portal, the Ministry for Construction, Transport and Infrastructure has unveiled the countrys new spatial plan up until 2035, which foresees the construction of the new hub ten kilometres west from the existing Nikola Tesla Airport and 24 kilometres from the city centre near the suburban neighbourhood of Dobanovci. It is located within the same municipality as the existing airport and will be located near the European route E70 highway. The current commercial airport serving Belgrade was opened in 1962, replacing the old one some eight kilometres away.





Under the proposed spatial plan, the airport complex will take up some 1.100 hectares and feature three runways, two terminal buildings, two cargo terminals and a logistics and free customs zone. The new facility, a 4F class airport, will have the ability to handle the largest passenger and cargo aircraft currently in operation. The Ministry noted that the citys main airport will need to be relocated as it lacks the physical space for long-term expansion. The plan is up for public consultation as of today. The Spatial Plan of the Republic of Serbia from 2021 until 2035 will then be debated in parliament prior to its adoption.





Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport is currently managed and operated by Frances VINCI Airports under a 25-year concession agreement, until 2043. Through a 730 million euro investment plan, the contract includes the financing, operation, maintenance, extension and renovation of the terminal and the existing airport runway. The majority of the infrastructure development will be completed over the next three years. The airport will also be equipped with solar panels to reduce its carbon footprint and a water treatment plant. VINCIs goal is to grow passenger numbers to fifteen million per year by the end of the concession.














Buildings are to be held accountable for a lot of carbon emissions. Detaching them from fossil fuels is a crucial part of the climate solution.

Prohibition of Natural Gas

During the 2019 summer, the city council in Berkeley, California, made a very bold and unknown move: They disallowed natural gas hookups in many new building constructions. Councilwoman Kate Harrison, who funded the new ordinance had been on a search for ways to decrease the carbon emissions of the city.

"We looked at where our emissions were emanating from and discovered that natural gas in buildings played a very crucial role," she says. They are responsible for a whopping 37 percent of the total city.

Cars are another huge source of emission, but the city has no power to regulate tailpipe emissions. But for buildings? "This is a part we can take up," Harrison says. Berkeley's pioneering ordinance encouraged a wave of alike efforts. More than 40 cities in California have passed similar measures since 2019.

Also Read: Climate Change: Persistent Carbon Emission Levels Place Earth On Red Alert

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Suggestions to prohibit gas hookups are presently under deliberation in Colorado, Washington State, and Massachusetts. Climate specialists have said for a long time that buildings both old and new will need to detach themselves from fossil fuels.

Presently, buildings are responsible for over a quarter of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, a number that would have to reduce quickly if the country has hopes to hit the emissions decrease goals outlined in the Paris Agreement. But the growth of a movement to limit natural gas hookups has also released a hostile campaign by the natural gas industry to preventatively ban the bans.

Climate Crisis

The American Gas Association, which is an industry trade group, pledged in a statement in an email to "completely disagree to any effort to prohibit natural gas or sideline our infrastructure wherever the effort occurs, state house or even city [hall] steps." So far, six states, plus Kansas, Utah, Louisiana, Arizona, Oklahoma, and Tennessee, have undergone legislation debarring such prohibitions.

In 14 other states, similar legislation is being thought about. Because buildings make use of so much energy, they have what it takes to be a large part of any solution to the climate crisis. All over the world, buildings are responsible for almost 30 percent of all energy-related CO2 emissions, according to the United Nations Environment Program, and almost 40 percent of emissions during construction are included.

Building Emissions by 2050

Their contribution is increasing as construction soars in both advanced and advancing countries. Some projections propose that building emissions by 2050 might double or even triple if major attempts to build better do not take place.

Natural gas was once sold as a clean substitute to coal and oil, announced as a "bridge fuel" that could aid decrease overall carbon emissions while still making available reliable, cheap energy. But its purpose in a lower-carbon future is now in question.

Related Article: Countries on Pacific Island Lead the Report on Global Warming, According to Experts

For more news, updates about carbon emissions and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News!
Flipkart has partnered with Mahindra Logistics Limited (MLL) as one of its key logistics partners to help fast-track the deployment of EVs across its fleet in the country.

Flipkart has committed to 100 per cent electric mobility in its logistics fleet and will deploy more than 25,000 EVs by 2030, for which, Mahindra Logistics will play a significant role, especially in working with various OEMs to help Flipkarts sustainable transition to EVs.

Mahindra Logistics will play a significant role to help Flipkarts sustainable transition to EVs, as the latter has committed to 100 per cent electric mobility in its logistics fleet by deploying more than 25,000 EVs by 2030.

With its vision towards sustainable business practices, Mahindra Logistics has already launched EDEL; its own electric delivery brand in late 2020. For this to work, EDEL has partnered with various consumer and e-commerce companies to provide sustainable last-mile delivery across six cities in India.

MLL through EDEL will enable Flipkart in its journey towards building a green supply chain by not only deploying a large fleet of EVs, but by also creating a conducive environment for EV deployment and operations across the country. This includes building supporting infrastructure and technology such as charging stations and parking lots, training workforce, route planning, and even battery swapping stations soon.

EDELs robust multi-city presence across Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Kolkata, and Hyderabad, with a plan to cover the top 20 cities by the end of 2021, will help facilitate a seamless and phased transition to EVs for Flipkarts pan-India supply chain.
Truckers on Tuesday said that fresh restrictions imposed in Maharashtra to contain the surge in cases is a setback for the sector which could incur daily losses of Rs 315 crore owing an expected decline in demand for

Truckers have also pitched for relief measures such as waiver of state taxes, permits and fitness fees, and deferment on EMIs to deal with financial stress.

Due to night curfew and entry restrictions, there will be delay in movement of essential commodities and in many cases may lead to expiry of e-way bill, thereby attracting hefty penalties, Bal Malkit Singh, Chairman, Core Committee and former President of All India Motor Transport Congress said in a statement.

Stating that the road transport sector had not yet recovered from the 2020 lockdown, the fresh one has triggered another setback, he said, "The demand for will curtail which as per our assessment could go down by 50 per cent."



The shops are closed except those dealing with essential items and there is a total weekend lockdown with prohibitory order in place, he said, adding that the night curfew will further impact both demand and consumption.

"Losses of Rs 315 every day are lurking large on the sector," Singh said.

A curtailed demand will further cripple the poor truckers as they are already in the financial crisis. They have to arrange for taxes, insurance, salaries for workers and drivers, establishment and administrative costs and EMIs, he said.

The low capacity utilization on account of dwindling demand will constrict their cash flow and working capital, Singh added.

"As the Maharashtra State Government helped the transport sector during the lockdown last year, we request it to take up with the Central Government and the RBI to go lenient on circumstantial expiration of e-way bill, deferment on EMIs, he said.

Maharashtra should plan relief measures such as waiver of State Taxes, permit and fitness fees, free parking for idle and buses, priority vaccination for drivers and workers in transportation space, among other, so that the truckers and transporters could sustain their families, 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.)
A judge in Ohio has temporarily blocked the enforcement of a state law requiring abortion clinics to give a proper burial or cremation to aborted fetal remains.

Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Alison Hatheway issued the preliminary injunction on the Unborn Child Dignity Act on Monday, the day before the law was scheduled to take effect.

Without the required rules and forms in place, the plaintiffs will be forced to stop providing procedural abortions because of a real threat of sanctions and penalties independent from criminal prosecution, concluded Hatheway, as reported by The Associated Press.

This substantially interferes with, if not denies, the plaintiffs' patients' rights to access abortion under the Ohio Constitution.

Source:The Christian Post
CHICAGO, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- HUB International Limited (Hub), a leading full-service global insurance broker, announced today that it has acquired the assets of Plan Sponsor Consultants. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia with an additional location in Birmingham, Alabama, Plan Sponsor Consultants is a nationally recognized independent retirement plan consulting firm offering expertise and guidance on retirement plan management for all plan types and sizes. Plan Sponsor Consultants manages $2.4 billion in assets.

"Plan Sponsor Consultants' joining Hub continues our expansion in the Gulf South region and our focus on expanding our retirement capabilities to round out the services we offer to clients," said Shaun Norris, President of Hub Gulf South.

Michael Kane, Managing Director of Plan Sponsor Consultants, and Lee Applebaum, Senior Vice President, join Hub Retirement and Private Wealth (Hub RPW) in Hub Gulf South.

"We're excited to join Hub," said Mr. Kane. "With Hub, we'll continue to share our depth of knowledge in the retirement industry with our clients and expand our resources and capabilities to grow."

This move continues to strengthen Hub's retirement and wealth management services with the addition of talent and resources to develop more comprehensive strategies for clients. Hub RPW works to help plan sponsors create an offering that aligns with their business strategy, navigates fiduciary risk and helps employees pursue their financial goals. The several registered investment advisory affiliates in HUB RPW provide investment advisory services to clients whose total assets are approximately $93 billion.

About Hub Retirement and Private Wealth

Hub Retirement and Private Wealth offers institutional and retirement services to for-profit and not-for-profit organizations and customized private wealth management services to individuals and families. Employees of Hub International offer securities through partner Broker Dealers not affiliated with Hub. Employees of Hub provide advisory services through both affiliated and unaffiliated Registered Investment Advisors (RIA). Global Retirement Partners, LLC, Silverstone Asset Management, LLC, Hub International Investment Advisory Services, Inc., and Sheridan Road Advisors, LLC are wholly owned subsidiaries of Hub International. Learn more about Hub Retirement and Private Wealth.

About Hub's M&A Activities

Hub International Limited is committed to growing organically and through acquisitions to expand its geographic footprint and strengthen industry and product expertise. For more information on the Hub M&A experience, visit WeAreHub.com.



About Hub International

Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Hub International Limited is a leading full-service global insurance broker providing risk management, insurance, employee benefits, retirement and wealth management products and services. With more than 13,000 employees in offices located throughout North America, Hub's vast network of specialists brings clarity to a changing world with tailored solutions and unrelenting advocacy, so clients are ready for tomorrow. For more information, please visit www.hubinternational.com.

CONTACT:

Media: Marni Gordon

Phone: 312-279-4601

[email protected]

M&A: Clark Wormer

Phone: 312.279.4848

[email protected]

SOURCE Hub International Limited

Related Links

www.hubinternational.com


A company director who drowned in a pond at her 1.3 million mansion died after a rare condition left her vulnerable to 'electronic emissions' and perfume, an inquest heard today.

Annabel Lucas, 61, suffered from 'multiple chemical sensitivity' which left her in severe pain if she spent too long on the phone or accidentally smelt her friend's laundry detergent.

Family members told how Ms Lucas' condition meant they had to park away from her house and leave mobiles in the car - as electronic signals and exhaust fumes could cause her to be sick.

Ms Lucas believed she contracted the illness after 'exposure to organophosphate sheep dip' a strong chemical used to tackle diseases in animals, her GP told the inquest held at Winchester Coroners Court, Hampshire.

'Multiple chemical sensitivity' is not officially recognised as a condition in the UK.

She was found dead by her brother in a pond in the grounds of her Grade II listed countryside home five days after her last known contact with anyone.

Annabel Lucas, 61, was found dead by her brother on the grounds of her country home on the outskirts of Basingstoke, Hampshire - three days after her last known contact with anyone

Today an inquest heard that 'teetotal' Ms Lucas, who was four times over the drink drive limit when she died, hadn't drunk alcohol since 1980 but before then had 'quite a serious alcohol problem'.

Ms Lucas, who ran a number of property firms, was discovered by her brother William on March 5, 2019 at the 500-year-old listed home near the village of Herriard, on the outskirts of Basingstoke, Hampshire.

A toxicology report found that as well as the alcohol in her system, equivalent to 20 shots of gin, there were also 'potentially fatal' quantities of codeine.

Pathologist Dr Michael Hall gave the cause of death as drowning.

Giving the evidence to the inquest Dr Hall added that Ms Lucas had been found clutching mud and grass from the lawn in the left hand.

She was discovered with objects including rocks, stones and bricks inside a series of 'well-tied knots' in her clothing, it was heard

Area coroner for Southampton and Portsmouth, Jason Pegg, explained the circumstances in which Ms Lucas was found.

He said: 'The [bodycam] footage [from police] clearly shows that Annabel Lucas had (...) numerous heavy rocks in her clothes.'

Giving evidence, her partner of 29 years Chris Garton, said Ms Lucas had been diagnosed in 2015 as suffering from a chronic condition 'multiple chemical sensitivity' or 'neuropathic environmental intolerance'.

He said she had previously mentioned that if her condition worsened she would like to go to Dignitas in Switzerland to end her life.

In the UK multiple sensitivities are listed as a symptom of Chronic fatigue syndrome (ME), but multiple chemical sensitivity is not recognised as an illness in its own right - it is recognised in Germany, Denmark, Spain, Austria, Switzerland and Japan.

Mr Garton, who was in New Zealand at the time of her death, said: 'It produced symptoms she found distressing in particular issues with her nose, sinus and eyes [causing] pain, stomach upsets, a general feeling of lethargy, a lack of energy.

'She became distressed by electronic emission more and more. She couldn't stay long on the phone and although she said she couldn't use the computer she had been using it for [short] periods.'

Ms Lucas suffered from multi-chemical sensitivity, her partner of 29 years Christopher Garton said. An aerial view of the Grade II-listed rural home on outskirts of Basingstoke, Hampshire

He said that in the months before her death Ms Lucas had been working on another property in which she came into contact with some topsoil that left her feeling sick.

He added: '[The soil] triggered a general deterioration in her levels of energy and her ability to deal with electronic emission and all the things that were causing her trouble before...

'Her life became more constrained by her illness, she couldn't go out and socialise and have friends round because of her reaction to laundry detergents and perfumes and all these sorts of thing.'

What is Multiple Chemical Sensitivity? Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is a chronic, physical illness affecting people of all ages and backgrounds. It causes sufferers to have allergic-type reactions to very low levels of chemicals in everyday products. Put simply the immune and detoxification systems stop working properly and the body cannot process toxins efficiently. Besides reacting to things like cleaning products, shampoo, perfumes and pesticides, many sufferers are also sensitive to food, medicines, moulds and electromagnetic fields. In the UK multiple sensitivities are listed as a symptom of ME, but MCS is not recognised as an illness in its own right. MCS is not classified as a physical illness by the World Health Organisation, but is recognised in Germany, Denmark, Spain, Austria, Switzerland and Japan. Source: Mcs-aware.org Advertisement

Mr Garton said Ms Lucas was 'articulate and she had compassion for others.'

He added that in her youth she had been selected twice for the Youth Olympics as a horse rider and had gained professional pilots licenses on helicopters and gliders.

Ms Lucas' severe allergies were listed as part of a listed building application to Basingstoke Council in 2017, when Mr Garton applied for permission for a new porch to be built at their home.

The Design and Access Statement reads: 'The renovation works required at Whitewood Cottage are for Annabel Lucas, who suffers from an extreme form of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity.

'Immune system damage & deteriorating ability to detoxify has led to severe allergic-type reactions to volatile & synthetic chemicals.

'The medical advice is to avoid such chemicals; access to outside air in all weathers has been crucial for respite, & finding suitable accommodation a priority.

'This proposed extension and internal repair work therefore has the purpose of making the property safe for Annabel by using inert materials, whilst also helping improve insulation and reduce damp & mould.

'The project needs to ensure healthy building materials and products are used throughout, avoiding all VOCs and toxic materials by generally using natural or inert materials wherever possible. Materials that are safe (according to testing with Annabel) are: glass, clay/earth, lime, natural untreated hardwood timber (oak), porcelain tiles, tadelakt, brick, and concrete. Also potentially safe are: hempcrete, breathaplasta, perlite, foamglas, and cork.'

Her personal assistant, Elinor Salter, said Ms Lucas would not have been able to get into an ambulance due to her illness, often kept her phone off, and when she used a laptop she had to be outside in the open air.

Ms Lucas was found by her brother, William Lucas and Ms Salter, after they had been unable to contact her on the phone and when Ms Salter had visited the mansion house earlier in the day.

The inquest heard that Ms Lucas had been wearing a rucksack on the front of her body when her brother dragged her out of the water.

Controversially, Mr Lucas admitted to the coroner that when Mrs Salter had been away phoning the police, he had removed the rucksack from the front of Ms Lucas' body to, in his words, 'make her look better.'

Hampshire Coroner Jason Pegg heard that Mr Lucas then hid the rucksack in some nearby bushes having removed rocks and the empty packet of pills which he said he then threw into some bushes. He told the hearing in Winchester, Hampshire, that he instantly knew what he had done was wrong.

Asked why he didn't own up to the police, Mr Lucas told the coroner that he was like a 'naughty schoolboy who had done something wrong and did not know how to admit it.'

Earlier in the day Ms Salter had attended the property but had been unable to find Ms Lucas.

Ms Salter told the coroner she had contacted Mr Lucas who was concerned 'something terrible had happened.'

However, he told her to go about her day and keep calling Ms Lucas. He added that if they failed to make contact, he would drive down and they would visit the house.

Giving his conclusion, Mr Pegg said: 'There are some inconsistencies and some gaps in the sequence of events and as such I cannot put the events into sequence with the evidence I have before me.'

He explained there was no alcoholic container found near the body and that Ms Lucas had not left a note of any description.

He added: 'The sequence of events that I can glean from the evidence before me is such that I am unable to properly give a conclusion [of suicide] on the balance of probabilities.'

He recorded an open verdict.

For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details.
When I first saw a demo of Loxo, I realized I was looking at the future of recruitment and at that moment I knew I had to get aboard this rocket ship. I want to be on the right side of recruitment history. - Mark Leigh.

Today, Loxo Announced the launch of Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) Operations and welcomed Mark Leigh, a former Indeed Senior Sales Executive. The move to establish strategic business functions in Europe was in response to accommodate soaring demand for Loxos Talent Intelligence Platform in the EMEA region.

The companys new office comes at an ideal time to support Loxos rapid growth and expansion while taking advantage of the highly skilled labor market in the region. The company aims to triple the number of employees over the next twelve months while also establishing a local presence in several European countries across all customer-supporting functions, including sales, account management, customer success, solutions consulting, professional services, and member support.

Were excited to expand our presence outside of North America with our first European office, said Matt Chambers, Loxos CEO and founder. Weve already established customer relationships in the region, and look forward to serving them locally as we grow our European and global business. The market opportunity for Loxos state-of-the-art Talent Intelligence platform in the EMEA region is massive. We felt there was no better way to demonstrate our deep commitment to current and future customers than by setting up European operations. Mark was the perfect addition to the Loxo team and he will play a key role as we ramp up.

The recruitment industry is currently evolving. Loxo's end-to-end recruitment platform is at the forefront of this evolution. When I first saw a demo of Loxo, I realized I was looking at the future of recruitment and at that moment I knew I had to get aboard this rocket ship. I want to be on the right side of recruitment history, said Mark Leigh, Senior Account Executive, Loxo.

Im deeply passionate about empowering recruiters and talent acquisition teams to be able to work more efficiently. Im equally as passionate about helping drive true value and ROI for the organizations that I consult with. Loxo will allow me to do exactly that and I cant wait to begin introducing it to the EMEA recruiting and talent acquisition community.

About Loxo

Loxo is the #1 Talent Intelligence Platform and global leader in artificial intelligence recruitment automation software. Loxos best-in-class enterprise SaaS platform combines proprietary data solutions, AI candidate sourcing, ranking and matching with a state-of-the-art ATS and Recruiting CRM. The platform includes personal contact information and a talent graph of over 600 million people. Loxo makes finding and hiring the very best possible talent faster and easier than ever before. Learn why more than 4000 recruiting organizations and talent acquisition teams across the globe trust Loxo or for more information, visit Loxo.
Research News

New water vapor condenser takes cues from darkling beetle

For certain species of darkling beetle, the act of facing into the foggy wind and raising its rear end up in the air is thought to be critical to its ability to harvest water. Photo: James Anderson / CC BY NC SA  Creative Commons Attribution + Noncommercial + ShareAlike

By JASON DALEY and CORY NEALON

The cost and availability of materials has been the barrier for this type of application. But thats not the case in our system, which is much closer to reality.  Qiaoqiang Gan, professor Department of Electrical Engineering

Access to clean water is a huge issue across the globe. Even in areas with water resources, a lack of infrastructure or reliable energy means purifying that water is sometimes extremely difficult. Thats why a water vapor condenser designed by engineers at UB and the University of Wisconsin-Madison could be revolutionary. Unlike other radiative vapor condensers that can only operate at night, the new design works in direct sunlight and requires no energy input. We have worked on solar-driven water evaporation technologies in the past years, says Qiaoqiang Gan, UB professor of electrical engineering and a leading corresponding author. We are now addressing the second half of the water cycle, condensation. Water sustainability is a global issue, says Zongfu Yu, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at UW-Madison, another leading corresponding author. You cant set out to solve the water problem without addressing energy. Yu, Gan and their students described the new radiative vapor condenser in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, published online March 31.

Tech borrows from darkling beetle

The idea of radiative cooling is not new. In fact, its used in nature by insects like the darkling beetle found in the Namib Desert in southwest Africa. During clear nights when ambient temperatures are cool, darkling beetle shells shed extra heat in the mid-infrared range, also known as the atmospheric-transparency window. That heat naturally radiates toward the cool upper atmosphere of Earth and the chilly void of space. This heat loss lowers the beetles temperature below the dew point, or the temperature at which water vapor in the air condenses into droplets on cooler surfaces (think of a glass of iced tea on a hot day). The beetle is then able to harvest that water, using special grooves and structures to direct the moisture toward its mouth.

The vapor condenser unit. Photo courtesy of Ming Zhou, UW-Madison

Over the past few decades, researchers have designed dew collectors based on the same principle, using special materials that efficiently shed heat like the beetle shell does. The problem is that those collectors only work at night, since sunlight produces more heat than the materials can give off. In this project, the team, led by UW-Madison postdoctoral researcher Ming Zhou, constructed a small vapor condenser using a thin film of material called polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) that is very efficient at releasing thermal radiation in the atmospheric-transparency window. They layered that over silver, which reflects sunlight. The combination of the two is able to cool the condenser below the dew point, leading to condensation.

Made from available, inexpensive materials

A closeup view of the water the unit is shedding. Photo courtesy of Ming Zhou, UW-Madison.

Zhou tested the device by placing it inside a box-like condensation chamber alongside chambers containing a commercially available dew-collecting material, as well as a simple black body. The team pumped humidified air into the three chambers, which they positioned on top of a UW-Madison building and, during another test, a parking garage. The polydimethylsiloxane was the only material that condensed water vapor while in direct sunlight. Fundamentally, our radiative condenser is engineered to be in 'thermal contact' with the vast cold reservoir in the upper atmosphere and in outer space, says co-author Mikhail Kats, a UW-Madison electrical and computer engineering associate professor. The cooling power obtained via this thermal contact enables daytime water condensation with no need for an external power source. Another benefit is that polydimethylsiloxane is a widely available, relatively cheap material and the silver backing is not necessary for the condenser to work. The cost and availability of materials has been the barrier for this type of application. But thats not the case in our system, which is much closer to reality, says Gan.

Sunny Clean Water is commercializing the tech
George Floyds Drug Use Returns as Focus in Derek Chauvin Trial A debate over what Mr. Floyd said as he was held on the ground, and what it might indicate about his drug use on the day he died, erupted Wednesday during expert testimony. Image The Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis today. Credit... Aaron Nesheim for The New York Times Follow our live updates the day after the Derek Chauvin guilty verdict.

April 7, 2021, 6:17 p.m. ET April 7, 2021, 6:17 p.m. ET Artistic sidewalk scenes and other memorials in Minneapolis. As the trial of Derek Chauvin continued on Wednesday, chalk drawings and signage memorializing George Floyd could be seen on streets and walls of Minneapolis. Aaron Nesheim for The New York Times Aaron Nesheim for The New York Times Aaron Nesheim for The New York Times Aaron Nesheim for The New York Times Aaron Nesheim for The New York Times slide 1 slide 2 slide 3 slide 4 slide 5

April 7, 2021, 5:59 p.m. ET April 7, 2021, 5:59 p.m. ET Takeaways from Day 8 of the Derek Chauvin trial. Forensic scientist Breahna Giles testified on Wednesday about pills found in the police cruiser. Credit... Still image, via Court TV A use-of-force expert called by prosecutors testified on Wednesday that , the police officer charged with murdering George Floyd, used deadly force when it was appropriate to use none. The expert, Sgt. Jody Stiger, who works with the Los Angeles Police Department Inspector Generals Office, also said that Mr. Chauvin put Mr. Floyd at risk of positional asphyxia, or a deprivation of oxygen. His testimony could corroborate one of the prosecutions primary assertions: That Mr. Floyd died from asphyxia because Mr. Chauvin knelt on him for more than nine minutes. Senior Special Agent James D. Reyerson of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, whose agency investigates police use of force, told jurors about the bureaus investigation into Mr. Floyds death, and said that Mr. Floyd shouted I aint do no drugs, while he was handcuffed. Here are the highlights from Wednesday. Sergeant Stiger testified that no force should have been used once Mr. Floyd was subdued, handcuffed and facedown on the pavement. He was in the prone position, he was handcuffed, he was not attempting to resist, he was not attempting to assault the officers  kick, punch, or anything of that nature, Sergeant Stiger said. The prosecution has argued that Mr. Chauvins force continued for far longer than necessary; in all, Mr. Chauvin pinned Mr. Floyd with his knee for about nine and a half minutes.

Responding to questions from the defense, Sergeant Stiger said that Mr. Floyd resisted arrest when the responding officers tried to put him in the back of a squad car. In that moment, Mr. Chauvin would have been justified in using a Taser, Sergeant Stiger said. The defense has suggested that people who do not appear to be dangerous to officers can quickly pose a threat. The line of questioning appeared to be an attempt to establish that Mr. Floyd had been combative at first, and therefore could have become so once again. Sergeant Stiger pushed back on the argument, saying that officers should use force that is necessary for what suspects are doing in the moment, not what they might do later.

Asked to interpret footage from a police body camera, Mr. Reyerson initially said Mr. Floyd appeared to say, I ate too many drugs. But in later testimony, Mr Reyerson changed his assessment and said that Mr. Floyd had actually shouted, I aint do no drugs. His revised judgment could chip away at Mr. Chauvins defense, which has tried to argue that Mr. Floyd died from complications of drug use, not the actions of Mr. Chauvin. A toxicology report found methamphetamine and fentanyl in Mr. Floyds system. Sergeant Stiger told the jury that he could not make out what Mr. Floyd said in that moment.

Much of Wednesdays proceedings focused on Mr. Floyds drug use. The jury heard testimony from McKenzie Anderson, a forensic scientist with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension who processed the squad car that Mr. Floyd was briefly placed in on the night he died. An initial processing found no drugs in the vehicle, but during a second search requested by Mr. Chauvins defense team in January, the team discovered fragments of pills. Judge Peter Cahill has called the oversight mind-boggling. Ms. Anderson said she was not looking for pills during the initial search, and simply passed over them. In testing the fragments, Ms. Anderson said a lab found D.N.A. that matched Mr. Floyds.

Breahna Giles, a forensic scientist with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, testified that some of the pills recovered at the scene were tested and found to contain methamphetamine and fentanyl. The pills were marked with letters and numbers that seemed to indicate that they were pharmaceutical-grade Acetaminophen and Oxycodone, though illicit pills are sometimes marked by drug dealers to give the false impression that they came from a pharmacy. Read more

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April 7, 2021, 4:32 p.m. ET April 7, 2021, 4:32 p.m. ET In the Chauvin trial, an argument emerges over whether George Floyd said he ate too many drugs or aint do no drugs. Video transcript Back bars 0:00 / 1:16 - 0:00 transcript At Chauvin Trial, Debating What George Floyd Said About Drugs During the trial on Wednesday, expert witnesses were asked by defense and prosecution lawyers to decipher a muffled portion of audio in which George Floyd referred to drugs during his arrest. Id like you to see if you can tell me what Mr. Floyd says in this instance. [inaudible] Hear what he said? No, I couldnt make it out. Did you ever hear Mr. Floyd say, I ate too many drugs? No. Im going to ask you, sir, to listen to Mr. Floyds voice. [inaudible] Did you hear that? Yes, I did. Did it appear that Mr. Floyd said, I ate too many drugs? Yes, it did. Your Honor, then we would ask to play 127. Exhibit 127. [inaudible] Having heard it in context, Are you able to tell what Mr. Floyd is saying there? Yes, I believe Mr. Floyd was saying, I aint do no drugs. So its a little different than what you were asked about when you only saw a portion of the video, correct? Yes, sir. During the trial on Wednesday, expert witnesses were asked by defense and prosecution lawyers to decipher a muffled portion of audio in which George Floyd referred to drugs during his arrest. James D. Reyerson of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension testified on Wednesday, offering a view of the death of George Floyd from an agent who was tasked with investigating it. In testimony that revived questions about Mr. Floyds drug use, Mr. Reyerson, a special agent, initially agreed with Derek Chauvins defense lawyer that Mr. Floyd appeared to have shouted I ate too many drugs as he was handcuffed on the ground. But later, when questioned by a prosecutor and shown a longer video clip, Mr. Reyerson changed his conclusion, saying he thought Mr. Floyd had actually shouted, I aint do no drugs. Another expert, Sgt. Jody Stiger of the Los Angeles Police Department, said in earlier testimony that it was unclear to him what Mr. Floyd had said in that moment, and the audio is difficult to make out. Prosecutors have spent considerable time during their presentation dealing with the defenses assertions that the fentanyl and methamphetamine found in Mr. Floyds system led to his death. Mr. Reyerson described his own law enforcement career, which included work for the Drug Enforcement Administration and the New York Police Department. He recounted the night of Mr. Floyds death, when he was called to investigate and arrived at Minneapolis City Hall with other agents. He photographed Mr. Chauvin that night and began collecting videos from the scene and the audio of a 911 call. Mr. Reyerson said his agency had prepared 440 reports during the course of the investigation of Mr. Floyds death. Read more

April 7, 2021, 4:24 p.m. ET April 7, 2021, 4:24 p.m. ET Defense focuses on George Floyds prior arrest and drug use. McKenzie Anderson, a forensic scientist with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, was in charge of vehicle searches. Credit... Still image, via Court TV Derek Chauvins defense hinges on an argument that George Floyds drug use, not Mr. Chauvins knee, caused his death. To that end, the defense asked permission to present an arrest of Mr. Floyd in May 2019  exposing jurors to Mr. Floyds history of interactions with law enforcement. Judge Peter Cahill, who has maintained that Mr. Floyds past actions are largely irrelevant to the case, initially said no. But a second search of Squad 320, the patrol car that George Floyd was briefly put into on the evening he died, prompted the judge to change his mind. The 2019 arrest began with a traffic stop. While in custody, Mr. Floyd told officers that he had swallowed several tablets of Percocet, a strong narcotic. He was taken to the hospital. The defense argued that the arrest was remarkably similar to the episode that led to his death a year later. In January, Mr. Chauvins lawyers requested to inspect Squad 320, and the group spotted what turned out to be fragments of pills containing methamphetamine and Mr. Floyds DNA. The evidence supported the defense contention that in both arrests, Mr. Floyd ingested drugs when the police approached. On that basis, Judge Cahill agreed to allow the defense to present a portion of the police body camera video from 2019 and testimony from the paramedic who treated Mr. Floyd. But he said the defense could not argue that Mr. Floyd had a pattern of swallowing pills in order to be taken to the hospital instead of jail. So far, no explanation has been given as to why the drugs were not found the first time. The judge called the oversight mind-boggling. The second search of the car was addressed briefly in the questioning of Agent James Reyerson of the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which conducted the investigation of Mr. Floyds death, and will doubtless come up again with McKenzie Anderson, who was in charge of the vehicle searches, on the stand. In court on Wednesday, Eric Nelson, the defense lawyer, repeatedly played video of Mr. Floyd crying out, asking witnesses if Mr. Floyd was saying, I ate too many drugs. One witness, Sgt. Jody Stiger of the Los Angeles Police Department, a use-of-force expert, said Mr. Floyds words were unintelligible. When questioned by Mr. Nelson, Agent Reyerson first agreed that he had heard those words, but when asked again by prosecutors, he said he thought Mr. Floyd might be shouting, I aint do no drugs. Read more

April 7, 2021, 3:49 p.m. ET April 7, 2021, 3:49 p.m. ET A central claim of Derek Chauvins defense: Bystanders who witnessed the arrest influenced his actions. This image from a police body camera shows people gathering as former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was recorded pressing his knee on George Floyds neck for several minutes. Credit... Minneapolis Police Department, via Associated Press Since the first day of the trial of Derek Chauvin, it has been one of the central arguments in his defense: that the bystanders who witnessed George Floyds arrest last May in Minneapolis also influenced Mr. Chauvins actions. On Wednesday, Eric J. Nelson, a lawyer for Mr. Chauvin, returned again to the crowd of people who had gathered outside Cup Foods and watched Mr. Chauvin kneel on Mr. Floyd, their voices raised and their cellphones recording. Mr. Nelson repeated insults that had been heard on videos from that day and suggested that the bystanders made up an aggressive and unpredictable group. Asked if the crowd was growing more excited, a use-of-force expert for the prosecution, Sgt. Jody Stiger of the Los Angeles Police Department, answered, They became more concerned. Police policies generally advise how officers should react when they are being heckled by bystanders or filmed with smartphones, an increasingly common occurrence, said Chuck Wexler, executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum, a nonprofit in Washington. Three other officers were present during Mr. Floyds arrest, and in an ideal situation, Mr. Wexler said, Mr. Chauvin would not have been directly monitoring the crowd. Theres a division of labor there, Mr. Wexler said. You would hope that there would be enough officers so that some can handle the crowd. But Officer Chauvin should be focused on Mr. Floyd and his well-being, and the other officers should be focused on the crowd. Read more

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April 7, 2021, 2:54 p.m. ET April 7, 2021, 2:54 p.m. ET What is happening when the judge and the lawyers put on their headphones? Judge Peter A. Cahill during former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvins trial at Hennepin County District Court. Credit... Still image, via Court TV A common sight during the trial of Derek Chauvin has been the judge, the prosecutors and Mr. Chauvins lawyer putting on headphones and carrying on a conversation that cannot be heard on the livestream. What is happening here is a common part of a court hearing, known as a sidebar. These are usually brief discussions between the lawyers and the judge about scheduling, a point of law or a matter that they do not want the jury to hear, such as arguments over whether an objection to a line of questioning will be sustained or overruled. Traditionally, such discussions happen with the lawyers and the judge huddled together and speaking in hushed tones. But because of coronavirus protocols in this trial, the answer to the question, May I approach the bench? is a definite No. So by using microphones and headsets, and by playing white noise to the jurors, the sidebar can happen with the participants at a safe distance. Please understand we are not attempting to conceal anything from you which it is necessary for you to hear, Judge Peter A. Cahill told the jury at the beginning of the trial. And, he added, Please do not attempt to listen in. Read more

April 7, 2021, 2:16 p.m. ET April 7, 2021, 2:16 p.m. ET When will there be a verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial? Boarded-up walls of the Hennepin County Government Center, where the trial of Derek Chauvin is taking place. Credit... Joshua Rashaad McFadden for The New York Times Midway through the second week of the trial of Derek Chauvin, more than 20 witnesses have already taken the stand for the state. Next, the defense will present their witnesses, before the trial moves into closing arguments and, finally, jury deliberation. Witness testimony is expected to last at least through the end of next week. On Friday, Judge Peter A. Cahill dismissed court early, saying that the trial was ahead of schedule. Jury selection  eight days of intense questioning to potential jurors about their political biases and views on racism and policing  began on March 9. Ultimately, 12 jury members and two alternates were chosen. Both sides delivered opening statements on March 29, which were followed by the prosecution calling their witnesses to the stand. Each witness is questioned by the state, then cross-examined by the defense. Questioning goes back and forth between the state and the defense. Each side submitted a list of potential witnesses to the judge ahead of the trial: The state submitted the names of 363 potential witnesses, and the defense listed 212, but it was unclear how many would actually appear. Closing arguments could come as soon as the week of April 19, then the jury will begin deliberating. The jury can take as long as it needs to deliver a verdict. Read more

April 7, 2021, 1:38 p.m. ET April 7, 2021, 1:38 p.m. ET What is the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the agency that investigated George Floyds death? A St. Paul police officer stepping out of a Bureau of Criminal Apprehension van. Credit... Aaron Lavinsky/Star Tribune, via Associated Press The second witness to take the stand in the trial of Derek Chauvin on Wednesday was a special agent with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Other employees of the agency are also expected to testify. So, what is it? The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is a state police agency with a range of responsibilities, from investigating murders to testing specimens at a laboratory. Since 2014, it has also investigated all police killings by the Minneapolis Police Department and other critical incidents, such as when someone dies in custody. The agency took over the investigation into George Floyds death on the night he died and led the inquiry that resulted in the arrest of Mr. Chauvin and the three other officers who were involved in the arrest of Mr. Floyd. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is based in St. Paul and has more than 300 employees, including agents, scientists and other staff, according to its website. It was created by state lawmakers in 1927. Special Agent James Reyerson, who began to testify at trial on Wednesday morning, was the agent who interviewed the Minneapolis police chief as part of the agencys investigation into Mr. Floyds death. In that interview, in June, Chief Medaria Arradondo told Mr. Reyerson, as well as an F.B.I. agent, that he had met with various community leaders the morning after Mr. Floyds death to discuss what had happened, according to a transcript of the interview. Chief Arradondo told the agents that he made the decision to fire the four officers at the scene of Mr. Floyds arrest just after noon on May 26, the day after Mr. Floyd had died. He described it as a weighty and emotional decision, but said that members of his leadership team  whom he implored to be honest with him  unequivocally agreed that that was the right decision. Read more

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April 7, 2021, 1:01 p.m. ET April 7, 2021, 1:01 p.m. ET Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs and A police force expert says Derek Chauvin used deadly force on George Floyd when he should have used none. Video transcript Back bars 0:00 / 1:18 - 0:00 transcript Police Expert Describes Derek Chauvins Use of Pain Compliance In his testimony, Sergeant Stiger explained a training policy to reward an individual complying during an arrest with a reduction of pain. So here you can see the defendants right hand grasping the fingers of Mr. Floyds left hand  [cross talk] appears to be squeezing him. And you use that term pain compliance. Can you please describe what that means? Yes, so pain compliance is a technique that officers use to get a subject to comply with their commands  as they comply, then they are rewarded with the reduction of pain. So is it your testimony then that the drawing of the fingers down and the wrist down towards the handcuffs could induce pain? Yes, especially because the handcuffs were not double-locked, double-locked, meaning that they were not, they could continue to ratchet tighter as the person moved. Were you able to hear instances of what you recognize to be ratcheting during your review of the body-worn cameras? Yes. So in the principle of pain compliance, if Im to understand your testimony, you would inflict pain for the purpose of having the subject obey your command? Yes, comply. What if theres no opportunity for compliance? Then at that point its just pain. In his testimony, Sergeant Stiger explained a training policy to reward an individual complying during an arrest with a reduction of pain. Credit Credit... Still image, via Court TV A use-of-force expert with the Los Angeles Police Department testified on Wednesday that Derek Chauvin had used deadly force on George Floyd at a time when it was not appropriate to use any force. Sgt. Jody Stiger, who works with the L.A.P.D. Inspector Generals Office to investigate wrongdoing in the department, reviewed evidence in the Chauvin case for prosecutors and said Mr. Chauvin had put Mr. Floyd at risk of positional asphyxia, a key point for prosecutors who have argued that Mr. Floyd died of asphyxia, meaning a loss of oxygen. Sergeant Stiger said that even being handcuffed and in a prone position can make it harder to breathe. When you add body weight to that, it just increases the possibility of death, he said. The testimony from Sergeant Stiger came on the eighth day of the trial of Mr. Chauvin, who has been charged with murdering Mr. Floyd. The sergeant has said that the officers who arrested Mr. Floyd were initially justified in using force to try to put him in the back of a police car and put him in the prone position, but should have slowed down or stopped their force once Mr. Floyd was on the ground. Sergeant Stiger said on Wednesday that while Mr. Chauvin knelt on Mr. Floyd, he had appeared to use a pain compliance technique on one of Mr. Floyds hands. Sergeant Stiger said Mr. Chauvin could be seen, in body camera video, either pushing Mr. Floyds knuckles together or pulling his wrist against his handcuffs to hurt him. The sergeant said he could hear the handcuffs ratcheting tighter in one of the videos. Those techniques may be appropriate to get a person to comply with police commands, Sergeant Stiger said, but he indicated that there was no opportunity for Mr. Floyd to comply. At that point, its just pain, Sergeant Stiger said. In response to a prosecutors question about the bystanders who filmed Mr. Floyds arrest and shouted at the officers who were there, Sergeant Stiger said he did not find them to be a threat, rebutting one of the defenses arguments that the bystanders may have diverted Mr. Chauvins attention from Mr. Floyds condition. But in the cross-examination of Sergeant Stiger, the lawyer for Mr. Chauvin, Eric J. Nelson, played a short video of Mr. Floyd handcuffed on the ground and asked the sergeant if it sounded like Mr. Floyd was saying, I ate too many drugs. Sergeant Stiger said he could not make out what Mr. Floyd had said, at which point Mr. Nelson asked him if things can be missed in a chaotic scene. The sergeant agreed that they could. Sergeant Stiger also agreed, in response to Mr. Nelsons questioning, that it would have been appropriate for Mr. Chauvin to use a Taser on Mr. Floyd when he first arrived on scene, given that Mr. Floyd appeared to be resisting officers efforts to get him into a police car. Still, the jury has heard from many experts  including Sergeant Stiger  who said that the appropriate level of force changed once Mr. Floyd was on the ground and no longer resisting. Mr. Nelson also emphasized that the sergeant was an outside expert who worked for the Los Angeles Police Department, which he joined in 1993, and might not be as familiar with Minneapolis police policies. Mr. Nelson also highlighted that the Minneapolis Police Departments policies on using force give discretion to officers. He read from one portion of the departments policy that says that the reasonableness of an officers use-of-force has to be judged from the perspective of the reasonable officer on the scene rather than with the 20-20 vision of hindsight. Read more

April 7, 2021, 11:17 a.m. ET April 7, 2021, 11:17 a.m. ET What is proportional force? Video transcript Back bars 0:00 / 1:34 - 0:00 transcript Expert: No Force Shouldve Been Used Once Floyd Was Restrained Sgt. Jody Stiger of the Los Angeles Police Department and an expert on the use of force, testified on Wednesday about reasonable force in the arrest of George Floyd. Now, are you familiar with the concept of proportionality? Yes, I am. Can you please explain the concept of proportionality as it relates to the use of force to the jury? Yes, so proportionality basically means that an officer is only allowed to use a level of force thats proportional to the seriousness of the crime or the level of resistance that a subject is using towards the officers. Sir, do you have an opinion to a degree of reasonable and professional certainty to how much force was reasonable for the defendant to use on Mr. Floyd after Mr. Floyd was handcuffed, placed in a prone position and not resisting? Yes. What was that opinion? My opinion was that no force should have been used once he was in that position. Cameras cant, they dont have a feeling or a sensation right? You cant determine what someone  the tension in their body, right, based on a camera? Specifically are you  If someone is, if someone is struggling, right, and youve got them handcuffed, they can still be tense, but not really look very tense, right? I would disagree with that. OK, so the camera would be able to pick up whether someone is having a particular sensory experience? Yes, it can. OK. Sgt. Jody Stiger of the Los Angeles Police Department and an expert on the use of force, testified on Wednesday about reasonable force in the arrest of George Floyd. Credit Credit... Still image, via Court TV The phrase proportional force or proportional use of force has been mentioned several times during the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis officer who has been charged with the death of George Floyd. So what is it exactly? Proportional force is the idea that the force that a police officer is supposed to use on a suspect, including the use of chokeholds or other neck restraints, should not be more intense than necessary. The manual of the Minneapolis Police Department states that neck restraints and chokeholds are basically reserved for when an officer feels caught in a life-or-death situation. When determining the level of force to use, officers should consider the severity of the crime, the mental condition of the person under arrest, whether the person is resisting or presents a threat to the officer, and other factors that may influence the situation. The manual further explains that the conscious neck restraint may be used against a subject who is actively resisting, while rendering the person unconscious should be limited to someone who is aggressive or for lifesaving purposes. Most police departments have based their policies on a Supreme Court case, Graham v. Connor, which acknowledges that reasonableness depends on the situation, Sgt. Jody Stiger of the Los Angeles Police Department and an expert on use of force, testified on the stand. Whenever possible, officers should seek to de-escalate the situation, he said. Read more

April 7, 2021, 10:18 a.m. ET April 7, 2021, 10:18 a.m. ET An expert witness who called Derek Chauvins use of force excessive returns to the stand. Sergeant Jody Stiger of the Los Angeles Police Department testifying on Tuesday. Credit... Court TV still image, via Reuters Sgt. Jody Stiger of the Los Angeles Police Department, who is expected to be the only outside expert to testify for the state about police training and use of force, returned to the stand on Wednesday. Sergeant Stiger said Wednesday that former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was using deadly force by pinning George Floyd on the ground at a time that no force should have been used. He said the pressure of Chauvins body weight could have caused positional asphyxia, which could cause death. Sergeant Stiger said that even being handcuffed and in a prone position can make it harder to breathe. When you add body weight to that, it just increases the possibility of death, he said. On Tuesday, Sergeant Stiger was asked directly about Mr. Chauvins actions in the arrest, and he was blunt: My opinion was that the force was excessive. Sergeant Stiger, a former Marine, joined the Los Angeles Police Department in 1993, according to a spokeswoman for the department. He holds the rank of sergeant II and serves as an aide to the office of the Inspector General, the body that oversees the police department and conducts performance audits, reviews use-of-force incidents and handles complaints of officer misconduct. He is the only sworn officer on staff. Sergeant Stiger served as a tactics instructor for in-service training for Los Angeles police officers for six years, during which he provided training regarding use-of-force policy and state law to about 3,000 officers, he said during his testimony. Sergeant Stiger was paid a flat fee of $10,000, as well as a trial fee, to review reports, video footage of the incident, training policies and other materials and ultimately make a judgment about whether the use of force by Mr. Chauvin was appropriate. Read more

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April 7, 2021, 9:29 a.m. ET April 7, 2021, 9:29 a.m. ET Minneapoliss Native American community is closely watching the trial. Members of the Native American community are preparing for possible unrest again after a verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd, pictured in a mural near where he was arrested last year. Credit... Joshua Rashaad McFadden for The New York Times The regular updates that Johnny Crows girlfriend gives him about the former officer Derek Chauvins trial trigger reminders of how the Native American community in Minneapolis rallied to support one another in the months after George Floyd died. The American Indian Center, where Mr. Crow works, was near areas that were damaged in protests after Mr. Floyds death. Based in South Minneapolis, they organized community watches and gave members advice on those nights, he said. The threat of unrest during or after the trial is still a concern, Mr. Crow said. To hear the trial, it brings a lot of memories  definitely some worry, Mr. Crow said. Community members are prepared to protect the area again, especially once a verdict is read, he said. I think no matter what the verdict is, there will be people who are upset. Mr. Crow said he was encouraged to hear Medaria Arradondo, the police chief, testify on Monday that Mr. Chauvin had violated department policy when he knelt on Mr. Floyds neck for more than nine minutes. That shouldnt be allowed, to put a knee on somebody, especially someone thats not resisting, Mr. Crow said. But, also, my experience is, on the South Side, if you press your knee on anyones neck, they are going to resist. Thats survival instinct. Mr. Crow said that in the American Indian Movement a prime directive was to protect community members from the police and the violence perpetrated against Native Americans. We will have community watch again, he said. It did help on Franklin Avenue. Just having people out there keeping watch. Mr. Crow recalled riding around the neighborhood after Mr. Floyds death and seeing the communitys pain. It was really shocking, he said. A lot of people were hurt and angry. To see that firsthand, it was tough. Read more

April 7, 2021, 5:07 a.m. ET April 7, 2021, 5:07 a.m. ET The use-of-force policy is an important component of Derek Chauvins trial. Prosecutors presented evidence during the testimony during the trial at Hennepin County District Court. Credit... Still image, via Court TV Proceedings on Wednesday in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former police officer charged with murdering George Floyd, are expected to begin with continued testimony from Sgt. Jody Stiger of the Los Angeles Police Department, a use-of-force expert called by prosecutors. Sergeant Stiger said on Tuesday that he believed that Mr. Chauvin used excessive force when he knelt on Mr. Floyd for more than nine minutes last May. He was one of several law enforcement officials who testified for prosecutors, though some of their testimony may have been useful for Mr. Chauvins defense. The trial has moved full force into its second phase, where the jury is hearing arguments about whether Mr. Chauvin violated police policy or acted within the bounds of his training. While much of the testimony seemed to bolster the arguments of prosecutors, who are seeking to convince jurors that Mr. Chauvin acted unlawfully and outside of official protocol, the defense may have also made some headway on Tuesday. Sergeant Stiger testified that Mr. Floyd was resisting arrest when responding officers tried to place him in a police cruiser outside the Cup Foods convenience store in Minneapolis. He also said that, according to his viewing of police body camera footage, Mr. Floyd at one point kicked at the officers. Still, Sergeant Stiger said Mr. Floyd stopped resisting at some point when he was handcuffed and face down on the pavement. At that point, Mr. Chauvins force became excessive, Sergeant Stiger said. Even after Mr. Floyd became unresponsive, Mr. Chauvin did not move his knee or roll Mr. Floyd onto his side. Another witness, Officer Nicole Mackenzie, the medical support coordinator for the Minneapolis Police Department, provided testimony that seemed to support a primary argument of the defense: That the crowd of bystanders, some of whom yelled at the officers during Mr. Floyds arrest, may have hindered Mr. Chauvins ability to render aid to Mr. Floyd or to move his knee. Lt. Johnny Mercil, a veteran of the Minneapolis Police Department and a use-of-force instructor, also said that vocal bystanders could raise alarm with officers. And Sgt. Ker Yang, a crisis intervention coordinator with the department, said that officers sometimes have to juggle several factors, such as a suspects well-being and the volatility of an angry crowd nearby, when making an arrest. Though the defense may have made headway with these arguments, other testimony could have aided the prosecution. Lieutenant Mercil testified that Mr. Chauvins position, with his knee on Mr. Floyd, was not consistent with the Minneapolis Police Departments training on use of force. He also said officers should use the lowest level of force possible when controlling a subject. Read more

April 6, 2021, 5:28 p.m. ET April 6, 2021, 5:28 p.m. ET Scenes from outside the Derek Chauvin trial. On Day 7 of the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former police officer accused of murder in the death of George Floyd, people gathered outside the courthouse and in front of Cup Foods. Joshua Rashaad McFadden for The New York Times Joshua Rashaad McFadden for The New York Times Joshua Rashaad McFadden for The New York Times Joshua Rashaad McFadden for The New York Times Joshua Rashaad McFadden for The New York Times slide 1 slide 2 slide 3 slide 4 slide 5

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A Navy sailor shot and wounded two other sailors at a facility in the Maryland city of Frederick on Tuesday morning before driving to the US military's nearby Fort Detrick, where police shot and killed him, authorities said.

The US Navy tweeted that the shooter was a Navy hospital corpsman, and Fort Detrick officials told CNN that he was posted at that installation.

They identified him as Fantahun Girma Woldesenbet, whose rank was E-4.

'We are still investigating motive, investigating the exact circumstances,' Army Brig. Gen. Michael J. Talley told reporters at an afternoon news conference.

The gunman was stopped at the post's gates, but before the vehicle could be searched the shooter took off. He was stopped about 1/2 mile onto the installation, where he got out of the car, brandished a weapon and was shot by police, Talley told reporters.

Frederick Police Chief Jason Lando said the first shooting took place at 'a military institution' in the Riverside Tech Park. In a news release, the police department said the building is a warehouse rented by Naval Medical Research Center, Biological Defense Research Directorate to store research supplies and equipment.

The chief said the gunman used a rifle but did not provide any additional information on the weapon.

One victim is in critical condition but is stable at a hospital. The second victim is in serious condition but likely will be released Wednesday. Both were taken from the scene by helicopter, police said.

Police were called around 8:20 a.m.

Police had been called to the first scene, about a 4-mile drive east of Fort Detrick, around 8:20 a.m., Lando said earlier. 'We know some people fled from the business,' Lando said.

After the shooting, a victim entered a nearby business, Nicolock Paving Stones, and asked for help, a person there said.

'Our team was able to assist them and called the authorities,' a statement released by Jeremy Mutschler, director of marketing and advertising at Nicolock, reads. The statement emphasizes that the shooting did not happen at Nicolock.

Agencies helping Frederick police include the FBI; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Maryland State Police; and the Frederick County Sheriff's Office.

The FBI is handling the first shooting scene, officials said.

Frederick is about a 50-mile drive northwest of Washington, DC. Woldesenbet did not live on Fort Detrick, officials said.

Fort Detrick is an Army biomedical and research facility. There are elements of other military branches on the post. According to the website Military Installations, there are about 1,300 active-duty military and 8,500 civilians and contractors at Fort Detrick or the Forest Glen campus in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Coconut Palm, Chinas leading brand of coconut milk, which was established in 1956 on Hainan Island, is catching flak for an outlandish promotional stunt.

This time, the popular beverage maker is under fire once again over a job ad. The recruitment notice (in Chinese) in question, published by the company on Weibo on March 25, calls for young applicants for its management training program, where students learn skills required for senior-level positions in the company and are guaranteed to get an employment offer upon graduation.

The company noted that applicants must be under 28 years old and hold at least a bachelors degree. Those who climb up the corporate ladder and finally assume roles as deputy managers  a process that usually takes 14 years, according to the post  would be entitled to an annual salary of around 1.8 million yuan ($270,000), an ocean-facing property worth around 6 million yuan ($913,589), and equity in Coconut Palm.

Once you are enrolled, you will have a house, a car, and a fat salary, the company wrote. Theres no doubt that pretty women and good-looking men will compete for your affection.

The backlash was swift and strong. Critics accused Coconut Palm of making exaggerated claims and exploiting images of attractive women to draw attention to its recruitment efforts and publicize its brand.



Everyone loves its coconut milk and it really doesnt need these tasteless advertising tactics to boost sales. But I guess its effective for the brand. Look how trending this topic is on Weibo. No job posting has more views than this one, a Weibo user wrote (in Chinese). Another said (in Chinese), This job ad makes it sound amazing, but I doubt it will actually deliver on those promises.

Yet the criticism was dismissed by a spokesperson from Coconut Palm, who told Red Star News (in Chinese) on March 27 that the company stood behind all the statements made in the job post. The spokesperson denied that the recruitment notice was a publicity stunt. There is no need for us to attract peoples attention. This is what Coconut Palm has been all about since its founding, he said.

However, authorities were not convinced. In a conversation with the management team of the company, the regulators reportedly said that the content in the recruitment post had violated Chinas advertising laws and created a negative impact on society.
The 3U BAM Server is designed, manufactured, assembled, tested, and supported in the USA by security-savvy engineers who place supply chain security, counterfeit electronics prevention, and layer-specific cybersecurity protections at top of mind. It's equipped with innovative and trusted cybersecurity technologies developed by Intel and other leading, cybersecurity-innovative companies, purposefully designed to protect the BAM's hardware, firmware, and software completely and help ensure a high degree of confidence-instilled resistance to unauthorized access to and disclosure of customers' highly sensitive information.

"For more than 31 years, Trenton Systems has focused on domestic, secure, high-performance computing," said Michael Bowling, CEO of Trenton Systems. "I'm particularly excited to see the impact our latest BAM product will have on the military's security infrastructure."

The 3U BAM Server is not only a cyber-resilient solution but also a powerful and superior juggernaut of high-performance computing and ruggedization. Sporting two next-generation Intel Xeon SP CPUs, 11 PCIe Gen 4 slots, and 24 ECC RDIMM slots neatly arranged in a lightweight, ruggedized aluminum chassis, the 3U BAM Server is, without question, ready to perform smoothly, decisively, steadfastly, and uninterruptedly at the military-industrial edge.

"On a broad level, we want to help DoD Key Decision Makers modernize their infrastructures enough to take full advantage of truly transformative technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, deep learning, Big Data and the Internet of Things, among others," said Sean Campbell, VP of Sales, Marketing & BD of Trenton Systems. "As such, we have carefully shaped our Secure, Trusted BAM Server offerings to empower our DoD customers to fully benefit from emerging future technologies by building around our elite partnerships with Intel and NVIDIA."

An exceptionally secure edge computing server, the BAM offers platform-wide cybersecurity protections but not merely as an afterthought. Designed from inception as secure by security-conscious engineers and Trenton Systems' pioneering technology and brand partners, the 3U BAM Server is:

Designed, manufactured, assembled, tested, and supported in the USA

Compliant with the Trade Agreements Act (TAA)

Equipped with verified parts and components from a trusted, vetted, and secure supply chain

Secured by Intel PFR, Intel SGX, and Intel TME

Secured by Star Lab's Titanium Security Suite and FIPS 140-2 encryption

Titanium Security Suite and FIPS 140-2 encryption Secured by a Counterfeit Protection Program (CPP)

Adherent to CSfC, ITAR, and ISO9001

Holistically protected at the hardware, firmware, and software layers

Complementing the 3U BAM Server's security, high performance, and ruggedization is its longevity. Trenton Systems' industry-leading computer life cycle lasts decades and is coupled with the company's strict revision control and custom BIOS control practices, ensuring that customers receive the same BAM hardware, firmware, and software build every time for as long as possible.

Best of all, the 3U BAM Server is free to implement and test in your current computing platform via Trenton Systems' 45-Day Loaner Program. Here's how it works: we'll send you a 3U BAM Server for free; you use it how you want for 45 days, and you send it back if you're not pleased - no risk, no hidden fees, and no strings attached.

"The BAM system, from the start, has been designed to address pain points. For starters, it's US-made, created within an actively managed supply chain, and offers the longest life cycle the industry has to offer," says Yazz Krdzalic, Director of Marketing & BD at Trenton Systems. "Digging a bit deeper, we see multiple layers of system hardening to keep your sensitive data encrypted/protected. It's lightweight, ruggedized, stress-tested, certified, and it works at the tactical edge just like it does in a climate-controlled environment. It has it all. That's the BAM."

About Trenton Systems, Inc.

Trenton Systems designs, manufactures, assembles, integrates, tests, and supports made-in-USA rugged servers, workstations, processor boards, PCIe backplanes, storage systems, blade servers, PCIe expansion kits, mini PCs, and custom high-performance computers for programs and applications operating in harsh environments worldwide.

Founded in 1989, Trenton Systems provides the defense/military, government, industrial, and commercial markets with in-house engineering, testing and support services, computer life cycle planning, revision control, a five-year warranty, and customization/configuration support.

Trenton Systems' rugged computers and components meet or exceed UL, CE, FCC, ITAR, and military standards (MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-461, MIL-S-901, DO-160), are backed by a five-year warranty and in-house support, and are manufactured in the company's Lawrenceville, Georgia, USA facility, which is certified to ISO 9001:2015 quality management standards.

CONTACT: Yazz Krdzalic, (678) 971-5518, [email protected]

SOURCE Trenton Systems

Related Links

www.TrentonSystems.com


Guwahati, April 6 : Around 79 per cent of the total of 79,19,641 voters exercised their franchise till 5 p.m. in the third and final phase of the Assam Assembly polls, held in 40 constituencies amid tight security on Tuesday, according to election officials.

The final phase would decide the fate of 337 candidates, including 25 women aspirants. All Covid-19 protocols including social distancing and thermal screening are being maintained.

Election officials said that except some minor incidents, no major untoward incident was reported from anywhere of the 12 western Assam districts, bordering Bhutan, West Bengal and Arunachal Pradesh, where polling took place peacefully and smoothly.

The voters comprising men, women and the first time electorates, in large numbers queued up in front of the polling stations well before they opened at 7 a.m. The Election Commission has extended an hour for polling in view of the Covid-19 induced situations.

According to the state's Chief Electoral Officer Nitin Khade, a total of 79,19,641 voters, including 39,07,963 women electorates, are eligible to cast their ballots across 9,587 polling stations in 6,107 locations. Of the 9,587 polling stations, 316 are all women managed polling stations. Khade told the media that around 32,000 Central Armed Police Forces, along with thousands of state security force personnel, have been deployed to maintain law and order during this phase in which 45,604 polling personnel were engaged to conduct the polls.

Tuesday's electoral battle is crucial for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress as both won 11 seats each in the 2016 Assembly polls. The BJP's ally Asom Gana Parishad had bagged four seats, while the Bodoland People's Front (BPF) and All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) secured eight and six seats, respectively.

Both the BPF and the AIUDF this time are part of the Congress-led 'Mahajot' (grand alliance). In the last elections, the BPF was with the BJP and the AIUDF fought independently. Tuesday's polling would also decide the fate of five ministers including Finance, Health, Education, PWD Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Industry Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, and Guwahati Department Minister Siddhartha Bhattacharya and the ruling party's state President Ranjeet Kumar Dass.

Sarma, convener of the BJP backed anti-Congress body North East Democratic Alliance, is contesting from the Jalukbari seat from where he has consecutively won since 2001. Meanwhile, Dass is contesting from the Patacharkuchi seat. In the 2016 elections, he was elected to the Assembly from the Sorbhog constituency. Nearly 81 per cent of the 73,44,631 voters exercised their franchise in the second phase across 39 constituencies on April 1. Around 80 per cent of 81,09,815 voters cast their votes on March 27 in the first phase in 47 constituencies. The results will be declared on May 2.
New Dlehi:

Air India has tied up with public sector lender Punjab National Bank and private lender IndusInd to secure loans to the tune of over Rs 3,000 crore for meeting working capital requirements.

The airline expects the two banks to disburse the amount by next week, a source close to the development said.

Earlier this month, the disinvestment-bound Air India had floated tenders for availing government guarantee backed INR short-term loans totalling up to Rs 3,250 crore in the first phase to meet its urgent working capital.

Banks were asked to submit their financial bids by September 19, indicating the amount of government-guaranteed short-term loans they were willing to offer.

"Punjab National Bank and IndusInd bank have won the mandate to lend us loans worth Rs 3,250 crore. They are expected to disburse the amount next week," the source told PTI here.

He said the funding will be used for repayment of dues to the airport operators, oil companies and other vendors.

Under a turnaround plan approved by the previous UPA government, Air India is to receive up to Rs 30,231 crore from the government subject to meeting certain performance thresholds. The 10-year bailout package began from 2012.

On June 28, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) had given in-principle approval for strategic disinvestment of Air India and five of its subsidiaries.

As part of efforts to revive the loss-making airline, a ministerial panel under Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is working on the modalities for strategic disinvestment of Air India and its five subsidiaries.

Last week, Jaitley had said that the process for Air India disinvestment is moving "quite well".

The government has already invited applications for engaging up to two advisers, a legal adviser and asset valuer for the strategic disinvestment of Air India and its subsidiaries/ joint venture.

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PORTSMOUTH, United Kingdom , April 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Freedom Boat Club, a division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC) and the nations largest boat club, today announced the official opening of its first company-owned location in the United Kingdom. The new club is located in Portsmouth, near Port Solent, one of the most desirable boating destinations in the UK and part of Freedom Boat Clubs strategy for continued Expansion in Europe which already includes locations in France.

We believe there is an opportunity to successfully expand Freedom Boat Club across Europe as boating is one of the most popular outdoor activities in the region, said Jason Worthy, Vice-President of Boating Services EMEA. This expansion into a new region represents the beginning of our continued efforts to replicate the successful model we have built in North America to provide a pathway to introduce more global consumers to the on-water lifestyle.

The UK club will be located at Trafalgar Wharf in Portsmouth and will officially open in Summer 2021 with membership sales currently underway. According to British Marine, UK boat sales rose by almost ten percent in 2020, providing additional proof that boating in the region continues to grow in popularity and now with Freedom Boat Club entering the region, consumers who want to enjoy the water without owning a boat will have the opportunity to do so.

We believe the UK and Europe is a prime market for the growth of Freedom Boat Club, said Worthy. This is the first in what we expect to be multiple new locations in and around the United Kingdom. We are excited to introduce our award-winning Brunswick brands and the Freedom Boat Club model to boaters across the UK

Freedom Boat Club of the U.K. is now Freedoms sixth corporate owned territory and first in Europe, joining Southwest Florida, Southeast Florida, Raleigh, North Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina and Chicago, Illinois in the United States.

About Freedom Boat Club

Freedom Boat Club, a division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC) and headquartered in Venice, FL., is the worlds oldest and largest boat club with more than 260 locations in 31 states, Canada, and Europe. More information about Freedom Boat Club and membership opportunities can be found at www.FreedomBoatClub.com and franchise opportunities at www.FreedomBoatClubFranchise.com .
Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021.
A South Jersey woman was killed and several others injured in a three-vehicle crash Saturday in Salem County.

A 70-year-old Franklinville man was driving east on Route 40 near milepost 18 in Upper Pittsgrove Township around 5:30 p.m. when his car collided with a westbound vehicle, according to a New Jersey State Police spokesman. The mans car then struck a westbound SUV.

His front-seat passenger, Barbara Wulffen, 74, of Franklinville, was killed, while the driver was airlifted to Cooper University Hospital, Camden, with serious injuries, police said.

The two other drivers, a 17-year-old female from Alexandria, Virginia, and a 57-year-old Carneys Point Township woman, suffered minor injuries, as did a 51-year-old passenger in the 17-year-olds vehicle.

Police could not say how the crash occurred or which driver was at fault.

The accident remains under investigation.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com.
A recent poll found that Democrats doubt the election. This comes as a surprise as Democrats were thought to be 100% behind the President.

A small number of Democrats doubt elections

The media mocked Republicans who couldn't accept the final election results that eventually led to the declaration of Joe Biden as the 46th president. Former President Donald Trump actively questioned what he called electoral fraud that led to complaints and lawsuits. None of them were successful in court, as reported by Washington Examiner Thru MSN.

Another falsification against Trump is his alleged role in the January 6 assault on the state Capitol building. Democrats say that Trump supporters tried to disrupt the Electoral College that led to the then-president's defeat.

David Winston, the president of The Winston Group and a political advisor to House and Senate Republicans, had this to say. "It is an alarming outcome and calls for an involved bipartisan approach to electoral reform and more strengthening than what Congress and the states are doing now."

In the 2016 election, Donald Trump beat Hillary Clinton for an unexpected presidential win that shocked Democrats. Soon they were claiming that Trump won with Vladimir Putin's help. These two facts got pollster David Winston to look into if the Democrats now share election rejection.

To find out if his hunch was valid, last February the poll 'Winning the Issues' asked 1000 registered voters if the Trump/Biden election was fair.

Iowa Democrat Rita Hart Concedes, Miller-Meeks Takes Seat

Winston revealed to Secrets that Democrats (62%) assert Trump won through Russian assistance and interference. Republicans (61%) are convinced that Biden won illegitimately because of fraud. Both sides have 87% of Democrats and 82% of Republicans trusting there was no cheating.

Winston is quoted saying these statements from the Washington Examiner. "The acknowledgement of the results from those who lost is the foundation to a functional nation. And what these two elections have shown us is that in both of them, six out of ten voters are dissatisfied with the outcome." "This is a dilemma that both parties are dealing with, and it has now become a national issue," Winston said.

Winston said that people need to have faith in the electoral process, and doubt will cause discontent and more problems. On one side, the Democrats trying to lessen ballot security, while Republicans push for voter ID and ballot integrity as two opposing actions. He stressed that it falls on the current administration to push positive policies increasing voter trust in elections and assisting Republican leaders on these important issues.

By showing the poll numbers, it should lead to more election integrity. Republicans and Democrats don't trust elections which is a major problem for both parties. If voters and politicians alike have doubts about the integrity of our elections, then how will that effect campaigning and voting. What if everyone just gives up?

Also from HNGN:

House Democrats Charged for Trying to Steal GOP Seat

Rep. Crenshaw Slams Democrats for Calling ID Laws Suppressive

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Armenia acting PM: Meghri corridor issue and transfer of villages of Kazakh region were considered in November 2020

Armenia ruling party MP drops mandate

Citizens of Armenia's Artashat greet acting PM by chanting 'Turk' and 'traitor'

Armenia Ombudsman reminds PM's ex-chief of staff about shortcomings in activities during war

Armenia 3rd President: We must start bringing back people who know everything about troops

Armenia MOD hosts consultation with deputy commanders and battalions' commanders

Armenia Ombudsman says acting PM's plan won't ensure restoration of Armenian citizens' rights

Armenia Ombudsman: Azerbaijan's failure to return POWs is equivalent to war crime

Armenia 3rd President receives Netherlands Ambassador

Armenia Prosecutor General speaks at St. Petersburg International Economic Forum

"Armenia" bloc: We plan to meet with residents of Shirak Province

Armenian water resources come under Azerbaijani control, more on COVID-19 in Armenia, Jun. 4 digest

Armenia acting PM: Health insurance is inevitable

Armenia Investigative Committee launches criminal case regarding keeping of bodies and remains of deceased servicemen

Opposition "Armenia" bloc representative: Authorities are actually busy bribing voters

Armenia legislature passes law to help ease requirements for future teachers

Russia ambassador visits Meghri, Armenia border checkpoint (PHOTOS)

Armenia ruling party's candidate for anti-corruption commission member not elected

Armenia acting premier: There will be statement in coming days about exposure of high treason

Dollar loses value in Armenia

Armenia acting PM: Our task is to support our farmers so that engaging in agriculture is planned activity

China Daily: Water tribe prospers ashore in Fujian

China calls for closer security, economic cooperation with Afghanistan

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: There was proposal from Azerbaijans Aliyev on Meghri issue

CIS Observation Mission continues to monitor snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Nepal reports first death from 'black fungus'

Armenian analyst: High-ranking US delegation's visit to Armenia can't be viewed as support to incumbent authorities

"Armenia" bloc: Things can't get any worse in the country from the perspective of censure

Edmon Marukyan calls on people to vote for Bright Armenia Party to establish unity in the country

Armenia Ararat Province deputy governor sacked

Russian Ambassador says Russia makes significant contributions to ensuring of Armenia's security

Azerbaijan reports 3 deaths from mine explosion in Karvachar

Sarkissian to Nigmatulin: Armenia, Kazakhstan have lot in common

ECHR fails to accept Azerbaijan's application against Armenia Government as new and separate case

Head of Armenia's Verin Shorzha: Azerbaijanis operating equipment to move from one military post to the other

Iran produces trial batches of Russian Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine

President welcomes Catholicos of All Armenians who has arrived in Artsakh

Armenia PM chief of staff: Possibility of full-scale war still exists in region

Alaska offers free COVID-19 vaccines to everyone

Two Azerbaijan reporters die in landmine explosion in Artsakhs Karvachar

Over 120 Nobel laureates urge G7 countries to step up efforts to tackle climate change

Downtown Yerevan murder solved, murder suspect is foreigner

Armenia former President Kocharyan: These authorities really have nothing to say

Armenia parliament holding 2nd special session in one day

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Faith Mwiraria was involved in a road accident that completely changed her life. In addition to needing total hip replacement, Faith had her heart broken by her husband of twelve years who left her because of her disability.

Faith spoke to the Nairobian about overcoming a difficult phase in her life.

Tell us how your troubles started

I had an accident on December 11, 2015. I was driving between Nyeri-Mwiega Road near Dedan Kimathi University. I was hit by an oncoming matatu. It happened so fast. When I realised the matatu was going to hit me, I tried to do everything to avoid it  flashed, tried breaking, and swerved off the road but it happened.

I regained consciousness in hospital. I did not realise the impact of what happened. I later learnt that one of my legs was not moving. It was a very painful experience. I was taken to Nyeri Provincial Hospital then to Mathari Hospital.

Just how serious was the accident?

I was put on traction. My hip joint had disconnected. When I ran for the break, the dashboard had hit my knee and it removed my joint at the hip. My family decided to transfer me to Mount Kenya Hospital where the doctor recommended total hip replacement.

I was 35 and I felt I was too young to undergo such a major surgery. Unfortunately, after a few months, I could not walk without crutches. I could not do anything for myself. I had to find people to look after my children. My family life changed in a big way. My daughter was in Class One at the time and she had to be enrolled in a boarding school.

What happened afterward?

My leg became weaker and grew thinner. Doctors advised physiotherapy and a lot of nature walking. The physiotherapy was very expensive and painful. I did not have money for hip replacement, yet it was the only solution for me to walk again. The joint alone cost Sh400,000.

I had to look for friends and family to raise funds because I was in a lot of pain. I went through stigma in the community. People would stare at me and say words that hurt me. I lost friends because whenever people saw me calling, they thought I needed money for surgery.

How did you overcome all this rejection?

The hip replacement was finally done and within a year I did away with one crutch. Later, the doctor advised me to try walking without crutches. My walking style changed. People think I am proud because of the way I walk!

People imitated how I walked and they do not know how it made me feel, it frustrated me. Where I lived in Nyeri, people had known me as an active person but treated me differently when I got disabled. I decided to relocate to Mikinduri in Meru. I did not know Mikinduri. I just came blindly! God healed me in this town.

How did this situation affect your family life?

I had been married for 12 years. Before the accident, my marriage had problems marked by physical and emotional abuse. My husband was abusive and even at one point, he broke my jaw. He would slap me in front of his friends.

But it got worse after the accident when he deserted me. He woke up one day and told me he was tired of living with a disabled wife. He told me that his friends were laughing at him and wondering how he managed to live with a cripple. This broke my heart and I could not take it anymore. I told my father and he understood my situation.

How did you pick up the pieces?

My parents helped me a lot. I have special regard for them because they stood with me. I have a few friends who stood by me. I drew a lot of strength from my children who were little then. My son was one of the best in KCPE exams and is now at Mangu High School. My children have promised to make me proud by doing well in school and I trust them to keep their word. Though I cannot do much work because of the weakness, I work hard for my children and my parents also help me. The Meru High Court granted me a divorce on January 29.

You were a businesswoman before misfortune befell you, what are you up to now?

I had an M-Pesa business in Nyeri and together with my husband, we were in the hospitality industry. But after the accident and all the abuse, I had to move out to find a new life. The insurance company compensated me and I bought a parcel of land in Mikinduri. My father took charge and built a house for me, may God bless him. I thank Dr Muiembe who did my hip replacement surgery.

What are your future plans?

God kept me alive to take care of my children. I would love to champion the rights of people living with disabilities and to help them to cope. I thank the government because I do not pay license fees for my cyber cafe business at Mikinduri.

Are you okay now?

I manage to live by the grace of God as I take care of my children and run the cyber cafe. I miss doing motherly duties, such as carrying water when the taps run dry! I also cannot shake a leg anymore but above all, I am grateful to be alive.
By Van Gosse

Who said Jim Crow is dead?

After losing the presidential contest and two Senate races in quick succession, the Republican-controlled Georgia legislature passed a comprehensive bill to suppress the very votersBlack voterswho defeated them.

In CNNs summary: The new law imposes new voter identification requirements for absentee ballots, empowers state officials to take over local elections boards, limits the use of ballot drop boxes and makes it a crime to approach voters in line to give them food and water.

Looks like hes still alive and kicking.

When you talk about disenfranchising on the basis of race, most people think of the old South. Between 1890 and the early 1900s, every state from Virginia to Texas found a quasi-legal way to exclude Black voters until Congress finally passed the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

That version of voter suppression was led by Democrats. Today, its Republicans who have reinvented Jim Crow, using the same pretense that laws targeting particular groups of voters are legal because they dont mention race. The clear intent is to eliminate African Americans and others who vote Democratic. And in 2013, the conservative-dominated Supreme Court largely gutted the Voting Rights Act.

No one thinks of Pennsylvania as a leader in these efforts. Black Pennsylvanians voted regularly throughout the 20th century. They backed Republicans until shifting to the Democrats under Franklin Roosevelt in the 1930s. In 2020, they provided Joe Biden his margin of victory.

In the 19th century, however, a long tide of racial disfranchisement culminated in the Keystone State. The 1790 state constitution established a non-racial taxpayer suffrage, and from then on, Black men had voted in many counties (including Bucks, Lancaster, Dauphin, York, and Allegheny). In 1837-1838 the Democrats, followers of Andrew Jackson, got rid of those voters to gain a partisan advantage.

Instituting white suffrage in Pennsylvania was part of a national trend. At the founding, free Black men voted in 10 of the original 13 states. But by the 1830s, many of those states had excluded black voters, and most of the new ones limited voting to whites. These backward steps underline how racism intensified everywhere in the U.S., while slavery expanded from 700,000 enslaved people in 1790 to four million in 1860.

In Pennsylvania, racial disfranchisement was a tool to mobilize whites against Blacks and their white allies.

Since 1800 the Democrats (formerly called Democratic-Republicans or just Republicans) had dominated the state. In 1835, a coalition of pro-business Whigs and reform-minded Anti-Masons led by Thaddeus Stevens elected the Anti-Mason Simon Ritner governor. Both Ritner and Stevens were abolitionists, with the formers 1836 inaugural address urging Pennsylvanians to stop bowing the knee to the dark spirit of slavery.

After that, elections see-sawed back and forth. Amidst intense party battles, a convention to reform the state constitution was called. When it convened in May 1837, a Philadelphia Democrat introduced an amendment to insert white into the suffrage requirements. Other Democrats proposed dispensing with the nominal taxpaying requirement (which disenfranchised paupers) and requiring only 10 days residency in a county to vote, which would give the ballot to thousands of transient Irish laborers whose votes Democrats wanted.

At first, this appeal to white supremacy went down in flames, and men like Stevens defended non-racial suffrage while mocking the 10-day registration requirement as empowering the vile, the vagabond, the idle, and dissipated.

In the fall, however, Democrats raised the specter of Black power, insisting their opponents planned to bring in thousands of fugitive slaves to outvote white men. This racial paranoia should sound familiar if youve been listening to Republicans like Lou Barletta rave about immigrantsthat if Whigs and Anti-Masons succeeded in importing 50,000 or 60,000 additional free negroes, to what a terrible state will the poorer classes of whites be reduced?

The October 1837 election in Bucks County, sixth largest in the state, was the tipping point. The Whigs carried it by a tiny margin (3,286 to 3,261 for County Commissioner), and Democratic newspapers trumpeted a large body of Negro votes have controlled the late election.

When the convention reconvened, the balance had shifted, and on Jan. 20, 1838 white suffrage passed easily. Weeks earlier, a Democratic judge in Bucks had issued an opinion that Black men could not vote because Pennsylvania was founded as a community of white men exclusively.

Finally, on Feb. 27, 1838, the state Supreme Court ruled in the case of William Fogg, a Black Luzerne County farmer turned away from the polls in 1835 by Democratic election judges. The court declared Black suffrage unconstitutional, repeating, Our ancestors settled the province as a community of white men, and the Blacks were introduced into it as a race of slaves, leading to an unconquerable prejudice of caste, which has come down to our day. This prejudice justified disenfranchising thousands of men, some of whom had voted for forty years.

After 1838, African Americans became wards not citizens, although in the 1850s some found a different way to fight for their rights, via a guerrilla war along the Maryland border and in cities like Harrisburg and Pittsburgh, protecting fugitives and fighting off their would-be captors. But Black voting only returned after the Fifteenth Amendment was ratified in 1870.

What can we learn from this? Beware of those who say they are trying to guarantee Constitutional voting laws, like todays Republicans. As in the 1830s, their intent is to disenfranchise voters they cant control. And they will do it by fair means and foul.

Van Gosse is a Professor of History at Franklin & Marshall College and author of the newly released book, The First Reconstruction: Black Politics in America from the Revolution to the Civil War.
Kolkata, April 6 : Amid reports of clashes during the third phase of polling where 77.68 per cent voting was recorded till 5 p.m. the Election Commission of India removed 8 returning officers from Kolkata assembly constituencies - six from North Kolkata and two from South Kolkata. On Tuesday 31 assembly constituencies spread across three districts including South 24 Parganas, Howrah and Hooghly went to the polls.

According to Election Commission data around 77.68 per cent polling was recorded till 5 p.m. Hooghly district where 8 constituencies went to the polls recorded the highest percentage of 79.36 percent followed by Howrah district where 77.93 per cent voting was recorded in the 7 constituencies. The 16 constituencies of South 24 Parganas recorded the lowest percentage of 76.68 percent till 5 p.m.

A long queue of voters was seen at most of the polling stations. "Polling was more or less peaceful other than some sporadic incidents of violence. There have been some incidents where candidates were assaulted of which we have sought reports. Action will be taken against those found guilty as per the law," Chief Electoral Officer Ariz Aftab said.

Though the Commission claimed the election was peaceful, there were reports of violence from several constituencies throughout the day. BJP candidate from Uluberia (Dakshin) assembly seat Papiya Adhikary was assaulted when she went to the Uluberia hospital to see an injured party candidate. In another incident TMC candidate from Arambagh in Hooghly district Sujata Mondal Khan was assaulted allegedly by BJP workers. In Tarekeshwar seat BJP candidate Swapan Dasgupta was abused by alleged members of the TMC when he tried to go around the polling stations, party sources said.

"I was chased and hit on my head. They had a plan to kill me. My bodyguards saved my life. I came to know that BJP members were thwarting people from casting their votes in Arandi. I went there to find out what was going on. I was assaulted, hit with bamboo sticks by the saffron party men," Mondal, estranged wife of BJP MP Saumitra Khan, said.

Police arrested five persons -- three members of the TMC and two of the BJP -- for their alleged involvement in assaulting Mondal, while a search for those who assaulted Papiya was initiated, a police officer said.

Meanwhile the ECI removed 8 returning officers from Kolkata assembly seats on Tuesday. In a notification the commission said that the returning officers of Entally (AC 163 ), Beleghata (AC 164), Shyampukur (AC 166), Kashipur Belgachia (AC 168) , Jorashanko (AC 165) Chowrangi (AC 162) -- all from North Kolkata and Kolkata Port ( AC 158) and Bhowanipur (AC 159) will be removed immediately. The Trinamool Congress reacted immediately, alleging that they were removed to give an advantage to a particular political party.

Sources in the Commission, however said that all the returning officers were in the same position for more than three years and it has been the standing order of the Commission that no officer will remain at a place for more than three years and so they were removed. When asked why did the Commission take so much time to remove them, a senior ECI official said, "There were some complaints against them and the Commission was looking into it".

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee complained of blatant misuse of central forces in the third phase of polling. The chief minister wrote in her official tweeter handle "The blatant misuse of Central forces continues unabated. Despite us repeatedly raising this issue, @ECISVEEP continues to be a mute spectator while men in uniform are being misused at several places to openly intimidate TMC voters & influence many to vote in favour of one party".

Earlier this morning, the Election Commission suspended a sector officer after three EVMs and four VVPAT machines were found at Trinamool leader Goutam Ghosh's residence. According to reports, sector officer Tapan Sarkar, who was in-charge of Sector 17 in Uluberia seat, had spent the night at his relative Goutam Ghosh's house. The EVMs and VVPAT machines with Sarkar were part of the reserve stock. The Commission has said that these EVMs won't be used for voting on Tuesday.

The 31 seats are divided among three districts where elections will be held in 16 constituencies of South 24 Parganas, 8 of Hooghly and 7 of Howrah. The total number of voters in these constituencies is 7856474 that includes 4049 service voters. There are 3997218 male voters and 3859013 female voters.

The total number of polling stations is 10871 that includes 8480 main and 2391 auxiliary booths. The number of 80 plus voters is 126177 while 64083 are PWD (Persons with Disabilities). The total number of third gender voters is 243 while overseas voters are only 2. The election data also shows that 205 candidates including 13 females from different political parties are in the fray during the third phase of polling.

Prominent candidates among them are BJP leader Swapan Dasgupta, Trinamool Congress minister Ashima Patra and CPI(M) leader Kanti Ganguly. Marking all the 10871 booths 'sensitive' the ECI has deployed 618 companies of central forces for the third phase and has also retained another 89 companies of central forces from the second phase who are already stationed in South 24 Parganas. That pushes up the number of forces to 707 companies -- the highest deployment in this election so far.
New Delhi: In a bid to spread awareness on COVID-19 guidelines, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry has asked the private television news channels to disseminate messages on it.

The ministry on Tuesday (April 6) wrote to all private satellite TV news channels to appropriately disseminate messages for COVID-19 appropriate behaviour and vaccination.

In a letter, the ministry said that private TV channels have always been in the forefront of spreading important messages in the larger public interest.

"It is, therefore, requested that the private channels may appropriately disseminate messages for COVID- appropriate behaviour and vaccination of the eligible age group persons so as to create greater awareness among the citizens of the country," the ministry said as per ANI.

The letter said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had convened a high-level meeting on April 4 to review the emerging situation in view of COVID-19 cases seeing an "alarming upward trend" and noted that the government has decided to focus on the five-fold strategy to deal with the emerging crisis - testing, tracing, treatment, COVID appropriate behaviour and vaccination.

It is, therefore, imperative that all stakeholders take forward the communication strategy with a renewed emphasis on `Dawai Bhi, Kadai Bhi`," the letter said.

India reported over 96,000 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours. The total count of COVID-19 cases in the country has reached 1,26,86,049.

Live TV
Former Big Brother star Tully Smyth has spoken out after she wasn't invited to ex-Bachelorette Georgia Love's wedding to Lee Elliott in Tasmania last month.

During an Instagram Q&A on Monday, a follower asked Tully, 33, about the rumours she felt 'snubbed' by her former best friend.

But she shut down the gossip by saying: 'There has never been any beef between @georgialove and I. Or Lee for that matter.'

Breaking her silence: Big Brother's Tully Smyth (right) has spoken out after she wasn't invited to ex-Bachelorette Georgia Love's (centre) wedding to Lee Elliott (left) in Tasmania last month

'Weddings are tricky and expensive and unfortunately not something you can invite every single person in your life to!' she added.

She then noted: 'I was lucky enough to celebrate these two at their engagement [party] last year and trust me, we celebrated plenty.'

In March, rumours swirled that Tully and Georgia's friendship had soured after the journalist, 32, failed to invite the podcaster to her wedding.

A source close to the two women said Tully was 'fuming' over the snub, and had refused to publicly congratulate Georgia as a result.

Clarification: During an Instagram Q&A on Monday, a follower asked Tully, 33, about the rumours she felt 'snubbed' by her former best friend. She quickly shut down the gossip by saying: 'There has never been any beef between @georgialove and I. Or Lee for that matter'

Gossip: In March, rumours swirled that Tully and Georgia's friendship had soured after the Seven News journalist, 32, failed to invite the podcaster, 33, to her wedding

'Tully was not at her wedding last week and didn't publicly congratulate her either. Which is understandable,' the insider told Daily Mail Australia.

'The girls have had "hangs" and "girls nights" for years, which have been plastered all over social media.'

According to the source, Tully was at a loss to explain why she didn't score an invitation.

Missing out: According to an insider, Tully was upset she didn't score an invitation

The Big Brother alum apparently flew into a foul-mouthed rant over the snub, calling it 'f**king rude'.

Georgia had previously spoken about cutting 'superficial' friendships from her life prior to her big day.

The Seven News reporter failed to invite a handful of influencers she'd previously been 'friends' with in the past.

No more cheers? A source close to the two women said Tully was 'fuming' over the snub, and had refused to publicly congratulate Georgia

However, Tully was invited to the couple's engagement party in the Yarra Valley, Victoria.

Georgia and Lee, 40, held the bash on the grounds of the lush Melba Estate.

Tully smiled as she cuddled up to the engaged couple while taking selfies at the ritzy event.

Consolation prize: However, Tully was invited to the couple's engagement party in Victoria

Georgia tied the knot with Lee at the Frogmore Creek winery in Hobart on March 5.

The couple, who met on The Bachelorette in 2016, were due to marry in Italy last year, but were forced to cancel because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Georgia Love's representatives for comment.
Job Title: Country Director

Organisation: British Council

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

About US:

The British Council builds connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and other countries through arts and culture, education and the English language. We work in two ways  directly with individuals to transform their lives, and with governments and partners to make a bigger difference for the longer term, creating benefit for millions of people all over the world. We help young people to gain the skills, confidence and connections they are looking for to realise their potential and to participate in strong and inclusive communities. We support them to learn English, to get a high-quality education and to gain internationally recognised qualifications. Our work in arts and culture stimulates creative expression and exchange and nurtures creative enterprise. We connect the best of the UK with the world and the best of the world with the UK. These connections lead to an understanding of each others strengths and of the challenges and values that we share. This builds trust between people in the UK and other nations which endures even when official relations may be strained. We work on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2019-20 we connected with 80 million people directly and with 791 million overall, including online and through our broadcasts and publications.

Job Summary: British Council is currently looking for a Country Director for our operations in Uganda. Through an in-depth understanding of Uganda and the UK, the Country Director will lead the development and delivery of effective, sustainable and corporately aligned cultural relations between the two geographies, drawing on the UKs cultural assets and thereby strengthening awareness of, positive attitudes towards and collaboration with the wider UK.

If you successfully secure the role of Country Director in Uganda, you will oversee and ensure the success of the British Councils operations. You will be responsible for the overall strategic direction, financial sustainability and impact of programs managed to increase social impact.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Basic Education and Girls

Government of Uganda domestic financing to education is one of the lowest in sub-Saharan Africa despite having a strong policy environment and a sector plan that prioritises access, quality, and efficiency of delivery. Access to quality education is an issue for marginalised children, especially girls and refugees. The UK governments Africa strategy aims to harness the potential of the continents young and fast-growing population by widening access to education. The British Council is strategically positioned and networked to deliver on this ambition through partnerships with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), government, education practitioners and donors. Country Director (CD) leads on relationship management with key stakeholders in the FCDO, government, public and private sectors.

Language for Resilience

In rural primary schools in Uganda the medium of instruction is the local language which then transitions to English in primary 4. Host schools for refugee learners struggle to support this transition despite teachers ability to operate comfortably in English. The British Councils research on Language use in refugee-impacted schools in 2020 produced practical resources and recommendations that will require support from external funding sources to support professional development for teachers.

Tax status

The relationship between British Council Uganda and the Government of Uganda dates back to the 1990s. The MOU does not confer any status to the British Council Uganda and there is no reference to our revenue generating activity. A business case for a status and tax change project was developed in 2010/11 but has been not yet been prioritised for implementation.





Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

The applicant for the British Council Country Director should hold a Degree in relevant field (e.g. humanities, culture, international relations)

Written and spoken English at graduate level

An understanding of cultural relations and how it is delivered effectively

Demonstrable knowledge of the contemporary cultural assets of the UK (creative industries, education, English language etc)

Previous experience of living or working in another country and understanding/ adapting to its cultural norms and differences

Proven experience of managing a large country team with significant Duty of Care responsibilities for partners and visitors

Desirable:

Previous experience at Area/Country Director level

Higher level Degree in relevant field

Core Skills:

Managing People  Candidate will need to lead a large and varied team. Experience of managing a substantial group to deliver annual business objectives is essential. The team will include different professions and/or areas of business and may cover multiple locations.

Communicating and Influencing  Post holder will need to use range of influencing techniques. Candidate will be experienced in formal and informal negotiating and motivation techniques to influence others behaviour and persuade them to think and act differently, while respecting difference of view and culture.

Managing Finance and Resources  Candidate will plan and deploy resources. Experience in negotiating and agreeing to resources for a defined area as part of forward planning, monitoring progress and adjusting resources or priorities to meet goals.

Managing Risk  The candidate will need to develop a culture of managing risk. You will need to have a proven track record of analysing potential risks, promoting risk awareness, and holding others to account for their practices.

Developing Business  Candidate will take the lead on business development. Post holder must be able to plan and deliver business development activities for a ajor and/or new market category which is significant for the British Council.

How to Apply:

All candidates who wish to join British Council in this capacity should apply online at the link below.

Click Here

Deadline: 15th April 2021

For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 03:34:05|Editor: huaxia

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KHARTOUM, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Sudan's Security and Defense Council on Monday declared a state of emergency in West Darfur State and mandated the regular forces to adopt all necessary measures to end the armed clashes which led to the killing of 18 people.

The Sudanese Doctors' Committee said earlier on Monday that at least 18 people were killed and 54 others were injured in armed militias' attacks in El Geneina, capital city of Sudan's West Darfur State. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 18:53:18|Editor: huaxia

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TOKYO, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed lower Tuesday as investors opted to secure profits after a three-day winning streak, while a firm yen and COVID-19 concerns weighed on the market mood.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 392.62 points, or 1.30 percent, from Monday to close the day at 29,696.63.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, fell 29.20 points, or 1.47 percent, to finish at 1,954.34.

Investors opted to secure recent gains following the market's early rise, with a stronger yen versus the U.S. dollar also encouraging selling in early trade, local brokers said.

They added that the benchmark Nikkei stock index's run of three-day closing highs, with the market gaining 3 percent through Monday, was enough for market players to take profits and await further cues with the arrival of corporate earnings season.

"Market players moved to take profits as they had a sense of accomplishment over a short term," Toshikazu Horiuchi, equity strategist at IwaiCosmo Securities Co., was quoted as saying.

"The market's focus is shifting to earnings of companies with business years ending March for confirmation of their profit outlooks for the new business year," said Horiuchi.

Market strategists pointed to rising COVID-19 cases in and outside of Japan, but particularly rising domestic cases as triggering caution.

"They (investors) are also concerned about the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in and outside Japan. The Japanese government's measures may not have any effect on preventing the virus spread, which means the economy could continue to be damaged," Horiuchi said.

Japan's health minister Norihisa Tamura said Tuesday the COVID-19 infection rate is consistently rising in Tokyo and urged increased vigilance by all in the capital.

Osaka Prefecture in western Japan meanwhile recorded a single-day record of 719 new daily infections on Tuesday, despite new stricter anti-virus measures coming into effect for the region and two other prefectures in Japan.

By the close of play, mining, bank and air transportation issues comprised those that declined the most.

Air transportation issues lost ground on concerns tougher anti-virus measures could impact domestic travel, with ANA Holdings dropping 2.3 percent, while Japan Airlines fell 2.4 percent.

Nikkei heavyweights were sold for profits following recent gains, with Fast Retailing, operator of the Uniqlo chain of casual clothing stores, losing 1.5 percent, while SoftBank Group ended the day 1.1 percent lower.

Automakers also retreated into negative territory, following Subaru announcing a day earlier it will halt production at one of its plants in Japan for two weeks due to the global chip supply crunch.

Subaru skidded down 2.8 percent, while Nissan Motor fell 3.6 percent.

Issues that fell outpaced those that rose by 1,897 to 248 on the First Section, while 45 ended the day unchanged.

On the main section on Tuesday, 1,135.87 million shares changed hands dropping from Monday's volume of 972.36 million shares.

The turnover on the second trading day of the week came to 2,494.32 billion yen (22.57 billion U.S. dollars). Enditem
SCHENECTADY  The coronavirus pandemic wasnt the first time a famed Electric City lunch spot forced its patrons to social distance.

Doris Ward recalled when Newest Lunch stationed a police officer at the doors to control the late-night crowds famished after barhopping.

Only so many could get in and out, Ward said.

That was sometime back in the 1940s.

Doris turned 100 this year.

So did Newest Lunch.

And while Doris has a birthdate  Jan. 10  the precise origins of the iconic eatery have largely faded into history.

Owner George Plakas has sought the help of historians but hasnt come up with a definite opening date, just 1921 (although he said the building at the foot of Hamilton Hill itself dates back to at least 1894).

But the location on Albany Street at the corner of Germania Avenue has been a constant. So has the Greek background of the families who have owned and run it in an uninterrupted stream, selling hot dogs to the working class masses streaming in from the factories that lit and hauled the world.

Bookended by twin pandemics, perhaps no other venue in the city brings such a dynamic cross-section of the citys denizens together.

Its a place where drug dealers rub elbows with court judges, cops and retirees  sometimes literally in the narrow confines  and no questions are asked.

Its Switzerland, said William Rivas, a community activist. You grew up with the people here like you grew up with the people in the community. Even if you were not living your best life, police officers were here and there were no issues here.

The venues status as a Schenectady staple is not by accident, Plakas said.

You have the dealer at one booth and the police chief in the next, Plakas said. Were neutral. You leave yourself at the door, and everybody is treated the exact same way. The regulars police it themselves. You do whatever you do, but you dont mess around at Newest Lunch.

While breakfast business has soared in the past year, the restaurants signature dish remains the hot dog with its own unique lingo.

Ordering the works will get you a hot dog layered with mustard, meat sauce and onions  in that order.

The meat sauce, Plakas said, is the single staple of his business.

The hot dogs and meat sauce is why weve been here for 100 years, Plakas said. Its tangy, but not spicy. For meat sauce, its light and not so heavy it sits like lead.

Workers prepare them in the front window and deposit orders to patrons lining the counter, replete with plastic baskets containing silverware, napkins and ketchup and hot sauce in plastic squirt bottles.

Restaurants catering to General Electric and American Locomotive lunch crowds flourished in the 1920s and 1930s, all of them with their own unique recipes.

Some have been lost to history, including Rubys Silver Diner on Erie Boulevard, which was torn down in 2007.

Survivors include Broadway Lunch, Mikes Hot Dogs, Morettes King Steakhouse and Redwood Diner just over the Rotterdam town line on Hamburg Street.

Robert McDonald, 65, contemplated the nuances of each as he bent a slice of toast in half at the counter.

Different tastes for different people, McDonald said. This is my preference. All-around good.

McDonald, a retired construction worker, has been coming to Newest Lunch at least once a week for over 50 years, ever since he tagged along with his father on errands.

Sometimes he likes the meat sauce placed on top of the onions, where it runs through to the bottom of the bun. Workers will do it that way  if you ask them.

McDonald pondered the complexities as the restaurant whirred to life during a lunch rush.

Employees unplugged the phone because they couldnt keep up with the deluge of calls.

But the front door chimed an uninterrupted melody:

Ding, ding, ding.

Another order, another group squeezed into one of seven booths or along the lunch counter, several of them roped off with yellow tape due to social distancing requirements.

A city cop. A squad from Mohawk Ambulance. City grounds crews. A sitting state Supreme Court judge, who ambled over from the nearby courthouse and settled into a booth, sans robe.

Regular people.

Plakas, 46, has worked at the business on and off since 1993. Originally from Long Island, he moved to the city to be closer to his uncle, John Papanikos, the longtime former owner who purchased the venue in the late 1980s.

Papanikos himself purchased the business from his former boss.

Unfortunately, the history before that is very choppy, Plakas said.

Plakas, a mechanical engineer by training, was tasked with running the now-shuttered Newest Pizza next door as well as a satellite operation in Rotterdam. He bounced around between different jobs  including General Electric  before returning to work full-time, assuming ownership following the death of Papanikos last May.

He likes the idea of running his own turf.

Ive done the professional route and I feel like Im not built that way, Plakas said.

Service has always been paramount.

Customers recalled an intricate web of connections between generations of staff and their own families.

Its a home away from home, with walls lined with hundreds of photos of customers and staff.

There are folks like Angelo Papanikos, who would venture outside to greet Nick Vialls father when he was unwell and couldnt leave the car.

Papanikos also delivered stern words to a young Justin Chaires, who found himself in trouble after pedaling his bicycle across town from his Goose Hill home to grab a bite as a hungry youngster.

Dont ever do that again, Papanikos told Chaires, now 30. Just call me.

Chaires did, becoming Newest Lunchs first delivery customer years before the restaurant formally launched the service.

Plakas is a self-described jack of all trades, manning the grill, preparing takeout items and running orders.

A lot of the work is thankless, he acknowledged, and sometimes he pines to be up front, greeting customers, assembling hot dogs and swapping the latest stories from the neighborhood.

It really is a friendship, a family thing  its a connection, Plakas said.

When the staff turned the phone back on, it rang continuously. The wait time for orders was 45 minutes.

The cycle repeated itself several days later, where the venue quivered with frenetic energy on a brisk springtime afternoon.

Ward, the centenarian, chatted with staffers as her brother, Bob Hallenbeck, recalled how staffers would line up hot dog buns on their arms and go down the row, adding dogs, slathering them with mustard and doling them out to customers.

And again and again, patrons struck upon the same reasons why they keep coming back:

A sense of family. Good sauce. And consistency.

Its more meatier. Its not spicy  its all-around sauce, said Rick Rorick, who has been a regular since he wandered in for his lunch break from grand jury duty 18 years ago.

In many ways, consistency is baked into the place's DNA: Plakas estimates Newest Lunch has used White Eagle Packing Company's hot dogs for at least 30 years, a recipe that itself hasnt changed in 95 years.

And while Newest Lunch has tinkered with additions over the years, hot dogs remain their bread and butter.

Historically, the business was fueled by a stream of shift workers pouring out of General Electric, using arteries like the Subway  a tunnel network underneath the railway bridge  to ferry them throughout the city, including Broadway, Bellevue and Mont Pleasant.

To get to Hamilton Hill, workers used the Klondike Ramp, the remnants which are still visible at the Broadway exit of Interstate 890.

From a broader standpoint, a lot of these places came about in the 1920s and 1930s as a result of the growing workforce at GE and the other businesses downtown, and they needed a place to eat their lunch, said Chris Hunter, vice president of collections and exhibitions at Schenectady's Museum of Innovation and Science, or miSci.

McDonald recalled Albany Street as a thriving corridor lined with bars.

You couldnt walk from Veeder Avenue to Michigan Avenue and have one beer at each place, McDonald said. Theyd have to carry you home.

The downsizing of the workforce and shifts in eating habits shuttered many city businesses.

The construction of I-890 also led to commuters bypassing downtown entirely.

Newest Lunch is a survivor. But the onset of the pandemic last March nearly spelled doom for the business.

We were losing money every day we were staying open, Plakas said.

Plakas gathered his staff and told him he would apply for federal aid relief. But if they were going to keep the doors open, everyone needed to climb onboard.

It was agreed upon and everybody was going to work, Plakas said. Either we do this all, or we dont do it.

Winter was bad too. Only recently has business rebounded.

And while the phone ringing constantly is a good thing, the cramped confines mean Plakas cant move as much volume as he wants.

Everything is made to order, including soups, which means Newest Lunch cant simply defrost items from the freezer before serving them, a measure which would free up critical kitchen real estate.

Plakas is toying with the idea of expanding the kitchen into the former Newest Pizza space next door, a move that would double preparation space and allow him to ramp up capacity, but remains undecided.

He works six days a week, often for 12 hours.

Ive got five young kids Id like to see grow up, Plakas said.

The modest two-story building itself is a holdout in an outpost of change. Over time, the two-family houses that once filled the neighborhood have been ripped down, with other developments going up in their place.

Newest Lunch sits in the shadows of one housing project, Summit Towers, and another apartment complex is rising nearby, and is slated to be completed this year.

Plakas is unsure what to make of the development, but hopes itll help his business, and help usher in another 100 years of prosperity  and consistency.

You dont do this job unless you like what you do, Plakas said.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 6)  A panel of vaccine experts are set to recommend to the Health Department to trim down the waiting period before a person who contracted COVID-19 can get inoculated.

Dr. Rontgene Solante, a member of the Vaccine Experts Panel, on Tuesday said they will suggest cutting it down to 14 days instead of waiting for 90 days after patients have recovered. He stressed that the number of days must be counted starting on the day the person is cleared of the infection.

"Ang pinaka-optimum interval is 14 days from the recovery... Ang guideline ngayon sa NITAG (National Immunization Technical Advisory Group) is that from recovery maghintay lang tayo ng two weeks, it's that period of time, not 90 days. We just have to do it two weeks from naka-recover ang pasyente," he said in a media briefing.

[Translation: The most optimum interval is 14 days from recovery. NITAG's guidelines say you must wait two weeks after recovery, not 90 days. We just have to do it two weeks from the patient's recovery.]

The DOH earlier issued vaccination guidelines, which state that people who contracted COVID-19 may be vaccinated after 90 days from the last day of treatment.

Solante, an infectious disease expert, explained that several days are needed between recovery and vaccination to ensure that the drugs are effective in protecting a person against severe disease and even death.

"When you have an infection, your body also produces antibodies. So kung meron kang active infection, kapag binakunahan ka [If you have an active infection and you get vaccinated], your vaccine will not work because your immune system is being stressed by that infection," he said.

The Philippines has administered 777,908 shots, mostly to healthcare workers, the elderly, and people with comorbidities, over a month since the launch of the immunization program.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  Arkansas lawmakers on Tuesday made the state the first to ban gender confirming treatments and surgery for transgender youth, enacting the prohibition over the governors objections.

The Republican-controlled House and Senate voted to override GOP Gov. Asa Hutchinsons veto of the measure, which prohibits doctors from providing gender-confirming hormone treatment, puberty blockers or surgery to anyone under 18 years old, or from referring them to other providers for the treatment.

Opponents of the measure have vowed to sue to block the ban before it takes effect this summer.

Hutchinson vetoed the bill following pleas from pediatricians, social workers and the parents of transgender youth who said the measure would harm a community already at risk for depression and suicide.

The ban was opposed by several medical and child welfare groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The measures sponsor referred to the procedures as experimentation and compared the restriction to other limits the state places on minors.

They need to get to be 18 before they make those decisions, Republican Rep. Robin Lundstrum said.

Hutchinson said the measure went too far in interfering with parents and physicians, and noted that it will cut off care for transgender youth already receiving treatment. He said he would have signed the bill if it had focused only on gender confirming surgery, which currently isnt performed on minors in the state.

The law will take effect in late July at the earliest. The American Civil Liberties Union said it planned to challenge the measure before then.

This is a sad day for Arkansas, but this fight is not over  and were in it for the long haul, Holly Dickson, ACLU of Arkansas executive director, said in a statement.

The override, which needed only a simple majority, passed easily in both chambers, with House voting 72-25 in favor and the Senate 25-8.

The ban was enacted during a year in which bills targeting transgender people have advanced easily in Arkansas and other states. Hutchinson recently signed legislation banning transgender women and girls from competing on teams consistent with their gender identity, a prohibition that also has been enacted in Tennessee and Mississippi this year.

Hutchinson also recently signed legislation that allows doctors to refuse to treat someone because of moral or religious objections.

The foundation established by the family of Bentonville-based Walmarts founder on Tuesday raised concerns about the recent measures targeting LGBTQ people.

This trend is harmful and sends the wrong message to those willing to invest in or visit our state, Tom Walton with the Walton Family Foundation said in a statement released before the override vote.

One lawmaker opposed to the measure compared it to the anti-integration bills Arkansas Legislature passed in 1958 in opposition to the previous years desegregation of Little Rock Central High School.

What I see, this bill, is the most powerful again bullying the most vulnerable people in our state, Democratic Sen. Clarke Tucker said before the vote.

Andrew DeMillo of The Associated Press wrote this story.
On Tuesday, April 6, the state of Indiana will completely lift its already inadequate measures to control the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Republican Governor Eric Holcomb announced the decision last Thursday during his weekly address on the pandemic. This is despite rising infections in the state, as in most of the US. Holcomb also said last Thursdays event would be his last weekly address on the pandemic until further notice.

In this Thursday, April 30, 2020 file photo, Gov. Eric Holcomb wears a mask in Kokomo, Indiana. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

In states across the country, governors are removing whatever minimal restrictions remain despite rising infection and hospitalization rates and warnings from public health officials and scientists of a fourth wave of the pandemic, fueled by the unsafe reopening of schools and the spread of new and more virulent variants of the coronavirus. On a global scale, the deadly pandemic is surging in developed countries (France, Italy), where the vaccination program is disorganized and chaotic, and in poorer countries (India, most of Africa), where the vast majority of the population has little prospect of being vaccinated.

Virtually all capitalist governments around the world, whatever their political coloration, are deliberately subordinating the containment and eradication of the virus and the protection of human life to the profit interests of the corporate-financial elites. In the US, the herding of workers back onto unsafe job sites in order to maximize the flow of profit is being carried by both parties. The Biden administration and the Democrats pursue the profit-driven back-to-work and back-to school campaign with greater duplicity than the Republicans, but no less ruthlessly.

The focus of Holcombs address was the announcement that effective March 31, all state residents 16 and older will be eligible for the COVID vaccine. This was used as a cover for the abandonment of even the most minimal efforts to halt the spread of the virus. Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box began the announcement of expanded vaccine availability with the declaration, Today is the day we have all been waiting for! as though the pandemic were a thing of the past.

While a slight dip in the statewide positivity rate has been observed since the last major spike, which took place in December of 2020, when Indiana led the nation in positive cases, the situation remains extremely serious. The positivity rate hovered at 10 percent in the last week of March, with 1,240 new cases and nine new deaths. With the lifting of all restrictions, these numbers are virtually certain to rise. Total cases in the state are near 695,000, with over 13,000 deaths.

Marion County, which includes the Indianapolis metro region, remains the area with the most significant number of cases. With Indiana being the most heavily industrialized state in the US, several factories and workplaces have been centers for COVID-19 transmission.

The rank-and-file safety committee formed at the Faurecia Gladstone plant in Columbus has reported numerous workplace infections since the beginning of the pandemic, along with the company management and union bureaucracys complete disregard for workers safety. As reported by the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter, Allison Transmission in Indianapolis saw 135 cases in 2020, with the United Auto Workers (UAW) playing the role of corporate accomplice by keeping workers on the job.

Schools remain a primary vector for infection, but Indiana, in line with the bipartisan push at the national level to reopen all schools, is moving forward with openings. As of Saturday, 450 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in schools across Indiana by the State Department of Health.

Of the new cases, 341 occurred in students, 50 occurred in teachers, and 59 occurred in school staff. This follows the decision of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to retract its previous six-foot social distancing guideline for the resumption of in-person instruction and the announcement of a three-foot guideline. This completely arbitrary change is based not on science, but rather on the insistence of Wall Street and the corporations for a more rapid reopening of industry. As a number of Biden officials have stated openly, the reopening of schools is critical for herding their parents back into factories and offices.

In addition, the CDC removed its guidance for the quarantining of students exposed to the virus, as long as the three-foot separation is observed.

In the rare cases requiring quarantining, according to the new leadership of the CDC appointed by Biden, students can return to class after 10 days of being symptom free. They even can return after a seven-day quarantine if they are tested on day five, six or seven and get a negative result. A negative test on day eight will also allow a student to return.

The loosening of the CDC guidelines will lead to increased transmission. According to the Indiana State Department of Health, from the beginning of the pandemic to the present, 30,075 students, 5,948 teachers and 6,947 staff members have tested positive in the state. Reporting by all schools is not mandatory, and 288 schools have yet to issue a report since the start of the pandemic, meaning the number of infected students and teachers is undoubtedly much higher than the state health departments figures.

We cannot behave as if the pandemic is over, said Dr. Box during the weekly address, after which Governor Holcomb proceeded to announce measures that amount to doing just that. Holcomb was asked about the difficulty of reinstating restrictions once they have been lifted, should the spike in the statewide positivity rate continue to grow. His response was to evade the question while placing the blame for the new rise in cases on the working class.

Its not just one number I focus on, he said. We do want to do all we can do to reduce the spread. This is not mission accomplished. There is some personal responsibility to be demanded.

The lifting of the mask mandate comes at the worst possible time. The more transmissible B.1.1.7 strain, first identified in the UK late last year, is now becoming the dominant strain in the US, with the CDC reporting 11,500 cases. The epicenter appears to be Florida, spurred on by spring break festivities, with noticeable pockets forming in the upper Midwest as students return home. In addition to being more transmissible and more deadly, there appears to be evidence that the new variant affects younger individuals more easily than the previous strain of the virus.

It is clear through its actions that the state government has no concern for the health and safety of the working class. In this disregard, it is joined by the Biden administration and the ruling class as a whole. Workers, educators and youth in Indiana must take matters into their own hands. The WSWS encourages the formation and linking of rank-and-file safety committees in schools, factories, workplaces and communities across the state, as part of a national and international struggle.
A Swedish filmmakers investigative documentary raised further questions, as did a Vanity Fair article detailing how the beguiling surgeon became romantically involved with an NBC producer working on a feature about him and apparently conned her into believing he was divorced and would marry her in a ceremony officiated by the pope and attended by the Clintons, Obamas, John Legend and Elton John.

The Karolinska Institute, alleging scientific misconduct, dismissed Dr. Macchiarini, who has long denied wrongdoing. Journals retracted several of his studies. In 2019, an Italian court said he had forged documents and abused his position, charges unrelated to his trachea work. In September, a Swedish prosecutor indicted him on aggravated assault charges related to three trachea transplants. The case is pending.

Dr. Genden said Dr. Macchiarinis rise and fall profoundly affected his own path.

Heres this handsome Italian surgeon at the finest institution in the world, the Karolinska, and hes everything Im not: Hes got a beautiful head of hair, he drives a motorcycle, hes got an accent, hes incredibly charismatic and dynamic, Dr. Genden said. He says, Ive created this bioreactor and its stem cells and it makes tracheas. And its huge.

Dr. Genden said that when he and colleagues questioned Dr. Macchiarini at a conference early on, in his bigger-than-life way he says, This is ridiculous, you dont know what youre talking about, it functions beautifully.

Dr. Genden thought his work had become obsolete, so you basically shut down the lab, he said. You cant justify doing experimental surgery and immunosuppression when you see something else that looks perfect, so you realize, wow, were out of business.

As Dr. Macchiarinis work drew criticism, Dr. Genden revived his idea, but was uncertain about trying it. The scandal meant theres an amazing amount of scrutiny, he said. Were going to show up and say, As a student, I had this idea on the back of a napkin and now were ready to go  and if it fails, the patient dies and it becomes yet another example of some surgeon who thought he could solve a problem and hes created, instead, just the opposite.

There was another reason to be daunted too: historical assumptions that tracheas werent transplantable.
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The Taliban and the United States signed a peace agreement on February 29th last year, but a year later it remains unclear if U.S. troops will leave Afghanistan. Bezhan Hamdard reports. VOA Khmer's Leakhena Sreng narrates the story in Khmer.
An Upstate New York legislator has resigned after making homophobic remarks, suggesting all gay people should be put on an island.

WRGB reports Albany County Legislator George Langdon IV, of Coeymans, N.Y., announced Monday he was stepping down and issued an apology.

I again express my sincerest apologies to all those who were hurt by my rash and thoughtless statements. It was never my intention to single-out or target anyone, Langdon said in a statement. I truly believe every individual should have the right to life and liberty in their pursuit of happiness.

According to the Times Union, Langdon was under fire for comments made at an event in New Scotland called A Return to Liberty under the Constitution. A four-hour video on YouTube showed multiple speakers, including Langdon, alleged U.S. Capitol rioter William Tyron, and Lewis County Sheriff Michael Carpinelli, addressing an audience at Camp Pinnacle, a Bible camp and retreat near Thacher State Park.

Everything God does is sustainable, its sustainable. Its perpetual, Langdon said. Sorry, when you have homosexual relationships, its not perpetual. Give them an island, theyll be gone in 40 years. Because God created us this way. Theres so much common sense that needs to be applied to our policies, our procedures that we do in our government.

According to the Albany newspaper, Langdon is a ministry leader at Abounding Love Christian Fellowship in Ravena and was serving his first term in the county legislature after serving on the Coeymans Town Board. After the video surfaced last week, he apologized and his name was removed from his familys website for a financial consulting business in Latham.

Albany County Executive Dan McCoy was among those who attended an LGBTQ rally Friday demanding Langdon resign. The Times Union reports the county legislature was also planning to introduce a motion to censure Langdon, the first in the legislatures 52-year history.

See Langdons speech at the 57:20 mark in this video.
Following the successful beta program at the Massachusetts General Hospital, where the Tessie system is now being utilized to run clinical samples for the development of a diagnostic test for post operative-delirium, this marks the second system install that the company has publicly announced. NanoMoasic will team with leaders in a number of cutting-edge disciplines to leverage the advantages of the system in order to unlock the universe of undiscovered biomarkers across a broad range of indications.

"NYSCF is excited to be working with NanoMosaic and to be the second test site for the Tessie system," said Susan L. Solomon, NYSCF Founder and CEO. "Our mission is to accelerate new treatments and cures for patients, and this new system will allow us to further enhance our understanding of stem cell biology and augment our sample processing and discovery analysis," Ms. Solomon concluded.

"We are thrilled and honored to be working with Ms. Solomon and the world class team she has built at NYSCF," stated John Boyce, Co-Founder, President and CEO of NanoMosaic as well as Co-Founder of Tiger Gene. "The goals of NYSCF to accelerate the field of stem cell research and to create derived therapeutics from those efforts, align with NanoMosaic's mission to understand proteomics to treat and prevent disease," Boyce continued. "The company is looking forward to the results from this beta program and the potential future change in medicine that a powerful NYSCF/NanoMosaic partnership may lead to," Boyce concluded.

About the New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute

The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) Research Institute is an independent non-profit organization accelerating cures and better treatments for patients through stem cell research. The NYSCF global community includes over 200 researchers at leading institutions worldwide, including the NYSCF  Druckenmiller Fellows, the NYSCF  Robertson Investigators, the NYSCF  Robertson Stem Cell Prize Recipients, and NYSCF Research Institute scientists and engineers. The NYSCF Research Institute is an acknowledged world leader in stem cell research and in the development of pioneering stem cell technologies, including the NYSCF Global Stem Cell Array, which is used to create cell lines for laboratories around the globe. NYSCF focuses on translational research in an accelerator model designed to overcome barriers that slow discovery and replace silos with collaboration.

About NanoMosaic

NanoMosaic, a Boston-based biotechnology company, is the first commercial entity to leverage the power of nanoneedles for protein detection and quantification to develop best-in-class assays for biomarker discovery and validation. The NanoMosaic platform, Tessie, enables coverage of the largest dynamic range while maintaining high sensitivity, multiplexing capabilities and label-free assays. With 1.8 billion MosaicNeedles (each equating to a landing site for a protein, resulting in a read) on its current chip format, the NanoMosaic chip enables full proteome interrogation at 7 orders of dynamic range and is able to attain multiplexing levels in the thousands per chip. The proprietary technology enables rapid custom assay development with varying levels of concentrations on a single chip to develop novel biomarkers and push the frontier of the biomarker discovery and diagnostics space.

www.nanomosaicllc.com

About Tiger Gene L.L.C.

Tiger Gene L.L.C., a Boston-based venture capital firm, co-founded with and funded by Tiger Management L.L.C., invests in early-stage technologies with high-growth trajectories across the life sciences sector. The fund's current portfolio focuses on technology platforms as well as technology derived products and assets across the genomics, proteomics, diagnostics, drug discovery and therapeutics fields.

Contact:

Audrey Warner

[email protected]

SOURCE NanoMosaic

Related Links

http://www.nanomosaicllc.com


YEREVAN, APRIL 6, ARMENPRESS. Chiles healthcare system is working at its limits over the mounting number of COVID-19 cases, President Sebastian Pinera said, reports TASS.

This second outbreak of [coronavirus] dealt a heavy blow to Chile. Our healthcare system is working at its limits but patients continue receiving the necessary assistance, the president told a news conference broadcast on the governments Twitter account.

Pinera acknowledged that the government had made mistakes in combating the pandemic but noted that the authorities had "never underestimated the threat" of COVID-19.

Currently, 96% of beds in intensive care facilities have been occupied in Chile, the Ministry of Health said. Over the past day, 5,807 COVID-19 cases were recorded, bringing the total case tally to 1,032,612. The death toll hit 23,677, with 33 fatalities confirmed in the past 24 hours.

Over the past weeks Chile has seen a rise in COVID-19 cases. On March 25, the authorities declared a strict quarantine in the entire capital district. The government also ordered to close the border on April 5.
One in eight videos displayed to first-time users on the UK's most popular pornography websites depict sexually violent, coercive or non-consensual content, a new study reveals.

The three most popular porn sites in the UK  Pornhub, Xhamster and Xvideos  all showcase content describing criminal acts, such as rape, upskirting and incest, on their home pages, according to UK researchers.

In their analysis of nearly 150,000 video titles on the three sites' homepages, the most frequent form of sexual violence related to sexual activity between family members, followed by physical aggression and sexual assault.

Easy access of such content is distorting the boundary between sexual pleasure and sexual violence and 'feeding a culture in which non-consent and sexual violence are not taken seriously', the study authors say.

The ready availability of sexually violent content 'represents a stark failure' in the duty of care that porn companies have towards their users, they add.

Pornhub is the 10th most visited website in the world, according to figures from web analytics company SimilarWeb

The research has been led by Dr Fiona Vera-Gray and Professor Clare McGlynn at Durham University's Department of Sociology and Law School.

WHAT IS UPSKIRTING? Upskirting is where someone takes a picture under a persons clothing without their permission. Before 2019, there were no specific laws against upskirting in England and Wales. But an amendment to the Sexual Offences Act 2003 - Voyeurism (Offences) Act 2019 - made upskirting a specific offence of voyeurism, coming into force on April 12, 2019. The change followed campaigning from British political activist and author Gina Martin, who was the victim of upskirting at the BST Festival in Hyde Park in 2017. Advertisement

'The study draws on the largest research sample of online pornographic content to date and is unique in its focus on the content immediately advertised to a new user,' the researchers say in their study.

'We found that one in eight titles shown to first-time users on the first page of mainstream porn sites describe sexual activity that constitutes sexual violence.

'Our findings raise serious questions about the extent of criminal material easily and freely available on mainstream pornography websites and the efficacy of current regulatory mechanisms.'

Pornhub told MailOnline that 'any suggestion that its allows illegal content on its platform 'is categorically and factually inaccurate', while calling the study 'fundamentally flawed'.

A Pornhub spokesperson pointed out that the study fails to differentiate between real sexual violence and 'consensual kinks' that are acceptable between consenting adults, such as choking.

'Pornhub takes allegations of violence and non-consensual material extremely seriously,' the spokesperson said.

'Consenting adults are entitled to their own sexual preferences, as long as they are legal and consensual, and all kinks that meet these criteria are welcome on Pornhub.

'We are committed to remaining at the forefront of the internet when it comes to the elimination of illegal content.

'Every online platform has the responsibility to join this fight, and it requires collective action and constant vigilance.'

Canadian-owned site Pornhub, the tenth most visited website in the world, had 42 billion site visits last year.

Pornhub has already recently been rocked by allegations that it's been hosting child sexual abuse content  leading to the site removing around 80 per cent of its videos.

Xhamster and Xvideos are yet to respond to MailOnline's request for comment.

For this new study, researchers were interested in what content the pornography sites pushed to the landing page without any user intervention, therefore showing the content advertised to the new or first-time user.

Over a six-month period, the researchers analysed 131,738 video titles appearing on the front page of the three sites  making it the largest study of online pornographic content to date.

The three most accessed pornographic websites were identified through Alexa Internet, a web traffic analysis tool.

In December 2020, Pornhub removed all content uploaded by unverified users from its platform  about 80 per cent of its total videos - in the wake of allegations that it hosts child abuse content

Researchers collected the names of the videos, rather than their content, while excluding material that was advertised to viewers as consensual BDSM (bondage, domination and sado-masochism).

'This exclusion was made after lengthy discussion in recognition that the sexual script in BDSM content often differs from the "coercion" criteria that underpins the WHO definition of sexual violence,' the team say in their paper.



In total, they found 15,839, or 12 per cent of the total video titles, described sexual activity that constitutes sexual violence  equating to one in every eight titles.

In all, 2,966 titles constituted descriptions of 'image-based' sexual abuse with a predominant focus on voyeurism, both explicitly and through more implicit terms such as hidden or 'spy' cameras and upskirting.

Upskirting was made illegal in England and Wales only two years ago, following an amendment to the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

Video titles found by the researchers included 'Beach Spy Changing Room Two Girls', 'Pharmacy Store Bathroom Hidden cam' and 'Upskirted in the train'.

The three most accessed pornographic websites were identified through Alexa Internet, a web traffic analysis tool. At the time of data collection, these were Pornhub.com, Xhamster.com (pictured) and Xvideos.com

XVideos (pictured) is a pornographic video sharing and viewing website founded in Paris in 2007

A total of 5,785 explicitly described some form of sexual activity between family members, meanwhile.

Word frequency results showed that 'teen' was the most frequently occurring word in both the entire data collection (10,149, or 7.7 per cent of the total).

Other titles described forms of sexual assault with the words 'force', 'grope' and 'molest', as well as physical forms of violence with 'kick', 'punch', and slap'.

Others described sexual acts with physically aggressive language including 'brutal' and 'pound'.

Across the UK, it is a criminal offence to possess 'extreme pornography' which includes simulated images of non-consensual sexual penetration and life-threatening injury.

'However we found on the landing pages descriptions of forced sexual activity that may meet the criteria of extreme pornography,' the study authors say.

The research raises 'serious questions' about the extent of criminal material easily and freely available on mainstream pornography websites, as well as the effectiveness of current regulation.

The team is calling on policy makers to ensure effective legislation prevents sexually violent content from being available on mainstream pornography platforms.

They're also calling on the UK government to use the forthcoming Online Harms Bill  which will ensure businesses have a 'duty of care' to protect children from cyberbullying, grooming and pornography  hold companies to account.

Government should also support teachers as they deliver the new relationships and sex education (RSE) curriculum, including providing funding for specialist organisations that work against violence towards women.

The new findings have been published in The British Journal of Criminology.
Southside Independent School Districts election has three candidates and three open seats on its board  but the decision on who will fill those seats is still up to the state.

Since 2017, the school district has been operating under a seven-member board of managers appointed by Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath, who removed the elected board after a special accreditation investigation found it unable to govern and properly handle the districts finances.

The districts election cycle has continued, but securing a majority of votes doesnt secure a candidates place on the board. Morath decides that. He picked two winners in 2019 to join the board as the first step in a transition back into an all-elected board of trustees

On ExpressNews.com: Texas replaces Southside ISD board, completing takeover

This years election will give him more candidates to accelerate the transition.

Given that the second phase of the transition process is set to occur in May 2021, three more elected trustees (either elected previously or elected in May 2021) will be appointed to replace some of the current board of managers, the Texas Education Agency said in a written statement.

Running unopposed this May are Brenda Olivarez, a senior client support analyst; Esmeralda Flores, a retired military member; and Jesus Jesse Hernandez, a CPS Energy executive and one of the state-appointed managers.

Two candidates who won the most votes in 2019 but were not selected to join the board that year are Mary Silva, a retired educator, and Lisa Salazar, who at the time worked as custodian and food service supervisor.

Required Reading: Get San Antonio education news sent directly to your inbox

Olivarez, 55, spent more than 20 years working in school district administration, where she specialized in Public Education Information Management System financial reports, known as PEIMS. But she recently moved to the private sector to work for Frontline Education, a company that specializes in school administration software.

Olivarez ran for the board in 2019, but was defeated by Salazar. She said she is running again because she wants to see the district continue to turn around, and to put her experience in administration and finance to good use.

Im very impressed with how the board is doing now. Theres a lot more transparency now than how it was before, Olivarez said. The superintendent is also putting himself out there with the community and I really like that, because he lives in the community and has a deeper interest in the district being successful.

Part of her career was spent at Edgewood ISD, which went through a similar takeover by the state. Too many times, Olivarez said, she has seen board members disconnected from the realities of public school administration end up making the job of running a school district harder.

Ive seen it, not just at Edgewood: sometimes the employees just want to satisfy the board, Olivarez said.

Hernandez, 45, was appointed to the board in 2018 and is now seeking to stay on as an elected trustee. For the past 10 years, he has worked as an executive at CPS Energy focusing on community engagement, a role he previously held at H-E-B for 15 years.

After moving to the United States from Mexico, Hernandez grew up in Southside ISD and attended its schools. He has a graduate degree in business from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Its been a really good opportunity for me to be able to give back and contribute to my own community, Hernandez said of his role on the board. His job at CPS Energy gives him the privilege of helping our customers that are most disadvantaged and that kind of transitions over to Southside, he said.

During his time on the board of managers, Hernandez said, it hired the current superintendent, Rolando Ramirez, in 2020 and created a partnership to open a community clinic, now run by the Wellvana network.

If selected to stay on the board, Hernandez said, he would like to build on the current momentum with investments in academic programs like bilingual education, new avenues to eliminate the areas digital divide and a renewed push to bring healthy food options to the entire community.

Silva, 68, retired after working in Southside ISD for more than 40 years, first as a paraprofessional, librarian aide and later as attendance coordinator.

Silva herself, her children and grandchildren graduated from the school district, and decided to run in 2019 to be part of a change for the best, to do away with issues that get in the way of education opportunities and improved academics.

Having worked in the district for so long, I dont like to see our children become the underdogs. I want them to be competitive, Silva said. Our children do move on, but with the shroud of low test scores. That affects them when they go to college.

Under previous boards, Silva said, she experienced the negative side of conflicts among trustees that ended up trickling down to the superintendent, administrators and eventually the children.

Even if she wasnt selected two years ago, Silva said, she has been pleased with the changes that the board of managers has implemented.

With the new superintendent we have, I know they can't lose, Silva said. It would be an awesome privilege to work with him and move things along  But even if I get in or not, I know there is someone in the drivers seat that knows where they are going.

Hernandez and Olivarez echoed Silvas assessment that the district is going in the right direction and said they hoped it can continue when it returns to a fully-elected board.

The community is at peace now, Olivarez said. Before, it wasnt like that. The last election I ran, the community was angry, they were so angry.

Flores and Salazar could not be reached for comment.

The next round of appointments to the board is expected in mid-May. The board then will have five elected trustees and two state-appointed managers, but it will still be considered a board of managers until the transition is final, the TEA statement said.

danya.perez@express-news.net
Click here to read the full article.

Big Little Lies director Jean-Marc Vallee and producing partner Nathan Ross have set a first-look deal with HBO Max and HBO, where the pair are shepherding the limited series The Gorilla and the Bird.

The three-year pact calls for Vallee and Ross to executive produce Gorilla through their Crazyrose banner. Vallee will direct the drama based on the memoir by Zack McDermott about a mothers unconditional love for her bipolar adult son. The Crazyrose partners will also executive produce another HBO limited series, The Players Table, to be directed by Annabelle Attanasio.

Weve had the incredible fortune to collaborate with Jean-Marc and Nathan for several years now and have witnessed first-hand their brilliant instincts for what resonates with audiences, said Francesca Orsi, HBOs executive VP of programming. As a director, Jean-Marc has an undeniable, distinct, and visceral sensibility which masterfully elevates everything he touches. We could not be more ecstatic to expand our partnership with Crazyrose.

Crazyrose set up Gorilla in late 2018 as a project at HBO to be produced with Big Beach.

With Vallee and Ross settling in with HBO Max/HBO, the pair said they will extend their first-look agreement with Endeavor Content for film as well as establish a second-look agreement for TV. Endeavor Content is poised for a transition later this year as parent company Endeavor has to divest 80% of the production-distribution venture to comply with its legal settlement agreement with the Writers Guild of America. Crazyrose has set up the Natalie Portman-Lupita Nyongo drama series Lady in the Lake with Endeavor Content at Apple.

Vallee vaulted into the HBO universe in 2017 with the success of Big Little Lies, the Reese Witherspoon-Nicole Kidman starrer that he directed. The series first season nabbed eight Primetime Emmy Awards, including nods for limited series and for limited series directing.

Vallee went on to executive produce and direct the 2018 HBO limited series Sharp Objects toplined by Amy Adams and Patricia Clarkson. The director-producer and Ross hailed HBO and HBO Max programming leaders Casey Bloys, Francesca Orsi and Sarah Aubrey for their skill and support.

We are honored to formalize our long and fruitful relationship with HBO and to begin a new one with HBO Max, Vallee and Ross said. We are grateful to Casey, Frannie and Sarah for their continued partnership and look forward to supporting and promoting storytellers we admire in this next stage for Crazyrose.

On the film side, the Crazyrose partners produced the Vallee-directed 2013 drama Dallas Buyers Club, which earned Oscars for stars Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto, and 2014s Wild, which earned Oscar noms for Vallees future Big Little Lies stars Witherspoon and Laura Dern.

Vallee and Ross are also shepherding a John Lennon-Yoko Ono biopic for Universal Pictures. The Crazyrose duo are represented by David Weber of Sloane, Offer, Weber and Dern.

(Pictured: Nathan Ross and Jean-Marc Vallee)

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Press Release

6 April 2021

Safestay sells Edinburgh hostel to A&O

Advertisements

TPG-owned German hostel owner operator A&O Hotels and Hostels has acquired the 600-bed Safestay Hostel in Edinburgh for 16 million (26,000 per bed) from hostel owner Safestay. The property located off Edinburgh's Royal Mile is the Scottish capital's largest hostel and will be operated under the A&O brand by its new owners. The property has been sold due to cash needs of the seller during the COVID-19 pandemic, and proceeds from the sale will be used to reduce debt as well as to fund the seller's cash-burn over the remaining months of the pandemic.

H.I.G acquires the Hotel Ullensvang in Norway

North American private equity firm H.I.G. Capital, in a joint venture with its operating partner Hamilton Hotel Partners, has announced the acquisition of the 170-key Hotel Ullensvang, a waterside resort located in Norway's Hardanger fjord. The seller is the Utne family, who have owned the property for over 175 years. A well-established leisure and conference hotel within the Norwegian market, the property offers views of the fjord and the nearby Folgefonna glacier. While the Utne family will hand over management to the new owners, the hotel will continue to be independently branded under new ownership.

MNK Partners buys the B&B Lisbon Airport hotel

French real estate fund MNK Partners has acquired the 188-room B&B Hotel Lisbon Airport

for 14 million (74,000 per room) from Goldman Sachs-owned B&B Hotels. Located next to Lisbon's Humberto Delgado Airport, the hotel was recently developed by the seller and is set to be operated by B&B under a long-term lease agreement.

The Grange Hotel York, England sold by Jeremy and Vivien Cassel

Jeremy and Vivien Cassel, owner operators of the Grange Hotel in the centre of the city of York in northern England, have sold the 41-room property to an undisclosed private buyer. One of York's leading hotels, which includes the award winning The Ivy Brasserie, the Cassels had owned the elegant country-house style hotel for over 30 years.

Next Point acquires Costa Brava hotel

Next Point, a Spanish listed SOCIMI, has announced the acquisition of a 114-room unbranded hotel in Figueres, in the Spanish province of Gerona. The 6 million (52,000 per room) transaction on the Spanish Costa Brava coast is Next Points third acquisition since its public listing in July 2020.

Dumbleton Hall hotel in England's Cotswolds region sold to US HNWI

Dumbleton Hall, a 38-room Grade-II heritage listed manor house hotel located in the north of England's Cotswolds region, has been sold to Paul Velzolles, a US-based high net worth individual. The hotel, which includes 16 acres of parkland, had been on the market since November 2019 with a guide price of 6 million (157,000 per room). The property traces its origins back to 1534, and has been sold after 60 years of ownership by the Post Office Fellowship of Remembrance, which was established as a memorial to post office workers who died in the two World Wars, and trades as Classic Hotels.

Portfolio of three hotels in Bucharest, Romania acquired by Zeus Capital Partners

Greek hotel operator Zeus Capital Partners has acquired a portfolio of three hotels in the Romanian capital city of Bucharest from the Alpha Bank Group. The 148-room portfolio includes the 51-room Hotel Venezia, the 33-room Opera Hotel

and the 64-room Central Hotel. Zeus has been managing the portfolio for the past six years and is planning to commence a capex plan for all three hotels shortly.

Hotel La Bastide in Saint-Tropez, France acquired by Hotel Par Collection

The 26-room Hotel La Bastide in the French resort town of Saint-Tropez has been acquired by the Hotel Par Collection, a local hotel owner operator platform owned by the Pariente family. Sold by its founders, Boris-Serge and Janine Sidoroff, the Relais & Chateaux affiliated property is located 10 minutes from the centre of Saint-Tropez and includes two restaurants, a 150 sqm infinity pool and a combination of 21 hotel rooms and 5 apartments.
HANOI - Vietnam has allowed Boeing 737 Max planes to transit in the country after they were suspended in 2019 over safety concerns, state media reported on Tuesday, citing the Ministry of Transport.

The ministry has approved a proposal from the aviation authority following reports on safety and the resumption of the operations of the aircraft elsewhere in the world.

The Civil Aviation Authority Of Vietnam (CAAV) in March 2019 suspended issuing licenses to 737 MAX planes until the cause of an Ethiopian crash was determined.

The ministry has told CAAV to keep monitoring the situation and updating information from the aviation authorities of other countries before fully allowing the operations of the aircraft, the report added.

The United States lifted its own ban on the 737 MAX in November, followed by Brazil and Canada.
Joss Whedon reminds me of every man I've worked for who had an over-ego because he finally got some modicum of power in his life. I know we say this a lot around here but y'all, men really were a mistake. (I'm sorry to those few here who are actually nice)

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LOL, you ain't lying about men in power.



I feel sorry for Ray Fisher, but I also wish he didn't go so far with Hamada. When you are dealing with someone in power, someone who is Asian in power, one thing that East Asian don't tolerate is humiliation in public.



People in general don't like to be shamed in public, especially when it comes to office politics. When Ray called Hamada out in Twitter, that's when I knew Ray got himself blacklisted. Nobody likes to be shamed in public.



Ray should've done it like The Art of War by Sun Tzu. Do it in stealth, not public.



Edited at 2021-04-07 12:57 am (UTC)

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lol a white woman found no evidence of racial insensitivity? Shocking.

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She probably saw that no one said a racial slur out loud on set so, therefore, no racism! Everyone cleared of any possibility of racism!

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What are microaggressions? Racism is a clearly defined entity and our understanding of it has not changed since 1950. /s

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And even then I'm sure they didn't have a racist bone in thier body

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tbh (some) white people don't even consider racial slurs racist. i used to work with a white guy that would say trump wasn't racist and when i would say all the racist things trump have said (about mexicans for example) he would say that trump was just blunt and "tells it like it is" but not racist







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They went through a list of white ladies and went "So, what are your thoughts on racism and sexism?"



And this lady responded with "I don't see race, I'm colour-blind. And I wouldn't have become a judge if sexism still existed." And WB went HIRED

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She asked around. Everyone she asked said there was no racism. Case closed.

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"Katherine Forrest, a former federal judge who conducted the WarnerMedia probe, told the Hollywood Reporter in a statement that in interviews with more than 80 witnesses, she found "no credible support for claims of racial animus" or racial "insensitivity." Whedon declined to comment."



From experience, I'm gonna say that when (white) people say racist shit they're REALLY choosy about who they say that shit around. It's typically in front of the person they're saying the racist shit too AND people they know won't call them out on it.



It could also be and again this is from experience, that (white) people tend to not notice racist shit as they'll brush it away with "I know that in their hearts they didn't mean it." Or won't acknowledge shit because again, they like their white privilege.

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This. And from having to call people out on microaggressions *it's apparent that a lot of them don't realize that's a form of racism too.



Edited at 2021-04-06 02:43 pm (UTC)

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I've also found that when I'm in the office and it's just me and another white person in a room, they'll throw out a testing question. I remember a new coworker sliding up with a "so what do you think about all that Kaepernick stuff" and after I said I agreed with him, she never came to me again.



I'm sure if I had agreed with her, she would have thought I was her new racist best buddy to gossip with behind closed doors.

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For me, the proof has been shown by people who looked White to White people but were, in fact, p.o.c.

Story after story I've heard in media or in person, from those people talking about how in front of p.o.c. White people act one way, and then when they think they're only among themselves, say racist shit like it's going out of style and they gotta get it all out.



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I remember Wentworth Miller had stories like that, since white people didn't know he was half-black.

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Yup. People say shite in front of my husband all the time (Hopi/Romani/Scottish) all the time and he's like, 'Yeah. Fuck y'all. To hell and back.'

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"Joss told [Gal] he can make her look incredibly stupid in this movie."



and he still did. flash falling face-first into diana's breasts for laughs was so cringy and humiliating.



joss is a huge piece of shit. and every ounce of goodwill i had towards geoff johns is gone. get rid of him.

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iirc gal didn't even film that scene it was a body double and that's why diana's face is turned away.

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yeah, she refused to film the scene so they had her body double step in

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Just to add to this thread, + he intimidated/threatened Gal's body double to do the scene (he locked her in a room and threatened her career)

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Fuck Jossssssss

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HBO's #TheNevers should have been Joss Whedon's triumphant return to television. Instead, it's very messy, for both creative reasons and an accumulation of real-world allegations against its creator. My review: https://t.co/ywV8ECYpUk pic.twitter.com/QvDgTQNUgP  Alan Sepinwall (@sepinwall) April 5, 2021



A recent HBO press release about the show runs through nearly 600 words, and the mention of 19 other people involved, before Whedons name appears, and only in the context of having written and directed the premiere. (He also directed two more out of the initial batch of six episodes.) also, The Never reviews are out, are meh to bad, and HBO is really trying to hide Whedon's involvement

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noooo I was looking forward to this series

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same :( hbo replaced joss with a female showrunner for the second season so we can still watch that, i guess?

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I honestly forgot he was supposed to be returning to TV.

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Joss' name turned me off this show from the start because he hasn't grown as an author or showrunner AT ALL. He's still using the exact same shit from 1997

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Giving big "We're ashamed of our racist uncle but we won't stop inviting him to cook-outs" energy.

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IDK who HBO thinks they're fooling. Multiple reviews by critics familiar with his work said the plot is 100% Whedon doing Whedon things with Whedon tropes.

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I hate him so much.

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God fuck Joss.



Props to Ray for not backing down and telling the story like it happened over and over.

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Seems like Zack Snyder is a nice guy like others have said.



Joss is the worrrrsssssttt.

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he's not the best director, but his casts all seem to adore him

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Yeah I think his scripts can be lacking but I think hes a great visual director.

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i remember emily browning talking about how she initially struggled with the feminist criticisms of sucker punch bc she and the other actresses had such a great and empowering experience filming it. it's one of the reasons i still cape for that movie a little when the topic comes up lol, even though it is a disaster in many respects.



i do wish he would offer ray fisher some public support though.

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its honestly one of the reasons he still gets new projects because everyone who works with him LOVES him

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I dislike most of his work but you can't deny he's passionate about what he does and treats his cast and crew well

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I really don't like his body of work, but at the very least people seem to enjoy working with him.

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Yeah basically my opinion of him is that he's a no talent bish but he seems really nice lol.

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He's a great visual director IMO very talented in that regard and passionate about what he does

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isn't he like an ayn rand fan libertarian tho?

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It's probably more that he believes creatives are worthy of being in his john galt compound.

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Hollywood; the sun really doesn't shine out of Joss' ass. Drop him on it.



Edited at 2021-04-06 02:31 pm (UTC)

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Fuck Whedon. I hope his career is over.



I'm glad Ray Fisher got to see Snyder's Justice League get released and that deserved praise.

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seeing a publication like hollywood reporter coving this mess is so good honestly

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Johns' rep denies that he ever dismissed any comments, adding that Fisher knew Johns  whose spokesperson requested that he be identified as Lebanese American 



wow.



Edited at 2021-04-06 02:30 pm (UTC)

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every comment from geoff's rep in this story make him look worse as it goes. the thing about batwoman had me howling. like please that part of the book was not yours.

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I love that. Just googled him and he looks very white passing, and he has a completely "white sounding" name. Most people who interact with him probably wouldn't think he's anything but white. But make sure to mention that you are Lebanese American when a black man accuses you of racism. I don't know his family background and I know as a mixed person that self-identification can be a tricky touchy subject, but in this context it smacks of "actually, I'm 1/32 Native American on my father's brother's nephew's cousin's former roommate's side so I can't possibly be racist".

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Edited at 2021-04-06 06:46 pm (UTC) "BuT I aM LeBaNeSe aMeRiCaN!"

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From my personal experience, I've met some Lebanese Americans who often identify themselves as white. So, Geoff should've kept his mouth shut.

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Wow. Hes so gross. "We cant make him mad"??? Disgusting. Dude gotta go

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"This is one of the most expensive movies Warners has ever made," Berg said, according to Fisher. "What if the CEO of AT&T has a son or daughter, and that son or daughter wants Cyborg to say 'booyah' in the movie and we don't have a take of that? I could lose my job." Fisher responded that he knew if he filmed the line, it would end up in the movie. And he expressed skepticism that the film's fate rested on Cyborg saying "booyah."



what an incredibly embarrassing statement to make.

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Omg

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Its cyborgs catchphrase and it was in the script...

Ray has gotten several cease and desist orders at this point I think this will be the mail in his coffin.

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can i issue YOU a cease and desist?



just because the character has a catchphrase does not mean its not racist or stupid

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it's a catchphrase in teen titans, which is only one iteration of the character. let's not act like he's been saying "booyah" for 40 years.

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Bandwidth issues haunt National Weather Service

Internet bandwidth issues at the National Weather Service are hampering the agencys ability to get its forecasts and warnings out to the public, according to a recent report by the Washington Post. Most recently, NWS experienced a systemwide failure at its College Park data center that impacted networks nationwide.

According to March 30 status reports from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations National Centers for Environmental Prediction, several weather offices and forecasters at air traffic control centers nationwide lost communications with the NWS Network Control Facility (NCF), impacting the dissemination and reception of weather data, including observations. Several websites, including weather.gov, went down. NSWChat was inaccessible outside of the NCEP network and the Weather and Climate Operational Supercomputing System was not ingesting external partner data.

By mid-morning, NCEP Central Operations restarted a control unit on the College Park firewall that was experiencing a memory problem, and internet connections and data dissemination improved.

The problems, which lasted for seven hours, seem to be the latest in a long series of IT infrastructure problems.

The chat issues, for example, have become so intractable that employees at the Birmingham, Ala., Weather Service office decided to switch to Slack two days before tornadoes hit the state.

In the interest of public safety and due to factors beyond our control, NWS [Birmingham] will be SWITCHING to Slack Chat as our PRIMARY means of realtime communication until such a time that NWS Chat is proven stable, reliable and has a reliable backup service in place, according to an email sent by warning coordination meteorologist John De Block and obtained by the Washington Post.

In reaction, NWS headquarters informed the Birmingham office to switch back to NWS Chat and not use alternative platforms. With a second tornado outbreak in the forecast, NWS forecasters pleaded with partners outside affected areas to stay off NWS Chat to conserve bandwidth. In spite of appeals to limit use, the chat service still went dark for a time as a deadly tornadic storm was swirling across the South, the article said.

NWS Public Affairs Director Susan Buchanan told the Post the problems resulted from a combination of increased web traffic associated with the severe weather in the Southeast and the loss of one data center on March 9 due to a water pipe burst at NWS HQ in Silver Spring. She added that NWS plans to test an off-the-shelf product this spring as a replacement to the existing chat platform.

Neil Jacobs, former acting head of NOAA, told the Post that many of the agencys infrastructure problems are tied to the fact NWS runs on internal hardware rather than through cloud platforms.

Over the last 10 years, NWS networks have suffered failures, the Post reported in December 2020. Demand for weather data, combined with the complexity and size of data models, prompted the agency to limit the amount of data major users can access from NWS websites.

NOAA has acknowledged the importance of robust IT infrastructure. In its July 2020 cloud and data strategies, the science agency noted that its data resources are growing so vast that they place a premium on our capacity and wherewithal to scale the IT infrastructure and services to support this growth. The document stated that modernizing our infrastructure requires leveraging cloud services as a solution to meet future demand.
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"Confidence in quality is of the utmost importanceespecially in areas that experience hurricanes and tropical storms. With Marvin Coastline, homeowners can rest easy knowing their windows will stand up to harsh weather, and the high-end design of these products means they can love the way their home looks, too," said Paul Marvin, CEO of Marvin.

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Created by the brand's team of baby development experts, Tiny Love's new Boho Chic Collection aims to support infant development by creating a peaceful environment for baby's exploration with moderated stimulation of the senses. The warm, earthy colors and natural materials of the Boho Chic Collection are perfect for tasteful, design-loving parents who want to make sure they are giving their baby the best developmental tools.

Items now available on Babylist.com include the Boho Chic Luxe Developmental Gymini ($99.99), Boho Chic 2-in-1 Rocker ($119.99), and Boho Chic Luxe Musical Mobile ($49.99). The roll out of the collection will continue in June with introduction of the Boho Chic 2-in-1 Take Along Deluxe Bassinet ($139.99). The collection covers babies' overall needs - day or night, play or relaxation, everywhere around the house.

"At Tiny Love, our goal is to design products that prioritize childhood development while not losing sight of what's functional and fitting for emerging trends in home design," said Paul Powers, President of Dorel Juvenile USA. "With many new parents seeking ways to encourage babies' development at home, we're excited to launch the new Boho Chic Collection that supports little ones' growth in a variety of ways while fostering peaceful development with a natural style that's as pleasing to parents as it is to their infants."

About the Collection:

Tiny Love's new Boho Chic Luxe Developmental Gymini is packed with 20 developmental activities for hours of exploration and fun. This Luxe Gymini supports development of senses, cognition, motor skills, emotions, creativity, and communication. Equipped with twelve month-by-month development milestone cards, the journey of baby's first year will come with enlightening facts, tips, and play ideas. Paired with wooden stand-alone arch and premium fabrics in its design, this trendy Boho style will complement home decor.

new is packed with 20 developmental activities for hours of exploration and fun. This Luxe Gymini supports development of senses, cognition, motor skills, emotions, creativity, and communication. Equipped with twelve month-by-month development milestone cards, the journey of baby's first year will come with enlightening facts, tips, and play ideas. Paired with wooden stand-alone arch and premium fabrics in its design, this trendy Boho style will complement home decor. Whether baby needs to be engaged or lulled to sleep, look no further than the Boho Chic Luxe Musical Mobile. As the only decor mobile in the market that offers such a wide variety of electronic features and controls, this mobile includes rotation, 17 melodies, a unique shushing sound that works like magic, five types of white noise, volume control, timer and night-time LED light for easy nighttime operation, and more. The mobile engages baby and supports the development of cognition, senses, and emotions. And with adorable plush dolls for baby to fall in love with, vintage-looking embroidery, and a soft arm cover, volume control, and a 10/20/30 minute auto-timer, the smaller details bring the mobile to life.

As the only decor mobile in the market that offers such a wide variety of electronic features and controls, this mobile includes rotation, 17 melodies, a unique shushing sound that works like magic, five types of white noise, volume control, timer and night-time LED light for easy nighttime operation, and more. The mobile engages baby and supports the development of cognition, senses, and emotions. And with adorable plush dolls for baby to fall in love with, vintage-looking embroidery, and a soft arm cover, volume control, and a minute auto-timer, the smaller details bring the mobile to life. The Boho Chic 2-in-1 Rocker is made with versatility in mind, offering two modes of use and three recline positions for playtime or relaxation. The Rocker features a cozy and supportive environment for baby with embracing configuration, newborns, inlay and soft fabrics, and encourages development through the equipment of two adorable toys engage baby, help develop cognition, senses, and emotions. Beyond developmental and design features, the rocker easily folds flat for storage, features a lightweight design, and has wipeable and machine washable fabrics.

is made with versatility in mind, offering two modes of use and three recline positions for playtime or relaxation. The Rocker features a cozy and supportive environment for baby with embracing configuration, newborns, inlay and soft fabrics, and encourages development through the equipment of two adorable toys engage baby, help develop cognition, senses, and emotions. Beyond developmental and design features, the rocker easily folds flat for storage, features a lightweight design, and has wipeable and machine washable fabrics. The Boho Chic 2-in-1 Take Along Deluxe Bassinet comes with a travel bag, developmental toys, mesh bug net and walls that encourage tummy time, restful sleep, and brain development.

The Boho Luxe Developmental Gymini and Boho 2-in-1 Rocker are now available exclusively at Babylist.com. The Boho Luxe Musical Mobile is now available on Babylist.com and Amazon.com. The Boho 2-in-1 Take Along Bassinet will be available on Amazon.com and select retailers beginning June 1.

About Tiny Love

Tiny Love is a global toy and baby product Brand founded in 1991 and now part of Dorel Industries. Tiny Love focuses on creating smart solutions which answer parents' needs and support babies' development from birth through 24 months. The brand's award-winning, imaginative products help maximize babies' potential and encourage parents to enjoy hours of fun playtime with their children.

About Dorel

Dorel Industries Inc. (TSX: DII.B, DII.A) is a global organization, operating three distinct businesses in juvenile products, bicycles and home products. Dorel's strength lies in the diversity, innovation and quality of its products as well as the superiority of its brands. Dorel Juvenile's powerfully branded products include global brands Maxi-Cosi, Quinny and Tiny Love, complemented by regional brands such as Safety 1st, Bebe Confort, Cosco and Infanti. Dorel Sports brands include Cannondale, Schwinn, GT, Mongoose, Caloi and IronHorse. Dorel Home, with its comprehensive e-commerce platform, markets a wide assortment of domestically produced and imported furniture. Dorel has annual sales of US$2.8 billion and employs approximately 8,200 people in facilities located in twenty-five countries worldwide.

SOURCE Dorel Juvenile Group
Second Spring Clean-Up Saturday, April 10th

Wear a Mask - Bring a Friend!

PORT WASHINGTON, NY / ACCESSWIRE / April 6, 2021 / Global Industrial, a value-added national distributor of industrial products and MRO supplies, and a Systemax Inc. (NYSE:SYX) company, today announced the launch of its new partnership with community engager and social media influencer Terrill Haigler, known by his followers as @_YaFavTrashman. The partnership strives to support Terrill's positive community initiatives to educate and improve local Philadelphia neighborhoods.

The partnership kicked off on March 20th with the "Spring Ahead" clean-up at the corner of Butler and Sepviva in Philadelphia. This successful event was inspiring to all who attended and directly benefited the local community. Take a further dive into the excitement and watch A Day In The Life Of Terrill Haigler, AKA @_YAFAVTRASHMAN video, with live footage from the Spring Ahead March 20th event.

Klaus Werner, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Systemax, said, "Terrill is an inspirational community leader and his enthusiasm is truly contagious. We are excited to be part of his journey and to support the Philadelphia community. Through our participation in the first clean up on March 20th, we can clearly see how these events inspire and bring people together to the benefit of the entire community. We are proud to help advance Terrill's vision for positive change. This is a win-win for everyone involved and we look forward to supporting all of the volunteers at these community initiatives."

Terrill Haigler said, "It is truly exciting to join forces with a company like Global Industrial. With their support and resources, we can continue to have a positive impact on the people of Philadelphia. I am committed to keeping the local streets clean, building pride in our community and making all of our events fun and exciting for everyone involved."

The partnership's next Philadelphia clean-up will take place on Saturday, April 10, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET, at the corner of Hutton and Brooklyn in West Philadelphia, where @_YaFavTrashman expects the biggest community clean-up yet. With more than 70 years of going the extra mile for its customers, Global Industrial looks to take a local approach to clean the streets as it supports Terrill's commitment to the community and hopes that Terrill and these events will be an inspiration to others across the country. We are Global Industrial. And we can supply that.

Follow Terrill Haigler's inspirational community events on:

Instagram: @_yafavtrashman

Twitter: @YaFavTrashman

Facebook: Ya Fav Trashman

Website: https://yafavtrashman.com/

Help follow the journey from Global Industrial's side:

Instagram: @global_industrial

Twitter: @Global_Indust

Facebook: @globalindustrial

LinkedIn: Global Industrial a Systemax Company

Website: https://www.globalindustrial.com/

About Terrill Haigler

Less than three months after accepting the position as laborer for the Philadelphia Sanitation Department, Terrill Haigler became an essential worker. To bridge the gap between residents and sanitation workers he created the Instagram page @_yafavtrashman to give residents an inside look as to what sanitation workers experience during the pandemic. When Terrill noticed that his co-workers didn't have the proper PPE to execute their jobs safely, he decided to stand in the gap and start a Custom Ink t-shirt fundraiser to purchase PPE, hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies. Catapulting him to Philly's latest viral sensation.

About Global Industrial

Global Industrial is a subsidiary of Systemax Inc. (NYSE: SYX). With more than 70 years of going the extra mile for its customers, Global Industrial is one of North America's most experienced industrial distributors. The Company offers more than a million industrial and MRO products including its own Global Industrial exclusive brands. With extensive product knowledge and a solutions approach, Global Industrial helps customers solve problems and be more successful. At Global Industrial, we can supply that.

About Systemax Inc.

Systemax Inc., through its operating subsidiaries, is a value added distributor of industrial products in North America going to market through a system of branded e-Commerce websites and relationship marketers. The primary brand is Global Industrial.

Forward-Looking Statement

This press release contains forward looking statements within the meaning of that term in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Additional written or oral forward-looking statements may be made by Systemax Inc, the parent company of Global Industrial, from time to time in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission or otherwise. Any such statements that are not historical facts are forward looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are based on management's estimates, assumptions and projections and are not guarantees of future performance.

Investor/Media Contact:

Mike Smargiassi/Ryan Golden

The Plunkett Group

212-739-6740

mike@theplunkettgroup.com/ryan@theplunkettgroup.com

SOURCE: Systemax

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/638969/Global-Industrial-and-Terrill-Haigler-YaFavTrashman-Partner-to-Support-the-Philadelphia-Community
Lucknow, April 6 : Two barracks in the Banda jail have been converted into an isolation cell for mafia don and Bahujan Samaj Party MLA Mukhtar Ansari, who will be lodged here after he is brought back to Uttar Pradesh from Punjab.

The barrack will have a three-layer security, said the police. The outer security ring will be manned by two teams of civil police, each led by a sub-inspector and 10 armed constables.

The second security ring will comprise special CCTVs that have been installed at the entry points and a team of five jail officials which will keep an eye on the CCTV footage round-the-clock.

The third and innermost ring will comprise a team of jail warders.

The 100-member police team that is in Ropar, is likely to return with the mafia don, late on Tuesday night.

A security audit was conducted by prison headquarters after which the security has been beefed up.

A jail officer has also been deputed who will keep in contact with prison headquarters in Lucknow.

Pramod Tiwari, acting superintendent of the Banda District Jail, said no other prisoner can access Barrack Number-15 where Mukhtar Ansari will be kept.

"Three prison guards will be deployed inside the barrack," he said.

Inspector General, Chitrakoot Dham Range, K. Satyanarayan, said a PAC unit has also been deployed outside the Banda jail.

A temporary police outpost has also been recommended outside the jail.

Satyanarayan said the Banda police has been kept on high alert and checking of lodges, hotels, rest houses in the district was being done since Monday.

The Uttar Pradesh Police said that Mukhtar Ansari is facing 52 cases in the state and elsewhere, and 15 of them are in the trial stage.

The BSP MLA from Mau has been lodged in Rupnagar prison since January 2019 in connection with an extortion case.

The police have, till now, arrested 96 criminals and seized, freed, or demolished property worth Rs 192 crore linked to the BSP MLA and his associates.

Meanwhile, Mukhtar Ansari's family members have said that they fear for his life in Uttar Pradesh.

Mukhtar Ansari's brother and BSP MP from Ghazipur, Afzal Ansari, expressed apprehension that a 'conspiracy' may be hatched against him in the UP jail.

"The Ansari family is worried following the media reports and statements made by the BJP leaders. We will approach the judiciary on the issue of security for Mukhtar. When a problem is being created by the state government, then there is no option except seeking the shelter of the judiciary. Justice is still alive in the country. I am confident that justice will prevail and Mukhtar will be proved innocent in all cases," he said.

His wife Afshan Ansari had earlier written to the President of India, seeking his intervention in the matter.

Meanwhile, family sources said that they planned to take a house on rent in Banda to ensure that they remain close to Ansari.

It may be recalled that Mukhtar and his wife Afsha had suffered a heart attack in the Banda jail in 2018. The two reportedly fell unconscious after consuming tea inside the jail. Afsha had gone to meet her husband.

After this, Mukhtar was shifted to Ropar jail.
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The automotive segment will generate maximum revenue in the virtual assistant market, owing to the increasing investments by carmakers to provide better user experiences. In terms of geography, APAC will present significant opportunities for market vendors due to the increased adoption of chatbots in healthcare, BFSI, and travel industries in the region.

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Increasing demand for advanced customer services and advanced software

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Smartphones with intelligent virtual assistants supporting human interactions

In addition, the report identifies the benefits offered to content consumers, owners, and publishers as a major trend in the virtual assistant market. People with disabilities find it difficult to read enormous amounts of text or data. This has increased the adoption of virtual assistants to provide easy access to website content to help such users. Virtual assistants also provide users the option to listen to the content rather than reading the content online, which enhances convenience as well as user engagement. This trend is expected to provide significant growth opportunities to vendors during the forecast period.

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Virtual Assistant Market: Key Vendor Offerings

Alphabet Inc.: The company offers Google Assistant. It can make calls and send messages by reading human speech.

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Apple Inc.: The company offers Siri. It helps users take calls or send texts without a touch.

CX Co.: The company offers chat bots, intelligent virtual assistant and other products.

eGain Corp.: The company offers eGain Virtual Assistant. It is a chatbot.

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SOURCE Technavio
Federal and local law enforcement say they believe a former Lamar employee found on campus last week with several loaded guns intended to do harm.

That information was revealed during a hearing Monday afternoon when Judge Terrence Holmes of Jefferson County Court at Law No. 2 increased 62-year-old Mark Edward Smiths bond to $200,000, double what the state requested.

Smith initially was arrested on four charges, including driving while intoxicated, unlawful carry of a firearm, failure to identify and resisting arrest. His bond last week was set at $4,400.

A defense attorney was assigned to the suspects case less than an hour before the hearing began.

Chris Day, an FBI agent, testified that he and several other agents, including one with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, interviewed Smith the day after he was arrested for more than two hours.

In short, he was angry because of being fired and he went back to his house, loaded up his firearms and was going to Lamar with intentions to hurt someone, Day said. He did not specify who.

Misdemeanor Court Chief Raymond Shearer argued for raising the bond, saying that the circumstances were extraordinary and pointing to the rarity of an FBI agent testifying in a misdemeanor trial.

They are concerned about this man and what has happened, Shearer said in a closing statement.

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Mark Faggard, the defense attorney assigned to Smiths case, said no threats were made by the former employee, and if he had intent to do harm, he could have done it last week.

But Shearer pointed to erratic behavior by Smith in recent weeks and alleged threats to law enforcement and himself.

A week before Smith arrived on campus with seven loaded guns, he was transported to a hospital for a mental health evaluation and sedated after threatening to hurt himself and his wife, according to testimony by a Nederland police officer.

Several officers responded to the call, where they were warned by dispatch that Smith indicated he would take care of them when he got there. Once officers arrived, Smith cursed at them and told them where he kept his firearms, according to the testimony from the officer.

Take me back to that shed and I will show you my gun and kill you (expletives), the Nederland police officer quoted him as saying during his testimony.

Due to the threatening and suicidal comments, officers placed him under an e mergency detainment order and transported him to the hospital, where he was sedated and held for less than 24 hours.

He is facing assault charges related to that incident for putting his hands on his wife, which led up to the detention.

When asked why he was agitated after being detained, he told officers it was because he lost his job at Lamar, according to testimony heard Monday.

Among other details shared at the hearing was the possibility that a master key that could access any building on Lamars campus has not been returned since Smith was fired.

Lamar University spokesperson Shelly Vitanza confirmed to The Enterprise that not all keys have been returned.

When terminated, Smith turned in multiple keys related to his job function at Lamar University. However, not all keys issued to him as far back as 2016 have been reconciled, she said in a statement. Lamar University has been working to ensure all keys in Smiths possession are returned.

According to Vitanza, employees are issued keys contingent on their job duties.

But the possibility of a disgruntled former employee with virtually unlimited access to campus and a cache of guns and ammunition further underscore a danger to society, Shearer said.

Less than a week after being detained by Nederland police, Smith was driving a four-door white truck when he approached Kiara Thomas, a Lamar police officer who was on a routine patrol at around 9 p.m. on Lamars campus.

While she initially thought Smith could be someone asking for directions, she became uncomfortable after the truck pulled off and parked in a parking lot nearby, facing her patrol car.

She testified that she approached the vehicle and saw Smith hanging out the window, smelling of alcohol and visibly agitated. He declined to provide identification and began asking intrusive questions as she called for back-up, she said.

He asked me if I had any children, Thomas said, something she said alarmed her and appeared threatening.

Less than 30 seconds later, Officer Nicholas Fontenot responded to her call for backup and began attempting to remove Smith from the vehicle.

After declining to respond, Fontenot unlocked the door and began removing Smith when he saw the barrel of one of the guns leaning against a seat.

I wouldnt say he was reaching for anything, but I was just following the movement of his right hand, and it was just  all over the place, Fontenot testified. And that is when I observed the AK-47  and asked Officer Thomas to go to the other side and remove the assault rifle.

Smith never reached for the guns during the incident, something Faggard returned to several times in arguing for the lower bond to remain.

Corporal Danion Jackson responded a short time later and took responsibility for unloading the guns so they could be taken in for evidence.

All seven of those firearms had bullets in the chamber, he told the court. Hammers were cocked back.

While transporting assault rifles and loose ammunition is not illegal, Jackson testified that it is highly unusual and would typically include proper storage boxes and safety precautions.

No one in the United States, even the military guys, drive around with AK-47s all the time, he said.

Smith had worked at Lamar since 2015 until he was fired two weeks ago, according to the university.

isaac.windes@hearstnp.com

twitter.com/isaacdwindes
Political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and Egypt, co-chaired by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Senik and Assistant Foreign Minister of Egypt for European Affairs Ambassador Badr Abdel Atty, were held in Cairo on April 5, 2021.

The parties discussed a wide range of issues of Ukrainian-Egyptian cooperation in the political, economic, tourism and investment sphere, as well as a number of practical measures for the development and diversification of trade, reads the report posted on the Ukrainian ministrys website.

The diplomats also discussed the prospects of launching joint economic projects in Africa.

A separate topic of the consultations were steps to strengthen cooperation between Ukraine and Egypt in the political-diplomatic and cultural-humanitarian spheres, in particular in the international scene, as well as to further expand the bilateral legal framework, reads the report.

In the context of the development of political dialogue between the two countries, the parties paid special attention to preparations for the exchange of visits at the highest level.

Dmytro Senik conveyed a personal message from the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba to his Egyptian counterpart, confirming the readiness of Ukraine to develop mutually beneficial relations with Egypt, as well as an invitation to visit Ukraine.

As a reminder, Egypt is a key economic partner of Ukraine on the African continent. In 2020, the total volume of trade in goods and services between Ukraine and Egypt amounted to $1.8 billion. Last year, Egypt was visited by 727,000 Ukrainian tourists. According to this indicator, Ukraine took first place among all foreign countries.
STAMFORD, Conn., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cohen Veterans Network (CVN), a not-for-profit philanthropic organization that serves post-9/11 veterans and military families through a nationwide system of mental health clinics, is celebrating its five-year anniversary. Since its inception in April 2016, CVN has built 19 Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinics across the country and has treated nearly 25,000 clients.

Cohen Veterans Network (CVN), a not-for-profit philanthropic organization that serves post-9/11 veterans and military families through a nationwide system of mental health clinics, is celebrating its five-year anniversary.

"CVN has grown quickly. We're proud to have served nearly 25,000 veterans and military family members, but there is still a significant need," said CVN Founder Steven A. Cohen. "As we look to the next 5 years, we remain committed to filling the gaps in care and supporting our local communities across the country, providing high-quality mental health services to all post-9/11 veterans and military families."

As the network marks five years, CVN is expanding its footprint around the country to serve even more veterans and military family members. CVN will open four new Cohen Clinics in 2021 located in Fairbanks, AK; Oceanside, CA; Colorado Springs, CO as well as Hinesville, GA, which will be the first of its kind in the state of Georgia. Collectively, more than 90,000 post-9/11 veterans, and their family members, as well as more than 115,000 family members of active duty service men and women will be eligible for care at these new locations.

"CVN was founded with a straightforward goal  to ensure access to high-quality mental health care," said CVN President & CEO Dr. Anthony Hassan. "We are committed to filling gaps and meeting our clients where they are to help ensure that we continue to save lives, save families, and save futures."

CVN treats the entire military family including parents, siblings, spouses or partners, children, caregivers, and others. In fact, 48% of CVN clients are non-veteran military family members. Children make up 14% of this group. While 52% of all clients are veterans or service members. Among all clients, women represent 51% of the population. Among veteran clients, women make up 28% of the group. This percentage is more than two times the size of the female veteran population in the United States.

Care is available in-person or via CVN Telehealth, face-to-face video therapy, to reduce barriers to care. In fact, through the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly all care has been delivered via telehealth. In 2020, CVN hosted 65,000 telehealth sessions. While in 2021, to date, CVN has provided 20,046 telehealth sessions, making up 97% of all care.

Among clients surveyed, 96% would recommend CVN clinics to a veteran, family member, or friend. The impact of the organization can be felt directly from clients:

"I am very surprised at the progress that I have been making. I really thought that I was a hopeless case. I didn't realize how powerful behavior and thoughts were on mood. This clinic is a literal lifesaver for this combat vet."  Cohen Clinic Client

"The help I have received from the front desk, to my therapist, to the case manager has been amazing. I would recommend this clinic to any and all military families."  Cohen Clinic Client

"So far the experience has been seamless. I really LOVE the Telehealth option with two kids and a busy schedule. It's easy to log in anywhere to complete a visit."  Cohen Clinic Client

CVN provides military culturally competent care for a variety of mental health challenges including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, adjustment issues, anger, grief and loss, family issues, transition challenges, relationship problems, and children's behavioral problems.

Treatment is available to all post-9/11 veterans. This includes any person who has served in the U.S. Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserves, regardless of combat experience, role while in uniform or discharge status.

"Access to mental health care is among the top challenges facing the veteran community in treating the invisible wounds of war," said Jeremy Butler, CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. "CVN has been a trusted partner to IAVA as we work in tandem to meet the needs of veterans and eliminate obstacles that stand in the way of receiving care. We look forward to continuing our partnership to improve the lives of post-9/11 veterans."

The network additionally offers case management services to clients for assistance with challenges such as employment, benefits, housing, finances, and education. CVN also works hand in hand with a number of national and local community partner organizations to provide further essential support for veterans and military families.

"We know that the stressors of military life can contribute to adverse mental health outcomes. CVN is providing critical mental health care when and how military families need it the most," said Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO of Blue Star Families. "They have been an invaluable partner to Blue Star Families as we support one another's efforts in strengthening military families."

ABOUT COHEN VETERANS NETWORK

Cohen Veterans Network is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit, clinically integrated mental health system for post-9/11 veterans and military families. CVN focuses on improving mental health outcomes, operating a network of outpatient mental health clinics for veterans and military families in high-need communities, in which trained clinicians deliver holistic, evidence-based care to treat mental health conditions. Learn more about CVN here.

SOURCE Cohen Veterans Network
Australians vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine have a 50 per cent chance of developing mild side effects, and one in four will need to take time off work, study, or their daily responsibilities after getting their first dose.

The latest findings from the national immunisation surveillance system AusVaxSafety should reassure the public that short-lived, mostly mild symptoms such as fever, headache, chills and muscle aches are common and expected.

Dr Chris Lee vaccinates a Phase 1b patient at Lindfield Medical Practice on Monday. Credit:Edwina Pickles

Forewarned is forearmed, Associate Professor Nick Wood, associate director of clinical research and services at the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, said.

Since the national rollout began on February 22, AusVaxSafety has tracked the safety of the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines among Australias population using surveys of vaccinated people sent via text and email.
The number of visitors at Beijing's major tourist attractions during the Tomb-sweeping Day holiday bounced back to 98.7 percent of the 2019 level, city authorities said Monday.

The 182 major tourist spots in the Chinese capital received nearly 6.1 million visits during the three-day holiday that concluded on Monday, said the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism.

The total revenue of the tourist spots reached 290 million yuan (44 million U.S. dollars), up 8.7 percent from that in 2019 before the COVID-19 onslaught, according to the bureau.

Tomb-sweeping Day, also known as Qingming Festival, was observed on April 4 this year. It is a traditional Chinese holiday for people to pay tribute to deceased family members, worship ancestors and go on spring outings.

The holiday this year saw many Chinese revive their travel plans cancelled during the Spring Festival, which the government called for celebrating locally to minimize infection risks.
President Joe Biden pledged to back the more than $2 Trillion Infrastructure Bill despite the lack of bipartisan support. The Infrastructure Bill will be funded from the American tax, which will be increased once the bill has taken effect.

Republicans oppose the tax hikes with some Democrats also expressing their woes and uneasiness on their scope, according to a report from the New York Post. The $2.3 trillion budget for the infrastructure plan will be used to reinforce the fixing of roads and bridges, and as well as expanding broadband internet access in the United States. The budget will also back research and training, as well as high-quality housing for the Americans.

ALSO READ: President Joe Biden Will Back New COVID Relief Bill Focused on Recovery



Biden on Tax Hike

The said infrastructure bill will be funded by the tax hikes affecting people who are earning at least $400,000 annually. Income and investments will also be affected by the said tax hike. President Biden also acknowledged that the plan would raise taxes on individuals as well as married couples.

"I'm going to push hard as I can, to compete with the rest of the world," said Biden at the White House as he returned from his weekend Easter trip from Camp David. Biden also noted that other countries are investing a large amount of money in infrastructure and he only hopes to do it in America.

Also called the American Jobs Plan, the $2.3 trillion budget would invest in infrastructure over the next decade, according to a Centre Daily Times report. Meanwhile, the funding that will support the infrastructure bill was called by the White House as the Made in America corporate tax plan.

Apart from the individuals and married couples who will be affected by the tax hike, the corporate tax rate will also be affected. The corporate tax rate was lowered by the Trump administration in 2017 to 21 percent. President Biden's proposal will add 7 percent to the current corporate tax rate amounting to 28 percent.

The global minimum tax will also be affected. At present, the tax code currently grants U.S. multinational corporations with "profits and jobs overseas" a tax exemption on their first 10 percent of returns on foreign assets while the remaining percentage will have half the domestic rate. The president's plan will increase the minimum tax to 21 percent and will be calculated on a "country-by-country basis."

Tax Hike Opposition

Republicans in Congress have strongly opposed the tax increase, according to an India Times Post report. The GOP noted that the tax hike will weaken the economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Republicans have also defended the 2017 tax law arguing that the said law has reformed an archaic international tax system that placed American companies as the prime targets for takeovers and inversions, according to an Al Jazeera report.

Meanwhile, centrist Senator Joe Manchin noted that he does not support Biden's infrastructure plan arguing that the corporate tax rate should not exceed 25 percent.

If Biden's infrastructure bill passed, the tax plan or hike will be able to pay more than the $2 trillion budget for the American Jobs Plan within 15 years.

READ MORE: Biden Speech Keynotes: COVID Relief Bill, Post-Pandemic View

WATCH: Biden Unveils $2 Trillion Infrastructure Plan That Would Involve Tax Hike - from TODAY




The governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, declared a state of emergency on Saturday after a significant leak at a large pond at the old Piney Point phosphate mine threatened to burst a system that stores water polluted with radioactive materials.

Officials ordered more than 300 homes evacuated and closed off a highway near the large reservoir in the Tampa Bay area north of Bradenton.

Residents who live around the Piney Point reservoir received an alert via text saying to leave the area immediately because the collapse was imminent. Authorities expanded the evacuation area later Saturday to include more homes, but said they were not planning to open shelters.

The state department of environmental protection said a break was detected on Friday in one wall of a 77-acre pond that has a depth of 25ft and holds millions of gallons of water containing phosphorus and nitrogen from the old phosphate plant.

Officials brought in rocks and materials to plug the hole but were unsuccessful.
In Focus Records/Cherry Red RecordsVeteran Dutch prog-rock band Focus will release a new multi-disc audio and video collection titled Focus 50 -- Live in Rio on April 30.

The four-disc set features audio of a full concert that the group played in Rio de Janiero, Brazil, in 2017 spread across two CDs, a video of the Rio perfomance on a Blu-ray, and a bonus studio CD dubbed Completely Focussed.

The show features Focus' current lineup playing songs that span the band's half-century career, including the group's classic hit "Hocus Pocus," which reached #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972.

Completely Focussed features new versions of 12 numbered self-titled songs -- "Focus 1" to "Focus 12" -- that the band has recorded throughout its career. The album was recorded by the current lineup during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Focus 50 -- Live in Rio, which can be pre-ordered now at CherryRed.co.uk, comes packaged with a booklet featuring notes penned by the band's members and associates, photos from the Rio concert, and pics of the band on tour and in the studio.

The release of Focus 50 marks the start of the band's 50th anniversary celebrations, which were put on hold last year because of the pandemic. Focus also plans to release a new studio album in 2022.

Here's the track lists of the Focus 50 -- Live in Rio CDs:

Live in Rio:

Disc One

"Focus 1"

"House of the King"

"Eruption"

"Sylvia"

"Song for Eva"

"All Hens on Deck"

Disc Two

"Le Tango"

"P's March"

"Focus 5"

"Harem Scarem"

"Hocus Pocus"

"Focus 3"

Completely Focussed:

"Focus 1"

"Focus 2"

"Focus 3"

"Focus 4"

"Focus 5"

"Focus 6"

"Focus 7"

"Focus 8"

"Focus 9"

"Focus 10"

"Focus 11"

"Focus 12"

By Matt Friedlander

Copyright  2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Eskom has warned that South Africa can be plunged into total darkness if Oracle is not stopped from withdrawing its services because of a payment dispute.

Oracle provides a range of technical services to Eskom which the power utility said is crucial to its operations.

Oracle claims it has been underpaid by R7.3 billion, but later reduced the amount owed by Eskom to R400 million. Eskom, however, only offered to pay R166 million.

Oracle subsequently threatened to discontinue its services because of non-payment from Eskom.

Eskom launched a Johannesburg High Court application to force Oracle to continue providing it with services despite the payment dispute.

As part of this application, Eskom said if Oracle withdrew its services it would have catastrophic consequences on the company.

Eskom argued it would prevent them from operating normally and can affect its ability to supply electricity to South Africa.

The power utility ramped up the fearmongering, warning that South Africa can be dumped into darkness if Oracle gets its way.

The Johannesburg High Court dismissed Eskoms application, and the power utility has now changed its tune.

In a press statement today, Eskom said it has put contingency measures in place to reduce its risk and reliance on Oracle.

Eskom has assessed the risks in the event of Oracle withdrawing technical services support. Eskom has interim risk mitigating processes in place to reduce the risk of its operations being disrupted, it said.

The company said it finds it regrettable the manner in which Oracle has handled the matter.

Eskom added that it will pursue all legal avenues and will not be bullied into paying any monies outside of the legal processes.

Eskom intends to appeal the Johannesburg High Court ruling.

Eskom statement
English Finnish

Incap Corporation Stock Exchange Release 6 April 2021 at 7.45 p.m. (EEST)

INCAPS NOTICE TO CONVENE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Notice is given to the shareholders of Incap Corporation to the Annual General Meeting to be held on Tuesday, 27 April 2021 at 3.00 p.m. (EEST) at Incap Corporation, Bulevardi 21, 00180 Helsinki. Shareholders of the company may participate in the meeting and exercise shareholder rights only through voting in advance as well as by making counterproposals and presenting questions in advance. Instructions for shareholders are presented in this notice under section C. "Instructions for the participants in the Annual General Meeting".

Based on the Finnish temporary legislative act, which entered into force on October 3 2020, the Board of Directors of the Company has decided that the Annual General Meeting will be held under exceptional meeting procedures in order to limit the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure the health and safety of the shareholders, the personnel of the Company and other shareholders.

A. Matters on the agenda of the Annual General Meeting

1. Opening of the meeting

2. Calling the meeting to order

The Chairman is Kimmo Reina, a lawyer. In case Kimmo Reina would not be able to act as the Chairman of the Annual General Meeting for a weighty reason, the Board of Directors will name another person it deems most suitable to act as the Chairman.

3. Election of persons to scrutinise the minutes and to supervise the counting of votes

The person to scrutinize the minutes and to verify the counting of votes will be Antti Pynnonen, the CFO. In case Antti Pynnonen would not be able to act as the person to scrutinize the minutes and to verify the counting of votes for a weighty reason, the Board of Directors will name another person it deems most suitable to act in that role.

4. Recording the legality of the meeting

5. Recording the attendance at the meeting and adoption of the list of votes

The shareholders who have voted in advance within the advance voting period and who have the right to participate in the meeting pursuant to Chapter 5 Sections 6 and 6a of the Finnish Companies Act will be recorded to have been represented at the meeting. The list of votes will be adopted according to the information provided by Euroclear Finland Ltd.

6. Presentation of the Annual Accounts, the Report of the Board of Directors and the Auditor's Report for the year 2020



As the Annual General Meeting can only be attended in advance, the Annual Report published by the company on April 1 2021, which includes the company's Annual Accounts, Consolidated Annual Accounts and the Report of the Board of Directors and the Auditor's Report, is available on the Company's website https://incapcorp.com/ annual-general-meeting shall be deemed to have been submitted to the Annual General Meeting.



7. Adoption of the Annual Accounts



The Board of Directors proposes that the Annual General Meeting approve the Annual Accounts and the Consolidated Annual Accounts. On March 25, 2021, the Company's Auditor issued a standard Auditor's Report.

8. Resolution on the use of the profit shown on the balance sheet and the payment of dividends



The Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting that no dividend will be paid from the profits of the financial year 2020 and that the profit for the financial period be recognised in equity.

9. Resolution on the discharge of the members of the Board of Directors and the President and CEO from liability

10. Handling of the Remuneration Report for Governing Bodies



As participation in the Annual General Meeting is possible only in advance, the Remuneration Report 2020, which was published in connection with the Annual Report on April 1, 2021 is deemed to have been presented to the Annual General Meeting. The Report is available on the Company's website https://incapcorp.com/ annual-general-meeting . The resolution concerning the adoption of the Remuneration Report is advisory.



11. Resolution on the remuneration of the members of the Board of Directors



Shareholders who represent more than 30 per cent of the shares and votes propose to the Annual General Meeting that the annual fee to be paid for the Chairman of the Board is EUR 48,000 and for the Board members EUR 24,000 and it shall be paid in month-by-month. There shall be no separate fee for each meeting. Eventual travel expenses shall be compensated according to the travel regulations of the company.

12. Resolution on the number of members of the Board of Directors



Shareholders who represent more than 30 per cent of the shares and votes propose to the Annual General Meeting that the number of members of the Board of Directors shall be four (4).

13. Election of members of the Board of Directors



Shareholders who represent more than 30 per cent of the shares and votes propose to the Annual General Meeting that the present members of the Board Carl-Gustaf von Troil, Paivi Jokinen, Ville Vuori and Kaisa Kokkonen are elected as members of the Board of Directors.

All of the proposed members are independent of the Companys major shareholders. Ville Vuori, Carl-Gustaf von Troil, Paivi Jokinen and Kaisa Kokkonen are also independent of the Company. All persons have given their consent to the election.

Information regarding the Board members is available on the Companys website https://incapcorp.com/board-of-directors /.

14. Resolution on the remuneration of the Auditor



The Board of Directors proposes that the Auditor is paid against a reasonable invoice.

15. Election of Auditor



The Board of Directors proposes that the firm of independent accountants Ernst & Young Oy be re-elected as the Company's Auditor. The auditing firm has informed that Bengt Nyholm, Authorised Public Accountant, would continue as the principal auditor. The auditor will be elected for a period ending in the first Annual General Meeting following the Annual General Meeting, in which it was elected.

16. Authorising the Board of Directors to decide on the issuance of shares as well as the issuance of other special rights entitling to shares



The Board of Directors proposes that the Annual General Meeting will authorise the Board of Directors to decide to issue new shares either against payment or without payment. The authorisation would be given to a maximum quantity of 584,932 new shares which represent approximately 10 per cent of the current number of shares.

The new shares may be issued to the Company's shareholders in proportion to their current shareholdings in the Company or deviating from the shareholders' pre-emptive right through one or more directed share issue, if the Company has a weighty financial reason to do so, such as developing the Company's equity structure, implementing mergers and acquisitions or other restructuring measures aimed at developing the Company's business, financing of investments and operations or using the shares as a part of the Company's remuneration and compensation system. The Board of Directors would decide upon terms and scope related to share issues.

Based on the authorisation, the Board of Directors can pursuant to chapter 10, section 1, of the Companies Act also decide on issuing other special rights, either against payment or without payment, entitling to new shares of the Company.

The subscription price of the new shares can be recorded partly or fully to the invested unrestricted equity reserves or to equity according to the decision of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is further entitled to decide on conditions regarding the issuance of shares as well as the issuance of other special rights entitling to shares.

The proposed authorisation would be valid for one year from the Annual General Meeting.

17. Closing of the meeting

B. Documents of the Annual General Meeting

The above-mentioned proposals relating to the agenda of the Annual General Meeting as well as this notice are available on Incap Corporation's website at https://incapcorp.com/annual-general-meeting/ . The Annual Report of Incap Corporation, including the Company's Annual Accounts, the Report of the Board of Directors and the Auditor's Report, is available on the above-mentioned website by 6 April, 2021.

The minutes of the meeting will be available on the above-mentioned website as from 11 May, 2021.

C. Instructions for the participants in the Annual General Meeting

To prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Annual General Meeting will be organised so that the shareholders and their proxies will not be present at the meeting venue. Shareholders and their proxies will also not be able to participate in the Annual General Meeting through real-time telecommunications. Shareholders and their proxies can participate in the Annual General Meeting and use their shareholder rights only by voting in advance and by submitting counterproposals and asking questions in advance in the manner instructed below.

1. Shareholders registered in the shareholders' register

Each shareholder who is registered on the record date of the Annual General Meeting, April 15, 2021, in the shareholders' register of the Company kept by Euroclear Finland Ltd is entitled to participate in the Annual General Meeting. A shareholder, whose shares are registered on his/her Finnish book-entry account, is registered in the Register of Shareholders of the Company. Shareholders cannot participate in the Annual General Meeting by any other means than voting in advance, as well as by submitting counterproposals and asking questions in advance in the manner instructed below.

2. Registration and advance voting

Registration for the Annual General Meeting and advance voting will begin on 14 April, 2021 at 10.00 a.m.(EEST) following the deadline for submitting counterproposals. A shareholder with a Finnish book-entry account, who wishes to participate in the Annual General Meeting, must register for the Annual General Meeting and vote in advance no later than 22 April, 2021 at 4.00 p.m. (EEST) by which time the registration and votes need to have been received.

When registering, requested information such as the name, personal identification number/business ID, address and telephone number of the shareholder. The personal data given by the shareholder to Incap Corporation and Euroclear Finland Ltd. will be used only in connection with the Annual General Meeting and with the processing of related registrations.

Shareholders with a Finnish book-entry account may register and vote in advance for certain items on the agenda of the Annual General Meeting between 14 April, 2021 at 10.00 a.m. (EEST) and 22 April, 2021 at 4.00 p.m. (EEST) in the following ways:

a) through the Companys website https://incapcorp.com/annual-general-meeting/

Electronic advance voting requires the shareholder's personal or business ID and, in the case of institutional shareholders, the value of the cooperative account number. When a personal owner logs in to Euroclear Finland Oy's service through the Company's website, he/she is directed to strong electronic identification. Strong electronic identification works with bank IDs or mobile certificates. For community owners, strong electronic identification is not required. However, the entity owner must disclose the value of its unit account number as well as other required information.



b) by mail or by email

A shareholder may submit the advance voting form or similar information available on the Company's website to Euroclear Finland Oy by post to Euroclear Finland Oy, Annual General Meeting, PO Box 1110, FI-00101 Helsinki or by e-mail to yhtiokokous@euroclear.eu . If a shareholder participates in the Annual General Meeting by submitting advance votes to Euroclear Finland Oy by post or email, submitting votes before the end of registration and advance voting is considered registration to the Annual General Meeting, provided the above information required for registration is submitted at the same time.

Voting instructions are available on the Companys website at https://incapcorp.com/annual-general-meeting/ .

3. Holders of nominee registered shares



A holder of nominee registered shares has the right to participate in the Annual General Meeting by virtue of such shares, based on which he/she on the record date 15 April, 2021 of the Annual General Meeting would be entitled to be registered in the shareholders' register of the company held by Euroclear Finland Ltd. The right to participate in the Annual General Meeting requires, in addition, that the shareholder on the basis of such shares has been registered into the temporary shareholders' register held by Euroclear Finland Ltd. by 22 April, 2021 by 10.00 a.m. (EEST) at the latest. As regards nominee registered shares this constitutes due registration for the Annual General Meeting.

Changes in shareholding after the record date do not affect the right to participate in the meeting or the number of voting rights held in the meeting. A holder of nominee registered shares is advised to request without delay necessary instructions regarding the registration in the temporary shareholders register of the Company, the issuing of proxy documents and registration for the Annual General Meeting from his/her custodian bank.

The account management organization of the custodian bank has to register a holder of nominee registered shares, who wants to participate in the Annual General Meeting, into the temporary shareholders register of the Company at the latest by the time stated above.

Further information on these matters can also be found on the Companys website www.incapcorp.com .

4. Proxy representative and powers of attorney



A shareholder may participate in the Annual General Meeting and exercise his/her rights at the meeting by way of proxy representation. A proxy authorized by a shareholder may also participate in the Annual General Meeting only by voting on behalf of the shareholder in advance as described in this invitation.

The shareholder's representative must present a dated power of attorney, or he/she must otherwise prove in a reliable manner that he/she is entitled to represent the shareholder. If a shareholder participates in the Annual General Meeting through several proxies who represent the shareholder with shares in cooperative accounts of different values, the shares on the basis of which each proxy represents the shareholder must be stated in connection with the registration.

The template for the proxy and voting instructions will be available on the Company's website at https://incapcorp.com/annual-general-meeting/ no later than 14 April, 2021after the deadline for submission of counterproposals for voting has expired. Any proxies are requested to be submitted by post to Euroclear Finland Oy, Annual General Meeting, PO Box 1110, 00101 Helsinki or by email to yhtiokokous@euroclear.eu before the end of the registration period, by which time the proxies must be received.

Submission of a power of attorney and voting instructions to the Company before the end of the registration period is considered to be registration for the Annual General Meeting, if it appears in section C.2 above the information required for registration.

5. Other instructions and information

Shareholders holding at least one hundredth of all the company's shares have the right to make a counterproposal to the voting proposals on the agenda of the Annual General Meeting. Such counterproposals must be submitted to the Company by email to communications@incapcorp.com no later than 13 April, 2021 at 3.00 p.m. (EEST). Shareholders who make a counterproposal must submit a statement of their ownership in connection with the submission of the counterproposal. The counterproposal will be considered at the Annual General Meeting on the condition that the shareholder has the right to participate in the Annual General Meeting and that the shareholder owns at least one hundredth of all shares on the record date of the Annual General Meeting. If the counterproposal is not considered at the Annual General Meeting, the votes cast in favor of the counterproposal shall be disregarded. The Company will publish any counterproposals to be put to the vote on the Company's website https://incapcorp.com/annual-general-meeting/ no later than 14 April, 2021.

A shareholder may submit questions referred to in Chapter 5, Section 25 of the Companies Act on matters to be discussed at the meeting until 15 April, 2021 at 3.00 p.m. (EEST) by e-mail to address communications@incapcorp.com . Such questions from shareholders, the answers of the Company's management to them and any non-voting counterproposals will be available on the Company's website at https://incapcorp.com/annual-general-meeting/ no later than 18 April, 2021. The precondition for making questions and counterproposals is that the shareholder submits a sufficient statement of his/ her shareholding.



On the date of this notice to the Annual General Meeting, the total number of shares and votes in Incap Corporation is 5,849,327.

In Helsinki, 6 April 2021

INCAP OYJ

Board of Directors

Further information:

Otto Pukk, President and CEO, +372 508 0798

Antti Pynnonen, CFO, +358 40 187 3494

DISTRIBUTION

Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd.

Principal media

www.incapcorp.com

INCAP IN BRIEF

Incap Corporation is a trusted partner and full service provider in Electronics Manufacturing Services. As a global EMS company Incap supports customers ranging from large multinationals and mid-sized companies to small start-ups in their complete manufacturing value chain. Incap offers state-of-the-art technology backed up by an entrepreneurial culture and highly qualified personnel. The company has operations in Finland, Estonia, India, the UK, Slovakia and Hong Kong and employs approximately 1,900 people. Incaps share has been listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd stock exchange since 1997.
A MOTHER-of-three is flying to Mexico this week after an outpouring of public generosity raised the funds needed for what may be her only chance of survival in her fourth cancer battle.

Carol Brennan (49) refused to give up when advised to get her 'affairs into order' after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of pancreatic cancer in recent weeks.

Now, she will leave on Thursday to fly to Mexico where she has been accepted for specialised treatment.

In just three weeks, people donated almost 65,000 of the total cost of 130,000 needed for the treatment.

The Finglas resident does not have time on her side and the funding boost allows her to access the first round of treatments while fundraising continues.

Read More

She will spend over four weeks in Mexico for the first sessions of the chemotherapy.

Carol says she just wants to spend whatever quality time she has left with her three sons Ryan (24), Connor (17) and Sam (15) and family instead of spending it being desperately sick because of side effects from intensive chemotherapy.

"I was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was 30 but after a battle with treatment, I went into remission for about six years," she said.

"Then a scan detected a cyst in my pancreas which medics were suspicious of and decided to remove," she said.

"However, I was left on a seven-month waiting list so when it was removed, it had changed and a biopsy concluded it was cancerous.

"I have been going for six-month scans since and everything showed up fine until a few weeks ago when one check showed up cancerous nodes around the pancreas and stomach area and some cancerous tissue speckled on my lungs.

"I was told I should get my affairs in order.

"I was asked if I wanted to know how long they thought I had left, but I didn't. I don't want to know.

"As long as I am well enough and I'm able to walk around, I will fight this.

"I was told that here (in Ireland), chemotherapy was my only option. I've had one session so far and I've been sick for 11 days.

"I started researching options and came across the Berkeley Institute International which has started a trial SEF - side-effect free - chemotherapy and luckily, I've been accepted in Mexico.

"However, time is of the essence and they need me there as soon as possible," she added.

"Thanks to wonderful people out there, I've managed to raise half of the money already so I can afford the first round of treatments.

"My family will continue to fundraise for the remaining costs.

"For me, it's the only option. It gives me some hope -quite possibly my only hope.

"Even if it only gives me a few years, it would be a few years' quality time with my sons Ryan, Connor and Sam.

"At the minute, my reaction to the intensive treatment in Ireland means whatever time I have left, I'll be here lying on the floor and feeling really sick and what good is that for everyone.

"I'd rather spend quality time with my loved ones than dying time with them."
Outbreak, Interrupted: Why Testing Is Important for K-12 Schools

Combined with other public health interventions, COVID tests can help keep K-12 schools safe for everyone.

Interview by Melissa Hartman | APRIL 1, 2021

In March, the Biden administration announced that it would direct $10 billion from the American Rescue Plan to expand testing in schools.

What might this expanded testing entail? How does school testing actually work? In this Q&A, Gigi Gronvall, PhD, an associate professor in Environmental Health and Engineering and a senior scholar at the Center for Health Security, explains how testing programs might be scaled up, why theyre an important part of a COVID-prevention strategy, and how they might help prevent other diseases in the future.

When the Center for Health Security report came out in October with recommendations for testing in schools, there were still a lot of unknowns about kids and COVID and transmission. Do we know more now?

I would say noat least nothing that makes a practical difference. From the numbers, schools dont appear to be focal points for transmission. Kids have similar viral loads as adults, but most of the benefit is that they dont seem to have this severe illness, or anywhere near as severe as adults. It seems that transmission in schools is lower than community transmission, but is that because of the mitigation measures? Is that because the kids are generally more compliant with masks than maybe adults are? Thats unclear.

Have you seen new options for testing that might make more frequent testing in schools a realistic option now?

We recently had a webinar on school testing with a testing company called Gingko. It was interesting how Gingko expanded their capacity for testing by finding local laboratories to work with, so theyre not trying to ship all the samples back to Boston [where their labs are headquartered]. The samples are collected once a week and go to a local lab, which gives more timely information than if they were being shipped. Students do the swabs themselves, and then they put their samples in a pooled test.

This way they could collect samples by classroom, quickly get through the school, test lots of samples, and quickly get results. I dont think all the testing companies have the same methodology. The perfect situation would be to have testing all the time, but you cant have that practically. You cant have that financially so everything is going to be some step away from that ideal state of having perfect information all the time. Well have to see what the other testing companies are doing, but probably once a week is what most companies are doing if theyre doing testing. Its what universities are doing if theyre having testing.

You mentioned pooled tests. So, basically, a pooled test will tell us if theres virus transmitting in a population, in this case a classroom. So what if its found in pooled testing? What happens after that?

Some sites will then quarantine the whole class and recommend that some individuals get tested. Others will have the rapid test right there to identify which person is infectious. There are a lot of different ways that you could go about that next step, but its not practical to test everybody every day. Doing pool testing once a week is how you get the cost to under $10 a student. I think Gingko said its something like $6 a student for their methodology. Otherwise, it would just be much more cost-prohibitive.

In a lot of places, like here in Maryland, educators and school staff are a priority group and a lot are being vaccinated. So lets assume that in a school, most of the adults have been vaccinated. Would they still need to participate in testing?

Its still a recommendation on the CDC website. Say I am vaccinated and I get exposed to somebody who has COVID and get it myself. My immune system is working on fighting that virus, and I dont even know Im sick. But maybe Im producing a little bit of virus. If I had the potential for exposure, I should think twice about going to a nursing home, for example, where there might be some unvaccinated people, just to be on the safe side.

I think there are other factors involved in doing pool testing as a class, and the teacher modeling behavior might be just as valuable as that $6 spent on a test. It might not be absolutely necessary but I could see a teacher saying, Now its time that we all do this, and apparently different classes have come up with songs and things like to go along with the testing and how long they do the swabbing.

I think a lot of people see vaccines rolling out and think, Okay, thats going to get us to the next level of ending the pandemic. Why would testing in schools still be important?

Not everybody has been vaccinated. We still have quite a lot of people who are transmitting virus. There are lot of people with COVID, and theres a lot of exposure happening. Were not going to get to the point where it becomes a rarity for a while.

I dont know what the future of testing in schools is going to be, but I would like to see this expanded to prevent a disease that does affect kids much more: I would love to see flu be something kids are tested for in the future. If the systems are put into place [for COVID], we could use them to try to limit the spread of flu and other diseases in schools. Flu does kill kids at a much higher percentage and causes a lot of serious illness and kills adults, too. And there is a lot of transmission that goes on in schools.

I am hoping that people see the value in this and that we can take a little bit more aggressive action when it comes to reducing illness overall.

The funding from this COVID relief package is a good chunk of money, but money isnt everything. What do you see as the main barriers to having effective testing programs widely in schools?

Because everything is so decentralized, making changes relies upon individual leaders at local levels taking action. Thats part of the reason that on our Testing Toolkit website, we list several different testing services. We have a curated list where people could say, Okay, I need a testing service for K through 12. So the test needs to work in children and it needs to have results in this amount of time and this amount of capacity. This website gives them a place to start if theyre not partnering with a local university or lab to do some of this work.

How fast do the results have to be to make sense for schools?

Everything is some step away from the ideal. The ideal would be that you test and right away get the result. But there is a problem with scaling that, and there is a problem with cost. Perhaps a rapid antigen test would be useful in some places, but a scaled way to use PCR to get results in less than 24 hours is pretty good. You just dont want to get to the point where youre waiting days, because then by the time you find things out, everybodys been exposedand then you have a much bigger problem.

Is there anything about testing that you think people might not know or maybe misunderstand?

The whole idea of testing can be pretty confusing. There are lots of different tests; they have different parameters and give different kinds of results. One thing people should know is that if youre vaccinated and you test positive, you probably have COVID. The vaccines prevent serious illness, not infection. Nothing in the test is going to pick up the vaccine; its only going to pick up a natural infection. I heard a reporter who said that they were hearing people say, Well, I tested positive, but Im sure its a false positive because Im not feeling sick. Thats just not how this works. You can be asymptomatic and still be infected. Kids can be transmitting when they show no illness at all. In fact most of them wont show symptoms.

If kids can transmit to their parents, for example, it seems like testing is a good measure to protect the whole community. I mean, if its determined that virus is transmitting in a kids class, there are implications for the kids families and their contacts, too.

Exactly. Because not everybody is going to have been vaccinated, its still important to do the testing. And thats not the only thing. All of the things were doingbetween masking, air ventilation, testing, social distancingare important, so you cant hold testing out as being the only thing we need to be doing. But its still important, and I think it is going to be important for some time to come.

Melissa Hartman is managing editor of Hopkins Bloomberg Public Health magazine.
Britons in Europe are being denied access to bank accounts, jobs, healthcare and university places due to post-Brexit red tape - even though access to those services is guaranteed under the withdrawal agreement.

Those living in Spain, Italy and France say they have been hit by new rules which are poorly understood by local officials who are now demanding they produce documents which are difficult or impossible for them to obtain.

One expat living in Spain who spoke to MailOnline said people applying for new TIE residency cards are having to wait seven months to get one. While stuck in the queue, they are told the application forms can be used in place of the card itself.

But in one case, a bank refused to let a newly-arrived Briton open an account using the application form - meaning he was unable to get a phone contract or rent a property.

British expats living in Spain, Italy and France say they have been denied access to basic services including healthcare, bank accounts and jobs because of post-Brexit red tape (file)

The delay lasted for around a month before he was able to open an account with a different bank.

The source added that many Britons are also experiencing problems at the UK border while trying to depart for Spain because British guards do not recognise the new residency applications and are refusing to accept them as proof.

Last week, a group of Spanish officials in Alicante airport turned 40 British expats around and sent them home because of the same issue.

The Britons had boarded a flight in Manchester - which is permitted under Covid rules which allow people to travel to their country of residence - on March 29 expecting to be allowed to enter Spain using their application papers.

But upon arrival, officials at the Spanish border told them the applications did not count and sent them home on the same plane they had arrived on.

Passengers said 'obstructive' border guards flanked by armed police had insisted that only the card itself was valid for entry.

Stuart Miller, a 47-year-old offshore worker from Manchester, told Olive Press that the situation was 'absolutely diabolical' and asked: 'What more proof do you need of residency?'

Briton Stuart Miller (pictured) was denied entry in to Alicante last week because border officials did not recognise his documents - even though they were legitimate

The stranded passengers also included a woman who had travelled to Spain to see her sick father who was alone in hospital.

To rub salt in the wound, the passengers were also informed that their hold luggage would not be sent back to Manchester until Good Friday, April 2.

Miller said: 'There was no advice, no help and - to be fair - no good reason for us being turned back at Alicante.'

A UK Government spokesperson said: 'The rights of UK nationals to continue living, working and studying in their EU Member State are protected by law. Anyone legally resident before 1 January 2021 can stay but should register their residence.

'The UK Government has been running a public information campaign across Europe to inform UK nationals about the actions they may need to take to secure their rights and access to services.

'This includes outreach events, adverts on social media and in newspapers, and support through our network of Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates.'

The government has posted a series of guides online instructing people how to apply for residency in the country where they are staying.

Another Briton who owns a villa in Alicante has revealed how her post-Brexit dreams have been dashed by chaotic travel restrictions during the pandemic.

Marilyn Smyth, from Epping Forest, had hoped to start spending around half of the year in the villa she bought with her husband on the Costa Blanca town of Benitachell.

The dispute resolution consultant said that she hoped Spain and Britain would have negotiated travel arrangements for their citizens living abroad, but that visits are now only permitted for up to 90 days in every 180 day period.

'I didn't want Brexit particularly but I didn't get very distressed about it at all,' Ms Smyth told The Mirror. 'But as time's gone on, I'm feeling more and more alarmed because I don't think enough has been done to ensure that people who have property abroad have been considered.'

She and her husband had hoped to stay in their stunning three-bedroom villa from November to February each year while renting it out to guests in the summer months.

'I didn't ever do it to get rich, I did it because I genuinely want people to have a good time. It has been truly fabulous and we really, really care about our guests,' she told The Mirror.

'Brexit has been a big enough pain - we worried about whether we'd be able to get in - how we'd be able to move around the airport.'

The upkeep of the villa costs around 11,000 per year, including taxes, and she charges around 150 for six guests in the high season, and even gives them use of a car.

Marilyn Smyth (pictured at her villa), from Epping Forest, had hoped to start spending around half of the year in the villa she bought with her husband on the Costa Blanca town of Benitachell

Ms Smyth, who speaks fluent Spanish, says she has always felt welcome in Spain but worries that unless the rules are changed soon her dream retirement will be ruined.

A similar situation is also playing out in Portugal, a source there told MailOnline, with those arriving in 2020 allowed to apply for residence permits as if they still held an EU passport under the terms of the withdrawal agreement - but authorities have yet to send the documents out.

While a logjam of application post-Brexit is partly to blame, the source added that Covid-19 has also dragged the process out.

In Italy, retired British QC Jeremy Morgan explained how expats there are sometimes being asked to provide a document commonly issued to third-country migrants to access basic services - but cannot get hold of the document because, under the terms of the withdrawal agreement, they do not qualify.

As a result, they have been unable to renew their national health cards, turned down for car or house purchases, and in one case nearly missed out on a job.

Mr Morgan, who is a member of the group British in Italy, told The Times: 'A British man in Puglia was told by an employer that his contract could not be renewed because the labour ministry's computer would not accept his application without a document number.'

The issue has now been resolved, he said - adding that Italian authorities are generally willing to help fix problems but the process is often 'slow going'.

Delays with European countries issuing residency permits have left many in legal limbo, while legitimate documents are also rejected because local officials don't recognise them (file)

And in France, Britons have been denied access to healthcare, universities, and jobs because of bureaucratic issues, according to Brian Jones who is the administrator of citizens' rights group Brexpats - Hear Our Voice.

Mr Jones said some Britons have been told that they will not get a Covid vaccination until they have been granted resident status, while others have been rejected for university places because they do not have permits to attend.

He warned Britons who are wary of applying for the residence permit that they will fall into a legal void come the autumn if their application has not been granted.

Clarissa Killwick, of the same campaign group, said the combination of a short post-Brexit transition period coupled with the Covid pandemic has led to 'all manner of bureaucratic procedures being hampered right across the board.'

She added: 'There was little time to adapt, train staff or pilot anything new. Covid-19 restrictions have meant closures and restricted access to administrative offices, and we certainly have some vulnerable members who are unwilling to leave their homes.

'Yes, each member state has implementation obligations under the Withdrawal Agreement but this has come at a time of unprecedented difficulty.

'The current problems should not be permitted to mask the fact that our rights are diminished under the Withdrawal Agreement and the UK government did not deliver on its repeated promise that we could carry on our lives as before.'

Britain officially left the EU on January 31, 2020, with a transition process lasting until December 31 - after which the terms of the withdrawal agreement kicked in.

Under the agreement, Britons who are not resident in an EU country or hold an EU passport had until March 31 to apply for residency - or else face being kicked out of the country where they are staying.

From April 1, those without residency are only allowed to remain in the country for 90 days out of every 180, and must return home in the interim.

A sudden rush for residency papers amid the Covid pandemic has left many countries unable to issue the documents fast enough, with those waiting for the papers stuck in a legal limbo.

Meanwhile sudden changes to the rules has wrong-footed many officials, who have ended up unfairly rejecting papers that should be valid because they simply do not recognise them.

Daniel Trigg, President of Lanzarote Business Association which looks after expats living on the Spanish island, told MailOnline that the reason for the chaos had a lot to do with unpreparedness and a lack of understanding of the incoming rules.

Mr Trigg said: 'It's impossible that you could have informed people of everything that was going to happen post-Brexit.

'But I don't think that people are aware - and I don't think that the government were aware - of the number of micro-changes that Brexit entails.'

Mr Trigg, who has lived in Spain since he was a child, described how there were hundreds of rights which had been granted to British expats over the years through membership of the European Union and Schengen.

'If you look at before, moving from London to Lanzarote was like moving from London to Manchester,' he added.

Mr Trigg said that since January 1, anyone moving to Spain had to expect that they would meet restrictions similar to those they would find if they chose to move to any other type of 'third country' - i.e. one that is not in the EU.

Freedoms already granted to expats like Mr Trigg are guaranteed under the withdrawal agreement.

He believes it is unlikely that Britain will work unilaterally with Spain to reach an agreement and that it was more likely that London would try to find a solution with Brussels for all 27 member states.

'I can't really see them doing a deal specifically with Spain,' Mr Trigg said. 'So you're thinking that if an agreement happens, it will be on an EU-wide basis.'
Chennai, April 6 : Over 39 per cent of the 6.28 crore voters have cast their votes across the 234 constituencies in Tamil Nadu where Assembly elections are underway.

According to the Election Commission of India, 39.61 per cent of votes have been polled in the state till 1 p.m.

Polling began at 7 a.m. and would end at 7 p.m.

A total of 3,998 candidates are in the fray, seeking the 6.28 crore voters' favour to enter the Tamil Nadu Assembly.

With 77 contestants, the Karur Assembly seat sees the highest number of Assembly aspirants.

Leaders of various political parties, several movie actors and general public were seen voting early.

Chief Minister K.Palaniswami, Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, DMK President M.K. Stalin, PMK Founder S.Ramadoss, Congress leader P. Chidambaram, DMDK Treasurer Premalatha Vijayakant, NTK leader Seeman, MNM leader Kamal Haasan, AMMK leader T.T.V.Dhinakaran and others cast their votes.

Similarly, the Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo, who is managing the poll show in the state, too cast his vote.

From the movies field, Rajinikanth, star couple Ajit Kumar and Shalini, Vijay, Surya, Karthi, Sivakumar have cast their votes.

Ajit Kumar and Shalini had reached their polling booth about 20 minutes before the start of polling to vote early in order to avoid the fan crowd.

He, in fact, never fails to vote in any election. In the past polls too, he was seen standing in the queue to cast his vote.

On his part Vijay pedalled his way from his residence to the polling booth with a large number of people following him on their two wheelers.

After voting he went back home on a two wheeler.

Speaking to reporters after voting, Stalin said, "people were casting their votes enthusiastically and the May 2 result will be great".

A total of 88,937 polling booths are there in the state and over 1,59,165 electronic voting machines have been deployed.

About 1.58 lakh security personnel have been deployed to prevent any untoward incident.

Similarly, voting is underway at the lone Kanyakumari Lok Sabha seat where bypoll is being held simultaneously.

Meanwhile Puducherry recorded 54.30 per cent at 1.30 p.m.

The Puducherry Union Territory has just over 10 lakh voters and the fight for the 30-member Assembly is majorly between the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) consisting of Congress (contesting in 14 seats), DMK (13), CPI, VCK (one seat each) and an Independent.

The rival National Democratic Alliance (NDA) comprises of All India N.R. Congress (16 seats), BJP (9) and AIADMK (5).

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
While the U.S. has begun to vaccinate millions of Americans each day, COVID-19 vaccine supplies around the world remain scarce. Experts estimate that 80 percent of people in low-resource countries will not receive a vaccine in 2021. At the time of the paper's writing, the global vaccination rate was 6.7 million doses per day -- a rate at which it would take 4.6 years to achieve global herd immunity.

In a new Perspective piece in the New England Journal of Medicine, Katz and colleagues highlight the need to treat essential medical services as public goods, rather than market commodities. To truly protect U.S. residents and their neighbors, they urge the federal government to reinforce global vaccine distribution efforts.

"The early competitive procurement of vaccines by the United States and purchases by other high-resource countries have fed a widespread assumption that each country will be solely responsible for its own population," the authors write. "Such vaccine nationalism perpetuates the long history of powerful countries securing vaccines and therapeutics at the expense of less-wealthy countries; it is short-sighted, ineffective, and deadly."

Through the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) program, the U.S. and the G7 nations have committed to vaccinating at least 20 percent of the populations of participating low- and middle-income countries by the end of 2021. But this falls far below the broader goal of achieving herd immunity by vaccinating at least 70 to 85 percent of the population and substantially increases the likelihood that new viral variants will emerge.

Drawing upon lessons learned from the HIV pandemic, when most low-resource countries could not access lifesaving therapies, the authors argue that the government should invest in what some experts are calling the President's Emergency Plan for Vaccine Access and Relief (PEPVAR), a spin-off of the 2003 President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). This latter plan was founded to deliver antiretroviral therapies globally, and a program like PEPVAR could draw upon pre-existing strategies to scale up the delivery of vaccines beyond COVAX's commitments.

Like the plan for AIDS relief, it could leverage partnerships with governmental and multilateral organizations to improve vaccine access. Equally important is ensuring vaccine supply, and the authors posit that the World Trade Organization may be justified in temporarily waiving pharmaceutical patent protections to substantially reduce the costs of manufacturing vaccines.

"The United States has an unusual and urgent opportunity to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines are available to all," the authors write. "By investing in multilateral partnerships with a sense of shared commitment and employing a global allocation strategy that increases supply and manufacturing, we can meet the urgent challenge of COVID-19, while creating sustainable infrastructures and health systems for the future."
VistaJet announcement (https://www.vistajet.com/en-gb/news/vistajet-fleet-growth/) also reveals that the worldwide operator has taken delivery of its first two Global 7500 aircraft





(https://www.vistajet.com/en-gb/news/vistajet-fleet-growth/) Bombardier's refreshed portfolio of business jets, including the flagship Global family and the best-selling Challenger platform, is well-positioned to meet growing interest in private aviation

MONTREAL, April 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bombardier is pleased to confirm that worldwide fleet operator VistaJet is the customer for a previously disclosed firm order for 10 Challenger 350 business jets. Bombardier announced the sale involving its best-selling Challenger platform on December 23. It was one of the largest biggest jet orders of 2020.

VistaJet, a longtime Bombardier customer, has also taken delivery of its first two Global 7500 business jets. The flagship Global 7500 business jet elevates the passenger experience with the smoothest ride and a true four-zone cabin designed to be a home and office in the skies. Bombardier recently celebrated the milestone 50th delivery of this unparalleled aircraft, which has the longest range among business jets.

Leading global business aviation company VistaJet said in a press release issued todaythat its firm order for 10 Challenger 350 business jets is in response to "a growing and urgent demand" in the super midsize segment. The best-selling Bombardier Challenger 350 aircraft represents the total package of performance and cabin experience. It is the ideal business jet to respond to a growing interest in private aviation amid a worldwide pandemic.

Eric Martel, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bombardier, said: "We are extremely proud of our long-standing partnership with VistaJet and are thrilled that they have again chosen Bombardier aircraft to support their fleet expansion plans. With unmatched performance and comfort, the Global 7500 and Challenger 350 are the perfect aircraft to support VistaJet's rapid growth as more people turn to business aviation and the enhanced safety and reliability it provides."

Thomas Flohr, Founder and Chairman, VistaJet, said: "It is an incredibly exciting time as VistaJet transforms the architecture of how companies and individuals fly. We continue to see rapid acceleration in new Members, which is driven by corporate and executive demand for our business mobility offerings. Global private aviation networks will be even more vital to support businesses and the economy. The expansion of our worldwide fleet will guarantee our customers full confidence in a consistent flying experience anywhere in the world - offering the best value in the industry through our unique asset-light flight solutions. We remain committed to providing critical support to businesses in this new world - we kept our business steady during 2020 and we are already seeing much increased demand for VistaJet's asset-free solutions in 2021 and beyond."

About Bombardier

Bombardier is a global leader in aviation, creating innovative and game-changing planes. Our products and services provide world-class experiences that set new standards in passenger comfort, energy efficiency, reliability and safety.

Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Bombardier is present in more than 12 countries including its production/engineering sites and its customer support network. The Corporation supports a worldwide fleet of approximately 4,900 aircraft in service with a wide variety of multinational corporations, charter and fractional ownership providers, governments and private individuals.

News and information is available at bombardier.comor follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.

Notes to Editors

Visit the Bombardier Business Aircraft websitefor more information on our industry-leading products and services. Follow @Bombardierjetson Twitter to receive the latest news and updates from

Bombardier Aviation. To receive our press releases, please visit the RSS Feedsection.

Bombardier, Challenger, Challenger 350, Global and Global 7500 are registered or unregistered trademark of Bombardier Inc. or its affiliates.

For Information

Louise Solomita

Bombardier

Louise.Solomita@aero.bombardier.com

+ 1 514-855-5001, ext. 25148

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3bc72e21-c0b4-428a-881b-8bc1a26dd912
(TNS)  Phone numbers and personal information of half a billion Facebook users may have been stolen and posted online in an unprecedented security breach, Business Insider reported Saturday.The huge trove of data was uploaded to an online forum used by hackers. It reportedly includes email addresses and biographical information. Alon Gal, the co-founder and chief technology officer of the private cyber crime intelligence firm Hudson Rock, first posted about the data breach early Saturday morning on social media platforms, including Twitter and LinkedIn. He shared screenshots showing an online marketplace where 533 million records were being solicited by a Telegram user with a redacted account name."This means that if you have a Facebook account, it is extremely likely the phone number used for the account was leaked," Gal wrote on Twitter. If each record represents a single Facebook user as Business Insider has reported, that means roughly 19% of the social media giant's 2.8 billion individual profiles' personal information was compromised. According to Gal, more than 32 million compromised records originated from the United States.Business Insider reported that user information had been posted on a "low level hacking forum."The Menlo Park social media company did not immediately respond torequest for comment.According to Business Insider's reporting, the trove of records was first obtained in 2019 because of a software "vulnerability." The online news outlet said it verified the leak by matching known Facebook users' phone numbers with the leaked data.The stolen personal information could be used by scammers and identity thieves. Facebook has been the subject of past security breaches, including one involving the British firm Cambridge Analytica in which the personal information of an estimated 50 million Facebook users was sold to and used by the 2016 presidential campaigns of Donald Trump and Sen. Ted Cruz.
One of Britain's biggest companies is worried that the shift towards flexible working could harm women's careers.

Aviva is concerned that female workers may feel more pressure than men to work from home and so miss out on promotion opportunities.

So far the insurer hasn't seen any gender divide, but says it is monitoring closely in case a split emerges post-pandemic.

Concerns: Aviva is concerned that female workers may feel more pressure than men to work from home and so miss out on promotion opportunities

The FTSE 100 firm said there is a risk managers could fall into the trap of promoting workers who they see around the office, rather than making judgements on who is producing the best work.

This in turn could lead to more men in senior roles if they return to the office while women feel obliged to work flexibly in order to balance family responsibilities.

Aviva is running a trial on its own flexible working plan. Danny Harmer, chief people officer, told the Mail that the insurer will be keeping a close eye on its gender pay gap reporting and promotions data, to make sure this does not unravel years of work on stamping out inequality.

She said: 'Fast forward a few years of hybrid working, what are the potential unintended consequences businesses might be creating?

'If, for example, carers and in particular female carers opt to work away from the office more than their male colleagues, could this have an impact on female promotion rates because of visibility?'

Across all UK companies, women earned 15.5 per cent less than men in 2020, down from 17.4 per cent in 2019, according to the Office for National Statistics. But Harmer is worried the pay gap could start to climb again.

Nationwide, Lloyds Bank, HSBC, Standard Chartered and PwC are giving their workers more freedom to choose where they will work.

Gwen Rhys, chief executive of networking group Women in the City, said: 'It's likely to be women who take the work-from-home option more than men.

'I think men will go back to the office before women and it will be they who get noticed, get networking and get the opportunities. It could be a trap for women'

City grandee Baroness Morrissey, a mother of nine, said the solution is for firms to be prescriptive about what they want and expect from staff.

'This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change the way we work, and get it right,' said the 55-year-old.
While we have watched actresses turning into lawyers in films, an actress has recently turned into a lawyer in real life. Having completed her LLB from Rizvi Law College in Mumbai in November 2020, actress Malvika Sharma is now also a practicing junior lawyer in the Hyderabad High Court.

Of course, Malvika is delighted with the new tag she has of a junior lawyer.

Its an overwhelming feeling because being a lawyer is what Ive been working towards for the last few years, explains Malvika, who has got my license in January 2021 from the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa.

Incidentally, the actress would be soon giving her all-India examination later this year, she tells us. I was supposed to give that exam in January but then I was promoting my film Red, and so I couldnt, says the actress.

Shot in her arm

Despite two films in her kitty, and those with top names in the industry, the most defining achievement in the Nela Ticket actresss life appears to be her lawyers degree. For one, she says it made her more confident. When I was holding my degree and license in my hand, it was a very emotional moment, Malvika expresses.

Whats more, the confidence even rubbed off on her personality. I started to become more positive; a Law degree gives crazy confidence, and it added a different dimension to my personality. Then, from the day I got my license I started feeling more liberated in ways Ive never felt earlier, she elaborates.

Not the one to stop at a bachelors degree, Malvika has even applied for admission into LLM from Mumbai University. Now, having cleared the entrance test for the Masters, she is eyeing at a specialisation in criminology.

In-court appearances

While Malvika hasnt yet argued a case in the High Court, the actress states that the experience of going to the court, understanding the cases and insights has been a great experience in itself.

It is such a learning experience that Ive understood it requires a lot of hard work to break down the details of a case. For starters, Ive realised studying and practicing law are completely different from each other, says the actress, adding that acquiring practical knowledge by dealing in live cases requires a lot of patience.

In fact, initially, she didnt even understand most of the court jargon. I had to either Google them or find out about them by calling up my lawyer friends, she explains.

I realised what we study is completely different from what we experience at work. We need to understand the terms to argue in the court of law. So also, while Ive been making constant efforts to get used to the terminologies, my experience of being in the court as an intern has helped me a lot, too.

Juggling a full life

Life, however, is getting a little tighter for the Red actress. For instance, even as shes been preparing for her LLM on one side, she has been shooting for ad and commercials on the other.

And I am practicing, so its just becoming hectic and I am having a tough time preparing for my LLM because of the time constraints, says the actress, adding that if she were to get three days in a week, shed prefer to use those to focus on her studies.

In fact, after my graduation, Ive understood what it is to be a lawyer. Despite admitting the challenges of studying, shooting and practicing all at once, Malvika says she constantly strives to strike a balance between all of them.

Ive already started going to court and have been studying a few cases, she explains, while thanking her senior, Advocate V Pattabhi for constantly supporting her and understanding the demands of the acting profession, especially when she has to rush out for an impromptu shooting assignment, leaving behind important details of a case.

Films first

So what are her plans? Have films taken a back seat? Does she plan to continue with her lawyer practice? I am just going with the flow, she replies matter-of-factly, but not before adding that a new title against her name hasnt changed her perception of looking at scripts.

Ill always look at a script in the totality of a film. Moreover, I am still keen on being an actor because the kind of high I get being in front of the camera is inexplicable. You have a great opportunity to be someone else. In fact, acting has always been my first love and Ill be a little partial towards acting, she says.

And why not, we wonder, because as she tells us, it was acting that prompted her to get a lawyers degree in the first place.
The ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is ordering the screening and enforced viewing of revolutionary and propaganda movies in theaters around the country ahead of its centenary celebrations on .



In a directive addressed to "all provincial, autonomous regional, and municipal authorities in charge of film, all movie theater companies, and all production units," the National Film Administration called for the screening of at least two CCP-backed films per week in movie theaters around the country.



Movie theaters in the People's Cinema and National Alliance of Arthouse Cinemas chains must show approved films at least five times a week around the centenary, it said.



"The competent film authorities in each locality are responsible for organizing and formulating a plan for local screenings," the directive, published on the Administration's website, said.



The theaters are being required to screen around a dozen movies about the Japanese invasion during World War II, the Civil War with the Kuomintang government that followed, the Korean War of the early 1950s and the Cultural Revolution era, from 1966-1976, including film versions of Cultural Revolution-era productions including The White-Haired Girl and The Red Detachment of Women.



Meanwhile, a new musical inspired by the American Hollywood blockbuster La La Land, depicting idyllic scenes of ethnic integration in the northwestern region of Xinjiang, where at least 1.5 million Uyghurs and other ethnic minority groups are incarcerated in camps, was released on .



The musical appears to be intended as a public relations response to counter growing media reporting and international criticism of the CCP's system of "re-education" camps in Xinjiang, which have been linked by witness testimony to forced labor, forced sterilization, systemic rape and sexual abuse, as well as the brainwashing of Uyghur children to reject their cultural identity after their parents are locked up in camps.



Happy, beer-drinking Muslims

The musical is set in a "Xinjiang" with no armed police, panopticon-style surveillance cameras, roadblocks or ID checks on the streets, where Muslims happily quaff beer and never wear veils or go to mosque.



The National Film Administration also called on local officials and party groups to "mobilize" people to watch them.



"It will be necessary to organize and mobilize party members, officials and audiences to take an active part," the directive said.



The movies will be screened as part of a nationwide drive to "educate" people about CCP history as the ruling party marks the 100th anniversary of its founding, it said.



"All distribution units, theaters, and screening units must actively prepare for film screenings, produce promotional materials, make screening arrangements, and run publicity campaigns," it said, suggesting preferential entry fees and "other incentives" to encourage people to attend.



The screenings will foster "love of party, country and socialism," as well as a patriotic spirit, the directive said.



Screenings will start in and run throughout the year.

No 'discordant voices'

Writer Han Yiwen said officials from his local neighborhood committee have already issued warnings to residents that there must be no "discordant voices" around the centenary.



"They had a special message for me this year, in the party's centenary year," Han told RFA. "I'm not to make any comments that are of that nature."



"I can only really respond in general terms," he said. "If a child were to never grow up, and were to remain a child for the rest of his life, that would be a tragedy."



"But if the same thing were to happen to a country, then that would turn into a nightmare for everyone in that country," Han said.



An online commentator surnamed Zhou said the party's incursions into public and private thought and speech are getting more frequent.



"Controls on speech are pretty unscrupulous, and there is no concept of what is legal any more," Zhou said. "They had already banned any dissenting voices, but now you're not allowed unspoken opposition either."



"It's hard to imagine how things will turn out in future," he said.



A retired teacher surnamed Wang from the northern province of Hebei said that only praise of the CCP is allowed now.



"Authoritarian regimes can only tolerate praise, and more praise, but nobody is allowed to talk about their problems," Wang said. "The system we have in China is awful."



Reported by Han Qing and Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
The death of a man whose body was found in a Kansas creek in 2004 and whose case was featured on Unsolved Mysteries has been ruled a homicide, according to a new report by a federal forensic examiner.

The man, Alonzo Brooks, 23, was last seen alive at a party on the outskirts of La Cygne, Kan., about 60 miles south of Kansas City. His story was featured last year on an episode of the new version of Unsolved Mysteries on Netflix.

The F.B.I.s Kansas City field office said in a news release on Monday that a new autopsy of Mr. Brookss body revealed that his cause of death was homicide. His body was exhumed last year and taken to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware for an examination by the Armed Forces Medical Examiner, the agency said. Mr. Brooks had been buried in a cemetery in Topeka, Kan., according to KSNT-TV.

We knew that Alonzo Brooks died under very suspicious circumstances, Duston Slinkard, the acting United States attorney for the District of Kansas, said in the F.B.I. news release. This new examination by a team of the worlds best forensic pathologists and experts establishes it was no accident. Alonzo Brooks was killed. We are doing everything we can, and will spare no resources, to bring those responsible to justice.
Sally Beauty has a long history of supporting and launching female-founded businesses. It was the first national beauty retailer to distribute popular women-owned hair care brands like Made Beautiful and Mielle Organics. Providing widespread distribution of these brands from their earliest days helped accelerate their businesses into becoming some of the most well-known and loved hair care brands sold today. Continuing this legacy, Sally Beauty Holdings launched Cultivate - For Women by Women in 2018 as a business accelerator program to help female beauty entrepreneurs grow their businesses.

"We have always recognized a need for female entrepreneurs to have a platform to effectively expand their businesses," said JC Johnson, Group Vice President, Digital Strategy and Innovation, Sally Beauty Holdings. "We are proud of the four incredible brands and are excited to be part of their journey. We look forward to partnering with many more emerging brands and female entrepreneurs in the future!"

This year's finalists consisted of an inspiring and accomplished group of female-founders. As part of the retailer's commitment to invest in emerging brands, Sally Beauty Holdings chose to support all four deserving female-founders because their products are unique and each fills a current gap in the market. Sally Beauty Holdings rewarded the Cultivate Cohort brands with business grants worth a combined total of $60,000 and exclusive access to a virtual 4-week retail readiness boot camp that culminated with a pitch presentation. During the virtual presentation, each brand received valuable feedback from key leaders such as Chief Executive Officer Chris Brickman, Chief Merchandising Officer Pam Kohn, Sally Beauty President John Goss, and Cosmo Prof President Mark Spinks. In addition to distribution, Sally Beauty will be putting Marketing support against all of the brands through its social, digital, e-commerce, and in-store channels, where applicable.

2020 Cultivate Cohort Brands:

UniQurl  Formulated for kinky curls, Registered Nurse Alexis Stanley developed UniQurl's hair care line to serve a hair type that has traditionally lacked options. Each product is designed to maintain and nourish naturally kinky hair to reveal its unique curl patterns with gentle cleansers, powerful moisturizers, and silkening conditioning agents like Aloe Vera, Mint, Coconut, and Almond. Infused with natural and organic ingredients, UniQurl products melt away stubborn tangles with minimal effort while improving elasticity and shine.

 Formulated for kinky curls, Registered Nurse Alexis Stanley developed UniQurl's hair care line to serve a hair type that has traditionally lacked options. Each product is designed to maintain and nourish naturally kinky hair to reveal its unique curl patterns with gentle cleansers, powerful moisturizers, and silkening conditioning agents like Aloe Vera, Mint, Coconut, and Almond. Infused with natural and organic ingredients, UniQurl products melt away stubborn tangles with minimal effort while improving elasticity and shine. The following products are available in select Sally Beauty stores & online at SallyBeauty.com and CosmoProfBeauty.com



UniQurl AloeMint 2-in-1 Conditioning Shampoo





UniQurl AloeMint 2-in-1 Silkening Deep Conditioner





UniQurl Aloe & Coconut 4-in-1 Styler





UniQurl Aloe & Almond Moisture Sealing Hair Oil

Peculiar Roots  Driven by their passion to see consumers with locs and natural hair receive the pampering and care they deserve, Carl and Tara Darnley set out to create Peculiar Roots. The buildup free hair care collection conditions, cleanses, and moisturizes the hair and scalp with a flake-free formula.

 Driven by their passion to see consumers with locs and natural hair receive the pampering and care they deserve, set out to create Peculiar Roots. The buildup free hair care collection conditions, cleanses, and moisturizes the hair and scalp with a flake-free formula. The following products are available in select Sally Beauty stores & online at SallyBeauty.com and CosmoProfBeauty.com:



Braids, Locs & Twist Firm Hold Pomade





Nourishing & Conditioning Hair Oil





Cherry Blossom Refresher Spray with Rose Water





Clarifying & Detox Charcoal Shampoo





Flaxseed Styling Mousse

Pattie Yankee Products  Celebrity nail artist Pattie Yankee , one of the most sought-after nail experts in the industry, is taking DIY nails to the next level with her line of quick nail extension solutions. Inspire Nails are easy to apply and just as easy to remove without damaging the natural nail. The clear and natural nail extensions serve as a blank canvas suitable for any nail polish, gel polish, or nail art. Featuring a super hold adhesive that requires no glue.

 Celebrity nail artist , one of the most sought-after nail experts in the industry, is taking DIY nails to the next level with her line of quick nail extension solutions. Inspire Nails are easy to apply and just as easy to remove without damaging the natural nail. The clear and natural nail extensions serve as a blank canvas suitable for any nail polish, gel polish, or nail art. Featuring a super hold adhesive that requires no glue. The following products are available in select Sally Beauty stores & online at SallyBeauty.com and CosmoProfBeauty.com:



Inspire 24 DIY Pre-Glued Clear Almond Nails





Inspire 24 DIY Pre-Glued Natural Square Nails

True + Pure Texture  Celebrity stylist, natural hair expert, and salon owner, Pekela Riley, was inspired to create a line of products made for women of color from diverse backgrounds. She created a luxury collection of natural-looking hair extensions specifically designed to blend in with multicultural hair. True + Pure Texture ponytail and clip ins are meticulously crafted to develop beautiful, natural hair textures that blend kinks, coils, curls, and waves.

 Celebrity stylist, natural hair expert, and salon owner, Pekela Riley, was inspired to create a line of products made for women of color from diverse backgrounds. She created a luxury collection of natural-looking hair extensions specifically designed to blend in with multicultural hair. True + Pure Texture ponytail and clip ins are meticulously crafted to develop beautiful, natural hair textures that blend kinks, coils, curls, and waves. The following products are available online at SallyBeauty.com and CosmoProfBeauty.com:



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For more information about the Cultivate Cohort, visit Sallybeauty.com/cultivate.

About Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc.

Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SBH), as the leader in professional hair color, sells and distributes professional beauty supplies globally through its Sally Beauty Supply and Beauty Systems Group businesses. The Company operates more than 5,000 stores, including 143 franchised locations. Sally Beauty Supply stores offer up to 8,000 products for hair color, hair care, skin care, and nails through proprietary brands such as Ion, Generic Value Products, Beyond the Zone and Silk Elements as well as professional lines such as Wella, Clairol, OPI, Conair and Hot Shot Tools. Beauty Systems Group stores, branded as CosmoProf or Armstrong McCall stores, along with its outside sales consultants, sell up to 10,500 professionally branded products including Paul Mitchell, Wella, Matrix, Schwarzkopf, Kenra, Goldwell, Joico and CHI, intended for use in salons and for resale by salons to retail consumers. For more information about Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc., please visit https://www.sallybeautyholdings.com/.

SOURCE Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.sallybeauty.com


New York - Ms. Usha Rao-Monari of India officially began in her role today as Under-Secretary-General and Associate Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), following her appointment by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last February.

"I warmly welcome Ms. Rao-Monari to UNDP said UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner. I am very pleased that we will have the opportunity to benefit from the breadth and depth of her professional experience to date at this significant point in time.

Ms. Rao-Monari comes with 30 years of investment experience and has held several senior positions, notably as Director of the Sustainable Business Advisory Group at the International Finance Corporation, part of the World Bank Group. She has until recently served on the Boards of a number of organisations in the field of sustainable development and has held a number of Board and advisory positions in the areas of water, natural capital, biodiversity and environment.

Ms. Rao-Monari succeeds Mr. Mourad Wahba who acted as Associate Administrator since May 2019 - the culmination of over 30 years at the United Nations. Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator, in bidding farewell to Mr. Wahba, expressed his deepest gratitude for his critical support to the organization and his profound appreciation for Mr. Wahbas dedication and unreserved commitment to the United Nations and to UNDP.

###

Contacts for media: anna.ortubia@undp.org / +1 6466424071

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.

Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP.
Burma Myanmar Military Regime Releases Eight People Arrested for Talking to CNN

Three of the eleven people arrested for talking to CNN.

Eight of the 11 people who were arrested by Myanmar junta security forces in Yangon last week for talking to a CNN reporter have been released, according to the US news network.

A CNN team led by the networks chief international correspondent Clarissa Ward has been on a guided tour of Myanmar for the last week attempting to cover, with the regimes permission, what is happening in the country.

Nationwide protests against the militarys Feb. 1 coup have seen more than 560 people, including children, killed in crackdowns by the regimes security forces.

The eleven were arrested after talking to CNN in local markets in Yangon last Friday. Ward said it was a very distracting incident in her live report from Yangon on Monday.

Over the weekend, Ward had a chance to ask about the arrests during her sit-down interview with the regimes spokesperson and was told that they would be released soon.

They havent committed any crime. Eleven people got arrested. Security forces were worried that they provoked others and started the protest in the market. Thats why they got arrested. However, the government is arranging to release them as soon as possible, said Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun during the interview, according to CNNs report.

On Monday, Ward said that they were very relieved to be able to confirm that at least eight of the 11 people had been released. The fate of the remaining three is currently unclear.

Thats really, truly great news, said Ward in her report from Yangon.

On Tuesday, The Irrawaddy reached out to some of those released. But they said they were not comfortable about commenting on the incident at the moment.

You may also like these stories:

Myanmar Junta Opens Legal Front in Its Crackdown on Dissent

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Mandalay Teenager Shot Dead by Myanmar Security Forces
Leading real estate developer Bloom Properties has announced that it has begun the handover of the luxurious apartments within its premium development, Bloom Towers, located in Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) in Dubai.

The project consists of three residential towers with a total of 944 contemporary apartments - ranging from studios to three-bedroom units - that offer an aspirational living experience through best-in-class units that benefit from exceptional facilities, in one of Dubais most up and coming areas, said the developer.

Each home at Bloom Towers has been beautifully finished with modern design and convenient living spaces to provide ultimate comfort to residents, it stated. 

According to the developer, Bloom Towers is the only project in JVC which has its own dedicated chillers.

Unlike the central district cooling system, this will ensure only direct cooling charges are paid and unit owners have the full control over the AC demands, it added.

Bloom Properties said the delivery of the three residential towers highlights its commitment to developing high-quality residential developments that address existing and future market needs.

To ensure best practice standards are implemented with regards to sustainability and energy saving, high quality glass has been used for the buildings facade to achieve maximum level possible for heat and UV light management, LED lighting installed in all apartments and common areas, all common areas are managed via smart lighting control system, and best in class building management system is implemented to maximize the operational energy demands for the building.

"The handover of Bloom Towers apartments is an important milestone for Bloom Holding in 2021, as it marks our first residential project to be handed over in Dubai," said a company spokesman.

"With its great location on the edge of Dubais sought- after JVC, Bloom Towers reinforces our dedication to meeting market demand for premium residential real estate through the development of world-class urban communities, that enrich the lives of residents," he noted.

"Demand for units at Bloom Towers has been extremely high since our launch, and we are happy to start welcoming the first batch of residents in one of Dubais fastest growing communities," said the spokesman.

Bloom Towers directly addresses market demand, by combining a strong sense of community, with accessibility and highly competitive pricing.

"Bloom Towers also offers high-quality services and superior amenities for active living such as state-of-the-art gyms, a co-working space, a leisure and lap pool, private outdoor dining area, sauna & steam rooms, a jogging track, an event amphitheatre, and concierge services," he stated.

"We are confident that 2021 would be a positive year for Bloom Properties and we hope to handover our second project in Dubai, Bloom Heights, in Q2 with 686 spacious residential apartments across two high-rise towers," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Last Thursday, the Washington state supreme court allowed the right-wing recall petition against Seattle City Council member and Socialist Alternative member Kshama Sawant to move forward. The recall campaign was launched by a section of the Democratic Party with the support of far-right forces last summer to oust Sawant from elected office on spurious grounds.

City council member Kshama Sawant speaking in 2016. (Image credit: Flickr/Seattle City Council)

Ernest Lou, a Seattle business executive and long-time supporter of the Democratic Party, filed the recall initiative in September and included six charges. The charges include using city resources to carry out the Tax Amazon ballot initiative and failing to comply with public disclosure requirements, allowing Socialist Alternative to make employment decisions regarding her City Council office, leading protesters to Democratic Mayor Jenny Durkans private residence, and letting anti-police violence demonstrators into Seattle City Hall on one occasion while it was closed to the public for COVID-19.

There are also two charges regarding her support for the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest (CHOP), which were subsequently dismissed by Judge Jim Rogers in the King County Superior Court on September 16th.

The petition has received financial backing from Jeannie Nordstrom (the wife of the former chairman and CEO of Nordstrom department stores), art gallery owner Stacey Levitan, web hosting firm Sound Strategies and other upper-middle class and capitalist layers. When asked about the recall efforts chances, their campaign manager Henry Bridger expressed his confidence and said that their backers were like most people in District 3, Democrat or liberal.

Now that the state Supreme Court has given the legal green light for the recall drive to proceed, the lower King County Superior Court must finalize the summary of the recall charges. Recall petitioners have 180 days to collect more than 10,000 signatures from District 3, which Sawant represents. The number of signatures represents 25 percent of the almost 43,000 votes cast in the November 2019 race.

If the signatures are collected, a recall election would commence, with the hopes of it being added to the August primary elections ballot. Henry Bridger said that campaign backers dont want to appear on the General Election ballot due to the question possibly bringing a higher turnout and influencing other electoral races. This is about her, not about electing someone, Bridger said Thursday.

If Sawant is recalled, District 3 voters will not be choosing a replacement until the next regular election in 2023. That undemocratic privilege lies with the City Council, which would appoint a replacement within 20 days of the vacancy.

The World Socialist Web Site does not politically support Sawant, but the campaign to undemocratically remove her from office is an attempt by the local Democratic Party establishment to intimidate and suppress social opposition to police violence, racism, and social inequality which was aggravated by the Trump administrations response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and which continues to deepen under the Biden administration.

Ernest Lou, the petitions original applicant, supported Pete Buttigieg in the 2020 Democratic Party primary elections. In the fall, Lou described himself as a big bleeding heart liberal, later adding that, She [Sawant] is the leftist version of the right-wing version of Trump. Shes a cancer in Seattle.

Sawant is the target of this reaction due to her association with police violence protests and the Tax Amazon campaign, which imposed a minuscule payroll tax of less than 2 percent on Amazon and other large corporations. Jeff Bezos publicly opposed the payroll tax increase and supported Sawants political opponent in the 2019 City Council election.

To give a sense of the political motivations behind the campaign, it is worth comparing the way the state supreme court treated the recall petition with another recent recall initiative against Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan. The latter was launched on a left-wing basis to oppose Durkans excessive use of force against peaceful protesters during the anti-police violence movement last year. However, the supreme court did not allow the anti-Durkan petition to move forward in October.

Despite its origins in the Democratic Party, the recall petition has garnered considerable right-wing and Republican support. On the Recall Kshama Sawant Facebook page, supporters wrote: Good riddance to the American hating socialist, If she wants change why doesnt she go work at the Red Light District in India? Get that Marxist out of city government NOW!! This woman should be deported, and behead her.

More recently, Sawant received death threats from a Seattle Fire Department email address. The Socialist Equality Party (US) issued a public statement calling on the city to launch an immediate investigation and provide protection for Sawant, her staff and their families.

If you need help leaving, try jumping head first off the top floor of your building, Ill even come push you, the individual wrote as early as December 2020. After a delayed response from the city to carry out an investigation, Seattle police finally arrested 42-year-old Andrew Thomas Finseth on charges of cyberstalking, computer trespass, and identity theft.

The events in Seattle illustrate the rightward trajectory of the entire political establishment, with the Democratic Party extending the bipartisan olive branch to the far right as the ruling class becomes increasingly concerned over left-wing social opposition from below.

On a national level, the Democratic Party has repeatedly attempted to downplay the coup attempt in Washington, D.C. on January 6, as well as the fascist plot to kidnap and murder their own Democratic governors Ralph Northam (Virginia) and Gretchen Whitmer (Michigan) last fall. President Biden has himself characterized protesters as violent while praising police.

The entire record of the Democratic Party, in Seattle and across the country, exposes the fantasy promoted by Socialist Alternative and other pseudo-left organizations that the Democratic Party can be pressured to the left and carry out progressive reforms. The Democratic Partys involvement in the recall campaign illustrates how it is a blind alley for any genuine socialist movement of the working class. It is a party of Wall Street, the CIA and the military. It is a capitalist party that acts based on its class character, attempting to block any social opposition to the capitalist system it represents.

Despite fundamental political differences, the Socialist Equality Party upholds the democratic right of Sawant to complete her term in the office to which she was twice elected. Her democratic election must not be overturned on the basis of absurd and legally baseless charges.
New Delhi: Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh resigned on "moral grounds" soon after the Bombay High Court directed a CBI probe into the allegations of corruption levelled against him by former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which would conduct a preliminary enquiry into allegations of corruption levelled against Anil Deshmukh, will visit Mumbai on Tuesday.

A CBI source related to the development told IANS on Monday that "a half-dozen member team of CBI will visit Mumbai to initiate the probe". The source further added that the team of CBI officers will record the statement of several officers of Mumbai Police including Singh, who made serious allegations against Deshmukh.

Param Bir Singh had sought a thorough probe by the CBI into his allegations that Deshmukh had asked arrested Mumbai police officer Sachin Vaze "to collect" Rs 100 crore per month. Singh also challenged his own (Singh) transfer to Commandant General, Home Guards.

Normally, the CBI waits for a formal order and a legal opinion before initiating any action in such cases but given the short period of 15 days granted by the high court to conduct a preliminary enquiry into the allegations, the CBI has taken swift action, officials told PTI.

The team will first meet lawyers to collect the order, complaint along with annexure and other related documents to start the probe.

Earlier on Monday, a bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice G S Kulkarni said this was an "extraordinary" and "unprecedented" case that warranted an independent inquiry.

In its 52-page judgement, the HC bench said Singh's allegations against Deshmukh had put at stake the citizen's faith in the state police, adding that such allegations, made by a serving police officer, against the state home minister could not be left unattended.

(With Agency Inputs)

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Regulatory News:

Total (Paris:FP) (LSE:TTA) (NYSE:TOT):

Helene Moreau-Leroy, 56, appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Hutchinson, succeeding to Jacques Maigne.

After graduating from the INSA grande ecole in Lyon and obtaining an MBA in international business from the University of New England in Australia, Helene Moreau-Leroy began her career as Design Office Manager and then International Production and Purchasing Manager at the major industrial groups Thomson and Alstom.

She joined Safran's Purchasing Department in 2003, before moving to its subsidiary Safran Landing Systems, the world leader in aircraft landing and braking systems, first as Head of Supply Chain Development in emerging countries, then Director of the Airbus and European Programs Business Unit and finally Program Director.

In 2013, she joined Safran's Executive Committee as Chief Executive Officer of Safran Transmission Systems, a division specialized in the design and manufacture of power transmissions for the aerospace and space industries, and in 2018 she oversaw the integration of Zodiac Aerospace on its acquisition by the Group.

Helene Moreau-Leroy is also Lead Director of the Board of Directors of Arkema and a Knight of the French National Order of the Legion of Honor.

About Hutchinson

Hutchinson is a chemicals subsidiary of Total specialized in sealing systems, fluid transfer systems, vibration, acoustic and thermal insulation, and transmission and mobility systems. Hutchinson designs and produces customized materials and connected solutions to respond to the needs of its global customers, on land, in the air and at sea. A global leader in vibration control, fluid management and sealing system technologies, Hutchinson stands out with a multiple market offering spanning multiple areas of expertise and delivering synergies and value-added. Hutchinson reported revenues of 3.8 billion in 2020 and has 40,000 employees in 25 countries. Our ambition is to contribute to safer, more efficient and more responsible mobility.

About Total

Total is a broad energy company that produces and markets fuels, natural gas and electricity. Our 100,000 employees are committed to better energy that is more affordable, more reliable, cleaner and accessible to as many people as possible. Active in more than 130 countries, our ambition is to become the responsible energy major.

Cautionary note

This press release, from which no legal consequences may be drawn, is for information purposes only. The entities in which TOTAL SE directly or indirectly owns investments are separate legal entities. TOTAL SE has no liability for their acts or omissions. In this document, the terms "Total", "Total Group" and Group are sometimes used for convenience. Likewise, the words "we", "us" and "our" may also be used to refer to subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. This document may contain forward-looking information and statements that are based on a number of economic data and assumptions made in a given economic, competitive and regulatory environment. They may prove to be inaccurate in the future and are subject to a number of risk factors. Neither TOTAL SE nor any of its subsidiaries assumes any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information or statement, objectives or trends contained in this document whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005494/en/

Contacts:

Total

Media Relations: +33 (0)1 47 44 46 99 l presse@total.com @TotalPress

Investor Relations: +44 (0)207 719 7962 l ir@total.com
An advisory panel created as part of a settlement between state regulators and the new owner of Three Mile Islands storied Unit 2 will meet for the first time on Wednesday.

This 15-member group was designed to meet at least twice per year to increase public participation in the years-long process but does not hold any enforcement power.

In January, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved the sale of the unit that partially melted down in 1979 to a subsidiary of the Utah-based EnergySolutions, which markets itself as a lower-cost alternative for energy companies dismantling nuclear facilities.

Pennsylvanias Department of Environmental Protection raised concerns that the new owners, the Utah-based EnergySolutions, wont have enough resources to properly dismantle the storied nuclear plant and store its remaining radioactive waste.

Those concerns remained, according to NRC documents, despite the settlement.

READ MORE: We believe theres a clear and present danger: Three Mile Island decommissioning in question

According to the most recent NRC filings made by Unit 2s previous owner FirstEnergy, about $900 million had been set aside in a trust fund for its decommissioning versus an estimated $1.4 billion cost. The leaves at least a $500 million shortfall.

Nuclear activist Eric Epstein, who contested the sale, has continued to fight the transfer, including a recent filing raising objections about the nuclear facilitys groundwater usage.

Anyone who wants to participate in the advisory panel meeting at 2 p.m. Wednesday can tune in online here or by calling 1-385-500-4880 and entering the conference number 515376234 followed by the pound (#) sign.

Wallace McKelvey may be reached at wmckelvey@pennlive.com. Follow him on Twitter @wjmckelvey. Find PennLive on Facebook.

Read the The hunt for Ray Gricar.
[April 06, 2021] AlphaGraphics reveals brand refresh and new website

DENVER, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- AlphaGraphics, a leading franchisor of printing and marketing solutions, has recently undergone a full brand refresh. The company, which just celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020, has made several changes to reflect the brand's overall growth as a company. "Fifty years ago, we started out as a brand for print services," said Ryan Farris, COO and president of AlphaGraphics. "Since then, we have grown into one of the largest printing and marketing franchises in the world. "AlphaGraphics is a print and marketing partner you can trust. We consult and collaborate with our customers to provide them with custom solutions for their business. Our brand refresh is a reintroduction to our customers to showcase how we can help their business every step of the way." Along with the brand refresh, AlphaGaphics rolled out a new website geared toward telling the company's story while also helping it become a marketing execution partner. The website showcases the company's full services offerings: print services, signs, marketing and technology.



"The website is a direct representation of our move toward the future and how AlphaGraphics continues to modernize and expand after so many years of service," said Farris. "The website is a celebration of who we are as a franchise. It showcases how much we have grown over our 50 years of existence." With more than 285 locations in six countries, AlphaGraphics was the first U.S. printing franchise to expand internationally, as well as the first retailer in desktop publishing. In 2019, AlphaGraphics was named to the Entrepreneur Franchise 500 and the Franchise Times Top 200+. In 2020, AlphaGraphics was named one of the largest printing operations by Printing Impressions.

AlphaGraphics was founded in 1970, and the company began offering franchise opportunities in 1979. For more information about AlphaGraphics, visit http://www.alphagraphics.com. About AlphaGraphics

AlphaGraphics, Inc., with more than 260 locations in 6 countries, offers a complete range of print, visual communications, and marketing products. Solutions include: full-service digital, offset, and large-format printing; design services; mailing; one-to-one marketing solutions; promotional products; and web-to-print solutions. For more information about AlphaGraphics services, visit www.alphagraphics.com. To learn about franchise opportunities, visit www.alphagraphicsfranchise.com. MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR

865-977-1973

hripley@ripleypr.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alphagraphics-reveals-brand-refresh-and-new-website-301262708.html SOURCE AlphaGraphics

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[April 06, 2021] Clearcover Insurance Company selects Wolters Kluwer NILS INsource compliance solutions

Clearcover Insurance Company, based in Chicago, has selected several offerings within Wolters Kluwer Compliance Solutions NILS INsource solutions suite to help enhance compliance efforts on behalf of its car insurance customers. Along with its incorporation of NILS INsource capabilities, Clearcover has implemented four other modules within the suite, including NILS Market Conduct for Property & Casualty; NILS Cancellation & Nonrenewal; NILS State Filing; and NILS Matrices. NILS INsource provides a web-based tool for efficient and effective research, allowing insurers to monitor the vast array of regulatory material and readily assess compliance ramifications of evolving insurance obligations. Insurance compliance professionals can obtain focused, accurate content in significantly less time by leveraging the tool's insurance terminology indexing and compliance topic and subtopic category database, vastly enhancing their compliance efforts. Established in 2016, Clearcover offers car coverage to customers in Arizona, California, Illinois, Ohio, Louisiana, Texas, Utah, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Georgia, Missouri, and Wisconsin. The company has grown rapidly and, with further expansion planned, is on a quest to position itself as the premier digital insurance company for the digital customer, making insurance more convenient in the moments a customer needs it. "Given our growth in recent years across an increasing number of states nationally, we recognized the need to ensure that our compliance practices were keeping pace with the enthusiastic market response we have seen with our offerings," said Derek Brigham, Chief Operating Officer of Clearcover. "Wolters Kluwer's domain expertise, technology, and compliance content make it the right partner for our compliance efforts and positions Clearcover to optimize services for our customers." "For years, NILS Insource has been a cornerstone of reliability for our Insurance Compliance customers, providing insurers a trusted, responsive and user-friendly resource to help them consistently manage complex and ever-changing compliance and regulatory obligations across the insurance landscape," said Steven Meirink, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Wolters Kluwer Compliance Solutions. "The INsource platform features content from a broad range ofinsurance industry professionals who contribute their expertise to maintaining and updating NILS INsource content with the most current developments in the industry. We welcome Clearcover to our family of NILS expert solutions for the insurance industry."



NILS INsource is viewed as a definitive primary content resource for almost 7,000 insurance professionals and departments in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Ninety-two percent of the leading property and casualty insurers purchase at least one compliance product from Wolters Kluwer. Wolters Kluwer Compliance Solutions is a market leader and trusted provider of risk management and regulatory compliance solutions and services to U.S. insurance companies, banks, credit unions, and securities firms. The business, which sits within Wolters Kluwer's Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) division, helps these financial institutions efficiently manage risk and regulatory compliance obligations, and gain the insights needed to focus on better serving their customers and growing their business.

Wolters Kluwer's GRC division provides an array of expert solutions to help U.S. financial institutions manage regulatory and risk obligations. Wolters Kluwer Compliance Solutions' OneSumX for Regulatory Change Management helps financial institutions effectively manage the enormous breadth, scope and volume of ever-evolving legislative and regulatory changes, providing structured, actionable content to help ensure compliance. Wolters Kluwer Lien Solutions' iLien Motor Vehicle provides for the processing and management of motor vehicle titles and liens, helping solve the most unique and complicated challenges in title perfection. In addition, CT Corporation's Covid-19 resource center provides businesses and law firms with international, federal and state legislative updates. About Wolters Kluwer Governance, Risk & Compliance Governance, Risk & Compliance is a division of Wolters Kluwer, which provides legal and banking professionals with solutions to help ensure compliance with ever-changing regulatory and legal obligations, manage risk, increase efficiency, and produce better business outcomes. GRC offers a portfolio of technology-enabled expert services and solutions focused on legal entity compliance, legal operations management, banking product compliance, and banking regulatory compliance. Wolters Kluwer (AEX: WKL) is a global leader in information services and solutions for professionals in the health, tax and accounting, risk and compliance, finance and legal sectors. Wolters Kluwer reported 2020 annual revenues of 4.6 billion. The company, headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands, serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries and employs 19,000 people worldwide. About Clearcover Insurance Company Clearcover is the smarter car insurance choice, offering better coverage for less money. Clearcover's customer-first, service-focused model powered by advanced technology delivers a convenient, reliable, and affordable experience. Built for today's driver, Clearcover takes the guesswork out of car insurance, making it easy to save money, get insured, and get serviced on the go. Learn more at https://clearcover.com/ and keep in touch at @clearcover or visit https://www.facebook.com/Clearcoverinc/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005118/en/

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Bengaluru/Gokak : , April 6 (IANS) Bengaluru City police commissioner, Kamal Pant on Tuesday said that he vouches for all those officers working tirelessly in the Special Investigation team, headed by Additional Commissioner of Police, Soumendu Mukherjee, that is probing the sleaze CD case.

Pant told reporters that he had received a letter from the woman involved in the case. "I have received a letter with allegations about my officers. I know them for the last several years. They have worked with me on various cases. I know their integrity, I can vouch for them. People may have their own doubts, I can't help it. After receiving her letter, I have asked the SIT to file a detailed report on the entire investigation till date and they will submit to me soon," he said.

Pant's statement assumes significance in the backdrop of the woman as well her legal counsellor, Jagadesh K. N. Mahadev alleging that the SIT was derailing the case.

The woman has written a second letter to the Bengaluru Police Commissioner on Monday evening. In the past too, she has made similar allegations.

In a response to a question, Pant said that when this case is routed through the High Court and with the Karnataka High Court chief justice monitoring it, how can any sane person play with his job? "Do you think our police officers would do something like that the way allegations are hurled at them? Sometimes, one has to assess through various factors, when a case is in High Court, no official in any government dares to play the favouritism game here. Under such circumstances, every official tries to be well within law and carries out his duty diligently," he said.

Meanwhile, the SIT team members visited Gokak Taluk hospital, where tainted BJP leader, Ramesh Jarkiholi is undergoing treatmen after testing Covid positive.

Two officers of the SIT met Gokak Taluk health officer Dr Ravindra and sought various details about Jarkiholi's health condition.

Dr Ravindra told reporters that the SIT has asked him to inform them about Jarkiholi's discharge date in advance and regularly update them about his condition. "At present he is still having breathing problems besides, his blood and sugar levels have not come under control. As per stipulated Covid norms, he will have to undergo another Covid test after two weeks and only then will he be allowed to move around," he said.

Jarkiholi ws forced to quit as minister on March 3 after the Sleaze CD was released to news channels on March 2 evening in which he was purportedly seen in a compromising position with a 25-year-old woman.

The woman has filed a complaint alleging she was raped twice and sexually exploited by Jarkiholi after he lured her by offering her a government job.
Raised in pre-Taliban Afghanistan, Razia moved to the U.S. as a young adult to attend university. On 9/11, fate brought Massachusetts resident Razia Jan and Massachusetts native Patti Quigley together. Patti's husband was on flight 175; she was eight months pregnant at the time. The two connected through relief efforts and resolved to address the bigger picture, deciding education was the way forward. Years later, they had rallied enough funds to open the Zabuli Education Center.

...The same men who'd once refused to make eye contact with Razia Jan, but now hail her as "The Mother of Deh'Subz."

The K-12 Zabuli Education Center - - a private, all-girls, "excellent," "exemplary" school per Afghanistan's Ministry of Education, has been producing top-notch students since 2008. When graduates had no option to continue their education beyond high school (per cultural norms re leaving the village), Razia built them a post-secondary institute. Graduates are now pursuing degrees in international relations and political science, as well as certifications in Midwifery, bringing vital medical support to a community in a country where a woman dies every two hours from childbirth related complications.

The opening of the new school, planned for March 2022, will allow the Foundation to double its capacity, helping to alleviate its years long waitlist of hundreds of girls.

For more information about the organization or to coordinate an interview, please contact [email protected].

About Razia's Ray of Hope Foundation:

Founded in 2007 by humanitarian and social innovator Razia Jan, an Afghan native, Razia's Ray of Hope is supported by a global team of women leaders and visionaries committed to peace. At Razia's Ray of Hope, we know that community-based, culturally-aware education is a pathway toward meaningful change for future generations. Our core project since 2008 is the Zabuli Education Center (ZEC), an all-girl K-12 school in the district of Deh'Subz (30 miles outside of Kabul) that provides free, exemplary education to more than 700 students. ZEC was featured in the 2015 award-winning film by Beth Murphy, What Tomorrow Brings. In March 2017, we opened the adjacent Razia Jan Institute, which provides our graduates and other community members career training opportunities as midwives, in addition to classes in English and computer literacy. This initiative has brought critical medical services to women in rural Afghanistan.

Sheridan Davis

Director of Communications, Razia's Ray of Hope Foundation

[email protected]

(703) 405-5665

SOURCE Razia's Ray of Hope Foundation

Related Links

https://www.raziasrayofhope.org


Former Australia Post boss Christine Holgate has taken aim at chairman Lucio Di Bartolomeo, accusing him of lying to parliament about the Cartier watches saga.

Ms Holgate has also claimed Prime Minister Scott Morrison humiliated her when condemning her in parliament for giving the watches to four senior executives in November 2018 as a reward for clinching a banking deal.

In a lengthy submission to a senate inquiry into Australia Post released Tuesday, she reserved her harshest criticism for Mr Di Bartolomeo, claiming he treated her 'like a criminal' and blaming him solely for being forced out of the top job.

Former Australia Post boss Christine Holgate (pictured) has accused the organisation's chairman of lying to parliament, in a lengthy submission to a senate inquiry

Ms Holgate alleges the chairman unlawfully stood her down and failed to defend her despite knowing the facts of the case.

'He lied repeatedly to the Australian people and to their parliament about his actions,' she claimed in a 154-page submission to the inquiry containing emails, photos of cards and a letter to her lawyers.

'Time after time he has made statements that I had agreed to stand down when I had done no such thing.

'He then abandoned me to a media firestorm that he and others had created and cut me off from resources, despite knowing that these events had caused me to seek mental health care and medication.'

The former Blackmores executive says the watches were purchased legally, with the transaction signed off and approved by then-chairman John Stanhope, auditors and Australia Post's chief financial officer.

'(It was) widely celebrated within the organisation, and presented at a morning tea by the previous chairman and me with a thank you card signed by both of us,' she wrote.

Ms Holgate was condemned for giving Cartier watches to four senior executives in November 2018 as a reward for clinching a banking deal (stock image)

'It was then found to be legal by the "review" which was clearly intended to find it otherwise.'

Mr Di Bartolomeo told an inquiry last November he would have blocked the purchase of the luxury watches if he was in charge when the gifts were doled out.

But Ms Holgate alleges his Senate hearing evidence was 'seriously misleading' and even prompted her to write to the Australia Post board, ministers and Maddocks Lawyers asking them to address her concerns.

'But they have chosen not to; yet at no time has anyone denied my feedback was correct,' she said.

Australia Post chairman Lucio Di Bartolomeo (pictured) told an inquiry last November he would have blocked the purchase of the luxury watches if he was in charge when the gifts were given

'It is unacceptable that the chair of a major public-owned enterprise can mislead the Senate over his knowledge of something as important as a review of the organisation commissioned by the government.'

Ms Holgate went on to imply she was still technically employed by Australia Post after rejecting Mr Di Bartolomeo's resignation offer.

She claims the proposal would have left her with no severance pay, unable to work for 12 months and gagged from speaking out about Australia Post in perpetuity.

'To this date, I have signed no deed of release with Australia Post, despite my many requests to resolve this matter.'
Prudential secured sustainable growth and efficient business operation in 2020

In 2020, Prudential achieved a total revenue of VND33.97 trillion ($1.48 billion), of which net revenue from insurance activities reached VND24.71 trillion ($1.1 billion), an increase of 12.6 per cent from the previous year. Meanwhile, new business revenue reached VND5.48 trillion ($238.26 million), an increase of 8.7 per cent. In response to the impact of the pandemic, Prudential Vietnam made timely adjustments to its operations including applying new ways of working and optimising costs, resulting in a rise in its pre-tax profit to VND2.79 trillion ($121.3 million).

In 2020, Prudential Vietnam maintained a solvency margin of almost 140 per cent, underscoring its ability to safeguard customers finances. The strong results also underscore Prudentials continued strengths in its insurance business. The company reported total assets of VND124.28 trillion ($5.4 billion), an increase of 19.7 per cent from 2019, while its total investment capital in the economy was VND112.21 trillion ($4.88 billion), an increase of 19.5 per cent.

The year 2020 continues to see efficiency in investment activities. All six PRUlink funds of Unit-linked products achieved good returns amid the unfavorable economic climate. Under the fund manager Eastspring Investments, the asset management arm of Prudential, PRUlink Vietnam Equity Fund achieved the highest return rate with 16.4 per cent (after deducting the fund management fee), followed by PRUlink Growth Fund, PRUlink Balance Fund, and PRUlink Stable Fund with 16.0, 14.7, and 12.5 per cent, respectively. Similarly, Prudential Vietnams Universal life fund also continued to generate a good return from 5.0 to 6.5 per cent in 2020 (after deducting fund management fee).

Customer-centric strategy with total insurance benefits payments accounting for 30 per cent of the industry

Continuing its mission to provide financial protection for Vietnamese families, Prudential Vietnam paid more than VND6.77 trillion ($294.35 million) in insurance benefits, an increase of 8.1 per cent from 2019, and accounting for nearly 30 per cent of the total benefit payments of the whole industry last year.

In the past year, Prudential Vietnam rolled out several initiatives to digitalise its processes and further enhance the customer experience. All customer touchpoints from consultation and underwriting to claims submission were digitalised to ensure the customer experience is safe and thorough, especially during the pandemic. Nearly 100 per cent of insurance applications and more than 70 per cent of claims were submitted online in 2020.

In May 2020, as a part of its efforts to leverage digital technology to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for everyone, Prudential Vietnam launched its AI-powered health and wellness app, Pulse by Prudential. As the first app of its kind to offer holistic health management, Pulse serves as a 24/7 partner to users, empowering them to take control of their personal health and wellbeing anytime and anywhere. As of the end of March 2021, Pulse had been downloaded over four million times in Vietnam and continues to evolve with new, value-added features, and functions.

In 2020, Prudential Vietnam continued to garner recognition from the industry and was ranked second among the Top 10 Brands with Best Customer Experience 2020, based on a customer experience survey conducted by KPMG.

In 2020, Prudential continued to demonstrate its commitment to the sustainable development of communities by rolling out activities in three core areas  education, health, and safety, bringing its total community investment budget from 2011 to 2020 to more than VND205 billion ($8.9 million).

For the health pillar, Prudential Vietnam focused on joining hands with the entire nation to fight the pandemic in 2020. Beyond providing necessary medical equipment, medical masks, and antibacterial hand sanitiser to 14 COVID-19 frontline hospitals as well as giving rice and necessities to disadvantaged households in Central Vietnam. Prudential Vietnam also implemented the "Rice ATM - Giving love" programme to support similarly disadvantaged households in several provinces across the country.

For the pillars of education and safety, Prudential Vietnam also demonstrated its investment in students. More than 2,100 students in Bac Giang and Dak Lak provinces were not only equipped with standard helmets but also trained on road safety knowledge and skills through the SAFE STEPS programme. In addition, Prudential Vietnam implemented the Cha-Ching Curriculum to instill key money management skills in children across 72 primary schools.

Phuong Tien Minh, chief executive officer of Prudential Vietnam, said: Prudential Vietnams top priorities continues to be the health and wealth of our customers while maintaining efficient business operations and sustainable growth. With our strategic initiatives on product diversify, strong investment in technologies, people and the sustainable development of the community, Prudential Vietnam always reinforces our core purpose of helping the Vietnamese people get the most out of life."
By JULIO CORTEZ, The Associated Press

FREDERICK, Md. (AP)  A Navy medic shot and critically wounded two people at a Maryland business park Tuesday, then fled to a nearby Army base where he was shot and killed, police and U.S. Navy officials said.

The man entered a business at the Riverside Tech Park, causing people inside to flee, but it was unclear if the shooting took place inside or outside, Frederick Police Chief Jason Lando said.

After the shooting, the medic drove about 10 minutes to Fort Detrick, where he was shot by base personnel, Lando said at a news conference. The U.S. Navy released an initial statement saying there was an active shooter incident at Fort Detrick involving U.S. sailors and that the shooter, a Navy medic assigned to the base, was killed.

Lando said the man who was killed on base was the same person who shot the two people at the business park. Fort Detrick officials later confirmed that on the bases Facebook page.

The two people who were critically wounded by the shooter were airlifted to a hospital, Lando said.

Police stand around an area cordoned off by police tape on Progress Court, near the scene of a shooting at a business park, in Frederick, Md., Tuesday, April 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)AP

Fort Detrick spokeswoman Lanessa Hill said the gunman drove through a gate at an entrance to the base before base personnel confronted him on a road.

It wasnt that long before he came through the gate. Not even a quarter of a mile, Hill said. She said Frederick police had given them advance notice, so we knew that he was out there.

Fort Detrick is a U.S. Army base in Frederick that is home to the militarys flagship biological defense laboratory and several federal civilian biodefense labs.

Lando called the shootings very tragic.

Its happening too frequently. Every time we turn on the TV were seeing something like this happening. And now its happening in our backyards.

More:

N.J. cop shoots, kills man who stole police car: officials

Husband convicted of killing wife 30 years after her murder wasnt failed by his lawyer, Pa.court says
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A historic 155-year-old church with its stonework, spire and stained glass windows still intact could be transformed into a family home after going on sale for the first time.

The 4,000sqm Gothic-style church in Rokewood, western Victoria was put on the market last month by its owners the Uniting Church in Australia after welcoming its final worshippers in 2020.

The church's Victorian branch decided to sell due to the congregation dwindling in recent years, Charles Stewart Real Estate Colac agent Anthony McDonald told Daily Mail Australia.

He said the church - constructed in 1865 with funds from two powerful farming families - would likely sell for $400,000 to $450,000 and be converted for residential use.

This 4,000sqm Gothic-style regional church in Rokewood, western Victoria was put up for sale last month by its owners The Uniting Church in Australia

Charles Stewart Real Estate Colac estate agent Anthony McDonald said the church decided to sell due to dwindling congregation numbers in recent years

The original stonework, spire, ornate doors and stained glass windows are still in tact despite the church turning 155 years old last year

'Due to heritage rules, the buyer must leave the exterior completely intact but they can add an extension at the back,' Mr McDonald said.

'Most will want to convert it for residential use but they could also turn it into a business like a cafe or gallery.'

The property's listing describes the church as being a 'historically and architecturally significant gem' and a 'rare opportunity' for buyers to secure a piece of southwest Victorian history.

Mr McDonald said the Russell and Elder farming families were instrumental in the commissioning of the church back in the mid-1800s and their descendants were a key part of the congregation in the years since.

'The two families were certainly involved in it until very recently and we can see how important they were from epitaphs and plaques in the church that mention them,' he said.

As well as the stained glass windows, the original wooden pews and vaulted timber ceiling have also been kept in good condition by the church's owners.

Scottish architect Alexander Davidson designed the church - paving the way for him to mastermind a series of similar churches and homesteads in the region until his death in 1908.

The church is described as an 'historically and architecturally significant gem' and a 'rare opportunity' for buyers to secure a piece of south-west Victorian history

The influential Russell and Elder farming families were instrumental in the commissioning of the church back in the mid 1800s

The church's original wooden pews and vaulted timber ceiling have been kept in good condition by the church's owners

Pictured: The church's kitchen area. The Gothic-style church was designed by Scottish architect Alexander Davidson

The Catholic church in Rokewood sold in February for an undisclosed price at auction after it also suffered from falling congregation numbers

The real estate agent said disused churches were increasingly being sold to developers as churchgoing became less common in Australia.

'During my 28 years doing this, I've sold at least five churches. The Catholic church in Rokewood also sold recently,' he said.

The red-brick Catholic church sold for an undisclosed price in February at auction after it too suffered from falling congregation numbers.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 6, 2021) - Hemisphere Energy Corporation (TSXV: HME) (OTCQX: HMENF) ("Hemisphere" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that effective April 6, 2021, it will commence trading on the OTCQX Venture Marketplace ("OTCQX") under the symbol "HMENF". U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com.

The OTCQX Market is designed for established, investor-focused U.S. and international companies. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance, and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws. Graduating to the OTCQX Market from the OTCQX Market marks an important milestone for companies, enabling them to demonstrate their qualifications and build visibility among U.S. investors.

Don Simmons, President and CEO of Hemisphere Energy Corporation, commented: "We are excited to graduate to the OTCQX Market, which will provide Hemisphere with increased accessibility and liquidity for our U.S. investors. We are at a transformational time in the growth of our company and this exposure will help get our story out there to a group of new investors that we welcome."

About Hemisphere Energy Corp.

Hemisphere is a Canadian oil company focused on sustainable growth of its high netback, low decline conventional heavy oil assets through water and polymer flood enhanced recovery methods. Please see the Company's updated corporate presentation for more details at www.hemisphereenergy.ca.

About OTC Markets Group Inc.

OTC Markets Group Inc. operates the OTCQX Best Market, the OTCQX Venture Market and the Pink Open Market for 11,000 U.S. and global securities. Through OTC Link ATS and OTC Link ECN, we connect a diverse network of broker-dealers that provide liquidity and execution services. We enable investors to easily trade through the broker of their choice and empower companies to improve the quality of information available for investors.

Don Simmons, President & Chief Executive Officer

Telephone: (604) 685-9255

Email: info@hemisphereenergy.ca



Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Other Advisories

This document contains forward-looking information. This information relates to future events and the Company's future performance. All information and statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature constitute forward-looking information, and the words "may", "will", "should", "could", "expect", "plan", "intend", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "propose", "predict", "potential", "continue", "aim", or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking information. Such information represents the Company's internal projections, estimates, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, intentions or statements about future events or performance. This information involves known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. Hemisphere believes that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable; however, undue reliance should not be placed on this forward-looking information, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur. This press release contains forward-looking information concerning, among other things, the anticipated advantages of listing in the OTCQX. The reader is cautioned that such information, although considered reasonable by the Company, may prove to be incorrect. A number of risks and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information contained in this document including, but not limited to, the risk that the anticipated benefits of listing on the OTCQX may not be achieved and the risk that the Company may not be able to successfully execute its business strategy or growth plans. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this document are based upon assumptions which management of Hemisphere believes to be reasonable, Hemisphere cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. With respect to forward-looking statements contained in this document, Hemisphere has made assumptions regarding, among other things, increased liquidity and investor profile as a result of the OTCQX listing. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this document and Hemisphere disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, 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 news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79471
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Two Chinese expatriates have been abducted at a mining site in Osun State.

The expatriates, Zhao Juan (33) and One Wen (50) were abducted at a mining site located Okepa/Itikan village in Ifewara, Atakumosa-West local government area of the state on Monday.

The gunmen invaded the site and engaged local guards in a gun duel. Two of the guards were shot in the process.

The abduction came barely two months after three Chinese were abducted and their police guard killed in the state.

Last November, another policeman was killed during the abduction of a Chinese in the nearby Ekiti State.

The latest incident was confirmed by the Osun State police spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday.

Two Chinese Nationals, Messrs Zhao Jian, 33, and Wen m 50, were kidnapped at Okepa/Itikan Village, gold mining site in Ifewara, Osun on 5th April, 2021 around 4:00pm, by a gang of criminals.

Two private guards attached to the site were shot and have been taken to the general hospital for treatment.

Sequel to this report, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olawale Olokode immediately drafted a strong, combined reinforcement of Police Tactical units, JTF, and other security outfits who have embarked on search/rescue operation for the two abducted Chinese persons and possible arrest of all the fleeing criminals.

The Commissioner of Police enjoined members of the public to collaborate with the Police in fighting crime to bring it down to the barest minimum, by providing us with creditable and prompt information as that can lead to the rescue of the abductees unhurt, the statement read.
LONDON, APRIL 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Huobi Group, the world's leading blockchain company, today announced that its philanthropic arm Huobi Charity Limited ("Huobi Charity") regulated by the Charity Commissioners of Gibraltar (registration no. 324) is committing $1 million in bitcoin (BTC) and fiat currency to UNICEF to help foster global blockchain development and innovations with the potential to impact children and young people globally. Funds will be distributed to the UNICEF CryptoFund, a new financial vehicle allowing UNICEF to receive, hold, and disburse cryptocurrency, and UNICEF's Innovation Fund, a pooled fund specifically designed to finance early stage, open-source technology that can benefit children. The Innovation Fund has received contributions of $34.9M USD, 2267 ETH and 8 BTC. The donation marks the first extensive institutional BTC donation accepted by UNICEF.

As digital currencies like BTC see record adoption globally, major institutions and organizations such as UNICEF are implementing blockchain and cryptocurrency, as well as other forms of emerging technology, into their initiatives to expand services and opportunities for people around the world. UNICEF's CryptoFund and Innovation Fund are providing both fiat and cryptocurrency investments to early-stage startups to help accelerate technological innovation to benefit children around the world.

Launched in 2016, UNICEF's Innovation Fund is the first financial vehicle of its kind in the United Nations investing in early stage, open-source, emerging technology with the potential to impact children on a global scale. Its core motivation is to identify "clusters" or portfolios of initiatives around emerging technologies so that UNICEF can both shape markets and also learn about and guide these technologies to benefit children. The Fund invests in solutions clustered around $100 billion industries in technology spaces such as blockchain, virtual and augmented reality, machine learning and artificial intelligence.

UNICEF's CryptoFund is a new financial vehicle allowing UNICEF to receive, hold, and disburse cryptocurrency  a first for the UN. The CryptoFund aspires to create visibility for donors and the public, adding a layer of transparent accounting to the donation process, all visible on the CryptoFund website (https://cryptofund.unicef.io/). By distributing funding in cryptocurrency, UNICEF, donors, recipients, and the public can track where the assets are going and how they are being spent, providing an unprecedented level of transparency in the funding and NGO space. The CryptoFund allows UNICEF to explore what it means to operate in a digitally financed future.

"Huobi Charity shares in UNICEF's vision to match today's challenges with tomorrow's solutions, including through the advancement of open source, decentralized technology that can benefit children and young people," said Thomas Davin, Director, Office of Innovation at UNICEF. "Together, Huobi Charity and UNICEF aim to shape the impact that crypto can have on driving and accelerating results for children."

Huobi Group has long been committed to driving blockchain innovation and adoption across the globe. As the industry matures, Huobi is looking for new ways to leverage its resources and influence to contribute to a brighter future, both for the global economy and society at large.

"We are ecstatic about making this donation to UNICEF as we explore the integration of blockchain technologies into other industries," said Leon LI, Founder and CEO of Huobi Group. "Our focus is on the future, so we recognize the significance of UNICEF's work and the importance of supporting and facilitating the growth and development of children around the world."

As part of the $1 million commitment, Huobi has already donated seven BTC to the UNICEF CryptoFund, which was estimated at a value of $350,000 at the time of donation. The remainder will be distributed to UNICEF's Innovation Fund over the next three years to support early-stage, open-source projects and UNICEF's ongoing explorations toward a digitally financed future.

In addition to its donation to UNICEF, Huobi Charity aims to leverage blockchain technology and digital assets to help create a fair and equitable future, tackling societal issues like poverty, education, healthcare, culture, and more. As a formally recognized and registered charity, Huobi Charity operates in full transparency and to the registered Charity standards.

About Huobi Group

As a world-leading company in the blockchain industry, Huobi Group was founded in 2013 with a mission to make breakthroughs in core blockchain technology and the integration of blockchain technology and other industries. Huobi Group has expanded into public chain, digital assets trading and wallet, mining pool, proprietary investment, incubation, digital asset research, etc., established a global digital economy industry ecosystem by investing in over 60 upstream and downstream companies in the blockchain industry, and formed an overall global digital economy ecology. For more information, visit https://blog.hbg.com/.

About UNICEF

UNICEF works in some of the world's toughest places, to reach the world's most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, product or service.

SOURCE Huobi Charity
The Young Democrats of America (YDA), the youth wing of the US Democratic Party, recently completed a visit to the city of Dakhla, Western Sahara and have called on investors to tap into the regions unexploited economic potential.



The YDA delegation held talks with the General Director of the Regional Investment Center (CRI) to identify investment opportunities in several productive sectors.



Mounir Houari, director of the CRI of Dakhla-Oued Eddahab, presented to members of the American Democratic Party the various investment opportunities in various sectors such as renewable energies, promotion of seafood, aquaculture, services and shops, as well as tourism.



Houari revealed that the CRI also supports young entrepreneurs, especially women who want to create small and medium-sized companies.



A cooperation agreement was signed in order to boost relations in various fields, in the years to come, between the members of the two youth groups.



There are many opportunities for investors to come and invest in Dakhla and share these resources with Africa, YDA President Joshua Harris-Till said.



YDA were invited by the youth of the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) for a four-day visit to Dakhla last week.



The leader of the youth of the American Democratic Party said the recognition by the United States of the full sovereignty of Morocco over Sahara is only a first step.



There is still work to be done.



American investments must take place in Dakhla, he insisted.

Harris-Till also highlighted the importance of the socio-economic dynamics and the leading projects under way in the region for the future of the young people in the southern city.



There is a real potential here for young people to have a prosperous environment and I think this is something extremely important, added the head of this delegation who visited a pilot agricultural farm in the region.



Heather Brown, a member of the American Democratic Party, said that the authorities have a strategic vision on how this region could develop in the future, noting that this vision will allow Dakhla to be an important port platform for all of Africa.



Brown, who already visited Dakhla over 10 years ago to attend the ceremony for the presentation of the largest flag in the world, said she was impressed by the socio-economic development and the quality of infrastructure in Dakhla, assuring that the United States will continue to be a partner and a friend of Morocco.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Every so often, a fitness trend comes along that everyone talks about. Right now, thats Chloe Ting.

The fitness influencer has seen her workouts go viral and boasts more than 19 million subscribers on YouTube According to Googles 2020 trends roundup, her no-equipment workouts were the most searched for in the UK after only Joe Wicks.

Heres everything you need to know about Chloe Ting, her Two Weeks Shred Challenge  and how our writer Liz Connor, who enjoys high-intensity fitness, got on when she put it to the test.

Who is Chloe Ting?

Ting is an Australian YouTuber and fitness influencer who has gained huge popularity in recent months thanks to TikTok Its little wonder really, as the app is where most viral trends now start, from the Dalgona coffee to the Savage dance.

Fitness vlogger Ting has been posting her workout videos online since 2011, but TikTok users sent her Chloe Ting Challenge viral on the platform by sharing videos of their impressive results.

Ting has posted loads of different challenges on her website, but the one thats most famous on TikTok is her Two Weeks Shred Challenge.

[xdelx]

Many users have praised the sweat-inducing regime for sculpting their physique during quarantine, while gyms were closed. Notably, people have claimed that the #ChloeTingChallenge has helped them achieve a defined stomach in just a fortnight.

What is the Two Weeks Shred Challenge?

During the 14-day challenge, there are usually between two to four workout videos to do per day, all of them hosted on YouTube. Users can break the videos up and complete them across the day, but Ting says its worth just getting it all done in one session if youre able.

The overall time of the workouts per day ranges from 25-50 minutes, and of the 14 days, two are scheduled rest days. Some days also include optional videos if you fancy an extra challenge.

Ting has posted the full Two Weeks Shred schedule on her website so its really easy to follow along with the plan.

Whats it like?

People online have commented about how tough Tings workouts are and, as someone who enjoys high-intensity fitness, I was keen to put her challenge to the test.

The workouts themselves are a mixture of cardio and strength training, using just your bodyweight as resistance, so you dont need to spend loads of money on expensive fitness gear to take part. I really rate that Tings workouts are free and accessible to everyone; all you really need is space to move and a workout mat if youre on hard floors.

chloeting1

One of the first videos in the programme is a 10-minute abs workout, which sounds like it should be relatively easy, but the moves are in supersets so theres little rest, which really burns my midsection in a short space of time.

The 30-minute full body workout videos give me a bit more breathing space. Super difficult exercises like plank jacks and burpees are followed by less intense ones like high knees and star jumps, so I dont feel overwhelmed. However, there are only 10 seconds of rest between exercises, so my heart rate is constantly in the fat-burning zone.

I like that the videos are split up into smaller chunks than a full 50-minute class, so I can easily fit them into my working day. Some of the videos are repeated on several different days though, meaning it can get a bit samey.

The verdict

Overall, I got a really decent sweat on while doing the challenge and Id really recommend taking a short break between each workout video, as I found it nearly impossible to do three back-to-back.

Theres no denying that each video is beautifully shot, and I liked that there was a progress bar at the top of the screen so you could see how much of the workout you had completed.

PXL_20210326_152319373

I also liked that some of Tings more intense workouts offered a low impact alternative for people prone to injury (also handy if you have neighbours you dont want to annoy).

As someone who works out to feel strong, I found some of the language on Tings channel a bit reductive  like flat stomach challenge and slim thigh challenge. No matter how much I work out, I realise Ill never be able to achieve her natural hourglass physique, but I worry other young women might not know this.

However, these workouts are free, really effective  and a nice way of having two weeks of fitness training planned out for you.
The United States infectious disease expert on March 5 said that the US government will not mandate vaccine passports for travel. He said that he does not think the government will be the main mover behind these passports. In an episode of the Politico Dispatch podcast, Fauci stated that the government may ensure the things are being done fairly and equitably but they won't be the leading element of vaccine passport.

Fauci urges Americans to get themselves vaccinated

Fauci said that theatres and educational institutions can make the entry with the test report mandatory. In a White House press briefing, Fauci said that the people should take precautions regarding COVID-19. They should continue to follow coronavirus protocols to curb the spread of the virus. He added that the cases increased during summer so people should be more vigilant.

We saw some substantial surges in the summer. I dont think we should even think about relying on the weather to bail us out of anything were in right now.

Anthony Fauci also said that Americans should get themselves vaccinated with two shots of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Fauci said that he is concerned about the protection against a single dose of the virus especially after the emergence of new contagious variants that can evade the protection of the virus. He urged the people to get themselves inoculated with two jabs of vaccines.

We have been concerned, and still are, that when you look at the level of protection after one dose, you can say its 80 per cent, but it is somewhat of a tenuous 80 per cent because the level of, for example, neutralizing antibodies against the coronavirus when you just leave it at one dose, the question is: How long does it last?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention most recent data showed the seven-day average of new cases is about 64,000 cases per day. The cases have increased approximately 7 per cent compared to the prior seven-day period. More people infected with the virus are getting hospitalised. The most recent seven-day trend average is about 4,970 admissions per day, up about 3 per cent from the previous seven-day period. Deaths have decreased to an average of approximately 800 per day. CDC reported that more than 106 million people have received at least one dose, and more than 61.4 million, or 18.5 per cent, are fully vaccinated.

(Image Credits: AP)

(Inputs from ANI)
Pre-tax profits at Dublin building company, Dwyer Nolan Developments last year tumbled by 78pc to 2.8m.

Accounts show that Dwyer Nolan Developments Ltd recorded the 10.1m drop in pre-tax profit after revenues declined by 15pc from 29.76m to 25.32m in the 12 months to the end of May last. The directors state that the results for the year and the financial position at the year end were satisfactory. The directors said that they expect to see continued growth in future years as a result of the improved economic climate.

The directors said that the company continued to operate during the Covid-19 crisis albeit at reduced capacity. Edward ODwyer and Ann ODwyer state that they expect that management can meet the risk presented by Covid-19 in 2021.

The business enjoyed mixed fortunes last year with its planned fast track housing projects.

In February 2020, An Bord Pleanala refused planning permission to the firm for 359 dwellings at Regles, Lusk, Co Dublin.

This followed the company securing planning permission for 129 apartments on a site a short distance from Ikeas flagship store on Dublins north side.

Staff costs last year, including directors remuneration, increased from 1.52m to 2.2m.

The number of people employed was steady at 22 and the chief factor behind the increase in staff costs was directors, Edward Dwyer and Ann Dwyer more than doubling their aggregate pay from 298,067 to 737,912.
New Delhi:

The Indian Army on Wednesday attacked the insurgent group National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) (K) on the India-Myanmar border. As per the Indian Army, it had caused heavy casualties on the insurgent group.

The Army informed that while there were many casualties inflicted on NSCN (K) cadre, no casualties suffered by Indian security forces in the operation.

As per the official statement of Indian Army, a column of security forces was fired upon by unidentified insurgents earlier in the day.

Reacting to that, the troops reacted sharply and brought down heavy retaliatory fire on the insurgents. As a result, large number of casualties were suffered by the insurgent group.

Heavy casualties reportedly inflicted on NSCN(K) cadre. No casualties suffered by Indian Security Forces  EasternCommand_IA (@easterncomd) September 27, 2017

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The president of one of Japan's major financial groups has apologized again for systems failures that shut down ATMs across the country. He said the problems have been fixed and the machines are more secure.

Mizuho Financial Group President Sakai Tatsufumi said, "I would like to apologize deeply from the bottom of my heart. We aim to drastically strengthen our crisis management system and enhance our organizational strength."

In the worst incident -- in late February -- 80 percent of Mizuho Bank's ATMs were affected nationwide.

Customers were unable to withdraw cash. And in some cases, the machines swallowed their cards and bankbooks.

Mizuho says it has made changes that will stop its ATMs from eating cards and bankbooks if the system goes down again.

It also says it will respond more quickly to future systems failures, and send out employees to check affected ATMs as soon as possible.
How is Spains minority coalition government able to get anything done? It possesses only 155 of the 350 seats in congress, 21 fewer than the number required for a majority. Pablo Iglesias, the leader of its junior partner Podemos and formerly one of four deputy prime ministers, stepped down a couple of weeks ago, which raises questions about the weight his party now has in the partnership. Are the Socialists effectively running the show now? Surely not, because they sit on just 120 seats in congress, 56 short of a majority.

Compromises and deals have been a necessity in Spanish politics ever since December 2015, when an unprecedented general election split the national vote four ways, instead of just two. Since then, gamesmanship, corruption and an unwillingness to negotiate has often stalled economic and political progress. As the Bank of Spains governor Pablo Hernandez de Cos said this week, We are experiencing a ... fragmentation process that we are not familiar with, and it is important that ... it does not stop us from reaching agreements. Clearly, its going to take longer than six years to undo the habits of four decades.

Lately, though, there havent been many indications that Spains coalition government is struggling with its technical lack of clout, or being held back by the countrys new political complexity. Is it instead using its minority status, together with the carte blanche apparently given to governments everywhere by the pandemic, to do politics in a new, completely unaccountable fashion?

Certainly, the minority leadership of Pedro Sanchez doesnt seem to be restrained in ways that one would expect or want. This week, for example, it announced a baffling addition to a pre-existing decree, which will make face masks mandatory in all public places, even when social distancing can be maintained. Thats right - read the last part of that sentence again: the new rule enforces wearing those dreadful masks just for the hell of it, when there is absolutely no need to.

The content of this law is ridiculous in itself, but the manner in which it was passed is much more objectionable (I use quotes because it hasnt yet gone through normal parliamentary procedures, so isnt really deserving of the label). There was no consultation with the regions prior to its announcement - something which has rightly angered Andalucias deputy premier, Juan Marin - nor was there any debate about its necessity in national congress. Instead, it was just published in the Official State Gazette on Tuesday as a done deal.

One would expect and wish it to be much more difficult for Sanchezs minority force to pass even the most humdrum pieces of legislation, let alone those which mandate irrational behaviour on a daily basis. When a government gets used to ruling by announcement, everyone should be worried.
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer told Oswego County families Tuesday that a massive coronavirus relief bill passed by Congress will help cut the child poverty rate in half in one of New Yorks poorest counties.

The American Rescue Plan includes an expanded child tax credit of up to $3,000 per child that will be worth $42 million to families in Oswego County this year, Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a visit to Fulton.

Oswego County has the eighth-highest poverty rate out of New Yorks 62 counties, and about 30% of children in the county live in poverty, Schumer said.

The $1.9 trillion bill signed into law by President Biden last month will almost double the child tax credit for families in what Schumer called one of the most significant actions to fight poverty in a generation.

In the midst of the pandemic and economic crisis, this tax credit becomes all the more important for low- and middle-income families with young children who are trying to put food on the table, Schumer said in a visit outside of Oswego County Opportunities in Fulton.

Families will be able to claim a child tax credit of $2,000 to $3,000 per child age 6 to 17 this year, and $3,600 for each child under the age of 6.

Thats not going to make anyone rich, but its going to give families breathing room, Schumer said as he spoke with five children and their parents from Oswego County by his side.

All told, the child tax credit is expected to provide $237 million for Central New York families, including $167 million in Onondaga County, Schumer said.

The IRS is expected to send installment payments to those who dont claim the credit on their tax returns.

The full child tax credit is available to families that earn less than $150,000 per year. The credit phases out for those with higher incomes.

All told, about 3.5 million children in New York are expected to benefit from the expanded credit this year, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

More on the federal coronavirus relief bill

Syracuse City School District to see $128M boost from coronavirus relief bill

How much will each CNY school district receive in coronavirus aid?

Syracuse to receive $126M from Covid relief bill, $89M for Onondaga County

See how much Central New York cities, towns will get in Covid aid

Centro will use $38M federal bailout to keep fares flat, avoid service cuts

Katko, Tenney vote against Covid relief bill that sends $100B to New York

Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact Mark Weiner anytime by: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751
During a recent trip up Roberts Mill Road in Falling Water, I was pleased to see the myriad of wildflowers starting their course of blooms; Virginia Bluebells, Trillium and Buckeye are some of the first of our native wildflowers to greet the motorists who use this narrow, winding mountain trail. Unfortunately the early bloom of the Tennessee litterbug has overtaken the natural beauty of this area with copious amounts of garbage which is flung out of vehicles to the point where the view is destroyed by the filth of others.

This area is a no-mans land sitting in Hamilton County but not within a municipal area. Who should be contacted to see that this area is picked up? No one seems to have an answer.

I request that the high sheriff of Hamilton County utilize the seemingly at rest workforce, available within the ranks of those DUI offenders, to help pay their debt to society by picking this up on a regular basis. The gates could be closed for the few hours it would take to send a crew to walk down the mountain with a large stash of garbage bags and collect the garbage that is such a poor reflection on the citizens of this county.

I will add that the potential inconvenience of the road closure should be felt by all who use this road regularly, in an effort to remind people that littering is a crime and that all citizens are the victims. Perhaps if the perpetrators are made to drive around the other side of the mountain for a while then they will think again about throwing their filth and waste out their car window for all of us to have to see.

Bring back the Tennessee Trash ad campaigns from the 70s so a whole new generation of trashy people can be reminded of the affects of their poor choices.

Carter Parham
Channing Tatum recently revealed how life has been for him post his separation from his former wife, Jenna Dewan. The actor, in an exclusive interview with Parents magazine, shed light on his relationship with his daughter and how he spent his time with her, along with his thoughts on the lockdown.

The actor also went on to comment that he wants dads around the world to not be afraid to get into their daughters world. Channing Tatum shared several experiences that he had with his daughter and also spoke about a book he wrote loosely based on the experiences he had with Everly, his 7-year-old.

Channing Tatum speaks about his daughter

The actor spoke to the above-mentioned magazine that he wants dads to not be afraid of getting into their daughters world and to let them discover who they are. He mentioned that he had a lot of fear when he initially became a single dad. He added that he was scared of how he would connect to Everly. He shared that he didnt know and was confused as to what the little girl might want from him. He revealed that during that phase, he didnt know how to wear nail polish or braid har. However, he eventually learned those things and now knows to do it all.

Channing Tatum was quoted saying that he 'jumped with both feet into the magical world' of his daughter. He said that the experience was rewarding with a certain kind of love that he would not be able to experience otherwise. He also added that a lot has changed for him now and revealed that he rarely is around the house without any costume. The actor thus revealed that he enjoys playing and being a part of his daughters world. A while back, the actor had even posted a picture of himself sitting around his daughters toys and reading The one and only Sparkella. The book has been written by Channing Tatum himself and speaks about a schoolgirl who is often teased for her love towards glittery items.

Speaking about the book, Channing Tatum said that Everly too loved to play tricks and wear crazy outfits. He added that his daughter is bold and beautiful in every way. He called her magical in every way as well. The actor also said that during the quarantine period, he spent a lot of time in her room which helped him flesh the story for his book which will be available on May 4.

Source: Channing Tatum Instagram

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SPRINGFIELD  Hampden Superior Court Judge John S. Ferrara agreed to recuse himself from a civil case over allegations of decades-old trash talk, though the says he has no memory of the comments.

Ferrara was presiding over the case of Steven Vigneault, a former Springfield police detective who said he was forced out of the job and is suing the city and his former colleagues.

Vigneault resigned from the Police Department in 2016 after being accused of kicking a handcuffed juvenile suspect who stole his undercover car. He denied kicking the boy.

Vigneault fashioned his lawsuit as a whistleblower complaint by alleging shenanigans by his onetime colleagues including drinking on the job, buying booze with money recovered from drug suspects, drafting bogus search warrant applications and more.

Among nine defendants in the civil case is suspended Springfield Police Officer Gregg Bigda. He and Vigneault were once partners on the narcotics squad who found themselves at odds over a woman they dated at separate times.

Stanley Wheatley, an attorney for Bigda, last month filed a motion asking Ferrara to remove himself from the case. Wheatley contended that Ferrara  while he was still a defense attorney in private practice 25 years ago  told another attorney hed like to get Bigda alone in a room for five minutes when Ferrara and Bigda were on opposite sides of an excessive force case. Ferrara represented a woman who accused Bigda of roughing her up during the arrest of a family member.

Wheatley alternatively called them fighting words and trash talk during a hearing before Ferrara on Monday afternoon.

Ferrara said he has no recall of saying any such thing, noting Bigda had testified as a witness before him in separate cases and never raised the question of the judges impartiality.

Ive been on the bench now for nine years and hes appeared before me as a witness at least twice, Ferrara said.

In both instances, I credited his testimony. ... So for him to now say I might not be impartial I find ironic, the judge added.

Wheatley also accused Vigneaults attorney, Shawn Allyn, of judge shopping since Allyn opposed the motion to remove Ferrara from the case.

He doth protest too much, methinks Wheatley said, invoking Shakespeare. Unless he thinks hes got a better shot with one judge than another.

Allyn argued that the case has dragged on for nearly four years and his client is merely tired of delays.

He wants closure; he wants movement, Allyn told Ferrara. If anyone is judge shopping here, its not Mr. Vigneault.

Although he repeated he did not remember making the remarks in question, Ferrara removed himself nevertheless. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for April 14, when another judge will hear motions to dismiss.
Ryan Fox has broken the course record at Gulf Harbour Country Club on his way to winning the inaugural The Clubroom Gulf Harbour Open today.

Fox has fired a final round of 10-under 62 to finish at 23-under par for the tournament to win by a whopping seven strokes over Josh Geary and local hero, James Hydes.

After carding rounds of 67, 70, and 66, Fox started the final round a shot back of overnight leader Ben Campbell but quickly made his intentions clear with a birdie at the opening hole to tie Campbells lead.

He took command of the tournament on the second hole with another birdie with Campbell making bogey, and Fox would never look back.

He made pars at the third and fourth holes before making back-to-back eagles at the fifth and sixth holes to separate himself and the rest of the field.

He would par the remaining holes on the front nine and made the turn at six-under and hold a sizeable lead.

Fox began the back in similar fashion to the front making three birdies on the trot on the 10th, 11th, and 12th holes to get to nine-under for the day. He picked up another with a birdie at the 16th and needed to eagle the par 5 17th and birdie the 18th to shoot the magical number of 59.

He could only manage par up the final two holes, but it was good enough to break the course record which was equaled by amateur Sam Jones in the second round.

Fox says it was special to win on the Jennian Homes Charles Tour for the first time since 2014 and hit some great shots under some pressure.

I felt like a score like this was coming. I played great in the first round with the exception of one hole and played great yesterday but felt as though I left a lot out there.

It was nice to get it going early and hit some great shots coming home. Its a really nice feeling, he says.

The European Tour professional says the win is extra special being that it was not only in front of his home supporters, but his newly born three-month-old child.

They both came out yesterday and the little one got a little bit sunburnt yesterday and Frazer [Bond] was nice enough to give them a cart to drive around the back nine today and it was really cool to see them out there.

To have my first win the little one was a really special feeling. She decided to wake us up at 4am this morning and I thought it was going to be one of those days but I think it might have been a good omen instead, Fox laughs.

He also says hes missed being back in New Zealand playing competitive golf and looks forward to repeating some good golf at the Autex Muriwai Open next week.

Josh Geary and James Hydes finished in a tie for second at 16-under, with Wenyung Keh finishing as the low woman at nine-under and in a tie for ninth.

For tournament information, click HERE
More than a year after Harvey Weinstein's rape conviction, his lawyers are demanding a new trial, arguing in court papers Monday that the landmark #MeToo prosecution that put him behind bars was buoyed by improper rulings from a judge who was cavalier in protecting the disgraced movie mogul's right to a fair trial.

In a 166-page brief filed with a state appellate court, Weinstein's lawyers took repeated aim at Manhattan Judge James Burke, arguing that he swayed the trial's outcome with repeated rulings favourable to prosecutors including a decision allowing additional accusers to testify about allegations that never led to criminal charges.

Weinstein's lawyers also challenged Burke's refusal to remove a juror who had written a novel involving predatory older men, as well as his decision to allow prosecutors to have an expert on victim behaviour and rape myths testify while rejecting testimony on similar subjects from defense experts.

Mr. Weinstein had a right to a fair trial by an impartial jury, lawyers Barry Kamins, John Leventhal and Diana Fabi-Samson wrote in the brief.

The trial court should have exercised the utmost vigilance in protecting this most important right of the defendant," they wrote. "Instead, the trial court was cavalier in its obligation to safeguard this right and the consequences for Mr. Weinstein were disastrous.

Weinstein, 69, was convicted in February 2020 of a criminal sex act for forcibly performing oral sex on a TV and film production assistant in 2006 and rape in the third degree for an attack on an aspiring actress in 2013.

He was acquitted of first-degree rape and two counts of predatory sexual assault stemming from actor Annabella Sciorra's allegations of a mid-1990s rape testimony that his lawyers said Monday was so dated it should never have been allowed.

Burke sentenced Weinstein to 23 years in state prison, which his lawyers argued Monday was unduly harsh and excessive. Given his previously clean criminal record, renowned career as an Oscar-winning movie producer and history of charitable giving, Weinstein's lawyers argued he deserved a significantly lighter sentence.

Weinstein is also charged in California with assaulting five women in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills from 2004 to 2013. His extradition has been delayed because of the pandemic. Weinstein tested positive for the coronavirus shortly after arriving at the maximum security Wende Correctional Facility near Buffalo last spring.

Weinstein maintains his innocence and contends that any sexual activity was consensual.

Weinstein's lawyer said at the time of his conviction that he was somewhat flabbergasted by the verdict but that he remained cautiously optimistic that he could prevail on appeal. They filed a notice of appeal in April 2020. Arguments are not expected for several months.

A spokesperson for the Manhattan district attorney's office declined to comment on Monday's filing, saying: We will respond in our brief to the court.

Douglas Wigdor, a lawyer for several of Weinstein's accusers, said in a statement that the appeal is a desperate attempt to undo a fair trial overseen by Judge Burke and the findings of a well-reasoned and thoughtful jury. We are confident the appeal will not alter his conviction and sentence.

In their filing, Weinstein's lawyers argued that he was tried in carnival-like conditions," with protesters chanting rapist outside the courthouse, and that Burke should have acceded to their demands to delay or move the trial, particularly after Los Angeles authorities announced the new charges against Weinstein just as jury selection was starting.

Burke, they wrote, refused to acknowledge any possible prejudice injuring to (Weinstein) from either the charges unveiled with great fanfare in California or the intimidation tactics in and around the courthouse."



The judge's decision to allow testimony from three women whose allegations did not lead to charges in the New York case overwhelmed the trial with excessive, random, and highly dubious prior bad act evidence.

Rules vary by state on calling witnesses to testify about prior bad acts outside the actual charges. New York's rules, shaped by a landmark decision in a 1901 poisoning case, are among the more restrictive.

In the case, People v. Molineux, the state's highest court reversed the conviction of a chemist accused of poisoning a rival with cyanide-laced seltzer because prosecutors had relied too heavily on evidence suggesting he previously poisoned someone else.

Weinstein's lawyers argued that extra testimony went beyond detailing motive, opportunity, intent or a common scheme or plan and essentially put him on trial for crimes he wasn't charged with and hadn't had an opportunity to defend himself against.

Because the evidence on the charged offenses was weak, the prosecution inundated the jury with copious tales of alleged misconduct (much of which was not criminal in nature) that served no legitimate evidentiary purpose but merely depicted Weinstein as loathsome, Weinstein's lawyers wrote.

(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 Prez Trump was ousted from office, we noticed a great deal of celebration and hope on local social media feeds . . . We're guessing that all of the grumbling was over on Parler and then subsequently deleted.



Now that the nation has settled into the current administration it's difficult to gauge local reaction to the current Prez because he's simply not a very popular topic of conversation.



Polling suggests he's more popular than Prez Trump and a bevy of free money likely has a lot to do with that . . . Of course haters and trolls abound but their criticism doesn't really influence as many people as politicos fear.



And so, for the moment, we'll just make a simple observation . . . Look around local streets: Signs supporting former Prez Obama are apparent, look even more closely and there's still tribute to former Prez Trump. But our current Prez simply doesn't have a significant local following or fan base if local chatter, street signs, bumper stickers or any visible communication provide clues as to the feeling of the local electorate. Of course this isn't a scientific study but it's more independent than so many partisan numbers that are broadcast.



And so we offer sample polling as we take a pause for the overnight . . .



Reuters: Biden U.S. infrastructure ideas popular, but support for plan is partisan

Independent UK: Americans back Bidens early handling of pandemic but not on guns and immigration, new poll shows

The Hill: AP poll finds Biden with 61 percent approval rating

Fox News: Only 44% of Americans approve of the job President Biden is doing on border security, with 55% saying they disapprove, according to an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll released Monday. And on the related issue of immigration, Biden stands at 42% approval and 56% disapproval.

Developing . . .


New York, April 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Finance Cloud Market Research Report by Type, by Trends, by Organization Size, by Deployment Model, by Application, by Sub-Industry - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06045502/?utm_source=GNW



Market Statistics:

The report provides market sizing and forecast across five major currencies - USD, EUR GBP, JPY, and AUD. This helps organization leaders make better decisions when currency exchange data is readily available.



1. The Global Finance Cloud Market is expected to grow from USD 11,374.68 Million in 2020 to USD 24,147.37 Million by the end of 2025.

2. The Global Finance Cloud Market is expected to grow from EUR 9,973.53 Million in 2020 to EUR 21,172.87 Million by the end of 2025.

3. The Global Finance Cloud Market is expected to grow from GBP 8,866.49 Million in 2020 to GBP 18,822.73 Million by the end of 2025.

4. The Global Finance Cloud Market is expected to grow from JPY 1,213,966.59 Million in 2020 to JPY 2,577,136.27 Million by the end of 2025.

5. The Global Finance Cloud Market is expected to grow from AUD 16,517.54 Million in 2020 to AUD 35,065.19 Million by the end of 2025.



Market Segmentation & Coverage:

This research report categorizes the Finance Cloud to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets:



Based on Type, the Finance Cloud Market studied across Service and Solution. The Service further studied across Managed Services and Professional Services. The Solution further studied across Financial Forecasting, Financial Reporting and Analysis, Governance, Risk, and Compliance, and Security.



Based on Trends, the Finance Cloud Market studied across Regulations and Compliances, Strategic Benchmarking, and Value Chain Analysis.



Based on Organization Size , the Finance Cloud Market studied across Large Enterprises and Small and Medium Enterprises.



Based on Deployment Model , the Finance Cloud Market studied across Hybrid Cloud, Private Cloud, and Public Cloud.



Based on Application, the Finance Cloud Market studied across Account Management, Customer Management, Revenue Management, and Wealth Management System.



Based on Sub-Industry, the Finance Cloud Market studied across Banking and Financial Services and Insurance.



Based on Geography, the Finance Cloud Market studied across Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa. The Americas region surveyed across Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and United States. The Asia-Pacific region surveyed across Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand. The Europe, Middle East & Africa region surveyed across France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom.



Company Usability Profiles:

The report deeply explores the recent significant developments by the leading vendors and innovation profiles in the Global Finance Cloud Market including Acumatica Inc By EQT, Advent International, Amazon Web Services, Atemiscloud, Capgemini SE, Cerillion Technologies Limited, Cisco Systems, Inc., CloudSigma Holding AG, Cox Communications, DigitalOcean,LLC, DXC Technology, Google LLC, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd, IBM Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, NEC Corporation, Oracle Corporation, Percipient, Rambase, Sage Intacct Inc., Salesforce.Com, Inc., SAP SE, SE2, VMware, Wipro Limited, and Workday, Inc..



Cumulative Impact of COVID-19:

COVID-19 is an incomparable global public health emergency that has affected almost every industry, so for and, the long-term effects projected to impact the industry growth during the forecast period. Our ongoing research amplifies our research framework to ensure the inclusion of underlaying COVID-19 issues and potential paths forward. The report is delivering insights on COVID-19 considering the changes in consumer behavior and demand, purchasing patterns, re-routing of the supply chain, dynamics of current market forces, and the significant interventions of governments. The updated study provides insights, analysis, estimations, and forecast, considering the COVID-19 impact on the market.



FPNV Positioning Matrix:

The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Finance Cloud Market on the basis of Business Strategy (Business Growth, Industry Coverage, Financial Viability, and Channel Support) and Product Satisfaction (Value for Money, Ease of Use, Product Features, and Customer Support) that aids businesses in better decision making and understanding the competitive landscape.



Competitive Strategic Window:

The Competitive Strategic Window analyses the competitive landscape in terms of markets, applications, and geographies. The Competitive Strategic Window helps the vendor define an alignment or fit between their capabilities and opportunities for future growth prospects. During a forecast period, it defines the optimal or favorable fit for the vendors to adopt successive merger and acquisition strategies, geography expansion, research & development, and new product introduction strategies to execute further business expansion and growth.



The report provides insights on the following pointers:

1. Market Penetration: Provides comprehensive information on the market offered by the key players

2. Market Development: Provides in-depth information about lucrative emerging markets and analyzes the markets

3. Market Diversification: Provides detailed information about new product launches, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments

4. Competitive Assessment & Intelligence: Provides an exhaustive assessment of market shares, strategies, products, and manufacturing capabilities of the leading players

5. Product Development & Innovation: Provides intelligent insights on future technologies, R&D activities, and new product developments



The report answers questions such as:

1. What is the market size and forecast of the Global Finance Cloud Market?

2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Finance Cloud Market during the forecast period?

3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Finance Cloud Market?

4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Finance Cloud Market?

5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Finance Cloud Market?

6. What are the modes and strategic moves considered suitable for entering the Global Finance Cloud Market?

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06045502/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



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Dan Corbett has not received rent from his tenant since late 2018, even though they continue to live at the Limerick property. Photo: Eamon Ward

The landlords of a Limerick property have spoken out about the emotional and financial stress theyve experienced after a two-year dispute with their tenant, who owes more than 27,000 in rent.

Dan Corbett and his wife, Joy King-Corbett, took a case with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) after their tenant stopped paying rent in December 2018.

The RTB found in their favour, ordering the tenant to vacate the premises and pay the outstanding rent of 5,052 in 25 consecutive payments of 200.

However, nearly two years later, she is still living in the house.

Speaking to the Irish Independent, Ms King-Corbett said the situation was taking its toll on her family.

Were both self-employed so we bought this property as a pension for ourselves. We are seriously out of pocket as a result of this, and with the pandemic and everything else, it has been a difficult year, she said.

The tenant had been renting the property since 2012 and there had never been any issues beforehand.

One day she just stopped paying rent and that was that, Ms King-Corbett said.

Ms King-Corbett went on to criticise the slow nature of the RTB process, describing it as incredibly frustrating.

Determination orders issued by the RTB can be enforced only through the courts.

The RTB says there is no legal obligation on it to enforce orders and it is up to the applicant to pursue the matter.

The Corbetts requested the RTB to act on their behalf and the case was heard before Limerick District Court in January 2020.

The judge ruled in the Corbetts favour and ordered the tenant to pay 12,000 in rent arrears and to vacate the house. He also ordered the tenant to pay 975 each month until such a time as she vacated the building.

However, the tenant appealed it to the Circuit Court and, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the case hasnt gone ahead.

Meanwhile, the Corbetts still cant get into their house.

We are both at our wits end, Ms King-Corbett said.

I am reaching out to county councillors in Limerick to see if they can help get my tenant on the housing list. This is not a landlords remit.

I feel that this will not be resolved in 2021, and it will be early 2022  possibly a whole three years  before I have access to my property.

A countrywide eviction ban is currently in place due to Level 5 restrictions.

The ban automatically kicks in any time peoples movement is restricted to 5km from

their home, as part of new measures introduced by the Government.

Efforts to contact the tenant were unsuccessful.
[April 06, 2021] OpenGate Capital Completes Acquisition of Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems from Esko

OpenGate Capital, a global private equity firm, announced today the completed acquisition of Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems ("Kongsberg"), from Esko. Kongsberg is a manufacturer of digital cutting systems, a global developer of integrated software and hardware solutions for the packaging, label, and wide format sectors. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Established in 1965, Kongsberg is a recognized leader in providing high speed, clean, precision cutting for packaging, signage, and display purposes with operational facilities in Belgium, Czech Republic, and Norway. OpenGate Capital's Founder and Chief Executive Officer Andrew Nikou stated, "With the heightened focus on digitization in the industrial sector, Kongsberg is well positioned to develop new operational efficiencies and innovative solutions to drive organic growth. This is an exciting time in Kongsberg's evolution, and we are looking forward to collaborating together in the years ahead."



OpenGate intends to leverage the firm's OGx platform to accelerate Kongsberg's growth. Launched in 2018, the firm's proprietary OGx platform is an operational capability for fostering digital transformation. OGx combines continuous innovation with strategic partnerships to fulfill a vision of driving commercial excellence, operational growth and, ultimately investment performance. As industrial companies are rapidly adopting technology as a driver of growth, OpenGate is fast becoming a leader in the development of digital transformation applications for businesses within the lower-to-middle market. The acquisition of Kongsberg highlights OpenGate Capital's longstanding history of investing across the European region since 2007, as well as the firm's continued focus on identifying global opportunities within the industrial sector. Kongsberg is the eighth platform investment and fifth corporate carve-out completed in OpenGate's second fund.

About OpenGate Capital OpenGate Capital is a global private equity firm specializing in the acquisition and operation of businesses to create new value through operational improvements, innovation, and growth. Established in 2005, OpenGate Capital is headquartered in Los Angeles, California with a European office in Paris, France. OpenGate's professionals possess the critical skills needed to acquire, transition, operate, build, and scale successful businesses. To date, OpenGate Capital, through its legacy and fund investments, has executed more than 30 acquisitions including corporate carve-outs, management buyouts, special situations, and transactions with private sellers across North America and Europe. To learn more about OpenGate, please visit www.opengatecapital.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210405005011/en/

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SPRINGFIELD  Two years after his arrest, Anthony Scibelli on Tuesday admitted in federal court he was a debt collector for a loan shark in the Western Massachusetts mob.

Scibelli, 53, of Springfield, pleaded guilty to a single criminal count of collecting extortionate debts.

He faces up to two years in federal prison under a plea deal with prosecutors. Scibelli, who remains free on bail, will be sentenced on Sept. 3.

The charge comes in connection with the beating of a man in debt to an unnamed loan shark. That beating, which took place in the parking lot of the Mount Carmel Society social club in the citys South End, was caught on video and audio. The debtor had been cooperating with organized crime investigators for more than a month.

The debtor, labeled Victim 1 in court documents, had tired of making $1,300 monthly payments that stemmed from a $5,000 street loan two years earlier.

Debtors to the mob rarely can overcome exorbitant interest payments even if those far exceed the principal. Victim 1 was no different and said during a recorded meeting he knows how the business works and had already paid tens of thousands of dollars on the loan.

The New York-based Genovese crime family has long had a foothold in the Greater Springfield area.

Scibelli, who told U.S. District Judge Mark Mastroianni he built a part-time career on caring for the elderly, threatened to hit Victim 1s relative with a walker before his arrest.

He also told the family member, while Victim 1 hid in a different area of the house, If any of them is covering for (Victim 1) Im going to beat the f--- out of them, according to the prosecutor, assistant U.S. attorney Neil Desroches.

On the recordings, Scibelli often sounded exasperated, arguing the loan wasnt even one he made and the money he collected wasnt his to pocket. No one else was charged in the case.

In one recording, Scibelli blurted out the name Albert as the man behind the loan.

Anthony Scibellis plea deal does not include a cooperation agreement, according to his attorney, Nikolas Andreopoulos, meaning Scibelli has not provided law enforcement with information about any other alleged crimes aside from his own.

During the change-of-plea hearing, Mastroianni asked a series of standard questions to test the legitimacy of Scibellis plea.

Are you pleading guilty because you actually are guilty, or are you pleading guilty or for some other reason  such as you just want to get the case over with? the judge asked.

Im pleading guilty cause Im guilty, Scibelli answered.
Merchants' and traders'



associations in Aurangabad district are in "wait and watch" mode, following the announcement of fresh set of curbs issued by the government to control the COVID-19 spread.

As per the guidelines issued by the state government, shops that don't sell essential commodities will have to remain shut till April 30.

Hospitals, medicals stores, shops selling vegetables, groceries, dairies and bakeries have been permitted to operate.

Merchants and representatives from the cloth, automobile and vehicle dealerships met Minister of state for Revenue Abdul Sattar and collector Sunil Chavan on Monday night.

"We want the spread to come under control and are willing to cooperate for it, but the economy should also run," said Jagannath Kale, president of the Aurangabad District Vyapari Mahasangh.

Shops that don't come under the definition of essentials should be permitted to operate with some restrictions, he said.

"We have no problem if the timings for these shops are shortened, " he said, adding that merchants and are in "wait and watch" mode and expect some relief from the government.

"We have started acting on the guidelines by getting RTPCR tests done for employees of shops and getting those above the age of 45 inoculated," Kale said.

As many as 1,440 fresh cases of were detected in Aurangabad, while 26 patients died of the infection on Monday, an official said.

With this the district's COVID-19 tally has reached 89,929 and the toll stood at 1,814, he said.

At least 72,876 patients have recovered from the infection so far, leaving the district with 15,239 active cases, the official 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.)
Somerset County prisons toured in wake of COVID

A media tour was held Wednesday at both Somerset County prisons to show how officials have adapted to COVID-19.
Between Ben Stillers new Apple+ series Severance, currently on location in Kingston, and a new Woody Harrelson HBO show set to start filming upstate in May, celebrity sightings in the Hudson Valley are becoming more frequent these days.

The region has been growing its footprint in film and television production for years, but a recent boom in sound stage construction, especially by Umbra Stages in Orange County, and a generous state film tax credit, has allowed the area to become much more than a second option to New York City.

It's a verified fact that people at this present time really are enjoying shooting in the region, said Tony Glazer, co-owner of Newburgh film production company Choice Films. They're seeing all the virtues of shooting here in terms of locations, in terms of crew, in terms of just general excitement, and there are sound stages for them to shoot in.

Together with his business partner Summer Crockett Moore, Glazer moved Choice Films from New Jersey to the Hudson Valley in 2015 because of the tax incentives.

A Google search led Crockett Moore and Glazer to one sound stage  the hangar-like, soundproof structure used to shoot films and TV series  located in Newburgh. After leasing Umbra Main Stage at 9 Scobie Drive for two years, they partnered with its owner Ted Doering, who also owns the Motorcyclepedia Museum in Newburgh, to help grow film production in the Hudson Valley.

From its initial 16,000 square foot sound stage, Umbra, now a partner of Choice Films, has since grown into three sound stages in Newburgh. They are now expanding into a new production corridor in New Windsor that Glazer and Crockett Moore are cautiously optimistic will pass rezoning regulations and bring Umbras total number of sound stages to six. Two of these will be located at the recently acquired Anthonys Pier 9 wedding venue.

So there's over 200,000 square feet of [film production space] that exists and its growing, Crockett Moore said.

Not only is Umbra building out more space for production, but the company is behind the not-for-profit training program Below the Line Bootcamp. The program offers free training and mentorship in film production to at-risk youth in the community. It is entering its fourth session and has had four participants join the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees [IATSE] union or the Teamsters as a result of their experience in the program.

Umbra

Hudson Valley film industry expected to grow

Laurent Rejto, founder and director of the Hudson Valley Film Commission, has been advocating the areas potential to the film industry for more than 20 years.

Its not like anything just happened overnight. Its been a long process, he said.

The Capital Region has hosted multiple productions over the years, including "The Place Beyond the Pines" in Schenectady and Albany counties a decade ago, the HBO series "Succession" that shot in Albany in 2019, and filming set to be done in Troy soon for the HBO series "The Gilded Age." But many shoots mostly took advantage of outside locations or the area's architecture that can mimic New York City's - unlike the indoor sound stages increasingly built in the Hudson Valley.

Industry professionals are confident that there is a growing interest in production in the mid-Hudson Valley region even though 2020 was a disappointing year. Only $12 million in direct regional spending was accrued as productions were put on hold due to the pandemic. In comparison, 2019 brought over $46 million dollars to the region.

But the pandemic has also helped accelerate the film industrys ascendance in the Hudson Valley. COVID has played a huge part in this latest round of developments, said Rejto.

The Hudson Valley was ahead of New York City by about six weeks in terms of the reopening phases dictated by the governors office, said Amanda Dana, Director of Orange County Tourism & Film. That six weeks  literally forced productions to look elsewhere to film.

As a result, she said, in the last six months, weve really seen an uptick in filming.

This year is expected to be a banner year for the mid-Hudson Valley region with projects from Apple TV+, a Darren Aronofsky movie called The Whale that is already in production, and four HBO projects including The White House Plumbers starring Woody Harrelson and Justin Theroux.

Rejto is cautiously optimistic about the future of the industry because the pandemic has reshaped how people want to work and where they live.

A lot of industry professionals are moving out of New York City and into the mid-Hudson Valley, including location scouts and many union members who work as grips, drivers, and cinematographers, he said. Now that many have moved upstate, it goes without saying a lot of those union members dont really like having to commute for hours to the city, when they could be working in their backyard.

Choice Films

Tax credit incentivizes production companies to shoot upstate

The continued growth of the industry hinges on New Yorks film production tax credit program. The program was initiated by Gov. George Pataki in 2004 and offers $420 million per year to encourage growth in the industry.

Feature film and TV productions outside of the greater New York City area are eligible for a 35 percent credit, 10 percent more than New York City productions, provided that they meet the budget requirements and minimum threshold of time spent shooting at a qualified production facility (QPF) in New York State, as stated in the law.

Outside New York City, a QPF must contain at least one sound stage having a minimum of 7,000 square feet of contiguous production space. This requirement makes Umbra, and by extension Orange County, well-poised to capitalize on film and TV productions. While Dutchess, Rockland and Ulster counties each have five sound stages, Orange County is home to the most sound stages in the Hudson Valley at the moment  seven total according to the NYS soundstage directory.

We're an hour and a half away from the city, so were very attractive to productions coming from New York City, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. And then with the tax credit, it just makes it more attractive to come here, said Nora Martinez, Film Specialist with Orange County Tourism & Film.

The tax incentive helps money flow into the local economy, too. Choice Films crunched the numbers on a $9 million dollar TV series shot at Umbra, an Amazon crime show called Big Dogs, and found that it directed $2.56 million back into Orange County through spends on local hotels and lodging, set purchases and rental fees, meals at local restaurants, and the post-production costs themselves, among other line items.

Some New York politicians think the tax incentive is unnecessary, though.

Assemblyman Stephen Hawley has a bill in the state assembly that would repeal the Empire state tax credit. Part of his reasoning for repealing the bill can be traced back to a phone call he received about 10 years ago from now convicted sexual predator movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, who said that his production company will do business wherever it wants to, with or without the credit.

Were trying to put a cap on spending; especially, ridiculous tax credits like this, Hawley said. Four hundred and twenty million dollars is a lot of money when they (Hollywood producers) dont need it, nor are they looking for it.

Those working in the Hudson Valley film industry would beg to differ.

This is a jobs bill. It goes into the working person's pocket 100 percent, Umbras Tony Glazer said.

Industry professionals say that the credit can only be used for qualified costs for below-the-line items associated with production (set construction, crew, camera equipment, grip equipment, props, etc.) and post-production costs (film editing, visual effects, sound design and effects).

This means that credits are not given to the creative expenses of film or television productions such as compensation for actors, writers, or the director.

Rejto is confident that the bill will not pass through the state Legislature, but he remains vigilant about fighting a repeal because it would have dramatic effects on the industry he has worked hard to build.

If the credit disappears, every production will disappear overnight, he said.
The King of Bahrain has paid more than 120million to buy a Cotswolds estate from a Saudi prince who bought it for 11m in the 1990s, making him the new owner of its 18th-century country house, 167 acres of parkland, 39 cottages, and a Norman parish church.

King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, a friend of the British Royal Family, purchased Glympton Park in February from Prince Bandar bin Sultan, 72, a former Saudi intelligence chief and ambassador to the US.

The monarch, 71, who attended 34,245-a-year The Leys School in Cambridge in his youth, is now listed on Companies House as the new owner of the property alongside his Cambridge-educated son, Crown Prince Salman Bin Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, 51.

King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, a friend of the British Royal Family, purchased Glympton Park in February from Prince Bandar bin Sultan

Prince Bandar is sitting on an enormous profit from the deal  first reported by Bloomberg - since paying a fraction of the sale price to purchase Glympton from the Australian property magnate and convicted fraudster Alan Bond in the 1990s.

He is believed to have spent 42m on renovations, including building a replica English pub inside Glympton Park House - the estate's nine-bedroom mansion - and installing obstacles and bullet-proof glass on the driveway to stop intruders.

The prince had landing rights for his private jet at nearby Brize Norton, a secure RAF airfield which also caters for the global super rich, and is a brief drive away from the property.

The estate's new owner, King Hamad, is a personal friend of the Queen and in 2013 gifted her a pair of pure-bred Arabian horses while joining her at the Windsor horse show.

The sale underlines the growing popularity of country estates during the pandemic, creating what a Savills broker described as the most active market for stately homes since the 1980s.

The estate agent, which has 320 staff in its department dedicated to country estates, has sold 21 valued at 15m-plus since the first nationwide lockdown. This compares to just one such property sold in 2019.

Of the 19 estates sold last year, around half went to foreign buyers, according to Crispin Holborow, from Savills's Private Office.

Glympton Estates Ltd, the company that runs the country pile in the Oxfordshire countryside near Woodstock, claimed 25,000 from the government's furlough scheme in December last year, the Guardian reported.

The company manages domestic staff for the house and runs its accounts.

The estate's new owner, King Hamad, is a personal friend of the Queen and in 2013 gifted her a pair of pure-bred Arabian horses while joining her at the Windsor horse show

Prince Bandar, 72, is a former Saudi intelligence chief and ambassador to the US

Prince Bandar was previously embroiled in claims of corruption relating to BAE Systems, Britain's biggest defence company, which was accused of secretly paying him 1bn in bribes in return for setting up the 40bn al-Yamamah arms deal in the 1980s - a claim he denied.

The arms deal was investigated by the Serious Fraud Office before it called off its investigation in 2006 on the orders of the attorney general Lord Goldsmith, who cited 'national security' concerns.

Glympton was owned by the heirs of 17th-century baronet and Whig politician Sir Thomas Wheate until being sold by the family in 1944.

A house has occupied the site of the present mansion since the 16th century or earlier, but the current property mainly dates back to the 18th-century and was substantially remodelled in the 19th.

Prince Bandar's Eton-educated son, Prince Khalid, was in 2015 said to be in negotiations with Jeremy Clarkson to build a high-performance race track at the estate.

Neighbours of one possible site, a former RAF airfield near the village of Enstone, were horrified by the idea of it becoming a race track and the scheme never materialised.
As public school enrolment dropped during an atypical back-to-school season, homeschooling figures surged in the fall, especially in early grades: the number of kindergarten students registered rose by more than 200 per cent.

As public school enrolment dropped during an atypical back-to-school season, homeschooling figures surged in the fall, especially in early grades: the number of kindergarten students registered rose by more than 200 per cent.

The province has published its 2020-21 enrolment report, which compiles headcounts taken in the public, independent and homeschool education systems, as of Sept. 30.

The latest annual report indicates 205,662 students are enrolled in K-12 classrooms, 88 per cent of which are in public schools, across Manitoba.

Total school division registrations typically fluctuate within one per cent of an increase every year, but approximately five per cent fewer students are attending public school this year in comparison to 2019.

Source: Manitoba Education enrolment reports

At the same time, the province has recorded an unprecedented 118 per cent hike in homeschooling.

Based on Thea Toews experience, the latter figure is likely even higher, since kindergarten homeschool registration is optional.

The Toews family, who are unofficially homeschooling, had planned to send their five-year-old son to the local elementary school in Winnipeg until the COVID-19 pandemic complicated matters. After mulling options and taking into consideration family health, they decided to keep him home.

"We ultimately want our child to attend our wonderful local public school. During the pandemic, though, if some families have alternative options and exercise them, it makes school that much safer for all the children who do attend," said Toews, who is balancing remote work and homeschool lessons.

She added: "It just seemed like unnecessary germ pool mixing."

Source: Manitoba Education enrolment report

Teaching kindergarten has been fairly low-stakes because its all about play-based learning and the flexibility to explore subjects at their own pace is a bonus, she said. (The Toews spent an entire month focused on learning with Lego, by building structures and incorporating storytelling.)

Overall, kindergarten enrolment decreased across Manitobas school systems by seven per cent in 2020. The most significant drop, however, was recorded across preschools; in total, there was a 41 per cent plunge.

"Parents are scared," said Sheri-Lynn Skwarchuk, a professor of early childhood education at the University of Winnipeg, who also serves on a local pre-school board that has seen enrolment decrease this year.

"My issue is, as an educator, its fine to keep your children at home  but what are you doing with your kids? Are they getting stimulation? Is there involvement or are they sitting in front of the TV? We want to make sure these kids have opportunities."

Younger students have suffered more than their older peers when it comes to reading and writing competency during the COVID-19 disruptions because they are not yet fully independent learners.

Source: Manitoba Education enrolment reports

"Practice is very important and if we dont practise our skills, there's going to be learning loss associated with children just staying at home with nothing to do," Skwarchuk said.

Without formal schooling of any sort, she said students also miss out on the most basic things: for example, the practice of getting their backpack ready daily, which instills basic routine and organization skills.

Eight months into the 2020-21 school year, kindergarten teacher Monique Paul said she is incredibly proud of her students results and how they have happily adapted at Ecole Provencher.

"We are one of the absolute constants this year for them, so its pretty amazing. Before the school year started, it was really hard to imagine  and here we are," Paul said, adding many of her students were introduced to school for the first time with social distancing and teachers in masks.

During a pandemic or not, Paul is an advocate for full-day kindergarten to get students up to speed with school routines.

"It easily outweighs any challenges because it does provide a solid start to these students and it definitely does benefit them and prepare them for Grade 1," Paul added.

maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @macintoshmaggie
A Georgia restaurant owner has been praised for his compassionate response to a burglary at his business after inviting the thief to apply for a job.

Carl Wallace, the owner of Diablo's Southwest Grill on Wheeler Road in Augusta, shared an image of the culprit in a now-viral Facebook post.

The post was accompanied by a security footage image of a hooded individual carrying something out of the restaurant and a photo of the venue's smashed glass door.

'Our burritos are such a smash hit we've got people breaking in at 4 a.m. for their fix. So if ya see our door looking hurricane fabulous at Wheeler Rd this is why,' Wallace wrote.

A Georgia restaurant owner has been praised for his compassionate response to a burglary at his business after inviting the thief to apply for a job. Carl Wallace, the owner of Diablo's Southwest Grill on Wheeler Road in Augusta, shared an image of the culprit in a now-viral Facebook post

The Facebook post was accompanied by a security footage image of a hooded individual carrying something out of the restaurant and a photo of the venue's smashed glass door

'To the would-be robber who is clearly struggling with life decisions or having money issues...please swing by for a job application.

'There are better opportunities out there than this path you've chosen,' he added, sharing his personal phone number for the culprit to get in touch.

'No police. no questions. Let's sit down and talk about how we could help you and fix the road you're on.'

Wallace told local outlet WRDW that everything is kept under lock and key so the thief was only able to take some loose change from the register but that the outcome could have been different.

'They're risking so much every time they do this: to the business owner, to themselves, or what could happen if the police show up during the process of the break-in,' he said.

Wallace (pictured) told local outlet WRDW that everything is kept under lock and key so the thief was only able to take some loose change from the register but that the outcome could have been different. 'They're risking so much every time they do this: to the business owner, to themselves, or what could happen if the police show up during the process of the break-in,' he said

'Our burritos are such a smash hit we've got people breaking in at 4 a.m. for their fix. So if ya see our door looking hurricane fabulous at Wheeler Rd this is why,' Wallace wrote in a Facebook post accompanied by a photo of the restaurant's smashed glass door

The Facebook post has been liked more than 4,000 times and hundreds have commented, praising Wallace for his compassionate approach.

The burglary may even end up benefiting the restaurant as many Facebook users pledged to eat there in the future.

'Wow, what a compassionate, humane move,' one user wrote. 'Definitely making a note to drop in and grab a bite next time we're in Augusta.'

'I hate that this happened to you but your response was a perfect demonstration in humility that we all need. My family loves Diablos and we eat it often. This has cemented our support of your establishment. Prayers for everyone involved,' another responded.

'I have always eaten at the Diablo's in North Augusta (closest to me) but I will make it my business to eat at your location starting today for such a gracious, merciful and classy response! Continue letting God lead and guide you!!,' another Facebook user wrote.

Wallace told WRDW that the fact that the burglary fell over the Easter weekend inspired his reaction.

'Instead of having the normal response of being angry, we decided to reach out, and say this is a bad career path that you're on, and we're willing to offer you a job if you're willing to change what you're doing in life.

'I can't fix the world, I can't save the world, but I can make a difference in one person's life,' he said.

'So I took that approach  on this Easter weekend, to try to take the Godly approach to the situation.'
"We've been committed to the health and wellness of animals for over 30 years, regardless if they're someone's pet or not," said Michael Levy, President and CEO of Pet Food Express. "The annual spike in kitten births is a reality for our communities where we know we can help make a difference. We're supporting more local shelters than ever before with adoption, foster, and donation aid and using our marketing channels to get the Adopt - Foster - Donate word out."

Kitten Season

Each spring, California sees a spike of new kittens being born due to the temperate climate and an abundance of feral cats. The problem builds as the warm weather continues into summer and fall and as female cats produce 3  5 litters of 4  8 kittens per litter per year. The cat population gets bigger at a faster rate than the dog population because of the cat's ability to have multiple litters per year. This influx of kittens leaves 1,000's throughout the state in need of help.

How to Help

Levy continued," Rescues and shelters throughout California work tirelessly all year long to help the new kittens survive, and then to find foster and permanent homes for them. Our rescue and shelter partners need help from the public to ease this annual problem."

There are three easy ways to help:

Adopt! Open your home to a kitten or cat. Pet Food Express will help you find a rescue or shelter in your neighborhood. Plus, we'll provide suggestions on the best food and care products to give your new furry friend a longer, healthier life. Foster. Young kittens thrive when they get a lot of personalized attention, which can be hard for shelters and rescues to keep up on their own. Provide a loving, temporary home to a kitten in need while the shelter matches them with their forever home. Pet Food Express has created a one-stop shop to match foster families with animals in need - become part of our Rescue Reserves. Simply join the foster match list and wait for a match with a local rescue or shelter. Donate. 100% of your donation goes to purchase supplies like food, litter, and toys for local rescues and shelters to continue their amazing work of robust foster, adopt and spay/neuter programs.

The Kitten Season landing page provides tips and resources for customers and the public on how to help during kitten season. Tips include what to do if you find a litter of kittens, where to take them, who to call, how to keep them warm and more. The company will also use its stores as direct referral sources for foster and adoption inquiries and to collect donations, and its social media channels to encourage online donations and signing up to be on the "Rescue Reserve".

Pet Food Express has 63 California stores. Go to PetFood.Express to find one, learn more, or to make a donation to support their kitten season campaign. Also, like them on Facebook and follow them on Instagram and on Twitter for the latest kitten information from pictures to "Animal of the Week".

ABOUT PET FOOD EXPRESS

Pet Food Express is California's trusted pet expert dedicated to helping pets live longer, healthier lives. Founded in 1986 by Michael Levy and Mark Witriol out of a passion for dogs, Pet Food Express has reimagined pet care by focusing on the very best products. The company sells only what they trust to care for their own pets. From its variety of nutrient-rich foods like raw and fresh prepared foods and its high quality products like pet supplements to the extensive training its animal-loving customer service team gets and its neighborhood stores with pet wash stations and pet community support groups. The company has had continuously strong growth for over three decades by remaining focused on its passion and its purpose - animal advocacy. Pet Food Express has helped find forever homes for more than 23,000 animals through its 63 California stores or as host of the Bay Area Pet Fair, the largest animal adoption event in North America. The company is a committed partner to more than 275 non-profit animal rescue and shelter organizations every year, providing them with much-needed aid through fundraising, product donations, help recruiting and retaining volunteers, and adoption support. Named as a "Top Bay Area Workplace" for the last 9 years, the company's dog-friendly headquarters are located in Oakland, CA and are home to 200 employees. Learn more at PetFood.Express . Like them on Facebook . Follow them on Instagram and on Twitter .

CONTACT: Sarah Andrus | Pet Food Express | [email protected] | 415.624.5617

SOURCE Pet Food Express

Related Links

https://www.petfood.express/


In a new statement released on Wednesday morning, a federal government spokesman said the European Commission had made it clear that further deliveries would never be approved. AstraZeneca has not been able to secure an export licence from Europe to send the remaining doses, and they know they would never be approved by the European Commission, the spokesman said. The European Commission itself has confirmed their export control regime has blocked the export of a number of those doses, including a shipment of 250,000 doses, and they also requested we withdraw other export permit applications. Some 300,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine arrive at Sydney International airport on February 28. Credit:Getty Images This is the first time the Morrison government has publicly claimed that Europe asked for export approvals to be withdrawn.

The spokesman also rejected an overnight statement from the European Commission that noted it had formally blocked only 250,000 doses bound for Australia. Loading The European Commission is arguing semantics but at the end of the day, all we want is what Australians have ordered so we can get more vaccines in arms, the government spokesman said. Mr Morrison went into detail about the negotiations with the European Union at his Wednesday press conference, saying Australia had reached an agreement last September for the 3.8 million vaccines but this was cut to 1.2 million in January and cut again to 250,000 in February. The European Union then blocked the 250,000 doses on March 3, he said.

Mr Morrison said he was pleased to hear in the past 24 hours that the European Union had indicated it would not restrict the vaccines going to Australia, adding that he would write to AstraZeneca to seek the full shipment of 3.8 million doses. So, if it is, indeed, the position of the European Union that they are happy for these export

licences to be granted and their 3.8 million doses to come to Australia, then we would encourage them to do that in response to our request, he said. The Morrison government is also angry with the European Commission for not replying to a request to ship life-saving vaccines to PNG to help ease a rapidly worsening outbreak. Warning the PNG outbreak could morph into a health crisis for the region, Mr Morrison last month asked European leaders to redirect 1 million of Australias 3.1 million unsupplied doses to PNG. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is yet to send a reply to Mr Morrisons written plea nearly three weeks after it was sent.

Australian officials have been lobbying their EU counterparts to have the 1 million doses released to PNG but are pessimistic about their chances. The European Commission is understood to have questioned why Australia would want Europe to send AstraZeneca vaccines to PNG when Australia has domestic production capacity at a factory in Melbourne. Australia has given PNG 8000 doses for front-line health workers but sending more doses could be politically difficult given Canberras rollout is already behind schedule. Liberal MP Dave Sharma, a former ambassador to Israel, criticised the silence from Europe.

If Europe is unable or unwilling to provide to Papua New Guinea 1 million of the vaccine doses contracted to Australia, they should be up front and declare so now, he said. Its been more than two weeks and we are yet to receive a response, and given the speed and scale of the outbreak in PNG, time is of the essence. The EUs own rules state that shipments bound for low- and middle-income countries such as PNG should not be blocked. Loading However, AstraZeneca may not even have enough doses to send to Australia as first promised given it is having trouble ramping up production. The company had planned to supply 180 million doses to the EU in the second quarter but will only deliver 40 million in that time. Liberal MP Warren Entsch, whose North Queensland seat of Leichhardt is close to PNG, said an apparent lack of urgency from Europe was shameful and disappointing.
To anyone following along the thrill ride of the pandemic from day to day, one thing is clear: There is a lot of uncertainty about the state of the coronavirus in the United States right now.

With national vaccination efforts picking up speed and a large swath of the U.S. population fully immunized, its both a hopeful and precarious time, public health experts say. The end is in sight  but theres plenty of time to screw it up and needlessly prolong the pandemic.

The country has entered a twilight stage of the pandemic, said Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease expert at UCSF. Guidance on whats safe and whats not, and how grim the situation is in California or any other state, sometimes seems to change hourly, and is often dependent on whos talking.

And as more people become vaccinated, the burden of responsible decision-making is shifting, too. For the past year, health officers and other scientific and medical experts have been telling people what to do or not do, in short, pointed messages. Now, individuals increasingly are having to figure that out for themselves.

Its like your teenager just got their license, and you want to message both caution and optimism at the same time, Gandhi said. So youre like, Of course you can go out and drive and meet your friends, just dont speed. You may die, but you can go.

That dynamic played out starkly Friday, when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new travel guidance that stated people who were fully vaccinated can fly freely about the country. An hour later, the head of the agency was telling Americans not to travel, because its too risky with hot spots emerging around the U.S.

California issued similarly cloudy travel advice last week, when it lifted its local advisory against traveling more than 120 miles from home  but at the same time reminded people not to travel and recommended staycations. Indoor dining is now allowed in almost every county in California, but several local health officers have told people they shouldnt do it anyway.

Meanwhile, the state hasnt yet adopted CDC guidance on what is safe for vaccinated people to do, such as visiting low-risk grandchildren or meeting indoors without masks with other people who are immunized.

In fact, whats safe for people who are vaccinated has become an especially complex conversation, as public health experts try to balance two sometimes contradictory statements: that people should get vaccinated so they can prevent illness and return to their normal lives, but once fully immunized they should continue practicing protective behaviors like wearing masks and not gathering in large groups.

At some point it becomes very, very difficult to justify these restrictions, said Dr. Bela Matyas, the Solano County health officer, who has been one of the few Bay Area authorities to push back against the regions generally conservative guidance.

Mixed messaging has at times defined the pandemic  the most notorious example may be the early advice not to wear masks, later revoked when public health officials decided face coverings were one of their most useful tools to prevent the spread of the disease. But in some ways its more blatant now than ever before.

And thats understandable, many experts say. There are good reasons for the lack of cohesion. Different rules apply to those who are vaccinated versus those who are not, for starters. And the vaccines themselves are still so new that theres a lot scientists dont yet know about how protective they are. One outstanding question is whether people who are vaccinated can still spread the virus  studies increasingly suggest thats unlikely, but many public health officials remain concerned.

In addition, the coronavirus variants pose an uncertain threat thats hard to convey to the public.

Humans like to have intellectual scaffolding to hang things on. Faced with uncertainty and existential dread, we like to have a framework, said Dr. Robert Wachter, head of the Department of Medicine at UCSF. The country spent the past year developing such a framework to COVID-19 that most people adapted to. But vaccinations and variants have required an adjustment.

We have to now take a step back and say here is a new scaffolding, here is a new framework. Its a transitional time, he said.

The current state of the pandemic  specifically, the emergence of what seems to be a fourth surge in parts of the country  further muddies the national and even local messaging. In some states the virus is spreading far and fast, perhaps fueled by more infectious variants. California, though, is still looking relatively well protected, though there are some signs of small upticks in cases.

But that means that people can get wildly different viewpoints about the pandemic depending on when, where and from whom theyre getting their updates. Bay Area public health officials in general have been far more conservative in how they talk about the pandemic and how people should protect themselves than in most other parts of the country  and that mostly remains the case.

Even as the Bay Area continues to stand out as having much lower case rates and hospitalizations than many other parts of the country, its not surprising that the local public health officers are sticking with a more cautious thread of guidance, said Dr. Stephen Shortell, former dean of the UC Berkeley School of Public Health.

When Dr. Sara Cody, the Santa Clara County health officer, warns people not to dine indoors at restaurants, even though its allowed, she is expressing her conservatism to some extent, as a health officer and as an individual, Shortell said. Shes feeling responsibility for everyone in the county. And maybe with her experience, that the pandemic broke out first down there, its understandable shes more cautious.

Gandhi said that she also recognized a regional hesitancy among Bay Area health officers that has resulted in some statements that dont quite align with the state or national picture.

I think people are traumatized by surges one, two and three. And they sometimes forget we have this lovely protective veneer of vaccines being put down as were lifting restrictions slowly, Gandhi said. They forget to check their messaging.

Erin Allday is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: eallday@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @erinallday
Redmond-giant Microsoft is now looking forward to its new contract with the US Army. The tech company is on its way to producing Integrated Visual Augmented Systems (IVAS), which is based on the Augmented reality device, Hololens 2.

Last week, the Army granted the tech giant a contract which was estimated to be around $21.9 billion and will be effective for 10 years.

Microsoft Create Over 120,000 AR Devices for US Army

In a report by PC Gamer on Tuesday, Apr.6, Microsoft has already signed the $22-billion contract to provide a substantial device for the US army. In the contract, the IVAS project of Microsoft is headed for the testing and development of a platform that the soldiers can utilize in their training and combat.

Moreover, it is also expected that the tech titan will make more than 120,000 devices for the next 10 years. The company's blog also reported that the IVAs platform will ensure safety and efficiency for the shoulders. The technology also adopted the Hololens capability which will rely on its cloud platform, Azure.

"The system leverages existing high-resolution night, thermal, and soldier-borne sensors integrated into a unified Heads Up Display to provide the improved situational awareness, target engagement, and informed decision-making necessary to achieve overmatch against current and future adversaries," PEOSoldier, the US Army's website reads.

The military force also unveiled its plans to potentially utilize IVAS' capability in training like a mixed-reality training ground. The effort of the army this time will not only revolve around the traditional training but will instead enhance it as a next-level preparation.

Read Also: Realme Buds Air 2 Neo: Next-Gen of Active Noise-Cancellation Earbuds to Arrive on April 7--Specs and Possible Price

Microsoft's Contract is Only an Extension of its Job with the US Military

Negotiation with the US Army is not new anymore to Microsoft. In 2018, the tech giant was also assigned to generate device prototypes. By that time, the contract amounting to $479 million was granted to the company.

Furthermore, what Microsoft wants to develop for the US Army is something that will help them obtain "improvement situational awareness, "target engagement," as well as informed decision-making.

The government agency also meant that the support coming from the tech firm will also aid them to surpass the military obstacles that they will encounter in the future.

Before this contract, Microsoft has also been awarded a $10-billion contract involving supplying cloud services to the US Department of Defense (DoD) in 2019. Another tech giant, Amazon, was also reportedly challenging the Redmond firm in the huge bid.

However, some employees from the company disagreed with the military contract. At that time, an open letter was also addressed to Microsoft to terminate the agreement which means that it will stop producing weapons, and other technologies for the army.

The opposing group also suggested that there should be an ethics review board that will administer the compliance of the company.

Related Article: Microsoft Collaborates with LG to Create 3D Sensing Component for Azure







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Written by Joen Coronel

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
DARIEN  Police have charged a Norwalk man with allegedly defrauding an elderly person by convincing them their son was in trouble and needed to send cash for his legal defense.

Darien police said they recently charged Emmanuel Bazil, 27, of Norwalk, with second-degree criminal attempt at larceny related to an incident in March 2019 in town. Authorities had been unable to locate him for nearly a year and a half following the incident.

Bazil was identified as a suspect after a Darien real estate agent received a delivery of $10,000 cash in a package to a vacant home she was selling, according to police.

The agent reported the package to the police, who later discovered the cash had been sent from an elderly person believing they were sending cash to pay for legal fees for their son in trouble, as per a caller.

The real estate agent also told police that, after opening the package, a man appeared at the residence three times demanding the location of the package, to which the Realtor replied it had been turned over to the vacant homes owner.

Police said Bazil was suspected of perpetrating similar fraudulent incidents in the area whereby elderly victims were misled via phone calls, causing them to send large quantities of cash to local addresses where it could then be intercepted.

In the March 2019 incident, police said the victim had been told over the phone that her son had gotten into legal trouble, and the victim thought they were sending cash to a lawyer for his legal defense. Further, police said the caller had informed the victim that there had been a gag order imposed and they were not to tell anyone.

Police said the victim had sent an additional $10,000 to the same address before the second package was discovered by the real estate agent. The victim also told detectives they had been asked to send another $5,000 to an address in Haverstraw, N.Y.

Detectives obtained tracking information for that package and contacted the Haverstraw police. Officers in New York were able to make an arrest in their jurisdiction of the person who came to retrieve the package, according to Darien police.

In July 2019, an arrest warrant for Bazil was sought and granted, but attempts made at that time to locate him were unsuccessful. On March 19, Darien police met Bazil at a scheduled court date in Stamford where he was served with the arrest warrant. Bazil was in custody at the time.

Bazil was processed for the charges and remained in custody on $100,000 bond in this case.

The FBI reports that sounding the alarm that a family member, particularly a child or grandchild, is in immediate financial need is one of the most common elderly fraud practices. Tips from the FBI to avoid fraud include resisting the pressure to act quickly.

Scammers create a sense of urgency to produce fear and lure victims into immediate action, according to the FBI, and advise potential victims to call the police immediately if there is a threat of potential danger to themselves or a loved one. Also, it helps to avoid unsolicited phone calls, mailings, and door-to-door services offers.
Melbourne, Australia  April 6, 2021 Wing Chun & Jiu-Jitsu Melbourne has recently become the leading Centre for Martial Arts center for residents of Melbourne and the surrounding areas. They have become the leading Martial Arts centre by providing self-defense training in a family-friendly environment. All ages and experience levels are welcomed in their classes. Wing Chun & Jiu-Jitsu Melbourne encourages students to learn one of the two areas of Martial 
SAN ANTONIO, April 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ecoark Holdings, Inc. ("Ecoark" or the Company) (OTC: ZEST) announces that it expects to begin beta testing an environmentally conscious cryptocurrency mining approach in May 2021 as a part of the Companys environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy.



Ecoark established a strategic initiatives team in February 2021 to focus on and analyze innovative and valuable ways to deploy capital. This team is led by Brad Hoagland, Chief Financial Officer of Ecoark, and includes senior leaders from across the Company. As its first initiative, the team focused on opportunities related to ESG technologies for hydrocarbon emissions and reductions in energy waste. The Company formulated an approach to pursue regionally constrained energy that is otherwise lost due to a lack of commercial infrastructure to economically process and/or transport the natural gas to market.

This approach is expected to drive significant molecule value through the energy intensive process of cryptocurrency mining. Ecoarks strategy is anticipated to incubate green energy project development and growth by balancing regional power grid demands during times of heightened use, including during the recent Texas winter storm that left millions without power. We expect that Ecoarks modularized infrastructure approach will allow the Company to become an industry first, Spot Midstream company, allowing for the creation of a mobile natural gas market hub anywhere in the world, within weeks of deployment.

By redirecting power back to the grid when green sources of energy production are unable to supply the required load, we alleviate grid pressure and help fill gaps that currently hinder the growth of green energy technologies, said Brad Hoagland, CFA, the Companys CFO.

We are extremely excited to be launching our first strategic project focused on improving our sustainability and ESG profile, while enhancing our returns and deploying capital in a highly efficient manner, continued Mr. Hoagland. We plan to mine a diversified basket of higher margin, established cryptocurrencies. Our strategy entails reselling cryptocurrency back into the market, as permitted by applicable laws, and redeploying the capital raised towards accretive growth projects within this sector.

Ecoark is currently in discussions with several public midstream companies to relieve pipeline capacity constraints and allow additional third-party molecules to be transported, thereby creating additional revenue synergies. The Companys approach is unique as it is not targeting individual well head flare gas due to the unpredictability of gas production uptime, personnel requirements to service non-centrally located assets, lack of oversite and control, surface use issues, and gas quality issues.

About Ecoark Holdings, Inc.

Founded in 2011, Ecoark is a diversified holding company. The company has three wholly owned subsidiaries: Zest Labs, Inc. (Zest Labs), Banner Midstream Corp (Banner Midstream) and Trend Discovery Holdings (Trend Discovery). Zest Labs, offers the Zest Fresh solution, a breakthrough approach to quality management of fresh food, is specifically designed to help substantially reduce the amount of food loss the U.S. experiences each year. Banner Midstream is engaged in oil and gas exploration, production, and drilling operations on over 30,000 cumulative acres of active mineral leases in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Banner Midstream also provides transportation and logistics services and procures and finances equipment to oilfield transportation services contractors. Trend Discovery invests in a select number of early-stage startups each year as part of the funds Venture Capital strategy; we are open-minded investors with a founder-first mentality. Trend Discovery LP has an audited track record of uncorrelated outperformance of the S&P 500 since inception.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the Companys plans to begin beta testing of the new environmentally conscious cryptocurrency mining approach, the expected benefits of using this approach, including increased future returns and future green energy project development and growth, the Companys expected future role as an industry first, Spot Midstream company, the Companys plans with respect to cryptocurrency mining, future sales of cryptocurrency and expected use of proceeds from such sales. The words believe, may, estimate, continue, anticipate, intend, should, plan, could, target, potential, is likely, will, expect and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on managements current expectations and beliefs, as well as a number of assumptions concerning future events. Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other important factors, many of which are outside managements control. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the results of beta testing, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our Company and the national and global economy, changes in applicable laws, regulations, or executive and administrative orders, certain cryptocurrencies being deemed securities for regulatory purposes, volatility in cryptocurrency markets, fluctuations in natural gas prices, and the possibility of adverse economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Additional risks and uncertainties are identified and discussed in Ecoarks filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, as updated and supplemented by the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2020, as amended, the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2020, and the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2020, and the registration statement on Form S-3 filed on October 16, 2020, as amended by Amendment No. 1 filed on December 22, 2020, and Amendment No. 2 filed on December 28, 2020. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Additional factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

ZEST FRESH and Zest Labs are trademarks of Zest Labs, Inc.

Contact:

Investor Relations:

John Mills

ICR

646-277-1254

John.Mills@icrinc.com
 Alix M. Reynolds, 21, transient, Auburn, was picked up on a bench warrant April 1.

 Michelle L. Stotler, 41, 3448 Route 34B, Scipio, was charged April 4 on a bench warrant.

 Brent L. Tanner Sr., 33, 2709 Erie Drive, Room 111, Weedsport, was charged April 1 with fourth-degree criminal conspiracy, two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, two counts of possession of a mislabeled dangerous drug and four counts of second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia.

 Zackeriah L. Thurston, 32, 16 Steel St., Auburn, was charged April 1 with fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance

 Christopher J. Ware, 27, 44 Orchard St., Auburn, was charged April 4 with second-degree obstructing governmental administration.

 Jessica J. Jones, 33, 3 Bellevue Place, Auburn, was charged April 5 with third-degree burglary and petit larceny.

 Joseph L. Name, 35, 36 Franklin St., Auburn, was picked up on a bench warrant April 5 and charged with first-degree criminal contempt.

County
Amid a nearly 40% rise in COVID cases in Boston, Mayor Kim Janey has launched a new multilingual public awareness campaign in an effort to reach out to residents in the citys communities of color, which are at the highest risk, about getting the vaccine.

We know that people of color are more likely to get COVID-19, and if they do, they are more likely to die, Janey said during a press conference on Tuesday. We want everyone to get vaccinated so that we can get to the other side of this pandemic and ensure that we come to the other side a stronger community and a more equitable city.

The $465,000 Hope Campaign, developed by marketing consultant Archipelago Strategies Group, Inc., will air ads featuring diverse groups of people who speak a variety of languages in an effort to build trust with communities of color and other populations disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, officials said.

Officials hope to target specific neighborhoods and connect with residents in their own languages through the ads that will appear on billboards, social media and in print. The first phase of the effort began last week and will last through June.

Many Boston neighborhoods that were hit hard early on pandemic are lagging behind in the vaccination effort compared to others where the impact has been less severe, according to city data released last month. Neighborhoods like Dorchester, East Boston and Mattapan  where there are more Black and Latino residents  had the lowest rate of first doses administered per capita than all other parts of the city, the data showed.

There are now an average of 246 cases per day in Boston, which is an increase of about 39% week-over-week, according to Marty Martinez, Bostons chief of health and human services. Percent positivity is also up about a percentage point, standing at 5.2% as of March 28, Martinez said.

Were grateful that those increases in rates of positivity have not been seen in our hospitalization numbers yet, and thats important. But its important that we do all that we can, Martinez said.

Despite the rise, officials are touting the citys progress in the vaccine effort. As of March 30, 207,000 residents, or 35.7% of Boston residents older than 16, have received at least one shot of the vaccine, Martinez said. Nearly 80% of seniors over the age of 65 have gotten at least one dose. More than 45% of Bostonians vaccinated are people of color, Martinez said.

Were making progress and were continuing to that in each of our neighborhoods as well, Martinez said.

Related Content:
[April 05, 2021] IntelliCentrics Examines Why the COVID-19 Vaccination Falls Short of Being a Total Solution

IntelliCentrics (6819.HK), the innovator of the SEC (News - Alert) URE Ethos, SECURE Passport, Link & GO!, BioBytes and BioBytes Visitor, serving healthcare facilities across North America, the United Kingdom, and China, releases a special white paper entitled "COVID-19 Vaccine - Impact on Healthcare." At a high level, the paper reviews the impact of the vaccine's distribution and the need for a new level of trust in healthcare. "The arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine creates a mixed society, ushering in significant complexity to our return to normalcy. There are those who have been vaccinated, those who want to be vaccinated, those who have credible reasons not to be vaccinated, and those who have no interest in being vaccinated. This dynamic will persist for years to come," said Mike Sheehan, CEO of IntelliCentrics. "The core thesis of the paper posits how the COVID-19 vaccine's failure to address the needs of those unable or unwilling to receive a vaccine will result in a significant delay or even preventionof a return to normalcy. From here, the paper explores what a tighter marriage between healthcare and the technology sector might deliver highlighting, IntelliCentrics' 'trust as a technology' as a potential solution," continued Sheehan.



The white paper explores select topics from a pragmatic perspective posing questions such as how a free society achieves herd immunity when so many people are unwilling or unable to be vaccinated. It further considers the effect of the virus on race, ethnicity and opening international borders while recognizing any misstep puts the full burden back onto the healthcare system. "Before the pandemic, we were accustomed to in-person visits to receive care. In a post-pandemic world, we are left searching for an alternative we can trust without sacrificing quality. IntelliCentrics 'trust as a technology' gives us both. By injecting trust across all healthcare interactions such as telemedicine, home-based care, visitor management, scheduling, medical staff privileging and more, IntelliCentrics is improving quality while lowering the cost for everyone," said 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 SEC3URE Ethos. Built on three core principles - transparency, neutrality, and independence, over 11,000 locations of care worldwide rely on the SEC3URE Ethos 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. To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine credential, visit our COVID-19 Solution Center. 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/20210405005308/en/

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The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development is Coordinating an inter-agency investigation into the reported incidents of dead fishes of various species, washed ashore beaches in Accra and Axim over the Easter weekend.



The agencies include the Fisheries commission, Food and Drugs Authority, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Ghana Maritime Authority, the Ghana Navy, the Marine Police and the respective Metropolitan Municipal and District Assemblies in the respected areas affected.



The investigations will determine the causes of the incidents and possible preventive measures for the future.



The above agencies are also collaborating to prevent an entry of fish from this incident into the markets and food chain.



The Ministry assures the general public that it will take all necessary steps to protect the fisheries industry from the potentially harmful effects of this incident. Further, the Ministry reiterates the advice of FDA to the general public to desist from consuming the fish, in view of the potential risk to health and safety.



The public is also being entreated to inspect the freshness of the eyes and gills of fish they seek to buy, which should generally be reddish in colour. The washed-ashore fish typically shows signs of popped out and unclear eyes, dull colouration of gills, bloating around the abdominal areas and possible oozing of foul scented fluids.



The Ghana Police Service and City security officials have been alerted to arrest any persons found distributing fish from these incidents into the Ghanaian food chain.



The Public will be updated on the outcome of this investigation



Thank you

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines)  To help public efforts controlling the spread of COVID-19, SM Supermalls started its multi-mall vaccination drive in partnership with various local governments nationwide to be the venue for their vaccination program.

As part of our continuing efforts in preventing the further spread of COVID-19, SM malls all over the country can provide convenient, safe, and accessible venues for the community to get vaccinated, SM Supermalls president Steven Tan said. Through our long-standing relationship with the LGUs [local government units], we remain committed to ensuring the health and safety of the public.

Photo taken from SM Center Pulilan.

The mall operators program already started for some LGUs last week and will resume on April 7 and 8.

SM, together with the Municipality of Rosario in Cavite, rolled out Resbakunado Tayo, Mga Taga-Rosario! last March 29, where SM City Rosarios cinema hallway was repurposed to hold the administration of vaccines to health workers, front liners, senior citizens, and indigents as identified by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Some 12,000 beneficiaries are expected to receive their initial dose of the vaccine.

Photo taken from SM City Olongapo Central.

SM also teamed up with the Olongapo City Government for its two-day vaccination program held last March 30 to 31 at the SMX, SM City Olongapo Central to inoculate local frontliners. More will get vaccinated in the coming days once the next batch of vaccines arrives in the city.

Meanwhile, SM and the Municipality of Pulilan launched a vaccination activity last March 31 at SM Center Pulilan. Around 200 individuals, who were medical workers, frontliners, and senior citizens, registered for vaccination. About 700 more will get vaccinated with the resumption of the activity this week.

Photo taken from SM Center Pulilan.

SM is closely coordinating with more LGUs as it is slated to roll out more vaccination centers nationwide to help expedite the administration of COVID-19 vaccines.

For more information and up to date news on vaccination schedules at the SM malls in your LGU, visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow @smsupermalls on all social media platforms.
India on Tuesday reported a slight decline in new cases as per the union health ministry data. On Tuesday, India registered 96,982 fresh cases of COVID-19 infection and 446 deaths in the span of 24 hours. While a day earlier (April 5), India's daily caseload was at 1,03,558. Overall, India has registered a total of 1,26,86,049 cases of coronavirus until April 6.

Active cases have increased to 7,88,223, which comprise 6.21 per cent of the total infections. The active caseload was at its lowest at 1,35,926 on February 12 comprising 1.25 per cent of the total infections.

Recovery rate has declined to 92.48 per cent with 1,17,32,279 people getting cured of the COVID-19 infection. While the death toll increased to 1,65,547 or 1.30 per cent of the total cases.

As per the health ministry data, states like Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab have reported more than 80 per cent of the new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours. The Centre has constituted 50 high-level multi-disciplinary public health teams and deployed them to 50 districts across Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Punjab to examine the testing and vaccination process.

Meanwhile, several states and UTs have also ramped up the vaccination process in order to mitigate the spread of the virus. So far, more than eight crore people in the country have taken anti-coronavirus vaccine dose, the health ministry informed. According to the health ministry, eight states account for 60 per cent of the cumulative vaccine doses, including the worst-affected states--Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Uttra Pradesh. Apart from these states, Gujarat, Rajasthan, West Bengal, and Kerala are also on the list.

Separately, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to interact with chief ministers on Thursday to discuss the COVID-19 situation and the ongoing vaccination drive. Last month, on March 17, the prime minister met all the CMs virtually and expressed concern over the rise in COVID-19 cases.

Also read: Covid-19 curbs in Maharashtra: 'What does essential even mean,' asks Anmol Ambani

Also read: 50 high-level teams rushed to Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Punjab amid Covid spike
Vladimir Putin, Russia's President, signed a law on Monday that will enable him to run for two more terms when his current tenure ends in 2024. The law could potentially allow the 68-year-old leader to remain in office until 2036.

He signed into law an alteration to Russia's constitution that will allow him to have a run for two more six-year terms. The Russian leader has already been presiding the country for over two decades. With his recent crackdown on civil society and political opponents, he has made it apparent there is little room for dissent.

Putin Will Be Russian President Until 2036

The president proposed the change in 2020 as part of constitutional reforms that Russians profusely backed in a vote in July. Lawmakers approved the new bill in March, reported France 24.

The July 1 constitutional vote involved a stipulation that reset Putin's earlier term limits. This allowed him to run for the presidency two more times. The alteration was rubber-stamped by the Kremlin-controlled legislature. Putin signed the relevant law on an official portal of legal information, reported The Sydney Morning Herald.

The bill was recently approved by the parliament's upper and lower chambers. It aligns the election laws with constitutional alterations approved by voters in 2020. One of the provisions resets the Russian president's term-limit clock to zero, enabling him to seek reelection when his current term expires in 2024. He will also be able to seek for another induction to the presidency in 2030 if he wishes.

Putin could be most probably remain in power until he reaches 83 years old. He is now serving his second consecutive term as Russia's president and his fourth in total, reported Reuters.

Russia Suspected Behind SolarWinds Hack, US Cybersecurity Agency Issues Emergency Directive

The Russia president proposed the change in 2020 as part of constitutional reforms. He has been in office longer than other Kremlin leaders since Soviet dictator Josef Stalin. He stated he would decide later whether to run again in 2024 when his current six-year term concludes. Putin has Russia's de facto political leader since 2000.

Putin was elected to office in 2000, 2004, 2012 and 2018. He served as Russian prime minister from 2008 to 2012 because of term limits at the time. The law restricts Russian citizens to two terms as president in their lifetime. However, the legislation essentially acts as "reset" and is not applicable to Putin's four previous terms.

On Monday, the new law copy was posted on the Russian government's legal information website. It confirmed that the legislation -- the success of which was never in doubt -- had been finalized. Before the implementation of the new law, Putin would have been required to renounce his presidential duties after his fourth and current term in 2024. However, in March 2020, lawmaker Valentina Tereshkova, a lawmaker from the Russian president's ruling party, proposed the constitutional alteration during a State Duma discussion.

Putin's ally Dmitry Medvedev took Putin's place in 2008. Critics interpreted it as a way around Russia's restriction on two consecutive terms for presidents. During his time in office, Medvedev signed off on legislation expanding terms to six years beginning with the next president.

Moscow Disseminates Sputnik V COVID-19 Vaccine to Most Vulnerable Groups

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PHOENIX  A Maricopa County grand jury has indicted a Phoenix-area couple on first-degree murder charges for the death of their adopted daughter.

County prosecutors said 57-year-old Rafael Loera and 51-year-old Maribel Loera also were indicted on abandonment or concealment of a dead body and child abuse.

In addition, Rafael Loera was charged with arson of an occupied structure.

It was unclear Monday if the couple has lawyers yet for their cases.

The couple has been in custody on child abuse and other charges for more than a year.

Authorities said the remains of 13-year-old Ana Loera were found in a house fire in January 2020.

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

They said the teen was last seen alive in 2006 and when asked about it, Rafael Loera said she had moved to Mexico.

Prosecutors said he later admitted the girl had gotten sick in July 2017 and she didnt get medical attention for several days before her death.

The couple allegedly kept the girls body in the attic, then later placed it in the backyard before setting their home on fire.

The Office of the Medical Examiner ruled the teens death a homicide.
Kocharian as well as two retired generals were charged in 2018 with overthrowing the constitutional order under Article 300.1 of the Armenian Criminal Code. The accusation rejected by them as politically motivated stems from the 2008 post-election unrest that left ten people dead.

The current Criminal Code was enacted after the dramatic events of March 2008. In a March 26 ruling, the Constitutional Court backed defense lawyers arguments that it cannot be applied retroactively against Kocharian and the other defendants.

Citing the court ruling, the lawyers demanded last week that the Anna Danibekian, the judge presiding over their two-year trial, throw out the coup charges. Danibekian accepted the demand.

The judge ruled that Kocharian and his former chief of staff, Armen Gevorgian, will continue to stand trial only on bribery charges which they also strongly deny. She fully acquitted the two other defendants, retired Generals Yuri Khachaturov and Seyran Ohanian, who were prosecuted only in connection with the post-election unrest.

Prosecutor-General Artur Davtian last week appealed to the Constitutional Court to also declare unconstitutional legal provisions that do not allow the prosecutors to alter the coup accusations leveled against the defendants. The trial prosecutors said the coup trial should therefore be suspended, rather than discontinued altogether, pending a high court ruling on the appeal.

One of them, Petros Petrosian, said after Danibekians decision that the prosecutors could again indict Kocharian over the 2008 crackdown on opposition protesters in Yerevan if the Constitutional Court grants Davtians request.

One of Kocharians lawyers, Aram Orbelian, insisted, however, that the high court exonerated the ex-president from all responsibility for the bloodshed. There are no grounds for bringing new [coup] charges, Orbelian told reporters.

Meanwhile, a lawyer representing the families of nine victims of the unrest deplored the development. Tigran Yegorian hit out at the Constitutional Court, saying that its March 26 ruling was politically motivated and violated the Armenian constitution.

Five of the courts nine judges were installed after the Velvet Revolution of April-May 2018 which brought Nikol Pashinian to power.

Pashinian was one of the main speakers at daily opposition rallies held in Yerevan in the wake of a disputed presidential election held in February 2008 at the end of Kocharians second and final term in office. Riot police used force to end the protests on March 1-2, 2008. Eight protesters and two police servicemen were killed as a result.

Pashinian and dozens of other opposition figures were subsequently jailed for organizing what the former Armenian authorities described as mass disturbances aimed at overthrowing the government.

Law-enforcement authorities radically changed the official version of events shortly after the 2018 regime change. They first arrested Kocharian in July 2018. He was twice freed and twice rearrested before Armenias Court of Appeals released him on bail in June 2020.

The 66-year-old ex-president has said that his prosecution is part of a political vendetta waged by Pashinian. The Armenian prime minister denies any interference in the probe of the 2008 violence.
MILWAUKEE, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Aloha Poke, the nation's premier fast-casual poke restaurant concept, announced today the opening of a new Aloha Poke fast-casual restaurant in the state of Wisconsin. The new Aloha Poke location will be located in the Mequon Public Market. Mequon Public Market is a community-focused multi-vendor market brimming with restaurants and specialty shopping. The Mequon Public Market location is the third for Aloha Poke demonstrating the success of the concept's brand promise to offer fast, fresh-packed sushi-grade fish and Hawaiian-inspired raw ingredients.

The Aloha Poke expansion in Wisconsin is driven by a successful joint venture between Aloha Poke corporate and Aloha Wisconsin JV LLC. The first location was opened in 2018 in the Historic and trendy Third Ward of downtown Milwaukee and immediately gained popularity among the local creatives and visitors. The second location, opened in Wauwatosa during the height of the COVID-19 global pandemic in 2020 and has thrived through its offering of fresh, nutritious food choices.

"Aloha Poke Co is excited and extremely proud to open its third Wisconsin location," said Chris Birkinshaw, CEO, Aloha Poke Co. "We are happy that the people of Wisconsin have welcomed poke as a delicious, nutritious, healthy food option, especially at a time of heightened awareness around consuming fresh vegetables and raw ingredients to help boost immune systems."

The Aloha Poke expansion in Wisconsin is driven by a successful joint venture between Aloha Poke corporate and Aloha Wisconsin JV LLC. The first location was opened in 2018 in the Historic and trendy Third Ward of downtown Milwaukee and immediately gained popularity among the local creatives and visitors. The second location, opened in Wauwatosa during the height of the COVID-19 global pandemic in 2020 and has thrived through its offering of fresh, nutritious food choices with the latest store returning to Milwaukee proper.

"We feel like we are on the right side of the food trend, which is toward fresh, healthy alternatives that taste great," said Tom Wang, co-owner, Aloha Wisconsin JV LLC. "This past year has been a difficult one for restaurants, but we've been able to expand in Wisconsin because of our belief in the product and our amazing partnership with Aloha Poke Co. We look forward to many more opportunities for growth."

Aloha Poke Re-defines Brick and Mortar Buildouts

With the sharp acceleration of convenience trends as a result of the pandemic, the challenge for restaurateurs and brands right now is to try to imagine what customers will want post-COVID. In some respects, it may be that they want to go back to experiential concepts because they haven't been able to for some time.

"I think the restaurant of the future will be oriented towards less friction between the customer and the ordering experience, less reliance on a differentiated physical brand experience, and more focused on the digital experience with a brand and functionality of the footprint for the consumer," added Birkinshaw. "Seats in counter-service dining rooms will still have their place, but far less so. The restaurant of the future is being reimagined right now."

Based in Chicago, Aloha Poke currently operates 15 locations in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Florida, and Washington, D.C. In addition to the brand's health-forward menu and simplified operations, franchise restaurant investors take an interest in Aloha Poke because of its attractive initial capital requirements, unit economics, and appealing sales-to-investment figures.

Aloha Poke is actively seeking to grow its exciting health-forward, fast-casual concept with qualified entrepreneurs and experienced restaurant franchisees who share the brand's same passion and energy for life. Ideal Aloha Poke franchisees have restaurant operations or business management experience and share the desire to positively impact the country's need for quick, healthier food options.

To learn more about Aloha Poke Co. franchise opportunities, visit https://alohapokefranchising.com and for more information about the brand, visit the company website at https://www.alohapokeco.com.

About Aloha Poke Co.

Proudly serving sustainably sourced superfoods with super cool vibes, Aloha Poke Co. packs fresh, fast, and tasty bowls filled with quality ingredients blending bold flavors that rethink fast food. Starting as a food stall in downtown Chicago's French Market / Ogilvie Transport Center in 2016, Aloha Poke has grown to 15 locations throughout the Midwest, Southeast, and Mid-Atlantic.

Press Contact:

Perry Athanason, TopFireMedia

[email protected]

917-319-2126

SOURCE Aloha Poke Co.
The Bahamas is ready to continue to bring visitors the unparalleled vacation experience it is known for. Tweet this

Bahamas Ministry of Tourism Launches Romance Magazine  On the heels of its incredibly successful trade and consumer virtual romance expo, From The Bahamas With Love, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation launched its digital romance magazine by the same name. The magazine features exclusive wedding planning content including top venue recommendations, bachelorette party planning inspiration and made in The Bahamas decor and styling tips.

Hurricane Hole Superyacht Marina Expansion and Reconstruction Expected by Q4 2021  Famous among yachters, the highly anticipated reopening of Hurricane Hole Superyacht Marina at Paradise Landing is slated for completion Q4 2021.

Lighthouse Pointe Reopens to Guests  On March 25, Grand Bahama Island's Lighthouse Pointe reopened to guests as part of the phased reopening of the Grand Lucayan Resort. The property features 200 guest rooms and a number of on-site restaurants.

John Watling's Distillery Reopens  The famed Bahamian distillery, John Watling's Distillery, reopened to visitors at the end of March. Free tours are available to visitors seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m

The Bahamas Launches Digital Payment Portals for Boaters and Fishermen - The Bahamas Customs & Excise Department and Ministry of Finance have developed electronic portals for boating and fishing permits to be booked online. Click2Clear, SeaZPass and Go Outdoors Bahamas ensure the ease of travel for all boaters and fishermen traveling to The Bahamas.

AWARDS AND ACCOLADES

The Bahamas Awarded Bronze in 2021 Adrian Award - The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) will honor the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation with a Bronze Adrian Award in the Integrated Marketing Campaign category for its Still Rockin' campaign. Following Hurricane Dorian, BMOTA's Still Rockin' campaign highlighted the country's 14 major islands unimpacted by the storm, which contributed to the country's record-breaking year of 7.2 million visitors in 2019.

The Bahamas Honored with Nine Nominations in World Travel Awards  The Islands of The Bahamas have been selected as a shortlisted nominee in the 28th annual World Travel Awards and are nominated in the lead beach, cruise, dive, honeymoon and overall destination categories. The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism is also nominated in the Caribbean's Leading Tourist Board 2021 category. Voting is open now through August 2, 2021.

PROMOTIONS AND OFFERS

For a complete listing of deals and packages for The Bahamas, visit www.bahamas.com/deals-packages.

PRESS INQUIRIES

Anita Johnson-Patty

Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation

[email protected]

Weber Shandwick

Public Relations

[email protected]

SOURCE Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation

Related Links

http://www.bahamas.com


A heartbroken mother faces having to bury her five-year-old son after he was killed along with his father and another woman in a horrific crash on Easter Saturday.

Achilles Aiken had only just started school when the Honda Accord he and his dad were passengers in swerved off the Princes Highway 13km south of Ulladulla on the NSW south coast about 4.30am and smashed into a tree.

The little boy died at the scene along with his father and the car's female driver, with only an adult male passenger surviving with serious injuries.

A fundraiser set up to help raise money for his memorial service on Monday paid tribute to the car-loving five-year-old whose 'little life had just begun'.

Achilles Aiken, five, was killed along with his father in a horror crash on Easter Saturday on the New South Wales south coast

Achilles, his father and the car's female driver all died at the scene. One man survived the crash (pictured) and was rushed to hospital.

'No mother should have to bury her child,' the GoFundMe's organiser Karen Gough said.

'We all think little children are special but he truly was. He was full of spirit with a love of his cars like you've never seen.'

The fundraising page explained Achilles was on his way to spend Easter with his mother when tragedy struck.

His cousin Kirsten Hayes on Saturday night said the youngster had been taken 'way too soon'.

'You were an absolute blessing and so bloody loved,' she wrote on Facebook.

'Im glad I got to feel your heart and hugs even if it was only for a short time. I love you baby cuz. Spread your wings and fly baby boy.'

The fundraiser has so far raised almost $1,500 towards it $5,000 goal.

Police over the weekend were examining the crash scene on the Princes Highway at Lake Tabourie

Officers from South Coast Police District were over the weekend examining the crash scene on the Princes Highway at Lake Tabourie and an investigation is underway as to how the car left the road and collided with the tree.

Pictures showed emergency crews being met with a shocking scene as they worked in the pre-dawn darkness to assess the crash site.

The crumpled wreck of the Honda can be seen in one piece but clearly having sustained catastrophic damage.

Police and paramedics could be seen loading the male survivor into the back of a waiting ambulance before he was later airlifted to hospital.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Emergency crews were called to the scene (pictured) about 13km south of Ulladulla in New South Wales

Police have established a crime scene at the Lake Tabourie site (pictured) and are investigating with motorists advised of delays

A woman also died in hospital on Saturday morning following a separate single-vehicle crash in Sydney's south, police said.

The 46-year-old was a passenger in a Hyundai i30 which left the road and struck a power pole on Ramsgate Road at Ramsgate on Friday evening.

The 64-year-old driver of the Hyundai also sustained suspected spinal injuries and is in St George Hospital.

Officers from St George Police Area Command and the Crash Investigation Unit have established a crime scene.

Holiday traffic heading south and west also caused significant delays as motorists drove towards the South Coast and Blue Mountains.
HOLYOKE  City Councilors Peter Tallman and Terence Murphy will vie for the acting mayor role once the governor signs a home rule petition.

State Rep. Patricia Duffy (D-Holyoke) said the Massachusetts Legislature passed the Holyokes Home Rule Petition on Monday. The document awaits Gov. Charlie Bakers signature, a final step in the process.

Besides eliminating a costly special election and a likely special runoff, the petition would allow any city councilor to be appointed acting mayor while maintaining their city council seat.

Acting Mayor and City Council President Todd McGee said he would call a special meeting in 48 hours to appoint a new acting mayor. After his March 26 swearing-in, McGee said he could only serve for a few weeks.

Tallman and Murphy have time to serve in a full-time capacity with under eight months remaining to former Mayor Alex B. Morses final term. Morse began as Provincetowns town manager Monday.

Both candidates bring extensive knowledge of city government and the budgetary process. Murphy and Tallman said the Fiscal 2022 operating budget remains a top priority for them as the June 30 deadline nears.

In a statement, Murphy said several council colleagues encouraged him to run as acting mayor. I believe that I have the experience necessary to balance the citys financial capacity with providing services which can enhance the quality of life all residents deserve, he stated.

Murphy said he would meet with city department heads to review their budgets, with an eye on maintaining services under lean times. I will also be encouraging departments to seek ways where they might be able to share resources and still get the task accomplished, he stated.

Murphy added he would also focus on community health, address issues impacting neighborhoods, seek bonding to tear down the citys most dangerous buildings and work to retain control of the Holyoke Public Schools.

Like an elected mayor, the acting mayor would sit as vice-chair of the School Committee.

We need to make sure that every student is given the individualized instruction and tutoring that they might need to learn throughout the year at grade level, Murphy stated.

I know the next few months will be challenging, but I feel confident that I provide the city with needed leadership during this time. If chosen, please know that I will be giving Holyoke all that I have to give. I also want to thank those that have encouraged me to do this for your kind words and thoughts, he said.

Tallman, a 22 year City Council veteran, said he spoke with McGee about a possible transition. I think I can bring a fresh, positive approach to city government, he said. I would be someone whos going to work 100% for the community.

Tallman is concerned about top officials who left city government in the past few months, including Morse, City Treasurer Sandra Smith, Personnel Director Hector Carrasquillo, and Acting City Solicitor Crystal Barnes slated to resign April 30.

He said some open positions, including personnel director, carry a residency requirement, which has limited the applicant pool. He hoped a change in the citys ordinance would rectify the situation.

Tallman added that city workers and department heads are sometimes not afforded the respect they deserve.

I was born and raised here in Holyoke, and I have a strong love for this community. As a military person, I believe I have a skill set not too many people have, Tallman said. I can work with all people no matter what their thoughts are. I would take into consideration the viewpoints of others and look at both sides of the issues.

If appointed, Tallman would tackle the budget in the next six to eight weeks. He has spoken with a majority of councilors about his intention to pursue the acting mayor position. Tallman plans to run for another two-year term on the City Council.

Tallman, who retired from the U.S. Postal Service, served in the Massachusetts Air National Guard, retiring as a technical sergeant.

Related:
Pennsylvania has given at least a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine to 35.2% of eligible residents, keeping it in 12th place in the U.S., state officials said in a daily update Tuesday.

Pennsylvania, with the fifth-highest population, is also in fifth-place for total doses administered, with 5.7 million shots given as of early Tuesday.

Pennsylvania also reported 4,255 new confirmed or probable COVID-19 infections, down from just over 5,000 reported last Tuesday. Hospitalizations rose to 2,384, up nearly 140 from a day earlier. Of those, 427 are intensive care, down from 432 on Monday and 433 on Friday.

The state on Tuesday reported 37 new COVID-19 deaths, bringing Pennsylvanias total to 25,237.

The state also said Tuesday it has averaged 86,600 vaccinations per day during the past week. More than 2 million people are fully vaccinated and 1.8 million have received one dose and are awaiting a second.

RELATED: The COVID-19 vaccine hunter has spoken: virtually everyone in Phase 1A covered
Does it make the boat go faster? was the test for improvements that Sir Peter Blake applied to win the Americas Cup.

It worked  and the same type of test can be applied to Auckland Council, Government and our community. With money tight, and too much to do, we must make the most of the resources weve got.

Applied locally we could ask: what projects can make a positive difference to the most people? Small things matter as well as big things. Often it can just be a matter of doing something a little differently to add a gain.

For example, at the Silverdale Park and Ride having a free left turn at the new exit would improve the flow of traffic along the highway; buses could pull out when the eastern lights at Pointon Road are red, saving a possible additional stop.

Completing the roading connection from Bunnings/Pak n Save to Highgate Business Park, and linking to the right with Curley Ave, could revitalise the Silverdale Village area, adding another 60,000sqm of town centre that would allow apartments on top of commercial and retail space. With easy walking distance to shops, the park and ride, Silverdale War Memorial Park and close to the 4500 jobs at Highgate that are coming on, this project ticks the boxes  especially helping the housing shortage. It would also free up a congested stretch of the Hibiscus Coast Highway between East Coast Rd and Whangaparaoa Rd and avoids another set of lights at Silverdale Street. And a significant financial contribution comes from the landowners and developers.

Many local organisations have projects that make a significant contribution to the environment and lifestyle of the area. Forest & Bird and Restore Hibiscus Coast have a trapping programme that aims to make the Coast pest free. We will see a quantum leap in birds and wildlife, reductions in the nuisance and damage from vermin, and cost savings. Groups like Love Soup reduce food waste and help people in need, while the network of Op Shops allow reuse of a vast array of goods  many of which also meet peoples basic needs.

Would that the government could provide the modest financial support that previously enabled community education to thrive on the Coast. Orewa College ran low-cost courses after school hours that provided life-enhancement, recreation and skills to many  a path also to potential employment and business start-ups, connecting people and community. Great use was made of the school buildings and facilities with a contribution to school costs.

This newspaper also forms part of the glue in our community. It enables people to have a voice and find community news against a background where many newspapers are struggling to survive the competition from online platforms like Google and Facebook. The advertisers and contributors, as well as articles that are newsworthy, researched and relevant, provide insight into our community that is appreciated by many.

As the Coast is bouncing back after Covid-19, it is refreshing to notice the local  the patronage of local shops, friendliness on the street, participation re-building in local clubs and groups, and the new people in our community  Kiwis returning and others making a life-changing decision to live and invest here. Together we all make the boat go faster.
With over 25 years of experience as a leading corporate attorney in the Texas market, Lyons has represented public and private companies, venture capital and private equity funds, emerging growth companies, and entrepreneurs in public and private offerings, M&A transactions and divestitures, and issues related to business formation and corporate governance in the technology, life sciences, healthcare, retail and CPG, and media and communications industries.

"Austin is experiencing a new wave of growth that will continue to be driven by innovative technology and life sciences companies and by the sophisticated investors that fund them," said Doug Clark, managing partner at Wilson Sonsini. "As one of the best-known emerging company attorneys in the regionand someone who has built important relationships for 25-plus years in and around Austin, Texas, and nationallyMatt has an impressive network of clients and relationships with entrepreneurs and investors. His addition to the firm complements our established and growing team in Austin and helps position us to better serve our client base and capitalize on what should be an exciting period for us in 2021 and well beyond."

Most recently, Lyons was a partner at Shearman & Sterling, where he led the opening of their Austin office in 2018. Before that, he was a partner in the Austin office of Andrews Kurth LLP (now Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP) from 2003 to 2018. Previously, he worked in the Austin office of Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison from 1996 until the firm disbanded in 2003, becoming a partner in 2000. Lyons began his legal career in the Houston office of Bracewell & Patterson.

Lyons earned his J.D. in 1993 and a B.A. in economics in 1990 from The University of Texas at Austin. He is admitted to practice in Texas.

For more than 20 years, Wilson Sonsini's Austin office has served clients in growth industries, including business services, communications and networking, electronics and computer hardware, internet and media, life sciences, semiconductors, software, energy and clean technology, financial services and fintech, and venture and growth capital. The 15 corporate attorneys in the office have significant experience representing companies with respect to venture and private equity financings and public offerings, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance matters. In addition to the corporate practice, the Austin office has patent litigation, employment litigation, privacy and cybersecurity, technology transactions, and patent attorneys focused on serving the needs of technology, life sciences, and other growth enterprises in Austin and nationwide.

"Matt's addition underscores Wilson Sonsini's growing presence and strong brand in Austin and it evidences the firm's commitment to Austin's vibrant and innovative communityhome to 5,000-plus technology companies, along with venture capital and private equity firms, accelerators, and other investors," said Rob Suffoletta, managing partner of Wilson Sonsini's Austin office. "We are very excited about Austin and how Matt and our expanding team can help companies and investors succeed in what we expect to be a busy and active market, and one with a sustained growth trajectory."

"Wilson Sonsini's remarkable Silicon Valley brand of building and advising successful companies and connecting start-ups to investors is well known in Austin. I look forward to continuing to work with Rob, Scott Craig, and the rest of the team to grow the firm's presence with a focus on the technology and life sciences clients that are driving the Texas and global economy," said Lyons. "Wilson Sonsini is aggressively investing in providing innovative, technology-leveraged services to its clients. I'm also very excited about supporting the firm's efforts to develop resources that will help us remain on the cutting edge for the benefit of clients we represent in Austin and other growing and established markets."

About Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

For nearly 60 years, Wilson Sonsini has offered a broad range of services and legal disciplines focused on serving the principal challenges faced by the management and boards of directors of business enterprises. The firm is nationally recognized as a leading provider to growing and established clients seeking legal counsel to complete sophisticated corporate and technology transactions; manage governance and enterprise-scale matters; assist with intellectual property development, protection and IP-driven transactions; represent them in contested disputes; and/or advise them on antitrust or other regulatory matters. With deep roots in Silicon Valley, Wilson Sonsini has offices in Austin; Beijing; Boston; Brussels; Hong Kong; London; Los Angeles; New York; Palo Alto; San Diego; San Francisco; Seattle; Shanghai; Washington, D.C.; and Wilmington, DE. For more information, please visit www.wsgr.com.

SOURCE Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

Related Links

https://www.wsgr.com/


YEREVAN, APRIL 6, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan says replenishment of the Armed Forces with modern weapons is a priority.

The process of replenishing the Armed Forces of Armenia with modern military-technical means has been and remains one of our priorities, and this issue will always be under our spotlight, Pashinyan said in an interview to RIA Novosti ahead of his upcoming visit to Moscow, Russia.

The PM stated that large-scale reforms have already launched in the Armenian Armed Forces, which are also being carried out in close cooperation with the Russian partners.

Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan will visit Russia on April 7. He is scheduled to meet with President Vladimir Putin.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
WAYNE, Pa., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Evolve IP, a leading international service provider of Work Anywhere solutions, today announced that Ethos Voice and Data, a provider of managed business communications, connectivity and cyber has joined its white label program. Based out of Derby, United Kingdom, Ethos Voice and Data has been delivering award-winning solutions to mid-market and enterprise customers across Europe for nearly two decades.



As part of the program, Ethos Voice and Data is delivering and supporting the following Evolve IP enterprise-grade solutions:

Microsoft Teams Direct Routing integrated with Cisco VoIP  Evolve IP's native integration of the world's #1 collaboration and communications services enables employees to work anywhere, on every connected device without 3 rd party bots, browser extensions, or additional software. Additionally, it delivers market-leading features like business SMS, call recording with AI speech recognition and sentiment, access via digital workspaces, and enterprise features like contact center, receptionist clients, multi-level hunt groups, and more.

 Evolve IP's native integration of the world's #1 collaboration and communications services enables employees to work anywhere, on every connected device without 3 party bots, browser extensions, or additional software. Additionally, it delivers market-leading features like business SMS, call recording with AI speech recognition and sentiment, access via digital workspaces, and enterprise features like contact center, receptionist clients, multi-level hunt groups, and more. Unified Communications  Evolve IP's UCaaS service from Cisco delivers award-winning collaboration (video, chat, conferencing, and more), and crystal-clear voice services that integrate with the applications businesses are already deploying, on any connected device. With a proven history of 99.999% uptime, the solution provides enterprises with business continuity no matter where employees are working or what is happening inside or outside their offices.

"Ethos Voice and Data delivers superior services and support for their customers and we're thrilled to be working with them," said Paul Harrison, Managing Director for Evolve IP. "The market for Microsoft Teams direct routing is growing incredibly fast and our integration with Cisco VoIP, coupled with enterprise features no other provider can deliver, positions Ethos Voice and Data to win significant business. We're looking forward to growing our relationship and driving revenue for both of our firms."



"With its native Cisco integration, unmatched features, and unified delivery of contact center inside of Teams, Evolve IP is clearly the market leader for Microsoft Teams direct routing," said Matt Hill, Managing Director of Ethos Voice and Data. "We have completed a number of deployments with Evolve IP and our customers have been impressed with the solution and Evolve IP's been a great partner to work with. We're looking forward to working closely with our clients on solutions like the ones from Evolve IP that enable their employees to work remotely while staying productive and secure."



Why Clients Choose Evolve IP



Evolve IP enables employees to Work Anywhere productively and securely. Our enterprise solutions seamlessly integrate collaboration & communications, digital workspaces, and contact center  all delivered from a browser on any connected device. Evolve IP's technologies free IT to focus on business innovation, not systems and infrastructure, and enable their employees to contribute even more to the enterprise -- no matter where or when they are working. Businesses that choose Evolve IP have selected a true technology partner. A company that becomes an expert extension of their IT team, an organization that listens to their needs to tailor solutions just for their business, and is responsive and engaged in every interaction.



Follow Evolve IP on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.



Photo(s):

https://www.prlog.org/12864151



Press release distributed by PRLog

SOURCE Evolve IP
The testimony of former employee of the Belarusian special forces Igor Makar will be taken into account in the investigation of the criminal case on the masterminds of the murder of journalist Pavel Sheremet, with the appearance of the "Belarusian trace" the investigation will have a thorough approach, Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova said.

"The investigation will take into account everything in its investigation, of course, and this testimony too ... Considering that there are too many questions to the case, and with the appearance of the so-called 'Belarusian trace' it is already international policy, we will approach the investigation very thoroughly. The investigation is studying everything," Venediktova said in an exclusive interview with the Interfax-Ukraine agency, answering the question of how important the testimony of the Belarusian informant is for the investigation of the case of those who ordered the murder of Sheremet and whether the investigation will take them into account. The Prosecutor General emphasized: "The case is resonant both from the point of view of civil position and from the point of view of law enforcement agencies, because, as you know, there was a case of falsification of materials by the investigation. But it was an evaluative story that was submitted by the defense."

As reported, on January 4, 2021, the Ukrayinska Pravda Internet edition with reference to the published audio recordings and the EUobserver Belgian edition said that the murder of Sheremet was prepared by the special services of Belarus. As follows from the recording of the conversations of head of the State Security Committee of Belarus in 2008-2012 Vadim Zaitsev, transferred to Ukrayinska Pravda by the Belarusian opposition, the secret services of Belarus in 2012, by order of President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, discussed the possibility of detonating Sheremet with explosives, which was carried out four years later.

Later that day, the National Police of Ukraine announced that it had received information about possible masterminds of the murder of journalist Pavel Sheremet - documents and audio recordings made no later than 2012.

The department also said that the investigation received permission to conduct investigative actions in one of the European countries, and the disposer of the transmitted information was invited to conduct investigative actions.

On the same evening, ex-employee of the Belarusian special forces Igor Makar, who distributed the audio recordings and sent them for investigation to Ukraine and the European Union, announced his readiness to arrive in Kyiv and give testimony.

The National Police of Ukraine reported that they are interested in obtaining additional information that may concern those who ordered the murder of Sheremet in Kyiv, investigative actions were carried out with the person who is the manager of the audio recording in which allegedly KGB officials of Belarus discuss the elimination of political opponents.

As reported, Sheremet was killed in a car explosion in central Kyiv on July 20, 2016. The explosion occurred when Sheremet was driving a vehicle that belonged to the Ukrayinska Pravda co-founder Olena Prytula, who was not in it at the time. The journalist died at the scene shortly following the bomb blast. The suspicion was notified to military nurse Yana Duhar, volunteer and pediatric cardiac surgeon Yulia Kuzmenko, as well as musician and ATO veteran Andriy Antonenko, all of them were detained. The pretrial investigation against the suspects was completed on May 22. None of the accused admits his guilt in involvement in the murder of Sheremet.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-07 01:37:24|Editor: huaxia

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Photo taken on April 6, 2021 shows a meeting of the Joint Commission of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in Vienna, Austria, April 6, 2021. The JCPOA Joint Commission meeting, resumed here on Tuesday, was hailed by attending envoys as "constructive" and is expected to bring more hope for the revival of the Iran nuclear deal. With the lifting of sanctions on Iran and nuclear implementation measures at the top of the agenda, the meeting has drawn worldwide attention as delegates from the United States joined the talks to save the nuclear deal, which was struck in 2015 but paralyzed by the U.S. withdrawal in 2018. (EU Delegation in Vienna/Handout via Xinhua)

VIENNA, April 6 (Xinhua) -- The Joint Commission of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), known as the Iran nuclear deal, resumed talks here on Tuesday, with lifting sanctions on Iran and nuclear implementation measures on top of the agenda.

The meeting has drawn public attention as representatives from the United States are in Vienna to save the deal, which was struck in 2015 but paralyzed by the U.S. withdrawal in 2018 and Iran's counter-sanctions moves afterwards.

Senior diplomats of China, France, Germany, Russia, Britain and Iran met behind closed doors in the Grand Hotel Wien. The talks were chaired by Enrique Mora, deputy Secretary-General and Political Director of the European External Action Service (EEAS), on behalf of EU High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell. Media reports said the U.S. delegation led by Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley was based in a nearby hotel.

Mora said on Twitter following the meeting that they had a "constructive Joint Commission meeting."

"There's unity and ambition for a joint diplomatic process with two expert groups on nuclear implementation and sanctions lifting. As Coordinator I will intensify separate contacts here in Vienna with all relevant parties, including the U.S.," he added.

The U.S. and Iranian negotiators were not supposed to meet face-to-face but a shuttle diplomacy approach was adopted with the intensified help of the coordinators.

Prior to Tuesday's meeting, Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Abbas Araqchi said he would "not hold any direct or indirect talks" with U.S. representatives but would only negotiate with the Joint Commission of JCPOA.

If the P4+1 countries, including China, Britain, France and Russia, plus Germany, succeed in convincing Washington to lift all the sanctions "by any means they know," Iran will comply, said Araqchi, who is also Iran's deputy foreign minister.

Washington said on Monday that its goal of the talks was to set the stage for a mutual return to compliance with the 2015 accord but did not anticipate an immediate breakthrough.

Walter Posch, an Austrian expert on Iran, told Austria Press Agency that the fact that talks were held in Vienna to revive the crippling nuclear agreement, albeit indirectly, was already a success.

The JCPOA was reached in 2015 between Iran and the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council -- the United States, Britain, Russia, France, China, plus Germany) and the EU. Tehran agreed to roll back parts of its nuclear weapons program in exchange for decreased economic sanctions.

Washington under former President Donald Trump withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 and tightened sanctions on Iran.

The United States and Iran are in a standoff over reviving the nuclear deal. The Joe Biden administration said that if Iran returns to full compliance with the JCPOA, the United States would do the same. But Iran insisted its compliance would only take place once U.S. sanctions were removed. Enditem
Maruti Suzuki India's total production jumped to 172,433 units in March 2021 from 92,540 units in March 2020. The production of passenger vehicles rose to 170,036 units in March 2021 compared with 91,602 units in March 2020. Production of light commercial vehicles surged to 2,397 units in March 2021 from 938 units in March 2020.

Avenue Supermarts said that standalone revenue from operations for the quarter stood at Rs 7,303.13 crore as compared to Rs 6,193.53 crore in the same period last year. The total number of stores as of 31 March 2021 stood at 234.

The board of directors of IRCON International approved and recommended the issuance of one bonus share for each share held.

Sobha said the company has achieved best ever total sales volume of 1,337,707 square feet of super built-up area valued at Rs 10.72 billion in Q4 2021.

Panacea Biotec announced that the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF, Russia's sovereign wealth fund) and Panacea Biotec, one of the leading vaccine and pharmaceutical producers in India, has agreed for cooperation to produce 100 million doses per year of Sputnik V, the world's first registered vaccine against coronavirus.

Trident said that the major fire has been broken out on Monday in the Cotton warehouse located in the manufacturing facilities at Budhni, Madhya Pradesh.

Ucal Fuel Systems informed that the company has fully lifted the lockdown at the plant situated at Puducherry with effect from 5th April 2021.

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DUBLIN, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Search Engine Optimization Services Global Market Report 2021: COVID-19 Impact and Recovery to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This report provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the global search engine optimization services market as it emerges from the COVID-19 shut down.

The global search engine optimization services market is expected to grow from $46. 66 billion in 2020 to $50. 45 billion in 2021 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8. 1%. The growth is mainly due to the companies rearranging their operations and recovering from the COVID-19 impact, which had earlier led to restrictive containment measures involving social distancing, remote working, and the closure of commercial activities that resulted in operational challenges. The market is expected to reach $103. 24 billion in 2025 at a CAGR of 20%.

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Gain a truly global perspective with the most comprehensive report available on this market covering 50+ geographies.

Understand how the market is being affected by the coronavirus and how it is likely to emerge and grow as the impact of the virus abates.

Create regional and country strategies on the basis of local data and analysis.

Identify growth segments for investment.

Outperform competitors using forecast data and the drivers and trends shaping the market.

Understand customers based on the latest market research findings.

Benchmark performance against key competitors.

Utilize the relationships between key data sets for superior strategizing.

Suitable for supporting your internal and external presentations with reliable high quality data and analysis

Where is the largest and fastest growing market for search engine optimization services? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward? The Search Engine Optimization Services market global report answers all these questions and many more.



The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography. It places the market within the context of the wider search engine optimization services market, and compares it with other markets.

The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market.

The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, the impact of the COVID-19 virus and forecasting its recovery.

Market segmentations break down market into sub markets.

The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth. It covers the impact and recovery trajectory of COVID-19 for all regions, key developed countries and major emerging markets.

Competitive landscape gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.

The trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it emerges from the crisis and suggests how companies can grow as the market recovers.

The search engine optimization services market section of the report gives context. It compares the search engine optimization services market with other segments of the web content, search portals and social media market by size and growth, historic and forecast. It analyses GDP proportion, expenditure per capita, search engine optimization services indicators comparison.

Major companies in the search engine optimization services market include Google; Bing; Baidu; Ask and Yahoo.



The search engine optimization services market consists of the revenues generated from sales of SEO advisory services by entities (organizations, sole traders or partnerships) that provide advisory services for businesses to optimize their websites. Search engine optimization companies advise their clients in optimizing their websites and their content to enhance the websites' visibility in search results. The search engine optimization services market is segmented into agencies SEO services and feelancer SEO services.



Asia Pacific was the largest region in the global search engine optimization services market, accounting for 33% of the market in 2020. North America was the second largest region accounting for 32% of the global search engine optimization services market. Middle East was the smallest region in the global search engine optimization services market.



The competition for search traffic is significant amongst major players like Google, Yahoo and Bing. Strategic partnerships are seen amongst the major competitors, contributing a large share to their revenues. For instance, Apple uses Google as its default search engine which has contributed as much as $8. 8 billion to annual revenues of Google and Yahoo switched to Microsoft Bing.



Government regulations may restrain the search engine optimization market's growth. For instance, the concept of net neutrality means internet service providers (ISPs) cannot block content based on its source or destination or discriminate against certain applications (such as BitTorrent) or impose special access fees that would make it harder for small websites to reach their users. Regulations such as net neutrality arguably stop the market from acting freely and give preferential treatment to websites which pay the internet service providers.



Rising penetration of mobile, tablet and other electronics and rising data consumption will drive the web content, search portals and social media market. Rising sales of electronics leads to an increased number of people that own an internet accessible device and increasing access to digital platforms. For example, average time spent on internet by each person in the US is expected to increase from 200 minutes per day in 2017 to 282 minutes per day in 2021 , giving companies the opportunity to generate more revenue per user. This rising average internet use is expected to drive the search emgone optimization services market.



Key Topics Covered:



1. Executive Summary



2. Report Structure



3. Search Engine Optimization Services Market Characteristics

3.1. Market Definition

3.2. Key Segmentation



4. Search Engine Optimization Services Market Product Analysis

4.1. Leading Products/ Services

4.2. Key Features and Differentiators

4.3. Development Products



5. Search Engine Optimization Services Market Supply Chain

5.1. Supply Chain

5.2. Distribution

5.3. End Customers



6. Search Engine Optimization Services Market Customer Information

6.1. Customer Preferences

6.2. End Use Market Size and Growth



7. Search Engine Optimization Services Market Trends and Strategies



8. Impact of COVID-19 on Search Engine Optimization Services



9. Search Engine Optimization Services Market Size and Growth

9.1. Market Size

9.2. Historic Market Growth, Value ($ Billion)

9.2.1. Drivers of the Market

9.2.2. Restraints on the Market

9.3. Forecast Market Growth, Value ($ Billion)

9.3.1. Drivers of the Market

9.3.2. Restraints on the Market



10. Search Engine Optimization Services Market Regional Analysis

10.1. Global Search Engine Optimization Services Market, 2020, by Region, Value ($ Billion)

10.2. Global Search Engine Optimization Services Market, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, Historic and Forecast, by Region

10.3. Global Search Engine Optimization Services Market, Growth and Market Share Comparison, by Region

11. Search Engine Optimization Services Market Segmentation

11.1. Global Search Engine Optimization Services Market, Segmentation by Type

11.2. Global Search Engine Optimization Services Market, Segmentation by Organisation

11.3. Global Search Engine Optimization Services Market, Segmentation by End-User Industry

12. Search Engine Optimization Services Market Metrics

12.1. Search Engine Optimization Services Market Size, Percentage of GDP, 2015-2025, Global

12.2. Per Capita Average Search Engine Optimization Services Market Expenditure, 2015-2025, Global

13. Asia-Pacific Search Engine Optimization Services Market

14. Western Europe Search Engine Optimization Services Market

15. Eastern Europe Search Engine Optimization Services Market

16. North America Search Engine Optimization Services Market

17. South America Search Engine Optimization Services Market

18. Middle East Search Engine Optimization Services Market

19. Africa Search Engine Optimization Services Market

20. Search Engine Optimization Services Market Competitive Landscape

20.1. Competitive Market Overview

20.2. Market Shares

20.3. Company Profiles

20.3.1. Google

20.3.1.1. Company Overview

20.3.1.2. Products and Services

20.3.1.3. Strategy

20.3.1.4. Financial Performance

20.3.2. Bing

20.3.2.1. Company Overview

20.3.2.2. Products and Services

20.3.2.3. Strategy

20.3.2.4. Financial Performance

20.3.3. Baidu

20.3.3.1. Company Overview

20.3.3.2. Products and Services

20.3.3.3. Strategy

20.3.3.4. Financial Performance

20.3.4. Ask

20.3.4.1. Company Overview

20.3.4.2. Products and Services

20.3.4.3. Strategy

20.3.4.4. Financial Performance

20.3.5. Yahoo

20.3.5.1. Company Overview

20.3.5.2. Products and Services

20.3.5.3. Strategy

20.3.5.4. Financial Performance



21. Key Mergers and Acquisitions in the Search Engine Optimization Services Market



22. Market Background: Web Content, Search Portals and Social Media Market

22.1. Web Content, Search Portals and Social Media Market Characteristics

22.2. Web Content, Search Portals and Social Media Market Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F Growth, by Segment, Value ($ Billion), Global

22.3. Global Web Content, Search Portals and Social Media Market, 2020, by Region, Value ($ Billion)

22.4. Global Web Content, Search Portals and Social Media Market, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, Historic and Forecast, by Region

22.5. Global Web Content, Search Portals and Social Media Market, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, Segmentation by Type, Value ($ Billion)



23. Recommendations

23.1. Global Search Engine Optimization Services Market in 2025- Growth Countries

23.2. Global Search Engine Optimization Services Market in 2025- Growth Segments

23.3. Global Search Engine Optimization Services Market in 2025- Growth Strategies



24. Appendix

24.1. NAICS Definitions of Industry Covered in This Report

24.2. Abbreviations

24.3. Currencies

24.4. Research Inquiries

24.5. About the Publisher



25. Copyright and Disclaimer



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/fgeile

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



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SOURCE Research and Markets

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Karen Moskowitz

On Feb. 16, a bar in Illinois held a celebratory, maskless event to celebrate the end of lockdown. According to the most recent Centers for Disease Control (CDC) morbidity and mortality report, that party led to dozens of new cases of COVID-19, a school closure affecting 650 children, and the hospitalization of one nursing home resident.

The transmission can be traced to a single asymptomatic individual who tested positive the day before the event, but chose to attend anyway, and four symptomatic people who received positive COVID-19 diagnoses days afterward. Following the event, 29 patrons tested positive  and that was only the beginning.
WhatsApp has joined forces with the World Health Organisation (WHO) for its new 'Vaccines for All' sticker pack, as the Covid-19 vaccine rollout continues at pace.

The sticker pack features a range of vaccine-related illustrations, including syringes, plasters and glass phials, as well as two vaccinated people embracing and a doctor holding a Covid-testing swab.

WhatsApp hopes the stickers will offering its users a 'fun way to privately express their joy' about getting their Covid-19 jab.

WhatsApp stickers, which were introduced in 2018, let users share their feelings in a way that 'they can't always express with words', much like emoji.

The new 'Vaccines for All' sticker pack features a range of vaccine-related illustrations, including syringes, plasters and glass phials, as well as a doctor holding a Covid-testing swab

HOW TO SEND WHATSAPP STICKERS Open an individual or group chat. To add sticker packs, tap Emoji > Stickers > Add (+). Tap Download next to the sticker pack you want to download. A green check mark will appear once the download is complete. Tap Back. Find and tap the sticker you want to send. Once you tap the sticker, it'll send automatically. Advertisement

'The Vaccines for All sticker pack is available now within WhatsApp,' said WhatsApp in a blog post on Tuesday.

'We hope these stickers offer people a fun and creative way to connect and privately express the joy, relief, and hope they feel about the possibilities the Covid-19 vaccines offer.'

To send the new stickers, Android users need to have an individual or group chat open and tap the smiley face on the left of where it says 'Type a message'.

This brings up the logo for stickers at the bottom  a small square with the bottom right corner peeling away slightly.

iOS users should initially see the same square stickers logo to the right of the chat box. They'll need to tap this to bring up another stickers logo at the bottom, next to the GIF option.

Tapping on the plus symbol to the right will bring up a list of all available stickers, which users can download by tapping the downward arrow.

WhatsApp revealed a similar sticker pack around this time last year in partnership with WHO, called 'Together at Home', which is still available to download.

This pack included references to lockdown and social distancing, including air high-fives, the trouble with working from home with a pet cat, indoor aerobic exercise and a hand holding a bar of soap.

WhatsApp said billions of stickers are sent every day on the Facebook-owned chat platform, which has more than two billion users worldwide.

Since stickers' launch in 2018, they have become one of the fastest growing ways people communicate.

The 'Together at Home' was released in April last year to help people stay connected throughout the pandemic

So far, WhatsApp has partnered with more than 150 national, state, and local governments, and with organisations like WHO and UNICEF, on Covid-19 helplines since the start of the pandemic.

More than 3 billion messages have been sent across these global helplines in the past year, the firm also said on Tuesday.

'As the pandemic enters a new phase in many countries, governments are using these helplines to connect citizens privately to accurate vaccine information and registration, in countries such as Indonesia, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, and India,' WhatsApp said.

'In Indonesia, 500,000 medical workers registered for their vaccine appointments on this service in its first five days.

'We want to help governments and international organisations connect as many people around the world to vaccine information and services as possible, especially those in hard-to-reach places or in marginalised groups.'
Gareth Doodes is encouraging all 1,467 pupils at the King's School in Worcester to sign up to the Change the Narrative' club

Parents today accused the head teacher at a top 15,000-a-year private school founded by Henry VIII of 'demonising boys' after it launched a 'Change the Narrative' club to stamp out 'male toxic behaviour'.

Gareth Doodes is encouraging all 1,467 pupils at the King's School in Worcester to sign up to the new group after claiming that the 'collective inaction' of men was in part responsible for women being killed.

It was set up following the murder of Sarah Everard and comes as the school is being investigated over claims teachers forced girls to kneel to measure their skirts.

A whistleblower on anonymous website Everyone's Invited also alleged that female teachers 'enforced blatantly sexist rules' and bullied girls into feeling shame about their bodies.

The website has been central to allegations that a 'rape culture' exists in some of Britain's leading private schools.

Mr Doodes said today: 'A new club called Change the Narrative that has been formed by sixth form pupils has yet to meet.

'It is open to all pupils and staff regardless of sex, with the stated aim of discussing important matters such as sexual harassment, violence against women, mental health and other issues in todays society that need to be addressed in an open and constructive way.'

A whistleblower recently alleged that female teachers at the school 'enforced blatantly sexist rules' and bullied girls into feeling shame about their bodies

He said in an earlier statement: 'Following the tragic murder of Sarah Everard we decided to address the issue of misogynistic behaviour and attitudes in school.

'We are encouraging all pupils to change the narrative and understand that although all men did not take part in such behaviour, by our collective inactions we were all to an extent culpable.'

But parents have accused Mr Doodes of 'going for woke' and 'demonising all men and boys'.

One parent said: 'The school is, on the whole, wonderful and provides the best in terms of teaching and pupil development.

'That said, there is a growing number of parents who are concerned at the direction the head is taking in terms of addressing issues such as misogyny and sexism.

Founded by Henry VIII: The school with close links to Worcester cathedral The King's School, Worcester is an English independent school refounded by Henry VIII in 1541. It was initially set up as a boy's school, but girls were welcomed into the sixth form in 1971. The school became fully coeducational in 1991. The mixed school, which is next to Worcester cathedral in the city centre, now caters to 1,465 pupils aged 2 to 18. They work closely with the cathedral to train choirsters. Notable former pupils at the school, which was founded by Henry VIII in 1541, include Conservative MP Richard Bacon, the late comedian Rik Mayall and Sky News presenter Jeremy Thompson. Advertisement

'I worry that when Mr Doodes says things like ''collective inactions'' he really means the inactions of men and this is how many parents have interpreted his comments.

'It is not fair, either deliberately or otherwise, to put the blame for sexism and violence against women onto the shoulders of young boys at the start of their lives.'

Writing on Facebook, a mother, who was not identified, added: 'This 'Change the Narrative' club is a prime example of going for woke.

'The school has a duty to address sexism and make girls feel heard and empowered but not at the expense of demonising all men and boys.'

Mr Doodes took over as headmaster last September and as well as a background in education, is also a Church of England lay minister.

He added: 'The reaction [to the Change the Narrative club] was heartfelt from all sections of the school community but especially girls at the upper end of the school who felt empowered to speak out.

'I received over 40 emails from pupils, staff and parents, all in support of taking a stance and shouting out male toxic behaviour in UK institutions.

'The subject moved from being taboo to being openly discussed in lessons and classes and our head of school Liv along with senior prefect Alice worked with other girls and boys to form a new society called Change the Narrative.

'This will continue the discussion in a formal setting open to all pupils and staff.'

The school, which was founded by Henry VIII in 1541, caters for boys and girls aged 2-18 and received an 'Excellent' Ofsted rating

MailOnline has asked the school for more information about the club.

Earlier this week Mr Doodes confirmed he was launching an urgent investigation into allegations of sexism and bullying.

Writing on whistle-blowing website Everyone's Invited, the anonymous post read: 'I remember walking out of cathedral and seeing teachers taking girls off and making them kneel on the cathedral floor just to check their skirt length.

'The saddest thing was that female teachers even enforced the blatantly sexist rules.

'They made us think that our bodies should be covered and that it was our responsibility to make sure men wouldn't look at us.'

The school, which was founded by Henry VIII in 1541, caters for boys and girls aged 2-18 and received an 'Excellent' Ofsted rating.
While we would all love to live in a harmonious world, there are just some things that simply divide society.

Social media users from across the world have taken to Twitter under the #StuffThatShouldNotExist to share some of the random things they wish had never been invented.

Among some of the other responses include eyelashes that can be stuck on a car's headlights, carpeted bathrooms and tinned bread.

Elsewhere, one person decided to get a little more specific and slammed a sequin pillow which reveals Nicholas Cage's face when swiped in the opposite direction.

Social media users have been sharing 'stuff that should not exist' in a hilarious Twitter thread - including one person, from Chicago, who slammed carpeted bathrooms

Another user, from San Francisco, complained about the whole chicken that comes in a can of chicken broth

In a similar vein, one person, from an unknown location, complained about the concept of canned bread

Another person, from an unknown location, slammed a sequin cushion which you can swipe to reveal Nicholas Cage's face

Someone else, from an unknown location, took offense from the 'eyelashes' that are available to stick on a car's headlights

AnotherTwitter user, from Atlanta, said that carrier cases which allow you to carry your dog like a cross body bag shouldn't exist

Someone else, from San Diego, shared a snap of a beach covered in waste and said that plastic should be banished

Meanwhile, another user, believed to be from the US, shared an image of a car with LED headlights, which they said are basically 'blinding'

Another, from Minnesota, said that food-flavored soda should not exist - including those which taste like pumpkin pie, peanut butter & jelly, ranch dressing, sweetcorn, bacon and buffalo wings

Another Twitter user, from an unknown location, added that shoes which act like trousers 'should not exist'

Someone else, from Alabama, said that the food container with a black bottom and clear lid should never have been invented because the 'entire world can hear you opening' it

Another, believed to be from the US, said that hair combs which look like teeth and gum should not exist

Crocs have always been a controversial choice of footwear, but one user, from an unknown location, said that high-heeled crocs were even more offensive than the originals

Another user, from the US, shared a picture of 'picnic pants' which feature extra fabric between the legs to make a table wherever you sit, so that you're always ready for a picnic

Another user, from Minnesota, shared a photo of a cuddly toy and said that stuffed animals which 'give children nightmares' should be banned

Another Twitter user, from Seattle, shared a snap of a set of earrings which looked like fake teeth and told how they wish they'd never existed

Another, from Michigan, said that candy floss-flavored foods such as pizza shouldn't exist - and that the sweet stuff should be left for desserts

Keeping it simple, another user, from an unknown location, slammed bicycle seats because they 'hurt so much'

Another user, from an unknown location, added the Heinz Baked Beans Pizza to the list, saying it was one 'of the most cursed things they've ever come across'
Health Minister: 'A week before Easter we will come up with a plan'

By Veronika Malinboym

Health Minister of Georgia Ekaterine Tikaradze stated yesterday that by the week leading to the Orthodox Easter, the government will come up with a plan on how to manage public health and welfare during the holidays:At this stage, we are working very hard, but the virus is spreading. Approximately a week before Easter we will have a much clearer understanding of the situation in the country, and we will have a plan of what to do next, Tikaradze stated. She added that despite the growing number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Georgia, the ministry will do its best to manage the situation without having to impose further restrictions.Tikaradze also addressed the recent arrival of the Chinese anti-coronavirus vaccine Sinopharm in Georgia. She said that the credibility and effectiveness of the vaccine are unquestionable:Over 40 million people have already been vaccinated with Sinopharm and, to this day, there are no questions raised about its efficacy."The minister noted that Georgia is waiting for the vaccine to receive official approval from the World Health Organization (WHO), and once approved, the vaccine may be available by April 15.Head of the National Center for Disease Control Amiran Gamkrelidze noted that the reason why the number of confirmed cases in Georgia is currently surging is because of the slow pace of implementation of the nationwide vaccination plan, as well as peoples reluctance to wear masks:We need to accelerate the vaccination process. As of today, only 11,603 people have been vaccinated. We have an average of 1,000 vaccinations administered per day. Now it is a little over 1,000 vaccinations per day, but that's not enough. At this point, we need at least 3,000 vaccinations a day, Gamkrelidze explained.The nationwide vaccination program in Georgia began on March 15, and it is currently conducted using AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines. The country has recently acquired doses of Sinopharm vaccines, but it will not be used until it receives official approval from the WHO.
A series of petroglyphs, or rock carvings, made by Native Americans more than 1,000 years ago were found vandalized in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests in northern Georgia.

Multiple boulders in Track Rock Gap were found with damage, including five with large scratches and carvings, and two that were painted.

The U.S. Forest Service shared the photos of the destruction on Facebook, writing, 'We regret to report the vandalism of a protected historic site on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests.'

The Tribal Heritage Preservation Office spoke on behalf of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, 'Whether through ignorance or malice - the result is irreparable damage to a unique site that connects us directly to the people of the past.'

Multiple boulders in Track Rock Gap were found with damage, including five with large scratches and carvings, and two that were painted

There were varying degrees of damage across the rock carvings, including one with what appears to be the initials of a couple

The Track Rock Gap rock art and stone landscape sites on the Chattahoochee National Forest were created by Creek and Cherokee people beginning more than 1,000 years ago

Photos show varying degrees of damage that occurred sometime in 2020 across the rock carvings, including one that displays what appears to be the initials of a couple.

In 2010, the U.S. Forest Service renovated the Track Rock Gap to make the site more inviting to visitors. There had previously been grates in place covering the rock carvings to discourage vandalism.

The grates were replaced by a rustic fence and small stone wall in an effort to provide a more meaningful experience to the petroglyphs.

Track Rock Gap is one of the most well-known rock art sites in the Southeastern United States, and is the only one of its kind located on public land in Georgia.

The site, which is about 90 miles northeast of Atlanta, houses the petroglyphs that were found by explorers prior to the year 1800, and the earliest evidence of carvings dates back at least 3,600 years.

The vandalism, which occurred sometime in 2020, has caused irreplaceable damage to the pre-Colonial historic site

The petroglyphs were found by explorers prior to the year 1800, and the earliest evidence of carvings dates back at least 3,600 years

The sites vandalized are special and rare sites for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

 Slide me  The Forest Service renovated the Track Rock petroglyph site to make it more inviting to visitors, removing old grates (left before) that had been installed to discourage vandalism. They were replaced by a rustic post fence and small stone wall (right after).

Each of the figures at Track Rock Gap contain historic carvings that range from non-representational, to abstract, to highly stylized. The ancient carvings have inspired wild origin stories, including theories of a Mayan settlement in the nearby region.

Some of the carvings on the rocks were made by pecking hard objects to create shapes, while others were created by incising into the rock.

Sites on public lands are protected by the Archaeological Resources Protection Act and the damaged rock carvings are considered an irreplaceable part of the nation's heritage.
Next in the culture wars: Vaccine passports

As the ranks of the inoculated in the U.S. grow, businesses, schools and politicians are considering vaccine passports  digital proof of vaccination against the coronavirus  as a path to reviving the economy and postpandemic life.

But the idea is raising knotty moral and legal questions  about whether businesses and schools can require them and whether the government can mandate vaccinations or stop organizations from demanding proof.

The answer to these questions is mostly yes, but the issue is fast becoming a political one. Vaccine passports are shaping up to be the next big clash in the American culture wars.

Today, the Republican governor of Texas barred many organizations from requiring proof of vaccination, following a similar move in Florida. Lawmakers in Pennsylvania, Arkansas and elsewhere have begun drafting legislation that would ban or limit vaccine passports. Some Republicans say the passports are Democratic overreach, socialism or an intrusion on personal liberty and private health choices.
[April 06, 2021] WESCO Announces First Quarter 2021 Earnings Call

WESCO International, Inc. (NYSE: WCC) will hold its first quarter 2021 earnings conference call on Thursday, May 6, at 10:00 a.m. EDT. Dial-in details are below. The live audio webcast and presentation slides of the earnings call will be accessible via WESCO's Investor Relations website, www.wesco.investorroom.com. The link to the webcast replays will be posted in the Events and Webcasts section of WESCO's Investor Relations website. WESCO will also be participating in the Barclays High Yield Bond & Syndicated Loan Conference held May 25-26 and the 2021KeyBanc Industrial and Basic Materials Conference held June 1-4, 2021. Details about WESCO's participation will be available in the coming weeks.







First Quarter 2021 Earnings Call Dial-In Access Live Access Replay Access US Participant Dial-in: 1-877-443-5356

International Participant Dial-in: 1-412-902-6614

Canada Participant Dial-in: 1-855-669-9657

Confirmation Code: Ask for the "WESCO" conference call US Replay: 1-877-344-7529

International Replay: 1-412-317-0088

Canada Replay: 1-855-669-9658

Replay available: From 2:00 p.m. ET on May 6 to 9:00 a.m. ET on May 13 Confirmation Code: 10154053

About WESCO International WESCO International, Inc. (NYSE: WCC), a publicly traded FORTUNE 500 company headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a leading provider of business-to-business distribution, logistics services and supply chain management solutions. Pro forma 2020 annual sales were over $16 billion, including full year sales for Anixter (News - Alert) International which WESCO acquired in June 2020. WESCO offers a best-in-class product and services portfolio of Electrical and Electronic Solutions, Communications and Security Solutions, and Utility and Broadband Solutions. The company employs approximately 18,000 people, maintains relationships with approximately 30,000 suppliers, and serves more than 125,000 customers worldwide. With nearly 1.5 million products, end-to-end supply chain services, and leading digital capabilities, WESCO provides innovative solutions to meet customer needs across commercial and industrial businesses, contractors, government agencies, institutions, telecommunications providers, and utilities. WESCO operates approximately 800 branch, warehouse, and sales locations in over 50 countries, providing a local presence for customers and a global network to serve multi-location businesses and multi-national corporations. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005228/en/

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US-based pancake, waffle and French toast manufacturer De Wafelbakkers has been acquired by local private-equity firm Brynwood Partners for an undisclosed sum.

The investor has bought the business from current owner The Oklahoma Publishing Company, a subsidiary of the Anschutz Corporation.

Based in North Little Rock, Arkansas, De Wafelbakkers is a manufacturer of branded, co-manufactured and private-label frozen products which are sold into both the mass retail and foodservice channels.

It operates a 100,000 sq ft production facility in North Little Rock and also manufactures products from its 98,000 sq ft facility in McDonough, Georgia. It employs around 650 people across its two plants and headquarters.

Henk Hartong III, chairman and CEO of Greenwich, Connecticut-based Brynwood, said: Brynwood already has a presence in the breakfast category through its dry mix offerings with its Hungry Jack and Arrowhead Mills brands, owned by Brynwood portfolio company Hometown Food Company.



We also have extensive experience in the frozen manufacturing space and believe that we can partner with the management team to accelerate performance in the De Wafelbakkers business. The frozen pancake, waffle and French toast market is a growing space and we are excited to be invested in the category with such a significant manufacturing player.

Brynwood's portfolio also includes food businesses Buitoni and Great Kitchens.

The firm currently manages more than US$1bn of private-equity capital for its partners, which include US and international pension funds, high-net-worth family investment offices and financial institutions.

Thematic Reports Are you worried about the pace of innovation in your industry? GlobalData's TMT Themes 2021 Report tells you everything you need to know about disruptive tech themes and which companies are best placed to help you digitally transform your business. Find out more

just-food has asked De Wafelbakkers for a comment on the deal.
Katherine Ryan has revealed she chose not to wear a white dress on her wedding day nor does she wear an engagement ring.

The comedian, 37, wed her childhood sweetheart Bobby Kootstra in 2019, and has opened up in a new interview about her unconventional choices.

Ryan - who currently hosts competitive jewellery-making show All That Glitters - explained to the Radio Times: 'I love jewellery, but an engagement ring wasn't for me, so I have a very simple band.'

Unconventional: Katherine Ryan, 37, has revealed she chose not to wear a white dress on her wedding day nor does she wear an engagement ring

She added: 'I didn't even wear a white dress.'

Elsewhere, the mother-of-one touched upon the 'abysmal' toll lockdown took on her appearance.

Ryan quipped that her husband Kootstra was used to seeing her in full glam on TV, however 'now has to wake up next to me in a pandemic'.

'It's really bad. I'm like a walrus now,' joked the Canadian star.

Candid: The comedian wed her childhood sweetheart Bobby Kootstra in 2019, and has opened up in a new interview about her choices. (Pictured: Katherine and Bobby at their school prom)

Candid: Ryan also revealed in the new issue of the Radio Times (pictured) that lockdown has taken an 'abysmal' toll on her appearance

It comes after Ryan confessed that prior to her and Kootstra's 2019 civil partnership, she happily resigned herself to being single.

Speaking during an interview with The Times, the mother-of-one admitted to having already come to terms with being a single mother following the collapse of her relationship with 11-year old daughter Violet's father.

She explained: 'I truly became authentically happy being single. My plan was to be single for life.

'I thought I can have as many dogs as I want, I can do the kitchen as I want, I'm not accountable to a partner. I think that's a fine shape of a family if that's what you want.'

Then a waitress with global bar chain Hooters, native Canadian Ryan arrived in the UK to open a new branch in Nottingham in 2007 before relocating permanently with Violet's father the following year.

And the comedian admits she soon made the decision to fall pregnant after being diagnosed with Lupus - an incurable condition that affects the immune system - triggering concerns over her fertility.

She said: 'I got pregnant very much on purpose because I was really frightened of these worst-case scenarios.

'I made a conscious decision that I wanted to be a mother and I thought I might as well have my daughter now.'

Opening up: Ryan said she had happily resigned herself to being a single mother after having a boob job and 'deliberately' falling pregnant before meeting husband Kootstra (pictured)

Now a successful comedian and presenter, Ryan admits she loved her old waitressing job with Hooters - famed for its scantily clad female staff and easy going atmosphere.

And she says she felt happier after opting to have breast enlargement surgery while still employed with the chain in order to 'balance out' her general body shape.

'I wish I could say that it didn't,' she said. 'I know that the right answer is 'no', that you should never treat your body like a trend or have a general anaesthetic to put bags of silicone in, but unfortunately that isn't how I feel. I loved having breast implants.'

Ryan's relationship with her only child's father eventually faltered, and she had embraced her independence before reconnecting with Kootstra while filming an episode of Who Do You Think You Are?

Sweet: Ryan had returned to her native Canada to make an episode of the BBC show, and while there, she reunited with Bobby, her boyfriend from high school in the industrial town of Sarnia



Ryan had returned to her native Canada to make an episode of the BBC show, and while there, she reunited with Bobby, her boyfriend from high school in the industrial town of Sarnia, Ontario.

However the comedian admits she was initially sceptical of her feelings towards him.

Speaking in 2020, she told the Daily Mail: 'I tried to resist, I looked for reasons not to go ahead with the partnership because I genuinely loved my independent life.

But everything was just so easy between us, and Bobby genuinely fitted in around both me and my daughter; he was an asset to both of us.'
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 19:52:59|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, April 6 (Xinhua) -- China hopes that the United States could honor its commitment to protecting human rights and severely crack down on discrimination and hate violence against ethnic minorities including Asian Americans in the United States, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Tuesday.

Spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks at a press briefing when asked to comment on an article published by the New York Times on the rising anti-Asian violence in the United States.

Zhao said recent years saw consistent increase in cases of hate crimes against ethnic minorities including Asian Americans in the United States, resulting in a lot of tragedies.

Especially since the outbreak of the pandemic, some politicians in the former U.S. administration have made overt and implied xenophobic remarks, used the name targeting a specific region or group of people to replace the name of novel coronavirus and spread false information and racist remarks, leading to systematic racial discrimination and hate crimes against Asian Americans, according to the spokesperson.

Racism exists in the United States in a comprehensive, systematic and consistent manner, said Zhao, adding that the white racists, neo-Nazis and members of the Ku Klux Klan openly use racist slogans, advocate white supremacy and incite racial discrimination and hatred.

In U.S. history, there was the genocide and massacre of native Indians, and U.S. law enforcement brutality has resulted in frequent cases of African American deaths, said Zhao, adding that social discrimination against ethnic minorities broadly exists, while racial discrimination is deeply rooted in U.S. workplaces.

China hopes that the United States could honor its commitment to protecting human rights, severely crack down on discrimination and hate violence against ethnic minorities including Asian Americans in the United States, effectively protect the rights of ethnic minorities, and take measures to free ethnic minorities from discrimination and hate crimes so they can no longer live in fear of violence. Enditem
grandriver/Getty Images

En espanol | If you think it's tough running a tour company in a pandemic, guess what? You're right. As governments issued travel bans in March 2020, tour operators scrambled to whisk their clients home. Some companies shifted from international to domestic tours; others, such as Exodus Travels and not-for-profit Road Scholar, hosted virtual programs. Every company canceled tours, which was painful for clients and tour operators alike.

"We plan these tours years in advance, says Matt Thompson, brand manager for Country Walkers, a Vermont company offering both guided and self-guided walking trips. It's really depressing to see them canceled."

One year later, companies are rebounding. In a survey by the United States Tour Operators Association, 63 percent of respondents reported an increase in new bookings for 2021. Some of that surging interest is in last-minute trips. In normal years, for instance, travelers book domestic tours with Austin Adventures four to eight months in advance. In 2021, the Montana-based company's U.S. trips will likely sell out by June (though it's adding new departures). Many tour operators are seeing similar demand, and as more Americans receive their vaccinations, some travelers want to leave home now.

"Clients are booking domestic trips very last minute, such as calling today for a trip within a week, says Massimo Prioreschi, president and CEO of the California-based adventure-travel company MT Sobek.

After more than a year of social distancing, though, the word group might make more cautious travelers cringe. To reduce such trepidation, companies are emphasizing safety and smaller groups.

Here are some ways group travel is adapting in the pandemic era.

Infection-prevention measures

Companies are emphasizing staff training and COVID protocols based on guidelines from governments, health organizations and medical professionals. Safety measures address everything from air circulation and social distancing in vans to the sterilization of high-touch areas. And you can forget about buffet-style meals.

No details are too small, no item too sterile. Backroads, which has run more than 200 of its trips since the pandemic began, assigns equipment such as hiking poles to individuals at the start of a trip to minimize gear sharing (it also sterilizes equipment daily). Austin Adventures is working to provide more cabin-style lodging to emphasize social distancing. Nearly every tour operator is checking guests and guides temperatures each day and requiring a COVID test within hours or days of traveling. Guests typically must fill out a health declaration form or officially acknowledge that they understand and accept the company's guidelines.

No companies appear to be requiring vaccinations. That could change, though clients may not need encouragement. A Road Scholar survey found that 98 percent of its travelers have received or intend to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

Most tour operators are also prepared if a guest becomes sick. Road Scholar's programs include a plan that offers 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency and medical coverage for anyone who becomes ill overseas. If a traveler on an EF Go Ahead tour is diagnosed with COVID-19 or required to quarantine while on tour, the Massachusetts-based company will provide or arrange support  including lodging, meals and translation services  at no additional expense.

Smaller groups

Tour clients often prefer the intimacy of small groups, and COVID has only increased that desire. In response, some tour operators are limiting capacity to allow for social distancing.

Road Scholar recently introduced Micro Group learning adventures, which limit attendance to 12 travelers. The average group size on an MT Sobek tour is eight people. Another pandemic trend: Clients want to book tours as small groups of family members or friends, and companies are responding by launching more private-group options.

"There is definitely interest in exclusive or custom tours, with people looking to travel within their COVID bubble,  says Dan Austin, president of Austin Adventures, which accepts up to 12 adults on regular trips and up to 18 on family trips, though it will accommodate two to 20 guests for custom or exclusive journeys.
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Global 3D medical imaging market was valued US$ 15.9 Bn in 2017 and is expected to reach US$ 30.3 Bn by 2026, at a CAGR of 8.39 % during a forecast period.

3D medical imaging market is used to create visual representations of the interior body by utilizing 3D imaging modalities such as a computed tomography scanner, and X-ray and it helps to the doctors inaccurate diagnosis as well as used for clinical analysis & medical intervention.

The growth factors in the global 3D medical imaging market are the growing adoption of minimally invasive procedures and rising prevalence of chronic diseases. New advances in imaging technologies in surgical systems such as O-arm surgical imaging systems, rising demand for robotic-assisted surgery systems & endoscopy devices. The growing prevalence of chronic disease releases key opportunities for 3D medical imaging market. Stringent regulatory framework & clinical trials with high installation & maintenance costs are limiting the 3D medical imaging market. However, the insufficiency of 3D contents, and lack of medical infrastructure, mainly in the developing economies are also restraining the market growth.

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Magnetic resonance imaging, a computer produces a wide range of photos of the internal body part by using the powerful magnetic field and radio waves. Computed tomography uses sophisticated x-ray technology for detecting a variety of diseases and conditions of the body.

The on-premise based 3D medical imaging platform is being used in the premises of healthcare facilities such as hospitals and clinics. The cloud-based 3D medical imaging platform supports 3-dimensional observing of medical & surgical images in case of surgery. The web-based 3D medical imaging platform enables the doctors, radiologists, physicians to uniquely manage their medical diagnostic display workstations from everywhere across the globe.

Oncology is the fastest growing segment owing to the rising cancer cases and the associated diagnostic procedures conducted. The diagnostic centreas segment has led the market and accounted for nearly 58% of the market share. The 3D medical imaging is more used in diagnostic centers compared to hospitals owing to most hospitals have a limited budget, & 3D medical imaging systems are expensive, thus hospitals depend on medium-sized diagnostic centers for 3D imaging. Diagnostic centers have skilled staffs & radiologists who are a physician.

The rising number of surgeries, increasing the prevalence of chronic disease, and the growing adoption of the hybrid operating room by hospitals across North America is expected to hold the largest market during the forecast period. Moreover, the increasing geriatric population is also contributing to the progress of the North America 3D medical imaging market.

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The key players operating in the global 3D medical imaging market are GE Healthcare, Hitachi, Medical Corp., Philips Healthcare, Analogic, ContextVision, EOS Imaging, Esaote, Fuel 3D Technologies, FUJIFILM Medical System, Gendex, Hologic, Imaging Sciences International, Intelerad Medical System, Intrasense, Mindray Medical International, Mithil Scans, J. Morita, Planmeca, Samsung Medison America, Shimadzu, Siemens Healthcare, Sirona, SOREDEX, Tomtec Imaging Systems, Toshiba Medical Systems, and Viking Systems.

The Scope of Global 3D Medical Imaging Market:

Global 3D Medical Imaging Market, by Components:

Hardware

Softwareas

Services

Global 3D Medical Imaging Market, by Technology:

Anaglyphy

Stereoscopy

Auto-stereoscopy

Holography

Volumetric display

X-ray

ultrasound

(MRI) Magnetic Resonance Imaging

(CT) Computed Tomography scan

Global 3D Medical Imaging Market, by Deployment:

On-premise based platform

Cloud-based platform

Web-based platform

Global 3D Medical Imaging Market by Application:

Oncology

Cardiology

Orthopedic

Other application

Global 3D Medical Imaging Market by End-users:

Hospitals

Ambulatory & healthcare centers

Diagnostic centers

Research centers

Global 3D Medical Imaging Market, by Region:

North America

Europe

Middle East & Africa

Asia Pacific

Latin America

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The Key Players Operating In the Global 3D Medical Imaging Market:

GE Healthcare

Hitachi Medical Corp.

Philips Healthcare

Analogic

ContextVision

EOS Imaging

Esaote

Fuel 3D Technologies

FUJIFILM Medical System

Gendex

Hologic

Imaging Sciences International

Intelerad Medical System

Intrasense

Mindray Medical International

Mithil Scans

J. Morita

Planmeca

Samsung Medison America

Shimadzu

Siemens Healthcare

Sirona

SOREDEX

Tomtec Imaging Systems

Toshiba Medical Systems

Viking Systems.
Pennsylvania is receiving more than $115 million in federal aid to expand the COVID-19 vaccine rollout across the commonwealth.

President Joe Biden and Congress approved the money as part of the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package that also delivered stimulus checks to millions of Americans.

As part of the package, Pennsylvania is getting $101.3 million from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to bolster local vaccine distribution programs. Philadelphia is also receiving an additional $14.3 million to support the citys vaccination efforts. The states largest city is handling its own distribution of vaccines and gets its own supply through the federal government.

Pennsylvanias vaccine rollout has received criticism from lawmakers and local officials who said it was moving too slowly and inefficiently, but the pace of the distribution has picked up in the last few weeks.

Pennsylvania has given at least a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine to 35% of eligible residents, which ranks 12 in the U.S., state official said Tuesday.

Last week, Gov. Tom Wolf expanded the vaccine rollout to key front-line workers, including law enforcement, grocery workers and food and agricultural employees. On Monday, the state opened up eligibility to all of those in Phase 1B, which includes mass transit employees, manufacturing workers, postal employees and clergy.

On April 12, those in Phase 1C can begin scheduling appointments. Phase 1C covers more critical workers including those in the energy sector, legal services, housing construction, federal, state and local government workers, financial services and information technology workers.

Beginning April 19, everyone in Pennsylvania will be eligible for the vaccine, Wolf said last week. Earlier Tuesday, Biden said all Americans nationwide will be eligible to get the vaccine April 19.

Wolf visited a Weis Markets store in Enola Tuesday afternoon to tout the expansion of the vaccine eligibility to grocery store workers. He hailed Pennsylvanias grocery store employees as front-line heroes and thanked them for their service during the pandemic.

Grocery workers have been on the front lines of this pandemic right from the very beginning, Wolf said.

In a news conference at the grocery store, Wolf was asked if he anticipated seeing backlogs and long delays to secure vaccine appointments as eligibility expands. Wolf said the state is in a far better position now, as vaccine supplies have improved substantially in the past few weeks.

The Wolf administration said it is getting more than 442,000 first or single dose vaccines this week, and is also administering more than 268,000 second doses.

More than 3.8 million people in the Keystone State have received at least one dose and more than 2 million are fully vaccinated, according to the Pennsylvania Health Department. The state figures dont include Philadelphia, since the city is doing its own rollout.

In Philadelphia, more than 561,000 have received at least one shot and more than 327,000 are fully vaccinated.

Combining the city and state data, heres the fuller picture in Pennsylvania: more than 4.3 million have received at least one dose and more than 2.3 million have fully vaccinated.

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Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Mont., walks through the Capitol on Tuesday Oct. 29, 2019. Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte has tested positive for COVID-19, according to local outlet KULR-8. The governor's wife is reportedly awaiting test results, and the two are quarantining for 10 days, according to the report.

Gianforte, a Republican governor, had dropped Montana's mask mandate on February 12, and he loosened restrictions on businesses in recent months.

This story is breaking. Check back for updates.

Read the original article on Business Insider
People dancing at Congo nightclub in Cancun on April 1. Teresa de Miguel

If intelligent life from another planet had visited Cancun during the Easter break it would probably have concluded there wasnt much hope for us, that the base urges of humankind are more powerful than the dangers of a global pandemic. The need to gather with other people, to mingle sweat in a dingy nightclub, to rub against tequila-fueled strangers on a dancefloor, to shout spittle-flecked orders at a waiter for two more bottles, to live as people lived before 2020, without a mask in sight. For others, health is also measured by being able to put food on the table after a year when tourism has stood still. But this is 2021 and coronavirus has killed almost three million people worldwide. Yet in this corner of the Mexican Caribbean, life is being celebrated as though the deaths beyond do not count. Did someone say Covid?

The portal to this alternate universe is in Kukulcan street, in a part of the tourist zone in Cancun that resembles Las Vegas or a theme park for over-18s. On a neon-bathed corner, with searchlights scouring the night sky, waves of revelers flow past all-night discos thumping out ear-splitting music. A sign has been erected to greet tourists: Sanitary safety bubble zone. A team of state government workers carries out quick temperature tests on everyone about to enter one of the nightclubs, where it is impossible not to breathe the air others have breathed, inevitable people will be in close contact, dancing nose to nose, passing the virus between them.

The entrance to the sanitary safety bubble zone in Cancun. Teresa de Miguel

Hey, this is a proper bender, dont you think? a young man in shorts and a skin-tight shirt says to one of the workers after having his temperature taken. Everyone knows whats happening beyond the heralded sanitary safety bubble zone, and all those heading in know what they have come for. The mecca for bachelor parties and American spring breakers advertises in English that this is better than Las Vegas. Clubs such as Coco Bongo or Mandalay are open for new customers and charge entrance fees ranging from $100 (85) to $5,000 (4,230) for a VIP table.

To one side of the entry point, a pair of bored healthcare workers stand vigil in case any partygoers decide to take up the offer of a free antigen test. Weve only had five people come tonight. But they were locals, they know that we are here and that its free and thats why they come. We havent had a single tourist, they say resignedly. The objectives of preventive healthcare do not mix well with the goals of those crossing this frontier in search of alcohol and good times, in defiance of the pandemic on the other side. A night on the town can be swiftly cut short in the case of a positive test. Then, the hotel in question and the Quintana Roo state government are informed and the patient obliged to quarantine.

Two nightclub workers in fancy dress provide a photo op for tourists at Coco Bongo. Teresa de Miguel

After passing the thin blue line of healthcare professionals, the last sensation one feels is of being protected against the coronavirus. Two men  one dressed as Jim Carrey in The Mask, the other as Michael Keaton in Beetlejuice  chase a tourist and lift him by his legs and shoulders while his girlfriend takes photos. In a club across the street, a waiter picks his way across a packed dancefloor carrying a tray loaded with glasses and a lighted sparkler sticking out of a bottle of vodka. The party is in full swing, hands in the air, hugging and dancing, reggaeton pumping from the sound system.

A little further along the street, in a bar more geared towards rock fans with a live band playing, a waiter prepares a shisha for a table of customers, filling the jar with water and placing fresh charcoal in the bowl on top. Then, he blows through the hose to light it to save his customers the effort of getting it going. But they will smoke it through the same mouthpiece, which has just been used by the waiter and will now be passed around the table. This sanitary detail appears to have escaped everyone.

Employees at Mandalay wait to greet customers. Teresa de Miguel

The only people wearing a face mask in this fun-loving corner of Cancun are hotel workers, waiters, bartenders and the women employed to offer tourists discounts for the nightclubs. They wear masks and plastic visors and try to keep the virus at arms length, night after night. Few can afford another downturn in an area where livelihoods depend predominantly on tourism: 87% of Quintana Roos gross domestic product (GDP) comes from the sector. Hotel occupancy during the Easter vacation was at 70%, according to the Cancun Hoteliers Association. The state government was anticipating 665,000 visitors.

Put your mask on, please, a waiter reminds a tourist who had approached him to order food at a beachside restaurant. In Cancun, as in the rest of the Riviera Maya, especially in Tulum, tourists wander about unconcerned by the latent threat of another coronavirus wave in the area and of the potential for carrying the virus home with them, as was the case with 44 Argentinean tourists who boarded their plane without issue in mid-March and tested positive when they landed. When the music stops, the coronavirus always finds a chair.

English version by Rob Train.
A bill that would allow medical marijuana use in South Carolina has again made it to the Senate floor, and the Republican lawmaker who has pushed unrelentingly for the proposal for the past seven years said he thinks it can finally pass.

But even with Sen. Tom Davis optimism, there are still stumbling blocks. Law enforcement and some trade groups of doctors oppose the bill as they do with most medical marijuana legislation.

The bill passed the Senate Medical Affairs Committee 9-5, with four Republicans and two Democrats against it. But two of the chambers more conservative members did not vote. And the bill faces a deadline to pass through the Senate by next week or it becomes almost impossible for the House to take it up this session.

Davis said he will meet with every senator in opposition personally and try to swing them his way.

We cannot wait any longer for these people to have their suffering alleviated. It is immoral, the Republican from Beaufort said.

Thirty-eight states have now approved medical marijuana, including four more since Davis last pushed the bill. That includes Mississippi, where 58% of voters approved the measure in November.

Davis said he continues to refine his bill to make it as conservative as possible. Doctors would have to meet with a patient in person before prescribing marijuana, check for any history of substance abuse and have a written treatment plan. The proposal specifies the illnesses that be treated including cancer, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma. sickle cell anemia and autism.

The bill calls for closely watched farmers to grow the drug and for setting up separate dispensaries outside of physicians and pharmacists. And to get broader support, Davis made a key compromise that cost him among typical medical marijuana supporters.

I took out the smoke. Theres no smoking, theres no burning of leaf here. It is now an oil, Davis said.

Senators opposed to the bill said they struggle with getting past the fact that marijuana use is still illegal.

The senator from Beaufort has been tugging at my heart for it seems like over six years on this issue. He makes some very, very good points, said Senate President Harvey Peeler.

The Gaffney Republican then held up a letter from the South Carolina Medical Association reminding lawmakers that their organization and the State Law Enforcement Division remains against the bill.

My head tells me to vote against this, Peeler said.

The argument that marijuana is still illegal with the federal government is especially disappointing from Republicans who supported a bill passed earlier this year that banned almost all abortions. The measure was immediately suspended by a federal judge who said it was almost certainly against current federal law.

They are howling in pain and we are deny them something that their doctor wants to give them because of some political reason back in 1971 that President Nixon wanted to stick it to a bunch of hippies, Davis said.

With Davis putting in much of the work on the bill, it is unclear how much support it has in the House. But Davis appears to be close to winning over another important person, Gov. Henry McMaster, himself a former prosecutor.

He makes a very convincing argument, McMaster told the Post and Courier of Charleston in a podcast last week. I try to keep an open mind. There may be a way to do it, I dont know. But Im open to hearing more about it because its clear that it alleviates a lot of suffering. The trick is how to keep that from turning loose marijuana production in the state that would cause damage.

After the committee meeting, Rosemary Wallace of Rock Hill hugged Davis neck. The Army veteran told him she can use medical marijuana in Colorado and Florida, but when she moved with her husband to South Carolina the thing that replaced some 37 pills to ease joint pain and get a good nights sleep was now illegal.

Im out here breaking the law just to get something that a doctor says I can use somewhere else, Wallace said.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Legislation Cannabis South Carolina
Growth push for six provinces to focus on manufacturing, green development China's decision to provide more impetus to the growth of its central region will help the nation sustain high-quality development, narrow the regional divide and facilitate the economy's transformation in a greener and low-carbon direction, according to analysts. A meeting of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the Party's core leadership, reviewed on March 30 a policy document on promoting the high-quality development of the country's central region in the new era. The meeting, presided over by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, urged the region to develop a modern industry system underpinned by an advanced manufacturing sector, strive for green development, work toward high-quality opening-up, and enable more coordinated growth between urban and rural areas. It was the latest move from the nation's top leadership to empower the growth of the region, which comprises Anhui, Henan, Jiangxi, Shanxi, Hunan and Hubei provinces. Chen Weidong, head of the research institute of Bank of China, said the meeting further clarified the direction of the central region in future economic growth, with the region being an important pillar to sustain the nation's medium-high growth rate. The central region's share of overall national GDP has risen from 18.8 percent in 2005 to 22.2 percent in 2019, he noted. The COVID-19 pandemic, which hit the central region hard last year, and Hubei province in particular, took its toll on the region's growth last year. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the central region's economy expanded 1.3 percent year-on-year, which was below the national average of 2.2 percent. "With the pandemic effectively put under control, the trend for the region's economic upgrading, transformation and quick growth will not be altered. It will continue to be an important regional powerhouse for China's economic growth," Chen said. China first outlined a road map to spur the growth of the central region in a policy document jointly issued in 2006 by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. The National Development and Reform Commission issued a five-year blueprint to promote the rise of the central region in 2016, which made clear the strategic orientation of the region as a center for advanced manufacturing, a key area for the new type of urbanization, the core area for the development of modern agriculture, the demonstration zone for ecological civilization and an important support area for all-around opening up. At a symposium he presided over during an inspection tour of Jiangxi province in May 2019, Xi outlined measures from eight aspects, including promoting the high-quality development of the manufacturing sector, improving independent innovation capacity in key areas and enhancing the business climate. The measures stressed by Xi at the meeting were focal points in the nation's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25). Narrowing gap Chen, from the Bank of China research institute, highlighted the significance of carrying forward the region's growth in narrowing the gap among different areas, building a national unified market and fostering a new development paradigm, saying that the region is competitive in terms of both population and its strength in science and technology. The region's population, which accounts for 26.6 percent of the national total, means it will be an important part of the overall domestic market. "Thus the quicker rise of the central region will facilitate the development of a strong domestic market," he said. He added that the rise of the central region will be evident from aspects such as the upgrading of industries, green development and high-level opening-up. The quicker rise of the central region will help build a new growth engine, promote coordinated regional development and offer strong impetus to high-quality economic growth and the "dual circulation "development paradigm, in which the domestic market is the mainstay and the domestic and foreign markets reinforce each other, he added. Other analysts have hailed the significance of decisions adopted at the meeting on March 30, which included steps to accelerate the development of modern infrastructure and logistics systems in the central region and to follow a new path of green and low-carbon development and step up the concentrated use of energy resources. Tommy Wu, lead economist at Oxford Economics, a think tank in the United Kingdom, said the development of modern infrastructure and logistic systems in the central region would boost productivity in the region and could help attract and facilitate the expansion of various industrial and service sectors. "As production costs increase in the coastal regions, more enterprises will be willing to move part of their operations inland to take advantage of lower production costs," he said. "But these regions need to equip themselves first, with the right infrastructure to capitalize on this future trend. Modernizing infrastructure and logistic systems is the right formula." "For China to advance from a middle-income country toward a high-income country, no regions should be left behind," he added. The growing attractiveness of the central region to businesses has also directly benefited some logistics service providers. Tang Na, general manager of Sinotrans Logistics Central China Ltd, a courier service provider based in Hefei, Anhui province, said the region's increasingly robust manufacturing sector has been bringing more opportunities for logistics companies. The company's business has been expanding consistently, with more high-end products including cars and intelligent home appliances reaching overseas markets with the company's service, he said. Wang Han, chief economist at the brokerage Industrial Securities, said the potential for the upgrading of industry chains, the development of green industries and the use of the latest technologies is immense in the central region compared with eastern areas, due to its relatively low level of industrialization. However, a pressing challenge for policymakers is to overturn the trend of increasing outflow of talent from the region to coastal areas, as the competition for talent will be the key to development of a cutting-edge manufacturing sector, he said. New opportunities Chen, from the Bank of China institute, said the Belt and Road Initiative has created new room and opportunities for the central region to expand opening-up, which has offered new impetus to the growth of the region. So far, the State Council has given the green light to four of the six provincial areas in the central region to establish pilot free trade zones as part of broader steps to expand the region's opening-up. Chery Holding Group, an automaker based in Wuhu, Anhui, has been one of the largest beneficiaries of the enhanced opening-up policy. The company has been exploring two-way trade, a model through which it exports vehicles overseas before getting other commoditiesinstead of currencywith equivalent value imported to China, since 2019. Wang Zhibin, who is in charge of Chery's cross-border e-commerce business, said the group recorded two-way trade volume of about 900 million yuan ($137 million) last year, and the policies of the pilot FTZ could enable the company to build up its two-way trade platform to serve more of the province's exporters and importers and help local manufacturers to expand further. China's commitment to peak its carbon emissions by 2030 and attain carbon neutrality by 2060 is also set to usher in systemic and far-reaching reform, with the central region set to play a key role, some analysts said. Wu, the economist, said that the progress of using green energy will probably be slower in the central region than in coastal regions because coal energy is cheaper, given the proximity to resources. "But I can see that there are still opportunities for the use of cleaner, more efficient coal technology as China gains traction in launching a national carbon market," he said.


Tax increase is ill-timed

Timingits not only the key to a good joke, good governance could use a bit of it, too. The problem with the timing of Ms. Kupchicks proposed mill-rate increase right now isnt even just pandemic-related  it goes beyond the hammering that so many Fairfield families and businesses took this past year and our ongoing uncertainty as we all try to figure out what now lies ahead.

The additional problem is that this hike comes hot on the heels of the recent five-year revaluation that has suddenly super-sized Ms. Kupchicks modest 2 percent mill-rate increase into a double-digit tax hit for many Fairfield families  especially in the towns more modest neighborhoods where the frontline and essential workers who saw us through the pandemic are more likely to live.

For example, according to records on the towns website, homeowners in and around Tunxis Hill are looking at a tax hike of 15 percent this year due to the mill-rate increase on top of the revaluation. The folks around Kings Highway will take a similar hit. My own Reef Road neighborhood is bracing itself not only for the full return of college-ragers and emergency sirens wailing throughout the night but also for nearly 19 percent more in taxes  thank you, neighbors, for your forbearance.

True, for some homeowners the outlook is pretty good  some Fairfield neighborhoods will be getting big tax cuts even after Ms. Kupchicks proposed mill-rate change. Congratulations to Greenfield Hill, Southport, Sasco Hill and The Ridge. But for those of us outside pressed up against the window looking in, this additional tax hike makes for very bad timing, indeed.

Fiscal responsibility is no joke and some tax hikes cant be helped, but I urge Ms. Kupchick, the Board of Finance and the RTM to go back and consider whether all of the spending increases driving this extra tax hit are absolutely necessary right now, at this time of all times. The revaluation landed on us like a bomb  at least give us a brief intermission before you hit us with your new material.

Gerald G. Reidy, Fairfield
[April 06, 2021] Altice USA Completes Acquisition of Morris Broadband

Altice USA (NYSE: ATUS) today announces that it has closed the previously announced acquisition of the assets of Morris Broadband, LLC ("Morris Broadband"). Morris Broadband is a rapidly-growing broadband communications services company providing high-speed data, video and voice services to approximately 36,500 residential and business customers in western North Carolina. The deal extends Altice USA's footprint in North Carolina, making it the sixth largest state for the Company in terms of number of customers. Altice USA CEO Dexter Goei says, "We are thrilled to welcome the very fast-growing Morris Broadband business and look forward to providing our Optimum (News - Alert) -branded broadband, video, voice and news offerings to tens of thousands of additional customers. As a company, we take great pride in contributing to the communities where our employees and customers live and work and, as we expand our presence in North Carolina, we will invest in the technology and infrastructure needed to ensure customers have the reliable connectivity servics they need to live their lives connected."



In working through the transition of integrating Morris Broadband into Altice USA and launching Optimum services, the Company will communicate directly with current Morris Broadband customers about how to continue to manage their accounts. Morris Broadband customers are encouraged to review the Company's suite of products, including Internet services up to 1 Gig, by visiting optimum.com/morris. With this transaction, Altice USA will benefit from enhanced scale, operating efficiencies and further investment support that are at the core of the Company's business model and strategy, including accelerated new homes build.

About Altice USA Altice USA is one of the largest broadband communications and video services providers in the United States, delivering broadband, video, mobile, proprietary content and advertising services to more than 5 million residential and business customers across 21 states through its Optimum and Suddenlink brands. The company operates a4, an advanced advertising and data business, which provides audience-based, multiscreen advertising solutions to local, regional and national businesses and advertising clients. Altice USA also offers hyper-local, national, international and business news through its News 12, Cheddar and i24NEWS networks. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406006014/en/

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A breathtaking image of a sleeping baby, a blissfully joyful wedding and a flaming prison officer drill make up some of this year's Photo of the Year contest winners.

Some 10,000 pictures from around the world were whittled down to make up the Societies of Photographers' Photo of the Year award category winners.

One startling picture shows a baby girl whose mother's cancer symptoms were masked by her pregnancy - and only diagnosed when the infant was born five weeks early.

The image - taken by mother-of-three and professional photographer Rachel Burton - won the top prize in the Newborn category.

Meanwhile, a breathtaking drone shot of the Norfolk coastline by Diana Buzoianu won the Landscape category.

The Wedding category was won by Sicilian photographer Giuseppe Correnti who captured a bride being flung into the air.

And a dramatic shot of prison officers on fire during riot control training on the Isle of Man won Manx Keith Burns the Documentary picture prize.

Colin Jones The Societies Director said: 'The competition had 9,804 images submitted with the inspirational imagery represents a broad selection of photographic subjects from our talented membership.'

Here are the breathtaking images that won the competition categories.

Baby Jasmine was the first person to be photographed in professional photographer Rachel Burton's new studio. The image won her the top prize in the Newborn category. Jasmine's mother Amanda had stage four bowel cancer but her symptoms were disguised by her pregnancy. It was only when Jasmine was born five weeks early that tests uncovered the extent of her mother's illness. Photographer and mother-of-three Ms Burton, from Fleet, Hampshire, explained: 'Amanda had a hard pregnancy, suffered greatly with pain and different symptoms which culminated in her being admitted to hospital. The decision was made to deliver perfect baby Jasmine five weeks early as an emergency. She was placed in special care for a little while as she was premature but this baby is a little fighter and proved it to the world. This decision has probably saved Amanda's life. Upon delivering Jasmine, the horrendous true reason for Amanda's pain through pregnancy was revealed. She had stage four bowel cancer. It had laid undiscovered as all her symptoms were thought to be pregnancy related. No one ever imagined lurking behind that beautiful baby was something so sinister'

The joy of a wedding is captured perfectly in the winner of the Wedding category shot by Sicilian photographer Giuseppe Correnti. Father-of-three Giuseppe, a professional photographer from Catania, said: 'The photograph was taken during a wedding in Sicily, at the time of the dances'

This dramatic shot of prison officers on fire during control training on the Isle of Man won Manx Keith Burns the Documentary picture prize

The Landscape category was won with this wonderful drone shot of the Norfolk coastline by Romanian Diana Buzoianu, who has lived in the south-east of England for the last 20 years. She said: 'For the past two years I have been traveling a lot to the Norfolk coast to observe, learn and document the life of grey seals. This journey has unraveled beautiful local landscapes that I have instantly fallen in love with. This shot is of the Norfolk coast, close to a nature reserve. At the bottom of the picture one can see cormorants and seagulls flying by'

The Family Portrait prize went to this composition from Stephanie Lachance in Quebec, Canada. Professional photographer Stephanie said: 'This dear family came to see me for all their newborn sessions. I always thought the father had an interesting style and presence and I was always mesmerised by his piercing eyes. When they came for their last newborn session I sat him with his son on a stool, put a piece of fabric around them and clicked the shutter. It wasn't planned at all. I soon as I did, I saw that it would be a captivating portrait. I used natural light from the right side'

Mount Teide on Tenerife was the setting for the winner of the Environmental category by Kent Olsson from Sweden. The freelance photography engineer said: 'I was at the foot of Teide with my eyes on the sea and Santa Cruz when the thundercloud mixed with the air pollution suddenly pulled in below me. Since the height was about 2000 meters, the clouds came below me and it is the sun that dramatically breaks through'

Terry Donnelly, from Liverpool, perfectly captured the joy of the city as they celebrated the Premiership title - their first for 30 years - bagging him the Press and PR category. He said: 'I was covering the story as it broke as other results in the league that day determined that Liverpool were mathematically un-catchable and had won the title. The picture was taken at Anfield Stadium as fans descended upon the ground to celebrate. It was taken at the top end of the ground and the shadows were cast by red flares being lit'

This picture showing a jet roaring away at an air show won Scottish snapper Liam McBride the Events category. Mr McBride, from Elgin, was visiting RAF Leuchars when he got the shot of a Belgian F-16A Fighting Falcon. He said: 'After a stormy start to Leuchars the weather slowly improved over the day. It was shot on base from the middle marker on the runway'

A fearsome close up of a jumping spider in Oman won Khaled Faraj Al-Wadihi the Macro category
=A man who says he was stung by a stingray while on a family vacation at Sentosa's Tanjong Beach in Singapore has warned the public to be wary about marine life when visiting the area.

Benjamin Koellmann, who said he spent three days at Singapore General Hospital (SGH) recovering from the ordeal, posted his story on April 3 on the Facebook group Nature Society (Singapore).

He claimed in his post that he walked on the stingray while swimming with his family at Tanjong Beach on March 28.

A trip to the ER

"What happened was three nights in the ER and some of the most severe nerve pain I've ever encountered, not only at the sting site but even shooting up my leg and down into my foot through regular and supportive doses of heavy painkillers," he said.

Mr. Koellmann said that after he was stung, lifeguards at the beach were swift to react, and he was taken to SGH by ambulance.

He went on to say that both lifeguards and the hospital doctor noted that they had seen another case of the same injury that day at Siloso Beach, also in Sentosa.

"It felt like a hammer striking my shin," Mr. Koellmann said of the sting.

He cautioned others to be cautious before approaching Sentosa's waters, recommending that they shuffle their feet in the sand rather than taking proper precautions.

"On the fourth day, the pain and initial discomfort had subsided, and I was discharged. The agony is almost gone now, and all I can see is a thin scar from the sting. I'm just thankful it didn't hit my baby, who was just about five feet away in the pool! "he said

Related Article: Rising Number of Shark Attacks in Australia Reveals A Darker Story



Warning Beachgoers

"Since stingrays and other marine life are abundant in Singapore's waters," she said, "guests are advised to be careful and take care while swimming at the beaches." "On Sentosa's coasts, there are also signs reminding visitors to be aware of sea life."

If visitors see stingrays or other sea life, the spokeswoman told them not to touch them and to warn other beachgoers and on-ground BPOs.

Stingray Encounters

Stingrays have fins that mimic wings and are smooth, disk-shaped animals. They can be found in both saltwater and freshwater environments. Their sting is a prevalent beachgoer injury, and they're most frequently associated with tropical ocean climates.

In general, stingrays do not attack or even deliberately protect themselves. When they are attacked, their first instinct is to swim away. The stinger in their back gets stirred up as they are attacked by predators or stepped on. When it comes to sharks, their main predator, this is usually effective.

Human Attacks

Despite having possibly dire consequences, Stingray attacks are actually pretty rare on humans.

Humans are usually stung in the lower limb area, depending on the size of the stingray. Stingray stings are most often caused by swimmers or divers inadvertently walking on one, but a person is less likely to be stung merely by coming up against the stinger. Since stingrays sense vibrations in the sand and swim away, surfers and others that reach waters with large numbers of stingrays have learned to slip and/or stomp their feet through the sand rather than take normal steps.

Also Read: Scared of Shark Attack? Here's How to Survive It!

For more news update from the animal kingdom, don't forget to follow Nature World News!
It is no secret that the relationship between the United States and China will define the twenty-first century. That relationship promises to be a rocky one. The Biden administration has identified strategic competition between the United States and China as a key national security concern.[1] This point was emphasized by the new National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, in a February 4, 2021 press briefing and will likely feature prominently in the Biden administrations National Security Strategy.[2] Aspects of this competition permeate nearly every facet of geopolitics, but what are the implications for alliance politics in a world defined by competition between the United States and China? In great power competition, alliances matter as much as anything else. And, as previous great power competitions demonstrate, alliance shifts can lead to instability and even open conflict between competitors. For the United States to maintain the upper hand in a worldwide strategic competition with China, alliances play a central role.

NOTHING COULD BE MORE DEVASTATING TO AMERICAS SECURITY IN THE LONG TERM THAN A HEIGHTENED CHINESE PRESENCE IN THE AMERICAS.

Three main areas of concern exist for the United States. First, following the oldest rule in politics, the United States will need to secure its base in the face of increasing Chinese pressure. This means maintaining collaborative relations in the Western Hemisphere and preventing China from securing alliances there. Nothing could be more devastating to Americas security in the long term than a heightened Chinese presence in the Americas. Second, the United States needs to recommit to its most important existing alliances so that they do not slip from Washington to Beijing. China seeks either to detach American allies from their partnership with Washington or to marginalize them. Finally, for the United States to play the great power game, it must do all it can to avoid isolation among the great powers.[3] This means paying attention to the critical partnership with the European Union, but also thinking ahead to strategic partnership with India as the number of great powers in the world expands.

AMERICAN POWER IS UNDERPINNED BY SECURITY AT HOME AND A LACK OF COMPETITION FROM OTHER GREAT POWERS IN ITS BACKYARD.

Chinas quest for a proverbial place in the sun has made it an active force in practically every corner of the world. From an American strategic perspective, Chinas inroads in the Caribbean and South America are particularly concerning. American power is underpinned by security at home and a lack of competition from other great powers in its backyard. This has been the case since Americas victory in the 1898 Spanish-American War and Europes subsequent concession to American power in the western hemisphere. The Soviet Union made some noise in the western hemisphere during the Cold War, but through economic influence, blind realpolitik which involved sometimes supporting atrocity prone right-wing regimes and the occasional coupsome successful others notand one enormously effective naval quarantine of Cuba in 1962 the United States asserted its control of the hemisphere.

China is slowly starting to challenge that reality. As early as 2011, the International Monetary Fund could publish papers describing the The Growing Economic Presence of China in the Caribbean.[4] Today, Chinas engagement only continues to grow across a wide spectrum: economically, militarily, and diplomatically, from infrastructure projects and arms sales to the purchase of natural resources.[5] As was the situation during the Cold War with the Soviet Union and at the close of the preceding century against the old European empires, the United States will have to be prepared to fight China for economic, political, and military influence in Latin America.

BEIJING IS DRAWING CLOSER TO THE EUROPEAN UNION AND RUSSIA WHILE THE UNITED STATES IS INCREASINGLY SIDELINED FROM NEW INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS.

As for allies, China is both looking to build its own partnerships and to disrupt American ones. China aims to surpass Japan as the dominant economic force in Asia, while tying its neighbors more closely to it.[6] It is working to co-opt the Philippines away from the influence of the United States.[7] Chinese policy is also aimed at isolating the United States diplomatically and economically, and undermining its position within international institutions, although it is hard to imagine Chinese actions being more effective in this regard than those of America itself. Take, for example Americas withdrawal from the twelve nation Trans-Pacific Partnership in January 2017. This created a vacuum that China swiftly filled with the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership in November 2020. China is also hard at work creating alternative institutions to those created by the United States after the Second World War, which retain a strong degree of American leadership.

China wants to push the United States out of Europe. China may not be able to completely replace the United States in Europe in terms of investment, trade, or security cooperation, but it can certainly make America less critical for Europe in all these areas. That, in and of itself, would be a big win. Beijing is drawing closer to the European Union and Russia while the United States is increasingly sidelined from new international agreements. In March 2019, Italy became the first major European country to join the Belt and Road Initiative.[8] In December 2020, the European Union and China announced a Comprehensive Agreement on Investment.[9] In stark contrast, negotiations for an EU-U.S. trade compact, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership came to a halt in October 2016 after 15 rounds of talks when President Trump suspended talks after coming into office. In April 2018, the European Commission dismissed them as obsolete and no longer relevant adding the insult of redundant language to geopolitical injury.[10]

IN THE CONTEXT OF GREAT POWER COMPETITION, NOTHING IS AS IMPORTANT AS THE ATTITUDES OF THE GREAT POWERS THEMSELVES.

As a complement to its European successes, China has recently achieved even closer cooperation with Russia. China is investing $55 billion in a pipeline linking Russian gas fields to northern Chinese industrial cities; over the next three decades, Russian gas exports to China may be worth $400 billion.[11] Russias share of yuan reserves has steadily increased. Trade between Russia and China nearly touched $110 billion in 2019 with a goal of $200 billion by 2024 and while this may be a drop in the bucket for China, it represents more than 15% of Russian trade.[12] In 2018, the two nations even conducted their first joint military drills and did so again September 2020 during the Kavkaz 2020 exercise.[13]

In the context of great power competition, nothing is as important as the attitudes of the great powers themselves. This must seem blatantly obvious, but the United States must prioritize collaboration and partnership with the European Union. The United States needs to restore trust and recommit itself to the transatlantic relationship economically, diplomatically, and in the security sphere. Simultaneously, the United States should prioritize its diplomatic and economic relations with traditional allies like the Philippines and Japan while reaching out to new Asia partners like Vietnam and Indonesia seeking opportunities for investment, trade, and cooperation. Japan, as the worlds third largest economy, is essential to great power competition with China. It is a close American ally and a financial powerhouse with a history of problematic relations with China. More than any country, Japan stands to lose from Chinese regional hegemony. Good relations with Japan should be at the top of the presidents foreign policy agenda.

IF THE UNITED STATES IS SERIOUS ABOUT A STRATEGIC COMPETITION WITH CHINA, IT MUST REMEMBER THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF ALLIANCES. INDIA REMAINS A STRONG CONTENDER TO JOIN THE UNITED STATES, CHINA, RUSSIA, AND THE EUROPEAN UNION AT THE HEAD TABLE OF GREAT POWERS.

Just as critically, the United States needs to invest in its relationship with India. India was absent from both the Chinese-led Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the Kavkaz 2020 exercise. Two weeks before the scheduled start date of the military exercise, India announced its withdrawal.[14] Indias decision, spurred by an increasingly tense relationship with China is good news for the United States. From an American perspective, India should be at the heart of strategies to contain and undermine the expansion of Chinese power through Asia. After China, India is the second most populous nation on earth. It borders China, but its geographical position is also critical for other reasons. India has the ability to project power and influence into southeast Asia. It can compete for economic, political, and military influence with China in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Chinese hegemony in Asia relies on India, willingly or unwilling, playing a secondary role. India also sits at the very heart of the Maritime Silk Road, controlling access to the Gulf and the Suez Canal.

If the United States is serious about a strategic competition with China, it must remember the critical importance of alliances. India remains a strong contender to join the United States, China, Russia, and the European Union at the head table of great powers. Chinas problematic relations with India provide an opening for the United States to exploit. All too often, the United States is reactive, rather than proactive in its competition with China. Establishing closer ties with India is a significant opportunity for the United States to act first. After all, in todays great power competition, the iron-clad rule of the iron chancellor endures: in a world of five great powers, one must try to be a trois.[15]
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The new airport will include a main runway, taxiway, apron, two equipment storage buildings, an access road and supporting utility infrastructure.



ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP)  The U.S. Department of Transportation has approved funding of about $47.5 million to build a new Alaska airport and refurbish two existing state airports.

The Newtok Airport, the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and the Kenai Municipal Airport will receive funding for the projects, Alaska's News Source reported Thursday.





. . .
The ambassadors of the G7 countries, the European Union and NATO representatives welcome the establishment of the Center for Countering Disinformation and have already begun to cooperate with it.

"A few hours ago, we had a meeting with our international partners, G7 ambassadors, EU ambassadors, representatives of NATO and other countries who welcome and have already started cooperating with the Center for Countering Disinformation. Therefore, it will be a truly international center," Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak said, while introducing Head of the Center Polina Lysenko, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

He stressed that "Ukraine is now the epicenter of disinformation, the epicenter of hybrid conflict, hybrid war."

"Not only Russias military aggression, which is taking place in Donbas, but disinformation currently concerns almost every aspect of the life of our society," he said.

On April 2, President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed Polina Lysenko as the Head of the Center for Countering Disinformation.

The Center for Countering Disinformation was established by a decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine of March 11, enacted by a presidential decree of March 19.

ol
Tokyo:

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe officially dissolved parliament on Thursday, effectively kicking off a national election campaign where he faces an unexpected and formidable challenge from the popular governor of Tokyo.



Members of the lower house raised their arms and shouted Banzai three timesthe Japanese equivalent of three cheersafter the speaker read out a letter from Abe officially dissolving the chamber.



Voters in the worlds third-biggest economy are expected to go to the polls on October 22, as Abe seeks a fresh popular mandate for his hardline stance on North Korea and a new tax plan.



A difficult battle starts today, Abe told reporters, shaking his fist.This is an election about how to protect the lives of people, said the premier. We have to cooperate with the international community as we face the threat from North Korea.



Abe asked for public support for his strong diplomacy on North Korea, which has threatened to sink Japan into the sea and fired missiles over its northern Hokkaido island twice in the space of a month.



We need to fight for our childrens future.



Abe stunned Japan on Monday with a surprise call for a snap election, seeking to capitalise on a weak opposition and a boost in the polls, as voters welcome his hawkish North Korea policy.



But Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike has upended Japanese politics in recent days, stealing Abes limelight with her newly launched Party of Hope that seeks to shake up the countrys lethargic political landscape.



Koikes new party, formally unveiled Wednesday, has attracted an influx of lawmakers from a wide range of ideological backgrounds and could unify opposition to Abe, presenting Japanese voters with a credible alternative to the premier.



For the moment, although Koike is leading the party, she is not running for a seat in parliament, preferring to concentrate on governing the worlds most populous city in the run-up to the 2020 Olympic Games.



But pundits say the charismatic former TV presenter, 65, could yet go all-in on her high-stakes gamble if she thought she could deflect criticism for ditching her current job after only a year.



The party may gain some seats in the Tokyo area, but a risk for her is that voters may feel betrayed as they voted for her as Tokyo governor and now she is working in national politics, Kensuke Takayasu, professor of political science at Seikei University, told AFP.



But surveys show that Koikes gambit is starting to put pressure on Abe, 63, who seemed to be a shoo-in for a fourth term at the helm.



Abe enjoyed a healthy lead in the polls of more than 30 points only a week ago but the gap appeared to have narrowed following Koikes high-profile announcement.

Also read | Japanese expertise for rail safety in India

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
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Peoples Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL)

5th April, 2021

PUCL mourns and condemns the heavy loss of lives in the encounter between Maoists and security forces in Chhattisgarh. We are deeply distressed and completely disapprove the action of the Maoists which caused the loss of life of 22 security personnel in the encounter on April 3rd in forests near Jonaguda village in Sukma along the road connecting Bijapur Sukma districts. What causes us great concern are reports that injured security people seeking refuge in houses were ambushed and stabbed to death. Such use of violence against injured persons  irrespective of whether they are security persons or others  are unacceptable and are to be condemned. This goes against the principles of humanitarian law, which is enshrined in national and international law, governing the basic rights of combatants in any conflict situation.

Media reports inform that acting on intelligence that the Naxalite leader Hidma was present in forests within the jurisdiction of Tarrem PS, a massive team of over 2000 police and paramilitary troops from five different camps and stations in the districts of Sukma and Bijapur had been dispatched on Friday for searching operations in the area. This team was returning on Saturday, April 3rd, when it was ambushed by Maoists, and a three hour long pitched gun battle ensued, in which at least 22 security personnel and 12 Maoists including a woman was killed, 32 soldiers have been injured and 1 remains missing at this time. We convey our deepest condolences to the families of the bereaved, and wish a speedy recovery to those injured.

We once again reiterate our unequivocal condemnation of the use of violence for furthering political and strategic ends. We also reiterate our strong belief that the Maoist violence in Central India needs to be addressed through political means, and not military operations and also call upon all parties  the State and Central Governments and the security forces, and also the Maoists to immediately cease military operations and all other hostilities in order to initiate a process of dialogue to resolve all conflict issues.

This encounter comes at a time of escalating violence in Bastar due to the continuing insurgency and counter-insurgency operations. On one hand, there is extensive militarization of the area resulting in the daily harassment of ordinary citizens by paramilitary forces, due to the setting up of camps at short distances, causing alienation of local tribals who are caught in the middle of the conflict between the security forces and the Maoists.

In the past few months, there has been an alarming rise in the number of civilians killed as police informers by the Maoists. We reiterate our long held position that just as much as we condemn the state forces from taking the law into their hands and use state violence through police, state and para military forces against any person or group questioning them, non-state actors, including the Maoists too, cannot take law into their own hands and deliver summary justice.

At the heart of the conflict that has engulfed the tribal areas of Bastar are issues about the nature of development, expansion of industries and mines, all of which threaten to displace and dispossess millions of Adivasis. Using the current tragedy for further militarization in Bastar, which is already amongst the most militarized areas in the world, is a surefire recipe for disaster. Peace can come not through military camps and military style operations. It can come only when both the state and its forces and the Maoists acknowledge the primacy of Adivasis communities and initiate a genuine dialogue between them and with the local populations about the nature and direction of state-sponsored development in the area.

Ravi Kiran Jain

( President)

V Suresh

(General Secretary)

Contact: 9444231497 V Suresh, 9351562965 Kavita Srivastava
Local News, Crime, Community, Charity & Cause, Press Releases

By Chris Boyle Published: April 06 2021

Melody wrote a very personal essay about her Asian heritage and the rise in violence against the Asian community.

Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. recently announced the winners of the Say Something Essay Contest for high school students. This annual contest is part of the Sheriffs Offices collaboration with the Sandy Hook Promise Foundation. The winning entries were announced by Sheriff Toulon and staff via a video posted on the Sheriffs Office website at www.suffolksheriff.com . Melody Luo, an 11th grade student from Commack High School, took first place. Ninety-one students participated from seven school districts.

Melody wrote a very personal essay about her Asian heritage, the rise in violence against the Asian community, and a culture of silence that she attributes to why hate crimes, bullying and harassment are underreported in the Asian community. She wrote, I think back to what my culture teaches us when facing the world. From a young age, I learned to never speak back to elders, this being inclusive of my parents, my family members, my teachers, and more. In turn, Ive seen this manifest into a culture of people that try their best to avoid confrontation. We, as Asian-Americans, are stereotypically acknowledged to be submissive in a world dominated by opinionated leaders.

Melody in turn urged all people to speak up against injustice and to react with empathy, There comes a point where our silence holds the same level of evil as the perpetrator. We cannot be bystanders to the inequity thrown upon our friends of color and we cannot be bystanders to the attacks thrown upon ourselves. Id like to take this time to remind all people of color that we are not in competition with one another, but rather the overarching racism instilled in the thick roots of our world. To pluck these roots we must not simply hear the words spoken by our counterparts, but genuinely listen. We must not single out the wilting plants from each others communities and generalize the entire neighborhood based on that, but rather water each others plants with the gifts of knowledge and empathy. From there, and only from there, may we adequately speak through the sound of silence.

Top Three Winners

Ambassador for the Day 'Say Something' First Place Winner - Melody Luo, 11th grade, from Commack High School

Second Place - Meaghan Endres, 11th grade, from Saint John the Baptist High School

Third Place - Juliana Ayala, 10th grade, from Brentwood High School

Honorable Mention Category (in alphabetical order)

Ashley Blum, 11th grade, Saint John the Baptist High School

Jose Hidalgo Burgos, 10th grade, Brentwood High School

Alexander Collado, 10th grade, Brentwood High School

Nellie DeStefano, 11th grade, Saint John the Baptist High School

Lauren Ginocchio, 11th grade, Saint John the Baptist High School

Nicole Henry, 11th grade, Saint John the Baptist High School

Karis Hudkins, 11th grade, Homeschooled Student, Riverhead

Sara Parkhurst, 11th grade, Saint John the Baptist High School

Angie Ponce, 12th grade, Barry Technical School, BOCES

Jonathan Tavarez, 10th grade, Brentwood High School

Sheriff Toulon will host Melody Luo as a Sheriffs Ambassador of the Day in the near future and all students will receive certificates of achievement. Sheriff Toulon said, These student essays were all powerful in their own way. Our kids on Long Island are smart and worldly, and they are not only eager to express themselves through their writing, but they are also activists and upstanders. This is what Sandy Hook Promise is all about  its turning ideas into action and standing up for whats right.
The trans-Tasman travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand will reopen from April 19 as both countries continue to enjoy low coronavirus cases.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the start date of the bubble on Tuesday, which will allow travellers to fly without needing to quarantine.

The Kiwi leader said her cabinet is now satisfied the conditions needed for quarantine-free travel have been met.

But she also warned that with the pandemic still wreaking havoc in many other parts of the world the rules could be subject to rapid change if an outbreak occurs in either country.

'Those undertaking travel on either side of the ditch will do so under the guidance of flyer beware,' she said.

'People will need to plan for the possibility of travel being disrupted if there is an outbreak.'

New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern announced the trans-Tasman travel bubble open

The trans-Tasman bubble will reopen between New Zealand and Australia on April 19 (pictured: passengers at Sydney Airport)

Australians heading to New Zealand will be kept separate from other international arrivals who are still required to go into mandatory hotel quarantine for 14 days.

Ms Ardern has said there will be no vaccine requirement when travelling in the trans-Tasman bubble, but strict Covid protocols will still be carried out.

Passengers will be required to undergo random temperature checks, wear facemask during the flight and must download New Zealand's Covid Tracer app.

All travellers on board a 'green zone flight' must also have been in Australian for at least 14 days before departure.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the development is the first of many more steps to come as the two countries get back to a normal in the wake of the pandemic.

'I very much appreciate the arrangement the New Zealand government has come to today, we welcome them back as indeed Kiwis will be welcoming Aussies,' he said.

'That means more planes in the air, more jobs on the ground and in the air as well for our airlines.'

What if an outbreak happens? Despite the good news New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern warned the bubble could burst at any moment if an outbreak occurs in either country. 'Those undertaking travel on either side of the ditch will do so you were the guidance of flyer beware,' she warned. 'People will need to plan for the possibility of travel being disrupted if there is an outbreak. In the case of an outbreak a decision will be made to 'continue, pause or suspend' depending on the size and seriousness of the cluster. 'If a case is found that is quite clearly linked to a border worker in a quarantine facility and is well contained, you'll likely see travel continue,' Ms Ardern said. But in a drastic scenario, travellers may even be forced into isolation. 'If, however, a case was found that was not clearly linked to the border, and a state responded by a short lockdown to identify more information, we'd likely pause flights from that state in the same way we would stop travel into and out of a region in New Zealand,' Ms Ardern said. Advertisement

Air New Zealand (pictured) are already offering flights between Auckland and Sydney as well as Melbourne from Friday, April 9. The bubble is not expected to reopen for two weeks

The bubble will allow travellers from Australia and New Zealand to travel between the two countries without quarantining (pictured: passengers at Sydney International airport)

Ms Ardern said the news will come as a great relief for many Kiwis who have been unable to see loved ones from across the ditch.

'One sacrifice that has been particularly hard for many to bear over the past year has not been able to see friends and family who live in Australia,' she said.

'Our health response now gives us an opportunity to visit with loved ones again as we start a new chapter in our recovery.'

While Ardern acknowledged that Queensland's recent outbreak did cause some concern for cross border travel, the cluster has now been 'contained'.

'The cabinet believes any residual risk can be managed,' she said.

Airport executives say they will be ready for the April 19 start date at 11:59pm on Sunday, with health officials due to inspect Auckland Airport this week with a view to clearing the country's biggest airport for takeoff.

The national carrier also hopes to fly from New Zealand's three other international airports, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown.

AIRLINES 'RUN OFF THEIR FEET' Airlines have wasted no time in adding hundreds of flights between Australia and New Zealand after the long awaited trans-Tasman travel bubble was cleared for take-off, with some return services going for less than $500. Qantas and Jetstar announced a combined 122 weekly return flights between the two countries from April 19 just moments after New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said travellers from Australia would no longer need to quarantine. The two airlines will operate the same routes as they did before the Covid pandemic hit, while adding two new services for travellers to take advantage of - Auckland to Cairns and the Gold Coast. Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran said on Tuesday night the airline had been 'run off our feet' as thousands of people desperate to travel and be reunited with loved ones booked flights, with Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne the most popular destinations. But Virgin Australia, which was rescued from administration last year, will not return to trans-Tasman flying before October as it instead focuses on its domestic operations in Australia. A return flight between Sydney and Auckland with Jetstar departing on April 19 - the day the bubble kicks-off - is currently selling on their website for as little as $480. Advertisement

Most Australian states have allowed Kiwis to visit without the need for a fortnight of hotel quarantine for months (passenger at Sydney Domestic Airport)

Air New Zealand (pictured) is planning on adding additional quarantine-free flights from Auckland to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane from next week

Ms Ardern's government built enormous credibility with Kiwis in 2020 by putting a premium on public safety during the pandemic.

More than a year after the arrival of coronavirus' arrival to Aotearoa, New Zealanders remain fearful of the return of the deadly virus.

Many do not want a bubble, even if Australia's hotspot model has proven effective at containing outbreaks within local environments.

New Zealand first agreed the bubble in May after Ms Ardern attended National Cabinet, with Australian counterpart Scott Morrison and state and territory leaders.

Ms Ardern pledged to restore regular travel by September, before Melbourne's major outbreak quashed those hopes.

In her final press conference of 2020, she declared the government's new deadline was the end of March - only to see that timeframe sail past again.

New Zealand has managed to restore pre-Covid travel for one country - the Cook Islanders - but only for residents of the closely aligned Pacific nation.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the development is the first of many more steps to come as the two countries get back to a normal in the wake of the pandemic

Jacinda Ardern's said Kiwis have missed there friends and family members in Australia over the past year (pictured: passengers arriving in Sydney International Airport from NZ)
[April 05, 2021] CI Global Asset Management Announces Unitholder Approval of ETF Mergers and Investment Objective Changes, and Related Estimated Reinvested Distributions

CI Global Asset Management ("CI GAM") today announced that unitholders have approved proposals to merge five ETFs and to change the investment objectives of another four ETFs. The proposed changes were announced on February 1, 2021, approved at unitholder meetings held on April 1, 2021, and will be implemented after the close of business on or about April 16, 2021. CI GAM also announced distributions (the "Estimated Reinvested Distributions") for the merging ETFs. In all cases, the Estimated Reinvested Distributions will be reinvested on or about April 16, 2021 to unitholders of record on that date. ETF Mergers Unitholders and regulators have approved the following five ETF mergers (collectively, the "Mergers"):







Terminating ETF Continuing ETF CI First Asset Morningstar Canada Dividend Target (News - Alert) 30 Index ETF (TSX: DXM) CI WisdomTree Canada Quality Dividend Growth Index ETF (TSX: DGRC) CI First Asset Canadian Buyback Index ETF (TSX: FBE) CI WisdomTree Canada Quality Dividend Growth Index ETF (TSX: DGRC) CI First Asset U.S. Buyback Index ETF (TSX: FBU) CI WisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Index ETF (TSX: DGR) CI First Asset European Bank ETF (TSX: FHB) CI First Asset Global Financial Sector ETF (TSX: FSF) CI First Asset Morningstar US Dividend Target 50 Index ETF (TSX: UXM, UXM.B) CI WisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Index ETF (TSX: DGR, DGR.B)

Upon completion of the Mergers, unitholders of the Terminating ETFs will receive the equivalent dollar value of units in the corresponding class or series of the applicable Continuing ETF. The Mergers, other than the proposed merger of CI First Asset European Bank ETF, will not result in a taxable disposition for unitholders, but certain ETFs are expected to pay a distribution when the Mergers take place. The merger of CI First Asset European Bank ETF is expected to take place on a taxable basis and would be considered a disposition for tax purposes. In each case, the management and fixed administration fees or operating expenses, as applicable, of the Continuing ETF are the same as or lower than the management fees and fixed administration fees or operating expenses, as applicable, of the corresponding Terminating ETF. CI GAM is undertaking the Mergers to reduce duplication in its ETF lineup and to create larger, more efficient funds. The costs and expenses associated with the Mergers are being borne by CI GAM, not the ETFs. Investment objective changes Unitholders also approved changes to the investment objectives of the following ETFs: CI First Asset Energy Giants Covered Call ETF (TSX: NXF, NXF.B)

CI First Asset Gold+ Giants Covered Call ETF (TSX: CGXF)

CI First Asset Health Care Giants Covered Call ETF (TSX: FHI, FHI.B)

CI First Asset Tech Giants Covered Call ETF (TSX: TXF, TXF.B). CI GAM is making the changes to provide greater opportunity to diversify the investments held within the ETFs, and to achieve greater efficiency, flexibility and liquidity. Details of the Mergers and of the investment objective changes can be found in the Management Information Circular prepared for the unitholder meetings, which is available on www.sedar.com and www.firstasset.com (on the fund profile page for each affected ETF under "Documents"). Estimated Reinvested Distributions The Estimated Reinvested Distributions in respect of the affected ETFs are set out below. The Estimated Reinvested Distributions will not be paid in cash but will be reinvested and the resulting units immediately consolidated, so that the number of units held by each investor will not change. Ticker

(TSX) Estimated Reinvested

Distribution Amount

(to be reinvested and

consolidated) CI WisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Index ETF DGR DGR.B $2.436065 $1.476786 CI WisdomTree Canada Quality Dividend Growth Index ETF DGRC $0.964488 CI First Asset Morningstar Canada Dividend Target 30 Index ETF DXM $0.013699 CI First Asset Canadian Buyback Index ETF FBE $0.107654 CI First Asset U.S. Buyback Index ETF FBU $0.033150 CI First Asset European Bank ETF FHB $0.000000 CI First Asset Global Financial Sector ETF FSF $0.000000 CI First Asset Morningstar US Dividend Target 50 Index ETF UXM UXM.B $0.010392 $0.006662 About CI Global Asset Management CI Global Asset Management is one of Canada's largest investment management companies. It offers a wide range of investment products and services and is on the Web at www.ci.com. CI GAM is a subsidiary of CI Financial Corp. (TSX: CIX, NYSE: CIXX), an independent company offering global asset management and wealth management advisory services with approximately $236.5 billion in total assets as at February 28, 2021. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with an investment in mutual funds, including exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Please read the prospectus before investing. Important information about the mutual fund is contained in its prospectus. Mutual funds are not guaranteed; their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. You will usually pay brokerage fees to your dealer if you purchase or sell units of an ETF on recognized Canadian exchanges. If the units are purchased or sold on these Canadian exchanges, investors may pay more than the current net asset value when buying units of the ETF and may receive less than the current net asset value when selling them. This communication is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase exchange-traded funds (ETFs) managed by CI Global Asset Management and is not, and should not be construed as, investment, tax, legal or accounting advice, and should not be relied upon in that regard. Individuals should seek the advice of professionals, as appropriate, regarding any particular investment. Investors should consult their professional advisors prior to implementing any changes to their investment strategies. These investments may not be suitable to the circumstances of an investor. Some conditions apply. CI Global Asset Management is a registered business name of CI Investments Inc. CI Investments Inc. 2021. All rights reserved. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210405005480/en/

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A convicted robber who claimed he was drugged, sexually assaulted and tattooed against his will in prison has allegedly been caught out boasting about his new ink to fellow inmates.

Phone call recordings and CCTV footage examined by investigators looking into the alleged incidents - which happened at Yatala Labour Prison in Adelaide - may contradict the man's claims.

According to The Advertiser, it is understood those recordings show the man talking about and showing off his grotesque tattoos, before he ever complained about the incident at the jail's infirmary.

Pictured: The 'horrific' and derogatory images etched into the bikie's skin. He claims he was drugged, sexually assaulted and forcibly tattooed

Staff said the tattoos (pictured) were amateurish and contained sexually explicit imagery

An investigation was launched into the incident, which focused on three men - including a Hells Angel bikie and two others.

It also looked at how a tattoo gun and needles were smuggled inside the jail.

It is now alleged the man may have made up the story and consented to the tattoos - on his thigh, stomach and chest - so he could later claim compensation, it has been reported.

Test results are expected back relating to the claims of sexual assault and forced drugging.

South Australian Police and Correctional Services launched the probe after the man's claims were made last month.

At the time, the man was in custody awaiting a District Court appearance for aggravated robbery, which he pleaded guilty to.

Initially he received a custodial sentence of two years and 10 months, with a non-parole period of one year and two months.

Yatala Labour Prison in Adelaide where the man claimed to have been drugged, sexually assaulted and forcibly tattooed

The interior of a cell at Adelaide's Yatala Labour prison

But this was suspended and he was issued a new sentence, a three year good behaviour bond.

Previously South Australian Correctional Services chief executive David Brown described the sexual assault and allegations made by the man as 'deeply disturbing'.

'When such allegations come up it is a criminal matter without any question and South Australian Police are immediately brought in,' he said.

'Sexual assault services are brought into the picture and we are very proactive in gathering evidence and supporting police in the work they are doing.'
Gorakhpur : , April 6 (IANS) The residents of 23 Vantangia villages -- five in Gorakhpur and 18 in Maharajganj district -- would vote for the first time in the ongoing Panchayat elections.

These 23 Vantangia villages were declared revenue villages by the Yogi Adityanath government on January 1, 2018.

The Vantangia tribal community has a special place in the heart of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who is popularly known as 'Toffee Wale Baba' in the region. The Chief Minister has been celebrating Diwali with Vantangia children since the past several years.

The Vantangia people came into limelight last year on December 25, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi had virtual interaction with Ram Gulab, director of an FPO 'Maharajganj Vegetable Producing Company' for setting an example of contract farming.

The farmers of the Vantangia villages in Maharajganj had signed an MoU with an Ahmedabad-based company for the purchase of golden sweet potato.

Sandeep Rai, a research scholar of the DDU Gorakhpur University, said, "Around 99 years, the British government started using people for cleaning forests, these people were called Tangia farmers. Tangia farmers were allowed to do farming on nine-foot land between the rows of forest trees. They were not allowed to grow crops of their choice as it was decided by forest authorities so that the crop does not harm the trees around and does not degrade the fertility of soil.

"The farmers didn't have any ownership right on the land and they had right only on the crop. Vantangias were totally dependent on forest for their livelihood. Due to negligence of previous governments, the Vantangias remained deprived of the basic amenities even 70 years after Independence."
Khartoum, April 6 : Sudan's Security and Defence Council has declared a state of emergency in West Darfur state and authorised forces to adopt all necessary measures to end armed clashes which led to the killing of 18 people, while 54 others were injured.

The declaration came after Chairman of the Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan held an emergency meeting on the incidents late Monday, reports Xinhua news agency.

Defence Minister Yassin Ibrahim Yassin announced that the Cuncil has formed a higher committee to deal with the incidents.

In a statement earlier in the day, the Sudanese Doctors' Committee confirmed the attacks in the state capital El Geneina, saying: "We counted 18 dead and 54 injured... Since yesterday (Sunday), about 10 surgeries have been performed. The hospitals are still receiving more victims." The violence started on April 3 and escalated the following day, it said, adding the attacks are still going on.

The committee urged the central government to intervene to end the security disorder in the city.

It also demanded protection for health facilities and medical workers to facilitate their operations, calling on the citizens to go to the hospitals to donate blood.

In January, similar attacks were carried out by armed militias in El Genina, which left 159 dead and 202 others injured.

Sudan's Darfur region has been mired in a civil war since 2003.

On December 31, 2020, the UN Security Council unanimously passed a resolution that ends the mandate of the UN-African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) in the region.

The around 16,000 UNAMID soldiers, who have been deployed in Darfur since 2007, are set to complete their exit in July.

Meanwhile, a UN Integrated Transitional Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) will deploy during 2021 to support the transitional period in the country.

The UNITAMS will also take over the UNAMID's tasks in Darfur.

The transitional government in Sudan is trying to fill in the security gap in Darfur by forming a special force from the security and military institutions and armed groups which signed a peace agreement with the government in October 2020.
Editorials represent the institutional view of the newspaper. They are written and edited by the editorial staff, which operates separately from the news department. Editorial writers are not involved in newsroom operations.
Since 2021, the prices of various domestic chemical products have continued to skyrocket. Some chemical products have been in full production and sales, low inventories, and shortages of stocks. This crazy situation seems unprecedented. On the 22nd, the quotation of titanium dioxide was 19,333.33 yuan/ton, and some companies\' quotations were as high as 20,000 yuan/ton, an increase of 2666.66 yuan/ton from the low point in the year. A titanium dioxide company stated that the cost of raw materials that affect the product has increased by about RMB 4500, and it is still rising. Downstream customers urge renewal orders, "grab" if there is an order, and even ignore the soaring price.

It is understood that the cumulative increase of titanium dioxide by nearly 3,000 yuan/ton is only the tip of the iceberg in the crazy increase of many chemical raw materials. Although the first quarter of 2021 has not yet ended, a variety of chemical raw materials have risen staggeringly, and the prices of eight raw materials have increased. Over 10,000 yuan/ton, the most price increase is lithium carbonate, which has a cumulative increase of 35,200 yuan/ton.

This year, nearly 100 kinds of raw materials have shown an upward trend, and many raw materials have a strong continuity. In response to this round of price increases, some companies have stated that the pressure on the cost side will be quickly transmitted from the beginning of 2021. The recovery of foreign trade exports has also allowed chemical companies to focus on longer-term overseas trade, and the situation of low inventory in the domestic market has worsened. Many companies said that the current chemical industry market has not been seen in the past 20 years, and it is impossible to predict the next development. However, as more and more companies have urgent inventory and anxiety escalates, some traders are hoarding them. The chemical market may continue to rise.

Affected by the Plastic products soar collectively,the Nano diamond market is changing rapidly. These changes are indicators of market growth.This year-on-year upward trend in the market indicates that the next November 2020-2026 will show an oval but steady growth.If you are looking for Nano diamond or buy Nano diamond in bulk,please send an email to: sales@ozbo.com

The price of Nano diamond continues to be affected by factors such as market growth momentum,various opportunities and challenges.However,during the forecast period from 2020 to 2026,the global Nano diamond sales market is expected to continue to be above average.The growth rate will continue to increase.It is expected that from today to next week,the price of Nano diamond will increase to a certain extent.

Due to changes in consumer demand,import and export conditions,and various investigations on the development of Nano diamond,the cost of Nano diamond is constantly changing.Taking into account the current market macroeconomic parameters, value chain analysis,channel partners,demand and supply,the cost of Nano diamond will also be affected to a certain extent.It is estimated that the cost of Nano diamond will increase slightly from today to next week.

However,Ozbo.com provides high purity Nano Nano diamond with steady price.In order to feedback to old customers,the company is still in full operations to provide Nano diamond with competitive price.said Olina,sales manager of Ozbo.com.

About Ozbo.com

Ozbo.com (aka.Tanki New Materials Co.Ltd.) is a trusted global chemical material supplier & manufacturer with over 12 years experience in providing super high-quality chemicals and Nanomaterials.As a leading nanotechnology development and Nano diamond manufacturer,Tanki New Materials Co.Ltd dominates the market.Our professional work team provides perfect solutions to help improve the efficiency of various industries,create value,and easily cope with various challenges.If you are looking for Nano diamond, please send an email to sales@ozbo.com
Shahjahanpur, April 6 : A 17-year-old boy was booked for allegedly sexually assaulting a four-year-old Dalit girl in a village under the Kalaan police circle in Uttar Pradesh's Shahjahanpur.

According to police, the incident took place when the child was playing outside her home and her parents were out for work. Her father is a farm labourer.

The accused lives in the same locality and was detained by police following the complaint. He is a school dropout.

Jalalabad circle officer (CO) Massa Singh, who is also the investigating officer in the case, said: "I have visited the village and gathered evidence from there. The girl was playing outside her house when the accused lured her by offering Rs 10 for candies. He inappropriately touched her. When the girl started crying, the other children, playing in the area, raised an alarm." "Police took action immediately and lodged the FIR. Now, we are verifying the age of the accused for further action. The child has been sent for medical examination and her condition is stable," the circle officer stated.
SpamResponse is easy and effective, allowing customers to report spam without having to contact customer service. Tweet this

SpamResponse combines ease-of-use and effectiveness without compromise, allowing customers to report spam messages without having to contact customer service or follow a complicated process. Importantly, SpamResponse doesn't collect any private customer data, making the reporting simple, secure, and anonymous.

"Millions of spam messages reach consumers globally every day, eroding the user experience and posing significant security and privacy concerns," explains Ian Matthews, President and CEO of WMC Global. He adds, "SpamResponse empowers users to take action directly on their smartphones, allowing UScellular and WMC Global to assess potential threats while improving user experience across the board."

"At UScellular, we are committed to helping customers avoid and prevent unwanted and sometimes deceptive messages," said Courtland Madock, Vice President of Marketing at UScellular. "Teaming up with an industry leader like WMC Global allows us to provide our customers stronger protection against spam, and this app is a great addition to our portfolio of solutions to help stop unwanted calls and messages."

In response to reported spam, WMC Global and UScellular investigate fraudulent websites, creating a safer and better customer experience. The SpamResponse app has been made available on many UScellular Android devices and can be downloaded from the Google Play store or the App Store for iOS devices.

To learn more about SpamResponse, visit: https://www.spamresponse.com

About WMC Global

WMC Global is a market leader in digital threat intelligence with headquarters in Fairfax, VA and offices in London, UK and Sydney, AU. WMC Global delivers world-leading technology and solutions, enhanced by an unrivaled team of experts to protect their clients' brands by protecting their customers. As a well-respected industry player in the mobile space, WMC Global is the most trusted digital compliance firm in North America, having partnered with all Tier 1 mobile carriers for the past 13 years. The WMC Global portfolio is at the forefront of fighting text messaging spam, eradicating phishing attacks, keeping cyber criminals from targeting brands, and monitoring consumer experiences for industry compliance. WMC Global provides its partners with proprietary data feeds of phishing attacks, threat response and takedown services, automated partner due diligence, and customer experience monitoring. For more information, follow WMC Global on Twitter and LinkedIn.

About UScellular

UScellular is the fourth-largest full-service wireless carrier in the United States, providing national network coverage and industry-leading innovations designed to elevate the customer experience. The Chicago-based carrier is building a stronger network with the latest 5G technology and offers a wide range of communication services that enhance consumers' lives, increase the competitiveness of local businesses and improve the efficiency of government operations. It is ranked #1 in the North Central Region in the J.D. Power 2020 Wireless Network Quality Performance Study  Volume 2 . To learn more about UScellular, visit one of its retail stores or www.uscellular.com . To get the latest news, promos and videos, connect with UScellular on Facebook , Twitter and YouTube .

SOURCE WMC Global

Related Links

https://www.spamresponse.com/


DALLAS, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Kainos Capital ("Kainos"), a food and consumer-focused private equity firm, today announced the sale of its portfolio company Ferraro Foods to funds managed by Kelso & Company.

Headquartered in Piscataway, NJ, Ferraro Foods is a specialty foodservice distributor delivering quality food and supplies, primarily to the Italian restaurant and pizzeria segment in the Eastern U.S. The Company, which had its first sale in 1975, today sources over 7,000 products from around the world and distributes to over 6,000 end customers. Kainos partnered with Ferraro Foods in May of 2018 after having developed a prior relationship with Ferraro's owner Michael Giammarino through the team's network of industry relationships.

Andrew Rosen, Managing Partner of Kainos, said, "Our interest in Ferraro Foods was driven by our thematic-based approach to investing in the food industry and our experience partnering with founder owned businesses. We believed Ferraro Foods could play a unique role as the consolidator in the highly fragmented Italian specialty distribution segment along the eastern seaboard and Michael, with the Ferraro management team that we helped assemble around him, executed brilliantly." Rosen continued, "We and the team sourced and integrated seven proprietary add-ons of other founder-owned specialty distributors which resulted in exceptional growth during our investment."

Kevin Elliott, a Partner at Kainos, added, "We built a relationship with Michael Giammarino back in 2016 and were very fortunate to be selected by Michael to be the stewards of this great business that he and his family had built over 25 years. Our familiarity with the specialty distribution space and the Kainos team's operational prowess assisted Michael and the Ferraro team in executing their growth strategies. Moreover, the Ferraro team demonstrated great operational leadership in driving the core business, even during the challenging pandemic environment, while also successfully integrating the proprietary acquisitions. The net result was performance that surpassed our original plans."

Michael Giammarino, CEO of Ferraro Foods, continued, "Partnering with Kainos in 2018 was the right choice. The Kainos team helped us grow our footprint, adding four new centers and expanding into key markets including New England and Florida. They supported our team in commercializing the business with better use of systems and data, recruiting and hiring key leaders, and supporting the prospecting and closing of seven acquisitions made in the past two and a half years. Kainos' ability to work with founder-owners and their appreciation for the importance of culture and heritage during the commercialization of the business allowed us to scale naturally and drive synergies through to strong financial performance. They did everything they said they would do and set us up for continued success."

Rosen added, "this success could not have been possible without the investments in people and systems that will enable Ferraro to continue its role as a premier specialty Italian distributor on the East Coast."

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and Piper Sandler & Co. served as financial advisors to Ferraro Foods. Winston & Strawn LLP served as legal counsel to Ferraro Foods.

About Kainos Capital

Kainos Capital is a middle market private equity firm with an exclusive focus on the food and consumer sector. The Kainos team has extensive investment and operating experience in the industry, having invested more than $2.5 billion of equity in more than 75 transactions with a total transaction value of more than $11 billion. The firm's strategy is to build a diversified portfolio of growing and strategically relevant food and consumer businesses. For more information, visit www.kainoscapital.com.

About Kelso

Kelso is one of the oldest and most established firms specializing in private equity investing. Since 1980, Kelso has invested $15.3 billion of equity capital in 132 transactions. Kelso was founded by the inventor of the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and, as a result, the principles of partnership and alignment of interest serve as the foundation of the firm's investment philosophy. Kelso benefits from a successful investment track record, deep sector expertise, a long-tenured and stable investing team, and a reputation as a preferred partner to management teams and corporates. Kelso has significant experience investing in and supporting high-growth distribution platforms. The firm is based in New York, NY. For more information, please visit www.kelso.com.

Contact: Mark Semer

Kekst CNC

(917) 439-3507

SOURCE Kainos Capital

Related Links

http://www.kainoscapital.com


Re: COVID-19 at 6 schools

An April 2 news release stated Interior Health has confirmed COVID-19 exposures at six Central Okanagan Public Schools. This news release is the 95th since October 25, 2020 to mention COVID-19 exposures at Central Okanagan Public Schools.

They all include the words: "The safety and well-being of students, families and staff remains our highest priority. Central Okanagan Public Schools will continue to implement the strict health and safety protocols and procedures that are in place so students and staff can continue to attend school as safely as possible.

If all public schools in the province were really implementing strict" health and safety protocols and procedures, this would include mandatory mask wearing for all students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. (An exception could be made for the small percentage of students who may find it too difficult to wear a mask for any length of time because of behavioural, psychological, or medical reasons. If this is indeed the case, a doctors note or letter should accompany each exemption.)

At present, the updated B.C. government website reads: "All K to 12 staff and all students in grades 4 to 12 are required to wear non-medical masks in all indoor areas, including: At their work stations (desks), On school buses, [and] Within and outside leaning groups.

The motto of Central Okanagan Public Schools is Together We Learn. Some things I've learned from reading the COVID-19 Exposure news releases:

1. If there is a single COVID-19 exposure at a specific school, it will state it.

2. If there are exposures (plural) at a specific school, it will never state how many exposures; all we know for certain is there is more than one exposure.

3. It will never delineate how many exposures at a specific school are students, and how many exposures are staff members.

The B.C. government website states Public health fulfills its role through a wide variety of activities, such as  "Reporting on the health of British Columbians."

One of the definitions of public is: "perceived or existing in open view." On a scale of 0 to 5, how open would you rate this type of released health information?

The BC School Tracker website contains a wealth of information. It is searchable, with filters to allow one to view by city, school district, health region, etc.

The federal government has procured more than 40 million COVID-19 rapid tests from various companies. Although rapid tests arent as precise as lab-based PCR tests, they produce quick results. Over 19 million rapid tests have been sent to the provinces and territories. Last February, Prime Minister Trudeau said some" quick tests are being used, but if these tests continue to sit on shelves across the country, the government may start sending them directly to pharmacies.

Also last February, the Biden administration is working with Australian company Ellume to provide more of its fully at-home COVID-19 quick tests to the United States. Andy Slavitt, White House COVID-19 senior adviser, said the Ellume test can detect COVID-19 with 95% accuracy within roughly 15 minutes. The price of the test is about $30 US, but Slavitt said "costs will come down, only when we can get to that mass production and scale."

Why hasnt Dr. Bonnie Henry and the Ministry of Health allowed at least some of the federally-provided quick tests to be made available to schools, residential care home workers and front line workers?

David Buckna, Kelowna


The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, on Saturday, broke his silence over the PREMIUM TIMES expose on his roles in the push for the settlement of the controversial N159 billion Paris Club-related judgment debts purportedly owed by states and their local governments.

In his bid to justify his input in the matter, Mr Malami insisted in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Umar Gwandu, that his endorsement of the legitimacy of the indebtedness followed a due diligence carried out by his office.

But rather than clearing the thick clouds of doubts hanging over the debts, the statement which left gaps and many important issues unaddressed, has raised many more questions he should answer in the public interest.

PREMIUM TIMES expose on the controversial debts had revealed how Mr Malami along with Ibrahim Gambari, the chief of staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, and the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, had been making frantic push for the settlement of the debts while disregarding the red flag raised by the current leadership of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF).

Our reports, based on multiple correspondences and documents exchanged by the key players in the matter, also showed that the Mr Gambari-led camp had continued scrambling to have the debts settled against President Buharis directive in January suspending the plan for the payments until the parties reached an agreement.

In February, the National Executive Council (NEC), led by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, and has the 36 states governors, and other top figures of the Federal Government whose works are relevant to the economy, as members, also threw its weight behind the NGFs demand for a suspension of the planned payments for a forensic audit to be done.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the $418 million debts, roughly equivalent to about N159 billion, accrued from court judgments given in favour of six creditors who claimed to have been engaged by the NGF and the Association of All Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), either as consultants or contractors.

Part of the judgments gave monetary awards to consultants who claimed to have helped various states to recover funds that were over-deducted from their allocations by the Federal Government in servicing the Paris and London clubs debts between 1995 and 2002.

The other judgment awards were given in favour of contractors who claimed to have entered an agreement with ALGON to execute certain projects in the 774 local government areas of the country in anticipation of being paid from the Paris Club refund.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the suits leading to the humongous awards largely succeeded with the tacit support of past leaderships of the NGF and ALGON which either conceded to them or offered feeble defence in court.

Responding to this newspapers expose on the controversial judgments, on Saturday, Mr Malami, in the statement by his spokesperson, said the report lacks merit and claimed that it was fraught with contradictory submissions.

Without denying the authenticity of the correspondences and documents which the reports were based on, Mr Malami stated that our reports and that of Sahara Reporters on the matter were also a hasty collection of feeble fabrications, unsubstantiated concoctions and figment of imagination of the writer.

He explained that the judgment sums stood at $3,188,079,505.96 as of 2013 before Mr Buharis administration came on board.

He added that in view of the enormous volume of the judgment sums and dwindling resources coupled with his offices policy to save the government frivolous liabilities, he embarked on extra-ordinary due diligence in the handling of the matter.

He said part of the steps taken by him included ordering an investigation into the matter by law enforcement and security agencies with a view to assessing the veracity of the claim in view of the lessons derived from the fraudulent P&ID case.

But PREMIUM TIMES has now identified 10 key major issues which Mr Malami either failed to address, chose to gloss over, or tried to sweep under the carpet in his statement on Saturday.

Question 1: Why did Mr Malami tell the Chief of Staff to the President in a July 2020 letter that a recent EFCC report questioned the $159 million being claimed by one of the creditors, but, in contradiction, stated on Saturday that the anti-corruption agency validated it?

In his correspondence dated July 17, 2020 sent to Mr Gambari, and which PREMIUM TIMES exclusively obtained, the AGF referenced a recent EFCC report, which according to him, questioned the $159 million being claimed by Ted Iseghohi-Edwards, one of the six beneficiaries of the Paris Club refund-related judgment debts.

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Explaining what he termed as the extra-ordinary due diligence conducted by his office, Mr Malami stated in his statement on Saturday, that he ordered a probe of the matter by the EFCC and other security which he said later provided investigation reports inclusive of an interim report, a work in progress report and a final report.

But without disclosing to Nigerians his contradictory disclosure in his July 2020 letter to the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Malami stated on Saturday that the final report of the EFCC maintained that the respective judgments obtained by Riok Nig. Ltd and Edwards & Partners affirmed their entitlements to payments and were confirmed by the records obtained from the respective FCT High Courts.

When was this final report of the EFCC issued? How did EFCC come about the new conclusion when only in July last year, according to Mr Malami, the agency claimed Mr Iseghohi-Edwards is not entitled to this sum?

Question 2: Why did Mr Malami fail to disclose to Nigerians that Mr Buhari in January issued a directive suspending the payments, and that both the NGF and the NEC have demanded a forensic audit of the indebtedness?

Shortly before stepping down as the chairman of the NGF in 2019, then Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, and the then leadership of ALGON, issued Indemnity and No-Objection letters authorising deductions from relevant statutory allocations to meet the Paris Club-related claims.

It was the peak of years of behind-the-scene supports which past NGF and ALGON leaderships gave the consultants and contractors to justify their demands for a share of the Paris Club refunds.

But despite the approval for the payments by his predecessor, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State has since taking over as the new chairman of the NGF, been pushing for the suspension of the settlement of the debts for a forensic audit into the agreements leading to the judgment debts, to be carried out.

While Mr Fayemi continued with his advocacy for a further scrutiny, the Mr Gambari-led camp, on December 24, 2020, succeeded in getting President Buharis approval for their proposal that the debts be settled through the issuance of promissory notes that would be funded by equal monthly deductions from the statutory allocations due to the affected states and LGAs over a period of 10 years.

But after meeting Mr Fayemi on January 8, Mr President Buhari issued another directive suspending the payment to allow parties to reach an agreement.

The NEC also in February endorsed the NGFs demand that a forensic audit be carried out.

Mr Malami concealed these facts from the Nigerian public in his Saturdays statement. Why?

The AGF needs to tell Nigerians if President Buharis doubts about the debts, informing his decision to suspend his earlier approval of the payments until an agreement was reached by parties, were unreasonable.

He also need to explain to Nigerians whether the NGF and NECs demand for a forensic audit was also borne out of mischief or frivolity.

Question 3: Why is Mr Malami, who claimed to have carried out a due diligence on the debts, unable to tell Nigerians which projects were carried out by Riok Nigeria Ltd to justify its claim along with two others for over $143.4 million (about N54.6 billion)?

PREMIUM TIMES reported that that the trio of Riok Nigeria Ltd, Orji Nwafor Orizu, and Olaitan Bello, are laying claim to $143,463,577.76 (about N54.6 billion) based on a judgment of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in the suit marked FCT/HC/CV/2129/2014.

While justifying Riok Nigeria Ltds claim on Saturday, Mr Malami went as far as giving statistical data on the stages of the projects executed for the various local governments in the country by the firm, but failed to provide the details of what the projects were and where they were located to enable Nigerians to verify them.

Question 4: Why did Mr Malami deliberately conceal the name of the particular agency that he claimed gave him the report on the stages of completion of the projects handled by Riok?

Apart from failing to name the projects handled by Riok Nig Ltd, Mr Malami also deliberately concealed the identity of the agency which he claimed provided him the details of the stages of the completion of the controversial projects.

He claimed in his statement that aside from asking EFCC to probe the monetary awards to Riok, he also said that, in his desire to cover the field and have thorough investigation of the issue he directed other agencies to carry out a probe.

But in trying to convince the public that he truly carried out due diligence over the matter, he concealed the name of the agency that reported to him that Riok Nigeria Limited executed the contracts awarded to it by ALGON to be entitled to being paid.

He merely stated on Saturday that an agency wrote to the HAGF and went ahead to copiously quote the conclusion in the report of the unnamed agency.

Why does Mr Malami think that Nigerians are not entitled to know the name of the agency when in the same statement he enumerated the roles the EFCC played in the matter?

Question 5: Why was Mr Malami silent on the September 2018 reply of ALGON president to his enquiry on Riok Nigeria Ltds projects, and chose to believe the report of an unnamed agency?

In response to Mr Malamis August 2018 enquiry about the legitimacy of the claims by Riok Nig Limited and Ted Iseghohi-Edwards, successive presidents of ALGON wrote the AGF in September 2018 and October 2019 insisting that both the firm and the lawyer carried out no job for ALGON to be entitled to payment.

In his September 13, 2018 letter to Mr Malami, then ALGON President, Gambo Kagara, informed the AGF that neither Mr Iseghoghi-Edwards nor his law firm, worked for the association, as claimed by them, in securing the Paris Club refund to be entitled to the judgment awards.

Regarding Riok Nigeria Ltd, Mr Kagara stated that there was no evidence the firm executed the contracts it was awarded by ALGON in December 2013 to be entitled to any monetary claim.

ALGON via an award letter dated December 17, 2013, awarded a contract to RIOK Nigeria Limited for the provision of boreholes and other water reticulating apparatus in all the 774 Local Governments and Area Councils in Nigeria, Mr Kagara stated in his his September 13, 2018 letter to Mr Malami.

But he added, From ALGONs records, there is no evidence that RIOK has executed the required job.

Mr Kagara also stated that there was no communication from the company informing ALGON of the job execution/completion.

No job inspection has been carried out by ALGON and RIOK has not formally handed over any site of job completion; no certification of job completion has been issued to RIOK; consequently, the association categorically denies execution of the work by RIOK to justify any claims for payment, his letter added.

Mr Kagaras successor as ALGON president, Kolade Alabi, wrote another letter dated October 8, 2019, to Mr Malami, restating the associations position as contained in Mr Kagaras September 10, 2018 correspondence.

Mr Malami merely made a passing remarks on the ALGONs letter on Saturday by saying, Contrary to the claim by the Premium Times report that a letter from ALGON dated September 10th, 2018 denied involvement of Ted Edwards/Edwards and Partners for the said project, seven years before the so-called letter ALGON resolved to and did engaged the parties for the project.

He was silent on the part of the letter that strongly denied Riok Nigeria Ltds execution of any contract for ALGON.

Yet, the minister chose to believe the report by an unnamed agency, while failed to tell Nigerians which projects the firm executed.

Question 6: If the report of the unnamed agency relied on by Mr Malami is taken as the true state of things, why was he more interested in pushing for Riok Nigeria Ltd to be paid, while most of the unnamed projects were either abandoned, not identified or ongoing?

In the report relied on by Mr Malami, he stated that the unnamed agency conducted a verification exercise of the level of completion of the contract awarded to RIOK NIG LTD and its physical existence throughout the 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria.

He said the agency confirmed the existence of the projects but stated that 107 of the projects were Non Identified.

He said only 182 of them were Completed, 91 were Functional, 33 were Abandoned, while 205 were Ongoing.

He added, Those geographically surveyed were 178.

If truly Mr Malami was acting in the public interest as he claimed on Saturday, how did he come to convince himself to recommend payment for a firm that, by his own admission only executed 182 of the total 774 projects translating into mere 23.5 per cent execution of the contracts.

While pushing for the firm to be paid, Mr Malami incongruously admitted that 205 of the jobs, which is about 26.5 per cent of the contracts were still ongoing. Ongoing since when? What is the nature of the projects that are taking years to complete?

Question 7: Did Mr Malamis due diligence also uncover that the $47.8million being claimed by George Uboh, Chairman of Panic Alert Security System (PASS) Limited, is the fee for allegedly helping the NGF to pressure a judge to reverse a judgment?

In his recent press release baselessly accusing Mr Fayemi of demanding 10 per cent kickback on the entire $418 million, Mr Uboh revealed that his entitlement to the $47.8 million accrued from helping NGF to pressure a sitting judge to reverse a $478 million judgment.

He stated, I pressured a sitting judge to reverse a $478 Million USD judgment awarded to contractors that were not party to the underlying suit.

I have sacrificed enough for my country way more than you have. After saving the NGF $478 million USD and being detained, dont I deserve 10 per cent ($47.8M); or is it a case of the pidgin parlance monkey work, baboon chop.

Although Mr Malami was silent on the entitlements being claimed by Mr Uboh, did the due diligence conducted by him uncover the genesis of Mr Ubohs monetary claim?

Does it occur to the AGF, who is the chief law officer of the federation, that his recommendation of Mr Uboh for payment is an endorsement of his contemptuous admission that he pressured a sitting judge to reverse a judgment?

Did Mr Malami uncover the methods used by Mr Uboh to pressure the said judge to reverse his or her judgment?

Question 8: With Mr Ubohs revelation, why is Mr Malami, along with other influential figures in the Buhari administration, standing against the NGFs demand for scrutiny of the entire judgment debts?

Why is Mr Malami standing against the same approach that was deployed in convincing a U.K court to suspend the $10billion award against the Federal Government in the P&ID case to be adopted in the $418 million judgment debts?

The AGF often brags about his contribution towards proving to the U.K. court that the agreement leading to the humongous P&ID award was based on a fraudulent agreement, but he is opposing the demand by NGF, the NEC, and ALGON for a further probe of the $418 million judgment debts. Why is that the case?

Question 9: Mr Malami, by his admission, found it worthy to query the judgment awards credited to Iseghoghi-Edwards and Riok Nigeria Ltd by engaging EFCC and other security agencies to probe the claims. He also took his enquiry over the matter to ALGON. Why has he failed to carry out such due diligence on the claims by other creditors? If he did, what were the outcomes?

Question 10: Why has Mr Malami not been seen trying to ensure the enforcement of court judgments awarding little monetary compensation to ordinary Nigerians for the violation of their rights or killing of their loved ones by various security agencies?

Many ordinary Nigerians, who are unable to get help from the AGF office, have had to resort to the ongoing #EndSARS panels probing cases of police brutality in various states to enforce the court judgments they obtained against the police.

Recently, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) announced that its own panel led by a retired judge of the Supreme Court, Suleiman Galadima, had reviewed 20 petitions seeking to enforce judgment sums valued at over N500million.

PREMIUM TIMES obtained and reviewed many of Mr Malamis correspondences in respect of settlement of judgment debts, in general, none of them tipped the judgment sums obtained by these ordinary Nigerians as top priority.

MALAMIs STATEMENT IN FULL:

*You are mischievous  Malami replies Premium Times, Sahara Reporters*

The attention of the Office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN has been drawn to some mischievous and perfidious reports churned out especially by online media purportedly alleging pushing for payment of contradictory and incongruous figures regarding judgment debt and Paris Club refund.

The initial reaction of the Office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN was to ignore the reports for it is palpable for any discerning minds that the report lacks merit as evidenced by not only contradictory submissions but also a hasty collection of feeble fabrications, unsubstantiated concoctions and figment of imagination of the writer.

The crux and truth of the matter is that Malami, Hon Minister of finance, Gambari and indeed the Government of President Muhammadu Buhari have been applying extra-ordinary due diligence to avoid whatever was suspected to be suspicious liability whose antecedents were rooted in past administration in respect of which Premium Times and Sahara Reporters were allegedly complicit in failing to question the issues or draw the attention of the general public to the matter at that time.

In order to set the record straight and to clear the mischievous insinuations and misconceptions intended to be the aftermath of the report, the record needs to be set straight and in an attempt to do so, we respond as follows:

The judgment sum in contention relates to the judgment of the Supreme Court by which parties of interest were adjudged entitled to $3,188,079,505.96 in the year 2013 before Buharis administration came in place.

In view of the enormous volume of the judgment sum and dwindling resources coupled with the policy imbibed by the Office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to save the Government of the Federation of frivolous liabilities the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice embark on extra-ordinary due diligence including directing for investigation of the matter by law enforcement and security agencies with a view to assess the veracity of the claim in view of the lessons derived from the fraudulent P&ID case.

The genesis of said judgment debts was based on the fact that some affected Local Governments and ALGON instituted action against Federal Government of Nigeria in suit no: FHC/ABJ/CS/130/13  LINAS International LTD & 235 ORS V. Federal Government of Nigeria & 3 ORS to recover the sum of $3,188,079,505.96. Judgment was delivered in favour of the plaintiffs on 3rd December, 2013 (that is years before President Muhammadu Buhari came to office and long before Malami was made a Minister).

Consequently upon a Garnishee Order Absolute was granted in 2016 directing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as Garnishee to pay $3,188,079,505.96 to the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON). The Garnishee Order was granted by H.B Yusuf (Hon, Justice)

It is interesting to note that both the Premium Times and Sahara Reporters have chosen to turn a blind eye to the judgment and its adverse effect on Nigerian economy when it was delivered and in effect chose to attack Abubakar Malami who had exerted extra efforts in saving the nation from the scourge of consequential liability.

In fact even when it became inevitable that the payment had to be effected with the consent of Governors Forum and ALGON, the office of the Attorney General of the Federation had to extract undertaking and indemnity from Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in 2019.

The fact is very clear that in consideration of the financial status and the volume of the transaction, due diligence relating to contractual undertones and the judgment were carried out by the Office of the AGF in order to guard the government coffers from being robbed by some unscrupulous agents like the case of P&ID.

The Office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice took steps to be double sure of facts about the engagements. The Office wrote letters to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Department of State Service and the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) to furnish the HAGF with facts that will guide the legal opinion to be proffered by the HAGF.

On 29th day of August, 2018, the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice through the then Director of Civil Litigation, E.O. Omonowa, ESQ wrote a letter (MJ/CIV/ABJ/440/16) to the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the ALGON seeking among other things:

a) Evidence of the resolution by ALGON to engage Ted Edwards. Edwards Partners to recover funds related to the refund of Paris and London debt over-deductions.

b) Evidence of any amount so recovered by Ted Edwards/Edwards and Partners

c) Evidence of the authorization by the various Local Government Councils consenting to the payment of professional or legal fee to Ted Edwards/Edwards and Partners from their portion of refund of Paris and London debt over deductions,

d) Confirmation of the engagement of Redemption Chambers (E.A Egbebu &Co) to file an action challenging the judgment obtained by Ted Edwards/Edwards & Partners against ALGON.

e) Evidence of the resolution by ALGON to award contract to Riok Nigeria Ltd for the construction of boreholes across the 774 LGAs.

f) Evidence of the execution or performance of the said contract by Riok Nigeria Ltd.

g) Evidence of the authorization by the various Local Government Councils to the payment of the contract sum due to Riok Nigeria Ltd from their portion of refund of Paris and London over-deductions.

In a letter titled Extract of Resolution of the meeting of the Board on 29/09/2011 Paragraph of 1 of the letter indicated That Edwards and Partners Law Firms should be appointed as Solicitors and Legal Representatives for the Board of Incorporated Trusstees of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON).

The Office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice wrote letters to Law Enforcement and Security Agencies including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commissions (EFCC) to conduct independent investigations on the issue.

Sahara Reporters and Premium Times were not only mischievous but economical with facts in failing to present the above facts to the public.

By deliberate design to misrepresent the public, they refused to draw the attention of the public that the EFCC and other security agencies had at the request of the office of the Attorney General investigated this matter and provided investigation report on the matter, inclusive of an interim report, a work in progress report and a final report which efforts the two media houses have mischievously chosen to overlook in their report.

A point of interest is that in the final report of the EFCC maintained that the respective judgments obtained by Riok Nig. Ltd and Edwards & Partners affirming their entitlements to payments were confirmed by the records obtained from the respective FCT High Courts

Findings of the investigation of the Law Enforcement and Security Agency also revealed that there exists a valid consultancy and legal service agreement between TED EDWARDS and PARTNERS and Incorporated Trustees of ALGON for the recovery of Local Governments share of London Debt Buy Back and Exist from the Federal Government of Nigeria consolidated revenue fund.

Contrary to the claim by the Premium Times report that a letter from ALGON dated September 10th, 2018 denied involvement of Ted Edwards/Edwards and Partners for the said project, seven years before the so-called letter ALGON resolved to and did engaged the parties for the project.

The report concluded that so far, facts of the case as revealed in the course of investigation do not indicate any act(s) of criminality on part of the parties in the transaction, please

Above information were contained in the submission to the OHAGF dated 13th June, 2017.

It is imperative to further note that at the further request of the office of the Attorney General to other agencies, all out of desire to cover the field and have thorough investigation of the issue an agency wrote to the HAGF and concluded thus:

With regards to the level of completion of the contract awarded to RIOK NIG LTD and its physical existence, verification exercise conducted through the 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria confirmed the existence of the projects. However, while some of been completed, others are at various stage of completion, The various stages established are as follows:

Completed 182

Functional 91

Abandoned 33

Ongoing 205

Non Identified 107

Those geographically surveyed 178

The report concluded thus:

In view of the forgoing, it is humbly recommended that the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice may wish to direct the Federal Ministry of Finance and CBN Governor to pay the contractor to enable him complete the project for the benefit of this people.

The question calling for the consideration of the discerning publics, against the background of the due diligence carried out by the Office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice in this matter is whether the reckless, mischievous and treacherous conclusion of the Premium Times is logically and justifiably founded. The answer is logically clear and indeed led to an irresistible conclusion as follows:

1. The office of the OHAGF has arising from a clear historical antecedent of the role it has played in the case of P&ID, remained steadfast in the sustenance of the public interest which in effect is saving the Federal Government from frivolous financial liabilities.

2. That extra-ordinary due diligence was carried out by the OHAGF on the payment of Supreme Court Judgment in contention with particular regards to the efforts put in place to unravel the veracity of the claim and whether in fact any fraudulent undertone could be discovered.

3. The reports and due diligence of the Law Enforcement and Security agencies provided on this matter speaks for itself as to the reasonability or otherwise of the mischievous publication of Premium Times and Sahara Reporters but the fact remains inevitably glaring that their report is baseless and mischievous

4. That the factual antecedents stated above belies their titles:

Malami, Gambari Silence Governors Forum and Forced CBN to pay N133bn Judgment Debt or perhapsMalami Ignored Fraud Warning while pushing payment of Suspicious N159b Debt *Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu* (Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice) Saturday 3rd April, 2020.
Brazil's COVID-19 cases exceed 13 mln

Xinhua) 09:20, April 06, 2021

SAO PAULO, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Brazil reported on Monday 28,645 new COVID-19 infections and 1,319 deaths in the past 24 hours, taking the nationwide tally to 13,013,601 and the national death toll to 332,752, the Health Ministry said on Monday.

The South American country is one of the global epicenters of the COVID-19 pandemic, suffering the world's second-worst outbreak in terms of both deaths and infections, only after the United States.

Last week, the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, the most prominent science and technology health institution in Latin America attached to the Brazilian Ministry of Health, warned that hospitals in most parts of the country were under severe strain from a spike in COVID-19 infections, with ICU bed occupancy exceeding 90 percent.

Brazil started its vaccination process on Jan. 17 and has so far inoculated 19,474,826 people with at least one dose, while 5,389,211 people have received both doses.

(Web editor: Liang Jun)
Sixteen businesswomen are publicly endorsing Tim Kelly as Chattanooga mayor via an open letter in response to opposing candidate, Kim Whites recently released 10-point plan to uplift women throughout Chattanooga. Many of these business owners witnessed first-hand how Kim White handled business dealings in her prior role as president of River City Company when she introduced and ushered in the citys first Business Improvement District (BID)  now known as the Downtown Chattanooga Alliance. Business tenants had no voice in the process even though annual assessments self-imposed by property owners (totaling $1 million a year through 2029) are passed down to business tenants based on their square footage according to their lease agreements. The assessment is also passed on to the public through price increases when they stay at hotels or dine at restaurants within the district boundary.

In her role at River City Company, she found revenue streams introduced through downtown management and public placemaking associations but she often didnt dive deeper into how these projects would affect small businesses already thriving in the areas she implemented them, nor how the increase in rents in the district would block access to new small businesses.

As female business owners and individuals who support women-owned small businesses and local businesses in general, we are writing to share our shock over mayoral candidate Kim Whites plan to uplift females in business.

When the idea of a BID (Business Improvement District) was pushed by Kim White in her role at River City, we were not contacted about a property owner self-imposed tax that would be placed upon us. Instead, many of us encountered a tax that is passed to us and other professional services tenants through our leases.

We had no voice. We had no vote. Only property owners were invited to planning meetings. They were lured with promises of additional services and amenities that the City was failing or lagging behind in providing. We were told that we would receive great services such as street and sidewalk cleaning, graffiti removal, having panhandlers moved along who are aggressive to our customers, and providing other amenities not offered by the City.

Then, Ms. Whites construction projects in Miller Park and Patten Parkway started. These projects literally caused fencing to go up in front of our businesses so our customers couldnt get to us. Some of us have moved our businesses out of the area to keep our doors open. Others of us have had to shutter our businesses. The detriment to our local small businesses was in motion before the global pandemic.

Today, our professional panhandling homeless are still on the streets, approaching tourists and customers, but are no longer stationary. The BID implemented a program where the homeless can pick up trash in the district and receive a gift card for up to $20 per day. While offering opportunity and employment is a good thing, how will the homeless receive 1099s as contract employees? In addition, weve learned that the BID has now employed a communications firm (led by River City board president Tom Griscom) to help market the district and improve the Downtown Chattanooga Alliance brand via social media services.

We are incensed by Ms. Whites leadership that put female-owned and small businesses at risk. We support women in business and the clients and customers who buy our products and services. We are an integral part of a thriving local economy. Kim White is not our choice for mayor and just because she would be the first woman mayor is no reason to cast a vote for her.

If Kim White can push through self-imposed tax assessments on us through the downtown BID, whats going to keep her from pushing through similar programs in Brainerd, Hixson, St. Elmo or any other community in the city? If it can happen to us, it can happen to you.

We strongly encourage Chattanoogans to support Tim Kelly for mayor. We need a small businessperson who has made payroll through successful business practices, not fundraising, who understands operating businesses in challenging economies and wants to help business owners  no matter what their sex or race is.

To signify our support for Tim Kelly, we have co-signed this endorsement to encourage our fellow Chattanoogans to look deeper than gender identification and to vote for Tim Kelly as the next mayor of Chattanooga.

Signed,

Keeli S. Crewe

Robin Howe

Kelly Summersett

Michele K. Appel

Diana Davies

Diane McCluskey

Lisa Denney

Mary Lou Reed

Hilda Murray

Denise Reed

Vivian Hershey

Kathy Lennon

Shari Stocks

Elizabeth Miller

Jelena Butler

Pamela Paty ODwyer
The Duchess of Cambridge is the 'silent power behind Prince William and keeps everything together', while using powerful gestures to communicate like Princess Diana did, royal experts have claimed.

Kate, 39, who is currently based in Kensington Palace, London, has been a pillar of strength for her husband during an 'exceptionally hard year for him', Katie Nicholl told OK!.

The Duke of Cambridge has 'had to shoulder a lot of burden', according to the royal author, including Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's explosive tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey in which they laid bare the extent of their rift with the Royal Family.

It comes as Princess Diana's biographer Andrew Morton told the publication that the duchess' gestures and body language are mirroring Prince Williams late mother, who tragically passed away in a car crash in Paris in 1997.

Mr Morton noted how Kate made a surprise appearance at Sarah Everard's memorial in South London, last month, laying daffodils from Kensington Palace to pay her respects to the murdered 33-year-old marketing executive.

He suggested the quiet approach was exactly the method Princess Diana preferred, with both the royals realising 'one gesture is worth a thousand words'.

The Duchess of Cambridge is the 'silent power behind Prince William (pictured together) and keeps everything together', while using powerful gestures to make her points like Princess Diana did, royal experts have claimed

The author added: 'It shows that Kate is someone who doesnt have to speak out. Shes doing what Diana used to do, which is let her body language tell the story.'

Meanwhile, Katie Nicholl, who is the author of Kate: The Future Queen, told the publication that the duchess has been quietly supporting Prince William, 38, through this tough year.

She explained: 'Kate is the silent power behind William, the linchpin that keeps everything together.'

It comes after a royal expert claimed the duchess is being 'very careful' to ensure she doesn't outstrip Prince William after Princess Diana taking the limelight from Prince Charles 'caused huge problems'.

Penny Junor said Kate may have learned an important lesson from her late mother-in-law, whose popularity is believed to have made her ex-husband jealous.

The Duchess of Cambridge was seen placing daffodils at the vigil for Sarah Everard on Clapham Common last month, days after the 33-year-old's body was found in Kent

Diana, Princess of Wales, offering comfort to a hospital patient on March 4, 1993, in Kathmandu, Nepal

Speaking to the Sunday Times, Junor added that Kate is 'not on an ego trip' and her head 'has not been turned by celebrity' since she joined the Royal Family.

She added that the mother-of-three is 'coming into her prime', and is coming out of the pandemic 'really well'.

'[Kate's] not over the top, not "me, me, me" at all. I think she's absolutely coming into her prime now  shes confident, shes competent, and you dont get the impression that shes waiting for cameras to be there and its all a publicity stunt,' Junor told the publication.

She claimed lockdown has opened the public's eyes to the working members of the Royal Family, which are now reaching a far wider audience than before.

Royal correspondent Jennie Bond said Kate and William's regular Zoom calls have shown them in a 'very good light' and have made them appear more accessible while offering an insight into their true personalities and their home life.

Previously, royal correspondent Jennie Bond said Kate and William's regular Zoom calls have shown them in a 'very good light' and have made them appear more accessible while offering an insight into their true personalities and their home life

'They seem much more natural and Kate is coming across as very knowledgeable and compassionate,' she said.

Bond added that Kate has 'played a blinder' in the past few years, supporting worthy causes that are close to her heart, and is demonstrating she is 'very much in touch with the mood of the country' while coming across as 'genuine'.

Last month Kate made a personal, low-key visit to Clapham Common to pay her respects to Sarah Everard, 33, who was abducted and murdered while walking home in south London.

Met Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick claimed she knew in advance that Kate was privately heading to lay flowers at the bandstand on March 13, days after Ms Everard's body was found - but admitted the officer in charge of policing the event did not.

Kate has since sent a message to Ms Everard's family and, although the contents of the letter have been kept private, the duchess is believed to have offered her condolences and told the family that they are in her thoughts.

A source close to Ms Everard's family said they were 'extremely touched' to have received the letter.

Junor described it as a 'wonderful gesture' from the Duchess, which came days after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey.

She said the fact Kate quietly turned up at the vigil with absolutely no fanfare 'spoke volumes'.

'Kate was making a very subtle point. You dont need to make a song and dance about things,' said Junor.

'When Harry and Meghan talked to Oprah, they were more concerned about their own welfare; it was all about them and that's been their narrative all along.

'But there's a difference between service and self-service. I feel real service is doing things selflessly for others. I think thats what Kate understands.'
Rumble is targeting large tonnage, flat-lying, near-surface sandstone-hosted zinc-lead deposits at its Earaheedy Zinc-Lead-Silver Project in Western Australia.

Earaheedy has an exploration target between 40 to 100 million tonnes at 3.5% to 4.5% zinc-lead.

( ) has entered a trading halt ahead of an exploration update and a response to an ASX price query.

The companys shares surged about 29% today, before entering the trading halt.

Unless ASX decides otherwise, Rumble shares will remain in trading halt until the earlier of the commencement of normal trading on Thursday, 8 April 2021 or when the announcement is released to the market.

Zinc-lead and gold-copper exploration

Last month, Rumble commenced a 2,500-metre reverse circulation drilling program at Earaheedy Zinc-Lead-Silver Project in Western Australia targeting large tonnage, flat-lying, near-surface sandstone-hosted zinc-lead deposits.

Rumbles zinc-lead exploration target at the Earaheedy Project is between 40 to 100 million tonnes at a grade ranging between 3.5% zinc-lead to 4.5% zinc-lead.

In February, Rumble welcomed strong assay results from the maiden drilling program completed by joint venture partner AIC Mines Ltd (ASX:A1M) (OTCMKTS:IAUFF) at Lamil Gold-Copper Project in Western Australias Paterson Province.

Results confirmed primary copper sulphide mineralisation with low-level gold and multi-element pathfinder anomalism.
Official plans are due to be lodged in April for more than 200 housing units on the site of the former Devoy Barracks in Naas.

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Peter Burke told the Dail on March 31 that the Land Development Agency (LDA) is proposing a three-year development at the location on the Newbridge Road.

The LDA, which established in September 2018, is a commercial state body with a unique mandate to accelerate the delivery of new homes throughout Ireland.

Mr Burke said: The LDA are expecting to lodge a planning application in April 2021 for a development on the 10.08 acre site at Devoy Barracks in Naas.

Subject to a successful grant of planning permission, it is envisaged that construction will commence in 2022, with an estimated development programme of approximately three years.

It is estimated that this site has the potential to provide 221 units.

As this site is currently at the pre-development stage, the exact delivery potential will only be finalised as final plans are put in place and planning permission is sought.

The LDA will have regard to Government policy, and all appropriate legislation, on the appropriate tenure mix for developments on public land as well as the criteria for the operation of cost rental and affordable housing schemes.

Raising the issue, Sinn Fein TD Eoin O Broin had asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage about the status of the Land Development Agency development on the Devoy Barracks site, the number of units proposed, the tenure mix, the development partners and the timeline for planning, commencement and completion.

When public health restrictions allow, the LDA said it will open offices in Cork and Limerick this year, with more bases outside Dublin planned in the near future.

In Cork, the LDA has submitted plans to build 260 new homes on the site of St Kevins Hospital while in Limerick, it is planning a redevelopment of a 50-hectare site around Colbert Station for with a mix of residential, educational, health, community, and recreational uses.


Intel today launched the third generation of its Xeon Scalable server-processor line with more than three dozen new chips built on its long-overdue 10-nanometer manufacturing process and featuring a host of specialized features for security and AI.

The new chips were developed under the codename Ice Lake and were long in coming, due to the delays Intel had getting its manufacturing process down to 10nm. AMD, through its TSMC manufacturing partner, is at 7nm and its Epyc processors are slowly but increasingly taking market share from Intel.

Intel says the Ice Lake series has a 20% improvement in the number of instructions that can be carried out per clock cycle over the prior generation, thanks to the smaller process node letting them cram more transistors into the package.

One measure is that the new top-of-line Xeon Platinum 8380 has 40 cores with 80 threads at a base frequency of 2.3Ghz. The prior top of the line had 28 cores/56 threads. Intel says customers should expect an average 46% performance improvement in popular data-center workloads when compared with its previous-generation server CPUs. Compared with a five-year-old server, Ice Lake-based machines will perform 2.65 times faster, Intel says.

The platform supports up to 6TB of system memory per socket, up to eight channels of DDR4-3200 memory per socket and up to 64 lanes of PCIe Gen4 per socket.

40 chips for three markets

All told, Intel is releasing 40 different chips for three different markets. For cloud providers, the new Xeons are engineered and optimized for the requirements of cloud workloads and support a wide range of service environments.

For networks, Intels network-optimized N-SKUs are designed to support network environments and optimized for multiple workloads and performance levels. Intel claims this generation of Xeon Scalable processors delivers on average 62% more performance on a range of broadly deployed network and 5G workloads over the prior generation of processors.

For the intelligent edge, the new processors deliver the performance, security and operational controls required for AI, complex image or video analytics, and consolidated workloads. The platform delivers up to 1.56 times more AI inference performance for image classification than the prior generations.

Intel is also high on security, something AMD Epyc has had from its first generation. In an online briefing with the press, Navin Shenoy, executive vice president and general manager of the Data Platforms Group at Intel, talked up the Xeons new Software Guard Extension (SGX), which allows the CPU to turn parts of a servers memory into secure enclaves storing sensitive data such as encryption keys. Data in secure enclaves is inaccessible to other applications running on the same server, even if they otherwise have full administrator-level access to the machine.

The new Xeon also has built-in crypto acceleration, fittingly called Intel Crypto Acceleration. It delivers performance improvements on major cryptographic algorithms such as AES, SHA, and GFNI to allow real-time encryption without affecting performance.

Though Ice Lake officially launched today, Intel has already sold more than 200,000 units to early customers. OEMs such as Cisco, HP Enterprise, Dell, and Lenovo were the first out of the gate to announce support for the new Xeon Scalable, and no doubt many more will as well.
Prosecutor General of Ukraine Iryna Venediktova says that criminal cases investigating attacks on activist Serhiy Sternenko will be under her personal control, and everything will be done to bring those who attempted Sternenko to justice.

"For me, the case on Sternenko is very important, because the trajectory of this criminal proceeding is two-sided: Sternenko himself was in the status of a suspect, and later received a court verdict, but what does the investigation think about those who committed a crime against Sternenko himself? Now I will personally control the proceedings to investigate the encroachments on Sternenko. We will see how much we can speed up the process of finding contractors, organizers of the persecution, attempts on Sternenko," Venediktova told Interfax-Ukraine.

According to her, three criminal cases on the attempts on Sternenko's life were combined into one and transferred to the SBU for investigation.

"Now I receive reports every three days what is happening in this case [...] We, for our part, will do our best to understand and bring to court the indictment against the persons who acted against Sternenko," the prosecutor general said.
The latest news on COVID-19 developments in Canada (all times eastern):

People wear face masks as they wait to enter an attraction in the Old Port in Montreal, Sunday, April 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

The latest news on COVID-19 developments in Canada (all times eastern):

7:45 p.m.

An Alberta energy company says three positives cases of the Brazilian COVID-19 variant have been linked to its employees.

PTW Energy Services says in a statement that the infections were detected in its offices in Drayton Valley, Edson and Hinton.

It says it is working closely with health officials to monitor the situation.

Chief medical health officer Dr. Deena Hinshaw has said its believed an outbreak of about 26 cases linked to the variant started with a traveller returning to Alberta from out of province.

7:10 p.m.

Health officials in B.C. are reporting 999 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday and 890 cases on Monday, for a total of 1,889 new cases over the past two days.

The province says 23 people have died from complications linked to the virus since last Thursday.

There are 8,490 active cases in the province, of which 318 people are in hospital, with 96 in intensive care.

B.C. also reported 916 new confirmed cases that are variants of concern, for a total of 3,559 cases that have been confirmed to date, including 2,771 of the variant first identified in the United Kingdom and 737 of the strain originally detected in Brazil.

6:20 p.m.

Health officials in the Northwest Territories say one person was infected with COVID-19 recently due to international travel.

The Office of the Chief Public Health Officer says the person is from Yellowknife.

The territory says contact tracing has not identified any risk to the public.

It says the person and three other contacts are self-isolating and doing well.

Health officials say the case will be counted in the territorys COVID-19 statistics Tuesday.

5:40 p.m.

Alberta has identified 887 new daily cases of COVID-19 and 432 more involving variants.

Nearly 40 per cent of active cases are now variants.

Chief medical health officer Dr. Deena Hinshaw says on Twitter that she's concerned about the rising number of cases, including variants, in recent days.

There are currently 4,145 active cases of variants in the province.

There are 312 people in hospital with COVID-19, including 76 in intensive care.

5:35 p.m.

Alberta's top doctor says an outbreak of the COVID-19 variant first found in Brazil appears to be linked to a large employer with multiple sites across Western Canada.

Chief medical health officer Dr. Deena Hinshaw says on Twitter that it's believed it started with a traveller returning to Alberta from out of province.

She says the spread has been confined to three work sites in the central and north zones in which employees travelled between locations.

Some 26 cases have been linked to those sites and to household contacts.

Hinshaw says so far, three of those infections are confirmed to be the Brazilian variant, adding that's likely to increase as more results come in.

4:30 p.m.

Saskatchewan is reporting 219 new COVID-19 cases and one additional death.

The province's daily pandemic update says 86 new cases involving variants of concern have been identified.

The update also notes that a hotel and bar in a central Saskatchewan village has been issued a stiff fine for failing to follow COVID-19 restrictions.

It says the Milden Hotel and Bar was fined $14,000 for failure to comply with the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan.

3:50 p.m.

Ottawa's chief medical officer is asking the Ontario government to implement further restrictions, including a provincewide stay-at-home order.

Dr. Vera Etches says in a series of tweets that the province isn't dealing with the same virus from one year ago. The virus has changed, she says, and so must our behaviours.

She points to stricter lockdowns in other countries that have helped control transmission.

She writes on Twitter that vaccines are here, but communities need more time and more doses for vaccination efforts to have a real impact.

Etches also says her team is in the process of reviewing COVID-19 data to determine what approach the national capital should take with schools.

2:20 p.m.

Peel Region's top doctor says he has ordered all schools to be closed.

Dr. Lawrence Loh says he is ordering schools in the southern Ontario region, including Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga, to close starting tomorrow.

The schools will move to online learning only and will remain closed until April 18.

Loh says the closure will allow students and staff at least two weeks out of schools to break any chains of transmission and protect them from exposure.

1:35 p.m.

Manitoba is reporting 135 new COVID-19 cases and two deaths over the last two days.

The current five-day test positivity rate is 5.1 per cent provincially and 4.3 per cent in Winnipeg.

The province says some 7,200 vaccination appointments set for Monday to Thursday of next week will have to be rescheduled.

It says a delay in supplies of the Moderna vaccine will affect appointments at so-called "pop-up" sites.

The sites are temporary vaccination clinics set up in smaller communities across the province, including Steinbach, Portage la Prairie, Dauphin and Swan River.

1:05 p.m.

Newfoundland and Labrador is reporting no new COVID-19 cases today.

Health officials in the province havent reported a new infection since April 1.

The province has four active reported cases.

It has reported a total of 1,020 COVID-19 infections and four deaths linked to the virus.

12 p.m.

New Brunswick is reporting 10 new cases of COVID-19 today.

Health officials say seven cases in the Moncton region are under investigation.

They say three cases in the Edmundston area involve contacts of a previously reported infection.

New Brunswick has 168 active reported COVID-19 cases and 14 people in hospital with the disease, including eight in intensive care.

11:45 a.m.

Toronto Mayor John Tory says the city is working on a plan to vaccinate high-risk people at their places of work.

Tory said today the plan would involve mobile vaccination units that are already being used in some hard-hit neighbourhoods.

He says the federal and provincial governments should work together to improve the paid sick day program to help workers stay home and isolate.

The Ontario government has said it will not duplicate the paid sick leave program run by the federal government.

11 a.m.

Quebec is reporting 1,252 new cases of COVID-19 today and four more deaths attributed to the novel coronavirus, including one in the past 24 hours.

Health officials say hospitalizations rose by one, to 503, and 123 people were in intensive care, a drop of five.

The province says it administered 22,494 doses of vaccine Sunday, for a total of 1,552,215.

Quebec has reported a total of 317,364 COVID-19 infections and 10,697 deaths linked to the virus; it has 10,271 active reported infections.

10:45 a.m.

Nova Scotia is reporting three new cases of COVID-19 today in the Halifax area.

Health officials say one case is related to travel outside Atlantic Canada, one involves a contact of a previously reported infection, and one is under investigation.

Nova Scotia has 32 active reported infections.

The province says it had administered 113,471 doses of COVID-19 vaccine as of Sunday, with 29,532 people having received a booster shot.

10:40 a.m.

Ontario says it has had nearly 6,000 new COVID-19 cases over a two-day span.

The province is reporting 2,938 new cases of COVID-19 today and 3,041 cases for Sunday.

Data sharing was paused in Ontario on Sunday for the Easter holiday.

Ten deaths were linked to the virus on today's report and 12 on Sunday's update.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 5, 2021.
HOUSTON, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Ara Partners, a private equity firm specializing in industrial decarbonization investments, has hired Greg Zuboff as a Vice President and Abhiram Karuppur as an Associate.

"We are very happy to have Greg and Abhiram join the investment team," said Tuan Tran, a Managing Director of Ara Partners. "They both bring significant execution and analytical experience to the firm and further strengthen our hands-on approach to portfolio management."

"The additions of Greg and Abhiram help us to scale our investment activity as we evaluate a number of attractive opportunities," added Charles Cherington, a Managing Partner of Ara Partners. "Greg and Abhiram will also play key roles in overseeing several of our ten current portfolio companies."

Prior to joining Ara, Mr. Zuboff served as a Principal at WindSail Capital Group, a growth capital investor focused on companies advancing energy innovation and resource efficiency. Mr. Zuboff worked at WindSail for seven years, and was responsible for origination, structuring, due diligence, execution, and monitoring of investments. Prior to joining WindSail, he was an Analyst at Bank of New York Mellon and an Analyst at Photon Consulting, a boutique solar energy consulting firm. Mr. Zuboff holds a Bachelor of Science, summa cum laude, from Boston College's Carroll School of Management.

Prior to joining Ara, Mr. Karuppur was an Analyst at J.P. Morgan in the Investment Banking group, where he advised companies on M&A transactions, debt financings, PIPE structures, and overall strategic analysis. Mr. Karuppur holds a Bachelor of Science and Engineering, summa cum laude, in chemical and biological engineering from Princeton University where he also earned certificates in both Finance and Materials Science and Engineering.

About Ara Partners

Ara Partners is a private equity firm specializing in industrial decarbonization investments. Ara Partners invests in the industrial & manufacturing, chemicals & materials, energy efficiency & green fuels and food & agriculture sectors, seeking to build businesses that are focused on sustainability and ESG principles. For more information on Ara Partners, please visit www.AraPartners.com.

Media Contact

Mark Semer

Kekst CNC

(917) 439-3507

[email protected]



SOURCE Ara Partners

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Bochnia, Poland: European countries are scrambling to tamp down a surge in COVID-19 cases and ramp up vaccinations, hoping to spare hospitals from becoming overwhelmed by the pandemics latest deadly wave of infections.

The crush of coronavirus patients has been relentless for hospitals in Poland, where daily new infections hit records of over 35,000 on two recent days and the government ordered new restrictions to prevent large gatherings over the long Easter weekend. Frances health minister warned that the number of intensive care unit patients could match levels from a year ago.

A patient suffering from COVID-19 lays in a bed at a general ward that has been converted to a COVID ward at the hospital in Bochnia, Poland. Credit:AP

But in a sign of the disparities from one country to the next, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that barbers, gyms and outdoor bar and restaurant patios would be able to open next week after the country reported progress with vaccines and its recent lockdown. Meanwhile, the US vaccination campaign kept accelerating, with 40 per cent of the nations adult population receiving at least one dose.

On Sunday, coronavirus patients filled almost all of the 120 beds at the County Hospital of Bochnia, 40 kilometres east of the southern city of Krakow. One patient, 82-year-old Edward Szumanski, voiced concern that some people still refused to see the virus that has killed more than 2.8 million people worldwide as a threat. About 55,000 of those deaths have occurred in Poland.
Facebook is launching a new campaign in partnership with the WHO called 'Together Against Covid-19 Misinformation'

Check The Source: Scrutinise content, even if it appears science based

Check How It Makes You Feel: False news can manipulate feelings for clicks

Check The Context: Look to public health authorities to confirm content

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, Facebook has been working to connect people to accurate information and reduce misinformation on its platforms. Last month it announced the biggest worldwide campaign to promote authoritative information about Covid-19 vaccines - working to remove false vaccine claims, reduce distribution of inaccurate health information, and inform people about effective vaccine delivery.Across a number of African countries, Facebook is launching a new campaign in partnership with the WHO called Together Against Covid-19 Misinformation. The campaign will roll out to people in English and French across South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Nigeria, Senegal, Cote dIvoire and DRC, and will show up on Facebook through a series of graphics with tips on how to spot false news:Aida Ndiaye, public policy manager, commented Ensuring users are getting authoritative information about Covid-19 vaccines is just some of the vital work were doing here at Facebook. During the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond, well continue working with industry experts and people on our platforms to ensure were aggressively tackling misinformation, and giving people additional resources to scrutinize content they see online, helping them decide what to read, trust and share.As part of the campaign, Facebook will also be launching a dedicated website in English and French, which will include information on how were tackling misinformation on our platforms. It will give people more transparency around our Remove, Reduce and Inform strategy, outline our community standards, and share the steps were taking to combat false news around global events such as Covid-19, elections and climate change.For more, go to https://www.facebook.com/combating-misinfo
PHILADELPHIA, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Waypoint Orthopedics, Inc. today announced that its Board of Directors appointed Jeffrey F. O'Donnell, Jr. as President effective April 2, 2021.

Mr. O'Donnell joined Waypoint in January of 2021, serving as VP of Business Development and Marketing. In that role, Mr. O'Donnell has led the Company's early product development, regulatory, and business development efforts.

Jeffrey F. O'Donnell, Jr. - President, Waypoint Orthopedics.

Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder of Waypoint, Dr. Stephen P. Banco, M.D., said, "The Waypoint Orthopedics Board believes Jeff is the obvious choice, and we are thrilled to have him as our President. Jeff has been the driving force behind the company's operations and has essentially been functioning as the President since joining the company in January. We are confident that Jeff's insight and enthusiasm will be instrumental in bringing our product to fruition."

"I am honored and excited for the opportunity to continue to lead Waypoint with Dr. Banco and our extremely talented team. Waypoint's mission is to make vertebral fixation safer for the patient, the physician, the rep, and operating room personnel," said O'Donnell.

Prior to Waypoint, Mr. O'Donnell has been a healthcare entrepreneur operating in the emerging growth space within orthopedics, digital health, and cardiology. Earlier in his career, Mr. O'Donnell spent six years with Trice Medical in several different leadership roles. He started his healthcare career with MedImmune, Inc. He holds a B.A. from Saint Joseph's University.

About Waypoint Orthopedics:

Waypoint Orthopedics, Inc. was founded in 2020 to make vertebral fixation safer and more efficient for the patient, surgeon, and support staff. Waypoint Orthopedics' controlling stockholder is Runway Healthcare, LP - a MedTech accelerator fund.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" concerning the development of Waypoint Orthopedics products, the potential benefits and attributes of those products, and the company's expectations regarding its prospects. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual future events or results to differ materially from such statements. These statements are made as of the date of this press release. Actual results may vary. Waypoint Orthopedics undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements for any reason.

Inquires: [email protected]

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Jeffrey F. O'Donnell, Jr.

Jeffrey F. O'Donnell, Jr. - President, Waypoint Orthopedics.

SOURCE Waypoint Orthopedics
MARIETTA, Ga. (AP)  A sheriffs deputy was stabbed to death with his own knife by an inmate at a Georgia jail early Tuesday, authorities said. Another law officer was injured, but later released from a hospital.

Deputy Christopher Knight, 30, was stabbed in the neck and died shortly before dawn Tuesday after being taken to a hospital following the stabbing in Macon, Georgia, Bibb County Coroner Leon Jones said.

The attack happened early Tuesday morning after the inmate, Albert Booze, made comments that he wished to harm himself, Georgia Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Todd Crosby said. The deputies were attacked as they moved him to be placed on a suicide watch, Crosby said.

These are sometimes dangerous people that we deal with, and theyre sometimes unpredictable and tragic things can happen, Bibb County Sheriff David Davis said at a Tuesday news conference. These deputies come to work every day knowing that they have a duty to perform and that there are dangers inherent in what they do and our hearts go out to them.

Knight had just turned 30 on Sunday, and had been with the sheriffs office since 2018, Davis said. He leaves behind a 2-year-old child, the sheriff said.

Booze, 22, of Macon, had been held in the Bibb County Law Enforcement Center since November on charges of criminal damage to property, criminal trespassing and giving a false name to law officers. He had just been moved to a new cell on Monday because of a disciplinary issue, Crosby said.

The GBI has opened a criminal investigation, and the sheriffs department will investigate policy issues.

One part of the sheriffs investigation will explore how the inmate obtained the knife. Davis said deputies can carry knives because they sometimes need to cut materials such as bedsheets to rescue inmates who attempt suicides.

By JEFF MARTIN

Associated Press
COLUMBIA  A Columbia attorney is the latest person to jump into a growing City Council race.

Tyler Bailey announced April 5 that he will run for the Columbia City Council at-large seat being vacated by longtime council member Tameika Isaac Devine.

Devine is running for mayor following Mayor Steve Benjamin's announcement in February that he will step down at the end of the year.

Environmental lobbyist and former educator Deitra Mathews, IT project manager and business owner Heather Bauer and public health researcher Aditi Bussells have also launched campaigns for the at-large seat. Candidate filing won't officially open until August.

In announcing his campaign, Bailey referenced his home neighborhood of Elmwood Park and vowed to help businesses recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"In the last 10 years, Columbia has seen a lot of growth," Bailey said in his campaign video. "But unfortunately, some of our neighborhoods are being left behind. Grocery stores are disappearing. It's difficult to find affordable housing, and Columbia should be a place where everybody can live and raise a family regardless of what side of town you live on."

Bailey, 32, is an attorney in his own law firm, practicing personal injury, workers' compensation, family and civil law, according to his website.

He serves on the board of Compass Community Development Corp., an organization focused on community educational and economic opportunities, and on the board of The Talented Tenth, an organization supporting young professionals in the Black community, according to his firm's site.

The campaign season essentially kicked off when Sam Davis announced he would step down from his longtime seat representing North Columbia and District 1 on the council.

Benjamin announced in February he wouldn't seek a fourth term, and council members Devine and Daniel Rickenmann, along with former Benjamin aide Sam Johnson, declared their intent to run for mayor. Devine and Johnson have formally kicked off their campaigns, while Rickenmann has said his effort will begin in earnest later in the spring.

Attorney Tina Herbert, a former city business office leader, will run for Davis' seat. Former state Commerce secretary and developer Joe Taylor said he is considering a run for Rickenmann's District 4 seat representing neighborhoods east of downtown.
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Police Chief Annette Mecklenburg has announced two upcoming virtual town halls on proposed departmental policy reforms.

Both 90-minute online sessions will run from 7 to 9:30 p.m., with the first to be held on Tuesday (April 13). Those policy drafts, dealing with Recruitment and Selection as well as Vehicle Pursuits, are available for review on the Cleveland Heights Police Department website.

On April 27, the focus will be on bias-free policing, duty to intervene and use of force draft policies, with all of the work done in conjunction with Cleveland State Universitys Division of Equity and Inclusion and its Diversity Institute.

In her City Council update Monday (April 5), Mecklenburg added that the CSU Diversity Institute has also been reviewing updated data on traffic stops made by Cleveland Heights police.

That work was supposed to be done by the end of March. However, due to an unforeseen emergency, the completion date was tentatively pushed back a little over a week, to Friday (April 9).

Although the local policy reforms began before City Councils formation of the Racial Justice Task Force in November, Councilwoman Davida Russell asked if the new policies would be referred to that 25-member oversight body.

I want the task force to be involved fully, Russell said. One of the main reasons we put the RJTF together was to see how they can work with police to remove the racial divide.

The problem there is that council still has at least 19 members to appoint to the task force. Six members were selected in January.

Resident Garry Kanter has sued council over the fact that it has been holding executive sessions to discuss appointments among the remaining 70 applicants for a post that doesnt pay anything. That lawsuit was still active in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court as of Monday, when council did name Rhonda Davis-Lovejoy as RJTF chair and Mario Clopton-Zymler as vice chair.

Mecklenburg said she would like to have some policies in place as soon as possible in order to provide her officers with some guidance.

The duty to intervene and the use of force policy is something we didnt want to postpone, Mecklenburg said, noting that the proposed changes could always be revisited.

Back in July, Mecklenburg told the Heights Youth Coalition that while duty to intervene was not yet spelled out in departmental policy, it will be made inherently clear in the revisions that officers have a duty to protect a persons civil rights.

You can register for the Zoom Town Hall meetings at https://bit.ly/3tSit40. All community members are invited to submit comments and questions on these draft policies (Recruitment and Hiring and Vehicle Pursuit) by noon on April 9.

All-inclusive playground

In other business on Monday (April 5), council authorized a $187,056 contract with Snider Recreation Inc. of North Royalton to design and install a new all-inclusive playground at Forest Hill Park.

If all goes as planned, City Manager Susanna Niermann ONeil said the playground could be completed by Memorial Day or the beginning of June. Of the total cost, $50,000 is coming through a Cuyahoga County Community Development Supplemental Grant.

To see an inclusive park for all children is a really good thing, said Russell, who drives a school bus for developmentally disabled students during the day.

Councilwoman Mary Dunbar added that the playground at Fairfax Elementary School has some inclusive equipment that is very much appreciated in the community.

The new Forest Hill equipment itself will cost around $129,000 and close to $38,000 for installation. The playground will also include 8,000 square feet of engineered wood fiber play surfacing at a 12-inch compacted depth, costing around $13,000.

Read more from the Sun Press.
Inc. Magazine drops Dave Ramseys company from Best Workplaces list amid lawsuit

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Editorial leaders at the New York City-based Inc. Magazine have axed evangelical financial guru Dave Ramseys Ramsey Solutions from its 2020 Best Workplaces list after the company revealed in court documents connected to an ongoing lawsuit that a pregnant employee was fired for having premarital sex.

Ramsey Solutions was named a 2020 Inc. Best Workplaces honoree, having met objective criteria through an application and employee survey process. Ramsey has the right to manage its business in accordance with its values, and the court system will determine the merits of the lawsuit, Inc. stated in an update.

Upon learning about the company's righteous living policy and how it is applied, we believe that it is incompatible with our standards of organizational excellence and have made the editorial decision to remove the company from our 2020 Best Workplaces list.

In a recent motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by former administrative assistant Caitlin O'Connor, lawyers for the company said the employee was terminated last June because she isnt legally married to the father of her child.

The Company Conduct provision in the companys handbook states: The image of Ramsey Solutions is held out to be Christian. Should a team member engage in behavior not consistent with traditional Judeo-Christian values or teaching, it would damage the image and the value of our good will and our brand. If this should occur, the team member would be subject to review, probation, or termination.

The company's code of conduct also incorporates a righteous living policy, which prohibits premarital sex.

Ramsey Solutions lawyers argue that at least 12 other employees have been disciplined for having sex before marriage in recent years. The others were either terminated or resigned before they could be fired, court documents show.

OConnor alleged in her lawsuit filed in July 2020 that just days after she informed the companys head of human resources, Armand Lopez, that she was 12 weeks pregnant and wanted to submit paperwork for maternity leave and other legally protected accommodations, she was fired for violating Ramsey Solutions Company Conduct policy.

The company said at least two employees were fired for having extramarital sex. Additionally, every employee who engaged in premarital sex was also terminated.

Since the companys response to OConnors lawsuit was made public, Ramsey Solutions has faced criticism.

"I thought it was terrible, both from a leadership and empathy standpoint," Tom Gimbel, founder and CEO of Chicago-based staffing company LaSalle Network, which has ranked 12 times on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing U.S. private companies, told Inc. "The whole concept of being able to track if somebody is or is not having sex is absolutely crazy."

He further argued that a company that prohibits employees from having premarital sex could seem hypocritical if it doesn't apply that same standard to its customers or its leadership.

In a Q&A posted on his companys website, Ramsey makes it very clear that he is serious about the companys moral code of conduct and takes a zero-tolerance approach to sins like extramarital affairs.

We have a moral code of conduct at our office. I fire people if they have extramarital affairs. The hilarious thing is I put that on Twitter and people go, Wont you get sued for that? Uh, no, youre allowed to discriminate against infidelity, he wrote. Ive got a right to tell my employees whatever I want to tell them. They freaking work for me. This is an employment-at-will state, which means if I decide I dont like people with green eyes, I dont have to hire you. I dont have to keep you anymore.
Everyone 16 and older is now eligible for the coronavirus vaccine in Alabama.

We spoke with Huntsville City Schools parents about why they want their teenagers to get the vaccine.

One parent, Cynthia Headrick, said Monday that she was already able to get her 16-year-old son a vaccine appointment for this week.

Headrick wants him to get the vaccine because she believes in the science. Her son, Wesley, wants to mainly get it to be a responsible citizen in the community and show other people it's okay to get the vaccine.

Headrick was able to get her son an appointment right after midnight when the eligibility was expanded.

"I started seeing things online that suggested go ahead and get first in line because the spots would fill up quickly, so that's what I did and then I found that it was available at the CVS pharmacy," said Cynthia Headrick.

Headrick was able to get her son a vaccine appointment at the CVS pharmacy in Providence. Another parent is struggling to find a vaccine appointment for her daughter.

Mariah Beachboard said she's really encouraging her 17-year-old daughter, Gina, to get the coronavirus vaccine, but she hasn't been able to find an available appointment.

Sixteen and 17-year-olds have less vaccine options, because they are only approved to get the Pfizer vaccine.

Beachboard said she's checked CVS, Walmart, Walgreens and the health department, but has had no luck finding a vaccine appointment. She said she was able to get her daughter on a waitlist, though.

"We're really looking forward to her getting the vaccine so that we're all more comfortable with her going back to school in the fall in person," said Beachboard.

Beachboard hopes that her daughter will be able to get the vaccine before the start of the next school year, but the sooner she can get it, the better.
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TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) - Tupelo High School is preparing the next generation of broadcast journalists.

The schools broadcasting class and WTHS, a student-produced news program, is helping students gain the skills needed before they can start reporting professionally.

THS students Riley Miller (left) and Aaliyah Cooper receiving hands-on expereince.

THS student Lucy Johnston behind the anchor desk. THS student Lucy Johnston behind the anchor desk.

THS students Riley Miller (sitting) and Ava Lacey. THS students Riley Miller (sitting) and Ava Lacey. THS students Riley Miller (left) and Aaliyah Cooper receiving hands-on expereince.

Teacher, and former WTVA anchor, Katrina Berry-Ivy said students report, shoot, edit and produce weekly stories about events on campus and in the community.

Ivy said students have won several regional competitions for their work.

"I think its giving them such a success edge towards becoming a journalist," she said. "Theyre getting incredible experience in high school before they go work for a college and eventually a station.

To be a part of WTHS, students must audition and write an essay on why they want to join.

Tupelo High School students can audition in December.
ATLANTA, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicken Salad Chick, the nation's only Southern inspired , fast casual chicken salad restaurant concept, announced today the opening of its newest restaurant in Ocala, Florida. Following the brand's debut in South Florida and expansion in St. Petersburg earlier this quarter, the Ocala restaurant marks Chicken Salad Chick's 28th location in the state. Located at 4720 SW College Road, Chicken Salad Chick Ocala will celebrate its grand opening on April 20 and will offer free chicken salad for a year to the first 100 guests. Those awarded will be properly distanced and will receive a designated return time upon arrival to spread out the number of guests at the restaurant throughout the day.

Chicken Salad Chick is closely following Florida's state and local guidelines for COVID-19 procedures and will open the Ocala restaurant with social distancing measures in place. All employees will be wearing masks, as well as practicing proper handwashing and food safety protocol, and all guests will be encouraged to wear masks until seated for dining. The Ocala restaurant will feature a drive-thru and patio seating for added convenience.

During grand opening week, guests will experience the Southern hospitality that Chicken Salad Chick is known for, with giveaways and specials that include:

Tuesday, April 20  Free Chicken Salad for a Year  The first 100 guests will receive one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per month for an entire year, with one of those lucky guests randomly selected to win one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per week.* Guests can arrive starting at 7am for grand opening day only.

  The first 100 guests will receive one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per month for an entire year, with one of those lucky guests randomly selected to win one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per week.* Guests can arrive starting at for grand opening day only. Wednesday, April 21  The first 100 guests to purchase a Chick Special will receive a free scoop of Classic Carol.**

 The first 100 guests to purchase a Chick Special will receive a free scoop of Classic Carol.** Thursday, April 22  The first 50 guests to purchase a Chick Trio will receive a free Chick tumbler.**

 The first 50 guests to purchase a Chick Trio will receive a free Chick tumbler.** Friday, April 23  The first 100 guests to purchase a Chick Special will receive a free tall Chick koozie.**

 The first 100 guests to purchase a Chick Special will receive a free tall Chick koozie.** Saturday, April 24  The first 50 guests to purchase a Large Quick Chick will receive a free Chick pen.**

The Ocala restaurant is owned and operated by multi-unit franchise owners Lisa and Bryan Osborn of Jabs CSC, LLC. Lisa Osborn was first introduced to Chicken Salad Chick by her brother and restaurant industry veteran, Buck Harris, who opened his first Chicken Salad Chick restaurant in Ormond Beach in 2015. As a registered nurse, Osborn was immediately drawn to the brand's culture of serving others and jumped at the opportunity to finally operate her own business. In 2016, Osborn opened her first Chicken Salad Chick restaurant in The Villages, alongside her husband Bryan, and after years of support and encouragement from their community, they decided to open their second location in Ocala.

"Our love for Chicken Salad Chick has grown tremendously over the past five years and we've enjoyed every interaction we've had with our loyal guests," said Lisa Osborn. "The decision to open a second location came naturally and choosing Ocala was not a coincidence. Not only did we want the opportunity to serve our hometown made-fresh daily chicken salad, we also wanted to be part of the immense growth and development that the Ocala community is currently experiencing. We can't wait to introduce residents to the friendly service and flavorful menu items Chicken Salad Chick is known for."

Chicken Salad Chick in Ocala will be open Monday  Saturday from 10:30a.m. to 8:30p.m. For more information, visit http://www.chickensaladchick.com . Follow Chicken Salad Chick on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram for the latest news and trends.

*Guests should arrive between 7-10am to get checked in, while maintaining social distancing. The first 100 guests will be assigned a number and designated return time between 9:45-11:15am. Upon return, guests will make a purchase of "The Chick" or anything of greater value and enter a code on the CravingCredits app to officially secure your spot. If you are late, or miss return time, your spot will be awarded to next in-line. Guests must be 16 years or older, redemption begins 4/26/21.

**Dine in or take out only.

For more information on giveaways and specials, visit https://www.facebook.com/ChickenSaladChickOcalaFL/

About Chicken Salad Chick

Chicken Salad Chick serves full-flavored, Southern-style chicken salad made from scratch and served from the heart. With more than a dozen original chicken salad flavors as well as fresh side salads, gourmet soups, signature sandwiches and delicious desserts, Chicken Salad Chick's robust menu is a perfect fit for any guest. Founded in Auburn, Alabama by Stacy and Kevin Brown, in 2008, Chicken Salad Chick has grown to more than 185 restaurants in 17 states. Today, under the leadership of Scott Deviney and the Chicken Salad Chick team, the brand is continuing its rapid expansion with both franchise and company locations. Chicken Salad Chick has received numerous accolades including rankings in Franchise Times' Fast & Serious for the second consecutive year, Fast Casual.com 's top Movers and Shakers from 2018 to 2020, QSR's Best Franchise Deals in 2019 and 2020, and Franchise Business Review's Top Food Franchises in 2020. See www.chickensaladchick.com for additional information.

Contact:

Ashley Bennett

Fish Consulting

954-893-9150

[email protected]

SOURCE Chicken Salad Chick

Related Links

http://www.chickensaladchick.com


Nebras Power is announcing its entry into the Ukrainian electricity market with the acquisition of six solar projects and a partnership agreement with UDP Renewables, Nebras Power reported on Twitter.

According to a report on the website of the president of Ukraine, UDP Renewables investment and development company and the Qatari state-owned company Nebras Power have signed an agreement to invest in "green" generation facilities, the construction of which is scheduled for 2021-2022.

According to the agreements reached, Nebras Power becomes the owner of a controlling stake in a number of solar power plant operators.

The signing of the agreement will contribute to deepening cooperation between Ukraine and the State of Qatar in the field of foreign investment and the development of renewable energy sources, an innovative economy and environmental protection, the President's Office noted.

As reported, at the end of January, the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMCU) authorized Nebras Power Investment Management B.V. (the Netherlands), a member of the Qatar group Nebras, to receive 50% or more in six companies operating solar and wind power plants of businessman Vasyl Khmelnytsky and his partners.

According to the committee, the matter concerns 50% in Volyn West Wind-1 LLC and Volyn West Wind-2 LLC, as well as more than 50% in Free Energy Henichesk LLC, Scythia-Solar-1 LLC, Scythia-Solar-2 LLC and Port Solar LLC.
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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has nabbed Sodiq Adams, 19, for allegedly raping a woman to death.

Mr Adams allegedly raped Aishat Sanni on Friday at a farm in Esie in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

According to the spokesperson of the NSCDC in Kwara, Babawale Afolabi, two others were arrested alongside Mr Adams over the incident.

He named them as Rasaq Rasheed, 16; Lukman Quadri, 15; and Billiaminu Qayum, 16.

Mr Afolabi said the suspects claimed that they caught the deceased and another woman on a farm in the community stealing cashew nuts.

However, investigation revealed that Mr Adams, the leader of the gang, raped the victim, while the three others chased but could not catch the other woman.

He said while Mr Adams was trying to rape the woman, she bit him in the hand and inflicted injuries on him, while her neck beads broke and scattered at the scene of the crime.

Three out of the suspects namely; Rasaq Rasheed, Lukman Quadri and Biliaminu Qoyum, confirmed in their statements that the prime suspect, Sodiq Adams, arrested a Bororo woman for allegedly stealing cashew nuts but she later escaped.

Investigation revealed that Sodiq Adams convinced the other three suspects to run after the second Bororo woman, who ran away, so that he could have carnal knowledge of the one arrested.

In the process of trying to rape the deceased, he was bitten in the left arm and bruises were inflicted on his neck by the late Aishat.

Investigation further revealed that the other victim, who escaped, when asked about the whereabouts of the deceased, confirmed that she was captured by the prime suspect, Sodiq Adams.

The NSCDC said the case has been transferred to the homicide section of the Nigeria Police.

On getting to the scene of the crime with the prime suspect, some facts emerged. The place where the late Aishat Sanni was killed was full of her neck beads; and the clothes that Sodiq Adams wore were still with blood.

Mr Afolabi said the command would carry out the prosecution of the suspects as soon as possible.
Militant extremists have carried out one of the bloodiest attacks in the northern Mozambique town of Palma, deepening the humanitarian crisis in the southern African country and threatening its multibillion-dollar investments from a French oil company.

According to a report from British broadcaster Sky News, the attack left dozens of people killed, some were beheaded.

Several buildings, including one hospital, were vandalised and residents were forced to seek refuge in the bush.

The insurgents are locally known as al-Shababh, Arabic word for ''youth,'' and are linked to the Islamic State group, which began claiming responsibility for their attacks in 2019.

They're mostly unemployed young Muslim men from Cabo Delgado, the northernmost province on the country's long Indian Ocean coastline.

Despite rich natural resources, the province has been one of Mozambique's least developed, with low levels of education, health services, and nutrition.

Cabo Delgado governor Valige Tauabo was one of the first people to enter Palma after the town was cleared by soldiers and security forces.

He was visibly upset by the violence perpetrated by the militants.

Residents told Sky News the rebels were well armed and were shooting indiscriminately.

Many were forced to hide in the bush for days, eating raw vegetables and drinking rainwater.

The number of attacks since 2017 has risen to more than 838, and more than 500 of those have been in the past year, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project.

More than 2,600 people have been killed, including some foreign workers.

The humanitarian crisis has also dramatically increased, from 90,000 displaced at the start of 2020 to more than 670,000 now, according to U.N. organizations.

More than 900,000 people in the area need food aid, according to the World Food Program.

Rebel violence had caused a suspension of work by the French oil and gas firm Total in January.

In March, Total said security had improved enough to allow it to resume, but within a few hours, the rebels attacked Palma, and Total once again evacuated workers from the fortified construction site making it uncertain when the oil giant will resume its investment.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Hyundai OilBank Daesan plant / Courtesy of Hyundai Oilbank



By Kim Hyun-bin



Global carbon neutrality efforts on top of the COVID-19 pandemic have put global petroleum companies on the verge of shutdown, which some see as an opportunity for local companies to further enhance their global market share.



According to the Korea National Oil Corp.'s petroleum information website Petronet, exports of local petroleum products accounted for 295.4 million barrels, a drastic decline of 31 percent from the previous year. The pandemic has caused a global shutdown with less demand for transportation leading to reduced consumption of gasoline, diesel and aircraft fuel.



As low demand continued for a year, overseas petroleum companies are starting to close down their refineries. Also global carbon neutrality efforts have added to the burden and taken a toll on the companies' profitability.



According to global market research firm IHS Market, 11 petroleum plants including ones in the U.S. and Japan have decided to shut down their plants.



British Petroleum (BP) announced it was shutting down its Australia refinery last year, and just last month, Exxon Mobile announced the closing of its Australia refinery with plans to transform it into an import terminal. Ampol which produced 100 thousand barrels daily is under review to close its plants.



In addition, refineries located in the Philippines, New Zealand, South Africa are under review to close their refineries. Industry watchers believe more global petroleum companies will end up closing their businesses in the near future.



Local refiners  SK Innovation, GS Caltex, S-Oil, Hyundai Oilbank  were also hit hard with an accumulated deficit of 5 trillion won, which led them to initiate emergency management and postpone investments as cost-saving measures and to better endure the crisis.



Once the pandemic starts to ease, Korean refineries are likely to benefit greatly. Korean petroleum companies are known to have secured global competitiveness. SK Innovation, GS Caltex and S-Oil are ranked within the top five in the world. Hyundai Oilbank was even successful in turning a profit in the second and third quarters last year amid the pandemic.



In late 2011 through the first half of 2013, petroleum products took over the top place for local exports exceeding semiconductors.



"Even though petroleum product demand seems to be on a decline, it is inevitable to use as a main energy source for the next 10 to 20 years," a local petroleum official said. "The shutdown of global refineries will help local petroleum companies' global competitiveness. Although the government is aiming to find eco-friendly measures, it needs to continue its support and investment in the sector so local companies could maintain their competitive edge."


An Egyptian man has killed his three children and blinded their mother because he doubted he was the biological father of the children, Gulf News reports.

Cairo police arrested a man who killed his three children and his two wives at the place where he was keeping under lock his first wifethe mother of his two sons and a daughter.

According to the police investigation, the father and his two wives were found guilty of committing crimes when they confessed to strangling the three kids.

The investigation revealed that the crime was committed by the father because he suspected whether he was the actual father of these children.

A Cairo criminal court has decided to push back the hearing of this case until May 22.
[April 06, 2021]

Canada Invests Over $7.6 Million in Community-Led Clean Energy Projects in Nunavut

NUNAVUT, April 6, 2021 /CNW/ - The impacts of climate change are felt across the North, and Indigenous communities are taking action to secure a resilient and low-emissions energy future. The Government of Canada is investing in community-led clean energy projects with remote Indigenous communities that are transitioning away from diesel while advancing reconciliation and self-determination.

The Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, on behalf of the Honourable Seamus O'Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources, today announced over $7.6 million for three clean energy projects in Nunavut that will enhance understanding of energy use and support renewable energy technology in remote Arctic environments.

The three investments include:

$6.5 million for the Qikiqtaaluk Business Development Corporation's Sanikiluaq Renewable Energy Demonstration Project that will install a high-penetration wind turbine and battery system that is anticipated to generate 4,026,000 kWh of energy annually, displacing more than 50 percent of diesel fuel used to generate electricity in the community.

for the Qikiqtaaluk Business Development Corporation's Sanikiluaq Renewable Energy Demonstration Project that will install a high-penetration wind turbine and battery system that is anticipated to generate 4,026,000 kWh of energy annually, displacing more than 50 percent of diesel fuel used to generate electricity in the community. Over $750,000 for NRStor Inc. and the Hamlet of Arviat to conduct a front-end engineering design study for a hybrid wind, solar and energy storage system to develop a detailed plan covering everything from power-purchase agreements to environmental assessment and permitting to enhance the Nunavut community's ability to deliver renewable energy and reduce emissions.

for NRStor Inc. and the Hamlet of to conduct a front-end engineering design study for a hybrid wind, solar and energy storage system to develop a detailed plan covering everything from power-purchase agreements to environmental assessment and permitting to enhance the community's ability to deliver renewable energy and reduce emissions. $400,000 for the Government of Nunavut to develop a comprehensive Community Energy Plan with every community in Nunavut to serve as models for planning processes to be followed in the remaining communities.

As outlined in Canada's strengthened climate plan, A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy, ensuring Canada is a world leader in clean power is a top priority. The government is investing an additional $300 million over five years to give rural, remote and Indigenous communities currently reliant on diesel the opportunity to be powered by clean, reliable energy by 2030.

Quick Facts

All three projects were funded through Natural Resources Canada's Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities program, an eight-year, $220-million program to reduce reliance on diesel in rural and remote communities by deploying and demonstrating renewable energy projects, encouraging energy efficiency, and building local skills and capacity.

program to reduce reliance on diesel in rural and remote communities by deploying and demonstrating renewable energy projects, encouraging energy efficiency, and building local skills and capacity. It is also part of the Government of Canada's Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, a more than $180-billion investment over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade, and transportation routes and Canada's rural and northern communities.







"Indigenous people and communities are leaders in Canada's clean growth future. By working together with them, we're getting good projects off the ground  and great results."

Seamus O'Regan Jr.

Minister of Natural Resources

"The support we are providing for these clean energy projects demonstrates our commitment to working together in collaboration with Indigenous and territorial partners in Nunavut to tackle climate change, transition to clean energy and create greater economic opportunity in the territory. Each of these initiatives will help create a cleaner, healthier and more prosperous future for Nunavummiut and all Canadians."



Daniel Vandal

Minister of Northern Affairs

"The Sanikiluaq High Displacement Renewable Energy Demonstration project is guided by the principles of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, innovative technology solutions, and sustainable development. With a goal to offset more than 50 percent of the community's diesel fuel use for electricity, this Inuit-led solution will improve access to clean, reliable energy in Sanikiluaq. Qikiqtaaluk Business Development Corporation is pleased to receive this $6.5-million investment from Natural Resources Canada to advance Nunavut's clean energy transition and generate local environmental, social and economic benefits in collaboration with the Hamlet of Sanikiluaq."



Harry Flaherty

President and CEO of Qikiqtaaluk Business Development Corporation



"The Hamlet of Sanikiluaq is pleased to be working in collaboration with Qikiqtaaluk Business Development Corporation on the Sanikiluaq High Displacement Renewable Energy Demonstration Project. This project will boost local economic development and will enhance energy security for the Hamlet. We look forward to seeing the success of this innovative project, which will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our community."



Mayor Johnnie Cookie

Hamlet of Sanikiluaq



"The Hamlet of Arviat is playing an important leadership role in demonstrating to communities across Nunavut how clean energy can be used to unlock environmental as well as economic benefits. We are excited to lead the development of this project in partnership with the Hamlet of Arviat."

Annette Verschuren

CEO of NRStor Inc.

"Both the Government of Nunavut and the federal government recognize the importance of reducing the reliance on diesel fuel in Nunavut communities. The Department of Environment supports Nunavut communities in developing their own CEPs and setting specific goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by developing innovative local energy projects."

Hon. Joe Savikataaq

Premier of Nunavut

Associated links



Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities

Investing in Canada Plan

A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy

Qikiqtaaluk Business Development Corporation

Sanikiluaq High Displacement Renewable Energy

NRStor Inc

Arviat Clean Energy Microgrid FEED Study

Government of Nunavut

SOURCE Natural Resources Canada
Three state governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Monday, visited Zamfara State to sympathise with Governor Bello Matawalle over a fire disaster last month at the Tudun Wada Market in Gusau, the state capital.

The visit, during which the governors announced a donation of N50 million to the victims of the disaster, comes amidst continued speculations that Mr Matawalle plans to move from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.

His media aide, Yusuf Idris, said the governors visited as a delegation of the Progressives Governors Forum and were led by the forums chairman, Abubakar Bagudu, who is the governor of Kebbi State.

Mr Idris said other members of the delegation were Governor of Yobe, Mai-Mala Buni, who is the acting national chairman of the APC and head of its Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee; and Governor Muhammad Badaru of Jigawa State.

However, sources close to Mr Matawalle said his defection was not discussed at his meeting with the APC governors.

Though the sources also dismissed the speculation as idle gossip on social media, the Zamfara governor did not appear to want to quell it when he praised the APC delegation for visiting Zamfara when his own PDP colleagues have not.

The leader of the delegation, Mr Bagudu said it was in the state to commiserate with the government and people of the state, Mr Matawalles spokesperson said in his statement on the event.

The governors said because the sad incident at Tudun Wada Gusau Market affected the livelihood of the victims and business activities in the state, they found it necessary to show their concern and sympathy to the victims.

The team was also in Katsina State where a similar sad incident happened and prayed Allah SWT to recompense the victims with more wealth, Mr Idris said .

He said the APC governors commended the efforts of Governor Matawalle in ensuring the return of peace in the state and offered support and solidarity through a donation of N50 million to the victims, calling on the general public to be more careful in order to prevent a recurrence.

Responding, Mr Matawalle commended the three governors for travelling by road to express their brotherliness and love across party lines.

He particularly appreciated the gesture, which he noted his colleagues from the PDP have not done, assuring that it will be reciprocated.

The governor urged the delegation to extend our appreciation to our President Muhammadu Buhari, Mr Idris said.

Ganduje decries division in APC

In a related development in Kano, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje on Monday said the APC is yet to unite its members since the merger of parties that led to the formation of the party.

Mr Ganduje made the remark at a town hall meeting organised by the partys constitutional review committee for the northwest zone. Mr Ganduje hosted the meeting at Government House, Kano.

The APC was formed in 2013 through the merger of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). A faction of the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also joined the party ahead of the 2015 general elections..

According to Mr Ganduje, the party started as a mixture of the various political parties trying to make a compound of its own. However, eight years after, the APC is still a mixture, it has not graduated to the next level to become a compound.

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A mixture is something you can easily separate while a compound is difficult to separate, it remains the same and solid, Mr Ganduje said to illustrate his statement.

He said the party should seize the opportunity of the review of its constitution to proscribe the internal appendages that came together to form the party so as to form a united and solid APC.

He described the Northwest zone as a stronghold of the APC and the countrys most populous zone, saying it must be reckoned with by anyone who wants to become the president of Nigeria.

The party made mistakes and lost and gained some governors. It is time to look back and reassess the situation through the review of its constitution, Mr Ganduje said
[April 06, 2021] Goddard Systems, Inc. CEO Dennis R. Maple Appointed Chairman of the Board

Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI), the franchisor of The Goddard School, announced today that Chief Executive Officer Dennis R. Maple has been appointed to the additional position of Chairman of the Board. Maple has been a member of the GSI Board and Chief Executive Officer since September 3, 2019. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005990/en/ Dennis R. Maple appointed Chairman of the Goddard Systems Inc. Board of Directors (Photo: Business Wire) Goddard Systems, Inc. also announced that Joe Schumacher, who since his retirement as CEO in September 2019 has served as non-executive Chairman, has been named to the position of Chairman Emeritus. "During a time of unprecedented change in the early childhood education industry, Dennis has demonstrated a steadfast ability to lead the Goddard System forward," said Robert Strouse, President of Goddard's parent, Wind River (News - Alert) Holdings. "Combining the roles of Chairman and CEO will further enable Dennis to drive the efficient execution of our long-term strategic imperatives. Dennis' leadership style, his vision and passion for early childhood education, and his focus on culture and process excellence uniquely positions him to serve as GSI's new Chairman." Continued Strouse, "Wind River remains extremely grateful for Joe's leadership and dedication to the beloved Goddard System. Joe joined GSI in 2007 as Chief Operating Officer, was named Chief Executive Officer in 2009 and the Chairman in 2019. A firm believer in the importance of a strong succession strategy, Joe personally recruited and has actively supported Dennis in his leadership role at GSI. We sincerely thank Joe for his contributions to Goddard's record of success and for his continuing role as a GSI Board member."



"It is an honor to be appointed to the Chairman position and I thank Wind River for the confidence they have in me," said Maple. "I cannot thank Joe enough for his support and guidance as I transitioned into the CEO position and now as I take on the role of Chairman." These organizational changes take effect immediately.

Maple's 39-year career includes executive leadership and general management experiences with well-known companies such as First Student, Aramark Education, The Quaker Oats Company, PepsiCo, Inc., Kraft General Foods, Inc., and Coors Brewing Company. In January of this year, Maple was elected to the International Franchise Association's Board of Directors. Maple is also on the Descartes Systems Group (News - Alert) board of directors, where he serves as a member of the Compensation Committee and as chairman of the Nominating Committee For more information about The Goddard School, please visit GoddardSchool.com. ABOUT GODDARD SYSTEMS, INC.

Established in 1988, Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI), the franchisor of The Goddard School, is the acknowledged leader in the premium early childcare and education market segment. Headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, GSI has been consistently named one of the top childcare franchises in the United States by Entrepreneur magazine and one of the Top 200 Franchise Systems (in worldwide sales) by Franchise Times. GSI currently licenses more than 550 Goddard School franchises that serve more than 70,000 students in 38 states. For more information, visit goddardschoolfranchise.com. ABOUT THE GODDARD SCHOOL

Learning for fun. Learning for life. Children learn best through experience. The Goddard School uses current, academically endorsed methods to ensure that children have fun while learning the skills they need for long-term success in school and in life. The distinctive structure positions Schools to support the needs of families and helps ensure that children are known and appreciated for their individual talents and personalities. The Goddard School's F.L.EX. Learning Program (Fun Learning Experience) helps children explore and discover their interests in a safe, nurturing environment. And a team of acknowledged experts in various fields of early childhood education guides the course of study. Additionally, this program has earned AdvancED Corporation Accreditation and Middle States Corporate Accreditation for creating policies, programs and standards that help franchised locations meet high standards in early learning, child development and childcare. The Goddard School serves more than 70,000 students from six weeks to six years old in more than 550 Goddard Schools in 38 states. To learn more about The Goddard School, please visit GoddardSchool.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005990/en/

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New Delhi:

The Election Commission on Thursday rejected TTV Dhinakarans plea to defer hearing on AIADMKs two-leaves symbol case. The sidelined AIADMK leader had filed a plea to grant 15 days additional time to submit affidavits in the party symbol dispute case.

The poll panel informed that the hearing would take place on October 6 as scheduled.

AIADMK (merged EPS-OPS factions) leaders will submit affidavit regarding two-leaves symbol case to Election Commission on Friday.

The EC had set September 29 as the deadline for all parties concerned to submit documents ahead of the hearing.

The EC has rejected the request of TTV Dhinakaran for extension of time for submission of documents and hearing. Therefore, the hearing will be held on October 6 as scheduled, an EC official said here.

The two AIADMK factions have submitted around 10 lakh papers as part of affidavits to stake claim for the two leaves symbol and the title of the party.

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New York, April 6 : The global beef industry, particularly in the US and Brazil, can potentially reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by nearly 50 per cent with proper land management, improving production efficiency, suggests a research.

The findings showed that using carbon sequestration management strategies on grazed lands, including using organic soil amendments and restoring trees and perennial vegetation to areas of degraded forests, woodlands and riverbanks could reduce 46 per cent in net GHG emissions per unit of beef.

Additionally, using growth efficiency strategies to produce more beef per unit of GHG emitted, led to an overall 8 per cent reduction in net GHGs.

Net-zero emissions, however, were only achieved in 2 per cent of studies, revealed the study published in the journal Global Change Biology.

"Our analysis shows that we can improve the efficiency and sustainability of beef production, which would significantly reduce the industry's climate impact," according to lead author Daniela Cusack, Assistant Professor at CSU's Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability.

"But at the same time, we will never reach net-zero emissions without further innovation and strategies beyond land management and increased growth efficiency. There's a lot of room, globally, for improvement," Cusack said.

For the study, the team analysed 292 comparisons of "improved" versus "conventional" beef production systems across Asia, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Latin America and the US. The analysis revealed that Brazilian beef production holds the most potential for emissions reductions.

Improved management strategies for both carbon sequestration and production efficiency led to a 57 per cent GHG emission reduction in Brazil. Specific strategies include improved feed quality, better breed selections and enhanced fertiliser management.

"Our research shows the important role that ranchers can play in combating the global climate crisis, while ensuring their livelihoods and way of life," said Clare Kazanski, co-author and North America region scientist with The Nature Conservancy.
Even before the pandemic made telehealth a hot topic, people with minor urgent health needs had started to turn to companies that offer on-demand video chats with physicians that they don't normally see.

Insurers and employers even started buying access to this direct-to-consumer form of virtual care, hoping it might reduce in-person care, including emergency department visits.

But a new University of Michigan study casts some doubt on whether that will actually happen.

Published in the April issue of Health Affairs, the study finds that patients who had an on-demand virtual care visit for an upper respiratory infection in the three years before the pandemic began were slightly more likely to receive additional follow-up care than similar patients who had their first visit in person.

The study compared data from more than 28,700 virtual visits with data from more than 57,400 in-person visits for acute respiratory infections in 2016 through 2019. Those visits, and any follow-up care, were all covered by a large insurer. All the virtual visits were done through a direct-to-consumer telehealth company that the insurer had partnered with.

The authors say it's important to note that the vast majority of the patients did not require any further care for their infections, which included ear infections, bronchitis, laryngitis, sore throat and pneumonia.

But 10.3% of the patients first seen through a direct-to-consumer telehealth visit ended up having an in-person visit in the next week, compared with 5.9% of those who had their first visit in person. This includes second telemedicine visits or visits to clinics, urgent care centers and emergency rooms.

Less than 1% of all the patients in the study visited an emergency department after their initial visit, and the percentage was only slightly lower among people whose first visit was through a direct-to-consumer virtual provider compared with those who started with an in-person visit.

Kathleen Li, M.D., M.S., is the first author of the paper and an alumna of the IHPI Scholars program at the U-M Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, and conducted the study as part of the institute's telehealth research effort.

She notes that direct-to-consumer telehealth providers usually don't have access to patients' electronic health records, so they may not know the patient's full medical history or underlying conditions.

As an emergency physician at Michigan Medicine, Li notes that often patients will come to the ED after trying to reach their primary care physician and not being able to get an appointment quickly.

Li was a co-author on a recent National Poll on Healthy Aging report from IHPI that found that 1 in 8 older adults had gone to the ED after not being able to get a timely appointment with their regular provider.

"If an appointment with a patient's regular provider isn't available right away, or the patient isn't able to get to the clinic in person during standard business hours, on-demand virtual care does offer convenience," she says. "But things have changed so much with the pandemic, and more primary care providers are now offering telehealth visits with themselves or members of their teams. It remains to be seen how primary care-based telehealth models will affect downstream use and cost of care."

Senior author Chad Ellimoottil, M.D., M.Sc., who directs IHPI's Telehealth Research Incubator, says that while the insurance claims data in the study were available to the IHPI team, that may not be the case for most direct-to-consumer telehealth, especially if the patient pays directly rather than using insurance.

As more companies enter the marketplace of direct-to-consumer telehealth, it's going to be important to understand the outcomes for patients, and the broader implications for the health care system. Data transparency is essential. We need to be able to directly compare outcomes of patients seen by direct-to-consumer telehealth companies with in-person care and with telemedicine provided by the patient's own primary care provider." Chad Ellimoottil, M.D., M.Sc., Study Senior Author, Urologist, and Telehealth Researcher, Telehealth Research Incubator, IHPI

For employers that offer a direct-to-consumer telehealth option through their benefits package, Li says, the bottom line comes down to balancing how much the instant access may result in an increase in visits or additional follow-up care, against the benefit of less time spent away from work and a potential reduction in inappropriate emergency department visits.

"We need to optimize both the use of telehealth and of in-person emergency care," she says.
The University Libraries present annual awards for international students, teacher education majors or minors, and published student writers. Students apply or are nominated early in the winter term, and a committee for each award selects the winners. This year, each honor includes a $500 award. Join us in congratulating these outstanding students.

Jinyoung Lim: Rev. Theodore Koehler, S.M., International Student Award

Jinyoung Lim, a first-year student from South Korea, is excelling in his studies in accounting and pre-law. He earned a 3.95 GPA with a 20-hour course load his first semester. He works two jobs in order to pay his own tuition. In addition, he has participated in the Honors Student Welcome team and has performed in mock trial competitions. Jinyoung says he is determined to achieve his goals: I have a positive mindset. That means every time I face bad situations, instead of complaining or procrastinating, I rather try to work harder to be better.

Nancy Haskell, assistant professor of economics and finance, says Jinyoung has a keen ability to connect concepts across courses and disciplines.

I have never seen him without a number of big questions on his mind, Haskell says. He is truly passionate about the application of economics to improve lives around the world. In class, he listens to his peers and works with classmates to solve problems. Haskell says she sees Jinyoung as one of the most diligent and genuinely curious students I have worked with at the University.

Mary Morber: Dr. Nicoletta Hary Award

Mary Kate Morber is a sophomore majoring in adolescence to young adult education with a concentration in integrated language arts. She has an excellent GPA and is involved in many ways across the UD and greater Dayton communities. She tutors at the El Puente Educational Center in the Twin Towers neighborhood and serves as a spiritual director for the Marianist Leadership Scholars. Marianist characteristics strongly inform how Mary hopes to teach with an emphasis on teaching the whole person and promoting service, justice and change. Next year, she plans to enter UDs Urban Teacher Academy.

Mary is able to openly express her faith in profound and authentic ways and seeks opportunities to lead prayer and bring others into a deeper relationship with Christ, says LeeAnn Meyer, assistant director of Marianist strategies in the Office for Mission and Rector. Mary fosters inclusive community by exhibiting both joy and humility.  It is clear that Mary cares deeply about social justice issues, especially those related to disparities within educational policy and access.

Marie Pece: Brother Frank Ruhlman, S.M., Award of Excellence for Literary Achievement

Marie Pece, a junior English major from Ohio, receives this award for Be the Middleman, a piece of creative writing published in Orpheus, UDs art and literary magazine.

I am a member of the editorial board for Line by Line magazine, a board member for University of Dayton Studio Theatre and the director of the 2021 production of the UD Monologues, she says. These opportunities have given me the chance to help others and myself express our stories through writing, which I plan to do for the rest of my life.

Congratulations

The Library Awards Committees and the faculty and staff in the University Libraries congratulate the honorees and thank all the applicants for their inspiring submissions. For more information about the Library Awards, visit go.udayton.edu/libraryawards.
On Holy Saturday 1921, rifle shots rang out across the north Roscommon townland of Aughnafinnegan.

When the shooting subsided, my grand-uncle, Joe Molloy, just a 14-year-old boy, lay dead.

His death came at a time when the War of Independence had descended into a conflict of brutal reprisals and counter-reprisals.

Joe was a victim of cruel circumstances. Neither he nor any of his family were politically active and were not involved with Irelands struggle for independence.

However, the events that led up to his shooting did have a local dimension.

The execution of Paddy Moran, from nearby Crossna, in Mountjoy jail on March 14, was the catalyst to this tragedy.

Expand Close Joe Molloy's family pictured in the 1930s: (Back l-r) Annie-Jane Molloy; Mary Molloy; George Molloy; (seated l-r) Mary-Kate Molloy; Adam Molloy and Charlie Molloy / Facebook

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Whatsapp Joe Molloy's family pictured in the 1930s: (Back l-r) Annie-Jane Molloy; Mary Molloy; George Molloy; (seated l-r) Mary-Kate Molloy; Adam Molloy and Charlie Molloy

To avenge his death, the local IRA ambushed an RIC patrol near Keadue, resulting in two officers death.

The ambush and deaths enraged the Crown forces, who instigated intense patrols over a wide area locally.

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On March 26, Joe Molloy, his father George and three brothers, John James (18), Paddy (16) and George (10), were spreading farmyard manure in a field behind their home.

After their father had returned to the farmyard for another load of manure, the boys saw the soldiers approaching.

Expand Close The Molloy family home, Aughnafinigan / Facebook

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Confusion and debate surround what happened next.

Patricia Molloy, Joes niece, gives the following account: When the Molloy boys saw the soldiers lifting their guns as if to fire, they hit the ground.

Afterwards, when the youngest son, George, was asked what he did when he heard the shooting, he replied that he said an Act of Contrition.

John James saw a soldier taking aim to shoot at Joe. Paddy heard Joe calling out that he was hit. The firing continued for some time  estimates of seven to 18 minutes were given.

Expand Close King House, Boyle Co Roscommon, when it was still a military barracks. / Facebook

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Whatsapp King House, Boyle Co Roscommon, when it was still a military barracks.

George, the boys father, heard the shooting from the farmyard and went into the house for safety. He heard bullets strike the house. Shortly afterwards, two soldiers burst into the house, searched it and found nothing incriminating.

Other soldiers came to the house and told George to bring a stretcher to the field as a boy was shot.

George did so and found his son, Joe, wounded and almost dead  he was unable to speak.

The Roscommon Herald reported that when the boys parents came to the scene, their distracted cries of grief were pitiable.

Joe was taken by the military truck to Boyle Military Barracks, where the military doctor pronounced life was extinct and reported that he had been hit by three bullets, including a bullet lodged in his back.

According to reports, the Molloy family were allowed unrestricted admission to the remains in the barracks until the funeral left from there on Easter Monday at 6.30pm for the burial in the family plot at Killelan cemetery.

To this day, family members wonder why Joes remains were not brought home for a normal wake and funeral. They also question why the removal took place under the cloak of darkness.

Patricia Molloy says the answer may lie in the fact Ireland was a military state at the time and the military would have controlled the funeral arrangements.

It can be concluded that the military wanted to minimise the chance for any retaliation and having the funeral late in the evening without a Mass would reduce the chances of large gatherings, he said.

The Crown forces were obviously aware that the local population were not at all happy with the shooting of an innocent boy.

The investigation into the shooting was also carried out very much under the control of the Crown forces.

Instead of an inquest, a Military Court of Inquiry was held in Boyle Military Barracks (King House) on March 28-29.

In her research into the investigation, Patricia Molloy says the evidence given by Joes father George and brother Paddy was not entirely in their own words as it contains both English and military terminology they would not have used.

She also highlights that there is no record of a statement from John James, the eldest of the brothers who was present.





Disagreed

He said later that he disagreed with most of the written records of Joes shooting, she says.

We do not know whether he was asked to make a statement or whether he refused to sign one. But he emigrated to New Zealand shortly afterwards and never returned.

Seven soldiers also gave evidence on what happened that fateful day at the inquiry, Patricia said.

Some of them said they saw a number of men who ran away and hid behind some bushes. These same soldiers confirmed these unknown persons were not the Molloy boys.

A sergeant said he told the unknown persons to halt, but they didnt, so he ordered his troops to fire.

Family and locals believe there were no unknown persons there. It is believed that Joe Molloy was an innocent victim of the enraged Black and Tans, she says.
Epic sunsets. Breathtaking views of the Bay of Banderas. If a trip to a coastal paradise is on your bucket list, you've just lucked out.

Houstonians will soon be able to fly out of George Bush Intercontinental Airport to Puerto Vallarta nonstop thanks to Spirit Airlines.

Launching on July 1, Spirit Airlines will offer daily flights to one of the most popular beach destinations in Mexico, Puerto Vallarta, from Houston's George Bush Intercontinental (IAH), Dallas Fort-Worth International (DFW) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Look for the flights to be scheduled three days a week, including Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Beginning May 5, Spirit Airlines will also add nonstop service between LAX and Los Cabos, Mexico.

AFP Contributor/AFP via Getty Images

"Passengers are looking for destinations that offer the characteristics of Mexican beaches, such as Puerto Vallarta, and that are relatively close to their destination of origin," Spirit's collaborating partner, Grupo Aeropotuario del Pacifico CEO Raul Revuelta said in a release.

GET AWAY FROM IT ALL: Here are the countries now allowing U.S. travelers to visit

Here's a breakdown of the new service to Puerto Vallarta:

Houston (IAH): 3X weekly

Dallas, Fort Worth (DFW): 3X weekly

Los Angeles (LAX): Daily

Puerto Vallarta has become a highly sought-after beach destination for Houstonians amid the pandemic, according to River Oaks Travel Founder Dasha Westerfield.

Jumping Rocks/Universal Images Group via Getty

"Even during the pandemic, we've been sending a lot of Houston travelers to Puerto Vallarta," Westerfield told Chron. "If you go to Punta Mita, it's more remote and secluded, which is a better option for people who would like to social distance."

Whether it's taking a stroll along the cobblestone streets of Old Vallarta or indulging in the sun-soaked Playa Las Animas beach, Puerto Vallarta offers a peaceful spot to simply unwind away from the hustle and bustle of Houston.

"Our Houston travelers go to Puerto Vallarta to simply relax. Families can rent a villa there. Price-wise, it's pretty friendly for what you're paying," Westerfield added.
Although the shift to remote working and learning had already begun to happen, the global covid pandemic has really accelerated that move.



Necessity forced people to stay at home, and every part of life took a sudden lurch online, meaning technologies and other solutions to this home-based way of being have moved on apace.



As the world gets back to normal, it is predicted things will never go back to quite how they once were. Instead, the world will be facing a "new normal." People will welcome back the freedoms previously taken for granted while discarding some of the old ways of doing things that have been revealed to be outdated or impractical.



One of those "old ways" is seeing everyone traveling to the same building to carry out work or learning. Although some people will return to this way of life, others will embrace a mix of in-person and remote working. At the same time, others will take advantage of the new opportunities to do everything online, from wherever they are in the world.



There are many reasons to choose an online business analytics masters, from the flexibility offered by remote learning to the job prospects accessible through this type of qualification. While this style of education may not be for everyone, for many people, it is the perfect way to study and perhaps an opportunity they might not have been able to take up otherwise.



Why remote learning is taking off



Just a decade ago, only around eight percent of the Ghanaian population was connected to the internet; by 2019, that figure had risen to almost 40 percent. The simple truth is that a person's ability to get online is one of the main driving factors for the rise in remote learning, but this is just the platform allowing it to take off.



The invention of cloud-based technology is also having a positive effect. It allows universities to provide course content in a range of ways without the need for students to have a variety of software on their PCs or other devices. It also allows students to share their work and request support in a simple to use and secure way.



Video-calling technology is also a bonus, meaning students can get the same face-to-face support from course leaders as those attending on-campus degree courses.



Courses are becoming increasingly affordable, particularly compared to the cost of traditional degree courses, which means more people are able to access higher education than ever before. It also improves opportunities for those who are unable to travel or relocate to access the specific course they are looking for. If you wish to undertake a qualification, but the university is based across the country or even across the world, there is no longer a need to move to attend classes.



In addition to this, in sub-Saharan Africa specifically, campaigns to increase elementary and secondary school participation rates are creating more high school graduates than ever before, leading to an increase in people seeking higher education opportunities in general.



Difference between on-campus and remote learning



There really are more similarities than there are differences between online business analytics masters and those presented in the traditional way. Both courses are just as demanding; the content is generally the same whether accessed online or in-person, and the qualification at the end are both equally valid and recognized by employers.



There are, of course, some notable differences. The most obvious is where the learning actually takes place. Historically, if you wanted to enroll in any kind of degree program, you would need to relocate to the college or university which would be providing the degree course, as mentioned above.



With an online business analytics masters, providing you have the required qualifications to be accepted onto the course, you can study from wherever you are in the world  internet access permitting. Instead of lecture halls, classrooms, and meeting rooms, you will access your lecturers via video but with the addition of visual elements such as videos, infographics, and interactive sections to keep things interesting.



You can also expect to get involved in group discussions and projects with other people on the course via video-calling and group messaging.



This leads on to all the other communications you can have with your fellow course members and teaching professionals. While obviously there aren't the same social elements to an online business analytics masters, it doesn't mean you are completely on your own.



Students regularly "meet-up" online and keep in touch using the varied communication options now at everyone's fingertips. You will also receive one-to-ones with your professor and regular assessments to make sure you stay on track.



As well as picking up the usual textbooks and relevant physical texts or other learning resources, course materials may also include online texts, video content, and audio recordings.



Why choose online learning?



There are lots of benefits to choosing an online business analytics masters. In fact, for many, it's not a matter of simply choosing a preference - remote courses can mean the difference between being able to access a degree course and missing out altogether.



One of the biggest benefits is there is no need to relocate, which is out of the question for many people. For example, if you can't leave your job or your family, if relocating would be too costly, or if you simply don't want to move away from the place you call home, the fact you can complete your degree from wherever you are based is a huge plus for many people.



The flexibility that an online business analytics masters can offer means if you are someone who has other responsibilities such as being a parent to young children, working full-time, or caring for a loved one, the fact you can choose when your studying takes place is another big positive.



Not only does not having to move location save you money, and the ability to keep working the day job means you still have an income coming in, but an online course generally costs less than their on-campus counterparts. Therefore, a remote degree is a brilliant option for people with financial constraints that would otherwise mean they couldn't afford to do a masters.



In the quickly-evolving world of business, remote working is becoming an increasingly common requisite. Therefore, not only is your online degree worth the same as an in-person degree, but it also demonstrates to an employer that you are adept at remote working, are a self-motivated person, and can work effectively without constant supervision. These are all going to be much sought-after qualities in future businesses.



What's more, the chances of meeting a more diverse bunch of fellow-students are greater in an online business analytics masters. There are likely to be a broader range of ages, from those fresh from completing their undergraduate degree to mature students updating their skills or working on a career change. There's a good chance there will be people from a wider scope of places too, as remote learning may see people from all over the world sharing your course with you.



Why the online business analytics masters?



If you are going to put your time and money into something, it is wise to choose an option that will result in a pay raise and give you good job security. If you are still considering which path to choose, you might consider something which can be accessed no matter what field of work you are currently in, such as the online business analytics masters.



There are all sorts of industries you can enter by taking this route, such as cybersecurity, market research, or data science. Thanks to the modern phenomenon of collecting big data, practically every industry now uses at least one form of business analytics. The good news is, you can apply for a place on this course from any previous background.



Setting up a home classroom



The most obvious piece of kit you will need to get set up for online study is a computer of some sort. That could be a PC, a laptop, or even a tablet. In addition to this, to access the course itself, you're going to need a decent internet connection too.



If your computer doesn't have it built-in already, you will need a microphone and webcam to help with interacting with seminars and communicating with your professor and your peers.



As well as the tech side of things, a quiet and comfortable area for you to study in is also helpful. If you don't have somewhere you can watch lectures and complete assignments in peace; you will find completing the course an uphill struggle.



If you can get yourself a desk and appropriate office chair, it will help avoid discomfort disturbing you from your work and help prevent poor sitting positions from causing back and neck pain.



A bookshelf or some other form of storage will help you keep all your study materials together and make it easier to find what you're looking for, so if you do have the space to squeeze one in somewhere, it's a good idea.



Time management tips



As mentioned above, you are far from on your own if you did decide to take an online master's degree. However, the distance does mean you do perhaps need a little extra motivation and self-discipline than students on campus.



It doesn't have to be daunting, though, and being organized in your work and sticking to a schedule will make sure you don't leave everything to the last minute and start falling behind.



Here are five top time management tips you might find useful as a remote student, which will also transfer to the workplace when you land your dream job.



1. Lists are your friend: Each week, have a clear list of everything that needs doing and by when. When you have laid everything down on paper (or on screen), things will start to seem more manageable straight away.



2. Prioritize: It can be tempting to do the easy things first and leave all the difficult or less interesting task to the end. However, you will end up taking much longer with these things, so at the very least, alternate the difficult tasks with the simpler ones.



3. Make a schedule: You don't want vague timescales or just a final date of when an assignment needs to be in by. Make a proper schedule of every stage of the process and you won't come close to deadlines and realize you don't have enough time left. If you have an assignment due in three weeks, plan in time to research and when you will have the first draft ready by, leave time for editing and rewriting if necessary, and plan in a little contingency time too, if possible.



4. Get into a routine: Having a set time for your study every week, whether that's planning in a few hours every evening, time at the weekend, or during your regular days off, will get you into a routine and make you more likely to get the study hours in.



5. Find time to relax: Setting aside some time for rest and relaxation will give you the space to unwind and means you will be in a better state of mind when it does come to getting in some study time. This is especially important for anyone with other commitments like a job or care-giving responsibilities.



There are many ways home learning can be the ideal choice for individuals wanting to progress their learning, improve their career opportunities and simply benefit from some new skills.



An online business analytics masters is an ideal choice at this moment in time as a qualification as there are plenty of job opportunities already, and that is only set to increase.



The right set-up at home and a can-do attitude towards learning and you can succeed in achieving your learning goals as the modern world of education open its doors to more possibilities than ever before.









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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Tuesday's coronavirus updates: Active cases down by 51, hospitalizations down 3 in Champaign Co.; Vermilion reports deaths of men in 60s, 90s; 23 new cases on UI campus
Air New Zealand welcomes the announcement today from the New Zealand Government regarding the commencement of quarantine-free travel from Australia into New Zealand from 19 April.

Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Greg Foran says the airline is incredibly excited to have the border reopen to our Aussie neighbours.

This is terrific news. I know Kiwis and Australians have been wanting to reconnect with family and friends for a year now and were incredibly excited to be playing a part in those reunions.

The airline has been preparing for a trans-Tasman bubble for a few months now, bringing approximately 330 recalled crew back onboard and ensuring they are up to speed with training, along with making sure its international airports and lounges are ready for the influx of customers.

Pre-Covid, Australia has historically been New Zealands largest tourism market, and demand for travel between the two countries represented approximately 20% of the airlines passenger revenue.

Air New Zealand has been operating a skeleton schedule of services to Australia since May 2020. The airline will be re-commencing travel to 9 ports in Australia, with initial capacity at approximately 70% of pre-Covid levels.

Air New Zealand trans-Tasman flights are on sale now.

The airline has previously provided guidance regarding expected cash burn of $45 million to $55 million average for the period through 30 June 2021. The commencement of quarantine-free trans-Tasman travel is expected to improve cash burn, however at this time the airline is not in a position to provide updated cash burn information. As such, the airlines cash burn guidance has been suspended at this time.

Please see the link below for details:

Air NZ welcomes announcement of Tasman bubble

Source: Air New Zealand Limited

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On Monday, Paris Jackson confirmed she scored an acting role in Hulu's Sex Appeal starring Mika Abdalla and Jake Short as a long-distance teenage couple.

The Michael Jackson heiress - who turned 23 last Saturday - will also likely play a teen in director Talia Osteen's rom-com surrounding a STEM conference ('nerd prom').

Aside from Mika, Sex Appeal also stars Margaret Cho, Fortune Feimster, Rebecca Henderson, and Skai Jackson.

Yup! On Monday, Paris Jackson confirmed she scored an acting role in Hulu's Sex Appeal starring Mika Abdalla and Jake Short as a long-distance teenage couple (posted on Saturday)

On Monday, Fortune made it seem as though they already completed filming the 'fun movie' in Syracuse, New York.

'This is the fun movie we just filmed in Syracuse,' the 40-year-old comedian wrote on Instagram.

'The script was so unique and I can't wait to see how @bytaliaosteen brings it all together. Plus I got to work again with my friend @margaret_cho!'

Paris last guest starred as Becky in an episode - titled 'The Deadfast Club' - of VH1 slasher spin-off Scream: The TV Series in 2019.

Nerd prom: The Michael Jackson heiress - who turned 23 last Saturday - will also likely play a teen in director Talia Osteen's rom-com surrounding a STEM conference (pictured March 3)

'#SEXAPPeal': Aside from Mika (L), Sex Appeal also stars Skai Jackson, Margaret Cho (2-L), Fortune Feimster (3-R), Rebecca Henderson (2-R, pictured March 24 with screenwriter Tate Hanyok and director Talia Osteen)

'The script was so unique!' On Monday, Fortune made it seem as though they already completed filming the 'fun movie' in Syracuse, New York

Jackson had 'one scene' as an edgy 20-year-old called Nelly in Nash Edgerton's feature directorial debut Gringo, which streamed on Amazon in 2018.

The Beverly Hills-born hippie-at-heart's biggest role to date was a four-episode arc as social media guru Rachel Wells in Lee Daniels' drama Star, which aired on Fox in 2017.

Paris also played Jesus in Janell Shirtcliff's Catholic-inspired indie drama Habit starring Bella Thorne, Ione Sky, and Gavin Rossdale.

However, over 370K outraged people signed Vivian N.'s Change.org petition attempting to stop the 'blasphemous, Christianophobic' movie from being distributed.

Naughty nurse Halloween costume: Paris last guest starred as Becky in an episode - titled 'The Deadfast Club' - of VH1 slasher spin-off Scream: The TV Series in 2019

Cameo: Jackson had 'one scene' as an edgy 20-year-old called Nelly in Nash Edgerton's feature directorial debut Gringo, which streamed on Amazon in 2018

Acting bug: The Beverly Hills-born hippie-at-heart's (3-R) biggest role was a four-episode arc as social media guru Rachel Wells in Lee Daniels' drama Star, which aired on Fox in 2017

'I'm a full believer that I should earn everything,' Jackson said of nepotism last Tuesday on No Filter with Naomi.

'I go to auditions, I work hard, I study scripts, I do my thing.'

The Eyelids songstress receives $8M annually with bonuses at age 18, 33, and 40 from her famous father's $100M inheritance - according to Page Six.

The 13-time Grammy winner succumbed to 'acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication' at age 50 back in 2009.

Paris said of nepotism last Tuesday on No Filter with Naomi: 'I'm a full believer that I should earn everything. I go to auditions, I work hard, I study scripts, I do my thing'
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INNOCENT CHUKWUMA WAS A THOROUGHBRED SOCIAL ACTIVIST, OSINBAJO SAYS IN TRIBUTE

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has expressed deep sadness over the passing of the Director of Ford Foundation, West Africa, Innocent Chukwuma, who died on Saturday, April 3.

Mr Osinbajo also commiserated with the family members, friends and associates of the late civil society leader, noting that Nigeria has lost a thoroughbred social activist whose relentless pursuit of justice and the common good will be an enduring legacy.

In a personal tribute on Monday, the vice president described the late Mr Chukwuma as a friend and collaborator of many years.

He said, I was greatly saddened by the news of the passing of Innocent Chukwuma, a thoroughbred social activist, my friend and collaborator of many years. Innocent, then in CLEEN Foundation, was a crucial resource in Police reform in support of our justice reform efforts in Lagos State in my time as Attorney-General.

Also, as Ford Foundation Lead in West Africa, he was first amongst others to support our work in the Office of the Vice President, OVP, in the setting up of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, PACAC, and most recently, in the Police reform efforts of the Federal Government.

His thoughtful, knowledge-driven, drama-free, but relentless pursuit of justice and the common good will be an enduring legacy.

We pray for Gods comfort for his wife, family and loved ones, and blessings on his memory and legacy always.
[April 06, 2021] GET Worldwide, Inc. Creates Sustainable Cities with its Smart Transit Solutions

SAN DIEGO, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Electric Transport (GET) Worldwide, Inc. is providing zero emission mobility solutions for cities throughout the world with the introduction of a new fleet of state-of-the art zero-emission mini-buses. The San Diego, California based corporation began deploying its first fleet of GET buses in the cities of Manila & Davao, Philippines in December 2020. "We saw a dire need for a triple bottom line solution to alleviate the traffic and pollution in our dense urban centers. As a social impact investor, this is a game-changer. This solves both traffic and pollution and takes care ofpeople and the planet. I get to invest in the betterment of my homeland and my people now and for generations to come," said GET Worldwide Chairman Tony Olaes. "We believe that this micro-transit solution can modernize developing countries with emerging markets, where it is needed the most."



"Our goal is to turn electric vehicles from expensive products for the few to life-changing solutions for the many," said GET President Freddie Tinga. "Our COMET electric mini-bus uses Formula E engineering from Spain and combines that with Silicon Valley analytics on our mobile app. The result is a more efficient, cost-effective, zero-emission transport system and a better and healthier experience for passengers and pedestrians alike." Here are other reasons that make the COMET the ideal mobility solution:

Fully electric with fast charging

GPS tracked and fleet managed

Zero-emissions

Clears congestion on city streets

Compact to navigate through narrow road networks

App-based contactless ticketing

Space for 30 passengers

Accessible for people with disabilities

Air-conditioned

Equipped with WiFi By using the GET Worldwide eco-system, emerging countries have the best low cost, low risk yet high impact solution to help bring back their blue skies while solving their traffic woes. GET's goal is to further expand across the Philippines and into Malaysia and other parts of Asia, as well as Africa, and Latin America within the year. For more information, please visit www.getevee.com. About Global Electric Transport (GET) Worldwide is the first mover in Electric Mass Mobility as a service. It merges its top-of-the-line smart electric vehicles with a comprehensive app-based rider experience and bus owner management system to create a safe, affordable and fully green transport network. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/get-worldwide-inc-creates-sustainable-cities-with-its-smart-transit-solutions-301262399.html SOURCE GET Worldwide, Inc.

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The five-year contract extends throughout the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Belmont is honored to continue to serve the needs of our military community.

Brian Ellacott, Chief Executive Officer, Belmont, stated "Belmont is honored to continue to serve the needs of our military community. This has been a key area of focus for Belmont since the company's inception in the 1980s. We are very pleased to be the recipient of this Defense Logistics Agency IDIQ contract."

About Belmont Instrument, LLC, d.b.a. Belmont Medical Technologies

Belmont Medical Technologies is a leading provider of fluid resuscitation and patient temperature management solutions for use worldwide in medical facilities, military combat fields, and EMS settings.

Belmont's premier product is The Belmont Rapid Infuser RI-2, which utilizes electromagnetic induction heating to provide precise control of fluid temperature and flow rate during fluid resuscitation. Belmont's technology is credited with saving thousands of lives globally by rapidly infusing warm blood and fluid into patients experiencing massive blood loss, with exceptional air removal keeping the patient safe from air embolism.

Additionally, Belmont offers the close-to-patient, battery-operated buddy lite for military and pre-hospital blood and fluid warming. Weighing in at less than 1.6 lb., the remarkably compact buddy lite was originally designed based on the needs of deployed armed forces and has been used globally in war zones to help combat Trauma's Lethal Triad of hypothermia, acidosis, and coagulopathy during patient transport. The system comes with customized military medical bags to store the device, battery, disposables, AC/DC power supply, and optional vehicle charger.

Belmont's portfolio extends to include non-invasive body temperature management solutions. Belmont's advanced targeted temperature solutions include the Allon system with ThermoWrap patient garment, and the CritiCool system with CureWrap patient garment. These non-invasive solutions are designed to enable healthcare providers to exercise precise control and management of patient body temperature.

Belmont is a portfolio company of Audax Private Equity ("Audax"). Since its founding in 1999, Audax has been focused on building leading middle market companies. Audax has invested $7 billion in over 135 platform and more than 925 add-on companies. Through its disciplined Buy & Build approach, Audax seeks to help platform companies execute add-on acquisitions that fuel revenue growth, optimize operations, and significantly increase equity value.

For more information about Belmont and its products, please visit www.belmontmedtech.com

and its products, please visit For more information about Audax Private Equity, please visit www.audaxprivateequity.com

Contact Information



Brian Ellacott, CEO

Belmont Instrument, LLC

d.b.a. Belmont Medical Technologies

780 Boston Road

Billerica, MA, 01821

Phone: 978-663-0212

www.belmontmedtech.com

SOURCE Belmont Instrument, LLC

Related Links

http://www.belmontmedtech.com


Oh Tae-yang, Seoul mayoral candidate from the Mirae Party, kneels beside vandalized campaign banners on a street in Seoul. Captured from Oh's blog



By Bahk Eun-ji



Police have been receiving reports of damage to election posters or placards of Seoul mayoral candidates who have presented feminist policy pledges or offered support to sexual minority groups.



The camps of those candidates denounce the vandalism of the election material as an "obvious hate crime against socially disadvantaged and minorities.



On Monday, the Mapo Police said it booked several people for destroying the campaign banners of the minor Mirae Party candidate, Oh Tae-yang.



Damaging election material is a violation of the Election Law, and violators are subject to a jail term of up to two years or a 4 million won fine.



It is alleged that the accused persons damaged Oh's campaign banners, which were hanging near Hongdae Cultural Park in Mapo District, Seoul, March 29, and burned another banner the next day. The damaged banners carried messages such as "Declaration of free city for sexual minorities, full support for same-sex marriage, prohibition of discrimination, and support for queer festivals."





A damaged election poster for independent candidate Shin Ji-ye / Yonhap
Mumbai: In Mumbai traders have come out on the streets against the stringent restrictions imposed in the wake of surge in coronavirus cases.

The traders have cpmplained that their business has already been destroyed since last year and the new restrictions will now completely ruin. Notably, some cities in Maharashtra have already implemented weekend lockdown, night curfew and full lockdown due to which traders are suffering a lot of losses.

The administration's decision to keep all shops closed except for shops connected to the utmost service has forced the traders to take to the streets. The traders not only shouted slogans against the state government but also protested by opening their own shops.

"We are opposing the lockdown as there is Gudi Padwa ahead several weddings are coming up. If we keep the shops closed in such a situation, we will all die of hunger. Where will the people go and without work we will all be left hungry. So we have opened shops," said one merchant.

While in Nagpur, traders protested in front of their closed shops amid tight police arrangements. Traders demanded that the administration relax and allow them to do business.

In a city like Pune, there are 60-70 thousand small big shops where two-three lakh people work. "We do not approve this lockdown. How will we survive the week, how will we provide salary ot the work men.

In Aurangabad, too, the traders staged a sit in protest against the government's decision. The traders demanded that the state government relaxes the norms and gives them the ease of doing business.

Meanwhile, a partial lockdown was imposed in Maharashtra on Sunday which is quite similar to the country-wide clampdown enforced last year.

The curbs will remain in place till April 30 also Section 144 will be imposed all through the day. Citizens cannot leave their home without a valid reason between 8 pm and 7 am. Only essential services are excluded from these curfew rules.
Editor's note: This is the second installment in a series of stories featuring local collectors. Check each Tuesday print edition as well as www.ourmidland.com for future installments.

For Brandon Davis of Midland, what started as a childhood curiosity about steam engines has grown over the past 30 years into a collecting hobby he has now passed onto his son.

In 1982, Davis began attending the Buckley Old Engine Show in northwest Michigan with his family, where he was enthralled by the full size steam engines on display.

A few years later, the family attended another antique engine show in Oil City, where a man was selling scale models.

I hounded my parents for about two years, David said. So in 1992, I got my first steam engine and from there on, Ive been collecting ever since.

His current collection includes 12 steam engines of varying types and sizes, all of them fully functional. While most of the engines were purchased as-is, Davis has a few pieces that he assembled himself.

While he typically finds the small engines at tractor shows, antique stores, and flea markets, Davis has also purchased a couple online.

Davis receives encouragement from family and friends, who often ask him if hes acquired any new engines.

Some of them actually help me find the stuff, he said.

His love of steam engines has also been passed along to his 11-year-old son, Paul.

Hes actually saving his money right now. Hes planning on purchasing his own first engine this year, Davis said.

Passing on his passion to the next generation has been his favorite part of collecting.

[I love] to see the spark in a little kids eye like I did when I was a child, and to understand that they can be a part of history themselves, he added.
You might have heard of Scott Willoughby, who had $19,033 charged to a Visa credit card for his light bill in the wake of Winter Storm Uri.

He paid it. But Willoughby, 63, a retired Dallas-area custom homebuilder who has returned to work to recover the loss, was hardly alone.

Military bases in Texas got monster electric bills, too. And your tax dollars are paying those.

Fort Hoods utility statement for February of last year was $1.2. million. Weighing the effect of the historic storm, a team at its public works office swallowed hard and calculated that it would be $30 million this time.

They were on the low side  by $5.9 million.

Yeah, we definitely had some sticker shock. Ive had a lot of fun explaining to people about a $35.9 million electric bill for the month of February, said Brian Dosa, who heads the office.

That bill  enough to buy four M1 Abrams tanks  was driven by a stunning price hike for a kilowatt-hour of electricity, from 5 cents to $9, over a few days.

Other military installations across the state are in the same predicament if they get their power through utilities on the Electric Reliability Council of Texas grid. ERCOT, as the nonprofit consortium is called, operates the grid for nearly 90 percent of Texas.

Dyess AFB in Abilene, home to 33 B-1B bombers, more than half the fleet, was charged $6 million. Usually its $250,000 to $300,000 in February.

Naval Air Station Corpus Christis projected bill is more than $11.2 million, well above what it paid the previous February, $382,000. Naval Air Station Kingsvilles February bill was $2.6 million  a year ago, it was $108,000.

Top hits: Get Houston Chronicle stories sent directly to your inbox

Rod Hafemeister, a spokesman at NAS Kingsville, said he didnt know if the Navy intended to protest the bill, but it does plan to pay it.

At Fort Hood, where the storm dumped 2.9 inches of snow Feb. 15 and drove temperatures to a low of 2 degrees, the bill would have been higher if the post hadnt launched a 2016 initiative to get half its electricity from solar and wind energy.

The post has a 15-megawatt solar array  some 65,000 solar panels on 132 acres on West Fort Hood  and draws from 20 wind turbines northeast of Lubbock that generate 40 megawatts. (A megawatt is 1,000 kilowatts.)

The San Antonio-based Army Installation Management Command said it intends to pay the bill from Apex Clean Energy, a company in Charlottesville, Va., that provides Fort Hood with both fossil fuel and renewable power. Its trying to renegotiate the bill, but the clock is ticking.

The federal Prompt Payment Act requires payment of bills within 30 days of receipt, said the commands spokesman, Scott Malcom. Otherwise, the government must pay interest  at the moment just under 1 percent.

There are going to be concerns, and Im confident that there are going to be a lot of questions asked at the Pentagon about the stratospheric prices authorized by ERCOT and the reliability of its grid, said retired Air Force Gen. Gene Habiger, who led the U.S. Strategic Command.

The storm slammed through Texas, plunging temperatures to 9 degrees in San Antonio on Feb. 15 and subjecting the states residents to days of intermittent or nonexistent electric service as power suppliers were shut down. Water utilities were unable to operate pumps, and pipes burst in many homes.

The extent of the financial damage caused by the high rates for power may not be known for months, and the litigation it spurred likely will take longer. The physical and human toll of the catastrophe has only recently come into focus.

Hearst Newspapers, in an analysis published last week, estimated that nearly 200 Texans died of storm-related causes  twice the official estimate.

Some military installations in the Lone Star State havent gotten their electric bills yet, including five of the Texas bases under the Air Forces Air Education and Training Command  Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, JBSA-Lackland, Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo, Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls and Laughlin AFB in Del Rio.

What Ive learned was that the bases are not on a real-time rate and it will take months to determine the impacts from the winter storm, AETC spokeswoman Marilyn Holliday said.

A Laughlin spokesman, Joel Langton, said the base had not received an invoice, but it has a fixed-rate plan with its provider, AEP, which serves Del Rio.

Randolph, Lackland and JBSA-Fort Sam Houston are customers of CPS Energy, which has refused to pass $1 billion in extra charges it incurred during the storm to its customers. It has sued ERCOT and several of its natural gas suppliers, accusing them of price gouging.

IN GALVESTON: Fertitta-owned apartments rendered 'uninhabitable' after storm

Asked if CPS customers ultimately might have to pay the bill, Mayor Ron Nirenberg said lawmakers and regulators in Texas should be doing everything possible to keep ratepayers from bearing exorbitant energy costs, including using the nearly $11 billion in the states rainy day fund.

Its absolutely disgusting that military bases and ordinary ratepayers are already taking the hit, Nirenberg added.

The price gouging and the mismanagement of the Texas energy grid during the storm has direct and certain impact, and clearly we see that those impacts now are even on our national defense, he said.

Citing privacy rules, CPS Energy would not disclose the February bills for JBSA, which provides logistics for the three bases here and the Camp Bullis training range in Northwest Bexar County.

Fort Bliss in El Paso and Red River Army Depot near Texarkana were spared from sharply higher fuel costs because they receive power from regulated utilities and are not part of the ERCOT grid. Red River, with around 4,000 workers, is the largest employer in the Texarkana area.

This was unprecedented, said Jerry Sparks, retired economic development director for the city of Texarkana. We lived through it, and I dont know what these people (served by ERCOT) are going to do. Its a screwy system.

The grids failure isnt just about sky-high light bills  its antiquated and poorly managed, and military readiness is one of the things it puts at risk, said University of Houston energy economics professor Ed Hirs, a longtime ERCOT critic.

If Im a bad actor, domestic or foreign, I would do what I could to take out the Texas grid because then Id have, what, 40 million people dependent upon some sort of immediate need for national support. Wed be a ward of the country, Hirs said in an interview last week.

Communications would be down, health care gone, you couldnt very well travel anywhere, he said. You wouldnt have any pumps at the gas stations to pump gasoline. This would be a nightmare.

Willoughby, the Dallas-area homebuilder, was on a variable rate plan with Griddy Energy and had authorized it to charge his credit card  which it did, repeatedly, during and after the storm. The company has filed for bankruptcy.

A 10-year Army veteran who left the service as a sergeant in 1985, Willoughby took money out of a savings account to pay the tab.

Its one of the few times in life that you wished you didnt have any money or your credit wasnt any good, he joked. I did a GoFundMe. I got a little bit out of that.

Willoughby was looking to the Legislature for help and has joined a class-action lawsuit against ERCOT.

I am angry, but theres really not much that I can do, he said.

sigc@express-news.net
TAMPA, Fla., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- BST Global unveiled its extensive brand evolution effort on April 1, launching a new mission, logo and website. This month marks 50 years of success, during which the global ERP solution provider has demonstrated continuous evolution in both company focus and product advancement to solve its AEC clients' biggest challenges. This rebranding marks the next phase of forward momentum for the company, aligning with its new mission statement: We help our clients change the world, one project at a time.

BST Global developed a new logo that has evolved from past versions. The new logo retains the notion of a globe with an abstract twist. It also incorporates two key initials within it: "C" and "B." These initials pay homage to the company's late founder, Carlos A. Baldor Sr., who provided rich vision and leadership for nearly 50 years before his passing in August 2020. This logo tips its hat to his dedication and drive, paying homage to his tremendous passion, kindness and limitless generosity.
Apr. 5Maine's nearly $1 billion wedding industry got a shot in the arm today when Gov. Janet Mills established a separate coronavirus safety checklist for weddings and other private events, encouraging keeping them short and as much outdoors as possible.

Weddings normally are big business for hotels, caterers, photographers and rental businesses, ground to a halt with travel and venue restrictions over the past year. An East Millinocket wedding and nearby reception last August amplified the concern after more than 100 cases were linked to it, including in other areas of the state.

Reservations began to recover after the governor allowed more out-of-state visitors and relaxed some capacity restrictions in early March. The new checklist provides more specific guidelines on holding weddings and other private events safely. It includes social distancing and mask-wearing rules already in place, and requires out-of-state vendors and attendees to follow the testing and quarantine requirements of the governor's Moving Maine Forward plan.

That includes people all New England states being exempt from testing and quarantine requirements as of March 26 and indoor limits of 50 percent and outdoor limits of 75 percent of permitted capacity. Those limits increase to 75 percent indoors and 100 percent outdoors on May 24.

International guests entering the U.S. by air must present a negative COVID-19 test taken within three calendar days of departure or proof of recovery from the virus within the previous 90 days.

"Many of our members and other wedding vendors have been waiting for a specific checklist for private events and weddings for a while," Greg Dugal, director of government affairs for HospitalityMaine, said. "This will help them plan for what's shaping up to be a busy summer."

The governor recommended limiting attendees to invited guests only, holding as much of the gathering outdoors as possible and limiting the duration of the event. Those holding the event must maintain a record of attendees and vendors, including one name and contact per household or travel party and the server at the table for contact tracing purposes.

Story continues

There is a limit of eight people per table and tables must be 6 feet apart. Self-serving food at buffets is permitted if hand sanitizer stations are located at both ends of the station or table.

Venues can have more than one event at a time, but they must be held in different areas. However, attendees from different events should not share spaces such as restrooms or entrances at the same time.

The governor's checklists for large gatherings and ticketed events, organized racing events, town meetings and transportation were updated as well. They include social distancing recommendations and staying at home if you feel sick. Large gatherings and organized racing also are encouraged to get advanced registration.
Egypt-China Friendship Association in Cairo marks 100th anniversary of CPC's founding

Xinhua) 10:44, April 06, 2021

CAIRO, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Egypt-China Friendship Association held a seminar on Sunday here to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

The seminar was attended by Egyptian experts on Chinese affairs, writers, diplomats, and professors of Chinese studies at Egyptian universities.

During his speech, former Egyptian diplomat and Chairman of Egypt-China Friendship Association Ahmed Waly said that leading China, the CPC has succeeded in many endeavors including eradicating illiteracy, building infrastructures, eliminating poverty, and promoting gender equality.

The party has always been driving the changes and development in the country and has been developing with it simultaneously, the former diplomat noted.

On a video call, Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang thanked Waly for organizing the event, expressing his appreciation for the friendship between China and Egypt.

"Under the leadership of the CPC, China's economic output has stayed the second in the world for years and has become the world's largest manufacturing country," he said.

The ambassador noted that over 40 years of reform and opening up, the contribution rate of China's economic growth to the world averaged 18 percent, and has reached as high as 30 percent in recent years.

The seminar focused on integrated development "because China's experience in this field during the last four decades teaches us many lessons," said Ali el-Hefny, Egypt's former ambassador to China and former deputy foreign minister.

Countries including Egypt can benefit from China's experiences in mutual cooperation, "as well as through the Belt and Road Initiative, which has positively impacted the global economy although it was launched a few years ago," he said.

"The CPC is behind all the achievements made, and those that are being made, in China," el-Hefny said.

(Web editor: Liang Jun)
The Markets

Renewable energy stocks begin final descent

Renewable electricity stocks tumbled as investors reacted to a new version of a clean energy index, announced on Good Friday, that will reduce the weighting of Meridian and Contact.

Tuesday, April 6th 2021, 6:40PM

by BusinessDesk

The S&P/NZX 50 Index fell 87.83 points, or 0.7%, to 12,400.48. Within the index, 20 stocks fell, 19 rose and 11 were unchanged. Turnover was $193.2 million.

Meridian Energy dropped 5.9% to $5.25 and Contact fell 4.1% to $6.79. Both are included in S&Ps Global Clean Energy Index which was responsible for inflating their share prices in January.

The index builder has now moved to prevent similar liquidity shocks in the future by adding 70 new companies to the index and significantly reducing the weighting of the two Kiwi stocks.

Today, when the market reopened after the Easter weekend investors reacted to the Good Friday announcement and began selling and shorting the two stocks ahead of the rebalance.

Hamesh Sharma, a portfolio manager at Pathfinder Asset Management, said short-selling was putting pressure on the share price as active investors began to predict it would fall.

Obviously, the index has created massive mispricing, he said. No one predicted how much of an impact Joe Bidens election would have, and it had a disproportionate impact on our market due to liquidity problems.

Although not included in the index, Mercury NZ also fell 3.9% to $6.25, and Genesis Energy  which still uses some coal and natural gas  declined just 0.7% to $3.47.

Travel stocks, meanwhile, had a boost as the New Zealand government announced the long-awaited trans-Tasman travel bubble would open in two weeks.

Tourism Holdings and Air New Zealand both soared 5.8% to $2.72 and $1.825, respectively.

Kiwi Property Group climbed 0.4% to $1.235. The developer and Tainui Group have formed a second joint venture to develop a central Hamilton shopping centre into a mixed-use retail, office, and potentially residential, precinct.

Sky Network Television said it has signed a multi-year deal extending its arrangements with NBCUniversal to include content such as movies, drama, comedy, reality and news. Its share price rose 1.1% to 18 cents.

The kiwi dollar was trading at 70.54 US cents at 5pm in Wellington, having received a strong bounce from 69.64 cents prior to Easter.

The trade-weighted index was at 74.10 at 5pm, from 73.50 before Easter. The kiwi traded at 92.27 Australian cents from 92.03 cents, 77.74 yen from 77.10 yen, 59.74 euro cents from 59.41 cents, 50.70 British pence from 50.54 pence, and 4.6199 Chinese yuan from 4.5719 yuan.

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YEREVAN.  We had 18 stalls and 4 storages in the area where the fire broke out. Vardan Manukyan, section chief at Surmalu shopping market in Yerevan, told this to Armenian News-NEWS.am.

"At this moment, we have given everyone spaces for free to move their remaining goods there; then we will decide what to do. There is a council; the council will decide, say [what to do next]. I cannot say what damage they suffered. People had both big, small storages [there]," he said.

"There were mostly stationery and toys at the stalls [that were affected by the fire]," added the Surmalu official.

As Armenian News-NEWS.am reported earlier, at 3:07am Tuesday, the national crisis management center of received a call was from a Yerevan cannery that there was a big fire.

It turned out that the fire had broken out at the central buildingabout 2,000 square metersof Surmalu shopping market.

The fire was contained at 6:24am.

But toy and household items stallsalong with propertywere burned down.

Minister of Emergency Situations Andranik Piloyan was at the scene.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-07 00:01:00|Editor: huaxia

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URUMQI, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Tuesday revealed that they had busted a separatist criminal group in the educational sector.

The group's leader was Sattar Sawut, former director of the Xinjiang education department and former head of the region's leading group on basic-education curriculum reform. They incorporated ethnic separatism, violence, terrorism, and religious extremism content into minority-language textbooks. These books had been used for 13 years. It had grave consequences, said Wang Langtao, vice president of the Xinjiang regional higher people's court, at a press conference.

Sattar Sawut was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve after being found guilty of crimes of separatism, taking bribes and several other crimes.

Sattar Sawut, born in November 1947 in Toksun County, Xinjiang, pleaded guilty to the crimes and did not file an appeal against the verdict.

Sattar Sawut took advantage of compiling and publishing ethnic language textbooks for primary and secondary schools to split the country, starting in 2002. He instructed others to pick several people with separatist thoughts to join the textbook compilation team, the court found.

Sattar Sawut strongly demanded incorporating content that preached ethnic separatism, violence, terrorism, and religious extremism into the textbooks to split the state, the court found.

The investigation also found that 84 texts preached ethnic separatism, violence, terrorism, and religious extremism in the 2003 and 2009 editions of the textbooks.

Under the influence of the textbooks, several people (already convicted) participated in terrorist attacks in Urumqi on July 5, 2009, and April 30, 2014, respectively, or became key members of a separatist group headed by former college teacher Ilham Tohti, the court found.

Sattar Sawut also took advantage of his government posts to accept bribes worth 15.05 million yuan (about 2.3 million U.S. dollars), the court said. Enditem
Aurangabad : , April 6 (IANS) Veteran journalist Fatima R. Zakaria, the former editor of the Sunday Times, Mumbai, and mother of global media personality Fareed R. Zakaria, passed away at a private hospital here on Tuesday due to Covid-19, a close family friend said.

Wife of former Maharashtra minister and Islamic scholar late Rafique Zakaria, Fatima Zakaria had been admitted to a local hospital for the past few days, Aurangabad AIMIM MP Syed Imtiaz Jaleel told IANS.

"This is shocking and an irreparable loss to the media fraternity. Details of her last rites and other formalities are being finalised in consultation with her family in view of the stringent Covid restrictions imposed here," he added.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, during a telephone conversation with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, urged him to increase the sanctions pressure on Russia due to the aggravation in Donbas and the buildup of the Russian military forces near the Russian-Ukrainian border, according to the presidential website.

"The latest actions of Russia pose a serious challenge to the security of Ukraine, NATO member states and all of Europe [...] Ukraine calls on the UK, together with other Alliance states [NATO], to strengthen its presence in the region and increase the sanctions pressure on the Russian Federation," the press service said, citing Zelensky on Monday night.

Zelensky informed the British Prime Minister about the exacerbation of the situation in Donbas, the buildup of the Russian military forces near the Russian-Ukrainian border, and also thanked the interlocutor for the continued support from the UK for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

According to the presidential press service, special attention was paid to the implementation of agreements on the development of the Ukrainian Navy, reached during the visit of the President of Ukraine to the UK on October 8 and 9, 2020.

In addition, Zelensky said in a conversation with his interlocutor that "Ukraine's acquiring the NATO Membership Action Plan would facilitate the strengthening of Ukraine's defense capacity."

The leaders also discussed a timetable for the 2021 bilateral political dialogue.

The President of Ukraine invited Johnson to take part in the inaugural summit of the Crimean Platform, which will be held in Kyiv on August 23, 2021.
And now, as I look at the prospect of living in the world again, Im nervous. I look forward to bumping into friends in the world outside Zoom, but I know it will mean using social skills Ive half forgotten. It will mean fighting the habit of sliding into my own head. It will mean remembering that other people can see  and judge  me in a space where I cant just mute my camera if Im feeling self-conscious.
A report from a team of scientists assembled by the World Health Organization and China leaves unresolved the question of where the coronavirus originated, but calls the possibility that it leaked from a laboratory "extremely unlikely," according to a copy obtained by Axios.

Why it matters: The process of investigating the origins of the virus has been fraught with geopolitical tensions, and the report set to be released on Tuesday will likely create more questions than it answers.

The big picture: The U.S. has expressed concerns about a lack of transparency from Chinese authorities since the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak in the city of Wuhan. The Trump administration pulled the U.S. out of the WHO last year and accused the global health agency of being beholden to China.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on CNN last week that the Biden administration has "real concerns about the methodology and the process that went into that report, including the fact that the government in Beijing apparently helped to write it."

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian shot back on Monday, saying: The U.S. has been speaking out on the report. By doing this, isnt the U.S. trying to exert political pressure on the members of the WHO expert group?"

Key takeaways: The report lists four scenarios that investigators examined and assesses the likelihood of each.

Possible to likely : Direct zoonotic spillover

: Direct zoonotic spillover Likely to very likely : Introduction through an intermediate host

: Introduction through an intermediate host Possible : Introduction through cold/ food chain products

: Introduction through cold/ food chain products Extremely unlikely: Introduction through a laboratory incident

Other findings:

It's "considered unlikely" that the coronavirus was substantially circulating in Wuhan in October and November, before it was detected in December.

It's unclear what role the Huanan seafood market played in the origin of the outbreak in Wuhan, or how the virus was introduced into the market.

It's also far from clear that bats or pangolins are the reservoir of the virus that causes COVID, and "the high susceptibility of mink and cats" to the virus points the finger at other potential animal reservoirs.

Studies from other countries that detected positive samples earlier than the first detected case in Wuhan suggest "the possibility of missed circulation in other countries."

The report suggests the virus could have even been imported into China via cold-chain products  a claim frequently promoted by Chinese government officials.

Between the lines: Questions about Beijing's influence on the investigation will be hard to shake.
[April 06, 2021] Gemini Partners with Learn & Earn to Deliver Cryptocurrency Education to High School Students

Gemini, the cryptocurrency exchange and custodian founded by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, is partnering with Learn & Earn, the app that allows students to learn about financial literacy, gain exposure to new career opportunities, and develop other skills, while earning money for completing snack-size courses. Cryptocurrency courses sponsored by Gemini will explain what cryptocurrency is, the different kinds, the history of cryptocurrency, and will cover areas like digital wallet, Decentralized Finance (DeFi), and the growing acceptance and future for digital currency. "Gemini is committed to making sure everyone has resources available to learn about the crypto ecosystem. Through our partnership, Learn & Earn provides students with a simple yet comprehensive way to learn about cryptocurrencies, as well as earn rewards on their progress. We are proud to be working with Learn & Earn and are excited to foster crypto education in younger generations." - David Abner, Global Head of Business Development at Gemini. During the global pandemic, 1.2 billion children worldwide have been affected by school building closures. Learn & Earn, developed in collaboration with Junior Achievement USA, aims to reach as many of these students as possible, in particular those from low-income households, who make up more than 50 percent of the Learn & Earn users. Students with savings accounts for higher education, like the investment account offered by the app, are four times more likely to graduate from college. "Learn & Earn is a unique EdTech/FinTech platform that grew out of Junior Achievement's educational pillars of financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work readiness for millions of kids," explained Walter Cruttenden, founder of successful micro-investing platform, Acorns, and Chairman of Blast, the developer of Learn & Earn. "We're excited to partner with Gemini, and Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss. Courses on cryptocurrency are important. Gemini is a great partner." Learn & Earn allows K-12 students in the United States to select snack-size courses and earn money upon completion of each course. Students then invest that money in their UTMA/UGMA investment account with Robo-Bumpers to keep their portfolio diversified and growing over time. Students have a "Core" portfolio of the world's largest diversified ETFs, and they can also select up to ten separate large cap stocks, or ETFs, from a curated "Explore" portfolio. This allows tudents to invest in fractional shares of companies like Apple (News - Alert) , Tesla, Netflix, and Microsoft. Sponsored courses are funded by for-profit and non-profit entities. Students will be able to use the funds they've earned for college tuition, a certificate program, technical school, or to start a business.



Learn & Earn receives support and advice from enterprises like Franklin Templeton and Roth Capital Partners. Advisors include: Dr. Richard Thaler, Nobel (News - Alert) Prize-winning economist; Dr. William Elliott III, Founder and Director of the Center on Assets, Education and Inclusion at the University of Michigan; Shlomo Benartzi, Professor Emeritus, UCLA Anderson School of Management; and Jon Fee, Head of Global Marketing for Saleforce.org. The app can be found on the App Store or Google Play.

About Gemini Gemini Trust Company, LLC (Gemini) is a cryptocurrency exchange and custodian that allows customers to buy, sell, and store more than 30 cryptocurrencies including bitcoin, bitcoin cash, ether, litecoin, and Zcash. Gemini is a New York Trust Company that is subject to the capital reserve requirements, cybersecurity requirements, and banking compliance standards set forth by the New York State Department of Financial Services and the New York Banking Law. Gemini was founded in 2014 by twin brothers Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss to empower the individual through cryptocurrency. About Learn & Earn Created by the team behind Blast, Learn & Earn is the app that pays kids to learn. Covering real-world topics not taught in school, the snack-sized courses reward students with funds from sponsors and parents. These funds are then invested for the students, opening up a whole world of savings and investments for them. Working with preeminent partners and sponsors, Learn & Earn combines the best of FinTech and EdTech to redefine remote learning with courses that cover topics such as financial literacy, potential careers, and life skills. The app's ultimate mission is simple: Teach kids how to become successful adults. Visit www.learnandearn.com for more information. Disclosures. Investment advisory services are provided by Ant Money Advisors, LLC ("AMA"), an SEC (News - Alert) -registered investment advisor. AMA's terms and policies can be found at www.antmoneyadvisors.com or through www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. AMA facilitates trading through DriveWealth, LLC, an SEC-registered broker-dealer and member FINRA and SIPC. Check the background of this firm on FINRA's BrokerCheck. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005947/en/

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TORONTO and GATINEAU, QC, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Converge Technology Solutions Corp. ("Converge" or "the Company") (TSX: CTS) (FSE: 0ZB) (OTCQX: CTSDF) a global platform of regionally focused Hybrid IT solution providers, is pleased to announce the appointment of Doris Albiez to the Company's European Advisory Board. Doris is a highly experienced executive who has served in various national and international roles. She has previously led international teams at IBM & Dell Technologies and is known as a growth generator and transformational leader in her space.

"I am looking forward to being part of Converge and its expansion into the European market," stated Doris Albiez. "I look forward to leveraging my experience and contacts in Europe to help Converge develop its already successful North American technology presence in Europe."

"The addition of Doris to Converge's European Advisory Board will greatly enhance the Company's ability to expand into the European technology space," stated Shaun Maine, CEO of Converge. "Doris will primarily assist with acquisitions and executing Converge's Cloud sales strategy in Europe. We are thrilled to have her on our team as we look to achieve our goal of European expansion in 2021."

About Converge

Converge Technology Solutions Corp. is a software-enabled, Hybrid IT solution provider focused on delivering industry-leading solutions and services. Converge's regional sales and services organizations deliver advanced analytics, cloud, cybersecurity, and managed services offerings to clients across various industries. The Company supports these solutions with talent expertise and digital infrastructure offerings across all major IT vendors in the marketplace. This multi-faceted approach enables Converge to address the unique business and technology requirements for all clients in the public and private sectors. For more information, visit convergetp.com.

SOURCE Converge Technology Solutions Corp.

Related Links

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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has slammed 60 Minutes for 'deceptively editing' his exchange with a correspondent in a piece accusing him of cutting a 'pay-for-play' deal with grocery chain Publix for COVID-19 vaccine distribution, as even Democratic officials in the state say the program ignored key evidence contradicting the allegation.

Sunday's episode of the once-venerable CBS News program revealed that weeks before Publix landed the lucrative contract, the chain donated $100,000 to DeSantis' PAC, Friends of Ron DeSantis.

60 Minutes implied in the piece that Publix was the only source of vaccines in Palm Beach County, which is false, and blamed the Publix deal for exacerbating racial and economic disparities in vaccine distribution.

The report also featured a testy exchange between correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi and the Republican governor, showing him slamming the allegations as a 'false narrative' - but cut out several minutes of DeSantis explaining the Publix contract, leading him and others to accuse the show of deceptive editing.

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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has slammed 60 Minutes for 'deceptively editing' his exchange with a correspondent in a piece accusing him of cutting a 'pay-for-play' deal

Sunday's episode of 60 Minutes featured a testy exchange between correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi (left) and the Republican governor, showing him slamming the allegations as a 'false narrative' -- but cut out several minutes of DeSantis explaining the Publix contract

A 60 Minutes spokesman told DailyMail.com in a statement: 'As we always do for clarity, 60 Minutes used the portion of the Governor's over two-minute response that directly addressed the question from the correspondent.'

The 60 Minutes team spent three months in Palm Beach County for the lengthy report, examining allegations of disparity in vaccine distribution there and pointing the finger at the Publix deal, which correspondent Alfonsi called 'pay-for-play'.

After the report aired, key Democrats in Florida responded to it harshly, saying they had offered 60 Minutes evidence that political donations played no role in the Publix contract, which the program ignored.

'I said this before and Ill say it again. @Publix was recommended by [Florida Division of Emergency Management] and [Department of Health] as the other pharmacies were not ready to start,' said Emergency Management Director Jared Moskowitz in a tweet.

'Period! Full Stop! No one from the Governors office suggested Publix. Its just absolute malarkey,' added Moskowitz, who previously served as a Democratic legislator in Florida's state House.

Palm Beach County Mayor Dave Kerner, also a Democrat, had even harsher words, calling the 60 Minutes report 'intentionally false' and saying the program 'should be ashamed.'

Florida Emergency Management Director Jared Moskowitz (left) and Palm Beach County Mayor Dave Kerner (right), both Democrats, slammed the 60 Minutes report as false

'The reporting was not just based on bad information -- it was intentionally false,' Kerner said in a statement. 'I know this because I offered to provide my insight into Palm Beach County's vaccination efforts and 60 Minutes declined.'

'They know that the governor came to Palm Beach County and met with me and the County Administrator and we asked to expand the state's partnership with Publix to Palm Beach County,' he said.

'They had that information, and they left it out because it kneecaps their narrative,' Kerner added. '60 Minutes should be ashamed.'

A CBS News spokesman declined to respond to the criticism levied by Moskowitz and Kerner when reached by DailyMail.com on Monday night.

DeSantis also spoke out in an interview on Monday, saying 60 Minutes omitted key facts about Florida's vaccine rollout in their reporting.

'They don't believe in facts. It was a political narrative, it was done with malicious intent and a reckless disregard for the truth,' DeSantis told Fox News host Tucker Carlson.

'They would not talk to the people who were most relevant to this, because they know those key Democrats, Jared Moskowitz and Mayor Dave Kerner would blow up their narrative,' he continued. 'So they just put their head in the sand and pretended that those facts didn't exist.'

Palm Beach County Mayor Dave Kerner issued a withering statement calling the 60 Minutes report 'intentionally false' and saying the program 'should be ashamed'

DeSantis touted his approach to vaccine rollout, which rejected CDC guidance to focus early rollout on senior citizens, saying the state had seen 'hospitalizations among seniors plummet' as a result.

'Obviously they were in Florida for three months, 60 Minutes, trying to dredge up any dirt they could use to smear me, and the best they could come up with is a baseless conspiracy theory that was easily debunked,' DeSantis said.

'Not just by me - which they edited out - but by two prominent Democrats in the state of Florida,' he said.

Many critics likewise accused 60 Minutes of deceptively editing the correspondent's exchange with DeSantis, with conservative writer A.G. Hamilton pointing out that the program 'cut out several minutes' of the governor's comments explaining what led to the deal with Publix.

In the segment that aired on Sunday, the correspondent Alfonsi was seen in a brief but heated exchange with DeSantis.

'Publix, as you know, donated $100,000 to your campaign,' Alfonsi said to DeSantis in a clip from a March 22 press conference. 'And then you rewarded them with the exclusive rights to distribute the vaccination in Palm Beach...'

'First, of all what you're saying is wrong,' DeSantis shot back.

'How is that not pay for play?' Alfonsi then asked.

'That's a fake narrative,' DeSantis replied. 'I met with the county mayor, I met with the administrator, I met with all the folks at Palm Beach County and I said, 'Here's some of the options: We can do more drive-thru sites, we can give more to hospitals, we can do the Publix.' And they said, 'We think that would be the easiest thing for our residents.'

'The criticism here is that is pay for play, governor,' Alfonsi told DeSantis.

'And it's wrong, it's wrong,' the governor fired back. 'It's a fake narrative. I just disabused you of the narrative. And you don't care about the facts. Because, obviously, I laid it out for you in a way that is irrefutable.'

Critics accused 60 Minutes of deceptively editing the correspondent's exchange with DeSantis, who described at length the origins of the Publix contract

Sunday, Sharyn Alfonsi investigates allegations that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made decisions about COVID vaccine distribution favoring wealthy or connected individuals, including a supermarket chain that recently donated to the governor's PAC. https://t.co/VbVdXJ3xxv pic.twitter.com/6mbxfMdgPg  60 Minutes (@60Minutes) April 2, 2021

The full exchange, not seen on 60 Minutes, included the following remarks from DeSantis.

'First of all, the first pharmacies that had [the vaccine] were CVS and Walgreens and they had a long-term care mission, so they were going to the long-term care facilities,' DeSantis said during the portion omitted by 60 Minutes.

'They got the vaccine in the middle of December, they started going to the long-term care facilities the third week in December to do LTCs,' DeSantis told Alfonsi.

'So that was their mission, that was very important and we trusted them to do that. As we got into January, we wanted to expand the distribution points.'

'So yes, you had the counties, you had some drive-thru sites, you had hospitals that were doing a lot, but we wanted to get it into communities more,' he went on.

'So we reached out to other retail pharmacies: Publix, Walmart, obviously CVS and Walgreens had to finish that mission and we said we're going to use you as soon as you're done with that,' DeSantis continued.

DeSantis insisted that Publix was the 'first one to raise their hand' to say they were ready to distribute the vaccine.

They rolled out the vaccine on a 'trial basis' in three counties, which was met with '100 percent positive' feedback from seniors, he said.

Addressing concerns in Palm Beach County, DeSantis said that while the county had 'struggled' initially with distribution, it had now vaccinated nearly three-quarters of all seniors, with distribution set to expand further.

In a statement to 60 Minutes after the report ran, a Publix spokesperson blasted the allegation that donations affected the vaccine contract.

'The irresponsible suggestion that there was a connection between campaign contributions made to Governor DeSantis and our willingness to join other pharmacies in support of the state's vaccine distribution efforts is absolutely false and offensive,' the company said.

'We are proud of our pharmacy associates for administering more than 1.5 million doses of vaccine to date and for joining other retailers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia to do our part to help our communities emerge from the pandemic.'
Last August, amid massive civil rights protests following George Floyds death at the hands of police, a group of protestors in the Minneapolis suburbs destroyed a pinata with the likeness of reporter Liz Collin, an anchor at the local WCCO TV station.

They were there because it had only recently been publicly disclosed that Ms Collin is married to Bob Kroll, the outspoken former head of the Minneapolis police union, who was a campaign speaker for Donald Trump and once called Mr Floyd a violent criminal. Even though, according to WCCO, Ms Collin didnt directly cover Minneapolis police, she had previously reported on high-profile incidents involving the police and people of colour in the Twin Cities, like the death of Philando Castile. (The Independent reached out to Ms Collin for comment.)

Journalists across the Twin Cities condemned destroying the likeness of Ms Collin, but the incident speaks to a deeper tension running just underneath the surface of George Floyds death. There is a deep relationship between law enforcement, the media, and how the public at large conceives of policing, and critics say mainstream and liberal media outlets often vastly downplay the extent of systemic racism and exclude all but the most attention-grabbing non-white voices and stories.

Its a tension that has never been more present than now as reporters from around the world converge on Minneapolis for the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis officer charged with murdering Mr Floyd by kneeling on his neck for more than nine minutes last May. But a cohort of journalists of colour and indigenous backgrounds in Minnesota are pioneering new ways, and upholding long standing traditions, of coverage that goes deeper than the familiar, ostensibly neutral both sides framing of common news stories, and gets at something much harder to pin down: the truth about racism in America.

Among those projects is a new initiative called Racial Reckoning: The Arc of Justice, a collaboration between the Association of Minnesota Public Educational Radio Stations (Ampers), the Minnesota Humanities Center, and KMOJ, a popular African-American radio station in Minneapolis.

Read more:

A team of journalists who are Black, indigenous, and people of colour have been covering the Chauvin trial daily on the radio as it unfolds, plus producing weekly updates in Spanish, Somali, and Hmong to reach the Twin Cities diverse immigrant communities, as well as the roughly 240,000 people listening statewide. Other media outlets can request free use of their stories.

Georgia Fort grew up in the Twin Cities and is the lead reporter for the project. She says that the mainstream media is often disconnected from the Black communities it storms into when it reports on police brutality cases, and tends to mostly rely on government sources like police and local politicians. Their perspectives are important, of course, but Ms Fort says a built-in bias for official accounts rarely conveys the lived experiences of those at the heart of the story.

You get a whole community who feels ignored and unheard, and who feels gaslit, because their experiences are not being shared, she said. We saw that bubble over this summer.

Joel Glaser, the CEO of Ampers, says the projects unofficial motto is nothing about us without us.

Everybody brings their own perspective and life experience to a news story, he said. You can try to be culturally aware, but you havent walked in their shoes.

Others, like Mel Reeves, community editor of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, a long-running Black paper in the area, are taking an explicitly activist approach to covering the story of George Floyd.

Mr Reeves is part of a deep social justice legacy in Americas African-American press, which runs from the present back to 1800s figures like former slave Fredrick Douglass, who founded the abolitionist North Star newspaper, and Ida B. Wells, who did groundbreaking reporting and advocacy to stop the lynching of Black Americans.

Im an activist, more than anything else. Im writing so that people can change some things at some point, Mr Reeves told The Independent. Were writing to Black people, people of colour, poor white folks.

He thinks that all media outlets, especially large mainstream ones, which are often largely owned, produced, read, and funded by well-off white people, should also be thought of in straightforwardly ideological, class-based terms.

Theyre not objective, he said. Neither are we. We tell it from the bottom. They tell it from the top.

Another community-oriented journalist taking a similar approach is independent reporter and photographer King Demetrius Pendleton, who is sometimes nicknamed BlackCNN and has experience covering policing in the Twin Cities.

At the start of the trial, he wrote candidly about the dismissal of juror number 76, a Black man who spoke in court about systemic bias against Black people in the justice system before being excused from the trial, prompting fierce condemnations from activists.

Having previously served his country in the Army, Juror #76 was good enough to participate in the countrys wars, but he was not considered good enough to serve a civic duty to determine whether or not an unarmed man, calling for his Mama, telling Chauvin and the other police officers that he could not breathe for at least eight minutes and 46 seconds, is guilty or not of murder, Mr Pendleton wrote in a reflection on the jury selection process. Dismissing a man like Juror #76, raises serious questions about our justice system. This experience will sit with me for a long time.

Other outlets, like Minnesota Public Radio, have experienced journalists of colour leading their George Floyd coverage as well. The station has created a number of in-depth investigative podcasts about racism and policing, such as In Front of Our Eyes, about the Chauvin case, and 74 Seconds, about how police shot Mr Castile. (I was an intern at MPR during university in 2015 and 2017, but didnt work for any of the projects or journalists described in this article).

Sahan Journal, an immigrant-focused digital outlet in the Twin Cities founded by Somali American journalist Mukhtar Ibrahim, has taken the uncommon step of opting out of daily coverage of the highly watched Chauvin trial. Instead, according to Mr Ibrahim, the executive editor, its prioritising a more holistic strategy.

Instead of covering the day-to-day proceedings of the Chauvin trial, Sahan Journal is focusing its coverage on the people and communities who are most affected by what will happen, Mr Ibrahim said on Twitter ahead of the trial. I wish news organisations in Minnesota could have collaborated on the coverage of the Chauvin trial. They could have left their egos aside to combine their resources, share content, and produce more impactful coverage outside the courtroom.

There are also the numerous people who have used their smart phones to capture everything from Mr Floyds death to the massive protests that followed, as well as outlets like Unicorn Riot, a decentralised reporting network based partially in Minneapolis, which is known for its extended livestreams of protests.

According to communications scholars, adopting a more pointed, holistic way of reporting on racism and policing is important because for many people without direct experiences with these subjects, the media is all they have to form their understanding.

Danielle Kilgo, a professor of journalism, diversity and equality at the University of Minnesota, says media coverage of civil rights protests often focuses so much on violence or anger, particularly if its expressed by people of colour, that it obscures the deeper issues about why people are in the streets in the first place and often makes the public less supportive of social movements.

Theres an old, crude media adage, If it bleeds, it leads. Coverage of the large, multi-racial, overwhelmingly peaceful protests in the wake of George Floyds alleged murder often zeroed in on burning buildings or clashes between police and demonstrators.

Theres more emphasis on the potential for violence, people being divided, than there is a thorough discussion of people who have died of issues with police violence and brutality, the substance, Ms Kilgo said. When that is the trend, and this is what it looks like, and we have all these stereotypes that have been reinforced for centuries in the news media, it helps contribute to this division in public support.

This type of framing is what University of Wisconsin journalism and communications professor Douglas M McLeod has identified as the protest paradigm. He said it often morphs into the official account of any social movement in the minds of the public and elected leaders, flattening meaningful context into a reductive frame of reference.

The same scenes get repeated over and over again, which kind of multiples their impact to the point where violence becomes the narrative, and then it gets picked up by opposition groups, and reified in terms of a label, Mr McLeod toldThe Independent. You heard in a lot of the discourse surrounding the Capitol building invasion the opposition saying, the what-about-ism, The other side, well look at what they were doing to encourage all the violence that was taking place this summer.

But before journalists of colour in Minnesota were leading the way about how to move beyond this sort of shallow reporting, they were struggling with these same questions about objectivity, depth, and representation themselves.

At the Minneapolis StarTribune, the Twin Cities most prominent paper, its journalists of colour were contending with being under-represented within the newsroom while being called upon to cover graphic violence against people who looked like them outside of it.

Kyndell Harkness, a veteran photo journalist, said things eventually reached a breaking point last summer. A managing editor, Suki Dardarian, reached out to her and asked how the Black journalists in the newsroom were faring at such an intense moment.

That would be the first time that that occurred, Ms Harkness said. Being the journalist that I am, I was like, I dont know, let me ask.

She realised that many of her colleagues were struggling, and soon they got together to write an open letter to management faulting the paper for its systemic centering of whiteness in its coverage and its hiring decisions.

Ms Harkness was eventually named the papers first ever editor for diversity and community.

The moment also inspired journalists of colour inside the newsroom to create private channels where they could talk with each other and share their experiences, which Ms Harkness credits for making the job more manageable, and also inspired white staffers to comfort their colleagues at traumatic moments, such as the recent shootings of Asian-American women in Georgia.

Lots of eyes have been open since the summer about what that burden looks like, she says. As a journalist of colour, when you have people who dont look like you who are checking in to make sure youre ok and being good citizens of our newsroom, that makes a difference. Then you dont feel like your only avenue is to go on Twitter and just scream.

Other high-profile news outlets, like the New York Times, have struggled with messy, public conversations about how to honour the experiences, opinions, and personal safety of the papers journalists of colour with the papers editorial stance and social media policies.

Jeffrey Bissoy, is a former reporter at MPR who grew up 14 blocks from where Mr Floyd died, after he and his mother immigrated from Cameroon. He went on to found Plugged, an app that connects companies with Black talent. He says he was inspired to start the project after the police killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor so he could help media outlets and other institutions find ways to make themselves look more like the communities they serve.

You have to build relationships with them, he told me. You have to be present. MPR News and a bunch of other news organisations learned this after the police shooting of Jamar Clark in Minneapolis [in 2015]. Many of those news organizations showed up to North Minneapolis, and North Minneapolis residents were like, get out of here. Youre coming in for the first time.

Now as the trial progresses, this cadre of reporters has a few recommendations for the media as it comes to Minneapolis, and the millions of people who will form their understandings about this community from the reporting that they see.

The first is to understand that there is far more going on than just a trial.

This is not a new issue, but every time, for whatever reason, a case fits the parameters or someone, usually now, this is what happens, someone gets footage of it and puts it online, thats when mainstream media wants to pay attention, Ms Fort, the Racial Reckoning reporter, said. Now the Black community is being re-traumatised by seeing another unarmed Black person being killed on live TV. So mainstream media, what they can do better is stop only focusing on the high-profile cases, and focus on some of the cases people dont even know about.

Theres also the fact that despite the central role Mr Floyd and information about his life has played in media coverage and the courtroom, hes not the one on trial.

Mr Bissoy, the Plugged founder, says its also important for people to remember communities of colour are not exclusively defined by suffering and violence, even if thats most commonly when some media outlets decide to cover them.

You come here when were grieving, but not when were expanding and innovating and celebrating, he said. Thats the mindset that needs to shift to tell unique stories.

At the StarTribune, Ms Harkness and others have decided they wont even publish photographs of Mr Chauvin kneeling on Mr Floyds neck. The circumstances of the case are weighty enough, she told me, and blasting that image over and over again can harm readers and begins to obscure more nuanced questions.

Coverage of the trial so far, including that of The Independent, has focused intently on the minute dynamics of each day in court, rather than big-picture forces that created the case in the first place. Why did George Floyd need to use a counterfeit $20 bill, or struggle to kick an addiction to opioids like so many Americans? Why was he worried he would be at risk of Covid if he went to jail? Did racial bias play a role in the decision of multiple officers to kneel on his back and neck while he was unconscious in handcuffs?

But the system is not on trial, much as these questions are salient ones. Just one man is: Derek Chauvin, and the verdict will come down to narrow questions of how he applied police training and what medical evidence suggests Mr Floyd died from. Whatever a jury decides later this month, that likely will not provide closure to the millions of people who protested against racism after Mr Floyd died.

The narrative of policing and courts allows us to pretend there is order in our world: There are clear good guys, clear bad guys, and, hopefully, a tidy resolutionthe bad guy gets caught; the victim, whether dead or alive, gets some semblance of justice, journalist and critic PE Moskowitz has written.

A truly inquisitive press, professor Kilgo argues, will keep probing deep questions rather than focus on sensational violence like a trial about a knee to the neck, or a protest with a burning police car.

The trauma and the injury from racism is just as sensationally atrocious, she said. People die from it every day. Whether its an internalised health outcome or another shooting. Theres all kinds of ways that this plays out in the lives of people of colour. Find the sensationalism in that and balance it out so you can really educate the public about whats happening.
Los Angeles, April 6 : The trailer of Hollywood actor Michael B. Jordan's new film "Without Remorse" was released on Tuesday.

The story of the film revolves around an elite Navy Seal, who uncovers an international conspiracy while seeking justice for the murder of his pregnant wife.

Michael took to Instagram to release the trailer and captioned it: "Without Remorse. They brought war into his house. Now he's going to make them play by his rules. #withoutremorse only on@amazonprimevideo April 30." The film, which is an Amazon Prime Video original, has been directed by Stefano Sollima, and has been written by Taylor Sheridan and Will Staples.
Phanes Group, an international solar energy developer headquartered in Dubai, said it has signed a power purchase agreement and investment agreement with Uzbekistan for a 200MW  grid-connected solar PV plant in the country's Navoi region.

The deals, include the technical and commercial terms for building, owning and operating the solar plant including the facilities connecting to Khimiya 220/110 kV substation, were signed with National Electric Grid of Uzbekistan, IA with the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade last week, said the statement from Phanes.

This ground-mounted project will significantly boost Uzbekistans current solar PV installed capacity and contribute to the governments plans to boost energy generation capacity to 30 GW, including 5 GW of solar by 2030.

"Uzbekistan earned the Economists title of country of the year in 2019 and the nation is now regarded as a rising powerhouse in Central Asia," remarked Martin Haupts, CEO of Phanes Group.

"With this agreement we share the vision for Uzbekistans clean energy ambition and reaching its climate action goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and dependency on fossil fuels," stated Haupts.

Welcoming the strategic agreements, Sherzod Khodjaev, Deputy Minister of Energy of Uzbekistan, said: "Our country is strongly committed to a low-carbon strategy and increasing the share of renewable energy in our energy mix. Solar energy is an important part of this strategy and Phanes Groups assistance will contribute to the success of this latest project."

Ravnaq-bank is acting as a coordinator between Phanes Group and the state organizations of Uzbekistan.

Earlier, Ravnaq-bank and Phanes Group signed a memorandum of cooperation and cooperation in implementation of projects and initiatives.

Ravnaq-bank CEO Tursunov Iskandar Bakhtinurovich said: "Today, renewable energy sources generate high interest among the industry community, and Uzbekistan also strives to follow modern trends in development of the power industry; especially as our country has a great natural, technical and economic potential for the large-scale implementation of such projects.

Founded in 2001, Ravnaq-bank today offers businesses and individuals a full range of banking services and upgrades its customer service to the international level, thus contributing to the development of the banking industry and economy of Uzbekistan.
A worker at a JBS USA meat processing facility in Greeley, Colorado, died on Saturday, March 27 after having been struck by machinery and falling into a pool of water.

To date, at least 474 workers in the plant also contracted COVID in the plant, and seven workers have died, as a result of the unsafe maintenance of production in the plant by JBS management, carried out with the support of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union.

A JBS meatpacking facility. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

The Greeley Fire Department responded to calls made from the plant, arriving nine hours and 40 minutes later, at 18:10 MDT, according to the fire department. Upon arrival, fellow workers had moved the victim to another location and were providing medical aid. Firefighters and paramedics took the worker to North Colorado Medical Center, where upon arrival he died.

The Weld County Coroners office identified the man on Monday, March 29, as 55-year-old Jonathan Bryan Duerst. Carl Blesch, the deputy coroner, said the incident that led to Duersts death remains under investigation, and that his cause and manner of death would be released in the autopsy lab reports once the investigation concludes.

Ted Herrera, business manager for International Union of Operating Engineers Local 1, called the incident shocking and sad, and that Duerst had worked for JBS for some time. Herrera, alongside a call on JBS to increase safety at the plant, said the union would be conducting an independent investigation into the incident.

In an e-mail, JBS spokesperson Nikki Richardson stated, On Saturday, a tragic accident occurred at our Greeley plant resulting in the death of one of our team members. We are deeply saddened, and our thoughts and prayers are with our team member, his family, co-workers and friends. She continued, [We] are working closely with local officials and OSHA [the Occupational Safety and Health Administration] to investigate the incident.

In reality, JBS, with the support of both the UFCW and the federal government, bears responsibility for deadly working conditions in the facility. Nationwide, more than 50,000 workers across the entire meatpacking industry have been infected, and at least 286 have died, according to the Food and Environment Reporting Network.

In Weld County, population 324,492, there are currently 27,606 cases of coronavirus and 326 deaths. The state of Colorado has more 466,000 cases of COVID-19, accompanied by 6,250 deaths.

On March 5, management temporarily idled the plant for two days as it began an on-site vaccination clinic, according to the Greeley Tribune. During the closure, the company provided workers a pathetic $100 bonus and four hours pay for receiving the vaccine.

UFCW local 7 under President Kim Cordova has done nothing in response to the massive outbreaks inside the plant, other than pay for a billboard in Greeley with photos and names of the dead. When workers took matters into their own hands last July and carried out a wildcat strike, the union staunchly opposed it, circulating a leaflet instructing workers to remain on the job, citing the terms of their contract.

As for the federal government, the Trump administration signed an executive order last year invoking the Defense Production Act to force meatpacking facilities to remain open. This order was never repealed by the Biden administration and remains in force. Meanwhile, OSHA has been covering up the extent of infections and deaths at workplaces and has meted out only minor fines for workplace safety violations.

JBS Greeley has only received a wrist slap of a fine of $15,615 by OSHA during the pandemic. After an OSHA inspection in May, the agency also charged JBS with failing to provide a log of injuries and illnesses in a timely manner.

Two whistleblowers at the plant revealed last fall that management was threatening symptomatic workers into remaining on the job, and providing screeners with faulty equipment.

Even before the coronavirus pandemic, the meatpacking industry was one of the most dangerous in the country, with repetitive-motion injuries in particular extremely common.

One press statement from June 2013 on OSHAs website reads, The U.S. Department of Labors Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited JBS USA LLC in Greeley with 11 serious, one repeat and eight other-than-serious safety and health violations.

It continues, OSHA began an inspection in December 2012 under its Site Specific Targeting Program that directs enforcement resources to high-hazard workplaces, where high injury and illness rates occur. The serious violations associated with the safety portion of the inspection pertained to workers being exposed to potential fall hazards from elevated work areas, possible amputations due to the lack of proper machine guarding, not properly locking out equipment energy sources prior to performing maintenance work and failing to use safe work practices for electrical elements. 

The repeat violation was cited for failing to properly guard machinery exposing workers to ingoing nip points and rotating parts.

However, the government agency proposed penalties totaling a mere $83,414.
A Navy medic shot and critically wounded two people at a Maryland business park Tuesday, then fled to a nearby Army base where he was shot and killed, police and U.S. Navy officials said.

The man entered a business at the Riverside Tech Park, causing people inside to flee, but it was unclear if the shooting took place inside or outside, Frederick Police Chief Jason Lando said.

After the shooting, the medic drove about 10 minutes to Fort Detrick, where he was shot by base personnel, Lando said at a news conference. The U.S. Navy released an initial statement saying there was an active shooter incident at Fort Detrick involving U.S. sailors and that the shooter, a Navy medic assigned to the base, was killed. Fort Detrick officials later confirmed that the man who was killed on base was the same person who shot the two people at the business park.

The two people who were shot at the business park were critically wounded and flown to a hospital, Lando said.

Fort Detrick spokeswoman Lanessa Hill said the gunman drove through a gate at an entrance to the base before base personnel confronted him on a road.

It wasnt that long before he came through the gate. Not even a quarter of a mile, Hill said. She said Frederick police had given them advance notice, so we knew that we was out there.

Fort Detrick is a U.S. Army base in Frederick that is home to the militarys flagship biological defense laboratory and several federal civilian biodefense labs.

Lando called the shootings very tragic.

Its happening too frequently. Every time we turn on the TV were seeing something like this happening. And now its happening in our backyards.
BAY CITY, MI - A highway interchange in Bay County could see the addition of two roundabouts. But first, officials want to hear feedback from the public on the proposed projects.

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is inviting the public to attend a virtual public meeting to discuss upcoming improvements along westbound US-10 in Bay County. The proposed work includes the construction of two roundabouts at the US-10/Mackinaw Road interchange west of Bay City.

MDOT is planning to invest $34.3 million to rebuild 5.5 miles of westbound US-10 from Bay City Road to Seven Mile Road. The project includes replacing the Mackinaw Road overpass at US-10, improvements on two other bridges along US-10 and the addition of the two roundabouts at the US-10/Mackinaw Road interchange to address congestion and safety for drivers accessing US-10 and Mackinaw Road, MDOT said.

The meeting will be held at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13 using Microsoft Teams. The meeting can be accessed online or through phone by calling 248-509-0316. The Teams conference ID for the meeting is 329 893 134#.

During this virtual meeting, there will be a brief presentation followed by a question-and-answer session. Questions can be submitted during the meeting using the chat tool.

The public can submit concerns/comments directly to MDOT separate from the virtual meeting by April 27. Comments or questions can be submitted using the online comment form via MDOT or by mail, e-mail or phone to MDOT Public Involvement Specialist and Hearings Officer Monica Monsma at MonsmaM@Michigan.gov or:

Monica Monsma

MDOT Environmental Services Section

P.O. Box 30050

Lansing, MI 48909

517-335-4381

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Police investigating the 'Kill the Bill' riot in Bristol two weeks ago have issued images of another 13 suspects wanted in connection with the violence.

It comes as officers made three more arrests over the Easter Bank Holiday, two men aged 23 and 36 and a 25-year-old woman, after police were pelted with fireworks and other missiles and police vehicles were torched following a protest last month.

The total number of people arrested is now 32.

Avon and Somerset Police have released photographs of a group of individuals they wish to identify following violent protests in Bristol last month

Around 3,000 people had attended the protest in College Green, Bristol on March 21. Officers have trawled through hours of footage to identify potential suspects

Avon and Somerset Police would like to talk to this man in connection with the violent scenes

The latest images gave been added to Avon and Somerset Police's official website.

Around 3,000 people had attended a peaceful demonstration on College Green in the centre of Bristol on March 21 but events turned sour after about 500 people descended on Bridewell police station in the city.

Two police officers were hospitalised and dozens more injured after thugs pelted them with bottles, cans, rocks and fireworks.

A police van and another vehicle were set alight, as were rubbish bins, and Bridewell police station had windows smashed and obscene graffiti daubed over the front.

A 25-year-old man appeared in court on Saturday charged with attempted arson with intent to endanger life in connection with an incident in which a lit item was placed under an occupied police van during the disorder.

Ryan Paul Roberts, from Plymouth, has also been charged with two counts of criminal damage and two counts of assaulting an emergency worker.

Police want to identify these men in connection with the violent scenes in Bristol

Officers have released images of these two suspects and want the public's assistance in identifying them

He spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth at Bristol Magistrates' Court and did not enter any pleas to the charges. He was remanded in custody.

Subsequent protest in Bristol have also turned violent as the city becomes the front line in demonstrations against the government's Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.

The Bill would give police in England and Wales more power to impose conditions on non-violent protests, including those deemed too noisy or a nuisance, with those convicted liable to fines or jail terms.

Of the five protests held in the city, only one has finished peacefully. Trouble erupted again at the weekend when protesters clashed with police after blocking the M32 motorway.

Avon and Somerset Police have requested mutual aid from neighbouring forces to assist in dispersing the gatherings after attempts to encourage people to leave were unsuccessful.

Public order officers from Avon and Somerset, British Transport Police, Devon and Cornwall, Dorset, Dyfed-Powys, Gloucestershire, Gwent and Wiltshire have been deployed on the streets of Bristol over the past fortnight.

Officers are are currently reviewing other footage and may release more images of people, like this man, that they want to speak to

Officers are seeking to talk to this man who was seen in Bristol on the evening of March 21

They have been backed up by police dog units, horses, the police helicopter and a police drone unit.

Avon and Somerset Police have appealed for the public to supply them with any mobile phone videos of the March 21 violence to weed out the troublemakers.

Detective Chief Superintendent Carolyn Belafonte said the investigation could result in the release of the largest number of images for wanted suspects in the force's history.

She said: 'What happened on the streets of Bristol on Sunday was nothing short of disgraceful and it's provoked widespread condemnation.

'We've been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and kindness that we've received from the public, as well as from organisations and agencies across the city.

'It's greatly appreciated and means a lot to all the officers and staff who work day in, day out to keep the public safe.

Photographs of these two individuals have been released by Avon and Somerset Police

'We have an enormous amount of digital material to go through including CCTV footage, Body Worn Video, social media coverage and footage/photos provided by people at the scene.'

She added: 'We've already started receiving a large amount of digital material from the public, which we're grateful for, but to ensure we capture all available evidence, we've set up a dedicated form via our website where people can provide video footage and photos.'

Since the demonstration on March 21, there have been four other protests in Bristol against the Government's proposed Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.

Protests on March 23 and 26 ended in clashes between police and protesters. A demonstration on March 30 passed off peacefully.

Police would also like to speak with this woman who was in Bristol on the night of the violence

Avon and Somerset police would also like to talk to this man in connection with the incident

Three people were charged with failing to comply with a dispersal order put in place following a protest on Saturday night.

Rebecca Buckley, 26, of Wilson Street, Bristol, and Thomas William Rix, 37, of Kingsdown Parade, Bristol, were released on unconditional bail and will appear at Bristol Magistrates' Court on later dates.

A 17-year-old boy will appear before Bristol Youth Court on April 28, a 17-year-old girl has been referred to the Youth Panel for a decision, and a 16-year-old boy has been released under investigation.

Two men aged 26 and 25 were given conditional cautions, Avon and Somerset Police said.

The proposed Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill would give police in England and Wales more power to impose conditions on non-violent protests, including those deemed too noisy or a nuisance, with those convicted liable to fines or prison terms.
"I'm delighted to welcome the talented Rocksbox team to our Signet family and am confident this union will generate exciting opportunities to accelerate our growth in services and reach new customers," said Signet CEO Virginia C. Drosos. "Under CEO Meaghan Rose's leadership, Rocksbox has revolutionized the jewelry rental subscription marketplace by delivering personalized, online and data-driven customer experiences for jewelry lovers who prioritize fashion, online convenience and sustainability. We look forward to bringing Rocksbox's outstanding services to more customers, and to introducing those new customers to the balance of Signet's banners."

Rocksbox was launched in 2012 by Rose, a jewelry lover and former strategy consultant, with an inspiring mission: "To bring the joy of jewelry to every person." Rocksbox invites monthly members to rent and swap exclusive and designer jewelry styles, using its intuitive online platform. Today, the company's growing customer base consists of women who are stylish and tech savvy. Rocksbox is a leader in the circular economy, ensuring customers have the latest trending jewelry at an affordable price point while also delivering sustainability benefits as items are circulated and re-used throughout the marketplace. Rocksbox further strengthens Signet's industry-leading portfolio of banners that includes Kay, Zales, Jared, Peoples, jamesallen.com, H. Samuel, Ernest Jones, and Piercing Pagoda. It provides an additional point of entry for self-purchasing women customers, a segment where Signet is currently under-developed, and is expected to help Signet continue extending its market share.

"We are excited to join Signet and to play an important role in its purpose-driven growth strategy - Inspiring Brilliance - while also taking the company we've so passionately grown to an entirely new level," said Meaghan Rose, founder and CEO of Rocksbox. "I started Rocksbox to make it easy and fun for women to discover jewelry that they love  and that won't change. We're excited to give even more members the opportunity to experiment with new, fashionable jewelry styles through a technology-enabled, personalized rental experience. As a customer-first, data-driven and values-oriented company, we were selective about finding the right partner. I am proud to join the Signet team and excited about the opportunities this alignment brings."

Signet recently announced that it is focusing on the acceleration of its Services business as part of the company's Inspiring Brilliance growth strategy. The company expects to expand its current services such as repair, warranty services and piercings, while also introducing new ones. With jewelry rental subscription, Signet will tap into a highly engaged customer base, generate a new revenue stream, and bring yet another capability into its connected-commerce strategy, which is focused on serving customers whenever, wherever and however they want to engage with Signet and its retail banners.

About Signet and Safe Harbor Statement:

Signet Jewelers Limited is the world's largest retailer of diamond jewelry. As a purpose-driven and sustainability focused company, Signet is a participant in the United Nations Global Compact, and adheres to its principles-based approach to responsible business. Signet is a Best Places to Work certified company and has been named to the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index for three consecutive years. Signet operates approximately 2,800 stores primarily under the name brands of Kay Jewelers, Zales, Jared, H. Samuel, Ernest Jones, Peoples, Piercing Pagoda, and JamesAllen.com. Further information on Signet is available at www.signetjewelers.com. See also www.kay.com, www.zales.com, www.jared.com, www.hsamuel.co.uk, www.ernestjones.co.uk,

www.peoplesjewellers.com, www.pagoda.com, and www.jamesallen.com.

This release contains statements which are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements, based upon management's beliefs and expectations as well as on assumptions made by and data currently available to management, appear in a number of places throughout this document and include statements regarding, among other things, Signet's results of operation, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies and the industry in which Signet operates. The use of the words "expects," "intends," "anticipates," "estimates," "predicts," "believes," "should," "potential," "may," "preliminary," "forecast," "objective," "plan," or "target," and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause the actual results to not be realized, including, but not limited to: the negative impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic has had, and will continue to have, on Signet's business, financial condition, profitability and cash flows; the effect of steps we take in response to the pandemic; the severity and duration of the pandemic, including whether it is necessary to temporarily reclose our stores, distribution centers and corporate facilities or for our suppliers and vendors to temporarily reclose their facilities; the pace of recovery when the pandemic subsides and the heightened impact it has on many of the risks described herein, including without limitation risks relating to disruptions in our supply chain, consumer behaviors such as spending and willingness to congregate in shopping centers and the impact on demand of our products, our level of indebtedness and covenant compliance, availability of adequate capital, our ability to execute our business plans, our lease obligations and relationships with our landlords, and asset impairments; general economic or market conditions; financial market risks; our ability to optimize Signet's transformation initiative; a decline in consumer spending or deterioration in consumer financial position; changes to regulations relating to customer credit; disruption in the availability of credit for customers and customer inability to meet credit payment obligations; our ability to achieve the benefits related to the outsourcing of the credit portfolio, including due to technology disruptions, future financial results and operating results and/or disruptions arising from changes to or termination of the relevant non-prime outsourcing agreement requiring transition to alternative arrangements through other providers or alternative payment options and our ability to successfully establish future arrangements for the forward-flow receivables; deterioration in the performance of individual businesses or of the Company's market value relative to its book value, resulting in impairments of long-lived assets or intangible assets or other adverse financial consequences; the volatility of our stock price; the impact of financial covenants, credit ratings or interest volatility on our ability to borrow; our ability to maintain adequate levels of liquidity for our cash needs, including debt obligations, payment of dividends, and capital expenditures as well as the ability of our customers, suppliers and lenders to access sources of liquidity to provide for their own cash needs; changes in our credit rating; potential regulatory changes, global economic conditions or other developments related to the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union; exchange rate fluctuations; the cost, availability of and demand for diamonds, gold and other precious metals; stakeholder reactions to disclosure regarding the source and use of certain minerals; seasonality of Signet's business; the merchandising, pricing and inventory policies followed by Signet and failure to manage inventory levels; Signet's relationships with suppliers including the ability to continue to utilize extended payment terms and the ability to obtain merchandise that customers wish to purchase; the failure to adequately address the impact of existing tariffs and/or the imposition of additional duties, tariffs, taxes and other charges or other barriers to trade or impacts from trade relations; the level of competition and promotional activity in the jewelry sector; our ability to optimize Signet's multi-year strategy to gain market share, expand and improve existing services, innovate and achieve sustainable, long-term growth; the maintenance and continued innovation of Signet's Omni-Channel retailing and ability to increase digital sales; changes in consumer attitudes regarding jewelry and failure to anticipate and keep pace with changing fashion trends; changes in the supply and consumer acceptance of and demand for gem quality lab created diamonds and adequate identification of the use of substitute products in our jewelry; ability to execute successful marketing programs and manage social media; the ability to optimize Signet's real estate footprint; the ability to satisfy the accounting requirements for "hedge accounting," or the default or insolvency of a counterparty to a hedging contract; the performance of and ability to recruit, train, motivate and retain qualified sales associates; management of social, ethical and environmental risks; the reputation of Signet and its banners; inadequacy in and disruptions to internal controls and systems, including related to the migration to a new financial reporting information technology system; security breaches and other disruptions to Signet's information technology infrastructure and databases; an adverse development in legal or regulatory proceedings or tax matters, including any new claims or litigation brought by employees, suppliers, consumers or shareholders, regulatory initiatives or investigations, and ongoing compliance with regulations and any consent orders or other legal or regulatory decisions; failure to comply with labor regulations; collective bargaining activity; changes in taxation laws, rules or practices in the US and jurisdictions in which Signet's subsidiaries are incorporated, including developments related to the tax treatment of companies engaged in Internet commerce; risks related to international laws and Signet being a Bermuda corporation; difficulty or delay in executing or integrating an acquisition, business combination, major business or strategic initiative; risks relating to the outcome of pending litigation; our ability to protect our intellectual property or physical assets; changes in assumptions used in making accounting estimates relating to items such as extended service plans and pensions; the success of recent changes in Signet's executive management team; or the impact of weather-related incidents, natural disasters, strikes, protests, riots or terrorism, acts of war or another public health crisis or disease outbreak, epidemic or pandemic on Signet's business.

For a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement, see Item 1A, Risk Factors, and elsewhere in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 30, 2021 filed with the SEC on March 19, 2021. Signet undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by law.

Investors:

Vinnie Sinisi

SVP Investor Relations & Treasury

[email protected]

Media:

Colleen Rooney

Chief Communications & ESG Officer

[email protected]

David Bouffard

VP Corporate Affairs

[email protected]

SOURCE Signet Jewelers Ltd.

Related Links

http://www.signetjewelers.com


The Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act has been introduced to legalise, tax and regulate recreational cannabis for adults that are 21 years and over in New York State and paves the way for the growth of a potential US $4.2 billion industry.

Creso anticipates federal legalisation will occur in the US during 2021.

( ) (FRA:1X8) welcomes the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) to legalise, tax and regulate recreational cannabis for adults that are 21 years and over in New York State.

This legalisation is set to unlock a market expected to become one of the largest in the USA, with an estimated value of US$4.2 billion.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a statement: For generations, too many New Yorkers have been unfairly penalized for the use and sale of adult-use cannabis, arbitrarily arrested and jailed with harsh mandatory minimum sentences.

"After years of tireless advocacy and extraordinarily hard work, that time is coming to an end in New York State.

One of largest recreational cannabis markets

Introduction of the MRTA follows long-term attempts to legalise recreational cannabis in New York State - this legislation would create a new Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), which would be controlled by a Cannabis Control Board.

The OCM would then regulate the sale and distribution of both recreational and medicinal cannabis in New York State.

Under the new legislation, it is expected that up to three ounces of marijuana would be legal to possess.

If passed, New York State would become the fifteenth US state to legalise recreational marijuana[i].

The MRTA will pave the way for the growth of an industry that could generate tens of thousands of jobs and lead to the creation of one of the largest recreational cannabis markets in the US.

Leading cannabis executive appointed

In line with Cresos focus on growth opportunities and commitment to increasing its presence in the US, it has appointed leading cannabis executive John Griese as director of US business development, bringing around 30 years of experience in sales, CPG operations and supply chain management.

His role will centre on New York, Vermont and other states to delineate a strategy for Creso to begin delivering products into the USA.

The company anticipates federal legislation will occur in the US during 2021.

Establishing strong US footprint

Non-executive chairman Adam Blumenthal said: The recent legislative push in New York State highlights the ongoing shift towards the federal legalisation of recreational cannabis and Johns appointment shows Creso Pharmas commitment to establishing a strong footprint to unlock value for our shareholders.

To already have boots on the ground in the US will provide the company with a key advantage over our competition.

John has established relationships in the US market through his roles in California and Toronto and we look forward to leveraging his network in the coming months.

Knowledge of US cannabis sector

Griese was previously chief operating officer of Supreme Cannabis Company, where he was directly responsible for product development, commercialisation initiatives, procurement, manufacturing operations and supply chain management.

He was also chief operating officer at Blooms Farms, a branded cannabis manufacturer and distributor in California. This role enabled him to implement numerous processes necessary to meet requirements for the regulated adult-use marketplace in California.

Both roles have left him with considerable knowledge of the North American cannabis sector as well as several established relationships that he will be able to leverage to drive growth for Creso Pharma.

Commenting on his role, Griese said: The North American market provides a significant opportunity for Creso Pharma and I look forward to working with the company to assist in growing its foothold in the US.

I look forward to working with management to develop a strategy that will ensure Creso becomes a market leader in the US.

US OTC listing progress

Creso Pharmas anticipated US OTC market listing is expected in three weeks, which is set to provide additional exposure to the North American market.

The proposed listing timing is favourable following the recent regulatory developments in the New York State and the potential federal legalisation of recreational cannabis in the US.
Plan is part of the GRAB cycle path around Rome.

The Colosseum linked to the Circus Maximus with a wide cycle and pedestrian path, in a radical redesign of Via di S. Gregorio.

The plan, currently being drawn up by Roma Servizi per la Mobilita, is the idea of the city's Grande Raccordo Annulare delle Bici, or GRAB for short.

The project would see pedestrians and cyclists occupying the existing carriageway on the Palatine Hill side of the street, with the opposite side reserved for traffic, reports Rome online newspaper RomaToday.

Describing it as a "large cycle-pedestrian boulevard," Alberto Fiorillo of GRAB told RomaToday that the plan is part of an ambitious attempt to create a 45-km cycle-pedestrian around Rome.

The "boulevard" would connect to the new cycle path on Viale Aventino, between the Circus Maximus and Piramide, whose works are currently at an advanced stage.

The cycle path runs in both directions, on either side of the railings that seal off the tram-line down the centre of Viale Aventino which will soon swap its sampietrini cobblestones for asphalt.

The GRAB project is an initiative of environmental association Legambiente and VeloLove, an organisation that promotes cultural initiatives involving mainly urban cyclists but also pedestrians, commuters and public transport users.

The GRAB route runs predominantly along existing pedestrian walkways and bicycle paths as well as parks and river banks.

Photo GRAB
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Tractor overturns killing two in Nanded 04 Jun 2021 | 9:57 PM Nanded, Jun 4 (UNI) A teen was among two killed after a tractor overturned near Khairgaon on Bhokar-Barad Road here on Friday. see more..

Mah: NAFED, WEFCO allowed in onion auctions after APMC-traders meet 04 Jun 2021 | 9:45 PM Nashik, Jun 4 (UNI) After verification of documents that NAFED has approved Krishi Sadhana Agricultural Produce Co-operative Society at Vinchur and WEFCO at Lasalgaon as the nodal agencies, both the organizations were given permission to purchase onions at the Lasalgaon Market Committee in a meeting held on Friday. see more..

Has set target of vaccinating people of 18-44 age group by July 30: Goa CM 04 Jun 2021 | 9:27 PM Panaji, Jun 4 (UNI) Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday said the state government has set a target of vaccinating people of 18-44 age group by July 30, 2021. see more..

Water harvesting projects taken up in forest areas to prevent man-animal conflict: CM 04 Jun 2021 | 9:14 PM Panaji, Jun 4 (UNI) Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday said that the state government had started water harvesting projects in forest areas to prevent man-animal conflict. see more..
An NHS hospital has called in a ghostbusting priest to rid offices of a poltergeist after worried staff reported items being moved and appearing.

Workers in offices in St Ann's Hospital Old Building in Poole reported to senior bosses they had experienced several weeks of the unexplained activity.

It was treated so seriously the NHS chaplain Reverend Mike Oates was brought in to speak to the scared staff.

Then - after reporting his findings to hospital management - the decision was taken to hold a Holy Communion service with all those affected.

It proved successful with the unexplained incidents immediately stopping permanently, the ghost apparently vanishing.

Details on the extraordinary paranormal intervention emerged today for the first time following a Freedom of Information Act request to Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust hospitals.

Hospital chaplain Reverend Mike Oates was called in to vanquish the pesky poltergeist spirit

St Ann's Hospital Old Building's offices in Poole, Dorset, was hit by the poltergeist activity

Both it and Reverend Oates were unavailable for further comment, but did confirm to MailOnline the service of Holy Communion took place.

While it is not strictly called an exorcism, the idea subscribed to by some is that any type of blessing and prayer can drive spirits away.

Vicar Jason Bray, who is known for carrying out exorcisms, has a communion kit within his own ghostbusting equipment. He has spoken in the past of his own work vanquishing poltergeists.

St Anns Hospital is a psychiatric hospital located in the Canford Cliffs area of Poole, Dorset.

It was designed by Robert Weir Schultz, was built between 1909 and 1912 and expanded in October 2013 at the cost of 14 million.

Reverend Oates has been chaplain there since 2011 and covers a number of hospitals within the trust.

Recent documents show the Chaplaincy has a budget of just 1,000-a-year with a further grant of 900 to pay for a keyboard player to get to St Ann's.

A hospital in Liverpool is included among one of the most haunted buildings in the UK.

Previous ghost hunting holymen include Reverend Jason Bray who also carries communion kit

The spirit banishing heroics echo film ghostbusters where people vanquished evil forces

Newsham Park Hospital is a former orphanage and was even at one point opened up to ghost hunters and paranormal investigators.

The Grade II listed building has previously been used as a medical hospital and a mental asylum before its 1997 closure.

But until now St Ann's Hospital Old Building has never come up on spirit finders' radars.

The information released by the hospital said the ghostly encounter happened in 2014.

They said: Experience over several weeks of activity in a multi-occupied office; movement of items, unexplainable items being found.

Referrals made to Chaplain. Chaplain spent some time in the office with staff listening to their accounts.

It was decided, in consultation with hospital management, to hold a service of Holy Communion in the office and to invite all those who had been affected directly or indirectly.

No further experiences were reported.
MINNEAPOLIS, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The IMAGINE Group ("IMAGINE" or "the Company"), a leading provider of visual communications, today announced that Chris Cavanaugh will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer and join the Company's Board of Directors, effective April 14, 2021. This completes a comprehensive succession plan, led by the Board with the assistance of Craig Reese, current IMAGINE CEO. Mr. Reese will remain an advisor to Mr. Cavanaugh and the Board through the end of the year.

"We are pleased to welcome Chris to IMAGINE," said Rickardo Francis, member of IMAGINE's Board of Directors and Managing Director at Cerberus Capital Management. "His deep expertise in operations, technology solutions, commercialization, and marketing strategies make him an ideal fit as the Company's next leader. We are grateful to Craig for setting the foundation for the Company's transformation and his leadership in navigating the pandemic's unprecedented business environment."

Brady Schuck, Managing Director within Goldman Sachs Private Credit and member of IMAGINE's Board of Directors, added, "We look forward to an exciting next chapter as IMAGINE continues to invest in its business and develop valuable client offerings. Chris is a terrific partner to lead in this phase of growth and innovation."

Craig Reese, current IMAGINE Chief Executive Officer, stated, "When I first joined IMAGINE, my goal was to establish a transformation plan that would set the Company on a positive, long-term trajectory. I'm proud of the accomplishments we've made together towards that goal; the work I came here to do is largely complete. With a new balance sheet, a terrific new equity group, and a highly capable leader in Chris, IMAGINE is ready for the next phase of this transformation."

Chris Cavanaugh, incoming IMAGINE Chief Executive Officer, commented, "IMAGINE's customer relationships and ability to deliver visual communications solutions are unparalleled. I'm grateful for the opportunity to bring IMAGINE's market-leading capabilities and other innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of customers. I look forward to continuing to meet with the leadership team and employees in the weeks to come as we build out and execute on our plan to accelerate growth, invest in new capabilities, and make an even greater positive impact on our customers. I'm excited to roll up my sleeves with the talented and dedicated IMAGINE team members at my new home base in the Twin Cities and our additional operations in Charlotte, Chicago, and Los Angeles."

Mr. Cavanaugh brings more than 35 years of experience and has focused his career on creating transformation strategies and engaging clients with innovative solutions to solve complex business challenges. He spent more than seven years in executive roles at the Freeman Company, the world's largest event service and logistics company, where he contributed to the total transformation of the business as a part of the company's executive team. Most recently, he served as CEO of NewSkyxr, a business-to-business virtual events platform, and as President of The Collyer Collective, a consulting agency focused on market intelligence and digital transformation. Prior to these roles and his time at the Freeman Company, Mr. Cavanaugh held executive leadership positions as President of Taft and EVP at Jack Morton Worldwide (part of the Interpublic Group of companies), where he worked for 16 years, 10 of which were as Managing Director of their flagship New York Office.

Earlier this year, IMAGINE successfully completed a recapitalization to eliminate more than $450 million in debt and enhanced its capital structure with new investment. IMAGINE is supported by an ownership group led by an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., the Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking Division, and Arbour Lane Capital Management, LP. The Company is now better positioned to support client growth with one of the strongest financial positions in the industry and is set for long-term success.

About IMAGINE

IMAGINE is an industry-leading national provider of visual print communications and experiential marketing solutions. From concept to consumer, IMAGINE partners with companies to realize a better way via teams of trained experts that listen, understand, and move at the speed of change to deliver beautiful pieces that inspire. IMAGINE offers a seamless end-to-end journey including innovative solutions in concepting, pre-media, direct mail, out-of-home, decor, commercial print, location signage, specialty packaging, and fulfillment, backed by state-of-the-art equipment and processes. The IMAGINE family of companies includes IMAGINE Charlotte, IMAGINE Chicago, IMAGINE Twin Cities and IMAGINE Los Angeles/Midnight Oil Agency. Imagine a better way at www.theimaginegroup.com.

About Cerberus

Founded in 1992, Cerberus is a global leader in alternative investing with over $53 billion in assets across complementary credit, private equity, and real estate strategies. We invest across the capital structure where our integrated investment platforms and proprietary operating capabilities create an edge to improve performance and drive long-term value. Our tenured teams have experience working collaboratively across asset classes, sectors, and geographies to seek strong risk-adjusted returns for our investors. For more information about our people and platforms, visit us at www.cerberus.com.

About the Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking Division

Goldman Sachs is one of the world's leading investors in alternative investments. With over 30 years of experience, we invest in the full spectrum of alternatives, including private equity, growth equity, private credit, real estate, infrastructure, ESG, and absolute-return strategies. Our clients access these solutions through our direct proprietary strategies, customized strategic partnerships, and open-architecture programs. Our alternative investment teams represent over 1,000 professionals, across 31 offices around the world. We leverage the depth and breadth of global relationships across Goldman Sachs to identify investment opportunities, drawing on our firm-wide capital market insights, industry research, and risk management platforms. We extend these capabilities to the world's leading pension plans, sovereign wealth funds, governments, financial institutions, endowments, foundations, family offices and individuals, for which we invest or advise on over $300 billion of alternative investments.

Founded in 1869, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is a leading global investment banking, securities and investment management firm. The Merchant Banking area of the Asset Management Division of Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking Division (MBD) is the primary center for the firm's long-term principal investing activity and. MBD is one of the leading private capital investors in the world with investments across private equity, infrastructure, private debt, growth equity and real estate.

About Arbour Lane

Arbour Lane Capital Management, LP ("Arbour Lane") is a registered investment adviser focused primarily on opportunistic credit and special situations investments. Arbour Lane leverages its team's deep experience in various sectors, built over years at both investment banks and primary investment firms, to source and invest in undervalued credit opportunities and special situations in the middle market.

Media Contact Information

Rachel Chesley

FTI Consulting

[email protected]

SOURCE The IMAGINE Group
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 6, 2021) - OrganiMax Nutrient Corp. (TSXV: KMAX) (FSE: L3U) (OTC: BNJRF) ("OrganiMax" or "the Company") is pleased to welcome Darrell Podowski to the Board of Directors of the Company.

Darrell Podowski has over 28 years of international experience in the mining industry and is highly regarded as one of the top mining lawyers globally. Darrell was previously in-house corporate counsel to Teck Resources Limited, and is currently one of the key M&A lawyers for Antofagasta Minerals SA and Freeport-McMoRan Inc. for each of their respective worldwide project acquisitions and exploration projects. He currently is a partner with the national law firm Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP, and previous to that, he was a lawyer at a number of other major law firms, including one off-shore. Darrell has acted for numerous junior, mid level and senior mining companies during his legal career. Prior to his legal career, he was an oil and gas exploration geophysicist with Amoco Canada Petroleum Company.

Brandon Rook, CEO commented, "We are extremely pleased to have Darrell join the company at its infancy of growth. Darrell will assist and advise significantly as the Company looks to build out its Silver Valley, Idaho footprint from the company's well positioned, and highly prospective brownfield exploration project located next to Bunker Hill Mine on one side and the Page Mine on the other."

Lastly, Organimax has granted an aggregate of 300,000 share purchase options with an exercise price of 25 cents per share and a term of five years. The new grant is subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval.

About OrganiMax Nutrient Corporation:

Silver Valley, Idaho Project:

Key investment highlights of the project include:

The Government Gulch Silver project comprise 403 acres of patented lode claims; 5 historic mines and highly prospective unexplored areas.

No Federal permitting required; permitting with the State of Idaho is straightforward with patented claims.

Modern systematic exploration and drilling has never been applied to the project.

Two major mines (Bunker Hill and Page) located adjacent and contiguous to the project at both the west and east boundaries historically mined into the Government Gulch project area.

The Page Mine sourced ore grade mill feed from Government Gulch for 21 years but never mined deeper than 1200 feet below elevation; significantly, the Page Mine was developed to the 3400-foot level.

The other 4 mines at Government Gulch produced ore from near surface to 200 feet below surface.

All previously mined areas remain open at depth and along strike - the geology of the Silver Valley is known for vein structures trending deeply if not cut-off by faulting (the adjacent Bunker Hill mined to 5,800 feet below surface and Hecla's Lucky Friday Mine is mining today 10,000+ feet below surface).

No pre-existing royalties.

A 100-year detailed map folio from Government Gulch, the Page Mine and Bunker Hill Mine will be incorporated into a 3-D geological model that will add significant value to future exploration and development of the project.

Despite the project being located between two prolific past producing mining properties, the project has remained unavailable for exploration and development over the past 80 years due to claim boundary issues between Bunker Hill Mining and ASARCO (Page mine), as well as the subsequent transfer of the property to the EPA and the closure of the area for mining in the late 1970's.

Lithium-Sulphate of Potash (SOP) project in Mexico:

OrganiMax Nutrient Corp has a 100%-owned lithium and potassium bearing salar complex of mineral concessions in the Central Mexican Plateau located in the states of Zacatecas, and San Luis Potosi. Regional geophysical work has indicated that the depths of the salar basins may be much greater than previously thought, making the salars highly prospective for large brine aquifers to be discovered at depth. The Company is targeting Sulfate of Potash (SOP) and Lithium Carbonate (LCE) and boron for both the domestic and international markets.

The Company has announced a maiden sediment mineral resource estimate (MRE) of both lithium and potassium at its three salars. Highlights include:

120 million tonnes (Mt) of Inferred Mineral Resources grading 4.6% potassium (K) and 380 ppm lithium (Li);

A continuous high-lithium portion of La Salada salar containing 7 Mt grading 1,490 ppm Li

A contained 12.3 million tonnes (Mt) of Sulfate of Potash (SOP) and 243,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE);

Sampling is restricted to 5 metre depths in most areas therefore there is good exploration potential to increase the Mineral Resource at depth and also extending the sampling to the edge of the salar basins where sampling has not taken place;

Geophysical surveys completed suggest there is potential for additional similar layers of potassium or lithium enriched material to be found under the current pitting/drilling.

Recent regional geophysical work has indicated that the depths of the salar basins may be much greater than previously thought, making the salars highly prospective for large brine aquifers to be discovered at depth.

On behalf of the board of directors of OrganiMax Nutrient Corp.,

"Brandon Rook"

Brandon Rook, President and Chief Executive Officer.

THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

For further information please contact us at:

604-800-4710 or

info@organimax.com

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."

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79478
A Russian court has ordered a fine against the popular video-sharing application TikTok in the country's latest major dispute with a global social platform over content allegedly related to political protests.

The Moscow court ruled on April 6 that TikTok failed to delete content that it said was related to unsanctioned demonstrations, according to local reports.

Russian critics of the Kremlin routinely use international social networks, including Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube, to get around state control of the media and reach tens of millions of citizens with their anti-government messages.

Some local reports suggested the TikTok fine -- 2.6 million roubles ($34,000) -- pertained to alleged appeals to minors urging them to join political demonstrations.

Russian authorities this week backed off slightly from a threat to ban the Twitter social network but have punitively slowed its user connections and announced suits targeting fellow Western digital giants Google and Facebook.

TikTok is owned by China's ByteDance and reports nearly 700 million active users worldwide.

India and Pakistan have banned TikTok in the past, citing politically contentious posts, and then-President Donald Trump sought unsuccessfully last year to ban it in the United States.

Russias state communications regulator said on April 5 that it wouldn't ban Twitter amid a dispute over content related to protests but would continue to slow the U.S. social network's speed inside the country until the middle of May.

Imprisoned Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny in January used U.S. social-media networks to organize some of the largest anti-government protests since 2011-12.

A Russian court on April 2 levied a nearly $120,000 fine against Twitter for failing to removes posts related to those protests.

The Russian regulator has also focused its complaints against Twitter over alleged failures to remove child pornography and content the overseers said encourages drug use and suicide among children.

Twitter said it has a zero-tolerance policy regarding child pornography and other content deemed harmful.

Roskomnadzor began slowing the speed of traffic on Twitter last month.

In its April 5 statement, the regulator said it would not ban Twitter yet after it claimed the platform took down 1,900 of 3,100 posts with banned content.

Russias efforts to tighten control of the Internet and social media date back to 2012, shortly after the largest anti-government protests in years.

Since then, a growing number of restrictions targeting messaging apps, websites, and social-media platforms have been introduced in Russia.

With reporting by Reuters and AFP
The certification allows the Aviation Engineering Service Centre (PIA Engineering) of PIA Group to provide aircraft component maintenance services at Nguyen Khe Industrial Zone, Dong Anh, Hanoi.

Established in 2013 and headquartered in Hanoi, PIA Group includes a large number of units operating in multiple fields such as aviation, transportation, tourism, construction, and real estate. In particular, PIA Group's aviation services include aircraft maintenance, ground services, fuel supply, in-flight meals, goods transportation, aviation agency, pilot training, and more.

PIA Engineering under PIA Group provides maintenance, repair, and guarantee services for aircraft components

PIA Engineering under PIA Group provides maintenance, repair, and guarantee services for aircraft component such as maintenance, repair, overhaul; supplying aircraft spare parts, components, and materials; providing rental equipment and aviation specialised services.

Additionally, PIA Engineering also provides technical training services to support human resources for airlines, including designing, manufacturing, replacing aircraft cabin interior parts, and other auxiliary services.

Taking service quality as a guideline and setting the customers interests as its top priority in all activities, PIA Engineering and PIA Group are constantly striving to provide optimal solutions and meet the customers needs according to three criteria: professionalism  responsibility  creativity.

PIA Engineering also provides technical training services for airlines

With synchronous and modern equipment from leading European and American manufacturers, along with a team of professional and technical staff who have many years working in the field of aviation engineering, we commit to providing airlines with best-in-class products and services. We are ready to compete with reputable regional and international aviation service centres, said Doan Van Phuong, chairman and CEO of PIA Group JSC.

Highly experienced labour force

The Inspection and Demonstration programme of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) for the approval of the Maintenance Organisation certification includes 18 important subjects such as manual system, quality assurance system, safety management system, internal training programme, qualification of certifying staff, management of tools, equipment, and materials, among others.

PIA Engineerings staff meets all standards and requirements of the CAAV and relevant authorities

With the methodical investment, elaborate preparation and intense concentration of the whole Board and directors and staff, PIA Group JSC has proven to meet all standards and requirements of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam and other authorities.

Additionally, the strength of the PIA Engineering under PIA Group have been recognised and praised by the inspection team of the CAAV. In particular, machinery and equipment work synchronously and have been imported from reputable manufacturers in aviation such as KUNZ, Saft, and Crane in the US and Europe. The equipment system is the most synchronous and modern in Vietnam, being equivalent to prestigious aviation engineering service centres in the region and the world.

Machinery and equipment is synchronous and imported from reputable manufacturers in aviation such as KUNZ, Saft, and Crane

Moreover, members of the management and technical staff are appreciated for having a high level of professional expertise and immense experience. All are qualified to complete tasks and maintain service quality standards proposed by the authorities.

Pham Anh Tuan, deputy director of PIA Engineering, said that the high-quality aviation workforce has been well trained. With much experience in aviation, technicians are acknowledged in expertise by the authorities, which is the biggest advantage of PIA Engineering.

The biggest advantage of PIA Engineering is its highly experienced and well-trained aviation workforce

Modern machinery and equipment is a necessary condition for the PIA Engineering to operate high-quality aviation services, while a team of experienced managers and technicians is to maintain quality and guarantee the prestige of the PIA Engineering. All companies can purchase, equip, and upgrade facilities when they have enough financial resources but employing enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and experienced personnel in the aviation industry requires a great deal of efforts. It is a great result of a thorough recruitment process, Tuan noted.
Voters will head to the polls on Tuesday to cast their votes in municipal elections, choosing mayors and village presidents in multiple Chicago suburbs. Many longtime incumbents are stepping down, while others are being challenged for reelection. In addition, school board races, which often draw little attention, have drawn outsized interest and candidates as parents angry about school closings and remote learning are making their voices heard. Heres a breakdown of the key races and issues.
LAKE FOREST, Ill., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Northwestern Medicine, Chicago's premier academic health system, is working with global heart health leader, OMRON Healthcare, Inc., on a new pilot program to offer VitalSight, OMRON's first remote patient monitoring service, to high-risk hypertensive patients.

"Our mission is Going for Zero heart attacks and strokes and VitalSight is a key step forward to provide exceptional support to those struggling to manage their hypertension," said Ranndy Kellogg, president and CEO of OMRON Healthcare. "Northwestern Medicine is a forward-thinking health system that shares our bold mission. This pilot will explore the benefits of VitalSight. Early feedback shows that VitalSight is quickly helping physicians improve engagement with patients on their treatment plans."

VitalSight is an easy-to-use remote patient monitoring service that physicians can offer to patients with high risk levels of hypertensionmore than 37 million U.S. adults1 have uncontrolled Stage 2 hypertension that can contribute to increased risk of heart attack and stroke and may also lead to damage to arteries and organs such as liver, kidneys, heart if no treatment is administered2.

VitalSight is designed for ease-of-use to engage patients in active condition management. Patients receive a kit delivered to their home that includes an OMRON connected blood pressure monitor and data hub that are pre-set and do not require WiFi to securely share measurements with the patient's physician and care team. Patients can immediately start monitoring their blood pressure and sharing their data with their clinician(s). VitalSight must be ordered by a healthcare provider and is available to patients at little to no cost and is reimbursable through Medicare.

"The OMRON VitalSight remote patient monitoring pilot program engages our patients to check their blood pressure at home and readings are sent directly to their physicians and health teams through the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system. As my patients check their blood pressure at home, their readings are sent to me automatically, allowing me to provide recommendations and adjust blood pressure medications in a timely manner," said Dr. Jennifer Bussell, MD FACP, Regional Medical Director, Northwestern Medicine.

"OMRON remote patient monitoring empowers patients to know their blood pressure numbers and connects physicians with their patients. This real-time data allows the patient and physician to optimize control of the patient's blood pressure which can decrease the patient's risk of complications from poorly-controlled hypertension," said Dr. Bussell.

OMRON designed VitalSight to provide more clinically relevant data to manage hypertension and improve patient health outcomes. The service is unique given its ability to integrate patient data directly into the physician's Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system or through the OMRON Doctor Dashboard to streamline clinician workflow.

VitalSight fosters stronger patient-to-physician communication and helps to focus the care team on urgent patient health data so action can be taken. Doctors can personalize blood pressure reading thresholds for each patient and receive alerts for high readings through their EMR so care teams can take action and make more informed treatment decisions.

OMRON officially launched VitalSight at CES 2021, where the remote patient monitoring service won numerous accolades, including CNET's "most important health tech" and Engadget's Best of CES award.

The care team at Northwestern Medicine is conducting a study on the impact of using VitalSight to support their patient care protocols. Findings are expected later this year.

For more information on VitalSight, please visit www.omronhealthcare.com/vitalsight and www.nm.org.

About OMRON Healthcare, Inc.

OMRON Healthcare, Inc., is the world's leading manufacturer and distributor of personal heart health products, and an innovator in technologies supporting respiratory and pain management care. With more than 40 years of medical device category leadership, OMRON is passionate about empowering people to take charge of their health at home through precise technology. Its market-leading products include a full-range of home blood pressure monitors, nebulizers and TENS devices. The company's mission is Going for Zero, the elimination of heart attacks and strokes. For more information, visit OmronHealthcare.com.

About Northwestern Medicine

To learn more about Northwestern Medicine, visit https://www.nm.org/about-us/northwestern-medicine-newsroom/media-relations/about-our-health-system.

1 CDC: Facts About Hypertension

2 AHA: Health Threats from High Blood Pressure

SOURCE OMRON Healthcare, Inc.
The Satanic Mills of the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Raised in a family of Manchester, UK natives, you naturally find attachment to things English. One favorite is the song Jerusalem based on the William Blake poem. It is a delightful tune, but with acid lyric comment on the First Industrial Revolution. Blake speaks of the dark Satanic Mills spreading across the formerly green lands of England. Blake was not a fan of the First Industrial Revolution.

His complaint did little good. And England embraced those satanic mills and came to dominate that new world.

America stands today in the beginning stages of the cyber-driven Fourth Industrial Revolution (4R) - a time of universal access to information, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, the Internet of Things, and the ever-eternal fear of the replacement of people by machines. With bureaucracy and leadership steeped in the second half of the 20th century, so far for America, the transition to the new cyber-based, climate friendly Satanic Mills Revolution has been a rough one.

Being Number One

In the late 20th century, the United States was the preeminent player in the projections of nation state power in land, sea, air, and space. We even had an early lead in cyber, which we essentially developed. US Government research monies drove American innovation. And, our primary projection of power was our military dominance in land, sea, air, and space - a driving force as well behind research and development (R&D) funding in cutting edge technologies such as computers, and the internet itself.

Around the fall of archrival Soviet Union in 1991, a new American R&D business model began to appear. The new new technologies were now being developed in the private sector  primarily Silicon Valley. The Federal governments R&D declined sharply. In fact, the USG was now buying commercial off the shelf from U.S. tech firms to support its own technical efforts.

Silicon Valley private empires had begun to exert power and viewed themselves as internationalists; not bound by U.S. rules or politics off shoring production and information while dealing with nation states like China as peer equals.

China Ups Its Game

The nation to take greatest advantage of these changes was a resurgent China looking to become a lead player on the world stage. Led by a mercantilist policy of state directed capitalism, Beijing savvily saw 4R and believed that if it had the technology, it would lead the way in this new world.

So, China welcomed U.S. technical production in its plants. It equally welcomed a policy of open borders when sharing research of which Beijing logically took full advantage. And, our cyber space security - viewed as a costly item with no tangible return on investment - remained weak at best and a hunting ground for Chinese government directed spying in support of technology development.

With a rapid rising China buying and stealing new things with a single purpose and autocratic drive of reaching number one by mid-century, America seems destined to lose out as the number one world power. We are disturbingly like the British Empire of the early 20th century.

First in the superpower game of old, we bought a lot of now old stuff that is expensive to maintain and has outlived its usefulness. We continue - with some exceptions - to have a stove-piped bureaucracy better suited to a previous centurys approach to national security challenges. And even our aircraft carrier dreadnoughts which are our prime symbol of power projection appear weaker now potentially sliced through by cyber based, artificially intelligent powered Chinese hypersonic weapons.

America has also fumbled with the challenge of near universal access to information - good and bad. The Russians, who live and breathe the control of information, have been quite adept at using it to undermine elections and confidence in our government and systems. Moscow has also successfully incorporated information dominance and agenda control into their military projections of power in areas like Ukraine and Georgia.

China is learning lessons from them. We have yet to successfully counter this messaging and seem confused by exactly what to do.

Joining The Revolution

The Fourth Revolutions Satanic Mills are here and we will be living in their wake for the rest of the 21st century. And while the U.S. isnt going away as a major player in world politics, the Fourth Revolution has made it a Five-Domain world in which its dominant place is in long run doubt. Our old power bases of land, sea, and air are increasingly less important. And we have equals in Cyber and Space with whom we have yet figured how to deal and who can also use their dominance in these domains to affect the older domains in which America still exercises some control.

We are not without hope in terms of dealing with this new world. But this requires a large-scale Government wide effort; not a private sector one. Whatever its virtues, the development and support of national level technology policy is not their job. Advice yes. Dependence on them alone, no.

The Biden Administration is making a smart move by proposing to invest heavily in and developing and applying high end technology with a large dollop of STEM education. And it appears to be reviewing carefully what the military needs to get smart about projecting power taking advantage of the new domains; less money wasted on old weapons systems. More money spent on force multiplying technology like artificial intelligence.

A major, perhaps tougher, issue beyond money for the Biden Administration is the need to help America get beyond is the near hopeless tangle of 20th century government bureaucracies. It plagues the speed needed to move forward in 4R with the private sector and blunts the potential effectiveness of government policy itself.

The challenges are great. Its not easy changing with the times when you have been a leader in an era fading fast. Some will cling to the past and curse the Satanic Mills of the 4R and its inevitable march of change. But, like Blake, they will not win. But, America has a path forward and a huge role to play in the Fourth Revolution. We need to be smart enough and disciplined enough to embrace it.

Ronald Marks is Term Visiting Professor, George Mason University, Schar School of Policy and Government. He is President of ZPN Cyber & National Security Strategies

Image: Unsplash

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A suspended Labour MP has been left red-faced after claiming a map of colonial Africa 'has been hidden from you all your life' - despite it being taught in schools.

Claudia Webbe triggered a Twitter storm when she posted a shot of the continent carved up between European empires in the 19th century.

The Leicester East MP, who is due to face trial for allegedly threatening a woman, claimed people had never been shown the image.

But social media users slammed the 'ignorant' tweet, pointing out the scramble for Africa is taught in secondary schools at Key Stage Three.

In the 18th and 19th century European nations vied for strategic superiority on the continent by invading as fast as they could.

Britain and France quickly became the two main players in the race to conquer the area.

France seized most of West and northern Africa, with British enclaves carved out in Nigeria and Egypt.

Britain's influence spanned from the Mediterranean to the Cape in South Africa with the acquisition of Sudan, Kenya and Tanzania.

Other powers included Belgium, which took the Belgian Congo in the centre of the continent, and Germany which had colonies in the east and west.

Claudia Webbe triggered a Twitter storm when she posted a shot of the continent carved up between European empires in the 19th century

Ms Webbe entered the House of Commons in December 2019 and was a supporter of former leader Jeremy Corbyn (pictured together)

Claudia Webbe: 2019-intake Corbynite who slammed her phone on the floor of the Commons when it started ringing Claudia Webbe hit the headlines in July when she threw her mobile phone to the floor of the House of Commons in frustration after it started ringing while she was speaking. The De Montfort University graduate entered the Commons after the December 2019 general election, winning the seat formerly held by Keith Vaz. Labour veteran Mr Vaz retired from Parliament in the wake of a scandal after receiving a six-month Commons suspension for causing 'significant damage' to the reputation of the House. This came after the standards committee found he expressed a willingness to purchase cocaine for others during an encounter with male sex workers. Webbe won the constituency with a majority over the Conservatives of 6,019, down from Mr Vaz's majority of 22,428 in 2017. She is on the left of the party and has been a vocal supporter of former leader Jeremy Corbyn. Before Leicester, she was a councillor in Islington, North London, between 2010 and 2018 and was a member of Labour's ruling National Executive Committee. Earlier in her career, she was a political adviser to then-London mayor Ken Livingstone. She was suspended by Labour in September over her trial. Advertisement

Ms Webbe had last night shared the map of African colonies after the Berlin Conference in 1884.

She wrote: 'This map has been hidden from you all your life. This is how they carved up Africa.'

Ms Webbe was quickly corrected for her 'uneducated' comments, with historians and politicians weighing in.

Dr Katherine Schofield, a historian at King's College London, wrote: 'If you didn't do colonialism in Africa directly, surely you studied the ''scramble for Africa'' when you studied the causes of WWI? We did.'

King's College London classics PhD student David Wilson put: 'Claudia Webbe, once a really dreadful councillor at @IslingtonBC, now crashes on idiotically.'

He added: 'We were all taught about the ''scramble for Africa''. As ever, she wasn't listening.'

Coronation Street actor Charlie Lawson posted: 'Wasn't hidden from me. We studied history.'

Tory MP Ben Bradley said: 'Hidden away, seen by nobody, deep in the pages on the National Curriculum for Key Stage 3 - taught in basically every secondary school in the land.'

Oxford-educated Dr Chris Parry, a former Royal Navy Rear Admiral, wrote: 'Not hidden from me. I had an education, for which I am grateful.'

Sharing a map of Britain, he added: 'By the way, this is how the Angles, Jutes and Saxons carved up this country. What's your point?'

Save Our Status, a Twitter page dedicated to defending monuments, commented: 'We keep hearing of ''hidden history'' from those who want to plaster our statues with propaganda plaques.

'So next time you hear that, just remember this ridiculous tweet. There's no such thing as ''hidden history'', just ignorance.'

In Key Stage Three the National Curriculum teaches students about the colonisation of the continent.

Chapter 4 of The Victorian Empire by Collins focuses on The Scramble for Africa between 1876 and 1914.

In the teachers' guide to the book, it says students should 'study a map of Africa in 1900, with all of the different European possessions shaded and labelled'.

It adds: 'Onto this map, pupils could label information about the different stages of European colonisation.

'Gaining Cape Colony in 1814; invading Egypt in 1882; colonising parts of western Africa through the United African Company, and parts of eastern Africa through the Imperial British East Africa Company, and so on.'

Chapter 4 of The Victorian Empire by Collins focuses on The Scramble for Africa

Britain fought several costly wars to ensure predominance in the continent, including the famous Anglo-Zulu war of 1879.

With the development of the machine gun, among other military innovations, colonising powers were easily able to take over.

In a single day's battle for Sudan, 10,800 Sudanese were killed, compared with 48 British soldiers.

British rule in Africa continued for over a hundred years, mostly by using 'indirect' puppet governments to put down rebellions.

Ms Webbe was due to stand trial on March 16 amid allegations she harassed a woman.

The 56-year-old was accused of making a series of phone calls to Michelle Merritt and threatening her on two occasions between September 2018 and April last year.

The prosecution alleges that Ms Webbe made numerous unwanted telephone calls to Ms Merritt and made threats on at least two occasions.

Ms Webbe, who lives in Islington, north London, acknowledges calls were made but disputes the content.

She pleaded not guilty to one charge of harassment in November last year.

The hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court on March 16 had to be adjourned because her barrister Courtenay Griffiths QC was rushed to hospital.

Ms Webbe was elected in the December 2019 general election, taking over the seat previously held by Keith Vaz.

She was suspended by the Labour Party in September after being charged with harassment.
West Bengal Chief Minister on Tuesday claimed that central forces "assaulted" voters in several constituencies where polling was underway, "instructing" them to vote for the

Banerjee also alleged that forcibly occupied polling booths and attacked TMC candidates.

Addressing a public meeting here in Alipurduar district, the TMC boss accused the Election Commission of turning a blind eye to the "excesses" of the CRPF, CISF, BSF and the ITBP.

"They are beating and torturing people since morning. They are saying ' ko vote do' (vote for the BJP)," the chief minister said.

She said her party's nominee in Arambagh, Sujata Mondal, was chased and hit on head near a polling booth by saffron party workers.

"BJP supporters inflicted serious injury on our Scheduled Caste candidate Sujata, when she visited a booth. They also hit another candidate in Khanakul.

"In Canning East, security forces prevented our nominee Shaukat Mollah from entering a booth. There have been numerous such instances of attack on our candidates and workers across the state," Banerjee said.

The CM also stated she has received at least 100 complaints of assault and violence since morning, and the EC has been duly informed but to no avail.

Alleging that a deep-rooted conspiracy has been hatched by the BJP leadership in Delhi after experiencing "poor turnout" in rallies, Banerjee said "security forces have been asked not to resist booth capturing".

"They have asked the CRPF to help BJP goons to capture booths. The BJP is running elections through guns. Even Donald Trump has not gone to the extent of Narendra Modi," she said.

The BJP denied the charges, maitaining that the allegations were baseless and bereft of truth.

Banerjee asked women voters to file police complaint if they face any harassment by central forces.

"Seven-eight persons, four of them our activists, have been murdered since the elections began, but no action has been taken. But, you (BJP) cannot terrorise us, intimidate us by such acts," the TMC chief said.

Accusing the BJP of spending huge amount of cash, she said while her party uses only one or two choppers, it puts to use not less than 500 helicopters to ferry leaders from one point to another.

"They have booked all the big hotels, offering cash to the voters. Where did this money come from - PM Cares Fund, sale of PSUs or demonetisation?" she said.

At another meeting in Coochbehar's Mathabhanga, Banerjee said Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have little connect with Bengal. "They are from Gujarat. How much do they know about the culture and heritage of Bengal?".

"I am a Brahmin who eats food cooked by a woman belonging to a backward caste. The BJP only knows how to bring food from five star hotels and eat it in front of the camera at the homes of lower caste people," the CM said.

The BJP is a party of rioters "involved in communal killings in Gujarat, Delhi, Assam, Uttar Pradesh... and is now dreaming to capture Bengal", Banerjee 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.)
Mitchell boys basketball coach Todd Neuendorf named Hamlin head coach

Todd Neuendorf has resigned after four seasons as Mitchell boys basketball coach, the school announced Friday afternoon.
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / April 6, 2021 / The Law Offices of Vincent Wong announce that class actions have commenced on behalf of certain shareholders in the following companies. If you suffered a loss you have until the lead plaintiff deadline to request that the court appoint you as lead plaintiff. There will be no obligation or cost to you.

BELLUS Health Inc. (NASDAQ:BLU)

If you suffered a loss, contact us at:http://www.wongesq.com/pslra-1/bellus-health-inc-investigation-loss-submission-form?prid=14397&wire=1

Lead Plaintiff Deadline: May 17, 2021

Class Period: September 5, 2019 - July 5, 2020

Allegations against BLU include that: while BLU-5937's "high selectivity" contributed to the drug causing little to no taste alteration in chronic cough patients, that high selectivity also contributed to the drug potentially being less efficacious and thus likely not be able to meet the primary endpoint of the Company's Phase 2 trial.

Ehang Holdings Limited (NASDAQ:EH)

If you suffered a loss, contact us at:http://www.wongesq.com/pslra-1/ehang-holdings-limited-loss-submission-form?prid=14397&wire=1

Lead Plaintiff Deadline: April 19, 2021

Class Period: December 12, 2019 - February 16, 2021

Allegations against EH include that: (i) the Company's purported regulatory approvals in Europe and North American for its EH216 were for use as a drone, and not for carrying passengers; (ii) its relationship with its purported primary customer is a sham; (iii) EHang has only collected on a fraction of its reported sales since its ADS began trading on NASDAQ in December 2019; (iv) the Company's manufacturing facilities were practically empty and lacked evidence of advanced manufacturing equipment or employees; and (v) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

Infinity Q Diversified Alpha Fund Institutional Class (NASDAQ:IQDNX)

If you suffered a loss, contact us at:http://www.wongesq.com/pslra-1/infinity-q-diversified-alpha-fund-loss-submission-form?prid=14397&wire=1

Lead Plaintiff Deadline: April 27, 2021

Class Period: December 21, 2018 - February 22, 2021

Story continues

Allegations against IQDNX include that: (1) Infinity Q's Chief Investment Officer made adjustments to certain parameters within the third-party pricing model that affected the valuation of the swaps held by the Fund; (2) consequently, Infinity Q would not be able to calculate NAV correctly; (3) as a result, the previously reported NAVs were unreliable; (4) because of the foregoing, the Fund would halt redemptions and liquidate its assets; and (5) as a result, the Prospectuses were materially false and/or misleading and failed to state information required to be stated therein.

To learn more contact Vincent Wong, Esq. either via email vw@wongesq.com or by telephone at 212.425.1140.

Vincent Wong, Esq. is an experienced attorney who has represented investors in securities litigations involving financial fraud and violations of shareholder rights. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

Vincent Wong, Esq.

39 East Broadway

Suite 304

New York, NY 10002

Tel. 212.425.1140

Fax. 866.699.3880

E-Mail: vw@wongesq.com

SOURCE: The Law Offices of Vincent Wong





View source version on accesswire.com:

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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

View Results
SPRINGFIELD, Ill., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- RCxRules, a provider of revenue cycle automation technology, announces the expansion of their partnership with Springfield Clinic. Founded in 1939, Springfield Clinic serves a population of approximately one million patients in central Illinois across 80 specialties and sub-specialties. The clinic is implementing the RCxRules HCC Coding Rule Set to identify HCC coding gaps under their value-based contracts.

Springfield Clinic's focus on value-based care has increased as their patients' needs have evolved. They turned to RCxRules for an HCC coding solution that would meet three key requirements. First, they needed a solution that would support their providers without adding more to their workload. Second, this solution needed to live within their coders' existing workflow. And third, it needed to provide real-time feedback on their data, including provider HCC capture reports and coder reports that detailed which HCCs were added and deleted.

"Based on our existing relationship with RCxRules, we knew they were the right choice to help us. We had three specific requirements for an HCC coding solution, and RCxRules was able to accommodate them all. We look forward to continuing this successful partnership," says Chris Cousins, Vice President, Managed Care & Ancillary Services, Springfield Clinic.

About RCxRules: Founded in 2010, RCxRules helps healthcare organizations succeed with both value-based care and fee-for-service billing models. The company's unique, predictive rules engine ensures compliance with healthcare's complex regulatory and reimbursement rules. Integrating with leading EMRs and PM systems, RCxRules software addresses issues before they affect revenue, delivering claims with the most accurate financial and HCC dataevery time, guaranteed. Visit www.RCxRules.com to learn more.

About Springfield Clinic: Founded in 1939 by five physician partners, Springfield Clinic was one of the first multispecialty medical clinics to form in downstate Illinois. Now, Springfield Clinic's 550 physicians and advanced practitioners and 2,400 employees serve a population of approximately one million patients throughout the central Illinois region in eighty medical specialties and sub-specialties. Springfield Clinic physicians and advanced practitioners are committed to identifying and implementing cutting-edge, innovative solutions that improve overall patient health.

SOURCE RCxRules
The global biometrics trends review

The global biometrics market has been recently developing rapidly, and this trend will continue shortly. If in 2018 its volume was estimated at $23.4 billion, according to the forecast of the analytical company BCC Research, the market size may increase to $71.6 billion with an average annual growth rate of 23.2 % by 2024. Fingerprint scanning, facial recognition, iris, vein, and voice technologies are expected to be implemented at the fastest pace. The analysis is based on the revenue indicators of key players depending on segments, including hardware, software, and integration. Biometric electronic documents Another analytical Agency, Acuity Research, estimates that the number of biometric electronic IDs will increase by about 3.5 billion electronic documents in the world. Moreover, more than half of the UN member States issue biometric passports. Government and private contracts of Canada, the United States, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Lithuania, Hungary, Bangladesh, Senegal, and other countries are examples of implementation of programs for the transition to biometric electronic documents. Government organisations in various countries believe that biometrics is one of the most effective ways to identify refugees and those who cross the border. Now there are a lot of projects which are based on biometric technology. Biometric identification system Perhaps one of the most ambitious is the Aadhaar project being implemented in India Perhaps one of the most ambitious is the Aadhaar project being implemented in India. It is a biometric identification system that contains the data of more than a billion people. The database contains about 10 billion fingerprint templates, two billion iris templates, and a billion photos. There is another ambitious project at the Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where RecFaces company has implemented a passenger facial identification ready-made solution, that helps the security guards to receive notifications about airport visitors in just a few seconds and increase the efficiency of security services at least by 30%. The introduction of biometric identification of passengers aimed at increasing the level of airport security, as well as quickly obtaining information about the detection of wanted persons, stored in the long-term archive. Automated control gates As another example, face match is used at border checks to compare the portrait on a digitised biometric passport with the holder's face. In 2017, Thales company was responsible for supplying the new automated control gates for the system of Automated Fast Track Crossing at External Borders at Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris. This solution has been devised to facilitate evolution from fingerprint recognition to facial recognition This solution has been devised to facilitate evolution from fingerprint recognition to facial recognition during. Governmental systems, SmartCity, airports projects using identification technologies day by day become our reality and influence the growth of the biometrics market globally. Countries are studying the experience of each other and adopting it. Paperless payment technologies The global market of biometrics will shift all industries, starting from the transportation facilities especially airports, where a transition from traditional VMS and ACS to paperless biometric self-Boarding systems will be carried out. Sports facilities will see the development of paperless payment technologies at cash desks, and the banking sector  the payment systems with remote customer identification. HoReCa will transfer from staff time tracking systems to biometric payment systems, biometric checkin systems and the use of biometric identifiers. To sum up there are two most significant drivers of this growth are surveillance in the public sector and numerous other applications in diverse market segments.
SIMFEROPOL, Ukraine -- An RFE/RL freelance correspondent arrested in Ukraine's Russia-annexed Crimea has told a court he was tortured with electric shocks, beaten, and threatened with death unless he "confessed" to spying on behalf of Ukraine.



Vladyslav Yesypenko's lawyer on April 6 said his client testified during a closed-door court hearing that the torture lasted two days after his arrest in March on what the defense calls false charges.



"[Yesypenko] told the court that he was tortured in a basement, most likely somewhere in the area of Balaklava, from the moment of his detention until his transfer to the detention center in Simferopol," lawyer Aleksei Ladin said after the hearing.

RFE/RL President Jamie Fly said that the broadcaster is outraged to learn what Yesypenko said during his testimony, saying the journalist must be set free now, and allowed to rejoin his family in Ukraine immediately.

Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) has said Yesypenko, a freelance contributor to Crimea.Realities, a regional news outlet of RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, was suspected of collecting information for Ukrainian intelligence, and claimed that an object "looking like an explosive device" was found in his automobile during his apprehension.

The journalist was charged with making firearms, which is punishable by up to six years in prison.

"They tortured him with electric shocks and by beating his legs, his genital area, his body. They beat him to obtain confessions and forced him to incriminate himself.... He said they connected some electric contacts to his ear lobes and his head and then switched on electricity that created excruciating pain. When he was more or less getting used to that pain, they continued increasing the power of the electric current," Ladin said.

Ladin asserted that "all of this had a single goal: self-incrimination."



The lawyer also said that his client testified that he was threatened with death, which would be presented to the public as suicide while he was alone in his cell.

Ladin said that a televised interview, in which Yesypenko "confessed" to spying for Ukraine, was staged, with his client saying he was given a written text to read aloud and then answered questions that people in charge of his detention asked.



The interview was broadcast on March 18, eight days after Yesypenko, who has Ukrainian and Russian dual nationality, was arrested in Ukraine's Russia-annexed Crimea region.



According to Ladin, Yesypenko also said at the trial that he has serious problems with his kidneys and needs medicine for the ailment.

Rights Groups Concerned



Human rights groups have expressed concerns regarding Yesypenko's treatment in custody and his televised "confessions," demanding his immediate release.

Fly has questioned the circumstances under which Yesypenko made his confession, saying it appeared "to be forced and made without access to legal counsel."

"The Russian authorities have similarly smeared RFE/RL Ukrainian Service contributors with false charges in the past. Vladislav is a freelance contributor with RFE/RLs Ukrainian Service, not a spy, and he should be released," he said.

Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service has described the arrest as "a convenient attempt to distract the attention of the population away from the numerous internal problems of the peninsula" ahead of the seventh anniversary of its forcible annexation, which was marked on March 18.

The U.S. State Department called Yesypenko's arrest "another attempt to repress those who speak the truth about Russia's aggression in Ukraine."



Graty, a Ukrainian media outlet specializing in police and judicial abuses, quoted a source at Yesypenko's place of detention as admitting that torture has been involved in the case, while the lawyer chosen by the journalists family has not been allowed to see him, according to the Crimean Human Rights Group (CHRG).



This suggests that the authorities are trying to cover up evidence that Yesypenko has been "subjected to illegal methods of investigation, including physical and psychological violence," the CHRG said.



Yesypenko was detained on March 10 along with a resident of the Crimean city of Alushta, Yelizaveta Pavlenko, after the two had taken part in an event marking the 207th anniversary of the birth of the Ukrainian poet and thinker Taras Shevchenko the previous day.



Pavlenko was later released.



Russia forcibly seized Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in March 2014, sending in troops and staging a referendum denounced as illegitimate by at least 100 countries after Moscow-friendly Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted amid a wave of public protests.



Rights groups say that since then Russia has moved aggressively to prosecute Ukrainian activists and anyone who questions the annexation.



Moscow also backs separatists in a war against Ukrainian government forces that has killed more than 13,200 people in eastern Ukraine since April 2014.
The "Home Care in the United Kingdom" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Home care in the UK has performed exceptionally well, benefiting from the hygiene-centric lifestyles adopted by British consumers as a response to the situation in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the lives of UK consumers, with home seclusion and lockdowns throughout 2020 driving consumers to spend more time at home. With the apparent health threat and more time spent at home, consequently, this changed the areas in which consumers prioritise expenditure.

The market report offers a comprehensive guide to the size and shape of the market at a national level. It provides the latest retail sales data (historic date range), allowing you to identify the sectors driving growth. It identifies the leading companies, the leading brands and offers strategic analysis of key factors influencing the market be they new product developments, packaging innovations, economic/lifestyle influences, distribution or pricing issues. Forecasts to 2025 illustrate how the market is set to change.

Key Topics Covered:

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

COVID-19 impact on home care

COVID-19 country impact

Company response

Retailing shift

What next for home care?

MARKET INDICATORS

MARKET DATA

GLOBAL MACROECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT

GLOBAL INDUSTRY ENVIRONMENT

KEY DATA FINDINGS LAUNDRY CARE

2020 IMPACT

Stockpiling ahead of lockdown has modest positive impact on laundry care sales in 2020

Hygiene concerns and staycation habits contributed to stable performance of some laundry care categories

Average unit price increased as retailers limited promotions for a significant part of 2020

RECOVERY AND OPPORTUNITIES

Value growth of laundry care products is expected to slow down with increasing competition between retailers and economic uncertainty

Convenience of concentrated liquid and liquid tablet detergents will drive healthy growth of laundry care

Health-conscious and time-strapped consumers will drive growth within specific laundry care subcategories

KEY DATA FINDINGS DISHWASHING

2020 IMPACT

Home working arrangements and staycations boost dishwashing sales in 2020

Stockpiling contributes to surge in demand

Private label gaining in popularity among UK consumers

RECOVERY AND OPPORTUNITIES

Price-conscious consumers will put pressure on average unit price

Flexible working arrangements likely to fuel an uptake of dishwashing products in the UK, with automatic dishwashing tablets leading the race in formats

Brands with ecological credentials are likely to continue gaining share

KEY DATA FINDINGS SURFACE CARE

2020 IMPACT

Virus threat, panic buying and stockpiling lead to unprecedented growth of surface care products

Trusted brands and products with harsher claims have seen highest surge in demand

More cooking at home contributes to sales of products seeing limited growth in previous years

RECOVERY AND OPPORTUNITIES

Hygiene-consciousness is expected to drive a general uptake of surface care in the UK

Health and hygiene concerns are likely to translate into blurrier lines between eco and efficacy claims

Convenience is unlikely to lose its appeal in surface care

KEY DATA FINDINGS BLEACH

2020 IMPACT

Renaissance for bleach in the UK in 2020

Domestos gains further share within bleach

Unilever launches a campaign on safe bleach cleaning in the UK

RECOVERY AND OPPORTUNITIES

Long-term health concerns helping sales

Growing competition from surface care products is expected

Domestos likely to remain dominant brand but pressure on price expected over the forecast period

KEY DATA FINDINGS TOILET CARE

2020 IMPACT

Home seclusion and focus on hygiene at home fuels growth within toilet care

Surge in demand around first UK lockdown impacts average selling price of toilet care products

Toilet care products very well positioned given consumer sentiment in 2020

RECOVERY AND OPPORTUNITIES

In-cistern devices and rim blocks are expected to record the highest value CAGRs over the forecast period

Odour neutralising will maintain importance for consumers over forecast period

Eco-friendly products are expanding, but eco-credentials are not yet mainstream in toilet care

KEY DATA FINDINGS POLISH

2020 IMPACT

Polishes saw a decrease in demand as they are not viewed as essential products

Shoe polish contributes to the decrease in sales in 2020

Reckitt Benckiser and SC Johnson remained leaders in 2020

RECOVERY AND OPPORTUNITIES

Polishes likely to see negative sales growth due to their non-essential nature

Sales of shoe polish are expected to be hindered by flexible working arrangements

Manufacturers expected to invest in other home care categories over forecast period

KEY DATA FINDINGS AIR CARE

2020 IMPACT

Air care sees favourable sales in 2020, especially formats with decorative function

Demand for air care outperformed by other home care categories in 2020

Top five brands maintain share within air care, but private label saw positive growth

RECOVERY AND OPPORTUNITIES

Air care expected to see healthy growth, but slower compared to recent years

Desire for clean and natural in-home environment likely to put increased pressure on air care products

Growing competition from other categories likely to create challenge for air care

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/bqo0nh

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Tuesday, April 6, 2021

Sighting a whale is always a thrill, even from a great distance.

The first thing you usually see is the whales exhalationthe spout. A white, misty column appears suddenly on the horizon, then slowly dissipates as you focus in on it.

Is it a whale? You watch and wait.

Somewhere, underneath the distant surface, a large, magnificent creature is breathing, surfacing, rolling.

Then another spout appears nearby. Yes! If youre lucky or have binoculars on hand, you might detect the suns reflection off the back of the whale as it rolls, or perhaps the wave of a fluke as it dives.

Its like a glimpse into a hidden worlda breach of the borders between water and air, sea and sky. Its always miraculous. You feel lucky, blessed by the encounter.

But finding the whales out at sea is difficult. Even if you visit the coast at the right general time of year, they are hard to see from afar. Theres an element of luckare the whales even present? The conditions matter, too. A fairly calm ocean makes it easier to see those characteristic spouts.

The more intently you search for them, the tougher they are to detectand the more disappointed you may be if they dont show up.

The Benefits of Open Attention

Ive been lucky enough to see gray whales migrating off our coast in California in recent months from a nearby state park. Over time, Ive honed my method for finding them by practicing a kind of open attention.

Heres my method, in case youre ever looking for whales:

First, I let go of the idea of seeing whales and direct an open, accepting gaze on the sea, absorbing it all. Other things attract my attentionpelicans filing by in a line, diving cormorants, a sea otter.

While I am peacefully enjoying this prospect, in the corner of my vision I see something that doesnt belonga vertical white line. A spout. It feels like a gift for patient acceptance.

It strikes me that writers often spend our time on a similar quest, looking for ideas lurking in the depths that come to the surface to surprise and delight us.

Maybe the lessons of whale watching apply.

Spotting Inspiration

When looking for creative inspiration, start by putting yourself in the right situationin this case, a mental situation rather than a physical one.

Just as calm water helps the whale watcher, a calm mind helps the writer. Youll never notice the brilliant ideas if you are busy ruminating on what youve got to do tomorrow morning or what someone else said about you.

Direct your gaze to the general area you would like to think about. Youll never spot a whale while scanning the mountains. Bring your minds attention to the general subject area youd like to explore.

Then welcome a state of open attention. Rather than seeking the ideas, enjoy the contemplation. If youre out walking, enjoy the walk. If you are freewriting or journaling, relish the exploration.

When you spot that puff of an idea, then you can focus in. Explore. Spend more time exploring and see what else comes up.

The big, brilliant ideas dont show up every day on demand. But if you look often enough, youre bound to find them.

Related Posts

Where Do You Go for Inspiration?

Adopting a Writing Mindset

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Everyone who lives, works or studies in New Jersey and is 16 or older will be eligible to schedule an appointment for a coronavirus vaccine in less than two weeks.

Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday that he was removing all restrictions for those 16 and older on April 19 as the state races to get 70% of its adult population  about 4.7 million people  vaccinated by June.

Monday was the first day anyone 55 and older was allowed to make an appointment. Mondays large expansion of eligibility also included higher education employees, utility workers and sanitation workers.

As of 9:50 a.m. Monday, at least 1,796,798 in the state had been fully vaccinated, according to the department of healths coronavirus dashboard. In addition, 3,013,713 have been administered at least one dose. While the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two shots weeks apart, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is a single-shot.

Murphy reported 2,984 more COVID-19 cases and 15 additional deaths on Monday.

There were 2,329 patients in the states 71 hospitals as of 10 p.m. Monday, an increase of 40 from the previous 24-hour period. There are 461 patients receiving critical care with 227 on ventilators.

There are 35 more patients in hospitals than there were on April 1 and hospitalizations are up 21.6% since March 1. Since Jan. 1 the number of patients in hospitals with coronavirus-related issued is down 33.4%, though.

SCHOOLS UPDATE: Of our public-school districts, charter schools, renaissance schools, & schools for students with disabilities:

156 open for all in-person instruction495 open for hybrid instruction42 districts using a combination across buildings

118 all-remote pic.twitter.com/QjjkLDY0p3  Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) April 5, 2021

CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracker | Newsletter | Homepage

Heres a roundup of the latest coronavirus news in New Jersey and elsewhere:

N.J. loosens COVID travel restrictions, Murphy announces: New Jersey is changing its travel and quarantine guidelines to reflect new recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Murphy said at his Monday coronavirus briefing.

New Jersey is no longer advising fully vaccinated individuals who travel domestically to self-quarantine after their trip or to get tested before or after travel, Murphy said. The federal requirement for testing upon return to the United States following international air travel stands.

Angry customer stiffs N.J. server over bars COVID rules; locals rally with huge donation: New Jersey residents have rallied around a local server who was recently stiffed by a customer who disagreed with the bars COVID-19 regulations, specifically its 90-minute time limit for seated service.

The incident took place at Glenbrook Brewery in Morristown and gained traction Sunday when the morristown.nj Instagram account  a page dedicated to town happenings, not associated with the local government  posted an image of a receipt with zero tip on an $86 bill, featuring the message, Im sorry the server gets screwed on this. Dont kick paying customers out after 90 minutes.

All Jersey City employees will return to their offices starting in May: Jersey City is bringing all city employees back to their assigned worksites starting in May, ending the work-from-home program that was put in place at the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

In a letter to all city employees, Human Resources Director Joanne Rosa said the states second-largest city is ending the program as she cites decreasing COVID-19 cases, vaccinations increasing and public schools returning to in-person learning.

Burger King customer attacks, chokes worker after face-mask argument, cops say: A New Jersey man who argued with Burger King employees over not wearing a mask returned later in the day and choked one of the workers, authorities said Monday.

The attack occurred shortly after 4 p.m. on March 27 at the fast food restaurant on Route 23 in Wayne, according to township police Capt. Dan Daly.

U.S. cases: At least 555,169 of the approximately 30,785,734 million to test positive for the coronavirus in the U.S. have died as of 7 a.m. Tuesday, according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University.

Worldwide cases: As of 7 a.m. Tuesday, the coronavirus has led to more than 2.86 million deaths in 192 counties, according to the center. More than 131.9 million have been infected since the outbreak started in December 2019. At least 74.9 million have recovered.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

NJ Advance Media staff writers Matt Arco, Karin Price Mueuller and Jeremy Schneider contributed to this report. Jersey Journal reporter Joshua Roario also contributed.
A trial begins Wednesday in San Antonio in a lawsuit filed by more than three dozen families against the U.S. government over allegations that the Air Force is liable for the November 2017 massacre at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs that left 26 worshipers dead and 20 more injured.

According to plaintiffs court filings, gunman Devin Kelley had threatened mass violence while in the Air Force, adding to the mounting allegations that the military branch dropped the ball by not placing his name in a national database that might have prevented him from legally purchasing guns, including an assault-style rifle he used in the Nov. 5, 2017, mass shooting.

The families said the Air Force failed on at least six other occasions to report information to an FBI database that gun dealers use when someone applies to purchase a firearm.

A Defense Department inspector generals report detailed Kelley's decade-long history of violence, interest in guns and menacing behavior toward women. Kelley, who served nearly five years in the Air Force, was court-martialed and sentenced to one-year of confinement for assaulting a former wife and stepson.

He was discharged in 2014 for bad conduct. Kelley shot and killed himself during a car chase after the mass shooting.

Despite the Air Forces public admissions, the federal government has been using a series of legal defenses, including citing the 1993 Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, which protects federal employees if they fail to prevent illegal firearm purchases.

The first phase of the trial is expected to last up to three weeks to determine if the government is liable.

The trial is not before a jury, but evidence and testimony is being heard by U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez. He is not expected to rule from the bench, but to issue his findings within weeks after the trial. Should he find the government liable, the case moves on to a second phase to determine damages, records show.

Separately, the families also filed at least five lawsuits against Academy Sports & Outdoors in state court in Bexar County, alleging the retailer should not have sold him the assault rifle.

The cases have reached the Texas Supreme Court. In October, Academy said the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act grants immunity that protects the retailer from getting sued for selling weapons when the situation involved criminal conduct by another person. The state Supreme Court has not issued a ruling.

In the state lawsuits, the gunmans widow, Danielle Kelley, said in an affidavit that, in December 2015, she and Devin Kelley went to a Dick's Sporting Goods in New Braunfels, where he tried to buy a Ruger assault rifle he had been wanting for some time.

After looking over several guns, he completed purchase paperwork there and the manager ... came over and declined to sell him the gun because of an ID issue, Danielle Kelley said. Devin Kelley had only a Colorado driver's license but no Texas ID.

They never returned to Dick's, she said. Instead, in April 2016, they went to Academy Sports and Outdoors in Selma.

There, he purchased a Ruger AR 556; that day he also purchased a magazine and ammunition. It was a quick and easy transaction, she said.

He returned to that Academy store about once a month to buy more magazines and multiple boxes of ammunition.

In her affidavit, Danielle Kelley said her husband did not disclose his criminal background to her.

If there was anything I couldve done or intervened to prevent the shooting, I would've done it, she said.

Since June 2020, three relatives of two victims killed in the mass shooting have died, and their estates may not be able to collect any damages, if any are awarded.

guillermo.contreras@express-news.net | Twitter: @gmaninfedland
National Bank for and Rural Development (Nabard) will raise up to Rs 3.9 trillion in current financial year (FY22) to support growth.

chairman, G R Chintala, said the development finance institution will borrow between Rs 3.72 and 3.90 trillion from the market in FY21-22 to expand its balance sheet to Rs 7.5 trillion level by March 2022.

The borrowings were at Rs 3.17 trillion in FY21, up from Rs 2.06 trillion in FY20. The fund raising would be done through a combination of debentures, government support, long-term bonds and short-term funding.

The balance sheet expanded by 24 per cent to Rs 6.57 trillion in the financial year ended March 2021 from Rs 5.53 trillion in FY20. According to provisional and unaudited results its income rose to Rs 34,700 crore in FY21 from Rs 32,692 crore. The profit after tax was up at about Rs 4,000 crore in FY21, up from Rs 3,859 crore in FY20.

There is a thrust on enhancing growth and value addition in the sector. The bank would also manage two credit funds  one for animal husbandry and second for supporting Farmer Producer Organisations (FPO) in 2021-22, he said.

The loans and advances of the development bank has grown from Rs 4.81 trillion to Rs 6.03 trillion, a significant increase of 25 per cent in a year affected by the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic.

Referring to refinance operations, Chintala said disbursed Rs 2.23 trillion to support and rural development activities during the pandemic. This works out to a significant growth of 25 per cent over the previous year.

Under Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, disbursed Rs 16,800 crore to Cooperative Banks, Rs 6,700 crore to RRBs and Rs 2,000 crore to NBFC-MFIs through a Special Liquidity Facility (SLF).

Financial Institution also provided additional SLF of Rs 1,567 crore to NBFC-MFIs with asset size of less than Rs 500 crore to help the smaller players withstand the pandemic pressure.
ALBANY  Aiming to keep the vehicles off city streets, the Common Council on Monday passed a law that will make it more expensive to recover an impounded dirt bike or ATV.

The law raises the cost of getting back one of the machines to $3,000 by adding a $2,350 redemption fee to the existing $650 fine. The measure, passed on a 14-0 vote, also allows city police to auction off, sell for scrap or destroy impounded off-road vehicles that are not claimed after 60 days.

Mayor Kathy Sheehan sent the council a message of necessity to allow the council to skip the required aging period for the bill and pass the law quicker than it would otherwise take. In her message to the council, Sheehan said that the city wanted the legislation passed before the summer season when more riders come to the city.

After a public hearing is held, Sheehan said, she'd sign the bill by the earliest possible date: April 14.

The message is clear: dont drive your ATV or Dirt Bike in Albany," she tweeted.

Councilman Derek Johnson said he supported the legislation to punish those who threatened public safety but thought the council was making a mistake by not speaking with riders about creating a possible alternative for them to ride.

We have to have some type of discussion for people who want to ride, he said. It just sounds too punitive. I think we have to have that conversation, even if we cant accommodate them, we have to have that conversation and explain why.

The problem of off-road vehicles on the citys streets has slowly morphed from a seasonal one to a near year-round frustration for residents and city officials.

Residents and business owners have lobbied the city and the police department to do more to crack down on the practice, but there are few other options for the city. Similar efforts are underway in Schenectady.

Police departments generally do not pursue off-road vehicle riders unless theyve committed serious crimes over concerns about liability if the riders crash. And riders who are stopped typically walk away with traffic tickets and having their bikes impounded.

The department does have a detail of officers in unmarked cars assigned to trying to find the riders and seize the vehicles. The police department also has drones it can use to track riders as part of its efforts to seize those vehicles.

The department has made a point to publicize any vehicle stops or seizures it has made this year. Most riders, unless they have existing warrants, are written tickets and released.
Successful fundraising in the last 12 months & strong balance sheet has positioned BZWR to scale up

Tempe, Arizona--(Newsfile Corp. - April 6, 2021) - Business Warrior Corporation (OTC Pink: BZWR), the source for small businesses in America to get more customers, has raised more than $850,000 in equity financing during the last year and continues to strengthen its balance sheet, while expanding its team for scale.





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Successful rounds of fundraising and strategic partnerships to kick off the new year has put Business Warrior in a strong position for growth. More importantly, this growth has allowed The Company to contribute even more to the success of small businesses across the country. BZWR has used the funds raised to hire additional team members, increase their advertising spend by 10 times, and add resources to the software development team to continue improving the Business Warrior suite of products.

Watch the full release video with BZWR President, Jonathan Brooks, here

Over $500k of Debt Cleared from the Balance Sheet

Business Warrior was able to settle a dispute and lawsuit with a former partner. This will clear $515,000 of debt from their balance sheet at a cost of only $375,000. This was an important turning point for the executive team by eliminating the distraction of a lawsuit and removing debt from the balance sheet for less than what was recorded.

Getting Ready to Scale

Throughout the majority of 2020, the company was focused on building great products and proving the demand for its solutions. BZWR continues to acquire new free subscribers at a much lower cost per lead than modeled. As with any SaaS company, the next critical step is turning leads or free subscribers into paying customers.

Business Warrior had a major software release at the end of January and product engagement continues to improve. The company ramped up their advertising spend and added multiple people to their sales and marketing team. Business Warrior is ramping up all areas of the business to scale based on the demand for its solutions, feedback on the software product and ability to increase revenues.

Q2 Shareholder Call: April 22nd

Business Warrior has announced that they will be holding a shareholder call for Quarter 2 results on Tuesday, April 22, 2021 at 1:00 PM PST/4:00 PM EST.

Reserve your spot for the shareholder call by registering here.

About Business Warrior

Business Warrior is the source for small businesses in America to enhance their brand and boost marketing results. The Business Warrior software takes a holistic view of a business's online reputation, listings, website search results and social media. Predictive algorithms are utilized to recommend the most imperative actions needed to drive new customers, positively impact daily operations and improve profitability. For more information, please visit businesswarrior.com.

Forward Looking Statements:

This press release and the offering materials may contain forward-looking statements and information relating to, among other things, the company, its business plan and strategy, and its industry. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. They are based on the current beliefs of, assumptions made by, and information currently available to the company's management regarding the future of the company's business, future plans and strategies, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. When used in the offering materials, the words "aim," "estimate," "project," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "envision," "estimate," "expect," "future," "goal," "hope," "likely," "may," "plan," "potential," "seek," "should," "strategy," "will" and similar references to future periods are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which constitute forward looking statements. These statements reflect management's current views with respect to future events and are subject to inherent risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict (many of which are outside of the company's control) and could cause the company's actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning the company, the offering or other matters, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. The company does not undertake any obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after such date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Investor Relations:

investors@businesswarrior.com

(855) 884-5805

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79516
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 06th April, 2021) Almost 4,000 suspects in South America were arrested and some 200,000 illicit firearms, parts, components, ammunition and explosives were seized during a major Interpol operation targeting firearms trafficking across the continent, Interpol said in a press release on Tuesday.

According to the statement, the operation dubbed Trigger VI and coordinated with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) lasted from March 8 to 28 and involved all 13 South American countries.

"Hundreds of thousands of people and vehicles were searched at suspected hotspots and air, land and sea borders across the region ... The joint operation enabled police, customs, border and prosecution services to work together, carrying out nearly 10,000 checks against INTERPOL databases to track illegal firearms and identify potential links with organized crime," the press release read.

According to Interpol, officers across the 13 South American nations simultaneously checked firearms against Interpol's iARMS database to determine if the weapons had been reported as lost, stolen, trafficked or smuggled.

"Firearms present a very serious threat to South America's security and stability. This is why multi-agency transnational cooperation is essential to identify and dismantle the organized crime and terrorist groups involved. Operation Trigger VI has seen thousands of illicit weapons taken out of the hands of criminals and is testimony to the commitment of South American law enforcement despite the challenges of a global pandemic," Interpol Secretary General Jurgen Stock said as quoted in the press release.

The results of the operation include the arrest of members of a criminal gang in Uruguay; seizure of huge amount of firearms in Peru and Brazil; arrest of a Colombian national wanted by Interpol; seizure of more than 21 tonnes of cocaine, marijuana and precursor chemicals; rescue of 33 suspected human trafficking victims.
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BOISE - Idaho Fish and Game moved to a new sales and licensing system in November 2020 and with this move came several new changes. One such change is the requirement to produce a valid Idaho drivers license so it can be scanned when purchasing resident licenses, tags and permits from a vendor. For those who do not drive, an Idaho State Identification card is required.

Proof of residency is required to buy any resident license.

Non-drivers under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian provide proof of residency to purchase resident products.

Definition of resident

A resident is anyone who has been domiciled in this state with a bona fide intent to make this their place of permanent abode, for a period of not less than six months immediately preceding the date of application for any license, tag or permit. A senior resident is anyone age 65 and older who has lived in the state at least 6 months immediately preceding the date of application for a senior license or tag.

Military affidavits

Military personnel and dependents stationed in Idaho must present a current Military Status and Residency affidavit signed by first sergeant, section commander, or commander. A signed affidavit allows new Idaho military arrivals to buy resident licenses once they have been in state at least 30 days. The affidavit allows the purchase of resident fish and game licenses/tags by active duty full-time military personnel, including his/her spouse and children (less than 18 years of age) living in the same household after 30 days of continuous residency in Idaho.

Nonresident ineligibility

A persons claiming residency privileges in any other state does not qualify for Idaho resident products. Residency privileges include, but are not limited to; possessing a valid drivers license for another state, receiving in-state tuition prices for another state, receiving homeowner tax exemptions in another state, and being registered to vote in another state. A persons with an Idaho drivers license who has not resided in the state for at least six months does not qualify for resident products.

Idaho residents without U.S. citizenship

Persons in the state on a visitor visa do not qualify for resident products. Persons residing in Idaho who are in the process of acquiring citizenship may provide supporting documents and may subsequently qualify for resident products.

Other proof of residency

Residency proving documents such as utility bills and bank statements may be required if identification presented was issued less than six months prior.

Exemptions

As certain exemptions and policies may not be listed above, hunters, anglers and trappers are encouraged to call their local Fish and Game office with any questions, or concerns. A list of residency requirements, as well as Fish and Game office phone numbers can be found on the Fish and Game website.
Ron Carpenter says legal disputes with Pastor John Gray over church are finished

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After nearly a year of public legal disputes over church property, megachurch pastors John Gray and Ron Carpenter Jr. have settled their differences after a successful mediation process, Carpenter said.

The peace deal between the megachurch pastors comes in the wake of an announcement by Carpenter earlier this month that he will return to Greenville, South Carolina, with a new campus of his Redemption Church in January 2021.

Yesterday, everything was mutually agreed to. There are no more lawsuits. All legal matters are finished, Carpenter told Greenville News on Saturday after a Vision Night event in Greenville.

Carpenter and his wife, Hope, moved their Redemption Church brand from Greenville to San Jose, California, in 2018 to take over as new pastors of the 14,000-member Jubilee Christian Center. In making the move, they passed the reins of the Greenville church they led for 27 years to Gray and his wife, Aventer, who rebranded the congregation Relentless Church.

After a slew of controversies, including Relentless Church's purchase of a $1.8 million home for the Grays and conflict over the transition agreement that involved debt on church facilities, the Carpenters filed a contentious eviction lawsuit against Gray in January that produced several claims and counterclaims. Grays lawyers argued in one counterclaim that the dispute was really a fight over church members.

Officials at Grays Relentless Church were not immediately available for comment when contacted by The Christian Post Monday. Carpenter also did not immediately respond to a request from CP for further comment.

Carpenter told Greenville News that he is now interested in mending fences with Gray.

Nothing would make me happier than for it to come full circle, Carpenter said when asked if Redemption and Relentless would work together in the future.

Ive known Pastor John Gray for 16 years. We have broke bread together, we have stayed in each others houses, we preached together in the same circles and the same conferences. I want all of those fences to be mended, Carpenter said.

The Redemption Church leader, who founded the ministry with his wife Hope, met with about 1,000 people at the Vision Night event held at the Greenville Convention Center Saturday and many of them had been members of Redemption before becoming spiritually homeless after the Carpenters left for California, Greenville News reported.

My plans did not go as I desired, and I needed to own some of the chaos and drama connected to that. That was certainly not my intention, but I felt like people deserved an apology, Carpenter said. Just because you intend well dont mean it always goes well and the fact is people were living in a decision that I made, and I feel very responsible.

Heather Montgomery, Relentless Churchs director of communications, noted in a statement Friday that their church wishes Redemption nothing but the best.

"Relentless Church became aware of Redemptions return to South Carolina at the same time the general public was informed," she said. "Although Relentless is in no way associated with Redemption Church or its return to Greenville, Relentless wishes Redemption nothing but the best. Relentless vision for the spiritual growth of its congregation and the Greenville community has never been stronger and it will continue to serve for many years to come."
According to information published by Nikkei Asia on April 6, 2021, the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning and five escort vessels have passed through a key waterway off Japan on their way to the Pacific Ocean.

According to information published by Nikkei Asia on April 6, 2021, the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning and five escort vessels have passed through a key waterway off Japan on their way to the Pacific Ocean.

Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link

Chinese carrier strike group with aircraft carrier Liaoning (Picture source: Twitter account of Henri Kenhmann)

The carrier group was spotted around 8 a.m. Saturday roughly 470 km southwest of Nagasaki Prefecture's Danjo Islands, the joint staff said. The convoy then passed through the Miyako Strait, the 250 km-wide waterway between Okinawa Island and Miyako Island.

This is the first time since April 2020 that the Liaoning has been known to pass this waterway, and it comes just days after exercises between the U.S. and Australian navies in the Eastern Pacific.

Accompanying the Liaoning were one Renhai class stealth guided missile destroyer, two Luyang III class guided missile destroyers, one Jiangkai II multi-role frigate and one Fuyu class fast combat support ship.

The movements come as the U.S. Navy intensifies cooperation with the Quad partners of Japan, India and Australia in the Indo-Pacific.

The Liaoning or Type 001 is the first aircraft carrier that was commissioned into the Chinese Navy. On 4 November 2012, the People's Liberation Army's website reported that Shenyang J-15s had performed carrier touch-and-go training. On 25 November 2012, China announced that J-15s had made five successful arrested landings on Liaoning. In June 2013, the second round of flight tests began on board Liaoning, with personnel from the fleet air arm of the Brazilian Navy providing carrier training support to the People's Liberation Army Navy Air Force who operates the J-15s.
As apples ripened at their Launching Place farm, David and Sue Finger faced a race against time.

International borders were still closed due to coronavirus and the backpacker and local workforce was in short supply.

Now, the arrival of six workers from Vanuatu will give them just enough labour to pick their apples before they pass peak maturity.

Massi Gregiore, one of the first Pacific Islanders to arrive under the seasonal workforce program, picks fruit at Vernview orchard in the Yarra Ranges. Credit:Jason South

We would have struggled [without the workers], Mr Finger said. We would have slipped by a day or two every week and by the end of a month you are two weeks behind.
LEWISTON - J. Ned Paffile is a genuine, Idaho original. Born and raised in the Gem State, Paffile is a chapter from Idahos hard working, pioneering spirit. The retired long-haul produce truck driver from Lewiston is the latest big winner from the Idaho Lottery, claiming a $311,000 prize on the Idaho Cash game in the late afternoon of Friday, April 2, 2021.

A self-made man and a long-time member of the Lewiston community, Paffile worked hard on his familys produce farm and trucking business all his life. Since retiring, he does not travel as much as he once did for business, so Paffile made the long journey from Lewiston to Boise to claim his prize with his family.

Once in Boise, Paffile relayed the story of how he learned he had won the Idaho Cash jackpot from the March 21, 2021 draw. As a regular Lottery player, Paffile had the clerk at Albertsons on 21st in Lewiston check his Idaho Cash tickets for him. The clerk told him the prize was too big to pay in Lewiston, that hed have to go to Boise to claim the ticket.

I asked her, how big? She said, really big, described Paffile on finding out he was the winner. After checking the winning numbers with his nephew-in-law, Paffile realized he was the $311,000 jackpot winner. Thats a lot. I dont know what Id do if I won $5, let alone this.

A long-time fan of old western movies, Paffile plans to use his winnings to make retirement a little easier, fix his house, and maybe purchase an old-fashioned, lever action rifle. As he and his family drove off into the Friday night sunset, one could almost recall the old movie quote from a favorite of Paffiles, The Man who Shot Liberty Valance, This is the west. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend. J. Ned Paffile is certainly the legend.
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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

Election Day for the Santa Fe mayoral race is still months away, but what is still a two-candidate race is already starting to get ugly.

Mayor Alan Webber issued a statement Monday condemning what he says is an anti-Semitic cartoon of himself, as well as an advertisement that appeared in last weeks Santa Fe Reporter, an alternative weekly newspaper.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3999, which represents Santa Fe city employees, created and distributed a flyer that includes the cartoon among its members, union leadership said.

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The cartoon depicts a man Webber says is meant to represent him, except with a large, exaggerated nose.

Large noses have historically been used in derogatory depictions of Jewish people, dating back to propaganda released by Nazis in the 1930s. Webber referenced that history when denouncing the cartoon.

This has no place in Santa Fe, not just with regard to me, but for everyone in our diverse city, he wrote. We must reject this kind of divisive ugliness.

The flyer claims that city administration plans to soon stop paying its 60% share of employee life insurance and urges them to email city officials, including the mayor.

However, union officials  who have been critical of Webbers time in office  told the Journal that the person depicted in the cartoon is not supposed to be Webber. Rather, they say its a generic city employee and is not based on a real person.

Local 3999 Vice President Gil Martinez said he drew the cartoon and was not aware that enlarged facial features were derogatory toward Jewish people.

This is really offensive to even think that way, Martinez said of the anti-Semitism claims. (Webbers) campaign looked for something like that and they found it. Theyre gonna keep on looking again just to make stories.

Sascha Anderson, a spokesperson for the mayors reelection campaign, said theyre not buying claims the man depicted is not Webber.

The cartoon has a clear resemblance to the mayor, Anderson said. Feigned ignorance is no excuse.

Anti-Semitic incidents and hate crimes have been on the rise in recent years. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in January the pandemic had, in part, led to a surge in anti-Semitic conspiracy theories across the globe.

Rabbi Rob Lennick, CEO of the Jewish Federation of New Mexico, said he found the cartoon very disturbing, and that he agrees with Webbers sentiments.

To see that propaganda rear its head in our time is a reminder that we all have to work together to fight against all caricatures, Lennick said.

Webbers campaign also denounced a full-page ad paid for by Spanish fraternal organization Union Protectiva in the Reporter.

The ad makes a series of allegations against Webber during his time in office, some of which Webber says are untrue.

One claim was that Webber supports the destruction of the mural Multicultural on Guadalupe Street, which is on state property. The mayor has not publicly taken a position regarding the mural.

Despite this, Union Protectiva President Virgil Vigil said theres nothing inaccurate in the advertisement and his organization is not endorsing a candidate for mayor.
Back in February , we reported on progress which the Commemorative Air Forces Rocky Mountain Wing has made with the effort to return their TBM-3E Avenger (Bu.53503) back to airworthy condition following her engine problems last year. In Februarys article, we showed the rebuild team re-installing the Wright R-2600 engine, which had just returned from overhaul at Anderson Aeromotive in Grangeville. For this article, the Rocky Mountain Wings Fred Suevel takes us through the process of re-installing the various engine ducting, along with the propeller, which has just undergone an inspection and Airworthiness Directive (AD) compliance with Westpac Aviation in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It is an arduous endeavor, and requires real dedication from all involved

The picture above was taken back on July 16th, 2020, when we took the engine off the plane for rebuild, but its a good reference for some of the following images. Youll note at the top of the yellow nose cowling is an oval shaped opening. Thats the air intake for the engine. The next picture will show the air intake bridge which connects this opening across the top of the engine and into the curved air intake feeding the carburetor. This bridge also has the top skin of the plane over the engine.

At the bottom of the nose cowling you can see another smile shaped opening. This feeds the air into the oil cooler. There is also, like the air intake bridge mentioned above, a piece which connects between the front cowling to the face of the oil cooler. Youll see the oil cooler being installed in a subsequent image

And now we come to the propeller installation. The unit returned from Westpac a few days ago, and the Rocky Mountain Wing soon got to work re-installing the massive 13 foot 1 inch diameter unit.

And thats all for now from the Rocky Mountain Wing We thank them greatly, especially Fred Suevel and Kevin McNulty, for sending us these fascinating, detailed images describing just a small aspect of the hard work which goes into maintaining one of these precious vintage aircraft. We hope youve enjoyed seeing a little of what it takes to keep em flying!

For those wanting help the Rocky Mountain Wing maintain this magnificent aircraft, please click HERE to contribute no amount is too small, and we all thank you for your help!
Piers Morgan told Tucker Carlson that 17 claims made by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in their bombshell Oprah interview have since been proved to be false, exaggerated or are unverifiable.

Morgan, DailyMail.com's editor-at-large, sat down for his own tell-all with Fox News host Carlson, where he renewed his fierce criticisms of Harry and Meghan and said the duchess is 'delusional'.

'Seventeen different claims by the pair of them have now been proven to be either completely untrue, or massively exaggerated, or unprovable,' he said. 'I don't understand why I should have to believe people who are not telling the truth.

'There are so many ridiculous whoppers in this interview that frankly in the end, saying I believe her would be like saying I believe Pinocchio. Why would I?'

Morgan did not specify what the 17 claims were. However this is a breakdown of the couple's allegations in the Oprah interview and doubts over them that have since arisen.

Piers Morgan on Monday said he was right not to believe 'delusional duchess' Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey because 17 of their claims have since been proven false, exaggerated or unverifiable

'Seventeen different claims by the pair of them have now been proven to be either completely untrue, or massively exaggerated, or unprovable,' Morgan said of the couple's Oprah interview

Harry and Meghan made at least 17 claims in their Oprah interview which can be categorized as either disproven, exaggerated or unverifiable

DISPROVEN:

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.'

Just two weeks after the Oprah interview aired, Harry and Meghan admitted they did not get married three days before the Royal wedding after an official certificate blew their claim apart.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex confessed the ceremony with the Archbishop of Canterbury in Kensington Palace saw them just 'privately exchange personal vows'.

It came after the General Register Office revealed the couple's wedding certificate for the first time - which showed they did get married on May 19, 2018 in the lavish, 32million taxpayer-funded ceremony at Windsor Castle after all.

The official who drew up the license said Meghan is 'obviously confused' and 'clearly misinformed' over the wedding when she made her comments to Oprah.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has also rejected the couple's claim that they married at a secret ceremony before the Windsor Castle wedding.

He said: 'The legal wedding was on the Saturday. I signed the wedding certificate, which is a legal document, and I would have committed a serious criminal offence if I signed it knowing it was false.'

Among the disproven claims was Meghan's story about marrying Harry three days before their official wedding at Windsor Palace in May 2018

Archie has a birthright to be a prince

Meghan said: 'Idea of the first member of color in this family, not being titled in the same way that other grandchildren would be... It's not their right to take it away'

Archie did not have a birthright to be a prince, but is set to become one when Charles accedes to the throne.

William and Kate's children have the HRH title and are styled as prince and princesses - and Archie is not - because of 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.

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.'

Being a prince does not automatically entitle royals to police protection.

Those who do have full 24/7 security include, the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince William, Kate, Prince Charles and Camilla.

Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have no official protection, nor does Prince Andrew.

The British government's Royal and VIP Executive Committee authorises the budget for security for royals, VIPs and former PMs.

The Home Office's control over it means the Queen does not have the right to dish out protection.

Harry and Meghan no longer receive British police protection, and are understood to be paying for private security.

The couple's friends have described the cost of their bodyguards as 'exorbitant.'

The Sussexes are understood to have lost their round-the-clock police protection after they announced they were stepping down as working royals.

During their chat with Oprah, Harry said that when they were in Canada he was told 'at short notice security was going to be removed.'

They had taxpayer funded police protection while they were in Canada and were escorted from Canada to California last March by UK police, before the officers were summoned back to London.

A former senior Metropolitan Police officer said at the time, the decision to remove protection was made by senior police and Home Office staff after consultation with the Palace.

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

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.'

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.

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.'

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.

A photograph from 2008 - 13 years ago - shows Meghan with her half-sister Samantha Markle at her graduation

EXAGGERATED

'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,'' Meghan told Oprah.

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.'

During the interview, Meghan described how life in the royal spotlight had been a struggle, particularly during her pregnancy and after Archie's birth.

She told Bradby: 'Look, any woman especially when they are pregnant, you're really vulnerable and so that was made really challenging.

'And then when you have a newborn - you know. And especially as a woman, it's a lot.

'So you add this on top of just trying to be a new mum or trying to be a newlywed.

'And, also thank you for asking, because not many people have asked if I'm OK. But it's a very real thing to be going through behind the scenes.'

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.

Meghan was also given high-profile solo responsibilities by the Queen, including to succeed Her Majesty as the patron of the National Theatre, which seemed an ideal fit given Meghan's background as an actress.

As well as her patronage of the National Theatre, she was an ambassador for the Association of Commonwealth Universities, animal wellbeing charity Mayhew, and fashion charity Smart Works.

The patronages involved highly-publicised visits to the charities where she used her platform to advance their various causes.

After stepping down as a senior royal, Meghan lost her royal patronages for the National Theatre and the Association of Commonwealth Universities.

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.'

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.

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'

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, Prince Charles had given the couple around 2.5 million a year through his private estate the Duchy of Cornwall.

The Queen also supported the couple through the Duchy of Lancaster, according to accounts.

Another 5 per cent of their income was made up by the taxpayer through the Sovereign Grant.

Large renovations to the couple's Frogmore Cottage residence at Windsor worth 2.4 million were also paid for by the taxpayer-funded grant.

Harry later paid back the cost of refurbishing the property near Windsor Castle.

Harry inherited around 7 million left to him by Diana, Princess of Wales, who died in 1997.

He also inherited 3 million left to him by his great-grandmother in 2003.

Meghan brought an estimated 3 million to their marriage earned in her career as an actress.

Since leaving the UK, the couple have signed deals with streaming services Spotify and Netflix which are thought to be worth more than 100 million.

The couple now live in a 10 million mansion in Montecito, California.

'Betrayal' by father who staged photos

Meghan said the Press 'created' news about Meghan's father 'to create drama'

The Duchess told Oprah that she had been deeply hurt by her father Thomas and that she and Harry had tried to help her father before he 'betrayed' her.

However, Thomas has claimed in multiple interviews, both before and after the Oprah claims, that he has gone out of his way to try and repair his relationship with Meghan.

Meghan told Oprah: 'I look at Archie [and] I genuinely can't imagine doing anything to intentionally cause pain to my child.'

She said that she had called her father after photos were released of him prior to her wedding in 2018.

Meghan said: 'We called my dad and I asked him [about staging the photos] he said, "No, absolutely not."'

She added: 'I said, "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.'

Thomas denied the claims after the interview, telling Good Morning Britain that he had apologized '100 times' for doing the deal with the paparazzi before the wedding.

'The biggest problem here is she's pretty much ghosted all of her family,' Thomas said.

Thomas 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.'

Thomas also made a pointed dig at Harry, telling GMB: 'We all make mistakes - but I've never played naked pool or dressed like Hitler like Harry did.'

He was referencing Harry's trip to Las Vegas where he stripped off in a hotel to play pool in 2012 and a party seven years prior, when he was 20, when the prince wore a Nazi uniform.

Describing their last conversation before the couple's wedding, Thomas said the couple rejected him when he was lying on a hospital bed.

'I also feel she let me down as well because I was in a hospital bed the last time we talked and I never heard from them again. They didn't care if I died,' Thomas said last month.

But Thomas also used the interview to once again urge his daughter to get in touch with 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.'

UNVERIFIABLE

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'.

Meghan was not asked by Oprah 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'.

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'

Harry and Meghan refused to identify the close relative who made the comment because it would be 'too damaging to them'.

However, Oprah later revealed that Harry had confirmed it was neither the Queen nor Prince Philip, leaving only a handful of royals for the allegation to fall upon, including the Prince of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as well as the Duchess of Cornwall.

After the interview, Buckingham Palace released a rare public statement which said: 'The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan.

'The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning.

'While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately.

'Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members.'

In the days after the interview, Prince William told reporters: 'Were very much not a racist family.'

It was also pointed out by various commentators, including Thomas Markle, that there may have been context attached to the 'racist' comment which was omitted in the couple's narrative.

Thomas Markle told GMB after the interview: 'I have great respect for the royals and don't think the British royal family are racist.'

He added that 'the whole thing about color and the baby's skin color is bull****.'

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'.

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.

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

Meghan had to turn over her passport, keys and driving license to royal aides

Meghan said: 'When I joined that family, that was the last time I saw my passport, my driving license, my keys - all of that gets turned over.'

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.

However, the couple took private jets to European holiday destinations during their time in Britain and they also travelled back-and-forth to Canada before announcing their decision to permanently step down as senior royals.

Environment-loving Harry and Meghan stepped off private jets at airports in Ibiza and Nice just days apart in the summer of 2019.

Meghan even jumped on a private jet to attend a lavish baby shower thrown for her by friends in New York in February 2020, which was attended by Serena Williams and Amal Clooney.

Between November 2019 and January 2020, when the couple announced they were stepping down, the couple took three flights between Vancouver and London.

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.'

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'.

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.'

Meghan Markle is seen heading to a hotel to meet up with some friends in Toronto, Canada, in November 2016

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.'

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.'

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.

When the couple decided to leave the Royal family

Early in the Oprah interview Meghan said she joined the Royal family with the intention of devoting her life to service. Later, when asked if the Queen was 'shocked' by Megxit, Meghan said Harry had been talking to his grandmother about stepping down for 'two years'.

Harry and Meghan's combined murky timeline of when they expressed their intention of stepping down as senior Royals left this question unanswered.

It's remains unclear when Harry specifically told the Queen of their plans. As to whether the Queen felt 'blindsided', only she could say.
OREM, Utah, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Businesses face many cyber risks, threats, and vulnerabilities. Securing payment data and other sensitive information is an ongoing battle. The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) was established in 2006 to help businesses protect payment data, and compliance to the PCI DSS is an industry requirement for any company that accepts major credit cards.

Businesses must be more diligent about complying with the PCI DSS because cybercriminals continue to update their tactics and add resources to their efforts. Noncompliance increases the risk of compromise, and according to SecurityMetrics forensic research data, none of the compromised companies for which they provided remediation services were fully PCI DSS compliant at the time of compromise. Issues like skipping vulnerability scans and penetration testing (PCI DSS requirement 11) continue to plague businesses, with 62% of investigated breaches being directly related.

These issues are fixable, and as a way for companies to better understand their options for protection, SecurityMetrics has released the 2021 edition of the Guide to PCI DSS Compliance.

The PCI Guide is an ongoing, collaborative effort, with recommendations and original research from the SecurityMetrics Audit, Penetration Testing, Forensics, Support, and Executive teams.

Audit Director, Matt Halbleib (CISSP, CISA, QSA), said "We publish our guide to give businesses of all sizes a tool to understand and organize their PCI compliance efforts. Maintaining PCI compliance in an environment-specific way helps businesses protect their data, detect breaches, and keep cybercriminals off their network."

The 2021 PCI DSS Guide has been updated to include:

Insight into what to expect for PCI DSS 4.0

Tips for applying the PCI DSS in a cloud environment

Information on e-commerce attacks including iFrame hacks

Interactive IT checklists for each requirement

Brand new PCI compliance customer data

Tips and experiences from PCI Auditors (QSAs)

"Businesses who utilize the Guide to PCI DSS Compliance can better organize their compliance efforts and understand the way PCI compliance requirements affect cybersecurity. On top of that, the PCI Guide is a great training tool when assigning new resources to your PCI compliance effort," said SecurityMetrics VP of Assessments Gary Glover (CISSP, CISA, QSA.)

Download the 2021 SecurityMetrics Guide to PCI DSS Compliance here.

To learn more about SecurityMetrics, PCI DSS compliance, or for help with a PCI audit, please call 801.705.5656 or email [email protected].

For press inquiries, call 801.995.6516 or email [email protected].

About SecurityMetrics

SecurityMetrics helps customers close data security and compliance gaps to avoid data breaches. They provide managed data security services and are certified to help customers achieve the highest data security and compliance standards.

As an Approved Scanning Vendor, Qualified Security Assessor, Certified Forensic Investigator, and Managed Security provider SecurityMetrics guides organizations through data security testing and compliance mandates (PCI, HIPAA, GDPR, HITRUST). With over 15 years of forensic investigations, penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, and compliance audits, SecurityMetrics has tested over 1 million systems for vulnerabilities. The privately held company is headquartered in Orem, Utah where it maintains a Security Operations Center (SOC) and 24/7 multilingual technical support.

SOURCE SecurityMetrics

Related Links

http://www.securitymetrics.com


DOHC

The two-wheeled showstopper youre looking at here is the work of Origin8or s Rob Chappell, an ambitious graphic designer who goes about his daily business in Toronto, Canada. As you mightve already guessed, this solo craftsman shares our deep passion for custom motorcycles of all sorts, and the project featured today is among the tastiest undertakings in his portfolio.Prior to landing in Chappells hands, this mechanical titan was an ordinary 1981 Honda CB900F. In stock form, the Japanese superstar is powered by an air-cooledinline-four mill that packs sixteen valves and a sizeable displacement of 901cc. At optimal rpm, the four-stroke samurai will gladly summon up to 95 feral horses and 57 pound-feet (77 Nm) of vicious twist.Although this bad boy may not have been as popular as the almighty CB750, its quite safe to say that it was a force to be reckoned with. Now that weve reminded ourselves about its powertrain characteristics lets see how Canadas Origin8or managed to transform an undistinguished 81 CB900F into something truly outstanding.Chappells stunning makeover began at the rear end, where he cut the machines stock subframe to make way for a bespoke counterpart. The twin shock absorbers were discarded in favor of a 2008 Yamaha R6s monoshock and swingarm unit, while a Suzuki GSX-R750's high-grade forks handle front suspension duties.After sculpting cafe racer-style knee dents on either side, Rob honored the standard gas tank with a flip-up filler cap. On the other end, you will spot a Kawasaki KZ1000s repurposed tail section and one gorgeous custom saddle, along with rear-mounted foot pegs. Up front, the CB900F wears clip-on handlebars, an aftermarket top clamp from Cognito Moto, and a Harley-Davidson V-Rod's unmistakable headlight module.Stopping power is taken good care of by braided brake lines and wave rotors on both ends. The beast crawls on a set of Carrozzeria V-Track forged aluminum wheels, enveloped in high-performance Dunlop GP-A tires. Besides increasing the inline-four's displacement to a healthy 985cc, Origin8ors mastermind also installed Keihin CR31 carburetors and a complete Cycle-X exhaust system for good measure.Lastly, the bikes electrics were treated to a state-of-the-art Dynatek ignition, fresh coils, and an antigravity battery. The finishing touches come in the form of bar-end turn signals and digital gauges, as well as an LED taillight with integrated turn signals.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-07 02:21:02|Editor: huaxia

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UNITED NATIONS, April 6 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy said Tuesday that the momentum of the political process in Mali must be maintained.

The overall situation in Mali is improving. At the same time, the country faces multiple challenges, such as terrorism, COVID-19 and a humanitarian crisis. The international community should continue to focus on Mali and provide necessary support, said Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

The good momentum of the political process must be maintained. The Malian government has formulated the transitional action plan, and implementation is the main task for the next stage, he told the Security Council.

As the Malian government works to coordinate and advance preparation for the elections, positive efforts will also be needed to promote development, improve people's livelihood in a way that can bring more benefits to its people, he said.

The agreement monitoring committee has met for the first time in northern Mali, which is of great significance. The signatories to the peace agreement must consolidate the existing results, continue to develop mutual trust, achieve more results on issues such as the deployment of armed forces and the Northern Development Zone, properly handle the issue of re-opening negotiations on the relevant provisions of the agreement, and firmly advance the implementation of the agreement, he said. Enditem
1991 was a great year for John Hennessey. He modified his 3000GT VR4 daily driver and competed in the Pike's Peak Hill Climb and Nevada Open Road Challenge races. The year continued with Hennessey setting a class record at the Bonneville Salt Flats and winning the Unlimited Class at the Silver State Classic open road race in Nevada. Alongside modifying his car and racing, 1991 also saw Hennessey marry the love of his life, Hope who founded the business with John that same year after returning from their honeymoon.

Hennessey Performance is like one big family to me, and our fantastic customers are a big part of that.

John Hennessey, company founder and CEO: "At the end of 1991, looking back at that year of motorsport, I realized I'd learned the first rule of auto racing  if you want to make a small fortune in racing, start with a larger one! To continue my passion, I knew I'd have to find a way to pay for it. So, I thought, if Carroll Shelby and Alois Ruf could make a living by building and modifying cars then maybe I could too  that's how our company began."

With his wife, Hope, his five children and a team of 50+ skilled colleagues, the Texas-based king of speed has stuck to a simple principle that too much horsepower is never enough in his mission to create cars that make people smile. From building cars for international rock stars and world-famous athletes to claiming countless speed records, including the 'World's Fastest Car' title, the business ethos has always been to seek out the next challenge.

John Hennessey: "Hennessey Performance is like one big family to me, and our fantastic customers are a big part of that. As we celebrate 30 years of business, I'm thankful for every customer and my whole team who've all contributed to us becoming a hypercar manufacturer and world-renowned high-performance vehicle tuning business."

Shortly after founding the company, John Hennessey turned his attention to boosting the performance of the now-iconic Dodge Viper. By 1997 he achieved an important accolade with his 650hp Hennessey Viper Venom GTS being the first to break 200mph. Since 2006, the company's recently extended 51,000 sq-ft HQ has been next to its own test track enabling the acceleration of its R&D, engineering and tuning business with cars like the 234mph, twin turbo 1000hp Ford GT and 200mph HPE 600 Corvette C7 produced by the experienced team of Hennessey engineers.

By 2010, the business had built its own hypercar, the Hennessey Venom GT. Based on the chassis of a Lotus Exige, the 1244hp monster weighed just 2743lb and was powered by a turbocharged Hennessey V8 that enabled 0-200mph in just 14.51 seconds. The Venom GT set a production car Guinness World Record for the fastest 0-300kph time (13.63 seconds) in 2013, then followed that in 2014 with another world record, becoming the fastest production car in the world with a 270.49mph top speed.

Truck tuning emerged as a new customer-led trend in 2012 with the 600hp Hennessey Velociraptor beginning a generation of 'hypertrucks' from 1000hp supercar slayers to 6x6 conversions. Alongside these monsters of the road, the Hennessey team continued its muscle car work with models like its 1000hp ZL1 Camaro  named The Exorcist  raising the profile of the business further still.

Today, alongside producing upwards of 500 customer cars a year, the Hennessey team is focused on the all-new 100% bespoke Hennessey Venom F5 hypercar. This 'decathlete of hypercars' boasts 1817hp from its Hennessey-built 6.6-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine and targets a top speed exceeding 311mph (500kph).

In its 30th year, Hennessey sees the launch of the F5 as a rebirth for the brand and the beginning of an exciting new future. Looking ahead, Hennessey plans a series of exciting models, built on the same 100% bespoke basis as the F5.

Hennessey top 10 cars of all time

Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4

(1991)

The car that started it all. John Hennessey competed in Pikes Peak; Nevada Open Road Challenge (4th); Bonneville Salt Flats (class speed record of 177mph); Silver State Challenge (overall winner, averaging 177mph over the 90-mile race)



'Fly Navy' Venom 1000 Twin Turbo

(introduced 2005; stock base  Dodge Viper)

Won Road & Track supercar shootout, beating a Bugatti Veyron, with 210.2mph top speed

Video - Venom vs Veyron 0-200mph



VR1200

(introduced 2012; stock base  Cadillac CTS-V)

Hennessey 'tested' a new Texas Toll Road with its VR1200 running 221mph

Video - 221mph run



HPE600 Corvette C7

(introduced 2013; stock base  Corvette C7 Stingray)

In 2013, John Hennessey was the first to break 200mph in a C7 with his supercharged Corvette Stingray on a closed Texas toll road

Video - C7 in action

Video  200mph speed run



Hennessey Venom GT

(introduced 2010)

Built by Hennessey; 0-300kph in 13.63 seconds, a Guinness World Record; 270.49mph verified top speed  world's fastest car 2014-2017

Video  270.49mph world's fastest car run



VelociRaptor 600

(introduced 2012; stock base  Ford Raptor)

The start of Hennessey's truck tuning; 0-60mph 4.2 seconds; 600hp

Video  +7000hp Velociraptor stampede



The Exorcist

(introduced 2017; stock base  Chevrolet ZL1 Camaro)

1000hp; 883lb-ft torque; 0-60mph 2.1 seconds; top speed 217mph

Video  Exorcist in action

Video  217mph speed run



VelociRaptor 6X6

(introduced 2017; stock base  Ford Raptor)

$350,000 ; upgraded suspension; 600hp upgrade with twin turbochargers

Video  dusty doughnuts



Hennessey Heritage Edition Mustang

(introduced 2018; stock base  Ford Mustang GT350R)

Hennessey's 10,000th car; 808HP; 0-60mph in 3.3 seconds

Video  doughnut / burnout



Hennessey Venom F5

(introduced 2021)

100% bespoke Hennessey hypercar with 1817hp V8; 1336hp-per-ton; target +500kph (311mph) top speed; 0-300kph (186mph) in 8.4 seconds

Video  Venom F5 global unveiling





Hennessey  making fast cars faster for 30 years

About Hennessey

Based in Sealy, Texas, the Hennessey business comprises Hennessey Special Vehicles, Hennessey Performance (HPE), Tuner School, and the Lonestar Motorsports Park. The company has re-engineered more than 12,000 vehicles for performance enthusiasts from around the world to deliver unparalleled driving thrills. Alongside modifying a diverse range of sports, and muscle cars since 1991, the company also applies its high-performance expertise to trucks and SUVs  and boasts its own supercars  the Venom GT and the Venom F5.

Every Hennessey product is dyno-proven, fully track-tested, street-legal and warrantied. Customers can choose from road-ready performance-enhanced cars by Hennessey ranging from Ford and Corvette to Porsche and Lamborghini in addition to benefitting from a host of high-performance upgrades.

With its own test track, engineering curriculum for aspiring tuners, more than 50 team members and capacity to work on 40-50 vehicles at a time, Hennessey Performance is one of the world's leading vehicle engineering companies. The new 6.6-litre V8 Venom F5 hypercar is set for customer deliveries in 2021. Boasting 1817hp and a +311mph top speed, the company is guaranteed to deliver like never before on its mission of 'making fast cars faster'. HennesseyPerformance.com

About John Hennessey

As the company founder and CEO, John Hennessey lives and breathes fast, fun cars. John developed a passion for performance while competing at world-renowned motorsport events including Pikes Peak, the Silver State Classic and the Bonneville Salt Flats (where he set a class world record).

What started in 1991, modifying imports out of his garage, soon morphed into building 1000-horsepower twin-turbo Dodge Vipers that gained international recognition in car magazines such as Motor Trend, Car and Driver, Top Gear, and Road and Track.

Viewed as an American icon of speed, John has achieved his vision to be the top automotive tuner and builder in the U.S. With a global sales footprint covering the U.S., Europe, Asia, South America and the Middle East, he continues to find ways to engineer greater performance from some of the world's most iconic cars alongside the creation of the company's new world-class hypercar  the Hennessey Venom F5.

Social media

YouTube: hpedesign | Instagram: hennesseyperformance | Facebook: @hennesseype | Twitter: @HennesseyPerf

SOURCE Hennessey Performance

Related Links

http://hennesseyperformance.com/


Expert Panel to Accelerate Company's Rapid Growth in Government Markets and Enable its Customers with Innovative Hardsec Cross Domain Solutions

Garrison Technology, today announced the creation of its Government Advisory Panel, made up of talented professionals from both the U.S. and U.K. governments. With a combined century and a half of experience, the panel will provide Garrison leadership with strategic guidance and knowledge to continue its rapid growth within the U.S. Federal market and assist customers worldwide. Garrison is revolutionizing ways of working for classified and unclassified government entities, by delivering hardsec FPGA (field-programmable gate array) based web isolation and cross-domain solutions to enable mission critical activities.

The members of the Government Advisory Panel include:

Jean Schaffer , President of Verity Insight LLC and former Chief Information Security Officer of the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency

, President of Verity Insight LLC and former Chief Information Security Officer of the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency Professor Ciaran Martin, Professor of Practice at the Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford University, and former Head of the U.K. National Cyber Security Centre

Professor of Practice at the Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford University, and former Head of the U.K. National Cyber Security Centre Cheri McGuire , former Chief Information Security Officer of Standard Chartered PLC and senior member of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

, former Chief Information Security Officer of Standard Chartered PLC and senior member of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Phil Reilly , former Senior Paramilitary Officer, U.S. Central Intelligence Agency

, former Senior Paramilitary Officer, U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Lieutenant General James Bashall, former British Army Officer

Jean Schaffer's experience with the DIA gives her an extensive and in-depth understanding of the U.S. Federal Government community. "I am delighted to be working with Garrison and am confident that with such a varied and highly skilled panel of supporters we can help Garrison to cement its place as a key player in the U.S. Federal Government market."

Ciaran Martin, who became an independent advisor for Garrison in September 2020, said of the recently formed panel: "Very little of what the U.K. has achieved in cybersecurity over the past few years would have been possible without the expertise and support of so many different partners in the U.S. Federal Government and the U.S. national security community. It is an honour, to team up with old partners and friends to work with the Federal Government to see how Garrison can help it achieve its crucial mission".

"At Garrison, we are enabling step-changes in cybersecurity protection, information access and collaboration for our customers both in the commercial and government markets," said David Garfield, CEO of Garrison. "I am thrilled to be working with such a talented group of experts that will support us in developing and delivering our strategy for government customers."

About Garrison:

Garrison was founded in 2014 by David Garfield and Henry Harrison who, with a wealth of experience, designed a product that eradicates the largest cyber risk to organisations and governments worldwide, that of web-borne threats. The company is backed by investors including Dawn Capital, IP Group, NM Capital and BGF, and has customers across nine countries, from governments to commercial global enterprises.

For more information about Garrison's unique approach and solutions, please visit https://www.garrison.com/en/government.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005677/en/

Contacts:

Jessica Lindquist

Jessica.Lindquist@w2comm.com
South Dakota not meeting graduation rates for special education students

The Sioux Falls School District isn't meeting graduation rates for special education students, and neither is South Dakota as a whole on average.
FILE - In this Jan. 8, 2020, file photo, debris at the scene where a Ukrainian plane crashed in Shahedshahr southwest of the capital Tehran, Iran. Iranian media are quoting the outgoing military prosecutor of Tehran as saying that 10 officials have been indicted for the 2020 shootdown of a Ukrainian passenger plane. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi, File)

Iran Prosecutor Says 10 Indicted for Ukraine Plane Shootdown

Ten officials have been indicted in Iran over the 2020 military shootdown of a Ukrainian passenger plane that killed 176 people, a prosecutor said Tuesday, an announcement coming just as Tehran begins indirect negotiations with the West over its collapsed nuclear deal with world powers.

More than 100 of the 176 victimsat least one of whom was pregnanthad ties to Canada, and 55 were Canadian citizens.

The timing of the announcement comes after Iran faced withering international criticism last month for releasing a final report into the shootdown of Ukraine International Airlines flight No. PS752 that blamed human error, but named no one responsible for the incident.

Tehran military prosecutor Gholamabbas Torki similarly avoided naming those responsible when he announced the indictments Tuesday while handing over his office to Nasser Seraj. The semiofficial ISNA news agency and the Iranian judiciarys Mizan news agency both reported his remarks.

The indictment of the case of the Ukrainian plane was also issued and a serious and accurate investigation was carried out and indictments were issued for 10 people who were at fault, Mizan quoted Torki as saying, without elaborating.

FILE  In this Jan. 11, 2020, file photo, people gather for a candlelight vigil to remember the victims of the Ukraine plane crash, at the gate of Amri Kabir University in Tehran, Iran. Iranian media are quoting the outgoing military prosecutor of Tehran as saying that 10 officials have been indicted for the 2020 shootdown of a Ukrainian passenger plane. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi, File)

Following three days of denial in January 2020 in the face of mounting evidence, Iran finally acknowledged that its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard mistakenly downed the Ukrainian jetliner with two surface-to-air missiles. In preliminary reports on the disaster last year, Iranian authorities blamed an air defence operator who they said mistook the Boeing 737-800 for an American cruise missile.

Last month, Canadas Transportation Safety Board said Iranian officials failed to provide evidence that Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was shot down by mistake, leaving key questions unanswered as Irans military effectively investigated itself.

The regimes civil aviation body released a final report that blamed human error for two surface-to-air missiles fired at the jetliner minutes after takeoff from Tehran on Jan. 8 last year.

The Canadian government rejected the report outright, describing it as incomplete and devoid of hard facts or evidence.

The shootdown happened the same day Iran launched a ballistic missile attack on U.S. troops in Iraq in retaliation for an American drone strike that killed a top Iranian general. While Guard officials publicly apologized for the incident, the hesitancy of Iran to elaborate on what happened in the incident shows the power the force wields.

Following the release of Irans final investigative report, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba lambasted the findings as a cynical attempt to hide the true causes of the downing of our passenger aircraft. He accused Iran of conducting a biased probe into the disaster that resulted in deceptive conclusions.

Many on the flight planned to connect in Kyiv, Ukraine to fly onto Canada, which is home to a large Iranian population. Canadas foreign and transport ministers similarly criticized the report, saying that it has no hard facts or evidence and makes no attempt to answer critical questions about what truly happened.

The announcement came just hours before Iran and the five world powers remaining in its atomic accord meet in Vienna, where the U.S. is due to start indirect talks with Tehran.

With files from the Canadian Press
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 19:19:31|Editor: huaxia

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BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Brunei and Malaysia have agreed to establish a green lane for essential cross-border movement of people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to local daily the Borneo Bulletin on Tuesday, Brunei's Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah held the 23rd Annual Leaders' Consultation with Muhyiddin Yassin, the prime minister of Malaysia, who paid his first official visit to Brunei from April 4 to 5.

The joint statement on the bilateral meeting said that both leaders discussed the possible cooperation between Brunei and Malaysia in vaccine diplomacy. The cooperation would be centered upon three matters which include a reciprocal vaccination arrangement for both nationals covering diplomats, students and expatriates; ensuring access to vaccine supplies for both Brunei and Malaysia; and a reciprocal mutual recognition of vaccination certificates between both nations as this step would facilitate cross-border movement of the people between both countries.

The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining people's movement during the COVID-19 pandemic by ensuring their safe cross-border movement, with the necessary safeguards in place so that public health concerns are addressed.

In this regard, both sides have agreed in principle to establish a Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL), with effective COVID-19 prevention and control measures, to facilitate essential business and official travel between both countries. The leaders further agreed for officials from both sides to undertake consultations on the draft standard operating procedures of the proposed RGL.

The leaders also noted the disruption of flight operations since March 2020 and looked forward to the resumption of air travel when the situation permits. Enditem
Fort Crockett Apartments will always hold a special place in the hearts of many of its residents, particularly as all they have now is memories.

The 1960s complex suffered irreparable damage following February's historic four-day winter freeze, per Houston Chronicle's Nick Powell. The severe storm caused days-long blackouts, destroyed water lines and claimed the lives of nearly 200 Texans.

Its been so sad seeing so many people, especially elderly people here, to see them have to pack up and leave when we all thought this would be our last destination, last place to live, said 72-year-old Betty Loth, as reported by Powell. These have been awesome apartments. We all just loved to live here.

PICKING UP THE PIECES: Communities of color have a long road to recovery after Texas winter storm

Loth had longtime dreams of living near the water and enjoying picturesque views. For her, the Seawall Boulevard complex was a dream come true, and she's not the only person sad to see it go.

I miss the Gulf view from my front door, said 17-year resident Lucille Busenhart, 99, as reported by Powell. I loved my big rooms and I never wanted to move.

Houston billionaire Tilman Fertitta purchased the property in 2005. Instead of investing in "costly infrastructure upgrades," he has decided to terminate the leases of residents. Not that they had much of a choice.

After a thorough examination of our property damages, we have learned that the freeze has caused a major system-wide failure of the entire water piping system, said Jeff Cantwell, executive vice president of development for Landrys Inc, as reported by Powell. Worse yet, the water piping is over 50 years old, meaning there is no simple or quick fix given the size and scale of the failure. Our staff has worked tirelessly, meeting with multiple contractors and plumbers, to understand every solution possible, and all have concluded that there is no feasible solution to repair the problem and reopen the buildings.

END OF AN ERA: Texas director Richard Linklater fights to save failing River Oaks Theatre

Landry's gave notice to residents on Feb. 25 that they would need to make future housing arrangements, as reported by Powell. In addition to 38 days of rent-free housing and $1,000 in additional moving assistance, he also offered those in need a free guest room at a Fertitta-owned Holiday Inn, with the option to stay a bit longer at a discounted rate.

At this time, no plans have been made for the property.
NIRAMAIs Thermalytix solution can now be applied to all countries of Europe, as well as applicable to many Asian, African and Middle-East countries.

Niramai, the deep-tech healthcare company at Bengaluru offering an innovative AI-based, radiation-free breast cancer screening test has now received the prestigious CE mark approval, ISO 13485 and MDSAP (Medical Device Single Audit Programme) International Certifications.

The CE mark approval indicates that the product may be sold freely in any part of the European Economic Area. The ISO 13485 and MDSAP certifications endorse medical device manufacturers for their compliance with the international medical device quality standards and regulatory requirements.

NIRAMAIs Thermalytix solution and quality management processes were audited by an international notified body consisting of expert auditors from India, Germany and Australia. This CE mark approval shows that the product meets EU requirements for medical devices under MDD93/42/EEC for safety, and performance.

With these quality certifications, NIRAMAIs Thermalytix solution can now be applied to all countries of Europe, as well as applicable to many Asian, African and Middle-East countries.

NIRAMAI test is already being used in renowned hospitals and clinics across various Indian cities, including HCG Hospital, Apollo Clinics, HealthSpring Diagnostics, among others.

Dr Geetha Manjunath, Founder and CEO, NIRAMAI comments, These certifications enable us to expand our operations internationally and meet the strong global demand we are seeing for our novel solution. Moving forward, we plan to collaborate with renowned radiologists of the National Health Service (NHS) and other key opinion leaders for an initial market testing in Europe, Africa and Asia. In addition, we are in the process of partnering with more Indian healthcare providers for pan India adoption.

Manish Singhal, Founding Partner of pi Ventures and lead investor, NIRAMAI said, With the ISO and CE certification, now Thermalytix can be made available to women beyond India especially in entire Europe, Middle-East and several countries in South-east Asia leading to global impact.

Munehiko Eto, NIRAMAI board member and investor from the Japanese VC Firm, Dream Incubator, said There is a strong global need for Niramais breakthrough technology innovation of AI-based screening solution for breast cancer, especially for women with dense breasts.
Photo courtesy of the Brookfield Library /

BROOKFIELD  The library will be hosting a virtual event to meet native Connecticut painter Kimberly B. Edwards on April 19, according to a press release.

The event will take place over Zoom at 7 p.m.
The two individuals inside the SUV that crashed through a parking lot and plunged off a Bodega Bay cliff have been identified.

The victims were identified by the Sonoma County Coroner's Office as a mother and daughter, Maria Teixeira, 64, and Elizabeth Correia, 41, both of whom lived in Dublin, Calif.

Teixeira and Correia both worked in Bay Area schools. Teixeira was a custodian at Montevideo Elementary in San Ramon, while Correia was a teacher at Lydiksen Elementary in Pleasanton.

Correia was remembered by her peers as a beloved teacher and a Disney enthusiast.

Patrick Gannon of the Pleasanton Unified School District told KRON, She touched the lives of thousands of students and families, and its definitely heartbreaking news that weve lost such an amazing person and educator and someone who has dedicated their lives to their students. A spokesperson for the district did not immediately respond to a request for comment from SFGATE.

Teixeira, known to her school community as Mrs. Maria, worked at Montevideo for 20 years.

The cause of the crash, seen by dozens of witnesses in the tourist destination, remains unclear. California Highway Patrol Officer David de Rutte said that the vehicle, a Toyota RAV4, broke through a wooden border before the vehicle dove into the water and landed on rocks 100 feet below.

de Rutte noted that the vehicle did not violate any speed limit restrictions.

Witnesses saw the vehicle driving through the parking lot  and it just kept driving, de Rutte said. It didnt stop. There was no accelerating but also no braking.

Representatives for the San Ramon Valley Unified School District did not immediately respond to a request for comment from SFGATE.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
[April 06, 2021] Aporia Emerges from Stealth with $5M for Monitoring Platform to Ensure AI Integrity

TEL AVIV, Israel, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Aporia, the production observability SaaS platform for machine learning, left stealth today and announced the launch of the first customizable monitoring platform for Machine Learning models with full support for private and public clouds. The company also revealed $5M in seed funding from Vertex Ventures and TLV Partners and is already being used by multi-billion dollar companies. Aporia enables data scientists to quickly and easily build their own monitors, so they can keep track of their Machine Learning models' performance, ensure data integrity and provide responsible AI. Companies across the globe are investing upwards of $50 billion dollars annually on AI adoption but a lack of observability and little ability to quickly detect issues in ML models as they run in production is undermining their investment. The only way to know if a complex system is working as expected is to monitor it. Nevertheless, Machine Learning models are challenging to track both technically and conceptually as they rely on real world data to accurately make predictions about the future. Machine Learning models can work perfectly in the experimentation phase, but they start to drift over time due to engineering changes in databases and APIs  or more often due to constantly-changing data and new events occurring in the real world. Something as routine as a company expanding into a new market, or as dramatic as the Covid-19 pandemic can have significant implications on the performance of a model. When Machine Learning models perform poorly, customers and businesses suffer the consequences. Predictions based on the wrong data are often flawed, resultin in unintended outcomes such as a customer being shown the wrong recommendations or an accidental refusal of a loan application. This, in turn, can cause lost revenue or expose companies to discrimination and unfairness claims. Without proper monitoring, it can take months before a company even notices that its models have stopped making accurate predictions.



"AI needs guardrails", says Liran Hason, CEO of Aporia. "Companies need to have confidence in their Machine Learning models, and the only way to get there is by robust monitoring to ensure they're doing what they're supposed to do." With Aporia, data scientists can create bespoke monitors for their Machine Learning models in just a couple of clicks, and set alerts of different severity to be sent to email or sources like Slack. Aporia's monitors are extremely flexible, allowing data science teams to watch the right things for their own unique models and business cases.

Aporia can be installed with a few lines of code and monitors asynchronously, handling workloads of billions of daily predictions with no impact on latency. The user interface is full-featured, clean and simple, making it easy to create, maintain and modify monitors. Once Aporia's platform reveals an issue, data scientists can often quickly track down the cause of the problem and decide how to address it, whether via a logic change, a bug fix or retraining the ML model when necessary. Concerns regarding data security and regulations make many companies apprehensive about adopting public cloud monitoring tools. Alongside its public cloud deployment, Aporia offers an innovative "managed on-prem" solution, giving peace of mind to large companies and corporations with high data privacy and security requirements. Liran Hason, the founding CEO of Aporia, is a veteran of the IDF's elite 81 intelligence unit. He was one of the first employees of Adallom (acquired by Microsoft), where he led the ML production architecture, serving millions of users. Before starting Aporia, Hason was part of Vertex Ventures' investment team, and was involved in over 30 investments including Axonius, Spot.io and others. "Companies are struggling to keep watch of their AI in the ways that matter for their specific Machine Learning model and use case," said Hason. "Aporia makes monitoring simple, fast and secure, bringing engineering and DevOps best-practices into the new field of MLOps and ensuring that data science teams can keep their models performing accurately and fairly." Emanuel Timor, General Partner at Vertex Ventures says "AI adoption is soaring and requires a proper technological stack to handle the new challenges that come with it. Aporia is a vital part in the new MLOps stack, filling a critical gap in production readiness of AI." Rona Segev, Founding Partner at TLV Partners: "Monitoring production workloads is a well-established software engineering practice, and it's past time for machine learning to be monitored at the same level. Aporia's team has strong production-engineering experience, which makes their solution stand out as simple, secure and robust." Media Contact

Lazer Cohen

WestRay Communications

lazer@westraycommunications.com

+1 347-753-8256 View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aporia-emerges-from-stealth-with-5m-for-monitoring-platform-to-ensure-ai-integrity-301262797.html SOURCE Aporia

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The UK's new digital regulator is expected to have the power to suspend, block or reverse anti-competitive action by Facebook and other tech giants in a bid to help the Press prosper.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden revealed it could also investigate Google's algorithms, amid concerns they are disproportionately directing search enquiries to Left-leaning news organisations.

The UK's 'tough' new Digital Markets Unit (DMU), which launched yesterday, has begun work on a code of conduct to restrain the power of tech companies.

It aims to address concerns that the concentration of influence among a small number of tech firms  allowing them to dominate online advertising  is having negative consequences for consumers and businesses.

The Culture Secretary told the Daily Mail that measures aimed at pushing online platforms to take down harmful content will not give them licence to remove legitimate news content.

The UK's new digital regulator is expected to have the power to suspend, block or reverse anti-competitive action by Facebook and other tech giants in a bid to help the Press prosper. Pictured: Oliver Dowden

He said that tech companies could potentially face 'very significant fines' if they failed to protect 'freedom of expression' and proper journalistic content.

The Government will consult this year on the final design of the new regime and the powers the DMU will have, with the aim of bringing in legislation as soon as parliamentary time allows.

One focus of the DMU will be to work with media regulator Ofcom to establish 'codes of conduct' governing the relationship between the Press and online platforms.

Mr Dowden said a 'strong Press is one of the cornerstones of our democracy in the UK', and he was clear that good journalism 'doesn't come for free'.

He explained: 'The next step will be introducing legislation that will give the powers to the Digital Markets Unit.

The need for that could include for example suspending, blocking or reversing tech giants' decisions, or ordering them to act to comply and imposing financial penalties.'

Mr Dowden added that it could look at matters such as the price paid by online platforms for news content.

He also admitted he was taking in a 'close interest' in concerns that Google's algorithms discriminate against popular news websites, such as MailOnline and the Sun, in favour of Left-leaning services such as the Guardian and BBC.

The Culture Secretary told the Daily Mail that measures aimed at pushing online platforms to take down harmful content will not give them licence to remove legitimate news content

Mr Dowden said a 'strong Press is one of the cornerstones of our democracy in the UK', and he was clear that good journalism 'doesn't come for free'

He said: 'It's also something that I've raised with tech firms.'

Mr Dowden said that while it was vital that social media companies take down harmful or inappropriate content, it was 'equally important' that these platforms do not 'undermine freedom of expression, freedom of debate and journalistic freedom'.

He added: 'That is why I have sought to  and you will see this when the legislation comes forward  create exemptions for journalistic content and to create strong safeguards to ensure that freedom of speech and freedom of expression is not undermined.'

The Culture Secretary said questions about freedom of expression are for government ministers, 'not for executives in these firms accountable to their shareholders'.

Ofcom could have the power to issue 'very significant fines' if they fail to do so.

The Competition and Markets Authority, of which the DMU will be a part, has already been examining digital companies, including Google, Apple and eBay.

Mr Dowden added: 'I'm pro-tech, but I am not pro untrammelled big tech, and this is about making sure we have a strong, healthy tech market.'
For the past week, nearly everyone in Kern County has been able to get the COVID-19 vaccine. But the Kern County Public Health Services Depart
Agility, a leading global logistics provider, has donated the transportation of nine tonnes of medical materials from China to Uganda for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in partnership with Qatar Airways Cargo.

The donation, through One Million Kilos, Chapter 1 of Qatar Airways Cargos sustainability program WeQare included more than 50,000 surgical kits to be used at hospitals and medical centres in Kampala, Uganda. In China, Agilitys teams received, inspected and packaged the materials for export. The cargo was flown to Kampala, Uganda, by Qatar Airways Cargo; upon arrival, Agility facilitated customs clearance and delivered the goods to UNHCR.

Michael Blaufuss, Agility SVP of Air Freight, said: This project demonstrates the value that Agility brings to its customers and charity partners. Our teams were able to work quickly with UNHCR and its vendors to export the medical gowns during the holiday period, and get them to in Kampala. The donation of space by Qatar Airways Cargo was critical in getting the supplies to the destination quickly.

1 Million Kilos is the first chapter of WeQare, where charities were able to use the services of Qatar Airways Cargo through freight forwarders and transport humanitarian aid and medical supplies all over the world, free of charge.

Guillaume Halleux, Chief Officer Cargo at Qatar Airways said, The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how essential air freight is in the time of crisis. Through WeQares One Million Kilos campaign, we are pleased to support Agility and UNHCR in transporting essential supplies to places where they are needed the most. 

Nader El Nakib, Head of Private Sector Partnership; Kuwait, said This donation will be used by UNHCRs medical teams to help displaced persons receive improved medical care, while protecting UNHCRs frontline health workers. We are especially grateful that Agility and Qatar Airways were able to provide these international air cargo services during the global pandemic. This donation means UNHCR can redirect funding to support other beneficiaries in need of assistance.

Agility has a globally recognized sustainability program, covering humanitarian logistics, community volunteerism, fair labor and environmental sustainability. Agility is part of the FTSE4Good Index Series, a resource used by investors to identify companies around the world with strong environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices. Agility is also ranked in the top 10% of all companies and the top 4% of the logistics industry for overall sustainability performance by EcoVadis. Since 2006, Agility has responded to 75+ humanitarian crises since 2006 across the world.TradeArabia News Service
The UK's coronavirus vaccine programme is challenging due to supply constraints, but it will meet its targets, the British minister for vaccine deployment said on April 5. Speaking to LBC Radio, Nadhim Zahawi asserted that while the supply of the jabs was finite and challenging, he was confident that all British residents would be inoculated in time. The country which started its ambitious vaccination programme earlier in December has successfully inoculated over 31 million of its residents with at least one dose of vaccine.

According to the health ministrys official data, a total of 31,581,623 people have received 1st doses while 5,432,126 people have been completely inoculated. The administration now aims to complete the immunisation of 32 million by April 15. For this purpose, Zahawi said that the country is set to receive 12 million doses of vaccine in April itself.

Conflict over vaccine

Britain has been engaged in a vaccine war with European Union since the beginning of the year. The bloc has been contesting to secure more and more doses of vaccine shots, particularly from AstraZeneca Plc. Earlier, European Commission Chief Ursula Von Der Leyen warned that the EU will ban drug firms from exporting COVID-19 vaccines to the UK and other countries until they make good on their promised deliveries to the bloc. The Anglo Swedish pharmaceutical had promised the EU to supply 90 million doses in the first quarter of 2021. However, its supply is hindered by one of its factories in the Netherlands, which the UK claims to be part of its vaccine supply chain.

Von der Leyen has been backed by French President Emmanuel Macron. "I support the idea that we should block all possible exports for as long as the labs don't respect their commitments to Europeans," he said. The decision also gained the support of Italys newly appointed Premier Mario Draghi who said that EU countries cannot remain helpless in front of the failure of some pharmaceutical companies that are not honouring commitments. He said that European citizens feel like they are being deceived by some drugmakers, as reported by The Associated Press.

Image Credits: Nadhim Zahawi/Facebook/ Unsplash
In a daring case of jailbreak, 16 inmates of the Phalodi Sub-jail in Rajasthan fled from incarceration after attacking prison guards.

The incident happened on Monday night at the sub-jail in the Jodhpur district.

According to the police the 16 inmates, all of them undertrials, escaped on Monday evening when the prisoners were going back to their barracks after dinner.

BCCL

They threw chili powder in the eyes of a woman guard and other jail staff.

Superintendent of Police (Jodhpur Rural) Anil Kayal said that the prisoners fled after throwing chilli powder in the eyes of the guards when they were being lodged in their barracks after dinner at about 8.30 PM.

Phalodi deputy collector Yashpal Ahuja said, Upon noticing commotion, I came rushing to the spot and saw vegetables strewn on the floor. A woman police personnel was screaming in pain. I asked the guard what had happened. He said five-seven prisoners have escaped from the jail after throwing chili powder and vegetables at the jail guards. I immediately alerted the SHO and district collector about the incident, following which efforts were initiated to apprehend the escaped detainees.

Representational Image

According to the police, those who escaped include three facing murder charges and drug trafficking.

Police believe that the attack and the escape were pre-planned as the inmates fled on a vehicle that was parked outside the jail.

Screengrab

An operation has been launched to nab the escapees.

"We have roped in various police teams to search them", said Kayal adding that all the routes in the area have been sealed.
[April 06, 2021] Keysight Advances Innovation in Hyperscale Data Centers, 5G and Cloud Computing with PCIe 5.0 Test Platforms

Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS), a leading technology company that delivers advanced design and validation solutions to help accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world, participated in a first PCI (News - Alert) Express (PCIe) 5.0 Preliminary FYI Workshop sponsored by PCI-SIG, with solutions that simulate, characterize and validate PCIe 5.0 devices enabling Keysight to drive consistency in test standards that will advance innovation in hyperscale data centers, 5G and cloud computing. Keysight participated in the PCIe 5.0 Preliminary FYI Compliance Workshop, February 22-26, 2021 in Beaverton, Oregon, U.S., with hardware and software solutions for receiver and transmitting testing, including the Infinium UXR oscilloscope, high-performance bit error ratio tester (BERT) and compliance test solutions. PCI-SIG, a consortium consisting of more than eight hundred companies, defines PCIe specifications and compliance tests. The PCIe 5.0 specification test event ensures interoperability between PCIe 5.0 devices, systems and add-in cards, by establishing standardized test procedures, test software tools and test fixtures. "As an active member of PCI-SIG since 1992, and gold suite qualified vendor for PCIe 4.0 architecture testing, Keysight is pleased to work with the PCI-SIG to enable the industry to deliver PCIe 5.0 technology solutions," said Joachim Peerlings, vice president of network and data center solutions at Keysight. "Early testing capability allows service providers, semiconductor vendors and developers of computing and communications platform technology to validate PCIe 5.0 technology designs according to the latest PCI-SIG specifications." PCIe 5.0 specification, the latest high-speed serial interface standard used in computer servers and graphics cards, supports greater data traffic and bandwidth requirements in data centers. By driving consistency in test results, vendors can confidently launch new PCIe 5.0 technology designs that interoperate as expected with other vendrs' products. This is critical in the deployment of systems based on PCIe 5.0 interfaces including 400 Gigabit Ethernet (GE), a high-capacity data transport technology. PCIe 5.0 architecture and 400GE will help advance hyperscale data centers, 5G, cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, gaming, visual computing, storage and networking.



"Keysight solutions enable PCI-SIG members to quickly deliver PCIe 5.0 devices that can support speeds of up to 32 gigatransfers per second (GT/s)," said Al Yanes, president and chairman of PCI-SIG. "Keysight's contributions to the development of PCIe specifications related to the electrical, electromechanical, protocol and serial performance have supported a wide range of market applications that depend on reliable high-speed digital interfaces." Keysight's integrated receiver test platform, M8040A BERT, approved by PCI-SIG for PCI Express 4.0 (PCIe Gen4) testing at 16 GT/s for physical layer characterization and compliance testing, supports both PCIe 5.0 architecture and next generation PAM4 interfaces.

About Keysight Technologies

Keysight delivers advanced design and validation solutions that help accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world. Keysight's dedication to speed and precision extends to software-driven insights and analytics that bring tomorrow's technology products to market faster across the development lifecycle, in design simulation, prototype validation, automated software testing, manufacturing analysis, and network performance optimization and visibility in enterprise, service provider and cloud environments. Our customers span the worldwide communications and industrial ecosystems, aerospace and defense, automotive, energy, semiconductor and general electronics. Keysight generated revenues of $4.2B in fiscal year 2020. For more information about Keysight Technologies (NYSE: KEYS), visit us at www.keysight.com Additional information about Keysight Technologies is available in the newsroom at https://www.keysight.com/go/news and on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005715/en/

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Monday's coronavirus updates: 'Real possibility' of vaccinating all UI students by semester's end, Jones says; Woman in 70s becomes 123rd Vermilion resident to lose life to COVID
Photo: (Photo : Photo by @ExposeTheGoods from Twitter )

Gloria Henry, a 1940s and 1950s B-movie actress best known for her role as the mother on the television series "Dennis the Menace," died on Saturday.

Gloria Henry began her career as a prolific B-movie star, but she is best known for her role as Alice Mitchell, Dennis's gentle mother, on the CBS show. On Saturday, April 3, a day after her 98th birthday, she returned to her creator at her home in Los Angeles. She was 98 years old at the time.

Erin Ellwood, her daughter, announced her death through her Instagram account.

Gloria Eileen McEniry or more popularly known as Gloria Henry was born on April 2, 1923, in New Orleans, Louisiana, and attended Worcester Art Museum School in Worcester, Massachusetts. When she was in her teens, she moved to Los Angeles and started working in radio, where she adopted the surname Henry.

When Ms. Henry was cast as Alice Mitchell, the gentle, tolerant yet frequently horrified mother in "Dennis the Menace," a sitcom based on Hank Ketcham's iconic comic strip, she was only 36 and a veteran of more than two dozen films.

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The works of Ms. Gloria Henry

Henry portrayed Alice Mitchell, the patient mother of the mischievous title character created as a newspaper cartoon who wore a shirtwaist coat. Jay North starred in the TV series adaptation, which aired from 1959 to 1963. With his horn-rim shades, sharp-angled suits, and V-neck sweaters, Henry's co-star Herbert Anderson became an iconic TV dad.

On the surface, Dennis (Jay North) seemed to be a sweet little kid, but any time he tried to help or simply do something good, it backfired. The show aired on CBS for four seasons.

Her film debut was in the 1947 drama "Sport of Kings," which was set in Kentucky horse country. Gloria Henry rose to the top of the B-movie industry by starring as a young veterinarian in the film.

She also started acting in B films including "Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back," "Adventures in Silverado," "Riders in the Sky," and "Air Hostess." She was cast as a regular on the TV series "The Files of Jeffrey Jones" in 1952.

Through the mid-1960s, Henry was a regular on television. However, she had a long gap in her resume as she took time away from acting to raise her three children with her 28-year-old husband, architect Craig Ellwood. In 1981, she made a comeback with an appearance in the TV movie "The Brady Brides," a sequel to another classic T.V. show.

Henry appeared in guest roles on shows including "Newhart," "Simon & Simon," "Silver Spoons," "Dallas," "Mr. Belvedere," and "Doogie Howser, M.D." in the 1980s and 1990s. Her last appearance was on an episode of "Parks and Recreation" from 2012.

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Before "Dennis the Menace," she had guest roles on "My Little Margie," "Mr. and Mrs. North," "Father Knows Best," and "Perry Mason."

In a 2011 interview with a Los Angeles television network, Henry disclosed that she had a falling out with Columbia Pictures studio chief Harry Cohn while she was under contract with the studio.

"You might get anywhere at this studio, but it'll be over my dead body," Cohn once threatened Henry. Since the series was made by Columbia Pictures, Henry assumed she would never get the part when she first auditioned for "Dennis the Menace." When Cohn died of a heart attack in February 1958, Henry was offered the role and was cast two days later.

Betty White's performance in her 90s, Henry said a decade ago, encouraged her to return to acting. She joked, "She can't have all the work."

READ MORE: Mandy Moore and Taylor Goldsmith Share Sweet Photos of Newborn Baby
BOSTON  Nick Pivetta has allowed just two runs and 10 hits in 15 innings (three starts) since the Red Sox acquired him from the Phillies last August.

The righty hurled 5 scoreless innings in his 2021 debut Monday. He allowed two hits and four walks while striking out four to lead the Red Sox 11-2 over the Rays here at Fenway Park.

My slider was working really well today, Pivetta said. So me and (Christian) Vazquez really stuck with that. Didnt have a ton of fastball command today. So when you have a second pitch that can really come around for you, thats really big. And we attacked the strike zone with that today.

Pivetta threw 42 four-seam fastballs, topping out at 97.1 mph and averaging 94.9 mph, per Statcast. He also mixed in 38 sliders (getting seven swings-and-misses with it) and 12 knuckle curves, which showed above average spin.

His four-seam fastball averaged near 95 mph from 2017-19, but dropped to 92.8 mph in a limited sample size last year (Statcast). So its good to see the velocity back to its norm.

His slider usage, meanwhile, has increased since he joined the Red Sox.

I just have a lot of really good command with it, Pivetta said. And when my fastballs not there today  curveball was OK but kind of spotty  its just important when youre facing a lineup like that to get ahead of guys and put guys away. They werent seeing it very well. So we just kind of stuck with that game plan throughout. And thats just important. Its making adjustments throughout, seeing where guys swings are and going out there and competing with what youve got that day.

Pivetta struggled with control. He threw 52 of his 92 pitches for strikes (or 57% strikes). Still, he made pitches in tough spots.

Nick did an outstanding job mixing up his pitches, Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. He got his slider involved and he had them off-balance.

Pivetta, who turned 28 in February, is under team control through 2024.

The Red Sox acquired Pivetta and pitching prospect Connor Seabold from the Phillies for Brandon Workman and Heath Hembree last Aug. 21.

Seabold, who is at the alternate training site, showed mid-90s velocity with his fastball in spring training and his best pitch is his changeup.

Workman, who signed as a free agent with the Cubs this past offseason, allowed 11 runs, 10 earned runs, 23 hits (four homers) and nine walks in 13 innings for Philadelphia last year.

Hembree was even worse. He allowed 13 runs, all earned, 17 hits (seven homers) and five walks in 9  innings for the Phillies.

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If youve ever moved to a new neighborhood or city, you might have had a moment where you wondered about the internet service available at your new house or apartment. If youre a bit obsessed with internet accessibility as I am, you might have even used the FCCs broadband availability map to check the official record. If you did, the picture you got back from the FCC was likely an unrecognizable jumble. Both independent analysts and the Federal Communications Commission itself have acknowledged that the maps likely overstate the number of internet providers available to the average American.

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The problem is so pronounced that Congress passed a law in March 2020 requiring the FCC to correct the maps. The commission is now in the midst of implementing a new mapping system to comply with the lawand is facing tremendous pressure to deliver the final product quickly. However, in this rush to fix the maps, the FCCs new understanding of the digital divide might end up being only marginally better than the old maps.

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The FCC data says 4.4 percent of Americans dont have access to high-speed fixed terrestrial broadband (a fancy way to say internet through a wire). But we know the true number is higher because the FCC maps overcount access: If one house in a Census block is served, the commission assumes every house is.

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George Ford of the Phoenix Center, a center-right think tank, did a thorough independent statistical analysis and found that there may be 4 million homes said to have broadband that may not. Put another way, he found the FCC data overstates access by 3.3 percentage points1.9 points in urban areas and 11.5 points in rural areas. By this estimate, 7.7 percent of Americans lack access to high-speed broadband.

And billions of dollars in federal broadband subsidies are based on this inaccurate data. When a block is incorrectly considered served, then some of its residents will have access to neither broadband nor federal funds to help bring broadband service. Thats why, with the pandemic forcing many to rely on the internet at home for work and school, politicians from both sides of the aisle have blamed the maps for the persistent digital divide.

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The [FCC 2020 Broadband Deployment Report] claims that 98% of West Virginians have access to fixed broadband or mobile LTE coverage despite the fact that I already proved these maps wrong, Sen. Joe Manchin wrote to then-FCC Chairman Ajit Pai in May. He continued, Every West Virginian knows that it is impossible to get reliable broadband access in many areas of our state.  We cannot close the digital divide until we resolve the data divide between the FCC maps and the actual service on the ground.

While the maps are a problem, its important to remember that wholly unserved areas arent in disputeonly partially served blocks are. Still, the maps have delayed some funding efforts to close the homework gap. For instance, in August 2019 the FCC launched the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, a $20 billion effort to bring broadband to everyone who currently lacks access. However, an inability to identify partially served areas forced them to split the program in two parts: Phase I was completed in November 2020, allocating $9.2 billion to completely unserved areas. Phase II is still waiting for new maps.

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Discussions about how to address the map deficiency have been ongoing for years. In 2019, after a long history of scuttling efforts to improve broadband mapping, an industry group of internet service providers led by USTelecom decided to lead the charge for better maps. They advocated for the creation of a Broadband Serviceable Location Fabrica rooftop-level national map of every location where broadband could be installed. The plan is for the FCC to combine these with similarly granular maps from local ISPs to create national broadband accessibility maps on a house-by-house basis.

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In March 2020, the House and Senate passed the Broadband DATA Act unanimously and President Donald Trump signed it into law. The requirements of the bill largely follow the suggestions made by USTelecom. But the Broadband DATA Act got off to a slow start. Congress didnt fund the effort until December, and the process didnt start in earnest until President Joe Biden appointed Jessica Rosenworcel as acting chairwoman of the FCC in January.

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Some statesGeorgia, Maine, Pennsylvaniahavent been waiting for the FCC. Georgia started developing its own broadband map in 2019, partnering with local governments and ISPs. It was published in June 2020. The FCC has the aditional challenge of coordinating the new national map with work thats already been done at the state and local level.

Lawmakers seem to think the new data will itself fix the homework gap. At a recent hearing of the Senate Commerce Committee, Chair Maria Cantwell and ranking member Roger Wicker found common ground on the need for the FCC to hurry up and deliver the new maps. And Wicker has since followed up with a request for an oversight hearing to pin down the FCC on a timeline.

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But we need Congress and the FCC to improve data for all the factors that prevent Americans from using broadband serviceincluding affordability and the speeds youll actually get in rural areas.

Former FCC Chairman Ajit Pai liked to tout that the number of Americans without broadband access fell to 14.5 million or 4.4 percent, a 46% decrease from the end of 2016 through 2019. But the censuss American Community Survey shows 35.9 million American households (approximately 93.7 million people) lack broadband service, which is 29.2 percent of all households and a decrease of a mere 7.6 percent since 2016.

Offering every American broadband wont close the homework gap if they cant afford it or dont sign up. Research from New Americas Open Technology Institute shows the average cost of broadband is $68.38 per month, far above the $10 per month that most advocates think would be affordable for low-income Americans. (New America is a partner with Slate and Arizona State University in Future Tense.) The FCC collects only limited data on the cost of broadband, a perilous position given the monopolistic shape of our broadband market38 percent of census blocks with broadband have access to only one broadband provider, and another 36 percent only have access to two providers.

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The Biden administration and congressional leadership appear to understand this important dynamic. The presidents infrastruture proposal specifically calls out price transparency, competition, and affordability as important components of actually closing the digital divide. Rep. James E. Clyburns Accessible, Affordable, Internet for All Act would implement price transparency by requiring the FCC to collect data on the cost of broadband. This bill doesnt prescribe a technology solution to pricing data collection but rather directs the FCC to figure it out.

One approach might be to pair pricing data with speed data. The FCC does collect actual speed data collected through routers as part of its Measuring Broadband America report. Unfortunately the sample size in the report is a paltry 2,931 households. For example, there are just 21 participants in West Virginia and 66 participants on Cincinnati Bell DSL. In a market estimated to have revenues of $118 billion, we can surely afford to expand the sample size of this promising program to measure the impact of these federal subsidy programs.

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This is all the more important because of the potential challenges with Congress plan for new maps, which could not be more different from how the FCC currently collects this data. Both the advanced technology used to identify rooftop locations and the maps submitted by the ISPs will need to be thoroughly tested against existing data for accuracy. Whereas currently the FCC data sits on top of the censuss information, in the future, everything will be based on new serviceable locations identified by this fabricwhich means that the government has to move with care and caution. If you replace the foundation of your house, you dont want to rip out the existing foundation all at once, then try to build in a new one. The house will fall. Instead, you take pieces of the foundation out, and carefully build in new ones.

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To understand why careful implementation of the new maps is critical, we need to understand the plan beyond a superficial level. CostQuest Associates, a consulting firm and recognized industry leader in broadband mapping, presented a comprehensive approach to Congress in 2019. Its plan is to identify rooftops from satellite imagery, then add parcel and land attribute data, address data, and other sources to identify serviceable locations. CostQuest acknowledges the obvious data challenges of standardizing parcel and tax assessor data across every county and jurisdiction. This new technology is impressive and has the potential to be successful given complete and accurate data, but standardizing all that data at a national level is a nightmarish and gargantuan task.

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Take this example above from the presentation. The technology will need to differentiate between houses that need broadband and other structures that dont. A small errorsuch as identifying multiple buildings from this farm as eligible when only the farmhouse ismay not seem like a big deal. But aggregated across entire counties, it could significantly distort our understanding of the homework gap and the funding needed to close it.

Congress also directed the FCC to change how ISPs report their coverage areas. Instead of reporting whether they provide service to a census block (the smallest level of geography tracked by the censusroughly a city block of people), the ISPs will submit shapefiles that outline their coverage area.

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Then, to create the maps, the FCC will overlay the ISPs shapefiles on top of the fabrics serviceable locations. If the location is inside a coverage polygon, that location is served; if not, its not served. That makes sense but has one important flaw: Both data sets have to use the same underlying reference data. That is, they have to agree on where the serviceable location is on a plot of land.

In its testimony before Congress, CostQuest Associates highlights this as a potential issue that needs to be considered. It provides a hypothetical ISPs coverage area (light-green polygons) that is based on the addresses and roads they serve. But if the fabric places the rooftop locations far off the roads (the green dots), the ISPs polygon may not actually show them as served.

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These are big changes that need to be implemented and tested carefully, not rushed. Even USTelecom, the industry group of ISPs, describes this project as massive and urges the FCC to make iterative progress. In one positive sign, in March, the FCC released a form asking consumers who have called their ISP and been denied service (which is called digital redlining, and not surprisingly happens disproportionately in low-income communities) to raise their hand. This might be the beginning of an iterivative approach by the FCC to unlock funding opportunities for unserved areas in advance of completed new maps.

Theres no doubt that the FCCs broadband maps overstate access to broadband, particularly in rural areas. However, political pressure to quickly deliver the maps does not serve the shared interest of closing the homework gap as expeditiously as possible. To close the gap, Congress and the FCC should focus on measuring affordability and equity issues, in addition to a thorough, tested, and transparent revamp of the coverage maps.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
Police deal with disorder in the North Road area of Carrickfergus on April 5, 2021 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)

Police deal with disorder in the North Road area of Carrickfergus on April 5, 2021 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)

A fourth consecutive night of violence in Carrickfergus and Londonderry has been condemned as "disgraceful" by Doug Beattie from the Ulster Unionist Party.

Monday night saw a crowd of around 30 youths clash with police officers, throwing petrol bombs and masonry. The violence in the area once again centred around the North Road, with crowds forming barricades.

There were also separate violent scenes in Derry, where a car was set alight in Sperrin Park in the Waterside area.

The PSNI have also confirmed they are investigating following loyalist protests throughout Monday afternoon - as masked loyalist bands marched through the streets in towns across the region, including Portadown, Ballymena and Markethill.

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It comes amid reports that the Alliance Party are to put forward a motion recalling the Assembly to condemn the violence over the last week. Such a motion would require 30 signatures for the Assembly to be recalled.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Alliance party leader Naomi Long said submitting the recall petition was "needed after weeks of growing tensions around a number of issues" and added that she hoped it would representatives to show support for "the PSNI and rule of law".

We are facing an extremely serious situation. Weeks of tensions from a number of issues, incited and encouraged by a number of people who really should know better, has brought us to this point," the Justice Minister said.

To the PSNI officers injured in the line of duty, to anyone who has suffered distress, loss and damage as a result of these incidents, Im sorry the system has failed you.

The violence has to stop, but so does the political cover given through vague comments and empty threats. There is no room for ambiguity  this violence must be condemned by a united Assembly, which fully supports the rule of law in Northern Ireland. Anything less is just allowing a culture of lawlessness to grow and further poison our community.

Expand Close Police deal with disorder in the North Road area of Carrickfergus on April 5, 2021 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph / Facebook

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Whatsapp Police deal with disorder in the North Road area of Carrickfergus on April 5, 2021 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)

The continued scenes of violence have been condemned by the UUP's Doug Beattie, who also remarked upon reports that the paramilitary South East Antrim UDA group were behind the planning of violence in Carrickfergus.

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Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster, Mr Beattie called the scenes "disgraceful" and said the violence was criminalising many young people in the area. He also said the violence was being orchestrated by criminal gangs.

"I mean it is utterly pointless and it is futile and destroying their own community. Right minded people must condemn where we see kids being goaded onto the streets by adults," he said.

"Where we have criminal drug gangs organising rioting in other parts of the country - it is utterly disgraceful.

Expand Close UUP MLA Doug Beattie (Brian Lawless/PA) PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp UUP MLA Doug Beattie (Brian Lawless/PA)

"Let's not tar everybody here with a very small minority but that small minority is certainly capturing the headlines and all for the wrong reasons."

"I have long had an issue with these people [South East Antrim UDA] and they have to be called out time and time again.

"People have accused me for not being a unionist because I dont support criminal gangs like the South East Antrim UDA. What they do is detract from genuine concerns from a community who feel like they are not being listened to. These people have no place bringing kids onto the streets to get them a criminal record."

When challenged on whether tensions have been increased as a result of unionist concerns over the PSNI chief constable, Mr Beattie said unionists were raising "genuine concerns" and said all politicians had a responsibility to engage with each other.

All politicians are at fault when our discourse is not the way it should be. We all need to put our hands up... that we have not covered ourselves in glory with the way that we have engaged with each other. No matter what concerns we (unionists) raise, we are always accused of stoking the rhetoric," he added.

The SDLP MLA Delores Kelly said that unionism in Northern Ireland needed "a strategy" and to "take the blame" for the violent scenes. She also said in her view that paramilitary gangs were the "one of the factors" of the disorder in the Newtownabbey area.

"We have continued to pander to some within the paramilitary communities, including people having access to political leaders," she said on BBC's Nolan Show.

"I understand there was a time and place for that, but surely that time has now ended and it is now time for enforcement?

"I have spoken to people who live in loyalist communities and they are frightened, they are afraid to raise their voices.

"One of the factors, particularly in the Newtownabbey area, is of course the police action against the South East Antrim UDA. There needs to be people of influence within the communities calling for it [the violence] to stop."
SUMNER, Iowa  A teen driver was killed in a one-vehicle accident Friday in Bremer County.

The Sheriffs Office says it happened around 5:33 am on April 3, near the intersection of 160th Street and Y Avenue south of Sumner. Carter Cannon, 18 of Hawkeye, was driving north and went into the west ditch in the 1600 block of Y Avenue.

The Bremer County Sheriffs Office says Cannons vehicle hit a culvert, flipped, and caught fire. Cannon died at the scene.

The Sheriffs Office was assisted by the Sumner Fire Department, Sumner Ambulance, Bremer County Medical Examiner, Bremer County Emergency Management, Becker-Milnes Funeral Home, Dels Auto Repair, Bremer County Highway Department, and Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner.
No new local COVID-19 cases have been detected in Queensland for a third consecutive day, as the nation waits to hear when two-way quarantine-free travel with New Zealand will begin.

The first international passenger flight from New Zealand since the height of the coronavirus pandemic arrives at Melbourne Airport in November 2020. Credit:Wayne Taylor

Two local cases have been confirmed in the state since greater Brisbane emerged from its snap three-day lockdown on Thursday.

The cases, confirmed on Friday and Saturday, were close contacts of existing cases.

There were 5348 tests conducted on Monday and 70 cases remain active. No returned travellers have tested positive in the past 24-hour reporting period.
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NSW Coalition May Lose House Majority in Up Coming By-election

The New South Wales Coalition is expecting a loss in the upcoming by-election following Upper Hunter National MP Michael Johnsens resignation.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said that the Liberal-National Coalition would need a miracle to win the seat previously filled by Johnsen.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro called for Johnsens immediate resignation and suspension from the National Party after it was revealed the ex-Member sent lewd texts during Question Time and offered a sex worker $1,000 for services inside state Parliament.

Johnsen is currently being investigated by the NSW Police Sex Crimes Squad for an alleged assault in September 2019 against the same sex worker he called in the state Paliament.

Berejiklian was frank in admitting the loss of the by-election would cause the Liberal-National Coalition to become the minority government in New South Wales (NSW).

Thats not to say we wont put a strong case, well put our best foot forward, but the math is against us, Berejiklian said.

Legislative Assembly Speaker Jonathon ODea announced the by-election date is set for May 22.

Historically, by-elections in Australia have always boasted a double-digit swing against governments. The Berejiklian government was re-elected in 2019 with 48 seats against 36 Labor seats.

Leader of the Opposition Jodi McKay said the Premiers statement was quite extraordinary as the Nationals have held the seat since 1932.

I actually think it will take a miracle for the National Party to lose this seat, McKay said.

However, Berejiklian says she is not concerned about passing bills even with a minority government.

Im confident those independent members of the house will support good legislation, she said.

The Upper Hunter seat represents a mix of industries, including prime agriculture regions responsible for horse studs, vineyards, and beef production.

A 2016 Census saw that the electorate contains NSWs highest proportion of miners (14.2 percent), a factor that NSW Labor hoped would play in their favour last election.

The region stretches inland along the New England highway and includes Dungog, Stroud, and Gloucester to the north of Maitland.
To build excitement around the new rewards app, Joella's has also launched a sweepstakes for customers who are among the first to sign up. Anyone who joins the rewards program between now and April 30, 2021 will qualify for a chance to win free hot chicken for a year (one awarded), a free T-shirt (5 awarded), and a free Chicken Plate, Sammie, or Salad (10 awarded).

"The only thing better than hot chicken is FREE hot chicken, and with this new rewards program, we can thank and incentivize our most loyal fans for coming back time and again," said Katie Wollrich, chief marketing officer for Joella's Hot Chicken. "We are so grateful for the support of our guests in all of our markets, and we could not be more excited to give back to them by rewarding their loyalty with free meals and other great perks."

Joella's partnered with Thanx, a customer relationship management and digital engagement platform, to create the app customized specifically for the Joella's guest. For every $100 spent, users get a free Chicken Plate, Sammie, or Salad. Catering orders and the purchase of gift cards also count toward reward progress. Loyalty users will also receive:

A free dessert on their birthdays (Banana Puddin' or Pie-In A-Jar) with the purchase of a meal

Referral rewards  app users get 50% progress toward their next reward when a friend joins and makes a purchase of any amount

Special "secret" offers and discounts

First-time users get 99% progress toward their first reward just for signing up

The new rewards app can be downloaded through Joella's website, Joellas.com, or customers can join by texting "Joellas" to 43618. Once the user has signed up and entered credit card information, Joella's will track the customer's spending progress and add rewards automatically, so the guest doesn't have to worry about showing or scanning anything for every purchase. As customers earn rewards, they will get a text, notification, or email, according to how they set up their account. Both in-store and online orders count toward loyalty progress.

Founded in 2015, Joella's Hot Chicken is based in Louisville, Ky., and is the largest hot chicken restaurant brand in the country with 19 stores in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Florida, and Georgia. The Joella's menu features a wide variety of chicken including Jumbo Tenders, Big Wings, Quarter Dark, Chicken Sammies, and Vegan Chicken. Made with 100% all natural, antibiotic and hormone-free chicken, all orders are seasoned with your preference of six unique heat levels: Southern (no heat), Spiked Honey, Ella's Fav, Tweener, Hot, and Fire-In Da-Hole. Favorite made-from-scratch Southern sides include award-winning Mac & Cheese, Green Beans with Bacon, Collard Greens, and Sweet Vinegar Slaw.

Joella's opened four stores in 2020  three during the COVID pandemic  bringing dozens of jobs to each new community. All 19 locations are participating in the rewards program. A list of those locations can be found at joellas.com/locations.

About Joella's Hot Chicken

Joella's Hot Chicken is a Louisville-based fast casual restaurant serving hot chicken and a variety of made-from-scratch Southern sides. Joella's menu features fresh, all-natural chicken brined and spiced with six unique heat levels. Favorite menu items include Jumbo Tenders, Big Wings, and Chicken and Waffles, paired perfectly with Southern sides including Creamy Mac & Cheese, Green Beans with Bacon, Collard Greens with Bacon, Sweet Vinegar Slaw, and Kale Crunch Salad.

Founded in 2015, the company now includes 19 locations throughout Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. It offers dine-in, pick-up and delivery, and select locations offer a drive thru. Joella's has won numerous awards including the 2020 QSR Magazine 40/40 List of Hottest Startup Fast Casuals, #10 in Restaurant Business Magazine's 2020 "The Future 50" list, the 2018 Best of Louisville Reader's Choice Award for Best Fried Chicken Restaurant, and Best Chicken in the Bluegrass State. For more information visit us at www.joellas.com. Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/joellashotchicken, Instagram @JoellasHotChicken, and Twitter @Joellaschicken.

SOURCE Joellas Hot Chicken

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Marco Cavaleri, vaccines head at the European Medicines Agency, said there is a 'link' between AstraZeneca jab and clots

AstraZeneca will ask U.S. regulators to greenlight its vaccine this month, despite one European regulator's stark warning over the vaccine.

On Tuesday, a top official at Europe's drug-regulating body said there is now a 'clear link' between the vaccine and potentially deadly blood clots.

But the firm's U.S. trial found no increased risk of blood clots, and no instances of brain blood clots among more than 21,000 American participants who got one or more dose of the vaccine.

It comes just a day after AstraZeneca was pulled from a major U.S. production plant where an ingredient from its vaccine was swapped mistakenly into a batch of Johnson & Johnson's shot.

Both vaccines were being manufactured at the Emergent BioSolutions plant in Baltimore, Maryland. Now, the facility will be solely dedicated to making J&J's shot.

It's another blow to the UK-based company, which some experts say has been treated unfairly, considering its success in the British vaccine rollout and 100 percent efficacy in preventing COVID-19 deaths.

AstraZeneca and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) told DailyMail.com that the firm is still on track to file for emergency approval of the vaccine.

AstraZeneca is on track to roll out a new booster vaccine that will tackle coronavirus variants by autumn, the firm said

But the company now has no U.S. plant manufacturing its vaccine, the European Union may be on the cusp of issuing a dire warning against AstraZeneca's shot for under-30s and even Dr Anthony Fauci has said the U.S. may not need the vaccine was globally seen as the front-runner in the race to make Covid-preventives.

'My general feeling is that given the contractual relationships that we have with a number of companies, that we have enough vaccine to fulfill all of our needs without invoking AstraZeneca,' Dr Fauci told Reuters last week.

America has already secured 300 million doses of AstraZeneca's vaccine through deals with the company.

And 30 million doses were already in the U.S. stockpile last month, ready to ship upon the regulatory greenlight.

That would have been enough to fully vaccinate 15 million Americans, or give one dose that offers 76 percent protection to 30 million people.

By comparison, Johnson & Johnson was only able to ship four million doses of its 66 percent effective vaccine when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted it emergency use authorization (EUA) in February.

J&J just barely met its goal of providing 20 million doses of the single-shot vaccine by the end of February.

TOP ADVISER SAYS ASTRAZENECA JAB MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR YOUNG IF LINKED TO BLOOD CLOTS 'Professor Lockdown' Neil Ferguson has warned the AstraZeneca jab may not be suitable for younger Britons if it is linked to blood clots in the brain. Scientists have insisted the benefits of being vaccinated far outweigh the risks for older people, who are more likely to be hospitalised or die if they catch the virus. But there are fears the use of the Oxford-made jab in younger individuals is 'more complicated'. Britain's medical regulator is already reviewing use of the vaccine for the under-30s, and is expected to say it can still be used for this age group. But the SAGE adviser - who spooked ministers into the first lockdown - said the jab may not be suitable for younger people if it is linked to the clots. 'In terms of the data at the moment, there is increasing evidence that there is a rare risk associated, particularly with the AstraZeneca vaccine,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. 'But it may be associated at a lower level with other vaccines, of these unusual blood clots with low platelet counts. It appears that risk is age related, it may possibly be - but the data is weaker on this - related to sex. 'And so the older you are, the less the risk is and also the higher the risk is of Covid so the risk-benefit equation really points very much towards being vaccinated. 'I think it becomes slightly more complicated when you get to younger age groups where the risk-benefit equation is more complicated.' Advertisement

Earlier approval for AstraZeneca's vaccine would likely have meant more Americans got at least partial protection sooner.

But AstraZeneca has not yet asked the U.S. for authorization of its shot, despite early trial data that showed the vaccine is nearly 80 percent effective in America.

The firm was expected to ask for FDA authorization in late-March or early April, but has not yet submitted its application.

'We are currently progressing our EUA submission for AZD1222. No further updates right now,' an AstraZeneca spokesperson told DailyMail.com in an email.

A press release announcing the interim data from AstraZeneca's U.S. vaccine trial revealed the safety monitoring board overseeing the trial specifically scoured the trial results for blood clots, and found none.

'The DSMB found no increased risk of thrombosis or events characterised by thrombosis among the 21,583 participants receiving at least one dose of the vaccine. The specific search for CVST found no events in this trial,' the firm's press release states.

Yet one of the European Medicines Agency's (EMA) senior officials has insisted there is now a 'clear' link between AstraZeneca's Covid vaccine and potentially deadly blood clots.

Marco Cavaleri, head of vaccines at the European Medicines Agency (EMA), admitted that the body was still baffled about how the jab may trigger the rare complication but said that it was occurring more often than expected in younger people.

'In the next few hours, we will say that there is a connection, but we still have to understand how this happens,' he told Italian newspaper Il Messaggero.

'Among the vaccinated, there are more cases of cerebral thrombosis... among young people than we would expect.'

His agency  which has repeatedly insisted AstraZenecas jab is safe and the benefits outweigh any risks  last week slapped down Germany for suspending its use in under-60s.

The EMA said there was no evidence to support Berlin in its controversial decision to restrict the vaccine to older people, which was prompted by the unproven fears about the jab causing the very rare blood clot CVST  which can lead to strokes.

But at the same time the watchdog paved the way for a potential U-turn, warning that the rate of the complication did appear to be slightly higher than expected in vaccinated under-60s. Officials said they would probe the link further.

The risk of dying from Covid-19 is significantly higher than the rate of CSVT blood clots, which haven't even been definitively linked to the vaccines (Based on fatality estimates from Cambridge University and CSVT occurrences in Germany)

Experts say the evidence is now shifting and that the jab is likely  in extremely rare cases  to cause the brain blockage.

The UKs safety watchdog, the MHRA, has so far spotted 30 rare clotting events in 18.1million doses  around one in every 600,000. But the EMA believes it may occur in up to one in every 100,000 under-60s.

Britain's medical regulator may also back-track on the roll-out of AstraZenecas vaccine, it emerged last night. Sources told Channel 4 that it could impose a ban on using the jab  which is the main one being used in Britain  in under-30s as soon as today.

Boris Johnson today called on Britons to still get the jab while on a visit to an AstraZeneca factory in Macclesfield, saying the 'best thing' they can do is 'look at what the MHRA say'. He added: 'Their advice to people is to keep going out there, get your jab, get your second jab.'
The famous college football coach, Lou Holtz once said, Ability is what youre capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it. While traveling last week, I noticed a sign in a small local retail establishment that conveyed what I believe creates the heart and soul of local communities. The sign read, When you support a local small business, youre supporting a local dream. When I read this sign coupled with Coach Holtzs quote, I thought how the two come together. Local businesses can have capability and motivation, but it really takes a community dream-supporting attitude to assure these local dreams indeed come true.

I once had a college professor ask, What is the difference between creative people and non-creative people? After hearing several responses, all of which may have had a morsel of truth, he stated the difference between creative and non-creative people are creative people believe they are creative while non-creative people dont feel that way.

When I chat with vibrant and transformative communities, there is a common element permeating through the community; that element is confidence and belief. They have a winning attitude and expect to experience success, they in essence believe they are creative and will over-come any obstacle to win and succeed. Likewise, when I chat with communities still trying to find their transformative way, they tend to view the obstacles as unclimbable mountains and have little confidence in their abilities to overcome adversity. I find this not only in the various communities, but in their business base as well.

This brings us back to the signage I noticed in the little local shop. No matter how hard they work and are motivated, their success still remains in the hands of the local community and what they believe they can accomplish. Thus, the importance of a local community having a winning attitude and a belief they will win. Thus, the importance of community leadership instilling confidence and winning attitudes not just at the leadership level, but throughout the entire community. Great leaders such as Lou Holtz knew the power of the mind, he knew that great things can be achieved with the right attitude. He knew the sum of the individual parts is always exceeded by the total accomplishments of the entire team.

When we discuss leadership, we must not assume all is well if we have a great leader. While a great leader is a great start, it takes a leader with the willingness and capability of spreading a winning vision to all levels of government and community. It takes those second line leaders pushing the mission to all the organizations and groups within the community. It then is followed by the entire community catching the vision of what can be. When the community truly catches the vision of transformation and what is needed to accomplish transformation, they have the power to make dreams of local businesses and entrepreneurs come true.

We have discussed the need for the local community to help these dreams come true. But, make no mistake, for this to happen, local business owners must have more than ability, work ethic and motivation. Businesses must still provide what consumers want at times convenient to the local consumer. The success of local businesses depends not just on the consumer, but the willingness for both to meet at a point fitting the business and the consumer. A great example is store hours. As I was walking through this community full of hungry shoppers, I couldnt help but notice many of the local businesses closed between 5:00-5:30PM. When statistically nearly 70% of all business transactions take place after 5:00PM, closing at 5:00 or 5:30PM on a busy day isnt meeting the consumer halfway.

The state of Michigan has a branding slogan known as Pure Michigan. While not advocating you steal Michigans idea, I am advocating you adopt this internal attitude towards your community and local businesses. The power of a community working together is far greater than the sum of each individual entity trying to succeed on their own, which never ends well.

John A. Newby, author of the "Building Main Street, Not Wall Street " column and CEO of Truly-Local, LLC. dedicated to assisting communities create excitement, energy and combine synergies with their local media where local is often lost to the Internet and out-of-town owned companies. His email: john@360MediaAlliance.net.
The New York Child Sexual Abuse Lawyers at Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP are offering free consultations. Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462).

NEW YORK, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP, a personal injury law firm based in New York City, http://www.nycLawFirm.com has filed a lawsuit in New York County Supreme Court (950107/2021), alleging that Plaintiff, when she was a minor, was sexually assaulted and abused on the grounds and premises of Defendant St. Ignatius Loyola Preschool located at 240 East 84th St, New York, NY 10028. It is alleged that both Sister Maura and Sister Thomas committed the child sexual abuse. It is alleged that Sister Maura escorted Plaintiff to the bathroom or places adjacent to the classroom, including a dark hallway near the elevator, and forcibly fondled her naked breasts and her vagina under her clothes. It is alleged that employees, agents, and/or representatives of St. Ignatius Loyola School were aware and/or knew about the sexual abuse being committed by Sister Maura and Sister Thomas upon Plaintiff.

This lawsuit was filed under New York's Child Victims Act which allows innocent victims of child sexual abuse to seek compensation and hold their perpetrators accountable. Before enacting the Child Victims Act, the statute of limitations would have already expired for this child sexual abuse victim. New York residents who were sexually abused as children now have until August 14, 2021 to pursue child sexual abuse claims. https://www.greensteinmilbauer.com/deadline-for-new-york-residents-sexually-abused-as-children-extended-to-august-14-2021/.

DON'T BE A VICTIM TWICE  CALL 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462)

\If you were sexually abused as a child, the New York Child Sexual Abuse Lawyers at Greenstein & Milbauer LLP help. Schedule a free, confidential consultation by calling 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462).

The compassionate New York Child Sexual Abuse Lawyers at Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP are there to listen. They understand that coming forward is very difficult. They can help. They will walk you through the process. They are committed to holding sexual predators like Sister Maura and Sister Thomas and institutions such as St. Ignatius Loyola School accountable. The call is free. The consultation is free. You don't pay them unless they are successful.

Story continues

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Rob Greenstein

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RGreenstein@nycLawFirm.com

Cision

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SOURCE Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP
AMSTERDAM, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Amsterdam-born lifestyle fashion brand Scotch & Soda reveals today the opening of its largest store worldwide in the Dutch city of 's-Hertogenbosch, also known as Den Bosch.

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click: https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8874551-scotch-soda-opening-of-largest-store-worldwide-in-the-netherlands/

The store is housed in a former theatre build in 1919 in the Amsterdamse School style by the architect A.J. Hekker, which became a cinema after World War II, known over the years as the "Luxor Theatre."

Celebrating the uniqueness of the location, it blends the monument's colourful history and architecture with modern touches. It will provide a customised shopping experience spread over 3 floors and 510 square metres of selling space, its largest store worldwide, carrying all the brand lifestyle collections, including womenswear, menswear, kidswear, footwear, eyewear, fragrances, as well as the brand's premium denim line "Amsterdams Blauw."

Following a new "Free Spirit" store concept, the new location is conceived as a social as well as retail space, featuring a bespoke bar serving complimentary soft drinks, encouraging a communal experience and a dedicated family fitting room where kids will be encouraged to get creative with an art wall and a series of laughing mirrors. For a more personalized experience, a reservations-only lounge with a private dressing room will be available.

The opening of the Den Bosch store follows the recent openings of two Scotch & Soda locations earlier this month, in Utrecht and the Westfield Mall of the Netherlands in Leidschendam, together with the launch of its new brand identity with a new logo embracing the symbol of unity at the heart of Scotch & Soda's name.

Following the recent openings, Scotch & Soda will be opening at least another 12 new brick-and-mortar stores and 12 shop-in-shops worldwide before the end of October, adding to the brand's existing retail network of 227 stores and 161 shop-in-shops. Key openings in existing markets will include the USA, Germany, France, Israel, Australia, Middle East, Ukraine, Switzerland and Sweden and for the first time Poland in September whilst it is looking to expand its presence in China and Italy with the opening of showrooms in Shanghai and Milan in June.

Celebrating the uniqueness of each location is at the heart of the store concept strategy, blending the original architecture and characteristics of each building with the brand's own signature design. All facades and interiors will carry the new brand identity and play on muted tones, combined with pop accents of sunshine yellow, rose pink, and burgundy. Bespoke fixtures in aged brass, textured tiles, marble, powder-coated steel and a custom bar, as well as selected vintage furniture and wallpapers designed in-house complete the design concept of the new stores. In addition, all new stores are fitted with LED lights, FSC wood herringbone flooring and new hangers made of recycled materials and selected soft furnishings such as sustainable rugs woven in ECONYL, made from regenerated nylon.

This acceleration of Scotch & Soda's global retail network will be combined with the brand's omnichannel and unified commerce ambition, to be completed in 2022, following the opening of a brand new fully sustainable 27,500 square metre warehouse in Hoofddorp next year and the integration of RFID technology in partnership with Nedap for stock level optimization.

Frederick Lukoff, CEO, commented: "This week's opening is a pivotal moment in our history despite the obstructive effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our current retail performance. We recognize the significant importance to connect with our customers no matter the circumstances, and we remain confident that better days will come. It will remain fundamental to connect with our customers one-on-one in stores, in combination with all the growing digital distribution channels, in order to offer the best possible experience to our customers in the future."

Please click on the links below to download images of the new Scotch & Soda stores in:

Utrecht

Leidschendam (Westfield Mall of the Netherlands )

) Den Bosch

For more information about Scotch & Soda please visitwww.scotch-soda.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1476230/ScotchSoda_Store.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1476219/ScotchSoda_Logo.jpg

Media enquiries:

Daniel Urrutia | Communications Director | urrutia.daniel@scotch-soda.com
TORONTO, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Denison Mines Corp. ("Denison" or the "Company") (TSX: DML) (NYSE American: DNN) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a Participation and Funding Agreement (the "Participation Agreement") and Letter of Intent (the "LOI") with the English River First Nation ("ERFN") in connection with the advancement of the proposed in-situ recovery ("ISR") uranium mining operation at Denison's 90% owned Wheeler River Uranium Project ("Wheeler River Project"), which is located in the eastern portion of the Athabasca Basin region, in northern Saskatchewan. Additionally, Denison and ERFN have also entered into an Exploration Agreement (the "Exploration Agreement") in respect of Denison's exploration and evaluation activities within the ERFN traditional territories. View PDF version.

These agreements reflect Denison's desire to operate its business in a progressive and sustainable manner that respects ERFN rights and advances reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. The agreements provide ERFN with economic opportunities and other benefits, while establishing a foundation for future collaboration in an authentic, cooperative, and respectful way  designed to cultivate a long-term partnership in support of the Company's activities, including the advancement of the Company's flagship Wheeler River Project, which is currently advancing through a Federal and Provincial Environmental Assessment ("EA") process.

David Cates, President & CEO of Denison commented, "Many of Denison's interests in the Athabasca Basin region, including our flagship Wheeler River Project, are situated in the traditional territory of ERFN. We acknowledge and respect the rights of ERFN and are pleased to formalize our Company's effort to work with ERFN in the pursuit of achieving (1) a genuine understanding of the interests of the Nation, and (2) meaningful mutual benefits from Denison's activities. We feel strongly that the future of the Wheeler River Project will be greatly enhanced by partnering with ERFN  ensuring Indigenous knowledge regarding historical and contemporary land use, environmental knowledge, and environmental stewardship associated with ERFN's connection to this land, are all embedded as essential components of the EA process and project designs. Together, Denison and ERFN are putting reconciliation principles into action and contributing to the important evolution of Indigenous and industry relationships in the province of Saskatchewan."

Chief Jerry Bernard, of ERFN, added, "We look forward to building on our positive relationship with Denison Mines. The participation and exploration agreements underscore the importance of starting in a good way. That means recognizing and considering ERFN's rights and traditional land and resources uses in all proposed activities on our ancestral lands. The agreements will provide benefits for our community by providing employment and contracting opportunities, annual financial contributions and the ability to help shape project activities to minimize environmental impacts."

Participation Funding Agreement & Letter of Intent

The Participation Agreement and LOI outline a mutually agreeable framework and applicable funding arrangements to facilitate ERFN's participation and engagement in the EA process for the Wheeler River Project  including ERFN's meaningful contribution to Denison's environmental understanding of the Wheeler River Project in a holistic way that respects ERFN's rights and interests. The LOI also outlines a mutual desire to co-develop a future Shared Prosperity Agreement with respect to the Wheeler River Project, which is intended to reflect a shared vision of how new uranium mining operations in the Athabasca Basin region can prioritize sustainability while also offering new and creative ways to generate wealth and prosperity for all parties involved in the advancement of the Project.

Exploration Agreement

The Exploration Agreement establishes a framework for a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship between Denison and ERFN whereby Denison's exploration and evaluation activities are consented to by ERFN and Denison agrees to support ERFN's interests in relation to community development and benefits, environmental protection and monitoring, as well as sustainable and predictable consultation and engagement processes. Through this cooperative approach, the parties seek to continue building a strong and positive foundation for Denison to proceed with its exploration and evaluation activities, in the traditional territory of ERFN, in a manner that is informed by and respects the rights and interests of ERFN.

About ERFN

English River First Nation is located about 500 km north of Saskatoon in Treaty 10, with a main settlement at Patuanak, alongside the Churchill River. ERFN has seven different reserves: Porter Island, Cree Lake, Elak Dase, Knee Lake, Dipper Rapids, Wapachewunak and La Plonge.

ERFN is a multilingual community with various combinations of Dene, Cree, Michif, English and French spoken by over 1,400 members. The "people of the river" are known for their bold and collaborative spirit and trusting and humble nature. They are dedicated to stewardship of the land and the education of future generations.

An industrious and entrepreneurial group, ERFN has led the way in efficient economic relationship building through its support and advancement of community development partnerships. These relationships have been instrumental in advancing community support and understanding across northern Saskatchewan.

About Wheeler River

Wheeler River is the largest undeveloped uranium project in the infrastructure-rich eastern portion of the Athabasca Basin region, in northern Saskatchewan  including combined Indicated Mineral Resources of 132.1 million pounds U 3 O 8 (1,809,000 tonnes at an average grade of 3.3% U 3 O 8 ), plus combined Inferred Mineral Resources of 3.0 million pounds U 3 O 8 (82,000 tonnes at an average grade of 1.7% U 3 O 8 ). The project is host to the high-grade Phoenix and Gryphon uranium deposits, discovered by Denison in 2008 and 2014, respectively, and is a joint venture between Denison (90% and operator) and JCU (Canada) Exploration Company Limited (10%).

A Pre-Feasibility Study ("PFS") was completed for Wheeler River in late 2018, considering the potential economic merit of developing the Phoenix deposit as an ISR operation and the Gryphon deposit as a conventional underground mining operation. Taken together, the project is estimated to have mine production of 109.4 million pounds U 3 O 8 over a 14-year mine life, with a base case pre-tax NPV of $1.31 billion (8% discount rate), Internal Rate of Return ("IRR") of 38.7%, and initial pre-production capital expenditures of $322.5 million. The Phoenix ISR operation is estimated to have a stand-alone base case pre-tax NPV of $930.4 million (8% discount rate), IRR of 43.3%, initial pre-production capital expenditures of $322.5 million, and industry leading average operating costs of US$3.33/lb U 3 O 8 . The PFS is prepared on a project (100% ownership) and pre-tax basis, as each of the partners to the Wheeler River Joint Venture are subject to different tax and other obligations.

Further details regarding the PFS, including additional scientific and technical information, as well as after-tax results attributable to Denison's ownership interest, are described in greater detail in the NI 43-101 Technical Report titled "Pre-feasibility Study for the Wheeler River Uranium Project, Saskatchewan, Canada" dated October 30, 2018 with an effective date of September 24, 2018. A copy of this report is available on Denison's website and under its profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.

Denison suspended certain activities at Wheeler River during 2020, including the EA process, which is on the critical path to achieving the project development schedule outlined in the PFS. While the EA process has resumed, the Company is not currently able to estimate the impact of the 2020 suspension on the project development schedule outlined in the PFS, and users are cautioned against relying on the estimates provided therein regarding the start of pre-production activities in 2021 and first production in 2024.

About Denison

Denison is a uranium exploration and development company with interests focused in the Athabasca Basin region of northern Saskatchewan, Canada. In addition to the Wheeler River project, Denison's interests in the Athabasca Basin include a 22.5% ownership interest in the McClean Lake joint venture ("MLJV"), which includes several uranium deposits and the McClean Lake uranium mill that is contracted to process the ore from the Cigar Lake mine under a toll milling agreement, plus a 25.17% interest in the Midwest and Midwest A deposits, and a 66.90% interest in the Tthe Heldeth Tue ("THT," formerly J Zone) and Huskie deposits on the Waterbury Lake property. The Midwest, Midwest A, THT and Huskie deposits are located within 20 kilometres of the McClean Lake mill. In addition, Denison has an extensive portfolio of exploration projects covering approximately 270,000 hectares in the Athabasca Basin region.

Denison is engaged in mine decommissioning and environmental services through its Closed Mines group (formerly Denison Environmental Services), which manages Denison's Elliot Lake reclamation projects and provides post-closure mine care and maintenance services to a variety of industry and government clients.

Denison is also the manager of Uranium Participation Corp., a publicly traded company which invests in uranium oxide and uranium hexafluoride.

Follow Denison on Twitter @DenisonMinesCo

Qualified Persons

The technical information contained in this release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. David Bronkhorst, P.Eng, Denison's Vice President, Operations, who is a Qualified Person in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information contained in this news release constitutes 'forward-looking information', within the meaning of the applicable United States and Canadian legislation, concerning the business, operations and financial performance and condition of Denison.

Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as 'plans', 'expects', 'budget', 'scheduled', 'estimates', 'forecasts', 'intends', 'anticipates', or 'believes', or the negatives and/or variations of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results 'may', 'could', 'would', 'might' or 'will be taken', 'occur', 'be achieved' or 'has the potential to'.

In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information pertaining to the following: current intentions and objectives regarding engagement with respect to the Wheeler River project, including participation funding and the co-development of a shared prosperity agreement; expectations with respect to exploration and intended cooperation with ERFN with respect thereto; development and expansion plans and objectives, generally; and expectations regarding its joint venture ownership interests and the continuity of its agreements with its partners and third parties.

Forward looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made, and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Denison to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. For example, the modelling and assumptions upon which the work plans for exploration and/or the Wheeler River Project are based may not be maintained after further work is completed. In addition, Denison may decide or otherwise be required to discontinue exploration, testing, evaluation and development work, including its advancement and planned completion of the EA process at Wheeler River, if it is unable to maintain or otherwise secure the necessary resources (such as testing facilities, capital funding, regulatory approvals, etc.) or operations are otherwise affected by COVID-19 and its potentially far-reaching impacts. This may impact Denison's ability to meet the objectives stated in this press release, or the objectives of Denison and ERFN could become misaligned. Denison believes that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be accurate and results may differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information. For a discussion in respect of risks and other factors that could influence forward-looking events, please refer to the factors discussed in Denison's Annual Information Form dated March 13, 2020 or subsequent quarterly financial reports under the heading 'Risk Factors'. These factors are not, and should not be construed as being exhaustive.

Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Any forward-looking information and the assumptions made with respect thereto speaks only as of the date of this news release. Denison does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information after the date of this news release to conform such information to actual results or to changes in Denison's expectations except as otherwise required by applicable legislation.

Cautionary Note to United States Investors Concerning Estimates of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves: This press release may use terms such as "measured", "indicated" and/or "inferred" mineral resources and "proven" or "probable" mineral reserves, which are terms defined with reference to the guidelines set out in the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ("CIM") CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves ("CIM Standards"). The Company's descriptions of its projects using CIM Standards may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements under the United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.

SOURCE Denison Mines Corp.

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The Ilitch family is expanding its involvement in the casino industry as a hedge fund announced Tuesday the family is expected to buy half of the Ocean Resort Casino, if approved by regulators, according to the Associated Press. The family already owns Motor City Casino in Detroit, along with the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings and the Little Caesars pizza franchise.

The financial investment by the family has not been disclosed, but officials with the Luxor Capital Group LP told the AP a deal has been reached pending approval.

We are extremely excited about the proposed investment by the Ilitch organization, which, if approved, will give Ocean access to growth capital and provide a strategic partner to Luxor, the hedge fund said in a statement. We look forward to continuing to grow Ocean in partnership with the Ilitch organization for years to come.

The casino located in Atlantic City, New Jersey, was previously known as Revel and opened in 2012. It made headlines in the years after as financial problems hit the casino hard. Owners eventually filed bankruptcy twice and the property was forced to close two years after it was opened.

It did not reopen until 2018 and the Luxor Capital Group did not buy it until 2019, when a previous owner again struggled financially and the fund eventually took over the casino. Despite the property changing hands so often, Luxor told regulators in May 2020 that it planned to own the casino for at least the next 25 years.

Ocean Resort was closed for several months last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however it reported a $12 million gross operating profit for the first nine months of the year, up from a $2.5 million loss compared to the first nine months of 2019. It was the only Atlantic City casino not to report an earning decline for the first nine months of 2020, according to the AP.

While the terms of the deal are being reviewed by regulators, the Ilitch family has applied for interim approval to own part of the casino. Luxor declined to discuss details on how the sale could change operations at the casino.

READ MORE:

Michigan getting Van Gogh floor-to-ceiling multi-sensory experience as seen in Paris

New owners, same recipes: LaVilla Family Dining & Pizzeria set to reopen its doors
[April 06, 2021] Life Spine, Inc. Announces Preliminary Injunction Prohibiting Sale of Products Found to Be Reverse Engineered From Its ProLift Expandable Cage

A preliminary injunction preventing the marketing and sale of Aegis Spine, Inc.'s AccelFix-XT line of expandable medical devices is now in effect. The United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois issued the injunction after finding that Aegis and its parent company, L&K Biomed Co. Ltd., used Life Spine's proprietary ProLift expandable cage to develop the AccelFix-XT product line. As the Court explained, Aegis used its access to ProLift as Life Spine's distributor to "discover the underlying specifications of the ProLift and then shared that information with surgeon consultants and L&K to reverse engineer the ProLift." Accordingly, the Court found that Life Spine is likely to succeed at trial in proving several of its claims, including breach of contract, breach of fiduiary duty, and misappropriation of trade secrets. The injunction applies to Aegis and all those in active concert or participation with Aegis.



Life Spine's CEO Michael Butler said of the injunction: "We appreciate the Court's thorough analysis of the issues and we are gratified that the Court's order protects the years of hard work spent developing our ProLift series of products." About Life Spine

Life Spine is an industry-leading medical device company that specializes in providing innovative, Micro Invasive solutions to address a wide range of spinal pathologies. Life Spine is dedicated to improving the quality of life for patients by increasing procedural efficiency and efficacy through innovative design, uncompromising quality standards, and the most technologically advanced manufacturing platforms. Life Spine is pleased to offer its top-performing ProLift expandable spacer system as part of this mission. For More Information Contact: Heather Glaser: hglaser@lifespine.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005797/en/

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A new report has found that fishing companies operating in the Pacific are doing little to stop slavery on their boats. The tuna industry in particular is rife with allegations of modern slavery in its supply chains, with few protections for workers against forced labour.

The Business and Human Rights Resource Centre report, All at sea: An evaluation of company efforts to address modern slavery in Pacific supply chains of canned tuna, surveyed dozens of the worlds largest canned tuna brands. It concluded that while more than four in five have published statements on human rights, this doesnt translate into efforts to end slavery.

Front cover of All at sea report (Source: Business and Human Rights Resource Centre)

The global fishing sector, the report asserts, is rife with allegations of abusehuman trafficking, debt bondage, withheld wages, physical and sexual abuse, extreme sleep deprivation, medical neglect and even murder. In some instances, fishers have reportedly been held captive at sea for years at a time.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, tuna sales have skyrocketed as consumers world-wide have stocked-up on canned goods. Yet the fishermen working in the multi-billion dollar industry, estimated by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization to number 40 million, face some of the worst abuses. Nearly half a million seafarers are trapped at sea due to travel restrictions, border closures and other measures introduced by governments to contain the spread of the coronavirus, a situation described by the UN as a humanitarian crisis.

Phil Bloomer, executive director of the Centre, declared: Too many Pacific tuna fishermen that put food on our tables face abuse and confinement every day. Put simply, the brands who put the cans on their shelves are failing to provide adequate duty of care to these workers who furnish their products.

This is simply an evasionvast numbers of seafarers, including boys, are ruthlessly exploited to sustain the profits of global conglomerates which rely on the most oppressed social layers, mainly from Asia, to toil in their distant-water fleets. Yet the report eschews the fundamental class issues at stake. It excises any reference to the working class and declares the issue is one of human rightsa term more palatable to the political and corporate elites the business-oriented Centre is seeking to influence.

Among the 35 companies surveyed, representing over 80 different tuna brands, the report found glacial progress on actions which really matter to workers trapped in modern slavery. Only six companies have revised due-diligence processes in two years; oversight of recruitment is almost non-existent; just half a dozen have policies protecting migrant workers; most lack remediation plans to address reports of slavery, and only two prohibit vessels using flags of convenience. Less than a third of company complaint systems are accessible to supply chain workers.

The worst offending companies include major suppliers to the metropolitan marketsSafcol, Costco, Walmart, Ocean Brands, Starkist, Alliance Select Foods, American Tuna, Pegasus Food and C-Food International.

Fishermen unload fish following a fishing trip in the Gulf of Thailand in Samut Sakhon Province, west of Bangkok, Sept. 3, 2013 (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, File)

Several harrowing cases, based on interviews with fishing crews, are cited. These include:

In 2020, a number of Indonesian crew deaths reportedly occurred aboard the Long Xing 629, as well as on other fleet vessels operated by the Chinese-owned Dalian Ocean Fishing. Crew members told of brutal conditions, including being physically assaulted. The vessel participated in numerous at-sea trans-shipments allowing it to stay out longer, with some working on board for over a year without docking at port.

Also in 2020, a fisheries observer from Kiribati was found dead in his cabin on the Taiwanese purse seiner, Win Far 636, operated by Kuo Hsiung Fishery. His death is alleged to have been caused by a massive blunt trauma to the head, but nobody has been prosecuted. As an observer he monitored endangered species by-catch and illegal dumping. He was the tenth Pacific fisheries observer reported to have died at sea in the last decade.

Two Indonesian seafarers also spoke of their recent experiences in Fiji. They worked on Chinese-owned and flagged vessels, and had been hired by recruiters who deducted fees from their salaries and retained their personal official documentation. On arrival in Fiji, they were taken to their vessels without being allowed to report to the Indonesian Embassy.

The two men detailed inhumane conditions, which included living in close quarters and working more than 20 hours per day. They described their meals as disgusting and inedible. One of them was forced to work when he had a finger cut so deep that my bones were visible and seemed to be about to break off. Their concerns were consistently suppressed and hidden from inspectors.

Other reports are emerging from Fiji. Radio NZ reported last month that 20 Filipino workers accused Goundar Shipping, Fijis largest ferry operator, of abusive treatment and non-payment. They were brought to Fiji almost three years ago and found themselves working in unsanitary, unsafe conditions seven days a week. The men claimed the company held back their passports and refused to supply tickets home after they raised concerns. A Philippines manning agency, Able Maritime, has since had its licence suspended.

In another case, an Indonesian fisherman on board the Yu Shun 88, a Taiwanese flagged tuna longliner, has recently been repatriated from Fiji. Auckland human rights lawyer Karen Harding said the fishermen on the boat, which carries up to 17 people, were forced to work for 1820 hours a day in abject conditions. The captain had taken the passport, the seamans book and withheld pay as a security bond. Beds were infested with fleas, food was spoiled and there was no fresh soap or water for showers. All at sea maintains that if these companies would only adopt the proper policies and procedures, all these issues could be resolved. A handful of successful companies, it contends have shown it is both commercially viable and a moral imperative to emancipate workers caught in modern slavery. Governments should be pressured to mandate comprehensive human rights due diligence by companies, throughout their operations and supply chains.

This perspective is entirely bankrupt. The explosion of oppressive working conditions, low pay and extreme hardship is an international phenomenon, across all industries. It is a product of the relentless drive for escalating profits at the heart of globalised capitalist relations of production and cannot be addressed by appeals to the ruling elites.

New Zealand trade unions have called on the countrys Labour-led government to put Fiji on notice over the Goundar case. International Transport Workers Federation spokesperson Paul Tolich said NZ unions supported calls by their Fijian counterparts for greater recognition by the Fiji government so they could better stand up for all workers, migrant or local. Stronger unions are the best way to support workers to speak up without fear, Tolich declared.

In fact, the trade unions have never waged any campaign to demand decent wages and conditions for foreign crews, including those exploited by their own New Zealand operators. The reactionary nationalist position of the Maritime Union of New Zealand is that foreign vessels should be excluded from the countrys fishing waters, with preference given to New Zealand ships, manned by crews who pay union dues.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has failed to condemn any of Fijis frequent attacks on basic rights. Under Labours pro-Washington Pacific Reset policy, the New Zealand government is cementing diplomatic relations with Fijian leader Frank Bainimarama in order to better establish him as a bulwark against Chinas influence in the Pacific.
The lengthy note from Farhan Towhid, a 19-year-old Texan,went up on Instagram over the weekend, beginning with an alarming claim: "Hey everyone. I killed myself and my family."

When a family friend saw the 11-page letter, they quickly called police to request a wellness check, warning that Towhid was suicidal.

On early Monday, police forced their way into the red brick house in Allen, Texas. Inside, they found six people dead: Farhan Towhid; his brother, Tanvir Towhid, 21; his father Towhidul Islam, 54; his mother Iren Islam, 56; his grandmother Altafun Nessa, 77; and his 19-year-old twin sister, Farbin Towhid.

'THANK GOD I'M SAFE': NRA exec sought refuge on 108-foot yacht

They had all been shot to death, police said, by Farhan and Tanvir Towhid as part of a suicide pact the pair had planned out for over a month.

"It looks like the two . . . sons entered into an agreement that they were going to [die by] suicide and that they were going to take their family members with them," Allen Police Department Sgt. Jon Felty told KRLD.

Police have not confirmed when the deaths took place but said the brothers likely killed their family members on Saturday night.

The mass killing of the family, which moved to the U.S. from Bangladesh about 15 years ago, left friends and neighbors in shock.

"We just can't believe it happened to this family," family friend Sied Chowdhury, 60, told The Washington Post. "They are a very loving family. We didn't see anything wrong with the family, any problems."

The Towhid family first settled in New York before moving to Allen, a northern suburb of Dallas, Chowdhury said. Towhidul, the father, worked in information technology while his wife Iren took care of the house and their children. A neighbor told the Dallas Morning News that Altafun, the grandmother, was visiting from Bangladesh and was scheduled to return home last week, but her flight got postponed because of the pandemic.

READ ALSO: Troy Finner sworn in as new Houston police chief

Farbin, Farhan's twin sister, had recently accepted a full scholarship to attend New York University, KDFW reported.

According to Farhan's note on Instagram, he and his brother Tanvir had struggled with mental illness for years.

Farhan wrote that he had suffered from depression since the 9th grade and had repeatedly harmed himself. His family had tried to help him, but he said that his mental health issues had recently worsened. He had been studying computer science at the University of Texas at Austin, he wrote, but was expelled from his dorms in the winter after telling a roommate that he planned to kill his family.

He moved home, where Tanvir, whom he described as "depressed and socially anxious," was staying.

Eventually, the pair decided to kill their family and then themselves, he wrote. "Instead of having to deal with the aftermath of my suicide, I could just do them a favor and take them with me," the note reads.

The pair bought guns, he wrote, adding that "gun control in the U.S. is a joke" because the pair lied when asked if they were suffering from mental illness. Police did not confirm how many guns were used in the shooting, adding that Tanvir was able to legally purchase a gun "recently," KXAS reported.

It is unclear when exactly Farhan allegedly posted the note to Instagram, but police said officers arrived at the home around 1 a.m. on Monday.

"We have never had an incident like this in the 21 years that I've been here," Felty told KXAS. "It's just a tragedy. There's no other way to describe it."

Felty said none of the neighbors reported hearing gunshots and that police received no reports of gunfire in the area. The family had never reported any issues to the police, he added.

Chowdhury said the Bangladeshi community in the area is still grappling with the news. The loss of the family, which was active in the Bangladesh Association of North Texas, leaves a void in the tightknit community.

The association's general secretary, Nahida Ali, called the news "horrific" and "shocking" in a Facebook post on Monday. The University of Texas at Austin also mourned the death of the brothers, whom the university described as former students.

"Today we received extremely sad news about the deaths of two former students," the university said in a statement shared with KTVT. "The news is devastating to our university. We express our deepest sympathies to their extended family and friends."

Some members of the Bangladeshi community arrived at the scene early on Monday morning and did not leave until the family's bodies were removed from the home around 6 p.m., Chowdhury said.

"I've never seen a crime like this," Chowdhury said. "This is hard to swallow. They had a lot of friends in the neighborhood. It's pretty heartbreaking for the community."

If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255). You can also text a crisis counselor by messaging the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
ROME, APR 6 - Demonstrators calling for an end to COVID-19 lockdowns and the reopening of shops and restaurants clashed with police outside the Lower House of parliament in Rome on Tuesday. Among the protesters were members of Italexit, a movement started by former 5-Star Movement (M5S) Senator and journalist Gianluigi Paragone, who has been among the most vocal proponents of reopening Italy. Another protester was dressed like the Q-Anon member who was among Trump supporters who raised Congress on January 6. (ANSA).
Sudan repeals law mandating boycott of Israel after 63 years.

Texas Gov Joins Florida, Mississippi, Bans Vaccine Passports for Americans

World Health Organisation (WHO) reiterates its rejection of compulsory vaccination certificates. It is uncertain as to whether vaccinations prevent the transmission of COVID19, cites WHO spokesperson Harris.

Bidens DHS may restart construction on the U.S.-Mexico border wall to fill any gaps in the current barrier, says DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Sec. Mayorkas made the comments at an ICE meeting last week, according to meeting notes obtained by the Washington Times.

North Las Vegas Mayor John Lee leaves elitist and socialist Democrats to join the Republican party. The time has changed, the Republican party has become the party of working class. The Democratic party is no longer the party he knew 20 years ago. -Fox News

CNN's Brian Stelter and Jim Acosta discuss their struggles with "post-Trump stress disorder," and admit that journalists are having a hard time finding interesting content with Trump no longer in the White House. Making fun of Biden administration seems to be impossible.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick had a lot to say in a presser about voter security bills on Tuesday.

Patrick ranted against Harris County, the media and "Mr. American Airlines" as he defended the need for Senate Bill 7 and other similar bills in the state.

NO PASSPORT NEEDED: Gov. Greg Abbott signs executive order prohibiting vaccine passports in Texas

Voters want confidence in their election system. Senate Bill 7 is not voter suppression, its voter security, Patrick said.

Senate Bill 7 would limit early voting hours, eliminate drive-thru voting and largely limit mail-in voting  all measures Harris County took to expand voting access during the 2020 election and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Patrick directly named Harris County multiple times, where Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo spoke out against Senate Bill 7 on Monday.

"I have news for Harris County: You're not the capital of Texas," Patrick said.

SENATE BILL 7: Corporate giants come out against Republicans' efforts to restrict voting in Texas

As an aside, Pennsylvania's Lt. Gov. John Fetterman probably won't get any of Patrick's $1 million reward he offered for evidence of voter fraud. When asked if Fetterman would see a payout if three voter fraud cases in Pennsylvania lead to convictions, Patrick quickly dismissed the reporter before ending the press conference.

"You know, just go  you know, dont ask me a stupid question," Patrick said. "I didnt come here to take stupid questions from the media. Its ridiculous, OK?"
UPDATE: Evelyn Colon Beth Doe killing: Boyfriend extradited from New York to Pa. to face charge

Authorities investigating the 1976 cold case homicide of a pregnant 15-year-old girl want to hear from anyone with information that may be of assistance to the probe.

Evelyn Colon, who was from Jersey City, New Jersey, until last week was known as Beth Doe -- the name given to the female remains found with a nearly full-term fetus on Dec. 20, 1976, along the Lehigh River in East Side, Carbon County, according to investigators.

Pennsylvania State Police on March 31 announced the remains were identified as those of Evelyn, and say she was killed by 63-year-old Luis Sierra, of Ozone Park, New York.

With the assistance of Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers, we would like to introduce a tip line for anyone that may have information regarding this investigation, state police said Tuesday, adding that investigators strongly encourage anyone who feels they can provide insight into this case to call the tip line at 800-472-8477 (800-4PA-TIPS) and reference Media Release #1956.

A county coroner previously ruled the death a homicide, declaring the pregnant teenager died from strangling but also was shot in the neck.

Investigators had the remains exhumed in 2007 to extract DNA. The profile was then submitted to public DNA databases in search of living relatives who may have uploaded their own DNA, and police now say the search turned up a likely nephew of Evelyn.

The nephew directed police to his father, Evelyns brother, who confirmed she had been about 15 years old and eight to nine months pregnant the last time her family had contact with her. The new information also revealed Sierra was Evelyns boyfriend and the father of their child, according to police.

Family and a childhood friend of Evelyns spoke last week with The Jersey Journal about the shock of learning what had become of her. Her family had received a letter in January 1977 saying a 9-pound boy named Luis Sierra Jr. had been born and that if she needed anything, she would reach out, according to court records. The family didnt file a missing-person report, under the impression Evelyn no longer wanted anything to do with them.

Sierra is in custody and faces a single count of homicide, according to police.

Evelyns niece Miriam Colon-Veltman has started a GoFundMe to cover costs of a memorial and headstone. The online fundraiser says Evelyns baby was a girl, and the family has named her Emily Grace Colon.

State police and the Carbon County District Attorneys Office say a news conference will be scheduled to provide further information on the case.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com.
Twelve5 Beverage Company has released its new seasonal collection of REBEL Hard Coffee for summertime sipping. REBEL Hard Coffees Hard Berry Crisp Latte showcases a refreshing blend of berries and smooth cream to bring coffee-cravers to the fringes of extraordinary. The sweet and fruity hard coffee is a perfect seasonal addition to any outdoor activity - from sunbathing on Memorial Day to backyard barbeques on the Fourth of July.

We are thrilled to introduce this new and refreshing berry latte to REBEL Hard Coffees seasonal lineup, said Michael Sargent, senior brand manager  REBEL Hard Coffee. Rebel Hard Coffee has taken coffee houses most popular summer drink and flavor, berry latte, and added a kick of alcohol to liven up any occasion.

The REBEL Hard Coffee Hard Berry Crisp Latte combines the essence of blueberries and blackberries for a refreshing summer taste to beat the heat. It is now available until the end of July.

"As pointed out in Food Business News, flavor trends have turned fruity for 2021," said Sargent. "REBEL Hard Coffee aims to adhere to that consumer trend by creating a great-tasting adult beverage incorporating a crisp, fruity taste that give our fans something new and fresh to try for the summer."

Seasonal REBEL Hard Berry Crisp Latte



100% Arabica coffee

Crisp, blueberry and blackberry accents embellished with creamy undertones

Bright, refreshing finish

5.0% ABV

REBEL Hard Coffees Hard Berry Crisp Latte is currently available in over 40+ states at select grocery, convenience, and liquor stores. The product can be purchased in four-packs and singles.

To find the new and decidedly decadent hard coffee products this summer, visit the store locator at rebelhardcoffee.com/find. For recipes involving this new and seasonal addition, visit rebelhardcoffee.com/recipes.

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About Twelve5 Beverage Company

REBEL Hard Coffee is produced by Twelve5 Beverage Company, the founders of the hard coffee category. Twelve5 Beverage Company was founded in 2018 with a focus on pioneering innovative products that meet the needs of changing consumer preferences. The launch of REBEL Hard Coffee in August 2020 marked an opportunity to expand Twelve5 Beverage Companys products to a new audience. For more information, visit rebelhardcoffee.com.
Chindata Group releases 2020 ESG report

From:ChinaDaily | 2021-04-06 15:15

Beijing-headquartered, carrier-neutral, hyperscale data center solution provider Chindata Group released its secondannualenvironmental, social and governance report in a bid to stay consistent with the country's carbon-neutrality goal by 2060.

According to the ESG report, in 2020, 51 percent of Chindata's data centers were powered by renewable energy, a 14 percentage point increase from the level in 2019.

Total renewable energy usage of the company in 2020 reached 505 million kilowatt-hours, taking up 0.023 percent of the country's power generation capacity, which was 2.2 million gigawatt-hours.

Meanwhile, Chindata reduced 368,886 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, an equivalent of planting about 200,000 trees every day, the report said.

"We have set the goal of reducing greenhouse-gas emissions as our operation priority, in an effort to help China fulfill its commitment of peaking its carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060," said Alex Ju, founder and chief executive officer of Chindata.

According to the company, it is now accelerating the construction of a 150-megawatt self-generation, self-consumption renewable-energy power plant. The power plant is expected to become the first of its kind in China's data center field.

"Chindata Group is among the first batch of digital technology companies in China to release a carbon-neutral roadmap. We focus on mastering the core technologies in key areas to address digital development challenges, laying a solid foundation for a more sustainableandinclusive digital life for all," Ju said.

In December 2020, Chindata announced that all of its hyperscale data centers in China would source 100 percent renewable energy and invest in clean energy with an installed capacity of no less than 2 gigawatts by 2030.

Ye Ruiqi, program director of global environmental protection organization Greenpeace, said during an interview with financial magazine Caijing that to meet the country's carbon neutrality commitment, China's information technology companies should set a goal of sourcing 100 percent renewable energy by 2030.

"If they cannot meet the goal in time, the deadline of the goal will be 2050," Ye said.
The number of illegal migrants arriving on the Malaga coastline in 2020 has dropped by more than half when compared to those who were intercepted or landed in 2019, the year before the outbreak of the worldwide coronavirus pandemic.

Compared to the 79 boats discovered in 2019, 49 were registered in 2020. As a direct result, the number of migrants arriving via the Alboran Sea has decreased, from 2,150 in 2019 to 941 in 2020 - some 56.3 per cent fewer.

During the first wave of the pandemic, the spread of fear also reached the African continent and stopped the departure of boats from Morocco.

"The pandemic acted as a brake at the beginning," explains the spokesperson for the Moroccan Association for the Integration of Immigrants in Malaga, Irene Quirante. The organisation offers help and legal support to immigrants who arrive in the city.

But the pandemic is not the only reason. There is another that, in recent months, has acquired a special relevance. It has to do with a change in the routes used to reach European soil.

According to Quirante, the tightening of controls by the Moroccan authorities on the route through the Alboran Sea, which is the one that leads to Malaga, has caused the gangs that try to smuggle migrants to use the so-called Canaries route.

The Atlantic crossing is now the route most frequented by the boats  but it is also the most dangerous. The starting point is Western Sahara and the distances covered, often in fragile craft, can exceed 500 kilometres. If a boat starts from Senegal, the distance increases to 1,000 kilometres. And the trip turns into a lottery.

"Actually, right now there is no other possible route other than the Canary Islands. The Libya route is even more dangerous, the Turkish one is blocked and the Mediterranean route, which was the one that brought migrants to Malaga, as we have already said, has decreased due to the aforementioned Moroccan controls of Morocco, Quirante said.

She adds that the closing of the border between Morocco and Spain in Ceuta and Melilla has also contributed to the pressure being transferred to the Canary Islands.
HFSP announces the 63 young researchers who will challenge traditional thinking by investigating, among other subjects, social interaction in bats, how cephalopods can bite without a joint, the environmental factors controlling spawning in corals or how to control vaccine immunogenicity.

The International Human Frontier Science Program Organization (HFSPO) announced today the 63 fellowships to the world's most outstanding young life scientists, chosen through rigorous international selection out of a total of 665 applications from scientists of 65 different nationalities. The HFSP fellows will begin their research in a new field of biology in a laboratory in a new country, in accord with HFSPO's aim to promote international collaboration in life science research.

HFSP Long-Term Fellowships are for postdoctoral scientists in biology. A total of 47 Long-Term Fellowships will be awarded to the very best of the world's young scientists who have proposed original approaches at the frontier of life science research.

HFSP Cross-Disciplinary Fellowships support 16 young scientists with a non-life science PhD degree such as chemistry or physics. These fellows will make a bold change in research direction by leaving their field of training to embark on research that is at the interface of biology and neighboring disciplines.

HFSP's fellowships enjoy an excellent reputation and offer a built-in return component. Starting in their second year of tenure, HFSP fellows can draw up plans for setting up their own independent laboratory. Fellows can then use the remaining time of their tenure to move to the new location. Each fellowship is worth about $225,000 USD spread over three years. HFSP provides these outstanding young talents with an enhanced financial package to back their career in frontier research.

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The lists of all 2021 HFSP awards are available at http://www. hfsp. org/ awardees/ newly-awarded .

The Human Frontier Science Program is an international program of research support implemented by the International Human Frontier Science Program Organization (HFSPO) based in Strasbourg, France. Its aims are to promote intercontinental collaboration and training in cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research focused on the life sciences. HFSPO receives financial support from the governments or research councils of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, the UK, the USA, as well as from the European Union.
AGAWAM  By the thinnest possible margin, city councilors this week rejected a call for more stringent voter identification laws.

The council voted 6-5 on Monday against a resolution that would have petitioned the state Legislature to require voters to produce proof of identity and return to the pre-pandemic rules that allowed mail-in voting only in cases of necessity for medical, religious or travel reasons.

I really dont think there is a big problem in the state of Massachusetts, when it comes to elections, said Councilor Paul Cavallo, who voted against the resolution after having previously described himself as undecided. In local elections, he said, I dont think there has ever been any fraud or corruption involved.

Sponsors of the non-binding resolution  Councilors George Bitzas, Cecilia Calabrese and Mario Tedeschi  said universal mail-in voting is an invitation to fraud, and an unfunded state mandate, placing a burden on the local town clerk and election workers to process the ballots and vouch for their accuracy by comparing signatures.

It requires our registrars of voters to be handwriting experts on a massive level, Calabrese said. There are 26 states in the United States that all have a form of voter identification (requirement).

Tedeschi said he worries that mailed ballots allow an abusive family member to force others in the household to change their votes. Automatically mailing ballots, or even ballot applications, also raises the possibility that the new owners of a house could cast additional ballots in the name of a former resident who died or moved out, he said.

Although he voted against the resolution, Council President Christopher Johnson said he shared some of Tedeschis objections to mail-in voting.

Where Johnson disagreed with the resolution was in the identification requirement. He said voters already have to prove their identity when they first register to vote.

Councilor Robert Rossi linked the proposal to Donald Trumps several lawsuits alleging widespread voter fraud and challenging the results of the 2020 presidential election. Rossi said several state legislatures have restricted voting rights in response to alleged fraud, and he hoped his colleagues were not advancing a Republican agenda to dampen turnout.

Theres no substantiating evidence anywhere to show that there was ever any voter fraud in this country, he said. What these suppression laws are doing is, they are deliberately directed toward voters of the Democratic persuasion.

Both he and Councilor Rosemary Sandlin said requiring a photo ID to vote is an unconstitutional poll tax. Councilor Gerald Smith said 11 percent of people aged 18 and over do not have a photo ID, a group with a disproportionate number of low-income earners, racial and ethnic minorities, elderly and disabled people.

Calabrese said her resolution does not specify that the voter identification have a photo. Clerks allow voters to register using utility bills and pay stubs as identification, she said, and a similar policy could be enforced at the polling place.

In a written comment, former state representative candidate Forrest Bradford said the resolutions sponsors appeared to be responding to social media frenzies and random Internet propaganda, rather than any proof of election fraud.

Putting forth ludicrous legislation based on such nonsense is dangerous to all citizens who love our democracy, he said.

In another citizen comment, Corinne Wingard called the resolution divisive and unproductive, saying its only effect was to stoke a partisan divide in town. Both Bradford and Wingard have been active in the local Democratic Party.

The resolution failed to gain council support, as Councilor Gina Letellier joined Cavallo, Johnson, Rossi, Sandlin and Smith in voting against it. Those voting in favor included the three sponsors, as well as councilors Dino Mercadante and Anthony Suffriti.

Councilors unanimously approved spending $1.5 million on a new roof at the Agawam Public Library, including substantial repairs of water damage from leaks in the current roof. They also approved $600,000 in local road repairs that had been cut from the town budget last spring to focus on COVID-19 relief.
A former police officer who was scammed out of nearly 500,000 by romance fraudsters was praised for being 'brave' after she shared her story on Good Morning Britain.

Anne Larkin, 55, from East Yorkshire, was conned by two men online after her beloved husband of 34 years, Graham, died unexpectedly from liver and kidney failure in November 2019.

Blinded by grief, Anne started chatting to the first fraudster - who would eventually ask her to sell her home and car, on an amateur photography website - before being scammed by another man on social media shortly afterwards.

Appearing on the show today, former special constable Anne said losing her husband had 'turned her world upside down' and that it was 'easy' for the fraudsters to sense her vulnerability and manipulate her.

Anne Larkin, 55, from East Yorkshire, who was scammed out of nearly 500,000 by romance fraudsters has been hailed 'brave' by Good Morning Britain viewers for sharing her story

Anne started chatting to the first fraudster -who would eventually ask her to sell her home and car, on an amateur photography website - before being scammed by another man on social media shortly afterwards. Pictured, a fake image used by the first fraudster

'When you're going through the grief of a loved one, especially of a husband, wife or partner, the grief is completely different and it turns your world completely upside down', said Anne.

'It was easy in that sense for them to manipulate me in that way and I never even thought, it didn't enter my head I was being scammed.'

Sympathetic viewers were quick to take to Twitter to show Anne support, with one lashing out at social media companies for not doing more to protect vulnerable users.

'Bless Ann', wrote one. 'But this is constantly going on in Instagram, bombarded by these false profiles. And when you write to the boss of Instagram not even a simple response. This is affecting many peoples lives and needs to be stopped by ID for new profiles.'

Sympathetic viewers were quick to take to Twitter to show Anne support, with one lashing out at social media companies for not doing more to protect vulnerable users

Another angry viewer commented: 'In this day and age still going on.'

A third said: 'A very very brave lady. My heart goes out to her on what has happened to her. I hope something can be done to help her recover at least some of her funds. All power to her for bringing this out in the open and telling her story.'

The first conman Anne started chatting to was on an amateur photography website, he told her his name was Clinton and claimed to be a U.S. Army medic from New Jersey serving in the Arab state, Yemen.

Anne admitted she wasn't suspicious of the stranger: 'It was because they were talking about my photography, other photographers who use this site talk about each other's images'.

For the first time since her beloved husband of 34 years, Graham (pictured: Anne Larkin and Graham), died unexpectedly from liver and kidney failure in November 2019, Anne felt herself smiling

Appearing on the show today, former special constable Anne, pictured with late husband Graham, said losing her husband had 'turned her world upside down'

The fraudster said he had lost his wife and daughter in a terrible car accident five years previously and was missing his adult son back in the States.

However around five-weeks into the relationship, the scammer started asking Anne for money, eventually asking the former police officer to sell her house

'It was when I was asked to sell my house and car around Christmas time last year that my brain was functioning correctly', said Anne, 'It said something is not quite right here and I didn't answer the message.'

Shortly afterwards Anne met a man calling himself 'G', claiming to be an actor involved in charitable work in America.

One fraudster told her his name was Clinton. He claimed to be a U.S. Army medic from New Jersey serving in the Arab state, Yemen and often pressured her into sending money

She admitted that her terrible grief meant she did not suspect the second scammer despite her experiences with the first.

'When they contacted me, I would have been talking with my husband Graham which was the evenings or the weekends, said Anne.

'During the day you have to behave as normal when there are people who know you and ask how you're doing, you put a brave face on and say nothing is wrong.

She added: 'It makes me feel angry, at myself for being able to be duped by these people.'
A Fort Detrick police quick reaction force shot dead a Navy corpsman Tuesday morning when he brandished a weapon after penetrating security at the Maryland Army base.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Fantahun Girma Woldesenbet, 38, shot two Navy sailors with a rifle shortly after 8 a.m. at Riverside Technology Park in Frederick, Maryland, which is 50 miles northwest of Washington, D.C., Frederick Police Chief Jason Lando told reporters at a press conference.

"I can confirm to you that a rifle was used; I can't give you any more information on the weapon right now as to the caliber or anything like that," he said.

Read Next: Lack of Training a Factor in ATV Rollover That Killed 26-Year-Old Airman in Kuwait

Both victims were transported by helicopter to a Baltimore trauma center, where one remains in critical condition, Lando said. The second victim "very thankfully" is being treated and is expected to be released Wednesday, he added.

Police would not release any more information on the victims except to say their families are with them now.

Lando said that the shooting took place at an institution located in the tech park that is "tied to the Navy," but no other details were released.

After the shooting, Woldesenbet drove to Detrick, which is about 10 minutes away, where he was initially stopped by police at the gate.

"He was stopped at the gate and, before he was able to be searched, he sped past the gate and made it about a half mile into the installation," Brig. Gen. Michael Talley, commander of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command and Fort Detrick, told reporters. "He was pursued immediately by the Fort Detrick [police] quick reaction force. They were able to stop him in a parking lot."

Woldesenbet got out of his vehicle and "brandished a weapon, and our police department was able to neutralize the subject," Talley said.

Police tried to administer lifesaving procedures for about 20 minutes, but the gunman died at the scene, he added.

Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, are combing the scene for details, said Talley, who would not comment on Woldesenbet's possible motives.

"Right now, we don't want to compromise any part of the investigation," he said. "We are still investigating the motive and investigating the exact circumstances."

Fort Detrick had been in the process of conducting training to prepare for an exercise involving a similar scenario that was scheduled for next week, Talley said.

"The training and certainly the procedures that we took on the base while all this was going on kicked in at the right time," he said. "We were about as well prepared for it as we could be."

Over the next several days, Fort Detrick will examine how Woldesenbet was able to maneuver his car past the automatic barrier system, Talley said.

"We are going to absolutely uncover what happened, why it happened and if there is a need to put in additional control measures, we absolutely will," he added.

-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@miliary.com.

Related: 2 in Critical Condition After Navy Hospital Corpsman Opens Fire Near Fort Detrick
The American Civil Liberties Union of South Carolina has filed a lawsuit over Gov. Henry McMaster's executive order requiring state employees working remotely to return to their workplace.

The state chapter filed the suit April 5 in Richland County a month after McMaster issued a directive to state agency leaders asking that they "expedite the transition back to normal operations."

The ACLU's lawsuit alleges, in part, that the governor's order forces state employees who have children in remote schooling to return to in-person work. The civil rights advocacy group also states the Republican governor's order "disproportionately burden women, people who are pregnant, people of color, and people with disabilities."

McMaster told reporters April 6 the lawsuit has no basis, following a meeting with about two dozen state agency directors.

We have 5.2 million people depending on state government to do its job in whatever area they do it in. We need to be doing it and doing it full-blast, he said, noting many state employees have been working in-person throughout the pandemic. We know how to work safely. We have plenty of protective equipment. Theres no reason for everyone not to be back to work.

Brian Symmes, spokesman for McMaster, said in a statement that state agencies have been making accommodations for employees who need it and can continue to do so.

"Its ridiculous to think that requiring employees to go to work is discriminatory in any way," Symmes said. "Employees were given weeks to make any necessary plans for a number of contingencies, including child care, and with 94 percent of South Carolinas child care facilities open for business, there should be no issue for anyone actively working to make those arrangements."

The ACLU estimates 24,000 state employees have been working remotely during the pandemic. Deborah Mihal, director of disability services at the College of Charleston, is one of those employees. Mihal is the lead plaintiff on the ACLU's lawsuit. The organization's complaint states Mihal has been successfully working remotely for the past year while acting as the primary caretaker for her 9-year-old son who is enrolled in remote schooling.

Mihal is left without child care options with her employer now requiring her to be in-person at work for 37.5 hours each week, the lawsuit alleges. A nanny wouldn't be affordable for her.

Guidance from the S.C. Department of Administration that followed the governor's order states "only those employees who were working from home before the COVID-19 health emergency ... are to remain teleworking." People with disabilities and medical conditions that put them at risk for a severe case of COVID-19 can request a temporary exception until they can get a vaccine.

Only about 5 percent of state employees are still working from home, said Marcia Adams, director of the Department of Administration, which coordinated with agencies on their plans to fully bring employees back.

In a statement, Susan Dunn, legal director of the ACLU of South Carolina, said the governor's order ignores public health guidelines, such as the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration's recommendation that all employers "continue to consider ways to utilize workplace flexibilities, such as remote work."

"The governor does not have the authority to require non-essential state workers to put themselves and their families at an unnecessary health risk," Dunn said. "This order is dangerous, irresponsible, and completely unnecessary."

Statewide numbers

New cases reported: 358 confirmed, 179 probable.

Total cases in S.C.: 468,525 confirmed, 89,278 probable.

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Percent positive: 5 percent.

New deaths reported: 0 confirmed, 0 probable.

Total deaths in S.C.: 8,112 confirmed, 1,092 probable.

Percent of ICU beds filled: 65 percent.

How does S.C. rank in vaccines administered per 100,000 people?

44th as of April 5, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Hardest-hit areas

In the total number of newly confirmed cases, Greenville County (77), Spartanburg County (42) and Charleston County (25) saw the highest totals.

What about the tri-county?

Charleston County had 25 new cases on April 6, while Berkeley had 11 and Dorchester had 8.

Hospitalizations

Of the 509 COVID-19 patients hospitalized as of April 6, 132 were in the ICU and 58 were using ventilators.

What do experts say?

South Carolina's health professionals agree that in order to beat COVID-19, residents should get the vaccine as soon as an appointment is available.

DHEC lists vaccine providers on its website at scdhec.gov/vaxlocator. Go to cvas.dhec.sc.gov to find DHEC clinics in regions across the state.

Getting tested is still essential in slowing the spread of the virus in the community, along with wearing a mask and social distancing. Testing locations can be found at scdhec.gov/FindATest.

Seanna Adcox contributed reporting from Columbia.
[April 06, 2021] EMILY GRENE Ranks No. 165 on Inc. Magazine's List of California's Fastest-Growing Private Companies

SAN DIMAS, Calif., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Inc. magazine revealed that EMILY GRENE is No. 165 on its second annual Inc. 5000 Regionals: California list, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing California-based private companies. Born of the annual Inc. 5000 franchise, this regional list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the California economy's most dynamic segmentits independent small businesses. "Achieving consistent growth while improving upon our solutions is a testament to our team's talent and commitment to our company's mission," says Emily Grene CEO Burke Ewers. "Our business is constantly changing, but our commitment to our customers is steadfast. We're consistently redefining the way clients realize the benefits from our integrated technology solutions. We are flexible and continue to adapt how we work with our clients to ensure their long-term success." The companies on this list show stunning rates of growth across all industries in California. Between 2017 and 2019, these 250 private companies had an average growth rate of 535 percent and, in 2019 alone, they employed more than 40,000 people and added nearly $7 billion to the California economy. Companies based in major metro areasLos Angeles, the Bay Area, and San Diegobrought in the highest revenue overall. "At Emily Grene, we're rebels committed to challenging the status quo. When we hear that something can't be done, we work together to find a way to make it happen," said Ewers. "This award acknowledges that ethos. We've learned from the past, assessed the present, and embrace the promise of a successful future." Complete results of the Inc. 5000 Regionals: California, including compay profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, metro area, and other criteria, can be found at https://www.inc.com/inc5000/regionals/california starting March 16, 2021.



"This list proves the power of companies in California no matter the industry," says Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. "The impressive revenues and growth rates prove the insight and diligence of CEOs and that these businesses are here to stay." About EMILY GRENE

As a national provider of clean energy technologies and services, Emily Grene helps businesses find cost- effective green solutions that reduce energy consumption and negative environmental impact. We work across many sectorsincluding industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential. In each, we support our clients in implementing initiatives that focus on environmental policy and its impact on customers. Emily Grene's success in meeting our customers' goals is touted by clients across all our divisionselectrical, low voltage, air conditioning, automation, security, construction, and smart home installation. Our innovative design and technological integration provide solutions that maximize efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and increase savings and profits. We bring a whole different energy; asking better questions to get to better answers. CONTACT:

Deanna Masiar

Director, Marketing Content & Strategy

Emily Grene

+1 626 222 8870

dmasiar@emily-grene.com More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000 Regionals Methodology

The 2021 Inc. 5000 Regional are ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2017 and 2019. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2017. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2019. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2017 is $100,000; the minimum for 2019 is $1 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. About Inc. Media

The world's most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit www.inc.com . View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/emily-grene-ranks-no-165-on-inc-magazines-list-of-californias-fastest-growing-private-companies-301263345.html SOURCE Emily Grene

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Acquisition creates largest global Employer of Record in 185 countries and 50 United States

Denver, Colorado and San Francisco, California--(Newsfile Corp. - April 6, 2021) - Velocity Global , the leading provider of global expansion solutions, today announced its acquisition of iWorkGlobal, a wholly owned subsidiary of Gary D. Nelson and Associates, and a $100 million growth investment from private equity firm FFL Partners. The combined company, under the Velocity Global name, creates the largest U.S. domestic and global Employer of Record (EoR) and accelerates the future of remote work for companies around the world.

The investment from FFL Partners , a firm focused on growth investments in middle market companies, will also be deployed by Velocity Global to support additional strategic acquisitions, technology development, and to further expand the company's global footprint.

"This strategic acquisition combines scale and expertise in a single platform for companies to employ top talent in another state or another country, quickly and compliantly," said Ben Wright, Velocity Global founder and CEO. "We welcome the iWorkGlobal team, its clients, supported employees, and partners to the Velocity Global family at an inflection point for companies as we exit a pandemic that fundamentally removed the worker from the workplace."

"At iWorkGlobal, we viewed ourselves as a strategic partner to our clients and this outlook aligns with the 'People First' brand of Velocity Global," said Jeff Phelps, iWorkGlobal co-founder and CEO. "Combining our strengths allows us to deliver complementary expertise, capabilities, and new geographies to clients and their supported employees in the U.S. and around the globe."

"As workforces have become more distributed, iWorkGlobal positioned itself as a leader in talent engagement solutions," said Craig Nelson, Board Chairman of Gary D. Nelson and Associates. "It's a testament to Jeff's leadership and the hard work and dedication of the iWorkGlobal team that Velocity Global proactively sought out this combination of market leaders."





Cannot view this video? Visit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HykpAOtgUq8

Expanded Services in Domestic U.S. and Globally

Brands rely on Velocity Global's expertise and global infrastructure to hire compliantly without the cost or complexity of setting up their own foreign legal entities or state registrations. As the Employer of Record, Velocity Global manages in-country and in-state compliance, payroll, and benefits for its clients' supported employees.

As a result of this transaction, Velocity Global expands its offering to include EoR services in all 50 United States in addition to its industry-leading EoR capabilities in more than 185 countries. The combined company also offers Independent Contractor Compliance to assess a workforce and Agent of Record (AoR) to streamline payments to contractors globally. Velocity Global's platform combines these elements with a personalized customer experience, best-in-breed technology, and increased scale for companies to grow their remote workforce.

Velocity Global now guides, counsels, and serves more than 700 brands and their 4,000 supported employees. Clients include small start-ups to enterprise businesses. The combined company has supported remote teams for hundreds of public companies with an aggregated market capitalization of more than $2 trillion, and private companies funded by more than $60 billion.

"We serve as a single partner for a business to scale its remote workforce from one employee to multinational teams," said Wright. "We have a global footprint that will grow to nearly 50 wholly-owned foreign legal entities in the most desired international markets by year's end, and now in all 50 states, to enable companies to compliantly employ top remote talent across a state line or country border."

Market Growth

The rapidly maturing global EoR and AoR industries are key drivers of the "future of work" or gig economy worth $4.5 trillion according to a 2020 report from Staffing Industry Analysts. The investment from FFL Partners will help ensure Velocity Global is able to not just meet demand, but extend its market leadership position.

"We have all seen the nature of work evolve drastically over the past 12 months, and we are very excited to make this investment in Velocity Global, a pioneer in this space fast-tracking the future of work," said Cas Schneller, FFL Managing Partner. "Velocity Global achieved a 400% organic growth rate over the past three years while maintaining disciplined financials and delivering an exceptional customer experience. We are confident FFL's deep business services experience can help accelerate this remarkable success."

Combined Company

Velocity Global welcomes 40 iWorkGlobal employees as part of the transaction, growing its team to approximately 300 employees worldwide. Ben Wright leads the company headquartered in Denver with regional headquarters in Amsterdam, Bogota, and Singapore. The combined company operates additional regional offices in Bangalore, Dubai, London, Mexico City, Sao Paulo, and Toronto. Local Velocity Global employees in 16 countries contribute cultural and market knowledge for clients and a personalized supported employee experience.

Maria Goyer joins the Velocity Global executive team as Chief Innovation Officer, reporting to Wright, after serving as senior vice president of Strategy for iWorkGlobal. She will drive strategic initiatives and innovative best practices across the organization to serve the growing global customer base. Goyer applies more than 20 years of industry and strategic expertise in the development of all aspects of Business Process Outsourcing, including pioneering work in the Managed Service Providers (MSP), Vendor Management Systems (VMS), payroll, and compliance industries through Software as a service (SaaS) applications for global contingent workforce programs.

View Velocity Global leadership here.

ABOUT VELOCITY GLOBAL

Velocity Global accelerates the future of work beyond borders. Its platform enables businesses to employ remote teams and expand internationally through global expertise, best-in-breed technology, and scale. More than 700 brands rely on its Employer of Record model and infrastructure in 185 countries and all 50 United States to compliantly employ thousands of supported employees, access global talent, and grow revenue. Named a "Leader" in Global Employer of Record services by prominent analyst firm NelsonHall, Velocity Global is a strategic partner to its clients through additional comprehensive services including Immigration, Independent Contractor Compliance to assess a workforce, and Agent of Record (AoR) to streamline payments to contractors globally. Founded in 2014, the company is headquartered in Denver, Colorado, with regional headquarters in Amsterdam, Bogota, and Singapore, with local employees in 16 countries.

ABOUT FFL PARTNERS

Founded in 1997, FFL Partners is aSan Francisco-based private equity firm with over $4.5 billion under management. FFL pursues thematic investments in business services and healthcare services partnering with exceptional management teams where the firm's high engagement operating model and extensive network can help accelerate growth and unlock value. Growing our businesses has provided over 75% of the value created by FFL for its investors. For additional information please visit www.fflpartners.com.

Contact Details

Velocity Global

John Hall

+1 720-650-4348

johnhall@velocityglobal.com

For FFL Partners

Kelly Holman

+1 (646) 502-3509

KHolman@Stantonprm.com

Company Website

https://velocityglobal.com/
MAY

Thursday May 6: Gallery 51 Featured Artist Series - Matt Manalo at 5 pm EST

Use this LINK to register in advance. A recording of this discussion will also live on the BCRC YouTube playlist for later viewing.

We want to highlight and showcase the talented artists in our community and across the globe. This week's Featured Artist, Matt Manalo, is an artist and community organizer. He was born and raised in Manila, Philippines and has called Houston, Texas home since 2004. He received his BFA in Painting at the University of Houston. He runs a community-based alternative art space called the Alief Art House and founded Filipinx Artists of Houston. Matt Manalo creates work which involves elements of painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, and printmaking. Being a first generation immigrant, Manalo discusses his experiences navigating around the physical and social structures of society while exploring social issues like erasure, colorism, and colonial mentality in his work. Click HERE to learn more about Matt's practice.

Thursday May 20: AIC Community Conversations - Whiteness in the Northern Berkshires at 5pm EST

This month MCLA Professor Hannah Noel Haynes joins AICs Community Conversations to discuss her ongoing research in Critical Whiteness Studies and the role whiteness plays in places like North Adams. Herself a native of the North Berkshires and an alum of Williams College, Prof. Haynes brings an important perspective to AICs ongoing discussions of racial equity in North Adams and beyond, and we are thrilled to welcome her. The event will begin with a short presentation of Prof. Haynes work, followed by small breakout groups for participants to discuss the implications of her research within our own spheres and what a word like accountability might mean in these contexts.

A recording of this conversation (omitting the break-out group discussions) will be uploaded to AICs YouTube channel for those unable to attend.

The North Adams Artist Impact Coalition (AIC) recognizes that racism and racial inequality still pervade the cultural sector and our community of the Northern Berkshires. By collectively committing 1-1.5 hours a month to productive conversation around this topic, we work towards racial justice in our community, we build trust and understanding within our arts community, and we work toward concrete goals within our institutions, our arts practices, and ourselves.

Artists and arts administrators in the Northern Berkshires are encouraged to attend, although anyone is welcome to join, whether from the Berkshires or beyond. We especially want to call in our white colleagues and those in positions of power. We are here to do the work. We hope you are, too.

APRIL

Thursday April 1: Theatre Thursday, Discussion about the MCLA production of A Midsummer Night's Dream with Erica, Jeremy, and Special Guest at 5 pm EST

Use this LINK to register in advance.

For our final "Theatre Thursday," David Lane will join Erica and Jeremy to discuss his production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. David is an adjunct instructor and is a master mask-maker and puppeteer, and will share with us how his experience in multiple story-telling modes has shaped this production of Shakespeare's great play.

Monday April 5: Galia Linn Talk Part 1 of 2 at 12 pm EST

Use the LINK to register in advance.

Should where one is born dictate access to immigration status?

Galia Linn is a sculptor and site-responsive installation artist born in Tel-Aviv, Israel, living and working in Los Angeles, California. Linn constructs relationships between subject, object and their environments by creating elemental tensions; a delicate balance between the mediums limits and Linns exploration with lifes imperfections. Influenced by an early childhood in Israel, a land full of ancient and contemporary relics of past and present civilizations, Linns work absorbs both her physical body through the manipulation of the material and the emotional and historical resonance of the artists life. What appears fragile, in the end is rock strong, the cracks become symbolic; a window into the internal makeup of the vessels, a metaphor for strength and beauty; a testament of surrender.

Linn immigrated to the United State in 1991 and became a citizen 15 years later. During the sessions Linn will share how her immgiration journey has influenced and informed her art practice bringing questions such as should where one is born in dictate access to immigration status to the forefront. Linn sees a distinct parallel between current immigration policies that punish people who are escaping violence to the treatment of the Jewish people who have survived the holcoast and the horror of concentration camps after WWII only to find themselves homeless and with no country willing to offer them refuge. It is Linns hope that by asking questions such as what responsibilities does the world community have to persons escaping violence? And by shedding a light on the trauma of the past we can create a better future.

To see more of Galia's work click HERE.

Thursday April 8: Closing the Gap on Herd Immunity at 5-6:30pm EST

Use this LINK to register in advance.

Join the COVID-19 vaccine discussion with our panel of experts. Topics will include vaccine misinformation, how to increase access to vaccination, whats next on our way to herd immunity, and more! Free and open to the public. All are welcome.

Monday April 12: Galia Linn Talk Part 2 of 2 at 12 pm EST

Use the LINK to register in advance.

Should where one is born dictate access to immigration status?

Galia Linn is a sculptor and site-responsive installation artist born in Tel-Aviv, Israel, living and working in Los Angeles, California. Linn constructs relationships between subject, object and their environments by creating elemental tensions; a delicate balance between the mediums limits and Linns exploration with lifes imperfections. Influenced by an early childhood in Israel, a land full of ancient and contemporary relics of past and present civilizations, Linns work absorbs both her physical body through the manipulation of the material and the emotional and historical resonance of the artists life. What appears fragile, in the end is rock strong, the cracks become symbolic; a window into the internal makeup of the vessels, a metaphor for strength and beauty; a testament of surrender.

Linn immigrated to the United State in 1991 and became a citizen 15 years later. During the sessions Linn will share how her immgiration journey has influenced and informed her art practice bringing questions such as should where one is born in dictate access to immigration status to the forefront. Linn sees a distinct parallel between current immigration policies that punish people who are escaping violence to the treatment of the Jewish people who have survived the holcoast and the horror of concentration camps after WWII only to find themselves homeless and with no country willing to offer them refuge. It is Linns hope that by asking questions such as what responsibilities does the world community have to persons escaping violence? And by shedding a light on the trauma of the past we can create a better future.

To see more of Galia's work click HERE.

Tuesday April 13: Trauma and Mending with Alex Younger

Use this LINK to join (with passcode dZGW98).

In observance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month and in partnership with the Division of Student Affairs, the Office of Title IX, Gallery 51, and Student Government Association, we are excited to welcome H. Alex Younger to MCLA. Ms. Younger is a Sexual Assault Activist and long-term artist in residence at MASS MoCA. Ms. Younger will speak on Trauma and Mending through her artwork and personal experiences followed by a Question & Answer session.

Gallery 51 is delighted to host Alex Younger's virtual show Trauma and Mending. Alex Younger is a multidisciplinary artist who was born in Oakland, California and raised in the Capital District of New York State. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Swarthmore College in 2012 with an Honors Major in English Literature and a Course Major/Honors Minor in Studio Art. She became a sexual assault activist in 2015, after the college adjudication of her case resulted in a punishment of 10 days of probation. In 2018, she received her MFA in Fiber and Material Studies from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She is a Gold Zoty Medal Laureate from the 16 th International Tapestry Triennial and a Silver Medal winner from the 13 th International Scythia Biennial. Her work has been shown internationally and across the United States, including Chicago, New York City, St Louis, Portugal, Ukraine, and Poland. She has taught through the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Columbia College Chicago and is currently a long-term resident with the Studios at MASS MoCA.

Alex Younger's virtual show Trauma and Mending is no longer available.

Thursday April 22: Gallery 51 Featured Artist Series - Alan Nakagawa at 5 pm EST

Use this LINK to register in advance. A recording of this discussion will also live on the BCRC YouTube playlist for later viewing.

We want to highlight and showcase the talented artists in our community and across the globe. This week's Featured Artist, Alan Nakagawa, is an interdisciplinary artist primarily working with sound and occasionally incorporating video, sculpture, drawing, painting, performance, food and most recently perfumes. He has combined his passion for audio recording, visual arts, archiving, hidden cultural memory and the mechanism of listening; a robust and eclectic art career. Nakagawa has been the Artist in Resident for the Pasadena Buddhist Temple through Side Street Projects since 2019. Nakagawa was the first Creative Catalyst Artist in Resident for the Los Angeles Department of Transportation. He has presented his work at the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington DC, the Orange County Museum of Art and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. He is a recipient of two Art Matters grants, City of Los Angeles Artist Fellowship, California Community Foundation Mid-Career Artist Fellowship and a Monbusho Scholarship. He received a Masters of Fine Arts from University of California Irvine and a Bachelors of Fine Arts from Otis/ Parsons School of Art and Design. To learn more about Alan's practice, click HERE.

Friday April 23: Resist Covid Open Mic Night at 7pm EST

Use this LINK to join.

We invite the sharing of creative writing and visual work on all topics but especially in conversion with the following themes: 1) ways to normalize asking for help, 2) the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on Black and Brown communities, 3) the increased, pandemic-related violence to Asian American communities.

Saturday April 24 - Friday April 30: Hostile Terrain Border South Film Available for Viewing

Border South - Teaser (Summer_2018) from Andar Films on Vimeo.

Watch the film in English HERE or in Spanish HERE. For both links, use the password HT94@MCLA.

To stem the immigration tide, Mexico and the U.S. collaborate to crack down on migrants, forcing them into ever more dangerous territory.

Every year hundreds of thousands of migrants make their way along the trail running from southern Mexico to the US border. Gustavos gunshot wounds from Mexican police, which have achieved abundant press attention, might just earn him a ticket out of Nicaragua. Meanwhile anthropologist Jason painstakingly collects the trails remains, which have their own stories to tell. Fragmented stories from Hondurans crossing through southern Mexico assemble a vivid portrait of the thousands of immigrants who disappear along the trail. Border South reveals the immigrants resilience, ingenuity, and humor as it exposes a global migration system that renders human beings invisible in life as well as death.

Thursday April 29: Talk with Director Raul Paz-Pastrana on Creating Border South at 6pm EST

Use this LINK to register in advance.

Raul Paz-Pastrana is a Mexican immigrant filmmaker, cinematographer, and multimedia creator. His work intersects contemporary art, political documentary, and visual ethnography to explore themes of belonging and alienation in immigrant communities. His films have screened worldwide, including at the Museum of the Moving Image (MoMI) in New York City, at the Sheffield Doc/Fest in the UK, and at DocsMX in Mexico City. He is a 2018 Princess Grace Awards Special Project Grantee, an Art Matters/Jerome Foundation Cassis France Arts Fellow, a Tribeca Film Institute All Access grant recipient, a 2018 IFP Filmmaker Labs fellow, a 2018-20 Firelight Media Documentary Lab Fellow, and a 2018-19 Ford Foundation, JustFilms grantee.

MARCH

Tuesday March 2: Hostile Terrain Virtual Preview with the Artists at 6 pm EST

Use this LINK to register in advance.

Join us for a virtual preview of the next exhibition at Gallery 51, Hostile Terrain, on Tuesday, March 2 at 6pm EST. The exhibition is scheduled to open to the public later this year. Gallery 51 is honored to partake in this participatory art project sponsored and organized by the Undocumented Migration Project (UMP), a non-profit research-art-education-media collective directed by anthropologist Jason De Leon. The exhibition is composed of ~3,200 handwritten toe tags that represent migrants who have died trying to cross the Sonoran Desert of Arizona between the mid-1990s and 2019. This installation will simultaneously take place at a large number of institutions, both nationally and globally. To learn more about this project, visit their site here. In conjunction with the Hostile Terrain 94 project, Gallery 51 brought together three artists, whose work centers on the immigrant experience, to broaden the discussion and representation around this topic. The Hostile Terrain exhibition features the work of Sanctuary City Project, comprised of Sergio de la Torre and Chris Treggiari, along with artist Trinh Mai. All the artists collaborated with MCLA students, faculty and the community on a series of workshops and experiences that examine identity, belonging, fear and trauma. To learn more about this work at MCLA, visit our site here.

Thursday March 4: Theatre Thursday, Program Discussion with Erica, Jeremy, and Special Guest at 5 pm EST

Use this LINK to register in advance.

Erica and Jeremy will be joined by Sara Katzoff, adjunct instructor and devisor/playwright/director of one of our two spring shows pal-imp-sest: 2021 remixes. Sara, a longtime Berkshire fixture in avant garde theatre-making, will chat with us about how she has partnered with the students to create a brand-new play out of whole cloth, for and about the MCLA student body.

Friday March 5: Natalia Serna: Music & Migration Talk/Performance/Q&A at 4pm EST

Use this LINK to register in advance.

Natalia Serna, also known as La Muna, is a Colombian-American musician and sociologist who moved to the border city of Nogales, Sonora as a volunteer at the Kino Border Initiative Soup Kitchen. Corazn Norte has been presented at migrant soup kitchens, detention centers, universities and theaters across Mexico, Guatemala and the U.S. Natalia's music on social justice has been used by the Discovery Channel, Two Americas film, Jesuit Refugee Services, Bread For the World, and Creighton Backpacker film el Deportado among others.

In this interactive session, Natalia will present her music and stories to MCLA students, introducing them to the experience of migrants at the border.

Corazn Norte is a record made up of songs and interviews that seek to incarnate, through art, the stories of migrants. The record was born at the Kino Border Initiative soup kitchen on the Mexican American border as an effort to gift each traveller a song in honor of their journey. Experiences, feelings, and dreams make up the raw material of this record. Each story is unique, yet they all have in common a shared border and a shared dream of heading north.

Corazn Norte hopes to offer the audience a richer understanding of migration by exploring the individual stories that embody its complexity, its horrors, and the depth of its humanity. Its ultimate goal is to light a passion for the dignity of each person regardless of which side on any line he or she stands.

Thursday March 11: Gallery 51 Featured Artist Series - Galia Linn at 5pm EST

Use this LINK to register in advance. A recording of this discussion will also live on the BCRC YouTube playlist for later viewing.

We want to highlight and showcase the talented artists in our community and across the globe. This week's Featured Artist, Galia Linn, is a sculptor and site-specific installation artist living and working in Los Angeles. Linn constructs relationships between subject, object and their environments by creating elemental tensions; a delicate balance between the mediums limits and Linns exploration with lifes imperfections. Galia Linn has shown nationally and internationally, and is part of numerous private collections in Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Paris, Brussels and Tel Aviv. She is also the founder of Blue Roof Studios in Los Angeles California. For Galia's full biography, click here. To learn more about her practice, click here.

Tuesday March 16: Gendered Politics and Constellations of Care along Central American Migrant Routes - Wendy Vogt at 4 pm EST

Use this LINK to register in advance.

This talk focuses on the subject of Dr. Vogts book, Lives in Transit, which chronicles the dangerous journeys of Central American migrants in transit through Mexico. Drawing on fieldwork in humanitarian aid shelters and other key sites, Wendy A. Vogt examines the multiple forms of violence that migrants experience as their bodies, labor, and lives become implicated in global and local economies that profit from their mobility as racialized and gendered others. She also reveals new forms of intimacy, solidarity, and activism that have emerged along transit routes over the past decade. Through the stories of migrants, shelter workers, and local residents, Vogt encourages us to reimagine transit as a site of both violence and precarity as well as social struggle and resistance.

Wendy Vogt is Associate Professor of Anthropology at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and the author of the book, Lives in Transit: Violence and Intimacy on the Migrant Journey published by the University of California Press in the California Series for Public Anthropology.

Wednesday March 17: Just Ask Open Health Forum at 2-3pm EST

Use this LINK to register in advance.

MCLA is striving to improve your health literacy through virtual conversation. This virtual opportunity is seeking to promote the individuals personal health and wellness while removing barriers. All medical questions are open for discussion; nothing is off-limits. Participation can be anonymous or not-it is your choice. Come and chat with Health Services Nurse Practitioners, Drs. Jacqueline Krzanik, DNP, MS, FNP-BC and Aimee Bullett-Smith, DNP, MS, FNP-BC on March 17th 2-3PM. Our goal is to help improve your health awareness while increasing the control you have on your well-being.

Wednesday March 24: Gallery 51 Featured Artist Series - Papay Solomon at 5pm EST

Image by Puspa Lohmeyer

Use this LINK to register in advance. A recording of this discussion will also live on the BCRC YouTube playlist for later viewing.

We want to highlight and showcase the talented artists in our community and across the globe. This week's Featured Artist, Papay Solomon, is a Phoenix-based painter and Liberian war refugee. Papay Solomon lives in the space between two worlds, the world of his adopted home in America and that of his African heritage. His work boldly attempts to reconcile the two into a cohesive whole, with an artistic vision tempered by his formal education in the West and at the same time wildly alive with the indelible imprint of his home country. Known for his paintings of fellow members of the African diaspora, Solomon uses the vocabulary of classical works of art with a modern spin. To see more of his work, click here.

FEBRUARY

Spring 2021 - Exhibition Hostile Terrain





Visit mclahostileterrain.com for related program information

Originally scheduled for September 2020, we have postponed the exhibit to Spring 2021 as a result of COVID-19.

Gallery 51 is honored to partake in this participatory art project sponsored and organized by the Undocumented Migration Project (UMP), a non-profit research-art-education-media collective, directed by anthropologist Jason De Leon. The exhibition is composed of ~3,200 handwritten toe tags that represent migrants who have died trying to cross the Sonoran Desert of Arizona between the mid-1990s and 2019. These tags are geolocated on a wall map of the desert showing the exact locations where remains were found. This installation will simultaneously take place at a large number of institutions, both nationally and globally. To learn more about this project, visit their site here.

Thursday February 11: Theatre Thursday, Jeremy Winchester & May Beattie, 5 pm EST

Use this LINK to register in advance.

A recording of this discussion will also live on the BCRC YouTube playlist for later viewing.

Join us for the first Theatre Thursday of the spring semester with Jeremy Winchester, Associate Professor, and Chair of the Fine and Performing Arts Department at MCLA. Jeremy will share with Gallery 51's May Beattie, what productions will be offered this Spring Theatre Season!

Saturday February 13: A Tourist in Your Own Home Virtual Opening/ Panel Discussion at 2pm EST

Image by Tania Zaidi

Use this LINK to register for the opening.

A Tourist In Your Own Home is an online exhibition, curated by artist, Shasha Dothan. Along with four artists Dothan invited, who are also immigrants to the United States, they created video works about their 2020 experience. This exhibition looks at each immigrants struggle with the notion of home. Is the new country you live in your home? Is the country you were born in your home? Being confined at home for the last few months due to Covid 19, immigrant artists may struggle even more with the questions of displacement. As executive orders are signed, that seem intended to change the lives of immigrants in the US are signed, uncertainty is a common factor in everyday life. The fears and hopes of the immigrant are in question, many not knowing what their future will look like. The questions about home and feeling like you dont belong become more difficult.

Thursday February 18: Gallery 51 Featured Artist Series - Ilana Savdie at 5pm EST

Use this LINK to register in advance. A recording of this discussion will also live on the BCRC YouTube playlist for later viewing.

We want to highlight and showcase the talented artists in our community and across the globe. This week's Featured Artist, Ilana Savdie, was raised in Barranquilla, Colombia and Miami, FL and is now based in New York. Ilana received her MFA in Painting/Printmaking at Yale University in 2018 and her B.F.A from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2008. She has since been included in numerous exhibitions across the globe. Ilana is currently a fellow at NXTHVN in New Haven Connecticut and will be an artist in residence at Palazzo Monti in Brescia, Italy in 2021. To learn more about her practice, click here.

JANUARY

Thursday January 21: Mass MoCA and BCRC In Session with Lisa Dent, Tracy Moore, Cameron Shaw, Eric Shiner, Dr. Mindy Fullilove, and Cecile Shellman at 6 pm EST

Click HERE to view.

Presented by MASS MoCA and the Berkshire Cultural Resource Center (BCRC) at MCLA, In Session is a series of four panel discussions on anti-racist work in museums, streamed live on MASS MoCAs YouTube and Facebook. The first two sessions invite artists, curators, and arts administrators to discuss how museums and artists represent Black and Brown trauma in artwork, exhibitions, and performances, and navigate the resulting implications and challenges.



Tune in for our second panel on January 21 with museum leaders Lisa Dent, Executive Director, Artspace New Haven; Tracy Moore, Interim Director, MASS MoCA; Cameron Shaw, Deputy Director and Chief Curator, California African American Museum; and Eric Shiner, Executive Director, Pioneer Works. The panel will begin with introductory remarks by Dr. Mindy Fullilove, Social Psychiatrist and Professor, New School, and will be moderated by Cecile Shellman, DEI Museum Consultant. Billy Sanders will provide ASL interpretation.



Designed to pose more questions than answers, topics for this discussion include: Why should art institutions move toward the work of anti-racism and social change? In what ways should museums reflect broader socio-political mandates? What are an art institutions responsibilities toward BIPOC audiences when hosting challenging work concerning violence enacted against Black and Brown bodies? What is an art institutions role in providing context (cultural, art historical, media, or otherwise) around a work of art? How and when should artwork on view reflect structural and internal institutional change?



Do any other questions come to mind? Submit your own questions via email to insession@massmoca.org.

Previous Years
CarDekho, Indias leading full-stack auto tech-company, today launched a strong and thoughtful campaign E for Elderly, to promote a safe driving environment for senior citizens.

Because of the pandemic, commuters are choosing personal mobility options over shared mobility. The campaign aims to promote greater responsibility towards self driving senior citizens and to create awareness about sensitive social issue of road safety. Companys brand ambassadors Akshay Kumar, Mahesh Babu, Rahul Dravid and K. L. Rahul have also joined the new initiative.

The campaign launched across all digital platforms, has been conceptualized and executed by Leo Burnett. Due to the pandemic, the elderly are reluctant to take cabs and have started driving, and the company wishes to create a safe driving environment for them. Just like L stands for learners, E will be for elders. The campaign is targeted towards all the eligible drivers to take extra caution while driving close to a car with an E symbol on it.

It, thus asks family members to put an E symbol on the windshield/back glass of their senior citizens car to warn other drivers that the vehicle is driven by an elderly person.
Regulatory News:

Three months prior to their July 30, 2021 maturity, Gecina (Paris:GFC) will redeem all its outstanding bonds issued with a 1.75% coupon on July 30, 2014 (ISIN code: FR0012059202). The Company will do so in accordance with the terms and conditions provided for in the bond's prospectus approved by the French Financial Markets Authority (AMF) under No. 14-430 on July 22, 2014.

The early redemption date for the Notes will be on April 30, 2021. The face value of the notes being redeemed is 166.6 million euros.

The Fiscal Agent and Paying Agent is Societe Generale Securities Services.

About Gecina

As a specialist for centrality and uses, Gecina operates innovative and sustainable living spaces. The Group owns, manages and develops Europe's leading office portfolio, with nearly 97% located in the Paris Region, and a portfolio of residential assets and student residences, with over 9,000 apartments. These portfolios are valued at 19.7 billion euros at end-2020.

Gecina has firmly established its focus on innovation and its human approach at the heart of its strategy to create value and deliver on its purpose: "Empowering shared human experiences at the heart of our sustainable spaces". For our 100,000 clients, this ambition is supported by our client-centric brand YouFirst. It is also positioned at the heart of UtilesEnsemble, our solidarity commitment program to the environment, to people and to the quality of life in cities.

Gecina is a French real estate investment trust (SIIC) listed on Euronext Paris, and is part of the SBF 120, CAC Next 20, CAC Large 60, CAC 40 ESG, and Euronext 100 indices. Gecina is also recognized as one of the top-performing companies in its industry by leading sustainability benchmarks and rankings (GRESB, Sustainalytics, MSCI, ISS ESG and CDP).

www.gecina.fr

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005867/en/

Contacts:

GECINA CONTACTS

Financial communications

Samuel Henry-Diesbach

Tel: +33 (0)1 40 40 52 22

samuelhenry-diesbach@gecina.fr

Virginie Sterling

Tel: +33 (0)1 40 40 62 48

virginiesterling@gecina.fr

Press relations

Julien Landfried

Tel: +33 (0)1 40 40 65 74

julienlandfried@gecina.fr

Armelle Miclo

Tel: +33 (0)1 40 40 51 98

armellemiclo@gecina.fr
Imperial Valley News Center

Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Gucci and Versace Counterfeit Items Worth Over $21K Seized

Port Huron, Michigan - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations at the Blue Water Bridge intercepted and seized a shipment containing 30 counterfeit designer products on March 2. The shipment was coming from Canada, and had the items been real, the MSRP for these products would have been over $21,000.

CBP Officers conducting enforcement operations identified a commercial conveyance shipment labeled as clothes bags and selected the shipment for further inspection. Numerous articles of clothing and handbags were discovered bearing marks such as Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Gucci and Versace. CBP determined that those marks had been counterfeited and illicitly used on low-quality items contrary to federal intellectual property laws.

This is a great example of the work our officers do to protect consumers and the U.S. economy, said John Nowak, Acting Port Director in Port Huron.

Commonly, these goods are sold in underground outlets and on third party e-commerce websites. Counterfeit commodities often fund smugglers and members of organized crime. Sold online and in stores, counterfeit goods hurt the U.S. economy, cost Americans their jobs, threaten consumer health and safety, and fund criminal activity. Visit the National IPR Coordination Center for more information about IPR including counterfeiting and piracy.

Counterfeit Gucci Shirt

Nationwide in Fiscal Year 2020, CBP seized 26,503 shipments containing goods that violated intellectual property rights. The total estimated value of the seized goods, had they been genuine, was nearly $1.3 billion. CBP has established an educational initiative to raise consumer awareness about the consequences and dangers that are often associated with the purchase of counterfeit and pirated goods. Information about the Truth Behind Counterfeits public awareness campaign can be found at https://www.cbp.gov/FakeGoodsRealDangers.
Voter fraud is not a major problem in American elections. There have been studies after studies that have shown that in-person voter fraud at the polls, which is what these ID requirements are designed to get away from, is so minuscule that you can find only handfuls of cases among literally billions of votes cast, Hershey said.
HOBOKEN, N.J., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of Earth Month, Avocado Green  makers of organic and eco-luxury sleep products  is launching exclusive savings on mattresses, luxury throws, and 100% FSC-certified, real wood bed frames and dressers.

Customers can save $200 on Avocado's Latex Mattress and Vegan Latex Mattress with code EARTH at AvocadoMattress.com. Verified front-line workers, like nurses, doctors, and emergency medical technicians, as well as military, educators, law enforcement, and firefighters, can save 5% off any product (this offer cannot be combined).

Shoppers can also save big on Avocado furniture, including $300 (no code needed) on Avocado's Eco Wood, Natural Wood, and Malibu Floating Bed Frames, as well as $200 on its luxury Malibu Dresser, and $150 off the Mid-Century Modern Bed Frame and Luxury Adjustable Bed Frame. Customers can also save $100 on the Malibu Nightstand and 15% on Natural Luxury Throws. Avocado handcrafts all its furniture with sustainably-harvested timber in their FSC-certified wood shop in Los Angeles.

As part of Avocado's commitment to 1% For the Planet, 1% of all sales during Earth Month will benefit Leave No Trace  the nationwide nonprofit protecting the outdoors by teaching and inspiring people to enjoy them responsibly. LNT educates millions throughout the country to help protect wildlife, water, and public trails and minimize our impact on the natural world.

Avocado is redefining what it means to be a sustainable, ethical brand. As a Certified B-Corp, their vision is as urgent as it is aspirational  a world united by sustainability and social responsibility. They practice radical transparency and a "farm-to-bedroom" approach; they co-own a latex farm, factory, and wool collective in India  from where they source and process raw materials. Mattresses are handcrafted in a Los Angeles factory that they also own. Their materials, factory, and finished products are GOTS/GOLS organic certified. Their mattresses are also GREENGUARD Gold certified for low emissions, MADE SAFE certified, and have achieved STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX for both human and ecological safety. As a Climate Neutral Certified business, Avocado is the world's first mattress brand to achieve net-negative carbon emissions across its entire business scope. As long-standing members of 1% for the Planet and recipients of their inaugural Pinnacle Award, one percent of all revenue is donated to environmental nonprofits on an annual basis. Learn more at AvocadoGreenMattress.com.

For more information, please contact Jessica Hann at [email protected].

SOURCE Avocado Green Mattress

Related Links

https://www.avocadogreenmattress.com


The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a case over former President Donald Trump's efforts to block critics from his personal Twitter account.

The court said there was nothing left to the case after Trump was permanently suspended from Twitter and ended his presidential term in January.

Twitter banned Trump two days after the deadly attack on the Capitol by Trump supporters on Jan. 6. The company said its decision was "due to the risk of further incitement of violence."

The court also formally threw out an appeals court ruling that found Trump violated the First Amendment whenever he blocked a critic to silence a viewpoint.

Justice Clarence Thomas wrote a separate opinion arguing that the bigger issue raised by the case, and especially Twitter's decision to boot Trump, is "the dominant digital platforms themselves. As Twitter made clear, the right to cut off speech lies most powerfully in the hands of private digital platforms."

Thomas agreed with his colleagues about the outcome of the case, but said the situation raises "interesting and important questions."

The case concerned the @realdonaldtrump account with more than 88 million followers and Trump's argument that it is his personal property. The Justice Department argued that blocking people from it was akin to elected officials who refuse to allow their opponents' yard signs on their front lawns.

But the federal appeals court in New York ruled last year that Trump used the account to make daily pronouncements and observations that are overwhelmingly official in nature.

The case had been styled Trump v. Knight First Amendment Institute, the group that originally sued to challenge Trump's decision to block his critics.

But when Trump left office, President Joe Biden replaced Trump in the case's title, though the new president had nothing to do with the lawsuit.
Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely was gambling in a Biloxi, Mississippi, casino when he was supposed to be at a sheriffs conference in Alabama, according to a filing last week by the state in his felony theft case.

Blakely, who is in in his 10th term as sheriff in Limestone County and is 70 years old, was indicted in August 2019 on multiple ethics and theft charges. His jury trial is set for July 12.

Assistant State Attorney General Kyle Beckman made the allegations in a brief opposing an earlier motion by Blakely. In that motion, which remains under seal despite a ruling by the court that it should be public, Blakely argued the judge should exclude from the jury trial any evidence of his gambling and drinking practices.

Beckman responded that Blakelys motion had no legal merit, and that the state would appeal if the court excluded the evidence.

... Evidence that Blakely was in a casino in Biloxi ... when the ( Limestone County Sheriffs Office) provided him travel money to attend an official conference in Orange Beach makes it more probable that Blakely intended to steal LCSO funds, Beckman wrote.

Blakelys lawyer, Robert Tuten, did not return a call Monday.

The Attorney Generals Office argued that excluding evidence of Blakely being at casinos when money was wired to him from the Sheriffs Office would effectively undermine the prosecution. There is nothing wrong with Blakely spending money from the Sheriffs Office on official business, but the fact he spent it on gambling makes it theft, they argued.

Alternatively, the jury would not hear evidence tending to show Blakely was not conducting official business  i.e. gambling  when he received LCSO wire transfers; it would not hear evidence that Blakely was in a casino in another state during an Alabama sheriffs conference the LCSO paid him to attend; and it would not hear evidence showing Blakely gambled away LCSO funds rather than applying that money to law enforcement objectives, Beckman wrote.

In the brief filed last week, prosecutors also provided more detail on the evidence they expect to present to the jury.

The state expects to elicit specific relevant evidence that Blakely was in casinos in Las Vegas, Biloxi, Mississippi, and Atmore, Alabama, Beckman wrote. The state further expects to elicit specific evidence that during these visits Blakely solicited, received, or spent cash belonging to the Limestone County Sheriffs Office or one of his subordinates.

The prosecution also argued that Blakelys effort to exclude evidence of his drinking should be denied.

The state does not expect Blakelys drinking habits  whatever they may be  to be a significant part of this case, the Attorney Generals Office argued, but because the states witnesses are closely aligned with Blakely, the state has limited control over whether any of its witnesses may mention drinking.

Gambling claims

The indictment filed against Blakely by a Limestone County grand jury in August 2019 makes no reference to gambling.

Last weeks brief, however, was not the first hint that prosecutors plan to introduce evidence that Blakely improperly used money for gambling. In a brief describing the pretrial evidence produced to Blakely by the Attorney Generals Office, Beckman indicated that at least two of the felony counts were connected to alleged gambling activities.

One folder of documents provided to Blakely, Beckman wrote, is the Beau Rivage folder for gambling records that correspond with an August 2016 wire transfer. Beau Rivage is a casino in Biloxi, Mississippi.

The Beau Rivage documents relate to a felony charge of soliciting a thing of value from a subordinate. The indictment alleges that a subordinate or person with whom he directly inspects, regulates, or supervises in his official capacity wired $1,000 to Blakely on Aug. 17, 2016.

Another folder, according to Beckmans brief, is the Palace Station folder for records for hotel and gambling activities that correspond with a December 2015 wire transfer. Palace Station is a hotel and casino in Las Vegas.

The Palace Station documents relate to a count charging the sheriff with use of his official position or office for personal gain. This count alleges a Limestone County Sheriffs Office employee on Dec. 9, 2015, wired $1,000 to Blakely, a family member, or a business with which he is associated.

According to another brief by the Attorney Generals Office, Blakely solicited wire transfers of cash between gambling sessions in Las Vegas and Biloxi while he was on official travel for the Limestone County Sheriffs Office.

The brief alleges Blakely was gambling at Palace Station Casino in Las Vegas and Beau Rivage in Biloxi, and that during these trips he solicited the wire transfers from Sheriffs Office employees.

Evidence that Blakely was gambling before and after he picked up cash from Western Union is plainly relevant, Beckman wrote.

Blakelys gaming activities continued into 2020, according to a Statement of Economic Interests the sheriff filed two months ago with the Alabama Ethics Commission. On that form, he listed income of $10,000 to $50,000 from the Tennessee Lottery for gaming.

On May 31, 2018, Blakely amended his 2016 Alabama Ethics Commission Statement of Economic Interests to report more than $250,000 in household income from " TN Lottery and gaming establishments.

On the same day, he amended his 2017 Statement of Economic Interests to report $50,000 to $150,000 in household earnings from gaming establishments.

His 2018 ethics disclosure, filed in May 2019, reported $50,000 to $150,000 in winnings from gaming institute, and $1,000 to $10,000 from ( Louisiana) Racing Commission, with the income described as race horse.

In a separate filing last week, the Attorney Generals Office proposed that about 500 jury summonses be distributed May 10, with jury questionnaires being sent out May 24. In addition to standard questions for prospective jurors, the form asks questions such as whether they are comfortable serving on a jury during a pandemic, whether they or family members have worked for or had encounters with the Limestone County Sheriffs Office, and whether they have visited the Limestone County Rodeo grounds.

Retired appellate judge Pamela Baschab has been assigned to preside over Blakelys trial. Retired Colbert County Circuit Judge Pride Tompkins recused himself from the case, citing the pandemic and my high risk status. A trial had been set for March 29, about a year after it was originally scheduled, but Tompkins in January continued the case due to COVID-19.

 eric@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2435. Twitter @DD_Fleischauer.

___

(c)2021 The Decatur Daily (Decatur, Ala.)

Visit The Decatur Daily (Decatur, Ala.) at www.decaturdaily.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The chief executive of British airline easyJet, Johan Lundgren, when asked if people would be able to travel to popular destinations like Mallorca, mainland Spain and Greece without restrictions by July and August said: "Yes, I definitely think so."

He criticised some of the government's plans to restart travel, saying COVID-19 tests should not be required for passengers travelling to low-risk destinations.

Britain's airlines and travel industry were left disappointed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson's warning on Monday that it was too soon to say when international holidays could resume, meaning the re-opening could be pushed later than the current date of May 17.

EasyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren said on Tuesday that there were a lot of details missing from the previous day's announcement.

He said the government's proposed traffic light system of ranking low risk countries as green and higher risk countries as red made sense, but travel to green countries should not require passengers to take two COVID-19 tests.

"That doesn't make sense for me...because this could add to cost and complexities, he told BBC Radio. He said the cost of COVID-19 tests sometimes exceeded easyJet's ticket prices. "That means that you wouldn't open up international travel for everyone, you would open up for those who could afford to pay it," he said.

Asked if people would be able to travel to popular destinations like Spain and Greece without restrictions by July and August, Lundgren said: "Yes, I definitely think so."

He said easyJet continued to discuss the issues around re-opening travel with the government.
People walk around a popular eating area in Sydney, Australia, April 6. New Zealand announced the start date for a long-anticipated travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand that will allow people to travel between the two countries without going through quarantine, allowing families to reunite and giving a big boost to the struggling tourism industry will begin April 19. AP-Yonhap



New Zealanders and Australians rushed to book flights Tuesday as the beleaguered tourism industry welcomed the "lifeline" of a travel bubble between the largely coronavirus-free neighbors.



New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the two-way, quarantine-free travel corridor would open from 11:59 p.m. on April 18.



Jim Boult, the mayor of New Zealand's Queenstown, called the move a "saviour for businesses".



"This is the lifeline we needed; this is what we've been asking for," he said.



Air New Zealand and Qantas announced they were ramping up flights as thousands of tickets were sold immediately after Ardern's announcement. A spokesman for Australian flag carrier Qantas said tickets to New Zealand were "selling like hot cakes" with a strong "load" to Queenstown, which is billed as the country's "Adventure capital".



Air New Zealand boss Greg Foran said his staff were "rushed off our feet".



The travel bubble comes more than a year after New Zealand closed its doors in response to the pandemic and six months after Australia allowed Kiwis to fly into selected states without the need to quarantine.



Before COVID-19 brought New Zealand's tourism industry to its knees, it was the country's biggest export industry, with Australians accounting for about 40 percent of the international visitors and contributing more than NZ$2 billion ($1.4 billion) to the economy.



Tourism New Zealand boss Rene de Monchy estimated the opening of a travel bubble could recoup more than NZ$1.0 billion this year.



The trans-Tasman route is also Australia's busiest international aviation market with travelers from New Zealand accounting for 18 percent of all air arrivals and spending A$1.6 billion ($1.2 billion) annually on travel and tourism.



Ardern described the travel bubble as a world-leading move between New Zealand, with just 26 Covid-19 deaths in a population of five million, and Australia with fewer than 1,000 deaths in a population of 25 million.



"I cannot see or point to any countries in the world that are maintaining a strategy of keeping their countries Covid-free whilst opening up international travel between each other," she said.



"That means in a way we are world leading."



Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he appreciates the arrangement.



"We welcome them back as indeed Kiwis will be welcoming Aussies," he said.



Last week, the tiny Pacific island nation of Palau, one of the few countries never to have had a Covid-19 case, opened a travel bubble with virus-free Taiwan. Palau President Surangel Whipps described the decision as a "ray of light" showing the world was slowly emerging from the pandemic.



Just hours before Ardern's announcement, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it would be at least another month before he could allow holidays abroad.



'Bring your family'



Ardern urged Australians to take advantage of the bubble, with New Zealand's ski season on the horizon.

"We are a safe place to bring your family to come and visit," she said during a press conference.



One of the hurdles in setting up the two-way corridor has been sporadic outbreaks of community transmission in both countries, with Australia repeatedly suspending quarantine-free travel from New Zealand due to virus outbreaks in Auckland.



The flare-ups have been successfully contained with snap lockdowns and Ardern said travellers needed to be aware that further outbreaks in either country could impact travel plans.



"People will need to plan for the possibility of having travel disrupted," she said.



"Just as we had alert-level settings for managing cases in New Zealand, we will have a framework for managing an outbreak in Australia," she said. "In many ways, we will treat Australia as a region of our own when we're making decisions on restrictions."



(AFP)




Watch next space station crew launch live on NASA TV, NASA App



Expedition 65 crew members Russian cosmonaut Pyotr Dubrov of Roscosmos, left, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy of Roscosmos, center, and NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei, KG5GNP, pose for a photo during qualification exams, Saturday, March 20, 2021 at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) in Star City, Russia, in advance of their scheduled launch April 9 from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to the International Space Station.

Credits: NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin

Three space travelers, including NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei, KG5GNP, are poised to launch Friday, April 9, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to the International Space Station. NASA Television, the agencys website, and the NASA app will provide comprehensive prelaunch and launch-to-docking coverage.

Joining Vande Hei aboard the Soyuz MS-18 spacecraft will be Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy and Flight Engineer Pyotr Dubrov of Roscosmos for launch at 3:42 a.m. EDT (12:42 p.m. Kazakhstan time) on a two-orbit, three-hour journey to dock to the stations Rassvet module. Launch coverage will begin at 2:45 a.m. This will be the second spaceflight for Vande Hei, the third for Novitskiy, and the first for Dubrov. The launch comes three days before the 60th anniversary of cosmonaut Yuri Gagarins launch to become the first human in space and the 40th anniversary of the first launch of NASAs space shuttle.

The trio will join the Expedition 64 crew including NASA Flight Engineer Kate Rubins, who arrived on the station with Commander Sergey Ryzhikov and Flight Engineer Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of Roscosmos in October 2020, and the crew of the SpaceX Crew Dragon Resilience  NASA astronauts Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover, and Shannon Walker, as well as Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Soichi Noguchi  who have been in orbit since November.

The spacecraft will dock to the station at 7:07 a.m., with coverage of rendezvous and docking beginning at 6:15 a.m. About two hours after docking, hatches between the Soyuz and the station will open, and the 10 crew members will greet each other. NASA TV coverage of hatch opening and any remarks by the crew or flight controllers on Earth will begin at 8:30 a.m.

Vande Hei, Novitskiy, and Dubrov will be part of Expeditions 64 and 65. The departure of Rubins, Ryzhikov, and Kud-Sverchkov on Friday, April 16, will mark the start of the new expedition.

Video of the crews pre-launch activities in Baikonur will air on NASA TV in the days preceding launch, beginning Monday, April 5.

The Expeditions 64 and 65 crews will continue work on hundreds of experiments in biology, biotechnology, physical science, and Earth science aboard the International Space Station, humanitys only permanently occupied microgravity laboratory.

Get breaking news, images, and features from the station on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and NASAs website.

Check out the full NASA TV schedule and video streaming information at:

http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv
Germanys Frostkrone Food Group has taken on another UK business with the purchase of Abergavenny Fine Foods, a predominately private-label manufacturer of dairy and snack products.

Acquisition-hungry Frostkrone did not reveal the deal price for Abergavenny Fine Foods, a business based in south Wales producing chilled and frozen finger foods such as cheese-filled Jalapeno poppers and vegan mozzarella sticks, as well as cheese made from goats milk. It also offers branded products to the retail and foodservice channels.

Jason Rees recently became managing director of Abergavenny Fine Foods, which exports to the US, Australia and Japan, and plans to expand its international network with the investment in hand.

Rees said: We are very excited to be joining the Frostkrone Food Group and continuing on our growth journey in frozen and chilled finger food together, bringing more value and job security to Wales and the local area in the process.

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Abergavenny Fine Foods joins Scotland's Innovate Foods in the Frostkrone stable after it bought the family-owned finger-food peer in 2020. Other recent deals include Piz'wich and Varenne Gastronomie in France, and Rite Stuff Foods in the US.

Frostkrone has been owned by the Munich-based private-equity firm Emeram Capital Partners since 2017, when it acquired the business from another private investor, Ardian. It supplies markets in Europe, including Switzerland, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, France, Spain, and Portugal, along with eastern European countries, the US and Asia.

"The finger food and snack market is continuing to grow and we, as an innovation driver, want to definitively grow with it," Frederic Dervieux, the CEO of Frostkrone, said. "We believe it is especially the free-from market that holds great potential all around the world.

"Now with Abergavenny Fine Foods, we have a strong partner in our team, a partner who has a tremendous amount of know-how at their fingertips and fantastic business connections to Australia and Japan. We now want to leverage this opportunity and continue expanding our exports."

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In February, Abergavenny Fine Foods announced plans to double its production capacity, with a focus on plant-based products.

A month earlier, the company sold its blended cheese business to UK cheese maker Somerdale International. Abergavenny Fine Foods said in February its annual revenue is on track to grow 30% despite the disposal.

Figures posted with Companies House show Abergavenny Fine Foods generated a turnover of GBP30.9m (US$42.8m) in the year to 31 March 2020, up 16.2% on a year earlier. Turnover from the company's export business more than doubled during the period to GBP6.5m. Abergavenny Fine Foods has set a target for its export business to grow by at least 20% over the next two years.
After having their first four games postponed due to positive Covid-19 tests within the organization, the Nationals have announced their roster for todays season opener. Four Nationals players are said to have tested positive, with several more in the organization being deemed close contacts who are also going through protocol. Tuesdays announcement was accompanied by a dizzying series of roster moves, which included placing catchers Yan Gomes and Alex Avila; left-handers Patrick Corbin, Brad Hand and Jon Lester; infielders Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer; first baseman Josh Bell; and outfielder Kyle Schwarber on the Covid-19 related injured list. Right-hander Will Harris was also placed on the 10-day injured list after his recent procedure to address a blood clot.

In a sequence of corresponding roster moves, the Nats recalled catcher Tres Barrera; right-handers Ryne Harper and Kyle McGowin; infielders Carter Kieboom and Luis Garcia; lefty Sam Clay; and outfielder Yadiel Hernandez from their alternate training site. Washington also selected the contracts of veteran catcher Jonathan Lucroy and outfielder Cody Wilson. Wilson was specifically designated as a replacement player, indicating that he can be removed from the 40-man roster and sent back to the minors without clearing waivers as the affected Nationals players are cleared to return to the roster.

Notably, the Nationals Opening Day roster includes shortstop Trea Turner  a welcome development after Turner was absent from yesterdays workout with the team. Manager Dave Martinez tells reporters that Turner was not cleared to be on the field yesterday (Twitter link via the Washington Posts Jesse Dougherty), so it seems he cleared protocols this morning. Turner will be joined in the Opening Day infield by Ryan Zimmerman, Hernan Perez (at second) and Starlin Castro (at third). The Nats will give Andrew Stevenson the nod in left field alongside Victor Robles and Juan Soto, while Lucroy draws the start behind the plate, catching Max Scherzer.

The Nationals will make up yesterdays postponed contest against the Braves in a doubleheader tomorrow. Its not yet clear when theyll make up their three postponed games against the Mets, although given that theyre division rivals, the remainder of this seasons schedule will provide ample opportunity for those games to be played.
STEPANAKERT, APRIL 6, ARMENPRESS. Bruno Retailleau, chairman of the Republican Party faction at the French Senate, has addressed a letter to Speaker of Parliament of Artsakh Artur Tovmasyan, the Artsakh Parliament told Armenpress.

I am happy that the resolution adopted by our Parliament was accepted as a sign of hope during the terrible trials and tragedies which your people faced with boundless courage.

I wish this hope will turn into reality as soon as possible so that Artsakh will again be able to create its future in freedom and security.

I accept with pleasure your warm invitation to come and discover Artsakh and its people when the situation allows.

Reaffirming my full support to you, please, accept, Mr. Chairman, the assurances of my highest respect.

You can be sure in my full support and wish to visit Artsakh.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
[April 06, 2021] ORYZON Starts Preclinical Collaboration on Autism with the Seaver Autism Center at Mount Sinai

Goal is to explore effects of LSD1 inhibition on animal models of autism in Shank3 deficient mice models

MADRID, Spain and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Oryzon Genomics, S.A. (ISIN Code: ES0167733015, ORY), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company leveraging epigenetics to develop therapies in diseases with a strong unmet medical need, announced today the start of a preclinical collaboration on autism with researchers from the Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai led by Dr. Joseph Buxbaum. Deletions or mutations at the end of chromosome 22 lead to a defect of the SHANK3 gene and produce in humans a variety of autism known as Phelan-McDermid Syndrome (PMS). Eighty percent of people with PMS have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It is thought that the inability of the single functioning copy of SHANK3 to produce enough Shank3 protein for normal functioning (haploinsufficiency) may be responsible for most of the neurologic symptoms (developmental delay, autism, and absent speech) associated with this disorder. Recent work published by US researchers has shown that the LSD1-HDAC2 complex is involved in PMS and that, in animal models defective for Shank3 which recapitulate many symptoms of the human syndrome, the inhibition of LSD1 restores neuronal electrophysiology and rescues learning deficits. This collaboration will explore the effects of vafidemstat in animal models developed and characterized at the Seaver Autism Center by the team of Dr. Buxbaum. Vafidemstat is a selective, orally active LSD1 inhibitor in Phase II clinical development that has shown a very good safety profile and has been shown to be effective at reducing agitation and aggression in clinical studies in patients with Alzheimer's disease, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and ASD. Vafidemstat is currently being explored in a Phase IIb clinical trial in BPD (PORTICO study) and the company is also preparing a Phase IIb trial in schizophrenia (EVOLUTION study). The company is also exploring the use of vafidemstat in the field of precision psychiatry. Professor Buxbaum, Director of the Seaver Autism Center at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and principal investigator of the study, said: We have worked on PMS for more than a decade and are very excited to advance this potential treatment for this disorder. Dr. Carlos Buesa, Oryzons CEO, said: "We are excited to initiate this collaboration with researchers at the internationally renowned Seaver Autism Center at Mount Sinai. Epigenetic dysregulation in the histone H3K4 methylation pathway has been proposed to be an important mechanism in the pathogenesis of autism. Oryzons vafidemstat with a good safety profile could bring a therapeutic option to these patients in the future. About Oryzon

Founded in 2000 in Barcelona, Spain, Oryzon (ISIN Code: ES0167733015) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company considered as the European champion in Epigenetics. Oryzon has one of the strongest portfolios in the field. Oryzons LSD1 program has rendered two compounds, vafidemstat and iadademstat, in Phase II clinical trials. In addition, Oryzon has ongoing programs for developing inhibitors against other epigenetic targets. Oryzon has a strong technological platform for biomarker identification and performs biomarker and target validation for a variety of malignant and neurological diseases. Oyzon has offices in Spain and the United States. Oryzon is one of the most liquid biotech stocks in Europe with +90 M shares negotiated in 2020 (ORY:SM / ORY.MC / ORYZF US OTC mkt). For more information, visit www.oryzon.com



About Vafidemstat

Vafidemstat (ORY-2001) is an oral, CNS optimized LSD1 inhibitor. The molecule acts on several levels: it reduces cognitive impairment, including memory loss and neuroinflammation, and at the same time has neuroprotective effects. In animal studies vafidemstat not only restores memory but reduces the exacerbated aggressiveness of SAMP8 mice, a model for accelerated aging and Alzheimers disease (AD), to normal levels and also reduces social avoidance and enhances sociability in murine models. In addition, vafidemstat exhibits fast, strong and durable efficacy in several preclinical models of multiple sclerosis (MS). Oryzon has performed two Phase IIa clinical trials in aggressiveness in patients with different psychiatric disorders (REIMAGINE) and in aggressive/agitated patients with moderate or severe AD (REIMAGINE-AD), with positive preliminary clinical results reported in both. Additional finalized Phase IIa clinical trials with vafidemstat include the ETHERAL trial in patients with Mild to Moderate AD, where a significant reduction of the inflammatory biomarker YKL40 has been observed after 6 months of treatment, and the pilot, small scale SATEEN trial in Relapse-Remitting and Secondary Progressive MS. A Phase IIb trial in borderline personality disorder (PORTICO) has been recently authorized and the company is preparing a Phase IIb trial in schizophrenia patients (EVOLUTION). Vafidemstat is also being explored in a Phase II in severe Covid-19 patients (ESCAPE) assessing the capability of the drug to prevent ARDS, one of the most severe complications of the viral infection. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This communication contains, or may contain, forward-looking information and statements about Oryzon, including financial projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives and expectations with respect to future operations, capital expenditures, synergies, products and services, and statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally identified by the words expects, anticipates, believes, intends, estimates and similar expressions. Although Oryzon believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors and holders of Oryzon shares are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Oryzon that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. These risks and uncertainties include those discussed or identified in the documents sent by Oryzon to the Spanish Comision Nacional del Mercado de Valores (CNMV), which are accessible to the public. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and have not been reviewed by the auditors of Oryzon. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they were made. All subsequent oral or written forward-looking statements attributable to Oryzon or any of its members, directors, officers, employees or any persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statement above. All forward-looking statements included herein are based on information available to Oryzon on the date hereof. Except as required by applicable law, Oryzon does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This press release is not an offer of securities for sale in the United States or any other jurisdiction. Oryzons securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration. Any public offering of Oryzons securities to be made in the United States will be made by means of a prospectus that may be obtained from Oryzon or the selling security holder, as applicable, that will contain detailed information about Oryzon and management, as well as financial statements.

IR, US IR & Media, Europe Spain Oryzon Ashley R. Robinson Mary-Ann Chang Patricia Cobo Emili Torrell LifeSci Advisors, LLC LifeSci Advisors, LLC / Carlos C. Ungria BD Director +1 617 430 7577 +44 7483 284 853 +34 91 564 07 25 +34 93 515 13 13 arr@lifesciadvisors.com mchang@lifesciadvisors.com pcobo@atrevia.com

cungria@atrevia.com etorrell@oryzon.com



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By Ana Monteiro,

The US is pressing ahead with plans to hit six nations that tax Internet-based companies with retaliatory tariffs that could total almost $1 billion annually.

Goods entering the US -- ranging from Austrian grand pianos and British merry-go-rounds to Turkish Kilim rugs and Italian anchovies -- could face tariffs of as much as 25% annually, documents published by the US Trade Representative show. The duties are in response to countries that are imposing taxes on technology firms that operate internationally such as Amazon and Facebook.

Read | US trade chief readies tariff against India, others over digital taxes

In each of the six cases, the USTR proposes to impose tariffs that would roughly total the amount of tax revenue each country is expected to get from the US companies. The cumulative annual value of the duties comes to $880 million, according to Bloomberg News calculations.



Credit: Bloomberg.



There have been efforts to replace each individual countrys digital taxes with one global standard -- to be brokered by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development -- but a deal has yet to be reached.

The US says its committed to the OECD process, but will maintain its options, including tariffs, in the meantime, USTR Katherine Tai said in a statement on March 26.

The Internet Association -- whose members include Amazon, Facebook and Alphabet Inc.s Google -- welcomed the USTRs move.

The USTRs action is an important affirmation in pushing back on these discriminatory trade barriers as the US continues to work to find a viable solution at the OECD, the group said in a statement.

The USTR has invited public comment on its plans to go ahead with the tariffs, and will hold public hearings at the start of May.

Below is a round-up of the tax laws in each country, which goods may be affected, and the date of the virtual USTR hearing.

India

1. Indias DST imposes a 2% tax on revenue of non-resident companies generated from a broad range of digital services offered in the country, including digital-platform services, digital-content sales, digital sales of a companys own goods, data-related services and software-as-a-service

2. The value of the DST payable by US companies to India will be up to about $55 million annually.

3. Goods affected include shrimp, blinds, bamboo products, gold jewelry and rattan furniture.

4. The public hearing is set for May 10.

UK

1. The UK applies a 2% tax on the revenues of certain search engines, social-media platforms and online marketplaces.

2. The tax affects companies with digital-services revenue exceeding 500 million pounds and U.K.-specific digital-services revenues exceeding 25 million pounds.

3. The USTR estimates the value of the DST payable by US-based company groups to the U.K. be about $325 million annually.

4. Potentially affected goods include art supplies, make-up and cosmetics, apparel, boat-swings and other fairground amusements.

5. The USTRs public hearing is set for May 4.

Italy

1.Italys DST applies to companies that during the previous calendar year generated 750 million euros or more in worldwide revenue, and 5.5 million euros or more in revenue deriving from the provision of digital services in Italy.

2. The USTR estimates the value of the DST payable by US-based firms to Italy at about $140 million annually.

3. Potentially affected goods include caviar, handbags, suits and bowties.

4. The public hearing is set for May 5.

Spain

1.Spain charges a 3% tax on certain digital-services revenue related to online advertising services, online intermediary services, and data-transmission services.

2. Companies with worldwide revenue of 750 million euros or more and 3 million euros in certain digital-services revenues are subject to the DST.

3. Initial USTR estimates indicate that the value of the DST payable by US-based companies to Spain will be as much as $155 million annually.

4. Potentially affected goods include shrimp and footwear.

5.The public hearing is set for May 6.

Turkey

1.Turkeys DST applies to companies that during the previous calendar year generated 750 million euros or more in worldwide revenues and 20 million lira or more in revenue from providing digital services in the nation.

2. US based companies would pay Turkey about $160 million in taxes annually, USTR estimates show.

3. Carpets, hand-woven rugs and glazed ceramic tiles are among the goods that could be affected.

4. The public hearing is set for May 7.

Austria

1. Austrias DST imposes a 5% tax on gross revenue from digital advertising services provided in the country. It only applies to companies with annual global revenue of 750 million euros or more, and annual revenues from digital advertising services in Austria of 25 million euros or more.

2. The DST payable by US-based companies to Austria will be up to about $45 million annually.

3. Leather goods, fabrics, optical telescopes and microscopes are among the products that could be affected.

4. The public hearing is set for May 11.
SANTA FE, N.M., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Thornburg Investment Management ("Thornburg"), a global investment firm that oversees $47 billion in assets1, today announced the appointment of Blair C. Naylor as independent director to the Thornburg Board of Directors, effective April 1, 2021. Thornburg's Board of Directors is now comprised of seven members, four of whom are independent.

"Blair's three decades of financial industry experience and deep philanthropic involvement in our community align with Thornburg's values," said Garrett Thornburg, chairman and founder of Thornburg. "We believe Blair's leadership and perspective will help us continue to grow, innovate, and affirm our commitment to clients."

The Board of Directors is currently comprised of Mr. Thornburg; Brian McMahon, vice-chairman and chief investment strategist for Thornburg; Jason Brady, president and CEO of Thornburg; and Eliot Cutler, Josh Gotbaum and Julia Sze, each an independent director. The Board of Directors approves and audits the company's budget, assesses the performance of the CEO and approves strategic goals of the company.

"I have always admired Thornburg's commitment to be a respected and trusted partner to clients, employees and the community," Ms. Naylor said. "I look forward to working alongside Garrett and the other board members to continue building on the firm's long-term success."

Ms. Naylor started her career in investments at Bear Stearns & Co. in Atlanta, Georgia, before relocating to Santa Fe in 1988 and becoming a financial consultant for Merrill Lynch and subsequently Smith Barney. In 2002, she founded Palace Capital Management, a registered investment advisor and family office serving accredited investors and specializing in the management of alternative investments, primarily hedge fund and private equity partnerships.

Ms. Naylor currently serves as vice-president of Thornburg Foundation, director of Pecos River Management and director of Century Bank. Ms. Naylor has been active in philanthropy as a trustee of her family's charitable foundation since 1987 and has served on numerous nonprofit boards and investment committees.

About Thornburg

Founded in 1982, Thornburg Investment Management is a privately-owned global investment firm that offers a range of multi-strategy solutions for institutions and financial advisors. A recognized leader in fixed income, equity and alternatives investing, the firm oversees $47 billion1 as of February 28, 2021 across mutual funds, institutional accounts, separate accounts for high-net-worth investors and UCITS funds for non-U.S. investors. Thornburg is headquartered in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with additional offices in London, Hong Kong and Shanghai.

At Thornburg, we believe unconstrained investing leads to better outcomes for our clients. Our culture is collaborative, and our investment solutions are highly active, high conviction and benchmark agnostic. When it comes to finding value for our clients, it's more than what we do, it's how we do it: how we think, how we invest and how we're structured.

For more information, visit www.thornburg.com or call (877) 215-1330.

Media Inquiries

Michael Corrao

Director of Global Communications

Thornburg Investment Management

Tel: +1 (505) 467-5345

Email: [email protected]

1 Includes $45 billion in assets under management and $1.8 billion in assets under advisement as of February 28, 2021

SOURCE Thornburg Investment Management

Related Links

www.thornburg.com


When the pandemic started, restaurant design experts predicted that future patrons would prefer a stripped-down, sterile look. But restaurateur Vivian Howard used lockdown-related downtime to accumulate decorative objects underscoring the meaning of her new downtown Charleston restaurant.

At Lenoir, scheduled to open April 14, customers will see tobacco sticks and butterbean pans from Howards family farm in Eastern North Carolina.

Servers will present checks on pink Depression glass, and drinkers seated at the bar will have a close-up view of Howards collection of cookbooks, spanning states and generations.

The restaurants top-level mission is to keep telling the story of how Southern cuisine is not a monochromatic thing, said Howard, who is also a television host and cookbook author.

While many of the ingredients and preparations featured on Lenoirs menu reflect Howards upbringing and outlook  There are definitely things where youre like Oh, thats so Vivian,  she said  the restaurant is distinct from Chef & the Farmer, Howards flagship restaurant in Kinston, N.C.

Howard attributes Lenoirs unique character to executive chef Tyson Detzler, who previously worked at The Obstinate Daughter.

Tyson is bringing his perspective and his experience to the menu, so our mess of turnip greens is stewed in a country ham dashi; the airdried sausage is made with lemongrass and shrimp paste, Howard said.

Some items familiar to Howards followers have also been updated with Lowcountry touches, such as blueberry chicken wings, which in Charleston will sport toasted benne.

When Howard first announced plans to open Lenoir at the Renaissance Charleston Historic District Hotel, she planned to serve primarily traditionally composed entrees and a lot of share plates.

In response to feedback and social distancing concerns, shes adjusted the menu to follow the format pioneered by Tom Colicchios Craft in which diners put together their meals from a selection of complementary proteins, sauces and side dishes.

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We went flexibility, we want to mix and match, Howard said. I think it makes it more compelling for a larger group of people.

Lenoir initially targeted a summer 2020 opening, which was first delayed to January 2021. Howard said the advantage of a drawn-out debut is the restaurant had a chance at each juncture to recruit more employees. Since being hired, several of them have been working at Lenoirs sister cafe, Handy & Hot.

Its not the first time Ive been in this position; Eastern North Carolina is always in a drought of people to work in the F&B industry, Howard said. The beauty of this staff is its really qualified and excited and understands service. Thats not a position Ive been in.

Still, Howard admitted shes not staffed to the degree Id like to be. Because of the employee shortage, Lenoir is holding off on the launch of a Sunday fried chicken brunch and taking Mondays and Tuesdays off.

For a while, we were like, Oh my God, were not going to have enough people, and then it was like, We can just change what were doing. We can write our own rules,  Howard said. That feels good.

And considering the challenges shes faced in the past, including a devastating hurricane that tore through her hometown, Howard said she might not feel as comfortable going into friends-and-family weekend if she hadnt first deal with a pandemic and staffing crisis.

To Howard, opening without a hitch sounds like courting bad luck.

Located at 68 Wentworth St., Lenoir will serve dinner from 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. For more information, go to dineatlenoir.com.
TORONTO - The second phase of Ontario's vaccine rollout will target people in COVID-19 hot spots aged 50 and older, the province announced Tuesday as Premier Doug Ford said new restrictions would be coming soon to fight the third wave of the pandemic.

TORONTO - The second phase of Ontario's vaccine rollout will target people in COVID-19 hot spots aged 50 and older, the province announced Tuesday as Premier Doug Ford said new restrictions would be coming soon to fight the third wave of the pandemic.

Government officials said people living in hot spot neighbourhoods in 13 public health units - many of them essential workers - will be able to book their vaccine appointments over the next few weeks.

"We have to go in to the hot spots," Ford said. "We have to go into the high-priority essential manufacturers, the meat packers, ... the manufacturing sector, large, large companies."

Ford said the government is currently working on a plan to vaccinate essential workers and teachers, but the government framework released Tuesday said those workers won't get their shots until mid-May.

Officials also said starting Wednesday people aged 60 and over will be able to book their vaccine appointments in every region of the province.

The government aims to ramp up vaccinations to 100,000 shots a day. The current seven-day average stands at 73,442.

Green party Leader Mike Schreiner said the province needs to vaccinate essential workers now, not in six to eight weeks.

"Outbreaks at warehouses, food processing plants, and distribution centres are driving the spread of COVID-19," he said in a statement. "Its unconscionable that essential workers and their family members are packing ICUs because they dont have paid sick days and its not their turn for vaccines yet."

Ford said his government will impose additional restrictions targeting the hot spot regions of Toronto, Peel and York regions, but did not provide any specific details about the additional measures.

"I think we made massive moves last week by basically shutting down the entire province," Ford said. "That was huge, shutting down thousands and thousands of businesses, that I hate doing, but we're going to have further restrictions moving forward, very, very quickly."

His comments come a day after top doctors of three COVID-19 hot spots in Ontario urged the province to impose tougher restrictions, including a stay-at-home order.

The top doctors for Toronto, Peel Region and Ottawa appealed to Ontario's chief medical officer, Dr. David Williams, to move schools to online learning in regions with significant COVID-19 outbreaks, remove businesses from the list of essential services, and implement 50-per-cent staffing limits for those businesses deemed essential.

They also asked the government to impose travel restrictions between regions within Ontario and for the province to provide paid sick days to supplement the federal program.

Williams said he's working on additional recommendations for the government to address the concerns raised by the top doctors. Those measures could include changes to retail business rules and also further restrictions to discourage people from travelling outside of their region.

If the province were to impose a new stay-at-home order, that would take time to fulfill the necessary regulatory requirements, Williams said.

"The stay-at-home order involves a lot of regulation and legislation so these things have to be walked through the due diligence," he said.

Meanwhile, Ontario's restaurant industry demanded Tuesday that the provincial government pick up a $100-million tab following the abrupt closure of indoor and outdoor dining last week.

Restaurants Canada and the Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association said that the province's decision to pull the "emergency brake" to slow the spread of COVID-19 has significantly hurt the industry.

The letter addressed to Premier Doug Ford said that financial burden can be eased in several ways including making further funding available through the Ontario Small Business Support.

The province reported 3,065 new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday and eight more deaths linked to the virus. Of the total cases, 955 were in Toronto, 561 in Peel Region, and 320 in York Region.

There are 510 people in intensive care because of the virus and 310 on a ventilator.

A total of 2,621,839 vaccine doses have been administered in the province.

-with files from John Chidley-Hill.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 6, 2021.
The new working groups are intended to create a road map for a synchronized return of both countries to compliance. But even if there is agreement, verification will take some time given the technical complications and the absence of trust on both sides.

For instance, companies that want to do business with Iran, and that were burned badly when Mr. Trump reimposed powerful American sanctions, will want to be sure that a new administration wont reimpose sanctions. Iran will want to see economic benefits, not just the promise of them, and the United States will want the International Atomic Energy Agency to ensure that Iran has returned to compliance and is not cheating, as it has done in the past.

In Vienna, Iran met with the other current members of the deal  Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia, under the chairmanship of the European Union  in a grand hotel ballroom, while the American team, led by special envoy Robert Malley, worked separately in a nearby hotel. Iran has refused to meet directly with the United States, so the Europeans have been undertaking a kind of shuttle diplomacy.

The United States also wants to persuade Iran to negotiate longer time limits for the accord and to begin further talks on limiting Irans missiles and support for allies and Shia militias through the region, including in Syria, Iraq and Lebanon. Iran has said that it has no interest in considering further negotiations until the United States restores the status quo ante and rejoins the deal.

More broadly, American officials are trying to gauge whether the United States and Iran can agree on how each can come back into compliance with the nuclear deal  or, at least, work toward bridging any gaps in a mutual understanding.

Iran was represented by Abbas Araghchi, the deputy foreign minister, who was crucial to negotiating the 2015 deal, known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, with the administration of President Barack Obama and Mr. Biden, then vice president.

Mr. Araghchi said in a statement after the talks that lifting U.S. sanctions would be the first and most necessary step in reviving the J.C.P.O.A. The Islamic Republic of Iran is fully ready to stop its retaliation nuclear activity and return to its full commitments as soon as U.S. sanctions are lifted and verified.
The PSNI has said it will investigate any breaches of Covid-19 restrictions at a Saoradh wreath-laying commemoration at the weekend.

It comes after the dissident republican group claimed "numerous armoured Crown Force vehicles" surrounded the ceremony at a cemetery in Newry on Easter Saturday and "kept those in attendance under constant surveillance".

The group also said its members were visited by "heavily armed" police in the days leading up to the annual event.

Saoradh's Stephen Murney said: "Prior to the event, threatening letters were delivered to party members' homes regarding parades legislation, even though no procession or parades were organised.

"The day before the distribution of these letters Saoradh publicly announced on social media that they had changed the format of their event to a simple wreath-laying ceremony.

"Wreaths were laid on behalf of Saoradh, IRPWA and eistigi Republican Youth before proceedings were brought to an end.

"As Saoradh members, including young children, made their way home they again found themselves subjected to harassment by being stopped by aggressive patrols of British militiamen.

"Despite such acts of provocation and intimidation, the republican movement ensured that Ireland's dead were honoured with dignity."

The PSNI said yesterday: "Police had an evidence gathering operation in place during an event in the area of St Mary's Cemetery in Newry on Saturday, 3rd April.

"Evidence gathered will be reviewed and any breaches of the Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations or other legislation will be addressed by way of fixed penalty notice or by report to the Public Prosecution Service as appropriate."

Saturday's event took place two weeks before the second anniversary of the murder of Lyra McKee.

Saoradh is regarded as the political wing of the New IRA, which was behind the killing of the journalist during rioting in Derry in April 2019.

The 29-year-old was fatally shot as she observed the street disorder in the city's Creggan area.
A Labour MP has provoked anger by praising a church whose pastor opposed gay rights despite the partys leader Keir Starmer apologising for visiting it.

Stephen Timms was accused of trolling LGBT+ people after praising the extraordinary work of Jesus House for All the Nations in Brent, north London.

His comment came hours after Sir Keir on Monday accepted it was a mistake for him to visit the church, which has opened up as a vaccination centre, last week.

The Labour leader had previously posted a video to social media praising the work of the church, but deleted it amid anger from party members over the views of the churchs senior pastor, Agu Irukwu. The pastor opposed same-sex marriage legislation and 2006 proposals that protected LGBT+ people from discrimination.

Sir Keir wrote in a statement posted to Twitter that he disagreed with Jesus Houses beliefs on LGBT+ rights, which I was not aware of before my visit. He added: I apologise for the hurt my visit caused and have taken down the video. It was a mistake and I accept that.

But Mr Timms, MP for East Ham, tweeted on Tuesday: I applaud the extraordinary work of @jesushouseuk, and of churches and other faith groups, in supporting our communities throughout the past year.

Read more:

His comments drew criticism on social media and calls for the MP to be stripped of his party membership.

Owen Jones, the journalist and Labour activist, said Mr Timms was trolling LGBTQ people in support of a homophobic church Keir Starmer had to apologise for endorsing.

Timms voted against equal marriage, claiming marriage was about procreation, he noted, adding: He shouldnt be a Labour MP.

Mr Timms told The Independent he had spoken to Jesus House after the row over Sir Keirs visit and they assure me they dont do anything like conversion therapy, and that their view is that homophobia is anti-Christian.

He added: In my constituency and others, faith groups have done an extraordinary job supporting people during the pandemic, especially through foodbanks. I think its important to recognise and acknowledge that.

The community I represent would have been far worse off without their contribution, as underlined by the report of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Faith and Society, which I chair.

The evangelical Christian MP has made anti-poverty work an area of focus during his time in politics. But he has also been criticised for his opposition and abstentions on LGBT+ rights and for voting against allowing same-sex couples to marry in 2013.

Kate Osborne, the Labour MP for Jarrow, said the comments had led to another day of disappointment.

Ms Osborne tweeted: I also applaud the work of churches and faith groups who support their communities but, I do not applaud those who hide their bigotry behind their so called religious believes [sic].

The LGBT+ Labour group, which had publicly called for Sir Keirs apology, and said it had been made aware of a tweet from a London Labour MP which expresses support for Jesus House.

With concern, we have reached out to this MP privately, it added. There can be no excuse for supporting any organisation with links to conversion therapy.

The Independent has approached the Labour Party for comment.
The Reverend Dr Paul Kwame Nasimong, the Head Pastor of the Full Gospel Assemblies of God Church in Techiman, has called on the Bono East Regional Minister to shun political detractors and concentrate on building a better society for all.



He told Mr Kwasi Adu-Gyan to focus and prioritise development and endeavour to overlook political detractors and saboteurs who might seek to undermine his administration and political career.



Rev Dr Nasimong gave the advice when the Regional Minister joined worshippers of the church at a service to mark the Ressurection of Jesus Christ in Techiman in the Bono East Region.



"You must try as much as possible to overcome any form of undermining from your detractors and saboteurs who might think you do not deserve this highest political position in the region," the Reverend Minister advised.



"As you assume this position, the church expects you to emulate the biblical leadership of Daniel, who never allowed unnecessary pressures from critics and saboteurs to sway him in decision making," he added.



On his part, Mr Adu-Gyan advised Christians to remain faithful to God, and put their faith in action to receive God's favour and his abundant blessings.



He urged Ghanaians to celebrate the Easter festivities in moderation and endeavour to observe health safety protocols to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus Disease.

Source: GNA









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The irresistible call of a lavish Easter feast in Sicily landed a prominent mobster behind bars on Sunday after authorities arrested him as he was returning to the island from Brazil to celebrate with family.

Considered by authorities to be the newly appointed capo of the Pagliarelli Mafia district in south-east Palermo, Giuseppe Calvaruso (44), had been living for months in Brazil, from where authorities say he was delegating mob affairs to loyal subordinates.

Easter in Sicily is one of the most important Catholic celebrations. After being away from home for nearly a year, Calvaruso had planned a brief stay to feast with family, authorities said, departing from Natal and stopping over briefly in Paris before landing at Falcone Borsellino airport in Palermo. He was arrested on Easter Sunday by Carabinieri police while waiting for his luggage. Anti-Mafia prosecutors are charging him and four other loyalists who were also arrested, including his right-hand man in Palermo, Giovanni Caruso (50) with Mafia association, extortion, assault, kidnapping and fraud-related charges.

The Sicilian Mafia divides Palermo into eight local districts, including Pagliarelli, home to the citys maximum security prison. Prosecutors maintain Calvaruso was appointed head of the Pagliarelli district after the oldest boss of the Sicilian mafia, Settimo Mineo (82) was sent to prison in December 2018.

Prosecutors say Calvaruso ordered a violent assault on a gang of thieves who carried out several unauthorised thefts in his neighbourhood. In one case, they say a local retailer hit by thieves twice in one week turned over video of the robbery to the local boss, who identified the thieves and brought them to a garage where they were allegedly brutally beaten in Calvarusos presence.

 Telegraph Media Group Ltd 2021
It is interesting that the Roman Catholic Church, which was at the forefront of early attacks on science, no longer rejects science on religious grounds. Catholic thinkers agree with most contemporary Protestant, Jewish and Muslim theologians that science can be reconciled with core teachings. Pope Francis recently said, "God is not ... a magician, but the Creator who brought everything to life. Evolution in nature is not inconsistent with the notion of creation, because evolution requires the creation of beings that evolve. He has made similar statements of acceptance of the Big Bang theory of the origins of the universe.

But many fundamentalist Christians, Jews and Muslims continue to assert that science challenges essential faith and therefore must be rejected. I believe that this view reveals much about our understanding of why science is rejected in other areas as well. Simply put, when objective scientific findings contradict previously held and deeply felt commitments, science often loses the battle.

We can clarify the political, ideological or religious commitments that underlie denials regarding climate change, gun violence, the pandemic or the origins of the universe and life. And that can help us understand each other better.
New prison mugshots of killers Tom and Molly Martens have been released, as the father-daughter duo remain in jail in the US without bond pending a decision on their plea bargain offer.

The former FBI agent and his daughter are now discussing a deal which would see them avoid a full retrial for the brutal murder of Irish widower Jason Corbett in August 2015. A decision on their plea bargain offer is due within 72 hours.

Both have been offered a controversial plea bargain in which they were given seven days to admit the voluntary manslaughter of the Limerick father-of-two (39) who was beaten to death while asleep in bed.

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They were transferred from separate North Carolina prisons to Davidson County jail pending charge once a NC Supreme Court mandate on the quashing of their August 2017 second degree murder convictions came into effect.

Since then, new mugshots have emerged of the two of them, which were taken last weekend. The photographs are the first mugshots of the pair since they were jailed in August 2017.

Molly, who is now 37, is pictured wearing a navy and grey prison sweatshirt, with her natural hair colour.

Tom, now 71 years old, is also wearing a navy prison jumper. He is clean-shaven, unlike his previous mugshot.

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Their high-profile trial was staged over July and August 2017 in Davidson County Superior Court - located right beside Davidson County jail in Lexington, North Carolina where they are now in custody. Records from the jail show they were moved there last Sunday.

Both are considering the plea bargain deal with their defence lawyers.

If they accept the plea deal, they will likely receive a five year and seven month term for voluntary manslaughter.

The father and daughter would then be transferred from Davidson County jail back to North Carolina prisons to complete their term.

Manslaughter sentences, with aggravating factors, can extend to nine years in North Carolina.

Having already served almost four years behind bars, they could expect to be released around March 2023 if a minimum term is applied.

The duo had been serving 20-25 year sentences for the second degree murder of the packaging industry executive.

If they reject the plea deal from Davidson County District Attorney, Garry Frank, the father and daughter will face a full retrial on second degree murder charges.

Any such retrial is not expected before late 2022 with a major backlog of murder trials in North Carolina because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a retrial scenario, both would be able to apply for release from Davidson County jail on bail pending their court hearing.

The Martens family have already said that, if released, both would return to their homes in Knoxville, Tennessee "without fanfare."

However, the Limerick family of Mr Corbett expressed outrage at the plea bargain offer and plan to take a legal challenge if the Martens accept it.

Under North Carolina law, victims families have the right to challenge any plea bargain deal if it is considered excessively lenient.

Mr Corbett's sister, Tracey Corbett-Lynch, said her family has been overwhelmed by the reaction of the US and Irish public to a petition launched over the controversial plea bargain deal.

"Jason's murder, our fight for justice and the challenges such as consideration of offering plea deals leave families such as ours powerless and suffering so much more than is necessary," she said.

The Corbett family launched a petition on www.change.org called 'Retrial for Molly and Tom Martens' which aims to garner public support for blocking the plea deal. It exceeded its 7,500-signature target within 72 hours.

The Davidson County District Attorney's office has also been flooded with objections to the plea bargain offer.

Ms Corbett-Lynch said it was not acceptable that a major factor in the plea bargain decision was the backlog of murder cases in North Carolina caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
China is ready to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with other countries on poverty reduction, support international poverty reduction, and make a greater contribution to building a global community of shared future, free from poverty and blessed with common prosperity, according to a white paper on poverty reduction released on Tuesday morning by the State Council Information Office.

Titled "Poverty Alleviation: China's Experience and Contribution," the white paper illustrates the course of the Chinese people's great fight in eliminating extreme poverty under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), introduces China's innovative approach, and shares China's experience and actions in poverty alleviation.

The white paper has five chapters, starting with an explanation of the solemn commitment of the CPC to lead the Chinese people out of poverty in its 100 years' journey, and continues with a detailed account of the strategy of targeted poverty alleviation and China's willingness to advance in the global cause of poverty alleviation.

"China cannot develop in isolation from the rest of the world and the world needs China for further development. With this in mind, China has always been a builder of global peace, a contributor to global growth and a guardian of international order," states the white paper.

Analysts pointed out that China's pledge to be more open and contribute to a better world has important significance amid the growing isolationism advocated by some countries.

"In the fight against poverty, the CPC has always played a strong leading role, mobilizing the resources in an organizational system to ensure a successful fight against poverty," Song Guiwu, a professor at Gansu's Provincial Party School, told the Global Times.

Its working mechanism is that the central government is responsible for resource pooling, fund preparation, policy formulation and setting assessment standards, while governments at all levels are responsible for project implementation, manpower and fund allocation, Song noted.

Dr. Robert Lawrence Kuhn, chairman of The Kuhn Foundation and recipient of the China Reform Friendship Medal, told the Global Times that "the common root of China winning the war to contain the contagious COVID-19 and China winning the war to eradicate extreme poverty, is the CPC's leadership and organizational capacity."

The white paper was released more than one month after China declared a complete victory eradicating poverty in China during the national commendation conference held back in February. It was a milestone that marked China's embarking in a new development phase. By 2050, China will become a great modern socialist country in every dimension, achieving the Second Centenary Goal.

Shouldering responsibility of a major country

To improve the wellbeing of people all over the world, China has taken an active part in global poverty management, furthered exchanges and cooperation with other countries, and promoted a new model of international exchanges and cooperation on poverty reduction with mutual respect and mutually beneficial cooperation at its core, the white paper indicates.

China has launched the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to expand deep and high-level regional cooperation on economic and social development. According to a World Bank study, the initiative will help lift 7.6 million people out of extreme poverty and 32 million out of moderate poverty in participating countries.

"One of all successes brought about by the CPC is the BRI. Working in close collaboration with local governments, the Chinese government finances infrastructure projects to connect previously disconnected communities in underdeveloped regions. A project of this scale has never been seen before in human history. The BRI is living proof of the sincerity of the internationalist values behind the CPC," a Communist youth organizer and a political observer from the US who declined to be named told the Global Times.

In Asia, China and member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN),have jointly launched a rural poverty reduction plan and carried out the East Asia Poverty Reduction Demonstration Cooperation Technical Assistance Projects program in rural communities in Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. In Africa, China has helped partner countries to improve infrastructure, provide aid, and set up vocational and technical schools among other projects. In Latin America, China has built agricultural technology demonstration centers to help locals lift from poverty, reads the white paper.

The Global Times once participated in a seminar for village leaders from Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar where useful experiences were shared with on-site investigation.

Its successful pathway of poverty alleviation offers China's rich experience to the world, especially to developing countries, Observers said.

Specifically, it makes best use of the advantages of the socialist system which enable efficient decision making, organize effectively and concentrate resources to accomplish large undertakings. It also introduces targeted poverty alleviation initiatives which merge poverty alleviation resources to make better use of funds and resources, and adopt targeted measures to ensure that assistance reaches poor villages and households, Song suggested.

"Moreover, it shows how the Chinese government ensures multiple financing sources for poverty alleviation through increasing government investments and stimulating capital markets to attract non-governmental funding into the cause. The sound supervisory system of the CPC, which adopts strict criteria to evaluate every achievement in poverty alleviation, also paves the way for a successful experience," Song said.

"Poverty alleviation and the modernization of China are remarkable accomplishments, especially given the complex and difficult international political environment of the past decades. Under the leadership of the Communist Party, the country has become united, and it has focused first and foremost on raising the living standards of the Chinese people," Brian Becker, a foreign affairs analyst and Executive Director of the Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (A.N.S.W.E.R.) in the US, told the Global Times.

While some Western media outlets keep smearing China's poverty alleviation campaign and questioned whether this can be maintained, the white paper stated detailed plans to guarantee the goals on poverty alleviation.

"Counties have been given a five year period of grace from the day they emerged from poverty. During this period, they will continue to be covered by the main support policies, which will be adjusted and optimized by category," said the paper.
Finance Minister Scott Fielding has revealed another significant piece of the province's financial plan ahead of Wednesday's budget.

Finance Minister Scott Fielding has revealed another significant piece of the province's financial plan ahead of Wednesday's budget.

At a news conference Tuesday, Fielding announced he has budgeted $1.2 billion this fiscal year to protect Manitobans from COVID-19 and prepare the province for future pandemic costs.

"COVID-19 is the most important aspect of our provincial budget," Fielding told reporters outside Cadham Provincial Laboratory, flanked by Health Minister Heather Stefanson and lab staff.

"Our government's main priority is to protect Manitobans and to advance Manitoba," he said, adding the budget will outline immediate priorities and chart the province's path forward when the pandemic ends.

Fielding promised help is on the way for business owners.

"There are business supports and relief that will be part of (Wednesday's) budget," he said.

Fielding made the announcement at the provincial lab, which has conducted tens of thousands of COVID-19 tests.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Health Minister Heather Stefanson

Rather than carrying on the age-old finance ministers' tradition of buying a pair of shoes before the budget, Fielding continued with the Pallister government's custom of giving a new pair of shoes to a working Manitoban. This time, Chaturika Mesgun, an employee at the lab, received a pair of Blundstone boots.

Stefanson said the gift is a sign of appreciation.

"Timely, accurate testing data is critical to ensuring our public-health officials have the information they need to help protect Manitoba families," the health minister said.

"Cadham staff have risen to an incredible challenge over the last year and we thank them for everything they do behind the scenes to fight COVID-19.

"Our government's top priority over the last year has been protecting Manitobans. For over a year we've been making critical investments across government to help Manitobans face the challenges posed by the global pandemic."

In recent days, the government announced it expects to incur a $1.6-billion deficit for the forthcoming fiscal year.

It also revealed that Manitoba property owners will receive cheques this year, rebating them for a portion of their education taxes.

And, it has promised $50 million in the new budget towards dealing with surgical backlogs caused by the pandemic.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Finance minister Scott Fielding hands laboratory technician Chaturika Mesgun a pair of shoes at Cadham Provincial Laboratory.

Most of the $1.2 billion announced Tuesday will go towards pandemic-related health and education costs:

 $230 million for personal protective equipment, testing and vaccine site infrastructure, contact tracing and other preparations as part of the province's overall public-health response

 $350 million for additional health-care systems costs in preparation for a potential third wave of COVID-19

 $160 million to support school and education needs over the current and next school years

 $100 million for the vaccine program

 $40 million for Manitoba Restart Program capital initiatives at the municipal level.

Fielding said the remaining $300 million will be set aside for unexpected expenses.

The finance minister said that to date, the province has committed $3.2 billion to address the pandemic.

The $1.2 billion in this year's budget "really will focus in on protecting Manitobans in a large way," Fielding said. He compared the Manitoba budget allocation for COVID-19 spending per capita to Ontario and Alberta's budget allocations. "We're spending more," he said.

A "good portion" of the $100 million for the COVID-19 vaccine program will address staffing needs so Manitoba will be able to administer the targeted 20,000 doses a day, Fielding said. "There's more than enough money."

More details about the plan for phasing out education property taxes and issuing a tax rebate will be revealed in the budget, Fielding said.

Last week, Premier Brian Pallister announced a $1.6-billion "education funding guarantee" of no less than $1.6 billion of additional education spending over four years. Pallister said Thursday that the education property tax reduction will benefit owners of 658,000 residential, farm, commercial and other properties in Manitoba.

Fielding said the PC government knows Manitobans who are unemployed and underemployed as a result of the pandemic, need help.

"We do think Manitobans deserve a break and we know that Manitobans need some relief during the pandemic. We'll outline some of the tax measures we're taking (Wednesday)," he said.

NDP Leader Wab Kinew told reporters Tuesday his party won't delay the budget from being introduced. Last year, the NDP used procedural tactics to delay the introduction of the budget for eight days. The tactic was aimed at preventing the Tory government from introducing a series of bills, which were posted on the legislative order paper but not distributed to MLAs or the public. That's not the opposition's plan this year, Kinew said.

"There's no plans to raise any matter of privilege," Kinew said.

Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont doubts the Pallister government will spend the $1.2 billion it promised Tuesday.

"It makes huge promises and puffs up its budget to make it look like they're being generous," Lamont told reporters Tuesday. "They have no intention of spending it and then, at the end of the year, everyone wonders why things aren't going right. Then, they'll say 'Look at all we've cut.' It's a very dishonest approach that is designed to mislead Manitobans to make it look like they're spending."

 with files from Larry Kusch

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca
Police officers have admitted they shot their famous K-9 Arlo after raising more than $73,000 on GoFundMe to pay for medical bills.

The three-year-old German Shepherd, who has been with the Thurston County Sheriff's Office in Washington state for over a year, was riding with officers when a shooting occurred following a police chase.

It was not initially reported how Arlo's injuries were sustained. This led many, including hospital staff where the suspect was taken, to assume that Arlo had been shot by the suspect.

However, evidence from the scene disputes that claim and police later admitted the K-9's injuries 'were sustained by friendly fire.'

Arlo, the three-year-old German Shepherd who skyrocketed to TikTok fame, was shot twice by his police officers before undergoing an eight-hour surgery

The now disabled GoFundMe raised $73,705 to benefit the Thurston County Deputy Sheriff's Foundation and K-9 Arlo's medical expenses

Arlo served the Thurston County Sheriff's Office K9 Unit for over a year, but will retire as he'll need additional medical attention

Arlo, who has 2.5 million followers on TikTok, garnered national attention as fans pitched in to help contribute costs to the dog's life-saving surgery.

Social media posts documented Arlo's progress, and video of the moment Arlo was released from the hospital went viral.

Reports say Arlo's handler claimed in a now-deleted Instagram that Arlo was shot by a suspect, while police argue they did not mislead the public about the origin of Arlo's injuries.

Arlo was shot twice during the incident, with one bullet going through his leg and the other lodged in his spine. The K-9 was rushed to the hospital where he underwent an emergency eight-hour surgery.

Now, new reports explain that the suspect involved in the shooting did not have a working gun, and the only shell casings found on scene belonged to the police.

The K-9 police gog was rushed to the hospital after a bullet went through his leg, and another bullet got lodged in his spine

More than $73,000 was raised on GoFundMe to pay for medical bills. Arlo is pictured during surgery

Officers claimed that when they caught the suspect, 25-year-old Victor Hugo Ortiz Bucio, he pointed an automatic pistol at authorities on the scene.

Five deputies and one trooper opened fire on the suspect for seven seconds and hit him multiple times.

When the suspect was taken to the hospital and informed he had shot a K-9, the suspect told hospital staff that the gun he had was not functional.

The Mason County Prosecutor's Office reviewed the use of force by law enforcement and found no wrongdoing, declining to bring criminal charges against the officers for shooting the suspect.

The six officers involved were initially placed on administrative leave, but have returned to duty after being cleared.

The Thurston County Sheriff's Office announced Arlo would retire as he'll require additional medical care following the shooting.

Ortiz Bucio, the suspect who was also shot by officers on scene, is being held at the Thurston County Jail. He faces charges of third-degree rape of a child, second-degree child molestation, one count of attempt to elude pursuing police vehicle, and a charge of assault in the second-degree.
Analysts and experts speak of an encouraging "small step forward". Indirect talks, mediated by the European Union, could open today in Vienna. Ayatollah Khamenei withholds go-ahead for direct meetings. But unresolved issues such as support for Hamas, Hezbollah and Assad weigh on the future of the negotiations.

Tehran (AsiaNews / Agencies) - News has emerged in recent days of a possible turning point: Tehran and Washington would be ready to start a negotiating table to try to save the international agreement on Iranian nuclear power (Jcpoa). The meetings could begin today in Vienna, Austria, in the presence of representatives of the two countries, as well as senior European, Russian and Chinese officials.

The deadlock was reportedly broken by a videoconference held last April 2 and organized by the European Union (EU) between the signatories of the agreement, with the sole exception of the United States, to try to unblock the dossier. If confirmed, this meeting could represent the turning point that ends a stalemate and opens the way to a new post-Trump era, which current White House tenant Joe Biden has repeatedly said he wants to dismiss.

Iranian authorities have progressively violated the terms of the agreement by easing restrictions on nuclear activities. The first steps came in 2019 after then-US President Donald Trump pulled out of the JCPOA in May 2018 and slapped the harshest sanctions in history on Iran, which tanked the Iranian economy.

Contacted by L'Orient-Le Jour (LOJ) Ali Fathollah-Nejad, expert on Iran and collaborator of the Study Center for International Cooperation and Development (Cecid) at the University of Brussels, defines the possible meeting as "a small step forward ".

He adds, the speed at which the steps are taking place underscores "in a central sense in the urgency of Europe and perhaps of the United States" to tackle the question, also in consideration of the acceleration of the nuclear program by the ayatollahs.

The opening of talks mediated by the European Union represent progress, although these are "indirect meetings" because so far the Iranian supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, "has not granted the authorization to high-level dialogues", explains Ali Fathollah-Nejad.

"The American and Iranian delegations - adds the expert - should communicate through European intermediaries" before engaging in direct exchanges if "the Iranians will be satisfied with the American calendar for the lifting of sanctions".

Among the possible obstacles to the negotiations, the US intention to address other issues including support for Shiite groups in the region (Hezbollah and Hamas) and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
1,800 inmates escape Nigeria prison after gunmen attack View Photo

WARRI, Nigeria (AP)  Militants armed with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades launched a series of coordinated attacks overnight in southeastern Nigeria, targeting a prison where more than 1,800 inmates then managed to escape, authorities said Monday.

The attacks began around 2 a.m. in the town of Owerri in Imo state and lasted for about two hours, according to local resident Uche Okafor. Gunmen also assaulted various other police and military buildings, authorities said.

Efforts are in top gear to re-arrest the fleeing detainees, said Nigeria prison spokesman Francis Enobore, adding that 35 other inmates stayed behind during the prison break.

The coordinated attacks come less than two weeks after another wave of violence in southeastern Nigeria, when at least a dozen security officers were killed during attacks on four police stations, military checkpoints and prison vehicles.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility but the Nigeria inspector general of police blamed a paramilitary wing of a secessionist movement active in the region called the Eastern Security Network. The ESN has said it is fighting for the protection of the Igbo people from foreign armed invaders killing their people.

Police said the militants were heavily armed with machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and improvised explosive devices during the overnight violence.

The attempt by the attackers to gain access to the police armory at the headquarters was totally and appropriately resisted, a police statement said.

By HILARY UGURU

Associated Press
LAist only exists with reader support. If you're in a position to give, your donation powers our reporters and keeps us independent.

Our reporting is free for everyone, but its not free to make.

At a nursing home in Glendale, a certified nursing assistant was charged with raping a mentally ill patient in her room. After the incident, according to investigators, the victim said she felt "scared, sad, wanted to kill herself."

At a facility in Simi Valley, the daughter of one elderly resident told LAist that staff didn't adequately care for her mother, who developed a gruesome bedsore. "I could stick my pinky in it," she said. "It was down to the bone."

At a nursing home in Compton, a schizophrenic patient with one leg was inappropriately discharged. He went missing, only to turn up two weeks later in a park, unconscious, under his wheelchair. Regulators charged that the facility's lapses presented "imminent danger or a substantial probability" that if the man hadn't been found, he would have suffered grave harm, even death.

At Griffith Park Healthcare Center in Glendale, a certified nursing assistant was charged with raping a patient. The nursing home received an "immediate jeopardy" for the incident. (Chava Sanchez / LAist )

All three nursing homes are connected to ReNew Health Group, a fast-growing chain of skilled nursing facilities founded in 2014 and headquartered in Southern California. ReNew Health and its CEO, Crystal Solorzano, own or are affiliated with at least 26 facilities throughout the state. Solorzano owns, or is applying to own, the majority of them; in five other facilities her company has been involved in management or in administration. The network stretches from Orange County to the Central Valley to the Bay Area.

In its short time caring for California's most vulnerable  many of them elderly and mentally ill  the company has racked up an inordinate number of red flags and citations, many for infractions known as "Immediate Jeopardies," the most severe federal citation a nursing home can receive.

The facilities connected to ReNew and Solorzano provide care for one in 50 of the state's nursing home residents, but they are responsible for nearly one in 10 Immediate Jeopardies in California since 2019, according to LAist's analysis.

Last year, as COVID-19 raged, state regulators denied Solorzano's request to take over nine nursing homes, citing violations and serious deficiencies at "facilities [Solorzano] owned, managed, or operated, directly or indirectly." In fact, by that point they had already deemed her unfit to be a nursing home administrator and moved to revoke her license.

50:38 Unprotected: How Some Nursing Homes - and the State - Have Failed to Care for the Most Vulnerable.

But that didn't stop Solorzano from growing the nursing home chain she founded. Due to what advocates say is a flawed licensing process, Solorzano is allowed to run those nine nursing homes  and others across the state  as she appeals the state health department's decision.

It's a distressing situation for any Californian with family in one of the state's 1,200 licensed nursing homes, which house around 100,000 patients at any given time.

"California has, in a sense, rolled out the red carpet for bad providers," Tony Chicotel, an attorney with California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, recently told LAist. "It doesn't matter if you're a bad provider in California. You can get in the building, you can be a squatter, and they can't get you out."

You can get in the building, you can be a squatter, and they can't get you out.  Tony Chicotel

As COVID-19 vaccines were about to reach nursing home patients late last year, Solorzano spread misinformation in a series of anti-vaccine posts on social media.

Solorzano declined LAist's interview requests. In a statement, ReNew spokesman Dan Kramer wrote:

"Ms. Solorzano is fully qualified to own and operate nursing homes, and in fact has specialized in acquiring troubled facilities and turning them around to preserve and maintain critical bed space that would have otherwise been unavailable during the pandemic."

The statement went on to say that "Solorzano's only focus is maintaining the health and safety of our employees and residents."

Since reporting on a COVID outbreak at a ReNew facility last summer, LAist has pored over hundreds of court documents and public records, and spoken with dozens of sources  former ReNew employees, families of ReNew patients, advocates, industry experts and attorneys.

Their message was urgent: ReNew, and the state-run system designed to regulate it, were failing California's most vulnerable, even before the pandemic struck. That failure intensified as COVID-19 gripped the state.

'Severe Lack Of Staffing'

Poor care and understaffing made nursing homes across the country especially vulnerable when the coronavirus slipped through their doors. At facilities connected to ReNew Health, at least 198 people have died from COVID-19, according to an analysis of federal data by LAist.

At Orinda Care Center, a Bay Area nursing home Crystal Solorzano has owned since 2015, officials found nearly every resident was infected with COVID-19 last spring.

Devaughn Greene began working as a housekeeper at the 47-bed facility in April 2020, as the virus was spreading. Greene told LAist that staff members who were clearly symptomatic and coughing continued to work.

"Before you knew it, everybody had it," Greene said.

On April 8, 2020 a sign at the entrance to the Orinda Care Center stated the facility was closed to visitors. (Ben Margot / AP)

By early that April, 25 staff members and 27 patients at Orinda Care Center were infected with COVID.

Another reason for the spread, Greene said, was a lack of personal protective equipment. He'd have to request PPE and then reuse what he was given, stashing his face mask in a cardboard box so he could wear it again and again, shift after shift.

"[There's] only so much you could do when you're wearing the same mask," he said. "I was definitely scared."

Others were concerned, too. Authorities had come to suspect elder abuse at Orinda Care Center. As the outbreak tore through the nursing home, Contra Costa County health officials paid a visit. Greene would later tell investigators that, before inspectors arrived, the nursing home's management staged the facility to create a favorable impression of safety measures.

"They went around and put PPE on every little station  wipes, gloves, all that  but that shit wasn't like that every day," Greene recounted to LAist. Once inspectors left, he told investigators, management gathered up protective gear and locked it in an office.

Despite management's alleged efforts to appear well-equipped, inspectors found Orinda Care Center wasn't properly or consistently using PPE. They also pointed to a "severe lack of staffing" and that, on average, the center lacked three to four nurses per shift. A citation by the state health department said that "deficient practices resulted in a widespread outbreak of COVID-19" at Orinda.

Four residents died.

(Graphic: Chava Sanchez / LAist )

Last spring, officials found that Orinda Care had the highest rate of COVID-19 infections at any nursing home in the area. To alleviate the staff shortage and slow the spread of the virus, Contra Costa public health officials sent county nurses to the facility. Several weeks later, the county District Attorney's office obtained a search warrant for Orinda Care Center to investigate possible elder abuse. According to the warrant, county nurses there found "that the Orinda Care Center leadership (Solorzano) was not responsive to the center's needs, including requests for more staffing, which only worsened during the pandemic."

The DA's office eventually turned the investigation over to the California Attorney General. A spokesperson for the AG said the office could not comment on "a potential or ongoing investigation."

Devaughn Greene didn't last long at Orinda Care Center. He said he quit after less than two months. "I realized, like, they really didn't care."

Former Resident's Sister: 'I Just Wish I Could Turn Back The Time'

It was only supposed to be temporary.

In December 2019, Cynthia Carrillo placed her older brother David at Villa Mesa Care Center, a nursing home in Upland, 40 miles east of Los Angeles. She was seeking more permanent living arrangements for him, but it wasn't easy. David, 65, had Down syndrome, and had been living with Cynthia in her family's two-story home.

"He was very, very active," she told LAist. "His favorite was Elvis ... He loved to dance and sing."

Most days, he'd attend a day program for adults with disabilities, where he was among friends. But on Christmas Day in 2019, Cynthia said his behavior changed. David was agitated. "He was kind of yelling, screaming. And we're like, OK, something's wrong," Cynthia recalled. She said David was afraid to walk down the stairs. Fearful that her brother was having a medical emergency, she took him to a nearby hospital. There, David was diagnosed with dementia.

Cynthia began looking for a single-story home to accommodate David, while searching for a place he could stay in the meantime. The answer, she decided, was Villa Mesa, the 99-bed nursing home across the street from the hospital. At the time, she wasn't familiar with ReNew or Crystal Solorzano. A year and a half later, she knows a lot more. "I just wish I could turn back the time," Cynthia said.

At Villa Mesa, Cynthia said she watched David's condition quickly deteriorate. That winter, he stopped walking and was often in his wheelchair. He was no longer able to feed himself. And he wore the same clothes for days, she said.

After the shutdown last March, Cynthia Carrillo couldn't visit her brother David inside Villa Mesa. He died in April of 2020 from COVID-19. (Chava Sanchez / LAist )

Once, Cynthia showed up to find David asleep during the day, which was unusual. She claimed someone at the facility had given him a psychotropic drug without her permission.

David was just not the same.  Cynthia Carillo

Cynthia knew she had to act. "Our goal was to be able to get him out as quick as we could," she said. By March of 2020, she was ready to transfer him to a group home while she continued her house search. But it was too late. The pandemic had hit California and lockdown orders were in effect. There was nothing she could do but hope staff members were doing right by her brother.

Cynthia would call Villa Mesa to check on David. A couple of weeks into the pandemic, she visited through a closed window near the facility's reception area, looking at her brother in his wheelchair on the other side of the glass. "David was just not the same," she said. "You could tell that he was heavily medicated."

Cynthia noticed something else. She said there was a directive on the door instructing that no one could enter without masks, but she didn't see staff wearing them. "It was very hard for us to see the staff walking around like nothing was going on."

Cynthia said she was confounded when the infection control nurse told her the staff didn't need masks.

Ten days later, Cynthia and her husband woke up to a call from the hospital. David was in respiratory distress and needed to be immediately sedated and put on a ventilator. Even if she could have arrived before the procedure began, COVID protocols would have stopped her at the hospital entrance. "I couldn't be there with him to even let him know that everything would be OK," she said, fighting back tears. "He was probably wondering where I was."

Cynthia never got to say goodbye. David died a week later from COVID-19. He was 65.

David Carrillo's playing cards and his favorite bear, which he called "Boo Boo." (Chava Sanchez / LAist)

Cynthia has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the nursing facility. The case is pending.

"All the years of loving on him and taking care of him, and then you place him in a place where you're thinking they're going to do everything they can, and live up to what their standards are, they are going to take care of your loved one," she said. "In reality, that didn't happen."

Since last spring, at least 23 residents at Villa Mesa, including David Carrillo, have died from COVID-19, according to federal data.

A charge nurse at Villa Mesa spoke with LAist about the conditions there when David got sick. (She asked to be identified only by her middle name, Anna, for fear of retribution.) Her recollection echoed what Devaughn Greene told LAist, and what investigators learned at Orinda Care Center, the ReNew facility 400 miles north.

Anna said management at Villa Mesa didn't provide N-95 masks to staff. "They had them locked up in the administrator's office," she said, "and we were told that we didn't need them."

The Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency delivered N-95s, gowns and face shields to Villa Mesa at the request of facility staff, the agency said.

As David and other patients fell ill in early April, Anna and another worker at the facility who spoke to us about conditions there said managers told them there was no COVID outbreak. "Well, slowly after that happened, then employees started turning up COVID-positive," Anna said. "I didn't feel safe there anymore." With a husband suffering from kidney failure, Anna said she left the facility in April because she couldn't risk infection.

Villa Mesa and Orinda Care Center were not the only facilities connected to ReNew or Crystal Solorzano that struggled to contain outbreaks of the coronavirus.

Since last spring, at least 23 residents at Villa Mesa Care Center in Upland have died from COVID-19, according to federal data. (Chava Sanchez / LAist )

At Porterville Convalescent in the Central Valley, 85 residents at the 99-bed facility contracted COVID-19, one of the highest rates of infection in the state; 36 of them have died.

Presented with the number of cases and deaths in homes connected to ReNew, spokesperson Dan Kramer noted that the company had facilities in areas besieged by COVID. He wrote, "All our facilities continue to follow infection prevention protocols to protect the health and wellbeing of our residents and staff."

A Loophole For Nursing Home Businesses That's 'Absolutely Absurd'

ReNew Health founder Crystal Solorzano's rise in the nursing home industry has been swift. She acquired six facilities in 2015, and her network has steadily grown in the years since. The 26 facilities connected to ReNew now provide care to about 2,000 nursing home residents in California.

The growing business has been slammed by state regulators. Last April, the California Department of Public Health denied applications that Solorzano submitted to take ownership of nine facilities.

The change of ownership process is a necessary step for anyone seeking a license to take over a nursing home. Typically, it's paperwork-intensive but routine, and the state rarely denies ownership petitions. LAist's analysis of state data found that, of more than 250 such applications submitted for nursing homes since 2015, just 5% have been denied. And the department hadn't denied a single ownership change application submitted between 2016 and 2019  until it rejected the nine from Solorzano.

(Aaron Mendelson / LAist )

The California Department of Public Health's denial letters to Solorzano cite a long list of serious issues at her facilities. Regulators reviewed three years of records and found 128 federal violations  including 14 in the most severe category of Immediate Jeopardy. An "I.J.," in industry shorthand, is a situation so dire that regulators determine it "caused, or is likely to cause, serious injury, harm, impairment, or death to a resident."

Immediate Jeopardies documented at Solorzano's facilities have run the gamut, from rodent feces in a kitchen to neglect and violence. At one facility, a resident pepper-sprayed a roommate and stabbed another in the chest with a metal fork, but afterward still remained unsupervised.

At another Solorzano home, a certified nursing assistant was charged with raping a 52-year-old woman who had both physical and mental illnesses. The patient called 911 three days after the incident, telling the dispatcher she had been suffering from vaginal bleeding and was unable to eat or sleep. The Glendale Police Department investigated the incident, and the nursing assistant was later arrested and pled no contest to elder abuse. The patient told state investigators that she didn't notify the facility staff of the assault because she feared they might hide evidence.

"Those [incidents] are really, really bad," said Bill Artigliere, an attorney who has represented nursing home patients in other cases of alleged neglect and abuse. Artigliere said the rape allegation was particularly alarming. "I've seen that in my career maybe four or five times, in 17 years of doing this."

The California Department of Public Health also documented 51 state violations issued at Solorzano's nursing homes, and three instances in which her facilities failed to meet even minimum staffing requirements. According to the state's denials of Solorzano's petitions to take over nine facilities: "You have not provided evidence satisfactory to be licensed."

In addition to considering quality of care, regulators who review change of ownership applications also determine whether an "applicant is of reputable and responsible character." They found Solorzano lacking. The department wrote to her that its review "revealed that in or around July 2008, you submitted fraudulent documents to obtain your nursing home administrator license," specifically a fraudulent college transcript from Touro College. A bachelor's degree or higher is a requirement to enter a training program and become a nursing home administrator in California.

Staff at both Touro College and Touro University confirmed to LAist that Solorzano had not received a degree from their institutions.

While the circumstances around Solorzano's transcript are unclear, a Touro College admissions director was sentenced to prison in New York in 2009 for his involvement in a diploma mill. Ten people were indicted with charges that included the granting of bogus degrees to physicians' assistants .

(Graphic: Chava Sanchez / LAist)

California's Department of Public Health moved to revoke Solorzano's nursing home administrator license due to "unprofessional conduct" stemming from her alleged fraudulent transcript. Solorzano has appealed. Nearly two years later, a hearing date has not been set.

But the state's license denials had no practical impact. One year after CDPH cited 179 violations in Solorzano's facilities, alleged she had submitted fraudulent documents, and deemed her unfit to take over the nine nursing homes, Solorzano's businesses continue to operate those very facilities, according to CDPH.

That's because in California, someone can take over operations at an existing facility without first getting approved by the state. Advocates for nursing home residents say the change of ownership process is tilted heavily in favor of operators  even when they have poor performance records. "It's a really bizarre, completely exploited process," said Chicotel, the staff attorney for California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform.

Potential buyers, such as Solorzano, can sign management agreements with nursing home owners while the state scrutinizes their applications to take over facilities. If an application is denied, potential owners can appeal, a process that can drag on for years. And they're allowed to operate the facilities while they wait for a decision. "We now have operators  including Solorzano  who seem to understand that you don't need a license to operate a facility in California," Chicotel said. "Maybe ever."

Advocates point to far stricter licensing processes in other industries: Barbers need a license before they can cut hair, surgeons need a license before they can operate.

It's the same for dentists. California Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Santa Rosa), a dentist by training, sold his practice while running for the statehouse. He said he was required to find a buyer with a license in good standing, and was surprised to learn nursing homes don't work the same way. In 2018, Wood requested a state audit on nursing homes, which found that change of ownership decisions "appear inconsistent" because the process is poorly defined. (Wood also authored legislation on transparency in nursing home finances that passed in 2018.)

The legislator was dismayed to hear that Solorzano's businesses were able to operate nine facilities, despite being denied a license to do so. "It's pretty shocking, quite frankly," Wood said. "Do we grant them the ability to grow their businesses, without some requirement that they actually show improvement? That they show that they have changed the way they're doing things?"

Molly Davies, Los Angeles County's ombudsman for long-term care, called the loophole "absolutely absurd." Davies believes nursing home operators who are denied ownership applications should face additional scrutiny.

"What about the residents and the patients that live in those buildings?" she asked. "Don't they have the right to access safe, good nursing home care?"

Santa Fe Heights Health Care Center in Compton. (Chava Sanchez / LAist )

Mark Reagan, general counsel for the industry group California Association of Health Facilities, takes a different view. "At the end of the day, I don't think that patient care is being compromised," he told LAist. Just because an application is rejected, Reagan said, doesn't mean the state forfeits its regulatory tools. Reagan argues that the slowness of the ownership-change process creates headaches and uncertainty for owners  even with the vast majority of applications that are approved.

The California Department of Public Health declined LAist's interview request, but, in an email, disputed the comparison to other industries. The agency asserts that allowing potential owners to operate under current owners' licenses isn't a problem.

ReNew spokesman Dan Kramer defended Solorzano's record. "Ms. Solorzano is fully qualified to own and operate nursing homes," he wrote. His statement did not address the violations mentioned in the state's denial letter or the college transcript that CDPH said is fraudulent, although LAist raised both in the letter to Kramer.

Dramatic changes could be coming for the change of ownership process. AB 1502, a bill introduced in February by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi of Torrance, would require new owners to secure a license before taking over operations at a nursing home.

"For these bad actors to be able to continue to operate without a license, and with a record of past abuses, is simply not acceptable," Muratuschi told LAist. "The current system is broken. And we need to fix it."

Yet shortly after a March press conference announcing the bill as part of a series of proposed nursing home reforms, legislators and industry group CAHF told LAist it had been tabled until 2022.

The 'Blonde Gorilla' Behind ReNew

ReNew CEO Crystal Solorzano has embraced the nickname "the Blonde Gorilla," which adorns a trophy and hat she has shared on social media. (Portion(s) of images from Solorzano's Instagram account)

Crystal Solorzano's place in the California nursing home business was hardly preordained. Solorzano, 38, has said she began working in nursing homes when she was 15. According to a resume she filed with the state, her first nursing home job came in 1999 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She worked at facilities in the area for another six years, eventually departing for Northern California. In 2007, Solorzano filed for bankruptcy and said she was living in an apartment in Fairfield, about halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento.

In 2009, Solorzano became an administrator at a nursing home in Imperial County, 25 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border. Nursing home administrators make decisions about the business and patient care, and require a license. (The state's allegation that Solorzano submitted a fraudulent college transcript dates to the application for that license.)

In 2012, Solorzano, the facility and other employees were sued for elder abuse by an 84-year-old patient who was recovering from a broken leg. His lawyer alleged that staff at the facility neglected to care for him. He developed a pressure ulcer, according to a nurse's note reviewed by a state investigator, that became "beefy red in color."

Matthew Pare, the attorney who represented the man, told LAist: "There [were] some really gruesome things, such as maggots that were literally growing inside of his leg."

The octogenarian lost his leg, and Pare said the lawsuit settled. Lawyers for the nursing home denied the allegations.

The Imperial County facility was owned by Brius, the largest provider of skilled nursing in California. Brius, which controls about 80 nursing homes, is run by a Los Angeles man named Shlomo Rechnitz. At 6-foot-8 inches, Rechnitz is literally a towering figure in California's nursing home industry, and has himself been the subject of intense scrutiny from the media, healthcare worker unions, and the state, which has also denied some change of ownership petitions he submitted. (Solorzano and Rechnitz are the only operators to have applied since 2015 to have had ownership applications denied, state records show. Brius also continues to operate several nursing homes despite these denials.)

By 2012, Solorzano was a regional administrator in Rechnitz's company, and was described by a state investigator in legal testimony as "a very good and key employee for Mr. Rechnitz." She later took a job with a nursing home management company active at many Brius facilities. But she eventually left. In a 2013 severance package from the company, Solorzano received $650,000, according to testimony at a state hearing.

(Read CalMatters investigation into Rechnitz's 'change-of-ownership' applications)

Two years later, Solorzano began buying nursing homes across California, ranging from 47 to 99 beds. It remains unclear whether Solorzano launched her enterprise with the severance, or had other investors; her business is private, and public documents don't provide more insight into ReNew's origins.

In recent years, Solorzano has chronicled a glamorous, jet-setting lifestyle on her Instagram account. She now owns three residential properties in Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach, valued at more than $11 million, according to assessor records. She was photographed with future governor Gavin Newsom in 2018, whose campaigns ReNew has supported with $20,000, according to campaign finance data.

[UPDATE: On April 12, the Newsom campaign said it would donate last year's $10,000 contribution from Solorzano to the governor's re-election effort to the AARP; her previous donation was to his 2018 campaign.]

And she's embraced the nickname "the Blonde Gorilla," which adorns a trophy and hat she has shared on social media.

Solorzano was photographed in 2018 with Gov. Gavin Newsom, whose campaign ReNew supported with $20,000. (Screenshot from ReNew's Instagram account)

ReNew throws glitzy anniversary parties for employees, including a 2018 affair at the Millennium Biltmore in downtown L.A. that called for white formalwear.

Conditions at her nursing homes are another matter. At one Compton facility visited by LAist reporters, trash littered the property. At another in Glendale, the L.A. County ombudsman Davies documented a leaky roof that left patients exposed for years. "The staff didn't attempt to move them out of the room that was really wet," Davies told LAist. "Pieces from the ceiling were coming down. Splashing was audible when you walked through the room, because the water was so high."

Trash on the street outside Santa Fe Heights Health Care Center in Compton. (Chava Sanchez / LAist)

The 26 facilities connected to ReNew average just two out of five stars on the system the federal government uses to rate nursing homes. The average rating for nursing homes in California as a whole is 3.6 stars out of 5.

Many ReNew facilities score particularly poorly on the federal measure for nurse staffing; the majority had a 1- or 2-star rating. A 2021 New York Attorney General's report documented "a strong correlation" between staffing ratings and the COVID-19 death rate at nursing homes.

Internal issues have also dogged Solorzano's company. A 2018 lawsuit alleged that Paul Rust, a ReNew administrator and Solorzano's father, had sexually harassed multiple women, sending an "inappropriate and offensive" sexual photo to one nursing home staffer, and embarrassing another with "his constant glaring and inappropriate comments" about her looks. Rust's attorney denied the claims, and the case settled in 2019.

Another of Solorzano's associates is a man named Chaim Kolodny. Kolodny is listed as a ReNew representative on an industry group's website. He's also in business with Shlomo Rechnitz as co-owner of a facility in Maywood, according to state records.

In 2016, a former employee at that nursing home filed a lawsuit alleging that Kolodny diverted Xanax for his own use. During a meeting, the former employee alleged, Kolodny brandished a 9 mm pistol and told her, "This is how we take care of things  the Bronx way." She also alleged that Kolodny directed someone to install a camera "at crotch level" to film female employees. Kolodny denied the allegations and the case settled.

In ReNew spokesman Dan Kramer's response to LAist's reporting, he wrote that the allegations against Chaim Kolodny are "unrelated to Ms. Solorzano or ReNew," and that details of Solorzano's severance are "in no way relevant to ReNew." Rust and Kolodny did not respond to requests for comment.

Santa Fe Heights Health Care Center at dawn. (Chava Sanchez / LAist)

Other lawsuits paint a disturbing picture of conditions in one ReNew facility. In 2020, a former director of nursing at Santa Fe Heights in Compton sued the nursing home and alleged that patients didn't receive adequate food or water and had bedsores that were improperly treated. She also said Santa Fe Heights lacked working toilets and was infested with rats and roaches. ReNew denied the allegations, and an attorney for the former nursing director said the case was dismissed.

Jacqueline Macias in a family photo. "She was beautiful," her sister Barbara said. Jacqueline died after a month stay at Santa Fe Heights Healthcare Center in 2017. (Courtesy Barbara Macias)

In 2017, Barbara Macias sued Santa Fe Heights for abuse and wrongful death after her 49-year-old sister Jacqueline died following a short stay at the facility. Jacqueline had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and diabetes. When Barbara and her father visited, they were distressed by her condition. She had lost 12 pounds within a week, and was throwing up repeatedly.

Jacqueline died after just a month at the facility. An autopsy determined her cause of death was heart disease. It found that ketoacidosis, a poisonous buildup of acids in the blood, was a contributing factor.

Macias told LAist that she didn't learn about her sister's death until two days after the fact. "They just left a voicemail," she said.

Macias' case  her father was also a plaintiff  settled for an undisclosed amount.

In the wake of Jacqueline's death, the California Department of Public Health found the facility failed to carry out her treatment plan; the agency fined Santa Fe Heights $20,000 and imposed a Class A citation, which are issued when theres imminent danger of death or serious harm to patients, or a substantial probability of death or serious physical harm to patients. Santa Fe Heights has received at least three more "Class A" citations since Jacqueline Macias' death.

Sharing Vaccine Misinformation On Social Media

(Portion(s) of images from Solorzano's Instagram account)

This past December, as coronavirus vaccines were set to reach Americans, Solorzano used her Instagram account to spread misinformation about the life-saving vaccines to her 11,000 followers.

One misleading meme she shared was about Thalidomide, a drug from the 1950s that caused birth defects. The Associated Press deemed comparisons between COVID vaccines and Thalidomide false and misleading.

Solorzano also recirculated a claim that the COVID vaccine changes human DNA  a falsehood repeatedly debunked by medical experts.

A third post, which was shared from an anti-vaccine account that Solorzano followed, said in its description: "the COVID vaccine should be avoided at all costs."

Solorzano's social media misinformation stunned Dr. Michael Wasserman, a physician and nursing home industry insider who is part of California's Community Vaccine Advisory Committee. "This is a leader in nursing homes doing this?" he asked when shown Solorzano's posts by LAist reporters. "Wow. I mean to me, this is absolutely irresponsible."

Wasserman was particularly worried that nursing home staff would see the posts and avoid the vaccines. "It's unconscionable," he said, "that someone who is in a leadership position in a nursing home, or a nursing home chain, would do this."

California Is A 'Weak Enforcement State' When It Comes To Nursing Home Licensing

Hyde Park Health Care Center in South Los Angeles is one of 26 nursing homes in California connected to ReNew. (Chava Sanchez / LAist )

While Crystal Solorzano awaits an appeal hearing about the nine licenses the state declined to grant her, ReNew Health continues to operate them, according to state records. And Solorzano's businesses operate other nursing homes throughout the state that have records of providing substandard care.

Charlene Harrington is professor emeritus at UC San Francisco who headed the California Department of Public Health's licensing and certification efforts in the 1970s. She says dangerous conditions are common at nursing homes, and that the California Department of Public Health isn't preventing them. "We're a very weak enforcement state," she told LAist. The Department of Public Health, she said, "is not even enforcing these basic laws, like denials of licensing, which is so easy to enforce. They live in complete fear that some of these nursing homes are going to get closed."

The problem: finding new places for vulnerable patients to live.

Last year, Pasadena city health officials urged state regulators to address dangerous programs at Golden Cross, a nursing home they found failed to provide basic care. The facility, which is not affiliated with ReNew, racked up more than six "Immediate Jeopardies" in a single inspection. Ying-Ying Goh, director of Pasadena's public health department, told LAist that she visited the facility last spring as COVID cases were rising: "We were in full PPE, and it reeked of urine."

Relatives of a Golden Cross Heath Care facility worker remove belongings in June 2020. Pasadena health officials say the state's decision to evacuate Golden Cross last year should have happened sooner. (Mark J. Terrill / AP)

Still, Pasadena officials said authorities, including the state, were slow to take action.

"What's maddening about this  as the person who's responsible for emergency medical care in our city  is that no one was doing anything," said Bryan Frieders, then-chief of the Pasadena Fire Department. He had developed a plan to evacuate the nursing home residents from the facility at the end of May, but the state didn't make the decision until June 11. "We have patients that are physically being harmed and compromised as a result of a failing bureaucracy."

Max Huntsman, L.A. County's Inspector General, noted in a February report that "substandard conditions festered for more than one month before an evacuation was initiated" at Golden Cross. In that time, 71 residents and 32 staff contracted COVID-19, and 16 residents died. The report focused on Golden Cross and another nursing home in Pasadena that was evacuated.

The inspector general suggested there is a key reason the evacuations were in a single city. "The city of Pasadena is a comparatively affluent city with its own public health and fire departments, which provide an additional layer of oversight when operations fail," Huntsman said.

Unlike Pasadena, hundreds of cities and counties in California either lack the funding or regulatory authority to monitor their nursing homes.

Even if they did have the ability, there's another obstacle to enforcement. In the modern nursing home ecosystem, facilities can be owned by one business and managed by another. The proliferation of entities  such as limited liability corporations  that make up nursing home chains makes it difficult to connect the dots for patient families, politicians and even regulators.

"Piercing the veil of LLCs is really, really, really difficult," said Wood, the dentist turned lawmaker.

Take five of the 26 nursing homes connected to ReNew. They aren't owned by Solorzano, according to state records, and she isn't applying to own them either. Their ties to her business, detailed in state and federal public records, in interviews with staff, and in ReNew statements and in company social media posts, are intricate, making regulation and enforcement even more difficult.

At three of the facilities, a ReNew employee is listed in state records as an owner or board member. And at Villa Mesa in Upland, where David Carrillo stayed before he died, ReNew spokesman Dan Kramer told a local paper in 2020 that Solorzano was the facility's owner. However, CDPH records do not name Solorzano as an owner. ReNew Health has provided administrative services at Villa Mesa, according to a financial disclosure report submitted to the state.

The exact nature of such ties and who bears responsibility is unclear to even those who follow the industry closely. L.A. County ombudsman Molly Davies said she didn't learn about ReNew's involvement at some facilities through the formal change of ownership process. Instead, she just happened to notice changes in letterhead and patient discharge paperwork.

"There needs to be a real system that ensures that bad actors are not allowed to continue to thrive in the skilled nursing facility environment," Davies said.

'Their Lives Are In Your Hands'

A "Heroes Work Here" banner hangs over the entrance to Villa Mesa Care Center in Upland, California. (Chava Sanchez / LAist )

Cynthia Carrillo, whose brother David died last year, can't drive by Villa Mesa Care Center anymore.

"I get angry, I get frustrated," she said, sitting on a park bench in Rancho Cucamonga on a sunny February morning. "I can feel the frustration of how he passed and how they didn't take care of him ... Just everything, it's unfair."

As she spoke about her brother, she fiddled with a deck of playing cards that belonged to David. Carrillo brought her brother's ashes, in a wooden box adorned with his photo. She kept them close. She said she wants to see consequences for what happened at Villa Mesa.

"There should be a line drawn in who they can even give a license to," she said. "I mean, their lives are in your hands. "

Since being denied licenses to take over nine nursing homes last year, ReNew Health's owner Crystal Solorzano has applied to take over another facility in Glendale. Earlier this year, Solorzano posted on Instagram that she had moved nearly 3,000 miles east, to the Miami area.

Her appeals to take over the nine nursing homes are still pending, with a hearing set for July. A hearing over her nursing home administrator license, which CDPH is seeking to revoke, has not been set.

At Villa Mesa, where David Carrillo stayed before he died of COVID-19, ReNew Health continued to provide services. David's grieving sister finds that hard to take.

"They don't deserve to manage. Not at all," Carrillo said.

"How do you go to sleep at night?"

We Want to Hear From You

How we reported this story

Data & Methodology LAist identified at least 26 nursing homes connected to ReNew and/or its founder and CEO Crystal Solorzano by reviewing California Department of Public Health (CDPH) documents and databases, and other sources.

Solorzano owns or is applying to own 21 of those facilities.

For the five others, LAist connected her and ReNew to the facility through:

Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development reports that nursing homes are required to file

LLCs listed in the National Provider Identifier registry that bear Solorzano's name as the authorized official and list the address of the facility

Documents submitted by facilities to CDPH, legal filings, posts on ReNew Health's social media accounts and interviews with facility staff and patient families.

Staff answering the phones at each of the five facilities answered "yes" when asked by reporters if the facility was managed by ReNew, on March 31, 2021.

Those sources of information explicitly connect the facilities to Solorzano and ReNew, but do not detail the exact services. Additional facilities identified by LAist that were not as clearly connected to Solorzano and ReNew in the public record were omitted from our analysis.

ReNew reportedly had "about 25 buildings in its portfolio," according to a Skilled Nursing News report in July 2020.

COVID-19 cases and death figures come from weekly data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which is reported directly by facilities. We used federal data because it is more precise than figures shared by local or state health officials in California. One note, the data may not consistently include cases and deaths prior to the week ending May 24, 2020.

Data on change of ownership applications came from CDPH in October 2020 (the most recent provided to LAist) and was filtered to only analyze skilled nursing facilities applying for changes of ownership since 2015. In early April, CDPH said that no change of ownership applications have been denied since October 2020.

Credits Reporters: Aaron Mendelson and Elly Yu

Editors: Mike Kessler, Oscar Garza, Adriene Hill and Megan Garvey

Visuals: Chava Sanchez

Data Editor: Dana Amihere

Copy Editor: Sherri Hildebrandt

Web production: Brian Frank and Andy Cheatwood

UPDATE April 15, 2021: An earlier version of this story included the line ReNew Health does have an agreement to provide administrative services at Villa Mesa, according to CDPH, based on a February 2021 email from the agency. The agency then contradicted itself in April 2021, after the publication of this story, saying it did not have such paperwork. CDPH did not clarify why the initial response was different.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 19:26:43|Editor: huaxia

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OUAGADOUGOU, April 6 (Xinhua) -- At least three gendarmes and four defense volunteers were killed in an ambush on Monday afternoon in the eastern province of Gourma in Burkina Faso.

A senior police officer based in Fada N'gourma, the provincial capital said unidentified gunmen ambushed a squad composed of gendarmes and defense volunteers in the Tanwalbougou locality around 5 p.m. local time on Monday.

"The initial death toll stands at three gendarmes and four volunteers", the source said.

A medical source from Fada N'gourma also told Xinhua that a "number of other people were injured in the attack".

The Volunteers for the Defense of the Motherland are civilians armed by the government to support the armed forces in the stabilization of the country.

Since 2015, the West African country has been facing a worsening security situation with terrorist attacks that claimed the lives of over a thousand people and displaced thousands of others. Enditem
The agency that oversees US labour laws says Amazon illegally fired two of its most outspoken employees last year after they repeatedly raised concerns about the companys environmental and Covid safety practices.

Emily Cunningham and Maren Costa were given pink slips after the two started advocating for better working conditions during the Covid-19 pandemic, the US National Labour Relations Board (NLRB) said.

The board has told Ms Cunningham and Ms Costa that it will file a case of unfair labour practices against the online retailer if Amazon refuses to settle the case. Ms Cunningham told the New York Times: Its a moral victory and really shows that we are on the right side of history and the right side of the law.

Amazon, meanwhile, has maintained that it fired the two employees for violating the companys internal policies.

The two women had been among the many Amazon employees last year who had approached the labour board and told them about their pandemic safety concerns.

The agency has suggested that it may launch a national investigation into the company in the wake of the two womens case, and given prominent media coverage of labour practices at Amazon.

Read more:

Ms Cunningham and Ms Costa started publicly criticising Amazon in 2018. They had started a petition to demand that the company do more to address its climate impact. The group, Amazon Employees for Climate Justice, mustered about 8,700 members in support of the cause.

The two women worked as user experience designers at the companys Seattle headquarters.

In 2018, both were told by the company that they had violated the internal communications policy by speaking out publicly. However, the two recruited about 400 other employees soon afterwards to join them in speaking publicly about their concerns with the company as well.

Ms Cunningham and Ms Costa also started raising safety concerns during the pandemic in Amazon warehouses. They had planned a call between Amazon warehouse and office workers to talk about their allegedly unsafe working conditions. The two were fired in April just before the call could take place.

Jaci Anderson, an Amazon spokesperson, said in a statement: We support every employees right to criticise their employers working conditions, but that does not come with blanket immunity against our internal policies, all of which are lawful.

In a statement, Ms Costa said: I dont regret standing up with my co-workers. This is about human lives, and the future of humanity.

In a recent tweet, she had said: Getting fired from Amazon is one of the most meaningful things that has ever happened to me because of the priceless solidarity of countless others in Amazon Employees for Climate Justice who had our back, who have spoken out, walked out, and continue to do so.

She added: Demanding our corporations behave as well as any good citizen, is not only reasonable, it is necessaryand should never result in retaliation or be career limiting.

Ms Cunningham also tweeted saying that: When thousands of workers come together, we make BIG CHANGE possible. She called Ms Costa a sister to me now, and I couldnt have asked for a better person to be in the struggle with. Solidarity!

Meanwhile, Amazon is also waiting to hear from their Bessemer, Alabama warehouse workers on the matter of unionising, with votes currently being counted. The vote could lead to the first unionised Amazon facility in the country.

This isnt the first time the national labour agency has sided with Amazon workers. Last year, one Jonathan Bailey, a co-founder of a labour advocacy group Amazonians United, had staged a walkout at Amazons Queens warehouse. Mr Bailey said that the company broke the law when it interrogated him after the walkout.
Exxon Mobil Corps XTO Energy shale unit filed a breach of contract lawsuit against Energy Transfer LP over disputed payments for the Dakota Access Pipeline, according to a Texas state court filing.

The suit alleges the pipeline operator hit XTO with deficiency charges and revoked other credits after the oil producer shifted some oil to other outlets last August. Exxon took the actions after a U.S. court ordered Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) shut, it said.

Exxon asked a state court in Houston last week to award it damages exceeding $1 million, a return of its revoked credits, attorneys fees and other costs.

Energy Transfer and Exxon both declined to comment.

In July 2020, a U.S. District Court suddenly ordered the crude pipeline with a capacity of about 570,000 barrels per day to be shut and gave Energy Transfer 30 days to empty the line, prompting Exxon to scramble to find other ways to move its oil. DAPL is the main artery for shipping crude from North Dakotas Bakken oilfield.

Exxon lined up alternatives that were dwindling by the hour as other DAPL shippers sought outlets, and to avoid violating a potential court order, it told the court.

At about that time, a U.S. Gulf Coast hurricane forced Exxons Beaumont oil refinery offline, prompting it to declare force majeure on pipeline volumes over four days. Energy Transfer rejected Exxons force majeure claim.

The refinery is a major consumer of Exxons DAPL oil.

Shortly after the DAPL shutdown, an appeals court reversed the decision, allowing the pipeline to temporarily continue operations. By then, Exxon had shifted 40% of its promised DAPL volumes to other suppliers, according to the lawsuit.

A federal court hearing is set for Friday on whether the pipeline can continue to operate without a crucial permit while the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers conducts an environmental review of line.

About the photo: In this October 2016, file photo, construction continues on the Dakota Access Pipeline. (Tom Stromme/The Bismarck Tribune via AP, File)
GRANTS PASS, Ore. 

UPDATE: Nanci Dean has been located and is safe, according to the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety.

"Thank you for your assistance," the agency said in a brief statement.

(Updated 4/6/21 at 9:30 a.m.)

INITIAL REPORT: The Grants Pass Department of Public Safety is searching for a woman who has gone missing and is believed to be suffering from dementia.

Police requested assistance in finding Nanci M. Dean on Monday. She was last seen in the area of Verizon on Union Avenue in Grants Pass, but she left the area in a brown 2015 Mercedes Benz with Oregon license plate number 852HZS.

If you have seen Nanci, please contact GPDPS at 541-450-6260.
Toyota has commissioned Victorias first commercial-grade permanent hydrogen production, storage and refuelling facility at its former manufacturing site at Altona in Melbournes west. Hydrogen is produced on site by a 200kW electrolyzer that uses electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen components and has the capacity to produce up to 80kg of hydrogen per day.





Power for the electrolyzer is drawn from a combination of an 87kW solar array, a 100kW battery storage and the grid, depending on whats available at the time.

The hydrogen is then stored in a bank of storage tubes at medium and high pressure to be able to refuel both the fuel-cell forklifts that Toyota uses in other parts of the Altona complex and hydrogen FCEVs, such as the new Mirai FCEV.

Toyota Australia President and CEO Matthew Callachor said the Toyota Hydrogen Center was built to showcase the benefits of hydrogen fuel cell technology as part of its commitment to developing sustainable technologies for future mobility and energy needs.

Sustainably produced hydrogen is the core element to fuel vehicles like the Toyota Mirai FCEV. The Toyota Mirai has been sold in markets in Japan and US for the past seven years but the greatest challenge to the broad-scale introduction of fuel cell electric vehicles in Australia has been a lack of refueling infrastructure. The Toyota Hydrogen Center is a step in addressing this challenge.

Together with the hydrogen production, storage and refuelling facility, the Toyota Hydrogen Center also incorporates an Education Center to provide information on how hydrogen fuel cells work and the benefits to society, helping to dispel any myths around the safety and use of hydrogen as a fuel.
"We see this as a first of many steps in creating the opportunities, strategies and efforts to make health equity a reality."

As part of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) mission to address lifestyle-related chronic disease health disparities through lifestyle medicine, and in recognition that achieving a diverse lifestyle medicine workforce is essential to that mission, the medical professional societys Health Equity Achieved through Lifestyle Medicine (HEAL) Initiative today announced establishment of the HEAL Education Scholarship Program. The program will award underrepresented in medicine (URM) clinicians with need-based scholarships to assist applicants in meeting costs associated with attaining education and certification in lifestyle medicine.

The new scholarship program is the latest activity of the HEAL Initiative to address inequities across racial and ethnic groups laid bare by COVID-19--among them the need to cultivate a representative lifestyle medicine workforce. Underrepresentation of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in health professions has implications for the lifestyle-related chronic disease health disparities that disproportionately burden historically medically underserved populations. The HEAL Education Scholarship Program will advance health equity by increasing access to lifestyle medicine training and certification for underrepresented physicians and other clinicians, improving access to care and improving culturally competent health care.

We began our HEAL Initiative even before the pandemic to address health disparities in lifestyle-related chronic disease, said ACLM Past President Dexter Shurney, MD, MBA, MPH, FACLM, DipABLM, who was integral to the formation of the HEAL Initiative with his vision to make ACLM an active participant in the fight for health equity. Now, more than ever before, we need to take real action and we are so honored to be able to support diversity in the training, certification and practice of lifestyle medicine in this way.

The Program is comprised of two separate, distinct professional development scholarships:

Board Certification Exam and Preparation

In its inaugural year, the Program will support partial (50%) and full (100%) scholarships to cover American Board of Lifestyle Medicine (ABLM) and ACLM certification expenses, including the Lifestyle Medicine Board Review Course, in-person CME through LM2021 conference attendance, exam registration and certification fees and one year of ACLM membership. Recipients of the 2021 ABLM/ACLM Board Certification Exam and Preparation scholarship must test in the same year it is awarded.

Lifestyle Medicine Course Bundle

The Program also will support coverage of course enrollment costs for those who have interest in a bundle of two of ACLMs latest continuing medical education or continuing education course offerings-- Reversing Type 2 Diabetes and Insulin Resistance (18 CME/CE) and Physician and Health Professional Well-Being (5 CME/CE). Recipients of the course scholarship must use it in the same year it is awarded.

Funded through a grant from Ardmore Institute of Health and generous member donations, the HEAL Scholarship Program will be replenished through various funding streams so that it can be drawn upon for annual scholarships in perpetuity.

In its inaugural year, the Program will fund 10-20 education/certification scholarships and 15 course bundle scholarships. Deadline to apply is April 30, 2021, and applicants will be notified in June.

Applications are available here. To donate to the scholarship program,click here.

"We see this as a first of many steps in creating the opportunities, strategies and efforts to make health equity a reality," said ACLM Board member and HEAL Initiative co-chair Marsha-Gail Davis, MD. "We believe lifestyle medicine holds a practical and powerful key to eliminating health disparities and through training and board certification of more physicians and clinicians, that power can be realized."

ABOUT THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF LIFESTYLE MEDICINE: ACLM is the medical professional society for those dedicated to the advancement and clinical practice of Lifestyle Medicine as the foundation of a transformed and sustainable health care system. Lifestyle Medicine is the use of evidence-based lifestyle therapeutic interventionincluding a whole-food, plant-predominant eating pattern, regular physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances, and positive social connectionas a primary modality, delivered by clinicians trained and certified in this specialty, to prevent, treat, and often reverse chronic disease.

More than a professional association, ACLM is a galvanized force for change. ACLM addresses the need for quality education and certification, supporting its members in their individual practices and in their collective mission to domestically and globally promote Lifestyle Medicine as the first treatment option, as opposed to a first option of treating symptoms and consequences with expensive, ever increasing quantities of pills and procedures. Learn more at http://www.lifestylemedicine.org.


Tropical Cyclone Seroja claims 96 lives in East Timor, Indonesia: UN

April 06,2021 | Source: Xinhua

Tropical Cyclone Seroja has claimed the lives of at least 96 people, with another 70 reported missing in East Timor and Indonesia, UN humanitarians said on Monday.



At least 75 people died in Indonesia because of the storm, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said. The highest toll from heavy rains, flash floods and winds was in Indonesia's southernmost province of East Nusa Tenggara.



According to local government sources, in the province of West Nusa Tenggara, more than 25,750 people are reported directly affected by flooding, OCHA said. Waves up to six meters high reportedly hit the southern coast of Timor Island. Landslides cut many roads and electricity is interrupted in many areas.



Local, provincial, national governments and non-governmental partners are supplying food, blankets and COVID-19 testing kits. The Indonesian Red Cross has mobilized personnel to assist with evacuations, provide first aid services and assist with evacuation.



The humanitarian office said there had been no official request for international assistance in Indonesia.



In East Timor, on the eastern end of Timor Island, at least 21 people died from March 29 to April 4, OCHA said. UN humanitarian agencies supporting government efforts at evacuation sites in the capital city of Dili are assisting in the life-saving needs of affected people, particularly women and children. Dili is the worst affected by flooding.



Preliminary official figures show more than 10,000 people have been affected across eight municipalities. More than 76 percent of the affected people are in Dili municipality.



The UN Population Fund said it delivered 125 dignity kits. That is enough for 125 households or 625 people. The UN Children's Agency had distributed sanitary kits, tarps, plastic mats and blankets.



The government, with support from humanitarian partners, leads the humanitarian response, OCHA said. It provides essential services to affected people, including identifying and managing evacuation facilities, the evacuation and transportation of vulnerable groups, debris removal and rehabilitating damaged infrastructure.



The Ministry of Health is providing medical services in all evacuation facilities.

 2000-2021 XINHUANET.com All rights reserved.

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A Pennsylvania man who was convicted of killing his wife 30 years after her corpse was found in her burning car failed Tuesday to convince a state appeals court panel that his lawyer was incompetent.

That Superior Court ruling means John D. Dawson, now 71, will keep serving a life prison term for the November 1981 slaying of Kathleen Dawson in Somerset Countys Conemagh Township.

Kathleen Dawson, 31, was last seen alive when she left work at Windber Hospital on the night of Nov. 9, 1981. She never made it home.

Instead, just after midnight the next morning, she was found dead in her blazing car. An autopsy showed she had been beaten to death. A blackjack was found at the murder scene.

John Dawson

The slaying remained a cold case until 2009 when John Dawson was arrested based on information his nephew and another witness gave police implicating him in the killing. He was convicted by a county jury two years later.

Investigators said John Dawson killed his wife because he was cheating on her and he was having financial problems. He collected more than $25,000 on her life insurance policy.

In his unsuccessful appeal to the Superior Court, John Dawson claimed his attorney failed him by, among other things, not calling character witnesses during the trial, not arguing that another man was in fact the killer, and by not preventing the testimony of a dead witness from being read to the jury.

Judge Mary P. Murray wrote the state court opinion rejecting those arguments.

She cited the defense attorneys contention that calling character witnesses could have enabled prosecutors to present evidence of John Dawsons prior criminal record.

The defense attorney said implying that another man owned the blackjack and had committed the murder could have been counterproductive in that the jurors could have concluded John Dawson conspired with that man to have his wife murdered, Murray noted. The defense attorney also cited the fact that a prosecution witness who said he remembered seeing John Dawson in the 1970s with the blackjack found at the murder scene actually recanted that claim when he testified during the homicide 2011 trial.

The witness who died before that trial was John Dawsons nephew Duane Schmidt whose information led state police to arrest Dawson for the murder. Murray found the defense attorney did try to block testimony Schmidt gave during the preliminary hearing in the case from being read by prosecutors during the trial, but was not successful.

Schmidt testified at the preliminary hearing that he smelled a foul odor when he saw John Dawson at his grandmothers house the morning after the murder. He also said Dawson had burns and blisters on both of his cheeks.

The lawyer didnt fail Dawson, either, by not preserving objections to the testimony of another witness for an appeal, the state judge concluded. That witness testified Dawson had told him, If you are going to kill somebody  if you are going to murder somebody, do it in Conemaugh Township.

Even without that witness statement prosecutors presented ample evidence of (Dawsons) guilt, Murray wrote.

The Superior Courts denial of his appeal came almost 10 years to the day after Dawson was convicted of first-degree murder.
LONDON  Minority communities in Britain have long felt estranged from the government and medical establishment, but their sense of alienation is suddenly proving more costly than ever amid a coronavirus vaccination campaign that depends heavily on trust.

With Britons enjoying one of the fastest vaccination rollouts in the world, skepticism about jabs remains high in many of the very communities where Covid-19 has taken the heaviest toll.

The governments response to the Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities has been rather limited, said Dr. Raja Amjid Riaz, 52, a surgeon who is also a leader at the Central Mosque of Brent, an ethnically diverse borough of North London. Those people have not been catered for.

As a result, communities like Brent offer fertile ground for the most outlandish of vaccine rumors, from unfounded claims that they affect fertility to the outright fabrication that the shots are being used to inject microchips.
Overall, nearly 58 percent of the patients were male, but the proportion was not the same across all ages. The youngest group  newborn to age 4  had roughly equal numbers of boys and girls, and the male-to-female ratio increased in the older groups until it was more than two-to-one male to female in the 18-to-20 group.

The vast majority of patients (nearly 86 percent) were younger than 15. The study found that those under 5 had the lowest risk of serious heart complications and were less likely to need intensive care. Patients 10 and older were significantly more likely to develop issues like shock, low blood pressure and myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle).

I think thats similar to what we saw with Covid, that the older kids seemed to have more severe disease, Dr. DeBiasi said. And thats because what makes people really sick from the Covid is the inflammatory aspect of it, so maybe these older kids, for whatever reasons, make more inflammation, whether thats in primary Covid or MIS-C.

Still, significant numbers of the youngest patients developed heart problems. In the newborn-to-4 age group, 36 percent had low blood pressure, 25 percent had shock and 44 percent were treated in the I.C.U.

Patients of all ages in the study had about the same occurrence of some of the less-common heart issues linked to the syndrome, including coronary aneurysms and fluid buildup. Children 14 and under were more likely to have rash and red eyes, while those older than 14 were more likely to have chest pain, shortness of breath and cough. Abdominal pain and vomiting afflicted about two-thirds of all patients.

There were 24 deaths recorded, spread across all age groups. There was no information in the study about whether patients had underlying medical conditions, but doctors and researchers have reported that young people with MIS-C were often previously healthy and significantly more likely to be healthy than the relatively small number of young people who become seriously ill from initial Covid infections.

Of the 1,075 patients for whom information about initial Covid illness was available, only 265 had symptoms at that time. They were more likely to be older  their median age was 11, while the median age of those with asymptomatic Covid infections was 8. But that could be because younger children cant express their concerns as well, said Dr. Blumenthal, who co-wrote an editorial about the study.
SINGAPORE, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Across the United States, vegan restaurants have suffered significant losses in business through this pandemic. abillion, a social media platform that promotes sustainable living, is launching the Save Vegan Restaurants fund under its impact banner.

With this initiative, abillion has committed to donating up to $1 million to support vegan restaurants in the USA. abillion is free to join, and with each review, members generate a $1 donation, with no limit on how many reviews they can post.

The #SaveVeganRestaurants campaign launched April 1st in partnership with We Are Impactors , a crowd-sourced discovery platform for impactful vegan, environmental, and social justice videos, and nonprofit Million Dollar Vegan . Celebrities like Mayim Bialik, Daniella Monet, Sophia Esperanza, Marco Antonio Regil, Amanda Le, Eddie Garza, David Carter and many more are joining this campaign to raise awareness and support their favorite vegan restaurants. Participants will use their platforms to drive new audiences and customers to vegan restaurants' Instagrams, with every new share and follow an opportunity for restaurants to deliver their messages and increase their sales.

The campaign also asks everyone to post reviews of their favorite vegan dishes on the abillion app in order to raise up to $1 million for vegan restaurants directly.

"So many vegan restaurants need financial assistance right now. We have always placed philanthropy over marketing, committing money to donate to great causes to effect real change and make an impact. We hope that the public responds to our call to action, to dine at vegan restaurants, to review their dishes, and then to donate the money that we reward them with each review to the Save Vegan Restaurants fund. It's that easy to make an impact," said Vikas Garg, founder & CEO of abillion.

Donating to the Save Vegan Restaurants fund is simple. A person simply needs to download the abillion app and post a review of a dish from a vegan restaurant and include #SaveVeganRestaurants in the review. Each review generates $1 that they can then donate, through the app, to the Save Vegan Restaurants fund or other causes. abillion is keeping the fund active for 12 months, starting April 1st. At the end of each month, collected donations will be disbursed to all participating US (only) vegan restaurants in proportion to the reviews posted about their dishes.

For a restaurant to participate in the Save Vegan Restaurants fund, it needs to be a vegan restaurant with a claimed business with abillion. Once a customer posts a review and includes #SaveVeganRestaurants in the review, the restaurant will automatically be included in the fund.

Additionally, as part of #SaveVeganRestaurants, We Are Impactors will donate production of a video commercial ($5k value) to the US based vegan restaurant that gains the most Instagram followers in the month of April, and Million Dollar Vegan will buy $1,000 worth of meals from each of the US restaurants with the second and third most new followers and donate them to communities in need. More details about participation and entry can be found on We Are Impactors' Instagram.

abillion is a tech business launched in 2018 that is building a global community of conscious consumers who want to drive change with sustainable choices. As of April 2021, abillion has over 300,000 members and through abillion's giving program, the business has donated over $500,000 to impactful causes and is aiming to donate more than $1 million by the end of 2021.

For more information on the Save Vegan Restaurants campaign and fund: http://svr.abillion.com .

For more research on the state of vegan restaurants in America: https://www.abillion.com/articles/save-vegan-restaurants-usa

About abillion

At abillion, we're working to drive a global movement for plant-based food and earth-friendly products. The abillion app helps people discover vegan options everywhere and uses consumer data to create a better world for everyone. The platform assists people that want to make sustainable choices. Whenever a member posts a review, we give them $1 to donate to a charity they support, which they can choose through the app. Reviews are also shared with business owners, influencing nearly 100,000 brands worldwide to offer more sustainable options. abillion also provides market insights and emerging trends through its proprietary dataset.

Members can download the abillion app through https://www.abillion.com/ . Restaurants can claim their listings on the abillion ecosystem at https://business.abillion.com/

MEDIA CONTACT:

Aun Koh

abillion

[email protected]

Website:

www.abillion.com

SOURCE abillionveg Pte Ltd

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-07 00:43:05|Editor: huaxia

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JUBA, April 6 (Xinhua) -- The head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on Tuesday urged the parties to the 2018 peace deal to speed up implementation of the outstanding tasks to achieve peace and stability before elections by 2023.

David Shearer, also Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan, revealed that the peace process remains fragile, despite the parties having registered some positive progress since the formation of the revitalized transitional government of national unity in February 2020.

"While important progress has been made, the peace process remains fragile and there is still much to be done including picking up the pace on constitution-making, transitional justice and economic reform," Shearer told journalists in Juba during his farewell speech.

Shearer encouraged the parties to make bold decisions to speed up the unification of the army.

The outgoing UNMISS chief will soon be replaced by South African Nicholas Haysom who was appointed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Jan. 15.

Shearer encouraged people still living inside the internally displaced person's (IDP's) camps to return to their homes.

According to UN agencies, close to one million people are living in IDP and UN camps in the country after being displaced during the outbreak of violence in December 2013 and July 2016 renewed violence respectively.

"I am also pleased and encouraged to see that most people who once fled in fear to UN Protection of Civilians Sites have either returned home or are living in newly transitioned displacement camps under the responsibility of the South Sudanese government," said Shearer.

He called for an end to the brutal inter-communal violence in most affected areas like Warrap and Jonglei.

"I hope that there is an end to the sporadic but brutal violence that we continue to witness in parts of the country like Jonglei and Warrap, so that the communities can have the opportunity to recover and rebuild their lives," said Shearer.

The UN official urged the people and leaders to remain united and energized to push the peace process forward to fully implement the revitalized peace agreement, in addition to holding elections that will enable communities to enjoy peace and prosperity. Enditem
Android Auto users will soon see a greater variety of navigation, parking and charging apps on the Play Store. As of today, Google is allowing third-party developers to push software in those categories to production. That means you'll soon start seeing those apps show up on the Play Store.

Google first said it would open up its marketplace to a greater variety of Android Auto applications last August. More recently, you've been able to check out some of those by applying to beta test them. Now that's no longer necessary. Before today's expansion, Google allowed third-party developers to release messaging and media apps for Android Auto, but not much else. As 9to5Google notes, the company had been reluctant to open the platform to other types of programs. A lot of that came down to its desire to ensure a safe experience for users. Even with today's announcement, the company is putting an emphasis on dev shops following its guidelines when making their software available on Android Auto.
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JERUSALEM  Israels president on Tuesday handed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the difficult task of trying to form a new government, giving the embattled Israeli leader a chance to extend his lengthy term in office.

But with the newly elected parliament deeply divided and the prime minister on trial for corruption charges, Netanyahu had little to celebrate.

He now has up to six weeks to lure his political foes into a coalition, an effort that appears to have slim odds of success. At the same time, those opponents will be working to form an alternative government that could end his 12-year reign.

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In a meeting with members of his Likud party, Netanyahu struck a statesmanlike tone, saying he would be the prime minister of all of Israels citizens, Jewish and Arab, religious and secular.

We will take care of everyone, he said, vowing to take Israel out of the cycle of recurring elections and to establish a strong government for all citizens of Israel.

President Reuven Rivlin turned to Netanyahu in the wake of Israels fourth inconclusive election in the past two years.

In a post-election ritual, Rivlin had consulted Monday with each of the 13 parties elected to the Knesset, or parliament, in hopes of finding a consensus on a candidate for prime minister. But neither Netanyahu, nor his main rival, Yair Lapid, received the endorsement of a majority of lawmakers.

As he announced his decision Tuesday, an anguished Rivlin said no candidate had the support needed to form a majority coalition in the 120-seat Knesset. He also noted that there are many misgivings about Netanyahu remaining in office while on trial.

Yet he said there was nothing in the law preventing Netanyahu from continuing as prime minister and said he believed that Netanyahu had a better chance than his rivals of cobbling together a coalition.

This is not an easy decision on a moral and ethical basis, Rivlin said. The state of Israel is not to be taken for granted. And I fear for my country.

Netanyahu did not attend Tuesdays announcement, as is tradition, and later Rivlin did not appear with Netanyahu in the usual photo of the new parliaments swearing-in  moves local media interpreted as a show of the presidents unhappiness with the situation.

Netanyahu now has an initial period of 28 days to put together a coalition, a period that Rivlin could extend for an additional two weeks.

Netanyahu has received the endorsement of 52 lawmakers, more than his rivals, but still short of the 61-seat majority needed to form a government.

Securing the support of nine more lawmakers will not be easy. Netanyahu will use his formidable powers of persuasion, coupled with generous offers of powerful government ministries, to court his potential partners.

Netanyahu will likely require the backing of Raam, a small Arab Islamist party. Raams leader, Mansour Abbas, has left the door open to cooperating with Netanyahu if he aids Israels Arab sector, which has long suffered from crime, discrimination and poverty.

But one of Netanyahus allies, the Religious Zionist party, has an openly racist platform and refuses to serve in a government with Arab partners. Netanyahu could appeal to the rabbis who serve as the partys spiritual guides in hopes of changing minds.

Netanyahu will also likely need the support of Yamina, a religious nationalist party led by former ally turned rival, Naftali Bennett, who also has been cool to an alliance with Arab parties.

Bennett, a former aide to Netanyahu, promised Tuesday to negotiate in good faith, but made no promises to his former mentor.

Netanyahus last hope will be to try to lure defectors from other opposition parties. For now, however, Netanyahus opponents have vowed to stand firm, especially after the painful experience of the previous government.

Following elections last year, Netanyahu and his main rival at the time, Benny Gantz, agreed to an emergency government to confront the coronavirus crisis. Their partnership was plagued by infighting and collapsed in half a year, triggering the March 23 election.

The chances of Netanyahu to form a government, as it seems right now, are quite low, said Yohanan Plesner, president of the Israel Democracy Institute, a Jerusalem think tank.

Looming over the negotiations will be Netanyahus corruption trial, which resumed this week with testimony from the first of a string of witnesses to testify against him.

Netanyahu has been charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in a series of scandals. He denies the charges and this week compared the case to an attempted coup.

Lapid, head of the centrist Yesh Atid party, acknowledged Tuesday that the law left Rivlin no choice, but nonetheless said that tapping Netanyahu was a shameful disgrace that tarnishes Israel.

Lapid has offered an alternative: a power-sharing arrangement with Bennett that would see the two men rotate between the prime ministers job. They are expected to hold intense negotiations in the coming weeks.

Plesner, a former Knesset member, said the partnership between Bennett and Lapid has a reasonable likelihood of materializing.

Lapid would be able to deliver his key campaign promise of ousting Netanyahu, while Bennett, whose party has just seven seats, would be the first to be prime minister.

For both of them, its a very lucrative deal, Plesner said.

Gayil Talshir, a political scientist at Israels Hebrew University, said that Netanyahus opponents who share his hard-line ideology, including Bennett, would prefer to see him fail before banding together against him.

Otherwise, they wouldve been thought of, from their own right-wing base perspective as traitors, she said.

The new parliament takes office at a time of deep polarization in Israeli society. Last months election was seen as a referendum on Netanyahus divisive leadership style, and the result was continued deadlock.

Netanyahus supporters view him as a global statesman who is uniquely suited to leading the country. His opponents accuse him of pushing the country through repeated elections in hopes of producing a parliament that will grant him immunity from criminal prosecution.

In a sign of those divisions, about 100 protesters hoisted LGBT pride flags and a mock submarine in a noisy demonstration outside the Knesset as the new parliament was sworn in. The pride flags were aimed at the pro-Netanyahu Religious Zionists, whose members are openly homophobic, while the submarine points to a graft scandal involving the purchase of German subs.

As the new Knesset was sworn into office, Rivlin appealed for unity. It was the last time Rivlin will address such a gathering, and the outgoing president, who leaves office this summer, appeared emotional.

If we do not learn and find a model of partnership that will allow us to live here together, out of mutual respect for each other, out of commitment to each other, and genuine solidarity, our national resilience will be in real danger, he said.
EDWARDSVILLE  Burglary and auto theft charges were filed against a number of people in unrelated cases Monday by the Madison County States Attorneys Office.

Scott R. Beers, 55, of Alton, was charged April 5 with residential burglary, a Class 1 felony, and burglary, a Class 2 felony.

The case was presented by the Madison County Sheriffs Department.

According to court documents, on March 25 Beers allegedly entered a residence and detached garage in the 1000 block of W. Delmar Avenue, Godfrey, to commit theft.

Bail was set at $50,000.

Other burglary/auto theft charges filed include:

 Kenny Pierson, 45, of Alton, was charged with burglary, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Alton Police Department. According to court documents, on April 5 Pierson allegedly entered a 2011 Mazda CX-7 in the 1100 block of Putnam Street, Alton, to commit theft. Bail was set at $25,000.

 Robert L. Brittin, 33, of Collinsville, was charged with burglary, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Madison County Sheriffs Department. On April 1 Brittin allegedly entered a 1996 GMC S15 in the 6200 block of Illinois 111 in Edwardsville. Bail was set at $15,000.

 Colin A. Banigan, 33, of Alton, was charged with three counts of offenses relating to motor vehicles, all Class 2 felonies; and one count of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony. The charges were in two separate filings by the Alton Police Department. On March 27 Banigan allegedly was in possession of two stolen motorcycles. On April 1, he was in possession of a 2019 Buick Encore. Bail was set at $50,000 for each filing.

Other April 5 felony filings include:

 Joseph M. Rabus, 34, of Wood River, was charged with aggravated battery, a Class 2 felony. The case was presented by the Wood River Police department. On April 5 Rabus allegedly kicked a Wood River police officer in the leg. Bail was set at $30,000.

 Teresa L. Jerman, 50, and Joshua L. Baum, 28, both of the 6500 block of Illinois 162, Maryville, were charged with one count of retail theft over $300. The cases were presented by the Collinsville Police Department. On April 1 the two allegedly took a cooler, various cosmetic and personal care items, Bluetooth headphones, fishing reals, a back-up camera system and other items valued in excess of $300. Bail was set at $15,000 each.

 Charles H. Steward, 43, of Springfield, Illinois, was charged with retail theft over $300, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Glen Carbon Police Department. On April 1 Steward allegedly took several cans of baby formula with a value in excess of $300. Bail was set at $15,000.

 David P. Diaz, 32, of Granite City, was charged wit retail theft under $300 (second subsequent offense), a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Granite City Police Department. On April 2 Diaz allegedly took a can of Spam valued at less than $300 from the Granite City 7-Eleven, 1151 Niedringhaus Avenue. It was noted he has a prior conviction for retail theft out of St. Clair County in 2012. Bail was set at $15,000.

 Pierre A. Triplett Jr., 25, of St. Louis, was charged with retail theft under $300 (second subsequent offense), a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Collinsville Police Department. On April 2 Triplett allegedly took a windbreaker, beanie style hat, lanyard, and shoes, from the Collinsville Walmart, 1040 Collinsville Crossing. Bail was set at $15,000.

 Robert L. Tidwell Jr., 54, of Edwardsville, was charged with driving while revoked, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Madison County Sheriffs Department. On April 3 Tidwell, whos drivers license was revoked due to a 2016 conviction for DUI and had several convictions for driving while license revoked, allegedly was found to be driving on Humbert Road in Godfrey. Bail was set at $30,000.

 Christian J. Williams. 20, of Spanish Lake, Missouri, was charged with aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Pontoon Beach Police Department. On April 2 Williams allegedly attempted to flee from a Pontoon Beach police officer while driving a Nissan Sentra, reaching speeds in excess of 21 miles per hour above the posted speed limit. Bail was set at $30,000.

 Justin G. Rodewald, 33, of Wood River, was charged with aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, and driving while license revoked, both Class 4 felonies. The case was presented by the Alton Police Department. On April 3 Rodewald allegedly attempted to flee from an Alton police officer, reaching speeds of more than 21 miles above the posted limit. It was also noted that his license was revoked due to a 2009 conviction for DUI, and he had several driving while license revoked convictions. Bail was set at $30,000.
Brian May has revealed that he didn't like Queen's hit Don't Stop Me Now at first as he thought Freddie Mercury's lyrics played down the dangers of AIDS.

The guitarist, 73, admitted he wasn't 'comfortable' with what Mercury was singing as he found it too 'flippant' in view of the dangers of the HIV virus.

But May eventually 'gave in' and warmed to the song after realising it 'gave people great joy'.

Difficult: Brian May has revealed that he didn't like Queen's hit Don't Stop Me Now at first as he thought Freddie Mercury's lyrics played down the dangers of AIDS

Don't Stop Me Now was originally taken from band's 1978 album Jazz, but was released as a single a year later. The first cases of AIDS were diagnosed in the early 80s.

May told Guitar Player magazine: 'I didn't really take to it in the beginning. I didn't feel totally comfortable with what Freddie was singing at the time.

'I found it a little bit too flippant in view of the dangers of AIDS and stuff. But as time went on, I began to realise that it gave people great joy.

'I had to give in. It's a great song - there's no way around it.

Opinion: The guitarist, 73, admitted he wasn't 'comfortable' with what Mercury (pictured in 1985) was singing as he found it too 'flippant' in view of the dangers of the HIV virus

Smash hit: Don't Stop Me Now was originally taken from band's 1978 album Jazz, but was released as a single a year later with an accompanying music video (pictured above)

'I think that's what Freddie had an amazing knack of doing: he could put his button on things that make people feel a bit more alive.'

On the unforeseen popularity of the hedonistic anthem, May said: 'It's a phenomenon, that song.

'I've seen it played at all sorts of functions. It's become the most requested song at hen parties and stag parties and marriages and weddings and funerals - just because it brings joy.'

Change of heart: May eventually 'gave in' and warmed to the song after realising it 'gave people great joy'

Making music: Queen bandmates John Deacon, Freddie Mercury, Roger Taylor and Brian May in 1976

Father-of-three May added that the song had become a 'spiritual lift' which he loves to play live.

May added: 'I don't have any quarrel with it now - I enjoy playing it onstage.

'It's wonderful that everyone wants to sing it. In singing with us, they express their own joy and their own determination to make the best out of their lives, and to keep on and not get knocked down by things.

'It's an amazing kind of spiritual lift - that's what the song has become.'

Mercury later died in 1991, aged 45, of bronchial pneumonia resulting from AIDS.

Don't Stop Me Now peaked at number 9 in the UK charts but has been popularised over the years after inclusion in several adverts and films, including 2004 horror-comedy Shaun of the Dead, and has also racked up nearly a billion plays on Spotify.
Jordan: publication of news banned on Hamzah case Decision by Amman prosecutor general until further notice

(ANSAmed) - TEL AVIV, 06 APR - Amman prosecutor general Hassan Al-Abdallat banned the publication of anything pertaining "to the investigation" by security services on Prince Hamzah and "others", said Petra news agency, which reported that the ban is in effect until further notice.



"The ban includes audiovisual media and social media sites, and the publication and circulation of any images or video clips related to this topic is under penalty of criminal liability".



(ANSAmed).




In a move that could mean serious competition for Oracle in the Java space, Microsoft is previewing its own build of OpenJDK, a freely available, long-term support distribution of open source Java.

Known officially as Microsoft Build of OpenJDK, binaries of Java 11 for Windows, Linux, and MacOS are available at microsoft.com. Microsoft also is publishing an early access binary for Java 16, the latest version of standard Java, for Windows on Arm. Microsoft Azure cloud users can try the build via Azure Cloud Shell.

Builds for Java 11 are based on OpenJDK source code, following the same build scripts used by the Eclipse Adoptium project, formerly known as AdoptOpenJDK. Microsofts binaries have passed the Java Technology Compatibility Kit (TCK) for Java 11.

Announced April 6, Microsoft Build of OpenJDK is a simple drop-in replacement for any other OpenJDK distribution in the Java ecosystem. Microsoft pledges to support Java 11 until at least 2024. OpenJDK binaries for Java 17 are due by the end of this year. Microsoft will support Java 8 binaries from Eclipse Adoptium on Azure-managed services offering Java 8 as a target runtime option.

Microsoft, with its Java build, surely has Oracle, with its popular Oracle Java Development Kit (JDK) Java releases, in its crosshairs. Microsoft said Java is one of the most important programming languages today, as its used for everything from critical enterprise applications to hobby robots. Microsoft has seen increasing growth in customer use of Java across the companys cloud services and development tools.

Microsoft said its contributions to OpenJDK started as it learned about the process and how to participate in a meaningful way. During the past 18 months, the company has contributed more than 50 patches for OpenJDK, covering areas such as MacOS packaging, build and infrastructure, and garbage collection fixes. Microsoft also has collaborated with Java vendor Azul Systems and others to offer Java support.

Microsoft Build of OpenJDK binaries may contain backported fixes and enhancements deemed important to customers and internal users. Some may not have been formally backported upstream and signposted in OpenJDK release notes. Microsoft said it relies on Java technologies for some of its own internal systems, applications, and workloads; Java also powers some Azure infrastructure. The company deploys more than 500,000 JVMs internally, excluding Azure services and customer workloads.

Microsofts history with Java includes being sued by Java founder Sun Microsystems in the 1990s, with Sun alleging that Microsoft was distributing a version of Java that was not compatible with Suns, thus violating the write once, run anywhere principle of Java. The lawsuit was settled in 2001, with Microsoft agreeing to pay Sun $20 million. The license agreement between the two companies was terminated.
YEREVAN, APRIL 6, ARMENPRESS. An Armenian married couple is suspected in spying for Azerbaijani intelligence agencies, the National Security Service said.

The NSS said its investigation has revealed that a citizen of Armenia  whose identity hasnt been released  was recruited by Azerbaijani intelligence agencies while numerously traveling to Turkey. The Azerbaijani agents who recruited them were operating in the territory of Turkey.

The suspect collected and transferred online to the foreign agents information constituting state and service secret, as well as other confidential data, for the latters hostile actions against Armenia and Artsakh.

The suspects wife acted as his accomplice. The couple was paid 1500 dollars.

The man is currently under arrest pending trial on charges of state treason. His wife is charged for being an accomplice to state treason.

Theyve both confessed in their testimonies.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
More than 400 Koreans have returned home from Myanmar due to the ongoing political turmoil and violence in the country since the military coup in February.

Another 274 are expected to fly back by the end of this month.

To facilitate their return, the government is operating flights temporarily between Myanmar and Korea three times a week and plans to increase their number if necessary.

The Foreign Ministry said Monday that even with the additional returnees there would still be about 2,900 Koreans in the Southeast Asian country, with roughly 90 percent of them in the largest city, Yangon, where more than 250 Korean companies operate.

The ministry issued a travel advisory for Myanmar on March 3, warning against travel to that country and recommending Koreans in Myanmar leave.

It is also considering a travel ban if the situation there worsens.
DUBLIN, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Top 200 Furniture Manufacturers Worldwide" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

WHAT ARE THE LEADING FURNITURE COMPANIES AT A GLOBAL LEVEL?

The report Top 200 furniture manufacturers worldwide is intended to identify, compare and profile the leading world furniture producers, providing information such as financial performance, retailing and business strategies, activities and product portfolio, manufacturing plants, general contact info.

The selection of the Top 200 furniture manufacturers worldwide results from an extensive effort in field and desk research to identify the leading players operating in the furniture sector.

The selected Top 200 furniture companies may operate in the following segments: kitchen furniture, upholstered furniture, office furniture, multiproduct furniture (e.g. dining/living room furniture, bedrooms, bathroom, outdoor furniture, etc.).

The study is introduced by an overview of the furniture sector, the global background where the top furniture manufacturers operate, with trends in furniture consumption, international trade, the evolution of the world furniture production by geographical areas for the time frame 2015-2020.

Aggregated statistics on companies' structure and performance are presented in the chapter TOP 200 FURNITURE MANUFACTURERS: A HETEROGENEOUS GROUP OF COMPANIES, where analyses on the manufacturing plants locations, M&A transactions and the e-commerce channel are included for the first time in this edition.

A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS: The Top 200 furniture manufacturers are broken down and analysed according to their:

Headquarters location

Performance: turnover and number of employees

Furniture product specialization (office furniture, kitchen furniture, upholstered furniture and multiproduct furniture)

FOR EACH CONSIDERED SEGMENT (office furniture, kitchen furniture, upholstered furniture and multiproduct furniture) this report provides:

Total segment's production value and breakdown by geographical area

Headquarters and manufacturing plants locations of the leading manufacturers

Leading manufacturers' production value by geographical area

Performance of the leading manufacturers compared to the whole segment's performance

The COMPANY PROFILES OF THE TOP 200 FURNITURE MANUFACTURERS provide:

Company name, headquarter address, website, email address

Business activity, controlled companies, product portfolio, product specialization

Financial performance, total revenues and number of employees

Manufacturing activity, facilities location, plant expansion strategies

Retailing strategies, e-commerce activity and brands

Key Topics Covered:

1. INTRODUCTION: AIM OF THE REPORT AND CONTENTS

2. METHODOLOGICAL NOTES

SECTION ONE: ANALYSIS OF THE TOP 200 FURNITURE MANUFACTURERS

3. THE BACKGROUND

World furniture consumption, production and trade 2015-2020

4. TOP 200 FURNITURE MANUFACTURERS: A HETEROGENEOUS GROUP OF COMPANIES

4.1. Selection of the top 200 furniture manufacturers

4.2. Representativeness of the top 200 furniture manufacturers

4.3. Geographical coverage. Location and production breakdown by geographical area

4.4. Manufacturing plants: number and location

4.5. Top 200 turnover and employment

4.6. The recent performance of the top 200 furniture manufacturers

Top 200 furniture turnover and world furniture production

4.7. Mergers & Acquisitions

4.8. E-commerce. Own website and main e-tailers served in a selection of Top 200 manufacturers

4.9. Product specialization. Top 200 by furniture segment

Office furniture and leading manufacturers

Kitchen furniture and leading manufacturers

Upholstered furniture and leading manufacturers

Multiproduct furniture and leading manufacturers

SECTION TWO: TOP 200 FURNITURE MANUFACTURERS PROFILES

5. TOP 200 FURNITURE MANUFACTURERS WORLDWIDE

5.1. Summary tables. Alphabetical order, by geographical area and by furniture specialization

5.2. Top 200 furniture manufactureres. Company profiles

Company name, headquarter address, website, email address

Business activity, controlled companies, product portfolio, product specialization

Financial performance, total revenues and number of employees

Manufacturing activity, facilities location, plant expansion strategies

Retailing strategies, e-commerce activity and brands

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/1ewswg



Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

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LAS VEGAS, April 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via InvestorWire -- Asia Broadband Inc. (OTC: AABB) (AABB or the Company) is pleased to announce that the Company has recorded over $1 million in AABBG Gold Token sales within the first two weeks after the token became available for sale on March 22. The initial two weeks of token sales have allowed the Companys AABBG token developer, Core State Holdings, Corp. (CSHC), to monitor and refine the information and transaction processing to validate token sales operations. Now that the sales verification phase is complete, the Company is proceeding to implement an international marketing campaign aimed to proliferate brand exposure, increase token sales and AABB Wallet transactions and amplify public and investment community awareness of the Company.



AABBs primary goal for the token is to become a worldwide standard of exchange that is secured and trusted with gold backing, by progressively expanding token circulation to the primary sales markets of North America and Europe and expand globally to other predominant and high growth market areas.



The Company is now developing, with CSHC, its own proprietary cryptocurrency Exchange that will allow AABB Wallet users to quickly exchange their AABB Gold tokens for major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin. The proprietary Exchange will add tremendously to transaction fee revenues and allow for the price appreciation of AABBG, influenced by market demand and the limited supply of tokens released into circulation.

The current version of the AABB Wallet allows purchasers to transfer AABBG tokens to others who also have the AABB Wallet, although tokens will not initially be exchangeable within the AABB Wallet for other cryptocurrencies. However, this initial version of the AABB Wallet enables the Company to increase token circulation and accumulate revenues to be utilized for the support and stabilization of the token price when AABBG is freely exchangeable in the open market. AABB embraces a pioneering philosophy with its truly unique Mine-to-Token vertical integration operational approach that strives toward complete independence from FIAT currency.

The initial token release is backed by $30 million in physical gold the Company currently holds and will continue to be backed 100% by additional physical gold acquired from future mining production, gold purchased from cash reserves or credit. At todays market price of gold, this initial token release available for purchase is 5.4 million tokens at the one-tenth (0.1) gram of gold price (approximately $5.60 USD) for each AABBG token. The token price is tied to and supported by the Company at the market price of gold at a minimum. As the price of gold fluctuates, the minimum supported price of the AABBG token will increase or decrease, but the potential upside price of the token will be driven by market demand.

Support for users of the AABB Wallet is available on the token website www.AABBGoldToken.com and on the support page www.AABBGoldToken.com/support/

About Asia Broadband

Asia Broadband Inc. (OTC: AABB) is a resource company focused on the production, supply and sale of precious and base metals, primarily to Asian markets. The Company utilizes its specific geographic expertise, experience and extensive industry contacts to facilitate its innovative distribution process from the production and supply of precious and base metals in Mexico to client sales networks in Asia. This vertical integration approach to sales transactions is the unique strength of AABB that differentiates the Company and creates distinctive value for shareholders. The Company has recently released its freshly minted mine-to-token gold-backed cryptocurrency AABB Gold token (AABBG) and strives to become a world-wide standard of exchange that is secured and trusted with gold backing, an outstanding quality relative to other cryptocurrencies.

Contact the Company at: Investor Brand Network General Email: ir@asiabroadbandinc.com Token Support : www.AABBGoldToken.com/support/ Company Website: www.asiabroadbandinc.com Token Website: www.AABBGoldToken.com Phone: 702-866-9054

Forward-Looking Statements are contained in this press release within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on the Asia Broadband Inc.s (the Company) expected current beliefs about the Companys business, which are subject to uncertainty and change. The operations and results of the Company could materially differ from what is expressed or implied by the statements made above when industry, regulatory, market and competitive circumstances change. Further information about these risks can be found in the annual and quarterly disclosures the Company has published on the OTC Markets website. The Company is under no obligation to update or alter its forward-looking statements as future circumstances, events and information may change.

Corporate Communications:

InvestorBrandNetwork (IBN)

Los Angeles, California

www.InvestorBrandNetwork.com

310.299.1717 Office

Editor@InvestorBrandNetwork.com
The central purpose of our justice system is to protect the vulnerable and punish the wrongdoer.

But when civic authorities, including the police and courts, succumb to institutional cowardice, inertia, warped priorities and moral collapse in the face of brutish criminality, that noble ideal is lost.

Those failings were all too apparent in the notorious Rochdale grooming scandal, where predatory gangs of mainly Pakistani heritage abused and exploited local girls (many of them underage and most of them white) over many years.

This week we learned that the betrayal of those victims continues.

It has emerged that a key member of the Rochdale grooming gang, Abdul Rauf  a man who was convicted in 2012 of trafficking and sex with a 15-year-old  is still at large in the town.

Rauf was sentenced to six years, but served just two years, six months.

This week we learned that the betrayal of the Rochdale grooming scandal victims continues. It has emerged that a key member of the grooming gang, Abdul Rauf (pictured)  a man who was convicted in 2012 of trafficking and sex with a 15-year-old  is still at large in the town

As a criminal with foreign nationality, the judge ordered that he be kicked out of the country on his release under current immigration rules, and returned to his native Pakistan.

Yet again, however, the authorities failed to act, allowing Raufs lawyers to cynically deploy human rights regulations to thwart his deportation.

And so, almost a decade on, there he is, brazenly sauntering around a supermarket.

Betrayal

As I looked at that sickening picture in the Mail yesterday  his arrogant defiance evident despite the face mask  my heart went out to his victims, some of them still living in the area, and to all victims.

Rochdale is just one of a number of similar abuse scandals in recent years  from Telford to Oxford, Derby to Rotherham  all of them featuring innocent young girls, rapacious gangs and organisational weakness.

But Rochdale was one of the earliest to command public attention, after a nine-strong gang was convicted in 2012 of abusing 47 girls, some of them as young as 13.

It was later made into a TV drama, Three Girls. As a detective working on the investigation, I became the programme consultant, working for four years to bring it to our screens.

And as well as the human suffering, the Bafta award-winning saga shone a powerful light on just how feeble the efforts of the law enforcement agencies had been in tackling the gangs, despite overwhelming evidence against them.

In passing sentence, the judge described the gang as having engaged in callous, vicious and violent attacks.

That strong rhetoric was absolutely correct, but it had not been matched at any stage by vigorous action from the authorities.

Hamstrung by doctrines of political correctness in dealing with the Pakistani community, the senior ranks of Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were too slow to act.

Rochdale was one of the earliest to command public attention, after a nine-strong gang was convicted in 2012 of abusing 47 girls, some of them as young as 13. It was later made into a TV drama, Three Girls (pictured, the show's cast)

Similarly, the Crown Prosecution Service took the easy route of bringing only limited charges against the defendants; instead of rape they were charged with trafficking and conspiracy to engage in sex.

And the sentences themselves  despite the judges tough words  were pitifully short.

All this was a shattering disappointment to me. Having seen at first-hand what the victims had suffered, I knew that the official response was too lax, too late, too lenient.

In my frustration, I resigned from GMP in 2012 and later blew the whistle on the police forces historic failures.

I have continued my work with victims through my charity, The Maggie Oliver Foundation, and the justice system is still failing these women, now in their 20s and 30s.

They were let down by the state when the grooming first occurred, and they are still being let down by officialdoms refusal to uphold the law, keep them informed or respect their human rights.

In sharp contrast, Abdul Raufs so-called human rights have been revered by the system  just as he and his other gang members have been lavished with expensive legal aid.

But where is the support for their victims? Where is their legal aid and their army of lawyers fighting for their rights?

Sickening

The moral inversion is sickening. While Rauf is protected, the girls his gang targeted were largely left to fend for themselves, despite huge psychological and physical harm.

They were not informed by the Probation Service or the Parole Board of the gangs release, just as they were denied any information about the deportation cases. So now they must live in fear of running into their attackers.

Ruby (not her real name) was raped, aged 13, by one of Raufs fellow predators, Adil Khan.

She became pregnant by him, and had a termination. But, determined to see justice done, Ruby agreed that DNA could be taken from the aborted foetus to prove Khans paternity.

As a criminal with foreign nationality, the judge ordered Rauf be kicked out of the country on his release under current immigration rules. However, the authorities failed to act, allowing Raufs lawyers to cynically deploy human rights regulations to thwart his deportation

Even with this evidence, justice was not done. No mention of rape when the charges were brought against Khan, just the lesser accusations of conspiracy and trafficking.

Khan was released early from prison after three years and his Pakistani background meant he should have been deported. So far, the state has proved unable to uphold the law, leaving him free to live in Rochdale.

Impunity

Ruby heard nothing from the Probation Service. Then, one day recently, she turned the corner of her local supermarket aisle and there was Khan.

She fled the shop in hysterics and was immediately on the phone to me. Why is he here? Why is he still in Rochdale? she sobbed down the line.

The only answer is that instead of looking after the victims, the state prefers to safeguard the predators.

In another case Ive handled, an abuse victim was at her neighbours house with her own daughter, when the little girl went to play outside. The mother followed her out and then, to her horror, she saw down the street a gang member who had abused her in the past, glaring fixedly at her little girl.

Her attacker had never been prosecuted, despite strong evidence against him. Now, like other victims, she is terrified of encountering him again.

This is not the way it should be. The victims should be allowed to rebuild their lives in peace and focus on their recoveries. They are the ones who should be relishing freedom, not their attackers.

But we do not have a justice system in Britain; rather we have an injustice system, with the victims at the back of the queue. Innocence was lost once. Now it has been trashed again.

The tragedy is that what happened in Rochdale is still ongoing throughout the country.

Lessons have not been learned. Gangs still operate with near impunity because of the authorities mismanagement and paralysis.

They continue to be hypersensitive about cultural issues, but utterly insensitive about victims rights.

And that is a crime.

Maggie Oliver is a former detective with Greater Manchester Police and is the founder of The Maggie Oliver Foundation, which works with survivors of sexual abuse.
Press Release

April 6, 2021 Hontiveros urges DFA to champion ASEAN cooperation amid continued Chinese aggression Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday urged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to take immediate action and champion diplomatic initiatives within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), amid escalating Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). "The ASEAN should stand together against China's bullying. We should put our differences aside and work towards the common goal of opposing unfounded and over-ambitious Chinese territorial claims in the region. The ASEAN should be able to compel China to reach a consensus on the Code of Conduct for the South China Sea," Hontiveros said. "If ASEAN does not adopt a common stand on the South China Sea, we cannot safeguard our shared interests. Southeast Asia on its own should also still take a common stand through a dialogue within the member states for the first round of talks. Then engage China in the framework of and towards an ASEAN-China Code of Conduct. We have repeatedly called on China to respect our seas, our sovereignty, and our people, but these have fallen on deaf ears. Ayaw makinig ng Tsina, ayaw din sumunod sa batas, kaya dapat magkaisa ang ASEAN kung paano harapin ang Tsina," the senator added. During the 37th ASEAN Summit, ASEAN's current chair, Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, publicly stated that the Southeast Asian bloc would maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea by respecting and observing international law, and by settling disputes through peaceful means. "Disputes should be resolved through dialogue within the framework of the existing international rules-based order. Within ASEAN, it is clear that the United Nations Convention for the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) should govern the conduct of competing claimants in the South China Sea. A commitment to multilateralism and a respect for international law has always avowedly been the ASEAN way. In contrast, the current strategy being pursued by the Chinese government is to use its economic and military dominance to impose its will upon the region and make its outrageous and excessive territorial claims a fait accompli," Hontiveros said. "The Chinese government's greed for territory and power has led to the unilateral and aggressive expansion of the military outposts on its artificial islands as well as the intrusion of its maritime militia into our Exclusive Economic Zone -- actions that are in blatant violation of the UNCLOS. Kaya palakasin pa natin ang ating relasyon sa ASEAN at magkaisa tayo sa pagtindig," she said. Hontiveros said that escalating Chinese aggression in disputed waters has made a stronger alliance with ASEAN member states of paramount importance. She then expressed alarm over the swarm of Chinese vessels in the WPS, including the presence of three advanced naval vessels in Panganiban Reef, which forms part of the Philippines' EEZ and continental shelf. According to a news report, the three vessels are Type 022 stealth missile fast attack craft of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy. Global Times, a tabloid owned by the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, described the Type 022 as "fast, flexible, stealthy, and powerful." "Walang preno ang pananalakay ng Tsina. Kailan lang, may 'fishing vessels' sila sa Julian Felipe Reef; ngayon, may war vessels pa sa Panganiban Reef. It is infuriating that China is taking advantage of a global crisis to consolidate its territorial claims in the region by parking its military vessels within our EEZ. A People's Liberation Navy ship even aimed its gun control director toward the BRP Conrado Yap last year. Hindi lang sila 'business-as-usual' sa gitna ng pandemya, nambabanta-as-usual pa," Hontiveros said. "The DFA should work with the Department of National Defense as we talk to our partners within ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific region. An ASEAN coalition is, perhaps, the best way of assuring our territorial integrity, mutual security, and continued peace. China has committed itself to a strategy based on its individual strength. But we, in the Philippines, with the help of the entire ASEAN, should resist. Sama-sama, matitigil din natin ang pangaabuso at pangangahas ng Tsina," Hontiveros concluded.
The new Inside the Illegal Wildlife Trade 400 square foot exhibit opening, Wednesday April 7 We all have a responsibility. What we choose to eat, what we decide to buy, how we choose to spend our resources. Wildlife and the animals in the illegal wildlife trade, dont have a voice. We need to be their voice

Oakland Zoo  Conservation Society of California is Taking Action against the illegal wildlife trade with a new Zoo-wide, multi-platform campaign.

Inspired and led by Dr. Joel Parrott as his final endeavor as President & CEO of Oakland Zoo (retired, April 2) , the 'Taking Action Against The Illegal Wildlife Trade' campaign is at the heart of the Conservation Society of California's mission. Combating the wildlife trade does not only protect animals and their species - many of which are on the brink of extinction - but it protects people from zoonotic diseases* worldwide as greatly evidenced by the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The illegal wildlife trade is the unlawful capture and selling of products derived from wild animals or plants determined to be unsustainable. A multi-billion-dollar industry that is pushing wild animals and plants to further extinction. Around one million animal and plant species are on the brink of extinction due to human-related activities, many of which are linked to the industry of illegal wildlife trade.

As my final project at the Oakland Zoo before my retirement, the new Inside the Illegal Wildlife Trade exhibit represents one of the most important messages we can convey to our guests to help protect wildlife worldwide. Going forward, Oakland Zoo will play an even more important role to inspire our visitors with hope, and an understanding that everyone can play a role in conservation of species, says Dr. Joel Parrott, retired CEO and President of Oakland Zoo.

The launch of the campaign coincides with the grand opening of the 'Inside the Illegal Wildlife Trade' exhibit, located in the Zoos African Savanna area. Guests can experience the new 400 square foot exhibit throughout the year. Filled with actual contraband confiscated by the Department of Fish & Wildlife, along with thoughtful and extensive educational displays and a video screen, the exhibit addresses and demonstrates the effects and devastation of the illegal wildlife trade industry  including the decimations of many animal species and the spread of many zoonotic diseases. Guests leave the exhibit with a new understanding and inspired that they truly can make a difference on a personal level.

We all have a responsibility. What we choose to eat, what we decide to buy, how we choose to spend our resources. Wildlife and the animals in the illegal wildlife trade, dont have a voice. We need to be their voice, says Nik Dehejia, CEO and President of Oakland Zoo.

At the exhibit, guests will be encouraged to take a pledge to Take Action to #endthetrade. The exhibit explains how one can make simple yet powerful choices on their purchases, pet choices, and travel  the three actions that can eliminate the industry altogether. Only 25% of animals poached from the wild and sold into the illegal wildlife pet trade actually survive their ordeal. Effecting behavioral changes of Zoo guests can dismantle their links to the industry as potential consumers.

"These choices send a message that we consumers are aware, compassionate, and not afraid to ask. These choices end the trade," says Amy Gotliffe, Vice President of Conservation at Oakland Zoo.

Oakland Zoo is also proud to announce its newest partnership, one with the Wildlife Trafficking Alliance (WTA), a program of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). So far, 80 AZA accredited zoos have signed up for the cause. The partnership will allow the Zoo and WTA to work together to raise further public awareness of the scope of the wildlife trafficking crisis and effect change to end the trade.

With approximately 50% of Oakland Zoo's animal residents being rescues, dozens of those rescues are also victims of illegal wildlife trade both domestically and from overseas; including countless reptiles, amphibians, Ting Ting sun bear,Brock Yellow-napped Amazon parrot, and more. The Zoo continuously works with and provides care and sanctuary for confiscated wildlife from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CADFW), and other organizations that enforce and protect wildlife.

Animals confiscated by officials at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and the Port of Oakland have also been brought to Oakland Zoo over several years. They have been treated by veterinary hospital staff, quarantined, and monitored for health by Animal Care and Veterinary Hospital staff.

Our trusted partners at Oakland Zoo have assisted us time and time again for help caring for live animals that we end up with as a result of an investigation or a public safety incident. Were grateful theyre willing to support us when we need to provide care for any animal seized during a wildlife trafficking investigation, says Captain Foy of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Recently, Oakland Zoo accepted wallaby confiscations from the CDFW from a private owner who illegally had the wallabies as exotic pets. After the mandatory quarantine, the wallabies will live in their forever home in Wild Australia at Oakland Zoo.

The stories of the confiscated animals now living at Oakland Zoo help demonstrate the devastation the illegal wildlife trade causes. The new onsite exhibit, along with the campaign, hopes to explain that this issue is very close to home, with many animal confiscations from the illegal wildlife trade happening right here in the Bay Area.

Our efforts go beyond Zoo grounds, with global partnerships with conservation organizations dedicated solely to the fight against the illegal wildlife trade, such as ARCAS in Guatemala. Oakland Zoo recently donated $20,000 to the construction of their new Biodiversity Education Centre in Lake Peten Itza to build awareness illegal wildlife trade through education and awareness.

For more information on the Oakland Zoos Taking Action Against the Illegal Wildlife Trade campaign, please go to: oaklandzoo.org/endthetrade

*A zoonotic disease is a disease that can transmit from animals to people or, more specifically, a disease that generally exists in animals but that can infect humans.

Contact:

Isabella Linares

Oakland Zoo

ilinares@oaklandzoo.org

Erin Harrison

Oakland Zoo

eharrison@oaklandzoo.org

ABOUT OAKLAND ZOO AND THE CONSERVATION SOCIETY OF CALIFORNIA:

Oakland Zoo, home to more than 850 native and exotic animals, is managed by the Conservation Society of California (CSC); a non-profit organization leading an informed and inspired community to take action for wildlife locally and globally. With over 25 conservation partners and projects worldwide, the CSC is committed to conservation-based education and saving species and their habitats in the wild. Oakland Zoo is dedicated to the humane treatment of animals and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the national organization that sets the highest standards for animal welfare for zoos and aquariums.

ABOUT THE WILDLIFE TRACKING ALLIANCE (WTA):

The Wildlife Trafficking Alliance (WTA) is a coalition of more than 80 leading companies, non-profit organizations, and AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums working together to reduce, and eventually eliminate, the illegal trade of wildlife and wildlife products. WTA works with a variety of partners whose active engagement is essential to the success of the WTA goals.

ABOUT ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS (AZA):

Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, animal welfare, education, science, and recreation. AZA is the accrediting body for the top zoos and aquariums in the United States and 12 other countries. Look for the AZA accreditation logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. The AZA is a leader in saving species and your link to helping animals all over the world.
Santander International is leveraging the capacity and stability of the Cloud with Temenos SaaS to meet growing business demands and to strategically position the bank to service its valued customers in a post COVID-19 era

The digital transformation strategy starts with utilising new Cloud technology to improve the digital customer journey for mortgage products, with plans to extend the digital platform to all business lines

Assisted by Syncordis, the implementation of Temenos SaaS will help the bank reduce costs, whilst improving the customer experience, bringing new products to market faster and scaling efficiently

Syncordis, the global Temenos implementation partner and product experts, and Temenos (SIX: TEMN), the banking software company, announced that Santander International, part of the Banco Santander group, has selected Temenos SaaS, implemented by Syncordis, to power-up its core banking platform transformation.

Syncordis will help Santander International, which has branches in Jersey and the Isle of Man, to transform its banking, savings and mortgage products IT infrastructure from an on-premise solution to cloud-native Temenos SaaS. This will enable Santander International to benefit from the security, resilience and elastic scalability of the Microsoft Azure cloud.

Moving to the Temenos cloud-native and API-first digital banking platform with pre-configured banking and mortgages functionality will enable the bank to build and launch products faster and deliver enhanced digital experiences with streamlined customer journeys.

Syncordis has been selected as the system integrator and implementation partner to lead the core banking implementation and modernization project with a new digital banking eco-system. Adopting an agile implementation approach to complete the project delivery in the shortest timeframe, the bank's customers will benefit from a smooth transition to Temenos' next generation digital banking solution.

James Pountney, Chief Executive Officer Santander International, commented:

"In challenging times such as these, it is more vital than ever to be able to adapt to changing business and customer requirements simply, safely and swiftly. By working with Temenos and Syncordis we will be able to future-proof our digital banking platform which will enable us to provide our valued customers with outstanding service and a seamless customer experience."

Hemal Jayasinghe, Chief Business Officer Regional Director UK NORDICS, Syncordis, said:

"We are excited to strategically partner with Santander International to modernize their core banking operations and drive their digitization journey. Innovation and the willingness to transform are key in today's ever-changing world. With Temenos' powerful cloud technology and Syncordis' extensive implementation expertise, Santander International will be enabled to power their digital banking capabilities, provide an excellent and modern experience to their customers and future-proof their business."

David Macdonald, President Europe, Temenos, said:

"We're excited to be working with Santander International to help redefine their customer experience. We see a growing momentum of banks both globally and in Europe choose Temenos as the most advanced cloud technology in the market to break free from legacy systems. Temenos SaaS delivers speed and agility while providing the security and resilience that a modern digital bank needs. We're proud to be part of this evolution."

Notes for Editors:

About Santander International:

Santander International is the trading name of the Jersey and Isle of Man branches of Santander Financial Services plc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Santander UK Group Holdings plc which is part of the Banco Santander group.

Santander International offers banking and savings accounts to Channel Island and Isle of Man residents, UK residents, UK expatriates, foreign expatriates and international customers. Santander International also offer mortgages on Jersey and Isle of Man properties and Corporate Banking solutions for Channel Island and Isle of Man domiciled companies. www.santanderinternational.co.uk

About Syncordis

Syncordis, a Luxembourg based LTI Company, delivers high-quality end-to-end implementation and system integration projects with an exclusive focus on Temenos banking software such as Temenos Infinity, Temenos Transact, Temenos Fund Administration, Temenos Infinity Wealth and Temenos DataSource. Syncordis is also the only Temenos global partner that is fully dedicated to Temenos services with capabilities to support all Temenos software suites. With 12 offices across the globe, 500+ experts and complementary services like SaaS and regulated production support services, Syncordis enables its international clients to master their digital transformation. This makes Syncordis one of the one-stop service partners for Temenos clients worldwide. For more information, please visit www.syncordisconsulting.com

About Temenos

Temenos AG (SIX: TEMN) is the world's leader in banking software. Over 3,000 banks across the globe, including 41 of the top 50 banks, rely on Temenos to process both the daily transactions and client interactions of more than 1.2 billion banking customers. Temenos offers cloud-native, cloud-agnostic and AI-driven front office, core banking, payments and fund administration software enabling banks to deliver frictionless, omnichannel customer experiences and gain operational excellence.

Temenos software is proven to enable its top-performing clients to achieve cost-income ratios of 26.8% half the industry average and returns on equity of 29%, three times the industry average. These clients also invest 51% of their IT budget on growth and innovation versus maintenance, which is double the industry average, proving the banks' IT investment is adding tangible value to their business.

For more information, please visit www.temenos.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210405005020/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact for Syncordis

Clara Bechler

Marketing Communication

T +49 40 369 835 12

E cbechler@syncordisconsulting.com

Media Contact for Santander International

Susan Clark

Marketing Communications

T +44 1534 828 011

susan.clark@santanderinternational.co.uk
It is remarkable that, nearly 17 years after Rathergate, 60 Minutes still exists and apparently has an audience. 60 Minutes has never been truthful or reliable. Not long before Rathergate, we wrote about another instance of blatant misuse of documents by that program to support a false narrative. It hasnt gotten any better since then.

Last night, 60 Minutes contributed to the Democratic Partys smear campaign against Governor Ron DeSantis by airing a heavily edited exchange between CBS reporter Sharyn Alfonsi and DeSantis. Alfonsi accused DeSantis of rewarding Publix, a contributor to his campaign, by giving Publix a role in covid vaccine distribution in Florida. DeSantis thoroughly rebutted Alfonsis accusation, so 60 Minutes simply deleted almost everything he said to make it look as though he had no real answer to Alfonsi. The Daily Wire reports:

CBS edited the interaction between DeSantis and Alfonsi when she showed up to a press conference a few weeks ago and repeatedly confronted the governor. The network cut out a lengthy portion of DeSantis response in which he explains what happened and how decisions were made.

Alfonsi suggested that Publix, the largest grocery store chain in Florida, had engaged in a pay-to-play scheme with DeSantis where they donated money to his campaign in exchange for him awarding a contract to the grocery store chain to host vaccinations.

This is the transcript of the actual exchange. 60 Minutes cut out everything that appears in bold:

Sharyn Alfonsi: Publix, as you know, donated $100,000 to your campaign, and then you rewarded them with the exclusive rights to distribute the vaccination in Palm Beach

Ron DeSantis: So, first of all, that  what youre saying is wrong. Thats

Sharyn Alfonsi: How is that not pay-to-play?

Ron DeSantis: that, thats a fake narrative. So, first of all, when we did, the first pharmacies that had it were CVS and Walgreens. And they had a long-term care mission. So they were going to the long-term care facilities. They got the vaccine in the middle of December, they started going to the long-term care facilities the third week of December to do LTCs. So that was their mission. That was very important. And we trusted them to do that. As we got into January, we wanted to expand the distribution points. So, yes, you had the counties, you had some drive-through sites, you had hospitals that were doing a lot, but we wanted to get it into communities more. So we reached out to other retail pharmacies  Publix, Walmart  obviously CVS and Walgreens had to finish that mission. And we said, were going to use you as soon as youre done with that. For Publix, they were the first one to raise their hand, say they were ready to go. And you know what, we did it on a trial basis. I had three counties. I actually showed up that weekend and talked to seniors across four different Publix. How was the experience? Is this good? Should you think this is a way to go? And it was 100% positive. So we expanded it, and then folks liked it. And I can tell you, if you look at a place like Palm Beach County, they were kind of struggling at first in terms of the senior numbers. I went, I met with the county mayor. I met with the administrator. I met with all the folks in Palm Beach County, and I said, Heres some of the options: we can do more drive-through sites, we can give more to hospitals, we can do the Publix, we can do this. They calculated that 90% of their seniors live within a mile and a half of a Publix. And they said, We think that would be the easiest thing for our residents. So, we did that, and what ended up happening was, you had 65 Publix in Palm Beach. Palm Beach is one of the biggest counties, one of the most elderly counties, weve done almost 75% of the seniors in Palm Beach, and the reason is because you have the strong retail footprint. So our way has been multifaceted. It has worked. And were also now very much expanding CVS and Walgreens, now that theyve completed the long term care mission.

Sharyn Alfonsi: The criticism is that its pay-to-play, governor.

Ron DeSantis: And its wrong. Its wrong. Its a fake narrative. I just disabused you of the narrative. And you dont care about the facts. Because, obviously, I laid it out for you in a way that is irrefutable.

Sharyn Alfonsi: Well, I I was just

Ron DeSantis: And, so, its clearly not.

Sharyn Alfonsi: Isnt there the nearest Publix 

Ron DeSantis: No, no, no. Youre wrong.

Sharyn Alfonsi: 30 miles away.

Ron DeSantis: Youre wrong. Youre wrong. Yes, sir?

Sharyn Alfonsi: Thats actually a fact.
South Africa: SA repatriates nationals trapped in Northern Mozambique

Government has deployed support to the South African High Commission for the repatriation of its citizens trapped in Cabo Delgado, in northern Mozambique, amid concerns over the security situation in that region.

The repatriation efforts, which were communicated in a statement at the weekend, are specifically for South Africans who wish to come back home. The support is provided through the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).

[Government] remains seized with the safety of South Africans in that province.

Government can confirm that, with the exception of one person who died tragically in violence, more than 50 South Africans who were reported missing through the South African High Commission in Maputo, have been accounted for, government said in the statement.

On 30 March, the South African Air Force repatriated the body of the deceased, together with his family.

Government said the SANDF continues to provide logistical support to the South African High Commission in Maputo with regard to consular services, including repatriation.

South Africa looks forward to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Troika meeting that has been called by the President of Botswana, His Excellency Mokgweetsi Masisi, government said.

President Masisi is expected to convene a meeting, in his capacity as Chairperson of SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security, due to the ongoing insurgency affecting the province of Cabo Delgado in Mozambique.

The meeting will provide an important platform for regional engagement on measures to be taken to resolve in the security challenges confronting the Republic of Mozambique.

South Africa, as a member of SADC, will participate in the meeting with a view to assist in the development of a solution that will secure peace and continued development in Mozambique, government said.

South Africa has reiterated its full support for all attempts by SADC and AU that seek to silence the guns, and realise peace and stability on the continent, including in Southern Africa.

As a matter of principle, South Africa supports multilateral efforts to respond to the situation in Mozambique. South Africa will be guided by the outcomes of this meeting on how it can assist to stabilise the situation in Mozambique.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2021-04-06. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
New Delhi:

The debate on economy going on downward spiral is not dying down. It got fuel after Yashwant Sinhas article on economy where he blamed the governments decisions for ailing GDP growth figures.

Now, senior Congress leader Anand Sharma has said that India is in real danger of slipping into economic depression and blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being singularly responsible for damage by his reckless decisions.

It is a matter of grave concern that the Indian economy is fast slipping into deep recession, with no hope of recovery in the foreseeable future. All fundamental parameters remain in constant decline, he alleged.

India is in a real danger of slipping into economic depression. The government must release a white paper on the state of Indian economy, to restore the health of PSU banks through urgently needed recapitalisation and the measures it proposes to arrest the free fall, he said in a statement.

Earlier, senior Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram had come out in support of Yashwant Sinha who questioned Modi governments economic policies. He claimed that government's policies has pushed the economy into a downward spiral.

The senior Congress leader wrote on Twitter, "Yashwant Sinha speaks Truth to Power. Will Power now admit the Truth that economy is sinking?"

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi also took a jibe at Centre and wrote on Twitter, "Ladies & Gentlemen, this is your copilot & FM speaking. Please fasten your seat belts & take brace position. The wings have fallen off our plane."

In his column written in the Indian Express, the former Union Cabinet minister scathed criticism on how the Modi-led government made a blunder by assigning Arun Jaitley responsibilities one too many.

He added that his former colleague Jaitley's pedigree in finance was unquestionable but he was overburdened with critical portfolios like defence, finance, and corporate affairs at the same time.

He brought to fore that the finance ministry is a humongous task by itself and demands full-fledged attention if needs to be handled in an effective manner. Naturally, even a superman like Jaitley could not do justice to the task.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
The National Council on Compensation Insurances (NCCIs) advisory loss cost filing for Texas with an effective date of July 1, 2021, has been accepted by state insurance regulators.

The Texas Department of Insurance reported that for all workers compensation policies written with an effective date on or after July 1, 2021, insurers should use one of the following rate bases:

their own independent insurer-specific classification relativities or

NCCI loss costs effective July 1, 2021.

For policies with an effective date on or after July 1, 2021, insurers should not base their rates on the NCCI loss costs from July 1, 2020, or any prior years loss costs or relativities.

Texas Insurance Code Section 2053.003 requires each insurer to file with TDI all rates, supplementary rating information, and reasonable and pertinent supporting information for risks written in Texas. Insurers rate filings should use the most recently available data and information.

Insurers that currently write workers compensation insurance and plan to continue writing that coverage on or after July 1, 2021, should submit a rate filing no later than June 1, 2021.

The rate filing must be submitted in SERFF, and should contain the information specified in the attached Summary of Actions Required by Insurers 2021, including the Notice of Carrier Intent and Certification.

An insurer that is not currently writing workers compensation insurance but plans to write its first policy with an effective date on or after July 1, 2021, should send its rate filing to TDI at least 30 days before the effective date of its first policy.

Related links:

Source: TDI

Topics Texas Profit Loss Workers' Compensation
US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas

Washington [US], April 6 (ANI): A US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has said that Congress should consider whether laws should be updated to better regulate social media platforms that have "unbridled control" over "unprecedented" amounts of speech.

According to CNN, the provocative and controversial opinion comes as Twitter banned former President Donald Trump from its platform for violating its rules on incitement of violence. Some conservatives have called on more regulations in the tech world to combat what they view as political bias on social media.

"If part of the problem is private, concentrated control over online content and platforms available to the public, then part of the solution may be found in doctrines that limit the right of a private company to exclude," Thomas wrote in a 12-page concurring opinion Monday.

Thomas' remarks have raised concerns among critics.

The Supreme Court analyst said that it is the first time that a Supreme Court justice appears to endorse the view increasingly prevalent among conservatives that private social media platforms should potentially be subject to significant government regulation.

"Justice Thomas's opinion represents the first time that we have seen a Supreme Court Justice appear to endorse the view increasingly prevalent among conservatives that private social media platforms should potentially be subject to significant government regulation notwithstanding the First Amendment," said Steve Vladeck, CNN Supreme Court analyst and professor at the University of Texas School of Law.

No other justice joined Thomas's opinion, which came as he agreed with the court's decision to dismiss a case concerning Trump's use of Twitter when he was President.

Thomas said the court was right to dismiss the case that predated the election and Twitter's decision to ban Trump after the Capitol Hill riot.

However, Thomas added the issue caused him to think about the "principal legal difficulty that surrounds" a digital platform, specifically the concentration of power in the hands of so few owners at social media companies.

Story continues

Today's digital platforms, Thomas argued, "provide avenues for historically unprecedented amounts of speech," but he said it also concentrates control "of so much speech in the hands of a few private parties."

In particular, he pointed out that Twitter was able to remove any person from the platform -- "even the President of the United States."

"As Twitter made clear, the right to cut off speech lies most powerfully in the hands of private digital platforms," Thomas said.

This is not the first time that Thomas has made such controversial comments.

In 2019, he used one abortion dispute to write a concurrence about his fear that abortion could become a "tool of eugenic manipulation."

In 2019, he called for reconsideration of a landmark First Amendment precedent New York Times v. Sullivan, which makes it more difficult for public figures to sue for defamation, opining that the decision that was a "policy-driven" decision "masquerading as constitutional law." (ANI)
New Delhi, April 6 : Spike in Covid cases poses a challenge for the aviation sector's recovery, said ratings agency ICRA.

According to the agency, domestic passenger traffic in March 2021 has been estimated at 77-78 lakh, implying a flat growth on a YoY basis on a low base of March 2020 as travel was affected with effect from March 25, 2020.

"Passenger traffic in March 2021 witnessed a marginal sequential decline of 1 per cent over 78.3 lakh domestic passenger traffic in February 2021," it said in a report.

"The airlines' capacity for March 2021 was around 2 per cent higher than their March 2020 capacity. On a sequential basis, the number of departures in March 2021 were higher by 11 per cent." Besides, the agency said while the scheduled international operations are yet to start, the Civil Aviation Ministry has permitted international operations under the 'Vande Bharat Mission' (VBM) and 'Air Transport Bubbles' (ATB).

"Under the VBM for evacuation of Indian citizens from foreign countries, which started from May 7, 2020, the international passenger traffic for Indian carriers has been 30 lakh for the period May 7, 2020 to March 31, 2021. For March 2021, international passenger traffic for Indian carriers under VBM was recorded at 4.5 lakh, a sequential increase of 12 per cent." On the aviation turbine fuel (ATF) cost, ICRA cited that following the pandemic, crude oil prices declined materially - reaching a low of $19 per barrel in April 2020, thus leading to a decline in ATF prices.

However, the crude oil prices have increased gradually since then, and currently ranges at around $65 per barrel.

"It declined sequentially by 1.8 per cent in April 2021. While until February 2021, the ATF prices were still lower on a YoY basis, the March 2021 prices were higher by 3 per cent on a YoY basis, and April 2021 prices have been higher still by a whopping 59.8 per cent on a YoY basis, attributed to the low base of April 2020, when the prices declined sequentially by 36.7 per cent due to the impact of the pandemic."
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 6, 2021 / Zimtu Capital Corp. (TSXV:ZC)(FSE:ZCT1) (the "Company" or "Zimtu") announces it has signed an agreement with Ximen Mining Corp. (TSXv: XIM; FSE: 1XMA; OTCQB: XXMMF) to provide its ZimtuADVANTAGE program (https://www.zimtu.com/zimtu-advantage/). Zimtu shall receive $8,333 per month for a period of 12 months, with the entire 12 months payable at the beginning of the contract.

ZimtuADVANTAGE is a program designed to provide opportunities, guidance, cost savings and assistance to clients covering multiple aspects of being a public company. The services may include building financial networks, building business networks, shared costs with other public companies, building a social media presence, conference opportunities, media outlets and guidance and special group pricing provided by Zimtu's network of public company professionals. The program, which has been revised to enhance its digital communications and marketing opportunities, provides the flexibility to allow companies to customize the products and services to best support their needs.

About Ximen Mining Corp.

Ximen Mining Corp. is focused on being the next significant high-grade gold producer in southern British Colombia, one of the best mining jurisdictions in the world, through self-funding its own exploration. Ximen owns 100% interest in three of its precious metal projects; two gold projects, the Amelia Gold Mine and the Brett Epithermal Gold Project and the Treasure Mountain Silver Project adjacent to the past producing Huldra Silver Mine. Currently, the Treasure Mountain Silver Project is under option agreement. The option partner is making annual staged cash and stocks payments as well as funding the development of the project. Ximen continues to expand its land package around its flagship property, the Kenville Gold Mine, near Nelson BC. The company owns the surface and underground rights, buildings and equipment and is developing the project into a small underground mine. Preparations to date comprise of the building of the mining camp including connecting hydro power, completing engineering work and initiating permitting to develop a new 1200-meter decline to extract a 10,000 bulk sample this year. As development moves forward at the Kenville, Ximen continues its commitment to greener, more sustainable mining, by building a good relationship with the community, providing well-paying jobs to the local labour force and continuously looking at ways to reduce our environmental impact. For more information, please visit https://www.ximenminingcorp.com.

About Zimtu Capital Corp.

Zimtu Capital Corp. is a public investment issuer that aspires to achieve long-term capital appreciation for its shareholders. Zimtu Capital companies may operate in the fields of mineral exploration, mining, technology, life sciences or investment. The Company trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "ZC" and Frankfurt under symbol "ZCT1". For more information, please visit http://www.zimtu.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

ZIMTU CAPITAL CORP.

"David Hodge"

David Hodge

President & Director

Tel: 604.681.1568

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.

SOURCE: Zimtu Capital Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/639183/Zimtu-Capital-Corp-Announces-Contract-with-Ximen-Mining-Corp
The managing director of frozen food chain Iceland has said a digital sales tax should be introduced to help revive British high streets.

Richard Walker stated that the tax should come as part of a reform of the 'outdated and Victorian' business rates regime or, he warned, 'we will be killing off the high street as it is.'

He told the PA news agency that he supported the introduction of a digital sales tax despite Iceland having a 'really strong online business.'

Iceland's boss has continued to defend his company's decision not to repay business rates relief to the government despite experiencing a pandemic-induced sales boost

Like other grocers, Iceland's online sales have boomed in the last year, with home deliveries growing by 300 per cent year-on-year by September 2020 and its capacity expanding to 750,000 orders each week.

Walker also continued to defend his company's decision not to repay business rates relief to the government despite experiencing a pandemic-induced sales boost and other supermarkets voluntary agreeing to return the tax rebate.

However, Iceland is not taking advantage of the government's extension to business rates relief, which was announced in February and would have granted them another 100 per cent discount until June 30.

Walker, whose father Malcolm founded the supermarket in Oswestry in 1970, said that the firm was right to take the relief at the time. 'We absolutely believe that we have come to the right decision,' he remarked.

'You look at some of the companies who paid it back, like Asda and Sainsbury's  they then announced thousands of job cuts after.

'Having that relief meant we could preserve jobs; that's what it was given to the sector to do. And actually, we've since been able to create jobs. So now, we felt that further support wasn't needed, so [we] won't take the extension.'

Managing director Richard Walker: 'You need to completely change business rates as they are, but there also has to be some form of rebalancing with online'

Tesco promised it would hand back 585million in December after it was criticised for paying over 300million in dividends, while Sainsbury's returned 400million, and Asda gave back 340million.

British supermarkets have promised to give back about 1.9billion in rates relief to the Exchequer since last year. But Iceland, along with Marks & Spencer, Waitrose and Co-op have has steadfastly refused to return any payments.

The Deeside-based firm's revenues grew 22 per cent to 1.7billion while operating profits climbed to 13.4million from a 21million loss the previous year, yet it is holding onto 40million of rates relief.

The Deeside-based firm's revenues grew 22 per cent to 1.7billion while operating profits climbed to 13.4million from a 21million loss the previous year

It announced in January that it was hiring 3,500 more new jobs comprising delivery drivers, store assistants and online pickers, on top of the 3,000 permanent staff it employed last year.

Mr Walker, who released his first book The Green Grocer on April 2, said there is still caution in the retail sector over making major commitments due to fear of failure.

He said: 'Big commitments have to start somewhere so I think all green commitments are positive steps but I think there can be a fear of failure. But I think that's why companies need to set out clear plans and the Government has to as well.

'Collaboration is also vital. The UK supermarket sector is one of the most competitive environments you can imagine, but we have to share knowledge to make progress with sustainability.'

The UK government is currently due to publish its review on business rates this Autumn. Though the tax raised over 30billion in 2018/19, industry leaders have often complained it benefits online companies at the expense of physical stores.
2020

Bonmarche, the value-oriented clothing retailer, went into administration for the second time in a year on December 2, 2020.

There are 226 stores and more than 1200 employees. It is owned as a separate business by Philip Day, whose EWM is also in crisis (see below).

Philip Day put this company into administration a few months ago, and reaquired it via a pre-pack. It is thought unlikely that he will do this again a second time.

Age UK, the charity focused on supporting the elderly, closed 133 of its 392 charity outlets in 2020 and made 400 people redundant. During the first lockdown approximately 70 per cent of its staff were on furlough.

Debenhams, the oldest retail chain in the UK, announced on December 1, 2020 that it had no alternative except to go into liquidation.

BooHoo is to acquire the Debenhams' website, brands and goodwill, but close the Debenhams' stores, came on 25 January 2021.

It marks the end of a well-known retailer, whose problems stemmed from the manner in which the company was managed or exploited in the last 20 years.

In the past 35 years it has had a variety of owners none of which was fundamentally committed to the future of Debenhams Group or was able to introduce a coherent long-term strategy.

Arcadia, the fashion giant owned by Philip Green's wife in Monaco, went into administration on the last day of November 2020. It consists of the former Burton Group, with major subsidiaries Topshop, Dorothy Perkins, Burtons, Miss Selfridge, Wallis and Evans.

These are all well-known brands. The administrators are allowing the stores and the website to continue to trade while new purchasers for the business or businesses are found. There are around 440 stores and 12,000+ staff.

The heyday of Philip Green's Arcadia was probably 2004-2007, but it failed to invest sufficiently in shops, IT or modern designs. Its dinner has been eated by upstarts like Primark, BooHoo, Zara, Next and even by grocery clothing lines.

For some years, the company has lacked a clear sense of direction and suffered from low investment and an unwillingness to develop its online sales. It has cut its store numbers by more than half since 2012. Comparatively staid business like John Lewis and Next have heavily invested in their online operations and now produce half their sales online.

ASOS, the UK online fashion retailer, has acquired from the shell of Arcadia the brands and websites of Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge and the athleisure HIIT brands. The purchase excludes the retail stores owned by Arcadia, but there may be further news of these later.

The Irish arm of Arcadia comprising TopShop, Dotty P, Burton, Miss Selfridge etc have now closed and all 490 staff are being made redundant. The administrators have sold to online-retailer BooHoo, the online business and original Burton brands, Burtons, Dorothy Perkins and Wallis. Meanwhile, news from Deloitte is that Arcadia owed creditors as follows: HMRC 44.2m, suppliers 163m, landlords 35.5m and giftcard holders 5.6m. As secured creditors, the Green's family loan of 50m takes precedence over the unsecured creditors. The bill for taxpayers will be around 250m+, consisting of the redundancy pay owing to sacked staff and supporting the pension scheme.

Edinburgh Woollen Mill and Ponden Mill, both parts of Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group (EWM Group), went into administration in November.

But Pureplay Retail Limited, a company backed by 'international investors', has since taken over the EWM Group along with Bonmarche which owed 190m to creditors.

Pureplay has taken over 50 Bonmarche stores (1,000 staff) and 246 EWM and Ponden Home sites (1,452 staff). Bonmarche originally had 225 stores when it went into administration. Around 85 EWM and 34 Ponden Home stores will be closed and their 485 staff will lose their jobs.

This is in addition to the 64 closures and 860 staff that lost their jobs when EWM originally went into administration.

It seems that Philip Day, the founder of the EWM Group, may have lent investors some of the money required to buy out his operations, but retains fixed and floating charges as a secured creditor over the business along with Pureplay Retail Limited. Under the new agreement, Philip Day seems to have retained ownership of the various brands that are franchised to Pureplay Retail.

J Crew, American 'preppy' clothing retailer, is to close all six of its UK stores making their staff redundant. Its parent company has recently emerged from administration and seems to have decided to liquidate its UK subsidiary.

Celine Group Holdings, the parent company of Debenhams, has called in FRP Advisory to prepare for its own administration.

This is understood to have been done to prevent any creditor taking action against them in the period when Debs is up for sale and trying to find a new owner.

It is said that interest is overdue on 200m of loans made to Celine: administration would mean there would be no need to pay it. Any administration of Celine would not affect Debenhams store operation per se.

M&Co, the Scots-based value clothing retailer previously called Mackays, has gone into administrators and been bought by its previous owners as part of a pre-pack to save the business. There are 262 stores and 2,700 employees.

The covid-19 lockdown cost the firm more than 50m: in its last financial year profits fell by 40 per cent to 3.6m. Forty-seven stores are to close (380 redundancies) as part of its recovery plan.

D W Sports, a sportswear and gym retailer owned by Dave Whelan, went into administration in the first days of August.

The company's outlets - as non-essential retailers - have been closed since lockdown started: its 73 gyms were about to re-open until the change in government policy that postponed the resumption of trading by gymnasia, bowling alleys etc.

There are 75 DW Sports retail stores: these will all close in four weeks. The Group has a total of 1,700 employees. Twenty-five stores have closed already.

The Fitness First Group which is also owned by Dave Whelan is not to go into administration: its 43 clubs will remain trading.

Feather & Black, the award-winning bed specialist rescued in 2017 from administration, has been bought by Dreams.

None of its stores is to reopen after the easing of lockdown. It will become online only, probably with concessions in Dreams.

Outstanding orders will be honoured. The Company was rumoured last February to be up for sale, so these closures are not strictly caused by coronavirus, although being closed for three months would not have helped its chances of survival.

Grosvenor Shopping Centre in Chester went into receivership along with its car park earlier in July 2020. It was originally built in the 1960s and refurbished in the 80s. There are 101 retail units, all on one level. The Shopping centre continues trading.

Oliver Sweeney Trading, the retail arm of the prestige shoe company Oliver Sweeney Group, was placed in administration in mid-July.

All its seven stores are closed as the company sees its retail future as online only. This administration does not affect the wholesaling and online arms of the business.

Muji, the Japanese high-street homewares retailer, has applied for bankruptcy protection in the U.S. It has debts of $64m and the Covid-19 lockdowns in the UK and the U.S. have hit it hard.

It won't be included in our UK figures, but, under U.S. law the corporation will be required to produce an exit plan to revamp the company. This may well have implications for UK stores. The stores continue to trade.

Cardinal, the Yorkshire-based firm of shopfitters (outfitting or remodelling store interiors), went into administration in mid-July.

One hundred and thirty-five staff amongst its 170 employees have already been made redundant. Their business has been hit by the pandemic.

In addition their customers (i.e. the retailers) were unable to make firm commitments about work they needed in 2020, H2, into 2021.

The impact of Covid-19 upon retailers has meant that most companies are now unsure about the number, type and location of stores that they are going to need in 2021-2025. The collapse of work for Cardinal is a symptom of the bloodbath on the high street.

Soletrader, a footwear retailer established in 1962, went into a creditors' voluntary liquidation in mid-July 2020. Its assets including stock and brand names Sole and Soletrader were purchased by its owner, the Twinmar Group, and are now invested in a new subsidiary, Twinmar London.

Most of the company's stores opened for trading in July, but eight shops have been closed. Soletrader's website is a separate entity and is unaffected by the liquidation.

Peter Jones (China), a 50-year old crockery and gift business based in Wakefield, went into administration in mid-July. It had not opened after the lockdown eased. There were ten stores and 76 staff. The business is expected to be liquidated.

Norville Group, a Gloucestershire-based firm of opticians and optical suppliers to the industry, went into administration early in June after selling its nine Norville Opticians' practices the previous week.

Since then the former Norville laboratories, which were renowned for being able to produce lens to the very highest standard, have been acquired from administration by Inspecs, the new owner of the Norville Group, and continue to trade.

Benson Beds, the beds and bedding business owned by Alteri, was put into pre-pack administration at the same time as Harveys (see below).

Alteri bought the business out immediately and put 25m into the company to invest in its development. There are 242 stores and 1,900 staff. Bensons (at present) is seen as a much better business than Harveys, most UK bedding is made in the UK, it faces less competition from overseas operators and Alteri is likely to focus on improving its operations, while keeping Harveys Furniture stable. The company continues to trade and existing orders will be fulfilled.

Harveys Furniture, the second largest furniture retailer in the UK, was put into administration by its owners, Alteri Investors on the last day of June.

There are 105 stores, which have been struggling for some years, and 1,575 staff. The company is looking to close 20 stores and make 240 staff redundant. The company continues to trade and existing orders will be satisfied.

T M Lewin, retailer of shirts and ties online and in 65 stores, went into administration on the last day of June after failing to find a buyer.

The shops have not re-opened following the relaxation of the lockdown. The business had been acquired from Bain private equity only last month (May). The new owners, SCP Private Equity, expect to close all the stores, making the company online only. Six hundred employees are likely to lose their jobs.

Bertram Books, the Norwich-based book wholesaler, went into administration towards the end of June 2020 with debts now (Aug 2020) known to be 25m.

Most of its 450 workforce has been made redundant. Bertrams was particularly important to smaller publishing companies.

Changes in the book market in the last 20 years including the growth of online sales and dramatic price cutting, highly-promoted 'blockbusters', the growth of Amazon and direct-to-customer applications as well as e-books adversely affected Bertram Books' business model.

But sub-optimal decision-making by a succession of uncommitted owners have also brought it down.

The coronavirus pandemic, closing both libraries and bookshops, proved to be the final blow for Bertram Books.

Intu Properties, the major property company that owns and manages some of the largest and best UK retail malls, went into administration on 26 June 2020. Many of its retail clients are not paying their rents and INTU's creditors are not as forebearing.

It has total debts of 4.5bn, a merger with a European property company came to nothing and it has failed to raise more capital. Its recent negotiations with other parties, where it hoped to arrange a 'standstill agreement' with its lenders, led to no useful outcome, so it went into administration.

Major sites include Lakeside, Glasgow's Braehead, Manchester's Trafford Centre, Nottingham's Victoria Centre and Norwich's Chapelfield. This administration will be a major blow to the UK retail sector, although, coming after many other impossible-to-believe 'major blows', its significance may be less apparent.

It may not be possible for the Administrators to run all the shopping centres without outside funding, although so far all sites have been kept open. It is still possible that many of their shopping centres will close unless a new potential buyer acquires some or all of them.

Go Outdoors, the outdoor sports, walking, climbing, camping, riding and exercise retailer owned by JD Sports, went into administration towards the end of June.

It was immediately bought out of administration by J D Sports for 56.5m (pre-pack administration), enabling the company to be reorganised. J D Sports has stated that it wishes needs to re-think the Go Outdoors business but does not expect large-scale redundancies and closures.

There are 2,400 employees and 67 stores. Since the firm was bought by JD Sports it has lost 291m (to August 2019) and the massive losses caused by the coronavirus lockdown have only worsened the situation. In July, the Administrators estimated that unsecured creditors would receive only 1p in the 1.

Lee Longlands, the Birmingham-based upmarket furniture retailer, went into administration towards the end of June to enable the company to restructure and improve cash flow. The company continues to trade and outstanding orders will be met.

There are six stores, mostly in the Midlands. Lee Longlands was purchased via a management buy-out in 2015. The company started in Broad Street Bham as an antiques business in 1902.

Poundstretcher Properties, a company connected to discount-chain Poundstretcher, is to be placed into administration as part of a CVA programme by 450-store group Poundstretcher to reorganise its store portfolio, cut rents and reduce other costs.

The Poundstretcher Group has argued that around 250 stores will close if the CVA is not approved by its creditors. Poundstrecher Properties holds the leases on only 23 stores and this will not affect the legal position or ownership of the group as a whole. Poundstretcher faces the same issues as the rest of the high street, compounded by the lockdown, now in its 85th day (it is really that long?).

Oak Furnitureland, the specialist furniture store that started off on eBay, has gone into administration, and was immediately bought out of administration (pre-pack) by hedge-fund Davidson Kempner Capital Management.

There are 105 showrooms and 1,491 employees. The business continues still to trade, but the new owner expects to rationalise the business, probably through the closure of some stores and reductions in staff.

Le Pain Quotidien, the French-themed retailer, bread/coffee/restaurant chain, went into pre-pack administration in mid-June. It has been bought out of administration by a new vehicle, BrunchCo21, believed to be linked to its former owner, Cobepa. Ten of its 26 outlets have been closed with the loss of around 200 jobs in stores and the closure of its head office.

The new owners expect to negotiate T&C with the landlords of the remaining 16 properties, and the results may lead of course to further closures.

Monsoon Accessorize, the womenswear and accessories chain with 181 stores, went into administration early in June. It is a private company owned by its founder, Peter Simon: it started as a market stall.

Monsoon Accessorize was immediately bought out of administration by Peter Simon. Thirty-five stores are to be closed with 545 employees being made redundant.

The business had 181 stores and 2,534 UK staff before administration. It is understood that Monsoon does not expect that every landlord will agree to the new conditions, but hopes to save around 100 stores and 2,300 jobs. The stores are based on careful, edited retailing which only encountered problems in the last decade.

In 2019 the company survived a previous crisis through a large cash injection from its owner, the closure of 40 stores and a CVA that cut rents on three-quarters of its stores.

Monsoon's international business is unaffected, with 49 stores and 966 staff outside the UK.

Quiz, the Glasgow-based fashion group, put its physical stores division into administration in early June. Ninety-three head-office and warehouse redundancies have already been declared. The business wants to renegotiate rents for its 82 stores and the eventual size of the group will only be known, when this has been done. KPMG has been appointed to review the firm's options, which are likely to include store closures. There are 915 staff in the stores division. Quiz's online business continues unaffected, as are its 300+ concessions.

Victoria's Secret, the UK arm of the U.S.-owned global retailer, went into administration early in June 2020 having made a loss now known (Aug 2020) to be 100m in the last financial year. The UK fashion trade has experienced a torrid three years and the coronavirus lockdown, which prevented 'non-essential' stores trading (though not online), has been the final hammer blow. There are 25 stores and 800 staff. The company is reported as looking for a light-touch administration, allowing them to restructure the business, reduce costs and possibly find a new owner.

Aldo, a Canadian-based international chain of stores, went into administration early in May 2020. Five UK stores were permanently closed, leaving eight surviving while the administrators sought new owners for the UK business. The UK network was acquired by a Birmingham-based investment firm in September of last year, after the administration period saw them open three additional stores. Nine stores will be reopening to welcome shoppers back from 12th April 2021, with a further three to follow. Aldo shoes, handbags and accessories are still available for purchase in the UK both online and in its 28 UK concessions. The Irish arm of Aldo has already gone into administration. The company and its brands (chiefly 'Aldo' and 'Call It Spring') are major international businesses, operating around 3,000 stores globally served by 20,000 staff. Apart from the UK, Aldo businesses are expected to reopen as each government permits in the post-coronavirus world.

DVF Studio, the luxury fashion company owned by Diane von Furstenberg, has gone into administration, citing 'coronavirus', and is closing its Mayfair store. The company has an online business as well as concessions in prestigious department stores, including Selfridges and Harvey Nichols. It announced earlier in 2020 that it was starting a subscription luxury service. The e-commerce business and concessions continue to trade.

Antler, the luggage retailer which runs 18 stores and a concession, went into administration in mid-May. There are 194 employees: 164 of these have been made redundant. The Administrators announced in mid-July that they had successfully sold the brand name, Online business, stock and assets, but the stores remain closed and there was no news of their future.

Johnsons' Shoes, also trading as Bowleys Fine Shoes, went into administration in mid-May. There are 12 stores, all in the South East of England. The 145 furloughed staff will retain their jobs as the administrators seek to reopen the businesses. The group was later acquired by Newjohn Limited, part of Daniel Footwear. Six stores were closed.

Dawson's Music, one of the oldest stores selling musical instruments (est. 1898), went into administration early in May. There are six stores in Leeds, Manchester, Chester, Liverpool, Reading and Belfast. It is still open and is hoping to be sold as a going concern. There are 75 staff. The coronavirus lockdown proved to be the last straw for a retail group that was already facing a decline in sales. There is also an Educational Division which supplies schools, colleges and universities. In late May, the chain was purchased by Andrew and Karen Oliver, who took over all the stores and retained the staff.

J Crew, the U.S. fashion retailer with six UK stores, sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection at the beginning of May. It has 500 stores in the U.S., trades online, and owns the J Crew Factory and Madewell brands. It intends to continue trading online while it gives control of the business to its lenders who will cancel debts of $1.65bn (1.3bn). It is unclear how this will affect its UK business.

L K Bennet, the fashion retailer which went into administration in March 2019, is to extend its administration for another twelve months. The company expects to open seven stores on 15 June 2020 (when non-essential stores are allowed to start trading) with the remaining 10 stores to open at a later date.

Oasis and Warehouse, two fashion retailers owned by Icelandic-Bank Kaupthing, went into administration in mid-April 2020, having failed to find a buyer for the group. All its 92 stores were closed, 2,300 staff made redundant and the 437 concessions terminated. The 13 stores and 29 concessions in the Irish Republic had already gone in into administration under Irish law: there were 248 staff in Ireland. The Oasis and Warehouse brands and e-commerce operations were bought by Hilco, which sold them in June to BooHoo, the successful e-commerce apparel business. BooHoo raised 200m in May to help it take advantage of 'opportunities', and now also owns brands such as NastyGal, PrettyLittleThing, Karen Millen, MissPap and Coast. Concessions and stores in other countries will continue to trade. Oasis and Warehouse had been suffering recently from the problems common to most UK mid-range fashion businesses. The coronavirus lockdown - closing all its stores - made it impossible to continue operating and ended any chance of a sale.

Spicers, the office-supplies wholesaler, employing 1,200 people started by John Spicer in 1796 ceased trading in April. It built up a European presence, but the UK arm and the European operations were separated in 2011, Spicers being bought by Better Capital, the private equity firm controlled by John Moulton. When it went into administration its administrators were not able to sell it and the business was liquidated.

Simply Scuba, an award-winning diving retailer based in Faversham, went into administration in June. Thirty-two jobs are at risk. The Simply Group also runs SimplyHike and SimplySwim. The Simply Scuba website continues to trade.

Kath Kidston, the vintage-inspired fashion and accessories chain, appointed administrators early in April 2020. It has now announced that it will close its UK branches, concentrating on Asia, the wholesale business and online sales. The company - like many fashion retailers - has had problems in maintaining sales and profitability. Since 2018 it lost 27m, resulting in its closing stores and cutting head-office staff. There are 200 stores globally. All 60 UK sites are to close, with only 32 of its 941 UK staff being retained. It will now operate in the UK as an online-only retailer. The company's owners, Barings Private Equity Asia, have bought it out of administration on a pre-pack basis, having previously tried to sell it. Finances were so poor towards the end that initially Kath Kidson announced that they would only be paying part of the wages owed to employees: they have now agreed to make payments in full, but a up to a week late. The company suppliers, including HMRC and clothing manufacturers, are owned 90m by the failed company.

Autonomy Clothing, a small fashion chain with three stores, 100 concessions and 44 staff, went into administration towards the end of March 2020. It has been beset by the same problems as the rest of the industry, the lockdown being the last straw. All employees have been made redundant.

Lombok, the aspirational furniture and furnishings business, went into administration at the end of March. It operates both online and offline and is best known for its teak products made mostly from reclaimed timber. It has experienced two pre-pack administrations before (2009 and 2011). All 43 staff have been made redundant.

Brighthouse, the rent-to-own household goods retailer, appointed administrators at the end of March 2020. There are 240 stores and 2,700 employees. The administration does not affect customers that rent goods, as their obligations will transfer first to the administrators and then to any new owner. The business mainly deals with low-income households and was fined by the financial regulator for mis-selling and 'unfair' interest charged as part of consumer transactions. The compensation it must pay to 250,000 customers is understood to cost 1m per month and its most-recent financial report (February 2020) showed showed corporate losses of 16m.

Laura Ashley, the fashion retailer with 155 stores, went into administration in mid-March 2020. The administrators permanently closed 70 of the company's outlets: 1,669 staff were furloughed and 677 staff continued working in the business with more redundancies announced in mid-June. Only 18 of its remaining stores have re-opened post lockdown, though this may not be ominous. Gordon Bros have been allowed to purchase the Laura Ashley brand and its archives, leaving the future of the stores, logistics and manufacturing in Britain and Ireland unresolved. The Pension Protection Fund is asking for another administrator to be appointed to ensure the protection of Laura Ashley shareholders. Administration comes after a long period of poor results from a retailer that had been a star in the 80s and early 90s. The post-2016 deterioration in fashion sales affecting most clothing retailers was certainly a factor, but the failure of the business to match modern consumer requirements meant it was difficult to see the purpose of the company.

Kikki.K, an Australian-based retail group selling Swedish-designed stationery, has gone into voluntary administration as a result of the problems of Australian retailing plus the cost of its global expansion (now including Hong Kong, the UK, Singapore and New Zealand). There are up to five stores in the UK, three shops-within-shops in stores like Fortnum & Mason and Selfridges and an online business which, in Europe, seems now to be switched through to Australia. There are 100 stores globally. The Australian stores remain open, but the UK online business is currently uncontactable due to 'unprecedented shipping delays'.

Homebase, the DIY chain, has returned to profit after its experiences first as Bunnings UK and then a large CVA case. It used its CVA to cut rents and close more than 70 stores. It is therefore quitting its CVA eighteen months early. CVAs have had mixed results when used by retailers, but this is one that seems to have turned up trumps for the business.

Soak, a major online bathroom products retailer, went into administration at the end of February. The market is intensely competitive and Soak's revenue fell from 70m (2018) to 43m (2019). Its profit on the 2018 figures was only 2.9m. Price competition between online and bricks-and-mortar retailers has meant that few operators are making much of a profit, hence the decline of Soak and the collapse of other kitchen and bathroom retailers, such as Better Bathrooms. There are 220 employees.

T J Hughes Outlet Division has issued a notice of intended administration for its Outlet Division, prior to renegotiating their rents. Lewis's Home Retail Limited, a subsidiary of LHR Holdings (the master company for T J Hughes), owns eight stores, two of which have already been saved via agreed rent reductions. This does not affect the whole Group, but only outlet stores.

HonestJohn.co.uk, the online advice website for car owners, went into administration and has been bought by Heycar, an online retailer of used cars. The staff, IP and assets have been transferred.

Ashbury Furniture, a large furniture and soft furnishings salesroom, went into administration in February, caused by constant road engineering on the M20 (making it hard to get to the showroom) and the impact of rent and rates.

Ena Shaw, a producer and retailer of soft furnishings based in St Helens, went into administration in February 2020, closing its factory and store. There were 167 employees.

Oddbins, the wine and drinks off-licence business of European Food Brokers, went into administration at the beginning of February. There are 56 stores, mostly trading as Oddbins or Wine Cellars: two have now closed. Employees number around 567. Less than one year ago 45 EFB off-licence businesses were sold or closed on the basis that they were no longer viable.

Hearing and Mobility, a specialist national chain of hearing and mobility stores, has ceased trading and administrators have been appointed. Hearing and Mobility (HHML) is a Northampton-based company founded in 2002 with 18,000 customers. It established a chain of 27 hearing and mobility stores throughout Britain, later focusing mainly on the Midlands and the South with 15 stores. Starting in 2016, the company closed many of its mobility stores to concentrate on hearing disabilities. The company rarely made a profit and by January 2020 had only four stores. After its stores had 'temporarily' ceased trading they were sold to two other companies trading in this vertical market. Amplify Hearing has acquired HHML hearing operations, assets and 76 staff, enabling customers to continue being provided with service.

Hawkins Bazaar, a Norwich-based games retailer with a focus on adult merchandise, went into administration in the latter days of January. There are 20 stores and 177 staff. The company went into administration previously in 2011. Weak trading in 2019 and a poor Christmas have led the firm's current problems. The stores will remain open while a buyer is found, but by mid-February were all to close.

Houseology, a Glasgow-based e-commerce furniture business, has gone into administration after a doleful Christmas. Twenty-three staff have been made redundant. Bureau, its office-oriented associate business, continues to trade and is not affected by Houseology's failure. By the end of February Houseology's assets including IP had been acquired by competitor Olivia, part of the Moot Group. Moot Group started in 2018 and is targeting turnover of 20m by end-2020.

Beales, a 22-store department store chain, went into into administration, having failed to find a new owner or additional finance in the latter end of 2019. At first, the company's stores remained open in the hope that a new owner could be found. They have all now closed. The loss-making stores in the Midlands and the South were closed suddenly when no new owner cold be found, and were followed a fortnight later by the remaining stores, which were mostly in East Anglia. Losses rose from -1.3m in 2018 to -3.1m in 2019 and poor trading over Christmas made it essential to secure new funding. The company had announced in December 2019 that it was in difficulties and needed refinancing. Beales employed more than 1,200 staff. Colliers International reported in January 2020 that Beales was paying 2.85m in business rates, 1m more than should have been the case.

2021

Jessops, the chain of camera dealers now with only 17 stores, appointed administrators at the end of March. It had previously gone into administration at the end of 2019, after which it closed more than half its stores. In the Lockdowns the shops have been unable to trade and more and more business is shifting online. There are around 120 staff.

The Hummingbird Bakery, a London-based American-style bakery, has been bought by pre-pack administration by Acropolis Capital, a family investment company. The Hummingbird bakery and three of its stores are part of the pre-pack, but two other sites are excluded.

Preston St George's Shopping Centre went into the control of administrators on February 2 2021, when its parent company (InfraRed) entered administration. InfraRed acquired the Shopping Centre in 2015 for 73m, supported by a loan from Wells Fargo Bank. Trading continues as normal, although the Preston Centre, in common with every UK shopping mall, has suffered considerably from the closure of non-food stores in Lockdown.

Paperchase, the up-market stationery, student accessories and gift business, has gone through a pre-pack administration, closing 37 stores with the loss of 500 jobs. Before issuing a notice of intent to appoint administrators in early January 2021, the company had 127 stores and around 1,500 staff. The new owners are to be Permira. Around 40 per cent of Paperchase sales occur in November and December each year, but government restrictions have meant that most stores had been closed for up to six of its best shopping weeks.

Jaeger brand and stock have been purchased by Marks & Spencer, but not its staff and stores. All 63 Jaeger stores and concessions, its retail staff and 80 per cent of head office staff will be made redundant apart from a few employees in distribution and head office. The brands Austin Reed and Jacques Vert, previously operating as part of the Jaeger Group, did not form part of the M&S acquisition.

Source: Centre for Retail Research
Governor Bill Lee is kicking off Second Chance Month by hosting a roundtable conversation on Wednesday, on criminal justice policy with conservative thought leaders, including former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Newt Gingrich, former Governor Rick Perry, Pat Nolan, Brooke Rollins and Josh Smith.

Criminal justice reform is still somewhat of a conservative frontier, and with our strong proposals, we can reduce recidivism, save taxpayer dollars and make Tennessee communities safer, said Governor Lee. I look forward to a thoughtful discussion on how Tennessee can lead the nation in balancing the notion of justice with the public safety outcomes we all expect.

The American Conservative Union Foundation (ACUF) has consistently scored legislation in states across the country similar to that which Governor Lee has proposed, said David Safavian, general counsel for ACUF. We view the underlying tenets of his approach as built on conservative ideals of improving community safety, advancing human dignity, reducing wasteful spending and the belief in redemption.

About the Panelists:

Newt Gingrich: A visionary and historian, Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Newt Gingrich is one of the foremost economic, social, political, and security-focused conservative thinkers today. He is well-known as the architect of the Contract with America that led the Republican Party to victory in 1994 by capturing a majority in the United States House of Representatives for the first time in 40 years. Today, he is chairman of Gingrich 360, a full-service American consulting, education and media production group that connects the past, present, and future to inspire audiences, solve challenges and develop opportunities.



Pat Nolan: Mr. Nolan is the director emeritus of the American Conservative Union Foundations Nolan Center for Justice. Mr. Nolan is a leading voice on criminal justice reform, highlighting the skyrocketing costs of prison, fiscal responsibility in the criminal justice system and reforms for non-violent offenders. Nolan is the author of When Prisoners Return, which describes the important role of the Church in helping prisoners get back on their feet after they are released. He is a frequent expert witness at Congressional hearings on important issues such as prison work programs, juvenile justice, prison safety, offender reintegration and religious freedom.



Governor Rick Perry: Mr. Perry is a former United States Secretary of Energy, serving under U.S. President Trump from March 2017 to December 2019. Prior to joining the Administration as Secretary of Energy, Mr. Perry served as the 47th governor of Texas. As governor of the Lone Star State, he championed conservative principles including leading the nation in criminal justice reform efforts, which eventually became a national blueprint for reform.



Brooke Rollins: Ms. Rollins is an attorney who served as the acting director of the United States Domestic Policy Council under President Donald Trump and oversaw the White House Office of American Innovation. Ms. Rollins was president and CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, an Austin-based free-market think tank, from 2003 through 2018. Ms. Rollins previously served as deputy general counsel, ethics advisor and policy director to Texas Governor Rick Perry.



Josh Smith: A Tennessean who was formerly incarcerated, Mr. Smith has spent the past 15 years actively involved in criminal justice reform in Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee and countries in Central America. Mr. Smith has supported programs that provide hope, training and reentry support for prisoners and their families who earnestly want a new life, including hiring and mentoring many felons. In June of 2019 he was named to Tennessee Governor Bill Lees Criminal Justice Reinvestment Task Force. He and his wife of 23 years, Tracy, are now driven to reshape the reality for offenders, from the time they enter prison through their re-entry.
MIAMI, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- This past year, the difficult situation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic has affected investors and entrepreneurs around the world. Today more than ever, UniVista Insurance presents entrepreneurs with an opportunity to invest in a phased and safe way.

UniVista Insurance trains its franchisees and provides them with all the tools, knowledge and cutting-edge technology to grow the business, presenting a great alternative to start as an entrepreneur with this franchise. This business model offers the opportunity to invest in a formula that has already been proven, and entrepreneurs will not be alone throughout the process.

Ivan Herrera, CEO of UniVista Insurance, tells us: "It is time to adapt to the new changes. We must understand how the world will evolve for the post-pandemic consumer in health and insurance issues, so a venture based on a high-tech insurance franchise is the best option. It is a proven profitable business with our 150 franchises nationwide."

"There is still a lot of fertile ground where a new business opportunity can be opened for a UniVista Insurance franchise, whether as a national or international investor," stated Luis Castro, COO of UniVista Insurance.

With more than a decade of operations in Florida, UniVista Insurance is an independent, family-owned and operated insurance agency. The company has 160 locations in South Florida, including more than 10 corporate offices, 150 franchises, and three call centers. UniVista employs 1,210 men and women as agents in the region.

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Labor charities spokesman Andrew Leigh has flagged a parliamentary inquiry into Scientology, expressing concerns about its unprecedented wealth and shifting of assets into Australia.

The comments come after an investigation by The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald found that the Church of Scientology had shifted tens of millions of dollars into Australia from offshore and had made $65.4 million in tax-free net profits since 2013.

Scientology in the US has shifted tens of millions of dollars into Australia

Mr Leigh now backs Greens calls for the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) to investigate Scientology but has also flagged the potential for a federal parliamentary committee to conduct an investigation.

In the corporate tax space, weve been doing a lot of work over recent years on multinational tax avoidance and the practice that multinationals have engaged in, in moving resources into lower tax jurisdictions, he told ABC Radio late on Monday.
SAN FRANCISCO, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- OmniSci , the pioneer in accelerated analytics, today announced its Platinum Sponsorship of GTC 2021 , the premier AI conference. Leading OmniSci's presence at this free virtual event, April 12-16, 2021, will be seminars by OmniSci VP of Product, Venkat Krishnamurthy, Spatial Data Science Practice Lead, Dr. Mike Flaxman, Data Scientist, Abhishek Damera, and Director of Federal Solutions, Adam Edelman, as they discuss new ways to enhance data science and geospatial insight through the power of GPU-based accelerated analytics.

During GTC 2021, OmniSci will have company experts available for one-on-one virtual meetingshttps://www2.omnisci.com/event/nvidia-gtc/lp to help users learn how to gain actionable insights from their largest datasets at unprecedented speeds. At the end of each meeting, registrants will be entered into a drawing to receive an Apple iPad (winner to be announced April 16, 2021).

OmniSci's GTC 2021 lineup of seminars and training sessions will include:

The Macroscope Initiative - Building Planetary geoML with OmniSci featuring Dr. Mike Flaxman , Spatial Data Science Practice Lead, PhD & Abhishek Damera , Data Scientist, exploring three applications of the macroscope concept, applying it to the monitoring of individual tree health for hundreds of millions of trees, the exposure of static and moving assets to weather, and the analysis of ship movement patterns.

featuring Dr. , Spatial Data Science Practice Lead, PhD & , Data Scientist, exploring three applications of the macroscope concept, applying it to the monitoring of individual tree health for hundreds of millions of trees, the exposure of static and moving assets to weather, and the analysis of ship movement patterns. GPU-Optimized User Defined Functions in OmniSciDB, featuring VP of Product Venkat Krishnamurthy, showing how the OmniSciDB engine can be leveraged as a high performance framework to accelerate User Defined Functions (UDFs) far beyond those found in typical SQL-based data processing platforms.

featuring VP of Product Venkat Krishnamurthy, showing how the OmniSciDB engine can be leveraged as a high performance framework to accelerate User Defined Functions (UDFs) far beyond those found in typical SQL-based data processing platforms. Global Maritime AwarenessFrom Space to Cloud to Desktop Analytics, featuring Adam Edelman , Federal Solutions, along with Iain Goodridge , Senior Director of Business Development at Spire, and Ryan Zupancic, Sr. Business Development Manager at Amazon Web Services GovCloud, demonstrating how OmniSci is helping derive advanced insights from space-based data. The session will show how space, civil, defense, and intelligence agencies can use historical vessel tracking data to drive global maritime domain awareness and monitor illegal activity.

"OmniSci's connection to NVIDIA is well-known and longstanding. As a part of the RAPIDS partner ecosystem , OmniSci has been a key player in advancing the science of accelerated analytics," stated Todd Mostak, CEO and co-founder of OmniSci. "This year's GTC event will be an exceptional opportunity for data scientists and analysts to expand their knowledge of geospatial, spatiotemporal, and big data applications using the combined power of NVIDIA accelerated computing and the OmniSci platform."

Debut of OmniSci Free

OmniSci Free , a full-featured version of the company's accelerated analytics platform, is now available for use at no cost. OmniSci Free allows users to leverage the full power -of the OmniSci Analytics Platform, including OmniSciDB, OmniSci Render Engine, OmniSci Immerse, and the OmniSci Data Science Toolkit.

OmniSci Free is licensed for commercial use with the exception of paid hosting. It supports up to three active user sessions and 32GB memory capacity. To download OmniSci Free, go to https://www.omnisci.com/platform/downloads/free .

Registration for Webinars, Meetings

GTC (GPU Technology Conference) provides training, insights, and direct access about many of the hottest topics in computing today, from AI and deep learning to intelligent machines, high performance computing, accelerated data science and more.

To attend one of the OmniSci speaker sessions at GTC 2021, visit https://nvda.ws/3b477Da . To arrange a one-on-one virtual meeting with an OmniSci technology expert during GTC 2021, go to https://www2.omnisci.com//event/nvidia-gtc/lp .

About OmniSci:

OmniSci is the pioneer in accelerated analytics. The OmniSci platform is used in business and government to find insights in data beyond the limits of mainstream analytics tools. Harnessing the massive parallelism of modern CPU and GPU hardware, the platform is available in the cloud and on-premise. OmniSci originated from research at Harvard and MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL). OmniSci is funded by GV, In-Q-Tel, New Enterprise Associates (NEA), NVIDIA, Tiger Global Management, Vanedge Capital and Verizon Ventures. The company is headquartered in San Francisco. Learn more about OmniSci at www.omnisci.com .

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kasey Thomas

Next PR

925/285-6449 (mobile)

[email protected]

SOURCE OmniSci
Nine dead as train hits railway workers in China 04 Jun 2021 | 11:47 AM Beijing, Jun 4 (UNI) Nine lives were lost when a passenger train hit a group of railway workers in the northwestern Chinese province of Gansu on Friday, local media reported. see more..

Govs must include ecosystem restoration in pandemic recovery plans : UN 03 Jun 2021 | 3:11 PM Nairobi/Rome, Jun 3 (UNI) United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have urged Governments to "ensure that their COVID-19 recovery plans incorporate significant allocations for ecosystem restoration" as a central component to delivering a green, sustainable and fair recovery. see more..

UN bodies praise Andhra, Odisha's restoration efforts 03 Jun 2021 | 2:29 PM Nairobi/Rome, Jun 3 (UNI) United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on Thursday praised efforts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha Governments towards ecological restoration. see more..

Canadas Parliament orders Health Agency to turn over documents on Wuhan, Fired Scientists 03 Jun 2021 | 8:27 AM Toronto, Jun 3 (UNI) Canadas parliament has ordered the countrys Public Health Agency (PHAC) to turn over unredacted documents related to collaboration with China on deadly pathogens and the firing of two scientists. see more..
Guwahati, April 6 : At least six polling personnel were suspended in Assam's Dima Hasao district after it was found that a booth with 90 valid voters registered 181 votes during the second phase of polls on April 1, officials said on Tuesday.

Election officials said that repolling would be held at the auxiliary polling station -- 107-A Khothlir L.P. School - under the Haflong Assembly constituency in Dima Hasao district.

Assam Chief Electoral Officer Nitin Khade said that as per the valid electoral roll, there are only 90 electors against the polling station but 181 people had cast their votes at the polling station on April 1.

"During the scrutiny of the Presiding Officer's diary and other documents, it was found that the Presiding Officer and the Polling Officers of 107-A Khothlir L.P. School have allowed 181 persons to cast their votes against the total 90 voters," the CEO said.

Khade in a statement said that taking note of the lapse, the District Election Officer has suspended the Sector Officer, the Presiding Officer and three other polling officers and a Booth Level Officer of the polling station for dereliction of duty.

"The Returning Officer through the District Election Officer has recommended re-poll at the polling station.

"The Auxiliary Polling Station No. 107-A, has been created for the first time to facilitate the voters in the remote area, as the polling percentage in the last Parliamentary election was only 34 per cent," Khade added.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Kilkenny-based author Eimear Lawlor is enjoying great success with her debut novel, Dublin Girl.

Inspired by real life events and marking the centenary of the end of the War of Independence, Dublins Girl is a thrilling historical debut and has already sold out in some bookshops and is a recommended read for April in leading book shop, Easons.

A virtual launch of the book will be held tomorrow (Thursday) when Eimear will be in conversation with her publisher.

The motivation to write lies with the words of her teenage daughter, Ciara, who died in 2016.

I have been a reader since I was a child and I have read like it is going out of fashion, she said.

I liked the idea of being a writer but it was because of Ciara that I started writing. She gave me the push and confidence that I needed to start writing.

Eimear worked as a teacher for a few years and became a stay-at-home mum after the birth of Ciara. When Ciara was 12, she told Eimear to do something with her life other than drinking coffee with her friends. She did the NUI Maynooth Creative Writing course in 2014. Her writing has been on The Ryan Tubridy Show, and The Ray DArcy Show on RTE Radio 1 and her short stories have been published in two anthologies.

Eimear began writing the novel back in 2014 but following the tragic death of her daughter she stopped writing for a number of years and has slowly resumed it in recent years.

Dublin Girl is Eimears debut novel and a work of fiction which was inspired when she read her aunts Bureau of Military Statement. Her aunt worked in Dublin for the political party in 1917 that was trying to gain independence from England. Her aunt worked with Michael Collins and Eamon De Valera who she continued to work for after the Civil War as his private secretary.



The novel is set in Dublin in 1917 and tells the story of a farm girl from Cavan, Veronica McDermott who is desperate to find more to life than peeling potatoes.

Persuading her family to let her stay with her aunt and uncle in Dublin so she can attend secretarial college, she has no idea what she is getting into. Recruited by Fr Michael OFlanagan to type for Eamon De Valera, Veronica is soon caught up in the danger and intrigue of those fighting for Irelands independence from Britain.

The attentions of a handsome British soldier, Major Harry Fairfax, do not go unnoticed by Veronicas superiors. But when Veronica is tasked with earning his affections to gather intelligence for Sinn Fein, it isnt long before her loyalty to her countrymen and her feelings for Harry are in conflict. To choose one is to betray the other.

The book has received hugely positive reviews to date and is available in Easons and Waterstones and locally in Khans bookstore.

Eimear is already working on her second novel which will be set in Ireland during World War II.

The virtual launch of the book will see Eimear engage in a Q&A on her research into the novel, her writing practices, and a little bit about the book. All are welcome to attend.

For more see www.eimearlawlor.com
IRVINE, Calif., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, IntelligenceBank, the leading marketing operations platform, announced the launch of the IntelligenceBank Salesforce Connector Lightning Component which enables sales and marketing teams to work more efficiently together.

Based on IntelligenceBank's robust API, the Salesforce Connector connects directly with the IntelligenceBank platform, providing sales teams with instant access to the latest approved content.

Providing sales teams with instant access to the latest approved marketing content

The goal is to streamline access salespeople have to approved marketing materials by linking the Salesforce platform with IntelligenceBank DAM. With the IntelligenceBank Connector for Salesforce, sales and customer success managers can:

Log in to their IntelligenceBank marketing platform from within Salesforce

Browse and search approved content managed within IntelligenceBank

Copy files into Salesforce and automatically link them to the page record they are currently using - such as a lead or opportunity.

Download files to their desktop or share them with a public link

When a file is copied into Salesforce's file library, it is automatically linked to the record from where the file is copied. Additionally, all actions conducted by Salesforce users within the IntelligenceBank Salesforce Connector will appear in the usage reporting within IntelligenceBank, enabling admin users to track and report on which files are being used within Salesforce.

This represents yet another initiative from IntelligenceBank to support business productivity and transform today's marketing operations.

According to Tessa Court, CEO IntelligenceBank, "Digital transformation is a priority for not only CMOs today, but the entire C-Suite Management team. We recognize this and are providing extensions to our platform to facilitate deep connections between systems."

IntelligenceBank is the leading digital asset management and marketing operations platform, helping content marketers work better and more seamlessly, manage digital assets, creative content approvals and compliance, and creative project management. IntelligenceBank's beautifully designed platform is used by over 400 leading brands with 350,000+ users across the globe.

To learn more, contact us.

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IntelligenceBank Salesforce Connector

Providing sales teams with instant access to the latest approved marketing content

SOURCE IntelligenceBank
Paul Won't Support Infrastructure Bill

By Bill Hughes

PADUCAH - President Joe Biden introduced his $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan last week, saying it's a once-in-a-generation investment in America, but many Republicans, including Senator Rand Paul, are saying a smaller plan with less corporate taxes would be better.Paul says this bill is like the most recent COVID relief bill because very little of the money goes toward the actual problem.He said, "Who would have known that actually, infrastructure means reparations and social justice? Infrastructure doesn't have anything to do with roads or bridges."Paul said a lot of the money is being channeled to "blue states.""Basically, just like the COVID money, it's going to New York, California, and Illinois. It's basically payoff to the Democrat base in those states, and also to states that haven't done a very good job spending their money," he said.Paul said he won't support this amount of new debt - $10 trillion in two years, when it used to take eight years to borrow that amount - with significant amounts being spent on home health care for the elderly and toward, "minority wish lists."Paul says the "health care infrastructure" portion of the bill is an attempt by the government to create jobs that would normally be created by the private market. He also says that Biden's plan to raise the corporate income tax from 21 percent to 28 percent will lead to fewer American jobs and American companies. He referred to the Corvette Plant in Bowling Green as an example."The Corvette plant added 400 jobs because we lowered the corporate tax on General Motors. What people need to realize is that sticking it to corporations isn't sticking it to rich people. We are these corporations. The workers, often times, own stock in the companies. Many of us who have retirement will own a small amount of a General Motors or a Microsoft, so, when we punish these corporation we are just punishing ourselves," Paul said. "These are good productive jobs, so I think it's a real mistake to raise taxes, and if they do I think they're going to hurt the economy that was really percolating along very well under Trump until the pandemic hit."Paul expects the vote on the bill will be along party lines, but there could be some minor changes from what is proposed.On Monday, Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia indicated he would prefer a corporate tax rate of 25 percent instead of 28 percent. Paul said he believes Manchin may get some compromises, but will end up voting for the Democratic bill, with Vice President Kamala Harris passing the deciding vote.On Monday, the Senate parliamentarian green-lighted a strategy using budget reconciliation rules that would allow Democrats to use a 51-vote threshold to advance some bills, rather than the typical 60 votes, avoiding any Republican debate or filibuster.Paul said, "They're not even planning on asking us our opinion. They're just going to ram it through with only Democrat votes."The junior senator from Kentucky said, "people need to wake up," because Biden said he wants to transform America, and with Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez pushing toward socialism, the country could drift quickly in the wrong direction.Paul said, "The socialism that they're promoting is not the socialism you'll get. Look at Venezuela or Cuba."He encouraged people to send emails to elected officials to express their opinion on these issues.
(Alliance News) - A gas field in which United Oil & Gas PLC and Prospex Energy PLC own stakes was approved for development by the Italian government, both companies said in separate statements on Tuesday.

United shares were up 7.8% to 5.18 pence in London. Prospex shares were down 1.4% to 1.60p.

Italy gave environmental approval to the Selva gas field in the north of the country, paving the way for a full production licence, Prospex said. Selva is owned by a joint venture between United, Prospex and Australian company Po Valley Energy Ltd.

Dublin-based United owns 20% of the venture, while London-based Prospex owns 17%.

Development work has started to prepare the Selva field for production in mid-2022, Prospex said. It has 13.3 billion cubic feet of gas reserves.

"Gas production at Selva promises to transform Prospex Energy's financial profile and with this in mind the granting of full environmental approval for the development of the field is a key milestone for the company," Prospex Chair Bill Smith said.

Separately, United announced a discovery at the Abu Sennan field in Egypt in which it owns 22%. Well-testing is now planned and will be followed by an application for a development lease if successful.

"Today's announcement is another positive result from Abu Sennan, which, initial interpretations suggest, is in line with our pre-drill estimates," United Chief Executive Brian Larkin said.

By Ivan Edwards; ivanedwards@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Nearly 97,000 fresh cases reported

India reported 96,982 fresh infections on Tuesday, taking the cumulative caseload to 1,26,86,049, according to a report in the Scroll. The country saw 446 deaths due to the pandemic, taking the death toll to 1,65,547, according to central health ministry data. The active caseload is at 7,88,223, while the total recoveries have surged to 1,17,32,279. As many as 83.1 million shots have been administered since the nationwide inoculation programme kicked off on January 16. Of these, 43,00,966 were given on Monday. Read more here

Centre assessing stock of remdesivir amid Covid surge

Amid a surge in Covid-19 cases, the central government has begun to assess the availability of remdesivir, an antiviral drug, a report in ThePrint said. Remdesivir is a highly sought-after experimental drug to treat Covid-19 patients. The Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) has kicked off the drive to check available stocks in states which are reporting high Covid cases. DoP works under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, and the drug price and availability regulator, National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Authority (NPPA). Read more here

Delhi: Demand for plasma rises amid Covid case spike

Delhi has been witnessing a spike in the demand for plasma over the past month amid a surge in cases with many families lining up at plasma banks even as donations have fallen, a report in The Indian Express said. Plasma banks, however, have said they have enough plasma available at the moment. While only 1-2 people were coming in February, March saw around 10 patients a day needed plasma, according to hospitals and plasma banks in the city. Dr SK Sarin, head of the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, said: We have been wondering about the situation: that if there is any resurgence of the pandemic, we will be in trouble. We would need donors who have recovered to come and donate but we would not deny anyone in need of plasma. Read more here (https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-demand-for-plasma-increases-amid-covid-case-spike-but-donations-low-7258989/)

Kerala: Election impact likely to reflect on Covid case graph in coming weeks

The effect of the ongoing campaign for the upcoming state assembly elections in Kerala is likely to reflect in its case graph in the coming weeks, a report in The Hindu said. The States epidemic curve has not shifted yet but it looks poised to climb further. If one were to look at districts, cases have gone up by 11-30% in many northern districts, especially Kozhikode, Kannur, Malappuram, Wayanad and Palakkad. We expected cases to rise post-elections but the graph has already begun to rise, a public health expert pointed out. Read more here

OPINION: India needs to shore up vaccine supply

The vaccines currently being administered in IndiaBharat Biotech's Covaxin and the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine Covishieldcan't be produced quickly enough to meet both domestic and global needs, an opinion column in Bloomberg said. Therefore the central government needs to approve some of the vaccines being administered in other countries to shore up supply. These vaccines include those from Pfizer Inc, Moderna and especially the logistically easier, single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The Centre could also pursue licensing agreements if these firms cannot expand production fast enough. Read more here
STANTON  President Biden recently stopped the Wuhan probe into what caused the COVID-19 pandemic. Why would he do that unless he was trying to cover up the cause? It is widely known that the Bidens profited heavily from their financial dealings in China and elsewhere during Joes vice presi
James Pietrobon, 51, discovered in his cell at Parklea Correctional Centre

A man accused of murdering a young woman during a meth-fuelled 'puff and play' session before callously dumping her body in a suburban park has killed himself in prison.

Dennis James Pietrobon, 51, was awaiting trial over the alleged murder of Sydney woman Nicole Cartwright, 32, in early October of 2018.

He was discovered dead in his cell at the Parklea Correctional Centre on Easter Sunday.

Police said Pietrobon, a divorced father-of-two, left Ms Cartwright's body in a children's park in Hunters Hill, on Sydney's lower north shore, after turning violent during their drug-fuelled sexual encounter.

Nicole Cartwright was killed in 2018 after meeting Dennis James Pietrobon for a 'puff and play' sexual encounter

Divorced father of two Dennis James Pietrobon was charged with the murder of Ms Cartwright

Buffalo Creek Reserve in Sydney's Hunters Hill, where the body of Nicole Cartwright was discovered

Ms Cartwright's body was discovered by a Council worker at Buffalo Creek Reserve in Hunters Hill, on Sydney's lower north shore in October of 2018

The pair had met through a dating app, with Cartwright travelling to an address in Haberfield, in Sydney's inner-west, to meet up with Pietrobon.

A council worker discovered Cartwright's body, wrapped in a bed sheet with her hands bound.

Pietrobon's fingerprints were found on tape binding Ms Cartwright's wrists, as well as a shirt that was discarded near her body.

His DNA was also discovered on the garbage bin that he allegedly used to transport her body to the park, police said at the time.

In Burwood Local Court in February, Nicholas Leach, from the Director of Public Prosecutions, explained exactly how Cartwright ended up being discarded by her alleged killer like garbage.

'The deceased met up with (Pietrobon) to engage in a puff and play session. 'The accused has then become extremely violent and struck the deceased to the left side of the face,' he said, according to the Inner West Courier.

'He then placed the body in a (red) council bin and left the scene after being possibly 'spooked' by another member of the public.'

Following an intensive investigation by police, Dennis James Pietrobon (pictured second from left) was charged with the murder of Nicole Cartwright

NSW Police are Buffalo Creek Reserve in Hunters Hill (pictured above) following the discovery of Ms Cartwright's body on October 3, 2018

A Council worker discovered Nicole Cartwright's body, wrapped in a bed sheet with her hands bound

In September last year, Hells Angels bikie Cooper John Gavellas faced court after allegedly bashing Pietrobon behind bars.

The Hells Angels associate, 22, allegedly based the accused murderer in his cell, leaving him with significant injuries to his face and neck.

Mr Gavellas was charged at Silverwater jail following an investigation with one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
AUSTIN, Texas, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Kazoo, the all-in-one employee experience platform, announced the launch of Special Recognition  a flexible recognition and rewards experience to better highlight milestones and drive internal program participation. The company also launched Special Catalogs, an effective rewards framework for managing Special Recognition programs, enabling customers to offer meaningful rewards tailored to a specific employee milestone or company initiative.

Send individual employee recognition on the company's behalf for milestone achievements or business initiatives that can fall outside of traditional recognition.

Special Recognition enables customers to send individual employee recognition on the company's behalf for milestone achievements  like birthdays and anniversaries  or business initiatives that can fall outside of traditional recognition  like spot bonus or other company employee experience programs. To ease the administrative burden of managing these programs, Kazoo customers can automate anniversary special recognitions to be triggered once an employee meets the criteria set up by the company.

"Our goal with Special Recognition is to give our customers a seamless experience within Kazoo to operate foundational programs for their business," said Elizabeth Loucheur, SVP of Product. "By capitalizing on the high employee adoption rate they already have with Kazoo, Special Recognition allows our customers to enhance their Recognition & Rewards programs without incurring additional costs or increasing the amount of time and effort necessary to effectively manage these initiatives."

As part of Special Recognition, companies can now create Special Catalogs which allow for a more targeted rewards experience that coexists within the traditional Kazoo Rewards and Incentives programs. Special Catalogs introduces tokens  a second rewards currency to the Kazoo platform. Each special catalog a customer creates has its own token type that can be awarded to employees automatically for things like anniversary milestones or on an ad-hoc basis from the company for programs like Employee of the Month. Once awarded, employees can spend their token on one reward from the curated catalog their company has built for them.

In addition, Special Recognition helps to reduce budget overages by giving Kazoo customers greater control over and visibility into employees' rewards spend. By using Special Catalogs, customers can separate rewards budgets for each catalog, giving them greater control over the cost of items and redemption activity to ensure no more spending surprises. Since Special Recognition and Special Catalogs do not require allocating additional spend, Kazoo customers can now do more with their existing rewards budget.

With over 600 global customers and more than 700,000 end users, Kazoo creates rewarding and purpose-filled workplaces where businesses and people achieve their potential. To learn more about Kazoo, visit www.KazooHR.com.

About Kazoo

The Kazoo Employee Experience Platform brings together everything you need to create a high-performing, connected culture regardless of where your employees work or what device they use. By combining Goals & OKRs, Recognition, Feedback, Conversations, and Incentives within a single, easy-to-use platform, your employees become more engaged, your managers become better leaders, and your productivity and business performance soars. The Kazoo Employee Experience Platform is where priorities become clear, achievements are celebrated, and everyone has a voice. Let's make work better. Learn more at KazooHR.com.

For more information, contact:

Megan Allsup

617-410-6029

[email protected]

Related Images

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Kazoo Special Recognition

Send individual employee recognition on the company's behalf for milestone achievements or business initiatives that can fall outside of traditional recognition.

SOURCE Kazoo
New Delhi, April 7 : Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani topped the Forbes list of India's 10 richest billionaires with a net worth of $84.5 billion, followed by Adani Group chief Gautam Adani.

Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Ambani accomplished a fund-raising feat, garnering $35 billion through a string of deals to achieve his target of reducing his flagship Reliance Industries' net debt to zero by 2021.

"He also sold a third of telecom unit Jio to marquee investors such as Facebook and Google and offloaded 10 per cent of Reliance Retail to private equity firms such as KKR and General Atlantic, plus concluded a $7.3 billion rights issue of Reliance shares," Forbes said.

Second richest Indian, Adani, who has also diversified the group's business and has taken a significant share in India's airport management and operations business has a net worth of $50.5 billion.

Adani acquired a 74 per cent stake in Mumbai International Airport, the country's second-busiest, last September. He also sold 20 per cent in his listed renewables firm, Adani Green Energy, to French energy giant Total for $2.5 billion.

The third richest Indian is HCL founder Shiv Nadar as per the Forbes list of India's 10 Richest Billionaires 2021, with a net worth of $23.5 billion.

Last July, Nadar stepped down as chairman of $9.9 billion (revenues) HCL Technologies, handing over the position to his daughter, Roshni Nadar Malhotra.

Avenue Supermarts' founder Radhakishan Damani ($16.5 billion) and Kotak Mahindra Bank MD Uday Kotak ($15.9 billion) took the fourth and the fifth spot in the list.
According to Twitter, its algorithm erroneously suspended the account of Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene on Sunday. The congresswoman believed the suspension was over a tweet wishing her followers a happy Easter Sunday.

Georgia Congresswoman's Twitter Suspended 'In Error'

According to a Twitter spokesperson, "We use a combination of technology and human review to enforce the Twitter Rules across the service. In this case, our automated systems took enforcement action on the account referenced in error." The statement concluded the action has been overturned, and access to the account has been restored, reported Yahoo.

The Georgia Republican in March was also briefly locked out of her Twitter handle due to a technical glitch. Her campaign at that point called the issue another effort by the Silicon Valley Cartel to silence voices that speak out against their far-left woke conviction.

The congresswoman's Twitter account was suspended for an estimated 12 hours prior to its reinstatement on the social media platform. Greene took to another social media site Gab wherein she theorized she had been suspended for her religious views and various right-wing stances. These involve opposition to mandating COVID-19 vaccine passports and anti-abortion, reported Daily Mail.

Greene tweeted that Twitter suspended her again today by "mistake" after she tweeted that God has risen. She continued that she had a great day with her family at a #FloridaFreedomZone beach. She also did not miss the hate on Twitter and is looking forward to former President Donald Trump's own social media platform, reported Meaww.

The social media giant denied the blocking had anything to do with Greene's Easter message. Greene alleged Twitter had blocked her purportedly. However, the platform released the same statement indicating it was done in error.

Mypillow CEO Mike Lindell To Launch New Social Media Platform After Twitter Ban

Twitter issued the same statement it previously did in her initial blocking on Sunday after reversing the suspension on March 19. In January, Greene received a lawful suspension for spreading misinformation regarding elections.

Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., introduced the resolution in March to expel Greene from Congress. This is over her past contentious social media postings that already propelled her removal from committees.

Greene also remarked that the suspension could have been over her condemnation of top US infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci. He has been sparring with Republicans in the past few weeks.

According to Greene on Gab, "After tweeting, 'He is risen! Happy Easter!' I was suspended this morning for 12 hours!' Greene wrote on Gab. 'Was it my Christian faith? My willingness to Fire Fauci? Message to Big Tech: I'LL NEVER STOP!!!"

Greene has openly supported conspiracy theories including QAnon in the past and her likes of social media comments acknowledging violence against Democrats has prompted some in the House of Representatives to impose her expulsion from Congress. She was also stripped of her committee assignments in February in a House floor vote where 11 Republicans joined Democrats to vote her off 230 to 199. In March, a resolution for her removal from office was introduced by California Democrat Jimmy Gomez.

TikTok Challenge Leaves Colorado Boy Brain Dead, 'Unlikely' to Survive

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Gyms will be re-opening across England from Monday and some of the country's biggest fitness studios have revealed their preparations including one hour time limits, social distance zones and thousands of litres of fresh air pumped in every second.

From April 12, all non-essential shops will be allowed to reopen, as well as hairdressers, beauty salons and, most importantly for some, gyms.

The easing of restrictions will give people in England the opportunity to shed unwanted pounds after three months trapped inside.

And some of the country's biggest gym brands have now revealed the measures they will be taking on April 12.

The measures include fresh air being pumped into the gym, special zones marked for social distancing, a booking system to manage capacity and regular deep cleaning.

From April 12, all non-essential shops will be allowed to reopen, as well as hairdressers, beauty salons and, most importantly for some, gyms

The easing of restrictions will give people in England the opportunity to shed unwanted pounds after three months trapped inside. Pictured: A cleaning station at a gym in London

PureGym, a 24-hour studio with more than a million members and Britain's largest operator, will reopen Monday but will ask members to workout for just an hour

PureGym, a 24-hour studio with more than a million members and Britain's largest operator, has revealed a series of safety measures for April 12.

Contactless entry with the gym's personal app will be in place, as will hand sanitiser, dedicated workout areas and extensive staff cleaning.

Around 2,000L of fresh air will also be pumped into gyms every second - though the gym indicated sessions will be limited for an hour.

Face coverings will also be required throughout the gym, unless you are using equipment.

The Gym group, which has around 160 gyms with 668,000 members, has emailed users, confirming it will be open from 6am on Monday.

The 24-hour gym has also unveiled a raft of safety measures users will be expected to follow.

After using a machine, users should wipe it down with paper towels provided.

Equipment will be spaced apart, hand sanitiser will be provided and users will be encouraged to use a live app that tracks how busy individual gyms are.

The gym added on its website: 'We do not currently allow for members to train with each other, even if you are from the same household or bubble.

'This is to ensure that there is still plenty of access around the gym, and avoids members from getting too close to one another.

'For health and safety while using equipment, spotting is permitted, however the spotter must be wearing a face mask. If you do not have a face mask, you should not be spotting.'

Virgin Active will also be reopening on April 12, though it has yet to confirm its opening hours.

Virgin Active has revealed that its gyms will be reopening on April 12 when restrictions are eased

The Gym group, which has around 160 gyms with 668,000 members, has emailed users, confirming it will be open from 6am on Monday

David Lloyd Leisure clubs have also announced an April 12 reopening with a raft of measures

Virgin gyms have installed safety markers at reception, on the gym floor and in the studios to help maintain distance.

Hand sanitiser stations have been set-up throughout gyms with Virgin confirming changing areas are to be cleaned regularly as well as an overnight deep clean.

Gym capacity will be monitored and fresh air will be pumped through the gym at its maximum setting.

David Lloyd Leisure clubs have also announced an April 12 reopening.

Measures introduced at studios include reduced capacity and increased space between equipment to two metres, as well as adding a one-way system.

Additional gym space, with individual workout areas of 3m x 3m have been introduced as well as sanitiser stations.

The group added: 'We have increased the number of cleaning staff we employ, allowing us to increase the volume of cleaning across the Club, with particular attention being paid to areas of high traffic.'

The Prime Minister last night confirmed his four tests had been met for moving to the next stage of his lockdown easing roadmap  the continued success of the vaccine rollout, the impact it is having on hospitalisations and deaths, the NHS not being overwhelmed, and no new variants of concern.

He told the press conference: On Monday I will be going to the pub myself  and cautiously but irreversibly raising a pint of beer to my lips. But Mr Johnson added: We cant be complacent. We can see the waves of sickness affecting other countries and we have seen how this story goes.

We still dont know how strong the vaccine shield will be when cases begin to rise, as Im afraid that they will, and thats why we are saying please get your vaccine, or your second dose, when your turn comes.
Senior police have slammed the absolute stupidity of some Queensland drivers after an Easter long weekend of carnage on the states roads, which resulted in six dead and more fighting for their lives in hospital.

Acting Chief Superintendent Ray Rohweder there were several instances of dangerous driving over the wet Easter long weekend.

Acting Chief Superintendent Ray Rohweder has described Easter speeding as absolute stupidity. Credit:QPS

One driver was 75 kilometres an hour over [the speed limit] yesterday morning at Daisy Hill, he said on Tuesday.

That is just absolute stupidity.
The cases were discovered during regular surveillance testing that both the Veterans Home and Napa State are continuing to conduct on their already-vaccinated residents, according to County Public Information Officer Janet Upton, who said the county was not letting our guard down.

In response to request for comment, a spokesperson for Napa State Hospital said in a written statement that as of April 5 the facility had 17 staff and fewer than 11 patients who had test positive for COVID-19 in the past two weeks. (State reporting guidelines do not require facilities to report the exact number if it is less than 10.)

The Department of State Hospitals is working closely with the California Department of Public Health and the Napa County Public Health Department to further investigate these cases, the statement continued.

Lindsey Sin, a spokesperson for the California Department of Veterans Affairs (Cal Vet), said via email Wednesday night the Veterans Home could not specify "the final outcome of each individual or sample that was retested" for privacy reasons. Testing at Yountville is done weekly for both staff and residents, including those who have received vaccines, she wrote.
Partner? Rival? When it comes to China and climate policy, the White House answer to both questions seems to be yes.

Driving the news: The last few days underscore the delicate role that China is playing in White House climate efforts.

John Kerry, President Biden's special climate envoy, told CNBC that acting on climate is a "huge economic opportunity" for people worldwide and added:

"This is not about China, this is not a counter to China. This is about China, the United States, India, Russia, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Australia, a bunch of countries that are emitting a pretty sizable amount, the United States and China the most."

And via Reuters, Kerry also told reporters on the same weekend visit with officials in Abu Dhabi that the U.S. is hopeful about working with China on climate despite major tensions on several other topics.

Yes, but: Competition with China is a not-subtle part of the White House's domestic sales pitch for its $2 trillion-plus economic plan that's heavy on clean energy infrastructure, manufacturing and R&D.

The White House summary of the plan calls it a way to "create millions of good jobs, rebuild our countrys infrastructure, and position the United States to out-compete China." (Emphasis added.)

The proposal last week also calls the investments a way to meet the climate crisis and the "ambitions of an autocratic China."

Why it matters: Check out the chart above via the Global Carbon Project, a research consortium. Steeply cutting global emissions is hopeless without major cuts from the U.S. and China, which together comprise over 40% of worldwide CO2 emissions from fossil fuels.

So that means diplomatic spadework as the administration joins others in pressing China to transform its ambitions (including carbon neutrality by 2060) into more concrete steps.

But it also means enacting new domestic policies, and for the White House, part of that push is talking up the country's ability to compete in growing clean energy tech markets.

Expand chart Data: Global Carbon Project; Chart: Axios Visuals

One thing that's tricky about climate diplomacy is balancing responsibility for today's emissions levels against historical CO2 output.

The big picture: The graphic above, also via Global Carbon Project data, puts China's rise into the world's largest emitter by far into perspective.
 

EBRD and EU help the city upgrade its old infrastructure

Access to clean water has long been a major challenge for most residents of Tajikistan, a country where the underfunded public infrastructure has left even urban residents without a reliable water supply. Tursunzoda, a city 60 km west of the capital Dushanbe, has long been one of those population centres struggling to serve its residents with clean water.

For the local population this meant challenging living conditions. One resident of Tursunzoda, 65-year-old Nurikhon Mirakhodjaeva, lives on the top floor of a four-storey apartment building dating back to Soviet times. Since receiving her apartment in 1993, the poor water supply had affected her and her neighbours quality of life.

We had water only for three to four hours in the evening or late at night, recalls Nurikhon.

Later on, water supply was extended to five to eight hours a day, but it was still a daily chore to fill the family bathtub, all available buckets and plastic bottles with water. Every now and then, due to weak pressure, water did not reach anyone above the first floor in Nurikhons building.

There were times when she felt frustrated and wanted to move to a single-family house in a neighbourhood where water was more readily available, although still intermittently.

Some days my son and I carried the water we needed in bottles and buckets from the first floor neighbours apartment, remembers Nurikhon.

She had to save water and use it only for cooking and basic hygiene. Washing clothes meant stocking up or carrying more water in containers the day before. On weekends, together with her sons family, she had to go to her parents house to take a shower, do laundry and bath her grandchildren.

But since 2018 life has changed significantly for Nurikhon and the entire city when the Central Tajikistan Water Rehabilitation Project  supported by the EBRD, the European Union (EU) and the government  improved the citys water infrastructure.

Under this project, the EBRD and EU provided funds to upgrade the water supply systems of four cities: Tursunzoda, Gissar, Shakhrinav and Somonyion. The total financing of US $18 million comprised an US$ 8.4 million grant from the EU, and a US$ 7 million loan and US$ 2.6 million grant from the EBRD.

In all four cities these funds were used to construct new water reservoirs and water intake facilities, renovate water networks, install water meters, and procure special equipment and vehicles for infrastructure maintenance.

In Tursunzoda, a new water intake facility was built. This involved clearing wells, constructing a water chlorination building and pumping station, replacing all pipes, old pumps and valves, as well as installing a substation with transformers for power supply and fencing the facility.

In addition, the project replaced 28.2 km of pipelines and installed over 13,600 water meters in households and commercial properties. It also helped install 218 manholes with control valves, and purchase special equipment and vehicles for regular maintenance of the water supply system and urgent repairs of pipe leakages.

The critically needed funding drastically improved the water supply and pressure, ensuring a reliable service for all customers, including those who live in multistorey apartments like Nurikhon.

Now we have water 24 hours a day. We have installed a boiler and can have a bath every day. And weve finally been able to buy a washing machine, shares Nurikhon happily.

Since 2004 the EBRD and donors, including the EU, Switzerland and the GEF, have invested in 11 water and wastewater improvement projects in Tajikistan covering 22 cities across the country, and worth over US$ 118 million, including US$ 50 million in loans and US $68 million in grants.

All these projects contributed to tackling the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic in Tajikistan, as they helped to address public health issues at a time when water is most needed for sanitation and hygiene.

In recent months Ive felt safe and happy that I have an uninterrupted water supply at home, which means we can wash our hands frequently as instructed by public health officials, said Nurikhon.
Finding locally grown fresh food in Oregon just became easier.

Oregon Taste, a public service project of nonprofit James Beard Public Market, announced the launch of OregonTaste.com, a searchable online directory of the states locally grown fresh food.

The website allows area consumers to connect to Oregons local fresh foods and food businesses, providing a reliable source for information on Oregon food, food products, food systems programs and food events.

The directory initially is focusing on Oregons local producers that sell fresh foods directly to consumers. Listings include sellers of fresh, local and direct-to-consumer food, as well as information on farmers, fishers, ranchers, roadside stands, u-pick fields, farmers markets and orchards.

Consumers can search the directory for fresh food producers across the state, find specific food products, link to a producers website and learn how to connect with producers and their products. In collaboration with Oregon Farmers Markets Association, the website also provides consumers links to the websites of farmers markets across Oregon.

Lori Warner, development director for Oregon Taste, said in the press release the COVID-19 pandemic revealed how much local food systems matter.

The idea for Oregon Taste was born out of this increased need to connect Oregonians to more local farms and the foods they create, she stated.

Oregon Taste also soon plans to expand the directory to include links to food products manufactured or processed in Oregon; wine, beer, spirits and other beverages created in the state; and listings of local food events. Future plans include listings of the states food-related nonprofits, agencies and food organizations.

As a public service project, the directory is free to consumers as well as local farmers and sellers who want to appear in the directory.

Organizations statewide are collaborating with James Beard Public Market to help connect consumers to Oregon-grown foods, including the Oregon Farmers Markets Association, Travel Oregon Food Trail Program and the High Desert Food and Farm Alliance.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 14:01:29|Editor: huaxia

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ULAN BATOR, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia reported the highest daily count of 831 COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, raising its national tally to 11,651, the country's National Center for Communicable Diseases (NCCD) said on Tuesday.

Among the new cases, which were locally transmitted, 731 were detected in capital Ulan Bator, Mongolia's hardest hit region, the NCCD said in a statement.

Meanwhile, one more death and 79 new recoveries were reported in the last 24 hours, bringing the death toll to 17 and the total number of recoveries to 6,010, respectively, according to the center.

Mongolia launched a national vaccination campaign in late February, with the aim of vaccinating at least 60 percent of its total population. More than 414,000 people have been vaccinated in the country so far. Enditem
Big Tech censors Christians 'at least once a week'

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A new report from the Napa Legal Institute has revealed the full extent of big-tech censorship of Christians. It details the growing attitude of hostility towards faith-based views and organizations in large tech companies, and urges decisive actions by faith leaders to confront this new culture.

The report, compiled by the Napa Legal Institute and published last week, alleges that since the beginning of the year, religious organizations and individuals have been censored on social media at a rate of roughly once a week. You can read the full report here.

While many of these actions have gone relatively unnoticed, some have risen to the status of national news. Among them was Amazons removal of Ryan T. Andersons book When Harry Became Sally, which challenged progressive orthodoxy on transgender issues. Amazon deleted the book from their catalogue and refused to reverse the decision, despite widespread backlash by conservatives and Christians. They later doubled down on the ban, saying they have chosen not to sell books that frame LGBTQ+ identity as a mental illness.

In practice, that standard gives Amazon a blanket justification to censor any content that presents the traditional Christian view of gender and sex. Whether or not they follow through on their new policy, the existence of such a policy puts any faith-based publisher or author in a position of suspicion, especially if they write on LGBT issues. This new policy is particularly concerning for Christians given Amazons control of the publishing market  by some estimates, as many as 80% of book sales go through Amazon.

As the report shows, the censorship culture extends far beyond Amazon. In February, Twitter suspended the account of Catholic bishop Kevin Doran after he attacked the practice of assisted suicide, which is officially condemned by the Roman Catholic Church. The tweet that led to Bishop Dorans suspension read, in part, Assisted suicide, where it is practiced, is not an expression of freedom or dignity, but of the failure of a society to accompany people on their way of the cross.

His account was eventually restored after a month, but others have suffered permanent consequences. LifeSiteNews, a pro-life news outlet, had their YouTube account permanently banned, removing their catalogue of over 2,000 videos. They had amassed over 300,000 subscribers over the course of a decade, before being abruptly banned.

Other pro-life groups have also been targeted. The Susan B. Anthony List was deplatformed by Facebook during the run-up to the presidential election, preventing ads revealing Democratic candidates positions on abortion from reaching voters. Facebook alleged that, according to a 3rd party fact-checker, they were spreading debunked information on late-term abortions. After receiving public backlash, Facebook apologized and allowed some of the ads to run again.

In early March, Instagram permanently suspended the Catholic Connectaccount, alleging copyright infringement. Instagram has neither reversed the suspension nor explained their reasoning, despite coverage in Catholic media and an appeal by Catholic Connect.

Many of the cases tracked by the Napa Legal Institute result in permanent suspensions, but in some cases the results are reversed. Though censorship may be increasing, many Christians are actively fighting back and, in some cases, winning. The Napa Legal Institute states that Big Tech's unpredictable de-platforming of faith-based organizations and their leaders has become so frequent that faith-based organizations can no longer rely on continuous service from these companies, particularly social media providers. Faith leaders must respond decisively to the changed landscape.

Although sometimes our first impulse is to screen companies out of our invest portfolio or to boycott the products, Christians should consider a salt and light approach in which they use their relationships with these companies to be an influence for good. One of the ways to respond decisively is through corporate engagement. Many of the companies responsible for the censorship are large, publicly traded companies. What that means in practice is that their shares are widely held by Americans, either directly or indirectly. Consider contacting your financial advisor or the mutual fund or ETF you are invested in to see if you are invested in these companies.

If so, consider your options for engaging with these corporations, whether that be reaching out to their investor relations department, contacting the fund you are invested in to let them know how you would like your shares to be voted, or voting your shares directly. Proxy season, in which many of the largest publicly traded companies in America hold their annual shareholder meetings, is fast approaching, which means there is ample opportunity for investors to engage on these issues. Even if you are not an investor, you can still reach out to the customer service departments of these companies, which are often easy to find and use on social media.

We reached out to the Napa Legal Institute for comment and will be publishing their responses in a separate article.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 22:24:10|Editor: huaxia

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NAIROBI, April 6 (Xinhua) -- After losing his job at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya in March 2020, Kevin Musila turned to online writing for survival.

Musila, who was working as a tour guide, was asked to take leave when establishments in the sector closed due to the pandemic but was later sacked as the crisis prolonged.

Feeling betrayed by the "off-line business", Musila saw hope on the internet after a friend showed him how to make money online.

"It took me about a week to learn how to do online writing, which included opening my own account and bidding for jobs," he told Xinhua.

A year later, Musila makes about 40,000 shillings (368 U.S. dollars) a month from the online job, which has enabled him to sustain life amid the pandemic.

"The disease made me realize there are other opportunities outside offline jobs. I am comfortable now and don't think I would want to go back to an offline job where risks are high," he said.

The online jobs are among opportunities that have helped Kenyans and other citizens across Africa survive amid the pandemic.

They represent a surge in the internet economy in the continent, where most services are now done online, with the pandemic has led to a huge shift.

Citizens are not only working online but also shopping, paying for bills, selling various items, applying for loans, banking cash and studying.

The International Finance Corporation, a World Bank arm, predicts an exponential surge of online economic activities in Africa, to hit a high of 180 billion dollars by 2025.

Increased investment in online infrastructure, rising mobile connectivity, urbanization, high technology talent and favorable regulation are among the things to drive the growth, according to IFC.

Joseph Macharia, the founder of Mkulima Young, an agricultural online marketplace, describes Africa's digital economy as full of opportunities.

"But you have to identify those opportunities that fit your settings. That is what I did with Mkulima Young," he said.

Most of the online opportunities, according to him, are sustainable for the long term.

"Online gigs are becoming the norm, the jobs have been accelerated by the unpredictable future or an event that we did not know existed. The COVID-19 pandemic is certainly the black swan that has pushed the creation of online gigs," he said.

While the faster surge in the digital economy has largely been accelerated by the pandemic, he noted that it is being shaped by technological, social, political, environmental, and legal trends.

"One of the legal challenges affecting the online economy is taxation. Various countries are instituting legislation to tax online transactions which may stifle growth. But my take is if enterprises are making money out of the digital economy, they should pay governments taxes," he said.

Kenya is among the countries that have started to tax surging online economic activities to boost its revenue.

Bernard Mwaso of Edell IT Solutions, a software development start-up in Nairobi, noted that the online economy in Africa has grown faster than the offline economy in recent years as the two complement each other, catching some governments' awareness.

"Some governments in Africa are yet to start taxing online economy activities, others are making baby steps but the fact is that the online economy in Africa is now worth billions of dollars," he said.

If Africa continues to have the right ingredients that include cheaper internet, increased adoption of smartphones, shrinking offline opportunities and a highly educated population, the online economy would catch up with offline economic activities.

"Certainly the pandemic has pushed thousands online but that is just what was needed for the sector to take off as people can now see the tens of opportunities in the internet," he said. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 19:34:36|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, April 6 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Education on Tuesday started to solicit public opinion on a draft regulation for improving the protection of minors in schools.

Schools should adopt a zero-tolerance attitude toward bullying, sexual assault, and sexual harassment of students, according to the draft.

The document also requires schools to check the criminal records of candidates before hiring teachers or introducing volunteers and social workers into their campuses.

Noting that schools are also obliged to protect the safety of students on campus, the draft emphasizes that schools are prohibited from organizing students to participate in emergency rescue, disaster relief, or commercial activities. Enditem
(Newser)  Texas police were responding to a report of a possible suicidal person at a home in suburban Dallas on Monday when they found the bodies of six family members that are thought to have been there since Saturdaythe result of an apparent murder-suicide pact. Coverage:

Two brothers, ages 19 and 21, apparently "made an agreement to commit suicide and ended up taking the entire family with them," Allen Police Sgt. Jon Felty tells the Dallas Morning News. He says a person called police around 1am Monday, some time after the younger of the two brothers wrote about a pact on Instagram, describing himself as clinically depressed, per NBC News.

The online post said the brothers planned to shoot and kill their family members and then themselves, per KXAS. The New York Post describes the lengthy post as "rambling." For example, it recounted how the brothers watched a lot of The Office during the pandemic and complained that the show should have ended when Steve Carell left. But it veered into much darker topics, saying that both brothers suffered from severe depression and that it was a "joke" they were able to buy guns for their plot so easily.

story continues below

The suspects are identified as 21-year-old Tanvir Towhid and 19-year-old Farhan Towhid. Their alleged victims include 19-year-old sister and Farhan's twin, Farbin Towhid; mother Iren Islam, 56; father Towhidul Islam, 54; and grandmother Altafun Nessa, 77, who was reportedly visiting from Bangladesh.

Originally from Bangladesh, the family is thought to have moved to the area from New York several years ago, per the Morning News. "They were good people" who "genuinely touched the lives of everyone who they came in contact with," a friend tells the outlet.

WFAA reports one of the brothers had recently dropped out of college. Felty says police had only made one visit to the family, in 2018, per NBC. "We have never had an incident like this in the 21 years that I have been here," he adds. "It's a tragedy that you just can't imagine."

(Read more murder-suicide stories.)
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 6)  The countrys testing czar is not in favor of mass testing despite the alarming surge in COVID-19 cases.

Ang problema kasi sa concept ng mass testing ispwedeng ako mismo ang magdesisyon kung kailan ako dapat magpa-test, Vince Dizon, deputy chief implementer of the National Task Force Against COVID-19, said during a Palace briefing.

[Translation: The problem with the concept of mass testing is that I myself can decide when I will get tested.]

Ang sinasabi ng mga eksperto, kailangan guided yung decision na yun," he explained. "Guided either by a professional, or guided by very, very specific protocols set by professionals and experts.

[Translation: What experts are saying is that this decision should be guided.]

Dizon said testing must be "risk-based and targeted" as conducting tests on a countrys entire population is not recommended by experts both in and out of the Philippines.

Testing for COVID-19, he further explained, must be coupled with speedy contact tracing and isolation of affected individuals.

Critics slammed Dizons remarks, arguing that calls for mass testing does not mean conducting tests on every single Filipino but rather beefing up national testing capacity to ensure the protection of as many people as possible.

Now is not the time for us to repeat the mistakes of our initial pandemic response, not when Filipinos continue to suffer from the pandemic, said Dr. RJ Naguit, spokesperson of Akbayan.

If this administration continues to fool us by forcing on us a twisted definition of mass testing and insisting they are unable to test more people, the fault lies squarely on their incompetence, Naguit also said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Edsel Salvana, a member of the Health Departments technical advisory group, emphasized that the timing and who is getting tested are most important when it comes to COVID-19 testing.

The infectious disease expert flagged the danger of testing individuals without considering the timing at which they might have gotten infected. He added they might be cleared despite actually being positive for COVID-19 but testing negative for it.

Still, Dizon assured that the government continues to expand the countrys RT-PCR lab testing. Antigen testing, meantime, shall augment this to aid lab personnel who have also been contracting the disease.

Citing data from March 20 to April 2, Dizon said the country has been conducting an average of 52,000 tests per day.

He said over half of this figure has been performed in the NCR Plus Bubble since the area has been dealing with skyrocketing infections in the past weeks.
Israel, the UK and Chile are world-leaders in terms of administering Covid-19 vaccines  but when it comes to getting life back to normal, the three countries are seeing very different results.

Israel's successful vaccination drive has given over 60 percent of its population at least one jab. In the UK, around 47 percent of people have been given a single dose, while that figure is around 35 percent amongst Chileans.

But while Israel has begun to ease lockdown measures and re-open its economy, Chile has recently implemented new restrictions, and last week recorded 49,542 new Covid-19 cases  the highest weekly levels since the start of the pandemic.

The UK is currently somewhere in the middle of the two - a low infection rate like Israel, but with restrictions in place - with fears about a third wave of coronavirus infections leading to officials taking a cautious approach to relaxing measures.

However, with the UK having given at least one dose to over 47 percent of its population, the Prime Minister has come under fire from MPs in his own Conservative party for the time it is taking to ease restrictions, with some saying the country could be left in a state of never-ending 'demi-lockdown' amid fears of a third Covid wave.

Speaking on Monday, England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty pointed to Chile as a warning that a quick vaccine roll-out does not necessarily guard against future outbreaks of the virus, which has killed over 3 million people worldwide.

'We absolutely need to learn from those countries that are far ahead of us in terms of or alongside us in terms of vaccine rollout,' he said, speaking during a news conference on Monday from Downing Street.

'This is the reason we want to do things in a steady way because the assumption that just because you vaccinate lots of people, then the problem goes away, I think Chile is quite a good corrective to that.'

Ambulance personnel wait their turn to be able to admit sick people to the San Jose Hospital following the saturation of the health system due to the high number of Covid-19 infections, in Santiago on April 5, 2021

Pictured: A graph comparing the seven day average daily new confirmed cases of coronavirus per million people in Chile, the UK and Israel, and the date each country began vaccinating

Pictured: A graph showing the progress made by countries in giving at least one dose of Covid-19 vaccines to their populations. Israel's successful vaccination drive has given over 60 percent of its population at least one jab. In the UK, around 47 percent of people have been given a single dose, while that figure is around 35 percent in Chile

Israel, Chile and the UK: compared Israel Pop. given single dose: 60 percent

Fully vaccinated: 50 percent

Those yet to be given first dose are largely either under 16 or reluctant.

Economy largely reopened with schools and businesses open at reduced capacity amid lowest infection rates since June.

Indoor dining reopened to those with a 'green pass', used to prove if a person is protected from Covid-19 through a vaccination or antibodies.

Borders open to limited number of entries per-day.

New confirmed Covid-19 cases per million people on Monday: 40.9 Chile Pop. given single dose: 35 percent

Fully vaccinated: 20 percent

Economy largely in lockdown (under Phase 1 - total quarantine) with a 21:00 curfew in place, as Chile reaches the peak of a third wave of Covid-19, and saw largest weekly new infections last week.

Borders closed for 30 days from April 1, with some exceptions for returning residents.

New confirmed Covid-19 cases per million people on Monday: 359.7 United Kingdom Pop. given single dose: 47 percent

Fully vaccinated: 8 percent

Economy reopening gradually, with schools reopened in March and non-essential shops and outdoor dining due to re-open on April 12.

Vaccination passport being considered as an option by the government, but is facing opposition.

Borders restricted, with a traffic light system set to be introduced.

New confirmed Covid-19 cases per million people on Monday: 52.2 Advertisement

Prof Whitty said that Chile's experience had contrasted with that of Israel, and it was unclear whether it's Covid figures were due to the timings of rollout, the vaccines used, interactions with coronavirus variants or other factors.

Despite only a few ranks separating them in the global vaccine race, a number of factors differentiate the situations in Chile and Israel.

Chile began its vaccination campaign with frontline health workers on 24 December, just as the third wave began in the country and days after the UK and Israel started rolling out their jabs as well.

All three were seeing rising infections at the time.

While Israel has so far exclusively used the US Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, Chile - which has vaccinated over 35 percent of its population with one dose, and over 20 percent with two - has been using a combination of Pfizer and China's CoronaVac vaccine.

And while data shows that the Pfizer/BioNTech jab is around 95 percent effective at protecting someone from Covid-19 after they have been given two doses, CoronaVac's effectiveness sits at around 50 percent after two doses.

This means that for every 100 people given the full vaccination programme - two doses of CoronaVac - 50 remain at risk of infection.

The Chilean government's goal is to immunise 15 million people by June 30, achieving coveted 'herd immunity,' when a sufficiently large proportion of the population is resistant to a pathogen that it has nowhere to spread.

To this end, Chile signed an agreement to purchase 20 million doses of China's CoronaVac vaccine, which was approved for emergency use on January 20, and so far, the bulk of doses administered in the South American nation have been CoronaVac.

While the vaccine will reduce the intensity of symptoms and therefore considerably reduce the risk of hospitalisation for the most serious of cases, vaccinated individuals may still spread the virus.

The European Union and other countries, such as the UK and the US, have not approved CoronaVac as it has not been proven to be sufficiently effective.

Other Latin American countries have also been having trouble with vaccines.

Argentine President Alberto Fernandez has tested positive for Covid despite getting two jabs of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine.

On Saturday he said he had a headache and high temperature.

The UK, meanwhile, has been using a combination of the Pfizer/BioNTech jab and the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, which has shown to be around 90 percent effective.

This would suggest that compared to Chile, the number of people effectively vaccinated in Israel, and later in the UK, will be higher than in Chile in the coming months when more people are given their second dose.

Pictured: A near-deserted Plaza de Armas during quarantine on April 5, 2021 in Santiago, Chile

Pictured: A graph showing the seven-day average number of new coronavirus cases in Chile

Pictured: A graph showing the seven-day average number of new coronavirus deaths in Chile

Israel has given at least one dose to over 60 percent of its population, has fully vaccinated over 50 percent, and has eased most coronavirus restrictions after seeing coronavirus cases and related deaths drop to their lowest levels since the summer of 2020.

Its rapid vaccine progress means more than 4.6million people have had two jabs and are eligible for a so-called 'green pass' in a scheme being closely watched by other countries, and that could be copied in the UK.

Israel began easing a nationwide lockdown in late February, with most businesses and schools gradually resuming activity with limits on capacity.

Along with the people who are fully vaccinated, another 8.7 per cent of the population are presumed immune after previously recovering from Covid-19.

That makes the majority of the population eligible for the 'green pass' certificates that show a person is protected from the virus, and thus gives them access to various leisure venues such as bars and restaurants.

Hezi Levi, the director-general of Israel's health ministry, has estimated that the entire adult population will be fully inoculated by the end of May.

About a third of the country is under 16 and cannot be vaccinated until the shot is deemed safe for children, while experts have put those who have so far not received a dose down to reluctance.

This month the health ministry said that recovered Covid-19 patients could get vaccinated with a single jab administered at least three months after recovery.

Israel recorded zero coronavirus deaths on Friday for the first time since June 29 last year, and 251 new cases. In total, the country has seen 834,603 cases and 6,248 deaths. The country has also seen a drop in the number of coronavirus ICU patients, currently at 24.7 per million people, down from over 45 per million in February.

People eat at a restaurant in Jerusalem's main market after authorities reopened restaurants, bars and cafes to 'green pass' holders (proof of protection against Covid), on March 11, 2021

Pictured: A graph showing the seven-day average number of new coronavirus cases in Israel

Pictured: A graph showing the seven-day average number of new coronavirus deaths in Israel

The infection rate in Chile and the Israel are also very different. Israel is at the end of its second coronavirus wave and, as in the UK, cases and deaths are lower than they have been for months.

Chile on the other hand appears to have reached the peak of a third wave, seeing more new daily coronavirus infections than at any point during the pandemic, despite its impressive vaccine rollout efforts.

On Monday, there were 52.2 new confirmed Covid-19 cases per million people in the UK, and just 40.9 confirmed cases per million in Israel. In contrast, Chile saw 359.7.

Doctors in the country have criticised President Sebastian Pinera for lifting restrictions too quickly, with schools reopening and Chileans being allowed to travel domestically since early March, despite rising infections. Some have suggested the vaccine drive instilled a false sense of security.

Now, the country finds itself in another lockdown, with the borders closed.

In the UK, the January lockdown imposed by Boris Johnson has seen cases fall to their lowest levels since last year, just as the number of single doses is set to pass 50 percent of the population.

Other reasons for Chile's rising infections have not been ruled out, with one major concern being that new variants - such as the British variant or the Brazilian P.1 variant - may be evading the vaccine.

Speaking on Monday, England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty (left) pointed to Chile as a warning that a quick vaccine roll-out does not necessarily guard against future outbreaks of the virus, which has killed over 2.86 million people worldwide

Pictured: A graph showing the number of infections per day in the UK, and the seven-day rolling average

Pictured: A graph showing how Britain's vaccine roll out is progressing

In March, Chilean scientists pleaded with people to stay indoors.

'The new variants arriving in Chile are a great worry, and we effectively have one pandemic on top of another now,' said Dr Ximena Aguilera, an epidemiologist who sits on the government's Covid-19 advisory committee, according to The Guardian.

'Unlike before, we are seeing serious cases among younger people too, and there is a sense that some people had become complacent towards the end of the summer with the vaccinations going so well.'

While the emergence of the British variant led to a surge of infections in the UK over winter, this also appears to have been brought under control by the long lockdown, a situation that is more similar to Israel than Chile.

Another factor that could be playing a part in the differences seen across the three countries is herd immunity, either through vaccinations or how many people have developed immunity against coronavirus through being infected by it.

Dr Tracy Husell, an immunologist at Manchester University, told the Mail Online: Herd immunity is likely to have something to do with it.

'The more people that are vaccinated means the less the virus will transmit, as each vaccinee clears the virus quickly.

However, other factors may contribute such as the proportion of people who have generated immunity from the natural infection, the climate (viruses like cool and damp) and the number of people per household. In a multigeneration family the virus spreads quicker.

As of April 6, over 7 million people have received at least one dose of either the Chinese Sinovac or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, and 4.04 million have had both jabs.

So far, Chile has recorded 1,032,612 total coronavirus cases, and 23,677 related deaths - a rate that is lower than many other South American countries.

Chileans will be hoping to see new daily infections begin to drop, and their impressive vaccine drive kick in, sooner rather than later.
It is with great sadness that Hanover Shoe Farms announces that millionaire pacing mare and 2019 Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee Tricky Tooshie p,1:52.1 ($1,005,556) has died at the age of 31. Tricky Tooshie had her last foal, Techino Hanover, in 2015 and has been a beloved member of Hanovers retired mare band since.

Born April 22,1990 in Mercier, Quebec, Tricky Tooshie was a dominant performer in Quebec Sire Stakes Action as a two and three-year-old for owner Laurent Bergevin and trainer Jean-Louis Deblois. As a four-year-old she was shipped to Ontario and for the next five seasons regularly competed against and defeated the best distaffers in that province.

Described by trainer Rick Zeron as thriving on winning Tricky Tooshie certainly left that in her foals and particularly in a well-known granddaughter named Lyons Sentinel. Bred by Hanover, Lyons Sentinel p,3,1:49.2 ($1,236,361) is a daughter of Captaintreacherous out of Tricky Tooshies daughter Tutu Hanover and was the Dan Patch Award winner as Two-Year-Old Pacing Filly Of the Year in 2019 -- the same year her illustrious grandmother was inducted into the Hall Of Fame).

Tooshie was genuinely a favourite of mine, says Hanovers Executive Vice President Dr. Bridgette Jablonsky. She had her quirks but she was tough and all business. She has passed that on to her foals and her grand-foals. Coincidentally, we just purchased her granddaughter, Trillions Hanover p,1:49.3 ($344,741), the Somebeachsomewhere sister to Lyons Sentinel and hope she will continue Tooshies legacy.

Tricky Tooshie was laid to rest in the Hanover Shoe Farm Cemetery. Hanover would like to send their condolences to Tricky Tooshies caretaker Linda Bedard, who visited Tooshie in Hanover and clearly loved her.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of Tricky Tooshie.

(with files from Hanover)
Bexar County commissioners agreed to spend $2 million more to continue COVID-19 testing of students and teachers for the rest of this school year, primarily in eight public school districts, to foster confidence and help parents return to work.

Theres no substitute for a teacher, and theres no substitute for in-person instruction, said Toni Thompson, associate superintendent of human resources for the San Antonio Independent School District, which has had over 133,000 tests done through the county program.

Commissioners initially committed $2 million in federal coronavirus aid in October for the private-public initiative to provide testing by BioBridge Global/Community Labs in workplaces and the eight school districts, including SAISD, Edgewood ISD, East Central ISD and Harlandale ISD, among others.

School officials said the innovative testing program has children, teachers and staff members self-administering a swab under the supervision of a proctor and has an average 19-hour turnaround for results. It has given teachers reassurance of a safe workplace and allowed more students to return to campus for in-person learning, helping parents get back to work, officials said.

On ExpressNews.com: Bexar County begins laying out plan for pandemic recovery

Community Labs President Sal Webber said the nonprofit has administered more than 400,000 tests, including nearly 275,000 at more than 200 schools through the county program. The tests cost $35 each, about one-fifth the normal cost in the commercial market, he said.

The testing at the schools so far has produced a low percentage of positive results, about 0.7 percent compared with about 7 percent of tests coming back positive for members of the general public that Community Labs has tested at the Alamodome through the citys Metro Health, he said.

Jeanne Russell, executive director at Centers for Applied Science & Technology, a network of schools in three districts, said the testing has been a game changer in Spanish-speaking neighborhoods where theres so much fear about this disease that has ravaged our community.

We need to work with you to get these numbers out, to make people understand that their children are safe in schools, and that were going to continue to screen to make sure that they stay safe, Russell said.

Graham Weston, tech entrepreneur and Community Labs chairman, said the nonprofit formed last year with the idea that we could have the safest group of schools in the country. The noninvasive molecular test used at schools is as accurate as the brain tickler swab test, he said.

The county was our first supporter, and were so grateful, Weston said. We would love to keep the lab open and continue to do testing until its no longer needed.

The additional $2 million for the program will be transferred from undesignated funds, then replenished once the county receives federal money under the American Rescue Plan Act. The county anticipates getting $388.5 million through the rescue plan as part of a multiyear economic recovery effort.

Commissioners also voted to spend $250,000 to hire Guidehouse, a research firm that assists local governments, to develop a COVID-19 response portfolio that would maximize revenue and qualifying federal reimbursements.

In other action Tuesday, commissioners met for about 30 minutes in executive session, then returned to open session to approve a $20,000 lawsuit settlement involving the April 18, 2019, death of Jack Ule, an inmate at the Bexar County Jail.

Ule, 63, was in jail under $500 bail on a charge of criminal trespass on private property. He had been in custody for two weeks when he was found unresponsive in his cell and died.

A lawsuit filed by Ules brother against the county, Sheriff Javier Salazar and University Health alleged the defendants violated the Texas Constitution and Ules federal due process and equal protection rights by confining him, subject to a cash bail, without making an adequate inquiry into his ability to pay; detaining him for a prolonged period; and providing inadequate medical care. Ule had a history of mental illness, hypertension and other medical problems, according to the lawsuit.

On ExpressNews.com: Lawsuit filed in death of mentally ill jail inmate

Commissioners also paid tribute to Judge Sarah E. Garrahan-Moulder, a retired jurist who died March 26 at age 84.

Garrahan-Moulder was part of the legal team that prosecuted the assassin of U.S. District Judge John H. Wood Jr. of San Antonio in the 1970s. She was elected in 1986 to serve as judge of Bexar County Court-at-Law No. 4, a post she held until her 2014 retirement.

The Commissioners Court approved proposals from Garrahan-Moulders judicial colleagues to commission a portrait to hang in the courtroom where she presided, and to plant a tree near the Bexar County Justice Center in her memory.

Commissioners recalled Garrahan-Moulder as a caring judge, sometimes dubbed as Mama Garrahan, who ran as a Republican but reached beyond political partisanship to foster progress. Commissioner Justin Rodriguez said he remembered as an inexperienced attorney that she wanted defendants properly represented, and gave many opportunities to young lawyers who were seeking cases through court appointments.

She was just a big-hearted person, Rodriguez said.

shuddleston@express-news.net
Deputy Border Chief Estimates Way Over 100,000 Illegal Border Crossers Evaded Capture This Year

A Customs and Border Protection (CBP) official said Monday that well over 100,000 illegal border crossers have evaded capture by patrol agents so far this year, adding to the alarm already raised around the growing number of monthly apprehensions.

Deputy Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz told Fox News Channels Americas Newsroom that the agency has resources at its disposal allowing estimates of how many people are actually getting away from us, adding that so far in 2021, this figure stands at way over 100,000 people.

Separately, Ortiz earlier estimated that more than 1 million illegal immigrants would arrive at the U.S.-Mexico border in 2021 as the White House grapples with how to find facilities and process them.

Were already starting to see some higher days of 6,000-plus apprehensions, Ortiz told reporters on March 30. So I fully expect our border patrol agents to encounter over a million people this year.

CBP figures show that illegal crossings rose to over 100,000 in February, while the number of family units caught trying to enter illegally rose to over 19,000, nearly three times the January figure.

Republicans and others have blamed President Joe Bidens immigration policies and messaging for fueling the border surge, particularly his reversal of key border security measures enacted by the Trump administration. While the Biden administration has sought to portray the spike in illegal crossings as a seasonal phenomenon, officials have at the same time rolled out more aggressive messaging in a bid to discourage would-be illegal immigrants.

Dont come over, Biden said in a March 16 interview with ABC News when asked to articulate his message to would-be border crossers. Dont leave your town or city or community.

Biden has also said that his administration is continuing to quickly expel most adults and families under a public health order imposed at the start of the COVID-19 outbreak. But the administration is allowing teens and children, at least temporarily, to stay in the country.

Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) last week toured the U.S.-Mexico border with Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), who was one of the first major Democrat lawmakers to break ranks with his party and start referring to the border surge as a crisis.

Cuellar reinforced the Biden administrations message that most would-be immigrants were being turned away, saying that, out of 100 people applying for asylum in the United States, 88 percent are going to be rejected.

Those are the numbers, only 12 percent, he said.

Still, many would-be illegal immigrants believe that they are welcome to enter and stay in the United States, according to Reuters interviews with nearly two dozen migrants and more than a dozen people identifying themselves as smugglers.

Theres 100 days of free passage across the border, a Guatemalan smuggler told Reuters, referring to one prevailing perception. Supposedly the president is letting children in, another told the outlet.

Cuellar suggested the message that the border is not open is not getting through.

In many ways, were giving false hope to people coming here, he said.

Do we have a war zone, like some people call it? No, we dont. Do we have a humanitarian crisis? Yes, we do, Cuellar said of the situation in his home town of Laredo.

Manchin reinforced that characterization, telling reporters that weve got a human crisis that Im seeing here.

Something has to be done and it has to be expedited, Manchin said. This problem is not going away. This problem will not cure itself, I can assure you, and theyre coming in droves, he added.

I think, this month, well probably hit around 130,000, Cuellar said of his predictions for March. So were heavy right nowI think were probably going to surpass what happened in May 2019 the way were going right now.

The spike two years ago that Cuellar was referring to saw 144,116 enforcement encounters along the southwest border.

Manchin said that we need to look at everything humanly possible to stem the border surge, and raised the possibility of a 90-day immigration moratorium.

Weve got a human crisis that Im seeing here  so if that means shutting everything down for 90 days of how we have people come into our country, sending that message that were not going to be taking people into this country until we get our ability to make sure were able to do it and do it right, he said.

Other measures Manchin suggested include beefing up border security and a more robust U.S. immigration presence in Central American countries so as to process asylum claims there.
Southern Pines, NC (28387)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 66F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 66F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
School district officials across Southeast Texas halted standardized tests Tuesday morning as the Texas Education Agency began reporting issues with the states standardized testing online platform.

This is the fourth separate instance of technology issues since 2016. TEA has not said how many students or districts are impacted this week, but about 85,000 students taking the exams were affected by the first three incidences.

In a message sent to education service centers and district testing coordinators Tuesday morning, TEA officials said they have received reports of districts experiencing technical difficulties with the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR, platform.

Beaumont ISD online students came this morning to campus, some for the first time all year, to take the test. They have since been sent home.

The state has been working on moving all students to an online interface to take the STAAR test by 2022-23, which makes Tuesdays outage particularly concerning to some Southeast Texas district leaders.

What happened today is a complete failure on the part of TEA and ETS, Buna ISD Superintendent Donny Lee told The Enterprise. Weve been told to prepare our kids for online testing due to the mandates that are coming in a few years. We prepare our teachers and kids accordingly only to have TEA completely drop the ball.

TEA said in a statement that the problem resulted from database issues with their vendor, ETS, which has a contract that expires at the end of the year. Those problems are in the process of being corrected.

Beginning next school year, Cambium Assessment will be taking over these critical testing functions to ensure that users have a seamless online testing experience moving forward, TEA officials said in a statement. All involved in public education in Texas should expect better than what they have experienced today; we are working to ensure that our students do not experience future testing issues.

Lee said the agency should take more responsibility for the widespread outages.

If I recall correctly, TEA is the one who awarded the $280 million dollar contract to ETS, he said.

About 13% of Texas public school students took STAAR online in 2018-19. It is not immediately clear how many planned to take the exams online this year.

According to a statement from the Texas Education Agency Student assessment division, three tests have been affected.

The three STAAR tests affected were Grade 4 writing, Grade 7 writing, and English I, TEA officials said in the statement. This was the first of five days that students were eligible to take one of these three tests online.

Districts were advised just after 10 a.m. that if they were having issues, that they should stop online testing for the day while the vendor works to resolve these problems.

Port Neches-Groves ISD Assistant Superintendent Julie Gauthier said all testing was halted at around 10 a.m., and the district is awaiting guidance from the Texas Education Agency on whether to resume testing tomorrow.

Nederland ISD stopped testing for students taking the exam online, but it will continue testing for those taking the test by paper.

Campus administrators will notify students and parents when makeup testing is scheduled, the district said in a statement.

According to the TEA online testing will resume tomorrow.

isaac.windes@hearstnp.com

twitter.com/isaacdwindes
SEOUL, South Korea, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cell Biotech (KRX 049960), a probiotics & microbiome company, has acquired a European patent (Registration No. EP3453718) for the anticancer protein P8 originated from Lactobacillus rhamnosus for the new colorectal cancer drug "PP-P8".

Following the Korean patent (Registration No. KR10-1910808) and Japanese patent (Registration No. JP6586248), it has also acquired patents in Europe, thereby gain a toehold for entry into the global pharmaceutical market by securing global intellectual property rights.

Through this patent, it was found that the anticancer protein P8 has a remarkable therapeutic effect on colorectal cancer. In addition, in the non-clinical trial, the inhibitory effect of P8 on colorectal cancer cells was proven in mice and primates, and its safety against toxicity and side effects were also confirmed.

It was developed to be produced from Pediococcus pentosaceus by genetically engineered strain. It is being developed as a treatment for colorectal cancer, and is awaiting approval for a phase I clinical trial from the South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety(MFDS).

PP-P8 is a microbiome-based oral gene therapy, a new first-in-class colorectal cancer drug. It is a therapeutic agent using genetic techniques based on safe probiotics. Therefore, it is expected to be helpful in overcoming the shortcomings of chemical anticancer drugs, which have side effects caused by high concentration administration and long-term use.

In addition to the patent for the anticancer protein P8, Cell Biotech has obtained Korean patents for the drug delivery system(DDS) and gene expression cassette. At the same time, patents in Europe, the United States, and Japan are in progress, expanding its position in the global pharmaceutical market.

An official from Cell Biotech said, "In order to target the global colorectal cancer treatment market, which amounts to about $10 billion per year, patents are being registered not only in Korea but also in various countries. By preoccupying overseas patents, we will be reborn as a representative Korean company leading the development of new microbiome drugs and securing technological competitiveness."

SOURCE Cell Biotech
Press Release

April 6, 2021 'Bayanihan continues' as Bong Go welcomes frontliners from other parts of the country who expressed willingness to be deployed in critical areas particularly in NCR Plus Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, on Monday, April 5, called on healthcare workers from parts of the country with lower COVID-19 cases to be ready to assist in areas that have been overburdened with the rapidly rising cases of COVID-19. "We need to augment our medical frontliners in critical areas where a significant number of them have been overburdened. Salamat din po sa mga Cebuano, sa mga nurses po sa Visayas who express willingness to be deployed in NCR (Plus) areas," Go said in an interview. "Patunay po ito na sa kabila ng pandemya, malakas pa rin po ang diwa ng bayanihan. May around 100 nurses po ang willing ma-deploy from Cebu. I appeal to health workers in other parts of the country to extend help to other critical areas," he continued. "Kailangan natin magmalasakit sa ating kapwa Pilipino." Critical areas in the National Capital Region and nearby provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal are experiencing a significant rise in the number of COVID-19 cases. Hospitals and health facilities in the areas are experiencing difficulties coping with the crisis. In response to this growing need, Go led the initiative to help augment medical personnel in NCR Plus areas. He turned to Presidential Assistant to the Visayas Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino to send willing frontliners from the Visayas to assist in the NCR Plus. "We will start sending around 50 nurses on April 8. Then continuously every day until we reach a hundred," Sec. Dino said as an update to Go. Go, with the help of OPAV, is working together with regional Department of Health offices, local government units, hospitals with Malasakit Centers, and Project Balik Buhay (PBB) member-private hospitals to send volunteer medical frontliners to NCR Plus health facilities immediately. Heeding Go's call, the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City is preparing to deploy twenty registered nurses and five medical doctors to the NCR Plus bubble as augmentation to the healthcare workforce in the said area. The personnel have extensive experience in caring for and clinically managing COVID-19 patients. The positive response from the Visayas extends beyond human resources. Medical supplies, including life-saving medicines and high-flow nasal cannulas, are also being donated from the Visayas to Metro Manila. A convalescent plasma blood drive is also set to launch to augment the increasing needs in NCR. The volunteer nurses and frontliners will receive an additional 20% premium on their basic salary for emergency hiring, based on Bayanihan 2 funds. The receiving hospitals will take care of their food, accommodation, and transportation after arriving in Metro Manila. Their transfer to NCR as well as necessary COVID-19 testing will be shouldered by the DOH. Go appealed to health workers in other parts of the country with lower COVID-19 cases to also be ready to extend help in critical areas. Amid the challenges, Go encouraged every Filipino to embody the 'bayanihan' spirit, cooperate with the government, and be compassionate to each other to overcome the COVID-19 crisis. "In these trying times, we need a holistic whole-of-nation approach to fully overcome this pandemic," he said. Meanwhile, the DOH Center for Health and Development in the Ilocos Region is also planning its first dispatch of volunteer nurses and doctors to assist fellow frontliners in NCR Plus.
Pakistan, Iran, India, China and Central Asian nations all have different plans for handling another Taliban attempt to take control of the entire country. Pakistan believes they still have sufficient clout to compel the Taliban to follow orders. One aspect of this is Pakistan spending a lot of money to reinforce border security with Afghanistan, making everyone more dependent on the few legal crossing points. These crossings are based on a good road and staffed with border guards and customs officials who enforce whatever the current rules are about who or what can go either way and how much you have to pay, legally or illegally. The Iran border is even more dangerous if the Taliban try to take control of western Afghanistan or continue attacking Shia Afghans. Iran is the largest and most powerful Shia majority nation in the world, and takes that status very seriously and violently when Shia are attacked in neighboring countries. Unlike the 1990s, Iran now has lots of combat veterans defending the Afghan border. There are also Afghan Shia militias inside Afghanistan that are loyal to Iran. These militias contain thousands of Afghan Shia veterans of service as Iranian mercenaries in Syria. Iran also has a newly built port for landlocked Afghanistan, and Central Asia, to use. India supplied the money and Iran the territory for a highway and railway going from western Afghanistan to a new Indian Ocean port near the Pakistani border. That makes it more difficult for Pakistan to threaten Afghanistan with loss of road access to the outside world if the Afghans do not comply with Pakistani demands.

The Taliban trying to play Iran and Pakistan against each other is difficult because Iran considers the Taliban a Pakistan controlled operation. Similar situations exist on the Central Asian borders. China has a miniscule border with Afghanistan that is virtually impossible for any smugglers. China is also the major supplier of weapons to Pakistan and provides billions of dollars worth of construction projects, especially new road, rail and pipeline links from China to a new port near the Iranian border. China and Iran recently signed a 25-year military-economic cooperation deal that will make Iran as dependent on China as Pakistan already is. Iran has an alternative to China in India, which Iran maintains good diplomatic and economic relations with. China and India are locked in a bitter and increasingly violent border dispute. In this case geography and history matter as Iran and India have been trading and interacting for thousands of years while China was a distant mystery. One of the India-Iran historical interactions was joint control of Afghanistan when the ancient Silk Road caravan route between China and the rest of Eurasia was a valuable economic link between strangers. China is decidedly anti-drug and anti-Islamic terrorism. China has leverage, but not control, over Pakistan and Iran. If China opposes another Taliban attempt to take control of the entire country, chances of Taliban success decline to miniscule levels.

More

According to a national survey there are now 32.9 million Afghans, an increase of 57 percent since the Taliban lost power in late 2001. One of the more obvious changes is the national capital; Kabul. In 2001 it had a population of half a million but twenty years later that has increased ten times to five million.

Despite the population growth, over two-thirds of the population still lives in the countryside. That means it is difficult to safely promote education for everyone. That means efforts to increase the literacy rate (the lowest in Eurasia) are stalled. Despite over a decade of building schools (currently ten million Afghans are in school), the adult (all those over 15) literacy rate is 43 percent compared to 31.5 percent in 2001 and 18 percent in 1979, when the four decades of war began. Since 2002 over ten million Afghans have received at least a basic education and nearly half of those have been female, despite vigorous Taliban efforts to block that. Since 2014 the Taliban have put a priority on destroying schools, especially those that educate girls. The number of girls getting an education is declining and their parents are not happy about this. In some areas the pro-education beliefs are so strong that the Taliban backs off on the no school for girls policy in order to avoid more armed resistance than the Islamic terrorists can handle. In most parts of Afghanistan, the Taliban terrorize or kill enough parents to keep the schools shut. This sort of thing fuels the growth in Afghans fleeing the country for the chance of a better life somewhere else.

Nearly all the newly literate are young, creating a growing problem as one other item dividing the younger and older Afghans. But in the rural areas over 80 percent of women are still illiterate. That has become less of an issue because since 2002 cell phone service has become available for nearly all of the rural areas. For a largely illiterate population this is a big deal. At the same time over half the population has access to the Internet. Unlike cell phones the Internet is most useful to those who are literate. By increasing literacy efforts, especially among adults, the government hopes to speed up economic growth and reduce support for Islamic terrorists. More literacy means more economic growth and, while most children are growing up literate, without more literacy among adults economic progress is limited. This is acceptable to the Taliban who base their strategy on Islamic fundamentalism which regards most technology introduced since the 8th century as un-Islamic. For many Moslems this is a belief worth killing and dying for. A growing percentage of literate Afghans are no longer willing to fight traditionalists like the Taliban and concentrate on moving to some other part of the world. This is making Afghan smugglers rich and depriving the country of talent it has lacked until now.

Smuggling has long been a major part of the Afghan economy. While the drug smuggling is still doing well, the people smugglers are seeing less business because fewer of those who pay to be smuggled out are allowed to stay in the West and that discourages some from trying. Since 2015 a growing number of Afghans have been forcibly returned by Western countries. More illegal migrants are also returning from Iran and Pakistan, often voluntarily (or semi-voluntarily) because of poor economic conditions and hostility towards foreigners. Afghans still want to leave but first they have to find a destination they can expect to settle in, not just visit briefly.

Most of those who leave are the best educated or with skills Afghanistan needs. Continued violence and world-leading levels of corruption have made life more difficult for those able to make money legitimately. Afghanistan is also considered the least safe country in the world. According to a 2020 Gallup Global Law and Order survey, Afghanistan was in last place. The safest country was Singapore with a rating of 97. The Philippines, Australia and New Zealand all had a rating of 84. The U.S. rating was 85. Afghanistan was the least safe, at 43. The annual in-person surveys were conducted in late 2019. A representative sample of the population was asked how safe they felt, how much confidence they had in local police and if they had been a victim of crime in the last 12 months.

The Missing Link

The Afghan military is facing a catastrophe because they are losing the last of the American military advisors by May 1st. These American troops were essential for ensuring that the foreign contractors America still pays for are used effectively. In early 2021 the U.S. Department of Defense reported that there were 18,000 contractors in Afghanistan, about seven for each remaining American soldiers. Demand for foreign military contractors has always been strong in Afghanistan and the current number is seen as inadequate. Thats because many of the contractors are needed to support Afghan forces, which are chronically short of locals who can supply such logistical and technical support skills for the security forces. American troops are the most reliable way of spotting corruption among Afghans or foreign contractors. The American military advisors also manage the most effective military training centers.

April 1, 2021: Islamic terrorist violence in March were up 20 percent over the previous month. The March violence left 305 dead and nearly 400 wounded. This about 25 percent higher than the 2020 average and is part of the Taliban effort to bully their domestic opponents (the government and local militias) into accepting the possibility of Taliban rule. The increased violence has the opposite effect inside Afghanistan but does frighten some foreign governments and most foreign media. Inside Afghanistan the response is more something of a reminder that; there are more of us, we will fight, we defeated you last time and you are widely despised criminals working for Pakistan. That means civil war because a lot of the armed opponents of the Taliban will come from local militias determined to prevent a repeat of what happened in the late 1990s when the Pakistan sponsored Taliban almost won the civil war before the Americans intervened on the side of the remaining opposition forces, mainly the Northern Alliance.

Theres also a tribal angle to this. The Taliban and drug gangs are largely composed of Pushtun tribesmen. About 40 percent of Afghans are Pushtun and many of the Pushtuns oppose the Taliban, drug gangs and Pakistani interference. A new development is the Pakistan-based PTM (Pashtun Tahafuz Movement or Pashtun Protection Movement) that has been around since 2014 but has become popular enough in the last few years to attract the interest of Pakistani military censors, who decide which groups or individual Pakistani critics are worth some fatal attention. By 2018 the Pakistani military had banned anything about PTM in the mass-media. That just increased PTM use of the Internet and social media. By 2019 this led to the Pakistani military dispatching its death squads to kill or intimidate prominent PTM leaders or supporters, especially those active in the Internet and living in Pakistan. This included the arrest of two Pushtun MPs (members of parliament). Since then, the PTM has remained non-violent while the Pakistani military has made itself more unpopular with most Pakistanis by continuing efforts to suppress PTM.

Some PTM demonstrations, especially outside the tribal territories in the northwest, got very violent. This was especially the case in Karachi, where PTM demonstrations turn violent when the police and non-Pushtuns attack the demonstrators. That is fairly normal in Karachi, the largest city in Pakistan, largest port and home to about 14 percent of the national population. Karachi attracts people from all over the country. That makes it easier to find some new group to hate. A growing number of Pustuns have fled the violence in their northwest Pakistan homeland for cities like Karachi. Non-Pushtuns are often hostile to Pushtuns, and any other minority in Pakistan, Pushtuns are 15 percent of the Pakistan population and most live in the northwest where they outnumber the Afghan Pushtuns across the border by two to one. The Pushtun have long complained about poor treatment by the Pakistani government and particularly the army, which supports the Afghan Taliban but is at war with the Pakistani Taliban and many other Pushtuns in Pakistan. The PTM is mainly about the Pakistani Pushtuns uniting to oppose mistreatment of Pushtuns in general. While the PTM calls for peaceful demonstrations the military has declared the PTM is a threat and thus considered a hostile opposition organization. The main reason for this was that the peaceful demonstrations of the PTM were attracting more non-Pushtuns who not only agreed with the PTM complaints against the military but pointed out that the military is hostile to any Pakistani who speaks up and denounces the many misdeeds of the military. The PTM has Pushtun fans in Afghanistan, where Pushtuns also suffer from Pakistani military policies towards Pustuns. The most prominent reform movement among Afghan Pushtuns is the Peoples Peace Movement. The Taliban is not yet decided whether this group should be considered an enemy or not. After all, one of the official goals of the Taliban is bringing peace to Afghanistan.

April 5, 2021: Covid19 is the least of Afghanistans problems, but it is a threat because of neighboring Iran, where the arrival of the virus was deliberately downplayed by the religious dictatorship, who insisted that Moslems were immune to it. They werent and before reality was recognized the covid19 death rate for Iran was more than double the global average and higher than 90 percent of the words nations. Iran is considered the epicenter of covid19 infections in the region and the source of infection for most of its neighbors. For example, so far Afghanistan has 63 admitted deaths per million people compared to Iran with an admitted rate of 747 deaths per million and internal reports of more than twice that. Meanwhile Turkey reports 382, India 119, Iraq 355 and Pakistan 67. Further away Saudi Arabia has 190 deaths per million and the UAE 151. In Europe Spain has 1,620, Britain 1,861 and Sweden 1,330. The U.S. rate is 1,712. The world average is 369 deaths per million.

April 3, 2021: The NDS (National Directorate of Security) reported that all indications were that the Taliban was not preparing for peace but for continued war. The Taliban insists to foreigners that they are dedicated to a peaceful settlement but the NDS is considered a key element in government success against drug gangs and the Taliban and has a track record for accuracy in finding out what the Taliban is up to. For that reason, there have been more Taliban assassination attacks against key NDS officials and large scale assaults on NDS facilities. These attacks cause the Taliban lots of losses. That is considered worth the cost if it slows down NDS investigations.

April 2, 2021: In the east (Nangarhar Province) Afghan commandos located and raided an ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) hideout and captured the head of the provincial ISIL group and nine of his followers. ISIL has no allies in Afghanistan and over the last few years Taliban and al Qaeda have been passing on to the government and Americans accurate information of where ISIL personnel are. This has led to many accurate airstrikes and raids against ISIL, a group that persists because it is the highest embodiment of the ultimate more Islamic than thou Islamic terrorist.

March 30, 2021: In the east (Khost province) Taliban forces fired several rockets at a military base shared by Afghan and foreign troops. The Taliban took credit for the attack, which makes it a violation of the February 2020 agreement that had American forces leaving Afghanistan by May 1st in return for an immediate Taliban ceasefire, at least regarding attacks on American forces. This agreement has not been working, partly because not all Taliban factions agree with it and partly because the current Afghan government refuses to step aside for a Taliban government and insists it will fight and at least block any Taliban plans for attempting to gain nationwide control. Many Taliban leaders believe they are on a Mission from God and can take otherwise irrational risks because Allah (God) is on their side. These Taliban are also big fans of those portions of their scripture (the Koran) that describe how it is right and proper to lie to non-believers to gain an advantage.

March 21, 2021: President Ghani offered a three-step peace process with the Taliban that first involves a negotiated power sharing arrangement approved by a Loya Jirga (great conference) , which generally considered more representative of what Afghans want than Taliban press releases. The Taliban learned that in the late 1990s, when they were trying to take control of all of Afghanistan and were prevented from do so because most Afghans demonstrated a hostility towards the Taliban and the drug gangs that finance the Taliban. Those attitudes have not changed and a Loya Jirga is a pretty convincing reminder. For example, a 2019 Loya Jirga was held in Kabul and brought together three thousand prominent Afghans (tribal leaders and politicians) from all over the country to discuss important issues that concerned everyone . Over the last decade Loya Jirgas have dealt with issues like how much longer to host foreign troops. Most left by 2014 despite Loya Jirga advice that some should stay. Former president Karzai's 2013 plea for a peace deal with the Taliban was thwarted because the Loya Jirga was hostile to the idea . The main function of the Jirga is for leaders from around the country to get a sense of the attitudes of other tribes and form a consensus.

Loya Jirga is a Pushtun word, but it a common practice among the Indo-European tribes that have occupied the region for over 5,000 years. The purpose of the Loya Jirga has changed because of technology. Those now attending have cell phones and access to international radio and TV news. A Loya Jirga is no longer a meeting of strangers. Local J irgas are meetings of people who are often distantly related to each other and are more frequently used to settle local or family disputes. Loya Jirgas used to be rare events, but now that are much more frequent (almost annual affairs) and an opportunity to achieve some kind of national consensus. Back in 2019 the Taliban declared any Loya Jirga called by that government as illegitimate. That created another reason for most Afghans to despise and oppose the Taliban.

The second and third phases of the Ghani Plan involve a ceasefire and nationwide elections, validated by foreign monitors, to approve any power sharing agreement the government, Taliban and Loya Jirga approved of. The Taliban expressed hostility to all aspects of the Ghani Plan, which does have the support of many Afghans and neighboring nations.

The Ghani proposals was not aimed at the Taliban senior leadership, which is still under the control, of at least heavily influenced, by Pakistan. Ghani was talking to the many Taliban factions that oppose or even resist the Pakistan dominated senior Taliban leadership. These factions have been growing and now control or heavily influence over a third of the 30,000-armed Taliban and a slightly higher percentage the several million Taliban supporters. Most of these supporters are from the ten percent of the population that receives any economic benefit from the drug business, mainly by growing opium and other addictive plants and then processing and preparing the drugs for distribution locally and, for the most part, foreign markets. This illegal drug trade accounts for at least ten percent of the national GDP and is by far the most profitable economic activity in Afghanistan. Despite that most Afghans are hostile to the drugs and many local addicts it created. Neighboring countries have the same attitude.

The anti-drug attitudes have influenced many Taliban faction leaders to differ (openly or quietly) with senior leadership. This would be important if there were another civil war. Senior Taliban leaders and their Pakistani patrons realize that uncertainty about how many armed Taliban would side with the Pakistan backed forces makes Taliban less certain, despite their divine backing, that they would prevail.

March 20, 2021: Despite Taliban assurances to the U.S. that no Islamic terrorist support would be allowed if the Americans pulled all their troops out by May 1st, the Taliban recently released photos of its current network of twelve training camps. It is uncertain if there are actually twelve camps and the Taliban took care not to show enough background details in the photos that would enable the American intel analysts to pinpoint where the camp is and bomb it. This has happened numerous times in the past. However many camps there are and how many are permanent or transitory, the images show that the camps are mainly about teaching the fundamentals of irregular warfare to newly hired gunmen. Also featured were training of those few who volunteered for suicide bomber attacks as well as a larger number training to join the elite shock troop units. All trainees receive lots of religious indoctrination explaining how what the Taliban does is Gods Will and all who oppose the Taliban are enemies of Islam.

Not publicized is the continued support for al Qaeda, which is taken as a given for Taliban leaders, despite the hostility of every neighboring nations to that. The Taliban also leave out any mention of their dependence on the drug gangs (for cash) and Pakistan (for continued sanctuary for senior leaders and badly wounded personnel). Also left 0ut are the support from the Pakistani military in getting essential chemicals and equipment into Afghanistan for the manufacture of heroin and access to Pakistan (especially the port of Karachi) for distributing the heroin internationally. The other two export routes, Iran and Central Asia, are dangerous (government and popular opposition to drugs) and more expensive (higher bribes to overcome the resistance).
Charlotte Dallison cant wait to fill her lungs with the air of Christchurch.

For more than a year the New Zealander has been unable to fly home from Melbourne to see her friends and family because of the travel bans caused by COVID-19.

I knew it would happen, but I was surprised by how emotional I got. I felt quite teary. After more than a year, Kiwi Charlotte Dallison can visit home. Credit:Simon Schluter

Its a trip she would make regularly, often only for a weekend if she didnt have more time off work.

I think part of the reason you can live here for so long is that you know home is only a quick flight away  not having that available to us has been so hard, she said.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

The American College of Physicians (ACP) has issued Best Practice Advice with recommendations for the appropriate use of antibiotics for four common bacterial infections, as overuse, resistance, and long and unnecessary use remain major health care issues. "Appropriate Use of Short Course Antibiotics in Common Infections: Best Practice Advice from the American College of Physicians," published in Annals of Internal Medicine, addresses best practices for prescribing appropriate and short-duration antibiotics for patients presenting with these infections.

ACP's Best Practice Advice paper, authored by ACP's Scientific Medical Policy Committee, defines appropriate antibiotic use as prescribing the right antibiotic at the right dose for the right duration for a specific infection. The paper was developed by conducting a narrative literature review of published clinical guidelines, systematic reviews, and individual studies that addressed uncomplicated bronchitis with COPD exacerbations, community-acquired pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and cellulitis. When clinically safe and supported by evidence, shortening antibiotic duration decreases overall antibiotic exposure, reducing the risk for resistant organisms to develop, as well as lowering a patient's risk for adverse side effects.

The ACP's Best Practice Advice addresses the appropriate use of short-course antibiotics in treating symptomatic adults with four common infections:

COPD Exacerbation and Acute Uncomplicated Bronchitis: Clinicians should limit antibiotic treatment duration to five days when managing patients with COPD exacerbations and acute uncomplicated bronchitis who have clinical signs of a bacterial infection (presence of increased sputum purulence in addition to increased dyspnea and/or increased sputum volume).

Community Acquired Pneumonia: Clinicians should prescribe antibiotics for community-acquired pneumonia for a minimum of five days. Extension of therapy after five days of antibiotics should be guided by validated measures of clinical stability, which include resolution of vital sign abnormalities, ability to eat, and normal mentation.

Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection: In women with uncomplicated bacterial cystitis, clinicians should prescribe short course antibiotics with either nitrofurantoin for five days, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) for three days, or fosfomycin as a single dose. In men and women with uncomplicated pyelonephritis, clinicians should prescribe short course therapy either with fluoroquinolones (5-7 days) or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (14 days) based on antibiotic susceptibility.

Cellulitis: In patients with nonpurulent cellulitis, clinicians should use a 5-6 day course of antibiotics active against streptococci, particularly for patients able to self-monitor and who have close follow up with primary care.

In the United States, at least 30% of antibiotics use were considered unnecessary and often continued too long. The ACP and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have recognized antibiotic resistant infections as a national threat.

"This guidance on appropriate use of antibiotics is important for practicing physicians when treating these common conditions in our patients," said Jacqueline W. Fincher, MD, MACP, President, ACP. "As antibiotic resistance remains a huge issue in the U.S., educating our clinicians to adopt shorter course antibiotic therapy is paramount."

ACP's Best Practice Advice papers address the value of diagnostic tests and therapeutic interventions. They are based on an evaluation of the benefits, harms, and cost of treatment, and how this translates into the value of an intervention.

Explore further Most women receive inappropriate treatment for urinary tract infections

More information: Rachael A. Lee et al. Appropriate Use of Short-Course Antibiotics in Common Infections: Best Practice Advice From the American College of Physicians, Annals of Internal Medicine (2021). Journal information: Annals of Internal Medicine Rachael A. Lee et al. Appropriate Use of Short-Course Antibiotics in Common Infections: Best Practice Advice From the American College of Physicians,(2021). DOI: 10.7326/M20-7355
BY DAMALI MUKHAYE

The leadership of traders operating in South Sudan have asked the government to ban Ugandans from traveling to South Sudan because it is no longer safe for them.

The call follows three tragic incidents involving a number of Ugandans who were shot dead and others injured.

The group dubbed, the Joint Action for Redemption of Ugandan Traders in Sudan, an association that units Ugandans operating in South Sudan, say that they have been trying to reach their line minister, Amelia Kyambadde, to voice their concern, all in vain.

The associations chairperson Rashid Manafa says they want to meet the government and tell them why South Sudanese hate Ugandans and also tell them the reason behind the killing of Ugandans.

He also asked Government to issue a ban on Ugandans from traveling to South Sudan because as the association, they have tried to talk to Ugandans who have refused to heed to their advice because there are jobless.

The Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affair, Arthur Kafeero says government of Uganda is still in talks with the government of south Sudan to ensure safety of Ugandans and their goods pledging that the issue will be resolved soon.

He also says that the government last week issued a travel advisory urging all Ugandans traders to exercise caution while trading in South Sudan as the talks continue.
NEW YORK, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against SOS Limited ("SOS" or the "Company") (NYSE: SOS), and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in the United States ("U.S.") District Court for the District of New Jersey, and docketed under 21-cv-07454, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants that purchased or otherwise acquired SOS American depository shares ("ADSs") between July 22, 2020 and February 25, 2021, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), seeking to recover damages caused by Defendants' violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), against the Company and certain of its top officials.

If you are a shareholder who purchased SOS ADSs during the Class Period, you have until May 31, 2021 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

SOS is a technology company that purportedly provides marketing data, technology, and solutions for emergency rescue services. When the Company went public in April 2017, it was known as "China Rapid Finance Limited" and claimed to focus on a peer-to-peer, micro-lending business. The Company later changed its name to "SOS Limited" in July 2020 and sold its peer-to-peer, micro-lending business in August 2020, rebranding itself into an emergency services business. In January 2021, the Company again shifted its business focus, this time to cryptocurrency mining.

Critical to SOS's purportedly successful transition into a cryptocurrency mining business were the Company's claims to have entered into an agreement with HY International Group New York Inc. ("HY"), which calls itself the "world's largest mining machine matchmaker," to acquire 15,645 mining rigsi.e., personal computing machines built specifically for cryptocurrency miningfor $20 million, and the Company's plans to purchase FXK Technology Corporation ("FXK"), a purported Canadian cryptocurrency technology firm.

In addition to rapidly changing its business focus, SOS has also rapidly changed the location of its headquarters. According to the Company's SEC filings, the address of the Company's principal executive offices has changed no less than five times since the Company went public in April 2017.

The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operations, and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) SOS had misrepresented the true nature, location, and/or existence of at least one of the principal executive offices listed in its SEC filings; (ii) HY and FXK were either undisclosed related parties and/or entities fabricated by the Company; (iii) the Company had misrepresented the type and/or existence of the mining rigs that it claimed to have purchased; and (iv) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

On February 26, 2021, Hindenburg Research ("Hindenburg") and Culper Research ("Culper") released commentary on SOS, claiming that the Company was an intricate "pump and dump" scheme that used fake addresses and doctored photos of crypto mining rigs to create an illusion of success. The analysts noted, for example, that SOS's SEC filings listed a hotel room as the Company's headquarters. The analysts also questioned whether SOS had actually purchased mining rigs that it claimed to own, as the entity from which SOS purportedly bought the mining rigs appeared to be a fake shell company. The analysts further alleged that the photos SOS had published of their purported "mining rigs" were phony. Culper noted that photographs of SOS's "miners" did not depict the A10 Pro machines that the Company claimed to own and instead appeared to show different devices altogether. Hindenburg, for its part, found that the original images from SOS's website actually belonged to another company.

On this news, SOS's American depositary share ("ADS") price fell $1.27 per share, or 21.03%, to close at $4.77 per ADS on February 26, 2021.

After the end of the Class Period, between February 27 and March 3, 2021, Hindenburg subsequently provided additional information on SOS that further supported its earlier allegations, including pictures, highlighting, inter alia, how SOS had allegedly taken steps to hide the misconduct noted in the February 26, 2021 corrective disclosures.

The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com

Contact:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP

Related Links

www.pomerantzlaw.com


MP Michael Chong on China: We Have to Stand Up for Ourselves

China has arbitrarily detained two Canadian citizens for over two years, threatened Canadian interests, violated an international treaty protecting freedoms in Hong Kong where tens of thousands of Canadians live, and committed genocide against innumerable Chinese citizens.

These are all good reasons why Canada needs to take a stronger stance in dealing with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the Beijing government under its control, Conservative MP Michael Chong says.

Whenever Canada gets threatened by China, the current governments approach is passiveness and equivocation, Chong told NTD Television, an Epoch Times affiliate media.

If we are asking other countries, other allies, other partners to help us in dealing with the threats that the Chinese communist regime is posing to Canada, then we have to stand up for ourselves, and we havent been doing that. If you look at a smaller country, similar in size to Canada, like Australia, theyve been taking a much stronger stance on Australian-China relations than Canada has on Canada-China relations.

On March 27, China sanctioned Chong, a Canadian parliamentary subcommittee, and two U.S. officials in retaliation for the sanctions Canada and the United States had imposed on Chinese officials and entities for their involvement in the abuse of Uyghurs and other ethnic Muslims in Chinas Xinjiang region.

A motion sponsored by Chong to declare Chinas abuse of Uyghurs a genocide was passed unanimously in the House of Commons on Feb. 22, 2021. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his cabinet abstained from the vote.

Chong said the Conservatives are calling on the government to recognize that a genocide is taking place, and once that happens actions can be taken against China under the 1948 genocide convention to punish the perpetrators.

So to that end, we are calling on the government to seek the relocation of the next winters Beijing Olympics. Were asking them to encourage other allies to do the same thing. Were also asking them for new measures to ban the importation of products from Xinjiang region. Theres evidence that these products are being produced through forced labour.

Local Falun Gong practitioners take part in a grand march calling for an end to the persecution of the spiritual practice in China, in Washington on June 20, 2018. (Edward Dye/The Epoch Times)

Persecution of Ethnic and Religious Minorities

Chong said that when Canada and other Western countries welcomed communist China into the global trade and investment system, they assumed that economic developments would steer the authoritarian regime to become democraticwhich didnt happen.

All they have done in the last 30 years is use their newfound prosperity to reinforce their authoritarianism, to reinforce their persecution of minorities, such as Falun Gong practitioners, he said.

We have to acknowledge that we were wrong on that assumption, and come forward with a new approach, a new policy on authoritarian regimes like China, that better defend human rights, better protect our citizens, our companies, he said.

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual cultivation based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance that had attracted around 70-100 million adherents in China by the late 1990s, according to official Chinese estimates.

Former CCP leader Jiang Zemin deemed the large number of Falun Gong adherents a threat to the communist regime and subsequently launched an unprecedented campaign to eradicate the practice in 1999. Since then, adherents have been targeted for arbitrary detention, torture, rape, and forced organ harvesting.

Other than Falun Gong adherents and Uyghurs, there are numerous other rights infractions being perpetrated by the CCP, Chong said.

There are also long-standing human rights abuses against the Tibetan people, just south of Xinjiang. There are violations of the rights of other minorities in mainland China as well as violations of rights and international treaties in Hong Kong, he said.

I think the human rights abuses are serious and need to be treated more seriously by countries like Canada.

People take part in a rally to encourage Canada and other countries as they consider labelling Chinas treatment of its Uyghur population and Muslim minorities as genocide, outside the Canadian Embassy in Washington on Feb. 19, 2021. (Reuters/Leah Millis)

Hong Kong, Huawei, Two Michaels

Chong said Canada can do more regarding the Beijings national security legislation in Hong Kongin violation of the one country, two system principleand the subsequent crackdown on the pro-democracy movement in the city, including imposing Magnitsky sanctions on the Hong Kong officials responsible.

Some of the measures the government has taken are adequate, but theyre not enough. The government has to make it clear that this isnt acceptable, and they have to do so by imposing Magnitsky sanctions on those Hong Kong officials responsible for these violations of international law, he said.

As for Chinese telecom giant Huawei, Chong says the Liberals should join with Canadas allies in banning the company from the build-out of Canadas 5G network. Among the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, Canada is the only country that hasnt banned or placed restrictions on Huaweis participation in its 5G mobile networks.

Theres evidence that Huawei is a threat for national security [because] under Chinese law, theyre required to co-operate with intelligence gathering with state security of China, he said.

And most importantly, in respect to the Uygur genocide  theres evidence that they are helping to build the surveillance system that is an essential part of the Chinese communist regimes tools to perpetrate the genocide in Xinjiang.

Protesters chant slogans during a rally against a new national security law in Hong Kong on July 1, 2020. (Dale de la Rey/AFP via Getty Images)

Chong said hes very concerned about the recent trials of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, who have been detained in China since December 2019.

Trials in China are a large show. The conviction rate is essentially 100 percent, he said.

We think its long past time for the Liberal government to take a much stronger stand on China to make it clear that the threats to our citizens such as the unlawful detention of Mr. Kovrig and Mr. Spavor as well as Canadian Huseyin Celil are unacceptable, and that there will be repercussions for these threats to our citizens, to our companies, but also these threats to our fundamental values that are universal, values that are enshrined in the UN system, he said.
New Delhi, April 6 : Before you go gaga over the foreign media hailing the US or the UK for fast achieving the vaccination target for their people while criticising the Indian government for its slow pace, understand the very basic fact that India has to fully vaccinate over 130 crore people (procuring with more than 260 crore double-dose jabs), unlike the US with nearly 33 crore population (and still hoarding millions of vaccines) or the UK with a paltry 6.6 crore population.

India will need to give 36.5 lakh shots per day until the end of July, in order to achieve the target of vaccinating 25 crore people with two doses.

By that time, the US which has already administered vaccines to nearly 16.5 crore citizens, will achieve the target of giving Covid jab to its entire population.

Over 8 crore doses have been given so far in India, mostly to frontline workers and people above the age of 60. Everyone above the age of 45 is now eligible for the jab and some state governments have urged the union government to lower the age for vaccination.

Let us further decipher the India vaccine data to date.

The first-dose vaccinations have exceeded the figure of seven crore (7,22,77,309) doses.

Cumulatively, 8,31,10,926 vaccine doses have been administered by April 5.

It means that by this time, only a little over 1.1 crore Indians have received both the doses and are now better protected than the rest who have received the first dose only.

As on Day 80 of the vaccination drive (April 5), a record 43,00,966 vaccine doses were given, out of which, 39,00,505 beneficiaries were vaccinated across 48,095 sessions for the first dose and 4,00,461 beneficiaries received second dose of vaccine, according to data provided by the Health Ministry on Tuesday.

Now, if the government can maintain the pace of 40 lakh jabs a day, India can achieve the target of vaccinating 25 crore people in the next two-three months, but we have to factor in the time lapse for second dose which is currently 6-8 weeks after the first dose.

It means that vaccinating Indians with two-dose vaccines is going to take several months amid the super surge in caseloads as the country is witnessing once again.

What are the options? More vaccines, preferably the single dose one like the Johnson & Johnson, will be ideal for a country like India as only two vaccines (Covishield and Covaxin) will take months to improve the situation and those who got vaccinated might lose immunity by that time, as what course this deadly virus along with dozens of variants may take in the near future is vastly unknown.

Also, increasing vaccination frequency, opening more centres and lowering the age for the jab will help quicken the pace.

According to Animesh Arya, Senior Consultant in Respiratory Medicine at Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute in New Delhi, the period of vaccination at centres should also be extended so that more beneficiaries are ensured to get it.

"To ensure more vaccination, pilot projects can also be run in crowded areas through administration with better management. Also younger people who are physically fit may be potential asymptomatic carrier of the infection, hence they should also have a certain criteria to get vaccinated," Arya told IANS.

Navneet Sood, Pulmonary Consultant, Dharamshila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, said that the age bar for vaccination should be brought down now so that more people come under this category and get the all-important jab.

The country is aiming to more than double the production of Covid vaccines to 14 crore doses a month by August, according to reports.

The Serum Institute of India (SII) is aiming to expand its capacity by April end or early May by another 4-5 crore doses. At present, Serum Institute can reportedly produce more than 7 crore doses a month.

Currently, Bharat Biotech is producing more than 40 lakh doses of Covaxin per month at its Hyderabad-based plant.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
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Acquisition will constitute a "fundamental change" under the policies of the CSE

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 6, 2021 / Dimension Five Technologies Inc. (CSE:DFT) (the "Company", "Dimension Five" or "D5") announces that, further to its news releases dated July 14, 2020 and October 23, 2020, the Company has obtained the conditional approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") for its re-listing application on CSE Form 2A to be completed following the closing (the "Closing") of the proposed acquisition (the "Acquisition") of all of the issued and outstanding shares Aduro Energy Inc. ("Aduro Energy") from the securityholders of Aduro Energy (the "Vendors"), pursuant to a securities exchange agreement dated October 22, 2020, as amended (the "Agreement"). If completed, the Acquisition, an arm's length transaction, will constitute a "fundamental change" for the Company under the policies of the CSE. The approval remains subject to a number of conditions, including Closing, issuance of D5 securities under the Agreement and meeting applicable escrow requirements of the CSE.

On April 5, 2021, the Company, Aduro Energy and the Vendors agreed to amend the Agreement to: (1) remove certain requirements under the Agreement in respect of two business milestone protection plans (the "Plans"), including a condition requiring entry into a restricted stock agreement in accordance with the Plans; (2) remove the right of D5 to grant up to 10,000,000 stock options to directors, officers and consultants of D5 on Closing; and (3) add the requirement for D5 to issue an additional 8,440,087 common share purchase warrants of D5 on the Closing as part of the consideration to be issued to the Vendors.

On April 5, 2021, the Company obtained the written consent of a majority of its shareholders in respect of the Acquisition, as required under the policies of the CSE.

On Closing, the Company intends to complete a 3:1 consolidation of its issued and outstanding common shares (the "Shares"). The Company also intends to change its name to "Aduro Clean Technologies Inc." and, if approved for re-listing by the CSE, the Company's Shares will be re-listed under the symbol ACT. Trading in the Company's Shares was halted in connection with the news release on July 14, 2020 announcing the letter of intent in respect of the Acquisition. Trading in the Shares will remain halted pending Closing, the review of the Acquisition by the CSE and satisfaction of any remaining conditions of the CSE for resumption of trading.

In connection with the proposed Acquisition and pursuant to the Agreement, the Company has advanced Aduro Energy a bridge loan in the aggregate amount of $500,000 which is secured by the assets and intellectual property of Aduro Energy. Upon closing of the Acquisition, the bridge loan will become an inter-company loan.

None of the securities to be issued in connection with the Acquisition will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and none of them may be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state where such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful.

About Dimension Five

Dimension Five is based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Prior to completion of the Transaction, the Company has been developing a new investing platform that helps to connect early stage companies with investors. Following completion of the Acquisition, the business of Dimension Five will be the Aduro Energy business. Additional information on Dimension Five is available on the company's website at http://www.dimensionfive.ca.

For further information, please contact:

Chris Parr, CEO

Chris@dimensionfive.ca

Suite 1450 - 789 W Pender Street

Vancouver BC V6C 1H2

Completion of the Acquisition is subject to a number of conditions, including CSE acceptance and Company shareholder approval. There can be no assurance that the Acquisition will be completed as proposed or at all.

Investors are cautioned that any information released or received with respect to the Acquisition may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of Dimension Five should be considered highly speculative.

The CSE has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding: the Closing of the proposed Acquisition of Aduro Energy pursuant to the Agreement; the required satisfaction of a number of conditions set forth in the Agreement, including the final approval of the CSE for re-listing, issuance of securities under the Agreement and meeting applicable escrow requirements; completion of the consolidation, name change and change of symbol on Closing; and the bridge loan being treated as an inter-company loan following Closing. The forward-looking statements reflect management's current expectations based on information currently available and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements.

Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and, accordingly, undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to their inherent uncertainty. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things: that the CSE may not approve the Acquisition as proposed or at all; that the parties may not be able to satisfy the other conditions of Closing; that the Closing of the proposed Acquisition of Aduro Energy pursuant to the Agreement may not occur as anticipated or at all; that the Company may be unable to complete the consolidation, name/symbol change or re-listing as anticipated or at all; general market conditions; factors related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; and other factors beyond the control of the parties. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

SOURCE: Dimension Five Technologies Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/639193/Dimension-Five-Technologies-Inc-Announces-Amendment-of-Securities-Exchange-Agreement-with-Aduro-Energy-Inc-and-Majority-Shareholder-Approval
Unnao : , April 6 (IANS) A man from Kakori area in Lucknow was beaten to death in a village in Unnao on the suspicion of being a thief.

Circle Officer Bangarmau, Anjani Kumar Singh, said that the incident took place late on Sunday night and a case of culpable homicide, not amounting to murder, has been registered against five persons.

Further investigations are on.

According to reports, the deceased Anis was aimlessly roaming in the area when the local residents suspected him to be a thief and beat him up severely.

The police were alerted about an unidentified man, having multiple injuries, lying in the Behta Mujawar village.

The police rushed to the spot and took the injured man to Bangarmau community health centre, where doctors declared him dead. The police, thereafter, sent the body for post mortem.

The police were trying to find out why the victim had gone to the area.

The deceased's father Raees, meanwhile, has demanded arrest of the named accused in the case.

He claimed his son was innocent and beaten to death when he had gone to Behta Mujawar area.

Additional force has been deployed in the village to prevent any untoward incident, police said.
Michigan reported 4,964 new coronavirus cases and 58 deaths Tuesday, April 6.

Of the 58 deaths reported Tuesday, 16 occurred prior to the last 24 hours and were identified by the state health department during a vital records review. These reviews happen three times per week.

The state is averaging 5,931 new COVID-19 cases per day and 31 new deaths per day over the last week. This is the first day-over-day decline in the weekly average for cases after 23 straight days of increase.

Since the pandemic began, Michigan has reported 707,463 confirmed cases and 16,297 deaths related to COVID-19. The state has reported 78,660 probable cases and 1,046 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.)

Of Michigans 83 counties, 80 reported new cases on Tuesday with the exception of the Upper Peninsula counties of Iron, Ontonagon and Baraga.

Counties with the highest daily case increases include southeast Michigan counties like Wayne with 1,000, Oakland with 705 and Macomb with 670. Other top reporting counties included Kent with 268, Ottawa with185, St. Clair with 170, Washtenaw with 167, Kalamazoo with 126, Jackson with 121 and Genesee with 113.

Twenty-three counties reported at least one new death. St. Clair reported nine, while Wayne reported seven. Oakland and Macomb reported five each and Wexford reported three. Washtenaw, Genesee, Ingham, Saginaw, Livingston, Calhoun and Tuscola reported two deaths each.

The following counties reported one new death each: Kent, Ottawa, Kalamazoo, Eaton, Midland, Lenawee, Berrien, Sanilac, Barry, Shiawassee, Huron, Mecosta and Oscoda.

(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 across the state were treating 3,510 patients with confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, including 676 patients in the ICU. Thats up from last week when hospitals were treating 2,424 such patients including 488 in the ICU on March 30.

Of the 29,455 diagnostic tests processed on Monday, 17% came back positive for SARS-CoV-2. The average positivity rate over the last seven days is 15.8%, which is more than triple the level at which health officials recommend closing schools and communities.

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:

Among 1.7 million fully vaccinated Michiganders, state identifies small number of COVID-19 infections and deaths

Grocery store, ice cream factory among 16 Michigan workplaces fined for COVID-19 violations

How a fake lawyer and conservative outrage made Marlenas Bistro a national symbol of pandemic freedom

293 infected in new coronavirus outbreaks at 75 schools, says Michigans April 4 school outbreak report

Nearly 3M Michiganders have received first dose of COVID-19 vaccine
John Campbell, manager of Industrial Services at Savills Vietnam

Vietnam ranked among worlds top 10 emerging logistics markets

2021 has witnessed a bright start for Vietnams logistics sector, which ranked among the worlds top 10 emerging logistics markets in the 2021 Emerging Markets Logistics Index with a score of 5.67 out of 10. It jumped three spots to eighth in this years global index of emerging logistics markets after emerging as a popular manufacturing hub, particularly with the recent mass relocation of production out China. The report emphasised Vietnams improved performance across domestic logistics opportunities, international logistics opportunities and business fundamentals.

Logistics industry forecast to grow in 2021 on global recovery

According to the Vietnam Logistics Business Association's latest survey, there are around 30,000 logistics companies in the country, 4,000 of them foreign-owned. Furthermore, the industry has been growing at 12-14 per cent annually and is now worth over $40 billion.

According to SSI Securities, the growth prospect of the seaport and logistics industry is positive in 2021, forecasted to grow significantly on the possibility of global trade recovery this year when the COVID-19 vaccine is administered worldwide. The securities company expects the revenue of the seaport and logistics industry would expand by 10 per cent in 2021. The expansion of Cai Mep-Thi Vai and Lach Huyen seaports, for example, would attract big ships to Vietnam instead of Singapore and Hong Kong.

This year will also witness Gemalink Port  Vietnam's largest deep seaport  put into use at least 80 per cent of its designed capacity and reach its full capacity of 1.5 million TEU by 2022. Beginning construction in February 2019, Gemalink is the biggest seaport in the Cai Mep-Thi Vai complex with a total investment of $520 million and becoming one of the worlds 19 largest deep seaports with the capability to receive the world's largest ships (up to 200,000 DWT) today.

Despite being affected by the pandemic last year, the industry was confident about the countrys trade growth thanks to positive impacts of free trade agreements (FTAs) which were signed recently, including the EU-Vietnam FTA (EVFTA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). In addition, expectations on investment inflow triggered by the global production shift out of China is another driver instilling confidence in the sectors recovery.

Statistics from the General Statistics Office showed that Vietnams total import-export value reached $543.9 billion in 2020, up 5.1 per cent on-year. It is also predicted by SSI that Vietnams import-export value and total goods via seaports would increase by approximately 10 per cent in 2021, pushed by global recovery, FTAs, and the global production shift out of China.

Warehousing demand continues to rise

This expectation was also driving demand for logistics infrastructure. For example, total warehouse area increased significantly in recent years and the price escalated over 5-10 per cent on-year. According to Savills Vietnam figures, the average warehouse rental price in the North and South Economic Zones in 2020 was $4.1 per square metre per month and $4.4 per sq.m per month, respectively.

New warehousing and distribution centre projects are sprawling to Long An and Dong Nai as Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Duong province have restricted supply. In Long An for example, JD.com invested in a new 10-hectare warehouse project in Duc Hoa district and Cianiao Network (Alibaba logistics provider) has a new 15ha project in Ben Luc district. Last year also witnessed the announcement of LOGOS Property entering the market with a $350 million logistics development joint venture. The Australian developer has also invested in its own warehousing project in Can Giouc district, Long An.

Global warehousing costs, Savills Research

According to Savills Global Warehousing Costs report by Paul Tostevin, director of Savills Research, when it comes to analysing total warehousing property costs, aside from rental rates, it is also important to factor in labour costs which are typically the single largest component of a warehousing operation (often making up half of all operational costs). Electricity and diesel costs, for the running of buildings and their vehicle fleets, are also a major factor in warehousing operations. The report stated that very low labour costs coupled with extremely low energy costs make operations in Vietnam the cheapest location of the reports sample (54 markets across 21 countries), led by Hanoi. These low costs make Vietnam highly attractive to multinationals setting up operations in the country, but the government is actively targeting higher value companies. Troy Griffiths, deputy managing director of Savills Vietnam, said, The government has been investing heavily in all manner of infrastructure while promoting industrial clusters to attract businesses higher up the value chain. High levels of corporate taxation relief are also available to ensure healthy regional competition.

Suez blockage threatens Vietnam trade

The Suez Canal blockage caused by the Taiwanese container vessel Ever Given is threatening to delay some of Vietnams exports and imports with Europe and the US, leaving exporters concerned. As the situation continues, Vietnamese seafood exporters will suffer as they have to ship seafood to their partners, according to Truong Dinh Hoe, general secretary of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has advised exporters to adopt the necessary measures to limit any economic damage posed by the situation. For example, the Vietnamese Trade Office in Egypt recommended Vietnamese firms to coordinate closely with shipping companies for updates on the transport capacity, time of docking, and goods loading.

It was also advised to take out insurance against delays or possible damage of goods, especially aquatic products. Businesses would also need to contact the Vietnam Trade Office and work with importers to address possible problems related to slow delivery to avoid any trade disputes.
A brood of ducklings was rescued by Huntington Beach firefighters after falling into a storm drain. (Courtesy of Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center)

Seven Lucky Ducklings Trapped in Storm Drain Saved by Huntington Beach Firemen

A brood of ducklings was recovering after being rescued from a storm drain by Huntington Beach firefighters.

The wayward baby ducks inadvertently waddled into a 30-foot-deep hole off Gothard Street on April 1, and became trapped, a Huntington Beach Fire Department spokesperson said.

The group of seven ducks was discovered by a passerby, who waved down a nearby fire engine, Eric Blaska told The Epoch Times on April 5.

Huntington Beach firefighters were initially able to help one duckling before calling the departments urban search and rescue team for backup. The rescue team specializes in technical resources, confined space rescues, shoring, trench rescues, and heavy rescues.

They were able to safely send someone into the storm drain to rescue the [remaining] ducklings, Blaska said.

Once the ducklings were recovered, they were taken by an Orange County Animal Care officer.

From there, the ducklings journeyed in a towel-lined cardboard box to the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center.

The fuzzy birds were quiet upon arriving, and they were likely day-old newborns, the centers Executive Director Debbie McGuire said.

They were scared after falling 30 feet, over two stories into a dark storm drain, McGuire told The Epoch Times. That had to be traumatizing.

The ducklings were given fluids and food to recover while resting overnight in an incubator, prior to being given a health exam, which revealed they were uninjured.

Because of their body dynamics, they can hit the ground and not get hurt, McGuire said. Theyre light, about an ounce.

The ducklings will remain at the care center for a few months, until they can fend for themselves.

Theyre going to make it, McGuire said. Theyre still stable.
[April 06, 2021] Ag-West Bio Welcomes International Digital Agriculture Company Solinftec to Saskatchewan

Ag-West Bio, Saskatchewan's bioscience industry association, welcomes an international agricultural solution provider to the province. Solinftec, an agricultural digitalization company founded in Brazil, has recently also established operations in Saskatoon, SK. Karen Churchill, president and CEO of Ag-West Bio says Solinftec represents an important aspect of modern agriculture - digitalization and artificial intelligence. "Digital technologies add efficiency to production and make the industry more sustainable, a benefit to farmers, to the industry as a whole - and to the environment." Leonardo Carvalho, head of business development for Canadian operations, has just moved to Saskatoon. He says Solinftec chose to expand operations to Saskatchewan for many reasons. Most importantly, the province is the largest agricultural production region in Canada. Saskatoon is within range of many prominent farm operations - and he says the city was given high marks for offering a good quality of life. Also, being close to the University of Saskatchewan (one of Solinftec's partners) was important. He says the company is looking forward to being part of Canada's innovative agricultural community. "We are pleased to have found partners in Canada, such as Ag-West Bio and the University of Saskatchewan,who have the same interest as we do in advancing the agriculture industry and providing benefits to Prairie farmers through exciting new technologies."



Carvalho says Ag-West Bio played a supporting role in Solinftec's expansion to Saskatchewan, helping the company develop its market strategy and build a network with major producers in the province. Jay Robinson, Director of Agri-Food Technology at Ag-West Bio, worked closely with Solinftec, helping the company navigate the landscape and understand Saskatchewan's capabilities.

"It's very exciting to have Solinftec in Canada - and especially here in Saskatchewan," says Robinson. "We are happy to continue to work with Solinftec's team to help them get established. A company of this calibre will have a positive impact on Saskatchewan's agricultural industry." About Ag-West Bio: Ag-West Bio is Saskatchewan's bioscience industry association. The company works as a connector and a catalyst for industry growth in the bioeconomy through investments, aiding strategic alliances, and providing business planning support, regulatory advice, and communications. Funding for Ag-West Bio is provided by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) program. About Solinftec: Solinftec is a leading platform that combines cutting edge technology to drive agricultural digitalization across more than 22 million acres globally. We deliver solutions to connect farms and different players in food production, leveraging operational efficiency, better use of inputs and agriculture compliance, ultimately reducing environmental impact. Solinftec was founded in 2007, has over 600 employees headquartered in Aracatuba, Sao Paulo, Brazil and West Lafayette, Indiana. For more information, visit www.solinftec.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005831/en/

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We were fortunate to gain so much experience by working with Duro-Last Roofing, said Chris White, vice president, operations of Boak & Sons, Inc. In our conversation with Duro-Last, they told us our workmanship was of the top in quality that theyve seen.

Boak & Sons, Inc. is a residential and commercial exterior contracting company based in Youngstown, Ohio and serving customers from Cleveland, Ohio to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The company specializes in the installation, repair and new construction of roofing, insulation, siding, gutters and sheet metal materials. Boak & Sons works with many roofing systems manufacturers to assure we are installing the highest quality roofs for our customers. In March, the company announced it would no longer be installing or an authorized installer of Duro-Last Roofing.

Sam Boak, president and founder of Boak & Sons, Inc., spoke to Duro-Last about his concerns after being an authorized applicator for Duro-Last Roofing materials for decades. Boak & Sons had one of the highest quality ratings for installers that Duro-Last has ever had, but complications with the products years later was costing the company time and money. Both parties have decided to move on from their partnership and end Boak & Sons authorized applicator status.

Installations were starting to show decline in quality years after projects were done, which is not typical or most high-quality roofing materials, said Sam Boak. Due to these issues, we started to use less and less materials supplied by Duro-Last, which ultimately led to concern that their expectations from us were not being met as applicators of their products. We had a discussion about pour lack of installed projects along with our product concerns and they decided it was best to end our relationship.

Boak & Sons has samples of roofs that are no more than 15 years old that are failing, which is less than half as long as most of their roofing materials last. The roofing experts at Boak & Sons were able to recognize the sheet material becoming brittle, cracking and causing concern from facility managers. Quality is a top priority for Boak & Sons, so failing materials are unacceptable.

We were fortunate to gain so much experience by working with Duro-Last Roofing, said Chris White, vice president, operations of Boak & Sons, Inc. In our conversation with Duro-Last, they told us our workmanship was of the top in quality that theyve seen. Our experience with them has led us to believe that this was a good separation for both companies. We sincerely appreciate the years of working with Duro-Last.

Duro-Last is still required to honor all issued warranties, and Boak & Sons will continue working with customers who have Duro-Last roofs and may be experiencing any issues to file their warranty claims. Boak & Sons wants customers to understand that they will not go without warranty coverage and they will work with customers to make sure all claims are honored.

To learn more about Boak & Sons, Inc. and their suppliers, visit http://www.boakandsons.com or call at 330-793-5646.
Further exploration work by the company is set to include the latest airborne EM technology to delineate conductors for drill testing that potentially represent magmatic, hydrothermal or structural accumulations of nickel-copper-PGE-rich sulphide mineralisation.

( ) (FRA:YBB) has hit up to 3.45 g/t and 3.39 g/t 4PGE including up to 12.55% chrome in rock chips during a reconnaissance field trip at the Barracuda PGE-Nickel-Copper Project near Mount Magnet in Western Australia.

The visit was undertaken to confirm prospectivity and access for future fieldwork with four rock chip samples taken from the chromite layer within the project area.

4PGE is the addition of platinum, palladium, rhodium and ruthenium as an aggregate and Carnavale is buoyed by strong current prices for these metals.

Rhodium is around US$25,000/ounce, palladium at US$2,500/ounce and platinum at US$1,200/ounce (Ref Kitco.com March 29, 2021) while ruthenium is about $12,200/kilogram (Ref Umicore Sales March 30, 2021).

Rock chip sample results detailing platinum group elements.

Strong results

Chairman Ron Gajewski said: It is exciting to be getting strong PGE results from surface sampling on the ground at the Barracuda Project as quickly as this.

An exploration plan has been developed using all the available data including the recently acquired remote sensing data. Planning is underway for a new Helicopter borne VTEM survey to uncover sulphide bodies at depth.

Carnavale is currently exploring for PGE, nickel and gold at multiple projects, with results from the second round of aircore drilling at the Kookynie Gold Project due in a few weeks and the soil sampling program is underway at the Ora Banda Gold project.

Highly significant outcrop

While this outcrop of PGE mineralisation is of limited area extent, Carnavale believes it is significant in that it demonstrates basic and ultrabasic magmas (crystallising as mafic and ultramafic rocks) were interacting to concentrate PGE metals to potentially economic grades of PGE mineralisation.

No further holes were drilled and no further exploration for magmatic PGE-nickel-copper sulphide has been conducted within the area since 1990.

This highly prospective area has the potential to host substantial magmatic, mafic-ultramafic intrusion-related Pt-Pd-Ni-Cu sulphide deposits and has received no attention since Pancon drilled 1,811m of diamond and shallow holes in 1988.

Broader exploration approach

View of Barracuda Project close to PGE rock chips.

Carnavale intends to take a broader approach to evaluating this fertile intrusive sequence of mafic-ultramafic rocks by applying technologies that were not available to Pancon.

The company intends to apply the latest airborne EM technology to delineate conductors for drill testing that potentially represent either magmatic, hydrothermal or structural accumulations of nickel-copper-PGE rich sulphide mineralisation in this poorly explored and drilled terrain.

No ground-based electrical geophysical surveys (EM, IP) has ever been conducted within E58/551.

Next steps include:
Burma Myanmar Youths Call for Boycott of Traditional Water Festival to Defy Junta, Honor Those Slain

Revelers enjoy Thingyan in Yangon in 2018. / The Irrawaddy

Myanmars young people are calling on their fellow citizens not to celebrate the countrys major traditional new year water festival next week. The boycott is seen as an act of defiance against the regime and as a way of honoring those murdered by the military junta.

Normally at this time of year, the Southeast Asian country is buzzing with preparations for its annual Thingyan Water Festival, one of the landmark traditional and cultural activities on the Myanmar calendar. It is a days-long holiday with joyful outdoor events, dominated by people splashing water on each other, which nearly everyone in the country loves to celebrate.

Many people in Myanmar had been particularly looking forward to participating in this years festival, which is scheduled to start on April 13, as they missed last years due to a government ban amid the raging COVID-19 epidemic in the country at the time.

However, their hopes were shattered with the military takeover in February and the regimes subsequent killings of more than 500 people so far amid their crackdowns on protesters against military rule. Nationwide resistance is in full swing and the whole country is reeling from the bloodbath created by the regime.

One week prior to the festival, young people in Yangon, Taunggyi in Shan State, and other areas launched online campaigns urging people not to take part in the event.

If the campaign turns out to be a success, it would be a big blow to the junta, which is desperate to show the world that everything in Myanmar is under control and that the situation is back to normal.

If the boycott goes ahead, the streets of Yangon and other cities across the country will be totally deserted, reminiscent of the COVID-19 lockdown period that Myanmar saw exactly one year ago.

We seriously urge you not to participate in the festival, especially at this time when we are under the regime that unjustly seized power, requested an announcement made by young people in Yangons Hlaing Township.

The statement also warned that public participation in the festival could fuel the regimes disinformation effort to create a show of normalcy at home and abroad.

Furthermore, we request you to show your sympathy for those killed and wounded by the junta and their bereaved families, by not participating in the festival, it added.

Unsurprisingly, many people have already expressed reluctance to take part in the celebration, feeling it would be inappropriate amid the ongoing national strife and the resulting tragedy.

Ko Paing, not his real name, from Yangons Thaketa Township said he wont join the water festival under military rule.

Yes, its one of the festivals I enjoy most. As long as they are in power, happiness means nothing for us. Even Thingyan cant bring it for us, he said.

Furthermore, any participation is an act of dishonor to those murdered by the regime, he added.

You may also like these stories:

Myanmar Military Raids Kachin Churches

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The extent of severity of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), varies from asymptomatic, mild to severe. Scientists found that during the first wave of the pandemic, individuals infected with non-severe SARS-CoV-2, before the onset of the vaccination program, induced effective host-defense mechanisms in naive populations.

To date, little evidence has been documented regarding the immune responses after the onset of the symptoms or virus detection. Further, no cross-sectional studies have been conducted that define the time of infection. Thereby, no report is available that explains the relationship between the earliest immune responses to COVID-19 and temporal kinetics. Scientists believe that understanding the early immune response regarding the asymptomatic or mildly infected population may help determine the factors associated with immune protection in naive populations. This may also provide perceptions about the variants that do not react to the developed vaccines. New research published on the medRxiv* preprint server deals with this research gap using blood transcriptomics, multiparameter flow cytometry, and T cell receptor (TCR) sequencing methods.

Scientists of the current study carried out weekly transcriptional profiling of the entire genome of the blood samples obtained from individuals before, during, and after SARS-CoV-2 infections. This experiment was conducted during the first epidemic wave in London, and the results were compared with the publicly available data on human experiments, which deals with the immune responses to other acute respiratory viruses. The researchers claim that the current research is the first report dealing with the in vivo immune responses to COVID-19 infection. They conducted a systematic serial sampling of individuals who were at risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection during the peak of the first epidemic wave in London.

Typically, after the onset of viral infection, the early host defense mechanism is governed by the induction of type 1 Interferons (IFNs). Previous studies have reported that in severe cases of the disease, a decrease in immune response occurred because (a) production of autoantibodies to type 1 IFNs, (b) genetic polymorphisms in regards to lowering of the expression of a type 1 IFN receptor subunit, and (c) genetic polymorphisms that decrease the expression of the IFN-inducible oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS) gene cluster. Thereby, in other words, type 1 IFN responses are extremely important in providing effective protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The current research has shown that type 1 IFN may provide early protection to individuals against COVID-19. The presence of IFNs was detected, by the PCR method, before infection, independent of symptoms. This early detection of IFN-inducible genes in the blood transcriptome could be due to the emergence of localized immune responses at the site of infection, or as a result of leukocyte trafficking through lymphoid tissues.

An earlier study revealed the importance of using IFN-inducible transcripts in blood as a diagnostic biomarker for the detection of early viral infection. Additionally, early T cell proliferation response in the blood transcriptome showed the dominance of CD8 and CD4 to a lesser extent. This study was conducted using cell-type-specific transcriptional modules. These results were validated using flow cytometry which showed a significant increase in Ki67 positive CD8 T cells. Further, an increase in the T cell clones was found with the help of T Cell Receptor (TCR) sequencing.

The earlier modeling experiments using humans showed the presence of type 1 IFN responses in a range of acute respiratory viruses other than SARS-CoV-2. On the contrary, the current research reports a significant early T cell response to SARS-CoV-2. A comparative study based on data obtained from emerging databases of SARS-CoV-2 specific TCRs revealed increased T cell clones in SARS-CoV-2 reactive cells. These cells were already manifested in individuals before being infected with COVID-19.

Scientists have reported that every individuals reaction to SARS-CoV-2 is different owing to differences in their immune response. For instance, in some cases, T cell reactivity has been reported 5-10 days after the onset of the symptoms; however, in other cases, the presence of cross-reactive T cells from previous seasonal coronavirus exposure has been observed. Additionally, this study hypothesized that B cell responses might lag and play a less important role in rapid viral clearance in asymptomatic and non-severely infected individuals.

One of the limitations of this study is that owing to the analysis of bulk RNA samples for transcriptional profiling and TCR sequencing, transcriptional heterogeneity at the cellular level was not determined. In the future, a comparison between the severe and non-severe COVID-19 must be conducted with a greater sample size. Scientists believe that even though mass vaccination is the strategy to contain the ongoing pandemic, determining the factors that govern natural immunity would play an important role in developing novel vaccines. Identifying the antigenic determinants of the earliest T cell responses in asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection would help in the development of universal coronavirus vaccines.

*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.
The second Covid-19 wave is more infectious and is spreading at a faster pace as compared to the first wave that hit India last year. As per the health ministry's data, the Covid-19 tally reached 97,894 cases per day from 8,105 cases per day in 110 days during the first wave. In the second wave, which started to show an upward trend in February, Covid-19 cases spiked from 8,365 cases per day to 1,03,558 per day in just 62 days.

The pace at which the second wave is spreading shows how new strains of coronavirus are making it difficult to contain the spread in the country, especially in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, and Karnataka. The Covid-19 spike comes even as India carries out world's biggest vaccination programme. The country crossed the landmark milestone of highest single day vaccine coverage of over 43 lakh doses in the last 24 hours alone. So far, 8 crore jabs have been administered, while 25 crore people have been tested for coronavirus.

Top officials have warned the second wave of coronavirus could be more dangerous than the previous one. The most affected state Maharashtra has already imposed a weekend lockdown along with several restrictions. Pune has also closed hotels, malls and religious places for the next seven days. Delhi has also imposed a night curfew as cases rise at an alarming rate. Similar restrictions are in place in other majorly affected states.

Senior NITI Aayog Member Vinod Kumar Paul said on March 30 that "if the cases are more, they will eventually overwhelm the system". Admitting the situation is becoming bad to worse, he termed it a "serious concern". "In some states in particular, there is a huge cause of worry. No part of the country should be complacent," he said.

Also read: Maharashtra lockdown: Rs 40,000 crore dent on Indian economy; explained

With cases spreading rapidly, India could soon surpass Brazil to become the second most affected Covid-hit country after the United States. The US is still the most affected country with 3.07 crore Covid-19 cases, followed by Brazil with 1.3 crore infections and India with 1.26 crore cases, John Hopkins University data suggests.

Globally, 7.4 crore have been infected with coronavirus, and 28.6 lakh people have succumbed to the contagion.

India's second wave has put extreme pressure on states like Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab to take containment measures, which is making life difficult for businesses as well as citizens. These eight states account for 80 per cent of the cases being reported daily.

In the past 24 hours, 96,982 people have been infected with coronavirus and 446 people have died, the ministry data suggests. A day before that, India crossed the grim milestone of 1 lakh cases, reporting 1,03,558 cases in just one day.

To put a stop to the rising Covid-19 graph, the Centre has also rushed 50 high-level multi-disciplinary public health teams to these states to examine the testing and vaccination process and to find out the reasons behind the Covid surge.

Considering the severity of the situation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also decided to interact with chief ministers on Thursday. The leaders will discuss the further course of action that can be taken to control the rising number of cases.

Also Read: Maharashtra imposes night curfew, weekend lockdown amid COVID-19 surge

Also read: PM Modi holds high-level meeting to review COVID-19 situation, vaccination drive

Also read: India records 93,249 new coronavirus cases in last 24 hrs; highest since Sept 19
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The crew of a Dutch cargo shift have been airlifted to safety after they were forced to jump in the North Sea to escape the sinking vessel.

All 12 people on board the heavy-lift vessel Eemslift Hendrika were rescued by the Norwegian coast guard after the ship started to list near Alesund.

Eight were hoisted directly from the deck by a helicopter at noon on Monday but four initially remained on board to try to stabilize the ship.

The crew of a Dutch cargo shift have been airlifted to safety after they were forced to jump in the North Sea to escape the sinking vessel

One of the crewmen was seen jumping off the back of the vessel into the icy waters as they abandoned ship

He was floating in the waters wearing a bright orange life jacket as he waited for the helicopter to arrive overhead

All onboard were airlifted to safety from the sea and one is in hospital after sustaining injuries

One crew member who remained on the ship is seen hanging off the back amid huge waves as he prepared to jump into the sea

The Norwegian Coastal Administration and the shipping company are working on a plan for salvaging the vessel off the coast of Norway

They were then forced to jump into the sea with the huge cargo ship teetering on the verge of capsizing.

The crew members were all airlifted to safety from the sea and one is in hospital after sustaining injuries.

The vessel - currently some 80 miles off the coast in the North Sea - is at risk of sinking, a Norwegian official said.

'The ship lost power on the main engine during the night and is drifting towards land,' Hans Petter Mortenson of the Norwegian Coastal Administration, told public broadcaster NRK.

All 12 people on board the heavy-lift vessel Eemslift Hendrika were rescued by the Norwegian coast guard

Eight were hoisted directly from the deck by a helicopter at noon on Monday but four initially remained on board to try to stabilize the ship

The vessel - currently some 80 miles off the coast in the North Sea - is at risk of sinking, a Norwegian official said

The crew member was bobbing along in the high waves waiting to be rescued after the vessel started to list dangerously

'There is a risk it may capsize and sink,' Mortenson said, adding that this could cause a spill of diesel and fuel oil from its tanks.

Crew had sent off a distress signal on Monday morning after the ship started to list 30 degrees.

The vessel got caught in stormy weather and struggled to battle the high waves and ferocious winds.

Crew had sent off a distress signal on Monday morning after the ship started to list 30 degrees

The vessel got caught in stormy weather and struggled to battle the high waves and ferocious winds

There were a number of boats and yachts on the cargo ship at the time during the journey from Bremerhaven in Germany to Kolvereid in Norway

Built in 2015 and registered in the Netherlands, the 366 feet Eemslift Hendrika is a yacht transport vessel, carrying smaller boats on its deck, according to Monaco-based Starclass Yacht Transport, which markets the ship's services.

There were a number of boats and yachts on the cargo ship at the time during the journey from Bremerhaven in Germany to Kolvereid in Norway.

The Norwegian Coastal Administration and the shipping company are working on a plan for salvaging the vessel.
OTTAWA - Ten officials have been indicted in Iran over the 2020 military shootdown of a Ukrainian passenger plane that killed 176 people, but the move did nothing to quell Canadian demands for accountability Tuesday.

Relatives react at a memorial in Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, for the victims of a Ukrainian 737-800 plane crash on the outskirts of Tehran.Ten officials have been indicted in Iran over the 2020 military shootdown of a Ukrainian passenger plane that killed 176 people, but the move did nothing to quell Canadian demands for accountability Tuesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Efrem Lukatsky

OTTAWA - Ten officials have been indicted in Iran over the 2020 military shootdown of a Ukrainian passenger plane that killed 176 people, but the move did nothing to quell Canadian demands for accountability Tuesday.

More than 100 of the 176 victims  at least one of whom was pregnant  had ties to Canada, including 55 Canadian citizens and 30 permanent residents.

The announcement comes after Iran faced withering international criticism last month for releasing a final report into the shootdown of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 that blamed human error, but named no one responsible for the incident.

Tehran military prosecutor Gholamabbas Torki similarly avoided naming those responsible when he announced the indictments Tuesday while handing over his office to Nasser Seraj. The semiofficial ISNA news agency and the Iranian judiciary's Mizan news agency both reported his remarks.

The indictment of the case of the Ukrainian plane was also issued and a serious and accurate investigation was carried out and indictments were issued for 10 people who were at fault, Mizan quoted Torki as saying, without elaborating.

Kourosh Doustshenas, whose partner Forough Khadem was one of victims, said the families of the dead can't trust the Iranian justice system because the Tehran military prosecutor didn't disclose the names of those charged, nor the alleged offences.

"We don't accept their assertion of what they're saying, and we don't believe in what they're saying," he said in an interview with The Canadian Press.

Doustshenas said the Iranian government has been "making a show" to avoid accountability since it published the "so-called final investigation report" a few weeks ago that was "full of lies and misrepresentations."

In Ottawa, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his government remains "tremendously concerned about the lack of accountability that Iran continues to have on this issue."

Trudeau said during a news briefing Tuesday that Canada would work with the international community to reform aviation standards and to ensure the families of victims "get closure, get compensation and mostly get justice from Iran."

Doustshenas said the Canadian government has not pressed Iran hard enough to achieve accountability.

"(The Canadian government keeps) saying we want transparency and accountability, but they don't say how they will achieve it, and what is the mechanism for it," he said.

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole said there should be more pressure on Iran for a full inquiry and examination of events.

"The regime should be held to account for the liability of the lives lost," O'Toole told a news conference.

Following three days of denial in January 2020 in the face of mounting evidence, Iran finally acknowledged that its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard mistakenly downed the Ukrainian jetliner with two surface-to-air missiles. In preliminary reports on the disaster last year, Iranian authorities blamed an air-defence operator who they said mistook the Boeing 737-800 for an American cruise missile.

Last month, Canada's Transportation Safety Board said Iranian officials failed to provide evidence that Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was shot down by mistake, leaving key questions unanswered as Iran's military effectively investigated itself.

The regime's civil aviation body released a final report that blamed "human error'' for two surface-to-air missiles fired at the jetliner minutes after takeoff from Tehran on Jan. 8 last year.

The Canadian government rejected the report outright, describing it as "incomplete'' and devoid of "hard facts or evidence.''

Many on the flight had planned to connect in Kyiv, Ukraine, to fly on to Canada.

The shootdown happened the same day Iran launched a ballistic missile attack on U.S. troops in Iraq in retaliation for an American drone strike that killed a top Iranian general. While Guard officials publicly apologized for the incident, the hesitancy of Iran to elaborate on what happened shows the power the force wields.

Following the release of Irans final investigative report, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba lambasted the findings as a cynical attempt to hide the true causes of the downing of our passenger aircraft. He accused Iran of conducting a biased probe into the disaster that resulted in deceptive conclusions.

Canadas foreign and transport ministers similarly criticized the report, saying that it has no hard facts or evidence and makes no attempt to answer critical questions about what truly happened.

The announcement of charges came just hours before Iran and the five world powers remaining in its atomic accord meet in Vienna, where the U.S. is due to start indirect talks with Tehran.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 6, 2021.

 With files from The Associated Press
Businessman involved in Penza Governor graft case ready to cooperate with investigators

 Moscow's Basmanny District Court, Moskva city news agency

14:27 06/04/2021

MOSCOW, April 6 (RAPSI)  Detained head of BIOTEC Group of Companies Boris Spiegel is ready to cooperate with investigators in a bribery case of the former Governor of the Penza Region Ivan Belozertsev, RAPSI reports from the Moscow City Court on Tuesday.

The defendant stated he made no bones of the alleged extortion. The businessman also said about complicated relations with Belozertsev and accused his sons of gang up on him.

The court is now considering his appeal against detention in the graft case.

According to the investigation, between January and September 2020, Belozertsev accepted through intermedia money and other values worth over 31 million rubles (over $400,000) in bribes from Spiegel, his spouse andDirector of Pharmacia Company Anton Koloskov. In turn, the official allegedly promised to give BIOTEC Group of Companies the competitive gain in execution of state contracts for acceptance, quality and validity period tracking, storing and supplies of medical drugs and goods for the needs of health care institutions of the Penza Region.
"I must veto House bill 1570."

Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson on Monday vetoed a bill that would have made the state the first in the country to prevent doctors from providing certain types of care to transgender youth.

"House Bill 1570 is opposed by the leading Arkansas medical associations, and the concern expressed is that denying the best medical care to transgender youth can lead to significant harm to the young person from suicidal tendencies and social isolation to increased drug use."

The bill threatens to revoke the medical licenses of any healthcare professionals providing minors with hormones or surgery aimed at gender reassignment and would open them up to lawsuits from patients who later regret their procedures.

Hutchinson's veto was a bit of a reversal after last week, when he signed into law a bill that banned transgender women and girls from playing female sports.

But the Republican governor, now in his second and final term, said this bill went too far.

"The state should not presume to jump into the middle of every medical, human and ethical issue. This would be, and is, a vast government overreach."

But Hutchinson's veto is likely to be overridden by a simple majority vote in the state legislature, which passed the bill with sizeable majorities.

At least 16 other states are considering similar legislation.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, which represents 67,000 pediatricians, was among several medical organizations to oppose the Arkansas bill, saying it would cut off trans kids from needed medical care and needlessly increase their already high risk of suicide.
Australia Should Take Beijing to the United Nations Over Taiwan: Diplomacy Expert

The Australian government should take the Taiwan issue to the United Nations for a vote as a circuit breaker to smother any potential military conflict in the Taiwan Strait, according to a diplomacy expert.

I think Australia could lead the charge to call Beijings bluff by bringing the issue before the United Nations, Joseph Siracusa, adjunct professor of the political history of international diplomacy at Curtin University, says.

This could be done early in a conflict, or on the cusp of a conflict, or it can be done tomorrow, he told The Epoch Times.

Thats where Australias greatest strength is. Then if the West wins the case, led by Australia, then the whole world would be obliged to support Taiwan in case of the Chinese invasion, he added.

The move would trigger a paradigm shift away from costly militarisation in the East China Sea and towards a diplomatic platform, potentially catching Beijing on the backfoot.

Two 8-inch self-propelled artillery guns were fired during the 35th Han Kuang military drill in southern Taiwans Pingtung county on May 30, 2019. (Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images)

However, Mark Beeson, professor of international politics at the University of Western Australia, said going to the U.N. was risky, as it would depend on whether governments around the world had the appetite to anger Beijing.

Everybody is very reliant on China economically, so it could be quite difficult for people to strike attitudes about imposing sanctions, he told The Epoch Times.

The best you can do is just to try and put international pressure on China and to make them respond to peer pressure, he added.

The Epoch Times reached out to the Department of Foreign Affairs but did not receive a comment in time for publication.

Bringing a vote to the U.N. General Assembly would emulate Australias efforts last year as the first nation in the world to call for an investigation into the origins of COVID-19.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison addresses the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York City, New York, on Sept. 25, 2019. (Reuters/Carlo Allegri)

The move sparked a veiled threat from the Chinese ambassador to Canberra Cheng Jingye, who said Australias trade relationship with China would be at risk.

China followed up on its threat by pursuing an eight-month-long campaign of economic coercion that targeted key Australian export industries, including coal, beef, wine, barley, lobster, timber, lamb, and cotton.

However, despite the economic pressure and China being Australias largest trading partner, the Morrison government has remained firm, rolling out a series of measures to shore up its national security and diversify its trade relationships.

The U.N. vote subsequently succeeded in May, with over 116 nations globally supporting the investigation, forcing Beijing to back down on this particular matter.

The Australian government has already taken China to the World Trade Organization (WTO) over tariffs slapped on barley exports to the country. China meanwhile has instigated a complaints process against Australia at the Human Rights Council.

Over the past year, Beijing has upped its hostile rhetoric toward Taiwan since the reelection of President Tsai Ing-wen.

Taiwans President Tsai Ing-wen (C) listens while inspecting military troops in Tainan, southern Taiwan, on Jan. 15, 2021. (Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images)

Chinese military jets have also made near-daily incursions into Taiwanese airspace more recently, with the largest being in late March, when 20 Chinese military planes entered Taiwans Air Defence Identification Zone.

Beijing sees Taiwan as its own territory, even though the island has been governed as a distinct territory for more than seven decades. The communist regime has vowed to bring Taiwan into the foldby force if necessary.

The U.S. embassys second-highest-ranking diplomat in Australia, Michael Goldman, revealed in a podcast hosted by The Australian National University (ANU) that Australia and the United States were working on contingencies around a potential outbreak of conflict over Taiwan.

I think were committed as allies to working together, not only in making our militaries interoperable and functioning well together but also in strategic planning, the charge daffaires said.

And when you look at strategic planning, it covers the range of contingencies that youve mentioned, of which Taiwan is obviously an important component.
By Jane Lanhee Lee

(Reuters) - Silicon Valley self-driving startup Gatik and Isuzu North America Corp on Tuesday said they will work together to build autonomous delivery trucks that Gatik will use to serve its retailer customers.

Gatik, which works with Walmart Inc in Arkansas and Louisiana and Loblaw Companies Ltd in Canada to deliver goods to stores from warehouses using autonomous trucks with safety drivers, has seen a boom in business as the pandemic has boosted sales at grocery stores.

"What I can share is our revenue is in the millions. So this is not a free service that we offer," said co-founder and chief executive Gautam Narang. He said Gatik's business model for now is to be a delivery service provider for retailers using self-driving technology rather than selling the technology to automakers.

Self-driving truck companies, especially those supplying big rigs that transport goods from warehouse to warehouse and drive along highways, have been gaining a lot of traction with investors keen to jump on the emerging technology. Still, the technology is years away from removing the driver completely.

Narang said Gatik and Walmart plan to test out fully driverless delivery in Arkansas later this year. "We actually worked with the Arkansas State Highway Commission to get the approval to take the driver out," said Narang. He said approval for that came in December.

Gatik, which has raised nearly $30 million so far, said its trucks are owned by a major fleet operator which it isn't yet disclosing. So far it has been using the Ford Transit chassis for its existing fleet of autonomous delivery trucks.

Ford Motor Co Executive Chairman Bill Ford's venture capital fund Fontinalis Partners is an early investor in Gatik, according to Narang.

The collaboration between Isuzu and Gatik is limited to the United States and Canada and Isuzu will provide engineering support to Gatik for retrofitting its Series N medium-duty trucks, said Shaun Skinner, who leads Isuzu's commercial truck division in those two countries.

Isuzu North America Corporation is a unit of Japan's Ltd.

(Reporting by Jane Lanhee Lee; Editing by Christopher Cushing)

(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 winner of Mrs Sri Lanka was 'left with head injuries' after Mrs World removed her crown and claimed she should not have won the pageant because she is divorced.

Beauty queen Pushpika De Silva, 31, was awarded the 2020/2021 title during the ceremony at Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre, Colombo, which was also broadcast on national TV on Sunday.

But Caroline Jurie, 28, who won the crown in 2019 and is the current Mrs World, snatched the crown from her head in the bizarre on-stage intervention.

The prize has since been returned to Ms De Silva after the event organisers confirmed that she is not a divorcee.

Mrs World Caroline Jurie, 28, (second left) took the crown off the head of Mrs Sri Lanka winner Pushpika De Silva, 31, (centre) after stepping on-stage to accuse her of being divorced

De Silva was awarded the title during the ceremony at Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre, Colombo, on Sunday before the crown was snatched from her head

Pushpika de Silva of Sri Lanka performs in the final of the Miss Tourism Queen International 2011 in XiAn city, northwest China's Shaanxi province, December 27, 2011

The winner of Mrs Sri Lanka was 'left with head injuries' after Mrs World removed her crown and claimed she should not have won the pageant because she is divorced

In astonishing footage, Ms Jurie can be seen with a microphone in hand as she tells the audience: 'There is a rule that prevents women who have already been married and are divorced, so I am taking steps to make the crown go to second place.'

She then strides over to Ms De Silva who is already wearing her crown and sash with a bouquet of flowers in hand.

Ms Jurie grabs at the golden crown which appears to get caught in Ms De Silva's hair.

It is finally pulled free and Ms Jurie places it on to the head of the runner-up which prompts a tearful Ms De Silva to walk off stage.

The organisers have apologised to Ms De Silva, who won Miss Sri Lanka World in 2011, and she has since had her title restored.

Ms De Silva claims that she went to hospital to be treated for head injuries after the incident

Ms Jurie placed the crown on to the head of the runner-up which prompted a tearful Ms De Silva to walk off stage

The organisers have apologised to Ms De Silva, who won Miss Sri Lanka World in 2011, and she has since had her title restored

Beauty queen Pushpika De Silva, 31, was awarded the 2020/2021 title during the ceremony at Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre, Colombo, which was also broadcast on national TV

Ms De Silva, who says she is separated but not divorced, posted on her official Facebook page just a short time later to challenge Ms Jurie's actions.

'Living separately and being divorced are two completely separate things,' she wrote.

She also claimed that she went to hospital to be treated for head injuries after the incident and said that she would take legal action for the 'unreasonable and insulting' way she was treated.

Ms De Silva continued: 'I'm still an un-divorced woman. A true queen is not a woman who snatches another woman's crown, but a woman who secretly sets another woman's crown!'

Chandimal Jayasinghe, the national director of Mrs Sri Lanka World, told the BBC: 'We are disappointed.

'It was a disgrace how Caroline Jurie behaved on the stage and the Mrs World organisation has already begun an investigation on the matter.'
Angelina Jolie has given a first glimpse of her role in upcoming thriller Those Who Wish Me Dead ahead of its release next month.

The actress, who plays smoke jumper Hannah in the Taylor Sheridan-directed film, is seen wielding and axe as she stands surrounded by burning trees in the middle of a wildfire.

In another photo the 45-year-old makes her way through the Montana wilderness with her young costar Finn Little.

Fighting fires: Angelina Jolie plays a smoke jumper in upcoming thriller Those Who Wish Me Dead. The actress released two images from the movie on Tuesday

Hannah is a survival expert who, still reeling from failing to save three people from a fire, comes across a distressed 12-year-old (Little) who has witnessed a murder and is being hunted down by assassins.

The movie is based on Michael Koryta's 2014 novel of the same name and sees Hannah trying to help the boy who has been 'caught up in something he should never have been a part of,' Little tells PEOPLE.

'She carries a lot of guilt, and is quite broken,' Jolie said of her character.

'She's a smoke jumper, and a bit of an adrenaline junkie, but she's also somebody that has experienced tragedy, and she feels responsible for it.'

Jolie plays Hannah, a survival expert who, still reeling from failing to save three people from a fire, comes across a distressed 12-year-old (Little) who has witnessed a murder

Another glimpse at the movie was seen in an HBO sizzle reel in February showcasing it's upcoming titles

'On its surface, the story feels like a thriller, with a lot of really interesting characters and a great adventure across unusual terrain, inside a great fire,' Jolie added.

'But, underneath, it's an emotional film about people who are thrown together to survive.'

Jolie says the role pushed her limits and she was happy to get 'dirty and sweaty' and 'just toughen up'.

In addition to Those Who Wish Me Dead, Jolie is currently wrapping up another buzzy title: Marvels epic superhero film Eternals, which is expected in November; seen here in 2019

The mother-of-six sang her young co-star's praises

'[Finn] has a light, and a great energy. He can become very emotional and weep about something, and he can also jump over a building and dodge bullets and love it.'

The Academy Award winner also costars alongside Nicholas Hoult, John Bernthal, Tyler Perry and Aidan Gillen in the film.

Those Who Wish Me Dead hits theaters and HBO Max on May 14.
You are here: World

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived here on Monday for a two-day official visit to India, confirmed Indian Ministry of External Affairs.

Lavrov is scheduled to meet his Indian counterpart S. Jaishankar on Tuesday, after which the two will hold a joint press conference, said the ministry.
Lou Barletta, the former Hazleton mayor and ex-congressman, leads a field of Republicans who could potentially seek party nomination for governor in 2022, according to a poll conducted by Susquehanna Polling & Research.

Although he hasnt officially announced plans to run, Barletta leads a field of GOP gubernatorial candidates that includes former Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley, state Sen. Doug Mastriano, former U.S. Attorney William McSwain and Congressman Dan Meuser, SP&R says.

The poll focused on candidates who, according to media reports, are considering a run.

It shows Barletta leading head to head and in total name identification, and with leads in three critical markets of Pennsylvania that combine for more than 50% of the GOP vote in a Republican primary on a statewide basis.

Barletta said last week that the poll will help shape a decision about whether to run for office.

Im discussing with my family, but it is something I am seriously considering, according to Barletta.

He didnt hesitate when expressing his displeasure for Gov. Tom Wolfs response to the COVID-19 pandemic. With Wolf limited to two terms, his seat is up for grabs in 2022.

I thought I was finished with public office but Pennsylvania has seen the direction that Gov. Wolf and Democrats have taken the commonwealth and its not good, Barletta said. Governors like Wolf crushed small businesses and hurt employees and made the crisis much worse than it had to be.

SP&R polled 700 likely Pennsylvania general election voters, including a subset of 272 Republican voters, from Feb. 16-24.

Barletta topped the candidate pool with support of 20% of Republicans. He holds a nearly 2-1 lead over Mastriano, who has support from 11% of respondents. Both McSwain and Meuser were next with 3% while Cawley followed with 2% and 1% opted for the choice of other.

Sixty percent who were polled said they were undecided on who they would back.

Barletta believes his statewide run was a factor in the results. In 2018, he was the Republican nominee for Senate and lost to Democratic incumbent Bob Casey Jr.

Prior to that, Barletta served in Congress from 2011 to 2019 and as mayor of Hazleton from 2000 to 2010.

He also served on city council for two years.

The poll certainly grabbed my attention, Barletta said. While I was mayor and congressman, I always stood up for the people in Pennsylvania. Its encouraging to see in the poll that many feel the same way.

Barletta polled highest in name identification, with 67% of Republicans who responded saying they know of him. Twenty-three percent have a favorable view of the former congressman, 11% have an unfavorable opinion, 33% have no opinion and 33% have not heard of him.

Mastriano follows in name awareness, at 66%, with 22% having a favorable opinion, 5% unfavorable, 39% with no opinion and 34% having not heard of him.

Cawley is third-highest in total name identification, with 54%, followed by Meuser, 45%, and McSwain, 40%, SP&R reported.

The poll also found:

 8% view Cawley favorably, 5% unfavorable, 46% have never heard of him, 41% have no opinion.

 5% view Meuser favorably, 7% unfavorable, 57% havent heard of him, 30% have no opinion.

 3% view McSwain favorably, 3% unfavorable, 60% havent heard of him, 34% have no opinion.

Barletta also leads the field in three areas or markets that SP&R deems critical. He leads in the conservative T/Central market at 36% (followed by Mastriano 18% and Cawley 5%), as well as the Northeast/Wilkes-Barre/Scranton media market at 37% (with Mastriano at 10% and Meuser at 6%) and the Southcentral/Harrisburg/Lancaster/Perry market at 29% (with Mastriano 11%, Cawley 3%, Meuser 2%, McSwain 1%).

Pollsters also reported that former President Donald Trump has a stellar 83:12 ratio in favorable to unfavorable likeability among Republican voters, suggesting that GOP voters are stalwart in their support for the former president, and that any GOP candidate for governor who is a supporter of the former president would presumably benefit from a potential Trump endorsement.

Barletta has been a staunch supporter of Trump, having been part of numerous campaign stops and rallies organized by the president and his supporters.

In October 2020, Barletta was on hand when Mark and Patricia McCloskey rallied voters as part of the Team Trump Bus Tour at Republican offices in Hazleton, Wilkes-Barre and Scranton.

Attendees cheered Barletta when a participant at the Hazleton event publicly encouraged him run for governor.

The margin of error for a sample size of 700 interviews is +/-3.7% at the 95% confidence level, or +/-5.9% for a subset of 272 interviews with registered Republicans, according to SP&R, which is based in Harrisburg.
The court sought to know from Advocate General B.S. Prasad why the government was focusing on RAT rather than RT-PCR.  DC file photo

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Tuesday pulled up the state government over the spurt in Covid-19 cases, given its failure to step up RT-PCR tests as was suggested by the court earlier.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Hima Kohli and Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy was dealing with the PILs seeking directions to the government to effectively contain the Coronavirus disease.

The court chided the government over the nod it gave to opening up commercial activities, malls, cinema halls, bars, pubs, congregations and gatherings without imposing any Covid-19 restrictions.

The High Court has been monitoring the pandemic situation by getting status reports regularly. Based on these reports, as also news reports and reports of laxities brought before it by the petitioners, the court has directed the government to rectify the lapses.

On Tuesday, the bench was irritated with the status report filed by the Director of Public Health and termed it as sweeping and misleading. Despite the orders issued by the court, the government had not stepped up Covid-19 testing through RT-PCR, it said. The report had 406 enclosures.

Out of the 9,11,661 Covid-19 tests done in the state, 7,63,136 were done through RAT (Rapid Antigen Test) whereas only 1,48,525 tests were done through RT-PCR, the court noted.

The court sought to know from Advocate General B.S. Prasad why the government was focusing on RAT rather than RT-PCR. It gave the government 48 hours to come up with the reasons for not doing RT-PCR tests.

Finding fault with the government for not arranging more vaccination centers for the public, CJ Kohli directed government to inform it why the Covid-19 vaccination is not being administered round the clock, as the entire country is grappling with a second wave of the Coronavirus.

The court made it clear that if the orders are not complied with by the state, the court will issue directions. It observed that the state should not treat this as adversarial litigation because this is a matter which concerned each and every one of us and the health of people of the state.

The court said the report should contain information on Covid-19 positive cases and mortality rate, as also the number of micro containment zones created district-wise, the efforts made to conduct sero-surveillance by the government in the districts where there is a spurt in Covid-19 cases, the nature of testing that is being done at construction sites, airports, inter-state bus terminal, ports and railway stations.

The bench also directed the government to state the reasons for not imposing restrictions on the public gatherings during marriages, death ceremonies, besides festivities and the nature of restrictions that have been placed on the occupancy rate in cinema halls, malls, hotels, pubs, bars, etc.

The PILs were adjourned to April 8 for further hearing.
A senior official at the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has said he believes there is a link between the AstraZeneca vaccine and extremely rare cases of blood clots reported in people who recently had the jab.

In an interview with Italys Il Messaggero newspaper, Marco Cavaleri, head of vaccines strategy at the EMA, said it was clear there is a link with the vaccine but there was still uncertainty about what exactly was causing such a reaction.

Mr Cavaleri said that among younger vaccinated people there was a higher than expected number of cases of cerebral thrombosis  blood clotting in the brain  compared with the general population.

A spokesperson for the EMA told The Independent the Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC), which is reviewing the data, had not yet reached a conclusion and the review is currently ongoing, with an announcement expected on Wednesday or Thursday.

Europes regulator insisted as recently as last week that the causal link with the vaccine is not proven and continues to recommend people take the opportunity to get vaccinated when it is offered.

Read more:

EMA is of the view that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine in preventing Covid-19, with its associated risk of hospitalisation and death, outweigh the risks of side effects, the agency said in a statement released on 31 March.

Some countries have paused or restricted use of the vaccine to certain groups, including Germany, France and Canada.

The World Health Organisation has said the benefits outweigh the risks while AstraZeneca said in March its vaccine was 76 per cent effective in preventing symptomatic infections in a US trial, and that studies did not indicate higher risks of clotting.

Mr Cavaleri said the EMAs evaluation of the AstraZeneca vaccine was far from over and that it was for individual countries to establish specific guidelines around which age groups were given which vaccines.

But he added: In my opinion we can now say it, it is clear there is a link with the vaccine. What causes this reaction, however, we still do not know.

These platelet-deficient cerebral thromboses appear to be the main event to investigate. In the next few hours we will say that the connection exists, but we still have to understand how this happens.

Asked if the risk-benefit ratio was still in favour of the vaccine, he replied yes, but said the effects on different age groups needed to be examined in more detail.

He said: Very meticulous work will be needed to understand if the risk-benefit ratio is in favour of the vaccine for all ages.

Coronavirus-related deaths worldwide passed the 3 million mark on Tuesday, according to an assessment by the Reuters news agency.

Several European countries are experiencing a third wave of the virus, increasing the pressure on their already faltering vaccine programmes to scale up the rollout.
She's still an in demand model at the top of her game at 55.

And Cindy Crawford turned heads as she arrived to dinner at celeb-friendly hotspot Nobu in Malibu.

She opted for a classic ensemble of blazer over sweater and slacks.

Classic look: Cindy Crawford, 55, turned heads as she arrived to dinner at celeb-friendly hotspot Nobu in Malibu on Monday night in a stylish ensemble of blazer, sweater and slacks

She stepped out in a pair of brown heeled ankle boots that matched the color of her jacket.

Her sweater and slacks were both off-white and she donned a disposable face mask.

Crawford's signature long brunette hair was loose and styled in relaxed curls and she carried a purse and a phone as she exited her luxury SUV.

Famous face: Crawford's signature long brunette hair was loose and styled in relaxed curls and she carried a purse and a phone as she exited her luxury SUV

Stylish: She stepped out in a pair of brown heeled ankle boots that matched the color of her jacket. Her sweater and slacks were both off-white and she donned a disposable face mask

Just a few days ago, Crawford posted some behind-the-scenes images of a new photo shoot for her Meaningful Beauty skincare line.

She launched the products in 2005 with French plastic surgeon Jean-Louis Sebagh.

The stunner has been married to former male model turned businessman Rande Gerber since 1998.

Hard at work: Just a few days ago, Crawford posted some behind-the-scenes images of a new photo shoot for her Meaningful Beauty skincare line

In the money: She launched the products in 2005 with French plastic surgeon Jean-Louis Sebagh and promotes them via informercials

Before tying the knot with Gerber, she was married to Hollywood star Richard Gere.

Her and Gerber's daughter Kaia, 19, has followed her famous mother into modeling and has proved a huge success following her catwalk debut at 16.

Crawford and Gerber are also parents to son Presley, 21.
"Marc is an outstanding marketer and strategic business builder  a digital innovator with a global outlook who understands the evolving needs of the luxury consumer," says John Davison , President and Chief Executive Officer, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. "His experience and vision will be fundamental to the path forward for Four Seasons, driving continued customer growth, revenue and brand recognition."

Speichert joins Four Seasons in this newly created role at a critical time in the hospitality industry. He will oversee the development and execution of the company's integrated commercial strategy with a mandate that includes the identification of new products and markets; revenue growth across the company; brand marketing, global public relations and social media; data analytics, market insights and customer engagement; the brand's extensive digital ecosystem; and global distribution and worldwide reservations.

"Marc's global experience and marketing acumen are matched by his reputation as an inspiring leader, with a collaborative style that extends through his work and to those he works with. His appreciation for Four Seasons people, culture and values further strengthens our executive team as we continue to extend Four Seasons leadership position worldwide," continues Davison.

In collaboration with other members of the executive leadership team, Speichert will be involved in all touchpoints of the Four Seasons guest experience, from the brand's hotels and resorts, restaurants, bars and spas, to the growing Four Seasons residential portfolio and product extensions including the Four Seasons Private Jet and online retail program, as well as digital engagement through social media and the Four Seasons App.

Commenting on his new role, Speichert says, "Four Seasons leadership legacy is undisputed in the luxury space. This is a company that continually embraces new opportunities, while remaining focused on its core business principles and unwavering in its commitment to excellence. The opportunity to play a role in the growth of this iconic luxury brand is tremendously exciting. There is unlimited potential ahead and I look forward to collaborating with Four Seasons teams around the world to continue elevating the guest experience and deepening the connection with those who know and love Four Seasons."

Prior to joining Four Seasons, Speichert was Global Chief Digital Officer at GSK Consumer Healthcare for four years, where he led the digital transformation of its marketing functions, and more recently added supply chain, research and development, and the company's broader marketing transformation to his scope of work.

Previously, Speichert was a senior executive at Google on its global clients and agency solutions team, partnering with major global brands including Estee Lauder, Johnson & Johnson, Pepsi, Microsoft and Apple. Prior to Google, he was the first Chief Marketing Officer at L'Oreal, spearheading the brand's digital strategy to global recognition as a leader among packaged goods companies. He began his marketing career with a progressive twelve-year tenure at Colgate-Palmolive.

Speichert holds a Masters in Marketing Management from ESCP Business School in Paris, and has many industry accolades to his credit, including being named among the World's Top 25 Most Influential CMOs by Forbes Magazine as well as being recognized as a top healthcare influencer and transformer by MM&M (Medical, Marketing & Media).

Speichert currently serves as Chairman of MMA Global's Chief Digital Officer Board (CDO Board), helping member organizations re-think the ever-evolving needs of consumers and customers in an increasingly digital world. He also sits on the advisory board of Glasswing Ventures, a VC fund focused on funding entrepreneurs harnessing the power of AI and frontier technologies.

Speichert will initially be based in London, England with plans to relocate to Four Seasons offices in New York City.

About Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts opened its first hotel in 1961, and since that time has been dedicated to perfecting the travel experience through continual innovation and the highest standards of hospitality. Currently operating 119 hotels and resorts, and 44 residential properties in major city centres and resort destinations in 47 countries, and with more than 50 projects under planning or development, Four Seasons consistently ranks among the world's best hotels and most prestigious brands in reader polls, traveller reviews and industry awards. For more information and reservations, visit fourseasons.com. For the latest news, visit press.fourseasons.com and follow @FourSeasonsPR on Twitter.

Matthew Levison

[email protected]

646-274-3631

SOURCE Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

Related Links

https://www.fourseasons.com


New York:

Pakistan received a proposal to swap Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav for a terrorist who carried out the horrific 2014 Peshawar school attack and is now jailed in Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has claimed.

Asif, however, did not specify the name of the terrorist and the National Security Advisor who had made the proposal.

The terrorist who killed children in APS (Army Public School) in Peshawar is in Afghan custody. The National Security Advisor (NSA) told me that we can exchange that terrorist with the terrorist you have, which is Kulbhushan Jadhav, Asif told the audience after his speech at the Asia Society here yesterday.

He discussed Pakistans vision for an approach towards regional peace and development during his conversion with author and journalist Steve Coll.

Asif said Pakistan had suffered grievously from conflict and instability in Afghanistan.

ALSO READ | Kulbhushan Jadhav trial: India submits written pleadings to ICJ

Unless this cycle is reversed, we would continue to bear the brunt. No country, therefore, has a larger stake in seeing peace and stability return to Afghanistan than Pakistan. Regrettably, the situation in Afghanistan is getting worse, he said.

Jadhav, a 46-year-old retired Indian Navy officer, was in April sentenced to death by Pakistans Field General Court Martial on charges of his alleged involvement in espionage and sabotage activities against Pakistan.

Asif said there was no military solution to Afghanistan. He said Pakistan had in the past done all it could to facilitate a political settlement.

We have also done all that we could to make sure that Pakistani soil is not used against any country, he claimed.

However, there are obviously clear limits to what we can do. We cannot take responsibility for Afghanistans peace and security and be asked to achieve what the combined strength of some of the most powerful and richest countries could not accomplish, Asif said.

India has accused Pakistan of violating the Vienna Convention by repeatedly denying consular access to Jadhav.

In a hearing of the case on May 18, a 10-member bench of the ICJ restrained Pakistan from executing Jadhav.

Pakistan has said that the Indian national would not be executed until he has exhausted his mercy appeals.

The Pakistan Taliban had claimed responsibility for the gruesome Peshawar school attack in 2014 in which nearly 150 people, mostly school children, were killed.

ALSO READ | Kulbhushan Jadhav case: UN chief informs Security Council of ICJ's order

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
CHATSWORTH, Calif.The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) plans to offer a special panel this Thursday focused on tax preparation for adult workers, as well as how to take advantage of forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. Part of the organization's INSPIRE program, "Tax Talk for Adult Workers" will be hosted by FSC industry relations advocate Lotus Lain, and will feature tax preparer Lauren Fumagalli, a veteran performer and IRS enrolled agent with 16 years of tax experience; bookkeeper Jessie Hornby (Nerds4Numbers); and performer/AILAA founder Mary Moody.

"This has been a highly unusual financial year for many performers," Lain said. "We've been getting so many questions online, we decided to put together an expert panel to discuss last minute filing issues for 2020, as well as PPP loans and strategies for reducing your tax burden in the year to come."

FSC held a previous INSPIRE tax panel in January with attorney Beth McKenna and tax domme Lori St. Kitts, but not all questions could get answered during the session.

"Sex work is real work," Lain continued. "They deserve the same resources and guidance as those who run mainstream businesses and the same support from the government. This panel will help our workers understand how to access COVID supprt, better protect their businesses, and legally reduce their tax burden."

"Tax Talk for Adult Workers" takes place Thursday at 11 a.m. PT, and will be held over Zoom. To register, sign up here.
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Nigerian stocks slipped for fourth straight trading day Tuesday by 0.39 per cent, in a rout led by blue-chip bank stocks as there were no hints yet as to when the gloomy climate over a market that lost N624 billion in the year to March would end.

Yields in the fixed income market are healing after taking a blow from two benchmark rate cuts by the central bank last year, and investors are betting on government bonds, which offer a low-risk payout when compared with stocks.

The market will be bearish in the first half, and after this result season we expect a further depression because there will be no further catalysts, Ayodeji Ebo, retail investment lead at broker Chapel Hill Denham told Bloomberg.

If I can get a one-year Treasury bill at 7% now, why will I take a risk of 8 or 9%?

The banking index contracted 1.67 per cent to 350.36 basis points, with top-tier lenders GTB and Zenith Bank worst hit.

Market breadth was negative as 21 losers emerged compared to 14 gainers.

The all-share index slipped 150.13 basis points to 38,766.61, while market capitalisation closed lower at N20.283 trillion.

TOP FIVE GAINERS

Eterna led gainers, appreciating by 9.91 per cent to close at N5.99. Linkage Assurance rose to N0.79, notching up 9.72 per cent in the process. Royal Exchange added 9.09 per cent to end todays trade at N0.36. Japaul Gold went up by 8.89 per cent to N0.49. FCMB completed the top 5, climbing by 4.59 per cent to N2.96.

TOP FIVE LOSERS

MRS led losers, declining by 9.92 per cent to close at N10.90. Aluminium Extrusion shed 9.88 per cent to close at N7.30. Consolidated Hallmark Insurance fell to N0.29, losing 9.38 per cent. Sterling Bank slumped to N1.69, recording 8.65 per cent depreciation. Guinness closed at N33, going down by 8.08 per cent.

TOP FIVE TRADES

Altogether, 224.594 million shares estimated at N2.143 billion were traded in 4,675 deals.

UACN was the most active stock with 34.049 million units of its shares worth N337.607 million traded in 546 deals.

Access traded 26.347 million shares priced at N214.930 million exchanged hands in 376 transactions. FBN Holdings had 18.932 million shares valued at N137.435 million traded in 138 deals.

Zenith Bank traded 16.587 million shares estimated at N364.335 million in 396 transactions. Fidelity Bank traded 15.305 million shares valued at N39.151 million in 151 deals.
Trident declined 2.72% to Rs 13.60 after the company said that a major fire has been broken out on Monday in the cotton warehouse located in the manufacturing facilities at Budhni, Madhya Pradesh.

Trident in an exchange filing made after market hours on Monday announced that the fire has resulted in major damage of stocks of cotton, lying in the warehouse. The actual quantum of loss/damage cannot be ascertained at this point of time.

The company said that it is proactively monitoring the situation and taking necessary steps for the safety and well-being of the manpower. Furthermore, the company said the loss/damage is adequately covered by insurance and it has informed the insurance company about the fire Incident.

Punjab-based Trident is a vertically integrated textile (yarn, bath & bed linen) and paper (wheat straw-based) manufacturer and is one of the largest players in home textile space in India.

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
As the US death toll approaches 600,000, universities and colleges across the country are reemerging as hotspots of COVID-19 outbreaks. The spike in cases is a direct result of thousands of students returning to campuses after spring break, despite the critical lessons from the disastrous fall semester reopenings.

Four months into the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine, universities are still far from having vaccinated all current students, contrary to what many had promised. To further exacerbate the situation, in addition to numerous spikes in coronavirus cases, colleges are now reporting cases of the new COVID-19 variant found on their campuses.

Perkins Library, Duke University (Photo: Wikipedia)

Since the start of this year, it is estimated that more than 120,000 cases are linked to colleges and universities and 530,000 since the start of the pandemic. A data-driven study on 30 large universities revealed that a spike in campus infection rates preceded a peak in the surrounding counties by less than 14 days, implying that universities had become COVID-19 superspreader sites.

A survey by the New York Times shows that at least 18 colleges have reported more than 1,000 cases in 2021 alone. At least 15 college institutions detected new COVID variants. Readers should note that not all testing conducted at college campuses are capable of detecting and differentiating between the variants, so it is expected that the actual numbers are higher.

The reopening drive can be seen across the country, including Republican- and Democratic-controlled states. Infections are rising at college campuses, with those in Florida and Arizona reporting among the worst numbers of outbreaks. Adding fuel to the fire, over the past month mask mandates have been lifted in at least six states, including Texas, totaling some 37 million people.

In Florida, where Governor Ron DeSantis issued an order to nullify all public health measures imposed by local governments, cases have skyrocketed with a total of 2,077,032 infections since the start of the pandemic and 6,017 cases on April 2.

The University of Florida in Gainesville has observed the highest case number for 2021, with 2,138 confirmed cases between January and March and a total of 8,894 since the start of the pandemic. According to the universitys testing dashboard, there were more than 130 confirmed cases on campus over the past five days. The second highest case count at a university is Arizona State University ,which had 1,822 cases for 2021 and 6,327 since the start of the pandemic.

Compared to other states, Texas had the second highest case number of cases, at 2,401,898, and third highest number of deaths, 47,725, since the start of the pandemic. University of Texas at Dallas has recorded at least 247 cases on campus, with 193 of them being students. Tragically, a German language professor there recently passed away after contracting the virus.

University of Texas at Austin (UTA) recorded a total of 1,226 student cases and 225 staff cases in 2021 alone. The university has seen 3,896 cases among faculty, staff and students since the start of the pandemic. It can be estimated that more than six percent of the entire student body have been infected since the start of the pandemic.

According to the UTA president, three staff have died from COVID-19. Within the span of just two weeks between March 17 and 30, Texas A&M University, which had kept classes open throughout the pandemic, recorded 278 cases. Between August 8, 2020 and January 2, 2021, the university recorded a total of 4,890 cases.

In Colorado, 19 total outbreaks have been listed active on multiple campuses. University of Colorado at Boulder recorded a total of 3,334 cases, and University of Denver recorded 929 cases.

The disastrous conditions are the same for Democratic-controlled states, such as Washington, New York and California. Washington State University registered 73 new infections over the past weekend alone. The cases at New York Universitys Washington Square campus nearly tripled between March 18-29 with the positivity rate on a 14-day rolling average jumping from 0.28 percent to 0.81 percent.

On February 1 University of California, Berkeley students were instructed to self-sequester and stay in their dorms as much as possible for a week, after the university reported a surge of 44 new cases which increased the weekly infection rate from 0.4 percent to 1.2 percent, a threefold jump.

Northeastern University had 135 cases between March 25-31. Boston College had 134 positive cases between March 22-April 4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) had 221 cases in the month of March.

A number of college campus administrations are requiring mandatory asymptomatic testing. This allows campuses to pose as having drastically lower rates of infection compared to testing within the larger population, which is biased toward those with symptoms and higher positivity rates.

This can be seen at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), which touts a public COVID Dashboard displaying a graph comparing the percentage of positive cases among students, campus employees and San Diego County as a whole. However, its weekly mandatory COVID-19 testing for students sets up the fallacious argument that the campus is safer because it has a lower positivity rate relative to the county but omits the bias in the sample.

UCSD announced that it will vaccinate 5,000 campus community members per day. But five days into the start of vaccination, only 2,847 vaccines were administered in total, far from what was promised.

At the University of San Diego (USD), the campus went into lockdown over a spike in cases of 291 between January 24-February 12. It is estimated that 11 percent of all students living in residential housing have tested positive.

In addition, COVID-19 variants have been detected at a number of campuses. Students at University of Pittsburgh had a large outbreak last week with over 76 cases of the UK variant (B.1.1.7), which is known for its higher transmission and death rates.

At least 15 college institutions have recorded cases of the infectious and lethal COVID-19 variants, including University of Michigan; Tulane University; University of California, Berkeley; University of Miami; University of Texas at Austin; University of Washington; Davidson College; University of Central Florida; University of Virginia; Michigan State University; University of Pittsburgh; Penn State; University of Memphis; Duke University and University of Arizona.

All of these universities except Duke University have found the UK variant (B.1.1.7) on their campuses, while researchers at Duke University have found that the California (B.1.427/B.1.429) and New York (B.1.429) variants were seen on campus following the holiday break. It can be predicted that most college institutions across the United States are having similar experiences.

Although outbreaks on campuses are undoubtedly the responsibility of university officials, students are continuously scapegoated for the rise in infections.

The fact of the matter is that on-campus housing and in-person lectures that university officials are aggressively promoting are simply not suitable for keeping an adequate social distance for containing the virus.

COVID-19 was the third leading cause of death in 2020, with the death toll reaching 568,000 since the start of the pandemic. The national death rate in 2020 increased by 16 percent compared to 2019, which is the largest percentage increase in a single year since World War I. Although the current national case number is lower compared to the peak in January, the pandemic is far from over.

In an effort to cover up the bipartisan policy of reopening, the Democratic Party together with the corporate media have produced dishonest narratives that the Biden administration has been carrying out measures to contain the pandemic. Throughout his presidential campaign, Biden repeated that his administration will listen to the science, but in reality, he has been continuing the same homicidal policy of reopening schools and businesses that former President Trump spearheaded in the interests of preventing any loss in corporate profits.

Mass opposition to the reopening of schools and universities is appearing forcefully among educators and students at every level. Teachers and educators across the nation are forming rank-and-file committees to oppose in-person instruction. Students and university professors are voicing their criticism towards the university administrators decisions for full reopening of campuses.

College and K-12 campuses have become one of the key battlegrounds for the fight to save lives and end the reckless policies of the financial oligarchy that prioritize profit over human lives. It is urgently necessary to shut down all nonessential businesses, allocate resources for safety measures such as online learning, and implement policies based on science and genuine democracy. The mobilization of students, educators and the whole working class is essential in fighting against the homicidal policy of the profit-driven financial elites.
Lawyers for the company behind a $2.1 billion transformation of Brisbanes Eagle Street Pier have hit back at a court appeal of its approval, citing a lack of foundation and detail to the claims.

Waterfront Brisbane was given Brisbane City Council approval under a range of conditions in December, after a six-month development process that ended in a joint press conference from developers Dexus and the council.

Under the proposed redevelopment, the 30-year-old Eagle Street Pier buildings would be demolished and replaced with two 49- and 43-floor office towers on prime riverside land. Credit:Dexus

Corporate and private residents of the neighbouring Harry Seidler-designed, 53-level Riparian Plaza, owned by Bloomberg Incorporation and home to employment agency founder Sarina Russo and Collections House co-founder John Pearce, had expressed objections and threats of legal action over the planned scale of the project.

Under the proposed redevelopment, the 30-year-old Eagle Street Pier buildings would be demolished and replaced with two 49- and 43-floor office towers on prime riverside land.
SICKLERVILLE, N.J., April 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Thomas F. Morley, DO, FCCP, MACOI, FAASM is being recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Top Distinguished Pulmonologist for his exemplary contributions to the medical education field and his professional excellence at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Department of Pulmonology.

Located in Stratford, New Jersey, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine is committed to preparing future physicians and scientists striving to improve health in New Jersey and throughout the nation. The school has been selected as a regional COVID-19 vaccination site. Among the various specialties offered at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, the department of pulmonology is dedicated to improving your day-to-day symptoms through customized treatment plans. The department consists of highly skilled pulmonologists who specialize and provide services in the areas of respiratory tract diseases and lung conditions, such as COPD, asthma, and bronchitis, as well as at-home sleep studies and coordinated care with the internal medicine department.

Board-Certified Pulmonologist Dr. Thomas F. Morley has led his distinguished medical career for 36 years, specializing in sleep medicine, critical care, and all pulmonary issues. He is currently serving patients within the Department of Pulmonology at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine at the offices in Stratford and Sewell, New Jersey. In addition to his clinical role, Dr. Morley continuously shares his breadth of expertise by teaching medical students at the same institution.

In light of his academic achievements, Dr. Morley completed his undergraduate studies at Temple University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, followed by obtaining his Doctor of Osteopathy degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He went on to further his medical training by completing an internship, residency, and fellowship in internal medicine and pulmonology at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine. With a commitment to excellence, Dr. Morley holds a special recognition certificate in critical care and is board-certified in pulmonary disease internal medicine, critical care medicine, and sleep medicine through the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine.



Remaining abreast of the latest developments in his field, Dr. Morley maintains active memberships with the American Osteopathic Association, the American Thoracic Society, and the College of Osteopathic Internists. He also serves as a Fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the American College of Chest Medicine.

As a testament to his professional excellence, Dr. Morley has been the recipient of several awards and recognitions, including the Patients' Choice Award (2014-2018), On-Time Doctor Award (2014- 2018), and Compassionate Doctor Recognition (2014-2018).

In honor of this recognition, Dr. Morley dedicates this to his wife of 35 years, Dorothy Morley. Dr. Morley remains grateful for her enduring support. They have four children and seven grandchildren.



Dr. Morley would also like to recognize James. Giudice, D.O. Dr. Giudice was Dr. Morley's fellowship trainer. Since that time, he has been a lifelong mentor and friend.



To learn more, please visit https://newjersey.jeffersonhealth.org/physician/thomas-f-morley-do.

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected]

SOURCE Continental Who's Who

Related Links

http://www.continentalwhoswho.com


Idk who this is but shes right since the number of people who hate darkskinned black women outweigh those who love us. 

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Are we no longer using the nobody tag?

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Idk who she is but fuck her. Im surprised that Aris working with her.

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Why? Isn't Ari messy as well?

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i laughed so hard at everyone being like "nvm" when they saw she was the artist ari was collabing with. i have no idea why ari would choose her dumbass of all collaborators but i'll be over here replaying the sbb album and ignoring this.

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Ari seems like a lowkey mess tho

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I really feel like Ari is a pick me tbh and I know that word is abused but the whole Snoop Dogg/ Gayle King thing revealed so things...

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she absolutely has her messy moments. i remember she used to constantly go on ig live and get worked up over things ppl were saying on a damn near weekly basis

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She is. I remember her posting a real extra video about protecting black men in response to XXXtension cord being cancelled after his murder.

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THIS. She stay giving me messy ass vibes.

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i swear ive seen messy stuff from her, and shes been partying and traveling all through this pandemic

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Such a smug tone when she's the one who said something offensive



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Lol this bullshit.



How does she ID racially and ethnically?



Reminds me of the poetry slam tik tok

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According to Wikipedia, her highness, has described her background as a mix of Arab, Black and Italian but has also mentioned having Indian ancestry, though she was not sure how much.

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so tired of these doubling down tweets from celebs. I'm sure if twitter was around back during the 80s,90s,2000s we would see people like Brit, Madonna, MJ etc be a damn mess during their peak. The constant complaining is obnoxious.

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Thought this was a slightly biased post but she just goes by 'Queen'.

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This comment brought to you by my very whiteness.

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Damn mess

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Horrible person alert.

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Its so wild to me that her actual government name is Queen Naija, but shes not Nigerian.

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oop, I just posted that I hate her name, I didn't realise it wasn't a stage name.

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you can still hate this anti black birds name

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Right?!

Like, how do we get this appealed?

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just went on her wikipedia - associated acts: Mulatto

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Mu-what now?!

Ugh. I hate it here.

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https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/9517184/mulatto-name-change-interview/ She is Big Latto now and said she wanted to educate people. she is young, 22, so I will give her the benefit of doubt.

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I'm not just referring to her name but the same colorist and bird-like behavior she's shown as Queen

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as a Nigerian, I hate her name.

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i assumed she was, but she's not?

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It's like these fly by night birds are allergic to introspection of any sort.

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The obsession with "winning" and other people seeing you and/or resenting you for that is so . If colorists didn't cause actual harm they would be funny. The delusion of thinking you're inherently special and other people feeding into that is a whole circus.

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Alonzo Brooks' death has been determined as a homicide after his body was exhumed and subjected to another autopsy.

Brooks' death was reported more than 16 years ago. But a new probe has unfolded as federal authorities investigate his death as a possible hate crime, according to an Associated Press report.

Based on the new autopsy, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) concluded that Brooks' death was a homicide.

"This new examination by a team of the world's best forensic pathologists and experts establishes it was no accident. Alonzo Brooks was killed. We are doing everything we can, and will spare no resources, to bring those responsible to justice," acting U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard said in a statement as reported by KMBC.

Slinkard added that they knew Brooks died under very suspicious circumstances. FBI said the new autopsy has concentrated on injuries to parts of Brooks' body that are inconsistent with normal patterns of decomposition.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Timothy Langan said their reach is broad and the strength of their investigative tools is exceptional.

Langan added that they remain dedicated to knowing the truth surrounding the murder of Alonzo Brooks and capturing those responsible.

"The FBI's commitment to justice remains at the forefront of each and every investigation," Langan said in a report.

During the initial investigation, a coroner in Linn County admitted that he was unable to determine the cause of death, adding that witnesses' interviews also failed to produce any arrests.

In 2019, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Kansas reopened the investigation of Alonzo Brooks' death. His body was exhumed last year from a Topeka cemetery for a re-examination.

READ NEXT: 'Unsolved Mysteries' Volume 2: Who Was Jennifer Fairgate?

Alonzo Brooks' Case

Netflix's "Unsolved Mysteries" included Alonzo Brooks' death in one of their episodes. The series featured interviews from those who were with the young Black man that night he went missing. He was last seen in the rural, predominantly white area of La Cygne, Kansas, according to an E! News report.

Alonzo Brooks was last seen alive in April 2004 at a party in a house on the borders of La Cygne. He was also one of the only three African-American men who attended the party. It was believed that 100 or more people were at the party.

Alonzo Brooks went with his friends to the said house party, but his friends allegedly left him and ended up with no ride home.

He was reported missing the next day and authorities failed to search for his body. It was only when his friends and family made the effort to search for him that he was found.

The Sheriff's Department and other law enforcement agencies also searched the areas around the farmhouse.

However, they failed to locate Brooks' body. It was Brooks' father and a family friend that found him in a creek near where the party was held.

"To find my boy like that. Nothing can describe that pain," Billy Brooks Sr. said as reported by NBC News.

A Facebook page "Justice for Alonzo Brooks" was created to help the case and share awareness as his family continues to search for answers surrounding his death.

The FBI is offering a $100,000 reward for information that could lead to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for Brooks' death.

Federal authorities also encouraged anyone with information to call the FBI at 816-512-8200 or 816-474-8477. People could also submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.

READ MORE: 'Unsolved Mysteries' Viewer May Have Uncovered A Clue in Rey Rivera's Mysterious Death

WATCH: Alonzo Brooks' Death Ruled a Homicide in Major Update to Unsolved Mysteries Case - From CTV News






Boron nitride is a technologically interesting material because it is very compatible with other two-dimensional crystalline structures. It therefore opens up pathways to artificial heterostructures or electronic devices built on them with fundamentally new properties.

About a year ago, a team from the Institute of Physics at Julius-Maximilians-Universitat (JMU) Wuerzburg in Bavaria, Germany, succeeded in creating spin defects, also known as qubits, in a layered crystal of boron nitride and identifying them experimentally.

Recently, the team led by Professor Vladimir Dyakonov, his PhD student Andreas Gottscholl and group leader PD Dr. Andreas Sperlich, succeeded in taking an important next step: the coherent control of such spin defects, and that even at room temperature. The researchers report their findings in the impactful journal Science Advances. Despite the pandemic, the work was carried out in an intensive international collaboration with groups from the University of Technology Sydney in Australia and Trent University in Canada.

Measuring local electromagnetic fields even more precisely

"We expect that materials with controllable spin defects will allow more precise measurements of local electromagnetic fields once they are used in a sensor", explains Vladimir Dyakonov, "and this is because they are, by definition, at the border to the surrounding world, which needs to be mapped. Conceivable areas of application are imaging in medicine, navigation, everywhere where contactless measurement of electromagnetic fields is necessary, or in information technology.

"The research community's search for the best material for this is not yet complete, but there are several potential candidates," adds Andreas Sperlich. "We believe we found a new candidate that stands out because of its flat geometry, which offers the best integration possibilities in electronics."

Limits of spin coherence times trickily overcome

All spin-sensitive experiments with the boron nitride were carried out at JMU. "We were able to measure the characteristic spin coherence times, determine their limits and even trickily overcome these limits," says a delighted Andreas Gottscholl, PhD student and first author of the publication. Knowledge of spin coherence times is necessary to estimate the potential of spin defects for quantum applications, and long coherence times are highly desirable as one eventually wants to perform complex manipulations.

Gottscholl explains the principle in simplified terms: "Imagine a gyroscope that rotates around its axis. We have succeeded in proving that such mini gyroscopes exist in a layer of boron nitride. And now we have shown how to control the gyroscope, i.e., for example, to deflect it by any angle without even touching it, and above all, to control this state."

Coherence time reacts sensitively to neighboring atomic layers

The contactless manipulation of the "gyroscope" (the spin state) was achieved through the pulsed high-frequency electromagnetic field, the resonant microwaves. The JMU researchers were also able to determine how long the "gyroscope" maintains its new orientation. Strictly speaking, the deflection angle should be seen here as a simplified illustration of the fact that a qubit can assume many different states, not just 0 and 1 like a bit.

What does this have to do with sensor technology? The direct atomic environment in a crystal influences the manipulated spin state and can greatly shorten its coherence time. "We were able to show how extremely sensitive the coherence reacts to the distance to the nearest atoms and atomic nuclei, to magnetic impurities, to temperature and to magnetic fields - so the environment of the qubit can be deduced from the measurement of the coherence time," explains Andreas Sperlich.

Goal: Electronic devices with spin decorated boron nitride layers

The JMU team's next goal is to realize an artificially stacked two-dimensional crystal made of different materials, including a spin-bearing component. The essential building blocks for the latter are atomically thin boron nitride layers containing optically active defects with an accessible spin state.

"It would be particularly appealing to control the spin defects and their surroundings in the 2D devices not only optically, but via the electric current. This is completely new territory," says Vladimir Dyakonov.

###
Shares of Panacea Biotec were locked in the upper circuit of 20 per cent at Rs 220.85 on the BSE in Tuesday's session after the company and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) agreed to produce 100 million doses of Sputnik V vaccine in India per year.

Till 09:19 am, a combined 384,000 equity shares had changed hands on the counter and there were pending buy orders for around 180,000 shares on the NSE and BSE. In comparison, the S&P BSE Sensex was down 0.29 per cent at 49,017.

The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF, Russia's sovereign wealth fund), and Panacea Biotec announced cooperation to produce 100 million doses per year of Sputnik V, the world's first registered vaccine against coronavirus, the company said in a press release.

Production of Sputnik V at Panacea Biotec sites will help facilitate global supply of Sputnik V to international partners of RDIF.

To date, Sputnik V has been registered in 59 countries globally with a total population of over 1.5 billion people. The efficacy of Sputnik V is at 91.6 per cent as confirmed by the data published in the Lancet, one of the world's oldest and most respected medical journals.

The vaccine is based on a proven and well-studied platform of human adenoviral vectors and uses two different vectors for the two shots in a course of vaccination, providing immunity with a longer duration than vaccines using the same delivery mechanism for both shots, it said.

The management said Panacea Biotec brings decades of vaccine manufacturing and distribution know-how to scale up Sputnik V supplies. The company will produce Sputnik V in its internationally accredited facilities, complying with strict GMP standards and prequalified by WHO.
Tis Friday, Lorraine Keane is back with Fashion Relief TV  her sustainable fashion fundraiser with Oxfam Ireland.

After Lorraine and Brendan Courtney teamed up for a nationwide donation drive, the Fashion Relief team are springing back after a short break with rails packed full of pre-loved, brand-new and designer clothing, bags, shoes and accessories.

Broadcaster Lorraine Keane said: A great part of Fashion Relief is that we get to work with amazing Irish retailers and designers, supporting them to donate their end of line or excess stock to us instead of sending it to landfill  a more sustainable solution for people and planet. Weve had incredible donations from local Kildare boutiques, including Aria Boutique in Naas and Divine in Maynooth  so Id like to give a much deserved shout out to them for their support of Fashion Relief.

Thanks to the generosity of donors we have created our very own little Fashion Relief circular economy  as long as people and businesses continue to donate fabulous items, we will continue to have fabulous bargains up for grabs.

Along with their network of shops, Fashion Relief is part of Oxfams solution to throwaway fashion, encouraging people to donate pre-loved items and reduce the amount of clothes that end up in landfill as well as shopping second-hand to give pre-loved clothes a longer life. So, by bagging a bargain from Fashion Relief youll be shopping more sustainably and doing your bit for people and planet. Whats not to love?

Keane continued: As expected, well be showcasing beautiful pre-loved and brand new pieces from the wardrobes of some of Irelands most fashionable women as well as from designers and boutiques from all over Ireland. People who tune in can click on the items they love and buy them then and there on Fashion Relief TV!

Ive seen first-hand how the profits raised help some of the poorest and most at risk people through Oxfams work. Even though things may have slowed down or come to a stop here, humanitarian crises are continuing and in some cases worsening across the world.

Just three weeks ago, a massive fire swept through the refugee camps of Coxs Bazar in Bangladesh. The fires left 10,000 families displaced and in urgent need of basics like food and water. Hundreds more were injured. This was yet another devastating blow to the Rohingya people who fled shocking violence and persecution in Myanmar. Oxfam continues to be able to support and respond to crises like this because of the generous support of people who shop with and donate to Oxfam Ireland.

The show will be packed full of brand-new and pre-loved donated clothes, shoes and accessories, as well as a host of designer labels like Preen, Celine, Ganni and Alexander McQueen, pieces donated by Laura Whitmore, Caroline Downey and Lorraine Keane, and much loved Irish labels like Aideen Bodkin, Louise Kennedy and Fee G  at bargain prices.

To celebrate the re-launch of the show Keane also has an incredible giveaway via Instagram. All people have to do to enter is RSVP for Fashion Relief TV via http://www.oxfamireland.org/ fashionrelief, take a screen shot and post it to Instagram with the hashtag #FashionReliefTV to be in with a chance to win a Loulerie necklace. People have until Friday at 6pm to enter.





Fashion Relief TV will air from Keanes home at 7pm on Friday 9th April on www.fashionrelief.ie.


















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In view of rising Covid-19 cases, the Delhi government of Tuesday imposed a night in the capital from 10 pm to 5 am.

The order will be imposed with immediate effect till April 30.

However, the government said, "there will be no restrictions on traffic movement during the night curfew".

"People who want to get Covid-19 vaccination will be exempted but will have to get an e-pass. Shopkeepers selling essential goods like groceries, fruits, vegetables, milk, and medicine will be allowed to move after getting an e-pass. Print and electronic media will also be allowed to move only through e-pass," the Delhi government's order stated.

It further said that private doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff will also be allowed during hours by showing a valid ID card.

Passengers traveling to and from the airport, railway stations, and bus stands will also be allowed to travel after showing valid tickets. Pregnant women and patients going for treatment will also be allowed to travel during hours.

"Public transport such as buses, Delhi Metro, autos, and taxis will be allowed to ferry only those people who are exempt from night curfew," the government said.

Delhi government has allowed free movement to people of all departments engaged in essential services during curfew hours.

The Delhi government's order said that the night curfew is applicable to the movement of the people and not to necessary goods and essential services.

Delhi reported 3,548 new Covid-1919 cases, 2,936 recoveries, and 15 deaths on Monday. With this, total cases in the capital reached 6,79,962, including 14,589 active cases.

(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.)
Gandhinagar:

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi wasted no time to pick up from where BJP leader Yashwant Sinha left his scathing attack on the Narendra Modi Government over the state of the economy.



Gandhi accused Modi government of ignoring the plight of the masses while extending favours to a select few.



The former Union Finance Minister, in his article, headlined 'I need to speak up now' wrote, "I shall be failing in my national duty if I did not speak up even now against the mess the finance minister (Arun Jaitley) has made of the economy".



He even claimed that people in the BJP are not raising their voices "out of fear".



Gandhi was addressing a gathering near Chotila in Surendranagar district where he cited the article to attack PM Modi and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.



"Today, I read an article written by Yashwant Sinha, who is a senior BJP leader. He wrote that Modiji and Jaitleyji have destroyed the Indian economy. This is not my view. This is the opinion of a BJP leader," Gandhi said on the third and last day of his campaign tour of poll-bound Gujarat, PM Modi's home state.



"He even wrote that though BJP leaders know that our country is in deep trouble, no one is ready to speak up as they are afraid of Modiji," added Gandhi.



"This has happened because the BJP government never listens to farmers, youngsters, labourers, traders and women, who actually run this country. People from BJP listen only to businessmen and then tell the citizens their own 'Mann ki Baat'," Gandhi alleged, taking a jibe at the PM's monthly radio programme.

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NEW DELHI: In view of rising COVID-19 cases in the national capital, the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government is considering a proposal to impose a night curfew, according to the sources.

A proposal to impose a night curfew in the national capital has been forwarded to the Chief Minister for his clearance in view of rising coronavirus cases, the official sources said.

A proposal for imposing a night curfew is under consideration. The details are being discussed, including the time period of the curfew which could be from 10 pm to 5 am," a senior government official said on Monday.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had on Friday said that Delhi was undergoing the fourth wave of COVID-19 but a lockdown was not being considered yet.

"As per the current situation, we are not considering imposing a lockdown. We are closely monitoring the situation and such a decision will only be taken after due public consultation," the Chief Minister had said in a press briefing.

As per the Delhi government health bulletin on Monday, a total of 3,548 fresh cases of COVID-19 infection and 15 deaths were reported within the last 24 hours.

The national capital on Monday reported 3,548 new Covid-19 cases, taking its overall tally to 6,79,962, while its test positivity rate stood at 5.54 per cent, according to the health bulletin released by Delhi government.

This is the fourth consecutive day that Delhi reported more than 3,500 new cases. On Sunday, the national capital had reported 4,033 new cases, the highest single-day tally in 2021.

The city had reported 3,567 new cases on April 3, and 3,594 cases on April 2. The number of active cases in Delhi rose to 14,589 on Monday, out of which 7,983 persons are in home isolation, according to the health bulletin.

With 15 more deaths getting reported on Monday, Delhi`s Covid death toll rose to 11,096. On a positive note, 2,936 persons recovered from the disease in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of recoveries to 6,54,277.

A total of 64,003 samples were tested in the last 24 hours, of which 43,960 were RT-PCR tests and 20,043 were rapid antigen tests. Given the steady rise in the number of cases in the national capital, the health department of the Delhi government on Monday announced to increase the number of beds for Covid patients in all government-run hospitals.

As per the official data, a total of 2,910 specific Covid beds are available in government-run hospitals. The number of beds has been increased in 11 government-run hospitals, including Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital, Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital, GTB Hospital, Burari Hospital and Ambedkar Hospital, among others.

On Saturday, the Delhi government had directed 33 private hospitals to increase the number of ICU beds for Covid infected patients.

Live TV
Amazon has apologized for what it calls an own-goal to a congressman over a Twitter exchange regarding whether its employees have to urinate in bottles rather than bathrooms.

We will continue to speak out when misrepresented, but we will also work hard to always be accurate, the company said through a posting on AboutAmazon.com.

To understand, you have to go back about two weeks ago, to before Sen. Bernie Sanders traveled to Alabama to show his support in person for union efforts in Bessemer.

Amazons retail chief, Dave Clark, tweeted that Amazons $15 minimum wage made it the Bernie Sanders of employers. Sanders came with rapper Killer Mike and actor Danny Glover.

Here is full coverage of the Alabama Amazon unionization effort

Paying workers $15/hr doesnt make you a progressive workplace when you union-bust & make workers urinate in water bottles, U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wis., tweeted back.

You dont really believe the peeing in bottles thing, do you? Amazon News replied. If that were true, nobody would work for us.

1/2 You dont really believe the peeing in bottles thing, do you? If that were true, nobody would work for us. The truth is that we have over a million incredible employees around the world who are proud of what they do, and have great wages and health care from day one.  Amazon News (@amazonnews) March 25, 2021

The response came during a period when Amazon signaled a new willingness to hit back at charges, after Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos reportedly expressed dissatisfaction that company officials werent more aggressive in pushing back against criticism.

Amazons tweet in response prompted some employees to share stories of using bottles to relieve themselves on the job. Amazon, in its post, said its tweet in reply was incorrect, as it did not take into account drivers who travel rural routes and have had trouble finding bathrooms during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It did not contemplate our large driver population and instead wrongly focused only on our fulfillment centers, the company said. A typical Amazon fulfillment center has dozens of restrooms, and employees are able to step away from their work station at any time. If any employee in a fulfillment center has a different experience, we encourage them to speak to their manager and well work to fix it.

As for drivers, the company said the problem is a long-standing, industry-wide issue and is not specific to Amazon.

Regardless of the fact that this is industry-wide, we would like to solve it. We dont yet know how, but will look for solutions, Amazon said.
The Mayor of Miami says he wants to another curfew over the Memorial Day weekend after the spring breakcrowds caused mayhem in his city.

'I'm supportive of a curfew because I think we need to act before Memorial Day, not in the midst of it,' Mayor Dan Gelber said to the Miami Herald.

Recently, crowds descended upon Miami Beach, sparking both unrest and fears of a COVID-19 super-spreader event. It led to an 8pm curfew being imposed on March 20.

Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber is leading the call for a Memorial Day curfew in his city

That curfew is currently expected to remain on place on the weekends, though the midnight curfew in the county for the rest of the week will be lifted on April 12, which coincides with the end of spring break.

A state of emergency declaration in the city is set to expire on April 7.

Memorial Day weekend is traditionally a celebratory holiday in the United States, with gatherings and concerts, particularly outdoors at beaches.

In Miami Beach, the annual Hyundai Air & Sea Show is scheduled for the weekend, as is one outdoor concert at Pride Park.

Crowds were large and wild during spring break in Miami Beach (Pictured: Ocean Drive on March 28, where spring break attendees were enjoying the party)

The large crowds of people and students sparked COVID-19 fears (picture from March 18)

It also led officials in the city to impose a temporary 8pm curfew (picture from March 27)

Gelber is facing resistance from other city officials who do not want to see a new curfew imposed for the holiday weekend.

'Theres no justification,' Commissioner Ricky Arriola said.

'[I]f the County is no longer requiring the curfew as a health and safety measure, then I have reservations with recommending that the City adopt a curfew,' said Interim City Manager Raul Aguila.

Aguila previously expressed support for a potential holiday curfew, abandoning Gelber's stance.

Rowdy spring breakers enjoying the party on March 27, a relatively tame weekend

Some city officials don't believe the curfew will be necessary (picture from March 27)

Pictured: Police escorting people off Ocean Drive as curfew went into effect on March 27

The call for a potential curfew came after over 1,000 arrests were made during spring break in Miami Beach, from February 3 to March 22, the end of the wildest weekend in the city.

Officers in bulletproof vests fired pepper spray balls to try to break up crowds on that Saturday night, the first with the curfew.

Police and partiers clashes along Ocean Drive and in other areas throughout the weekend.

The beach is expected to be a hot spot on Memorial Day weekend (picture from March 30)

It will be weeks before the COVID-19 effect of Spring Break becomes clear (from March 27)

USA Today reports that 398 of the 1,050 arrests over the six-week period were for felonies.

Additionally, over 100 firearms were seized during that period.

'Over the last weeks and longer, our city has been one of the only true destination cities open for business anywhere,' Gelber said in a statement at the time.

'While most of our guests come here for all the reasons we hope they do and follow rules, there are clearly too many coming here with other ideas. And some are bringing guns.'

The past two weekends of spring break have seen significantly calmer crowds than the rowdy March 20 weekend, though there was an incident of a man yelling 'F*** 12' - a term for the police - while sticking up his middle finger the last weekend of March, according to the Miami Herald

The man then leaped on a police car before running away, with the police choosing not to pursue him.

There were no revelers in sight at the same police car by 8:30pm the evening of March 28.

There have been over 2 million coronavirus cases in Florida, with 33,710 deaths of residents

Meanwhile, the United States is nearing 31 million cases and is past 555,000 deaths

The Memorial Day crowd size could end up being even larger, however, as the holiday is concentrated over one weekend, rather than several weeks.

It could also renew concerns of COVID-19 spread in a state with limited coronavirus restrictions.

The effect of the spring break crowds on COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations likely won't become clear for another week.

'Obviously, COVID isnt over by any stretch and its a little disconcerting that people seem to think it is,' Mayor Gelber said.

Florida recorded 3,480 new cases on Monday, as well as 36 deaths.

There have now been 2,085,306 COVID-19 cases in Florida, with 33,710 residents dying from the coronavirus.

In the United States, there have been over 30.7 million cases of COVID-19, with the death toll exceeding 555,000.
A Chromebook today is an awful lot of different things.

Sometimes, it's a simple cloud-centric laptop. Other times, it's a complex and capable computing machine. Other times yet, it's effectively an Android tablet.

One thing a Chromebook is not, however, is an especially long-term investment.

To its credit, Google's taken some significant steps toward extending the lifespan of Chrome OS devices as of late, with the typical software support window now stretched from a one-time maximum of six and a half years to a much more reasonable standard of eight years  occasionally even more. That's a big step, for sure, but the problem is that it still pales in comparison to the virtually endless software support you can get with systems running certain more traditional operating systems, such as those whose name rhymes with Schmindows.

Well, my Chrome-adoring amigo, brace yourself: This could be the year that all changes.

[Get fresh Googley insight in your inbox every Friday with JR's Android Intelligence newsletter. Exclusive extras await!]

As we speak, Google's working on two different subtle-seeming behind-the-scenes adjustments to the Chrome OS software  changes we've chatted about in passing before, separately, but that taken together add up to a whole new level of eye-opening progress. They're changes no normal Chromebook-owning creature would possibly be tuned into right now and that most average Chrome OS users might not ever even notice. But they're changes you'd be well-advised to keep an eye on over the months ahead, as they could seriously shake up the very foundation of what a Chromebook is and how your laptop's viability could evolve over time.

Join me for a quick bit of big-picture philosophizin', would ya?

The one-two Chromebook punch

I won't keep you waiting: The two changes swirling around in this Google-tinted ocean of ours are the separation of the Chrome browser from the Chrome OS operating system and the integration of something called CloudReady into the Chrome OS codebase.

Sounds like a lot of technical gobbledegook, I know, but hang on  'cause these two seemingly unrelated sets of geek-speak could have a massive impact on the future of a Chromebook near you. And it could come to fruition much sooner than you'd expect.

The first part of that delightfully savory nerd-stew recipe is something we first saw signs of one year ago this month and then saw starting to take shape publicly for the first time last September. And to understand its significance and how it fits into this two-part picture, we need to take a very brief jaunt back through Chrome OS's history.

As it stands now, y'see, Chrome the browser is a key part of a Chromebook's core software. That goes back to Chrome OS's earliest days, when the software was intended to be, quite literally, "the Google Chrome Operating System."

The idea at the platform's start was that the entire operating system would essentially be Chrome  a "natural extension" of the browser, as Google put it at the time. The operating system basically was the browser, in fact, and not much more. You had no desktop, no taskbar, no apps, and no real multitasking to speak of. The entire experience was a full-screen Chrome browser window and very little beyond that.

Chrome OS's focus has expanded exponentially since then, of course, and the Chromebooks we know today barely resemble those early devices. They're infinitely more fleshed out and capable, and Chrome the browser is ultimately just one element in a fully featured desktop environment  much as it is on any other desktop platform.

But  stay with me; I swear we're building up to something with this!  the structure and foundation from those earliest days has remained largely the same. Despite all the growth and the fact that Chromebooks stopped feeling like "the Chrome Operating System" many moons ago, Chrome the browser is still built directly into the heart of the experience and the software that surrounds it.

That means the browser is updated as part of the operating system instead of as its own standalone single-app entity. And that, in turn, means that once a Chromebook is no longer getting operating system updates, the browser itself is gonna get dangerously out of date and inadvisable to use very quickly  since browsers like Chrome need to be updated every few weeks to address the ever-evolving web of internet security threats.

And that's why Google's move to pull Chrome the browser out of Chrome OS the operating system is huge  because if Google can update the browser part of Chromebooks separately from the operating system, it could conceivably continue to keep a Chromebook's browser up to date indefinitely, even long after the device's primary support period has ended. It'd be no different than the way it rolls out routine updates to Chrome on Schmindows or even YakOS. (We're still doing the rhyming thing, right?)

And with recent signs that Google is inching ever closer to finishing up a system that'd switch the primary Chrome OS browser away from the integrated version of Chrome and to a new specialized standalone version of the browser  well, it sure seems like the change is tantalizingly close. Almost so close that you can taste that flavor-filled stew Google's slowly been simmering.

That's part one.

The Chrome OS renewal recipe: Part II

The second piece of this beef-scented puzzle is that whole CloudReady thing  y'know, the thing being merged into the Chrome OS code that we mentioned at the start of this (weirdly soup-themed) story. Google bought the company behind CloudReady last December, when most of us were already tuned out and/or inebriated for the holidays. But boy howdy, is it something worth noticing.

I first wrote about CloudReady way back in the prehistoric age of 2016, when the software was part of a scrappy independent startup working to provide us mere mortals with a way to give dusty old computers new life. In the simplest possible terms, CloudReady is a version of Chrome OS based solely on Google's open-source code of the operating system  and thus without all the Google-specific elements (Assistant, Android app support, a microscopic virtual doppelganger of Sergey Brin, and so on) baked in.

CloudReady came up with a clever way you could take that software and, without a heck of a lot of effort or technical know-how, install it onto an old Schmindows computer and then have a clean, simple, and perpetually up-to-date Chromebook-like experience on that device. The company behind it provided regular over-the-air updates, just like Google does, and made everything as easy as could be.

So, yeah: Google snatching up that company opens some pretty interesting possibilities, to say the very least. As CloudReady gets integrated into Chrome OS proper, it'll presumably gain those proprietary Googley elements it had previously been missing  meaning a converted old computer using the CloudReady software could, in theory, be almost indistinguishable from a Chromebook you buy off the shelf. (Whether or not that capability will be provided for free, of course, is a whole other question.)

But beyond that, having the CloudReady structure within Google's virtual walls could allow for an even more expanded view of what long-term Chrome OS support could eventually look like. Remember: CloudReady provided system software updates more or less indefinitely for devices running its version of the Chrome OS operating system. If Google really wanted to, it's not unreasonable to think it could use those same mechanisms to meaningfully expand the level of support it offers to its own officially certified Chromebooks  is it?

This week, as my comrade and fellow Chrome OS dissector Kevin Tofel astutely observed, Google is working overtime to bring CloudReady into the Chrome OS code for full integration. And as he noted, that could create a veddy eeeeenteresting one-two punch with the whole browser separation brouhaha we were just thinking over.

Consider: When your Chromebook reaches its expiration date, instead of becoming a frozen-in-time relic as it does now, it could continue to receive those all-important browser-specific updates every few weeks indefinitely from Google  and maybe, just maybe, you could also have some manner of option to move it from the regular Chrome OS channel into the CloudReady-based extended support path for some form of ongoing operating system updates on top of that.

How exactly that'd look from a fleshy laptop-owner's perspective is still anyone's guess. Would it be a deliberate transition  something you'd have to opt into? Would it require some manner of extended support plan purchase to pull off? Or would it for all intents and purposes just be an extension of the existing Chrome OS experience, without any noticeable difference on the user's end?

At this point, all we can do is speculate. But the possibilities that pop up from this two-pronged expansion sure are promising. And even if they end up being a subscription-driven, perhaps even purely enterprise- and/or education-aimed offering (as CloudReady's paid product currently is), they could be insanely significant in terms of their impact.

Between the browser split and the CloudReady combining, some scrumptious changes are most certainly a-comin' to our once-humble little Chromebook universe. The questions now are when exactly they'll arrive and how exactly they'll end up working. But one way or another, it seems all but certain that our view of what a Chromebook is all about is about to get shaken up and freshly seasoned again.

Mmm...nerd stew. Gotta love that zesty flavor.

Want even more Googley knowledge? Sign up for my weekly newsletter to get next-level tips and insight delivered directly to your inbox.
Phone calls from Sydney to Wellington are all May Lloyd has had to gauge the mental and physical state of her 89-year-old mother, Sylvia, during the COVID-19 pandemic, as strict quarantine measures kept them apart.

Its been really, really tough because shes not in the greatest of health, the actor and academic, living in Sydneys inner west, said on Tuesday. She doesnt email, Zoom or Skype. All Ive had to go on is her voice and her voice doesnt lie.

May Lloyd and Lani Tupu from Tempe are hoping to visit Ms Lloyds 89-year-old mother in Wellington in light of the trans-Tasman bubble announcement. Credit:Wolter Peeters

Being by herself for over a year and a half ... she probably had a lot more to live for when we could travel, see each other and see family. I think its made her think, Whats the future worth? in a way.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Tuesday announced that two-way quarantine-free travel with Australia will return from 11.59pm on Sunday, April 18.
On Monday, workers struggling to save a central Florida reservoir holding hundreds of millions of gallons of polluted water from collapsing discovered a possible second spill. Officials shared optimism that the infamous "20-foot wall of water" that would result from a complete breach of the reservoir walls could be avoided.

Related Article: Manatee County, Florida Under State of Emergency for Possible Radioactive Flood After Phosphate Plant Leak



Plant Leak

Over the past week, wastewater has been spilling out of a pool at the Piney Point phosphate plant in Tampa at a rate of 2 to 3 million gallons per day.

Officials started dumping 35 million gallons of water a day into the ecologically fragile Tampa Bay over the weekend, raising concerns about an environmental disaster.

At a press conference on Monday, Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes said that contractors had brought in more pumps and that they intended to more than double the volume of polluted water dumped into the bay from the reservoir to 100 million gallons per day.

Officials had warned that if the reservoir failed, a wall of water would flood the nearby homes.

"You can see how, as we go from 35 million gallons a day to 100 million gallons per day or more taking it out, we would be in a position where, as all those flows occur, we would no longer have the risk of the complete break that will bring the 20-foot wall of water," Hopes added.

Second Leak

According to Jacob Saur, county public safety officer, others were investigating a possible second leak

when staff raised the release of dirty water from the reservoir. An infrared drone had detected activities north of the original spill, which was being investigated, according to Saur.

A congressman, Vern Buchanan, took a helicopter tour of the site.

"Seeing the truth up there is very concerning to me," he expressed his concern. "I know they're making strides, but the water that's coming out looks pretty contaminated to me, so I'm anxious about it.

"I want to be confident and hopeful, but simply pumping water into Tampa Bay is not a good idea or a good place to be."

Possible Environmental Crisis

Nikki Fried, Florida's agriculture commissioner and the state's sole elected Democrat, warned of a "environmental crisis" over the weekend.

"On Easter weekend, Floridians were forced to flee their homes. "480 million gallons of radioactive wastewater could end up in Tampa Bay, posing an environmental disaster," she tweeted.

However, Florida's Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, tried to downplay claims that the water had signs of hazardous contaminants on Sunday.

"Except for phosphate and nitrogen, the water follows water quality requirements, standards for inland waters," he added.

More than 300 people were forced to evacuate their homes by officials. 345 inmates were transferred from jail, with the remainder being transferred to the second floor.

The pond at the abandoned phosphate mine is covered by a phosphogypsum stack, a radioactive waste product from fertilizer processing that contains trace amounts of radium and uranium. Significant amounts of radon gas may also be released from the piles.

A Call for Action

Environmentalists cautioned that dumping more toxins into Tampa Bay would increase the chance of poisonous red tide algae blooms harming biodiversity.

The environmental group Mana-Sota 88 said, "Phosphate industries have had over 50 years to work out a way to dispose of the toxic gypsum wastes." "At this time, there are no federal, state, or municipal laws forcing the sector to make environmentally appropriate final disposal of phosphogypsum wastes."

"The current problem can be traced back to the ludicrous 2006 decision to allow dredged material from Port Manatee to be put into one of Piney Point's gyp stacks, which the stack was never intended for," the group continued.

Also Read: Dystopic Water: Scientists Turn Smart Aerogel into Drinking Water

For more environmental news, don't forget to follow Nature World News!
Malcolm Turnbull has been dumped from his new job as the NSW government's climate change tsar after widespread public ridicule at the appointment.

NSW Climate Change minister Matt Kean was forced into an embarrassing backflip on Tuesday over his decision to appoint the unpopular former prime minister as chair of the Net Zero Emissions and Clean Economy Board.

Mr Kean said in a statement that the position should be 'focus should not be on personality'.

'It is important that the focus is on achieving these outcomes, based on facts, technology, science, and economics,' he said in a statement on Tuesday.

'The focus should not be on personality,' he said.

The decision came after Mr Turnbull objected to the NSW Government approving new and extensions of mines in the Hunter, a decision he says will cause 'massive devastation'.

The former prime minister responded by saying he was 'disappointed' and labelling it 'thuggery' on behalf of the media.

'The right-wing media, they cracked the whip as bullies do, and got their way,' Mr Turnbull told Fairfax.

'In actions like these, you have to ask, 'who's in charge?'

Malcolm Turnbull has been dumped from his new job as the NSW government's climate change tsar after widespread public ridicule at the appointment

NSW Climate Change minister Matt Kean was forced into an embarrassing backflip on Tuesday over his decision to appoint the unpopular former prime minister

Mr Turnbull has objected to the NSW Government granting extensions for new mining developments saying it would result in 'massive devastation' for the Hunter

Mr Turnbull had 'contributed much to our country ... however, no person's role on the board should distract from achieving results for the NSW people or from the government's work in delivering jobs and opportunities for the people of NSW'.

'For this reason, I have decided not to proceed with his appointment as chair.'

The NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer will act in the role until a new chair is named.

The announcement comes hours after The Daily Telegraph published a letter Mr Turnbull wrote to the NSW government objecting to the expansion of a coal mine in the Upper Hunter near his family's 2,700 acre property.

A report conducted by the Australia Institute revealed an extra 98 million tonnes of coal would be taken as a result of the new mines.

Mr Turnbull last week said there was 'massive devastation' being caused in the area as a result of the continuation and extension of mines.

'I think [approvals for new mines are] out of control,' Mr Turnbull told Fairfax.

'It's like a lunar landscape ... There is massive devastation that's going [on].'

On Tuesday Mr Turnbull said while he never said he was against mining jobs, he says there is a need to help workers transition out of these jobs as the industry declines.

'I wish the government the very best in their efforts to transition the economy to net zero emissions [by 2050],' he said.

'I will do everything I can to support that.'

The announcement comes hours after The Daily Telegraph published a letter Mr Turnbull wrote to the NSW government objecting to the expansion of a coal mine in the Upper Hunter

Deputy Premier and Nationals Leader John Barilaro was the first person to declare Mr Turnbull had been axed.

'We are not proceeding with the appointment of Malcolm Turnbull as chair,' he told Sydney radio 2GB ahead of Mr Kean's statement.

'You need someone who brings people together and not divides and unfortunately Malcolm has done the opposite.

'Great result for common sense.

Mr Turnbull last week said there was 'massive devastation' being caused in the area as a result of the continuation and extension of mines

'He pulled my pants down within 48 of his appointment on an area that I take seriously,' he said of Mr Turnbull's recent comments on coal mines.

'I'm the deputy premier ... and I chose to be the mining minister because I thought for the last 10 years we have not done enough to support the industry which has been the backbone of our economy and the nation.'

Last week, Defence Minister Peter Dutton weighed in on the appointment of Mr Turnbull.

'All I can say is that Malcolm was very consistent as prime minister, and that is that he supported coal mining, and he said that on the public record on a number of occasions.'

Chief Economist at the Australia Institute said the decision from the NSW government to increase the state's mining output was 'absurd' and that the mining boom is over.

'World demand for coal is falling, not rising. Trying to build 10 new Adani mines' worth of coal mines in the Upper Hunter at precisely the time world demand for coal is falling is absurd,' Dr Richard Denniss said.

'The NSW Government's enthusiasm in approving a record number of coal mines does little more than offer false hope to the Hunter region, locking huge parts of the Hunter into the past while failing to plan for the future.

'New coal mine approvals destroys prime Australian farmland, which impacts current and future investment in Australia's agriculture, wine, and tourism industries, leaving significant liabilities for the NSW Government and lasting scars on the Upper Hunter.
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Hundreds of boy racers last night flouted Covid rules at illegal car meets in London.

Up to 500 people and 200 cars are thought to have been involved in the event at the Tesco in Brent Cross.

It is believed to be one of the biggest car meets to take place during the Covid lockdown.

Photographs show cars taking up large areas of the car park, before racing for the exit after police arrived at the scene. One person attending described the event as 'chaos'.

Officers were also pictured pulling over drivers - including the owner of a 60,000 Nissan - as people left the illegal meet-up.

But the determined car fanatics then moved on to Victoria Retail Park in Ruislip - where they gathered for a second time.

Pictures show dozens gathered shoulder-to-shoulder as a battered-up BMW performs doughnuts in the car park.

Police were later seen arriving at the lockdown rule breaking event.

Current rules state you can meet in a group of six or a larger group of any size from up to two households.

In Ruislip, car fanatics also gathered for meet at Victoria retail park, in an event which breached Covid rules. Pictures show dozens gathered shoulder to shoulder as a battered-up BMW performs donuts in the car park

More than 500 people are thought to have attended one event at the Tesco in Brent Cross (pictured)

Much of the supermarket's car park was taken up by as many as 200 vehicles last night (pictured)

However the Met Police today revealed no arrests had been made.

A spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Police were called at approximately 8.24pm on Monday, 5 April to reports of a large number of cars gathered in a Car Park in Brent Cross.

'Police were later called at around 9.40pm on Monday, 5 April to reports of a large number of cars gathered off Victoria Road, Ruislip.

'Officers attended both scenes and those in attendance dispersed with no arrests made.

'We remind the public that large gatherings are not allowed under the current Coronavirus regulations.'

It comes as Essex Police blasted organisers of a car meet which they described as a 'clear and blatant breach' of the Government's Covid rules.

Police from the force were last night forced to break-up the large car meet on two separate occasions overnight on Easter Sunday.

Officers initially broke up the meet, involving around 450 cars which had been gathered in the car park of Sainsbury's in Chelmsford.

However, after breaking up the illegal event, the group moved to the Manorway in Thurrock - where police again dispersed the vehicles.

One person has been arrested and 22 people were given tickets for offences such as speeding and careless driving, police say.

Chief Inspector Richard Melton, District Commander for Thurrock, said: 'We acted quickly to deal with this challenging situation which involved a meet consisting of a very large number of vehicles.

The event at Brent Cross Tesco saw hundreds of cars gather in the supermarket's car park

The event saw a mixture of modified boy racer vehicles and various other cars for the illegal event

Police were pictured at the scene of the Tesco car meet - as they attempted to break up the event

The drivers then raced out of the car park after the arrival of police, before heading to the next venue

Police were seen pulling over vehicles, including a 60,000 Nissan and a BMW, as they left Brent Cross Tesco

The group then met up for a second time at the Victoria Retail Park in Ruislip, where police again turned up

Large groups of people were seen side-by-side at the event, which appeared to break social distancing rules

Police again attended the and broke-up the second event at Victoria Retail Park in Ruislip last night

'These events do pose a danger to the public as there is often an element who will be driving anti-socially and dangerously.

'Only a few years ago a young woman had to have part of her leg amputated after being hit by a motorbike at an illegal meet.

'Our roads policing teams continue to work to tackle street racing, dangerous driving, and anti-social driving because we know the risk it poses and the harm it can cause.

'The sheer number of vehicles involved posted a challenge to our officers but we had additional resources available to deal with it and were able to do so without anyone being injured.

'An organised meet like this is also a clear and blatant breach of the Government's Covid-19 regulations.'

Chief Insp Melton added that we continue to work with our partners to make this kind of activity more difficult to carry out.

He said: 'Our partners at Thurrock Council have put additional measures in place, such as a public space protection order (PSPO) which give us increased powers to deal and disperse these events.

'We will continue to work with them to keep you safe on our roads and in our communities.'

It comes as hundreds of boy racers ignored Covid restrictions on Easter Sunday to gather for a car meet near Nottingham.

Photos show hundreds of car enthusiasts lining the streets under a bridge of the A453 near Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station and East Midlands Parkway station, in Nottingham, on Sunday evening.

Modified cars paraded up and down the blocked streets during the illegal event which had reportedly been advertised via the social media group UK Car Scene.

Hundreds of car enthusiasts descend upon car meet despite the rule of six only allowing a meeting with one other household or six people

Modified cars paraded and celebrated during the illegal event which had reportedly been organised via social media group UK Car Scene.

A mass exodus to East Midlands parkway followed, with queues blocking roads and roundabouts. Police then closed the entrance to East Midlands Parkway Station

The event was originally supposed to take place in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, but was quickly shut down by police.

Revellers then moved to an industrial estate in Bulwell, near Nottingham, where police reportedly watched on as hundreds gathered outside of their cars.

A mass exodus to East Midlands Parkway followed, with queues blocking roads and roundabouts. Police then closed the entrance to East Midlands Parkway Station.

Nottinghamshire County Councillor Cllr Andrew Brown, Leake & Ruddington Division told West Bridgford Wire: 'Why was this allowed to happen, it's absolutely disgusting behaviour. As well as Covid rules broken, how many traffic regulations as well?.

'Apparently it was attended by people from across the country and was organised by a car event website.'
Ongole/Villupuram, April 6 : Nearly 300 policemen from Andhra Pradesh's Prakasam district police department who were deputed in Tamil Nadu for the Assembly election duties on Tuesday won the hearts of the Tamil people with their humane services.

Prakasam police took wheelchair-bound voters to exercise their franchise, including carrying several other specially abled people with their own hands and also some voters along with their chairs, replicating scenes witnessed during the local bodies polls in AP recently.

"Prakasam district police rendered poll duties impartially with a service mindset," said Chinni Krishnan, a voter from the 17th ward of Dindivaram in Tindivanam Assembly constituency Srinivas Rao, a head constable from N. G. Padu police station in Prakasam district carried a feeble old woman at Tindivanam constituency in Villupuram district and helped her cast vote.

Vilupuram superintendent of police (SP) S. Radhakrishnan and other senior officers from Tamil Nadu police thanked AP police and Prakasam district SP Siddarth Kaushal.

As many as 60 head constables and assistant sub inspectors, 160 police constables, 20 ARSI and AR head constables, 80 AR constables, 50 home guards and AR DSP K. Raghavendra went to Tamil Nadu to discharge election duties.

They rendered services in seven constituencies of Villupuram district where polls went off peacefully.
[April 06, 2021] Fulcrum Digital expands global leadership team to drive the next phase of growth

PUNE, India and NEW JERSEY CITY, N.J., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Fulcrum Digital, a leading business platform and digital engineering company, has announced two key appointments to its global leadership team. The company welcomed Munishk Gupta, Executive Vice President, Global Delivery, and Prasad Washikar, Senior Vice President, Higher Education, and Consumer Products and Services. Both of them will be based at the company's India office in Pune. Earlier this year, Fulcrum Digital advanced to a Pods structure. Pods are independent strategic business units of the company's core industry verticals - Financial services, Insurance, Food services, Higher education, Consumer products and services, and e-commerce. This shift is a part of the company's Vision 2022 - of achieving an equal revenue mix between business platform and digital engineering. The leadership expansion aims to drive the next phase of growth within this Pods structure and create significant value for clients globally. Munishk Gupta will lead the global delivery function. He will be responsible for the overall growth and profitability of the company. Prior to joining Fulcrum Digital, Munishk was based out of Paris for over 20 years and held many senior management and leadership roles. These include executive committee and board position roles at organizations such as ESCP, Stallergenes Greer, and the International Chamber of Commerce. He holds an Engineering degree in Computer Science from SDMCET, Dharwad, a Master's degree from Ecole Polytechnique France and Po Paris, and an executive MBAfrom ESCP Business School.



Prasad Washikar is returning to Fulcrum Digital with over 24 years of extensive experience in IT, sales, customer relationship management, delivery operations, and complex transformation programs. He has previously held key leadership positions with organizations like Fujitsu Consulting, Tata Consultancy Services, and Capgemini. At Fulcrum, Prasad will focus on taking the higher education, and consumer products and services Pod engagements to greater heights. He holds an Engineering degree from Govt. Engineering College, University of Pune, and a Master's degree in Software Engineering from BITS, Pilani. Speaking about the new appointments, Dhana Kumarasamy, CEO, Fulcrum Digital, said, "We are excited to have Munishk and Prasad join the Fulcrum Digital family. They have extensive experience in digital transformation, technology, customer delivery, and business strategy. I am confident that their deep industry insights and leadership will further enable us to empower our clients. The leadership expansion is aligned to our growth strategy and vision of a 50/50 product-service mix by 2022."

Munishk Gupta, Executive Vice President, Fulcrum Digital, said, "With the current global focus on digital transformation, the opportunity to be a part of Fulcrum Digital could not have come at a better time. I look forward to strengthening the company's global footprint in the market as well as enhancing its global delivery." Commenting on his re-joining the company, Prasad Washikar, Senior Vice President, Fulcrum Digital, said, "This is an exciting time for Fulcrum Digital as it gains market edge with its unique proposition of business platform capabilities combined with digital engineering and domain expertise. I look forward to working with the incredibly talented team to create value for our customers." About Fulcrum Digital: Fulcrum Digital is a leading business platform and digital engineering company. We partner with global companies from diverse industries, including banking and financial services, insurance, higher education, consumer products and services, food services, and e-commerce. With expertise in digital transformation, machine learning, and emerging technologies, we offer a consulting-led, integrated suite of enterprise-grade software products, services, and solutions.



Founded in 1999, Fulcrum Digital has over 1200 employees, empowering more than 100 global clients from its facilities in the US, LATAM, Europe, and India. Our baked-in agility, technology prowess, innovation culture enables us to deliver business value to clients  rapid digital acceleration, faster products to the market, reduced cost of ownership, and scale businesses beyond geographies. As an expeditious company, we continuously adapt and mature our practice, striving to become the leading digital transformation authority in the global marketplace.



For more details, visit us at www.fulcrumdigital.com



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Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits AstraZeneca facility in Macclesfield, England, on Tuesday April 6, 2021, to learn more about their dollars 500 million investment into the site. Johnson said Monday that Britain's vaccination program is going well and infections are falling, confirming that many shops and businesses will be allowed to reopen next week. (Dave Thompson/Pool via AP)

A top official at the European Medicines Agency says there's a causal link between AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine and rare blood clots, but that it's unclear what the connection is and that the benefits of taking the shot still outweigh the risks of getting COVID-19.

Marco Cavaleri, head of health threats and vaccine strategy at the Amsterdam-based agency, told Rome's Il Messaggero newspaper on Tuesday that the European Union's medicines regulator is preparing to make a more definitive statement on the topic this week.

Asked about Cavaleri's comments, the EMA press office said its evaluation "has not yet reached a conclusion and the review is currently ongoing." It said it planned a press conference as soon as the review is finalized, possibly Wednesday or Thursday.

Based on the evidence so far, Cavaleri said there's a clear association between the AstraZeneca vaccine and the dozens of rare blood clots that have been reported worldwide amid the tens of millions of AstraZeneca shots that have been given out.

"It is becoming more and more difficult to affirm that there isn't a cause-and-effect relationship between AstraZeneca vaccines and the very rare cases of blood clots associated with a low level of platelets," Cavaleri was quoted as saying.

AstraZeneca did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Late in the day, however, the pharmaceutical company and Oxford University, which developed the vaccine, announced they were pausing the trial of their jabs in children while British regulators investigate the potential blood clot link in adults.

Manfred Haas, right, receives the AstraZeneca vaccine against the COVID-19 disease from his family doctor Oliver Funken in Rheinbach, Germany, Tuesday, April 6, 2021. In German federal state North Rhine-Westphalia, Corona vaccinations have started in GP surgeries. (Oliver Berg/dpa via AP)

"Whilst there are no safety concerns in the pediatric clinical trial, we await additional information" from the British regulator, an Oxford spokesperson said in a statement.

In Geneva, the World Health Organization said its experts were also evaluating a possible link between the AstraZeneca vaccine and rare blood clotsand that it might have a "fresh, conclusive assessment" before Thursday.

In March, more than a dozen countries, including Germany, suspended using AstraZeneca over the blood clot issue. Most EU nations restarted on March 19some with age restrictionsafter the EMA said the benefits of the vaccine outweighed the risks of not inoculating people against COVID-19. At the time, the EMA recommended the vaccine's leaflet be updated with information about the rare clots.

Any further doubts about the AstraZeneca vaccine would be a setback for the shot, which is critical to Europe's immunization campaign and a linchpin in the global strategy to get vaccines to poorer countries. The AstraZeneca vaccine is cheaper and easier to use than rival vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna and has been endorsed for use in over 50 countries, including by the 27-nation EU and the World Health Organization. U.S. authorities are still evaluating the vaccine.

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits AstraZeneca facility in Macclesfield, England, on Tuesday April 6, 2021, to learn more about their dollars 500 million investment into the site. Johnson said Monday that Britain's vaccination program is going well and infections are falling, confirming that many shops and businesses will be allowed to reopen next week. (Dave Thompson/Pool via AP)

Cavaleri said while EMA was prepared to declare a link, further study was still needed to understand why and how the phenomenon occurs.

He said the rare blood clots, including some in the brain, coupled with a low level of blood platelets that may make people at risk of serious bleeding, "seem to be the key event to study further." Cavaleri promised more details soon, adding: "In the coming hours, we will say that the link is there, how this happens we still haven't figured out."

Cavaleri said the biological mechanism for how the vaccine might be causing the rare clots was still unknown and if it was linked to how the shot is made, other vaccines with similar technologies might also need to be evaluated.

He stressed the risk-benefit analysis remained positive for the AstraZeneca jab, even for young women who appear to be more affected by the clots.

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson, centre, dressed in protective gear is guided during a visit to the AstraZeneca facility in Macclesfield, England, on Tuesday April 6, 2021, to learn more about their dollars 500 million investment into the site. Johnson said Monday that Britain's vaccination program is going well and infections are falling, confirming that many shops and businesses will be allowed to reopen next week. (Dave Thompson/Pool via AP)

"Let's not forget that young women also end up in intensive care with COVID. So we need to do very meticulous work to understand if the risk-benefit analysis remains for all ages," he was quoted as saying.

He ruled out a preventive therapy to address the rare blood clots, saying there is still too much unknown about the phenomenon.

Even after the March 19 restart, the Dutch and German governments suspended the jabs for people under 60 and some Europeans have been shying away from getting a shot.

Romania's national vaccination committee's chief, Valeriu Gheorghita, said Tuesday that since March, 207,000 people in Romania had canceled their AstraZeneca vaccine appointments and another 92,000 simply didn't show up.

"It is a high percentage, a third of people scheduled who did not show up," Gheorghita told reporters.

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson during his visit to the AstraZeneca facility in Macclesfield, England, on Tuesday April 6, 2021, to learn more about their dollars 500 million investment into the site. Johnson said Monday that Britain's vaccination program is going well and infections are falling, confirming that many shops and businesses will be allowed to reopen next week. (Dave Thompson/Pool via AP)

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson, dressed in protective gear as he tries equipment during a visit to the AstraZeneca facility in Macclesfield, England, on Tuesday April 6, 2021, to learn more about their dollars 500 million investment into the site. Johnson said Monday that Britain's vaccination program is going well and infections are falling, confirming that many shops and businesses will be allowed to reopen next week. (Dave Thompson/Pool via AP)

A health worker prepares a dose of the Astrazeneca vaccine during a COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Pamplona, northern Spain, Saturday, April 3, 2021. The Navarra regional government on Saturday called for around 3.000 residents of the city to be vaccinated against COVID-19. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson declined to be drawn directly into the latest warnings about the vaccine but urged people to look at the advice from Britain's independent Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency.

"Their advice to people is to keep going out there, get your jab, get your second jab," he said during a visit Tuesday to an AstraZeneca facility in Macclesfield, in northwest England.

Last week, Britain's MHRA said seven people had died in the U.K. due to blood clots after getting the AstraZeneca jab. It said it wasn't clear if the shots are causing the clot and that it was undertaking a "rigorous review" into the reports. The agency said it had identified 30 blood clot cases out of 18.1 million AstraZeneca jabs given by March 24.

Adam Finn, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Bristol, said the latest surge of COVID-19 cases that is filling up hospitals across Europe should prompt people to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

"If you are currently being offered a dose of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, your chances of remaining alive and well will go up if you take the vaccine and will go down if you don't," he said.

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.
Charlottesville, Virginia, has finally received the green light to remove our spurned Confederate statues. After enduring years of legal delay and violent white supremacist attacks, on April 1 the Supreme Court of Virginia decided in favor of the citys effort to rid its downtown parks of Jim Crowera propaganda art. It is a fitting time for this ruling: April is Confederate History Month in many Southern states, although increasingly progressive Virginia ended the observance some years ago.

Early April also marks the anniversaries of two pivotal wartime events that spelled the end of inhumane practices: the Union Armys 1865 victory at Appomattox, Virginia, which catalyzed the end of the U.S. Civil War and the abolition of the institution of chattel slavery; and American forces 1945 liberation of the Buchenwald concentration camp in Germany, which revealed the evils of the Holocaust. After both wars, these societies faced a crucial question: How was the brutality of the past to be remembered? The descendants of defeated Confederates and those of defeated Nazis took very different approaches to that question, corresponding with their obstinacy or contrition about the war. These postwar nations varying levels of empathy for and democratic inclusion of persecuted groupsAfrican Americans, Jewswho had had the most at stake in the outcome of these respective wars are reflected in the dissimilarity between American and German commemorative practices. In this country, we can learn from the path taken by Germany.

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Days after the liberation of Buchenwald on April 11, 1945, American soldiers in Weimar righteously marched 1,200 German civilians 16 miles round-trip for a compulsory tour of the concentration camp. The townspeoples initial smiles were punctured by their shock and revulsion upon seeing its horrors. The following week, American troops detonated the massive Nazi swastika that had perched on the grandstand above Adolf Hitlers rallies at Nuremberg stadium. Captured on triumphant newsreel, this dramatic act of iconoclasm took place at the former site of massive political spectacles where National Socialists generated dangerous propaganda that fueled their murder of millions.

Reconstruction ended without a Potsdam-like treaty. There was no directive to destroy or restrict the metastasizing of insidious Lost Cause propaganda.

As they occupied Germany, U.S. troops destroyed or removed other Nazi monuments and seized thousands of works of Nazi art, including paintings of a heroic Hitler styled as a Teutonic knight mounted atop a white horse and of the stalwart Fuhrer surrounded by an admiring throng of Wehrmacht soldiers. At the Potsdam Conference in August 1945, the Allies discussed where all this confiscated art should go. As Dexter Filkins has recently written, the U.S. agreed to store it safely under lock and key so that these ingratiating images couldnt be put to use by potential resurgent fascists.

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The U.S. government continues to uphold its Potsdam Agreement obligation. The propaganda art is kept in a giant warehouse at the Fort Belvoir Army base in northern Virginia. Aside from occasional loans for museum exhibits and scheduled appointments by researchers and journalists, no one sees the shameful trove. The German government has shown little interest in reclaiming this collection from its American custodians and has instead focused on memorializing the victims of the Third Reich.

Susan Neiman, director of the Einstein Forum in Potsdam, Germany, and author of Learning From the Germans: Race and the Memory of Evil, argues that the U.S. could learn something important from the way Germans have confronted their past. A born-and-raised American Southerner, Neiman notes that Germany has no nostalgic Nazi memorials. Germany has no monuments that celebrate the Nazi armed forces, however many grandfathers fought or fell for them.  The idea that tourists would visit [Buchenwald] seeking smiling women in dirndlsmuch as some visit American plantations looking for ladies in hoop skirtsis obscene.

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Americas postCivil War Reconstruction period ended without a Potsdam-like treaty. There was no directive to destroy or restrict the metastasizing of insidious Lost Cause propaganda. Instead, bronze and marble tributes to the leaders and defenders of a short-lived renegade slaveholding republic litter the public landscapes of the American South. Coupled with commemorative spectacles convened around them, Confederate statues warp the dominant memory of the Civil War into a perverse celebration of a sanitized heritage of the Old South and its repressive, anti-democratic values. The Big Lie that the Civil War was not waged over slavery but was rather a gallant defense of the Southern homeland from Northern Aggression, and that slaves were happy, faithful servants to kind masters, was repeated ad nauseam in the novels, films, history curricula, and monuments of the Lost Cause civil religion. Black Americans knew better, and cultivated a countermemory of the Civil War that emphasized narratives of resistance and emancipation.

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Detractors who argue that propaganda art must remain because those who dont know history are doomed to repeat it should learn from the Germans.

Most professional historians have long since rejected Lost Cause interpretations. But magnolia fantasies propel the plantation pilgrimages of many smiling white American tourists misguided quests for romantic opulence. They arrive at an increasing number of antebellum sites where exhibits and guides depart from the Gone With the Wind script and expose the truth: that plantations were despotic forced-labor camps where the vast majority of residents suffered as enslaved laborers, and the notion of a good slaveholder is a contradiction in terms. The challenge of elevating this countermemory is that it has been quashed, for over a century, under misleading historical narratives as heavy as the marble and bronze monuments that we also strive to remove. All memory is selective. When memorys frame is inclusive, prioritizing accounts of Black agency and emancipation, it allows us to interpret the Civil War as part of the ongoing freedom struggle to expand multiracial democracy. This should be an unobjectionable vision.

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Far from being chastened, however, a vocal portion of these white American tourists persist in their preference for comforting (to them) Lost Cause propaganda. They whine that the historical presentation is biased and that it kills the vacation vibe. Their lack of empathy seems to stem from a visceral preoccupation with preserving, in contradiction to fact, a self-reinforcing set of perspectives and feelings that vindicate the just men of their times of history, absolving or minimizing violent deeds. They should be confronted with the words of Isabella Gibbons, formerly an enslaved cook at the University of Virginia, who wrote after the Civil War about her recollection of slavery:

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Can we forget the crack of the whip, cowhide, whipping-post, the auction-block, the hand-cuffs, the spaniels, the iron collar, the negro-trader tearing the young child from its mothers breast as a whelp from the lioness? Have we forgotten that by those horrible cruelties, hundreds of our race have been killed? No, we have not, nor ever will.

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Others insist that the problematic figures honored by such monuments can be held in tension with how far weve come, recommending that the landscape be balanced with the addition of statues recognizing historys victims. But there is no both sides when one side is genocide. The suggestion that offensive statues should be left in place so that we can learn from them and not forget this difficult history disregards the fact that people of color neither need nor want to be subjected to propaganda art that underscores our subordinate status. Its not erasing history to call for the removal of the sculptural analogs of whites only signs in public places. As Erin Thompson, professor of art crime at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, has said: Not a single child deserves to grow up looking at a piece of stone or metal that tries to convince them they are not equal to other Americans.

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The weak solution of placing a plaque laden with caveats printed in tiny font beside such a monument to contextualize it provides insufficient visual interruption and dodges the necessary moral intervention. Postwar Germans did not maintain fascist monuments in their town squares and affix equivocating placards in the name of preserving history. They (and Allied occupiers) removed or destroyed such monuments, or transformed them into places that empathetically remember the past by honoring its victims: One can ride a bus to the Buchenwald Memorial outside Weimar, or encounter the brass stumbling stones embedded in city streets. Detractors who argue that propaganda art must remain because those who dont know history are doomed to repeat it should learn from the Germansand do as the U.S. Army did: lock it up or blow it up.

Storing or shattering propaganda can literally and figuratively clear the ground for deliberate consideration and creative envisioning. What kind of memories should be prioritized for display that can sustain our work toward a future based upon empathy and equity? Americans have an opportunity to do the work that Germans have done using all the tools for true educationmuseum exhibits, the arts, documentaries, commemorative events, and better history education in schoolsto empathetically engage with the history of slavery and the Civil War in a truthful manner that promotes a truly inclusive democracy.
Albany, N.Y.  What would you do if you saw a 30-foot-tall man with the head of a bull, wielding an axe while bees hovered nearby?

The Times Union reports a giant Minotaur mural appeared overnight on the side of a building at 140 Hamilton Street in Albany this past week, raising eyebrows. The artwork resembled the monster of Crete, a story from Greek mythology about the wife of King Minos having an affair with a snow-white bull sent by Poseidon; their ensuing offspring was locked up in a Labyrinth.

Photos went viral on Reddit and Facebook, with some users even comparing it to QAnon Shaman Jake Angeli, who stormed the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6 while wearing a helmet with horns.

But the mural itself is not a myth, nor is it political: Its a promotion for a new tasting room and meadery called The Bull and Bee, according to building owner William Tragedy Yager.

The Minotaur was misunderstood, Yager told the Times Union.

He wasnt trying to be a warrior or violent, he was just trying to live, they kept sending hero after hero to kill him so he had to be on guard and the bees would alert him to let him know when they were coming, Yager said. Our Minotaur kept bees in the labyrinth so he made mead also.

Yager, who also owns a barbershop, laundromat and tattoo parlors, told the publication that his new establishment will feature an alcoholic beverage made from fermented honey. The taproom will serve mead and other alcoholic drinks made in New York while promoting other establishments in the neighborhood, including The Excelsior Pub and Hill Street Cafe.

The Times Union reports the murals artist, Samson Contompasis, painted the 30-foot-tall figure overnight Wednesday, using a 23-foot pole with 3-inch rollers attached to the top. He said he plans to finish the art this week, adding a bee tattoo to the Minotaurs chest and more.

For more information, visit thebullandbee.com or facebook.com/TheBullAndBee.
NEW YORK, NY and TAIPEI, TAIWAN / ACCESSWIRE / April 6, 2021 / Sino United Worldwide Consolidated Ltd. (OTC PINK:SUIC) with its investment partner iDrink Technology Co. Ltd., Taiwan ("iDrink") has signed a $15 million trading contract with North America Chinese Financial Association for trading through GoldTrade and IndexTrade headed by iDrink and Midas Touch Technology Ltd. of London. SUIC iDrink taps into the institutional investors pool in the US and Europe as it continues to upgrade trading solutions in these regions, leveraging its algorithmic analytics and trading strategies to suit individual investor that will customize different risk/reward characteristics.

This investment by North America Chinese Financial Association will be made within three years in incremental contributions, and will trade on the platforms of GoldTrade and IndexTrade, expecting to gain from the participation in the bullion and stocks sectors. GoldTrade and IndexTrade are powerful portfolio tools on account of its low volatility and low correlation with other financial assets.

These new platforms offer a diversification vehicle that potentially reduces variability in comparison to other commodity or stock exposures. SUIC iDrink-Midas Touch team will manage this investment and believe that the GoldTrade and IndexTrade platforms are ideal for benchmarking and trading which assures positive returns for investors. These are the world's latest online trading platforms that use digital currency to trade bullion, stock index and bitcoin index. Anyone, anywhere can share the benefits and convenience of these global trading apps. To learn more, please visit http://www.midas-touch.io

SUIC iDrink's GoldTrade and IndexTrade online trading platforms allow easy investing by investors from all over the world, and help them to stack up their investment portfolio, making money become more accessible as more and more investors join from around the world. SUIC iDrink partners with Midas in marketing and promoting these platforms in global markets including Europe, Asia, North America.

About iDrink Technology Co. Ltd., Taiwan

iDrink Technology Co. Ltd., Taiwan designs the iDrink Smart Vending Machine, utilizing cloud platform services that consolidate consumption data from beverage manufacturers and consumers alike, and uploading the data to its blockchain- enabled iDrink Smart Vending Machine. The firm also adopts other AI and Big Data technology to facilitate the gold trading hedge strategies. To learn more, please visit www.idrink.com.tw

About Sino United Worldwide Consolidated Company, USA

The Sino United Worldwide Consolidated Company provides research and development, venture financing for and investing in private enterprises and the public sector that develop products and services adopting core capabilities of the Internet of Things, cloud computing, mobile payment, Big Data, Blockchain, and Artificial Intelligence, to enhance and streamline existing processes, and establish new and exciting business models that will create revolutionary products and services. Shareholders of SUIC will be exposed to the diverse application of advanced services in various parts of the economy. Additionally, existing and potential customers can benefit from this company's diversified portfolio of technologies. As one of the pioneering publicly traded technology companies, SUIC will help build tech-enabled businesses of the future. To learn more, please visit www.sinounitedco.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

Certain the information set forth herein contains "forward-looking information", including "future-oriented financial information"; and "financial outlook" under applicable securities laws (collectively referred to herein as forward-looking statements). Except for statements of historical fact, the information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements and includes, but is not limited to, the (i) projected financial performance of the Company; (ii) completion of, and the use of proceeds from, the sale of shares being offered hereunder; (iii) the expected development of the Company's business, projects, and joint ventures; (iv) execution of the Company's vision and growth strategy, including with respect to future M&A activity and global growth; (v) sources and availability of third-party financing for the Company's projects; (vi) completion of the Company's projects that are currently underway, in development, or otherwise under consideration; (vi) renewal of the Company's current agreements; and (vii) future liquidity, working capital, and capital requirements. Forward-looking statements are provided to allow potential investors the opportunity to understand management's beliefs and opinions in respect of the future so that they may use such beliefs and opinions as one factor in evaluating an investment.

These statements are not guarantees of future performance and undue reliance should not be placed on them. Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or result expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Although forward-looking statements contained herein are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions, 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. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

CONTACT:

Sino United Worldwide Consolidated Ltd.

New Release Department

929-391-2550

SOURCE: Sino United Worldwide Consolidated Ltd.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/639078/SUIC-iDrink-Signed-15-Million-Contract-With-North-America-Chinese-Financial-Association-for-Trading-on-GoldTrade-and-IndexTrade-Led-by-iDrink-and-Midas-Touch-Technology-of-London-Tapping-Into-Institutional-Investors-in-the-US-and-Europe-for-Portfolio
KnowYourMeds Vaccine Management Solution Reaches the Final Stage to Assist the Government of India Embark on the Worlds Largest Vaccine Drive

KnowYourMeds, Inc., an innovative digital health assistant designed to make medical information and adherence accessible to anyone in the world, announced today that it has been selected to compete in the final phase in the Grand Challenge for Strengthening CoWIN (Covid Vaccine Intelligence Network) launched by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) in collaboration with Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to effectively roll out and scale-up the mechanism for the Covid-19 Vaccine Distribution System.

The CoWIN system is a subset of the COVID India Portal which provides end to end management of COVID19. The government is looking at emerging technologies like AI and ML to manage COVID19, to check for better monitoring of vaccinated patients and public in general. Keeping this in mind Grand Challenge has been organized to harness the talent and innovative ideas of startups like KnowYourMeds in seven different problem statements that span

It is being organized in a phased manner where Phase - I of this challenge envisages to enable vaccination for over 300 million people.
Defendant gets 29-year sentence after child sex assault plea

A man wanted on charged on multiple child sexual assault charges was sentenced to 29 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to the charges last week, District Attorney Greg Newman announced.

Jeffrey C. Wilson, no permanent address, of Hendersonville, pleaded guilty to the crimes of statutory sex offense with a child, indecent liberties with a child, and domestic protective order violation.

Wilson entered these pleas in the Henderson County Superior Court and was sentenced by Judge Peter Knight. He will be eligible for release upon serving a minimum sentence of 20 years. Additionally, Judge Knight ordered that the defendant must be registered as a sex offender for at least 30 years.

The case was investigated by the Henderson County Sheriffs Office in response to a report from a local residence that at least two juveniles had been inappropriately touched by the defendant. Deputies and detectives interviewed members of the household, including at least three children under the age of 10 years old. Through the forensic interviews conducted both by the Sheriffs Department and the local Childrens Advocacy Center, disclosures were made by two female children that the defendant would enter their bedrooms at night. To one child, he digitally penetrated her and told her that he would spank her if she resisted. To the other child, he touched her on top of her vaginal area.

The Sheriffs Departments initial attempts to locate the defendant were met with misinformation from the defendant himself. After calling the defendants cell phone, the detectives received a voice mail response that he was in Knox County, Tennessee, and that he would contact them to schedule an interview. The call from the defendant to set up an interview never occurred, and it was later learned that the defendant was in Cocke County, Tennessee, not Knox County. When information was later obtained by the Sheriffs Department that Wilson was in the Asheville area, he was located on Tunnel Road and arrested at an office where he was donating plasma. He was then taken to the Sheriffs Office and interviewed.

What helped us in this case is that we had strong corroborative evidence, Newman said. First, there was a statement from another child sharing the bedroom with the two victims who described how the defendant would come into the room at night and get on top of the other two children before molesting them. Second, the statement obtained by the detectives directly from the defendant contained numerous admissions of crimes concerning one child. He denied doing anything inappropriate with his own daughter. This was, however, inconsistent with the statement of his minor daughter and the third child in the room."

I commend the Sheriffs Department investigators, the Childrens Advocacy Center and Assistant District Attorney Robert Brackett for achieving a just outcome in this case, Newman added. Our community does a good job in helping children whose lives are tragically impacted by those persons who should be protecting them. While we are satisfied with the prison sentence, we are all aware that the process to help the children heal from these experiences is just beginning for them."
U.S. Capitol Police officer William Billy Evans, an 18-year veteran who was a member of the department's first responders unit, was killed on April 2, 2021. (U.S. Capitol Police via AP)

US Capitol Officer Billy Evans to Lie in Honor in Capitol Rotunda

The U.S. Capitol Police officer who was killed on Good Friday while guarding the governmental building will be honored at the Capitol Rotunda in Washington next week, congressional leaders announced Tuesday.

The United States Congress joins all Americans in mourning the tragic death of one of our Capitol Police heroes, Officer Billy Evans, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a Tuesday press release.

In giving his life to protect our Capitol and our Country, Officer Evans became a martyr for our democracy, they said. On behalf of the entire Congress, we are profoundly grateful.

Evans, an 18-year veteran of the U.S. Capitol Police force and member of the departments first responders unit, was 41 years old and died from injuries he sustained on April 2 when Noah Green, 25, rammed a blue car into him and another officer at a barricade outside the Capitol.

Police fatally shot Green when he purportedly emerged from the vehicle holding a knife and ran toward the officers.

The second officer struck by Greens vehicle was rushed to the hospital with injuries. He reportedly was released again from the hospital on Saturday.

Pelosi and Schumer announced on Tuesday the arrangements to honor Evans at the Capitol.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), left, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) walk on Capitol Hill in Washington on Dec. 20, 2020. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

The ceremonial arrival will take place at 10:30 a.m. on April 13 at the East Front of the U.S. Capitol, which will be followed by a congressional tribute 30 minutes afterward.

Those allowed to attend the event will be limited to guests only due to the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic, commonly referred to as the novel coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19, officials said.

A viewing period for members of the U.S. Capitol Police force, as well as members of Congress, will follow before the 6:30 p.m. departure ceremony at the Capitol.

It is now the great and solemn privilege of the House of Representatives and the Senate to convey the appreciation and the sadness of the Congress and Country for the heroic sacrifice of Officer Evans with a lying-in-honor ceremony in the U.S. Capitol, Pelosi and Schumer continued in the release.

It is our hope that this tribute will be a comfort to the family of Officer Evans, particularly his children Logan and Abigail, as will the knowledge that so many Americans mourn with and pray for them at this sad time, they said.

The American flag at the U.S. Capitol is lowered to half-staff in honor of Capitol Police officer William Evans who was killed after a man rammed a car into two officers at a barricade outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington on April 2, 2021. (Alex Brandon/ AP Photo)

President Joe Biden said in a statement after the attack he has ordered the White House flag to be lowered to half-staff, and expressed condolences to Evanss family.

Lying in honor in the United States is a rare event that can be authorized by congressional leaders in which the coffin with the body of an official is placed in the state-building to allow the public to pay their respects.

Evans will be the fourth Capitol officer to lie in honor in U.S. history.

From NTD News
A BRAZILIAN national and her local accomplices have been arrested for illegal possession of 230 grammes of cocaine valued at $1 932 000.

Patience Muringa (32), Siege Fried Zibusiso Dhlovu (33) and Caroline Silver Mafra (23), a Brazilian national, appeared before Harare magistrate Barbara Mateko who remanded them in custody and referred them to the High Court for bail application.

Allegations are that on April 1, police got information that Mafra was flying to Zimbabwe from Brazil with a contraband of cocaine aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight.She was expected to arrive at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport the following day.

Acting on the information, detectives from the Criminal Investigation Department Drugs and Narcotics, Harare and the Homicide and Law and Order laid siege at the airport and intercepted Mafra.

It is the States case that Murinda and Dhlovu arrived at the airport driving a BMW vehicle to pick her and they were also arrested.

After interrogation, it was established that they were acting on instruction from a Nigerian national only identified as Boby.

The two were supposed to accompany Mafra to a guest lodge in Marlborough, Harare, where she was booked and was supposed to give the drugs to Boby.

It is alleged that Murinda and Dhlovu later led detectives to their residence where they recovered a plastic bag which contained fabric and some powder substance from one of their bedrooms.

Preliminary tests were done on the powder and it tested positive to cocaine. The recovered cocaine weighed approximately 230 grammes with a street value of $1 932 000. Newsday
In the undercover TV report, unmasked guests are seen enjoying clandestine champagne meals in upmarket Paris restaurants, in apparent violation of Covid lockdown rules. Photo: Ekaterina Pokrovsky

French prosecutors have started a criminal investigation after an undercover TV report showed unmasked guests enjoying clandestine champagne meals in upmarket Paris restaurants in apparent violation of Covid lockdown rules.

One of the alleged organisers, Pierre-Jean Chalencon, a celebrity chef, said a certain number of French ministers were among the guests  a claim he later insisted was a joke.

Restaurants have been closed in France since October and, with the country in the midst of a third wave and more than 5,300 people in intensive care, they will not be reopening any time soon.

However, in a hidden-camera report, reporters for M6  posing as dinner guests  are seen being shown into what appears to be a secret restaurant in Paris.

People who come here take off their masks, says an unidentified staff member. Once you are through the door here, there is no Covid, he claimed.

Read More

Menus start at 160 and go up to 460 per head, and include caviar, langoustines and champagne.

The report also shows a private party at an upmarket establishment where people wear no masks and fail to observe distancing rules.

I have eaten this week in two or three restaurants that are so-called illegal restaurants with a number of ministers, a man introduced as an organiser of a secret party says in the report.

The Paris prosecutors office launched a criminal investigation on Sunday into putting the lives of others at risk.

The aim of the investigation is to verify whether parties were organised in violation of health regulations and to determine who the organisers and participants may have been, said Remy Heitz, Paris prosecutor.

The hashtag #OnVeutLesNoms (we want the names) went viral on Twitter, amid frenzied speculation over who attended such dinners.

One source was later named by media and bloggers as Mr Chalencon, who runs the Palais Vivienne event venue in the centre of Paris. The Palais appears to be the venue for the private soiree in the footage.

In a statement, Mr Chalencon implicitly acknowledged he was the source but also appeared to retract the claim ministers were involved, saying he was only showing humour and a sense of the absurd.

The flamboyant character, a Napoleon fan and art collector, had been recorded in February on YouTube saying he intended to launch a club of gastronomes at his venue and claiming that government spokesman Gabriel Attal, a rising cabinet star, would be attending such a dinner soon.

Mr Attals entourage denied the claim, saying the first he learnt of it was on Twitter. He doesnt know Mr Chalencon and naturally never participated in any soiree whatsoever, a source said.

Mr Attal said: I dont believe a word of [his claims].

But Marlene Schiappa, the deputy interior minister, told French TV that if ministers or lawmakers were involved they should be fined and penalised like any other citizen. Bruno Le Maire, the economy minister, said: All the ministers, without exception, respect the rules.

Read More

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021]
Last week, on the first day of reading of President Macrons anti-separatism law, the French Senate voted to approve an amendment banning Muslim women under the age of 18 from wearing hijabs anywhere in public. A second amendment would ban parents from participating in school trips and activities with their children if they are dressed in religious clothing.

Both amendments still need to pass through the National Assembly before coming into law. They were tabled by a group of senators from the conservative Republican Party (LR) and European Democratic and Social Rally group.

A police officer watches a woman, Monday, Oct. 5, 2020 in Paris. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

The amendment targeting under-18-year-olds passed by a margin of 177 to 141, with senators from the Socialist Party, Communist Party and a majority of Macrons Republic On the Move party voting against it. It would prevent non-adults from wearing signs or clothing in public spaces that ostensibly manifest a religious affiliation or that would signify the inferiority of women to men.

While the authors were conscious to avoid mentioning the hijab by name, the primary target of the amendment are Frances 5.4 million Muslims. Police would effectively be given the right to harass and arrest Muslim youth, and virtually anyone wearing clothing that they deemed inappropriate under the sweeping language of the bill. It is to be enforced through a further build-up of the police in impoverished and minority areas, and invasive measures against Muslims.

A 2019 survey found that around 20 percent of women from a Muslim background regularly wear the hijab or another veil; another 20 percent wear it in some contexts. Most Muslim women who do wear a veil or headscarf start at the age of puberty, in their early teenage years. The legislation would outlaw this practice. Muslim girls and young women would be forced to dress in accordance with the dictates of the state if they wish to participate in public life.

The amendment underscores the reactionary and far-right character of the Macron governments anti-separatism law. Among other measures, it establishes a Charter of principles that Muslim associations are legally obliged to sign, pledging their allegiance to the state, and grants the state vast powers over religious and other associations. Political discussion inside mosques is banned, and statements denouncing the French state as racist are declared to be defamatory.

As with the entire law, the latest amendment turns the principle of secularism on its head. The democratic principle of the separation of church and state aims to prevent the intervention of the state into the private lives of citizens. The Macron government and the extreme right are using references to secularism to justify state infringements on the democratic rights of the Muslim population.

The votes against the amendment by a majority of government senatorsas well as representatives of the Socialist Party, Unsubmissive France and the Communist Partyare hypocritical and cynical in the extreme.

A major concern motivating them is that the amendment expresses even more openly the blatantly discriminatory character of the anti-separatism law, and threatens to provoke an eruption of opposition in the working class and youth against it.

Secondly, there is a concern that the amendment itself may be unconstitutional. This was stated by Darmanin in explaining his reasons for opposing the amendment. Along these lines, Communist Party Senator Mari-Noelle Lienemann explained her vote against the amendment by stating that she wanted to find legislation that outlaws the veil for minors, but that we cannot make a mistake in choosing which method to use to achieve it. If the measure is rejected [as unconstitutional], that would have an impact contrary to our intentions, she said.

The amendment is also the extension of restrictions on wearing Islamic clothing that have been passed with the support of the entire political establishment over decades. In 2004, the Socialist Party voted to support the ban on students wearing religious clothing in schools. In 2010, the Sarkozy government used anti-terrorism measures as a justification for banning the niqab and all other clothes that cover the face in public.

Unsubmissive France and the Communist Party deputies have either voted for or abstained on more than 40 percent of the articles on the anti-separatism law in the National Assembly.

Darmanins absurd claim that he is concerned the amendment would undermine religious plurality in France fools no one. Darmanin is known to have supported the royalist and far-right Action francaise. Last October, he declared he was shocked at the sight of halal and kosher foods in supermarkets, and said such separated food aisles were the first step toward communalism.

In a debate with Marine Le Pen, the leader of the far-right National Rally in February, he attacked Le Pen from the right as being soft, and for failing to vote for some of the governments anti-terrorism laws.

Last November, dozens of mosques, as well as BarakaCity, the largest Muslim charity in France, were investigated and closed by the government on the claims that they were suspected of separatist sympathies. Many of those targeted and arrested were critics of French imperialist wars and interventions in the Sahel, Middle East, and North Africa.

Justifying this policy, Darmanin stated last December that up until now, the government has been interested in radicalization and terrorism, but would now also target those who create the intellectual and cultural space to secede and impose their values.

The fascistic nature of the governments campaign is made clear by a series of tweets from the Inter-ministerial Committee for the Prevention of Delinquency and Radicalization on March 29.

One tweet claimed: The term #islamophobia has been imposed by Islamists with the aim of prohibiting any form of criticism of radical Islam. The term was used to justify the massacre of the cartoonists of Charlie Hebdo, a reference to the 2015 terrorist attack on the magazine. While it insisted that [Muslims] must be able to live their faith and worship freely, it ominously added, in accordance with the laws and values of the Republic.

In these statements, the French state is propagating far-right conspiracy theories, claiming that anti-Muslim discrimination is a myth conjured up by unspecified pro-Islamist groups to justify terrorism and communalism. Under Macron, fascistic attitudes and policies have been adopted wholesale by large portions of the French state.

Right-wing campaigns against the veil have also not been limited to France in recent months. In February 2020 the Coalition Avenir Quebec introduced a secularism bill which sought to ban hijabs in schools. Last month, Switzerland outlawed face coverings, including the niqab and burka in public.

Like its international counterparts, the Macron government is desperate to contain rising social outrage following the mass amount of death and economic devastation that has resulted from the ruling class murderous mismanagement of the pandemic. This had led to the rapid construction of a police state apparatus as well as measures to facilitate the repression of all opposition to the dictates of French imperialism. While the current measures are primarily aimed toward Muslim minorities, they are part of preparations for a much wider assault on the fundamental democratic rights of the working class in France and across Europe.
About three dozen NGOs from Armenia have appealed to UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay, raising an alarm that Azerbaijan is destroying Armenian heritage sites that are now under its control, and demanding that a fact-finding mission be sent to Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) in this regard. This call for urgent action reads as follows:

We, a group of civil society organizations, referring to the 2003 UNESCO Declaration concerning the Intentional Destruction of Cultural Heritage, the 1954 Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and its two Protocols, and the UN Security Council resolution 2347 (2017), condemn the deliberate damaging and destruction of Armenian cultural and religious heritage by Azerbaijan in Nagorno Karabakh during and after the 44-day war in September-November 2020, and alert UNESCO with regard to the flagrant violations of international law, aimed at eradicating Armenian historical roots to the region and appropriating the Armenian cultural and religious heritage. We believe that the conduct of the Azerbaijani authorities demonstrates not only clear violations of international obligations per se, but a continuous torture and humiliation for the Armenian people and it is nothing short of fueling another conflict at a time when formally the state of Azerbaijan is negotiating peace.

Its noteworthy that Nagorno Karabakh is geographically small, but is host to vital heritage sites and important archaeological resources. There are an estimated 4,000 Armenian cultural sites, including 370 churches, 119 fortresses and other historical and cultural monuments in Nagorno Karabakh. The churches date from the 4th to the 21st century. The valuable archaeological sites, most notably in the ancient city of Tigranakert of Artsakh, date back to the 1st c. BC  13th c. AD.

Today at least 1,456 overwhelmingly Armenian historical and cultural monuments have fallen under Azerbaijani control, including 161 Armenian churches, the archaeological sites of Tigranakert, Azokh Paleolithic cave, the Nor Karmiravan tombs, Mirik, Keren, and architectural monuments such as palaces, bridges, and historic quarters. In addition, in the territories which came under Azerbaijani control, there were 8 state museums and galleries with 19311 exhibits, as well as "Shushi Carpet Museum" and "Shushi Armenian Money Museum" operating on a private basis.

There are serious concerns over the preservation of this historical and cultural heritage under Azerbaijani control. Given Azerbaijan's practice of systematic destruction of Armenian cultural heritage in its territories over the last decades, these concerns have proved to not be misplaced. Azerbaijan has a well-documented record of destroying Armenian heritage sites under its control, and treasures of Armenian history are being lost forever. Cases of deliberate and overt irremediable destruction of the Armenian cultural and religious heritage by Azerbaijan is nothing new, such cases have been documented for decades. Two flagrant examples are the total destruction of the ancient Armenian cemetery of Julfa in Nakhichevan between 1997-2006, in which a total of 28,000 monuments (including 89 medieval churches; 5,840 unique hand-carved khachkars (cross-stones) and 22,000 ancient tombstones were destroyed; and the destruction of Armenian monuments of the Tsar village in the Karvachar (Kelbajar) region.

From the initial stages of the September-November 2020 war in Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan has again been targeting Armenian cultural and religious heritage. The first major incident was recorded on 8 October 2020, when the Church of the Holy Savior Ghazanchetsots in the city of Shushi was shelled twice by the Azerbaijani armed forces, causing major destructions to both the interior and exterior of the Cathedral. There is no doubt that with these attacks Azerbaijan brutally violated the norms of the international law, as well as its commitments within the framework of the UN and the Council of Europe obligations.

On 6 November 2020 Azerbaijan shelled the archaeological camp near Tigranakert, destroying two and damaging two additional archaeological cottages.,

Today, even after the ceasefire statement, everyday reports alert to the targeting of Armenian historical and cultural monuments in Nagorno Karabakh. Following the trilateral statement of 10 November 2020 on complete ceasefire and termination of all hostilities in the area of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, constant reports continued concerning destruction or damaging of Armenian heritage. The first troubling news was about the destruction of the chapel of St. John the Baptist. Shortly after Azerbaijans seizing control of Shushi, images and a video of the partially destroyed 19th century church of Saint John the Baptist was circulated on social media showing severe destruction to the dome and the bell tower. These destructions are easily detectable on satellite images.

Another video was published on social media demonstrating intentional destruction of Armenian monuments by Azerbaijani armed forces: Arakel village of Hadrut region of the Republic of Artsakh.

A video published by the Armenian Human Rights Defender on 27 March 2021 demonstrates the vandalization of the St. Yeghishe Armenian Church in Mataghis, Artsakh (built in the 19th century) by Azerbaijani military (the Turkish flag is also clearly visible on the uniforms).

On 30th of March images appeared on social media showing that the memorial dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide, the Patriotic War and the first Karabakh war in the town of Shushi, currently under Azerbaijani control, has fallen to Azerbaijani vandalism.

Moreover, photo and video reports demonstrated that the president of Azerbaijan personally instructed to wipe off Armenian traces from Nagorno Karabakh.

Azerbaijan has embarked at the highest state level on cultural appropriation and the calculated policy of legitimization of the false logic and fallacy of Caucasian-albanization of Armenian apostolic churches, misappropriation of the Armenian religious heritage, their desecration and utter destruction on a case-by-case basis.

Deliberate destruction of cultural heritage sites is a crime committed during war. History shows that any manifestation of intolerance towards civilizational values belonging to others, the deliberate infliction or destruction of cultural or religious heritage must be condemned with firm determination. Targeting cultural heritage sites is strictly prohibited by a number of international conventions (UNESCOs 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and its two (1954 and 1999) Protocols, the 2003 UNESCO Declaration concerning the Intentional Destruction of Cultural Heritage).

Taking into account the abovementioned concerns, we emphasize the universal dimension of cultural heritage, as a witness to history, and as inseparable from the identity of peoples, which the international community has a duty to protect and preserve for future generations, beyond the conflicts of the moment.

We hereby refer to the 2003 UNESCO Declaration concerning the Intentional Destruction of Cultural Heritage, which recognizes the importance of the protection of cultural heritage and reaffirms its commitment to fight against its intentional destruction in any form so that such cultural heritage may be transmitted to the succeeding generations.

We also refer to the provisions of the 1954 Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and its two Protocols, to which both Armenia and Azerbaijan are parties, and which are based on the States Parties conviction that damage to cultural property belonging to any people whatsoever means damage to the cultural heritage of all mankind.

We recall the UN Security Council resolution 2347 (2017), which stresses that "the unlawful destruction of cultural heritage, looting and smuggling of cultural property in the event of armed conflict, including by terrorist groups, and attempts to deny historical roots and cultural diversity in this context, can fuel and exacerbate conflicts and impede post-conflict national reconciliation, thus undermining the security, stability, governance and social, economic and cultural development of affected States.

We further recall Article 23 of the 1954 Hague Convention, according to which the High Contracting Parties may call upon UNESCO for technical assistance in organizing the protection of their cultural property, or in connexion with any other problem arising out of the application of the present Convention or the Regulations for its execution. The Organization shall accord such assistance within the limits fixed by its programme and by its resources. The Organization is authorized to make, on its own initiative, proposals on this matter to the High Contracting Parties.

We are aware that on 11 December 2020 UNESCO has invoked its mandate under the 1954 Hague Convention, under which the UNESCO Director-General has expressed readiness to set up an independent technical mission in order to assess the status of the most significant cultural property. Nevertheless, this process has been artificially hindered by Azerbaijan for months.

We extend our strong concern over Azerbaijans policy of hampering the effective involvement of UNESCO, and urge and expect UNESCO to act firmly and to take all the measures in its hand to successfully engage in the protection of the Armenian heritage in the territories under Azerbaijani control, which is especially important in the conditions of the attempts of intentional annihilation of historic monuments and distortion of their identity.

Analytical Centre on Globalization and Regional Cooperation

Arevamanuk Psycho-Social Support Foundation

Armenian Progressive Youth NGO

Center for Community Mobilization and Support NGO

Center for Rights Development NGO

Cinemart youth NGO

Confidence Health NGO

Direct Democracy NGO

"ECOLUR" NGO

Factor Information Center NGO

"For Equal Rights Education center" NGO

Helsinki Citizens Assembly-Vanadzor

"Khoran Ard" Intellectual Center NGO

Law Development and Protection Foundation

Logos NGO

Non-Discrimination and Equality Coalition

Open Society Foundations  Armenia

Progress of Gyumri NGO

Protection of Rights without Borders NGO

Public Journalism Club

Real World, Real People NGO

Restart NGO

Spitak Helsinki Group

Transparency International anti-corruption center

Union of Informed Citizens

Women's Resource Center

Women's Support Center NGO
Four months ago, even as the coronavirus vaccine was making its way to Connecticut and the promise of protection drew close to reality, nursing homes were weathering another increase in COVID-19 cases.

Testing inside the facilities was accelerating, special recovery centers for COVID-positive residents were taking on more patients, and illnesses among employees meant that many buildings were short-staffed. In December, 70 to 80 nursing home residents were dying per week. By the end of that month, more than 100 fatalities were recorded some weeks.

The outlook has improved since then. With more than 14,000 nursing home residents and more than 16,000 workers fully vaccinated, the state recorded just nine new cases and one new death during the final week of March.

But health officials know how quickly a single infection can trigger a large outbreak, and they have turned their attention to a small but significant population: unvaccinated, short-term nursing home residents.

A widespread vaccination effort took place in the states 209 nursing homes this past winter, but short-term residents - who make up about 25% to 30% of a facilitys population - come and go. As new, unvaccinated residents arrive at the homes, managers are trying to find ways to inoculate them.

The population at nursing homes changes. Lots of stays are short-term, said Adelita Orefice, senior adviser to the states public health commissioner. We are working to make sure that every facility is matched to a long-term pharmacy vaccinator so we have confidence that each home has access and can get shots into arms.

In the coming weeks, every nursing home will be paired with a pharmacy or other provider that can address the facilitys vaccination needs on an ongoing basis. The effort is part of a new program dubbed Operation Matchmaker.

Providers are responsible for immunizing new residents and staff, especially the revolving door of short-term residents, who typically stay for a month or less for rehabilitation services. Part of that strategy involves making the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine available for these new residents.

At the same time, the state has sent a memo to administrators at Connecticuts 27 acute care hospitals recommending that patients who are being discharged to nursing homes or assisted living facilities be vaccinated with the Johnson & Johnson shot before their departure.

Hospital administrators can request additional supply of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for this group of patients.

We have been in conversation with hospitals, and some of them are already implementing programs to vaccinate people headed to long-term care facilities, said Dr. Vivian Leung, coordinator of the Healthcare Associated Infections Program at the state health department. We have spoken to them about the need for this and our desire to get people vaccinated before they go to a long-term care facility.

While nursing homes wait to be paired up with long-term vaccine providers, state officials have arranged a series of catch-up clinics - appointments for new residents and staff, along with anyone who missed their opportunity when CVS and Walgreens visited the facilities from December to March. Three providers are shuttling around Connecticut to deliver shots at the catch-up clinics - Griffin Hospital, Hartford HealthCare and Nutmeg Pharmacy.

Anyone who received a first dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine during the CVS and Walgreens visits can also get their second shot at the catch-up clinics. The single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine is being offered to everyone else. National Guard teams are being deployed to help immunize people at these special clinics.

At the Beechwood Post-Acute & Transitional Care Center in New London, five new residents were inoculated during a catch-up clinic on Friday. Three staff members who initially had held off also received a vaccine.

Its a relief, said Bill White, whose family owns the facility. A few staff members had said, I didnt get it then, but Id like to get it now. And then we have residents who werent here before - we didnt have an option for them. So the catch-up clinic is a nice benefit.

White said the long-term provider partnership is needed to keep vaccination rates high in nursing homes. His facility has a 94% participation rate among residents and 75% among staff, but those percentages could change as short-term residents rotate through and new staff come on board.

In the meantime, many buildings have procedures in place to isolate new, unvaccinated residents to ensure they are negative for COVID-19.

This is our most critical need, White said. Absent that, it continues to be a bit of a crapshoot. If we really want to have stability, keep people safe and keep our businesses moving forward and growing again, we need to be able to rely on that.

Testing remains a priority

Regular testing of nursing home staff and residents began in May and has remained a priority since. Even as the number of vaccinated workers and residents keeps climbing, state officials said they are not yet relaxing a requirement that staff members be tested once a week.

Residents are tested weekly if there is an outbreak in the facility. An outbreak is defined as a single staff case where the employee spent any part of his or her infectious period inside a nursing home, or a resident case that originated at a facility.

Theres so much at play right now, Leung said. Theres the ever-changing vaccination rates, which were watching very closely.  We want to get to a place where were comfortable with community transmission rates, which are increasing in Connecticut.

We also want to get a better handle on the potential impact of more transmissible variants, such as the B.1.1.7 UK variant, which is circulating in high numbers, she added. So were going to continue weekly staff testing for the near future.

The state, which pays for universal testing in nursing homes, was supposed to support the effort through the end of March. That funding has been extended through April 30.

Facility operators praised the decision. Timothy Brown, a spokesman for Athena Health Care Systems, which owns 24 nursing homes in Connecticut, said the broad testing still turns up a few positive results, allowing facilities to isolate infected residents and staff.

Between staff, who may be asymptomatic, and visitors, who are now coming back into the buildings  we definitely think testing is still one of the vital keys in stopping COVID from getting into nursing homes, he said.

Leung said the state will continue to re-evaluate whether the frequent testing is needed.

We are following all potential ways that long-term care facility residents could get sick, and were always looking for the holes and ways to plug them up, she said. Were also looking for ways to return life to normal - [including] whether we can we can dial down some of the testing, which we know can be annoying for staff.
Offroad and luxury camper manufacturer will invest nearly $2 million in Hohenwald

Project will create 115 new jobs over next five years

NASHVILLE, Tenn.  Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and BRS Offroad North America officials announced today that the company will establish new operations in Lewis County.

The offroad and luxury camper manufacturer will invest $1.7 million to establish headquarters and manufacturing operations in Hohenwald, creating 115 new jobs. BRS Offroad recently purchased a building, located at 320 Summertown Highway, where the company will build its Sherpa, Pursuit and Pullman models.

BRS Offroad is partnering with TCAT Hohenwald to develop training opportunities and invest in the local community. Those interested in applying for a position with the company can go to www.brsoffroad.us to learn more.

Over the last five years, TNECD has supported more than 65 economic development projects in Southern Middle Tennessee, resulting in approximately 8,600 job commitments and $3.7 billion in capital investment.

QUOTES

One of our key priorities is attracting high-quality jobs to rural communities across our state, and we are pleased to welcome another respected business, BRS Offroad, to the Hohenwald community. We have a strong workforce in Lewis County ready to support this new headquarters. I look forward to seeing the companys success in Middle Tennessee.  Gov. Bill Lee

We congratulate BRS Offroad for establishing new headquarters and manufacturing operations in Lewis County. BRS Offroad manufactures some of the highest quality RVs in the world, and we are proud to partner with the company on this project.  TNECD Commissioner Bob Rolfe

We are delighted to partner with the City of Hohenwald, the TNECD, TVA, and the people of the city in this exciting expansion of our company. We believe the products we build and teams we grow are among the best anywhere and growing our team locally will create new opportunities that benefit our community, our team, and our customers. As you can tell from the campers we build, this is a passion for us and our team and we are only getting better.  BRS Offroad CEO Chris Brown

I would like to express my gratitude to our Director of Economic and Community Development Helen Ozier and the City of Hohenwald Industrial Development Board for working so diligently to put this progressive and significant project together. I believe that this is another significant step in implementing and securing a better future for Hohenwald and Lewis County. I would also like to thank the Hohenwald City Council and the Lewis County Board of Commissioners for their support in this endeavor. Last but certainly not least, I would like to thank BRS Offroad for deciding to locate here in Hohenwald and becoming a vital part of Hohenwald and Lewis County.  Hohenwald Mayor Danny McKnight

On behalf of the City of Hohenwald Industrial Development Board, I would like to personally thank everyone that has worked so hard to help bring BRS Offroad to Hohenwald. I would also like to thank Bryant Haines and Chris Brown from BRS for their commitment, vision and hard work in making this happen. This is a great opportunity for our wonderful community, which will bring much needed jobs and revenue to Hohenwald and Lewis County, and I can only say again, thank you all for making this happen, and I look forward to a wonderful working and community relationship with BRS Offroad.  Terrell Yeiser, president, Hohenwald Industrial Development Board

TVA and Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative congratulate BRS Offroad on its decision to locate in Lewis County. Helping to support impactful job creation and investment in the communities we serve, if fundamental to TVAs mission of service. We are proud to partner with the City of Hohenwald, Lewis County, City of Hohenwald Industrial Development Board, and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development to help further that mission and celebrate this announcement.  John Bradley, TVA senior vice president of Economic Development

Congratulations to BRS Offroad for their decision to locate their successful operations in Lewis County. The jobs that will result from this investment will boost our local economy. I appreciate all our state and local officials who helped secure these jobs. We will continue make job creation a top priority through business-friendly policies.  Sen. Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald)

Tennessee continues to be a top choice for companies looking to establish advanced manufacturing facilities. Im very proud to welcome BRS Offroad to Hohenwald and wish them success for many years to come. I thank our local economic development leaders for bringing this investment to Lewis County.  Rep. David Byrd (R-Waynesboro)

TNECD Media Contact

Molly Hair

Public Information Officer

(615) 878-0063

molly.hair@tn.gov

About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Developments mission is to develop strategies that help make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. To grow and strengthen Tennessee, the department seeks to attract new corporate investment to the state and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. Find us on the web: tnecd.com. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @tnecd. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/tnecd.

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Moscow, April 6 : Alexei Navalny, the Russian opposition figure currently being held in a prison camp, has complained of a further deterioration in his health.

He has been diagnosed with a fever and a "severe cough", but he will continue his hunger strike, which he started a few days ago, dpa news agency quoted Navalny as saying in an Instagram post on Monday.

Three of his fellow prisoners had already been taken to hospital because of tuberculosis.

According to the Izvestia newspaper on Monday evening, Navalny received medical care.

The 44-year-old was to be examined for signs of respiratory illness and elevated body temperature.

Navalny is "under the supervision of medical staff", prison authorities said, according to the report.

A coronavirus test has also been carried out.

The leading opposition figure, who is imprisoned in the prison camp about 100 km east of Moscow, has been reporting severe back pain and paralysis in one leg for some time.

On March 31, Navalny declared that he had gone on hunger strike in protest at a lack of medical care.

In February, Navalny was sentenced to several years in prison.

The Russian judiciary accuses him of violating reporting requirements in an earlier criminal case while he was recovering in Germany from an assassination attempt involving the nerve agent Novichok.

According to a survey by independent pollsters Levada, just under a third of Russians, or 29 per cent, consider the verdict "rather unfair".

Significantly more respondents, or 48 per cent, on the other hand, thought that Navalny's conviction was probably justified.

Last August, Navalny fell into a coma after collapsing during a domestic flight.

He was treated for weeks at the Charite hospital in Berlin.

The prominent opposition figure blames a "hit squad" of the FSB domestic intelligence service, under the command of President Vladimir Putin, for the attempt on his life.

Putin and the FSB reject the accusations.
Close

Japan's cherry blossoms reach their peak ahead of the expected date. Researchers at Osaka University said that it is the earliest in over 1,200 years based on historical data from the diaries of emperors, aristocrats, governors, and monks.

The peak bloom was on March 26 in the ancient capital of Kyoto, the earliest since Japan's meteorological agency started recording official data in 1953. According to NBC News, it is ten days earlier than the 30-year average of cherry blossoms blooming.

Scientists blame global warming for this unusual early peak of cherry blossoms and said that it is one of the greater looming crises of global warming.

Cherry Blossoms Earliest Bloom

Looking at the record from 812 AD, Osaka Prefecture University researcher Yasuyuki Aono found the earliest peak bloom day of cherry blossoms to be a day later, March 27, than this year which was on March 26.

Then in the years 1612, 1409, and 1236 cherry blossoms also peaked at earlier dates than they were expected to bloom. However, CNN reported Aono did not found any more data for other years.

Japan's meteorological agency tracks58 cherry trees around the country wherein 40 of those trees have already reached their peak this year, and 14 did so in record time. typically, the blooming period of cherry blossoms would last two weeks.

Shunji Anbe, an official at the observations division at the Japan Meteorological Agency, said: "We can say it's most likely because of the impact of global warming."

ALSO READ: SCoPEx Balloon Test Flight Aimed at Cooling Earth Canceled, Likely to Launch on 2022





Impact of Climate Change on Cherry Blossoms

Naoko Abe, the author of The Sakura Obsession, said that cherry trees need at least -41 degrees to properly blossom when the weather gets warmer. But if cherry trees do not get the chilly weather, they will blossom later because they could not wake up at the proper time, Abe added.

"The impact from climate change is indisputable, I think," Abe told NPR. "However, the decisive factor for the cherry blossoms is the winter temperature."

Moreover, early blooms are caused by warm springs, and delayed blooms are the result of warming winter, which could be problematic. Areas in southern Japan have already reported seeing some of these delays in the past years.

According to Abe, the delays may grow to a point that cherry trees would no longer blossom if winter temperatures continue to get warmer.

Market Watch reported that the meteorological agency would use cherry blossoms in their overall climate change research because of its sensitivity to changes to climate temperatures.

"Evidence, like the timing of cherry blossoms, is one of the historical 'proxy' measurements that scientists look at to reconstruct past climate," climate scientist Michael Mann told the Washington Post.

The proxy measurements have told scientists in the past and until now that human-caused global warming that the planet is experiencing today could be traced back to over a thousand years ago.



RELATED ARTICLE: Study Finds 250 Mature Cherry Trees Can Absorb a Single Car's Carbon Emission





Check out more news and information on and Climate Change on Science Times.
WASHINGTON  The U.S. arm of Israels Elbit Systems, Elbit Systems America, has completed its $380 million purchase of Sparton, a critical supplier of sonobuoys to the U.S. Navy and allies, from Cerberus Capital Management, the companies announced Tuesday.

Under the deal, Sparton will operate as a subsidiary of Elbit America with an independent board so that it can focus on undersea business activities with more sensitivity for U.S. customers, the companies said.

Spartons chief executive, Bill Toti, remains president of Sparton De Leon Springs LLC. The proxy boards members are former Pentagon acquisition officials Kenneth Krieg and Brett Lambert as well as retired Navy Adm. Timothy Keating.

Elbit Systems of America expects to combine Spartons technology and products with its own airborne solutions business unit, said Elbit Systems of Americas chief executive, Raanan Horowitz.

Sparton has been and will continue to be led by a strong and capable management team, and has a good reputation with the U.S. Navy customer. I believe this acquisition will have a positive impact on our growth in both the near and long-term as we continue to invest in Sparton and work to expand its business portfolio and capabilities, Horowitz said in a statement.

Elbits U.S. arm operates under a special security agreement with the Defense Department that allows it to work on certain classified U.S. government programs. Its Aydin displays and stealth divisions will work under an existing security structure.

Cerberus, based in New York City, bought Sparton in 2019 for $138 million and had since turned it into a pure-play defense firm.

At the time, the Navy and administration expressed concerns about expanding supplies of sonobuoys, expendable undersea sensors dropped by the hundreds to detect enemy subs. That same year, then-President Donald Trump invoked the Defense Production Act to declare domestic production for the five types of AN/SSQ sonobuoys essential to the national defense.

The United States focus on China is expected to continue to drive demand for sonobuoys. Lawmakers padded the Pentagons $264 million request to buy sonobuoys for fiscal 2021 to roughly $300 million in order to meet an unfunded priority identified by the Navy.

Demand for our undersea warfare products is increasing as a result of a heightened threat environment in both the Indo-Pacific and Atlantic, Toti said in a statement. With Elbit Systems of Americas support, we will continue to be well positioned to capitalize on growing opportunities in the undersea environment with our leading technology and distinctive capabilities.
A missing four-year-old girl with non-verbal autism and a hearing impairment has been found sitting under a tree with her puppy after spending the night in the Central Australian desert.

Molly was found 8km from a remote outstation near Titjikala - about 120km south of Alice Springs - where she went missing about 2pm on Friday.

Helicopters, police drones, dogs and patrol vehicles were brought in but family said it was a mysterious dream and Indigenous knowledge that led to her being found.

Molly (pictured) was found by a search group of family and locals with her puppy on a hill

Molly's cousin Que Kenny told the ABC the little girl and her dog were spotted quietly sitting on a small hill in the Simpson desert on Saturday afternoon by an Aboriginal search crew.

She said a local young man had a dream which told him where the little girl was located, and he led a search group to her over six hours in 30C heat.

The man was planning on going to Alice Springs on Sunday but stayed back to help the search after his vision.

'He led the rescue team, as we followed, others turned back, but we continued to keep going,' she said.

'It started getting to me because I ran out of water  and I started getting dry lips.'

Aerial shot of Titjikala in the Northern Territory, where the missing four-year-old girl was found

The group finally spotted Molly in the little shade found in the remote area, and then drove her to the community for a health check.

'Easter is all about hope. And we've never given up hope looking for her,' said Ms Kenny.

Ms Kenny criticised the effort of local police and said they did not search far enough despite the requests of the family.

'As with any search and rescue operation, police consider, coordinate and deploy air and land assets depending on a range of factors,' Superintendent Brett Prowse told Daily Mail Australia.

'In this instance, police co-ordinated a thorough search and rescue operation with some assistance from members of the local community until the girl was safely located the day after the search commenced.'

Police previously said in a press release that Molly appeared well after being found.

Acting Superintendent Michael Potts said due to the remote location, other details of the successful search are to be confirmed.

'Northern Territory Police would like to thank everyone involved in the search. Significant resources were deployed to assist in the operation,' she said.

'It's a huge relief for everyone involved.'
ROME, APR 6 - Cagliari's Policlinico university hospital said Tuesday that one of its laboratories has identified a rare variant of COVID-19 in Sardinia. At the moment there have been no other reports of the variant, A.27, in Italy but there have been cases of it in other European countries such as Slovenia, France, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The variant was found on March 18 in four Cagliari patients, one of whom died, thanks to a new genetic sequencing platform. (ANSA).
You are here: China

About 7.38 million people in China opted to pay their respect to the deceased through online channels during the three-day Tomb-sweeping Day holiday, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said Monday.

On Tomb-sweeping Day on April 4, a total of 1,308 online memorial platforms received 3.78 million visits, statistics by the ministry showed.

Meanwhile, cemeteries and memorial venues cross the country saw 67.73 million visits from the public during the holiday, with 35.27 million visits taking place on Tomb-sweeping Day alone, according to the ministry.

The ministry expects mourning activities to continue for some time after the holiday, and reminded the public of the safety and health issues when attending such activities.
President Joe Biden believes there is a 'bipartisan path forward' to enacting his $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan, the White House said Tuesday  after Democrats got a green light from the Senate parliamentarian for a procedure that would allow the to blast through a Republican filibuster.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Tuesday touted the bipartisan appeal  which will feature meetings and photo-ops with lawmakers at the White House next week  after news broke late Monday that Democrats can use a special procedure to avoid a filibuster.

Biden continues to believe 'that there's a bipartisan path forward, and we are encouraged, not just by 80 per cent of the public that believes that we is long overdue to invest in infrastructure that not just roads, rails and bridges but there as a way we should,' she said.

'We will leave the mechanisms and the determination of the mechanisms to leaders in Congress, but right now, less than a week after he announced the American jobs plan, our focus is on engaging with Democrats and Republicans,' she said.

She spoke after Republicans have blasted the plan, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has vowed to fight it 'every step of the way.'

The Senate Parliamentarian approved a strategy that would allow the bill to pass with a 51-vote majority.

The so-called budget reconciliation rules provide a way for Democrats to move the package without the need to muster 60 votes to break a likely Republican filibuster.

It means if every Senator on their side of the aisle backs the plan, it will pass with Vice President Kamala Harris' tie-breaking vote.

Democrats already used the procedure to muscle through Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan. But the guidance from the parliamentarian indicates that they can now take more than one shot.

It gives them a chance to move Biden's infrastructure plan  and potentially a second package focusing on 'human infrastructure'  through a vehicle that can't get filibustered.

It is a boost for Biden, but moderate Democrats including Joe Manchin have indicated that the huge proposal needs to be changed and the tax hikes need to be watered down before it gets their support.

'As the bill exists today, it needs to be changed,' Manchin said in an interview on Monday. 'If I don't vote to get on it, it's not going anywhere.'

Manchin has become a gatekeeper in the 50-50 Senate as among the most conservative members in the Democratic caucus.

The decision by the independent Parliamentarian grants enormous leverage to Manchin or any other centrist who decides to hold out for their own policy ideas.

Democrats can now pass Joe Biden's $2.3trillion infrastructure package without Republican support after the Senate Parliamentarian approved a strategy that would allow the bill to pass with a 51-vote majority. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's spokesman welcomed the parliamentarian's opinion as 'an important step forward'

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's spokesman welcomed the parliamentarian's opinion as 'an important step forward.'

Spokesman Justin Goodman said no decisions have been made on the process ahead, but 'this key pathway is available to Democrats if needed.'

He said Democrats have not yet decided how to proceed. But the advice from the Parliamentarian hands them a powerful tool. To use it, Democrats would have to revise their budget resolution for the 2021 fiscal year to allow for a new reconciliation bill, then do so again if necessary.

Republicans, who are not likely to give the bill a single vote, are lining up against the massive effort they sum up as big taxes, big spending and big government.

The prospects for a massive infrastructure investment, once a bipartisan source of unity on Capitol Hill, have cracked and groaned under the weight of political polarization.

The standoff almost ensures a months-long slog as Congress hunkers down to begin drafting legislation and the White House keeps the door open to working across the aisle with Republicans, hoping that continued public attention will drum up support.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell declared plainly on Monday that Bidens plan is 'something were not going to do.'

Speaking to reporters in Kentucky, McConnell said Republicans could support a 'much more modest' approach, and one that doesnt rely on corporate tax hikes to pay for it.

A core dividing line is Biden's effort to pay for infrastructure by undoing Donald Trump's tax break for corporations, a signature achievement of the Trump White House and its partners in Congress.

The move is a boost for Biden, but moderate Democrats including Joe Manchin have indicated that the huge proposal needs to be changed and the tax hikes need to be watered down before it gets their support

The 2017 GOP tax bill, which all the Republicans voted for, slashed the corporate rate from 35 per cent to 21 per cent. It was supposed to usher in a new era of American investment and job creation, yet growth never came close to the promised levels and the economy fell into a recession because of the pandemic.

Biden proposes raising the rate to 28% and instituting a global minimum rate to dissuade companies from relocating in lower-tax havens. Democratic senators led by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, unveiled their own framework for an international taxation overhaul Monday that could provide an opening to Biden's approach.

'We desperately need reform,' said Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., one of those involved in the effort.

Shepherding Biden's proposal through Congress remains a work in progress, particularly in the evenly-divided 50-50 Senate, where Democrats have the majority because the vice president from their party, Kamala Harris, can cast a tie-breaking vote.

'If I dont vote to get on it, its not going anywhere': Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) registered his problems with a 28 per cent corporate tax rate and threatened to hold up infrastructure legislation that is a top priority for President Joe Biden

But a single senator can break ranks to influence the size and shape of the package. On Monday, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., indicated he would prefer a corporate tax rate at 25%, lower than what Biden is proposing.

Seizing on Democratic divisions, Republicans have signaled zero interest in undoing the tax cuts they approved with Trump, and instead prefer a smaller infrastructure package paid for by user fees on drivers or other public-private partnerships that share the costs.

Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., a member of Senate GOP leadership, said Sunday a smaller infrastructure package of about $615 billion, or 30% of what Biden is proposing, could draw bipartisan support.

Administration officials have encouraged Republicans to talk more fully about what they dislike and would do instead, under the opinion that a battle of ideas will only help Biden gain support with voters.

The president has already met twice with bipartisan groups of lawmakers in the Oval Office, and members of Bidens Cabinet leading the charge on infrastructure have also have placed dozens of calls to lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

Yet the White House has a fundamental disagreement with Republicans on the definition of infrastructure, such that any outreach is unlikely to yield an agreement.

'Infrastructure is not just the roads we get a horse and buggy across,' White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters at a Monday briefing. 'Infrastructure is about broadband. Its about replacing lead pipes so people have water. Its about rebuilding our schools.'

That leaves Biden and congressional Republicans on a collision course, the outcome of which could define the parties and his presidency.

The GOP strategy is reminiscent of its Obama-era stance more than a decade ago, when the Republicans opposed the 2009 rescue after the economic crisis, framing it as government overreach that piled on debt - an argument they used in 2010 to win back control of Congress.

But its not at all certain the GOP playbook that worked more than a decade ago will produce the same political gains this time. Biden is banking on polling that suggests his infrastructure package is popular among voters of both parties, making it easier to bypass any GOP blockade on Capitol Hill.

Touring a water treatment plant Monday in California, Harris said access to clean water was about a broader issue of fairness.

With the states governor, Gavin Newsom, Harris noted that families in Iowa and parts of the Midwest needed federal help to upgrade the wells on their properties, while parts of California needed reliable access to fight wildfires.

'We must understand the equities and inequities of distribution and access to clean water, especially clean drinking water,' Harris said.
Disneys upcoming live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, starring Beyonce's protege Halle Bailey as Ariel, will reportedly shoot on the Italian island of Sardinia.

Filming is set to start in early summer and will involve '300 people working on the island location' for about three months, according to Variety.

Locations scouts have already began pinpointing 'exact marine and other locations' for the adaptation around picturesque Sardinia to highlight its pristine blue waters.

Heading to paradise: Disneys upcoming live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, starring Beyonce's protege Halle Bailey as Ariel, will reportedly shoot on the Italian island of Sardinia; seen in 2019

The destination is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, known for its gorgeous coastlines and being the home to the oldest people in the world.

'Sardinia is one of only five Blue Zones in the world identified as having residents who often reach age 90 or older,' according to USA Today.

Last March, Disney was forced to 'pause production' on a slew of its live-action films, including The Little Mermaid, due to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Incredible set: Filming is set to start in early summer and will involve '300 people working on the island location' for about three months, according to Variety; Sardinian coastline pictured

Fit for Disney: The destination is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, known for its gorgeous coastlines and being the home to the oldest people in the world

Bailey, 21, was announced to play Ariel by director Rob Marshall, who said after 'an extensive search, it was abundantly clear that' she 'possesses that rare combination of spirit, heart, youth, innocence, and substance  plus a glorious singing voice  all intrinsic qualities necessary to play this iconic role' in July 2019.

Halle confirmed the exciting news on Twitter, giving fans a look at the new and first Black Ariel.

'dream come true...' she captioned an image of Ariel sporting her signature purple shell bikini with green bottoms, while appearing with dark skin, brown eyes and black rather than red hair.

Star power: Halle's role will see her break through on screen, with her only recent acting role as a supporting character on Freeform's Grown-ish, starring Yara Shahidi

The image was from 2015 when artist, Dylan Bonner, was commissioned by Brian Flynn to create illustrations of every Disney princess in the image of his girlfriend Maninai Gupta as a surprise Valentine's Day present.

The five-time Grammy nominee's role will see her break through on screen, with her only recent acting role as a supporting character on Freeform's Grown-ish, starring Yara Shahidi.

Meanwhile, Melissa McCarthy will play Ursula and Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric.
Sinopharm is one of the vaccines being used to inoculate the population.

The Ministry of Health is seeking to provide more information on the WHO approved vaccine which is produced by the Beijing Institute of Biological Products
Posted Monday, April 5, 2021 11:52 am

A bill to create four regional public health districts across Washington and pump significant funding into foundational public health services is making progress in the state Legislature. And after several revisions, what opponents critiqued as a swipe at local control is now gaining more support.

What originally felt like a hand slap to public health departments who have been struggling so hard to keep Washingtonians healthy this year now feels like a bill I can live with, but with some refinements, said Jefferson County Commissioner Kate Dean, who also chairs the countys board of health.

While HB 1152 still aims to insulate public health from local politics, the proposal no longer looks to dissolve local boards of health, which are usually dominated by elected officials. Instead, local boards of health would be required to balance elected officials with health experts and other stakeholders, and four regional offices would help coordinate shared services. The goal is to address inequities across the state.

At a public hearing last week, Pierce County Councilmember Derek Young, who also chairs the Tacoma-Pierce County Board of Health, cited significant improvements in the new bill.

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig, D-Spokane, told reporters last week that hes hopeful the bill will make it onto the Senate floor, where, if passed, it would head to the governors desk to be signed into law.

Majority floor leader Sen. Marko Liias, D-Lynwood, also weighed in on the proposal, saying it would help depoliticize public health, pointing to the 2019 dismissal of two public health officials in his districts Snohomish County.

Its been over a year. I still have no idea why our chief health officers were let go, he said. They went into some sort of confidential settlement and provided no transparency to the public. I think that kind of decision making just is not sound when it comes to important issues of public health.

Lawmakers have also pointed to public health officials who have left the job during the pandemic. During public testimony for HB 1152, state Secretary of Health Dr. Umair Shah  a supporter of the governor-requested bill  told lawmakers that the pandemic has put public health officials at the center of political squabbles.

Weve had, at times, those health officers not being able to do their jobs or being asked not to continue in their jobs, he said. Im very concerned about the public health workforce, not just across the state of Washington but across the country. There are many people that are tired.

Across the country, public health officials have been dropping out of the field during the pandemic. Locally, when Lewis County sought to replace its retiring health officer last year, officials cited high demand  and not much supply  in their search. Ultimately, Dr. Alan Melnick and Steven Krager stepped in, taking on Lewis County in addition to several others in Southwest Washington.

Shah added that public health officials have been vilified for making decisions that are in the best interest of protecting Washingtonians.

Challenges

Despite some stakeholders coming around to the bill, many opponents still have their heels dug in. Clark Countys Sen. Ann Rivers, R-La Center, told lawmakers during public testimony that she had been stewing over this bill.

This bill makes it seem like its all the local health departments, but without examining what were the failures at the state level that may have contributed to the local health departments having greater difficulties, she said.

Shah shot back, citing the states favorable metrics in comparison to the rest of the country. In total COVID-19 cases per capita, Washington falls among the bottom few states, according to analyses by The New York Times and Statista.

Rivers also argued that the bill would add another layer of bureaucracy, funding for which would not reach ground-level efforts, and would diminish local control.

When funding is connected, Rivers argued, counties could be forced into doing something that may not fit their local culture.

Rep. Marcus Riccelli, a Spokane Democrat who sponsored the bill, agreed that there would be accountability with increased funding. He also pointed to the null and void clause of the bill, which ensures that the restructuring would not go into effect unless the state approved the funding to support it.

The way Riccelli sees it, the new regional centers would serve to decentralize public health, since in the current system, officials from the state  rather than a certain region  must step in when counties are struggling. The plan is for public health to be state supported, regionally coordinated and locally implemented.

As lawmakers work to get the bill on the Senate floor, the question of timeliness remains. While supporters say the pandemic should be the catalyst for change and that the restructuring and funding boost is long overdue, others are still wary of undergoing major restructuring before the pandemic is over.

HB 1152 moved quickly from public hearing to executive session late last month, and heads to the Senate floor next.
Ukraine's partners note the balanced position of the Ukrainian side in resolving the situation in Donbas, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in response to a statement made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that he does not see the attempts of Germany and France to "bring the Ukrainian side to life."

"The last week has shown that all partners of Ukraine are well aware that the Russian Federation should be brought to its senses. They are already doing this. The reasonableness of Ukraine, on the contrary, is noted positively. The attempt of the Russian Federation to impose the image of the aggressor on Ukraine has already failed. There are only loud statements left for TV viewers in the Russian Federation," Kuleba wrote on Twitter on Tuesday.
She announced her engagement to fellow Wiggles musician Oliver Brian on Monday, 15 months after the pair went public with their romance.

And just a day later, doting bride-to-be Emma Watkins shared a video of her whopping engagement ring, as she celebrated a close pal's book launch at The Langham in Sydney.

In the video, her friend Kerrie Hess zoomed in on the gorgeous ring while saying: 'With some very special news... look at this beautiful sparkler!'

'A very special day!' On Tuesday, doting bride-to-be Emma Watkins shared a video of her whopping engagement ring, as she celebrated a close pal's book launch at The Langham in Sydney

In the video, Emma, 31, couldn't wipe the smile off her face as her friend focused on the blinding circular diamond, which appears to be set on a double band.

She looked stunning in a yellow floral-print shirtdress, which perfectly matched her sunny disposition.

The mid-calf length number featured a belted waist, and she also wore nude-coloured flats with criss-cross straps.

Emma, who performs as the Yellow Wiggle in the children's group, had shared the exciting engagement news on her Instagram page while posing alongside her beau.

She captioned the picture with: 'When life gets more sparkly'.

Gorgeous: Emma looked stunning in a yellow floral-print shirtdress, which perfectly matched her sunny disposition

Stunning: The ring in question features a blinding circular diamond, which appears to be set on a double band

Happy news: Emma (left) announced her engagement to boyfriend Oliver Brian on Monday. The 31-year-old shared the happy news in an Instagram post, posing alongside her Wiggles guitarist beau and flashing her diamond ring

Emma shared further photos from the proposal to her Instagram Stories, revealing it had occurred in stunning countryside.

The performer was absolutely beaming as she showed off her sparkler in a number of images, including one where she cuddled up to her musician fiance.

One image showed Emma posing alongside a pony, showing the animal her ring, which he captioned: 'Approval from the locals'.

Emma, who performs as the Yellow Wiggle in the children's group, wrote on Instagram: 'When life gets more sparkly'

Emma confirmed her relationship with Oliver in an interview with The Daily Telegraph's Stellar Magazine in December 2019.

'Yes, I'm in love and I feel very excited to tell you,' she told the publication, describing their relationship as 'new' at the time.

She said Oliver was the 'opposite' to her in personality, but described their relationship as being 'nice'.

So pretty! Emma shared further photos from the proposal to her Instagram Stories, revealing it had occurred in stunning countryside

One image showed Emma posing alongside a pony, showing the animal her ring, which he captioned: 'Approval from the locals'

'He's a very calm and thoughtful person and I've always been interested in his mind and his take on life, and his morals,' she explained.

'He loves talking about the environment and food production. It's not very "Wiggly", but it's been nice for me to talk about things not just concerning ourselves, but people everywhere around the world.'

The pair took the next step in their relationship in April last year, reportedly moving in together amid the coronavirus lockdown.

In September, Emma and Oliver showed further signs their relationship was becoming more serious, as they brought home a new puppy.

Co-workers: Oliver plays various instruments on The Wiggles, including guitars and banjo, and has previously joined the band on several of their world tours. Emma confirmed her relationship with Oliver in December 2019, saying it was 'new' at the time

News of the couple moving in together came less than two weeks after Emma's ex-husband, fellow Wiggles member Lachlan Gillespie, 35, announced his engagement to dancer Dana Stephenson.

'On Thursday night, Dana asked me to marry her at home under a fairy light sky and a very excited little boy in a beautiful bow tie,' the purple Wiggle announced on Instagram on April 13.

Emma appeared to give their engagement her approval, commenting with three purple hearts on Lachy's post.

Split: Emma split from ex-husband and fellow Wiggles member Lachlan Gillespie (right) in August 2018

She also congratulated Lachy and his fiancee Dana on the birth of their twins that same month.

During her candid interview with Stellar, Emma discussed Lachlan's relationship with dancer Dana, a senior artist at The Australian Ballet.

After the dancer filmed scenes with The Wiggles last December, Watkins revealed she told a friend that Dana and Lachlan would be 'perfect together'.

Moving on: Lachlan announced his engagement to dancer Dana Stephenson (right) in April last year, the same month that Emma moved in with Oliver in Sydney

Surprise! Emma congratulated Lachy and his fiancee, Dana on the birth of their twins that same month

In August 2018, Emma and former husband Lachlan announced their split.

The former couple - who joined The Wiggles in 2013 and started dating weeks later - had married in Bowral, New South Wales in 2016.

Despite their break-up, Lachlan and Emma have vowed to remain friends and still perform together in The Wiggles.

End of the road: Despite their break-up, Lachlan and Emma have vowed to remain friends and still perform together in The Wiggles

'To be able to realise as a couple that we were going different ways and to stay as close as we are is a real testament, I think, to both of us,' Lachlan said in a statement.

'I love her more now than anything and she loves me more than anything.'

Oliver plays various instruments on The Wiggles, including guitars and banjo, and has previously joined the band on several of their world tours.

Away from the group, Oliver and Emma's ex Lachlan are in band The Unusual Commoners, alongside Anthony Field and David O'Reilly.
New Delhi, April 6 : Bringing together a confluence of around 170 artisans and master craftsmen from all parts of India, the 35th edition of the Dastkari Haat Annual Craft Bazaar by Dastkari Haat Samiti is a rich showcase of Indian art, crafts and textiles. It is currently underway at INA's Dilli Haat till April 15.

The physical edition of the annual crafts bazaar hosts a special sari exhibition with 15 craftspersons under the title 'Sari Specialists of India'. The exhibition showcases 10 new saris by each craftsman giving 150 new saris designs which have not been created before in natural block printing, dyeing, weaving, batik, shibori and others. The colourways, blocks and combinations are theme based, some are naturally dyed, some are revivals of decades old blocks and geometric explorations. All the known masters have worked to offer a rare never-before attempted treat for sari lovers, says Dastkari Haat Samiti.

The collective has been working for the dignity and economic uplift of its members since 1986. The bazaar has been made possible in spite of the Covid-19 pandemic and its challenges, especially for the crafts sector.

A recent survey report brought out by All India Artisans and Craftworkers Welfare Association (AIACA) has also mentioned cash flow crunches, wage losses, cancellation/withholding of orders, supply disruptions in the raw material value chain and uncertainties regarding shipment (both domestic and export) as some key challenges faced by craft enterprises because of the lockdown.

The opening ceremony also saw the release of an e-book offering documentation of 21 art, craft and textiles skills of India, covering over 100 styles and techniques. It also announced a revamped website dastkarihaat.org that highlights 35 years of Samiti's work, and the entire atmosphere of crafts bazaars, with videos, skill demonstrations and snippets of craftspersons' voices. A separate crafts shopping website also entails.

"The only way to counter the negative is to offer the positive. The work of the Dastkari Haat Samiti completes 35 years of proud and exciting interactions with our wonderful karigars which deserves a collective celebration and an announcement of new work in new areas. These are a new e-commerce platform called dastkarhaat.com, two major publications on craft skills and graphic design and an exhibition of 20 sari specialists of India offering 200 new sari designs. Never before has this been done exclusively with saris. Everyone has worked valiantly and creatively during the past horrible year. This itself is worth celebrating," says Jaya Jaitly, President, Dastkari Haat Samiti.

(Siddhi Jain can be contacted at siddhi.j@ians.in)
Jersey City is bringing all city employees back to their assigned worksites starting in May, ending the work-from-home program that was put in place at the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

In a letter to all city employees, Human Resources Director Joanne Rosa said the city is ending the program as she cites decreasing COVID-19 cases, vaccinations increasing and public schools returning to in-person learning.

Accordingly, on Monday, May 3, 2021, all City employees shall return to their assigned worksites for all their normally scheduled work hours, Rosa said in the letter sent out on March 8. Employees who are unable to return to full-time, on-site work by May 3, 2021, shall be permitted to utilize their available accrued time (i.e., sick, vacation, personal days) for pay continuation or may apply for an unpaid leave of absence if they meet the established criteria.

According to city spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione, in the last few weeks, large private-sector employers have taken a similar step in returning to the workplace. She said most city employees have been gradually returning to their offices the last several months.

We have done our best to accommodate those that have had difficulty with timelines within reason, Wallace Scalcione said. This is a change to the policy as most nonessential City employees were given the option of working from home since last March. Municipal government is different than the private sector, as much of our responsibilities with the public require us to be in the workplace to best serve constituents.

Jersey City had over 600 positive COVID-19 cases in just the first four days of the month of April. In March, the city had a total of 4,091 cases, just slightly under the amount of total positive cases in April 2020. There have been nine deaths in the county, one of those from Jersey City.

Starting today, many New Jersey residents are eligible for the vaccination, including people ages 55-64, teachers and school staff, construction workers, code officials, plumbers, electricians, HVAC technicians, property management, utility workers, sanitation workers and librarians.

About 1.7 million of the states 6.9 million adult residents have been fully vaccinated. Hudson County has administered only 258,734 doses of the vaccine.

Julio Cordero, the president of the Jersey City Public Employees Inc. Local 24, said there are people who dont want to return to the offices. He said some people are still afraid of the virus.

What should be done is the people that did work out of the house before they even come back to their offices  they should provide the city with a negative result of COVID-19 testing, Cordero said.

Wallace-Scalcione added that the city has been taking necessary precautions for several months to ensure employees can safely return. These include the installation of plexiglas dividers at workstations and public-facing offices, reconfiguring office layouts, modifying access to certain common areas, mandatory mask-wearing and social distancing, shifting shared bathrooms to single occupancy, supplying PPE, among other protocols in place, all done with the goal of returning to the workplace as we find employees can best serve the residents from their workplace.

Note: NJ Advance Media Reporter Matt Arco contributed to this story.
Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order Tuesday prohibiting government-mandated vaccine passports in Texas.

No state agencies or entities that receive public funds can adopt or enforce any measure that would require a person to provide documentation of their COVID-19 vaccine status as a condition of receiving a service or entering a place, according to the executive order.

Texas is expected this week to surpass 13 million vaccine doses administered, Abbott said in an early morning video announcement.

"Those shots help slow the spread of COVID-19, reduce hospitalizations and reduce fatalities," he said. "But, as I have said all along, these vaccines are always voluntary and never forced. Government should not require any Texan to show proof of vaccination and reveal private health information just to go about their daily lives."
Illinois, outside Chicago, already had been scheduled to open up vaccinations of that group on Monday, but within the last two weeks, 84 of the states 102 counties had already made that group eligible. City officials had been sticking with a May 1 eligibility date. Lightfoot said later that the city would meet Bidens April 19 date but called for more vaccines to be delivered to Chicago.
Mapping apps have become a handy tool for travelers, helping them find their way along unfamiliar routes, but one of Connecticuts U.S. senators is taking a stand against one of the major downsides to such navigation apps.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., is calling on technology giants including like Google and Apple to upgrade their mapping apps that use global positioning systems to keep commercial vehicles off limited-access highways such as the Merritt and Wilbur Cross parkways.

Blumenthal said he has sent letters to the chief executive officers of Google and Apple as well as those at other companies that use GPS for mapping apps. The apps currently dont provide any notification about commercial traffic restrictions, such as it being banned from the Merritt and Wilbur Cross.

Its infuriating, Blumenthal said of instances when commercial vehicles get stuck on the parkwayor hit an underpass. This is a topic that is close to my heart because Ive been stuck on the parkway when this happens. It makes traffic impenetrable because there is no way off these road if youre caught between exits.

The Merritt, also known as Route 15, stretches from Greenwich to the Housatonic River, where the highway become the Wilbur Cross in Milford.

Last year, there were 581 instances in which Connecticut State Police cited a commercial truck driver for using the Merritt or Wilbur Cross, he said. And Blumenthal said there were 21 occasions last year when a bridge along one of the two roads was stuck by a commercial vehicle.

State Trooper Curtis Booker said the penalty for commercial vehicles caught on the parkways is $92. Commercial truckers caught on the parkways frequently blame the mapping apps they use for not having warned them that commercial traffic is banned from the roads.

Blumenthal said state lawmakers need to consider increasing the penalty for the violation. More prominent signage at on-ramps along both parkways, similar to the ones used to notify drivers if they are getting on a highway traveling in the wrong direction, also would be helpful, he said.

Wes Haynes, executive director of the Merritt Parkway Conservancy, said the highway has 68 historic bridges, 35 of which are underpasses that carry the road beneath streets located above. An estimated 25 million vehicles travel on the Merritt annually, according to Haynes.

Responsible truckers use fee-based apps that do indicate the ban on commercial vehicles on both roads, he said. It is the free apps that are the problem, according to Haynes.

Free app providers have shown no interest in voluntarily ensuring public safety by providing accurate information, adding warnings for users driving trucks, he said.

The King Street bridge on the Merritt Parkway, located just over the state line from Greenwich, has been hit nearly 150 times in the past decade, according to DOT officials. One such incident occurred in late January.

While the DOT keeps records of when crews are dispatched to make repairs, an agency spokesman said there is no database that tracks whether bridge strikes have become more common as GPS-enabled apps have proliferated.

The bridges on the Merritt were built between 1936 and 1940, while those on the Wilbur Cross were built between 1938 and 1942, according to Haynes.

Its a very special road, he said. All were trying to do is keep it safe.

luther.turmelle@hearstmediact.com
Chandigarh, April 6 : With the sudden spike in coronavirus cases, the Chandigarh administration on Tuesday announced night curfew in the city from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily Only essential services will be allowed to function during the curfew, an official release said.

However, no gatherings will be allowed during the curfew and all restaurants must shut down by 10 p.m.

Punjab Governor V.P. Singh Badnore, who is also the Administrator of Chandigarh, took the decision in this regard at a high-level meeting presided over by him.

Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research's (PGIMER) G.D. Puri said the hospital has tested 17,000 samples, out of which 1,900 were found positive. The positivity rate was 11.2 per cent.

He said the hospital has admitted 170 positive patients, out of which 50 per cent belong to Punjab, 25 per cent to Chandigarh and remaining to other states.

Director Health Services Amandeep Kang said they have conducted 31,394 tests and the positivity rate was 12.7 per cent.

In March, the positivity rate was 9.1 per cent, the fatality rate 0.5 per cent and the recovery rate 87.3 per cent.

The Administrator directed the police to ensure strict implementation of the night curfew.

He favoured stricter measures like weekend curfew and closure of Apni Mandis and other crowded places, if the residents failed to follow the appropriate Covid-19 protocols.
(TNS)  New Yorks website to sign up for unemployment benefits still doesnt work.One year after hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers jammed the states system with new claims, the state continues to leave people stranded without benefits for weeks and months.Theres a new pileup as people reach the one-year anniversary of the coronavirus shutdown that put them out of work last March. The state requires some people to reapply, but not others. They mostly have to sort it out for themselves. Its confusing.Its created a tsunami on top of the same complaints that have gone on for a year  clogged phone lines, fraud, miscommunication and delayed payments, advocates say. Its like 2020 all over again, said Paul Raider, a pizza delivery driver in Canton, N.Y. It feels like they dropped the ball. Raider is not sure if he reapplied correctly, cant remember his pin number and keeps getting shut out of the states phone system. After entering his personal information and following the prompts, a recording says to call back later and hangs up.The state asks people not to call the Telephone Claims Center, or TCC, to check the progress of their applications until they have gone without pay for at least three weeks.Erica Collins, who lost her job at the Syracuse VA Medical Center, said she has logged 32 hours on the phone since March 1, when her benefits were cut off. First, they told her there was a banking error. Then, a supervisor said her benefits had been rerouted to someone elses account.Another person said they had calculated her benefits incorrectly and she was owed about $3,000 in backpay. It hasnt arrived.Theyre just like Keep being patient, " she said. Im like, are you going to keep feeding my kids?Lenna Bennett, an out-of-work administrative assistant from Brooklyn, runs a Facebook unemployment help group with 9,000 members. Their strategy is to flood the phone lines until someone answers, then ask as many questions as possible to bring answers back to the group.Its a community and we all realize we are up against the same Goliath, she said. The person who gets through is calling for all of us.With no one to call, the online panic is almost audible in a state where nearly 900,000 people are still out of work and struggling to pay bills.Hundreds of people respond to the labor departments tweets and Facebook posts with pleas for help.Last week, the department went off-topic and tweeted its praise for the legalization of recreational pot. In response, dozens of people begged the department to pay attention to their claims.How about fixing unemployment instead of having to wait weeks, one person wrote. No money for bills, car getting ready to be repossessed, phone getting ready to be cutoff! We cant tell our bill collectors to wait weeks!Another said: People are definitely going to need to smoke after trying to get in touch with TCC.People call news reporters in tears. They reach out to their elected representatives and Gov. Andrew Cuomos office. Sen. Rachel May, D- Syracuse, has helped more than 1,000 people navigate the system, her staff said.The Workers Defense League is one of the few advocates for people all over the state who need to sort out their claims. Jon Bloom, executive director, said the huge number of people who need to reapply after one year added to thousands of brand new applicants is overwhelming the system.The volume is enormous, he said. Its a tsunami.He said most of the issues are easily fixed. The problem is reaching someone with enough experience to handle a complicated issue.Its still a huge situation. Theres still lots and lots of people unemployed. Lots of people running into problems both minor and more major with getting their benefits, he said. Most of the time, the problems will be solved. The Department of Labor will release the money if you can make clear to them that youre entitled to it.There are several reasons it is difficult for people to sort out the unemployment system on their own.First, not everyone has to reapply at the end of one year. It depends whether youve worked in the last year, how much money youve made and which unemployment insurance program youre in.How to figure out if you need to reapply after one year.It is difficult for people to keep track of the unemployment insurance programs theyre using and the rules for each one. They have different requirements.New Yorks traditional unemployment insurance pays benefits for 26 weeks. There are three other federal programs that can extend benefits for longer or expand the types of workers who qualify. Two of those programs have been under the threat of expiring, then were renewed by Congress at the last minute.Each time Congress acts, the phone lines fill up with people who want to know whether they have to do anything to get the extra money. Usually, the answer is no. And the other message is: Please dont call about that.To make matters worse, New Yorks system has been fraught with fraudulent claims. They have caught more than 500,000 of them, but they continue every day.Scammers appear even in the comments on the labor departments Facebook page. On Friday, someone repeatedly shared a suspicious link that asked people to enter identifying information. That information can be used to file a fraudulent claim in someones name.When that person tries to file for unemployment, they discover someone else has already made a claim in their name. That can take weeks to resolve.Bloom, who has a job, said even he was a victim of identity theft. He got a letter from the state that said he had qualified for unemployment benefits. Of course, he had not applied.To fight fraud, the state recently added one more layer of security. The state hired a firm called ID.me that asks people to certify their identities. They may ask for a Social Security card or other identification that some people dont have on hand.It is causing problems and it is causing delays, he said.More than 5 million people have filed unemployment claims in New York since March 2020. Initial unemployment claims have slowed down since the initial surge. But they remain steady and high.In the week that ended March 27, there were 51,500 initial claims filed in New York. Initial claims increased over the previous week in every industry and every region in New York state.There were 2,025 new claims filed in Central New York, an increase from 1,380 the week before.
Liverpool's decline this season has been notable, especially compared to the team that conquered the Premier League and went all the way to the trophy in 2019/20.

However, the Reds have managed to bounce back recently and significantly improve on the pitch, registering three straight wins and the same number of clean sheets in their last three games in all compeititions.

Jurgen Klopp's side currently sit fifth in the Premier League table, 25 points behind leaders Manchester City. The Reds have picked up 34 fewer points than last season, having conceded 15 more goals (36 compared to last season's 21) and having scored 15 fewer (51 to 66).

Despite maintaining the backbone that led them to Premier League glory last season and Champions League success the year before, Liverpool have experienced a drop-in form since their elimination from the major European competition at the hands of Atletico Madrid.

The Reds were top of the league until Matchday 15 of the Premier League, but a series of serious injuries to first-choice players has plagued the team since.

Diogo Jota has missed 15 games, Thiago Alcantara another 12, Fabinho eight and Jordan Henderson was sidelined for crucial games too.

However, their biggest issue this season was their absences in defence as their starting centre-backs Virgil Van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip have missed 45, 39 and 22 games respectively and counting.

Liverpool have yet to rediscover last year's marvellous form, but have gained confidence following their latest results, which were capped off with clean sheets.

Meanwhile, their breakthrough player this season, Diogo Jota, has been the most positive news for a side that has struggled a lot in the last few months.
The historic manufacture based in Le Locle first brought us the high-impact Blast in the autumn of 2020  juxtaposing an angular, geometric case inspired by stealth aircraft with an openworked movement to create a timepiece following in the disruptive aesthetic footsteps of their iconic Freak collection.

This year marks the 175th anniversary of Ulysse Nardin, and for Watches And Wonders 2021, the company adds to its family of Blast models with the Blast Hourstriker. This timepiece is the result of over three decades of chiming expertise at the manufacture, incorporating the acoustic improvements developed in 2019 (in conjunction with French audio systems experts Devialet) for their Hourstriker Phantom.

Blast Hourstriker  Ulysse Nardin

Ulysse Nardins penchant for pairing surprising elements comes to the forefront in the Blast Hourstriker  you might think that a watch design inspired by stealth aircraft is meant to fly under the radar, but a chiming movement is nothing less than horologys most audible attention magnet. Unlike previous Blast models, the Blast Hourstriker is not skeletonised, but it nevertheless possesses the same philosophy of putting its inner workings on show. Conventional sonnerie watches are constructed to have the components related to the chiming mechanism on the back of the watch, but the Blast Hourstriker is configured to feature these components on the dial-side of the movement. When a pusher, located at the 10 oclock position on the case, is activated, the chiming mechanism leaps into action, allowing the wearer to observe the entire process without obstruction.

One of the most important characteristics of a chiming watch is the volume and quality of the sound produced when the hammers hit the gongs. To this end, a thin amplifying membrane (measuring only 0.3mm in thickness) is integrated within the Blast Hourstriker. X-shaped apertures in the case back allow the membrane to transmit the chime at an optimal level  with exactly the right balance of loudness and euphony.

Blast Hourstriker  Ulysse Nardin

Further augmenting this mechanical ballet is the flying tourbillon, visible at the 6 oclock position on the dial. Its upper cage is shaped like an X that continuously turns at the speed of one revolution per minute, symbolising the dynamism of Ulysse Nardins in-house watchmaking savoir-faire.

The Blast Hourstriker is powered by the new UN-621 automatic manufacture calibre, with a power reserve of 60 hours. It comes in an eye-catching case of rose-gold with a bezel of black DLC titanium  the perfect combination of luxury and technology.
Authorities have released the name of a 22-year-old man killed during a family Easter gathering in Bessemer.

The Jefferson County Coroners Office Tuesday identified the victim as Kendrick Felix Morrisette. He lived in Birmingham and was one of two people killed Sunday night at the holiday celebration.

Bessemer police were called just before 7:30 p.m. to the 10 block of First Street North. Lt. Christian Clemons said the victims were at a large family Easter gathering when shots were fired.

Morrisette was pronounced dead on the scene at 7:45 p.m. Kamisha Malea Davis, 27, was taken to UAB Medical West where she was pronounced dead at 7:38 p.m.

Authorities said Davis was the sister of Morrisettes girlfriend. Authorities have not disclosed a possible motive, but Clemons said several people have been interviewed and are cooperating with investigators.

Police are asking that anyone with information, or video of the Sunday-night incident, to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to call Bessemer police at 425-2411, the Tip Line at 205- 428-3541 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
TEXAS CITY, Texas, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ProbatesDaily.com is very excited to bring in Tresa Todd-Lugten to host their latest monthly webinar on April 13, 2021 at 6.00 p.m. Tresa is a native from West Texas who served in the medical industry for a considerable period. After spending more than 25 years in this field she started considering her retirement options and realized the importance of planning a new path for her future ahead. Her 401K salary package and savings during her medical career were only enough to lead a comfortable life for a couple of years, and not more than that. This is when her three sons persuade her to become a real estate investor and join their business. ProbatesDaily.com is very grateful to Tresa for hosting the upcoming Women's World Real Estate webinar to share her expert insights on real estate wholesaling and realtor leads.

Woman's World Real Estate webinar with Tresa Todd-Lugten

Through this webinar, Tresa will share how her leap of faith in the real estate industry has worked in her favor. This will be a great opportunity for all women entrepreneurs and real estate professionals who want to know more about the Women's Real Estate Investors Network, which is founded by her. This program aims to inspire women to benefit from the growing opportunities in the real estate industry. She will cover how her combination of leadership skills, charisma, and professional experience helped her to overcome her skeptical approach towards this new career path.

The webinar will also uncover the details on how she was able to strike her first successful deal within 30 days with the knowledge and consistent support from her sons. Tresa would share her journey with Dallas real estate markets and how it has contributed to making her investments grow exponentially over the years. Everyone she meets and every project she undertakes, such as working on a new rental real estate or flipping houses, Tresa brings an inspirational and personal charm to each one of them. She loves to share her experience and knowledge with other women on a variety of topics to empower them.

Tresa has started an initiative since the novel coronavirus pandemic has begun, where she presented her knowledge and experience over an ever-expanding network in form of online seminars and training to women. Thousands of women have attended her Facebook Challenges so far and benefited from this invaluable resource and remain passionate about their future and success, even during the most challenging situations.

Her webinar will be a 1 1/2 hour-long event, beginning at 6:00 p.m. and end by 7:30 p.m. It will cover vital topics related to wholesale real estate markets and real estate leads that are off the market. To obtain the monthly webinar with Tresa Todd-Lugten, make sure to book a seat now.

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Woman's World Real Estate webinar with Tresa Todd-Lugten

SOURCE ProbatesDaily.com
Microsoft has won a contract which could be worth US$21.88 billion (A$28.58 billion) with the US Army to supply 120,000 custom HoloLens augmented reality headsets that will help soldiers who are at war.

Prototypes of the Integrated Visual Augmented System were supplied to the army under a US$480 million deal signed in 2018. The new contract involves the supply of devices that can be used in the field.

"The IVAS headset, based on HoloLens and augmented by Microsoft Azure cloud services, delivers a platform that will keep soldiers safer and make them more effective," Alex Kipman, a Microsoft technical fellow and the person who introduced the HoloLens in 2015, wrote in a blog post.

"The program delivers enhanced situational awareness, enabling information sharing and decision-making in a variety of scenarios. Microsoft has worked closely with the US Army over the past two years, and together we pioneered Soldier Centred Design to enable rapid prototyping for a product to provide soldiers with the tools and capabilities necessary to achieve their mission."

On behalf of workers at Microsoft, we're releasing an open letter to Brad Smith and Satya Nadella, demanding for the cancelation of the IVAS contract with a call for stricter ethical guidelines.

If you're a Microsoft employee you can sign at: https://t.co/958AhvIHO5 pic.twitter.com/uUZ5P4FJ7X  Microsoft Workers 4 Good (@MsWorkers4) February 22, 2019

But workers at the company have objected to "the creation of technology for warfare and oppression", according tosent to Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella and president Brad Smith in February.

The workers said they were alarmed that the company was working to provide weapons technology to the US military.

They said the contract was intended to "rapidly develop, test and manufacture a single platform that soldiers can use to fight, rehearse and train that provides increased lethality, mobility and situational awareness to achieve overmatch against our current and future adversaries".

The workers, who did not provide either their number or who they were, called for cancelling the IVAS contract, stopping the development of all weapons technologies and drafting a publicly accessible acceptable use policy to clarify this commitment, and appointment of an independent, external ethics board which could enforce and validate compliance with an acceptable use policy.

This contract is the second big deal that Microsoft has secured with the military. In October 2019, the company was awarded a US$10 billion (A$13 billion) cloud contract by the Pentagon.

However, Amazon Web Services obtained a stay from a court to stop Microsoft and the Department of Defence from continuing to work on implementing the deal.

AWS, which was heavily favoured to get the contract, claimed that former US president Donald Trump had influenced the awarding of the same.

The workers said that Smith's suggestion about redeploying employees working on unethical projects did not take into consideration the fact that they were not properly informed about the use of their work.

"There are many engineers who contributed to HoloLens before this contract [the US$480 million deal] even existed, believing it would be used to help architects and engineers build buildings and cars, to help teach people how to perform surgery or play the piano, to push the boundaries of gaming and to connect with the Mars Rover [RIP]," the petition said.

It added that these engineers would now be unable to decide about something they had worked on and would find themselves implicated as war profiteers.

Microsoft employees have protested in the past whenever the company has got involved in what they consider to be unethical projects.

In 2018, some employees called for a halt to a contract with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement when it emerged that children were being separated from their parents at the US-Mexico border by the agency.

Workers at the Microsoft-owned source code repository GitHub made a similar demand. The US has troops deployed at more than 800 bases all over the world, according to the book Base Nation.
Instead of enjoying the clear weather and beautiful scenery, dozens of individuals present at a popular Northern California coastal overlook became witnesses to a horrific car crash.

An SUV drove through a parking lot without braking and then plunged off a cliff that resulted in the deaths of two women, investigators said Monday.

Based on the statement of an initial witness, the vehicle drove through a wooden barrier in a large parking area at the Head Trail of the Bodega Bay before it suddenly went off the cliff.

According to Associated Press, California Highway Patrol Officer David de Rutte said the reason behind the crash that happened on Saturday was still under investigation.

De Rutte added that witnesses saw that the SUV drove through the parking lot, and it was not even accelerating. However, witnesses noted that the vehicle did not stop and just continued without braking.

Both women were found dead on the crash site by the rescuers who searched the Toyota SUV down the cliff. The vehicle had landed on its roof on the rocks around 100 feet or 30 meters below.

Investigators are still currently determining whether the car crash was intentional or accidental, De Rutte noted.

California authorities identified the driver as 64-year-old Maria Teixeira and her 41-year-old passenger, Elizabeth Correia.

Both women were from the San Francisco Bay Area city of Dublin, which is around 100 miles or 160 kilometers south of the car crash site.

READ NEXT: Biden Emphasizes Vaccination Means Doing Moral Obligation on Easter Message

Employees of Public Schools in California

Relatives and sheriff's officials confirmed that both women were mother and daughter, who were public schools' employees in the Bay Area.

Teixeira was a lead custodian at Montevideo Elementary, which is close to San Ramon. On the other hand, Elizabeth Correia was a first-grade teacher at Pleasanton's Lydiksen Elementary, Mercury News reported.

A former colleague of Maria Teixeira, Erin Aitken, who is also a teacher, still cannot believe what happened after hearing the car crash. Aitken is among Teixeira's friends and colleagues who are still struggling with the crash news as it does not make sense to them.

Aitken shared that she remembered how proud Maria Teixeira was when she found that her daughter will become a teacher. She described Teixeira as a warm, happy, and good person who always smiles. Aitken added that Teixeira was a "big cheerleader" for her kids and loved being around and helping children.

Based on the biography of Correia on the website of Lydiksen Elementary, she had taught in Pleasanton since 2005. Pleasanton is the place where she grew up.

Based on her information on the website, Elizabeth Correia enjoyed not only teaching, but also reading, music, movies, art, going to Disneyland, and spending time with family and friends.

The crash happened while beachgoers and hikers gathered to the scenic Pacific Ocean overlook, taking advantage of the clear weather on the Easter holiday weekend, ABC News reported.

READ MORE: 1 Dead, 5 Injured in Alabama Park Shooting on Easter

WATCH: Two Woman Dead Following Crash in Bodega Bay - From NBC Bay Area
OTTAWA, ON, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Canadians and well-wishers across the United Kingdom can celebrate the 95th birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with a special coin set featuring fine silver keepsakes crafted by both the Royal Canadian Mint and Britain's Royal Mint. Canada's tribute to our shared sovereign's personal milestone consists of a pure silver coin featuring a detailed engraving of the first-ever equine statue of Queen Elizabeth, proudly displayed in Canada's national capital. Its British counterpart features a rich tapestry of royal iconography and floral symbols of the United Kingdom. This unique collector's item is available as of today.

"The Mint has a time-honoured tradition of commemorating milestones in the historic reign of Queen Elizabeth II and we are proud to mark her 95th birthday through a unique collector keepsake," said Marie Lemay, President and CEO. "We are especially pleased to have been able to collaborate with The Royal Mint on this special project."

The Royal Mint's CEO Anne Jessopp comments: "It is wonderful to work with the Royal Canadian Mint to celebrate the 95th birthday of HRH Queen Elizabeth. This joint set offers a beautifully crafted and unique way for collectors to mark the milestone."

Canada's contribution to the 2021 Two-Coin Set - A Royal Celebration features elegant imagery of Her Majesty on both sides of a 1 oz. pure silver coin. The reverse displays a reproduction of The Queen Elizabeth II Equestrian Monument, sculpted by Canadian artist Jack Harman and unveiled in 1992 by Her Majesty on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. This majestic monument, showing the Queen astride her horse Centenial, presently graces the entrance to Rideau Hall, the official residence of Canada's Governor-General. The obverse is a numismatic history showcase, with fine engravings of all four effigies of Queen Elizabeth to have appeared on Canadian coins throughout her reign.

The Royal Mint recruited British heraldic artist Timothy Noad to design its pure silver coin. Its reverse, dated 1926-2021, includes the Royal Cypher, floral emblem of the nations of the United Kingdom, as well as the inscription "MY HEART AND MY DEVOTION", from the Queen's first televised Christmas message in 1957. The obverse features the effigy portrait of Her Majesty the Queen by Royal Mint designer Jody Clark. This portrait was launched in September 2015 in conjunction with Queen Elizabeth becoming Britain's longest serving monarch.

The two-coin set, limited to a mintage of 6,500, is packaged in a black beauty box bearing the logos of both mints. The packaging includes a certificate of authenticity for each coin and a serialized card with a message from both mints.

This special collectible may be ordered as of today by contacting the Royal Canadian Mint at

1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or at www.mint.ca. To purchase directly from the Royal mint, visit www.royalmint.com.

The coin set is also available through the Mint's network of authorized dealers.

Images of this coin are available here.

About the Royal Canadian Mint

The Royal Canadian Mint is the Crown corporation responsible for the minting and distribution of Canada's circulation coins. The Mint is one of the largest and most versatile mints in the world, offering a wide range of specialized, high quality coinage products and related services on an international scale. For more information on the Mint, its products and services, visit www.mint.ca. Follow the Mint on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

CONTACT: Alex Reeves, Senior Manager, Public Affairs, Telephone: 613-884-6370, reeves@mint.ca

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has informed NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg about the escalating security situation in eastern Ukraine and called for NATO's stronger military presence in the Black Sea region.

The two leaders discussed these issues in a phone call on Tuesday, April 6, the presidential press service reported.

"In recent weeks, we have seen a very dangerous tendency towards a growing number of ceasefire violations by the Russian occupation forces and the number of Ukrainian defenders killed," Zelensky said.

He also spoke about Russia's deployment of troops to Ukraine's borders, which he said is ongoing, and their increased readiness for offensive action.

At the same time, Zelensky thanked Stoltenberg for the Alliance's attention to the security situation around Ukraine and called on NATO member states to pay more attention to security issues in the Black Sea and strengthen their military presence in the Black Sea region.

"Such a permanent presence should be a powerful deterrent to Russia, which continues its large-scale militarization of the region and hinders merchant shipping," Zelensky said.

He stressed that the possibility of obtaining a Membership Action Plan remained the most urgent issue in Ukraine's relations with NATO.

"We are committed to reforming our army and defense sector, but reforms alone cannot stop Russia. NATO is the only way to end the war in Donbas. The MAP will be a real signal for Russia," Zelensky said.

Earlier, Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Ruslan Khomchak said in his speech to the Verkhovna Rada that Russia had deployed 28 battalion tactical groups along the state border of Ukraine, as well as in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and Crimea, which poses a potential threat to Ukraine's national security.

On April 4, on the 72nd anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed hope for the support of NATO partners in providing the MAP to Ukraine.

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" " As a young man, Confucius gained a reputation for his mastery of the traditional rituals and ceremonies associated with the once-flourishing Zhou culture. Hulton Archive/Getty Images

The man we call Confucius was actually named Kong fuzi or "Master Kong" and the impact of his teachings on ethical and moral philosophy  in short, the best way to live and treat others  have echoed across the millennia.

Confucius was born in 551 B.C.E. to the concubine of a man of moderate social status in the kingdom of Lu (now the Shandong Peninsula of China). Confucius' father, an important aide in a more powerful house, died when Confucius was just 3 years old, leaving his family in poverty. The turmoil of Confucius' personal life was mirrored in the political and cultural changes in Lu, where the age-old traditions and norms of the ruling class were being torn down by power-hungry warlords.

As a young man, Confucius gained a reputation for his mastery of the traditional rituals and ceremonies associated with the once-flourishing Zhou culture. He began tutoring aristocratic young men in the importance of li, the ritual institutions of the Zhou that included everything from religious rites and court ceremonies, to personal etiquette and ethical behavior. It was only through li that a man could become a junzi, a truly benevolent and capable person, or a "gentleman."

Confucius became an adviser to the Duke of Lu, but the leader failed to live up to Confucius' high ethical standards, so Confucius and his small clutch of disciples left Lu in search of an incorruptible ruler. For 15 years, Confucius traveled from state to state counseling different leaders, each of whom proved a disappointment, but provided ample opportunities for Confucius to further hone his ethical worldview.

Confucius eventually returned to Lu, where he gathered more disciples and edited the classics of Zhou culture, including texts on ritual, music, history and poetry that became the bedrock of later Confucianism. Soon after Confucius' death in 479 B.C.E, his followers committed his most cherished sayings to print in a series of dialogues called the Analects.

We spoke with Mark Csikszentmihalyi and Bryan Van Norden, two scholars of Chinese philosophy, to better understand the depth and resonance of Confucius' philosophy as recorded in the Analects. Here are five famous quotes to think about.

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1. "That which you do not desire, do not do to others."

Zigong [a disciple] asked, "Is there a single saying that one may put into practice all one's life?" The Master [Confucius] said, "That would be 'reciprocity': That which you do not desire, do not do to others."

Western readers will recognize Confucius' statement as a version of the "Golden Rule," which Confucius expresses elsewhere in the Analects as "Do not do to others what you would not wish done to you."

When asked to choose a single maxim by which to live one's life, Confucius answered with the Chinese word Shu, which can be translated as "reciprocity" but also as "understanding," "empathy," and "loving kindness." But Csikszentmihalyi warns against reducing Confucian philosophy to a single rule.

"Confucius wasn't a rule-based philosopher; he was a virtue and ethics philosopher like Aristotle," says Csikszentmihalyi, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley and author of "Readings in Han Chinese Thought." "Aristotle talked about magnanimity and bravery, while Confucius talks about benevolence, righteousness, and ritual and filial piety. The idea is to develop these character traits and not consult a rule."

For Confucians, Shu is the basic requirement for developing Ren, which means "benevolence," "humaneness" or "goodness"  the hallmarks of a virtuous life. The Golden Rule, in this case, is a way of approaching the world that opens doors to the other virtues.

"To be compassionate to someone, you have to see them as similar to you," says Csikszentmihalyi. "When you want to be cruel to another person or group, you call them animals, you demean them and say, 'You're not the same as we are.' You have to understand, though, that benevolence only applies in certain situations, while in other situations ritual propriety is called for. Instead of obeying rules, Confucians must continually ask themselves, 'What would Confucius do?'"

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2. "You do not yet understand life  how could you possibly understand death?"

Zilu [another disciple] asked about serving ghosts and spirits. The Master said, "You are not yet able to serve people  how could you be able to serve ghosts and spirits?"

"May I inquire about death?"

"You do not yet understand life  how could you possibly understand death?"

Most Western and Eastern religions are deeply concerned with the fate of the soul after death, whether it's rewarded with eternal bliss, punished with eternal damnation or reborn in countless incarnations. But Confucianism, says Van Norden, is decidedly earthbound.

"Many philosophical and religious thinkers view the ideal life as transcending the physical body and its attachments, whereas Confucius advocates making the most of your life here on Earth with other people," says Van Norden, a professor at both Vassar College and Wuhan University (China), and the creator of a wildly popular TED-Ed video about Confucius. "I like the Confucian idea that we can aspire to be better people than we are now, and that the goal is to have a life rich in healthy relationships with other people."

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3. "Guide [people] with virtue...and [they] will have a sense of shame and fulfill their roles."

Full quote: "Guide them with policies and align them with punishments and the people will evade them and have no shame. Guide them with virtue and align them with li and the people will have a sense of shame and fulfill their roles."

This sage piece of advice relates to the best way to rule a people. In an early passage, Confucius says that a person who rules by virtue is "like the North Star" which stays in one place while all other stars "pay reverence to it." Here he re-emphasizes the value of leading by example through virtue and ritual propriety.

Csikszentmihalyi says that centuries after Confucius, a "legalist" mindset pervaded China where the people were kept in line with harsh punishments in order to create what Chinese leaders thought was a well-ordered society.

"Confucius rejects that approach," says Csikszentmihalyi. "If you lead the people with this charismatic ritual authority, then they'll develop their own sense of 'shame.' You don't want people obeying the rules because they're afraid of being punished. What you really want is for individuals to develop their own moral compasses."

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4. "Both keeping past teachings alive and understanding the present  someone able to do this is worthy of being a teacher."

When Confucius began teaching young noblemen in Lu, the classic texts of the former Zhou culture were collecting dust on the shelves. Confucius believed that these texts held the secrets to bringing order back to the world. Two of the most important classical Zhou subjects for Confucius were history and poetry.

"Confucius thought that history teaches us how we should and shouldn't behave by studying the great sages and villains of the past," says Van Norden. "And he thought that poetry could help to train our emotions by teaching us what healthy and decadent forms of love are, and what real courage is."

Confucius dedicated much of his later life to editing and organizing the Zhou classics, which together with his own writings became the foundations of Confucianism. A central tenet of Confucianism is the importance of traditional ritual and etiquette, both of which help to shape our attitudes about others.

"Confucius thought that we could have a more kind and human and respectful society if we revived social conventions about how we address one another and how we show respect or deference for others," says Van Norden. "Confucius would look at contemporary society, in which there's been a breakdown in mutual respect, and say that one way of reestablishing mutual respect is through reminding ourselves about proper etiquette for talking to other people and addressing our differences."

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5. "Wealth and high rank obtained by unrighteous means are like the floating clouds."

Full Quote: To eat coarse greens, drink water, and crook ones elbow for a pillow  joy also lies therein. Wealth and high rank obtained by unrighteous means are to me like the floating clouds.

Csikszentmihalyi says that there's a real suspicion of wealth that runs through the Analects as well as a strong anti-corruption message in passages like this. Perhaps Confucius foresaw the rampant corruption that plagues modern China.

As China has shifted away from strict Communist ideology toward more liberal economic policies, it's left a "spiritual" gap, says Van Norden, that Chinese leaders like Xi Jinping are trying to fill with Confucianism, a religion once violently opposed by Communists during the Cultural Revolution.

"I think Xi recognizes that many people have lost faith in Communism and China now is Communist in name only," says Van Norden. "Xi hopes that people will fill the spiritual void with Confucianism and this will promote both good behavior on the part of citizens while being consistent with Chinese nationalism, because Confucianism is a native Chinese movement."

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Now That's Cool Confucius is far from the only sage to be quoted in fortune cookies. According to Jennifer 8 Lee, author of "The Fortune Cookie Chronicles: Adventures in the World of Chinese Food," fortune cookie writers ran out of ancient Chinese material in the 1960s and started pulling tidbits of wisdom from "Poor Richard's Almanac," popular song lyrics and even Yoda.
The ended peacefully on Tuesday and the voter turnout stood at 71.79 per cent with people sealing the fate of nearly 4,000 candidates including that of AIADMK's K Palaniswami and DMK chief M K Stalin, the key contenders for power.

The 71-plus polling percentage is likely to go up with completion of data collation, Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo told reporters. The EVMs and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail units functioned well and less than one per cent warranted replacements, he said.

Kallakurichi recorded the highest of 78 per cent and Chennai at 59.40 per cent was the lowest, he said adding other information like votes cast by men and women shall be made available later. Figures for Kanyakumari Lok Sabha seat, which witnessed bypoll are expected later.

has 6.28 crore voters and a total of 3,998 candidates were in the fray.

No serious law and order issues were witnessed in the state and polling was by and large peaceful, he added.

In 2016, witnessed 74.26 per cent voter turnout and polls were held for 232 constituencies out of the total 234 that year and polls for two seats were held later.

The polls, that began at 7 AM and ended at 7 PM witnessed several COVID-19 affected people voting with Personal Protective Equipment on and DMK Lok Sabha MP Kanimozhi was among them.

Sahoo said the final tally of COVID-19 affected people, who voted would be made available later.

Sporadic, poll related minor incidents were reported from a couple of places though there were no major untoward incidents. Kamal Haasan, whose Makkal Needhi Maiam is fighting Assembly polls for the first time alleged money distribution in Coimbatore and his party has lodged a complaint with the district poll authority seeking action.

On two men carrying a VVPAT machine/EVMs on a two- wheeler here, speculated initially as 'booth-capturing,' Sahoo said, 'two staffers' by 'mistake' did that.

A detailed enquiry was going on and as per preliminary findings, these were not used for polling. Strict action would be taken for 'any violation' of the Standard Operating Procedure, he asserted.

AIADMK Lok Sabha MP P Ravindhranath alleged he and his supporters were allegedly attacked by DMK men. Pointing to the damaged windscreen and window of his car, he alleged it was an attempt aimed at a 'murderous assault', adding 'huge stones' were used for the attack.

DMK's Thondamuthur constituency nominee in Coimbatore district, Karthikeya Sivesenapathy alleged ruling AIADMK and BJP people tried to attack when he was travelling in a car.

The video on the 'attack' was 'clear' he told reporters, adding a complaint has been lodged. An AIADMK worker allegedly threatened him too, he claimed.

Two voters, including one at a polling station here, claimed that their votes had already been cast and they later voted, reportedly using ballot papers by invoking section 49 P of conduct of election rules.

Sahoo said the EVMs were being taken to 75 counting centres in the state and these have three levels of security, the first manned by the Central Armed Police Forces, and the rest by state police.

Such centres were being monitored through CCTV network 24 x 7 till the conclusion of counting process on May 2, he said. The top official when asked if there was a possibility of re-polls in any constituency complaints, if any would be looked into during usual scrutiny process on Wednesday.

The CEO said there were no major law and order issues anywhere, adding reported incidents were only minor in nature. On incidents like the one involving the AIADMK MP and DMK nominee in Thondamuthur, reports have been sought from local officials, he said.

Chief Minister Palaniswami, Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, DMK chief Stalin, Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan were among the leaders who voted.

Before voting, Palaniswami paid floral tributes to portraits of his late mother, AIADMK icons, M G Ramachandran, and J Jayalalithaa. Stalin visited the mausoleum of party patriarch M Karunanidhi and DMK founder C N Annadurai.

Actors Rajinikanth, Ajith Kumar were among the early voters and top star Vijay rode a bicycle to the polling booth.

Even before polling began at 7 AM, people could be seen eagerly queuing up before the polling stations and voter information slips were distributed to the people to help them identify their booths.

As soon as people arrived at polling stations, they were provided sanitisers to clean their hands and then given a disposable glove. Some people who arrived without masks were asked to wear one to be allowed to vote.

The state had 88,937 polling stations, 1,29,165 ballot units, 91,180 control units (which comprise the Electronic Voting Machine) and an equal number of VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) units.

As many as 4,17,521 polling personnel were on duty and over 1.50 lakh security personnel including those from state police, Central Armed Police Force, and home guards were deployed.

There were 10,813 vulnerable polling stations and 537 critical and webcasting was done from '50 per cent' of the polling stations.

The DMK, in alliance with Congress and other parties is eyeing capturing power from arch rival AIADMK after 10 long years in the opposition.

The ruling AIADMK is pinning its hopes on its government's performance and poll assurances to retain power yet again. The ruling party snatched power from DMK in 2011 and retained power in 2016.

(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.)
Zhang Kunwei, a graduate of the top class from Tsinghua University China, went viral recently online as he was looking for a girlfriend.

Zhang once worked for JP Morgan Chase, Google and other internationally renowned companies. Later, he returned to his hometown to teach and write programs part-time. His monthly income exceeded RMB 50,000.

When Zhang recently decided to post a marriage proposal on the Internet, unexpectedly, after seeing Zhang s appearance, some girl netizens taunted him for not deserving looking for a girlfriend, which became a hot topic.

Netease News reported that this incident has attracted much attention recently. In his marriage post, , Zhang Kunwei said he graduated from the Yao class (very top) of Tsinghua University, and had spent time at JPMorgan Chase and Google. After that, he returned to his hometown in Shanxi Province to be a teacher with a monthly salary of 3,000 yuan. He was not handsome, nor rich, and a little overweight. But now, with part-time job of writing programs and teaching competitions, his monthly income has reached 50,000 yuan.

When the marriage message was exposed, many netizens reacted with mean remaks

Advise some men not to look too high and not too picky.

Dont think that you can read so many books and make a few money to be arrogant and picky.

Dont dislike the blind date introduced to you by Seventh Aunt and Eighth Aunt. Thats the standard you deserve and can match.

"Dont fantasize about finding a better one. Its too down-to-earth, Just look at this image, you know. So ordinary, how can you be so confident.

In this regard, Zhang Kunwei said helplessly, In fact, like me, only students who can get good grades are not welcome in school. I understand this. Everyone will treat people around them based on their own preferences. To treat them differently does not necessarily have to rise to the height of discrimination.

There are other netizens felt sorry for Zhang, thinking that he was scolded to much just because of posting a message for looking for someone to marry, who was accidentally caught too much attention.
[April 06, 2021] CAE Posts Record Growth in the First Quarter of 2021

AUSTIN, Texas, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CAE, the industry's first software and data-driven physical commodity trader for semiconductor capital equipment and commodities, announces record unaudited financial growth for the first quarter of 2021. CAE reports total year-over-year revenue growth of 71% in Q1, with each month in Q1 growing faster than the last, culminating in March growing over 150% when compared to March 2020, as the Austin-based company continues to scale up to meet the semiconductor industry's growing demands. As use cases for semiconductors increase with chips proliferating into everyday technology, integrated circuits have become a critical component to modern-day society. CAE is continuing to support technological development throughout the world by adding new facilities in Europe, including Belarus and Hungary, and the Asia-Pacific region, including Japan, Taiwan, China, Korea, Singapore, India and Australia. CAE will continue to increase globally by providing on-the-ground support in every country with a fabrication plant. Additionally, CAE is rapidly scaling its platform reach, addingover 1,000 new assets and points-of-demand per day on average. CAE's efficiency has allowed thousands of clients to increase production and enable suppliers to effectively sell excess assets and inventory.



"Over four decades ago, CAE created a solution amid the standardization in the semiconductor industry. Today, CAE is the most relevant solution for trading semiconductor capital equipment and commodities because of our proprietary software, industry-leading supply and demand catalog, and world-class due diligence and logistics support," said Ryan Jacob, chief executive officer of CAE. "We provide a confidential source for buying and selling semiconductor production equipment and commodities. CAE's introduction into the marketplace has created a safe space for manufacturers to trade equipment without their competitors having an implication into their day-to-day business. We continue to provide a clear and comprehensive view into the market and thorough due diligence processes to ensure each transaction is completed safely and rapidly. Our 6,000 existing customers, and the hundreds of new customers we welcome annually, count on us to make the market safe and rapid, and provide them a comprehensive view into each of the assets on our platform. Our growth is driven by their success and the hard work of CAE's professionals globally." CAE's vast history provides the company with a relevant view into buyer demand and seller assets. CAE's internally developed, proprietary technology creates a transactionally validated solution for end-to-end sourcing, due diligence, purchasing and logistics management for the semiconductor market. CAE's platform organizes buyer and seller inputs into a single algorithmic matching system that monitors prices, market events, supply, demand and asset quality to create a safe and transparent market for its clients.

About CAE

CAE is a global software and data-driven physical commodity trader for semiconductor production equipment and commodities. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, CAE developed the market-share-leading, transaction-validated technology that enables the end-to-end processing of semiconductor equipment and commodity purchases, sales and shipments. To learn more, please visit caeonline.com . View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cae-posts-record-growth-in-the-first-quarter-of-2021-301263091.html SOURCE CAE

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Plan b in Fairfield is pausing operations due to COVID-19, according to its owners.

The restaurant, which specializes in burgers, beer and bourbon, looks forward to resuming operations later this year after a period of reinvestment, according to a statement.
New Delhi :

Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday ordered the Income Tax department and the Enforcement Directorate to conduct probe in moveable and immovable properties relating to Dera sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

The high court asked the court commissioner, who searched all the premises of Dera chief, to supply a copy of the report to the Centre.

The court also ordered that two tribunals will be constituted, one for Punjab, other for Haryana.

Punjab&Haryana HC order Income Tax & ED to conduct probe in properties movable/immovable relating to Dera of Ram Rahim: Petitioner's lawyer pic.twitter.com/mHVzPg3prs  ANI (@ANI) September 27, 2017

These tribunals will examine if the claims made by people are genuine, and then they will be entitled for the amount, the court said.

Punjab and Haryana HC ordered that there will be two tribunals constituted, one for Punjab, other for Haryana: Petitioner's lawyer #RamRahim pic.twitter.com/ba1P2lmEy9  ANI (@ANI) September 27, 2017

Also Read: Delhi High Court dismisses Honeypreet Insan's anticipatory bail plea

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Yes, "roughing it" might not be your thing when you head out on a Texas road trip.

If you want all the sweet amenities of an upscale hotel to enliven your camping adventure, consider indulging in a "yurt" tented cocoon near the Texas Hill Country. Taking the Airbnb Texas spotlight is "Yurtopia" featuring three cozy yurt sites, including the Sasha Ger, Lena Ger and Becca Ger.

"We had the most relaxing, peaceful and fun time...and we watched the sunset, sunrise and the stars from the top deck late each night," Airbnb guest Trina wrote.

Airbnb/Yurtopia

GETTING AWAY FROM IT ALL: Here are the countries now allowing U.S. visitors

What this Texas yurt experience offers guests is a private resort setting to just unplug and "turn off the world during your stay at Yurtopia and soak in the views, sights and sounds of the Texas Hill Country woods."

Some of the amenities include 10 acres of nature trails, a private rooftop deck for the best stargazing, a hot tub and fire pit. Guests can snap up an overnight stay for $371 a night. Overseen by Airbnb superhosts Ann-Tyler and Brian, this yurt destination has a 4.97 ratinga distinction earned by great stays at a good location.

Airbnb/Yurtopia

"Beautiful hideaway in paradise! First class all the way...will be back!" Airbnb guest Jennifer wrote.

From yurts, luxury tents to domes, the love of Texas glamping is all about experiencing the rustic outdoors in some non-traditional lodging filled with creature comforts.

Airbnb/Yurtopia

"With glamping, you don't need to have outdoor experience," HoneyTrek glamping blogger Anne Howard told Chron. "It's easy access to nature, with creative structures like tipis and treehouses. These spots tread lightly on the land and integrate with nature."

One of the top draws to glamping especially amid the pandemic is that it takes some of the logistical nightmares of camping out of the equation, Howard said.

Airbnb/Yurtopia

"Glamping took all the hard work out of camping. That's why it's becoming more and more popular," Howard said. "It's also about sustainable practices and providing an experience that's truly authentic and unique. It should be a place of heart and intention."
Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong held phone talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday to discuss the two nations relationship, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

During the conversation, General Secretary Trong told President Putin about the outcomes of the 13th National Party Congress ending in February, Vietnams progress after 35 years of national reform, as well as the countrys visions, targets, and orientations for future development.

The Vietnamese Party and state always treasure the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia.

The Party chief hoped that the bilateral ties will grow fruitfully for the sake of the two peoples and contribute to regional and global peace and development.

President Putin congratulated Trong on his re-election as General Secretary of Vietnams Party Central Committee for the 13th tenure and Nguyen Xuan Phuc on his election as State President of the country.

The two leaders highlighted that the Vietnam - Russia relations have been thriving in almost all fields and agreed on taking specific measures to foster cooperation in security, defense, energy, oil and gas, economic matters, trade, education and training, and tourism.

They laid special emphasis on further collaboration in COVID-19 prevention and control via mutual support regarding vaccine research and production.

Both sides agreed on building healthy international relationships, mutual respect, friendship, equality, and mutually beneficial cooperation, as well as settling disagreement through dialogue and peaceful measures.

Vietnam and Russia will continue to collaborate more effectively at regional and international forums for peace, stability, and development in Asia - Pacific and the world. The Vietnamese Party chief took the occasion to invite the Russian president to make an official visit to Vietnam this year.

President Putin accepted the invitation with pleasure.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
The Biden administration's infrastructure and jobs plan includes major investments in clean energy and efforts to fight climate change  including more than $170 billion to boost the nation's electric vehicle market. Rep. Dan Kildee (D., Mich.) argues the plan will strengthen the U.S. economy and boost auto manufacturing in Michigan.

"This is not just good climate policy. In this case, it positions us to own our own manufacturing future," said Kildee in an interview with Yahoo Finance Live.

"A big concern that we've had in the automotive world is that the transition to electrification could take place without the U.S. being a principal manufacturer. Half of electric vehicles are not produced here  they're produced in China," said Kildee. "If we don't act now, to try to get to scale and to get those unit prices down by getting to scale, someone else will fill that void," he added.

President Biden wants to put 500,000 EV chargers across the country by 2030. His plan also calls for rebates and tax incentives to encourage people to buy American-made electric vehicles  and it includes money to help U.S. manufacturers retool factories and strengthen domestic supply chains.

"I think this is where the automakers, labor unions, consumers and environmentalists are all on the same page: structure the credit so that we can bring those vehicle prices down to a level where middle-income earners can purchase an electric vehicle using the incentives that we put in place," said Kildee. "It's good for consumers, good for workers."

Avoiding 'the worst-case scenario' for American workers

Ford Motor assembly worker Jeff Danes uses an ergonomic arm as he demonstrates how the battery charger for Ford Focus Electric vehicles will be installed when the Electric Focus goes into production at the Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan December 14, 2011. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook

The administration wants $16 billion to go toward plugging oil and gas wells and cleaning abandoned mines, saying this program will help provide fossil fuel workers with jobs. It also has billions of dollars for workforce development and training.

Story continues

Some Republicans have criticized the Biden administration and climate advocates for not doing enough to help workers in fossil-fuel industries who could suffer job losses and pay cuts as the nation moves toward clean energy. Labor leaders have also expressed concern that new jobs won't pay as much as jobs in the fossil fuel industries.

"The reason we were able to build the middle class around manufacturing is because we had labor unions that were able to negotiate for fair wages. So we need to strengthen that as we move to this new sector of the economy," said Kildee.

"If we don't aggressively move to more sustainable sources of energy, not only will we lose those old-economy jobs, but we won't own the new ones  and that's the worst scenario for American workers," he added.

Flint water crisis is a 'warning to the rest of the country'

Biden's infrastructure plan calls for more than $100 billion to improve water infrastructure  including $45 billion to replace the nation's lead pipes and services lines. Kildee  whose district includes Flint, Mich.  said the Flint water crisis should serve as a warning to the rest of the country. Kildee told Yahoo Finance the cost of lawsuits and fixing the water problems will ultimately add up to more than $1 billion.

"The cost of failure is so much greater than the price of doing it right," said Kildee. "Forty-five billion dollars in this plan to replace lead service lines across the country will save not only lead exposure and the impact that that has on the brains of developing children, but will save us an enormous financial expense downstream. So this is a good example of why infrastructure investment does pay us back 10-fold."

Mari Copeny, 8, of Flint, Mich., waits in line to enter a hearing room where Michigan Governor Rick Snyder (R) and EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy will testify before a House Oversight and government Reform hearing on "Examining Federal Administration of the Safe Drinking Water Act in Flint, Michigan, Part III" on Capitol Hill in Washington in this March 17, 2016, file photo. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/Files

So far, Republicans have largely rejected the Biden infrastructure and jobs proposal. The GOP has blasted the tax hikes, climate investments and the plan's massive price tag.

In order to pass a bill without any Republican support, Democratic lawmakers may attempt to use the reconciliation process again. Typically the Senate can use the process to pass one bill per fiscal year, but Democrats say a ruling from the Senate Parliamentarian may allow them to use the process to pass legislation with only 51 votes multiple times.

"It creates more certainty that we're going to be able to deliver something to the president's desk, but I don't think it should take away the obligation that we have to try to work this through in a bipartisan fashion. Policy is always better when it's bipartisan," said Kildee.

Jessica Smith is chief political correspondent for Yahoo Finance, based in Washington, D.C. Follow her on Twitter at @JessicaASmith8.

Read more:
Abijah Asadenaki Livingston, co-executor of Bunny Wailers estate, has issued a statement on Facebook where he has denied that the family has any objection to any deal with VP Records regarding the completion of a licensing deal that will allow the family to settle an outstanding hospital bill.

The outstanding hospital bill has to be settled so that the family can obtain a death certificate, and hence go ahead and plan the burial.

My siblings and I are not against any deal with VP records. However, with the responsibility that my father has entrusted me as an executor, I cannot blindly sign any agreement concerning his intellectual property without reviewing the details of the contract especially knowing how protective my father was of his works, the statement said.

New York-based attorney at law David Baram, who is representing Solomonic Productions Ltd., said that a commitment was made with the administrators at the Medical Associates Hospital for the final bill of $5.275 million to be settled from the proceeds of a music licensing deal with VP Records.

He believes that the commitment will be honored if a deal can be hammered out at the 11th hour between the board members of Solomonic Productions.

The money necessary for the hospital bill to be paid will have to come from the licensing agreement which was made with Solomonic Productions and VP before Bunny passed, Baram told the Jamaica Observer.

It is still possible (for the deal to happen), however some members of the board of directors are not comfortable going forward. The record company is anxious to move forward but until there is a consensus with the board, then the deal is in limbo.

Asadenaki, who is one of the boards directors, has voiced serious concerns about the state of his fathers financial affairs and claimed that the family had been stonewalled in their repeated requests for copies of the contract.

After several requests, neither I nor my attorney has received a copy of the contract for review. While VP Records patiently awaits a resolution, other parties involved have been trying to pressure me to sign an approval document without seeing the contract. This seems to be a calculated plot, with the looming importance of burying my father and avoiding public humiliation, Asadenaki asserted.

However, children of the Most High can never walk in shame, he added.

Asadenaki said he had been largely frustrated in his attempts to establishing a payment plan with Medical Associates.

They are demanding full payment due to their history of patients not clearing up their accounts. It doesnt feel right to owe this institution as I truly appreciate the top class service of their staff especially now that I know funds are available, he said.

He admitted that the family had grown more united in their shared ordeal as my older siblings and I have stepped up to the responsibility of supporting our younger siblings, including my fathers 13-year-old daughter honors the spirit of Jah B.

The young man contends that his fathers estate ought to have generated enough cash to cover the medical costs. Asadenaki revealed that his father, Neville ORiley Livingstons 2020 tax return from Soundexchange Inc. reveals a gross annual income of USD $203,095 equivalent to over JMD $25,000,000.

This is the total from monthly deposits and represents the income from just one of his several royalty distributors. When we discovered this information we were shocked as it did not reflect the narrative being told to us, but we now understand why our requests of transparency had never been fulfilled. My fathers former manager, Maxine Stowe, is the only person other than my father with access to his accounts, the statement said.

When contacted, Maxine Stowe, Bunny Wailers former manager and business partner, refused comment and instead referred all future queries regarding the issue to her lawyer, Roderick Gordon.

Gordon told The Gleaner in an article today that he is not in a position to speak on costs.

I do not wish to comment in any way on my involvement in the Bunny Wailer estate. I met Jah B in 2009 or 2010 when he came to my chambers and I have also been consulted on matters to do with intellectual property. Jah B has been unwell, following a stroke and residual impairment, which necessitated treatment locally and internationally. But I am not in a position to speak on costs. Miss Stowe is close to Jah B and has conducted business for him. There are a lot of things being aired in the public that are private matters, so I will leave it there, Gordon said.

Asadenaki is questioning what happened to his fathers royalty cheques which amounted to roughly US$240,000.

When questioned by our family on March 4th 2021 about my fathers latest February royalty, she assured us that it, along with all future collections would be managed by Jah Bs local and international lawyers and kept in an escrow account. When the lawyers were contacted the local lawyer responded that he is not in possession of any documents dealing with the assets of Neville ORiley Livingston deceased.

However, the US-based attorney stated that he has no access to the Soundexchange Inc. deposits, Asadenaki stated.

Further checks with Soundexchange Inc. revealed that they had made direct deposits of $10,174.41 USD on February 26th and $30,005.61 USD on March 25th 2021 to the same account theyve always deposited to.

Since then we have made several attempts through our attorney to get clarification from Ms. Stowe through her representative Roderick Gordon as to the whereabouts of these funds; which in total can cover my fathers $5,275,763.61JMD or $35,545.46 USD medical bills, the statement said.

We still have not received a reply from either Ms. Stowe or her attorney to this day. The hospitals business office who is in constant communication with me informed me that they have been trying to reach Ms. Stowe to no avail.

He voiced his objections to the fact that Ms. Stowe still exerted control over his fathers accounts.

It has been over a month since my fathers passing yet my fathers former manager is still in control of his accounts. Why have these accounts not been turned over to his lawyers? The lawyers would be able to pay the hospital bills directly, the funeral home directly and any other costs associated with his funeral can be covered by his children. We would love to be able to cover all expenses ourselves, but the reality is we are unable to, but shouldnt have to, since our fathers hard work has provided the funds to pay his expenses, he said.

He called for government intervention in this vexing episode.

We are calling on the Jamaican authorities to assist us in resolving this issue.

My father, a loving yet stern, spiritual individual was grounded by his Rastafari faith. He never placed emphasis on money or material things. Instead, he valued people. Bunny Wailer lived a philanthropic life and has given more to the people than he kept for himself thus receiving a label he truly embraced; Don Dada, the statement pleaded.

The local and international impact of his music that was centered on Truth, Human Rights and Justice, was coupled with the Love and joys of Dancing and Rub a Dub, to get a release from the systematic pressures and stresses of Babylon. Therefore, to honor and represent the LOVE shared between our father and the massive Reggae family, we are now focusing on celebrating his 74th Earthday on April 10th with a ROYAL virtual tribute, the statement concluded.
Greenland votes in election centred on mining debate, fishing

April 06,2021 | Source: TRT World

The autonomous Danish territory of Greenland is voting in legislative elections, after a campaign focused on a disputed mining project, as the Arctic island confronts first-hand the effects of global warming.



Greenland's two main parties contesting in Tuesday's election are divided on whether to authorise a giant rare earth and uranium mining project.



Supporters, including the ruling social-democratic Siumut party, say the mine would yield an economic windfall. Opponents, such as the opposition left-green IA party, argue it could harm the vast island's unspoiled environment.



Greenland's geostrategic location and massive mineral reserves have raised international interest, as evidenced by former US President Donald Trump's swiftly rebuffed offer to buy it in 2019.



The election campaign for parliament's 31 seats has also centred on fishing  the main driver of Greenland's economy.



And at a time when young Greenlanders are reconnecting with their Inuit roots and questioning their Danish colonial heritage, social issues and cultural identity have also been part of the debate.



Polling stations open for the island's 35,000 voters at 1100 GMT and close at 2200 GMT, with the final results expected early Wednesday.



Greenland plans to grow its economy by developing its fishing, mining and tourism sectors, as well as agriculture in the southern part of the island which is ice-free year-round.



"To harvest sustainably the living natural resources, like fish stocks, is going to be the most long-term (solution) for Greenland," Minik Rosing, a geobiology professor at the University of Copenhagen, told AFP.

 2021 TRT World

Theme(s): Others.
Indigenous actor Shareena Clanton has accused long-running soap Neighbours of being a culturally unsafe place where the N-word and other racially charged terms were bandied around in the name of humour.

Ms Clanton, whose heritage includes Wongatha/Yamatji and Noongar/Gitja on her mothers side and Etowah Cherokee, Blackfoot and African American on her fathers side, said that calling out the language and behaviour she encountered on the show often left me ostracised and further marginalised.

Shareena Clanton has said the set of Tens long-running soap is a culturally unsafe place. Credit:Tony McDonough

In an Instagram post published on Tuesday morning, Ms Clanton said she was struggling to write anything positive about the months I endured on Neighbours after multiple racist traumas caused by working on this highly problematic show.

She added that it had been lonely, triggering and traumatising to work in such a culturally unsafe space. Ms Clanton played Sheila Canning in a six-week guest role.
OAKLAND (BCN)

U.S. Vice President and native Kamala Harris visited Oakland Monday, her first visit to the city since taking office.

Harris was greeted on the tarmac at Oakland International Airport by Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, Sen. Alex Padilla, D-CA, and state Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis.

Harris was in Oakland to talk about small businesses and water infrastructure while touting the White House's American Jobs Plan, which will invest $111 billion in water infrastructure nationwide and create union jobs to provide Americans with clean water, according to Harris and the White House.

After touring the East Bay Municipal Utility District's San Leandro Water Treatment Plant, Harris said in a tweet, "Delivering clean drinking water to Oakland takes state-of-the-art infrastructure and highly-skilled workers."

"Thank you @VP Harris for visiting @EBMUD's water treatment plant today," EBMUD officials said on Twitter.

"We support investments in pipes and people," EBMUD officials said. "When we invest in infrastructure, we invest in the local community and regional economy. These investments last for generations and protect public health."

In a separate tweet, Harris said, "Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy. Today I met with Reign Free (founder & CEO of Red Door Catering), to discuss how community lenders helped her launch her business, and how our administration continues to help all small businesses access capital."

Lee, Padilla and Kounalakis accompanied Harris to Red Door Catering at 2925 Adeline St. in Oakland.

The leaders discussed how the pandemic has affected small businesses. They also discussed the importance of technical and financial support from community development financial institutions, private financial institutions that help less fortunate people join the mainstream economy.

Two community development financial institutions, Action Opportunity Fund and ICA, helped Free with Red Door Catering.

Lee said she was honored to welcome Harris back to Oakland and Berkeley, where Harris spent part of her childhood.

"I had tears in my eyes watching Air Force 2 land at the airport in Oakland," Lee said in a statement. "She (Harris) brings us hope and shows us the American dream is real.

"It is so inspiring for young people in this community, and frankly for everyone else here, to see her in the White House helping lead our country through this very difficult time."

Copyright  2021 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area.

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.
The long-awaited Moderna coronavirus vaccine will be dished out in Britain within the next two weeks, No10's vaccine minister revealed today.

Nadhim Zahawi said the first batch of the jab  approved by regulators in January  is set to arrive in the third week of this month, with 'more volume' expected in May.

Ministers had promised Moderna's vaccine, which uses mRNA technology such as Pfizer's, would arrive by the spring. Britain has ordered 17million doses.

But confusion erupted over Moderna's supply today, after Nicola Sturgeon revealed the first batch of doses arrived yesterday. If Scotland's First Minister is telling the truth, it means the UK is currently sitting on thousands of vaccines that are proven to work.

The welcome boost to the vaccine roll-out came as Valneva's Covid jab  which has also been bought by No10  was shown to trigger antibodies in all volunteers who received a high dose in early-stage trials.

Scientists testing the jab added they identified no safety concerns, and that it would now move to final phase three trials, with the view of submitting it for approval in the autumn.

Britain has already ordered 100million doses of the jab  which contains a destroyed version of the real coronavirus  which are being made in Scotland.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock heralded today's results as 'fantastic' and showing a 'strong immune response'. 'This is another boost to British life science,' he added.

Mr Zahawi said the results were 'very promising' and provided 'renewed hope' that a jab using an inactivated virus could spark immunity.

Bosses of Valneva, which is headquartered in France, added they were also looking at ways to tweak their jab to protect against future variants, which may be able to dodge immunity.

More than 31million Brits have already received their first dose of either AstraZeneca or Pfizer's Covid vaccine, which were the first to be approved in the UK.

Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi pictured receiving his Covid jab. He said today they are expecting the first doses of the long-awaited Moderna jab to arrive this month

But confusion erupted over Moderna's supply today, after Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon revealed the first batch of doses arrived yesterday

It came as Valneva said its Covid vaccine was 100 per cent effective at triggering antibodies among all those who received a high dose. It will now move to phase 3 trials

WHAT DO VALNEVA COVID JAB TRIALS SHOW? Valneva has reported the phase 1/2 clinical trial results for its coronavirus vaccine. They involved 153 British volunteers aged between 18 and 55, who received either a low, medium or high dose of the jab given three weeks apart. Participants were asked to report any side-effects, and had their blood tested for Covid antibodies two weeks after getting their second dose. Does the jab trigger Covid-fighting antibodies? Results showed everyone who received a high dose of the jab had Covid antibodies in their blood stream. But only 89.9 per cent had them in the medium dosing group. No figure was given for those that received the low dose. The French pharmaceutical giant said it would be advancing the high dose to phase 3 clinical trials. Is Valneva's vaccine safe? No safety concerns were raised during phase 1/2 clinical trials scientists said, paving the way for it to be advanced to the next stage. Two volunteers said they had suffered a headache or fatigue after the jabs, but these symptoms are also triggered by other vaccines already approved for use in the UK. How does the vaccine work? The vaccine is the only one being developed in Europe to use an inactivated whole Covid virus to trigger an immune response. When it is injected the body attacks the spike proteins on the virus - which it uses to invade cells - by making antibodies that can bind to them, stopping an infection from happening. The virus is killed before it is injected using chemicals, heat or radiation, meaning there is no risk of it triggering an infection. This type of vaccine is already used to protect against polio and flu. Advertisement

Announcing the impending arrival of the Moderna vaccine, Mr Zahawi told BBC Breakfast: 'It will be in deployment around the third week of April in the NHS and we will get more volume in May as well.

'And of course more volume of Pfizer and Oxford/AstraZeneca and we have got other vaccines. We have got the Janssen  Johnson and Johnson  vaccine coming through as well.

'So I am confident that we will be able to meet our target of mid-April offering the vaccine to all over-50s and then end of July offering the vaccine to all adults.'

Despite Mr Zahawi saying the vaccine won't be deployed until later this month, Ms Sturgeon said Scotland had already received its first batch of the jab.

Scotland is due to receive more than one million of the 17million doses ordered by the UK.

The First Minister also said that the doses have already been factored into forward planning for the vaccination programme, and will be delivered over the coming months.

Addressing today's coronavirus briefing in Edinburgh, she said: 'The arrival of this first batch doesnt mean that we are able to accelerate the vaccination programme.

'The speed of vaccination is already taking account of the expected Moderna supplies.

Nevertheless the fact that we now have three vaccines in use is clearly very welcome and it does give us additional security of supply, which is important.

Valneva said its phase one and two trials involved 153 British volunteers aged 18 to 55, who received two doses of a low, medium or high amount three weeks apart.

Participants were then monitored for any side-effects and had their blood tested for antibodies two weeks after getting the second dose.

All those who received a high dose had antibodies, but only 89.8 per cent of those who were administered a medium shot had them. No figures were given for the low dose.

It is not clear what constituted a low, medium or high dose of the vaccine.

No safety concerns were reported following vaccination for any of the doses. Only two volunteers said they suffered a headache or fatigue shortly after getting the jab.

Company bosses said they would move the high dosing regimen to phase three trials, involving more than 4,000 participants, with results expected this autumn.

The vaccine manufacturer expects data from these trials to be available by the autumn, allowing their jab to be submitted to Britain's regulator the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for approval.

Doses are already being made in Livingston, West Lothian, ahead of getting the green light with the first 60million doses expected to be delivered by the end of this year.

They will be put into vials in a process called 'fill and finish' at a factory in Sweden.

WHICH VACCINES ARE BRITAIN USING? AND HOW EFFECTIVE ARE THEY? Pfizer-BioNTech Approved: December 2, 2020 Doses dished out: 10.8million* Doses ordered: 40million Phase 3 trials data Efficacy at blocking symptoms : 95%

Efficacy against severe illness: 100% Real world data: Efficacy at stopping transmission : 66%

: 66% Efficacy at blocking symptoms (one dose) : Between 57 and 61%

Efficacy against severe illness: 80% How it works: mRNA vaccine  Genetic material from coronavirus is injected to trick the immune system into making 'spike' proteins and learning how to attack them. Oxford-AstraZeneca Approved: December 30, 2020 Doses dished out: 15.8million* Doses ordered: 100million Phase 3 trials data Efficacy at blocking symptoms (one dose) : 70%

Efficacy against severe illness (one dose): 100% Real world data: Efficacy at stopping transmission : 70%

: 70% Efficacy at blocking symptoms : Between 60 and 73%

Efficacy against severe illness: 80% How it works: Adenovirus vaccine  To make the vaccine, the common cold virus is genetically modified to trigger it to make the Covid spike protein  which the virus uses to invade cells. When the vaccine is administered the patient's immune system attacks the spike protein by building antibodies, priming it to fight off Covid before it leads to an infection. Moderna Approved: January 8, 2021 Doses dished out: Zero Doses ordered: 17million Phase 3 trials data Efficacy at blocking symptoms : 94.1%

Efficacy against severe illness : 100 % Real world data: Efficacy at stopping transmission : Not known

: Not known Efficacy at blocking symptoms : 90%**

Efficacy against severe illness : Not known How it works: mRNA vaccine  both Moderna's and Pfizer and BioNTech's vaccines work in the same way. * the latest data goes up to March 21 ** data taken from a US study, joint with Pfizer. Other real world data comes from Public Health England in the UK Advertisement

Valneva is also behind the Japanese encephalitis vaccine, which is 90 per cent effective at halting symptomatic infections of the virus.

Heralding the results, Mr Hancock said: 'The UK Government has funded these clinical trials and it is fantastic to see Valnevas vaccine produces a strong immune response.

'This vaccine will be made onshore in Livingston in Scotland, giving another boost to British life science, and if approved will play an important role in protecting our communities. I look forward to seeing the results of the upcoming phase 3 trial.'

And Mr Zahawi added: 'These results are very promising and provide renewed hope that a vaccine using a whole inactivated virus might provide strong protection against variants.

'If the results from the phase three clinical trials are positive and the vaccine meets the robust standards of safety, quality and effectiveness of our medicines regulator, the MHRA, this will be another powerful weapon in our arsenal to beat this pandemic.'

It comes as Britain's drug regulator mulls over whether to restrict the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine among young people amid blood clot concerns.

Seven people have died of a rare blood clot on the brain after having the jab in the UK, out of more than 18.1million doses administered so far.

And there have been only 30 cases of rare clotting events registered, the equivalent of one in every 600,000 people or 0.00017 per cent.

The MHRA insists there is no evidence to link the jab to cases of CVST - a rare type of blood clot that can cause strokes - but that it will continue to review the data.
A shooting at a Maryland business park Tuesday left two people critically injured and the suspect dead, police said, while the U.S. Navy reported an active shooter incident at Fort Detrick involving sailors.

The shooter went into a business, causing people inside to flee, Frederick Police Chief Jason Lando said. He didnt say whether the shooting was inside or outside.

After the shooting, Lando said, the suspect drove roughly 10 minutes to Fort Detrick, where he was killed. The first shooting happened at the Riverside Tech park, about 4 miles from Fort Detrick. The Navy didnt release further details.

We have two different scenes. All I can tell you is that we have confirmed there is only one shooter. The public is no longer at risk. Everyone is safe, Lando said.

Jeremy Mutschler, director of marketing for Nicolock Paving Stones, said that his understanding is that the shooting was near the companys Frederick location but not at the business itself.

One of the victims who was wounded entered our facility looking for help and we were able to assist and call the authorities, said Mutschler, who is based in New York.
Face coverings in secondary school classrooms could remain in place until the end of the year after the Government came under pressure not to 'rush into' removing the mask mandate from five major unions.

Officials at the Department for Education (DfE) said secondary pupils in England should wear masks when they return to school for the summer term, in both lessons and corridors, as a 'precautionary measure'.

They explained that the policy will be dropped as part of stage three of the roadmap out of lockdown, which will happen no earlier than May 17.

Any changes to the policy will be confirmed with one week's notice following a review of the latest data on infection and vaccination rates, the DfE said.

Last month, MPs heard that school leaders had received 'threatening letters' from parents who did not want their children to wear face coverings.

But a joint letter from the leaders of the National Education Union (NEU), NASUWT teaching union, NAHT school leaders' union, GMB and Unison said there was a 'strong scientific consensus' that face masks can and should continue to be part of measures to suppress transmission of Covid-19.

When Boris Johnson announced that schools would reopen on March 8, he said secondary school pupils would need to wear masks anywhere indoors where they could not socially distance, including classrooms and corridors.

Year 11 students, wearing face coverings, take part in a GCSE science class at Park Lane Academy in Halifax, northwest England on March 8, 2021

Year 11 students, wearing face coverings, take part in a GCSE maths class at Park Lane Academy in Halifax, northwest England on March 8, 2021

However, at the time he insisted the measure would remain in place until Easter, at which point a review would be carried out.

The decision to extend the use of masks in the classroom has come as a surprise to many, with parents and campaigners accusing ministers of 'betraying' children by upholding the mandate during the summer term.

In their letter to Gavin Williamson, the unions - which represent teachers, heads and other school staff, said masks may be helping suppress the spread of Covid-19 in schools and insisted they are not causing disruption to learning.

According to the Guardian, the letter stated: 'None of us wants to see pupils or staff wearing face coverings for longer than is necessary.

'However, it is our shared view that the government should not rush into changing this policy at short notice without careful consideration of the scientific evidence surrounding the wearing of face coverings in schools.'

The unions argued that there is 'a strong scientific consensus' that masks 'can and should' be part of anti-coronavirus measures.

'The research suggests that they cut down the chances of both transmitting and catching the coronavirus,' the leaders said.

'We have also seen the emergence of more recent studies that suggest that they can help to reduce transmission of the virus within schools.'

Molly Kingsley, the co-founder of the parent campaign group UsForThem, called the move is 'really disappointing' and said 'the detriment to children of this measure is potentially serious and ongoing'.

She told the Telegraph that since the Covid spike predicted by schools reopening has not materialised, it is 'hard to see on what basis this measure is justified'.

Department of Health bosses recorded another 2,379 positive Covid tests, with the rolling seven-day average for infections now at the lowest levels since mid-September

Britain's daily coronavirus deaths have fallen by two-thirds in a week, with 20 victims announced. It means the UK has gone a fortnight without registering over 100 daily deaths

Boris Johnson during a gloomy media briefing in Downing Street yesterday

The TRUTH about those SAGE models: Doomsday scenarios that say third wave deaths might soar HIGHER than spring and masks might be needed for a YEAR are 'too pessimistic' and 'cherry pick' worst assumptions SAGE's doomsday models which predicted more than a thousand coronavirus deaths at the peak of a third wave this summer have been criticised for cherry-picking 'very pessimistic assumptions' to arrive at a nightmare scenario. Independent experts told MailOnline the data used by the Government's scientific advisers 'didn't match' how well the vaccine rollout is going and played down how effective the jabs are - and at least one was 'very confident the NHS is not going to be overwhelmed'. Professor Tim Spector, an epidemiologist at King's College London, said SAGE had repeatedly made bleak forecasts that never came true, 'perhaps to avoid complacency' among the public. The government was yesterday accused of using 'Project Fear' tactics to prolong coronavirus restrictions by stealth with plans for mass twice-weekly testing, vaccine passports and foreign travel restrictions. But SAGE papers also reveal that No10 believes the most likely scenario is that any third wave of Covid this summer is most likely to be manageable, with deaths staying in double figures or the the low hundreds and hospitalisations well below previous peaks. Advertisement

'It was not clear which evidence the introduction of this measure was based on, nor what evidence is that supports it still being in place,' she added.

The group has the backing of Tory lockdown sceptics including MP Steve Baker, who formed the Covid Recovery Group last November to argue that the then ongoing second national shutdown was unnecessary.

Last month, more than 30 furious backbenchers wrote to the Prime Minister to demand the mask mandate in schools was dropped at Easter.

Philip Davies, one of the letter's signatories, told the Telegraph that the decision to continue with masks in the summer term was 'stupid' and said 'there is absolutely no evidence to suggest that they make any real difference'.

'This control freakery and authoritarianism does not show the Government in a very good light or a very sensible light,' he said.

The latest DfE attendance data found that around 87 per cent of secondary school pupils were in class on March 25, a fall on March 18 when 89 per cent attended.

According to the DfE, the main reason for absence among pupils who did not attend school for Covid-19-related reasons was self-isolation due to contact with a possible case inside the school.

All other safety measures will also remain in place in schools and colleges - including regulator asymptomatic testing, smaller group bubbles, increased hygiene, ventilation, and social distancing where possible, the DfE said.

Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the NEU, said: 'We urged the Government not to relax this measure at this early stage and welcome the fact that our recommendation was taken on board. This is a sensible approach.

'Many other countries currently have stronger policies in place, and it would have been reckless to risk a resurgence of the virus, particularly when it is apparent that the face coverings policy is being well adhered to and is not causing any significant disruption.'

Jon Richards, head of education at Unison, said: 'Wearing face coverings isn't ideal, but they're a valuable safety measure and will be needed for a while longer to allow schools to stay open.

'Keeping staff, pupils and their families safe and stopping wider infection spread is the most important thing. Any further decisions must be made according to the infection data, rather than dates.'

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said: 'The health advice on the wearing of face coverings by secondary school pupils in classrooms is clear and we therefore support the new guidance issued today.

'However, the use of face coverings is clearly not ideal in a classroom setting as it has the capacity to disrupt education and it is not something we want to see going on any longer than is absolutely necessary.

Year 11 students, wearing face coverings, take part in a GCSE maths class at Park Lane Academy in Halifax, northwest England on March 8, 2021

'We hope that the continued excellent progress with vaccinations mean it is no longer necessary for students to wear face coverings in lessons when the Government announces the next stage in the easing of restrictions in May.'

Mr Williamson, the education secretary, said: 'Schools and students have done a great job adapting to Covid-secure guidance and working hard to make sure it doesn't impact learning.

'We obviously all want to get back to facemask-free classrooms and we will do this in line with the latest scientific data while balancing the interests of students, teachers and the wider community.'

Those who are currently exempt from wearing face masks will remain so, including pupils and teachers who are speaking to, or providing assistance to, someone who relies on lip-reading or facial expression to communicate.

Professor John Simpson, head of Public Health Advice, Guidance and Expertise Pillar (PHAGE) at Public Health England, said: 'The return to school after Easter will allow us to continue monitoring the impacts of measures to reduce the spread of Covid, as we encourage families to test regularly.

'Wearing face coverings in secondary schools is an extra control measure to reduce the risk of transmission to support children continuing their education in the classroom.'
A New York girl hid in a cupboard and called 911 after her father allegedly shot her mother and her two sisters dead before turning the gun on himself during her birthday party in her Brooklyn apartment, it has been revealed.

Joseph McCrimon, 46, allegedly committed the murder-suicide before his 9-year-old girl called 911 around 11.15pm on Monday, NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig said at a news conference on Tuesday.

'She was just calling 911, you know, if you can imagine, it's horrific, the 911, saying, 'Daddy was coming over for my birthday, and he shot people',' Essig told reporters, according to the New York Post.

'And she was weeping and crying [that she] 'didn't have presents.' It was heartbreaking to hear that. We found her hidden in a closet.'

The two younger victims were the 45-year-old woman's daughters with a different father, police (pictured at the scene on Monday) said

A man shot the mother of his child and two of her daughters dead inside the Van Dyke Houses (pictured) in Brooklyn before turning the gun on himself, police said

The victims were shot shortly after 11pm Monday in an apartment in the Brownsville neighborhood, police said. Officers went to the apartment after a nine-year-old girl called 911 to report a shooting, a police spokesperson said

McCrimon allegedly killed the girl's 45-year-old mother, Rasheeda Barzey.

He also allegedly killed Barzey's two other daughters, Chloe Spears, 16, and Solei Spears, 20, who were not his children.

Police who responded to the scene found the girl hidden in a closet.

Police said that McCrimon and Barzey had a 'very rocky' romantic relationship for 20 years and 'he left in an agitated state to meet her,' The New York Times reported.

Police Commissioner Dermot F. Shea said he had watched body-camera footage from responding officers.

'It would tear your heart out to see the young girl from that crime,' Shea said, according to the Times.

Shea said a recent spike shootings are leaving many people 'numb' to gun violence, WABC-TV reported.

'I think some are becoming numb to this,' Shea said.

'None of us up here are numb to this. These are real people. I spent this morning watching body camera video of that terrible incident last night in Brooklyn. It would tear your heart out to see the little girl from that crime.'

In an appearance on TV station NY1 on Tuesday, Shea said: 'It's just a terrible situation all around.'

Mayor Bill de Blasio called the incident a 'really troubling and tragic situation.'

'A horrible, horrible situation, and my heart goes out for those who have been lost,' de Blasio said, according to WABC-TV.

Investigators are seen taking evidence out of the apartment building where a 9-year-old girl's father allegedly killer her mother and two sisters before turning the gun on himself

The officers found a 45-year-old woman, a 20-year-old woman and a teenage girl, whose age was not immediately clear, dead from gunshot wounds. Officers at the scene of the shootings on Monday night

The victims were shot shortly after 11pm Monday in an apartment in the Van Dyke Houses in the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn before he then turned the gun on himself, police said.

McCrimon was found dead in a nearby walkway area of 563 Mother Gaston Boulevard with a gunshot wound to the head, believed to be self-inflicted. A .38 revolver and a semi-automatic handgun were recovered by police.

Barzey's former brother-in-law, Hasley Derosena, told the New York Post that the girl 'is definitely messed up' after she was left without either parent.

Derosena told the outlet that McCrimon 'had a temper' but 'was not an abusive person.'

'He had a mental illness. He was hospitalized before. He tried to kill himself, but nothing like this,' Derosena said.

Derosena called Barzey 'a good mom' and 'very caring' while noting that he did not know McCrimon had a gun, according to the New York Post.

'If he wanted to kill himself, fine, but why the girls?' Derosena said.

'I knew he would be capable of doing something like this to a guy but not to the girls.'

A neighbor who lives below the family told the outlet that 'it was really bad' when the couple fought.

'Last night, there were no words, no argument. Just 'pop, pop,' and after the first pop, she started wailing. Then there was three more, and there was silence,' the neighbor said.

'Dead silence. I thought, 'Should I call 911?' But, 'No, you're not sure what it was.' Five seconds later, the sirens were coming.'

The neighbor added: 'I'm just so thankful that baby  was in the closet.'

McCrimon lived in Mount Vernon, a city just north of New York, and had a violent criminal history

Police who responded to the scene found the girl hidden in a closet after the murder-suicide

McCrimon was found dead in a nearby walkway area police recovered a .38 revolver and a semi-automatic handgun

The New York Times reported that Barzey was an administrative manager for the city's public hospital system while her oldest daughter, Solei Spears, was a student at Baruch College in Manhattan.

New York Health + Hospitals, which operates city hospitals and other health care facilities, released a statement after Barzey's death and confirmed she was an employee, WABC-TV reported.

'We are deeply saddened by the senseless death of a member of the NYC Health + Hospitals family. In addition to reaching out to relatives, we have activated our Helping Healers Heal team to support those who worked beside this staff member and may need grief counseling,' spokesman Chris Miller said.

McCrimon lived in Mount Vernon, a city just north of New York, and had a violent criminal history.

He been convicted in 1995, when he was then 18 years old, of first-degree manslaughter for an incident on Long Island after he had shot a sanitation worker in the back on Halloween in 1993.

Eugene Grant, Jr., 28, was a married father of five who worked part-time for the sanitation department in Hempstead and had broken up a street fight involving McCrimon's nephew, outlets reported.

McCrimon had claimed that the gun fell from his pocket and went off while the Grant was reaching for it, according to court documents.

State records show that McCrimon was granted a conditional release in September 2000 but he returned to prison in February 2003 for an unspecified violation, The New York Times reported.

McCrimon was released after serving out his sentence at Sing Sing Correctional Facility in August 2003.

He was again sentenced to five years in prison in 2013 after he pleaded guilty to robbing a bank, the Times reported. McCrimon later denied robbing the bank and convinced an appeals court to reduce his sentence by a year.
Here is an Exclusive report talking about Market scenarios, Estimates, the impact of lockdown, and Customer Behaviour.

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The folding carton market in North America covers the following areas:

Folding Carton Market In North America Sizing

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Folding Carton Market In North America Analysis

Companies Mentioned

Amcor Plc

Arkay Packaging

Bell Inc.

Georgia-Pacific LLC

Graphic Packaging Holding Co.

Greif Inc.

Imperial Printing & Paper Box Mfg. Co.

International Paper Co.

Smurfit Kappa Group Plc

WestRock Co.

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Polymer Based Solubility Enhancement Excipients Market by Technology, Type, and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025- The polymer based solubility enhancement excipients market size has the potential to grow by USD 2.08 billion during 2021-2025, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 15.30%.

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The polymer based solubility enhancement excipients market size has the potential to grow by during 2021-2025, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 15.30%. Water Soluble Fertilizers Market by Application, Type, and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2020-2024- The water soluble fertilizers market size has the potential to grow by USD 4.36 billion during 2020-2024, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate during the forecast period.

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Key Topics Covered:

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market ecosystem

Value chain analysis

Market Sizing

Market definition

Market segment analysis

Market size 2019

Market outlook: Forecast for 2019-2024

Five Forces Analysis

Five forces summary

Bargaining power of buyers

Bargaining power of suppliers

Threat of new entrants

Threat of substitutes

Threat of rivalry

Market condition

Market Segmentation by End-user

Market segments

Comparison by end-user

Food and beverage products - Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Homecare and personal products - Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Healthcare products - Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Tobacco products - Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Others - Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Market opportunity by end-user

Customer landscape

Geographic Landscape

Geographic segmentation

Geographic comparison

US - Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Canada - Market size and forecast 2019-2024

- Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Mexico - Market size and forecast 2019-2024

- Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Key leading countries

Market opportunity by geography

Market drivers

Market challenges

Market trends

Vendor Landscape

Vendor landscape

Landscape disruption

Competitive scenario

Vendor Analysis

Vendors covered

Market positioning of vendors

Amcor Plc

Arkay Packaging

Bell Inc.

Georgia-Pacific LLC

Graphic Packaging Holding Co.

Greif Inc.

Imperial Printing & Paper Box Mfg. Co.

International Paper Co.

Smurfit Kappa Group Plc

WestRock Co.

Appendix

Scope of the report

Currency conversion rates for US$

Research methodology

List of abbreviations

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Willie Robinson 72, of Gary was among the first to get vaccinated Tuesday. He is the type of individual officials would like the mass vaccination clinic to reach. Robinson said he lives across the street from the high school and came to check out what the commotion Tuesday was about. He had thought about getting vaccinated, but did not have an appointment.
LEWISBURG  Tragic is the Union County district attorneys description of the case in which a toddler was critically injured when the carrier in which she was riding behind her mothers bicycle was struck by a hit-run driver.

He knew he hit her and he knew she was injured but then drove away, District Attorney D. Peter Johnson said Monday following the sentencing of Tyler Bean-Dowell, 30, of Millmont.

County Judge Michael T. Hudock sentenced Bean-Dowell to 1 to 9 years in state prison with the recommendation that he not be released after he serves his minimum.

Bean-Dowell also was ordered to pay restitution of $16,000, which was the out-of-pocket medical costs the little girl incurred.

He had pleaded guilty in October to a charge of aggravated assault by vehicle.

The accident occurred shortly after 10 a.m. last April 21 on Red Ridge Road outside Mifflinburg.

Abigail Martin of Lewisburg was riding her bicycle while pulling a carrier in which her then 11-month-old daughter Megan was riding.

Megan suffered severe head injuries that have and will require additional surgeries, Johnson said. It is unknown if her brain injuries will be permanent, he said.

Martin, who also was injured but not as seriously as her daughter, approved the resolution of the case, the prosecutor said.

ALSO READ: Lycoming County puppy mill operator banned from owning or caring for dogs for five years

Bean-Dowell was taken into custody later the day of the accident. Driving while his license was suspended is one of the charges dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

Parts of a passenger-side mirror were found on the front seat floor of the Ford Explorer Bean-Dowell was driving and small shreds of glass were observed on his jacket and throughout the SUV, police said.

He initially told police he did not see the damage to the passenger-side mirror until he was driving home.

Surveillance video shows the Explorer pulled into the driveway of his home at 10:14 a.m. or about 15 minutes after the accident, the affidavit states.
Domestic sales by South Koreas five main automakers combined declined by 6.7% to 140,971 units in March 2021 from 151,025 units a year earlier, according to preliminary data released individually by the companies.

The data did not include sales by South Koreas low-volume commercial vehicle manufacturers, including Tata-Daewoo and Daewoo Bus Corporation, as well as sales of imported vehicles which are covered in a separate report. Together these accounted for close to 15% of total vehicle sales last year.

This moderate decline followed a 20% sales surge in the first two months of the year and comes against reasonably strong year earlier sales when the domestic market rebounded from the initial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The leading automakers outperformed significantly in March due to strong new product ranges. Hyundai sales increased by 2.3% to 73,810 units last month and Kia sales were flat at 51,011 units while all other manufacturers reported sharp declines. GM Korea saw its sales drop by 31% to 6,149 units, with its output affected by the global semiconductor shortage, while Ssangyong reported a 37% drop to 4,306 units and Renault Samsung an almost 53% plunge to 5,695 units.

Overall domestic sales in the first quarter of the year were up by 7.8% to 358,597 units from 332,759 units in the same period of 2020.

Global sales by the country's 'big five' automakers, including vehicles produced overseas by Hyundai and Kia, increased by almost 12% to 672,613 vehicles in March 2021 from 601,082 units a year earlier, reflecting a strong rebound in overseas sales. First-quarter global sales were up by 7.3% at 1,814,679 units from 1,691,106 units a year earlier.

The worldwide semiconductor shortage is expected to have a bigger impact on the country's global vehicle sales in the second quarter, with Hyundai having announced significant production cuts at some plants in April and with output at Kia also affected.

Overseas sales rose by over 18% to 531,642 units last month from 450,057 units a year earlier, as demand in key markets such as the US, China, India and Russia rebounded strongly from depressed year-earlier levels. First quarter overseas sales were up by 7.2% at 1,456,082 units from 1,358,347 units in the same period of last year.

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Hyundai Motor global sales jumped by over 22% to 375,924 vehicles in March 2021 from 307,176 sales a year earlier, driven mainly by a strong rebound in overseas sales from depressed year-earlier volumes. In the first quarter of the year total volumes were up by over 10% at 997,882 units from 903,364 units in the same period of last year.

The company has set a global sales target of 4.16m units for 2021, 11% higher than last year's 3.74m units, with electric vehicle models based on its dedicated E-GMP platform expected to make an impact later in the year starting with the Ioniq 5 model.

Domestic deliveries increased by just 2.3% to 73,810 units last month from 72,180 units last year, after jumping by almost 33% to 52,102 units in February from depressed year-earlier volumes. Cumulative three-month sales were up by almost 17% at 185,413 units from 159,061 a year earlier, driven by strong demand for the Grandeur, Elantra and Avante sedans and the new Tucson SUV.

Overseas sales surged by almost 29% to 302,114 units in March from 234,996 units a year earlier, helped by recovering demand in markets such as China, India, Russia and the Americas. First-quarter overseas sales were up by just over 9% at 812,469 units from 744,303 a year earlier.

Kia global sales rose by close to 9% to 251,362 vehicles in March 2021 from 231,543 a year earlier, driven mainly by a strong surge in overseas sales.

Total volume in the first quarter of the year was up by 6% at 687,837 units from 649,018 units a year earlier.

Domestic sales were flat at 51,011 vehicles last month from 51,008 units a year earlier, when it was forced to halt some assembly operations due to supply chain problems in China in the early stages of the pandemic. First-quarter domestic sales were up by over 11% at 130,075 units from 116,739 a year earlier, lifted by strong demand for the Sorento and Sportage SUVs and the Carnival MPV.

Overseas sales increased by 11% to 200,351 units in March from 180,535 a year earlier and by almost 5% to 557,762 in the first three months of the year from 532,279 units, helped by recovering demand in China and the US.

The company expects new electric vehicle models will help drive growth this year with global sales forecast to rise by 12% to 2.92m vehicles from just over 2.6m units in 2020.

GM Korea global sales declined sharply in March 2021, by 22% to 29,633 vehicles from an already weak 37,981 sales a year earlier, reflecting sharply lower domestic sales and exports as semiconductor shortages continued to hold back production. First-quarter global sales were still up by 4% at 90,024 units from 86,591 units previously thanks to a strong bounce in January.

Domestic sales plunged by over 31% to 6,149 units last month from 8,965 a year earlier and were down by almost 9% to 17,353 units in the first three months of the year from 19,044 units. Overseas sales fell by almost 19% to 23,484 units in March from 28,953 a year earlier, but were still up by close to 8% at 72,671 units year-to-date from 67,547 previously.

Renault-Samsung, 81%-owned by Renault, saw its global sales plunge by over 43% to 8,572 vehicles in March 2021 from weak year-earlier sales of 15,100 units, reflecting plummeting domestic sales and also weak exports. In the first three months of the year total sales were down by over 22% at 22,068 units from 28,390 units previously.

Domestic sales plunged by almost 53% to 5,695 units last month from 12,012 units a year earlier and were down by over 34% at 13,129 year-to-date from 19,988 units. Exports fell by just under 7% to 2,877 units in March from 3,088 units a year earlier but were still up by 6.4% at 8,939 units in the first quarter from 8,402 units previously.

Having long ago lost the Nissan Rogue SUV export contract [the model has since been redesigned], Renault Samsung is currently operating at very depressed levels which, according to its parent company, has made it uncompetitive compared with comparable European plants.

Ssangyong Motor reported an almost 24% fall in global sales to 7,122 vehicles in March from 9,345 units a year earlier, as the bankrupt company continued to struggle with supply disruptions due to cashflow issues. Global sales in the first quarter of the year were down by over 23% at 18,559 units from 24,139 previously.

Ssangyong filed for bankruptcy on 21 December 2020 after it failed to meet its debt obligations with creditors refusing to reschedule repayment deadlines. A number of local manufacturers have refused to supply components because of significant overdue payments, causing the automaker to suspend production for long periods throughout the last quarter. The Indian parent company Mahindra & Mahindra said it was still negotiating the sale of all or most of its 70% stake in Ssangyong.

Domestic sales fell by over 37% to 4,306 units last month from 6,860 a year earlier and by almost 28% to 12,627 units year-to-date from 17,517 previously. Exports rebounded by 13% to 2,816 units in March from 2,485 a year earlier, but were still almost 10% lower at 5,932 units year-to-date from 6,622 units.
Some health experts are concerned that loosening COVID restrictions, specifically restaurant capacity, has contributed to a new surge of cases in Connecticut.

Dine-in at restaurants is a risky activity because, by necessity, people can't wear masks while eating, and most restaurants will not have the level of ventilation to make that indoors environment safe from airborne viral transmission, said Pedro Mendes, a researcher and professor in computational biology at UConn.

In March, Gov. Ned Lamont began allowing increased indoor capacity in Connecticut restaurants. He announced restaurants could go to 100 percent capacity on March 19, with the caveat that social distancing and mask rules would remain in place.

"Tomorrow's a big day. I think we've earned it as a state, I know the restaurants have earned it," Lamont said on March 18. "So come back and support your local restaurants.

But the 5 percent daily COVID test positivity rate the state announced Tuesday follows a recent trend showing the continued spread of the coronavirus in the state.

Some experts say loosening restrictions on indoor dining while more infectious variants continue to spread is part of the reason for the increase.

Yales Nathan Grubaugh said on Twitter that the more infectious B.1.1.7 variant would make loosening restrictions a bad idea.

I was concerned about Gov. Ned Lamont relaxing restrictions on indoor gatherings  like bars/restaurants  on (March 19). It was too soon, he said. Now we are seeing a surge in COVID-19 cases, which the B.1.1.7 ... is likely exacerbating.

Its not just Connecticut. Dr. Anthony Fauci said last week the virus spreads when people congregate.

Even if on the planes people are wearing masks, when you get to the airport, the check-in lines, the food lines for restaurants, the boarding that you see, how people sometimes can be congregating together, those are the kind of things that invariably increase the risk of getting infected, Fauci said.

Scott Dolch, executive director of the Connecticut Restaurant Association, said there is no hard evidence to indicate restaurants in Connecticut are a source of transmission.

There has been nothing proven to say that restaurants have caused an increase of spread, he said, arguing the state did not see an increase in cases in June when indoor dining was reintroduced.

Our restaurants in Connecticut have been open since June 15 indoor, Dolch said.

Max Reiss, a spokesman for Lamont, said Tuesday that while there has been an increase in cases, its impossible to pin that on any one cause.

Its difficult to look at any one decision in a vacuum throughout the entire pandemic and draw conclusions, he said.

Reiss also noted that while cases have increased  there is definitely still virus in the community, he said  COVID-related hospitalizations and deaths have remained lower, a result of the states vaccination efforts.

The state announced Tuesday a total of 1,074 new coronavirus cases, and 21 more COVID-related hospitalizations, increasing the statewide total to 505. There were also seven more COVID-related deaths. To date, 7,930 Connecticut residents have died with COVID.

While restaurants are allowed to reach 100 percent capacity, they are also required to maintain a 6-foot distance between tables, making that capacity limitation a moot point, some restaurateurs say.

The typical increase is anywhere from 10 and 12 percent, on top of the 50 percent capacity that was allowed in June, Dolch said.

Close to 400 people have signed a petition on Change.org, encouraging Lamont to keep restaurant restrictions in place.

At 100 percent capacity, with those sitting at restaurants and bars not wearing face masks will turn those establishments into super-spreader events, the petition says. One cannot eat or drink wearing a mask!

Joel Leyden, who created the petition, said the virus is not aware of a 6-foot limit nor does it care about Plexiglass between restaurant tables.

The only people who should be allowed to enter an indoor restaurant are those who have been vaccinated, he said.
"The Mint has a time-honoured tradition of commemorating milestones in the historic reign of Queen Elizabeth II and we are proud to mark her 95 th birthday through a unique collector keepsake," said Marie Lemay, President and CEO. "We are especially pleased to have been able to collaborate with The Royal Mint on this special project."

The Royal Mint's CEO Anne Jessopp comments: "It is wonderful to work with the Royal Canadian Mint to celebrate the 95th birthday of HRH Queen Elizabeth. This joint set offers a beautifully crafted and unique way for collectors to mark the milestone."

Canada's contribution to the 2021 Two-Coin Set - A Royal Celebration features elegant imagery of Her Majesty on both sides of a 1 oz. pure silver coin. The reverse displays a reproduction of The Queen Elizabeth II Equestrian Monument, sculpted by Canadian artist Jack Harman and unveiled in 1992 by Her Majesty on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. This majestic monument, showing the Queen astride her horse Centenial, presently graces the entrance to Rideau Hall, the official residence of Canada's Governor-General. The obverse is a numismatic history showcase, with fine engravings of all four effigies of Queen Elizabeth to have appeared on Canadian coins throughout her reign.

The Royal Mint recruited British heraldic artist Timothy Noad to design its pure silver coin. Its reverse, dated 1926-2021, includes the Royal Cypher, floral emblem of the nations of the United Kingdom, as well as the inscription "MY HEART AND MY DEVOTION", from the Queen's first televised Christmas message in 1957. The obverse features the effigy portrait of Her Majesty the Queen by Royal Mint designer Jody Clark. This portrait was launched in September 2015 in conjunction with Queen Elizabeth becoming Britain's longest serving monarch.

The two-coin set, limited to a mintage of 6,500, is packaged in a black beauty box bearing the logos of both mints. The packaging includes a certificate of authenticity for each coin and a serialized card with a message from both mints.

This special collectible may be ordered as of today by contacting the Royal Canadian Mint at

1-800-2671871 in Canada, 1-800-2686468 in the US, or at www.mint.ca. To purchase directly from the Royal mint, visit www.royalmint.com.

The coin set is also available through the Mint's network of authorized dealers.

Images of this coin are available here.

About the Royal Canadian Mint

The Royal Canadian Mint is the Crown corporation responsible for the minting and distribution of Canada's circulation coins. The Mint is one of the largest and most versatile mints in the world, offering a wide range of specialized, high quality coinage products and related services on an international scale. For more information on the Mint, its products and services, visit www.mint.ca. Follow the Mint on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

CONTACT: Alex Reeves, Senior Manager, Public Affairs, Telephone: 613-884-6370, reeves@mint.ca

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SOURCE Royal Canadian Mint
Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal, addressed a rally in Cooch Behar ahead of phase 4 polling in the state on Tuesday and attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he taunts her at meetings. CM Banerjee said, "PM Modi is a liar. At each meeting, he taunts me and lies."

Banerjee also said that the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) lied about the creation of a separate Narayani battalion within the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). She claimed that her government has already created a Narayani battalion within the Bengal police.

Both -- the BJP and the Trinamool Congress party (TMC) -- are trying to woo the Rajbongshi community in Cooch Behar with a Narayani battalion.

While Banerjee said that her government has formed the Narayani battalion, the Centre rejected her claims, saying she's "bluffing voters by quoting an RTI response".

During her address, Banerjee also promised doorstep delivery of ration if her party is elected to power for the third time. She added that her government will continue to provide free ration.

Mamata Banerjee said, "We [Trinamool Congress] are providing free ration while the Centre has hiked LPG prices to Rs 900. We shall continue the free ration scheme and moreover, we shall ensure doorstep delivery of ration when our government comes for the third time."

She also criticised PM Modi on the death of 22 jawans, who were ambushed by the Naxals at an encounter in Chhattisgarh.

"22 jawans died in Sukma, what was he doing? He has stolen all the money from Rafale," she said. Banerjee also said that BJP wants to capture Bengal which is "not so easy."

Banerjee said, "We have seen central forces, from Manmohan Singh to VP Singh, to Rajiv Gandhi... but I've never seen such a central force which intimidates women."

(Edited by Vivek Dubey)
A father who brutally murdered his children has had his violent 18-year history with police detailed in a family colonial inquest.

John Edwards, 67, killed Jack and Jennifer Edwards in Pennant Hills, Sydney's north-west, in July 2018 after following his daughter home from school.

Edwards then killed himself at his rented home near Normanhurst on the night of the murders. Five months later, the children's mother, Olga, took her own life.

The inquest heard Edwards, then 50, met Olga online before travelling to Russia to meet her. She was just 19-years-old at the time.

He then brought the teenager back to Australia and married her, where nearly two decades of abuse began.

John Edwards shot dead his daughter Jennifer (left), 13, and son Jack (right), 15, in West Pennant Hills in Sydney's north-west on July 5, 2018

The inquest into the deaths of the teenagers and the killer's suicide has examined how a family court, on an interim basis, ordered the teens see their father despite his long, documented history of domestic violence.

Edwards, a father of 10, had recently had an AVO taken against him to protect a former partner, while there had been several other allegations of abuse from other former partners.

In 2010 the NSW Firearms Registry rejected an application from Edwards to purchase a handgun after he falsely claimed he hadn't been the subject of an AVO in the proceeding decade.

The inquest into the deaths of the teenagers and the killer's suicide has examined how a family court, on an interim basis, ordered the teens see their father despite his long, documented history of domestic violence. Pictured: John Edwards

From 2014 to 2016 Olga claims Edwards was abusive to their son Jack, who was between 12 and 14 during the period.

In March, 2016 Olga took her children and began Family Court proceedings against Edwards, who told police he fears his wife may make 'false allegations' against him.

Later that year, Edwards would apply again for a gun, this time a gun training permit with Ku-Ring-Gai Pistol Club.

Olga reported Edwards' abuse of their two children to local police in December 2016.

At the beginning of 2017 Edwards attends Olga's yoga class. The studio then finds out he had attended the premises roughly 15 times before.

Despite that, police file an error-filled report and no action is taken.

Edwards is granted a rifle and pistol license in June 2017, and buys three rifles over the proceeding three months. He also buys a revolver and semi-automatic pistol.

On July 2, 2018 Edwards hires a car from Avis Car Rentals in Hornsby on Sydney's upper North Shore.

Three days later, on July 5, he drives to Pennant Hills train station where he follows his daughter home and shoots both his children dead. Edwards killed himself shortly after.

Olga, stricken with grief, takes her own life some five months after the brutal murder.

The lawyer tasked with protecting the chilren failed to tell the courts about their father's 18-year police history of domestic violence before he fatally shot them, the inquest heard.

Independent children's lawyer Debbie Morton on Thursday repeatedly denied misleading a Family Court when advocating for Edwards despite his children telling several people he was violent.

Ms Morton subpoenaed Edwards' police record while representing the children during their parent's 2016-2017 custody dispute, Sydney Morning Herald reported.

In previous evidence, Ms Morton said she read over the record which detailed Edwards' history of domestic abuse, including restraining orders and allegations of stalking.

Ms Morton did not advise the Family Court that the teenagers - who told a psychologist they feared their father - wanted no contact with the financial planner.



When addressing allegations of family violence, the woman duty-bound to represent the children's best interests told the Family Court: 'There's a concern about the dad being a bit overbearing.'

'All the evidence pointed to the exact opposite - that he was a significant risk to these children,' counsel assisting Kate Richardson SC said.

Five months after the murders, the children's mother, Olga (pictured), took her own life

'No,' Ms Morton replied.

The lawyer, who twice denied lying in her evidence to the Coroners Court, said she was aware of her obligations at the time.

During the intense questioning, Ms Morton hit back at Ms Richardson, saying she didn't think the barrister knew how the Family Court worked.

'You seem to think the independent children's lawyer has an enormous amount of power,' she said.

Ms Richardson replied her questions were based on ICL's duties as outlined by the court itself.

The inquest has heard Olga detailed in 2017 how Edwards had chased Jack through Paris on a family holiday - throwing the boy up against a wall so violently passers-by intervened.

Ms Morton characterised the incident to the Family Court as 'Jack ran away, John was chasing after him and different things like that'.

'You downplayed the Paris incident to His Honour, do you agree?' Ms Richardson asked.

'I don't think so,' came the reply.

A CHILD MURDERER'S ESCALATING BEHAVIOUR BEFORE MURDERS 2000 - John Edwards connects with teenager Olga online. By the time he travels to Russia to meet her, a three-year AVO has just been put in place to protect one of his former partners and several other former partners have made allegations of abuse. 2001 - Olga, then 19, moves to Australia to marry Edwards, then 50. She soon has two children to Edwards: Jack (b. 2002) and Jennifer (b. 2004) 2010 - NSW Firearms Registry rejects Edwards' gun licence application after he falsely declares he hasn't been the subject of an AVO in the preceding decade. 2014 to 2016 - After years of controlling behaviour against Olga, Edwards begins turning attention to Jack. Olga later reports multiple occasions of Edwards physically hitting the boy March 2016 - Olga and the kids leave Edwards and Family Court proceedings begin. Edwards tells Hornsby police Olga may make "false allegations" against him. December 2016 - Edwards applies for a gun training permit with Ku-ring-gai Pistol Club. December 2016 - Olga reports Edwards' abuse of Jack and Jennifer to local police. February 2017 - Edwards attends Olga's 6am yoga class. Yoga studio learns he's been to the premises about 15 times. Police file error-riddled report and take no further action. June 2017 - Edwards granted rifle licence. Pistol licence granted soon after. October 2017 - The financial planner buys his third rifle in as many months. April 2018 - He purchases a semi-automatic pistol to go with a revolver he bought in March. July 2, 2018 - Edwards hires from Avis Car Rentals in Hornsby. July 4, 2018 - Edwards collects his pistols from St Marys Pistol Club, closing the door to his gun locker so hard it jammed and needed repairs. July 5, 2018 - The 67-year-old drives hire car to Pennant Hills train station, follows his daughter home and shoots his children dead. Takes his own life shortly afterwards. December 2018 - Olga takes her own life Advertisement

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MBABANE  Just a week after schools opened, some parents have taken a decision that may have harsh consequences on the future of their children.

The parents made a decision to stop their children from attending school, mostly because they deemed the whole process as being high risk. Thandi Zwane, a parent of a St Francis Primary School pupil, said she realised there was more risk in letting her child attend school than having her stay at home. She has since stopped her Grade V child from going to school.

I witnessed so much chaos on the first day when I dropped her off. There were a lot of pupils and we know how children behave when they see their peers, said Zwane. She also mentioned that naturally, children were wayward and from what she saw at the school premises, she would rather let her offspring stay at home.

Confusion

There seems to be a bit of confusion at the school too as some children were turned back, some came without face masks. I can only imagine what happens when we are not there as parents, stated Zwane. It should be noted that the first day of schools opening was marred by total chaos, though things slightly improved as the week progressed. At first, some teachers found themselves with more pupils than they could handle as the schools did not have the capacity to accommodate all the pupils. Also, there were not enough teachers to cater for the pupils, something which government has rectified through the promise of hiring about 900 by the end of this week.

Further interviews revealed that there were some parents who had resorted to keeping their children at home until operations at school ran accordingly. Their arguments were centred on the looming third wave and the COVID -19 safety measures. My child only attended school on Monday and I then took the decision to stop her from attending. My decision was informed by the confusing learning rotational schedule, stated Nolwazi Dlamini, who is a parent of a Mater Dolorosa Primary School pupil. The parent said she could not fully ascertain the COVID- 19 safety measures in the school because there were children involved. Another parent said the holidays confusion was one of the reasons she stopped her child from going to school. She was referring to the Easter holidays as some people were of the view that schools should have been opened after the holidays.
SAN FRANCISCO, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Acquire, a leading conversational customer experience (CX) platform, today announced the release of their newest software that streamlines customer conversations, automates workflows, and enables teams to better analyze support and service efficiency. Acquire's offering is the first platform designed to help businesses serve customers in the digital-first era of communication.

Businesses have historically been slow to adapt to the influx of new digital interactions and changing expectations for customer service. The pandemic gave many businesses no choice but to expedite their digital transformation plans and put greater emphasis on how they communicate with customers online. According to a recent report by Deloitte1, not only has the adoption of digital channels increased, but 63% of global consumers agreed they would continue to use digital technologies more often even after the pandemic subsides. Acquire's conversational CX platform is uniquely suited to help companies in this new normal of doing business by enabling them to virtualize in-person experiences and create ongoing conversations with customers, alleviating frustrating experiences created by siloed interactions.

As new digital channels emerge, businesses bolt them on as individual silos rather than integrating them into their CX tech stack. Acquire enables businesses to better serve their customers by providing seamless transitions between modes of conversation including text, chat, voice, video, cobrowse, a form of on-screen collaboration, and social messaging apps like Facebook and WhatsApp. This conversational approach, combined with centralized customer data from other tools, puts all the contextual, relevant information at agents' fingertips, enabling them to speed up handle times and increase customer satisfaction. Acquire's analytics and reporting capabilities further enable businesses to measure, iterate, and improve operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

"Acquire is helping companies lead their industry in customer experience  and more than 200 modern companies, including Saint Gobain, United Airlines, Samsung, and Audi have chosen our conversational CX platform," said Amrit Dhangal, COO and Co-founder of Acquire. "Our customers across different industries including retail and ecommerce, financial services, and technology have all had success using our software for different use cases."

"We're excited to offer customers the choice of how they engage with Ashley Home Furniturewhether that is fully online, or a combination of online and in-store shopping. Being able to start a chat, escalate to video to show a specific product, and then cobrowse through a finance application is truly revolutionary for how we do business."  Ben Churma, VP of Ecommerce at Ashley Home Furniture Canada

Acquire's newest platform helps businesses stay at the forefront of how customers want to communicate, while leveraging investments in their tech stack through integrations to leading solutions like Shopify, Alkami, and Salesforce to centralize support and service efforts. With Acquire, companies can get up and running in only a few weeks compared to the months typical of legacy vendors in the space.

For more information about the Acquire Platform visit www.acquire.io .

ABOUT ACQUIRE

Acquire is a customer experience platform empowering conversations that wow customers. By simplifying communication across touchpoints, personalizing interactions, and enabling the ability to architect faster and more efficient responsesAcquire puts people, not channels, are at the heart of every customer interaction. Founded in 2018 Acquire is backed by S28 Capital, Base10, and Fathom Capital and headquartered in San Francisco, CA.

__________________________

1 Deloitte Insights - 2021 Global Marketing Trends

SOURCE Acquire

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The anti-abortion movement was never going to stop with overturning Roe v. Wade.

For years, Republicans have argued that their goal was to return the issue of abortion to the states. At no point was this believable; since 1984, the Republican Party platform has called for a constitutional amendment banning abortion. Having spent decades denouncing abortion as a singular moral evil, the anti-abortion movement will not be content to return to a pre-Roe status quo, where abortion was legal in some places but not others.

So its not that surprising that, with the possible end of Roe in sight, some opponents of abortion are thinking about how to ban it nationally. Last week my colleague Ross Douthat wrote about a debate within the anti-abortion movement sparked by a highly abstruse article by the Notre Dame professor John Finnis in the Catholic journal First Things. Finnis argues that fetuses are persons under the 14th Amendment, and that the Supreme Court should thus rule abortion unconstitutional. The political implication, wrote Douthat, is that just jettisoning Roe is woefully insufficient.

Finniss contention is radical, but apparently resonant. Damon Linker, a former editor at First Things and author of a book about the Catholic right, writes, That is where the pro-life movement is headed  and the rest of the country better be ready for it.

The threat isnt immediate; its highly unlikely that this Supreme Court is going to adopt constitutional personhood. The justices are not interested in reading the Constitution to protect life from the moment of conception, said Nancy Northup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights, a legal group. It would make so many things so incredibly difficult to give a fertilized egg all the rights and protections of a born human being.
A new study analyzing bean production and food security across 11 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, found COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions to significantly impact bean production. Border controls and high transport costs have led to drops in production of the key food security crop, threatening to reverse gains made in achieving Sustainable Development Goals 1 and 2, towards no poverty and zero hunger, respectively.

Even before the pandemic, 55% of the world's hungry people and 70% of the world's poorest people lived in Africa, the researchers said. In addition, food systems across Africa were already affected by the adverse impacts of climate change, disease and pests, such as the worst desert locust outbreak in 70 years impacting food security in Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia and other countries in eastern Africa.

Other impacts of COVID-19 restrictions, both direct and indirect, can be found in the study: "Regional impact of COVID-19 on the production and food security of common bean smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa: Implication for SDG's," published in the Global Food Security edition of peer-reviewed platform Science Direct. Direct impacts include farms and food businesses closing down; while indirect impacts are linked to lockdown, border closures, social distancing, and restricted transportation and trade.

"The food system is already highly inefficient. What we've seen is that measures taken to control the virus led to wider food security restrictions and disruptions, exacerbating those already-existing insecurities," said author Eileen Nchanji, a gender researcher at The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (The Alliance). "Pay cuts, job losses, and high food prices due to reduced food imports and closure of informal markets all disrupted food supplies, with poorer communities especially affected."

From border closures to national lockdowns, delayed cargo further exacerbated food shortages, the researchers said. For instance, 15% of imported food in Kenya before the pandemic was sourced from countries that imposed export restrictions, affecting the availability and flow of crops and food. Restrictions also led to limited access to seed, farm inputs, hired labor, and agricultural finance for smallholder farmers, especially those in Uganda, where planting was beginning.

The data, collected between March and April 2020, shows that most households in Eastern Africa ate only twice during the pandemic. Uganda was most affected, with all surveyed farmers eating only once per day during the pandemic. The research also found a 34% decrease in access to labor attributed to the fear of getting the disease, the high cost of public transportation, and social distancing measures. Farmers also noted difficulties in accessing finance, farm inputs, seed and extension information.

The research highlights that 36%, 20%, and 3% of farmers in Burundi, Uganda, and Kenya respectively lost income during the pandemic, with knock-on impacts on food security. The low number in Kenya is due to the fact that crops were already planted, and farmers were relying on maize and other crops stored from the previous harvest for food and to generate income, while in Uganda and Burundi, planting was ongoing, and so more money was spent on inputs, seed and food, as prices and costs of transport increased.

In West Africa, challenges included insecurity, political instability, social conflicts, and climate change, the report said, citing Food and Agriculture projections that 17 million people in the region will face severe food insecurity following measures to contain the virus.

Although governments across the continent have responded by offering economic stimulus packages, much needs to be done to enable the sub-sector to recover from ruins caused by the pandemic, authors said.

Cosmas Lutomia, at the Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), said: "The pandemic has necessitated a much needed discussion around the complexity of our food systems. We can only achieve sustainable and resilient food systems through strengthening public-private partnerships. We implore governments across the region to strengthen the food systems' resilience to present and future shocks."

The authors called for an immediate transformation of food systems in all the sub-regions. Governments should invest directly in input supply systems and short food supply chains through digital access, mobile-based payments, credit and food delivery, they added.

###
Senator Bernie Sanders, the Senate Budget Committee chairman said that he wants to convince Joe Manchin on party-line voting. West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin is one of the respected Democrats who are against the increase of minimum wage.

The Democrats failed to pass the wage hike because Manchin did not agree with it like the Republicans who opposed it because of the ill-economic effects it might bring.

Bernie Sanders still wants the wage hike

According to the Democratic caucus, as they are 50-50 in seats to the Republican senators, Sanders is part of the ruling party. Despite this, the Democrats have a slim lead with Vice President Kamala Harris, as the tiebreaker, reported by CNN through MSN.

Sanders offers several statements about the passing of the $1.9 trillion relief package. "We're both heading in the same direction. We won't be able to get anything we want. That is simply the reality; everyone can refuse", Bernie Sanders stated his opinion. "But, for the time being, I believe we are making progress. We're going to drive it as far as we can, and I'm proud of the direction we're heading in."

Senator Sanders guested on MSNBC's The Mehdi Hasan Show and was asked several questions. The show was aired on April 5.

Since Bernie Sanders has duties in the Budget Committee, the host asked if bills should be passed with House Democrats ruling Congress with more force and influence. He answered that it's the president's job to deal with passing important bills. He mentioned that getting the $1.9 trillion relief package signed into law is very significant for the White House. President Biden called it a relevant bill specifically for the working class, in recent times.

Democrats Fail to Unite Over Passing the $15 Minimum Wage, Next Step Remains Unknown

Mehdi Hasan, the host, asked should Biden pressure West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin to reverse his conservative ways and follow the party. In that way, he could back progressive Democrat policies, not vote against them.

Manchin is only among seven Democrats who preferred an $11 wage hike, which is less shocking to the economy. Most of the ruling party on Capitol Hill want the $15 per hour pay hike. Due to the seven votes against it, it did not pass.

The West Virginia Senator Manchin stated in March his thoughts on Sen. Sanders's proposal. He was quoted,"I think that every Republican wants to raise the minimum wage. Everyone's just not in sync with Bernie Sanders at $15."

It can be remembered that Manchin is also one of the conservative Democrats who voted against major bills like ending the filibuster and also objected to the corporate tax rate of 28 percent.

The Democrat does not support 'Medicare for All' by Sanders as his signature presidential campaign issue. He said if Sanders were to win the Democratic presidential nomination, he would not support him over Donald Trump. Manchin's conservatism is different from Sanders who is an avowed socialist.

Sanders promised to campaign in West Virginia and "rally working people there against Senator Manchin" in his home state, as Mehdi Hasan stated it

One of Hasan's last questions to Senator Bernie Sanders was if president Biden should visit Manchin to back their progressive agenda. Sanders said it was not easy to assemble the Democratic caucus, saying he would visit West Virginia to convince the conservative Democrat to make a point.

Also from HNGH

Joe Biden's $3 Trillion Package to Come Next After Stimulus Bill

Democrats To Approve $1.9T COVID Aid Plan

Biden Approves $1.9 Trillion Stimulus Bill Ready for Rollout

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
New Delhi, April 6 : Credit Suisse CEO Thomas Gottstein has said that "serious lessons will be leart" as the global bank took a $4.7 billion hit and fired two top executives after the collapse of the hedge fund, Archegos.

Gottstein said: "The significant loss in our Prime Services business relating to the failure of a US-based hedge fund is unacceptable. In combination with the recent issues around the supply chain finance funds, I recognise that these cases have caused significant concern among all our stakeholders. Together with the Board of Directors, we are fully committed to addressing these situations. Serious lessons will be learned. Credit Suisse remains a formidable institution with a rich history." Credit Suisse has also announced an investigation into the matter.

"We acknowledge that both the US hedge fund and the supply chain finance fund matters require substantial further review and scrutiny. The Board of Directors has launched investigations into both of these matters which will not only focus on the direct issues arising from each of them, but also reflect on the broader consequences and lessons learned," a statement said.

Credit Suisse has also undertaken senior management changes within the Investment Bank division and within the Risk and Compliance organisation.

It has also slashed dividends and bonuses. Credit Suisse said that following the significant US-based hedge fund matter, the Board of Directors is amending its proposal on the distribution of dividends and withdrawing its proposals on variable compensation of the Executive Board.

Brian Chin, CEO of the Investment Bank, and Lara Warner, Chief Risk and Compliance Officer, will step down from their roles, the bank said.

The Credit Suisse losses are related to transactions with Archegos, a private investment vehicle of former hedge fund manager Bill Hwang which collapsed last month.
[April 06, 2021] ThreatQuotient Closes $22.5 Million in New Financing to Accelerate Innovation and Execution

ThreatQuotient, a leading security operations platform innovator, today announced it has closed $22.5 million in new financing, including a combination of equity and debt financing. The investment syndicate includes New Enterprise Associates (NEA), Adams Street Partners, Escalate Capital, Blu Ventures, Cisco (News - Alert) Investments and Gaingels, who took notice of the company's significant momentum in 2020, specifically their record bookings and revenue growth. ThreatQuotient plans to leverage this financing to accelerate execution of new innovations currently in development. "As a result of strong performance in 2020, we welcomed an opportunity to secure additional funding and add new investors to our syndicate. ThreatQuotient is meeting a critical need for security operations solutions, and we have significant expansion plans to continue this momentum," said John Czupak, President and CEO, ThreatQuotient. "I am incredibly proud of our team's efforts and record setting performance in a challenging 2020. I thank all of our investors for their interest and support, and I look forward to our continued momentum and success." Notable ThreatQuotient achievements in 2020: Signed a record number of new customers, who are leveraging the ThreatQ platform for a variety of use cases as well as the ThreatQ Investigations cybersecurity situation room

Closed multiple seven figure deals and achieved a record number of transactions

Launched a new Hosted Service of the ThreatQ platform to great reception, comprising over 10% of new bookings

Became the first threat-centric security operations platform to be approved for a DoD-wide ATO

Doubled their global footprint in 2020 with customers in 12 new countries and became the first threat intelligence platform provider offering local support from Spain as a result of the company's expansion into Iberia

Awarded U.S. Patent 10,902,114, "Automated Cybersecurity Threat Detection with Aggregation and Analysis" as the company's first non-provisional patent



Security Investigation, Silver for both Threat Intelligence Technology and Hot Security Company of the Year, and Bronze for Threat Hunting, Detection, Intelligence and Response. ThreatQuotient also won three 2021 Cybersecurity Excellence Awards: Gold for Security Investigation, and Silver for both Threat Detection, Intelligence and Response and Best Cybersecurity Company. Additionally, ThreatQuotient was recognized as McAfee (News - Alert) Partner of the Year for the second consecutive year and the company was listed in the 2021 CRN Partner Program Guide. Investor Testimonials

"ThreatQuotient gives SOC analysts, incident responders and threat analysts unmatched flexibility, visibility and control over their company's alerts and unique threats that they can't get from other security operations solutions. NEA is confident that ThreatQuotient's continued momentum will lead to further market capture." - Peter Barris, Managing General Partner, NEA "Since we first invested in ThreatQuotient in 2017, their team has continued to prove to the market that there is a critical need for cybersecurity solutions aimed at security operations. Their attention to detail for customer needs and innovative approach to solving challenges are just a few reasons we are pleased to expand our investment in ThreatQuotient." - Fred Wang, Partner, Adams Street Partners "Escalate has been impressed with ThreatQuotient's approach to solving major challenges within the cybersecurity industry, as well as the company's growth to date. We are pleased to join this investment syndicate as an investor in ThreatQuotient, and look forward to their continued innovation which will support security operations teams in prioritizing, improving detection and accelerating response." - Chris Julich, Managing Director, Escalate Capital Partners "As the largest investor network focused on supporting and investing in the best venture-backed companies that embrace and value diverse leadership, including LGBTQ+, Gaingels is proud to participate in this financing. We are resolved on helping ThreatQuotient grow and scale while strengthening its prospects of success by building a culture that reflects the diversity of its executive teams, staff and customers." - Lorenzo Thione, Managing Director, Gaingels Leading global companies use ThreatQuotient's solutions as the cornerstone of their security operations, including Fortune 100/500, major retail and hospitality, healthcare, technology, finance, and defense customers globally. To learn more about ThreatQuotient's award-winning solutions and market leading capabilities, please visit www.threatquotient.com. About ThreatQuotient ThreatQuotient's mission is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of security operations with a platform that accelerates and simplifies investigations and collaboration within and across teams and tools. Integrating an organization's existing processes and technologies into a unified workspace, ThreatQuotient's solutions reduce noise, highlight top priority threats and automate processes to provide greater focus and decision support while maximizing limited resources. ThreatQuotient's threat-centric approach supports multiple use cases including incident response, threat hunting, spear phishing, alert triage and vulnerability management, and also serves as a threat intelligence platform. ThreatQuotient is headquartered in Northern Virginia with international operations based out of Europe and APAC. For more information, visit www.threatquotient.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005080/en/

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The Capitol riot's fallout is rippling beyond our shores.

What's happening: Public relations agents for the government of Haiti are drawing parallels between political unrest in that country and the Jan. 6 attack, based on public records.

Foreign agent filings from the U.S.-based public affairs firm Mercury, which is fighting efforts to oust Haiti's embattled President, Jovenel Moise, show how a rupture of the peaceful transition of power in the United States is influencing democratic processes abroad.

What they're saying: "While the Haitian government respects the rights of Haitians to protest peacefully," wrote Mercury Vice President Djenny Passe in a February email to reporters, "calling for the president to be removed before his term ends in February 2022 is deeply undemocratic, and reminiscent of the tragic events on January 6th at the U.S. Capitol."

Passe also pitched a column to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution by Haiti's ambassador to the U.S., in which he wrote fondly of attending Biden's inauguration "two weeks after angry mobs tried to divert the election results."

"No American news outlet would conclude  based on sporadic, partisan protests in Washington  that the whole country wants Biden gone," Haitian Foreign Minister Claude Joseph wrote in a Miami Herald column promoted by Mercury this month.

Background: Moise is currently ruling by decree after parliamentary elections in Haiti were delayed, leaving the country with an inoperable legislature.

Domestic political opponents and protesters in the Haitian capital have called for Moise to step down, insisting his term ended in February.

Moise says his term is not up until next year, a position backed by the State Department and the Organization of American States.

But the U.S. also recently warned against Moise administration actions that "risk damaging Haiti's core democratic institutions."

Between the lines: The Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol has commanded Washington's attention for the past two months.
LONDON, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Rix.GG, a fast-growing and top UK esports organisation, announces Finnish Rocket League superstar Joonas "Mognus" Salo has signed to its growing team of content creators.

Joonas "Mognus" Salo is a decorated and well known professional esports player in Rocket League. He made the switch to full-time content creation after he was released from the Rix.GG roster earlier this year. Mognus will be creating Rocket League content and collaborating with other creators while under his new role at Rix.GG.

Jamie Lewis, founder and CEO, said: "Bringing Joonas back to the Rix.GG family was an obvious decision. He's popular among staff and fans alike, and I can't wait to be working alongside Mognus once more."

Joonas "Mognus" Salo, influencer, said: "I'm happy to be back working with Rix! This will be a whole different role for me than in the past but I expect to have their full support during this journey. Even for a smaller org, I saw their potential first hand when I was competing, so expect some great things to come!"

About Rix.GG

Rix.GG empowers esports athletes to reach their full potential through unique opportunities, support, and competitive training. Founded by Jamie Lewis and a team of investors in 2020, the esports organisation launched by signing one of the UK's best Valorant teams featuring homegrown talent. Rix.GG aims to grow grassroots esports in the UK by developing athletes, signing rosters in other titles, holding tournaments and other esports events. Learn more at https://www.rix.gg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1481914/Rix_GG_Welcomes_Mognus.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1433896/Rix_GG_Logo.jpg
Ayushmann Khurrana And Rakul Preet Kick-Start Shoot Of Doctor G; Share A Selfie With Their Script

Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana on Monday kick-started shooting for his forthcoming Anubhuti Kashyap directorial Doctor G. The film will mark his first collaboration with Rakul Preet, who is starred opposite him. The Andhadhun actor took to his Instagram story and shared the news by posting a photo of his script for the film, along with which he wrote, "And it begins ... #DOCTORG."

Earlier in the day, Rakul informed his fans about the commencement of the shoot by posting a picture of the script book on her Instagram story. Doctor G will be based on a campus of a medical institute. While Ayushmann will be playing the role of Dr Uday Gupta, Rakul will be seen as Dr Fatima, a medical student who plays Ayushmann's senior in the film. Anubhuti, sister of director Anurag Kashyap, will be making her debut as a feature film director with the upcoming project. She has in the past directed the dark comedy mini-series Afsos and the critically-acclaimed short film Moi Marjaani.

The film has been written by Anubhuti, Sumit Saxena, Vishal Wagh, and Saurabh Bharat. In December, Ayushmann had announced the film with a photo of himself posing with the script of the movie. This marks Ayushmann's third collaboration with Jungalee Pictures, after Bareilly Ki Barfi (2017) and Badhaai Ho (2018).
The IYSSE at NYU is hosting an online meeting this Thursday at 7 p.m. EDT: The Columbia strike and the way forward for graduate workers. We encourage Columbia graduate students to join this meeting and share it with your friends and colleagues.

A significant section of graduate workers at Columbia University have taken the courageous stand to continue their strike in defiance of the university and the United Auto Workers (UAW).

Columbia strikers picketing (WSWS)

Last Friday night, the bargaining committee of the Graduate Workers of Columbia (GWC), which is affiliated with the UAW, put the strike on a so-called pause, despite an overwhelming 94 percent of strikers voting against ending the strike.

The attempt to shut down the strike came just two weeks before finals were set to beginthat is, the exact time when the strike would have the biggest impact. It also came as thousands of New York University graduate students, part of the same UAW local, are preparing to strike as well.

At a bargaining session on Monday evening, the university and the union made clear that, to them, the pause effectively signified the end of the strike. At Mondays bargaining session, the sole item on the agenda was an offer by Columbia to provide back pay to the student workers for the time they were striking but only if they agreed to make up the three weeks of work in the next two weeks.

The UAW clearly assured the university from the beginning that they would shut down the strike before grading. This strategy, however, encountered the resistance of students. To get around the opposition, they tried to pull a maneuver: a strike pause in exchange for third party contract mediation. Meanwhile, the striking students would go back to work.

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet or, in this case, as rotten. A betrayal is a betrayal, even if it is called a pause.

The UAW is merely doing to graduate students at Columbia what it has done to autoworkers countless times before. Ask any autoworker and they will tell you: The UAW is a business, the sole purpose of which is to enforce the demands of management.

If this strike is not to be defeated, this is what must be done:

First, a mass membership meeting should be organized, outside of the control of the bargaining committee and the UAW. Graduate students must decide for themselves how this struggle is to be continued, not leave decisions to backroom negotiations between UAW executives and the university administration. Further strike action cannot be taken on an individual basis, which will leave students vulnerable to victimization, but through the decision of all striking workers.

Second, the existing bargaining committee should be repudiated. The BC has demonstrated that it is not acting as a representative of the workers, but as partner of the administration. A new strike committee should be elected, answerable to the student workers, not the UAW.

There is enormous support for the continuation of the strike among the rank-and-file members, who spoke passionately at the caucus meeting Monday about the insulting offer from Columbia.

One striker commented: This strike is an absolute joke, if we have to make up the work and lick Columbias boots for it if the BC accepts this, this will be the final declaration of whose side they are on. I invite anyone who had any illusions about who the BC is fighting for to join us and continue the strike. This is a complete and utter joke that we went from health care and a pay raise to you have two weeks to catch up on your work. And for this work I know people who have instructors who have not graded assignments because they are waiting for their TAs to get off strike. This is terrible. Please join the on-going strike right now.

Another striker declared: Look at where we are right now. We are not negotiating about proper health care. We are not negotiating about a living wage. We are not negotiating about neutral arbitration. That is at best, lost. Now we are talking about doing triple work for equal pay. We know where we stand right now, we stand now defeated because our BC has failed us.

If you feel that this bargaining process has gone completely awry, and we are on the path right now to a horrible contract; if you are asking yourself what side is the BC on; if you are asking yourself all these questions and you know in your heart that this is unjust, take courage and do the only logical thing to do. Go back on strike, join those of us who are still on strike.

The impassioned plea from the rank-and-file member continued: If you remain, if you go back to work, and you start appealing to the BC to stand up for you or negotiate for you, you are lost. And you will continue to be lost I dont think the BC cares, I dont think the UAW cares. They only want their fees.

Graduate students of the Department of Religion sent a statement to other departments, announcing that they would continue the strike. It reads, We reject the unilateral decision made by the units bargaining committee to call for a pause of our strike in order to enter mediation with no concessions from the University.  Let us state in no uncertain terms that we are not undertaking these actions to strengthen the position of the current bargaining committee at the negotiating table; they do not represent the unit.

We recognize these tactics [by Columbia University] as the very same applied by bosses the world over. Though the clear intent is to break our spirit and our will, we are determined not only to endure but to triumph.

Throughout the strike, the UAW has functioned as the principal strike breaker, de facto working on behalf not of the graduate students, but of Columbia Universitys administration. The UAW is sitting on a $790 million strike fund, yet it paid students only $275 a week, an amount of money that is impossible to live on in New York City, one of the most expensive cities in the world. The UAW thus directly facilitated the efforts of the university administration to starve the strikers into submission.

The role of the UAW flows from the decades-long integration of the unions into corporate management and the capitalist state. Just like the Columbia administration, the UAW is keenly aware that the militancy of the Columbia graduate students reflects a much broader radicalization of the working class.

The ruling class as a whole is terrified that every struggle of workers has the potential to garner mass support. Over the past year, it has pursued a policy in response to the pandemic that has led to mass death and social misery. It is relying on organizations like the UAW to contain and suppress opposition.

The International Youth and Students for Social Equality calls on Columbia graduate students to reject the efforts by the UAW to shut down their strike. Call a mass meeting of all striking workers! Repudiate the bargaining committee and elect a new leadership! Expand the struggle to the broadest sections of the working class!
NASA has sent their employees an email asking if they would volunteer at Joe Biden's overcrowded camps for migrants crossing the border.

In an email obtained by The Intercept's Ken Klippenstein, the space agency said the Department of Health and Human Services was looking for people to put themselves for 120 days of work to help unaccompanied kids coming from Mexico.

Several other agencies are believed to have received similar requests. DailyMail.com has reached out to Health and Human Services for comment.

The email was released just hours after it was reported that the Biden administration is considering restarting building the border wall to 'plug' the gaps amid the surge in illegal crossings.

The Department of Homeland Security have said the camps for migrant children are over capacity and there is concern about more making the journey north from Guatemala.

NASA has sent their employees an email asking if they would volunteer at Joe Biden's overcrowded camps for migrants crossing the border

In an email obtained by The Intercept's Ken Klippenstein , the space agency said the Department of Health and Human Services was looking for people to put themselves for 120 days of work to help unaccompanied kids coming from Mexico

Biden is considering restarting construction on Donald Trump's southern border wall to fill 'gaps'

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told employees, according to the Washington Times, that construction might resume to plug 'gaps' in the current barrier between the U.S. and Mexico.

Biden made a big spectacle on Day One of his administration by issuing an executive order freezing Department of Defense funding for border wall construction. He later officially ended the emergency order at the border, but there were concerns about where the funds would go that were already appropriated for the border wall project.

Now Biden's administration is facing record numbers of migrants arriving at the southern border every day and federal government holding facilities are 'stretched beyond thin,' according to an independent report concluded after a visit to the sites.

Mayorkas told Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) employees during a meeting last week that Biden canceling the construction left 'room to make decisions' on finishing 'gaps in the wall.'

Migrants from Central America continue to arrive at the U.S.-Mexico border

'It's not a single answer to a single question. There are different projects that the chief of the Border Patrol has presented and the acting commissioner of CBP [Customs and Border Protection] presented to me,' Mayorkas said, according to notes of the ICE session reviewed by the Times.

'The president has communicated quite clearly his decision that the emergency that triggered the devotion of DOD funds to the construction of the border wall is ended,' he continued. 'But that leaves room to make decisions as the administration  as part of the administration  in particular areas of the wall that need renovation, particular projects that need to be finished.'

On February 11, Biden ended Trump's southern border emergency, which was issued through executive order in February 2019.

In the reversal, Biden slammed Trump by saying: 'Building a massive wall that spans the entire southern border is not a serious policy solution. It is a waste of money that diverts attention from genuine threats to our homeland security.'

There were immediate concerns with the legality of the reversal, with experts claiming it could be illegal for Biden to stop funding that was already appropriate in Congress-approved funding for the wall specifically.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) launched an inquiry last month related to Biden stopping funding for the border wall construction project.

The president campaigned on the promise of immediately ending the building work along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Charles Young, a public affairs officer for the GAO, confirmed they were investigating whether Biden was legally allowed to end the construction.

Congress approved nearly $1.4 billion in border wall funding in December 2020 for fiscal year 2021 as part of a $900 billion coronavirus stimulus package under Trump.

Chair of the Senate Republican Policy Committee Roy Blunt slammed Biden for the change, claiming as a 36-year veteran of the Senate, he should know procedure better.

'He was in the Congress a long time,' Blunt said. 'He knows it's the Congress' job to authorize how the money is spent and the president's job to spend it efficiently.'

It now appears that Biden could be reversing his reversal by going forward with construction of the wall  at least in some parts.

Mayorkas says these new projects at the wall could include filling in 'gaps,' adding 'gates' and reconciling areas 'where the wall has been completed but the technology has not been implemented.'

Notes of the meeting show CBP, the agency that oversees the border wall, has submitted a plan for what it wants to see implemented.

Border and immigration agencies are struggling to find places for the mass amount of migrants.

While Biden's administration vows they are turning away the majority of adults and family units, they claim they will not turn away unaccompanied children arriving at the border.

A record 19,000 unaccompanied minors arrived at the southern border in March while thousands of adults are also risking their lives to try and get into the U.S. by way of Mexico.

Record numbers of unaccompanied minors have been flooding the southern border as Biden vows not to turn them away

Asylum-seeking migrant families wait to be transported by Border Patrol after crossing the Rio Grande river into the U.S. Monday night

In March, a record number of 19,000 unaccompanied minors arrived at the southern border while thousands of adults are also risking their lives to try and get into the U.S. by way of Mexico

Facilities at the border are overflowing with migrants, some reaching nearly 2,000% of its mass capacity.

A report filed Friday in a Los Angeles federal court, two inspectors appointed to monitor conditions of children in custody detailed 'severe overcrowding' that is further problematic in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

Social distancing was 'functionally impossible', the experts said, calling the overcrowding 'not sustainable.'

Trump received a lot of criticism for the border crisis under his administration where families were seen separated into different facilities when they arrived at the border.

Conditions were denounced as inhuman as children were pictured in cages.

The conditions, however, appear to be not nearly as bad as that under Biden, who has stopped border wall construction and issued more lax immigration policies since taking office.

Upon leaving Washington in January, about 460 miles of border wall were completed under Trump's presidency with funds directed after he declared a national emergency at the border so Pentagon funds could be used for construction.

Most was fixing or filling in areas where some sort of barrier already existed or replacing outdated designs or vehicle barriers that did nothing to stop people crossing on foot.

Here Customs and Border Protection created a makeshift, temporary processing and holding facility outside and under a highway as they are overwhelmed with the thousands of migrants flooding the southern border

Trump was particular about his promised border wall, with some reports indicating he micromanaged several aspects of the construction, like color and design.

During his last few days as president, Trump visited his wall to celebrate 400 miles completed  where he also penned his name on a paper attached to the wall with his famous bold signature.

During Biden's campaign, he promised all migrants seeking asylum would be granted it in the U.S. This led to several caravans from Central America departing for the U.S. when Biden was named the presidential election winner.

Since taking office, the crisis at the border has surged.

CBP's projected numbers show illegal crossings reaching 26,000 in September  a record high more than double that during Trump's administration.

During Trump's presidency, more than 400 miles of border wall was constructed with funds appropriated under a national emergency memorandum that redirected Pentagon money

Biden immediately froze funds on Day One and later ended the emergency order which brought a halt to all border wall construction and left several projects unfinished with gaps

'Somebody could kidnap me, I'm scared': Moment sobbing migrant boy approaches Texas border patrol after being abandoned and spending night in desert

By Adry Torres For DailyMail.com



Video footage recorded by U.S. Border Patrol officer captured the heartbreaking moment a crying migrant child sought help after being abandoned near the Mexico-United States border in southern Texas .

With tears in his eyes, the migrant boy can be seen in the video walking towards the Border Patrol agent before he asked him if he could provide him assistance because he had been left stranded near the Rio Grande.

'It's that I was coming with a group and they abandoned me and I do not know where they are at,' the child told the officer.

'You do not know where they are at? They left you alone?' the agent asked.

The distraught child, struggling to maintain his composure, apparently had been sent to the United States by his parents, who were not part of the migrant group who had already advanced further along the desert area.

'At the end they abandoned me. I have come here to ask you for help,' the frightened boy said.

A migrant boy, who was abandoned in southern Texas after crossing over from Mexico, was recorded on video in tears and asking a U.S. Border Patrol agent for help last Thursday. The child had spent the night in the desert after he was abandoned by the group of migrants he had crossed the border with and feared he would be 'abducted.' U.S. Customs and Border Protection has not released the child's age or nationality

A U.S. Border Patrol agent traveling on a dirt road east of Rio Grande City found an abandoned migrant boy crying and asking for assistance last Thursday after he had been abandoned by a group of migrants that had illegally crossed the Mexico-United States

The Border Patrol agent then questioned the child if he had been instructed 'to come ask for help,' but the migrant boy replied, 'no, I am coming because if I did not, where am I going to go? Somebody could abduct me, kidnap me. I am scared.'

The incident reportedly took place east of Rio Grande City on April 1 after the border agent had finished his shift, his friend Anjel Hernandez wrote on Facebook.

Univision reported that the child, whose age and nationality have not been made public by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, spent the entire night trekking through the Rio Grande Valley region after his unlawful entry into the country.

U.S. Border Patrol El Paso Sector chief Gloria Chavez told the network that parents should think about their children's well-being each time they are sent alone to cross the perilous Mexico-United States border.

'To all parents who are considering sending their unaccompanied children to the border, please reconsider that act because it is very dangerous to expose children,' Chavez said.

Human smuggling networks, who according to NBC News, have used public Facebook pages to hawk their services to Central American migrants have warned parents that their children would be guaranteed access across the Mexico-United States border if they travel alone.

The painful image of the child asking the Border Patrol officer was recorded just two days after U.S. Border Patrol released a surveillance video that showed human smugglers dropping two girls from Ecuador over a 14-foot high border wall in the New Mexico desert.

The sisters, aged three and five, were rescued by agents Tuesday and transferred to the Santa Teresa Border Patrol Station for medical evaluation.

Fox News obtained a photo Friday, that shows the girls interacting with Chavez, who handed them snacks at the processing center.

The sisters from Ecuador, who are aged three and five, were pictured interacting with El Paso Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gloria Chavez after being rescued

Official CBP figures show that apprehensions at the border have increased for 10 consecutive months, including the last nine of former President Donald Trump's administration.

President Joe Biden's administration has encountered a surge at the southern border over the last two months.

In February, CBP agents encountered 100,441 undocumented immigrants, including 9,457 unaccompanied migrant minors.

Government data shows that 171,000 migrants were caught by CBP at the United States-Mexico border in March, the highest monthly total in two decades. Border agents encountered at least 19,000 unaccompanied children.

The preliminary tallies for March are the highest since the agency reported more than 180,000 encounters with migrants in April 2000.
By Francois Murphy, Parisa Hafezi and John Irish

VIENNA (Reuters) - European intermediaries began shuttling between Iranian and U.S. officials in Vienna on Tuesday as they sought to bring both countries back into full compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal that Washington abandoned three years ago.

Iran has steadily overstepped the accord's limits on its nuclear programme in response to the United States' withdrawal from the accord under then-President Donald Trump in 2018 and its reimposition of sanctions that have crippled the Islamic Republic's economy.

While Tehran has repeatedly rebuffed "direct and indirect negotiations" with its old foe, Washington said on Monday it expected the discussions to be difficult. Neither side expected any early breakthrough.

Even without face-to-face talks, however, the presence of both Iran and the United States in the same location marks a step forward.

"We are confident that we are on the right track, and if America's will, seriousness and honesty is proven, it could be a good sign for a better future for this agreement," Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei told reporters.

The remaining parties to the deal briefly met at a Viennese hotel for preparatory talks in the Austrian capital, where the pact was originally reached in 2015.

Russia's envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mikhail Ulyanov, said after the meeting that the parties had tasked two expert-level groups on sanctions-lifting and nuclear issues to identify concrete measures to move forward.

The experts were set to begin technical work later on Tuesday with the aim of marrying lists of sanctions that the United States could lift with nuclear obligations Iran should meet.

"The restoration of #JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or nuclear deal) will not happen immediately. It will take some time. How long? Nobody knows. The most important thing after todays meeting of the Joint Commission is that practical work towards achieving this goal has started," Ulyanov tweeted.

Story continues

INTERMEDIARIES

Officials from Britain, France and Germany will act as intermediaries between Iran and the United States, shuttling between both delegations. Russia and China, also part of the accord, are present as well.

The U.S. delegation, headed by special envoy Rob Malley and sanctions expert Richard Nephew, are based in a nearby hotel.

"This is going to involve discussions about identifying the steps that the U.S. has to take and identifying the steps that Iran is going to have to take," Malley told NPR radio on Tuesday morning.

President Joe Biden's administration wants to revive the accord but says this requires negotiations. Tehran has dismissed any direct engagement for now in talks with Washington.

Under the 2015 accord, U.S. and other economic sanctions on Tehran were removed in return for curbs on Irans nuclear programme to make it harder to develop a nuclear weapon. Tehran has long denied it is enriching uranium for any other purpose than civilian nuclear energy.

CHALLENGES

Highlighting the difficulties of getting a breakthrough, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Iran's envoy to the United Nations and a former nuclear negotiator, put the onus on Washington.

"The US has so far failed to honor @POTUS campaign promise to rejoin the JCPOA. So this opportunity shouldn't be wasted," he said on Twitter. "If US lifts all sanctions, Iran will then cease all remedial measures."

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say on all state matters, has opposed any gradual easing of sanctions.

Diplomats said the talks could continue for several days to resolve some of the less contentious issues before resuming in several rounds over the coming weeks.

The objective is some form of an accord ahead of June's Iranian presidential election, an EU official said, although Iranian and U.S. officials have said there is no rush.

The Biden administration has also said it wants to build a "longer and stronger agreement" that would deal with other issues, including Iran's long-term nuclear programme, its development of ballistic missiles, and its support for proxy forces across the Middle East.

"But we're much better off talking about all of that if we could at least put the current nuclear issue to the side and not have to worry every day about what the latest Iranian announcement will be," Malley told NPR.

Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, dismissed that option on Twitter.

"Regardless of whether Europe has the will or ability to persuade #USA to lift all sanctions at once & Washington's return to its commitments, there will be no possibility for Iran entering talks in the new fields, more than JCPOA, under any circumstances."

(Writing by Parisa Hafezi and John Irish Editing by Giles Elgood and Mark Heinrich)
China issues white paper on poverty alleviation to share experiences in eradicating extreme poverty

Global Times) 13:48, April 06, 2021

Photo: Hu Yuwei/GT

China is ready to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with other countries on poverty reduction, support international poverty reduction, and make a greater contribution to building a global community of shared future, free from poverty and blessed with common prosperity, according to a white paper on poverty reduction released on Tuesday morning by the State Council Information Office.

Titled "Poverty Alleviation: China's Experience and Contribution," the white paper illustrates the course of the Chinese people's great fight in eliminating extreme poverty under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), introduces China's innovative approach, and shares China's experience and actions in poverty alleviation.

The white paper has five chapters, starting with an explanation of the solemn commitment of the CPC to lead the Chinese people out of poverty in its 100 years' journey, and continues with a detailed account of the strategy of targeted poverty alleviation and China's willingness to advance in the global cause of poverty alleviation.

"China cannot develop in isolation from the rest of the world and the world needs China for further development. With this in mind, China has always been a builder of global peace, a contributor to global growth and a guardian of international order," states the white paper.

Analysts pointed out that China's pledge to be more open and contribute to a better world has important significance amid the growing isolationism advocated by some countries.

"In the fight against poverty, the CPC has always played a strong leading role, mobilizing the resources in an organizational system to ensure a successful fight against poverty," Song Guiwu, a professor at Gansu's Provincial Party School, told the Global Times.

Its working mechanism is that the central government is responsible for resource pooling, fund preparation, policy formulation and setting assessment standards, while governments at all levels are responsible for project implementation, manpower and fund allocation, Song noted.

Dr. Robert Lawrence Kuhn, chairman of The Kuhn Foundation and recipient of the China Reform Friendship Medal, told the Global Times that "the common root of China winning the war to contain the contagious COVID-19 and China winning the war to eradicate extreme poverty, is the CPC's leadership and organizational capacity."

The white paper was released more than one month after China declared a complete victory eradicating poverty in China during the national commendation conference held back in February. It was a milestone that marked China's embarking in a new development phase. By 2050, China will become a great modern socialist country in every dimension, achieving the Second Centenary Goal.

Shouldering responsibility of a major country

To improve the wellbeing of people all over the world, China has taken an active part in global poverty management, furthered exchanges and cooperation with other countries, and promoted a new model of international exchanges and cooperation on poverty reduction with mutual respect and mutually beneficial cooperation at its core, the white paper indicates.

China has launched the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to expand deep and high-level regional cooperation on economic and social development. According to a World Bank study, the initiative will help lift 7.6 million people out of extreme poverty and 32 million out of moderate poverty in participating countries.

"One of all successes brought about by the CPC is the BRI. Working in close collaboration with local governments, the Chinese government finances infrastructure projects to connect previously disconnected communities in underdeveloped regions. A project of this scale has never been seen before in human history. The BRI is living proof of the sincerity of the internationalist values behind the CPC," a Communist youth organizer and a political observer from the US who declined to be named told the Global Times.

In Asia, China and member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN),have jointly launched a rural poverty reduction plan and carried out the East Asia Poverty Reduction Demonstration Cooperation Technical Assistance Projects program in rural communities in Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. In Africa, China has helped partner countries to improve infrastructure, provide aid, and set up vocational and technical schools among other projects. In Latin America, China has built agricultural technology demonstration centers to help locals lift from poverty, reads the white paper.

Achievements of Chinas Poverty Alleviation Infographic: Deng Zijun/GT

The Global Times once participated in a seminar for village leaders from Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar where useful experiences were shared with on-site investigation.

Its successful pathway of poverty alleviation offers China's rich experience to the world, especially to developing countries, Observers said.

Specifically, it makes best use of the advantages of the socialist system which enable efficient decision making, organize effectively and concentrate resources to accomplish large undertakings. It also introduces targeted poverty alleviation initiatives which merge poverty alleviation resources to make better use of funds and resources, and adopt targeted measures to ensure that assistance reaches poor villages and households, Song suggested.

"Moreover, it shows how the Chinese government ensures multiple financing sources for poverty alleviation through increasing government investments and stimulating capital markets to attract non-governmental funding into the cause. The sound supervisory system of the CPC, which adopts strict criteria to evaluate every achievement in poverty alleviation, also paves the way for a successful experience," Song said.

"Poverty alleviation and the modernization of China are remarkable accomplishments, especially given the complex and difficult international political environment of the past decades. Under the leadership of the Communist Party, the country has become united, and it has focused first and foremost on raising the living standards of the Chinese people," Brian Becker, a foreign affairs analyst and Executive Director of the Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (A.N.S.W.E.R.) in the US, told the Global Times.

While some Western media outlets keep smearing China's poverty alleviation campaign and questioned whether this can be maintained, the white paper stated detailed plans to guarantee the goals on poverty alleviation.

"Counties have been given a five year period of grace from the day they emerged from poverty. During this period, they will continue to be covered by the main support policies, which will be adjusted and optimized by category," said the paper.

(Web editor: Liang Jun)
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Were Gals skills not up to par

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She's busy with the Imagine Remix.

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Didn't know she was Israeli.

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i love helen but im so tired of goyim playing prominent jews every single time.





Edited at 2021-04-06 04:48 pm (UTC)

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I was going to say that this is the second time I can think of she's played a character where being Jewish was integral to the story and I did not think she was Jewish. That's a choice.

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Mirrens father was Russian and Meirs parents were Russian/Ukrainian Jews. She changed her name from Mabovitch to the Hebrew-sounding Meir to appear more Jewish. So I guess they get one small point for effort there.

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Oh Deir

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Were there no

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can't wait for the attempted accent

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a lot to unpack here

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Yeah because we need society to be conditioned into thinking that what the government of Israel is doing right. 



Trash, it's really sad. My dad and I had a thing where we'd see a movie every week and 1 out of the 4 in a month, the "terrorist" or "bad guy" is some Arab in the Middle East. At first it was manageable but then we actually just went back to the box office and got our money back.



I'd like to see a movie covering the genocidal atrocities happening in Palestine, but Hollywood would never dare to paint Israelis under a negative light.



Edited at 2021-04-06 05:10 pm (UTC)

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we really do not need this movie.

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The Israeli government PR machine is unlike anything else. I'm so disappointed in her for being in this obvious propaganda shit.

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I'd liked to see that too but I don't think a government like the U.S. that pays Hollywood to portray their military in a positive light would ever greenlight such a film.



Movies that deal with war are meant to downplay the military's atrocities in order to brainwash people into supporting and joining the army.



ETA: Kudos to you for getting your money back <3



Edited at 2021-04-06 06:58 pm (UTC)

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haha no kudos needed, middle aged Arab man can only take so much lol



when we talk about representation, I think that's one thing we don't see. the last "Arab" I've seen painted in a positive light is Aladdin..? but even then it seems to be a mix of Arab/indian

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Everyone praising Israel for their vaccination numbers but casually forgetting how theyre preventing Palestinians from getting the vaccine

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Ah yes israel against the evil egyptians, syrians, and jordanians and the ~strong~ woman in the middle of it all.

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Yeah.... Imma pass

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Learn more about LiveJournal Ratings in Hello! Your entry got to top-25 of the most popular entries in LiveJournal!Learn more about LiveJournal Ratings in FAQ

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Yikes. And she's pro-Israel too.

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Damn, I had no idea! This is why I need to stop having white favourites.

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Wtf I had no glue

She can fuck off wirh 50 cent then

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yuh, no thanks. the short film guy won an oscar for is an ignorant reductive mess and i expect this will be the same

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even reading the plot of that summarised made me squirm in discomfort, it sounds......sososoososo bad

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On March 20 last year, US authorities told hikers planning to tackle the 4,250km Pacific Crest Trail to cancel their trips.

Limiting the spread of the coronavirus  and the associated economic fall-out  requires sacrifice from everyone, the Pacific Crest Association said.

For Carmel OSullivan, this sacrifice has had heartbreaking consequences because the ongoing searches for her missing son were then called off . The same association once told her it wasnt a babysitting service after she rang them to say she was worried about David, who hadnt made contact in days.

Ms OSullivan and her husband Con, from Midleton, Co Cork, last heard from their son on April 7, 2017, and his mysterious disappearance has rocked the family to its core.

Every day I wake up and think, Please God, let today be the day they find him, Ms OSullivan says.

Its the not knowing thats torture. Youre always hoping and always waiting. His friends have moved on, they have girlfriends now or theyre getting engaged. Hes missing family moments and milestones that he should be here to celebrate. All his clothes are still here, even his books and his games.

In March 2017, David OSullivan left Cork for what was supposed to be the adventure of a lifetime. He had just completed a media course as well as a degree in English and Philosophy in University College Cork, and had saved money from his job working in a local garage in Midleton to fund his trip.

He was inspired by a book called Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail. The memoir by Cheryl Strayed, which was later adapted into a film starring Reese Witherspoon, describes a womans journey of self-discovery as she hikes the trail.

The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) runs from Mexico to Canada and takes hikers through vast desert, rough wilderness and the crests of the Cascade and Sierra Nevada mountains. Hundreds complete the five-month trek every year, but dozens of people have lost their lives in accidents, while many others have disappeared.

Were not a big hiking family so I had never even heard of the PCT. Id heard of the Camino obviously but that is a picnic in the park compared to this. At the worst I thought he might fall or pull a calf muscle. I didnt think this was possible. I thought hed give up and go away on a holiday. Theres real hardship involved. Youre talking seven or eight days of walking with no shower or hot food and sure if you hit snow in the mountains, its very dangerous.

On April 5, 2017, David arrived in Idyllwild, a town in the San Jacinto mountains, about 160km east of Los Angeles. He was around two and a half weeks into his hike, and stayed in a hotel in the town. He sent an update to his family via email, and that was the last time that Carmel heard from her son. After withdrawing some money from a Bank of America ATM, he left on the morning of April 7 for the next stage of his journey through the mountains and he has not been seen since.

Pre-Covid, volunteers from the California Irish community scoured the area looking for any signs of David. Drones have been used to capture thousands of images that have been meticulously examined for any clue, or any sign of hope. Theyve found old shoes, tents, beds and a load of different things, but none of them were his. Its the same as the beaches here I suppose, people lose things, the wind takes them away and the animals take them away.

Weve even had people who went to psychics on our behalf. Theres no harm in trying it, but I couldnt do it personally. Its strange the things you try, I would give anything to find out what happened that day. The psychics didnt do any good unfortunately.

Several hikers have given eyewitness statements over the years, thinking they may have seen David at some point on the trail. But none of these were positively confirmed.

The OSullivan family were due to travel to America last May, but the pandemic put a stop to that.

Carmel used the time to join forces with the mother of another hiker who went missing on the PCT to set up the Fowler-OSullivan Foundation.

Sally Fowlers stepson Kris (34) vanished from the PCT in October 2016 and remains missing. Four months into his journey and with less than 700km to go, he disappeared somewhere around White Pass in Washington.

The two mothers work with a team of volunteers to guide the families of missing loved ones. You couldnt quantify the number of hours these people have put into looking for my son, Ms OSullivan said. For her, her son Niall and husband Con, the wait sadly goes on. We will always have hope, oh God we will. We cant give up. Hell never be forgotten by us.
CHICAGO, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG) today announced the appointment of Chaly Jo Moyen as Chief Strategy Officer and President, Foodservice & International, effective Monday, April 12.

As Conagra's Chief Strategy Officer, a newly-created leadership position with the company, Moyen will play a central role creating, executing and sustaining the organization's strategic initiatives. In addition, she will be responsible for Conagra's International business segment, bringing the company's brands to consumers outside of the U.S., as well as its Foodservice division to distribute its products to restaurants, retailers, commercial customers and other foodservice suppliers.

"Chaly's expertise in strategy development, brand marketing and customer leadership makes her the ideal fit to help Conagra integrate data-driven solutions into our business operations," said Sean Connolly, president and chief executive officer, Conagra Brands. "Her addition to our team will strengthen our efforts to deliver a modern brand-building approach and accelerate innovation across our portfolio."

Moyen joins Conagra following more than 15 years at the Coca-Cola Company, where most recently she served as Senior Vice President of Strategy, Decision Science and Insights for Coca-Cola North America. In that role, she led enterprise business strategy development and the advancement of data and analytics across all North American business units. While at the Coca-Cola Company, Moyen also served as Vice President, Business Development for USA Operations, Vice President, Business Development for North America Still Brands and Vice President, Global Marketing and Innovation in the Foodservice division. Prior to joining Coca-Cola, Moyen worked in brand management for the Procter & Gamble Company in Europe.

"I'm very pleased to be joining Conagra Brands, one of the most dynamic and innovative companies in the food industry," said Moyen. "I am eager to bring my understanding of consumer and customer experience, data and technology to the new role to build upon Conagra's success and drive sustainable growth."

Moyen earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Georgia Honors Program.

About Conagra Brands

Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG), headquartered in Chicago, is one of North America's leading branded food companies. Guided by an entrepreneurial spirit, Conagra Brands combines a rich heritage of making great food with a sharpened focus on innovation. The company's portfolio is evolving to satisfy people's changing food preferences. Conagra's iconic brands, such as Birds Eye, Duncan Hines, Healthy Choice, Marie Callender's, Reddi-wip, and Slim Jim, as well as emerging brands, including Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP, Duke's, Earth Balance, Gardein, and Frontera, offer choices for every occasion. For more information, visit www.ConagraBrands.com.

For all media inquiries, please contact:

Mike Cummins, Conagra Brands

312-549-5257

[email protected]

SOURCE Conagra Brands, Inc.

Related Links

https://www.conagrafoods.com


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Usman Alkali Baba was born on March 1, 1963 in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State.

He enlisted in the Nigeria Police on March 15, 1988.

He holds a Teachers Grade II Certificate from Teachers College, Potiskum.

Mr Baba obtained a Bachelor of Arts (ED) degree in Political Science from the University of Maiduguri and a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from Bayero University, Kano.

Until his appointment as the acting IGP on Tuesday, he had held several positions in various commands of the force.

He served as Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Yola, Gombe, Kaduna and Jos.

He also served in Ilorin, Kwara State as Area Commander, second-in-command in Ebonyi State and Assistant Commissioner, CID, in Kaduna.

He also served in Kaduna as the deputy commissioner (administration) and in FCT as deputy commissioner of police (Investigation). He was also in the staff college as a directing staff.

He became a commissioner of police in January 2014 and AIG in July 2016.

He was commissioner of police in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Delta State and subsequently served as the AIG in charge of Zone 5 Benin, Zone 4 Makurdi and Zone 7, Abuja.

He had also attended peace keeping operations outside the country.

He was promoted to the rank of DIG in November 2020 and was in charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID) until his appointment as IGP on Tuesday.

He had acted as DIG in charge of Finance and Administration and at some point served as Force secretary.

He had attended several professional courses. He is a member of Course 22/2014 of the National Defence College (NDC) Abuja and also a fellow of International War College.

He takes over from Mohammed Adamu whose tenure ended in February but was extended by Mr Buhari on February 4 controversially.

The acting IGP is due for retirement in 2023.

The new police chief said in a media interview that he would like to leave a legacy of policing with human face.
Justice League actor Ray Fisher has slammed the Warner Bros' investigation into director Joss Whedon's onset behavior as suspicious because he claims it was designed to protect top executives who he says aren't 'fit for positions of leadership'.

Fisher is still demanding an apology from the film studio over its handling of the investigation that he pushed for following his work with Whedon, who directed Buffy the Vampire Slayer, on the set of the 2017 Justice League film.

The 33-year-old actor has repeatedly slammed Whedon, producers Geoff Johns and Jon Berg and other film executives on Twitter over the past year for what he claims was racist and inappropriate conduct while filming the movie.

He also alleges a subsequent cover up by Warner Bros regarding the investigation and a smear campaign against him after he decided to come forward.

In his first wide-ranging interview with The Hollywood Reporter about the ordeal, Fisher has now slammed the studio's handling of the allegations and claimed that some executives are not fit for their positions.

Justice League actor Ray Fisher has slammed the Warner Bros' investigation into director Joss Whedon's onset behavior as suspicious because he claims it was designed to protect top executives

The studio's parent company, WarnerMedia, said back in December that its investigation into Fisher's complaints had concluded and 'remedial action' had been taken.

It did not elaborate and Fisher has since demanded that the results of the investigation be released publicly.

Speaking about what he claims was a cover-up by studio executives regarding the investigation, Fisher said: 'I don't believe some of these people are fit for positions of leadership.

'I don't want them excommunicated from Hollywood, but I don't think they should be in charge of the hiring and firing of other people.'

He said he feels he has been able to make a point over the last year.

'If I can't get accountability... at least I can make people aware of who they're dealing with.'

Whedon and the studio have not commented about Fisher's allegations.

Fisher, who played Cyborg in the film, first came forward publicly with his allegations against Whedon last July when he alleged that the director had displayed abusive behavior on set and that producers Johns and Berg had enabled him.

Fisher, who played Cyborg (above) in the film, first came forward publicly with his allegations against Whedon last July when he alleged that the director had displayed abusive behavior on set

The 33-year-old actor has repeatedly slammed Whedon, producers Geoff Johns (left) and Jon Berg (right) and other film executives on Twitter over the past year for what he claims was racist and inappropriate conduct while filming the movie

He has now detailed those allegations for the first time, telling THR that he felt like he had to explain 'the most basic points of what would be offensive to the black community'.

Fisher also says there were discussions with top executives that they could not have an 'angry black man' at the center of the film.

He said tensions escalated when the issue of having his character say 'booyah' came up.

Fisher said his agent eventually called studio chief Toby Emmerich about his on-set concerns.

He claims Johns later called him in for a meeting to say that Fisher's agent calling studio executives was 'just not cool'.

'He said, 'I consider us to be friends' - which he knew we were not - 'and I just don't want you to make a bad name for yourself in the business',' Fisher recalled him saying.

A spokesman for Johns has denied making such threats.

The 33-year-old actor has repeatedly spoken out on Twitter over the last year regarding his ordeal with Whedon and the producers on set

He also alleged a subsequent cover up by Warner Bros regarding the investigation, accusing DC film boss Walter Hamada of interfering

Fisher also once claimed that the studio engaged in a smear campaign against him after he decided to come forward

After the investigation was launched in August last year, Fisher claims the process was suspicious because he said it seemed like it was designed to protect the studio executives.

In response, Fisher said he felt like he had to step up his protests on Twitter. He claims it resulted in the studio smearing him in public.

Following a September tweet in which he accused DC film boss Walter Hamada of throwing Whedon and Berg 'under the bus' to protect Johns, the studio issued a statement calling the actor's allegations false.

The studio also said Fisher had refused to speak to investigators 'multiple' times.

Fisher, who has described that statement as a 'hit piece', said he demanded an apology for several weeks but to no avail.

He said he then learned the investigation had been completed in December and in January this year found out his Cyborg character had been removed from an upcoming The Flash film.

Fisher said he knew speaking out could harm his career and ultimately cost him a place in the DC film world.

'When I first spoke up, I assumed there was no way these guys would allow me to do my job in peace,' he said.

'I'm not so indebted to Hollywood that I haven't been willing to put myself out there.'
Thiruvananthapuram, April 6 : The controversy over the breaking of the Sabarimala temple's culture and tradition continues to rage and is even now the most discussed election issue in Kerala as seen from the statements of various top political leaders, who came to cast their votes on Tuesday.

The Sabarimala temple issue was raised by Sukumaran Nair, general secretary of the powerful Hindu Nair community's social and cultural organisation -- Nair Service Society.

Soon after casting his vote at Changnacherry in Kottayam district, Nair said what he could sense is that the people in the state want a change in governance and want an outfit which will uphold social justice and secular credentials.

"The Sabarimala temple issue continues to rage as believers are angry," said Nair.

It was in 2018 that the apex court ruled that the temple should be open to all women irrespective of the age group as until then the temple tradition was that no women in the age group 10 to 50 be allowed entry.

Following the verdict, the Vijayan-led government floated a renaissance movement, much to the anguish of the believers of Lord Ayyappa, the deity at the Sabarimala temple, and even went to the extent of providing security to two activist women to pray at the temple by providing police security.

The temple town then became a battle ground after believers in large members resisted attempts by the police to take women in the hitherto banned age group.

This temple issue came as a setback for Vijayan in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls when he won only one of the 20 Lok Sabha seats in Kerala.

On Tuesday, after casting his vote at Kannur, Vijayan when asked about Nair's Sabarimala temple issue said, "it's not just Ayyappan alone, all God's are supporting the Left," said Vijayan, who was accompanied by his wife Kamala Vijayan.

And then came statements from the Congress leaders who condemned this sudden U-turn by Vijayan.

Reacting to Vijayan's sudden love for Lord Ayyappan, Chennithala laughed and said it was strange to hear an atheist's sudden love for Ayyappan.

"Vijayan will get the wrath of Ayyappan as he destroyed the sanctity of the famed Sabarimala temple," said Chennithala.

Two time former Congress Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said Vijayan's statement will be taken with a pinch of salt by the people as it has no sum or substance.

"The first thing he did was to file a fresh affidavit and it was done after withdrawing our affidavit, and it was clear that he was against the existing traditions of the temple. When the apex court verdict came, he said he will abide by the verdict. Soon he led a renaissance movement and when no women came to visit the temple, police forcefully took two women to the temple and the culture and traditions were broken. And on election day Vijayan has made a huge U-turn and this would be dismissed by every devotee as nothing but a bluff," said Chandy and added the Congress-led UDF will win a resounding victory.

Union Minister of State for External Affairs V.Muraleedharan laughed at the statement of Vijayan and said it's high time that the CPI-M be wound up as their ideology has been thrown out of the window.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 19:38:02|Editor: huaxia

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JERUSALEM, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Israeli President Reuven Rivlin said on Tuesday that he has picked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to try to form a government.

Rivlin announced his decision in a televised statement following a recent election that ended with no clear winner.

The president noted that even though Netanyahu, the country's longest-serving leader now facing corruption charges, still runs short of the 61 seats needed to form a majority coalition in the 120-seat Knesset, or parliament, he holds the most support, 52 seats, and therefore has "a slightly higher chance of forming a government."

However, the president also admitted that "no candidate has a realistic chance of forming a government that will have the confidence of the Knesset."

"I know the position held by many that the president should not give the role to a candidate that is facing criminal charges," Rivlin said. "But according to the law and the decision of the courts, a prime minister can continue in his role even when he is facing charges."

The decision means that Netanyahu now has 28 days to put together a coalition government, with a possibility of a two-week extension before Rivlin tasks another candidate or asks the Knesset to choose one.

Netanyahu, who has been in power since 2009, is facing a criminal trial over corruption charges in three separate cases. His trial in the Jerusalem District Court resumed on Monday with the prosecution's opening arguments.

No party gained enough votes to form a majority government in the March 23 elections. It was Israel's fourth election in two years amid a lingering political deadlock. Enditem
A 38-year-old Navy hospital corpsman was killed by personnel at a Maryland military base Tuesday morning after he shot and wounded two people at a nearby business park.

Police responded to reports of an active shooter at about 8:20 a.m. in Frederick, which is 50 miles northwest of Washington, D.C. Two men had been shot and were transported by helicopter to a Baltimore trauma center, where they remain in critical condition, Frederick Police Chief Jason Lando said.

The shooter, confirmed by the Navy to be a hospital corpsman, then drove from the business park to nearby Fort Detrick, where Lando said he was shot and killed by personnel on base.

Read Next: China Sends Aircraft Carrier Strike Group Near Okinawa in Message to US and Japan

"There was only one shooter," Lando said. "The public is no longer at risk. ... No officers were injured, and there were no other injuries to bystanders other than the two victims."

The police chief said law enforcement personnel are working to determine whether there was a relationship between the Navy corpsman and the two victims. Lando did not provide any information about the victims, and whether they were also Navy personnel.

Navy officials said Tuesday that multiple sailors were involved in the shooting.

"The U.S. Navy can confirm there was an active shooter incident at Fort Detrick, MD involving U.S. Navy Sailors," an official at the Pentagon said. "The shooter, a Navy Hospital Corpsman, is deceased. We will continue to update with additional details as the situation evolves."

Lando said the shooter went into a business at the Riverside Technology Park. People began fleeing, he added, and it was unclear whether the shooting took place inside the business or outdoors.

The shooter then traveled to Fort Detrick, which is about 10 minutes away by car, where he was shot and killed. Lando said life-saving aid was being provided to the suspect when Frederick law enforcement personnel arrived at the base.

"We were notified shortly thereafter that the shooter was reported dead," he said.

Several agencies were involved in the response to the shooting, Lando added, including the Frederick County Sheriff's Department, Maryland State Police, the FBI, and Frederick County Fire and Rescue

This is at least the third military base shooting involving sailors since 2019. A terrorist opened fire at a naval air station in Pensacola, Florida, in December 2019, killing three and injuring eight others. Days earlier, a sailor shot and killed two and injured a third before taking his own life at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard in Hawaii.

"It's terrible, it's unfortunate, it's very tragic," Lando said of Tuesday's shooting. "It's happening too frequently. Every time we turn on a TV, we're seeing something like this happen, and now it's happening in our backyard. No one wants to see this type of thing."

Police are expected to provide another update on the shooting to the public Tuesday afternoon.

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

Related: Navy Investigation of Pensacola Shooting Points to 'Toxic' Command Climate as Factor

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(Newser)  The Norwegian Cruise Line is seeking permission to resume trips from US ports on July 4, requiring passengers and crew members to be vaccinated against COVID-19 at least two weeks before the trip. The Miami company said its precautions go well beyond those of other segments in the travel and leisure industry that have already reopened, including airlines, hotel, restaurants, and sporting events. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings plans to begin US sailings at 60% of capacity and raise that to 80% in August and 100% in September, the AP reports. The company's shares jumped 7.2% Monday. CEO Frank Del Rio detailed the request in a letter to Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC has blocked cruise ships from US ports with a no-sail order since March 2020, after outbreaks on ships around the world. Walensky has urged caution and said she would "advocate against general travel overall," given the rising number of coronavirus infections.

story continues below

The cruise industry has become more frustrated with the CDC in the past few weeks, per the Washington Post, especially since the agency's guidance was updated Friday. The CDC decreed US travel for vaccinated people to be low risk and eased the rules even as it specified more requirements for cruise ships to meet, a "conditional sailing order." An industry group has said the CDC restrictions are outdated, per the Post. "I'd like to hear an argument why we couldn't sail," Del Rio said. "If everyone on board is vaccinated and following the protocols, there is absolutely no need for the conditional sail order to exist as it is known today." The CDC said Monday that it will work with the industry but said "cruising safely and responsibly during a global pandemic is difficult," especially with concern over new variants of COVID-19.

(Read more Norwegian Cruise Line stories.)
The charges come amid a spike in attacks on Asian Americans. Above, community members call for an end to hate at a news conference March 22 in Los Angeles. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

Orange County officials have charged a man with a hate crime for allegedly throwing rocks at an Asian woman and her 6-year-old son last week as they drove down a street in Fullerton.

Roger Janke, 28, faces one felony count of violation of civil rights, one felony count of vandalism, one misdemeanor count of throwing a substance at a vehicle and one felony hate crime enhancement, the Orange County district attorneys office announced Monday. Officials arrested Janke last week.

The D.A.s office has prosecuted 18 hate crime cases since Jan. 2019, according to spokesperson Kimberly Edds. It prosecuted nine cases between 1994 and 2018. Edds said that Todd Spitzer has renewed focused on prosecuting hate crimes since taking office in 2019 and that prosecutors have been working with law enforcement to encourage the public to report such incidents.

Janke has pleaded not guilty. He faces a maximum sentence of six years in prison and six months in jail if convicted as charged, officials said. He is being held on $51,000 bail. It was not immediately clear if Janke has an attorney.

Officials allege that on the afternoon of March 31, Janke threw two rocks at a car carrying a 38-year-old mother and her son, cracking the windshield and damaging the bumper. The woman drove to a nearby park and called 911. Prosecutors said Janke told police that Korean people in the area were trying to control him.

The charges come as Asian American communities across the country  including in Orange County  have faced a surge of hate incidents during the pandemic. Many advocates are encouraging victims to report incidents to the police even if they do not rise to the level of a hate crime.

I refuse to tolerate hate in Orange County, Spitzer said in a statement. A woman and her child should be able to drive down the street without worrying about being attacked because of the color of their skin.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
For Esteban Ocon and Alpine the Bahrain Grand Prix was not the start they were hoping for. The French team is setting all its sights on 2022, but it must have hoped for more in 2021. Ocon, however, says that they know where the problem lies.

Pressure on Ocon

Renault has made great strides since its return to Formula 1. It climbed up to fourth place in the Constructors' standings, but then stalled. As a manufacturer it would have liked to have made the step towards Ferrari, Red Bull Racing and Mercedes, but instead it fell behind Racing Point and McLaren.

A new name and new management will not do wonders in 2021, as the upward trend continues. In 2021 also Ferrari and AlphaTauri seem to be faster than Alpine, and Aston Martin picked up their first point in Bahrain, where Alpine stayed at zero.

Alpine falling behind

''We have to make sure we get the most out of the car to get points every time. We know where we are lacking at the moment and we know how we can improve. We know what's wrong and it's up to us to find an answer to that,'' Ocon told Motorsport.com. The Frenchman qualified in sixteenth place and came in the race no further than thirteenth.

''At the moment everyone is slower and we certainly are if we compare it to last year. We know where we can find time and we have a way to get the lap times down again. We have spotted where it is and now we have to implement it,'' concludes the Alpine driver who did see his teammate, Fernando Alonso, drive in the points for a long time.
TORONTO - Canada is likely to benefit from the U.S. government's decision to campaign for a global minimum on corporate tax rates, experts said Monday after a major speech by U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in which she expressed her support for the measure.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen participates in a meeting with President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and business leaders to discuss a coronavirus relief package in the Oval Office of the White House on February 9, 2021, in Washington. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Patrick Semansky

TORONTO - Canada is likely to benefit from the U.S. government's decision to campaign for a global minimum on corporate tax rates, experts said Monday after a major speech by U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in which she expressed her support for the measure.

In a speech outlining the economic priorities of President Joe Biden's priorities for the United States, Yellen repeatedly emphasized the need for collaboration to resolve global problems. She said one consequence of an interconnected world has been "a 30-year race to the bottom on corporate tax rates" and the U.S. administration would work with the Group of 20 countries, including Canada, to end that race to the bottom.

New York-based tax expert Paul Seraganian said governments in Canada, the U.S., Europe and elsewhere will all benefit if they can work together on reforms to the global tax system that prevent corporations from playing one country off against another by threatening to change locations.

"I think it's good for Canada to be in the pack ... and part of the team, as it were," said Seraganian, managing partner at the U.S. office of Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, a major Canadian law firm.

Work towards a global minimum tax has been creeping forward for several years under the guidance of the OECD club of developed countries.

"You could have a hearty debate about whether (a global minimum corporate tax) is net good or net bad for Canada as a standalone concept. And, in fact, that debate's been going on among OECD countries for quite some time now," Seraganian said.

"The real threat, I think, would be to fall out of the group ... Canada's interests, I think, lie with being in sync with its major trading partners."

The Canadian government appears to agree.

"It is only fair, and Canadians expect, that businesses pay their fair share of tax on revenue booked in Canada and around the world," said Katherine Cuplinskas, press secretary for Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.

"Canada will continue to work with the G7, the OECD and other international organizations to ensure we have a fair and sustainable tax base."

Ottawa-based Toby Sanger, a director of Canadians for Tax Fairness and part of an independent commission for reform of international taxation, said a global minimum corporate tax was part of a Trump Administration package of reforms but work was stalled by the pandemic and other factors.

Echoing Yellen's words, Sanger agreed there has been a global race to the bottom on corporate tax rates.

"And that's partly because, you know, there's been a bit of a turning of a blind eye to a lot of tax avoidance through tax havens," Sanger said.

Canada probably loses about $10 billion in tax revenue each year because of these tax strategies, although the exact figures aren't available, Sanger added.

He said even very conservative bodies such as the International Monetary Fund have called for a fairer international tax system.

Seraganian said that it's difficult, at this point, to know how a reformed tax system will turn out but he's sure the real aim of the governments will be to control big multinational corporations' ability to "park a lot of their profits outside the reach of their home juriscition."

In Janet Yellen's first major international policy speech as U.S. Treasury Secretary, the former chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve said the Biden administration is committed to restoring American leadership in the multilateral system.

Yellen's remarks came as representatives from the United States, Canada and other countries prepare for this week's meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, two of the major organizations that co-ordinate the global economic system.

G20 finance ministers and central bank governors will gather virtually on Wednesday

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 5, 2021.
MELBOURNE, Fla., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Version 3.0 of the MyFloodInsurance.com website is live for consumers, agents, and real estate professionals. The update includes the ability to instantly receive quotes for not only single-family residences but also commercial properties, condo units, mobile homes, and residential condominium building associations. Users can receive quote returns from multiple private flood insurance companies, as well as from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), administered by FEMA.

In three simple steps users can get instant flood insurance quotes. The portal provides users with multiple quotes from both the NFIP and private flood insurers. The quote summary page can be downloaded as a PDF.

Through MyFloodInsurance.com, property owners and industry professionals have direct access to multiple flood insurance quotes in less than one minute. As uncertainty looms over the expected rollout of FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0 program, the quoting tool provides an opportunity for Americans to obtain flood options available through the growing private flood market.

Aurora Insurance Technologies developed the website in 2020 to meet the emerging demands for more digital self-service tools in the insurance industry. My Flood Insurance easily allows the comparison of flood insurance quotes and strives to deliver the service to as many American property owners as possible; ongoing updates will aim to fulfill this. Version 3.0's quote functionality for commercial properties, condo units, mobile homes and residential condominium building associations was the essential next step. These property types often require further information for accurate flood insurance quotes, so it was important that we could transform this added complexity and maintain the three-step process for the benefit of the user.

The growing flood coverage gap in America has been highlighted recently with new studies that suggest the number of properties at risk is 70% higher than FEMA estimates. Further reports show that this coverage gap extends to commercial properties; nearly 100% of business owners with an annual income of less than $250,000 have zero flood protection.

"MyFloodInsurance.com was created to provide access to multiple flood insurance options and encourage more consumers to purchase this valuable protection," said Simon Jeavons, one of the developers behind the product. "Offering instant, online quotes for single-family homes was a start, but we knew there was also a significant need for other property types, particularly commercial buildings."

Visit www.myfloodinsurance.com to learn more.

About MyFloodInsurance.com

Aurora Insurance Technologies, the company behind My Flood Insurance, is a partnership between Shoothill Software, Inc and National Flood Insurance, LLC (NFI). Shoothill is an award-winning team of data and software experts who created the United Kingdom government's flood alert system. NFI is one of the largest flood-only insurance agencies in the nation and has provided flood insurance for property owners throughout the country for over a decade. This merging of flood insurance expertise and innovative technology allows users to obtain instant flood insurance quotes from multiple carriers and purchase a flood policy online with a live agent.

Media Contact:

Jen Scherff

[email protected]

888-900-0404

SOURCE MyFloodInsurance.com

Related Links

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Students from a local university stage a protest against the military coup in Dawei, Myanmar. Photo: REUTERS

Demonstrators in Myanmar held protests demanding the restoration of Aung San Suu Kyis government yesterday and called for more co-ordinated nationwide dissent against the military junta, as regional nations prepared for talks on the crisis.

Six people were killed at the weekend, according to activists, as police and soldiers forcefully broke up demonstrations that some protesters are calling a spring revolution.

At least 564 people, including 47 children, have been killed by security forces during protests against the February 1 coup, an activist group has said.

Activists called for a nationwide clap later yesterday in appreciation of those ethnic minority armed groups that are supporting the democractic cause, and young demonstrators who have been at the vanguard of protests, trying to shield or rescue people wounded by security forces.

Lets clap for five minutes on April 5, 5pm (10.30 GMT) to honour Ethnic Armed Organisations and Gen Z defence youths from Myanmar including Yangon who are fighting in the revolution... on behalf of us, Ei Thinzar Maung, a protest leader, posted on Facebook.

Brunei, the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, threw its support yesterday behind a regional leaders meeting to discuss developments in Myanmar and said it has asked officials to prepare for a meeting of the 10-nation bloc in Jakarta.

No date was given. ASEANs policy of non-interference has limited its ability to act.

Demonstrators with placards of Ms Suu Kyi and signs asking for international intervention marched through the streets of Mandalay, images posted on social media showed.

Meanwhile, the junta said comments by UN Special Envoy Christine Schraner Burgener of an impending bloodbath in Myanmar were inaccurate and misleading.

The junta said the remarks were a far cry from reality.

Read More




Celbridge native Sinead OCarroll, Editor of TheJournal.ie has been announced as part of the line-up for a new event series aimed at instigating a high-profile public debate on leadership in Ireland.

Ms. OCarroll will join author and broadcaster Emma Dabiri and Editor of The Currency and Deputy Chair of the RTE Board Ian Kehoe to share her views on leadership in the media during a free online event on Thursday, 15th April at 1pm.

The event, Leadership in the Media: A Two-Way Street? is the first of four events taking place as part of The Better Leadership Forum, a new initiative from LIFT Ireland aimed at instigating a high-profile public debate on leadership. The four events will take place across 2021, and each will focus on leadership in a particular sector of Irish society, including the media, politics, business and the public sector.

Aprils event will explore leadership in the media, addressing topics such as: the role of the media in calling out good and bad leadership; the importance of press freedom and an independent and well-functioning media sector; and the role of the media in promoting positivity during difficult times.

The Line-Up

The panel discussion will be moderated by Professor Kevin Rafter, Head of the School of Communications at DCU, while speakers include:

Sinead OCarroll, Editor of TheJournal.ie.

Emily OReilly, European Ombudsman, author and former journalist and broadcaster.

Ian Kehoe, Editor of The Currency and Deputy Chair of the RTE Board.

Emma Dabiri, author, broadcaster and social historian.

Joanne Hession, founder and CEO of LIFT Ireland.



Professor Niamh Brennan, the Michael MacCormac Professor of Management at University College Dublin and Founder / Academic Director of the UCD Centre for Corporate Governance, will serve as rapporteur for all four events in The Better Leadership Forum; and a final report on lessons from the events will be published later this year.

Background to the Better Leadership Forum

LIFT Ireland is an initiative founded by Kildare woman and entrepreneurship and leadership expert Joanne Hession and designer, broadcaster and entrepreneur Sonya Lennon to raise the level of leadership in Kildare and nationwide. Current LIFT partners include ESB, Munster Rugby, Bank of Ireland, NUI Galway CPL, GOAL, Merchants Quay Ireland, SOLAS, Dublin Airport, and over 100 secondary schools across Ireland.

Launching the Better Leadership Forum, Joanne Hession, CEO and founder of LIFT Ireland, said: Since LIFT was established in 2018, we have focused on building partnerships with organisations in Kildare and across Irish society, working at a grassroots level to promote better leadership in businesses, schools, charities and community groups. Now, we are building on our work to date with the launch of The Better Leadership Forum, an ambitious series of events that aims to spark public debate around the issue of leadership.

We are delighted to have Ms. OCarroll joining the Forum and hearing her perspective on some of the most pertinent questions around leadership in Ireland today. What does it mean  particularly in challenging times  to be a good leader? How do we cultivate ethical leadership across all facets of society? Do the media have a responsibility to call out poor leadership; and can they actually do that in practice? These are the sorts of questions well be exploring during The Better Leadership Forum.

Sonya Lennon, co-founder of LIFT, said: Challenging times often bring out both the best and worst of leadership. At every level  from community initiatives to international governments  we have seen examples of good leadership over the past year alongside incidences of poor judgement and decision-making. We have a great opportunity now to reflect on what good leadership really means and explore a cultivation of ethical leadership across Irish society, for everyone's benefit.

The Better Leadership Forum

The full programme for the Better Leadership Forum includes:

Leadership in the Media: A Two-Way Street?, taking place on Thursday, 15th April

How do we cultivate good political leaders?, Thursday, 10th June

What does business leadership really mean?, Thursday, 7th October

Leadership in the public sector, Thursday, 9th December



Registration for the first event of the Better Leadership Forum, Leadership in the Media: A Two-Way Street? is now open at: https://liftireland.ie/better- leadership-forum/.
BEIJING, and BRIDGEWATER, N.J., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Gan & Lee, stock code: 603087.SH), a global biopharmaceutical company, today announced that the European Medicine Agency (EMA) Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products granted orphan drug designation for the investigational compound GLR2007, for the treatment of glioma.

Glioma is a broad term describing neuroepithelial tumors originating from glial cells of the central nervous system, including astrocytic tumors such as glioblastomas (GBM). GBM is one of the most aggressive primary brain tumors and has median survival of 12 to 15 months, despite advances in surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy1. Gan & Lee's current clinical development program for GLR2007, a cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK 4/6) inhibitor, is investigating the treatment of advanced solid tumors which has the potential to provide physicians and patients with a much-needed treatment option.

"The EMA's positive decision for GLR2007's orphan drug designation is another milestone in the clinical development program as this compound was also recently granted ODD by the FDA," Dr. Michelle Mazuranic, Head of Global Medical Affairs, Gan & Lee. The granting of an orphan designation request does not alter the standard regulatory requirements and process for obtaining market approval.

Orphan drug designation in the European Union (EU) is granted by the European Commission based on a positive opinion issued by the EMA Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products. To qualify, an investigational medicine must be intended to treat a seriously debilitating or life-threatening condition that affects fewer than five in 10,000 people in the EU, and there must be sufficient non-clinical or clinical data to suggest the investigational medicine may produce clinically relevant outcomes and the potential for significant benefit over currently approved products. The EMA orphan drug designation can provide companies with clinical protocol assistance, differentiated evaluation procedures for Health Technology Assessments in certain countries, access to a centralized marketing authorization procedure valid in all EU member states, and reduced regulatory fees. After being granted marketing approval, compounds with orphan designation are eligible for 10 years of market exclusivity.

About Gan & Lee

Gan & Lee successfully developed the first Chinese domestic biosynthetic human insulin. The company has five recombinant insulin analogs commercialized in China including long-acting glargine injection (Basalin), fast-acting lispro injection (Prandilin), fast-acting aspart injection (Rapilin), mixed protamine zinc lispro injection (25R) (Prandilin25), aspart 30 injection (Rapilin30), reusable insulin injection pen (GanleePen), and disposable pen needle (Ganlee Fine).

In the future, Gan & Lee strives to achieve a comprehensive coverage in the field of diabetes diagnosis and treatment. Moving forward to advance Gan & Lee's goal of becoming a world-class pharmaceutical company, we will also take an active part in developing new chemical entities to treat various forms of cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases, cancer, and other therapeutics. For more information, please contact investorrelations@ganlee.us.

References

1. Galanis E, et. al. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.2005.23.622

Contact: Gina Antonucci, #: 888-288-5395, investorrelations@ganlee.us
Hundreds of farmers have been left unable to source grass seed from the UK as Brexit phytosanitary regulations halt imports into Ireland.

Both Cotswold Seeds and Western Seeds confirmed to the Farming Independent that hundreds of Irish farmers have been unable to source seed from this this spring due to ongoing certification delays under Brexit.

John Faulconbridge of Western Seeds said that all seed has to be certified, which means a huge amount of paperwork.

Before Brexit, seed was certified the same as EU and we could trade in the EU. However, now the EU will not recognise the UK certification process of seed, even though it has not changed, he said.

So we cannot market seeds into Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland.

Recent equivalence for certification of seed, he said, is a step forward but phytosanitary issues remain.

This means it has to go through stringent testing, which only lasts 10 days. So if we want to sell a seed mixture, each seed variety in that must be tested, and the certification only lasts 10 days.

We have been told it could be months before we can export normally.

A spokesperson for Cotswold Seeds said smaller seed companies affected most by the increased paperwork: It used to be very straightforward to export seed to Ireland but now it is very complicated. For a company like ours its almost prohibitive.

For Cork dairy farmer and organic cheese producer Frank Shinnick, it means he has no suitable seed to sow.

Frank converted his Fermoy farm organic over the past five years, reducing cow numbers from 100 to 50, as he turned to growing all his own feed.

We were always growing kale and other fodder crops as we had winter milk and we were producing a lot of raw milk, he says. With kale you can get the cows out for a couple of hours every day  its great for the man and the cows.

He uses a seed mixture of kale, rape seed and stubble turnips  from Western Seeds.

We nearly have half the farm in herb lays and the cows much prefer this. We have no bloat problem from it and no nitrogen going out; 15ac of combi crop would feed the 50 cows for the winter and save me buying any ration. I needed about 10ac of herb mix.

I needed to plant the herb lays two weeks ago. I ordered in on January 10 and am still optimistic that we will get it. If I dont, I will have to buy barley, oats and peas and mix it myself but it wont be as good, he says.

Western seeds are decades old and have been breeding these seeds for that length. If I have to buy conventional seeds, they will need fungicides and it wont be organic.
Assembly Deputy Speaker



Aminul Haque Laskar has been quizzed twice and five police personnel attached to him have been suspended after they opened fire on public during second phase of polling,officials said Tuesday.

At least three persons were injured in the firing by the body guards of Laskar on April 1 after clashes broke out between supporters of BJP and AIUDF inside the polling station at 463 Madhya Dhanehori LP School of Sonai constituency.

Police sources said Laskar was interrogated twice for several hours during the last 48 hours and his statements have been recorded in front of a magistrate.

Sitting MLA Laskar is having a direct fight with Karim Uddin Barbhuiya of the AIUDF on Sonai seat.

When contacted, Cachar Superintendent of Police Bhanwar Lal Meena told PTI that all the nine police personnel attached to the deputy speaker have been removed from the duty with immediate effect in view of the ongoing probe.

"Out of them, five police personnel have been suspended in connection with the firing. Among them, three are the body guards of Laskar and two are the security personnel of the escort vehicle," Meena said.

Those suspended are Pervej Ahmed Laskar, Sajidur Rahman Laskar, Abidur Ahmed Barbhuiya, Altaf Hussain and Akram Hussain Laskar, he added.

Meena said another jawan Lakhikanta Mahato of the Indian Reserve Battalion of Jharkhand had also opened fire on the public during the incident.

"As he is not directly under Cachar Police, so we cannot take any action. We have taken appropriate steps to inform the matter to his department for necessary action," he added.

The SP said these persons were suspended on the allegation of entering inside the polling station without permission and firing on public without due order.

"Laskar can enter the polling station as a contesting candidate, but he cannot enter with the security personnel," he added.

Meanwhile, the Cachar district Deputy Commissioner Keerthi Jalli has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident.

According to the Dhanehori gaon panchayat president Lutfa Begum, public protested when Laskar entered in the polling booth while voting was going on during the second phase on April 1.

"People alleged that he has tried to rig the voting. Many people rushed to the spot and confined Laskar in a room. This turned the situation tense. A clash broke out between supporters of Laskar and his opponent," she had said.

"When a big crowd gathered and they tried to manhandle Laskar, his PSOs fired. In this, at least three persons were injured and they were admitted to hospitals," Begum had claimed.

An estimated 79.39 per cent polling took place in Sonai, while the second phase of voting in saw a turnout of 80.96 per cent.

(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 proposal to impose night curfew in the national capital is being considered by the Delhi government in view of rising coronavirus cases, official sources told PTI on Monday.

"A proposal for imposing night curfew is under consideration. The details are being discussed, including the time period of the curfew which could be from 10 pm to 5 am," a senior government official told PT.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had on Friday said that Delhi was undergoing the fourth wave of COVID-19 but a lockdown was not being considered yet.

"As per the current situation, we are not considering imposing a lockdown. We are closely monitoring the situation and such a decision will only be taken after due public consultation," the chief minister had said in a press briefing.

As per the Delhi government health bulletin on Monday, a total of 3,548 fresh cases of COVID-19 infection and 15 deaths were reported within the last 24 hours.

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Vietnam's new President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and new Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, then on the sidelines of a National Assembly session in Hanoi, March 30, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin joined leaders of Laos, Cambodia and Japan in sending congratulatory messages to Vietnam's new leadership.

Xi sent a message to President Nguyen Xuan Phuc Monday stressing that China attaches great importance to the development of bilateral relations and stands ready to boost the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a press release.

On the same day, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang sent a congratulatory message to Vietnam's new Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in which he promised to actively build the win-win cooperation between Vietnam and China.

Putin said in his message to Phuc he was confident that with mutual efforts the two countries would continue to develop their strategic partnership to benefit their peoples and consolidate security and stability in the Asia - Pacific region.

Laos' President Thongloun Sisoulith sent a message and called to congratulate Phuc. He expressed the belief that the new leadership would help Vietnam achieve greater things.

Laos Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh in a congratulatory message to Chinh promised to work with Vietnam to grow their bilateral relationship to benefit their peoples and achieve peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and world.

In the afternoon Cambodian PM Hun Sen sent messages to Phuc and Chinh and called the new president. He was assured that the new Vietnamese president would work toward enhancing his country's position on the international stage.

Hun Sen pledged to work closely with the Vietnamese prime minister to deepen the relationship between the two countries, and expressed optimism that Vietnam and Cambodia could overcome the challenges posed by Covid-19 and achieve peace, stability, sustainable development, and prosperity.

Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide of Japan sent similar congratulatory messages to the new leaders.
Egyptian-based VC firm Sawari Ventures has closed its $71 million fund for North Africa's rapidly growing startup ecosystem.

The firm first announced its fund in 2018, when it closed an initial $35 million (which subsequently increased to $41 million) in hopes to close at $70 million, per Menabytes. The investors in the first tranche included CDC (which forked over $12 million), European Investment Bank, Proparco and the Dutch Good Growth Fund.

Having closed an additional $30 million, Sawari Ventures' total raise is $1 million more than its original target. And it has added a range of new backers that includes Banque Misr, Banque du Caire, Ekuity, Misr Insurance Group, National Bank of Egypt and Suez Canal Bank.

Ahmed El Alfi, Hany Al-Sonbaty and Wael Amin launched Sawari Ventures in 2010. Before venturing into the world of venture capital, El Alfi and Al-Sonbaty were investment professionals in the Egyptian tech space for more than two decades. Amin, meanwhile, was a founder of a tech company called ITWorx that made notable acquisitions in the Egyptian tech ecosystem.

In addition to Egypt, Sawari Ventures focuses on Morocco and Tunisia. For the firm, these three countries represent one of the best investment opportunities around, given the mismatch between the capital available (amounts and variation at every stage) and the market opportunity. They also share common traits such as language, culture, business, governance norms and market dynamics, making it easier for cross-border cooperation.

Since launching the firm more than 10 years ago, Sawari claims to have invested in more than 30 companies, mostly in Egypt. Some of these companies include ride-hailing service SWVL, software startup Instabug and AI chat-based personal assistant Elves, but its sweet spots are the hardware, education, healthcare, cleantech and fintech sectors.

"We try to cast a wide net given that, in essence, this is a transformative moment in emerging markets tech with the rapid digitization of the underlying economy," a company spokesperson told TechCrunch. "So as expected, were seeing a great deal of flow in the digitization of financial services, healthcare and education technologies. Also, given the engineering talent, there are unique opportunities in SaaS products, semiconductors and IoT."

Story continues

Sawari Ventures invests in growth-stage companies, in particular. But it also operates Flat6Labs, a seed VC firm akin to an accelerator that has been used to perform its seed investments since establishing both Cairo and Tunis offices in 2011 and 2016.

Sawari Ventures

Image Credits: Sawari Ventures

Sawari says 10% of the now-closed investments will be earmarked for seed-stage companies as investments through Flat6Labs Cairo and Tunis. Flat6Labs Cairo will seed between 80 to 100 companies and offer follow-on investments to between 30 and 40. Flat6Labs Tunisia will seed 60 to 70 companies and offer follow-on investments for 30 to 40. The remaining 90% will be used to invest in 20 to 25 growth-stage companies across Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco, with a median investment range of $2 million to $3 million.

The investment range is a continuation of how Sawari typically cut checks for portfolio startups since closing the first tranche three years ago. The firm said it has invested between $1 million and $4 million in Elves, Brantu, ExpandCart, Almentor, SWVL and MoneyFellows, among others.

The Egypt-based fund is a privately held fund regulated by the Financial Regulatory Authority of Egypt (FRA), which allowed us to attract capital from top-tier local financial institutions to co-invest with foreign capital from international development financial institutions, doubling our allocation to invest in Egyptian high-growth companies to $68 million, El Alfi said in a statement.

Our aim is to create exceptional returns through investing in knowledge-driven companies, which have the potential of bringing transformational changes to the Egyptian economy. The fund will support local companies with dedicated capital, in addition to quality expertise from our seasoned and specialized team, and the value-add of our investors.
[April 06, 2021] #StopAsianHate: U.S. Bank Provides Additional Support to AAPI Organizations

U.S. Bank today announced $60,000 in additional support to Asian American and Asian Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities to combat biases and acts of violence. The U.S. Bank Foundation grants were distributed to AAPI organizations in Southern and Northern California, Atlanta, Seattle and the Twin (News - Alert) Cities. "Violence and xenophobia against Asian American and Asian Pacific Islander individuals cannot be tolerated," said Greg Cunningham, Chief Diversity Officer for U.S. Bank. "In continued support to the AAPI community, we are investing in organizations across the country to combat these biases and acts of violence. We stand with our AAPI employees, customers and communities." The organizations receiving grants include: Coalition of Asian American Leaders (CAAL) (Minneapolis/St. Paul) to help further build multi-racial partnerships that strengthen solidarity to achieve justice, equity and prosperity and provide leadership support to develop and support Asian Minnesota leaders.

Asian Pacific Heritage Foundation (San Francisco, CA (News - Alert) ) to support continued awareness of diverse Asian Pacific American cultural heritage and to provide a forum for community collaborations.

Chinese Information Service Center (Seattle, WA) to fund ongoing work on anti-Hate and Bias programs supporting members in King County and to support students and school districts as they return to in-person learning and lead conversations about public safety.

Center for Pan-Asian Community Services (Atlanta, GA) to develop a rapid response and direct support for partners and victims experiencing the impacts of discrimination and violence.

Pacific Arts Coalition (San Diego, CA) for ongoing support of the Coalition, which formed in 2020 in respons to increased racism and xenophobia stemming from the spread of COVID-19. The Coalition consists of more than 30 local AAPI-serving organizations and works together to provide communication, collaboration and advocacy on behalf of the broader AAPI community.

Asian Youth Center (San Gabriel, CA) to support additional research and survey work with Asian residents in the San Gabriel Valley to help guide future policy work and community programs.



Last month, U.S. Bank pledged to do its part to #StopAsianHate and announced an increase in its support of Ascend. The funding to Ascend went toward programming that educates professionals on bias, including the "model minority" myth. U.S. Bank had previously joined Ascend (#AscendTogether) with their partners including: Catalyst, Executive Leadership Council (ELC), Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR), National Organization on Disability (NOD) and Out & Equal, as a Supporting Company on a five-point COVID-19 response Action Agenda to promote inclusion, raise awareness, denounce bias, support communities and give donations.

About U.S. Bank U.S. Bancorp, with nearly 70,000 employees and $554 billion in assets as of December 31, 2020, is the parent company of U.S. Bank National Association, the fifth-largest commercial bank in the United States. The Minneapolis-based bank blends its relationship teams, branches and ATM network with digital tools that allow customers to bank when, where and how they prefer. U.S. Bank is committed to serving its millions of retail, business, wealth management, payment, commercial, corporate, and investment customers across the country and around the world as a trusted and responsible financial partner. This commitment continues to earn a spot on the Ethisphere Institute's World's Most Ethical Companies list and puts U.S. Bank in the top 5% of global companies assessed on the CDP A List for climate change action. Visit usbank.com for more. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005758/en/

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ATLANTA, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Aaron's Company, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), a leading technology-enabled omnichannel provider of lease-to-own and purchase solutions, will host a conference call and webcast on Tuesday, April 27, 2021, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its first quarter 2021 financial results scheduled for release before the market opens on that day. Chief Executive Officer, Douglas A. Lindsay, and Chief Financial Officer, C. Kelly Wall, will host the call.

The public is invited to listen to the call by dialing 1-833-979-2858 a few minutes before the scheduled start time and requesting to join the Aaron's call. For international participants the number is 1-236-714-2899. The call will also be accessible by visiting the company's investor relations website at investor.aarons.com. The webcast will be archived for playback at that same site.

About The Aaron's Company, Inc.

Headquartered in Atlanta, The Aaron's Company, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), is a leading, technology-enabled, omnichannel provider of lease-to-own and purchase solutions. Aaron's engages in direct-to-consumer sales and lease ownership of furniture, appliances, consumer electronics and accessories through its approximately 1,300 Company-operated and franchised stores in 47 states and Canada, as well as its e-commerce platform, Aarons.com. For more information, visit Aarons.com or investor.aarons.com.

SOURCE The Aaron's Company, Inc.
SAGINAW, MI  Tamara Tucker is no stranger to grief. Over the years, shes sadly become well-versed in the specific sting of sorrow that comes with having a close family member prematurely cut down by an act of violence.

In her 46 years, the lifelong Saginaw resident has lost a brother, a sister, and, perhaps most devastating of all, a daughter to gun violence.

Rather than giving in to a crippling sense of loss such devastation can yield, Tucker is reviving the Saginaw chapter of a program that helps other area parents cope with having slain children.

Parents of Murdered Children, or POMC, is a national nonprofit organization founded in 1978 by Robert and Charlotte Hullinger in Cincinnati, Ohio, after the killing of their 19-year-old daughter Lisa in Germany. POMC has chapters across the country.

Nobody wants to be a part of this type of organization, but its a necessary and needed organization in our community, Tucker said. Gun violence is We cant get around it, so we have to deal with it.

The support group will feature volunteers providing a compassionate ear and services for those whose children have been killed. For instance, in the aftermath of a tragedy, volunteers may bring food to the grief-stricken, assist them with general upkeep, or provide a shoulder to lean on, Tucker said.

We go past the bereavement process of getting through the funeral, she said. Call someone if you need to talk. Theres going to be days when youre happy, theres going to be days when youre sad. If you need to talk to somebody, thats what were there for.

A Saginaw chapter previously existed but has not been active for about two years, Tucker said. Among the groups immediate plans are scheduling monthly meetings, recruiting volunteers, organizing a meet-and-greet event, and putting together an event for Sept. 25, established by Congress in 2007 as the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims.

Tamara Tuckers story

As mentioned, Tucker herself has three times experienced the sudden death of a close family member from violence.

On May 31, 1990, her 17-year-old brother Elton C. Simmons Jr. was shot and killed in Saginaw. No one was ever criminally charged in the crime.

The murder is still unsolved to this day, Tucker said.

The morning of Oct. 31, 2019, Tuckers younger sister Tia Pittman was shot and killed alongside her childs father, Stanley Peck, outside the West Tampa, Florida, duplex they were residing in. The couple had recently moved from Saginaw to Florida to care for Pecks ill father.

Police arrested 26-year-old suspect Tyrail R. Kendrick, who was then charged with two counts of first-degree premeditated murder and one count of armed robbery, according to The Tampa Bay Times.

Earlier in 2019, Tucker grappled with the death of her eldest of six children, MoeNeisha M. Simmons-Ross.

Simmons-Ross was shot once in her head the night of March 1 as she stood in the doorway of her second-story apartment at 2725 Weiss St. on Saginaws West Side. She had been trying to prevent her boyfriend, Patrick A. Martin Jr., from leaving her residence with a 9mm handgun she had purchased a couple of days beforehand when he shot her with it.

MoeNeisha M. Simmons-Ross

At the time of her death, Simmons-Ross was 10 to 12 weeks pregnant with Martins child, to be named Nasir Asai MoeNay Simmons. Simmons-Ross was the mother of three sons, the youngest of whom Martin also fathered.

Tucker said her daughter was community-minded and had a giving, charitable nature.

I work in the community to show my children that if youre part of a community and you serve it, you will not be a problem, Tucker said. So she was always out volunteering wherever I would be, or she would pull me into where she was volunteering at.

Tucker described her late daughter as an awesome person.

She always had a smile on her face, beautiful smile, she said. Shed help anybody she could.

Tucker referenced a post on her daughters Facebook page, in which a woman said Simmons-Ross had restored her faith in humanity. The woman had run out of gas near Simmons-Ross home and Simmons-Ross took it upon herself to help remedy the womans situation, Tucker said.

Thats just the type of person my daughter was, she continued. She would give you the shirt off her back. She always was helping. God put her in a position to help a lot of people, in spite of whatever she was going through. She was a single mom of three children and she didnt let that stop her. If you needed her help, she was there.

She added that she learned more about her daughters kindness after her death. In particular, she referred to a man Simmons-Ross had met while they both happened to be at a MichiganWorks! Office. The man had recently moved to the area and was light on resources.

She shared her lunch with him and then she bought him groceries because him and his girlfriend didnt have any food or anything at that time, Tucker said. She was a very, very beautiful person.

Simmons-Ross had recently obtained two jobs before her death, having been hired by Sodexo and Safe Hands Warm Hearts. She had previously worked at Walmart and an Admiral gas station.

She made sure she kept employment, Tucker said. Her long-term goal was to do something in psychology. She wanted to help women.

Through it all, her children were paramount.

She was a great mom, Tucker said. She loved her boys. She called her three sons her three kings.

Martins trial on charges related to Simmons-Ross death ended April 1 with the jury finding him guilty of first-degree felony murder, assaulting a pregnant individual causing miscarriage or stillbirth, felon in possession of a firearm, witness intimidation, and three counts of felony firearm. Jurors deliberated for about a half-hour before reaching their verdicts.

During the trial, defense attorney William D. White argued Martin had no intention of killing Simmons-Ross and that the shooting was accidental.

Justice was served, Tucker said of Martins conviction. I thank (Saginaw County Assistant Prosecutor) Blair Stevenson for making sure that justice was served and making sure all the information was put together correctly and properly. It was definitely a big relief.

POMC going forward

The previous Saginaw chapter of POMC was founded in 2011. Among those who benefited from it was Fred Harvey, who joined in 2012 after the shooting deaths of his 19-year-old son Frederick R. Jones-Harvey Jr. and 20-year-old nephew Marcus D. Buckley Jr. on July 21 of that year.

It helped me a lot, Harvey said of his experience with the group. I had the chance to get some kind of healing. When youre going through tragedy, you can hear similarities and you find out that youre not alone.

Tamara Tucker poses for a photograph outside of CAN (Child Abuse and Neglect) Council Great Lakes Bay Region in Saginaw on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. Tucker is reviving the Saginaw chapter of Parents of Murdered Children, or POMC, after she lost her daughter, MoeNeisha M. Simmons-Ross, to gun violence. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com)Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

Harvey likened the group to a sorority or fraternity.

Its an awkward feeling when you lose someone so dear, he said. There are a lot of people really hurting out here who need that kind of support, need direction and someone to talk to.

Harvey later obtained certification as a grief counselor and plans to put that to use in the revived POMC chapter.

With grieving, everybody does it differently, he said. I meet them where theyre at. Everybodys different when it comes down to it. Its very shattering. You have put yourself back together piece by piece. Its an everyday job, just keeping your sanity.

Tucker agreed, saying the emotions surviving parents go through in the wake of a childs killing can run the gamut.

Facing the death of a loved one is never easy, she said. When a murder occurs, you have anger, you have frustration. You start questioning if I was a good parent, what I could have done differently. All that grief is compounded. It can be crushing to some who dont know there are resources out there that they can reach out to.

The chapter has established Newer Dimensions Fellowship Ministries at 3430 Jefferson St. in Carrollton Township as a meeting place. Those interested in volunteering or getting help can call 989-332-8864.

Taking a life is never needed, never warranted, Tucker said. Just being able to reach out to an organization that can identify something youre going through is very much needed. Youre going to need that ongoing emotional support.

In 2020, the city of Saginaw had 26 homicides, 24 of which involved firearms. The prior year, the city had nine homicides, eight of which involved guns.

This restarting is necessary for our community, Tucker said.

Read more:

Family seeks help after Michigan woman, boyfriend killed in Florida

Jury deliberates for half-hour before finding Saginaw man guilty of pregnant girlfriends murder

Saginaw County Parents of Murdered Children: Mother speaks about sons death, value of support group
A high voter turnout was recorded in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry assembly on Tuesday, with the Congress along with its allies like the DMK locked in a keen contest to regain turf in South India.

In Kerala, where the Left is hoping to beat anti-incumbency to retain power, a feat unseen in four decades, while the BJP is making efforts to build inroads, nearly 74 percent polling was recorded till 7 PM. There was 63.47 percent voting in Tamil Nadu for 234 assembly constituencies and 77.90 percent in Puducherry till 5 PM.

The three-phase culminated in Assam with nearly 79 percent polling in the final round in the state where the ruling BJP is battling the Congress-led alliance to retain power, while the trend of high turnout and violence during polling continued in West Bengal as the ruling Trinamool Congress, the BJP and the Left-Congress alliance put up an intense fight in the high-stakes contest.

Five candidates, including two women, were assaulted in poll-related clashes as over 77 percent voting was recorded in 31 seats in West Bengal till 5 PM in the third phase.

Violence was reported in areas like Uluberia, Khanakul, Falta, Canning Purba, Durbrajpur and Hooghly, where a BJP supporter's family member was killed.

The state is having eight-phase

Stray incidents of clashes between workers of rival parties were also reported in other states.

The massive polling exercise following COVID-19 health protocol and involving lakhs of personnel began at 7 AM and the last hour from 6 PM to 7 PM was set aside for COVID-19 patients and those under isolation.

DMK Lok Sabha MP Kanimozhi, who is being treated for COVID-19, voted at a polling station in Chennai while wearing a Personal Protective Equipment kit.

In Tamil Nadu, both the Dravidian parties AIADMK and DMK went into the election without their stalwarts, J Jayalalithaa and M Karunanidhi.

Chief Minister K Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam will cement their position as successors of Jayalalithaa if the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazagham (AIADMK) retains power though it faces an uphill task especially after the rout in the 2019 Lok Sabha election when the DMK-led alliance won 38 out of 39 seats.

The AIADMK had scored successive wins in 2011 and in 2016, when Jayalalithaa bucked the anti-incumbency trend -- the first by anyone in nearly three decades in the state.

After a narrow defeat in the last where several exit polls had predicted his party's win, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief M K Stalin spearheaded a determined election campaign this time and vigorously toured the state to take on the ruling AIADMK.

He is seeking re-election for the straight third term from the Kolathur segment here while his son and party youth wing secretary Udhayanidhi Stalin is debuting from Chepauk- Triplicance constituency.

AIADMK Lok Sabha MP P Ravindhranath alleged that he and his supporters were attacked by DMK men on Tuesday. DMK's Thondamuthur constituency nominee in Coimbatore district, Karthikeya Sivesenapathy alleged that ruling AIADMK and BJP people tried to attack him when he was travelling in a car.

Makkal Needhi Maiam, founded in 2018 and led by actor-politician Kamal Haasan, is trying its luck in Assembly polls for the first time.

AIADMK ally BJP, which had not won any seat in the last polls, is contesting in 20 constituencies. Another AIADMK ally PMK is contesting from 23 constituencies.

The Congress, an ally of the DMK, is in the fray in 25 Assembly segments.

The counting of votes in the states will be held on May 2.

In Kerala, where the Left Democratic Front (LDF) is seeking to break the state's four-decade-old trend of swinging between the communists and the Congress-led United Democratic Front, the electors decided the fate of 957 candidates in 140 Assembly constituencies across the state.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, health minister K K Shailaja, Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran, Power Minister M M Mani and Higher Education Minister K K Jaleel are among the prominent personalities trying their electoral luck from the ruling side.

Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala, former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, senior leaders K Muraleedharan, P T Thomas and Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan are among those contesting from the UDF fold.

The BJP, which has failed to make a dent in the state, has fielded former Mizoram Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan, 'Metroman' E Sreedharan, who joined the saffron party recently, state president K Surendran , senior leader Shobha Surendran and Rajya Sabha members Suresh Gopi and K J Alphons.

The poll is significant for Kerala Congress (M) chief Jose K Mani who recently snapped decades-long ties with the UDF and joined hands with the Left front.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had camped in the state for several days and taken part in dozens of corner meetings and rallies, with the party hoping that the state will herald a turn in its electoral fortunes after a series of disappointments in recent years.

Two voters, including a woman, standing in the queue in Aranmula in Pathnamthitta and Chavittuavary in Kottayam collapsed and died.

Tempers ran high at Kattayikonam in Kazhakootam constituency, a stronghold of the Marxist party in Thiruvananthapuram district, as CPI(M) and BJP workers clashed.

Four BJP workers were injured and their car was damaged.

Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran, who is the LDF candidate from the constituency, told reporters that the protestors aimed to disrupt the voting procedure and alleged that police had acted as "BJP agent".

Three Marxist workers, including the minister's personal staff, have been taken into custody. Sobha Surendran, the BJP candidate from Kazhakootam constituency, had earlier in the day held a sit-in in front of a polling booth in the area.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, seeking re-election from Dharmadom in Kannur, expressed confidence that the LDF would be voted back to power and register a 'historic win'.

The BJP account in Nemom, the solitary seat won by the saffron party in the 2016 polls, will be 'closed', he said.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, however, said that a high turnout always augurs well for the UDF.

Puducherry witnessed a contest between the AINRC-led NDA and the Congress-led Secular Democratic alliance.

While AINRC fielded candidates in 16 of the total 30 constituencies the BJP is contesting nine seats while the AIADMK is contesting five seats.

Yanam, where the AINRC leader N Rangasamy is contesting, registered a higher percentage of polling than other regions.

The Congress has fielded candidates in 14 out of the 15 seats;



The national party is supporting an independent in Yanam.

The DMK, its main alliance partner, has fielded candidates in 13 seats and the VCK and CPI are contesting from one constituency each.

The Congress-led government in the Union Territory had collapsed just before the
Cohen was an idea machine, never comfortable unless she had one story she was working on, another on deck and others in line. In the days before the internet, when she was a regional reporter covering the Midwest, Cohen subscribed to a score of small newspapers; she was always looking for that three-paragraph brief on page 38 that might turn into something special.
Armenian News - NEWS.am presents the daily digest of Armenia-related top news as of 06.04.21:

Armenia ex-president Robert Kocharyan has announced on Monday his intention to participate in the snap parliamentary elections scheduled to be held on June 20.

As he told Russian TV host Vladimir Pozner, he will head the union most likely composed of 2 parties.

According to him, negotiations are underway now over this issue.

Earlier, Kocharyan held phone talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the sides have long-standing good relations.

Kocharyan visited Moscow, Russia, to attend a meeting of the board of directors of AFC Sistema company. He is a member of the board of directors of the corporation.

Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan had an interview with the Russian media outlet Interfax.

In an interview, Pashinyan touched upon Armenia-Turkey relations and cooperation with Russia.

According to him, Turkey needs to change this aggressive policy towards Armenia to establish lasting peace and restore the economic image in the region.

"Armenia has always advocated the normalization of relations with Turkey without preconditions, but this was rejected by Turkey. This hostile policy of Ankara gained a new dimension during the 44-day aggression of Azerbaijan against Artsakh," he added.

Pashinyan also said Armenia is interested in arms supplies from Russia.

According to him, Armenia is focused on broad and long-term military cooperation with Russia, 'which is in the long-term strategic interests of the two countries.'

A large fire broke out at the Yerevan shopping center on Tuesday.

The fire that broke out at Surmalu mart in Yerevan at around 3 am Tuesday was put off at 8:39 am.

But toy and household items stallsalong with propertywere burned down.

Minister of Emergency Situations Andranik Piloyan was at the scene.

The Azerbaijanis threw stones at an Armenian car traveling on the Kapan-Yerevan motorway.

According to Kapan mayor Gevorg Parsyan, the Azerbaijanis threw stones at the sector that is under the monitoring domain of the Russian border guards.

He added that there was no major damage to the car.

The Armenian opposition, which demands the resignation of PM Nikol Pashinyan, has kicked off its rallies in Armenian provinces.

The first such rally of the Homeland Salvation Movement started Tuesday in downtown Sevan, Armenia.

These opposition members said they will hold town hall meetings with their supporters in the provinces until April 22, after which they will resume their activities in the capital Yerevan.

European Parliament member (MEP) Francois-Xavier Bellamy (France) visited Yerablur Military Pantheon in Yerevan. Most of the soldiers who died in the recent Nagorno-Karabakh war are buried there.

The MEP took to his Facebook to share photos from there.

"Under each of these thousands of flags is buried a soldier who died last year defending Armenia from the military aggression. Most of them were barely 20 years old. The whole of Europe must open its eyes and finally break the silence," the French politician wrote.

As of Tuesday morning, 760 COVID-19 new cases were confirmed in Armenia, and the total number of these cases has reached 197,873 in the country.

Also, 13 more deaths from COVID-19 were registered, making the respective total 3,627 cases.

The number of people who have recovered over the past one day is 712, the total respective number so far is 177,601.
Senior Congress leader



A K Antony on Tuesday said the term of the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government will end on May 2 when the election results will beannounced.

Speaking to reporters here, he said those who dreamt of retaining power in the state will be shocked to see the outcome of today's poll.

Antony cautioned the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) workers, saying the ruling CPI(M) will dare to do anything to remain in power.

He said with the "strength" the Congress receives from the election results in Kerala, the party will resurrect itself and fight the "anti-people policies of the Narendra Modi government."



"Those who dreamt of continuing in power will be shocked to see the results this time.The term of the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government will come to an end on May 2. This is now just a caretaker government.Their days are numbered. Their traditional strongholds are going to be destroyed," Antony claimed.

He said the people of the state were worried about handing over a second chance for

"The ruling government and the party will do anything to remain in power. In the coming days, the UDF workers should remain cautious," he said.

He claimed the "beginning of the end of Narendra Modi-government" will begin from Kerala and with the "massive mandate", the Congress party will fight against the government at the Centre and its "anti-people" policies.

"The Indian National Congress will resurrect itself under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and fight against the destructive policies of Narendra Modi. Kerala will give the Congress party, the strength to organise massive protests against the Modi government," he added.

The results will be out on May 2.

(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.)
Walgreens has inoculated hundreds of thousands of Americans against COVID-19 this year using the vaccine developed by Pfizer and Germanys BioNTech. But the pharmacy chain has not been following guidance from federal health officials about the timing of second doses.

People are supposed to get two doses, three weeks apart. Walgreens, however, separated them by four weeks because that made it faster and simpler for the company to schedule appointments.

There is no evidence that separating the doses by an extra week decreases the vaccines effectiveness. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a three-week gap, the agency says it is acceptable to separate the doses by up to six weeks if necessary.

But Walgreens decision, which it didnt publicly announce, confused some customers and caught the attention of federal health officials. Kate Grusich, a spokeswoman for the CDC, said the agency had asked Walgreens to stop using a longer-than-recommended time period between doses.

The companys vaccine-scheduling system by default schedules all second doses four weeks after the first. Doses of Modernas vaccine, which Walgreens is also administering, are supposed to be spaced four weeks apart. Using the same gap for both vaccines was the easiest way to stand up the process based on our capabilities at the time, Dr. Kevin Ban, Walgreens chief medical officer, said.

Now Walgreens is changing its system. Starting as soon as the end of the week, the pharmacy will automatically schedule people for Pfizer doses three weeks apart, Ban said.

Walgreens is one of the largest among dozens of drugstore and grocery store chains that are giving out vaccines allocated by states and via a federal program that the White House said last week would expand to 40,000 locations. Walgreens reported last week that it had given out more than 8 million COVID vaccine doses, including 4 million in March, and expects to give out 26 million to 34 million before the end of August.

Walgreens, along with CVS, previously led an effort to vaccinate nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, during which the chain gave out Pfizer doses at facilities with visits spaced three weeks apart.

The vaccination campaign is a business opportunity for Walgreens, which is bringing in revenue from the vaccine administration fees paid by government and private payers as well as from purchases made by shoppers coming in for vaccines. The company requires people to create a Walgreens account to search online for a vaccine appointment.

Most other major pharmacies, including CVS and Rite Aid, stuck with the CDCs guidance on the timing of second doses. CVS, for example, schedules second Pfizer shots for 20 to 23 days after the first shot, said T.J. Crawford, a spokesman for the chain.

Some public health experts believe the U.S. should delay the second doses of vaccines by longer than Walgreens has been doing with the Pfizer vaccine. That way, more people can get partial protection through the first shots. Britain, for example, is delaying second shots by up to three months. Canada has begun delaying doses by up to four months.

But it was a three-week gap that underwent extensive clinical testing, and U.S. officials and Pfizer executives have not voiced support for alternate dosing schedules.

Asked about Walgreens scheduling, Kit Longley, a spokesman for Pfizer, said the safety and efficacy of the companys vaccine had not been evaluated on dosing schedules different from the three-week gap tested in clinical trial volunteers.

It is largely arbitrary that Pfizer's and Modernas vaccines, which both use similar messenger RNA technology, have different dosing schedules. Pfizers decision to test its vaccine with less time separating the two shots helped the company finish its late-stage clinical trial quickly and to report results one week faster than Moderna last November.

Walgreens decision to not adhere to the CDCs guidance on dose spacing for Pfizers shot left some customers confused. Some assumed, based on their appointment dates, that they would be getting Moderna shots. Then they learned with surprise at their first appointment that they were getting Pfizer.

Mary DeTurris Poust, a writer in Delmar, New York, who got her first Pfizer shot from Walgreens late last month, has been trying, to no avail, to reach a Walgreens representative to reschedule her second-dose appointment for a week sooner.

Walgreens system currently allows people to rebook their second-dose appointment, but they can do so only the day before the appointment.

Im not happy about it, DeTurris Poust said. It gives me one extra week of not being protected, so it means theres one more week that Im worried about catching it from someone, or giving it to someone.

Some public health experts said they were not concerned that Walgreens has been scheduling doses with a four-week gap.

Its a week difference. Everybodys going to need to put it in their contexts and their risk factors, but I think this is a very reasonable approach from Walgreens, said Dr. Katherine Poehling, a pediatrician at Wake Forest School of Medicine who sits on the CDC advisory panel that recommended that Pfizer doses be given roughly three weeks apart.

But other experts said they were troubled.

It is not the role of a private, for-profit company to make public health decisions that should be determined by guidelines issued by a public health authority, said Lawrence Gostin, a global health law professor at Georgetown University.

Dima Qato, a pharmacist and associate professor at the University of Southern California School of Pharmacy, said she was concerned about how the public perceived inconsistent messages about spacing doses of the same vaccine.

As were trying to build trust in this pandemic, I think this may push us back, Qato said.

Walgreens is not the only vaccine provider that has been giving second shots slightly later than recommended. Others around the country have been doing so for months, especially in the early days of the rollout when vaccine supply was constrained and sites had little clarity about which vaccines and how many doses they would be receiving in subsequent weeks, said Tinglong Dai, who studies health care operations at Johns Hopkins University.

The California health system Stanford Health Care schedules all two-shot vaccine doses 28 days apart, with the goal of providing stability to our patients while vaccine supply is unpredictable, said Julie Greicius, a Stanford Medicine spokeswoman.

The health department in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, is doing the same at a mass-vaccination site in Castle Shannon that inoculates 5,000 people weekly. That makes it easier to manage staffing and space constraints when the site is offering both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, said the county spokeswoman Amie Downs. She said the county planned at the end of this month to go back to giving Pfizer doses with a three-week gap, after it has stopped giving out Moderna doses.

The vast majority of people in the United States are getting their second shot when recommended, though more people have been getting it later as the vaccine rollout has expanded.

The CDCs data through March 28 show that the percentage of people who got their second shot after the recommended period but within six weeks had increased to 7% from less than 3% through Feb. 14, according to Grusich, the agency spokeswoman.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
There is a lot that we are going to do but it really has to come from collaboration with everyone. I think by putting that joint district stakeholder committee together and getting feedback from the students from that survey, we can pinpoint where we can at least start and then modify as we go, Lind said.
Russian prison officials prevented outside doctors from examining jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny after he was moved to a sick ward with a severe cough and temperature amid mounting concern over his health.

Anastasia Vasilyeva, Navalnys doctor and the head of the Alliance of Doctors trade union, attempted to see Navalny on April 6 but said prison officials refused to meet with her or allow entry into the prison.

Police later detained Vasilyeva and at least nine other supporters gathered outside the prison. Among those detained were three journalists, including a CNN correspondent. The journalists and Vasilyeva were later released. The Alliance of Doctors says it will continue to hold protests outside the prison until Navalny can be seen by independent doctors.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's most prominent critic is currently incarcerated in what is known as one of Russias toughest penitentiaries, located about 100 kilometers east of Moscow.

Navalny, 44, said in an Instagram post published by his allies a day earlier that he had a severe cough and fever of 38.1 degrees Celsius, after a third prisoner in his crowded quarters had been sent to the hospital with suspected tuberculosis.

Navalny has been on hunger strike for nearly a week to protest what he says are deliberate attempts to deprive him of sleep and the failure of authorities to provide proper medical treatment for his back and leg pains. His lawyers say that since entering prison last month Navalny has lost a total of 13 kilograms, including 5 kilograms over the past week.

On April 5, Agnes Callamard, the secretary-general of Amnesty International, said she had written to Putin over Navalnys arbitrary arrest and deteriorating health condition.

There is a real prospect that Russia is subjecting him to a slow death, the former UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial killing said on Twitter.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Navalny would receive the necessary medical care but no preferential treatment.

Of course, there can be no talk about special conditions for one of the convicted persons, Peskov said during a conference call with reporters. There are certain rules for inmates who get sick. If the illness truly takes place, any relevant treatment will be provided.

The pro-Kremlin newspaper Izvestia previously cited the local branch of Russia's FSIN (Federal Penitentiary Service) in reporting that Navalny had been transferred to the colony infirmary and tested for the coronavirus. There were no immediate details about the coronavirus test results.

Navalnys health condition is potentially precarious because he spent months last year recovering in Berlin from a military-grade nerve agent poisoning while traveling in Siberia. Navalny has accused Putin of ordering security agents to assassinate him with the poison, something the Kremlin denies.

Navalny was arrested at a Moscow airport in January upon his return from Germany on charges of violating his parole, sparking large-scale protests.

A Moscow court in February found him guilty of violating the terms of his parole from an older embezzlement case that is widely considered to be politically motivated.

His suspended 3 1/2-year sentence was converted into jail time, though the court reduced that amount to 2 1/2 years for time already served in detention.

With reporting by AFP, AP, RFE/RL's Russian Service, Current Time, and Reuters
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 22:12:30|Editor: huaxia

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TOKYO, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Japanese health minister Norihisa Tamura on Tuesday warned that the number of COVID-19 infections in Tokyo has been consistently rising and called for increased vigilance.

Meanwhile, new infections in the western prefecture of Osaka surged to an all-time high, far eclipsing those in the capital on Tuesday, amid concerns that tougher anti-virus measures just implemented may not be enough.

Tamura said that while COVID-19 cases in the capital had not risen as sharp as regions recently placed under stricter anti-virus measures, the situation in Tokyo required "extreme caution because a sharp rebound in the Tokyo metropolitan area could affect the whole nation."

He said that residents in the capital of 14 million, as well as those running businesses and people working in the health care sector should "remain vigilant."

His remarks came as Tokyo confirmed 399 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Tuesday, rising by 35 from a week ago and marking a week-on-week increase for the sixth straight day.

Tokyo's latest figure, however, was far eclipsed by Osaka reporting a record-high number of new daily cases at 719, with the figure surpassing Tokyo's for the the eighth successive day.

Osaka's cases soared from 341 cases confirmed the previous day.

New COVID-19 infections have continued to surge in Osaka despite stricter anti-virus measures going into effect on Monday for the prefecture, along with Hyogo and Miyagi prefectures, under a revised law that does not require declaring a state of emergency.

The tougher measures are effective for one month until May 5 and have been implemented based on a revised law enabling the central government to declare a situation that falls short of a state of emergency in which special measures can be taken to counter the spread of the virus.

The stronger measures that can be taken by the three prefectures could include imposing fines on bars and restaurants that ignore requests to shorten their operating hours.

Businesses are also urged to promote remote working for their employees, and large spectator events have had the numbers of attendees capped at 5,000 in the prefectures, under the tougher measures.

The designation as being on the verge of a state of emergency can be applied when infections are surging in a situation equivalent to Stage 3, the second-highest on the government's four-tier alert system.

Osaka and Miyagi prefectures have already reached Stage 4, the highest on the government's alert scale, based on the volume of weekly infection cases per 100,000 people. Hyogo Prefecture is at Stage 3, the health ministry has said.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has said that while COVID-19 cases are surging, the situation does not mean the country is entering a fourth wave of infections.

Suga has said that there is a resurgence of COVID-19 cases in Osaka and Hyogo prefectures and that more people were moving around Tokyo and its three neighboring prefectures since a state of emergency for the Greater Tokyo region was lifted two weeks ago.

"The current situation has yet to reach a major nationwide surge that can be called a fourth wave," Suga said amid concerns that in addition to Osaka and Hyogo, cases may also rise again in Tokyo and its surrounding prefectures.

Japan's central government has granted the requests of Osaka, Hyogo and Miyagi prefectures to take the stronger measures and be designated as being on the verge of a state of emergency under the revised law, but some local officials believe the measures do not go far enough.

"Infections are spreading at workplaces and universities, and there are many people for whom transmission routes are unknown," a senior official of the Osaka prefectural government was quoted recently as saying.

"Restrictions on dining establishments alone won't stem the spread," the official said. Enditem
Ndamukong Suh has been smiling a lot lately because life has been good for him.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive lineman and his wife Katya welcomed twin boys to their family on March 26. Suh has signed a one-year contract worth up to $9 million to remain with the Buccaneers in 2021.

The new additions to the Suh family and the re-signing comes after Suh captured his first Super Bowl title following the Buccaneers dominant 31-9 win over Kansas City in Super Bowl 55 in February.

Its been a great 2021 so far, Suh told reporters Monday. I couldnt imagine it being laid out any better.

Kingston Rudolph Bongjo Suh, weighing 7 pounds, 8 ounces and measuring 21 inches, was the first to arrive. Khari David Fombuh Suh, weighed 7 pounds, 12 ounces and also measuring 21 inches, arrived 15 minutes after Kingston.

The former Grant High School Generals star revealed the inspiration and meaning behind the boys names.

Kingston was the first one that came out and my mother is from Kingston, Jamaica, Suh told reporters Monday. Theres also some underlying meanings of King, kind of a group of friends. We all grew up in Portland together...kind of see us as together as the four kings. Khari, his name has the meaning of King. They both roam in that king concept.

We love the names. We each decided one of each. I did Kingston and she did Khari. Theres a lot more meaning to their middle names. Their middle names come from their grandfathers, my father, a couple close friends. And obviously theyve got the great last name of Suh.

Newborns normally dont allow their parents to get much sleep, but Suh said hes not worried about a lack of sleep. Suh said he and Katya have received support from their parents and taking care of the kids is easy. For now.

Theyre actually amazing. They like to sleep, eat and poop. Theyre pretty easy, Suh told reporters. Weve got a tremendous amount of support from my parents and her parents. Its a life right now where I dont even worry about sleep. I work out in the mornings, then Im home all day with them.

-- Geoffrey C. Arnold | geoffreyCarnold
House Democrats, who shrugged off the idea of terrorists crossing the border illegally, have remained silent over the arrest of two Yemeni men on a terror watchlist at the southern border.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on Monday said a Yemeni man, who was apprehended at the border by Border Patrol agents, was among those included in the FBI's Terrorism Watch List.

The individual, who was arrested on March 30, was the second Yemini national whose name was on the Terrorism Watch List in two months. The first Yemini man was arrested on Jan. 29. Both of the apprehended suspects were on the no-fly list in addition to the terror list, Fox News reported.

Last month, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy issued a warning regarding the possibility of individuals included on the watch list from Middle Eastern countries who use or take advantage of the border crisis to get across the border. However, some House Democrats shrugged off the idea and downplayed the warning.

READ NEXT: 11 Iranian Migrants Caught Illegally Crossing the U.S.-Mexico Border

Democrats on Possible Terrorists at the Border

"When you go out to Monument 3 and you talk to those agents, it's not just people from Mexico or Honduras or El Salvador," McCarthy said.

McCarthy noted that border agents are also finding people from Yemen, Iran, and Turkey. He added that "people on the terrorist watch list they are catching and they are rushing it all at once."

In denouncing McCarthy's warning, Representative Ruben Gallego called the allegation of McCarthy weird because the chairman of the subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations did not hear anything about the issue.

Weird as the Chairman of the subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations and a border state member of Congress havent heard anything about this. Gonna ask for a briefing. Pretty sure he is either wrong or lying. https://t.co/retrzeUPxV  Ruben Gallego (@RubenGallego) March 15, 2021

Gallego also tweeted that McCarthy could either be wrong or lying. Gallego also asked McCarthy for a "classified briefing" so that members can see where the information was derived.

Representative Veronica Escobar, a Democrat from Texas, accused McCarthy of trying to "fuel the division" and make people afraid of immigrants.

2 Yemeni Men Arrested

According to Reuters, the two Yemeni men were apprehended near the Calexico Port of Entry in California by Border Patrol agents.

The men, ages 33 and 26, were transported to El Centro Processing Center for Immigration, where they have undergone a criminal screening.

CBP data showed that border crossings hit a 15-year-high last month as authorities caught more than 171,000 migrants at the southern border.

Of the 171,000 migrants, 19,000 were believed to be unaccompanied minors, 53,000 were family members traveling together, and 99,000 were single adults.

With the surge of unaccompanied migrant children arriving at the southern border, the Biden administration is scrambling to find space in shelters for them.

The Biden administration has been blamed for the flood of Mexican and Central American illegal migrants at the southern border that reportedly stemmed from his undoing of former President Donald Trump's border policies.

Meanwhile, Chief Patrol Agent Gregory Bovino said in a statement that protecting the country from terrorists is part of the Border Patrol's mission.

READ MORE: Biden Under Investigation by GAO for Border Wall Funds Freeze

WATCH: Yemeni Nationals On Terror Watch List Arrested At California-Mexico Border - From CBS Los Angeles
Virginia Cousins Barber (1943-2021)

Virginia Cousins Barber of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina passed away peacefully on April 3rd, 2021 in the comfort of her home surrounded by her loving family.

She was 77 years old.

Mrs. Barber, also known to many as Aunt Jenny, Grandma Barber and Nana, was born on July 28th, 1943 in Richmond, Virginia to Etheridge Lee Cousins and Alma Virginia Bailey.

She married Tilghmon Wayne Barber Senior on January 5th, 1962 and remained married for a total of 59 glorious years.

She graduated from Bainbridge High School in Richmond, Va.

Her early College education was carried out in Richmond, Virginia as well where she obtained Technical Certification in both Business and Healthcare.

Virginia worked as an inspector at JP Stevens for many years before changing professions entirely and venturing out on her own.

She was a successful entrepreneur and businesswomen.

Mrs. Barber was not only the owner of ABC Busy Bees but she also operated and directed the childcare center as well.

She loved children and they loved her. She touched the lives of so many. Inspiring, educating and watching them grow.

She stayed in close contact with several of the families who obtained her services throughout the years.

It was not just a business but more of a second home.

She was the best daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, nana, caregiver, and friend that anyone could ever ask for. She had a contagious smile, a big heart and made everyone feel at ease in her presence. She enjoyed her time spent in the kitchen cooking delicious meals for her loved ones and hosting family gatherings or events for special occasions such as all of the major holidays, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries etc.

She loved to decorate especially for Christmas and made every holiday one to remember. She loved to give and to see the expressions on the faces of those she loved while they unwrapped each gift. This brought her joy and delight.

She was an extraordinarily strong, brave, beautiful, thoughtful, considerate, caring, supportive woman and it showed through her many acts of kindness.

She also enjoyed spending time with her family and friends camping at Lake Gaston as well as her time spent at the beach.

She was an active member of Maranatha Baptist Church in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. She will forever be kept in our hearts and never forgotten.

Virginia is preceded in death by her loving parents Etheridge Lee Cousins and Alma Virginia Bailey, stepfather John Elmo Hawkins, sisters Lois Jean Spence and Etheridge Marie Cline, brother Johnathan Lee Hawkins and her daughters Cynthia Barber Collins and Sheila Barber Rose.

Mrs. Barber is survived by her husband Tim, daughter Tina and her husband Kyle, son Timmy and his fiance Denise, beloved close family friend Stefanie Crutchlow, granddaughter Shannon and her husband Patrick, granddaughter Christina, granddaughter Sheila and her Husband Billy, granddaughter Audrey and her fiance Matt, granddaughter Crystal, grandson Justin, grandson Timmy, granddaughter Sheila and great grandchildren Caleb, Karlie, Cameron, Brennan, Adam, Hailey and Tyler as well as numerous special nieces, nephews, and other family members plus close friends whose lives have all been touched by Mrs. Barber in one way or another.

She also leaves behind a well-loved family pet, a Maltese named Bella.

The wake will be held at Hockaday Funeral Home in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina on April 6th, 2021 from 6pm- 8pm. A funeral service will be held on April 7th, 2021 at 1pm at the Maranatha Baptist Church in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina after which the graveside will commence at Cedarwood Cemetery.

Please join us as we pay our respect, honor a remarkable woman, reminisce, grieve, support one another, and celebrate the life of Virginia Lee Cousins Barber.

The family wishes to send a special thank you to all Oncology, Hospice and Hospital staff for their care and compassion provided to Mrs. Barber in her time of need.

Online condolences may be sent to www.hockadayfs.com
As local COVID-19 numbers drop once again following the winter surge, a Harrisburg theater prepares to reopen once again.

Gamut Theatres upcoming production 2 by Strindberg will showcase two one-act plays by Swedish playwright August Strindberg: The Stronger and The Outcast. Each play is a scene between two actors. The Outcast begins as a conversation between two men, both of whom have committed serious crimes in the past, that escalates into a fiery verbal duel on guilt and justice.

The Stronger is a scene between a mans wife and and another woman, during which only the first woman speaks. The latter woman is entirely silent. In Gamuts production, the two actors in The Stronger rotate roles between performances, with two alternate performances each guided by a different director.

One of the directors of The Stronger, Gamut Theatres director of dramaturgy Kim Greenawalt, wrote on the companys website that the production would examine what she called the misogyny of The Stronger, seemingly about two women bickering over ones affair with her husband.

Strindbergs canon, with a focus on the hypocrisy of humanity, only aids us in our arrival at these uneasy truths, Greenawalt wrote. We see it in Strindbergs juxtaposition of the two women in The Stronger, while the absent man seemingly gets away with his affair consequence-free. We see it in The Outcast as meta-ethics, moral relativism, and a man who thinks he is above the good and evil binary are put under the microscope.

Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. from April 9-25. Tickets are any size donation, with suggested donations of $30, $20 or $10. Under the theaters COVID-19 precautions, seating is available for singles or groups of up to three to sit together. Masks are required and all tickets must be reserved in advance. For more details on Gamuts COVID-19 precautions, visit their website here.
Wunderman Thompson, South Asias film for Exide Inverter Batteries, Humse Roshan Hindustan helps Exide rightfully assert its position as Indias No.1 inverter battery and the impact it has on the lives of people across the nation. The power back-up market is fiercely competitive with entrenched and emerging brands aggressively fighting for a share of the pie. The new commercial from Exide emphatically establishes its unmatched scale, omnipresence and dominance in the category. Slice-of-life moments brought alive through a melange of emotions, potpourri of characters across cultures and diverse narratives all strung together with a melodious inspiring refrain of Look within yourself to find the light-- and where there is light, there is life (translated from Hindi) make this film human yet magical.

The film brings to life how a big brand like Exide Inverter Battery stands by even the smallest neighbourhood store, start-up business, and families - lighting up aspirations and big dreams, epitomising the credo of noblesse oblige that defines the brand. It applauds human achievement, the joy of living, celebrates warmth, laughter, caring, and fellow feeling and presents Exide Inverter Battery as a brand that spreads happiness by empowering people and brightening their lives.

Commenting on the film, Vijay Jacob, Sr. VP & Managing Partner, Wunderman Thompson Kolkata, said, If there is one brand that can truly claim a national presence and recognition, it is Exide. It has undisputed leadership not just is sales but also in consumers minds. The film captures a cross-section of India and Indians as Exide brightens up their lives  literally and metaphorically. And in turn, brightens the future of India. It is emotional, it has scale. It is the language of a leader.

Arjun Mukherjee, VP& ECD, Wunderman Thompson, Kolkata, who conceptualised and scripted the film, added, The challenge for us was to throw light on a leader in a way, thats full of empathy, joy and exuberance. An idea brought alive by little every day moments that not only brighten up our life but lifts the spirit of this nation as a whole.

Created by Wunderman Thompson and directed by Shlok Sharma from Absolute Productions the campaign was released on 1st April, 2021 and is running on leading national & regional TV channels as well as on digital media.

Credits:

Vijay Jacob, Senior VP and Managing Partner

Planning

Pinaki Bhattacharya, SVP and National Planning Director

Rishabh Parikh, Planning Director

Creative

Arjun Mukherjee, VP and Executive Creative Director

Anurag Acharya, Creative Director (Copy)

Diptanshu Roy, Senior Creative Director

Sourish Mitra, Creative Supervisor

Account Management

Tania Sinha, AVP & Client Services Director

Sreemoyee Chakraborty, Account Director
A mobile phone user logs into Uber's app with an Uber Taxi in the background. Courtesy of Uber



Uber, Google seek to capitalize on country's advanced IT infrastructure



By Kim Bo-eun



The Korean market has become a test bed for global firms' services due to the country's advanced IT infrastructure and tech-savvy consumers.



Uber and Google are the latest companies that have partnered with local mobility services providers to test services and collect data for new businesses.



The testing is being done based on Korea's high-speed internet infrastructure, superior smartphone penetration rate and the large population density in the Seoul metropolitan area, which have led to the rapid growth of mobile-based services for hailing cabs and other forms of transportation.



Korea is one of the top countries in terms of smartphone penetration, with over 93.6 percent of the population owning a smartphone as of 2019. Data shows that 28 million people  more than half of the population  are signed up with the cab hailing apps of local firms, such as Kakao Mobility.



The country's high degree of smartphone penetration is backed by the country's 5G network, which Korea first commercialized worldwide in April 2019.



Uber entered the local market in 2013, offering its conventional ride-sharing service, but pulled out after little success. This time, Uber has partnered with the mobility services unit of SK Telecom (SKT), T Map Mobility, to set up a new firm. T Map is SKT's version of Google Maps, the dominant navigation system used by over 50 percent of drivers here.



Uber's former director of Korea operations, Tom White, heads the joint venture, UT, which was launched April 1. Uber invested 114.7 billion won ($100 million) into the new entity, securing 51 percent of the company's shares; and separately invested $50 million into T Map Mobility.



"Uber's technology will be backed by T Map's base of 13 million users as well as 200,000 taxi drivers," a T Map Mobility official said. "Given Korea's advanced infrastructure as well as consumers who are comfortable using mobile-based apps and tend to be early adapters, global firms can use the market as a test bed for new services. It will be meaningful if the services prove to be successful here."



The official added that the data that is accumulated through operating a mobility business here could also be applied to other models.



In the longer term, UT is also seeking to launch a business in flying vehicles, according to business plans that have been submitted to the authorities  Uber is set to work with T Map Mobility in developing services for urban air mobility vehicles. SKT CEO Park Jung-ho earlier stated his plans for the company to enable passengers to move between Seoul and areas in Gyeonggi Province within 30 minutes. T Map is likely to set up a data system for the new means of transport.





A futuristic image of a self-driving vehicle / gettyimagesbank
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VIENNA  Officials from five world powers began a new effort Tuesday to try to bring the United States back into the foundering 2015 nuclear deal they signed with Iran, a delicate diplomatic dance that needs to balance the concerns and interests of both Washington and Tehran.

The meeting in Vienna of envoys from Russia, China, Germany, France, Britain and Iran came as the U.S. was due to start its own indirect talks with Iran. It would be one of the first signs of tangible progress in efforts to return both nations to the accord, which restricted Irans nuclear program in return for relief from U.S. and international sanctions.

Following the closed meetings of the signatories to the deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Russias delegate, Mikhail Ulyanov, tweeted that the initial talks were successful.

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The restoration of JCPOA will not happen immediately. It will take some time. How long? Nobody knows, he wrote. The most important thing after todays meeting of the Joint Commission is that practical work towards achieving this goal has started.

In 2018, then-President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. unilaterally out of the accord, opting for what he called a maximum-pressure campaign involving restored and additional American sanctions.

Since then, Iran has been steadily violating restrictions in the deal, like the amount of enriched uranium that it can stockpile and the purity to which it can be enriched. Tehrans moves have been calculated to pressure the other nations in the deal to do more to offset crippling U.S. sanctions reimposed under Trump.

U.S. President Joe Biden, who was vice president under Barack Obama when the original deal was negotiated, has said he wants to bring the U.S. back into the JCPOA but that Iran must reverse its violations.

Iran argues that the U.S. violated the deal first with its withdrawal, so Washington has to take the first step by lifting sanctions.

Following the meeting in Vienna, Iranian state television quoted Irans negotiator, Abbas Araghchi, as reiterating that message during the opening round of talks.

Lifting U.S. sanctions is the first and the most necessary action for reviving the deal, Araghchi was quoted as saying. Iran is fully ready to reverse its activities and return to complete implementation of the deal immediately after it is verified sanctions are lifted.

At the meeting, participants agreed to establish two expert-level groups, one on the lifting of sanctions and one on nuclear issues, which were tasked to identify concrete measures to be taken by Washington and Tehran to restore full implementation of JCPOA, Ulyanov tweeted.

They are to start work immediately, and report their conclusions to the main negotiators.

The ultimate goal of the deal is to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear bomb, something it insists it doesnt want to do. Iran now has enough enriched uranium to make a bomb, but nowhere near the amount it had before the nuclear deal was signed.

In the latest announced violation, Behrouz Kamalvandi, a spokesman for Irans civilian nuclear program, said officials had begun mechanical testing of an IR-9 prototype centrifuge. That centrifuge would enrich uranium 50 times faster than the IR-1s allowed under the accord, he said, according to the semi-official ISNA news agency.

The clock is ticking on trying to get the U.S. back into the deal, with the goal of returning Iran to compliance, with a number of issues to consider.

In late February, Iran began restricting international inspections of its nuclear facilities, but under a last-minute deal worked out during a trip to Tehran by Rafael Grossi, the head of the Vienna-based U.N. atomic watchdog, some access was preserved.

Under the agreement, Iran will no longer share surveillance footage of its nuclear facilities with the IAEA but it has promised to preserve the tapes for three months. It will then hand them over to the IAEA if it is granted sanctions relief. Otherwise, Iran has vowed to erase the recordings, narrowing the window for a diplomatic breakthrough.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in March also urged the U.S. to act quickly, noting that as his countrys June elections approach, Washington will find itself dealing with a government unable to make progress in the nuclear talks.

In addition, one of the JCPOAs major so-called sunset clauses, a United Nations arms embargo on Iran, expired last year and others are set to expire in the coming years.

The small window for negotiation will make it even more difficult for the U.S. to try to bring new concerns into the deal, such as Irans regional influence and its ballistic missile program.

Though not taking part in the JCPOA talks, a U.S. delegation headed by the administrations special envoy for Iran, Rob Malley was also in the Austrian capital.

State Department spokesman Ned Price said the delegation was there to hold talks structured around the working groups being formed by the Europeans.

Price said Monday the talks are a healthy step forward but added that we dont anticipate an early or immediate breakthrough, as these discussions, we fully expect, will be difficult.

We dont anticipate at present that there will be direct talks with Iran, he said. Though of course we remain open to them. And so well have to see how things go.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday there was value to having U.S. diplomats on the ground in Vienna even though they wont be in direct talks with Iran.

I think its important to convey to our partners  that we believe diplomacy is the best step forward, Psaki said.

Zarif on Friday reiterated Irans position that no additional talks on the JCPOA are needed, since the deal and its parameters have already been negotiated.

No Iran-US meeting. Unnecessary, he tweeted.

The JCPOA Joint Commission was expected to meet again Friday, and in the meantime, Enrique Mora, the European Union official who chaired the talks, said he would be reaching out individually to all sides.

As coordinator I will intensively separate contacts here in Vienna with all relevant parties, including U.S., he tweeted.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric, asked for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reaction to the meetings, said: We welcome all of these efforts by the JCPOA participants  to hold constructive dialogue. We hope this is a first step in the right direction.



Associated Press writers Geir Moulson in Berlin, Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations and Amir Vahdat in Tehran, Iran, contributed.
[April 06, 2021] Jacobs Mango One Satellite on Orbit, Laying Pathway for Next Generation, Affordable Space Solutions

DALLAS, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacobs (NYSE:J) began a new era of advanced, affordable space radar payloads with its Mango One satellite achieving a successful on-orbit performance. On Jan. 24, 2021, Jacobs' Mango One satellite was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 Transporter One rideshare mission to a sun synchronous orbit. Mango One has successfully completed payload checkout and begun performing radio frequency (RF) survey missions using the modular and scalable Jacobs next generation active electronically scanned arrays (AESA) and advanced RF payload control electronics. Additional demonstrations of radar and communications capabilities will continue. Successful on-orbit performance is another major step in Jacobs' strategic vision as an aerospace and defense prime space payload hardware and software provider of affordable, commercial space based AESAs. Leveraging capabilities from the acquisition of KeyW, Jacobs brings over 25 years of airborne and terrestrial RF synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and moving target indication (MTI) payload hardware and processing. "The Mango One on-orbit operations and demonstration of highly capable and affordable space solutions is another example of Jacobs delivering innovative technologies that enable our customer's mission," said Jacobs Critical Mission Solutions Senior Vice President Steve Arnette. "These solutions are a key component of the successful integration of Jacobs and KeyW, bringing even more unique and differentiated mission-focused capabilities in the rapidly evolving space sector." By leveraging the multi-billion-dollar commercial investment in 5G technology and tailoring it to meet the critical mission needs of both government and commercial customers, Jacobs is reducing the cost of space radar by 50% compared to that of legacy space radar systems. To meet market demand, the use of state-of-the-art advanced commercial manufacturing processes allows Jacobs to rapidly scale capacity and insert leading-edge technology. At Jacobs, we're challengingtoday to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good. With $14 billion in revenue and a talent force of approximately 55,000, Jacobs provides a full spectrum of professional services including consulting, technical, scientific and project delivery for the government and private sector. Visit jacobs.com and connect with Jacobs on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.



Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking statements as such term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided by the same. Statements made in this release that are not based on historical fact are forward-looking statements. We base these forward-looking statements on management's current estimates and expectations as well as currently available competitive, financial and economic data. Forward-looking statements, however, are inherently uncertain. There are a variety of factors that could cause business results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related reaction of governments on global and regional market conditions and the company's business. For a description of some additional factors that may occur that could cause actual results to differ from our forward-looking statements, see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 2, 2020, and in particular the discussions contained under Item 1 - Business; Item 1A - Risk Factors; Item 3 - Legal Proceedings; and Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended January 1, 2021, and in particular the discussions contained under Part I, Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations; Part II, Item 1 - Legal Proceedings; and Part II, Item 1A - Risk Factors, as well as the company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company is not under any duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release to conform to actual results, except as required by applicable law. For press/media inquiries:

Kerrie Sparks

214.583.8433

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jacobs-mango-one-satellite-on-orbit-laying-pathway-for-next-generation-affordable-space-solutions-301263402.html SOURCE Jacobs

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Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Russian and U.S. officials have discussed the situation in southeastern Ukraine, where a recent uptick in violence and an increased Russian troop presence across the border have heightened concerns of a widening conflict.

"We have discussed the situation in Donbass with the U.S. administration. We have exhaustively explained to the U.S. side what is happening," TASS cited him as saying.

The deputy minister explained that in the east of Ukraine there is an increasingly provocative and defiant line on the part of the Ukrainian authorities and their western patrons, led by the U.S. According to him, Washington should be concerned about the consequences of such a coordinated policy.

"I see no reason to return to this issue," Ryabkov added.

The report follows a demand a day earlier by the U.S. State Department that Moscow explain "provocations," including military movements in the region. A State Department spokesperson said yesterday that the U.S. is "open to engagement with Moscow" on the situation with Ukraine.
Bad news for anyone who has ever wondered if they were prangnet" The wonderful world of Yahoo Answers, the shining beacon that has guided us through all the trials and tribulations of the human condition, wondering if we accidentally turned our boyfriend into a vampire 

 our musings on fine dining 

 and our deepest quandaries of the afterlife 

 is finally closing its digital doors. On May 4, the unofficial home of the internet's most cursed inquires will shut down permanently after a long and sordid 16-ish-year run, according to The Verge, at which point the site's highly-cursed archives will be (thankfully) scrubbed from the internet with links to the bygone site redirecting users to the secondary search engine's homepage. Much to the disappointment of stoners everywhere looking to celebrate the upcoming holiday by throwing their most existential questions into the void, Yahoo Answers will shift to read-only mode beginning on April 20, the company noted of the closure in a statement plastered atop the forum's homepage.

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Despite this vague notote, the company elaborated further on their decision in a letter sent to active users, noting the platform's declining popularity and their intention to shift their resources to focus on products that better serve our members.
The trial of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine in children has been paused while regulators investigate reports of a rare form of blood clot among adults.

The University of Oxford said that no safety concerns have arisen from the trial itself.

But it is waiting for more information from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) before giving any more vaccinations.

Regulatory bodies from the UK, Europe and the World Health Organisation (WHO) are assessing data on the jab and a potential association with a rare form of blood clot.

The WHO and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) have confirmed they will publish findings later this week.

The University of Oxford said in a statement: Whilst there are no safety concerns in the paediatric clinical trial, we await additional information from the MHRA on its review of rare cases of thrombosis/thrombocytopaenia that have been reported in adults, before giving any further vaccinations in the trial.

Parents and children should continue to attend all scheduled visits and can contact the trial sites if they have any questions.

So far none of the Covid vaccines approved for adult use have been approved for children, with trials in children only just beginning.

Irelands Health Product Regulatory Authority has said it has received 16 reports of blood clots in people who recieved the AstraZeneca vaccine, but none were of the rare cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in the brain or one associated with low platelets, which have caused concern.

British Sage adviser Professor Calum Semple said that the decision on the trial was made out of exceptional caution and urged people to continue accepting Oxford/AstraZeneca jabs.

He told Channel 4 News: This has been done out of exceptional caution and the big story still is that for a middle-aged, slightly overweight man, such as myself, my risk of death is one in 13,000  the risk of this rare clot, which might not even be associated with the vaccine, is probably one in a million.

So Im still going to say its better to get the vaccine than not get the vaccine and we can pause and take time to carefully consider the value for children because theyre not at risk of death from Covid.

He added: If youve been called for the vaccine then youre in an age group that is very likely to benefit from the vaccine. So the bottom line is if youve been called for the vaccine I would urge you to take the vaccine.

The British Prime Minister urged the public to trust the regulator on vaccine safety.

Boris Johnson said getting the population vaccinated was the key thing, while he visited the AstraZeneca manufacturing plant in Macclesfield.

On the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, the best thing people should do is look at what the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) say, our independent regulator  thats why we have them, thats why they are independent, he said.

Their advice to people is to keep going out there, get your jab, get your second jab.

He added: The best thing of all is to vaccinate our population, get everybody out getting the jab, thats the key thing and thats what I would advocate, number one.

The MHRA is also investigating reports of a very rare and specific type of blood clot in the brain, known as cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), occurring together with low levels of platelets (thrombocytopenia) followingvaccination.

It has not confirmed when it will report its findings.

The EMAs said that its safety committee has not yet reached a conclusion and the review is currently ongoing but it is expected to announce findings on Wednesday or Thursday.

Meanwhile, experts from the WHO confirmed they were also convening a panel of experts to assess the data and will publish findings on Wednesday or Thursday.

Dr Rogerio Pinto de Sa Gaspar, director of regulation and prequalification at the WHO, said: There is no link for the moment between the vaccine and thrombolytic events with thrombocytopenia.

There are a number of committees and regulatory authorities looking at data and new data is coming every day and [they are] assessing those data.

Of course its under evaluation and we wait for some feedback from those committees in coming days and hours.

The appraisal that we have for the moment, and this is under consideration by the experts, is that the benefit-risk assessment for the vaccine is still largely positive.

He announced that the WHO will convene its Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety to examine the data.

So we expect that probably by the end of Wednesday or Thursday we might have a fresh conclusive assessment from our experts, he added.

But at the present moment we are confident that the benefits risk assessment for the vaccine is largely still positive.

The MHRA has said it identified 30 cases of rare blood clot events out of 18.1 million doses of the jab administered up to and including March 24.

There have been seven deaths among the 30 cases.

But the regulator said the benefits of the vaccine in preventing coronavirus outweigh any risks and it urged the public to continue coming forward for the jab.

MHRA chief executive Dr June Raine said: People should continue to get their vaccine when invited to do so.

Our thorough and detailed review is ongoing into reports of very rare and specific types of blood clots with low platelets following the Covid-19 vaccine AstraZeneca.

No decision has yet been made on any regulatory action.

The 30 cases in the UK include 22 reports of CVST and eight of other thrombosis events with low platelets.

CVST clots stop blood draining from the brain properly.
Masked and unmasked people in Savannah, Ga., during spring break. The CDC advises that those who are fully vaccinated should still take COVID-19 precautions like wearing a mask in public. (Photo: Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images)

Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is one important step toward a return to normalcy, but there are a few things about post-vaccination life that can feel like an adjustment for some people after months of taking precautions. One in particular may be puzzling: Why do you still need to wear a mask if you've been vaccinated?

Experts say the answer is a little more complicated than most people realize. Here's what you need to know.

What does it mean to be fully vaccinated, again?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says you are considered fully vaccinated when you meet one of the following requirements:

It's been two weeks since your second shot in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or

Its been two weeks after you had a single-dose vaccine, such as the Johnson & Johnson vaccine

If you don't meet one of those requirements, you are not yet considered fully vaccinated.

What has the CDC said about wearing a mask when you're fully vaccinated?

This is where things get a little tricky. The CDC says you should still take COVID-19 precautions like wearing a mask in the following situations:

In public

When you gather with unvaccinated people from more than one other household

When you visit with an unvaccinated person who is at increased risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19, or who lives with a person who is at increased risk

When you travel

However, the CDC says you dont need to wear a mask in the following situations:

When you're around other fully vaccinated people

When you're around unvaccinated people from one other household who are considered at low risk for severe complications from COVID-19

Video: CDC director advocates for continued mask wearing

So why do you still need to wear a mask?

Experts say there are a few different things going on. "Vaccinated people might still be able to transmit the virus," Dr. Richard Watkins, an infectious disease physician and professor of internal medicine at Northeast Ohio Medical University, tells Yahoo Life.

Story continues

In mid-March, Pfizer announced that its vaccine is 94 percent effective at preventing asymptomatic infection of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. "Although the risk is low, it isn't zero," Watkins points out.

There are also variants of COVID-19 that may be able to diminish the effectiveness of the vaccines to some degree, infectious disease expert Dr. Amesh A. Adalja, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, tells Yahoo Life. In other words, variants may increase the odds that you'll get sick if you're exposed to the virus. However, Adalja says, "there is increasingly strong evidence against that."

The vaccines aren't perfect either, Adalja points out. The Pfizer vaccine is 95% effective, the Moderna vaccine is 94.1% effective and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is 66.3% effective at preventing infection, and until more people are vaccinated and the virus is circulating less, there will continue to be a risk of contracting the virus.

But it's also just difficult, from an enforcement standpoint, to say that some people can wear masks while others can't. "You can't expect someone in, say, McDonald's to tell who is vaccinated and who is not, to enforce mask wearing," Adalja says. "It's not something that you can operationalize in a way that makes sense. It's impossible to distinguish who is vaccinated by looking at someone."

Its not entirely clear when it will be considered OK for people who are fully vaccinated to stop wearing masks, but experts say a greater portion of the population will need to be vaccinated. "These recommendations will lift once we cross some threshold, Adalja says.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CNN in early March that the U.S. shouldn't ease COVID-19 restrictions until the number of new coronavirus cases falls below 10,000 daily, and "maybe even considerably less than that." The seven-day moving average of new cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. as of April 3 was 64,001 new cases a day, per CDC data.

If the U.S. hits less than 10,000 cases of COVID-19 a day, "we will be pulling back," Fauci said in early March, adding, "We're now up to about 2 million vaccinations per day. That means every day that goes by, every week that goes by, you have more and more people protected." On Saturday, the U.S. hit a new record of administering over 4 million COVID-19 vaccine doses in one day.

Ultimately, Adalja says, mask recommendations will "probably fade away once significantly more of the population is vaccinated."

Correction: This story was originally published on April 5, 2020 at 2:23 p.m. ET and incorrectly stated the Pfizer vaccine is 94 percent effective at preventing asymptomatic transmission of SARS-CoV-2. It has been updated to reflect that the Pfizer vaccine is 94 percent effective at preventing asymptomatic infection of SARS-CoV-2.

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The on



Tuesday said the COVID-19 situation in the state was getting "out of control", and suggested a curfew or lockdown could be imposed for three to four days to break the infection chain.

Hearing a petition taken up suo motu (on its own) regarding the COVID-19 situation, a division bench of Chief Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Bhargav Karia said such a lockdown or curfew is needed to curb the spread of the virus.

Chief Justice Nath said the COVID-19 situation "is going from bad to worse and getting out of control" in Gujarat, with over 3,000 cases emerging on Monday.

He suggested that all kind of gatherings, including political functions, should be controlled or stopped.

"Urgent and serious steps need to be taken to check this. Otherwise, the COVID-19 situation will go out of hand. May be three-four days of curfew or lockdown can be imposed to check the situation at the moment," Chief Justice Nath said during an online hearing



Advocate General Kamal Trivedi informed the bench that the state government was in a "Catch-22" situation about the lockdown.

Chief Justice Nath noted that the night curfew, imposed from between 9 pm to 6 am in four major cities of Gujarat, was not proving to be effective.

"You can always open it after three-four days of curfew. But, this curfew will help, I think. Like, initially in March 2020, there was a curfew for two days, three days," Chief Justice Nath said.

To break the chain of the viral infection, Justice Karia also suggested that the government should limit the number of employees coming to offices or commercial establishments "so that less number of people come in contact" with each other.

Trivedi said he will take instructions from the state government and revert.

"Day before yesterday, the government was seriously thinking about imposing a lockdown. But, there were views that a lockdown is likely to cause misery to the poor people," the advocate general said.

"So, the government is in a 'Catch-22' situation. We are trying our level best," he informed the bench.
CHICAGO, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the new market research report "Torque Sensor Market with COVID-19 Impact Analysis by Type (Rotary Torque Sensors and Reaction Torque Sensors), Application (Automotive, Test & Measurement, Industrial, Aerospace & Defense), Technology, and Geography  Global Forecast to 2026", published by MarketsandMarkets, the Torque Sensor Market is projected to grow from USD 6.8 billion in 2021 to USD 9.0 billion by 2026; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.7% during the forecast period. Owing to COVID-19, the torque market is estimated to face headwinds for 20202021. The growth of the torque sensor market is driven by factors such as increasing demand for advanced high-performance vehicles and the growing importance of torque measurement. The electric power steering (EPS) system is one of the largest application areas of torque sensors in the automotive industry. EPS systems need high-precision torque sensors for the accurate measurement of force applied by the driver to provide the necessary feedback as steering is one of the essential parts in automobiles. Moreover, torque sensors are being increasingly used in various robotics applications, such as force-controlled processes, robotics assembly, telemanipulation, and human augmentation. The growing adoption of robotics in various applications, mainly medical (rehabilitation robotics systems, surgical robots, and others) and industrial, is likely to create lucrative opportunities for torque sensor manufacturers in the near future.

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Rotary torque sensors segment to account for larger size of torque sensor market in 2021

Reaction torque sensors are often used in equipment that are permanently mounted and have no moving parts, where measurement is limited to 360 or less. Although they are cheaper than rotary torque sensors, a majority of applications involving torque sensors involve moving and rotating parts where a rotary torque sensor is required. The rotary torque sensors find a wide range of applications, such as in automobile engine testing, drivetrain measurement, dynamometer testing, electric motor testing, and gearbox testing.

Strain gauge technology segment to dominate torque sensor market during forecast period

The most common torque sensor measurement principle utilizes bonded strain gauge technology, where the strain gauges are bonded to a suitably designed shaft. Torque sensors or transducers designed with a circular shaft and with strain gauges applied at 45 have been in use for many years. Signals produced by strain gauge torque sensors are compatible with a wide range of instruments, such as digital displays and analog and digital amplifiers. Besides, they are cost-effective compared to other torque sensors.

Automotive application to register highest share for torque sensor market in 2021

Most automobile manufacturers use torque sensors for calibrating automatic transmissions and mapping engine torque. They are used for testing clutches and gearboxes, as well as measuring strain and determining the dynamic torque within an engine. Rotary torque sensors are used for strain measurement, testing of major components, including clutch and gearboxes, and dynamic torque within the engine. Hence, their demand is high compared to reaction torque sensors. They are deployed in automotive testing as well as in manufactured vehicles. Due to the wide scope of rotary torque sensors in automotive applications, it held the largest market share in 2020. Besides, stringent emission regulations, changing buyer preference, and electrification technology are expected to have a large impact on the demand and use of torque sensors for automotive applications.

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Market in APAC estimated to have largest share during forecast period

APAC is expected to account for the largest share of the torque sensor market for various types of torque sensors throughout the forecast period. China is the largest vehicle manufacturer in the world. Japan and South Korea are also the major exporters of motor vehicles globally. Due to large-scale manufacturing and significant investments in new vehicle technologies, the automotive industry is expected to play a vital role in the growth of the torque sensor market in the region. APAC is also expected to be the largest market for industrial applications. The growing need for energy production and large-scale manufacturing of various types of goods for export are facilitating the market for torque sensors.

North America is the adversely affected region due to the pandemic. The North American automotive market witnessed a sharp decline in 2020, resulting in fewer vehicle sales despite the introduction of new vehicle models by major automobile manufacturers. Many existing and potential vehicle buyers in North America are deferring their purchases due to travel restrictions as a result of growing cases of COVID-19 across the country. Work from home policies and lower consumer confidence in purchases have led to a decline in the sale of commercial and transport vehicles. The commercial aerospace market has also been highly affected, particularly in the US. The decline in the number of passengers traveling by air has led to airlines holding out on the purchase of new aircraft. These factors are expected to lead to a decline in the overall demand for torque sensors in the region.

Major vendors in the torque sensor market include ABB (Switzerland), Crane Electronics (UK), FUTEK Advanced Sensor Technology (US), HBM (Germany), Applied Measurements (UK), Honeywell (US), Kistler Holding (Switzerland), Sensor Technology (UK), Norbar Torque Too (UK), Infineon Technologies (Germany), Teledyne Technologies (US), Datum Electronics (UK), MagCanica (US), Interface (US), AIMCO (US), TE Connectivity (Switzerland), Mountz (US), PCB Piezotronics (US), S. Himmelstein & Company (US), and Transense Technologies (UK).

Related Reports:

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Acoustic Wave Sensor Market by Type (Surface Acoustic Wave, Bulk Acoustic Wave), Device (Resonator, Delay Line), Sensing Parameter (Temperature, Pressure, Humidity), Vertical (Military, Automotive, Industrial) and Geography - Global Forecast to 2023

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New Delhi, April 6 : A steep increase in coal plant development in China offset a retreat from coal in the rest of the world in 2020, resulting in the first increase in global coal capacity development since 2015, a new report led by Global Energy Monitor (GEM) said on Tuesday.

In India, coal power capacity rose by just 0.7 gigawatts (GW) in 2020, with 2 GW commissioned and 1.3 GW retired.

In total, China was home to 85 per cent of the 87.4 GW of proposed new coal plants in 2020.

The report, Boom and Bust 2021: Tracking The Global Coal Plant Pipeline, is the seventh annual survey of the global coal plant pipeline.

A record-tying 37.8 GW of coal plants were retired in 2020, led by the US with 11.3 GW and the European Union with 10.1 GW.

President Trump's promised coal boom was a bust as US coal plant retirements during Trump's four-year term rose to 52.4 GW, exceeding the 48.9 GW retired during President Obama's second term.

China commissioned 38.4 GW of new coal plants in 2020, comprising 76 per cent of the global total (50.3 GW).

Outside China, 11.9 GW was commissioned and, taking into account closures, the global coal fleet outside China declined by 17.2 GW in 2020 -- the third year in a row that coal power capacity outside China shrank.

Outside China, the coal plant development pipeline is collapsing in Asia, as Bangladesh, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia have announced plans to cut up to 62.0 GW of planned coal power.

GEM estimates the policies will leave 25.2 GW of coal power capacity remaining in pre-construction planning in the four countries -- an 80 per cent decline from the 125.5 GW planned there just five years ago in 2015.

Globally, commissioning of new plants fell to 50.3 GW in 2020, a decline of 34 per cent from 2019, as projects in development struggled to obtain financing and many projects were delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

New construction starts fell five per cent from 28.3 GW in 2019 to 27 GW in 2020. However, outside of China, new construction starts fell by 74 per cent, from 21.1 GW in 2019 to 5.5 GW in 2020.

"In 2020, we saw country after country make announcements to cut the amount of coal power in their future energy plans," said Christine Shearer, GEM's Coal Program Director.

"We are very likely seeing the last coal plants in planning throughout most of the world." "Dozens of new coal power projects, equal to the total coal power capacity of Germany and Poland combined, were announced last year in China," said Lauri Myllyvirta, CREA's lead analyst.

"These projects are a key test of the country's pledge to peak emissions before 2030 and reach carbon neutrality before 2060. Cancelling them would put the country on track to the low-carbon development the leadership says it wants to pursue."

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Today Extra host Sylvia Jeffreys and her husband, Sky News anchor Peter Stefanovic, have welcomed their second child.

Sylvia, 34, announced the news on Wednesday morning by posting two pictures of the couple's newborn on Instagram.

She also revealed they have named their bundle of joy Henry George Stefanovic.

Baby joy: Today Extra host Sylvia Jeffreys and her husband, Sky News anchor Peter Stefanovic, have welcomed their second child, a boy named Henry George Stefanovic

'Henry, our gorgeous, healthy little boy makes us a family of four. His proud parents couldn't be happier,' Sylvia wrote on Instagram, alongside photos of Henry wrapped in a colourful hospital blanket.

'His big brother is learning to be gentle. Big love all around,' she added.

The news was also announced on the Today show, with Peter's brother Karl Stefanovic sharing the news alongside stand-in co-host Leila McKinnon.

'The Today show family has grown by one. This is very good news,' Karl said.

'Henry, our gorgeous, healthy little boy makes us a family of four': Sylvia, 34, announced the news on Wednesday morning by posting two pictures of the couple's newborn on Instagram

'The Today show family has grown by one': The news was also announced on the Today show, with Peter's brother Karl Stefanovic (left) sharing the news alongside co-host Leila McKinnon

Leila added: 'Today Extra host Sylvia Jeffreys has given birth to a beautiful baby boy, Henry George Stefanovic. Well done, guys.'

'My ovaries are bursting!' Karl joked, which Leila replied: 'I'm lactating!'

Proud uncle Karl said his baby nephew was born on Easter Saturday, weighing 3.5kg.

'Mum is doing fantastic, I spoke to my bro, too... he was downing a Rockford Basket Press [a shiraz] at the time and enjoying being a father again,' Karl said.

Last year, Sylvia and Peter welcomed their first son, Oscar Hamilton, now one.

Baby makes four! Last year, Sylvia and Peter welcomed their first son, Oscar Hamilton

New addition: Just eight months after Oscar's birth, the Channel Nine presenter revealed she was pregnant with her second child

Just eight months after Oscar's birth, the Channel Nine presenter revealed she was pregnant with her second child.

Earlier this month, Sylvia went on maternity leave.

She shared a picture of herself next to newsreader and fellow mother-to-be Jayne Azzopardi, as they both cradled their bumps while posing in the Nine newsroom.

Sylvia wrote in the caption: 'My last day at work = last chance for a bump comparison with @jayneazzo. How did we get here so fast? (Hint: 2 x turbo toddlers).'

Baby on board: Earlier this month, Sylvia went on maternity leave. She shared this picture of herself next to newsreader and fellow mother-to-be Jayne Azzopardi, as they both cradled their bumps while posing in the Nine newsroom

Their special day: Last week, Sylvia and Peter celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary. Pictured here on their wedding day

Last week, Sylvia and Peter celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary.

'Four years married to my favourite mate. Happy anniversary, Peter,' Sylvia wrote on Instagram, alongside a gallery of photos from their nuptials.

Meanwhile, Peter shared a photo from their first dance as husband and wife, and captioned it: 'Four years. What a blast of time - of love and laughs it's been. Happy anniversary.'

Pregnancy journey: The TV personality conceived her first son Oscar (pictured) via IVF, but has said her second pregnancy was 'spontaneous'

Sylvia conceived her first son Oscar via IVF, but has said her second pregnancy was 'spontaneous'.

'We hadn't planned to go down that path so soon, but having had not an entirely easy path the first time around you can't be anything but thankful and grateful to have fallen pregnant this way,' she told The Australian Women's Weekly.

She said many people had advised her against having boys 15 months apart, but she insisted they wouldn't have it any other way.

'I know it will be a lot to keep up with two turbo little boys, but for now I'm just embracing the beautiful chaos,' Sylvia added.
By Ling Yunzhi

March 29 marks the fifth anniversary of the implementation of Japan's Legislation for Peace and Security (commonly known as the new security bill) that is aimed at lifting the ban on Japan's exercise of the right of collective defense and allowing the Japan Self-defence Forces (JSDF) to conduct military operations at home and abroad in a greater scope.

Japan-US military integration increases the risk of war

Since the new security bill was adopted five years ago, JSDF has continuously expanded its overseas military operations scope. On the excuse of facing more complicated security threats, Japan has been exaggerating the deterioration of external security environment, increasing its military expenditure year by year, purchasing more high-performance weapons, and carrying out frequent military drills with surrounding countries. All these actions run counter to the spirit of the Peace Constitution.

The implementation of the new security bill leaves the Peace Constitution that commits Japan to giving up war and prohibits its exercise of the right to collective defense an empty shell, and even boosts the JSDFs cooperation with American military both in peacetime and wartime. It enables Japan, as a US accomplice, to engage more deeply in regional and world affairs and turns it into a country that can step into global military conflicts and disputes any time. Thus, the possibility of it participating in a war is largely increasing.

According to public reports, JSDF, on the grounds that escorting US vessels and military aircraft has been included in the security bill, carried out joint military operations with US military up to 25 times in 2020, setting a new record in history.

Besides, JSDF continues to provide maritime fueling service for US Navys Aegis combat ship that is tasked with guarding against ballistic missiles from DPRK, and the two latest Maya-class 10,000-ton destroyers are equipped with interoperability systems that can share information with American warplanes and warships in a real-time manner. All these have doubtlessly paved the way for military integration between Tokyo and Washington.

As their military integration keeps deepening, JSDF will step into the international military stage and carry out military interventions in the name of exercising the right to collective defense. At that time, Japan will again become an aggressive nation that is more easily bound by Americas global strategy and more closely following it in randomly using force worldwide, posing a greater risk to itself being embroiled into a war.

Japan-US military integration will be further intensified

Given the US-Japan relation after WWII, their military integration is based on mutual agreement as they each stand to gain from the relation. Washington, in consideration for its own interests and its global and Asian-Pacific strategy, has always hoped that JSDF could play a bigger role and bear more responsibilities in the security domain, so that it could become American militarys main assistant in East Asia, so to speak. Meanwhile, deepening the defense cooperation with Japan can drive a wedge among regional countries and keep them constantly on edge about regional security, which just forms US's Asian version of NATO in the region.

After Biden took office, Washington has attached great importance to its allies and partners, and one of its main policies is to give maximum play to their strengths. To that end, it has recently stepped up efforts to rope in the Asian-Pacific allies by sending senior military and government officials to visit Japan and ROK in March, and by holding a video conference of the Quad cooperation mechanism comprising the US, Japan, Australia and India, in the endeavor to expand military alliance in the region.

On the other hand, the evolving military integration between Japan and the US will make the former more reliant on the latter to some extent. Washington is the dominant side in the bilateral military cooperation, and any reinforcement of the cooperation will make the US have more power in Japan.

Going forward, the cooperation mode of Japanese and American militaries will shift from each commanding its own troops to joint operation in an more integrated manner. The military integration and interoperability will be further deepened, as well.

Disclaimer: This article is originally published on The Paper, and is translated from Chinese into English and edited by the China Military Online. The information, ideas or opinions appearing in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn.
A woman has given birth to her boss's baby after agreeing to become her surrogate when she saw her struggle to become a mother.

Caitlin Cotton, 28, from Alderney, Channel Islands, who is mother to Imogen, six, and Max, five, offered to be the surrogate for her boss, Kate Postlethwaite, 37, after she suffered three losses, including a stillbirth and a miscarriage.

Digital marketing assistant Caitlin, who works for Kate at digital media company Dot Com Limited, was aware of her boss's struggle and desperation to have a baby and wanted to help.

Caitlin says she jumped at the chance to help when Kate asked if she would be her surrogate in 2019.

Caitlin Cotton, 28, (pictured left) who lives in Alderney, Channel Islands, offered to be a surrogate for Kate Postlethwaite, 37, (pictured right)

Kate (pictured) asked Caitlin to be her surrogate after being left heartbroken by three losses - including a stillbirth at 32 weeks

Caitlin, who is a digital marketing assistant at the same company as Kate, said she was aware of her boss's fertility struggles while working together. Pictured: Caitlin pregnant with Kate's son

Kate, who is a digital marketing manager at digital media company Dot Com Limited, is now the proud mother of one-year-old Joey, who was born on 13 February 2020.

'My other colleagues often laugh and say that I've gone a bit overboard to be "employee of the month," Caitlin explained. 'I do laugh it off as it's not everyday that you're your boss's surrogate.'

'I was aware of Kate's struggle and as I was more than happy to help.'

Kate revealed she hadn't considered surrogacy despite her fertility struggles, until 2019.

'The idea of surrogacy had never really been on my radar,' Kate said. 'But when I did start thinking about it, I couldn't get it out of my head. I started airing the idea at work.

Caitlin said her colleagues joke that she's gone 'a bit overboard to be "employee of the month."' Pictured: Caitlin with her children, Max and Imogen

Kate said when she began thinking about surrogacy, she couldn't get the idea out of her head. Pictured: Pregnancy test

Kate said she may have been subconsciously hinting to Caitlin to be her surrogate, but it took courage to ask her. Pictured: Scan pictures of Joey

'Looking back, I think I may have been subconsciously hinting towards Caitlin, but at first I thought it was far too intense to ask her.

'But one day, I plucked up the courage and I asked her - to my surprise, she agreed.'

During their sit down discussion, Caitlin said she would be more than happy to carry a baby for Kate.

Kate continued: 'It was scary watching Caitlin's tummy gradually appear above the office desk and think, oh my, that's my baby in there!

'I am the opposite of Caitlin. I am a complete overthinker and I was constantly terrified of something bad happening.

Kate admits it was scary watching Caitlin's stomach grow throughout her pregnancy and she constantly feared something bad would happen. Pictured: Kate and Joey

Kate said Caitlin (pictured right) has completely changed her life by giving birth to Joey and she 'can't believe' he's here

Kate added Caitlin has become like family rather than a friend, claiming she would do 'anything in the world' for her. Pictured: Caitlin with Joey

'After what we'd been through, it makes you feel as though pregnancy is as delicate as a snow flake so it makes you worry so much more.

WHAT ARE THE LAWS ON SURROGACY? The laws of surogacy differ from country to country. In the US the laws suffer from state to state; some states have written legislation while others have common laws stemming from court decisions. For example, California is accepting of surrogacy agreements and upholds agreements that include LGBT people. However, others are stricter, like Michigan, which forbids absolutely all surrogacy agreements, and fines people $500,000 for entering into agreements. In the UK surrogates are the legal mother of any child they carry, unless they sign a parental order transferring their rights to the intended parents when they give birth. The birth mother always has the right to keep her child, even if they are not genetically related. Its illegal to pay a surrogate in the UK, except for medical expenses. Advertisement

'But Caitlin was amazing, she made me feel so much better.

'She has completely changed my life by giving me my baby boy, Joey, now one. I just can't believe we done this and here is here.

'Caitlin is more like my family now rather than my friend, I would do anything in the world for her.

'I am so grateful that she gave me the greatest gift.'

Kate and her partner at the time, Matt, who is also Joey's dad, suffered her first loss in 2016 after she had to terminate her pregnancy due to her baby being too unwell.

In early 2018, Kate fell pregnant again but devastatingly had a stillbirth at 32 weeks.

After falling pregnant for the third time towards the end of 2018, she then had a miscarriage at 13 weeks pregnant.

Kate's desire to become a mother grew stronger following the three losses and she was gobsmacked when Caitlin agreed to be her surrogate.

She added: 'I was so happy that Caitlin was willing to do this and I wasn't going to have to go through an agency in the UK.

'There are so many horror stories to read online.

'I knew Caitlin well, and I trusted her. We also live very close to each other so we were able to see each other a lot during the pregnancy.

'The whole process went so smoothly, it all seemed far too easy. It all just worked the first time. The next thing we knew, Caitlin was pregnant.

'In the space of 12 months and one day, we had gone from our first IVF appointment to Joey being born.'

Kate suffered her first loss in 2016 when she had to terminate her pregnancy due to her baby being poorly. Pictured: Caitlin pregnant in hospital

Kate (pictured) suffered a stillbirth at 32 weeks in 2018 and after falling pregnant for a third time tragically had a miscarriage

Kate said she's glad that she didn't have to go through an agency, especially after reading horror stories online. Pictured: Kate with Joey

Having had two easy pregnancies with her own kids, Caitlin says that her pregnancy for Joey was also very straight forward.

Kate explained that Caitlin was induced at 40 weeks as she couldn't wait any longer.

She added: 'I was so anxious I felt like I couldn't breathe towards the end, I just wanted the baby to be born.

'In hindsight, I feel really guilty about this, as Caitlin hadn't ever had any medical intervention before.

'When we were told Joey was about to be born, I had to leave the room and cry.

Kate (pictured left) said she was so anxious when Caitlin (pictured right) was induced at 40 weeks and felt like she couldn't breathe towards the end

Kate said she was in 'disbelief' when Joey (pictured) was handed to her and it was the first time she had seen a newborn alive

'I couldn't believe it was about to happen and I just had to move past everything that happened.

'I went back into the room for when Joey was actually born.

'When he was handed to me it was such a shocking experience, I was in complete disbelief.

'I had never seen an alive newborn before, I'd never had this experience.

'But it was amazing and so incredible.

'Looking at my baby for the first time was wonderful.

Caitlin said although she had mentally dethatched herself from Joey, she was aware that there could be some physical attachment. Pictured: Caitlin with her children

'I stared at him for hours on end. I didn't want to leave him and go to sleep because I was so scared of something bad happening to him.

'I still feel quite terrified now, and he is a 13-month-old healthy and strong baby.'

Caitlin says that all the way through her pregnancy she was aware of the fact there could be some physical attachment, although she had mentally detached herself.

Kate says being a new mum is hard but incredible, especially after splitting with his dad when he was six months old.

She added: 'I love just watching him grow every day and doing things like getting his words together. He is the cutest and brightest baby on the planet.

'There is something very special about him.

'I would love to go through the experience again and give Joey a sibling.

'Surrogacy has been such a positive experience for us, I have learnt so much and I would know what to expect next time so I could probably actually enjoy it more rather than worrying.

'Caitlin is just the most amazing person and such an amazing surrogate. I would do anything in the world for her.'

Kate said being a new mother is hard, especially as she separated from Joey's father when he was six months old. Pictured: Kate with Joey
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  The first Albuquerque City Council meeting of the spring was a relatively short one, clocking in at under two hours.

With Council President Cynthia Borrego and Klarissa Pena both absent, the council took final action on just one bill: Councilor Isaac Bentons proposed moratorium on new residential parking permit areas.

Residential parking permit area is the citys term for places where on-street parking is limited to residents with city-issued permits. Neighborhoods can petition the city for the designation as long as 51% of people living on the affected street support the restrictions.

Until now, the RPPAs were mostly concentrated around the University of New Mexico campus and Downtown. But the city Parking Division recently approved converting two North Valley streets near the Rio Grande bosque, sparking criticism. People who live in the area have complained about an influx of outsiders causing traffic congestion and other problems, but critics say the new restrictions on Trellis Drive and Decker Road are reducing public bosque access and setting a bad precedent.

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Councilor Isaac Benton  who represents that section of the North Valley  has said he is concerned that the process for essentially privatizing public streets via RPPAs is not well defined in city ordinance. He is proposing a broader set of criteria for the city Parking Division to consider before granting neighborhood RPPA requests. But amending city ordinance can take a while, so on Monday he proposed a resolution to temporarily stop the Parking Division from enforcing the Trellis/Decker restrictions and from creating any new RPPAs.

This is the kind of thing that if it happens in your district, youve got to deal with it whether you want to or not, Benton said, though he noted RPPAs have not typically caused issues in the past.

His resolution passed on a 7-0 vote.

The moratorium is in place until the city enacts related ordinance updates or for six months, whichever is sooner.

The citys lobbying team was behind one of the meetings longest discussions, providing updates on how the city has benefitted  and will continue benefitting  from federal COVID-19 stimulus and how it would attempt to get additional dollars through the congressional earmarking process.

They also recapped how the New Mexico Legislatures recent decisions would play out in Albuquerque.

Lobbyist Joe Thompson said this years capital outlay bill included over $42 million for the city of Albuquerque, but noted that Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham still has a few days to review  and potentially veto  line items in the program.

The council postponed a decision on adding local pastor Richard Johnson to the Civilian Police Oversight Board, as council staff noted that the city had not yet completed the required background check. Johnson has been recommended to fill one of three vacancies on the nine-member board.

In other council action:

 The ABQ BioPark will get some totem poles, didgeridoos and more as part of a new $555,000 contract the council approved with Mondays consent agenda.

The city is paying Boomalli Consulting out of the Australian city of Dubbo to create art and artifacts for the zoos upcoming Australia exhibit. The work entails murals and a series of artifacts, including six totem poles, six styles of didgeridoo, two traditional headpieces, two boomerang collections, five emu callers and two battle shields.

Allan McKenzie, Boomallis owner, is a proud Gamilaroi/Wiradjuri artist who is well known for his highly detailed and vibrant artwork, his knowledge, respect and capacity to teach and develop cultural connection and appreciation through his suite of workshops, city officials wrote in documents provided to the city council.

 Citing COVID-19 and increased usage, the city is spending far more than anticipated on the employee counseling services provided through a Presbyterian Health Plan contract.

As part of the consent agenda, the council approved Mayor Tim Kellers request to increase the five-year contract to $1.1 million from its original value of $455,143.

Following the COVID-19 outbreak, City employee use of (Employee Assistance Program) services has nearly doubled, intakes continue to increase and follow-up appointments have seen a steady two-fold increase between March 2020 and January 2020, the new agreement says.
The heartland rejects an idea for one of the strictest restrictions of movement against Americans in our nation's history.

Considering that international travelers likely wouldn't have to meet these same requirements, the rejection is understandable.

Read more . . .
SUNY's announcement came on the same day New York opened eligibility to all residents age 16 and older. Adults age 18 and older can get any of the three approved vaccines, but only the Pfizer vaccine has been approved for 16- and 17-year-olds.

More than 350,000 SUNY students were sent emails reminding them of their eligibility. The messages include links to vaccine facts, directions for making a vaccination appointment and health guidelines.

With college-aged residents eligible for the vaccine, SUNY issued a reminder about social media campaigns to encourage all students to get vaccinated. Students can post a photo or video with the hashtags #ItsYourTurn and #KnowYourVax. The goal of the campaigns is to address misinformation about the vaccine.

SUNY is also asking students to share why they're getting vaccinated. Katie Prior, a student at the Fashion Institute of Technology, said she received the vaccine because she wants to be back on campus in the fall.

"I want to be able to see my friends safely, and I want to be able to attend my classes in person so I can get the hands-on learning that I've been missing," Prior said.
Global Leader in Health and Productivity Risk Management Expands Carebook's Global Reach

Acquisition Financed through Closing of C$11 Million Credit Facilities with Leading Canadian Schedule 1 Bank

MONTREAL, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Carebook Technologies Inc. ("Carebook" or the "Company") (TSXV: CRBK) (OTCPK: CRBKF) (XETR: PMM1), a leading Canadian digital health company offering innovative digital health and virtual care solutions for pharmacies, employers and insurers, is pleased to announce the closing of its previously announced acquisition of InfoTech Inc., doing business as Wellness Checkpoint ("InfoTech"). InfoTech (previously referred to as TargetCo in news releases issued by Carebook), founded by Zorianna Hyworon and based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, is a recognized global leader in health and productivity risk management. InfoTech's proprietary software platform Wellness Checkpoint, IP and metrics are supported by advanced analytics and focus on employees' physical health, mental health and well-being, and their impact on work and business effectiveness.

A Canadian company with a global reach, InfoTech developed the first online, interactive health risk assessment, Wellness Checkpoint. Wellness Checkpoint has grown to serve close to one million employees and has evolved into a multilingual, web-based service used by many Fortune 500 companies in over 100 countries. Delivered as an online, multilingual (26 languages and counting), global hosted Software as a Service, Wellness Checkpoint seamlessly integrates into the business fabric of health, benefits, HR and risk management. Representative clients include multinational companies in the financial, technology, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and resources sectors, many of whom are long-term clients.

InfoTech is profitable and will be immediately accretive to Carebook. The combined unaudited trailing twelve-month revenue of Carebook's and InfoTech's operations would have been $7.7 million as of September 30, 2020.

The total purchase price for the acquisition is C$14 million on a cash free and debt free basis, consisting of a combination of C$9 million in cash and C$5 million in common shares of Carebook ("Carebook Shares") at a price of C$1.21 per Carebook Share. The purchase price is subject to customary post-closing adjustments for working capital, transaction expenses and net debt. The cash portion of the purchase price for the acquisition of InfoTech is being financed by the recently disclosed C$11 million debt financing (the "Financing") with a leading Canadian Schedule 1 bank and one of its affiliates (together, the "Lenders"), consisting of a C$7 million revolving term facility and a C$4 million non-revolving term loan facility, as more fully described below.

"We are thrilled to welcome InfoTech into the Carebook family," commented Pascale Audette, CEO of Carebook. "I am particularly looking forward to working with the Company's highly regarded team. Combining InfoTech's global and dynamic operations with those of Carebook will allow us to leverage the Wellness Checkpoint platform and blue-chip customer base with Carebook's core engagement platform. The combination of Carebook's wellness and virtual care platform with InfoTech's corporate health and well-being expertise will drive significant revenue growth. We have identified multiple opportunities that can accelerate the combined entity's growth over the next twelve months. This acquisition positions Carebook for overall growth on a global basis in the employer vertical."

"We look forward to joining the Carebook team so that we may accomplish great things together." commented Zorianna Hyworon, Founder, President & CEO of InfoTech. "My personal and business mission has always been to support employers globally in making informed risk management decisions with a broader view of risk that encompasses physical, psychological and organizational factors that impact health, well-being, productivity and effectiveness. Working with Carebook, a company also rooted in science and with a like-minded, people-centric vision, presents an opportunity for more innovation, more engagement, and more growth globally."

Carebook is pleased to announce that it has secured the following credit facilities from the Lenders, which have enabled it to complete the acquisition:

C$7 million revolving term facility (the " Revolving Facility "); and

revolving term facility (the " "); and C$4 million non-revolving term loan facility (the "Term Loan Facility", and together, the "Credit Facilities").

Under the conditions of the agreement governing the Credit Facilities (the "Credit Agreement"), the Revolving Facility will be available for a one year committed term, renewable annually, and bears interest at CDOR plus a variable margin for Canadian variable rate loans. The initial margin will be 8.0% and will be reduced to 4.50% after completion of certain milestones, and further reduced to 3.25% from completion of the Offering (as defined below). The Revolving Facility is subject to a borrowing base equal to six times the monthly recurring revenues of Carebook and its subsidiaries, minus all amounts which could give rise to a claim which ranks or is capable of ranking in priority to the Lenders' security or otherwise in priority to any claim by the Lenders for repayment of any amounts owing under the Credit Agreement. The amount available under the Revolving Facility will be decreased to C$4 million upon the earlier of: (i) August 6, 2021 and (ii) completion of the Offering.

The Term Loan Facility will mature on April 6, 2022 and bears interest at CDOR plus a margin of 4.50% for Canadian variable rate loans and will be fully drawn to complete the acquisition of InfoTech.

Borrowings under the Credit Facilities may be in either Canadian dollars or U.S. dollars at Carebook's election. Interest on the Credit Facilities is payable monthly in arrears.

The Financing is to be secured by a first-ranking security interest in all of the present and future property and assets of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries. In connection with the Financing, Carebook has agreed, subject to acceptance by the Exchange, to issue to the Lenders 417,646 warrants to purchase Carebook Shares. Each such warrant will entitle the Lenders to purchase, on or before April 6, 2022, one Carebook Share at an exercise price of C$1.22, or as otherwise determined and permitted in accordance with the policies of the TSXV rules. The warrants, and the Carebook Shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants, will be subject to a restriction on resale for a period of 4 months and 1 day following the issuance of the warrants. The issuance of the warrants to the Lenders is subject to prior approval of the TSXV.

In addition to financing the acquisition, Carebook plans to use the proceeds of the Financing to finance the working capital needs and for general corporate purposes of the Company. Pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, Carebook has undertaken to complete, within 120 days following the Closing Date, an offering of Carebook Shares (the "Offering") up to $11M in equity, or a lesser amount dependent on certain events.

About Carebook Technologies

Our core is science. Our solutions are accessible. Our mission is to empower people.

Built on a powerful health platform, Carebook creates highly engaging, customer-centric digital solutions for pharmacies, insurance providers, individuals, governments and employers. Based in Montreal and led by a world-class team and Board with extensive global business and healthcare industry experience, Carebook's core is science and technology, its philosophy is people-first, and its goal is accessible, connected health for everyone. Carebook recently listed on the TSX Venture exchange under the symbol "CRBK" and trades on the OTC Markets under the symbol CRBKF and Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol PMM1.

www.carebook.com

Notice regarding forward-looking statements:

This release includes forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws regarding Carebook, its business, the acquisition of InfoTech, the Financing and the Offering. The forward-looking information contained herein includes, but is not limited to, the intended use of proceeds of the Financing, the combined financial performance of Carebook and InfoTech, the accretive nature of the acquisition of Infotech, the anticipated issuance of the Warrants, and the anticipated benefits of the acquisition of InfoTech. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "is expected", "expects", "scheduled", "intends", "contemplates", "anticipates", "believes", "proposes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Such statements are based on the current expectations of the management of Carebook and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Although the management of Carebook believes that the assumptions underlying these statements are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur by certain specified dates or at all and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting the company, including failure to obtain regulatory approvals, economic factors, management's ability to manage and to operate the business of Carebook and InfoTech, Carebook's ability to integrate and consolidate the acquisition of InfoTech and to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition, the ability of Carebook to realize the anticipated cost-savings and synergies of acquisition of InfoTech, the Company's ability to complete the Offering, Carebook's future compliance with the terms of the Credit Agreement, including the financial ratios contained therein, the equity markets generally, risks associated with growth and competition and other risks disclosed in the Company's public filings including the Listing Application dated September 28, 2020 filed on SEDAR. Although Carebook 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 to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements or information. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Carebook does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. In addition, the current situation and future developments with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic could cause certain of the assumptions and information set forth herein or the fact that on which such assumptions are based to differ materially from previous expectations including in respect of demand for our products, supply chain and availability of materials, mobility and shipping of materials and or products, access to debt and equity capital and other factors.

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.

SOURCE Carebook Technologies Inc.

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High stakes: Norma Foley is to give her first address to a teacher union conference today. Photo: Frank McGrath

The three teacher unions have agreed a joint motion on vaccine prioritisation for teachers for discussion at their conferences tomorrow.

The wording of the motion is not yet available, but it would commit the unions to work together to demand vaccine prioritisation for teachers.

If they dont succeed, the motion will mandate the unions to explore any and all options, up to and including industrial action. It is intended that any action would take place next term.

The row has arisen following a Government decision last week to remove the prioritisation that teachers had on the Covid vaccine schedule.

They are waiting to see what Education Minister Norma Foley has to say on the matter when she addresses the INTO conference at 3pm today.

In her opening address to the INTO conference today, union president Mary Magner told delegates that they had a promise from Government that we took in good faith.

"The rug has been pulled from under us. We implore the minister to reconsider the downgrading of teachers on prioritisation list.

Pressure

Education Minister Norma Foley is now under pressure to deliver a U-turn on teacher Covid vaccinations today  or face possible strike action in schools within weeks.

The ministers first address to a teacher union conference is a high stakes affair.

Delegates at the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) convention and teachers everywhere, will be waiting to see if she signals a rethink on their placing on the vaccination schedule.

If not, leaders of all three teacher unions will be putting down the motion, for discussion tomorrow, seeking ballots for industrial action up to and including strike.

The annual conferences of the INTO, the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) and Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) are taking place virtually, starting today.

Ms Foley is also due to address the TUI conference tomorrow.

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The final detail of any industrial action that may be approved by the conferences would be decided later, but the intention is that it would happen in the upcoming term.

There is no threat to the reopening of schools next Monday  when all classes are due to return for the first time since Christmas  and any action would also have to be supported by ballots of union members.

However, union leaders report high levels of anger among their members arising from the Government decision last week to change the vaccine prioritisation schedule, leaving them in no doubt about support in a ballot.

The timescale for any action is tight, with second-level schools due to wrap up before the end of May.

Previously, teachers were in a specific category, which put them in the first 30pc of the population to be inoculated, but that changed radically with last weeks announcement of a switch to an age-based list.

The Government agreed to the change in prioritisation, based on recommendations from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and the public health advisory body, Nphet, knowing there would be a backlash from teachers. Garda representatives are also angry that they have been pushed down the list.

Teacher union leaders say staff in special schools and special classes feel particularly aggrieved as HSE staff who work with their pupils, such as physiotherapists and occupational therapists, have been vaccinated.

Prioritising age ahead of certain occupational groupings has led to concerns among younger teachers, who dominate the profession, that they will be waiting until the autumn for their jabs.

If the Cabinet decides to yield to the pressure, it is unclear exactly what formula it would have to come up with to appease union leaders and their members.

TUI general secretary Michael Gillespie said one suggestion was for a schedule that would allow all teachers have their two vaccination jabs, plus a 14 day period after the second one, before schools reopen in September.

INTO general secretary John Boyle said there was scope for creative solutions.

But any concession to teachers would put the Government under pressure to restore gardai to a priority position on the list.
Friends of a 'creative and vibrant' mother-of-three found dead inside a charity bin have claimed her family have still not been told the 'whole story' two days after her body was discovered.

Mikki O'Shea, 43, died after becoming stuck in one of the bins behind Stockland Burleigh Heads Shopping Centre on the Gold Coast.

Her body was discovered by a woman donating clothes at 7am on Monday.

Police are not treating her death as suspicious, instead describing it as a case of misadventure.

Initial reports suggested Ms O'Shea was trying to retrieve something from the bin when the lid came down and trapped her.

Friends set up a GoFundMe page on Tuesday to cover the cost of her funeral and support her family.

Mikki O'Shea, 43, (pictured) has been identified as the woman who tragically died after getting stuck in a Gold Coast charity bin

Initial reports suggested Ms O'Shea was trying to retrieve something from the bin (pictured) when the lid came down and trapped her

'Mikki was a vibrant, creative, and just all round amazing person who was a devoted single mother to her three kids,' the fundraiser description reads.

'She was the most generous person someone could ever meet. She was such a joyful woman who always lived life vicariously.

'Mikki's family is going through a very difficult time as this was a horrible accident that no one could've expected.

'The family has still not been told the whole story.'

Another woman who previously worked with Ms O'Shea said together they had 'shared the good and the bad, and the ups and the downs' of life.

'I feel privileged to have been your friend for so long,' she wrote.

Her family have since claimed they don't know the 'full story' of what happened near the Gold Coast shopping centre (pictured, paramedics at the scene on Monday)

The mother-of-three has been remembered by friends as a 'vibrant, creative and all round amazing person'

Ms O'Shea (pictured, right, with her mother) was found by a passerby at 7am on Monday behind the shopping centre at Burleigh Heads, on the Gold Coast

'I love [you] mate and am heartbroken to lose you.'

Paramedics announced Ms O'Shea dead on arrival, as police taped off the surrounds and established a crime scene.

A similar tragedy unfolded in 2015 in Sydney when a man died while trying to shelter from the rain in an inner Sydney charity bin.

A passerby made the gruesome discovery at Rosebery in November of that year after they spotted the 38-year-old man's body dangling out of the charity bin while driving past.

The unidentified man's body is removed after he was found dead in a charity clothes bin in Sydney's Rosebery in November 2015

It is believed the man may have been attempting to access the charity bin when he became stuck and sustained fatal injuries.

'We're still trying to establish his identity. There were a number of items down there (in the bin) that we haven't been able to confirm whether they belong to him or belong to someone else,' Inspector Crisafulli said at the scene.

Police retrieved the body from the crime scene on the corner of Dalmeny and Galara streets, while tents were erected over the green-coloured bin as detectives investigated in wet weather.
Galveston, TX (77553)

Today

Thunderstorms likely. High near 80F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms this evening becoming more widespread overnight. Low near 75F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Arkansas' Republican governor on Monday vetoed an anti-transgender health care bill that would've prohibited physicians in the state from providing gender-affirming "procedures" for trans people under age 18.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson told reporters that he killed HB 1570 because the bill "would be and is a vast government overreach" and because it would've created "new standards of legislative interference with physicians and parents as they deal with some of the most complex and sensitive matters involving young people."

The governor called the legislation "a product of the cultural war in America," adding that his veto comes even though he believed the bill was "well-intended."

The bill, called the Arkansas Save Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act, passed the state Senate late last month by a vote of 28-7. The state House passed it in early March by a vote of 70-22.

The bill made what it called an "exception" for some intersex people with unspecified chromosomal makeup and hormone production, and those with difficulties resulting from previous gender-affirming treatments. It also would have banned aso-called cross-hormone therapy,a a gender-affirming treatment that allows for trans people to achange their physical appearance to be more consistent with their gender identity.
Delhi Chief Minister on Tuesday directed PWD officials to complete the ongoing projects of redesigning of roads here along the lines of European cities, within stipulated deadline.

He also visited Sriniwaspuri Ring Road and inspected the pilot project of redevelopment.

Kejriwal said the tender process of redesigning of roads should be done in a swift manner to complete the project by 2023.

He also chaired a review meeting with PWD Minister Satyendra Jain and senior officers of the department, on the status of the ongoing project of redesigning and streetscaping of seven road stretches and 540 km of identified roads, said a statement.

"The process of designing the roads should be done in a swift manner and the project should be completed within the stipulated deadline of 2023. The Public Works Department (PWD) should ensure removal of all obstacles as the projects need to be completed in two years," he said.

Under the pilot project, considerable progress has been made on the 35 km stretch. Redevelopment of about 5.5 km long road from Ring Road to Ashram has been completed, the statement said.

"Redevelopment of about 6 km of road from Wazirpur Depot Crossing to Rithala Metro Station is ongoing. Work is also underway on a road of about 5.2 km from Britannia Chowk to Outer Ring Road in Pitampura's West Enclave area.

"The work of beautification of 3.1 km long road from Shivdaspuri Marg to Patel Road, Moti Nagar t-Point to Pusa Road and Laxmi Nagar to Karkari Mor on Vikas Marg is also underway. The redevelopment work area is to be completed by the end of this year," it said



The redesigning projects aims at removing road bottlenecks, increasing green cover and paving roadsides with grasses and shrubs to control dust pollution.

The redesigned roads will also have parking space, green belt and pedestrian lanes. The walls along the roads will be beautified with designs, the statement 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.)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-07 01:52:01|Editor: huaxia

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ROME, April 6 (Xinhua) -- There is a causal link between the coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and very rare cases of blood clots, although it remains unclear what the connection is and the possible causes are likewise still unknown, a senior European Medicines Agency (EMA) expert told the Italian newspaper Il Messaggero on Tuesday.

"It is clear that an association exists" between the vaccine and the dozens of reported blood clots, said Marco Cavaleri, head of the EMA's health threats and vaccines strategy.

"Such cases are extremely rare, and the benefits (of the vaccine) still largely outweigh the risks," he stressed.

"Yet, it is becoming increasingly hard to say there is no cause-effect relationship between the vaccination with AstraZeneca and very rare cases of unusual blood clots associated with a low number of platelets," he said.

In its latest assessment of embolic and thrombotic events reported after coronavirus vaccination published on March 24, the EMA looked at 258 such cases (45 of them fatal) that occurred in Europe out of almost 20 million first doses of the vaccine administered.

On March 31, the agency explained that such an assessment did not unveil "any specific risk factors, such as age, gender or a previous medical history of clotting disorders for these very rare events."

"A causal link with the vaccine is not proven but is possible, and further analysis is continuing," it added.

Cavaleri told the Italian newspaper on Tuesday that the assessment process was "far from over."

The EMA is expected to provide a new evaluation on the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine soon, perhaps by late Wednesday, the European Union's (EU) Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides said on Twitter on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA) and the Health Ministry were also due to discuss the issue late on Tuesday, although the AIFA would reportedly not issue any new rule on the AstraZeneca vaccine's use pending the EMA's decision.

Like other EU countries, Italy on March 15 issued a "temporary and precautionary" ban on the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine following reports of a small number of clot deaths in the country.

Three days later, it resumed use of the AstraZeneca vaccine following the EMA's announcement that it was safe.

Also in March, the Italian branch of AstraZeneca said that "an analysis of safety data on over ten million doses administered has shown no evidence of an increased risk of pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis in any age group, gender or batch."

The AstraZeneca vaccine was authorized for use in Italy on Jan. 29 and is one of four vaccines currently approved against the coronavirus here, the others being those by Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson.

Italy's vaccination campaign is ongoing but it has been marred by a slow start and delays.

To date, the country has administered 11.3 million doses out of the 14.1 million doses available, according to the government. Over 3.5 million people have received both vaccine doses.

At a global level, 269 candidate vaccines are still being developed -- 85 of them in clinical trials -- in several countries including Germany, China, Britain, Russia and the United States, according to data released by the World Health Organization on April 2. Enditem
Australian states will hold vastly different versions of Anzac Day with many states missing out on the annual long weekend for the second-consecutive year.

Just three of the country's eight states and territories will get Monday off, with the national day of remembrance falling on a Sunday.

That means most of Australia will have to wait until the Queens' birthday in June for the next long weekend.

Australian states will hold vastly different versions of Anzac Day with many states missing out on the annual long weekend for the second-consecutive year

Just three of the country's eight states and territories will get Monday off, with the national day of remembrance falling on a Sunday

Queensland, Western Australia and the ACT are the three regions who will give residents the Anzac Day long weekend despite the country's most meaningful day falling on the Sunday.

The remaining states and territories will be back at work on Monday, with varying levels of restrictions in place for respective parades.

Sydney's CBD march has been granted an exemption and will allow 10,000 servicemen and women and their families to march.

Other areas of New South Wales will be allowed a maximum of 5,000 people involved in services.

Queensland, despite a recent coronavirus outbreak, have been encouraged by their premier to attend public Anzac Day events, with final decisions to be made on numbers closer to the date.

'In times of strife, Queenslanders do what it takes to protect each other,' Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.

We've done it in wartime, and we're doing it now through the global pandemic.'

Sydney's CBD march has been granted an exemption and will allow 10,000 servicemen and women and their families to march

Other areas of New South Wales will be allowed a maximum of 5,000 people involved in services

Victoria will hold its annual Anzac Day march with numbers restricted to an attendance of just 5,500 - with a further 1,400 allowed at the Shine of Remembrance.

Residents of the state are being encouraged to 'stay local' for the national day of remembrance, suggesting smaller events nearer to home are safer than the large scale event in the CBD.

The National War Memorial in Canberra will allow 4,200 people to attend the Dawn Service, with an additional 3,00 for the national ceremony.

'Last year was the first time the Memorial had not entertained welcoming tens of thousands of attendees,' the War Memorial said in a statement.

This year we will be celebrating the 106th anniversary of the landings of Gallipoli and all our staff have put in a lot of work to allow thousands to attend in a safe manner.'

Victoria will hold its annual Anzac Day march with numbers restricted to an attendance of just 5,500

Western Australia with services across the city but still with capped numbers.

The Dawn Service has a capacity of 10,000 attendees, with just 2,000 at the Gunfire Breakfast at Government House.

South Australia are yet to confirm restrictions at their respect services and will do so closer to the date.

Tasmania are also still to determine numbers, with residents of both states asked to register for places before a decision will be made.
Dr. Jeff Bailey has been named chief strategy officer of Healthy Foundations, a Walker County-based Collective Integrated Healthcare initiative designed to meet the integrated primary health, behavioral health and social needs of the community.Dr. Bailey is a graduate of Duke University in Durham, NC, and of Cambridge University in England. He also taught at Cambridge and was managing director of the London-based Centre for Social Justice.Dr. Bailey has worked extensively as a consultant helping organizations reach their full potential.He stated, So much of my work is driven by experiences I had after college, living and working in disadvantaged communities around the world. I watched single moms working double shifts in minimum-wage jobs, trying to make ends meet for their kids. I lived next to families with small children living in Section 8 housing that was decrepit and unsafe. And I watched and learned from nonprofits working in these neighborhoods, doing heroic and often unseen work, usually with inadequate resources. I am eager to apply all that I have learned through my previous experiences at Healthy Foundations in order to make it as successful as it can be.Dr. Bailey will head the organizations four areas of focus: mind-body-spirit health and wellness; housing stability to make it easier for people to move forward in other areas of their lives (including housing for veterans and young people aging out of foster care); job training, financial literacy and employment; and education for people at all stages of life.The programs at Healthy Foundations will use evidence-based interventions and rigorous data to track outcomes. He noted, All successful organizations keep careful records of whats working and whats not and base decisions on that data. Healthy Foundations will adhere to the same practice.Dr. Bailey and the programs team will be working with experts from various fields, partnering with local groups and agencies, and providing an integrated and holistic experience for those seeking assistance.Terry Tucker, president and COO said, We are thrilled to have someone with Dr. Baileys experience and expertise developing and leading our program offerings. We are fortunate that he agreed to join us in this significant role.Healthy Foundations programs are designed to serve adults (ages 25-64) in need of affordable housing and job training, veterans and first responders with employment issues, and/or in need of affordable housing, children and families connected to child welfare services, young adults (ages 18-25) at risk of becoming homeless, and families living in poverty requiring employment, education and health services.Mr. Tucker noted that other announcements regarding leadership for Healthy Foundations will be made in the coming weeks. We are assembling a team that is second-to-none to address the needs of those coming to our campus. At the same time, were completing many of the site tests needed to meet our engineering and environmental needs. As this work is done, well be posting summaries of the work to our website and on our social media pages. These are promises weve made to the community and we intend to keep them.
WCNY announced the following staff promotions:

Haley Dubnoff, of Fayetteville, was promoted to senior director, marketing, communications and creative services. Dubnoff joined WCNY in 2013 and previously held communications and public relations positions at the United Way of Central New York and Loretto. She earned a bachelors degree in public relations from Syracuse Universitys S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

>> Send us your companys news about People in Motion

Douglas Moreau, of Sauquoit, was promoted to senior director, TV production in Syracuse. He joined WCNY in 2006 and previously was a producer/director at WTVI, Charlottes public television station, and a director at the Home Shopping Network in St. Petersburg, Fla. He earned a bachelors degree in communications from the State University College at Cortland.

Tanner Pechin, of Brewerton, was promoted to senior studio supervisor. He joined WCNY in 2014 and previously was a production assistant at Otto Media. He earned a bachelors degree in cinema studies with a minor in screenwriting from the State University of New York at Purchase.

WCNY was founded in 1965 as The Educational Television Council of Central New York. Today, it is a community-owned media company that produces content across multiple platforms.

If youd like to submit an item about People in Motion at your organization, send a press release including photo, to business@syracuse.com with Company News in the subject field. See all recent Company News items.
ST. GEORGE  In the coming weeks, Dorchester County will have half of its $31 million allocation of federal stimulus funds at its disposal for COVID-19 recovery.

The money is part of the American Rescue Plan Act, the coronavirus relief package enacted when President Joe Biden signed the congressional bill March 11.

During an April 5 County Council meeting, Daniel Prentice, the county's deputy administrator and CFO, touched on some of the possibilities the funding could cover.

The uses range from putting on vaccine clinics to supporting local tourism, nonprofits or hospitality entities that suffered as a result of the pandemic.

The funds can also be used on other projects, such as supporting water, sewer and broadband infrastructure in rural parts of the county.

"There's not really any reporting guidelines," Prentice said.

Because of this, he said, they're also waiting for additional guidelines before finalizing any decisions on how the money will be used. All of the funds received under the act will have to be spent by Dec. 31, 2024.

Under the program, all municipalities are slated to receive funding based on population. South Carolina counties will receive around $1 billion.

In the tri-county area, Dorchester is slated to receive the smallest amount in funding based on its population size. Berkeley County is expected to receive more than $44 million, with Charleston getting nearly $80 million.

This is after Dorchester missed out on funding from the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Dorchester County had an estimated population of 165,000 in 2020; to qualify for that program it needed at least 200,000 people.

The funds will be distributed to Dorchester County in two installments. The first will be for around $15 million. Prentice said they can expect to receive that money in the next 30 to 45 days. The rest of the money will be received a full year from that point.

Some Dorchester County officials are apprehensive about using the money. Councilman Jay Byars said he wants a walk through all of the details of how the money will be used. To him, using the federal money excessively will increase the country's financial burden on his children in the future. He said he doesn't want to spend the funds just to make a deadline.

"I don't want this to become a Christmas shopping list," he said.
Teresa Giudice's new boyfriend Luis Ruelas has a legal past.

The businessman, 46, who is dating the Bravo beauty, 48, pleaded guilty in December 2018 to simple assault in connection with an incident that took place four months earlier in Allendale, New Jersey, Page Six reported on Tuesday, citing police docs.

According to police, Ruelas was involved in a road rage exchange with a fellow driver named Jesse Palmieri, who had hit his brakes in reaction to a passing squirrel; when Ruelas made an attempt to pass him by, Palmieri stuck his middle finger out at him in response.

The latest: Teresa Giudice's new boyfriend Luis Ruelas, 46, who is dating the Bravo beauty, 48, pleaded guilty in December 2018 to simple assault in connection with an incident that took place four months earlier in Allendale, New Jersey

When the two motorists reached a stop sign, according to police, Ruelas stopped his vehicle in front of Palmieri's and 'charged at [Palmieri's] driver side door' prior to the two exchanging words.

Palmieri tried to roll his window up, at which point Ruelas put in his hand and smacked Palmieri's head, causing his sunglasses to fall off, according to authorities.

Ruelas 'then grabbed the top the window and began rocking it back and forth as if he was trying to break it,' according to the police report, and was punching 'on the bottom of the window with his fists.'

Palmieri finally rolled up his window and apologized to Ruelas, getting a picture of his license plate as he drove away.

Giudice called her union with Ruelas 'the BEST thing that came out of 2020' on social media last year

The businessman was seen with the reality TV family in a dinner setting earlier this month

A woman who witnessed the attack notified authorities and corroborated Palmieri's narrative of the events.

Ruelas later told authorities that he was involved in a road rage exchange with Palmieri, but said he never hit him. He subsequently entered a guilty plea to disturbing the peace, paying a $325 fine in December of 2018 in connection with the incident.

A Giudice insider told the outlet that coverage of the exchange was much ado about noting.

'This was a non-incident in 2018 and it's even less of one in 2021,' the insider said. 'It was a disagreement between two grown men. There was no criminal conviction. The matter was resolved with a small fine and everybody went home.'

Ruelas has been linked with The Real Housewives of New Jersey star - who shares daughters, Gia, 20, Gabriella, 17, Milania, 15, and Audriana, 12, with ex-husband Joe Giudice, 48 - since last autumn.

In a post last December commemorating the relationship, Giudice called her union with Ruelas 'the BEST thing that came out of 2020.'
The state of Ohio awarded the University of Dayton nearly $1.1 million for Choose Ohio First scholarships during the next five years to recruit and support students in science, health, technology, engineering and mathematics.

"UD is passionately committed to supporting advanced STEM education and workforce development for Ohio students, which in turn will support Ohio's economic development," said Paul H. Benson, provost and executive vice president of academic affairs.

Students enrolling in or transferring to an undergraduate major in one of the related fields at the University are eligible. Students are eligible for the scholarships starting in August 2021.

The University will provide matching funds to support the program.

"The University of Dayton has a long tradition of graduating highly accomplished students in STEM and health fields," said Ohio Chancellor Randy Gardner. "The University is a valued partner in continuing to recruit and educate students in these fields, and we hope those students stay in state to contribute to Ohio's economy."

For more information about the Choose Ohio First program for students at the University of Dayton, contact Catherine Mix, assistant vice president for strategic enrollment management and director of financial aid, at 937-229-4311.

For more information on the state's Choose Ohio First program, visit https://www.ohiohighered.org/cof.

For interviews at the University of Dayton, contact Shawn Robinson, associate director of news and communications, at 937-229-3391 or srobinson1@udayton.edu. For interviews with the State of Ohio, contact Jeff Robinson, director of communications with the Ohio Department of Higher Education, at 614-752-9487 or jrobinson@highered.ohio.gov.
Every year the University of Georgia searches through a pool of incoming freshmen to find the next class of Foundation Fellows. This year two seniors from Clarke Central High School, Daniel Garcia-Pozo and Kurali Grantham, were chosen for this honor out of over 1,200 applicants.
Bahrain is doing much more to invest in human capital and improve economic growth during the pandemic

Bahrain is doing much more to invest in human capital and improve economic growth during the pandemic

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain has made good progress in improving human capital over the past decade.

And as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic deepens and threatens hard-earned gains, the Kingdom is doing much more to preserve them, particularly in pushing forward advancement in health and education.

This was emphasised by Finance and National Economy Minister Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa who said the Kingdom continues to invest in human capital to improve economic growth during these unprecedented times.

He was speaking during a virtual meeting organised by the World Bank on investment in human capital in the era of the pandemic

The Minister pointed out that the Kingdom has achieved significant development in the health and education sectors over the past few years.

Bahrain ranked second in the Arab world in the Human Capital Index 2020 issued by the World Bank, which focuses on the health and education sectors and measures the potential productivity of newborns after reaching the age of 18.

The Kingdom also improved in the overall score over the past 10 years.

The index score increased from 0.60 points in 2010 to 0.65 points in the 2020 evaluation, which is higher than the average for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Shaikh Salman noted the momentum and global recognition that the human capital project has gained, as more than 80 countries cooperate within this coordinated framework.

Addressing the meeting, the Minister stressed that Bahrain has set investment in human resources as a basic goal for all its development programmes.

He affirmed the countrys determination to face all challenges posed by the pandemic to achieve a balance between public health and support to the economy.

He pointed out the precautionary measures being undertaken by the Kingdom to ensure the health and safety of citizens and residents.

shaikh Salman said Bahrain has become a model in the successful management of the pandemic by adopting strategies aimed at stimulating the national economy.

He underscored Bahrains distinguished performance in providing free healthcare that encompasses checkup, follow-up, treatment and provision of the COVID-19 vaccine while pointing out that more than 800,000 jabs have been administered to citizens and residents so far, which earned the kingdom international praise.

The Minister emphasised that the Kingdom has given priority to backing the national economy and continuity of the private sector, being a vital tributary.

He pointed out the financial package launched in March 2020 which has exceeded so far BD4.5 billion (around $ 12 billion), the equivalent of one-third of the Kingdoms Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The Minister stressed the Kingdoms keenness on continuity of the educational process during the pandemic by providing the online learning alternatives within a comprehensive educational system that guarantees continuity of education and preservation of quality educational output.

Within the same context, the Minister stressed the role of environmental sustainability in achieving economic recovery and the importance of integrating sustainable environmental concepts within the early educational stages of individuals in schools and their continuity in the curricula of universities and colleges, thus paving the way for a switch towards green jobs.
Amid demands from several quarters that the age limit for COVID-19 vaccination be relaxed in view of spike in cases, the Centre on Tuesday said the aim is to protect those who are most vulnerable, and not to "administer the vaccine to those who want it but to those who need it".

During a weekly press conference, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said that many people are asking why isn't the government opening up vaccination for all those above 18 years.

Bhushan said that even Western countries have conducted the vaccination drive in phases.

"The basic aim is to reduce death through vaccination. The other aim is to protect your healthcare system. If healthcare workers, doctors, nurses, paramedics and others fall sick, who will work in hospitals? So the aim, for any country, is to protect those who are the most vulnerable. The aim is never to administer the vaccine to those who want it but to those who need it," Bhushan said.

NITI Aayog member (Health) Dr V K Paul said the narrative has to be seen in a scientific way.

So far, nobody doing vaccine research has shown that if given on this scale, it leads to herd immunity, he said, adding that it is not yet scientifically proven.

"What we know so far is that all vaccines that are being used, including the two being used in ,India reduce mortality, severity of the disease, protect lives and keeping that in mind priority groups have been decided," Dr Paul said.

He said that priority groups have been decided who are vulnerable to mortality.

"Because history will only remember how many deaths have taken place. Globally, vaccine is finite," Dr Paul underlined.

The Indian Medical Association wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggesting that vaccination be allowed for all people above the age of 18 years.

The doctors' body said that "we request following suggestions in the COVID-19 vaccination drive -- all citizens above 18 years of age shall be permitted to receive COVID vaccination and walk-in COVID vaccination should be available for all, free of cost at their nearest possible place".

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Maharashtra counterpart Uddhav Thackeray on Monday also requested Modi to relax the age limit for the vaccination.

Kejriwal urged him to relax the norms for opening vaccination centres and lift the age criterion for getting inoculated, reiterating that the Delhi government can vaccinate all the residents of the city within three months if the necessary permissions are granted by the Centre.

Thackeray requested the prime minister to allow people above 25 years of age to receive COVID-19 shots, which he said will protect the young people from the rapid spread of at a time when they are stepping outside their homes to earn a livelihood.

In a letter to the PM, Thackeray also demanded that Maharashtra be provided 1.5 crore additional doses of COVID-19 vaccines, which will enable the state government to complete within three weeks the vaccination of the beneficiaries above 45 years of age in six districts, including Mumbai, reporting a large number of cases.

(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.)
MORE than 7,000 people living in rural Manitoba communities will have to wait for their shot at a COVID-19 vaccine, after the province cancelled two dozen immunization clinics.

MORE than 7,000 people living in rural Manitoba communities will have to wait for their shot at a COVID-19 vaccine, after the province cancelled two dozen immunization clinics.

The clinics were to run for four days in April, but have been postponed indefinitely, after a shipment of more than 28,000 doses of Moderna vaccine was delayed.

"The province has carefully reviewed all available vaccine supplies in the province to minimize the effects of this supply disruption," according to a news release Monday. "It is not possible to use (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccine for pop-up clinics because these doses will be used at other vaccine appointments."

The Manitoba government recognizes Easter Monday as a day off, and as such did not hold its regular media briefing with public health officials.

Chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin will lead a briefing today.

A request for an interview with a member of the Manitoba COVID-19 vaccine implementation team was not accommodated Monday.

According to provincial officials, the federal government has not yet indicated when the delayed shipment of Moderna would arrive. In late March, Ottawa indicated the manufacturer was experiencing backlogs in its quality assurance process.

The pop-up clinics were scheduled for April 12-15 in Steinbach, Pine Falls, Stonewall, Flin Flon, Virden, and 13 other communities, with approximately 7,200 appointments planned. Residents in communities where clinics have been cancelled can either book an appointment at a mass vaccination clinic or wait until a local alternative is rescheduled.

Meanwhile, the province said it will have to cease booking appointments at pop-up clinics this week at Glenboro, Matheson Island, Pine Dock, Faulkner, Whitemouth, and Piney, but appointments already booked at those sites will be honoured.

Other clinics scheduled this week will not be affected.

While the provinces supply of Moderna has taken a hit, 54,600 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine arrived in Manitoba on Friday.

As of Monday, the province had not yet made the details of its plan for those doses public. Nor had it announced whether physicians and pharmacists had received notice of their allocation to begin booking appointments.

Last week, officials with the vaccine task force said roughly 500 clinics and pharmacies would receive a share of the shots, which currently can only be administered to people between the ages of 55 and 64 in Manitoba.

For those under 64, the current provincial age of eligibility for the general population, a set of health conditions is used to prioritize access to the vaccine.

The province did not say how many AstraZeneca doses had been shipped out to pharmacists and clinicians as of Monday.

"This work is expected to be complete this week," a provincial spokesperson said. More information about refined eligibility criteria for the vaccine product is also expected in the "days ahead."

Doctors Manitoba spokesman Keir Johnson said physicians in Manitoba were preparing to receive AstraZeneca deliveries early this week, based on information from provincial officials.

"Doctors Manitoba will post updates at ManitobaVaccine.ca when clinics are ready to book appointments along with any updated eligibility criteria," Johnson said.

As of Monday, the province had administered 210,088 doses of COVID-19 vaccine, including those administered by First Nations, representing about 56.5 per cent of its inventory, with 161,942 doses outstanding.

Provincial data, which is subject to a 48- to 72-hour delay, indicated 751 doses were administered across Manitoba on Easter Sunday.

However, a provincial spokesperson said more than 3,900 doses were scheduled at the Winnipeg RBC Convention Centre clinic Sunday and a total of 16,700 appointments were scheduled April 2-5.

While acknowledging data entry delays, the clinic did not appear to have an unusual number of no-shows or cancellations, the spokesperson said.

On Monday, the Free Press reported a number of immunizers working at the clinic Sunday were idle and waiting long stretches of time for patients to arrive.

Staff working at the clinic Sunday told the Free Press the available workforce on site could have handled many more clients than scheduled that day.

"It is important to note that appointments are booked up to four weeks in advance," the provincial spokesperson said in a statement.

"The number of appointments available at the Winnipeg super site over the weekend was not changed in response to longer wait times and other challenges at the site at the end of March.

"Instead, we adjusted our staffing and on-site processes. To help reduce wait times for clients, we continue to refine the right number of staff in various roles that are needed at any given time."

According to the province, 40,950 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech arrived April 1, and another delivery of 28,300 Moderna doses arrived April 3.

Of the new Moderna shipment, the province said 26,500 doses will be allocated to First Nations partners.

It will take the province 12 days to use up the balance of the available inventory  approximately 80,800 doses  through focused immunization teams, pop-up clinics and at the provinces five mass vaccine clinics.

danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca
But many homeless people in New York City may have missed out because they have not filed a tax return  which can be a daunting task if someone lacks identification or a mailing address.

[No address, no ID, and struggling to get their stimulus checks.]

I asked Andy Newman, The Timess social services reporter, about his recent story highlighting these challenges. Here are some of his lightly edited answers:

Howd you find this story?

After I got my first stimulus payment I started thinking of a homeless mother I met during the Black Lives Matter protests and wondering whether she had gotten her stimulus money.

After the third stimulus landed magically in my bank account, without me having to lift a finger, I thought there might be a lot of people out there who could not get the money so easily. I do not need the stimulus money to survive and yet I am receiving it, while others who need the money to get on their feet might not know they can get it.

That seemed so crazy I wanted to do a story.

What problems have homeless people faced with getting their payments?

You name it. Some people did not know they were eligible or thought they were ineligible because they did not have a phone or ID. Others said that they could not find a place offering free help filing their taxes.
Pakistan will administer Covid-19 vaccines to citizens 80 years of age and above at their homes, as the country battles a fresh wave of the coronavirus.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Ministry of National Health Services said Pakistan reported 103 Covid-19 deaths in the last 24 hours, while the number of new cases was 3,953 in the same period.

This was the smallest rise in daily new infections since March 25, when 4,368 new cases were reported. On April 1, 5,234 new cases were reported.

The country's total number of cases presently stands at 696,184, with 14,924 related deaths. Over 3,500 patients are in a critical condition.

On Monday, Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar said citizens aged 80 years and above would be vaccinated at their homes.

He said the decision was taken keeping in mind the onset of summer and the difficulty senior citizens would face in reaching vaccination centres and waiting in queues.

According to official data, 936,383 people have been vaccinated in Pakistan till April 3.
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Market Overview and Growth Factors:

Cinnamic Aldehyde is also known as cinnamaldehyde, an organic compound occurring naturally in the bark of cinnamon trees and other species of cinnamon such as camphor and cassia. It can be produced naturally by forming reaction between benzaldehyde such as isovanillin and acetaldehyde. Cinnamaldehyde is mainly used as flavor and fragrance agent in the food & beverage and cosmetics & personal care industries.

Growing demand for organic agricultural activities with escalating demand for nutritious food products among health-conscious consumer is influencing the market growth. Moreover, the product use is increasing in oral care and heart diseases due to anti-bacterial and anti-diabetic properties.

Get a Free sample @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/6018

Competitive Analysis:

Some of the key players in the global cinnamic aldehyde market are:

Kao Corporation

Emerald Performance Materials

Finoric

Jayshree Aromatics Pvt Ltd

Muby Chemicals

Payan Bertrand S.A.

LANXESS

Yingcheng Wuhan Organic Material Co., Ltd

Merck KGaA

Sigma-Aldrich

Graham Chemical

Market Segmentation:

The global COVID 19 Impact on Cinnamic Aldehyde Market is segmented into nature, application, end use industry, and region. On the basis of nature, the market is segregated into organic and synthetic. The synthetic cinnamic aldehyde is produced by reacting benzaldehyde with acetaldehyde.

Based on the application, the market is segmented into fragrance agent, flavor agent, insecticides, anti-microbial, anti-cancer, oral care, animal feed, and others. Flavor agent accounted for the largest market share as a result of increasing use in the households and food & beverage industry. The product use, as a fragrance agent, is increasing in deodorants, detergents, cleansers, and cosmetics. Cinnamic aldehyde helps to fight against tooth decay, bad breath, cure diabetes and reduce infections owing to antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Based on the end use industry, the market is divided into household, food & beverages, cosmetic & personal care, agriculture, healthcare, and others. The food & beverage industry accounted for the largest market share as a result of increasing demand for nutritious food products and beverages. The product consumption is rising in cosmetics & personal care industry with growing prevalence of various cosmetics brands in the market such as LOreal, Avon, and Lakme across the regions.

Regional Analysis:

Based on the region, the cinnamic aldehyde market is segregated into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.

Asia Pacific is the fastest growing region in the cinnamic aldehyde market owing to the increasing demand for nutritious food and energy drink with rising health consciousness among the consumers. Increasing spending on the cosmetics & personal care industry is driving the market growth further.

North America is the second largest region in the cinnamic aldehyde market with increasing spending on personal care products coupled with high per capita income. Moreover, growing aging population coupled with rising health awareness is uplifting the market growth.

Europe is another significant region in the market due to growing food & beverage industry with increasing consumption of packaged food products among working population.

Latin America and the Middle East & South Africa regions are likely to witness moderate growth during the review period with significant growth of cosmetics and personal care industry.

Browse key industry insights spread across 100 pages with 47market data tables & 12 figures & charts from the report, Cinnamic Aldehyde Market Information: by Nature (nature and synthetic), Application (fragrance, flavor, insecticides, household, and animal feed), by End Use (food & beverages, cosmetics & personal care, healthcare), by Region: Forecast till 2023 in detail along with the table of contents @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/cinnamic-aldehyde-market-6018
A bill reintroduced in Congress seeks to prevent a potentially massive shortage of doctors in the next decade.

The legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, an Alabama Democrat, would create 14,000 more Medicare-supported residency positions  2,000 annually  from 2023 to 2029. The measure has been endorsed by several national organizations, including the American Hospital Association.

U.S. Rep. John Katko is an original cosponsor of the bill, which has also been introduced in the Senate. Katko, R-Camillus, said the plan would help reduce physician shortages in central New York.

"For years, our community and nation have grappled with a dire and growing shortage of trained physicians," Katko said in a statement. "The ongoing pandemic has put this issue in the spotlight and underscored the importance of allowing our teaching hospitals and academic medical centers to train more health care professionals."

The Association of American Medical Colleges estimates that the U.S. will have a shortage of 42,600 to 121,300 physicians by 2030. While the demand for more physicians has been growing as the population ages, it has been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
STUDENT teachers are set to seek payment for work placements in line with other professions, including nurses.

Delegations at todays ASTI convention backed a motion seeking to negotiate a payment for teaching work by students during their postgraduate Master of Education Course.

Entry to second level teaching normally requires a five or six year qualification period, which includes a degree and masters.

The two year Professional Masters in Education costs between 11,000 and 16,000 to complete.

Delegates spoke of the lack of permanent full-time jobs for newly qualified teachers as well as two tier pay as major financial obstacles.

Ciara Kinsella said work placements are essentially free labour and the Government should have the decency to change this.

She said student teachers often spent 30 to 35 hours in schools teaching and are asked to take on the same duties as any other teacher.

But she claimed they get zero financial support for transport and other costs despite being forced to find placements near cities with high rens and living costs.

Ms Kinsella said many have part time jobs in retail and hospitality that they work after a days work, or on weekends.

She said rolling lockdowns have made it more difficult to find much-needed part time jobs.

Delegate Jim ODea said teachers are now expected to do five years in college and might not be made full time after that.

He said nurses, doctors, and trainee shelf packers get paid, so it was ridiculous that trainee teachers are not paid.

Mr ODea said this would enable them to live without being supported by their parents.

Mark Walsh, of the Dublin northeast branch, said they had seen before Christmas how difficult it was for student nurses to get paid.

He said this was voted down by the main parties, who didnt want to pay them in a pandemic.
The coordinator of the national vaccination campaign, doctor Valeriu Gheorghita, says that the number of new vaccination locations for Moderna will increase by 12 starting on Tuesday, up to 86, and from April 13 another 144 will become available for Pfizer.

"As of today, April 6, 12 new vaccination locations for Moderna have been operationalized, so that we are talking now about approximately 86 vaccination centres for Moderna, which cumulates a total of 103 vaccination flows. Also, from April 13, another 144 new vaccination locations will become operational, with Pfizer as the available vaccine," Valeriu Gheorghita told a press conference at the Victoria Palace on Tuesday.

The head of the CNCAV (National Coordinating Committee for Vaccination Activites Against COVID-19) also specified that starting on Wednesday, April 7, the vaccination capacity will increase on each flow from 60 people to 90 people in all vaccination centres where the vaccine is distributed from Moderna company, respectively from AstraZeneca, and in vaccination centres where vaccine is distributed from the Pfizer company, the number of people allocated per flow increasing up to 72 people.
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Nigerias federal government is poised to hold an emergency meeting with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over the unions threat to embark on a fresh strike action.

The spokesperson of the ministry of education, Ben Goong, said in a statement, on Monday, that the meeting is billed to be held Tuesday by 11:00 a.m. at the education ministrys headquarters in Abuja.

Quoting education minister Adamu Adamu, the statement noted that the said the meeting is intended to nip the strike in the bud.

The academic staff union had issued a strike warning over unmet agreements between it and the federal government. The lecturers accuse the government of failing to honour the agreement reached in January that made the union call off its nine months strike then.

Already, data analysed by this newspaper has shown that Nigerian universities have been on strike for a year for every five years since 1999.

During the entire period, Nigerian lecturers went on strike 15 times for about 50 months.

Successive Nigerian governments have struggled to meet the demands of the university lecturers, which their critics say is sometimes unrealistic. Agreements reached during negotiations are mostly not fully fulfilled.

This has continuously pushed the teachers to down tools before another round of negotiation completes another cycle.
New Delhi: Mukhtar Ansari is a gangster-turned-politician who is Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) legislator from Mau. He is accused in several heinous crimes and is currently lodged in jail.

He was handed over to Uttar Pradesh Police by its Punjab counterparts for taking him back to a jail in Banda district by road.

The Supreme Court had on March 26 asked the Punjab government to hand over Ansari to Uttar Pradesh Police within two weeks, ignoring pleas of the former.

A medical check-up of Ansari, comprising a coronavirus test, was done before handing over to the Uttar Pradesh police.

Mukhtar Ansari is allegedly involved in various cases of murder, attempt to murder, cheating and conspiracy apart from offences under the Gangsters Act. Ten of these cases notably are at different stages of the trial.

He was sent to judicial custody in Punjab in an extortion-threat case, but he did not apply for bail despite having been entitled to 'default bail' as the statutory 90-day period has lapsed.

Ansari also opposed being shifted to Uttar Pradesh, where the state Police has registered 38 cases of heinous crime at a single police station in the Ghazipur district.

The BSP leader has previously been lodged in several jails including Lucknow, Ghazipur, and Mau.

The five-time BSP MLA from Mau has avoided 26 warrants issued by the Prayagraj court citing medical grounds.

His grandfather, Dr Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari, was the president of the Indian National Congress in 192728.

His maternal grandfather Brigadier Mohammad Usman Ansari was a Mahavir Chakra awardee. He was also called as Lion of Nowshera.

His son Abbas Ansari is a national-level Indian shooter who has won medals and accolades internationally.

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The grim discovery of human remains found in bushland are believed to be of a father-of-three who was hacked to death with a chainsaw over a drug deal almost six years ago.

Police remain at the 'extremely remote' scene in Udumung Nature Reserve in Wannamal in Western Australia's Wheatbelt region.

The remains found on Monday are believed of Wade Dunn, 40, who was murdered in May 2015 over a drug debt.

Wade Dunn, 40, who was murdered in May 2015 over a drug debt. His remains were found in an 'extremely remote' area of Western Australia's Wheatbelt region

'No formal identification has been completed, however the remains are believed to be that of Wade (Cameron) Dunn,' police said.

'Homicide squad and forensics are currently at the location and are expected to be in attendance tomorrow (Wednesday).'

Gary David Jackson and his cousin Mark David Corbett are currently serving life sentences over Mr Dunn's death.

The WA Supreme Court previously heard Mr Dunn was lured to the house and bashed with a metal pole before his hands and head were hacked off with a chainsaw.

Mr Dunn's head was then stored in Jacksons ute for a few days.

Wade Dunn's mum Robyn Hudson outside court in Perth in 2016 after Gary David Jackson, 51, was found guilty by of murdering her son

Justice Jeremy Allanson told Jackson at the time of sentencing the way the body was dealt with and disposed of magnified the hurt to Mr Dunn's family.

Jackson was sentenced to a minimum 22 years behind bars, while Corbett will be eligible for release in seven years.

The state government introduced 'no body, no parole' legislation in 2018, denying the possibility of early release to killers who refuse to disclose the location of their victims' remains.


CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The Australian and NZ dollars fell against their major counterparts in the Asian session on Tuesday, as risk sentiment dampened on China credit concerns.



The People's Bank of China has reportedly asked the country's major banks to curtail loan growth for the rest of this year, Bloomberg reported.



The banks were told to keep loan growth stable and reasonable amid fears about bubbles in the property and financial markets.



Asian stock markets are mostly lower, as worries about rising coronavirus cases and extension of lockdown restrictions offset optimism over strong U.S. economic data released overnight.



Australia's central bank left its current policy settings unchanged, as widely expected.



The policy board of the Reserve Bank of Australia headed by Governor Philip Lowe decided to retain its cash rate at a record low of 0.10 percent. The central bank retained the target yield on the 3-year Australian government bond at around 0.1 percent and also maintained the parameters of the Term Funding Facility and the government bond purchase programme.



The aussie dropped to 0.7631 against the greenback and 84.17 against the yen, after rising to a 1-week high of 0.7661 and a 4-day high of 84.46, respectively in early deals. The next possible support for the aussie is seen around 0.75 against the greenback and 82.00 against the yen.



The aussie edged down to 1.5464 against the euro and 0.9571 against the loonie, coming off from its early highs of 1.5424 and 0.9591, respectively. The aussie is poised to find support around 1.58 against the euro and 0.94 against the loonie.



The kiwi slipped to 0.7043 against the greenback, 77.68 against the yen and 1.6756 against the euro, down from its prior highs of 0.7069, 77.94 and 1.6713, respectively. If the kiwi falls further, 0.68, 76.00 and 1.70 are likely seen as its next support levels against the greenback, the yen and the euro, respectively.



The kiwi ticked down to 1.0842 against the aussie, compared to its previous high of 1.0824. On the downside, 1.10 is possibly seen as its next support level.



Looking ahead, Eurozone Sentix investor sentiment index for April and jobless rate for February are due in the European session.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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India on Tuesday reported a net increase of 46,393 in active cases to take its count to 788,223. That is over 77 per cent of the September 18 peak of 1,017,754. Indias share of global active cases now stands at 3.25 per cent (one in 31). The country is 5th among the most affected countries by active cases. On Tuesday, it added 96,982 cases to take its total caseload to 12,686,049. And, with 446 new fatalities, its Covid-19 reached 165,547, or 1.30 per cent of total confirmed infections.

With 4,300,966 more people getting Covid-19 vaccine shots on Monday, Indias total count of those inoculated reached 83,110,926. The count of recovered cases across India, meanwhile, reached 11,732,279  or 92.48 per cent of total caseload  with 50,143 new cured cases being reported on Tuesday.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 05:34:33|Editor: huaxia

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SAN FRANCISCO, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Coronavirus infections trended up in the Bay Area in the U.S. west for last week ending April 2, with the average number of daily new cases at 475, up 8.7 percent from the prior week ending March 26, according to a report by the San Francisco Chronicle on Monday.

The data could indicate that California is beginning to fall in line with the rest of the United States, where coronavirus infections have steadily plateaued or increased due to more infectious variants, the report said.

In the first week of this year, an average of 4,500 cases was reported in the Bay Area each day. Weekly COVID-19 deaths averaged 78 for the week ending April 4, down from 113 reported in the previous week.

As of Monday noon, the cumulative death toll in the Bay Area stood at 5,957. Across California, the pandemic has taken at least 59,279 lives.

Nationally the number of lives lost has topped 555,000, according to a tracking by Johns Hopkins University.

"On the West Coast, we see a leveling off... We may go back up a little bit. We may hit bottom and bounce up a little bit," George Rutherford, an infectious disease expert at University of California San Francisco, was quoted as saying.

California Governor Gavin Newsom's office said on Friday it was preparing to retire the state's color-coded tiered reopening system as vaccination rates improved and coronavirus cases continued to drop.

The state plans to open vaccine access to everyone 16 and older in the mid of April as supply improves. Enditem
Anti-coup protesters holding pictures of those who died during a protest against the military offer prayers for them in Yangon, Myanmar, Monday. AP-Yonhap



By Yi Whan-woo



POSCO denied allegations, Tuesday, that a highly profitable offshore gas field it operates in Myanmar is tied to the country's military junta and is being used to help fund the bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protesters.



The Korean conglomerate said in a statement that the gas field, along with three among five businesses it runs in Myanmar, had been operating for 20 years before the military led by General Min Aung Hlaing staged a coup in February and overthrew the democratically-elected government.



The three are a hotel, a rice-processing complex and a trading company, all run by the steelmaker's trading arm, POSCO International. POSCO acquired the businesses in 2010 to expand its portfolio beyond steel manufacturing.



The fifth business the steelmaker operates there is Myanmar POSCO Coated and Color (MPCC), a steel joint venture run between its subsidiary POSCO C&C and Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited (MEHL), one of the country's military-controlled conglomerates.



In MPCC's case, POSCO said it will not pay dividends to MEHL until the Myanmar crisis is settled. The steelmaker said it could even reconsider its partnership with MEHL depending on how the political situation develops.



"MPCC is the only business that is admittedly tied to the Myanmar military," the firm noted.





An offshore gas field project off the coast of Shwe, 500 kilometers away from Myanmarese capital of Naypyidaw, is POSCO's most-profitable business in Myanmar. Korea Times file
With Easter ending, accommodation providers are enjoying a rise in enquiries and website hits as New Zealanders now focus on the upcoming school holidays less than a fortnight away, says one Far North accommodation provider.

After a wonderful and warm Easter for many, Kiwis are finally turning their attention to the school holidays, says the Coopers Beach bach owner.

Many owners of holiday rentals in the Far North saw very few April school holiday bookings before Easter, but thats quickly changing which is great to see.

Last month industry observers noted that Aucklanders, in particular, seem to be in no hurry to book their holidays. This is due to being somewhat gun-shy after four Covid-19 lockdowns in the past 12 months, and an ongoing perception that accommodation will be easy to secure with almost no international tourists here.

One example of unusual availability - little more than ten days out from the school holidays - is a spacious holiday house in Coopers Beach. Dubbed Seaview Central, the property is listed on Bachcare: https://www.bachcare.co.nz/cottage/Doubtless-Bay-Mill-Bay/Seaview-Central-Coopers-Beach-Holiday-Home-1063153.html

That house will be rented out soon, but its just one example of Kiwis delaying their decisions since Covid which then leads to a last-minute rush. So with the April school holidays fast approaching, not to mention a long Anzac weekend, were encouraging people to book now to avoid disappointment later, says the Coopers Beach bach owner.

Regardless of Kiwis booking habits, another Coopers Beach accommodation provider says the Winterless North expects strong domestic visitor numbers during the coming months helped by Kiwis unable to travel to warmer climates overseas.
This was the first Sinh Con, Sinh Cha workshop in the new year, with the participation of more than 300 parents, children, staff, and teachers of Giang Son kindergarten in Giang Son commune, Gia Binh district.

The Sinh Con, Sinh Cha workshop in Bac Ninh was graced by MoLISA Deputy Minister Nguyen Thi Ha and leaders from Bac Ninh province and NFVC

The Sinh Con, Sinh Cha workshop facilitated discussion on three important parenting topics: making plans to spend quality time with children; controlling parenting anger and minimising domestic tensions to avoid hurting the children; and establishing healthy eating routines with nutritious and enjoyable meals for the children. These topical topics fall under the programmes three main content groups of intelligence, behaviour, and health of children from newborns to six years.

Deputy Minister of of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Thi Ha and representatives from Generali Vietnam donating gifts and financial support to local underprivileged children

At the event, Generali Vietnam handed 150 gift sets to all participating children, 150 programme booklets to their parents, as well as 30 special gifts in cash and in-kind to 30 needy families from the local communities.

On this occasion, NFVC also gifted financial support to 100 underprivileged children of Gia Binh district in the province whereas Bac Ninh Provincial Youth Union granted 30 cash gifts to disadvantaged children of Giang Son kindergarten.

We highly appreciate Generalis active involvement in Vietnamese childrens development and protection through various initiatives including 'Sinh Con, Sinh Cha', a practical programme that helps parents improve their parenting skills and knowledge in order to offer their children the best start in life, and thereby positively impacting their comprehensive development, said Nguyen Thi Ha, Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.

The Sinh Con, Sinh Cha programme in Bac Ninh attracts more than 300 parents, children, staff and teachers in the province

Tina Nguyen, Generali Vietnam CEO, shared: We are delighted that 'Sinh Con, Sinh Cha' has quickly gained extensive reach and widespread influence in society, thanks to its positive and practical values for Vietnamese childrens comprehensive development. We are also pleased to know that the programme continues to receive great support from both national and local governments to benefit many more parents and families across the country.

In 2020, Sinh Con, Sinh Cha benefited more than 2,000 parents and children from newborns to six years via local workshops organised in various cities and provinces across Vietnam. The programmes sitcom series has been successfully published on Generali Vietnams official Youtube channel garnering millions of views, interactions and positive comments. Both Generali and NFVC aimed to bring the programme to more places and benefit many more families with small children in 2021.

Volunteers from Generali Vietnam donating gifts to local kindergartens

In recognition of Sinh Con, Sinh Chas innovative approach and sustainable impact on the development of Vietnamese children, Generali Vietnam has received organisational and individual commendations from the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs' leadership, recognising outstanding contributions to Vietnamese childrens well-being and protection, and Saigon Times CSR 2020 certification for outstanding community contributions.

Sinh Con, Sinh Cha is part of The Human Safety Net, Generali Groups global movement initiated in 2017. The Human Safety Nets families programme supports parents in the first six years of their childrens life to lay the strongest possible foundations for their future, contributing to early childhood development (ECD) in disadvantaged communities around the world.

The National Fund for Vietnamese Children (NFVC) is a state-owned organisation under the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs which aims to mobilise domestic and international resources to realise the objectives of child protection, care, and education. The NFVC has a nationwide network at both the central and local levels; manages data on children who require help and children who have received help; as well as monitors the childrens development.
The Duchess of Sussex was told by the Queen she had every right to continue her acting career once she stepped away from her royal duties, biographer Andrew Morton has claimed.

Morton, who wrote the bestselling book Diana: Her True Story in 1992, made the claim on the podcast Royally Obsessed and explained that Meghan and the Duke of Sussex were given the opportunity to go wherever they pleased after they expressed a desire to step back from their royal roles last year.

They were given a degree of latitude, Morton said. They were told here are your first class tickets, pick which country you want to go to, were going to make you youth ambassadors for the Commonwealth.

Morton continued: In fairness to the royal family, in fairness to the Queen, she did give them that opportunity to go wherever they pleased.

And also, they did say to Meghan if you dont want to embrace royal duties full time please be our guest and continue your acting career. Those opportunities were open to her.

Read more:

Harry and Meghan announced their decision to step back from their roles in the royal family in January 2020.

Meghan left her role on the legal drama Suits shortly after it was announced that she and Harry were dating in 2016 and has not expressed any public interest to resume acting since.

Now, Morton believes neither Harry nor Meghan gave it enough thought when they chose to no longer be full-time working royals.

I think neither of them gave it the thought they should have done, he said on the podcast before going on to reference an alleged comment that the Duke of Cambridge made to his brother about taking things slowly with Meghan when they first started dating.

I think that famous warning from Prince William of steady on, think about what youre doing, that Harry bridled at, was probably meant more with affection, Morton said.

I think William understood more than Harry that becoming a member of the royal family is a tough gig. You think about Catherine Middleton, he continued.

Shes British, shes grown up with the traditions, obviously she was a commoner but she has a very sound and strong family.

Meghan didnt have any of that. Shes American, she didnt have a clue about the royal family.

You can listen to the podcast in full here.
A Spirit Airlines plane lands at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on May 9, 2017. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Pregnant Mother Kicked Off Airplane Because 2-Year-Old Daughter Wasnt Wearing Mask

A video spread widely on the internet shows a Jewish family being asked to get off an airplane in Florida because their 2-year old daughter wasnt wearing a mask.

The Spirit Airlines flight from Orlando to Atlantic City was interrupted by the eventall the passengers had to disembark and were later allowed back on, according to the New York Post.

A flight attendant can be seen in the footage telling the family that they have to get off the plane due to non-compliance over mask mandates.

The 2-year-old girl is eating and sitting on the lap of the pregnant mother.

Her 7-year-old son, who was also present, has special needs.

I told you, noncomplianceyoull have to get off. I didnt want to do this, a flight crew member says in the video.

Were wearing masks, the father says.

She not wearing one, the flight attendant said, referring to the young girl eating yogurt.

The pilot wants you off, you have to get off, says the flight attendant.

She just turned two a month ago, the mother answers.

A few passengers can be heard defending the family, with one woman telling the flight attendant that other children arent wearing masks either, and a man saying that he would make sure that the family would wear their masks.

After the arguing, the flight attendant warns that she is going to call the police, and then leaves.

The Epoch Times reached out to Spirit Airlines for comment.

The flight attendant in on the video allegedly spoke to the family at the behest of a male flight attendant, according to Fox News.

I have no words. Next level craziness. I understand if I gave someone attitude but there was none of that. We were about to take off, father Ari Eisenberg told Fox. Everything was fine and all of a sudden someone comes over to us and asks us to deplane. We did comply, they had nothing to say. I kept asking what didnt we comply with. They had nothing to say.

Mother Avital Eisenberg told Fox: My son missed his medication window. Thank God he didnt have a seizure. He was sitting there in a soaking wet diaper because I couldnt change him during the whole thing. My daughter is going crazy from all this, it was a terrible, terrible experience to go through let alone someone with a special needs child.

The male co-worker who gave the instruction initially was reportedly not allowed back on the plane and was escorted away by Orlando police.

The father posted a video where passengers can be seen reboarding the aircraft, mentioning that the story has a happy ending.
Richard Okorogheyes mother has reportedly been told the body found by police in Epping Forest on Monday matches his description.

The 19-year-old, who has sickle cell disease, has been missing since he left his family home in the Ladbroke Grove area of west London on the evening of March 22.

On Monday, the Metropolitan Police said they were informed by Essex Police that the body of a man was found in a pond in the woodland.

Although the body has yet to be formally identified, Mr Okorogheyes mother, Evidence Joel, said police had informed her the description matches his.

She told the MyLondon website: Oh God, they said the description matches his, but well go in tomorrow to find out.

Ms Joel previously told The Guardian that waiting for information on her sons whereabouts has been hell, adding: Every day is a nightmare for me now.

Mr Okorogheye was last seen on CCTV in Loughton, Essex, in the early hours of Tuesday March 23, walking towards Epping Forest.

Initial police inquiries identified the teenager leaving his home address and heading in the direction of Ladbroke Grove at around 8.30pm.

CCTV footage shows he was wearing all black and had a black satchel bag with a white Adidas logo, worn across his lower back.

Police said further inquiries have established that he then took a taxi from the W2 area of London to a residential street in Loughton.

He was captured on CCTV walking alone in Smarts Lane, Loughton, towards Epping Forest at 12.39am on Tuesday March 23.

The force said Mr Okorogheyes phone has not been in use since his disappearance.

Ms Joel previously said that her son had spoken of struggling to cope with university pressures and had been shielding during the Covid-19 lockdown.

As someone with sickle cell disease, Mr Okorogheye would only leave the house to go to hospital for regular blood transfusions for his condition.




Luxury toiletries chain Molton Brown is relocating its Belfast store  bringing good news for a part of the city centre badly hit by closures.

It is shutting its existing city centre unit at Donegall Square North and is instead to open at 5 Arthur Square near Victoria Square Shopping Centre.

Molton Brown has applied for planning permission to open at the listed unit which used to be a Carphone Warehouse  and add non-illuminated signs.

A spokeswoman for Molton Brown said it was unable to confirm an exact store opening date for Arthur Square.

It also has a big store at Forestside Shopping Centre in south Belfast.

A move to Arthur Square will be enthusiastically greeted in that district after a string of closures.

Confectionery chain Thorntons will not be reopening its flagship shop and cafe just round the corner, while nearby Argos and hairdresser Peter Mark have also permanently shut down since the latest lockdown.

Belfast Chamber of Commerce chief executive Simon Hamilton said the move to Arthur Square was great news. Its a sign and indication that retail in the city, whilst challenged, is far from dead, he said.

Belfast clearly holds an attraction for those luxury brands, and its good to see them moving into a prime location.

Its an area that has seen a few closures  Cath Kidston, Thorntons, etc  and its really positive that, even where there have been vacancies, you can still have new openings.

The BHS further up the street is also getting reconfigured. There are good things happening in that area, even in the middle of a very difficult situation.

Alterity Investments last month announced its acquisition of the 70,000 sq ft former BHS store at Castle Lane.

It has plans to reconfigure the site, including subdividing the ground floor and adding other uses to the upper floor.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday urged NATO to speed up his country's membership into the alliance, saying it was the only way to end fighting with pro-Russia separatists.

Zelensky spoke with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg after an increase in clashes and Russian military movements on the border raised fears of an escalation of the separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine.

In a tweet after the call, Zelensky said it was time for NATO to move forward with Ukraine's longstanding desire for membership.

He said Kiev was committed to defence reforms requested by the alliance in exchange for membership.

"But reforms alone will not stop Russia," said Zelensky, whose government has said it hopes to be invited this year to join a NATO Membership Action Plan (MAP).

"NATO is the only way to end the war in Donbas. Ukraine's MAP will be a real signal for Russia."

Fears have been mounting of a major escalation of the conflict in eastern Ukraine, where government forces have battled separatists in the mainly Russian-speaking Donbas region since 2014.

Ukraine last week accused Russia of massing thousands of military personnel on its northern and eastern borders as well as on the Crimean peninsula annexed by Moscow.

The United States, the central power in NATO, stopped short of saying that Ukraine's membership had become more urgent and said Kiev must first complete reforms.

"We continue to urge the government of Ukraine to implement the deep, comprehensive and timely reforms necessary to build a more stable, democratic, prosperous and free country," State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters in Washington.

But he said President Joe Biden's administration supported the "open-door" policy of NATO and "the right of each sovereign country to choose for itself" whether to join the alliance.

Kiev's Western allies have rushed to its defence with a series of statements warning Russia against taking further action and seeking explanations for its troop buildup.

Story continues

"We call on Russia to make their intentions more clear as to what they're doing with this array of forces along the border," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters.

- Four more soldiers killed -

On Tuesday, Stoltenberg said he had called Zelensky "to express serious concern about Russia's military activities in and around Ukraine and ongoing ceasefire violations".

"NATO firmly supports Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We remain committed to our close partnership," he said.

The Kremlin has not denied the troop movements but insisted that Moscow was "not threatening anyone".

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Tuesday that NATO membership for Ukraine would do no good in resolving the conflict.

"We very much doubt that this will help Ukraine settle its domestic problem," Peskov said. "From our point of view, it will only worsen the situation."

"If you ask the opinion of several million people living in the self-declared republics (in the east) you will see that for them NATO membership is deeply unacceptable," he said.

The reports of a Russian buildup follow a dramatic increase in clashes along the frontline in recent weeks, with Ukraine announcing new deaths of its soldiers almost daily.

Zelensky on Tuesday wrote on Twitter that "since March 26 alone, we've lost 8 of our soldiers."

On Tuesday, Kiev announced that two soldiers were killed on the frontlines -- one by mortar fire, the other by an explosive device.

It also said another two were shot dead Monday after separatists opened fire on their positions with machine guns and grenade launchers.

The first incident took place near the city of Avdiivka, six kilometres (four miles) north of Donetsk, the separatists' de facto capital, and the second near the town of Zolote-4 in Lugansk region, the military told AFP.

- 'Retreat is not an option' -

At Ukrainian positions near Avdiivka on Tuesday, Kiev soldiers said that "retreat is not an option" in the event of an offensive.

"We'll kick the crap out of them", 35-year-old sergeant Vitaly, who goes by the nickname "Makhmud", told AFP.

Vitaly said that Western countries should stay alert because Russian President Vladimir Putin "wants to restore the USSR" and "Ukraine alone will not be enough for him."

Volodymyr, a 26-year-old soldier, said that the separatists had gone from firing "single shots" to now "systematically trying to destroy our positions" with shelling.

The conflict broke out in 2014 following Moscow's annexation of Crimea and has since claimed more than 13,000 lives.

The separatists are widely seen as having Russia's political and military backing, which Moscow denies.

Fighting had subsided before the recent outbreak of violence, with a ceasefire agreed last year having seen clashes drop to their lowest level in years.

Moscow and Kiev have accused each other of being behind the renewed clashes.

bur-mm-osh/emg-sct/caw
[April 06, 2021] OTC:ILUS, ILUS International (Ilustrato Pictures International Inc), Announces First Quarter of 2021 Progress Update and Highlights its Plans for the Second Quarter and Remainder of the Year

NEW YORK, NY, April 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire -- ILUS International Inc (OTC: ILUS) is a M&A company focused on acquiring and developing technology-based companies globally. The company has already completed 2 acquisitions in 2021. As the first quarter of 2021 drew to a close, ILUS released an update on its progress during its first full quarter as a publicly traded entity and highlighted its plans for Q2 and the remainder of the year.

ILUS International (ILUS) has been focused on building a business with a strong foundation, which it believes that everybody would be proud to invest in. The vision of ILUS as a company is a long-term one, focusing on growth, profitability and sustainability. The company is currently building a strong and loyal shareholder base whilst executing its business plan. There will be short, medium, and long-term milestones that ILUS feels will drive their continued organic growth. ILUS recently updated its shareholders in a letter which summarized its first quarter of 2021 progress, addressed some shareholder questions and highlighted its upcoming plans. The full letter can be found on the ILUS website under the downloads section. The company also provides daily communication on the Twitter platform, Twitter handle : OTC_ILUS Speaking from one of ILUS Internationals new global manufacturing facilities in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the companys CEO, Nick Link, said, As a team, we have made phenomenal progress in the last 3 months. Our sales pipeline has grown exponentially with both acquired businesses feeding off the synergies that exist between them. As the second quarter kicks off, we are now closing in on the acquisition of more innovative technology to complement our current suite whilst also focusing on adding more talent to our global sales, marketing and operational teams. We are all working extremely hard and are incredibly excited about the future for ILUS International. Having already appointed the largest fire truck manufacturer in India as its distributor for the region, ILUS International further expanded its sales network in Q1 2021 by appointing the largest distributor of fire fighting vehicles and equipment in Saudi Arabia as its distributor. The company announced that it is also currently looking for a suitable manufacturing facility in Saudi Arabia which will position it to capitalize on the growth potential in the Saudi Arabian market with the development of the new $500 billion Mega-City called NOEM. ILUS announced that it has multiple orders in production for its distributor in India where it also has its fire safety products listed on the Indian Governments purchasing portal. The company also has orders in production for the United Nations, various UK fire brigades, Dubai International Financial Centre, an Abu Dhabi Hospital and a large shopping mall in the UAE. During a busy first quarter for the sales team, where demonstrations were also conducted in Spain, Sweden, India, UAE, Saudi Arabia and the UK, the companys sales pipeline has grown to over $5 million of which they hope to convert 50% into orders for delivery during Q3 and Q4 of 2021. Ilus International announced that it will be releasing a product portfolio awareness campaign over the next few weeks which will update shareholders on the technology being developed and sold by the company as well as on its current customers and customers it is in discussions with. With the global fire suppression market rapidly growing and expected to be worth over $95 billion by 2025, ILUS has already developed and has been testing technology for commercial kitchen fire-suppression systems and is close to finalizing its route to market for this ground breaking technology. In the USA alone, the market for industrial fire protection systems for cooking already exceeds $2.5 billion. In an already very competitive landscape, ILUS key differentiator for its commercial kitchen systems is that they utilize FireBugs game changing low pressure water-mist technology which is capable of extinguishing multiple lasses of fires with water only and eliminates the need for foam or powder systems which damage both property and the environment. The new technology is also far more cost effective than the current technology available in the market. ILUS is expecting significant uptake for this new technology when it is released.



One of the ILUS acquisitions, FireBug, has already achieved international success with the sale of its revolutionary BacPac portable fire fighting system. FireBug is now in the final stages of testing its new lightweight carbon fibre second version of the much-awaited BacPac, with many distributors already arranging demonstrations and testing of the product, which ILUS says will be the first of its kind globally. ILUS Internationals E-Raptor EV is the worlds first six-wheel electric utility vehicle. The EVs superior load carrying capability combined with its zero emissions have already made it very popular with multiple customers in the Middle East and Europe, and ILUS now plans to have the E-Raptor certified for the USA market. The company announced its plans to engage in this USA certification process during the second quarter of 2021 whilst further increasing its demonstration and rollout activity across the Middle East and Asia during the same period.

ILUS International also confirmed that they are close to signing an agreement with a German Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Company which will enable them to roll out Fire Fighting Drones complete with FireBugs technology suitable for wildfire fighting. The company hopes to deliver this innovative technology to market by Q3 or Q4 2021 and will release more information once the agreement with the German company is signed. Following completion of the new joint TVC and FireBug Dubai manufacturing facility which will house its Engineering team and work in conjunction with the companys UK manufacturing facility, ILUS announced that it is now also focusing on expanding its current staff complement of 45 global team members with the recruitment of new Senior Management Team members and the filling of numerous additional key positions across the spectrum of Acquisitions, Sales, Marketing and Engineering. The company has very recently employed a new Marketing Director who will lead the implementation of the companys marketing and communication strategy whilst building and maintaining the overall branding and image of the company. ILUS International also announced that it is in discussions with 3 companies regarding acquisitions. The company aims to complete two acquisitions in the second quarter of 2021, followed by their first USA acquisition in the third quarter. ILUS revealed that it had recently completed the final few outstanding legal matters pertaining to its latest acquisition and therefore expects to announce this acquisition very soon. ILUS CEO, Nick Link, is incredibly pleased with the companys progress and is even more excited at the start of the second quarter, saying, I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together in just a few short months. We are now even more excited about the future and focused on delivering on our immediate plans. I want to thank my team for their significant efforts and our shareholders for their continued loyal support. For further information on the companies please see their communication channels: Website: https://ilus-group.com Twitter : OTC_ILUS

Contact: Nicolas Link CEO Email : nick.link@ilus-group.com

Irina Shatalova PhD, MBA, (PA to the CEO and Investor Relations) Email: Irina.Shatalova@ilus-group.com

Source: ILUS Related Links https://ilus-group.com Forward-Looking Information Certain information set forth in this press release contains "forward-looking information", including "future-oriented financial information" and "financial outlook", under applicable securities laws (collectively referred to herein as forward-looking statements). Except for statements of historical fact, the information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements and includes, but is not limited to, the (i) projected financial performance of the Company; (ii) completion of, and the use of proceeds from, the sale of the shares being offered hereunder; (iii) the expected development of the Company's business, projects, and joint ventures; (iv) execution of the Company's vision and growth strategy, including with respect to future M&A activity and global growth; (v) sources and availability of third-party financing for the Company's projects; (vi) completion of the Company's projects that are currently underway, in development or otherwise under consideration; (vi) renewal of the Company's current customer, supplier and other material agreements; and (vii) future liquidity, working capital, and capital requirements. Forward-looking statements are provided to allow potential investors the opportunity to understand management's beliefs and opinions in respect of the future so that they may use such beliefs and opinions as one factor in evaluating an investment. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and undue reliance should not be placed on them. Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or result expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although forward-looking statements contained in this presentation are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions, 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. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") has provided guidance to issuers regarding the use of social media to disclose material non-public information. In this regard, investors and others should note that we announce material financial information on our corporate website, www.ilus-group.com, in addition to SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls and webcasts. We use these channels as well as social media to communicate with the public about our company, our services and other issues. It is possible that the information we post on social media could be deemed to be material information. Therefore, in light of the SEC's guidance, we encourage investors, the media, and others interested in our company to review the information we post on the following U.S. social media channels: Twitter OTC_ILUS.



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Prime Minister Joined Youth-Led Social Justice Nonprofit, ECC, for an In-Depth Interview on Minority Inclusion and Public Service

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / April 6, 2021 / East Coast Coalition for Tolerance and Non-Discrimination (ECC), a youth-led nonprofit organization that mobilizes 3,200 volunteers from 15 universities to promote minority inclusion, interviewed Kevin Rudd, 26th Prime Minister of Australia and current President of Asia Society. This interview with Prime Minister Rudd is part of ECC's ongoing awareness campaign to combat rising racism during this pandemic. Previous guests at ECC include Chelsea Clinton and Michael Sparer.

"We must speak up when we see bigotry in any form," said Bincheng Mao, founder and President of East Coast Coalition for Tolerance and Non-Discrimination. "This awareness campaign represents all ECC volunteers' efforts to tackle the appalling wave of anti-Asian discrimination and violence across the country. We are grateful to Prime Minister Rudd for joining us and look up to his inspiring work at Asia Society."

In this interview, the Honorable Kevin Rudd AC shares his experience of advancing minority inclusion as the Prime Minister who delivered the first-ever national apology to indigenous peoples in Australia. He also discusses the role of perseverance and leadership in social justice work. "Persistence, persistence, persistence," Prime Minister Rudd noted, are the three words that young volunteers should keep in mind on this quest for greater minority inclusion.

Moderated by ECC founder Bincheng Mao and Outreach Director Charlotte Wu, this interview has been released on the website of Inclusion Advocate, a nonprofit publication of ECC. "We hope that, through this rational conversation, we can let more people know about the injustices facing minorities during this pandemic and inspire more to take action," noted Bob Wang, spokesperson for ECC.

About East Coast Coalition for Tolerance and Non-Discrimination (ECC)

Based in New York, East Coast Coalition for Tolerance and Non-Discrimination (ECC) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting inclusion and equity for marginalized minorities. As an awardee of the Clinton Foundation COVID-19 Student Action Fund, ECC has assisted over 85,000 minorities with language barriers in seeking medical attention during this pandemic, through its Health Care Access Equity for Minorities project.

For more information on ECC, please visit www.eastcoastcoalition.com

CONTACT:

Bob Wang, Media Relations Coordinator

Email: eastcoastcoalition@usa.com

SOURCE: East Coast Coalition for Tolerance and Non-Discrimination

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/639076/East-Coast-Coalition-for-Tolerance-Interviews-Former-Australian-Prime-Minister-Kevin-Rudd
Award-winning TV writer and producer David Simon got into a heated Twitter exchange with Piers Morgan on Monday (5 April) following the former Good Morning Britain hosts interview with Foxs Tucker Carlson.

In an ocean of talking-head sewage, what are the chances that the two most pouty and puckered assholes in broadcast television would ever swim through the brown, find each other, and discuss the events of the day?, wrote Simon, who is best known for his work on HBOs The Wire.

Talking of sewage, Dave... you were all over me like a sycophantic chap rash when I interviewed you, replied Mr Morgan. Yet now you play the vicious horrible illiberal liberal to appease your vile woke base. All a bit s**t, really. But on a positive note, I loved The Wire.

You met me once, on a stage at Cannes with Richard Plepler [and] Aaron Sorkin on a panel I attended at the request of HBO. 1) Didnt know you from a fart in high wind. 2) Was polite to said fart at Richards request as that man was a Medici to me. Now go lick some racist royalty, Mr Simon shot back.

Mr Morgan replied: Aaron was a class act. You.... not so much. Probably explains why The West Wing is so much better than The Wire.

Mr Simon shot back: Sorkin is swell and has gigs. Im still working for Time Warner after a quarter century. Youre unemployed and if it was a Tijuana cathouse and you had a fistful of fifties, you still couldnt get laid at TW or anywhere else over here. Not after that pratfall you did at CNN.

Yet oddly, despite your stupendous ego, I have 26 times as many followers as you! Youre a great writer but a repulsive human being. Aarons a better writer and a great guy, wrote back Mr Morgan.

Yes, popularity on this platform is truly indicative of worth and mettle. Its a damn wonder you keep getting fired when actual journalism is required. Now go hack some poor girls cellphone and call that moral midgetry reporting, you empty parasite, Mr Simon hit back.

Mr Morgan stormed off Good Morning Britains set last month after he was criticised by a colleague for questioning the validity of some of the claims made by Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in their highly publicised talk with Oprah Winfrey.

Over the course of his interview with Mr Carlson, Mr Morgan questioned the validity of Meghan Markles claims of racism within the Royal Family: Is she deliberately lying? Is she completely delusional? I don't know, but frankly, I don't care

It's not really about Meghan Markle, Mr Morgan continued during the interview. She's a delusional duchess who wants to make millions off the royals while trashing family  it's really about free speech.

What happened to me is happening all over Britain and America  I can take it, but there are many people who don't have our platform who are being wiped out, lives destroyed, careers ended for ridiculous things.
The mayor of North Las Vegas has ditched the Democratic Party, accusing them of deserting work-class Americans and becoming the party of the 'elitists'.

John Lee, 65, who has been a Democrat since his first state election victory in 1994, said he was switching allegiance to the Republican Party as he can no longer abide the direction his former party is going.

Lee told Fox & Friends on Tuesday morning that the Nevada Democratic leadership was now dominated by 'card-carrying' socialists.

'In the Democratic Party of Nevada, they had an election recently for leadership, and four of the five people were card-carrying members of the socialistic (sic) party,' Lee said.

Scroll down for video

North Las Vegas Mayor John Lee, right, broke the news on Fox & Friends to Steve Doocy, left that he was leaving the Democrat Party to join the Republicans

He said the Democrats, led by Joe Biden left, and Kamala Harris, right, had deserted working-class Americans in favor of 'elitists'

Nevada, home to North Las Vegas, was a consistently Republican state until 1992. Since then, Democrats have won the state in five out of seven presidential elections, including the three

'It's not the party that I grew up with 25 years ago in this environment and it's not the party that I can stand with anymore.'

He said working class Americans had been left behind by President Joe Biden's agenda, which has included passing a $1.9 trillion stimulus package giving every American $1400.

'The working class, the working men and women of this country and also the small business owners are not a part of the conversation anymore,' Lee said in the interview.

'It all has to do with the elitists and it has to do with the socialists. That is not the agenda that I have in mind for this country or the future.'

Fox & Friends host Steve Doocy asked Lee what people out West thought of President Joe Biden turning the Federal Government into a 'gigantic jobs program'.

'We've had issues out in the West here with COVID, and the tourism, hospitality and gaming industry,' said Lee, a father of seven and Mormon who has been mayor of the city since 2013.

'But we are not for expanding the government to even bigger and more intrusive into our lives. That is not what we want out West, and we're not going to accept it anymore.'

Posting afterwards on Facebook, Lee said: 'Today, I switched political parties. The Democratic Party is broken. Its time to bring people together to get things done. Its time to stop shouting and start solving problems.'

He later posted video to social media of his change of party allegiance.

North Las Vegas, situated 9 miles northeast of the famous Las Vegas Strip, has a population of about 250,000 people.

Nevada was a Republican stronghold before 1992. Since then, Democrats have won the state five out of seven Presidential elections, including the last three.
APIA Scholars "Wells Fargo is excited to collaborate with APIA Scholars once again through the Beyond College Webinar Series.

During an unprecedented time for college students, Wells Fargo has stepped up its commitment to career resources and professional support with a webinar series that continues to grow in scope, size and smiles. The 2021 Wells Fargo Beyond College Webinar Series kicked off the year with topics including Charting a Path to Graduate School, Defining and Building a Strong Leadership Brand, and Creating a Rock-Solid Resume.

The series, produced and emceed by Wells Fargos Relationship Manager, External Engagement, Dewey Norwood Jr., and with speakers spanning from college admissions executives to corporate executives, has truly inspired many college students to take the next step in their careers. Beyond College has been supported by a number of corporate, nonprofit and academic partners which has helped in expanding its reach to more students throughout the nation.

The College of Business Administration at the University of Nebraska Omaha has been partnering with Wells Fargo for six years to bring financial literacy to its students. Laura Beal, Finance Lecturer at University of Nebraska at Omaha, notes that the webinars in particular have been extremely successful, especially during the pandemic and that student feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

Dewey Norwood offered great detail for keeping track of our debt, controlling accumulation, and paying it off. I really admired how personable he was with us, and always telling us we can ask questions at any time, commented a student from University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Recently, Wells Fargo partnered with APIA Scholars to reach its audience with this critical and insightful information. APIA Scholars, a scholarship foundation for the Asian and Pacific Islander American (APIA) community has been diligently working toward granting greater access to education among APIA community youth in order to elevate individuals and empower the community to achieve socio-economic change.

"Wells Fargo is excited to collaborate with APIA Scholars once again through the Beyond College Webinar Series, said Julie Caperton, Head of Banking, Lending and Trust for Wells Fargo. In the last ten years, the company has provided more than $9M in financial support for scholarship and programming to support the APIA Community and this webinar series is an example of that support. We believe that the topics addressed are timely for college students at any phase of their higher education experience.

On Thursday, March 25, the series once again broke records with nearly 600 registered students bringing this years roster of Beyond College alumni already to more than 2500 young professionals from nearly 700 distinct colleges, universities and high schools. The session, Preparing for Success in your Job Interview, entertained more than 50 student questions.

"I have been fortunate to be involved with this series since its inception seven years ago," Norwood said. "Last years series reached a record-setting 10,000 registrants and on-demand viewers. And now with on-demand YouTube playback, anyone can access the series. Im proud that this series continues to spotlight a wide range of topics and feature partners who enjoy sharing their career experiences with students, especially my Wells Fargo colleagues."

For more information about the Wells Fargo Beyond College Webinar Series, please visit the Wells Fargo Website. Be sure to subscribe to APIA Scholars YouTube Channel to access all of the 2021 Beyond College Webinars.

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 Fortunes 2020 rankings of Americas 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 http://www.wellsfargo.com | Twitter: @WellsFargo.

About APIA Scholars

Based in Washington, D.C., Asian & Pacific Islander American (APIA) Scholars is the nations largest non-profit organization devoted to creating opportunities that provide access to higher education and resources that cultivate the academic, personal and professional success of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans (APIAs). These efforts include various development programs, college preparation workshops, and scholarship awards. Since 2003, APIA Scholars has distributed over $150 million in scholarships to deserving APIA students. APIA Scholars manages three scholarship programs: the APIA Scholars General Scholarship, the APIA Scholars Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander  Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) Scholarship, and the Gates Millennium Scholars/Asian Pacific Islander Americans funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Additional information may be found at http://www.apiascholars.org | Twitter: @apia_scholars.

CONTACT

Katrina Breese

APIA Scholars

kbreese@apiascholars.org

202.276.7253
Vietnam records 11 new imported Covid-19 patients on Tuesday

10 Vietnamese people and an Indian man who recently arrived in Vietnam have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, raising the total number of patients in the country to 2,648, the Ministry of Health reported on Tuesday evening.















Illustrative photo







According to the ministry's report, 10 Vietnamese new patients including three men and two women aged between 17-32 recently returned from Japan, Cambodia, and the Philippines to Danang City, Tay Ninh and Ca Mau provinces. They were sent to quarantine upon arrival and are now being treated at local hospitals.

The 43-year-old Indian man landed at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in HCM City on April 3 and tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 on April 6. He is now being treated at the Long An Provincial General Hospital.



With these new infection cases, the number of Covid-19 patients in Vietnam has increased to 2,648, including 910 locally-transmitted cases reported since the new outbreak started in Hai Duong on January 28.



As of 6 pm on April 6, a total of 2,422 Covid-19 patients had recovered and been discharged from hospital. There have been 35 deaths, most of them being the elderly with serious underlying diseases.



At present, over 36,000 people who had close contact with Covid-19 patients or returned from virus-hit areas are being monitored at hospitals, quarantine facilities, and at home.
Two Yemeni men on the FBI's terror watchlist arrested by Border Patrol in separate incidents in January and March 2021. (CBP)

Border Patrol Catches 2 Yemenis on FBI Terror Watch List

Within the past two months, Border Patrol agents have apprehended two Yemeni men who are on the FBIs Terrorism Watch List and the No-Fly list, according to Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Both men were arrested in separate incidents after crossing the border illegally just west of the Calexico Port of Entry in California.

Agents apprehended the first man, a 33-year-old, on Jan. 29. They also found a cellphone sim card hidden underneath the insole of his shoe, according to CBP.

The man was transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The second man, a 26-year-old illegal alien, was arrested on March 30. CBP said hes being held in federal custody pending removal.

These apprehensions at our border illustrates [sic] the importance of our mission and how we can never stop being vigilant in our everyday mission to protect this great country, Chief Patrol Agent Gregory K. Bovino wrote in a since-deleted April 5 statement.

In February, Border Patrol apprehended 11 Iranians who crossed illegally near Yuma, Arizona. Iran is considered a special interest country with ties to terrorism.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in January 2019 that an average of 10 known or suspected terrorists are prevented from entering the United States every day. Most are encountered at airports or even while still overseas as they apply for a visa.

An additional 3,000 special-interest aliens were apprehended at the southwest border in 2018, former DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said on Jan. 4, 2019.

Mexican cartels control the south side of the U.S. border, and theyre known to use large groups of families and children to tie up Border Patrol resources so they can send illicit goods and criminals through an unpatrolled area. Another tactic is to place criminals in with large groups so they can blend in.

Current estimates suggest that at least 1,000 illegal aliens evade Border Patrol capture every day.

In Europe, concerns mounted in 2015 and 2016, when terrorists started to infiltrate the massive refugee flows coming mostly from Syria.

In a two-year span from the end of 2015, more than 300 people were killed and thousands more were injured in ISIS-inspired attacks, including those in Paris (mass shootings and suicide bombings), Brussels (two suicide bombings), Nice (truck attack), Berlin Christmas markets (truck attack), the Manchester Arena (suicide bomb), the London Bridge (van and stabbings), and Barcelona (van attack).

We should remember, most of the terrorists that infiltrated the European borders abused that asylum systemmade up fake names and fake storiesand got in [during] the crisis, said Todd Bensman, author of Americas Covert Border War and senior fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies, on Feb. 10.

Bensman said the threat in the United States may very well be elevated and escalating.

The press release about the Yemenis has since been removed from the CBP website. A CBP spokesperson told The Epoch Times via email that it wasnt properly reviewed and contained certain disclosure and policy information related to national security, but didnt go into detail.
The acquisition of Windy City enables Parallels entry into Illinois, one of the best performing cannabis markets in the U.S. to date, said William Beau Wrigley Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Parallel. This transaction gives Parallel the chance to build upon Windy Citys neighborhood retail brand presence to bring customers well-being through cannabis products. We also intend to continue to have a positive impact in Windy Citys local communities by creating jobs and investing in employees.
NEW YORK, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Jianpu Technology Inc. ("Jianpu" or the "Company") (NYSE: JT). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.

The investigation concerns whether Jianpu and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On June 15, 2020, in a Notification of Late Filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Jianpu disclosed that the independent audit committee of its board of directors (the "Audit Committee") was conducting an internal review of certain matters relating to transactions between the Company and third-party business entities and, as a result, could not timely file its 2019 annual report. Then, on February 16, 2021, Jianpu announced that the Audit Committee's review had found "certain transactions involv[ing] third-party agents . . . with undisclosed relationships, and some transactions lack[ing] business substance," which the Company characterized as "questionable transactions." Jianpu further advised that, "[a]s a result, certain revenue and associated expenses were inflated or inaccurately recorded" in financial statements for fiscal years 2018 and 2019, and that "certain employees improperly altered supporting documents that were provided to the Company's external auditor." As a result, Jianpu concluded that "the previously issued audited financial statements for the fiscal year 2018 and the auditor's report can no longer be relied upon" and would be restated, and that "investors must exercise caution when using the Company's previously announced unaudited financial information for the fiscal year 2019."

On this news, Jianpu's American depositary share ("ADS") price fell $0.60 per ADS, or 13.22%, to close at $3.94 per ADS on February 16, 2021.

The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com.

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP

Related Links

www.pomerantzlaw.com


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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  With a bill signing deadline nearing, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Tuesday approved measures expanding two tax breaks for low-income New Mexico workers and overhauling the once-a-decade task of redistricting.

The two bills were among 50 measures signed into law by the governor, who has until Friday to act on most bills approved by lawmakers during the 60-day legislative session that ended March 20.

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Specifically, Lujan Grisham hailed the significance of the tax policy changes in a state with one of the nations highest poverty rates.

We know these programs are among the most effective anti-poverty efforts we have, the governor said in a statement. Expanding them means we can lift more families out of poverty and strengthen the safety net for the most vulnerable people in our community.

Under the just-signed legislation, House Bill 291, the maximum rebate for one of the two tax breaks will now rise to $730 per year, depending on family size and income levels, up from $450 under current law.

About 550,000 New Mexico taxpayers will be affected by the changes to the Low Income Comprehensive Tax Rebate and the Working Families Tax Credit  or about 55% of the total number of state personal income tax filers, according to the Taxation and Revenue Department.

Some of those who benefit will get larger tax breaks, while others will become eligible to claim them for the first time under changes approved by the Legislature.

That includes about 42,000 New Mexicans ages 18 to 24 who were previously not eligible for the Working Families Tax Credit, along with roughly 10,000 immigrant workers who are not U.S. citizens.

Taxation and Revenue Secretary Stephanie Schardin Clarke said the expanded tax credits could reduce the strain on social service programs and lead to more money going back into New Mexicos economy.

This money is really well-targeted to help people put food on their tables and pay rent, she told the Journal, adding that the changes would take effect this year but will not show up until New Mexicans file their income tax returns in 2022.

However, the more generous tax credits are projected to cost the state an estimated $100 million annually by the 2024 fiscal year, according to a fiscal analysis of the bill.

Thats because tax changes that would have generated more money for the states coffers  including a new, top personal income tax bracket for the states highest-earning individuals  were stripped out of the bill by a Senate committee.

Redistricting panel

The redistricting legislation, Senate Bill 304, will establish a seven-member committee to propose three maps for New Mexicos congressional and legislative districts. The group will also produce written evaluations of each of the proposals, outlining how they preserve communities of interest and meet other criteria.

Lawmakers, however, will retain power to pick one of the maps or amend them as they see fit  authority granted by the state Constitution for any legislative proposal.

The seven-member Citizen Redistricting Committee, nevertheless, is designed to limit the political influence over the crafting of the maps that lawmakers start with when redrawing political boundary lines, which occurs once every 10 years based on census data.

No more than three members of the committee can be from the same political party, and at least two must be independent, Libertarian or members of a minor political party.

A retired appeals court judge or Supreme Court justice will lead the committee.

The group cannot rely on partisan or party-registration data as it carries out its work. It can consider the addresses of incumbents only to avoid pairing them in one district while weighing other criteria, too.

Dede Feldman, a retired Democratic state senator who participated in two rounds of redistricting, described the final legislation as a compromise.

I think this is a real good move  a solid move in the right direction, she said Tuesday.

The nonpartisan nature of the committee, Feldman said, will give it strong standing among the public and the courts, if litigation arises. But the group should ultimately be judged, she said, by the quality of the maps it produces  whether they reduce gerrymandering, keep communities of interest together and protect the strength of minority voters.

Forty bills await action

Lujan Grisham has now acted on 118 bills passed by lawmakers during this years regular session  she has signed 117 of them and vetoed one bill dealing with fees for water testing.

The 40 bills still awaiting action include high-profile proposals to require businesses to provide paid sick leave to their employees, allow civil rights deprivation lawsuits to be filed in state court and authorize adults with terminal medical conditions to take medication to end their own lives.

In addition, a $7.4 billion budget bill and a $518 million capital outlay package are also awaiting approval on the governors desk.

Per the state Constitution, the governor has 20 days to act on bills passed during the final three days of a legislative session. Any bills that are not signed during that period are automatically vetoed.

Lujan Grisham has more time  until April 20  to sign a cannabis legalization bill and other measures passed during a two-day special session last week.
More than 1,800 prisoners have escaped jail in Nigeria after the building was stormed by gunmen with rocket propelled grenades and explosives, officials say.

Gunmen used explosives to blast their way into the administrative building of the prison in the early hours of Monday.

The heavily armed men, who arrived in pickup trucks and buses, were also carrying machine guns and rifles.

At least 1,844 inmates were freed during the attack on the prison in the south-eastern town of Owerri, the Nigerian Correctional Service has confirmed.

More than 1,800 prisoners have escaped jail in Nigeria after the building was stormed by gunmen with rocket propelled grenades and explosives on Monday, officials say

Gunmen used explosives to blast their way into the administrative building of the prison (pictured, burned documents inside the building)

Six inmates have reportedly returned to the Imo state prison, while 35 refused to take part in the jailbreak.

Police have blamed the Indigenous People of Biafra, a banned separatist group in the south-west of the country.

The group, which say they are fighting to restore independence to the south-western state of Biafra through a referendum, have denied staging the prison break.

A spokesperson for the group told AFP the accusations were 'lies', without expanding.

At least 1,844 inmates were freed during the coordinated attack on the prison in the south-eastern town of Owerri, gunmen appeared to have burned vehicles parked outside the jail

Six inmates have reportedly returned to the Imo state prison (pictured), while 35 refused to take part in the jailbreak

The Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma (pictured, centre) has inspected the site. Police have blamed the Indigenous People of Biafra, a banned separatist group in the south-west of the country

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari called on security services to catch the perpetrators, who he termed 'anarchists', and the escapees.

He said the attack was an 'act of terrorism'.

This attack is not the first to take place in Nigeria's Imo state this year.

Several police stations and vehicles in the region have been the target of attacks since January.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks, which have resulted in large amounts of ammunition being stolen.

A spokesperson for the banned Indigenous People of Biafra group told AFP the accusations were 'lies' and denied responsibility for the attack, in which piles of documents were reduced to ash
LONDON, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- With the rise of vaccination forecasted to bring travelling back to normalcy, Americans are eager to take a much-needed vacation. According to a finance website survey, 57 percent of consumers have a trip planned for 2021, with 16 percent saying they booked the trip right after hearing that the COVID-19 vaccine rollout had begun. Moreover, recent data from travel search site Kayak showed that Caribbean destinations are the most searched international destinations out of US airports.

In response to the uptick, American Airlines is planning to fly all its planes in May. The company is working to increase flight frequencies and cities across its network, including a rapid expansion in Latin America and the Caribbean.

"We're optimistic for the summer of 2021," said Julie Rath, American Airlines vice president of customer experience. "So, we're optimistic that we'll continue to see travel and especially leisure travel as we've been seeing recently, continue to increase," she added.

Since September last year, a handful of CARICOM Member States decided to operate in a travel bubble to resuscitate the COVID-19 challenged travel and tourism sector. This means that travellers from countries within the bubble do not have to be subject to PCR testing or quarantine restrictions. Furthermore, the Commonwealth of Dominica, a nation part of the bubble, launched its extended-stay visa programme dubbed "Work in Nature" (WIN). The visa provides the opportunity to work remotely on the island for up to 18 months. Currently, Jet Blue and American Airlines operate flights from the US to Dominica.

American travellers need a negative PCR test taken 24-72 hours before arrival and must submit an online health questionnaire. Upon arrival, passengers undergo another test. If it is negative, they are taken to either a "Safe in Nature" certified property or a quarantine location for at least five days. On the fifth day, travellers are re-tested and released from quarantine if negative.

In recent years, Dominica has become a popular destination for eco-tourism and internationally renowned for its commitment to achieving climate resilience. This was pledged by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit following Hurricane Maria and supported by Dominica's Citizenship by Investment Programme. The Programme's funding has helped several eco-resorts, a geothermal plant, and weather-resistant and affordable housing for citizens.

Introduced in 1993, the CBI Programme enables foreign investors and their families to acquire second citizenship once donating to the government fund or investing in pre-approved real estate options. Investors who opt for the real estate route have various international brands to choose from, including Hilton, the Marriott and Kempinski, alongside other boutique eco-resorts. Once successfully undergoing the necessary due diligence checks, investors gain access to benefits ranging from visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to over 140 destinations, alternative business opportunities and the ability to pass citizenship down.

[email protected]

www.csglobalpartners.com





SOURCE CS Global Partners
by Francis Khoo Thwe

Protesters use painted eggs with pro-democracy writing. Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and members of the various ethnic groups show unity against the military coup. One person was killed yesterday in Sagaing. So far, the military has killed at least 564 people. German firm stops supplying Myanmars mint. ASEANs current chair, Brunei, proposes a meeting to deal with the situation in Myanmar with support from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore.

Yangon (AsiaNews)  In several cities across Myanmar, protesters launched an "egg strike" on Easter Sunday, as the international community, especially the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), tries to find ways to defuse tensions in Myanmar.

On Sunday, protesters marched waving their three-finger salute, holding a painted egg in their hands; some laid the eggs along the road; others handed out the eggs with pro-democracy writing to passers-by.

In cities like Yangon and Mandalay, Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, as well as members of various ethnic groups took part in the "Easter" rally in a show of unity against the military coup.

On Monday, protesters clapped together to honour "ethnic armed organisations and Gen Z youths [. . .] fighting in the revolution, wrote a protest organiser on Facebook.

In the central region of Sagaing, one person was killed when security forces tried to break up a rally. According to local sources, the military has killed at least 564 people so far.

The ongoing protests and the show of unity between groups are prompting several foreign companies to put on hold their business dealings with Myanmar.

German-based Giesecke-Devrient has stopped supplying banknotes to the countrys mint. Some companies in Japan and South Korea have also cut ties with Myanmar.

South Korea is particularly critical of the junta. President Moon Jae-in repeatedly called for an end to "the use of violence against the people of Myanmar."

South Koreas National Assembly and some South Korean local government officials have compared Myanmars journey from military dictatorship to democracy to that of their own country, which saw clashes and fighting between the military and defenceless civilians during its transition to democracy.

So far ASEAN has only called for an end to violence, upholding the principle of non-intervention in the internal affairs of a member state. However, as tensions rise, events in Myanmar could impact neighbouring countries.

Since several ASEAN countries are also military dictatorships or non-democracies, unrest in Myanmar might stir demands for democracy within their own borders. At the same time, thousands of Myanmar refugees might cross into their territory.

For this reason, ASEANs current chair, Brunei, proposed a meeting of the Association to discuss the situation in Myanmar, probably in Jakarta.

Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines have agreed to the meeting, as has Singapore. But so far no date has been announced.
Caroline Wangari Muthoni, one of the female bikers emerging in Kenyan is the proud owner of three motorbikes. She spoke to the People Daily about her love for bikes and why she talks to her trio.

Why do you prefer bikes to cars?

I love bikes because they give me a reason to fight another day. They are quite therapeutic for me.

I have driven cars, but I dont get from them the same zeal I get when riding a bike.

How did you become a bike aficionado?

Growing up, I never thought I would ever ride a motorcycle. But somewhere along the way, I learnt to love them.

I bought a mountain bike with my first savings and later on bought my first motorcycle, which was a Honda XL200. The rest, as they say, is history.

Biking is largely a male-dominated hobby. How do you find it?

Well, the truth is that trying to fit into a male-dominated environment is not easy. But, it never bothered me.

I took it up as a challenge. Later on, a few male bikers saw the potential in me and welcomed me into their fold.

They were riding superbikes as I was riding a 10ft cruiser, which is somehow slower.

I learnt to never rush anything and I can say for a fact that all knowledge I have acquired, whether taught to me with hate or love, has made me who I am today.

Besides, a lot of people have embraced me as a woman. I have also learnt that everything is possible when you have the will to pursue it relentlessly.

Tell us how you got the trio?

I bought them. Not all at once, of course, but I have had to sacrifice a lot to have them.

I saved up for a while to get them. I still think that maybe I should get another bike.

What do the bikes do for you?

They are good for a lot of things, other than riding and for day-to-day transport.

One might think that these are just machines, but for me, my bikes are part of my family.

I love bonding with them and like to talk to them. We have entire conversations on how I ride, how I speed, how I lean and how I break.

We communicate. For me, its pure love and therapy.

What makes your attachment to the bikes grow stronger?

First, I have helped stranded people along the way with these bikes. Secondly, I love seeing the smiles on peoples faces when they stare at my bikes and see a woman behind the helmet.

Lastly, it is my way of motivating upcoming bikers. I am currently mentoring my seven-year-old brother, who is actually a passionate biker.

His dream is to bring various medals home in future in the motorsports category.

Your most remarkable moment while riding?

The most stunning moment for me was when I was on a road trip from Isiolo to Marsabit.

I got to fulfill my dream of hitting 300km/h in 23 seconds. I felt safe and incredibly great on the lone roads up north.

What are some of your worst experiences?

Seeing my bike up in flames after a hit and run was definitely my worst. Discovering faults on my bike while riding along the highway and having punctures in off-road and isolated areas is not so great either.

Tell us about repairs and maintenance

When it comes to repairing, servicing and cleaning, I do it myself. If my bikes need any spare parts, I look for them myself.

I will even buy them online just to see my bikes up and running again.

What are the challenges of owning three expensive bikes?

Getting spare parts is hard, especially since some parts are not locally available.

Again, the three bikes are of different makes, hence one cant ride them in the same way.

If I am doing short rides, I use the Honda 929RR. When I am having back pains, I use the cruiser for short rides. But again, I employ caution because of the difference in engine capacity.

I have also grown attached to my ZX14R, which has made me kinda distant with the other two.
Foroige Healthy Ireland will facilitate a very unique online assembly with the Kind Campaign founders, Lauren Paul and Molly Thompson on Friday, April 23, 2021.

The Kind Campaign educates young girls on the long-lasting effects of girl against girl bullying. This interactive event is available for any girl age 12-18.

In the case of girl-only schools, we encourage the entire class to join. To book a space, register at https://forms.gle/58MeWwPMNEatjR776

I would kindly ask for your support in encouraging girls to join as the subject of girl against girl bullying in specific is rarely discussed in this manner.

Foroige Longford have also established a Kind Committee with 15 girls in this age bracket.

Their job is to co-organise the event and recruit as many participants as possible. They will also be available to speak to young people in person.

The aim of this campaign is to provide a strong uniting platform for all girls in Longford and other parts of the country.
Health systems and organizations need to provide a cost-effective approach to testing individuals swiftly, reliably and securely. ixlayer's cloud-based platform, combined with Senpex's AI-powered route optimization algorithm and integrated with Senpex API, allows companies and governments to run a full-scale testing program that can deliver sample collection kits to their destination in under an hour.

"The CATCH study served as the first successful case study for how ixlayer and Senpex can distribute and deliver the product at scale," said Pouria Sanae, CEO of ixlayer. "A key part of providing telehealth and access to diagnostic services to patients in the home is ensuring that lab tests can be collected and delivered as efficiently as possible. We're pleased to have Senpex be our partners in this endeavor as more health systems and governments look to create similar programs."

Senpex and ixlayer first joined forces as a part of the CATCH study in San Francisco. The study used ixlayer's platform to run tests simultaneously with labs throughout California, track shipments, manage test inventory and provide comprehensive data for scientists and public health officials to understand the outbreak in their area and inform public health decisions. Senpex provided route optimization tools, multi-route planning with multiple warehouses concept and the courier network to allow for the delivery and pickup of the self-collection COVID-19 test kits. Additional vendors included Gauss Surgical, Nuvalence, DaklaPack and Microsoft.

"Since the beginning of our work on the CATCH study, our team has been impressed with ixlayer's leadership, knowledge and scale of product offerings," added Anar Mammadov, CEO and Co-Founder of Senpex. "We are excited to further our collaborative efforts on new projects to provide a more efficient system of delivery for lab testing by integrating our logistics API and work with ixlayer engineers. As the healthcare model moves to a more virtual, on-demand offering, we anticipate a greater need for lab and clinics to offer patients same-day delivery. Our team looks forward to working with ixlayer on similar projects like CATCH in the future."

The ixlayer cloud-based technology platform currently supports more than 1 million patients and launched more than 800 testing programs in 2020 alone. To learn more about ixlayer and its work to improve all aspects of diagnostic testing and telehealth services, please visit www.ixlayer.com .

About ixlayer:

ixlayer is an industry leader in the health-tech ecosystem, providing innovative solutions for enabling health systems, payors, biopharma, and health-focused companies to offer health testing in a virtual environment. The ixlayer platform delivers end-to-end solutions for the technical, security, regulatory, and user experience components of complex health testing. As the industry shifts to remote and virtual care options, ixlayer is powering patient engagement and preventative health strategies through virtual health testing, at scale. The ixlayer solution can be added to existing patient engagement platforms and patient portals to enable real time health and wellness lab testing. Founded in 2018, ixlayer currently supports millions of patients and has launched hundreds of testing programs for large organizations, health systems and every level of the government.

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Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest has parted ways with his trusty old wings and upgraded to the world's most expensive private jet worth $98million.

The Perth mining magnate celebrated Easter with the highly-anticipated arrival of his Bombardier Global Express 7500.

Until Friday, Mr Forrest relied on his long-serving 1990s Global 5000 to travel around the world.

Mining magnate Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest (pictured with wife Nicola) has splashed out on a new private jet

Worth an estimated $23billion, the Fortescue Metals chairman's latest splurge comes after collecting $1.6 billion in six months on his last dividend cheque, the Australian Financial Review reported.

His Canadian-made new jet can fly from one side of the world to the other without stopping to refuel.

Bombardier Aviation describes the aircraft on its website as the worlds largest and longest range business jet.

The model made its first flight in November 2016, and entered service two years later.

The jet can accommodate up to 19 passengers in four separate cabins.

Bombardier recently announced it delivered its 50th Global 7500 aircraft.

Mr Forrest is the third Australian business magnate to upgrade his wings to Bombardier's latest model.

Andrew Forrest has traded in his long-serving Global 5000 for the Bombardier Global Express 7500 (pictured)

The Bombardier Global 7500 is the worlds largest and longest range business jet. Pictured is one of the plane's four cabins

Media billionaire Kerry Stokes' plane arrived in Sydney in February after Melbourne property developer John Gandel was the first Australian to grab one.

Mr Forrest was granted various exemptions to travel extensively overseas during the coronavirus pandemic.

He made headlines earlier this year after revealing he contracted the deadly virus while travelling through Asia last year.

Mr Forest caught Covid from a Russian interpreter who joined his travel crew on a four-month tour in 2020 spanning 47 countries.

The purpose of the tour was to pursue potential renewable energy projects for Fortescue Metals.

Andrew Forrest is the proud owner of a Bombardier Global 7500 (pictured inside)

The new plane has spacious areas for relaxing during long flights.

The Bombardier Global 7500 has all the fittings to cater to passengers including this bar area.

The tour was postponed as Mr Forrest spent three days in a specialist respiratory clinic in Switzerland as a precaution and has since made a full recovery.

'I'm grateful that our apparatus, systems technologies and precautions kept my team safe,' Mr Forrest told the Australian Financial Review earlier this year.

'I would rather have not caught Covid, but it hasn't harmed me, I'm still as fit as a fiddle.'

He started his first mining company, Anaconda Nickel in 1994. Almost a decade later, he founded Fortescue Metals Group, which mines and ships iron ore to China.
Bishop State, Lawson State and Jefferson State community colleges recently held graduation ceremonies for the 39 students taking part in a joint program with Alabama Power.

The program involves partnerships between Alabama Power and Birmingham and Mobile community colleges on workforce development initiatives designed to prepare the students for lineworker careers.

We are excited to partner with these outstanding colleges and provide opportunities for Alabamians to train for great, safe careers as lineworkers, said Jeff Peoples, Alabama Power executive vice president of Customer and Employee Services. Helping ensure our states workforce is well-represented and prepared to succeed today and in the economy of the future is an important way we seek to elevate Alabama.

The program teaches students the fundamental of electricity as well as the math and sciences needed to work on power lines. In addition to classroom instruction, students receive hands-on practice in an outdoor learning laboratory, honing their new skills so they are job-ready upon graduation.

Alabama Power and other utility partners have been extremely impressed with the quality of hires from these programs, said Tom McNeal, Alabama Power Workforce Development Program manager. I encourage utility companies and contractors seeking quality candidates and students interested in applying for the programs to contact the school in their area.

Potential students who want to apply or learn more about the program should contact:

Bishop State Community College at workforce@bishop.edu.

Lawson State Community College at workforce@lawsonstate.edu.

Jefferson State Community College at workforcedev@jeffersonstate.edu.
Bengaluru, April 6 : Karnataka Road Transport Corporations Employees Association's president and farmer leader Kodihalli Chandrashekhar on Tuesday said that if the government wants to enforce the Essential Services Management Act (ESMA) on the RTC employees, then 1.30 lakh people, including the family members of the KRTC employees, are ready to go to jail.

Reacting sharply to Chief Secretary P. Ravi Kumar's warning, Chandrashekhar told reporters that the state government had given a written assurance on December 15, 2020 when the association had called off its indefinite agitation.

"The association had set the deadline to implement these assurances too. Now after three months, the state government is going back on its own promises. Therefore, employees are going on indefinite strike," he said.

He also appealed to the employees not to get disturbed by the threats issued by the Karnataka government. "If they enforce ESMA on us, let us all including our family members voluntarily go to jail and continue our protest from there. Let us continue our protest and agitation through peaceful means alone," he said.

The farmer leader said that there are always legal solutions for every Act in this country and the association too will explore those options. "People in the state are observing how the ruling dispensation was behaving with its own people. By imposing ESMA, the ruling dispensation is only showing its true colour of suppressing rightful demands of employees who are working hard with their half empty stomach to fill the coffers," he alleged.

He added that the present state government was repeating the mistakes of past governments in such scenarios. Talking tough does not do any good, it will only push the other person to take a tougher stance on an issue. "All issues raised by our members are solvable amicably and if the government wants to take tough stand, so be it," he said.
Letting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan hold the elections is inadmissible. This is what leader of the Democratic Party of Armenia Aram G. Sargsyan told reporters today.

Sargsyan stated that on April 24th (Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day), the Armenians need to show that the people dont want to die.

The politician stressed that even if the incumbent authorities want the Turks to set foot in Armenia, they cant achieve their goal since Russia is protecting Armenias borders and wont allow the penetration of any other country.

As far as Pashinyans upcoming meeting with President of Russia Vladimir Putin is concerned, Sargsyan said Pashinyan is going to Moscow to receive security guarantees. Armenia is currently facing the issue of maintenance of statehood, and only after this issue is solved will it be possible to think about development. The people must renounce manipulation and technologies that are being applied against them. As far as the statement on unblocking of communication links, this is only in the interests of Armenias enemies. However, Pashinyan says Armenians shouldnt be inimical towards a country that considers Armenia an enemy, has pretensions to Syunik Province and Yerevan and beheads our fellow Armenians. Pashinyan must face the court, Sargsyan concluded.
Loading Mr Cook said he had recently met with all the board chairs to identify longer-term solutions; he acknowledged ambulance ramping as an important metric for system pressures, which was why the government announced the ED bed expansion, and also acknowledged workforce challenges because of international border closures. Ive never backed away from the issues associated with our hospitals ... what Ive done is made sure that weve continued to invest in that system, making sure that weve got hard dollars, he said. Weve got a plan in relation to how we can ... make sure that we can provide better care. Newborn baby waited five hours to see doctor

Immediately after Mr Cooks interview, a caller told host Parker how it took more than a day and a half to get answers about his six-week-old daughter, who he rushed to PCH with a temperature of almost 39 degrees. Johnny, who did not leave his last name, said while he got priority access into the ED, he waited about five hours before seeing a doctor and it then took almost 12 hours before a bed became available. A diagnosis of a UTI did not come until a day and a half after they presented to ED. During that time doctors at PCH also tried to transfer his daughter to Joondalup Health Campus while she was still febrile, making the suggestion on Friday afternoon when peak-hour traffic was starting. Johnny was told he would have to drive his daughter himself as they were no longer considered a priority for ambulance transfer. Calls for an independent investigation into the death

The medical fraternity has urged for the investigation to be independent and transparent and to include recent systemic factors that may have contributed. Australasian College for Emergency Medicine president John Bonning strongly urged any investigation to consider the many unresolved concerns the college had been raising for some time about major pressures facing WAs emergency departments. We are thinking of the affected family, just as we are our colleagues at the Perth Childrens Hospital, he said. The focus must be on providing the necessary support to everybody affected, and ensuring that any systemic factors identified  such as hospital overcrowding  as contributing to this tragic outcome by a transparent investigation are addressed immediately. Australian Medical Association WA president Andrew Miller also called for an independent inquiry at arms length from the Health Department and cabinet, not one that would trot out the same excuses the Health Department is using.

Our hearts go out to the parents and the staff will be devastated that they were unable to have the opportunity to treat her sooner, he said. They would be going through their own grief of not being able to apply their skills in a timely manner because of the nature of their workplace. Dr Miller said it was time to stop the excuses and for the government to admit its budgeting had failed to address very predictable circumstances. Of course, there were going to be more babies born. We know how many people are pregnant. We know how many people are accessing antenatal services, he said. And saying COVID has anything to do with it is ridiculous because unfortunately as Aishwaryas case demonstrates, theyre not operating COVID principles in emergency departments anyway, slowing them down. We dont have any difficulty recruiting staff. Staff cant leave this at the moment.

He accused the health department of maladministration. I can understand why they dont want to come out and admit that, but their denials of it are becoming increasingly ridiculous in the face of all of this evidence, he said. Australian Nursing Federation state secretary Mark Olson said staff at King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth Childrens Hospital and major EDs had got in touch repeatedly in recent months, most recently in mid-March, worried about incidents resulting in harm to patients. They were saying it was becoming the norm to have eight nurses for 93 patients and that EDs were frequently bed-blocked, absorbing the care of patients unable to exit to wards, on top of emergency presentations. The colleges WA faculty chairman Peter Allely extended his deepest condolences to the family.
Classes in the Wilkes County Schools will start on Aug. 23 and end on May 25 in 2021-22 as a result of a calendar approved by the Wilkes Board of Education on Feb. 1.
Brent Simpson was feeling suicidal on the side of a highway at 1am when a phone call with a close friend helped him see the path forward.

The former street kid, ex-Bandidos enforcer, convicted criminal and father-of-four was working as a long-haul truck driver. He was exhausted and emotionally fragile from spending so much time away from his young family.

His friend suggested he return home to the Gold Coast and start a podcast chronicling his tough life experiences.

Simpson followed his advice and started The Clink, a popular podcast featuring a variety of ex-prisoners, underworld figures, bank robbers, athletes and even lawyers who tell 'real stories of redemption'.

Brent Simpson survived childhood abuse and a criminal past before starting his podcast

Simpson during his days as Sergeant-at-Arms in the Gold Coast chapter of the Bandidos

Simpson drove trucks around Australia after his release from prison in 2015

Simpson with his wife of 17 years, Yasoda, who was pregnant the last time he entered prison

Guests have included John Killick, who escaped from Silverwater Maximum Security Jail in 1999 when his Russian-Australian librarian girlfriend Lucy Dudko hijacked a helicopter and whisked him away from the prison yard.

AFL bad boy Barry Hall, and former gang member, prisoner and calisthenics world champion Chris Luera have also been interviewed.

Schapelle Corbys half-brother, James Kisina, who was carrying the famous bodyboard bag when it was seized and searched in Bali, ended years of silence when Simpson interviewed him, breaking down as he recalled the guilt he felt while watching Corby sentenced to 20 years in Kerobokan Jail.

Simpson with surfer and abuse survivor Dean Morrison (left), a Season 2 guest on the podcast

'The sentencing that's what really hit,' Kisina told Simpson.

'Now looking back, that's why I'm tearing up, because I felt helpless, like I had no platform to express. All these people can talk about my family and have an opinion, but I cant.

'From there I was kind of in anger. I was just angry. I was lost

'Now, thinking, I would have put my hand up for it.'

Schapelle Corby's half-brother James Kisina (right) broke down telling his story to Simpson

Kisina carried the bodyboard bag with 4kg of marijuana, for which Corby was later convicted

Kisina, now 32, told The Clink that he wished he had taken the blame for the Bali episode

Veteran criminal Killick recalled to Simpson how he made the dash for the waiting helicopter on the prison oval at Silverwater, as officers chased him and another in the watchtower fired three shots at the chopper.

'The screw from the weights room ran across, he was coming pretty fast, and the other screws started coming,' Killick recalled.

'I jumped onto the side. [Lucy] handed me a we had a sawn-off machine gun, and I sat and spun around and aimed it at the screws and they threw themselves on the ground.

'Then the guy in the tower fired three shots I was in the chopper by that stage and I heard it go ptt ptt ptt and I knew wed been hit The screws and the dog squad thought I was firing at them and they dived onto the ground, which really saved us. We flew out and got away.

'First thing [Lucy] said to me is, "I forgot the keys to the [getaway] car "'

Veteran criminal John Killick pulled off the most daring prison escapes in Australian history

Killick escaped Silverwater Maximum Security Jail in a helicopter hijacked by his girlfriend

The helicopter used in the jail escape at Silverwater Maximum Security Jail in March, 1999

Killick's lover Lucy Dudko, who hijacked the chopper, on her release from prison in 2006

Simpson, 45, uses his own troubled background, beginning in Sydney's far western suburbs, to help draw stories out of his guests.

'I'm always open because I know these people are talking about some true hardships,' he said.

'I've got to be open minded and be ready to hear some things that possibly havent been spoken about.

'I was in boys' homes and jails since I was a young person,' he continued.

'I was also physically and sexually abused. I had no family support. For me. it was all about being able to survive, which later led me into gang life.'

Simpson features guests from all walks of life, including AFL hellraiser Barry Hall

The Clink partners with charity, the Voice of a Survivor, to help institutional abuse survivors

A stint in Long Bay in Sydney was followed by a violent altercation with an off-duty policeman in a Sydney leagues club. Simpson went on the run, and ended up on the Gold Coast.

He played rugby league at a high level in the local competition until he was drawn into the city's gang culture, becoming a senior member of the Bandidos during a 14-year membership with the club.

'I became a very violent person and someone who didn't take sh*t from anybody,' he said.

'But at the same time I was very protective of those I cared about and loved.'

Simpson during his 45-day cycle across Australia from the Gold Coast to Perth

The cross-country ride was to raise funds for Heavy Hiterz, which Simpson founded

Simpson decided to change his life when he faced 10 years in prison for commercial drug importation. His partner  who he now has three children with  was five months pregnant at the time.

'It was extremely traumatic for her,' he said.

'I was never there to see my second son's birth because of my bad choices and I have to live with that. He's a young man of 11 now, and my best mate, and it's hard for him to know those things.'

Simpson served six years in prison for the offence, and then became a long-haul truck driver. He also established mental health support group Heavy Hiterz. In 2016, he cycled from Gold Coast to Perth in 45 days to raise funds for the organisation.

Nowadays he works with survivors of institutional abuse through the charity, The Voice of a Survivor, even taking their statements on behalf of law firms for possible use in proceedings.

The podcast 'supports itself', he says, as he continues to drive big vehicles on the Pacific Motorway roadworks to make a living.

Simpson stressed that the show is not about glorifying crime or criminals, but about the road out of that life.

'I also don't believe that just because you've done time that you have a story of redemption,' Simpson said.

'But I talk to people with unbelievably terrible stories of trauma and abuse who come out the other side despite all the odds against them.

'That's why I do what I do, for people to see there can be a better day.'

Simpson said demographic analytics show his listeners range between 25 to 50 years old, are both male and female, and from all parts of Australia.

'It's been powerful to see that and know youre reaching people,' he said.

'Lived experience is very powerful, and all these people with a tale of redemption are talking about lived experience.'

Like picking a favourite child, Simpson has difficulty nominating his favourite guest.

Ex-addict and former prisoner Chris Luera is one of Simpson's favourite guests on The Clink

'Chris Luera was one,' he said, when pressed.

'He's a three-time world champion in calisthenics, lost his parents to drug addiction when he was a baby. He was fostered, a crack and meth-head by the time he was 13. He was incarcerated for most of his life.

'He came home after his last sentence and told his adopted mum he would never resort to crack or ice again, and he never has. Now he's a successful author and world champion. That was a very powerful story. Each of them are very special.'

Simpson is about to begin Season 4 of The Clink, which will be devoted to women, beginning with Wilma Robb who survived years of abuse in Parramatta Girls' Industrial School and the Hay Institution for Girls as a child.

He said the success of the podcast, through Podshape, had helped him get to a better place in his life.

'I struggle mentally with type-2 bi-polar,' he said, 'but it's a lot better than it ever was before because of what I do.

'Hearing other people and helping other people is therapeutic, it really is. Being able to understand living with a mental illness, and finding a positive in your life, that's good.

'But the past never lets go, there are always frustrations.'

'The Clink' podcast is available here.
Half of Republican supporters believe the Capitol riot was a 'largely non-violent protest' and think it was driven by 'left-wing activists who wanted to make Trump look bad', a new poll reveals.

Six in 10 Republicans also believe the false claim put out by Trump that November's presidential election 'was stolen' from him due to widespread voter fraud.

The same proportion of Republicans think he should run again in 2024, the March 30-31 Reuters/Ipsos poll showed.

While 59 percent of all Americans say Trump bears some responsibility for the attack, only three in 10 Republicans agree.

Eight in 10 Democrats and six in 10 independents reject the false claims that the Capitol siege was 'mostly peaceful' or it was staged by left-wing protestors.

Since the deadly January 6 insurrection, former President Donald Trump and his Republican allies have pushed false and misleading accounts to downplay the event that left five dead and scores of others wounded.

Half of Republican supporters believe the Capitol riot was a 'largely non-violent protest' and think it was driven by 'left-wing activists who wanted to make Trump look bad', a new poll reveals. Six in 10 Republicans also believe the false claim put out by Trump that November's presidential election 'was stolen' from him due to widespread voter fraud

His supporters appear to have listened.

Since the Capitol attack, Trump, many of his allies within the Republican Party and right-wing media personalities have publicly painted a picture of the days events jarringly at odds with reality.

Hundreds of Trumps supporters, mobilized by the former president's false claims of a stolen election, climbed walls of the Capitol building and smashed windows to gain entry while lawmakers were inside voting to certify President Joe Bidens election victory. The rioters - many of them sporting Trump campaign gear and waving flags - also included known white supremacist groups such as the Proud Boys.

In a recent interview with Fox News, Trump said the rioters posed 'zero threat.' Other prominent Republicans, such as Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, have publicly doubted whether Trump supporters were behind the riot.

Last month, 12 Republicans in the House of Representatives voted against a resolution honoring Capitol Police officers who defended the grounds during the rampage, with one lawmaker saying that he objected using the word 'insurrection' to describe the incident.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll shows a large number of rank-and-file Republicans have embraced the myth.

'Republicans have their own version of reality,' said John Geer, an expert on public opinion at Vanderbilt University. 'It is a huge problem. Democracy requires accountability and accountability requires evidence.'

The refusal of Trump and prominent Republicans to repudiate the events of Jan. 6 increases the likelihood of a similar incident happening again, said Susan Corke, director of the Intelligence Project at the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate groups.

'That is the biggest danger - normalizing this behavior,' Corke said. 'I do think we are going to see more violence.'

In a fresh reminder of the security threats the U.S. Capitol faces since Jan. 6, a motorist rammed a car into U.S. Capitol police on Friday and brandished a knife, killing one officer and injuring another and forcing the Capitol complex to lock down. Officers shot and killed the suspect.

Since the deadly January 6 insurrection, former President Donald Trump and his Republican allies have pushed false and misleading accounts to downplay the event that left five dead and scores of others wounded

Allie Carroll, a spokeswoman for the Republican National Committee, said its members condemned the Capitol attack and referred to a Jan. 13 statement from Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel. 'Violence has no place in our politics ... Those who partook in the assault on our nation's Capitol and those who continue to threaten violence should be found, held accountable, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,' McDaniel said.

A representative for Trump did not respond to requests for comment.

The disinformation campaign aimed at downplaying the insurrection and Trump's role in it reflects a growing consensus within the Republican Party that its fortunes remain tethered to Trump and his devoted base, political observers say.

According to the new Reuters/Ipsos poll, Trump remains the most popular figure within the party, with eight in 10 Republicans continuing to hold a favorable impression of him.

In a recent interview with Fox News, Trump said the rioters posed 'zero threat.' Other prominent Republicans, such as Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, have publicly doubted whether Trump supporters were behind the riot

'Congressional Republicans have assessed they need to max out the Trump vote to win,' said Tim Miller, a former spokesman for Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush. 'That that is the path back to the majority.'

Republicans in Congress show few signs of breaking with Trump. Right after the deadly Capitol siege, 147 Republican lawmakers voted against certifying Biden's election win. The Democratic-led House of Representatives impeached Trump for 'inciting an insurrection,' making him the only U.S. president to be impeached twice, but most Senate Republicans acquitted him of the charge in a trial.

Last week, Republican congressman Jim Banks of Indiana said the party must cater to the working-class voters that comprise Trumps political base ahead of next years critical midterm elections that will dictate control of Congress.

'Members who want to swap out working-class voters because they resent President Trumps impact... are wrong,' Banks wrote in a memo to Republican House leader Kevin McCarthy, contents of which he posted on Twitter.

Banks was one of the 147 lawmakers who voted to block certification of Biden's win, and he later voted against impeaching Trump. Banks did not respond to requests for comment.

Some mainstream Republicans contend that after Republicans lost both the White House and control of both chambers of Congress on Trump's watch, the party must move on from the former president in order to attract suburban, moderate and independent voters.

In the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll, only about three in 10 independents said they have a favorable view of Trump, among the lowest level recorded since his presidency. Most Americans -- about 60% -- also believe Biden won the November election fair and square, and said Trump should not run again.

Representative Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, one of Trump's top Republican critics in Congress, has criticized the push to rewrite the history of the Capitol attack.

The disinformation effort is 'such a dangerous, disgusting spin on reality,' Kinzinger wrote in a fundraising appeal to supporters last month, 'and what's even worse is that it goes unchallenged by so many in the Republican Party.'

The window for the Republican Party to distance itself from Trump seems to have passed, Miller said.

'There was a chance after January 6 for Republican leaders to really put their foot down and say, `We cant be the insurrectionist party,' he said. 'Now that opportunity is totally gone.'

The Reuters/Ipsos poll was conducted online, in English, throughout the United States. It gathered responses from 1,005 adults between March 30-31. The poll has a credibility interval, a measure of precision, of about 4 percentage points.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 18:18:51|Editor: huaxia

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KAMPALA, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Ugandan police has rescued 29 Burundian girls and arrested five suspects involved in a human-trafficking racket in the east African country, a police spokesperson said here on Tuesday.

Charles Twiine, police spokesperson for criminal investigations directorate, told Xinhua by telephone that the Burundian girls were rescued while in transit to other countries for sex trade.

"We have rescued them (girls) and we have them here. I can't know whether they came from Bujumbura, Ruhengeri or whatever part of Burundi," said Twiine.

"Uganda is a transit route. We are trying to see how we can work on mechanisms of taking them back," he said.

The police spokesperson said the suspects will be arraigned in court to answer to charges of human trafficking.

"Trafficking of girls is one of the dehumanizing crimes that is associated with sexual and labor exploitation," said Twiine. Enditem
Making a cup of tea is a sacrosanct ritual for Britons  mug, tea bag, hot water, milk, remove tea bag, drink. Reassuringly predictable and delicious in equal measure.

But now one expert has caused uproar with his assertion that pouring milk on a tea bag before adding the boiling water is the way to get the tastiest cuppa.

This flagrant disregard for tradition is based on research which found putting milk in first helps counteract hard water - an issue which plagues more than half of Britons.

Professor Alan Mackie (pictured) of Leeds University says people with hard water should consider using the milk first method

Water increases in hardness as the level of minerals increases, with more than 350 parts per million deemed to be 'aggressively hard', according to Aquacure . Anything below 100ppm is considered soft, and water above 101ppm is hard, to varying degrees. Pictured, dark blue are parts of the UK where water is hardest, and the lightest blue is soft water. The royal blue regions are in the middle

Professor Alan Mackie of Leeds University says people living in regions with hard water should consider using the milk first method.

Research done in conjunction with INTU, a manufacturer of boiling water taps, found there are minerals in hard water which inhibit flavour compounds forming.

But proteins in the milk lower the mineral content of the water, Professor Mackie says, and gives a brew extra flavour, especially when the water is hard.

'Flavour by and large is produced by the different compounds in tea including tannins in particular,' Professor Mackie says.

'The more minerals present in water the more difficult it is for these compounds to develop the flavour - resulting in the dull cuppas you get in hard water areas.

Making a cup of tea is a sacrosanct ritual for many Britons, reassuringly predictable and delicious in equal measure. But now one expert has caused uproar with his assertion that pouring milk on a tea bag before adding the boiling water is the way to get the tastiest cuppa

Dan Walker, host of BBC Breakfast, said the research of Professor Mackie appalled his co-host, Louise Minchin

The issue of putting milk in a cup of tea before the water stirred up a lively discussion on social media (pictured)

Mr Pankhaniam a surgeon from Yorkshire, noted that the fact milk should be used first in hard water parts of the country, which is unlikely to affect more northern and less built-up places, such as Yorkshire

Drinking five cups of tea a day improves focus and reaction times in over-85s, If you're enjoying a cup of tea, you may be refreshing more than just your palate. A new study by researchers at Newcastle University shows a good brew improves brain function in people aged over 85. In the study, tea drinkers who enjoyed more than five cups a day were shown to have more focus and a sustained attention span. They also demonstrated better psychomotor skills  those linking brain and movement. In tests, they showed better accuracy and speed of reaction which could help in daily activities such as completing a jigsaw, sewing or driving a car. Advertisement

'Making tea the traditional way - steeping a bag in hot water before removing it and adding milk - results in the tannins turning into solids before they can develop the flavour properly.

'But, if the milk is added at the start of the steeping process then its proteins can bind to the tannins and other minerals in the water - preventing them from turning solid - which in turn gives you a far superior flavour.'

Hard water, such as that found in London, is rich in calcium and magnesium, whereas soft water is purer and bereft of these harmless pollutants.

Water is naturally soft when it falls as rain but gathers impurities as it makes its way through the rivers and treatment centres.

Water increases in hardness as the level of minerals increases, with more than 350 parts per million (ppm) deemed to be 'aggressively hard', according to Aquacure.

Anything below 100ppm is considered soft, and water above 101ppm is hard, to varying degrees.

Kieran Taylor-Bradshaw, Managing Director of hot tap manufacturer INTU Boiling Water Taps, adds: 'A decent cuppa brings joy and brightens the day, but for too many it remains a distant dream, with hard water to blame.'

He adds that INTU is 'delighted to be able to bring an end to the misery that blights millions of lives' but it seems many Britons do not want to change their age-old method of mashing.

Dan Walker, host of BBC Breakfast, said the research of Professor Mackie appalled his co-host, Louise Minchin.

Meanwhile, Good Morning Britain's Adil Ray, fronting the show following the departure of Piers Morgan, broached the topic on ITV this morning.

He revealed he likes his tea strong and with the milk added after the water and tea bag, but his co-host Kate Garraway revealed her penchant for tea made with the milk put in the cup first.

After learning of Professor Mackie's revelation, she exclaimed: 'So, I'm right!'

However, according to a Twitter poll run by GMB, Kate is very much in the minority.

More than four out of every five respondents say they prefer water than milk, with only 18.2 per cent of people saying they go milk first.

Good Morning Britain's Adil Ray, fronting the show following the departure of Piers Morgan, broached the topic on ITV this morning. He revealed he likes his tea strong and with the milk added after the water and tea bag,and some viewers agreed
No clear evidence has emerged that any minister has attended an illegal gathering. Gerald Darmanin, the interior minister, on Monday said that, to his knowledge, no government official had participated.

The report nonetheless set off fury online on Monday. Hashtags like #OnVeutLesNoms, or #WeWantTheNames, reflected widespread anger at the notion that elites were flouting the rules that others had to follow. The issue was still trending on Twitter on Tuesday, with a new hashtag: #OnVeutLesDemissions, or #WeWantResignations.

It is not the first time that some French restaurants had secretly reopened during the pandemic in defiance of government rules. Cafes and restaurants were forced to close for much of last year and have not reopened since the second national lockdown last fall, angering many restaurant owners  and diners.

As France entered its third national lockdown on Saturday, with schools and nonessential businesses closed for a month, there is a mood of deep discontent in the country. A poll released on Thursday showed that a majority of French people were skeptical about the new lockdowns effectiveness, and almost half said they planned to flout the measures.

The interior ministry said on Tuesday that more than 7,000 restaurants had been checked by the police since last October, resulting in fines for 300 owners and 1,000 customers.

But while the illegal reopening of small restaurants has often been seen as harmless resistance in the land of gastronomy, the illegal dinner parties struck a different chord, opening a window on the entrenched and clubby nature of Frances elites.

Officials flouting restrictions they impose on others has been a problem for many governments. Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain came under intense pressure after a close adviser, Dominic Cummings, was found to have broken lockdown rules by traveling across the country.
By Juliet Nalwooga

A boda boda rider yet to be identified has been confirmed dead after a shooting incident at Equatorial shopping mall by a security guard from pinnacle secure yesterday evening at about 6:30 pm.

After the shooting incident, fellow boda boda riders whisked the victim away and dropped off the body at Gaz Petrol station in Kanyanya, from where police moved the body to city mortuary Mulago for a Postmortem.

Police at Central Police Station in Kampala have since arrested the security guard a one Morris Opedunu.

Kampala Metropolitan deputy police deputy spokesperson, Luke Owoyessigire says the gun allegedly used in the shooting was recovered with 4 rounds of ammunition and a cartridge.

Investigations into the incident are still on.
New York, US (PANA) - The COVID crisis "has revealed how unequal our societies are said the UN chief in his message for World Health Day released on Monday
Amid the sharp rise in



positive cases, the government on Tuesday announced a curfew from 8 pm to 6 am in 20 cities in the state, which will come into force from Wednesday, till April 30.

Earlier in the day, the High Court had observed that the COVID-19 situation in the state was getting "out of control", and suggested a curfew or lockdown could be imposed for three to four days to break the infection chain.

Earlier, the curfew was in force from 9 pm to 6 am in Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot cities in

The government has also banned political or social gatherings till April 30 and reduced the number of guests who can attend a marriage ceremony.

The decision to impose the night curfew was taken in the meeting of a core group for headed by Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and principal secretary in Prime Ministers Office (PMO) P K Mishra also joined the meeting held here in the night. "COVID-19 cases are on the rise every day. Home minister Amit Shah and, principal secretary in the PMO P K Mishra today joined our core group meeting on and guided us," Rupani said after attending the meeting.

"The High Court has given us some suggestions and we have decided on it. Earlier we had imposed a curfew in four big cities of the state. Now we have decided to implement a night curfew in 20 cities of the state," Rupani said.

He said the timing of the new curfew will be from 8 pm to 6 am.

Rupani said the Centre will send a team of medical experts to Gujarat which will help the state government to devise a strategy to check the rise in the cases.

The high-level meeting between top officials of the Gujarat government, Shah, and officials of the PMO was held hours after a HC bench headed by Chief Justice Vikram Nath observed that the pandemic situation in the state was getting out of control.

The bench suggested that a curfew or lockdown could be imposed for three to four days to break the infection chain.

The cities where the curfew is being imposed are Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Jamangar, Bhavnagar, Junagadh, Gandhinagar, Anand, Nadiad, Mehasana, Morbi, Dahod, Patan, Godhra, Bhuj, Gandhidham, Bharuch, Surendranagar and Amreli.

Meanwhile, in view of the rise in cases, the state government has reduced the number of people who can attend a marriage ceremony to 100 now from 200, the CM said. "Besides, no political or social gathering will be allowed in the state till April 30. In any other type of gathering, only 50 persons will be allowed," Rupani said.

He said the areas under the poll-bound Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation and Morva Hadaf assembly constituency were exempted from the curbs.

Rupani said the government offices will remain shut in the state every Saturday and Sunday of this month.

The chief minister said the state government has also decided to ramp up the number of RT-PCR tests.

"Contact tracing will be increased to identify the infected people. Such patients will be isolated so that the chain of the infection can be broken. We have decided to strictly implement restrictions in micro containment zones and the help of the police will be taken," he added.

Rupani said 70 per cent of oxygen produced by manufacturers will now be kept reserved for medical use instead of the previous ceiling of 60 per cent.

The CM also said the number of beds in hospitals is being increased and assured that there was no shortage of beds in the state for treatment of COVID-19 patients. Gujarat reported 3,280 fresh coronavirus positive cases in the last 24 hours, the highest rise in a day, taking the tally of infections to 3,24,878 while 17 deaths pushed the toll to 4,598, according to the state health department.

(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 man was left seriously injured on Monday night (5 April) after a massive fight involving gangs of young men in Malaga city centre. After the emergency services stabilised the unconscious victim he was rushed to hospital with a serious head injury.

The brawl involved several groups of young men who clashed in the middle of the street near the Plaza Mitjana just after 10pm and involved mainly foreign nationals according to SUR sources.

The National Police are investigating the exact circumstances in which the man suffered the injuries but one theory is that he hit his head against a wall.

Locals have complained of similar events in the area and the latest incident was just a few metres from where a young Malaga man, Pablo Podadera, died after being hit while mediating in a fight in April 2017. The retrial for his death began this Monday, after Andalucias Superior Court of Justice declared the initial trial - in which the defendants were sentenced to three years in prison - invalid.
Kyle's filmed a few more episodes since the last time we saw him testing the car on the dyno . That was a little over a month ago, and after almost a full day spent on the dyno, the Mustang did get up to 737 horsepower and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque. Some changes have been made, and with the giant intercooler mounted in front of the turbo setup , the car looks like, as per Kyle's words, "A Canadian Rolls Royce."If you were concerned that he might not see clearly in front of the car because of that intercooler, rest assured; the turbos were already blocking his view. Before heading out, he refuels the Mustang with Fuse 116 octane, which he mentions is cheaper than what other people use. As with any project car, it doesn't start right away, and it does require some tinkering before coming to life.Changing the plugs was the right move, and moments later, we see the car unloaded onto a large yet damp pad. Once again, we are reminded that this isn't a plug-and-play, turn-the-key, and go kind of car, as he still needs to fiddle around with his laptop before actually proceeding with what he had in mind. He tries to do a launch, but there's simply not enough grip for him to put the power down.His original plan of pitching the Mustang against another supercharged or turbocharged V8 muscle car was ditched in favor of doing burnouts, and those rear tires were lit up in an instance, to the point where you could barely see the car through the resulting cloud of smoke. The "scene of the crime" almost reminds us of the "Back to the future" movie, but we don't think that Kyle managed to get up to 88 mph (141 km/h) in the process.We get to see several burnouts from various cars throughout the video, and even Kyle's girlfriend is in on it, driving the Hellcat Challenger. As he goes for another burnout, something seems to be wrong with the car, and Kyle adds that: "As I shifted from second to third too quick, it actually dropped the motor speed down too far, bellow where the boost kicks in, and it didn't do a burnout anymore".At this point, Kyle considers giving the car one more go on the dyno, before perhaps opting for a compound-turbo setup so that he could extract its maximum potential. Regardless of how things will evolve with the Mustang, he will be turning his attention towards his old Honda Civic project, which was already a quad-turbo setup. But with four pistons and four turbos, the next fun part for him is to make the Honda four-wheel drive.I asked Kyle how he felt after taking the car out, and his answer was what you would expect from someone who owns a project car. "It felt great until it felt like garbage". That's why it's nice to have a newer car around because you can just jump in and drive it. But at the end of the day, few cars on the market can provide the same levels of excitement as a crazy project car can.
One of the limitations of Apples M1 Macs is that they do not come with user-upgradeable RAM or storage. However, it looks like technicians in China have managed to find a workaround for this limitation as well.

Technicians in Guangzhou, China have discovered that it is possible to remove the RAM and SSD from the M1 chip and replace them with a larger capacity module. The upgraded modules will also be identified by macOS without any issues. The process is applicable for all M1 Macs, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and the Mac mini.

Chinese maintenance engineers can already expand the capacity of the Apple M1. The 8GB memory has been expanded to 16GB, and the 256GB hard drive has been expanded to 1TB. pic.twitter.com/2Fyf8AZfJR  DuanRui (@duanrui1205) April 4, 2021

A number of M1 Mac owners in China have been able to upgrade the RAM and storage on their machines. Apple solders the RAM and storage on the M1 Macs, which means the procedure is extremely risky and theres a high risk of failure. It also goes without saying that doing any such modification on your M1 Mac will void its warranty for good.

Apple offers customers the option to increase the RAM and storage on their M1 Macs while buying it. However, the company charges quite a lot of money for such simple upgrades, with the bump in RAM from 8GB to 16GB costing $200. The upgrade to 1TB storage will cost you $400 and a whopping $800 for 2TB.

Apple soldered the RAM and storage on its Intel-based Macs as well, which meant that upgrading their RAM and storage after purchasing them was not possible. The company only allows users to upgrade the RAM on the iMac, iMac Pro, and Mac Pro. While tricky, it is also possible to upgrade the RAM on Intel-based Macs.

Will you be willing to make such a modification on your M1 Mac to increase its RAM or storage? If so, how much will you be willing to pay for it? Drop a comment and let us know!

[Via ChongdianTou
OR YEHUDA, Israel, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Synchrony Medical, a medical device company developing a personalized chest physiotherapy system designed to provide efficient airway clearance, has recently initiated a clinical trial at The National Cystic Fibrosis Center of Israel, at Sheba Medical Center.

The trial aims to test the functionality of the system and compare its airway clearance effectiveness to standard of care solutions currently used in Cystic Fibrosis and Bronchiectasis patients.

Dr. Moshe Ashkenazi (Left), Mr. Gil Sokol, Prof. Ori Efrati, and Ms. Anat Shani

"Effective airway clearance on a daily basis at home is the key to keeping chronic lung patients stable and breaking the vicious cycle of clinical deteriorations," said Dr. Moshe Ashkenazi, Pediatric Pulmonologist, Deputy Director, Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba Medical Center and Synchrony Medical's Co-founder.

Synchrony Medical has developed a novel airway clearance system based on a unique chest physiotherapy method developed at the National Cystic Fibrosis Center of Israel, Sheba Medical Center. The system includes real time sensing for an adaptive treatment to achieve effective airway clearance.

"Our system will enable patients to receive state-of-the-art chest physiotherapy independently, in the comfort of their own home," explained Anat Shani, CEO of Synchrony Medical. "By making this effective therapy accessible, Synchrony Medical will bring to patient's years of experience from Sheba's respiratory experts and may help minimize pulmonary exacerbations and costly hospitalization associated with chronic lung diseases. This trial brings us one step closer to our goal: improving the lives of millions of chronic lung disease patients who deserve better airway clearance solutions."

Synchrony Medical is a portfolio company of MEDX Xelerator, a medical device incubator formed as an initiative of MEDX Ventures Group together with Boston Scientific, Intellectual Ventures and Sheba Medical Center.

About Synchrony Medical

Synchrony Medical, a portfolio company of MEDX Xelerator, is a clinical stage medical device company innovating airway clearance for patients living with chronic lung diseases. Synchrony's system will enable patients to receive high quality chest physiotherapy independently at the comfort of their home. The system synchronizes a unique chest compression sequence and the delivery of positive airway pressure with the patient's breathing cycle, according to a personalized treatment algorithm. It is based on a unique airway clearance method developed at the National CF Center of Israel, at the Sheba Medical Center.

About MEDX Xelerator

MEDX Xelerator is a leading MedTech incubator formed as an initiative of MEDX Ventures Group together with Boston Scientific, Intellectual Ventures' Invention Science Fund and Sheba Medical Center. Operating under the auspices of the Israel Innovation Authority, MEDX leverages the healthcare expertise and industry experience of its team with the industry leading insights of its partners to nurture its portfolio companies into successful medical ventures for the benefit of patients and health care professionals. For more information, visit: https://www.medxelerator.com/.

About Sheba Medical Center

The largest and most comprehensive medical center in the Middle East, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer is generating global impact through its medical care, research and healthcare transformation. Sheba's City of Health boasts an acute-care hospital, rehabilitation hospital, research and innovation hubs, medical simulation center and center for disaster response on one comprehensive campus in the center of Israel. A university teaching hospital affiliated with the Sackler School of Medicine at Tel-Aviv University, Sheba is shaping the future of healthcare, educating the next generation of care providers. Sheba serves as a true hospital without borders, welcoming patients and healthcare professionals from all over the world and consistently providing the highest-level medical care to all in need. Sheba has been ranked a top-ten hospital in the world by Newsweek three years in a row (2019, 2020, 2021). For more information, visit: eng.sheba.co.il.

Marketing Contact:

Inbal Landsberg, PhD

Chief Business Officer

[email protected]

SOURCE MEDX Xelerator

Related Links

http://www.medxelerator.com/


During a recent Budget Advisory Committee meeting, Superintendent Peter Dillon announced that a new principal has been selected for the Richmond Consolidated School.
A member of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change Alliance has been jailed for an effective 20 months for inciting public violence and resisting arrest.

Harare magistrate, Judith Taruvinga, sentenced Makomborero Haruzivishe to 24 months in jail on the first count of incitement of violence and 12 months for the second count. Ten of the 24 months and six of the 12 months were suspended on condition of good behavior.

There were running battles outside the court between the police and supporters of the MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa soon after Makomborero was jailed. A journalist working for 263Chat was injured while he was trying to interview the jailed mans lawyers.

In mitigation, the MDC Alliance activists attorney Kossam Ncube, had pleaded for a non-custodial sentence, saying he has no previous conviction.

But Taruvinga noted that he deserved a custodial sentence for inciting violence even if she pointed out that he did not take part in the public disturbances.

Haruzivishe pleaded not guilty to charges of engaging in public violence in Harare on February 5 last year and resisting arrest.

The state claims that he mobilized vendors to fight against police, who were evicting them from the Harare central business district. He is said to have stoned some of the policemen who were arresting vendors while shouting on top of his voice telling people to resist police brutality.

In court documents, police claim that Haruzivishe became violent and vicious shouting on top of his voice saying in Shona, Munotisungirei? Munota kutiwachisa chete (Why are you arresting us? You just want to fix us). He was later on overpowered by the police officers and was arrested.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 23:47:26|Editor: huaxia

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NAKURU, Kenya, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan security personnel on Tuesday launched a security operation against bandits in northwestern counties of Baringo, Laikipia and Turkana that are inhabited by pastoralists.

George Natembeya, the Rift Valley regional commissioner, said multiple attacks in the troubled region forced the state to carry out an operation to weed out criminals and retrieve illegal firearms in the hands of the civilians.

Natembeya said the government early this month suspended an operation to mop up guns from residents in the volatile northwest counties after local leaders called for a ceasefire.

He said interventions by political leaders who had requested for a one-month ceasefire as they engaged the locals had failed to bear fruit.

"Political leaders drawn from Baringo, West Pokot and Turkana requested that we allow them to conduct a one-month peace campaign and voluntary disarmament. Despite their efforts, at least four attacks have been reported in the past two days," said Natembeya. "We cannot allow bandits to unleash terror on innocent civilians. We have decided to go for them now that they don't want peace."

Governors from West Pokot, Turkana and Baringo counties in March requested the state to suspend security operations and lift curfew occasioned by rising bandit attacks that had destabilized a region renowned for recurrent droughts and food insecurity.

Fred Matiang'i, the cabinet secretary for the Ministry of Interior & Coordination of National Government, on March 23 accepted the request for suspension of security operation by the three governors and gave them one month to engage local civilians and forge a way forward for sustained peace.

Natembeya said that tribal attacks have continued in the region despite political leaders holding several meetings to look for a ceasefire.

Clashes between the rival cattle-herding pastoralists in the region are common, with herders often carrying guns to protect their animals. Enditem
News Bulletin

No.5, 2021

2021/04/02

The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China deliberated on and adopted the amendments to Annexes I and II to the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR

On March 30th, 2021, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China deliberated on and adopted the amendments to Annexes I and II to the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR. This is a move to systemically revise and improve the methods for the selection of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR and for the formation of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong SAR. It will provide strong institutional safeguards for the full and faithful implementation of the policy of One Country, Two Systems and the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong", and ensure the stability of Hong Kong in the long run. It embodies the common aspiration of the Chinese people, including the Hong Kong compatriots.

The move to improve the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR aims to develop, in a gradual and orderly manner, a democratic system that is in line with the constitutional order of Hong Kong and suited to its actual situation. It will better ensure extensive and balanced political participation of Hong Kong residents and serve the interests of all social strata, all sectors and all parties of Hong Kong society. It will help improve the governance efficacy of the Hong Kong SAR, safeguard the fundamental interests of Hong Kong and promote its long-term development. The new electoral system will help foster a better political, social, legal and business environment and usher in brighter development prospects for Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China and Hong Kong affairs are China's internal affairs. The Chinese government has the resolve and confidence to safeguard the sovereignty, security and development interests of the country and the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. It has the resolve and confidence to ensure the continued success of the policy of One Country, Two Systems, under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy. Any attempt to meddle in Hong Kong affairs and impose pressure on China is doomed to fail.

The full text of Annexes I and II to the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR can be accessed at:

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-03/30/c_139846350.htm

(End of Item)
Activist investors have intensified their campaign to unseat five members of the Kohls Corp. board.

On Tuesday, the activist investors  Macellum Advisors GP LLC, Ancora Holdings Inc., Legion Partners Asset Management LLC, and 4010 Capital LLC  sent a letter to shareholders slamming Kohls on several fronts.

More from WWD

The group contended that Kohls stock has consistently underperformed and that recent increases in the share price represent in large part a function of how poorly the stock performed during the initial phases of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The activists also said the recent stock gains had virtually nothing to do with the retailers new strategic plan revealed in October 2020 and more to do with how a pathway out of the pandemic emerged. The investor group owns a total 14,696,905 shares of Kohls, constituting 9.3 percent of the companys outstanding common stock.

The activists also contend that Kohls missed on achieving performance goals set by its Greatness Agenda, launched in spring of 2014, and that new initiatives set forth last fall recycle many of the same ones from the Greatness Agenda.

In response, Kohls senior vice president of corporate communication, Jen Johnson, fired back, stating: The activists letter once again demonstrates their fundamental lack of understanding of our company and the retail industry in which we compete. In an attempt to substantiate their own position, they draw comparisons to irrelevant retail companies to convey a misleading picture of performance.

In the letter, the activists posted a chart indicating Kohls total shareholder returns including dividends for the pre-COVID-19 period through Jan. 31, 2021, as well as for different years indicating lower return rates compared to a retail peer group and other indexes. But the group includes some retailers that dont compete directly against Kohls, such as The Container Store and Dicks.

Story continues

According to Johnson, Kohls share price has significantly outperformed, for example, the department store peer set on the one-, three- and five-year time periods, even excluding the two direct peers (J.C. Penney and Sears) that have filed for bankruptcy amidst significant industry headwinds. Since our new strategy was unveiled in October, our share price has grown more than 200 percent, outperforming the S&P 500 by more than 185 percent  a clear reflection of our differentiated and strong momentum.

Kohls stock is currently trading at around $60, and over the last 52 weeks has ranged from a low of $15.04 to as high as $64.16.

Kohls current strategy focuses on building up active, casual and beauty assortments, with such brands as Nike, Under Armour, Adidas, Champion, and Columbia as well as soon establishing in-store Sephora shops and selling Calvin Klein mens underwear, womens intimates and loungewear. Recently, Lands End was added to the brand lineup, among other changes.

The activist group has nominated Jonathan Duskin, Margaret L. Jenkins, Jeffrey A. Kantor, Thomas A. Kingsbury and Cynthia S. Murray for the board at Kohls. Shareholders will vote on the nominees at Kohls annual meeting scheduled for May 12.

The activist group is also advocating the sale and lease-back of Kohls real estate to generate shareholder value. Kohls board, including the retailers chief executive officer Michelle Gass, have firmly rejected the activists proposal for board changes and sale-leasebacks of real estate.

Macellum said it has waged successful proxy contests to effectuate meaningful change at The Childrens Place, Christopher & Banks, Citi Trends, Bed Bath and Beyond, and most recently Big Lots.
But in 1971, software engineer Ray Tomlinson introduced the "@" symbol to route electronic mail between different computers within the ARPANET system, a forerunner of the world wide web.

Today, 50 years after Tomlinson introduced the @ symbol to our vocabulary, we still use the "@" methodology to send almost 300 billion emails back and forth across the internet, every single day.

Despite email being declared "dead" many times over the years, experts say use of email messaging is only going to increase in the coming years.

The History of Email: A Brief Timeline

Here's a brief history of email, including the key innovations and services email messaging has seen over its 50-year journey.

Important Pre-email Milestones

1962: The Administrative Terminal System

In 1962, IBM introduced the first "networked" computer system with a system known as the Administrative Terminal System.

For the first time, users could access information from a network of computers, instead of just their local computer.

1969: Electronic messages exchanged within ARPANET

By 1969, the U.S. Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) had created ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network), a computer network meant to facilitate communication within the organization. (ARPA became "DARPA" in 1971 when the U.S. added "Defense" in front of the agency name.)

The first electronic message sent specifically from one computer to another happened on October 29, 1969. It transferred a simple message from a UCLA computer to one at Stanford University. It looked like this:

50 Years of Email

1971: Ray Tomlinson sends the first email using the "@" character

In 1971, programmer Ray Tomlinson conceived of using the "@" symbol to route electronic mail to individual users on specific computers within ARPANET.

This moment is generally known as the "invention" of network email as we know it today, and Tomlinson is credited as the inventor of email. His system enabled the exchange of messages within ARPANET, connecting researchers at places like MIT, Purdue, Stanford, and USC.

We continue to use the "@" symbol to route messages to web servers all over the world.

1973: DARPA standardizes email fields and functions

DARPA continued to be a major player in the history of email throughout the 1970s.

DARPA first proposed a series of standard features for an email system in 1973. In 1977, finalized electronic mail standards for much of what we are familiar with today.

This includes the "To" and "From" fields and the ability to forward emails to recipients who were not addressed on the original email.

1989: CompuServe includes email in home dial-up service

CompuServe launched the first email program designed for home users in 1989.

Customers who signed up for CompuServe's home dial-up service could exchange messages with other CompuServe users.

1993: AOL mail

The launch of AOL was a major development in the history of email. AOL turned internet mail from an add-on to a core feature, offering free email addresses as part of its home dial-up internet service for personal computers.

The famous "three little words" declaring "You've got mail" became part of popular culture, even inspiring a major Hollywood movie of the same name starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.

1996: Hotmail

If AOL made email popular, Hotmail made it ubiquitous.

Hotmail's webmail offer was free and available to anyone with an internet connection. Hotmail famously added a small link at the bottom of every email that said: "P.S. I love you. Get your free email here."

That link drove millions of people to sign up for free accounts, skyrocketing Hotmail's user base. Microsoft later acquired the company for $400 million, but has focused more on Outlook and Microsoft teams ever since.

1997: Yahoo

Yahoo launched its free email service in 1997, adding another option for users to gain access to email outside of their internet provider.

2004: Gmail

Gmail launched its free Gmail service on April 1, 2004, to great fanfare in the media.

Google launched by offering a full 1GB of storage, many times more than any other service was offering at the time.

Gmail was also designed in a fundamentally different way than any other email service. It included unique messaging options, rules, and a built-in search function that worked significantly better than its competitors.

Gmail also used a labels system instead of "folders," a difference that is still a differentiating factor today.

2007: The iPhone

Blackberry phones had introduced the idea of corporate executives glued to their phones reading and responding to emails.

But when Steve Jobs walked across that stage to introduce the iPhone on June 29, 2007, email truly went mobile.

Today

The history of email has seen a wide range of "email killers." That includes text messages, social media, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Facebook Messenger, Discord, WeChat, and many others.

But year after year, email usage goes up, not down.

Across the globe, we send 296.3 billion emails per day. 1.6 billion people use Gmail, almost one person out of five globally. And in our workplaces, the average employee sends 40 emails per day and receives 121.

Email Remains the Most Reliable Way to Send Messages

Despite the adoption of business chat applications like Slack, email is still a major part of most people's lives.

It's true that business chat applications have reduced the number of email messages workers send and receive within their organization. But email was never really designed for internal company communication.

Email is best when used for communication and file transfer between people all over the world. That includes people from other organizations, locations, and with different email systems.

The History of Email Shows: Email Is Still King

Modern email uses html, empowering you to create headers, add links, images, and attachments in a way that no other communication service can do quite the same way.

And email works across technology platforms. Technology like simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP) enables my email account to work seamlessly with your Microsoft teams account. And that gives us the ability to communicate without needing the exact same platform.

For all these reasons, there is still no better way to build a global reputation as a thought leader than by using email.

No other method empowers you to own your list of subscribers the way email does. As a result, email marketing is as important as ever for marketers, sales professionals, and business owners. And no other method is so universally adopted both individually and within organizations.

If you need to send a message to someone in another location, there's still no more consistent method than sending an email, no post office required.

Try cloudHQ's Free Gmail Productivity Tools

Thousands of users use cloudHQ's free Gmail productivity tools every day to make their email experience faster, easier, and more efficient.

There are over 70 free tools in our library, including:

SOURCE cloudHQ

Related Links

https://cloudhq.net


Johnny Castellanos, 48, has been charged with poisoning food, drink, medicine or water supply for allegedly spiking his co-worker's water bottle with anti-freeze

A Michigan man has been arrested after police say he was caught on a hidden camera poisoning his co-worker's water bottle with anti-freeze.

Johnny Castellanos, 48, was booked into the Kent County jail on Thursday on a felony charge of poisoning food, drink, medicine or water supply.

According to a probable cause statement, Castellanos and the victim worked together at Packaging Personified in Sparta.

The female victim told police that Castellanos had repeatedly poured an unknown liquid into her water bottle.

The woman said that she first became suspicious several months ago after noticing that the water she kept in a bottle at work 'would go from tasting normal, to having a strange taste during her shift.'

'Every time she tasted it, she would stop drinking it,' Sparta police officer David Price told WZZM13.

Determined to get to the bottom of this, the woman purchased a spy camera and installed it in her work area.

Before long, the hidden recording device allegedly caught Castellanos in the act of spiking his co-worker's water bottle with a green liquid.

Castellanos and the victim both worked at Packaging Personified in Sparta, Michigan

'He shakes the bottle and leaves the area,' the probable cause document states, describing the video recording. 'The video review shows the actions done in a surreptitious manner.'

After watching the video, the woman reported Castellanos to her supervisor and he was promptly fired.

On March 28, the woman went to the police with her recording, and an investigation was launched.

Four days later, Castellanos turned himself in to the police. During an interview with an investigator, he claimed to have put vitamin C drops into his co-worker's water bottle after mistaking it for his own.

Police sent two of the victim's water bottles to a state laboratory, and both were found to contain ethylene glycol, a toxic substance used in anti-freeze.

The victim told police she because suspicious after noticing that her water tasted strange, and so she installed a spy camera at work that allegedly caught Castellanos pouring a green liquid into her bottle (stock photo)

It is unclear how much of the contaminated water the victim has consumed, but she was said to be unharmed.

Officer Price told DailyMail.com on Tuesday that police have yet to determine a concrete motive.

'We are just assuming some type of animosity between co-workers,' he said.

Castellanos was arraigned on Friday and was later released on bond. He is due back in court on April 23.

If convicted as charged, he could face up to 15 years in prison.
Bhopal, April 6 : Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath has taken a dig at Shivraj Singh Chouhan sitting on a 24-hour health satyagraha near Gandhi statue at Minto Hall here in view of the rising cases of coronavirus. The chief minister said he will continue to work from there, holding meetings with the cabinet via video conferencing and monitoring the Covid situation.

Starting the sit-in, Chief Minister Chouhan said, "We must take this resolution today that we all will always wear masks and tell others to do the same too. Today I am sitting on a health satyagraha for 24 hours. I will not only sit, but will continue to do all the work including monitoring the Covid situation." Lashing out at the CM, Kamal Nath said whenever the people of the state need him the most, Shivraj ji instead of facing the challenges, diverts people's attention by fasting or holding Satyagraha.

Referring to earlier incidents, Kamal Nath said, "When several farmers were killed in police firing in Pipalya Mandi in Mandsaur, they kept calling him, but instead of going there, Shivraj ji sat on fast in Bhopal." He further said, "Today when the people need the government at this time of Covid crisis, as people are not getting treatment in hospitals, there is shortage of doctors, there are no beds available in hospitals, no vaccination in many districts, even not enough testing is done, the chief minister is sitting on Satyagraha to divert the attention of the people. I fail to understand how corona will go away by this 24-hour satyagraha?"

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
AccuRisk Solutions LLC ("AccuRisk") announced today that it has joined the Ardonagh Group and will operate within Ardonagh's Global Partners Segment.

Together with Amynta Group, the Ardonagh Group has acquired a majority share of AccuRisk as part of its international growth strategy to invest in leading platforms in attractive markets and product verticals outside of the UK and Europe.

AccuRisk has increased their marketshare and industry footprint through organic growth and targeted acquisitions since it was founded in 2017. Its 82 person staff operates from offices in Boston, Kansas City, Baltimore, Dallas, Indianapolis, and Phoenix and last year wrote $137m of premiums.

Medical stop loss has rapidly expanded in the US as employers look for alternatives to the fully insured market. AccuRisk has also expanded into the Captive and Ancillary service lines as these markets have significant growth opportunities in the US.

AccuRisk CEO Dan Boisvert said: "The AccuRisk team is excited about becoming a part of Ardonagh Global Partners.

"We have high expectations with respect to the future growth of the company and feel the combination of Ardonagh and Amynta support will allow us to realize those expectations. We will look forward to the next step in the journey backed by the scale and resources of a Global top 20 Broker.

"Our team's success is driven by our focus on creating and bringing innovative products to market that meet a very real customer demand. More than half the US workforce is currently enrolled in a self-funded health plan, and we anticipate further growth as employers look to create customized and affordable health insurance plans."

CEO David Ross said: "We're delighted to be entering the US market with the acquisition of AccuRisk. They are proven leaders with a desire to drive the best results for their clients. Their data driven focus is designed to provide the next generation of healthcare solutions to their distribution partners. We're incredibly excited that they have chosen to partner with us to fuel the next chapter of their journey."

About The Ardonagh Group

The Ardonagh Group is the UK's largest independent insurance broker powered by a network of over 100 locations across the UK and Ireland and a workforce of over 7,000 people. Formed in 2017, Ardonagh today brings together best-in-class brands including Autonet, Arachas, Bishopsgate, Broker Network, Carole Nash, Compass Networks, Ethos Broking, Geo Underwriting, Price Forbes, Swinton, Towergate and URIS.

About The Amynta Group

Amynta Group is a premier insurance services company with more than $3.5 billion in managed premium and 2,000 associates across North America, Europe, and Australia. An independent, customer-centered, and underwriting-focused company, Amynta serves leading carriers, wholesalers, retail agencies, auto dealers, OEMs, and consumer product retailers with innovative insurance and warranty protection solutions. Amynta operates through three segments: Managing General Agencies; Warranty, including automotive, consumer and specialty equipment; and Specialty Risk Services. For more information, please visit amyntagroup.com.

About AccuRisk

AccuRisk Solutions LLC is a Chicago-based Managing General Underwriter focused on providing its producers with innovative insurance products and outstanding customer service. The AccuRisk executive management team is composed of proven leaders within the industry who are driven to provide better results for clients. AccuRisk partners with leading insurance carriers and healthcare visionaries to provide a comprehensive array of healthcare and employee benefit solutions. Their objective is to assist producers in providing their employer clients with unique and cost-effective solutions. Visit www.accurisksolutions.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406006133/en/

Contacts:

Dan Boisvert

info@accurisksolutions.com

1.800.786.0500
BANGKOK (AP)  With security forces in Myanmar having shot dead at least 570 protesters and bystanders in the past two months, many of the country's residents see venturing out onto the street as a brave but foolhardy act.

Online, many have found a safer, more substantive way to show their defiance against Februarys military takeover  virtual rummage sales whose proceeds go to the protest movements shadow government and other related political causes.

Everything from clothes and toys, to music lessons and outdoor adventures are on sale. Foreign friends are encouraged to donate, but fundraising inside Myanmar also serves the purpose of raising political consciousness for challenging the ousting of Aung San Suu Kyis elected government.

Facebook users have taken to the social network to sell off their possessions, advertising that all the money raised will go to fund the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, formed by elected members of Parliament who were blocked from taking their seats by the coup.

The committee styles itself as the sole legitimate government of the country, rejecting the ruling junta as without legal standing. In turn, the junta has outlawed the committee and declared it treasonous, threatening to jail not just its members but anyone supporting it.

Formed from scratch shortly after the Feb. 1 coup, the CRPH needs money to carry on its organizing activities inside the country and diplomatic efforts abroad.

Even as the authorities keep narrowing access to the internet, lately limited to a relatively small number of households with fiber broadband connections, deals are still available.

Last week, one young woman was offering her collection of K-Pop music and memorabilia, especially of the band Exo. Anyone interested had to show her a receipt for a donation to CRPH, and the item would go to whoever gave the most.

Another put his collection of LEGO Marvel Super Heroes up for sale.

It is not very pricey but difficult to collect. If you show me your CRPH donation slip, choose anything and I will give it to you, his message read.

Story continues

One group of friends advertised their collection of novels, poems and motivational books, with proceeds again going to the democracy fight and delivery when everything becomes stable.

And it isnt just goods that are being hawked. Services are also on offer to help bankroll the struggle.

A quick check through Facebook notices turned up a seamstress offering to sew a traditional Myanmar dress for free to those who donate $25, a musician offering lifetime guitar and ukulele lessons and an outdoor expedition leader offering to take five people on an adventure holiday.

The expedition would go to the winner of a lucky draw from among receipts for donations to either the CPRH, the Civil Disobedience Movement that organizes the daily resistance activities or to help thousands of internally displaced people.

However, there's one small caveat to that last offer  it's advertised as being redeemable after the revolution.
An anti-coup protester raises a decorated Easter egg along with the three-fingered symbol of resistance during a protest against the military coup (AP)

Authorities in Myanmar arrested the countrys best-known comedian as they continue to crack down on people they accuse of helping incite nationwide protests against Februarys military coup.

The comedian Zarganar was taken from his home in Yangon by police and soldiers who arrived in two army vehicles, fellow comedian Ngepyawkyaw said on his own Facebook page.

Zarganar, 60, is a sharp-tongued satirist who has been in and out of prison since he was active in a failed 1988 popular uprising against a previous military dictatorship.

He is also well known for his social work, especially arranging assistance for victims of Cyclone Nargis in 2008.

In the past week, the junta has issued arrest warrants for at least 60 people active in the fields of literature, film, theatre arts, music and journalism on charges of spreading information that undermines the stability of the country and the rule of law.

It was not immediately clear what Zarganar, whose real name is Maung Thura, has been charged with.

Expand Close Anti-coup protesters hold slogans which read Rain Strike as they use their umbrellas during a drizzle while participating in a demonstration in Yangon (AP) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Anti-coup protesters hold slogans which read Rain Strike as they use their umbrellas during a drizzle while participating in a demonstration in Yangon (AP)

Many ordinary protesters and activists are also being arrested every day, according to numerous reports on social media.

In Mandalay, the countrys second-biggest city, security forces used stun grenades and fired guns to break up a march by medical workers who have defiantly continued to protest almost every day against the February 1 coup that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

The armys takeover set back Myanmars gradual return to democracy after five decades of military rule.

A participant who asked to remain anonymous for his own safety said doctors, nurses and medical students were attacked as they gathered at about 5am by security forces who also used cars to run into protesters on motorbikes.

The online news site The Irrawaddy reported that four doctors were arrested.

At least 570 protesters and bystanders, including 47 children, have been killed in the crackdown since the takeover, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, which monitors casualties and arrests.

The group says 2,728 people, including Ms Suu Kyi, are in detention.

Activists have begun organising a boycott of next weeks official celebration of Thingyan, the countrys traditional New Year, usually a time for family reunions and merry-making.

Expand Close Anti-coup protesters holding pictures of those who died during a protest against the military offer prayers for them, in Yangon (AP) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Anti-coup protesters holding pictures of those who died during a protest against the military offer prayers for them, in Yangon (AP)

In leaflets and social media posts, they are imploring people not to hold any Thingyan celebrations, saying it would be disrespectful to fallen martyrs to enjoy the festival.

The leaders of Brunei and Malaysia announced that leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will meet to discuss the situation in Myanmar.

No date was given in the announcement, issued during a visit by Malaysian prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin to Brunei.

He and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah said they expressed serious concern on the ongoing crisis in Myanmar and the rising number of fatalities.

Indonesian President Joko Widido had proposed a summit on Myanmar last month.

There was no word on whether the ASEAN leaders would participate in person or by video, or if Myanmar, one of the groups 10 members, would attend.

Myanmars junta also has been battling in some border areas where ethnic minority groups maintain their own armed forces.

Several major groups, most notably the Karen and the Kachin, have expressed solidarity with the anti-coup movement and vowed to protect protesters in the territory they control.

The Kachin in the countrys north have engaged in combat with government forces, but the Karen in the east have borne the brunt of the juntas military assaults.

The area where the Karen National Union holds sway has been subject to air attacks by the Myanmar military from March 27 through Monday, said David Eubank of the Free Burma Rangers, a humanitarian organisation that has for many years provided medical assistance to Karen villagers.

Burma is another name for Myanmar.

Mr Eubank said his group has verified that 14 civilians died and more than 40 were wounded in the air strikes.
J&J takes over vaccine plant where 15M of its doses were contaminated in mixup with AstraZeneca

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The Biden administration has stopped the production of the Oxford AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine at a plant in Baltimore after a contract manufacturer mixed up ingredients from the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, spoiling millions of doses of the latter's vaccine.

The contract manufacturer, Emergent BioSolutions, which had been making both vaccines, was asked Saturday to halt production, and Johnson & Johnson will now solely produce its single-dose vaccine at the plant, The New York Times reported.

The contract manufacturers mistake has contaminated about 15 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, but it was found out before any of the spoilt doses were shipped, The Times (of London) noted.

The American company Johnson & Johnson said it was assuming full responsibility of the facility in Baltimore, and pledged to deliver 100 million doses for the U.S. by the end of May.

"While the AstraZeneca vaccine has yet to be authorized for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Biden administration has entered loan deals to send 2.5 million and 1.5 million U.S.-manufactured doses to Mexico and Canada, respectively," according to The Epoch Times.

The Anglo-Swedish firm AstraZeneca, which was developed in partnership with Oxford University, has been asked to move its production from the Baltimore plant. Its vaccine has not been approved in the U.S., but it was producing doses with the hope that it would soon be authorized for emergency use.

AstraZeneca confirmed in a statement on Saturday that its looking for an alternative location.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans has raised concerns about the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, however. In a statement released in March, the archdiocese urged the faithful to refrain from taking the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccines due to its use of aborted fetal cells in production and testing.

The statement began by acknowledging that all coronavirus vaccines have used "morally compromised cell lines created from two abortions that occurred, one in the 1970s and one in the 1980s."

However, the archdiocese added: " ... though there was some lab testing that utilized the abortion-derived cell line, the two vaccines ... available from Pfizer and Moderna do not rely on cell lines from abortions in the manufacturing process and therefore can be morally acceptable for Catholics as the connection to abortion is extremely remote."

The archdiocese maintained that it "must instruct Catholics that the latest vaccine from Janssen/Johnson & Johnson is morally compromised as it uses the abortion-derived cell line in development and production of the vaccine as well as the testing."

"We advise that if the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine is available, Catholics should choose to receive either of those vaccines rather than to receive the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine because of its extensive use of abortion-derived cell lines."

The AstraZeneca vaccine has been criticized in the U.S. for using outdated data in the results of its clinical vaccine trial and not counting some coronavirus infection cases.

AstraZeneca, however, is cheaper than other vaccines on the global market. It's also stored more easily and has already started shipping to low- and middle-income countries that signed onto the global vaccine sharing program Covax.

But recently, most countries in the European Union, including Spain, France, Italy and Germany, have suspended the use of AstraZenecas vaccine amid fears of rare blood clots and abnormal bleeding.

The pharmaceutical company and health officials in the region insist, however, there is no cause for alarm.

Emer Cooke, executive director of the European Medicines Agency, said at a news conference last month that they were still studying the possibility of rare side effects from the vaccine, but there was no indication that vaccination has caused these conditions.

While the investigation is ongoing, we are currently still firmly convinced that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine in preventing COVID-19, with its associated risk of hospitalization, outweigh the risk of the side effects, she said, according to The New York Times.
By Shi Zhongyu

BELGRADE, Apr. 6 -- Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Chen Bo and some other Chinese officials and diplomats on April 3 visited the former site of Chinese Embassy in Yugoslavia to pay tribute to martyrs Shao Yunhuan, Xu Xinghu, and Zhu Ying who died in the bombing attack at the Chinese Embassy.

It was an overcast day with light rain. Amb. Chen Bo and several embassy staff presented flowers to the monument and observed silence in tribute in the rain.

We will take concrete actions to honor the martyrs, by fulfilling our duties and safeguarding the interests of the country and the dignity of the nation. We will also pass on their will and make contributions to safeguarding peace and tranquility of mankind, as well as the global justice and fairness, said Amb. Chen, adding that he believes the three martyrs will feel very gratified when they see the strength of their motherland today and the development of China-Serbia relations.

On the same day, Chinese correspondents in Serbia also presented flower baskets to the monument.

On March 24, 1999, NATO bombed the then Yugoslavia without the authorization of the UN Security Council. On the late night of May 7, 1999, NATO attacked the Chinese Embassy with missiles during its campaign against the former Yugoslavia, killing three persons and seriously injuring dozens. The embassy buildings were severely damaged.

On May 7, 2009, Belgrade municipal government erected a monument in front of the former Chinese Embassy site in memory of the three Chinese martyrs.
NEW DELHI: The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has received an email threatening to kill Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

According to media reports, the email was sent to CRPFs Mumbai head office a few days back, it emerged on Tuesday morning. According to the inputs, the email threatens to carry out attacks at places of worship and important installations.

A threat mail was received by CRPF in Mumbai a few days ago naming Union Home Minister Amit Shah and UP CM Yogi Adityanath, concerned agencies have been informed: CRPF sources  ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2021

The e-mail threatens to "eliminate" Yogi Adityanath and Amit Shah by suicide attacks.

The threatening mail, the source of which is being probed, said that "they are 11 suicide bombers" who will eliminate Yogi Adityanath and HM Amit Shah.

The email has been forwarded to the concerned agencies for further probe and the security details of the two VVIP leaders have been beefed up.

In a related development, Amit Shah has asserted that the Central government will intensify the fight against Naxals.

Addressing CRPF personnel during his visit to the Basguda CRPF camp in Chhattisgarh`s Bijapur district two days after a deadly attack by the home-grown rebels, Shah said, "Our jawans fought with immense courage. Be assured that the sacrifices of your colleagues will not go in vain, have faith in the Government of India and the Chhattisgarh government."

"When a friend leaves us and goes we do feel sad. But the poor people of this area are devoid of development due to the issue of Naxalism. We welcome those who want to surrender and come to us but we`ll have no option if you have weapons in hands," the Home Minister said.

This is not the first time that a letter threatening to kill both the senior BJP leaders has come to the fore.

It is important to mention here that in January this year, UP Police emergency service 'Dial 112' had received a message threatening to kill Yogi Adityanath with an AK-47 rifle within 24 hours.

In November, the Dial 112 service had received a similar message on WhatsApp threatening to kill the states chief minister. The police had then arrested a minor from Agra in connection with the case.

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In 2005, the day before Thanksgiving, heavy traffic and the rail crossings design led to a massive crash, according to a Chicago Tribune article. A Metra train traveling about 70 mph struck six vehicles on the tracks, hurling them into another 11 cars creating a massive chain reaction accident. No one was killed, but several people were injured. That crash led to an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. Their conclusion three years later was that the Grand Avenue crossing was inherently dangerous, and an underpass was needed. The investigation did not find fault with the conduct of the motorists who found themselves trapped on the tracks; rather, federal investigators specifically pointed to the crossings design.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks to media during a post cabinet press conference at Parliament on March 01, 2021 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Travel Bubble Between Australia and New Zealand Safe to Commence

Quarantine-free travel between Australia and New Zealand (NZ) will begin on April 19, but travellers will need to be prepared for disruptions in a CCP virus outbreak.

NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the details of a trans-Tasman travel bubble with Australia on April 6, saying the countrys director-general of health considered the risk of travel to Australia low and therefore quarantine free travel was safe to commence.

This means that Australians will be able to travel to NZ without needing to quarantine.

NZ cabinet accepted the director-generals advice and expressed confidence in Australias and its own ability to manage the arrangement, Ardern said.

Cabinet was presented with advice today that conditions for opening up quarantine-free travel with Australia had been met, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told reporters.

However, Ardern made the point that travel to and from the two countries wont be the same as it was pre-COVID.

She warned travellers to prepare for the possibility of an outbreak when arranging their travel across the ditchthat is, across the Tasman Sea.

Those undertaking travel on either side of the ditch will do so under the guidance of flyer beware, she said. People will need to plan for the possibility of travel being disrupted if there is an outbreak.

Australians will be able to travel to NZ from 11.59 p.m. on Sunday, April 18, NZ time, without needing to quarantine upon arrival.

Officials in both countries will now work closely together to manage outbreaks together. Ardern explained NZs continue, pause, suspend framework when it comes to regional outbreaks.

Rather than suspend all international flights, should a localised outbreak occur, flights to that Australian state may be paused or suspended depending on the risk.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he was very pleased that the trans-Tasman travel route had opened up.

More to come.
Elderly people wait for their turn to receive the dose of Covishield vaccine against the Covid-19 coronavirus at a government high school in Hyderabad on April 5, 2021. (Noah SEELAM / AFP)

Hyderabad: Telangana saw 1,498 fresh coronavirus cases, the highest single day spike this year, pushing the gross to over 3.14 lakh while the toll climbed to 1,729 with six more fatalities.

Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 313, followed by Medchal Malkajgiri 164 and Nizamabad 142, a government bulletin said on Tuesday providing details as of 8 pm on April 5.

The total number of cases stood at 3,14,735 while with 245 patients being cured, the total recoveries were at 3,03,013.

The state has 9,993 active cases and 62,350 samples were tested on Monday.

Cumulatively, over 1.04 crore samples have been tested.

The samples tested per million population was over 2.82 lakh, the bulletin said.

The case fatality rate in the state was 0.54 per cent, while it was 1.3 per cent at the national level. The recovery rate in Telangana was 96.27 per cent, while it was 92.5 per cent in the country.

According to another release, over 12.80 lakh people in the state have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine while over 2.66 lakh got their second shot also as of April 5.
Beijing: In Beijing, the vaccinated qualify for buy-one-get-one-free ice cream cones. In northern Gansu province, a county government published a 20-stanza poem extolling the virtues of the jab. In the southern town of Wancheng, officials warned parents that if they refused to get vaccinated, their childrens schooling and future employment and housing were all at risk.

China is deploying a medley of tactics, some tantalising and some threatening, to achieve mass vaccination on a staggering scale: a goal of 560 million people, or 40 per cent of its population, by the end of June.

A McDonalds ice cream truck outside a vaccination centre in Beijing on Tuesday, offers a two-for-one promotion for those getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Credit:Gilles Sabrie/The New York Times

China has already proved how effectively it can mobilise against the coronavirus. And other countries have achieved widespread vaccination, albeit in much smaller populations.

But China faces a number of challenges. The countrys near-total control over the coronavirus has left many residents feeling little urgency to get vaccinated. Some are wary of Chinas history of vaccine-related scandals, a fear that the lack of transparency around Chinese coronavirus vaccines has done little to assuage. Then there is the sheer size of the population to be inoculated.
The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has announced the results of the 2021 first series of the WASSCE for private candidates.

The Councils Head of National Office (HNO), Patrick Areghan, announced the release of the results on Tuesday in Lagos.

Giving a breakdown of the results, Mr Areghan said 7,690 candidates entered for the examination which was conducted between February 15 and March 11.

A total of 431 examiners participated in the coordination and marking exercise.

He said of the figure, 7,289 candidates actually sat for the examination at 252 centres across the country.

According to him, the drop in the figure is attributable to the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said out of the 7,289 candidates that sat for the examination, the results of 599 were withheld in connection with various reported cases of examination malpractice.

The cases are being investigated and reports of the investigations will be presented to the appropriate committee of the council for determination in due course.

This low number is as a result of the rigorous monitoring/inspection of centres by the Councils staff throughout the duration of the examination, Mr Areghan said.

According to him, 7,174 candidates had their results fully processed and released while 115 others had a few of their subjects still being processed due to some errors traceable to them.

He said efforts were being made to complete the processing to enable all the affected candidates to get their results fully processed and released subsequently.

Analysis

An analysis of statistics of performance of candidates showed that out of those that sat for the examination, a total of 3,938 obtained credit and above in a minimum of any five subjects with or without English Language and/or Mathematics.

A total of 2,195 others obtained credit and above in a minimum of five subjects including English Language and Mathematics.

Twenty-three candidates with varying degrees of special needs registered for the examination.

Out of this number, six are visually challenged, two with impaired hearing, five others are albinos, one spastic cum mentally challenged and nine physically challenged.

Mr Areghan said all the candidates with special needs were adequately provided for in the administration of the examination.

He added that their results had also been processed and released along with those of other candidates

He advised candidates who sat for the examination to check details of their performance on the councils website  www.waecdirect.org.

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The collection of certificates for the WASSCE for private candidates, he said, would be based on request online via the Electronic Certificate Management System platform (e-certman).

Mr Areghan said details of the simple procedures had already been made available to the public.

(NAN)
UB Arts Collaboratory to welcome renowned painter for an extended community project

Artist Cecily Brown will work with the UB Arts Collaboratory and community members to create a mural on this two-story wall on the side of the building at Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts.

Im looking forward to my time at UB very much because this will be completely unlike anything Ive done before. 

BUFFALO, N.Y.  The University at Buffalo Arts Collaboratory will welcome visiting artist Cecily Brown, one of the foremost painters of her generation, for its Spring 2021 Working Artists Lab.

Browns program, presented in partnership with Artist/City, Bortolami, NYC, is a collaboration with a diverse team of local artists and storytellers that will represent the first public art project of her distinguished career.

Im looking forward to my time at UB very much because this will be completely unlike anything Ive done before, said Brown. Im always looking to open art in ways that reach more people, and this is a big opportunity to do just that.

And Browns excitement about the big opportunity ahead is more than a turn of phrase, since the teams goal is ambitious: a mural soaring two stories high on the side of the Arts Building on the grounds of the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts (BAVPA).

Working big is fun, said Brown, who currently has a season-long exhibit on display at the Metropolitan Operas Gallery Met. Ive been working with mural sized art over the years and have wanted to work on a public mural.

Browns Buffalo visit begins with a series of three brainstorming sessions beginning April 16 with her collaborators: Naila Ansari, a SUNY Buffalo State assistant professor of theatre; Pam Glick, a widely exhibited painter from Buffalo; George Hughes, a UB professor of art; Jodi Lynn Maracle, an Indigenous artist and performer; Jae Skeese, a hip-hop musician and painter; Sara Zak, a UB MFA student; painter Julia Bottoms; and a group of BAVPA students selected by the schools faculty.

Brown says the team will discuss Buffalos growing legacy of public art, its cultural heritage, and the rich tradition of Mexican muralists and their influence on painters such as Jackson Pollock and Philip Guston.

That history is so interesting since Pollock and Guston were among the artists hired by the Works Progress Administration, who learned under Thomas Hart Benton, said Brown. They did a lot of public art, which drew on the work of Mexican muralists.

Brown will be in Buffalo from June 2-6 at The Space Between, the Arts Collaboratorys pioneering new incubator at 431 Ellicott St., where all of the groups source material will be on display. Shell return for five days on June 27 as the murals final conception is realized and the team begins work at BAVPA.

We have assembled a group of collaborators that represent a cross-section of diverse artists working in many disciplines from within the university and throughout our community who are well-versed in storytelling, painting and drawing, said Bronwyn Keenan, director of the Arts Collaboratory. These seven people represent our core group, but everyone is welcome to participate and share ideas while were at The Space Between.

Keenan says the project is a true collaboration, more than an attempt to bend toward a particular style.

On this kind of large-scale platform, the creative process functions like a collective dance with an organizational system for all the imagery, said Keenan.

Thats a point echoed by Brown, who usually works spontaneously, thinking on her feet in the studio, but will now adapt to a process at UB that resembles a performance in itself.

In the end, both Brown and Keenan agree that what emerges will be a story unique to Buffalo.

I want this to be a Buffalo story, Brown said. Maybe Ill be like a designer, fusing my ideas with those of the collaborators and combining them into an overall scheme, but I dont want to think too much about it until I have a chance to speak with all the collaborators.

Browns UB visit will be only her second trip to Buffalo, but she has always had a soft spot for the city. Her husband is a former New York Times architecture critic who has written about Buffalos architectural history, and she visited in 2000 when the Albright Knox Art Gallery became one of the first museums to buy one of her paintings.

But Keenan says the community will be seeing more of Brown in the future.

This is a long-term commitment and Cecily has said that shed like to return annually, said Keenan. Its all part of a very exciting program and it goes to the heart of our Working Artists Labs. We want to show our students and the community what its like to be a working artist in the world. Cecily is in that world as a painter and social justice advocate.

Were fortunate to be able to welcome such a world-class talent to the university for an extended project in our community.
There are many area schoolchildren still not receiving in-person instruction.

My family would like to have our children attend in-person school five days a week, but we have been told that this option is at full capacity.

So our children are forced to sit in their bedrooms seven hours a day, five days a week, staring at computers. This would be isolating and overwhelming for even the most well-adjusted adult.

They are disengaged and struggling to keep their grades up.

My child with special needs is the hardest hit. His reading disability makes it very challenging for him to work independently on a computer for an entire school day.

Child abuse, self-harm, suicide, eating disorders and mental health issues are at an all-time high for children. They are isolated and spending more time staring at screens than is healthy.

The consensus is that schools are safe. Vaccinations are now available for all teachers and staff.

The CDC recommendation for 6 feet of distance has been reduced to 3 feet.

Kids are missing out on so many rites of passage, and its time to end it.

Elected officials and school districts should figure out a way to return every student to school five days a week.

Stop using our children as political pawns and get them back to school.

BRIGETTE HERBST

Texas Drive

Ladson

Lake access drying up

The March 21 Post and Courier article about home sales on Upstate lakes was very interesting. It made me wonder if public access to Lake Keowee or other lakes has been negatively affected.

A few hundred yards off of Cat Head Landing near Eutawville is Big Cypress Lake. For as far back as I can remember, it had been open to public use.

I fished it often because it was easily accessible, and people could use a small, one-man wooden boat without going to the trouble of launching a larger boat on nearby Lake Marion.

Late one afternoon a number of years ago, when the water on the lake was like glass, I caught an 11-pound and a 5-pound bass. It was a day to remember.

In the past decade, houses have been built on the lake. Barriers to keep the public out have been put up.

I noticed that even on the far end of the lake, a path leading to the lake across from the homes of African Americans had been blocked.

My gut feeling is that scenes like this are being played out across the state and nation.

Its not only true that He who has the money rules, but also Only those who have the money fish and hunt.

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GARY KNIGHT

Old State Road

Holly Hill

Follow tree policy

It seems that every day I read about flooding problems and studies to correct them. I am aware that there are many things to be done about flooding in the area, but it seems we are allowing developers to bulldoze every tree on every acre on which they build.

I wonder if Charleston County zoning and land-use officials have read their own policy statement. It reads as follows:

Trees are an essential natural resource, an invaluable economic resource, and a priceless aesthetic resource. Trees play a critical role in purifying air and water, providing wildlife habitat, and enhancing natural drainage of stormwater and sediment control.

They also help conserve energy by providing shade and buffering different land uses and beautifying the landscape. The Tree Protection and Preservation regulations of the Charleston County Zoning and Land Development Regulations Ordinance are intended to enhance the health, safety, and welfare of Charleston County Residents.

CAROLYN POWLESS

Thunder Trail

Johns Island

Hwy. 41 responsibility

A retired specialist in German urban planning wrote a commentary in the March 30 Post and Courier with solutions to the S.C. Highway 41 dilemma, after writing that Neither of the two current plans appears to be acceptable.

The question is not What is acceptable?

The question is Who is responsible?

Before ground was ever broken on Dunes West, the developers committed to creating the road system necessary within the development to handle all of the increased traffic, to alleviate the impact concerns of neighboring communities.

That commitment was a pivotal and required part of the plan.

Now, residents are trying to back out of it, counting on local government to cave to the wishes of residents who pay high taxes. So far, it hasnt worked.

What is right is right, and what is wrong is wrong.

Just because those living in the 150-year-old Phillips Community pay less taxes doesnt mean that they should pay the price for those who dont honor their commitments.

TISH LYNN

Ashley Avenue

Charleston
A four-legged, robotic guide dog system that can safely lead blind people around obstacles and through narrow passages has been developed by US researchers.

Just like a real assistance canine, the bot guides its user by means of a leash  which it can pull taut but also allow to go slack in order to better lead around tight turns.

The setup  built on a robot design called a mini cheetah  features a laser-ranging system to map out its surroundings and a camera to track the human it is guiding.

Given an end point to reach, the machine maps out a simple route, adapting its course as it progresses to accommodate obstacles and the handler's movements.

The robot has the potential to cut down on the time and expense of training guide dogs  although, they would lack the mental and social benefits of a real animal.

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A four-legged, robotic guide dog system (pictured) that can safely lead blind people around obstacles and through narrow passages has been developed by US experts

The setup  built on a design called a mini cheetah  features a laser-ranging system to map out its surroundings and a camera to track the human it is guiding

According to lead researcher and roboticist Zhongyu Li of the University of California, Berkeley, the training of mechanical guide dogs would be scalable.

'Using a robotic guide dog, we can directly deploy our code from one robot to another,' he told New Scientist.

'As time goes by and the hardware becomes more affordable, we can actually use this kind of dog to help, to serve, humans.'

In their study, Mr Li and colleagues tested the bot guiding three blindfolded people around an obstacle course the included narrow section less than three feet across  and they reported that it proved successful in each instance.

The tight turns tested the machine's ability to lead without keeping the lead taut at all times, as the course was too narrow to fit the turning circle of both the robot dog and the handler combined.

In the future, the team imagine people being able to sync their computer or smartphone calendars with the robot, which could then automatically take them to their appointments by means of GPS navigation.

'Our robot dog has a way of intelligence about navigation, from point A to point B,' Mr Li said.

'An actual dog doesnt know about navigating. This is an advantage of our dog.'

Given an end point to reach, the machine maps out a simple route, adapting its course as it progresses to accommodate obstacles and the handler's movements

Tim Stafford  a spokesperson for the UK charity Guide Dogs  told New Scientist that he supported the concept of robotic guides if such would help people with vision impairments lead more independent lives.

'That being said, guide dog owners will frequently speak about their dogs impact on their own life and well-being. They value their dog as a partner, companion and family member, as well as a guide dog,' he added.

'It is this deep bond which makes the relationship unique and so much more than just a way to get around safely.'

A pre-print of the researcher's article can be read on the arXiv repository.
Rotunda Rumblings

New game, new rules: Shortly before the Cleveland Indians held their home opener Monday afternoon, Gov. Mike DeWines administration lifted attendance capacity limits for Progressive Field and other outdoor venues. However, as Jeremy Pelzer explains, seating capacity will likely remain below pre-pandemic levels because of ongoing social-distancing restrictions. The DeWine administrations new health order also allows festivals, parades, proms, graduations, county fairs, and other mass gatherings in Ohio to once again be held so long as proper coronavirus health precautions are followed.

School vaccinations: DeWine announced Monday that local health departments will work with schools to vaccinate students who are 16 or 17 years old. Emily Bamforth reports that Pfizer would be used for these vaccinations, since it is the only vaccine approved for those under 18.

New managed care program: Ohio Medicaid chose Aetna to manage the health of around 60,000 Ohio children who suffer from complex mental health issues in the new OhioRISE program. Laura Hancock reports the company will get $900 million a year to do this.

New numbers: The Ohio Department of Health reported 2,918 new coronavirus cases for Monday and Sunday, when officials were off in observance of Easter, Hancock reports. Nearly 19% of Ohios population have completed the vaccine.

Working ahead: Voting-rights advocates are calling on state leaders to get started on the redistricting process, including appointing legislators to a state redistricting commission and setting a June primary date for the 2022 election, Andrew Tobias writes. The League of Women Voters of Ohio and Common Cause Ohio said state officials dont need to wait on the completion of the U.S. Census data, which is delayed and isnt expected until Sept. 30, to get started on work preparing for the new redistricting process and promoting it to the public.

Abortion order: A judge in Cincinnati on Monday temporarily halted enforcement of a law that goes into effect Tuesday that requires fetal remains from surgical abortions be buried or cremated, Hancock reports. Plaintiffs in the case, which include Ohio abortion providers, will have to determine after the Department of Health makes rules around the law whether to sue over Senate Bill 27.

Upheld: The Supreme Court of Ohio in a 6-1 ruling upheld Secretary of State Frank LaRoses decision to block the appointment of a former Lorain County Commission to the Lorain County Board of Elections. The Lorain County Democratic Party sued, seeking to appoint Sharon Sweda to the Board of Elections. But the Supreme Court ruling found that LaRose was within his rights to reject Sweda. LaRose, a Republican, cited emails his office obtained from a tipster that suggested Sweda in a few instances had used her county email for political purposes, according to the Elyria Chronicle Telegram.

Timkens tally: Former Ohio Republican Party chair Jane Timken raised $2.1 million by the end of March for her bid to succeed retiring Republican Rob Portman in the U.S. Senate, writes Sabrina Eaton. The amount Timken racked up in the years first quarter exceeds the $1.3 million that a GOP rival for Portmans seat, former Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel, announced raising during that time period and the $1.2 million collected by likely Democratic candidate U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles.

Turners tally: Congressional candidate Nina Turner has collected $2.2 million so far in her bid to win the Cleveland- and Akron-area seat vacated by President Joe Bidens selection of Marcia Fudge as Housing and Urban Development Secretary, Eaton reports. The take gives her a likely fundraising edge among the more than half dozen candidates seeking the seat in an Aug. 3 primary. The general election is Nov. 2.

Accounting woes: U.S. Rep. Jim Jordans re-election campaign filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on Sunday to answer questions about large accounting discrepancies between reports it filed several years ago and corrected reports the committee filed earlier this year, Eaton reports. The campaign treasurer that Jordan hired last year said many of the transactions at issue were initially reported when they were entered into the campaigns reporting database instead of the date when they were processed online, which had occurred during a different reporting period. He said his review also corrected several cases where duplicate contributions were reported.

Jordan challenger: A Democrat who has filed paperwork to challenge Jordan, Limas Jeff Sites, announced his campaign raised more than $380,000 in the years first quarter. Were gaining support from ordinary Americans who are sick of the cynical games from professional politicians, said a statement from Sites, a U.S. Army veteran and warehouse manager who unsuccessfully sought his partys nomination to run against Jordan in 2020.

Familiar face: Franklin County Recorder Danny OConnor, a Columbus Democrat who ran and lost in a special election for Ohios 12th Congressional District in 2018, announced on Monday hes running for Congress again. As Tobias writes, OConnor is passing on possibly running statewide in favor of running for Congress, even though hes not sure what districts will look like. One possible outcome is a competitive district anchored in suburban Columbus, although OConnor said hes prepared to run against Reps. Steve Stivers, Troy Balderson or even Jordan.

Gonzalez challenger: The Democrat who lost to Republican U.S. Rep. Anthony Gonzalez last year, Westlake physicist Aaron Paul Godfrey, on Monday filed Federal Election Commission paperwork to run again. Godfrey said he will make his final decision on whether to seek the seat after Ohio redraws its congressional maps and he can assess the districts new geography. It would be Godfreys third congressional run.

Senate race watch: The Dispatch, the conservative, generally anti-Trump outlet not to be confused with the Columbus Dispatch, on Monday published a takeout on Ohios Republican primary for the U.S. Senate. Like many national outlets, it asked Timken to explain comments she made to cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer on Feb. 1 in which she praised Gonzalez personally while tactfully criticizing his vote to impeach former President Donald Trump. The outlet also spoke with U.S. Reps. Mike Turner, Bill Johnson and state Sen. Matt Dolan, but wasnt successful at tracking down former State Treasurer Josh Mandel.

No apologies: Vivek Ramaswamy, a Cincinnati-area entrepreneur who has considered running for the U.S. Senate as a Republican next year, penned an op-ed for cleveland.com defending Lt. Gov. Jon Husteds use of the phrase Wuhan Virus to describe the coronavirus. Ramaswamy, whose parents are from India, wrote in part: Last week, I shared the most important advice Ive given him: Be empathetic, but dont apologize. Why? Because he did nothing wrong. Apologizing would reinforce the offensive idea that Asian Americans are connected to the actions of the Chinese Communist Party. The Ohio Republican Party promoted the op-ed in an email to media members on Monday.

Tax overhaul plans: Claiming that a 2017 Republican overhaul of the tax code rewarded corporations that move jobs overseas, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio on Monday joined a pair of Democratic Senate Finance Committee colleagues in proposing a bill they say would encourage domestic investment and ensure that mega-corporations pay their fair share of taxes, Eaton writes. Republican U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, who is also on the Finance Committee, disputes their claims and says the 2017 law put U.S. companies on a level playing field with their foreign competitors and returned investment to the United States.

Lobbying Lineup

The following lobbyists are registered as agents for Uber, the ride-sharing company:

1. Ben Kaiser

2. Robert Kellman

3. Robert Klaffky

4. Doug Preisse

Birthdays

Scott Ryan, Ohio Third Frontier executive director and former state lawmaker

Dan Cech, legislative aide to Ohio House Speaker Bob Cupp

Straight From The Source

Perception is power.

- State Rep. Dontavius Jarrells, a Columbus Democrat, speaking with the Columbus Dispatch. Jarrells said the way Ohioans perceive the states new stand your ground law  even if they are incorrect  can have fatal consequences.

Capitol Letter is a daily briefing providing succinct, timely information for those who care deeply about the decisions made by state government. If you do not already subscribe, you can sign up here to get Capitol Letter in your email box each weekday for free.
No new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in Queensland for the third consecutive day, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced.

There were also no new cases among returned travellers.

Over the past 24 hours 5,348 tests were conducted with the state currently managing 70 active cases.

No new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in Queensland for the third consecutive day, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced

The premier urged Queenslanders to maintain their social distancing and hygiene while stressing the importance of getting tested if anyone experiences symptoms. Pictured: West End, Brisbane, on April 1

The premier urged Queenslanders to maintain their social distancing and hygiene while stressing the importance of getting tested if anyone experiences symptoms.

Masks will remain mandatory statewide until Thursday, April 15 and visitors to aged care, disability accommodation services, hospitals and correctional facilities are restricted across the state.

Queenslanders are free to travel throughout the state however restrictions still apply for people travelling to some other states.

The Northern Territory and ACT have eased their travel restrictions while NSW and Victoria require travellers from Queensland to get tested and self-isolate until a negative COVID test is received.

Tasmania and South Australia also eased their restrictions on Saturday, and no longer require quarantine upon entry.

Queensland residents will still need to be tested upon arrival in South Australia.

Anyone who has been at any high-risk premises in Queensland is not permitted to enter Tasmania, unless approved as an essential traveller.

A hard border still applies in Western Australia and Queenslanders cannot enter WA without an exemption and must self-quarantine at a suitable premises for 14 days
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It was a day of jubilation as Riparian Farms Limited, a subsidiary of Asset & Resource Management Holding Company (ARM HoldCo.), officially handed over the CSR projects initiated to improve the learning environment for the Baptist School, Tibo, and Baptist School, Olorunda, both in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

In 2020, Riparian Farms Limited (RFL), a subsidiary of ARM HoldCo, saw the need to embark on this initiative to provide a better toilet facility for the students and teachers at both schools in support of a more conducive and appealing learning environment and to improve the living standards for the community through the provision of potable water supply. This initiative is part of ARMs Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as an organization committed to building communities and supporting youth empowerment.

The Director, Riparian Farms Limited, Miss Uche Azubuike thanked the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) for their support in making this initiative a reality. She also added,  We look forward to new opportunities to keep making a positive impact for as long as we operate within this region.

Present at the official handing over and commissioning ceremony of the newly built restrooms and water supply system were H.R.H Oba Moses Adelani Adegboyega Olabode (RN, FWACN, MNI) Odunfa II, Omola of Imala-Land, Ogun State; Executive Director, Riparian Farms Limited, Mr. Theo Onadeko; Director, Riparian Farms Limited, Ms Uche Azubuike.


BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - European stocks advanced on Tuesday as investors looked past the region's slow pace of vaccinations to focus on signs of a robust U.S. economic recovery.



The pan-European Stoxx Europe 600 index was up 0.7 percent at 435.39 after climbing as much as 1 percent to a record high earlier in the day.



The German DAX jumped 0.9 percent, France's CAC 40 index rose 0.6 percent and the U.K.'s FTSE 100 was up 1.1 percent.



Miners Anglo American, Antofagasta and Glencore rose 3-4 percent on optimism for a swift economic recovery.



BP Plc climbed 3.1 percent and Royal Dutch Shell added 1.1 percent as oil prices rebounded on dollar weakness.



Banks and automakers were also broadly higher on economic recovery hopes.



Airline easyJet was little changed and Ryanair lost about 1 percent after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned against booking foreign summer holidays.



Oxford Biomedica, a gene and cell therapy group, rallied 2.2 percent after it signed a new three year Development & Supply Agreement with German Pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim for the manufacture and supply of various types of viral vectors.



Credit Suisse Group shares gained 0.7 percent. The Swiss lender today announced the departure of two top executives and said it expects a one-time charge of 4.4 billion franc ($4.7 billion) writedown tied to the implosion of Archegos Capital Management.



Suez SA shares were little changed. The waste and water utility fighting the takeover ambitions of rival Veolia Environnement SA, has reached an agreement to sell its Australian business to Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd.



In economic releases, Eurozone investor confidence reached its strongest level in more than two years in April as lockdowns in many euro area countries had little effect on the overall economic recovery, survey data from Sentix showed.



The investor confidence index rose sharply to 13.1 in April from 5.0 in March. This was the highest level since August 2018 and well above economists' forecast of 7.5.



Although the Eurozone economy recently lagged significantly behind the global trend, it started to catch up in April, the survey revealed.



New car registrations in the U.K. climbed 12 percent annually in March, the first month of growth since August, an industry body said - adding to investor optimism about the economic recovery.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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A Tuesday granted bail to former MP K D Singh who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a

Special Judge Geetanjali Goel directed him to furnish a bail bond of Rs 5 lakh, with two sureties of like amount.

Singh was arrested in January under sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Singh was a Rajya Sabha member of the Trinamool Congress, but has not been involved in the party affairs for quite some time.

The ED had carried out searches at the premises of Singh and those linked to him in September, 2019 in connection with two PMLA cases.

Singh has been the chairman of the Alchemist group and while he resigned from the post in 2012, he is stated to be the Chairman Emeritus and founder of the business group.

In June 2019, the ED had attached assets worth over Rs 239 crore belonging to a firm allegedly linked to Singh.

It has been alleged that the Ponzi case in which Singh's firm is being probed is pegged around Rs 1,900 crore.

(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.)
Hundreds of supporters of rapper DMX attended a prayer vigil Monday outside the hospital where he is being cared for in White Plains, New York, after he went on life support.

The family of Earl Simmons, also known as rapper DMX, has called for prayer as they hope for a miracle after he reportedly suffered a heart attack and was taken to the hospital last Friday.

We ask that you please keep Earl/DMX and us in your thoughts, wishes, and prayers as well as respect our privacy as we face these challenges, his family shared in a statement.

The vigil was held by the Ruff Ryders and the Rescue Foundation, according to DMXs family.

Source:The Christian Post
Google has begun a trial of its experimental new technology for ad targeting, known as Federated Learning of Cohorts, selecting a random set of users without notifying them, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, an organisation that fights for digital rights, says.

A blog post by EFF staff technologist Bennett Cyphers said the only way people could opt out at the moment was by disabling third-party cookies.

"Weve been told that the trial is currently deployed to 0.5% of Chrome users in some regions  for now, that means Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, and the US," he wrote.

"Users in eligible regions will be chosen completely at random, regardless of most ad and privacy settings. Only users who have turned off third-party cookies in Chrome will be opted out by default."

Cyphers explained that Google had designed FLoC to help advertisers target ads after third-party cookies disappear and during the trial, trackers would be able to collect FLoC IDs as well as third-party cookies.

"That means all the trackers who currently monitor your behaviour across a fraction of the web using cookies will now receive your FLoC cohort ID as well," he said.

"The cohort ID is a direct reflection of your behaviour across the Web. This could supplement the behavioural profiles that many trackers already maintain."

Future versions of Chrome are expected to add dedicated controls for Googles "privacy sandbox", including FLoC, Cyphers said, but it was not clear when these settings would go live.

He said for the trial, Google would default to all sites that served ads. "Sites could opt out of FLoC calculations by sending an HTTP header, but some hosting providers dont give their customers direct control of headers. Many site owners may not be aware of the trial at all," he added.

While the FLoC did not mention how many cohorts there would be, Cyphers said, "an examination of the latest version of Chrome reveals that the live version of FLoC uses 50-bit cohort identifiers. The cohorts are then batched together into 33,872 total cohorts, over 100 times more than in Googles first experiment.

"Google has said that it will ensure 'thousands' of people are grouped into each cohort, so nobody can be identified using their cohort alone. But cohort IDs will still expose lots of new information  around 15 bits  and will give fingerprinters a massive leg up."

The trial is set to go on till 13 July. Google has said it would not make the cohorts correlate too closely with categories like race, sexuality or medical conditions.

Cyphers said Google planned to collect data about which sites were visited by users in each cohort and had released a whitepaper about its approach.

"Were glad to see a specific proposal, but the whitepaper sidesteps the most pressing issues," he said. "The question Google should address is 'can you target people in vulnerable groups'; the whitepaper reduces this to 'can you target people who visited a specific site'.

"This is a dangerous oversimplification. Rather than working on the hard problem, Google has chosen to focus on an easier version that it believes it can solve. Meanwhile, its failed to address FLoCs worst potential harms.

"During the trial, any user who has turned on 'Chrome Sync' (letting Google collect their browsing history), and who has not disabled any of several default sharing settings, will now share their cohort ID attached to their browsing history with Google.

"Google will then check to see if each user visited any sites that it considers part of a 'sensitive category'. For example, WebMD might be labelled in the 'medical' category, or PornHub in the 'adult' category. If too many users in one cohort have visited a particular kind of 'sensitive' site, Google will block that cohort.

"Any users that are part of 'sensitive' cohorts will be placed into an 'empty' cohort instead. Of course, trackers will still be able to see that said users are part of the 'empty' cohort, revealing that they were originally classified as some kind of 'sensitive'.
Just over a year after Bounty Killer laid out a thorough crime plan, detailing how the Andrew Holness administration could effectively lower Jamaicas crime rate, the exasperated Warlord says he is fed up.

Government and society go deal wid di problems unuh sh-tsystem created. Im done talking about Jamaicas plights and issues after 3 decades. After all Im a entertainer not an educator I chooses to teach ppl I could say whatever the f_ck I wishes to say, the Fed Up Dancehall artist wrote this afternoon, on his Instagram page under a video snippet of the one-hour speech he made January last year at a Red Stripe employee forum.

Bountys discontent is a build-up over the past few weeks, following statements made by politicians including the Prime Minister, that Dancehall artists should accept the fact that some of their violence-laced lyrics are influencing the levels of crime and killings on the island.

It came to a head after the Grunggad was lashed by some fans and told to accept some blame, yesterday, after he re-shared a video of Chams message to the Prime Minister. In the video, Cham absolved artists of blame for violence, and instead instructed Holness to lead from the front, as he was the one elected to lead and not Dancehall artists.

Today, Bounty said he took exception to Dancehall artists being singled out by politicians when the multiplicity of social and economic problems, foreign movies, politicians, and even agents of the State who had acted improperly and were influencing violence on the island, were being exempted from blame.

If corrupted, politicians/police/soldiers/Pastors/Lawyers/poor parenting/unemployment/poor educational system/Rambo/Scar Face/Terminator television and social media that promotes the most negatives pornography and violence not facing no backlash why should I or fellow entertainers IDGAF. UHUH TAG WHO AND WHO NEEDS TO HEAR THIS PPL BUMBOCLAATH, he added.

In January last year, while addressing a forum on eliminating violence against women, at Red Stripe Beers headquarters in Kingston, Bounty Killer had said that the measures implemented by the Jamaican government to address crime were ineffective.

Speaking like a seasoned criminologist, Bounty had said the government was being reactive, as opposed to being proactive, seeking to address the aftermath of criminal acts instead of preventing young people from becoming criminals in the first place.

With all the state of emergency SOE and all these things, its not a police problem. I told the government this long ago; its a social dysfunctional problem. Moral issue financial issues, unemployment issue, broken homes issue, dysfunctional parenting issue and then no social development not happening, he said.

Bounty had also asserted that to some extent, successive politicians prefer when their constituents remain ignorant, as this works in their favor.

Them nuh like when smart, smart people inna politics enuh, them only like dem up a parliament. But they like to come and say fundamentally and put some word where the people dem nuh know what you a say enuh, he said.

The Coppershot artist added that Jamaicas high crime rate was not as a result of poor policing, as the polices responsibility did not include societal reform. He also said the security forces were outnumbered by a constant stream of young men, who had no value for life, choosing to engage in crime.

We have to fix dem dunce thugs head, if we want to solve crime in Jamaica, cause no care how you have SOEs inna dat deh community or round a dat deh one deh too, you have to help the young people of the country, especially the young boys dem.

Bounty had also told the government to provide the requisite social service to deter young men from going down the path of crime in the first place. He said there was nobody looking out for the good boys and no activities being implemented to prevent them from falling into the vicious cycle of crime.
Photo: Peter Foley/Bloomberg via Getty Images

On Monday, Harvey Weinsteins legal team filed an appeal of his rape and sexual-assault convictions as well as his 23-year prison sentence. Weinsteins lawyers largely reiterated complaints they had previously made about the case, including arguments that the trial judge, Justice James Burke, wrongly allowed a woman who had authored a novel involving predatory older men to sit on the jury.

In the nearly 190-page appeal, Weinsteins lawyers argued that he was denied his constitutional right to be tried by an impartial jury because of this juror.

Juror No. 11s fixation with matters of consent and predatory older men and her lack of candor about it, raises troubling questions about whether she prejudged Mr. Weinsteins guilt and whether she had a personal agenda to see him convicted, they wrote. Allowing Juror No. 11 to participate in the deliberations did not merely obstruct the judicial process, it single-handedly obliterated it.

They also claimed that Burke wrongly allowed prosecutors to bring up allegations of sexual misconduct for which Weinstein wasnt charged, further exacerbating the unfairness of these proceedings.

Among these uncharged allegations were statements in testimony from Dawn Dunning, Tarale Wulff, and Lauren Young. Dunning testified that Weinstein touched her genitals without consent during a meeting and said that, at a later point, he offered her film work in exchange for a threesome. Wulff claimed that Weinstein masturbated in front of her at the restaurant where she worked and raped her at his Soho apartment. Young alleged that Weinstein trapped her in the bathroom of his hotel room, groped her, and masturbated in front of her.

As a result, Mr. Weinstein was tried not only for alleged criminal acts charged in the indictment, but also for his alleged propensity to behave in ways that evinced licentiousness in his relationships with women, Weinsteins attorneys wrote.

The filing of Weinsteins detailed appeal papers comes just over a year after his sentencing on March 11, 2020. On February 24, 2020, a Manhattan jury convicted Weinstein of criminal sexual act in the first degree and rape in the third degree for attacks on Miriam Haley and Jessica Mann, respectively.

Weinstein, who is presently behind bars in a New York State prison near Buffalo, has maintained his innocence. His lawyers filed a notice of appeal in early April 2020, indicating that they would fight the verdict. People found guilty of crimes have the right to appeal their convictions.

Weinstein, 69, also faces criminal charges in Los Angeles for alleged sex crimes.

As for the defense teams complaints about his sentence, they argued: Sadly for Mr. Weinstein, the trial courts sentence reflects not on Mr. Weinstein, the man, and the conduct for which he was convicted, but on Mr. Weinstein the media villain.

We ask that this Court consider whether a [then] 68 year-old man by any other name, with no criminal record, a lifetime of professional contributions in his field; an unparalleled history of charitable work; and serious medical conditions would have been sentenced so harshly for acts that involved no violence and no injury to the complainants, and where both complainants continued to have voluntary sex with the defendant. We think not, they said.

Asked for comment, Manhattan DAs office spokesman Danny Frost said in an email, We will respond in our brief to the court.
A new report from the Napa Legal Institute has revealed the full extent of big-tech censorship of Christians. It details the growing attitude of hostility towards faith-based views and organizations in large tech companies, and urges decisive actions by faith leaders to confront this new culture.

The report, compiled by the Napa Legal Institute and published last week, alleges that since the beginning of the year, religious organizations and individuals have been censored on social media at a rate of roughly once a week. You can read the full report here.

While many of these actions have gone relatively unnoticed, some have risen to the status of national news. Among them was Amazons removal of Ryan T. Andersons book When Harry Became Sally, which challenged progressive orthodoxy on transgender issues. Amazon deleted the book from their catalogue and refused to reverse the decision, despite widespread backlash by conservatives and Christians. They later doubled down on the ban, saying they have chosen not to sell books that frame LGBTQ+ identity as a mental illness.

In practice, that standard gives Amazon a blanket justification to censor any content that presents the traditional Christian view of gender and sex. Whether or not they follow through on their new policy, the existence of such a policy puts any faith-based publisher or author in a position of suspicion, especially if they write on LGBT issues. This new policy is particularly concerning for Christians given Amazons control of the publishing market  by some estimates, as many as 80% of book sales go through Amazon.

Source:The Christian Post
By Anne-Marie Slaughter and Samm Sacks





Anne-Marie Slaughter Samm Sacks
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President Muhammadu Buhari has lost his official driver, Saidu Afaka.

According to a statement by presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, the late Mr Afaka died after a protracted illness in the State House Clinic, Abuja.

Until his death, the late driver was a master warrant officer in the Nigerian Army.

Mr Afaka first came into limelight in 2016 when he returned lost items during hajj in Saudi Arabia.

The items were a bag containing $400, N60,370, 149 Saudi Riyals and a mobile phone belonging to Adamu Umar, a Niger state pilgrim.

He was later rewarded by the National Hajj Commission in 2017.

On Tuesday, Mr Shehu said Mr Buhari paid tribute to Mr Afaka, describing him as an honest, capable and reliable person who handled his job with utmost care and responsibility.

Read Mr Shehus full statement below:

PRESIDENT BUHARI CONDOLES WITH FAMILY OF AFAKA, HIS OFFICIAL DRIVER

President Muhammadu Buhari extends heartfelt condolences to the family of Afaka on the passing of Master Warrant Officer, Saidu Afaka, his official driver, who died at the State House Clinic on Tuesday after a prolonged illness.

President Buhari, who also commiserates with the Government and people of Kaduna State, described the late Afaka as an honest, capable and reliable person who handled his job with utmost care and responsibility.

The President recalls that in 2016 the soldier, while on pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, picked up a bag containing a large amount of foreign currencies and turned it over to the National Hajj Commission, an action which earned him praises from the Saudi and Nigerian authorities.

President Buhari prays Almighty Allah to bless the soul of the departed with an elevated place in heavens, committing the family and friends to divine comfort and patience.

Garba Shehu

Senior Special Assistant to the President

(Media & Publicity)

April 6, 2021
A mum-of-two has revealed how to clean your microwave without any cleaning products, and you only need a few items you can find in your kitchen.

Carolina McCauley, from Perth, said you'll need to get your hands on some dish soap, water, lemon juice and a sponge - and your microwave will be spotless in no time.

'This is my top microwave cleaning hack, using zero cleaning products,' Carolina posted on Instagram.

Scroll down for video

BEFORE AND AFTER: A mum-of-two has revealed how to clean your microwave without any cleaning products, and you only need a few items you can find in your kitchen (pictured)

The mum-of-two explained that you should start by mixing two cups of water with one tablespoon of dish soap and one cup of lemon juice in a bowl of water.

'Heat the solution for five minutes in the microwave,' Carolina said.

'The steam will loosen up any gunk in your device.'

Following this, wipe down the inside with a warm wet sponge, and you should see all of the dirt and grime easily dislodge.

'It's so easy to try for yourself,' Carolina said.

The mum-of-two explained that you should start by mixing two cups of water with one tablespoon of dish soap and one cup of lemon juice in a bowl of water (pictured)

Thousands who saw the trick said they love the idea and the fact that you can clean your microwave without using harsh and toxic cleaning detergents.

'I've tried this and it works like magic,' one commenter posted.

'I'm trying this on my super nasty microwave later on,' another added.

Others suggested cutting a lemon in half and heating it for 30 seconds, before rubbing it through your microwave.

'I only do a bit of lemon and water for two minutes and boom. Not even two cups of water, maybe half a cup. I also use the same water to clean all my other appliances. They shine,' one commented.

Thousands who saw the trick said they love the idea and the fact that you can clean your microwave without using harsh and toxic cleaning detergents (pictured in process)

At the end, wipe down the inside with a warm wet sponge, and you should see all of the dirt and grime easily dislodge (pictured)

A mum-of-two has revealed why you need to deep clean your dishwasher, and her simple three-step method for making your machine look brand new (pictured)

Previously, Carolina has shared cleaning videos on many different subjects, including how to deep clean your dishwasher.

The mum-of-two said the dishwasher can easily build up with dirt and grime, so you should prioritise giving it a clean at least once a month to ensure it functions properly.

'This is my quick and easy way to clean a dishwasher,' Carolina posted on TikTok.

All you need is some baking soda and white vinegar.

To clean your machine, Carolina said you should first sprinkle some baking soda into the machine behind the bottom rack.

'Leave the baking soda for one hour so that it absorbs fully,' Carolina said.

Following this, set your machine to a heavy cycle, and then open it midway through the cycle and pour in two cups of white vinegar.

Carolina McCauley said the dishwasher can build up with dirt , so you should prioritise giving it a clean at least once a month to ensure it functions properly (the cleaning process pictured)

'Resume the cycle until it's complete,' Carolina said.

You should end up with a machine that is clean and free from debris and buildup.

The reason why the trick works is because the vinegar will break down any remaining bits of food, grease, soap scum, residue, and any other leftover grime.

Meanwhile, baking soda helps to remove stains and freshen the overall smell of your machine.
Saying the bill would be an "overreach," Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson vetoed House Bill 1570 - a legislation that would've banned transgender sex changes for minors in the state, reports say.

"This is a government overreach. You are starting to let lawmakers interfere with healthcare and set a standard for legislation overriding healthcare," Hutchinson said in a Monday news conference, per local news station WMC5. "The state should not presume to jump into every ethical health decision."

Hutchinson explained that the bill was too broad and sent a message he didn't agree with. He indicated that the bill was quite restrictive; nevertheless, he left the door open for the bill to be changed - and hopefully approved in the future.

The governor's decision was met with some criticism, particularly from people who want to protect children from transgender therapy and other sex change procedures.

"The Arkansas Legislature needs to step up and override the governor's veto to make sure this good bill becomes law," Jerry Cox of the Family Council said in a statement.

Calls For Prayer

Prior to Hutchinson's veto, Rev. Franklin Graham encouraged believers to pray for the governor to sign the bill into law.

In his statement during the "Pray Vote Stand" broadcast on Wednesday, with Family Research Council President Tony Perkins, the evangelist reportedly noted the immense work of the devil in earlier months and called for Christians to fight and stand for truth, The Christian Post reported.

"What's happening is just wicked, to take a child and try and convince them that they can change and be a girl; they can change and be a boy. We can give you drugs and you can have surgery and all these things. A child can't comprehend that, and once you start down this path you can't reverse it. It's just a wicked thing," Rev. Graham stated.

Moreover, he advised believers to raise their voices "louder" than how the Left does.

The evangelist also said that he is hoping God would find Christians fighting against evil.

"When He comes back, I hope He finds us fighting and standing for truth ... against this tsunami, this tidal wave of evil that is coming down society today," he said.

Further, Rev. Graham stated that America is in continuous moral decline but that the church can help delay the process. He then called for people to pray for Gov. Hutchinson to take a stand.

On March 29, Arkansas State Senate passed HB 1570 or the Save Adolescents From Experimentation (SAFE) Act, 28-7. The bill "would prohibit Arkansas youth from undergoing gender reassignment surgery or hormone supplements until they're 18 and let private insurers refuse gender-affirming care."

Rep. Robin Lundstrum, one of the co-sponsors, gave further clarifications about the SAFE Act.

"It simply says we're not going to experiment on our children; we're not going to give them drugs that would keep them from going through puberty," she told Perkins.

She pointed out that they need to protect the children, allowing these kids to make their own choices after the age of 18.

Lundstrum also shared about the letter she received from a Democrat transgender woman who expressed approval on the bill, stating that children must never be allowed to have medically-assisted gender transition.

"I think the shrill left is loud, but underneath, both sides of the aisle can agree, protecting children should be the first goal. We don't need to experiment on our kids. We just need to love them," the lawmaker continued.

Like the evangelist, Lundstrum, who is a member of Cross Church in Arkansas, also called for people to pray and encourage the governor to sign the bill into law.

The SAFE Act was sponsored by 65 Republican Arkansas lawmakers or 61% of the party's state legislators. The bill states that there are high rates of suicide, mortality and psychiatric morbidities among people who have undergone inpatient gender reassignment procedures, adding that taking the hormones has medical risks, such as cancer and increased risk of blood clots.

The proposed legislation contends that the state "has a compelling government interest in protecting the health and safety of its citizens, especially vulnerable children."
The family of slain U.S. Capitol Police Officer William 'Billy' Evans paid tribute to him as a 'father, son, brother and friend' in a statement on Tuesday.

The Evans family described him as a father who loved lightsaber duels and Harry Potter, who made friends with anyone he met. And said the most important thing in life were his children Logan and Abigail.

'Billy was the best father, son, brother, and friend anyone could ever hope for. His death has left a gaping void in our lives that will never be filled,' the Evans family said in a statement released by the U.S. Capitol Police.

The family also released photos of Evans with his children. In one Logan and Abigail are in their Halloween costumes, and, in the second, Evans is laying in a hammock with them, wearing a shirt that reads USCP.

The family of slain U.S. Capitol Police Officer William 'Billy' Evans paid tribute to him as a father, noting his love for his children Abigail and Logan

The Evans family statement said Billy Evans enjoyed lightsaber duels and playing lego with his children

The Evans family noted 'Billy had the open, welcoming personality that led him to make friends with anyone he met'

'The absolute most important thing in his life was his two children, Logan and Abigail. His most cherished memories were those spent with them  building Lego, having lightsaber duels, playing board games, doing arts and crafts, and recently finishing the Harry Potter series,' the family said. 'Their dad was their hero long before the tragic events of last week.'

'While family was always first, Billy had the open, welcoming personality that led him to make friends with anyone he met. He relished bringing people together and making sure everyone felt included and had a good time.'

'The outpouring of support we have received from the law enforcement community from around the country and world both humbles us and serves as a testament to Billy's sacrifice and dedication to the mission of which he was charged.'

Their statement comes following the announcement Evans will lie in honor in the United States Capitol Rotunda next week after being killed in the line of duty.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced Tuesday that Evans will lie in repose on April 13th.

The late U.S. Capitol Police Officer William 'Billy' Evans will lie in honor in the United States Capitol Rotunda on April 1

'In giving his life to protect our Capitol and our Country, Officer Evans became a martyr for our democracy. On behalf of the entire Congress, we are profoundly grateful,' the two Democratic leaders said in a statement.

Evans was killed in last Friday's attack on Capitol Hill when a vehicle rammed into Evans and another officer at a barricade just 100 yards from the Capitol building.

'It is our hope that this tribute will be a comfort to the family of Officer Evans, particularly his children Logan and Abigail, as will the knowledge that so many Americans mourn with and pray for them at this sad time,' Schumer and Pelosi said.

'May this tribute also be a source of comfort and an expression of gratitude to the U.S. Capitol Police Force, which has awed our nation with their courage and resilience during this devastating time.'

A ceremonial arrival will take place on Tuesday, April 13th at 10:30 a.m. on the East Front of the U.S. Capitol with a ceremony in the rotunda at 11:00 a.m. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ceremony will be open to invited guests only.

There will be a viewing period for members of the U.S. Capitol Police and members of Congress with a ceremonial departure at 6:30 p.m.

Evans was an 18-year veteran of the force. The investigation into his death remains ongoing, but there is no indication that Evans was stabbed, slashed or shot, a U.S. Capitol Police official told the AP.

Evans is the sixth person and fourth Capitol Police officer to receive the distinction of lying in honor in the Capitol Rotunda, a designation for those who were not government or military officials.

Officer Billy Evans was killed in last Friday's attack on Capitol Hill when a vehicle rammed into Evans and another officer at a barricade just 100 yards from the Capitol building

The American flag at the U.S. Capitol is lowered to half-staff in honor of Capitol Police officer William Evans

Friday night the flag was lowered from the Capitol and folded by USCP officers in the rotunda; it will be presented to Officer Evans' family

Officer Evans is the sixth person and fourth Capitol Police officer to lie in honor of the Rotunda; the cremated remains of U.S. Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick lay in honor on February 2 after Sicknick died in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 riot

In Friday's incident, the driver, Noah Green, 25, came out of the car with a knife and was shot to death by police, officials said in the aftermath.

Investigators believe Green, who described himself as a 'Follower of Farrakhan' and said the federal government was targeting him with mind control on his now-removed Facebook page, had been delusional and increasingly having suicidal thoughts.

In the chaotic moments after the attack, law enforcement officials initially believed the suspect, who was seen on surveillance video lunging at the officers with a knife, may have stabbed Evans, but that was not the case, the AP reported. Rumors also had swirled around fears that Evans may have been struck by friendly fire when police started shooting at the suspect.

The U.S. Capitol Police Headquarters entrance in Washington, is draped in black

The death of Evans came nearly three months after the Jan. 6 MAGA riot at the Capitol that left five people dead, including Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick.

Sicknick's remains also lay in honor in the rotunda.

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden joined Sicknick's family members, lawmakers, and colleagues from the Capitol Police in paying tribute to the officer.

Sicknick was the fifth person to lie in honor. Famed evangelist Rev. Billy Graham received the honor in 2018.

Civil rights icon Rosa Parks lay in honor in 2005. Capitol Police Officer Jacob Chestnut and Detective John Gibson, who were shot and killed by a Capitol intruder, were given the honor in 1998.
Prime Minister on Tuesday slammed Chief Minister for seeking en bloc voting by Muslims for the TMC and said had his party made a similar appeal to Hindus, it would have been criticised and censored.

Asserting that Banerjee has problems with people sporting a Tilak and wearing saffron, Modi said the TMC supremo's appeal to the Muslims reflects that her "minority votes are slipping out of her hands."



Claiming a BJP wave was blowing across West Bengal and his party would form the next government, Modi said Banerjee's angry reactions indicates that she has lost the polls.

"Didi recently asked all Muslims to vote en bloc for her. It shows that the Muslim vote bank is slipping out of her hands. Had we said the same thing that all Hindus should unite, everybody would have criticised us.The EC would have sent us notices. We would have been censored," he said while addressing an election rally here.



Taking a dig at Banerjee's comment, rhetorically questioning whether BJP leaders predicting the party's victory were gods or superhumans, Modi said no one needs be superhuman to predict BJP's victory as the wave in favour of the saffron camp speaks for itself.

"Didi's exit is imminent. That is clear after the first two phases of polling," he said.

Modi also claimed Banerjee had hurt Bengalis' self- esteem by alleging people come to his rallies for money. Accusing the TMC dispensation of indulging in rampant corruption, Modi said: "Didi has started a new tax in Bengal - 'Bhaipo Service Tax'!".

"For 10 years, your goons continued to loot Bengal, and you were a mute spectator. For 10 years, injustice with North Bengal continued, but you chose to be a mute spectator," he alleged.

Modi said, sensing defeat, Banerjee has turned jittery and was criticising everybody and everything, from EC to EVMs.

Referring to some TMC leaders' claim that Banerjee might contest elections from his Lok Sabha seat Varanasi in 2024, Modi mocked the TMC boss, saying this proves that Didi has accepted her defeat and is looking for another seat.

"Didi is now looking for a place for herself outside Bengal," Modi said, who had won the Lok Sabha election twice from Varanasi in 2014 and 2019.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene temporarily suspended from Twitter after Easter post due to 'error'

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Freshman Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., was temporarily suspended from Twitter on Sunday morning shortly after posting a spiritual Easter message. Twitter reversed course and called the issue a technical error.

Not long after posting a photo of three crosses with the caption, Happy Easter, everyone! He is risen, Greene received a notification from Twitter notifying her that she violated the platforms rules, which led to the temporary limitation of her account.

The message explained that Greene would be unable to tweet, retweet or like tweets for 12 hours.

A Twitter spokesperson told The Christian Post in an email on Monday that Greenes suspension was not due to an Easter post and was a mistake.

We use a combination of technology and human review to enforce the Twitter Rules across the service, a Twitter spokesperson said. In this case, our automated systems took enforcement action on the account referenced in error. This action has been reversed, and access to the account has been reinstated.

The freshman congresswoman, a conservative Christian and staunch pro-life, pro-gun Trump supporter, posted on the Twitter alternate platform Gab in response to being locked out of her Twitter account.

Was it my Christian faith, Greene wrote on Sunday.  Message to Big Tech: ILL NEVER STOP!!! You cant silence me. You cant stop me. The People are with me. And so are the greatest conservatives especially President Trump!!

Greenes post also asked if her suspension was the result of her opposition to abortion, support for the Second Amendment, desire to fire Dr. Anthony Fauci, opposition to mandated vaccine passports or her call to stop socialism.

Greene posted on Gab in response to Twitters explanation, claiming no one believes Twitters statement that her accounts suspension was an error. She argued, they want to silence me.

Greene has been suspended from Twitter three times this year. The Easter suspension marked the second time in less than a month.

Twitter suspended Greene from the platform for 12 hours on March 19 in an error that was not resolved until after the 12 hours elapsed, Greene posted.

According to Greene, the suspension came on the same day Democrats introduced a resolution to expel her from Congress.

Greenes account was previously suspended for multiple violations of Twitters civic integrity policy in January.

The January suspension came after Greene had a Twitter dispute with a Georgia voting systems manager who accused her and others pushing claims of voter fraud of lowering Republican voter turnout for the Senate runoff election, Forbes reported.

Last week, Greene introduced the We Will Not Comply Act to allow people to sue if they are discriminated against because they didnt get a COVID-19 vaccine and the Fire Fauci Act to cut the salary for the federal governments leading infectious disease expert.

House Democrats and some Republicans voted to remove the Georgia businesswoman from her two committee assignments  Committee on Education and Labor and the House Budget Committee  due to previous comments involving QAnon conspiracies, anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim views, among other controversial posts, according to Fox News.

"These were words of the past, and these things do not represent me," Greene said in a floor speech regarding her past views and statements. "They do not represent my district, and they do not represent my values."

Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and YouTube permanently banned President Donald Trump following the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6. Trump has since promised to return to social media with his own platform in the coming months.

In a later post on Easter Sunday, Greene said she is looking forward to Trump's platform.

Facebook removed an interview with Lara Trump and her father-in-law last week and said any content "in the voice of Donald Trump" would be removed, Fox News reported.

As more conservatives have been censored by the leading social media platforms for expressing their views, websites such as CloutHub, Parler and USA.Life are emerging as alternative options for free speech.
Draw: The coastal home situated on the Wild Atlantic Way en route from Donegal Town to Killybegs

A Donegal family are holding a prize draw for a coastal home and a cash prize of 50,000 (58,584), with some funds going to Beaumont Hospital in thanks for the staffs care of their late parents.

Marcia Turley and her sisters set up the prize draw after being left their family home in their inheritance when both of their parents died less than eight weeks apart from each other in 2018. They plan on providing 5pc of earnings to the hospital.

Her father, Ben Gallagher, first got sick in October of 2016 and was hospitalised with heart failure.

Her mother, Lyndall Gallagher, was hospitialised only 10 days later due to a stage four brain tumour.

We went down to visit dad from his ward, and he thought we were welcoming him back from Dublin because hed gone down for a cardiac MRI. And then mum had to tell him what was going on, Ms Turley.

I told the nurses and they were amazing. So they put dad up in mums ward so then they could visit each other.

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He kept going across to hold her hand. It was really lovely that way, at least they could see each other.

While both of her parents were hospitalised, they were facing different challenges.

He was kind of able-minded but not able-bodied, and she was kind of able-bodied but not able-minded.

Ms Turley and her family were later informed that her mother needed urgent brain surgery.

If no intervention had taken place she could have passed away in six weeks. Ms Gallagher managed to hold on for 18 more months, thanks in part to the work of staff at Beaumont Hospital.

As a thank you, Ms Turley and her sisters are donating 5pc of the money they receive in the prize draw to Beaumont Hospital.

Really for them its our inheritance that were giving them, she said. They could buy some lifesaving equipment, or do some lifesaving research, I mean you never know.

While it was a difficult moment in time, Ms Turley said she was glad that at least it didnt occur during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Thank god this didnt happen during Covid, she said. Because how would we have coped? And you know the funeral would have been less than it should have been.

We were grateful I suppose in one way that it all happened then, and we were grateful in another way that daddy went first because he couldnt have coped watching her die.

Her father passed away on March 29, 2018, in hospital, and her mother then also sadly died on May 21 in a hospice.

They put him [Mr Gallagher] on life support so we all got home and we got to say goodbye, she said. He was very religious so he got a great Mass, the full choir, great weather.

Speaking about her mothers time in the hospice, she said: We were able to just be her family and not be her carers we were really glad she was close by and were able to stay with her whenever we wanted.

After her parents' passing, Ms Turley and her sisters were left with their family home, although none of them lived near it.

Ms Turley lives in Galway city, as does her sister Dorothy, while her other sibling Susan is in Offaly, and sister Joanne lives in Australia. As such, their only use for the house would be as a holiday home.

For that reason they decided to hold a prize draw instead, offering people the chance to win the coastal property, situated on the Wild Atlantic Way en route from Donegal Town to Killybegs.

In addition, the winner will also get 50,000 (58,584) in cash, and would have their solicitors fees and stamp duty paid for.

It costs 10 (11.7) to enter the prize draw with 70,000 tickets available at: https://raffall.com/193700/enter-raffle-to-win-donegal-coastal-property-50k-hosted-by-susan-ryan
A year ago, Sandy Bailey was looking forward to getting some financial relief.

The Allentown mother of two young children was ready to see her oldest start first grade in the 2020-2021 school year. It would mean lower child care bills, some welcome money for the single mom.

The COVID-19 pandemic not only took that relief away, it heaped more financial strain on Bailey and her family. School for Baileys oldest child was all virtual, and Bailey needed to pay for full-day care for her two kids so she could continue working full time through the pandemic.

I have been on the front lines since day one over a year ago. It has been extremely difficult, Bailey said Tuesday, adding she does not qualify for food stamps or subsidized child care. Yes, children are costly and they are expensive, but when the pandemic hit, it became even more (expensive) ... its a lot, and with the pandemic it has been hard, it has been very hard and stressful with all the challenges we have had to face throughout. And I know Im not the only one.

Supporters of the American Rescue Plan hope to provide relief to families like Baileys across the country.

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., held a virtual news conference Tuesday to highlight ways the new law aims to cut child poverty in half.

The $1.9 trillion pandemic relief bill signed into law last month is known for the stimulus checks that have started appearing in mailboxes and bank accounts.

I dont think that any of us fully comprehend the scope and the full benefit of these provisions that will help children grow and help them thrive through the pandemic and, if we can continue these policies, they will thrive well beyond the pandemic, for the rest o their lives, Casey said. Theres a lot of work to do yet to continue these policies.

The bill did not receive a single Republican vote, including Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey. Toomey called it a partisan, wasteful spending bill.

President Joe Biden and congressional Democrats refused to work with Republicans and instead rammed through a wasteful $1.9 trillion bill on a strictly partisan vote, Toomey said in a prepared statement. This bill is not about responding to COVID. It is about exploiting the final stretch of a public health crisis in order to enact a longstanding liberal wish-list for years into the future. Only a fraction of the funds in this bill can even be spent this year.

The highlights of the benefits include increasing the child tax credit, from up to $2,000 per child under age 17 to $3,600 for kids under age 6 and $3,000 for older kids.

Working parents can receive up to $4,000 for child care expenses for one child and up to $8,000 for two or more kids or dependents in 2021. The care credits will help middle-class families, as well as those with lower income, Casey noted.

This credit alone will help a quarter of a million families in Pennsylvania, about 6.7 million families nationwide, the senator said.

The child care tax credits are welcome for Bailey, who said her previous stimulus checks went straight to paying for childcare.

And I even paid a couple weeks in advance, that way i could insure I would be good and covered, she said.

Residents will see the child tax credit payments this summer, while the child care credits will be available when people file their 2021 taxes next year, Caseys staff said.

The plan also includes $39 billion for childcare, with $15 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program and $24 billion for a child care stabilization fund. Casey said Pennsylvania should see about $1.2 billion of that money.

The importance of high quality child care is irrefutable, said Michele McElroy, who has owned and operated the Cuddle Zone in Allentown for more than 25 years. Its been a political hot topic, a society issue, a family conversation for as long as Ive been in business, while the money invested in high quality early care and education ends up saving money in the end.

McElroy is the board chair-elect of the Pennsylvania Child Care Association, a nonprofit that represents 2,400 centers, group and family child care programs.

The trilemma of quality, affordability and accessibility remain a focus point in child care, McElroy said.

The plans tax credits will help make child care more affordable for families, and Pennsylvanias Keystone Stars program helps maintain quality, but what is left to address is accessibility, McElroy said. Staffing is also an issue for providers.

Baileys children, who are 5 and 6 years old, attend Lehigh Valley Childrens Centers.

Charles Dinofrio is president and CEO of Lehigh Valley Childrens Centers, which serves almost 1,400 children at 30 locations in Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties. Providers like LVCC work to provide high-quality care and early education for children in the region.

Our goal to get through the pandemic and to the future is to look to partner with community resources and community schools, he said. If we want our children to grow up in the future to be successful, we have to start at the beginning of their ages and carry them through the school system and the community.

Casey wasnt the only lawmaker on Tuesday touting the acts benefits for Lehigh Valley childcare recipients and providers.

U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, D-Lehigh Valley, was scheduled to visit the Allentown YMCA in the morning to see recent renovations and promote how the act is helping families who use its services.

Our economic recovery is only possible if we support stable, affordable childcare for working families. The relief funding in the American Rescue Plan will go a long way to helping organizations like the Greater Valley YMCA to continue serving families in our community and jumpstart our economy, Wild said in a news release. While theres still more to be done to guarantee that working families can access quality and affordable childcare, this relief is a significant step forward.

Had a great morning with @GV_YMCA seeing how the #AmericanRescuePlan is being put to work in #PA07.



Were using relief funds to provide healthy, safe childcare for working families  a key part of how we build back better. Our kids always come first, & Ill stay focused on that. pic.twitter.com/UXNF02RNG8  Rep. Susan Wild (@RepSusanWild) April 6, 2021

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com.
BAY CITY, MI  A parole absconder who previously robbed a Bay City adult bookstore is returning to prison, this time for holding up a 7-Eleven.

Bay County Circuit Judge Harry P. Gill on Monday, April 5, sentenced 32-year-old Jeramie J. Griffin to nine to 15 years in prison. The judge gave Griffin no credit for time already served, due to the defendants parolee absconder status at the time he committed his latest offense.

As a result, Griffin will have to first finish serving the remainder of the time he had been paroled on before he starts chipping away at his new sentence.

Griffin in February pleaded guilty to one count of armed robbery, a life offense. In exchange, the prosecution dismissed single counts of larceny in a building and carrying a concealed weapon.

Griffin on New Years Eve robbed the 7-Eleven at 1510 Kosciuszko Ave. in Bay Citys South End. The stores clerk told responding officers that a masked and hooded man had entered the business, pulled out a knife, and demanded money.

The clerk gave Griffin money in one- and five-dollar bills, as well as a pack of Newport cigarettes, she told police. The robber then left the store on foot.

Within minutes of the holdup, Hampton Township public safety officers located Griffin several blocks from the 7-Eleven and detained him. They found $72 in small bills on and an unopened pack of Newports on him, according to reports contained in court records.

Taken to police headquarters and interviewed, police allege Griffin said he was high, did not know what happened and had not been to the 7-Eleven. He said he works two jobs and is only three months from completing his term of parole.

When police confronted him with surveillance camera photos of the robber, Griffin reiterated he was not the culprit and denied any wrongdoing, reports show.

A 7-Eleven manager determined the stores tills were $70 short. That amount and the Newport pack police seized from Griffin were returned to the store.

Griffin went to prison a decade ago for robbing the former Ace Adult Video at 210 Third St. in downtown Bay City in October 2009. Griffin brandished a knife and made off with $376 in cash and several pornographic DVDs in that case.

After Griffin pleaded guilty to armed robbery, then-Bay County Circuit Judge Kenneth W. Schmidt in March 2010 sentenced Griffin to 96 to 240 months in prison.

The Michigan Department of Corrections paroled Griffin on Aug. 20, 2019. The agency listed Griffin as a parole absconder on Dec. 2, 2020.

Ace Adult Video had been open for decades but permanently closed its doors in the summer of 2020.

Read more:

Parole absconder pleads guilty to robbing 7-Eleven in Bay City

Man charged in holdup of 7-Eleven robbed Bay City adult bookstore in 2009

Bay City man arrested minutes after armed robbery of 7-Eleven

Man who pleaded guilty to robbery of Bay City adult book store was desperately trying to go to prison, assistant prosecutor says

Longtime Bay City adult video store closes for good
Students at a Texas high school were required by their teacher to watch the graphic video of George Floyd's death as part of an assignment  and parents are not happy about it.

The unidentified freshman teacher at Cedar Hill High School in Dallas didn't ask for permission from students' parents before assigning the class to act as "jurors" during the ongoing trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin, per Newsweek's Benjamin Fearmon. Instead, the 14-to-15-year-old pupils were instructed not to discuss what they witnessed "with friends, siblings, or relatives  not even the family dog" for at least six weeks.
By Bernard Harris

In 1969, humankind faced the unprecedented challenge of landing on the moon. I watched as a child as a team of scientists and astronauts overcame obstacles to ultimately be successful during the Apollo 11 mission.

That team identified patterns, learned from relevant experiences and determined potential solutions. COVID-19 has been an unprecedented challenge for us, particularly in how it has affected the nations children.

Unfortunately, learning losses and disparities in educational access are far from unprecedented. The good news is that there are school systems that have met the challenges head on. More than three dozen Pennsylvania school systems have developed local policies and practices to move their students from unprepared and under-prepared for advanced learning at the secondary level to college-readiness and mastery of college-level content.

And while much attention has been placed on in-person and summer learning, numerous Pennsylvania school systems are demonstrating success in remote and blended teaching.

Bradford Area (McKean County) and Washington (Washington County) High Schools are among those schools. In 2020, Bradford saw an 81 percent increase in the number of Advanced Placement exams its students took in math, science and English courses. In more than 80 percent of those exams, students demonstrated mastery of college-level content, making them eligible for money-saving course credit at most U.S. colleges and universities. In the previous year, 78 percent of exams at Bradford resulted in qualifying scores that illustrated content mastery and qualified students for college credit.

At Washington High School, students increased AP exam participation by 98 percent in 2020 and increased the number of qualifying scores by 105 percent; demonstrating that strong planning and support can increase access and achievement even in challenging environments.

Im honored to count Bradford and Washington among Pennsylvania schools in the NMSI family and proud that they reached those accomplishments with local work focused on student supports and teacher readiness.

For schools like Bradford and Washington, student supports include study sessions developed and delivered by highly accomplished teachers from across the Eastern United States. The supports also include self-paced study guides and mini-exams for students to home in on the areas where they need the most help.

Bradford and Washington also have devoted significant attention to supporting teachers, recognizing that even the best professionals need help and constant development. This summer, Bradford Area and Washington teachers again will join some 4,000 American teachers for virtual training on remote and blended teaching, culturally responsive education and deeper content knowledge. They will start the 2021-22 school year with lesson plans, classroom-ready materials and year-round resources to address new challenges as they arise.

All that student and teacher support is grounded in a shared belief that all students can succeed in advanced education when provided effective study supports and led by high-quality, highly prepared teachers.

Like their peers across the country, students at Bradford and Washington have experienced loss in the past year. Unlike too many of their peers, these students will benefit from district and classroom leaders who are prepared to do more than recover.

Dr. Bernard Harris is CEO of the National Math and Science Initiative. He is a medical doctor, med-tech investor and a former NASA astronaut. In 1995, Harris became the first African American to complete a spacewalk.
[April 06, 2021] Lighter, powerful, more intelligent: The next generation of Jimmy Vacuum Cleaner is here!

SHENZHEN, China, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Jimmy's newly released H series vacuum cleaners will be exclusively launching this April on geekbuying.com. Jimmy has scheduled 3 new models under the H series comprising of H8, H8 Pro and the H9 Pro. The H series signifies its patented horizontal cyclone design, this allows reduced suction loss with small air resistance with big air flow. After rigorous testing with different form factors, the upper handle design tends to be more comfortable during use than a side-handling design. Highly Intuitive The Jimmy H series is equipped with smart interactive system to manage your cleaning work intelligently. Jimmy floorhead load sensing technology can recognize different floor types and adjust machine working power for more smart and efficient cleaning. This series continues the consistent design innovation, the battery is stilldetachable coupled with a user-friendly battery charging design. Jimmy H8 Pro comes with a supporting base, while Jimmy H9 Pro has a standard charging bracket, which is convenient for storage.



Finely Designed Jimmy H8 Pro is built with a 1.49kg lightweight main machine, as the flagship model of 2021, it comes with a standard 160AW suction, 3000mAh battery with a 70 minutes of battery life (which can be extended to 140 minutes with an extra detachable battery). 4 levels energy-saving control, increased auto-mode configuration, can switch freely between floor and carpet, automatic suction control.

Immensely Powerful H9 Pro is their latest and the greatest model of the bunch that is one of the most powerful vacuum cleaners in the market currently. In addition to all the basic configuration of H8 Pro, it has added an additional 8x3000mAh set of batteries extending the battery life by up to 80 minutes. Flexible metal tube is more suitable for cleaning the bottom and rear ends of your furniture which can be cumbersome. The 200AW suction, like the 2020 flagship of JV85 Pro, puts Jimmy H9 Pro in the top tier of premium vacuum cleaners. Jimmy's Expertise Jimmy specializes in research, development and production of cordless vacuum cleaners with over 25+ years of experience in the vacuum cleaner industry. It is one of the very few in the industry to implement fully automated and operational facility in manufacturing vacuum cleaners among other consumer goods. www.Jimmy.eu SOURCE Jimmy

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California faith-based group helping moms out of homelessness seeks to double capacity

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A California-based Christian nonprofit that helps homeless mothers by providing housing and services is seeking to expand its campus to bring more women and their families out of homelessness.

Acres of Hope, formed in 2005 and originally known as Placer Family Housing, is a ministry based in Auburn, Placer County, that offers longterm assistance for homeless mothers.

At present, the charity has 12 units on its campus: 10 units are for mothers enrolled in their restoration program, each of whom has up to four children. Two other units are for mothers who've just completed their program.

Jackie Turner, the ministry outreach coordinator for Acres of Hope, told The Christian Post in an interview that the ministry is seeking to expand and double the number of women who can be helped through the program.

In California, each day news reports go out on how the community can deal with homelessness. Millions of dollars are coming in each year to end the crisis. Yet what continues happening is bandages. Handouts, instead of hand-ups, said Turner.

Because our model is succeeding at ending homelessness for these families, we want to do more. We are working to raise awareness and funds for an expansion to our campus. We want to grow the campus to be able to serve 20 families at a time on campus.

The Acres of Hope model involves a program that centers on five areas of aid for mothers and their children: mental health, emotional health, spiritual health, bodily health, and relational health.

According to Turner, to strengthen these five areas, residents of the ministry have a daily structured schedule, monitored sobriety, counseling from a licensed professional, detailed case management, life skills training, education on parenting, childrens programming, and recreational activities.

Acres of Hope has a model that is working, and that is because the power of Jesus Christ is transforming the lives of mothers and their children from the inside out, Turner said.

They are learning the life they knew is not the life that God has wanted for them. They are rising up and becoming new creations.

The charity has worked with many local churches, nonprofits and benefitted from businesses' charitable efforts. In 2019, for example, local business Collison Pros announced that it was partnering with Enterprise Rental Cars to donate to Acres of Hope.

Lisa Risdal, the executive director of Acres of Hope and her team, have done amazing things to get homeless women off the street and transformed them into productive, self-sustaining members of society, said Collison Pros of the organization.

Turner told CP that the program has numerous alumni who have never returned to a cycle of homelessness and are known to share testimonies with other residents of their lives today.

God is the hope that resurrects lives, Turner added. I am looking at mothers who come in hopeless. Children who are in foster care, wanting to come home to mom. Some families come in afraid because they have left abuse.

In all of them, I watch them transform before our very eyes, and each day they show me the Gospel is alive and active. God is still hard at work making impossibilities become realities.
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  Albuquerque Police Department detectives are investigating their second possible homicide of the day.

Gilbert Gallegos, an APD spokesman, said officers were called to a disturbance on the 500 block of Utah SE, near Zuni and Wyoming SE, and found a person dead in a home.

Homicide detectives are being called to the scene to start an investigation, Gallegos wrote in an email.

He did not provide any details about how the person died, who they are or whether there are any suspects.

Earlier in the day, detectives began an investigation after a person was found dead at Singing Arrow Park near Four Hills.

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The family of a mother who died after a 6,500 Brazilian bottom lift at a Turkish clinic has been hit by another wave of grief after her father was also found dead.

Leah Cambridge, 29, from Leeds, died on the operating table in 2018 at the Elite Aftercare Clinic in Izmir, favoured by the cast of The Only Way Is Essex.

She suffered a blood clot during the procedure on August 27, one day after travelling to an Elite Aftercare clinic in Turkey, her inquest was told.

Now her father Craig Cambridge has also died. Tributes have been paid to the 'top bloke' who was found by his other daughter on Easter Monday.

The family, from Leeds in West Yorkshire, are devastated at the double loss.

Leah's widower and partner of ten years, Scott Franks, wrote today: 'Rest in peace Craig Cambridge, one top bloke.

'I'll never forget all the times you was there for me. We all love you so much, take care of Leah now mate.'

Leah Cambridge, 29, from Leeds, died on the operating table in 2018 after a Brazilian bum lift surgery. Now her father (pictured left) has also passed away. (Pictured right: Leah's partner of 10 years Scott Franks)

Leah Cambridge, 29, passed away after a cosmetic operation to lift her bottom in 2018. Doctors and nurses at the Turkish clinic were unable to save her

Relatives say that Leah's father Craig (pictured left) 'never got over' the tragic passing of his daughter (pictured) three years ago. Scott today paid tribute to 'top bloke' Craig

Relatives say that Leah's father Craig 'never got over' the tragic passing of his daughter three years ago.

He is said to have struggled with his grief before his body was discovered by his daughter yesterday.

The Sun reports in January Craig posted a picture on Facebook with the words: 'I miss me. The old me. The happy me.

Now in a double tragedy for the Cambridge family, Leah's father Craig has also been found dead on Easter Monday

'The smiling me. The laughing me. The gone me.'

After his death yesterday a relative told the publication: 'He was found by his daughter. It's just more heartbreak for the family.'

Craig's niece Lisa Cambridge added: 'Just can't believe it. Absolutely heartbroken.'

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: 'At 7.34pm on Monday, police were called to an address in Halton where a man had been found dead.

'There were no suspicious circumstances and the Coroner's Office has been informed.'

In 2018 Miss Cambridge, who worked as a beautician, followed the likes of reality TV stars Lauren Goodger and Amber Dowding in opting for the Turkish clinic.

The 29-year-old attended the clinic for a 6,500 Brazilian bum lift on August 27.

The trainee beauticia, who was 'paranoid about her body', was inspired to pay 6,500 in cash for the operation after seeing photographs on Instagram.

Other reality stars to have had surgery there includes The Only Way is Essex star Georgia Kousoulou, who had a nose job there.

Leah's widower and partner of ten years, Scott Franks, wrote today: 'Rest in peace Craig Cambridge, one top bloke.' Pictured: With Leah

The so-called 'Brazilian butt-lift' procedure involves taking fat from the waist or the stomach and injecting it into the bottom.

Dr Ali Uckan, (pictured) who carried out the surgery at the private hospital in Turkey, later said they had 'no concerns' over their surgeons or standards of care

It serves as an alternative to buttock augmentations using implants and is believed to offer a safer way of plumping your bottom due to the 'natural' fat used, which minimises the risk of silicon rejection.

But Miss Cambridge, who was a mother of three boys, is suffered complications very soon into the procedure.

She suffered a fatal complication when blood fat was accidentally injected into a vein and caused her to have three heart attacks on the operating table.

Ms Cambridge's partner Scott Franks told Wakefield Coroner's Court in 2019 the surgeon who carried out the procedure told him he had 'injected the fat too far into the muscle and it entered her veins.'

Doctors and nurses were unable to save her. Dr Ali Uckan, who carried out the surgery at the private hospital in Turkey, later said they had 'no concerns' over their surgeons or standards of care.
[April 06, 2021] IC Realtime Video Gear Now Available Nationwide at AlarMax Distributor Locations

POMPANO BEACH, Fla., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- IC Realtime, the Florida-based 1080P/HD & 4K/UHD video security equipment provider, has announced a nationwide distribution agreement with AlarMax Distributors Inc. With 23 regional locations and a new location in San Diego, CA (their fourth California location), AlarMax is an industry leader in professional equipment distribution in the United States. Their locations will now provide their customer base of local licensed low voltage, fire & alarm, and security contractors with immediate availability for IC Realtime's cutting-edge cameras, recorders, and accessories. "Teaming up with AlarMax is a huge but natural step forward in IC Realtime's 2021 product availability and brand awareness program," according to IC Realtime CEO Matt Sailor. "Their expertise, dealer satisfaction goals, and customer base parallel ours perfectly." IC Realtime has been a pioneer in the professional AV integrator industry for the past 20 years, concentrating on control system integration with Savant and Crestron firms. Their latest cameras and recorders now offer Artificial Intelligence and logarithmic deep learning capabilities, expanding distribution and marketing effors into new market spaces, including commercial integrators and IT installers who already use AlarMax for their gear.



As America gets back to school and business this spring, video system installations and updates are expected to surge. This makes the increased availability of IC Realtime's professional equipment and Dash series home security cameras through AlarMax distribution locations a big win for both firms. "We had long considered IC Realtime equipment as premium gear with excellent support and long warranties - and they still are. But they now incorporate these same top-of-the-line features and capabilities into new product lines at more affordable price points, and that makes them a natural fit for our professional customer base," according to AlarMax VP Randy Hall.

IC Realtime has long been a strictly B2B manufacturer that sold directly to authorized dealers only. That won't change, according to IC Realtime's Sailor and AlarMax President Roger Graf. "Our clients are all licensed contractors, and like IC Realtime, we believe in concierge-level dealer support. When you think about it, we are a perfect fit for each other," according to Graf. "Matt, Randy, and I are all on the same page about taking care of our dealer customers. "We are both looking forward to the growth we see in the spring and summer this year and are glad we can now give our customers immediate access to IC Realtime's excellent gear." Media Contact:

Sam Wenger

Phone: 954.505.5208

Email: sam@icrealtime.com Related Images image1.png View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ic-realtime-video-gear-now-available-nationwide-at-alarmax-distributor-locations-301263286.html SOURCE IC Realtime

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For those looking to get away and hit the beach, there's one area in the Nueces County area to avoid.

Portions of the Corpus Christi Ship Channel South Jetty off Aransas Pass will close for weeks to repair damages caused by Hurricane Harvey in 2017, according to a news release from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District.

The closure is expected to begin on April 12 and last through Memorial Day weekend (May 31). The area of the jetty that will be closed first will extend from the beach toward the Gulf, Lynda R. Yezzi-Valentine, chief of public affairs for the corps office in Galveston, told Port Aransas South Jetty.

READ ALSO: San Antonio park's anticipated skywalk opens with stunning views

Belynda Kinman, Operations Manager for the Galveston District's Navigation Branch, stated in the release the goal is to have the work completed prior to the start of the Memorial Day weekend. However, officials said vacationers should know of the closure in case they plan on traveling to the Corpus Christi and Port Aransas area for Memorial Day weekend.

"If the weather cooperates and we don't run into unexpected delays, we are hoping to complete the work in time for the holiday weekend," Kinman stated in the release.

The USACE Galveston District will put out periodic updates on its social media sites to inform the public about the progress of the work on the South Jetty.

Once work is completed, the contractor will remove the full-time closure; however, as further work is started on the South Jetty adjacent to land, additional closures may occur on an as-needed basis.
Global firm announced on Tuesday the final close of a $15 billion fund focused on investments in private equity transactions in the Asia Pacific region. Asian Fund IV will invest approximately $1.3 billion in capital alongside fund investors through the firm.

Over the last 16 years we have strategically built our Asia Pacific platform and diverse regional team to unlock what we believe are some of the most compelling opportunities in the world given Asia Pacifics growth and dynamism, said Ming Lu, head of Asia Pacific.

Our new flagship private equity fund meaningfully adds to our multi-asset platform and strengthens our position across the region. We are grateful to our investors who have acknowledged the success of our Asia Pacific strategy and share our conviction in the tremendous potential that the regions businesses hold, he said.

The firm said in January it had completed its inaugural pan-regional infrastructure and real estate funds: the US$3.9 billion Asia Pacific Infrastructure Investors Fund and US$1.7 billion Asia Real Estate Partners Fund.

The opportunity for private equity across the Asia Pacific is phenomenal. While each market is unique, the long-term fundamentals underpinning the regions growth are consistent  the demand for consumption upgrades, a fast-growing middle class, rising urbanization, and technological disruption, said Hiro Hirano, Co-Head of Asia Pacific Private Equity at KKR.

 across the Asia Pacific are recognizing their potential to become not only national and regional champions but also global leaders in their industries, said Ashish Shastry, Co-Head of Asia Pacific Private Equity at KKR. Today, with Asian Fund IV and KKRs local-global partnership approach, we are better positioned than ever to support the expansion of the that fuel Asia Pacifics economy, fund their innovation, and build technology leaders.

KKR Asian Fund IV is currently the largest private equity fund dedicated to investing in the Asia Pacific region. The Fund, which exceeded its target size to reach its hard cap for fund investors commitments, received strong support from a diverse group of new and existing global investors, including strong representation by Asia Pacific-based investors, it said.

The overwhelming response for Asian Fund IV validates our strategic focus and investment discipline, especially given the competitive and current environment. We are grateful for the trust that our existing and new fund investors have placed in KKR and we are confident that our talented Asia Pacific team will continue delivering outstanding results, said Alisa Amarosa Wood, KKRs Head of Private Markets Strategies Group.

KKR launched its Asia Pacific platform in 2005, and now has over US$30 billion in assets under management in the region across strategies, including private equity, infrastructure, real estate, and credit. KKRs Asia Pacific Private Equity portfolio currently includes investments in approximately 60 in 11 countries across the region.

Gaurav Trehan, Partner at KKR India said "India is an important part of KKRs Asia Pacific investment strategy across all our asset classes. The countrys dynamic population and strong economic fundamentals are fueling the growth of Indias innovative and disruptive homegrown companies. The successful close of Asian Fund IV further enhances our ability to bring KKRs trusted partnership approach, global network and deep industry expertise to Indian entrepreneurs, founders and management teams as they position their businesses to capture the opportunities locally and overseas.
The low number of anti-coronavirus doses distributed so far by the European Union means the target of achieving herd immunity, with 70 per cent of the population in Spain being immunised by summer, is up in the air.

In the last seven days, only 16,569 vaccines have been administered in Malaga province, a figure that represents just one per cent of the population of the province. At this rate, it would take more than two years to immunise 70 per cent of residents over the age of 16, bearing in mind that most vaccines approved so far require at least two doses.

Although the Junta de Andalucia insisted that the vaccination campaign would not stop, either on holidays or on weekends, the figures say otherwise. On Easter Friday and Saturday, only 66 vaccines were administered throughout the province.

Figures also show that the vaccines injected during the last week in Malaga constitute little more than 14 per cent of the total doses administered in Andalucia, when by population criteria it should be at least 20 per cent. But the number of doses delivered is based on the groups to be vaccinated and not the total population.

Spains Minister of Health, Carolina Darias, trusts that the vaccination rate will take off in this second quarter of the year, driven by deliveries such as those this Monday, when a shipment of 1.2 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine arrived, and last Thursday, when Spain received more than one million AstraZeneca doses.

"Exciting figure"

The Junta de Andalucia this Monday (5 April) announced that the region has already injected 1.5 million doses of vaccines and 522,939 people are fully immunised with two doses. The regional president, Juanma Moreno, celebrated "the exciting figure" and said, "It is not just a number. They are stories of hope. We are the ones who vaccinate the most, but we need many more. The joy will be total when all of Andalucia is immunised.

The region, being the most populated, is the one that has received the most vaccines from the central government, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Health.

The Ministry expects that in the next three months at least 30 million doses should reach Spain that would serve to protect 24 million people, about 60 per cent of the adult population.

But the problems accumulated at the beginning of the campaign with the reduction of Pfizer deliveries for logistical reasons and the temporary suspension of the AstraZeneca formula do not invite optimism.
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Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 57F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 57F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.
After Russias dire warnings last week that any serious escalation of military conflict in Donbass could destroy Ukraine, and Moscows multiple ceasefire violations near the village of Shumy in Donetsk Oblast on March 29, a military expert in the region has now predicted that the conflict could spiral into a war within four weeks. Pavel Felgenhauer voiced concerns of a European war as footage of Russias recent military build-up circulated, as Moscow deployed more than 4,000 troops close to the rebel stronghold Ukrainian border and annexed Crimea.

The crisis has the potential to escalate into a pan-European war, if not even a world one, said Felgenhauer, an independent Russian military analyst, in a recent interview with the Rosbalt news outlet in Russia, cited by The Associated Press. Will it happen or not? Lets wait and see. In the West, they dont know what to do about it, he added. Felgenhauers remarks follow Russias warnings to NATO that the country will take military measures if NATO troops are dispatched in the tensions-stricken region. As the United States pledged unwavering support to Ukraine, Russian fighter aircraft, helicopters, artillery, and army tanks amassed on the border. NATO, meanwhile, warned Moscow against formally deploying military troops into Ukrainian territory as a war-like scene on the Russia-Ukraine border put Europe on high alert.

[Image Credit: Ministry of Defense of Russian Federation]

Many videos appear on the internet, showing Russian trains and military convoys in Crimea and at the Ukrainian border  yes, again.



We have mapped the alleged locations, which are mostly in Crimea and Russia's Rostov and Krasnodar regions.https://t.co/dufvgIrrM4



1/ pic.twitter.com/opK4PCSSDa  CIT (en) (@CITeam_en) April 1, 2021

Russian President Vladimir Putin has authorized his military forces that are enhancing deployment to encroach parts of the eastern Donbas region in Ukraine, having annexed the Crimean peninsula 7 years ago, which the Biden administration, NATO, and European Union calls an illegal Russian takeover. Moscow signed a treaty that recognized Ukraines Crimea as part of the Russian Federation, the referendum however was rejected by the West. Since April 2014, as the Ukrainian armed forces have been leading combat operations against Russia-backed mercenaries in Eastern Ukraine, the relations between Moscow and the West plunged into a post-cold war low.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba condemned Moscow for a systemic aggravation of the security situation in Donbass and Crimea. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov played down military build-up, saying this should not bother anyone and it poses no threat to anyone. Russia was taking measures to ensure the security of its own borders," TASS reported.

US asks Russia to 'explain provocations'

As Ukraine and the United States witnessed Russian troops increasing movement in the region, Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of flexing military muscle and the US state department called for Russia to explain recent provocations and massive troop presence on the Russia-Ukraine border. State Department spokesman Ned Price said at a presser that the United States was ready to engage if Russia made efforts to intimidate Ukraine.

Weve asked Russia for an explanation of these provocations, Price told reporters. But more importantly, what we have signaled with our Ukrainian partner is a message of reassurance, he said. White House press secretary Jen Psaki, separately told reporters that recent escalations of Russian aggression and escalation in eastern Ukraine is something were watching closely.As tensions mount, Felgenhauer warned that the recent events could see a war in a month as Russia remains undeterred in troop deploying in Voronezh, Rostov, and Krasnodar regions.

On @NATO's 72nd Anniversary we reaffirm the unwavering U.S. commitment to @NATO and Article 5. We're grateful for our Allies, this Alliance, and its critical role in safeguarding our freedom. #WeAreNATO  Ned Price (@StateDeptSpox) April 4, 2021
[April 06, 2021] Essence Group Major Supply Chain Initiative Helps Ensure Continued Customer Service for its Partners Throughout COVID-19 Lockdown

HERZLIYA, Israel, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Essence Group, a leading provider of IoT solutions for the global security and care markets, today provided details of its aggressive supply chain initiative, that mitigated the global supply chain disruption caused by COVID-19 and ensured the continued supply of its complex multi-component products to key partner, Verisure, a leading provider of professionally monitored security solutions. The well-documented effects of COVID-19 on global supply chains  including higher shipping costs; lower availability of shipping containers; employee health challenges; and the closure of borders from national lockdowns  provided an existential challenge to organizations dependent on just-in-time delivery of components. In normal times, supply chain logistics generally work on an eight-month timeline for delivery of critical components. Thanks to its proactive resilience, detailed business continuity planning, and leveraging experience gained from past events, by the end of the first quarter of 2020, Essence Group had successfully mitigated the majority of supply chain disruptions to fulfil customer orders as expected. Hagai Enoch, Chief Operating Officer of Essence Group, said: "As the world started to grapple with COVID-19 we went to our business continuity playbook and realized that we had move fast. We did not even entertain the thought that we would not be able to supply our customers, who rely on us to deliver on time." As early as mid-January 2020, when news of the emerging pandemic was only beginning to hit global news channels, Essence mobilized its business continuity response to ensure alignment on emergent issues and implement contingencies in the event of further disruption. At the heart of Essence Group's strategy was to leverage existing relationships with component suppliers and manufacturers to share resources in order to deliver optimal solutions for customers. By dramaticlly increasing the size of orders and accumulating sufficient buffer stock, and using air transport rather than ships, Essence could continue supplying strategic partners, such as Verisure with the necessary volume of critical components to enable them to meet commercial commitments.



"Partnership with Essence has been instrumental in ensuring continued customer service for our existing and new clients," said Cristina Rivas, Verisure Chief Technology Officer. "Essence Group's initiatives to ensure we could continue accepting new orders gave us confidence that we would be able to keep our commitments. This has helped us to continue to strengthen our position as the leading provider of professional security products and services." "In spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, our global supply chain has performed extremely well in meeting the needs of our customers," said Sharon Klainer Weizenbluth, Chief Strategy Officer at Essence Group. "This was achieved, while also protecting the health and wellbeing of both our employees and those of our supply chain partners."

About Essence Group Essence Group is a global technology leader with a mission to develop and deploy innovative, cloud-based, end-to-end security and healthcare solutions, underpinned by supporting services, that provide peace of mind to users. For over a quarter of a century, Essence has challenged convention by making care and safety both accessible and affordable. With over 70 million connected devices deployed worldwide, Essence helps people to live safer and more independent lives. For more information: https://www.essence-grp.com/ Follow Essence Group on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook About Verisure Verisure is the leading European provider of professionally monitored security systems with 24/7 response services. It protects more than 3.7 million customers in 16 countries in Europe and Latin America. In late 2019 Arlo Europe also became part of Verisure. The Company's mission is to bring peace of mind to families and small business owners by providing them with the best security solutions and services. Verisure is known for category-creating marketing, sales excellence, innovative products and services and customer-centricity. Verisure protects a highly satisfied and loyal customer base, with some of the strongest growth rates and best retention rates globally in consumer-facing services, demonstrating its exceptional service levels and strong value proposition to its customers. For more information: www.verisure.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1480696/Essence_Group.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1480697/Verisure.jpg Media Contact: Finn Partners for Essence Group

Danny Sudwarts

danny.sudwarts@finnpartners.com

(+1) 469-297-2515 View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/essence-group-major-supply-chain-initiative-helps-ensure-continued-customer-service-for-its-partners-throughout-covid-19-lockdown-301262959.html SOURCE Essence Group; Verisure

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A new bill introduced in the Florida legislature calls for a considerable increase to the states struggling unemployment benefits system, which has been ravaged by the economic fall out of the covid-19 pandemic.

The Republican-led proposal would see the states maximum weekly unemployment benefits increased from $275 to $375. In addition to the $100 weekly increase, the states strict work search requirement would be lowered from five job application per week to three.

Will the new Florida unemployment benefits bill be passed?

Senate bill 1906 (Reemployment Assistance) is the culmination of efforts that have been ongoing since January as lawmakers look to address the unemployment crisis facing Florida. Last week the bill was officially tabled and it passed its first committee on Thursday, the first step in a lengthy legislative process.

From here the bill has to pass two more Senate committees, before being subjected to a floor vote in both the Florida Senate and the states House of Representatives. It is only after clearing all these hurdles that it can reach Gov. Ron DeSantis desk to be signed into law.

The current proposal was introduced by Republican Sen. Jason Brodeur, who said it was a good starting point for the debate, and offered a chance to improve an unemployment system that was designed to fail during such tough economic times.

In response Democrat senators have attempted to add amendments that would open up eligibility to more Floridians, but they were rejected by the Republican-led Senate. One would have seen poorer residents able to qualify for benefits. Another would have prevented pregnant women, people without transportation, people caring for children and those who are sick from being denied access to state unemployment benefits.

Floridians have the harshest unemployment provision in the country

Many states are struggling to provide jobless support during the pandemic, but in Florida that has proved to be particularly difficult with some of the stingiest unemployment benefits in the United States.

While most states provide 26 weeks of unemployment benefits as standard, and some offer more, Floridians are only entitled to 12 weeks of jobless support. Not only that but Floridas average weekly payment of $236 nearly exactly half what is offered in Massachusetts ($473).

That is one of the lowest weekly averages of any state in the country and with a comparatively high cost of living, it is no surprise that Floridians are struggling to make ends meet. In a recent study into state unemployment benefits, Forbes Advisor ranked Florida as the worst state for jobless support.
Malcolm Turnbull Dropped As Chair of Clean Energy Board

Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has been removed from his position as chair of the New South Wales (NSW) Net-Zero Emissions and Clean Economy Board, only a week after his appointment.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said that while she admired and respected Turnbull, his appointment unfortunately for everyone concerned  was proving to be a distraction.

The removal came hours after The Daily Telegraph published a letter from Turnbull objecting to the expansion of a coal mine in the upper Hunter Valley region near his personal property.

Turnbull said he and his wife made the submission as long-term landowners in the district and in no other capacity and rejected any conflict of interest.

The former prime minister claims the NSW government was bullied into the decision and blamed his axing on right-wing media.

There has been a pretty ferocious campaign, a vendetta really, in the characteristic way that News Corp. operates, and its goal was to bully the state government into not appointing me, he told the ABC.

State Minister for the Environment Matt Kean said that the boards purpose is to create jobs in low carbon industries and see the state reduce its emissions in ways that grow the economy.

It is important that the focus is on achieving these outcomes, based on facts, technology, science, and economics, he said in a statement on April 6.

No persons role on the board should distract from achieving results for the NSW people, or from the governments work in delivering jobs and opportunities for the people of NSW.

Deputy Premier and Nationals Leader John Barilaro was the first to announce Turnbulls removal.

We are not proceeding with the appointment of Malcolm Turnbull as chair, he told Sydney radio 2GB.

You need someone who brings people together and not divides, and unfortunately, Malcolm has done the opposite.

Defence Minister Peter Dutton also commented on the situation, All I can say is that Malcolm was very consistent as prime minister, and that is that he supported coal mining, and he said that on the public record on a number of occasions.

Berejiklian did not directly answer a question about whether the decision was affected by the upcoming Upper Hunter by-election, a seat where the mining industry is a major employer.

The decision was made, and we all move forward, Berejiklian said.

The development was criticised by opposition leader Jodi McKay who described it as a monumental failure of judgement by John Barilaro.

McKay posted on Twitter, How on earth did it even come to this? John Barilaro backed Turnbulls appointment in cabinet,

This should never have been a political appointment and was always going to be divisive.

The NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer will act in the role until a new chair is named.

The board is aiming to drive innovative technology and sustainable practices to reduce NSWs emissions by 35 percent in 2030 and 100 percent by 2050.
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Caitlyn Jenner, the former Olympic athlete and reality television star, is reportedly "actively exploring" a bid for governor of California.

Axios reported Tuesday that Jenner's interest is very real  so much so that she has been having serious conversations with multiple political consultants. According to Axios, Jenner, a longtime Republican, is being assisted by longtime GOP fundraiser Caroline Wren, who worked to re-elect President Trump in 2020.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 23:15:41|Editor: huaxia

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MAJDANPEK, Serbia, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Tuesday received an injection of coronavirus vaccine produced by China's Sinopharm in front of the media in the village of Rudna Glava in the municipality of Majdanpek.

"As you can see, I am still alive and moving, and I want to tell all people that it is great to get a vaccine, and one can't feel anything," Vucic told the media at the village's health station immediately after receiving his first jab and appealed to citizens to get vaccinated too.

"I feel great, like nothing happened," he said after the inoculation. Vucic announced that he will receive the second dose of the vaccine in three weeks, somewhere in south Serbia.

More than 50 local residents received their first jabs of the vaccine Tuesday morning and more are waiting in line.

Vucic noted that Serbia received the fourth batch of vaccines from China on Monday, with more to come based on a contract signed several weeks ago.

According to the president, Serbia also plans to produce the Chinese vaccine in the future, as well as develop scientific cooperation in that field.

"It is important for us to produce the vaccine ourselves, to produce the liquid and pack it into bottles, fill syringes and distribute to people," he said.

"Then we continue with the accelerated development of biomedicine and biotechnology that will propel our science and our economy, and in this, we have to cooperate with the Chinese side," he added.

Serbia, a country of around 7 million inhabitants, is the first European country to start mass vaccination with Sinopharm vaccines in mid-January.

Around 20 percent of the adult population have already been vaccinated with two doses, Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said on Monday, adding that by the end of this month, at least 40 percent of the adults will finish their first doses.

Besides Chinese vaccines, Serbia has so far managed to procure 1 million more vaccines from manufacturers of other countries, namely Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Sputnik V.

Since the beginning of the epidemic in March last year, Serbia has recorded 621,375 cases of coronavirus infection and 5,497 deaths, while 7,839 persons are currently hospitalized with COVID-19. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 10:29:58|Editor: huaxia

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ACCRA, April 6 (Xinhua) -- A Ghanaian charity and five Chinese companies here on Monday donated batches of daily necessities to help improve the lives of the worse-off in the Ashanti Region.

Rice, cooking oil, beverages and toilet rolls, among many others, were donated to the aged, the needy, and children both in Konongo and Juaso, two poverty-stricken communities in the region.

Nana Adowa Agyemang Afrifa, Chief Executive Officer of Community Connect Network, a private charitable organization in Ghana, said the donation is expected to help promote the welfare of people in the communities, especially the children without parents.

"Easter time is about giving back. We want to make them happy, so we decided to come and donate these items with the help of our Chinese friends," she said.

Li Yuzhen, a Chinese entrepreneur who joined the donation, said he has received a lot of help from locals over the past 18 years in Ghana, and he now wants to contribute to Ghana and its people.

Adjei Fosu, manager of a caring home in the Konongo community, expressed appreciation for the donation, saying it will support them a great deal, and he hoped the relationship among locals, the charity, and the Chinese companies will continue.

"Our doors are always open to the public, and people who are willing to support us will always receive good wishes," he said. Enditem
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Oia, Santorini Island, Greece. If you like the idea of a travel-rich life in Europe, Greece could make a very good base.

Greece offers an enthralling mixture of sun-drenched islands, towering mountains, buzzing cities, and timeless traditions. Wrapped in the warm embrace of the Aegean Sea, its vibrant, welcoming, and offers great-value living for North American expats. A couple could live comfortably there for as little as $2,000 a month, according to International Living.

Weve seen a sharp uptick in online traffic to our Greece content in 2021, with the overall traffic to our Greece pages up 41% in the first three months of 2021, when compared to the last period (Oct-Dec) of 2020, says Jennifer Stevens, Executive Editor, International Living.

The appetite for on-the-ground Greece intel has increased, and were happy to see that because this is a nation that can make good sense for all sorts of expatsyounger, older, full-time or part-time. If you like the idea of a travel-rich life in Europe, Greece could make a very good base.

Exploration in Greece will be a possibility again as soon as May 14, 2021 when, according to the Greece tourism minister, the borders are set to open to international travelers who show proof of vaccination, covid-19 antibodies, or a negative test result taken within 72 hours of departure.

Greece offers expats easy, good-value living in the sun. After 15 years in San Francisco where she worked as a Certified Public Accountant, IL contributor Lynn Roulo moved to Greecewith her dog, her two cats, and one suitcase in tow.

I moved without a local job or a significant relationship waiting for me in Athens, so it was a big step into the unknown, says Roulo. But it didnt feel scary or anxiety-provoking. The idea of moving and starting a fresh new life energized me. That was in 2012, and I still feel a sense of excitement that I get to live here.

When I moved from San Francisco to Athens, I was pleasantly shocked to learn I could rent a comfortable 70-meter apartment with a modern bathroom and kitchen, as well as a huge private roof deck with a view of the Parthenon for less money than it would have cost me to rent a studio basement apartment in the worst neighborhood in San Francisco.

Greece is a great choice for expats because of its amazing weather, hospitable people, its relatively low cost of living and its location, giving visitors easy access to travel to a wide range of other countries. You can go to London or Lebanon for a long weekend.

And if you have a dream to move, dont give up on it. These dreams come from somewhere, and moving abroad may just be the best decision of your entire life. I know it was for me.

Greece already has in place a Golden Visa, (effectively an investment visa) which grants long-term residencewith a path to citizenship and a passportto people who make an investment in real estate valued at EUR250,000 (roughly $300,000) or higher. Thats about half the investment threshold required for a similar visa in places like Portugal or Italy where the necessary investment is closer to $600,000.

Most exciting, though, is a new visa aimed at attracting digital nomads, set to come online soon, the editors at International Living report. They argue it makes very good sense for a person who has the flexibility to work remotely and likes the idea of a sunny European base.

Finallya remote worker incentive plan that actually makes a lot of sense, says Jeff D. Opdyke, editor of Global Intelligence Letter, a publication of International Living.

The new plan that Greece is now in the process of assembling...it looks to be one of the smartest remote-worker visas I've come across. That's because under the Greek plan as currently envisioned, a digital migrant, as the Greeks call us, will be eligible for a 50% exemption on earned income for the first seven years. In essence, you owe local taxes on only half your income.

For someone who's still in the workforce and looking to maximize their savings opportunities as they approach retirement, sharply reducing your tax burden for seven years represents an intriguing opportunity to squirrel away more money.

Though Greece hasnt finalized details of its plan yet, the Greek approach looks to allow for longer living arrangements, given the seven years of tax breaks. And it just so happens that long-term migrants, which is what you'd be as a digital worker, are eligible for Greek citizenship after seven years. Which means you could apply for a Greek passport...which is an E.U. passport...which would give you unfettered access to live and work across the rest of the European Union, no different than if you were moving from Tampa to Tucson.

A person considering a move to Greece will want to carefully research the options for visas and residence permits. International Livings report details the best of them for expats looking for a full- or part-time retirement in Greece, including a discussion of this new digital nomad visa on the horizon.

But accessible residence is just one of the many reasons to love living in Greece. Its an easy place to adopt a healthy lifestyle, the entire country is physically breathtaking, and the Greek people have a well-earned reputation for being friendly, helpful, and genuinely caring.

Here are four more reasons why International Living recommends Greece as a potential destination for anybody ready to move out of the U.S.:

1. Good-Value Cost of Living

Greece is super-affordable, especially when compared to North America and much of the rest of Europe. Prices for daily essentials (food, transport, etc.) are at least 20% cheaper than in the U.S., and costs to rent an apartment can be as much as 70% less.

Throughout Greece, expats will save money by using public transport, avoiding touristy areas, shopping at local markets, and eating out where the Greeks do. A budget-conscious expat can live comfortably in Greece for $1,830 a month or less.

2. Welcoming and Easy Lifestyle

Greece is a proud nation that emphasizes family, tradition, and a love of the outdoors. Because tourism plays such an important part in the Greek economy, English is widely spoken in many areas and the countrys infrastructure caters well for locals and visitors alike.

Expats enjoy lots of options in terms of lifestyle: from a sturdy lakefront cabin in the mountains, to a rooftop apartment on the outskirts of Thessaloniki, to a low-maintenance beachfront unit on Mykonos, residents are guaranteed plenty of sunshine and four distinct (though mild) seasonseven though the Greeks tend to think in terms of summer and everything else.

3. Excellent Healthcare

The quality of medical care in Greece is generally excellent, especially in major centers like Athens and Thessaloniki. Emergency healthcare in Greece is free regardless of nationality. Pharmacies are abundant throughout the countryGreece has more pharmacists per capita than any other nation in Europe.

4. Safety

Greece is one of the safest countries in Europe, and has an easy-going, relaxed feel.

Roulo, based in Athens, says, As a single woman, I feel very safe living here. Crime here is significantly lower than in the United States, the police presence is strong, and there is no need for active shooter drills in Greece.

Basic precautions with regard to personal belongings will prevent rare cases of petty theft.

The full report on Visa and Residency in Greeceincluding the latest information on the Digital Migrant Visacan be found here: Greek Visa and Residency Information.

Editor's Note: Members of the media have permission to republish the article linked above once credit is given to Internationalliving.com.

Further information, as well as interviews with expert authors for radio, TV or print, is available on request. Photos are also available.

For information about InternationalLiving.com content republishing, source material or to book an interview with one of our experts, contact Editorial Director for Web Content, Social Media, and PR, Donal Lucey, dlucey@internationalliving.com.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/internationalliving/

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About International Living

Since 1979, InternationalLiving.com has been the leading authority for anyone looking for global retirement or relocation opportunities. Through its monthly magazine and related e-letters, extensive website, podcasts, online bookstore, and events held around the world, InternationalLiving.com provides information and services to help its readers live better, travel farther, have more fun, save more money, and find better business opportunities when they expand their world beyond their own shores. InternationalLiving.com has more than 200 contributors traveling the globe, investigating the best opportunities for travel, retirement, real estate, and investment.
HALIFAX - Nova Scotia is reporting three new cases of COVID-19 today in the Halifax area.

A pharmacist prepares the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccine at a pharmacy prototype clinic in Halifax on Tuesday, March 9, 2021. Health officials in Nova Scotia are reporting three new cases of COVID-19 today  all are in the Halifax area. The CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

HALIFAX - Nova Scotia is reporting three new cases of COVID-19 today in the Halifax area.

Health officials say one case is related to travel outside Atlantic Canada, one is a close contact of a previously reported infection, and the other is under investigation.

Nova Scotia has 32 active reported COVID-19 cases and one person in hospital with the disease.

The province says it had administered 113,471 doses of COVID-19 as of Sunday, with 29,532 people having received a booster shot.

Chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang is reminding residents to get tested regularly to help officials quickly detect and isolate cases.

The province says it completed 1,212 COVID-19 tests on Sunday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 5, 2021.
OSAGE, Iowa  One person charged with a Mitchell County burglary is pleading not guilty while another is a fugitive.

Michael Dolezal, 47 of Cedar Rapids, has pleaded not guilty to third degree burglary, carrying weapons, possession of burglars tools, possession of marijuana-1st offense, interference with official acts, and possession of drug paraphernalia. His trial is scheduled to begin on June 2.

Dolezal and Tomi Clarke, 48 of Cedar Rapids, are accused of breaking into a home in Carpenter. Law enforcement says the two were seen in a vehicle that had been driving around Carpenter for a couple of hours. Court documents state a search of that vehicle found gloves and masks, multiple crowbars with paint transfer, drug paraphernalia, a 9-inch bowie knife, and numerous burglary tools.

A home in the 100 block of S. Liberty in Carpenter was found with the door pried open to get inside.

Clarke is charged with third-degree burglary, carrying weapons, possession of burglars tools, and possession of drug paraphernalia. She failed to appear for a court hearing and a warrant has been issued for her arrest.
Graduate student and childrens book author Jamila H. Lindo debuts Girls Can Be Engineers to start the conversation about women in male-dominated fields and to normalize the image of black women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

Girls Can Be Engineers is a beautifully illustrated story that encourages girls, especially those of color, to explore male-dominated fields. From 2017 until 2018, women of color earned about 14% of bachelors degrees in STEM fields. Of those, only about 2.9% black women earned bachelors degrees in STEM fields. As a civil engineering graduate with Jamaican Sephardic background, Lindo recalls being the only black female student in some of her classes. Lindo feels that the solution to this issue is to offer childrens literature that inspires young girls of color now.

It is also crucial that we change the stereotype that STEM fields are reserved for men only, said Lindo.

In Girls Can Be Engineers, readers follow a young girl in search of a career for Career Day at school. Every time she focuses on a career, she finds that they are mainly male-dominated. Her mom, who happens to be a structural engineer, jumps in and shows her that she can do anything regardless of her gender. Through her character set, Lindo contributes to the mission of diversifying childrens literature by including characters of various backgrounds.

Lindo holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with minors in Environmental Engineering and Religious Studies from Manhattan College. Currently, she is a graduate student at Columbia University. Lindo hopes that her books can inspire girls, especially those of color, to explore STEM fields.

In less than two weeks, Lindo has gained the support of almost 200 backers for her book through Kickstarter and is now offering preorders of the book through her website. More information can be found at Kickstarter and https://www.jhlindoauthor.com/.
As millions of doses of vaccines go into arms, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong has joined a nationwide effort to stop the sale of fraudulent COVID-19 vaccine record cards, a celebrated symbol that confirms a persons immunity.

In a letter this week to the chief executives of eBay, Shopify and Twitter, Tong and 32 other attorneys general pressed the companies to block sales of fraudulent cards and stop advertisements for these products, calling the fakes a public health threat.

Getting vaccinated is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself and your family from COVID-19, but its also an open door for scammers, Tong said in a statement. We need big companies like Twitter, eBay, and Shopify to take immediate action to stop the sale of fraudulent vaccination cards. These cards pose a threat to the health and safety of people in Connecticut and unchecked could extend the length and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The small, off-white card, typically filled out by the provider, is the easiest record to produce that someone has been vaccinated. But fake versions of the card, carrying the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention logo, have been increasingly showing up online.

While proof of a vaccine is not yet required most places, this is expected to change as more people get vaccinated and states continue to ease restrictions on businesses.

Tongs office said the fake cards are being offered blank or filled out with the persons information. Its unclear how much these fake cards have been selling for online.

The attorneys general also asked the companies to preserve records of advertisements of fraudulent cards, including who placed the listing.

The FBI similarly has been working to stop the use of fake vaccine cards.

If you did not receive the vaccine, do not buy fake vaccine cards, do not make your own vaccine cards, and do not fill-in blank vaccination record cards with false information. By misrepresenting yourself as vaccinated when entering schools, mass transit, workplaces, gyms, or places of worship, you put yourself and others around you at risk of contracting COVID-19, the FBI said in a statement.

The FBI said the illegal use of an official government seal is punishable under federal law.


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Catastrophic event predicted by nurses Australian Nursing Federation state secretary Mark Olson said its members at PCH were gutted, particularly because they had raised concerns about under-resourcing at the hospitals emergency department as far back as December. They met with the hospital executive where they said, Youve got to do something about this under-resourcing, its not safe and they said it would, unfortunately, take a catastrophic event to occur for anything to change because they had been waiting months and months, he said. Should that catastrophic event occur they told the executive that nurses would no doubt be thrown under the bus or used as scapegoats.

Answers not expected for months The Child and Adolescent Health Service will undertake a root cause analysis which Mr Cook said included inspection by independent authorities, and those qualified to undertake such a review, following calls earlier on Tuesday for an independent and transparent inquiry. Child and Adolescent Health Service Board chair Debbie Karasinski addresses media. Credit:Peter de Kruijff Before an investigation of a clinical incident can take place, a severity assessment code rating out of three must be decided: Aishwaryas death is being treated as a SAC 1, a clinical incident that has caused serious harm or death, and which is attributed to health care provision rather than the patients underlying condition or illness. A coronial investigation will also take place as with all unexpected deaths, with the coroner to determine the appropriate course of action.

Mr Cook cautioned there were limitations on what could be said publicly at this stage due to legal patient confidentiality constraints. The girl was taken to ED and parents observed her condition was deteriorating, he said. They brought that to the attention of the ED staff. We need to then understand what happened. About 200 people presented to the ED that day. It was a busy day but not unusual for PCH, Mr Cook said.

He cautioned against making an assumption that staffing was to blame, after CAHS board chair Debbie Karasinski confirmed four doctors out of the 18 who would ideally have been rostered on were off sick. Ms Karasinski also committed to do her best to get answers for the Aswath family. Were working as quickly as we can, she said. Weve started that internal review ... it will have an independent clinical expert on it. What actually happened, the parents trying to make contact with staff, the outcome of all of that in the end, the tragic, tragic outcome for this little girl; will be part of that investigation.

Did [staffing] make a difference to the outcome ... we dont know the answer to that. And we will know the answer to that at the end of that investigation, she said. Loading I anticipate the investigation will take four to six weeks, but that investigation will be first reported to the board along with the recommendations, and we will have oversight of those recommendations. Health system not in crisis but performing magnificently Mr Cook has remained staunch in his position that the current challenges facing WAs health system did not amount to a crisis.

He said he had told Aishwaryas father the health system had been under pressure. But what, clearly, I wanted to communicate to him is that we have a health system which is performing magnificently, he said. WAs health system has been under stress for months and could remain so in the near future as the government tries to find solutions and fill staff vacancies in hospitals. The number of hours ambulances spent waiting on WA hospital ramps with patients inside waiting to go into the emergency department eclipsed the 4000-hour mark for the second time ever last month. The figure was also reached in January but Mr Cook has played down the situation as a challenge, which stands in stark contrast to his rhetoric in opposition when he labelled ramping which reached the 2000-hour mark under a Liberal-National government as a crisis.

I continue to work with the leaders in our hospitals, to make sure that they have the resources they need, what they tell me at the moment is that they continue to be challenged, he said. The Department of Health recently advertised the need for 85 full-time midwives in Perth to help deal with a baby boom. Mr Cook also announced during the election the government wanted to hire an extra 400 nursing graduates over the next two years. Liberal health spokeswoman Libby Mettam said the tragic death of Aishwarya was about the failure of a system rather than individual staff members. We are currently facing a significant health crisis with ambulance ramping at record levels, an unprecedented number of code yellow emergencies being called weekly, and an elective surgery waitlist which has continued to balloon, she said.
The Church in Ethiopia, through its Social and Development Commission, is working hard to provide much-needed support to people in need. Last year the Commission implemented 189 projects in various parts of the country. In 2021, the Church plans to mobilize over 2.8 million Birr ($6.05 million USD) to benefit more than seven million citizens.

By Fr. Benedict Mayaki, SJ

In Ethiopia, amid socio-economic challenges further exacerbated by the Covid-19 health emergency, locust infestations and conflict in some regions, the Church is committed to come to the aid of those who have become vulnerable due to the massive negative impact of these situations.

Last year alone, the Church implemented 189 social and development projects in different parts of the country worth about 2.5 billion Birr (approximately $6.05 million USD), benefitting more than six million citizens.

A statement issued by the Bishops Conference of Ethiopia (CBCE) on Monday explained that the Churchs projects in 2020 were presented by an external auditor at the General annual Assembly of the Ethiopian Catholic Church Social and Development Commission held on 31 March.

The Church also plans to implement projects worth 2.8 billion Birr ($ 6.78 million USD) to benefit more than seven million citizens in its work plan for 2021 which was presented, discussed and approved during the assembly.

The Ethiopian Catholic Church Social and Development Commission provides charitable services to Ethiopians through its 13 diocesan development offices and religious congregations regardless of religion, race, gender or status. The services provided include health, education, food security, promotion of womens and childrens life, amid others. The Commission also offers emergency responses and socio-pastoral care for refugees and returnees.

Conflicts, pandemic, disasters

In 2020, natural and man-made disasters have had a significant negative impact on the community the statement notes. The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, desert locusts and floods affected the life of the society at large. War and conflicts have resulted in the deaths of many, displacement, looting and destruction of property in various parts of the country.

For months, a conflict between the government and Ethiopias northern Tigray region has cost thousands of lives and displaced hundreds of thousands more. Even before the hostilities, the country had been facing a deteriorating socio-economic situation because of the ongoing health emergency and an infestation of desert locusts, which greatly affected food security.

The Churchs closeness to conflict areas

To further complement the efforts directly implemented by the Commission, the Catholic Church in the country has raised over forty million Birr (approximately $969,000 USD) from international donor partners in response to the pandemic emergencies. These funds were used to purchase and distribute foods, non-food items, and Covid-19 protective equipment for staff working in Catholic health institutions.

The Church also raised over eighty million Birr ($1.9 million) and is providing financial and food assistance to people affected by conflicts and war, particularly those in Tigray, Amhara, Benishangul Gumuz and other regions.

At the same time, all Catholic Church Relief and aid organizations in the country who are members of the Caritas Network Forum of Ethiopia, Dioceses, Congregations and Church institutions have supported the people affected by war, especially in Tigray, to the tune of one billion Birr ($24.2 million USD) in food and non-food items, water trenching and health assistance.

Moreover, each diocese, particularly Adigrat and Bahir Dar-Dessie, directly affected in the conflicts, is providing spiritual, socio-pastoral, financial and in-kind assistance to the victims. Delegations of the CBCE have also made solidarity visits to these two Dioceses and visited the Bishops, clergy, religious and lay faithful affected by the conflicts.

Appeal to warring parties

The Bishops took advantage of the opportunity presented by the statement to reiterate calls for an end to the conflict and for all parties to embrace dialogue. They stressed their denunciation of all human right abuses, killing of innocent civilians, displacement of people and destroying of properties.

The CBCE also restated its resolve to continue implementing various projects that could benefit people in the country.
National Rifle Association CEO Wayne LaPierre put the embattled gun rights group into bankruptcy in Texas to avoid being investigated for suspected financial wrongdoings, a New York attorney generals office lawyer argued in court on Monday.

Assistant Attorney General Monica Connell made the claim during the first day of trial before US Bankruptcy Judge Harlin Hale in Dallas.

New York Attorney General Letitia James is asking Hale to either replace LaPierre with a trustee, or throw out the pro-gun organization's bankruptcy case.

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Wayne LaPierre has been accused of putting the NRA into bankruptcy to thwart an investigation into alleged financial misdeeds

A lawyer with the office of NY Attorney General Letitia James argued that a US bankruptcy court judge should toss NRA's case, or replace LaPierre with a trustee

NRA's legal team has denied the allegation that the group filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for unlawful purposes, reported Bloomberg.

Connell contended in her opening statements, delivered via video conference, that the NRA board was deceived into giving LaPierre the power to put the group into bankruptcy in January, five months after James filed a lawsuit seeking to dissolve the NRA and redistribute its $200million in assets.

James charged the organization with illegally diverting millions of dollars away from the charitable mission of the organization 'for personal use by senior leadership.'

She claimed that LaPierre and three other top executives used tens of millions of dollars from NRA's coffers to pay for trips for themselves and their families to the Bahamas, all-expenses-paid African safaris, private jets, and expensive meals.

A lawyer for the NRA said that LaPierre, pictured above with then-President Donald Trump in 2017, has been invaluable to the organization because of his fundraising skills

The NRA countersued the New York AG in February, accusing James of 'weaponizing' her powers to pursue a 'blatant and malicious retaliation campaign' against the group because she dislikes what it stands for and previously referred to it as a 'terrorist organization.'

On Monday, Connell argued that LaPierre made the decision to put the NRA into bankruptcy largely by himself and without consulting the group's 76-person board.

'LaPierres only goal is to cling to the power that his position holds,' she told the court.

NRA lawyer Greg Garman countered by saying that LaPierre had acted appropriately when he filed for bankruptcy to thwart James' plan to gun the organization, reported Wall Street Journal.

'[LaPierre] is the greatest asset which the board demands to protect,' Garman said, alluding to the CEO's fundraising prowess that has been bringing $100million a year.

Garman argued that appointing a trustee to replace LaPierre would be a 'death sentence' to the 150-year-old gun-rights group.

NRA First Vice President Charles Cotton testified that he had no doubt that LaPierre was authorized to place the organization into bankruptcy.

NRA boss Wayne LaPierre retreated to a friend's $1.8M yacht after mass shootings at Sandy Hook and Parkland LaPierre revealed the arrangement in a deposition unsealed on Monday

Said he often retreated to a Hollywood pal's 108-foot yacht for security

Yacht jaunts followed the mass shootings at Sandy Hook and Parkland

Deposition was revealed during NRA bankruptcy proceedings in Texas Wayne LaPierre, the CEO of the National Rifle Association, frequently sought refuge on a friend's yacht when he received threats in the wake of a mass shooting, it has been revealed. LaPierre's use of the 108-foot yacht owned by a Hollywood producer pal was disclosed in a deposition unsealed on Monday during NRA bankruptcy proceedings in a Texas court. 'They simply let me use it as a security retreat because they knew the threat that I was under. And I was basically under presidential threat without presidential security in terms of the number of threats I was getting,' LaPierre said in the deposition, according to the Daily News. 'And this was the one place that I hope could feel safe, where I remember getting there going, 'Thank God I'm safe, nobody can get me here.' And that's how it happened. That's why I used it,' he said. Wayne LaPierre, the CEO of the National Rifle Association, frequently sought refuge on a friend's yacht when he received threats in the wake of a mass shooting, a deposition reveals LaPierre retreated to the luxurious yacht when threats against him mounted, including after the deadly school shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012 and Parkland, Florida in 2018 LaPierre retreated to the luxurious yacht when threats against him mounted, including after the deadly school shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012 and Parkland, Florida in 2018. The yacht, dubbed 'Illusions', is equipped with two jet skis, an excursion boat, and sleeps up to 10 people. LaPierre's use of the yacht was brought out by a New York prosecutor who is challenging the NRA's bankruptcy filing, which came as the company reorganizes in Texas to avoid a lawsuit brought by New York State Attorney General Letitia James. The $1.8 million yacht, dubbed 'Illusions', is equipped with two jet skis, an excursion boat, and sleeps up to 10 people Students hold their hands in the air as they are evacuated by police from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida following a shooting in 2018 Assistant Attorney General Monica Connell argued in opening remarks that LaPierre's use of the yacht was a conflict of interest and violation of rules surrounding the NRA's nonprofit status. Connell said that the NRA pays McKenzie $1 million a month for media projects, but did not disclose the CEO's use of the yacht. Advertisement

The NRA countersued AG James in February, accusing her of trying to gut the group

The trial in Texas bankruptcy court is expected to last six days. A judge will rule if the bankruptcy case should proceed there, or return to New York.

The NRA was founded in New York in 1871 but in January announced its plan to leave the state and reorganize in Texas.

Noting that the NRA claims to be solvent, James has called its bankruptcy and plan to reincorporate in Texas a bad-faith attempt to dodge her lawsuit.
Burma Myanmar Regime Abducts 75-Yr-Old Chairwoman of NLD Branch in Yangon

Shwepyitha Township NLD chairwoman Daw Mya Mya Win

Myanmars military regime on Sunday arrested the chairwoman of the National League for Democracy (NLD)s branch in Yangons Shwepyitha Township.

Regime forces abducted Daw Mya Mya Win from her house at around 2 p.m. on Sunday, according to sources close to her. Junta troops also reportedly came for her in March, but at the time, the 75-year-old was away from her home in hiding. On that occasion they instead took her daughter-in-law for interrogation.

As security forces didnt see her, they took her daughter-in-law for interrogation and released her around two hours later, said a source close to Daw Mya Mya Win.

They have detained [Daw Mya Mya Win] for no valid reason. We are deeply concerned because there were previous cases in which NLD members were severely tortured, said the source.

Junta security forces arrested NLD member U Zaw Myat Lin, the manager of the Suu Vocational Institute (Shwepyitha), on March 8, the same day they first came to look for Daw Mya Mya Win. He was tortured to death.

U Khin Maung Latt, the NLD ward chairman in Yangons Pabedan Township, died in military custody on March 6.

U Kyaw Ko Ko, an executive of the NLD office in Naypyitaws Zabuthiri Township, was arrested on March 15 and died 15 days later in military custody.

According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a total of 2,667 people were arrested from Feb. 1 to April 4, with 425 people being forced into hiding.

You may also like these stories:

Mandalay Teenager Shot Dead by Myanmar Security Forces

Bago Bombs Target Myanmar Military-Linked Sites

Myanmar Junta Spokesman: Daw Aung San Suu Kyis Father Would Think Her Stupid
Last week word started to get out that Kern County was getting more COVID-19 vaccines but hadnt been using them. People in Los Angeles County
India will buy some 36 percent less crude oil from Saudi Arabia next month, unnamed sources told Reuters soon after the Kingdom said it would increase its official selling price for oil for its Asian buyers.

Saudi Arabia said this week it would hike its crude oil prices for Asian buyers by $0.40 per barrel and cut those for European and U.S. buyers by $0.20 and $0.10 per barrel, respectively. The price increase concerns May cargos.

This means the May shipments price for Arab LightSaudi Arabias flagship gradewill cost Asian buyers $1.80 above the Oman/Dubai average, which is used as the basis for price-setting. The Oman benchmark was trading above $63 a barrel at the time of writing, and the Dubai contract was above $64 a barrel.

India is the second-largest oil buyer in Asia after China, and it is even more dependent on imports than its neighbor: India imports some 80 percent of the oil it consumes, which makes it particularly vulnerable to any price movements.

India has been vocal in its opposition to the OPEC+ efforts to keep prices higher. Government officials have called on OPEC+ to stop controlling prices, saying this could threaten Indias economic recovery. As one of the two biggest drivers of long-term oil demand, this makes the subcontinent as vital for OPEC as OPEC oil is for the subcontinent.

Now Reuters reports that according to its sources, four big refiners, including Indian Oil Corp, Bharat Petroleum Corp, Hindustan Petroleum Corp, and Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals, have placed orders for 9.5 million barrels of Saudi oil next month. Thats down from earlier plans for purchases of 10.8 million barrels. It is also much lower than the usual monthly intake of Saudi crude by the four, according to Reuters. That stands at 14.8 million barrels.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
In March, the unemployment rate for Black workers with a bachelors degree or higher was 4.7%, compared to 3.6% for white Americans, according to Labor Department data thats not seasonally adjusted. To be sure, that gap did shrink from the prior month. The disparity is nearly double between Black and white workers who graduated high school, the data show.
Nicholas Aaron Baxter was found guilty of manslaughter over the death of son Matthew in a Supreme Court trial at Townsville in 2017. The conviction was quashed on appeal and Mr Baxter found not guilty on Tuesday in a judge-only trial

A former Australian soldier accused of killing his six-week-old baby son has been exonerated after being found not guilty on retrial.

Nicholas Aaron Baxter was found guilty of manslaughter over the death of son Matthew in a Supreme Court trial at Townsville in 2017.

The conviction was quashed on appeal and Mr Baxter found not guilty on Tuesday in a judge-only trial.

Tiny six-week-old Matthew Baxter suffered rib fractures and brain haemorrhaging before he died in 2011.

Mr Baxter called Bluewater Medical Practice in Townsville on November 3, 2011, to report his son was 'limp and had a purple rash on his back'.

He had been looking after Matthew alone while his wife Tenae was on a course to get her boat licence.

The centre receptionist initially told him to bring the infant to the clinic before telling him to call an ambulance.

Matthew was taken to hospital where he was stabilised and placed in intensive care.

Doctors could not find any marks or injuries on the child's face, head or body, the court was told.

The baby never recovered and three days later was taken off life support and died on November 6, 2011.

Mrs Baxter, a member of the Royal Australian Air Force, said the pair met while serving in Afghanistan and described her husband as a loving father.

'He was loving. He was nurturing. He changed nappies, he bathed him. He comforted him, spent time with him,' she told the court.

Tiny six-week-old Matthew Baxter suffered rib fractures and brain haemorrhaging before he died in 2011

She never saw him frustrated or lose his patience with their son, the court heard.

Medical evidence showed MRI scans indicated evidence of bleeding around the brain.

Forensic pathologist Dr David Williams conducted the autopsy and found Matthew sustained a head injury from a 'serious assault' - either by a violent shaking or by being thrown down onto a soft and yielding surface.

However, defence witness international radiologist Dr Julie Mack gave evidence the bleeding could have been caused by a genetic disorder.

Justice David North described the prosecution case as circumstantial which failed to 'shed light' on what acts caused the baby's death.

It relied heavily on the fact Mr Baxter was alone with his son before the injury.

'The Crown case depends, for proof (beyond reasonable doubt) of a non-accidental act or acts by Mr Baxter,' Justice North said.

'Nevertheless, what caused Matthew's collapse and death remains a matter of speculation.'

Justice North said the prosecution failed to prove manslaughter and found Baxter not guilty.


The coronavirus pandemic caused factories to close, forced people out of work and resulted in economic recessions for much of the world. However, the health crisis also created a chance for 40 people to join the list of the worlds richest.

Forbes magazine released its yearly list of the worlds billionaires on Tuesday. The U.S.-based magazine found that even with the pandemic, 2020 was a record-setting year for the worlds wealthiest.

Forbes found that a record 493 people became billionaires last year, or about one new billionaire every 17 hours. The list now has 2,755 billionaires. It is the most ever since the magazine started publishing the list 35 years ago.

The magazine found that the billionaires wealth is worth about $13.1 trillion. That is nearly the size of the 2019 gross domestic product (GDP) of China, the worlds second largest economy. And the number is as large as the combined GDPs of Japan, Germany, Britain and South Korea. That information comes from the World Bank.



Among the new billionaires on the Forbes list are 40 people who made their money from companies involved in fighting COVID-19. Some are connected to the vaccines that they helped develop in record time. They included Ugur Sahin who helped create the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and Stephane Bancel of Moderna.

Some vaccine companies have been so successful that they produced several billionaires last year. Both American company Moderna and Chinas CanSino Biologics now have four billionaires each. CanSino developed a one-shot COVID vaccine that was approved by Chinese health regulators in February.

Others got rich, Forbes said, by making personal protective equipment, tests, antibody treatments and software to deal with COVID-19. All of them are needed to reopen the worlds economies and return to normal life.

The richest of these new billionaires is Li Jianquan, Forbes said. He is the president of Chinese medical products manufacturer Winner Medical. The company makes face coverings and medical clothing for healthcare workers around the world. Li is said to be worth $6.8 billion.



Jeff Bezos of Amazon remains the richest person in the world with an estimated wealth of $177 billion. Several others join Bezos in the list of super-rich people with more than $100 billion. They include Elon Musk of Tesla and SpaceX with $151 billion, Bernard Arnault of the French luxury goods company LVMH with $150 billion and Microsofts Bill Gates with $124 billion. Facebooks Mark Zuckerberg just missed the list with $97 billion.

The list of richest women also increased during the pandemic. There are now 328 women compared to 241 last year.

One of the richest women is MacKenzie Scott. She received $38 billion after her marriage to Jeff Bezos ended in 2019. The amount of money she has grew to $53 billion. During the pandemic, Scott became the worlds biggest philanthropist. She gave away $5.8 billion last year to support activist groups for equality, education and public health.

Scott said she planned to give away most of her wealth.

Im Jonathan Evans.

Hai Do wrote this report for VOA Learning English with information from Forbes magazine. Mario Ritter Jr. was the editor.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

gross domestic products n. the total value of the goods and services produced by the people of a nation during a year not including the value of income earned in foreign countries

regulator n. an official who works for the part of the government that controls a public activity (such as banking or insurance) by making and enforcing rules

luxury n. something that is expensive and not necessary

philanthropist n. a wealthy person who gives money and time to help make life better for other people

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In his congratulatory letter and phone call to President Phuc, General Secretary of the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party and President of Laos Thounglun Sisolith stressed that Phucs election as State President reflected the high trust of the Party, State and people of Vietnam.

The Lao leader believed that, with his capacity, prestige and experience, President Phuc and the new leadership will continue to bring Vietnam to greater achievements, thus successfully implementing the Resolution of the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

President Phuc thanked the Lao leader for sending congratulations and making the phone call, expressing his wish to continue working closely with Thounglun Sisolith in his new position to foster the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos. On this occasion, President Phuc once again congratulated Laos on successfully organising the 11th National Congress of the LPRP and the 9th National Assembly elections, and Thounglun Sisolith on his election as LPRP General Secretary and President of Laos.

The two leaders affirmed that the Party, State and people of the two countries always attach great importance and give top priority to promoting the special bilateral relations. They highly appreciated the two countries efforts to keep cooperation momentum amid the COVID-19 pandemic by maintaining high-level visits and meetings and promoting the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation mechanisms.

Thounglun Sisolith also spoke highly of the completed construction on schedule of the Lao National Assembly building - a special and meaningful gift of the Party, State and people of Vietnam - to serve the first session of the 9th National Assembly.

The leaders agreed that in the coming time, the two sides should continue their coordination to well implement high-level agreements, constantly deepening the bilateral cooperation for practical benefits of the two countries people. Both sides also agreed to coordinate in increasing the education of young generations on the great special relationship between Vietnam and Laos, which has been nurtured by generations of leaders and people of the two countries.

President Phuc hoped that the Lao leader would soon pay a visit to Vietnam and the latter also invited the Vietnamese leader to visit Laos at an appropriate time.

He also sent the best wishes to the Lao leaders and people on the occasion of the Lao traditional New Year (Bunpimay).

On the same day, in his congratulatory letter sent to PM Pham Minh Chinh, Lao PM Phankham Viphavanh wrote that the election of Chinh as Prime Minister of Vietnam demonstrates the confidence of the Party, the Government and the people of Vietnam in his role, capacity and vision in leading the country to constant development and prosperity.

I will do my best together with you to fruitfully develop the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and people of our two countries, for the sake of our people as well as for regional and international peace, stability, development and cooperation, he stressed.

Also on April 5, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message of congratulations to State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, noting the positive growth of the bilateral ties over the past year.

The Chinese leader affirmed that he attaches importance to the development of China-Vietnam relations, and is ready to make efforts to promote the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two nations to obtain new and greater achievements, bringing benefits to both countries and their people.

In his congratulatory message, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang emphasised that China and Vietnam are two friendly neighbours and important cooperation partners. He affirmed that he would actively build a win-win cooperation complexion, thus contributing to the friendly neighbourliness and comprehensive cooperation between China and Vietnam.

The same day, President of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen also sent a congratulatory letter to and made a phone call to President Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

During the phone call, Hun Sen spoke highly of Vietnams impressive achievements in socio-economic development and international integration cause and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He expressed his belief that in the new position, President Phuc will continue making great contributions to the renewal and national development cause, thereby continuously enhancing the countrys international position.

President Phuc affirmed that the Vietnamese Party, State and people always hope to continuously consolidate the good neighbourliness, traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. He also expressed his belief that under the sound leadership of PM Hun Sen, Cambodia will successfully put the pandemic under control, soon stabilise and recover strongly.

Having been delighted at the development in bilateral relations, especially two-way trade, the two leaders affirmed their commitments to maintaining high-level meetings and suitable cooperative mechanisms. They also agreed to intensify collaboration in defence and security and increase the efficiency of borderline management, boost investment and transport connectivity, education and training and people-to-people exchanges.

PM Hun Sen thanked the Vietnamese Government and people for the donation of US$200,000 to support Cambodias fight against the pandemic. President Phuc showed his hope that the Cambodian Government will continue caring for and creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese Cambodians living, studying and working in Cambodia.

The Cambodian PM also sent a congratulatory letter to newly-elected Vietnamese PM Pham Minh Chinh, in which he affirmed his willingness to closely coordinate with his Vietnamese counterpart to deepen the two countries long-lasting relations on the principles of good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, mutual understanding and enhancing multi-faceted cooperation.

He expressed his belief that with the joint efforts and determination to cooperate closely in both bilateral and multilateral frameworks, Cambodia and Vietnam can overcome unprecedented challenges caused by the pandemic, for the interests of the two nations, for peace, stability, sustainable development and prosperity in the region and the world.

In his congratulatory message sent to President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that the result of ballot casting at the National Assembly demonstrated the great prestige that the Vietnamese leader deserves to receive during the years of working in noble state positions.

Confirming that the Russia-Vietnam relationship relies on the foundation of long-lasting tradition of friendship and mutual respect, Putin said with the joint efforts, both sides will continue developing the bilateral strategic partnership and win-win cooperation in different fields, thus meeting basic interests of the Russian and Vietnamese people, and helping consolidate stability and security in the Asia-Pacific region.

On the same day, Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide extended congratulations to President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and PM Pham Minh Chinh.

Italian President Sergio Matterella also sent greetings to President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, while Italian Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Roberto Fico cabled a congratulatory message to NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.
San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/06/2021 -- Ormat Technologies, Inc is under investigation concerning possible securities laws violations in connection with certain financial statements.



Investors who purchased shares of Ormat Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: ORA), have certain options and should contact the Shareholders Foundation at mail@shareholdersfoundation.com or call +1(858) 779 - 1554.



The investigation by a law firm focuses on whether a series of statements by Ormat Technologies, Inc. regarding its business, its prospects and its operations were materially false and misleading at the time they were made.



On March 1, 2021, before the market opened, a report was published entitled "Ormat: Dirty Dealings in 'Clean' Energy." According to the report, the Company "has engaged in what we believe to be widespread and systematic acts of intentional corruption," adding that it "expect[s] the blowback to these revelations to be severe, threatening Ormat's contracts in its most lucrative markets." The report alleges that Hindenburg "uncovered evidence tying Ormat to corruption with senior government officials," and "direct evidence tying Ormat to corruption with senior Guatemalan government officials" further noting "Ormat paid contractors in Kenya tied to corrupt government officials."



The same day, after the market closed, Ormat responded to the report and said that "[t]he Company is aware of claims being investigated in Israel regarding Ravit Barniv, an Ormat Board member, and Hezi Kattan, the Company's General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer." Though the "claims involve Ms. Barniv's and Mr. Kattan's work at another company, prior to joining Ormat," the Company announced that it would "transfer the responsibility for the Company's compliance function to other members of the Ormat management team until these issues are resolved."



Shares of Ormat Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: ORA) declined from $128.87 per share on February 10, 2021, to as low as $71.24 per share on March 25, 2021.



Those who purchased shares of Ormat Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: ORA) have certain options and should contact the Shareholders Foundation.



Contact:

Shareholders Foundation, Inc.

Michael Daniels

3111 Camino Del Rio North - Suite 423

92108 San Diego

Phone: +1-(858)-779-1554

Fax: +1-(858)-605-5739

mail@shareholdersfoundation.com



About Shareholders Foundation, Inc.

The Shareholders Foundation, Inc. is a professional portfolio monitoring and settlement claim filing service, , which does research related to shareholder issues and informs investors of securities class actions, settlements, judgments, and other legal related news to the stock/financial market. Shareholders Foundation, Inc. is in contact with a large number of shareholders and offers help, support, and assistance for every shareholder. The Shareholders Foundation, Inc. is not a law firm. Referenced cases, investigation, and/or settlements are not filed/reached and/or related to Shareholders Foundation. The information is provided as a public service. It is not intended as legal advice and should not be relied upon.
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(Natural News) Lawmakers in the Texas Senate have passed a bill that safeguards Americans from political censorship on social media platforms. Under Senate Bill 12, which passed on April 1, social media firms with at least 100 million users per month are prohibited from blocking, banning, demonetizing or discriminating any user simply because of their political views. The lawmaker behind the bill said the measure is designed to get Texans back online.

Republican State Sen. Bryan Hughes said the measure would apply to YouTube, Facebook and other platforms. The state lawmaker said in a video posted on Twitter: I think we all have to acknowledge [that] these social media companies are the new town square, [and] a small group of people in San Francisco cant dictate free speech for the rest of us. It needs to be an open exchange of ideas, and Senate Bill 12 is going to get Texas back online.

Two companion bills have also been sent to the states lower chamber.

The new laws provisions mandate that Big Tech companies to publicize their moderation policies. They will also be required to publish reports about the blocked content on their platforms and set up an appeals process for content that had been taken down. Hughes added that the bill is now on its way to the Texas House of Representatives, and projected an optimistic outcome for it. He also expressed hope that Gov. Greg Abbott will sign it into law soon. However, the state senator conceded that the law will most likely face legal challenges.

Speaking to the Texas Tribune, Hughes explained: Even though theyre private actors, because they are common carriers  [and] they chose to enter this business and offer their services, then they are bound by certain rules. While he acknowledged that the problem cries out for a federal solution, he believed that the bill would serve as a benchmark for other states to follow and eventually become the basis for a federal mandate.

Texas is the only state actively fighting Big Tech censorship

While Hughes acknowledged the possible legal challenges facing Senate Bill 12, he remarked that he and his team of lawyers are prepared to take the fight to court. He told NTD back in February: We know were going to be sued if we pass this bill. Facebook, Google and Twitter have armies of lawyers and lobbyists who will be fighting us on this. But were on the right side, the law is on our side. We expect to see this bill pass [and] put in place [to protect] Texans free speech.

Hughes is not the only lawmaker from Texas standing up to Big Tech censorships. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has been actively fighting the wanton censorship implemented by technology giants on conservatives from his position at Capitol Hill.

Back in 2019, Cruz put forward three solutions to Big Tech censorship during an April 2019 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. Those solutions included amending Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1990, antitrust measures to break up Big Tech monopoly and immediate action on potential fraud and deception cases. According to Cruz, the current technology monopoly has more power than the Standard Oil and AT&T monopolies of yesteryears.

First, Cruz explained the rationale behind amending Section 230. The provision granted special immunity to social media companies back in the 1990s, with the understanding that these neutral public forums will host content. However, this did not include regulating content uploaded on their platforms. If Big Tech wants to be partisan and political speakers, it has that right. [But] it has no entitlement to a special immunity from liability under Section 230  that nobody else enjoys, Cruz said.

Second, Cruz suggested the use of antitrust laws against technology firms to address their dominant status on the internet. He explained: Applying the antitrust laws is complicated because the Big Tech companies are larger and more powerful than Standard Oil and AT&T when they were broken up. If we have tech companies using their monopoly to censor political speech, I think that raises real antitrust issues. (Related: Sen. Ted Cruz: Big Tech censorship greatest threat to free speech and democracy.)

Lastly, the U.S. senator proposed investigating potential fraudulent behavior on social media platforms. Most users of Facebook, Twitter [or] Google  when they use those services  they dont envision theyre participating in a biased forum. [They] believe that when they speak, [the] people that choose to follow them will hear what they say  and there are distressing pieces of evidence that suggest thats not the case, he commented. Cruz added that the Federal Trade Commission can litigate potential cases of fraud and deceptive behavior, and slap fines on firms proven to engage in such activity.

Visit TechGiants.news to read more about biased censorship practiced by Big Tech firms.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

Twitter.com

TexasTribune.org

Breitbart.com
Award-winning cannabis brand portfolio

Focused on US legal cannabis market growth

Experienced management team

What INDVR Brands does:

INDVR Brands Inc (CSE:IDVR) (OTCMKTS:CAAOF) (FRA:3YX), formerly known as Cannabis One Holdings, is a Colorado-based, Canada-listed company focused on the creation and distribution of unique and exciting brands in the legal US cannabis market.

Since August 2020, through new corporate objectives set out by the new board and management team, INDVR has become focused on growing its infused product brands and using those brands to expand its distribution reach to over 1,000 dispensaries across Washington, Oregon and Colorado.

Its award-winning Honu brand, meanwhile, encompasses edibles, including peanut butter cups, turtles, salted caramels, milk chocolate medallions, and other products. Honu also has a topical product line that includes bath bombs and skincare items.

INDVR also owns the well-known Cheech's Stash line, three specific cannabis strains selected by American comedian Cheech Marin, one half of the famous Cheech and Chong comedy duo.

Other brands owned by the company include INDVR Stealth, a premium line of fashion-meets-function vaporizers, INDVR Strains and INDVR Fire, both of which offer a more discrete way to vape.

And while INDVR wants to bolster its business model nationally through the aggregation of premium cannabis brands and operations, it also envisions becoming a globally recognized house of brands with a portfolio of clients that offer award-winning products with extensive markets.

INDVR Brands is led by CEO Joshua Mann, founder of Calgary-based merchant bank Luminous Capital, who brings over a decade of capital markets and management experience across the cannabis and natural resource industries. He has also been involved in raising more than $3 billion in capital funding to date across the cannabis, psychedelic, energy, mining, and technology sectors.

How it is doing:

In March, 2021, INDVR announced that it had agreed to acquire substantially all of the assets of Nevada-based Strainz Inc and Colorado-based Bronnor, Corp, which will allow the company to become a fully-licensed manufacturer and distributor of infused products in Colorado.

INDVR said the pending acquisition will give it access to a distribution platform of more than 500 dispensaries in Colorado and Nevada, including over 1,200 dispensaries across four states.

Included in the asset purchase is a fully-licensed, 25,000 square foot cannabis processing and manufacturing facility in Denver capable of producing edibles, tinctures, vapes, concentrates, soft gels and several other infused cannabinoid products.

Earlier in 2021, INDVR Brands said it had formally incorporated its subsidiary in California and was in late-stage discussions with three independent distributors to begin supplying its Honu edible products to about 400 retail locations throughout the state.

The company noted the expansion into California will mark the third state in which the Honu brand is manufactured and distributed after Oregon and Washington.

INDVR said it is currently obtaining necessary packaging approvals and anticipates it will make its first shipments to California retail locations during the second quarter of 2021.

As well, the company announced it is expanding its market share in the US cannabis edibles and infused products space as it exceeded internal estimates in both Washington and Oregon. Through its third-party manufacturing partner in Washington, INDVR said it sold over 206,000 individual edible units in December, a 12% month-over-month increase from the 184,000 units sold during the previous month.

The company also recorded an 8% sales increase in its infused topical segment, bringing units sold to over 2,700 in December 2020. The Honu brand is currently sold in over 350 dispensaries in Washington State.

On the financial front, INDVR Brands reported a record January for its Honu brand in Washington State with more than 262,000 edible units sold. INDVR said Honu revenue rose 11% year over year in January to $216,031, despite coronavirus (COVID-19) related production impacts.

Inflection points:

Continued sales momentum

Potential moves into additional US states where cannabis is legal

Further M&A activity

What the boss says:

Commenting on the companys recent Nevada and Colorado assets purchase, INDVR Brands CEO Joshua Mann said in a statement: This is a milestone relationship for us. In addition to a highly sought-after Colorado processing license, the Strainz, Bullet Concentrates and 7Sacred brands significantly expand INDVR's award-winning portfolio of adult-use cannabis products and add hemp-derived products to the portfolio.

Mann added: The agreement also exemplifies our dedication to INDVR shareholders through becoming a fully licensed cannabis-infused products operator in Colorado.

Contact Sean at sean@proactiveinvestors.com
Why are those of us who have had our COVID vaccines still wearing masks? We are protected from the virus and cannot carry the virus despite being admonished otherwise. Is it because Maoism is still shaping our world? While the West mistakenly believed that China would become more like us after embracing Capitalism, the West is becoming more like China; Maoism and Chinese communism are spreading like a prairie fire.

For those of us who had the opportunity to travel to China following Richard Nixon's 1972 visit, besides the overall bleakness resulting from Chairman Mao Zedong's reign, the uniform that every person in China wore was disconcerting. The Mao jacket was the quintessential Chinese communist apparel. It symbolized Mao's ideology: he intended to equalize more than a billion people by what they wore. Does this sound familiar? Is the mask a means to "equalize" the West?

Dr. Fauci, whom some see as the leading authority on all things COVID, promotes wearing the mask despite inoculations. He has even suggested that we wear two masks. Since ascending to extraordinary national prominence, Fauci has moved the goalposts; flip-flopped on masks; obfuscated the facts; been seen in public without his apparel; and, outside the media and some true believers, lost credibility. One must ask, though: What is behind Fauci's confusing messaging? After all, he is not a dumb man.

Liberal activists like Fauci, including those ensconced in the White House, appear to be drunk with power and deliberately moving toward the Chinese social control system that Barack Obama set into motion. It was Obama who promised "fundamentally transforming the United States of America." And "the mask" is not the only means of controlling our society.

Consider the Biden administration running roughshod over the First, Second, and Tenth Amendments to our Constitution. (The less famous Tenth Amendment reserves for the states all power not explicitly lodged with the federal government.) Then there's the hare-brained idea of vaccination passports.

And there is more, so much more. Have you read Biden's $2-trillion so-called "infrastructure plan" that more accurately intends to "reshape" capitalism? Much more money is earmarked for the Green New Deal, a land-grabbing, money-grabbing social control hoax, than for actual infrastructure.

Does any of those in charge know that the climate has been drastically changing since the beginning of time? Of course they do, but never let the truth get in the way of a narrative that works for the cause.

The above is a drop in the bucket for implementing Barack Obama's fundamental transformation of America and seeing the federal government gain complete control over our society. Far-left politicians and their media accomplices who assiduously protect them are akin to a "jack-booted" implementation of Marxist ideology in America. And make no mistake: the implementation of Marxist ideology is communism and the road to servitude.

After the fall of the Roman Republic, the first substantial constitutional republic to appear again in the world was America. When the lights go out here, the dominoes will fall for freedom-loving peoples across the planet. How many thousands of years will pass before freedom and liberty can emerge from the dark shadow of tyranny?

For us who are on our way out of this world, "fundamentally transforming" America is an eye-roll. For our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, it is a tragedy. They will not live with the freedoms and liberty that have made America the envy of the world.

One can't help wondering if it will be worse to lose your freedoms or never to have known what it means to be free. The only hope is for the silent majority to rise and confront the abomination facing our country. Unlike our corporate CEOs, who, if they aren't craven, are hardcore ideologues, it takes courage to stand up for America and her ideals in today's woke culture.

Image: Communist Party leaders in the 1950s, all of whom are wearing Mao suits, in an image from Deng Xiaoping. Zhonggong zhongyang wenxian yanjiushi (Beijing: Zhongyangwenxian chubanshe, 1988), p. 156.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
Ramallah, April 6 : Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Ishtaye said letter have been addressed to international parties, urging them to exert pressure on Israel for allowing the upcoming Palestinian elections to take place in East Jerusalem.

During an online cabinet meeting on Monday, Ishtaye said the letters were addressed to the UN, the European Union, the US and Russia through the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reports Xinhua news agency.

"The letters asked the international parties to oblige Israel to abide by the signed agreements and to allow the Palestinians in East Jerusalem to participate in the upcoming legislative elections scheduled on May 22," he said.

Ishtaye said all the Palestinian factions have a consensus on holding the legislative elections in all the Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem.

In February, Palestine announced that it officially addressed the Israeli government, requesting it to allow the Palestinians in East Jerusalem to participate in the legislative elections.

On March 30, the Palestinian Central Elections Commission (PCEC) announced that 36 electoral lists have registered for the legislative elections, including the Islamic Hamas movement, left-wing parties, independent figures, youths and women.

In January, President Mahmoud Abbas announced the 2021 general elections will include the legislative elections on May 22, the presidential elections on July 31, and the elections of the Palestinian National Council, the highest decision-making body of the Palestine Liberation Organization, on August 31.

The last presidential elections were held in March 2005, and the legislative polls in January 2006.
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The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) says its 2021 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates, earlier scheduled for May/June, may not hold.

The Councils Head of National Office (HNO), Patrick Areghan, gave the hint while announcing the release of results of the 2021 first series of the WASSCE for private candidates on Tuesday in Lagos.

Mr Areghan said the effect of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is still much felt in the education sector.

He noted that the entire education calendar has been distorted and, therefore, may not be possible to conduct the examination as scheduled.

Let me use this opportunity to disperse (dispel) rumours, being peddled about by some people regarding the conduct of the WASSCE for school candidates, 2021.

The effect of the COVID-19 is still very much felt in the education sector and this has taken its toll on the academic calendar in the country.

It is, therefore, not going to be possible to have the examination in May/June this year.

A convenient international time table for the conduct of this examination will soon be released.

To this effect, all stakeholders are, therefore, requested to keep their fingers crossed until they hear directly from WAEC, the WAEC boss said.

Mr Areghan appealed to all the school principals and proprietors to keep to the stipulated timelines for the enrolment of candidates for the examination.

According to him, it is important to re-emphasise the role of Continuous Assessment Scores (CASS) in the computation of candidates results.

All schools are advised to get this aspect of the registration process right, in order to make the entry processes seamless.

(NAN)
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Gunmen have reportedly kidnapped a family of five from Ajowa Akoko in Akoko North-West Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The victims were reportedly accosted on their way to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, on Sunday.

Residents who spoke with our correspondent identified the victims as Ibrahim Olusa, his wife, and three children. They were reportedly going for Easter celebrations when the incident occurred.

This newspaper was told the gunmen have reached out to the family of the victims, demanding N10 million ransom.

A community leader in Ajowa Akoko who confirmed the incident, Ajayi Bakare, said most people in the community are living in fear following incessant killings and kidnappings in the area.

Mr Bakare, a former chairman of Ajowa Akoko Community Council, linked the spike in abductions to the poor state of the roads in the community.

The spokesperson of the police in Ondo State, Tee Leo-Ikoro, did not respond to our correspondent calls and text messages as of the time of filing this report.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported how a pastor kidnapped in the state on March 31 was found dead on Sunday despite paying N2 million ransom.
The Rev. Michael Yarbrough has delivered many eulogies over his nearly quarter of a century as a pastor, but the Birmingham pastor said hes depending on the Holy Spirit to give him the words Saturday when he pays tribute to his slain daughter.

It probably will be hard, but it wont be me,' said Yarbrough, pastor of Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church.

Im going through the process of working on my eulogy and the Holy Spirit will do the rest. Im praying that hell hold me up.

Yarbrough and his wife, Sonya, were home Sunday night when a friend showed up at their house with the worst news any parent can received. Their only daughter, 32-year-old Areyelle, had been shot and killed when gunfire erupted at Birminghams Patton Park on Easter night.

We were oblivious. We were not aware than anything had transpired there,' Yarbrough said. She broke the news to us and took us out to the park.

Areyelle was one of six people shot Sunday night, and the only to die. She was pronounced dead outside of a vehicle, and those who were with her said she was shot while trying to protect some of the children who were with her.

She left here doing what she did  she was trying to protect little kids that was with her trying to get down.

The Rev. Michael Yarbrough is preparing a eulogy for his daughter, Areyelle Yarbrough, who was fatally shot in Birmingham's Patton Park. (Contributed)

The Yarbroughs were not allowed to get close to their daughter but were shown a photo of her to confirm her identity. The pastor said her death it a blow.

It hasnt hit me yet. Were still in a dream world,' he said. I went through this three years into preaching with my father, who had a massive heart attack while he was driving. I eulogized him too. Youre just on autopilot. Im doing everything I need to do with much prayer.

The gunfire rang out about 7 p.m. Sunday at the east Birmingham park. Five other people were wounded, ages 21, 17, 15, 14 and 5.

The 5-year-old, Justice Holness, was shot in the lungs and the bullet also and fractured his collar bone. His left lung received the most damage. He was taken off the ventilator Tuesday and responsive and talking. His mom said he is expected to make a full recovery. All of the victims are stable.

An eyewitness said there were roughly 1,000 people in the park, many of them grilling and eating with their families.

She said two women were sitting on top of a blue Dodge Charger when someone opened fire, striking the Charger and the two women. The witness said one of those women is the person who authorities say was shot in the chest; the witness said the other was Areyelle.

The witness said one person opened fire, and then multiple people started shooting in different directions. She saw people running and leaving, so police and ambulances were having trouble getting in. They didnt even know what they were shooting at, she said, estimating that about 100 shots were fired.

Birmingham police Sgt. Rod Mauldin said investigators believe an altercation among a group of males led to the shooting. The majority of the victims are believed to have been innocent bystanders. No arrests have been made.

Comedian Rickey Smiley earlier Monday announced a $5,000 reward for information in the case, and the Birmingham Urban League also is offering a $5,000 reward. The Carlos Chaverst Foundation is offering a $500 reward, and C4 Mentoring is offering $300. Combined with Crime Stoppers, the reward is nearly up to $16,000. Crime Stoppers said theyve received dozens of tips so far.

This is something thats impacting everyone in the community,' said Crime Stoppers Sgt. John Pennington. Its Easter, people are celebrating a religious holiday and for something like to happen is your worst nightmare.

Areyelle was a graduate of Alabama A&M University graduate and currently working on her MBA. She was a manager over 12 employees at the Jefferson County Department of Revenue where she headed principal accounting for business and sale tax licensing.

I am devastated to know the life of one of the countys brightest employees was taken,' said Jefferson County Commission Pro-Tem Lashunda Scales. My condolences to her family and friends. We must stop the violence.

Yarbrough described his daughter a loving and caring young lady. She was always outgoing, never met a stranger. She had friends everywhere,' he said. She always had a radiant smile and a lovely personality. She was loved and cherished by many.

She loved children. She has a ton of children that are not her own,' Yarbrough said. Everyone elses kids always adopted her as their mom, auntie and friend.

Yarbrough said Areyelle had just taken the test for the position of deputy director at work. So, she was in the pipeline for that. She was always very aspiring,' he said. She wanted to open her own business. She talked to me about that Sunday morning.

Yarbrough keeps telling himself what hes told others during his decades of grief counseling. Its all in Gods hands. It was already pre-ordained. There was nothing we could do to change it,' he said. We all have an expiration date on this planet. We dont know how and when were going to leave, but we are going to leave.

Her expiration date was Sunday,' he said. She left in a violent way, but it was quick.

If you believe in God, only your faith will get you through,' Yarbrough said, because God never makes a mistake,' he said.

Though grieving, Yarbrough said he has no hard feelings for the people who did this. What they did was tragic,' he said, but as I said, that was the way she had to go, and the time.

He said hes heard from friends, family and even strangers from across the U.S. since Areyelle was killed. If her loss of life will help to try to make a change and bring a stop to this violence, thats a plus,' Yarbrough said. She made her stamp.

Viewing for Areyelle will be held Friday at Davenport & Harris Funeral Home from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Her funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church Kingston. The funeral will be livestreamed on Davenport & Harriss Facebook page.

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call Birmingham police at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
Vancouver tech entrepreneur Bob de Wit has enjoyed a successful career in tech transfer, commercialization and innovation, but he has a new focus now.

Diagnosed with young-onset Parkinsons seven years ago, de Wit and his wife Susan Richards de Wit, both SFU alumni, have since regrouped and refocused to approach the disease with the same emphasis on innovation and research that has been the hallmark of their professional careers. The couple will be talking on Apr. 9th at an SFU panel about their experiences ahead of World Parkinsons Day and hope you will join them.

For a lot of people, there is a sense of dread about being diagnosed with Parkinsons, says de Wit, who has extensive SFU ties, including an SFU business degree and a masters degree in economics.

In my case, I didnt have that dread, because I was completely ignorant of what was involved.

An avid runner, de Wit was out for his usual forest run when he first noticed his leg dragging. What he initially thought was a back injury was diagnosed in 2014 as young-onset Parkinsons, a brain degenerative condition that affects mood and motor skills.

At the time of his diagnosis, de Wit was CEO of the Greater Vancouver Homebuilders Association. He found it difficult to manage the condition, which calls for a strict regimen of exercise and medication, and still do the job the way he wanted to do it.

He retired early, two years ago, at 51, and is using his experience and skills to try to make a difference for people living with Parkinsons. Hes focusing on mentorship, new drug development, treatment, and research programs.

Parkinsons has changed everything for our family. It leaves nothing untouched, says Richards de Wit, a management consultant. You go through a process of a lot of difficult things. Redefining purpose is big. Whats important is getting informed, having a care team around you and refusing to be isolated despite the circumstances. Bobs done a good job using his own interests in mentorship, innovation and research to stay connected to experts and others walking a similar path.

The pair met at SFU as students and both previously worked at SFU and Tech B.C. (which became SFUs Surrey campus in the mid-90s). They were involved in creating SFU Venture Connection and their daughter is currently a second-year mechatronics engineering student in the Faculty of Applied Sciences.

On Friday, April 9, 2021, ahead of World Parkinsons Day, the couple will take part in an SFU panel discussion on the way forward with research, innovation and the impact of Parkinsons Disease alongside Dr. Alexandra T. Greenhill, co-founder and CEO of Careteam Technologies; Frank Lee, a professor in SFUs Faculty of Health Sciences; and Debashis Chanda, an associate professor at the University of Central Florida. Sobhana Jaya-Madhavan, associate vice president of SFU External Relations, will moderate the discussion.

As her husbands care partner, Richards de Wit has redefined her purpose through innovation and technology.

Susan reached out and connected with a nano-physicist in Florida and engineers in a Silicon Valley to start-up a venture called dopomo that is working on a device (a dopameter) that measures blood dopamine levels, similar to the way a glucometer measures blood sugar. Dopamine sends messages between nerve cells and is related to various chronic conditions, including Parkinsons. She hopes the device will make dopamine levels easier to measure and help doctors personalize medication for patients.

As a care partner, Richards de Wit vows to offer support to other families going through a sudden diagnosis of young-onset Parkinsons because she noticed a lack of support and a lack of a voice for care partners of Parkinsons patients. Unable to find another care partner to discuss life with Parkinsons from a care partner perspective  she plans to offer her support to those who may be more recently diagnosed.

A young-onset Parkinsons diagnosis is different than addressing Parkinsons in an elder. It creates a very complicated, all-consuming series of challenges. For example, we are parents, we are building our careers, we love to travel and enjoy the outdoors. Parkinsons tries to slow all of that down  so its a process to adopt a new attitude and find new ways to do what you love in a new way, says Richards de Wit.

For World Parkinsons Day, there is a huge need for a voice around being a care partner. President Biden has put millions of dollars around addressing the caregiver crisis in the U.S. Canada is experiencing very similar things with women carrying the bulk of caregiving while trying to work, raise their children and give back in the community. The answer is not just support groups, the technologies are there  its care coordination, its new ways of doing things. One thing for sure, there needs to be more of a voice for care partners and more funding wrapped around technologies that can help alleviate the bulk of the work. Care coordination is one of them.
A Covid-19 situation at the National Insurance Board (NIB) led to late pension cheques this month, says Social Development Minister Donna Cox. And the ministry yesterday apologised for any inconvenience caused to pensioners and other recipients of social welfare as a result of the late payment of benefits.
Ethnic Korean Christians sing hymns in their half-finished church in the town of Yanji in Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture on the China/North Korea border on Oct. 13, 2006. (PETER PARKS/AFP via Getty Images)

The Most Dangerous Country to Be a Christian: North Korea and Its War on Faith

The hermit kingdom of North Korea has willfully walled itself into isolation, making it difficult for other free societies to know what is happening inside the secretive state sitting on the east coast of communist China.

It is often through defectors that the world gets glimpses inside a country ruled by a totalitarian regime, including the harrowing accounts of its citizens and people of faith being persecuted.

The Central Committee [of the Korean Workers Party] say that Christianity is like opium or drugs and have harshly punished [Christians]. Now that Falun Gong is here, people are watching closely to see how the authorities will respond.  Anonymous source told Radio Free Asia

Persecution of Christians

North Korea has been ranked number one in the world for persecuting Christians, according to the 2021 World Watch List published by Open Doors, a watchdog organization that supports persecuted Christians. In an interview with an Open Doors secret worker, the organization called the reclusive communist nation the most dangerous country in the world to be a Christian.

It estimated that out of the approximately 400,000 Christians in the country, 50,000 to 70,000 of them are detained in prisons and labor camps, the report said.

Another detailed 2020 research (pdf) by Korea Future Initiative (KFI), a nonprofit that reports on human rights violations in North Korea, documented various accounts of Christians being subjected to horrific persecution while detained or imprisoned over the period of 1990 to 2019.

Ethnic Korean Christians sing hymns in their half-finished church in the town of Yanji in Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture on the China/North Korea border on Oct. 13, 2006. (Peter Parks/AFP via Getty Images)

The KFI report, Persecuting Faith: Documenting religious freedom violations in North Korea, is based on 117 interviews of survivors, witnesses, and perpetrators. The investigation also identified 273 victimsranging in age from 3 years old to over 80 years oldof whom 215 are Christians.

Detainees often face extreme violence as a form of punishment for practicing their faith. Apart from physical and sexual assault, routine torture methods include deprivation of food and sleep, being tied up, being beaten while forced to hang on steel bars, being made to do squat-jumps, having a red pepper powder solution poured into the nostrils, being forced to eat polluted food, and being forced to witness the execution of other detainees, according to the report.

One Christian believer, who was held at North Pyongan Provincial Ministry of State Security (MSS) pre-trial detention center, recounted how men were beaten like dogs and they screamed like crazy due to the pain.

Even though women were beaten less, I was hit in the face and my skin ruptured and I bled a lot. [MSS officers] told me to wipe the blood, so I cleaned it  I wept a lot when they hit me again, the woman said, according to the KFI report.

The report noted that women and girls accounted for almost 60 percent of documented victims and confirmed 32 incidents of forced abortions and sexual violence.

Citing one incident, a detainee recalled that a pregnant woman gave birth to an alive baby after being forced into an induced abortion, but MSS officials at the North Hamgyong Provincial detention center suffocated the baby using a plastic bag. The report said dead bodies of the aborted infants were usually stored on-site in a closet used for keeping maintenance tools before they were buried. Women werent allowed any rest period and were forced to resume labor work the next day after undergoing a forced abortion.

Sexual violence is another commonly employed torture method. The report stated that female detainees are often addressed as bitches and are forced to undergo nude invasive cavity searches of their vaginas and anuses, even girls as young as 3 years old are not spared from this humiliating physical exam, according to the KFI report.

A man cycles past an ethnic Korean Christian church in the town of Yanji in Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture on the China/North Korea border, Oct. 13, 2006. (Peter Parks/AFP via Getty Images)

Often, religious believers and their family members are sentenced together to political prison camps after one is found to be practicing faith or in possession of religious items. The report said that these prison terms are known or understood to be life-sentences.

In one case, the parent of a soldier was executed for smuggling a Bible from China into North Korea. The soldier was reported to the Border Security Command squadron and later sent to a political prison camp with remaining family members.

According to the report, Christian believers who went to China and came into contact with any local churches or religious practices are often arrested based on the details provided by MSS informants and Chinas Ministry of Public Security.

Christians also revealed to investigators how Chinas Ministry of Public Security marks refoulement documents with a black stamp, which indicates that the victim was involved in practicing Christianity in China.

Persecution of Falun Gong

North Korea, like its communist neighbor China, is also involved in the suppression of Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline that is based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance.

While this peaceful meditation system flourished overseas, with over 100 million people worldwide openly practicing its five gentle exercises, the Chinese communist regime has been persecuting its followers since July 1999. To date, in the 21-year-long persecution, tens of thousands of adherents have been detained, tortured, and killed.

Falun Gong practitioners doing the fifth set of exercises in Central Park in Manhattan, on May 10, 2014. (Dai Bing/The Epoch Times)

In 2019, Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported that the authorities in Pyongyang, North Korea, began the suppression of Falun Gong after noticing an increase in the number of people practicing it.

The judicial authorities are struggling because the spread of Falun Gong among citizens of Pyongyang has surged beyond their expectations, a source told RFA, adding that the police issued proclamations ordering citizens who are practicing Falun Gong to voluntarily report to the authorities or risk harsh punishments if caught later.

However, instead of deterring people from practicing Falun Gong, the suppression aroused peoples curiosity, as more people became interested in the practice and it has even spread to high-ranking government officials and their families.

After the proclamation and subsequent crackdown, people are suddenly very interested in Falun Gong, which had already been spreading in [Pyongyangs] underworld, the source told RFA.

The report also said that 100 Falun Gong practitioners were arrested in the city in the first round of suppression and many who were arrested would be sentenced to hard labor or correctional labor depending on the severity of their crimes.

Another source compared North Koreas suppression of Falun Gong to a war on the religion, reported RFA.

The Central Committee [of the Korean Workers Party] say that Christianity is like opium or drugs and have harshly punished [Christians]. Now that Falun Gong is here, people are watching closely to see how the authorities will respond, according to the second source.

Arshdeep Sarao contributed to this report.
Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron addresses the media following the return of a grand jury investigation into the death of Breonna Taylor, in Frankfort, Ky., Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020. Of the three Louisville Metro police officers being investigated, one was indicted. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley) PHOTO:AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley

AGs from KY, TN Sue Over Stimulus Tax Rule

By The Associated Press

FRANKFORT - The Republican attorneys general of Kentucky and Tennessee have added their voices objecting to a rule in the $1.9 trillion pandemic aid plan that bars states from using relief money to offset tax cuts.Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron and Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery III accuse the federal government of an "unprecedented power grab." They filed suit Tuesday in Kentucky.They're requesting an injunction to block enforcement of the tax-related provision and asked that the restriction be struck down.The suit echoes action filed in Alabama by the attorneys general from 13 states aimed at the provision.
Stanislav Kogiku/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Tourists visit cherry blossoms in Tokyo

Global warming is slowly but surely heating the earth  and with the hotter temperatures comes the earliest cherry blossom season Japan has seen in more than 1,000 years.

Japanese cherry blossoms, known as "Sakura," reach a peak bloom each year that lasts several days, and this year, they peaked in Kyoto on March 26, the earliest date in 1,209 years, CBS News reported, citing data collected by Osaka University.

Though the blossoms have occasionally peaked over the years on March 27, this year's date is the first time they've been this early since 812 AD.

"Sakura blooms are very temperature sensitive. Flowering and full bloom could be earlier or later depending on the temperature alone," researcher Yasuyuki Aono of Osaka Prefecture University told CNN. "The temperature was low in the 1820s, but it has risen by about 3.5 degrees Celsius (6.3 degrees Fahrenheit) to this day."

RELATED VIDEO: Prince Harry Supports Greta Thunberg's Fight Against Climate Change: 'It's a Race Against Time'

Aono's records reportedly show that peak blooms in Japan used to be later, but began moving from the middle of April to early April in the 1800s thanks to a variety of factors, including weather and rainfall.

CNN reported that according to the International Journal of Biometeorology, Kyoto blossoms are blooming about 10 days earlier than they did 100 years ago.

RELATED: Take a Google Earth Tour of the Most Beautiful Cherry Blossoms Around the World

This year's March 26 peak was 10 days ahead of the 30-year average, and similar early records were set in Japan this year in more than a dozen different cities, the Associated Press reported.

As early blooms are caused by warm springs, the stats check out: the average March temperature in Kyoto has risen to 51.5 degrees Fahrenheit in 2020 from just 47.5 degrees Fahrenheit in 1953, according to the AP.

Story continues

RELATED: Greta Thunberg Hopes 2021 Brings a Climate 'Awakening': 'We Have Failed' Thus Far

"Cherry blossoms catch the eye, people love to go see them, but lots of other plants are experiencing changes in their life cycle as well, and may have even stronger influence on the stability of their ecosystems," Amos Tai, associate professor of Earth System Science at the University of Hong Kong, explained to CNN.

Meanwhile, early blooms didn't just happen in Japan  according to the Washington Post, the trees in Washington, D.C. hit peak bloom ahead of schedule, as March temperatures averaged about four degrees above normal.
AS responsible members of the local community, publicans were more than willing to support the Governments decision to close pubs last March.

The pandemic was arriving, people were scared, and everyone wanted to do the right thing.

Fast forward 12 months and nothing much has changed.

If, like me, you run a traditional pub that doesnt serve food, then you only traded for 16 days back in late September. Food pubs were open for a longer period but now were all closed.

Where do we go from here?

Public health will always be the number one priority. We understand that basic point. There is no strong call for a reopening date, but what the hospitality sector desperately needs is a roadmap out of the crisis.

In fact, a roadmap is what the entire country needs.

Why cant we be like Denmark, which published its roadmap a few days ago?

Like us, Denmark has been under a partial lockdown for the last three months. Once all their over 50s are vaccinated, it plans to reopen most of society there.

The Danes unveiled a plan for a return to normal which will see schools and universities, shops, restaurants, bars, libraries, museums and cinemas gradually reopen over a period of two months.

For the hospitality sector here, such a plan would give us confidence that were all heading in the right direction towards the end of a very long tunnel.

A proper roadmap would let us know how many people need to be vaccinated before we can begin to open up.

Other questions also need to be addressed, like how low the daily infection rate should be and what roles do hospital admissions and ICU numbers play?

Michael O'Donovan

There is a real despair among VFI members in Cork and across the country. Every day I talk to publicans who are fast losing hope.

Its that despair that led us to launching the #NotDisposbale campaign on social media. Theres a sense amongst the hospitality sector that weve been forgotten about.

While we struggle to make ends meet, a recent survey found that 70% of people were growing their savings during lockdown. Thats a startling statistic compared to the 50,000 pub staff who have been on the PUP for more than 12 months at this stage.

The divide created last year by the Government, when it decided to allow food pubs and restaurants to open but keep traditional pubs shut, was a huge mistake that must not be made again.

When hospitality does reopen, it must be together. We cant have a situation where there are winners and losers based on what you serve. The UK has dumped the meal provision and so should Ireland.

There is much talk about the economic boom the country will experience in the immediate aftermath of Covid. The irony is that many pubs and outlets in the wider hospitality sector are under threat and may not be here when people rush out of their homes to celebrate.

We need a vibrant nightlife in places like Cork and beyond, just like we need a strong tourism sector when tourists are finally allowed back in the country.

Given the longevity of the lockdown for our members, we will need more business supports not only while we wait to reopen but also once businesses are again trading, as it will take a considerable period of time to get pubs back on their feet.

If you asked most people late last year when they thought we would be coming to the end of this dreadful pandemic, they probably would have said April or May. Yet, as we head towards Easter that doesnt look likely.

There was a big announcement from the Taoiseach last week about the possibility of lifting some restrictions yet, by and large, life will continue in lockdown for the foreseeable future.

This reality will be made all the more difficult by the fact England will be exiting its lockdown over the coming weeks and months. We will have to watch as, first, outdoor trading will resume then, on May 17, pubs and restaurants will fully reopen.

My only hope is that we wont be too far behind.

Michael ODonovan is VFI Cork Chairman and owner of the Castle Inn in the city.
Pacific Gas & Electric, the troubled utility that has started some of Californias most destructive wildfires, faces new criminal charges for its role in igniting a 2019 wildfire that burned 120 square miles in Sonoma County north of San Francisco.

The countys district attorney on Tuesday charged PG&E, which emerged from bankruptcy protection last year, with five felonies and 28 misdemeanors, including recklessly causing a fire with great bodily injury, in connection with the Kincade Fire. The blaze damaged or destroyed more than 400 buildings and seriously injured six firefighters.

This is the third set of criminal charges filed against PG&E, Californias largest utility. A jury in 2017 convicted PG&E of charges related to five deaths in a gas pipeline explosion seven years earlier. And the utility pleaded guilty last year to 84 counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the 2018 Camp Fire, which was started by its equipment. That fire destroyed the town of Paradise and helped drive PG&E into bankruptcy, where it worked to resolve an estimated $30 billion in wildfire liabilities.

Californias Department of Forestry and Fire Protection concluded that the Kincade Fire had started after high winds knocked a cable from a PG&E tower at the Geysers geothermal field. The fire took 15 days to contain, and the district attorney, Jill Ravitch, described the evacuation required in some towns as the largest ever in Sonoma County, a California wine hub.
New Delhi:

In 2016, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyah called 'United Nations a joke' while denying any consideration to its concerns regarding Israeli military action in Palestine.



The statement has been reiterated by realists since the inception of the international organisation.



But, despite lack of teeth, never have ever the organisation been made a mockery at the scale of 2017 before.



Fake news, selfies during the speech on genocide and even inventing fake countries - weird touched new heights at the ongoing 72nd United Nations General Assembly session.



Check out the embarrassing moments of UNGA 2017:

Donald Trump during UNGA address

The gaffes kicked off with the king of goof ups, President Donald Trump as he lavished praise on the health care system of Nambia during a speech at the United Nations. But there's one little problem -- there's no such country.



"In Guinea and Nigeria, you fought a horrifying Ebola outbreak," Trump told African leaders gathered Wednesday. "Nambia's health system is increasingly self-sufficient."



Trump mentioned Nambia twice during the session attended by leaders of several nations, including Ghana, Namibia and Uganda.



The gaffe lit up social media, with many speculating whether he meant Namibia, Zambia or Gambia.



The White House later clarified that Trump was talking about the southwestern African nation of Namibia.

Pak envoy showing fake photo at UNGA

Trump's fake country was, however, was not as damaging as Pakistan's fake photo.



Pakistan's Permanent Representative to UN Maleeha Lodhi committed one of the biggest mistakes of her career when she waved around photos of a plaestinian girl as a proof of India's attrocities in Kashmir.



The mistake was soon called out by India and Lodhi faced serious backlash from in and out of her home country.



"Did the so called learned Maleeha Lodhi actually weaken the Kashmir cause by using a fake picture in UNGA? She should be fired. NOW." - A Pakistani citizen tweeted.



"Maleeha Lodhi messed up her strong rebuttal by showing pic from Gaza instead of IoK. Why can't our diplomats do their homework?," another asked on Twitter.

Azerbaijan President's daughter clicking selfie during his speech at UNGA

The embarrassment of the Pak envoy hover was no where as intense as what Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev must have faced when he found out that his daughter was clicking selfies while he addressed the UNGA on genocide in his country.



As he spoke about genocide at the world platform, his 33-year-old daughter was caught giggling and taking animated selfies during the speech.



Seated next to her mother and Vice-President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva, Leyla Aliyeva was seen keenly watching her father's speech and recording it on her phone at first but a few minutes into the speech, she turned the phone and made a 'shocked' face for the camera, possibly reacting to what her father was saying about the conflict.



The embarrassing moment was caught on the United Nations live stream which is beamed across the world.
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The A$2.64 million raised through the sale of shares will primarily be used to continue building the companys gold presence in Western Australia.

The company still holds 49 million Major Precious Metals Corp shares valued at approximately A$23 million.

Platina Resources Limiteds ( ) (OTCMKTS:PTNUF) (FRA:P4R) strategy to build its gold presence in Western Australia has been boosted on receiving approximately A$2.64 million from the sale of 6 million shares in Canadian-listed Major Precious Metals Corp (CSE:SIZE) (OTCMKTS:SIZYF) (FRA:3EZ).

Majors flagship Skaergaard Project hosts one of the worlds largest undeveloped gold deposits and one of the largest palladium resources outside South Africa and Russia.

This project was sold to the Canadian junior mining and exploration company by Platina with the shares forming part of this transaction.

The funds raised through the sale will be primarily used to fund Platinas gold exploration activities in Western Australia.

Building a gold portfolio

Platina managing director Corey Nolan said that the company would still hold 49 million Major shares following the transaction with a value of approximately A$23 million.

We are moving full steam ahead to build a gold portfolio in Western Australia.

Western Australia is a world-class geological destination with excellent support infrastructure, and amongst the worlds best perming and development approval regimes.

Best option to secure funding

Nolan said: Selling some of our Major shares was the best option to secure new funding for growth.

Raising capital through an offering of Platina shares when we have a negative enterprise value, and they are trading at a substantial discount to our investment portfolio valuation wasnt deemed to be the optimal capital management strategy.

The sale process also addresses concerns about the liquidity of our investments and capacity to realise value.

Optimism about Major

Nolan explained that he remained very optimistic about the future potential of Major with the company poised to release a new mineral resource estimate, begin a new preliminary economic assessment, and complete a substantial drilling program later this year.

He said: This all comes at a time when we are seeing record prices for palladium metal which last traded at US$2,662 per ounce, a substantial premium to the current gold price,

We remain very optimistic about the outlook for precious metals which positively impacts our asset and investment portfolio.


From left: Volcano Berhad's Executive Director/Chief Financial Officer Khoo Boo Wui, Executive Director Gan Yew Thiam, Managing Director Datuk Ch'ng Huat Seng, Executive Director Yeap Guan Seng and Executive Director Dato' Wong Tze Peng

KUALA LUMPUR, Apr 6, 2021 - (ACN Newswire) - Volcano Berhad ("VOLCANO", Stock Code: 0232), a leading international manufacturer of nameplates and plastic injection moulded parts, successfully listed on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad ("Bursa Securities") today.Chairman of Volcano, Ms. Wong Wan Chin, said: "Aside from making the Group more visible, this IPO will also help with the expansion of Volcano. In today's highly competitive business environment, this expansion will accelerate our move towards automation and streamline our manufacturing process to ensure sustainable growth. We seek to capitalise on our current regional presence, particularly in Thailand and Singapore, to tap into the immense business opportunities available from the rising growth of the electrical and electronics and automotive industries."Volcano's foreign market accounts for more than 95% of overall revenue in the financial year ended 31 December 2020. Multinational companies comprise 90% of the sales including some leading brand names such as Bernina, Hewlett Packard, Fisher & Paykel Thailand, Donaldson Thailand, Sharp Indonesia and Panasonic Thailand.Today's listing follows from the Balloting Ceremony on 26 March where Volcano recorded an overall oversubscription rate of 176.60 times from the new shares made available to the Malaysian public."While we are humbled by the reception to our IPO from the investing public, we also recognise there are challenges with the fluctuation in raw material prices, exchange rates and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, I am confident that Volcano will thrive as we have the knowledge, we came from hard work and experience, and we have a team of loyal, talented, committed and resourceful people. They are indeed the greatest asset of the Group. Given this, we are optimistic about our growth and future moving forward," said Wong.Trading of Volcano shares on Bursa Securities on a ready basis commenced at 9:00 A.M. (Malaysian time) on 6 April 2021, under the stock name of VOLCANO and Stock Code: 0232.TA Securities Holdings Berhad is the Principal Adviser, Sole Placement Agent, Sole Underwriter and Sponsor for the IPO exercise.For more information, please contact:Hakim JuraimiTel: +60 12-318 5410Email: h.juraimi@swanconsultancy.bizSource: Volcano BerhadCopyright 2021 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
DGAP-News: ADM Energy PLC / Key word(s): Miscellaneous

ADM Energy PLC: 15th Cargo Lifting at Aje Field



06.04.2021 / 13:30

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 7 OF EU REGULATION 596/2014 (WHICH FORMS PART OF DOMESTIC UK LAW PURSUANT TO THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018). UPON THE PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, THIS INSIDE INFORMATION IS NOW CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.

6 April 2021



ADM Energy PLC

("ADM" or the "Company")



15th Cargo Lifting at Aje Field



ADM Energy PLC (AIM: ADME; BER and FSE: P4JC), a natural resources investing company, is pleased to announce the completion of the 15th Lifting ("Lifting") at the Aje Field, part of OML 113 offshore Nigeria.



The Lifting totalled 225,000 barrels (52,000 barrels were left in the tank) with a net share of 27,675 barrels to ADM, which equates to ADM's paying interest of approximately 12.3%. The nominated offtake partner for the Lifting was La Chorale, a global energy & commodity trading company. The temporary drop in volume from the previous Lifting announced in October 2020, reflects a decision from the JV Partners to carry out a more thorough and extended period of maintenance on the FPSO while oil prices were depressed. This ensures the JV Partners can take full advantage of the assets production levels going forwards, while benefiting from the subsequent uplift in oil prices.



The proceeds of the Lifting will be applied against the project debt, significantly reducing the outstanding balance. The JV Partners remain in discussion in respect of project level debt and any potential mitigating actions and associated reduction in project overheads and the Company will update the market once an agreement has been reached.



ADM Energy holds a 9.2% profit interest in the Aje Field and this is the first lifting since the Company finalised an agreement in December 2020 to consolidate its interest in the asset. Covering an area of 835km offshore Nigeria, Aje is an oil producing asset rich in gas and condensate reserves and currently has two producing wells, Aje-4 and Aje-5.



Osamede Okhomina, CEO of ADM Energy plc, said: "We are delighted to carry out the 15th lifting, the first since we increased our holding in the Aje Field, which nearly doubled our share of revenue, reserves and net production. Given our increased stake, exciting development plans for Aje, and potential further improvement in the oil price forward curve, we are well positioned to further benefit from future liftings from this quality asset."



Enquiries:

ADM Energy plc +44 20 7459 4718 Osamede Okhomina, CEO www.admenergyplc.com Cairn Financial Advisers LLP +44 20 7213 0880 (Nominated Adviser) Jo Turner, James Caithie Arden Partners plc +44 20 7614 5900 (Lead Broker) Paul Shackleton, Dan Gee-Summons Hybridan LLP +44 20 3764 2341 (Joint Broker) Claire Louise Noyce Oddo Seydler Bank AG +49 69 920540 (Designated Sponsor) Michael B. Thiriot Luther Pendragon +44 20 7618 9100 (Financial PR) Harry Chathli, Alexis Gore, Joe Quinlan





About ADM Energy PLC



ADM Energy PLC (AIM: ADME; BER and FSE: P4JC) is a natural resources investing company with an existing asset base in Nigeria. ADM Energy holds a 9.2% profit interest in the oil producing Aje Field, part of OML 113, which covers an area of 835km offshore Nigeria. Aje has multiple oil, gas, and gas condensate reservoirs in the Turonian, Cenomanian and Albian sandstones with five wells drilled to date.



The Company has also agreed an investment in the development of the Barracuda Field, an existing discovery and near-term production asset in OML 141, which covers 1,295 km2 in the swamp/shallow waters of the Niger Delta. Four existing wells have been drilled to date and a fifth is intended to be drilled in Q4 2021.



ADM Energy is seeking to build on its existing asset base in Nigeria and target other investment opportunities across the West African region in the oil and gas sector with attractive risk reward profiles such as proven nature of reserves, level of historic investment, established infrastructure and route to early cash flow.

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.
MENLO PARK, Calif., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- More companies are calling workers back to the office, but will they readily return? A new study by global staffing firm Robert Half shows that about 1 in 3 professionals (34%) currently working from home due to the pandemic would look for a new job if required to be in the office full time.

New research from Robert Half shows employees' ideal work environment and feelings about returning to the office full time.

What Workers Want

Nearly half of all employees surveyed (49%) said they prefer a hybrid work arrangement, where they can divide time between the office and another location. Even if given the opportunity to be fully remote, professionals expressed the following concerns in doing so:

Relationships with coworkers could suffer: 28% Decreased productivity while at home: 26% Fewer career advancement opportunities due to a lack of visibility: 20%

At the same time, workers may not be ready to return to the office, and employers may want to consider what could help ease their transition back on-site. Professionals said the top ways their company can support them include:

Freedom to set preferred office hours A personal, distraction-free workspace Employer-paid commuting costs Relaxed dress code Employer-provided childcare

View an infographic of the research highlights.

"After a year of drastic change, many business leaders are eager to restore a sense of normalcy and welcome staff back to the office," said Paul McDonald, senior executive director at Robert Half. "But reopening doors will bring new obstacles for companies to navigate. Not all employees will be ready  or willing  to return to the workplace, so staying flexible and responsive to their needs will be critical."

McDonald added, "Regardless of timing, companies should take a measured and carefully planned office re-entry approach and keep employees' health and safety top of mind. Leaders should also use the opportunity to solicit staff feedback to shape corporate culture for the future."

For tips on managing change as staff return to the office, visit the Robert Half blog.

About the Research

The online survey was developed by Robert Half and conducted by an independent research firm from March 9-16, 2021. It includes responses from more than 1,000 workers 18 years of age or older at companies in the U.S.

About Robert Half

Founded in 1948, Robert Half is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm. The company has more than 300 staffing locations worldwide and offers hiring and job search services at roberthalf.com. For additional management and career advice, visit the Robert Half blog at roberthalf.com/blog.

SOURCE Robert Half

Related Links

http://www.roberthalf.com


Burma Myanmar Junta Opens Legal Front in Its Crackdown on Dissent

Actress Phway Phway during an anti-regime protest in Yangon. / Phway Phway / facebook

In a sweeping attempt to intimidate critics and stifle public dissent, Myanmars military regime has launched a campaign to take legal action under incitement laws against anyone who voices opposition to the junta online. The targets so far have included celebrities, journalists, social influencers, activists and even popular makeup artists.

For the past few evenings, the military-controlled state media have reeled off a lengthy list of names of those against whom cases have been filed under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code. Many of them are public figures. Anyone convicted under the article faces three years imprisonment.

Myanmar has been convulsed by nationwide anti-regime protests since the military grabbed power in a coup in February. People have used the countrys most popular social media platform, Facebook, to share protest-related information, warn of possible crackdowns, call for donations, and even notify each other of troop movements, among other things. Most of the countrys celebrities, artists and social influencers have not only taken part in the protests but also publicly and actively denounced the regime on their pages, most of which have large numbers of followers.

As of Monday, at least 60 people had been sued under Section 505(a), and the regime has promised there will be more to come.

One of those on the list is Phway Phway, one of the countrys most popular actresses. She seemed undeterred by the lawsuit.

As a Myanmar person, I have never regretted what I have done and said. I will always be faithful to my principles and people. Please take care everyone, said she on her Facebook page.

Film director Htoo Paing Zaw Oo learned he had been sued by the regime when it announced another list of sued individual on Sunday, but said he had expected it.

I did it not just as an artist but as a citizen, because I believe every individual is supposed to act as a good citizen. Take care everyone. See you again to celebrate our success! he said.

Following the announcement, the regimes Information Ministry sent a directive to local TV channels ordering them not to air programming featuring figures on the list.

Apart from filing lawsuits, the regime has also issued arrest warrants for some artists and celebrities, forcing them to go into hiding. Director cum actor Lu Min has been detained since February for encouraging civil servants not to work for the military regime.

You may also like these stories:

Myanmar Regime Abducts 75-Yr-Old Chairwoman of NLD Branch in Yangon

Mandalay Teenager Shot Dead by Myanmar Security Forces

Bago Bombs Target Myanmar Military-Linked Sites
Rapid Circle says that combining Insyncs in-depth expertise on teamwork, security, calling and meeting room solutions with its expertise in business applications and cloud services, will strengthen the companys capability offerings for its growing midmarket and enterprise customer base in Australia.

The acquisition of Insync Technology - a company that grew to over $12 million in revenue since its inception in 2013 - represents what Rapid Circle says is the first step in its ambitious, acquisition-led growth strategy in the Australian market.

Rapid Circle says it plans to acquire further cloud specialist companies within the Microsoft ecosystem, as it sets out to achieve its goal of becoming Microsofts preeminent, full-service workplace capabilities partner.

Rapid Circle will add 45 staff to its local headcount through the acquisition of Insync Technology, including the companys three founders who will play an active role in Rapid Circles day-to-day operations moving forward.

Rapid Circle counts household names such as Shell, the Victorian Deptartment of Premier and Cabinet, 1st Energy and RMIT as customers, and says it will look to continue its expansion into government, education, financial services and healthcare sectors across the country.

According to Gartner, enterprise IT spending across all industry sectors in Australia will grow 3.6% to reach more than $95.8 billion this year, with the local government, education and healthcare sectors proving most resilient in technology spending in 2020.

Stewart Bairstow, Australian CEO of Rapid Circle, said: "Insync Technology brings a proven set of new expertise and will broaden our service portfolio to offer customers the best advice and solutions across the full range of Microsoft modern workplace technology.

The acquisition of this key Microsoft partner signals the first step in Rapid Circle's local growth plans and enhances our capability to help Australian organisations work digitally smarter and more efficiently.

With the significant impact of COVID-19 and the increasing desire for workplace flexibility, it's never been more important for Australian organisations to be digitally dexterous and capable. We are looking forward to bringing the capabilities of the Insync team to a wider market across Australia as well as internationally.

Being part of a leading worldwide Microsoft Partner enables us to drive significant benefits for our staff and customers, as we help Microsoft drive adoption of cloud technology.

Becoming a part of Rapid Circle opens up incredible opportunities for myself, our staff and our customers by adding capability and capacity in areas that are in high demand. By joining a company that has the same culture and similar Core Values is like a dream come true, said Nathan Belling, General Manager of Insync Technology.

When we started this business eight years ago, I had a vision of becoming a leading Microsoft Consulting business, attracting and retaining the best talent in the market and delivering successful outcomes for our clients.

This acquisition will allow us to provide customers and Microsoft with end-to-end modern workplace offerings, including business process optimisation with Power Platform, customer relationship management and managed Azure Cloud services, Belling concluded..
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gestures during a news conference at the Manatee County Emergency Management office in Palmetto, Fla., on April 4, 2021. (Chris O'Meara/AP Photo)

CBS Responds to Criticism of 60 Minutes Report on Floridas DeSantis

CBS on Tuesday responded to strong criticism of its report on COVID-19 vaccinations in Florida, which included accusing Gov. Ron DeSantis of engaging in a pay-to-play scheme with Publix.

Several prominent Democrats defended DeSantis against the accusation, including Jared Moskowitz, a former Democratic state senator who now runs the state Division of Emergency Management.

Moskowitz said his office suggested Publix and called the report absolute malarkey.

Another Democrat, former state Rep. Dave Kerner, the current Palm Beach County mayor, called the reporting intentionally false because, he said, he offered to speak with CBS but the network rejected the offer.

In a statement in response, CBS spokesman Kevin Tedesco shared a link with The Epoch Times via email of a local CBS reporter speaking with Kerner a day after 60 Minutes aired.

He also said that 60 Minutes asked the governor twice for an interview but that those requests were denied.

He also defended how CBS cut 356 words from a 423-word response DeSantis gave to a network correspondent during a press conference.

When Florida state data revealed people of color were vaccinated at a much lower rate than their wealthier neighbors, 60 MINUTES reported the facts surrounding the vaccines rollout, which is controlled by the governor. We requested and conducted interviews with dozens of sources and authorities involved. We requested an interview with Gov. Ron DeSantis, he declined; We spoke to State Emergency Management Director Jared Moskowitz twice, but he declined to be interviewed on camera for our story until well after our deadline. The idea we ignored their perspective is untrue, Tedesco said via email.

Counter to his statement yesterday, we also spoke on the record with Palm Beach County Mayor David Kerner. For over 50 years, the facts reported by 60 MINUTES have often stirred debate and prompted strong reactions. Our story Sunday night speaks for itself.

A health care worker immunizes Juan Guevara with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at the Miami Dade College North Campus in North Miami, Fla., on March 10, 2021. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

The 60 Minutes story has been updated with one statement, from Publix vehemently denying a connection between the $100,000 it donated to DeSantiss campaign and its joining in the states COVID-19 vaccination efforts.

The story was widely seen as a hit piece on DeSantis, as it also questioned why he prioritized vaccinating the elderly against the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, ignoring CDC guidelines.

DeSantis said seniors were at highest risk, reporter Sheryl Alfonsi said, emphasizing that the state intentionally gave vaccines to older residents instead of teachers and so-called essential workers.

The elderly are one of the groups most vulnerable to COVID-19, with about four out of five deaths across the nation among those 65 years of age or older.

[Whats] lost in this is that we vaccinated now 3.5 million senior citizens. Were the first state to say were doing seniors first. Were not going to follow the CDCs recommendation. What we have done has worked, DeSantis said on Fox News Tucker Carlson Tonight on Monday.

They didnt want to discuss that. Obviously, they selectively edited the background. They tried to act like there was a conspiracy with Publix.
Crowne Plaza Hotel Dublin, one of the quarantine hotels in use

Three women who absconded from their quarantine hotel in Dublin today were found by gardai almost 200km away in east Galway.

Gardai this evening confirmed the three women, whose ages and nationalities have not been confirmed, had been staying at the Crowne Plaza quarantine hotel in Santry, north Dublin for a number of days but left the facility earlier today.

It is not clear if they arrived at Dublin Airport or where they had travelled from.

Read More

However, gardai said the women were pulled over at a motorway patrol near Loughrea and persuaded them to return to the Dublin hotel.

Its not clear if they were pulled over randomly or if the registration of the car they were travelling in had been recorded as part of the quarantine process.

Gardai say the matter is now in the hands of the Department of Health.

"An Garda Siochana are liaising with the State Liaison Officer at a designated quarantine facility in accordance with current protocols following a report of three people leaving a facility in the Dublin area earlier today, a statement this evening said.

"A graduated policing response was adopted by Gardai and all three have since been returned to the facility.

As the Department of Health are the lead agency in relation to the management of mandatory quarantining, An Garda Siochana will not be commenting further at this time.

A spokesperson for he Department of Health said it does not comment on individual cases. Asked what the department is doing to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future, she reiterated it is a criminal offence and that gardai can be summoned.

Anyone caught breaking the new mandatory 14-day hotel quarantine law for travellers arriving in the State face a 2,000 fine and up to a month in jail.

The latest incident follows the high-profile case of two young women from Dublin who initially refused to attend a quarantine hotel after arriving back from the UAE on a trip to undergo breast augmentation surgery.

Mother-of-two Kirstie McGrath (30), with an address at St Anthonys Road, Dublin 8 and Niamh Mulreany (25), a mother-of -one from Scarlett Row, Essex Street West, Dublin 2 were arrested on Friday afternoon at Dublin Airports Terminal 2 after coming back from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Defence forces personnel called gardai who brought them to Ballymun Garda Station and charged them with breaking the Health Act. They denied the charges and appeared before Judge Miriam Walsh at Tallaght District Court on Saturday. She noted the two friends had gone away for breast enhancement surgery and questioned if that was essential travel.

Colloquially referred to as a boob job, she later described their medical procedures as the reasons for their trip emerged. The court heard gardai spent almost two hours trying to explain the regulations to the women who claimed they did not know about the law change.

They pleaded for bail with their solicitor Michael French citing humanitarian grounds. He said they had children to care for and were not aware of the regulations. They had also provided three negative covid tests in the last week and could quarantine at home, he argued.

He also said they will contest the charges and contended that it was a relatively minor offence with serious ramifications.

A challenge to the constitutionality of the law will be taken, he said. He submitted that people with Covid 19 were allowed to quarantine at home and were not subject to the same restrictions as the hotel quarantine measures travellers faced.

He submitted that they did not have the funds for the quarantine fees and that refusal of bail was disproportionate for an offence which carries a one-month jail term.

Judge Walsh granted bail with conditions but a High Court judge later denied their application that would allow them to quarantine at home and its understood they are currently at a quarantine hotel.
Over the course of the next few months IDPH will work with the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois Board of Higher Education and other stakeholders to develop appropriate guidance for students returning to the classroom, according to a statement. Private colleges and universities have the ability to enforce their own rules and policies regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.
Russias Children Ombudsman urges adoption of federal support program for large families

 RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov

16:39 06/04/2021

MOSCOW, April 6 (RAPSI)  The Russian Commissioner of Childrens Rights Anna Kuznetsova believes that it is necessary to adopt a federal program for support of large families in Russia.

The Children Ombudsman considers two points to be fundamentally important: it is necessary to refine and support the efforts of the Federation Council to develop a federal law on large families; however, this effort should not be limited to the draft law only. In her opinion, it is necessary to adopt a comprehensive program, because the bill cannot accommodate all the systemic approaches that are already clearly making themselves felt to the society, Kuznetsova said addressing the round table Expert discussion of measures to support large familieson Tuesday.

She noted that within the Demography national project the funds in the amount of 4.5% of the total sum allocated for the project are still available; the said money could well have been spent for financing the proposed federal program if a certain regulatory framework and respective procedures are put in place.

Kuznetsova proposed to build the program on three principles: the struggle for every born child, the struggle for the unborn child, and the struggle for the value of birth; she also said she is ready to take an active part in this program.

The Childrens Rights Commissioner is confident that today large families have huge resources as to the overcoming the demographic problem, since as of January 21 of this year, there were almost 2 million large families in Russia, and these large families bring up 6.5 million of children, what makes one fifth of the total number of minors in the country, so she could imagine the dynamics of the demographic situation in case the number of large families increases by at least one percent. Kuznetsova noted that the number of large families has been steadily growing over recent years.

Over the past three years, the number of large families has increased by 13%, and the number of children brought up in such families has increased by 10.8%, the Children Ombudsman observed noting that even amid the pandemic large families continued to show an increase in the birth rate.

However, Kuznetsova believes that the measures taken today in relation to the support of families with children are rather fragmentary for various reasons. Determination of criteria for classifying a family as a large family, assignment of measures of social support and other assistance are left at the discretion of the regional authorities, the Ombudsman noted.

In the result of such a policy, it is impossible to introduce a systematic approach to the problem, she said stressing that the lack of such an approach left about 50% of large families below the poverty line, what is an unacceptable situation.

Not denying that large families face a sufficient number of problems, among which are lesser opportunities for additional education, possible decreases in the quality of education, and other problems, Kuznetsova stressed that the key problem is that each subsequent child can put a family in less favorable financial position. Therefore, the task is to reverse these developments so the birth of each next child led to an increase in the well-being and level of provision of families in Russia, she noted.

According to Kuznetsova, the solution to the demographic problem and the problems of large families lies in three directions: firstly, the improvement of the material well-being of families with children, secondly, the increase in the prestige of the family, and thirdly, the formation of value orientations among young people.

It is important to monitor the support measures that are already in place in the regions and to strengthen such programs, the Childrens Rights Commissioner believes.

Further, it is important to give parents of large families a chance for self-realization via introducing assistance provided for free as to care about children; some projects of this kind are being successfully implemented in a number of Russias regions. If necessary, such programs may be transferred to the federal level of support, the Ombudsman said emphasizing that families having many children should be given a high status and prestige.

The Children Ombudsman reported to the meeting that certain successes in shaping values of young people had been achieved, in particular she cited the fact that traditional family values are taught in schools after being included in a number of textbooks.
Damaged houses are seen at an area affected by flash floods after heavy rains in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara province, (Photo : Antara Foto/Handout/Dok BPBD Flores Timur/via REUTERS)

Floods and landslides triggered by tropical cyclone Seroja in a cluster of islands in southeast Indonesia and East Timor have killed 113 people, with many still unaccounted for and thousands displaced, officials said on Monday.



At least 86 deaths were reported on several islands in Indonesia's West and East Nusa Tenggara provinces, while 71 others were missing, after the cyclone brought flash floods, landslides and strong winds amid heavy rain over the weekend, disaster agency BNPB said.



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In East Timor, which shares the Timor island with Indonesia, at least 27 people were killed by landslides, flash floods and a falling tree, while 7,000 were displaced, its government said.



On Lembata island, authorities feared bodies had been washed away.



"We are using rubber boats to find bodies at sea. In several villages, flash floods hit while people were sleeping," Thomas Ola Langoday, deputy head of Lembata district government, told Reuters by phone.



About 30,000 people have been impacted by floods in Indonesia, some already taking shelter in evacuation centres, but rescue operations have been made difficult after five bridges collapsed and falling trees blocked some roads, BNPB spokesman Raditya Jati said.



A continuing storm had also halted evacuations in some places, local authorities said.



Hundreds of houses and other facilities such as a solar power plant were damaged, BNPB said. Ships and motor boats sank as the cyclone set off waves as high as 6 metres.



Powerful currents continued to flow through villages in the Malaka district on Timor island on Monday, even though the rain had stopped.



Some residents there hauled themselves to their roofs to escape flood water rising to 3-4 metres.



"We had to dismantle the zinc roof. We went out through the back door and pulled ourselves out with a rope," Agustina Luruk, 36, told Reuters as she and her three daughters waited to be evacuated by the side of a muddy road.



President Joko Widodo offered his condolences and ordered speedy disaster relief efforts.



The Seroja cyclone hit the Savu sea southwest of Timor island in the early hours of Monday, Indonesia's weather agency said.



Within 24 hours, the cyclone's intensity could strengthen, bringing yet more rain, waves and winds, although it was moving away from Indonesia, the agency said.



Dwikorita Karnawati, the agency's head, said that the cyclone would be weakening in the next two days.


A crime scene technician stands near the scene of a shooting at a business park in Frederick, Md., on April 6, 2021. (Julio Cortez/AP Photo)

At Least 2 Injured, Suspect Dead in Incident Near Maryland Base: Officials

Two people were injured and a suspect was shot and killed during an active shooter incident in Maryland, officials said Tuesday. The suspect was identified as a Navy medic, and the shooting occurred at a business park.

We are on scene responding to an active shooter in the 8400 block of Progress Drive. Currently, there are two victims and one suspect is down, Frederick Police wrote.

The man entered a business at the Riverside Tech Park, causing people inside to flee, but it was unclear if the shooting took place inside or outside, Frederick Police Chief Jason Lando said. The two people who were shot at the business park were critically wounded and flown to a hospital, Lando said.

Frederick Police Chief Jason Lando speaks during a news conference near the scene of a shooting at a business park in Frederick, Md., on April 6, 2021. (Julio Cortez/AP Photo)

Authorities said the shooting took place in the 8400 block of Progress Drive, which is approximately 4 miles from Fort Detrick.

Fort Detrick spokeswoman Lanessa Hill said the gunman drove through a gate at an entrance to the base before base personnel confronted him on a road.

We have two different scenes. All I can tell you is that we have confirmed there is only one shooter. The public is no longer at risk. Everyone is safe, Frederick Police Chief Jason Lando said, reported The Associated Press.

Police talk near the scene of a shooting at a business park in Frederick, Md., on April 6, 2021. (Julio Cortez/AP Photo)

Jeremy Mutschler, director of marketing for Nicolock Paving Stones, told The Associated Press that his understanding is that the shooting was near the companys Frederick location but not at the business itself.

One of the victims who was wounded entered our facility looking for help and we were able to assist and call the authorities, said Mutschler, who is based in New York.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 6, 2021) - Tres-Or Resources Ltd. (TSXV: TRS) (OTC: TRSFF) ("Tres-Or" or the "Company") is pleased to announce Type II microdiamonds lacking measurable nitrogen dominate at the Guigues Kimberlite pipe in southwestern Quebec. The nitrogen measurements were conducted by the Saskatchewan Research Council Geoanalytical Laboratories Diamond Services (SRC) on all Guigues +0.150 mm microdiamonds, using the industry-standard technique of micro-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR).

In total, SRC reports 14 out of the 17 +0.150 mm microdiamonds lacked detectable nitrogen (zero parts per million - 0 ppm), and thus are the highly desirable Type II. Type II diamonds are rare (less than 2% of gems sold) but highly desirable because many of the largest, highest quality gem diamonds ever recovered lack nitrogen (refer to Tres-Or news release dated December 8, 2020).

"Tres-Or is excited to learn that Type II microdiamonds dominate our samples. This is another positive factor, along with the microdiamond counts themselves, strong diamond indicator mineral chemistry and the site's excellent access and infrastructure that are moving our Guigues Diamond Project forward towards our first macro-diamond tests, which we hope to announce in the near future," says Laura Lee Duffett CEO of Tres-Or Resources Ltd.

SRC reports that the other 3 microdiamonds +0.150 mm-contain between 365 and 949 ppm nitrogen apiece, and are dominated by the "A" nitrogen crystal lattice defect suggesting relatively shallow mantle residence depths (SRC estimates between 150 and 165 km, using a 40 mW/m2 geotherm).

Table 1: Nitrogen-free Type II diamonds out of total microdiamonds +0.150 mm square mesh screen.

Total Weight Numbers of Diamonds According to Sieve Size Fraction (mm) +0.075 +0.106 +0.150 +0.212 +0.300 +0.425 +0.600 Kg -0.106 -0.150 -0.212 -0.300 -0.425 -0.600 -0.850 304.8 19 12 8 2 5 2 0 Type II: N/A N/A 8 1 4 1 0

As noted in Tres-Or's news release of January 5, 2021, a total of 48 microdiamonds were recovered by SRC from 305 kgs of previously unsampled intervals of Guigues kimberlite drill core, with the largest two microdiamonds remaining on a 0.425 mm square mesh screen. SRC describes all but 3 of the recovered Guigues Kimberlite microdiamonds as "White/Colourless, Transparent" with no or minor inclusions. Only one microdiamond is described as having "noticeable inclusions". Complete descriptions for the 17 Guigues +0.150 mm microdiamonds tested are provided in Table 2.

These Type II results are from microdiamonds recovered from 305 kgs of material processed at SRC for microdiamonds comprised of 3 samples from half-split drill core (HQ size) testing different parts of the pipe. The recovered microdiamonds are well distributed throughout the pipe. Out of 65 sample bags processed, 30 returned at least one microdiamond. The maximum number returned per batch was 9 and the second most prolific batch returned 5. The 13 bags comprising sample 047531 returned the most total microdiamonds at 22, suggesting the possibility of a higher grade phase in the southern part of the pipe, but more data is required to gain confidence in this possibility. Tres-Or will be looking to identify potentially higher grade kimberlite phases as additional sample data becomes available.

Table 2: Complete descriptions of nitrogen content and %A defect and Type II designation as determined by SRC's proprietary FTIR data deconvolution methods. ppm = parts per million; wM/m2 = milliwatts per square meter.

Sample IaA (%) IaB (%) N (ppm) Type Square mesh

screen size

(mm) T (C)

3 Ga 40 mW/m2 geotherm Diamond descriptions Pressure (GPa) Depth (km) 047531 BAG 11 150UM 0 0 0 II 0.150 - - - White/Colourless, Transparent, Minor Inclusions, Fragment 047531 BAG 2 150UM 1OF3 0 0 0 II 0.150 - - - White/Colourless, Transparent, No Inclusions, Aggregate 047531 BAG 2 150UM 2OF3 0 0 0 II 0.150 - - - White/Colourless, Transparent, Minor Inclusions, Fragment 047531 BAG 2 150UM 3OF3 0 0 0 II 0.150 - - - White/Colourless, Transparent, Minor Inclusions, Aggregate, Broken 047531 BAG 4 300UM 0 0 0 II 0.300 - - - White/Colourless, Transparent, No Inclusions, Octahedral, Resorption Class 5, Etching, Distorted 047531 BAG 4 425UM 93 7 949 IaA 0.425 1055 4.81 152 White/Colourless, Transparent, Minor Inclusions, Fragment 047531 BAG 7 425UM 0 0 0 II 0.425 - - - White/Colourless, Transparent, No Inclusions, Fragment 047531 BAG 8 150UM 0 0 0 II 0.150 - - - White/Colourless, Transparent, No Inclusions, Fragment 047531 BAG 8 300UM 0 0 0 II 0.300 - - - White/Colourless, Translucent, No Inclusions, Octahedral, Resorption Class 4, Etching, Distorted 047531 BAG 9 212UM 0 0 0 II 0.212 - - - White/Colourless, Transparent, No Inclusions, Aggregate 047533 BAG 13 300UM 0 0 0 II 0.300 - - - White/Colourless, Transparent, No Inclusions, Octahedral, Resorption Class 5, Etching, Twin 047533 BAG 7 300UM 0 0 0 II 0.300 - - - White/Colourless, Transparent, No Inclusions, Fragment 047533 BAG 9 150UM 0 0 0 II 0.150 - - - White/Colourless, Transparent, No Inclusions, Octahedral, Resorption Class 4, Pits/Cavity 047534 BAG 10 150UM 0 0 0 II 0.150 - - - Off White, Transparent, Minor Inclusions, Fragment 047534 BAG 2 212UM 77 23 365 IaAB 0.212 1107 5.20 164 White/Colourless, Transparent, Minor Inclusions, Aggregate 047534 BAG 4 300UM 91 9 618 IaA 0.300 1070 4.92 155 White/Colourless, Transparent, Minor Inclusions, Fragment 047534 BAG 5 150UM 0 0 0 II 0.150 - - - White/Colourless, Transparent, Minor Inclusions, Fragment

Note that although the recovery of Type II microdiamonds from the Guigues Kimberlite is suggestive of the occurrence of larger stones, this does not mean that the Guigues Kimberlite will necessarily host large Type II diamonds.

Sampling Protocols:

Each sample was bagged successively by Tres-Or personnel, in approximately 8 kg sub-samples. The total sample interval extends approximately 26 m in length. After bagging and labelling, the samples were delivered to SRC in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The unsampled half split of core is stored securely for future reference. The ~8 kg bags were processed by SRC as separate batches and microdiamond recoveries were reported for each of the 8 kg bags. SRC reports microdiamond counts by square mesh screen sizes, increasing in succession from the smallest size (in this case 0.075 mm) upwards by a factor of the square root of 2, as specified in CIM reporting standards required under Canadian National Instrument 43-101 reporting standards. SRC also describes and reports dimensions as well as weights for each individual microdiamond.

About Tres-Or Resources Ltd.

Tres-Or Resources Ltd. is a Canadian resource company focused on exploring for diamonds and gold resources in the Temiscamingue and Abitibi regions of Quebec and is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the trading symbol "TRS". Additional information related to the Company is available on SEDAR and on the Company's website (www.tres-or.com).

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Laura Lee Duffett"

Laura Lee Duffett, P.Geo.

President and CEO

For further information:

Laura Lee Duffett, President & CEO: +1 (604) 541-8376 - info@tres-or.com

Dean Claridge, Business Development: +1 (604) 688-8700

Website: www.tres-or.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Qualified Persons

Disclosure of a scientific or technical nature related to the Company's projects and exploration activities in this news release was prepared under the supervision of Dr. Harrison O. Cookenboo, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D., P.Geo., the Company's independent Qualified Person (as such term is defined in National Instrument 43-101), and Ms. Laura Lee Duffett, P.Geo., the Company's President and CEO, who is a non-independent Qualified Person, both of whom have reviewed and approved the technical and scientific portions of this presentation.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains projections and forward-looking information that involve various risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, statements regarding the potential extent of mineralization, resources, reserves, exploration results and plans and objectives of the Company. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not restricted to, the early stage development of the Company and its projects; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; capital market conditions and market prices for securities, junior market securities and mining exploration company securities; commodity prices, the amount of geological data available, the uncertain reliability of drilling results and geophysical and geological data and the interpretation thereof and the need for adequate financing for future exploration and development efforts. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. These and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements are based on the estimates and opinions of management on the dates they are made and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this notice. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements should circumstances or management's estimates or opinions change.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79428
San Francisco, April 6 : Coronavirus cases have rebounded in the US West Coast's Bay Area for the last week ending April 2, with the average number of daily new infections at 475, up 8.7 per cent from the prior week ending March 26, according to a media report.

The data could indicate that California is beginning to fall in line with the rest of the US, where coronavirus infections have steadily plateaued or increased due to more infectious variants, Xinhua news agency quoted the San Francisco Chronicle report as saying on Monday.

In the first week of this year, an average of 4,500 cases was reported in the Bay Area each day.

Weekly Covid-19 deaths averaged 78 for the week ending April 4, down from 113 reported in the previous week.

As of Monday, the cumulative death toll in the Bay Area stood at 5,957.

Across California, the pandemic has taken at least 59,279 lives.

"On the West Coast, we see a leveling off... We may go back up a little bit. We may hit bottom and bounce up a little bit," George Rutherford, an infectious disease expert at University of California San Francisco, was quoted as saying.

On April 2, Governor Gavin Newsom's office said it was preparing to retire the state's colour-coded tiered reopening system as vaccination rates improved and coronavirus cases continued to drop.

The state plans to open vaccine access to everyone 16 and older in the mid of April as supply improves.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Main Content

Disaster Medical Assistance Team



Hopkinton, MA

DMAT Rhode Island 1 and Massachusetts 1 Chief Medical Officer

Approximately 250,000 people had lost their lives, about 300,000 were injured, families were separated, and tons of rubble from destroyed neighborhoods lined the streets.



That was the situation when Dr. Jeff Hersh and his National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) from Massachusetts arrived in Haiti to help in the aftermath of a devasting 7.0-magnitude earthquake. All aspects of life had been disrupted, recounts Jeff. Essentially everything had been compromised, including food supply, clean water, and, of course, access to medical care.



Once in the field, Jeffs role as acting chief medical officer was to be a resource acting as the overall medical voice for the team and advocate for patients and patient care. He also supported local medical providers (for example, being a second opinion or curbside consult), and provided direct patient care.



Every time we provided patient care, we not only helped individual human beings, but we also supported the entire community as it strove to recover from the disaster. So, in a real sense, the impact of our actions in the field goes beyond just treating patients.



Over the years, Jeff has deployed many times to treat patients in the aftermath of disasters and emergencies, helping both the individuals he treats and providing relief in communities that have been battered by storms or that are responding to a public health emergency. Working with NDMS since 2004, Jeff has responded to flooding in North Dakota; Hurricanes Gustav, Ike, Rita, Sandy, Matthew, Irma, Irene, Michael, Florence; and COVID-19 surges in California, Georgia, Louisiana, and Montana.



Going into the field to provide medical care is always challenging. Each situation is different, and the medical needs of the people you care for are variable and, at times, quite complex. There is always a great deal of creativity needed to figure out the best way to utilize the available resources to provide the best care possible. Our DMAT provides sophisticated medical care even under austere conditions."



Jeff, like all NDMS responders, combines passion for his profession with compassion for people in trying circumstances. With each deployment, NDMS responders are heroic in their service to both individual people and to communities who need their help.


- By GF Value





The stock of Sociedad Quimica Y Minera De Chile SA (NYSE:SQM, 30-year Financials) is estimated to be significantly overvalued, according to GuruFocus Value calculation. GuruFocus Value is GuruFocus' estimate of the fair value at which the stock should be traded. It is calculated based on the historical multiples that the stock has traded at, the past business growth and analyst estimates of future business performance. If the price of a stock is significantly above the GF Value Line, it is overvalued and its future return is likely to be poor. On the other hand, if it is significantly below the GF Value Line, its future return will likely be higher. At its current price of $53.82 per share and the market cap of $14.2 billion, Sociedad Quimica Y Minera De Chile SA stock appears to be significantly overvalued. GF Value for Sociedad Quimica Y Minera De Chile SA is shown in the chart below.





Sociedad Quimica Y Minera De Chile SA Stock Is Believed To Be Significantly Overvalued

Because Sociedad Quimica Y Minera De Chile SA is significantly overvalued, the long-term return of its stock is likely to be much lower than its future business growth, which is estimated to grow 5.93% annually over the next three to five years.

Link: These companies may deliever higher future returns at reduced risk.

Investing in companies with poor financial strength has a higher risk of permanent loss of capital. Thus, it is important to carefully review the financial strength of a company before deciding whether to buy its stock. Looking at the cash-to-debt ratio and interest coverage is a great starting point for understanding the financial strength of a company. Sociedad Quimica Y Minera De Chile SA has a cash-to-debt ratio of 0.44, which is in the middle range of the companies in Chemicals industry. GuruFocus ranks the overall financial strength of Sociedad Quimica Y Minera De Chile SA at 5 out of 10, which indicates that the financial strength of Sociedad Quimica Y Minera De Chile SA is fair. This is the debt and cash of Sociedad Quimica Y Minera De Chile SA over the past years:

Story continues

Sociedad Quimica Y Minera De Chile SA Stock Is Believed To Be Significantly Overvalued

Companies that have been consistently profitable over the long term offer less risk for investors who may want to purchase shares. Higher profit margins usually dictate a better investment compared to a company with lower profit margins. Sociedad Quimica Y Minera De Chile SA has been profitable 10 over the past 10 years. Over the past twelve months, the company had a revenue of $1.8 billion and earnings of $0.621 a share. Its operating margin is 17.02%, which ranks better than 83% of the companies in Chemicals industry. Overall, the profitability of Sociedad Quimica Y Minera De Chile SA is ranked 7 out of 10, which indicates fair profitability. This is the revenue and net income of Sociedad Quimica Y Minera De Chile SA over the past years:

Sociedad Quimica Y Minera De Chile SA Stock Is Believed To Be Significantly Overvalued

One of the most important factors in the valuation of a company is growth. Long-term stock performance is closely correlated with growth according to GuruFocus research. Companies that grow faster create more value for shareholders, especially if that growth is profitable. The average annual revenue growth of Sociedad Quimica Y Minera De Chile SA is -0.1%, which ranks worse than 66% of the companies in Chemicals industry. The 3-year average EBITDA growth is -15.7%, which ranks worse than 84% of the companies in Chemicals industry.

Another way to look at the profitability of a company is to compare its return on invested capital and the weighted cost of capital. Return on invested capital (ROIC) measures how well a company generates cash flow relative to the capital it has invested in its business. The weighted average cost of capital (WACC) is the rate that a company is expected to pay on average to all its security holders to finance its assets. We want to have the return on invested capital higher than the weighted cost of capital. For the past 12 months, Sociedad Quimica Y Minera De Chile SA's return on invested capital is 6.40, and its cost of capital is 6.72. The historical ROIC vs WACC comparison of Sociedad Quimica Y Minera De Chile SA is shown below:

Sociedad Quimica Y Minera De Chile SA Stock Is Believed To Be Significantly Overvalued

In conclusion, the stock of Sociedad Quimica Y Minera De Chile SA (NYSE:SQM, 30-year Financials) gives every indication of being significantly overvalued. The company's financial condition is fair and its profitability is fair. Its growth ranks worse than 84% of the companies in Chemicals industry. To learn more about Sociedad Quimica Y Minera De Chile SA stock, you can check out its 30-year Financials here.

To find out the high quality companies that may deliever above average returns, please check out GuruFocus High Quality Low Capex Screener.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


Lucknow, April 6 : A class 12 student of Bihar's Darbhanga district, who had been allegedly kidnapped, was recovered by the Uttar Pradesh police from the Swarna Jayanti Express at Aligarh railway station.

The abductors, however, managed to flee.

The police said that the boy, Abhishek Thakur, a resident of Ganj Chowk locality under the limits of Bahadurgarh police station in Darbhanga district, was on his way to attend his tuition classes when he was allegedly abducted after being sedated by four unidentified men on Sunday evening." However, when he regained consciousness hours later, he found himself in a train at Kanpur Central railway station. Soon, he alerted his fellow-travellers, who immediately informed his parents on phone in Darbhanga.

As per the police, the kidnappers had till then made several ransom calls to Abhishek's father Ravindra Thakur and told him that his son had been kidnapped and asked him to pay ransom for his safe release.

The matter was immediately brought to the notice of the Bahadurgarh police, who in turn tracked the mobile details of the ransom call and apprised Kanpur police after tracing their location.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Kanpur, Salman Taj Patil, subsequently formed a team and launched a search operation to locate Abhishek.

"As the train had left for onward journey from Kanpur Central, a police team was deputed at Aligarh railway station. As soon as the train reached Aligarh, the Crime branch personnel conducted a search and recovered Abhishek from the Swarna Jayanti Express.

The boy was found to be in possession of his school bag, school report card and few other documents.

The boy was handed over to his relatives on Monday.

Further investigations are underway, police added.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has gone into self-isolation, according to the Presidential Administration of Georgia.

In order to avoid risks, the President of Georgia is moving into self-isolation, despite the fact that she has already been vaccinated with the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. In parallel with the process, Zurabishvili will undergo PCR testing for Covid-19 in accordance with protocol, reports the press office of the administration.

The Presidential Administration reports that President Zurabishvili has moved to self-isolation as she had contact with Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili several days ago, Agenda.ge reported.

Georgia's PM Garibashvili tested positive for coronavirus earlier today.
(Natural News) Another 25-or-so cases of rare blood clots occurred in Brits who were jabbed for the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) with AstraZenecas injection, and the government of the United Kingdom has sort of acknowledged it.

Stopping short of flat-out linking the vaccine to the deadly adverse events, U.K. authorities are now reluctantly claiming that some batches of the injection must be defective, and this is why lots of people are becoming seriously injured or dropping dead from the shots.

Despite all this, Britains medicines regulator is still claiming that the jabs at large are safe, insisting that it is still unclear, somehow, whether or not the injections had anything to do with the deadly blood clots.

A number of other European countries have halted all administration of the AstraZeneca jab citing similar adverse events, and yet the U.K. is insistent that every injection is safe and effective for continued administration.

In total, MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) said had [sic] identified 30 cases of rare blood clot events out of 18.1 million AstraZeneca doses administered up to and including March 24, reported the Associated Press (AP).

The risk associated with this type of blood clot is very small,' it added.

According to Dr. June Raine, the agencys chief executive, Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) injections from AstraZeneca are very good and their benefits  in preventing Covid-19 infection and its complications continue to outweigh any risks and the public should continue to get their vaccine when invited to do so.

To learn more about how Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) injections are injuring and killing thousands, visit ChemicalViolence.com.

Nobody with a brain wants a Chinese virus injection

The Netherlands, meanwhile, is taking a much different approach by joining the other European nations that are no longer administering the AstraZeneca jab.

At first, the Dutch government had planned to simply restrict administration only to people under the age of 60, which is what Germany did. Instead, the Netherlands ultimately axed the jab entirely in order to protect its population against further damage.

According to Dutch Health Minister Hugo de Jonge, the halt is only temporary as a precautionary measure. In time, in other words, AstraZeneca injections will once again be plunged into the arms of the Dutch, which is music to the ears of the British government.

The only good news with all this is that many of the countries that were among the first to halt administration of the AstraZeneca injection before temporarily reinstating their administration are halting the program a second time, reports indicate.

There are simply too many adverse events emerging to continue safely administering the jabs, officials say, and tens of millions of European people do not trust the injections regardless and are not planning to get one.

In some countries, officials worry that if the unsafe injection continues to be administrated, people will lose trust in the government to safely regulate and administer other vaccines and pharmaceuticals.

After an incident involving serious clotting occurred in Australia, deputy chief medical officer Michael Kidd admitted to the media that the AstraZeneca jab was likely the cause, though officials in the U.K., where the jab is made, continue to deny any link.

There have been 4,000 vax-induced deaths and 40,000 adverse events recorded across the E.U., wrote one commenter at Zero Hedge. Probably 10 times more were not recorded.

None of this should come as a surprise to the critical thinker, wrote another. The vax with no manufacturer liability being administered for a pandemic. A pandemic where there arent dead people everywhere, and where testing and media are proven frauds  There is no safe gene therapy.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

NaturalNews.com
- By GF Value





The stock of American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE:AEO, 30-year Financials) gives every indication of being significantly overvalued, according to GuruFocus Value calculation. GuruFocus Value is GuruFocus' estimate of the fair value at which the stock should be traded. It is calculated based on the historical multiples that the stock has traded at, the past business growth and analyst estimates of future business performance. If the price of a stock is significantly above the GF Value Line, it is overvalued and its future return is likely to be poor. On the other hand, if it is significantly below the GF Value Line, its future return will likely be higher. At its current price of $30.41 per share and the market cap of $5.1 billion, American Eagle Outfitters stock is believed to be significantly overvalued. GF Value for American Eagle Outfitters is shown in the chart below.





American Eagle Outfitters Stock Is Believed To Be Significantly Overvalued

Because American Eagle Outfitters is significantly overvalued, the long-term return of its stock is likely to be much lower than its future business growth, which averaged 2.3% over the past three years and is estimated to grow 6.55% annually over the next three to five years.

Link: These companies may deliever higher future returns at reduced risk.

Investing in companies with poor financial strength has a higher risk of permanent loss of capital. Thus, it is important to carefully review the financial strength of a company before deciding whether to buy its stock. Looking at the cash-to-debt ratio and interest coverage is a great starting point for understanding the financial strength of a company. American Eagle Outfitters has a cash-to-debt ratio of 0.47, which is in the middle range of the companies in the industry of Retail - Cyclical. GuruFocus ranks the overall financial strength of American Eagle Outfitters at 5 out of 10, which indicates that the financial strength of American Eagle Outfitters is fair. This is the debt and cash of American Eagle Outfitters over the past years:

Story continues

American Eagle Outfitters Stock Is Believed To Be Significantly Overvalued

It is less risky to invest in profitable companies, especially those with consistent profitability over long term. A company with high profit margins is usually a safer investment than those with low profit margins. American Eagle Outfitters has been profitable 9 over the past 10 years. Over the past twelve months, the company had a revenue of $3.8 billion and loss of $1.28 a share. Its operating margin is 0.23%, which ranks in the middle range of the companies in the industry of Retail - Cyclical. Overall, the profitability of American Eagle Outfitters is ranked 7 out of 10, which indicates fair profitability. This is the revenue and net income of American Eagle Outfitters over the past years:

American Eagle Outfitters Stock Is Believed To Be Significantly Overvalued

Growth is probably one of the most important factors in the valuation of a company. GuruFocus' research has found that growth is closely correlated with the long-term performance of a company's stock. If a company's business is growing, the company usually creates value for its shareholders, especially if the growth is profitable. Likewise, if a company's revenue and earnings are declining, the value of the company will decrease. American Eagle Outfitters's 3-year average revenue growth rate is in the middle range of the companies in the industry of Retail - Cyclical. American Eagle Outfitters's 3-year average EBITDA growth rate is -27.4%, which ranks worse than 88% of the companies in the industry of Retail - Cyclical.

One can also evaluate a company's profitability by comparing its return on invested capital (ROIC) to its weighted average cost of capital (WACC). Return on invested capital (ROIC) measures how well a company generates cash flow relative to the capital it has invested in its business. The weighted average cost of capital (WACC) is the rate that a company is expected to pay on average to all its security holders to finance its assets. If the return on invested capital exceeds the weighted average cost of capital, the company is likely creating value for its shareholders. During the past 12 months, American Eagle Outfitters's ROIC is 0.24 while its WACC came in at 8.50. The historical ROIC vs WACC comparison of American Eagle Outfitters is shown below:

American Eagle Outfitters Stock Is Believed To Be Significantly Overvalued

In closing, the stock of American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE:AEO, 30-year Financials) shows every sign of being significantly overvalued. The company's financial condition is fair and its profitability is fair. Its growth ranks worse than 88% of the companies in the industry of Retail - Cyclical. To learn more about American Eagle Outfitters stock, you can check out its 30-year Financials here.

To find out the high quality companies that may deliever above average returns, please check out GuruFocus High Quality Low Capex Screener.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


HAMDEN  In the apparent fracturing of Hamdens Democratic party, some might see a challenge.

Frank LaDore, chairman of the Republican Town Committee, sees an opportunity.

His rival partys divide, which has manifested in a clash between the mayor and the Democratic Town Committee, could mean a three-way mayoral race in November, LaDore said. If that were to happen, he thinks his party has a chance to pick up a few Legislative Council seats.

How could a three-way race come to pass?

The DTC this year rolled out a process to vet candidates seeking its endorsement in the mayoral race, asking interested persons to fill out a questionnaire. Three Democrats asked to be considered, but current Mayor Curt Balzano Leng, a fellow Democrat who has openly criticized the committee and its platform, was not among them.

He has not ruled out a reelection run, either.

Jonathan Wharton, who follows Hamden politics and is a professor of political science at Southern Connecticut State University, said that depending on who wins the Democratic nomination, its possible that in the general election one of the competing Democrats will run as an unaffiliated candidate or on the Working Families Party ballot.

Add a Republican to the mix, and Hamden has a three-way contest.

If LaDore can find a strong candidate to put at the top of the ticket, he said, a split Democratic vote could give the Republican more of a chance.

But given how heavily Hamden voters favor Democrats, it would be an uphill battle and a long shot, he continued.

In 2019, Leng beat Republican challenger Jay Kaye by a hefty margin  7,412 votes to 4,989, according to the Connecticut Secretary of the States website. And in Novembers presidential election, more than 74 percent of Hamden voters cast ballots for Joe Biden, the website shows.

Its in the Legislative Council contest that LaDore sees a more viable opportunity. But first, he would have to find a strong mayoral candidate, he said.

Hes still working on enouraging interested individuals to reach out to him via email at FLadore@gmail.com.

Just three members of Hamdens 15-seat Legislative Council are Republicans. The rest are Democrats.

(Where) it really helps us, is this, he said. We have town council members lined up to run against some of the Democrats. There are vulnerable districts in Hamden, so if we can get someone whos solid (to run for mayor)  that will bring people out to vote, and get people excited.

Wharton described a similar dynamic.

A three-way race would gain more attention and traction to having a viable race where every vote counts, Wharton said. This could cause more people to turn out, if its a close race.

When asked whether he worried internal party dynamics could cause Democrats to lose seats, DTC Chairman Sean Grace said he had run just about every possible scenario through his head.

I worry about literally everything, he said.

The top of the ticket concerned him most, rather than the impact on the council, Grace continued.

But overall, he was optimistic.

The advantage that we have registration-wise is huge, and I think that will win the day, Grace said.

As of October, Hamden was home to roughly 4,500 registered Republicans, 20,000 registered Democrats and 14,000 unaffiliated voters, according to the Secretary of the States office.

meghan.friedmann@hearstmediact.com
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 19:39:14|Editor: huaxia

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HONG KONG, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Patrick Nip, Secretary for the Civil Service of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government, said on Tuesday that the improvement of the HKSAR's electoral system and the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR must be interpreted together.

Nip said on the social media that both are important measures taken at the national and constitutional levels, which are related to whether the "one country, two systems" can be fully implemented.

He said the national security law in Hong Kong safeguards national security and improving the HKSAR's electoral system ensures all those who enter the political system of the HKSAR meet the requirements of patriots.

This combination ensures steady development of "one country, two systems" and aims at "upholding national unity and territorial integrity, maintaining the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong," which was stated in the preamble of HKSAR Basic Law, he explained.

Nip said the central authorities sincerely hoped the "one country, two systems" will be successfully implemented.

The central authorities also hoped that Hong Kong can leverage on its own advantages, and the HKSAR government can solve the deep-seated problems in Hong Kong, he added.

Nip said the civil servants are an important part of the administrative organs. In the next two weeks, he will continue to explain the importance and necessity of improving the electoral system with civil service bodies and colleagues of different ranks. Enditem
LEE COUNTY, Miss. (WTVA) - Lee County is one of the largest counties in Mississippi, but less than 20% of people are fully vaccinated. People in Lee County have a variety of opinions on why that is.

"Most of my family has been vaccinated and I'm thinking about it since I work at a medical center, I'm strongly thinking about it," said Lee County resident Cynthia Thompson.

Thompson is part of the 83% of people in Lee County who have not taken the coronavirus vaccine.

The Mississippi State Department of Health said only 17% of people in the county are fully vaccinated.

Thompson said although shes still considering getting the vaccine, that statistic surprised her.

Lee County resident Charles Benson shared why he thinks the vaccination rate is low.

One is access, we're a rural state. North Mississippi is still pretty much a predominantly rural area so transportation can be an issue," said Benson.

Benson said another reason could be hesitancy.

Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton recently took to social media to voice his concerns about the vaccination rate.

I don't really know why our numbers are not higher, but I know that they need to be higher if we're going to get past COVID here in Tupelo, Lee county, Mississippi, even globally," said Shelton.

According to the MSDH, 500,000 people in Mississippi are fully vaccinated. Over 800,000 people have at least taken their first dose.
A Justice Clarence Thomas has said that Congress should consider whether laws should be updated to better regulate platforms that have "unbridled control" over "unprecedented" amounts of speech.

According to CNN, the provocative and controversial opinion comes as banned former President Donald Trump from its platform for violating its rules on incitement of violence. Some conservatives have called on more regulations in the tech world to combat what they view as political bias on

"If part of the problem is private, concentrated control over online content and platforms available to the public, then part of the solution may be found in doctrines that limit the right of a private company to exclude," Thomas wrote in a 12-page concurring opinion Monday.

Thomas' remarks have raised concerns among critics.

The Supreme Court analyst said that it is the first time that a Supreme Court justice appears to endorse the view increasingly prevalent among conservatives that private platforms should potentially be subject to significant government regulation.

"Justice Thomas's opinion represents the first time that we have seen a Supreme Court Justice appear to endorse the view increasingly prevalent among conservatives that private social media platforms should potentially be subject to significant government regulation notwithstanding the First Amendment," said Steve Vladeck, CNN Supreme Court analyst and professor at the University of Texas School of Law.

No other justice joined Thomas's opinion, which came as he agreed with the court's decision to dismiss a case concerning Trump's use of when he was President.

Thomas said the court was right to dismiss the case that predated the election and Twitter's decision to ban Trump after the Capitol Hill riot.

However, Thomas added the issue caused him to think about the "principal legal difficulty that surrounds" a digital platform, specifically the concentration of power in the hands of so few owners at social media companies.

Today's digital platforms, Thomas argued, "provide avenues for historically unprecedented amounts of speech," but he said it also concentrates control "of so much speech in the hands of a few private parties."

In particular, he pointed out that was able to remove any person from the platform -- "even the President of the United States."

"As Twitter made clear, the right to cut off speech lies most powerfully in the hands of private digital platforms," Thomas said.

This is not the first time that Thomas has made such controversial comments.

In 2019, he used one abortion dispute to write a concurrence about his fear that abortion could become a "tool of eugenic manipulation."

In 2019, he called for reconsideration of a landmark First Amendment precedent New York Times v. Sullivan, which makes it more difficult for public figures to sue for defamation, opining that the decision that was a "policy-driven" decision "masquerading as constitutional law.

(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.)
Strategic acquisition of German fluorescence-guided surgery leader drives growth of Erbe's surgical endoscopy business

An investment to strengthen our operating room presence

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005418/en/

From left to right: Christian O. Erbe, CEO Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH, Shirish Joshi, General Manager Maxer Endoscopy GmbH, Gayatri Joshi, Shareholder Maxer Endoscopy GmbH, Daniel Zimmermann, CFO Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH, and Marcus Felstead, CMO Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH. (The picture was taken after all parties were tested COVID-19 negative.)

"This acquisition reflects our determination to become a solution provider for surgeries and procedures where visualization is critical. We will offer holistic solutions, from visualization to therapy. Entering into the world of fluorescence imaging systems is the logical first step to provide the required added value to our customers", according to Christian O. Erbe, CEO President at Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH. Maxer's highly innovative product portfolio combined with Erbe's energy-emitting high-tech products will allow existing unmet user needs to be addressed.

Better vision makes better surgery

Maxer's prime innovation focus is on the development of high-end visualization. The technology delivers bright and pin-sharp multi-spectral images for NIR fluorescence-guided surgery and regular white light images. Now, Erbe will be able to offer best-in-class performance with 4K and fluorescence-guided systems in endoscopy as well as for open surgeries.

In 2020, Maxer and its partners, the Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich and the Technical University Munich (TUM), won the first prize of the German Medical Award in the "Innovation Product" category for its Atlas project. The plan is to provide the surgeon with a "GPS system" that enables the performance of advanced laparoscopic surgeries with increased surgical precision. This will help to reduce complications and risks during oncological surgeries and increase quality of patient life.

A perfect match with excellent growth prospects

The philosophy and values at Maxer are similar to Erbe's. The company has a remarkable track record of high-tech devices in the last seven years and is perfectly positioned to master future opportunities, such as augmented reality-guided surgery. A broad minimal invasive instrument portfolio will be an ideal match to Erbe's existing offering.

"Wonderful instruments and multi-spectral imaging systems will get access to the market through our strong sales force and our distribution partners in more than 110 countries", says Marcus C. Felstead, CMO at Erbe.

"This acquisition will allow the company to speed up delivery of breakthrough innovations in areas of image-guided surgery," states Shirish Joshi, Managing Director at Maxer.

Erbe was advised by ConAlliance (Mergers Acquisitions) and RWT Reutlingen (Legal and Financial).

Our vision

The combination of electrosurgery and imaging will provide added value by processing and combining data using AI. This will lead to new treatment options and enhance patient safety. The best of both worlds.

About Maxer

Located in the Tuttlingen medical endoscopy cluster in Germany, Maxer is specialized in minimally invasive surgery (MIS). Maxer manufactures a wide range of endoscopic systems and instruments for laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, urology, pediatric surgery, arthroscopy, spine endoscopy and ENT surgery. Maxer's core strength has been in the development of top-of-the-line visualization technologies. Maxer is partnering with the Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich and the Technical University Munich (TUM) to bring computer-assisted surgery to operating rooms.

About Erbe

Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH develops, manufactures and distributes surgical instruments and devices worldwide, while providing services for professional use of these products in a diverse range of medical disciplines. Surgeons, OP teams and patients around the world rely on Erbe medical technology. The surgical instruments and devices find use in almost all specialist areas. They are based on electrosurgery combined with other Erbe technologies. Hybrid solutions enable us to provide new, innovative applications in medicine.

Fields of activity

Imaging

Endoscopy

Electrosurgery

Plasma surgery

Thermofusion

Hydrosurgery

Cryosurgery

An international network

15 subsidiaries in Europe, America and Asia

1 representative office

Erbe is active in 110 national markets

The Erbe workforce

Over 1,000 employees worldwide

Some 700 of them in Germany

Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH

Waldhoernlestr. 17,

72072 Tuebingen, Germany

http://www.erbe-med.com

info@erbe-med.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005418/en/

Contacts:

Thomas Hammerle

Tel +49 7071 755-138

thomas.haemmerle@erbe-med.com
On March 29, 2020, I lost my uncle, a community worker in the heart of the Liberties in Dublin, to Covid-19. He was a legend in the area, so his passing has been felt by many, including myself.

Later that same day, my colleague Eduard Vrdoljak, a doctor in Croatia, while consoling me on my loss, shared with me what he was experiencing in his clinical practice  people are fearing a Covid-19 diagnosis more than a cancer diagnosis.

Over the next few days it struck me that Government-backed public health measures to combat the Covid-19 pandemic were having unintended but profound effects on cancer services and cancer outcomes.

Despite my loss, I sat down and wrote an opinion piece, which I published with Eduard and another colleague in the European Journal of Cancer. We highlighted how the focus of repurposed health services across Europe on the pandemic could compromise national cancer screening programmes, prompt an increase in late cancer diagnoses, and result in the cancellation or postponement of cancer treatments. Looking back now at that opinion piece, which came online in mid-April 2020, Im sad to say that we were proved right by what transpired over the past 12 months.

At the time, there were no solid data on the effects of the pandemic on cancer. So we quickly reached out to hospitals across the UK and captured data in real time to determine the exact impact of Covid on cancer services and cancer patients. Our results were worrying, so worrying that we immediately shared them with the chef medical officers in the four nations of the UK, with the National Clinical Director for Cancer in England and with SAGE, the UKs Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies.

For people with suspicious symptoms of cancer (eg. a lump on their breast, difficulty swallowing, blood in their pee or poo), we found that, compared with before the pandemic, seven out of 10 people were not accessing specialist cancer diagnostic services, while for four out of 10 cancer patients their chemotherapy was delayed.

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Modelling the potential impact on mortality, we found that between 7,000 and 18,000 people with cancer were at increased risk of dying. Subsequent data from ourselves and other researchers confirmed our worst fears  all parts of the cancer pathway were adversely affected, while cancer research almost came to a standstill. Our data contributed to the decision to restart cancer services. Im so glad we acted quickly and shared our data before we published it (not something that scientists normally do).

Recognising that Covid, like cancer, does not respect borders, we subsequently reached out and worked with our colleagues here in Ireland to quantify the impact of Covid-19 on cancer in Ireland, emphasising the importance of cross-Border co-operation. Unfortunately, just as we found in Northern Ireland and the wider UK, the pandemic has wreaked untold damage on cancer services in Ireland, adversely impacting on Irish citizens and Irish cancer patients. Cancer referrals dropped by over 25pc, cancer diagnoses dropped by between 40 and 50pc, while cancer treatments were postponed or delayed in nearly 30pc of patients.

The risk of an impending cancer epidemic on the island of Ireland as a direct result of the pandemic and national lockdowns cannot be underestimated. Cancer already surpasses cardiovascular disease as the most frequent killer on the island of Ireland. Covid-19 will further exacerbate the situation, leading to thousands of excess deaths in people with cancer over the next decade. We are at a significant inflection point for cancer research and cancer care on the island of Ireland, made all the more urgent by the disastrous impact of Covid.

We have made significant progress in cancer research and cancer control on this island over the past two decades. But we must act decisively and rapidly to ensure that cancer research and care are maintained and indeed enhanced as we move forward. Otherwise, the progress we have made in cancer in the past 20 years may be reversed in less than 20 months. Cancer must never become the forgotten C in the fight against Covid.

On my uncles first anniversary, I was of course somewhat sad. But Im encouraged that his death perhaps instilled in me a resolution to work in close collaboration with colleagues to achieve something tangible for patients in the fight against this deadly disease. My uncle, a man who very much put people first, would have liked that.

Professor Mark Lawler is Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor of Digital Health and Chair in Translational Cancer Genomics at Queens University Belfast, He is the Scientific Director of DATA-CAN, the UKs Health Data Research Hub for Cancer and co-leads the European Cancer Organisations Special Network on Covid-19 and Cancer
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bogdan Aurescu, will pay an official visit to the Italian Republic on Wednesday to answer an invitation from his counterpart, Luigi Di Maio.

According to a press release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) sent to AGERPRES, the head of Romanian diplomacy will have a round of consultations with Di Maio and a meeting with the president of the Italian Senate, Maria Elisabetta Alberti Casellati, agerpres.ro confirms.

The Romanian official will address with his counterpart "the concrete ways of strengthening cooperation between Romania and Italy, in political, economic and sectoral plan and will emphasize the importance of the Romanian community in Italy in the bilateral relationship as a whole," the same source states.

Ministers Aurescu and Di Maio will also address issues on the European agenda, EU cooperation in combating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and increasing the Union's resilience, future debates at the Conference on the Future of Europe, implementation of economic recovery measures, the enlargement policy of the Union, as well as the revitalization of the Eastern Partnership.

At the end of the bilateral consultations, the two high officials will make joint press statements.

The programme of the visit of Minister Bogdan Aurescu also includes a discussion in videoconference format with the heads of the Romanian consular offices in Italy, during which the MAE priorities regarding the reform of consular services will be addressed, as well as current issues related to the Romanian community.

Also, the Minister of Foreign Affairs will participate in a decoration ceremony of some people who performed charitable actions in support of the Romanian community during the pandemic crisis.
(Newser)  The royal feud in Jordan is apparently over. After days of uncertainty, former crown prince Hamzah bin Hussein pledged loyalty to his half-brother, 59-year-old King Abdullah II, on Monday, the palace said. "The interests of the homeland must remain above every consideration. We must all stand behind the king in his efforts to protect Jordan and its national interests," Hamzah wrote in a signed letter quoted by the palace, per Reuters. Hamzah's lawyer confirmed a resolution was expected, per the AP. The former crown prince had been placed under house arrest on Saturday following accusations of a "malicious plot" to destabilize the kingdom. Hamzah, 41, had complained of corruption and decades of mismanagement but denied involvement in any attempted coup. There's no mention of a plot in a recording of him being placed under house arrest, per the Independent.

story continues below

Hamzah was once considered an heir to the throne. But the late King Hussein's elder son, Abdullah II, ascended the throne with the king's death in 1999. Five years later, he stripped Hamzah of the title of crown prince, which went to Abdullah's son. "I place myself in the hands of his majesty the king  and I will always be of help and support to his majesty the king and his crown prince," Hamzah wrote in the letter, which was signed after he met with his several princes, including his late father's brother, Prince Hassan. It's unclear what will happen to the 15 or so others arrested over the alleged plot. A Saudi delegation pressed Monday for the release of Bassem Awadallah, a former head of Jordan's royal court, who also serves as an adviser to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in a move that intensified speculation of foreign involvement, per CNN and the Washington Post. (Read more Jordan stories.)
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Roughly three dozen pieces of California legislation are directly related to wildfire, and while those bills should hold much interest for the insurance community, there are other bills making their rounds that should draw a great deal of concern.

So far 2,369 bills have been introduced in state Legislature this year, according to John Norwood of Norwood Associates, an industry lobbyist who also represents the California Insurance Wholesalers Association.

Norwood said hes by encouraged by all the attention Californias wildfires are getting.

Rates and availability are not going to change until the reinsurance market thinks California has reduced the risk of wildfire, Norwood said.

Several of those bills include mitigation incentives, penalties for failure to prevent fires, funding for fire prevention and firefighting, and a bill to prohibit cancellations in high wildfire risk areas.

Assembly Bill 155 would prohibit an insurer from canceling or refusing to renew a residential property insurance or commercial insurance policy based solely on the fact that the insured property is located in a high-risk wildfire area.

It would hurt the availability of homeowners insurance in California, Norwood warned.

However, that may not be the most worrisome bill of the bunch.

Assembly Bill 743 would create rebuttable presumptions affecting the burden of proof in a case in which its alleged that the business interruption was due to the COVID-19 pandemic and occurred during the period of the state of emergency declared by the governor due to the pandemic.

This bill would bankrupt most of the industry, Norwood said.

Norwood has put together a list of bills and summaries of what they would do that he has identified as being of interest to CIWA members and the insurance community as a whole:

AB 9 (Wood D) Wildfires.

Summary: Current law establishes various programs for the prevention and reduction of wildfires. This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation that would increase Californias capacity to prevent and reduce the impact of wildfires, and would make related findings and declarations.

AB 20 (Lee D) Political Reform Act of 1974: campaign contributions: The Clean Money Act of 2021.

Summary: The Political Reform Act of 1974 imposes various limitations on contributions that may be made to, or accepted by, candidates for elective office. A violation of the acts provisions is punishable as a misdemeanor and subject to specified penalties. This bill, the Clean Money Act of 2021, would prohibit a candidate for elective office from receiving a contribution from a business entity, and a business entity from making a contribution to a candidate for elective office, and would make related findings and declarations.

AB 21 (Bauer-Kahan D) Forestry: electrical transmission and distribution lines: clearance: penalties.

Summary: Current law requires a person that owns, controls, operates, or maintains any electrical transmission or distribution line upon any mountainous land or forest-covered land, brush-covered land, or grass-covered land to maintain around and adjacent to any pole or tower that supports a switch, fuse, transformer, lightning arrester, line junction, or dead-end or corner pole a firebreak, as specified. Current law requires a person that owns, controls, operates, or maintains any electrical transmission or distribution line upon any mountainous land or in forest-covered land, brush-covered land, or grass-covered land to maintain a clearance between all vegetation and all conductors that are carrying electric current, as specified. This bill would impose a civil penalty of up to $100,000 for each violation of the above-described provisions. The bill would impose an additional civil penalty of up to $1,000 for each acre burned by a fire resulting from a violation of the above-described provisions.

AB 52 (Frazier D) California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006: scoping plan updates: wildfires.

Summary: The California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 authorizes the State Air Resources Board to include in its regulation of emissions of greenhouse gases the use of market-based compliance mechanisms. Current law requires all moneys, except for fines and penalties, collected by the state board from a market-based compliance mechanism to be deposited in the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (fund) and to be available upon appropriation by the Legislature. Current law continuously appropriates 35% of the annual proceeds of the fund for transit, affordable housing, and sustainable communities programs and 25% of the annual proceeds of the fund for certain components of a specified high-speed rail project. This bill would require the state board, in each scoping plan update prepared by the state board after January 1, 2022, to include, consistent with the act, recommendations for achieving the maximum technologically feasible and cost-effective reductions of emissions of greenhouse gases and black carbon from wildfires.

AB 62 (Gray D) Income taxes: credits: costs to comply with COVID-19 regulations.

Summary: The Personal Income Tax Law and the Corporation Tax Law allow various credits against the taxes imposed by those laws. This bill would allow a credit against those taxes for each taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 2021, to a qualified taxpayer, as defined, in an amount equal to the total amount paid or incurred during the taxable year by the qualified taxpayer to comply with the regulations adopted by the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board on November 19, 2020, relating to COVID-19 prevention and approved by the Office of Administrative Law. The bill also would state the intent of the Legislature to comply with the additional information requirement for any bill authorizing a new income tax credit.

AB 73 (Rivas, Robert D) Employment safety: agricultural workers: wildfire smoke.

Summary: Would, among other things, require the Division of Occupational Safety and Health to designate a wildfire smoke strike team within each regional office for purposes of enforcing regulations regarding air quality safety for agricultural workers, as defined. The bill would require the division, by January 1, 2023, to establish a stockpile of N95 filtering facepiece respirators, as defined, of sufficient size to adequately equip all agricultural workers during wildfire smoke emergencies. The bill would require the department to establish guidelines for procurement, management, and distribution of the N95 respirators.

AB 267 (Valladares R) California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: prescribed fire, thinning, and fuel reduction projects.

Summary: Current law, until January 1, 2023, exempts from the requirements of CEQA prescribed fire, thinning, or fuel reduction projects undertaken on federal lands to reduce the risk of high-severity wildfire that have been reviewed under the federal National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as provided. Current law requires the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, beginning December 31, 2019, and annually thereafter until January 1, 2023, to report to the relevant policy committees of the Legislature the number of times the exemption was used. This bill would extend the exemption from CEQA and the requirement on the department to report to the relevant policy committees of the Legislature indefinitely.

AB 280 (Rivas, Robert D) Electrical corporations: wildfire mitigation plans.

Summary: Under current law, the Public Utilities Commission has jurisdiction over electrical corporations. Current law requires each electrical corporation to annually prepare and submit a wildfire mitigation plan to the Wildfire Safety Division of the commission for review and approval. This bill would require each electrical corporation to also submit its wildfire mitigation plan to the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature.

AB 297 (Gallager R) Fire prevention.

Summary: Would continuously appropriate $480,000,000 and $20,000,000 to the Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention and the California Conservation Corps, respectively, for fire prevention activities, as provided.

AB 373 (Seyarto R) Forest protection: Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Summary: Under current law, the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, in accordance with a plan approved by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, is required to carry out specified duties with respect to the prevention and control of forest fires.This bill would make nonsubstantive changes in that provision.

AB 380 (Seyarto R) Forestry: priority fuel reduction projects.

Summary: Under the authority provided pursuant to the California Emergency Services Act, the Governor, on March 22, 2019, issued a proclamation of a state of emergency directing the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to implement, without delay, fuel reduction projects identified using a methodology developed by the department to determine which communities are at greatest risk of wildfire based on best available science and socioeconomic factors and to identify projects that would reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire, if completed. The proclamation of a state of emergency exempts those identified fuel reduction projects from various legal requirements, including, among others, requirements regarding public contracting for those projects, requirements for environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act for those projects, and licensure requirements for individual conducting certain activities for those projects, as provided. This bill would require the department, before December 31, 2022, and before December 31 of each year thereafter, to identify priority fuel reduction projects, as provided.

AB 431 (Patterson R) Forestry: timber harvesting plans: defensible space: exemptions.

Summary: The Zberg-Nejedly Forest Practice Act of 1973 prohibits a person from conducting timber operations, as defined, unless a timber harvesting plan prepared by a registered professional forester has been submitted to, and approved by, the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The act authorizes the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection to exempt from some or all of those provisions of the act a person engaging in specified forest management activities, as prescribed, including, only until January 1, 2022, the cutting or removal of trees on the persons property in compliance with specified defensible space requirements, as provided. This bill would extend to January 1, 2026, the boards authorization to exempt a person engaging in the cutting or removal of trees on the persons property in compliance with the specified defensible space requirements as provided.

AB 494 (Mayes I) Insurer audits.

Summary: Current law generally regulates the business of insurance in the state. Current law requires an insurer to have an annual audit by an independent certified public accountant, and authorizes the Insurance Commissioner to grant 30-day extensions for the filing of an audit report. This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to that provision.

AB 497 (Waldron R) Wildfire prevention.

Summary: Current law requires the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection to classify all lands within the state, without regard to any classification of lands made by or for any federal agency or purpose, for the purpose of determining areas in which the financial responsibility of preventing and suppressing fires is primarily the responsibility of the state. This bill would provide that it is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would enact statutory changes relating to wildfire prevention.

AB 522 (Fong R) Forestry: Forest Fire Prevention Exemption.

Summary: The Zberg-Nejedly Forest Practice Act of 1973 prohibits a person from conducting timber operations, as defined, unless a timber harvesting plan prepared by a registered professional forester has been submitted to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The act authorizes the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection to exempt from some or all of those provisions of the act a person engaging in specified forest management activities, as prescribed, including the harvesting of trees for the purpose of reducing the rate of fire spread, duration and intensity, fuel ignitability, or ignition of tree crowns, as provided, known as the Forest Fire Prevention Exemption. This bill would extend the operation of the Forest Fire Prevention Exemption indefinitely. The bill would delete the requirement that the tree harvesting area not exceed 300 acres and the requirement that temporary road construction or reconstruction be limited to no more than 2 miles of road per ownership in a planning watershed per any 5-year period.

AB 529 (Bauer-Kahan D) Electrical utilities: fire safety, prevention, or mitigation services: notice.

Summary: Would require each electrical corporation, local publicly owned electric utility, or electrical cooperative engaging in fire safety, prevention, or mitigation services in a high fire-risk area, as defined, to notify the fire protection district responsible for that area at least 48 hours before work is commenced, except when waiting to commence critical or emergency repairs in order to provide that notification would endanger public health or safety, as specified. The bill would require those electrical utilities to also provide the fire protection district with a copy of any form used to document any daily safety briefing at those worksites no later than 72 hours after the completion of that workday.

AB 575 (Fong R) Civil liability: prescribed burning activities: gross negligence.

Summary: Would provide that a private entity engaging in a prescribed burning activity that is supervised by a person certified as burn boss is liable for damages to a third party only if the prescribed burning activity was carried out in a grossly negligent manner.

AB 579 (Flora R) Fire prevention.

Summary: Current law establishes the California Conservation Camp program to provide for the training and use of the inmates and wards assigned to conservation camps in the furtherance of public conservation. Current law requires the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to use inmates and wards assigned to conservation camps for fire prevention, fire control, and other work of the department. This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to those provisions.

AB 642 (Friedman D) Wildfires.

Summary: Would require the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection to identify areas in the state as moderate and high fire hazard severity zones. The bill would additionally require the director classify areas into fire hazard severity zones based on additional factors including possible lightning caused ignition. The bill would require a local agency, within 30 days of receiving a transmittal from the director that identifies fire hazard severity zones, to make the information available for public comment.

AB 648 (Fong R) Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: healthy forest and fire prevention: appropriation.

Summary: Would continuously appropriate, beginning in the 202122 fiscal year and ending in the 202829 fiscal year, $200,000,000 of the annual proceeds from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection for (1) healthy forest and fire prevention programs and projects that improve forest health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions caused by uncontrolled wildfires and (2) prescribed fire and other fuel reduction projects through proven forestry practices consistent with the recommendations of the California Forest Carbon Plan, including the operation of year-round prescribed fire crews and implementation of a research and monitoring program for climate

AB 697 (Chau D) Forest resources: national forest lands: Good Neighbor Authority Fund: ecological restoration and fire resiliency projects.

Summary: Would reorganize the law relating to the State Treasury the Good Neighbor Authority Fund. The bill would require the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, under an agreement between the state and the federal government, to establish a program for purposes of conducting ecological restoration and fire resiliency projects on national forest lands, with priority given to forest restoration and fuels reduction projects that are landscape scale, focused on ecological restoration and based on the best available science, emphasize the use of prescribed fire, and include community fire protection and protection of water infrastructure and other infrastructure as important goals, as provided.

AB 743 (Ramos D) Insurance: business interruption: coverage for COVID-19.

Summary: The California Emergency Services Act authorizes the Governor to declare a state of emergency during conditions of disaster or extreme peril to persons or property, including epidemics. Pursuant to this authority, on March 4, 2020, the Governor declared a state of emergency relating to the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This bill, with respect to a policy of insurance that provides coverage for business interruption, would create specified rebuttable presumptions affecting the burden of proof in a case in which the insured alleges that the business interruption was due to the COVID-19 pandemic and occurred during the period of the state of emergency declared by the Governor due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the bill would create certain rebuttable presumptions that COVID-19 was present on specified property and caused physical loss or damage to that property which was the direct cause of the business interruption.

AB 792 (Flora R) Forestry: prescribed burning agreements.

Summary: Current law authorizes the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection to enter into an agreement for prescribed burning or other hazardous fuel reduction for specified purposes, such as vegetation management and forest improvement. Current law requires an agreement that is entered into pursuant to that authorization to, among other requirements, provide that the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection be fully responsible for prescribed burns initiated at the departments request, with the consent of the landowner, for training or other purposes on lands owned by a

AB 800 (Gabriel D) Wildfires: mitigation and prevention.

Summary: Current law establishes various programs for the prevention, detection, and mitigation of wildfires. Current law requires the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection to classify lands within state responsibility areas into fire hazard severity zones and, by regulation, to designate fire hazard severity zones and assign each zone a rating reflecting the degree of severity of fire hazard that is expected to prevail in the zone.This bill would express the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation to improve wildfire mitigation and prevention.

AB 981 (Frazier D) Forestry: California Fire Safe Council.

Summary: Would establish the California Fire Safe Council in the Natural Resources Agency consisting of 11 members, as specified. The bill would require the council to identify programs administered by public agencies to address and minimize the risks of wildfire and to coordinate the implementation of those programs, to identify public and private programs that may be leveraged to facilitate structure- hardening and community resilience to minimize the impacts of wildfire to habitable structures, to conduct public outreach effects to regional and local wildfire mitigation groups, and to recommend to the Legislature on how the programs identified by the council can be coordinated to increase the effectiveness of those programs.

AB 1141 (Frazier D) Wildfires: Wildland Urban Interface Fire Research Center.

Summary: Current law establishes various programs for the prevention, detection, and mitigation of wildfires. This bill would express the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation that would develop and fund a Wildland Urban Interface Fire Research Center that specifically addresses the wildland urban interface fire problem and needs of wildfire prevention, detection, and mitigation planning, building, and response, and related economic, insurance, and modeling practices in the state.

AB 1142 (Frazier D) Fire prevention: detection and response.

Summary: Would require the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to develop and implement a program to predict and respond to wildfire ignition events and to provide for the sharing of information regarding wildfire events and coordination of activities among local, state, and federal agencies in response to wildfires.

AB 1255 (Bloom D) Fire prevention: Department of Forestry and Fire Protection: grant programs.

Summary: Would require the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, in coordination with the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, to facilitate regional, habitat-specific, and area-specific approaches to fire risk reduction, prevention, and restoration of projects that improve community safety, protect sites and structures, restore burned habitat, reduce catastrophic wildfires, and protect natural resources. The bill would require the department to develop policies, funding programs for which the funding shall be contingent upon subsequent appropriation in the annual Budget Act or a similar statute for this purpose, and relevant program guidelines that promote specified objectives. The bill would require various state entities, as specified, to establish grant programs, for which funding shall be contingent upon subsequent appropriation, to fulfill the specified objectives.

AB 1295 (Muratsuchi D) Residential development agreements: very high risk fire areas.

Summary: Current law requires the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection to identify areas in the state as very high fire hazard severity zones based on the severity of fire hazard that is expected to prevail in those areas, as specified, and requires each local agency to designate, by ordinance, the very high fire hazard severity zones in its jurisdiction. Current law additionally requires the director to classify lands within state responsibility areas into fire hazard severity zones. This bill, beginning on or after January 1, 2022, would prohibit the legislative body of a city or county from entering into a residential development agreement for property located in a very high fire risk area. The bill would define very high fire risk area for these purposes to mean a very high fire hazard severity zone designated by a local agency or a fire hazard severity zone classified by the director.

AB 1393 (Cooley D) Insurance: liability insurers.

Summary: Current law establishes the Department of Insurance, headed by the Insurance Commissioner, which regulates insurers and insurance practices. Current law provides that an insurer admitted to transact liability insurance is also deemed to be admitted to transact workers compensation insurance for the purpose of covering an employee, as defined. This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to that provision.

AB 1439 (Levine D) Residential property insurance discounts.

Summary: Would require a residential property insurance policy issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2022, to include a discount if a local government of the jurisdiction where the insured property is located funds a local wildfire protection or mitigation program. Because the bill would mandate discounts for specified residential property insurance policies, thus affecting the Insurance Commissioners consideration of a rate, the bill would amend Proposition 103.

AB 1454 (Bloom D) Forestry: burning of lands: wildland resources management program: model plans.

Summary: Current law requires the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to prepare 2 model plans for the initial development and implementation of a program for wildland resources management through prescribed burning and other methods, as provided.This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to this law.

AB 1498 (Low D) Insurance: notice of policy cancellation, lapse, or termination.

Summary: Current law requires an insurer to comply with certain procedures relating to the cancellation, lapse, or termination of an insurance policy. Current law requires, with respect to specified insurance policies that cover loss of or damage to real property, loss of or damage to personal property, and legal liability of a natural person, a notice of cancellation for nonpayment of premiums to be given at least 10 calendar days prior to the effective date of the cancellation. This bill, with respect to a policy described above that provides insurance coverage in an amount of $100,000 or more, would require a notice of cancellation for nonpayment of premiums to be sent by certified mail to the named insured and to any other person designated by the named insured to receive that

AB 1500 (Garcia, Eduardo D) Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparation, Flood Protection, Extreme Heat Mitigation, and Workforce Development Bond Act of 2022.

Summary: Would enact the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparation, Flood Protection, Extreme Heat Mitigation, and Workforce Development Bond Act of 2022, which, if approved by the voters, would authorize the issuance of bonds in the amount of $6,700,000,000 pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law to finance projects for safe drinking water, wildfire prevention, drought preparation, flood protection, extreme heat mitigation, and workforce development programs.

AB 1511 (Committee on Insurance) Insurance: public records.

Summary: Current law generally regulates insurance and creates the Department of Insurance, headed by the Insurance Commissioner. Current law requires all public records of the department and the commissioner that are subject to disclosure under the California Public Records Act to be available for inspection and copying, as specified, at the offices of the department in the San Francisco Bay area, in the City of Los Angeles, and in the City of Sacramento. This bill would eliminate the reference to an office in the San Francisco Bay area and instead refer to the departments offices in the City of Oakland, the City of Los Angeles, and the City of Sacramento. The bill would remove an obsolete cross- reference.

AB 1512 (Bauer-Kahan D) Forest practices: burning of brush-covered lands.

Summary: Current law allows any person, firm, or corporation that owns or controls brush-covered land within a state responsibility area to apply to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection for permission to burn the brush from those lands. Existing law provides that cooperation by the department with any person desiring to use prescribed burning as a means of converting brush- covered lands into forage lands, as specified, is declared to be a public purpose and requires the department to provide certain advisory service to applicants for a burning permit. This bill would make nonsubstantive changes in those provisions.

AB 1522 (Levine D) Property insurance.

Summary: Would prohibit an insurer from canceling or refusing to renew a policy of residential property insurance or commercial insurance based solely on the fact that the insured property is located in a high-risk wildfire area.

ACR 33 (Friedman D) Wildfire mitigation.

Summary: This measure would state the Legislatures commitment to improving wildfire outcomes in the State of California by investing in science-based wildfire mitigation strategies that will benefit the health of California forests and communities. The measure would also state that the Legislature calls upon public and private stakeholders to work jointly to identify, discuss, and refine, as necessary, procedures concerning treatment of forested lands for the purpose of, among other things, wildfire risk mitigation.

SB 11 (Rubio D) Residential property insurance: ratemaking strategies.

Summary: The Insurance Rate Reduction and Reform Act of 1988, an initiative measure enacted by Proposition 103, as approved by the voters at the November 8, 1988, statewide general election, prohibits specified insurance rates from being approved or remaining in effect that are excessive, inadequate, unfairly discriminatory, or otherwise in violation of the act. The act requires an insurer that wishes to change a rate to file a complete rate application with the Insurance Commissioner, as specified. This bill would require the commissioner to convene a stakeholder group of expert parties to identify ways to measure and incorporate various fire damage mitigation strategies into the homeowners insurance ratemaking process and to report the groups findings to the Legislature no later than December 31, 2023.

SB 12 (McGuire D) Local government: planning and zoning: wildfires.

Summary: Current law requires that the Office of Planning and Research, among other things, coordinate with appropriate entities, including state, regional, or local agencies, to establish a clearinghouse for climate adaptation information for use by state, regional, and local entities, as provided. This bill would require the safety element, upon the next revision of the housing element or the hazard mitigation plan, on or after July 1, 2024, whichever occurs first, to be reviewed and updated as necessary to include a comprehensive retrofit strategy to reduce the risk of property loss and damage during wildfires, as specified, and would require the planning agency to submit the adopted strategy to the Office of Planning and Research for inclusion into the above-described clearinghouse.

SB 45 (Portantino D) Wildfire Prevention, Safe Drinking Water, Drought Preparation, and Flood

Summary: Would enact the Wildfire Prevention, Safe Drinking Water, Drought Preparation, and Flood Protection Bond Act of 2022, which, if approved by the voters, would authorize the issuance of bonds in the amount of $5,510,000,000 pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law to finance projects for a wildfire prevention, safe drinking water, drought preparation, and flood protection program.

SB 49 (Umberg D) Business license fees: Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic: waiver: tax credit.

Summary: Would prohibit any state agency from collecting any regulatory license fee imposed on a business subject to licensure by a state agency that meets certain criteria, including that the business has temporarily ceased operations in response to a COVID-19 stay-at-home order, as that term is defined. The bill would similarly prohibit a city or county that licenses business activity pursuant to the above-described authority from collecting any regulatory license fee imposed on a business meeting those same criteria. To claim the exemption from license fees under these provisions, the bill would require the business to declare, under penalty of perjury, that it has complied with all applicable COVID-19 stay-at-home orders.

SB 55 (Stern D) Very high fire hazard severity zone: state responsibility area: development prohibition.

Summary: Would, in furtherance of specified state housing production and wildfire mitigation goals, prohibit the creation or approval of a new development, as defined, in a very high fire hazard severity zone or a state responsibility area. By imposing new duties on local governments with respect to the approval of new developments in very high fire hazard severity zones and state responsibility areas, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

SB (Stern D) Fire prevention: vegetation management: public education: grands: defensible space: fire hazard severity zones: forest management.

Summary: Would, among other things, require the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection to identify areas of the state as moderate and high fire hazard severity zones and would require a local agency to make this information available for public review and comment, as provided. By expanding the responsibility of a local agency, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

SB 72 (Rubio D) Residential property insurance: wildfire risk information reporting.

Summary: Current law establishes in state government the Natural Resources Agency under the supervision of the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, consisting of various departments, including the Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention, which is responsible for the fire protection, fire prevention, maintenance, and enhancement of the states forest, range, and brushland resources, among other things. By November 1, 2022, and annually thereafter, this bill would require the Insurance Commissioner to transmit to the secretary of the agency a report that makes geographic recommendations for vegetation management projects based on the commissioners analysis of specified information, including nonrenewal data on policies of residential property insurance, and to post that report on the Department of Insurances internet website.

SB 109 (Dodd D) Office of Emergency Services: Office of Wildfire Technology Research and Development.

Summary: Would establish the Office of Wildfire Technology Research and Development within the Office of Emergency Services under the direct control of the Director of the Office of Emergency Services. The bill would make the office responsible for studying, testing, and advising regarding procurement of emerging technologies and tools in order to more effectively prevent and suppress wildfires, and serving as the central organizing hub for the state governments identification of emerging wildfire technologies, as provided.

SB 332 (Dodd D) Civil liability: prescribed burning operations: gross negligence.

Summary: Would provide that a certified burn boss and a private landowner upon whose property a certified burn boss performs, supervises, or oversees a prescribed burn are not liable for damage or injury to property or persons that is caused by a prescribed burn authorized by law unless the prescribed burn was conducted in a grossly negligent manner.

SB 440 (Dodd D) Earthquake and wildfire loss mitigation.

Summary: Would require the Wildfire Fund Administrator, the Office of Emergency Services, and the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety to create the California Wildfire Residential Loss Mitigation Program as a joint powers authority. The bill would require that program to provide mitigation against wildfire risk, including a grant program to assist qualifying owners to retrofit their structures to protect against wildfire or to create a defensible space around their structures. The bill would establish the Wildfire Loss Mitigation Fund as a continuously appropriated subaccount in the Wildfire Fund to fund the program.

SB 449 (Stern D) Climate-related financial risk.

Summary: Would require a bank, corporation, credit union, finance lender, insurer, investment advisor, real estate investment trust, and mortgage lender, as those terms are defined, to, before January 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, prepare a climate-related financial risk report, as defined, and to submit to the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, and make available to the public on its own internet website, a copy of that report. The bill would also require those financial institutions to submit to the department a statement affirming that the climate-related financial risk report discloses all climate-related financial risk.

SB 459 (Allen D) Political Reform Act of 1974: lobbying.

Summary: Would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to increase transparency and public access to lobbying information illustrating how money is spent to influence the actions of Californias government.

SB 657 (Ochoa Bogh R) Employment: electronic documents

Summary: Current law regulates the wages, hours, and working conditions of any worker employed in any occupation, trade, or industry, whether compensation is measured by time, piece, or otherwise, except as specified. The bill would also authorize an employee working from home to receive legally required notices and postings electronically and sign or acknowledge certain documents electronically.

SB 704 (Gonzalez D) Occupational safety and health.

Summary: Current law requires every employer to furnish and use safety devices and safeguards, and to adopt and use practices that are reasonably adequate to render the employment and place of employment safe and healthful. This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to this provision.

Topics California Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire Market Numbers
It's a massacre! In the final extract of his excoriating memoir, Alan Duncan gives his withering take on Johnson's new reign.

Our final extract from Alan Duncans riotous diaries opens as Theresa May, beleaguered in No 10, finally announces the date of her departure as prime minister.

Meanwhile, Tory MPs are already throwing their hats in the ring to replace her, and every day seems to bring news of yet another leadership candidate

Friday, May 24, 2019

Reporters keep talking about the key to the door of No 10. Its annoying. It has no key. It only has bolts on the inside. At the moment they are being used to the full.

A colleague calls. He had just received a call from [former chief whip] Gavin Williamson urging him to back Boris [for Tory leader].

Not a chance, but the leaking slimeball issued veiled threats about his future if he didnt. That wont wash.

[Theresa May] emerges [from No 10] at 10.04am. She will resign as Conservative Party leader on June 7, and serve as PM until the end of the leadership contest. So there we are. Thats that.

Her six minutes was an elegant apologia. It was her usual solid but stilted self [but] she was breaking into tears during the final few words. It was deeply moving and emotional. [My partner] James and I both had tears rolling down our faces. I just thought, Well done you, and sod the ERG [European Research Group].

Dead PM walking: But Theresa May battled on

I really must go for an urgent sanity check-up. The potty messianic Steve Baker  self-styled Brexit hardman [has said]: There is no shying away from it  I have had a level of support in the country I could never have foreseen. I now have to take on the challenge of deciding whether to run myself.

The nutjob should be taken away by the men in white coats and certified as clinically insane.

As if credulity has not already been stretched to its limits, [I hear] Graham Brady has told Theresa that he will stand down as chairman of the 1922 [committee] in order to put himself forward as a leadership candidate. It is bonkers beyond utter bonkers. He has no qualifications that equip him for the role.

So [the leadership candidates so far are] Johnson, Hunt, Javid, Gove, Raab, Leadsom, Stewart, Hancock, McVey, Truss, Mordaunt, Brady, Baker, Cleverly. Any more takers? Larry the cat? This is collapsing into absurdity. Its a national farce.

Meanwhile Airhead Waddlebottom, aka [Brexiteer MP] Mark Francois, gives the most mean-minded interview, gloating that the Dancing Queen has met her Waterloo. Ha ha, an ABBA gag. Not funny, you horrid little man.

Former party treasurer Lord (James) Lupton texted charmingly saying I should stand for the top job, that he would offer his house round the corner for an HQ and would raise the money for a campaign. Too late, sadly. Probably too unrealistic by any measure, but very generous-spirited of him.

Sunday, May 26

[Michael] Gove has declared. [Priti] Patel says she might  aaargh!

Both [Dominic] Raab and [Rory] Stewart solicit my support by WhatsApp. It is just extraordinary that the candidates themselves dont call personally. I will not respond to any of them.

So far [Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunts] campaign is pretty moribund. He was supposed to call yesterday for a chat. I have a note in my pocket of three things to tell Jeremy very forcibly.

Sort your image  the shirtsleeves and startled eyes must be changed. Stop tacking to the Right  every time you suck up to Leave, you trash your own brand. Sort your campaign  you cannot run it via Spads [special advisers] and WhatsApp; it must involve personal MP-to-MP engagements.

Airhead Waddlebottom, aka MP Mark Francois, gives the most mean-minded interview

Monday, May 27

Speak to Philip May, who was out for a walk with Theresa. Nice friendly chat, in which he expressed appreciation for all my support. Its rather illustrative that, even now, she just doesnt have the inclination to grab the phone and say hi.

Potato Head [Andrew] Bridgen gives another, Oh its all so easy and straight-forward, just get on with it interview. Similar attitude to Mark Francois. Its hard to know whether Potato Head or Airhead Waddlebottom will go pop first.

So lunatic is the process that [Paymaster General] Jesse Norman is suggesting he might stand. He is the ultimate stuffpot, with no parliamentary clubbiness. Blooming eck.

Mark Francois is at Hay-on-Wye [book festival]. A bit odd when he isnt capable of reading a book.

Tuesday 28 May

Oh dear, oh dear. The freak show widens. Kit Malthouse, Housing Minister, has thrown his hat in the ring. Why oh why do these insignificant figures think so much of themselves?

Wednesday, May 29

[Brexit Minister] James not so Cleverly has declared. So the addition of this shameless neophyte takes the list to 11. Apparently Steve Baker, Jesse Norman and Priti Patel are all limbering up. Crazy people for crazy times.

Thursday, May 30

[Environment Minister] Zac Goldsmith WhatsApps: Colleagues, you know what you need to do! The insinuation is that we should vote for Boris and leave immediately with No Deal.

He has never mixed with any of us so long as hes been an MP. He saunters in wearing corduroy trousers, holding a leather zip folder and a phone glued to his ear. He never talks to anyone.

He presses some environmental causes through Boris, and peddles an extreme anti-EU view which echoes his late father, Sir Jimmy Goldsmith of the Referendum Party, and then buggers off.

The leadership farce is turning into pantomime. [Former chief whip] Mark Harper has announced his candidacy.

He is the 12th. Has he no judgment? Can he not see how stupid he looks? It is a cry for attention, and a bid to return to a ministerial position.

Victory for Boris Johnson: New Conservative Party leader and incoming prime minister Boris Johnson arrives at the Conservative party headquarters in central London on July 23, 2019

Saturday, June 1

The thing is, Boris is going to win. But then what?

Monday, June 3

Air Force One arrives at Stansted at 9am. The State Visit has begun. Jeremy [Hunt] has a friendly-looking chat with the President at the foot of the steps. I text him to say it looked as though [Trump] was going to kiss him.

Wednesday, June 5

Great pageantry in Portsmouth for the D-Day commemorations. The Queen, resplendent in cerise amid a sea of grey suits, spoke movingly of the resilience of my generation, while U.S. ambassador Woody Johnson, immediately behind her, seemed to be videoing it on his iPhone.

Wednesday, June 12

Liz Truss suffers a car-crash interview on Today. She sounded ridiculous in repeatedly claiming that Boris was one of the best foreign secretaries ever.

Saturday, June 15

Im told [Health Secretary Matt] Hancock is due to declare for Boris. I just cant believe that he has suddenly switched from striking out on his own to taking the Boris shilling, no doubt in exchange for the promise of a job.

It smacks of George Osborne in the background, pulling his strings and scheming for that future moment when Boris explodes and the Hancock time arrives. But I am deeply disappointed.

I text [Matt] rather ferociously: What a pity. You built up a fantastic reputation and youve just destroyed it. In my book you have just gone from hero to zero. Sorry. Horse-trading for jobs just sucks.

Boris is under a gagging order imposed by his minders. They just know that if he opens his mouth it could all go horribly wrong.

Sunday, June 16

I call Matt Hancock. I said Im sorry I was so tough on him. He was adorably appreciative of the call. I think hed been hurt. He had been agonising and feels he needs to row in behind the inevitable Johnson victory.

He says all the remaining candidates have been promising people jobs. How squalid and disappointing. S****y horse-trading . . . bald men being promised a comb etc.

Thursday, June 20

It looks as though, without the knowledge of the MPs themselves, Gavin Williamson may have used their proxy votes intended for Boris to instead boost [Rory] Stewart in the earlier ballots and then throw him into reverse to rob him of momentum.

Just the kind of Machiavellian plot Williamson loves. Even if he didnt do it, nobody thinks he wouldnt.

[Latest leadership] ballot: Johnson 160, Hunt 77, Gove 75. So its Hunt vs Johnson.

Saturday, June 22

Well, that didnt take long. Boris is all over every front page. The police were called to [his girlfriend] Carrie Symonds flat late on Thursday night after what is reported as a noisy screaming match accompanied by the sound of smashing glass.

The neighbours called the police, having heard shouts of Get off me, You just dont care about money, You are so spoilt and Youve covered the sofa in red wine.

If he behaves like this when he is supposed to be on his best behaviour, then whatever next?

Sunday, June 23

There are now a number of stories suggesting that Boris might only be PM for a day, and that there are enough Tory MPs who would rather bring down the Government than have Boris as PM and/or a hard Brexit.

Monday, June 24

Priti Unspeakable [Patel] does Today. She is simply ghastly. Shameless c**p, refusing to admit that the Boris plan for leaving on WTO [World Trade Organisation] terms cannot be delivered.

At last. At long last!! There is progress on smartening up the Foreign Office signs around the rising bollards and underneath the arches on the entrance from Whitehall. It has taken me two years. Never mind wars and pestilence: this will be my lasting legacy!

Tuesday, June 25

Boris is being kept in his kennel except for the occasional permitted bark.

Wednesday, June 26

[Gavin] Williamson seems to think that he should be Deputy Prime Minister. It is the ultimate horror show.

To Albert Embankment to meet constituents who have come to London as part of a massive climate-change campaign day.

Some nice young people, but mainly a group of crackpot, angst-ridden, vegan women, who just repeat slogans and cant offer a deeper argument.

Their cause is right, but they cant do anything other than complain and attack.

Matt Hancock became an enthusiastic schoolboy in support of Boris Johnson

Monday, July 1

The day gets off to a nauseating start with a Today programme interview with Matt Hancock, who has become an enthusiastic schoolboy in support of Boris.

For the sake of his own promotion, on which he has no doubt done some sort of deal, he has become a crazed apologist for him, stating things he simply doesnt believe.

Overnight, [my constituency] association chairman has forwarded a series of emails, two from members we have never heard of, calling for me to be deselected for saying that Boris isnt fit to be PM. How much longer do I have to put up with these people?

Sunday, July 21

Speak to Jeremy Hunt. I tell him I intend to resign tomorrow. He says he doesnt blame me for a second.

Monday, July 22

After three years, Ive returned to the backbenches. As I walk through Members Lobby afterwards one of the messengers hands me a charming, appreciative letter from the Prime Minister.

Tuesday, July 23

[Final leadership ballot]: Boris 92,153, Hunt 46,656.

Wednesday, July 24

I text BoJo to say well done, but also to beware of appointing Williamson or Patel to anything, as some are minded to walk if he does.

Once Theresa May has been to the Palace to tender her resignation, Boris arrives and kisses hands at around 3pm. So it is that the Crackpot Government begins.

Then the resignations and sackings come through . . . Javid going into No 10. Hunt  out! Patel to Home Sec. Raab to Foreign Sec. [Theresa] Villiers and [Gavin] Williamson in.

Its a massacre, replacing the Sensibles with the Despicables. It seems anyone who was not pro-Brexit has been culled.

Friday, July 26

As further ministerial appointments come through, it appears I have been replaced by Chris Pincher. Captain Peacock, as we call him, struts around in a perfectly nice way.

Im not aware of any international experience that qualifies him  it looks to me like more of a reward for being in the Whips Office.

Sunday, September 1

I texted Boris suggesting we have a chat, and to his credit he called me today. I assured him that, although I had clear views, my instinct is to support prime ministers, and I will do so in the future as I have in the past.

He dangled the prospect of the Lords, but not in an explicit way  oblique references to Putting you to work in another capacity and the like  but I said it was up to him and I wasnt particularly bothered. It certainly didnt amount to a clear offer or commitment.

Tuesday, September 3

Boris makes his first performance at the dispatch box as PM  a statement on the G7. He flunks it. Instead of making a sober statement, he [is] far too knockabout. One of those days when every room in Parliament was buzzing and fizzing with scheming and speculation.

Friday, September 6

The record so far: [Boris] has lost all four votes held in the Commons since he became PM; he has lost his majority in the Commons; he has failed to call the snap election he wanted; he has lost formal control of Commons business; he has expelled 21 of his own MPs; he has lost another Conservative to the Lib Dems; his brother Jo has resigned as a minister; the Partys leader in Scotland, Ruth Davidson, has resigned.

In fact all of that has been in the last week. Its not really going very well. Hes off to Balmoral tomorrow . . . with Carrie Symonds . . . prompting some cynic to call it Bal-immoral.

Monday, September 9

The Speaker announces that he will stand down. Typically, he allows this short statement to run on into lengthy puke-making tributes from Members to his wonderfulness. It was real finger-down-the-throat stuff.

Tuesday, September 10

Theresas resignation honours have been published. CBEs for the brutish [Spads] Fiona Hill and Nick Timothy.

Meanwhile [Israels prime minister, Benjamin] Netanyahu says that if he is re-elected he will annex parts of the Jordan Valley in the occupied West Bank. He has already, with [Donald] Trumps backing, illegally claimed ownership of the Golan Heights. The world order is in tatters, and the UK has become a puny submissive lackey of the United States.

Thursday, October 3

In the lobby of 1 Parliament Street, Airhead Waddlebottom [Brexiteer Mark Francois] walks past and throws a sentence of gratuitous abuse at me. He so needs counselling.

I bought [Theresa May] a coffee in the Tea Room. She is relaxed and cheerful, but evokes no frisson when she walks into the room.

I text the Chief [Whip], who asks me in to see him. He wants to support my going to the Lords and will fix a meeting with the PM asap. Frankly, Im in two minds. Its nice to be able to dine with your mates, but it has become a political dustbin.

Monday, October 7

Key landmarks in London have been brought to a halt by a mere 2,000 Extinction Rebellion protesters. It is a bizarre mixture of pensioner campaigners and self-righteous, gobby twenty-somethings.

Tuesday, October 8

The smellies of XR (Extinction Rebellion) are becoming very annoying. Marsham Street and Great Peter Street are blocked by their pop-up tents and their gazebos serving coffee. They are all complete weirdos who walk around with zany smiles and wide vacant eyes.

Monday, October 14

The State Opening [of Parliament] and a Queens Speech. There is no Bill in it to prevent the prosecution of historic criminal cases against soldiers.

Johnny Mercer, now the relevant Minister in Defence, pledged his career on it, threatened to resign the whip, went on strike, etc, and yet no Bill.

Some colleagues are determined to mob him up by telling him he should resign. On one level he should, but thats not modern politics.

Saturday, October 19

[Boris] maintains that we can get Brexit done by 31 October. Nobody believes him, or thinks he believes it either.

Wednesday, October 30

I have decided to stand down and call my constituency chairman to tell him. He could absolutely see why being an MP for any longer was not especially attractive.

Tuesday, November 5

Remember, remember the fifth of November  my last day in Parliament after 27 years. It hasnt been a bad run  politics is little more than a game of chance, and its been going downhill steeply over the last ten to 15 years.

Now that our politics is driven by the 24-hour news cycle, by social media and by the appeal of novelty over experience, Im not sure its serving the countrys needs as it should. But Ive done my best and tried to be conscientious rather than self-seeking.

Looking around at all the youngsters who are so shamelessly pushy, I sometimes think I should have been more so.

I attend the valedictory speeches in the Chamber. I was ready to make one myself, but just couldnt. It was too emotional and I was welling up just sitting there. Instead I head back to Rutland, never to sit on the green benches again.

Tuesday, November 12

Lots of Spads are being selected for safe seats: the Party and our politics are becoming ever more incestuous.

Monday, November 18

[Former Speaker John] Bercow is to take part in Sky TVs [general] election night coverage, which is shameless and inappropriate. And thus entirely in character.

Sunday, November 24

Theyre already calling [foreign secretary Dominic Raab] the Advent Calendar  because his days are numbered.

Thursday, December 12

General election day. It is the first time in 32 years that I havent been a parliamentary candidate. What a relief.

Friday, December 13

The final result is a majority of 80. It really is an amazing outcome. The Boris campaign just touched a nerve and delivered. The authority of the Government and the UK on the world stage is enhanced by the size of the majority.

Monday, January 20, 2020

Boris wants to move the House of Lords to York. Just when he is sensibly looking like the serious Prime Minister we want, he backs this bats**t-crazy idea.

Friday, January 31

Brexit Day! Ann Widdecombe (of all people) makes a toe-curling little speech alongside a scrappy huddle of departing deadbeats as they leave the [Brussels] Parliament building, bizarrely accompanied by a kilted piper.

So the brave new dawn of the UK on the world stage begins with a pathetic band of Little Englanders being screeched at by a cranky old bat as they depart into obscurity. Just about sums it up.

We leave the EU at 11pm. Meanwhile, two cases of the coronavirus have been reported in the UK . . .
Olympian Scott Miller (pictured) is facing life in prison if convicted of supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug

A fourth member of swimming great Scott Miller's alleged $2.2million drug ring has been charged, weeks after the Olympian's dramatic arrest.

Unlike Miller and two other co-accused, Luke Matthew Peake is not facing a potential life sentence if convicted over his alleged role in the syndicate.

Peake was arrested at Junee prison, where he was in custody for other unrelated alleged offences.

The 40-year-old was one of two men who allegedly collected 4kg of meth from Miller after the Olympic silver medallist drove the consignment from Sydney halfway to the Victorian border.

Peake has so far been charged only with possessing a prohibited drug, which has a maximum penalty of two years in prison.

The other alleged courier, Justin Szabolics, has been charged with supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and participating in a criminal group.

Both Szabolics and Peake are from Albury-Wodonga, which police say was the intended destination for the drugs.

Police will allege Miller drove the 4kg of meth about 280km from Sydney to Yass, where he was met by Peake and Szabolics.

The drugs were allegedly ditched more than 200km further south after Peake and Szabolics were involved in a high-speed pursuit with police.

Accused drug runner Scott Miller won a silver medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics in the 100m butterfly. He was married to TV personality Charlotte Dawson from 1999 to 2000. Dawson took her own life In 2014. The couple is pictured in August 1999

Police will allege Scott Miller drove this Toyota Camry from Sydney about 280km to Yass with 4kg of meth hidden in a secret compartment. The car and drugs were allegedly then handed to Justin Szabolics and Luke Peake who headed down the Hume Highway towards Albury

A highway patrol unit unsuccessfully tried to pull over the Camry and allegedly gave chase as it reached high speeds. The chase was allegedly terminated shortly before midnight when it became too dangerous, according to sources. Miller is pictured inset top and bottom

Miller had allegedly collected a white Toyota Camry from the Balmain area on January 11 after a man wearing high-vis clothing left a red, white and blue striped bag in the car's footwell.

The 45-year-old retired athlete allegedly hid the bag, which held eight candles containing meth worth $2.2million, in a secret compartment and left the vehicle in the area overnight.

The next day Miller picked up Wayne Allan Johnson and the pair drove the Camry, which had Western Australian plates, to Yass, according to police.

The Camry was then allegedly handed over to Szabolics and Peake who drove down the Hume Highway towards Albury.

During the journey, a highway patrol unit unsuccessfully tried to pull over the Camry and allegedly gave chase as it reached high speeds.

The pursuit was allegedly terminated shortly before midnight when it became too dangerous, according to sources.

The next day police found the bag allegedly containing the drugs in long grass near an intersection at Cookardinia, 230km south-west of Yass and just 75km from Albury.

It was more than a month before Miller was arrested just after 6am on February 16 at his home at Rozelle, in Sydney's inner-west, and charged with drug supply.

Miller sat slumped and shirtless in a chair as police searched his apartment at Rozelle, in Sydney's inner west, just after dawn on February 16

The meth, worth $2.2million, was allegedly concealed in eight candles which were put in a red, white and blue striped bag that was stashed in this hidden compartment

This image shows one of the candles allegedly used to smuggle the $2.2million worth of meth. Police claim the drug was moulded into the candle's glass shell

Dramatic footage showed police busting down the door of Miller's unit where they allegedly seized 910g of heroin and $75,000 in cash, as well as the white Camry.

Miller was photographed shirtless and slumped on a chair while investigators scoured the unit for evidence.

Justin Szabolics (pictured) is accused of being part of Olympic swimmer Scott Miller's alleged $2.2million drug syndicate

More than a dozen police were seen at Miller's apartment block, meticulously sorting through his possessions. One policeman was pictured carrying a set of scales out of the property.

Officers were seen lifting Miller's mattress and inspecting a packet of anti-inflammatory medication as his pet pug waddled excitedly around the unit.

Mobile phones, documents, encrypted electronic devices and smaller amounts of allegedly prohibited drugs were taken away for forensic testing.

Miller was charged with supplying a large commercial quantity of drugs, knowingly directing a criminal group and dealing with the proceeds of crime.

Police allege the 100m butterfly silver medalist at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics was the head a syndicate which sought to traffic meth into Albury-Wodonga.

Miller, who is being represented by high-profile solicitor Greg Goold, has refused to be interviewed by police and is on remand at Parklea jail.

On the march: Miller was allowed to put on a striped polo shirt before he was handcuffed and taken to Newtown police station to be charged

Bundles of $50 and $100 notes were clearly visible through in police evidence bags

Wayne Johnson, 47, who was arrested at Balmain, was charged with supplying a large commercial quantity of drugs, and participating in a criminal group. He has also not applied for bail.

Miller, Johnson and Szabloics, 44, face a maximum term of life in prison if convicted.

Peake was arrested on March 16 and faced Wagga Wagga Local Court the next day. Szabolics, who was already in jail accused of unrelated offences, appeared before Albury Local Court on February 24.

The investigation into Miller began earlier this year after police discovered a shipment of candles which each allegedly contained half a kilogram of high-quality methylamphetamine. The substance was moulded into glass containers.

The NSW State Crime Command's Drug and Firearms Squad and NSW Crime Commission have been involved in the investigation under Strike Force Tarrawilla.

A NSW Police spokesman said investigations were continuing.

About a dozen officers participated in the raid on Miller's home. Above, two officers carry regulation cardboard evidence bags out to waiting police cars

Police will allege that about a kilogram of heroin and $75,000 in cash were found in Miller's property (in bags on left). On right, an officer carries out a set of scales

Miller has admitted having troubles in his personal life in recent years.

During an interview with 60 Minutes in 2014 he admitted he was battling a drug addiction.

He worked as a drug awareness and prevention speaker with the Church of Scientology's Narconon program, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Miller is also known for his brief marriage to Sydney socialite and TV presenter Charlotte Dawson between 1999 and 2000. Dawson took her own life in 2014.

A source close to Miller said he had been working for a trucking company company until shortly before his arrest.

Miller, Johnson and Szabolics return to Newtown Local Court on April 13. Peake is to appear at Albury Local Court for a hearing on August 5.
Israels president has named prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the party leader to try to cobble together a governing majority.

Reuven Rivlins announcement in Jerusalem on Tuesday nudged forward the twin dramas over the countrys future and Mr Netanyahus fate as his corruption trial resumed across town.

The charges facing Israels longest-serving premier posed an extraordinary choice for the countrys president over whether morality should be a factor in who should lead the government.

I have come to a decision based on the numbers of recommendations, which indicates that MK Benjamin Netanyahu has a slightly higher chance of forming a government. Accordingly, I have decided to entrust him with the task of doing so.  Reuven Rivlin (@PresidentRuvi) April 6, 2021

This is not an easy decision on a moral and ethical basis, in my mind. As I said at the beginning of my remarks, the State of Israel is not to be taken for granted. And I fear for my country.  Reuven Rivlin (@PresidentRuvi) April 6, 2021

But I am doing what is required of me as President of the State of Israel, according to the law and to the ruling of the court, and realizing the will of the sovereign a the Israeli people.  Reuven Rivlin (@PresidentRuvi) April 6, 2021

The March 23 election revolved around whether Mr Netanyahu is fit to continue serving.

His Likud party won the most seats, but no party won a governing majority of 61 seats in the Knesset.

That handed to Mr Rivlin the task of deciding who has the best chance of cobbling together a coalition.

Mr Netanyahu denies all charges and says prosecutors are trying to undermine the voters intent and oust him from office.
Amid an escalating armed conflict in Mozambique, the Pentagon has sent US Special Operations troops into the southern African nation. The deployment of these troops, described as trainers and advisers, and justified in the name of the endless war on terrorism, provides fresh confirmation of the Biden administrations global escalation of US militarism, including on the continent of Africa.

Announced in the middle of last month, the US deployment has come amid a sharp escalation in the civil war being fought in Mozambiques northern-most province of Cabo Delgado, where the Mozambican government is confronting an insurgency among that regions predominantly Muslim population.

US special forces commander addressing Mozambican marines on March 15 (US Embassy Mozambique)

The latest fighting has centered in the town of Palma, a hub for the exploitation of the countrys natural gas fields, which was seized by the rebels at the end of last month, sending an estimated 11,000 people fleeing to the port city of Pemba on the Indian Ocean. According to the United Nations, some 670,000 have been displaced since fighting began in the region in 2017.

Commander Chongo Vidigal, the chief of the government forces sent to retake Palma from the rebels told the media Sunday that the area was now safe. An earlier attempt to bring reporters to the scene, however, was aborted after the helicopter flying them to the town came under fire.

The main objective of the military operation was to secure the site of a $60 billion liquefied natural gas project initiated by the French energy giant Total, which has demanded a 15-mile secure perimeter as a condition for its continued presence. Having resumed operations only on March 24 after shutting down its facilities following an earlier rebel offensive at the beginning of the year, Total has shut down again, pulling all of its employees out of the region. In addition to the French-based energy transnational, Italys ENI and the US-based ExxonMobil also have interests in Mozambiques natural gas reserves, believed to be among the largest on the planet.

Just days before the dispatch of the US special forces troops, on March 11, Washington designated ISIS-Mozambique as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, paving the way for the US military intervention. The US Embassy in Maputo said that Washington is committed to supporting Mozambique with a multifaceted and holistic approach to counter and prevent the spread of terrorism and violent extremism.

The ISIS-Mozambique label is an invention of the US State Department. Locally, the insurgents are known as al-Shabab, Arabic for the youth, and have no connection to the Islamist insurgent group based in Somalia that goes by the same name. While the Islamic State has issued videos falsely claiming responsibility for the Mozambican insurgencys attacks, there is no evidence of operational links between ISIS and the rebellion in northern Mozambique, much less of it posing any threat of international terrorism.

The government of President Filipe Nyusi in Maputo, Mozambiques southern capital, has pushed the terrorist label, and Washington has eagerly embraced it. Their aim is to cover up the complex political and social roots of the conflict and to justify a counterinsurgency campaign aimed at defending the interests of a ruling national oligarchy, transnational energy corporations and global finance capital.

The roots of the insurgency in Cabo Delgado lie in the conditions of stark inequality that characterize Mozambique, where, according to figures released before the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, more than half of the population live under conditions of absolute poverty. Wealth is monopolized by a small ruling elite dominated by the ruling FRELIMO (Front for the Liberation of Mozambique) party and its cohorts and concentrated in Maputo.

Cabo Delgado, among the least developed areas of the country, has seen increasing amounts of wealth extracted from beneath its soil with the development of the natural gas projects as well as ruby mining. Virtually none of this wealth, however, has benefited the impoverished masses. Muslims, who are a minority in Mozambique, constitute more than half of the provinces population. Political domination of the province, however, has been monopolized by the predominantly Catholic Makonde ethnic group, of which President Nyusi is a member.

The immediate spark for the armed conflict came in 2017, after the government sought to suppress a layer of Muslim youth, some of them educated in Saudi Arabia, who had sought to introduce a stricter form of Islam and challenged older Muslim clerics with ties to the FRELIMO regime.

FRELIMO, considered at the time one of the most radical of the African nationalist movements, came to power in 1975 after a 10-year-long armed struggle against Portuguese colonialism. Independence came after the overthrow of Portugals Salazar dictatorship in 1974. It was followed, however, by 15 years of bloody civil war in which the apartheid regime in South Africa, the white minority regime in Rhodesia and the US Central Intelligence Agency backed a counterrevolutionary movement known as RENAMO (Mozambique National Resistance) in a bloody conflict that would claim a million lives.

That todays FRELIMO regime of President Nyusi is calling on the very same forces against which the movement fought in the independence struggle to assist it in suppressing an insurgency speaks volumes about the organic incapacity of the bourgeois nationalist movements to realize the aspirations of the African masses for freedom from foreign domination, democracy and social justice. As in South Africa, Zimbabwe and elsewhere on the African continent, Mozambiques former freedom fighters and self-styled Marxists have turned themselves into a gang of corrupt millionaire politicians and comprador capitalists.

In addition to the US Special Operations troops that have been deployed to Mozambique, Portugal, the countrys old colonial master, has announced that it is sending at least 60 special forces trainers.

The Mozambican security forces have also relied heavily on a South African-based private military contractor, the Dyck Advisory Group (or DAG), which consists of South African mercenaries commanded by Lionel Dyck, a former colonel in the Rhodesian army. The DAG has been charged by Amnesty International with crimes against humanity, including dropping so-called barrel bombs on population centers, firing machine guns from helicopters into crowds and attacking schools and hospitals.

While US troops have gone into Mozambique on the pretext of fighting terrorism, the Pentagon under President Joe Biden is acting under the same guidelines set by the National Security Strategy enacted under Trump at the beginning of 2018, which stressed that Great power competitionnot terrorismis now the primary focus of US national security.

Africa constitutes a key battleground in the great power competition between the US and China that is undergoing a sharp escalation under the Biden administration. China has surpassed the US as the continents number one trading partner and lender, while engaging in widespread infrastructure projects under its Belt and Road initiative. Washington fears being locked out of a strategically important market and source of raw materials and is seeking to compensate, as elsewhere, with military intervention, with the peoples of Africa suffering the consequences.
Story Highlights 35% of Americans are worried about catching COVID-19, down from 49%

77% say the COVID-19 situation in the U.S. is improving, up from 60%

64% report at least a fair amount of disruption to their lives, down from 70%

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- At the same time Americans' satisfaction with the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine has surged, their concerns about getting the virus and about the availability of coronavirus tests and hospital services/treatment have fallen to record lows.

Thirty-five percent of U.S. adults now say they are very or somewhat worried about contracting COVID-19, the lowest point in Gallup's trend since April 2020. Twenty-two percent of Americans are very or moderately worried about access to hospital services/treatment, and 14% are just as worried about access to COVID-19 tests.

Line graph. The percentages of Americans who worry about catching COVID-10, access to medical services and treatments, and tests for the disease. 35% of Americans now worry about contracting COVID-19. 22% worry about access to medical services and treatments. And, 14% are concerned about access to tests for the disease.

These data come from Gallup's latest COVID-19 probability-based web panel survey, conducted March 15-21 as vaccination rates continued to climb across the country. The current 35% worried about contracting COVID-19 is down 14 percentage points from February, and well off the record-high 59% of Americans who voiced concerns about catching the disease last summer. That high came as the number of COVID-19 cases surged following the lifting of restrictions on businesses in June.

Worry about contracting COVID-19 is down among almost all key segments of society since February, especially among older adults. The decline among older Americans, and the decline more generally, may be tied to the increase in the percentage of Americans who are fully vaccinated. That group has one of the lowest levels of worry among all major subgroups, with 21% (down from 36%) expressing concerns about getting COVID-19.

Americans' Worry About Contracting COVID-19, by Subgroup How worried are you that you will get the coronavirus (COVID-19)? (% Somewhat/Very worried) Feb 14-21 Mar 15-21 Change % % pct. pts. U.S. adults 49 35 -14 Gender Men 44 29 -15 Women 54 39 -15 Age 18-44 53 42 -11 45-64 46 32 -14 65+ 46 21 -25 Race/Ethnicity White adults 46 30 -16 Non-White adults 56 45 -11 Party ID Democrats 69 50 -19 Independents 43 30 -13 Republicans 27 17 -10 Education College graduate 58 40 -18 Not college graduate 45 32 -13 Vaccination status Fully vaccinated 36 21 -15 Partially vaccinated 55 37 -18 Plan to get vaccinated 66 49 -17 Do not plan to get vaccinated 19 19 0 Gallup Panel, 2021

However, substantial subgroup differences in levels of worry persist, particularly by political affiliation. Half of Democrats continue to be very or somewhat worried about contracting the disease, compared with 17% of Republicans and 30% of independents. Additionally, there are substantial differences among age groups, with 42% of those aged 18 to 44 worried, compared with 32% of those aged 45 to 64 and 21% of those aged 65 and older.

Naturally, being vaccinated is associated with lower levels of worry about contracting COVID-19, but this only applies to those who are fully vaccinated. Among those Americans who report having received the full course of the vaccine, 21% are worried about catching COVID-19. But the rate among those only partially vaccinated (defined as receiving only one dose of a two-dose vaccine) is 37%, similar to the national average.

Those who plan to get the vaccine but have not currently done so are the most likely segment of Americans to be concerned about contracting the disease, with 49% saying so. Conversely, those who do not plan to be vaccinated are among the least likely, with 19% reporting worry about contracting COVID-19.

Roughly Eight in 10 Americans See Situation Improving

This decline in worry comes as Americans' assessment of the COVID-19 situation in the U.S. is the most positive, by far, that it's been at any point during the pandemic. Seventy-seven percent of Americans now say the situation is getting better, up from 60% in February and 33% in January. Before January, the high was 47%, recorded last June as states were lifting restrictions on businesses. Positive impressions of the situation have sunk below 20% several times, including as recently as December.

Line graph. Americans' perceptions of the COVID-19 situation in the U.S. 77% now see the situation as improving, while 7% see it as getting worse.

Perceptions that the COVID-19 situation is getting better have improved among all key subgroups, although slight differences persist. Notably, the percentage of Republicans who say the situation is improving increased by 23 points to 75%, though this remains below the 84% of Democrats who now say the same. Additionally, optimism among men rose 20 points; 80% now say the COVID-19 situation is getting better.

Americans' Perceptions of the Current State of the Coronavirus Situation What's your impression of the coronavirus situation in the U.S. today? Feb 14-21 Mar 15-21 Change in "getting better" % % % % pct. pts. Getting better Getting worse Getting better Getting worse U.S. adults 60 14 77 7 +17 Gender Men 60 13 80 6 +20 Women 61 14 74 9 +13 Age 18-44 58 14 74 8 +16 45-64 59 14 77 7 +18 65+ 68 12 85 6 +17 Race/Ethnicity White adults 60 13 77 6 +17 Non-White adults 62 15 76 10 +14 Party ID Democrats 71 12 84 6 +13 Independents 53 17 69 10 +16 Republicans 52 11 75 5 +23 Education College graduate 70 10 82 5 +12 Not college graduate 57 14 74 8 +17 Vaccination status Fully vaccinated 73 8 88 4 +15 Partially vaccinated 74 9 83 5 +9 Plan to get vaccinated 65 14 80 7 +15 Do not plan to get vaccinated 45 14 63 10 +18 Responses indicating the situation is "staying the same" not included Gallup Panel, 2021

Modestly Fewer Americans Seeing COVID-19 Disruption

As they have from the early days of the pandemic, a majority of Americans (64%) continue to say their lives have been disrupted a great deal or fair amount by the coronavirus situation. This is down modestly from the 70% who said the same in February and roughly equal to the 65% recorded last June. At that time, states began loosening restrictions on businesses as infection rates dropped. However, the number of cases climbed again shortly after, and these restrictions largely returned.

The drop in the percentage of Americans seeing COVID-19-related disruption in their lives may be at least partly due to a decline in the number of adults who say they are engaging in strict social distancing practices.

Line graph. Americans' perceptions of disruption in their lives due to COVID-19. 64% of Americans now say their lives have been disrupted due to the disease, while 36% say they have not experienced disruption due to COVID-19.

When asked how long they believe the disruption from COVID-19 will continue, a majority of Americans see it continuing for the foreseeable future. Thirty-three percent say it will last "a few more months," while 44% predict it will persist through the end of 2021 and 19% see it continuing longer. A different version of this question asked in February found 38% of Americans believing the disruption would last through the first half of 2021 while 52% believed it would continue longer than that.

Bottom Line

Americans have become substantially less worried about contracting COVID-19 as a growing proportion of adults have been fully vaccinated and as satisfaction with the vaccine rollout has improved. These shifts have occurred while coronavirus infection rates have fallen substantially from highs reached in January of this year. Optimism about the COVID-19 situation has also spiked to a record high. Gallup previously observed a meaningful relationship between Americans' perceptions of the coronavirus situation and changes in reported numbers of daily new cases.

After the March survey was conducted, infection rates began to rise again. This may be at least partially connected to the decrease in reported strict social distancing by Americans at a time when more contagious variants of the virus are spreading. Public health experts see the U.S. now in a race to get large numbers of Americans vaccinated before those variants spread further. The outcome of that race will determine the future course of infections in the U.S. and will likely determine whether Americans show continued increasing optimism about the COVID-19 situation or a course correction in their attitudes.

Learn more about how the Gallup Panel works.
Lohitash Karumbaiah at work in his lab. Credit: Photo by Dorothy Kozlowski/UGA

At a cost of $38 billion a year, an estimated 5.3 million people are living with a permanent disability related to traumatic brain injury in the United States today, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The physical, mental and financial toll of a TBI can be enormous, but new research from the University of Georgia provides promise.

In a new study, researchers at UGA's Regenerative Biosciences Center have demonstrated the long-term benefits of a hydrogel, which they call "brain glue," for the treatment of traumatic brain injury. The new study provides evidence that not only does the gel protect against loss of brain tissue after a severe injury, but it also might aid in functional neural repair.

Brain damage following significant TBI commonly results in extensive tissue loss and long-term disability. There currently are no clinical treatments to prevent the resulting cognitive impairments or tissue loss.

Reported on March 5 in Sciences Advances, the new finding is the first to provide visual and functional evidence of the repair of brain neural circuits involved in reach-to-grasp movement in brain glue-implanted animals following severe TBI.

"Our work provides a holistic view of what's going on in the recovery of the damaged region while the animal is accomplishing a specific reach-and-grasp task," said lead investigator Lohitash Karumbaiah, an associate professor in the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Created by Karumbaiah in 2017, brain glue was designed to mimic the structure and function of the meshwork of sugars that support brain cells. The gel contains key structures that bind to basic fibroblast growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, two protective protein factors that can enhance the survival and regrowth of brain cells after severe TBI.

In a prior short-term study, Karumbaiah and his team showed that brain glue significantly protected brain tissue from severe TBI damage. In this new research, to harness the neuroprotective capacity of the original, they further engineered the delivery surface of protective factors to help accelerate the regeneration and functional activity of brain cells. After 10 weeks, the results were apparent.

"Animal subjects that were implanted with the brain glue actually showed repair of severely damaged tissue of the brain," said Karumbaiah. "The animals also elicited a quicker recovery time compared to subjects without these materials."

To measure the glue's effectiveness, the team used a tissue-clearing method to make brain tissue optically transparent, which allowed them to visually capture the immediate response of cells in the reach-to-grasp circuit using a 3D imaging technique.

"Because of the tissue-clearing method, we were able to obtain a deeper view of the complex circuitry and recovery supported by brain glue," said Karumbaiah. "Using these methods along with conventional electrophysiological recordings, we were able to validate that brain glue supported the regeneration of functional neurons in the lesion cavity."

Karumbaiah pointed out that the RTG circuit is evolutionarily similar in rats and humans. "The modulation of this circuit in the rat could help speed up clinical translation of brain glue for humans," he said.

With support from UGA's Innovation Gateway, Karumbaiah has filed for a patent on the brain glue. He is also partnering with Parastoo Azadi, technical director of analytical services at the UGA Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, and GlycoMIP, a $23 million, National Science Foundation-funded Materials Innovation Platform, created to advance the field of glycomaterials through research and education.

"Doing the behavioral studies, the animal work and the molecular work sometimes takes a village," said Karumbaiah. "This research involved a whole cross-section of RBC undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty members from both UGA and Duke University."

The collaborative research effort provided five UGA RBC fellow undergraduates with an experiential learning opportunity and to publish their first paper. This is the first publication for Rameen Forghani, an aspiring M.D.-Ph.D. undergraduate working in the Karumbaiah lab.

Forghani said the undergraduate team "learned how to collaborate on this project" and about the impact of moving lab research to patients who need treatment.

"My fellow undergraduates and I were empowered to take ownership of a piece of the project and see it through from the planning stages of data analysis to writing and being published," said Forghani. "As an aspiring, early-career physician-scientist, working on a project that has translational impact and directly addresses a very relevant clinical problem is very exciting to me."

Charles Latchoumane, research scientist in the Karumbaiah lab and first author on the study, divides his time between UGA and Lausanne, Switzerland, where he works at NeurRestore, a research center aimed at restoring lost neurological function for people suffering from Parkinson's disease or from neurological disorders following a head injury or stroke.

"This study has been four to five years in the making," said Latchoumane. "Our collaborative research is so painstakingly documented that, after you read about it, you have to believe there is new hope for severe victims of brain injury."

More information: Charles-Francois V. Latchoumane et al. Engineered glycomaterial implants orchestrate large-scale functional repair of brain tissue chronically after severe traumatic brain injury, Science Advances (2021). Journal information: Science Advances Charles-Francois V. Latchoumane et al. Engineered glycomaterial implants orchestrate large-scale functional repair of brain tissue chronically after severe traumatic brain injury,(2021). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abe0207
The most harrowing story Ive read in The Times in recent days was Miriam Jordans account of a car crash last month in Southern California involving a Ford Expedition that had come from Mexico, straight through a breach in the border wall. The Ford was crammed with 25 people when it hit a tractor-trailer rig on Route 115, 110 miles east of San Diego.

Few of the survivors have been able to describe what happened next, Jordan writes. The crunch of metal and glass, the bodies flung dozens of feet across the pavement. Twelve people died on the spot, a 13th at a nearby hospital.

Jordan follows the stories of the victims and survivors, and theres a heartbreaking sameness to them: people who have been driven by fear or want from their homes in Mexico and Central America, and who are willing to take grave risks and pay exorbitant sums to make it to the United States. These are not terrorists, gang members, lowlifes, benefit seekers or  except in their willingness to violate U.S. immigration laws  lawbreakers. They are seekers of the American dream, worthy of our compassion and respect.

Yet those 13 people  along with others who have recently lost their lives in dangerous crossings  might not have met their grisly fate if the Biden administrations concept of compassion wasnt also an inducement to recklessness.
I mean, obviously not knowing all the information and what the accusations were, but this..



"At this moment, in light of everything going on in the world, I had concluded that I am not the right person to continue to tell these stories."



...Sounds like "I'm a conservative and I don't agree with the current race relations climate"...and if that is the case, why in the world would someone like him even be running a show where that is literally the main theme.

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That statement of his is so stupid, racism didn't suddenly happened during the last three years, he was never the right person to tell those stories.

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The picture of the show runner couple with the description of the show makes this show sound like the embodiment of ~reverse racism~

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Reynolds made a decision to leave on his own just as the studio had come to a conclusion to replace him.



Ah, the classic "you can't fire me, I quit." Also, this show's been on for three years?!?

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i've legit never heard of this show

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Its not bad but I dont watch it a lot.

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Guess it's not your neighbourhood!

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i feel like this whenever I hear about a CBS show

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Neither have I. THIRD SEASON?

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So drama bts and trying to control the narrative? Should've known.

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To me, it sounds like writers have been utilizing being virtual and have been recording showrunners being racist (and as with all men, I assume misogyny is in there too) as proof that these guys are pieces of shit.

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bye oatmilk

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"The sitcom is about a white Midwestern family adjusting to moving into a predominantly African-American neighborhood."



this sounds like a recipe for disaster tbh... """adjusting""".....

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It's more like them adjusting to the realities some people face/getting a reality check about their perceived wokeness and greatness lol. They're good-intentioned people who can still be naive/ignorant even unintentionally, and the show actually touches on that. But yeah this description isn't great.



Eta: it's still a sitcom, so there are def some tropey moments/ "lessons" but...  I think with the current season they've found a good balance in story-telling and to not make those moments seem as cringey or contrived lol



Edited at 2021-04-06 01:33 pm (UTC)

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gotcha, that sounds better. I pictured something different

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Oh yeah totally, lol. I'd picture that too.

I like the entire main cast, they're all solid comedic actors so that's why I checked this out. Again it is a sitcom (on CBS lool) so you do have some corny moments or whatever but, they actually don't shy away from telling the white characters when they're whiteing so that's nice.

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I like this show a lot  love Tichina. Hope she milks like 7 more seasons out of this/syndication etc. She deserves it all.



Re: the show creator leaving, I wasn't even sure who the creator was tbh. This def sounds like preemptive damage control, I hope not but..lol



Edited at 2021-04-06 01:24 pm (UTC)

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Well, I mean, when I hear "A sitcom about a white Midwestern family adjusting to moving into a predominantly African-American neighborhood, tackling issues of race on-screen, based on personal experience," I don't think of noted yt auteur 'Jim Reynolds.' lol



And in the post, it says Black writers left and that the studio was receiving critical feedback for its handling of race issues.

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I did pull an ONTD doesn't read after his quote lool.

That's a shame. Hopefully his leaving makes room to bring in positive changes.

As far as the show description though I was just clarifying that, it doesn't really play out as them being white saviory when you watch it (but it absolutely looks like it would/could so I get it )

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I like the show, I dont watch it regularly. This sounds like he left before something was dropped in the press.

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First "All Rise", now this. Is CBS cleaning house?

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NEW YORK, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Katapult, the leading provider of eCommerce point-of-sale ("POS") lease-purchase options for nonprime U.S. consumers, today announced it is a checkout option with smartphone manufacturer, Motorola.

Motorola prides itself on delivering smarter technology for all via innovative smartphones and mobile solutions. Katapult's lease-purchase solution provides consumers with no or developing credit a way to access Motorola's mobile devices. Katapult is excited to be a part of the retailer's pioneering spirit and renewed commitment to consumers. Katapult offers its lease-purchase solution that integrates seamlessly with online platforms to retailers across several durable goods industries. Funding is quick, so retailers spend energy attracting new customers and growing, and consumers get a seamless checkout experience.

"Our partnership with Katapult furthers Motorola's mission to bring smarter technology to all," says Rudi Kalil, VP and general manager, North America at Motorola. "We're excited to offer our passionate consumers yet another way to access the many innovations we're bringing to the U.S. market."

Katapult engages with eCommerce and omnichannel retailers to increase growth and customer loyalty. Merchant partners that have implemented lease-purchase POS payment solutions have seen that they are now able to reach and convert new shoppers, increase transaction amounts, gain strong customer loyalty, and lower default risk.

"We are thrilled to partner with Motorola and provide access for nonprime consumers to obtain what they need when they need it," says Orlando Zayas, CEO of Katapult. Our mission to provide technology that inspires financial possibility is truly met with this retail partner."

To learn more, click here.

About Katapult

Katapult Group, Inc. is the leading omnichannel lease-purchase platform, providing alternative solutions for retailers and consumers. Our cutting-edge technology integrates seamlessly with online platforms, enabling our retail partners to expand their customer base, increase transactions, and grow revenue. Katapult's consumer-centric focus ensures an efficient application and approval process while providing transparent and tailored payment terms. Katapult associates with hundreds of retailers across the United States, with merchant support teams, marketing insights, and suggestions for continued success.

About Motorola

Motorola Mobility LLC was acquired by Lenovo Group Holdings in 2015. Motorola Mobility is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lenovo and is responsible for designing and manufacturing all Moto and Motorola branded mobile handsets.

Press Inquiries:

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Kristen Shea

929-367-8993

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SOURCE Katapult

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Ukraine's Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova has met with Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Ukraine Alisher Kurmanov, the press service of the Prosecutor General's Office has reported.

During the meeting, they discussed the issues of further deepening cooperation between the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine and the competent authorities of Uzbekistan, in particular, the formation of a joint roadmap for the implementation of measures in priority areas for the two countries.

"We have a lot in common. Special attention should be paid to the return of assets, counteraction to drug and arms smuggling, the fight against terrorism and illegal migration," Venediktova said.

She noted that the protection of investments in the country has become a new priority for today's Ukrainian prosecutor's office.

"The prosecutor's office has set itself the goal of counteracting the pressure on business. This is done by a separate unit of the Prosecutor General's Office, thanks to which we have already managed to stop illegal actions and help attract investment from international business and create additional jobs in the country," she added.

Kurmanov, in turn, thanked for the meeting and stated the importance of studying Ukraine's international practice and experience in various fields.

The parties also discussed the signing of a cooperation program between the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine and the Prosecutor General's Office of Uzbekistan for 2022-2023.

"We can already begin some training for the exchange of experience on the basis of specialized educational institutions, as well as with the involvement of the Training Center for Prosecutors. We are open to new opportunities for rapprochement with other states in order to more effectively implement our constitutional functions and increase the effectiveness of our work," Venediktova said.

op
Vaccine rollout has begun in South Sudan at a hospital in the capital, Juba, where health workers were amongst the first to receive the jab.



A total of 132,000 Oxford-AstraZeneca doses were received last month through the global vaccine alliance Covax, but health authorities blamed "logistical constraints" for delaying rollout by a week.



"The vaccine actually is not like the way it sounds  it is very normal, even the injection of malaria is more painful," said Health Minister Elizabeth Achuei Yol after receiving her vaccine on Tuesday, adding:



Quote Message: We have lost very important members of our society, dear relatives because of Covid-19. So please dont miss this chance - grab it and take it. Dont waste your time out there because of what you hear from laypeople."We have lost very important members of our society, dear relatives because of Covid-19. So please dont miss this chance - grab it and take it. Dont waste your time out there because of what you hear from laypeople."



Rollout began at a medical teaching facility in Juba, that also houses a military referral hospital.



Defence Minister Angelina Teny said some senior military staff had already had their jabs a week earlier and urged other soldiers to do the same, adding:



"If this vaccine had been there early on, I think many lives would have been saved".

Source: BBC









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
- The global implantable cardiac monitor market is expected to expand as the occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias like bradycardia and atrial fibrillation surges

- The demand is implantable cardiac monitor is expected to be driven by technological innovations and an increase in the global geriatric population

ALBANY, N.Y., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The global implantable cardiac monitor market is expected to expand as the occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias like bradycardia and atrial fibrillation rises. The demand is further expected to be powered by technological innovations and an increase in the global geriatric population. Augmented understanding of and acceptance of sustained ECG tracking of the rhythm of the heart, as well as a surge in the occurrence of stroke, are expected to boost demand for implantable cardiac monitors in the coming years. Besides that, developments in healthcare systems and an increase in demand for subcutaneously implanted cardiac monitors are predicted to augment the growth of the global implantable cardiac monitor market in the near future.

In the coming years, the global implantable cardiac monitor market is anticipated to be propelled by increased investments by prominent stakeholders through alliances, acquisitions, and mergers, as well as increased demand for the production of miniaturized devices. The installation of cardiac monitors, on the other hand, is quite a lengthy procedure. The competition is anticipated to be hampered as a result of this. Furthermore, the implantable cardiac monitor market is estimated to be hindered by high treatment costs and strict guidelines regulating implantable device's approval. Cardiac monitors compatible with smartphone, on the other hand, are likely to present enticing business scope to the global market.

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In 2017, the global implantable cardiac monitor market was worth around US$ 679.24 million. The market is projected to hit approximately US$ 1,464.26 Mn through 2026, rising at a growth rate of 8.7% CAGR over the projected timeframe. From 2018 to 2026, the global demand is envisioned to be boosted by a high occurrence of cardiac arrhythmia and an expansion in the geriatric population. The global implantable cardiac monitor market is expected to develop due to extended ECG monitoring feature and increased technological innovations. Furthermore, increasing adoption of subcutaneously implantable cardiac devices, as well as technological innovations, are expected to bode well for the market over the forecast period.

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Key Findings of Market Report

High Occurrence of Cardiac Arrhythmia to Present Immense Growth Opportunities

Due to a rise in the occurrence of cardiac arrhythmia, the global implantable cardiac monitor market is developing rapidly According to study, nearly14 million people in the US suffer from cardiac arrhythmia, with even more than 4 million people experiencing chronic arrhythmia and 5 million individuals actually dealing with heart disorders. Japan is predicted to have around 1 million patients of cardiac arrhythmia in the years to come, in Asia Pacific. A tiny electrophysiology (EP) system known as an implantable cardiac monitor is commonly utilized for continual monitoring of a patient's heart's electrical activity. The primary objective of this monitoring activity is to examine if the patient has any arrhythmias. In the last few years, healthcare practitioners all over the world have been leaning toward the utilization of innovative technologies to provide patients with improved healthcare. In the coming years, this factor is predicted to create immense scope for sale of implantable cardiac monitor.

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Technological Developments to Facilitate Treatment of Geriatric Patients with Cardiac Conditions

The increased incidences of cardiovascular disorders such as heart failure and heart stroke are likely to drive the demand for cardiac monitoring devices to track abnormal heart rhythms. Cardiovascular arrhythmias, specifically atrial fibrillation, are common in the elderly, necessitating the use of cardiac monitors. External heart monitors are not practical to wear or bear on a daily basis for the elderly. As a result, the use of implantable cardiac monitors has increased, which is likely to add to the growth of the implantable cardiac monitor market in the years to come. Implantable cardiac monitors have improved ECG tracking and have a three-year battery life. The increasing geriatric population necessitates more efficient options for treatment, which is estimated to present opportunities for businesses in the global implantable cardiac monitor market.

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Implantable Cardiac Monitor Market: Growth Drivers

Leading companies in the global implantable cardiac monitor market are directing their efforts on research and development activities. This action encourages businesses in raising the standard of their products. Because of such continued technological progress in the healthcare sector, the market is expected to expand at rapid pace in the coming years.

The global implantable cardiac monitor market is expected to expand as the occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias such as bradycardia and atrial fibrillation increases.

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Global Implantable Cardiac Monitor Market: Key Competitors

Biosense Webster, Inc.

Boston Scientific Corporation

Angel Medical Systems, Inc.

Abbott Laboratories

Medtronic plc

Biotronik SE & Co. KG

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Atrial Fibrillation Market - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/atrial-fibrillation-market.html

EP Catheter Ablation Market - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ep-catheter-ablation-market.html

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[April 06, 2021] OneWeb announces the appointment of Per Borgklint as Chief Commercial Officer

-- Former SVP and Group Chief Innovation Officer at Ericsson AB -- More than 20 years of leadership across telco, media, and software -- Significant experience in building and monetising networks LONDON, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- OneWeb, the global communications company powered from Space, announces the appointment of Per Borgklint as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). Per joins OneWeb with more than 20 years' experience in leadership positions across telco, media, and software, including the Swedish multinational Ericsson AB, and CEO positions at Net1, Canal+, Tele2 Netherlands, and Optimal Telecom. At Ericsson, Per was Senior Vice President and part of its Global Executive Leadership Team, as well as Group Chief Innovation Officer, responsible for commercialising new technologies from concept to global product, and head of Ericsson's global software and media solutions business. Previously, as CEO at Net-1, Per was hired to restart the business out of bankruptcy, launching a CDMA 450 data-only network in Scandinavia, and growing its subscriber base rapidly Prior to Net-1, Per was CEO of Tele2 Netherlands, and Market Area Director for UK and Benelux, heading the company's retail-based operations and the launch of innovations including MVNO, IPTV, fibre to the curve, Europe's first 3G network, and first mobile TV service. Most recently, Per has worked as strategic consultant for new and existing media and telco companies across Europe and the US.



Per will spearhead OneWeb's go-to-market strategies across all key verticals including enterprise, government, aviation, and maritime. He will bring further momentum to the growth of OneWeb's commercial team as they work to ensure distributor partners are fully equipped to leverage OneWeb's network for their immediate advantage. Partners also gain access to a suite of self-service digital products and connectivity options designed for managing global connectivity responsibly and efficiently. Neil Masterson, CEO of OneWeb, says: "With this announcement, we pass another significant milestone. Per brings more than 20 years of transformative leadership to this role and I could not be more excited about the strong progress OneWeb is making to build, demonstrate and commercialise our innovative low Earth orbit network."

Per Borgklint comments: "OneWeb has a strong purpose-led brand and I'm looking forward to getting started. Success comes from providing a seamless, high-speed customer experience, so it's exciting to see OneWeb's innovative platform of easy-to-use digital products which distribution partners can fully leverage to monetise the opportunities of Low Earth Orbit communications." Per is a graduate of the University of Southern Europe Monaco, and Jonkoping International Business School, with an MSc in Business Administration and Majors in Economics and International Marketing. About OneWeb OneWeb will enable connectivity for governments, businesses, and communities. It is implementing a constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites with a network of global gateway stations and a range of user terminals to provide an affordable, fast, high-bandwidth and low-latency communications service, connected to the IoT future and a pathway to 5G for everyone, everywhere. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1475016/OneWeb_Logo.jpg

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ANGUILLA, BWI / ACCESSWIRE / April 6, 2021 / Kidoz Inc. (TSXV:KIDZ) (the "Company"), AdTech software developer and owner of the KIDOZ Safe Ad Network (www.kidoz.net), the KIDOZ Kid-Mode Operating System, the KIDOZ publisher SDK and the Rooplay edu-games platform, announced today that it is issuing additional stock options to all members of its staff, equally, both as rewards for their roles in enabling the Company to achieve the record growth it realized in 2020 and to increase its investment in them and in their future.

"Investing in our talented employees is critical for the continuation of our rapid growth," commented Jason Williams, Kidoz Co-CEO. "We are now competing for development talent directly with tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon, which have plans to add hundreds of technical staff to their Vancouver offices; we are meeting that competitive challenge by leveraging the significant incentive value of our stock options to increase individual employee shareholdings and strongly align their interests with the interests of our investors." The option grants now being made are in addition to the grants previously made to staff on February 1, 2021, which had an exercise price of CAD$0.50." [see Kidoz Inc. Feb.1 Press Release - 'Kidoz Safe Advertising Network Experiences Record Growth (Corporate Update and Issuance of Stock Options)'].

"The extremely positive reaction from our employees on seeing the potential economic effect of stock options in the money, combined with the rapidly escalating demand for skilled staff world-wide as the pandemic winds down, encouraged us to 'double down' on our staff incentive program," commented Eldad Ben Tora, Kidoz Co-CEO. "It's not only in Vancouver that staff recruitment challenges are occurring," he commented further "but here in Israel as well."

Kidoz is the market leader in child and family safe mobile advertising and the segment is only beginning to develop as new rules and stricter regulations are being enacted and enforced by Google, Apple, and governments around the world who demand privacy and safety for children online. The Kidoz proprietary advertising technology is installed in thousands of different apps, making it the most popular privacy focused mobile solution in the market. The KIDOZ Safe Ad Network offers publishers a unique technology and monetization solution that every app with family traffic can use to compliantly monetize their content.

"For Kidoz to be successful, we have to grow our talent base and this expanded incentive program sends a message to our entire staff that we consider their dedication and their efforts toward the Company's success to be very important and deserving of reward." stated Tarrnie Williams, Executive Chairman. "Kidoz has staff located all over the world, and the current remote-working environment makes it extremely difficult for start-ups and smaller companies to recruit skilled talent against tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon. Fortunately for Kidoz, our having recently achieved profitability and our being public, with the potential for an escalating share price, enables us to implement an aggressive incentive program utilizing stock options - we expect the options we are now granting to have significant value and to strongly incent our staff to devote their efforts and skills to Kidoz's future growth and development, for their own benefit and for that of all of the Company's stakeholders."

Kidoz Inc. has today issued to all of its employees, consultants and directors, in equal amounts, options entitling them to purchase up to a total of 1,300,000 common shares of the Company at a price of CAD$1.02 per share, vesting at the rate of 2% per month for 50 months. These options have been granted in respect of 0.93% of the common share capital of the Company, calculated on a fully-diluted basis, and were issued in accordance with TSX Policy 4.4, subject to the rules of the TSX Venture Exchange and with the 2015 Stock Option Plan approved by the shareholders of the Company. Kidoz now has a total of 8,250,750 share purchase options outstanding with an average exercise price of CAD$0.46.

About Kidoz Inc.

KIDOZ Inc. (TSXV:KIDZ) (www.kidoz.net) owns the popular Kid-Safe mobile network. Engaging more than 300 million kids a month across our leading mobile KidTech network, KIDOZ provides an essential suite of services that unites kids' brands, content publishers and families. KIDOZ is certified safe by Google and Apple approved for use in the App Store. Trusted by Disney, Hasbro, Lego and more, the KIDOZ Safe Ad Network helps the world's largest brands to safely reach and engage kids across thousands of mobile apps and sites. The KIDOZ OS solution helps carriers and brands such as Lenovo, Acer, and PBS Kids bring a kid-focused experience to their family devices, in a fully GDPR and COPPA compliant way. KIDOZ's Rooplay (www.rooplay.com) offers an interactive learning experience worldwide with original content featuring Moomin, Mr. Men, Little Miss, Mr. Bean and hundreds more kid-focused learning games.

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. Certain information included in this press release (as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by the company) contains statements that are forward-looking, such as statements relating to anticipated future success of the company. Such forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future and, accordingly, such results may differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the company. For a description of additional risks and uncertainties, please refer to the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Specifically, readers should read the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 31, 2021 and the prospectus filed under Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act on March 9, 2005 and the SB2 filed July 17, 2007, and the TSX Venture Exchange Listing Application for Common Shares filed on June 29, 2015 on SEDAR, for a more thorough discussion of the Company's financial position and results of operations, together with a detailed discussion of the risk factors involved in an investment in Kidoz Inc.

For more information contact:

Henry Bromley

CFO

ir@kidoz.net

(888) 374-2163

SOURCE: Kidoz Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/639091/Kidoz-Inc-Expands-Employee-Incentive-Program
Paua poachers in New Zealand banned from fishing after repeat offences

April 06,2021 | Source: RNZ

Two repeat paua poachers in New Zealand have been banned from fishing, both for three years.



A Lower Hutt man and a Napier man were sentenced last week, in unrelated cases, for repeatedly taking excess and undersize paua.



Ionatana Sasi, 51, was caught by fishery officers in 2019 with 144 undersize paua at Burdan's Gate near Eastbourne in Wellington.



It was the second time in four years that he had been before the courts for stealing paua in the area, the Ministry for Primary Industries said.



When he was asked to come ashore by officers, Sasi dumped his catch bag in shallow water. When the bag was retrieved, 156 paua were found - more than 15 times the legal limit.



Sasi told the officers it was too much effort to gather the legal limit of 10, as most were undersize, but that he had intended to measure all the paua and return the undersize shellfish back to the sea, MPI said.



The court did not accept that explanation and along with the ban, Sasi has had all his dive gear seized and has been ordered to do 250 hours' community work.



The other man, Kelly Horowai Makoare, was banned and fined $1200 after pleading guilty to one charge under the Fisheries Act.



It was his second conviction for taking excess paua.



Fisheries officers had inspected his boat in February last year, when he returned to shore at remote Pourerere Beach, south of Hastings. They found he had 52 paua, more than five times the daily limit.



Under the Fisheries Act, bans are mandatory for anyone who commits certain offences more than once within seven years.



Ministry for Primary Industries fisheries compliance manager Steve Ham said the rules were in place to protect kaimoana so everyone can enjoy it.



"When someone takes more than their share they can ruin it for everyone. These sentences ... send a strong message that there are serious consequences for those who want to break the rules."



He encouraged fishers and people living in coastal communities to report to their hotline if they suspected poaching was happening.

 2020 NZME Publishing Limited

Theme(s): Fishing Craft, Gear and Fishing Methods.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to meet with some leaders of the Southern African Communitys Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation on Thursday to find ways of tackling the Islamic State, which has left more than 2,000 people dead and almost a million displaced in the Cabo Delgado region.

The state controlled newspaper, The Herald, quoted presidential spokesperson, George Charamba, as saying Mnangagwa, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa and Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi will attend the meeting in Maputo.

ISIS raided Pemba and Palma last week where several people, including foreigners died and thousands who attempted to flee were ambushed near an international hotel.

Masisi recently told Mnangagwa that ISIS was a threat to all nations in the SADC region and therefore they are expected to intervene.

South Africa has already sent troops to rescue its citizens believed to be trapped in Palma, which is located near an energy plant owned by French oil giant, Total.
SHANGHAI, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Arctech Solar, the world's leading tracking, racking, and BIPV solutions provider, announced that its two-module-in-portrait (2P) tracker SkySmart II has received UL3703 and CSA certification from Intertek. It marks an important milestone for Arctech Solar, indicating that SkySmart II has gained the access to the North American solar market. As of now, Arctech has inked deals to supply nearly 20 MW of SkySmart II to two projects in the United States.

The UL/ cUL certification, specifically addressing solar tracking system functions concerning the risk of electric shock, mechanical and fire hazards, demonstrates that the 2P architecture has satisfied the stringent safety, reliability, and quality standards for the solar PV industry in North America.

Compared to the 1P tracker, SkySmart II features the innovative multi-point drive system which raises critical wind speed and promises increased stability and reliable performance under strong wind conditions. The 2P tracker requires only nine foundation posts per tracker and shorter modules, reducing construction costs and promising better adaptability to different terrains. It is compatible with oversized and bifacial PV modules.

"The UL/cUL-certified SkySmart II creatively leverages the multi-point drive system, which provides more stiffness and enlarges natural frequency at a system level. We took the lead to unveil the Synchronous Multi-point Driving System two years ago. This solution will fundamentally solve the instability issue of regular 2P trackers in extreme weather," said Bruce Wang, CTO of Arctech Solar.

Additionally, the tracker leverages the artificial intelligence tracking algorithm independently developed by Arctech, ensuring a reliable operation of trackers across a wide range of weather and terrain conditions and increasing the energy yield of solar PV power plants by up to 7%.

"Customers in North America have long been hesitating to use 2P trackers because they are concerned about the product's reliability and cost. With the UL/cUL certification and an increasing number of SkySmart II deals, Arctech can reassure customers that the 2P configuration has field-proven quality and the market has huge growth potential," said Guy Rong, President of Global Business at Arctech Solar. "We believe the North American tracker market will witness unprecedented prosperity in the upcoming decade with the popularity of both 1P and 2P trackers. Arctech is proud to be part of the journey as we continue to bring more product innovations and best-in-class services to the market."

SOURCE Arctech Solar

Related Links

www.arctechsolar.cn


YEREVAN.  The fire that broke out at Surmalu mart in Yerevan at around 3am Tuesday was put off at 8:39am.

Garegin Hakobyan, an official from the Yerevan Rescue Department, told reporters that post-fire work is in progress there at the moment.

"There is virtually no work to be done: there are a few small areas with smoke in the collapsed areas," he said.

Asked what could have caused the fire, Hakobyan said he could not answer such questions.

As Armenian News-NEWS.am reported earlier, at 3:07am Tuesday, the national crisis management center of received a call was from a Yerevan cannery that there was a big fire.

It turned out that the fire had broken out at the central buildingabout 2,000 square metersof Surmalu mart.

The fire was contained at 6:24am.

But toy and household items stallsalong with propertywere burned down.

Minister of Emergency Situations Andranik Piloyan was at the scene.
A New Jersey-based company called Cedar Care Holdings hopes to buy the hospital for $11.5 million and reopen it with a blend of acute care and psychiatric services, the companys CEO Mark Tress said Tuesday. The for-profit company owns four other hospitals that offer similar services, he said. He declined to give the locations of the other four hospitals, referring the question to a lawyer, but he said the Westlake facility would be the companys first hospital in Illinois.
The Ever Given after it become wedged across the Suez Canal (Suez Cabal Authority/AP)

The Suez Canal chief said authorities are negotiating a financial settlement with the owners of a massive vessel that blocked the crucial waterway for nearly a week.

Lieutenant General Osama Rabie said he hoped talks with Shoei Kisen Kaisha Ltd, the Japanese owner of the skyscraper-sized Ever Given, will conclude without a lawsuit.

We are discussing with them a peaceful resolution to the matter without resorting to the judiciary, he said.

He maintained that bringing the case before a court would be more harmful to the firm than settling with the canals management.

The canal chief said last week the Suez Canal Authority was expecting more than one billion US dollars in compensation, warning the ship would not be allowed to leave the canal if the issue of damages turns into a legal dispute.

Expand Close Cargo ships are seen in the Gulf of Suez while the canal was blocked (Mohamed Elshahed/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Cargo ships are seen in the Gulf of Suez while the canal was blocked (Mohamed Elshahed/AP)

That amount takes into account the salvage operation, costs of stalled traffic and lost transit fees for the week that the Ever Given blocked the canal. He did not specify then who would be responsible for paying the compensation.

The massive cargo ship is currently in one of the canals holding lakes, where authorities and the ships managers say an investigation is ongoing.

Lt Gen Rabie also said that investigators have analysed data from the Voyage Data Recorder, also known as a vessels black box, but no conclusion had yet been reached on what led the Ever Given to run aground.

Last week, salvage teams freed the Ever Given, ending a crisis that had clogged one of the worlds most vital waterways and halted billions of dollars a day in maritime commerce.

The Panama-flagged ship that carries cargo between Asia and Europe ran aground on March 23 in the narrow, man-made canal dividing continental Africa from the Asian Sinai Peninsula.

Expand Close A digger trying to dig out the keel of the Ever Given (Suez Canal Authority/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp A digger trying to dig out the keel of the Ever Given (Suez Canal Authority/AP)

Its bow was touching the eastern wall, while its stern looked lodged against the western wall, an extraordinary event that experts said they had never heard of happening in the canals 150-year history.

The case that we had was complicated and non-traditional, so there should have been a non-traditional solution, Lt Gen Rabie said.

He said they relied on dredgers to remove sand from underneath the hulking vessel.

Then, a flotilla of tugboats, aided by the tides, wrenched the bulbous bow of Ever Given from the canals sandy bank, where it had been firmly lodged.

The unprecedented six-day shutdown, which raised fears of extended delays, goods shortages and rising costs for consumers, added to strain on the shipping industry already under pressure from the coronavirus pandemic.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 6)  Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who also heads the National Task Force against COVID-19, says he has tested positive for COVID-19.

Lorenzana on Tuesday disclosed in a statement the results of a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction or RT-PCR test he had.

The 72-year-old Defense chief said he was not experiencing any symptoms.

"I will be undergoing isolation, following the quarantine guidelines, to avoid infecting others," Lorenzana said.

"Those who have been exposed to me have been informed. They have been advised to isolate and get tested for COVID-19 as well," he added.

Lorenzana stressed the Department of National Defense will continue to operate with a skeleton workforce to ensure continuity of service while following health protocols. He is also chairman of the National Task Force against COVID-19, which spearheads the implementation of the government's pandemic action plan.

"I would like to remind everyone that the threat of the virus is as real as ever, more so now due to the new variants," Lorenzana added as he reminded the public to observe minimum health standards, including the wearing of face masks and face shields and social distancing.

The country is currently dealing with a surge in COVID-19 cases amid the presence of "variants of concern" first discovered in the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Brazil.

On April 2, the country logged 15,310 more infections, which include a backlog of 3,709 cases from March 31. Still, the 11,601 confirmed that day became the biggest single-day increase in infections, but it was quickly overtaken by the 12,576 new COVID-19 cases reported on April 3. As of April 6, there were 152,562 active COVID-19 cases or patients currently battling the viral disease.
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The report provides complete coverage on industry situations, growth, and demands, industry drivers, restraints, business strategies utilized. Additionally, competitive analysis by Pain Management Device Market players, opportunities, future roadmap, and major vendor profiles has been presented in the report.

Market Highlights

The report also mentions that the global market is projected to grow at a healthy CAGR of 7.2 % during the forecast period (2016-2023).

The global pain management device market totaled more than USD 3.58 billion in 2016 and is bound to reach USD 5.81 billion by 2023, as per Market Research Future (MRFR) report. Pain-related disability is a significant and costly liability to patients, leading to frustration and inability to function in day to day life.

Growing geriatric population, increasing prevalence of chronic pain and growth in government initiatives to mitigate the threat of chronic pain have been instrumental in the development of the global market in recent years.

To Get Free Sample Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1504

Moreover, conventional drug-based therapies generally come with the threat of side effects, hence giving rise to research and development (R&D) efforts. These activities by market players aim to introduce advanced pain management options with higher efficacy and safety, thus giving birth to pain management devices.

Furthermore, MRFR observes that the healthcare industry has not just managed to elevate its performance quotient but has also come up with adequate relief mechanisms across major hospitals and healthcare centers.

A fact that bodes well with the global pain management devices market. Individuals suffering from minor and major diseases or disorders are quick to resort to treatments relieving them of pain or ailments, thus, giving propelling the market growth to a large extent.

However, the global market comes along with few challenges of its own that include high cost of pain management devices. On the other hand, established market players are constantly developing their products in order to invigorate the existing market.

For instance, recently, Mundipharma developed Painfocus, a revolutionary new end-to-end pain management solution that substantially increases the objectivity of pain measurement, potentially transforming how caregivers and doctors manage their patients pain.

Key Players

The various key players in the global pain management devices market include Boston Scientific Corporation (US), Medtronic Plc (US), St. Jude Medical (US), Bio-Medical Research (BMR) Ltd. (UK), Kimberly-Clark Corporation (US), DJO Global LLC (US), B. Braun Melsungen AG. (Germany) and Pain Management, Inc (US).

Access Report@ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/pain-management-devices-market-1504

Market Segmentation

The segments of the global pain management devices market are type and application.

The types of pain management devices are stimulators, pumps, and ablation devices. The stimulators segment is sub-segmented into neuromodulator devices and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) devices.

The neuromodulator devices segment is sub-segmented into spinal cord stimulator, intrathecal pain pump, peripheral nerve stimulator, dorsal root ganglion stimulation and other. Furthermore, ablation devices segment is sub-segmented into microwave devices, cryoablation devices, and others.

Pumps are sub-segmented into analgesic infusion pumps and other. Analgesic infusion pumps are sub-segmented into patient control infusion pumps, external infusion pumps, intrathecal infusion pumps and other.

By application, the global market is segmented on the basis of cancer pain, musculoskeletal pain, migraine, and others. Increased healthcare spending along with availability of reimbursement aides the growth of the cancer pain market, subsequently triggering the growth of pain management devices market as well, due to massive demand for these devices by cancer patients.

Regional Analysis

The report states that the global pain management devices market is spread across the regions of North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East and Africa.

Among all regions, North America captures the largest market for pain management devices followed by Europe. The growth of the regional market is strongly aided by huge investment and development in research and development.

Lot of development and research in neurostimulation based pain management devices has also supported the regional market growth. Moreover, the healthcare industry in the region has outperformed the healthcare industries of all the other regional pockets, giving a major boost to the market growth in the region.

The Asia Pacific market, on the other hand, is growing at the fastest growth rate owing to a huge population base, steadily developing infrastructure and elevating prevalence of numerous diseases. Moreover, the continuous efforts of the governments in the region to upgrade the healthcare standards are deemed to boost the growth prospects of the market.

The Europe region observes a highly mature market in terms of revenue and size on account of favorable reimbursement, development of novel neuropathic pain management device and a large patient population base.

About Market Research Future:

At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services. MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients.
More than 100 Covid notices have been issued and three people arrested after police called to house parties in the Holyland area of Belfast.

Four people were reported to the Public Prosecution Service and a community resolution notice was issued when police called to the houses on Monday night and into the early hours of Tuesday morning.

A total of 94 Cov4 notices, with fines starting at 200 and 11 Cov2 notices for those living at the properties were issued for breaches of public health guidelines.

It comes after officers went to the area on a number of occasions to disperse various groups of people after receiving a number of reports of anti-social behaviour throughout Monday afternoon and later in the evening, as well as into Tuesday morning.

Chief Inspector Gavin Kirkpatrick said: "Police would encourage residents to continue to report issues of anti-social behaviour to them. While local officers will be making follow-up enquiries, it is disappointing that we continue to receive reports about noisy parties and anti-social behaviour in this residential area.



"In light of last nights events police are currently in the Holylands and will continue to have a nightly policing operation in this area this week. Local residents should be respected and should not have to contend with this type of behaviour."
Bengaluru, April 6 : In the wake of rising Covid cases, the Karnataka government has banned public gathering in large numbers and other activities to contain the virus spread, a top police official said on Tuesday.

"Rallies and demonstrations for any purpose by any group are prohibited across the city till April 20 to strictly comply with the Covid appropriate behaviour," said city police commissioner Kamal Pant in an order here.

As epi-centre of the pandemic in the southern state, Bengaluru registered 4,266 positive cases on Monday, taking its Covid tally to 4,55,025, including 32,605 active cases and accounted for 26 of the 39 deaths due to the virus.

"Public functions and group prayers or any type of celebration in places of worship are also banned till April 20 to check the infection," said Pant.

As notified by the state chief secretary on Sunday, gyms and swimming pools will be allowed to function with only up to 50 per cent of their capacity at a time to ensure physical distancing and prevent crowding.

"Pubs, bars, clubs and restaurants will function with 50 per cent occupancy to ensure Covid appropriate behaviour like wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing, hand sanitisers and thermal screening," asserted Pant.

The order has also directed shopping malls, markets, department stores, cinema theatres to ensure strict compliance of the guidelines and ensure their customers or visitors follow the Covid appropriate behaviour.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 14:20:47|Editor: huaxia

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SANTIAGO, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Chile's Health Ministry reported on Monday 5,807 new COVID-19 cases and 33 more deaths in the past 24 hours, for a total caseload of 1,032,612 infections and 23,677 deaths.

Chile is facing a new wave of COVID-19 infections since the end of summer in the Southern Hemisphere.

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera said on Monday the country's health system is at its limit due to COVID-19.

To face this "serious threat," he said the country has doubled the number of critical beds available and established quarantines and other restrictions.

Starting on Monday, non-resident foreigners are banned from entering the country, except for those authorized by the Chilean consulate in the country of origin for health reasons. Enditem
China institutes new crackdown on 'illegal social organizations' to go after house churches

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China has launched a campaign to increase restrictions on five types of social organizations that the government has deemed illegal, which includes house churches that aren't members of the Chinese Communist Party-backed Three-Self Patriotic Association.

According to Radio Free Asia, Chinas Ministry of Civil Affairs recently announced a campaign to shut down organizations that aren't registered with authorities but have carried out activities in the name of a social organization, private non-enterprise unit or foundation.

Organizations that continue with their activities despite their revoked registration are also a target of the campaign, the ministry said.

Persecution watchdog group International Christian Concern reports that the five social organizations now deemed to be illegal include those that the regime has accused of committing fraud or engaging in economic, cultural or charity activities in the name of implementing national strategies.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs is also targeting organizations using the words China, Zhonghua, or National in their names, which are accused of "pretending to be subsidiaries of state organizations; those who join forces with legal organizations to deceive [the government]; organizing competitions in the name of celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP); planning activities that pretend to promote health, sinology, or mysticism, and those that hold gatherings in the name of religion," ICC adds.

Already, the campaign has been implemented in provinces including Sichuan. According to RFA, the Department of Civil Affairs in Sichuan published a list of 84 so-called Illegal Social Organizations on March 25 which names several Buddhist and Christian groups, including Early Rain Covenant Church, which has not been able to gather in person since the communist regime shut down the church in 2018.

Father Francis Liu from the Chinese Christian Fellowship of Righteousness told RFA, In the eyes of the Chines government, any religious group that refuses to submit to the CCP, or even charity groups, are seen as illegal organizations, for the government is fearful that these civil groups can become a force that overthrows them.

Christian charity Open Doors ranks China at No. 17 on its World Watch List of 50 countries where Christians are most persecuted.

A November 2020 report from the Pew Research Center showed that restrictions on religion in China had risen to a record level. Researchers found that China continued to have the highest score on the Government Restrictions Index out of all 198 countries and territories in the study.

A recent report revealed that Christians across China are being detained in secretive, mobile "transformation" facilities where they're subject to brainwashing, torture and beatings to force them to renounce their faith.

One Christian who was held captive for 10 months in a facility run by the CCP after a raid on his church in 2018 shared how he was held in a windowless room with no ventilation where he was subjected to various forms of torture.

He also revealed that most of his fellow inmates were also people who had been released on bail during criminal detention for taking part in church-related activities. Because police couldnt prosecute them for any particular crimes, they were sent to the so-called "transformation" facilities.

Boyd-MacMillan, director of Strategic Research at Open Doors, recently told the Express UK that Chinas Christian community might reach a staggering 300 million people by 2030. The CCP is increasingly concerned about the Christian population's growth, he said, and is cracking down on religion as a result.

"We think the evidence as to why the Chinese Church is so targeted, is that the leaders are scared of the size of the Church and the growth of the Church, Boyd-MacMillan said.

"And if it grows at the rate that it has done since 1980, and that's about between 7 [percent] and 8 percent a year, then you're looking at a group of people that will be 300 million strong, nearly by 2030. And, you know, the Chinese leadership, they really do long term planning, I mean, their economic plan goes to 2049, so this bothers them. Because I think if the Church continues to grow like that, then they'll have to share power."
SAN FRANCISCO, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The global gas detection equipment market size is expected to reach USD 8.38 billion by 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. It is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 9.7% from 2021 to 2028. The market growth can be attributed to the growing awareness among governments regarding the harmful effects of greenhouse gases, coupled with their increased efforts toward protecting the environment. Major industries such as petroleum, oil, and gas, among others are needed to comply with safety and environmental regulations which are also major factors driving the market growth.

Key suggestions from the report:

In terms of product, the fixed gas detector segment is expected to retain its dominance over the forecast period. The ability of fixed gas detectors to ensure workforce safety is driving the segment growth

In terms of technology, the infrared gas detection technology segment dominated the market in 2020 and is expected to witness growth over the forecast period. Infrared gas detectors are maintenance-free, which is one of the major factors driving the market growth

In terms of end-use, the industrial segment dominated the market in 2020. The increasing demand for detectors in the mining industry is driving the segment growth

The increasing adoption of gas detection equipment in emerging economies such as India and China is expected to create growth opportunities for the market players in the Asia Pacific region over the forecast period

Read 150 page research report with ToC on "Gas Detection Equipment Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product, By Technology (Infrared, Catalytic, PID), By End-use, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028" at: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/gas-detection-equipment-market

Many companies are focused on introducing drone-based gas detection equipment, which is expected to create new opportunities for market growth in the coming years. For instance, in February 2019, FLIR Systems, Inc. announced the launch of FLIR MUVE C360, a multi-gas detector built for unmanned aerial systems. FLIR MUVE C360 aims to transform the way emergency teams approach environmental, chemical, and industrial incidents.

IR camera-based gas detectors are gaining traction owing to their capability of detecting combustible gases that are not visible to the human eyes. Uncooled IR cameras are widely in demand by various industries, which has resulted in increased efforts by companies worldwide to address this demand. For instance, in February 2019, FLIR Systems, Inc. announced the launch of FLIR GF77 Gas Find IR, an uncooled thermal camera for detecting methane.

The COVID-19 pandemic is anticipated to favorably impact market growth in the near future. Hospitals have been using gas detection equipment for monitoring oxygen tanks during the pandemic. During the COVID-19 situation, the U.K. government laid down guidelines highlighting the hazards caused by the increased oxygen level due to the high density of ventilators. This initiative is expected to contribute to market growth.

Grand View Research has segmented the global gas detection equipment market on the basis of product, technology, end-use, and region:

Gas Detection Equipment Product Outlook (Volume, Thousand Units; Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

Fixed Gas Detector



Portable Gas Detector

Gas Detection Equipment Technology Outlook (Volume, Thousand Units; Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

Semiconductor



Infrared (IR)



Laser-based Detection



Catalytic



Photoionization Detector (PID)



Others

Gas Detection Equipment End-use Outlook (Volume, Thousand Units; Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

Medical



Building Automation & Domestic Appliances



Environmental



Petrochemical



Automotive



Industrial



Others

Gas Detection Equipment Regional Outlook (Volume, Thousand Units; Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

North America



U.S.





Canada





Mexico



Europe



Germany





U.K.



Asia Pacific



China





India





Japan



South America



Brazil



Middle East & Africa

List of Key Players in the Gas Detection Equipment Market

ABB

Airtest Technologies, Inc.

FLIR Systems, Inc.

Fluke Corporation

General Electric Company

Honeywell International Inc.

Lynred

Opgal

Siemens

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

Find more research reports on Sensors & Controls Industry, by Grand View Research:

Shale Gas Market  The global shale gas market size was valued at USD 68.3 billion in 2019 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5% from 2020 to 2027. Rising energy demand along with depleting conventional gas reserves has resulted in a shift towards unconventional natural gas reserves such as shale gas, tight gas, and coal bed methane.

in 2019 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5% from 2020 to 2027. Rising energy demand along with depleting conventional gas reserves has resulted in a shift towards unconventional natural gas reserves such as shale gas, tight gas, and coal bed methane. Ultrasonic Sensors Market  The global ultrasonic sensors market size was valued at USD 3.89 billion in 2020. It is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6% from 2021 to 2027. An ultrasonic sensor measures the distance of a target object using ultrasonic sound waves, wherein a transducer is used to send and receive ultrasonic pulses and measure time lapses between their transmission and reception.

in 2020. It is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6% from 2021 to 2027. An ultrasonic sensor measures the distance of a target object using ultrasonic sound waves, wherein a transducer is used to send and receive ultrasonic pulses and measure time lapses between their transmission and reception. Machine Tools Market  The global machine tools market size was valued at USD 77.21 billion in 2019 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.0% from 2020 to 2027. The strong emphasis on achieving higher productivity and reducing downtime in the industrial sector is expected 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.
ATLANTA, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cortavo by Aventis Systems, Inc., an all-inclusive managed technology provider exclusively for small businesses, announced the release of their first eBook titled "Managed IT Services: Better Than Hiring an IT Pro?" This eBook divulges the true cost of hiring an IT professional within a small business and presents managed IT services as an alternate option. In addition, the pros and cons of each option are weighed, giving small business owners a definitive guide to making an informed decision as to which is the best for their organization.

Tom Lasswell, Vice President of IT operations for Cortavo, states "When smaller businesses start to experience growth that leads them to consider hiring an IT person, it's such a whirlwind. With so many technical obstacles being thrown at growing companies, most business leaders see hiring IT personnel as the only option. While for some businesses, hiring an IT person may work, most companies need a more cost-effective and robust technical solution with a wide range of technical aptitude to safeguard their technology investment and foster growth."

In this eBook, those thinking about an IT professional can gain knowledge in:

What an IT professional does and why it's impossible for one person to do it all

How much it truly costs to hire an IT professional

Why business leaders expectations of an IT person aren't typically what they get

Other ways IT needs can be addressed without hiring an IT professional

About Cortavo by Aventis Systems

Cortavo is an all-inclusive ITaaS solution created by Aventis Systems. Based in Atlanta, GA, Cortavo provides all the hardware, software, and cloud services necessary to address small businesses' technology needs and challenges at a predictable monthly cost. Cortavo manages technology expansion and supports thousands of small business employees throughout the southeastern United States.

Call 1-866-CORTAVO, visit www.Cortavo.com or connect with Cortavo by Aventis Systems on LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook.

SOURCE Cortavo by Aventis Systems
Christians in India were forcibly reconverted to pagan religion and were threatened to be beaten to death when they refused.

Believers fled Chhingur, a village in Bastar of the nation's Chhattisgarh state, after pagan worshippers pressured them to attend a re-conversion ceremony. The Christians who chose to remain in the area were then forced to worship false gods.

Speaking to Morning Star News, Raidhar Nag, one of the Christians who fled, revealed the harassment being done to them in their village.

"The village gathering threatened to beat us to death if we did not attend the ceremony. They stopped us from fetching water from the village well, obtaining the free government ration or even working in our own fields," he began.

Raidhar added that they were told to leave the place by its leaders. The four families of Christians who were left in the village were forced to attend the pagan ritual, worshipping the tribal deities. Sources also said that they were beaten twice.

Pastor Dularam Kashyap explained to the news outlet how the aggression started.

The pastor said that Lakhshhu Nag, a tribal animist, who had been sick for a year went to him for prayer, but died two days later in the hospital. When his body was brought back to the village on March 2, villagers did not allow Lakhshhu to be buried in their area, simply because he asked for prayer from the pastor.

During the argument, villagers assaulted the Christians. They also beat the pastor when he tried to intervene.

The Christians, together with Pastor Kashyap and Methodist Church Senior Pastor Ram Singh, reported the incident to Darbha police station. Police officers came at 8 p.m. that day, asking the villagers to allow the burial but they still refused. They said that Lakhshhu's burial should be done in another place where Christians are allowed, not in Chhingur.

When the officers left, believers were reportedly assaulted again.

The next day, the police escorted Lakhshhu's remains to Chaltipadar village, where he could be buried.

After the burial, village elders summoned the Christians and forced them to attend the Ghar Wapsi, a pagan "home coming" re-conversion ceremony. The believers tried to resist as much as they could but ultimately gave in.

On March 12, pastors Singh and Kashyap, along with other Christians and assisted by the Human Rights office, wrote a letter of complaint about the incident to the police station. The group also requested for a separate burial place for Christians in Chhingur.

Sinha, the officer in-charge of the police station claimed that the issue was already resolved after speaking to the two groups, the Christians and villagers.

"We went to the village and made both the parties understand to live cordially, and they have agreed to it. Now there is an atmosphere of peace in the village. Talks about a designated place of burial are underway. The investigation is not over yet," Sinha told Morning Star.

When asked about the forced re-conversion ceremony, the officer stated that the matter is between the villagers and should be sorted out among themselves.

The police officers did not file the First Information Reports for the forced conversion and assault complaints.

Christian leaders in the region of Bastar are concerned about the rising cases of persecution. Believers are pressured to deny their faith. Refusal would mean being forced to leave their homes and property, as well as disowning their families.

The region is said to be a hotbed of Maoist activities but Christians have been thriving in Bastar District for over 150 years, constituting to 1.98% of its population, per the 2011 census.

According to religious advocates, persecution of Christians worsened in the country after Prime Minister Narendra Modi rose into power in May 2014.

Open Doors' 2021 World Watch List ranks India as 10th most challenging country for Christians to live in.
The man who died in a Queensland hospital from Covid-19 was former governor and business man from Papua New Guinea, Mal Kela Smith.

Mr Smith, 77, passed way in Redcliffe Hospital on Monday after the dual Papuan-British national was evacuated to Queensland on an emergency flight on March 28.

The former Eastern Highland governor's death has been described as 'a sad day for Papua New Guinea' by PNG Health Minister Jelta Wong.

The man who died in a Queensland hospital from Covid-19 was former governor and business man from Papua New Guinea, Mal Kela Smith (pictured)

'Mal Kela Smith was an institution of Papua New Guinea,' Mr Wong told News Corp Australia.

'He was one of the first to push into the aviation industry, he did a lot of work around the country but he ended up living in the Eastern Highlands.'

Mr Smith wore many hats as the chair of the Goroka Hospital Board and the founder and owner of the Pacific Helicopter Group.

'He helped a lot of people through his business, his chopper business, in very rural areas - he used to be very good at bringing people out of remote areas to get hospital checks,' Ms Wong said.

Mr Smith's death has been described as 'a sad day for Papua New Guinea' by PNG Health Minister Jelta Wong (pictured: Mal Kela Smith, centre)

PNG officials are now in the process of repatriating his body back to the Eastern Highlands.

Mr Smith was first diagnosed in Papua New Guinea and was in intensive care in Redcliffe Hospital until he died 'from complications due to Covid-19' on Monday, Queensland Health said.

As the former governor was not diagnosed in Australia, he will not be counted in Queensland's official death toll, which stands at 6.

A person has not died of the virus in Queensland since April 18.

Three people, including a returned overseas traveller in his 40s, are currently in intensive care with the virus in Australia.

Meanwhile the relationship between Queensland and the Commonwealth continues to deteriorate over the vaccine rollout following accusations of diversionary tactics and childish behaviour.

Mr Smith, 77, was flown to Redcliffe hospital (pictured) and remained in its intensive care unit until he succumbed to the illness on Monday

Opposition leader David Crisafulli says comments by Deputy Premier Steven Miles are 'an embarrassment to every Queenslander' and have offended federal health minister Greg Hunt.

'He personally felt very offended by the language of the deputy premier yesterday,' Mr Crisafulli said on Tuesday.

'It was childish and it has got to stop. The behaviour that we saw yesterday was not fitting of his office.'

Mr Miles on Monday said Prime Minister Scott Morrison was trying to use the vaccine rollout and the Covid pandemic generally to distract from problems within the government.

'That's been a very orchestrated campaign over the last few days to try to stop you all talking about Brittany Higgins and rape and sexual harassment and all of the things that have happened in Canberra,' he told reporters.

'They were in fact so eager to distract everybody from those topics that they put at risk confidence in their own vaccine rollout program.'

As Mr Crisafulli called for an end to childish behaviour, opposition health spokeswoman Ros Bates labelled the deputy premier a 'phony'.

'Steven Miles is a fraud, a phony and a failure,' she said.

Mr Miles (pictured) on Monday said Prime Minister Scott Morrison was trying to use the vaccine rollout and the Covid pandemic generally to distract from problems within the government

'If Annastacia Palaszczuk wasn't the weakest premier she should have sacked him when he was the health minister.'

The opposition is concerned with the speed of the state's vaccine rollout, particularly the number of jabs on weekends.

'To have revelations that Victoria (is) delivering over eight times more vaccines over the course of the last month on weekends is a concern,' Mr Crisafulli said.

'Covid is important, vaccine rollouts are not a Monday to Friday exercise.'

He said there has been poor behaviour and problems with the vaccine rollout at both levels of government,

'I'm not going to come here and defend Canberra, because they've got their own issues to work out and they've got to get cracking on the vaccine as well,' he said.

No new locally-acquired cases of Covid-19 were recorded in Queensland for a third consecutive day.

There were also no new cases among returned travellers.
As the US continues to make strides when it comes to distributing the coronavirus vaccine, there are some growing concerns in regards to variants and the effect on children.

Even though hospitalizations and cases in North Alabama continue to trend in the right direction, more people in Europe are being diagnosed and even hospitalized with the highly contagious variant. Some health officials worry we could see the same in the US if we aren't careful, and younger populations including children could be the ones at risk since their age group isn't vaccinated yet. They also say the variant could make children sicker than the SARS-2 strain.

"It definitely makes you nervous. I mean you don't want anything to happen to your children," Dana Azevedo Chambers, a mother of two, said.

Chambers said even though her and most of her family have been vaccinated, hearing about coronavirus variants is still something she's concerned about, especially since her 15-year-old son, who is too young to get the vaccine, had health issues as a child.

"I think he's still nervous about it, like when you say goodbye to him, he always says 'stay safe,'" she said.

Dr. Scott Field is a pediatrician who over the course of the pandemic has been writing about children and the coronavirus. He says right now, he isn't too concerned with the variants in children, but we should continue to keep our guards up.

"I think time is going to tell as far as how much of a problem this is going to be," he said.

Dr. Field said while rare, children were still getting very sick from the original strain, and it could happen with the variant as well. He says it's best that everyone, including children, continues safety measures.

"I think the precautions are warranted, so like in schools, wearing masks is a good thing right now," he said.

In other parts of the country, health officials are seeing more younger people, including children, being infected with the variant. That isn't the case right now in North Alabama, but they worry it could happen as safety measures continue to loosen.
I think hes fine af. Thats all.

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I knew he wouldn't be back but it still sucks. I dont care about any of the other siblings...well maybe Pen and Colin. Hopefully this just means Rege-Jean's pretty face will be more places.

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I care about the elder younger sister, the possibly gay one, and the floofy hair one. That's about it.

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I'm intrigued by Penelope's storyline. Daphne's brothers are all boring AF.

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Last Week Tonight pointed out his character only appeared in one of the books so it actually makes sense that he isn't returning for season 2 (at 15.:11):







Edited at 2021-04-06 08:31 pm (UTC)

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He's in book two and book four in small parts (could be in others, I just couldn't make it past the fourth book) but nothing important that can't easily be re-worked.

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Oop at me not reading the books.



...are the books any good?

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I like the idea that they mentioned this....in a video about national debt.

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i really believe LWT reads ONTD. theyll have jokes where i go, ...we were just talking about this in a post this week...



this joke being one of those moments. lol.

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He was doing filmed interviews in December about how excited he was to further explore Simon's character in season 2 so this new narrative is weird but I 100% get it after so many people in here were being ridiculous about him being ~ungrateful~ by daring to know his worth and moving on. Also, he's worth more than $50K for a guest appearance, give me a fucking break. Glad he knows his worth and is moving onward and upward!

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Its definitely not as simple as theyve made it. His character doesnt never appear again like his side are repeating. And there are 7 books so he could cameo anytime in all of that time if they wanted to leave it open. Its kind of strange they didnt just say that. That hey he was moving on for now but if the opportunity cropped up that fit his schedule theyd find a way to have Simon/Daphne back.



I feel like something behind the scenes with the negotiations didnt go well to totally shut the door on both sides.

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Also, I feel like the show has already established that they are adding more than just what's in the books. They definitely made Penelope's role bigger. They took Marina, a very minor character in book 5, and gave her a very prominent storyline. Siena doesn't even exist except for MAYBE being the opera singer in one scene in book 2. So, I definitely feel like they would have added more of Simon than just the couple of scenes he has in the rest of the series.

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Oh for sure, it definitely came down to money and I don't blame him for walking if that was the case. He was the most popular/talked about part of that show and was the big draw in for most people who watched. He is getting booked left and right. You have to strike while the iron is hot and who knows how long the buzz will last. I also can see how it would lead to hurt feelings on both sides. IDK, all parties involved will be fine at the end of the day.

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I honestly dont understand why this has been even remotely surprising. Yes hes hot and a breakout, but he and Daphne have next to nothing to do with the rest of the series. You dont have to read the books to understand it was conceived as a series that features a different couple each book and that the show chose to follow suit.



That said, I am looking forward to S2. I liked that plot, and the actor who plays Anthony is my favorite of the triplets. I also like Benedicts story in book 3, but that doesnt seem to be a popular opinion.



Edited at 2021-04-06 08:37 pm (UTC)

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I like Benedict's story too, but yeah I think most people hate it.

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... I really enjoyed Benedicts book even though there was so many terrible things

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There is no reason for this to be as big a story as it is. His PR team is pushing too hard.

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They're just getting on the pr before people do the ungrateful poc angle which I know they are already starting.



Edited at 2021-04-06 08:41 pm (UTC)

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the ungrateful poc angle

ontd was all up on that narrative in the last post about this. they have also dubbed him "smug" and "arrogant" for staying booked and busy

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His PR team is trying to get in front of audience backlash. The announcement trended on Twitter almost immediately. Even the post on here did numbersand very few topics on ONTD inspire hundreds of replies.

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I think that a lot of fans of the series never read the books and had not realized how the stories develop. Many thirsty ladies on social media were lamenting because they really thought he was going to be a main character forever.

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considering how many comments on twitter i saw about how he should have been more grateful to the show, and he's acting like he's too good for it, i don't blame his pr if this is their push. like yeah, he's hot and booking jobs, do you expect him to spend two weeks in quarantine to prepare for a glorified cameo when he could be getting actual roles?



Edited at 2021-04-06 11:14 pm (UTC)

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I think Netflix's statement was a little passive-aggressive, so he has to clarify that he was only signed for one season. If he were under contract for more seasons, Netflix wouldn't let him go without a fight.

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I think his romance with Daphne was terrible and I'm a sucker for period romance. So I'm glad we are moving on from his "eyebrow raising/smirk" acting range.



He is pretty to look at, but I could not root for their love story.

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What are you talking abt. Dont forget abt his swagger-filled walk. Now thats range.



I genuinely cant stand him on this show lol.

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I liked his character but their arc is done, and in the later episodes of season 1 they mentioned that whatever business a duke does needed him to be more present in the town than he had been before so they already have a convenient excuse built in.



Hes getting a ton of roles and he should strike while the iron is hot. And the iron is hot lol he somehow got the SNL writers to write him the best episode of the season and hes a brand new star

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netflix is so cheap lol

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they just bought the rights to Knives Out for 450 million so they broke



I'd love to make $50,000 for a week's work

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$50,000 per episode is cheap? I wish it was me who won that much money lol

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It's for a guest appearance tho so 50K is a lot to film 1-2 random scenes.

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Honestly thats what I got out of this whole mess. This show is a huge hit and they were offering him so little for coming back. Glad he passed on it.

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exactly this show was really big and netflix are paying their actors less than reality stars make? lol

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omg these replies. i do find them cheap, i know they are spending millions on shows (and this one was expensive too), but they are clearly not paying their actors enough. of course 50k an episode would be great to anyone here, myself included, but clearly it wasn't for him.

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This is such a non-issue. A few people in the original post said that characters arc didnt go past book 1(?) and also its been mentioned that he only signed up for one seasonthats not ungrateful thats called fulfilling your contractual obligations.



Had he signed on for 5 seasons and his character was crucial to it then you could complain cause that can be an issue but thats not what happened here.



Edited at 2021-04-06 09:07 pm (UTC)

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People are being so extra about his leaving.

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I know he barely shows up in the next books and it sounds like he knew it too but I wouldn't turn down the money UNLESS he's getting offers for bigger paychecks. which is understandable.

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Sucks he won't be in the Pall Mall game but that scene is all Kate anyway so I'm good.



Now skip benedict and go straight to Francesca pls.



Edited at 2021-04-06 09:03 pm (UTC)

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From your lips to Netflix's ears. Though, I don't hate Colin/Penelope. But I'll take Michael Stirling over any Bridgerton male. Netflix better get someone hot af for him.

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Please skip Benedict's.

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What is this Pall Mall thing? I've seen many comments about it.

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It's a version of croquet that the Bridgerton siblings play with Kate and her sister. The Bridgertons are both extremely competitive and not above cheating, and Kate fits right in with them. It's a very funny scene, probably the best of the book.

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The comments calling him ungrateful were so wild and incredibly telling in the post about him not being in season 2.

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I wanted to see what you were talking about from the last post. You weren't kidding. Some of these people took it so personally. lol.



Unless he's criticizing the show in a way that is not constructive in tandem with all this talk about him leaving, then idk... he's just doing his job and being smart about his career? It's not like Bridgerton is some ground-breaking television show and content wise - would it even be artistically fulfilling work if his storyline kind of wrapped up last season?



Yeah, it would have been nice if he stayed, but it seems like producers fumbled that bag and underestimated the show and him.

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I would take notes on those posters tbh.



Its more than just about a show for them.

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New Delhi:

Six inmates of Balika Ashram have alleged that the employees of the government-run orphanage drugged and exploited them.

According to a source in the child welfare department, the six girls, aged between 11 years and 18 years, narrating the ordeals to the counselors in Chamba said, "they used to feel sleepy soon after having dinner and remained drowsy till late the next morning.

The girls said they felt something wrong had happened with them at night, a CWD official request anonymity.

The reports of the six complainants are expected to come on Thursday and the three accused will also be produced in a court on Thursday.

Police have seized the recording of CCTV cameras in the orphanage. There are three CCTV cameras in the child protection home but police could only get a single days recording. The staff said the cameras were out of order, they said.

The whole incident came into limelight when a 15-year-old inmate, the student of Class 10 had informed orphanage incharge Juma Khan about the sexual harassment.

After her complaint, the 33 other inmates were counseled. Following that five more girls has also reported harassment by the three employees.

On Tuesday, the statement of all six girls was recorded and the accused were booked under Section 354 A (punishment for sexual harassment) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 12 of POSCO Act.

The policemen visited the child protection home in uniform. They should have come in plainclothes, an officer in the state women and child development department said, requesting anonymity.

The child protection home is situated in a remote area and six girls have alleged sexual harassment. This does not mean only six were abused. The number could be more. All inmates should be medically examined, the officer said.

After the incident, Chamba deputy commissioner Sudesh Mokta replaced the male staff of the orphanage with female employees. He also ordered deploying two women home guard personnel in plainclothes at the orphanage, where 28 girls are now staying.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Across Kerala, the response to polling was enthusiastic and after the first two hours of poll, 10 per cent of the electorate had cast their votes, said the State Election Commission officials on Wednesday.

The fate of 957 candidates would be decided by an electorate of 1,41,62,025 women, 1,32,83,724 men and 290 transgender voters.

The ruling Left led by its 'Captain' Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan cast his vote at his home town in Kannur and later said, "The writing on the wall was very evident, right from the time the campaign started we could sense the mood of the people and the Left will retain power."

What surprised many was the response of Vijayan when asked if the Sabarimala temple issue would snowball, he while dismissing that said, "it's not just Ayyappan alone, all God's are supporting the Left," said Vijayan, who was accompanied by his wife Kamala Vijayan.

Expressing absolute confidence, Vijayan said there is no doubt on the outcome of the polls, which they are sure to win with a better margin than 2016.

"We will close the BJP, which opened their account in the 2016 polls, by winning one seat. I have full faith in the people and the people also have extended their full faith in the Left government. I travelled all across the state and I could sense the people's mood towards us," said Vijayan.

Meanwhile down south in Haripad in Alappuzha district, Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala was spotted at his home turf accompanied by his family. After casting his vote, he said it would be a historic win for the Congress-led UDF which would regain power.

"All that we have raised against the most corrupt Left government has been fully accepted by the people. All the five years it was only suffering for the people and even the floods that took place in 2018 was man made. There was huge support for the campaign of Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and people will use the ballot to give a sound beating to the misrule of Vijayan," said Chennithala.

Reacting to Vijayan's sudden love for Lord Ayyappan, Chennithala laughed and said it's strange to hear an atheist's sudden love for Ayyappan.

"Vijayan will get the wrath of Ayyappan as he destroyed the sanctity of the famed Sabarimala temple," said Chennithala.

Meanwhile, state BJP president K.Surendran, who is contesting from two constituencies said this time it's a crucial election for them.

"This is an election which will see the BJP strengthening its base in the state. A phenomenon is taking place like the 2016 polls, when the traditional rival fronts -- the Left and the Congress-led UDF are hand in glove in a few constituencies to oust us, but the people are going to help us," said Surendran.

State Congress president Mullapally Ramachandran was confident of the outcome and he said the UDF will score a 'century' as people are badly waiting for a change in governance.

Meanwhile, a 65-year-old man, who was standing in the queue to vote at the Aranmula constituency in Pathanamthitta collapsed and was declared dead when he was brought to a nearby hospital.

Polling is taking place as per the strict Covid protocols and while in the 2016 Assembly polls, 21,498 polling booths were there, this time due to the Covid pandemic the number of polling booths has been increased to 40,771.

The poll will end at 7 p.m. and the last hour has been kept aside for Covid positive patients and for those in quarantine.

The principal political fronts contesting the elections are the ruling CPI-M led Left Democratic Front (LDF), the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

In the outgoing Assembly (2016 polls) the LDF had 91 seats, the UDF 47 the NDA one seat and there was one independent candidate.

A total of 59,292 Kerala Police personnel and 140 companies of the CISF, CRPF and BSF officials are also deployed for duty, which is by far the biggest deployment of central forces for any poll in the state.

The counting of votes will take place on May 2.
CALGARY, AB, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Teine Energy Ltd. ("Teine") has closed its previously announced senior unsecured notes offering (the "Notes Offering"). Teine has issued US$400 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.875% senior unsecured notes due in 2029 (the "Notes"). The Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture dated as of April 6, 2021, by and between Teine and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee.

Teine intends to use the net proceeds of the Notes Offering to redeem in full the US$350 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.875% senior unsecured notes due 2022 (the "2022 Notes"), to repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under Teine's credit facilities and to pay fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Notes Offering. In connection with the redemption of the 2022 Notes on April 21, 2021, Teine has paid US$350 million plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption to the trustee of the 2022 Notes to terminate and cancel the 2022 Notes effective the date hereof.

The Notes have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. The Notes were offered only to qualified institutional buyers in the United States under Rule 144A and outside the United States in compliance with Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act. In Canada, the Notes were offered and sold on a private placement basis in certain provinces of Canada.

About Teine Energy Ltd.

Teine is a Calgary-based exploration, development and production company focused on acquiring and developing oil and natural gas properties in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin. Approximately 90% of Teine's production is weighted towards oil and natural gas liquids.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release may contain forward-looking information including but not limited to the use of proceeds from the Notes Offering, including the redemption of the 2022 Notes. Such forward-looking information is based on certain assumptions and analysis made by Teine in light of its experience and perception of current conditions and expected future developments as well as other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. However, whether actual results, performance or achievements will conform to Teine's expectations and predictions is subject to market conditions and a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from Teine's expectations. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the risk factors detailed in the offering documentation prepared and delivered by Teine in connection with the Notes Offering.

SOURCE Teine Energy Ltd.

Related Links

www.teine-energy.com


Every weekday morning in a stark concrete multi-purpose room in the Alamodomes basement, Belinda Bella Mainor sits down behind two computer monitors and a plastic shield and becomes a front-line worker in San Antonios fight against COVID-19.

Mainor calls people who recently tested positive for the coronavirus and asks them, confidentially, to disclose who theyve been in contact with. Equal parts calming counselor and dogged investigator, she is a contact tracer, one of some 130 now active in the city.

Everyone we call is leery at first. They dont even want to confirm who they are, Mainor said. You have to be empathetic and sympathetic. Most people come around when you tell them were here to help you.

Mainor started her job in December but has already won recognition from her bosses for speed. In that time, she estimated, she has interviewed roughly 500 people, and only two refused to complete the interview. Once, she closed 18 cases in a single day.

Shes making a difference, said Dr. Jack Tsai, dean of the San Antonio campus of the University of Texas Health Sciences Center School of Public Health in Houston, which has run the contact tracing operation for San Antonio since July. In her job, she has to quickly develop rapport with people and be personable while also asking pretty intimate questions.

On ExpressNews.com: Helping San Antonio elders stay connected despite COVID

Working seven days a week, the squad of tracers has completed about 60,000 cases since last summer, Tsai said. UT Health took over from Metropolitan Health District workers pressed into that service when the pandemic started.

Each infected person and those merely exposed to them (the contacts) are asked to isolate and quarantine themselves, usually for 14 days after their last exposure. Studies show that each COVID-19 case has an average of about five contacts, Tsai said.

To protect patient privacy, according to Centers for Disease Control protocols, contacts are only informed that they may have been exposed to someone with the virus  they arent told who that is. The tracers in San Antonio try to reach people at least nine times within three days before giving up. They do not go to peoples homes.

Mainor said about 20 percent of her calls are done only in Spanish. She often has to assure people she is not concerned with their immigration status and that none of the information she gets is shared in a name-identified way with other government agencies.

Her previous jobs as a human resources director and with major insurance companies prepared her to be hypersensitive about HIPAA, the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which protects citizens health information and allows lawsuits against violators.

On the phone, she tries not to sound like the police, and often overcomes suspicions when she tells people where they can get help with housing, rent, utilities, medication and counseling.

But there are heavy calls. Ive stayed on the phone with people while they cry, Mainor said. Maybe theyve had a death in the family. You can hear how sick they are, how upset they are. Its very sad. Especially with older people, the grandparents, who might be caring for children. You can just hear how exhausted they are.

On ExpressNews.com: What San Antonio's public health and medical experts have learned from the pandemic

Mainor can relate. Mother of four and grandmother to four, she and her husband, Michael, are legal guardians of a 12-year-old granddaughter, Jayda, who at birth weighed 1 pound, 15 ounces, had holes in her heart and who doctors believed would be blind and unable to walk or talk.

Now we have a 5-foot-2, running, jumping, singing girl, said Mainor, beaming. She loves to paint, loves to draw. Shes very creative. But Jayda has autism, cognitive learning problems and a host of medical and behavioral issues that would sap the strength of any parent.

Life got even more complicated when Mainors grown son recently had a foot amputated due to complications from diabetes.

I told him he was moving back home so I could make sure he was following all the doctors orders, she said. When he was in the ICU, I would spend most days just going from work to the hospital and back.

All of which might cause one to ask why Bella Mainor would actually seek out a stressful, emotional job where youre often consoling people who are consumed by a COVID-19 crisis.

First, she didnt get the invite to the pity party. She may be dressed in all powder blue slacks and sweater, with glasses and pulled-back hair  50-ish, she giggles  but she appears to be as steely calm and in control as a fighter pilot.

She wakes at 5 a.m., when husband, two dogs and Jayda are still asleep, and uses those silent moments to prepare for her emotional day. And she does her nails. Thats her thing.

People hear about the challenges in her life, she said, and they always say I have so much patience. She laughed as though shes not deserving of sainthood just yet.

I love this job, she said, eyeing the cavernous room full of contact tracers and health workers. No, I mean that. This work has become my quiet space because of what I do at home. Yes, there are times talking to people with COVID that when youre done, you just have to walk out for awhile and compose yourself.

But its very rewarding, very satisfying, that you were able to educate someone who didnt know how COVID can spread. I get enjoyment from this, even with the sadness. I think of the people Ive helped.

bselcraig@express-news.net
Tata Mutual Fund ushers in FY-22, with a mint fresh Brand Campaign, which anchors on the power of self-belief. The campaign inspires from the resilience and self-belief mankind has shown at the back of a tough pandemic year. In good times and otherwise, it is self-belief that takes each of us towards our achievements and resolutions to ease us to the next milestone.

Self-Belief is a Universal hinge.

The campaign stays away from narrow casting the story into a product or a company led proposition, and aligns it with a larger, universal emotion, that of self-belief. Its an emotion that needs to be nourished, nurtured and invested in. In retrospect, from vantage points, it turns out to be the best

investment of our lifetimes. The narrative also draws from the lineage of Tata Mutual Fund, which is a rich 150 year old treatise of self-belief, ability to persevere and celebrate the contribution of millions of people to make a better world.

Velocity for Self-Worth.

As a society, India has been shaped by values that encourage to live within our means. Being risk- averse and debt free had been the markers of self-worth. Today, as a nation, we are all seeking an escape velocity for a better station in life and opportunities to add to our wealth.

Young India  the chief protagonist.

The film revolves around a young India represented by its youth, its women, is families, etc. all trying to seeking an escape velocity for a better station in life and opportunities to add to their well-being and wealth. The protagonists could be anyone of us from any part of the country, with gentle yet firm resolve to dream big and work towards it.

Personifying Self-Belief

The language of this creed of self-believers distinctly demarcates less and more:-

1. less question marks and more answers

2.not how or when, but, consider it done

3. maybe, what-if, but.are all meaningless

4. where no-ways becomes new-ways

5. an idea preceded with BIG, #always!

Where can you find Self-Belief?

To ensure adequate reach to three key constituents  investors, corporates and channel partners, of the Mutual Fund Industry, Tata Mutual Fund has focused on news and business news as key vehicles to deliver their message of self-belief. The company will extend the core idea across life-stage solutions and specific funds.

We wanted to create a story with a distinct persona that brings together our groups core ideology, our approach to running our business and a universal thread that can cut across gender, age, geography or life-stage. The commercial narrates the story of an aspiring nation, inspiring people to invest in themselves. We now have a universal plank that will resonate with all constituents  Investors, Corporates and Channel Partners across the globe. For self-belief belongs to everyone, thats the nudge our brand attempts to give audiences. We do hope that an idea, that is a way of life for everyone will cut across our B2B, B2B2C and B2C audience pool. Going further, all our communication  brand, fund, partner and employee, will echo the power of Khud Pe VIshwaas, which is the biggest ever investment one can make and it can power many a dream. And full credit to our agency partners Grey India, for capturing the sentiment and the mood in a contemporary pacy manner. said, M.V.S.Murthy, Head 

Marketing, Digital and Corp Comm, Tata Asset Management Limited.
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has narrated how late Yinka Odumakin, the ex-spokesperson of Afenifere, was expelled from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU).

Mr Odumakin died on Saturday at the intensive care unit of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital where he was being managed for respiratory issues due to complications from COVID-19.

President Muhammadu Buhari and other dignitaries in the country had described Mr Odumakin as a man of conviction and a strong defender of human rights.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that he was a core activist who started his activism at the university and served as the Public Relations Officer of OAU Students Union.

Mr Falana, a senior advocate of Nigeria, in his tribute, said Mr Odumakin and six other union leaders were suspended by OAU management for leading peaceful protests against administration.

Yinka Odumakin was an undergraduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University (1986-1989). He was a member of the Alliance of Progressive Students (ALPS). Based on his defence of students rights, Yinka was elected the Public Relations Officer of the Students Union (1987-88).

That was the time that the Ibrahim Babangida military junta embarked on the deradicalisation of the universities in order to weaken the capacity of the Nigerian people to resist the imposition of the Structural Adjustment Programme.

During the 1988 convocation ceremony of the University the late Vice Admiral Patrick Koshoni who had stood proxy for the visitor and military President, General Babangida. The students staged a peaceful protest against the recolonization of the country by imperialism. For leading the protest Yinka and seven of his colleagues were expelled from the University.

Mr Falana said he challenged their expulsion in court and they were all reinstated.

My principal, the late Comrade Alao Aka-Bashorun dispatched me to Ife to challenge the expulsion of the student activists at the Oyo State High Court.The trial judge quashed the expulsion and ordered the reinstatement of Yinka and his colleagues.

When the Babangida junta annulled the results of the June 12 election won by the Late Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola, Yinka was among the young men and women who mobilized the Nigerian people to terminate military rule in Nigeria.

A few years later, I was surprised when Yinka informed me that he had decided to pursue the struggle for the emancipation of the Nigerian people along ethnic lines. Thereafter, he pitched his tent with Afenifere, a Yoruba socio cultural group.

Mr Falana said despite being the youngest member of Afenifere, he was made the spokesman and in that capacity, he effectively publicised the activities of the body and defended its position on national issues.

Before President Umaru Yaradua passed on in May 2010, a cabal of power mongers had staged a coup against the Constitution. Yinka became the Secretary of the Save Nigeria group led by Pastor Tunde Bakare which campaigned for the inauguration of Vice President Goodluck Jonathan as Acting President.

Notwithstanding our ideological differences Yinka consistently called on me to discuss the state of the nation and seek clarifications on major constitutional matters. He also referred several cases relating to the infringement of the human rights of the poor and vulnerable members of the society to our law for legal redress.

As a believer in national integration Yinka married his comrade and girlfriend, Josephine Obiajulu of the Igbo extraction. In spite of the pressure recently mounted on him by some separatist groups Yinka remained committed to a united Nigeria anchored on power devolution from the centre to the other federating units, Mr Falana said.

PREMIUM TIMES is aware that OAU, University of Lagos, and many other tertiary institutions in Nigeria are known for suspending or expelling activists and student writers who protest or write critical articles against maladministration in the system.

This newspaper reported the case of Adeyeye Olorunfemi (2016), Kunle Adebajo (2018), Omole Ibukun (2018) and Ayoola Babalola (2020) , among others.

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These universities are also quick to celebrate the achievements of these students after graduation, calling them worthy alumni.

For instance, OAU in a tribute to Mr Odumakin by its Vice Chancellor, Eyitope Ogunbodede, said Mr Odumakin was a vibrant Student activist, a mass mobiliser, a great orator and the Public Relations Officer of the Students Unions.

As an Alumnus, he assisted the Faculty of Arts in raising funds for a few projects that were of immense benefits to the staff and students.
Women's Institute in Whiteparish said that it was continuing to pick up litter

The restrictions were imposed after the nerve agent attack in Salisbury in 2018

Residents have vowed to defy a ban on litter-picking that is blocking them from entering the Best Kept Village contest after the council imposed the restrictions following the nerve agent attack in Salisbury.

Villagers across many parts of South Wiltshire were banned from litter-picking in areas close to Salisbury after Russian agents attacked Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia with Novichok in 2018.

Health bosses at Public Health England are in the process of considering whether to lift the ban but their decision will likely take 'several weeks' and will come after the entry deadline for the yearly Best Kept Village competition.

The Women's Institute (WI) in Whiteparish said it would continue to defy the 'ridiculous' ban and admitted it was still picking up litter after some areas were left looking like 'a rubbish dump'.

Residents are defying a litter-picking ban after health bosses imposed the restrictions in Whiteparish in Wiltshire in 2018

Members of the Women's Institute in Whiteparish have continued to pick up litter in the area. Pictured: Members Jenny Finch and Elaine Eynon in their litter picking uniform

President of the WI in Whiteparish, Jenny Finch, told MailOnline: 'Nobody wants to get up close with anybody's litter but if we don't do anything then nobody else will and it will get worse.

'We have to take precautions to protect the environment.'

Ms Finch said the group will go out once a month to pick up litter that has been discarded in the area, including takeaway packages and larger cans.

She continued: 'We have continued to collect litter from our village throughout lockdown and the previous lockdown in the Salisbury area following the Novichok poisonings in 2018.

'We always use hi-vis jackets and thick rubber gloves and we only use litter picking 'tongs', you really don't want to get close to some of the litter dropped!

'Everything is double-bagged and then collected by the council from a designated spot.

'A couple of weeks ago, members of our group spent two hours and collected five bags mainly of tins and bottles.'

'We are still picking up takeaway packaging, larger cans and more recently we have been picking up oil containers.'

She added: 'The ban is ridiculous. We are continuing to pick up litter in Whiteparish.

'The litter is absolutely disgraceful. It is disgusting. Some places are like a rubbish dump. Litter attracts litter.'

Yesterday Mike Manson from the charity CPRE Wiltshire, which is organising the Wiltshire Best Kept Village competition, said: 'One of the reasons why we run the competition is that it is a jolly good way of getting villages to look a lot better with a lot less litter around.

The Women's Institute goes out once a month to pick up rubbish left by residents in the area (left and right)

Health bosses are in the process of considering whether to lift the ban after it was imposed on the area following the nerve agent attack in 2018

'Litter is obviously a significant factor in the judging criteria.'

Tory Wiltshire Councillor Richard Britton - who represents the villages affected - said: 'It will be several weeks before we hear anything about lifting the ban.

'It is most disappointing that somebody cannot make a decision more quickly than that.

'Of course Wiltshire Council cannot advise people to ignore it - that would be entirely wrong. The policy still stands. But the risk has passed.'

MailOnline has approached Public Health England for comment.

In 2019, a string of villages in Wiltshire were among the tidiest areas in the country in the Best Kept Village Competition.

Arriving in first place was Ansty, that won with 88 points for 'the general appearance of the village, the maintenance of roadside verges and hedges'.

Prizes were also awarded to Whiteparish and Hindon.
ALULA, Saudi Arabia, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The world's most beloved tenor, Andrea Bocelli, is giving a world-first performance in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hegra on April 8th 2021. While the event will be for just 300 people in person, the performance will be streamed live and free on the maestro's YouTube Channel for millions of fans around the world.

The event in AlUla, Saudi Arabia will be set among the Nabataean tombs of the ancient city of Hegra. It's the first time the site has been the setting for a music event of this calibre and the master tenor has promised to deliver an intimate set comprising musicians from the Arabian Philharmonic and special guests Loren ALLRED, Matteo BOCELLI, soprano Francesca MAIONCHI with EUGENE KOHN at the piano.

The concert marks the third successive year that Bocelli has performed in AlUla having delighted audiences at the previous two Winter at Tantora festivals. The event promises to be an unmissable celebration of heritage, culture, music and optimism.

While the set list remains under wraps, organisers have promised that fans, both old and new, will not be disappointed. A surprise guest has also remained a secret to be divulged to viewers on the night and not before.

Hegra, built in the first century BCE by the Nabataean Kingdom, is an ancient desert city home to thousands of tombs cut into sandstone mountains. At least 100 tombs have elaborate carved facades, a signature of the skilled Nabataean craftsmen.

The concert will be broadcast live and free on Andrea Bocelli's YouTube channel on April 8th at 12pm in Los Angeles, 3pm in New York, 8pm in London, 9pm in Rome, Paris and Berlin, 10pm in Moscow and Saudi Arabia. The performance is not currently being made available on repeat or on demand so fans are encouraged to tune in, or miss out.

For further details about where to watch in your locations visit experiencealula.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1481811/AlUla_Andrea_Bocelli.jpg

SOURCE The Royal Commission For AlUla, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Giacomo Casanova, the most famous womaniser in history, was a secret medical expert who often helped 18th-century women with their health problems, a new study of his promiscuous memoirs suggests.

The writings of the Venetian adventurer who claimed to have slept with more than 130 lovers have long been devoured for their accounts of his sexual conquests.

But now a fresh analysis of his memoirs reveals the world's most famous lover to be a failed doctor whose observations now provide unique insights into 18th-century healthcare in Europe, the Times reports.

Casanova's Story of My Life, written in the 1790s, provides descriptions of illnesses, injuries and treatments he encountered in travels across Europe, with cases ranging from duelling injuries to smallpox and plague.

Giacomo Casanova, the most famous womaniser in history, was a secret medical expert who often helped 18th-century women with their health problems, a new study suggests

Lisetta Lovett, a medical historian and psychiatrist, said that Casanova maintained a interest in medicine all his life and continued to read medical textbooks even after his ambition to study the subject was scotched by his mother.

The author of Casanova's Guide to Medicine told the newspaper that women including friends sought his advice and practical help in dealing with problems from pimples to unwanted pregnancies.

Ms Lovett said Casanova was often kind, citing one instance where he convinced a French duchess to accept his skincare advice, including cutting out certain food and drink, by falsely claiming it was rooted in the Jewish mystical tradition of kabbalah.

More controversially, the Italian libertine persuaded Giustiniana Wynne, an unmarried woman pregnant by a lover, that his recommended abortion treatment should be applied during intercourse with him.

The writings of the Venetian adventurer, who claimed to have slept with more than 130 lovers, have long been devoured for their accounts of his sexual conquests. Pictured, David Tennant playing the libertine for a BBC1 drama in 2005

His 'treatment' failed and she gave birth in a convent. However, Ms Lovett argues that people from history should not be judged by today's standards.

Casanova also educated women about contraception, showing one young lady he had not yet slept with 'a packet of fine English letters' and explaining their use, provoking 'a burst of laughter'.

Although he believed that popular though discredited, treatments such as bleeding and mercury could be effective in certain circumstances, Casanova also recognised dangers in their use as cure-alls.

Ms Lovett believes that Casanova suffered from clinical depression in his later life and spent at least 10 hours a day writing his memoirs to distract himself from 'black melancholy'.

'He was a toweringly intelligent man - something that people are not really aware of these days because he has been eclipsed by the stereotypes around his sexual interests,' she told the Times.

'Eighteenth-century medical practice is considered a niche area and might appear rather dry but the stories Casanova relates are so funny or so tragic, I thought this would be a very good way of seducing somebody into reading about it.'
An e-mail threatening to kill Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was sent to CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force), Mumbai on Tuesday, April 6.

The mail also threatens to carry out attacks on religious places and import installations, India Today reported.

The communication threatens to "eliminate" Adityanath and Shah by suicide attacks.

It mentions that there are "11 suicide bombers" who will kill the Union ministers. UP CM Adityanath had received death threats on previous occasions as well.

(More details are awaited...)
registered the highest COVID-19 deaths and infections on Tuesday with 66 more people succumbing to coronavirus, taking the nation-wide tally to 6,51,652, according to the health authorities.

Since March 8 last year, has recorded 9,384 COVID-19 deaths and 651,652 infection cases.

"The tally of infections has surged to 6,51,652 as 7,213 new cases were confirmed in the last 24 hours . . . 66 people died of COVID-19 during the period, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said.

The data showed 54 out of the 66 died in Dhaka division alone and 39 of them were men while 27 were women, it said.

A total of 21.02 per cent of the 34,311 samples collected in the past one day were tested positive while the lowest infection rate was 2.30 per cent, recorded on February 8 this year, it added.

A spokesman said the figures were highest in terms of both fatality and infection in a single day since the COVID-19 outbreak on March 8 last year, asserting the hospitals across the country have exhausted their capacity.

"We will not have any room in hospitals to set up an extra bed as we are adding overnight 1,200 extra beds to treat patients," health minister Zahid Maleque said, asking people to stay indoors as much as possible.

He said the government-run hospitals have 5,000 beds and the work was underway to set up another 1,200 beds, while the private facilities have 1,000 beds for the patients.

Maleque warned that the situation may go out of control soon, unless the existing lockdown was strictly enforced.

had previously recorded the highest 64 deaths on June 30 last year.

The health minister's comments came as the lockdown enforced two days ago appeared to have impacted little in restricting people while protests are underway to keep the open the shops, forcing police to use gunshots and resulting in death of one protester.

Bangladesh enforced a seven-day nationwide lockdown on Monday when health officials recorded 58 deaths and 5,683 fresh infection cases overnight, the third highest in terms of both fatality and infection since the outbreak of the pandemic.

All domestic buses, ferries, trains and flights were suspended and shops and malls have been shut under the lockdown while the government earlier this week ordered the public and private offices to operate with 50 per cent workforce.

However, the government on Tuesday decided to resume public transport services in major cities from Wednesday with road transport minister Obaidul Quader saying the restriction on transport movement was eased considering the people's "immense difficulties".

"The public transport, however, will have to keep 50 per cent seats vacant," 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.)
[April 06, 2021] Diagnostic Robotics helps Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island identify high-risk members with chronic conditions through artificial intelligence and health management tools

NEW YORK and PROVIDENCE, R.I., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Diagnostic Robotics and Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) announced a partnership to bring the full capabilities of artificial intelligence to members living with certain chronic conditions. Utilizing Diagnostic Robotics' sophisticated risk identification and population health management capabilities, BCBSRI will work to deliver timely, personalized interventions to members with behavioral health conditions, congestive heart failure, and other chronic conditions. Diagnostic Robotics' predictive analytics models and comprehensive toolset help payers, providers, and patients effectively manage clinical care and avoid unnecessary costs by focusing on targeted interventions, medical adherence, and hospitalization prevention. Highly customizable tools will allow the BCBSRI care management team to proactively identify and monitor members with rising health risks (i.e. heart conditions, obesity, etc.) and deploy meaningful interventions. Meanwhile, an easy-to-use mobile app keeps members engaged and empowers them to connect with the right network care providers in the most appropriate, cost-effective setting. "This is just the beginning of a very exciting partnership with BCBSRI," said Yonatan Amir, CEO of Diagnostic Robotics. "BCBSRI recognizes the need for a new generation of capabilities to enable proactive and personalized care. We are proud to be part of their mission to equip Rhode Islanders with cutting-edge artificial intelligence and predictive analytics to keep members healthier while staying smart about spending." "Behavioral health issues and chronic diseases can take an enormous toll on our members and their families, but timely interventions and evidence-based clinical guidance can help them connect with the right resources at the right time," said Matt Collins, M.D., MBA, BCBSRI executive vice president and chief medical officer. "By applying the latest in machine learning, BCBSRI can better support population health. We look forward to working with Diagnostic Robotics to bring these added capabilities to our members and our customers." Diagnostic Robotics already has deep ties with academic institutions and the state government in te forward-thinking state, including a research initiative with the Brown-Lifespan Center for Digital Innovation and a partnership to provide COVID-19 response technologies to the Rhode Island Department of Health.



ABOUT DIAGNOSTIC ROBOTICS:

Diagnostic Robotics creates powerful AI solutions for healthcare institutions and organizations. The company's innovative systems integrate seamlessly into major touchpoints along the patient journey, providing high-value decision support while slashing administrative burdens, massively reducing the cost of care, and improving patient experiences. The company's team includes leading artificial intelligence researchers from Israel and the United States. Diagnostic Robotics works extensively with leading healthcare systems in the United States and around the world, including Mayo Clinic and numerous prominent health systems in Israel.

Connect with us on Twitter , and LinkedIn . MEDIA POC: Michal Kabatznik, michalk@diagnosticrobotics.com About BCBSRI

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (bcbsri.com) is a non-profit, community-focused health plan established in 1939 to help Rhode Islanders finance their healthcare needs. Today, that purpose is still foundational to our work. We have a vision to passionately lead a state of health and well-being across Rhode Island. And we are committed to improving the health and peace of mind of our more than 415,000 members by facilitating their access to affordable, high-quality healthcare. We are an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. Listen to BCBSRI's podcast, The Rhode to Health, on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts and Spotify. MEDIA POC: Gail Carvelli, gail.carvelli@bcbsri.org View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/diagnostic-robotics-helps-blue-cross--blue-shield-of-rhode-island-identify-high-risk-members-with-chronic-conditions-through-artificial-intelligence-and-health-management-tools-301263209.html SOURCE Diagnostic Robotics

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Leaked data from Facebook shows that the company's founder, Mark Zuckerberg, uses the end-to-end encrypted messaging app Signal, according to a report in the Indian news magazine, India Today.

Security researcher Dave Walker tweeted out the fact that Zuckerberg was using Signal, writing on 4 April: "In another turn of events, Mark Zuckerberg also respects his own privacy, by using a chat app that has end-to-end encryption and isn't owned by @facebook."

"This is the number associated with his account from the recent Facebook leak."

In another turn of events, Mark Zuckerberg also respects his own privacy, by using a chat app that has end-to-end encryption and isn't owned by @facebook

And he added: "Regarding the #FacebookLeak, of the 533M people in the leak  the irony is that Mark Zuckerberg is regrettably included in the leak as well.

"If journalists are struggling to get a statement from @facebook, maybe just give him a call, from the tel in the leak?"

He was careful to black out the number in a screenshot he posted along with the tweet.

The people the Signal app saw a good marketing opportunity and put out a tweet, in which they said: "With the May 15th WhatsApp Terms of Service acceptance deadline fast approaching, Mark leads by example."

With the May 15th WhatsApp Terms of Service acceptance deadline fast approaching, Mark leads by example:https://t.co/Mt5YksaAxL  Signal (@signalapp) April 6, 2021

The mention of 15 May refers to privacy changes in WhatsApp that WhatsApp had said it would introduce during the third week of January.

The changes will mean that communications with businesses by WhatsApp users  whether by email, phone or WhatsApp itself  will be visible to the application.

That information may then be used for marketing purposes, including advertising on Facebook, according to an early FAQ.

After a backlash from users, many of whom switched to Signal and Telegram, Facebook said it would be delaying the change.

A later FAQ said: "To give you enough time to review changes at your own pace and convenience, weve extended the effective date to 15 May.

"If you havent accepted by then, WhatsApp will not delete your account. However, you won't have full functionality of WhatsApp until you accept.

"For a short time, you'll be able to receive calls and notifications, but won't be able to read or send messages from the app."

The company did not define what "a short time" was. Neither did it say what would happen after this "short time".

It offered the following options for users: "You can still accept the updates after 15 May. Our policy related to inactive users will apply."

The policy for inactive users is that accounts are deleted after 120 days of inactivity, with inactivity being defined as the user not connecting to WhatsApp.

"Before 15 May, you can export your chat history on Android or iPhone, and download a report of your account," the FAQ continued.

"If youd like to delete your account on Android, iPhone, or KaiOS, we hope you reconsider. It is something we cannot reverse as it erases your message history, removes you from all of your WhatsApp groups, and deletes your WhatsApp back-ups."

The Signal app offers end-to-end encryption and its development is led by respected cryptographer Moxie Marlinspike.

One of the people behind WhatsApp, Brian Acton, has helped set up a non-profit foundation to develop Signal and make private communication accessible and ubiquitous.

Marlinspike said in a blog post in February 2018 that the Signal Foundation had been created by Brian Acton, the co-founder of WhatsApp which was bought by Facebook.

Acton left WhatsApp and Facebook in 2017 and Marlinspike said he had been "thinking about how to best focus his future time and energy on building nonprofit technology for public good".

He said Signal had been started with the vision that private communication could be simple, at a time when "the industry consensus was largely that encryption and cryptography would remain unusable".
"I am excited and honored to join Sanders Roberts, especially since the firm is the gold standard for civil trial attorneys." - Robert K. Dixon

Robert K. Dixon, a first-chair trial and arbitration lawyer has joined Sanders Roberts as a partner in the firms general liability and business litigation practice groups. Mr. Dixon represents clients from a variety of industries, including automotive, pharmaceutical, construction, and retail, in general liability matters, such as products liability, personal injury, wrongful death, and other complex litigation. He also defends high profile corporate clients in class actions and individual cases in various areas, such as consumer protection, unfair competition, and false and deceptive advertising in state and federal courts throughout California.

"I am excited and honored to join Sanders Roberts, especially since the firm is the gold standard for civil trial attorneys, said Dixon. Im looking forward to helping the firm to continue to thrive and prosper for years to come.

Mr. Dixon received his law degree from the University of Southern California Law School and his undergraduate degree from Loyola Marymount University. Before joining Sanders Roberts, Mr. Dixon was named Top 40 Under 40 by SD Metro Magazine and The National Black Lawyers in 2019 and 2015, respectively. In addition, Mr. Dixon has been named a Rising Star by San Diego Super Lawyers from 20152021.

Mr. Dixon is also actively involved in the legal communityin particular, with the American Bar Association and the National Association of Minority and Women-Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF). As a member of the American Bar Association, he has served as a co-chair of the Section of Litigation Diversity & Inclusion Committee (2018-2019) as well as the Editor of the Diversity & Inclusion Committees Newsletter (2015-2018).

"Robert will add essential bandwidth to our thriving litigation practice. And with the uptick of product liability actions and consumer-related litigation, he will be an asset for our clients facing these types of issues," said Co-Managing Partner Justin H. Sanders.

About Sanders Roberts

Since 2008, Sanders Roberts LLP has provided exceptional legal services customized to its clients and their individual situations. SR believes in efficiently and effectively resolving the issues at hand and crafting solutions that work for its clients and their enterprises. SR has been recognized as a Top 20 Boutique in California by the Daily Journal, it is also a member of the NAMWOLF, and a certified Minority Business Enterprise.

For more information, please contact Sanders Roberts LLP at info@sandersroberts.com or visit sandersroberts.com.
A man from Indiana has been arrested in connection with a firebomb that was thrown towards a police car while the Portland protests were in full swing last summer.

Malik Muhammed, 24, was arrested on Friday and charged with attempted aggravated murder, attempted assault in the first degree, attempted murder in the first degree, unlawful manufacture of a destructive device and other crimes.

Police say DNA evidence retrieved from an unexploded Molotov cocktail helped identify Muhammed.

The incident which happened during a Black Lives Matter protest on September 21 was documented by a Portland police officer who was sitting in a vehicle used to broadcast warnings and loud noise at protesters when the burning object came straight towards him.

Malik Fard Muhammed, 24, was arrested in Indianapolis, Indiana on multiple warrants, including attempted murder and other charges over two firebomb attacks

The officer jumped out of the car and found a beer growler made into a Molotov cocktail, with a burned rag stuffed into its mouth. The firebomb did not go off.

According to court records, that bottle produced key evidence that helped lead to charges against Muhammed who authorities said had come to Portland for protests.

It is one of the most serious court cases to stem from the prolonged protests that rocked Portland last year.

A previously secret 28-count indictment details how officers examined the unexploded firebomb.

A price tag allowed them to trace the beer growler to the store where it had been purchased.

Video of the incident was captured where a Molotov cocktail exploded when thrown at Portland Police and was then extinguished on September. 23, 2020

Portland police officers evade a molotov cocktail during unrest that followed the grand jury decision in Louisville's Breonna Taylor case, in Portland, Oregon

Surveillance video showed Muhammed and his girlfriend buying growlers and bats, Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Keven Demer said in an affidavit.

DNA samples from the unexploded firebomb had 'an extremely strong comparison' to Muhammed, Demer said.

Two days later, on September 23, during a protest at the Justice Center building in downtown Portland, another Molotov cocktail was thrown.

This one exploded when it hit the ground, creating a large fireball and spraying flames onto the leg of an officer, Demer said. Multiple videos show Muhammed throwing the device, he added.

Portland police walk past a fire started by a Molotov cocktail thrown at police

Muhammed allegedly threw a firebomb that scorched the uniform of a police officer on September 23, 2020 in Portland

Additionally, Muhammed was also determined to be responsible for throwing another Molotov cocktail which did not go off on September 21, 2020

'Anyone who thinks they can get away with trying to murder police officers and destroy this city should think again,' Police Chief Chuck Lovell said in a statement announcing Muhammed's arrest. 'More investigations are underway.'

FBI agents apparently blended in with protesters in an attempt to pinpoint those who were violent.

During another protest the following month on October 11, FBI agents in plainclothes saw Muhammed, dressed all in black but wearing distinctive red-and-gray gloves, use a metal baton to break windows of the Oregon Historical Society, Portland State University and several businesses, Demer's sworn statement says.

The information was relayed to police officers. They chased the suspect, who allegedly ditched a loaded pistol, and was found with a loaded magazine in his pocket that fit the gun, authorities said. Unlawful possession of a firearm is another of the charges Muhammed faces.

A Portland police officer extinguishes the flames of a Molotov cocktail during unrest that followed the grand jury decision in Louisville's Breonna Taylor case last September

Protesters demanding the end of police violence against black people take cover from smoke during a demonstration in Portland last September

Muhammed could face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years. He is being held on $3 million bail

Demer noted that Muhammed could face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years if convicted and is a flight risk. He asked the court to set bail at $3 million.

Judge Leslie Bottomly denied the request and instead ordered that Muhammed be held.

Portland has seen demonstrations since George Floyd died in May after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee into the black man's neck for nearly eight minutes.

Last summer, there were demonstrations for more than 100 straight days.

Demonstrations have at times attracted up to 10,000 people for peaceful marches and rallies around the city. But some protesters have turned to violence that's been increasingly directed at the courthouse and other federal property with 27 riots declared in the space of four months.

Portland endured more than 100 nights of rioting during last summer's protest over racial inequality and police brutality

There were more than 100 nights of rioting last summer which saw protesters tear gassed and fired upon with rubber bullets by the city's police force

Some protesters threw bricks, rocks and other projectiles at officers, with police responding by firing tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds.

At the time, the Trump administration sent federal agents to quell the unrest but the deployment had the opposite effect, reinvigorating protesters who found a new rallying point in opposing the federal presence.

Many of the federal tactical teams wore combat-like gear, but their deployment inflamed the situation, especially following footage of protesters being snatched off the street by federal agents and put into unmarked cars.

Mayor Ted Wheeler recently decried what he described as a segment of violent agitators who detract from the message of police accountability and should be subject to more severe punishment.

Inflamed by the arrival of federal officers and right-wing militias, including the so-called Proud Boys, the protests turned deadly.

Portland was been the epicenter of protests in 2020 with at least 200 nights of demonstrations, 30 nights of rioting and around 1,000 arrests. (File photo from July)
Vaccination and compliance with health measures remain the safe solutions that allow the reopening of the hospitality after June 1, Prime Minister Florin Citu said on Tuesday at the end of a meeting with representatives of Romania's Hotel and Restaurant Employers' Organisation.

"We want to find solutions together to reopen the hospitality industry under safe conditions and for all Romanians to have access to these services, to be able to spend their holidays in the country. Vaccination and compliance with health measures remain the safe solutions for reopening this sector, as planned, after June 1. I appreciate the openness of my dialogue partners and the support provided to encourage the vaccination of HoReCa personnel before this sector reopens business. This will be a good signal to the entire population and a step forward in resuming tourism activities," Citu wrote on the government's Facebook page.

"I hope that people will have confidence and understand that the only way we are able to return to life as it was before the pandemic is by reaching a certain mass immunization threshold, and vaccination gives us this chance. Of course, we need to further observe the virus spread containment measures," Citu added.

"We do not want to discriminate against anyone and I am not a supporter of the idea of dividing the population into 'vaccinated' and 'unvaccinated'. In no case do we want to limit the Romanians' domestic trips based on this criterion. We will also respect the decisions that will be taken by the EU as regards the green pass for international travel. The citizens of Romania must enjoy all the European rights and freedoms," said Citu.

The Prime Minister also mentions that the Executive will continue consultations with hospitality representatives both at the level of the interministerial committee tasked with preparing the "return to normality" starting June 1, 2021, and regarding the enforcement of support measures for the pandemic-stricken HoReCa operators, by extending some of them or, as the case may be, by introducing new ones.
Senior Australian diplomats, including ambassador to the United States Arthur Sinodinos, have been caught up in a sophisticated identity theft scam in which cyber attackers impersonated them on encrypted messaging services WhatsApp and Telegram in a bid to get sensitive information from their contacts.

The Australian Federal Police is investigating the security lapses after a number of heads of mission reported experiencing suspicious activity on their phones.

Australias ambassador to the US, Arthur Sinodinos, was one of the diplomats hit by the phishing scam. Credit:Janie Barrett

The cyber scare appears to mirror the attacks on senior cabinet ministers, including Finance Minister Simon Birmingham and Health Minister Greg Hunt, whereby the attackers are impersonating the individuals on WhatsApp or Telegram by using their names and personal phone numbers and gaining access to their contact book. There is also a third federal MP who has been hit by the scam who has not been identified.

The phishing attacks have unsettled some senior members of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to the extent that they are now operating on the basis their phones have been compromised. This climate of fear has been exacerbated by a number of other unrelated cyber attacks against diplomats, as well as sophisticated hacks on the computer networks of Parliament House and Nine News (publisher of this masthead).
Islamabad, April 6 : Pakistani authorities announced on Tuesday that most schools would remain closed for another three weeks as thousands of children were infected with Covid-19 amid a third of wave of the pandemic.

Students from grades one to eight will remain at home until April 28 before the situation is reviewed again, dpa news agency quoted Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood as saying here.

Classes for grades nine to 12 are to resume on a staggered basis in two weeks, the minister said.

The country reported more than 100 deaths in the past 24 hours on Monday, the highest figure so far during the latest wave of infections.

Fears are rising in Pakistan as more than 10,000 children have caught the deadly virus, health officials said.

The country is heading towards a grim milestone of 15,000 deaths since the outbreak began.

Last month, Pakistan closed all schools when the positivity rate of those tested for the coronavirus reached 10 per cent.

Levels had slightly improved on Monday when just over 8 per cent of tests were positive. Officials nonetheless called the situation alarming.

The slow rollout of vaccine is also hindering the government's attempts to improve the situation, Pakistan's leading medic Faisal Sultan said.

After supplies were delayed under the global distribution system, Pakistan relied on political ally China for vaccine. However, only around 1 million people have received their first jab so far, due to the sluggish rollout.

The Pakistan Medical Association, the country's largest body of health care professionals, has advised the government against reopening schools until the current wave of cases subsides.
Woke Coke seems less concerned with selling sugar water these days than selling Americans on the idea that whites are not worthy of respect or equal protection under the law. A few weeks ago, a whistleblower revealed Coca-Colas discriminatory employee training program equating racism with whiteness. In a series of online work assignments, Coke goes so far as to instruct its white employees to, try to be less white. How does one be less white? Coke answers that explicitly: by being less oppressive, arrogant, certain, defensive, and ignorant, and being more humble and break[ing] with white solidarity. For Coke, judging people based on the color of their skin is not only tolerated but also company policy.

If the companys de-whitening efforts werent sufficient proof that Coca-Cola prioritizes a persons skin color over a persons talents and individual character, it drove the point home with a letter sent to its outside legal counsel demanding that law firms assign attorneys representing the Coca-Cola Company based, not upon the quality of lawyers work, but rather upon lawyers racial classification. Going forward, Coke will penalize and reduce its fees to law firms unable to hit certain racial quotas.

Now Coca-Colas CEO is joining other race hucksters to claim that sensible voter ID laws meant to curb fraud in Georgias elections should be seen as nothing short of white Americans attempt to disenfranchise black voters  a loaded accusation not based in reason or analysis of the laws merits but rather in raw emotionalism intended to pit one group of Americans against another.

Surely a company that regurgitates nasty racial stereotypes against whites so effortlessly while seeking to eliminate them from its workforce doesnt really believe white people can ever scrub all that icky whiteness away for good, no matter how many rounds of re-education they are forced to endure. As Coca-Colas training materials suggest, racism is just part of whites DNA. Perhaps the company could have saved future employees a lot of trouble by simply hanging a sign on its front door reading, No Uppity Whites Allowed.

Racial stereotypes, racial classifications and quotas, explicitly racist indoctrination  why is Coca-Cola so obsessed with discriminating against people based on the color of their skin rather than evaluating all of the individual characteristics that make each person a unique member of the human race? Perhaps racism is in the companys own DNA, not at all different from the way the beverage company judges white Americans as racists for historical injustices in which they claimed no part.

Did you know that Nazi Germany was one of Coca-Colas biggest markets? Have you ever seen an official Coca-Cola advertisement promoting the companys partnership with the Nazis during the 1936 Olympics under a jingoistic tagline  One people, one country, one drink, Coke is it  that would have made Adolf Hitler proud? No?

source

Does Coca-Cola not highlight its financial history with Nazi Germany when crowing about its racial purity tests today? Or the fact that Germanys inconvenient declaration of war against the United States made it sufficiently difficult for Coca-Cola to maintain its prominent reputation within the Reich that the companys German representatives repurposed the operations of hundreds of bottling plants toward the production of a new drink called Fanta to serve thirsty German soldiers throughout the war? Does the Coca-Cola Company not brag about Fantas wartime genesis as a Nazi beverage? How strange.

One would think that a company so dedicated to rooting out white supremacy that it forces its white employees into racial re-education training seminars would first want to take a hard look at its own rather awkward historical relationship with actual white supremacists intent on building a world-dominating master race. Thats what racial justice requires, right  the punishment of one generation of Americans for the sins of generations past? So why should Coca-Colas questionable corporate history be off-limits when it goes out of its way to demonize white Americans for no other reason than the color of their skin?

On the other hand, everything about Coca-Colas racial indoctrination program today sounds as if it could be ripped right from the pages of Nazi Germanys own race laws, with Jews and other undesirables being crossed out and whites scribbled in their place. All the racial animosity that nearly destroyed humanity last century is back in woke form, and some of the same companies that underestimated the Nazi threat then are underestimating the evil intent of the new racialist agendas that are taking over the corporate world today. Isnt that, after all, why Critical Race Theory exists  so that pretend intellectuals can repackage discredited race-based theories from the past into academic language that can be used once again to justify outright racism? If so, 2021 Coke and 1936 Coke still have much in common. The only thing really differentiating the symbolism of a Nazi swastika and a Black Lives Matter clenched fist, after all, is which racial group is being targeted and which racial group is doing the targeting.

There is nothing new under the sun. Perhaps if Coca-Cola were capable of seeing the similarity between the racial grievances of its old Nazi partners and those of its new woke ones, it wouldnt be so enthusiastic to repeat history all over. And maybe if Coke remains so intent on cancelling white Americans for the problems it sees in Americas history, then Americans should cancel Coke for the problems it overlooked in Nazi Germanys.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
LANCASTER, Pa., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc. (ACT) has introduced a series of high-performance Air Conditioners to their Enclosure Cooling product line. The high efficiency vapor-compression air conditioners provide 1,000-5,000W of cooling and are designed for easy, "plug-and-play" installation within existing control cabinets. Additionally, ACT has streamlined the ordering process offering web-based selection tools, online ordering, and quick-turn fulfillment.

As electronics' cabinets are becoming increasingly more challenging to cool, customers are seeking high power, sub-ambient cooling solutions they can rely on.

For More Information Visit: https://www.1-act.com/

"Customers continuously requested higher capacity air conditioners and we made the strategic decision to invest in the VCC product series," said Scott Garner, Vice President of Industrial Products Group, Advanced Cooling Technologies. "With this product expansion, we now have design options that meet the vast majority of our customers' power and environmental requirements."

The VCC series features several characteristics that are ideal for automation, utility, communications, and power electronics industries including:

High power capacity: 1,000 to 5,000 Watts models

IP 55 Seal for harsh environment applications

Adjustable cabinet air temperature setpoint from 20C to 40C

Convenient through-wall or cabinet door mounting

Competitive price points, starting at $1,150

In-Stock, ready to ship

"All of our Enclosure Cooling products are designed with our customers in mind. We pride ourselves on providing a broad range of highly effective products," added Devin Pellicone, Lead Engineer, Advanced Cooling Technologies.

About Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc:

Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc. (ACT) is a premier thermal management solutions company, providing design and manufacturing services to meet our customers' needs across all points of the product lifecycle since 2003. We serve our customers' thermal management and energy recovery needs in diverse Markets including Defense, Aerospace, Electronics, HVAC, Medical, Enclosure Cooling and Calibration Equipment. With the expertise of an industry leader and the agility of a small company, we specialize in providing performance and cost-optimized thermal management technologies and solutions that meet the unique needs of each customer.

Media Resources:

Sealed Enclosure Cooling Information

https://www.1-act.com/markets/enclosure-cooling/

Product Information

https://www.1-act.com/enclosure-cooling/act-vcc-vapor-compression-air-conditioners/

Online Ordering

https://www.1-act.com/product-category/act-vcc-vapor-compression-air-conditioners/

Media Contact: Megan Ulrich, 717-295-6061, [email protected]

SOURCE Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.1-act.com


Autistic 20-Year-Old Considers Suicide During Lockdown, Then Saloon Owner Hires Him

A cry for help on social media from a mom with a 20-year-old autistic son yielded a lifeline thrown to him. Not only did he find two job offers, but also warmth amidst the crushing loneliness of lockdown.

Khobe Tyre loves movie parodies, hugs, and telling jokes. He worked as an usher at Harkins movie theater in Queen Creek, Arizona, after high school. When the theater closed during the pandemic, Khobe was bereft.

The isolation even caused him to contemplate suicide.

Khobe Tyre and his mom Shalayna. (Courtesy of Shalayna Tyre)

Thats when his mom, Shalayna, reached out on Instagram, hoping to meet up with other parents of grown special-needs persons.

Within hours, hundreds of messages piled in.

One stood out.

Mom of four Amy Kennett owns Old West Homebrew Saloon, having started the venture out of a trailer. It became a store on Florences Main Street in December 2020, serving teas, sodas, and ice cream.

Her daughter, Abigail, has cerebral palsy, and her son, Thomas, Abigails twin brother, is autistic.

We started the business for [our kids] and for our family, and also in the hopes for it to build so that we can hire other individuals with special needs, Amy told The Epoch Times.

Amy knew immediately she wanted to contact Khobe. They and his mom met for the first time in March and announced a collaboration on Facebook.

Khobe with Amy Kennett. (Courtesy of Amy Kennett)

This is the young man whose story touched my heart on social media and I had to reach out, Amy posted. We are excited to have him join the Old West family.

Old West teaches job and life skills to special needs hires on-site, including customer interaction, taking orders, and working the till. Amys son Thomas was tasked with training Khobe.

After a day on the job, he was doing amazing  Hes funny, Amy said. He tells all the customers jokes. He immediately fit in very well with my family and my kids.

Its really cool, Khobe told ABC. I got to see some people that I could relate to, they were like me.

Thomas training Khobe at Old West Homebrew Saloon. (Courtesy of Amy Kennett)

Besides working at Old West, Khobe was offered a second, weekend job as a greeter at Schnepf Farms, where he distributes site maps and gets to chat with visitors.

Shalayna said that not working for almost a year was really hard on her son.

Now having two places to work at has been so, so good for him, she said. Hes getting to interact with people and tell his jokes, which is his favorite thing in the world!

Since hiring Khobe, Amy was approached by more parents with special-needs kids, leading her to float an idea to the Florence Chamber of Commerce for a yearly hiring event.

Her next goal is to make Florence an Autism Certified City, ensuring healthcare, education, local government, and the hospitality industry are equipped to serve those with cognitive disorders.

I think kindness goes a long way, Amy said.

My children, other people on the spectrum or any other disability, theyre just like you and I and they want to be given opportunities and a chance to thrive, to be successful.

Khobe at his second job greeting visitors at Schnepf Farms. (Courtesy of Shalayna Tyre)

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 at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter
I see another celebrity has gone and changed their name. Well, not so fast. This is no Andrew G to Osher Gunsberg situation.

Well, whats going on then? British actor Thandiwe Newton has revealed she will no longer go by the name Thandie after 30 years in the film and TV business. But its not really a name-change, its a reclamation of the one she was given at birth.

Thandiwe Thandie Newton in season two of Westworld.

Wait. But if Thandiwe was always her name, why did she use another one? It all came down to a spelling mistake. Newton told British Vogue that the W was mistakenly left out in her very first screen credit and she had stuck with Thandie since. Although she didnt name the project, it is believed she is referring to the 1991 Australian film Flirting, given this was her film debut.

Remind me: What is Thandiwe Newton famous for again? You probably know her from HBOs science fiction series Westworld. She also portrayed the criminal Val in the 2018 film Solo: A Star Wars Story. Along the way, shes picked up an Emmy and a British Academy Film Award.
As Florida insurers focus on addressing mounting losses in the states property insurance market with legislative reforms, rising rates and coverage restrictions, other stakeholders are working to educate consumers about one issue that is perpetuating the markets problems  contractor fraud.

Floridas Insurance Consumer Advocate Tasha Carter wants to close what she says is a consumer knowledge gap with a new program offering tips, services and resources on this issue, and shes looking to insurance agents to help her spread the word.

I dont think that most homeowners understand whats happening in the marketplace, Carter said. Of course, theyre receiving their renewal notices with the increased premium rates [and] most of them mistakenly think that that maybe due in part to recent hurricanes or claims that have been filed across the board.

Carter hears frequently from consumers who are unhappy with the large premium increases carriers are implementing to offset their deteriorating financial conditions. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation said recently it had approved 105 rate changes, 90 of which were for rate increases, over the last year, with 55 of those for rate increases of more than 10%.

Excessive litigation from first party lawsuits and unscrupulous contractors promising homeowners a new roof or kitchen if they sign over their insurance policy rights is partly to blame. These contractors, who in some cases work with attorneys or public adjusters, inflate repair costs and sue the insurer if they refuse to pay or dispute the amount. In some cases, homeowners have been left with unfinished work and little recourse.

Years of this abuse has led to billions in losses for the Florida insurance industry, with more than $1.5 billion occurring last year alone.

Most oftentimes as I am speaking with consumers, theyre not aware of some of the fraudulent schemes that are taking place that are costing the industry and are not aware how these factors truly impact them and their insurance rates, Carter told Insurance Journal in an interview with the Florida Association of Insurance Agentss (FAIA) Kyle Ulrich on her new Demolish Contractor Fraud initiative.

Carter launched the program last month to educate homeowners on how they can avoid becoming victims of such schemes. The program provides an overview of what contractor fraud is, what to look for when hiring a contractor, and what actions a contractor can legally take on behalf of the policyholder.

What I do think homeowners are concerned about  is wanting to ensure that when they enter into that agreement or that contract with the contractor, ensuring that that contractor is going to provide the services that they are expecting, Carter said. And that theyre going to perform quality work, theyre going to do it in a timely manner, and theyre not going to simply use the situation to take advantage of homeowners.

Also on the website is contact information for state departments that can assist consumers if they have questions, suspect they are being scammed or are seeking information on the states construction recovery fund if they have sued a contractor.

We are trying to be as comprehensive as possible to ensure that consumers are informed and theyre educated so that they can simply protect themselves from falling victim, she said. One of the primary reasons that I created the program is as Floridas insurance consumer advocate, one of my primary concerns is the availability and affordability of homeowners insurance for Floridas homeowners.

FAIA is helping the ICA spread the word about contractor fraud and the new awareness campaign. The association has an active membership of 21,000 agents throughout the state who are also concerned about the markets downward spiral and how its impacting their customers.

FAIA President and CEO Ulrich said the partnership with ICA Carter made sense given the two share similar priorities of protecting homeowners from being targets of contractor schemes and wanting a healthy insurance market.

I think that consumers, generally speaking, are concerned about fraud and they want to make sure that theyre hiring a reputable contractor, but I dont think that they understand the nexus between contractor fraud and whats happening in the insurance marketplace, Ulrich said.

Agents have seen firsthand how the exploiting of homeowners claims has led rate increases and reduced coverage, Ulirch said, and agents are now trying to educate their customers.

To help spread awareness of contractor fraud and the new initiative, FAIA has developed talking points for agents and a form letter they can send to their customer list about whats happening and what to watch out for.

We have a tremendous number of our members who have really committed to knowing and understanding and being willing to be a part of the solution, he said. We have a unique perspective and the ability to talk directly to consumers, unlike most other groups, especially companies.

FAIA has heard from its members for about the last 10 years that theres been a shift in consumer perception of insurance and the claims process that the association believes is driven by the involvement of third parties, Ulrich said.

There has been a proliferation of people who are out there literally mining claims and trying to solicit consumers to file claims that they otherwise were unaware that they may have had, Ulrich said. We felt like there was an awful lot of nexus between some of the things that the ICA is talking about here and what were hearing from our members, and any way to better inform the consumer about that nexus is a role that we want to play.

Part of the goal for FAIA is to encourage consumers to contact their lawmakers and demand reforms be passed so rates do not continue to rise, or worse.

Pretty much every carrier in the marketplace has some sort of restrictions now, whether it be by geographic region or age of the home, age of the roof, other underwriting factors, Ulrich said.

Customers who cant afford a 30%-plus rate increase are looking to their agents for help, but Ulrich says agents hands are tied.

They just dont have very many options to provide the consumer, he said, which is leading to a flood of new policies for Citizens Property Insurance Corp., the states insurer of last resort.

Thats not a good situation for the consumer, he said. Its good that they have some option, that the state is there to fill that void, but its not providing the comprehensive coverage that many homeowners need at this point in time.

Carter said awareness is growing among most lawmakers. She met with several before the current legislative session began in March and shared some specific consumer examples of exactly whats happening and how homeowners are being directly impacted by the level of fraud thats taking place.

And while Carter is in support of certain reforms the industry backs, such as reducing the claims filing deadline from three years to two for new claims, she is not in support of the roof reimbursement provision in Senate Bill 76 that would allow insurers to limit how much they will cover for roof replacements.

I think that can absolutely be harmful for consumers. They can also be blindsided by that, she said. I would much rather see the focus being placed more on the front end, not the back end after a claim is filed  can we prevent the solicitation from the unscrupulous contractors and the intentional deceptive practices that are occurring? Lets address those so that we prevent the claim from even being filed and thus we prevent any type of subsequent litigation that may occur as well.

As the insurance consumer advocate, Carter said there will be times when her advocacy work on behalf of policyholders may not align with what insurance companies think is in their best interest. But when it comes this issue, she says they are on the same page because a healthy insurance market is in everyones best interest.

Im going to continue to identify ways that I can assist and advocate on behalf of consumers to ensure that coverage is available for them, and it is affordable for them, and that we are addressing the factors that are not only impacting individual policyholders, but also impacting the insurance industry as a whole, Carter said.

Watch video below for more on Floridas insurance market, contractor fraud, and the push for legislative reforms:

Related:

Topics Agencies Florida Fraud Contractors
Press Release

April 6, 2021 Bong Go lauds initiative to capacitate PH to eventually produce or locally manufacture vaccines To aid in the country's fight against future pandemics, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go has expressed his support for the establishment of a virology institute which will eventually enable the country to develop and manufacture its own vaccines against diseases, such as COVID-19, in the future. "Ako naman po ay pabor naman po ako dahil 'di natin masabi kung may pandemya pa na darating sa buhay natin. So mabuti na po na maging proactive tayo. Someday, magkaroon sana tayo ng sariling vaccine manufacturer sa bansa," Go said in an interview on Monday, April 5. Lamenting the hardships government authorities need to go through to procure vaccines for the country from the global market, Go hopes for the proposed institute to eventually capacitate the country to develop and manufacture its own vaccines. "Pag-aralan natin ang posibilidad na magkaroon ng sariling kapasidad na mag-develop, produce, at manufacture dahil sa nangyari po ngayon, 'take it or leave it' tayo. Kung 'di tayo sumunod sa kanilang agreement ay di tayo mabibigyan ng bakuna. Halos nagmamakaawa pa tayo," Go said. "Naaawa na nga po ako sa mga kasamahan natin sa gobyerno na halos walang tulog para bigyan lang tayo ng bakuna. Ginagawa naman po ng gobynero ang lahat sa abot ng makakaya para makakuha ng bakuna. Sabi ko, panahon na rin na magkaroon tayo nito para handa na tayo kung ano pang pandemya ang dumating," he added. The Senator envisions the proposed institute to create strategic partnerships with other leading virology centers, institutes and scientists and conduct innovative research that will advance the country's progress and development in the field of virology. These researches could eventually be adopted by concerned government agencies, private entities, and the academe to guide them in developing policies, implementing action plans, and managing medical resources during health crises. The government has already allocated an amount of PhP50 million in the 2021 General Appropriations Act for the detailed engineering design of the virology institute which is planned to be built in New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac. The institute project is one of the projects included in the government's Build! Build! Build! infrastructure program. Measures have also been introduced in both the Senate and the House of Representatives to institutionalize the proposed virology research. In the meantime, Go urged the government to invest in building local manufacturing capabilities to eventually veer away from the country's reliance on the international market for vaccines. "Napakalaki po ng potensyal ng ating bansa na mag-produce ng sarili nating mga gamot at bakuna laban sa samu't saring mga sakit. Napapanahon na po upang pag-aralan natin kung papaano tayo magiging self-reliant pagdating sa aspetong ito," reiterated Go in previous statements. The Senator also asked the Department of Science and Technology, with the help of health experts, local pharmaceutical companies, the private sector, as well as those from the academe, to engage with international vaccine producers so that the government could immediately start locally manufacturing much needed COVID-19 vaccines. "This initiative will not only boost our local vaccine supply, but can also help increase production of vaccines in the world market in the future," Go pointed out.
Elon Musk revealed that the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket boosters and other reusable spacecraft innovations of the company have no "maximum limit" to be used again within the company's missions as it returns to the planet. SpaceX aims for "full reusability" and is said to continue reusing the spacecraft as long as it can be serviced and fit for its next mission.

SpaceX Full Reusability

According to the SpaceX CEO, Elon Musk via Twitter (@elonmusk), the company aims for "full reusability" with the use of its spacecraft despite coming from various missions that have occurred for the past launches. It was known that SpaceX's innovations were focused on reusable pieces of technology for its missions and partnerships.

For practical purposes, there is no limit. It will just get increasingly difficult to service.  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 4, 2021

Moreover, the company also puts no limit on the reusability of the spacecraft, as revealed by the CEO. SpaceX rocket boosters and vessels like the Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon can be used as little or as frequently as decided by the company, basing on different factors such as the ruggedness, its safety to be reused, and how much service it needs.

For Musk and SpaceX, the vehicle's reusability would heavily depend on how much service it requires and the cost that the company is willing to spend to keep the spacecraft up and running for the next mission. SpaceX is known to have saved millions of dollars with its reusable innovation, along with saving raw resources to create a new one.

Read Also: PS5 Restock April 2021: Where to Buy; Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and More! [GUIDE]

Elon Musk Recommends 'Full Reusability' for Roscosmos

The tweet that revealed Musk's recommendation and SpaceX's reusability innovation was initially directed to Roscosmos' #AmurSPG rocket which is nearing its release for this year's Fall season. The article from Taas embedded within the tweet showed that the company is only looking at partial reuse for its returning rocket booster.

This a good path, but I recommend aiming for full reusability  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 4, 2021

Despite being a rival space agency (and a state-funded one for Russia), Musk still suggested a way to improve their technology and boost the spacecraft's reusability. Elon Musk's goal is to have SpaceX reuse its rockets to reduce the consumption and waste of raw materials for a new one, effectively maximizing the company's resources.

Musk Shows off German Language Skills

Ich habe ein Semester Deutsch an der Universitat studiert usw  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 4, 2021

Additionally, a tweet from a fan insulted Falcon 9 by saying "Falcon Nein," which is a known German word for "No." In this, the SpaceX CEO had a good laugh about it and was asked if he knows how to speak the foreign language. Here, Musk revealed (in German) that he had studied the foreign language for one semester during his university days.

Related Article: Elon Musk: Tesla to Hire 10,000 Employees for Gigafactory Texas; Requirements Don't Include College Degree

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Written by Isaiah Alonzo

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The US Marshals Service arrested a Harrisburg man on Tuesday, the day after a shooting in the city, according to officials.

Omar Saez-Ramos, 34, is the suspect in a shooting that occurred in the 1000 block of North 12th Street on Monday, the Marshals said. Details of the shooting, including injuries or damage, were not available.

Charges of aggravated assault and reckless endangerment were filed against Saez-Ramos and the Marshals Service was asked to assist in taking him into custody.

Tuesday morning, members of the Marshals fugitive task force arrested Saez-Ramos in the 900 block of Norwood Street in Harrisburg.

The task force includes members from Harrisburg police, state police, the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, Lower Paxton Township police, Swatara Township police, Derry Township police, Steelton police, Dauphin County Adult Probation and the Dauphin County Work Release Center.

Saez-Ramos was arraigned Tuesday and is being held at Dauphin County Prison on $50,000 bail, according to online court dockets. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for April 26.

Read more on PennLive:
One side effect of the coronavirus pandemic in The Woodlands has been the temporary cessation of ongoing incorporation studies and a lack of discussion of the idea of becoming a city. Nearly two years of research started in 2018 was expected to lead to the issue being placed on the 2020 ballot for voters, but those plans were scuttled by the COVID-19 pandemic.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Coronavirus scuttles incorporation plans for The Woodlands

Now, more than a year after township directors voted to not place the issue on the Nov. 3, 2020, ballot and hold off on a push to become a city until the financial dust settled from the pandemic, the issue has arisen again. While the township has weathered the economic storm to a degree, the main reason cited by directors for postponing the incorporation issue last year, there were still significant losses in both sales tax revenue as well as hotel occupancy tax revenue.

At the time of the March 2020 decision, township board chairman Gordy Bunch stuck to his previous comments that placing the issue of incorporation on the ballot was an issue so big it should be considered at the highest turnout elections possible  during a presidential election year or mid-term election year  with plans for either 2020, 2022 or 2024 floated by directors over the past three years.

However, a commitment to that timeline seems to be lessening as a series of controversies have given some directors ammunition for becoming a city: the unexpected denial of CARES Act reimbursement funds from Montgomery County, a lack of control over development on Mitchell Island and a growing controversy over broken utility lines  allegedly done by subcontractors for Tachus.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Woodlands leaders irritated with CARES Act funds distribution

Bunch and other directors have said in numerous recent meetings that there is growing evidence that being a city is more advantageous for the township than being unincorporated county land. During an interview on April 1, Bunch reiterated those statements and said more evidence than ever exists that becoming a city is beneficial to local residents.

The main thing is, we had a whole schedule of (incorporation) things that were going to occur from April through August last year, and it all got deferred and extended. Its time to brush that off and get going again, Bunch said of incorporation. (Last year) we shoved everything in a corner and said, COVID is bad, lets not talk about this (issue). Weve been focused on vaccinations, and are now moving into a new phase of the pandemic and we now need to expand (our actions) and get back to some of these other projects.

Director Bob Milner said he had no comment on incorporation being on the 2021 ballot at this time, but he did admit some recent situations such as the CARES Act reimbursement controvery has added fuel to the fire in favor of incorporating a city.

Since the Incorporation Task Force is currently reviewing the future plans, I dont believe it is prudent for me to make a comment on something that is currently undetermined. While the task force will review and make recommendations to the full board, in the end, the full board will be responsible for next steps and the timing of any decisions relative to incorporation. I believe it was the wise and responsible decision to step away from incorporation planning to be myopically focused on the impact the pandemic would and did have on our community, Milner said in an email. As we continue to recover the time will present itself for the incorporation study and planning efforts. This focus proved to be instrumental in the Township recovering from the pandemic in a solid manner.

Director Bruce Rieser said he had no comment in the issue. Veteran director Ann Snyder, who endorsed two anti-incorporaton candidates in the 2020 board election, declined to comment. In several different meetings of the board in 2021, Bunch, Rieser and Milner have all expressed their opinion that incorporation could help The Woodlands in the future.

Next steps

The process for incorporation is multi-faceted and includes several caveats. In order for voters to decide the issue in an election, the township board will first have to approve placing the issue before voters along with a proposed possible maximum property tax rate. If that proposal receives four votes from the board, it would be placed on the November ballot.

The deadline to place issues on the ballot for the Nov. 2, 2021, election is 5 p.m. Aug. 16. That is also the deadline for candidates to apply to be on the official ballot for the 2021 township board elections  three incumbents are up for re-election this year: Shelley Sekula-Gibbs; Bob Milner; and Ann Snyder.

If incorporation is placed on the ballot, voters will then decide on two questions which both much be approved: whether to incorporate into a city or not and whether or not to approve the proposed possible maximum property tax rate. If both are OKd by residents, the process to become a city would begin soon after the election.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Firm completes report on Woodlands incorporation study for Township board

Because of the seriousness of a once-in-a-century global pandemic that has left millions dead, the issue of incorporation has largely been ignored by the township board since April 2020, with few mentions of the issue during meetings and no special incorporation-focused meetings.

That was in stark contract to the previous 18 to 20 months during which twice monthly incorporation planning meetings were hosted with copious data and reports from the main consulting firm, the Novak Consulting Group of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Julia Novak, the general manager of Novak Consulting Group, said she has not been contacted by any officials at The Woodlands Township about her team restarting the incorporation studies. The group was under contract through November 2020, but Bunch said the company did not complete the last bits and pieces of the studies as well as coordinate public forums on incorporation which they are contractually obligated to do.

The township has not yet reached out, Novak said in an email.

Officials with Novak helped create the incorporation informational website for the township, https://www.thewoodlandsincorporationstudy.com/, which currently has a message stating: The Township Board of Directors has temporarily deferred further action on the Incorporation Study process due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This website contains links to incorporation study materials created to-date.

Opposition to incorporation

The issue of incorporation has seemingly split the community, with some in favor of maintaining the special purpose district designation the township currently has while others believing becoming an incorporated city would be the best for residents in the future. At a September 2018 community forum on the issue, hundreds of residents turned out to speak both in favor of and against becoming a city.

The opposition to becoming a city was dented in the past year with defeats of several candidates opposed to incorporation in the November 2020 election and the absence of two key, and very vocal, anti-incorporation activists.

Two candidates for township board  Jimmie Dotson and Daniel Hannon  who were vehemently anti-incorporation were soundly defeated in their bids to unseat incumbents Jason Nelson and Bruce Rieser, both of whom are in favor of incorporation.

And, two of the leading anti-incorporation activists in the community will not be present for future debates on the issue. Former township director Mike Bass died in late March 2020 and community activist Amy Lecocq relocated to a new home out of state and has ended her activities in the township. Both had been regular speakers on the issue during public comment portions of meetings and Lecocq even made her own anti-incorporation website.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Woodlands incorporation activist Lecocq creates informational website

Bunch said the issues from the past year have proven to him, and he claims other residents, that incorporation could benefit the township.

We have had more residents in the past 12 months indicate a desire for us to incorporate due to a variety of issues. Planning and zoning issues was one, the lack of easements control with Tachus is another, Bunch said. The lack of CARES Act funds and the distinction we have versus being a municipality. Then historically, flood mitigation. It is a stacking set of issues depending on where you live and how you are affected to where residents are wanting to voice their opinion one way or another.

jeff.forward@chron.com
Student progress not uniform

Re: Stop social passing (Letter, March 31)

I write from the perspective of a career educator with expertise in inclusion support. The question of retention versus social passing pops up occasionally in faculty meetings, parent meetings and now in the letters to the editor. On a superficial level, retention appears logical while social passing appears counterintuitive.

This line of thinking ignores hard data such as cyclical childhood poverty, multi-generational trauma, undiagnosed fetal alcohol syndrome, intellectual disabilities, justice involvement, cultural differences, undiagnosed mental illness and a host of other issues.

Some students will never be "at grade level" and will require the ongoing collaborative and caring support of classroom teachers, educational assistants, clinicians and parents. Public schools are duty bound to provide relevant, challenging and meaningful educational experiences to all students.

Social passing is an unfortunate term and is riddled with judgment. The term suggests an undeserved free pass by a benevolent authority and infers blame on previous teachers or parents. It suggests students must progress uniformly through school at a consistent pace, using chronological age as the sole metric. This is wrong.

The psychological impact on a retained student is profound, long lasting and scarring. Some say the psychological impact of retention is as real as grieving the loss of a loved one.

Press on, Winnipeg.

Michael Bennett, Winnipeg

I recall once waiting to speak to the Winnipeg One School Division trustees. A man about 20 years old spoke before me. He asked the trustees why they had kept passing him year after year, letting him think he was doing fine, only to find out that he cant get a job because his reading, writing and math skills were not at the level expected of a high school graduate. He was angry with them for misleading him and for not educating him. Straight from the horses mouth.

Martha Epstein, Winnipeg

Tax oil imports

Re: Premiers vow not to give up on carbon-tax fight (March 25)

With an increase in the carbon tax, one cannot help but have the feeling that Canadian oil producers and consumers are unfairly punished by the powers that be. Take the case of two liquids Canada produces: one is healthy and one is unhealthy. Guess which one has an import tax?

If you guessed the unhealthy one, you would be wrong. Milk, a healthy product, has an import tax while oil does not.

Why are there no restrictions on oil imports if its use is detrimental to the environment? Why would one want to support a carbon tax if there are no restrictions on the importation of oil? An oil import tax would benefit everyone in Canada, environmentally and financially.

Jack Brignoly, Selkirk

Paid for doing nothing

I just received my annual Autopac statement that was prepared and mailed to me by Manitoba Public Insurance.

My base premium is listed at $2,086 and MPI has prepared discounts for me to bring my actual amount payable down to $1,540. I appreciate MPI did this work for me.

My statement shows the breakdown of various allocations of my premium, one of which shows "commissions" paid out at 18 per cent, which I calculate at $277.20. One of my payment options is to pay online using a credit card, which I will do, however our Manitoba government has dictated that the applicable commission will still be paid to an Autopac agent for doing nothing.

We have no control over this ruling; however, this is my question: can I stipulate which Autopac agent gets this commission? If so, I wish to have Brian Pallisters Autopac outlet in Portage la Prairie receive the commission. Would that be a conflict of interest?

Ron Chatfield, East St. Paul

Vaccine wont change life

Re: Can I still spread the coronavirus after Im vaccinated? (April 1)

As a person over 65, Im being told to get the vaccine. Can someone tell me how my life will change? I still have to wear a mask, still social distance, still abide by the rules set out by our so-called experts. So what changes? Absolutely nothing?

If the government really wants people to get this vaccine, why not say that getting it would mean all rules are off the table, that we can get on with life? Maybe its because they really dont believe themselves that any vaccine is going to do any good or change anything.

Give me something to change my present circumstances and I might seriously consider getting the vaccine. I have less life ahead of me than behind me, so let me enjoy what time I have left.

Marilyn Friesen, Winnipeg

In future days, in the aftermath of current precautionary measures such as handwashing, social distancing, mask wearing and hand sanitizing, I would like to see a continuance of mandated mask wearing and hand sanitizing in all grocery and food stores. If we have learned anything from COVID-19, I believe it is that sanitization does work.

When I think of the pre-COVID-19 era and how we would enter grocery/food stores with no masks and no hand sanitizers and handle all that fresh produce and vegetables, together with our coughing, sneezing and runny noses  it is not a pleasant picture.

Lets walk away from COVID-19 with this learning experience of mandatory mask wearing and hand sanitizer stations for all of us to live better and healthier lives.

Trevor Hayden

Winnipeg

Whats cost of charging EVs?

Re: Electric cars an opportunity (Letters, March 20)

I am all for the transition to electric vehicles, but we need to know the cost at the EV pump, just like at the gas pump. If they can charge at home, how much more is the electricity bill? We all know how much more we pay when plugging in our cars during cold winters, and it is significant. Nobody ever mentions this part of the equation when talking about these new EV initiatives. As shoppers, we need to compare this.

Janine Milani

Winnipeg

Please end hunger

I am in Grade 10 at St. Marys Academy. The world should know how many people are suffering from food poverty. One out of every 13 people in Canada who are under the age of 18 dont have the required amount of nutrition because they are not provided with it in their households. How would you feel if you came home one day and your guardian said, "Hey, Im sorry but we dont have anything to eat today; all we have is a piece of this candy."

I am trying to raise awareness by writing facts to share with our community because I know that every one of you is an intelligent person with a very kind heart. My wish would be for everyone to take action and help out the people in need.

Lastly, I want to mention my Instagram @end.food.hunger. On there, two friends and I talk and post about ending food hunger for good. Please check it out!

Kelly Park

Winnipeg

Supersite system in chaos

Re: Clinic beset by the butterfly effect

In my Letter to the Editor and interview both published in the April 1st Free Press, I talked about my miserable experience in the vaccine line-up last Monday. The point of my letter was that I could see no apparent evidence of process design at our vaccination "supersite." I would be remiss if I didnt now elaborate on a possible solution.

First, I need to say that Ive talked to others who have gone to the RBC Convention Centre for their vaccine. Among the horror stories there are also good stories. To me, this is a sign of a system that is probably out of control. Rapid and random expanding and contracting bottlenecks throughout a process are a sure sign of a system in chaos. I experienced a worst case queue expansion last Monday. Those with a good experience were lucky enough to be there for a queue contraction.

I spent my engineering career in process design. Ive found that very few managers think about process  or the fact that a process needs to be designed.

The vaccine process is not complicated. There are only really three steps: registration, consent form evaluation and vaccination.

Since you cant control the exact timing of client arrivals, a modern "Just in Time" or pull system for the vaccination process is not possible, so the control system used has to be a "push" system where you manage the process queues and bottlenecks. In the latter, you identify and control your key bottleneck so that it doesnt float around the process. The rest of your system capacity is a function of the maximum throughput of your bottleneck (Eliyahu Goldratt: The Goal, circa the 1980s).

The vaccination process should be paced by the giving of the jab. Last Monday, I was vaccinated in the new third floor process, where they had three staff members pushing a cart with the jabber propelling him or herself on a chair on rollers. A system doomed to failure despite the best efforts of the staff. During the 45 minutes I sat waiting for my turn with the vaccination cart, I timed this process. It took two to five minutes between each jab. It was often interrupted by going for supplies, the workers changing positions and slowing to have conversations with the clients. Henry Ford (actually, it was Ransom E. Olds) discovered that you move the work to the worker, you dont pick up and move the worker and their tools each time to the work. To me, all this was evidence of a system set up by those without process design expertise.

I would set up the process this way. Its all about managing your induction queues.

Every client should be given a clear 15-minute window arrival time. If they arrive 30 minutes early (almost every senior arrives early) or have mobility problems, place them inside in socially distanced chairs in an open area on one floor of the convention centre. This is your induction queue buffer. Have a large digital sign board telling them when and where they should go when their time slot is available (MPI has been doing this for years). If they arrive before this 30-minute window, have staff at the doors and elevators tell them to go back to their cars and wait until their time has arrived.

Registration should be simple. All you need to do is have the client show their health card and enter the clients PHID number into the scheduling system. I was flabbergasted to see registration staff using a highlighter to cross off my name on a printed list. Every table had a brand new expensive Lenovo ThinkPad laptop on it. I didnt see any of them being used.

You might choose to have the consent form examined as a separate step, but it should be really checked at registration. Once complete, the client should be directed to a seated waiting area sized by the calculated flow of the system. No one should ever spend more than 15 minutes in this queue.

The final vaccination step should be stationary. Here, you have a great opportunity to use a pull or "Kan Ban" system with visible signals to feed the flow of supplies and staff. Staff should be able to vaccinate a client every 60 seconds with ease in a properly designed system. The number of vaccination stations would be dictated by the available vaccine supply to be consumed that day.

The vaccine task force is currently blaming the computer system used for their staffing problems. I suspect they are using a "commercial off-the-shelf" software package likely ill-suited to the job. With a properly designed process, with the right simplicity, you should be able to do staff planning on a whiteboard or in a simple spreadsheet.

The task force focus has also announced the hiring of more "navigators" to feed people through the queues. This is another indication of a process that has never been designed. In my view, hiring more staff will not solve anything. The process itself is to blame.

If one should ask what kind of expertise is required; anyone certified and experienced in production management and inventory control could design a proper process. This expertise is readily available locally. The technology has been around for decades.

Of course, this assumes the vaccination process remains inside the convention centre. If there were only a few hundred people inside the building, the building would be safe. When I was there last Monday evening, with multiples of that number during a queue explosion, it felt like a super-spreader event. Now that our weather is getting nicer, the vaccination process should really be done outside in a drive-thru setting with people getting jabbed in their cars.

Our COVID vaccination task force is full of good intentions. Now they need the right expertise and a properly designed vaccination process. Its never too late to start. We will likely be vaccinating our entire population over and over again for quite some time.

In case anyone should wonder about my qualifications, I am a retired engineer and I was a senior executive at Standard Aero in Winnipeg, who redesigned and optimized over 300 production and business processes around the world over 20 years.

Brian Lanoway
Northeastern University has announced it will require students attending classes on the colleges campuses in the fall to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the first day of classes.

That safety measure, which applies to all undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students across Northeasterns global campuses, will help the university get to a full return to campus activities, according to a message from Ken Henderson, chancellor and senior vice president for learning.

As the speed of vaccinations and the vaccine supply increases, we expect that vaccines will be widely available in all of the countries where Northeastern maintains campuses by the time in-person classes resume in the fall, Henderson wrote. Northeastern will require proof of inoculation with vaccines that are approved in the country where the campus the student is attending is located.

Students can request religious and medical exemptions. More details on how to request an exemption, and on how to submit proof of vaccination, will be released at a later date.

The pandemic has shown us the value of face-to-face interaction and the vital place it has in our community and in our mission as a university. As we plan for a return to in-person classes and regular campus activities, we know that achieving herd immunity is crucial for the safety of our entire community. This vaccination requirement is the next step to Protect the Pack so we can continue to study, learn, and research side by side, Henderson wrote.

Northeastern is not currently distributing the vaccine because of changes in the states vaccination distribution plan, Henderson wrote.

Students in Massachusetts can look for vaccine appointments online. Northeastern said it will assist international students who may have limited access to the vaccine.
Mumbai, April 6 : Actress Gauahar Khan on Tuesday posted a couple of Instagram pictures to commemorate her father Zafar Ahmed Khan's one-month death anniversary.

Called him "the most loving father", she added she misses him "terribly".

"Most stylish man I ever came across, most Charming, a favourite of whoever h ad the fortune of meeting him, a talker strong enough to convince anyone for anything, a brave heart who lived life on his terms, self made, strong, the most loving father Ever. Alhamdulillah that I am your daughter #ZafarahmedK han. U are my all. I miss you terribly with every breath I take. may Allah b less you in heaven. Ameen#MyAngel," she wrote.

Gauahar also shared a black and white throw back picture of her father on In stagram story. She wrote: "1 month today. I miss you sooooo much Pap pa. I love you sooooo much You were everything to me." The actress' father passed away last month after being unwell for a while.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
A key witness in the trial of the Minneapolis police officer accused of murdering George Floyd sought Tuesday to avoid giving evidence as his lawyers said he could incriminate himself on separate charges.

Morries Hall, who was with Floyd in his car shortly before his death, is in custody and appeared by video camera at the hearing after he was subpoenaed to testify.

"There's really a very small narrow topic that might be permissible," Judge Peter Cahill said as Hall's lawyers argued that it was impossible for him to be cross-examined without incriminating himself.

Hall is seen as a potentially important witness for the defense of former police officer Derek Chauvin, who was seen in a phone video kneeling on the neck of a handcuffed Floyd for more than nine minutes.

The harrowing footage of Floyd's May 25, 2020 arrest touched off protests against racial injustice and police brutality in the United States and around the world.

Minneapolis police chief Medaria Arradondo testified on Monday that Chauvin violated training policies by kneeling on Floyd's neck after he had stopped resisting.

Further witnesses on Tuesday largely took the same line as they were questioned over Chauvin's actions.

Shown a picture of Chauvin kneeling on Floyd's neck, Lieutenant Johnny Mercil, the police's use-of force coordinator, said it was not an authorized restraint.

"We tell officers to stay away from the neck when possible. And if you're going to use body weight, to pin it on their shoulder," Mercil said during cross-examination.

Prosecutors are seeking to prove that Floyd's death was due to asphyxiation, while Chauvin's defense claims it was due to illegal drugs in Floyd's system.

Chauvin's lawyer Eric Nelson confirmed he wanted to ask if Hall sold or gave Floyd drugs.

Hall's lawyer said "there's an allegation here that Mr Floyd ingested a controlled substance as police were removing him from the car... This leaves Mr Hall potentially incriminating himself."

Story continues

The judge said he would rule later on Hall's request not to testify.

Chauvin, who was sacked from the police force after the incident, has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and manslaughter.

bgs-chp/cl
Singapore, India among eight countries to accept invitation to US President's upcoming climate summit

Singapore and India are among the few countries that agreed to attend US President Joe Bidens Leaders Summit on Climate, with less than three weeks to go. Just eight of the 40 heads of state invited to take part in the online event have so far accepted.

In his invitation, Biden urged leaders to use the summit as an opportunity to outline how their countries also will contribute to stronger climate ambition, the White House said. Photo courtesy: White House

The two-day summit is set to start on April 22  Earth Day  which marks the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Paris Agreement. The White House said earlier that by the time of the event, the US would have announced an ambitious 2030 emissions target.

In his invitation, Biden urged leaders to use the summit as an opportunity to outline how their countries also will contribute to stronger climate ambition, it said.

The other six nations that have confirmed their participation are Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Colombia, Marshall Islands, Mexico and Poland.

The summit would also reconvene the US-led Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate, which brings together 17 countries responsible for about 80 per cent of global emissions and global GDP.

Singapores Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong accepted his invitation on March 27, just a day after it was sent.

Climate change is an existential threat to mankind, and requires a concerted and sustained global response, the Singaporean foreign ministry said. As a small island state, Singapore is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

Indias foreign ministry said last week that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also accepted his invitation. The United States special envoy for climate John Kerry is set to visit New Delhi this week.

Kerry will meet with representatives of the Indian government, private sector and non-governmental organisations.

As per a spokesperson at the US Embassy in New Delhi, Kerry is travelling to Abu Dhabi, New Delhi, and Dhaka from April 1-9 for consultations on increasing climate ambition ahead of the summit on April 22-23 and the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) later this year.

"As one of the world's largest economies and a global leader in science and innovation, India is a critical part of the solution to the climate crisis. We see India as an important partner on future clean energy research, development, and deployment, not least because of their successful domestic agenda in this area. A key focus for our Administration is supporting and encouraging India's decarbonisation efforts through clean, zero, and low-carbon investment, and supporting India in mitigating its fossil energy use," the spokesperson said.

This is Kerry's first visit to India as the US' Special Envoy for Climate Change.
The Bombay High Court on Tuesday allowed Chinese firm to operate its Indian bank accounts, frozen by the Goods and Services Tax (GST) authorities over alleged tax evasion, after depositing a sum of Rs 78.91 crore in a state-run bank.

The four blocked bank accounts of the TikTok parent, however, held insufficient funds to pay the amount, according to its court filing.

A Bench of Justices SP Deshmukh and Abhay Ahuja said said the company could operate its other Indian bank accounts and utilise the remaining funds, after depositing Rs 78.91 crore in any nationalised bank.

The indirect taxes department has accused of evading taxes and not paying its dues in full, a charge denied by the Chinese firm.

The tax intelligence agency in mid-March ordered HSBC and Citibank in Mumbai to freeze accounts of ByteDance India as it investigated some of the firms financial dealings.

ByteDance approached the HC last month denying all tax evasion allegations and seeking various reliefs, including challenging the provisional attachment order for freezing of its bank accounts in India.

Senior advocates Rafiq Dada and Vikram Nankani, who appeared for ByteDance, argued that since all the money in its bank accounts had been frozen, the company had been unable to pay its Indian staff salaries.

The counsel said tax evasion proceedings against ByteDance had been going on for two years. They said the company had provided the Indian authorities everything, including audited accounts, and yet, suddenly its accounts had been frozen.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 6)  As coronavirus cases continue to rise, hospitals in Metro Manila are forced to deal with 'doomsday' scenarios brought by an overwhelming number of patients seeking treatment, the head of a doctors' group lamented Tuesday.

"It's like a doomsday scenario in the movies. That's the situation. Numbers are moving up and the hospitals are getting overwhelmed," Philippine Hospital Association President Dr. Jaime Almora told CNN Philippines' New Day.

Almora recounted situations that are far too common for those tending to their loved ones who got infected  long lines in emergency rooms, overworked medical staff, medical resources running out, and dying patients who could not get immediate treatment.

"The situation is very dire. I actually describe it as a nightmare. Because the most dreaded thing that we don't want to happen is happening in reality and there's so much anguish, so much suffering already, fear, despair, frustration, all the things happening in our hospitals," he said.

"Seeing patients dying is one of the things that really breaks a health worker's heart because every health worker wants to be of help but when you become incapacitated, you're helpless already because of the sheer number [of cases]," Almora added.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Monday that the government will begin relocating asymptomatic and mild cases to quarantine facilities to free up at least 40% of hospital beds for COVID-19 patients.

This week, the national government will start implementing triaging in all Metro Manila cities and municipality which will be linked to the One Hospital Command Center to assess if a person needs to go to a quarantine center or be brought to the hospital. Additional tents will also be placed in some hospitals to serve as an extension to accommodate more patients.

READ: Govt to extract mild COVID-19 cases in NCR Plus to free up hospital beds

Vergeire said the overall utilization rate in Metro Manila stands at about 78% to 80%, which falls under the high-risk classification. Intensive care unit occupancy for COVID-19 patients, on the other hand, are almost at full capacity "in most cities" in the capital region. She said the figure must drop to at least 60% in order to ease quarantine protocols.

Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal are currently under an extended enhanced community quarantine at least until April 11. The government is aiming to revert to a modified ECQ once its "Prevent-Detect-Isolate-Treat-Reintegrate" strategy has been proven effective during this period.

READ: Govt eyes MECQ in NCR Plus by next week if response strategies work  Palace
SEATTLE, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As Washington expands its COVID-19 vaccination rollout, many communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic are experiencing substantial barriers accessing the vaccine. To address this disparity, the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation is partnering with Harborview Medical Center/UW Medicine to deliver COVID-19 vaccines directly to underserved communities in King County. The initiative is supported by the Foundation and other partners in the region, including the Seattle Mariners, Cambia Health Foundation, Starbucks and foundry10.

"As vaccination availability turns the tide in this pandemic, the Foundation continues its commitment to improving and expanding equitable access to COVID-19 resources," said Lara Littlefield, director of science and technology partnerships, on behalf of the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation. "These targeted funds will support vaccine delivery to underserved communities across our region and help close the vaccine equity gap that leaves some of our communities more vulnerable."

COVID-19 has severely affected some communities more than others. King County data shows that despite Black and Hispanic residents experiencing higher rates of COVID-19 infection, they are receiving the vaccine at slower rates than the county overall. Even more stark, a small proportion of those experiencing homelessness have been vaccinated, despite facing higher risk of hospitalization and serious illness once infected. Bringing vaccine education and access directly to King County's most impacted communities will be critical to reducing hospitalizations, lowering infection rates, and bringing about an end to the pandemic.

The Foundation's grant of $1 million will directly target vaccinations for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) residents and those experiencing homelessness. At full operation, UW Medicine's efforts will deliver up to 14,500 vaccines per month to the region's most vulnerable communities and geographic locations. The initiative will use mobile vaccination teams staffed and operated by Harborview Medical Center, pop-up vaccine clinics, and the Harborview COVID-19 vaccination clinic to reach residents across King County. In addition to vaccine delivery, the funds will also allow UW Medicine to partner with community organizations and leaders to disseminate accurate vaccine information and build trust in the vaccination efforts themselves. Given historical lack of access to quality health care, BIPOC communities need reliable information from trusted community leaders.

"Our ability to end this pandemic quickly and save lives depends on improving access to the vaccine and providing vaccine information in those communities most burdened by COVID-19," said Dr. Lisa Chew, associate medical director of Ambulatory Services at Harborview Medical Center and associate professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine. "We are so thankful for the quick action of the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation and other key supporters whose generosity and partnership will help us vaccinate thousands of people in King County."

This grant continues the commitment of the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, UW Medicine, and Harborview Medical Center to support those who are most vulnerable to COVID-19 throughout the pandemic. The Foundation's early $2 million grant to UW Medicine's Emergency Response Fund launched UW Medicine's mobile testing program in underserved communities, which has conducted more than 10,000 COVID-19 tests since April 2020 and whose infrastructure is making this vaccination program possible. This funding round also builds on the Foundation's previous COVID-19 support to multiple organizations in the Pacific Northwest, totaling $12 million.

About Paul G. Allen Family Foundation

For more than three decades the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation has focused on changing the trajectory of some of the world's toughest problems. Founded by philanthropists Jody Allen and the late Paul G. Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, the Foundation initially invested in community needs across the Pacific Northwest with a focus on regional arts, underserved populations, and the environment. Today, the Foundation supports a global portfolio of frontline partners working to preserve ocean health, protect wildlife, combat climate change, and strengthen communities.

About UW Medicine

UW Medicine is one of the top-rated academic medical systems in the world. With a mission to improve the health of the public, UW Medicine educates the next generation of physicians and scientists, leads one of the world's largest and most comprehensive biomedical research programs, and provides outstanding care to patients from across the globe. Our family of nearly 30,000 healthcare providers, researchers, faculty and staff include Airlift Northwest, Harborview Medical Center, UW Medical Center Montlake and Northwest campuses, UW Neighborhood Clinics, UW Physicians, UW School of Medicine and Valley Medical Center. The School of Medicine faculty is second in the nation in federal grant funding with $960 million of federal grants in 2019 according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.

Media Contacts

Paul G. Allen Family Foundation

[email protected], (206) 342-2230

UW Medicine

Susan Gregg, [email protected], (206) 390-3226

SOURCE Paul G. Allen Family Foundation

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China's J-20 stealth fighter jet flies without Luneburg lens, shows combat readiness

Global Times) 13:54, April 06, 2021

A J-20 stealth fighter jet attached to the Chinese People's Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command takes part in exercises. The aircraft is not equipped with a Luneburg lens, a radar reflector used to make a stealth aircraft visible to others in training or non-combat flights. Photo: Screenshot from China Central Television

The J-20, the most advanced, stealth-capable fighter jet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force, has entered the next level of combat readiness, analysts said on Monday, after the aircraft was spotted flying without a Luneburg lens, a small device used to intentionally expose a stealth aircraft to others in situations like training or non-combat flights.

At the Qingming Festival on Sunday, the traditional tomb-sweeping day, pilots of J-20 jets paid respect to the heroic Chinese pilots who fought in the Korean War (1950-53), China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Sunday.

The former unit of Sun Shenglu, a heroic Chinese pilot in the war, is now equipped with J-20 fighter jets, Sun Teng, a J-20 fighter jet pilot, said on CCTV.

Sun Shenglu was part of the Wang Hai Air Group, which is now affiliated with the PLA Eastern Theater Command, according to openly available information. The PLA Air Force announced in 2019 that the Wang Hai Air Group was equipped with the J-20.

"Air Force pilots in the new age will inherit the spirit of 'aerial bayonet fighting,' train to prepare for combat, be ready at all times for combat, and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and dignity," Sun Teng said.

The CCTV footage also showed a J-20 making aerial maneuvers, and some frames showed that this J-20 was not equipped with a Luneburg lens. Further, the lines of the aircraft's side missile bay were different from previous J-20 fighters, a separate report by CCTV said on Monday,

A Luneburg lens is a small device used to expand the radar cross-section of an aircraft, which means it can make a stealth aircraft visible to radar, a Chinese military expert who asked to remain anonymous told the Global Times on Monday.

In regular training, friendly radar facilities need to track stealth aircraft to monitor their activities and assess training results. In other non-combat scenarios like transit flights, making the presence of stealth aircraft known to others can avoid accidents, the expert said, noting that in some military operations, there could also be a need for such planes to show themselves to achieve deterrence while also hiding their true stealth specifications.

In most previous reports on the J-20, the stealth aircraft shown carried this radar reflector under its belly, military affairs observers said.

By removing it, the J-20 will go stealth as it was designed to, and this means it is engaged in a real combat scenario-oriented mission, the expert said, noting that the J-20 has entered the next level of combat readiness.

(Web editor: Liang Jun)
Mrs. Theresa Wilson Palmer, the mother of incarcerated Dancehall deejay, Vybz Kartel celebrated her birthday over the Easter holiday weekend at a close-knit gathering.

Kartel took the opportunity yesterday to show his mom, affectionately known as Mrs. P, some love on Instagram. Happy Birthday To My Mother, My Boss , My General , My Don! More Life & Prosperity Mommy Love You Forever & Beyond. Cheers To You , Kartel wrote in the caption of a photo, which sees a hearty and healthful looking Mrs. P standing in a festive, white and gold themed backdrop and donning a white embroidered dress with gold accents.

Its no secret the Worl Boss has a strong bond with his mother, throughout his incarceration she has been very vocal about what she believes is her sons innocence.

Mrs. P insists her son, Adidja Azim Palmer is a good person and was no way responsible for the death of Clive Lizard Williams, who he was found guilty of murdering in 2014 and was subsequently, dealt a life sentence.

Even Kartels sister, Maureen Nelson, who is the vice-principal of a high school in Portmore, St Catherine, has attested to her brothers character. She said her brother and her two other siblings grew up in a good home where discipline and education were instilled by their parents.

They used to call us grille up because when other children were outside running up and down we had to look out from behind the grille. Our father knew the importance of education and we grew up sheltered, Nelson said when she appeared in the Home Circuit Court in 2014 to give character evidence on behalf of her accused brother.

In 2017, Mrs. P would go and visit Kartel at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) during a temporary prison release to undergo treatment for an apparent kidney-related ailment. It had been 6 years since she saw her son at the time due to his previous arrest in 2011 for marijuana possession and later conspiracy to murder charges for the murder of a Jamaican businessman, Barrington Burton.

According to sources, Vybz Kartel and his mother were overwhelmed with tears and emotion when they finally saw each other after so many years.

[Vybz Kartel] seeing his mother for the first time since being locked up really helped his spirits. Fi tell yuh the truth dem couldnt help but bawl but then dem start smile/laugh when dem start talk bout the good days Kartel is very confident now and is motivated than ever before, the source said.

Later in a 2018 documentary interview, Mrs. P said that she loves her son despite what critics and the media say about him. I am Vybz Kartels mother. Nothing didnt change me from him and I love him still, even sometimes when people talk things, I know nothing dont go like how they talk it, she said.

Her support has remained resilient despite what the public has had to say regarding the influence his music has on Jamaicas crime rate, [Kartel] music alone and him alone could not change Jamaica, she said. A resonating testimony to stand the test of time, especially with the recent accusations by the Jamaican Prime Minister regarding the contribution of violent lyrics to the levels of crime on the island.

Though some of his music might be the scorn of the policymakers, a select few have been poignant dedications to Mrs. Palmer. Thank You Mama, Mothers Love, Open Up Di Door, Mother Nature, My Mama, and several other Mothers Day songs all praise the woman the Worl Boss calls his boss, his general, and don.

His IG share has receives salutes and birthday wishes for Mrs. P from more than 2k of his fans and friends and amassed over 80k likes. Among those are industry colleagues, Lisa Hyper, Baby Cham, Savage Savo, Lisa Mercedez, Shawn Storm, Bobby Konders, and several others.
CHICO, Calif.  The League of Women Voters of Butte County is hosting a live presentation on Putting Wildfire Debris to Good Use: Biomass Fuel Production in Butte County " in a Zoom format on Saturday, April 10, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Jim Houtman, Project Manager for the Butte County Fire Safe Council, will provide a 30-minute presentation on Putting Wildfire Debris to Good Use: Biomass Fuel Production in Butte County.

Houtman is a Northern California lifer with an agricultural background. He retired in 2017 from the City of Chico Fire Department and has been working for the Butte County Fire Safe Council (BCFSC) since February 2019.

After the Camp Fire in 2018, BCFSC identified a need to find a home for the burned trees as well the development of a model for incentivizing private landowners to thin their forests.

The thinning of the forests reduces fire risk, creates a healthy forest, sequesters carbon, and protects watershedwhich all increase the wildlife habitat. BCFSC identified several technologies and works to define opportunities for fulfilling its mission. Those outcomes will be discussed during Houtmans presentation.

A League moderator will pose questions to the presenter following his presentation. Members of the public may submit relevant questions during the program via Zooms Chat feature.

To watch the live presentation, click here. Meeting ID: 899 1354 0770 Passcode: 694776

For more information contact LWVBC: (530) 895-8683, by email at lwvbutte@gmail.com, or go to the League website.
Steps Up Action on Diversity and Inclusion - discloses ethnic and racial diversity data for the first time

TORONTO, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Thomson Reuters today issued its 2020 Social Impact Report. The report outlines the company's Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) activities and progress in areas including diversity and inclusion, access to justice and transparency, environmental sustainability, and community support.

For the first time, Thomson Reuters has released data on employee racial and ethnic diversity and the company is expanding the number of countries where employee self-identification is possible. Additionally, Reuters News published its first global newsroom diversity report. The company has also set new goals to increase diversity in its senior leadership by 2022, including 45% or more women, 20% or more racial and ethnic representation, and a doubling of Black representation. In 2020, the company was ranked in the Top 50 on Refinitiv's D&I Index, listed as one of America's Best Employers for Diversity by Forbes and, for the ninth consecutive year, scored 100% in the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index.

"At Thomson Reuters, we have made fostering an inclusive culture of world-class talent one of our top three global priorities," said Steve Hasker, President and CEO of Thomson Reuters. "Recently, we joined Measure Up, an initiative to encourage companies to self-report their racial and ethnic diversity data. While we have made some progress, we know that we still have much more to do."

"Diversity and inclusion are just one element of our social impact work, however. Our people and our customers increasingly look to us for leadership and action," said Hasker. "Our products, partnerships and people help to uphold the rule of law, turn the wheels of commerce, catch bad actors, report the facts and inform and educate people, companies and communities globally. From partnering with the world's largest media and technology companies to combat misinformation, to supporting initiatives to stop human trafficking, the work we do strengthens society."

Other highlights from the 2020 report include:

Improving access to justice and transparency

Partnered with law enforcement to help catch human traffickers at the Super Bowl LIV in Miami



Launched a global fact-checking initiative in partnership with Facebook to verify the accuracy of social media content

Supporting the global fight against climate change

Used 100% renewable energy for all operations and will continue going forward



Joined the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement

Giving back to the communities in which we live and work

Contributed $1 million to the rebuilding effort in Minneapolis following the tragic death of George Floyd and ensuing unrest

to the rebuilding effort in following the tragic death of and ensuing unrest

Supported the Thomson Reuters Foundation's TrustLaw  the world's largest pro bono legal network  enabling 120,000 lawyers from more than 950 firms and companies to do over $170 million worth of work in over 175 countries since its launch in 2010

The full report is available at www.tr.com/social-impact-report.

Thomson Reuters

Thomson Reuters is a leading provider of business information services. Our products include highly specialized information-enabled software and tools for legal, tax, accounting and compliance professionals combined with the world's most global news service  Reuters. For more information on Thomson Reuters, visit tr.com and for the latest world news, reuters.com.

CONTACT:

Brad J. Ryder

+1 437 779-2315

[email protected]

SOURCE Thomson Reuters

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Charles Leclerc has been driving a lot more aggressively since the 2019 Austrian Grand Prix, or so he says himself. This is partly due to the fierce duel the Monegasque had with Max Verstappen.

With Verstappen over the limit

In Austria 2019, it seemed for a moment that Leclerc would win his first Grand Prix. Verstappen, however, put a stop to this. The Dutchman had a poor start to the race, but fought back handsomely with overtakes on Leclerc and others.

That fight was hard and since that duel Leclerc is driving a lot more aggressively. "That's partly because the stewards' approach changed that weekend. We were allowed to go beyond what the limits were then," Leclerc explains in conversation with the Italian branch of Motorsport.com.

No win, but good for Formula 1

Leclerc eventually finished second in that race after being overtaken two laps before the end. Despite losing his first win, the Ferrari driver immediately said he thought it was good for the sport though. "I've always thought that if we had been allowed to race with fewer restrictions, we could offer more spectacular races. That's what has happened."

The stewards are now less likely to hand out penalties and Leclerc is pleased with that. The Monegasque explains that he and the team have more confidence to race harder. "I have adapted well to this new situation," concludes Leclerc.
EUGENE, Ore.  Governor Kate Brown and Congressman Peter DeFazio met with Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff for a tour of a vaccination site in Eugene on Monday.

Emhoff came for a tour of the White Bird Clinic community vaccination site at WOW Hall, followed by a discussion with community partners. According to Brown's office, the visit focused on promoting vaccine distribution equity, highlighting the importance of getting vaccinated, and showcasing a local health center that used funding from the American Rescue Plan to vaccinate underserved populations.

"Its critical that we meet people where they are in our communities to provide equitable access to vaccines," said Governor Brown. "The White Bird community vaccination site, and their soon-to-be-deployed mobile vaccination unit, are strong examples of how we can work collaboratively and creatively to reach traditionally underserved communities. I'd like to thank Mr. Emhoff and Chair DeFazio for their support in ensuring funds from the American Rescue Plan will support community-based vaccination efforts to reach the communities hardest hit by COVID-19."

The Governor, Second Gentleman, and Rep. DeFazio were accompanied by Chris Hecht, Executive Coordinator of White Bird Clinic; Marissa Zarate, Co-Director of the Latinx & Immigrant Family Wellness Hub; Pastor DeLeesa Meashintubby, Executive Director of Volunteers in Medicine Clinic of Lane County; and Karen Gaffney, Director of Lane County Health & Human Services
Prime Minister on Tuesday hit out at those who have often dubbed the (BJP) as an election-winning machine over its poll triumphs, and accused them of double standards, saying rival parties and their leaders are lauded when they win.

These people do not understand the maturity of Indian people and its democracy, and nor do they appreciate citizens' hopes, expectations and dreams, he said on the occasion of his party's 41st foundation day.

The BJP is a continuous movement to win peoples hearts as it serves people for five years honestly, be in the government or outside, he said. The poor and the rural India have embraced the BJP as for the first time they have seen 'antyodaya' (welfare of the most deprived) being realised through a number of schemes.





ALSO READ: Didi asking Muslims to back her reflects minority votes slipping away: Modi

The prime minister cited a number of welfare measures brought in by his government to make his point.

Modi said false narratives" about his government were spread as part of a big conspiracy to create political instability in the country, and asked BJP members to spread awareness regarding them among the people.

He said blatant lies like farmers' land will be seized, citizenship of some people will be revoked, reservation will be scrapped or the Constitution will be changed are spread by certain individuals and organisations.

These false narratives have been spread over his government's measures like farm laws, Citizenship (Amendment) Act and labour laws, he said. Deliberate politics is behind it. It is a very big conspiracy and its aims is to trigger political instability in the country by creating misconceptions and stoking imaginary fears.
Palm Done Right has added six brand, retail and business partners to continue producing products with companies that are committed to clean ingredients and supply chain transparency.

Related: Kao, Apical and Asian Agri Launch Palm Oil Program: SMILE

Newest additions to Palm Done Right include: Ash Hopper, Turner and Addie, and Riverside Soaps as brand partners; Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA) and Oh, Oh Organic as business partners; and Outpost Natural Foods as a retail partner.

The growing community of retail and brand partners continues to support the Palm Done Right mission by educating consumers about what it means to produce palm oil that is 100% organic, deforestation-free, wildlife-friendly, fair and socially responsible.

These companies share a commitment to full transparency and positively impacting communities and biodiversity.

As a teen-owned business, we feel we have a responsibility to help educate our generation about the impacts the ingredients in products we use in our everyday routines, such as washing your face, which can affect the body and environment, said co-founders Turner and Addie. Palm oil is an ingredient to use in soap making but often gets a bad reputation. It's full of vitamins and minerals that are healthy for the body. Partnering with Palm Done Right allows us to feel good about using organic palm oil in our products.

Highlighted: Demand for Hand Soap Set to Soar from COVID-19

We are committed to continuing to make the best choices that we can for mother earth and its inhabitants. Because of this, that is why we partnered with Palm Done Right, said Thena Donnelly, Ash Hopper's founder.

Featured: Hand Hygiene and Disease Prevention, Part I

We at COTA support Palm Done Right as an organic leader with their commitment to healthier and happier communities, farmers, animals and environment as it directly resonates with our values," said Tia Loftsgard, executive director for the Canada Organic Trade Association. "Palm Done Right is a great addition to our membership body."



Riverside Soaps partnered with Palm Done Right as a step to ensure that Fair Trade enterprises are supported by our business, said Theresa Marshall, owner of Riverside Soaps. Additionally, we believe in Palm Done Rights mission to help restore the land by adding biodiversity back to the areas where it had once been stripped away. By planting indigenous plant species among the palms, the company is healing the earth in Ecuador and that goes a long way toward helping us achieve our goal of being an eco-friendly company.

Previously: Jarchem Becomes Official Member of RSPO
KYODO NEWS - Apr 6, 2021 - 22:43 | World, All

A man held on suspicion of causing Taiwan's worst train derailment in seven decades was positively identified as being at the scene of the accident, authorities said on Tuesday.

Wang Kwo-tsai, deputy minister of transportation and communications, confirmed that the suspect, Lee Yi-hsiang, is the man seen in a photograph, believed to have been taken by a survivor of the accident, standing on top of a hill looking down at the accident with other spectators, whose identities have yet to be confirmed.

Lee is the driver of a crane truck that rolled down a slope on April 2, hitting an express train as it was passing through a tunnel. Authorities suspect that the truck was parked without the emergency brake engaged.

Railway authorities say Lee, the owner of two construction firms that are subcontractors of the Taiwan Railway Administration, was also serving as construction site manager, in violation of Taiwanese law prohibiting holding both positions. The authorities say Lee lied about his identity to circumvent the law.

Lee was detained on April 4 and released on bail of NT$500,000 ($17,515) the following day. But earlier Sunday, following an appeal from prosecutors, he was again remanded in custody after the high court in the county overruled the district court's decision to release him, ordering the lower court to reconsider its ruling.

Investigators have taken steps to provisionally seize his assets to prevent him from transferring his personal assets and those under his two companies.

It is unclear why Lee was at the construction site on the day of the accident as the TRA had ordered all construction work to be halted during the four-day Tomb Sweeping holiday.

Prosecutors are pursuing charges of negligent homicide against Lee, who has apologized for what happened.

Authorities said the accident left 50 people dead and more than 200 injured as of Tuesday.

Transportation Safety Board Chairman Young Hong-tsu told a press conference on Tuesday that after examining evidence currently available, it was determined that the driver of the No. 408 Taroko train had less than seven seconds to react before the train rammed into the crane truck lying on the track 40 meters ahead of the tunnel.

Li Gang, convenor of the board's Rail Occurrence Investigation Division, said as the eight-car express train was carrying 498 people and traveling within the speed limit of 130 kilometers per hour, it would have needed at least 500 to 600 meters to bring the 358-ton train to a complete stop.

Authorities found that before the crane truck rolled down the slope, its engine had been turned off. It said the brakes of the vehicle had been modified without the certification of the manufacturer.

Li said they have learned that more vehicles and other people were also at the construction site on the day of the accident.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Welfare dismissed criticism that it launched a donation campaign to help pay for the losses incurred in this accident, emphasizing that the account was established in accordance with the law and precedents.

Seeking to appease critics, President Tsai Ing-wen said on Tuesday that all expenses for which the government is found to be responsible will be paid for out of the government budget, including any compensation to the victims.

Related coverage:

Some 120 passengers were standing in derailed Taiwan train

Taiwanese man involved in deadly train derailment released on bail

50 dead, 146 injured after train derails in Taiwan
Inflammatory language in a landmark report on racial disparities could put the lives of black, Asian and minority ethnic communities at further risk, according to more than 30 health groups.

The Consortium of black, Asian and minority ethnic Health Professional Networks said it is dismayed that a report by the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities (Cred) downplayed the significant impact of racism in Britain.

Their criticism came as Boris Johnson faced calls to withdraw the report, with an open letter signed by Black Lives Matter UK, the Runnymede Trust race equality think tank and civil rights campaign group Liberty suggesting it whitewashes over the daily challenges faced by many.

The Government-commissioned report said racism is a real force but that Britain is no longer a country where the system is deliberately rigged against ethnic minorities.

Its chairman said it had found no evidence of institutional racism, and the report criticised the way the term has been applied, saying it should not be used as a catch-all phrase for any microaggression.

The report also criticised the accusatory tone of much of the current rhetoric on race, and the pessimism about what has been and what more can be achieved.

And it said that thinking that seeks to explain all minority disadvantage through white discrimination diverts attention from other reasons, including those embedded in the cultures and attitudes of minority communities.

In a joint statement, 37 Consortium members said: This language is inflammatory and will put the lives of black, Asian and minority ethnic communities at further risk.

Explaining how this could happen, Dr Salman Waqar, Consortium co-ordinator, a GP and general secretary of the British Islamic Medical Association (BIMA), said adopting the reports approach could lead to policy and interventions designed to help people make better choices rather than break down structural barriers.

He told the PA news agency: If you do take such an outlying, left-of-field approach, youre then going to design and seek to address that disparity using a flawed methodology, flawed evidence and flawed conclusions, and that will unfortunately not fix the problem and probably worsen the issue by putting in resources and attention into areas where its not needed, possibly inflaming the situation or making it worse, and therefore, our point around putting communities at risk.

The Consortium said the legacy of slavery, the Windrush scandal, the Grenfell Tower fire and the disproportionate deaths of minority ethnic frontline workers during the pandemic all highlight the structural barriers that exist in society.

It continued: These cannot, and must not, be swept under the carpet by a partisan report that has drawn up spurious conclusions which fly against established facts, derided by global experts, and defies the lived experiences of many.

The Cred report claimed that for some key health metrics, including life expectancy and overall mortality, ethnic minority groups had better outcomes than the white majority population.

This evidence clearly suggests ethnicity is not the major driver of health inequalities in the UK, it said.

Instead, there is a complex interplay of socio-economic, behavioural, cultural and, in some cases, genetic risk factors, which lead to disparities, it said.

It said that if it were true that black and south Asian groups were suffering from systemic racism throughout their lives, this would be reflected in overall mortality figures, but actually these groups have a lower mortality than white ethnic groups.

The Consortium said the report did not acknowledge evidence from a previous Government report that showed that the stressors associated with being discriminated against race/ethnicity has an adverse impact on mental and physical health.

And while it recommended the setting up of an Office for Health Disparities, it did not make any reference to the NHS Race and Health Observatory, set up last year to tackle inequalities experienced by ethnic minorities.

In a statement released by the Government Equalities Office, a Cred spokeswoman said: The report fully acknowledges the particular need to do more to address racial disparities within healthcare, and amongst its recommendations is the creation of an Office for Health Disparities, which the Royal College of Physicians has welcomed.

The Health Foundation has also said the Commission was right to identify concerns in different health outcomes between different ethnic groups.

The report also highlights many instances of success among our ethnic minority groups, something which we should recognise and learn from.

The open letter from campaigners urged the Prime Minister to repudiate the commissions findings and withdraw the report.

Disingenuous claims, including the Commissions assertion that its research found no evidence of institutional racism in the UK, have provoked public incredulity and national indignation, the letter said.

The authors said it was clear from the start that the Commission would deliver a narrative that whitewashes over the daily challenges faced by black and minoritised communities in this country.
Florida elementary school teacher Xavier Alexander, 27, has been charged with of solicitation of a minor and traveling to meet a minor for allegedly offering a father $200 to have sex with his 2-year-old daughter

Disturbing new details have emerged about a Florida elementary school teacher accused of soliciting a minor, including claims that he offered to pay $200 for a father's motel room if he could molest the man's two-year-old daughter.

The Palm Beach County School District announced on Monday that Xavier Alexander, 27, a fourth-grade teacher at Grove Park Elementary School, has been fired.

Alexander also advertised his services as a babysitter on multiple nanny websites, including Care.com, investigators said.

The firing came hours after a Palm Beach Sheriff's Office arrest report outlining its case against Alexander was released by the courts.

According to the report obtained by DailyMail.com, a 39-year-old father posted a Craigslist ad on March 26 saying he was looking for someone to split a motel room for a few days as he waited to move into his new home. He noted in the ad that he has a 2-year-old daughter. 'No weirdos or drugs please,' the man added.

The man soon received texts from an unknown messenger who eventually asked, 'Would I ever be alone with your daughter?' When told no, the messenger replied he would go elsewhere. The father then contacted the sheriff's office.

Deputies, after reading the texts, impersonated the father and texted back that the messenger could be alone with the girl if he covered the cost of a two nights' stay at Motel 6.

'Your [sic] not gonna hurt her right? shes [sic] young,' a deputy impersonating the father texted the messenger, later identified as Alexander.

'No i [sic] wont hurt her,' he replied.

Alexander appeared in court on Friday and had his bond set at $1million

The deputy tried to coax Alexander into telling him what he planned to do with the toddler, but the suspect refused to go into detail, only saying he wanted to 'spend time alone' with the child.

'Ive [sic] done somethings [sic] with her before so shes [sic] been there before youll [sic] at least wear a condom right? I wanna know shes [sic] safe,' the deputy texted the suspect.

'Yes i will,' he replied.

Deputies later instructed the father to text Alexander that his daughter was sick and will be in the hospital for a couple of days.

'Seems a bit suspicious. But okay,' Alexander replied. 'Any pics of her so I know its real?'

The father replied 'nah man I don't share pics of her but it's all good.'

An arrest report said he had arranged to meet up with a father and his toddler at this Super 8 Motel in Lantana, where he was apprehended

The teacher allegedly exchanged several texts with the father over the next few days to check on his daughter, until a deputy took possession of the phone again and, pretending to be the dad, let Alexander know that the child was 'as good as new getting released today.'

The undercover officer made another attempt to get Alexander to tell him what he was going to do to the child, but the teacher replied: 'not going to say anything that could incriminate me. Sorry man. ... I'm a little paranoid.'

The deputy and suspect eventually agreed to meet at a Super 8 Motel in Lantana on Thursday, with the suspect bringing $200.

Detectives said they arrested Alexander when he arrived at the door with a condom stashed in his shoe, which he said he had purchased at a gas station for the sexual encounter with the toddler.

Alexander, who has worked as a fourth-grade teacher for six months, has been moonlighting as a babysitter on nanny sites, including Care.com

They say Alexander admitted answering the ad on Craigslist and exchanging the texts in hopes of having sex with the two-year-old girl, saying he had a sexual addiction, and that 'women, men and bestiality no longer satisfied him.'

He denied ever molesting a child before, but admitted that while babysitting children in the past, 'he has become sexually aroused by grazing over their genitals on top of their clothing as well as giving "wedgies."'

Alexander was booked on charges of solicitation of a minor and traveling to meet a minor, both felonies. He was being held on $1million bail at the Palm Beach County jail.

According to Alexander's LinkedIn profile, he has worked at the Palm Beach County School District since 2012 in various capacities, including as an afterschool counselor, activity leader and director.

The Palm Beach County School District announced on Monday that Alexander has been fired

A graduate of Palm Beach State College, Alexander was hired as a full-time teacher at Grove Park Elementary School only six months ago.

A co-worker of Alexander's told the station CBS12 she found it unusual that he would meet with certain male students alone in his classroom.

District officials released a statement early Friday, saying they were cooperating with the investigation, reported Sun-Sentinel.

'The District is shocked and appalled by the nature of the crimes for which Alexander was arrested,' the statement read. 'He will not be returning to the School District as a teacher, or in any other capacity, pending the outcome of the criminal investigation.'

It went on to say that while the case did not involve any district students, district is providing counseling to Alexander's students and their families.

The district has launched its own professional standards investigation into Alexander.

Miami Herald reported that Alexander wrote in his Care.com profile that he has been working with children for over a decade in schools, youth ministries and kids' clubs. He was open to babysitting up to three children, including infants.
[April 06, 2021] Michelson Medical Research Foundation and Human Vaccines Project Invite Applications for $150,000 Research Grants in Human Immunology

Michelson Medical Research Foundation and the Human Vaccines Project are now welcoming applications for the 2021 Michelson Prize: Next Generation Grants. The prestigious $150,000 grants are given annually to support researchers 35 and younger who are advancing human immunology, vaccine, and immunotherapy discovery research on major global diseases. "Great science is not incremental. Great science leaps!" says Dr. Gary K. Michelson, founder, and co-chair of the Michelson Medical Research Foundation. "More than ever, we need to support young scientists with disruptive ideas to transform our response to major global diseases, including the prevention of future pandemics." The Michelson Prize: Next Generation Grants program seeks research proposals that tackle roadblocks in human vaccine development and expand understanding of key immune processes fundamental to vaccine and immunotherapy development. Previous recipients include Michael Birnbaum of MIT (News - Alert) , Danika Hill and Patricia Illing of Monash University, Kamal Mandal and Murad Mamedov of UC San Francisco, Avinash Sahu of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Laura Mackay (News - Alert) of Doherty Institute, and Ansuman Satpathy of Stanford University. Now in its fourth year, the program is adding an award focusing on climate change and human immunology. "Climate chane is not just a future threat. For our global health, it's already a harmful reality," explains Wayne C. Koff, president and CEO of the Human Vaccines Project. "This year's Michelson Prizes will include a research award that expands our understanding of the effects of climate change on immune function, with a particular interest in research that will directly translate into vaccine and immunotherapy development. We look forward to receiving applications from around the world that demonstrate cutting-edge research in this area."



In addition to immunology and vaccine specialists, applicants from a broad range of disciplines--such as clinical research, biochemistry, molecular biology, protein engineering, computer science, artificial intelligence/machine learning, biophysics, nanotechnology, environmental health--are encouraged to apply. The deadline for applications is June 18, 2021. Click here to apply for the 2021 Michelson Prizes: Next Generation Grants.

About the Michelson Medical Research Foundation Founded by Dr. Gary K. Michelson in 1995, the Michelson Medical Research Foundation accelerates solutions to global health challenges by fostering high-risk, high-reward approaches that disrupt the status quo to make innovative ideas a reality. Through convergent collaboration among engineers, scientists, and physicians, the foundation helps rapidly move bold concepts and technologies from the laboratory into clinics and communities around the world. Michelson Medical Research Foundation is a division of Michelson Philanthropies. For more information, visit https://www.michelsonmedicalresearch.org/. About the Human Vaccines Project The Human Vaccines Project is non-profit organization that aims to decode the human immune system to make the next leap forward in human health. Pioneering a new era in health, the Human Vaccines Project will enable the creation of next-generation vaccines, diagnostics, and therapies across diseases. For more information, visit: www.humanvaccinesproject.org. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005301/en/

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The Supreme Court made a move on April 5 to dismiss a lawsuit from former President Donald Trump that asked the judges to enable him to block critics on Twitter. The United States' highest court agreed with the Department of Justice (DOJ), which announced in January that the case would become moot when President Joe Biden was sworn in office.

Supreme Court Dismisses Trump Lawsuit

According to the court, there was nothing left to the case after the former president was permanently suspended from the social media platform and ended his tenure in January. Twitter banned Trump two days following the fatal siege in the US Capitol courtesy of Trump supporters on January 6.

The SC vacated a decision from the 2nd United States Circuit Court of Appeals against Trump. They sent the case back to the lower court with orders to dismiss it as moot. The 2nd Circuit regarded Trump's decision to block seven users from engaging with his Twitter account as unconstitutional, as the space connected with the former president's account was a designed public forum, reported CBS News.

The Knight First Amendment Institute at the Columbia University sued Trump in 2017 on behalf of seven Twitter users following Trump's blocking of them for denouncing him on the microblogging site. The group contended the practice contravened the First Amendment. Lower courts agreed and ruled that a public official could not block people in response to the their expression of political views, reported CNET.

According to Twitter, its decision to permanently suspend Trump was "due to the risk of further incitement of violence." The court also formally dismissed an appeals court ruling that found that former president breached the First Amendment whenever he blocked a critic to silence their views, reported ABC News.

Trump Makes Surprise Appearance at Dog Rescue Fundraiser

Trump had an estimated 89 million followers on Twitter before the social media platform suspended his account previously this 2021. However, Supreme Court signaled on Monday it is not interested in how he got along or did not with some of those followers.

The blocked Twitter users nonetheless asked the justices to leave the ruling in place from the US Court of Appeals in New York for the 2nd Circuit as a guidepost for future government officials. Without expounding, the court declined to do so.

The appeals court stated a social media account run by government officials could become a constitutionally protected "public forum" if used to carry out official business. According to the Supreme Court, the government could not discriminate in a public forum on the basis of a speaker's perspective.

The Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2019 found it unconstitutional for Trump to prevent people from viewing an official social-media account used to declare government policies. The Justice Department, representing the former president, appealed.

The Trump Justice Department prompted the Supreme Court to overturn such rulings. While Trump's tweets were at times official statements, his decision to block individual responses was a personal one granted to any Twitter user, government attorneys argued.

Trump to Launch Own Social Media Platform in 3-4 Months

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Dec Donnelly's 5million home was targeted by a 'professional' burglary gang while the TV star was asleep upstairs with his wife and young daughter.

Police rushed to Mr Donnelly's West London home shortly after 1am yesterday following a 999 call.

Mr Donnelly, 45 - one half of presenting duo Ant and Dec - his wife Ali, 43, and their two-year-old daughter Isla were all asleep upstairs in the seven-bedroom home.

Dec Donnelly's 5million home was targeted by a 'professional' burglary gang while the TV star was asleep upstairs with his wife and young daughter (pictured together)

Mr Donnelly, 45 - one half of presenting duo Ant and Dec - his wife Ali, 43, (pictured together) and their two-year-old daughter Isla were all asleep upstairs in the seven-bedroom home

The suspects had botched an attempt to rip open the iron gates at the front of the property - which was purchased by Mr Donnelly for 1.9million in 2006.

They fled in a car shortly before officers arrived.

The Donnellys were only aware that the burglars - understood to have been a 'professional' gang - targeted their home when the police told them.

A source told The Sun: 'Dec and Ali weren't disturbed. The first they realised anything was amiss was in the morning.'

'The robbers couldn't force the gates open and that's what made them give up, and flee.'

Met Police officers conducted inquiries along the street today and forensic checks were carried out.

The force confirmed that the suspects left the scene prior to police arriving and there was no evidence to suggest they gained access to the house.

No arrests have been made.
HELLERUP, Denmark, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- UNION therapeutics A/S (UNION) announced today that the results of a phase 1 study of inhaled and intranasal niclosamide (UNI911) have been published by The Lancet Regional Health - Europe (LINK). With no serious adverse effects reported, the study showed a strong safety profile of inhaled and intranasal niclosamide which was the primary endpoint for the trial.

The promising safety and pharmacokinetic results for inhaled and intranasal niclosamide have opened the doors for further investigation, and will now be tested as a potential treatment (UNI91104) and prophylaxis (UNI91103) for COVID-19. Niclosamide was shown by Institut Pasteur to have a 40-fold better potency than remdesivir against SARS-CoV-2.

Local administration of niclosamide prompts new options for the treatment of COVID-19

Professor Vibeke Backer, pulmonologist at the Center for Physical Activity Research, at Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, served as principal investigator for the phase 1 study. Professor Backer has taken the lead on the Lancet Regional Health Europe paper.

"UNI91103 and UNI91104 are exceptional because the products are administered locally by inhalation and intranasal administration. Hence, the poor bioavailability of niclosamide is addressed, enabling a high drug concentration in the area from which the COVID-19 infection otherwise starts to spread. In this way, inhaled drugs have been crucial in the management of other respiratory conditions such as asthma. Niclosamide is a relevant and important product that holds great potential for COVID-19, and it is rewarding to see this important data published in a peer-reviewed journal," Dr Backer said.

The phase 1 trial described in the publication was randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, multi-ascending dose, and was conducted in 44 healthy volunteers, of which 34 were assigned to UNI911 and 10 to placebo across five cohorts.

The trial was conducted with DanTrials at Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, backed by experts from Rigshospitalet and supported financially by the Innovation Fund Denmark.

Local administration of niclosamide to the nasal cavity and the lungs was well tolerated

The phase 1 trial met all its endpoints and demonstrated that the concentrated niclosamide solution of UNION therapeutics is well tolerated when administered via the intranasal and inhaled route. The study results demonstrated a dose-proportional pharmacokinetic and showed no signs of systemic accumulation of the drug in the blood.

"With these promising results for safety and tolerance, the COVID-19 products of UNION therapeutics are gaining substantial interest from platform trials across the world," said Professor Morten Sommer, Chief Scientific Officer at UNION therapeutics.

A promising prophylactic option for vulnerable patients

UNION therapeutics recently announced that UNI91103 will be tested in kidney patients, a particularly high-risk patient population. Led by Cambridge University and funded by among others UK Kidney Research, the PROTECT-V study is set to determine if UNI91103 could work as a preventive treatment for kidney patients who may not benefit sufficiently from vaccinations alone.

"Finding effective agents for treatment and prophylaxis is crucial for our ability to manage COVID-19 infection. We identified niclosamide as a promising option, and we look forward to testing it in this very critical patient population," said Dr Rona Smith in connection to the announcement of the PROTECT-V trial. Dr Smith, who is leading the study, is senior research associate at the University of Cambridge and honorary consultant nephrologist at Addenbrooke's Hospital.

The PROTECT-V trial recently received Urgent Public Health Prioritization from the UK government ensuring rapid roll out across the UK.

The Lancet Regional Health - Europe is a regional edition of the Lancet that focuses on research conducted in the European Region.

Sources

1: Source: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.03.20.999730v2.full.pdf

About UNI91103 and UNI91104

Recent studies undertaken by the Institut Pasteur Korea, an infectious disease-focused research institute, have identified niclosamide as one of the most potent inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2; the virus causing COVID-19 based on in vitro studies. Niclosamide has the potential to become a truly differentiated treatment of COVID-19, effectively blocking replication of SARS-CoV-2 by targeting host cells to disrupt the viral life cycle. UNION has more than six years of preclinical and clinical experience with niclosamide and has utilized these insights to advance a battery of potential niclosamide-based treatments for COVID-19. UNI91103 and UNI91104 are two products developed by UNION based on a proprietary salt form and formulation of niclosamide to be administered locally to the respiratory tract. By delivering niclosamide directly to the lungs and the nasal cavity UNI91103 and UNI91104 addresses the challenges related to low bioavailability of niclosamide administered orally.

About UNION therapeutics A/S

UNION therapeutics A/S is a privately held, clinical stage, pharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of novel treatments for inflammatory and infectious diseases. The Company is working on two complementary chemistry classes spanning immunology and microbiology, with multiple candidates in clinical development. UNION is headquartered in Hellerup (Denmark) and is managed by an experienced international team. For more information, please visit: www.uniontherapeutics.com.

Contacts

UNION therapeutics

Morten Boesen

Chief Financial Officer

Tel: +45 2381 5487

Email: [email protected]

JW Communications

Julia Wilson

Tel: +44 781 8430877

Email: [email protected]

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/union-therapeutics/r/union-therapeutics--covid-19-candidates-found-to-be-well-tolerated-in-phase-1-lancet-publication,c3320125

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A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Saliu Mustapha, has blamed the lies of the political elites for the worsening security situation in the country.

Mr Mustapha, who was the deputy national chairperson of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), said this at a book launch in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, on Monday.

The book titled Twenty-One political lies in Nigeria was written by Iyiola Oyedepo, a former commissioner and lawmaker in the state.

Representatives of the Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, and the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, were among prominent political office holders who attended the event.

In his address as the chief launcher, Mr Mustapha said; If we are sincere with ourselves as political elites, we will realise that it is an accumulation of the desperate lies of the political class that has brought Nigeria to its present quagmire on security and ethnic agitations.

He also called for an immediate change, emphasising the need to salvage the failing sectors in the country.

I have had the privilege of an advance copy of the book and from my preview, one cannot but appreciate the industry that Chief Iyiola Oyedepo brought into the writing of the book.

I personally believe that there could not have been a better person to chronicle the issues in contention in the book than Chief Akogun, by virtue of his experience, political acumen, exposure, connection and network.

Against the background of the issues raised in the book, I would like to urge us all, the political class, whether ruling or opposition, to embrace a more transparent approach to winning elections. This cannot be overemphasised because at the end of our endeavours, what will matter most is the number of lives impacted, he said.

Mr Mustapha, however, said the author did not capture a few things, which he would like to see in the books next edition.

The author needs to work harder for balance, especially as it relates to the Kwara Central Senatorial District. I would also be willing to assist in whatever way possible to make this achievable as the topic of discourse is one that is vital in shaping our political landscape, he said.

He supported the book project with the sum of three million naira.

Also speaking at the event, the author said the book seeks to expose the lies of political actors so that they will not lead the people to their gallows through falsehood.

For it is those that reach political milestones through the lies as documented in this book that offer admission, employment, contract location of projects and infrastructures to the undeserved.

They run governments through favours and by mediocrity. A politically conscious electorate will demand for cheap quality education instead of Ankara, semovita and petty cash. A conscious electorate when offered religion for votes will ask for gainful employment for his children and wards, Mr Oyedepo said.

According to him, the book was written without any particular persons or groups in mind.

I write to expose some claims whose time must expire in our body politic. I write to create consciousness of different hews: economic, social and political. I write to create issue-based politics instead of these prebendal lies served on the people to place politicians in power.
VNPF is holding a briefing on the new Social Benefits Scheme for its members in Port Vila at its Conference from 4pm to 6m on Thursday this week
According to information published by Tass on April 6, 2021, the Project 636.3 diesel-electric submarine Magadan is planned to start to undergo its builders sea trials in June 2021, the Defense Ministrys press office said.

According to information published by Tass on April 6, 2021, the Project 636.3 diesel-electric submarine Magadan is planned to start to undergo its builders sea trials in June 2021, the Defense Ministrys press office said.

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Project 636.3 diesel-electric submarine Magadan (Picture source: New Defence Order. Strategy)

The Magadan submarine is being built by the Admiralty Wharves Shipyard that is a subsidiary of the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC).

The submarine is currently being outfitted at the shipyards berth, the press office said.

The crew of the Project 636.3 diesel-electric submarine Magadan will arrive in St. Petersburg in northwest Russia in late April to man the submarine and support all stages of its trials. The crew is currently undergoing training at the Navys training center in Obninsk.

The Magadan is the third Project 636.3 diesel-electric submarine being built by the Admiralty Wharves Shipyard for the Pacific Fleet. It was laid down on November 1, 2019 and launched on March 26, 2021. The submarine is expected to be delivered to the Navy in 2021.

Project 636.3 also called Varshavyanka class is an upgraded version of the Kilo-class submarines that entered into service with the Russian Navy in June 2014. The new submarine features stealth technology as well as extended cruising range and the ability to strike surface, land, and underwater targets. They are crewed by 52 submariners, have an underwater speed of 20 knots, and a cruising range of 400 miles with the ability to patrol for 45 days.

The Project 636.3 submarines can launch Kalibr / Club land-attack cruise missile, anti-ship missile, and anti-submarine missile. The submarine is also armed with 533-millimeter torpedo tubes and carried a total of 18 torpedoes.

 Copyright 2021 TASS Navy Recognition. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Fireworks were thrown at police during an incident involving 1000 people on the Gold Coast that led to more than 90 traffic fines and several charges laid over the Easter weekend.

Two men were charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle after the gathering at Pimpama, on the northern end of the Gold Coast, on Saturday night.

A police car damaged in the incident. Credit:Jordan Fabris - Nine News

Police said more than 600 vehicles and 1000 people gathered in a car park of a Yawalpah Road business, where people were driving dangerously and threw projectiles at police and the police helicopter.

Police would not reveal how many officers attended, other than to say there was a strong police presence.
Queensland minister Shannon Fentiman and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk at a March 4 Justice rally in Brisbane, Australia on March 15, 2021. (Jono Searle/Getty Images)

New Queensland Sex Consent Law Not Fit for Purpose: Critics

Queensland Parliament has passed new sexual consent laws that require people to consent or reject a sexual act verbally. This means that silence or intoxication can no longer imply agreement was given for sexual relations.

Under the new law, which had bipartisan support, consent can also be withdrawn by words or actions during the act of sexual relations.

However, alleged perpetrators can still use mistaking consentsuch as by there not being a verbal rejectionas a criminal defence against sexual assault in some circumstances.

The Queensland Greens unsuccessfully tried to move last-minute amendments to mandate affirmative consent and remove the mistake of fact defence.

Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman said the updated laws were an important first step but said there was more to do.

We have enshrined in the Criminal Code principles like silence doesnt amount to consent, consent once given can be withdrawn, and the self-intoxication of a defendant cannot be relied upon by that defendant to show that they were mistaken about whether or not consent was given and that was reasonable, Fentiman said.

This will provide clarity for judges to properly direct juries and get better outcomes for victims, she said.

But critics, such as Greens MP Amy McMahon, wanted the law to go further, preferring an affirmative model of consent.

Affirmative consent is described as an explicit, informed, and voluntary agreement to take part in a sexual act. McMahon said such models are already in place in two other states.

The minor changes to the model of consent in this bill leave the onus on victims to express non-consent or actively resist, she told Parliament.

While Im pleased that the bill states consent can be withdrawn and that silence cannot constitute consent, it fails to introduce an affirmative model of consent, she said.

The Liberal National Party (LNP) didnt back the Greens amendments but voiced support for an affirmative consent model.

LNP spokeswoman for the prevention of sexual violence Amanda Camm said the affirmative consent model has widespread support among survivors and advocates.

The bill, in its current form, makes no significant changes towards seeking justice for survivors of sexual violence, holding perpetrators accountable for their actions or increase safety for the Queensland community, Camm told Parliament.

Furthermore, the recommendations on which the Bill is based do not reflect the views of survivors or survivor advocates, she said.

In an open letter to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Fentiman, womens and survivors groups wrote that the new law was not fit for purpose.

We implore you to channel your courage and energy to ensure that women in Queensland who have experienced sexual violence have the same protections as women in Tasmania and Victoria, it states.

The letter asks that laws require people to enthusiastically consent to sex and include that reasonable steps are taken to ensure consent.

In practice, this means people demonstrate they want to have sex before it happens and ensure they take steps to ensure agreement, it states.

Signatories include the Womens Legal Service Queensland, Queensland Council of Social Services and the Queensland Sexual Assault Network.

Womens Legal Service CEO Angela Lynch said the new law was born of the Queensland Law Reform Commission report, which she said failed to listen to survivors, failed to listen to rape and women advocates and pretty much only listened to the lawyers, News.com.au reported.

Lynch is concerned that under the new law, a rape victim who has frozen in fear during an attack could have their actions interpreted as consent.

You cant assume that somebody who is frozen, someone who is unconscious, someone who just hasnt said anything is enough, she said.

The woman doesnt believe she has consented, shes actually frightened, but often it can be argued in court to take it (the complaint) further, she said.

During the debate in state Parliament, the Queensland government said it had not ruled out support for an affirmative consent model.

Fentiman has already launched a task force review of the experiences of women in the criminal justice system, led by former Court of Appeal judge Margaret McMurdo, thats considering an affirmative consent model.

It means the new consent laws could be superseded within the next 12 months.
(Natural News) Shocking footage has emerged showing police officers in London barging into a church and breaking up its ongoing Good Friday service for supposedly violating Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) rules regarding mass gatherings.

Good Friday is one of the most sacred days in the Christian calendar, as it is when Christians commemorate the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. Despite the solemnity of the event, police officers still decided to interrupt the Good Friday mass late in the afternoon of Friday, April 2, at the Polish Roman Catholic Church of Christ the King at the Southwest London neighborhood of Balham. This neighborhood has a significant Polish and Roman Catholic community, and many were present at the church for the service.

The congregation was about to begin its Catholic service when several members of the Metropolitan Police Service barged in and stopped the mass from proceeding. The officers went up to the lectern and addressed the congregation directly, telling them to disperse and go home. Failure to do so would warrant a 200 pound fine ($278) for breaking COVID-19 restrictions.

Ladies and gentlemen, this gathering is unfortunately unlawful under the coronavirus regulations we have currently. You are not allowed to meet inside with this many people under law. At this moment in time, you need to go home. Failure to comply with this direction to leave and go to your home address ultimately could lead to you being fined 200 pounds, or if you fail to give your details, to you being arrested. I suggest, ladies and gentlemen  though it is Good Friday and I appreciate you would like to worship  this gathering is unlawful. So please, may you leave the building now. Thank you.

After the warning, the priest addressed the congregation in Polish for a bit as they dispersed. (Related: London churches flout coronavirus lockdown rules through secret worship services.)

The Metropolitan Police said in a statement regarding the incident that officers went inside the church after responding to multiple reports of crowds gathering outside.

Understanding the sensitivity of the situation, officers engaged with the priest outside the church, and were invited inside to address the congregation, said the police in its statement.

Police officers claimed to have seen a large number of people when they entered the church, many of whom were not wearing face masks or observing social distancing regulations.

Under the guise of being particularly concerned about the risk of transmission of the COVID-19 virus, the officers decided to halt the service. They did not issue any fines or penalties to the church or the people in the congregation, since all who were present dispersed when ordered to do so.

According to Englands current lockdown rules, limits for worship services should be decided on the basis of the capacity of the place of worship following an assessment of risk.

Watch the full video showing the police officers entering the church, halting its Good Friday service and forcing the congregants to go home.

Polish church denies its service violated coronavirus regulations

On Saturday, the Polish Catholic Mission in Balham stated on the churchs website that although the church complied with police orders, it does not believe it violated any coronavirus regulations.

The Mission believes the Metropolitan Police were misinformed regarding worship guidelines.

We were not allowed to finish the celebration. The police officers found our liturgical assembly illegal, said the Mission in its statement. We believe  that the police brutally exceeded their powers by issuing their warrant for no good reason, as all government requirements were met.

We believe municipal police officials have been misinformed about the current place of worship guidelines, the Mission added. We regret that the rights of the faithful have been wronged on such an important day for every believer and that our worship has been profaned.

The Mission has informed its superiors in the Polish Catholic Mission in England and Wales regarding the incident. The Rector of the Mission, Monsignor Stefan Wylezek, has made known his intention to file a complaint with the Metropolitan Police.

Wylezeks complaint will talk about how the situation was improperly handled and it will demand that the Metropolitan Police release an explainer regarding the incident.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark, which has authority over the Polish Mission, said that the police reaction to the solemn event was overblown since the entire service would have taken just 30 minutes to complete.

Public worship is permissible where COVID hygiene procedures are in place and national guidance has been issued by the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales, said the archdiocese in a statement.

Archbishop John Wilson visited the church on Saturday, April 3, and met with Wylezek to discuss the actions of the police.

Learn more about the lockdown in London and in other parts of the world by reading the latest articles at Pandemic.news.

Sources include:

BlacklistedNews.com

TheGuardian.com

Insider.com

Reuters.com

Express.co.uk
Redding Police / Contributed Photo

REDDING  Two drivers were hospitalized with serious injuries after a collision Monday night, according to police.

First responders were dispatched to Route 107 in the area of Redding Elementary School for a reported two-vehicle crash around 9 p.m., Police Chief Mark ODonnell said.
Bell Bottom Actress Huma Qureshi Remembers Returning To Set Amid The Pandemic Post Lockdown

When the coronavirus pandemic struck our country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a nationwide lockdown in order to try and keep the citizens of India safe. This affected the film industry massively, much like other industries. Shootings came to an abrupt halt and release dates were pushed indefinitely when theatres shut down. When the lockdown finally lifted, Akshay Kumar, Vaani Kapoor, Lara Dutta and Huma Qureshi jetted off to Glasgow, Scotland to shoot their film Bell Bottom.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Huma S Qureshi (@iamhumaq)

The spy thriller became the first Hindi film to commence shooting post lockdown. In a recent chat with IANS, Huma remembered the time and shared, 'Bell Bottom' is going to be a very special film for all of us, whether it is me or the whole cast and crew for that matter because it was the film we shot last year when the first unlock phase started.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Huma S Qureshi (@iamhumaq)

Talking about resuming work after so many months, she shared, It was going back to the film set for all of us. For actors, normalcy means hearing those words, 'roll camera', 'action', 'cut', and after that long and sudden phase of staying at home, 'Bell Bottom' was our first step to normalcy, it's like a comeback for everyone. We are fortunate that we finished the shoot peacefully on time. We cannot wait to share the film with the world.

Bell Bottom is scheduled to release on 28th May.
YEREVAN.  Hraparak daily of Armenia writes: In the first ten days of April, the assemblies of the [opposition] ARF [Dashnaktsutyun Party] structures will be convened to discuss the issues of Dashnaktsutyuns running in the snap parliamentary elections [slated for June 20].

According to some rumors, the mood of running [in these elections] in an alliance with second president Robert Kocharyan is dominant within the ARF. Moreover, there is information that [ARF Supreme Body member] Ishkhan Saghatelyan, one of the leaders of the Homeland Salvation Movement [which demands the resignation of PM Nikol Pashinyan], will be number two on the electoral list. Despite that, a large number of ARF members are completely against running in an election under Pashinyans premiership and legitimizing the reproduction of his power.

() The ARF General Assembly (GA) will convene in Tsakhkadzor or Vanadzor, () and they will decide by voting on the matters of whether or not they will run in the upcoming elections and the format of running.

And the GA is planned for the end of April or the beginning of May.
San Francisco, April 6 : The National Labour Relations Board (NLRB) in the US has found that Amazon retaliated against two of its employees when the company fired them last year, The New York Times reported.

The two activist employees, Emily Cunningham and Maren Costa, organised the Amazon Employees for Climate Justice group last year to protest Amazon's links with the oil and gas industry.

Cunningham and Costa also criticised the working conditions of the company's warehouse workers and raised safety concerns of workers amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

"NLRB confirmed what we've known since last year: @Amazon illegally fired our brave coworkers @emahlee and @marencosta for speaking out about major gaps in Amazon's climate and worker record," Amazon Employees For Climate Justice said in a tweet.

This finding by the board is, however, not a ruling against Amazon. It is part of the board's ongoing response to a labour complaint against Amazon.

According to a report in The Verge, the board's finding might put pressure on Amazon to settle the case with the sacked employees.

"Being part of @AMZNforClimate has been one of the biggest joys in my life. When thousands of workers come together, we make BIG CHANGE possible. @marencosta is a sister to me now and I couldn't have asked for a better person to be in the struggle with. Solidarity," Cunningham said in a tweet on Monday.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 21:50:33|Editor: huaxia

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GABORONE, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Organic cold-pressed juices, honey, perfumes, hair products, jewelry, and designer clothes are some of the distinct products being made in Botswana. More so following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

For Thato Chuma-Mogotsi, founder of a social enterprise called the Local Slice which started as a digital campaign to raise visibility around local products and services in 2018, the growing appreciation of local brands is plausible as Botswana has imported over 80 percent of its goods requirements for decades.

COVID-19 has been a sobering, painful wake-up call for Batswana to invest in their local economy and nurture their sectors and entrepreneurs, Chuma-Mogotsi said.

"With our borders restricted, it has become imperative to manufacture our own products. With the right support, this will also reduce our high import bill," she said.

What has hindered the visibility and acceptance of local brands over the years has been quality and pricing issues. But this, Chuma-Mogotsi says is fast becoming a nonissue as proved by the fact that local companies such as Kalahari Honey and House of Divinity are now competitively exporting their products.

"The quality has drastically improved and continues to do so. With an aggressive regional strategy we could have more businesses exporting," she suggests.

While manufacturers are striving to offer competitive products, Chuma-Mogotsi's award-winning social enterprise, shortlisted as a National Finalist for the 2019 Southern Africa Startup Awards under the Social Impact category, is pushing to normalize Botswana-made products in the local market so they dominant in the average citizens' shopping basket.

She said this takes aggressive effort, as consumers are accustomed to products from South Africa and China, among other countries. "However, we have seen great interest from Batswana and the willingness to buy from their own through our platforms," she said.

The Local Slice created a #RekaLocal display shelf rolled out in various malls after realizing that it was quite difficult for people to identify local products in stores and that the retail value chain was not actively inclusive of them, with the exception of stores such as Food Lovers.

Because of this, Chuma-Mogotsi said her platforms have significantly grown in numbers and Batswana have become more receptive to their own products.

With time, she wants her social enterprise to become a bridge between Small Micro and Medium Enterprises and various industries, with the hope of enabling sector growth through a number of avenues, beyond just advertising them.

On April 13-14, Thato Chuma-Mogotsi will be attending the Buy Africa, For Africa conference, where she hopes to pick up various strategies Botswana can use to become an export player and a contributor in the African market from an entrepreneurial perspective.

"As it stands, the market interest in Africa continues to grow and spending is predicted to be valued around 3.5 trillion U.S. dollars by 2025. We need to then find ways of having Botswana become an active player via its entrepreneurs," she said.

Her role-play in the local economy has since seen her mentioned as one of the Botswana women leading the way to the country's economic recovery by the World Bank recently. Enditem
Rana, one of the few drill-ready Class-1 nickel projects globally, is located near a burgeoning European battery manufacturing hub

Global Energy Metals Corporation ( ) (OTCMKTS:GBLEF) (FRA:5GE1) announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire a strategic interest in the past-producing Rana project in Norway.

Rana is a nickel-copper-cobalt project that includes the past-producing Bruvann nickel mine in northern Norway.

The deal was first announced in February 2021 and includes three exploration licences covering the Bruvann property and a fourth exploration licence to the west, which collectively forms the Rana project.

As part of the transaction, GEMC will acquire a 1% net smelter return (NSR) royalty on the property from Chincherinchee Nominee Pty Ltd.

The signing of this definitive agreement for a strategic interest and royalty on the Rana Project and past-producing Bruvann nickel mine is a major mile-stone for the company and an active step towards our goal of serving the green energy value chain, GEMC CEO Mitchell Smith said in a statement Tuesday.

Smith told investors that the project is located in one of the world's most opportune nickel districts, giving GEMC the strategic benefit of being in a potential future supply source for a burgeoning European battery manufacturing hub in Scandinavia.

According to GEMC, Rana is one of the few drill-ready Class-1 nickel projects globally, with low capex anticipated to get it up and running.

Strategic location

Rana covers 25 square kilometres around the south shore of Ofotfjord, which is ice-free the year-round and two kilometres away from a shipping dock and other infrastructure. The project is also in close proximity to a growing end-user market including FREYR AS, a Norwegian incorporated company that is developing environmentally friendly lithium-ion based battery cell facilities in Norway.

The Rana intrusion hosts the Bruvann nickel, copper and cobalt mine with nearly 9.2 million tons remaining resources in the underground mine.

As per the term sheet, GEMC will issue 3.3 million shares in exchange for 10% interest and a 1% NSR on Rana. GEMC will have a carried interest on the project and will not be responsible for any project costs until the vendor incurs more than C$1.5 million in project expenditures. Shares will be released in batches over a 12-month period.

The vendor or royalty holder has the right to purchase 50% of the NSR for C$1 million before commercial production starts.

GEMC said it intends to work alongside the vendor to attract strategic partners to fund project development at Rana.

Contact Angela at angela@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow her on Twitter @AHarmantas
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- WEY, the premium SUV brand of Great Wall Motor, plans to launch a fire new SUV model based on the Coffee Intelligence platform and positioned below the Mocha, the first Coffee-powered model, according to a local media outlet.

The new SUV, which is likely to be named Latte, is expected for launch in June and for presale at the Chengdu Motor Show 2021, according to the local report.

Latte; photo credit: MIIT

According to the patent images from the website of China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the yet-to-be-launched model adopts a hauberk-styled hexagonal grille flanked by slender headlights on both sides. The front fascia decorated with chrome-plated trims renders more sense of sports.



Latte; photo credit: MIIT



The rear features a rather concise design with a chrome bar connecting taillights. The Latte measures 4,668 mm long, 1,890mm wide and 1,730mm tall, and its wheelbase spans 2,745mm, according to the MIIT's data.

Under the hood, the new model would be powered by a 157kW 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine code-named E20N that uses Miller cycle to deliver a thermal efficiency of over 38%. The engine may be mated to a 9-speed wet dual-clutch transmission.





WEY Macchiato; photo credit: WEY



Great Wall Motor unveiled last month the photos of another Coffee-based model named Macchiato. The SUV will be equipped with the L.E.M.O.N hybrid DHT system. Four connected displays, including a dashboard, an AR-HUD, a 14.6-inch floating console-mounted display and a touchscreen, are designed to offer drivers smarter and more convenient driving experience.
Vienna, April 6 : Top diplomats are due to meet in Vienna on Tuesday to try to save the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), this time under new auspices.

The aim of the consultations is to pave the way for the US to return to the agreement and to motivate Iran to comply with it again, reports dpa news agency.

The round of talks between the remaining partners - Russia, China, France, the UK and Germany - is the first dialogue with Iran since US President Joe Biden took office in January.

Unlike his predecessor Donald Trump, Biden wants to revive the agreement.

According to information from Tehran, there will be no direct contact between Washington and Tehran at this stage.

The agreement is considered an important building block for arms control, as it is intended to prevent the Islamic Republic from building a nuclear weapon.

In 2018, Washington withdrew from the deal and tightened sanctions on Iran under former President Donald Trump.

In response to the US moves, Iran suspended the implementation of parts of its obligations under the deal.

The two countries are in a standoff over reviving the nuclear deal.

The Biden administration has said that if Iran returns to full compliance with the JCPOA, Washington would do the same.

But Iran insists its full compliance will only take place once US sanctions are removed.
As Covid-19 swept the world, so did misinformation about how to treat it. But sometimes misinformation can develop even around ideas that have some truth to them - and that can be the most difficult kind to tackle.



Why vitamin D?



There are many treatments that have been suggested for Covid-19.



Hydroxychloroquine, Ivermectin and vitamin D - all are, or were, being studied. Suggesting that a treatment could be effective and then finding it isn't upon further research is all part of the normal scientific process.



But online, early or low-quality research can be shared out of context. And the confusion this creates can be exploited by people promoting conspiracy theories.



There is some logic behind why vitamin D might be useful in treating or preventing Covid.



It plays a role in immunity and it's already recommended that everyone in the UK take the supplement in the winter, with those at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency advised to take it all year round. So far, no research has shown a convincing enough effect to support higher doses to prevent or treat illness - although this doesn't mean that won't change in the future.



Should I start taking vitamin D?



So it's understandable it was taken up as advice by many online. Yet some have gone much further, suggesting on Reddit forums that governments are "barely mentioning" vitamin D's effectiveness, instead of focusing on "vaccines and police state tracking"; or alleging the vitamin is being ignored because the World Health Organization is in the "pay of Big Pharma".



But governments have taken up other cheap, effective treatments like dexamethasone, once proven. And vitamins themselves are a multi-million-pound industry.



What do studies say?



Many studies have shown an association between vitamin D and Covid outcomes, but the evidence is largely observational - meaning it looks at what happens to people with higher and lower levels of vitamin D without controlling for other factors.



This isn't gold standard evidence - that would a need randomised control trial, where people are allocated a treatment or a dummy version, so scientists can be clear an outcome is caused by the treatment.



Observational studies do show certain groups are both more likely to have vitamin D deficiencies and to catch Covid - older people, people with obesity, people with darker skin (including black and South Asian people).



It may be that a deficiency is the reason these groups are at higher risk, or there may be other health and environmental factors driving both a fall in levels of vitamin D and greater susceptibility to the virus.

Source: BBC









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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[April 06, 2021] WCT Introduces New Free Diversity and Inclusion Resource

OTTAWA, ON, April 6, 2021 /CNW/ - Employers seeking to build competitive and high performing organizations are turning to diversity and inclusive to give them a competitive edge. WCT's Gender Parity Scorecard (GPS) is a free interactive online program that allows employers to assess how their current practices for diversity and inclusion compare with those of leading companies in the labour market. The program offers tutorials on best practices and helps employers chart a new course to improve their progress in creating more welcoming and equitable workplaces. WCT GPS entails an assessment that produces a unique scorecard that identifies opportunities for improving existing practices or introducing new ones. WCT GPS also includes a resource library of publications and resources that provide assistance in chieving diversity and inclusion goals.



WCT GPS is produced by Women in Communications and Technology (WCT), one of Canada's most respected women's professional business organizations. "For nearly 30 years WCT has dedicated itself to the inclusion and advancement of women in the digital economy," said Joanne Stanley, WCT's executive director. "We are in continuous conversation with our members and their employers about what works and what doesn't for the creation of workplaces that maximize the contributions of women. WCT GPS is the newest way for us to share our knowledge with employers everywhere." "We designed WCT GPS with small and mid-sized organizations in mind," Stanley said. "These companies are building the future and they compete vigorously with larger organizations in the search for talent. SMEs don't always have the capacity to hire dedicated DEI personnel for their companies. WCT GPS gives them an accessible introduction to the business case for diversity and helps them chart a course that is unique to their current situation and business goals."

WCT GPS is made possible with support from the Government of Canada and Alberta Ministry of Alberta. It is accessible at on WCT's website. SOURCE Canadian Women in Communications & Technology

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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 6)  The Department of Health has ordered the state health insurer to come up with the necessary mechanisms to cover patients saliva-based RT-PCR testing.

In a recently released memorandum dated March 31, the DOH asked the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. or PhilHealth to develop the appropriate payment and provider engagement mechanisms for the saliva test.

No additional payment shall be charged to patients beyond the PhilHealth coverage for the conduct of saliva-based RT-PCR testing, the document signed by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III read.

The Philippine Red Cross, a humanitarian organization that has rolled out saliva testing in January after securing government approval, expects more Filipinos to avail of the cheaper and non-invasive process now that PhilHealth would pay for it.

PhilHealth can now pay Red Cross for the saliva RT-PCR and it can be done real fast, Senator Richard Gordon, PRC chairman, told CNN Philippines News Night on Monday.

PRC offers the saliva test at 2,000 each, almost half the price of a swab test. It is also seen to minimize the exposure of healthcare workers, since patients simply have to spit at least 2 to 3 ml of saliva to a properly labeled, graduated, sterile, and wide-mouth container.

The health worker can ensure the proper collection of specimen from a distance of at least one meter in an open or well-ventilated area, according to DOH guidelines.

In a statement on Tuesday, the DOH stressed that only licensed laboratories certified by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine or RITM can administer the saliva test using the government-approved test kits. It noted that nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal or NPS and OPS swabs remain the standard specimen for detecting the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus through reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction or RT-PCR testing.

It is not to be confused with antigen and antibody tests, which can only detect the bodys immune response.

Under the DOHs guidelines, NPS and OPS swabs should be taken during the early stages of infection, especially in mild or asymptomatic cases, while lower respiratory specimens such as sputum should be collected later in the course of the disease or in patients with severe symptoms.

Morning saliva is preferred due to its high viral load, but the specimen can be collected at any other time.

Proper collection procedure should also be strictly observed where patients should not eat, drink, brush their teeth, use mouthwash or smoke for at least 30 minutes before sample collection, the DOH said.

Ramping up the use of saliva tests is expected to expand the country's testing capacity amid the exponential rise in COVID-19 cases. On April 2, the country logged 15,310 more infections, of which 3,709 are part of case backlogs. Still, the 11,601 confirmed that day became the biggest single-day increase in infections, but it was quickly overtaken by the 12,576 new cases reported on April 3.

As of Tuesday, there are 152,562 active COVID-19 cases or patients currently battling the viral disease.
The year 2020 was an eye opener for everyone as it brought to fore the stressful implications of medical emergencies and the unpredictable financial disturbance it can cause. Now more than ever, having a robust health insurance plan can provide the added financial and emotional protection needed during such unprecedented times. Thus, this World Health Day, with an aim to educate and spread awareness on having your health insured and thus ensuring your million dollar smile, CNBC-TV18, Indias leading English business news channel launches their latest initiative, #MySmileMyInsurance - Say Yes To Health!

According to a 2020 survey on health insurance done by a leading insurance company in India, before the outbreak of COVID-19 in India, only 10% of people were interested in health insurance that covered new age diseases. However, the number has drastically risen to 71% as people consider health insurance a necessity now, after the pandemic and the tumultuous year gone by.

Taking note of this fact and the overall importance of health insurance as a must-have product, the channel endeavors to promote and reinforce the several benefits and safety nets that a robust health plan can offer to its audience.

To further amplify the campaign, CNBC-TV18 has put together on-air content, deployed dedicated promos, and activated an extensive social media campaign for their followers to engage with. CNBC-AWAAZ, the flagship Hindi business news channel too will promote the initiative on-air and on their social media pages to reach out to their dedicated set of audience.

Sharing her thoughts on the brands endeavor, Smriti Mehra, CEO, Business News, Network18 said, As the adage goes, Health is Wealth and the pandemic has underlined its relevance like never before. The COVID-19 outbreak saw a vast amount of people suffer through last minute medical contingencies and expenses, along with major loss of income, jobs etc. This coupled with often not having an active and viable health insurance plan resulted into serious distress for many.

As a brand that has always been cognizant towards our audiences needs, we look forward to making the most of our platform to voice awareness on important factors such as these that affect them and reinforce smart habits that lead to a better, healthier life and a financially secure future

CNBC-TV18 and CNBC-AWAAZ as media brands are well-known in guiding their audiences into making sensible and important life and financial decisions, and thus are backing a cause pertaining both to health as well as financial security.
He was the couturier of choice for Princess Diana after being appointed as her royal designer in 1983 when she was just 22.

Now Irishman Paul Costelloe has said Meghan Markle was right to speak out about what she felt were blaring injustices during her time as a working member of the royal family.

During her controversial interview with Oprah Winfrey, she made claims about a lack of support for her mental health at a time when she felt suicidal and allegations of racism while pregnant with son Archie (2).

Costelloe, who has long-standing links to the royal family and has dressed Princess Anne and Zara Tindell, said he supports Meghan and Prince Harry in trying to carve out a new life.

I think theyre two young people looking for their life and trying to grab on to something thats normal rather than living within the restrictions of the royal command, he told the Irish Independent.

People knock her (Meghan) a bit but shes a young woman, she has a point of view and I think its certainly time for women to speak out more and more. Why shouldnt she?

And Harry, hes a good guy; hes very honest. Hes an Army boy. I know what theyre like so they seems happy and I wish them well. God bless them; he looks into her eyes and hes in love.

Its great and they dont care. Prince Charles still probably hasnt gone over to see them (in America). He should have jumped on a plane and tried to solve it prior to it deteriorating to what it is at the moment. But, please God, it will all end up happily.

The London-based designer said he believes The Firm will carry on regardless but may implement some more positive changes over the coming years. I think thats already happening. I think theyll end up more like the Spanish or the Dutch royal family. The royal family will continue on, it makes money for the country. All the pageantry, people love all of that, its also important from a commercial point of view, he said.

People do have this view of London as a very special place to visit as soon as things get back to normal. But I think when the Queen eventually retires, I think there will definitely be some changes.

He was speaking ahead of this years fundraiser for the Jack & Jill Foundation, an online art auction called Incognito 2021.

It sees some 1,200 contributors including The Edge, Bob Geldof and Robert Ballagh submitting post-card sized pieces of artwork to be auctioned off for 60 each on April 22 at 10am.

A long-time supporter of the organisation, he has designed three unique artworks to help try and drum up funds for them with a target of 150,000 from the event.

Costelloe joked how it was very depressing to see some of last years entries as the standard was so high, with the 2020 event selling out in minutes.

Theres some really beautiful works and theres so many good artists in Ireland, he said.

The designer said that it was all about turning this beautiful art into real currency for care.

The Jack & Jill Foundation gets just 20% of its funding from the Republics Health Service Executive and needs to fundraise the rest to continue helping families provide at-home support for children with life-limiting conditions.
Highlights HMD Global may launch C20 smartphone as its next entry-level phone.

The Nokia C20 may come with Android 11 (Go edition) with 1GB RAM.

HMD Global has scheduled an event for April 8.

Nokia C20 is a part of rumours that have been floating around the internet for a while. The new phone from HMD Global will likely be an entry-level device that will replace the Nokia 1.X series. The company is probably going to scrap the old naming scheme to adopt the new one and C20 could be crucial in the grand scheme of things. And if the Nokia C20 is going to be that important, let us talk about it.

HMD has a pretty simple phone family. It has been following the number pattern where 1 means entry-level and 9 means the top-end, premium device loaded with everything from the top shelf. And this naming scheme was easier to follow -- at least for me. But now rumours are rife that HMD is ditching this naming convention and going for the one that is tried and tested: using a combination of letters and numbers for phones. And that is why we may soon see Nokia C20 alongside the Nokia G10, G20, X20, and X10 at the upcoming April 8 event.

Nokia C20 has made a fresh appearance on the Bluetooth SIG website, which means its launch is imminent. While the listing has not spilled much, it does confirm there are going to be at least four variants of the Nokia C20. And these variants will differ by the RAM and storage size, more than anything else. There will be Bluetooth 4.2 support on the phone, which is standard for a smartphone. And then you may see 1GB of RAM and 16GB of onboard memory on the Nokia C20. And 1GB RAM means Android Go, so the Nokia C20 will most likely run on Android 11 (Go edition). There is no information about the processor and the camera but that should change soon.

The specifications paint a proper picture of what this phone is going to be like. And that would be a budget phone. So, the price has to be on the lower side. There is a rumour that the Nokia C20 will cost EUR 89, which translates to roughly Rs 7,700. And this price is also what makes this phone an entry-level device. HMD is likely to launch this phone in global markets, but it is possible Nokia C20 arrives in India sometime later. And when that happens, there will be more offers in the low-end market to choose from.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 09:32:04|Editor: huaxia

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KIEV, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed the aggravation of the situation in eastern Ukraine with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson through a telephone conversation, the press service of the President's office reported on Monday night.

According to the President's office, Zelensky made the phone call during his official visit to Qatar.

Zelensky informed Johnson about the aggravation of the situation in Donbass, the buildup of the Russian troops near the Ukrainian-Russian border and ans said that Russia "is attempting" to disrupt the implementation of the Minsk agreements.

"Russia's recent actions pose a serious challenge to the security of Ukraine, NATO member states and the whole of Europe," Zelensky said, urging Britain, along with other allies, to strengthen its presence in the region and increase sanctions against Russia.

Johnson's office said, "The Prime Minister reaffirmed our unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Zelensky stressed that obtaining a NATO Membership Action Plan is Ukraine's top priority now. The two sides coordinated actions to implement the Euro-Atlantic course of Ukraine.

He also invited Johnson to take part in the inaugural summit of the Crimean Platform scheduled for Aug. 23.

Commenting on the recent movement of Russian troops near the border with Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said last week that Russia was taking necessary measures to ensure its border security and poses no threat to others.

According to the spokesman, Ukraine has not been fulfilling its obligations under the Minsk agreements, leading to an escalation of tensions in Donbass.

The ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine, which began in April 2014, has claimed some 14,000 lives and left as many as 40,000 wounded. Enditem
[April 06, 2021] Douglas Emmett Announces Dates for Its 2021 First Quarter Earnings Results and Live Conference Call

Douglas Emmett, Inc. (NYSE:DEI), a real estate investment trust (REIT), announced today that it plans to release its 2021 first quarter earnings results after market close on Tuesday, May 4, 2021. A live conference call is scheduled for the following day, Wednesday, May 5, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time / 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Jordan Kaplan, President and Chief Executive Officer, will host the call along with Peter Seymour, Chief Financial Officer, Kevin Crummy, Chief Investment Officer, and Stuart McElhinney, Vice President Investor Relations. Interested parties can listen to the call via the following: INTERNET: Go to www.douglasemmett.com/investors at least fifteen minutes prior to the start time of the call in order to register, download and install any necessary audio software. PHONE: 888-349-0488 (U.S.) or 412-542-4156 (International) - ask to join the Douglas Emmett, Inc. (DEI) call. REPLAY: A rebroadcast of the live call will be available for 90 days on our website at www.douglasemmett.com/investors



About Douglas Emmett, Inc.

Douglas Emmett, Inc. (DEI) is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT), and one of the largest owners and operators of high-quality office and multifamily properties located in the premier coastal submarkets of Los Angeles and Honolulu. Douglas Emmett focuses on owning and acquiring a substantial share of top-tier office properties and premier multifamily communities in neighborhoods that possess significant supply constraints, high-end executive housing and key lifestyle amenities. For more information about Douglas Emmett, please visit our website at www.douglasemmett.com. Safe Harbor Statement

Except for the historical facts, the statements in this press release regarding Douglas Emmett's business activities are forward-looking statements based on the beliefs of, assumptions made by, and information currently available to us about known and unknown risks, trends, uncertainties and factors that are beyond our control or ability to predict. Although we believe that our assumptions are reasonable, they are not guarantees of future performance and some will inevitably prove to be incorrect. As a result, our actual future results can be expected to differ from our expectations, and those differences may be material. Accordingly, investors should use caution in relying on forward-looking statements to anticipate future results or trends. For a discussion of some of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406006145/en/

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Sort your life out

Rating:

Louis Theroux: Shooting Joe Exotic

Rating:

Look, I don't want to sound like one of Monty Python's four moaning Yorkshiremen, but when I was a lad I had one mug to drink from  and I counted myself lucky to have that.

It's true. My mother has never thrown it away. It was made from yellowing stoneware, with a faded reproduction of a newspaper page printed on one side  and it was washed in the sink and dried after every cuppa.

These days, we've got a dishwasher. I don't wash up, I just stack dirty crockery in the machine and forget about it. As a result, I need many more than one mug . . . I must have about 20.

When presenter Stacey Solomon and her team turned up at a London home to help Tash and Lawrence Yaku, plus their four children, clear out the clutter, on Sort Your Life Out (BBC1), she counted 48 mugs in one kitchen cupboard

The appliances that promised to make our lives simpler have, in fact, done the opposite. Washing machines mean we have far more clothes, fridges result in much bigger food bills. Our homes have become overstuffed repositories for thousands of possessions that we forget we ever bought.

When presenter Stacey Solomon and her team turned up at a London home to help Tash and Lawrence Yaku, plus their four children, clear out the clutter, on Sort Your Life Out (BBC1), she counted 48 mugs in one kitchen cupboard.

That was just the start  with three removal vans waiting outside, she found 60 obsolete chargers, 11 old mobiles, 23 pairs of swimming goggles and a total of 3,000 toys. It took 600 boxes to cart everything away, and when these things were unpacked they covered the floor of an aircraft hangar.

It was a shocking visual indictment of what a wasteful society we've become, and the family were brave to put their life on show this way. The reward was worth it: by the time they'd donated, sold or chucked half their worldly goods, Stacey and co had redesigned their home, from hoarder's paradise to show palace.

Not every change seemed to be for the better. I don't see why Tash had to throw away hundreds of paintings done by her children they can't be replaced.

And the wooden drawers built into each step of the stairs by carpenter Rob could be deadly  leave one open, and you might break a leg or worse in the dark.

The sight of families putting their whole lives on view is pruriently watchable, though.

At least the Yakus didn't have 150 tigers lying around the place with hundreds of assorted bears, wolves, lions and chimps, like the infamous Joe Exotic.

Louis Theroux, who first visited the Oklahoma animal collector ten years ago, was reviewing unseen footage in Shooting Joe Exotic (BBC2)  his fascination with this creepily cruel little man heightened by the global success of the Netflix documentary Tiger King. Parts of this 90-minute special were bogged down in legal disputes, with Louis unable to mask his irritation that many old interviewees  including Joe himself, now serving 22 years for plotting a murder  had signed exclusive TV contracts and were forbidden to talk to him.

Louis Theroux, who first visited the Oklahoma animal collector ten years ago, was reviewing unseen footage in Shooting Joe Exotic (BBC2)

But with persistence and persuasion he was able to get Joe's nemesis, animal rights campaigner Carole Baskin, to talk about allegations that she murdered her husband Don and fed him to her own tigers.

And he tracked down Joe's brother, Yarri Schreibvogel, who has never spoken publicly about his sibling before. It's fair to say there's not a lot of love lost there.

For anyone who lapped up Tiger King, Louis's analysis was intriguing: he sees Joe as a demented cult leader, with big cats instead of disciples.

But he wasn't happy with his interviews, feeling he 'tiptoed around' Joe. 'It's odd to see,' Louis mused, 'how much I seemed to somewhat like him.'
A man has died from Covid-19 in a Queensland hospital after first being diagnosed in Papua New Guinea.

The dual Papuan-British national was evacuated to Queensland on March 28.

Since that day, the 77-year-old has been in intensive care in Redcliffe Hospital and died 'from complications due to Covid-19' on Monday, Queensland Health said.

As the man was not diagnosed in Australia, he will not be counted in Queensland's official death toll, which stands at 6.

He was flown to Redcliffe hospital (pictured) and remained in its intensive care unit until he succumbed to the illness on Monday

A person has not died of the virus in Queensland since April 18.

Three people, including a returned overseas traveller in his 40s, are currently in intensive care with the virus in Australia.

Meanwhile the relationship between Queensland and the Commonwealth continues to deteriorate over the vaccine rollout following accusations of diversionary tactics and childish behaviour.

Opposition leader David Crisafulli says comments by Deputy Premier Steven Miles are 'an embarrassment to every Queenslander' and have offended federal health minister Greg Hunt.

'He personally felt very offended by the language of the deputy premier yesterday,' Mr Crisafulli said on Tuesday.

'It was childish and it has got to stop. The behaviour that we saw yesterday was not fitting of his office.'

Mr Miles on Monday said Prime Minister Scott Morrison was trying to use the vaccine rollout and the Covid pandemic generally to distract from problems within the government.

'That's been a very orchestrated campaign over the last few days to try to stop you all talking about Brittany Higgins and rape and sexual harassment and all of the things that have happened in Canberra,' he told reporters.

'They were in fact so eager to distract everybody from those topics that they put at risk confidence in their own vaccine rollout program.'

As Mr Crisafulli called for an end to childish behaviour, opposition health spokeswoman Ros Bates labelled the deputy premier a 'phony'.

'Steven Miles is a fraud, a phony and a failure,' she said.

Mr Miles (pictured) on Monday said Prime Minister Scott Morrison was trying to use the vaccine rollout and the Covid pandemic generally to distract from problems within the government

'If Annastacia Palaszczuk wasn't the weakest premier she should have sacked him when he was the health minister.'

The opposition is concerned with the speed of the state's vaccine rollout, particularly the number of jabs on weekends.

'To have revelations that Victoria (is) delivering over eight times more vaccines over the course of the last month on weekends is a concern,' Mr Crisafulli said.

'Covid is important, vaccine rollouts are not a Monday to Friday exercise.'

He said there has been poor behaviour and problems with the vaccine rollout at both levels of government,

'I'm not going to come here and defend Canberra, because they've got their own issues to work out and they've got to get cracking on the vaccine as well,' he said.

No new locally-acquired cases of Covid-19 were recorded in Queensland for a third consecutive day.

There were also no new cases among returned travellers.
A Ukrainian soldier was killed amid shelling attacks by Russian mercenaries in Donbas on Tuesday, another was killed by an explosion on an explosive device, the Skhid (East) tactical group reported on its Facebook page.

"Today, on April 6 ... the armed formations of the Russian Federation once again violated the ceasefire regime and fired at the positions of Ukrainian defenders near the village of Nevelske. As a result of enemy mortar fire, one Ukrainian defender was wounded. The soldier was promptly provided first aid, but, unfortunately, he died during the evacuation. Also, not far from the settlement of Stepne, as a result of the explosion of a military vehicle on an unknown explosive device, one serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine received injuries incompatible with life," the message says.
Tokyo, April 6 : Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said he is willing to establish a new agency aimed at spearheading policies related to children.

The ruling party lawmakers proposed the children's agency last week in an effort to woo voters ahead of a general election, reports Xinhua news agency.

"We need to eliminate the sectionalism of policies and consider how an organisation should be," Suga said during a meeting of the House of Councillors' Audit Committee on Monday.

"From the broad standpoint of ensuring Japan's future, I want my party to study the establishment of such an agency," he said.

The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lawmakers asked the government to set up the agency to coordinate child policies in terms of medical and educational services and those handled by police as part of the country's efforts to address its low birth-rate.

Suga has already instructed the LDP to produce a blueprint for the agency, according to local media reports.

It will be set up as part of a special organisation under the Prime Minister and headed by Secretary General Toshihiro Nikai.

In order to appeal to people with children, the government is trying to include the children's agency in its basic policies to be compiled around June.

The agency may be in charge of issues including child poverty, abuse and suicides as well as the realignment of the administrative jurisdiction of nursery schools and kindergartens.
He may describe himself as a "weekend warrior" these days, but Taranaki motorcycle shop owner Renny Johnston certainly made the most of his Easter Weekend, taking an enduro bike to win two national motocross titles.

The 35-year-old father-of-two had assembled his a Husqvarna FE350 enduro bike just two days before the weekend's racing at the 2021 New Zealand MX TT Nationals at Taupiri, and certainly didn't arrive at the North Waikato venue with any great expectations of winning. He reckons he was "just there for a good time".

What was even more remarkable was that Renny had taken the bike out of the workshop of his Inglewood business and, with the 2021-model demo bike barely run in, he entered himself in the premier MX1 class at Taupiri.

He knew what was in store for him and his untested new machine, a couple of brutal days of racing against some of the country's most experienced 450cc bike racers  from the motocross, cross-country, enduro scenes and even from the road-racing community as well.

The racing was tight  Rotorua enduro and cross-country ace Ethan Harris had been on top of the MX1 class standings, but just one point clear of Renny, as the riders lined up for the final MX1 class race of the weekend.

Whomever finished in front of the other in this final showdown would take the glory.

In the end, Renny finished his weekend with an impressive race victory, his 2-1-4-3-1 score-card in the five MX1 class races giving him the title by six points from Ethan, who had suffered his worst result of the weekend, a fourth, in that fateful final race.

Another Rotorua rider, Callum Dudson, rounded out the MX1 podium in third overall.

"I had ridden the same model bike before, so it wasn't as if I didn't know what the bike was like to ride or what it was capable of," says the modest Renny.

A glutton for punishment, Renny had also entered with the same bike into the veterans' 35-44 years' class, therefore giving his body and his bike double the gruelling workout endured by many of his rivals.

Renny won this class too, finishing three points clear of renowned Huntly cross-country racing exponent Michael Vining, Renny therefore achieving two New Zealand title wins in the same weekend.

Other class winners at the weekend were Te Aroha's Luke van der Lee (MX2 class); Auckland's Damon Nield (senior 125cc class); New Plymouth's Mitch Rowe (veterans' over-45 years and the Classic pre-1996 bikes class); Hamiltons Mikayla Rowe (women's class and the Classic Pre-2002 bikes class); Rotorua's Ticayla Manson (junior womens 12-16 years' 150cc & 250cc class); Waimauku's Ruby Leach (junior womens 8-16 years' 85cc and 150cc class); New Plymouth's Shane Smith (clubmans MX3 class); Te Awamutu's Jack Carmichael (junior 14-16 years', 250cc); Waihi's Luke Maitland (junior 12-16 years', 125cc); Hamilton's Carson Mackie (junior 12-16 years', 85cc); Wairoa's Connor Cavaney (mini 65cc class) and Helensville's Adam Bockett (mini 50cc class).

BikesportNZ
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-07 00:46:08|Editor: huaxia

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ACCRA, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in Ghana have launched investigations into the incidents of stranded dolphins and dead fishes at two separate locations along the country's shores, an official told Xinhua Tuesday.

"Some live dolphins were trapped by waves and driven towards the sandy beach in Axim, a coastal community in the Western region on Sunday," said Michael Arthur-Dadzie, Executive Secretary of the Fisheries Commission.

He said some fishermen picked up between 60 and 80 of the live dolphins to sell to dealers in its flesh and parts before officials could reach the scene.

"This phenomenon occurs at various locations in the world from time to time. These are carnivorous mammals and while they follow smaller fishes to feed on, they could lose their navigation path and get trapped by tidal waves, which wash them ashore," Arthur-Dadzie explained.

He added that "some of the sea mammals that hit the shores in Axim died due to suffocation and trauma. These have been buried by our officials and the fishermen associations. But some live dolphins were also rescued and released into the sea."

Arthur-Dadzie also confirmed that about 20 tons of dead fish were washed to the shore at Osu, a coastal community in the Ghanaian capital.

"We have commenced investigations to establish the cause of these incidents. This will help us ascertain whether the dolphin incident and that of the dead fishes were due to natural causes, or there had been some human activities contributing to the situation," he stated.

The Fisheries Commission, Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Environmental Protection Agency, and some of the country's universities are collaborating in the investigations which include laboratory analysis of parts of the fishes and dolphins.

He was, however, confident that the incidents would not affect Ghana's global rating in the protection of sea mammals, "because our response to the developments was swift."

The FDA said it was monitoring all fish markets in Ghana to prevent the sale of any of the dead fish washed ashore to consumers.

Mike Ababa-Edu, an executive member of the Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council, described the incident as isolated, urging the regulatory bodies to intensify their education of fishermen so they could help protect endangered species in the sea. Enditem
The Philippines has warned Beijing that if Chinese warships thought to be part of a "maritime army" do not leave contested South China Sea zones, it will face a torrent of diplomatic demonstrations, worsening the bilateral spat.

Aides of Pres. Duterte Criticized Territorial Incursions

On Monday, aides to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte blasted China for what they described as territorial incursions by hundreds of its ships, which his legal counsel cautioned could break relations and lead to "unwanted hostilities."

According to a published report in Reuters, Salvador Panelo, Duterte's counsel, said the continued existence of boats was an unnecessary blot on relations that threatened "unwanted hostilities that both countries would rather not seek," in some of the strongest terms yet from Duterte's camp regarding China's actions in the South China Sea.

Panelo said "We can negotiate on matters of mutual concern and benefit, but make no mistake about it - our sovereignty is non-negotiable," Meanwhile, Duterte's spokesperson, Harry Roque, reiterated the sentiment, saying at a press conference that they would not give up a single inch of the country's national frontier or exclusive economic zone.

Japan's Dispute Over Chinese Ships in East China Sea Near Senkakus Will Get U.S. Support

Department of Foreign Affairs Released a Statement

Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Monday "For every day of delay, the Republic of the Philippines will lodge a diplomatic protest," It also reiterated its demand that the Chinese warships depart Whitsun Reef immediately, arguing that it is part of the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

On the other hand, China said on April 3 that the waters had been a "common fishing ground for Chinese fishermen for many years" and that it was "absolutely natural" for ships to "take refuge near the reef during rough sea conditions," according to a recently published article in Bloomberg.

Furthermore, China vowed to keep the peace and expressed the expectation that Philippine officials would "ignore any unprofessional comments that might further fan irrational feelings," However, a request for comment on the new Philippine declaration was not immediately responded to by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Aircraft Carriers Will Be in the Philippine Sea for Training While China Monitors Exercises Anxiously

Philippine Defense Secretary Released a Statement

Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Sunday China's presence along the reef demonstrates Beijing's desire to claim more contested territory. He also said that China has done this in other disputed regions, such as Scarborough Shoal, and that it is blatantly infringing on Philippine sovereignty.

Lorenzana was responding to a statement released by China's embassy in Manila on Saturday, which identified the waters surrounding the Whitsun Reef, where hundreds of Chinese vessels were spotted early last month, as "common fishing grounds" and "part of China's Nansha Islands," according to Philippine Star.

Moreover, following the Chinese Embassy's argument that Whitsun Reef is part of China's jurisdiction, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin said on Sunday that he is "considering a demarche." On Twitter, he also said that "swarming accomplishes little."

Under President Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippines has established friendly relations with China in recent years while retaining its alliance with the United States.

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A group of 10 doctors face being struck off for swapping 'offensive' messages and pictures on a secret WhatsApp group for two years.

Police uncovered years' worth of messages after an unrelated investigation which cleared the medics, according to the Sun.

But members of the group now face disciplinary hearings after the case was referred to Health Education England.

The doctors were named after a justice at the High Court in London threw out their bid for anonymity on grounds of open justice.

A group of 10 doctors face being struck off for swapping 'offensive' messages and pictures on a secret WhatsApp group for two years. Police uncovered years' worth of messages after an unrelated investigation which cleared the medics. Pictured, stock image

The names include Dr R Fijten, Dr Y Craichen, Dr A Patel, Dr P Cameron and Dr J James. Others identified were Dr G Jayasinghe, Dr A Sarnowski, Dr D Walker, Dr R Smith and Dr A Tappouni, the paper added.

The content of the messages sent between the doctors has not yet been disclosed, but is expected to emerge as the case progresses.

Some of the accused are understood to have qualified in just the past five years, some of them as GPs, and to work in south London or the Home Counties.

But members of the group now face disciplinary hearings after the case was referred to Health Education England. Pictured, stock image

All 10 involved have admitted sending messages and being part of the WhatsApp group between February 2014 and October 2016.

Four of the accused also admitted failing to report the messages, while two said they had failed to act 'with integrity' and risked patients' trust. But all 10 denied their fitness to practice had been 'impaired' by misconduct.

The Medical Practitioners Tribunal will now decide whether or not to suspend them or strike their names from the medical register.
By Song Kyung-jin





I take the liberty of guessing that perhaps it is the by-elections taking place in the two largest cities in Korea that forced the government to make two rushed announcements in the space of a week. One was about the immediate possibility of a Korea-U.S. summit within the month of April, and the other was the possibility of a Korea-China bilateral summit soon after the COVID-19 pandemic comes under control. Neither was confirmed by the counterparts. It has in effect undermined the credibility of the Korean government. But at the bottom of it all lies the alleged fact that Korea feels lost with its "strategic ambiguity" in dealing with the great power rivalry between China and the United States.



Amid escalating US-China tensions, new and renewed ideas and proposals are mushrooming to manage global governance more efficiently. As recently as late March, seasoned diplomacy experts like Richard Haass and Charles Kupchan brought up an idea of a concert of powers, a global steering group, modelled after the Concert of Europe in the 19th century. The proposed idea will include six powers  China, the European Union, India, Japan, Russia and the United States  and four regional organizations. What is striking is that there will be no place reserved for Korea in this group. Such a milieu is also ramping up interest in Seoul in the U.S.-led Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) and its operating mechanism, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), currently consisting of Australia, India, Japan and the United States.



Against this backdrop, Korea clearly needs strategic diplomacy designed to ensure its solid engagements in the global governance dialogue. The fact that the Indo-Pacific region is quickly becoming the center of global geopolitics, geoeconomics and geostrategy is calling on Korea to develop a set of its own principles and terms for a rules-based, flexible and prosperous Indo-Pacific in line with the FOIP, on which it will decide on joining the Indo-Pacific and the Quad, free from coercion from any power. There are ample reasons why Korea should do it.



First, Korea's principle-based diplomacy and the US-led value-based diplomacy have a lot in common. Both countries are full-fledged democracies driven by shared values such as human rights, peace, security, prosperity and a rules-based international order. Korea is a former authoritarian country that has turned into a full-fledged democracy with huge economic success, benefitting from the rules-based international order that is now being challenged.



Second, there are areas of convergence between Korea's New Southern Policy (NSP) and the US Indo-Pacific Strategy that can be leveraged, as noted in the Joint Statement of the 2021 KoreaUS Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting ("2+2"), March 18. However, the NSP is confined to bilateral trade, economic and people-to-people cooperation between Korea, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and India. Hence, the NSP should be integrated into Korea's Indo-Pacific vision as a trade and economic building block. This will also solve the question of its continuity beyond the current administration stemming from it being under the jurisdiction of an ad-hoc presidential committee.



Third, an Indo-Pacific vision will provide Korea with enhanced leverage in the US-China competition and cooperation, free from coercion from any major power.



Fourth, it will help improve Korea-Japan relations that have deteriorated to the lowest point in recent history and by extension boost Korea-US-Japan trilateral cooperation on issues of common concern and interest in the region and around the world.



Fifth, in doing so, Korea will be able to contribute more to the shared values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in tandem with its economic weight and thus meet the expectations of the international community. This will provide Korea with a voice and a seat at the table on important regional issues, especially in the forthcoming Quad's vaccine working group, critical and emerging technology working group, and climate working group.



Despite these compelling reasons, in so far as the stigmatized perception of the FOIP and the Quad as being "against China" is not dismantled, there will always be hesitant allies and partners. Therefore, the leaders and proponents of the FOIP and the Quad should broaden the scope of agenda from military and security issues to trade, economy, nuclear energy, cybersecurity, governance and universal values, geared toward advancing a common vision and ensuring peace and prosperity in the region and the world. A perfect example is the 13 meetings in 2020 between the Quad members and Korea, New Zealand and Vietnam to cooperate in containing the COVID-19 pandemic.



They should also make it clear that not all of the existing Indo-Pacific strategies are in exact sync with one another and encourage non-Quad allies and partners to develop their own vision of the Indo-Pacific and the Quad that are free, open and rules-based, as done by ASEAN, France, the Netherlands, Germany, and the U.K. It will allow the concerned countries more room for flexibility and maneuver without compromising their core national values and interests.





Dr. Song Kyung-jin (kj_song@hotmail.com) led the Institute for Global Economics (IGE), based in Seoul, and served as special adviser to the chairman of the Presidential Committee for the Seoul G20 Summit in the Office of the President. Now, she chairs the international cooperation committee called the Innovative Economy Forum.


A public discussion of the Cybersecurity Strategy of Ukraine, the development of which was completed by the National Cybersecurity Coordination Center under the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of Ukraine, was held with the participation of business representatives.

"The growing digitalization puts Ukraine in front of the need to confront a large number of challenges and threats in cyberspace. Not only powerful corporations, but also small and medium-sized businesses, as well as ordinary users, often fall victim to hackers. Today, the question is not whether your organization will be attacked, but about how to reliably ensure a high level of cybersecurity for your business," Secretary of the Center for Cybersecurity of Business at the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UCCI), Secretary of the Committee on Electronic Communications Anatoliy Klikich said during a meeting of the Committee on Electronic Communications at the UCCI.

He recalled that according to the NSDC in 2020, about 1 million cases of cyber threats were recorded in Ukraine, including network attacks, network scanning attempts, attempts at WEB attacks, phishing, DDoS attacks, and the distribution of malicious software. In this regard, to help business, on the initiative of the committee, a memorandum of partnership and cooperation was signed between the staff of the NSDC and the UCCI. As a result, the UCCI has become the main center of attraction for various initiatives and activities in the field of business cyber protection, Klikich said.

According to Head of the Committee on Electronic Communications at the UCCI, Chairman of the Anti-Crisis Center for Cybernetic Protection of Business, Vice-President of the Kyiv Chamber of Commerce and Industry Volodymyr Koliadenko, "the adoption of a cybersecurity strategy is an important step towards creating a reliable cybersecurity ecosystem in the country, since it is it that determines the main tasks, parameters of threats, as well as criteria for testing the effectiveness of this system."

He also said that thanks to the Kyiv Chamber of Commerce and Industry and its capabilities, a broad discussion and study of the main provisions of the strategy was organized and dozens of comments and proposals regarding its content were submitted.

According to a member of the Committee on Electronic Communications at the UCCI, Director of Oakeshott British Insurance Agency Yuriy Hryshan, the cybersecurity strategy developed by the NSDC working group is undoubtedly a systemic good-quality document that will improve the efficiency of interaction between all government agencies and the private sector to prevent large-scale hacker attacks and their serious consequences.

"Based on the experience of the United States, Canada, Japan, European countries, we propose, when solving problems of ensuring cybersecurity on a national scale, to provide for the possibility of participation of international insurance brokers in this process, namely the transfer of a part of the risks through them to global insurance companies that specialize in cyber insurance," he said.

According to Hryshan, this should be provided for critical information infrastructure facilities, primarily public management systems, life support facilities, electricity, transport, nuclear and chemical industries, and the banking sector.

He said that according to last year's McAfee Corp survey that surveyed respondents were from the United States (300), Canada (200), the U.K. (200), France (200), Germany (200), Australia (200) and Japan (200), global losses from cybercrime are currently more than $1 trillion and have increased by more than 50% in two years. Production downtime is a common consequence for two-thirds of respondents. The average cost of their longest downtime in 2019 was $762,231. About 33% of respondents said that IT security incidents leading to system downtime cost them between $100,000 and $500,000.

According to Hryshan, in contrast to preventive approaches that provide for preventive measures, the inclusion of late response tools  the transfer of part of the risks to the insurance by international brokers, will compensate for the losses from the cyber attacks. There are enough examples showing that even the implementation of preventive measures does not guarantee against cyber attacks. So, despite the fact that penetration testing specialists tested the reliability of the computer networks of the world's largest aluminum producer Norsk Hydro, hackers managed to stop production at the plant for several weeks in March 2019, and only thanks to the cyber insurance policy, the company covered the losses of more than $60 million.

Hryshan also said that in pursuance of the committee's work plans, last year, together with a company that has the Deep Web scanning system, a number of private and public companies agreed to pass the compromise tests. As it turned out, most companies that are engaged in serious business, storage and transmission of information had many compromised emails. Production downtime, damage to brand reputation, reduced efficiency, damage throughout the supply chain, large amounts of data recovery, etc are key threats hitting businesses in cyber attacks.

As reported, the working group under the National Cybersecurity Coordination Center of the NSDC approved the draft Cybersecurity Strategy of Ukraine for 2021-2025.
Relatives mourn around a coffin of a security force personnel, who was killed in an attack by Maoist fighters, during a wreath laying ceremony in Bijapur in Chhattisgarh, (Photo : REUTERS/Stringer)

Indian security forces have stepped up operations against ultra left-wing guerrillas deep in the forests of a mineral-rich central state after they killed 22 police in an ambush over the weekend, a top police officer said on Monday.



At least 30 other members of the security forces were wounded in the four-hour gun battle with Maoist rebels that took place in Chhattisgarh state on Saturday, the deadliest ambush of its kind in four years.



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"The operation will be intensified," said Om Prakash Pal, deputy inspector general of police, who is leading the fight against the rebels in Chhattisgarh.



The Maoists, also known as Naxals, have waged an armed struggle against government forces for decades. They say they are fighting for the poor who have been left behind in India's economic boom.



Chhattisgarh, one of the fastest-developing states in India, has 28 varieties of major minerals, including diamonds and gold, a government website said. It also holds 16% of India's coal deposits and large reserves of iron ore and bauxite.



The Maoists, considered India's biggest internal security threat, operate in mineral-rich territory in the east and south of the country known as the "red corridor," which has shrunk in recent years because of heavy operations against them.



But last week some 400 guerrillas armed with grenades and automatic rifles attacked a police raiding party in the Bijapur district of Chattisgarh.



Pal said the rebels also suffered losses and local media reported that drone surveillance showed them taking away bodies.



"They are definitely trying to strengthen themselves but the forces put a lot of pressure on them. Now they are confined only to very few pockets. In their core area they are shrinking very fast," Pal told Reuters, adding security forces were stepping up their intelligence gathering efforts too.



WELL-ARMED 'MAOIST MENACE'



Security experts say that police forces need to be better equipped to deal with the guerrillas who are often as well-armed as the police.



In the latest encounter, the naxals carried AK-47 assault rifles, rocket launchers, and under barrel grenade launchers, said Pal.



"The government will leave no stone unturned to provide you with the best facilities," India's Home Minister Amit Shah said in a speech to security forces in Chhattisgarh on Monday.



Shah vowed to end the "Maoist menace" after paying homage to the dead security personnel and visiting a hospital to meet the injured.



"The government will not tolerate such bloodshed and a befitting response will be given. We will put an end to the ongoing battle with Maoists," Shah said.



He also held a meeting with top security officials in the state to "realign strategy" to dismantle the nexus run by Maoist leaders, a close aide to Shah told Reuters on condition of anonymity.



Uddipan Mukherjee, a joint director for government agency, the Ordnance Factory Board who has been tracking war strategy deployed by the Maoists for more than a decade said the pandemic had allowed the insurgency to recruit more members.



Others with direct knowledge agreed.



"We have intelligence reports that the Maoist leaders during the pandemic have managed to recruit hundreds of new foot soldiers, including women, living in the forests who leak details about security force patrols," a New Delhi-based bureaucrat who oversees country's internal security said.


Eamonn Holmes was late to 'This Morning' after an ad break due to his chronic pain. (ITV)

Eamonn Holmes was late returning to This Morning from a loo break - hobbling on a walking stick due to his ongoing battle with chronic pain.

The 61-year-old TV presenter  who is suffering intense pain in his pelvis - was hosting the ITV daytime show with wife Ruth Langsford - leaving her to explain his absence from screen.

Langsford, 61, told viewers following an advert break: "Hello, welcome back to This Morning, now those of you who follow Eamonn on social media will know he has been talking a lot about chronic pain.

Eamonn Holmes hobbled back onto screen using a stick. (ITV)

"And it's ironic now that he is not here, because he's had to nip to the loo, because it takes him so long walking and he is on his way back.

Watch: Eamonn Holmes thinks social media trolls plotted his This Morning axe

Read more: Eamonn Holmes determined to win battle with chronic pain and insomnia

"He is here any minute, there he is - it takes him longer to walk, but he is here now."

Holmes hobbled across the studio to rejoin his wife for the segment discussing Line Of Duty character DS Steve Arnott's who has a painkiller addiction in the programme.

Former GMTV presenter Holmes has been documenting his battle with chronic pain and subsequent insomnia on social media  and has now revealed he has resorted to taking cold showers in a bid to ease his suffering.

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He tweeted: "Physio just left after 2nd session of the day . He said my body was hot ... result being that I Needed to cool off with my 2nd Cold Shower of the day.....Let's hope it helps me sleep soundly Zzzzz."

Holmes had to get up early to undergo his first physiotherapy session at 4.30am before hosting the This Morning with Langsford for the Easter holidays.

He told viewers: "Those of you who follow me on social media will know, about a month ago I did something to my back, I don't know how I did it, getting into the car, getting out of a car, getting out of bed, whatever.

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

"I've got an MRI scan, but the trouble is, everything closes for Easter, I haven't got it analysed yet, but what I do know is, I can't sleep at night.

Story continues

Read more: Ruth Langsford: I was sexually assaulted on crowded train as a schoolgirl

"The pain is absolutely worse at night, the humbling thing is when you go on social media and you talk to people who suffer from this, age isnt a barrier, where you live isn't a barrier, how much you earn isnt a barrier."

Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford on the This Morning sofa. (ITV)

A spokesman for Holmes previously told Yahoo! UK: "A month ago his pelvis went out of line so he needs physio most days as the pain is intense."

The TV presenter underwent a double hip replacement in 2016. The surgery was carried out in a bid to tackle excruciating hip, leg and back pain he had secretly suffered for more than 20 years.

Watch: Ruth Langsford on her marriage to Eamonn Holmes
Click the image above to watch the video

UPDATE: 3.40pm An eyewitness suggests a woman has had a lucky escape after her car caught fire in a crash with a truck and trailer in Mount Maunganui.

The collision happened on Hewletts Rd near the AA Auto Centre.

A reporter on the scene says two firetrucks are in attendance along with one ambulance and three or four police cars.

The accident involved a Toyota station wagon and a truck and trailer.

Our reporter states that the right side of the Toyotas bumper made contact with the trailer, which sustained minor damage.

The car caught fire immediately after making impact, according to an eyewitness who was directly behind the crash.

I was the car behind her although was quite a way back, says the eyewitness.

She was going at the speed limit or at least near the speed limit. She obviously had not realised that the truck had stopped for the lights or something. She noticed at the last minute and swerved but obviously not enough.

The car went up straight away but thankfully the driver did not seem to be too badly injured got out reasonably easily.

The eyewitness says that police must have been in the vicinity as they were on the scene almost immediately and bystanders from local businesses came out to help the woman.

Traffic is stalled on Hewletts Road. Image: Google Maps.

Police have confirmed in a statement that they are on the scene of a crash involving a car and truck at the intersection of Hewletts Road and Jean Batten Drive.

One person was reported to have sustained moderate injuries, says a police statement.

Our reporter on the scene says that there is a significant amount of rubble and debris from the incident. However, both lanes are now open but the bus lane remains blocked.

EARLIER: Reports are coming in of a car fire in Mount Maunganui.

A caller to the 0800 SUNLIVE news hotline says firefighters are dealing with a fire on Hewletts Road, near Jean Batten Drive.

"Both Tauranga bound lanes are blocked."

A SunLive reader emailed in to say the car fire is on Hewletts Road.

"Emergency services are responding and traffic is backing up."

Another reader reports seeing black smoke.

SunLive is working on getting more information and will provide an update when we can.

At the scene?

Call 0800 SUNLIVE or email photos to newsroom@thesun.co.nz
(Natural News) Joe Biddy, Resident of the White House nursing home, has introduced a new $2 trillion infrastructure package that promises to upfit our nations crumbling roads and bridges. Ironically enough, it also apportions $20 billion for the dismantling of roads and highways that social justice warriors (SJWs) claim are racist.

You see, improving infrastructure has two different meanings depending on whether you are Republican or Democrat. The former recognizes that improving infrastructure means repaving and restructuring roads and bridges while adding more of them wherever needed. To Democrats, though, improving infrastructure means tearing it down if special interest groups see its location as racist.

Its true that much of Bidens plan is not traditional infrastructure, writes Michael Grunwald for Politico.

It proposes huge investments in scientific research, clean energy research and medical research  although of course it refers to that spending as research infrastructure. It would subsidize electric cars and buses as well as electric charging infrastructure, while investing in energy-efficiency upgrades for homes and schools, semiconductor manufacturing, affordable housing, new child care facilities and community college infrastructure, more commonly known as community colleges.'

China Joes proposal also aims to eliminate racial and gender inequalities in STEM programs, meaning science, technology, engineering and mathematics. White men  and men in general  have traditionally gravitated towards such fields and the system is attempting to dismantle that by bringing in more females and transgenders.

Whether you believe Bidens rhetoric about his plan helping America compete with China for the industries of the future, or the Republican rhetoric about his plan paying off Democratic unions and sucking up to Democratic voters of color, its certainly not a classic asphalt plan, Grunwald adds.

It does call for investments in fixing roads and bridges, but it doesnt call for new sprawl-inducing roads and bridges, and it focuses far more on new rail lines, better airports and seaports, more bike lanes, more pedestrian-friendly streets and better transit.

Democrats and Republicans are both corrupt and only want votes

As for the dismantling of racist roads and highways, Beijing Bidens infrastructure package will tear them all down on the taxpayers dime. Roads and highways that have traditionally divided communities in New Orleans and Syracuse along racial lines will be abolished.

Even though roads and highways in America are already hard to come by and often over-trafficked, it is apparently a higher priority to the Biden regime to make Black Lives Matter (BLM) feel a little less upset about the state of the world than to help everyone, regardless of race or color, have an easier commute to work.

Our nations energy infrastructure has already been handed over by Hunters dad to communist China, so why not also hand over the transportation grid exclusively to the Democrats?

Grunwalds reporting is unusually fair in that it points out how Democrats and Republicans are fighting for the future of America through our nations infrastructure. Democrats are focusing on urban areas where most of their voters live, both dead and alive, and Republicans are focusing on their more rural areas where their voters live.

The partisan divide over infrastructure is in one sense a predictable divide over the spoils of government, Grunwald reveals. Democrats want to send money to the metropolitan areas where most economic activity happens and most Democrats live. Republicans want to prop up the nations more Republican outskirts.

But in our shirts-and-skins political culture where how you vote has become so intricately connected to where you live, infrastructure has really become a fight over how Americans will live in the future.

More related news about the racist, anti-white policies of the Biden regime, which would seem to have Obama hiding somewhere running things in the background, visit Tyranny.news.

Sources for this article include:

Politico.com

NaturalNews.com
In 2020, two samples were found to contain lead levels above 15 ppb, Johnson said. One was a vacant home with water that had been stagnant, and the other sample was taken from a faucet in a home not used regularly by the resident, he said.
Footage of Rwandan newlyweds and family guests forced to spend their wedding night in stadia for breaching coronavirus rules has sparked criticism.



Spending the evening at a stadium "on my wedding day is a bad memory that will never fade in my life", one bride told the BBC anonymously.



"Inflicting pain and shaming people like this doesn't make us fear corona or observe measures."



Police in the capital, Kigali, had stopped at least three weddings over the Easter weekend because they exceeded the maximum of 20 attendees.















A police spokesperson told Rwandan media that "more people doing parties are violating the measures", and police wouldn't allow it to continue.Some online said police were "now going too far" by unlawfully holding people for night hours in stadiums, while others praised officers for taking action to "keep them safe.Clarisse Karasira, a Rwandan music star, tweeted "this act lacks humanity", and said that it was "an eternal pain to the couple and their children".Rwandas response to Covid-19 has been praised internationally, but activists and opposition have deplored deep human rights violations in the process.The country has recorded more than 22,000 cases of Covid-19 and 311 deaths.

Source: BBC









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Eat Fit Go Partners With Life365

Life365, a leading virtual care platform provider, announced its partnership with EAT FIT GO Wellness, a healthy lifestyles company that empowers wellbeing from the inside out with premium, convenient and healthy nutrition. EAT FIT GO specializes in ready to heat and serve healthy prepackaged meals designed to be affordable, convenient and nutritious.

Life365 continues to build out its Virtual Care, tech-enabled healthcare platform, intended to provide a simpler solution for insurance companies, health systems (Hospital@Home), payers, senior aging services, wellness programs, clinical trials and large self-insured employers. The platform is designed to provide variety of solutions that are personalized for an individual coming from a commonly integrated platform to provide a Whole Person Solution and not delivering one-off individual products. Consumers and providers of solutions / services are becoming fatigued by the disparate nature of products and services that come to market in Healthcare and Wellness, causing lack of scalability due to having to handle 100s of individual products, instead of bundling together in a Personalized manner to meet an individuals needs.

The addition of EAT FIT GO to the Life365 Virtual Care Platform is now in good company not only offering a nutritious food component, while satisfying the Hospital@Home program requirements, but a variety of additional services targeted towards the need of healthcare, seniors / retirees, employees with chronic conditions, people with disabilities and social determinants of health (SDOH). EAT FIT GOs convenient, premium meals can be delivered to home or office and are designed to share the platform with other companion products such as Home Safety and Care, Remote Patient Monitoring, Telehealth, Wellness, Transportation, Behavioral Health and much more  All from the Life365 Virtual Care app.

Food is medicine, said Brock Hubert, CEO of EAT FIT GO Wellness. When Life365 and EAT FIT GO aligned it was an instant connection that our two companies had the ability to address both sides of the care continuum, with one side being Health & Wellness and the other side being Complex Chronic Care. We needed to meet in the middle where a vast amount of people have amassed. Coming from the Health and Wellness side, we needed to provide the tools, including food, that helps individuals self-managed their weight and provide them the ability to stop or reduce the chances of progressing into a chronic disease such as diabetes, high blood pressure and more. From the complex chronic care side, we needed to intervene prior to an individual getting sicker to stop the progression of their chronic disease to a more costly state.

Our clients are convinced that the right targeted tools can help their members in their individual wellness and care, providing greater outcomes with significant ROI, said Kent Dicks, CEO of Life365. The problem is that many of these solutions, 10s if not 100s, are presented individually to the member and are not aligned, integrated or delivered in a unified offering, which makes it harder to deploy to the members in a targeted and personalized manner. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has started a new Hospital@Home initiative which allows health systems / providers to be reimbursed for care at home, but they must provide comparable services that they would receive in the hospital, such as food, transportation, remote patient monitoring, etc. This partnership with EAT FIT GO is perfect since it continues our mission to provide a Whole Person Solution targeted towards Healthcare and Wellness and ready-made healthy home delivered food was a missing component.

Nutritious, premium food delivered directly to a patients home is one of the key ingredients to a successful preparation for surgery or speedy recovery at home, stopping the complications related to food insecurity or lack of nutritious food at home, causing a re-admission to the hospital. Many programs exist in Medicaid, Medicare, Medicare Advantage and commercial pay that support food as an active ingredient in the success care of the member pre and post hospitalization and throughout their wellness journey.

About Life365

The Life365 Virtual Care platform integrates health systems with healthcare solution/service providers and logistics companies to deliver a one-stop, integrated platform for engaging a growing patient population at home  and beyond. The platform enables health professionals to remotely manage patients with a variety of disease states and offers consumer apps for self-managing their health and wellness. Life365 is headed by an experienced, industry recognized team, recently selected as a Finalist for a 2021 Edison Award for their work in addressing COVID-19. The teams previous Connected Health Company was acquired by Alere (now Abbott). Life365 is the major patent holder of the next generation of Wearables, Sensors and Patches driven by Machine Learning / AI, driving the next generation of Remote Patient Monitoring to scale.

For more information regarding Life365, please visit http://www.life365.health.

About EAT FIT GO

EAT FIT GOs mission is to empower people to live healthier lives by enabling convenient access to premium, restaurant-quality meals made from fresh and healthy whole foods.

EAT FIT GO provides a simple solution to eating healthy on the go. All ingredients are listed right on the label, so you know exactly what youre eating. EAT FIT GO meals are freshly prepared in a USDA certified kitchen and distributed directly to customers doorstep in temperature-controlled environments. EAT FIT GO offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner choices in a variety of protein options from vegan / vegetarian meals to chicken, steak and turkey. America is becoming more and more dependent on processed foods that are causing numerous health problems across the board. This issue continues to trend in the wrong direction decade after decade. EAT FIT GOs model of real food with no preservatives or added artificial ingredients will help create more options for people to take control of their own health and well-being and help provide better outcomes  Healthy Food is Medicine.

For more information regarding EAT FIT GO, please visit http://www.eatfitgo.com
New Delhi, Apr 6 (UNI) The Maharashtra government and former state Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Tuesday approached the Supreme Court separately against the Bombay High Court order in the preliminary probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the 'extortion' allegations against the latter.

The Special Leave Petition filed by the Maha Vikas Agadi government sought to set aside the order of the High Court on Monday, in which the Court asked the CBI to probe the corruption allegations leveled against Deshmukh by former Mumbai Commissioner of Police Param Bir Singh.

Terming the case as extraordinary and unprecedented, the Court had asked the probe agency to complete their investigation within 15 days, after which the CBI director is at liberty to take further course of action.
Tim Cook has unveiled a massive piece of information about the Apple Car electric vehicle in the recently concluded Sway podcast with Kara Swisher, and this is the first time that it was mentioned officially by the CEO. Here, the CEO also mentioned that he is looking forward to Parler returning to the App Store after the recent ban that kicked it off.

Tim Cook: Apple Car

In the past, the Apple Car was only from known insiders, speculators, and leakers of the most valuable company in the world, with the likes of Ming-Chi Kuo, Mark Gurman, Jon Prosser, and others. However, in the recent New York Times podcast called "Sway," Cook has mentioned something about the EV that was never been revealed by the company.

This, coming from the CEO, is a massive thing, and the confirmation that there would indeed be an Apple Car is a development from Apple, after the EV has been rumored for a 2021 release, then slated for 2024 or later. The Apple Car is a highly-anticipated vehicle from Apple, especially as the company is known for its massive fanbase and following for its innovations.

Read Also: PS5 Restock April 2021: Where to Buy; Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and More! [GUIDE]

Apple Car Self-Driving is 'Autonomous'

The "Project Titan," a.k.a. the Apple Car, was initially speculated to be a self-driving electric vehicle from the Cupertino giant, focusing on a driverless technology, which is like the Tesla FSD. However, the world is yet to see this, especially as Apple is still looking for a partner manufacturer for the vehicle after Hyundai and Kia rejected any ties with the company.

On the other hand, the recent "Sway" podcast has confirmed one of the long-rumored electric vehicles from Tim Cook. The CEO said it would be "autonomous like a robot." This means that the vehicle would be marketed as a fully driverless EV, which is a fairly new one in the present industry as no laws are passed for this kind of setup.

Parler's Apple App Store Return

On the other hand, Cook also mentioned another massive topic in the Sway podcast, and that is his hope for the return of the notorious "free internet" social networking platform, Parler. Initially, Parler was kicked off the App Store after the Capitol Riot incident that was orchestrated and planned via the social media application.

According to Fox Business, the Apple CEO said that "having more social networks out there is better than having less," suggesting the return of Parler to the iOS platform after more than 2 months. However, Cook mentioned that social media should have the proper "moderation" as it returns, or it might not be accepted back to the App Store again.

Related Article: Hyundai, Kia Denies Discussion with Apple for EV Manufacturing-Apple Car to Be Produced by Other Carmakers!

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Isaiah Alonzo

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
YEREVAN, 6 APRIL, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 6 April, USD exchange rate up by 1.27 drams to 535.11 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 5.34 drams to 632.07 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.01 drams to 7.00 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 0.42 drams to 740.00 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 70.47 drams to 29695.28 drams. Silver price up by 0.99 drams to 418.32 drams. Platinum price up by 48.96 drams to 20627.82 drams.
OLMSTED COUNTY, Minn. - A bird habitat in Rochester Township could be threatened by a potential development plan.

Roughly 40 great blue heron nests are clustered in trees, set back in the woods off of 60th Ave. The nesting site is called a rookery. It's the only known heron rookery in Olmsted County, and possibly the largest in Southeastern Minnesota. If you've ever seen a great blue heron in Olmsted County, it probably calls the rookery home.

There's a proposed housing development plan that would involve cutting down some of the trees in the nesting area and constructing a road through the rookery.

A group of concerned citizens have formed Save the Rookery. Their goal is for the birds to remain undisturbed. The group fear the development will destroy habitat and scare off birds tending to their eggs.

"Bird populations overall are in decline in North America...by 30 percent since the 1970s and it's because of habitat loss. So I think we need to be more thoughtful about where we put in houses and protect these natural resources ," says Lynn Cornell of Save the Rookery.

At Tuesday morning's Olmsted County Board of Commissioners meeting, there is a vote to change the designation of the land the rookery sits on from resource protected to suburban development. It's a public hearing, and Save the Rookery will be pleading their case for the birds.

Then on April 13th, the matter will be discussed at the Rochester Township Planning and Zoning Meeting.

"Everyone loves seeing them around town. You see them flying overhead, you see them along the streams in town. Just a gorgeous bird that everyone enjoys seeing. Essentially all the birds we're seeing in town came from this rookery. If this rookery is gone, we won't see those birds here anymore," says Cornell.

Save the Rookery is collecting signatures for a petition. 100 signatures triggers a mandatory environmental review from the State of Minnesota. Currently, the group has roughly 1,000 signatures from concerned Minnesotans. Click here for Save the Rookery's website, or click here for its Facebook page.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, center, Google chief executive officer Sundar Pichai, right, and Poland's Deputy Minister of Entrepreneurship and Technology Tadeusz Koscinski, left, during the meeting entitled Central and Eastern Europe Innovation Roundtable, January 21 in the Palace on the Water in Royal Lazienki Park in Warsaw, Poland / EPA-Yonhap





Poland sees South Korea as its major economic partner and wants to further boost bilateral ties beyond e-mobility to make a strong rebound from the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, its finance minister said.







Tadeusz Koscinski, Polish minister of finance, development funds and regional policy, said he is "more than happy" with the significant presence of top Korean companies in the manufacturing sector in Poland and encouraged them to explore new business opportunities in transportation and energy sectors.







"I consider South Korea as one of the most important economic partners for Poland in Asia," Koscinski said in a recent written interview with Yonhap News Agency. "Our trade turnover grew dynamically before the pandemic and I do hope we will successfully continue our bilateral trade and investment relations in the future."







Since forging a strategic partnership in 2013, Korean firms have been investing heavily in Poland in various areas, including electric vehicle batteries, electronics, engineering, auto parts and the chemical industry.







South Korea is now the largest Asian investor in Poland, with the cumulative value of Korean foreign direct investment in the European country reaching $2.2 billion as of 2019, according to the data from the National Bank of Poland.







Koscinski said he expects "fruitful collaboration" in the e-mobility and cybersecurity sectors, as well as a number of other areas, encouraging more Korean companies to further invest in Poland.







The largest investment is LG Chem Ltd.'s EV battery plant, which started production in 2018 near the southwestern city of Wroclaw, making Poland the largest lithium-ion battery exporter in Europe.







The Korean company has invested about 4 trillion won (US$3.5 billion) in the Polish facility as of 2020 and plans to additionally spend 820 billion won by next year, the financial report of its wholly owned subsidiary LG Energy Solution showed.







LG's large-scale battery investment attracted other Korean companies and subcontractors and created new jobs in Poland.







SK Innovation Co., LG's smaller crosstown rival, has been building a battery separator factory in Poland to start production later this year. Its subsidiary SK IE Technology Co. last month announced plans to invest 1.13 trillion won to expand the facility.







Models introduce LG OLED TV during LG Electronics' new product showcase in Warsaw, Poland, in April 2018. Courtesy of LG Electronics





Beyond the private sector, state-run Korean companies have been exploring new business opportunities in transportation and energy projects in Poland.







In February, the two countries signed an agreement to enhance cooperation for Poland's Central Communication Port (CCP), a planned transit hub integrating air, rail and road traffic.







The project includes the construction of a new airport, known as the Solidarity Transport Airport, located 45 kilometers from the capital Warsaw, to replace Warsaw Chopin Airport and to handle up to 45 million passengers a year.







As part of the intergovernmental cooperation, Incheon International Airport Corp., the state-run operator of South Korea's main gateway, was selected as the strategic adviser for Poland's new airport project in the next three years.







Koscinski said the collaboration in the airport project marks "an important step towards a strategic partnership" with South Korea in the construction of the CCP.







South Korea is also eyeing opportunities in Poland's nuclear energy sector, as the European nation is seeking to reduce its dependence on coal.







The Polish nuclear power program aims to build six reactors in two locations by 2043, with the first reactor expected to begin operation in 2033.







The state-run Korea Hydro Nuclear Power has offered to help with Poland's first nuclear project, hoping to win its second overseas bid after building the Barakah nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates.







"We expect that the potential Korea's offer would be competitive and might meet the requirements set in Polish Nuclear Power Program," he said.







Koscinski welcomed more investment from Korean companies that can enhance the Polish industry's competitiveness and create quality jobs, especially as the European nation strives to overcome the pandemic's economic fallout.







"Investments that strengthen economic ecosystem with highly advanced technologies are important for every country, for Poland too, and I am sure that Korean companies deliver the best in this respect," Koscinski said. "That is why we would like to encourage them to further invest in Poland, especially now when we all need resources to stimulate development and economic growth weakened by the pandemic." (Yonhap)




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Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 10:14:25|Editor: huaxia

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FRANKFURT, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Robert Mundell, a Nobel Prize-winning economist who is also known as the "father of the euro", died in Italy on Sunday at the age of 88, according to reports from Italian news agency ANSA and other major local media.

The Canadian-born economist was best known for laying the theoretical groundwork for the euro in the 1960s. He was also an advocate of supply-side economics.

Mundell won the Nobel Prize in economics in 1999 for what the Nobel Committee referred to as "his analysis of monetary and fiscal policy under different exchange rate regimes and his analysis of optimum currency areas." The creation of the euro has been frequently cited as a case study for the optimum currency areas theory.

Mundell was born on Oct. 24, 1932 in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

In 1953, he received a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of British Columbia and his master's degree from the University of Washington in Seattle in 1954.

He also studied at the London School of Economics, before earning his Ph.D. in economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1956.

After completing his post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Chicago in 1957, he began teaching at Stanford University.

During his decades-long academic career, Mundell served at a number of world-famous universities and institutions, including Johns Hopkins University, the University of Chicago, the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, Switzerland, the University of Waterloo, and McGill University. Since 1974, he had been professor of economics at Columbia University. He also joined the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2009 as distinguished professor-at-large.

In 1961, he joined the staff of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). During the IMF years, he published important research on the exchange rate and theory of international economics. Later in his career, he had been adviser to the United Nations, the IMF, the World Bank, the European Commission, the U.S. Federal Reserve Board, the U.S. Department of Treasury, and the Canadian government.

Mundell visited China many times. He also called for the Chinese currency to be included in the basket of the Special Drawing Rights regime of the IMF. The yuan was granted that status in 2016. Enditem
New Delhi, April 6 : Sushen Mohan Gupta, who is currently in the limelight for allegedly receiving one million euros from Dassault Aviation, had transferred money thrice into the account of the daughter of his employee, Lt Gen Balraj Singh Takhar (retd), as per the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) charge sheet in the Rs 3,600 crore VVIP AgustaWestland chopper case.

The revelations against Gupta, who is one of the alleged middlemen in the case, were made in Takhar's statement, which is part of 12,421-page charge sheet filed in a Delhi court in October last year by the CBI, which has been viewed by IANS.

The CBI said that in his statement to the agency, Thakar, who retired as Southern Army Command chief, stated that he later joined DMG Finance and Investment Pvt Ltd for coffee estate management in Kerala and real estate management across India.

In his statement to the CBI, he also said that he knew Gupta and his brother Sushant Mohan Gupta, both sons of Dev Mohan Gupta.

"Thakar said that the he was a Director in Kairali Coffee Estate and American Hotels managed by family of Dev Mohan Gupta. He never attended any board meeting of these two companies and his job was land acquisition on behalf of the companies and to manage the coffee estates owned by the company in Kerala," the CBI said.

Thakar, in his statement, told the CBI that his daughter Nimrata Singh Thakar was settled in New York since 2002-03 and he has been paying her money since 2008 as she requires to look after her children.

"Thakar stated that on one occasion he had requested Gupta to help him in supporting his daughter financially as he believed him to be benevolent enought to understand the situation of his daughter... As requested, Gupta transferred approximately $25,000 on three occasions to the bank account of my daughter Nimrata maintained with HSBC," the CBI said.

Thakar also told the CBI that he believed that this amount would be adjusted in the payments being made to him by Gupta in lieu of the services rendered by him to the company. "However, till date no amount has been adjusted by Gupta," he said.

The CBI said Thakar also acknowledged the amount of $25,000 from the bank account of Interstellar Technologies with Barclays Bank Mauritius to the bank account of his daughter on May 28, 2008.

The CBI also pointed out that Thakar stated that his daughter also received an amount of $9,500 on June 6, 2012 from Interstellar Technologies and $15,000 on January 12, 2009 into her bank account.

The CBI also said that Thakar said that he was not privy to Interstellar Technologies Ltd and was also not aware of its relations of Gupta with the company.

Gupta was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 26, 2019 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in connection with the AgustaWestland case.

The ED, in its probe, has highlighted that Gupta was in active connivance with Gautam Khaitan, was instrumental in controlling the flow of proceeds of crime from Interstellar Technologies Ltd and kickbacks have been transferred to different entities or persons having direct links with him.

It also alleged that Gupta was giving instructions to various entities and individuals having direct link with him, including for money transfers to his family members, employees etc. and used to give instructions for this from his email ID.

The ED further alleged that Rajiv Saxena, who was extradited to India from the UAE in January 2019, has furnished two diaries in original, pen drive and certain documents belonging to Gupta, which were kept in his custody for safe keeping and the contents of transactions as recorded in the diaries, pen drive and documents are corroborated with information received from Letter of Request (LR) from Mauritius and Singapore.

A fresh controversy over Gupta erupted on Sunday after a French publication alleged that the manufacturer of the Rafale aircraft, Dassault Aviation, had paid about one million Euros to Defsys Solutions, a Karnataka-based company owned by Gupta, for 50 models of the aircraft which were to be given as "gifts".

"Gifts" by defence companies are treated as a serious matter in France, and had led to the company being questioned.

(Anand Singh can be contacted at anand.s@ians.in)
Drilling is expected to begin on April 15 at DDH-3, which is located around 50 kilometres south of DDH-2 on the Salar del Diablo property

OWL's contractor, Layne Drilling, will mobilize the diamond drill rig and equipment to San Felipe this week along with three drill crews

One World Lithium Inc (CSE:OWLI) (OTCQB:OWRDF) said Tuesday that drilling is about to start again at its Salar del Diablo lithium brine property in Mexico.

The company said that its contractor, Layne Drilling, will mobilize the diamond drill rig and equipment to San Felipe this week along with three drill crews.

Each four-person crew will operate in shifts to drill a continuous 24 hours per day, the Vancouver-based exploration company said.

Drilling is expected to begin on April 15 at DDH-3, which is located around 50 kilometres south of DDH-2 on the Salar del Diablo property in the State of Baja California.

According to OWL, the projects operator Mike Rosko from Montgomery & Associates expects that DDH-3, and possibly DDH-4 will be more cost-effective than previous holes drilled, thanks to a more aggressive drill bit. DDH-3 and DDH-4 may only require total depths between 300 and 400 meters, Rosko said, as DDH-1 and DDH-2 reached an average total depth of 624 meters.

The prospective area of possible hydrothermal activity may cover 20,000 hectares, Rosko noted.

OWL told shareholders that all samples will be assayed for drill holes DDH-1 through to DDH-4 and released at the same time. Once Phase Three is completed, OWL will have increased its working interest in the Salar del Diablo property from 60% to 80%.

Novel lithium technology

Also in Tuesdays release, OWL relayed a number of recent trends that could spell good news for the lithium junior.

An ecosystem of junior mining companies are looking to take market share from major producers to meet the demand for high-quality lithium chemicals and new resources to obtain these has become one of the most important emerging themes in lithium over the last five years, the company told shareholders. Accordingly, many of these new technologies can be developed and used in house by junior mining companies.

OWL has the right to purchase 100% of a lithium separation technology, which is subject to a proof of concept testing that it hopes will be successful within two months. The technology has the potential to separate lithium carbonate from a brine, which OWL told investors could be a potential industry game-changer.

Benefits may include eliminating evaporation ponds to separate lithium carbonate as well as returning the waste brine back to its producing brine formations that may stabilized the brine formation and extend a mines life.

The company noted: "Given the renewed investor interest in the lithium sector which is driven by significant increases in the price of lithium carbonate equivalent, it has impacted OWL as its previous private placement was oversubscribed by 50% or $750,000 and its secondary market trading volume also increased over 421% to 23.4 million shares from the three-month period ended December 31, 2020, compared to the three-month period ended March 31, 2021."

This is in response to the increase in demand for lithium-ion batteries, it added.

Contact Angela at angela@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow her on Twitter @AHarmantas
Vallarta Living



Aid to Families of Children With Cancer April News



The pandemic has made this past year especially difficult for Puerto Vallarta families who have a child that's been diagnosed with cancer but, thanks to all of you, the AFCC is continuing to make a difference. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - A child diagnosed with cancer impacts an entire family. Not only does a cancer diagnosis turn a child's entire world upside down, but overwhelming medical expenses can add an enormous amount of financial stress on families with minimal income.



Aid to Families of Children With Cancer (AFCC) is an organization that supports families who have a child diagnosed with cancer in the Puerto Vallarta region. The organization receives no government funding so relies solely on donations from private donors, community organizations, and fundraisers.



The pandemic has made this past year especially difficult for these families but, thanks to all of you, the AFCC continues to make a difference. Here's the latest news from the AFCC:



Valentina's hair is growing!



Valentina, one of our seven children who had multiple hospital stays this past month, is now home, and her hair is growing. In the photo above she shows off her birthday dress that she finally gets to wear now that she's back home.



This photo of Alanna was taken during her fourth hospital stay within a month. The hospital stays, as well as the trips back and forth to Guadalajara, are exhausting for Alanna as well as her mother.



Haidee and Esmy are packaging cards that were printed using



We are now assisting 22 families who are just trying to survive from day to day. Seven of the children have been going to hospitals in Guadalajara for regular treatments. As the pandemic continues, it becomes more and more challenging to maintain our level of support.



Financial limitations puts a burden on the families that come to us for help and support and on us as well. As you can imagine, it takes many pesos to provide our services of monthly despensas, medical treatments, and mental health treatments.



A huge thank you to the donors who helped us this past month. We rely on the generosity and goodwill of people like you for help!



Children's Day is coming up at the end of this month. We want to be able to give each of the children something special on this day of celebration. We also want to put together some "care packages" for the children and moms who have to travel back and forth.



- A child diagnosed with cancer impacts an entire family. Not only does a cancer diagnosis turn a child's entire world upside down, but overwhelming medical expenses can add an enormous amount of financial stress on families with minimal income.Aid to Families of Children With Cancer (AFCC) is an organization that supports families who have a child diagnosed with cancer in the Puerto Vallarta region. The organization receives no government funding so relies solely on donations from private donors, community organizations, and fundraisers.The pandemic has made this past year especially difficult for these families but, thanks to all of you, the AFCC continues to make a difference. Here's the latest news from the AFCC:Valentina, one of our seven children who had multiple hospital stays this past month, is now home, and her hair is growing. In the photo above she shows off her birthday dress that she finally gets to wear now that she's back home.This photo of Alanna was taken during her fourth hospital stay within a month. The hospital stays, as well as the trips back and forth to Guadalajara, are exhausting for Alanna as well as her mother.Haidee and Esmy are packaging cards that were printed using Luis Alberto's heart painting. These will be for sale shortly, and I'll update where you can buy them. The pesos he earns will help pay for his tuition at University this autumn.We are now assisting 22 families who are just trying to survive from day to day. Seven of the children have been going to hospitals in Guadalajara for regular treatments. As the pandemic continues, it becomes more and more challenging to maintain our level of support.Financial limitations puts a burden on the families that come to us for help and support and on us as well. As you can imagine, it takes many pesos to provide our services of monthly despensas, medical treatments, and mental health treatments.A huge thank you to the donors who helped us this past month. We rely on the generosity and goodwill of people like you for help!Children's Day is coming up at the end of this month. We want to be able to give each of the children something special on this day of celebration. We also want to put together some "care packages" for the children and moms who have to travel back and forth. Please help us by donating HERE. If you would like your donation to go to a specific project, please put this in the comments field.



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The head of an organ donation unit is continuing to save lives after her own organs were donated following a deadly car crash.

Siobhan Brosnan died in hospital on Easter Sunday after her jeep collided with a car on Friday in Adare, Ireland.

The other driver, Mary Barry - a woman in her fifties from Tralee - was pronounced dead at the scene while Brosnan was taken to University Hospital Limerick with serious injuries. She died in hospital two days later.

Brosnan, who was in her forties, was the organ donation nurse manager for the UL Hospitals Group and had recently moved to Adare, The Limerick Leader reported.

The head of an organ donation unit is continuing to save lives after her own organs were donated following a deadly car crash. Siobhan Brosnan (pictured) died in hospital on Easter Sunday after her jeep collided with a car on Friday in Adare, Ireland

Following her death, her husband Patrick Shanahan and family were certain she would have wanted her own organs to be donated.

The paper reported that Brosnan's organs have been harvested and will be given to patients awaiting transplants.

In her role as organ donation nurse manager, Brosnan would approach families of patients in intensive care to ask for their consent to donate the organs of their loved ones after death.

She had 20 years experience working in intensive care units in the UK and elsewhere and was described by colleagues as hard working and dedicated as well as 'great fun,' according to The Limerick Leader.

UL Hospitals, which comprises six hospitals, remembered Brosnan in a post on Twitter on Tuesday.

'It is with great sadness and loss the HSE, @ULHospitals and the office of Organ Donation Transplant Ireland have learnt of the death of our wonderful, esteemed and elegant colleague Siobhan Brosnan Shanahan. Rest in peace Siobhan,' it said.

'The entire community of west Limerick is shocked and numbed,' Minister Niall Collins said following the women's deaths.

'Our thoughts are prayers are with their families and Siobhan's work colleagues in UHL where she was a highly thought of and highly respected member of staff.'

'It is such an incredible tragedy. We pray for them,' said parish priest Monsignor Daniel Neenan said.

Neenan added that he was sure Brosnan's husband would be well supported in Adare.

'He will have the best of neighbours and kindest of people around him,' The Limerick Leader quoted Neenan as saying.
When Donald Trump did not win reelection in November, the coalition of voters who had celebrated his leadership and grown their overwhelmingly white base since 2016 did not lose faith. If he didnt win, they insisted, the other side must have cheated.

They repeated lies about election fraud and crusaded to Stop the Steal.

When their insurrection at the U.S. Capitol failed, they went home angry but not deterred. What they could not do through intimidation in Washington, D.C., might have been accomplished by state legislators if enough of them had only refused to certify the election results in their states. Trumps base got to work demanding that their legislators change the rules for elections going forward. The Republican Party has responded by publicly embracing voter suppression as its plan to cling to power.

According to the Brennan Center for Justice, 361 proposed restrictions to voting laws have been introduced in state legislatures across the country this year. Last month, an omnibus package of voter suppression measures was signed into law by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, who as secretary of state for Georgia narrowly beat voting rights advocate Stacey Abrams in the 2018 gubernatorial race, bringing national attention to his efforts to purge voter rolls and limit access for poor and Black communities during an election when he was a candidate.

COLUMN: Republican lies helped defeat us in 2020. We're going to shield House Democrats in 2022.

Supporters of Georgia state Rep. Park Cannon, D-Atlanta, leave the Capitol in Atlanta on March 29, 2021, after escorting her into the building. Cannon was arrested for knocking on the governor's office door as he signed voting legislation.

As Kemp held a private signing ceremony with an all-white delegation of Republican men from the Georgia House and Senate, Rep. Park Cannon, an African American and a Democrat, was arrested and charged with a felony for knocking on Kemps office door.

President Joe Biden has commented that all the Republican efforts have made Jim Crow look like Jim Eagle.

A history of suppressing the poor

But the truth is that Republicans have been trying to dress Jim Crow up like an Eagle Scout for half a century.

Story continues

What happened in Georgia wasnt so much a return to some dark past as it was an unveiling of how far Jim Crows heirs have been able to extend the reach of his tactics in a nation that likes to imagine that it left racism behind with the passage of the Voting Rights Act.

We are both sons of the South  one Black and one white  raised in a system that was set up to exploit the labor of our Native, African and European ancestors. Race is the child of racism, not the father, Ta-Nehisi Coates has written. Though our foreparents shared this soil and the task of working it with their hands, Jim Crow pitted them against one another in order to keep wages low for all agriculture workers and prevent poor Black and white children from getting an education and voting.

COLUMN: Trump might have 'found' the votes he needed to win Georgia under state's new election law

In our home state of North Carolina, neither poor Black nor white people could vote until Reconstruction. When they built a Fusion movement that won every statewide office in the late 19th century, the ruling class spread lies about Black men raping white women and mounted a coup to usher in the Jim Crow era.

Jim Crow mostly offered poor white people a psychological wage, as W.E.B. Du Bois called the sense of superiority that came with being able to drink from a whites only fountain. When the civil rights movement was able to build enough power to topple Jim Crows voter suppression measures, it opened the door for a War on Poverty and the multiethnic Poor Peoples Campaign of the late 1960s that was determined to push the richest nation in the history of the world to reconstruct its economy so that it works for all Americans.

The Republican Partys response to this Second Reconstruction in America was the Southern Strategy  a decision, once again, to pit white people against their nonwhite neighbors in order to hold onto political power. Its crusade was not waged in the name of white supremacy, however. The Republicans rallied white people in the South, the suburbs and the Sun Belt around the cause of traditional family values.

Paul Weyrich, the New Right political operative who advised Jerry Falwell to call his national organization the Moral Majority, also made clear to the founders of the religious right that their leverage in the elections quite candidly goes up as the voting populace goes down.

Can we still live America's promise?

Voter suppression is not new for those whove sought to hold on to power in American public life. Jim Crow pretended to be an Eagle Scout while using gerrymandering and election integrity measures to dilute the power of fusion coalitions.

It deployed divisive culture war issues in each election cycle to fire up a reactionary base. For decades, Republicans have used the power they gain through divide-and-conquer tactics to push economic policies that hurt poor people, the majority of whom are white in raw numbers.

Yes, voter suppression is targeted at Black voters. But it is also aimed at poor whites, Latinos, Asians, women and younger people. It does little for people who are against Jim Crow to call the tactic racism if we dont understand the way race is used to divide the coalition Republicans are afraid of. In fact, if we talk only about how voter suppression targets Black people, we can reinforce the racist narrative that suggests Black people are cheating and that these measures are needed for the sake of election integrity.

POLICING THE USA: A look at race, justice, media

As ugly as it is to watch, the desperation of the Republican Party has revealed todays Jim Crow to be much like its predecessor.

If a majority of Americans see this race con for what it is, we still have time to reclaim the hope of a multiethnic democracy by passing big, bold federal voting rights protections.

No Senate rule or tradition should stand in the way of this opportunity to reclaim democracy. To stop short of America's current Third Reconstruction (this moment of racial reckoning and demand for justice, voting included) is to forfeit the promises of a more perfect union.

Bishop William J. Barber II is the president of Repairers of the Breach and co-chair of the Poor People's Campaign. He is the author of "We Are Called To Be A Movement."

Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove directs the School for Conversion in Durham, North Carolina. He is the author of "Revolution of Values: Reclaiming Public Faith for the Common Good."

You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. To respond to a column, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Georgia voter suppression hurts all state's poor, whites included
What Bidens New $100B Plan for Broadband Means

The problems with U.S. broadband networks have been obvious for years. Service costs more than in many other rich nations, it still doesnt reach tens of millions of Americans and the companies that provide it dont face much competition.

Now the Biden administration is promising to do something about all of those issues as part of its proposed $2.3 trillion infrastructure package. The plan, which would devote $100 billion to get all Americans connected, is more idea than policy and lacks a lot of important detail.

But it sketches out a striking new vision of activist government measures intended to improve high-speed internet service, following decades in which the government has largely left the job to private companies.

WHAT IS BIDENS PROPOSAL?

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It would spend $100 billion to future-proof broadband as part of an eight-year infrastructure plan, calling high-speed connections the new electricity thats now a necessity for all Americans. (For history buffs, thats a reference to the Rural Electrification Act _ Depression-era legislation that sped the extension of power lines to farms and rural communities.)

It could signal a major policy shift toward lowering the high cost of internet service, rather than just handing money to broadband providers for building out networks. Americans pay too much for internet, the plan bluntly states.

It pushes for greater competition that could lower prices, by encouraging and supporting networks owned or affiliated with local governments, cooperatives and nonprofit organizations. Currently, roughly 20 states restrict municipal broadband. Prioritizing such networks could give them a leg up when the government doles out money for extending service.

The most important thing about what President Biden has done in the proposal is that hes redefined the digital divide, said Larry Irving, a top telecom official in the Clinton administration. The simple act of recognizing that poverty is a bigger indicator of lack of access than geography is a huge statement.

Its not clear how the Biden administration plans to bring that about.

WHY IS THIS NECESSARY?

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The pandemic has made clear that millions of Americans are not online, a problem that isnt limited to rural areas but includes cities too. The White House says more than 30 million Americans dont have access to high-speed internet at all, and millions more cant afford it.

The divide persists even after the government has spent billions encouraging broadband providers to connect far-flung and often isolated communities. From 2009 through 2017, federal spending on such programs totaled $47.3 billion, according to a government watchdog report. An additional $20 billion is lined up over the next decade for rural broadband, and another $9 billion for high-speed wireless internet called 5G in sparsely populated regions. Billions more flowed to broadband from the three huge relief packages enacted during the pandemic.

Americas rural-internet policy has been an ongoing mistake, said Gigi Sohn, an official in the Obama-era FCC. A lot of what we have is very slow, she said. The White House now says it wants future-proof networks in unserved and underserved areas, so they dont have to be rebuilt again years later because theyre out-of-date.

Exactly what those terms means for what gets built and where isnt clear, either, and many Republicans oppose putting federal funds to work in areas that do have internet even if its slow _ whats called overbuilding.

WILL CONGRESS SUPPORT THIS PLAN?

The $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan has its detractors. Some Democrats are disappointed because they wanted more. On the other hand, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky called it a Trojan horse for tax hikes.

Internet access is a bipartisan issue, but Republican leaders of the House and Senate Commerce committees called Bidens approach on broadband wasteful.

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington, the Republican ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said Bidens plan would hurt private investment in our networks without actually closing the digital divide. She called for trimming regulations on building infrastructure to help prompt investment. Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi, the Republican ranking member of Senate Commerce, said the proposal opens the door for duplication and overbuilding.

Congressional Democrats have recently introduced major broadband legislation of their own, including a $94 billion bill from Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina, the House Majority Whip, who both said they approved of the White Houses approach.

WHAT DOES BIG BROADBAND SAY?

Republicans concerns echo those from industry. The cable lobbying group NCTA said the White House risks taking a serious wrong turn  by suggesting that the government is better suited than private-sector technologists to build and operate the internet. The NCTA also said it was worried about price regulation. The Biden document does not mention price controls.

Jonathan Spalter, CEO of the lobbying group USTelecom, said that prioritizing investments in government-owned broadband is exactly the wrong approach since taxpayers will get the bill if such networks fail. He also claimed that broadband prices are already falling.

The Labor Department says pricing for telephone services, which includes internet plans along with phone service, has dropped about 7% over the past decade. Internet service costs, which include things like web hosting, have risen 2%. A think tank with a lot of tech-industry funding, New America, says prices are higher in the U.S. compared with Asia and Europe.
Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 30 giorni fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili.

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But additional work, mostly various transmission lines being upgraded to 60-inch mains but also forest preserve ecological land restoration, had not been completed and in some cases not started by the end of fiscal year 2019, according to a village report. At one point, Oak Lawn hoped to be done with the project by 2018, and then pushed that finish line to this year. But Palmer said construction is now expected to be completed in 2025.
Update: DoorDash and Grubhub have since removed the alleged imposter listings online. See the new info here.

Things seemed normal when Blowfish Sushi opened for dinner Friday night in the Mission District, the familiar red spiky blowfish logo prominently displayed on a square sign above the door and a chalkboard sign advertising delivery.

But then Jason Teplitsky showed up, ready to fulfill his nickname, The Monster. He owns Blowfish  or at least the trademark rights to its logo and its name. And as far as he knew, hed shut the business down in December after more than 20 years.

He demanded to speak to whoever was claiming to own this new Blowfish Sushi, with the same name, same logo and in the same location as his closed restaurant. The confrontation heated up fast. The staff said they didnt know where the owner was, nor the owners name. Teplitsky didnt buy it. A big Russian guy with a booming voice, Teplitsky threatened to have a group of people stand outside the restaurants door to prevent anyone from going in and out  to shut it down by any means necessary. He warned of a world of serious lawyership.

The squabble ended with the police arriving. Teplitsky went home, and the business calling itself Blowfish Sushi kept fulfilling delivery orders.

What at first might seem like a simple trademark dispute is one part of a bigger mystery, about how a business location appears to be impersonating a pair of other Japanese restaurants: Blowfish Sushi to Die For, Teplitskys eclectic but shuttered sushi restaurant, and Wagyumafia, a Tokyo spot famous for its $180 Wagyu sandwich. Some diners have publicly thought they were ordering from the originals; one woman posted a Yelp review in February for the closed Blowfish saying its actually still open.

Yet its not clear whos behind these alleged fakes: City records show that Anna Zhao filed permits for the business, but employees have said they dont know who that is. Since Fridays confrontation, the staffers have painted over the Blowfish logo, yet the new eateries continue to advertise on food delivery apps. Teplitsky and Wagyumafia say they are considering legal action.

At a time when most diners arent going to restaurants in person, the confusion highlights what can happen with the proliferation of delivery apps and ghost kitchens: Businesses making your food arent necessarily who they say they are.

The new operators at 2193 Mission St. first gained media attention at the end of March, when San Francisco food writer Tamara Palmer was hunting for new restaurants on food app Seamless and discovered a listing for SF Wagyu Mafia. Palmer, who has written for The Chronicle, assumed this was a new, little known San Francisco branch of the famous restaurant in Japan, which had been plotting an outpost here a few years ago. She ordered one of its cheapest items, four pieces of Wagyu sushi, for $35.

It wasnt even a well-constructed piece of sushi, Palmer said. But it did taste good.

Tamara Palmer

She didnt think much more of it, posting a photo of her meal online and writing an item for her 48 Hills food column. But the next morning, she woke up embroiled in what she called international meat drama.

Im getting in touch on behalf of WAGYUMAFIA to let you know that the WAGYUMAFIA in San Francisco is a fake, read an email from a representative of the Japan business.

Palmer was chagrined that shed apparently fallen for a fake restaurant. She also wanted her money back, stunned a business would tout a famous wagyu sandwich for $180 with apparently no connection to the real thing.

I know people love stunt food and I know people will splash out for crazy items, but right now? My god, she said.

The SF Wagyu Mafia location was the same as that advertised for the business calling itself Blowfish. Delivery apps list both operating out of 2193 Mission St., where Teplitskys Blowfish Sushi to Die For had been. He was crushed when he permanently closed it in December, unable to make takeout and delivery work during the pandemic.

Then, he was shocked when he learned there were active delivery listings for Blowfish Sushi on DoorDash, Grubhub and Postmates. The new business used the original Blowfishs logo, and its Yelp page describes it as a legendary sushi spot established in 1998.

I dont know what to think, he said. How does someone decide to do something like this? Did they think we all got COVID and died?

The new Blowfish started serving customers in February, according to online reviews. Its menu is far more extensive than the old Blowfish, with more than 200 items, at least four times as much as Blowfish Sushi to Die Fors menu out of the same, small space.

It would be one thing, Teplitsky said, if new owners came into his former space and couldnt change signage right away. But in January, the new operation registered with the city of San Francisco as Mission Blowfish Inc., doing business as Blowfish Sushi on Mission, just a few weeks after the original Blowfish moved out.

Its not some sort of accident, Teplitsky believes.

Amy Osborne / Special to The Chronicle

Last Thursday night, Teplitsky decided to place a delivery order, just to see what it was like. He was not impressed.

Its similar to sushi buffet  all you can eat, he said. Its not worthy of the name.

He decided to wait for Blowfish Sushi to open for dinner Friday night to pay a visit. His colleague had already tried to get the restaurant to stop using the Blowfish name multiple times without success; Teplitsky didnt have much patience when an employee told him she didnt know who the owner was or when theyd be back. He blew up, he said. He yelled. He swore. Some employees at Blowfish Sushi said hed scared them.

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

He was waving his hands frantically, said Emily Wing, who said she just started working at the new Blowfish Sushi. I was shaking. I was just like, Can you please leave? Can you please leave? and he wouldnt leave.

Manager Kevin Chen said the blowup over the name Blowfish Sushi has been confusing, but said he has no idea whats going on. He said the owners never intended to steal the identity of the earlier restaurant. Because it had left its signage behind, it just seemed simplest to use it.

It takes time to do the paperwork and everything, he said, adding that in fact the restaurant plans to change its name to Chome, which means district in Japanese, and operate as an izakaya-style restaurant, also serving ramen. By Sunday evening, an awning advertising Blowfish Sushi had been removed, the red blowfish logo had been covered with black paint, and the restaurant debuted a different menu with dishes like okonomiyaki and lobster tail-topped risotto.

Serena Dai / The Chronicle

Chen said the restaurant is considering legal action against Teplistky if employees feel as though theyre being harassed.

Multiple employees who spoke with The Chronicle declined to name the owner, offering only a pair of first names. Chen and Wing said they dont know who Anna Zhao, the person named on permits, is. Chen would only say the owner is a corporation, and not local. The name filed with the city, Mission Blowfish Inc., does not yield any filings with the state.

Employees also would not answer questions about SF Wagyu Mafia, saying they didnt know anything about it. It was a pop-up maybe, Chen said, but no longer operating.

Wagyumafia, which has locations only in Japan and Hong Kong, is mulling legal action against SF Wagyu Mafia for trademark infringement, said Liz Choi, a representative from the restaurant. Wagyumafia bought a trademark to the name in the U.S. in 2018, when it was planning a San Francisco location.

While we are flattered to have such strong brand recognition in San Francisco, it is very unfortunate that another party is profiting directly off of the Wagyumafia name and its signature dishes, deceiving customers in the process, Wagyumafia chef and owner Hisato Hamada said in a statement. It was even more disappointing to learn this is becoming a common occurrence for other restaurant businesses.

Wagyumafia and Teplitsky both said they plan to contact delivery companies in the hope of deactivating the SF Wagyu Mafia and Blowfish Sushi pages. As of Monday afternoon, though, they were all still active.

If people are going to continue to use the apps and theyre thinking theyre supporting a small business, its worth a couple of Google searches to make sure youre getting what you think youre getting, food writer Palmer said. Its getting sketchier out there.

Janelle Bitker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: janelle.bitker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @janellebitker
Elior North America Customer Experience drives financial performance. This award is a direct result of Elior North America's dedication to measuring and improving their Client Experience.

The National Business Research Institute (NBRI) is pleased to welcome Elior North America to the NBRI Circle of Excellence. The NBRI Circle of Excellence Award recognizes organizations with high levels of Customer/Client Experience (CX). To qualify for this honor, the organization must score at or above Stretch Performance which is at the 75th percentile of their industry, or the organization must improve a statistically significant five or more percentiles at the Total Company level. It is no small feat to move an entire Companys CX score five or more percentiles, or to reach Stretch (75th) or Best in Class (90th) Performance levels within six to twelve months!

Elior North America is benchmarked against their industry, defined as NAICS Code 722310 - Food Service Contractors from within NBRI's Big Data of 10.5 billion responses. Best-in-class organizations like Elior North America continually assess CX, and target for improvement the variables that drive CX, including communications, availability, satisfaction, and intent to return.

"This recognition by NBRI, based on the outstanding satisfaction scores we received from our clients, is a testament to the dedication, passion and spirit of service that our team members bring to their jobs every day," said Olivier Poirot, president and CEO of Elior North America. "I am grateful for our dedicated team members and for our clients and customers whose valuable feedback paves our path to continuous improvement."

Elior North America demonstrates their dedication to their customers by continuously researching with best-in-class Provider NBRI and taking targeted action based upon the scientific data. From the pure psychological research to the hard, valid data, Elior North America has high levels of confidence in their targeted responses which have proven to be highly effective. NBRI commends the leadership of Elior North America for their commitment to the Continuous Improvement Process and recognizes their achievements with the Circle of Excellence Award.

"Customer Experience drives financial performance," says Dr. Jan G. West, Ph.D., CEO & Organizational Psychologist at NBRI. "This award is a direct result of Elior North America's dedication to measuring and improving their Client Experience."

About Elior North America

Elior North America is a family of distinct hospitality companies with more than 50 years of industry experience and 15,000 team members united in our passion for food, service and excellence.

We share an appetite for growth which drives all of us to continually reimagine our customers' experience. The company is part of the European contract catering firm Elior Group. Learn more at http://www.elior-na.com.

About NBRI

NBRI conducts Employee, Customer, and Market Research for businesses, and uses this data to help organizations leverage the psychology to make improvements to operations and strategy. With its extensive experience across all industries, NBRI's research teams bring their clients a combination of deep industry knowledge and expert advice. NBRIs mission is to help their Clients set new standards of excellence in their industries. NBRI product offerings, such as Benchmarking and deep, inferential analyses like Random Forest with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, ensures their clients will focus on the most impactful issues.

National Business Research Institute, Inc.

2701 Dallas Parkway

Suite 650

Plano, TX 75093

972-612-5070

800-756-6168

https://www.nbrii.com

Elior North America

300 S. Tryon St.

Suite 400

Charlotte, NC 28202

704-424-1071

https://www.elior-na.com
DOYLESTOWN, Pa., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Horse Power Brands, a newly formed owner and operator of service-based franchise systems, is on a positive trajectory with the recent acquisition and impressive early growth of its first portfolio brand - Mighty Dog Roofing. Just six months into the investment, the company has awarded 40+ locations to its first 13 Mighty Dog Roofing franchisees across 10 states, and is on track to sign a total of 50 franchise locations by the end of the first quarter 2021.

Partners Josh Skolnick, Zachery Beutler and Erik Van Horn teamed up last year to form Horse Power Brands with a goal to improve the franchisor-franchisee experience and ROI in the service-based franchise sector. Skolnick, a serial entrepreneur since his youth, founded Monster Tree Service in 2008 and grew it into a multi-million-dollar franchise with over 225 territories across the U.S. before selling it to Authority Brands in 2020. In 2018, Skolnick took over Redbox+, a patented combination portable toilet and dumpster rental service turning it into a nationally recognized brand with over 285 territories.

Beutler was a multi-unit franchisee for Complete Nutrition and Color World Housepainting, and has extensive experience in franchise sales with 5 different brands and as Chief Development Officer of Redbox+ prior to joining Horse Power Brands. Van Horn has vast knowledge in franchising having been a multi-unit franchisee, master franchisee and area developer with brands including Sola Salon Studios, Amazing Lash Studios and Yoga Six, as well as being a well-known franchise consultant and franchise industry podcaster.

The trio, who crossed paths over their years in franchising together, plan to become the industry's next major service-based conglomerate with a clear differentiator  active involvement in the operations and franchisee support of its portfolio brands. Horse Power is laser-focused on ROI by delivering systems, service and support, so franchisees can focus on sales and production to maximize monetization.

"The standard practice in our industry has become a race to 100 units sold, often without sensible offerings nor a clear vision to actually open all 100 locations. That's not success. We are focused on providing atypical efforts and services to ensure we not only sell franchises responsibly, but open them with the tools to ensure the franchisees' growth and longevity," Skolnick said. "This is what sets us apart and why we'll become a portfolio of service brands with $1 billion+ in revenue."

Mighty Dog Roofing was an ideal first investment for the group. Due to the housing boom that occurred in the early 2000s, many homeowners today are having to do their first roof replacements. In addition, recent winter storms in the South and across the country have wreaked havoc on homes, further driving demand to not only repair those damages, but install better roofing systems to prepare for the future.

Specializing in commercial and residential roofing, gutters, siding, windows, skylights and storm damage, Mighty Dog Roofing is an industry changer. Founded in 2012 by construction industry real estate expert Jon Sabo, a former U.S. Marine who remains involved in the business, Mighty Dog Roofing prides itself on leading with integrity, finding innovative ways such as drone technology to exceed the expectations of its clients. The company has longstanding partnerships with the nation's top product manufacturers, providing customers with the best warranties.

Utilizing vetted sub-contractors to conduct the work, franchisees have low overhead and are provided with technology and support that keeps operations seamless and simple. Mighty Dog Roofing is seeking single- and multi-unit franchisees across the country, focusing on Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Ohio, Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas, Indiana, North and South Carolina. According to Beutler, ideal franchisees are "operations-based thinkers, those with management experience and who are optimistic." The initial investment to open a Mighty Dog Roofing franchise ranges between $200,000 and $300,000, he said.

Sharing a goal to see franchisees open and grow successful businesses, Skolnick, Beutler and Van Horn said the formation of Horse Power Brands is the high point of their respective franchising careers.

"After awarding franchises, we have the means and experience to actually get the locations open quickly," Van Horn said. "Seeing the franchisees open successful is extremely gratifying. Each of us have had years of experience as franchisees, franchisors, developers and consultants. We are where private equity meets operational excellence."

About Mighty Dog Roofing

Mighty Dog Roofing is a growing roof repair and replacement franchise, also offering innovative products and services for gutters, siding, windows, skylights and storm damage. Backed by four of the nation's top entrepreneurs with over 25 years of combined experience in the construction, service-based sector and in franchising, Mighty Dog Roofing is endorsed by the nation's top manufacturers and distributors, offering customers the industry's best and most innovative products and services with the best warranties. Founded in 2012, Mighty Dog Roofing began franchising in 2020 after being acquired by Horse Power Brands, an owner and operator of a growing portfolio of service-based franchise systems. Horse Power Brands is the 1st parent company of its kind  built from the ground up by franchisees and franchisors, for franchisees. For more information on Mighty Dog Roofing and its franchise opportunity, visit https://mightydogroofing.com/franchising.

SOURCE Mighty Dog Roofing LLC

Related Links

https://mightydogroofing.com


By Andrea Shalal

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President David Malpass said on Monday he expects China, the United States and other Group of 20 major economies to extend a freeze in bilateral debt service payments through the end of 2021 when they meet this week.

The Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI) has already helped countries defer some $5.7 billion in payments through the end of 2020, with another $7.3 billion in deferred payments expected through June, according to data.

Extending the debt payment freeze through year-end would save even more money that countries could use to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and support their economies, Malpass told reporters, but gave no specific estimate.

He said members would probably stipulate that such an extension would be the "last or final" one offered.

Doing so would incentivize countries to move toward more "permanent solutions to their debt situations," including through the Common Framework for debt treatments, the and International Monetary Fund said in a joint paper https://www.devcommittee.org/sites/dc/files/download/Documents/2021-03/DC2021-0002%20Debt%20final.pdf prepared for their spring meetings this week.

While the temporary freeze in debt payments would help, Malpass said "actual debt relief" would be needed in the longer term to allow the poorest countries to reduce their unsustainable debt burdens to a more moderate level.

The IMF-World Bank paper said low-income countries were still building their understanding of and confidence in the Common Framework, which could limit its initial utilization.

It said extending the DSSI debt freeze would give time for the framework process to become fully operational, but it might also delay "difficult-but-necessary restructuring decisions" for some countries.

So far, it said, only three countries - Zambia, Ethiopia and Chad - had requested a debt treatment under the common framework agreed by G20 members and the Paris Club of official bilateral creditors, but 35 countries were now assessed to be "at high risk of debt distress or in debt distress."

Malpass said China - the world's largest official bilateral creditor, by far - had shown receptivity to international engagement on the need for greater transparency, as seen in G20 discussions on the issue in 2020, but more work was needed.

"We're making some progress, but I think much more needs to be made," Malpass said during a roundtable at the start of the spring meetings.

Malpass said the World Bank's top priority was replenishing the resources of the International Development Association, its arm for assisting the poorest countries, which it aims to achieve by December.

There could also be scope for a selective capital increase to address specific needs resulting from the pandemic, he said.

Separately, the IMF said its executive board had approved a third tranche of grants for its 28 poorest member countries under the Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust (CCRT) to cover all eligible debt service falling due to the IMF.

The grants, totalling $238 million, will cover those countries' debt service payments to the IMF through Oct. 15, freeing up funds for them to spend on fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigating its economic impact.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Peter Graff and Lisa Shumaker)

(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.)
Two decades ago, Nik Stroiney toured the Titan Missile Museum in Arizona. And his fascination with these historic weapons and the underground spaces that housed them never diminished.

In 2019, Stroiney realized his dream with the purchase of his own missile silo complex, located outside of Little Rock, AR. He also launched a YouTube channel to document the work turning the decommissioned site from a dirt-filled underground curiosity to a usable space that will someday serve as both living quarters and an event center.

His Atomic Underground channel has nearly 50,000 subscribers, and some of his videos have scored over a million views,

Blast from the past

For those not up on Cold War history, subterranean Titan II missile sites were excavated in the U.S. from 1960s until the missile program was decommissioned in the 1980s. A total of 54 missiles were set up in groups of 18 around three Air Force bases in Arizona, Kansas, and Arkansas.

The top-secret Titan was the largest land-based missile ever deployed by the U.S., according to the Titan Missile Museum website.

Each site contained a missile silo, a launch control facility, and an access portal, and all were staffed 24/7 by Air Force personnel.

When the program was scrapped, the missiles were removed and parts of the silos were demolished and buried. Many of the properties, which often include acres of land, were eventually sold. Some are in private hands, and some are owned by local governments. In fact, we've come across a few of these silo sites on the market.

One man's mission

But we've never spoken with an owner in the middle of an underground fixer-upper projectuntil now.

It isn't glamorous work, but Stroiney is in it for the long hauland for days like the one seen in the video below, when he was able to open up the silo's escape hatch for the first time.

Stroiney, an airline pilot for a regional carrier, talked to us about the progress and what its like to own a Cold Warera missile silo.

In fact, he even gave us a video tour of the current state of his underground work.

Here's our interview, which has been edited for length and clarity:

What first interested you in the silos?

I toured the Titan Missile Museum in Arizona in the winter of 2000. As a teenager, I fell in love with the idea of an underground home or bunker. Now, with where Im at in my life, I can pursue larger projects like this.

I ran into GT Hill, who is now my silo neighbor, who has a YouTube channel. GT was friends with the then-owner of my site. It wasnt officially listed, but the owner was in a position where he was willing to sell. So I approached him and ended up purchasing the property in June 2019.

How much did you pay?

Well under $400,000. The comps on it right now, the Arizona sites are all going for over $500,000 and one recently went for $1.5 million. [Note: There's one still available in Arizona for $475,000.] Those sites were similar to mine in that they hadnt been fully renovated yet.

So you see a silo as a savvy investment?

Thats how I look at it. When I bought it, it was flooded with water. Im cleaning it out to make it a usable space again, which will take the value up considerably.

Did you have an idea of what you were in for?

Yeah, my neighbors YouTube channel laid out a road map for what I was getting myself into. Each one of these silo sites has its own unique challenges.

In my case, [scrap metal dealers] that the Air Force had let in there before burying these sites had cut out a spring. That caused my whole launch control center to lean to one side, which was a little odd.

I also have more mud in my site than most because the Air Force was supposed to weld the door shut at the main entrance. But my door was wide open. So all the dirt and mud that they poured down the hole ended up down in my facility. So my site is particularly dirty right now.

It sounds like quite a clean-up process.

It is. Were getting there. We no longer have any water, but we're a few months away from being mud-free. And we're removing scrap steel.

Once that's done, it gets it to a blank canvas that we can start building onto. And theres a million other projects after that. I figure its a 10-year build to be fully done.

What's the property like?

Above ground, there are 5 acres and it's wooded on two sides with undeveloped land. There are around 5,000 square feet of usable space underground. Each floor of the launch control center is 36 feet across, and the walls are as thick as 4 feet. The launch control center is between 20 to 60 feet underground.

How do you get underground?

The Titan II has a secure hatch to get underground. Then you take four flights of stairs down to the main level, which is 35 feet below the surface. Those stairs and the top few feet of concrete were all destroyed by the Air Force, so we had to build it back.

Once you get four levels down, thats where you meet the first of four 6,000-pound blast doors. The first doorwhich is known as Door 6leads into the blast lock, which always kept the crew behind at least one door in the event of an explosioneither from an external or internal source.

Then there are how many floors below that?

I dont have access to the full silo because its still flooded and filled with debris. But the launch control center that were currently working on is a three-story building. The front door leads to the middle of those three levels.

What was the middle level?

The middle level (Level 2) housed the launch desk and the key that would have launched the missile in the event the Cold War turned hot.

What were doing on that floor is a modern take on that room. Were going to be installing a thing where groups of people can come in and go through a simulated version of a missile launch.

One more level below that?

The lower level (Level 3) was where all the machinery and equipment to run the complex was located. Thats going to become a living room and kitchen area. The top level (Level 1) was the original bedroom, kitchen, and bath, and thats going to become a master suite. Each one of those floors is about 1,000 square feet.

How do you budget for the work?

Everything with an underground facility like this costs three times what you think it will. So if I do an estimate on something, I just multiply it by three. Were about $30,000 away from getting to that blank canvas I talked about.

From there, it depends on how nice we want to go. Once were at the blank slate, its essentially a house.

Do you remember what you thought when you entered your missile silo complex for the first time?

Since I had water being pumped out, I just sat outside Door 6 for hours dreaming of future plans for the site. It was so quiet and peaceful.

Have you spent a lot of time underground?

I have not spent the night there yet, but Ill spend two to three days working there at a time. Its constantly around 65 degrees. Its pretty humid because were still drying it out. In the summer its a pleasure to go downstairs. In the winter, a little less so. Its still dirty. As you flow air through there, it was a little creepy but weve gotten used to it.

What are your plans for the underground space?

My friends site nearby is currently an Airbnb, and Im not going to compete with him. But for me, the bedroom level will be private space for my family when we go up there on vacation. And the main floor will be for events like Boy Scout meetings, team-building events.

Is there advice you would give to anyone thinking about embarking on their own missile silo adventure?

The 3X rule for cost. The specialty tools you need to do stuff. The tools are absolutely huge. Theyre not in someones toolbox. A lot of the cost is tooling.

Despite everything, is this something youre still excited about?

I love this projecteven after two years of blood, sweat, and tears. Its something unique you can pour your heart into.

The post Ultimate Underground Fixer-Upper: Q&A With the Owner of a Titan II Missile Silo appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com.
As the national capital is witnessing a continued increase in the number of new Covid-19 cases since the past three weeks, a proposal to impose a night curfew is being discussed by the Delhi government, sources told IANS.

The Delhi government sources said the agenda of the discussion included the time period of the curfew which could be from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. like in some other states which have also reported a spike in Covid-19 like Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Although the sources said the proposal was forwarded to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his office has said that "no such decision has been taken".

On March 2, Kejriwal had said that the national capital is witnessing an exponential increase in new cases, however the seriousness of the infection rate this time is low in comparison to the previous waves and hence there is no need of imposing any lockdown.

"We will be reviewing the situation. In future, if the need for a lockdown arises, I will consult before taking any such decision," the Chief Minister added.

The national capital on Monday reported 3,548 new Covid-19 cases, taking its overall tally to 6,79,962, while its test positivity rate stood at 5.54 per cent, according to the health bulletin released by the Delhi government.

This is the fourth consecutive day that Delhi reported more than 3,500 new cases.

On Sunday, the national capital had reported 4,033 new cases, the highest single-day tally in 2021.

The city had reported 3,567 new cases on April 3, and 3,594 cases on April 2.
Polling in the 234 Assembly constituencies in and the 30 Assembly seats in the neighbouring began at 7 a.m. on Tuesday.

Similarly, voting began for the lone Kanniyakumari Lok Sabha seat where bypoll is being held simultaneously.

In a total of 3,998 candidates are in the fray seeking the 6.26 crore 'one day Sultan's or the voter's favour.

With 77 contenstants, the Karur Assembly seat sees the highest number of Assembly aspirants.

About 1.58 lakh security personnel have been deployed for security.

There will be a six cornered contest for occupying Fort St.George though the main contest will be between the ruling AIADMK-led alliance and the DMK-led front.

The others in the fray are actor-turned-politicians Kamal Haasan's Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) alliance, Vijayakant promoted DMDK, the alliance led by Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) floated by T.T.V.Dhinakaran and movie director Seeman's Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK).

This election is a waveless poll with AIADMK-led by Chief Minister K.Palaniswami seeking a third term for the party while the DMK-led by its President M.K.Stalin will be seeking to break the decade long power drought.

In order to have a good voter turnout and also enable Covid-19 patients to vote the poll body has allowed them to perform their democratic right by wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) kits.

Voters have to compulsorily wear mask, thermal scanning will be done at the polling booths.

Arrangements for live webcast of the polling process in sensitive booths have been made.

The ruling AIADMK is fighting the poll in 179 seats and six other small parties each contesting in one seat under the former's Two Leaves symbol.

The others in the AIADMK alliance are the BJP (contesting in 20 seats) and PMK (23), TMC (6).

On the other hand, the DMK will be fighting in 173 seats while alliance parties Congress (25), CPI, CPI-M, MDMK and VCK in six seats each, IUML, KMDK (3 each), MMK (2), All India Forward Bloc, Makkal Viduthalai Katchi, Athi Thamizhar Peravai and Tamizhaga Vazhuvurimai Katchi each contesting in one seat.

A total of 187 candidates -- DMK's own and that of alliance parties -- will be contesting under the former's Rising Sun symbol.

The MNM is allied with actor Sarathkumar's AISMK and IJK while Dhinakaran's AMMK has allied with the DMDK, AIMIM and others.

The Seeman-led NTK is going it alone contesting in all the 234 constituencies.

The other parties in the fray on their own are the Bahujan Samaj Party (contesting in 160 seats), Puthiya Tamizhagam (60 seats) and Republican Party of India (16 seats).

Notable candidates in the polls and the constituencies are: Palaniswami, Deputy Chief Minister O.Panneerselvam (Bodinayakkanur), Stalin (Kolathur), his son Udhayanidhi Stalin (Chepauk-Tiruvallikeni), DMDK Treasurer and Vijayakant's wife Premalatha (Vridhachalam) MNM founder Kamal Haasan (Coimbatore South), TN BJP President L. Murugan (Dharapuram), actor Khushbu Sundar (Thousand Lights), TN BJP Vice President K.Annamalai, PMK's G.K.Mani (Pennagaram) and Seeman (Tiruvottriyur).

In the bypoll for the Kanniyakumari Lok Sabha seat, the fight is between former Union Minister and BJP's Pon Radhakrishnan and Congress party's Vijay Vasanth thought there as a dozen candidates.

The bypoll was necessitated owing to the death of Congress MP H. Vasanthakumar, the father of the current Congress candidate.

In the neighbouring Puducherry, Union Territory having just over 10 lakh voters the fight for the 30-member Assembly is majorly between the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) consisting of Congress (contesting in 14 seats), DMK (13), CPI, VCK (one seat each) and an Independent.

The rival National Democratic Alliance (NDA) comprises of All India N.R. Congress (16 seats), BJP (9) and AIADMK (5).

Polling in and will end at 7 p.m.

--IANS

vj/rs

(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.)
Democratic Sen. Mark Warner has raised concerns with the White House and demanded more 'input' into President Joe Biden's infrastructure package  even as fellow Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin threatened to hold up the $2.3 trillion plan.

The former governor who made millions as a venture capitalist before being elected to the Senate also notably is not commenting on Biden's proposed hike in the corporate tax rate to 28 per cent.

Manchin has raised his own concerns about the rate publicly, while signaling a willingness to deal on the numbers.

'Ive had some outreach from the White House, but it was more heads up than input into the development of the package so I've already expressed some concerns,' said Warner.

'I expect to have that input before there's any package I could support,' he told reporters in the Capitol Monday.

Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) said he has 'expressed some concerns' with the White House about providing input to President Biden's

On Biden's proposed 28 per cent corporate rate, Warner said: 'Im not going to comment on the specifics. Im going to share those with the White House first.'

The White House is stepping up its efforts to sell the deal, with White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki touting meetings with lawmakers at the White House as well as staff contacts to advance it. Lawmakers are at home in their states and districts for a spring recess period.

There was a key development Monday when Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer's office said the Senate Parliamentarian had given the green light to revising the budget resolution  to allow for one or even two additional 'reconciliation' bills.

This provides Democrats the opportunity to try to move an infrastructure package that would be protected from a likely Republican filibuster. Even so, the scenario would give leverage to any Democratic senator willing to withhold his or her support for the package.

Manchin threatened in an interview to hold up the package to force changes that would water down his proposed corporate tax hike.

'As the bill exists today, it needs to be changed,' said Manchin, who has become a gatekeeper in the 50-50 Senate.

Manchin, who holds the seat once held by Democratic Sen. Robert C. Byrd hails from a relatively poor state that has benefitted from federal government spending projects over the years, did not say he opposed the infrastructure package. But he did threaten to use his political weight to try to refashion it.

'If I dont vote to get on it, its not going anywhere': Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) registered his problems with a 28 per cent corporate tax rate and threatened to hold up infrastructure legislation that is a top priority for President Joe Biden

'If I dont vote to get on it, its not going anywhere,' he said, in a possible reference to move to proceed to the bill under special instructions that would allow it to move with a simple majority vote.

With Republicans lining up against the bill, Democratic leaders are looking to potentially move the package under an additional budget reconciliation bill. But even that would require them to have all of their members in line  giving leverage to Manchin or any other Democratic senator with misgivings.

'Its more than just me, Hoppy,' he told interviewer Hoppy Kercheval of West Virginia's Metro News, the National Review reported.

'Theres six or seven other Democrats who feel very strongly about this. We have to be competitive, and were not going to throw caution to the wind,' he said.

Biden wants to raise the corporate rate from its current 21 per cent up to 28 per cent. It dropped from 35 per cent in the 2017 tax cut law signed by President Donald Trump.

Manchin did not come out against any increase in the corporate tax rate, and suggested he could potentially support a 25 per cent rate, which would still be an increase of four percentage points over the current level.

President Biden defended the proposed corporate tax hike on Monday

White House press secretary Jen Psaki noted that Biden's proposed rate would be lower than it has been historically since World War II, although it would take away some of the 2017 reduction

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has vowed to fight Biden's plan 'every step of the way.'

Manchin's swipe comes after Republicans hammered the Biden plan for its tax hikes, and a small group of House Democrats threatened to withhold support if the plan does not also raise the $10,000 cap for state and local deductions.

The White House continued to defend the hike, which it has made a centerpiece of its revenue side, on Monday, even as it said it was early in the process and lawmakers were welcome to offer their own ideas. The tax increases over a period of 15 years would pay for eight years of spending.

'Our view is that corporations can pay more, not that it should be on the backs of consumers and the American people through user fees, which is exactly what it would be,' said White House press secretary Jen Psaki when asked about GOP Sen. Roy Blunt's call to fund infrastructure through user fees.

She said the tax rate the administration was proposing was 'lower than it was from World War II to 2017.'

Biden defended the tax hike at the White House earlier Monday.

Asked if he was concerns higher taxes might drive away corporations, he said: "Not at all, adding, 'There's no evidence of that.'

'You're talking about companies in the Fortune 500 that haven't paid a single penny in tax for 3 years. Come on, man,' he said.

Then he plugged the $2.3 trillion package, which Republicans have slammed for going beyond roads and bridges.

'It's kind of interesting. When the Republicans put forward an infrastructure plan, they thought everything from broadband to other things were worth paying for infrastructure,' Biden said.

'When you're in a situation where you can't turn on a water fountain in school because the water affects your health, that's infrastructure. I'm talking about making sure we take asbestos out of schools, that's infrastructure. I'm talking about building high speed rail, that's infrastructure. I'm talking about making sure we are in a situation where we can redo federal buildings that are absolutely leaking energy every single day, that's infrastructure, in addition to roads and bridges and broadband.'

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., vowed last week to fight Biden's plan 'every step of the way.'
Arkansas lawmakers override governors veto of bill banning sex change procedures for kids

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Arkansas lawmakers overwhelmingly rejected a veto from Gov. Asa Hutchinson over a bill that would ban experimental puberty blockers, hormonal drugs and the surgical mutilation of minors suffering from gender dysphoria.

The Arkansas House voted 75-25 and the Senate 25-8 on Tuesday afternoon to override the veto on House Bill 1570, also known as the Save Adolescents From Experimentation Act.

Arkansas is the first state in the nation to ban the use of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and elective cosmetic gender surgeries  the mutilation of sex organs  on gender dysphoric youth. A handful of other states, mostly across the Southern U.S., are considering similar legislation.

Republican state Rep. Robin Lundstrum of Elm Springs spoke in support of the bill, stating that medicine sometimes is wrong. We should never experiment on children. Ever.

Speaking against the proposed legislation, Democratic state House Minority Leader Tippi McCullough of Little Rock said that transgender youth need care that affirms their identity.

Put aside everything and to search your own heart and think about these parents and these children and their doctors, stated McCullough, according to Arkansas Online.

Arkansas lawmakers only required a simple majority to override the governor's veto. Barring successful legal action, the new law should take effect in the summer.

Jon Schweppe, director of policy and government affairs for the socially conservative advocacy group American Principles Project, celebrated the veto override.

As most Americans recognize, we should not be pressuring young children into undergoing highly experimental, life-altering procedures to change their sex before they are even old enough to make most other major decisions, Schweppe asserted.

It is unfortunate that the laws passage had to come over the veto of Gov. Hutchinson. While the governor claimed he was acting out of a conservative concern for restraining government, restraint is not always a good thing.

The SAFE Act prohibits experimental medicalized gender transition procedures for minors, which would include prescribing puberty blockers to minors struggling with gender dysphoria.

Hutchinson vetoed the bill on Monday, telling reporters at a news conference that he believed the SAFE Act would wrongfully interfere with the medical profession.

If [the bill] becomes law, then we are creating new standards of legislative interference with physicians and parents as they deal with some of the most complex and sensitive matters involving young people, Hutchinson said.

The veto led conservative groups, among them the Arkansas Family Council, to call upon legislators to override the governors veto for the sake of protecting children.

Gender-reassignment surgeries can leave children sterilized and scarred for life. Medical researchers do not know the long-term effects these procedures can have on kids, AFC President Jerry Cox said in a statement released Monday.

That is why many people equate them with experimenting on children. Arkansas must protect its children from these sex-reassignment procedures.
(Reuters) - Group Corp has agreed to buy a 40% stake in AutoStore for $2.8 billion, the Norway-based robotics firm said on Monday, in yet another big investment by the conglomerate in warehouse automation technology that optimizes e-commerce operations.

The Japanese company will acquire the stake from funds affiliated with AutoStore's majority shareholder Thomas H. Lee (THL) Partners and other investors including EQT Private Equity, valuing the firm at $7.7 billion.

Founded in 1996, AutoStore has 20,000 robots deployed across 35 countries and counts Puma, Best Buy and Siemens among its customers. The company also touts a design method that allows customers to store four times the inventory in the same space in a warehouse.

Such technology enables e-commerce to deliver packages faster and more economically, as online shopping has surged during the COVID-19 pandemic.

in January last year took part in a $263 million funding round in Berkshire Grey, which develops artificial intelligence-based logistics automation systems used by its customers - Walmart Inc, Target Corp and FedEx Corp - in their warehouses and distribution centers.

(Reporting by Munsif Vengattil in Bengaluru; Editing by Ramakrishnan M.)

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 21:06:53|Editor: huaxia

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NICOSIA, April 6 (Xinhua) -- A total of 75 irregular immigrants arrived in Cyprus aboard a small boat, local police said on Tuesday.

The police said in a statement that the immigrants, including 10 women and 15 children, were on board a wooden boat that arrived overnight on Monday at a fishing port on the eastern coast of Cyprus.

The immigrants claimed themselves as Syrians and sailed from Tartus, about 300 nautical miles from the Cypriot shores.

The police statement said the boat had been spotted on radar and was accompanied into port, where the immigrants were documented and quarantined in a refugee center. Enditem
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 6)  The Philippine government is expecting to receive over 1.5 million doses from Chinese firm Sinovac Biotech and 500,000 doses from Russia's Gamaleya Research Institute this month, with possible shipments as early as next week, Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez said Tuesday.

Galvez told a Palace briefing at least 500,000 of the 1.5 million CoronaVac doses from Sinovac may arrive sometime next week, while Gamaleya's Sputnik V doses are seen to arrive on April 12.

He did not state whether the promised 500,000 Gamaleya shots for the month will be delivered in full next week, but more doses from the vaccine brand are seen in the succeeding months.

"Next week po baka dumating na ang 500,000 ng Sinovac so titingnan din natin ang Gamaleya, baka dumating din this coming April 12," he said.

[Translation: Next week, 500,000 doses will come from Sinovac and we are looking at the arrival of Gamaleya doses this coming April 12.]

Overall, the Philippines will likely receive two million doses from these vaccine brands within the month. The delayed batch of AstraZeneca doses via the World Health Organization-backed COVAX facility was not included in the list.

WHO Country Representative Rabindra Abeyasinghe on Monday said the expected supply of over 900,000 AstraZeneca doses may be reduced until vaccine production can accommodate the demand from other countries. The second batch of doses was supposed to arrive between March 24 and 26.

READ: WHO: Next batch of vaccines via COVAX may be further reduced due to supply shortage

Galvez said despite the "very constricted" AstraZeneca supply they are still holding negotiations with vaccine manufacturers abroad to accommodate the Philippines' needs. Over 525,600 doses from the British-Swedish drugmaker were already distributed to the country last month.

"With the global constriction ng AstraZeneca, most probably magkakaroon po talaga ng reduction but hopefully ang mga nakausap ng DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs), ni Sec. (Teodoro) Locsin, especially yung sa Europe at US, hopefully, magkaroon ng fruition ang aming negotiations," he said.

[Translation: With the global constriction of AstraZeneca, most probably there will be a reduction but hopefully, with the dialogue of the DFA, of Secretary Locsin with Europe and the US, our negotiations would come to fruition.]

Galvez said 825,662 Filipinos have already been vaccinated against COVID-19. Ramped up deliveries of vaccine doses at 20 million per month will start by August from different brands.
Syracuse, N.Y. -- Onondaga County lawmakers today voted to end a residential energy sales tax that was imposed last September amid fiscal constraints caused by the pandemic.

The 4% county sales tax on residential energy, which will phase out June 1, costs a typical household about $6 a month.

The tax was imposed last September as county officials scrambled to offset the loss of millions of dollars from sales taxes and state aid stemming from the pandemic. It was expected to bring in up to $16 million a year.

The countys fiscal position is much improved since then. State aid has been restored, sales taxes have picked up and the county anticipates $89 million in federal stimulus aid.

Were in a much better position as we stand here today,' said Legislator John McBride, R-Onondaga.

Legislators voted unanimously today to rescind the tax.

The discontinuance of the tax also affects the city of Syracuse, which shares 25% of county sales taxes.

Residential energy sales are exempt from state sales tax. But counties and other taxing jurisdictions have the option to charge residential customers a local sales tax, which is already paid by commercial customers. More than 50 other counties, cities and school districts in New York currently impose a similar residential sales tax, state records show.

Onondaga County charged the residential energy tax until 1982, then abolished it. Commercial customers continue to pay the tax.

Do you have a news tip or a story idea? Contact reporter Tim Knauss of syracuse.com/The Post-Standard: email | Twitter | | 315-470-3023.
Strikes have erupted in the education sector across the UK alongside other disputes in the public sector, transport, health and energy. These strikes express an initial yet significant growth in the class struggle.

Employers have used the pandemic as a pretext for ramped-up exploitation of their workers. The crocodile tears over disadvantaged children and lost learning have been used as an ideological weapon to force children back into school so that their parents can return to work and produce profits.

For educators, the return to school has been a return to cuts, job losses and the victimisation and harassment of those who oppose Prime Minister Boris Johnsons government agenda. The education unions have played a key role throughout the pandemic in suppressing opposition to unsafe workplaces, opposing the campaigns led by educators for the closure of schools. They supported the big bang reopening of schools in March, despite the high levels of infection and lack of safety protection for staff and children.

Strikers at West College Scotland on the picket line (credit: EIS Twitter)

The unions in every sector continue to play a criminal role in policing opposition to the cuts to jobs and services, being escalated as the economic impact of the pandemic and massive corporate bailouts is placed on the shoulders of the working class. They have suppressed industrial action throughout the last year in the name of national unity, allowing big business and the Conservative government to launch an assault on jobs, wages and conditions.

Lecturers at 26 further education colleges across Scotland began a two-day strike last Wednesday, following a one-day strike the previous week. Called by the Educational Institute of Scotland Further Education Lecturers Association (EIS-FELA), its members are protesting plans by Colleges Scotland to replace lecturer posts with lower-paid instructor posts. Further strikes are planned.

A one-day strike involving all six further education colleges in Northern Ireland took place March 24, called by the University and College Union (UCU) in a pay and workload dispute.

Many more actions are being kept isolated to individual schools to prevent a unified campaign across the education sector. Since February, there have been the following strikes in colleges and secondary, primary and special schools:

* Workers at Shrewsbury Colleges Group held three days of strike action from February 25 and a further nine days are planned throughout March and April in defence of victimised National Education Union (NEU) rep John Boken. He was targeted after raising complaints about racism in the college.

* NEU members in Greenwich, south east London, are voting on whether to strike to defend victimised union rep Kirstie Paton, a member of the NEUs executive committee. Paton, a teacher of 20 years at the John Roan School, Maze Hill, Blackheath, used a trade union branded social media account to highlight fears that some lateral flow tests (LFT) may not be reliable. The action will be taken across the borough. United Learning, the Academy chain which now runs John Roan, are taking action against Paton on grounds of gross misconduct.

* Strike action continued last week in Hackney, at an independent school for children with special educational needs, amid allegations of bullying and intimidation by senior managers at Leeways school, run by the Kedleston Group. The strikers have restated demands first made in December for the 2.75 percent pay rise received by many teachers in 2020, as well as complaining of the lack of decent sick pay. There are allegations of poor educational resources, a lack of outside recreation space, and temperatures inside the building being so cold that staff and students frequently wear coats. Two staff members have been dismissed since the beginning of the dispute, including a union rep. School leaders are reported to have threatened to dismiss staff en masse if the strike is not called off.

* Staff at Moulsecoomb Primary School in Brighton, members of the NEU, GMB and UNISON, took strike action following an announcement by the Department for Education that three new academy sponsors are being considered. The staff and local community are opposed to the academisation of the school.

* Teaching staff at the University of Central Lancashire have voted to strike in a dispute over job losses. The university said about six posts at the Faculty of Culture and Creative Industries were at risk. More than 250 workers have already taken voluntary redundancy. A national consultative ballot over pay involving all UCU further education members will take place from April 19.

* UCU members working for Novus, an education provider in Englands prisons, are balloting for strikes over coronavirus safety concerns.

* Teachers are on strike at Gateshead school in Newcastle over claims of threats and intimidation by management. Some members of staff at the Eslington and Furrowfield Schools Federation, a group of special schools in Gateshead, are taking industrial action over management practices. Fifteen days of action have begun.

* Staff at Langley School in Sutton Coldfield are set to take the first of several days of strike action from Wednesday, February 24, according to the NEU. The issues are particularly related to heating, ventilation and cleanliness at the school.

* Over 140 teachers and support workers at Beal High School in Redbridge took the first of six days of strike action on March 25 over a refusal by the school to renegotiate a sickness pay policy. The staff are members of the National Education Union. A local NEU blog states, Beal has a two-tier workforce: since 2016, new members of staff have had their sick-pay entitlement slashed and are on significantly worse working conditions. As a result, recruitment and retention will be impacted negatively in the long-term.

* Cleaners at the prestigious South London Roman Catholic Girls School La Retraite took two days strike action at the end of March with a pledge for a further 40 days over unlawful wage deductions, poverty pay and institutional racism. The strike has now ended with the school agreeing to back-pay sick pay in line with teachers and to a 24 percent wage increase. The dispute erupted after the cleaners hours were cut in the run up to Christmas and their wages withheld after a month-long walkout in February over COVID-19 health and safety concerns.

* Members of the Argyll College EIS-FELA branch are being balloted for strike action over the decision to make lecturers compulsorily redundant during the pandemic. An indicative ballot earlier this month put support for strike action at 76 percent on an 82 percent turnout. This statutory strike ballot opened mid-March and closes on April 15. It comes one day after lecturers at Argyll College took strike action over the ongoing national dispute to replace lecturers with instructor assessors.

Every struggle educators mount puts them at loggerheads with corporatist trade unions, that work to suppress the class struggle and, when they cannot avoid a strike, to isolate and defeat it. The expansion and unification of the struggles of the working class requires the formation of a network of rank-and-file workplace committees, independent of the pro-capitalist trade unions. Such committees are the form through which workers can advance their own demands, including emergency measures to stop the coronavirus pandemic, and an end to the unsafe reopening of schools and workplaces, with full compensation for workers and small businesses.

To take forward this struggle, register today for the launch meeting of a network of rank-and-file action committees for safe workplaces, held this Saturday at 2pm (GMT).
Britain's biggest publisher has refused to hand back any of the Government's furlough support even though its profits soared by a fifth during Covid.

Penguin Random House, publisher of John Grisham and Zadie Smith, tapped into the scheme between April and June last year and is thought to have received 1million.

A few employees such as receptionists at its head office are still furloughed, the Times reported.

Penguin Random House, publisher of John Grisham and Zadie Smith (pictured), tapped into the scheme between April and June last year and is thought to have received about 1m

Penguin Random House says it has no plans to return any of the cash.

But this is likely to spark outrage after its rivals including Bloomsbury and Pan Macmillan, as well as companies from other industries such as Tesco and Pets at Home, repaid the Treasury.

And healthy profits that are thought to add up to around 70million last year will also make the move more difficult to justify.

Publishing houses benefited from a reading renaissance during lockdown as people turned to books while they were cooped up at home.

Penguin Random House said: 'We have used the furlough scheme for its intended purpose: to protect jobs during this extraordinary time.'
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

A new analysis by a team of researchers led by Dr. David Nerenz of Henry Ford Health System suggests that accounting for social risk factors like poverty, housing instability and transportation insecurity can have meaningful impact on healthcare quality measures without compromising quality of care.

In a report published today in Health Affairs, researchers make the case for using social risk factors in specific circumstances to "level the playing field" for adjusting quality measures used in quality reporting and value-based purchasing programs. Social risk adjustment would apply to scenarios in which providers cannot mitigate the impact of social risk factors and when those risk factors directly impact care outcomes.

"We acknowledge the challenges in knowing when social risk adjustment is appropriate, but we have shown when it should be done and not done," said David Nerenz, Ph.D., Director Emeritus of Henry Ford's Center for Policy and Health Services Research and the study's lead author.

"In our analysis we show that adjusting for social risk factors will not necessarily mask or excuse poor quality. Instead, it can demonstrate exceptional levels of quality among safety-net providers."

Adjusting quality measures for social risk factors has been the focus of ongoing debate for the last decade since the Medicare Hospital Readmission Reduction Program (HRRP) was shown to disproportionately penalize safety-net hospitals financially. Safety net hospitals have long held they are unfairly penalized because social risk factors put their patients at higher risk for readmission and are not adjusted for in HRRP.

In 2014, an expert panel convened by the National Quality Forum recommended using social risk factors under certain circumstances. However, the Assistant Secretary of Planning and Evaluation, the principal advisor to the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, issued a report in June 2020 opposing adjustments for social risk factors.

"This has been a contentious issue, but there is growing consensus that social risk matters," said Karen Joynt Maddox, M.D., MPH, a co-author of the Health Affairs report and Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Cardiovascular Division at Washington University's School of Medicine in Missouri.

"To move towards high-value care that improves the health of populations, equity has to be central rather than an afterthought. We this analysis moves the needle on making that happen."

Dr. Nerenz and Dr. Maddox led a study published in Health Services Research in 2019 that found a risk adjustment model including social factors could reduce the financial penalty for at least half of all safety-net hospitals, which care for patients regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. In some cases, the study said, the adjustment model could render them free from any penalty.

Conversely, more affluent hospitalsthose that care for higher-income, better-educated patientscould see their penalty for readmission rates increase.

Quality measures like mortality rates, readmission rates, complication rates, and average functional improvement are used to compare doctors, hospitals, home health agencies, and health plans. These measures are then applied to determine financial rewards and penalties for providers that perform relatively well or poorly.

Because providers don't treat the same mix of patients, and some patients are at higher or lower risk of poor outcome than others, some form of statistical adjustment is applied to level of the playing field for making comparisons, Dr. Nerenz said.

"While clinical risk factors like age, presence of other illnesses, and severity of illness are used routinely in these adjustments, social risk factors have not," Dr. Nerenz said. "At issue is whether the financial penalties reflect true differences in quality of care, or they reflect factors other than quality that are outside of providers' control."

Explore further Social risk factors and readmission penalties

More information: David R. Nerenz et al. Adjusting Quality Measures For Social Risk Factors Can Promote Equity In Health Care, Health Affairs (2021). Journal information: Health Affairs David R. Nerenz et al. Adjusting Quality Measures For Social Risk Factors Can Promote Equity In Health Care,(2021). DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2020.01764
What if you do not carry any credit card debt at all? (Teerasak Ladnongkhun/Shutterstock)

4 Good Reasons to Kick the Credit Card Habit

There are many reasons not to carry credit card debt. The most obvious is that its really expensive. And heres a reason often overlooked: It seems so much harder to work for money youve already spent.

But what if you do not carry any credit card debt at all? There are some who would say it is perfectly reasonable to use credit to pay for everything, provided you are able to pay it back down to $0 during the grace period.

Sure, that makes for easy record-keeping, plus all those points, miles, and cash rewards that many credit card issuers offer. Even so, its a habit that can have a negative effect on your financial situation.

You need to kick the credit card habit for these simple reasons:

Your Credit Score

The more you use your cards, the more likely you are to make a mistake. All activitygood or badis reported to the credit bureaus and lands in your credit file. That information is then compiled into a three-digit number that can change dailyand be used to determine how much interest you will pay on your mortgage, what your insurance premiums will be, and even if youll get the apartment or job youve applied for.

Credit scoreslike it or nothave become a kind of character reference. If your score could use a little help, kick the credit card habit and your credit score is likely to improve all on its own.

According to Credit Karma, FICO score ranges varythey can range from 300 to 850 or 250 to 900, depending on the scoring modelbut higher scores can indicate that you may be less risky to lenders (and others).

To get a rough idea of your FICO credit score, you can use the FICO Score Estimator. The calculator is free. Or you can purchase your credit score from MyFICO.com. On the FICO score range, anything over 740 is good. Higher than 760 is great.

Your Happiness

One study from the Institute for Research on Poverty and the Center for Financial Security at the University of Wisconsin-Madison shows that people with credit card debt and overdue bills are much more likely to experience symptoms of depression than those who dont have such debts, particularly if they are near retirement, unmarried, or less educated. The more short-term debt a person had, the more frequently they reported feeling those symptoms.

No surprises there. The effects of credit card debt can be debilitating, if not devastating. But the good news is that kicking the habit allows you to retrace your steps and work your way out of debt. Each repaid debt returns your options. And once out of debt, your peace of mind will return as well. Its not impossible.

In fact, thousands reading this right now have done that using the system I created and you can use. Look for the Rapid-Debt Repayment Plan in chapter seven of my book Debt-Proof Living.

Your Cash

A study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology called Always Leave Home Without It: A Further Investigation of the Credit-Card Effect on Willingness to Pay establishes the fact that people who pay with plastic just spend morewhether its a soda machine with a credit card slot or a great sale at Target.

If youre paying with plastic, you just feel freer at the moment to load up the tab. But kick the credit card habit, and leave the plastic at home; you will spend less. That means more cash in your pocket.

Your Shelter

Its become the popular thing to tap into ones home equity by way of a home equity loan or refinance to pay off credit card debt. But thats just a way of moving that debt to ones home. The homeowner-borrower puts his or her home at risk should something happen that makes it impossible to keep up with those new, big monthly payments.

Even worse, perhaps, most people who pay off their credit cards turn around and run them back to the max within just two years, getting themselves into double trouble.

Kick the credit card habit and you wont be tempted to tap into this appreciating asset to pay for stuff you charged a long time ago and possibly dont even remember now.

Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a frugal living blog and the author of the book Debt-Proof Living. Mary invites you to visit her at her website, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments at EverydayCheapskate.com/contact, Ask Mary. Tips can be submitted at Tips.EverydayCheapskate.com. This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Copyright 2021 Creators.com
This unrelated image, captured from the website of North Korea's Rodong Sinmun on Nov. 6, 2021, shows a cement company in the North. Yonhap



A North Korean firm on Tuesday lost a lawsuit claiming millions of dollars for metal it supplied to South Korean companies in 2010, in a rare legal battle between businesses from the two Koreas.



In a ruling against the North Korean National Economic Cooperation Federation, its member company and their South Korean deputy, the Seoul Central District Court said that four South Korean firms need not pay the plaintiffs about 5.3 billion won (US$4.7 million) for the zinc they imported from North Korea over a decade ago.



This marks the first known case of a North Korean company filing a suit with a South Korean court.



The North Korean firm claimed it did not receive the whole payment due to sanctions on money transfers to the North imposed by the then South Korean President Lee Myung-bak on May 24, 2010, following Pyongyang's torpedo attacks two months earlier on the South Korean warship, Cheonan, near the Northern Limit Line in Yellow Sea. Forty-six South Korean sailors died in the attack near the de facto maritime border between the two Koreas.

The defendants refuted the claim, saying they made the complete payment to the Chinese company that brokered the deal.



Handing over the ruling, the Seoul court said there was not enough evidence to conclude that the North Korean firm had direct deals with the South Korean companies, acknowledging that a third party company appears to have been involved in selling the zinc to the defendants.

The court also said South Korea had jurisdiction over the case, as evidence necessary for the legal procedure, including related documents, remained in the country.



After the ruling, Kim Han-shin, the South Korean plaintiff who is the head of the Seoul-based Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation Research Center, said the lawsuit was to undo the damage done to the North Korean company 12 years ago.



Kim said he was able to file the suit after the frosty inter-Korean relations thawed under the Moon Jae-in government, which has pursued active engagement with the North.



He attributed "restrictions on the ability to submit sufficient evidence amid the new coronavirus pandemic" to the loss and said that he will consider appealing the ruling after legal consultations.



North Korea has claimed to be coronavirus-free but has implemented tight border controls and taken other antivirus measures to ward off an outbreak in the country since early last year. (Yonhap)


An employee of an online game center in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City has been found dead by hanging after being locked up by his boss, who thought he had stolen money from the shop.

The deceased man was 24-year-old N.V.Q., who hailed from the south-central province of Khanh Hoa and worked for an online game center on Le Van Viet Street in Tang Nhon Phu A Ward, Thu Duc City, officers confirmed on Monday.

Q. was found dead by hanging inside a staff break room of the shop on Sunday.

Nguyen Thanh Tam, Q.s 29-year-old boss, admitted to having locked his employee up in the break room since Saturday night.

Tam suspected that Q. had stolen VND25 million (US$1,090) from the shop and would only let Q. go if he agreed to return the money.

Tam also tasked Le Hung Manh, 18, with guarding the room.

Manh discovered Q.s body at around 10:30 am on Sunday and told Tam about the incident.

The boss later reported the case to police officers.

Police have examined the scene and carried out an autopsy.

Tam and Manh have been taken into custody to facilitate the investigation.

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China's most advanced fighter jet, J-20, has reportedly entered stealth mode. Rumors claimed that the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force has removed the aircraft's Lunenburg lens.

According to Global Times' latest report, the advanced combat airplane has entered the next level of combat readiness. However, China hasn't confirmed yet if its J-20 will soon be used in possible real air combat.

The info was released after the jet's Lunenburg lens was removed, which is a small device that most fighter jets have so that military agencies could track it on purpose. This means that this lens intentionally exposes a stealth fighter jet to other people during air activities, such as non-combat flights or training.

China's J-20 enters next combat readiness level

Sun Teng, a Chinese fighter jet pilot, said that the country's Air Force pilots will have the spirit of "aerial bayonet" fighting ability. They will be trained for combat so that they can protect China's national sovereignty and dignity.

Also Read: Leaked Satellite Photos Show China Building More Missile Silos Capable of Launching Its Most Powerful ICBMs

On the other hand, the country's most advanced stealth fighter was seen making air activities. Some CCTV videos also revealed that the J-20s doing aerial maneuvers no longer have their Lunenberg lenses.

Aside from the removal of the small tracker, some videos also leaked that there are other changes in the fighter jet's side missile bay, which is the part of the aircraft that carries missiles and other ammunition.

Although some analysts claimed that the removal of the radar reflector from the jet's belly could mean upcoming combat missions, it is still highly advised to wait for China's actual announcement.

You can click here for more details.

J-20 vs. US F-22

China's J-20 is the counterpart of the United States' F-22. Military Watch Magazine claims that they both have the same high-performance stealth designs.

Aside from this, both of the planes can also maneuver well in difficult air situations. However, J-20 has a larger and bulkier body compared to F-22.

This could be a great deal during actual air combats since they can easily be targeted by other fighter jets.

When it comes to missiles, J-20 has a small advantage since it uses the latest PL-15 long-range air-to-air missiles. On the other hand, F-22 still uses AIM-120D, which is an old one that was introduced way back in 1991.

Furthermore, J-20 also has distributed aperture system, which improves its situational awareness.

Although China's jet seems to have the upper hand, the U.S. is still improving its F-22 fighter jets.

If you want to see more details, all you need to do is click here.

For more news updates about China's upcoming fighter jets and other defense innovations, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: US Presidential Supersonic Jet's Leaked Details: Release Date, 2x the Speed of Sound, and More! Here's Its First Look

This article is owned by TechTimes

Written by: Giuliano de Leon

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
New York, April 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Base Oil Market Research Report by Group Type, by Type, by Application - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06045494/?utm_source=GNW



Market Statistics:

The report provides market sizing and forecast across five major currencies - USD, EUR GBP, JPY, and AUD. This helps organization leaders make better decisions when currency exchange data is readily available.



1. The Global Base Oil Market is expected to grow from USD 24,869.18 Million in 2020 to USD 33,494.73 Million by the end of 2025.

2. The Global Base Oil Market is expected to grow from EUR 21,805.76 Million in 2020 to EUR 29,368.81 Million by the end of 2025.

3. The Global Base Oil Market is expected to grow from GBP 19,385.37 Million in 2020 to GBP 26,108.94 Million by the end of 2025.

4. The Global Base Oil Market is expected to grow from JPY 2,654,171.69 Million in 2020 to JPY 3,574,736.44 Million by the end of 2025.

5. The Global Base Oil Market is expected to grow from AUD 36,113.35 Million in 2020 to AUD 48,638.80 Million by the end of 2025.



Market Segmentation & Coverage:

This research report categorizes the Base Oil to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets:



Based on Group Type, the Base Oil Market studied across Group I, Group II, Group III, Group IV, and Group V.



Based on Type, the Base Oil Market studied across Bio-based Oil, Mineral Oil, and Synthetic Oil.



Based on Application, the Base Oil Market studied across Engine Oil, Gear Oils, General Industrial Oils, Greases, Metalworking Fluids, and Process Oils.



Based on Geography, the Base Oil Market studied across Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa. The Americas region surveyed across Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and United States. The Asia-Pacific region surveyed across Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand. The Europe, Middle East & Africa region surveyed across France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom.



Company Usability Profiles:

The report deeply explores the recent significant developments by the leading vendors and innovation profiles in the Global Base Oil Market including Adnoc, Avista Oil AG, Calumet Specialty Products Partners LP, Chevron Corporation, Cnooc, Ergon Inc., Exxon Mobil Corporation, Formosa, GS Caltex Corporation, H&R Olwerke Schindler GmbH, Hengli Petrochemical, HPCL, Lotos Oil Sp. Z O.O., Luberef, Neste Oil, Nynas AB, Petrochina Company Limited, Petronas, Repsol, Royal Dutch Shell PLC, S-Oil Corporation, Saudi Aramco, Sepahan, Shandong Qingyuan, Sinopec, SK-Pertamina/ Pertamina, and Total S.A..



Cumulative Impact of COVID-19:

COVID-19 is an incomparable global public health emergency that has affected almost every industry, so for and, the long-term effects projected to impact the industry growth during the forecast period. Our ongoing research amplifies our research framework to ensure the inclusion of underlaying COVID-19 issues and potential paths forward. The report is delivering insights on COVID-19 considering the changes in consumer behavior and demand, purchasing patterns, re-routing of the supply chain, dynamics of current market forces, and the significant interventions of governments. The updated study provides insights, analysis, estimations, and forecast, considering the COVID-19 impact on the market.



FPNV Positioning Matrix:

The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Base Oil Market on the basis of Business Strategy (Business Growth, Industry Coverage, Financial Viability, and Channel Support) and Product Satisfaction (Value for Money, Ease of Use, Product Features, and Customer Support) that aids businesses in better decision making and understanding the competitive landscape.



Competitive Strategic Window:

The Competitive Strategic Window analyses the competitive landscape in terms of markets, applications, and geographies. The Competitive Strategic Window helps the vendor define an alignment or fit between their capabilities and opportunities for future growth prospects. During a forecast period, it defines the optimal or favorable fit for the vendors to adopt successive merger and acquisition strategies, geography expansion, research & development, and new product introduction strategies to execute further business expansion and growth.



The report provides insights on the following pointers:

1. Market Penetration: Provides comprehensive information on the market offered by the key players

2. Market Development: Provides in-depth information about lucrative emerging markets and analyzes the markets

3. Market Diversification: Provides detailed information about new product launches, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments

4. Competitive Assessment & Intelligence: Provides an exhaustive assessment of market shares, strategies, products, and manufacturing capabilities of the leading players

5. Product Development & Innovation: Provides intelligent insights on future technologies, R&D activities, and new product developments



The report answers questions such as:

1. What is the market size and forecast of the Global Base Oil Market?

2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Base Oil Market during the forecast period?

3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Base Oil Market?

4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Base Oil Market?

5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Base Oil Market?

6. What are the modes and strategic moves considered suitable for entering the Global Base Oil Market?

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06045494/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



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Californians will be heading back to the beach and the movie theater en masse this summer, but only if doses of the vaccine remain available and COVID-related hospitalizations stay stable.

Governor Gavin Newsom announced the country's most populous state would lift most coronavirus restrictions on businesses and workplaces from June 15, saying enough people should be vaccinated by then to allow for life to almost get back to a pre-pandemic normal.

'With more than 20 million vaccines administered across the state, it is time to turn the page on our tier system and begin looking to fully reopen Californias economy,' said Newsom.

'We can now begin planning for our lives post-pandemic,' he added.

It would mean an end to California's complex color-coded tier system that dictated which businesses could open and at what capacity depending on how widespread the virus was in a county.

The state mask mandate will remain in effect, in contrast to other states like Texas, Mississippi and Oklahoma that have already removed all restrictions.

Surfs up for California this summer, with COVID restrictions to be lifted by June 15 if vaccine and hospitalizations rates are maintained. Half of the state's 40 million people are already in the state's second-least restrictive orange tier, and some headed to Santa Monica beach, above, to enjoy the Spring sunshine on March 31

Governor Gavin Newsom had the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on April 6 and says it should be safe to reopen without restriction by mid-June

More than 20 million Californians have already been vaccinated, at sites such as Dodger Stadium, above in Los Angeles (File photo)

The number of COVID-19 deaths has steadily decreased since a third wave in March brought as many as 2400 deaths per day

States such as South Dakota, Alaska, Pennsylvania and Maine report more than 35% of the population have been vaccinated

Much of the state including San Francisco, most of Los Angeles and San Diego were already in the second-least restrictive orange tier of he coded system.

This means movie theaters, restaurants, churches, museums, zoos and aquariums operate at 50% capacity, while gyms are allowed to run at 25%.

Inyo County in Southern California and Merced County in the San Joaquin Valley Region are Parts of central California remain in the most restrictive purple color.

Newsom said it was an encouraging sign and would give businesses and residents a greater degree of certainty to plan their summer.

'We will need to remain vigilant and continue the practices that got us here  wearing masks and getting vaccinated  but the light at the end of this tunnel has never been brighter.'

The grim COVID-19 toll as of 9am April 6

California adopted some of the nation's strictest lockdown rules, becoming the first to institute a statewide stay-at-home order last spring.

Health and Human Services Secretary Mark Ghaly said the broad reopening would only happen if vaccine supply remains sufficient and hospitalization rates remain stable and low.

'This means the end to our color-coded tiers. We can go to movies, to the beach and see family,' Ghaly said.

Technically, Californians can go to the beach and see family now under certain circumstances, but the announcement signals an end date to more than a year of isolation.

California has resisted reopening too quickly while other states have pushed ahead.

The state has administered 20 million shots, including 4 million to the hardest-hit ZIP codes, and COVID-19 infection rates are low.

But the pandemic has taken its toll, with more than 58,000 people dead from the virus, businesses closed and students who have been out of classrooms for much of the year.

According to the Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center, the state has recorded 6,119 cases in the past day, down from a record high of 62,000 cases on December 16.

Fashion designer Josie Vand wears a facemask as she retrieves a bag with organic vegetables from a farm box from County Line Harvest in Los Angeles on Friday, April 2, 2021. California has been easing COVID-19 restrictions as it recovers from a deadly winter surge

California Health and Human Services Secretary Mark Ghaly receives the new one-shot Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine on March 11. Ghaly says the state will do away with its color-coded system on June 15 as long as vaccinations continue at their present rate

Businesses can open with 'common-sense risk reduction measures,' including mandated masking and encouraging vaccinations. The state will continue contact tracing and testing.

Most capacity limits will be lifted, although large-scale indoor events, such as conventions, will be allowed only with testing or vaccination verification requirements, Ghaly said.

Vaccine eligibility will expand to people in California 16 and older starting April 15, although some counties have already started vaccinating young adults.

The two-month advance notice should give people enough time to schedule their first dose, wait the recommended three to four weeks for a second shot and get through the two-week period for the vaccines to fully kick in, he said. It also gives businesses and others ample time to prepare.

Last month Los Angeles County, with a quarter of the state's population and 40% of the deaths, was approved to move into the the orange tier but opted to wait a week to make sure it held the line on new infections.

Neighboring Orange County, the state's third most populous with 3 million residents, moved immediately into that tier, allowing restaurants, theaters, museums and houses of worship to allow people indoors at 50% capacity. Bars that don't serve food can operate outdoors.

Dr. George Rutherford, an epidemiologist at the University of California, San Francisco, told the Associated Press last month the state was in better shape than others because 12 million people have received at least one dose of vaccine and there's a fair bit of immunity  with an estimated 37% of people in Los Angeles County having been infected.

'California has a shot. I think we have a good chance of beating the fourth wave,' Rutherford said.

'We're much more conservative in (easing) restrictions. So we're moving very slowly through the tiers unlike other states that have thrown caution to the wind.'

Centers for Disease Control director Rochelle Walensky said last month that the country faces 'impending doom' if states reopen too quickly.

States like Texas and and Mississippi were accused of 'neanderthal thinking' by President Joe Biden for reopening too fast, as cases began to creep up again.
New Delhi: In order to curb the 'intensity of the rising cases' in the state, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to allow COVID-19 vaccination for all above 25 years of age.

In a letter written to PM Narendra Modi on Monday (April 5, 2021), Uddhav Thackeray said that vaccinating a large number of young people, especially those who go to work outside their homes, will help reduce the number of patients.

He further requested 1.5 crore additional doses from the Centre so that to get all persons above 45 years can be vaccinated within three weeks.

The Maharashtra Chief Minister said that the state has taken the COVID-19 vaccination very seriously and apprised PM Modi that over 76 lakh people are vaccinated in the state till April 4.

He also thanked the Prime Minister for accepting his proposal of allowing all persons above 45 years of age to be made eligible for COVID-19 vaccination.

CM Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray has written to the Honble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi to further lower the age group eligible for vaccination to 25years old to curb the intensity of the rising cases in the state. pic.twitter.com/YWwebaYW9X  CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) April 5, 2021

Maharashtra, the worst coronavirus-hit state in India, has been witnessing a sudden surge in COVID-19 cases in the past few weeks. The state registered 47,288 fresh coronavirus positive cases on Monday, a day after seeing the highest spike of 57,074 infections. Maharashtra's overall caseload has now climbed to 30,57,885, of which, 56,033 have succumbed to the virus. It also has more than 4.5 lakh active COVID-19 cases.

This is to be noted that India kicked off its COVID-19 vaccination drive on January 16, 2021. The country then commenced its second phase of the COVID-19 vaccination drive to give vaccine jabs to people above 60 years and those over 45 with comorbidities from March 1, whereas, the third phase began on April 1 for everyone above 45 years of age.
New Delhi:

Election Commission on Wednesday disqualified former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda from contesting polls for three years. The EC disqualified him for not properly filing election expenses.

He had won the polls from the Singhbhum Lok Sabha seat in Jharkhand.

An order issued by the Commission said that Koda stands disqualified for three years from today for failing to lodge his account of election expenses in the manner required by the law and for having no good reason or justification for such failure.

The Commission order signed by Chief Election Commissioner A K Joti and Election Commissioner O P Rawat cited section 10 A of the Representation of the People Act to disqualify Koda.

The Commission had been hearing the case against Koda for allegedly furnishing false election expenditure records after the 2009 polls.

Madhu Koda was Chief Minister of Jharkhand from 2006 to 2008.

Earlier, Koda landed in controversy and was arrested by state police's vigilance wing on 30 Nov 2009 in connection Madhu Koda mining scam. Later, he was released on bail from Birsa Munda Prison in Ranchi.

A Special money-laundering court in Delhi had attached Koda's properties worth  144 crores in a disproportionate assets case against his alleged associates.

With PTI inputs

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Although 5G is now being well and truly rolled out around the world, the 5G rollout certainly isn't complete, and it's leaving people wanting more.

An article from Korea Bizwire points out that a lot of South Korean 5G users just aren't that impressed with 5G speeds yet.

Despite promises of 5G speeds 20 times faster than 4G LTE, government estimates point to 5G speeds being only four times faster - and that's if you can get a 5G signal, with one South Korean use noting her 5G phone was mostly only ever connected to 4G towers.

Indeed, my own personal tests have shown that, while 5G can indeed reach speeds of 500Mbps or more on some carriers in Australia, where I was getting 500Mbps download speeds on Vodafone's much smaller 5G footprint, Telstra was only delivering 100Mbps 5G speeds.

I've also switched my Telstra-powered iPhone 12 Pro Max from 5G to 4G, and noted that 4G speeds could almost reach the same speeds as 5G, while in many cases, 4G upload speeds were not only faster than 5G, but in some cases, many times faster.

To me, this signalled the dirty little secret of 5G, which is that it just isn't widely rolled out enough yet, and 5G standards are yet to mature, especially with no mmWave 5G devices in Australia that could deliver the superset 5G speeds promised, but which will require many times more towers than are already installed to deliver the coverage you currently enjoy from 3G and 4G networks.

In South Korea, we're told that only 19% of the country's 71 million mobile subscribers were using 5G, compared with 73% using 4G.

Meanwhile, in Australia, Telstra reports over a million users on its 5G network, with 50% coverage of where people live, work and travel through already achieved, and 75% due by mid-year.

But in South Korea, as in Australia, subscribers say that 5G speeds just aren't that much faster than 4G, as I've also noticed.

Another curiosity - when I've connected to public broadcast ABC Radio's "Report-IT" app, which is a type of VoIP app that lets you sound like you're in the studio when calling into programs remotely to appear as a guest expert on technology, or when using FaceTime over 5G to again have better sound quality when calling into the SpaceTime with Stuart Gary podcast (which has over 200,000 listeners per month), the 5G data connection has been frankly intermittently unreliable.

I've experienced dropouts on Report-IT and weird audio anomalies on FaceTime that have forced me to make sure I'm connecting to those services on 4G LTE data, because I don't seem to experience ANY issues when on 4G.

Of course, I could just talk to various ABC Radio stations and with Stuart Gary by regular mobile phone call, but mobile call quality just doesn't sound as nice as VoIP, even though HD Voice is supposed to be available when calling other mobile phones, although when calling into the ABC, you're calling a landline.

In South Korea, the Korea Bizwire article quotes a South Korean government "official acknowledging the shortcomings of the country's 5G deployment", stating: "5G services arent being offered at an acceptable level for the public. Its use in business applications has also fallen short of expectations.

Meanwhile, Professor Kim Dong-Ku of electrical engineering at Yonsei University said: There are many issues to address, such as developing wide-ranging devices, the availability of the 28GHz band, improving user experience in service and data plans. If such issues arent resolved, the economic effect from 5G commercialisation is expected to decrease.

Naturally, 5G networks ARE being rapidly rolled out, with many countries finally getting on the 5G bandwagon in the last few months, so, while the network continues being rolled out, while mmWave 5G services start their deployments in more parts of the world than just the US, and as more next-gen 5G chipsets and services arrive, 5G is only going to get better and better.

Until then, there are teething problems and other issues which are normal, and for many users, 4G remains more than good enough - for now.

For more information on what's happening with South Korea's 5G, please read the Korea Bizwire article.
[April 06, 2021] Wrench Group Expands to Two New Markets with 'Greenfield' Growth Strategy

Wrench Group, a national leader in home services, recently announced its expansion into two new major markets, Orlando and Austin, over the past week. With the expansion, the company now has a presence with its regional brands in 13 markets across the country. However, rather than adding these latest markets through mergers and acquisitions, as has been Wrench's primary means of geographic expansion in the past, these two new markets are the result of a "greenfield" strategy. For this approach, Wrench plans to add approximately 20 built-from-the-ground-up locations over the next several years in key markets across the country, investing heavily to open new facilities, hire staff, and provide marketing, advertising and operations support. "The home services industry is extremely hot right now, as it's proven itself to be recession-resistant and has continued to thrive during the global pandemic," said Ken Haines, Wrench Group CEO. "That's fantastic for the growth of our regional brands, and also good for us as a company. Our greenfield strategy isa natural complement to our ongoing strategic M&A activity, as we currently see multiple paths to grow and add new markets."



In Austin, Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical will expand to the area after nearly two decades of serving Texas families in the Houston area. Abacus plans to have 75 employees in Austin by 2023. In Orlando, CoolToday, a home services provider with nearly 60 years of experience and five other Florida locations, will set up shop and aims to have 150 employees in Central Florida by 2024. According to Haines, the goal for these two markets was to establish new locations of well-respected regional companies, not start a new brand from scratch. About Wrench Group

Wrench Group, LLC is a national leader in home repair, replacement and maintenance services specializing in heating, ventilation and air conditioning, plumbing, water, and electrical services. The company collectively serves more than 700,000 customers annually with over 3,000 team members in the Atlanta, Austin, Dallas, Denver, Fort Myers, Houston, Jacksonville, Naples, Orlando, Phoenix, Sacramento, Sarasota, San Francisco Bay Area and Tampa metropolitan areas. The locations have developed strong reputations with brands that date back to the 1940s. For more information, please visit us at www.wrenchgroup.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005961/en/

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Rep. Alcee Hastings, a longtime lawmaker from Florida who was impeached as a federal judge and went on to win election to Congress, has died at the age of 84.

Hastings was the dean of the Florida delegation, vice chair of the House Rules Committee, and a former member of the House Intelligence panel.

He died of pancreatic cancer, after being diagnosed in 2018 with Stage 4 cancer.

Hastings was impeached by the House in 1988 after being indicted on charges of solicitation of a $150,000 bribe from an FBI agent in a sting. A criminal trial in 1981 had resulted in a hung jury.

Rep. Alcee Hastings, a Democrat representing south Florida, died at the age of 84

The Senate convicted him and removed him from the bench, but that did not strip away his ability to hold elected office.

He was elected to the House in 1992, winning a total of 15 races.

His past impeachment sometimes got in the way of advancing in the chamber. After the 2006 House Democratic takeover, Hastings was in line to chair the House Intelligence Committee.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., second from left, poses during a ceremonial swearing-in with Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla., second from left, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019, during the opening session of the 116th Congress. Hastings serve on the Rules Committee and chaired the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission).

Hastings pictured when he was Broward County Circuit Court Judge. He was impeached in the House, then went along to win election 15 times in the body that impeached him

President Bill Clinton (2nd R) meets with members of the Congressional Black Caucus 26 May 1993 at the White House in Washington, DC. Seated (L-R) are Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla., Rep. Kweisi Mfume, D-Md., Clinton and Rep. Donald Payne, D-N.J.

Hastings was impeached by the House and convicted in the Senate. Here, he holds up the articles of impeachment during the house committee on rules to consider H. Res. 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors on Capitol Hill on December 17, 2019

Reps. John Lewis, D-Ga., right, Maxine Waters, D-Calif., and Alcee Hastings, D-Fla., are seen near the statue of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in the Capitol Rotunda before a memorial service for the late Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., in Statuary Hall on Thursday, October 24, 2019

But after Republicans elevated the issue, Speaker Nancy Pelosi passed him over, the Sun-Sentinel noted.

Hastings twice voted to impeach President Donald Trump, as some Democrats argued following the Jan. 6th riot that Trump should not be allowed to hold future office.

The Treasury Department paid $220,000 to settle a sexual harassment claim brought by the conservative group Judicial Watch against him on behalf of a staffer who said he made inappropriate comments to her about sex.

Hastings chaired the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission.

The 20th Congressional District he represented includes parts of Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach.

Hastings 'served his constituents as a civil rights attorney, judge, and Dean of our Congressional delegation,' tweeted Florida Rep. Val Demings. 'He changed the face of politics in FL and brought passion & unwavering dedication to the fight for justice. We are forever grateful for a life well lived.'

Hastings began his career in Florida as a civil rights activist, and described discrimination he himself faced in the 1960s when starting his law practice.

President Jimmy Carter appointed him to the bench as a federal judge.

Although Democrats hold an edge in his district, Pelosi and Democrats hold only a narrow majority.

Democrats currently hold a 218-211 majority. Rep.-elect Julia Letlow, a Republican, was elected last month to fill the term won by her husband, Luke Letlow, who died of COVID-19.

Democrats are almost certain to hold onto his seat. Joe Biden beat Donald Trump in the district by about 50 percentage points.
U.S. climate envoy is in New Delhi this week to push Prime Minister Narendra Modis government to boost its climate ambitions as it considers announcing a net zero target ahead of a virtual summit later this month.

The visit comes ahead of a meeting of leaders from 40 nations organized by U.S. President Joe Biden that will run from April 22-23 aimed at galvanizing efforts to commit to more ambitious climate change mitigation targets, at a time of rising pressure on nations to consider net-zero greenhouse gas emissions targets after China announced its plan last year.

A key focus for our administration is supporting and encouraging Indias decarbonization efforts through clean, zero, and low-carbon investment, and supporting India in mitigating its fossil energy use, the U.S. embassy in New Delhi said in a statement on Monday. Kerrys 10-day Asia trip is for consultations on increasing climate ambition ahead of President Bidens Leaders Summit on Climate, it said.

India Considers 2050 Net-Zero Target, a Decade Before China

India, the worlds third-biggest emitter, has come under pressure to make a net-zero pledge ahead of this years global climate talks in Glasgow in November. Signatories of the Paris Agreement are expected to boost their commitments to slow global warming after China -- the biggest polluter and Indias rival -- won praise for setting a 2060 net-zero target in September. The U.S. plans to announce an ambitious 2030 emissions target ahead of Bidens April 22-23 summit.

Bidens Invites to Virtual Climate Summit Include Putin, Xi

Kerry -- in India after stopping at Abu Dhabi -- is expected to meet government officials, companies and non-government organizations for consultations. There were no details of the meetings scheduled during Kerrys visit from either Washington or New Delhi. Kerry will travel to Bangladesh from New Delhi before heading back to the U.S. on April 9.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accepted President Bidens invitation to attend the Leaders Summit on Climate to be held virtually, according to the Indian foreign ministry.
New Delhi:

The 31-year-old Border Security Force (BSF) trooper, Rameez Ahmad Parray, on vacation at home in Jammu and Kashmirs Badipora district, was unfettered by the enormous pressure mounted by the terrorists to shout anti-India slogans but he kept the high values and tradition of the defence forces by saying Jai Hind till his last breath.

The unarmed constable of BSFs 73rd Battalion was murdered in a barbaric and inhuman manner by the active terrorists of the valley after failing to abduct him on Wednesday.

According to sources in the region terrorists numbering between 10 and 15 barged into the slain BSF jawans house and shouted slogans claiming him to be traitor of Kashmir and shouted anti-India slogans.

Terrorists killed BSF Ct. Mohd. Ramzan Parray at his residence in #Bandipore.He was on leave.His father & 3 relatives are critically injured pic.twitter.com/mOQ3VtXeQd  Nitish Kumar (@nitishcop) September 27, 2017

Family members of the jawan told the media that Parray bravely resisted the terrorists till he breathed his last.

Also read: BSF uses local intel, language skills to curb Rohingya influx



According to one of the family members, The terrorists were regular terming him as traitor of Kashmir and wanted him shout anti-India slogans. In spite of being repeatedly beaten by the terrorists he kept saying Jai Hind.

The family members added that the terrorists wanted to abduct him but tough resistance by him and others forced the terrorists to opened fire. In the firing the BSF jawan suffered fatal injuries.

Also read| Punjab: BSF hands over mortal remains of two Pakistani infiltrators to Pak Rangers



Police said in the incident Parrays father and three others have suffered critical injuries in the firing.

Jammu and Kashmir director general of police SP Vaid termed Parrays killing as barbaric and inhuman.

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

Nowhere is this more evident than in the rising popularity of a Federal Reserve program that lets firms stash their cash overnight with the U.S. central bank in exchange for at best a small return. But usage is soaring to record highs as money market funds and other eligible firms cope with what some analysts are calling a "tsunami" of cash. The banking system is swimming in nearly $4 trillion of reserves, thanks in part to the Fed's asset purchases, a fall off in Treasury bill issuance and a rapid drawdown in the government's store of funds at the Fed. The Treasury General Account, or TGA, has dropped by nearly $1 trillion since last fall, mirrored by the surge in bank reserves.
New Delhi:

NASA has revealed the incredible image, taken by the Cassini probe before it crashed into Saturn's atmosphere in a 'death dive'. Enceladus (313 miles or 504 kilometers across) is back-lit in this image, as is apparent by the thin crescent.

NASA's Cassini has eventually fallen silent after making a plunge into Saturn. The spacecraft made two decades of space sojourn covering eight billion kilometres. Cassini in its closest approach went so far where no other spacecraft has ever gone before and during that period it made a video's and has released interesting images which was constantly released by NASA.

But NASA has now revealed an image of Enceladus, a moon of Saturn, with the sun lighting up a bright crescent limb. The image was captured on 29 March 2017, at a distance of 180,000 kilometers from the moon.

'The brightly lit limb of a crescent Enceladus looks ethereal against the blackness of space,' NASA says.

'The rest of the moon, lit by light reflected from Saturn, presents a ghostly appearance.'

Saturn's moon Enceladus(313 miles or 504 kilometers across) is back-lit in this image.

However, the Sun-Enceladus-spacecraft (or phase) angle, at 141 degrees, makes it very hard to make the moon's famous plumes easily visible.

While making its first plunge through Saturns rings, one of the cameras of the spacecraft captured a series of pictures, including the closest-ever images of the gas giant.

"Cassini's own discoveries were its demise," Earl Maize, an engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) who manages the Cassini mission, previously told reporters . "We cannot risk inadvertent contact with that pristine body."

"[The main] reason for this ending to the Cassini mission is something that NASA is very worried about  contamination of our life forms on planets and moons that may harbor other forms of life," says Nicholas Suntzeff, a professor of Observational Astronomy at Texas A&M University, tells the Monitor via email.

"The moons of Saturn  Enceladus and Titan  could have life or complex organic molecules that are the soup out of which life forms."



Look at Cassini's journey here:

# October 15, 1997:

The spacecraft launched on October 15, 1997, from Cape Canaveral in Florida. The craft carried the Cassini orbiter, which would eventually be placed into Saturns orbit, and the Huygens probe, destined for Titan.

# Venus flybys, 1998-1999:

Cassini for the first time passed Venus on April 25, 1998. It came within 176 miles of the surface of Venus and used the planets gravity to accelerate the spacecraft to a speed of around four miles per second. The following year, on 24 June, the spacecraft passed Venus for a second time to get another gravity boost.

# Cassini traveled through the asteroid belt, 1999-2001:

Cassini traveled through the asteroid belt that sits between Mars and Jupiter over the next two years. During this period of time, Scientists were able to use instruments on board to study this region of space before the spacecraft moved on to Jupiter, passing by on December 30, 2000. While in this part of space, Cassini joined up with the Galileo spacecraft to give a new view of the largest planet in the solar system.

# Cassini's arrival at Saturn, 2004:

It was in 2004 that Cassini started approaching Saturn and started exploring Saturns moons over several months. Only after this, Cassini successfully discovered two new moons, Methone and Pallene, in May, before making its first flyby of Phoebe in June. The spacecraft was inserted into Saturns orbit on July 1.

# Cassini's Huygens departure for Titan, 2004:

The Huygens probe was detached from Cassini on December 23, beginning a three-week descent to the surface of Titan. It successfully landed on January 14, 2005. Its battery lasted for 72 minutes after landing and marks the first and only landing on a moon or planet in the outer solar system. Data returned provided an unprecedented view into the moons meteorology and geology.

# Cassini flybys, 2005-2012:

After seven years orbiting Saturn, Cassini made multiple flybys of the planet and its moons. During this period of time, it saw liquid water on Enceladus, discovered new rings round the planet and found lakes on Titan. After completing its primary mission in May 2008, the spacecraft continued its next phase of exploration. In February 2010, the mission was extended to 2017.

# Cassini's Goodbyes, 2015-2016:

Cassini began making its final flybys of Saturns moons in 2015 and 2016. During Cassini's last trips, it saw jets of ice and dust coming from Enceladus, charted Titans tallest peaks and found and dicovered that it was pure liquid methane. It completed its last flyby of Titan in April in 2017.

Cassini's journey comes to an end on September 15, 2017So far, the probe has made 22 ring crossings. On Sep 15, it made one final orbit, plunge into the Saturnian atmosphere, and burst into light as an artificial meteor.

"Cassini has got to be put safely away," Maize previously said. The decision was made at the recommendation of NASA's planetary protection office .

Also Read: Video: NASA's ISS captures dazzling northern lights or Aurora Borealis

For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
In a written statement, New Orleans architect John C. Williams fired back at Make It Right, his client for the past 12 years. Brad Pitt's Make It Right charity sued Williams last week, claiming that he is at fault for design decisions that led to leakage and other problems in the 106 homes Pitt built in the Lower 9th Ward from 2008 to 2015. According to Make It Right, it could cost $20 million to repair the damage.

The ecologically sensitive, modernistic homes were built to replace those destroyed by the catastrophic flooding that accompanied Hurricane Katrina in the neighborhood near the Industrial Canal. Make It Right sold the houses at affordable prices to former area residents and others.

As architect of record, Williams oversaw the construction of houses designed by several other contributing architects. In Williams' statement, he claims that during the course of the complicated endeavor, he worked with "twenty-one architects from New Orleans and around the world, multiple contractors, the Make It Right staff, residents and neighbors -- all striving to make this project a success."

"To now be confronted with this baseless lawsuit is shocking and insulting and we intend to prove that we were not at fault," Williams wrote.

Make It Right claims that the charity paid Williams $4 million for his services over the years. In his statement, Williams said that his work during the first two years of the project was a donation.

Williams said that he remains devoted to the fundamentals of the visionary project, but declined a request to discuss the matter further.

"Our commitment remains strong to the people of the Lower Ninth Ward," he wrote. "We will continue to work constructively with our partners to achieve the most desirable results. We will not debate this matter publicly, but will certainly address it through the appropriate channels."

Here's a timeline of the recent Make It Right controversy.

2008 to 2015: Make It Right set out to build 150 homes in the Lower Ninth Ward to replace those ruined in the flooding that accompanied Hurricane Katrina. The 106 completed houses were sold at affordable prices to former residents and others. Thanks in part to Pitt's celebrity, the Make It Right neighborhood became a tourist destination in New Orleans and a beacon of affordable, ecological housing across the world. But some of the houses began deteriorating much sooner than expected.

June 30: The moldering shell of a Make It Right house at 5012 N. Derbigny St. in New Orleans' Lower 9th Ward was demolished. Built just seven years before, the long-unoccupied building had become a tattered loaf of rotting wood, fraying tarpaulin and ominous open doorways. Its demolition brought attention to possible defects in the designs of the experimental houses.

Sept 7: New Orleans attorney Ron Austin filed a lawsuit against Brad Pitt's altruistic post-Katrina housing development on behalf of two residents who claimed to own homes damaged by leakage (though the suit is meant to represent everyone who purchased one of Pitt's houses). As previously reported, Austin claims the houses were "deficiently constructed and built" with "defective products" that caused mold, poor air quality, structural failures, faulty heating, ventilation and cooling, electrical malfunctions, plumbing mishaps and rotting wood.

Sept. 19: Make It Right filed a lawsuit of its own, blaming the project architect John C. Williams for defective design work that led to leaks and other flaws in the homes, dating back to 2009. The house plans were drawn up by architectural superstars such as Shigeru Ban, Thom Mayne and Frank Gehry. But, as previously reported, Make It Right claims it paid Williams $4 million as the project's architect of record to oversee construction and some redesigns and repairs. The nonprofit organization estimated it will now cost $20 million to repair the leaky homes.

Sept. 21: Austin issued a statement that expressed his belief that Make It Right's lawsuit "acknowledges that MIR, its board members, including Pitt, and chief officers knew about the structural and construction problems associated with the MIR homes for years, yet said nothing to the residents."

Doug MacCash covers art, music and culture in New Orleans. Contact him via email at dmaccash@nola.com. Follow him on Twitter at Doug MacCash and on Facebook at Douglas James MacCash. As always, please add your point of view to the comment stream.
A federal court ruled on Monday to protect a Christian student organization that had its official student club status revoked by a Michigan university for requiring its leaders to adhere to its statement of faith. University officials will be held liable for discriminating against the club.

InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, a student ministry that provides community, Bible studies and important discussions on campus, has been a part of Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan for over 75 years.

Though the club is open to all students, the university deemed InterVarsitys leadership policies discriminatory for requiring that the groups leaders agree with the organizations statement of faith.

WSU de-registered the club during a routine club membership reapplication process in October 2017 due to the club's supposed discrimination against non-Christians. But, the university eventually recalled its decision after InterVarsity filed a lawsuit.

Source:The Christian Post
The on Tuesday alleged the



"cheated" people by imposing a "strict lockdown" in the state and demanded a financial package for various sections of the society.

Addressing the party workers on the occasion of the BJP's foundation day, state unit president Chandrakant Patil said traders and common people will not tolerate such "cheating" by those in power.

Alarmed by the huge rise in cases over the last few days, the state government on Sunday announced a weekend lockdown and night curfew during the weekdays from Monday to April 30, in addition to a slew of other restrictions like the closure of private offices, theatres and salons.

The weekend lockdown will start from 8 pm on Fridays and last till 7 am on Mondays. Besides, prohibitory orders will be in force during the daytime on weekdays, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) had said in a statement. "During the discussion between Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Devendraji (Fadnavis) it was promised that the government will impose a mini lockdown from Monday to Friday, but the actual notification enforced a strict lockdown," said Patil.

He said several associations of traders are opposing the new set of curbs.

"They told me that even if they get arrested, they will keep their businesses open," he said.

Patil said the state government should have realised the impact of the new guidelines on the common man, "as no package of financial assistance has been awarded".

Taking a swipe at CM Thackeray, Patil said, "It is very easy to announce a lockdown and close down the trade by sitting at 'Matoshree' (the private residence of the Thackerays in Mumbai)...Givethe package to hawkers, maids and other needy people".

"We do not oppose lockdown but the state government should announce a financial package," he added.

Patil said the state government has imposed a strict lockdown under the garb of a "mini lockdown".

"Such cheating is not at all acceptable. You (the government) can say in other matters that their ministers have not done anything (wrong). But see how the High Court rapped you. Two resignations are tendered (of Home minister Anil Deshmukh on Monday and Sanjay Rathod of Shiv Sena earlier) and a third resignation will be out in the next eight days," Patil said.

He asked the party workers to strengthen the booth system ahead of the 2024 Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.

"In 2019 (Assembly elections in Maharashtra), we fought on 164 (of the total 288) seats and garnered 1.42 crore votes. If we can bag 1.42 crore votes by fighting 100 seats less compare to the 2014 elections, then we can get more than 2 crore votes by fighting all the 288 seats in the next elections.

"In the 2024 elections, if the contest lies between the and all others, and if we want to form a government on our own, then we will have to win more than 2 crore votes," 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.)
Qatar Petroleum found itself in the limelight of the LNG scene in 2021, having clinched two major deals with Pakistan and China. All the while media buzz around the supply deal with Sinopec has created ripples in the news, the contract with the Pakistan State Oil Company (PSOC) was absorbed by the media community as if that were the natural state of things. The Qatar Petroleum-PSOC deal is in many ways logical  the two sides already had a 15-year supply deal, as a consequence of which Qatar has catapulted itself into the position of leading LNG supplier to Pakistan throughout the past 5 years. Rendering Pakistans LNG imports cheaper, at the same time guaranteeing Qatars prime role on the Pakistani market, the QP-PSOC deal fully reflects both sides preferences.

Graph 1. Pakistani LNG Monthly Imports in 2017-2021 (million tons LNG per month).

Source: Thomson Reuters.

Pakistan is a relative newcomer to the LNG market. Its first-ever LNG terminal in Port Qasim, the 600MMCF/day Engro Elengy Terminal, started receiving cargoes in March 2015 and has been utilized at its nominal capacity for most of the time since then. Concurrently with the commissioning of Engro LNG Pakistan started nurturing ties to Qatar, the Persian Gulfs prime LNG supplier. Labeled Pakistan GasPort, the second LNG import terminal in Sindh started operating in 2017, doubling Pakistans intake capacity. GasPort has failed to repeat the relative success of Engro, routinely functioning below capacity. The two LNG terminals operations are aided by Pakistans massive gas transmission system (at some 140 000km overall) that was edified on the back of the South Asian nations 5-6 decades of own gas production.

Related Video: Hydrogen: From Hype to Sudden Reality



Hypothetically, Pakistan could be receiving gas by means of trunk pipelines from neighboring energy powerhouses, too. In contrast to the speed with which Pakistani companies managed to erect their liquefaction terminals, the construction of pipelines from abroad has been as lethargic as it can get. The Iran-Pakistan pipeline was agreed in 1999 yet up to the present day Pakistan did not complete its section of the gas conduit (the Iranian section is ready) and it remains highly unlikely that US sanctions-wary Islamabad would finish it anytime soon. Pakistans second-best shot, the 33 BCm per year TAPI pipeline that would bring Turkmen gas all the way through Afghanistan, has seen some traction in 2015-2020, however, the construction of the Pakistani section remains stalled and the commissioning deadline of 2020 will be at least several years off. Thus, with no major trunk pipelines on the horizon, the emergence of LNG triggered several positive developments in Pakistans economy despite its negative reputation within the domestic circles.

First and foremost, LNG has allowed Islamabad to buy cheap energy as its population keeps on increasing by 5-6% per year. Second, LNG imports have not only maintained but also extended Pakistans CNG utilization within its car fleet (it is estimated that 3+ million cars run on compressed natural gas in Pakistan, up almost 1 million compared to 2011). Third, LNG has helped Islamabad rid itself of its habit of burning oil to produce electricity. Merely 5 years ago oil was the primary electricity source, accounting for up to 37% of total generation  today the same ratio stands at 15-16%. Needless to say, LNG went from zero in 2014 to 25-26% in 2020. The importance of LNG was only underscored by the botched purchasing campaign of January 2021 when Pakistani authorities bought only half of the nations assumed LNG needs (3 out of 6 vessels), triggering an immediate surge in crude burns.

For Pakistan, the new Qatar supply deal is an indisputable boon for the economy. Unable to provide for the energy needs of the nation in terms of domestic sources, wary of demand surging quicker than expected, Islamabad needs cheap energy, and a lot of it. Domestic gas production continues to stagnate around 3.6 MMCf per day after it reached a peak of 4 MMCf per day in 2017. Domestic oil production has witnessed a similar story  having oscillated around the 30kbpd mark in 2016-2019, the coronavirus pandemic curtailed oil output even more tangibly than basin maturity ever could. Averaging approx. 24kbpd in the first quarter of 2021, Pakistans oil production is a fraction of its crude consumption (400-450kbpd). Related: Goldman Sachs Sees Large Oil Demand Rebound This Summer

The previous QP contract stipulated a 13.37% Brent slope for potential LNG imports. Availing itself of the decreased price slope, PSOC indicated its openness to renegotiating the deal  whilst QP was legally right to maintain that the validity of the contract was immutable, it was also true that spot levels have moved away from the long-term formula. For instance, if one is to look at the April 2021 spot supply deals, Vitol won two deliveries with slopes of 11.05% and 10.89%, respectively for April 05-06 and April 19-20 arrivals, whilst Qatar Petroleum went even lower and outbid its rivals at 10.025% for an April 09-10 arrival. Hence, it should come as no surprise that the new Qatar Petroleum establishes a new slope level of 10.2%.

Source 2. Percentage of Qatari LNG Exports to Pakistan in 2017-2021 (% of total LNG Imports).

Source: Thomson Reuters.

According to recent estimates from energy authorities in Pakistan, its gas shortage is going to double from the current level of 1.5 BCf per day by 2025 and more than triple to 5.4 BCf per day by 2030. Against the backdrop of declining domestic production, this means that Pakistan will need substantially more LNG, ideally backed up by an extension in liquefaction capacity. ExxonMobil was developing the concept of a 3rd LNG import terminal in Pakistan, having signed a heads of agreement with domestic firm Energas, however the US major withdrew from the project in late 2020 as part of its cost-cutting drive. Thus, Pakistans ties to Qatar might not only lead to an increase in LNG movements in absolute numbers, Qatar Petroleum would most probably seek to consolidate its foothold with infrastructure-related mergers or acquisitions.

By Viktor Katona for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
PowerBand exceeds 2020 gross sales in first quarter of 2021 as the DRIVRZ virtual marketplace captures greater market share

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 6, 2021 / PowerBand Solutions Inc. (TSXV:PBX) (OTCQB:PWWBF) (Frankfurt:1ZVA) ("PowerBand", "PBX" or the "Company") posted record gross sales in March 2021 of CDN $11.5 million, a 44 percent increase over gross sales in the previous month.

The Company - leading the transformation of automotive retail via their virtual marketplace is also happy to report year-to-date 2021 gross sales of CDN $26.3million. This means the Company has already exceeded the entire annual gross sales for 2020 of CDN $21.7million by CDN $4.6 million, or 21 per cent. (Non-IFRS measures)

First quarter reporting also shows a month-over-month average growth rate of 31%. Also, of note, the gross margin for the period remained consistent in the range of 60% to 65%.

"We have reported the best sales growth in our history in the first quarter of 2021," said CEO Kelly Jennings.

"It is apparent that more drivers and automotive dealers are learning about - and using - DRIVRZ, our virtual marketplace that allows you to buy, lease, sell, auction, finance and insure a vehicle from any location. We make automotive retail as easy as using Amazon and people appreciate that."

DRIVRZ is expected to reach millions more drivers and thousands of automotive dealers in the months ahead as PowerBand prepares to kick off a national promotion campaign on MotorTrend.com, the popular automotive brand that attracts 12 million visits a month. That campaign is scheduled to begin in April.

The Company also anticipates further growth from the DRIVRZ consumer-to-consumer virtual auction portal, branded DrivrzXchange, which was also launched in March in northwest Arkansas. That pilot will be expanded to regional and national markets in the months ahead. In addition, the DRIVRZ leasing and financing components are operating and will also be promoted through the MotorTrend campaign.

"We believe DRIVRZ will continue to accelerate our growth in the second quarter of 2021," said Jennings. "We want to thank our dedicated team and our shareholders for their support as we track toward profitability and making DRIVRZ the leader in internet driven automotive retail."

About PowerBand Solutions, Inc.

PowerBand Solutions Inc., listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and the OTCQB markets, is a fintech provider disrupting the automotive industry. PowerBand's integrated, cloud-based transaction platform facilitates transactions amongst consumers, dealers, funders, and manufacturers (OEMs). It enables them to buy, sell, trade, finance, and lease new and used, electric and non-electric vehicles, on any phone, tablet or PC connected to the internet. PowerBand's transaction platform - being trademarked under DRIVRZ - is being made available across North American and global markets.

For further information, please contact:

Kelly Jennings

Chief Executive Officer

E: info@powerbandexchange.com

P: 1-866-768-7653

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Non-IFRS Measures:

This news release contains non-IFRS financial measures; the Company believes that these measures provide investors with useful supplemental information about the financial performance of its business, enable comparison of financial results between periods where certain items may vary independent of business performance, and allow for greater transparency with respect to key metrics used by management in operating its business. Although management believes these financial measures are important in evaluating the Company's performance, they are not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, financial information prepared and presented in accordance with IFRS. These non-IFRS financial measures do not have any standardized meaning and may not be comparable with similar measures used by other companies. For certain non-IFRS financial measures, there are no directly comparable amounts under IFRS. These non-IFRS financial measures should not be viewed as alternatives to measures of financial performance determined in accordance with IFRS. Moreover, presentation of certain of these measures is provided for year-over-year comparison purposes, and investors should be cautioned that the effect of the adjustments thereto provided herein have an actual effect on the Company's operating results.

SOURCE: PowerBand Solutions Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/639115/PowerBand-Posts-Record-44-Percent-Gross-Sales-Increase-in-March
The health and beauty-tech business is focused on growing shareholder value through the global distribution and sales of its scientifically validated innovative consumer products to help people live longer, in good health and with confidence.

The company is well-funded to pursue its revenue growth strategies in China

Cellmid Ltd ( ) directors have demonstrated their confidence in the companys health and beauty-tech strategy by participating in the company's recent $3.8 million rights issue.

Chairman Bruce Gordon acquired 104,000 fully paid indirect shares at 7.5 cents per share on April 1 in an indirect interest, increasing the number of securities held to 364,000.

Chief executive officer and MD Maria Halasz purchased more than 1.427 million shares in direct and indirect interests on that date, increasing the total number of shares held in the direct interest to 588,000 and in an indirect interest to more than 4.049 million.

Non-executive director Dr Martin Cross acquired 130,000 shares in an indirect interest, increasing the number of securities held in that interest to 455,000 shares.

Non-executive director Dennis Eck purchased more than 5.18 million shares in a direct interest, increasing the total number of securities held in that interest to more than 18.14 million.

These shares were Issued in line with Ecks sub-underwriting agreement on the rights issue.

Further boost to cash balance

On March 25 Cellmid boosted its cash balance after receiving $645,748 from the Australian Taxation Office under the Research and Development Tax Incentive Scheme for the 2020 financial year.

The tax credit relates to research and development expenditure incurred by the company in relation to its midkine and FGF5 inhibitor programs

This further boosts the companys cash balance off the back of its renounceable rights issue of up to $3.8 million to fund Chinese distribution agreements for consumer health products.

Upon completion, the company will be well-funded with about $7.95 million in 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.
"We are excited to welcome Dr. Khokhar to the Umoja team. Nushmia is an accomplished oncologist who has spent a significant portion of her career overseeing the transition of novel cancer therapeutics from discovery to clinical development," said Andy Scharenberg, M.D., co-founder and CEO of Umoja. "Her expertise across early and late-stage clinical development will be invaluable to the company during a milestone year."

Prior to joining Umoja, Dr. Khokhar was the Senior Vice President, Head of Clinical Development at Autolus where she played a critical role in advancing the company's autologous T-cell products and clinical programs. She also held numerous roles at Janssen Oncology, leading several successful clinical trials, directing the Phase 3 registration trial of Yondelis in soft tissue sarcomas, and serving as the Global Clinical Leader for the breakthrough therapy daratumumab (Darzalex) for hematologic cancers. Dr. Khokhar received her medical training from the Aga Khan University in Pakistan before completing a post-doctoral fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center with a focus on pharmacology and molecular therapeutics. She completed a residency in internal medicine at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. prior to completing a Hematology/Oncology Fellowship at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

"Umoja's innovative and integrated in vivo approach, along with its TumorTag technology platform has the potential to overcome serious barriers that have held back the CAR-T cell therapeutic space," said Dr. Khokhar, CMO of Umoja Biopharma. "Now is our time to make CAR-T cell treatments better, more efficient, and applicable for maximum patient impact, not only in heme malignancies but also in solid tumors. I'm looking forward to joining the Umoja team in the hopes of making this promise a reality."

About Umoja Biopharma

Umoja Biopharma, Inc. is a pre-clinical stage biotechnology company located in Seattle, WA. Founded by and based on pioneering work performed at Seattle Children's Research Institute and Purdue University, Umoja is advancing an entirely new approach to immunotherapy by retooling a patient's immune system in vivo. Umoja's novel approach is powered by an integrated in vivo cellular immunotherapy platform comprising of VivoVec for in vivo delivery, RACR/CAR synthetic receptor for cell expansion in vivo, and TumorTag targeting technologies. Designed from the ground up to work together, these platforms create and harness a powerful immune response in the body to directly, safely, and controllably attack cancer. Umoja believes that its approach can provide broader access to the most advanced immunotherapies and enable more patients to live better, fuller lives. To learn more visit http://umoja-biopharma.com/.

SOURCE Umoja Biopharma
Relatives react at a memorial in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Jan. 8, 2021, for the victims of a Ukrainian 737-800 plane crash on the outskirts of Tehran.Ten officials have been indicted in Iran over the 2020 military shootdown of a Ukrainian passenger plane that killed 176 people, but the move did nothing to quell Canadian demands for accountability on April 6. (Efrem Lukatsky/The Canadian Press/AP)

Trudeau, OToole, Demand Accountability as Iranian Officials Indicted for PS752 Crash

OTTAWATen officials have been indicted in Iran over the 2020 military shootdown of a Ukrainian passenger plane that killed 176 people, but the move did nothing to quell Canadian demands for accountability Tuesday.

More than 100 of the 176 victimsat least one of whom was pregnanthad ties to Canada, including 55 Canadian citizens and 30 permanent residents.

The announcement comes after Iran faced withering international criticism last month for releasing a final report into the shootdown of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 that blamed human error, but named no one responsible for the incident.

Tehran military prosecutor Gholamabbas Torki similarly avoided naming those responsible when he announced the indictments Tuesday while handing over his office to Nasser Seraj. The semiofficial ISNA news agency and the Iranian judiciarys Mizan news agency both reported his remarks.

The indictment of the case of the Ukrainian plane was also issued and a serious and accurate investigation was carried out and indictments were issued for 10 people who were at fault, Mizan quoted Torki as saying, without elaborating.

In Ottawa, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his government remains tremendously concerned about the lack of accountability that Iran continues to have on this issue.

Trudeau said during a news briefing Tuesday that Canada would work with the international community to reform aviation standards and to ensure the families of victims get closure, get compensation and mostly get justice from Iran.

Conservative Leader Erin OToole said there should be more pressure on Iran for a full inquiry and examination of events.

The regime should be held to account for the liability of the lives lost, OToole told a news conference.

Following three days of denial in January 2020 in the face of mounting evidence, Iran finally acknowledged that its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard mistakenly downed the Ukrainian jetliner with two surface-to-air missiles. In preliminary reports on the disaster last year, Iranian authorities blamed an air-defence operator who they said mistook the Boeing 737-800 for an American cruise missile.

Last month, Canadas Transportation Safety Board said Iranian officials failed to provide evidence that Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was shot down by mistake, leaving key questions unanswered as Irans military effectively investigated itself.

The regimes civil aviation body released a final report that blamed human error for two surface-to-air missiles fired at the jetliner minutes after takeoff from Tehran on Jan. 8 last year.

The Canadian government rejected the report outright, describing it as incomplete and devoid of hard facts or evidence.

The shootdown happened the same day Iran launched a ballistic missile attack on U.S. troops in Iraq in retaliation for an American drone strike that killed a top Iranian general. While Guard officials publicly apologized for the incident, the hesitancy of Iran to elaborate on what happened in the incident shows the power the force wields.

Following the release of Irans final investigative report, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba lambasted the findings as a cynical attempt to hide the true causes of the downing of our passenger aircraft. He accused Iran of conducting a biased probe into the disaster that resulted in deceptive conclusions.

Many on the flight planned to connect in Kyiv, Ukraine, to fly on to Canada. Canadas foreign and transport ministers similarly criticized the report, saying that it has no hard facts or evidence and makes no attempt to answer critical questions about what truly happened.

The announcement came just hours before Iran and the five world powers remaining in its atomic accord meet in Vienna, where the U.S. is due to start indirect talks with Tehran.

With files from The Associated Press
"It's been an honor to watch our customers use Limeade to provide support, connection and resources for their people through one of the most difficult times in recent history," said Lauren Chucko, Limeade VP of Customer Success. "Our entire customer base is using technology to create a more human employee experience  but this year's award winners showed true leadership in the way they mobilized leaders, managers and individual employees to show care for each other and find purpose in their work. We are proud to partner with these great companies and congratulate them on this recognition."

2021 Limelight Award winners include:

Rookie of the Year: Robert Bosch

Awarded for an outstanding first-year launch.

Bringing Culture to Life: Northwestern Mutual

Awarded for an excellent representation of company culture within the Limeade program.

Organizational Support: Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Awarded for exemplary well-being support across the organization.

Communicating Without Boundaries: Ryan LLC & Barmer

Awarded for reaching employees where they are with timely, relevant communications.

Hall of Fame: Encompass Health

Awarded for effectively evolving the Limeade program over four or more years.

Changemaker Award: First American

Awarded for a strategic, dynamic shift in employee engagement and culture.

"Our team talks about how we can't even compare our old well-being program to the new Limeade solution, because they are in completely different leagues," said Samantha McIntosh, HR Specialist COE Benefits Vendor Management at Robert Bosch. "We now have a program that engages and inspires associates to take care of themselves while also showing that Bosch cares about them. One that fosters learning and growth, and not just getting a finger poke to earn an incentive."

"Limeade makes a significant contribution to Barmer's positive external impact as an employer," said Simone Schwering, Division Manager Human Resources/Organization at Barmer. "Winning the "HR Excellence Awards 2020" in the large company employer branding category underscores the importance attached to our program. In addition to the new employer branding strategy with authentic employee portraits, Limeade is explicitly mentioned as an important reason for the award. Barmer thus pushes competitors into second place."

About Limeade

Limeade is an employee experience software company with a mission to transform work into a source of positivity, energy, humanity and purpose. Founded in 2006, Limeade has been a pioneer in the HR technology industry and is consistently recognized for its own award-winning culture. Today, users in approximately 100 countries utilize Limeade solutions. Limeade helps every employee know their company cares, while delivering people and business results that matter. Limeade partners with its customers to improve the overall employee experience through improved employee well-being, engagement and sense of inclusion, in addition to reducing the risk of unwanted turnover and burnout. To learn more, visit www.limeade.com (ASX listing: LME.)

SOURCE Limeade

Related Links

www.limeade.com


Community solar projects like this help contribute to a healthier environment for the entire community, and Mana Monitoring helps us ensure our solar farms reach peak performance and generate the expected returns we can pass on to subscribers.

Renewable energy provider Neighborhood Power has partnered with Mana Monitoring to deliver the cost-saving and environmental advantages of solar energy to Oregonians en masse from multiple community solar farms in the state. The project consists of four 2.5MW community solar farms, three of which are now fully operational, within the Portland General Electric service territories and are the first commissioned projects in Oregons state-mandated Community Solar Program.

Daimler Trucks North America LLC, WorldMark by Wyndham - Portland Waterfront Park vacation club resort and Clackamas County have all committed to their renewable energy goals as initial subscribers. A small number of subscriptions are still available today for small commercial businesses (with energy loads less than 30kW, such as law offices, restaurants, gas stations, car washes and others) as well as low-income residential customers. Visit neighborhoodpower.com/community-solar to subscribe to the Oregon community solar farms.

We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to benefit from renewable energy but also recognize not every home, building, or housing situation allows for the purchase and installation of solar PV, said Benjamin S. Collinwood, vice president of sales at Neighborhood Power. Community solar projects like this help contribute to a healthier environment for the entire community, and Mana Monitoring helps us ensure our solar farms reach peak performance and generate the expected returns we can pass on to subscribers.

Operating under the Oregon Community Solar Program, this project enables commercial and qualified low-income residential customers to purchase energy from local renewable resources, delivering the advantages of renewable energy credits and reduced electricity bills. Subscribers save an average of 5 to 20 percent on annual electricity costs. Community solar is ideal for renters, homes and buildings with shade or those who cannot purchase or install solar PV on their property. Momentum for community solar projects is growing in states like Oregon, Hawaii, New Mexico and beyond.

Neighborhood Power is leveraging the Mana Monitoring Platform to track, report and manage each farms production in one centralized dashboard to ensure optimal performance. Mana Monitoring specializes in aggregating solar PV and renewable energy site portfolios into a single platform, providing optimized monitoring, streamlined system maintenance and automated reporting.

Real-time monitoring is essential for managers of community solar projects like Neighborhood Power to optimize system uptime, which ultimately translates into maximum savings for subscribers, said Zoltan Milaskey, president of Mana Monitoring. Mana Monitorings platform is used on more than 500 MW of energy nationally, and working with other renewable energy experts like Neighborhood Power allows us to bring our combined experience to Oregon in a powerful way.

To learn more about Mana Monitorings cloud-based energy solutions for community solar, commercial and utility solar projects, visit manamonitoring.com.

About Neighborhood Power

Neighborhood Power Corporation is a renewable energy micro utility that produces 100% clean power where it is used. Neighborhood Power sells solar power by the kilowatt-hour to residential, commercial, municipal, non-profit and utility markets. Neighborhood Power is a fun, nimble company with heart that wants everyone to be able to have clean renewable energy. We provide all of the engineering, construction, financing, servicing as well as O&M; and we are also flexible in our capacity to structure co-development agreements which meet the needs of our partners and draw upon our respective expertise and access to specialized markets. We built a company on the premise that everyone should be able to have clean renewable energy generated where they use it. Saving them money while saving the environment for future generations.

About Mana Monitoring

Mana Monitoring helps energy professionals in the commercial, government, and non-profit sectors attain their renewable-energy objectives. The Mana Monitoring Platform is a single-source monitoring aggregator and asset management platform that is flexible, scalable, and compatible with a wide range of solar PV and distributed energy resources. For commercial property owners/managers and entities that manage a group of buildings/facilities, Mana Monitorings Platform provides a real-time energy dashboard and reporting platform designed for both technical non-technical users. For O&M/installer companies, PPA owners/asset managers, and energy utilities, Mana Monitoring provides comprehensive monitoring and reporting services to ensure their renewable-energy assets are operating at peak performance. Headquartered in Maui, Mana Monitoring is privately held. For more information, visit manamonitoring.com.

Contact

Benjamin Collinwood for Neighborhood Power

bcollinwood@neighborhoodpower.com

Kaitlyn McAllister for Mana Monitoring

kaitlyn@cleantechcommunication.com
An influential American lawmaker has applauded the beginning of the Quad plus France naval exercise in the Bay of Bengal and said that he is dedicated to advancing the US-India defence relationship, particularly in support of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.

India and three other Quad member nations- the US, Australia and Japan on Monday joined France in kick-starting a three-day naval wargame in the eastern Indian Ocean in reflection of their growing maritime cooperation amid China's growing efforts to expand influence in the region.

Great to see the US and India participating in the Quad + France naval exercise beginning today in the Bay of Bengal, Congressman Brad Sherman said in a tweet on Monday.

Sherman is the co-chair of the India Caucus in the US House of Representatives. Congressman Steve Chabot is the other co-chair. As co-chairs of Indian Caucus, Chabot and I are dedicated to advancing the US-India defence relationship, particularly in support of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, Sherman said.

The Defence Ministry said that Indian Navy Ships INS Satpura (with an integral helicopter embarked) and INS Kiltan alongwith P8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft are participating, for the first time; in multi-lateral maritime exercise La Perouse, being conducted in the Eastern Indian Ocean Region from April 5 to 7.

The Indian Navy ships and aircraft will exercise at sea with ships and aircraft of French Navy (FN), Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) and United States Navy (USN) during the three day exercise at sea, it said. The exercise La Perouse, led by French Navy, has participation by FN Ships Tonnerre, an amphibious assault ship and frigate Surcouf. United States Navy is represented in the exercise by amphibious transport dock ship Somerset.

Her Majestys Australian Ships (HMAS) Anzac, a frigate and tanker Sirius have been deployed by RAN for participation in the exercise while Japan Maritime Self Defence Ship (JMSDF) is represented by the destroyer Akebono. In addition to the ships, integral helicopters embarked onboard ships will also participate in the exercise.

Exercise La Perouse will witness complex and advanced naval operations including surface warfare, anti-air warfare and air defence exercises, weapon firing exercises, cross deck flying operations, tactical manoeuvres and seamanship evolutions such as replenishment at sea.

The exercise will showcase high levels of synergy, coordination and inter-operability between the friendly navies. Participation by the Indian Navy in the exercise demonstrates the shared values with friendly navies ensuring freedom of seas and commitment to an open, inclusive Indo-Pacific and a rules-based international order.

The evolving situation in the Indo-Pacific region in the wake of China's increasing military muscle-flexing has become a major talking point among leading global powers. The US has been favouring making Quad a security architecture to check China's growing assertiveness.

China is engaged in hotly contested territorial disputes in the South and East China Seas. Beijing has also made substantial progress in militarising its man-made islands in the past few years. Beijing claims sovereignty over all of the South China Sea. But Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei and Taiwan have counterclaims. In the East China Sea, China has territorial disputes with Japan.

Both maritime areas in the South and East China seas are rich in minerals, oil and other natural resources and are also vital to global trade. In November 2017, India, Japan, the US and Australia gave shape to the long-pending proposal of setting up the Quad to develop a new strategy to keep the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any influence.

Image Credits: AP/PTI

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
A man is arrested in Nghe An Province for trafficking around 227.5 kg of drugs, April 3, 2021. Photo courtesy of the Vietnam Border Guard.

Four people have been arrested in the central Nghe An Province for allegedly trafficking around 350 kg of drugs.

The four, part of a transnational trafficking gang, were caught following a two-month operation by border guards and police.

On April 3 a man was caught driving northward in a Hanoi-registered car at a toll gate in the provinces Hoang Mai Town with 227.5 kg of drugs, including 48 kg of methamphetamine. The rest was not identified.

Earlier three suspects had been arrested on two occasions in January and March in Thanh Chuong District, and 115 kg of meth and 17,600 ecstasy pills.

The police believe the drugs could have originated in Laos and were to be trafficked to a third country through northern Vietnam.

Those convicted of possessing or smuggling more than 600 grams of heroin or more than 2.5 kilograms of meth face the death penalty in Vietnam. The production or sale of 100 grams of heroin or 300 grams of other illegal narcotics is punishable likewise.

But despite having some of the world's toughest drug laws, drug busts remain common in Vietnam.
Puducherry: Voters wait in a queue to cast their votes for the second phase of 2019 Lok Sabha elections, at a polling booth in Puducherry on April 18, 2019. (Photo: IANS/PIB) Image Source: IANS News

Puducherry: A voter registers her name to cast vote for the second phase of 2019 Lok Sabha elections, at a polling booth in Puducherry on April 18, 2019. (Photo: IANS/PIB) Image Source: IANS News

Chennai/Puducherry, April 6 : Curtains came down on the single-phase Assembly polls in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry at 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Polling was peaceful across the state and the Union Territory.

While computing the final turnout will take time, in Tamil Nadu, the voter turnover as of 5 p.m., was 63.65 per cent and in Puducherry, it was about 78 per cent, officials said.

Voting for the lone Kanniyakumari Lok Sabha seat where the bypoll was simultaneously held came to an end.

In Tamil Nadu, a total of 3,998 candidates were in the fray seeking support from the 6.28 crore electorate.

Brisk polling was witnessed in a majority of the 88,937 polling booths in all the 234 Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu since the start.

Over 1.59 lakh electronic voting machines were in use and about 1.58 lakh security personnel were deployed to prevent any untoward incident.

Leaders of various political parties, several movie actors and the general public were seen voting early.

Chief Minister K. Palaniswami, Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, DMK President M.K. Stalin, PMK founder S.Ramadoss, Congress leader P. Chidambaram, DMDK Treasurer Premalatha Vijayakant, NTK leader Seeman, MNM leader Kamal Haasan and others cast their votes.

From the movie field Rajinikanth, star couple Ajit Kumar and Shalini, Surya, Karthi, Sivakumar too cast their votes.

V.K.Sasikala, the close aide of late Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa, could not vote as her name was removed from the electoral rolls, said her counsel Raja Senthoor Pandian.

Sasikala, who was jailed for four years on corruption charges, was released recently.

Meanwhile, charges and counter-charges were laid by political parties for violation of electoral rules.

In order to have a good voter turnout and also enable Covid-19 patients to vote, the poll body had allowed them to perform their democratic right by wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) kits.

Voters had to compulsorily wear masks, and thermal scanning was done at the polling booths.

Arrangements for live webcast of the polling process in sensitive booths were also made.

The 2021 Tamil Nadu assembly polls saw a six-cornered contest for occupying Fort St. George, the seat of power.

However, the main contest was between the ruling AIADMK-led alliance and the DMK-led front.

The others in the fray are actor-turned-politicians Kamal Haasan's Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) alliance, Vijayakant-promoted DMDK, the alliance led by the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) floated by T.T.V. Dhinakaran and movie director Seeman's Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK).

The AIADMK, led by Chief Minister Palaniswami, who sought a third term for the party while the DMK-led by Stalin sought to break the decade-long power drought.

The ruling AIADMK contested in 179 seats and six other small parties each contested in one seat each under its 'Two Leaves' symbol.

The others in the AIADMK alliance are the BJP (contesting in 20 seats) and PMK (23), and the TMC (6).

On the other hand, the DMK fought in 173 seats while alliance parties Congress (25), the CPI, the CPI-M, the MDMK and the VCK contested six seats each, the IUML, and the KMDK three each, the MMK two, the All India Forward Bloc, the MVK, the ATP and the TVK one seat each.

A total of 187 candidates -- DMK's own and that of alliance parties -- fought under the former's Rising Sun symbol.

The MNM had allied with actor Sarathkumar's AISMK and IJK while Dhinakaran's AMMK had allied with the DMDK, AIMIM and others.

The Seeman-led NTK went alone contesting in all the 234 constituencies.

The other parties in the fray on their own were the Bahujan Samaj Party (contesting in 160 seats), the Puthiya Tamizhagam (60 seats) and Republican Party of India (16 seats).

Meanwhile, Puducherry recorded 78 per cent polling as of 5 p.m.

The Union Territory had just over 10 lakh voters and the fight for the 30-member Assembly was majorly between the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) consisting of the Congress (contested in 14 seats), the DMK (13), the CPI, and VCK (one seat each) and an Independent.

The rival National Democratic Alliance (NDA) comprised of All India N.R. Congress (16 seats), the BJP (nine) and the AIADMK (five).

Counting of votes will happen on May 2.
April 6 is headlined by 2 mayoral general elections. There are also 4 legislative general elections and two primaries. Live results will appear after the polls close in each location.

Mayoral General Elections

City rankings are based on July 1, 2019 Census Bureau population estimates. They are for the city itself, not the associated metropolitan area.

St. Louis, Missouri

St. Louis is the 65th largest city in the United States, with a population of about 300,000. The current mayor is Democrat Lyda Krewson. She was elected with about 68% of the vote in 2017. Republican Andrew Jones was second with 17%. Krewson is not seeking a second term.

In a change approved by St. Louis voters, a single nonpartisan primary determined the nominees (vs. partisan primaries in 2017). The top two finishers based on approval percentage advanced. They are St. Louis City Treasurer Tishaura Jones and Alderwoman Cara Spencer.

This election is officially nonpartisan (NPA). However, both Jones and Spencer are Democrats. This suggests the outcome will be much closer than in 2017.

Polls close at 8:00 PM Eastern Time (ET).

Anchorage, Alaska

Anchorage is the 69th largest city in the United States, with a population of about 288,000. The acting mayor is independent Austin Quinn-Davidson. She was appointed by the Assembly after the elected mayor, Ethan Berkowitz (D) resigned in October of 2020.

Quinn-Davidson is not seeking a full term.

Anchorage mayors serve three-year terms. If no candidate gets 45% of the vote - which seems likely with such a large field - the top two finishers will move on to a May 11 runoff.

This election is officially nonpartisan (NPA). In terms of the more prominent candidates on the ballot, Forrest Dunbar is a Democrat, while David Bronson and Mike Robbins are Republican. Bill Evans and George Martinez are independents. The affiliation of Bill Falsey is unknown.

This is a vote-by-mail election, with an option to return the ballot via drop box. The deadline is 8:00 PM local time (midnight ET).

Mayoral Primary

Omaha, Nebraska

Omaha is the 40th largest U.S. city, with a population of 478,000. The mayor is Republican Jean Stothert. She is seeking a third four-year term.

This is a nonpartisan all-party primary, although the four other candidates on the ballot are all Democrats. The top two finishers will advance to the general election on May 11.

Polls close at 9:00 PM ET.

Legislative Special General Elections

Missouri State House District 45

There are 163 State House districts in Alabama. Currently, the chamber has 114 Republicans and 48 Democrats. The next regularly scheduled election is in 2022.

The District 45 special general election will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Democrat Kip Kendrick in November. Kendrick announced his departure just days after winning reelection unopposed.

The election pits Democrat David Smith against Libertarian Glenn Nielson. It is the first time someone other than a Democrat has contested the seat since 2016.

Polls close at 8:00 PM ET.

Oklahoma State Senate District 22

The Oklahoma State Senate has 38 Republicans and 9 Democrats. The next regularly scheduled election is in 2022. The District 22 special election will fill the vacancy created after Republican Stephanie Bice was elected to Congress (OK-5). She resigned at the end of 2020.

Bice won a 2nd term with about 73% of the vote in 2018.

The nominees are Republican Jake Merrick and Democrat Molly Ooten. Polls close at 8:00 PM ET.

Wisconsin State Assembly District 89

The 99 person Wisconsin Assembly has 60 Republicans and 38 Democrats. The next regularly scheduled election is in 2022. The District 80 special election will fill the vacancy created when Republican John Nygren resigned in December, 2020. This was one month after he had won reelection with 69% of the vote.

The nominees are Republican Elijah Behnke and Democrat Karl Jaeger. Polls close at 9:00 PM ET.

Wisconsin State Senate District 13

The Wisconsin State Senate has 22 Republicans and 10 Democrats. The next regularly scheduled election is in 2022. The District 13 special election will fill the vacancy created after Republican Scott Fitzgerald was elected to Congress (WI-5). He resigned on January 1.

Fitzgerald was reelected with 59% of the vote in 2018.

The major party nominees are Republican John Jagler and Democrat Melissa Winkler. Polls close at 9:00 PM ET.

Legislative Special Primary

California State Assembly District 79

The 80 person California Assembly has 59 Democrats, 19 Republicans and 1 independent. The next regularly scheduled election is in 2022. The District 79 special election will fill the vacancy created when Shirley Weber resigned after being confirmed as California Secretary of State in January. That position opened up after Alex Padilla was appointed to fill Vice-President Kamala Harris' Senate seat.

Weber was reelected with 65% of the vote in 2020.

As is typically the case in California, there is a single primary ballot featuring all candidates from all parties. Because it is a special election, if one candidate receives a majority of the vote, they are the winner. Otherwise, the top two finishers will advance to the June 8 general election. Four Democrats are on the ballot, including Akilah Weber, daughter of the former incumbent. They are joined by Republican Marco Contreras.

Polls close at 11:00 PM ET.

Upcoming April 13
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has prepared a new peace proposal with the Taliban ahead of an international conference aimed at boosting talks between the two warring parties, AFP reported.

According to official sources, Ghani intends to present his three-stage plan at a conference in Turkey with the support of the UN, which will be attended by the United States, Russia, and other key countries in the region. The date of the event has not yet been determined.

The United States has only a few weeks before the May 1 deadline for the withdrawal of all troops from Afghanistan as part of an agreement negotiated last year.

Ghani's three-phase proposal includes reaching a political settlement with the Taliban and declaring a ceasefire under international control.

He then proposes an early presidential election in which the Taliban could participate to form a government of peace. Ghani has already shared his plan with several international diplomats, officials said.

The Taliban, a tough Islamist movement ousted from power by the 2001 US-led invasion, consistently refuses to vote. The conference is an attempt to kick-start peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban, which have not made much progress since their inception.
TAIPEI  Taiwanese rescuers were trying on Monday to retrieve the last body of a passenger from wreckage of a deadly train crash last week, as the government said five of the eight carriages had now been removed.

Fifty people have been confirmed dead after a packed express train carrying almost 500 passengers and crew slammed into a truck near the eastern city of Hualien on Friday, causing it to derail and the front end to crumple. It was the islands worst rail accident in seven decades.

The truck had slid down a sloping road from a building site onto the tracks just outside a tunnel. Officials suspect the trucks brakes were not properly applied and are investigating the manager of the site.

Hualiens fire department said that the remaining body was trapped under a 15-tonne train bogie. It did not provide details on the identity of the passenger.

The rescue is difficult, and we are currently discussing how to overcome these difficulties, so the time it takes may be delayed, the department said.

The government said the fifth carriage had been removed, with the other three expected to be extracted by Tuesday.

Transport Minister Lin Chia-lung said late on Sunday that he took responsibility for the accident and would step down once initial rescue and recovery work was complete.

Premier Su Tseng-chang on Monday welcomed Lins responsible attitude.

However, rescue and re-opening work are the most important things at this stage. As for the issue of follow-up responsibilities, it has not yet been discussed, he told reporters in Taipei.

The victims include two Americans and one French national.

Taiwans government has promised compensation and said it would do everything it could to help survivors and their relatives, including coordinating public donations.

The presidential office said President Tsai Ing-wen, Vice President William Lai and Su had all donated a months salary.

The damaged section of the track is not expected to reopen until April 20 at the earliest, though rail traffic continues on a parallel track that runs through another tunnel and was not affected by the accident.

The crash occurred at the start of a long weekend for the traditional Tomb Sweeping Day, when people return home to tend to family graves.

Taiwans worst train crash was in 1948, when 64 people are estimated to have died in a fire.
There are many philosophies shaping healthcare services around the world, and this article glances at some prominent examples. This may help understand why different countries experience healthcare differently.

Image Credit: pogonici/Shutterstock.com

Healthcare in the USA

The USA does not have a universal, free healthcare program, unlike most other developed countries. Instead, in line with the free-market-virtue mindset, most Americans are served by a mix of publicly and privately funded programs and healthcare systems.

Most hospitals and clinics are privately owned, with about 60% being non-profits, and another fifth being for-profit facilities. Coverage by federal and state programs is partial, and most insured Americans have employment-based private insurance.

Group plans funded by the employer cover about 150 million Americans.

Private insurance

These include health maintenance organizations (HMOs), which are networks of providers. Insured patients see a primary care physician (PCP), whose refers them to a specialist if necessary.

A more popular option is to use preferred provider organizations (PPOs), which allow patients to see external providers, choose their PCPs, and see a specialist without a PCP referral provided the former is willing.

These are now used by over 55% of insured employees, compared to 25% in HMOs or point-of-service (POS) plans.

With POS plans, patients must have a PCP in the provider network, but can go out of the network for a fee.

Federal insurance

The Indian Health Services and Veteran Health Administration provide care for Native Americans and military veterans, respectively. The Military Health System, operated by the Department of Defense, provides paid care to serving military personnel.

Publicly funded insurance

Public spending accounts for at least half of all healthcare expenditure, while third-party payers pay only 27%.

About a third of the population is covered by three publicly funded programs  Medicare, for people above 65 years and some disabled people, Medicaid, for those living in poverty. and the Childrens Health Insurance programs, which cover children from families that are not eligible for Medicaid, at above 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

The ACA act of 2010 (Obamacare), which was enacted in 2010, revamped health insurance. It created health insurance marketplaces, which cover about 17 million Americans. However, these plans are often small, exclusive, and restricted in provider choice.

At the same time, the expansion of Medicaid under the ACA act has possibly saved many lives at less than $900,000 per life saved, vs $7.6 million under other public insurance plans.

The good and the bad

Among 11 high-income countries, the US healthcare system is the most expensive, with 17% of the GDP being spent on healthcare in 2018. Many American health indicators far surpass world standards.

Its rate of specialized scans (computerized tomography  CT  and MRI)  are among the highest in the world, at double the OECD average. So is its utilization of hip replacements, influenza vaccines, and breast cancer screenings.

However, among developed countries, the American system is among the least accessible, efficient and equitable. The number of physicians, and rate of physician visits, is among the lowest. Ethnic and disadvantaged social groups suffer massive inequalities.

About 14% of Americans (over 27 million) were uninsured against illness at the end of 2018, causing an estimated 60,000 avoidable deaths. High medical costs have led to bankruptcy for a fourth of senior citizens, says an earlier study.

Preventable and lifestyle conditions such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes are rampant: this indicates poor access to primary care and primary prevention of disease, compared to its peers.

Meanwhile, US suicide rates are highest among all members of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Overall, the US healthcare system allows providers to inflate prices and expensive services, but poorly compensates essential services such as primary care and behavioral advice. It also draws healthcare services away from rural and poor communities.

Nonetheless, the US leads in medical innovation, boasting many of the worlds leading hospitals. For those who can pay, it provides high-quality care.

COVID-19 response

Even though the US healthcare system serves 4% of the worlds population, a quarter of global COVID-19 cases and a fifth of global COVID-19 deaths occurred here. The reasons are not primarily related to the healthcare system, however.

Rather, they include a disjointed, reluctant and often contradictory public health response to the pandemic, driven by political apathy toward the virus threat.

There is no central command and control for healthcare in the country: this obstructs infection spread control.

Image Credit: Khongtham/Shutterstock.com

UK healthcare system

The UK healthcare system covers the whole population via the National Health System (NHS), which is 79% publicly financed from taxes, and operated by the Department of Health. About 20% is paid for by national insurance, and private patients and copayments make up the rest.

NHS England supervises and funds local Clinical Commissioning Groups. These provide comprehensive care, including preventive screening programs and vaccinations, inpatient and outpatient care in hospitals, maternity care, mental health care and palliative care.

Like the USA, the UK has public, private profit and nonprofit hospitals. The first type is operated as hospital trusts or foundation trusts, in three tiers: community hospitals, district hospitals, and regional-level hospitals. Dedicated hospitals offer specialized treatment.

General practitioners (GPs) offer primary care to locals through their practices. Many such practices are overtaxed: one alternative is registration-free walk-in centers. GPs refer patients as necessary for secondary care.

All residents of England, as well as anyone with a European Health Insurance Card, are entitled to NHS care: primary care is mostly free. Others receive emergency or infection-selective treatment.

Patients in the NHS can choose a hospital and specialist. Currently, 12% of the population also opts for private health insurance, mainly to avoid the waiting period for elective care, to have a choice of specialists, and better facilities.

Private hospitals typically offer specialized treatments, such as bariatric surgery, and do not offer trauma care, emergency services or intensive care.

The UK spends about a tenth of its GDP on healthcare, with almost 80% being spent on the NHS.

Unlike the American healthcare system, the NHSs administrative spending is only 16% of healthcare costs.

The good and the bad

Universal free healthcare is widely considered to be good for the country, health-wise as well as economically.

The UK NHS provides free healthcare for all and higher life expectancy than in the USA, at half the cost. Patient satisfaction is relatively high, at 61%, compared to 29% in the US.

Taxes for healthcare may appear higher but are actually equivalent to the total medical expenses in the US. Moreover, drugs are cheaper, and there are no surprise medical costs.

Austerity cuts have led to a reluctance to recruit staff and to upgrade equipment, which may eventually affect the quality of care. Waiting times for consultations and surgeries are long.

A third issue is health tourism, where non-residents exploit the NHS to get high-quality medical care at a lower cost than is available where they live, but without a corresponding contribution through taxes.

Ethnic minorities and the poor face inequality in the healthcare system. Social care measures need to be implemented.

COVID-19 response

When the pandemic hit the UK, the government built seven temporary hospitals to cope with the sudden demand.

Case finding, contact tracing and isolation were woefully inadequate, allowing community spread to occur and forcing local authorities to take over.

Routine medical care was affected by the pandemic. Patients avoided the emergency department for fear of infection. At least 160,000 patients waited a year for diagnoses, vs the standard 18 weeks. Restoration of this standard may take years.

Mental health care, already pressured, is under massively increased stress, with an estimated 10 million new patients influenced by the pandemic.

Many staff were infected or exposed to infection: to compensate, others have been asked to forego or limit planned leave.

The new spike of cases in 2021 has caused more hospitalizations than at the peak in 2020. Additionally, the NHS is required to ensure vaccination of the whole country. Thirdly, it has to arrange long-term follow-up services for people with long COVID.

In order to restructure the NHS to meet all these needs, three areas must be prioritized  capacity, resources and public health.

Image Credit: Cinemanikor/Shutterstock.com

Healthcare in the European Union

Each country in the EU has its own healthcare system. However, EU members generally share the same goal as the UK model.

All healthcare systems in Europe automatically include all citizens irrespective of paying capacity. Secondly, all are mostly funded by taxes paid by the employer and by the public. Healthcare is free, except for some elective and specialist services.

Three models

There are fundamentally three models at work within the EU: single-payer, socialized, and privatized-regulated.

In a single-payer system, the government provides universal insurance or coverage, but the actual care is by private practices and hospitals.

Individuals may opt for additional private insurance to cover services that are not covered by public healthcare, but not for those already available. The payment for such providers may be fee-for-service, or capitation, based on the number of patients enrolled.

More recently, lump-sum payments have been adopted to cover all services per year per person enrolled. However, fee-for-service tends to encourage excessive use of manpower and capital resources.

Hospital funds are allocated as diagnosis-related groups (DRGs), per-diem, or as lump-sum payments for all services.

The socialized system is one where the government both provides insurance and runs the hospitals. It is thus the only health insurance provider. The NHS is a version of this model, which is also used in France, Italy, Norway and Sweden.

Patients may opt for supplemental private insurance, to get services not supplied within the public health service, or to see doctors not employed by this service.

France, cited by some as having among the best healthcare systems in the world, has a significant private healthcare system as well as statutory health insurance, offering a wide choice of coverage.

However, recent amendments to the law made it mandatory for employees to pay half of the insurance sponsored by their employers. This is especially so for dental and vision expenses, not covered by the state health insurance.

This system strongly resembles the American Medicare, Medicaid and Veteran Affairs schemes.

The privatized but regulated healthcare systems within the EU are exemplified by Germany. Here, though all citizens earning below a threshold must take health insurance, their unemployed spouses and dependents are also covered without any extra cost.

Above this threshold, employees may buy private insurance. However, other than self-employed and government servants, most people prefer not to.

In Switzerland and the Netherlands, health insurance is mandatory and provided exclusively by private providers. The government subsidizes the premiums through taxes, making it possible for even low-earning citizens to afford health insurance.

All insurers are legally required to accept any applicant. This costs the patient much less than it would in the US, the system is easier to navigate, and the coinsurance is capped at a reasonable ceiling.

Thus, European healthcare provides primary and some secondary medical care, with some places allowing private companies to sponsor more insurance for their employees.

Privatized programs allow for specialized care, cut down the waiting time for a procedure, or expand the patients choices.

The EU average for healthcare expenditure is about 8% of the GDP, but Cyprus and Latvia are at 3.5%, with other East European nations at 5%. Public spending in this sector typically makes up about 15% of the total government budget.

The good and the bad

Most EU members enjoy the approval of the majority of their people for their healthcare systems, with less than 5% of people in four-fifths of European countries reporting unmet needs.

National health systems tend to control costs better. The introduction of internal markets may increase the healthcare economy and efficiency.

Nonetheless, funding pressures are likely to go up as patients expect more advanced treatments and as technology develops. The graying of Europe may impede fund flows to these programs, given that about 70% of the funding comes from the public sector in most countries.

At the same time, aging is associated with different patterns of disease, typically conditions that are both preventable and care-intensive. As age increases, however, social welfare tends to absorb more of the costs.

Audits of spending efficiency will be crucial to enhancing the spending power of each euro. The OECD estimates that one fifth of health expenditure makes little or no contribution to improving people's health.

Inequalities in health status and inequity in healthcare finance and delivery continue to plague the system in many EU nations.

COVID-19 response

While many countries set up smoothly functioning mechanisms to deal with the emerging pandemic, the EU was, generally, unprepared. The stockpiles of equipment, medicines and ventilators were inadequate in many places.

This hampered these countries from buying testing kits and setting up contact tracing, for example, early in the pandemic, which further slowed down virus containment efforts.

Crisis management plans fell short of reality, forcing healthcare staff to improvise and innovate, as well as overwork, to compensate. The need to share resources, and hospital capacity, internationally, could also be significant.

Thus, logistics, preparedness, coordination, and continuing with routine healthcare, are areas that need future improvement.

Image Credit: elenabsl/Shutterstock.com

Healthcare systems in Asia

Asian healthcare systems are a melange of public and privately managed programs.

Singapore

Singapore uses the 3Ms system: a public statutory insurance system, MediShield Life for large hospital bills, and some high-end outpatient treatments as well, but not primary care, or specialist care at the outpatient level.

The premiums are subsidized to help even low-earning people to pay them, and working-age people pay more to allow older people to enjoy lower premiums.

A compulsory national health savings account called MediSave helps pay for hospital care and some outpatient treatments. MediFund is a social welfare program for poor citizens who cannot pay for out-of-pocket expenses even with MediSave.

Thus, the government, healthcare providers, and patients all share the responsibility for healthcare coverage  a multipayer financing system. While competition and market forces enhance the quality of healthcare, the government strictly regulates the costs when they begin to rise beyond affordable rates.

The Ministry of Health also plans for workforce strength, training and land allotment for healthcare facilities, along with preventive health interventions. The systems centralized nature keeps administrative costs low and simplifies procedures.

Singapore spends about 4.5% of its GDP on healthcare, about 40% by the government, with 30% being out-of-pocket expenses.

China

China has almost universal publicly funded medical insurance, with urban employees enrolled in employment-based programs. Others enroll voluntarily, for basic subsidized medical insurance. Comprehensive healthcare is covered, but deductibles and copayments apply. There is also a ceiling on reimbursement.

For-profit private insurance is also available for services not covered by public insurance. Patients share costs for physician visits, inpatient care and prescription drugs, which are uncapped.

China spends about 6.6% of its GDP on healthcare, with 28% being funded by central and local governments, 28% out-of-pocket, and 44% by public or private insurance, and social health donations. These form part of a medical assistance program for the poor.

Wide inequalities in public health services have been reported. Most residents feel that their insurance is as helpful, at least, as the basic public health services.

India

India provides universal free outpatient and inpatient care at government clinics and hospitals. States are in charge of organizing their healthcare services.

However, government facilities are notoriously understaffed and ill-equipped, so that most people pay out-of-pocket for private healthcare. The National Health Protection Scheme (Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, or PM-JAY) was recently launched to attempt to address this: it supersedes the earlier under-performing National Health Insurance Program (Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana, or RSBY).

The PM-JAY program is financed by taxes and enables free secondary and tertiary care at private hospitals. PM-JAY envisages grassroots Health and Wellness Centers while providing cashless hospital care for the 40% of people (approximately 100 million) who live below the poverty line.

Government workers and most formal employees have their own health insurance schemes. A few private health insurance providers also exist, with limited uptake. Less than 40% of Indians are insured.

The situation is worsened by the poor quality of public healthcare services and the shortage of doctors and equipment. Corruption, as in many developing countries, along with accessibility issues, exacerbates these drawbacks.

India spends less than 4% of its GDP on healthcare, with a quarter being funded by the public sector. Out-of-pocket payments at private hospitals make up 75% of the total expenditure, in stark contrast to other poor countries.

COVID-19 response

The overall strategy in east Asias advanced economies was to suppress the spread of the virus using conventional containment measures.

Careful case tracking, contact tracing, and quarantine helped contain the virus in Singapore, Hong Kong and South Korea, for instance.

Even in less economically advanced countries like India, the Philippines, and Vietnam, public health education and preexisting community values proved useful.

These commonly shared values allowed people to take more easily to non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) such as masking up, staying at home, and social distancing.

In India, the lockdown was a key weapon against the spread of the virus. This was coupled with a ramping up of production of personal protective equipment, ventilators and testing kits.

Yet, extreme and widespread poverty, weak healthcare systems and the high population density make tracking and countering the pandemic a difficult task in India, as in other developing Asian countries.

Healthcare systems in Australia

Australia has a tax-funded universal free public health insurance program, called Medicare. All citizens get free care for public and many physician services and drugs at public hospitals.

About 50% of Australian citizens also take out private insurance to pay for private hospital care or dental care. This is encouraged by the government, and high-income families pay a tax penalty for not buying private insurance.

The total expenditure on healthcare is about 10% of GDP, with 67% being from the public sector. It is jointly run by federal, state and territorial governments, and is among the best in the world.

Pros and cons

While free universal care is an undoubted advantage, funding may be challenging as the population ages, reducing tax inflow. Meanwhile, medical technology costs go up, making it difficult to keep up.

There is a disparity in access and care quality between the non-indigenous and the aboriginal population. Research is not well-aligned with national priorities. Urbanization continues to pose an obstacle to healthy living.

COVID-19 response

The Australian response to the pandemic included building transparency between the government and citizens, to ensure public trust. This in turn resulted in a high level of compliance to lockdowns, masking up and quarantine, as well as rapid testing.

Secondly, the decision-making process was driven by reliable data interpreted by experts and performed in an agile and iterative manner. Both political and public health leaders were seen to be cooperating and trustworthy.

Thirdly, the pandemic response was based on a collaboration across health and economic boundaries. The public health response was both willing and strong, which certainly helped to achieve the goal of virus containment.

This resulted in low mortality and infection rates, as well as a rapidly rebounding economy. Localized outbreaks still occur, and are handled on a crisis level. This has come at the cost of many stranded Australians abroad who cannot return home due to the cap on the number of returning passengers.

COVID; Why the Economics of Healthcare Will Never Be the Same | Laura Glenn | TEDxTraverseCity Play

Healthcare systems in South America

While medical services tend to be cheaper here, they are also universal and publicly funded in countries like Chile and Columbia. As a result, medical tourism has boomed in these places.

Healthcare systems have progressed since the time when only employees in the formal labor market received public health insurance, to which employers, employees and government contributed.

The rest of the people relied on fragmentary services by the Ministry of Health, the church, and charitable or philanthropic organizations. The rich had private health care. The poor had almost nothing.

A few examples

Colombia

Colombia is a success story in South American healthcare. It covers almost 97% of its population by mandatory universal health insurance. All citizens have access to the same healthcare services, with only 14% out-of-pocket spending. This is lower than that in many OECD countries.

The health system is financed through taxes and employment insurance and fully subsidizes the poor. Both public and private insurers are involved, and providers also belong to both public and private sectors, with a healthy competition between the two.

The FOSYGA; Solidarity and Guarantee Fund, is based on cross-subsidies between rich and poor, young and old, and healthy vs sick.

Participants may choose their provider within their network, and receive a package of primary care, some inpatient care, and emergency care, as well as inpatient care at tertiary level public hospitals. Eventually, the government hopes to eliminate supply-side subsidies and provide uniform coverage for all.

Performance management, accountability and efficiency need to be improved to build on these gains.

Chile

Chile has statutory health insurance for workers, with no employer or government contribution. The health funds are managed by ISAPREs (Social Security Health Institutions).

The rest of the population is covered by a public fund manager, the National Health Fund (FONASA). These cover healthcare payments.

Brazil

Brazil has a government-run universal comprehensive public health system, funded by taxes at federal, state and municipality level. While the federal contribution is about 43% of total public health expenditure, municipalities contribute almost a third.

The system covers all types of healthcare for all citizens and visitors. However, wait times are unreasonably long at all stages, leading to out-of-pocket spending for basic care, while the delays push up treatment costs.

Drug unavailability leads to out-of-pocket spending. About a quarter of people have private health insurance, typically as an employment benefit.

National health expenditure is about 9% of the GDP. Most hospitals are public.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica also has a successful healthcare system, under a single-payer model that combines social security with the medical services offered by the Ministry of Health. About 86% of the population has access to high-quality comprehensive care, which is delivered free. The rest are able to pay for care.

Argentina

Argentina has a healthcare system whereby insurance is provided and managed chiefly by workers unions, while over a third of the population is uninsured and depend on public healthcare.

The good and the bad

South American healthcare systems suffer from poor resources, which are badly distributed to cover some areas. The capacity of the systems is low, and drug shortages are common. Corruption vitiates the process of official appointment and hampers reforms.

Response to COVID-19

The year of COVID-19 has seen over 21 million cases, and 560,000 deaths in South America, along with severe economic stress. Argentina, with a test positivity rate of 60 percent in October 2020  the highest in the world - reflects both low testing and poor enforcement of non-pharmaceutical interventions.

Brazil has reported 13 million cases with over 330,000 deaths, with intensely divided political and public health messaging leading to it being one of the hardest-hit countries in the world. It is followed by Colombia, with a steadily increasing infection rate. Chile, meanwhile, has among the worst outbreaks in the world, with 1,500 deaths per million inhabitants.

The health response has been marked by its wide variation, with some countries instituting strict lockdowns, closing borders and eventually rolling out millions of vaccinations, while others have done almost nothing meaningful to prevent border crossing.

Limited resources, non-unified health systems, and poor social care, along with pre-existing unemployment and inequities, have led to a less than desirable response to the pandemic in most of Latin America, impacting the disadvantaged most severely, as expected.

Image Credit: REDPIXEL.PL/Shutterstock.com

Healthcare systems in Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa has 13% of the worlds population but carries a fourth of the worlds disease burden. However, it spends only 1% of the global health expenditure.

Three out of four Africans have a per capita income of below $2 a day, and almost half spend less than $1 a day. Universal free healthcare is a right that is agreed to by all but is slow to become a reality.

Most Africans that are either low or middle-income turn to the public health system or to traditional healers. Only a few are able to afford high-quality private care, but nonetheless, out-of-pocket expenditures are bound to be high in this two-tier system.

Private spending accounts for 60% of all payments on healthcare. However, half of private healthcare expenditure is spent on private providers, and 40% of the lowest-income people in Africa pay for care from for-profit providers.

In Rwanda, national health insurance covers over 90% of the population, whereas less than 9% are covered in other countries.

Ghana has a National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and built a public-private partnership network to reach areas without public health services. Funded through taxation, the NHIS covers most common diseases.

All residents must enroll and pay an annual premium, in return for free care. About a quarter lack any insurance, however. Almost 70% of those insured do not have to pay premiums, and underfunding challenges the working of the scheme.

In Kenya, a similar national health insurance program exists, for salaried employees, and for self-employed if they want to enroll. However, even this cost is inaccessible to most citizens.

So is the case with Tanzania, with its NHIF and CHF, for civil servants who pay 6% of their income, and for indigents and low-income people. In fact, most African countries share this situation, and national free healthcare accessible to those living in poverty is still a pipe dream.

Many countries spend only donor money on healthcare. Many times, international loans intended to improve the healthcare infrastructure had many strings attached. As a result, user fees were imposed on primary care. Drug pricing went up. Preventive and primary care was put out of reach of most low-income Africans.

Medicine became commercialized and privatized, and inequalities became more unequal. Infectious diseases like HIV emerged again. Government spending on health was cut due to required austerity measures.

Vacancies in the public sector increased, worsened by a freeze on recruitment and the flight of health professionals outside Africa. Most physicians went into private practice in urban areas, serving about 15% of the population. Drug shortages were endemic and intractable.

Cumbersome bureaucracy at all levels, inadequate coverage by insurance, low benefits for inpatient care, lack of transparency, and poor accountability, are the chief features of African health systems, in general.

This is worsened by the outflow of doctors to the US and other more lucrative and functional locations, and by ignoring the unique conditions of Africa in favor of western theories and policies. Poor sanitation and potable water facilities contribute greatly to this scenario.

Only six African countries spend 15% of their budgets on healthcare, and these are yet to achieve universal access to reasonable-quality healthcare.

COVID-19 response

African leaders showed solidarity in planning and executing interventions such as cross-border electronic cargo driver test result sharing, to prevent the spread of infections across countries. Lockdowns were implemented along with the closure of borders very early in the course of the spread of the pandemic to Africa.

Case finding, testing, contact tracing and isolation services were set up for free, as well as treatment. Public health education was enthusiastically provided to introduce proven non-pharmaceutical interventions such as masks, hand hygiene and social distancing.

Meanwhile, social support was put in place to support the economically weaker sections of society. Some waived fees on electricity and water and reduced house rents were announced in Ethiopia.

Advanced technology was used in Rwanda, including temperature-taking robots, drones for communication and surveillance, and pooled testing. Governmental transparency has been key to expert-driven decision-making, besides the unity displayed by political and health leaders.

Conclusion

Is there a perfect healthcare system? No, but the features that make for a good one include long-term investments in human resources and infrastructure, and in primary care (as in Israel). A Nordic focus on preventive care to improve population health and build capacity is important.

Public funding to allow the poorest to access healthcare and medication is an excellent model to follow, as in many Commonwealth and EU systems. Patient and community engagement, with an innovative streak, and a rapid response, is essential for maximizing coverage, like Rwanda and India.

Due investment in information technology and in research and development are key to making healthcare systems more accessible and improving health outcomes.

Lastly, attention to aged care, as in Japan, and to mental well-being, a mark of the Australian system, along with providing a choice of providers and services to the patient, seen in France, are fundamental to a healthcare system that follows best practices.

References

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Gupta, I. (2021). International Health Care System Profiles India. https://www.commonwealthfund.org/international-health-policy-center/countries/singapore

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Further Reading
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 6, 2021) - Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. (TSXV: SCZ) (FSE: 1SZ) (the "Company" or "Santacruz") announces that the acquisition of the Zimapan mine assets from Minera Cedros, S.A. de C.V. ("Minera Cedros"), together with the US$17.6 million loan facility from Trafigura Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (the "Trafigura Loan Facility"), are now expected to close on or before April 16, 2021. These transactions were last described in the Company's news release dated February 25, 2021.

Pursuant to the definitive purchase agreement dated February 24, 2021 (the "Purchase Agreement") between the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Carrizal Mining S.A. de C.V. ("Carrizal"), and Minera Cedros, closing of the acquisition of the Zimapan mine, including payment by Carrizal of US$15 million of the purchase price, is required to occur within 60 days of the date of the Purchase Agreement, being April 26, 2021. The US$15 million payment will be funded by the Trafigura Loan Facility. The balance of the US$20 million (plus applicable Mexican Value Added Tax of US$3.2 million) purchase price for the Zimapan mine, being US$8.2 million, is payable to Minera Cedros within 5 months of closing in accordance with the Purchase Agreement.

The previously announced private placement of up to 47,000,000 units of the Company at a price of CDN$0.30 per unit to raise gross proceeds of up to CDN$14,100,000 with a lead order from Palisades Goldcorp (refer to the news release dated March 18, 2021) is expected to close in one or more tranches on or about April 9, 2021.

About Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd.

Santacruz is a Mexican focused silver company that currently owns and operates the Rosario Project. The Company also owns 100% of Carrizal Mining S.A. de C.V. On February 25, 2021 the Company announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement with Minera Cedros, S.A. de C.V. ("Minera Cedros"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Industrias Penoles, S.A.B. de C.V., to acquire outright the Zimapan Mine and all assets related to the Zimapan mine and mill for US$20.0 million (plus applicable IVA of US$3.2 million), subject to a number of conditions, including receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals including approval of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") to the transaction which will constitute a "Fundamental Acquisition" pursuant to TSXV Policy 5.3.

The Company is managed by a technical team of professionals with proven track records in developing, operating and discovering silver mines in Mexico. Our corporate objective is to become a mid-tier silver producer.

About Palisades Goldcorp

Palisades Goldcorp is Canada's resource focused merchant bank. Palisades' management team has a demonstrated track record of making money and is backed by many of the industry's most notable financiers. With junior resource equities valued at generational lows, management believes the sector is on the cusp of a major bull market move. Palisades is positioning itself with significant stakes in undervalued companies and assets with the goal of generating superior returns.

'signed'

Arturo Prestamo Elizondo,

Executive Chairman

For further information please contact:

Arturo Prestamo

Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd.

Email: info@santacruzsilver.com

Telephone: (604) 569-1609

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 information

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" as such term is used in applicable Canadian securities laws, including statements relating to the completion of the acquisition of the Zimapan Mine by the Company and related financing transactions. Forward-looking information is based on plans, expectations and estimates of management at the date the information is provided and is subject to certain factors and assumptions. In making the forward-looking statements included in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including that the Company's financial condition and development plans do not change as a result of unforeseen events, that the Company will receive all required regulatory approvals and that future metal prices and the demand and market outlook for metals will remain stable or improve. Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause plans, estimates and actual results to vary materially from those projected in such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause the forward-looking information in this news release to change or to be inaccurate include, but are not limited to, unanticipated delays in obtaining or failure to obtain regulatory or stock exchange approvals; the risk that any of the assumptions referred to above prove not to be valid or reliable; market conditions and volatility and global economic conditions, including increased volatility and potentially negative capital raising conditions resulting from the continued COVID-19 pandemic and risks relating to the extent and duration of such pandemic and its impact on global markets; risk of delay and/or cessation in planned work or changes in the Company's financial condition and development plans; risks associated with the interpretation of data (including in respect of the third party mineralized material) regarding the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; the uncertainty of the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits and the risk of unexpected variations in mineral resources, grade and/or recovery rates; risks related to gold, silver, base metal and other commodity price fluctuations; risks relating to environmental regulation and liability; the possibility that results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, as well as the other risks and uncertainties applicable to mineral exploration and development activities and to the Company as set forth in the Company's continuous disclosure filings filed under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. There can be no assurance that any forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader should not place any undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information or statements, other than as required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79515
A man paid nearly $12,000 for a van, then had a wheel fall off as he drove it home that same day.

Keaton Taylor has won a refund from the seller after complaining to the Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal.

According to a recently-released decision from the tribunal, Taylor bought the 2003 Toyota Hiace from Auckland man Daryosh Marjomaki in January after seeing it advertised on Facebook Marketplace.

The van, which cost $11,700, had received a warrant of fitness (WOF) just the month before.

On the day he bought the van, Taylor drove it from Glen Eden back to his home in Tauranga.

When he arrived in Tauranga he noticed the vehicle was shaking. The shaking then quickly worsened, the tribunals decision says.

He immediately pulled over and found that the vehicles left rear wheel had fallen off and was lying approximately six metres behind the vehicle.

Taylor says he contacted Marjomaki, who told him to call the inspector who had issued the WOF.

He also says Marjomaki told him to put the wheel back on using a nut from each of the other wheels, and drive home.

Taylor took the vehicle to Premier Automotive in Tauranga, which found the drivers seat belt latch was faulty and the van had structural corrosion in multiple places.

He then rejected the van and sought a refund.

Marjomaki argues he should not be liable because he operates a park and sell and sold the van on behalf of a third party.

However, the tribunal says there is no evidence linking that third party to the transaction, meaning Marjomaki is considered the supplier under the Consumer Guarantees Act.

Marjomaki also argues the van had passed a WOF inspection shortly before its sale, and Taylor had signed a document that notified him of its defects.

But the tribunal says it's Marjomaki who had liability for any defects under the Act, and could not pass that liability on to the WOF inspector.

The only document signed by Taylor read: SOLD AS Park to SALE condition NO WARRANTY AND EXPLANed TO BUYer. Paid Full Amount. NO REFUND.

That document did not notify Taylor of any defects, and the statement about the car having no warranty were a likely breach of the Fair Trading Act, as it was a false or misleading statement about buyers rights, the tribunal says.

The vehicle was not of acceptable quality under the Consumer Guarantees Act because the loose left rear wheel, faulty drivers seatbelt and extensive corrosion added up to a failure of a substantial character, the tribunal says.

It upheld Taylor's rejection of the vehicle and ordered Marjomaki to pay him $12,065. That included a refund for the van and some of the costs Taylor paid to get the vehicles faults assessed and the wheel repaired.

The tribunal noted Marjomaki would likely feel aggrieved at the decision, and says if he wishes he can pursue court action against the WOF inspector who overlooked the defects.

He can also seek remedies from the owner of the vehicle, the tribunal saysid.

-Stuff/Anna Loren.
WINNIPEG - Manitoba's governing Progressive Conservatives continue to raise much more money than the Opposition New Democrats.

Manitoba PC leader and premier Brian Pallister speaks during a press conference at a medical clinic in Winnipeg, Monday, August 26, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

WINNIPEG - Manitoba's governing Progressive Conservatives continue to raise much more money than the Opposition New Democrats.

Documents filed with Elections Manitoba show the Tories raised more than $1.6 million in donations and fundraising last year.

That's roughly twice as much as the NDP's total of $820,000.

After expenses, both parties were left with surpluses to help with the next election campaign.

It's expected to take place October 2023.

The Liberals and the Green party have yet to file their statements.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 6, 2021
The company recently signed an agreement to exclusively distribute and support Virolens in Australia and New Zealand and late last year secured a $1 million contract for the next phase of the C4 EDGE Program for the Australian Army.

XTEK achieved record revenue for the 2020 financial year of $42.7 million, up 13% year-on-year

XTEK Ltd ( ) executive director Robert Quodling has demonstrated confidence in the companys strategy primarily focused on delivering tailored security solutions to the government, law enforcement, military, space and commercial sectors with the purchase of shares in an on-market transaction.

Quodling acquired 17,023 direct shares on April 1 at 58 cents per share, increasing the number of securities held in that interest to 537,024 shares.

This follows the companys directors purchasing shares earlier this month with non-executive director and chairman Uwe Boettcher purchasing 70,000 shares and non-executive director Chris Fullerton acquiring 56,521 shares.

Virolens distribution agreement

The company has recently diversified its offerings by signed an agreement with KeyOptions Pty Ltd to exclusively distribute and support Virolens in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific independent states.

The Virolens system is a COVID-19 screening device based on microscopic holographic imaging and artificial intelligence (AI) software technology.

Under the two-year agreement, XTEK will be the exclusive distributor of Virolens products, consumables, training and maintenance to end-users, third-party service providers and others who will carry out testing at sites.
The has filed an affidavit before on the status of statutory dues paid by telecom operators, a government official said on Tuesday.

Telecom operators, including Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea, had to pay 10 per cent of their (AGR) dues demanded by the DoT by March 31, 2021 as per directions.

"DoT has filed an affidavit before on the status of AGR payments," the official, who did not wished to be named, told PTI.

The apex court had asked telcos to make 10 per cent of the upfront payment of their dues by March 31 to the DoT while the remaining amount is to be paid over a ten-year period starting April 1, 2021.

However, there is some ambiguity over the court order as telcos maintain that they have already paid more than the 10 per cent of their AGR dues while DoT opined that the operators will have to pay 10 per cent of the total dues by March 31, 2021, irrespective of what they have already paid.

The ambiguity has befuddled the industry calculation with many of the telcos reaching out to their legal counsels to make sense of the court's order in this regard.

As per the government calculations, total AGR liability of Bharti Airtel is Rs 43,980 crore, Vodafone Idea is Rs 58,254 crore, Tata group is Rs 16,798 crore, BSNL is Rs 5,835.85 crore and MTNL is Rs 4,352.09 crore.

Bharti Airtel has paid the government Rs 18,004 crore, VIL (Rs 7,854 crore), Tatas (Rs 4,197 crore) and Reliance Jio has cleared its entire dues with payment of Rs 194.79 crore.

Anil Ambani-owned Reliance Communications owes Rs 25,194.58 crore, Aircel (Rs 12,389 crore) and Videocon Telecommunications (Rs 1,376 crore) but these are under liquidation process. like Loop Telecom, Etisalat DB and S Tel, which jointly owe the government Rs 604 crore, have shut down their India operations.
Mobile data savings study conclusions, take two

Analysing 80,000 mobile phone bills is not for the fainthearted. So good on the Commerce Commission for giving it a shotor, rather, contracting Schiff Consulting to do so. In September 2020, it published the Analysis Report, based on sorting through all those bills. It concluded that there were opportunities for significant savings for some consumers in the residential mobile market.

The mobile network operators2degrees, Vodafone, and Sparkwere asked to respond. And they did, prompting a revised Analysis Report which shows things are not quite what the commission originally thought. So, a refinement has been made.

[ Keep up on the latest thought leadership, insights, how-to, and analysis on IT through Computerworlds newsletters. ]

This refinement results in an estimated one in seven postpaid consumers [subscribers, versus pay-as-you-go customers] saving an average of $18.28 a month, compared with the original analysis of a quarter of postpaid consumers saving an average $11.60 a month. This is a decrease in the number of consumers who could save money by switching, but an increase in the total average saving, the commission notes following the publication of an open letter to the industry.

Telecommunications Commissioner Tristan Gilbertson says that the mobile operators and their industry body the Telecommunications Forum (TCF) are addressing the issues. And the Mobile Bill Review: Addressing transparency and inertia issues in the residential mobile market is now complete.

We will all move on.

Well, before we move on, its probably worth noting what the mobile operators will need to do now. Its threefold:

Provide at least 12 months usage and spend information to customers. Provide an annual summary with a prompt to consider alternative customers. Promote development of tools to enable more effective comparison and choice through the TCF.

The third task is the probably the most challenging, and the commission notes that a prospective Consumer Data Right (currently going through policy development at the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment, or MBIE) will assist with the process.

In the updated Analysis Report, the authors conclude that it was challenging combining billing data from different service providers. If this analysis is repeated in future, it is also recommended that a standardised billing data format be developed that all service providers are capable of conforming to and that provides sufficient information for analysis.

If by that they mean creating a billing template that every telco is required to follow, it could be some time before we see another comparison study like this.

Airspace trial program to take off

The aerospace industry has woken up to the fact that the South Island has a lot of open spaces, perfect for trialling new stuff like electric self-flying air taxis. Among another of MBIEs jobs is administering the Airspace Integration Trials Programme (AITP), which supports the safe testing, development, and market validation of advanced unmanned aircraft.

Wisk, a San Francisco-based company backed by both aircraft manufacturer Boeing and flying-car startup Kitty Hawk (itself backed by Google co-founder Larry Page), has announced its transport trial is expected to start in the second half of 2021. It is also working with Insitu Pacific, a Boeing subsidiary, to support the trial.

Wisk has always seen the distinct advantages of New Zealand, including the countrys globally respected Civil Aviation Authority and flexibility for remotely piloted aircraft systems, says CEO Gary Gysin.

MBIE spokesperson Peter Crabtree concurs: Companies such as Wisk are recognising New Zealand has unique competitive advantages which help create the ideal conditions for aerospace innovation, including our geographic location and a pragmatic approach to solving policy and regulatory challenges, including through initiatives like the AITP, he says.

Both Wisk and MBIE released their statements last week, but the newcomer to the party, Insitu Pacific, had other announcements on its mind. It was touting new vision-based technology that can detect other aircraft at distances that are beyond the requirements for safe avoidance and are a vast improvement on the capabilities of the human eye.  This technology offers new options for Australian Defence Force UAS [unmanned aircraft system] operators and supports Australias sovereign capabilities goal.
Keem Bay is one of two Achill Island beaches to make Lonely Planet's Top 10.

Lonely Planet has released its list of the 10 best beaches in Ireland today, with eight of the top 10 sandy shorelines located on the west coast.

Donegal, Mayo and Kerry all feature strongly with two beaches each listed in the top 10, while Sligo, Waterford, Galway and Dublin are also represented.

"Irelands coastline is a beachgoers paradise, the popular travel guide says.

All bar Dublins entry are Atlantic beaches and eight are set along the rugged west coast, with the north-west deemed to have a high proportion of Irelands most stunning beaches.

Dogs Bay and Gurteen Bay, Co Galway

The Connemara beaches are separated by a narrow strip of land but their crushed seashell sands give the beaches a Carribean feeling, Lonely Planet says.

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Tra Mor, Dunfanaghy, Co Donegal

This is arguably the most secluded beach on the list, requiring a trek through grassy dunes to reach it but the secluded gem in the shadow of the Horn Head peninsula is arguably the prettiest of all beaches with this name across the island, Lonely Planet says.

Keem Bay, Achill, Co Mayo

This is a beach whose profile has skyrocketed in recent years due to picturesque social media posts of the cove.

Keem Bay is largely surrounded by picturesque hills and has pure white sand, with Lonely Planet branding it one of Europes most beautiful spots. This February, it also listed the Achill strand on a list of the best beaches in Europe.

Streedagh Strand, Co Sligo

This lesser-known beach is best for swimming in Sligo, according to the travel guide, with picturesque views of Ben Bulben not far off in the distance. Streedagh is protected by dunes and also boasts wreckage of three Spanish Armada ships that ran aground centuries ago.

Inch Stand, Co Kerry

One of Irelands best-known beaches, Inch Strand on the Dingle Peninsula was always a safe bet to make the list. The beach is very popular in summer months among locals, tourists, surfers and day-trippers.

Banna Strand, Co Kerry

The Kingdoms second entry may not be as vaunted as Inch, but Banna Strand is no back number, Lonely Planet states. Its waters are beloved of swimmers and at 6km, it measures as one of Irelands longest beaches. Stunning views of Mt Brandon made this strand a lock-in for the top 10.

Trawmore, Achill, Co Mayo

Achills second entry, Trawmore, isnt as popular as Keem Bay, but this mix of sand and shingle is a beauty in its own right, Lonely Planet says. The Minaun cliffs rise above Trawmore, making it a picturesque setting to spend a sunny day.

Ballyquin beach, Ardmore, Co Waterford

This secluded beach has been given the thumbs up due to its seclusion, in comparison to the more-frequented Ardmore beach. Its arc of beautiful white sand is met by rock pools at one end and Ballyquin is popular among surf fishers.

Ballymastocker Bay, Co Donegal

Once named the second-most beautiful beach in the world by British Observer Magazine, Ballymastocker is popular among holidaymakers that flock to Portsalon. Lonely Planet said its wonderful views of the Inishowen Peninsula make it one of Irelands most beautiful beaches.

Killiney Beach, Co Dublin

Lonely Planet describes Killiney as a treat of a city beach, along some of the most exclusive addresses in the nation. While Killiney is well found and well frequented, the views of Killiney Bay make it one of the finest beaches in the nation.

You can read the full list here.

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The first time most Canadians heard the term "non-fungible tokens" was likely after a recent blockbuster Christies auction for a piece of digital art. However, experts expect the technology to move far beyond the art world into everyday life  though nobody knows for sure how they will be used.

Amy ter Haar, a blockchain consultant and a lawyer with Osgoode Professional Development, is shown in this handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Jessica Blaine Smith*MANDATORY CREDIT*

The first time most Canadians heard the term "non-fungible tokens" was likely after a recent blockbuster Christies auction for a piece of digital art. However, experts expect the technology to move far beyond the art world into everyday life  though nobody knows for sure how they will be used.

NFTs  which are essentially a tool that uses blockchain technology to provide proof of ownership of a digital asset such as an image, audio clip or a tweet  are currently a fringe item used primarily by tech enthusiasts and artists, but experts say potential uses for the tokens are nearly limitless, including the proof of ownership of assets like cars or real estate, or just about anything of value.

A non-fungible token is certified on the blockchain (the same technology that ensures the security of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin), and whoever owns the NFT is deemed the original owner of the asset.

Earlier this year, a digital collage by the artist Beeple fetched a final bid of over US$69 million for digital ownership through an NFT. And Jack Dorsey, the CEO of Twitter, auctioned his first ever tweet as an NFT, with the final bid coming in at US$2.9 million.

But experts say theres more to NFTs than art and online memorabilia.

Theres literally no limit, said Andreas Park, an associate professor of finance at the University of Toronto who specializes in blockchain technology. He said the advent of NFTs could change how we think about ownership, the same way the internet changed how we consider communication and commerce.

Theres a large variety of ways we can use this in the digital world, some of these I cant imagine now, he said. Its like the internet  people couldnt really envision any way you could use it profitably for a while, and then all of a sudden we came up with a lot of solutions like paying over the internet.

You could tokenize almost anything if you have a legal structure that would have a formal guarantee for something that isnt living in the digital world that can be linked to a token, he added.

With a legal framework, Park said NFTs could be used to signify ownership of a car or a piece of real estate. With self-driving cars in the future, an NFT could be used to designate shared ownership of a car and show what percentage is owned by each party, since people may not need to own the car 100 per cent of the time.

Amy ter Haar, a blockchain consultant and a lawyer with Osgoode Professional Development in Toronto, predicted that NFTs will become like a deed of electronic ownership, and the integrity of the system will be maintained by the fact that the blockchain is a secure and generally unchangeable digital record.

It can create this permanent immutable record of who owns anything, said ter Haar.

Both ter Haar and Park agreed that questions remain around regulatory oversight of how NFTs are created and transacted.

However, ter Haar compared NFTs to the introduction of paper money. She said people found it difficult to imagine how paper money could hold value after trading with gold for so long. But people soon realized that if society deemed the paper valuable, then it was so. The same, ter Haar said, will be true of the value of a digital asset in NFT form.

Park said government involvement could be close in the future, especially as blockchain was mentioned multiple times in the Chinese governments recent five-year plan, which heavily features technology investments.

In the Western world, Park said tech giants like Facebook are also investing heavily in blockchain in conjunction with other corporations like Shopify and Uber.

Its another component of digitizing society, said Park.

Its important to think beyond what we already do have and what (NFTs) can do  they can do something youre already doing (in creating a record of ownership), but better, and the use cases will come.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 6, 2021.
Sobha rallied 7.33% to Rs 461.45 after the company's total new sales jumped 47.69% to 13,37,707 square feet in Q4 FY21 over 9,05,710 sq ft. in Q4 FY20.

Total sales value grew 54.35% to Rs 1,072 crore in Q4 FY21 as against Rs 694.50 crore in Q4 FY20. Sobha's share of sales value soared 57.91% to Rs 874.20 crore in Q4 FY21 compared with Rs 553.60 crore in Q4 FY20. Total average price realisation rose 4.51% to Rs 8,014 per sq ft. in Q4 FY21 over Rs 7,668 per sq ft. in Q4 FY20.

Total sales volume, total sales value and total price realisation were up by 18%, 21% and 2%respectively compared with Q3 FY21. Sales volume achieved by Bengaluru, Gurugram, Pune and Kochi regions is the highest ever. Other regions specially Gurugram, Kochi, Thrissur and Pune have seen significant traction in demand sentiments and contributed good sales volumes. Sobha said its average cost of borrowing has further come down during the quarter.

During the quarter, Sobha launched its new luxury residential project, 'SOBHA Windsor' in Whitefield, Bengaluru with super built-up area of 1.35 million square feet. It has also launched a luxury residential project 'SOBHA Metropolis' in Thrissur (Kerala) with super built-up area of 1.17 million square feet, this project also features a commercial space of 27,607 square feet.

Under Development management model, the real-estate firm has launched a plotted development, 'Chartered Woodpecker' in Bengaluru with a total saleable are of 0.25 million square feet. In totality, Sobha has launched 2.77 million square feet of super built-up area in residential business and 0.27 million square feet in commercial space during the quarter.

"We are on track on proposed launches and remain cautiously optimistic in the coming financial year as well," Sobha said in a statement issued after market hours yesterday, 5 April 2021.

Sobha's consolidated net profit tanked 70.5% to Rs 21.60 crore on a 22.5% decline in net sales to Rs 684.40 crore in Q3 FY21 over Q3 FY20.

Sobha is a real estate player primarily focused on residential and contractual projects.

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
LONDON  For months, European countries have seesawed between craving and rebuffing AstraZenecas vaccine, with the shots fortunes rising and falling on spats over supply and on questions over the efficacy of the vaccine itself.

But few concerns have proved as disruptive to the rollout of the worlds workhorse vaccine in Europe as reports of very rare blood clots in some recipients. Many countries responded by halting the shots use, only to start giving it again after an all-clear from regulators at the European Medicines Agency, and then stopped inoculations a second time in certain age groups after doctors became more concerned about the clots.

On Tuesday, those concerns were reinforced yet again when a top vaccines official at the European Medicines Agency said that the vaccine was linked to extremely rare, though sometimes fatal, blood clots in a small number of recipients. It was the first indication from an international regulatory body that the clots may be a real, if very unusual, side effect of the shot.

Regulators now appear to be considering issuing their first formal warnings about the potential side effects  not only in continental Europe, which has long been wary of the shot for political and scientific reasons, but also in Britain, the birthplace of the AstraZeneca vaccine and long its biggest champion, where new data have sown concerns as well.
Amid a resurgence of COVID-19 cases across 25 states, the U.S. is in the early stages of a fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Baylor College of Medicine's Infectious Disease Expert Dr. Peter Hotez.

"In the United States, the fourth wave has already started," Hotez told Chron. "You've got the uptick in Michigan, numbers up in New York and New Jersey, and now the numbers are starting to go up in Florida. The fourth wave has started. It's just a matter of how severe it will be."

DON'T EVER GIVE UP: Texas pastor who helped winter storm recovery in need of lung transplant after COVID-19 battle.

In the past few weeks, the Midwest has seen a marked rise in new infections, with Michigan reporting second-highest cases of the U.K. variant, according to the Centers of Disease Control. Cases are also on the rise in Nebraska, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maine. President Biden's Coronavirus Task Force Adviser Michael Osterholm told NBC's Meet the Press that the next two weeks would essentially bring the "highest number of cases reported globally since the beginning of the pandemic."

"We're now, I think, in that cycle where the Upper Midwest is just now beginning to start this fourth surge," Osterholm said.

Behind the troubling COVID-19 trend are several factors, including a relaxing of COVID-19 restrictions statewide and the increased spread in more transmissible variants like the U.K. and Brazilian variant, Hotez added.

"For instance, in Texas we have the B.1.1.7 variant. That's the one that's causing the greatest concern right now," Hotez said. "Will the cases go up in Texasthat's what we're waiting for, but it hasn't happened yet. There's no question we're in the fourth wave already."

The upswing in the highly transmissible B.1.1.7 variant among teens and young adults poses another threat as the fourth wave takes hold across the U.S., Hotez said.

"What we're starting to see now in the B.1.1.7 is that more kids and young adults are getting infected and we're seeing higher hospitalization rates as well," Hotez said.

From a global perspective, Hotez underscored that the situation was much more severe, in terms of new infections. Both France and Italy announced nationwide lockdowns right before Easter weekend due to a surge in COVID-19 cases, according to CNBC's Natasha Turak.

"Globally, we're in a very different situation. Things are clearly much more dire with Eastern EuropePoland and Hungary," Hotez said. "I'm really worried about Africa and Latin America. Unlike the U.S., the difference is there is no plan to vaccinate there."

Of profound concern to Hotez is how to mitigate the fourth wave to prevent further deaths.

"By the summer, we should be in good shape in terms of vaccination," Hotez said. "My question is how many lives will we losethat's the unknown. Will it be another 100,000 lives or 10,000 lives?"

Hotez underscored that it all depends upon how quickly we can get ahead of the variants with vaccinations and how well we continue to practice COVID-19 precautions.

"How extensive this becomes is a matter of how quickly we can move in terms of progressing to vaccinate, and whether we will respect masks and social distancing.
Ukraine to look for another city instead of Minsk for TCG talks after lockdown  Reznikov

The Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), after lockdown, will not go to Minsk for negotiations on Donbas because of the "enemy rhetoric of Belarus" regarding Ukraine, Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine Oleksiy Reznikov said.

"We categorically announced that we would not participate in TCG meetings if lockdown suddenly ended and it was proposed to continue consultations, as before, in Minsk. We explained that the Ukrainian delegation would not send its members to Minsk for meetings in real life. We will have to look for another country and another city for meetings," the minister said on the air of the Freedom of Speech (Svoboda Slova) television program on ICTV on Monday evening.

According to Reznikov, today Belarus is under the influence of Russia and "there is no trust in this country" in Kyiv.
KLAMATH FALLS  The Oregon Institute of Technologys faculty union voted this week to authorize a strike.

The vote last week comes more than 500 days after negotiations began between the union and school administration, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported. Oregon Techs chapter of the American Association of University Professors is seeking salary increases and more clearly defined workload limits, among other requests.

The union said as of Friday, 96% of faculty had cast their votes, and 92% of those votes were in favor of authorizing a strike.

It is not guaranteed that the faculty will strike, but union leadership can now call for one if an agreement isnt reached.

If a strike happens, it would be the first-ever faculty strike at an Oregon public university. Portland States faculty union voted to authorize a strike in 2014, but then reached a deal. Eastern Oregons faculty union similarly came close to striking in 2006.

After 16 months of negotiating, Oregon Tech is disappointed that OT-AAUP has decided to focus on using this approach instead of coming to the table with a true intent to work on an agreement and reach a resolution, said OIT President Nagi Naganathan.

University officials said the both parties last met on Thursday, were scheduled to meet again Monday. The faculty union also said negotiations would continue.

--The Associated Press
John Cena is best known for being a WWE wrestler and actor. When he is not working, however, he can often be seen supporting BTS. In fact, Cena is perhaps one of BTSs biggest celebrity fans.

Cena has interacted quite a bit with other people in BTSs fandom, ARMY. He recently shared how much of a positive effect fellow BTS fans have had on him, especially when it comes to being vulnerable on social media.

John Cena and BTS | Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images and Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for SiriusXM

When did John Cena become a BTS fan?

Its not clear when Cena officially considered himself a fan of BTS, but he first talked about the group online in February 2018 when he posted a picture of J-Hope on Instagram. Afterwards, he began mentioning them in various instances on Twitter.

Last year, Cena also revealed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon that he initially checked out BTS because so many people were talking about them. However, he, then, found himself being admiring their rap line and what they stood for.

So when I started to look at BTS, and listen to their music, I was originally drawn because there are rappers in that crew, Cena said, according to Comic Book. And they use, on some of their intro tracks, and like bookend tracks, they use sick*** boombap beats and they actually rap, so like yeah I kinda like this is great.

He added, They advocate self love. They advocate dont be afraid of failure. They advocate that you are enough Thats why theyre so popular around the world. One, theyre great performers, but its the message they send. It resonates with the people.

John Cena was touched by BTSs Love Yourself message

RELATED: BTS Has Surprising Tricks They Use to Go Outside Undetected

Cena recently stopped by The Ellen DeGeneres Show to promote two motivational books he is releasing on April 6. There, he decided to talk about how BTSs Love Yourself message came at a right time in his life.

I was going through a pretty down period in my lifeit was about four years ago, Cena said. And I decided just to have a vulnerable moment and put one of those thought-provoking journal entries out on Twitter.

He shared that, at the time, he was trying to incorporate self-love into his life. Coincidentally, BTS was also releasing their Love Yourself series, which Cena called wonderful timing.

John Cena shares how BTSs fans inspired him to be more vulnerable

RELATED: BTS Is Praised By the World Health Organization for Wearing Masks

Cena began being more vulnerable on social media and made many posts about self-love. At first, he did not know how people would receive those posts given his image.

So I put out all these messages about self-love, and Im thinking, This is not going to be a good idea because this big, larger-than-life sixteen-time WWE champion is now talking about vulnerability and that you are enough and you shouldnt be ashamed of who you are, Cena explained.

However, the BTS ARMY showed he had nothing to worry about. Cena said, It caught fire because of the BTS ARMY. I was essentially sending a similar message of the band.

Cena went on to share how fellow BTS fans inspired him to continue being vulnerable and not hide his true self, which led him to eventually publish his motivational books.

These books exist because the ARMY was brave enough to support my vulnerable moment, he said. So I really got to thank K-pop. I got to thank BTS for supporting me in a moment of weakness and turning it into a passion of mine.
The Annual General Meeting of Hexagon Purus AS will be held on 27 April 2021 at 12:30 CEST at the company's offices in Korsegata 4B, Aalesund, Norway.

Please find attached the notice of the Annual General Meeting with attendance/proxy forms and the Board of Directors' proposed resolutions for the Annual General Meeting.

Due to COVID-19, and to ensure accomplishment of the Annual General Meeting, shareholders are requested to participate in the Annual General Meeting by;





a) voting electronically in advance prior to the Annual General Meeting, or

b) participate by proxy, with or without voting instructions.

All documents related to the Annual General Meeting are available at www.hexagonpurus.com. Shareholders should note that additional information on proceedings of the meeting may be given and announced on the company's website and/or through a stock exchange announcement.

Contact:

Salman Alam, VP Corporate Development, Hexagon Purus AS

Telephone: +47 476 12 713 | salman.alam@hexagonpurus.com



About Hexagon Purus AS

Hexagon Purus, a Hexagon Composites company, is a world leading provider of hydrogen type 4 high-pressure cylinders, battery packs and vehicle systems integration for fuel cell electric and battery electric vehicles. Hexagon Purus enables zero emission solutions for light, medium and heavy-duty vehicles, buses, ground storage, distribution, maritime, rail and aerospace. Learn more at www.hexagonpurus.com and follow @HexagonPurus on LinkedIn and Twitter.



This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act





Attachment
Stripe founders Patrick and John Collison have a combined real-time net wealth nearly twice that of the other four Irish billionaires, according to estimates included in the annual Forbes billionaires list.

The Tipperary-born brothers, who started Stripe together in 2010 while studying in Cambridge, Massachusetts, are each worth $9.5bn (8bn), the magazine says.

The $19bn between the pair far exceeds the combined $9.8bn wealth total for Denis O'Brien, John Dorrance, Eugene Murtagh and Dermot Desmond, all of whom have had careers longer than the Collisons have been alive.

Just two weeks ago, Stripe was valued at $95bn making it the most valuable private company in Silicon Valley.

While the Collisons' stake in Stripe is the main source of their current wealth, the brothers were already millionaires as teenagers after selling their company, Auctomatic, for a reported $5m in 2008.

Now as CEO and president of the company, they are running arguably the hottest technology business in the world.

Stripe's meteoric rise has been characterised by rapidly increasing valuations each time the company has sought funding from investors.

A $250m funding round in September 2019 put the value of the company at $35bn. By November of last year, commentators were estimating it was closer to $100bn  a figure confirmed last month when it raised another $600m.

The Irish Strategic Investment Fund was one of the backers in that transaction, which was followed by a commitment from Stripe to add 1,000 jobs at its Irish offices.

Digicel owner Denis O'Brien is the next biggest Irish billionaire on the list, with an estimated net worth of $4.6bn derived from his 94pc stake in the telecoms company.

Mr O'Brien's wealth rebounded sharply in the last year after Digicel negotiated a major restructuring of company debt, including a $1.6bn writedown and the extension of payment terms for some bonds.

Mr O'Brien sold his stake in Independent News & Media, the publisher of the Irish Independent, to Mediahuis in 2019 at a loss of hundreds of millions of euro. Last month he agreed to sell radio group Communicorp to Bauer Media Audio.

The Irish list is rounded out by Campbell's Soup heir John Dorrance at $2.6bn, Kingspan founder Eugene Murtagh at $2.5bn and entrepreneur and investor Dermot Desmond at $2.1bn.

The Irish billionaires are dwarfed by the top 10 richest people on the list, whose personal fortunes in some cases exceed $100bn.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos tops the list, with a net worth of $177bn even after his $38bn divorce settlement with ex-wife MacKenzie Scott in 2019.

Elon Musk stands in second place with $151bn after the value of Tesla shot up in 2020, moving him up from 33rd place last year.

Technology entrepreneurs Bill Gates (Microsoft), Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook), Larry Ellison (Oracle), Sergey Brin and Larry Page (both Google) round out the list, along withLVMH's Arnault family and India's Mukesh Ambani.

Eight of the top 10 are Americans, showing that the USA is still the biggest generator of individual wealth in the world, notwithstanding the rise of China as the world's second biggest economy.
BUDAPEST (Reuters) -Hungary plans to join the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) to open up new financing sources for Hungarian companies in Asia, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Tuesday during a visit to Kazakhstan, according to his official Facebook page.

The move is part of the "eastern opening" diplomacy of Hungary's nationalist government that also includes forging close relations with China, which is building a major railway line connecting Budapest and Belgrade.

"This (joining the EDB) aims to open up new financing sources for Hungarian firms to help them be even more successful in Eurasian markets," Szijjarto said.

The EDB, founded by Russia and Kazakhstan in 2006, aims to promote economic growth in its member states, extend trade ties among them and support Eurasian integration through investment.

It currently has six members, all former Soviet republics.

In another demonstration of Hungary's eastward tilt, China plans to open a huge campus of the Shanghai-based Fudan University in Budapest within a few years, the first in the European Union.

On Tuesday, citing a government proposal, Hungarian investigative website Direkt36 reported that the Fudan University campus would be built with a Chinese loan of more than 450 billion forints ($1.47 billion). Hungary will also contribute 100 billion forints to the project, it said.

Its costs will exceed the total funds Hungary's government spent on higher education in 2019, Direkt36 said.

The government has not replied to Reuters' emailed questions regarding the university project.

The Chinese railway project is part of Beijing's One Belt, One Road initiative intended to open new foreign markets to Chinese firms.

Hungary, which has frequently clashed with the EU over media freedoms and its migration policy, has forced a leading university founded by billionaire philanthropist George Soros to move most of its activities from Budapest to Vienna. nL8N2GX1KN

($1 = 306.1500 forints)

(Reporting by Krisztina Than;Editing by Gareth Jones)
AKRON, Ohio  Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose said in sworn testimony that he rejected Summit County GOP Chair Brian Williams reappointment to the county elections board in part because of a lack of results that led him to believe Williams was not competent.

LaRose, a Republican, also reiterated his other reasons for opposing the reappointment of Williams and Summit County Democratic Chair Tom Bevan - who did not seek reappointment - under questioning by an attorney representing the Summit County GOPs Executive Committee.

A leader is judged by the results of his or her organization, LaRose said in the deposition. And the responsibility that I have is to assure that there are competent people serving on all 88 county boards. And I dont, on a day-to-day basis, exercise control over how they operate at a board, but what the law does give me is the ability to determine whether a board member is competent. And as you can see, Ive made the decision that neither of the two incumbent Board members at the Summit County Board of Elections should be retained, and I carried through on that, and the seven items listed here dictate exactly why.

The seven items were listed by LaRose in his March 3 letter rejecting Williams appointment to the Summit County Board of Elections. The same day, Elections Director Amanda Grandjean penned a letter notifying the board it was placed under administrative oversight.

LaRose and Grandjean each listed the same seven reasons for their decisions, including the boards poor handling of the November presidential election and how the board maintained its voter rolls. The problems at the board, LaRose contends, likely led to the 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.

Attorney Stephen Funk, representing the Summit County GOPs Executive Committee, asked LaRose during the deposition about what issues at the board Williams had caused or contributed to, or how he may have obstructed positive change. LaRose said he didnt have any evidence of wrongdoing by Williams, but that a lack of results contributed to LaRose feeling that Williams was not competent, which is how state law says secretaries of state may reject board nominations.

You can read LaRoses deposition here:

The two incumbent members of the four-person Summit County Board of Elections who were not up for reappointment are Democrat Bill Rich and Republican Ray Weber. Bevan, the Democratic chair, did not seek reappointment. Democrats instead offered up Marco Sommerville, who was approved by LaRose. LaRoses office has said that if Bevan would have been nominated, he would have been rejected like Williams.

I made the decision that none of the incumbent Board members should be reappointed because this Board needs cultural change, LaRose said. Thats why that Board was placed under Administrative Oversight as well. The fact of Bryan Williams and his specific, you know, engagement in misconduct or what-have-you was not what I was talking about. I was talking about the overall performance of the Board

Again, when theres only four members of the Board, theres not very many other places to pass the buck to. And when you have served as a Director and a Deputy Director and a Chairman and a member of the Board of Elections, the dysfunction of that Board can only be laid at your feet, he said.

LaRose said it was unacceptable, for example, for board members and staff to see cars lining Grant Street for hours on end as voters waited to drop off their ballots for the November 2020 election, and to not seek a solution.

I felt that it was sort of endemic of the dysfunction at the Summit County Board, quite honestly, that they couldnt even reach a solution on something this simple, LaRose said. And for staff members and Board members to be kind of looking out the window and seeing a line of cars and then do nothing about it, it is a failure of leadership, in my opinion.

LaRose is a Summit County native who moved to the Columbus area in April 2020. Williams and the GOP have claimed that LaRose developed a political animosity toward Williams after Williams sponsored a fundraiser for a potential opponent in the Republican primary race for secretary of state: Dorothy Pelanda of Union County.

I did, as one would expect, as a longtime member of the Summit County Republican Executive Committee and a longtime Summit County resident, I asked him to meet me for breakfast, LaRose said in the deposition. And I was concerned, confused, wondered why my hometown county chairman was supporting somebody else. And I offered him the chance to say, hey, lets be allies, lets be friends, but he chose another path.

Around 2017, LaRose had sought to be a poll worker, which is encouraged for lawmakers. He was rejected by the boards two republican members: Williams and former GOP Chair Alex Arshinkoff.

Arshinkoff, who died in 2017 at the age of 62, was at the center of a similar lawsuit in 2008, when his reappointment to the election board was rejected by then-Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, a Democrat, due to political conflicts and threats to workers.

After Brunners decision, the county GOP 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 his March 3 letter, LaRose wrote about a history of conflict at the board. During the deposition, he said he was referring to the general knowledge of the recent past two decades or so of history at the Summit County Board of Elections; prior Secretaries having to intervene in the work of the Board; knowledge from just having sort of grown up there that there have been challenges at the Summit County Board of Elections over the years.

When Funk asked LaRose whether he was referring to the alleged acrimony between Arshinkoff and former board member Wayne Jones, LaRose said, I guess I would view that as just one very public symptom of a much deeper disease, but, yes.
Australia's future long-term access to critical minerals for phones, electric cars, batteries, defence and wind turbines is at stake in an election in Greenland.

The territory is home to the world's largest undeveloped rare earths project. It could break China's monopoly and Australian firm Greenland Minerals holds the licence.

The snap election on Tuesday is largely a referendum on the controversial mining proposal, after the withdrawal of support by a minor party shattered Greenland's centrist coalition government.

Australia's future long-term access to critical minerals for phones, electric cars, batteries, defence and wind turbines is at stake in an election in Greenland (pictured)

independence from Denmark. Australian-listed Greenland Minerals was in the final stages of getting approval for the Kvanefjeld project

Green-left Inuit Ataqatigiit opposes the project and leads in the polls while the largest party, social democratic Siumut supports the development as key to greater independence from Denmark.

Australian-listed Greenland Minerals was in the final stages of getting approval for the Kvanefjeld project.

But public anger about the risk of uranium dust from the massive site led to February's government break up and halved the value of the firm's shares on the Australian stock exchange.

'The controversy only relates to this one project,' Dwayne Menezes, head of the London-based independent think tank Polar Research and Policy Initiative, told AAP.

'For some, the chief concern relates to Chinese ownership; for others, it is about environmental concerns.'

A subsidiary of China's Shenghe Resources, one of the largest rare earth producers in the world, owns a slice of Greenland Minerals.

The snap election on Tuesday is largely a referendum on the controversial mining proposal, after the withdrawal of support by a minor party shattered Greenland's centrist coalition government

'China has repeatedly demonstrated its willingness to deploy economic levers for geopolitical gain, with rare earths arguably the sharpest weapon in its arsenal,' Dr Menezes said.

The mine site contains neodymium, praseodymium, terbium and dysprosium as well as the radioactive elements uranium and thorium that could threaten water quality and sparse farmland.

Greenland Minerals has investigated the radiological impact and says there will be no harmful impact on plants, animals or people living in or visiting the area.

Mineral companies linked to Australia, Canada and the UK hold most of the prospecting, exploration and exploitation licences in Greenland, and have teamed up in a Five Eyes Critical Minerals Alliance.

The Quad leaders of Australia, Japan, India and the US are also trying to influence global trading rules and boost their own production.

Greenland's election results are expected on Wednesday morning GMT.
The has approved USD 4.7 billion in government aid for national carrier as it struggles through the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In return for the aid, the carrier has promised to make slots available to competitors at the busy Orly airport in Paris.

The public support will come with strings attached, said EU Commission Vice President Margrethe Vestager.

Last year, got 3 billion euros in direct loans from the French state as part of a recapitalisation of up to 4 billion euros.

The French government, the airline's largest single shareholder, has said it was essential to save the national carrier but it is not considering nationalizing

In exchange for the bailout, the government set conditions of profitability and more environmentally sustainable, less polluting policies.

(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.)
UNHCR staff prepare to distribute sleeping mats and blankets to families fleeing violence in Palma, northern Mozambique.  UNHCR/Martim Gray Pereira

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, continues to work around the clock to assist thousands of people reaching safety in northern Mozambiques Cabo Delgado province. A recent attack by insurgents on the coastal town of Palma has forced out at least 11,000 people, with thousands more reported to be trapped inside the area.

Civilians have been arriving in Pemba, Nangade, Mueda and Montepuez by foot, road, and boat since 24 March, in the aftermath of the attack. Humanitarian flights that helped evacuate hundreds initially have now been suspended pending further clearance by authorities.

UNHCR teams in Pemba have received worrying reports from displaced populations that over 1,000 people fleeing Mozambique and trying to enter Tanzania were not allowed to cross the border to seek asylum. We are following up on these reports in Tanzania. UNHCR calls on Mozambiques neighbours to provide access to territory and asylum procedures for those escaping violence and seeking protection.

Three years of turmoil in the north of the country has displaced nearly 700,000 inside Mozambique  most during the last year. UNHCR officials have warned that this number could cross the million mark by June this year if the ongoing violence does not stop.

UNHCR is putting in place measures to receive more arrivals in the coming days. Our staff are reaching areas outside Pemba to assist newly displaced people.

The majority of new arrivals are women and children with few belongings, most showing signs of severe trauma following the atrocities they witnessed and worried for those relatives who were left behind. The sudden and deadly nature of the attacks have left families torn apart, many still unable to leave. Among the vulnerable groups arriving in Pemba were unaccompanied children, separated families and older people.

UNHCR and its partners have been distributing relief items, including blankets and sleeping mats. Some people are being accommodated in a transit centre in Pemba, set up by the Government, while the majority of displaced people are living with relatives and friends whose scarce resources are being rapidly exhausted.

We are identifying the most vulnerable cases in need of urgent assistance and referring them to services, and tracing and reuniting lost family members. Nearly 80 per cent of separated individuals are women and children. UNHCR is also training partner organization staff on protecting displaced people from gender-based violence and sexual exploitation.

The escalation of violence in Cabo Delgado has severely impacted health, water, and shelter facilities and access to food in the region. This harrowing humanitarian crisis is compounded by an already fragile situation of chronic underdevelopment, consecutive climatic disasters, and recurrent disease outbreaks including, most recently, COVID-19.

More resources are badly needed as underfunding is hampering our humanitarian response. UNHCR appeal for our Cabo Delgado of US$ 19.2 million is just under 40 per cent funded.

New footage from Mozambiques Cabo del Gado region will be available shortly. Please check Refugees Media for availability, at http://media.unhcr.org, or contact [email protected] to receive email advisories regarding new video releases.

For more information on this topic, please contact:
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-07 01:45:23|Editor: huaxia

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YAOUNDE, April 6 (Xinhua) -- It is imperative for Cameroon to introduce vaccination against COVID-19 pandemic in a bid to protect vulnerable groups and curb the spread of the disease in the Central African nation, leaders of the country's two prominent medical associations said Tuesday.

Franck Dange Nana, president of National Council of Pharmacists, and Guy Sandjon, president of National Order of Medical Doctors, made the appeal during a meeting with Cameroon's Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute.

"We need the government to protect the population. To protect this population, we need vaccine. Vaccination has side effects like all medicines but we know that with vaccination against COVID-19, we will contain the disease in our country. We need to join all the countries in the world to vaccinate our people," Nana told reporters after the meeting in the capital, Yaounde.

"As a medical professional I can assure you that the vaccine is safe. We need to introduce vaccination to safeguard our people," Sandjon added.

In March, while saying that COVID-19 vaccines will soon arrive in the country, Ngute stressed that vaccination will not be mandatory. Enditem
The small town of Donna, near the Texas-Mexico border is receiving much media attention in the immigration debate in recent days because its also where many migrant children and families are being processed. VOAs Elizabeth Lee shows how this type of attention has impacted the towns residents.
Vice President M on



Tuesday said he is confident that the country would prepare a detailed outline to build a "new India" by 2047, the 100th year of India's independence.

Naidu was speaking here at the conclusion of the 25- day-long Dandi yatra, taken out from the Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat's Ahmedabad city by 81 participants as part of the 'Aazadi Ka Amrut Mohatsav' to mark 75 years of India's independence.

"From 1947 till now, we have walked on the footsteps shown by our freedom fighters, 'sabka saath sabka vikas' is our motto. We have achieved many things," Naidu said.

"Ideas at 75, achievements at 75, actions at 75 and resolve at 75 should be our aim," he added.

Naidu said the entire world today respects and recognises the strengths of India, thanks to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and all the states, irrespective of political parties (ruling the states).

"I am confident that on this occasion, taking into account at 2047, the completion of 100 years of our independence, we will prepare a detailed outline to make a new in the next 25 years. We will work to achieve it also in the next 25 years," he said.

He said one often comes across watershed moments in history and Mahatma Gandhi's 'Salt March' was one such defining milestone, which stands out as an iconic movement of non-violence and civil disobedience against the British empire.

"Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel inspire us to build a new of our dreams," he said.

On March 12 this year, the Dandi yatra was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the Sabarmati Ashram as part of celebrations over the completion of 75 years of India's independence.

After travelling a distance of 268 km on foot, 81 participants reached Dandi in Gujarat's Navsari district on Tuesday morning.

On March 12, 1930, Mahatma Gandhi along with 78 other people undertook the Dandi March to challenge the salt tax imposed by the British.

Gandhi reached Dandi on April 5, 1930 and broke the law on April 6, 1930.

The Dandi March is considered a defining movement in the Indian independence movement after which the entire nation stood behind Mahatma Gandhi against the British rule.

(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.)
San Francisco leaders blessed spending $15 million on free summer programming for the citys public school students on Tuesday, after suspicions about the involvement of a private organization led the Board of Supervisors to delay a vote on the funding two weeks ago.

Supervisor Hillary Ronen, who had pushed back the vote and raised concerns about the status and motivation of organization TogetherSF, said after meeting with the group Monday that her fear was unfounded. She had questioned TogetherSF about why it had a tax status registration commonly used by lobbyists and whether the organization had any political motivations, based on a constituents concerns she became aware of the day before the planned vote, just two weeks after the program was announced with her blessing.

The stakes for the citys public school students are big. After more than a year of virtual learning that has taken a toll on children, the citys Summer Together Initiative aims to provide free camps, summer school and learning hubs for all San Francisco public school students. The free program would not only help the many families who are struggling in the wake of pandemic-related job losses, but help students by offering social and academic support. Its funded by $15 million from the city and $25 million from the philanthropic Crankstart Foundation, supported by venture capitalist Michael Moritz and his wife, Harriet Heyman.

The program comes as San Francisco, struggling from the pandemics economic toll, turns to its philanthropists for support. Crankstart has also funded other city initiatives, including Right to Recover, which paid essential workers with COVID-19 to quarantine and which Ronen endorsed. Ronen is also leading an ambitious effort to raise possibly more than $2 billion over five years for city schools to offset the academic and emotional devastation in the wake of the pandemic.

TogetherSF told Ronen and The Chronicle it is a volunteer coordinating organization funded by philanthropy that doesnt engage in political activity and is actively working on changing its tax status to a nonprofit organization. Crankstart gave TogetherSF seed funding at its inception at the start of the pandemic but isnt giving the organization more money for its part in the citys program.

I have no reason to believe theyre not being honest about their work, Ronen told The Chronicle. I believe were all working together with the exact right aim to get our kids back in school and get them the emotional, social, mental health and academic support that they need.

TogetherSF is helping the city get donated space and money from local companies, including using Googles tech buses to shuttle public school students to its Embarcadero office, which is being used as a learning hub.

Free summer programming is the second seemingly uncontroversial plan to get embroiled in city politics this year, as supervisors have been looking harder at city dealings with private entities and San Francisco reels from corruption scandals. Supervisors Connie Chan and Aaron Peskin recently pushed back on a vote to extend the contract for the Ferris wheel in Golden Gate Park because some revenues will go back to a nonprofit organization that raised funds for the parks anniversary celebration and was also subpoened in the City Attorneys ongoing investigation.

Theres so many scandals with corruption with San Francisco, Ronen said. My job is to trust but verify.

Reflecting on the latest road bump in San Franciscos public-private partnership to support students, Michael Petrilli, president of the conservative-leaning education policy think tank Thomas B. Fordham Institute in Washington, D.C., said he understood the critical need for transparency and ensuring that philanthropys intention aligns with the public systems goals.

Alex Gurn, a research associate at education consultancy Rockman et al and a San Francisco public school parent  said private money for the public sector can be highly positive but also pose numerous pitfalls including strings attached for certain purposes and the chance that funding could be pulled on a whim.

Moving forward, Petrilli said San Franciscos school fundraising success depends upon selling a confident vision with strong leadership  a challenge in the city school districts chaotic year.

It does have to demonstrate that there is a coherent vision, the leadership in place is strong and it will be there over time, and it can be very challenging in the politicized system, especially when you have an elected school board that has lost the significant confidence of a majority of the public, Petrilli said. That makes it hard to raise money.

Mallory Moench is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mallory.moench@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @mallorymoench
Community Mutual Insurance Company Names New President, Treasurer

The Board of Directors of Community Mutual Insurance Company has voted unanimously to elect Jennifer P. Galfetti as president of the company and Schuyler M. Ryan as treasurer. The promotions were announced at the companys annual meetings held on March 17, 2021.

Community Mutual Insurance Company is part of the Union Mutual of Vermont Companies, a property/casualty insurance group consisting of Union Mutual Fire Insurance and New England Guaranty Insurance Company Inc., both based in Montpelier, Vermont; and Community Mutual Insurance Company, based in Latham, New York.

Galfetti and Ryans elections mark the first time that the company has ever had a completely female slate of officers. They join Community Mutual CEO Lisa L. Keysar and Corporate Secretary Sarah R. Jarvis, Esq.

Galfetti joined the companies in 2009 after more than 15 years of accounting and finance work.

In 2013, she was promoted to Union Mutuals treasurer and elected to Community Mutuals board of directors, two positions she will maintain.

Ryan joined the companies as a senior accountant in 2014 and is currently the companys assistant vice president of finance. She is also a member of the Community Mutual board of directors, both positions she will also maintain.

Source: Community Mutual Insurance Company

Massachusetts Risman Insurance Agencies Hires Adwani

Risman Insurance Agencies, a family owned agency based in Medford, Massachusetts, has hired Monica Adwani to lead the companys marketing and sales efforts.

Her insurance career began in 2008 at the Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety, where she was a customer service supervisor. Since then, her insurance experiences have ranged from customer service, research and claims to sales and business development.

In her new role at Risman Insurance Agencies, Adwani will work closely with Risman Insurance Agencies President Henry Risman to ensure the continued success and growth of the company. Specifically, Adwani is tasked with developing consistent sales processes and initiatives across departments, implementing sales and business development educational programs and hiring and managing the inside and outside sales team.

She will also be responsible for building out the Risman Insurance Agencies affiliate program for real estate professionals and mortgage lenders.

Source: Risman Insurance Agencies
Immigrants who arrived illegally across the Rio Grande river from Mexico make their way along a track towards a processing checkpoint set up by border patrol agents in the border city of Roma on March 27, 2021. (Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images)

Americans Disapprove Bidens Handling of Border Crisis: Poll

More Americans disapprove of President Joe Bidens handling of the border security and the influx of unaccompanied children as illegal immigrants at the southern border reach record highs.

According to a new poll conducted by the Associated Press and the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, while Biden has an overall approval rating of 61 percent, 55 percent of Americans disapprove of his handling of border security 56 percent disapprove of his immigration policies.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) figures show that illegal crossings rose to over 100,000 in February. The highest February that we had seen in 20 years, former acting Secretary of Department of Homeland Security Chad Wolf told The Epoch Times.

More than 150,000 illegal immigrants were apprehended at the southern border in March and another 30,000 evaded capture, according to former Commissioner Mark Morgan, who has received provisional CBP numbers from internal sources.

As to Bidens handling of unaccompanied children apprehended at the southern border, only 24 percent of Americans approve his performance, 40 percent dont approve, and another 35 percent of Americans neither approve nor disapprove.

A screenshot of AP-NORC poll results. (Screenshot via The Epoch Times.)

The number of unaccompanied children crossing the border reached more than 18,500 in March, 60 percent higher than the previous record of 11,494 in May 2019, according to CBP data obtained by NBC News.

The Biden administration claims its more humane to keep the children in the United States. Republicans criticize the policy, accompanied by the rollback of other Trump-era policies, for causing the sharp increase of unaccompanied children at the border.

The poll also showed that 65 percent of Americans think the Biden administration should give high priority to reuniting parents and children who were separated at the border. Twenty-six percent think its a moderate priority.

Fifty-nine percent of Americans think providing safe treatment of unaccompanied minors at the border should be a high priority for the federal government.

Currently, border facilities are being overwhelmed by the surge of illegal immigrants. Last week, over 4,100 illegal immigrants, more than 3,400 of them unaccompanied children, were crowded in a border facility intended for 250 people in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas. The Biden administration opened two more emergency holding facilities in Texas on Monday to temporarily house unaccompanied minors.

Young minors lie inside a pod at the Donna Department of Homeland Security holding facility, the main detention center for unaccompanied children in the Rio Grande Valley run by the US Customs and Border Protection, (CBP), in Donna, Texas, on March 30, 2021. (Dario Lopez-Mills/AP Photo)

Biden also has negative approval ratings on gun policy and the federal budget deficit. The disapproval ratings are 52 percent and 50 percent, respectively.

The poll showed significant differences across party lines in Bidens approval ratings.

For example, among the 61 percent of Americans who generally approve Bidens job as president, 96 percent are Democrats and 58 percent are Independents, compared to only 22 percent of Republicans.

As to border security, only 14 percent of Republicans and 34 percent of Independents approve of Bidens work, compared to 74 percent of Democrats.

The poll of 1,166 adults was conducted between March 26 and 29. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 3.6 percentage points.

The Associated Press and Tom Ozimek contributed to this report.
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An amateur astrophotographer has taken an incredible image of the International Space Station (ISS) flying in front of the Sun.

Mehmet Ergun took the photo on April 2 from his base in Germany and had been planning the photo for three weeks.

He has now successfully taken several images of the ISS in transit and posts them to his Instagram, where he has more than 14,000 followers.

Scroll down for video

An amateur astrophotographer has taken an incredible image of the International Space Station (ISS) flying in front of the Sun

Mehmet Ergun took the photo on April 2 from his base in Germany and had been planning the photo for three weeks before successfully pulling it off

The space fanatic captured the photo with a Lunt LS80 DSII solarscope, Rainbow RST-135 star tracker, a QHY5III174M camera, Hutech Hinode solar guider and a 2x Meade Series 5000 Barlow Lens.

It enabled him to photograph the ISS at the exact moment it passed 300 miles (500km) over his head in Alzey, Germany.

He said: 'I planned the shot about three weeks ago and with a little luck I was able to take it.

'This is my fourth ISS transit photo, and every time I am fascinated and excited at the same time.

'NASA also shared my photo on Instagram Story. A lot of things have to be suitable for such photos. Weather, seeing, equipment, location, time and some know-how.

'Preparations can start weeks in advance, but photography takes less than one second.'

Mr Ergun He has now successfully taken several images of the ISS in transit and posts them to his Instagram, where he has more than 14,000 followers

In April last year he captured high definition images tracking the space station's journey in front of the Sun. The ISS is the largest object ever put into space by humans and measures 357 feet long

The German astrophotographer says his photo was shared on the Instagram story of NASA. He has now captured the ISS in transit four times

The space fanatic captured the photo with a Lunt LS80 DSII solarscope, Rainbow RST-135 star tracker, a QHY5III174M camera, Hutech Hinode solar guider and a 2x Meade Series 5000 Barlow Lens

In April last year he captured high definition images tracking the space station's journey in front of the Sun.

The ISS is the largest object ever put into space by humans and measures 357 feet long.

Ergun used a powerful telescope attached to a camera to capture 34 individual frames as the orbiting ISS crossed between planet Earth for less than one second.

The images are then collated so the craft can be seen racing from one edge of the Sun to another in a short animation.

The tiny satellite-shaped spacecraft looks like a miniature model as it's seen racing from one side of our glowing orange Sun to the other.

'The Sun moved very quickly because I use a high focal length and small sensor,' Ergun said last year.

'Astrophotography is a compelling hobby inspired by all the beautiful objects the universe has to offer.'
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 21:50:53|Editor: huaxia

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LUSAKA, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Zambia will review its response to the COVID-19 in order to analyze the strength and weaknesses, a senior government official said Tuesday.

Minister of Health Jonas Chanda said the review of the multisectoral response was critical in preparing for the probable third wave anticipated to occur during the cold months of June and July.

The country was following closely the outbreak of the third wave in some countries, including African countries, and putting in place measures that may avert or reduce the impact of the third wave, he said.

Meanwhile, the Zambian minister said the ministry has continued to explore additional options for vaccine acquisition through its three-pillar strategy.

Apart from the COVAX free vaccine facility, the country has been allocated doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccines under the African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team established by the African Union (AU), while engagement with the private sector who has expressed interest in supporting the vaccine acquisition program has commenced, according to the official.

Meanwhile, the country recorded 62 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours out of 2,438 tests done, bringing the cumulative cases to 89,071, while 160 patients were discharged during the same period, bringing the total recoveries to 85,338.

The country also recorded two COVID-19 related deaths, bringing the total deaths to 1,224. Enditem
As lawmakers in other states, namely Georgia, pass more restrictive voting laws, Democrats in the General Assembly have advanced a wide-ranging proposal to make voting easier in Connecticut.

The proposal would provide more opportunities for absentee voting, would require employers to give employees paid time off to vote on Election Day, expand the states automatic voter registration system to other state agencies beyond the Department of Motor Vehicles, and would allow people on parole to vote.

The General Assemblys Government Administration and Elections Committee advanced the bill Monday on a party line vote.

Connecticut has some of most restrictive voting laws in country  a point underscored by Democrats in their push for voting reform. The state implemented automatic voter registration in August 2016, allowing residents when they go to the Department of Motor Vehicles for services to also register to vote or make changes to their voter registrations.

More than 550,000 new Connecticut voters have used this registration process since it was implemented, and more than 700,000 voters have used it to make changes to their voter registrations, according to Secretary of the State Denise Merrill.

Merrill has said this process has also led to cleaner, more accurate voter rolls  something both Republicans and Democrats have said is needed.

Connecticut law currently allows people on probation, not parole, to vote. The bill advanced Monday would bring Connecticut in line with 18 states and the District of Columbia and would make it clear that voting rights are restored once a person is physically released from prison.

Sen. Rob Sampson, R-Wolcott, the ranking member on the committee, ticked off a host of concerns he has with the proposal including provisions, that would also ban guns within 200 feet of the entrance of any polling place.

I want to expand access, but I want to do so responsibly, he said.

Calling the bill an omnibus, Sampson said he would have preferred to tackle many of these items individually.

If this bill makes it to the floor of the Senate, I can assure you I have a lot more questions, he said.

The proposal for a gun-free zone drew strong opposition during a public hearing, with many testifying that it violated their Second Amendment rights. Most polling places are located at public schools, where guns are already banned.

Rep. Gale Mastrofrancesco, R-Wolcott, also pushed back against the proposal to require employers to allow their employees paid time off to vote, saying that seemed like a labor issue and beyond the reach of state government.

julia.bergman@hearstmediact.com
An online survey done by Leger and the Association for Canadian Studies saw 53 per cent of respondents say the British monarchy no longer has its place in modern Canada.

However, one-third of respondents say it's part of our heritage and story as Canadians.

Castanet recently took a poll asking Interior residents the same question and got similar results, and we hit the streets to ask residents to elaborate on their opinions in-person.

We asked: Is the monarchy obsolete in Canada?

The majority of residents we spoke to said yes, it is obsolete  mainly because they aren't completely sure what the British monarchy's role is in our country. However, most agreed it is a symbolic part of our history.

One man who was born in England and is now a Canadian citizen said, "Members of the royal family need to adopt more relevant roles. For example, Kate Middleton in a high-profile position, shouldn't be trying to sell her perfume line."

Castanet followed up to his remarks by asking, "Do you know what the British monarchy's role is in Canada?"

"That is part of the issue, is that if you don't know what the role is, then you automatically think 'well why is the British monarchy extracting fees from a certain amount of revenue that the Canadians generate?'" he responded.

One Kelowna resident firmly said the monarchy's role is "absolutely not" obsolete. "Because everybody requires a certain amount of historical background to live properly and think in a reasonable matter," he responded.

The poll by Leger and the Association for Canadian Studies came after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's controversial interview with Oprah Winfrey in March.
" Auctions are currently at the forefront of the international art scene, concentrating all the trends in the Art Market. That's why the Artprice Databases and our Decision Support Tools have never been so valuable, " concludes thierry Ehrmann, President and Founder of Artmarket.com and of its Artprice department.

"Auctions are even attracting a significant section of the primary market; the latest records for Beeple and Banksy were established by works put on sale directly by the artists themselves."

Cautious estimates

Deprived of international art fairs, gallery openings and major exhibitions, collectors are paying more attention to works circulating in the auction sphere. This pushes up the prices which in turn encourages the holders of works by these popular artists to resell them. This stimulation of both supply and demand has allowed the emergence of young art market superstars in the space of just a few months.

Artists under the age of 40, who had never before generated auction results, have suddenly reached dizzying price points with extremely recent works ("the paint is still wet" as we used to say a few years ago). These results are all the more disconcerting for having demolished the estimates posted by the major auction houses, proving either that this acceleration has taken contemporary art specialists completely by surprise... or that they wish to remain cautious.

- Amoako Boafo (1984), The Lemon Bathing Suit (2019)

Estimated: $40,000 - $65,000

Price with fees: $881,400

13/02/2020 Phillips London

- Matthew Wong (1984-2019), The Realm of Appearances (2018)

Estimated: $60,000 - $80,000

Price with fees: $1,820,000

29/06/2020 Sotheby's New York

- Christina Quarles (1985), Tuckt (2016)

Estimated: $70,000 - $100,000

Price with fees: $655,200

08/12/2020 Phillips New York

On the need to remain vigilant

A few years, or even just a few months after their creation, these canvases have already been sold at auction. A situation that shocks the artists themselves, as Amoako Boafo explained in an interview with Bloomberg in February 2020, titled Hot New Artist Laments That His Work Is Being Flipped for Profit.

www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-02-12/hot-new-artist-laments-that-his-work-is-being-flipped-for-profit

So far, the prices of this young Ghanaian artist are holding firm: his 34 paintings put up for sale since 1 January 2020 all found buyers in London, New York and Hong Kong. Artprice nevertheless remains extremely vigilant regarding the development of Amoako Boafo's market. His next work to come up for sales, a canvas titled Grace (2018) was acquired directly by the seller from the artist and will be offered at Sotheby's in Hong Kong on 20 April 2021.

www.artprice.com/artist/904704/amoako-boafo/painting/23560098/grace

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See certified biography in Who's who :

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Artmarket is a global player in the Art Market with, among other structures, its Artprice department, world leader in the accumulation, management and exploitation of historical and current art market information in databanks containing over 30 million indices and auction results, covering more than 770,000 artists.

Artprice Images allows unlimited access to the largest Art Market image bank in the world: no less than 180 million digital images of photographs or engraved reproductions of artworks from 1700 to the present day, commented by our art historians.

Artmarket with its Artprice department accumulates data on a permanent basis from 6300 Auction Houses and produces key Art Market information for the main press and media agencies (7,200 publications). Its 4.5 million 'members log in' users have access to ads posted by other members, a network that today represents the leading Global Standardized Marketplace to buy and sell artworks at a fixed or bid price (auctions regulated by paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article L 321.3 of France's Commercial Code).

Artmarket with its Artprice department, has been awarded the State label "Innovative Company" by the Public Investment Bank (BPI) (for the second time in November 2018 for a new period of 3 years) which is supporting the company in its project to consolidate its position as a global player in the market art.

Artprice by Artmarket's 2020 Global Art Market Report published in March 2021:

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London, April 6 : UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed that from April 12, non-essential shops will reopen and pubs and restaurants will resume outdoor dining as the country moves to step two of the roadmap out of the Covid-19 lockdown.

Meanwhile, hairdressers, barbers as well as gyms can reopen, along with zoos, theme parks, libraries and community centres, Xinhua news agency quoted Johnson as saying on Monday.

"The net result of your efforts and of course the vaccine rollout is that I can today confirm that from Monday, April 12, we will move to step two of our road map," said the Prime Minister.

The statement came as the Prime Minister was speaking at a virtual Downing Street press conference to give an update on his government's anti-coronavirus plan.

"But we can't be complacent... We still don't know how strong the vaccine shield will be," he said.

Johnson said England has managed to meet the "tests" set by the government sufficiently to go ahead with further easing restrictions on Monday.

The government previously set out four "tests" for easing lockdown: the vaccine program continues successfully; vaccines are effective in reducing hospital admissions and deaths; infection rates do not risk overwhelming the British National Health Service (NHS); the variants of concern do not pose a large risk.

Nearly 31.6 million people have been given the first jab of a coronavirus vaccine, according to the official figures.

The US has reported a total of 4,376,629 confirmed coronavirus cases so far, with 127,106 deaths.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
OSAGE, Iowa  A former Osage man originally charged with eight counts of sex abuse is taking a plea deal.

Marcus John McNealy, 23 of Sheffield, has pleaded guilty to one count of lascivious acts with a child. He was accused of abusing a child between May 2011 and November 2016 while McNealy living in Mitchell County.

His sentencing is set for June 1.

McNealy was initially charged with four counts of second-degree sexual abuse and four counts of third-degree sexual abuse.
The head of the Minneapolis Police Department testified Monday that former officer Derek Chauvin, charged with the murder of George Floyd, absolutely violated department policy when he kneeled on Floyds neck for more than nine minutes last May 25.

In this image from video, witness Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo testifies as Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill presides Monday, April 5, 2021, in the trial of former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin at the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis. Chauvin is charged in the May 25, 2020 death of George Floyd. (Court TV via AP, Pool)

Police Chief Medaria Arradondo told the court the officers who pinned Floyd to the ground until he was unresponsive should have stopped their restraint as soon as he was distressed and vocalized his discomfort.

And clearly when Mr. Floyd was no longer responsive and motionless, to continue to apply that level of force to a person proned out, handcuffed behind their back. That  is not backed by policy, it is not backed by our training, and its certainly not our ethics or our values, Arradondo said.

As rare as it is for a police officer to face a criminal trial for an on-duty killingof which there are more than 1,000 every yearit is even more exceptional for a police chief to testify against one of his subordinates.

Its a pretty remarkable move on the part of the prosecution, Dr. Cedric Alexander, the former police chief and public safety director of DeKalb County, Georgia told the Guardian. Its very rare that youre going to see a chief either appear for the defense or the prosecution. But each one of these kinds of events brings its own set of circumstances. And in this particular case, where you have a knee to the neck and its being questioned was that trained technique? To be able to have the chief of police  to under oath testify is clearly going to be of importance.

Arradondo, who spoke for more than two hours, detailed the annual training officers are required to take which can include intervention training, basic CPR and first aid. He stated that officers are required to apply their medical training and skills to provide medical assistance to an individual in need while awaiting emergency medical services, which officers involved in Floyds death failed to do.

He later told the court that Floyd was not actively or passively resisting when officers pinned him to the pavement. Arradondo added that he was unsure if Floyd was even alive as Chauvin continued to kneel on his neck after he became unresponsive.

When prosecutors asked Arradondo about allowed uses of force, he explained that department policy allowed neck restraints at the time of Floyds death, but differentiated between a conscious neck restraint, meant to simply control someone, and an unconscious neck restraint, which is used to cause a person to lose consciousness. The latter was only allowed when an officer fears great bodily harm, Arradondo said.

Arradondo testified Chauvin appeared to be trying to employ a conscious neck restraint, which involves light to moderate pressure used against a person actively resisting police. However, Arradondo said what he saw in footage he reviewed of the incident constituted an unreasonable amount of force and was beyond the amount of pressure department policy allowed.

I vehemently disagree that thats the appropriate use of force for that situation, he said.

Arradondo added that officers are required to be objectively reasonable in terms of their use of force and are trained to continuously assess and reevaluate a situation in the field to make sure any use of force is reasonable the entire length of time it is being applied.

When cross examining Arradondo, Defense Attorney Eric Nelson attempted to discredit him by pointing out that policy allowed officers to improvise when using neck restraints. Arradondo responded he had a couple of issues with the assertion that anything about Chauvin kneeling on Floyds neck was within policy.

Additionally, Arradondo later dismissed the defenses argument that bystanders actions distracted officers. He stated any use of force is dependent on the subjects conduct, not someone elses. He then added that Floyds alleged offense, forgery, was not a crime police typically arrest someone for because it is not a violent felony, suggesting officers actions were entirely unnecessary.

Katie Blackwell, a superior officer and former director of the Minneapolis police training academy, also criticized Chauvins use of his knee to restrain Floyd.

I dont know what kind of improvised position that is. Its not what we train, she said. What we train is one arm or two arms doing a neck restraint.

Blackwell added that officers are trained to avoid positional asphyxia for people handcuffed and lying face down. Blackwell told jurors officers are aware that anyone in a prone position should be placed in a side recovery position as soon as possible

Dr. Bradford Langenfeld, the practitioner who directed Floyds care while he was at Hennepin County Medical Center, told jurors he spent about 30 minutes trying to resuscitate him before pronouncing him dead. Langenfeld testified he believed Floyd died from a lack of oxygenknown in medical terms as hypoxiarather than an overdose or drug-induced heart attack.

During cross-examination, the defense focused on Floyds toxicology report, getting Langenfeld to agree that a combination of fentanyl and methamphetamine could cause hypoxia. Prosecutors rebuffed this by clarifying that Floyd had already been administered drugs meant to counter the effects of opioid overdoses, suggesting that any drugs in Floyds system were unrelated to his death.
South Korea's tech giant LG Electronics said on Monday that it will withdraw from the mobile phone business later this year, following years of loss-making performance.

The company said in a statement that the decision to close its mobile business unit was approved by the board of directors earlier in the day amid the continued underperformance, caused by the lack of proper response to a stiffer competition with major rivals.

The wind-down of the mobile phone division was forecast to be completed by the end of July, while the production of mobile devices would last by the end of May to supply the contracted products for business partners.

LG said it will provide service support and software updates for customers of existing mobile products for a period of time which will vary by region.

The South Korean company, once the world's third-largest mobile phone manufacturer, has been in red ink for the mobile business since the second quarter of 2015.

LG said its exit from the incredibly competitive mobile phone sector will enable it to focus resources in growth areas such as electric vehicle components, connected devices, smart homes, robotics, artificial intelligence and business-to-business solutions as well as platforms and services.

It noted that the company will continue to leverage its mobile expertise and develop mobility-related technologies, including 6G, to help further strengthen competitiveness in other business areas.
Pakistan's state-owned trading firm TCP on Monday issued a global tender for import of 50,000 tonnes of white sugar but not from 'banned' countries like India, a move described by the Indian sugar industry as "bad luck" for the neighbouring country.

This is the third tender Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) has floated for import of sugar. Earlier, two tenders for 50,000 tonnes each had to be scrapped mainly due to high quotes.

Faced with production shortages, Pakistan is trying to import sugar in order to boost domestic availability and check retail prices which have shot up to PKR 100 per kg.

Last week, there was sudden hope of trade reopening between the two nations in sugar and cotton after Pakistan's Economic Coordination Committee allowed import of these two commodities from India. However, Pakistan's federal cabinet back-tracked on the decision.

Issuing a fresh international tender for import of 50,000 tonnes of white sugar, TCP made it clear to global suppliers that "the cargo (white sugar) should not be originated from Israel or any other banned country."

Global suppliers should submit bids by April 14 and deliver the commodity at any port in Karachi, it said.

Commenting on the development, All India Sugar Trade Association (AISTA) Chairman Praful Vithalani said, "Bad luck for Pakistan. Will you get sugar at prices, quality and speed with lowest freight parity of Indian sugar?"

For Pakistan, importing white sugar from India would have been much cheaper and faster via land route compared from other countries, he told PTI. "Through land route via Punjab, white sugar would cost about USD 398 per tonne (which includes freight charges and delivery at godown)," he added.

According to AISTA, TCP had scrapped earlier two tenders for import of sugar because of high quotes. The lowest bid it received was around USD 540 per tonne by Al Khaleez, Dubai.

Pakistan, which is expecting sugar production of 5.6 million tonnes in the ongoing 2020-21 marketing year (October-September), is facing a shortage of 5,00,000 tonnes, according to Pakistani traders.

Whereas India, the world's second largest sugar producing nation after Brazil, is sitting on a surplus stock and targeting to export 6 million tonnes in the ongoing 2020-21 marketing year.

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Published On Apr 05, 2021 03:53 PM By Sonny

The smallest Kia SUV is about to get an extra row of seats in Indonesia

Indonesia-spec Kia Sonet is longer than what we get here but it has the same wheelbase.

It is unlikely to get any exterior changes to accommodate the extra row of seats.

Kia is expected to offer the same features, dashboard design, and engine option as regular Sonet.

Indonesian Sonet is only offered with the 115PS 1.5-litre petrol engine with a choice of manual and automatic transmissions.

The seven-seater Sonet is unlikely to be brought to India.

The Kia Sonet SUV debuted in the second half of 2020 and the Korean carmaker is now preparing to unveil a seven-seater version of the model in Indonesia on April 8. It will likely be limited to its debut market.

While the Sonet is a sub-4m offering in India, the Indonesia-spec model has an overall length of 4,120mm even though both versions have the same 2,500mm wheelbase. The new seven-seater version in Indonesia is unlikely to feature any exterior changes, unlike the Hyundai Alcazar based on the Creta. Such compact 7-seaters are quite popular in Indonesia.

The new seven-seater version is expected to get the same dashboard and feature list. It will come with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a sunroof, front and rear parking sensors, and ventilated front seats. The middle row seats will likely get the slide and tumble feature for access to the new third row in the back. With no added length, this three-row Sonet is expected to have no luggage space whatsoever with all seats in use.

Under the bonnet, Kia offers the Sonet with the 1.5-litre petrol engine only with the choice of manual and CVT automatic transmissions in Indonesia. Its seven-seater iteration is expected to be offered with the same. It seems Kia will not give this three-row Sonet a different moniker. Its also unlikely to bring this version to India.

Read More on : Sonet on road price
Jordan's Prince Hamzah has pledged allegiance to King Abdullah II following mediation talks to resolve the family feud which saw the senior royal placed under house arrest after being accused of plotting a coup.

The talks, announced by the palace on Tuesday, successfully de-escalated one of the most serious political crises in the kingdom in decades.

Jordanian authorities had accused the former crown prince of being involved in a 'malicious plot,' along with two senior Jordanian officials, leading to the king placing his half-brother under house arrest for allegedly conspiring with foreign supporters to destabilise Jordan, a key Western ally.

Hamzah, 41, denied the allegations, saying he was speaking out against corruption and mismanagement.

In a statement released by a professional mediator and friend of the family involved in the talks, the 'regrettable incident' was blamed on 'the clumsy actions of a senior security official and misrepresentation by a government official.

'It should have remained a family matter,' the statement added.

The mediation appears to be a change in tone from the prince, who on Monday said he would refuse to take orders while under house arrest.

Jordan's Prince Hamzah (pictured right in 2015) has pledged allegiance to Jordan's King Abdullah II (pictured left last year) following mediation talks to resolve the family feud which saw the senior royal placed under house arrest after being accused of plotting a coup

The announcement of the successful mediation came after Abdullah's paternal uncle, Hassan, met with Hamzah on Monday.

The mediation took place at Hassan's home at the Royal Hashemite Court. Hamzah was joined by his brother Hashem and three of their cousins.

'In light of the developments of the past two days, I put myself at the disposal of His Majesty the King,' said the statement signed by Hamzah.

He said he would remain loyal to the king and to Jordan's constitution.

Malik R Dahlan, a professional mediator and a friend of the family, then issued a separate statement, saying the mediation has 'been successful and I expect a resolution shortly.'

Mr Dahlan is the principal of Institution Quraysh for Law and Policy, of which Hamzah Al-Hussein is a council overseer.

He said that 'this regrettable incident was the result of the clumsy actions of a senior security official and misrepresentation by a government official,' adding that 'it should have remained a family matter'.

In this April 2, 2001, file photo, Jordan's King Abdullah II laughs with his half brother Prince Hamzah, right, shortly before the monarch embarked on a tour of the United States. King Abdullah assumed the throne in 1999 following the death of their fater

The full statement from Malik Dahlan on behalf of Prince Hamzah 'Mediation by Prince el-Hassan bin Talal, the Dean of the Hashemite Royal Family today have been successful and I expect a resolution shortly. 'This regrettable incident was the result of the clumsy actions of a senior security official and misrepresentation by a government official. It should have remained a family matter. 'The Royal Hashemite family has a long history and tradition of mediation, which is one of the many reasons for its formidable resilience and popularity. 'This moment can be seen as a pressure valve moment, and the King, in his wisdom, is using this opportunity to bring the family together, uphold the rule of law and resolve this matter with the dignity and the symbolism that it deserves. 'It is also a reminder for the international community to stand by the Hashemites and commend their honorable stance to address the dire economic situation of the Jordanian people and vulnerable refugee communities during these difficult circumstances. 'Prince Hamzah has a lot to offer the Kingdom and the Arab World- and could play a positive role working in a space where his passion for climate action would bring about change.' Excerpts from statement signed by Hamzah, as issued by the royal palace: 'The national interest must remain above all else, and we must all stand behind His Majesty the King in his efforts to safeguard Jordan and its national interests, and ensure the best for the Jordanian people, in accordance with the Hashemite legacy of dedication to serving the nation and supporting the head of the family and the leader of the homeland, may God protect him. 'In light of the developments over the past two days, I put myself at the disposal of His Majesty the King, and I reaffirm that I will always remain committed to the covenant of the ancestors, loyal to their legacy, following in their footsteps, devoted to their path and mission, and to His Majesty the King; and committed to the Constitution of the dear Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. And I will always remain the supporter of His Majesty the King and his Crown Prince.' Advertisement

This was an apparent reference to Saturday's events when Jordan's army chief visited Hamzah and - according to the prince's description - imposed restrictions on his movement and ability to communicate with the outside world.

Earlier on Monday, it appeared tensions were still running high in the kingdom, valued by the West as a stable ally in a volatile region. A recording circulated online in which Hamzah sounded defiant, saying he would not take orders from the army chief.

'The army chief of staff came to me and issued threats in the name of heads of security agencies,' Hamzah said in the recording.

'I recorded his comments and distributed them to my acquaintances abroad as well as my family in case something happens.'

'I don't want to escalate now, but of course I will not abide when he tells me 'you are not allowed to go out, tweet or connect with people and you are only allowed to see family members,'' he said. 'When an army chief of staff says that, this is something that I think is unacceptable.'

Jordan's army chief of staff, Gen Yousef Huneiti, said the country's armed forces and security agencies 'have the power and experience' to deal with any developments that might happen internally or in the region.

Prince Hamzah is the son of the late King Hussein of Jordan and fourth wife Queen Noor, who had over the weekend called the accusations against her son 'wicked slander'.

The American-born Jordanian royal, 69, said she hoped 'praying that truth and justice will prevail' following the reported detainment of her son Prince Hamzah bin Hussein.

Princess Firyal of Jordan - the prince's aunt and the former sister in-law of Queen Noor - also publicly waded into the on-going fallout on Sunday.

Princess Firyal, who was married to Queen Noor's brother-in-law until their divorce in 1978, accused Queen Noor of 'blind ambition' and her son of having a 'sense of entitlement' in a tweet on Sunday morning, that she has since deleted.

'The seemingly blind ambition of Queen Noor & her sons is delusional, futile, unmerited, false sense of entitlement. The all should know better,' Firyal wrote.

Hamzah is the half-brother of the reigning King Abdullah II and was previously the Crown Prince of the middle eastern country - a key ally of the US - before being unexpectedly replaced by one of King Abdullah's sons.

Jordan's deputy Prime Minister last week accused the former crown prince of conspiring with foreign powers in a 'malicious plot' that he claimed he threatened national security.

Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi told reporters that the alleged 'destabilisation' plot had been foiled at the 'zero hour'.

Mr Safadi did not mention which foreign powers were alleged to be involved

It resulted in 20 people being arrested over the alleged plot, including the country's former finance minister Bassem Awadallah - an adviser to to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

On Sunday, Saudi Arabia, a long-term ally of Jordan, shared their support following claims of a coup.

And of the Saudi crown prince's aides Sunday appeared to brush off rumours the kingdom, and one of the Persian gulf states, was involved in the alleged plot.

In a tweet, which included four pictures of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also known as MBS, with Jordan's King Abdullah.

Royal adviser, Turki Alalshikh, said: 'No comment... the pictures speak.'

Prince Hamzah is the half-brother of King Abdullah (pictured here with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman) and one-time Crown Prince of the middle eastern country - a key ally of the US

What have other countries said about the alleged coup? UNITED STATES 'We are closely following the reports and in touch with Jordanian officials. King Abdullah is a key partner of the United States, and he has our full support,' U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said in an email. BRITAIN 'We are following closely the events in Jordan....Jordan is a greatly valued partner for the UK. King Abdullah has our full support,' James Cleverly, a junior Foreign Office minister, on Twitter. SAUDI ARABIA 'The kingdom affirms its full support, with all its capabilities, to all decisions and measures taken by King Abdullah and His Highness Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, the Crown Prince, to maintain security and stability,' the Saudi royal court said in a statement. In a separate statement, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said Jordan's stability and prosperity was the 'basis for the stability and prosperity of the whole region' and vowed 'firm and lasting' support for it. UNITED ARAB EMIRATES The Ministry of Presidential Affairs stressed the UAE's full support for all decisions and measures taken by King Abdullah and his crown prince to maintain Jordan's security and stability and 'to defuse any attempt to impact them'. Senior Emirati official Anwar Gargash said on Twitter Jordan's 'wise policy to build bridges in a turbulent region was not an easy choice but was, and remains, the necessary direction'. EGYPT Egypt voiced support for King Abdullah and his efforts 'to maintain the security and stability of the kingdom against any attempts to undermine it', its presidency spokesman wrote on Facebook. ISRAEL 'This is an internal Jordanian matter. Jordan is a neighbour with which we are at peace, and a strategic ally of ours, and we should do everything to preserve this alliance,' Defence Minister Benny Gantz said in a statement. 'A prosperous and strong Jordan is in our national-security and economic interest. TURKEY Turkey's Foreign Ministry voiced support for King Abdullah and the government of Jordan, and said that it was watching developments with concern. 'We do not see the stability and calm of Jordan, a country that is key to peace in the Middle East, as separate from Turkey's stability and calm,' the ministry said in a statement. Advertisement

Sunday saw Foreign Minister Mr Safadi tell reporters that more than a dozen people had been arrested in connection with the alleged plot.

He said: 'Then it was clear they moved from design and planning into action.'

Mr Safadi spoke a day after Prince Hamzah was placed under house arrest, in a rare public clash between top members of the long-ruling family.

The unprecedented incident has raised concerns about stability in a country seen as a key Western ally.

In a videotaped statement sent to the BBC from house arrest, Hamzah accused the country's leadership of corruption and incompetence.

Safadi, who also holds the title of deputy prime minister, said intelligence agents had been observing the plotters for some time and raised their concerns with the king.

He said Hamzah was asked to 'stop all these activities and movements that threaten Jordan and its stability,' but he refused.

The US also offered its support to King Abdullah on Sunday.

US State Department spokesman Ned Price said, 'King Abdullah is a key partner of the United States, and he has our full support.'

Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates similarly issued statements supporting Abdullah.

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz called Jordan a 'strategic ally' and dismissed the turmoil as an 'internal Jordanian matter.'

Yesterday Prince Hamzah released a five-minute video accusing the country's leaders of corruption, incompetence and harassment.

In what Prince Hamzah described as his last available form of communication before his satellite internet was cut off, he said the chief of general staff visited him early Saturday morning.

In the five-minute video from his palace in Amman, shared by his lawyer with the BBC, he said: 'I had a visit from chief of general staff of the Jordanian armed forces this morning in which he informed me that I was not allowed to go out, to communicate with people or to meet with them because in the meetings that I had been present in - or on social media relating to visits that I had made - there had been criticism of the government or the king.'

It reportedly comes after the prince made a visit to tribal leaders where he is said to have garnered support. Prince Hamza denied any wrongdoing.

General Yousef Huneiti, the army chief of staff, denied reports that Prince Hamzah was arrested but said he was asked to 'stop some movements and activities that are being used to target Jordan's security and stability'.

He said an investigation is still ongoing and its results will be made public 'in a transparent and clear form'.

'No-one is above the law and Jordan's security and stability are above all,' he told the official Petra news agency.

Prince Hamzah, whose title of crown prince was rescinded by the king in 2004, went on to say: 'I am not the person responsible for the breakdown in governance, the corruption and for the incompetence that has been prevalent in our governing structure for the last 15 to 20 years and has been getting worse... And I am not responsible for the lack of faith people have in their institutions.

'It has reached a point where no one is able to speak or express opinion on anything without being bullied, arrested, harassed and threatened.'

He said he had been isolated inside his home with his Canadian wife Princess Basmah Bani Ahmad and their five young children.

He said he had been isolated inside his home with his Canadian wife Princess Basmah Bani Ahmad and their five young children. Pictured on their wedding day in 2012

What is Prince Hamzah's position in the Jordanian Royal family? Prince Hamzah is the elder son of the late King Hussein of Jordan and his American-born wife Queen Noor. When King Hussein died in 1999, his eldest son Prince Abdullah bin Hussein, from his first marriage, acceded to the throne of Jordan. However, before his death, his father wished that Prince Hamzah succeed Prince Abdullah - rather than one of his own sons. Prince Abdullah made the decree upon his father's death and Prince Hamzah was made Crown Prince. But in 2004, King Abdullah removed Hamzah from the position. In 2009, King Abdullah was named as the new Crown Prince of Jordan, meaning he will succeed his father after his death. Advertisement

Petra had earlier reported that at least two senior officials who formerly worked for the palace 'and others' were arrested for 'security reasons', without providing further details.

The Petra report said Sharif Hassan bin Zaid, the former royal envoy to Saudi Arabia, and Bassem Ibrahim Awadallah, the former head of the royal court, were detained.

Awadallah also previously served as planning minister and finance minister.

The agency did not provide further details or name the others who were arrested.

Jordan has long been a key Western ally and an island of stability in a turbulent region. It borders Israel, the Palestinian territories, Syria, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia.

Abdullah has ruled Jordan since the 1999 death of of his father, King Hussein, who ruled the country for close to half a century.

Abdullah has cultivated close relations with US and other Western leaders over the years, and Jordan was a key ally in the war against the Islamic State group.

The country's economy has been battered by the coronavirus pandemic.

Jordan, with a population of around 10 million, also hosts more than 600,000 Syrian refugees.

Jordan made peace with Israel in 1994, but relations have been tense in recent years, largely due to differences linked to Israel's conflict with the Palestinians.

Jordan is home to more than two million Palestinian refugees, most of whom have Jordanian citizenship.

Abdullah stripped his half-brother Hamzah of his title as crown prince in 2004, saying he had decided to 'free' him 'from the constraints of the position of crown prince'.

He said the move was 'in order to give you the freedom to work and undertake any mission or responsibility I entrust you with.'

The current crown prince is Abdullah's oldest son, Hussein, aged 26.

Abdullah (pictured centre right) stripped his half-brother Hamzah of his title as crown prince in 2004, saying he had decided to 'free' him 'from the constraints of the position of crown prince'. The current crown prince is Abdullah's oldest son, Hussein (pictured right), aged 26

Abdullah (pictured centre next to King Abdullah) has ruled Jordan since the 1999 death of of his father, King Hussein, who ruled the country for close to half a century

Abdullah had originally chosen Hamzah as his crown prince hours after their father died of cancer in February 1999.

The designation was out of respect for Hussein, who is known to have favoured Hamzah the most among his 11 children.

The children were from four different marriages - the last of which was to Queen Noor of Jordan.

American-born Queen Noor, the mother of Hamzah, was married to the King from 1978 until his death in 1999.

Abdullah and Hamzah have not displayed any open rivalry over the years.
One of the world's first APIs based upon ECTA visibility guidelines, this new interface will help standardize carrier communication protocols with European chemical companies for more efficiency and less risk.

WAYNE, Pa., April 06, 2021latest Application Program Interface (API) was designed to help European carriers better communicate key data with chemical industry customers in a way that meets the latest supply chain visibility guidelines. The European Chemical Transport Association (ECTA), Europe's foremost chemical logistics authority, announced earlier this year best practice guidelines for transport visibility of bulk chemical shipments. These guidelines serve as a framework for carriers serving chemical manufacturers and distributors. Though not formally affiliated with ECTA, this API will help carriers comply with its standards more easily.

ECTA's new carrier communication standard was implemented to provide a uniform way of sharing mission-critical data such as Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA), as well as calibrating data definitions and status messages across all company-carrier networks for better interoperability. This standardized set of connectivity messages will mean more transparency and better data sharing.

Peter Devos, ECTA's Managing Director, says the initiative is already in play: "Supply chain visibility and the efficient exchange of interoperable ETA and transport milestone data will be a cornerstone of future supply chains. These supply chain visibility guidelines are already being used today, helping us make real progress against our goal of collaboration and transparency in the chemical industry."

Elemica offers the carriers in its network multiple channels for providing data to our joint customers. "We have chosen Elemica as our exclusive network partner for communicating execution and visibility data to our customers," said Antoine Baron, CIO of specialty carrier Groupe SAMAT. "Having a consistent method of communicating electronically with customers was important to us. Elemica's interoperable network and data channel options allow us to minimize our IT investments for connectivity and data translation."

"When we first started hearing about these new standards, we knew we wanted to do this," said Manuel Zwick, Elemica's Senior Network Quality Analyst. "For 20 years, we have provided the European carriers in our network with solution approaches to increase levels of automation and visibility. Our network is a great place for carriers to grow their business, and this is a good example of how they can use our connectivity to provide consistent, real-time data to their customers." The API is available as a free, open-source download at the Elemica website. Download the API Documentation.

The ECTA digital workgroup has recently released a second revision of its original March 2020 ECTA SCV best practice guideline, which can be downloaded on the ECTA website.

About Elemica

Elemica is the world's leading digital supply chain network for the global manufacturing sector. The company streamlines your supply chain by connecting mission-critical aspects of your business to a powerful digital network that processes more than $600B in transactions annually. For more information, visit elemica.com.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 6, 2021) -PORTOFINO RESOURCES INC. (TSXV: POR) (OTCQB: PFFOF) (FSE: POTA) ("Portofino" or the "Company") is pleased to report that its 2021 geophysical survey and surface geochemical sampling program has been successfully completed at the Company's Yergo Lithium Project (the "Project" or the "Property"), located in Catamarca Province, Argentina (Figure 1). The geophysical survey work followed up on encouraging Lithium ("Li") and Potassium ("K") analytical results generated by the Company's initial near-surface brine sampling program conducted in 2019 (News Release - May 27, 2019).

The recently completed (2021) geophysical survey identified two large, anomalous sub-basins within the Aparejos Salar at the Project, which are characterized by very low resistivity (with low to very low resistivity values interpreted as corresponding to brine-bearing zones). The western sub-basin has approximate surface dimensions of 2,300 meters ("m") x 1,000m and a modeled depth of approximately 35m. The eastern sub-basin has an irregular surface expression measuring between 1,800m to 2,500m in length by approximately 700m in width with modeled depths of between 44m and 65m.







Figure 1: Yergo Lithium Project, February 2021

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3751/79484_21f814756425985a_001full.jpg

Coincident with the geophysical survey, Portofino's 2021 exploration program included additional surface and near-surface brine sampling (see Figure 2). Hand augers were utilized to open shallow holes to obtain the brine samples from surface to a maximum depth of 82 centimeters. Ten samples were collected and returned values of up to 336.97 mg/L Li and 7,159.78 mg/L K (Table 1). In addition, the ratios of Mg to Li were notably low, averaging 1.51.

David Tafel, Portofino, CEO comments; "The results obtained from the 2021 geological, geochemical and geophysical studies are highly favorable as they confirm the presence of lithium-rich brines and the potential volume of the brines within the Yergo Lithium Project."

The VES geophysical survey was conducted over the entirety of the Aparejos Salar and over areas just beyond the salar boundary. VES measurements were collected at 41 stations, which were used to calculate vertical changes in resistivity in the horizontally stratified lithological units and where low (1-4 ohms) and very low (<1ohm) resistivity values were interpreted as representing brine-bearing strata. Data from the VES survey was compiled and plotted on three north-south and three east-west cross-sections to facilitate the interpretation of the results and to evaluate the extents and continuity of the low resistivity (i.e. brine-bearing) zones (or sub-basins).

Next Steps for the Yergo Lithium Project

The next step for continuing exploration at the Yergo Project will be to conduct an initial drill test of the Aparejos Salar in order to evaluate the volume and the Li and K content of the brines and sediments within the low to very low resistivity zones identified by the VES survey. Planning and targeting with respect to a follow-up drill program at the Project is well underway as the Company intends to commence this work as soon as possible, potentially within the next 30 days.

Table 1: Analyses of the samples taken during the 2021 geophysical and geochemical sampling program on the Yergo Lithium Project. (Samples, A01 to A29, were reported in Portofino's news release dated May 27, 2019.)

Element Lithium Potassium Magnesium Mg/Li Symbol Li K Mg Ratio Units mg/L mg/L mg/L Sample # A 30 325.22 7,067.46 31.84 0.10 A 31 336.97 7,159.78 22.59 0.07 A 32 183.82 3,891.62 868.78 4.73 A 33 151.61 3,453.54 767.56 5.06 A 34 255.20 6,265.46 34.06 0.13 A 35 226.50 5,491.46 36.76 0.16 A 36 171.35 3,470.05 467.23 2.73 A 37 205.79 2,881.16 211.68 1.03 A 38 168.49 3,601.26 92.22 0.55 A 39 167.21 3,517.68 92.65 0.55 Average 219.22 4,679.95 262.54 1.51





Figure 2. Locations on the Yergo Li-Brine Property of sampling points in 2019 and 2021

To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3751/79484_21f814756425985a_003full.jpg





The Yergo Lithium Project

Portofino has the right to earn a 100% interest in the 2,932 hectares Yergo Project which encompasses the entire Aparejos Salar, which is located in the southern part of the world-renowned "Lithium Triangle" and is situated within 15 km of Neo Lithium Corp's advanced 3Q Project. Given the proximity of the 3Q Project, it is likely that the Aparejos salar has experienced a similar geological history, including Lithium (and Potassium) enrichment, due to their common evaporitic climate and local geology (i.e., located within the same volcanic package likely with exposure of the same potential lithium source rocks).

Qualified Person

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Andrew J. Turner, B.Sc., P.Geo. of APEX Geoscience Ltd., who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Portofino Resources Inc.

Portofino is a Vancouver-based Canadian company focused on exploring and developing mineral resource projects in the Americas. Its South of Otter and Bruce Lake projects are in the historic gold mining district of Red Lake, Ontario, Canada proximal to the high-grade Dixie gold project owned by Great Bear Resources Ltd. In addition, Portofino holds three other northwestern Ontario gold projects; the Gold Creek property located immediately south of the historic Shebandowan Nickel-Copper mine, as well as the Sapawe West and Melema West properties located in the rapidly developing Atikokan gold mining camp.

The Company also holds the right to a 100% interest in the Yergo lithium salar property located within the world-renowned "Lithium Triangle" in Argentina.

For further information on the Company, its projects and its management please visit our website:

https://www.portofinoresources.com/

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"David G. Tafel"

Chief Executive Officer

For Further Information Contact:

David Tafel CEO,

Director 604-683-1991

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.

This news release may contain forward looking statements concerning future operations of Portofino Resources Inc. (the "Company"). All forward- looking statements concerning the Company's future plans and operations, including management's assessment of the Company's project expectations or beliefs may be subject to certain assumptions, risks and uncertainties beyond the Company's control. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual performance and exploration and financial results may differ materially from any estimates or projections.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79484
[April 06, 2021] Bloomberg Confirms its BSBY Short-Term Credit Sensitive Index Adheres to IOSCO Principles

NEW YORK, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Bloomberg today announced that an independent assurance review of the Bloomberg Short-Term Bank Yield Index (BSBY) confirmed that the short-term credit sensitive index adheres to the International Organization of Securities Commissions' (IOSCO) Principles for Financial Benchmarks. The review was conducted by a global, independent accounting firm and the final report is expected to be available shortly. "Alignment with the IOSCO Principles is an important milestone, and recognizes BSBY adheres to industry best practices," said Steve Berkley, CEO of Bloomberg Index Services Limited (BISL) at Bloomberg. "An increasing number of financial institutions and corporations are looking to BSBY for their loan products as they transition away from LIBOR, and we will continue to support their needs as they work to ensure compliance with regulatory timelines." Market participants are invited to register for a virtual information session on BSBY on April 8. BSBY includes a term structure and systemic credit-sensitive spread, which may be used to support the market's transition from IBOR benchmarks to risk-free rates. BSBY is available as a standalone rate, and can also be used to supplement Term SOFR. Bloomberg began publishing BSBY on an indicative basis in October 2020. BSBY will be calculated daily and published at 8 AM ET, using the prior day's transaction dta, on a T+1 basis. The index can be accessed via the Bloomberg Terminal, and will be posted publicly on Bloomberg.com on a delayed basis. The index is available for 5 tenors: overnight (BSBYON), 1-month (BSBY1M), 3-months (BSBY3M), 6-months (BSBY6M) and 12-months (BSBY12M). Additional detail on the BSBY methodology can be accessed here.



Bloomberg Index Services Limited (BISL), an authorized benchmark administrator and subsidiary of Bloomberg, is licensing BSBY for use as a financial benchmark. In addition to BSBY, BISL administers the Bloomberg Barclays flagship family of fixed income indices, the Bloomberg Commodity Index (BCOM), and Bloomberg's Global Equity Index family. BISL provides robust governance and oversight over its benchmark offerings, which will soon include a dedicated oversight function for BSBY composed of a balanced set of market stakeholders. While initially offered in the U.S., BSBY will soon be available for licensing in additional jurisdictions, including the U.K. and the EU.

About Bloomberg

Bloomberg, the global business and financial information and news leader, gives influential decision makers a critical edge by connecting them to a dynamic network of information, people and ideas. The company's strength  delivering data, news and analytics through innovative technology, quickly and accurately  is at the core of the Bloomberg Terminal. Bloomberg's enterprise solutions build on the company's core strength: leveraging technology to allow customers to access, integrate, distribute and manage data and information across organizations more efficiently and effectively. For more information, visit Bloomberg.com/company or request a demo. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bloomberg-confirms-its-bsby-short-term-credit-sensitive-index-adheres-to-iosco-principles-301263169.html SOURCE Bloomberg

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Police detained the head of the Russian Alliance of Doctors, Anastasia Vasilyeva, on April 6 after she requested permission to examine Aleksei Navalny inside a prison around 100 kilometers from Moscow. The Kremlin critic has been moved to a sick ward in the facility amid reports of a possible tuberculosis outbreak there.
New Delhi, April 6 : India and Russia are exploring connectivity through the north-south international transport corridor and eastern maritime corridor.

Concluding his talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday, India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said that the two sides have noted new opportunities in the Russian Far East.

"We spoke of connectivity, including the International North-South Transport Corridor and the Chennai-Vladivostok Eastern Maritime Corridor," an official statement issued by the ministry said.

While discussing international relations, Jaishankar told Lavrov that India is strongly committed to ASEAN centrality and this has been underlined by the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative that India has been advocating at the East-Asia summit.

"As we implement our Act East and beyond policy, Russia is a very important partner. Whether it is their Far East or whether it is the Chennai-Vladivostok Corridor," Jaishankar said.

Though the world has changed in the last seven decades and there have been different governments at both ends, the ties between India and Russia have remained uniquely strong and steady, Jaishankar said, adding that the reason for this has been the consistent ability of both the sides to identify and update their shared interests.

"We are both cognisant of the multi-polar and rebalanced nature of international relations today. We both understand the importance of our relationship to global peace, security and stability," he said.

The two ministers also talked about the longstanding partnerships in nuclear, space and defence sectors.

Jaishankar said the bilateral cooperation remains energetic and forward looking.

Much of the discussion on Tuesday covered the preparations for Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit for the annual summit later this year, the ministry statement said.
ALBANY  New York's cannabis legalization law contains a provision to expunge certain convictions for marijuana-related offenses, and the state Office of Court Administration said the measure is expected to wipe out criminal records for potentially tens of thousands of people  including 19 individuals who are currently serving state prison terms.

The deadline for expunging marijuana-possession convictions is two years from when the law was signed last week by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, said OCA spokesman Lucian Chafen. Right now, he said, the estimate of marijuana-related offenses that will be expunged is about 108,000, but that number is expected to grow to about 150,000 when they're able to identify all portions of the relevant cases. Those figures do no represent the number of people whose criminal records may be expunged, but the total number of convictions  with some individuals potentially having more than one conviction for offenses that are no longer a crime.

The number of people with marijuana convictions on their record is likely in the tens of thousands, and studies show that it's certain to be disproportionately Black and Latino individuals. Those with criminal records often face a more difficult time finding employment, securing loans and renting or buying a home. The goal of the expungement provision in the legalization bill is to wipe out those obstacles for people who were convicted of something that is no longer criminal.

The 19 people incarcerated in state prisons were convicted of the most serious charges, such as felony possession or sale of marijuana, according to the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. Spokespeople from the OCA and DOCCS said they're waiting to verify those people's identities and conviction details before anyone can be released.

A staffer with the office of state Sen. Liz Krueger  a chief sponsor of the legislation  said it's their understanding from conversations with people in the executive branch that expungements for incarcerated people will be prioritized.

Krueger's office expects that a majority of the expungements will happen quickly, as the relevant state agencies can sort through the records of people who have been convicted under prior marijuana laws. But it will take more time to go through the files of individuals who were convicted of having "concentrated cannabis," which is included in a section of state penal law along with other controlled substances such as Ketamine. There will also be efforts to vet those charged with cannabis crimes and other offenses  such as a gun charge  on the same case sheet. That will require staff manually examining the files, Krueger's office said, and there's funding in the bill for that extra work.

Also, people with convictions for larger-scale illegal drug distribution, organized crime or gang activity, or violent crimes will not be released automatically. People who would have received lesser sentences under the bill's new provisions may petition for sentence reductions, but that will not be granted automatically.

About 40 percent of all state prison admissions are people whose parole has been revoked as a result of technical violations, such as curfew infractions or a positive drug test, Columbia University researcher Vincent Schiraldi told the Times Union. State corrections officials said those people will not be eligible for the marijuana expungement provisions of the new law.

"A person on parole failing a drug test for marijuana would be a violation of the conditions of that individuals parole and not a criminal act, which is what the new law is focused on," said Thomas Mailey, a spokesman for DOCCS. As a policy response to COVID-19, the agency canceled arrest warrants for about 800 people with low-level parole violations, part of a trend of "decarceral" efforts  designed to reduce incarceration  from the state during the pandemic.

"In view of the protocols put into place for COVID-19, it is believed that that there are very few, if any, individuals currently in state prison for parole violations exclusively related to cannabis use," Mailey said.
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Rhoel Dinglasan, Ph.D, M.P.H. and M.Phil., shown in his EPI laboratory. His home academic department is in UF's department of infectious diseases and immunology in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Photo by UF Health

University of Florida researcher Rhoel Dinglasan, Ph.D., was awarded $6 million today by the Global Health Innovative Technology Fund to test a new malaria vaccine in people. The process leading to a phase 1 clinical trial begins this April.

Dinglasan is a professor of infectious diseases in UFs College of Veterinary Medicine, who joined the faculty under the states preeminence initiative. He has worked most of his career to end malaria which disproportionately affects people living in poverty in developing countries.

His vaccine has an unusual twist: It immunizes mosquitos against infection by the blood-borne Plasmodium parasites that cause malaria, after they ingest the blood of a person who has malaria but who has received the vaccine. After being exposed in this way, the mosquitoes cannot transmit the parasites and infect other people.

Many of the existing malaria vaccines and drugs have failed because the Plasmodium parasites have coevolved with mosquitos and people, says Dinglasan, who is also a faculty member in UFs Emerging Pathogens Institute. They know how to dodge our immune system and live within mosquitos, and thats a hard game to circumvent. What were doing is completely different. Were focusing on stopping the mosquitos from transmitting the parasites to people in the first place.

The vaccine targets a surface molecule in the midgut of Anopheles mosquitoes that the parasites need to complete their life cycle. This molecule is not transmitted to people when they are bitten by the insects; but when introduced to animals in lab studies, the animals made antibodies against it. When these antibodies were introduced back into mosquitos along with Plasmodium, the parasites were blocked from infecting the mosquito. This breaks a key step in the malaria transmission chain.

Were immunizing mosquitoes, Dinglasan explains. We know that the concept works in laboratory studies, and now we need to begin testing if it also works safely in people.

Its an entirely different way of thinking about ending malaria. But Dinglasan says that disruptive thinking and innovative technologies are precisely whats needed now.

Laying the groundwork

His team recently conducted surveys in Sierra Leone to evaluate whether people would accept a vaccine that would not prevent malaria in individuals immediately, but that would provide protection at the level of communities and nations. The findings were promising and are being prepared for publication.

In 2007, Dinglasan identified a specific mosquito midgut protein, called AnAPN1, that could be a leading target for a transmission-blocking vaccine. Since then, with multiple rounds of funding from GHIT Fund, he has worked to develop a vaccine formula focused on eliciting an immune response to this protein within mammals. His research group then established a process to produce the protein in bacterial cells, named UF6b, for use in the vaccine formula. Recent tests in animals showed that the UF6b produced powerful and lasting transmission-blocking antibodies in animals.

Lab studies prove that Dinglasans transmission-blocking vaccine is effective against several known species and genetic variant strains of Plasmodium parasites that infect humans and mice. Because it disrupts the life cycle in mosquitoes, the parasites are not thought to be capable of developing resistance to it  as they have against many anti-malarial therapies and drugs.

The next step is to test whether what works in the laboratory works in people and in communities where malaria is endemic. The first-in-human trial will begin in 2022 with a small number of people in Gabon to test its safety.

Its important to test this in the target population, and to let them tell us if it works or not, Dinglasan says. So many vaccines for malaria have failed because we tend to test them on Westerners and not account for the myriad of physiological and nutritional differences across populations.

Mopping up malaria

Alongside the vaccine, Dinglasan is also developing a saliva-based diagnostic test that can detect whether someone carries the parasites that cause malaria, even if they dont feel sick. Adults and children who harbor the parasites but dont have symptoms are reservoirs that transmit the pathogen when they are bitten by mosquitos. The infected mosquitos then pass the parasites to new, uninfected people and the cycle continues.

The new saliva-based diagnostic test can help pinpoint infected but symptomless people, who can then be treated and cleared of the parasites.

Dinglasan envisions using his saliva-based diagnostic and transmission-blocking vaccine in tandem to mop up residual malaria in areas where current tools have driven down the frequency of the disease, but not eliminated it. Although a huge funding investment from the nonprofit Gates Foundation has refocused efforts to eradicate malaria since 2007, the new gains have essentially driven malaria levels lower, its proved difficult to produce further dramatic reductions in disease burden.

Dinglasan will partner with Ayola Akim Adegnika, M.D., Ph.D., who directs the Centre de Recherches Medicales de Lambarene in Gabon. The center is the clinical sponsor that will conduct the phase 1 trial.

I am excited to be involved in this endeavor, which represents an important step in the longstanding efforts to reduce malaria transmission, says Dr. Adegnika, a professor of immuno-epidemiology of infectious diseases at the University of Tubingen, Institute of Tropical Medicine, in Germany. It will hopefully prove to be the crucial element for the realization of the age-old dream of living in a malaria-free world.

Former director of the PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative, Christian Loucq, M.D., says it is exciting to see Dinglasans concept moving toward a clinical trial.

There are very interesting issues to be addressed in this project which span the technical, immunological, strategic, regulatory and behavioral, says Dr. Loucq, who also formerly directed the International Vaccine Institute. A transmission-blocking vaccine would be the most elegant solution to the problem of malaria.

Dinglasan is the principal investigator and global partners in this research include:

Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT Fund), which is providing $6 million in funding to advance the vaccine into human trials.

Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services, a biotech firm that will follow current good manufacturing processes to manufacture UF6b.

Centre de Recherches Medicales de Lambarene (CERMEL), the Gabonese research institution and clinical sponsor who will conduct the phase 1 trial.

University of Tubingen, Institute of Tropical Medicine, which will provide the clinical analytics platform for the clinical trial.

CellFree Sciences Co. Ltd., a biotech company, which will assist in program management.

Written by DeLene Beeland

Read more
An Israeli businessman with ties to the U.S. government was in touch with former Jordanian Crown Prince Hamzah bin Hussein when he was put on house arrest on Saturday, and proposed to send a private jet to take his wife and kids to Europe.

The intrigue: The Jordanian government claims the Israeli has connections to the Mossad spy agency, while the businessman stresses he's only a friend of the prince.

Why it matters: The Jordanian government is pushing the narrative that Prince Hamzah and his associates conspired against King Abdullah with people outside of Jordan.

Broaching connections to Israel and the Mossad are effective lines for the Jordanian government's campaign against Prince Hamzah. Public opinion of Israel is generally negative among Jordanians.

State of play: Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said at a press conference Sunday that a person with connections to a foreign security service had approached Prince Hamzah's wife and offered to arrange a private jet to escort her and her family to a foreign country.

Several hours later Jordanian news agency Ammon, which is close to the Jordanian security services published a story claiming an ex-Mossad officer and Israeli named Roy Shaposhnik was behind the offer.

Shaposhnik contacted me and gave a statement which denied Jordanian government claims that he was involved in the alleged coup. He told me he was never a Mossad officer but confirmed he proposed assistance to Prince Hamza and his family as part of their friendship.

What he's saying: "I am an Israeli living in Europe. I never served in any role in the Israeli intelligence services," Shaposhnik told me. "I dont have any knowledge of the events that took place in Jordan or of the people involved. I am a close personal friend of Prince Hamzah."

He added that he had wanted to help the princes wife and their kids at this difficult time.

Between the lines: Shaposhnik, 41, was a political operative in the centrist Kadima party in Israel 15 years ago. He served as an adviser to then Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

Later he went to the private sector and worked for U.S. businessman Erik Prince's security company. After several years he established his own company, RS Logistical Solutions, which provided services to the U.S. State Department and other governments around the world.

Shaposhniks company also provided logistical services to Princes company as it was training Iraqi soldiers in Jordan. This is when he met Prince Hamzah through a mutual friend. The pair and their families became close friends.

On Saturday morning, Prince Hamzah sent Shaposhnik a text message telling him he had been placed on house arrest.
Within the State apparatus of Vietnam, the National Assembly (NA) is the highest representative body of the people and the highest organ of State power of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.



It exercises constitutional and legislative rights, decides on key matters of the country and performs supreme supervision over the States activities.

Highest organ of State power



The legislature is the highest organ of State power, as the Constitution stipulates that all power belongs to the people and the people are the subject of State power. The NA is elected by the people, serving as the highest State agency realising the peoples power.



Under the Constitution, the legislature has the right to make and adjust the Constitution and laws. It stipulates the most basic and important matters regarding the format and nature of the State; acknowledges, respects, protects, and ensures the fundamental rights and obligations of citizens; and prescribes the basic contents on economic, social, cultural, educational, scientific, technological, environmental, and national defence mechanisms, and the State apparatus.

Then NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, who is also Chairwoman of the National Election Council, casts ballots to elect deputies to the 14th legislature and all-level People's Councils for 2016-2021 at a constituency in Vinh Phuc Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)

Through law making and revision, the NA adjusts social relations in each sector. It also decides on the countrys important matters, including major policies, national plans and peoples livelihoods, and basic policies on internal and external affairs, along with socio-economic and national defence and security tasks.



It exercises the right to supreme supervision over all activities of the State and reviews the implementation of the Constitution and laws. Agencies set up by the NA and officials who hold positions elected and ratified by the legislature must be responsible for reporting their performance to the NA, and are subject to supervision.

Peoples highest representative body



The NA is the peoples highest representative body, as reflected through its formation. It is elected by voters nationwide in universal, equal, and secret ballots.



The legislative body represents the will and aspirations of the people and is empowered by the people to decide on the countrys major matters. It takes responsibility before the people.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong casts ballot at a constituency in Nguyen Du Ward, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi, on May 22, 2016. (Photo: VNA)

NA deputies form the most basic and important factor in the legislature. They must be eminent citizens in all State and social activities, representing people from all social strata and ethnic groups nationwide.



The legislature is the image of the great national unity bloc, and a symbol of the power of brainpower of the whole nation.



The functions and tasks of the NA have been reflected in areas such as constitution-making, legislation, supreme supervision, and decision-making on the countrys important matters, in order to serve the shared interests of the people.



Over the past 75 years, the NA has been dedicated to working for the national interests, raised the peoples voice, and acted on behalf of the will and aspirations of the people.

Source: VNA

Functions, tasks, rights and power of the NA



According to the Constitution and the Law on the NA Organisation, the legislature performs three main functions: exercising the constitutional and legislative rights, deciding on important issues of the country, and performing supreme supervision over the States operations.



Article 70 of the 2013 Constitution states that the NA is tasked with making and adjusting the Constitution and laws.



It performs supreme supervision over the observance of the Constitution, laws, and resolutions from the NA, and scrutinises working reports from the President, the NA Standing Committee, the Government, the Supreme Peoples Court, the Supreme Peoples Procuracy, the National Election Council, the State Audit of Vietnam, and other agencies established by the legislature.



It determines fundamental targets, policies, and tasks for national socio-economic development, along with basic financial and monetary policies; the issuance, amendment and cancelation of taxes; the allocation of proceeds and the use of central and local budgets; safety limits on national, public, and government debts; and State budget estimates and central budget allocation, while ratifying the State budget balance.



It also makes decisions on the ethnic and religious policies of the State, and sets regulations on the organisation and operation of the legislature, the President, the Government, the Suprume Peoples Court, the Supreme Peoples Procuracy, the National Election Council, the State Audit of Vietnam, local governments, and other agencies set up by the NA.

Source: VNA

The NA decides on the election and dismissal of the President, the Vice President, the NA Chairperson, NA Vice Chairpersons, members of the NA Standing Committee, heads of the Council for Ethnic Affairs and committees of the legislature, the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Peoples Court, the Prosecutor General of the Supreme Peoples Procuracy, the head of the National Election Council, the State Auditor General, and heads of other agencies established by the NA.



It ratifies proposals to appoint or dismiss Deputy Prime Ministers, ministers, and other Government members, and judges of the Supreme Peoples Court, and the lists of members of the Council for National Defence and Security and the National Election Council.



NA deputies cast votes of confidence on officials holding positions elected or approved by the legislature.

At a meeting of the NA on March 26, 2021 (Photo: VNA)

The body also decides on the establishment and dissolution of ministries and ministerial-level agencies of the Government; the establishment, dissolution, division, merger, and adjustment of administrative boundaries of centrally-run cities and provinces and special administrative-economic units; and the establishment and abolition of other agencies in line with the Constitution and laws.



It has the right to scrap documents from the President, the NA Standing Committee, the Government, the Prime Minister, the Supreme Peoples Court, and the Supreme Peoples Procuracy that run counter to the Constitution, laws, and NA resolutions.



The legislature will issue decisions on amnesty; military, diplomatic and State ranks; and orders, medals, and other noble titles of the State.



Apart from making decisions relating to war and peace, the NA also puts forth regulations on state of emergency and other special measures to ensure national defence and security.



Other functions include deciding on basic policies for external relations; ratifying and deciding on the engagement in or invalidation of international treaties relating to war, peace, national sovereignty, Vietnams membership of important international and regional organisations, international treaties on human rights and citizens fundamental rights and obligations, and other international treaties that run counter to laws and NA resolutions.



The NA also decides on organising referendums.

VNA

Nguyen Xuan Phuc elected as State President The National Assembly (NA) elected Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Politburo member of the 13th tenure and a deputy of the 14th legislature, as State President for the 2016-2021 term on April 5 morning, during the 14th legislatures 11th sitting.
CHICO, Calif.  The Center for Biological Diversity announced Monday it has notified the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Monday of its intent to file a lawsuit to stop a Northern California development.

The organization claims that the 314-acre Stonegate mixed-use project in south Chico would destroy vernal pool habitat that is home to vernal pool fairy shrimp, vernal pool tadpole shrimp and the exceedingly rare Butte County meadowfoam, an endangered flower.

Its outrageous that federal agencies would greenlight the destruction of Chico habitat vital to these rare species that are clinging to survival, Ross Middlemiss, a staff attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity said. We wont sit by while officials ignore the science and push endangered vernal pool species like the Butte County meadowfoam to the edge of extinction.

The U.S. Army Corp's approved the project and the Fish and Wildlife Service's found the project will not jeopardize species survival.

challenges the Army Corps approval of the project and counters the Fish and Wildlife Services claim that paving over and further fragmenting the listed species habitat will not jeopardize their continued survival.

The project site has been identified by the Service as a core recovery area for vernal pool species. The Butte County meadowfoam, found nowhere else in the world but Butte County, has only 21 distinct populations remaining, according to The Center for Biological Diversity.

The organization claims that the project would destroy one population and intrude on two others. The area contains suitable habitat for the endangered giant garter snake but the agencies failed to mention the species in reviewing the project, The Center for Biological Diversity said in their letter.

We hope this action makes the agencies reconsider their approach to development in the area and begin promoting endangered species recovery as the law requires, Middlemiss said. Its all hands on deck to save these imperiled species, and these agencies play a critical role.

This is a developing story. Action News Now will keep you updated with new information on-air and online.
The YORK AMICHI heat pump was one of 11 award winners in the annual competition, which celebrates the best products, businesses and people from across the air conditioning and refrigeration sectors. The YORK YVAG was one of 112 products submitted from 52 companies covering residential and commercial heating. The superior energy-saving heat recovery system offers an exceptional solution for year-round residential heating applications.

"These awards further showcase our dedication to innovation and sustainability, recognizing products that deliver a step change in standalone performance. When integrated with our OpenBlue platform, they deliver outstanding improvements in sustainability and energy efficiency," said George Oliver, chairman and CEO, Johnson Controls. "Our European and China teams invested countless hours, conducted multiple field tests and incorporated customer feedback to create these truly groundbreaking products."

The awards also support Johnson Controls commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 and enhance customers' opportunities to reduce their carbon emissions. Johnson Controls recently announced it plans to slash operating emissions by 55 percent and reduce customers' emissions by 16 percent before 2030. Its OpenBlue platform for optimizing building sustainability will be central to fulfilling these goals and ultimately creating an environment for healthy people, healthy places and a healthy planet.

Oliver said the awards reinforce Johnson Controls commitment to OpenBlue and its full suite of connected technologies, products and services for customers and partners. Launched in 2020, OpenBlue includes tailored, AI-infused service solutions such as remote diagnostics, predictive maintenance, compliance monitoring and advanced risk assessments.

Answers growing market demand for heat pumps in Europe

On a global scale, Europe has been leading the way to become carbon neutral by 2050. It has already committed to at least 40 percent cuts in greenhouse gas emissions (from 1990 levels) by 2030 and is proposing to increase this ambition to 55 percent under the European Green Deal (EGD). More recently, Europe has put climate change and the energy transition at the heart of its economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, providing economic incentives for the implementation of low-carbon technologies and energy efficiency. Heat pumps are an important part of the equation.

Jeff Williams, president, Global Products, Johnson Controls noted that the YORK AMICHI and YVAG heat pumps are only two of Johnson Controls industry-leading heat pumps. Over the past 40 years, Johnson Controls has developed an extensive portfolio of heat pumps for residential, commercial and industrial applications. These heat pumps serve as a carbon-neutral heating source while relying on low-GWP refrigerants, such as ammonia. The breadth of the Johnson Controls portfolio from a size, efficiency and temperature range is world-class, and continues to help customers reduce their carbon emissions. Since 2002, Johnson Controls has reduced its own greenhouse gas emissions intensity by more than 70 percent.

"Heat pumps have always been in the DNA of industrial refrigeration, and they've been adapted in food and beverage, dairy and other process industries for reclaiming waste heat and turning it into low-cost, high-temperature heat," Williams said. "Our technologies are helping meet the growing demand for heat pumps in the European and Chinese markets and beyond."

Johnson Controls recently provided heat pump solutions for more than a dozen district heating and cooling applications in Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy and Norway.

To learn more, visit: https://www.york.com/insights/amichi-series.

Media Contacts:

Ryan Nolan

Global Public Relations Program Manager

Building Technologies & Solutions, Johnson Controls

Work: +1 414-524-6170

Mobile: +1 414-378-9641

[email protected]

Michael Isaac

Leader, Global Public Relations and Media

Johnson Controls

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KYODO NEWS - Apr 7, 2021 - 00:26 | All, Japan, Coronavirus

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said Tuesday he could call a snap election before his term as leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party ends on Sept. 30.

"Of course it's a possibility," Suga said in a TV interview regarding whether he may dissolve the House of Representatives for a general election. The current four-year term of lower house members ends on Oct. 21.

Suga also said opposition parties submitting a motion of no confidence in his Cabinet would be grounds for a snap election.

The remarks mirrored those of LDP Secretary General Toshihiro Nikai, who had warned the opposition to be prepared to head to the polls if they choose to submit a motion of no confidence.

The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and other opposition parties have suggested they could make such a move amid dissatisfaction with Suga's coronavirus response and a string of scandals by government officials.

Suga, however, reiterated that a snap election would only come about after COVID-19 is brought under control, stressing the importance of vaccinations in getting life back to normal.

Coronavirus cases in Japan have been increasing again after the state of emergency covering Tokyo and other regions was lifted last month, forcing the government to impose stricter measures under a quasi-emergency in Osaka and two other prefectures from this week.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine denied information disseminated by the Russian media about the death of a child in a part of Donetsk region not controlled by the Ukrainian government, allegedly as a result of an alleged strike by a drone of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the village of Oleksandrivske.

"Stopfake debunked this story as fake. Witnesses recounted what had actually happened which was that the child in question had died from a mine explosion that had been uncovered in a garage. Moreover, Oleksandrivske is located 30 kilometers away from the Ukrainian positions. Neither of the Ukrainian Armed Forces UAVs would have been able to fly that far," Spokesperson of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Oleh Nikolenko said on Facebook on Tuesday.

The spokesperson said "fake news stories about murdered children constitute an integral part of Russian psychological operations against Ukraine." "We all remember the infamous 'crucified' boy in Slovyansk. Just as back then, the current fake news story is aimed at inciting hatred in the occupied territories of Ukraine and in Russia, distorting the reality, and justifying provocations by Russian armed groups," the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.

He said that it is precisely for this reason, Ukraine emphasizes to its international partners that when Russia undermines the security situation in the East, its information troops attempt to lay the groundwork by forming a media "backdrop" to justify the crimes of the Russian army. The story of a child from Oleksandrivske serves as yet another example of this template for such operations, the spokesperson said.

"Our strategic partners understand this perfectly and reject Russian-generated fake news stories. Russian fake news stories can be neutralized only through systematic work. Over many years of war, Ukraine has built up a significant level of expertise at the level of non-governmental organizations. Specialized centers for countering disinformation are starting to operate in Ukraine. We are also working on other international initiative," Nikolenko said.
(@FahadShabbir)

Oslo, April 6 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Apr, 2021 ) :A Dutch cargo ship was adrift in the Norwegian Sea on Tuesday after it was evacuated in dramatic fashion in rough seas, Norway's maritime authorities said.

The "Eemslift Hendrika" made a distress call Monday, reporting a heavy list after stormy weather displaced some of its cargo.

The 12 crew members were evacuated in two stages later the same day by Norwegian rescue services: the first eight were airlifted from the deck of the cargo ship while the last four had to jump into the water.

Footage from the Norwegian authorities shows a man in an orange survival suit throwing himself into the rough sea off the stern of the ship.

The ship also suffered an engine failure and then began drifting towards to the Norwegian coastline.

On Tuesday morning it was about 130 kilometres (80 miles) northwest of the port city of Alesund.

"The ship is drifting with a large list (between 40 and 50 degrees), so there is a risk that it will capsize," Hans-Petter Mortensholm, head of the Norwegian Coastal Administration (Kystverket) told AFP.

"Our main priority is to try to stabilise it so that it does not sink, and so that it does not leak fuel oil into the sea," he added.

The cargo ship contains 350 cubic metres of heavy fuel oil, 75 cubic metres of diesel and 10m3 of lubricating oil.

A Norwegian Coast Guard vessel was en route to the ship on Tuesday morning.

The operator of the vessel has also called in the Dutch company Smit Salvage, which was involved in the refloating of the Ever Given in the Suez Canal last week.

Weather conditions were "extremely bad" with waves of 10 to 15 metres, complicating the situation but a lull was expected in the afternoon, according to Kystverket.
Russia is staging shows of military might in orbit as its civil and commercial space sector loses its longstanding edge.

Why it matters: These demonstrations threaten to undermine responsible behavior in space, and could put U.S. military  and possibly commercial  assets in orbit at risk.

The U.S. in particular relies on space-based tools for situational awareness, communications, intelligence gathering and other key aspects of warfighting.

Driving the news: Russia has steadily been building its military capabilities in orbit, according to a pair of reports about space weapons released last week.

According to the reports  from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and the Secure World Foundation  Russia performed multiple tests of anti-satellite weapons in 2020.

One of the most notable was the nation's use of a satellite that appeared to fly close to a U.S. spy satellite before moving away and firing a projectile not far from another, unrelated Russian satellite.

Other nations, like China and India, have also tested their own military capabilities in orbit in past years, including developing jamming technologies and anti-satellite missiles.

The big picture: Russia's capabilities aren't necessarily new, but the nation's most recent testing of its space weapons has some experts concerned that these types of tests will just inflame tensions in orbit.

"If you look at what's actually happening, the Russians have been extremely active, and much more so than I think even the Chinese have been," Victoria Samson of the Secure World Foundation told Axios.

Russia also seemingly has less to lose in space if these types of tests become the norm by comparison to a nation like the U.S., which relies more than any other country on expensive assets in orbit for warfighting.

The intrigue: Russia's space industry and civil space program have faced headwinds in recent years, from budget shortfalls to launch failures to competition from SpaceX and others.

And with the International Space Station program coming to an end in the coming years, Russia's close ties in space with the U.S. are fraying.

Military space operations appear to be the area where Russia is hoping to maintain its prestige, Samson added.

The nation is focusing many of its military efforts  including inspecting that U.S. spy satellite  in low-Earth orbit (LEO), the part of space where many commercial satellite constellations function.

"This kind of unusual behavior is more concerning, especially as the United States commercial industry looks to really invest and grow its presence in LEO," Kaitlyn Johnson of CSIS told Axios.

Yes, but: No nation has used destructive capabilities against their enemies in orbit, instead opting to test kinetic weapons on their own defunct satellites or in empty parts of space.
The man was stabbed in his vehicle while in the Ard Aveen Park area

A man in his 20s has been stabbed through his car window in the Co Armagh village of Bessbrook.

The man was attacked in his vehicle while in the Ard Aveen Park area of the village on Monday.

The victim was later taken to hospital with his injuries described as "serious".

A PSNI spokesperson said: "Detectives are investigating after a man in his 20s was stabbed through the open window of his car in Ard Aveen Park, Bessbrook at around 4.40pm on Monday.

"The victim was taken to hospital for treatment to hand injuries which are thought to be serious but not life threatening."
By Ding Wendong and Liu Xiongma

KHIAM, Apr. 6 -- Over 50 people including representatives of the 19th Chinese peacekeepers to Lebanon, staff of the Chinese Embassy to Lebanon, UN military observers and staff officers of the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL), came to Khiam on the Lebanon-Israel border on April 4, local time, to pay tribute to Chinese martyr Du Zhaoyu and other martyrs who heroically sacrificed their lives for peacekeeping operations 15 years ago.

Major Du Zhaoyu and his colleagues were carrying out a mission at a military observation post on the border of Lebanon, Israel and Syria on July 25, 2006. At 7:30 that night, the observation post was suddenly bombed by air strikes, and four UN military observers including Du Zhaoyu were killed.

As for now, the post is in ruins, and the faintly visible bullet holes and cracks on the broken walls seem to be telling about the tragic and ruthless war. The monument made of two T-shaped walls stands tall and hangs the portraits of heroes. The heroes firmly and silently stare at this place where they had fought and guarded.

For more than ten years, Chinese peacekeepers have stayed in the war-torn land, fulfilling the mission of maintaining regional peace and stability.

At the ceremony, Zheng Yuchong, defense attache of the Chinese Embassy in Lebanon, and Du Jia, commander of the Chinese peacekeeping force to Lebanon, went forward to sort out the wreaths. Afterwards, all the participants took off their caps, bowed and paid a silent tribute to Du Zhaoyu and other martyrs.

It is learned that since the 19th batch of Chinese peacekeeping force to Lebanon was deployed to the mission area last year, they have completed tasks such as mine clearance and bomb disposal, "Blue Line" maintenance, patrol road repairs, defense engineering construction, and medical treatment with high standards. They also stepped out of the mission area for the first timewent to the Port of Beirut for the port reconstruction task, donated medicines and anti-pandemic materials to the local people, which received high recognition from UNIFIL and the local people.
Streetwear designer Reece Hawkins and his wife, model London Goheen, welcomed a baby boy named Stone last month.

And on Tuesday, Reece shared a sweet photo to Instagram of his newborn son meeting his older half-sister Saskia, four, for the first time.

The 26-year-old, who was previously engaged to influencer Tammy Hembrow, was proud to share the moment his daughter sweetly held little Stone in hospital.

'When Saskia met Stone': Tammy Hembrow's ex-fiance Reece Hawkins shared this photo on Tuesday of his daughter Saskia meeting her baby brother Stone for the first time in hospital

Reece shares daughter Saskia and son Wolf, five, with fitness influencer Tammy, 26.

Saskia smiled at baby Stone in the photo shared on Instagram Stories, as Reece thanked fans for their 'support' since London gave birth.

It comes after Reece scrubbed his Instagram profile of hundreds of photos, removing all images of his two older children and ex Tammy in the process.

Family ties: Reece shares daughter Saskia and son Wolf, five, with his ex Tammy Hembrow, 26

'My relationship with Wolf and Saskia will continue to be left off of social media for now': Reece briefly touched on his decision to remove the youngsters from Instagram in the photo caption

Reece briefly touched on his decision to remove the youngsters from his account in the caption of his photo of Saskia and Stone.

'I'm definitely not the kind of person that feels the need to prove people wrong and post this kind of stuff all the time, but everyone needs to understand Instagram isn't reality and people can do a lot in real life and keep it off of social media,' he said.

'My relationship with Wolf and Saskia will continue to be left off of social media for now, because the constant harassment and judgement of me as a father.'

Happy days: Reece confirmed he'd secretly tied the knot with London in December

Newest family member: London and Reece welcomed their newborn son on March 7

Reece publicly feuded with his ex-fiancee Tammy following their split in 2018.

In a YouTube video uploaded last year, the District Goods founder admitted the former couple's relationship hadn't always been easy.

Tammy is now dating surf lifesaver and Ironman Matt Poole, 32.
The Rev. Juan N. Tolliver greeted a steady line of people at Bethel AME Church coming in for their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine Monday.

It was a clear show of trust in the much-revered Black institution and its pastor.

Tolliver bumped fists and asked after the well being of masked visitors who had overcome misgivings about getting the shot as well as those who hadnt hesitated to register for the vaccine.

Volunteers and family members joined the pastor in helping several older participants move from vehicles into wheelchairs and straightening up on walkers and canes.

For the pastor and congregation of the 137-year-old church, the event was one more service to their East Side community, something in line with their outreach ministry, food pantry and utilities assistance program.

People feel more comfortable coming to the church to get the vaccine, Tolliver, 60, said. They are fearful of being in the larger places, and were trying to give vaccines to the Black and brown community who are underserved. They feel some connection with the church.

On ExpressNews.com: Texas minorities vaccination rates below those of whites

Concerned that African American San Antonians are getting vaccinated too slowly, congregation leaders at Bethel AME Church decided to take action.

Parishioners of the church, located at 225 E. Swiss St., partnered with the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District to bring a vaccination clinic into the parish hall. Volunteers called on congregation members and went into the neighborhood last month, scheduling more than 200 people to get vaccinated. Monday, those people were back at the parish hall, getting their second doses.

Our event, with support from Metro Health, will hopefully remove barriers, said church member Mike Bruton, who served on the vaccine committee.

Another clinic is in the works, church officials said.

Thomas Wright, 26, senior management coordinator with Metro Health, said the mobile pop-up clinics are set up in the hardest-hit areas of San Antonio to serve populations falling through the cracks.

We found that partnering with churches and faith leaders is helping us kind of hit these demographics where they might be more hesitant to receive the vaccine, Wright said. Weve seen a good turnout so were excited to hopefully keep doing these in the future.

Tolliver was joined by the Rev. Raymond Bryant, Presiding Elder of the San Antonio District of AME churches, who said people are grappling with trust issues and information concerning their rights.

Bryant said the church coordinated with the Roseville Apartments to have 40 seniors driven to the clinic. They also want to get the word out that there is a monoclonal antibody treatment for people who test positive for COVID-19. According to the Texas Medical Association, the treatments have been shown to lessen the risk of hospitalization. Its free, although an administration fee could be charged.

The vaccinations are free for everybody, regardless of income, insurance or lack of it.

Free needs to be emphasized, Bryant, 64, said.Thats why we are finding so many of our people at home dead. Because they think they have to pay for it. The information that needs to be shared has not been shared in the community.

On ExpressNews.com: Who is getting COVID-19 and the vaccine in San Antonio? Heres a breakdown

At Mondays clinic, the pastors visited with West Ford, 80, who said he was the first to sign up for a shot. They welcomed Gloria Camarena, 69, who lived a few blocks away, grateful that the clinic was just a jump and a hop away. They spoke to Rogers Jones, 87, an Army veteran who works at the churchs A.R. Nelson Outreach center. He was wary at first about getting the vaccine.

I was hesitant because of literature I had read, Jones said. I wasnt sure if the vaccine would cause a reaction.

Co-workers convinced him the process was safe.

Just after 9 a.m., Glenda Tease, 55, moved through the screening line with her father, Leonard Williams, 78. Tease said she tested positive for the coronavirus in June and didnt recover until the end of September.

I was excited, Williams said about the shot. I wanted it as soon as possible.

The church leaders knew that some of the elders in their congregation have doubts about the safety of the vaccine that was approved in a relatively short time compared to other medicines, and that, for some, seeds of mistrust about the federal governments true intentions were sown long ago.

Community activist Lynda Richardson, 68, and her sister Sylvia Richardson, 66, were pleased the event took place in their neighborhood. As they moved through the screening line, they reconnected with longtime friends and relatives  some of whom Lynda Richardson had signed up herself.

Its in our community, and its so organized, she said. You have people out here that look like us.

On ExpressNews.com: A race against time - Metro Health medical director says now isnt the time to give up on masks

State figures show that, just as the deaths from COVID-19 are higher among Latino and Black Texans, fewer Latino and Black Texans are getting vaccinated.

The disparity is particularly apparent among older Texans; state figures show younger people receiving vaccinations are far more likely to be ethnically and racially diverse than their elders. And its that older population that is more at risk of complications from the disease. Black Texans make up 12 percent of the states adult population; between Feb. 4 and March 20 they received 8 percent of first doses.

Congregation member George Sikazwe, 19, pitched in as a volunteer, helping where needed. A freshman at the University of the Incarnate Word, he hustled in and out of the clinic, carrying supplies and a sense of pride.

I wanted to help out, Sikazwe said.

vtdavis@express-news.net | Twitter: @vincentdavis
Finance minister on Tuesday emphasised the key role the group was playing in responding to the current global crisis through policy support and by enhancing international policy coordination.

She was addressing the first meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors meeting virtually from New Delhi. The meeting was co-chaired by Sitharaman and RBI governor Shaktikanta Das.

Issues discussed in the meeting included global economic outlook, new development bank, social infrastructure, IMF reforms, fintech for SME and financial inclusion, customs cooperation, bond fund and BRICS information security, according to tweets by the finance ministry.

Assistance to developing countries for climate action:



Sitharaman stressed on the need for assessment of the $100 billion commitment per year from developed countries to developing countries for strengthening climate action. She raised this issue at her meeting with US special presidential envoy for climate John Kerry.

She underscored the need to enhance financial flows to developing countries beyond $100 billion for this purpose.

She informed Kerry that India is among few countries on track towards Paris agreement goals and has taken decisive actions in fighting

The finance minister emphasised that the focus on should be both on mitigation and on strengthening adaptation measures.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

The Turkish Foreign Ministry has summoned Chinese Ambassador Liu Shaobin over the diplomatic mission's social media posts about the Xinjiang autonomous region featuring mentions of Turkey's opposition politicians, a diplomatic source in Ankara told Sputnik on Tuesday

ANKARA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 06th April, 2021) The Turkish Foreign Ministry has summoned Chinese Ambassador Liu Shaobin over the diplomatic mission's social media posts about the Xinjiang autonomous region featuring mentions of Turkey's opposition politicians, a diplomatic source in Ankara told Sputnik on Tuesday.

"The Chinese ambassador was summoned to the Turkish Foreign Ministry due to our concerns over posts on social media," the source said, without specifying details.

Earlier in the day, the Chinese embassy's tweeted that Xinjiang was an integral part of the Chinese territory, saying "this is an internationally accepted and indisputable fact." The diplomatic mission also mentioned Turkey's Good Party chair Meral Aksener and Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas, who had criticized China's alleged human rights abuses against the Uyghur Muslim minority.

In August 2018, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination reported that large numbers of ethnic Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities were being held in political "reeducation camps" in Xinjiang often for long periods, and without being charged or tried under the pretext of countering terrorism and religious extremism.

China has refuted these claims as unfounded and not reflective of reality. Chinese authorities argued that the vocational education and training centers were part of the nation's anti-extremism campaign to help Uyghurs learn the standard Mandarin language and obtain adequate professional skills.
For six months leading up to Angelita Hinojosas 100th birthday, she rounded up her age: She always told people she was 100, not 99.

But when the big day came in June 2020, her only son wasnt able to celebrate with her inside the Sarah Roberts French Home, a nursing home in the historic Woodlawn Lake neighborhood wheres shes lived for nearly 13 years.

Nursing homes and assisted-living facilities had locked their doors and stopped residents from meeting with loved ones to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The elderly residents were among the first victims of the pandemic, which eventually killed almost 8,900 people in long-term care facilities in Texas, including 514 in San Antonio. They account for about 20 percent of all Texas COVID-19 deaths.

Vaccinations have finally brought relief.

Hinojosa and her 82-year-old son, Edward, have been vaccinated, and now theyre able to visit whenever they want in the same room. Theres no limit to how often they hug or hold hands. In May, they can celebrate Mothers Day  and then Hinojosas 101st birthday in June.

Whenever shes asked, she already tells people shes 101.

I never had problems with my son, thats why Im still living, Hinojosa. Because problems eat you up.

For the first time since the coronavirus tore across the country, life is slowly returning to normal in long-term care facilities. Late last month, the state of Texas significantly loosened restrictions, making it much easier to visit residents in nursing homes where communities have kept the pandemic spread in control.

For some families, its brought the end of window visits and ushered in an era where multiple generations of the same family  parents, children and grandchildren  can once again spend time together in the same room. There is hope and joy, after a year of profound loss and overwhelming isolation.

I feel great because I can see her and touch her, Edward Hinojosa said. She looks forward to it, and sometimes I ask her, Do you want to talk to any of your nieces and nephews? And she says, As long as youre here, thats all I want.

For much of the last year, Hinojosa greeted his mother through the window of the nursing home three times per week. Even if theyre in the same room, she often has a hard time hearing, and the mother and son struggled to communicate. Edward had to call one of the facilitys staff members, who would relay his messages to his mother behind the glass.

It was a hardship on everybody, Hinojosa said. But its best for everyone all the way around.

Over the course of the pandemic, the 60-bed facility reported 14 cases of COVID-19 and two virus-related deaths among residents, according to state data. Those are among some of the lowest counts at nursing facilities in San Antonio: Across the city, nursing homes reported nearly 3,500 cases among residents and more than 1,700 cases in employees.

At some facilities, dozens of residents were infected.

Because of the pandemics disproportionate toll on older adults and people with disabilities living in close proximity, residents and employees of long-term care facilities were given first priority for COVID-19 vaccines, along with health care workers.

The shots quickly showed results: Across the country, COVID-19 cases in nursing homes plummeted 96 percent and deaths dropped by 91 percent from the end of December to early March, according to a recent study by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living.

Because of the improving conditions, the federal government has urged states to allow residents to visit with their loved ones, regardless of whether theyd been vaccinated or not.

It's been very emotional, said Alexa Schoeman with the Texas Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, which works to protect some of the most vulnerable Texans. It's so important to residents health and well-being and families are just so grateful for the opportunity to finally be able to see loved ones.

Texas followed federal guidance and eased restrictions in late March. All nursing homes in the state are required to allow residents to meet with visitors outdoors, and indoor visits must be allowed in most circumstances. Even residents who have tested positive with COVID-19 are allowed to see their loved ones.

All visits must be scheduled  a means for some facilities to continue limitations, Schoeman said.

Certainly the goal is to get back to pre-pandemic, where residents have the right to visit with whomever they wish whenever they wish, just like the rest of us, Schoeman said. We should be able to have friends and family over as we like.

Isolation and loneliness can have devastating effects on older adults. Recent research has found that social isolation increases risk of premature death, the likelihood of dementia, stroke, heart disease, depression, anxiety and suicide, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Social isolation has devastating effects on a lot of residents, Schoeman said. We hear stories of a lot of residents who passed away during the pandemic, whether or not from COVID-19 without the family with them.

Before the pandemic struck and Sarah Roberts French Home shut off residents from outside visitors, Helen Rodriguez, 71, used to spend hours each week there tending to her 91-year-old mother, Mary Moreno. The two are best friends, and Rodriguez would brush her mothers hair, do her make-up, check her teeth and paint her nails.

The first two times she had to greet her mother through a window, Rodriguez sobbed. She knew that the facilitys precautions were only meant to protect her mother, but she still couldnt help but feel sad and anxious that she couldnt see her mother in person. Her mother has dementia, and talking by phone and waving through glass wasnt the same.

Now for the first time in more than a year, Rodriguez can visit her mother not only in person  but also with her own daughter.

Lori Rodriguez-Padilla, 46, used to help run bingo for her grandmother and other nursing home residents. She often met her grandmother for lunch, and sometimes colored with her.

But she hasnt been able to visit with her at all since the pandemic began  until last week, when for the first time she was finally able to see both her mother and grandmother in the same room.

The first thing I did, Rodriguez-Padilla said, was just hold her and hug her.

marina.riker@express-news.net
The woman behind a nationwide push to improve sex education programs in schools was inspired to speak out during a slumber party with her two best friends.

Chanel Contos and two of her friends, Bronte and Nikki, caught up for a weekend and, among other topics, discussed allegations of sexual abuse among their peers.

Each woman also revealed they were sexually abused while they were still in school.

Ms Contos, a Kambala School alumni, learned that her abuser went on to do the same thing to another girl she went to school with one year after assaulting her.

The discovery was a line in the sand moment for the 22-year-old university student.

Ms Contos believes earlier education in schools and at home would be beneficial for both boys and girls

The woman behind a nationwide push to improve sex education programs in schools was inspired to speak out during a slumber party with her two best friends

Ms Contos started a petition which encouraged victims of sexual assault to share their experiences and demand reform.

More than 5,000 women came forward to reveal they were sexually assaulted as teenagers.

The spotlight fell on some of Sydneys most elite private schools, with the likes of Scots College and Cranbrook repeatedly named in the thousands of testimonies - some of which date back decades.

'This is the sleepover where this all started,' she said, sharing a picture dated May 14, 2020, to Instagram.

'We shared endless stories of sexual assault that had happened to us and our mutual friends...It's where I found out my perpetrator sexually assaulted another one of my friends a year after me.'

Ms Contos revealed she was motivated to create the petition in May 2020 after a slumber party with two of her high school best friends, Bronte and Nikki

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

She took to Instagram after the sleepover and posed a question to her followers, asking if theyd been sexually assaulted as teenagers, and the results were overwhelming.

Ms Contos discovered several common themes among the influx of responses - private schoolboys and a lack of awareness about what constituted consent or lack thereof.

As the responses poured in, Ms Contos created a platform for women to anonymously share their stories and eventually created a petition demanding more well rounded sex education in schools.

Bronte and Nikki were the first people to share their experiences on the petition.

Almost 40,000 people have signed just one of Ms Contos' petitions demanding more thorough sex education in schools

Thousands of girls who attended Sydney private schools has claimed they were sexually assaulted and raped by private school boys. Pictured: Chanel Contos is calling for better sex education

On Monday, Ms Contos thanked the women for their bravery while wishing Bronte a happy birthday.

In the wake of the petition, Ms Contos has successfully created change within private schools, who are now reviewing sex education programs and vowing to implement change.

She has also garnered the support of political figures and is tabling a petition to New South Wales parliament which would earlier and more holistic consent education in schools across the state.

If this story has raised issues for you, please contact 1800 Respect 1800 737 732, Lifeline 13 11 14, beyondblue 1300 224 636, Domestic Violence Line 1800 65 64 63

Bronte and Nikki from that very first sleepover were the first people to share their experiences on the petition
I hate to say I told you so.

So Ill just say Leonard Lance told you so.

Lance was a congressman from Hunterdon County when his fellow Republican, Donald Trump, proposed the tax reform of 2017.

The plan called for drastically limiting the tax breaks most loved by New Jersey homeowners, the deductions for state and local taxes (SALT for short.)

Prior to the Trump tax reform, homeowners got to deduct local property taxes and state income taxes from their federal tax bill.

But once Trump signed his bill into law, that deduction was capped at a mere $10,000.

I have people in my district who pay as much as $40,000 a year in property taxes, Lance told me back then.

But he lost the fight to other Republicans who argued that a reduction in tax rates would make up for the loss of deductions.

Where had we heard that before?

Oh yeah, that was the promise Ronald Reagan made when he drastically cut rates in the 1986 tax reform.

Reagan also cut deductions, most notably the deduction for interest paid on credit cards, car loans, etc. A few years earlier he also made Social Security payments taxable for the first time.

Those rate cuts were supposed to make up for it. And they did  while Reagan was in office. But his Republican successor  the guy who promised Read my lips; no new taxes  promptly raised the rates.

Then George H.W. Bush lost to Democrat Bill Clinton, who also raised rates.

Now weve got another Democratic president whos talking about tax hikes. That would be fine for many New Jerseyans if Joe Biden also planned to restore the SALT deductions.

But on April 1, Axios news reported that President Biden is unlikely to propose reinstating state and local tax deductions in his second tax-and-spending package despite pressure from several fellow Democrats, according to people with direct knowledge of the planning.

Our governor had to be hoping that was some sort of an April Fools joke. Phil Murphy was one of seven Democratic governors from high-tax states who sent a letter to Biden urging him to restore the tax breaks that Trump eliminated.

As a conservative, I agree entirely with those liberals on this. So does Lance, who is a moderate Republican.

Lance argues theres a principle at stake that Republicans ignore at their peril: You shouldnt pay taxes on money you use to pay taxes.

Its double taxation, he said when I called him Monday.

But that position didnt do him any good in 2018. Voter reaction to the Trump tax reform was a key reason he lost a close race for re-election, Lance said.

I warned in my own conference that modification of the SALT deduction would hurt moderate Republicans in the Northeast and in California, Lance said. Thats what happened.

The theory pushed by Republicans backing the Trump tax plan was that once the SALT deductions were curtailed voters would take revenge on the politicians responsible for those high state and local taxes.

Instead they took it out on Republicans, including Trump. The Donald lost the 2020 race not in the cities, as he claimed, but in the affluent suburbs.

One of his worst performance was in Bergen County, formerly a GOP stronghold, where he lost by 100,000 votes. He even managed to lose Morris County, a feat long thought impossible for a Republican.

Going into the 2022 Congressional elections, We have to do better in the suburbs, said Lance.

Republicans cannot be in the majority of the House and the Senate without reaching out to all of America, and that includes suburban America, he said.

The good news for the GOP is that now its the Democrats who disagree with each other on the SALT deductions.

Democratic New York Senator Chuck Schumer is leading the charge to restore the deductions. New Jerseys Democrats both in the House and Senate are joining Schumer in backing complete restoration of the SALT deductions.

But theyve got a problem in their own party. Many Democrats argue that this would be a tax cut for the rich. The Brookings Institution, a leading liberal think tank, argues that Lifting the cap on the SALT deduction would massively favor the rich, with most of the benefit going to the top one percent.

That may be true. But those state and local taxes fund schools and services in high-cost states like ours. Why would you want to pick a fight with the people who pay those taxes?

Thats the question that Lance was asking back in 2017.

But this time around its up to the Democrats to find an answer.
We dont know whether the Jan. 6 insurrectionists knew that Columbus discovered the New World in 1492, that George Washington was the first president of the United States, that the Civil War ended at Appomattox in 1865 or that the federal government is comprised of three separate, co-equal branches (see Im Just a Bill; Schoolhouse Rock video, 1976).

Perhaps the QAnon conspiracists, Oath Keepers, Proud Boys and other members of the Jan. 6 rabble learned the requisite facts and dates to pass a high school civics or history class. What they obviously didnt learn were the bedrock essentials of a government of the people, by the people and for the people (see Lincoln, Abraham; Gettysburg Address). They didnt learn what it takes to sustain a democratic republic (see Franklin, Benjamin; A republic, if you can keep it.)

Its not just our deluded insurrectionist neighbors who represent a danger to the republic. The problem is not limited to one political party or demographic.

According to the Educating for American Democracy initiative, an effort funded by the U.S. Department of Education and the National Endowment for the Humanities, the nation as a whole needs serious remedial work regarding the fundamentals of a self-governing nation.

The initiative, a network of 300 scholars, classroom educators, practitioners and students  including several Texans  has worked for the past two years to identify the serious challenges facing our democratic institutions and to craft an approach designed to revitalize civics and history instruction for K-12 students. The group recently released its Educating for American Democracy Roadmap.

The Roadmap is neither a set of standards nor a curriculum, the initiative points out in its report. Instead, it seeks to identify strategies that emphasize participation, critical thinking and familiarity with basic principles, including compromise, civic honesty and patriotism.

Writing in the Washington Post recently, two members of the executive committee of the EAD initiative, political scientists Danielle Allen of Harvard and Paul Carrese of Arizona State University, noted that for years we have been making healthy investments in science, technology, engineering and math  and rightly so. STEM investments benefit national security and global economic competitiveness. But while we spend about $50 of federal funds per student per year on STEM, as Allen and Carrese point out, we only spend a nickel a year on civic education.

We should desire to compete on the worlds stage as the kind of society we are, namely, a constitutional democracy, Allen and Carrese wrote. We can do so only if we have civic strength at home.

Those are high-minded thoughts, admirable aims, and yet the cynics among us are sure to mention the difficulty, particularly in the Lone Star State, of achieving consensus. Democracy is messy, to be sure, but debates about citizenship too often devolve into absurd legislative spats or interminable arguments among State Board of Education members about how substantially Moses influenced the Founding Fathers or whether Helen Keller or Hillary Clinton deserve being mentioned in board-approved textbooks.

Sylvia Hsu, who teaches history and Asian studies at the University of Texas at Austin and who served on an EAD task force, is aware of the challenges involved in finding civic-participation common ground. Obviously, this is an ideal and works toward the belief that we cannot have a free society until and unless all peoples are equally free, she told the Chronicle editorial board. Such struggles take time and persistence, and sometimes succeed.

Penne Restad, another UT-Austin historian, was not involved with the EAD effort, but she has put its principles into practice in a program shes devised for Texas teachers working with high-school students seeking college credit in history and government. More than 7,000 Texas high schoolers have been exposed to OnRamps, which emphasizes team learning focused on close reading, an acknowledgment of complexity in American history and the need for engaged discussion toward reaching a consensus. Memorizing dates, places and people is of lesser importance.

Each team is better prepared to engage in a civil, informed class discussion, which seems to be one of the important elements of civic responsibility, Restad says.

She would likely agree with Danielle Allen, who noted in the New Yorker recently that the goal should not be a world where everybody agrees with you. That will never be the reward of life in a constitutional democracy. The reward is the chance to participate in free self-government. If you love that, then you can tolerate the hard work of ongoing, routine contestation with people who disagree with you.

The key to sustaining a healthy, vigorous democracy beyond the classroom is participation.

Voting, of course, is the most basic participatory right, but joining such good-government efforts as the League of Women Voters, involvement with passionate, engaged advocacy groups such as Black Lives Matter or Texas Alliance for Life or devoting time and energy toward working for a candidate, all are signs of a healthy democracy.

As the nation gradually emerges from a rancorous, bitter four years of national mis-governance, its hard to imagine a more worthy effort than revitalizing democracy. The stakes are high, as the EAD initiative underscores: Serious reinvestment in excellence in civic and history education for all K-12 learners is not for the faint of heart, but neither is it a challenge we can fail to face. The survival of our constitutional democracy is at stake.
When you have endured 15 hours of cold and exhaustion to set a record, the last thing you want is a rival trying to steal your glory.

But that is what happened to one of Britains forgotten sporting heroines, Mercedes Gleitze.

She came ashore barely conscious at St Margarets Bay, near Dover, on October 7, 1927 as the first British woman to swim the Channel.

Vindication Swim tells of the rivalry between Mercedes Gleitze and Edith Gade who competed for the fastest time for a woman to complete a swim across the English Channel in the 1920s

Pictured: The film stars Brighton actress Kirsten Callaghan as Miss Gleitze (left) and Victoria Summer (right)  who played Julie Andrews in Saving Mr Banks  as her rival Edith Gade

The 26-year-old typist, who had nearly been run down by a steamer, had been fed grapes, honey, cocoa and tea from the lone rowing boat accompanying her. She had little time to enjoy her fame, however.

Within four days another British woman claimed she, too, had completed the swim  in a time more than two hours faster. There were even pictures of her sipping champagne at the finish.

So just two weeks later, Miss Gleitze got back in the chilly Channel waters in a bid to reclaim her place in the history books.

The story of their rivalry is the subject of a film, Vindication Swim, being shot on the East Sussex coast.

Mercedes Gleitze (pictured) was the first British woman to swim the English Channel

It stars Brighton actress Kirsten Callaghan as Miss Gleitze and Victoria Summer  who played Julie Andrews in Saving Mr Banks  as her rival Edith Gade.

The character of Miss Gade is based on Dorothy Cochrane Logan, whose swim was eventually revealed as a hoax.

Fearing her feat, which took eight attempts, would also be disbelieved, Miss Gleitze returned to Cap Gris-Nez in France. Her vindication swim, watched by boatloads of journalists, ended in failure.

But it made her so famous that Rolex named a watch after her and she would later complete many endurance swims.

Miss Callaghan trained in the sea for three months for the role. She told holiday firm Swim Trek: When Mercedes decided she wanted to become an open water swimmer she wasnt the Muscle Mercedes she went on to be nicknamed... but a London typist who was struggling with bouts of bronchitis... [it] has taught me that whatever you choose to do, you must approach it with bravery, passion and perseverance.

The film, directed by Elliott Hasler, 20, has just resumed shooting on Hove beach after two breaks due to the pandemic.
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The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has encouraged its members to actively get involved in politics as the country prepares for 2023 general elections.

The group said that is the only way to stop misfits governing the country.

The CAN President, Samson Ayokunle, gave the charge on Tuesday while speaking on the theme, State of the Nation at the 2021 holy convocation of the Victory Life Bible Church (VLBC), held at the church headquarters along Abeokuta-Ajebo road, Abeokuta.

He lamented that the country is in a deadly situation that calls for serious concern. He challenged President Muhammed Buhari to mop up illegal weapons across the country.

Mr Ayokunle said the president should take action before things get out of hand, stressing that it is time to look beyond tagging those saying the truth as enemies of government.

I pity us for the way our leaders behave, the CAN leader said.

Anybody who is saying the truth is regarded as enemy of government. You are in Aso Rock does not mean you are more Nigerian than me. Corruption is a cancer in the body of Nigeria. If corruption must be wiped away in Nigeria, Christians must be in the front.

The clergyman said there is need to upgrade or review the countrys constitution in order to accommodate home grown democracy.

We need to upgrade or review our constitution in order to accommodate home grown democracy. Presidency must be rotated among the six geo-political zones. Immunity of political office holders must be removed, so that if they commit crime, they can go to jail.

The association pointed out that one of the problems confronting the country is poor intelligence gathering, and, therefore, recommended state policing, stressing that it is the federal government that encourages crimes and criminality.

One of the problems we have in Nigeria is poor intelligence gathering. Let there be state police. Who is and why are you afraid? Nigerian government encourages crimes and criminality by being unable to provide jobs for the youths.

There is no family in Nigeria that does not have a jobless graduate. Government has failed to provide enabling environment for business(es) to thrive.
Bindi Irwin welcomed her first child, baby girl Grace, on March 25.

And just shy of two weeks later, the doting mother has shared a touching photo of her newborn daughter as she lay fast asleep in her cot.

'Our beautiful girl, always dreaming,' the 22-year-old captioned the image, which showed her little tot wrapped up in a beautiful floral outfit as she enjoyed a peaceful rest.

Baby joy: Bindi and Chandler announced the birth of their daughter, Grace Warrior Irwin Powell, on March 26

Bindi and Chandler, 24, announced the birth of their newborn daughter on Instagram one day after they welcomed her into the world.

In a lengthy post, the new mother explained the baby's middle name was inspired by her late father, Steve Irwin, who coined the term 'Wildlife Warrior'.

She wrote: 'March 25, 2021. Celebrating the two loves of my life. Happy first wedding anniversary to my sweetheart husband and day of birth to our beautiful daughter.

So cute: Just shy of two weeks after giving birth, the doting mother shared a touching photo of her newborn daughter Grace as she lay fast asleep in her cot on Tuesday

'Our graceful warrior is the most beautiful light. Grace is named after my great-grandmother, and relatives in Chandler's family dating back to the 1700s.

'Her middle names, Warrior Irwin, are a tribute to my dad and his legacy as the most incredible Wildlife Warrior. Her last name is Powell and she already has such a kind soul just like her dad.'

She accompanied the caption with an image of herself and Chandler cradling their newborn in a baby blanket.

Proud mum: 'Our graceful warrior is the most beautiful light. Grace is named after my great-grandmother, and relatives in Chandler's family dating back to the 1700s,' she wrote

'There are no words to describe the infinite amount of love in our hearts for our sweet baby girl. She chose the perfect day to be born and we feel tremendously blessed,' Bindi added.

Bindi first met Chandler in 2013, when the American former wakeboarder went on a guided tour of Australia Zoo in Queensland.

The pair married in a surprise ceremony at Australia Zoo, on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, in March last year.
India has framed itself into a digital economy where fintech startups are brought promoted based on service quality. Today, people have become more open towards the concept of digital payments, which in some way has led to the rise of more fintech platforms in India. The Digital India initiative has played an active role in transforming payment. A few years back, where individuals were hesitant and skeptical about online payment services. Whereas today, a large proportion of the public has changed the way it made transactions.

Today India holds a cumulative digital transaction and has millions of registered users online. It is one of the leading fintech startup hubs in the world which is followed by UK, Singapore and Germany as per the reports. Fintech platforms not only introduced digital payments, but also provided digital insurance for health, travel, digital banking solutions simplifying banks, lending systems making credit easier and many others. Here are five fintech startups in India which are playing a prominent role in influencing digital initiative in our country.

CogNext: It is the first no-code regulatory compliance platform. Using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, it is simplifying and automating regulatory compliance while making it cost-effective for financial institutions. Additionally, it provides robust solutions powered by NLP, Deep Learning, and Predictive Analytics to manage and scale up the credit business of varied financial institutions. Its comprehensive automated platform, Platform X enables financial institutions to remain in control of risks. It works through a fully configurable and scalable technology framework that allows the user to process the customer data and manage the calculations with ease.

Also, it enables the user to explore multiple methodologies interactively, empowers them with explanatory power, self-service and traceability. Powered by Deep Learning and other ML algorithms, the offering streamlines the model workflow of the bank with reduced turnaround time, improved business volumes, and return on assets.

CashFree: It is a full-stack payments solution that helps Indian businesses to accept and send money and is used by 50,000+ businesses for vendor payouts, wage payouts, bulk refunds, etc. It is a next-generation payment gateway that is easy to integrate and supports instant refunds. Cashfree is also Indias API banking platform that lets businesses send money round-the-clock and instantly to bank accounts and cards with a simple API that can be integrated with their product, instead of uploading complicated files on their corporate banking portal. Cashfree also offers a split payment solution for marketplaces, a Bank Account Verification API and Auto Collect -- a virtual account solution to match inbound payments to customers.

Lendingkart: Founded in 2014,it allows entrepreneurs to easily access working capital finance options. The platform utilizes big data analysis and technology tools to create a more efficient and effective way to evaluate ones credit worthiness. It is a non-deposit taking NBFC, providing SME lending in India. The Company aims to transform small business lending by making it convenient for SMEs to access credit easily. The Company uses technology and analytics tools, analyzing thousands of data points from various data sources to assess the creditworthiness of small businesses rapidly and accurately.

Shiksha Finance: It is India's leading lending in an education finance firm. They also offer loans to educational institutions to develop buildings, buy properties and working capital. The mission of this institution is to fund parents for school fees, thereby reducing school drop-out rates. The debt ranges from Rs 10,000 to Rs 30,050 which must be returned within 6 to 10 months. Student loans may be used by parents to pay school tuition, books, uniforms, shoes, luggage, etc.

Razorpay: Razorpay is a payment solution in India that helps companies with its suite of products to receive, process, and disburse payments. It gives access to all payment modes, including JioMoney, Mobikwik, Airtel Money, FreeCharge, Ola Money, and PayZapp, including credit card, debit card, net banking, UPI, and common wallets. It was started by Harshil Mathur and Shashank Kumar in 2014. Businesses can handle the marketplace, simplify money transactions, receive regular fees, exchange client invoices, and take advantage of working capital loans from a single platform.
Higher Education Minister Simon Harris has described Irelands third-level sector as elitist and vowed to introduce a fully integrated system which caters for all.

Mr Harris said the lack of an integrated system has led to skills shortages, inequality and high drop-out rates from higher education.

He said the focus should not be on where you went to college, but how you got there.

Speaking at the annual conference of the Teachers Union of Ireland, Mr Harris said there is a mountain of work to do in the education sector.

He criticised the current third-level model, saying it places huge pressure on students.

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It has allowed a points race to get out of control and placed appalling levels of pressure and stress on young people in our country.

It has allowed an almost elitist mind set to emerge which defines success in some peoples mind on where you went to college, rather than what you want to do in life and how best to get to that point.

Funding for higher and further education is an issue that has been ducked and dodged for far too long in this country, he added.

He said it reminded him of a famous Father Ted joke, is there anything to be said for another report?

This new dedicated department will seek to rectify that. We expect the final report on the future funding of the sector in the next few months and I want you to know two things: I dont intend to be dusting it or seeking a shelf to stick it on," he said.

Mr Harris said while some ministers believe in incremental change and doing a little bit each year he is not of the same mindset.

When it comes to reforming third level, that is not an option.

He welcomed improved funding in recent years but said it is still not at the level required.

We live in a country where despite our success and relative prosperity, one in eight adults cannot read or write. One in five struggle with numbers and nearly one in two lack basic digital skills. This does not get discussed enough. Perhaps it doesnt fit in with the narrative we like to portray, he told the conference.

I intend to shout from the rooftops about it. We cannot leave people behind. Covid has shone a very bright light on inequality and we must respond.

Mr Harris also confirmed that his department is looking to introduce pilot schemes for rapid Covid-19 testing across Irish colleges.

He said his department is aiming to deliver 10,000 new apprenticeships each year by 2025 and referenced an additional investment of 20 million to help deal with the backlog in apprenticeship programmes caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Adam Toledo was killed early Monday morning, due to the unreasonable conduct of a Chicago Police Officer. We are confident that the Chicago Police Department and the Civilian Office of Police Accountability will conduct a thorough investigation, that there will be transparency, and that Toledo Family will find out the truth of what happened to Adam. Adam was killed March 29, 2021, but the Toledo Family was only 
[April 06, 2021] Genesee & Wyoming Appoints Eddie Aston as UK/Europe Region CEO

Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (G&W) today announced the appointment of Eddie Aston as chief executive officer of its UK/Europe Region. The G&W UK/Europe Region employs 3,100 people in the UK and continental Europe and comprises: i) Freightliner, the UK's leading provider of freight rail, terminals and trucking services, ii) Pentalver, a leading UK container-logistics provider, iii) Freightliner Poland, a freight rail operator in both Poland and Germany, and iv) Rotterdam Rail Feeding, a provider of shunting and rail feeder services in the Netherlands. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005097/en/ Genesee & Wyoming Inc. has appointed Eddie Aston as chief executive officer of its UK/Europe Region. (Photo: Business Wire) Aston's background in logistics and supply chain management includes 13 years at DHL, where he was CEO of Global Sectors, CEO of the Global Life Sciences and Health Care Sector (a 3.2-billion business across 77 countries) and held leadership positions in DHL's supply chain solution divisions in the UK. He also has served as UK, Ireland and Nordics Managing Director at Ceva Logistics and as UK Managing Director at Northgate Plc. "Eddie is a seasoned business leader with deep experience in logistics as ell as business transformation," said G&W Chief Executive Officer Jack Hellmann. "He is a highly energetic leader who is intensely focused on customers and will fit in well with G&W's culture. We are excited for him to lead the next phase of G&W's business transformation in the UK and continental Europe."



Aston succeeds G&W's Gary Long, who has served as UK/Europe Region CEO since 2017 and is transitioning back to the United States as planned. "Gary successfully transformed our UK business to provide our customers with industry-leading rail, road and terminals services, led a major technology initiative that will transform our customer experience in the UK, all while delivering world-class safety results," Hellmann said. "I want to thank Gary and our entire UK/Europe team for positioning the business for long-term success, particularly amidst the extraordinary challenges of the pandemic." About Genesee & Wyoming

G&W owns or leases 116 freight railroads organised in locally managed operating regions with 7,300 employees serving 3,000 customers. G&W's four North American regions serve 42 U.S. states and four Canadian provinces and include 113 short line and regional freight railroads with more than 13,000 track-miles.

G&W's UK/Europe Region includes the UK's largest rail maritime intermodal operator and second-largest freight rail provider, as well as regional rail services in continental Europe.

Freightliner is an established rail freight provider offering customers a wide range of safe, reliable and cost-effective solutions to cater for the requirements of a diverse market sector. With an extensive offering of bulk freight transportation services as well as the 770,000 maritime containers moved per year by both road and rail, Freightliner provides the complete logistics package, ensuring satisfaction from port to door.

Pentalver's strategically located off-dock facilities at Felixstowe, Southampton and London Gateway (News - Alert) , along with their inland hub at Cannock, offer diverse container services such as road haulage, container storage, container repairs, refrigeration services and cargo handling. Pentalver is also one of the UK's leading container sales and bespoke container conversions providers. G&W subsidiaries and joint ventures also provide rail service at more than 30 major ports, rail-ferry service between the U.S. Southeast and Mexico, transload services, and industrial railcar switching and repair. For more information, please visit www.gwrr.com or LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005097/en/

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Lieutenant-General (Ret.) Hayk S. Kotanjian, Doctor of Political Science (Academy of Public Administration under the RF President); Counterterrorism Fellow (US National Defense University); Professor (Strategic Security Studies - RA, RF, USA);

President Emeritus of the Political Science Association of Armenia reflecting on the lessons of the genocidal, jihadist military aggression of Turkey and Azerbaijan against the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and the Republic of Armenia, strategic analysts of the security institutions and processes continue to monitor the dynamics of the peace-war around Karabakh in the context of the world order transformation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin at the session of the Russian Security Council on March 26, 2021, emphasizing the exceptional role of cybersecurity by the global actors, pointed out the strategic priority of the development of the cyberspace resources management system. In general, this coincides with the assessments of the special importance of this security sector, voiced recently by US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The emphases in the conclusions of the heads of the world great powers, help to draw the first lessons from the defeat of the Armenian Armed Forces in cyberspace during the 2020 Karabakh war.

Today, there is every reason to claim that the failure of the fight against the enemy UAVs in Armenia started in 2018 with the abolition by the new Armenian authorities of the Cyberspace Resources Management Center of the Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense Research University, Ministry of Defense, Republic of Armenia (INSS Head Benyamin Poghosyan). One of the reasons for this failure is the promotion of populist amateurs to the office of the Secretary of the Security Council of the Republic of Armenia who does not possess system knowledge in the field of defense policy and the art of its application in ensuring the national and international security of the state.

Back in the summer of 2018, following the statutory mission of strategic consulting of the top leadership of the state, the Head of the National Defense Research University, Ministry of Defense, Republic of Armenia invited the new Secretary of the Security Council to the INSS to present him the role of the Cyberspace Resources Management Center. A group of young analysts led by the head of the Center Arman Grigoryan, research fellow of the Center Karen Galoyan and expert in the field of cyber technologies Gevorg Sarukhanyan organized a special discussion to promote the following R&D elaborations into the working portfolio of the Security Council:

 The draft review of the RA National Security Strategy, taking into account the challenges and threats associated with the innovative management of cyberspace resources;

 The draft RA Cybersecurity Strategy;

 The draft RA public CIO system for the Cyberspace Resources Management.

In order to assist in the expected innovative mission of the RA Security Council to develop the defense and security policy of the Armenian state, a group of young talented analysts working under my academic supervision, along with the drafts, presented to the Secretary of the Security Council the advantages of modern academic and applied strategic research tools that underlie the process of taking security decisions.

Defense security policy strategic gaming was demonstrated as an innovative method of brainstorming, as well as the method of applying mathematical modeling and expert assessments through scenario building for national security decision drafting of national-scale. It is important to note that the applied methodological tools were periodically updated and reviewed as a result of our fellowships and discussions at: the CSTO Academic and Expert Council (the General Secretaries - Lieutenant-General, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Nikolai Bordyuzha and Colonel-General Yuri Khachaturov); the College of Cyberspace Resources Management and the Institute for National Strategic Studies, NDU, USA (the head of the US Project on Artificial Intelligence, Dr. James Keagle); the Harvard program Cybersecurity: the Intersection of Technology and Politics John F. Kennedy School of Government (Lieutenant General, Professor Tad Oelstrom) and MGIMO University of the Russian Foreign Ministry (Doctors-Professors Alexander Nikitin and Oksana Gaman-Golutvina). All the three strategic security drafts were provided with their implementation roadmaps prepared by the analysts of the RA Ministry of Defense in cooperation with the chief specialists of the ministries and departments of the RA defense security community involved in the RA defense system modernization program AZG-BANAK (Nation-Army).

However, the drafts, despite their obvious relevance to the security of Armenia, were not comprehended by the Secretary of the Security Council, RA due to his professional incompetence. As a result, the Draft Review of the National Security Strategy of the Republic of Armenia, the Draft Cybersecurity Strategy of the Republic of Armenia, and the Draft Cyberspace Resources Management System were groundlessly rejected by the Security Council. Thus, back in 2018, when the Turkish-Azerbaijani aggression against the NKR and RA was distantly approaching, the intellectual failure of the leadership of the RA Security Council in organizing an effective fight in cyberspace led to a lack of understanding of the significance for the innovative development of the Armenian defense and security system of the elaborations by the talented PhDs of INSS, recognized by the world's leading centers for strategic studies. As a result, the implementation of the unique R&D products of the Cyberspace Resource Management Center, INSS, MOD, RA was discontinued, and the Center itself was abolished. The young talented researchers of cyberspace security, periodically undergone trainings at the world famous think tanks and ready to continue serving the Homeland, were dismissed.

At the same time, Moscow, Washington, and Yerevan lost a particularly important academic and expert platform for international security synchronization of watches on the issues of cyberspace resource management strategy, which was traditionally provided at the international strategic forums of the INSS, MOD, RA. At present, responding to the requests of my colleagues seeking ways to revive the Armenian Army, I invite their attention to the necessity to reconsider the strategy and roadmap for the modernization of the Azg-Banak (Nation-Army) defense system, developed under the academic expert leadership of the INSS, MOD, RA, one of the system-forming axes of which were programs for managing cyberspace resources. As previously noted, this program of systematic modernization of the total power of the Armenian state, based on the lessons of the 2016 war, was developed as a result of the field studies by the INSS, MOD, RA in Israel and Switzerland. It may seem that this interagency elaboration, carried out in 2016-2018 in cooperation with the chief specialists from all ministries and departments of the defense and security community of Armenia, should have formed the basis for the activities of the new Security Council of the Republic of Armenia. However, this did not happen due to the fact that the Security Council has started to function since 2018 under the pressure of populist influence groups which, contrary to the security interests of Armenia, consider the AZG-BANAK program a militaristic document. Thus, the RA Security Council deprived Armenia of the national program of modernization of the defense and security system, based on the interagency-territorial activities of the national state aimed at the innovative development of the total might of the Republic of Armenia with the engagement of cyber security resources, which was one of the reasons for the defeat of the Armenian Army in cyberspace.

Returning to the peace crafting challenges in the scope of global actors interests available in the volatile region surrounding Armenia we can emphasize the importance of OSCE Minsk Group Chairmanship on Karabakh as a unique consensus platform for US-Russia strategic stability dialogue. The monitoring of the dynamics of regional security after the departure of Donald Trumps populist administration and the official inauguration of Joe Biden - US President, indicates the urgency of the strategic dialogue with the Russian Federation after they confirm the status of Russia as an opponent of America. It is important to note that in current international security realities, US think-tanks point out that unlike the previous Republican administration, the current democratic one seriously intends to interact more with Moscow on the issues of strategic stability. In this regard, analysts at the Carnegie Center, reflecting the opinion of the democratic establishment, emphasize the importance of using multilateral platforms to establish US-Russian dialogue on strategic stability.

Among these platforms, the platform of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs on the Karabakh settlement - before Turkey and Azerbaijan unleashed military-terrorist aggression in Karabakh - stood out by the continuous consensus between the Russian Federation, the United States and France. The consensus among the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs was as well confirmed by a joint Statement of the presidents of the Co-Chair countries  Russia, the US and France to end the war unleashed in autumn of 2020 against the Armenian population of Artsakh and Armenia by the Azerbaijani-Turkish coalition with the involvement of jihadists. The three-time declaration of a truce under the auspices of the authorities of the Russian Federation, the United States and France is evidence of the further maintenance of consensus between Russia, America and France at the final stage of hostilities. The consensus on the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs platform continued with the support of official Washington and Paris to deploy Russian peacekeeping forces in Karabakh and the willingness to continue the work of the OSCE Minsk Group on Karabakh settlement. The plenipotentiary representatives of all three states have recently spoken about the expediency of using the Karabakh platform to promote, along with the Karabakh settlement, the dialogue on strategic stability on a global scale.
The multibillion-dollar iron ore tax championed by former Nationals WA leader Brendon Grylls will not be resuscitated by the party or pursued by the McGowan Labor government.

Labors stomping return to power in March delivered the government control of both houses, reduced the Liberal Party to just two lower house seats and installed the Nationals as the official opposition.

The iron ore state agreements were struck in the 1960s. Credit: FMG

The shift of power sparked speculation the Nationals flagship policy from the 2017 election could return from the dead, with support from a powerful and popular Labor government.

Politics and industry insiders said with iron ore prices near record levels, the parties could move to convince the community the major miners were profitable and needed to pay more for mining the states resources. The government could be less concerned about backlash from the industry given its popularity, they said, and could harness community sentiment to tackle the issue early in its second term.
COVID vaccine cards - Theyve become the status symbol of 2021.

The cards are typically given to people when they receive their first coronavirus vaccination and then updated if the vaccine version requires a second dose. The cards not only provide a reminder of a second dose but also serves as proof of vaccination.

There are some dos and donts about the vaccine card. Heres what you should know:

Whats on your card?

Your vaccine card has the type of vaccine your received (Pfizer or Moderna, both of which require two doses, or Johnson & Johnson, which requires one dose); date of first dose; time for second dose (if needed); and your vaccine providers name or the clinic where you got your vaccine.

What should you do with your card?

Take a photo of your card, save it on your phone and email another copy of it to yourself. Then put it in a safe place. Just make sure you take it back for your second appointment.

What shouldnt you do with your card?

Dont post a photo of it on social media.

Unfortunately, your card has your full name and birthday on it, as well as information about where you got your vaccine. If your social media privacy settings arent set high, you may be giving valuable information away for anyone to use, the Better Business Bureau warned.

BBB said photos could also be used by scammers who will try to create fake cards.

You can read more on that here.

Waitthere are fake COVID vaccine cards?

Yes, according to the FBI, which issued a special bulletin about them at the end of March.

Individuals, the warning noted, have been selling fake COVID-19 vaccination record cards and encouraging others to print fake cards at home.

Fake vaccination record cards have been advertised on social media websites, as well as e-commerce platforms and blogs the agency warned.

Purchasing a fake card not only puts other people at risk, it also represents unauthorized use of a government seal and is a crime, according to the FBI.

What else should you not do?

Dont laminate the card.

In some locations, a label is placed on the card that talks about the vaccine brand and lot number and those have been printed on thermal printer labels, Tom Iovino, the public information officer for the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County told KHON-2. So what happens is if you put them through a thermal laminator, they will be completely black and illegible.

You can see more on that here.

What should you do if you lose your card?

If youve lost your vaccination card or dont have a copy, the Centers for Disease Control recommends contacting your providers directly. If you cant contact your vaccine provider, check with the state health departments immunization information system. You can find state IIS information on the CDC website. Vaccination providers are required to report COVID-19 vaccinations to their IIS and related systems and will have the needed data.

Other ways to protect your card

Were already seeing people produce holders to allow you to protect your card safely. You can see more here.
The back-to-back meetings, after the one chaired by the PM on Sunday, is a part of the Central governments efforts to contain the spread of the virus, which has once again turned into a full-blown crisis. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: With Indias new Covid-19 cases crossing one lakh in a single day on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has again called for a meeting with Chief Ministers of states and Lieutenant-Governors of Union territories on Thursday to review the situation. The back-to-back meetings, after the one chaired by the PM on Sunday, is a part of the Central governments efforts to contain the spread of the virus, which has once again turned into a full-blown crisis.

Union health minister Harsh Vardhan has called a meeting with 11 states and UTs of grave concern on Tuesday to take stock of the worsening situation. Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan are some of the places that are reporting a very high surge in daily cases.

Mumbai recorded 9,857 new cases on Sunday, prompting the state government to announce additional curbs. The state has announced containment measures that include imposing prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC. All beaches and outdoor activities will remain out of bounds, while malls and shops will remain closed.

Their staff will have to get vaccinated during this shutdown period. Mumbais Siddhivinayak Temple will be closed from Monday evening onwards till further orders for darshan and the regular aarti and puja can be seen by devotees through webcasts. Similarly, the Saibaba temple in Shirdi in the state will also remain shut from Monday midnight.

Delhi on Monday had 3,458 new cases while Karnataka reported 5,279 cases, of which 3,728 cases were from Bengaluru Urban alone. Kerala, with 2,357 daily cases on Monday, saw a fall in its spike while new cases have started coming from Bihar while Tamil Nadu had 3,672 by Sunday night.

The Delhi government has announced that one-third of all vaccination centres in all Delhi government hospitals will operate 24 hours from Tuesday. However, the Centre has asked Delhi to keep a watch on the beneficiaries, saying it has found cases of some people under 45 and healthcare and frontline workers being vaccinated in private centres despite a restriction on them.

In a letter to Delhis principal secretary (health), the Union health ministry pointed out that there were serious lapses in the registration of beneficiaries by Vimhans (Vidyasagar Institute of Mental Health, Neuro and Allied Sciences) operating as a private Covid vaccination centre. Vimhans has been found to register beneficiaries below 45 as health care workers (HCWs) and frontline workers (FLWs), and vaccinate them.

Noting vaccines were a precious commodity, these serious lapses at the VIMHANS CVC in compliance of Covid-19 vaccination guidelines harm the countrywide vaccination exercise as eligible beneficiaries may get deprived from vaccination. The Delhi administration has been asked to immediately issue a show-cause notice to VIMHANS on such wrong practices which violate Covid-19 vaccination norms and seek a written explanation from them within the next 48 hours. Appropriate monetary fines may also be imposed on the hospital. Further, it has been suggested that depanelment of the hospital may be considered if the explanation to the show cause notice was found unsatisfactory.

In another case, the Delhi Government, in pursuance of the advice from the Union health ministry, has issued a show-cause notice to Bensups Hospital, Sector 12, Dwarka, for violation of the guidelines issued by the Centre on the eligible population groups for receiving Covid vaccination, where persons below the age of 45 have been wrongly registered as HCWs and FLWs.

Meanwhile, Zydus Cadila sought the approval of the Drugs Controller General of India for the use of Pegylated Interferon alpha-2b in treating Covid-19.
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The report " Post-harvest Treatment Market for Fruits & Vegetables by Type (Coatings, Cleaners, Fungicides, Ethylene Blockers, Sanitizers, and Sprout Inhibitors), Crop Type (Fruits and Vegetables), and Region - Global Forecast to 2026", The post- harvest treatment market is projected to grow from USD 1.5 billion in 2019 to USD 2.3 billion by 2026, recording a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5% during the forecast period. The growing trade of fruits and vegetables is one of the key factors driving the growth of the post-harvest treatment market.

The fruit segment is projected to grow at the highest rate during the forecast period.

The fruit segment, by crop type, is projected to grow at the highest CAGR, in terms of value, during the forecast period. Fruits are highly perishable in nature and are required to be treated with post-harvest solutions to increase their shelf life for longer storage duration and easy transport of these products. Increasing application of natural flavors in the food and beverages industry is also encouraging the trade of fruits, which in turn, has led to a surge in demand for post-harvest treatment solutions in the major fruits and vegetable producing region such as Asia Pacific.

Download PDF Brochure:

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=256316169

By type, the coatings segment is estimated to account for the largest share in 2019 in the post-harvest treatment market.

Coatings are one of the methods to increase the shelf life of products and decrease the quality and quantity losses. They are mostly applied to fruits & vegetables during the packaging process for maintaining their softness, color, odor, and flavor. The development of edible coatings has made it easier for fruits and vegetable processors to use the produce without any concerns about their harmful effects. Edible coatings help to prevent unnecessary softening and ripening of fruits & vegetables. Coatings form an integral part of the post-harvest treatment process, as fruits & vegetables are stored for longer periods, thereby making it important to maintain their shelf life and quality.

Asia Pacific is projected to account for the largest share in the post-harvest treatment market during the forecast period.

Asia Pacific dominated the post-harvest treatment market for the fruits and vegetables segments in 2018. Countries such as India and China are the key producers of fruits and vegetables, a majority of which are exported to North America and Europe. Since the Asia Pacific region is a developing region, post-harvest losses of fruits and vegetables are witnessed on a large scale in its countries. Hence, the need for efficient post-harvest treatment mechanisms remains high, which is subsequently projected to drive the growth of the market.

Key players in the post-harvest treatment market include Decco (US), JBT (US), Pace International LLC (US), Xeda International (France), Agrofresh (US), Syngenta (Switzerland), FMC Corporation (US), Nufarm (Australia), Bayer (Germany), Citrosol (Spain), Fomesa Fruitech (Spain), Futureco Bioscience (Spain), Corteva Agriscience (US), BASF (Germany), Sensitech Inc (US), Post-Harvest Solutions (New Zealand ), Janssen PMP (Belgium), Colin Campbell Pty Ltd (Australia), Valent Biosciences (USA), and RPM International (US). These players have a broad industry coverage and strong operational and financial strength.

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Recent Developments:

In September 2019, Bayer launched a new fungicide called "Iblon." This helped the company to enhance its product portfolio in the post-harvest treatment market.

In September 2019, JBT launched Sta-Fresh 2850, which is a certified coating for organic fruits. It provides supershine, blush, and moisture control. This launch would help the company to expand its product portfolio.

In September 2019, Syngenta acquired The Cropio Group, an Ag-Tech company with a presence in 50 countries, but with a focus in Eastern Europe. This will enhance the company's presence in the international market. This acquisition would help the company to enhance its position in digital farm management.
London-based broker the Ardonagh Group announced the launch of Ardonagh Global Partners (AGP), a unit focused on international mergers and acquisitions.

The company also announced its first acquisition in the United States, AccuRisk Solutions, following on the heels of recent purchases in the UK and Australia.

AGPs strategy is to invest in leading platforms operating in attractive markets and product verticals outside of the UK and Europe and will sit within Ardonaghs new International platform, said the company in a statement.

Following refinancing in the summer of 2020, Ardonagh said it has committed to invest 155 million ($215 million) in M&A.

AGP will be led by Des OConnor, who ran a successful buy-and-build strategy as CEO of Bravo Group, the largest network of independent insurance brokers in the UK which became part of Ardonagh in 2020.

AGP then detailed its recent acquisitions for which financial terms were not disclosed.

AGP said it agreed today to acquire U.S. healthcare and benefits managing general underwriter, AccuRisk, in a joint venture with the Amynta Group.

Based in Chicago, AccuRisk specializes in medical stop loss, occupational accident and supplemental health products for small and mid-sized businesses, said Ardonagh, noting that the U.S. medical stop loss market has rapidly expanded from $10 billion in 2010 to $24 billion in 2020, as employers look for alternatives to the fully insured market.

AccuRisk also has expanded into the captive and ancillary service lines as these markets have significant U.S. growth opportunities. Ardonagh said the AccuRisk acquisition will allow it to enter the strategically important U.S. market.

In February 2021, AGP acquired Resilium Insurance Broking, Australias largest independently owned intermediary network. Resilium will act as the centerpiece of the companys Australian operations and allow Ardonagh to leverage opportunities for the wider portfolio within Australia.

In March 2021, AGP bought UK-based M&A specialist broker Hemsley Wynne Furlonge, an M&A insurance broker which structures bespoke insurance solutions for transactional risks. It specializes in warranty & indemnity, tax, contingent risk, and environmental indemnity products. With offices in London and Germany, the business has grown substantially since its launch in 2014.

All three acquisitions have been funded through the groups committed acquisition facility, the company said.

Ardonagh said it generated 9% of its pro forma income of 836 million ($1.2 billion) from its international platform in 2020, from an almost standing start in 2019, demonstrating the rapid growth of this segment. The group expects further substantial growth and investment in Ardonagh International over the next 12 months and beyond.

The creation of Ardonagh Global Partners opens an exciting new chapter in our story with presence in three continents in addition to our global wholesale operations, commented David Ross, chief executive of Ardonagh.

With every acquisition, we aim to become a strategic partner to high quality businesses and management teams, leveraging our collective scale and expertise to build value for all concerned.

The Ardonagh Group was established in 2017 with the backing of majority shareholders HPS and Madison Dearborn Partners, two blue chip U.S.-based private equity groups. Ardonagh Group also owns such companies as Price Forbes, Thames Underwriting, and Towergate.

Source: The Ardonagh Group Ltd.

Topics Mergers USA Agencies
The number of nominal stock investors under the age of 10 surpassed 110,000 last year, up 3.4 times from a year earlier.

According the Korea Securities Depository, the number of child investors stood at 113,014 in 2020, up a whopping 243.2 percent from the previous year. The figure jumped dramatically last year, even more than among 20-somethings (180.5 percent) or teenagers (144.7 percent) because it has become a popular tax dodge.

Parents mostly give their children stocks instead of cash gifts within tax exemption limits.

"Parents can gift up to W40 million every 10 years to kids under 18 without paying gift taxes," an industry insider said (US$1=W1,129). "An increasing number of them are buying promising stocks for their kids' future."
Over the last few decades, China has rapidly established special economic zones (SEZ) not only within its borders but also in different parts of the world. While initial efforts focused on using domestic SEZs as a way to facilitate its market-oriented reforms, a large number of regional SEZs have emerged since the beginning of the 21st century.

However, as China expands its economic footprints and influence across the world through SEZs, experts told the Independent that regions with high levels of Chinese investment face the risk of environmental degradation and flouting of local and international laws.

Investors rarely care very much about the local environment, said John Walsh, an expert on regional economic development in Southeast Asia. They may link their activities with timber clearing, monocropping plantations or even bananas in northern Myanmar and generally moving local people out of the way.

Mr Walsh claimed SEZs in Myanmar and Laos have become overseas enclaves of China, with Chinese money, Chinese language and Chinese laws being the dominant currency, language and laws within the zones. Local people are made to feel like second-class citizens and their employment status reflects that, he added.

In a research paper published in 2018, Mr Walsh and two other academics used a SEZ in Boten, Laos, as an example to document how China uses SEZs along its border to facilitate illegal wildlife trade. The study found that medical use is the most dominant purpose for wildlife trade in the SEZ.

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

The findings confirm the important and active role Boten plays in the illegal wildlife trade, where an inherent link with China was apparent, the paper concluded. Laos economic zones are known to cater to largely Chinese markets, including for the illegal sale of wildlife.

Steve Galster, chair of the Freeland Foundation, said SEZs had a history of facilitating illegal wildlife trade. These SEZs reduce custom inspection, which allows trade to be sped up, he told the Independent.

Within China, the government doesnt let these stories out as much as other countries. Its not open about the internal conflicts, investigations or discoveries about who is behind the trade.

Mr Galster said medicines and potions  animals parts packaged and marketed as traditional cures  made up the majority of the illegal wildlife trade in SEZs. Other less common goods trafficked include ornaments or live animals.

Since the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak, the one trade that has been allowed to persist and it probably will be for a while, is the medicine trade, he said. Its anything that you can keep for a long period and bag up, whether its pangolin scale or Ginseng.

The Independents Stop the Illegal Wildlife Trade campaign, which was launched last year, seeks an international effort to clamp down on poaching and the illegal trade of wild animals, which remains one of the greatest threats to biodiversity in the future. The Independent is working with conservation charities including Space for Giants and Freeland to protect wildlife at risk due to the conservation funding crisis caused by Covid-19.

Mr Walsh points out that not all of Chinas overseas SEZs are generating negative impacts on the hosting country. According to him, large projects in well-regulated areas in Thailand, Chinese companies can compete against international firms in a transparent and coherent manner.

It is in less well-regulated areas that Chinese companies might structure deals to their advantages due to lack of competitions. According to Jonathan Hillman, author of The Emperors New Road: China and the Project of the Century, a book about Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, it is common for China to renegotiate a deal and try to defer the debt. Something problematic about this is that as you have countries with debt distress, some of the Chinese negotiations are happening bilaterally and behind closed doors, he said. Theres no transparency.

Mr Hillman told the Independent China might ask other countries for preferred access to natural resources or preferred access to future contracts. They want to be first in line for those in the future, he explained. They could be asking for support on diplomatic issues. All of those things are more likely as they are less likely to have a smoking gun.

( )

According to Chinas official data, Beijing currently has 33 SEZs across the world. While some SEZs are well-regulated and transparent, Mr Walsh said there are others where low-skilled workers on low wages are exploited.

He pointed out that SEZs are generally spatial areas in which capital is valued over labour as local government agencies generally want to attract foreign money. However, there are also incentives for the government agencies to close their eyes to exploitation of labour or the production of negative externalities such as pollution, Mr Walsh told the Independent.

And in order to find land for SEZs in desirable locations, local residents will often be forced to move to distant parts of the country. In the case of Dawei SEZ in Myanmar, those inhabitants were removed to a relatively distant part of the country where agricultural conditions were unfamiliar, Mr Walsh explained.

As countries around the world still struggle to contain the coronavirus outbreak, some experts think the pandemic serves as a warning connectivity is not always a good thing. Flows of goods and people and other things are not purely good, said Mr Hillman.

There is potential for increased criminal activity in places where youre setting up new trading hubs, sometimes in very remote places. Sometimes these are places with weak institutions and all of that is a recipe for these illicit flows to increase as well.

One of the examples mentioned by Mr Hillman is the port of Piraeus in Greece, which is mostly owned by Chinas state-owned COSCO Shipping. In 2018, authorities from the European Union and Italy launched an investigation into suspected wide-scale tax fraud by Chinese criminal gangs importing goods via the port.

At the time, Italian authorities said the Chinese criminal gangs completely evaded the VAT, which caused serious damage to Italys national tax authorities and to the community. The criminal gangs reportedly imported counterfeit clothing and footwear through the port of Piraeus.

Meanwhile, a report published by the UK-based Environmental Investigation Agency in 2015 pointed out how visitors to the Golden Triangle SEZ in Laos can openly buy products made from endangered species including tigers, leopards, elephants, rhinos, pangolins, helmeted hornbills, snakes, and bears smuggled from Asia and Africa.

The unchecked illegal wildlife trade in the Golden Triangle SEZ is illustrative of illegal wildlife trade across the region, catering to growing numbers of Chinese visitors, EIA wrote in the report. The government of China is acutely aware of the footprint of Chinese businesses and consumers in relation to poaching, trafficking, and the consumption of illegal wildlife.
The expansion of the community mining scheme introduced by the government is expected to resolve the incidences of illegal small-scale mining activities in the country, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor has said.



This approach, he said, will ensure the use of safe mining operations, environmental protection as well as the reclamation of the lands after mining operations.



In view of this, the Minister said his Ministry is working with all the relevant agencies including the Minerals Commission to expand the scheme. It is hoped that this will also create employment avenues for the youth of the country who are interested in mining.



Mr. Jinapor, who was speaking in an interview at Adomanu, at the back of a two-day working visit to the Ashanti Region, said it is evident that the way forward to resolving the issue of illegal small-scale mining is community mining.



Between my office and the minerals commission, we are going to make sure that we expand community mining in Ghana to protect the environment and also to offer more employment to the youth, he said.



The Minister who visited some small-scale mining sites to observe their operations, including the Adansi North community mining site, said we are insisting that mining should be done in a regulated manner to help protect the environment just like what is being done at this site. We as a government have no space for illegal mining.



He cautioned that illegal mining will not be countenanced by the Akufo-Addo led administration.



At Adomanu, the Minister, however, expressed his dissatisfaction with the safety measures at one of the mining sites.



The miners were operating in smaller pits without regard to safety measures, as at the time of visit. He directed the Minerals Commission to ensure that the activities of the miners are duly regulated to save lives.



Im not particularly excited with this style of mining here because the safety measures are not up to scratch.



In a related development, the Minister who visited AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine expressed satisfaction with the commitments made by the Mine over the period. He particularly acknowledged the adherence to local content.



He said the development is very welcoming because thats a major issue in the industry and it is a matter which he intends to pay particular attention to.



This is because the resource which has been given to the Ghanaian people by God should be of benefit to investors but it also should be of tremendous benefit to the Ghanaian people. It is on the basis of this that he acknowledged that the involvement of local companies in the work of the mining companies is of extreme importance.



He, therefore, lauded AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine for their commitment to local content, environmental protection among others.

Source: B&FT









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Tel Aviv, April 6 : Israeli President Reuven Rivlin on Tuesday asked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form a government two weeks after the country's fourth election in two years also ended in a stalemate.

Rivlin entrusted the longest-serving Prime Minister with the task after Netanyahu received the most recommendations during post-election talks with party leaders, reports dpa news agency.

The President emphasized that while none of the 13 groups represented in parliament currently held a majority, Netanyahu had slightly better chances of forming a coalition.

However, it was not an easy decision to put Netanyahu in charge of forming the government again, given he is being tried for corruption, Rivlin said.

Netanyahu, the first sitting premier in Israel's history to stand trial, is accused of bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three separate cases.

Prosecutors allege that he systematically accepted expensive gifts and tried to improve media coverage of him in return for favours.

Voters were again evenly split in the last election, giving no candidate a clear path to victory.

As before, the split lies between a bloc supporting Netanyahu and a group of other parties hoping to oust the long-serving leader.

Netanyahu's ruling Likud party again got the most votes, with 30.

Next came the Atid party, with 17. It has ruled out a coalition with Likud.

The conservative religious Shas party came in third place, with nine mandates.

The last election resulted in a broad, unstable coalition of political enemies that would have seen them taking turns in the Prime Minister's office.

It collapsed after only a few months amid a fight about the budget.
Darlene Kloeppel is Champaign Countys first executive, elected in 2018. Have a topic youd like her to tackle? She takes requests at DK@co.champaign.il.us.
GREENVILLE  Margaret Stegall knew she had to do more than simply hit "like" on a Facebook post pleading for someone to donate a piece of their liver to a person in need.

She eventually was confirmed as a match before heading to Denver to go under the knife for a fellow Bob Jones University alumna.

What she didn't know was how the transplant surgery would go, how it might affect her body or how long the recovery could be.

According to Stegall, it couldn't have gone better.

"Everything went so smoothly, exactly as planned," Stegall told The Post and Courier on April 6, back home in Greenville six weeks after the transplant surgery. "They said it was the textbook surgery, which was great."

The speed of recovery, she was told, was uncommon.

The same goes for the stranger she helped. Within days, Janet Pierce Thorin walked into Stegall's hospital room.

It was the first time they met.

Bob Jones University will host a ceremony April 7 to honor Stegall and raise awareness of organ donation as part of National Living Donor Day.

The "Flame of Life" torch will arrive on campus at 9:40 a.m., sponsored by Donate Life South Carolina and We Are Sharing Hope SC, which reported South Carolina donors saved more than 39,000 lives across the country during 2020.

Sign up for our Greenville weekly update newsletter. Sign up for weekly roundups of our top stories, news and culture from the Upstate. This newsletter is hand-curated by a member of our Greenville news staff. Email

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In June, Stegall, a 2016 Bob Jones graduate, was scrolling the "BJU General Alumni" page and saw the plea. In the post, a family member described the plight of Thorin, a 2008 Bob Jones nursing school graduate. Since age 19, Thorin has suffered from an autoimmune disease that attacks her liver.

The disease began to take its toll. In the year leading up to the request, her condition worsened rapidly, which contributed to osteoporosis and weight loss.

The Post and Courier has honored a request from Thorin's family not to seek her comments.

Within days of the surgery, Stegall said, ultrasounds on both women were promising.

"They could already tell that the liver was growing and working inside both of us," she said.

Almost immediately, Thorin's jaundice improved and family members said she had her best night's rest in years. On April 4, she was released from the hospital.

Stegall, who is back to working from home in her role as director of development for the American Heart Association of South Carolina, said she became emotional when Thorin visited along with her husband and mother.

Thorin was steady. The relatives expressed thanks and talked about how difficult it had been waiting and hoping for a donor.

"It was a little surreal, because it's a complete stranger, but you feel connected," Stegall said. "I feel like I gained another family."
At the beginning of April, around 800 professional drivers who work in Luxembourg but live abroad were deregistered from the Joint Social Security Centre (CCSS).

The official reason given for this decision is that over 25% of the drivers' professional activity takes place abroad. During a press conference on Tuesday morning, the Luxembourg Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (LCGB) accused Minister of Social Security Romain Schneider of being "indifferent" to the issue and "hiding behind the legal framework instead of doing something about it".

The trade union demands the negotiation of bilateral agreements, particularly with Luxembourg's neighbouring countries, in order to regulate the situation of those affected. It is not acceptable, the LCGB stressed, that the drivers were simply deregistered from the CCSS in Luxembourg even though they have not yet registered with an insurance provider in their country of residence.
While the forest department officials denied they beat anyone, the tribals, who alleged the opposite, gathered in numbers the next morning, and beat up six of the department staff and damaged a jeep belonging to the department.  Representational image

Hyderabad: Officers and staff of the forest department are among those in the state government who wear a uniforms have the powers to arrest people violating forest laws and rules, and prosecute them. But they are a hapless lot.

It is not uncommon to see the field staff of the forest department being attacked, beaten up, and their vehicles damaged by mobs, when they attempt to do their job  protect forests. The latest incident that occurred in the Amrabad tiger reserve in Nagarkurnool district on March 27 shows that the forest department staff, more often than not, ends up being at the receiving end.

During the late hours of March 27, a team of forest staff, including fire watchers on a night patrol, saw a fire. When they reached it a few kilometres from Mannanur village, they found a group of tribals, Lambadas, with a few large bags with Mahua flowers they collected for brewing liquor.

What happened after degenerated into a we said, they said event but the immediate outcome was a strict dressing down from the tribal welfare minister who instructed district officials to immediately take action on the erring forest department staff who allegedly beat up 19 tribals including women, who were escorted out of the forest by the staff.

While the forest department officials denied they beat anyone, the tribals, who alleged the opposite, gathered in numbers the next morning, and beat up six of the department staff and damaged a jeep belonging to the department at a base camp of the staff next to Mannanur village.

Tasked with protecting the forest and working under very tough conditions, field level staff in various districts complain that every time a political leader 'instructs' the department not to touch forest encroachers, or those setting fires or illegally camping inside the forests, it makes their job tougher. "Each time something like this is announced, people, who already do not care about us doing our jobs, get bolder and tell us on our face how they have been allowed by so and so in the government to do what they please in the forests," a field level official, requesting anonymity said.

There are other ramifications for incidents like the one in the Amrabad tiger reserve, with fears that if incidents of political leaders supporting one group over the other continue, the situation may well end up like the one in undivided Adilabad district where the forest dwelling tribal communities and the Lambada settlers from other states have been on a war path against each other for some years now.

There are now fears that if the sensibilities of the Chenchu tribals who perceive themselves as victims in the current scenario are not addressed, they might stop seeing eye to eye with the plains dwelling Lambada tribals, in what could become a repeat of the situation in Adilabad.

There are already some meetings being held by some Chenchu activists seeking to protect their tribal bretheren in what they allege are unwarranted attacks by politicians looking to get quick benefits, as in the current case. They believe that the instant support to the group of Lambadas, even before all details of the March 27 incident came to light, was done with one eye firmly on the Nagarjunasagar byelections which has some 35,000 Lambada voters.

More than anything else, if our hands are tied repeatedly like this by the government that tells us not to touch anyone in the forests, whether they are encroachers or others, the field staff are likely to take it easy and prefer not to get involved in political battles that are much bigger than they can ever get into and emerge unscathed," one official said. "What will suffer in the end, will be the forests of Telangana," another official added.
Russia has begun a planned 'combat readiness' inspection of its army amid tensions with Ukraine, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said.

The ministry said the drill was a 'massive inspection' on the territory of all military districts.

The tests come after Russia massed troops near the conflict-hit Donbass region in Ukraine

Russia has begun a planned 'combat readiness' inspection of its army amid tensions with Ukraine

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called on NATO on Tuesday to lay out a path for Ukraine to join the Western military alliance.

Zelenskiy's comments drew an immediate rebuke from Moscow, which said Kyiv's approach to NATO could further inflame the situation in Donbass, where violence has increased in recent days.

Russian-backed separatists have fought since 2014 against Ukrainian forces in the Donbass, a conflict that Kyiv says has killed 14,000 people. Kyiv reported two more soldiers killed on Tuesday.

'NATO is the only way to end the war in Donbass,' Zelenskiy told NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in a phone call, according to a statement from Zelenskiy's office. A Membership Action Plan laying out Ukraine's entry path into the alliance 'will be a real signal for Russia', he said.

He also called for NATO members to strengthen their military presence in the Black Sea region.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy (pictured with his servicemen in Donetsk) called on NATO on Tuesday to lay out a path for Ukraine to join the Western military alliance

Pictured: More military hardware reportedly on the way to the disputed Ukraine border

Stoltenberg in a tweet expressed 'serious concern about Russia's military activities in and around Ukraine & ongoing ceasefire violations'.

Ukraine has launched a diplomatic offensive to shore up support from Western countries and NATO in its standoff with Russia over Donbass, sounding the alarm since late March over the build-up of Russian troops. Russia says the troop movements are defensive and that NATO involvement would inflame the situation.

The standoff has also pushed Ukrainian sovereign bonds to their lowest level since November.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said those living in eastern Ukraine would not accept NATO membership, and that rhetoric could further destabilise the Donbass region.

'So far we're not seeing an intention by the Ukrainian side to somehow calm down and move away from belligerent topics,' he said.

Ukraine has launched a diplomatic offensive to shore up support from Western countries and NATO in its standoff with Russia. Pictured: Ukrainian servicemen patrol a border near Donetsk on Monday

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, speaking during a visit to India, said Russia was worried by statements coming out of Kyiv, and was in touch with European countries about them.

The Donbass conflict erupted in the months after Russian forces seized Ukraine's Crimean peninsula in 2014. Ukraine and Western countries says Donbass separatists have been armed, led, funded and aided by Russians, including active Russian troops. Moscow has denied interfering. While a ceasefire halted full-scale warfare in 2015, sporadic deadly fighting never ceased.

Ukraine also said on Tuesday it wanted to move ongoing peace talks away from the Belarusian capital Minsk, saying Belarus was too much under the influence of Russia.

'We don't know where (the talks) could be relocated. This is the subject of discussion,' Deputy Ukraine's Prime Minister Oleksiy Reznikov told Reuters.
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Native American leaders told U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland they see her as a formidable guardian and steward of their interests Tuesday during the pueblo womans first official trip to her home state, an emotional visit that focused on pandemic relief and underscored the significance of her confirmation.

Dozens of tribal leaders gathered in the courtyard of the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque for a discussion with Haaland, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, New Mexico Indian Affairs Secretary Lynn Trujillo and members of the states congressional delegation.

Tribal leaders told the group their prayers were answered when Haaland was chosen to head the Interior Department, which has broad authority over Native Americans. Haaland is the first Native American Cabinet secretary.

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She wiped tears from her eyes during her introduction and received a standing ovation.

Help is on the way, she told the group  a refrain that Joe Bidens administration has been repeating from coast to coast during the many visits White House officials and others have been making to tout the federal governments latest COVID-19 relief package.

Haaland reiterated that every federal agency must recognize its responsibilities to tribes. She also acknowledged the devastating effects of the pandemic on New Mexicos pueblos and said the Interior Department also lost employees to COVID-19.

She placed her hand over her heart as she listened to stories from pueblo leaders and took notes.

I thank all of you for doing such an amazing job and getting your communities here in New Mexico vaccinated, Haaland said. I know how difficult it has been to keep our people safe and healthy during this terrible pandemic.

More broadly, Haaland pressed for addressing climate change and moving toward a clean energy economy.

Tribal governors told Haaland that protecting Chaco Culture National Historical Park in northwestern New Mexico is a top priority, saying they are frustrated that the U.S. Bureau of Land Management hasnt done more to stem oil and gas development.

Tribes expectations of Haaland, a member of Laguna Pueblo, are wide-ranging, rooted in the federal governments past failures to uphold responsibilities etched in treaties and other acts. While many are hopeful her appointment will open the door to new possibilities, they acknowledge it will take time to address the systemic problems that have plagued their communities for generations.

Haaland is well-versed in the struggles of Indian Country such as shortcomings in basic infrastructure, education achievement gaps, disproportionate health conditions and protecting sacred sites.

Native Americans make up more than 10% of New Mexicos population.

Haaland has pushed to ensure tribes are consulted regularly and meaningfully on federal policies and projects that affect them. But some Native Americans believe her position gives her a chance to ask for more, to move from consultation to consent and to put more land in the hands of tribal nations either outright or through stewardship agreements.

Zuni Gov. Val Panteah Sr. said hes encouraged that Bidens administration has promised to listen to tribes on how to spend federal virus relief funding and on protecting places like Bears Ears National Monument in southern Utah. Haaland is expected to visit the monument later this week.

This is something that we needed for so long, and it gives us an opportunity to share and recommend and tell these departments that are so vital to our communities what our needs are, he said.

Democrats have said the money set aside for Native American communities in the $1.9 trillion federal recovery package is the countrys largest single investment in Indian Country.

About $20 billion will go to tribal governments to help them continue combating the virus and to stabilize community safety net programs.

More than $2.3 billion is specifically dedicated to COVID-19 testing, tracing and vaccination efforts, while $600 million will go toward health facilities construction and sanitation programs.

Another $420 million will boost mental and behavioral health programs, and $140 million will be tapped for tribal technology improvements and telehealth access.

The package also includes money for housing projects, the expansion of broadband access and other infrastructure and educational programs.

Tribal governors also met recently with U.S. second gentleman Doug Emhoff, husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, when he toured a vaccination clinic at Kewa Pueblo. They said the pandemic has highlighted the chronic underfunding of the federal Indian Health Service, which provides primary care to millions of Native Americans.

The All Pueblo Council of Governors is made up of tribal leaders from 20 New Mexico pueblos and an Indigenous community near El Paso.

The group advocates on behalf of Native American issues, such as educational equity in public schools, and limiting oil and gas development in areas considered sacred.
China's domestic tourism near pre-epidemic level during Qingming holiday

Xinhua) 14:26, April 06, 2021

BEIJING, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Domestic tourist trips in China during the three-day Tomb-sweeping Day holiday, ending on Monday, recovered to 94.5 percent of the pre-COVID-19 level, showed data from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Tourist sites across the country received 102 million domestic visitors during the holiday, also known as Qingming Festival, up 144.6 percent from a year earlier, according to the ministry.

Domestic tourism revenue during the period totaled 27.2 billion yuan (about 4.15 billion U.S. dollars), accounting for 56.7 percent of the pre-epidemic level.

Though China's domestic tourism is on an orderly recovery, a full recovery of travel spending will still take more time due to the high proportion of short-distance trips, low prices of tourism products and large-scale free admission and discounts, the ministry said.

(Web editor: Liang Jun)
[April 06, 2021] SecuLetter Signs New Partnership with Top Saudi IT Firm

SEOUL, South Korea, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SecuLetter, a member company of the Born2Global Centre, recently has signed a partnership agreement with cyber security consulting and solution provider Best IT (Best Information Technology System), to supply SecuLetter solution in Middle East market. SecuLetter has been an active member company of the Born2Global Centre since 2017. The partnership between SecuLetter and Best IT will enable Best IT to provide SecuLetter Advanced Email Security solution to the Middle East market and to integrate SecuLetter Cloud Email Security service into the Deom Mail service as a security-reinforced email service in the 2nd quarter of 2021. /p>



Best IT is a subsidiary of SLNEE IT (SLNEE Information Technology), a major information technology company in Saudi Arabia. Since the end of 2020, SecuLetter has secured a reference for integrating the Cloud Email Security service into SLNEE IT business email for product validation, and has been recognized for its advanced technology. This recognition has led to finalizing this partnership. Faisal Almuammar, CEO of Best IT has said, "As a result of testing SecuLetter Cloud Email Security service with SLNEE IT, we are highly satisfied with the SecuLetter advanced technology in all aspects. As we have come to know the excellence of Korean security technology through SecuLetter, we will continue to strengthen our cooperation and expand our business relationship in the Middle East market."

SecuLetter accelerated its Middle East market penetration in 2019 by attracting investment from RVC (Riyadh Valley Company), a Saudi Arabian venture capital firm. SecuLetter has analyzed Middle East email security trends and conducted detailed research on major competitors in the market. In addition, as a result of assessment of the positioning of SecuLetter technology in the Middle East security market, it has secured SLNEE IT as a local reference site. Chasung Lim, CEO of SecuLetter said, "After attracting investment in the Middle East, it is meaningful that SecuLetter security technology has been recognized and has secured partnership through the process of consulting and securing local references. As we have recognized K-security technology in global marketsespecially in security markets which is difficult for Korean information security vendors to enter--we will strive to continuously strengthen our capabilities, such as advancing our products by combing artificial intelligence technology to expand further." SecuLetter has also entered partnerships with value-added partners in South Africa and Southeast Asia as we actively progress in our global business expansion." For more detailed information on SecuLetter, visit https://www.seculetter.com/content/en/. Media contact SecuLetter: benett.choi@seculetter.com

Born2Global Centre: jlee@born2global.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/seculetter-signs-new-partnership-with-top-saudi-it-firm-301263038.html SOURCE Born2Global Centre

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Labor says there are serious questions to answer after Australia Post's former chief executive levelled a series of allegations against the organisation's chairman.

Christine Holgate resigned late last year after it was revealed four Australia Post executives were gifted luxury watches for sealing a lucrative deal.

An independent investigation later cleared Ms Holgate of any dishonesty, fraud, corruption or intentional misuse of taxpayer funds.

Christine Holgate (pictured) resigned late last year after it was revealed four Australia Post executives were gifted luxury watches for sealing a lucrative deal

But Ms Holgate claims she was bullied out of the company, unlawfully stood down and abandoned to a media firestorm.

She has attacked Australia Post chairman Lucio Di Bartolomeo in a blistering submission to a Senate inquiry, accusing him of lying to parliament.

Labor communications spokeswoman Michelle Rowland said her allegations were staggering.

'Ms Holgate has made a very lengthy and comprehensive submission - it's over 150 pages long,' she told ABC radio on Wednesday.

'She is clearly very aggrieved by the actions not only by the chair of the Australia Post board but also the prime minister and the minister for communications.'

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg would not confirm whether the government had sought an explanation from the Australia Post chairman.

'These is a Senate inquiry at the moment and I'm not going to get in the middle of those differences between the chair and Christine Holgate,' Mr Frydenberg said.

'Christine Holgate is a very good person. I respect her, I've known her for some time.

'But subsequent to those initial issues being raised through the Senate estimates process, she did issue a resignation statement and the Australia Post board is now undertaking an executive search for a new CEO, and nearly concluding that search.'
Join columnist Gilbert Garcia for our latest Talking San Antonio virtual event, featuring guest Dr. Charles Cotrell, who has served St. Mary's University for 55 years.

We're chatting about his history in San Antonio, the major political figures he has taught at St. Mary's, his work for voting rights and the current election-law debates in Texas, the changes he tried to make as president of St. Mary's, the unique way he approaches teaching political science and where he thinks the city is heading.
Sofia Richie looked in high spirits as she enjoyed another outing with new love interest Elliot Grainge on Monday.

The couple have been spotted on a slew of dates since being linked last month, with a source confirming to MailOnline that the pair are dating.

And Sofia, 22, certainly looked smitten as she picked up takeaway from Matsuhisa alongside the record label boss, 27.

Cute new couple: Sofia Richie looked in high spirits as she enjoyed another outing with new love interest Elliot Grainge on Monday

Beaming broadly, the daughter of Lionel Richie was unable to hide her joy as she sat in the front seat alongside Elliot.

Elliot has much in common with the model, also being part of a musical family as the son of Universal Music Group chairman/CEO Sir Lucian Grainge and is himself, the founder-CEO of the 10k Projects record label.

The couple were first spotted together holding hands on a dinner date on March 24, and just two days later, Sofia shared a snap with the music mogul on Instagram.

Smitten: The couple have been spotted on a slew of dates since being linked last month, with a source confirming to MailOnline that the pair are dating

Sofia has been enjoying dating again after getting out of a heavily publicized relationship with Keeping Up With The Kardashians vet Scott Disick, 37, last summer.

Since then, she has stepped out with a string men on her arm including Cha Cha Matcha founder Matthew Morton and Israeli shipping heir Gil Ofer.

After months of break ups and reconciliations, Sofia and Scott officially called it quits in August 2020 after three years together.

Scott later claimed that the split happened after his much younger girlfriend had given him an ultimatum about their future.

The father-of-three said Sofia had asked him to choose between her and his relationship with ex Kourtney Kardashian and the kids.

He has now moved on to date Amelia Hamlin, the 19-year-old daughter of actor Harry Hamlin and reality star Lisa Rinna.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that "false narratives" about his government are being spread as part of a ''big conspiracy'' to create political instability in the country, and asked BJP members to spread awareness regarding them among the people.

Speaking on the occasion of his party's 41st foundation day, PM Modi said blatant lies like farmers' land will be seized, citizenship of some people will be revoked, the reservation will be scrapped or the Constitution will be changed are spread by certain individuals and organisations.

These false narratives have been spread over his government's measures like farm laws, Citizenship (Amendment) Act and labour laws, he said.

"Deliberate politics is behind it. It is a very big conspiracy and its aims is to trigger political instability in the country by creating misconceptions and stoking imaginary fears," he said, telling BJP members about this "serious challenge".

Today false narratives are being weaved. Be it on farm laws, CAA or labour laws. Such rumours aim to create political instability. Sometimes they say citizenship will be snatched, sometimes it's farmers' land, but they're white lies. BJP workers need to make people aware: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/qAl5aEd0Jb  ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2021

Continuing his attack on the opposition parties, the PM said, " If BJP wins polls, it's called 'poll winning machine', but if others win, there's appreciation. People who say we're a 'poll-winning machine' don't understand India's Constitution. Truth is that BJP is not 'poll winning machine', but a movement that connects with people.''

The Prime Minister cited a number of welfare measures brought in by his government to make his point.

Reiterating the Nation First mantra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has always worked on the idea of "the party is bigger than the individual and the nation is bigger than the party".

"The BJP has always worked on the mantra of the party is bigger than the individual and the nation is bigger than the party," PM Modi said while addressing party workers on BJP`s 41st Sthapna Diwas (Foundation Day).

"This tradition has continued since Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee and runs till date," the Prime Minister added.

PM Narendra Modi also lauded the contribution of stalwarts Lal Krishna Advani and Murali Manohar Joshi in shaping and expanding the party. He went on to say that our government has fulfilled Syama Prasad Mookerjee`s vision (of one India) by scrapping Article 370 and giving Kashmir the Constitutional right.

PM Modi was virtually addressing the party workers across the country on the occasion of BJP`s 41st "Sthapana Diwas". The BJP evolved from the Bharatiya Jana Sangh which was founded by Syama Prasad Mookherjee in 1951. Later Jana Sangh was merged with several parties in 1977 to form the Janata Party.

In 1980, the National Executive Council of the Janata Party banned its members from being `dual members` of the party and the RSS. Forcing the former Jana Sangh members to leave the party and float a new political outfit. Consequently, the BJP came into existence on April 6, 1980.

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Florida officials have lifted an evacuation order for residents and business owners around a wastewater reservoir after they were told to flee amid fears it would burst and release a 20ft wall of water.

Manatee County public safety officials announced Tuesday afternoon that the mandatory evacuation order around the Piney Point Reservoir in the Tampa Bay area north of Bradenton had been lifted with immediate effect from 4pm local time.

Some wastewater is still leaking from the reservoir but officials said the seepage rates had fallen so it was now safe for residents to return to their homes and businesses.

More than 300 homes were evacuated near the large reservoir Saturday as Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency.

Some prisoners from a county penitentiary were also bussed to an undisclosed location, while others were moved to higher floors in the facility.

Close-up of the Piney Point Reservoir on Tuesday. Florida officials lifted an evacuation order for residents and business owners around the reservoir

Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes announced Tuesday afternoon that there is no longer a threat of catastrophic flooding and that the crisis has been largely averted.

'This is very much under control now,' he said in a press conference.

People and pets who had taken refuge in nearby hotels are now able to return home and businesses in the area can reopen.

Some road closures will remain in place for the time being but the major highway nearby - Highway 41 - was reopened earlier Tuesday.

The lifting of the evacuation order comes after multiple agencies including the US Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Emergency Management and Manatee County Public Safety officials met to discuss the developments at the reservoir.

Nikki Fried, the state commissioner of the Agriculture and Consumer Services Department, toured the site Tuesday and told reporters the situation appeared to have stabilized.

'It seems like this is under control, as much as something like this could be under control,' said Fried, a Democrat.

'We need to take immediate action to fix this.'

Florida lawmakers have proposed spending $200 million to clean up and close the reservoir amid concerns of a similar issue in the future.

The state Senate president, Republican Wilton Simpson, said a legislative committee on Wednesday will take up an amendment to use federal money for the project.

Manatee County public safety officials announced Tuesday afternoon that the mandatory evacuation order around the Piney Point Reservoir in the Tampa Bay area north of Bradenton had been lifted with immediate effect from 4pm local time

Its sponsor is Senator Jim Boyd, a Republican from Bradenton where the Piney Point reservoir is located.

'This has been a catastrophe waiting to happen for too long,' Simpson said in a statement.

'We don't want to be talking about this problem again in five, 10 or 20 years.'

A House committee is also expected to consider a similar bill Wednesday.

Under the proposals, the money would come from the $1.9 trillion coronavirus stimulus package signed into law in March by Joe Biden.

'This is a huge step forward for our community,' Boyd said.

Under the Florida Senate bill, once the money is approved, the Department of Environmental Protection would use competitive bidding to select a company to handle the shutdown of the site.

The precise contours of that plan are not yet clear.

Some ideas on the table include deep-well injection to send the water thousands of feet underground, but that comes with its own concerns about contamination.

The reservoir, and two others nearby, sit in stacks of phosphogypsum, a solid radioactive byproduct from manufacturing fertilizer from an old phosphate plant that is no longer in operation.

A satellite image on April 5 shows a breach in the wastewater retaining pond in Piney Point

An aerial view of the wastewater holding pond in Piney Point on Monday

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection said the water in the pond is primarily saltwater mixed with wastewater and stormwater.

It has elevated levels of phosphorous and nitrogen and is acidic, but does not appear to be toxic. It is not radioactive.

For around a week, a leak in the reservoir wall meant that between 2million and 3million gallons of water were escaping every day.

Officials warned that a 'real catastrophic flood situation' could be imminent with 340 million gallons of wastewater poised to flood homes and businesses if the wall burst.

To try to avoid a total collapse, officials drafted in dozens of pumps and 10 vacuum trucks to remove more than 35 million gallons of wastewater per day into the Tampa Bay estuary.

There, 11 different sampling operations have been monitoring water quality and considering ways of minimizing algae blooms that kill marine life and make beachgoing hazardous to humans in the tourism-dependent state.

Fears of a second breach mounted after a drone identified another possible leak in the reservoir Monday.

But state officials ruled this out later that day saying the risk was 'unsubstantiated.'
A developer wants to convert two floors of a former Bethlehem silk mill into 116 apartments.

Dubbed the Laros Lofts in submissions in to the city, VM Development Group is pitching a mixed-use redevelopment of the Laros Silk Mill, 601-699 E. Broad St., which currently houses Lehigh Valley Dual Language Charter School and other commercial tenants.

The Easton-based developer plans to keep the charter school and first floor tenants, and add 59 apartments on the second floor, 57 on the third and a rooftop terrace. The conversion of the third floor is already approved and expected to be completed in July, along with an exterior facelift and historic window restoration.

VM Development is seeking city zoning variances to convert the second floor commercial space into the 59 apartments, bringing it to 116 studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments ranging from 555-square-feet to 1,594-square feet. Plans call for extending elevator access to the roof and creating a rooftop deck.

City zoning does not allow that many apartments of that size.

VM Development Group is proposing a mixed-use redevelopment of the former Laros silk mill, 601-699 E. Broad St. in Bethlehem, into 116 apartments and first-floor commercial space.Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com

The former silk mill covers about 266,000-square-feet and sits in the general commercial zoning district. VM Development bought the property via a limited liability corporation in 2017 for $6.25 million as well as two parking lots on East North and Wood streets. The two lots include 263 spaces and VM is proposing to add 10 new spaces as part of the second floor conversion.

VM Development is pursuing several separate variances all aimed at getting to 116 apartments. The zoning hearing board would only need to approve one for the project to proceed.

City zoning requires 2,500-square-feet per apartment in multi-family dwellings that are three-and-a-half stories or less. It drops to 1,200-square-feet once a building is four stories, so VM is arguing that the roof terrace on the silk mill should count as a fourth floor. Its also asking the board to consider the building and two parking lots as one property, which would permit 116 units.

The Bethlehem Zoning Hearing Board is set to consider the request at a 6 p.m. virtual meeting Wednesday, April 14.

The board will also consider several variance requests from Peron Developments new mixed-use building where the Bethlehem Food Co-Op plans to open its first grocery store, 250 E. Broad St.. Peron wants to demolish the existing one-story building and build a four-story, 42-apartment building with the co-ops full service grocery store as the first-floor tenant. Peron is partnering with Boyle Construction on the project. The co-op has said that its store will open in 2022.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Sara K. Satullo may be reached at ssatullo@lehighvalleylive.com.
April 06 : After Akshay Kumar tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday, his co-stars for the film Ram Setu, Nushrratt Bharuccha, and Jacqueline Fernandez, have isolated themselves and are checking up on each other.

Akshay Kumar, who has hospitalised himself as a precautionary measure, is recovering well at Hiranandani Hospital. The actor was shooting on Saturday at Mumbai's Madh Island for his forthcoming film Ram Setu. While Akshay chose to quarantine himself in a hospital, Nushrratt and Jacqueline, who were also shooting with Akshay, have self-isolated themselves at their homes as precautionary measures.

Nushrratt shared a video clip on her Instagram story, where she can be seen undertaking self-healing process while in isolation. She captioned the video as, Isolation, Steam inhalation, Precautions, Stay Safe. Nushrratt also posted a picture on her Instagram story, where she, Jacqueline, and Akshay were on a conference call to check up on each other. Nushrratt captioned the picture as Checking up on each other! Far apart but together in spirit!! The image suggests that the call went on for 18:44 seconds.

Image Source: Instagram/nushrrattbharuccha Nushrratt Bharuccha shared on her Instagram story

Recently, Akshay, Nushrratt and Jacqueline were in Ayodhya to attend a puja before starting to shoot for Ram Setu. They also shot the muhurat shot in the holy city. One of Akshays most ambitious projects, the actor plays the role of an archaeologist in the film, who aims to find out if Ram Setu really exists or not. Directed by Abhishek Sharma, Ram Setu is slated to release in the second half of 2022.

Meanwhile, after Akshay Kumar tested positive for coronavirus, 45 junior artists from the Ram Setu team have also tested positive for the virus. A crew of 100 people were working on the Ram Setu set at Mumbai's Madh Island. During the mandatory COVID test before joining the set, 45 junior artists were also tested positive for Covid-19.

The shoot of Ram Setu has been immediately cancelled till Akshay Kumar recovers and completes 14 days quarantine.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
No new COVID-19 deaths were reported over the Easter weekend in the San Antonio area, and the spread of the disease remained low as people continue to call, click and wait in line to get the vaccine.

The positivity rate  a measure of the coronavirus spread in San Antonio  was holding steady at 2.1 percent, the same as was reported last week, the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reported Monday. A rate below 5 percent means the disease is manageable, officials say.

Asked about the potential for another surge, Mayor Ron Nirenberg said there is no sign of that in the rest of country and urged people to get vaccinated to avoid one.

Im comfortable with the trajectory that were on, the mayor said. It just requires us to stay the course and not let our guard up too fast. Live your life, but be cautious as people continue to get vaccinated.

On ExpressNews.com: Get the latest update on coronavirus and a tracking map of U.S. cases

Starting Tuesday, people ages 75 or older may drive through the Alamodome vaccine site to receive a dose without an appointment.

Health officials said 517,067 people have received their first dose, and 312,544 people in Bexar County are fully vaccinated.

Dr. Anita Kurian, assistant director of Metro Health, said two people had breakthrough cases of COVID-19, which means that they contracted the virus more than two weeks after getting their second dose of the vaccine.

In both cases, the people got sick by household spread but their cases were not severe. It is in line with health officials goal to have the vaccine program reduce the spread of the disease and its severity if someone does contract it.

Thats really the focus of any vaccination program even with the flu and other vaccines, she said.

The mayor said San Antonio has the lowest rate of all the major metropolitan areas in Texas.

Over the last four days, there were 652 new cases added to the running tally.

On Monday, there were 275 new COVID-19 cases reported. Health officials counted 113 cases Sunday, 93 new cases Saturday and 171 new cases Friday.

On ExpressNews.com: Get the latest information on where and how to get vaccinated

The total number of coronavirus cases reported in San Antonio since March 2020 now stands at 207,949, but that includes 1,520 backlogged cases that were reported Monday. Backlogged cases are often reported late because of coding and other entry errors, officials have said.

Health officials reported a seven-day average of 167 new cases, down from 190 per day Thursday. Two months ago, that average was nearly nine times higher, with 1,463 per day in February.

While there were no new deaths in the last four days, the total Bexar County death toll increased to 3,210 after a backlog of 58 deaths were added Monday. Those deaths occurred between Dec. 6 and March 18.

In local hospitals, 179 patients had COVID-19, with 23 new admissions reported Monday.

Officials reported 72 patients in intensive care, down from 76 Sunday, and 30 people on ventilators to help them breathe, down from 32 on Sunday.

Testing continues at city sites with and without appointments. For the latest information about testing and vaccinations, go to covid19.sanantonio.gov.

jbeltran@express-news.net
Four months into the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, a lack of supply is still Manitoba's main concern, but the province has yet to announce a plan to prevent unnecessary waste.

Four months into the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, a lack of supply is still Manitoba's main concern, but the province has yet to announce a plan to prevent unnecessary waste.

Mass-immunization clinics don't use standby lists, which have been adopted in some other provinces to administer leftover vaccines at the last minute, and doctors' offices and pharmacies developed their own protocols to dole out all of their vaccines before they expired. Wastage wasn't a concern, representatives for physicians and pharmacists said, because of the limited number of doses clinics and pharmacies initially received last month.

But as the vaccine rollout expands, immunizers will be looking for more guidance about what to do with leftover doses  and who to prioritize for a last-minute shot.

JOHN WOODS / CANADIAN PRESS FILES As the vaccine rollout expands, immunizers will be looking for more guidance about what to do with leftover doses  and who to prioritize for a last-minute shot.

So far, the direction from the provincial vaccine task force has been not to bypass the eligibility criteria or age restrictions and use any extra, end-of-day doses to vaccinate staff at the clinic or pharmacy.

At mass-immunization supersites, appointment bookings are set according to vaccine supply, and immunizers are expected to closely monitor the number of people showing up for appointments to make sure vials containing several doses aren't opened unnecessarily.

Doctors and pharmacists made their own wait lists based on the province's 55-64 age and serious health condition criteria. Many of them ran out of their allotted supply within days after 18,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine were distributed to 190 pharmacies and clinics in March. Others scrambled to fill bookings.

Heading into the long weekend, right before one batch of AstraZeneca doses expired, one Winnipeg physician posted on Facebook, seeking urgent vaccine appointment bookings for people 55 or older so the vaccines wouldn't go to waste. The physician couldn't be reached for comment, but the clinic later said it was fully booked.

"With a very scarce resource like these vaccines, and an abundant number of people who are eligible and willing to become vaccinated, we need to make sure that we're using those as effectively and fairly as possible."  Bioethicist Maxwell Smith

There's nothing wrong with doctors or pharmacists advertising soon-to-expire doses on social media or reaching out to clients directly via phone calls, a provincial spokesperson said.

"The medical clinics and pharmacies have the authority to reach out directly to eligible patients and age-eligible community members regarding vaccinations," the spokesperson said, adding the province is confident doctors and pharmacists will be able to use all of their available doses.

Other provinces and health authorities have introduced wait lists and detailed strategies to avoid having to toss unused doses. In its COVID-19 Vaccine Waste Strategy, Alberta's Health Department emphasizes ethical requirements and warns against distributing leftover doses in ways that could encourage people to loiter outside clinics or lead to perceived conflicts of interest.

The Opposition NDP has been calling for a strategy in Manitoba. Malaya Marcelino, public affairs critic and MLA for Notre Dame, said the province needs a prioritization plan that includes a standby list of essential workers. She said employees in Manitoba's manufacturing sector have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic, and the province needs to take into account the "ethical considerations" when trying to use vaccine doses at the last minute.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES Malaya Marcelino, public affairs critic and MLA for Notre Dame, said the province needs a prioritization plan that includes a standby list of essential workers.

"I think this is a strategy that needs to be put in place for the extras," Marcelino said.

Public-health officials have repeatedly said some vaccine wastage is a normal part of any immunization program, but the province hasn't released recent data.

Health officials everywhere are grappling with ethical concerns about who to vaccinate first, and there's no reason leftover or end-of-day vaccines can't be distributed based on need, rather than who happens to be nearby, said Maxwell Smith, an Ontario-based bioethicist and professor at the University of Western Ontario. He suggested immunization teams could put together lists of people who are eligible or about to be eligible and randomly select from them when last-minute doses become available.

"With a very scarce resource like these vaccines, and an abundant number of people who are eligible and willing to become vaccinated, we need to make sure that we're using those as effectively and fairly as possible," Smith said. "If it were just first-come, first-serve, or open it up for anyone who wants it, you'll see that there would be inequities in terms of who could actually access it."

As doctors and pharmacists await their next shipments of the vaccine, leftovers haven't been a major concern. Long wait lists and a lack of supply are more pressing for pharmacists right now, said Pawandeep Sidhu, president of Pharmacists Manitoba.

"This was a pilot with a very limited number of doses, and we've not heard any concerns or issues about doses being wasted."  Doctors Manitoba spokesman Keir Johnson

"Wastage, from my understanding, has not been a big issue," she said, adding pharmacies are used to dealing with medication storage and shortages. "Managing inventory is nothing new for us."

Clinics and pharmacies have said they're ready to expand their distribution as soon as they get adequate supply.

"This was a pilot with a very limited number of doses, and we've not heard any concerns or issues about doses being wasted," said Keir Johnson, spokesman for Doctors Manitoba.

"Physicians have either had people show up reliably for appointments or they've used strategies to go to a wait list or a standby list if they have one. We don't think that's a strategy that they've had to use a lot in this initial pilot because of the small supply, but those are the types of tips and protocols that we would work with clinics to help develop as they get a bigger supply."

katie.may@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @thatkatiemay
Ukraine and the World Bank are discussing preparations for the launch of five joint projects, the Finance Ministry said following a video conference between minister Serhiy Marchenko and World Bank Vice President for Europe and Central Asia Anna Bjerde.

"The Finance Minister, together with the World Bank Vice President, discussed plans for cooperation for the near future - preparation for the launch of five new joint projects," the Finance Ministry said in a release.

According to it, it is planned to submit to the bank board of directors financing for the projects on emergency response to COVID-19 and vaccination in Ukraine, on improvement of higher education in Ukraine for the sake of results, Kyiv urban mobility, on establishment of hybrid systems for production electricity in Ukrhydroenergo and additional financing of the project for access to long-term financing for Ukreximbank.

"At present, the drawdown of the facility within the portfolio of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) is the highest compared to other international financial institutions - as of January 1, 2021, it amounted to $ 693.55 million, and this is 2.3 times more, than a year earlier," the ministry said.

In addition, the parties discussed new investment projects for the development of transport infrastructure.

"This year, the implementation of two common road construction projects is coming to an end. That is why we would like to continue successful work in this direction and talk about preparing a new project for Ukravtodor," the minister said.
A national call to increase the price of beef paid to cattle farmers is being echoed in Laois.

Cllr Padraig Fleming has requested that Laois County Council back a campaign by the Beef Plan Movement Association to get an independent meat regulator appointed with statutory powers.

They say that this would be to investigate anti-competitive behaviour by meat processors, meat traders, bodies associated with the trade of meat, trade of meat bi-products and/or trade by retailers who operate along the meat supply chain.



He tabled a motion to the March council meeting, reading out a letter from the movement.



County Laois has over 1000 beef producers and over 480 dairy farmers, all of whom need the protection of a regulator, to ensure their businesses remain viable and to protect the fabric of rural life and the viability of many businesses throughout Co. Laois.

Family farms can no longer be subsided by an off farm income and EU subsidies in order to supply the processing and retail industries with below the cost of production produce. To supply produce in this way to multibillion industries is discrimination and the Beef Plan Movement wishes to have this matter addressed publicly, nonunilaterally and fairly, the letter from the Beef Plan Movement said.

Members of the movement have held peaceful protests, engaged in beef sector negotiations and Beef Market Task Force meetings, where the appointment of an independent meat regulator has been brought up for discussion but has failed to be discussed.

The Beef Plan Movement has from the outset, sought clarity, transparency and accountability from meat processors and retailers on their activity in the supply chain and the distribution of resulting profits.

To date they have not identified any form of cooperation between stakeholders to provide the required accountability and transparency.

The movement is disappointed that such an important position has not been debated by Task Force stakeholders or within the houses of the oireachtas. It is requesting that a bill for the appointment of an independent meat regulator with statutory powers is drafted.

All primary producers of meat must be protected and treated fairly. Accountability is absent, fair trade is absent and co-operation by stakeholders in the quest for accountability and transparency in the meat supply chain is utmost as an agenda item by their association.

It is an injustice to all farmers, citizens of the Irish state, rural dwellers who support our rural economies, which in turn is the foundation of the national economy.

The Beef Plan Movement respectfully asks, that all protective parameters are put in place to protect our farmers, primary producers and present them with equal opportunity.

Their members, our constituents, request full accountability and absolute protection from unfair trading practices and anti-competitive behaviour in the supply chain. There is a constitutional right to protect farmers, citizens and to ensure that they have a fair living from their employment.

These essential workers deliver food products to every kitchen table on this island and to many other countries across Europe and the World.

Without reform within the meat industry there will be a breakdown in the supply chain and trust will never be rebuilt between producer and processor.

The movement notes that the programme for government lists the appointment of a national food ombudsman and welcomes this."
Google has won the favors and ruling of the Supreme Court after a long-enduring battle against Oracle, as it filed a copyright lawsuit against the company, claiming that it copied Android on the Java platform. While Google admitted to copying the lengthy codes of the operating system, the judges have mentioned that it was fair use.

Google vs. Oracle: Copyright Issues

The popular internet and technology company, Google, has faced the hardship of a lawsuit and prevailed against it, particularly as it was successful in defending against copyright issues pursued by Oracle. Google did nothing wrong, according to the United States Supreme Court, with a 6-2 decision that ultimately played out in Google's favor.

According to US News (via the Associated Press), Android has 11,500 lines of code which was taken off Oracle's Java platform back in 2007 to create the popular smartphone operating system. The Android OS is now one of the most used across the globe, also a technologically advanced and highly profitable code.

Read Also: How to Check if My Facebook Data Have Been Hacked [2021]: 533 Million Accounts Compromised

Oracle and Google's Backers

Oracle has pursued a case against Google and was backed by the film and media industry, which all agreed to more expansive copyright law in the country to protect movies, music, books, series, and literature. Oracle was previously backed by the government, especially as it prevailed in purchasing TikTok rights from ByteDance for its US, Canada, UK, and Australia operations.

Ironically, former foes and rivals of Google had backed the company in this copyright issue against Oracle. The likes of Microsoft and IBM believed that losing this case could lead to serious software development issues.

Supreme Court Favors Google

As what has transpired over the highest court in the country, Google LCC vs. Oracle America Inc. was initially pushed by the plaintiff (Oracle) last Aug. 5, 2020, and less than a year from that, it was already decided. However, the case did not turn out in Oracle's favor, especially as judges ruled out a split decision that favored the Mountain View giant.

Despite Google admitting to copying more than 11,500 lines of code from the Java platform, the Supreme Court said that what the internet company did was fair use. Moreover, Google has copied only what was "necessary," which the company had transformed into something new and useful.

Android is currently the largest operating system in the world, coming to its 12th OS version in beta.

Google argued that copying something and turning it into a new and separate product is what it did in the name of innovation, not a lazy take on creating an operating system.

Related Article: Google Apps Android Server Down: Early Reports of YouTube, Gmail, and MORE Are Unresponsive-How to Fix?

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Isaiah Alonzo

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Ahmedabad: The Gujarat government on Tuesday announced a night curfew in 20 cities and eight metros in the state, the curfew will be imposed in cities reporting a high surge in coronavirus infections.

As per the orders issued by Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, a curfew from 8pm to 6am will be in force and there will be no major events.

Government offices will remain closed on all Saturdays for the month of April.

Also, a gathering of not more than 100 people will be allowed at weddings.

Major events will be postponed until April 30.

Meanwhile, the number of coronavirus cases in the state is touching new heights. In the past 24 hours, as many as 3280 new COVID-19 cases have been reported in Gujarat, while 16 people have succumbed to the disease.

Ahmedabad reported in 817, in Surat 811 cases have been reported, Vadodara recorded 342 infections while Rajkot registered 385 cases.

(This is a developing news story, it will updated with latets update shortly)
ISTANBUL - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel travelled to Turkey on Tuesday to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The visit comes following the road map outlined by the European Council 10 days ago, with the aim of relaunching the fluctuating relations between the EU and Turkey after recent moves by the Turkish government on democracy and human rights.

The meetings will take place on Tuesday afternoon and will focus on various strategic issues, from migration to regional geopolitical disputes on the Eastern Mediterranean, Syria and Libya.

In particular, the leaders will discuss the renewal of the controversial March 2016 accord on Syrian refugees.

The Erdogan government is asking for more resources to continue to handle reception for the more than 3.6 million refugees of the Syrian war, after the six billion euros already committed by the EU over these years.

For its part, the EU seems intent on aiming for cooperation in development, given the poor prospects for the refugees' return to their home country anytime soon.

At the same time, a meeting is scheduled to discuss bringing the 1995 EU-Turkey Customs Union up to date, which Turkey has been requesting for some time; as well as resuming high-level dialogue meetings, which have been suspended since 2019.

In addition, Turkey is pushing for visa liberalisation.

The possible relaunch of bilateral relations will have to take into account Erdogan's recent moves in terms of the protection of minority rights, with the request to ban the main Kurdish party and the arrests of opposition leaders; as well as the controversial withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention against violence against women.
Focus on Strategic Imperatives Positions Goddard Schools for Long-Term Success

Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI), the franchisor of The Goddard School, announced today that Chief Executive Officer Dennis R. Maple has been appointed to the additional position of Chairman of the Board. Maple has been a member of the GSI Board and Chief Executive Officer since September 3, 2019.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005990/en/

Dennis R. Maple appointed Chairman of the Goddard Systems Inc. Board of Directors (Photo: Business Wire)

Goddard Systems, Inc. also announced that Joe Schumacher, who since his retirement as CEO in September 2019 has served as non-executive Chairman, has been named to the position of Chairman Emeritus.

"During a time of unprecedented change in the early childhood education industry, Dennis has demonstrated a steadfast ability to lead the Goddard System forward," said Robert Strouse, President of Goddards parent, Wind River Holdings. "Combining the roles of Chairman and CEO will further enable Dennis to drive the efficient execution of our long-term strategic imperatives. Dennis leadership style, his vision and passion for early childhood education, and his focus on culture and process excellence uniquely positions him to serve as GSIs new Chairman."

Continued Strouse, "Wind River remains extremely grateful for Joes leadership and dedication to the beloved Goddard System. Joe joined GSI in 2007 as Chief Operating Officer, was named Chief Executive Officer in 2009 and then Chairman in 2019. A firm believer in the importance of a strong succession strategy, Joe personally recruited and has actively supported Dennis in his leadership role at GSI. We sincerely thank Joe for his contributions to Goddards record of success and for his continuing role as a GSI Board member."

"It is an honor to be appointed to the Chairman position and I thank Wind River for the confidence they have in me," said Maple. "I cannot thank Joe enough for his support and guidance as I transitioned into the CEO position and now as I take on the role of Chairman."

Story continues

These organizational changes take effect immediately.

Maples 39-year career includes executive leadership and general management experiences with well-known companies such as First Student, Aramark Education, The Quaker Oats Company, PepsiCo, Inc., Kraft General Foods, Inc., and Coors Brewing Company. In January of this year, Maple was elected to the International Franchise Associations Board of Directors. Maple is also on the Descartes Systems Group board of directors, where he serves as a member of the Compensation Committee and as chairman of the Nominating Committee

For more information about The Goddard School, please visit GoddardSchool.com.

ABOUT GODDARD SYSTEMS, INC.

Established in 1988, Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI), the franchisor of The Goddard School, is the acknowledged leader in the premium early childcare and education market segment. Headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, GSI has been consistently named one of the top childcare franchises in the United States by Entrepreneur magazine and one of the Top 200 Franchise Systems (in worldwide sales) by Franchise Times. GSI currently licenses more than 550 Goddard School franchises that serve more than 70,000 students in 38 states. For more information, visit goddardschoolfranchise.com.

ABOUT THE GODDARD SCHOOL

Learning for fun. Learning for life.

Children learn best through experience. The Goddard School uses current, academically endorsed methods to ensure that children have fun while learning the skills they need for long-term success in school and in life.

The distinctive structure positions Schools to support the needs of families and helps ensure that children are known and appreciated for their individual talents and personalities. The Goddard Schools F.L.EX. Learning Program (Fun Learning Experience) helps children explore and discover their interests in a safe, nurturing environment. And a team of acknowledged experts in various fields of early childhood education guides the course of study.

Additionally, this program has earned AdvancED Corporation Accreditation and Middle States Corporate Accreditation for creating policies, programs and standards that help franchised locations meet high standards in early learning, child development and childcare. The Goddard School serves more than 70,000 students from six weeks to six years old in more than 550 Goddard Schools in 38 states. To learn more about The Goddard School, please visit GoddardSchool.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005990/en/

Contacts

Bonnary Lek, blek@goddardsystems.com, 267-524-2345

Andrew Moyer, andrew@reputationpartners.com, 608-213-6382
Editor's Note This article is brought to you by Capital One.

The First 72+ is reducing recidivism by helping those who have recently been released from jail find secure housing and employment, pursue education, receive health care and become involved in the community.

According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, nearly 45% of formerly incarcerated citizens in Louisiana who reentered society in 2011 returned to prison in the next five years.

Given how high the rate of recidivism is in our state, its imperative that formerly incarcerated individuals are equipped with the support and resources necessary to break that cycle, says Chad Sanders, Director of Economic Empowerment for The First 72+.

Sanders says one of the organizations key projects has been its housing program, which will soon expand with a transitional housing facility that will serve twice as many people as the current facility.

Sometimes these folks have been gone for 40 or 50 years, Sanders notes. Attaining stable housing is one of the major challenges because many times, they have nowhere to go.

That need was amplified last year when returning citizens were encouraged to quarantine for COVID-19 safety protocols. Since there were fewer tourists in New Orleans, Sanders says many owners of short-term rental properties were looking for tenants. The First 72+ worked with many landlords to place individuals in those properties while they underwent job readiness training.

We knew we did not want people pushed into homelessness, Sanders says. We were able to help them become safe and secure while they were transitioning into employment.

In addition, The First 72+ provides economic empowerment for individuals to learn how to build and launch their own businesses.

To help further that support, Capital One is partnering with The First 72+ to support formerly incarcerated individuals through small business incubation and technical support, as well as investing in a zero-interest loan fund and financial life skills education.

In the year-long program, small business owners work through a three-part curriculum covering computer skills, financial life skills and business models.

The partnership is part of the Capital One Impact Initiative, an initial $200 million, five-year national commitment to support growth in underserved communities and advance socioeconomic mobility by closing gaps in equity and opportunity.

The First 72+ is driven by a community of individuals who are empowering each other to gain independence and self-sustainability, says Karen DeBlieux, Capital One Greater New Orleans Market President. They understand the importance of access to financial resources for all and remove barriers to ensure the long-term health of individuals, their families and the community.

Sanders says one of the core beliefs at The First 72+ is that individuals can continue on successful pathways that will benefit not just themselves, but others as well.

We really believe in entrepreneurship and someones ability to earn for themselves and their family, then turn around and hire their friends and neighbors, Sanders says. Theres also the challenge of years lost by being out of the workforce as well as the stigma and discrimination that so many returning citizens face. This division allows us to bypass that and show that these individuals are assets to their community.

One such individual is Terrell Scott, the owner of New Orleans-based business Flight Night Window Tint. Upon his return from incarceration, Scott was connected with The First 72+ where he received help to pay fines and secure a drivers license and employment.

The First 72+ had started a small incubator for those that wanted to start their own business, Scott says. Since I had learned about window tinting, I decided to go with that.

Scotts business has been open for more than four years. Although he has successfully reentered society, he stays in contact with The First 72+ to keep them updated on his progress and let them know if he needs any support.

Its much easier to do it when you have help, Scott says. Youve got to stay on top of everything, but they are good about letting you know if there is a better way than what you came from. I always tell people to not be afraid to look for help. If you dont, theres a good chance youll get caught back up in a bad cycle.
Political and business leaders in Derry have appealed for an end to recent violence in the city.

There has been nightly disturbances in Protestant areas of the Waterside over the past week.

Police also came under attack during a security alert in the Templemore Road area of the city yesterday.

Local business and political representatives yesterday local PSNI boss, Chief Superintendent Darrin Jones, to discuss the recent trouble.

In a joint statement issued after the meeting, the business and political representatives said the violence must stop.

We ask everyone within our community to help bring an end to the ongoing cycle of violence that we have witnessed in our City in recent days.

It is clear that some of the young people who are involved in this criminal activity are unaware of the consequences of their actions and are being misled by adults with more sinister agendas.

This violence is putting lives at risk and together we feel we need speak out to ask those who are orchestrating this to stop now, before someone is seriously hurt or a life is lost.

We plead with people from all sides of our community to come together with us and tell these people this activity will not be tolerated and it is not in our name. They cannot and will not succeed.
An estimated 66 per cent of



the 10.04 lakh voters in the Union Territory of exercised their franchise till 3 PM on Tuesday.

Polling was brisk from the beginning.

Official sources said that 66.36 per cent of the voters exercised their franchise in while the Karaikal region recorded 64.86 per cent, Mahe 56.53 per cent and Yanam region 71.60 per cent.

Yanam, where the AINRC leader N Rangasamy is contesting, registered a higher percentage of polling than the other three regions from the beginning.

Rangasamy is seeking election to the territorial Assembly from Thattanchavady segment in region also.

The contest is keen between the AINRC-led NDA and the Congress-led Secular Democratic alliance.

Former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader V Narayanasamy, however, bowed out of the poll contest on the ground that he had to coordinate poll related work in the union territory.

He had also claimed at a recent press meet that the high command had asked him to contest but had refrained the contest only to coordinate poll related works.

The NDA, however, had claimed that the Congress high command had refused ticket to Narayanasamy in spite of his long service in the party.

The BJP and AIADMK are the other constituents of the AINRC-led NDA here.

While AINRC fielded candidates in 16 of the total 30 constituencies the BJP is aspiring to annex nine seats while the AIADMK is contesting from five seats.

The Congress has fielded candidates in 14 out of the 15 seats earmarked to it.

The national party is supporting an independent in Yanam.

The DMK, its main alliance partner, has fielded candidates in 13 seats and the VCK and CPI are contesting from one constituency each.

There was tight police security at all booths.

Polling has by and large been peaceful so far.

Lt Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan and her husband cast their votes in Chennai, a release from her office 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.)
Amended license with AerialX Drone Solutions Inc. provides for exclusive rights to U.S. and Canadian militaries

Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 6, 2021) - KWESST Micro Systems Inc. (TSXV: KWE) (OTCQB: KWEMF) ("KWESST" or "the Company") today announced that it has signed an Amended and Restated License Agreement (the "Agreement") with AerialX Drone Solutions Inc. ("AerialX") for counter-drone technology. In October 2019 KWESST signed a non-exclusive worldwide license with AerialX and has now gained exclusive rights to the technology for U.S. and Canadian militaries. The product which is based on the licensed technology is being marketed under the name GreyGhostTM and is an autonomous soldier-portable micro drone missile system that defends against small hostile drones including swarms using high-speed kinetic impact.

The dramatic growth of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS), commonly called drones, creates new threats and challenges for NATO countries including the US Department of Defense (DoD) and Canada's Department of National Defence (DND). Recent technology trends have enabled state actors, non-state actors, terrorist organizations and criminals to easily convert legitimate applications of sUAS into efficient weapons. These small drones provide NATO adversaries with a low-cost means of conducting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions or direct attack of NATO forces.

"This is a timely development as the U.S. and other NATO military agencies have expressed interest in our GreyGhostTM counter-sUAS drone missile and view it as a serious candidate solution to the growing threat of suspicious or hostile drones," said David Luxton, KWESST's Executive Chairman. "Our GreyGhostTM counter-sUAS drone missile has been down-selected by key agencies from among dozens of contenders for upcoming demonstrations and trials because of its unique ability to track and hunt hostile drones and neutralize them with kinetic impact."

"The Pentagon last year established the Army-led Joint Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office, or JCO, and approved a set of requirements to help counter the threat posed by small drones and formalized requirements for how technology developed by industry players can seamlessly plug into a single command-and-control system. Evaluation of industry counter drone systems are expected to be ongoing throughout 2021," said Jeff MacLeod, KWESST's President and CEO. "In the U.S. and in 2021 alone, DoD plans to spend at least USD $404 million on counter-UAS (c-UAS) research and development and at least $83 million on c-UAS procurement(1)."

The counter drone market has grown considerably in recent years, with both major defense contractors and small technology companies actively competing to gain market share in a market that by one estimate could be worth $5.4 billion by 2028(2).

Under the Agreement announced today, KWESST's also retains its non-exclusive worldwide rights. KWESST has agreed to issue AerialX 100,000 shares of KWESST in consideration of the new exclusive rights and an additional 100,000 shares of KWESST upon AerialX meeting certain technological milestones.

(1)https://fas.org/sgp/crs/weapons/IF11426.pdf

(2)https://www.c4isrnet.com/unmanned/2019/12/11/pentagon-wants-to-streamline-its-counterdrone-focus/

About KWESST

KWESST develops and commercializes high-value ultra-miniaturized technology applications that make a critical difference to the safety and operational effectiveness of personnel in the defence and security industries. The company's current portfolio of unique proprietary offerings include: its signature TASCSTM (Tactical Awareness and Situational Control System) for real-time awareness and targeting information from any source (including drones) streamed directly to users' smart devices and weapons; the autonomous GreyGhostTM soldier-portable micro drone missile system that defends against small hostile drones including swarms using high-speed kinetic impact; a Ground Laser Defence system to counter the emerging threat of weaponized lasers against personnel; and, the PhantomTM electronic battlefield decoy system to mask the electromagnetic signature of friendly forces with decoy signatures at false locations to deceive and confuse adversaries. All systems can operate stand-alone or integrate seamlessly with OEM products and battlefield management systems including Frontline, Edge, Killswitch and ATAK (Android Tactical Assault Kit) among others. KWESST also has developmental "smart ordnance" projects including its "Shot Counter" system, which records the number and type of rounds fired, for optimized firearms maintenance and performance. The Company is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, with representative offices in Washington, DC, London, UK and Abu Dhabi, UAE. KWESST trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol KWE and on the U.S. OTCQB under the symbol KWEMF.

Contact: Jason Frame, Investor Relations: frame@kwesst.com

For more information, please visit https://kwesst.com/

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the timing for the commencement of trading and the plans and operations of KWESST after giving effect to the Qualifying Transaction. 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. 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. KWESST disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

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 news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79485
The International Living Magazine has recently unveiled The Worlds Best Places to Retire in 2021, which ranked Vietnam in tenth place. Here are the reasons why.

Vietnam is listed in the top 10 countries where people should settle down living and promote business abroad after retirement, according to the 2021 Annual Global Retirement Index.

As unveiled by the index, Vietnam is along with nine other countries of Malta, France, Malaysia, Ecuador, Portugal, Colombia, Mexico, Panama and Costa Rica. The index aims to help people consider retirement abroad with the exciting business of choosing where in the world will best suit their needs.

According to Kara Williams from www.travelawaits.com, there are eight reasons that retirees are falling in love with Vietnam.

Hoi An ancient town is a suitable destination for retirees in Vietnam. Photo: Hoi An Green

The cost of living

Vietnam has an exceptionally low cost of living. Low prices certainly made sightseeing, shopping, eating, and drinking in Vietnam so wonderfully appealing when I visited. Dipping into a busy, casual restaurant and paying $1 for an ice-cold can of beer and $2 for banh mi, the countrys divine, ubiquitous pork sandwich on a baguette, ranks among one of my all-time favorite meals ever, she wrote.

Opportunities for Travel

Once Vietnam is your home base, the whole of Southeast Asia is easily accessible. With plentiful flights on budget airlines, frequent trips to Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, or Malaysia are possible.

And traveling within the country is pretty simple, too, with flights between key cities like HCMC, Danang and Hanoi, plus a system of buses, trains, and even ferries to popular island destinations, like Phu Quoc.

Cao Lau - a specialty of Hoi An. Photo: Hoi An Green

The Food

Not only is Vietnamese food so darn cheap throughout the country - whether youre picking something up from a street stall, sitting down in a restaurant, or shopping at a local grocery store - it is so darn good.

Lets start your new day with a hot bowl of Pho when you are in Hanoi, a bowl of Cao Lau in Hoi An and a Hu tieu in Saigon.

While the food in the northern part of Vietnam has long been influenced by its proximity to China, the central cuisine is considered as the most culturally authentic food in the country with the influence of Royal Hue cuisine and Southern dish is the most varied of the three. Rich in vegetables, rice and seafood, it has incorporated Cambodia and Thai influences into style that is distinctively its own.

The people

The smiling faces in Hanoi. Photo: Tuart

I concur with expat Neil Varden who notes that the Vietnamese are very friendly. Indeed, everywhere we went, we encountered so many smiling faces -- people who were eager to help us.

I found it especially true at our Hoi An hotel, where gentle demeanor and a welcoming nature were the norm among the front desk and restaurant staff. Our English-speaking bike tour guide was chock full of knowledge and so accommodating - candid and happy to answer questions about her life in Vietnam, Kara gave example about Vietnameses characteristics.

Various places to live

Ho Chi Minh City is mind-blowingly huge but may appeal if youre all about an urban center that is rich in French colonial history. Hanoi, Vietnams capital, is in the north, so its not quite as toasty, temperature-wise, as HCMC. Other smaller communities that expats consider, says International Living, include Da Lat, Nha Trang, Vung Tau, and the island of Phu Quoc.

The weather

Vietnams tropical monsoon climate appeals to many - especially snowbirds who simply want to say good-bye to North American winters. However, its definitely not for everyone. Temperatures can easily reach 38 degree Celsius and above in some areas in the hottest months, and humidity reigns throughout the country.

The beauty of Hanoi. Photo: Cao Duy Tai

The history and culture

From its ancient temples and pagodas to its more current 20th-century war history, Vietnam offers so much for retirees who want to broaden their minds with an exploration of Vietnamese and Southeastern Asia historical and cultural events.

There are countless opportunities to join cultural tours and classes to learn how sleeping mats are woven from dried reeds or how commerce works in the Mekong Delta floating markets.

A countrys culture is often best experienced simply by strolling through a neighborhood. Lets try local foods, watch families play in the park, or take in a local theater performance. Again, Vietnam offers plenty of opportunities to do just that.

A dream retirement life in Hoi An ancient town. Photo: Cao Anh Tuan

An evolving future

Jefferson Saunders moved to Vietnam in retirement in 2016, having spent time in the country before. Though he was drawn, like many others, by Vietnams friendly people and affordability, hes increasingly interested in watching the evolution between the old and the new, Kara wrote about the story of a westerner retiree in Vietnam.

There is higher education, better income, internet, more traveling, along with serious investment money coming into the country. According to him, Vietnams big cities feature Western-style medical clinics and hospitals, as well as high-end hotels, often backed by Japanese or Korean investors.

He also sees Vietnamese society increasingly rejecting some of the issues that have plagued the country in the past, such as petty crime and litter.

Hanoitimes
Press Release

April 6, 2021 Hontiveros urges IATF, DOH to report P9B expenditure for 'pop up' hospitals, isolation facilities Senator Risa Hontiveros has urged the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) and the Department of Health (DOH) to release a public report on the P9 billion allocated for makeshift hospitals and isolation facilities after hospitals became overwhelmed amid the COVID-19 surge in cases. "Ubos na ba ang P9 billion kaya nasa provincial hospitals na ang mga taga-Maynila? Sobrang puno na yung mga ospital natin, ginawang emergency room na yung tents. The P9 billion, if effectively used, is supposed to go to setting up temporary but humane and fully equipped makeshift hospitals. Filipinos shouldn't have to watch their loved ones die, sometimes under the heat of the sun, just because hospitals are full," she said. "Kailangan nating suportahan ang mga ospital sa abot ng ating makakaya. Ang daming mga kababayan natin ang kailangang magpagamot. It is so unjust that they are so close, and yet so far. With all the projections made about the number of cases, dapat matagal ng nag-double time ang mga ahensya. We have to remember, not only COVID patients need to be hospitalized," she said. Hontiveros said the P9 billion budget under Bayanihan 2 dedicated for Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facilities (TTMFs) and isolation facilities needs to be flagged as 'urgent expenditure' while hospitals overflow. She added that it was important for the IATF and DOH to quickly reinforce and upgrade their One Hospital Command Center (OHCC), which is a hotline meant to refer patients to hospitals that still have bed capacity, but has been 'unreachable' because of the alleged 'basic set up' of its system. "People are running from city to city while experiencing an emergency because the OHCC cannot be reached. The OHCC could have easily harnessed the capabilities of our world-class BPOs. Filipinos answer the phones when the world calls. We don't deserve these busy signals," she said. "With the billions in funding we have available, that is nothing but another lazy copout. Every phone call they do or do not pick up can spell the difference between life and death. We have known for many months that COVID variants, if left uncontained, could overwhelm our hospitals. Why didn't we prepare for the worst?" she asked. Hontiveros also said that the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) can accredit additional TTMFs so that the operating cost becomes reimbursable. "It is important to set up makeshift treatment centers where we can. With added support from the government, it is a system that will be easier to replicate in more areas, especially in areas where hospitals can no longer accommodate more patients," she said. "Our health workers and our patients need full support. There is no excuse as to why we are holding back from giving them the best that their lives depend on," Hontiveros concluded.
New York:

Pakistan's Foreign Minister has acknowledged that Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed, the Haqqanis, and the LeT are liabilities for the country but it does not have the required assets to get rid of them.



Khawaja Asif said that the US, which is putting pressure on Pakistan to tackle terrorist groups operating from its soil, once used to treat them as darlings just 20 to 30 years back.



US President Donald Trump had last month criticised Pakistan for its support to terror groups, saying it receives billions in US aid but continues to harbour militants.



"Don't blame us for the Haqqanis (the Haqqani terror network) and don't blame us for the Hafiz Saeeds (chief of Jamaat-ud-Dawa terror group)," Khawaja Asif said at the Asia Society forum in New York on Tuesday.



"These were the people who were your darlings just 20 to 30 years back. They were being dined and wined in the White House and now you say 'go to hell Pakistanis because you are nurturing these people'," he was quoted as saying by the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan.



It is very easy to say Pakistan is floating the Haqqanis and Hafiz Saeed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. They are liabilities, Asif said.



"I accept that they are liabilities, but give us time to get rid of them because we don't have the assets to match these liabilities and you are increasing them (our liabilities) further," the minister said.



Pakistan is ready to work with the US for effective management of the Afghan border to stop terrorist infiltration and to facilitate a peace settlement in Afghanistan, he said.



Speaking at the forum, Asif said that there was no military solution to the festering conflict in Afghanistan.



"Scapegoating Pakistan for all the Afghan ills is neither fair nor accurate. This will only help forces that we are trying to fight collectively," he said.



Asif also talked about Pakistan's relations with India, the Kashmir dispute, counter-terrorism measures and the country's economic progress.



"We cannot take responsibility for Afghanistan's peace and security and be asked to achieve what the combined strength of some of the most powerful and richest countries could not accomplish," he said.



Talking about Pakistan's sour relations with India, the minister said that a new initiative was needed to bring India and Pakistan to the negotiating table.



He said that the need to discuss all issues, including the decades-old Kashmir dispute is the main source of tension between the two countries.



"Peace in the neighbourhood is impossible to achieve unless relations with India improve. Pakistan reached out to India to seek normalisation of relations and resolution of all disputes through dialogue and engagement, but India did not reciprocate," Asif claimed.



Pakistan is ready to work with India to seek peaceful resolution of all disputes and to create an environment of peace and stability allowing the people of the two countries to realise their aspirations of prosperity and development, the minister added.

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18:59 | Lima, Apr. 5.

"Peru is going to receive 450,000 vaccines a week starting the first week of May. We are going to double the doses (200,000 doses a week set for April) and we are going to cover the vaccination of all elderly people, who are undoubtedly the priority," he said in statements to RPP radio and TV station.




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Nigerian youths should save themselves, learn about each other, broaden their minds, banish prejudice, find common areas of interest for the development of Nigeria, and at least try their hands on the leadership of this nation. Never let anyone decide on your behalf what to make of your future.

I have always advocated for Nigerian youths not to allow anyone make their minds up for them. It is true that old Nigerians have done themselves many injustices over time. But given the relative age of our union, I believe the youths of today should first ask to be given a chance at running the country or to organise themselves to so do, rather than listen to old tales of woe and betrayal from some old people who will not tell the whole truth about the past. I have come to realise that we Nigerians have some basic problems. We get easily carried away, especially when things do not go right for us for a while. I look around the big cities of Nigeria, at all the mansions and other possessions of our people and then I wonder why so many people are complaining. People own these assets. People have made money from this country. But how come many  millions  perhaps most people, are stuck in a bitter complaint mode? Is it that we easily dump the blame for our personal mistakes on the country? Are we attuned to the fact that life is about ups and downs? This is a subject for current and aspiring leaders to ponder on, for without understanding the psychology of the people, no one can lead successfully. As things stand, almost all leaders get disgraced out of office in Nigeria and their lives often turn to hell on earth. Sometimes I wonder whether it is a worthwhile venture to try and lead here. Perhaps that is why only charlatans are successful; they know that they dont intend to achieve anything for the people.

The other day I saw a news item about Nigerians whose monies are stuck with MBA Forex, a Port-Harcourt based company that had been at the forefront of forex trade in the country. These smart boys collected hundreds of billions of naira from Nigerians, young and old, under the promise of trading foreign exchange. When we hear that there is free or easy money to be made somewhere, we should be wary. These boys even sold the idea that Nigerian could curb unemployment through forex trading. The kind of asinine ideas one hears in this country is mind-boggling. But Nigerians rushed in en masse and as we read this, the Central Bank of Nigeria is trying to see what it can rescue from the companys operations in order to compensate the customers who were taken for a ride, with perhaps tiny fractions of their investments. The real news for me was that Nigerians could afford to gamble with N171 billion in a single company! Many of these investors chasing huge interests and returns possibly have families that they ignored while they stashed monies in a get-richer-quick scheme. Some have friends who they likely declined to assist. Go to them with a business transaction that could add value and some of them will launch into long tales of woe, cursing the leaders and the country and everything in between. Yet they had staked such amounts, which they eventually lost. I concluded that quite a number of us are actually mean. It seems that we are more interested in acquiring to pose. Not even the gloom of COVID-19 and the flimsiness of life that we have seen, have taught us lessons. Many of these people will even continue to curse Nigeria!

Seeing the Positive

As a corollary to calming down on all the cursing of the country and permanent complain mode, I also want the youths to give themselves a chance and see if they can still make something good out of the diversity of Nigeria. You see, it may not be as enjoyable as we think it will be, if we create countries where only our type of people  the same language and same religion  exist. The logistics of achieving that is a different ballgame anyway. Whereas it seems that the Yorubas will easily create a mono-cultural society and maybe a nation therefrom (barring protests from outlying ethnicities within Yorubaland who dont speak Yoruba, such as e thBadagry people), religion is another platform for division. Given how militant many Yorubas are on either side of Christianity and Islam, there is a likelihood of tensions arising in an Oodua Republic based on religious differences. We can see what is happening in Kwara presently. The camaraderie we used to enjoy in the days of innocence has been replaced with suspicion. Many people input all sorts of spiritual meanings to everything these days. If your neighbour gives you meat or food from their religious festival, many Yorubas now believe the food is contaminated with some sort of spiritual poison. Back in the day, we looked forward to such gift.

Nigerian youths must go back and find that mutual trust. And they may find out in the process that they do not need to begin the process of cannibalising the country as proposed.

When asked if he could vote for an Igbo person, he sharply replied that he voted for Jonathan in 2011 and 2015, so he will if he sees a good candidate. Ibrahim showed me his crypto wallet and regaled me with the cheap cryptos he trades on the side. Remember, this was a shoemaker!

I recently returned from Kano, where I spent a longer period than I ever did there and learnt so much. When I got a Bolt taxi to take me to the Igwes Palace (a restaurant run by Igbo people obviously) at Sabongari, I ended up with one interesting guy named Salisu. Very articulate and forward-looking, this fellow, is also a student at the Bayero University, Kano. He is even a class representative. Do not begin to imagine some smooth aje-butter or middle class person, because when he picked me up for the airport, as arranged, the next day, I found out that Salisu left Kano at the age of 17, after his School Certificate exams, to become a shoemaker in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. From Yenagoa, he went to Port Harcourt, where he lived on Warri Street. He sold off his shoemaking business and began a business selling used cement paper, which he said are bought by companies manufacturing mosquito coils up North. I learned from him that the coils are made from paper pulp soaked in some mosquito-repellent chemicals. Now, Salisu, in his accent-laden English, is extremely intelligent. Someone from this kind of background is using words like getting the dynamics, and so on in a regular sentence. Ive seen a lot worse elsewhere where there is claim to literacy.

18-year old Salisu later graduated to selling palm oil. He upped one day and shipped himself to Aba, where he lived at 150 Clifford Street. From there on to Warri, and shuttling between there and Benin, he supplied palm oil up North. He would leave Warri and head to Accra and Kumasi, from where he still does the same business till today. He said the product is cheaper in Ghana, but as Buhari closed land borders, he reverted to buying from the South to sell in the North (these bans and forex restrictions do have some good sides). Salisu bought an old Honda Accord with which he runs the uber business and sponsors himself through university. He is very serious about getting a 5-star rating (which I gave him) with each ride. He is about 35 years old today. The Kano indigene believes people should work and school at the same time. He calls it struggle. Struggle must be combined with schooling. This is the mistake I think we made in Nigeria, he asserts. I assured him that was how it is done in Europe and other developed places.

I asked him what he thinks about Almajirais. He was pained. He said Jonathan tried to do a lot for those boys but his efforts were rebuffed by the elites. He complained about the born born culture that we have, whereby people dont plan for their children and soon release the boys to go and beg under the guise of Islamic education. He said he has two children who are both in school, just as he has attended public schools all his life. Salisu is a very knowledgeable and helpful chap. A hustler who can blend in anywhere. He has bought into the idea of standing on ones own and never depending on government. Once during our first journey one of those traffic controllers in yellow uniform was hailing and greeting him with a view to getting a tip, Salisu was aghast. Oga see me see trouble o. These guys are paid by the state. They even have pensions. Me that I am hustling I dont even know if I will get or not. How can I give him money?, he asked me, mouth agape. When I asked him what he thought about Kano streets being quite dirty, he informed me that the Governor has pocketed the local government chairmen to whom he only allocates N20 million monthly; an amount that is not enough to do any work. On national politics, he said he believes someone from the South should become the next president but northern elites are working on continuing with one of their own. When asked if he could vote for an Igbo person, he sharply replied that he voted for Jonathan in 2011 and 2015, so he will if he sees a good candidate. Ibrahim showed me his crypto wallet and regaled me with the cheap cryptos he trades on the side. Remember, this was a shoemaker!

Nigerian youths should give themselves a chance and try hard to come together. I speak, especially, to the vocal ones on social media, most of whom are Southerners. The politics is getting toxic. It cannot continue to be all about mockery, insults, abuses and constant quarrels, fishing around for whom to drag, as they say on twitter.

Speaking with this guy, I realised that Nigerian youths are not building some important bridges. He didnt have to be a Southerner to think in some certain manner or to try and be just and fair. He has hustled in life more than most Southern Nigeria youths will ever dare. He has suffered in life, sleeping in the open and around mosques, as he journeyed from Kano to Yenagoa to Aba to Port Harcourt, Warri, Benin, Accra and Kumasi. What does anybody want him to do to prove his bona fides again? I know some who are permanently cynical will say its all fake, that he can turn anytime. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. What I saw in Kano in the extended period I was there is a city of young Nigerians from everywhere trying to make their ways through life. Kano is Nigeria. Kano is a place of opportunities. I even reconnected with my friend, protege and Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP) enthusiast Ibrahim Husseini, doing so well in the Cashew and Hibiscus business up there. The guy is an encyclopedia of the markets. I dont see why anyone will talk down on any of these guys. The elite are however a different kettle of fish, as they are hanging on to a long-expired class structure, hence the filth on the streets and the roaming children. The state of the North today does not represent the wishes of the young folk there at all.

Nigerian youths should give themselves a chance and try hard to come together. I speak, especially, to the vocal ones on social media, most of whom are Southerners. The politics is getting toxic. It cannot continue to be all about mockery, insults, abuses and constant quarrels, fishing around for whom to drag, as they say on twitter. The youth politics in Nigeria today is chasing away cerebral people, making them avoid the marketplace of mutual exchange, which is the only way ideas can be refined. The fact is that even after now, if indeed the wishes of many come true and Nigeria splits, this same spirit will be carried into the new contraptions. Nigerian youths should save themselves, learn about each other, broaden their minds, banish prejudice, find common areas of interest for the development of Nigeria, and at least try their hands on the leadership of this nation. Never let anyone decide on your behalf what to make of your future. My two kobo advice.

Fun fact about Kano: There are a lot of mosquitoes. But they are easy to kill. They seem not to have the reflexes of those ones in Lagos, which are even smarter than the ones in Abuja or indeed anywhere else in the world. I started wondering if anyone has done research into how the reflexes, attitudes and capabilities of people can affect predator insects around them, like mosquitoes. This must have something to do with evolution. Who knows?

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.
FOR Kieran ORegan, the pandemic has meant swapping one cabin for another  and taking his head from the clouds and placing his feet firmly in the soil.

The 41-year-old from Ladysbridge, East Cork, is a pilot for Aer Lingus, but the onset of Covid-19 has seen him grounded. So he has reverted to his original passion for driving tractors!

Ever since I was a small boy I was always mad about all kinds of machinery, says Kieran, who was piloting tractors around farm-yards when he was nine years old.

Everything about big machinery fascinated me. How it worked, how it moved, what made the engine tick. As a teenager, working around home with local farming contractors, I was in my element.

But the big machines in the sky fascinated him even more.

Flying has always been my passion for as long as I can remember, says Kieran. It was always my goal to be a commercial pilot.

When the virus arrived, bang! The entire aviation sector and most of the 143,000 workers the industry supports found themselves without work.

Kieran decided to look to other horizons to keep himself occupied and keep himself afloat and can now be seen driving tractors for a living for agricultural contractor John Flavin.

I have bills to pay like everyone else, he says. Working for a farming contractor is more of a necessity. John and I have been friends all our lives and he took me on, driving machinery, tilling, ploughing, harvesting and later in the season, doing the silage.

I feel very fortunate to be occupied and having a reason to get up every day. Being out in the fresh air is really healthy. The countryside is a lovely environment to be in.

Keeping busy is a good thing; there is so little to distract us these days. Not dwelling on the negatives is important.

Kieran has been a pilot with Aer Lingus five years, and first flew solo at Cork airport aged 16. He still meets old friends from the sky while chugging round the great outdoors in East Cork. Ploughing the fields, the seagulls are squawking all around you! The seagulls and the hawks flying above you is relaxing.

He has found it easy to transfer his skill-set, thinking outside the box, decision-making, problem solving, getting on with the job, learning new skills, while promoting camaraderie with his work-mates. It all makes the working day  albeit ploughing along in the middle of a wheat field instead of gliding along fluffy clouds  an uplifting experience.

Working with agricultural machinery is nothing new for me, says Kieran. I was always used to it. The agricultural machinery and farm machinery implements are a little different now, but its all a learning curve for me.

Kieran who travels the world extensively as a pilot, is clearly a home-grown boy at heart.

I can operate agricultural machinery and I can service and fix the machines too. I worked in construction in the city for a while before it shut down due to Covid.

He is very adaptable, but some habits from his pilot days are hard to break. Ironing a shirt feels weird now! says Kieran laughing. When I was reporting for duty at the airport; Id be pristine! My uniform was perfect. I was always well turned out and clean-shaven. Its a bit strange for me now covered in oil and having a beard! I just want to get back into the air.

Kieran studied electronic engineering, physics and instrumentation in third level so he could start working to fund his passion.

I never let the dream go, says Kieran, who began his initial training at flight school Bankstown, Sydney. I did my entire flight training in Australia. I was working full-time and doing exams, flying at the weekends. After converting my Australian pilots license to the European equivalent, I was lucky to land a job with Aer Arran, now Stobart Air, who were hiring.

Competition to take off was keen.

HIGH-FLYER: Kieran ORegan in the cockpit in his normal job as a pilot

Getting my first job was hard, says Kieran. The competition was fierce. Flying the turbo-prop for Stobart was the gateway to getting a job. I progressed to Aer Lingus after three years, which was the pinnacle for me. Aer Lingus was my future.

What is the freedom of flying like?

It is amazing, says Kieran. There is no feeling like it. In Australia, the weather can often be stormy, but it is never foggy. Its a different climate. Flying conditions in Ireland or in the UK, Bristol, for example, are totally different. Fog and wind can be challenging so you formulate a plan.

Kieran says the Irish Government havent formulated a plan to open up the Irish aviation industry post-Covid.

Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan admitted that, says Kieran. That seems bizarre considering the aviation industry generates 17 billion annually to our net GDP.

Weve got no meaningful financial aid from the Government to keep the industry open. From airports to aircraft leasing, to tourism, to providing and maintaining essential connectivity attracting direct foreign investment into this country; support from our Government is vital.

Lufthansa is commencing a twice-weekly Cork-Frankfurt service for the summer of 2021, says Kieran.

Other countries have financially supported their airlines realising they are essential to the world economy.

I should be looking at flying out of Cork Airport this summer, says Kieran. Instead, Im in the cab of a tractor.

We see now airlines are moving crafts to other countries. Getting them back will be very difficult. To buy a A320 airbus would cost millions of dollars. We need the finances to pay for the lease of planes, the maintenance of planes and the parking fees for planes, so that we can be ready to go when travel spikes again.

Kieran, who hasnt flown since December 21 last year, is relieved that his currency and medicals are up to speed. Many other pilots havent been able to do their proficiency line checks or Sim checks. Being grounded for the second consecutive summer is devastating.

Kieran misses the camaraderie of flying.

Everyone works as a team. The Captain is the manager who involves everyone in his decisions. You know, I never saw it as glamorous, I know some people do. Maybe working as a pilot or as cabin crew seemed glamourous back in the day. For me, it is what I do. It is my passion.

Kieran is appealing to people to support the recovery of Irish aviation.

Join the conversation, he says. Write to your local TDs to prompt them to help the aviation industry to recover. If we dont recover we are not looking at a recession economy-wise. We are looking at a depression.

For now, in the lush countryside, surrounded by nature and by his friends, he is enjoying the view, keeping it country. But his eyes still scan the horizon.

I want to get back in the air again. Its what I do.
U.S. Treasury Secretary-designate Janet Yellen in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S., (Photo : REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo)

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Monday that she is working with G20 countries to agree on a global corporate minimum tax rate and pledged that restoring U.S. multilateral leadership would strengthen the global economy and advance U.S. interests.



In a speech ahead of her first International Monetary Fund and World Bank Spring Meetings as Treasury chief, Yellen signaled stronger U.S. engagement on issues from climate change to human rights to tax base erosion.



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A global minimum tax proposed by the Biden administration could help to end a "thirty-year race to the bottom on corporate tax rates," Yellen told an online event hosted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.



The proposal is a key pillar of President Joe Biden's $2 trillion infrastructure spending plan, which calls for an increase in the U.S. corporate tax rate to 28% while eliminating some deductions associated with overseas profits.



Without a global minimum, the United States would again have higher rates than a number of other major economies, tax experts say, while the U.S. proposal could help jump-start negotiations for a tax deal among major economies.



World Bank President David Malpass said finance leaders from the Group of 20 major economies on Wednesday would discuss global tax issues, including for digital services, adding that international attitudes were shifting away from continual tax reductions.



"Taxes matter to development, and it's important that the world get it right," Malpass told CNBC television.



Separately, a group of Democratic senators unveiled a legislative proposal to roll back parts of former President Donald Trump's 2017 U.S. tax cuts.



NEW ATTITUDE



Yellen also said she would use the IMF and World Bank meetings this week to advance discussions on climate change, improve vaccine access for poor countries and push countries to do more to support a strong global recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.



"We will fare better if we work together and support each other," Yellen said.



Her more cooperative approach marks a sharp contrast to the 'America First' approach of her Trump administration predecessor, Steven Mnuchin. She has backed a $650 billion increase in IMF monetary reserves that Mnuchin opposed last year, and said she will work with international institutions and partners on carbon emission reduction targets.



Mnuchin had routinely opposed any climate change references in G20 and other communiques issued from large multilateral gatherings.



Yellen also has dropped https://www.reuters.com/article/us-g20-usa-oecd/u-s-drops-safe-harbor-demand-raising-hopes-for-global-tax-deal-idUSKBN2AQ2E6 a key Mnuchin demand from international tax negotiations - a provision that would allow large U.S. technology companies to opt out of any new rules on taxation of digital services.



PRESSURE ON TAX HAVENS



The new Treasury chief said it was important to "end the pressures of tax competition" and make sure governments "have stable tax systems that raise sufficient revenues in essential public goods and respond to crises, and that all citizens fairly share the burden of financing government."



Separately, a U.S. Treasury official told reporters that it was important to have the world's major economies on board with a global minimum tax to make it effective, but did not say how many countries were needed for this.



The official said the United States would use its own tax legislation to prevent companies from shifting profits or residency to tax haven countries and would encourage other major economies to do the same.



The Biden plan proposes a 21% minimum corporate tax rate, coupled with eliminating exemptions on income from countries that do not enact a minimum tax. The administration says the plan will discourage the shifting of jobs and profits overseas.



Yellen said in her remarks that while advanced economies had successfully supported their economies through the COVID-19 pandemic, it was too early to declare victory, and more support was needed for low income countries to gain access to vaccines.


ANN ARBOR, MI  Ann Arbor is moving forward with developing an unarmed public safety response program to have non-police professionals respond to certain 911 calls.

City Council voted unanimously in favor of the idea Monday night, April 5, directing City Administrator Tom Crawford to work with the Washtenaw County Sheriffs Office and others to try to establish a program by the end of 2021.

Im delighted that were going to be moving this forward, Mayor Christopher Taylor said, adding he has heard time and again that police are asked to do too much and are called to handle matters on which they dont have expertise. Its my belief the residents of Ann Arbor demand that we expand the set of public safety services here in the city.

Paul Fleming, a University of Michigan public health professor, was among the public speakers who supported the move.

Rethinking how we approach public safety so we dont rely on police is in line with evidence-based public health best practices, he told council.

Being killed by police is the sixth leading cause of death for young Black men and young people are injured by police at the same rate pedestrians are injured by cars, Fleming said.

Current policing practices have spillover effects on the entire community, particularly communities of color, making people who live in areas that are aggressively policed more likely to suffer mental health issues and physical health ailments, he said. Simply put, the current system of policing throughout the U.S. and including in our own area harms peoples health and we need to envision alternatives that do not include firearms, surveillance and harassment and take a more humane approach to public safety.

While the resolution to develop an unarmed response program went through unanimously, council voted 10-1 on whether to direct Crawford to include funding for it in the fiscal year 2021-22 budget. Council Member Ali Ramlawi, D-5th Ward, was opposed, arguing its too early to budget for a program that hasnt been planned out yet.

Crawford is now tasked with exploring possible partnerships with community service providers and which responses now handled by armed police could be carried out by experts in areas such as mental health, public health and human services.

That could include handling non-emergency medical calls, complaints about homeless encampments, medical transport requests, some mental health crisis calls and similar calls with no suspected criminal activity or clear and present threat to the physical safety of others, the council resolution states.

Ann Arbor police chief says having unarmed responses to some 911 calls makes sense

Lisa Jackson, chair of the citys police oversight commission, addressed council and spoke about police brutality as a national issue going back many decades.

We now have the opportunity to make real change to public safety, she said, adding the oversight commission supports an array of programs related to restorative justice.

Reducing the dispatch of armed law enforcement to non-crime situations is especially crucial, she said, recalling how police in Salt Lake City shot a 13-year-old autistic boy last year after his mother called 911 seeking help for him because he was experiencing a mental health crisis.

The availability of unarmed responders for mental health crises would be a step in the right direction, Jackson said.

Another significant opportunity for the implementation of unarmed law enforcement lies in traffic stops, she said, adding cases like the death of Philando Castile, who was fatally shot by police after being pulled over for a broken tail light, show how traffic stops can have disturbing and deadly consequences.

Barbara Higman, local office manager for the National Alliance on Mental Illness and a member of the Washtenaw County Community Mental Health board and consumer advisory council, also applauded City Council for its resolution.

She was speaking as someone who lives with a serious mental health condition, she said.

Higman recalled a situation years ago when a friend knocked on the door of another friend who wasnt doing well mentally and was brandishing a kitchen knife. They called the Community Mental Health crisis response team rather than police, she said.

Although the team was reportedly ill at ease, the situation was resolved, nobody was hurt, and our friend got the help she needed, Higman said.

In addition to the Sheriffs Office, which runs the 911 dispatch system, Taylor said he expects the city to collaborate with Community Mental Health.

Council told Crawford he can use consultants to help develop the program if needed. Its unknown if that will be the case, but one could imagine some circumstances where a consultant could help identify better dispatch strategies or help develop new social services support, city staff told council in a memo.

The city does not provide direct public health, mental health or human services programs and those services instead are provided by Community Mental Health, the Washtenaw County Health Department, the countys Office of Community and Economic Development and nonprofit agencies.

However, Ann Arbor police and Community Mental Health do already partner via a crisis support team to coordinate responses to mental health crises, and the city supports community members who need access to services, avoiding incarceration when possible, councils resolution states.

Officials now want to expand on that to have more responses to 911 calls by non-police professionals with extensive training and expertise in different areas.

Nonprofits who are involved in non-violent public safety response activities might be the Delonis Center, Huron Valley Ambulance, area hospitals, Avalon Housing  providers like that might be asked to participate in some way in this effort, Assistant City Administrator John Fournier said.

Im really excited to see what can come from this, said Council Member Linh Song, D-2nd Ward, who brought up the issue of the impacts of policing on communities of color.

This program is far overdue, Ramlawi agreed.

Council Member Kathy Griswold, D-2nd Ward, said she was a social worker in the Detroit area in the late 1970s.

That was a time where we had much more support for mental health services and hospitals that we no longer have, she said. And so I am very impressed with the group thats been assembled to work on this.

City officials havent yet determined how much an unarmed response program might cost, but theyve discussed putting at least hundreds of thousands of dollars toward it.

While some members of the public have called on city leaders to defund the police and shift funding to other programs, so far theres been no official proposal in Ann Arbor to shift any police funding to an unarmed response program.

Instead, city leaders have eyed new marijuana tax revenue and money in the Housing Commissions budget as possible sources of funding.

Im not as eager to take money away from our police and give it to this as to look for alternative sources for this, said Council Member Jeff Hayner, D-1st Ward.

Taylor clarified any Housing Commission monies used would only support service to Housing Commission properties and would not be slush funds for a more general program.

Council Member Erica Briggs, D-5th Ward, expressed appreciation for the work police do.

I have a son who is going into policing and I know that there are a lot of people who really are doing good work in the field and working hard every day, she said.

However, police are not always best suited to handle every call, Briggs said.

Im excited to see us working on this and I hope that folks in the community realize this is really the beginning of the discussion, she said.

This is a pretty serious program that needs to be put in place with people who really understand this business well, Crawford said. And we are going to be assertive at trying to make sure it addresses our particular community needs and constituents needs, but how we get there is really open to really the discussion with the community.

While there will be costs, officials said there also could be some savings by reducing the number of people in jail, for example.

Its very important to understand the percentage of the jail population thats there because of a mental health problem, Griswold said.

MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:

Women who sued Ann Arbor police for breaking down their door get $50K in settlement

Ann Arbor administrator tells central park group to temper funding expectations

Downtown Ann Arbor gets new street mural ahead of FoolMoon event

Gallup Park trail pathway closes for improvements

City withheld police records about Ann Arbor official and ex-senator, citing privacy
Maritime Triumph reflects the Tommy Bahama man's passion for adventure and appreciation of freedom, which are emblematic of personal victory. Vibrant and masculine, the limited-edition scent is for the man who appreciates the brand's ethos of celebrating the finer things in life -- the pleasure of embarking on a weekend sail, luxury of living an island lifestyle and richness of experiencing a scent journey.

Created to capture these extraordinary moments and bold attitude, Maritime Triumph embodies the elegance and strength of the Tommy Bahama man and his virtues that enable him to seize the moment and face any challenge with a courageous masculinity.

Just as a sailor boldly sets out to face mysterious waters, the fragrance ventures into the unknown. Maritime Triumph's notes are inspired by the warmth of the sun and effervescence of the sea, starting with the sparkling freshness of Bergamot, juicy citrus of Mandarin, and aromatic spiciness of Cardamom. As the scent journey continues, it subtly softens with the rich Cedar Leaf, warm Nutmeg, earthy Labdanum and vibrant Pimento Berries. Concluding, it is rendered unforgettable with its long-lasting foundation of Cashmere Woods, warm layer of Amber and leathery feel of Saffron.

The Spicy-Woody fragrance was created by Frank Voelkl, Senior Perfumer at Firmenich, who explains his inspiration, "When creating Triumph, I was inspired by the warm golden light of a setting sun. I thought of the moment when you look out over the sea as the sun sets, and it just feels like magic. It's this interplay of day and night, bright and dark that for me captures this golden hour and its elegant yet casual warmth; the embodiment of a day well lived for the Tommy Bahama man."

FRAGRANCE NOTES

Top - Bergamot NP, Mandarin, Violet Leaves

Middle - Pimento Berries, Cedar Leaf, Nutmeg NP

Dry - Cashmere Woods, Patchouli, Saffron

THE PACKAGING

The bottle takes on the classic silhouette of the Maritime Collection. Its transparent glass, and distinguished metal cleat are complimented by a deep blue nautical rope bound around the iconic silver cap and encased in a matching blue carton with nautical rope accents.

THE COLLECTION

Limited-edition Eau de Cologne 4.2 oz $82



Follow @tbahama and tag the brand on your journey by using the hashtag #ForEveryAdventure

ABOUT PARLUX LTD:

Parlux LTD, a leading global beauty company, designs, manufactures, markets and distributes prestige fragrances and related products since 1987. It is ranked among the Top 100 Cosmetic and Fragrance companies globally and holds the licenses for notable fragrance brands including: Tommy Bahama, Vince Camuto, Pierre Cardin, Kenneth Cole, Paris Hilton, Sofia Vergara and Jason Wu, among others.

Parlux LTD is a wholly owned subsidiary of Perfumania Holdings Inc., an independent national, vertically integrated wholesale distributor and specialty retailer of fragrances and related products.

ABOUT TOMMY BAHAMA

Tommy Bahama is part of Tommy Bahama Group, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Oxford Industries, Inc. (NYSE:OXM). Established in August 1992, with corporate headquarters in Seattle, Tommy Bahama is the iconic island lifestyle brand that defines relaxed, sophisticated style in men's and women's sportswear, swimwear, accessories and a home furnishings and decor collection. The company owns and operates over 160 Tommy Bahama retail locations worldwide, 21 of which offer a Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar or a Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar. The Tommy Bahama collection is available on TommyBahama.com and at the finest U.S. retailers. For more information, please visit www.tommybahama.com

SOURCE Parlux LTD
Posted Monday, April 5, 2021 11:48 am

For the first time since coronavirus restrictions shut down in-person events, the Battle Ground High School equestrian team participated in its first Washington High School Equestrian Team (WAHSET) meet.

With new health regulations surrounding the coronavirus pandemic high school equestrian teams, which fall under the jurisdiction of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA), practices and meets were allowed to resume again when Washington state entered Phase 2 of the Healthy Washington Reopening Plan. All participants and attendees were required to follow distancing protocols, mask up and respond to a COVID-19 symptom questionnaire. Attendees and volunteers were also required to pre-register for the event. More information on WAHSET and COVID-19 protocols can be found online at wahset.info/. The next meet will take place April 22-25 and 200 spectators will be allowed.

The Tiger equestrian team participates in District 3 and competes against Camas, Enumclaw, Kelso, North Thurston and Woodland. In March, the team participated in its first meet and took home one team first place and a solo first place.

Individual Events

Willow Babcock: Seventh in Showmanship and eighth in Dressage

Angel Halle: Tenth in Showmanship

Emma Messer: Sixth in Reigning and ninth in Keyhole

Tailor Obrist: First in Individual Flags, third in Figure 8 and fourth in Keyhole

Team Events

Freestyle Fours Drill Team B (Gracie Kemp, Julie Thomas, Emma Messer and Tailor Obrist): First place

Freestyle Fours Drill Team A (Lexie Stewart, Willow Babcock, Angel Halle and Mckenzie Smith): Fourth place

Birangle Team A (Gracie Kemp and Tailor Obrist): Fourth place

Cow Sorting Team A (Gracie Kemp and Julie Thomas): Fifth place

Canadian Flags Team B (May Philips, Alexis Stewart, Willow Babcock and Angel Halle): Sixth place.

The team plans to continue practices in safe and distance ways and plans to participate in the April WAHSET meet at the end of the month.
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Aaron Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation Center has been a notable pillar of the Chester community since 1950. Transcending through the aftermath of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic highlighted significant organizational financial shortcomings. Our valiant staff tirelessly sought to protect and care for their elderly residents as COVID-19 unprecedentedly unfolded.

Despite a tumultuous year, Aaron Manor is proactively recovering. However, full recovery requires financial assistance to ensure we continue providing the highest quality standard of care for our residents. Unfortunately, the current bill that has been proposed does not allocate funding for senior nursing facilities.
Covid-19 tests carried out by the HSE on Sunday night on two mothers who were ordered into mandatory quarantine after a trip to Dubai have returned negative results.

Ms Mulreany, 25, of Scarlett Row and Kirstie McGrath, 30, from Rialto allegedly refused to enter into quarantine and were subsequently arrested for breaches to the Health Act last Friday after they arrived into Ireland on a flight from Dubai.

When the Dublin friends entered the womens section of Mountjoy prison on Saturday night two PCR tests were carried out on them. The women had already had three negative PCR tests and an antibody exam.

The pair were granted bail at Tallaght District Court but remained in custody and detained at the womens prison of Mountjoy as the pair could not access financial funds needed for bonds and sureties.

The High Court on Sunday made orders allowing Ms Mulreany, a mother-of-one and Ms McGrath a mother-of-two to leave prison. Mr Justice Paul Burns amended bail conditions imposed on the friends enabling them to leave prison and continue to quarantine at a designated hotel.

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The test carried out at the womens prison on Ms McGrath returned a false positive result while Ms Mulreany tested negative.

When the girls entered the mandatory quarantine hotel on Sunday night HSE designated officials carried out a fifth PCR test. Both women received texts from the HSE on Tuesday afternoon informing them their results were negative.

Ms Mulreanys parents confirmed both girls have returned negative results to Sundays nights tests.

Speaking on behalf of the friends, the parents also confirmed that both girls are sharing a double room at the quarantine hotel where they are staying.

They had asked authorities, Department of Health, for independent PCR tests to be carried out on the girls on Monday evening.

She said a GP was to be allowed to enter the hotel at 7.30am on Tuesday. However, at 1.11am on Tuesday legal representatives were told that this had been stopped.

In correspondence from the quarantine hotel where the friends are staying, the girls parents were told, access to the mandatory quarantine facility is not approved.

The letter adds: The HSE as the person approved by the Minister for Health to conduct RT-PCR tests with the applicable travellers in designated facilities under section 38 of the Health Act. The Minister has not designated or approved any person other than the HSE to conduct RT-PCR tests.

There is no entitlement accruing to persons in quarantine to have RT-PCR tests conducted by anyone other than the HSE. In the circumstance the Department of Health cannot agree to the facilitation of a privately sourced PCR test.

In response, Ms Mulreanys parents, who are also speaking on behalf of both of the friends said: Niamh and Kirstie are being made examples of its as simple as that and the question has to be asked why?

"When those girls got onto the plane in Dubai they did not have Covid-19. The girls left Ireland on the morning of March 24 and the new rules on quarantining did not come in until March 26, two days later so why is this happening?

These two girls are not statistics and what is happening is having an awful affect on them.

Ms Mulreany parents added that the friends are being treated worse than animals - this is a complete circus.

The girls have done nothing wrong. They didnt break any rules and followed all guidance. Why are they being made examples of and why not those who gave vaccines to people who were not yet entitled to them?

They checked with the airline they were travelling to Dubai with and Government authorities as to what guidelines they had to follow. They were told they were allowed to travel as long as they had negative PCR tests and medical documentation explaining why they were leaving the country. They followed all the guidelines they were told to do.

They were kept in awful conditions in prison and left in a garda van for almost four hours in the heat prior to their court appearance on Saturday as they could not enter the court house due to Covid-19 restrictions. Both girls are suffering psychologically as we all are. They have never been in trouble and have no criminal convictions.

The arrest of the two women and subsequent court action has now resulted into a constitutional challenge against laws requiring persons to enter mandatory quarantine on their arrival into Ireland from certain countries.
Two people riding dangerously on the door of a car were among nearly 5000 people handed traffic infringements in Queensland over the Easter long weekend.

Three people involved in the dangerous trip down a road on Mount Tamborine in the Gold Coast hinterland were each fined, the driver for driving without due care and attention and the passengers for failing to wear seatbelts.

They were seen on Good Friday afternoon oblivious to the fact they were being filmed by trailing police.

Police filmed two people riding dangerously out of a car at Mt Tamborine on Good Friday

Six people died and 135 were injured during the Easter period in Queensland, as a massive 4,742 offences were recorded. More than half of the infringements were for speeding, while 219 drug drivers and 228 drink drivers were also detected.

A 19-year-old man was also captured on police video travelling at 178km/h in a 100km/h zone on the Pacific Motorway at Daisy Hill.

Appearing to be wearing a name tag as an employee of a supermarket chain, the man was pulled over by Highway Patrol and shown his velocity on the speed gun.

He was handed an on-the-spot $1,245 fine, eight demerit points and six-month licence suspension.

A 19-year-old man was captured on police video travelling at 178km/h in a 100km/h zone

The incidents came on top of a wild weekend for Queensland police when Gold Coast officers were attacked on Saturday night after trying to shut down a gathering of 1000 hoons and 600 vehicles at Pimpama on the northern end of the region.

An 18-year-old man and a 22-year-old man have each been given a notice to appear in court on counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle as a result of the hoon meeting.

A further 93 traffic infringement notices were also handed out for offences including wilful damage, drink driving, disqualified driving and two counts of drug driving.

A hoon gathering on the Gold Coast attracted a gathering of 1000 people and 600 vehicles

Police and their vehicles were pelted with projectiles during the gathering at Pimpama

Police were pelted with projectiles, including fireworks, at the gathering in a carpark of a Yawalpah Road business, Pimpama, in behaviour Gold Coast District Acting Chief Superintendent Geoff Sheldon described on Tuesday as 'blatantly criminal and clearly dangerous'.

Queensland Police have since impounded three of the vehicles involved in the gathering for 90 days.
The P4 laboratory building at the Wuhan Institute of Virology is shown in Wuhan, China, on May 13, 2020. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images)

US Grant to Wuhan Lab to Enhance Bat-Based Coronaviruses Was Never Scrutinized by HHS Review Board: NIH

An oversight board created to scrutinize research that would enhance highly dangerous pathogens did not review a National Institutes of Health grant that funded a lab in Wuhan, China, to genetically modify bat-based coronaviruses.

Experts say the NIH grant describes scientists conducting gain-of-function research, a risky area of study that, in this case, made SARS-like viruses even more contagious. Federal funding for gain-of-function research was temporarily suspended in 2014 due to widespread scientific concerns it risked leaking supercharged viruses into the human population.

Federal funding for gain-of-function research was resumed in late 2017 after the Potential Pandemic Pathogens Control and Oversight (P3CO) Framework was formed within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The review board is tasked with critically evaluating whether grants that involve enhancing dangerous pathogens, such as coronaviruses, are worth the risks and that proper safeguards are in place.

But the NIH subagency that awarded the grant to the nonprofit group EcoHealth Alliance to study Chinese bat coronaviruses opted against forwarding it to the P3CO committee, an NIH spokesperson told the Daily Caller News Foundation, meaning the research received federal funding without an independent review by the HHS board.

This is a systemic problem, Rutgers University professor of chemical biology Richard H. Ebright told the DCNF, referring to the loophole in the review framework.

Ebright said the offices of the director for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)the subagency that funded EcoHealthand the NIH have systematically thwartedindeed systematically nullifiedthe HHS P3CO Framework by declining to flag and forward proposals for review.

Dr. Anthony Fauci leads the NIAID and Dr. Francis S. Collins heads the NIH.

Dr. Anthony Fauci testifies during a Senate hearing on the federal coronavirus response on Capitol Hill in Washington, on March 18, 2021. (Susan Walsh-Pool/Getty Images)

An NIH spokesperson said its subagency did not flag the EcoHealth grant for independent review by the HHS review committee.

After careful review of the grant, NIAID determined research in the grant was not gain-of-function research because it did not involve the enhancement of the pathogenicity or transmissibility of the viruses studied, the spokesperson told the DCNF.

We would not submit research proposals that did not meet the definition, because otherwise we would need to submit everything, the spokesperson said.

How Federal Oversight of Gain-of-Function Research Is Bypassed

The Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) is at the center of widespread speculation that COVID-19 could have accidentally leaked from a lab into the human population. EcoHealths grant to study bat-based coronaviruses in China included the transfer of $600,000 to the WIV.

Had EcoHealths grant been subjected to P3CO review, an HHS panel would have independently evaluated the grant and, if necessary, recommended additional biocontainment measures to prevent potential lab leaksor even recommended that the grant be denied entirely.

The WIV is a biosafety level 4 laboratory, the highest level biocontainment certification, but U.S. Embassy officials issued two diplomatic cables warning about inadequate safety at the lab after a visit in 2018. One of the cables warned that the labs work on bat-based coronaviruses represented the risk of a new SARS-like pandemic, according to The Washington Post.

An annex to the World Health Organizations COVID-19 origin report released Tuesday describes the WIVs work using recombinant viruses in tests involving bat coronaviruses, which Ebright said are descriptions of gain-of-function research.

The U.S. government paused funding of gain-of-function research in 2014 after lab workers were accidentally exposed to anthrax by the Centers for Disease Control, according to The New York Times. The incident came on the heels of widespread scientific outcry in 2011 when it was revealed that laboratories in Wisconsin and the Netherlands were intentionally modifying the H5N1 bird flu virus so it could more effectively jump between ferrets.

Federally funded gain-of-function research resumed in 2017 after new oversight procedures were implemented. The review framework split oversight responsibilities between two groupsthe funding agency (the NIAID in the case of the EcoHealth grant) and the P3CO Review Committee, an interdisciplinary group convened by HHS.

The committee is responsible for recommending whether a research grant involving gain-of-function needs to include any additional risk mitigation measures, an HHS spokesperson told the DCNF. But the committee is kept in the dark on any grant until the funding agency flags one for its review.

The P3CO Framework doesnt require the HHS review committee to take a second look at the NIAIDs determination following its review that the EcoHealth grant did not involve gain-of-function research.

The NIH spokesperson said it would be misleading and inaccurate to suggest NIAID was required to notify the HHS review committee of its determination.

An HHS spokesperson confirmed that the departments P3CO Review Committee only reviews research grants that are flagged for additional review by funding agencies such as NIAID. The spokesperson did not answer when asked if the review committee had knowledge of the EcoHealth grant.

Workers are seen inside the P4 laboratory in Wuhan, China, on Feb. 23, 2017. (Johannes Eisele/AFP via Getty Images)

Ecohealth has a history of manipulating bat-based coronaviruses. The groups president, Peter Daszak, said as much during a podcast interview filmed in Singapore just weeks before the first reported cases of COVID-19 in Wuhan in December 2019.

You can manipulate them in the lab pretty easily, Daszak said. Spike protein drives a lot of what happens with the coronavirus. Zoonotic risk. So you can get the sequence, you can build the proteinand we work with Ralph Baric at [the University of North Carolina] to do thisand insert the backbone of another virus and do some work in the lab.

Ebright told the DCNF that NIAID was wrong to determine that the EcoHealth grant did not involve enhancing the transmissibility of Chinese bat-based coronaviruses. He said the projects abstract for the 2019 fiscal year, which referenced in vitro and in vivo infection experiments on coronaviruses, *unequivocally* required risk-benefit review under the HHS P3CO Framework.

Other scientists have said EcoHealths NIH-funded work in China involved gain-of-function research on bat-based coronaviruses.

It is hard to overemphasize that the central logic of this grant was to test the pandemic potential of SARS-related bat coronaviruses by making ones with pandemic potential, either through genetic engineering or passaging, or both, Drs. Jonathan Latham and Allison Wilson wrote in June.

The NIH terminated the EcoHealth grant in April 2020. NIH deputy director for extramural research, Michael Lauer, told the group in a letter that the agency does not believe that the current project outcomes align with the program goals and agency priorities.

Fauci said during a hearing before the House Energy & Commerce Committee in June that the EcoHealth grant was canceled because the NIH was told to cancel it.

I dont know the reason, but we were told to cancel it, Fauci said.

Fauci told Politico following the hearing that former President Donald Trumps White House ordered the NIH to cancel the grant.

HHS Official Acknowledged Government Oversight Of GOF Research Is Flawed

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) building is seen in Washington, on July 22, 2019. (Alastair Pike/AFP via Getty Images)

The only known member of the HHS P3CO Review Committee is its chairman, Chris Hassell, the senior science advisor for the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response. He disclosed his involvement in a January 2020 talk before the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity.

Hassell said during the talk that the current definition for a potential pandemic pathogen is very narrow  which has resulted in only getting a few influenza-related proposals for the committees review.

Ill just probably be more frank than maybe appropriateI think thats too narrow, said Hassell, who then suggested that the government could be funding gain-of-function research that his committee hasnt vetted.

I think that could be revisited, and again there could be some definition issues, Hassell said.

When gain-of-function funding was paused in 2014, 21 research projects were halted. But the NIH created exceptions for 10 of those, according to The New York Times.

After the funding continued in 2017, only two projects have been approved in accordance with the P3CO Framework. Both projects deal with the influenza virus, according to the NIH.

Its unclear how many research grants have been reviewed under the framework. An NIH spokesperson said they dont comment or discuss unfunded grant applications.

Its also unclear who else serves on the HHS P3CO Review Committee. Hassell said in January 2020 that the committee is comprised only of federal employees, but said it could be detrimental to their work to release their names.

As much as it would be good to publicize the individual names, which has been suggested, if that chills anyone being willing to serve on that committee, that would be detrimental, Hassell said.

An HHS spokesperson said Hassell was unavailable for comment.

Eleanor Bartow contributed to this report.

By Andrew Kerr

From The Daily Caller News Foundation
Myanmars military detained 11 people after they talked with CNN journalists in Myanmar on April 2. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemn the arrests of civilians and urge Myanmars military to allow the media to report without restrictions.

CNN correspondent Clarisa Ward interviewed eleven individuals at markets in Yangons Insein and Mingaladon townships. Interviewees were then taken away by plainclothes officers directly after speaking to CNN. The news outlet subsequently confirmed at least eight of the eleven people were released on April 5.

In an interview with CNN, military spokesman Major General Zaw Min Tun confirmed the arrests of three people from the first market and eight others at the second, admitting they hadnt broken the law.

CNN is the first international media organisation allowed to report from within Myanmar since the military takeover on February 1. The CNN team was assured it would be able to report independently and be allowed freedom of movement, but the team has minders from the military who monitor their every action.

A journalist in Myanmar, who will remain nameless to protect their safety, said most of the cities including my township are suffering from unlawful and rampant shooting and killing by the Junta. They also reported two journalists, one from Mawlamyaing and one from Mandalay, were injured after being struck by bullets on March 28.

The situation in Myanmar continues to deteriorate, and the military has begun broadcasting the names and faces of wanted journalists on national television. Journalists face dangerous conditions and harsh punishment if arrested under Section 505(a) of Myanmars penal code. The military have also begun broadcasting the names and faces of wanted journalists on national television.

The IFJ said: The targeting of civilians for engaging with journalists is a clear attack on media freedom. While it is positive that international media are allowed access to Myanmar, journalists must be allowed to report without interference and without fear.
Parents could move their children into schools outside their zoned districts under a bill proposed by Sen. Del Marsh that won approval in a legislative committee at the Alabama State House this morning.

Two school officials said outside enrollment is already an option offered by some school districts and questioned some of the specifics in Marshs plan.

Marshs bill, called the Open Schools Act, would require school districts to enroll students outside their residential zones starting with the 2022-2023 school year, with limitations and exceptions.

Marsh said he did not think the bill would result in large numbers of students changing districts. He described it as an incremental step toward expanding school choice for families in response to Alabamas rankings at the bottom in reading and math on the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

If we continue to accept the fact that Alabama is ranked 46th and 51st and dont do anything about it, industry is going to look at that, Marsh said. Our people will be assumed less educated or not educated as well as other neighboring states.

Marsh said the state has to send a message that the low rankings in math and reading are unacceptable.

I think weve got to show weve got to do whatever we can, Marsh said. I do believe school choice is a way to address these type issues. This is a small step of school choice.

Parents would have to pay the school district where their child is moving an amount equal to the per student share of the local school tax. Students who live inside the district would have priority if there is a shortage of capacity. The districts accepting students from outside their zones would not have to provide transportation.

Forty-seven other states already have some form of open enrollment policy, according to the Education Commission of the States.

The Senate Education Committee approved the bill on a 7-3 vote after a public hearing. That moves the bill into position for consideration on the Senate floor. Some senators who voted to advance the bill said they wanted to see changes in the legislation.

Ryan Hollingsworth, executive director of School Superintendents of Alabama, and Shannon Cauley, president of the Alabama Association of School Boards, both spoke in opposition to the bill during the public hearing.

Hollingsworth noted that Alabama law already allows school systems to accept students from outside their districts. Hollingworth said out of 92 school districts that responded to a survey, 61% allow out of district enrollment.

Cauley, a member of the Baldwin County school board, said the district is growing so fast that it would be problematic to accept students from outside the district. She said Baldwin County already adds 400 to 500 students a year and has to account for that growth in its long-range planning.

Cauley also said Marshs bill would conflict with federal law because it says a school district could deny enrollment to students if the district is not equipped with the facilities to meet their special needs. She said federal law doesnt allow turning away students for that reason.

Marsh said the legislative services agency drafted the bill and generally does a good job avoiding those kind of conflicts. He said he would review possible changes.

Marsh is a longtime advocate of legislation to give parents more choice about where their children attend school. He spearheaded the Alabama Accountability Act in 2013, a law that allows children to attend private schools with scholarships funded by donors who receive credits on their state income tax. In 2015, Marsh sponsored the bill allowing Alabama to become one of the last states in the nation to allow charter schools.

Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile, said the focus should be on trying to make sure that parents dont have to look outside their districts for quality schools.

We need to give the tools and resources to public education so that all of our schools are preforming at a high rating, Figures said

Related: Alabama seeing more school choice, but fights continue over what works best

To keep up to date on Alabama education news, sign up for the new Alabama Education Labs newsletter, Ed Chat.
RESTON, Va., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Raft, LLC, a full stack digital consulting firm specializing in modernizing government agency operations and service capabilities announced a formal teaming arrangement to provide employment and internship operations to Bowie State University, one of the oldest Historically Black College/University (HBCU) in the United States.

To paraphrase John Stuart Mills, "The loss to the world, by refusing to make use of the whole quantity it possesses, is extremely serious." The result, he continues, is that "we prevent ourselves from accessing the best ideas and contributions." At Raft, we believe such a loss of talent is simply unacceptable.

Our commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion (DE&I) isn't just about statistics - it's a key ingredient in our secret sauce for providing maximum benefit and value to our public agency partners. Quite simply, bringing together the broadest range of perspectives and experience to each challenge consistently produces superior solutions and positive outcomes.

We've been incredibly fortunate in attracting our current Raft family. As a woman-owned small business, our broad-spectrum recruiting efforts and human-first policies are a critical part of our DNA. We've been a remote-first company from the start to access top talent anywhere in the United States. Beyond geography, this also lets us accommodate a wide range of personal needs that could not be served by traditional work environments. We've doubled down on providing for our team members, with benefits including generous support for training and certifications, tuition reimbursement, and 100% health benefit coverage for each employee and family member.

Still, we're always looking for ways to improve, to do more. That's why we're proud to announce our partnership with Bowie State University, Maryland's oldest Historically Black College/University (HBCU), to provide employment and internship opportunities to alumni and students, along with Cloud Native software development and other workshops throughout the school year.

Founded in 1865, Bowie State is one of the ten oldest HBCUs in the country, and whose students, along with faculty and staff, represent many ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

Bowie State University provides high quality and affordable educational opportunities and provides a supportive academic environment that empowers students to think critically, make new discoveries, value differences and emerge as leaders in a highly technical, rapidly changing global society. As Maryland's first historically black public university, Bowie State University encourages a diverse population of students to reach their potential through innovative academic programs and transformational experiences as they prepare for careers, lifelong learning, and civic responsibility.

We're truly excited and honored by this opportunity to work with this amazing group of students and computer science graduates. Together, we will work hard to bring more great ideas and contributions to our government partners, and the world.

About Raft

Raft is a full stack digital consulting firm with niche expertise in rapid delivery of modern, user- first, scalable, and data-intensive digital solutions. We accelerate the missions of our government agency partners through human-centered design (HCD) and agile development practices, bringing product management and technical expertise in DevSecOps, Kubernetes, Kafka, data science, cloud native microservice architectures, and secure, open source solution development. Learn more at goraft.tech.

About Bowie State University

Bowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, seeking a high-quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The university places special emphasis on the science, technology, cybersecurity, teacher education, business, and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education. For more information about BSU, visit bowiestate.edu.

SOURCE Raft LLC

Related Links

https://goraft.tech/


By Jun Ji-hye



Many soon-to-be married couples have been choosing domestic destinations for their honeymoons, while the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic places restrictions on travel to other countries.



While the nation's southern resort island of Jeju, which has a great wealth of tourism assets, has become the most sought after honeymoon destination among domestic vacation spots, the Korean unit of HotelsCombined, a global hotel search engine, introduced three other unique destinations for honeymooners in a bid to provide more options.



The company made the recommendations after analyzing its search data collected from last year.



Geoje Island





Windy Hill on Geoje Island, South Gyeongsang Province / gettyimagesbank



Well-known for its beautiful scenery, the entire Geoje Island, located in South Gyeongsang Province, can be a tourist destination.



Honeymooners are invited to drive the well-maintained coastal road along the vast South Sea. In particular, the 17.3-kilometer section from Hakdong to Wahyeon Beach is famous for its wonderful scenery, where a camellia forest, the dark blue sea and various islands are densely harmonized to create superb views.



As tourists drive while enjoying the coastal views, they will see a beach with a long stretch of fine sand.



Oedo Botania, an exotic marine botanical park, is also recommended as it offers a perfect setting for taking pictures against the backdrops of the forest and the sea.



Among local hotels, the exterior of Sono Calm Geoje catches the eyes of visitors, in addition to its neat interior, with guest rooms equipped with essential furniture and accessories, designed for guest convenience.



The hotel has a water park called Ocean Bay, with an indoor sauna and restaurants.



Yeosu





Night view of Yi Sun-sin Bridge in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province / gettyimagesbank



Yeosu, located in South Jeolla Province, has been famous ever since the indie band Busker Busker released the song, "Yeosu Night Sea," in 2012, the same year the city hosted the Expo.



During the day, tourists can enjoy the beautiful nature of Yeosu while riding the marine cable car at Dolsan Park and Dolsan Bridge.



At night, it is strongly recommended to take a light walk and enjoy a night view of the city. The promenade from Yi Sun-sin Square to Jongpo Marine Park and Hamel Lighthouse presents a romantic night view of the sparkling city and the sea.



Sono Calm Yeosu may be a perfect place to enjoy the sea of Yeosu from the comfort of your room, as this hotel is situated in the main sightseeing area  it takes only about five minutes by car from KTX Yeosu Expo Station, Odong Island and Yeosu World Expo.



For a more relaxing honeymoon, it is recommended to visit the hotel lounge that opened in April last year and have a cocktail with the night sea of Yeosu to soak up the romantic mood.



Those who want to have a more exciting experience are invited to visit Ramada Plaza by the Wyndham Dolsan Yeosu, where visitors can ride a 1.2-kilometer zipline departing from the 24th floor of the hotel and heading to Dolsan Island.



Samcheok





Candlestick rocks in Samcheok, Gangwon Province / gettyimagesbank
popular top story

Monday's vaccination updates: Of Champaign Co. adults 16 and older, 41.4% have received at least one dose, 29.4% fully vaccinated; IDPH setting up J&J clinics in DeWitt, Vermilion
The body which represents the hospitality industry in Northern Ireland has called for further engagement and indicative dates on reopening pubs and restaurants.

The comments come following Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirming on Monday that England was to proceed with reopening outdoor hospitality.

In England from April 12, non-essential shops, gyms, hairdressers and close contact services can reopen, as well as hospitality venues serving food and drink outdoors.

Northern Ireland's pathway out of restrictions document agreed by the Executive does not include any indicative dates for reopening the hospitality sector, with the next review on restrictions due to be discussed by ministers on April 15.

Criticising the Executive for a "lack of engagement" with the hospitality industry, Hospitality Ulster chief Colin Neill explained he was looking to the moves in the rest of the UK with "frustration".

"We have England opening on the April 12. We have Scotland and Wales on April 26 and indeed they have dates for May for allowing hospitality indoors," he told the BBC.

"Yet we dont know what the criteria is here to reopen and we have had no engagement at all.

"Whilst we didnt publish our Covid data this week so far, it looks like we are going to be as good as or better than England and Scotland. So theres no reason why we cant be reopening on the April 26 outdoors.

"Why are we so different? Engage with us and tell us that. Yes, there is the risk of a new variant but we cant just sit there and go 'There is a risk'. The chance of zero Covid - is zero. We are going to have to live with an acceptable risk.

"If we are data driven and the data is the same, why? SAGE are advising all of the chief medical officers. Why do we arrive at a different position?"

Mr Neill also rejected claims that the situation in Northern Ireland was influenced by the lower level of vaccination in the Republic of Ireland, adding that the industry was "not getting any engagement to be told" whether this was the reason the industry here was behind the rest of the UK.

"We have seen regional differences in Scotland, Wales and England who are all one island. We could have the same policy on the whole island of Ireland."
Huntington, WV (25701)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 83F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mainly clear. Low 59F. Winds light and variable.
LONDON (dpa-AFX) - HomeServe plc (HSV.L), a home repairs and improvements business, Tuesday said it delivered a good performance in fiscal 2021, expecting adjusted profit before tax higher than last year, and in line with consensus expectations. In its trading update for the financial year ended March 31, the company said adjusted profit before tax would be around 191 million pounds, up from prior year's 181.0 million pounds Consensus adjusted profit before tax, the mean average of 16 analyst estimates, stands at 190.2 million pounds. The company said its business continued to deliver for customers throughout the COVID pandemic. Renewed focus on homes during the pandemic highlighted the value of HomeServe's core propositions across its Membership and Home Experts businesses. In Membership, North America recorded organic customer growth of 7 percent to 4.7 million from last year's 4.4 million. As expected, the UK saw higher income per customer from a smaller customer base, ending the period with 1.6 million customers, down from 1.8 million customers a year ago. The Group retention rate increased to 83 percent from 82 percent last year. The company will release its preliminary results on May 18. 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.
Algiers, 5 April 2021 (SPS) - Sahrawi Foreign Minister Mohamed Salem Ould Salek claimed Monday, in Algiers, a full membership of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) to the United Nations, as a member State, renewing SADRs willingness to support UNs efforts to speed up the decolonization of Western Sahara.



"The Sahrawi state claims its seat at the United Nations since Morocco, which erects obstacles to the holding of a referendum on self-determination, is convinced that the Sahrawi people is unanimous on its right to independence and sovereignty over its homeland and the land of its ancestors," said Ould Salek during a press conference.



The SADR has been a founding member of the African Union since 1982. (SPS)



062/090/T
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 6, 2021) - Crown Mining Corporation (TSXV: CWM) (FSE: C73) ("Crown" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed the change of its name to US Copper Corp. The name change will take effect when stock markets open to trade on April 8, 2021. The common shares will trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the new ticker symbol "USCU". The new CUSIP for the Company's common shares is 91735Y107.

Accordingly, on April 8, 2021, our internet domain name will change to www.uscoppercorp.com. Visitors to our current website address, and communication to our current electronic mail addresses, will be redirected to our new site.

Steve Dunn, President, CEO and director said, "April 8, 2021 is an important day in our evolution as we change our name to US Copper Corp to reflect the location of our major asset, the Moonlight-Superior Copper Project in North-East California and our confidence in Plumas County, California as a supportive mining jurisdiction. Our new name also highlights our company as potential beneficiaries of the U.S. government's strategy to focus on domestic supply of critical minerals, broadening our appeal to U.S. investors."

About Crown Mining Corp.

Crown controls approximately 15 square miles of patented and unpatented federal mining claims in the Light's Creek Copper District in Plumas County, NE California; essentially, the entire District. The District contains substantial copper (silver) sulfide and copper oxide resources in three deposits - Moonlight, Superior and Engels, as well as several partially tested and untested exploration targets.

The Superior and Engels Mines operated from about 1915-1930 producing over 161 million pounds of copper from over 4 million tons of rock containing 2.2% copper with silver and gold credits.

The Moonlight Deposit was discovered and drilled by Placer Amex during the 1960's. Details of the resources on Crown's property and the parameters used to calculate them can be found in the "Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Moonlight Deposit, Moonlight-Superior Copper Project, California, USA" dated April 12, 2018 on both the company's website at www.crownminingcorp.com or on www.sedar.com under the Crown Mining Corp profile.

Mr. George Cole is the Qualified Person pursuant to NI 43-101 responsible for the technical information contained in this news release, and he has reviewed and approved this news release.

For Further Information Contact:

Mr. Stephen Dunn, President, CEO and Director, US Copper Corp (416) 361-2827 or email info@uscoppercorp.com .

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws and regulations, including statements regarding the future activities of the Company. Forward-looking statements reflect the current beliefs and expectations of management and are identified by the use of words including "will", "hopes", "anticipates", "expected to", "plans", "planned" and other similar words. Actual results may differ significantly. The achievement of the results expressed in forward-looking statements is subject to a number of risks, including those described in the Company's management discussion and analysis as filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities which are available at www.sedar.com. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79582
West Madsen adjoins Canada's newest high-grade gold mine

Victoria, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 6, 2021) - GoldON Resources Ltd. (TSXV: GLD) ("GoldON" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the completion of Phase II diamond drilling at its West Madsen Gold Project adjoining the new Pure Gold Red Lake Mine.



Figure 1: Phase II Target Area and Drill Hole Locations for the West Madsen Project

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7436/79412_3db1a8ad44daea81_001full.jpg

The black ellipse in Figure 1 above depicts the area of the interpreted east-west trending Balmer-Confederation contact along with the locations of the completed Phase I and II drill holes.

A total of sixteen drill holes, totaling 7,041 metres were completed in the Phase II drilling program (See table 1 below). Prospective Balmer Assemblage volcanic rocks have been identified in ten of the sixteen holes completed in the Phase II program. The mafic volcanic rocks are typically highly strained, containing lenses of blue-grey silica and carbonate that are transposed with the foliation, overprinted by diopside and amphibole, and separated by ribbons of microcline. Accessory alteration products may include biotite and sericite. Sulphide mineralization varies locally in style and abundance but tends to include pyrite-pyrrhotite-chalcopyrite+/-arsenopyrite. Visually, the mafic units are similar in character and alteration to the gold-bearing mafic rocks observed at Pure Gold Red Lake Mine.

Table 1: Phase II drill hole table.

Hole Easting Northing Length (m)

Dip

Azimuth WM-20-08 431921 5643805 474 -50 0 WM-20-09 431566 5643957 150 -50 0 WM-20-10 430440 5643658 633 -50 355 WM-20-11 429915 5643733 379 -50 25 WM-20-12 430675 5643684 567 -45 355 WM-21-13 427495 5643649 588 -60 340 WM-21-14 427563 5643673 363 -50 340 WM-21-15 427420 5643637 446 -50 340 WM-21-16 427325 5643502 615 -50 345 WM-21-17 426840 5643516 567 -50 350 WM-21-18 427256 5643522 573 -45 335 WM-21-19 427772 5643702 339 -50 350 WM-21-20 428820 5643774 174 -50 0 WM-21-21 429426 5643744 252 -50 0 WM-21-22 429903 5643465 372 -50 340 WM-21-23 427664 5643687 549 -60 348

Of note in this program is WM-21-23, which intersected a very wide package of mafic volcanic, Balmer Assemblage rocks, intersected from 290 to 540 metres depth (true thickness is not known at this time). It contains some of the most prospective geology observed on the Property to date as much of the unit contains higher strain, weak to moderate diopside replacing carbonate stringers/veining, disseminated Pyrite>Pyrrhotite>Chalcopyrite and hosts localized Arsenopyrite, minor quartz-stringers, intervals of garnet-biotite, and patchy to pervasive chlorite, amphibole, biotite, alteration.

A total of 5,803 samples were collected in the Phase II program. Assay results were previously reported for holes WM-20-08 through WM-20-12 (see news release of February 9, 2021). Once all the final assays have been received from the Phase II program, a complete summary and interpretation of the results will be released.

About the West Madsen Gold Project

Covering 5,862 hectares in the heart of the Red Lake Camp, the West Madsen Project is comprised of the original Block A and B claim groups, where GoldON has the right to earn a 100% interest through an option agreement with Great Bear Resources (see news release of May 28, 2019); the Flat Lake and Maden-Medicine Stone claim groups that GoldON acquired a 100% interest in from Bounty Gold (see news release of January 7, 2021); and claims GoldON acquired via staking in December (see Red Lake regional map).

The West Madsen Project is contiguous with the Pure Gold Red Lake Mine property, where they poured first gold on December 29, 2020 and are ramping to commercial production capacity (see Pure Gold's news release of March 31, 2021). Pure Gold's reserves and resources are hosted in a seven-kilometre-long gold system that follows the major crustal break or contact between the Balmer and Confederation assemblages. This same Balmer-Confederation contact has been exposed in outcrop 1.6 kilometres (km) west of the Pure Gold property boundary and is interpreted to continue for ~8 km across Block A of GoldON's property.

QA/QC and Core Sampling Protocols

Drill core was logged and sampled in a secure core storage facility located in Red Lake Ontario. Core samples were cut in half, using a diamond cutting saw, and are analyzed at Activation Laboratories Ltd. (Actlabs) in Thunder Bay, ON. All samples are analyzed for gold using a standard 50g Fire Assay-AA technique. Samples returning over 10.0 g/t gold are analyzed utilizing standard 50g Fire Assay-Gravimetric methods. Certified gold reference standards and blanks are routinely inserted into the sample stream, as part of GoldON's quality control/quality assurance program (QAQC). No QAQC issues have been noted during this program.

Ian Russell, P. Geo., an independent qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this news release on behalf of the Company.

About GoldON Resources Ltd.

GoldON is an exploration company focused on discovery-stage properties located in the prolific gold mining belts of northwestern Ontario, Canada. Our current project portfolio includes five properties in the Red Lake Mining Division (West Madsen, Red Lake North, Pipestone Bay, McDonough and Bruce Lake) and a sixth property in the Patricia Mining Division (Slate Falls).

For additional information: please visit our website at goldonresources.com, you can download our latest investor presentation by clicking here and you can follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/GoldONResources.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Signed "Michael Romanik"

Michael Romanik, President

GoldON Resources Ltd.

Direct line: (204) 724-0613

Email: info@goldonresources.com

Suite 179 - 2945 Jacklin Road, Suite 416

Victoria, BC, V9B 6J9

Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release may contain "forward-looking statements" that involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that 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 the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this news release and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79412
Moscow, April 6 : Stricter measures came into effect for three Japanese prefectures in an effort to combat a resurgence of Covid-19 cases under a revised law that does not require declaring a state of emergency.

The tougher measures effective for one month until May 5, cover Osaka, Hyogo and Miyagi prefectures, with prefectural authorities requesting restaurants and bars to shorten their opening hours and close by 8 p.m. and customers asked to wear masks while conversing, reports Xinhua news agency.

The revised law enables the central government to declare a situation that falls short of a state of emergency in which special measures can be taken to counter the spread of the virus.

The stronger measures that can be taken by the three prefectures could include imposing fines on bars and restaurants that ignore requests to shorten their operating hours.

Businesses are also urged to promote remote working for their employees, and large spectator events will have had the numbers of attendees capped at 5,000.

The designation as being on the verge of a state of emergency can be applied when infections are surging in a situation equivalent to Stage 3, the second-highest on the government's four-tier alert system.

Osaka and Miyagi prefectures have already reached Stage 4, the highest on the government's alert scale, based on the the volume of weekly infection cases per 100,000 people.

Hyogo prefecture is at Stage 3, the Health Ministry said on Monday.

Osaka has witnessed the daily tally surpass those of Tokyo, the epicentre of the pandemic in Japan.

Tokyo on Monday reported 249 new Covid cases, while Osaka confirmed 341 infections.

On Sunday, cases in Osaka stood at 593, a day after hitting a single-day record of 666 infections, according to the health ministry and local authorities.

"The virus is rapidly spreading in the central areas of the three prefectures," Yasutoshi Nishimura, minister in charge of the nation's virus response, said on Monday.

"We will swiftly utilise the stronger measures to prevent it from spreading to the entire region," he said.

On March 30, the central government granted the requests of the three prefectures to take the stronger measures and be designated as being on the verge of a state of emergency under a revised law that took effect in February.
Despite urgent warnings from doctors and scientists, the federal and state governments are sticking to their policy of opening up the economy and are refusing to take urgently needed measures, such as the immediate closure of schools and businesses. The result is a dramatic situation in Germanys hospitals, where, within a very short time, the care of seriously ill patients will no longer be guaranteed.

The seven-day incidence rate is currently 134.2 infections per 100,000 people per dayand rising. On April 1, almost 22,700 new infections occurred. With 232 deaths, almost 50 more people died than a week earlier. One reason for the steady increase in infections is the spread of the much more infectious and aggressive B.1.1.7 strain, which now causes almost 90 percent of infections in Germany and thus contributes to the increase in severe illness.

Patients requiring intensive care treatment are becoming younger and younger. COVID patients in the intensive care unit at Rostock University Hospital are on average 10 years younger than during the last wave of the pandemic, according to a hospital spokesperson. The proportion of patients treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) instead of a normal ward has increased. It can be deduced from this that there is a high risk of intensive care capacities being overloaded, the spokeperson told broadcaster NDR.

Intensive care bed (Ad Meskens / Wikimedia Commons)

The proportion of children falling seriously ill with the virus is also rising rapidly. The sharpest increase is seen in children between 0 and 14 years of age, where seven-day incidence rates have more than doubled in the last four weeks, notes the weekly report of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). Recently, a four-year-old child in Schleswig-Holstein died from the coronavirus.

Data analysis by the scientific institute of the health insurance company AOK showed the effects of the course of the pandemic so far.

Of the nearly 52,000 patients included in the analysis who had been hospitalised with COVID-19 by the end of November 2020, 18 percent died. In the 60- to 69-year-old age group, the mortality rate was 14 percent; and in the 70- to 79-year-old age group, the rate was 23 percent. On average, patients were 67 years old.

A further drop in the average age also means that most people in this age group are not yet vaccinated, which will contribute to further overcrowding of intensive care units. For this reason, the chairman of the board of the AOK Federal Association, Martin Litsch, warned of the consequences of the third wave when presenting his evaluation. We have to take countermeasures very quickly and consistently. I almost fear it is too late for that.

Also, more and more people are suffering from the long-term consequences of COVID-19 and must be treated in hospitals more frequently. According to a British study, about one-third of hospital patients must be treated again within four months of initially becoming ill. One in eight even dies because of secondary damage to vital organs, such as the heart, liver or kidneys.

The German Society for Pneumology and Respiratory Medicine (DGP) estimates that about 10 percent of those infected develop what is known as Long COVID Syndrome.

On April 2, there were 3,849 patients in intensive care in Germany, 120 more than the day before. Between March 10-28 alone, the number of intensive care patients rose from 2,727 to 3,448. Currently, there are only about 1,500 ICU beds available for coronavirus patients. Several medical experts have been warning for weeks that these will soon no longer be sufficient and ICUs will be overcrowded within a very short time. Some regions, such as Thuringia, have already reached their capacity limits.

Even before all the available beds are filled, there will no longer be enough qualified staff to take over the complex care patients require. For more than a year, doctors and nurses have been working at their limits, especially in intensive care.

This is not professional overload, it is physical and psychological, medical experts have warned. If we dont do anything now and nursing staff leave, we will have an existential problem in intensive care medicine! says intensive care physician Felix Walcher. Gerhard Schneider, director of intensive care medicine at Munichs Klinikum Rechts der Isar, also told Der Spiegel that a critical limit is now being reached. Regarding the situation facing medical staff he warned, People cant take any more.

This is also expressed in the fact that thousands of nursing staff have left the profession since the beginning of the pandemic. Even before that, poor working conditions and even poorer pay were the order of the day. Under the pressures of the pandemic and the constant fear of infecting themselves, many now see only the way out. Recently, therefore, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) warned of an international mass exodus from the nursing profession.

Doctors are working under similar conditions. The Badische Zeitung quoted hospital doctor Maximilian H.: The number of coronavirus patients has risen massively during this time. Patients fell ill, many died, and wards were working to the brink of exhaustion. Colleagues also became infected. The head physician for internal medicine at the Oberlausitzer Bergland Hospital in Zittau died in March after a coronavirus infection. He headed the clinics COVID ward and cared for critically ill patients.

Once again, scientists are warning of the dramatic consequences of the current policies. Renowned virologist Christian Drosten believes another lockdown is inevitable. We will not get around a serious lockdown, he said. He referred to experiences in other countries where the number of severe and often fatal outcomes of the disease had massively increased under a policy like the one in this country.

Christian Karagiannidis, the president of the German Society for Internal Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine, has been calling for an immediate lockdown for weeks. He also referred to the experiences in France. There, he said, there were now so many COVID-19 patients in ICUs that staff had to be deployed who were not even trained for this, and doctors were already preparing to implement a triage system, rationing who does and does not receive treatment.

Virologist Melanie Brinkmann made clear who was responsible for this development. We could be at tens of incidences by now if politicians at the federal-state conference in January had taken seriously what we told them, she explained.

It is hardly surprising that the majority of the population supports the call for a tougher lockdown to combat the pandemic. According to a poll by Infratest Dimap, 67 percent agree with the call by intensive care specialists. The current measures do not go far enough for about half of the respondents. On social media, under hashtags such as #generalstrike or #harderlockdownnow, thousands are calling for an end to the deadly policy of reopening the economy pursued by the governments at all levels.

The policies of the grand coalition of Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and Social Democrats (SPD) at the federal level and those of the state governments are solely following the interests of big business, even as the situation continues to escalate dramatically. All the establishment partiesfrom the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) to the Left Partyare in complete agreement on this.

In Saarland, the coronavirus restrictions under state Prime Minister Tobias Hans (CDU) will be largely lifted as of Tuesday. Among other things, theatres, cinemas, fitness studios and outdoor restaurants will be open. Up to 10 people will be allowed to gather outdoors.

In Thuringia, where there are counties with an incidence level of 500 and hardly any free ICU beds, the contact rules are being massively relaxed over Easter. The little spring opening of the Left Party state government provides, among other things, far-reaching relaxations for the retail sector. This is a conscious decision in favour of the profit interests of the economy and against the protection of the population. State Health Minister Heike Werner (Left Party) declared last week that the third wave will hit us particularly hard this time due to the rapid spread of viral mutations.

The Left Partys unscrupulous policies are not limited to Thuringia. Among others, the Left Party mayor of Frankfurt/Oder, Rene Wilke, is also considered an advocate of a radical reopening policy. Although Frankfurt/Oder is located on the Polish border, where the spread of the virus has also been escalating dramatically for weeks, he only agreed to withdraw some relaxations for a short time after massive pressure and after the local hospital reached its limits. He only tightened contact restrictions in the private sphere up to April 5 when the incidence rate reached 180.

In contrast, the retail sector will remain open. Wilke coldly admitted at a press conference last week that with an incidence value of 180, the emergency brake should have been pulled. He said, however, that he was not aware of any case so far in which infections had occurred because of a visit to a retail outlet. A week ago, he had stated that he would not include two mass outbreaks at a day care centre and a facility for the disabled in the incidence value, as these events were localised.
Downing Street today said Sadiq Khan is 'wasting his time' by pledging to launch a review into the possibility of decriminalising cannabis if he is re-elected as Mayor of London on May 6.

Mr Khan has promised to establish a new commission to examine the use of drugs in the capital if he wins the contest next month.

But Number 10 said this afternoon that policy on controlled drugs 'is a matter for UK Government' and Boris Johnson 'has absolutely no intention of legalising cannabis which is a harmful substance'.

Meanwhile, one of Mr Khan's political rivals in the race for City Hall, Tory candidate Shaun Bailey, said 'legalising cannabis is nowhere in the remit' of the Mayor of London and his counterpart 'should focus on his actual job'.

Sadiq Khan has promised to establish a new commission to examine the use of drugs in the capital if he wins the London Mayor election next month

But Number 10 said this afternoon that policy on controlled drugs 'is a matter for UK Government' and Boris Johnson 'has absolutely no intention of legalising cannabis which is a harmful substance'

The Labour incumbent has pledged to start the group of independent experts for 'fresh ideas' if he wins a new mandate in the May 6 election.

Experts from fields including criminal justice, community relations and public health, will examine evidence on the harms of drugs, support services and prevention, the effectiveness of current laws as well as tackling the root causes of crime.

It would be expected to report to the Mayor with policy recommendations including for City Hall, the police, health services and central Government.

The Guardian reported that according to a source close to the mayor, Mr Khan would be willing to consider supporting changes to the legal status of cannabis if that is the view of the commission.

The Prime Minister's Press Secretary Allegra Stratton said of the proposed review: 'Well, policy on controlled drugs is a matter for UK Government and there are no plans to devolve this responsibility and the Prime Minister has spoken about this on many occasions.

'Illicit drugs destroy lives and he has absolutely no intention of legalising cannabis which is a harmful substance.'

Asked if the PM would support Mr Khan's review, Ms Stratton said: 'No. His approach will not be changing.'

Asked if she believed Mr Khan to therefore be 'wasting his time' by promising a review, Ms Stratton replied: 'That is correct. Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, will know that the policy of controlled drugs is a matter for the UK Government. It is not a matter for his office.'

Mr Bailey said: 'The Mayor of London is a big role with big responsibilities. But legalising cannabis is nowhere in the remit.

'Sadiq Khan should focus on his actual job - not on policies he has no control over.'

The mayor's office said the illegal drug trade in Britain is estimated to cost society almost 20billion per year, with nearly 42,000 people in England and Wales charged with drugs-related offences last year.

The Mayor of London believes there is widespread public support for a more relaxed approach to decriminalisation. His campaign team cited polls showing more than half of the UK, and nearly two-thirds of Londoners, support decriminalising cannabis for recreational use

Some estimates suggest that legalisation and the regulation of the sale of cannabis would raise at least 1billion in taxes for the Treasury.

Announcing the commission, Mr Khan said: 'It's time for fresh ideas about how to reduce the harms drugs and drug-related crimes cause to individuals, families and communities.

'The illegal drugs trade causes huge damage to our society  driving serious and violent crime, damaging people's health and criminalising too many young people.

'That's why, if I'm re-elected, I will establish a new London Drugs Commission comprised of independent experts to examine the latest evidence from around the world.

'The commission will make recommendations focusing on the most effective laws to tackle crime, protect Londoners' health and reduce the huge damage that illegal drugs, including cannabis, cause to our communities and society.'


MIAMI, Fla., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ArisGlobal , the leading provider of software that automates core product development functions for over 300 global life sciences companies, today announced that it has been recognized in the Gens & Associates "RIM Software Provider Landscape Market Report." Gens & Associates is a leading boutique life sciences management consultancy that publishes the report on an annual basis to highlight the technology companies at the forefront of innovation in the regulatory affairs domain. The report also reviews regulatory technology providers' solution maturity and their ability to deliver integrated, modular, and end-to-end solutions that address the full lifecycle of regulatory affairs processes and operations.

The 2021 report highlights the progress that ArisGlobal has made in regulatory technology, including the development of "additional RIM capabilities, a new user interface, and a clear data connectivity strategy." It also notes ArisGlobal's readiness to support customers with impending regulatory changes, stating that the company is "positioned well for the IDMP/SPOR capability that will see significant decision-making in 2021."

Other factors Gens & Associates recognized ArisGlobal for include:

Major investment in 2019 and 2020 into ArisGlobal's LifeSphere Regulatory platform

Platform expansion over the past two years brings confidence to the delivery of future growth

Increased adoption of LifeSphere Regulatory, including the addition of several new customers in 2020

ArisGlobal's LifeSphere Regulatory delivers end-to-end regulatory information management in a unified cloud platform that accelerates approvals, reduces risk, and streamlines collaboration across teams. The platform's coverage spans planning and tracking of interactions, commitments and obligations, as well as document and dossier management, publishing, reporting, and data standards compliance. As a unified platform, LifeSphere Regulatory is designed to facilitate collaboration across the entire organization, including headquarters and affiliates, and clinical, safety and quality teams.

"We are pleased that Gens & Associates has recognized our progress and momentum in this year's industry review. We have made a significant investment into the rapidly evolving world of regulatory technology with a focus on being leaders in innovation and intelligent automation," said Sondra Pepe, Associate Vice President, Product Management at ArisGlobal. "It's rewarding to see our efforts paying off with great industry recognition from a leading authority on regulatory affairs software."

About ArisGlobal

ArisGlobal is transforming the way today's most successful Life Sciences companies develop breakthroughs and bring new products to market. Our end-to-end drug development technology platform, LifeSphere, integrates our proprietary Nava cognitive computing engine to automate all core functions of the drug development lifecycle. Designed with deep expertise and a long-term perspective that spans more than 30 years, LifeSphere is a unified platform that boosts efficiency, ensures compliance, delivers actionable insights, and lowers total cost of ownership through multi-tenant SaaS architecture.

Headquartered in the United States, ArisGlobal has regional offices in Europe, India, Japan and China. For more updates, follow ArisGlobal on LinkedIn and Twitter.

SOURCE ArisGlobal

Related Links

www.arisglobal.com


Kildare people out and about near forests during the Easter holidays have been warned not to light camp fires or barbecues outdoors as they may pose a potential fire hazard.

Last May and June, bog fires blazed and smouldered for a number of weeks in North Kildare.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has issued a Status Orange forest fire warning nationwide.

With warmer and dryer spring weather, dead grasses, gorse and heather become much more flammable and fires can spread quickly from open lands to forests.

Easter can be a peak time for forest fires as people venture out to visit woodlands over the holiday, said Coilltes national estates risk manager, Mick Power.

We have seen a doubling to tripling of visitors to some of Coilltes most popular forests since lockdown began.

An unextinguished barbecue, campfire or burning of lands can be the start of a large and unintended blaze, he said.

Coillte urges the public not to light fires in the outdoors such as campfires and barbecues and reminds the public that it is an offence to deliberately burn vegetation between the first day of March and the end of August.

In Coilltes experience most forest fires in Ireland do not arise from natural causes.

Forest fires in Ireland are not caused by spontaneous combustion but instead are caused by unattended fires, or campfires that are not extinguished, said Mr Power.

Facts on fires

Almost 6,000 acres of forest land has been damaged by fire between 2016 and 2020 (5,892 acres)

There have been 584 forest fires on Coillte lands since 2016

Fires destroy the habitats of birds and animals, and this damage can take years to be repaired

Fires pollute the air and add to harmful CO2 emissions.

Fires can damage property and put lives at risk.

Damage and clean-up of forest fires cost 1.3m in 2020.

We urge people to exercise care and not to light any fires in the outdoors over Easter, said Mr Power, who added its very important individuals dont approach forest fires and report them to the local fire service immediately.

Weve had over 580 fires in the past five years and we can bring this number right down if we all work together.

Forest fires pose a serious health and safety risk to the public, firefighters and foresters whose job is to bring the fire under control and prevent it from spreading to other areas.

Once fires become established, they are very difficult to control and cause considerable damage.

In 2020, Coillte estimate the combined costs of loss of crops to fire and clean-up amounted to 1.3 million.

Coillte recommends the following steps to prevent forest fires:

* Do not light fires and be careful regarding all activity involving fires;

*Report any suspicious activity;

*Report any forest fires you see to the local fire service;

*Do not approach forest fires under any circumstances, as they are extremely dangerous;

*Keep access points and forest entrances clear for emergency services.

Fires in 2020

Kildare Fire Service battled fires in bogs in north Kildare for several days last May and June.

Kildare Fire Service needed the assistance of Coillte and the Air Corps as well as local communities to extinguish the blazes.

An Air Corps helicopter dropped thousands of litres of bog water onto the fires despite extremely low visibility due to thick smoke.

It was estimated that up to 100 hectares of a Coillte forest were destroyed in the final days of May resulting in damage of up to 150,000.

Local firefighters from Maynooth, Naas and Leixlip were involved.

The Air Corps used a 1,200 litre bambi bucket attached to the bottom of an Augusta Westland AW139 helicopter to help douse fires.

The fires were mostly located in the Donadea, Timohoe and Hortlands areas.

Kildare Fire Service appealed to the owners of quad bikes and scramblers not to use these on bogs as the vegetation was tinder dry could ignite with acontact with a hot engine or sparks from an unprotected exhaust could have serious consequences.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-07 00:15:56|Editor: huaxia

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URUMQI, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Court authorities of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region have revealed crimes committed by Shirzat Bawudun, a former government official who had conspired with a terrorist organization and carried out separatist activities under cover of his identity as an official.

Shirzat Bawudun, born in 1966 in Luopu County, Hotan Prefecture, was the former head of the public security bureau of Moyu County of Hotan and the former head of the Xinjiang regional department of justice, said Wang Langtao, vice president of the Higher People's Court of Xinjiang, at a press conference on Tuesday.

The court found that Shirzat Bawudun colluded with the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), a UN-listed terrorist group, offered help to separatists and religious extremists, and collaborated with overseas separatist forces.

In May 2003, as head of the public security bureau of Moyu, he met with Tahir Abbas, a key member of ETIM, who came back to Moyu from abroad, plotting "national independence." Shirzat Bawudun also promised at the meeting that he would try his best to help.

Shirzat Bawudun also instigated others to join ETIM and provided 1.2 million yuan (about 183,230 U.S. dollars) and property obtained from his bribery to ETIM. He also carried out illegal religious activities at his daughter's wedding. He accepted bribes totaling 11.12 million yuan.

Shirzat Bawudun was convicted for "splitting the country."

He also committed crimes including defecting to the enemy, illegally providing information to foreign forces, participating in a terrorist group, and aiding terrorist activities. He also used extremism to undermine law enforcement, gathered crowds to disturb the social order, took bribes, and abused his power, the court said.

Shirzat Bawudun was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve, deprived of his political rights for life, and stripped of all personal property.

He pleaded guilty and did not appeal. Enditem
A specialist joinery company in Co Tyrone has been recognised for innovation by cross-border body InterTrade Ireland.

Woodmarque in Dungannon has been given exemplar status to honour high levels of innovation and collaboration between a company, a graduate and an academic institution as part of InterTradeIrelands Innovation Boost programme.

It was the only business from Northern Ireland to receive the accreditation.

Alan Morrow, assistant director for InterTradeIreland, said: Woodmarques success is a great example of what the Innovation Boost programme is about - giving firms the tools to boost their business though innovative collaboration.

Covid-19 has caused issues for many firms, but innovation is way you can unlock growth. You can also directly address challenges in your business by harnessing programmes like Innovation Boost to help you solve problems. It can even help you to anticipate future obstacles and mitigate them. It will assist you to develop solutions.

Through the Innovation Boost initiative, Woodmarque employed graduate, Sean McKenna and benefited from the services and support of the University of Limerick. They set about finding uses for wood waste, a by-product of Woodmarques work.

Managing director Ronan Quinn said: Weve been in business for over 40 years, and know our industry inside and out. We specialise in hotels and apartments and projects that we have worked on include the Chelsea Waterfront in London and the North Wall Quay in Dublin.

However, this is the first time we have ever worked with someone in academia. Its been eye-opening, in applying innovative research to industry. It brings together the best of both skill sets and helps take an idea and actually turn it into reality.

Mr Morrow added: The programme is also an indication of areas in which forward thinking SMEs want to build more expertise. For example, Woodmarque is looking at the area of sustainability, which is very high up the business agenda. Other winners this year include firms that have used Innovation Boost to gain more experience in robotics.




Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 6, 2021) - ALX Resources Corp. (TSXV: AL) (FSE: 6LLN) (OTC: ALXEF) ("ALX" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its exploration partner, Rio Tinto Exploration Canada Inc. ("Rio Tinto"), has confirmed details of the 2021 exploration program and budget for the Firebird Nickel Project ("Firebird", or the "Project"), located near the town of Stony Rapids in northern Saskatchewan, Canada.

Firebird is currently the subject of an option agreement whereby Rio Tinto can earn up to an 80% interest in the Project by incurring exploration expenditures of $12.0 million over a six-year period and by making a total of $125,000 in cash payments to the Company (see ALX news release dated August 24, 2020, "ALX Resources Corp. Announces Rio Tinto Exploration Canada Earn-In for the Falcon Nickel Project").

The Firebird 2021 exploration program, is anticipated to begin in late May 2021 with initial ground-truthing of geophysical anomalies that were detected in the airborne electromagnetic ("EM") survey completed at the Project in October 2020 (see ALX news release dated November 9, 2020, "ALX Resources Corp. and Rio Tinto Locate Airborne EM Anomalies at the Firebird Nickel Project"). The early onset of winter conditions in mid-October 2020 prevented surface investigations of anomalous areas where no prospecting has been carried out by ALX. Following the ground-truthing, drilling is planned to commence in June 2021, with ALX acting as operator of exploration at the Project.

"ALX and Rio Tinto have combined the results from the best available airborne survey technology with the input of talented geoscientists to generate compelling drill targets for the 2021 Firebird drilling program," said Warren Stanyer, CEO and Chairman of ALX. "It's an exciting time for ALX as we approach what could be a new era of mineral discovery in northern Saskatchewan."

Highlights of 2021 Drilling Program

The helicopter-supported program is planned to consist of up to eight diamond drill holes totaling approximately 1,500 metres (4,920 feet), each targeting discrete EM conductors that exhibit the geophysical characteristics of magmatic sulphide mineralization within this geological setting.





The first drill holes of the program are planned in the northwestern part of Firebird at the Wiley Lake Showing area, where surface sampling by ALX has identified high-grade nickel showings (see ALX news release dated July 27, 2020, "ALX Resources Corp. Samples up to 2.43% Nickel and 8.34 Grams/Tonne Gold in the Northern Athabasca Region, Saskatchewan").





ALX received a permit in early March 2021 for surface exploration, including ground geophysical surveys and diamond drilling, good until September 30, 2022. Engagement with indigenous groups and local communities in the northeastern Athabasca Basin area is ongoing in order to mitigate any impacts to traditional land use and cultural practices during ALX's exploration program.

Figure 1



To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3046/79476_a0e888f0446cda3e_001full.jpg

Click on the highlighted link to view maps and pictures of ALX's exploration activities at the Firebird Nickel Project

About the Firebird Nickel Project

ALX owns 100% of Firebird, subject to 2.0% net smelter returns royalties on certain claims acquired from arm's-length vendors to the Company. ALX acquired its first claims at Firebird during a staking rush in May 2019. Additional land purchases and acquisitions by staking in 2019 and 2020 has increased the size of the Project to approximately 20,491 hectares (50,635 acres). Mobilization of equipment and personnel is achieved from the town of Stony Rapids, SK, located approximately 18 kilometres (11 miles) by air from the centre of the Project. Stony Rapids is connected to the Saskatchewan provincial road system by all-weather Highway 905 and has a fully-serviced airport to support both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.

Firebird is located within the Tantato Domain, which forms a segment of the Snowbird Tectonic Zone, and hosts a magmatic nickel sulphide mineralizing system that has been underexplored by modern methods. A long history of exploration beginning in 1929 discovered numerous nickel-copper-cobalt showings within Firebird's boundaries, including the historic Axis Lake, Rea Lake and Currie Lake deposits.

Helicopter-supported diamond drilling and ground geophysical programs were completed by ALX at Firebird in March 2020. Magmatic nickel-copper-cobalt mineralization was intersected in two of the three holes drilled on new targets developed by ALX (see ALX news release dated April 15, 2020, "ALX Resources Corp. Announces Results of 2020 Winter Drilling at Falcon Nickel Project, Northern Saskatchewan"), with the best result being 23.78 metres grading 0.36% nickel in hole FN20-002, including 10.61 metres of 0.55% nickel and 2.05 metres of 0.90% nickel (true width of the intersection is unknown).

National Instrument 43-101 ("N.I. 43-101") Disclosure

The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Sierd Eriks, P.Geo., President and Chief Geologist of ALX, who is a Qualified Person in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in NI 43-101.

ALX's drill core and surface grab samples described in this news release were processed by SRC Geoanalytical Laboratories in Saskatoon, SK. Base metals were analyzed using a 4-acid digestion with Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Samples that returned over 10,000 parts per million nickel were analyzed with HCl:HNO 3 digestion followed by base metal wt% assay by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES).

About ALX

ALX is based in Vancouver, BC, Canada and its common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "AL", on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "6LLN" and in the United States OTC market under the symbol "ALXEF". ALX's mandate is to provide shareholders with multiple opportunities for discovery by exploring a portfolio of prospective mineral properties, which include gold, nickel, copper, and uranium projects. The Company uses the latest exploration technologies and holds interests in over 200,000 hectares of prospective lands in Saskatchewan and Ontario, stable Canadian jurisdictions that collectively host the highest-grade uranium mines in the world, and offer a significant legacy of production from gold and base metals mines.

ALX owns 100% interests in the Firebird Nickel Project (now under option to Rio Tinto Exploration Canada, who can earn up to an 80% interest), the Flying Vee Nickel/Gold and Sceptre Gold projects, and can earn up to an 80% interest in the Alligator Lake Gold Project, all located in northern Saskatchewan, Canada. ALX owns, or can earn, up to 100% interests in the Vixen Gold Project, the Electra Nickel Project and the Cannon Copper Project located in historic mining districts of Ontario, Canada, and in the Draco VMS Project in Norway. ALX holds interests in a number of uranium exploration properties in northern Saskatchewan, including a 20% interest in the Hook-Carter Uranium Project, located within the prolific Patterson Lake Corridor, with Denison Mines Corp. (80% interest) operating exploration since 2016, and a 40% interest in the Black Lake Uranium Project, a joint venture with UEX Corporation and Orano Canada Inc.

For more information about the Company, please visit the ALX corporate website at www.alxresources.com or contact Roger Leschuk, Manager, Corporate Communications at: PH: 604.629.0293 or Toll-Free: 866.629.8368, or by email: rleschuk@alxresources.com

On Behalf of the Board of Directors of ALX Resources Corp.

"Warren Stanyer"

Warren Stanyer, CEO and Chairman

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements in this document which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Forward-looking statements in this news release include: the Firebird Nickel Project ("Firebird") is prospective for nickel-copper-cobalt mineralization; the Company's expectations for funding partners to undertake exploration activities at Firebird and expend funds on Firebird. It is important to note that the Company's actual business outcomes and exploration results could differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include that: the initial findings at Firebird may prove to be unworthy of further expenditure; announced contracting and funding partners may decide not to continue work or funding our projects; government restrictions on travel and social interaction may be imposed due to pandemic; commodity prices may not support exploration expenditures at Firebird or at any of the Company's other projects; ALX may not be able to fully finance exploration at its other mineral exploration projects, including drilling activities; and economic, competitive, governmental, societal, environmental and technological factors may affect the Company's operations, markets, products and share price. Even if ALX and its funding partners explore and develop Firebird or any of our other projects, and even if nickel-copper-cobalt or other metals or minerals are discovered in quantity, Firebird or our other projects may not prove to be commercially viable. Additional risk factors are discussed in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020, which is available under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Except as required by law, we will not update these forward-looking statement risk factors.

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/79476
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in Pakistan on April 6 for a two-day trip expected to focus on efforts to bring peace to neighboring Afghanistan.

During his visit -- the first to Pakistan by a Russian foreign minister in nearly a decade -- Lavrov was set to hold talks with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Prime Minister Imran Khan, and army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

It comes ahead of a May 1 deadline for U.S. and other foreign troops to leave Afghanistan in line with an agreement Washington signed with the Afghan Taliban in Qatar in February 2020.

Afghanistan has seen a nationwide spike in bombings, targeted killings, and violence on the battlefield as peace negotiations in Qatar between the Taliban and the Afghan government have stalled.

U.S. President Joe Biden has warned the May 1 troop withdrawal deadline will be difficult to meet, raising the prospect the entire agreement with the Taliban will unravel.

Later this month, Taliban and Afghan government representatives are expected to gather for a U.S.-backed international conference in Turkey meant to give new impetus to peace talks.

Pakistans security establishment is seen as close to the Afghan Taliban and is said to have a leverage to influence the militant groups actions.

Moscow has intensified efforts to interject itself as a key player in the peace push and last month hosted Taliban representatives and Afghan officials for talks.

Islamabad and Moscow are working together in the Afghan peace process, Qureshi said in a video statement.

The Russian Foreign Ministry cited a common concern is the situation in Afghanistan.

We look forward to an early finding of a constructive solution in order to end the civil war in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan through agreements on the formation of an inclusive government with the participation of the Taliban movement, it said in a statement.

It said Lavrovs visit will also touch upon bilateral trade, which last year neared $800 million.

With reporting by dpa and AP
April 06, 2020-- A new commentary published online in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society provides an exhaustive examination of published research that discusses whether air pollution may be linked to worse COVID-19 outcomes. The studies that the authors examined look at several potential disease mechanisms, and also at the relationship between pollution, respiratory viruses and health disparities.

In "COVID-19 Pandemic: A Wake-Up Call for Clean Air," Stephen Andrew Mein, MD, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, and colleagues discuss several ways that the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the urgent need to address the global problem of air pollution through sustainable local and national policies to improve respiratory health and equity worldwide. More than 91 percent of the world's population lives in areas that exceed the World Health Organization's air quality guidelines and more people are impacted by worsening air quality each year.

The commentary focuses on the health effects of ambient air pollution. Ambient air pollution consists of potentially harmful pollutants, such as small particles and toxic gases, emitted by industries, households, cars and trucks. International studies have shown that exposure to these pollutants worsens viral respiratory infections and new studies are showing a similar association with ambient pollution and COVID-19 outcomes.

"There are a multitude of studies showing that exposure to higher long-term ambient air pollution is associated with both increased risk of infection and death from COVID-19," Dr. Mein said. "Historically, air pollution has been linked with worse outcomes, including higher mortality, due to other respiratory viruses like influenza."

He added, "Research that we examined on pollution during the COVID-19 pandemic has found similar detrimental effects. New research on COVID-19 adds further evidence of the adverse effects of ambient air pollution and the urgent need to address the public health crisis of pollution."

One of the most prominent studies that the authors examined, in which COVID-19 mortality was modeled, found that each small (1 ?g/m3) increase in long-term fine inhalable particle (PM2.5) exposure was associated with an 8 percent increase in mortality during the pandemic. Another study concluded that air pollution has contributed 15 percent to COVID-19 mortality worldwide.

"The studies we reviewed evaluated whether long-term, ambient air pollution exposure that occurred years prior to the pandemic was associated with worse COVID-19 outcomes," Dr. Mein stated.

The exact mechanisms for the association between long-term pollution and poor COVID-19 outcomes are not fully known. However, scientists have suggested several theories. Long-term exposure to air pollution may impair the immune system, leading to both increased susceptibility to viruses and more severe viral infections.

Higher air pollution exposure is associated with higher rates of heart disease and metabolic disorders such as diabetes, which are known to be risk factors for severe disease and death from COVID-19. These chronic effects would have occurred prior to the reported reductions in air pollution since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A major point of the authors' commentary is that improved air quality (due to less travel and industrial activity) during the pandemic may have reduced morbidity and mortality from non-communicable diseases. "Research evaluating associations between the dramatic reduction in ambient air pollution during the global lockdowns and health care utilization for respiratory conditions would further confirm the impact of ambient air pollution on non-communicable diseases and the need to reduce air pollution to improve overall health."

The authors also noted that much of the research about ambient air pollution and the COVID-19 pandemic is just emerging. "While the primary association between air pollution and COVID-19 outcomes has been generally consistent, there is still much research to be done. In particular, there is a need for studies that adjust for individual-level risk factors, since current studies have been restricted to county or municipal-level exposure and outcome data. Research also needs to be conducted to evaluate whether air pollution is contributing to the stark differences in COVID-19 outcomes among minority groups."

Racially and ethnically diverse communities are more likely to be located in areas closer to industrial pollution such as PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide, and to work in types of businesses that expose them to more air pollution. These inequalities in residential and occupational air pollution exposure may be one of the causes of the stark disparities of the COVID-19 pandemic along racial and ethnic lines.

In conclusion, the authors state, "The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the widespread health consequences of ambient air pollution, including acute effects on respiratory immune defenses and chronic effects that lead to higher risk of chronic cardiopulmonary disease and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). These chronic health effects likely explain the higher COVID-19 mortality among those exposed to more air pollution. The pandemic has also provided a glimpse into the health benefits of cleaner air. As we emerge from this devastating public health crisis, COVID-19 is a wakeup call for the need to adopt stricter air quality standards and end our tolerance for pollution in disadvantaged neighborhoods. As part of our post-COVID-19 recovery, we must clean up the air to improve respiratory health and equality worldwide."

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 20:09:27|Editor: huaxia

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People attend a rally against racism and violence on Asian Americans in Flushing of New York, the United States, March 27, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

BEIJING, April 6 (Xinhua) -- China hopes that the United States could honor its commitment to protecting human rights and severely crack down on discrimination and hate violence against ethnic minorities including Asian Americans in the United States, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Tuesday.

Spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks at a press briefing when asked to comment on an article published by the New York Times on the rising anti-Asian violence in the United States.

Zhao said recent years saw consistent increase in cases of hate crimes against ethnic minorities including Asian Americans in the United States, resulting in a lot of tragedies.

Especially since the outbreak of the pandemic, some politicians in the former U.S. administration have made overt and implied xenophobic remarks, used the name targeting a specific region or group of people to replace the name of novel coronavirus and spread false information and racist remarks, leading to systematic racial discrimination and hate crimes against Asian Americans, according to the spokesperson.

Racism exists in the United States in a comprehensive, systematic and consistent manner, said Zhao, adding that the white racists, neo-Nazis and members of the Ku Klux Klan openly use racist slogans, advocate white supremacy and incite racial discrimination and hatred.

In U.S. history, there was the genocide and massacre of native Indians, and U.S. law enforcement brutality has resulted in frequent cases of African American deaths, said Zhao, adding that social discrimination against ethnic minorities broadly exists, while racial discrimination is deeply rooted in U.S. workplaces.

China hopes that the United States could honor its commitment to protecting human rights, severely crack down on discrimination and hate violence against ethnic minorities including Asian Americans in the United States, effectively protect the rights of ethnic minorities, and take measures to free ethnic minorities from discrimination and hate crimes so they can no longer live in fear of violence. 
Patna, April 6 : The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Nawada Police arrested four persons responsible for making poisonous hooch that claimed 15 lives while four others lost their eyesight permanently.

Nawada SP D S Savlaram said that the SIT has arrested Suraj Chaudhery alias Karku Chaudhery of Kharidi Bigha village, Pappu Yadav of Gondapur and Anil Chaudhery and Manti Devi of Budhaul village on Tuesday.

The officer accepted that the deaths happened in Nawada were due to consumption of poisonous liquor.

"The accused have confessed that they were running makeshift liquor manufacturing units in their respective villages from where they sold hooch to villagers on Holi," Savlaram said.

"We identified the sellers of hooch in Kharidi Bigha, Gondapur and Budhaul village and conducted raids in other parts of Nawada, adjoining Nalanda and Begusarai districts to nab them. There are 10 FIRs registered in the city police station in Nawada," the SP said.

Besides Nawada, two persons in Begusarai and five persons in Rohtas districts also died after they consumed poisonous liquor on Holi.

Liquor has been banned in Bihar since April 2016. Still, a large number of liquor smuggling, illegal liquor manufacturing units and illegal sale of liquor cases are appearing in various parts of state.
Bill Hwang

Sitrick And Company is providing crisis support to Archegos Capital Management, the $10B family investment firm that imploded in mid-March.

The Financial Times called the Archegos bust the biggest financial meltdown since the collapse of Long-Term Capital Management in 1998.

Credit Suisse announced April 6 that it will take a $4.7B charge, slash its dividend and overhaul its investment ranks due to the Archegos disaster.

Founded in 2013 by Bill Hwang, a protege of hedge fund legend Julian Robinson, Archegos borrowed billions to invest in US and Chinese stocks.

A massive margin call dealt a blow to Archegos and triggered a $20B wave of liquidations at a number of Wall Street banks.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has opened a preliminary probe into Hwangs trading. That routine investigation may or may not result in any charges of wrongdoing.

S&Cs Mike Sitrick and Seth Lubove, former editor at Bloomberg, Forbes and Wall Street Journal, represent Archegos.
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SANTA FE, N.M.  Community solar projects are coming to New Mexico for the first time under new enabling legislation that Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed into law Monday afternoon.

The state Legislature approved the Community Solar Act, Senate Bill 84, in this years session to allow residential consumers, small businesses and some public institutions to directly purchase solar-generated electricity from private developers who will build and operate community-scale facilities around the state.

A broad coalition of clean energy advocates supported the bill to provide renters, low-income households, and commercial and government entities that lack capacity for rooftop installations to tap into solar generation.

This represents a momentous advance to provide equitable access to solar energy, said Beth Beloff, executive director of the Coalition of Sustainable Communities New Mexico. It will help accelerate the states transition to renewable energy.

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Some of the states public utilities opposed the bill during the session because utility customers not connected to new solar installations might end up subsidizing those who are connected.

Thats because community solar customers dont directly consume electricity from a solar project. Rather, project developers connect their facilities to a public utilitys existing grid for distribution among all utility ratepayers.

The developers charge customers who participate in the solar projects for their share of electricity produced. Those customers then receive a credit on their monthly bills from the public utility.

But as utilities lose revenue from solar-connected customers, non-solar consumers could pick up more of the fixed costs for operating transmission and distribution systems.

And if large commercial, industrial and government customers join community solar projects, the utilities fear revenue loss could be substantial.

Legislators significantly amended the bill to address those concerns. If cross-subsidization does occur, for example, the state Public Regulation Commission can now intervene to limit the impact, said Ben Shelton of Conservation Voters New Mexico.

Cross-subsidization will only be allowed if the increase is less than 3% on any non-solar customers bill, Shelton said.

In addition, for at least three years after the law takes effect, large commercial, industrial and state-owned entities will not be allowed to participate in community solar projects. And total community solar generation permitted across the state will be capped at 200 megawatts for three years, after which the PRC will re-evaluate those provisions and review the overall impact of community solar development, Beloff said.

Its kind of a pilot, or trial, of sorts because in three years the PRC will look at everything to evaluate the effectiveness and fairness of the program and make recommendations to modify it if needed, Beloff said.

Advocates believe the new law will encourage a lot more solar investment across the state.

Indeed, Boston-based Nexamp Inc.  which operates community solar in 15 states  is now establishing operations in New Mexico, said Senior Vice President of Business Development Chris Clark.

Were already teeing up, Clark told the Journal. Were working now with landowners around the state on long-term lease agreements to build community solar projects. Were bullish about the local market.
Alexei Navalny is 'seriously ill' after he was moved to a sick ward with symptoms of a respiratory illness and tested for Covid-19.

The jailed Kremlin critic, 44, has been on a hunger strike for a week at a Russian prison and also claimed there was a tuberculosis outbreak on his ward that had hospitalised three people.

A group of supporters protesting his treatment gathered outside the jail today but were broken up by police.

Among those detained were the anti-corruption campaigner's personal doctor Anastasia Vasilyeva who had been protesting outside the prison in Vladimir region.

She had called on people to travel to the bleak jail 'not to protest but to save' Navalny's life.

Alexei Navalny has been moved to a sick ward with symptoms of a respiratory illness and has been tested for Covid-19

The jailed Kremlin critic, 44, (pictured in the prison) has been on a hunger strike for a week at a Russian jail

Among those detained were the anti-corruption campaigner's personal doctor Anastasia Vasilyeva (pictured)

A group of supporters protesting his treatment gathered outside the jail today but were broken up by police

Journalists were also among those held including British journalist Matthew Chance, CNN's Moscow Correspondent.

At least eight were held by the walls of Navalny's penal colony number 2 in Pokrov.

'We are not going to retreat,' said Vasilyeva, who also heads Alliance of Doctors medical trade union.

'We'll come back tomorrow, and the next day, and the next until he is given help. Or until he is moved to a hospital.'

An Alliance of Doctors medical trade union activist is detained by police officers at the entrance to the penal colony

Doctors from the Navalny-backed Alliance of Doctors announced going to the Pokrov prison on Tuesday to demand the opposition leader gets qualified medical help from independent doctors

She had been refused permission to treat Navalny.

'Of course I am afraid' for his health, ' she said. 'We are doctors -- that's why we are here today. Health should be a priority.'

Navalny had earlier joked in an Instagram post that catching tuburculosis might offer him relief from his other ailments after a week-long hunger strike to protest his conditions in the prison.

'If I have tuberculosis, then maybe it'll chase out the pain in my back and numbness in my legs. That'd be nice,' he wrote on Instagram.

Law enforcement officers with a dog stand guard near a security checkpoint of the IK-2 corrective penal colony

He said that prison authorities had measured his temperature at 38.1 degrees Celsius and he had a bad cough.

Hours later, Izvestia, a pro-Kremlin newspaper, cited a statement by the federal prison service saying that he had been moved to a sick ward and had various tests, including for the coronavirus.

The Izvestia report did not say where the sick ward was, but one of his lawyers said it appeared to be within the IK-2 corrective penal colony 60 miles east of Moscow where he was being held, the TV Rain outlet reported.

The sick ward appears to be within the IK-2 corrective penal colony 60 miles east of Moscow where he was being held (pictured)

Navalny has accused prison authorities there of depriving him of sleep by waking him up hourly at night and refusing to give him proper medical care.

Prison authorities deny sleep deprivation and have said previously that Navalny's condition was satisfactory and that he has been provided with all necessary treatment. The prison holding him did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday.

His allies said late last week that they would stage a rolling protest outside his prison from Tuesday unless he was examined by a doctor of his choice and given what they regard as proper medicine.

They claim he had already lost 18lb before going on hunger strike - down from the 205lb he weighed when he arrived at his penal colony - due to sleep deprivation.

Navalny has accused prison authorities there of depriving him of sleep by waking him up hourly at night and refusing to give him proper medical care

Pro-Kremlin media and some members of a prison monitoring group have accused him of faking his medical problems to keep himself in the public eye - allegations which are denied by Navalny and his allies.

Navalny's lawyers have visited him regularly in custody and have helped him continue to post messages on social media.

Amnesty International's secretary general, Agnes Callamard, said she had appealed to Putin over Navalny's 'arbitrary arrest and deteriorating health condition'.

'There is a real prospect that #Russia is subjecting him to a slow death. He must be granted immediate access to a medical doctor he trusts and he must be freed,' she wrote on Twitter.

State media and some members of a prison monitoring group have accused Navalny of faking his medical problems to keep himself in the public eye, which Navalny and his allies deny.

The jailed Kremlin critic vowed to continue a hunger strike despite suffering from a heavy cough and fever

Navalny walks to take his seat in a Pobeda airlines plane heading to Moscow before take-off from Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) in Schoenefeld, southeast of Berlin, on January 17, 2021

Two reports in pro-Kremlin outlets described Navalny as looking 'quite normal' and saying he is incarcerated in a colony that is 'practically exemplary'.

In his post Monday, Navalny said the reports had 'not a single word of truth'. As evidence, he wrote that a third person out of 15 in his unit had been hospitalised with tuberculosis since his arrival at the penal colony in February.

He joked: 'I am surprised that there is no Ebola virus here, such is our ideal, exemplary colony'

He added: 'I quote the official statistics of today's temperature measurement: 'Navalny A.A., bad cough, temperature 38.1'.' A temperature above 38C (100.58F) most often indicates a fever caused by an infection or illness.

Anastasiya Vasilyeva, a doctor and ally of Navalny, confirmed plans for a protest would take place from Tuesday.

Navalny was arrested on his return to Russia in January after spending months in Germany recovering from a poisoning last summer that he blames on the Kremlin.

Earlier this month, Navalny, who is considered a flight risk by authorities, filed two complaints against prison officials, saying he is woken eight times a night by guards announcing to a recording camera that he is still in his cell.

It comes as the Russian government announced on Monday that President Vladimir Putin has signed a law that could keep him in office in the Kremlin until 2036

He was arrested as he returned to Russia from Germany in January, where he had been recovering from what doctors said was poisoning with a nerve agent. The West has demanded that Russia release Navalny.

Russia's relations with the West are at their lowest since the end of the Cold War, marred by allegations of election interference and sweeping cyberattacks.

Last week, video footage on Twitter appeared to show Russia sending trains filled with tanks and military vehicles into Crimea and toward Donbass, Ukraine's easternmost region that borders Russia.

It comes as the Russian government announced on Monday that Vladimir Putin has signed a law that could keep him in office in the Kremlin until 2036.

The legislation allows the Russian President to run for two more six-year terms once his current stint ends in 2024, following changes to the constitution last year.

Those changes were backed in a public vote last summer and could allow Putin, 68, to potentially remain in power until the age of 83. He is currently serving his second consecutive term as president and his fourth in total.

The reform, which critics cast as a constitutional coup, was packaged with an array of other amendments that were expected to garner popular support, such as one bolstering pension protections.

The law signed by Putin limits any future president to two terms in office, but resets his term count. It prevents anyone who has held foreign citizenship from running for the Kremlin.

The legislation was passed in the lower and upper houses of parliament last month.
Disney+ has released a trailer for Loki who, after absconding with the Tesseract, is a fish-out-of-water when he lands in a world of trouble with the bureaucratic TVA (Time Variance Authority).

Tom Hiddleston returns as the title character, the God of Mischief as he steps out of his brothers shadow in a new series that takes place after the events of Avengers: Endgame.

The cast also features Owen Wilson, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Sophia Di Martino, Wunmi Mosaku and Richard E. Grant. Kate Herron direct and Michael Waldron is head writer.

Friday June 11 on Disney+.

Related
New Delhi: "Please, release my father," appealed the five-year-old daughter of jawan CRPF jawan Rakeshwar Singh Manhas who has been captured by Naxals after the Chhattisgarh ambush in which 22 soldiers were martyred.

Zee News Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary on Tuesday (April 6) took up that appeal and urged people to launch a campaign demanding the abducted jawan be brought back. The entire nation is rallying behind the little girl, requesting Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself to take immediate steps to free the soldier.

Rakeshwar Singh's daughter made a poignant appeal today to free her father from the Naxalites. She started crying saying that somehow her father should return home as soon as possible.

Rakeshwar Singh was a part of the operation of the security forces that had gone out to capture Naxalite Madavi Hidma in the forests of Bijapur. He spoke to his family before going on this operation. He told his wife that he would definitely call her the next day. But more than 80 hours have passed, but she has not received that phone call yet.

Singh's entire family is looking at PM Modi with a lot of expectations. They are hoping that just as he rescued Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman from Pakistan, similarly Singh should also be rescued.

Our jawans who do not hesitate to give their lives to protect u. Today the whole country should be a part of this campaign to protect them. We demand the release of Rakeshwar Singh from the occupation of the Naxalites.

The banned CPI (Maoist), which has claimed responsibility for this Naxalite attack, has also written a letter, in which the organization has admitted that Rakeshwar Singh is under the occupation of the Naxalites.

The organization has put two conditions to free Singh. The first is that the government should withdraw the security forces from the Naxalite-affected areas and second is that the government appoint representatives for discussion with them.

In 2019, after the Balakot airstrike, the Indian Air Force wing commander Abhinandan Vardhaman was rescued from Pakistan by the Government of India.

At that time, India had given clear indications that if Pakistan did not free him, there would be serious repercussions.

Today, once again, another brave soldier of our country needs to be rescued in the same way.

Many people are asking why there is so much delay in rescuing Rakeshwar Singh. The problem is that this time the fight is not with an enemy nation but against people living in our own country. The security forces are bound by the various so-called human rights restrictions, stopping them from carrying out a strike that could risk lives of people.

Yesterday we told you that it is very important to capture Madavi Hidma even before we get terrorist Hafiz Saeed. We reiterate our demand because the Naxalites are the biggest threat to the security of the country.

Today, we demand that Rakeshwar Singh be freed from the captivity of Naxalites.
Dhaka, April 6 : The militants and radicals using religion as their business and fighting the Covid-19 outbreak are the two major challenges which the Bangladesh government is facing as of now, said Awami League leader and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Tuesday.

"Tackling coronavirus infections and preventing evil activities of the fanatic and religious extremist forces are the challenges the government is facing now," the Road Transport and Bridges Minister said during a video conference while inaugurating a development project.

The general secretary of the ruling party also called for unity among the leaders and activists of the party to fight the challenges.

"It is imperative to consolidate government's efforts to tackle the challenges," said Quader, while urging the party members to forget their differences and strengthen the initiatives taken by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Quader also urged the people to follow the lockdown rules and health directives to help the government tackle the pandemic.

Taking the rise in Covid-19 cases into consideration, the Prime Minister's Office of Bangladesh issued a gazette notification recently to keep all educational institutions including madrasas closed.

The Bangladesh Education Minister also confirmed on Tuesday that all the madrasas, including Qawmin Madrasas (residential and non-residential), will remain close till further notice while the government had earlier extended the closure of all educational institutions till May 22.

However, orphanages will remain out of the purview, said a gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Education adding that the directive will not be relaxed.

Despite the directives, some residential and non-residential madrasas of the country remain opened, which is a health risk in the current situation, said the gazette notification.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have faced a surge of hate crimes during the pandemic, and Yelp believes it can help by making it easier to support those communities. The company has teamed up with the inclusion-oriented non-profit Gold House to introduce an "Asian-owned" business label. Shops and restaurants that choose to identify this way (it's strictly voluntary) will be searchable through that attribute and will display it in results. You can give your business to the local Chinese store or Filipino restaurant that much sooner, in other words.

Yelp said it was "proactively" watching business pages for hate speech targeting Asian businesses and would both limit and remove any racist or otherwise policy-violating content. The company also has labels for Black-, Latinx- and women-owned businesses.

This does raise concerns that racists might use Yelp to single out businesses for physical attacks and harassment. We've asked the company for comment on that possibility. It's an opt-in label, though, so businesses don't have to identify as Asian-owned unless they're comfortable. If all goes well, the move could help your favorite establishments weather the combination of abuse and pandemic restrictions until both (hopefully) fade away.
STAMFORD, Conn., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ClearDox LLC announced today the commercial launch of ClearDox, a proven SaaS platform that provides data management and digital transformation solutions for commodity verticals including oil and refined products, agriculture, and metals, as well as industries such as trucking, airlines, container shipping, and bunkering. Designed by commodity professionals with a deep understanding of the complex challenges of the paper-based processes that are still common in these industries, ClearDox technology helps clients authenticate, digitize, and reconcile all incoming documents and integrate that data into their existing accounting, ETRM, scheduling, and risk management systems.

The company also announced that it signed its first client: Gulf Oil. After identifying its needs in four key operational areas, Gulf is implementing the ClearDox parsing and reconciliation modules to reduce manual processing of payables and bills of lading. ClearDox and Gulf intend to continue to collaborate to implement further applications of the technology.

"Leveraging the ClearDox platform affords Gulf the ability to further improve transaction processing efficiency and scalability to facilitate growth, driving long term value to our business," stated Michael Kelliher, Vice President- Commercial Controller of Gulf Oil.

Addison Armstrong, head of sales and marketing for ClearDox, states, "We are excited to partner with a world-class energy operator and brand like Gulf, and we look forward to working together to expand the ways our digital tools can help Gulf to realize its operations strategy across its complex supply chain. By implementing ClearDox, our clients reduce costs and errors, while identifying losses, and freeing them to focus on what really matters - improving operational efficiency."

During development, ClearDox technology was applied to trading, trucking, airline, agricultural shipping, and oil terminal transactions, where it was proven to cut settlement times, reduce countless man hours, and save millions of dollars.

By delivering accurate, complete, and comprehensive data, ClearDox supports multiple use cases including invoice reconciliation, tracking of fuel deliveries and inventories, container booking management, reconciling broker confirms, and scraping data from websites for use in fundamental analysis. Cloud-based, the system requires little change to a client's established workflows or data infrastructure.

About ClearDox LLC

ClearDox LLC is the outgrowth of the development of the ClearDox technology. The system automatically ingests, reconciles, and analyzes data that originates in any format, helping enterprises to integrate a broad spectrum of siloed, paper-based, and other external data into their operational workflow. As a result, companies that implement ClearDox can outperform their peers by unlocking improvements in productivity, risk management, and growth. The platform is the operational foundation of physical commodity trading for one of the world's largest commodity merchants, Freepoint Commodities LLC. More information on ClearDox is available at https://cleardox.com.

Media Contact: Paige Thornton, RF|Binder, [email protected]

About Gulf Oil

Gulf is a Massachusetts-based company fueling consumers through approximately 1,800 Gulf branded locations across 36 states and Puerto Rico. The company also distributes unbranded products to 1,000 private label locations nationwide. More information can be found at www.gulfoil.com.

Media Contact: Nikki Fales, Gulf Oil, [email protected]

SOURCE ClearDox LLC

Related Links

https://cleardox.com/


Chennai: DMK Lok Sabha MP Kanimozhi, who is being treated for COVID-19 voted at a polling station by wearing the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kit on Tuesday (April 6).

Also, a number of others being treated for the virus voted in Chennai and in other parts of Tamil Nadu, reported news agency ANI.

Kanimozhi, also DMK's women's wing secretary, arrived in an ambulance from the hospital where she is being treated for the infection and voted with the PPE kit on. She had tested positive for the virus on April 3.

Ahead of the arrival of people infected with the coronavirus, all personnel in polling stations donned the PPE kits and facilitated their voting. The premises were sanitised later.

The last hour (6 pm-7 pm) of polling was earmarked for COVID-19-infected voters or those suspected to be infected by the virus.

The total number of people, who chose to vote using PPEs despite being infected by the virus, is not known immediately.

Voter turnout crossed 60 per cent in Tamil Nadu by evening as polling continued peacefully with key leaders including AIADMK's K Palaniswami, O Panneerselvam and DMK chief M K Stalin exercising their franchise for the April 6 assembly polls.

Sporadic, poll related minor incidents were, however, reported from a couple of places though there were no major untoward incidents.

Till 5 pm, the polling was 63.60 per cent, Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo told reporters.

Live TV
The Indian Army chief, speaking at a seminar in February, had spoken about the proximity of the military of the two countries

When asked whether India would allow people from Myanmar to cross over through the border between the two countries, he said India was dealing the matter as per laws and humanitarian considerations.

There was no call to stop immediately mass killings and burning of villages and localities of the protestors. The foreign ministry spokesperson indulged in jugglery of words. Shocked by the brazen denial to the persecuted Myanmarese to take refuge in India, leading academician Pratap Bhanu Mehta wrote

By sidelining even the most basic humanitarian impulses in its response to Myanmar crisis, India will neither realise its ideals nor its strategic objectives. The Chief Minister of Mizoram, Zoramthanga, was correct in writing to the Centre that India cannot ignore the humanitarian crisis unfolding in our backyard, and remain indifferent to the suffering of those crossing the border. The Manipur government has, thankfully, withdrawn a shameful circular that would have prohibited providing meaningful assistance to victims of political persecution.

This circular, if enacted, would have been terrible for Indias image. But how we deal with the victims of this crisis should not be just driven by an exercise in image management, but take the larger humanitarian and political view. The humanitarian case for providing some kind of safe haven for refugees is too obvious to be stated. Surely the real test of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is not opportunistic displays of noblesse oblige, it is adherence to basic norms of decency

The RSS-BJP rulers who miss no opportunity to declare their love for the dictum world is a family have refused entry to mass of Christians, indigenous tribes (who worship tribal gods/goddesses) and some Buddhist refugees forced to leave Myanmar due to military repression. The Government of India ensured the Indian police and army manning the Myanmar borders

Importantly, the persecution in Myanmar exposes the huge chinks in the much-hyped Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 which gave right to Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim minorities in the neighbouring Muslim countries. It, shockingly, betrayed persecuted Tamilians in Sri Lanka and now India would not come to the rescue of non-Muslim minorities in Myanmar.

RSS friendship with Myanmar junta Mussolini and Hitler alone have not been favourites of the RSS ideologues. In fact, diverse totalitarian ideologies and regimes of the 20th century have been their favourite. One of the most ruthless ruling gang, the junta which is ruling Myanmar today, has always been their darling. According to a report in the official organ of the RSS, Organiser (February 28-March 5, 2000), filed by its own correspondent in Burma:

The 50th anniversary of the Sanatan Dharma Swayamsevak Sangh (SDSS-The RSS counterpart in Myanmar) was held at the National Theatre on Mayoma Kyaung Street, Yagnon, recently. Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council, Lt. Gen. Tin Oo attended the meeting. The programme was attended by ministers and senior military officers. Minister for Commerce, Brig. Gen. Pyi Sone; Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, Maj. Gen. Sein Htwa; Minister for Health, Maj. Gen. Ket Sein were among the prominent persons who attended the function.



The Vishwa Hindu Parishad website

With these old links with the Myanmar military rulers the inimical attitude of the RSS-BJP Indian rulers towards the persecuted Rohingyas in Myanmar was neither accidental nor sudden. The Indian government led by Modi falling in line with the Myanmar rulers refused to admit that genocide of the Rohingyas is taking place. Thousands of persecuted Rohingyas who escaped to India to save themselves from genocide are being forced to leave India.

---

*Formerly with Delhi University, click here for Prof Islams writings and video interviews/debates. Facebook: https://facebook.com/shamsul.islam.332, twitter: @shamsforjustice, blog: http://shamsforpeace.blogspot.com/ The RSS-BJP rulers who miss no opportunity to declare their love for the dictum world is a family have refused entry to mass of Christians, indigenous tribes (who worship tribal gods/goddesses) and some Buddhist refugees forced to leave Myanmar due to military repression. The Government of India ensured the Indian police and army manning the Myanmar borders thwart any attempt by the refugees to seek shelter in India. It was heartening to note that Mizoram chief minister refused to oblige.Importantly, the persecution in Myanmar exposes the huge chinks in the much-hyped Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 which gave right to Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim minorities in the neighbouring Muslim countries. It, shockingly, betrayed persecuted Tamilians in Sri Lanka and now India would not come to the rescue of non-Muslim minorities in Myanmar.Mussolini and Hitler alone have not been favourites of the RSS ideologues. In fact, diverse totalitarian ideologies and regimes of the 20th century have been their favourite. One of the most ruthless ruling gang, the junta which is ruling Myanmar today, has always been their darling. According to a report in the official organ of the RSS, Organiser (February 28-March 5, 2000), filed by its own correspondent in Burma:This report appeared with three photographs. In one photograph five military Generals, including the second in command of the military junta, Lt Gen Tin Oo, are seen standing on the stage in the midst of SDSS leadership wearing khaki shorts (the RSS attire, which is changed to brown trousers now). In the other photograph, leading lights of the Burmese military junta were seen sitting in the front row of the auditorium.The Vishwa Hindu Parishad website describes Sanatan Dharma Swayamsevak Sangh as its main Hindu organization in Myanmar. The other being Central Hindu Board.With these old links with the Myanmar military rulers the inimical attitude of the RSS-BJP Indian rulers towards the persecuted Rohingyas in Myanmar was neither accidental nor sudden. The Indian government led by Modi falling in line with the Myanmar rulers refused to admit that genocide of the Rohingyas is taking place. Thousands of persecuted Rohingyas who escaped to India to save themselves from genocide are being forced to leave India.---

If a shameful act means an action which is criminal and nauseating, it would be an understatement to describe the attitude of the present RSS-BJP rulers of India towards the demolition of democracy and large-scale killing of the people of Myanmar by the military () junta which took power through a coup on February 1, 2021 after renegading the election results in which the party of Aung San Suu Kyi, National League for Democracy, was a clear winner.The ruthless rule by the military in Myanmar (formerly Burma) is not a new phenomenon. Last time it lasted almost for five decades, from 1962 to 2011, and now has resumed in 2021.According to the latest tally by the renowned nonprofit Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, at least 500 people, mostly young, have been killed in Myanmar since the military coup on February 1. At least six children between the ages of 10 and 16 were among those killed on Saturday, Myanmar's Armed Forces Day. So far more than 43 children have been killed by the military firing squads.How military rulers were killings with impunity was made clear by a joint statement of Alice Wairimu Nderitu, UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, and Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights which demanded that the Myanmar military must "immediately stop killing the very people it has the duty to serve and protect." The UN Special Rapporteur for Myanmar said the army was carrying out " mass murder " and called on the world to isolate the junta and halt its access to weapons.A number of human rights activists and political analysts have reasons to claim that RSS-BJP rulers of India are not doing even minimum to stop the mass slaughter of the Myanmarese. It seems to be the continuation of the support which was offered during the genocide of the Rohingyas earlier.According to a leading English daily of India, two months after the coup India joined Russia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and the two sworn enemies, China and Pakistan in sending a high-level military delegation to participate in the celebration of the Tatmadaw Day (Military Day) on March 27, 2021. It is the most prominent state function of Myanmar.India joined the celebration exactly on the day which witnessed maximum killings of the common people, most of them youth, since the coup. It is not that the Indian government did not know about the critical situation in Myanmar. A day before the annual parade in which the Indian military delegation joined the celebration, military chiefs of USA, Australia, Canada, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, the Kingdom of Denmark, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom had released a statement which read:The presence of Indian military delegation at the killer Myanmar armys annual day was not sudden or unexpected. India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi developed a close relationship with the Myanmar military. In October 2020, Army Chief General MM Naravane and Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla had visited the country to enhance bilateral ties. They had met not only the countrys then state counsellor, Aung San Suu Kyi but also the military leadership.In fact, the Indian Army chief, speaking at a seminar in February, had spoken about the proximity of the military of the two countries resulting in growing cooperation and synergy between the soldiers on ground with reasonable operational dividends.It is true that the Indian government released press notes on Myanmar. On February 1, stating: It took more than a month for India to come out with the second statement. On April 2, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi at a media briefing stated : Let me be very clear, we condemn any use of violenceWe believe that the rule of law should prevail. We stand for the restoration of democracy in Myanmar. He also demanded release of political prisoners.
New Delhi: The Delhi government on Tuesday (April 6, 2021) decided to impose a night curfew to curb the COVID-19 spread. The night curfew has been imposed in the national capital from 10 pm to 5 am with immediate effect till April 30.

The number of coronavirus cases in Delhi has been rapidly rising over the past few days. On Monday, the national capital reported 3,548 new cases and 15 deaths. This was the fourth consecutive day that Delhi reported more than 3,500 new coronavirus infections. On Sunday, it had registered 4,033 new cases, its highest single-day tally in 2021.

Delhi Health Bulletin - 5th April 2021#DelhiFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/r5JY7F5LbG  CMO Delhi (@CMODelhi) April 5, 2021

The announcement has come a day after a proposal to impose a night curfew in the national capital was reportedly forwarded to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

CM Kejriwal had on Friday said that Delhi was undergoing the fourth wave of COVID-19 but a lockdown was not being considered yet.

Meanwhile, the Delhi BJP spokesperson Khemchand Sharma has reacted to the news and said that that the night curfew is not enough and that the incumbent AAP government needs to deploy their self-defence volunteers in crowded areas, increase testing, tracing and isolation and help senior citizens to get COVID-19 vaccination.

#NightCurfew is not enough in Delhi.... Delhi Govt needs to 1. deploy their so called self defense volunteers in crowded areas asap.

2. Increase testing, tracing and isolation

3. Help senior citizens to get vaccination asap  khemchand sharma #Brajwasi #RadheRadhe (@SharmaKhemchand) April 6, 2021

Earlier in the day, the Union Health Ministry informed that India recorded more than 96,000 COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours.



Live TV
Prison officials said that early on Monday morning, men armed with high-powered weapons including machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades arrived at a prison in Owerri, in southeastern Imo State. They exchanged fire with security personnel, according to prison officials, and then used explosives to blast their way into the prison yard.

One inmate died in the stampede that followed, officials said, and one police officer sustained a minor bullet wound to the shoulder. Officers repelled an attack on the armory at the prison, according to Frank Mba, a police spokesman.

Nigerias security services have launched a search operation to recapture the inmates, whose number was put at 1,844. It is not yet known how many of them were convicts and how many were just awaiting trial. Justice is often slow in Nigeria, with people spending years in jail before their cases are heard.

I am worried that some criminals were set free, said Kelechi Njoku, a hotelier and resident of Owerri whose hotel is about five miles from the prison. But not all of them are criminals. There are thousands awaiting trials.

A few prisoners were trickling back into custody, accompanied by their relatives or lawyers, Francis Enobore, a spokesman for the prison system in Nigeria, said in a WhatsApp exchange. Thirty-five inmates refused to leave when the jailbreak happened, he said.
(Natural News) The state of Texas is pushing back big time against the lefts race baiters and race hustlers with an initiative to ban one of the most controversial curriculums in the history of the country: Critical Race Theory.

According to most popular descriptions, CRT  which is pushed mostly by left-wing black scholars and their self-hating white allies  is a legal analysis based on the premise that race is not a natural, biologically grounded feature of physically distinct subgroups of human beings but a socially constructed (culturally invented) category that is used to oppress and exploit people of color, the Encyclopedia Britannica notes.

Critical race theorists hold that the law and legal institutions in the United States are inherently racist insofar as they function to create and maintain social, economic, and political inequalities between whites and nonwhites, especially African Americans, it continues.

The theory itself is patently racist because it paints the broad picture that white people are simply racist to begin with, and hopelessly so. Whats more, it pushes the lie that whites control everything and then use their power to specifically keep black people down.

Its like the Civil War, the post-Civil War constitutional amendments, and the entire civil rights movement never happened or never changed anything  which, again, is simply absurd.

BREAKING: Texas introduces legislation to ban critical race theory indoctrination in K-12 schools. The bill would prohibit public schools from promoting race essentialism, collective guilt, and neo-segregation. Our movement has expanded to 10 statesand is destined for victory. pic.twitter.com/GzMha5LZOL  Christopher F. Rufo  (@realchrisrufo) March 30, 2021

Rather, this theory was developed by the American Marxist left for one purpose only: To hopelessly divide our country to the point where society is no longer civil and we simply collapse from within.

But the state of Texas isnt having any of that.

Fox News reports:

Republican state Rep. James White introduced HB 4093, an education bill looking to end the teaching of critical race theory in public schools throughout the Lone Star State.

Whites measure would make it illegal for any teaching administrative bodies  including school districts and state agencies  to require teachers, administrators or employees to teach courses on concepts such as one race or sex being inherently superior to another or that an individual, by virtue of his or her race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously.

Also, schools and teachers would not be allowed to teach that people should be treated differently or discriminated against based on their race and sex and that members of one race or sex cannot and should not attempt to treat others without respect to race or sex.

The bill further prohibits schools from teaching students that someones morality comes by virtue of their skin tone and that a person bears responsibility for any past actions by members of their sex or race.

In short, its legislation that should not even be needed in 2021, given 160-plus years of making progress, legislatively and constitutionally, to realize the founders dream of colorblind equality throughout society.

The legislation goes on to require schools to teach students about crucial government documents and writings as well as the fundamental moral, political, and intellectual foundations of the American experiment in self-government (Civics 101, in other words).

The bill would also prohibit teachers from being required by state agencies, school districts, or administrations to discuss current events or widely debated and currently controversial issues of public policy or social affairs.

The legislation is similar to an executive action taken by former President Donald Trump  now repealed by Joe Biden  that would have prevented CRT from being required curriculum (for white people only) throughout the federal bureaucracy.

The September order barred federal taxpayer funds from being utilized by federal contractors to permit race or sex stereotyping or scapegoating in the federal workforce.

Such ideas may be fashionable in the academy, but they have no place in programs and activities supported by federal taxpayer dollars, the president said at the time. Research also suggests that blame-focused diversity training reinforces biases and decreases opportunities for minorities.

See more reporting like this at EndGame.news.

Sources include:

WashingtonTimes.com

FoxNews.com

NaturalNews.com
Hyderabad, April 6 : Telugu actor Adivi Sesh surprises you with his Punjabi accent. The actor further stumps you by saying that, not only the accent, he can actually fully understand the Punjabi language, although he although he never lived in northern India.

The reason is his move to California from Hyderabad during the formative years, he reveals.

"I grew up in California, San Francisco, and there were no Telugu folks (around). In the 1990s you didn't find any Telugu folks (in California). All my friends were Gujarati and Punjabi. These guys had come from smaller towns of India and they would struggle with English and I wanted a sense of being an Indian while growing up. It would be a lot of back and forth if I spoke in English and they spoke in Hindi. So, I picked up their accent from them!" the 35-year-old actor tells IANS.

He adds on a lighter note: "I do understand Punjabi, by the way. If I see people scolding me in Punjabi, I would easily understand what they are saying." The actor will soon be seen in "Major", which is inspired by the life of 26/11 martyr Sandeep Unnikrishnan. He announced on Monday that besides Telugu and Hindi, the film will also release in Malayalam.

Interestingly, besides acting in the film, he is also the writer of the project. He has earlier scripted his hit films such as "Kshanam", "Goodachari" and "Kiss". Does being a writer affect his choices as an actor? "In the beginning of my career, writing was a compulsion because when we like a story, we want to see ourselves in it on the screen, though I was not getting those kinds of films. I am an outsider in the movies and didn't know anyone. In many ways, writing became my weapon with which I could go into the battle but ultimately it was in service of my acting career," says the actor.

He adds: "It does help me, when I am hearing a story or watching a film and something feels tonally off or disingenuous. However, I don't want to be limited to the stories I write because then I will end up doing the same character written by me in every film because. It happens because a certain kind of comfort creeps in. I am ultimately one person and I try not to let the writer in me restrict the actor in me."

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
In this March 24, 2021, file photo Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., listens as the Senate Rules Committee holds a hearing on the "For the People Act," which would expand access to voting and other voting reforms, at the Capitol in Washington. Republicans in Congress are making the politically brazen bet that its more advantageous to oppose President Joe Bidens ambitious rebuild America agenda than to lend support for the costly $2.3 trillion undertaking for roads, bridges and other infrastructure investments. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)
Inspired by pr0n hottie Kait promo, from front to back, we take a peek at pop culture, community news and top headlines for right now . . .



Check-it . . .

Mayor Q Talks With Homeless

KCMO mayor meets with advocates for houseless encamped outside city hall KANSAS CITY, Mo. - For the third time in two days, Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas met with members of the KC Homeless Union and KC Tenants outside city hall, where a group of people experiencing homelessness have set up an encampment. Councilwoman Ryana Parks-Shaw was also a part of the meeting.

Kansas Reopen Lesson

Kansas Gov. Kelly signs bill mandating all schools provide full in-person learning by: Travis Meier Posted: / Updated: TOPEKA, Kan. - Governor Laura Kelly has signed a bill that mandates all school districts within Kansas provide a full in-person learning option for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The bill takes effect and will "be in force" upon publication.

JoCo Burns Today

10 residents displaced in Overland Park apartment fire Tuesday KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Fire officials say 10 people were displaced by an early morning fire at the Aspen Lodge Apartments in Overland Park on Tuesday. First units on scene from Overland Park, Lenexa and Shawnee reported heavy fire visible from the roof of a two-story apartment building with evacuation in progress.

Pr0n Regret Revealed

Mia Khalifa Says Being A Pornstar Was The Worst Time Of Her Life Ex-porn star Mia Khalifa says working in the industry was the 'worst time' of her life. The former adult film actress went viral after she filmed a scene that involved her wearing a hijab, but the attention led to her receiving death threats from ISIS.

Republicans Clap Back Against Former Corporate Friends

McConnell warns businesses of 'serious consequences' after many condemn Georgia's restrictive voting law Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell warned big businesses they would face "serious consequences" after accusing them of employing "economic blackmail" in attempts to influence voting laws as the backlash over Georgia's elections law that imposes voting restrictions intensifies.

COVID Vaxx 4 Everybody

Biden To Say All Adults Should Be Vaccine Eligible By April 19 President Biden will announce Tuesday that he is moving up the deadline for states to open up COVID-19 vaccinations to all adult Americans by about two weeks, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said. Less than a month after directing states to expand eligibility to all adults by May 1, Biden is expected to change that deadline to April 19.

MAGA Forsakes Congressman Confronting Creeper Crisis

Trumpworld has no lifelines it wants to throw Matt Gaetz In the days since news broke that the Department of Justice was looking into whether Gaetz had violated sex trafficking laws - an allegation he denies - no Trump aide or family member has tweeted about the Florida congressman.

White Lies Exposed?!?

Fears of White People Losing Out Permeate Capitol Rioters' Towns, Study Finds Counties with the most significant declines in the non-Hispanic white population were the most likely to produce insurrectionists. When the political scientist Robert Pape began studying the issues that motivated the 380 or so people arrested in connection with the attack against the Capitol on Jan.

Internets Opportunity For Talk Show Meme Diva

Danielle 'Bhad Bhabie' Bregoli Celebrates 18, Says She's 'Done it All Already' Play video content TMZ.com Bhad Bhabie is celebrating her 18th birthday by cashing in on the catchphrase that made her a thing -- and the way she sees it, the only place left to catch her ... is in early retirement.

Meth Town Shares Improved Payment Plan After Arctic Blast

Independence Power & Light will spread fuel-adjustment increase from February over 6 months Independence Power & Light customers should expect to see a fuel cost adjustment beginning next month on their utility bills, the city announced Tuesday. Record-breaking extremely cold temperatures in mid-February caused a spike in energy consumption, which drove up fuel costs for utility companies.

Show Wont Go On

Kansas City Shakespeare fest cancels 2021 production, cites union rules amid COVID The Heart of America Shakespeare Festival's production of "The Tempest" has fallen victim to the pandemic for the second consecutive year. A statement on the festival website says that the summer production at Southmoreland Park has been canceled because the Actors' Equity Association's COVID-19 safety protocols would have made it "both logistically challenging and prohibitively expensive."

More Storm Deets Circulate

Your Storm Track 5 Daily Forecast Our evening skies will quickly cloud over leading to showers and thunderstorms arriving late this evening and overnight. A few of the storms could be strong with large hail and gusty winds the primary threat mainly after about 1:00 AM.

And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.


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Publishers Note: CUInsight is hosting a free webinar Wednesday, April 21st titled, Little Giants: Have a BIG community impact at any size. We hope youll join us! Register here.

Itll come as no surprise to CUInsight readers  credit unions have a secret weapon that isnt necessarily wielded as much as it can be.

One of the hallmarks of a credit union is a strong foundation built upon community connection and involvement. Thats the heart of it all.

It seems like every day theres a new digital bank or tech giant wanting to dive headfirst into banking, marketing themselves as the newest, shiny object to attract potential customers.

However, being flashy only gets you so far.

At the end of the day, young consumers still prefer financial institutions that have their origins in banking and offer the opportunity for personal connection.

I can only imagine the behind-the-scenes for some of these new entrants  illustrated by an exchange in the cinematic masterpiece, Zoolander. (Yes, I do have sophisticated taste.)

Four male models stand around in their loft after a tough day and our protagonist, Derek Zoolander, has an epiphany:

Derek: Did you ever think that maybe theres more to life than being really, really, really ridiculously good-looking? I mean, maybe we should be doing something more meaningful with our lives. Like helping people.

Brint: Uh, Derek, what people?

Derek: I dont know. People who need help.

If only theyd had a credit union hero there to set them on the path towards actually helping people.

During our inaugural Right on the Money contest, we learned of tremendous feats from credit unions across the globe  pivoting their strategies virtually overnight to keep the economy afloat. Anything from curbside service to member care packages and even having onsite childcare/online school for working parents, the efforts were nothing short of heroic.

If you missed the contest in 2020, have no fear, its returning with submissions opening at the end of July 2021.

With a hint of light at the end of the tunnel, we wanted to give you all a head start on your submissions for this year.

We are beyond pleased to introduce Whitney Anderson-Harrell, Chief Community Development Officer at MSUFCU and Founder of the Desk Drawer Fund, as our distinguished guest for our upcoming webinar titled, Little Giants: Have a BIG community impact at any size.

With a member base exceeding 300,000, MSUFCU artfully balances the aforementioned community involvement and recruitment of university students as well as maintaining legacy members and developing cutting-edge technology.

The purpose of this conversation is to share Whitneys learnings throughout her career and provide attendees with actionable steps they can take regardless of the size of their institutions.

Yes  this is what the other guys are worried about. Its tough to compete against the passion, heart, and resolve of a scrappy, determined credit union.

We hope youll be joining us on Wednesday, April 21 at 1:00 pm Eastern.

As The Banking CRM, CRMNEXT is always here to partner with you on your credit unions transformation journey. Learn more about digital transformation here!

Dont forget to join CUInsight and CRMNEXT for our free webinar titled Little Giants: Have a BIG community impact at any size, on Wednesday, April 21st. Register yourself and a colleague here.
Dion and Sandeep rose to the challenge and quickly helped us up-level our operational sophistication and streamline the rollout of new processes and tools.

Walker Sands, an integrated marketing agency focused on accelerating the growth of B2B brands, has elevated Dion Manly and Sandeep Goswami to the companys senior leadership team.

The promotions in Operations and IT will contribute to the continued growth of the firm through operational excellence and technology innovation, and drive greater value for Walker Sands customers through increased sophistication.



Dion Manly to Vice President of Operations: Manly joined Walker Sands in 2018 and has since played a crucial role in spearheading the selection, implementation and launch of a new professional services automation application. This application drives significant operational performance improvements for the agency as a whole. Manly is leading the current effort to implement the Professional Services Maturity Model framework to assess agency performance, identify improvement initiatives and structure annual planning efforts to further advance Walker Sands organizational maturity. As Vice President of Operations, he will continue to remain focused on supporting the agency's rapid growth by streamlining processes and optimizing systems to enable service teams to deliver great work for clients.

Sandeep Goswami to Vice President of Engineering and Technology: Since joining the company in 2018, Goswami quickly demonstrated his technical leadership and has established the agencys technology vision by effectively introducing several key technologies and leading the integrated ERP implementation to support Walker Sands long-term goals and drive growth. Goswami has been instrumental in evolving the agencys information systems, custom software applications, business data and analytics platforms while building and maintaining a robust IT infrastructure and InfoSec processes. As Vice President of Engineering and Technology, he will continue to lead new technology research and development to strengthen Walker Sands technology platform and capabilities while also exploring new product offerings to play a strategic role in future growth.

Walker Sands has experienced rapid growth over the last several years and with that came a need to sophisticate our internal processes to meet the needs of our growing team, said Mike Santoro, CEO of Walker Sands. Dion and Sandeep rose to the challenge and quickly helped us up-level our operational sophistication and streamline the rollout of new processes and tools.

Walker Sands has seen tremendous, sustained growth over the past five years with a 205% increase in revenue, and has been featured in Inc. 5000 for eight consecutive years. This announcement comes on the heels of other key elevations across the organization including: Mike Santoro to CEO, Dave Parro, Andrew Cross, Allison Ward and Mark Miller to the executive leadership team, and Ann Hagner and Payal Pathak to vice presidents.

To learn more about Walker Sands integrated marketing offerings, visit http://walkersands.com.

About Walker Sands

Walker Sands is a full-service B2B marketing agency with core capabilities in public relations, demand generation, branding, creative, marketing strategy and web. The firms integrated approach to marketing drives awareness, credibility and conversions for 100+ clients around the world. An eight-time Inc. 5000 honoree, Walker Sands is one of the fastest-growing B2B marketing agencies in the world, with offices in Chicago, San Francisco and Seattle. Learn more at walkersands.com.
DUBLIN, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Wood Preservatives Market by Formulation (Water-Based, Oil-Based, Solvent-Based), Application (Residential, Commercial, Industrial), and Region (North America, APAC, Europe, South America, Middle Eastand Africa) - Global Forecast to 2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Research and Markets Logo

The Global Wood Preservatives Market is Estimated to be USD 1.3 Billion in 2020 and is Projected to Reach USD 1.7 Billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 5.1%

The market is witnessing moderate growth, owing to the increasing application, infrastructural development, and growing demand for these wood preservatives in the Asia Pacific, North America and Europe. Wood preservatives are largely used in residential & commercial applications. The increasing use of wood preservatives in residential, commercial and rising construction activities is driving the wood preservatives market.

Wood preservatives increase the life of the wood by protecting it from decay, fungi, rot, and wood-boring insects. These include various chemicals, such as copper-based chemicals, borates, and creosote oils. They can be segmented based on formulations as water-based, oil-based, and solvent-based wood preservatives. Different wood preservatives are used in various applications depending on the environment in which the treated wood is to be used.

The applications of wood preservatives can be broadly segmented as residential, commercial, and industrial. Structural & decking, fencing, landscaping, and furniture are some of the sub-segments of residential and commercial applications. The industrial applications include utility poles, railroad ties, and marine applications.



Water-Based Wood Preservatives segment is expected to lead the wood preservatives market during the forecast period.



The water-based will continue to lead the wood preservatives market, accounting for a share of 75.6% of the overall market in 2019 terms of value. This was due to the increasing demand for water-based wood preservatives in the decking, fencing, and landscaping sub-applications are expected to witness high growth in the next five years.

Story continues

The effectiveness of the copper-based wood preservatives has increased their demand in the wood preservatives market. Most of the copper-based wood preservatives are water-based formulations. Therefore, the water-based wood preservatives market is expected to dominate, globally, during the forecast period.



North America is the largest market for wood preservatives market.



North America accounted for the largest share of the wood preservatives market in 2020. The demand for wood preservatives is increasing in North America due to the increased usage of wood in the residential and industrial sectors. The rising construction industry supported by heavy investments for infrastructural developments is providing new opportunities for the wood preservatives manufacturers operating in this region

The wood preservatives market comprises major solution providers, such as Koppers (US), Lonza (Switzerland), Lanxess (Germany), Cabot Microelectronics (US), BASF Wolman (Germany) and Troy (US) among others.

Market Dynamics

Drivers

Rapid Urbanization and Increasing Disposable Incomes in Emerging Economies

Demand for Eco-Friendly Wood Preservative Chemicals

Restraints

Increasing Restrictions on the Use of Chromium, Arsenic, Creosote, and Other Hazardous Chemicals

Growing Restrictions on Plant Cutting

Opportunities

Emerging Technologies for Wood Preservation

Increasing Use of Wood for Interior Decorative Purposes and Wooden Flooring in Buildings

Growth of Wood Lumber Market

Growing Demand for Wood Composites

Challenges

Creating Awareness About the Advantages of Wood Preservatives in Emerging Markets

Company Profiles

Koppers

Lonza

Lanxess

Cabot Microelectronics

Basf Wolman

Troy

Remmers

Copper Care Wood Preservatives

Rutgers Organics

Viance

Janssen Pharmaceutical

Other Companies

Borax

Buckman Laboratories International

Wykamol Group

Kurt Obermeier

Dolphin Bay

Quality Borate

Timberlife

Lada Organics

Jubilant

Parikh Enterprises

Aadinath Chemical Industries

NisUS

Advance Agrisearch Limited

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/wpm3hv

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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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View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wood-preservatives-market---global-forecast-to-2025---increasing-use-of-wood-for-interior-decorative-purposes-and-wooden-flooring-in-buildings-301263353.html

SOURCE Research and Markets
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Payment sought for student teachers on placement programs

ASTI adopts maximum class size of 24 policy

Harris - Funding for higher education 'ducked and dodged' for too long

Motion on future Leaving Cert curriculum reform passed unanimously by ASTI

Government's decision vaccine programme 'particularly disappointing'

Closures impact DEIS school students in particular

Primary teachers' union back motion on class size reduction'

Appalling' lack of psychologists and therapists at crisis point - INTO

Covid pandemic magnified issue of inequality in education - TUI

Teacher unions to debate industrial action over vaccine schedule changes

The three teachers' unions have agreed to a joint motion to their respective congresses tomorrow on vaccination prioritisation.

The INTO, ASTI, and TUI have agreed to put forward a shared emergency motion, however, the exact wording will not be available until tomorrow.

"The motion will seek to commit the unions to work together to demand vaccine prioritisation for teachers," the group said in a joint statement.

"Should that fail, the motion will mandate the unions to explore any and all options, up to and including industrial action.

Change to vaccine rollout schedule 'not a value judgment' on teachers, Norma Foley tells conference

The Government is unlikely to revise its decision on the new vaccine rollout schedule, the Minister for Education has indicated to teachers.

The three teaching unions are due to bring a shared, emergency motion to delegates tomorrow, demanding vaccine prioritisation for teachers.

If it passes, it will see members balloted on taking industrial action.

Addressing the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) annual conference this Tuesday, Norma Foley said she understands the disappointment about the recent changes to the roll-out.

However, the change has been driven by new evidence that shows age is the strongest predictor of whether a person who contracts Covid-19 will be admitted to hospital or ICU or die, according to Ms Foley.

This is the latest medical and scientific evidence available. This is not a value judgment on any given profession. This is simply the science.

Payment sought for student teachers on placement programs

There are no payments, stipend or financial contribution for those undertaking student teacher placement programs

The ASTI will seek to negotiate payment for teaching work carried out by student teachers during their Postgraduate Master of Education course, following a motion proposed by the Stillorgan branch of the union.

There are no payments, stipend or financial contribution for those undertaking student teacher placement programs during their Postgraduate Master of Education courses.

Ciara Kinsella, who proposed the motion, said some 70% of student teachers have part-time jobs during their placements and are working evenings and weekends having already completed a full week's work.

Many student teachers also pay for lesson materials and resources from their own pockets, she said, while some are unable to afford such materials to complete lessons which are used for accreditation purposes in their education.

The government should have the decency to provide financial recognition, and keep in line with the practice in other professions, she said.

ASTI adopts maximum class size of 24 policy

The ASTI has adopted a policy of a maximum class size of 24 students for general subjects and a maximum class size of 20 students for all practical subjects.

The motion was proposed by Deirdre MacDonald of the Wexford Tony Boland Branch who said Irelands secondary level classes are among the largest class sizes in Europe.

They reflect the huge under-investment in education that has been part and parcel of our system for years, she added.

The average OECD class size in lower secondary education is 23 compared to an EU average of 21.

An ASTI/RED C Survey carried out last year found large class sizes and inadequate physical environments in schools were impacting negatively on teaching and learning with 85% of teachers agreeing that large class sizes often impact negatively on the range of teaching methodologies they used.

More than half of teachers said large class sizes often affect their ability to cover the course being taught.

Teacher Andrew Phelan, who noted it was his tenth ASTI convention, said the issue of smaller class sizes has been debated time and time again and yet numbers in classrooms continue to grow.

I absolutely support the motion but Id like to make the point that for ten years weve been discussing it - are we going to do something about it?

A recent poll carried out by the ASTI revealed 63% of its members believe smaller classes will be the most important area for investment in schools after the pandemic.

Harris - Funding for higher education 'ducked and dodged' for too long

Speaking at the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI)s annual conference on Tuesday, Minister Harris said while investment in the sector has increased, it is not where it needs to be. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Funding higher and further education is an issue that has been ducked and dodged for far too long, Minister Simon Harris has said.

Speaking at the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI)s annual conference on Tuesday, Minister Harris said while investment in the sector has increased, it is not where it needs to be.

This new dedicated Department will seek to rectify that. We expect the final report on the future funding of the sector in the next few months and I want you to know two things: I dont intend to be dusting it or seeking a shelf to stick it on," he said.

Minister Harris said he intends to act on it with meaningful engagement with stakeholders, including the TUI.

He referred to the 168 million Covid support package as a recent funding success.

Motion on future Leaving Cert curriculum reform passed unanimously by ASTI

The redesigned science syllabus provides only "a list of topics and learning outcomes" and does not sufficiently detail how deeply to go into a topic or what areas to cover, it is understood.

A motion to demand that the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) include depth of treatment and range of subject knowledge, in the design template of all future Leaving Certificate subject specifications, including those currently under development has been passed unanimously by the ASTI.

The motion was proposed by John Conneely, a physics teacher from St. Flannans College in Ennis, Co. Clare.

Mr Conneely said; For a Leaving Certificate syllabus design to conform to international best practice, it should contain considerable detail on the topics to be studied, depth of treatment of these topics and subject-specific details such as lab practice work, fieldwork, or practical skills.

The redesigned science syllabus provides only "a list of topics and learning outcomes" and does not sufficiently detail how deeply to go into a topic or what areas to cover, it is understood.

Mr Conneely also pointed to an Agricultural Science Teacher as saying he didnt know whether he should be spending two months, two weeks, two days or two hours on a topic.

A recent survey by the Irish Agricultural Science Teachers Association found just 0.4% of teachers rated the clarity of the learning outcomes within the new specification as very clear.

Meanwhile, a motion to demand that a full and comprehensive review of the implementation of the Junior Cycle framework be undertaken and published by an independent educational body prior to any further changes being proposed and/or implemented at Senior Cycle level, has been passed by the ASTI.

The motion was proposed by the Dublin South Central, Galway and Mullingar branches of the ASTI.

Speaking in support of the motion, teacher and delegate Niall Mahon said the Junior Cert as it stands simply isnt fit for purpose.

Delegate Sandra Fay, who is also a Solidarity Councillor in Tallaght South, also backed the motion, stating the government is using the pandemic to sneak in one of their long term goals, reforms and changes with no teacher voice or accountabilities or view of educational reform.

Ms Fay said teachers needed to ensure that every change made has true benefits for students today and going forward.

Closures impact DEIS school students in particular

A lot of our students have regressed and some will struggle to re-engage for even the last seven weeks of the term.

School closures have had a negative impact on DEIS students in particular, the ASTIs Easter conference has heard.

For those of us that are teaching in DEIS schools, we know that for the majority of our students, educational progress happens between the hours of 9am and 4pm," teacher Edel Farrell said.

A lot of our students have regressed and some will struggle to re-engage for even the last seven weeks of the term.

Ms Farrell, who is also a member of the ASTI's Education Committee, said it is obvious that school closures as a result of the pandemic have further underlined the need for additional support.

To prevent long term implications, schools, especially those in lower socio-economic areas will need extensive funding to ensure a deepening divide in education inequality does not occur."

Government's decision on vaccine programme 'particularly disappointing

The decision to abruptly and disrespectfully rearrange the vaccination programme to an age-based system is particularly disappointing, the president of a teachers union has said.

Norma Foley, the Minister for Education, is set to address the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) this Tuesday at 3 pm.

Last week, the Government announced the national vaccination programme is to be changed to an age-based system, once those aged 70 years and older, the vulnerable, and people with underlying conditions are immunised.

The decision has been criticised by several frontline sectors in society, particularly teachers, who believe they should be prioritised due to their working conditions.

Martin Marjoram, president of the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI), said the union has been in correspondence with the Department of Education in recent weeks on the issue.

He said the Department gave clear indication of our place in the prioritisation and offered hope that front line school staff would be vaccinated at the earliest possible opportunity within that first third.

While ever respectful of public health professionals, bombshell policy U-turns of this magnitude, broken to TUIs leadership through leaks and distressed emails and texts from members, create industrial relations problems which require a response and, in our view, a further U-turn, he said.

We have never sought to be advanced above those most vulnerable to infection or the most serious consequences thereof, but we must insist that commitments made on such sensitive issues be honoured.

Primary teachers' union back motion on class size reduction

The INTO is now calling for class sizes to be reduced, at a minimum, to the EU average of 20 students per class.

Primary teaching trade unionists have backed a motion demanding a reduction in class sizes.

The INTO is now calling for class sizes to be reduced, at a minimum, to the EU average of 20 students per class.

Proposing the motion, Carmel Browne from the INTOs Central Executive Committee said the impact of supersized classes was never more evident than when the Covid pandemic hit.

As hard as everyone worked to get our schools open last August, the stark reality is that social distance is an impossibility in large classes in cramped classrooms.

Keeping an adequate distance between pupils, or even groups of pupils, in the average Irish classroom, is an impossible task.

'Appalling' lack of psychologists and therapists at crisis point - INTO

An appalling absence of educational psychologists, speech and language therapists, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, and counsellors is at crisis point, teacher trade unionists have warned.

The annual teachers conferences get underway this Tuesday, with delegates to meet and debate virtually across two days due to the ongoing pandemic.

Teachers see the physical and psychological effects that homelessness, emergency accommodation, and direct provision have on students in their classrooms and under their care, according to Mary Magner, INTO president. Picture:Gareth Chaney/Collins

Norma Foley, the Minister for Education, is set to address the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) this Tuesday at 3 pm.

Covid-19 has uncovered the dearth of physical, emotional, social, and mental health supports for our most vulnerable pupils, delegates from the INTO heard this morning.

Teachers see the physical and psychological effects that homelessness, emergency accommodation, and direct provision have on students in their classrooms and under their care, according to Mary Magner, INTO president.

In her opening address to the conference, Ms. Magner spoke about tackling large class sizes, the digital divide, and underinvestment in primary education.

She also spoke about addressing the shortage of therapists needed to help support vulnerable children.

Our educational system simply does not have enough of these therapists in our schools and the severe shortage of support is negatively affecting and will continue to impact on this generation of children, if the situation isnt addressed at lightning speed.

Teachers know that the stakes are high, she added.

Where pupils drop-out of school, they become easy prey for drug-related crime and criminal gangs. Education is the gateway to a better life.

Equally Special Education inclusion comes at a price, she added.

It is a price worth paying. Any new model of special education provision is doomed to fail, if, it is not resourced properly.

Never again should we have to put up with an education system that does not support its most vulnerable because it fails to provide a full range of clinicians, highly skilled and trained teachers, and appropriate resources.

Covid pandemic magnified issue of inequality in education - TUI

The Covid-19 pandemic has shown that inequality is endemic in our society, a teachers conference has heard.

In his opening address, Michael Gillespie, general secretary of the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI), said while the pandemic did not create inequality, it did magnify the issue in education.

To tackle educational inequality effectively and decisively, society must invest in education as a public service and a key aspect for our future wellbeing, he said.

In his opening address, Michael Gillespie, general secretary of the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI), said while the pandemic did not create inequality, it did magnify the issue in education. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Mr Gillespie said the pandemic has also highlighted a number of issues that need to be tackled, including class size and ventilation in schools.

A clear lesson of the pandemic is the importance of class size especially for those on the margins and those with additional educational needs. The quality of public education depends to a significant degree on having classes of a manageable size for teachers and for their students, he said.

Classes in Irish schools are currently too large, and this materially affects the service that our members can provide to their students. If we are to engage the disengaged, include the formerly excluded, and if we are to give every student a fair chance, smaller classes are an imperative. Mr Gillespie called for a fundamental reappraisal and a new conceptualisation of what a school should look like.

We always knew that ventilation and air quality were important. We now know just how important. It has never been a requirement in our classes, but it must be now. This is a structural problem which can and must be addressed, he said.

CO2 meters or air quality meters should be installed in every classroom, he added.

Mr Gillespie said the union is calling for a new deal for education and the sustained investment to make changes.

He highlighted access to good broadband for students in particular, which he said must be a national asset and should be installed in every household.

Being connected has its challenges but not being connected is a new species of disadvantage, an impediment to progress at an individual, family and community level, he said.

On the emergency measures for the junior and leaving cert over the past two years, Mr Gillespie said this could not set a precedent, and traditional, external exams must resume post-pandemic.

We note the chorus of consultants now calling for the temporary arrangements to be made permanent. Let me tell you; they will be waiting. We are not here to allow opportunistic dreams to come to fruition, he said.

We will not be fooled into accepting as permanent what we agreed to be temporary. We will not countenance the abandonment of the written, state-certified exams, externally set and assessed. TUI will not yield to demands for a year-round, 24/7 work pattern.

Teacher unions to debate industrial action over vaccine schedule changes

The three teacher unions are expected to bring forward emergency motions on potential industrial action to delegates as their conferences get under way. File Picture: Larry Cummins

Students could face disruption before the summer if teachers choose to strike over the Government's decision to bump them down the vaccine priority list.

The three teachers unions are expected to bring forward emergency motions on potential industrial action to delegates as their annual Easter teaching conferences get under way.

The emergency motions will not affect the next and final phase of reopening schools from next Monday, April 12. However, if passed, it could see industrial action taken as early as this term.

Education Minister Norma Foley is expected to be greeted with an angry reception when she addresses delegates virtually across both days of the conferences.

While the minister is to speak at both the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) and Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) conferences, she will not address the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI).

Last night, union representatives would not be drawn on the wording of the motions to be brought to delegates. It is also not yet known whether it will be a joint motion shared between the three unions.

Delegates will be asked if they support taking a strong position in relation to changes in the vaccine rollout. They will also be asked about what action they may deem necessary to achieve a revision of the decision on the vaccines made last week, according to Kieran Christie, ASTI general secretary.

'Very disappointed'

"Our members are very angry and hurt and disappointed with the decision that has been made," said Mr Christie. "They want the matter revisited and redressed."

If delegates back the motions, union members will then be balloted for industrial action, likely to include potential strike action. It is expected that this could take place at primary level within the coming weeks.

However, secondary teachers are understood to be reluctant about heaping more disruption on this year's Leaving Cert class. The removal of teachers from the vaccine priority list is seen by many as a move that could undermine the efforts of teachers and school staff to keep schools open and running during the pandemic.

Members of the INTO, ASTI, and TUI are said to be furious about the change to the rollout. One union source said its members felt as if they had the rug pulled out from under them after being told they would be prioritised along with other frontline staff.

Forsa has also called on the Government to review the decision to remove special needs assistants from the Covid-19 vaccine priority list.

As well as Covids impact on the classroom, longstanding issues such as lower pay for new entrants and large class sizes are expected to dominate the agenda across both days of the annual teaching conferences.

Research carried out by the TUI suggests that almost three out of 10 teachers who entered the profession after 2011 do not believe they will still be in the teaching profession in 10 years' time.

Pay disparity

However, if pay disparity was to be addressed, 74% said they believed they would still be in the profession in 10 years. Martin Marjoram, TUI president, said this shows the "continuing corrosive effect" of pay disparity.

The INTO is expected to warn that the pandemic hit a primary education system already near breaking point, citing a "decade of underinvestment" in primary and special schools. INTO president Mary Magner will call for a change of approach to education funding here post-Covid, pointing to our low levels of GDP on primary education.

Yesterday, a further 320 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed. No new deaths were reported.

The latest vaccination figures show that 923,878 doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been administered to Friday, April 2  655,292 people have received their first dose while 268,586 have received their second. The millionth dose will be given within days.
Voters wait in line to cast their ballots on the final day of early voting for the 2020 presidential election in a file photo. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

200 Companies Join the Pushback Against Election Integrity Efforts

In the latest weigh-in by corporate America on election reform efforts, 200 companiesincluding PayPal, Dow, Microsoft, and Uberhave signed a joint statement signaling their opposition to bills that critics claim impose unfair barriers to voting and whose proponents say make elections more secure.

There are hundreds of bills threatening to make voting more difficult in dozens of states nationwide, says the statement by senior executives at corporations that also include Estee Lauder, HP, LinkedIn, and Levis.

We call on elected leaders in every state capitol and in Congress to work across the aisle and ensure that every eligible American has the freedom to easily cast their ballot and participate fully in our democracy, the business leaders wrote.

While the business leaders didnt specify which election-related bills or legislative efforts they have in mind, they broadly took aim at initiatives that they claim impose barriers that result in longer lines at the polls or that reduce access to secure ballot dropboxes, an argument made by opponents to a recently enacted election reform law in Georgia.

In the wake of the 2020 election controversy, Republican and Democrat lawmakers across the country have been pulling in opposite directions by introducing legislation that either reduces barriersand guardrailsto voting or seeks to strengthen election integrity, which can also make casting a vote more effortful or burdensome.

SB 202, or the Election Integrity Act of 2021 (pdf), was signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp, drawing praise from those who argue that more stringent requirements around voter ID, among other measures, make elections more secure, while sparking condemnation from those who view them as voter suppression.

Republicans, and other proponents of more secure voting, have argued that the reforms are necessary improvements to shore up integrity and build confidence in the states elections. The measures include requiring photo or state-approved identification to vote absentee by mail. They also mandate that secure drop boxes be placed inside early voting locations, with constant surveillance, and the law expands early voting across the state, addressing a key Democrat concern. The bill also shortens the election cycle for runoffs from nine weeks to four and requires a minimum of one week of early voting before Election Day.

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has responded to the criticism over the new law, saying, Theres no rational argument against requiring state IDprovided for free to those who dont have a drivers licensefor absentee ballots.

Raffensperger dismissed voter suppression arguments, saying he implemented a version of the identification requirement during the November 2020 election, and that all absentee ballot requests that came through the state website were cross-referenced with a drivers license database or another record.

The left said that photo ID for in-person voting would suppress votes. It didnt. Registration and turnout soared, hitting new records with each election cycle. Their cataclysmic predictions about the effects of this law are simply baseless. The next election will prove that, but I wont hold my breath waiting for the left and the media to admit they were wrong, he said.

The joint statement from the 200 corporate leaders comes after dozens of black business executives, including Merck chief executive Kenneth Frazier and former American Express chief executive Kenneth Chenault, released a joint letter in The New York Times urging corporate America to stand up forcefully to oppose bills that they argue makes it harder to cast a vote.

There is no middle ground here, Chenault said in the letter. You either are for more people voting, or you want to suppress the vote.

Speaking on CNBC, Coca-Cola chief executive James Quincey called the Georgia legislation a step backward.

It does not promote principles we have stood for in Georgia around broad access to voting, around voter convenience, about ensuring election integrity, he said. This legislation is wrong and needs to be remedied.

Kemp has responded to pushback from corporate leaders to the Peach States new election integrity bill, saying that he welcomes the criticism as an opportunity to debate the merits of the measure.

Im glad to deal with it, Kemp told CNBC when asked about backlash from business leaders opposing SB 202.

If they want to have a debate about the merits and the facts of the bill, then we should do that, Kemp told the outlet.

We have 159 counties in Georgia. One hundred and thirty-four of those counties under this legislation will be offering more hours of early voting, not less, so I would encourage these CEOs to look at these other states theyre doing business in, and compare what the real facts are to Georgia, and I think their focus will probably need to be in other places and not here, he told the outlet.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has also weighed in on the controversy, admonishing corporate leaders for their criticism of Georgias voting law in an April 5 statement, in which he accused them of falling for absurd disinformation and of dabbling in behaving like a woke parallel government.

Our private sector must stop taking cues from the Outrage-Industrial Complex, McConnell said in the statement. Americans do not need or want big business to amplify disinformation or react to every manufactured controversy with frantic left-wing signaling.

McConnell added that corporations protesting the law could invite serious consequences if they become a vehicle for far-left mobs to hijack our country.

Citing data that over 70 percent of Americans, including a majority of Democrats, support voter ID requirements, McConnell argued that the opposition to SB 202 was a way to build support for Democrat-led efforts to reform election laws.

Washington Democrats want to pass a sweeping bill that would let them rewrite all 50 states election laws and turn the Federal Election Commission into a Democrat-run partisan body, McConnell said.

This power grab is impossible to defend, so the left wants to deflect. Instead of winning the debate, they want to silence debate by bullying citizens and entire states into submission, he said.

The legislative thrust he was presumably referring to was H.R. 1, the For the People Act of 2021, which passed the Democrat-controlled House on March 3 on a largely party-line vote of 220210, with all Republicans and one DemocratRep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippivoting against it. The bill awaits action in the Senate.

Democratsand other proponentshave framed the bill as a crucial step against voter suppression, while Republicansand other opponentsargue it weakens security measures and makes elections more prone to fraud.

The Brennan Center for Justice, an advocacy group that pushes for progressive policies, counted 106 bills in 28 states designed to tighten voting standards so far this year, a significant jump from last year. At the same time, 35 states introduced a total of 406 bills to make voting less restrictive, also up from last year.
(Natural News) Two enormous storms have converged over eastern Australia, dumping over three feet of rain in only five days. The rains, which began on March 18, caused flooding that resulted in more than 18,000 residents in New South Wales (NSW), one of the most heavily affected areas, having to evacuate.

As of Monday, March 22, 38 locations in Australia have been considered natural disaster areas. Some areas have even seen rainfall that is five times the countrys usual monthly average for March. The torrential rain, which prompted the closure of more than 150 schools, was expected to continue through Tuesday night.

Given that the country saw some of the worst wildfires in its recorded history only a year ago, the flooding now has become another record-breaker. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian offered support to residents, stating that the flooding, on top of a pandemic, is life-changing. It can make you feel like you are at breaking point.

Berejiklian added that the downpour across NSW, the countrys most populous state, was worse than had been expected, especially in low-lying areas in the northwest. In a televised briefing, she said they had hoped the flooding would only be a one-in-20-year event. Now it looks like a [one]-in-50 year event.

The Premier also said no casualties have been reported so far as of Monday. But there has been massive damage. Several pictures circulating online have shown houses, roads and even trees completely submerged.

The heavy rain and flooding especially affected suburbs west of Sydney, the capital city of NSW. The city saw its wettest day of the year on Sunday, when it received 4.4 inches of rain. NSW officials said the flooding in Sydney was because of the Hawkesbury and Nepean rivers overflowing, which caused dams to overflow as well.

Floods engulf houses, residents blame development

Residents in northwestern NSW were forced to evacuate as fast-moving water destroyed homes. Social media and television videos showed water uprooting houses, engulfing roads and damaging road infrastructure. Officials estimate the number of damaged houses to be in the hundreds.

Some residents blamed the flooding on the development of new estates around the old suburbs. Shaun Boland, whose own house went under after Sydneys Warragamba Dam spilled over, was furious.

You cant just have thousands of acres of grass and rezone it for thousands of houses and new roads and not expect all the rainwater to run down into the river, he said. Other old houses in the area went under as well.

Since Thursday, emergency crews have responded to about 6,000 calls for help, including almost 700 pleas for rescue from the floods.

The extreme weather has also affected the delivery of coronavirus vaccines to NSW, disrupting plans to deliver the first doses of the vaccine to nearly six million people over the next few weeks. Michael Kidd, deputy chief medical officer of the Department of Health, said they need to wait and see what happens with the weather.

Rains, floods affect native animals

It wasnt just residents who were scrambling to flee their homes amid the floods. Local wildlife, including spiders and snakes, fled their habitats to escape the rains as well.

Wildlife carers and environmental groups said that since the rains began, they have received calls about animals hit by cars after fleeing to higher ground, kangaroos stuck in drainpipes and sea turtles swept away from their natural habitats.

Some of the most affected animals are those that dwell underground, such as wombats and echidnas. Evan Quartermain, Australian head of programs and disaster response for the Humane Society International, explained that the effects of flooding on native animals are usually varied but almost always severe.

Quartermain said local wildlife would need support for months to come. And besides ground-dwelling animals, aquatic ones, such as platypuses and sea turtles would also need support as they face major run-off issues. He added that the heavy rains also create havoc for birds that struggle to find shelter during the deluge.

Wildlife carers have been taking calls for injured animals. But they expect the calls to increase as the rains stop and the floods subside beginning Wednesday. (Related: New flood maps reveal: 100-year floods may become yearly occurrences.)

Follow ClimateScienceNews.com to learn more about flooding rains in Australia.

Sources include:

EcoWatch.com

TheGuardian.com 1

TheGuardian.com 2

Bloomberg.com
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modis annual interaction with students, "Pariksha Pe Charcha", will be held virtually on April 7. The announcement was made by the Prime Minister himself.

"A new format, several interesting questions on a wide range of subjects, and a memorable discussion with our brave #ExamWarriors, parents and teachers. Watch 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' at 7 pm on 7th April," the Prime Minister said in a tweet.

Along with his tweet, he also tagged a video on the event in which the highlights of this year's 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' were detailed.

A new format, several interesting questions on a wide range of subjects and a memorable discussion with our brave #ExamWarriors, parents and teachers. Watch Pariksha Pe Charcha at 7 PM on 7th April...#PPC2021 pic.twitter.com/5CzngCQWwD  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 5, 2021

"We have been living under the shadow of coronavirus for the last one year and because of that I have to forego the charm of meeting you in person and have to be with you in a new format -- the first virtual edition of 'Pariksha Pe Charcha'," PM Modi said in the video.

He also urged students to look upon exams as an opportunity and not as an end of life's dreams. A voice-over in the video said that the prime minister would speak with children as a friend and also interact with teachers and parents during the virtual event.

PM Modi also talked about the pressure of what would people and parents say which sometimes became a burden. In the video, the prime minister also said that this was 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' but was not confined to just a discussion on 'Pariksha' or exams.

In February, it was announced that PM Modi's annual interaction with students would be held online this year in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. The first edition of the prime minister's interaction programme with school and college students "Pariksha Pe Charcha 1.0" was held at the Talkatora Stadium on February 16, 2018.

An online creative writing competition was conducted on various topics from February 17 to March 14, for children studying in classes of 9 to 12, teachers and parents.

Almost 14 lakh participants have registered themselves in the contest for the fourth edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha. As many as 10.5 lakh students, 2.6 lakh teachers and 92,000 parents participated in the creative writing contest.

"More than 60 per cent of the students who participated are from classes 9 and 10. For the first time students from 81 foreign countries have participated in the pre-PPC creative writing contest," a senior official of the Ministry of Education said.

Live TV
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)  The leader of the union representing Iowa prison workers said Republican state political leaders and Iowa Department of Corrections officials are to blame for the death of two Anamosa State Prison workers two weeks ago because state prisons have been underfunded and understaffed for years.

Danny Homan, local council president of the AFSCME union says grossly inadequate staffing led to the deaths of Correctional Officer Robert McFarland and Nurse Lorena Schulte. They died on March 23 in a hammer attack by two inmates plotting an escape. A corrections spokesman says changes are underway to make the prison more secure.

House Speaker Pat Grassley says the proposed budget for next year provides the most funding for state corrections in a decade.
Help India!



The Department of States report, released March 30, was a scathing account of the ground situation in India, where millions of social and religious minorities, including Muslims, Christians, Dalits, and Adivasis, as well as the 8 million residents of Kashmir, are facing ongoing brutal State repression, the organizations said on Sunday.

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Leading Indian American civil rights organizations have welcomed the US Department of States Annual Report on Human Rights in India that has detailed the massive violations of civil liberties by Prime Minister Narendra Modis government and its failure to prevent such violations and hold the perpetrators to account.

The Department of States report, released March 30, was a scathing account of the ground situation in India, where millions of social and religious minorities, including Muslims, Christians, Dalits, and Adivasis, as well as the 8 million residents of Kashmir, are facing ongoing brutal State repression, the organizations said on Sunday.

The organizations that released the statement include Hindus for Human Rights, Dalit Solidarity Forum, International Christian Concern, Indian American Muslim Council, India Civil Watch International, Students Against Hindutva Ideology, and Federation of Indian Christian Organizations of North America.

The 68-page report, released by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, observed that a lack of accountability for official misconduct persisted at all levels of government, contributing to widespread impunity in India during the year 2020.

The Department of States report on India documents unlawful and arbitrary killings; torture, arbitrary arrest and detention; impunity for police, paramilitary, and military violence; persecution of Dalits, Adivasis, Muslims, and Christians; attacks on the news media and the internet and site blocking; criminalizing free speech and restricting freedom of expression; excessive curbs on NGOs; and restrictions on academic freedom.

The report also highlights the brutal police crackdown on the legitimate and peaceful protests by students at Aligarh Muslim University, Jamia Milia Islamia, and Jawaharlal Nehru University, which the government portrayed as terrorist activities. The Delhi police also selectively pursued cases against Muslims and anti-CAA protesters.

The Modi governments discriminatory citizenship law, the persecution of Muslims and other minorities, the pogrom against Muslims in Delhi and the manufacturing of criminal cases against Muslims for the violence, and the judiciarys failure to provide justice all clearly indicate an alarming decline in civil liberties, IAMC Executive Director Rasheed Ahmed said.

Raju Rajagopal, co-founder of Hindus for Human Rights, said the State Department report was especially significant as it was the first such report under President Bidens Administration. We expect that President Biden will act on this report and raise the issues of human rights abuses with the Indian government, Mr. Rajagopal said.

Feroz Mehdi, Secretary-Treasurer at India Civil Watch International, said, The most disturbing facet of the human rights situation in India is the systematic muzzling of all kinds of dissent. The Indian state has arrested renowned activists, artists, and scholars who speak up for the underprivileged, has turned the media from watchdog to lapdog, and used procedural attacks to shut down civil society organizations, notably Amnesty International. Indian democracy is facing an existential crisis: it cannot survive if these checks and balances are destroyed.

Indias religious freedom has been on a steady decline for years, and the manifestations of this deterioration is now more clear than before, Matias Perttula, Advocacy Director with International Christian Concern (ICC), said. Christians are a constant target of persecution and discrimination within India. One of the greatest culprits of this injustice comes powered by laws known as the anti-forced conversion laws as well as the blasphemy laws that only serve as a source of courage for Hindutva radicals to attack and persecute Christians. More needs to be done to hold India accountable for their ongoing human rights violations.

The report said societal violence based on religion and caste and by religiously associated groups continued to be a serious concern. Muslims and lower-caste Dalit groups continued to be the most vulnerable. Dalits, Tribals and Muslims led the list of those killed in police custody.

The report also quoted the high court in Telangana state that held the police to account for arresting a disproportionately high number of Muslims for violating COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. The court noted police often used excessive force when enforcing the lockdown rules. A Muslim volunteer arrested while distributing food to migrants required 35 stitches on his face due to police brutality, the report said.

In its annual report on global political rights and liberties, US-based non-profit Freedom House downgraded India from a free democracy to a partially free democracy. The Sweden-based V-Dem Institute in its latest report on democracy said India had become an electoral autocracy. And last month, India, described as a flawed democracy, slipped two places to 53rd position in the latest Democracy Index published by The Economist Intelligence Unit.
ANN ARBOR, MI - Students from Ann Arbor and Milan are among the winners of C-SPANs national 2021 StudentCam competition.

Shannon Germaine, a student at Clonlara School in Ann Arbor, will receive $1,500 as a second prize winner for her documentary, Plastic Crisis: Our Oceans in Peril. The documentary will air on C-SPAN at 6:50 a.m. and throughout the day on Wednesday, April 7. In Ann Arbor, Canton and Milan, C-SPAN is available through Comcast.

Several Milan High School students also have won prizes, including Sydney Aunins, Sophia Kirk and Alaina Hawkins, earned an honorable mention and $250 for the documentary, The U.S. Shrugs on Drugs, about prescription drugs.

Brody Bogoski and Wyatt Thiry also received an honorable mention and $250 for their documentary, Combating Poverty with Universal Basic Income.

Mikala Muccino and Jillian Rhoney also were recognized as honorable mention winners, receiving $250 for their documentary, ERA Now: The Modern Push.

The students are among 299 students from across the country winning a share of $100,000. C-SPAN awarded one grand prize, four first prizes, 16 second prizes, 32 third prizes and 97 honorable mention prizes, which came with cash awards of $5,000, $3,000, $1,500, $750 and $250, respectively.

The competition, now in its 17th year, invites all middle and high school students to enter by producing a short documentary. C-SPAN, in cooperation with cable television partners, asked students to join the national conversation on the challenges the country is facing with the theme: Explore the issue you most want the president and new Congress to address in 2021.

More than 2,300 students across the country participated in the contest, with C-SPAN receiving more than 1,200 entries

Despite the educational challenges students faced this year, these talented students showed creativity, resourcefulness and a strong work ethic to create documentaries addressing important issues on both the local and national level, Maria Holmes, director of community impact for Comcast in Michigan, said in a news release. Comcast continues to be committed to strengthening our communities through educational programs, including our longstanding partnership with C-SPAN and StudentCam.

The 150 winning videos can be viewed at www.studentcam.org.

READ MORE:

Ypsilanti Community Schools moving to remote learning following return from spring break

Frustration over spring sports pause growing among Ann Arbor athletes, parents

The first day of in-person classes through the eyes of one Ann Arbor family
Democratic Opposition to Voter ID at Center of Georgia Voting Law Protest

News Analysis

Voices of the American establishment, from celebrities to corporate executives, have recently been raised in condemnation of the state of Georgia for the recent overhaul of its voting laws.

While some of the criticism is based on false information, the main objection relates to voter identificationa measure long opposed by the Democratic Party.

The Georgia law expands voting options, such as early voting and ballot drop boxes, beyond the status quo, and is more permissive in some regards than some Democratic strongholds, such as New York. The core integrity measure at issue appears to be the demand for voters to provide identification in order to cast a ballot not only in person, but also as an absentee.

While voter ID laws are common in Republican-leaning states, they dont necessarily extend to absentee voting. Georgia set up the requirement after the massive increase in absentee voting in the 2020 general election.

Voter ID laws are fiercely opposed by Democrats, who call it a form of voter suppression due to some Americans not having proper documentation. In a commonly cited 2006 survey of about 1,000 adult citizens, 11 percent indicated that they didnt have a current, nonexpired photo ID such as a drivers license or a military ID (pdf).

However, the Georgia law allows the use of expired IDs for voting. Even attaching a utility bill or some government document with a name and address suffices for absentee voting, if one lacks other ID, according to Hans von Spakovsky, election law expert at the conservative Heritage Foundation.

States such as Georgia commonly offer voter IDs to people who lack one for a small fee or even free. But one usually needs several documents for such a process, such as a utility bill, Social Security card, and birth certificate. The last item in particular can be hard to obtain for some people since the national birth certificate system was only instituted in 1946. Before that, a lot of people never received one.

In Wisconsin, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) for years litigated on behalf of one such person, Ruthelle Frank, who tried to obtain her birth certificate, but was told her name was spelled wrong in the records. It would have cost her some $200 and a bureaucratic procedure to have the mistake corrected, which she considered unfair. The states voter ID law withstood the challenge, although the ACLU managed to force the state to accept more forms of ID for voting.

With the passing of the Greatest Generation, much of the birth certificate argument vanishes, it appears. Frank died in 2017. A similar lawsuit in Georgia was tossed by a judge partly because the plaintiffs couldnt produce even one citizen who wanted to vote but couldnt easily obtain an acceptable form of ID.

Critics of voter ID laws sometimes argue that the laws discourage citizens who have IDs from voting. A survey after the 2016 general election in Wisconsins Milwaukee and Dane counties showed that about 11 percent of registered voters who didnt vote either mentioned ID among the reasons why they didnt vote or, based on the answers, didnt have sufficient ID (pdf).

The published data dont break down how many belonged to either category. An accompanying release says that most of the people who said they did not vote because they lacked ID actually possessed a qualifying form of ID.

The survey found considerable confusion about the law, the release said.

Most respondents indicated their main reason for not voting had nothing to do with identification. Only 1.7 percent cited a belief that they didnt have adequate ID as the main reason for not voting. Only 1.4 percent listed their main reason that they were told at a polling place that their ID was inadequate (pdf).

If Wisconsin voters were poorly informed about what ID is acceptable, Georgia may be in a different boat. Its had voter ID laws on the books since the 2008 election and managed to generate significant publicity about its current expansion of the ID requirement to absentee voting.

There may be a risk, though, that false information spread about the law misleads voters. President Joe Biden, for instance, repeatedly claimed the law makes polls close at 5 p.m. when, in fact, the law does no such thing. It says election offices need to be opened at least until 5 p.m. for early voting prior to Election Day. On Election Day, polls are to be open at least until 7 p.m., as usual.

No Free Food

The Georgia law also expands the states ban on electioneering outside polling places to ban the distribution of any gifts, including food and drinks, to people in line. The apparent intent was to prevent the use of food and drinks as a form of undue influence on voters.

But it would also prevent a charitable individual from offering water to people who sometimes need to wait several hours to vote. Voters would need to bring their own food and water, although the law allows poll officials to set up unattended water fountains for people waiting in line.
BEIJING and BRIDGEWATER, N.J., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Gan & Lee, stock code: 603087.SH), a global biopharmaceutical company, today announced that the European Medicine Agency (EMA) Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products granted orphan drug designation for the investigational compound GLR2007, for the treatment of glioma.

Glioma is a broad term describing neuroepithelial tumors originating from glial cells of the central nervous system, including astrocytic tumors such as glioblastomas (GBM). GBM is one of the most aggressive primary brain tumors and has median survival of 12 to 15 months, despite advances in surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy1. Gan & Lee's current clinical development program for GLR2007, a cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK 4/6) inhibitor, is investigating the treatment of advanced solid tumors which has the potential to provide physicians and patients with a much-needed treatment option.

"The EMA's positive decision for GLR2007's orphan drug designation is another milestone in the clinical development program as this compound was also recently granted ODD by the FDA," Dr. Michelle Mazuranic, Head of Global Medical Affairs, Gan & Lee. The granting of an orphan designation request does not alter the standard regulatory requirements and process for obtaining market approval.

Orphan drug designation in the European Union (EU) is granted by the European Commission based on a positive opinion issued by the EMA Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products. To qualify, an investigational medicine must be intended to treat a seriously debilitating or life-threatening condition that affects fewer than five in 10,000 people in the EU, and there must be sufficient non-clinical or clinical data to suggest the investigational medicine may produce clinically relevant outcomes and the potential for significant benefit over currently approved products. The EMA orphan drug designation can provide companies with clinical protocol assistance, differentiated evaluation procedures for Health Technology Assessments in certain countries, access to a centralized marketing authorization procedure valid in all EU member states, and reduced regulatory fees. After being granted marketing approval, compounds with orphan designation are eligible for 10 years of market exclusivity.

About Gan & Lee

Gan & Lee successfully developed the first Chinese domestic biosynthetic human insulin. The company has five recombinant insulin analogs commercialized in China including long-acting glargine injection (Basalin), fast-acting lispro injection (Prandilin), fast-acting aspart injection (Rapilin), mixed protamine zinc lispro injection (25R) (Prandilin25), aspart 30 injection (Rapilin30), reusable insulin injection pen (GanleePen), and disposable pen needle (Ganlee Fine).

In the future, Gan & Lee strives to achieve a comprehensive coverage in the field of diabetes diagnosis and treatment. Moving forward to advance Gan & Lee's goal of becoming a world-class pharmaceutical company, we will also take an active part in developing new chemical entities to treat various forms of cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases, cancer, and other therapeutics. For more information, please contact investorrelati[email protected].

References

1. Galanis E, et. al. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.2005.23.622

Contact: Gina Antonucci, #: 888-288-5395, [email protected]

SOURCE Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.
New Dlehi:

The Madras HIgh Court ordered Election Commission of India Principal Secretary to depose before it on October 6 in connection with affixing thumb impression on poll documents by late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Wednesday.

The senior Election Commission official have been asked to submit the documents relating to the permission given for the thumb impression of Jayalalithaa and how it is in the line with the provisions of the Representation of Peoples Act and also the election conduct rules.

In the by-polls in Aravakurichi, Thanjavur and Thiruparankundram assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu AIADMK candidates had filed their papers on October 28 to the Returning Officers with thumb impression of Jayalalithaa attested by a government doctor.

Also read: What exactly happened to Jayalalithaa at Apollo Hospital? Judicial probe to find out



The court was approached by DMK candidate P Saravana to cancel the election of AIADMKs AK bose from the Thirupparankundram Assembly constituency in the byelection held last year raising doubts on affixing of the thumb impression by Jayalalithaa in his poll documents.

Jayalalithaa was admitted to the hospital with fever and dehydration on September 22 and died after over 70 days in December.

Also read: Retired Madras High Court judge, Justice Arumughasamy to head commission of inquiry probing J Jayalalitha's death



The late AIADMK chief who was in Apollo Hospital during October 2016 had inflamed her right hand as she had undergone tracheostomy. She had to affix her left thumb impression in the poll documents submitted by as AIADMK candidate.

According to a election commission official, a candidate contesting on behalf of a political party has to submit Form B, where their partys leader has to authorise the candidate to contest under a party symbol.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
The European Union has hit back at claims from the Morrison government that it effectively stopped three million Covid vaccines from heading to Australia.

Scott Morrison on Tuesday said the country's vaccination program - which was supposed to inoculate four million Australians by now - has not been botched but is well behind schedule because 3.1million jabs have not arrived from overseas.

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud appeared to accuse the European Union of blocking AstraZeneca jabs from leaving Europe, saying: 'They cut us short'.

But European officials rejected the blame, insisting the bloc only stopped one small shipment of 250,000 vaccines from heading to Australia from Italy in March.

Workers at CSL in Melbourne roll out onto a truck the first batch of the AstraZeneca vaccine on March 24

EU Commission spokesman Eric Mamer told a press conference the blocked shipment was of 'much smaller quantities which dates now back quite some time and there has been no further development since then.

'So we certainly cannot confirm any new decision to block vaccine exports to Australia or to any other country for that matter,' he added.

Only 854,983 vaccines have been given out in Australia so far, with 2.5 million doses made at a factory in Melbourne sitting in cold storage awaiting testing.

Anglo-Swedish company AstraZeneca has been struggling to meet demand and fulfill its contracts with several countries, with EU officials accusing it of 'over-selling its production capacity.'

Mr Morrison said that after the EU imposed export controls in January, AstraZeneca stopped submitting export applications to send vaccines to Australia.

Scott Morrison on Tuesday said the country's vaccination program was well behind schedule because 3.1million jabs had not arrived from Europe

The company told him in January that only 1.2million vaccines would be sent in February and March.

He said that was due to a shortage in Europe and 'AstraZeneca's awareness of the increasing restrictions on export controls, and so applications were not made for those 3.8 million doses'.

On Wednesday Mr Morrison denied ever accusing the EU of blocking all the exports, saying: 'Any suggestion that I, in any way, made any criticism of the European Union yesterday would be completely incorrect.

'I simply stated a fact - that 3.1 million of the contracted vaccines that we had been relying upon in early January when we'd set out a series of targets did not turn up in Australia,' he told reporters.

Mr Morrison said he would write to the EU and AstraZeneca again to request the vaccines, one million of which he wants to send to Papua New Guinea to deal with a large outbreak there.

Health Department Secretary Brendan Murphy said there are no vaccines 'sitting in a cupboard' but there are 1million 'in transit' on the way to GPs.

He said he was hopeful that CSL could produce one million doses a week in Melbourne - but warned that there was not enough vaccine yet to stand up mass clinics.

The prime minister said Australia's rollout will be ramping up and defended the fact that 2.5million vaccines are sitting idle at the factory, saying 'batch testing' was essential.

'The vaccines that we have available to us are being distributed, and they're being administered,' he said.
Alex Salmond pledged to work with arch enemy and former protegee Nicola Sturgeon today in a bid to win independence for Scotland,

The former First Minister said that 'independence is a bigger cause than personalities', just days after quitting the SNP to set up and lead the rival Alba Party.

He set up the new separatist group ahead of Scottish Parliament elections in May, after a long-running row with the current First Minister over the handling of allegations of sexual harassment against him.

But while he pledged to find 'common ground' with Ms Sturgeon in the cause of Scottish independence, he admitted on Good Morning Britain they had yet to make up.

Asked when they last spoke, he said: 'Way back, some considerable time ago.'

He added: 'Not just myself and Nicola, but all politicians have to cooperate on common cause, if the people elect Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister then I'll cooperate with Nicola Sturgeon.

'If people elect Alba into the Scottish parliament, with that strong predominant list of feminist politicians, a party led by me, then of course we'll be part of that contribution and part of the positive atmosphere. The national interest is above personalities.'

It comes as Mr Salmond prepares to officially launch Alba's election campaign by outlining his party's 'route to independence' this afternoon.

The Alba Party leader will make what he modestly called the 'declaration for Scotland', on the anniversary of the 1320 Declaration of Arbroath, in which Scottish leaders vowed not to be subjugated by England.

The former First Minister said that 'independence is a bigger cause than personalities', just days after quitting the SNP to set up and lead the rival Alba Party.

But while he pledged to find 'common ground' with Ms Sturgeon (pictured yesterday as hairdressers in Scotland reopened) in the cause of Scottish independence, he admitted on Good Morning Britain they had yet to make up.

He told GMB this morning: 'We're trying to build an independent supermajority in the (Scottish) Parliament, basically because we think Boris Johnson will say no to a single party, the SNP,(but) he'll find it much more difficult to say no to an entire parliament speaking for a nation.'

A weekend poll found that pro-independence parties could win a 'super-majority' in May's Scottish Parliament elections, putting more pressure on Boris Johnson.

The SNP, the Scottish Greens and the Alba Party are forecast to win 79 of the 129 Holyrood seats between them, according to a survey by Panelbase for the Sunday Times.

The SNP is set to gain two seats to take it to 65, a narrow outright majority. The poll also found that the Greens will add six seats to their current two.

And in its most surprising finding it found that Alba, which only launched last week, could win six seats on the regional list.

An analysis of the poll by Sir John Curtice of Strathclyde University put the Scottish Conservatives on 24 seats, Scottish Labour on 20 and the Liberal Democrats on five.

George Galloway could enter the Scottish Parliament as his pro-union Alliance for Unity group may take a single seat.

But it means that the pro-independence parties are way ahead, which will buoy their efforts to force the Prime Minister to allow a rerun of the 2014 referendum.

He has refused to allow it, saying the 2014 vote, which went 55-45 in favour of Scotland remaining in the UK, was a 'once in a generation' poll.
Three months after rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol, Democrats and Republicans alike are responsible for a shameful failure to respond as hopes fade for a comprehensive review of the deadly assault on the seat of our government.

A new attack on the complex by a lone actor took the life of another U.S. Capitol police officer on Good Friday, a tragic reminder of the ongoing threat to the force itself and the lawmakers they sacrifice to protect.

While various congressional committees are investigating Jan. 6, there is no consensus for establishing a 9/11-style commission as the parties bicker over the rules and scope. NBC reported last month that lawmakers are growing increasingly pessimistic that an agreement on establishing a commission can be reached, and Sen. Roy Blunt, a GOP leader, said that his instinct is it isnt happening.

Given the threat of future political violence, with the Capitol again as a target, a comprehensive review is necessary to ascertain the way the attack came together -- both spontaneously and through coordinated planning -- and why the compound was so vulnerable to the siege.

Back in February, even Trump loyalist Sen. Lindsey Graham said he supported a full commission to learn what happened, ensure it cant happen again, and make sure the Capitol footprint is better defended should there be another attack. His GOP colleague Sen. Bill Cassidy agreed, saying he wanted to know why there wasnt adequate law enforcement present: There should be a complete investigation about  what was known, who knew it, and when they knew it.

The 9/11 commission, titled The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, conducted interviews with more than 1,000 people, reviewed 2.5 million pages of documents and took two years. The group was evenly split between the parties, with equal subpoena power.

But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wants to stack a Jan. 6 commission with more Democrats than Republicans. She has proposed President Biden appoint three members and then the four congressional leaders each name two, which would mean Democrats would have three more members than Republicans would have.

Meanwhile, many Republicans, starting at the top with former President Trump, are downplaying the insurrection or -- worse -- recasting the story of the tragic day.

GOP leadership has rightly criticized Pelosis proposal. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy called it a partisan play, while Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said it was partisan by design. True. But McConnell insisted any commission probe left-wing groups like antifa that were not involved in the attack, and that is BS by design.

Republican lawmakers rarely speak of Jan. 6, few have condemned it, and some, such as Sen. Ron Johnson, have actually questioned whether the mob was made up of Trump supporters. And of course, the nearly two-thirds of the House GOP conference that voted to decertify the election outcome, just hours after the attack, arent pushing for a commission. Twelve GOP lawmakers voted against a resolution to bestow the Congressional Gold Medal on the U.S. Capitol Police and the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department because the word insurrectionists was in the resolution.

Meanwhile, Trump is busy gaslighting conservative media audiences and his supporters about the assault. Last month he acknowledged that hundreds have been charged and said some things should happen to them, but blatantly lied about the events on Laura Ingrahams show on Fox News Channel.

It was zero threat, right from the start, it was zero threat, Trump said. Look, they went in, they shouldnt have done it, he continued. Some of them went in, and they are hugging and kissing the police and the guards, you know, they had great relationships, and a lot of the people were waved in, and then they walked in and they walked out.

All of that vigorous scrubbing is working well with his supporters, and has helped GOP officeholders desperate for his help in 2022 whitewash Jan. 6 as another protest gone awry. A new Reuters/Ipsos poll shows roughly half of Republican voters see the insurrection as nonviolent or a foil by left-wing extremists to make Trump look bad. The same survey shows six of 10 GOP voters believe Trumps lies about a stolen election, and that fewer than a third of them believe Trump was at all responsible for inciting the riot.

Two injured Capitol Police officers think otherwise, and have sued the former president in Federal District Court for $75,000 in damages each. Their complaint blames Trump not only for inciting an insurrectionist mob with election lies he told over many months, but also for failing to take timely action to stop his followers from continued violence. The complaint includes details of the physical and emotional trauma the two men sustained in the attack, including that as one was physically crushed while being sprayed with chemicals that burned his throat, eyes and skin, a rioter yelled that he was disrespecting the badge.

The Capitol Police collectively is despairing after the death of officer Billy Evans on Friday, the injuries and the emotional toll of Jan. 6, too much overtime and plummeting morale as their ranks thin from the cumulative stress on the 2,000-person force. The chairman of their union told the Associated Press that the officers are reeling, and that hundreds of them are seeking early retirement or looking for other jobs.

In total, 140 officers were injured on Jan. 6, assaulted by a supposedly pro-cop mob that included several current and former members of law enforcement. A Washington Post report last week about a former Utah police officer of the year being charged in the riot, noted that such arrests for participating in the attacks have raised alarms about the presence of right-wing extremists among the rank-and-file of police departments across the country.

More than 300 people are facing federal charges, more than 20 of whom are connected to right-wing extremist groups and militias. Congressional Democrats are considering the idea of a new domestic terrorism czar to serve under the director of national intelligence as intelligence officials have testified that the nation faces a burgeoning domestic terror threat from such groups.

There are also questions about the role members of Congress played in the insurrection. Rep. Mo Brooks, who spoke at the Save America Rally that day with President Trump, called it the day patriots start taking down names and kicking ass. He railed against socialist Democrats who were destroying the country and said, Were going to stop them.  We are not going to let them continue to corrupt our elections and steal from us our God-given right to control our nations destiny.

Later Brooks was upset that the rioters, whom he called fools, distracted from the efforts by himself and others to decertify the election.

We were going to have a debate on the House and Senate floors about voter fraud and election theft and that message, those facts, did not get out though the news media. ... The news media was absorbed by the attack on the United States Capitol, he said.

Brooks was named by Ali Alexander, an organizer of the Save America Rally who set up a Stop the Steal website on Nov. 4, as one of the three members of Congress (along with Reps. Paul Gosar and Andy Biggs) he worked with to encourage crowds at the Capitol that day. Through staff, Brooks denied knowing Alexander.

Alexander, now banned from Twitter, had tweeted on Dec. 8, I am willing to give my life for this fight. That was dangerous lunacy on its own, but shortly afterward the Arizona GOP retweeted Alexander and asked, He is. Are you? It also tweeted a clip from one of the "Rambo" films, with a quote from it: This is what we do, who we are. Live for nothing, or die for something. This is also dangerous lunacy. From a state party.

After the insurrection, Gosar attended a white nationalist conference where organizer Nick Fuentes -- also involved in the Stop the Steal movement and in planning for the protests -- described watching the insurrection with delight: I said to myself, This is awesome! Fuentes added, To see that Capitol under siege, to see the people of this country rise up and mobilize to D.C. with the pitchforks and the torches -- we need a little bit more of that energy in the future.

How many more prominent or credible messengers -- on social media, in state parties and in the U.S. Congress -- were encouraging violence as a means of overturning the election results and still are? What kind of precedent have they set for future elections?

Rep. Liz Cheney, who survived a challenge to her leadership post after voting to impeach Trump for inciting the insurrection, is one of the few voices in the GOP who seems concerned.

Speaking recently at a Reagan Institute event, Cheney said it was very important for us to ignore the temptation to look away, and especially for us as Republicans, to make clear that we arent the party of white supremacy. Cheney spoke directly to the connection between her party and extremist groups. You saw the symbols of Holocaust denial, for example, at the Capitol that day. You saw the Confederate flag being carried through the rotunda, and I think we as Republicans in particular have a duty and an obligation to stand against that, to stand against insurrection.

And few House Democrats have pushed back against Pelosi for imperiling the prospects of a commission, as has Sen. Chris Coons. A close ally of President Biden who often speaks on behalf of the administration, Coons said the commission needs to be balanced. The leaders of the 9/11 commission have said part of why it was so successful was that it was even, it was balanced, and it was led by folks who were well-respected and well-regarded, who had a reputation for working across the aisle, Coons told CNN in February.

More Democrats should urge Pelosi to propose an evenly split panel, while more Republicans should step up to protect the Capitol and build a record for history, one they know saw a mob chasing down our vice president, who just barely escaped to safety while they screamed, Hang Pence!

This shouldnt be glossed over, excused, diminished or forgotten.

Cheney, Coons and a few others cannot, by themselves, overcome our diseased politics that have rendered members of a Congress unable to take care of the concerns of its constituents, and unable to take care of their own security or the health of our democracy.
By Tom Allard and Agustinus Beo Da Costa

JAKARTA, April 6 (Reuters) - One mid-February morning in the central highlands of the Indonesian province of Papua, the army said Prada Ginanjar Arianda, a 22-year-old member of the 400 Banteng Raiders commando battalion, was shot in the stomach by separatist fighters and died.

About 24 hours later, after a sweep by security forces through nearby hamlets that sent hundreds of residents fleeing to the safety of two churches, distraught family members were at a health clinic collecting the bodies of three brothers, Janius, Soni and Yustinus Bagau.

Ever since Papua was incorporated into Indonesia after a United Nations-supervised vote by only about 1,025 people in 1969, Indonesia has tried to quell a rebellion among its distinct Melanesian indigenous population of about 2.5 million who are seeking independence. Papua, rich in resources, has among the worst poverty rates in Indonesia despite $7.4 billion of funding by the central government over the past 20 years.

In a statement to media the day after the shootings, the military said the brothers were armed separatists who tried to seize their weapons and were killed by security forces in an act of self-defence. The military did not specify who it held responsible for Ariandas death.

Reuters spoke to more than a dozen people, including a Catholic priest and a local government official, family members and human rights monitors by phone and also reviewed photos of the mens bodies, a report on the killing of the brothers by human rights investigators in Papua and other evidence which all cast doubt on the official version of how the men died.

Indonesia is the worlds third-largest democracy, the biggest economy in fast-growing Southeast Asia and an increasingly important global diplomatic player in efforts to resolve conflicts in Myanmar and Afghanistan. But the United Nations and rights advocates say its security forces are carrying out grave abuses at home.

Story continues

We are continuing to receive credible reports of excessive use of force by the military and police, including extrajudicial killings, harassment, arbitrary arrests and detention of indigenous Papuans, Ravina Shamdasani, a spokeswoman for the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, told Reuters.

Since 2010, there have been 178 unlawful killings of civilians by security forces in the Papua region, according to data from Amnesty International. In the past three years alone, Amnesty said there had been at least 83 victims.

Indonesias coordinating minister for security Mahfud MD did not respond to detailed findings and questions sent to his office last Tuesday related to the mens deaths and broader concerns of human rights abuses by security forces in Papua. He released a statement on Wednesday to the media saying that Papua was part of Indonesia and this will be maintained at all costs necessary.

An adviser to Indonesias president referred Reuters to Mahfud.

The military declined to comment directly on the findings and questions. A spokesman for its Papua command, Colonel Gusti Nyoman Suriastawa, sent a short statement to Reuters accusing separatists, some of them operating under cover as civilians, of terrorising the region.

The armed wing of the separatist Free Papua Organisation (OPM) has killed 11 civilians and wounded four more since January 2020, according to human rights groups and analysts.

A spokesman for the Papuan armed separatists, Sebby Sambom, said the armed uprising was legitimate as former colonial power the Netherlands promised independence to Papua before it was annexed by Indonesia in 1963 and the small vote in 1969 was not an expression of Papuan aspirations. Indonesia claims Papua as its territory, citing the U.N.s role in the vote and the Netherlands recognition of its sovereignty. Sambom said civilians who were killed by the OPM were enemy spies and targeting them was normal in a war situation.

Verifying human rights abuses in Papua is difficult. Foreign media have been banned from visiting the area since a deadly crackdown by security forces on mass protests by indigenous people in late 2019.

A 2018 request by the U.N. human rights commissioner for access to the region has not been approved by the Indonesian government after the two sides failed to agree on terms.

'SHOT IN THE ARM'

On Feb. 15, the day of the shooting, soldiers and police went looking for the perpetrators and searched for weapons among the homes and small farms in Mamba village. Residents told Reuters the soldiers regularly fired their weapons in the air and questioned at least a dozen men.

Janius Bagau, the eldest brother, in his early 30s, was one of those interrogated. The military said in its statement he made a run for it, ignored warnings to stop and was shot in the arm before jumping into a ravine and escaping.

An account compiled from at least five witnesses by the Justice and Peace Secretariat at the Timika Diocese of the Catholic Church said Janius fled because he was beaten and stabbed with a bayonet in his thigh while being interrogated. Reuters could not independently verify the groups account.

After a perilous journey down a muddy road in the thick jungle, carried by villagers on a stretcher fashioned from a sarong and two wooden poles, Janius was placed in a black pick-up truck and taken to a nearby health clinic in the late afternoon, four witnesses told Reuters.

Spying a small bracelet on the wrist of Janius brother Yustinus depicting the Morning Star flag, a popular symbol of Papuan independence banned by the Indonesian government, the security forces detained Yustinus before the group could enter the clinic front gate, the witnesses said.

At least four were told to leave but Janius, his wife Rut Sondegau and brother Soni were allowed inside the clinic complex.

'I SCREAMED'

At the Sugapa clinic, Janius was taken into a treatment room, accompanied by Rut and Soni, both 25. They were met there by health workers, and a group of soldiers entered shortly after, Rut told Reuters.

The nurse wanted to put in an intravenous infusion but the soldiers forbade it and then started hitting her husband, Rut said.

Rut and Soni and the health workers were ordered from the room and the health workers then fled, she said. Staff at the health clinic did not respond to requests for an interview.

As Rut and Soni were moved to a different room, Rut said she could hear Janius screaming.

He screamed out that they had cut his neck. Then, immediately, he did not scream, she told Reuters.

The soldiers started interrogating Soni. They asked him: Where are the weapons?. Soni said: I do not know, Rut said.

They took off Sonis clothes and tortured him and stabbed him with a knife, said Rut, who said she witnessed the scene and saw him die. I screamed: God, the Father."

Rut hid in the health clinic's staff quarters during the night before escaping early next morning to a nearby church. Reuters could not independently confirm Ruts account.

The head of the local government, Natilus Tabuni, said he told local leaders that the brothers were dead. At about 9 a.m., Rut said she and the priest, Justinus Rahangiar, family members and a local government official, went to the health clinic to pick up the dead bodies of Janius, Soni and Yustinus, which were packed in orange body bags with their hands bound.

Photos of Sonis corpse shared with Reuters show his face bloodied and bruised, with cuts on his face and ear. Three family members and Father Justinus confirmed that the photos were of Soni.

Dr Lindsey Thomas, a forensics expert affiliated with Physicians for Human Rights, a U.S.-based non-profit group that advocates against mass atrocities, reviewed the photos of Soni and said his wounds were consistent with blunt force injuries. But she said it was impossible to ascertain from the photos what caused the wounds, or how he died. Father Justinus denied the men were shot and described the three bodies as battered when he saw them.

The account of the deaths by the military, known as the TNI, paints a different picture to that pieced together by Reuters.

The three of them tried to escape, attacked and attempted to seize weapons from the joint military-police team guarding the health clinic. The team swiftly killed the three people, military spokesman Suriastawa said in the statement.

Rut said that was not true. Soni never went for their weapons, she told Reuters. She said the three men were separated and Janius and Soni did not attempt to escape before they were attacked by the soldiers.

RAG-TAG BUT WELL-ARMED

The OPM, which is seeking independence for Papua, does not appear to be a formidable fighting force. Recent videos and photos from the central highlands show some of the fighters in shorts and old T-shirts, with some holding semi-automatic weapons.

But in the Intan Jaya local government area, where the Bagau brothers lived and died, the OPM has become especially active and effective in the past two years, said locals and analysts. The region of some 40,000 people was created in 2008, one of many local government areas formed and funded under the central governments Special Autonomy programme for Papua.

Home to the undeveloped Wabu block gold and copper deposit that has been valued at $14 billion and is owned by Indonesias central government, Intan Jaya has been destabilized by disputed local election results and allegations of corruption, say locals and analysts. An influx of military and police, whose tactics some experts say are brutal and inept, has inflamed separatist sentiment.

In its statement to the media the day after the shootings, the military said the brothers were members of the OPMs armed wing and had often carried out acts of terror.

As evidence, it said two of them had signed what the military described as a war declaration that was sent to military and police in Intan Jaya by the local OPM commander, Undius Kogoya. The undated, hand-written document, seen by Reuters, identifies the area the group calls its battlefield and boasts of shooting security forces. None of the Bagau brothers names are listed on the document.

Kogoya could not be reached for comment. Police did not tell Reuters when exactly they received the document, and declined to comment further.

Janius, who worked at a small finance company, had two children and was a candidate to become village chief, the Timika Diocese's Justice and Peace Secretariat said. Soni and Yustinus were both married and worked as farmers, the humans rights group said.

They were residents of the village, not members of the OPM, Tabuni, the district chief, told Reuters.

Military spokesman Suriastawa declined to comment directly on whether he still believed the brothers were members of the OPM.

ANOTHER RECENT CASE

In September, Reverend Yeremia Zanambani, also from Intan Jaya, was shot dead in a pigpen, likely killed by soldiers searching for weapons the day after another soldier's death, according to the National Commission on Human Rights, an independent body established by the Indonesian government. Suriastawa said the military "respected" the finding but did not say the army was responsible for the killing.

The pastor's death followed the abduction and killing of Luther and Apinus Zanambani, relatives of Yeremia, by the military in April. The commander of the armys military police, Dodik Widjanarko, identified nine soldiers as suspects in the case in December. He said the men's bodies were burned and their remains thrown into a river.

The military initially blamed separatists for the deaths of all three Zanambanis. The central government and military only launched their own inquiries after the release of findings of investigations into the killings by Jakarta-based and Papua-based rights groups.

The U.N. human rights offices Shamdasani said there was a need for independent investigations that show results, adding a lack of transparency feeds a "cycle of violence." (Reporting by Tom Allard and Agustinus Beo Da Costa in Jakarta Editing by Bill Rigby)
SPRINGFIELD  The City Council on Monday approved a special permit for a car junkyard at the former Roys Towing yard.

The council vote was 13-0 in favor of the permit for Pick-n-Pull to store up to 700 cars at any one time on the 7.8-acre property at 255 Liberty St. The business involves the cars being stripped and sold for parts, crushed on site and later being transported off site.

The Lower Liberty Heights Citizens Council recommended approval, praising the business for its plan to create 30 jobs in the community.

There was some opposition when the special permit was first heard March 29, including from Rod R. Sitterly, of the nearby Sitterly Co., who raised concerns about traffic and congestion in that area.

Councilor Victor Davila raised some concerns about traffic and noise, but joined in voting for the special permit Monday.

Raipher Pellegrino, a lawyer representing the company, said that noise and traffic would not be an issue in that area, due to the size and location of the property. There is an active rail line abutting the property.

Councilor Kateri Walsh praised the local jobs that will be created, and said she was impressed by the support of the neighborhood group.

The City Council, as requested by the company, will allow crushing of cars and other production Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and will allow retail sales seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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Some countries are restricting use of the AstraZeneca vaccine against COVID-19 while others have resumed inoculations, as investigations into reports of rare, and sometimes severe, blood clots continue.

The European Medicines Agency and the World Health Organization are monitoring the situation.

AstraZeneca said in March its vaccine was 76pc effective in preventing symptomatic infections in a U.S. trial, and that studies did not indicate higher risks of clotting.

Here are the countries where the vaccine is being used, with or without restrictions:

AUSTRALIA:

Will continue its inoculation programme with the shot despite a blood clotting case reported on April 2, health officials said on April 3.

AUSTRIA:

Resumed use.

BULGARIA:

Resumed inoculations from March 19.

CYPRUS:

Cyprus resumed inoculations on March 19.

CANADA:

To pause offering vaccine to people aged under 55 and require a new analysis of the shot's benefits and risks based on age and gender.

FRANCE:

Approved resumed use of the vaccine on March 19, but said it should only be given to people aged 55 and over.

FINLAND:

Resumed using the AstraZeneca vaccine from March 29, but will only give it to people aged 65 and over.

GEORGIA:

Has limited the use of the vaccine after a nurse died of anaphylactic shock, and vaccinations will continue only in full-fledged medical centres, news agency TASS reported on March 19.

GERMANY:

From March 31, Germany limited use of the shot to people over 60 and high-priority groups, following further reports of a rare brain blood disorder. On April 1, Germany's vaccine commission recommended that people under 60 who have had a first shot of AstraZeneca's vaccine should receive a different product for their second dose.

ICELAND:

Resumed use on March 25 after suspending it on March 11.

INDONESIA:

Resumed using the vaccine on March 22 but warned against the use of the vaccine in people with a low blood platelet count.

IRELAND:

Resumed use after EMA recommendation.

ITALY:

Resumed use on March 19, and Italians who decline to be inoculated with it will be given an alternative later.

LATVIA:

Said would restart administering the shots from March 19.

LITHUANIA:

Restarted use on March 19, currently for over 65-year-olds only.

NETHERLANDS:

Currently using the vaccine only for over 60s, either at a doctors' surgery or by a doctor at nursing homes.

NORTH MACEDONIA:

Health Minister Venko Filipce said on March 31 that AstraZeneca shots would be limited to people aged over 60 as a precautionary measure.

ROMANIA:

Resumed use after the EMA assessment after temporarily stopping vaccinating people with one batch of the vaccine on March 11.

SOUTH KOREA:

President Moon Jae-in received the vaccine on March 23 ahead of an overseas trip, as the country inoculates senior citizens and health workers.

SPAIN:

Spain said on March 30 it would use the vaccine for people aged 55-65, and a day later said it would extend the vaccination to essential workers aged over 65.

SWEDEN:

Resumed use of the vaccine on March 25 for people aged 65 and older, but restrictions are in place for Swedes under 65.

THAILAND:

Began use on March 15, with Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha the first to be inoculated, after delaying rollout the week before.

Here are the countries where the vaccine has been suspended:

CAMEROON:

Suspended administration of the vaccine it was scheduled to receive on March 20 as part of the global vaccines sharing scheme COVAX, the health ministry said.

DENMARK:

Will prolong its suspension of the shot by three weeks pending further investigations after its two-week pause ended on March 25. A local survey indicated that one in three Danes would decline to get the shot.

NORWAY:

Norway will delay a decision over the use of the vaccine, authorities said on March 26, with a decision expected by April 15.
Paris, April 6 : Nearly 30,000 people with Covid-19 were hospitalised across France, after 551 new admissions were reported in the past 24 hours, the biggest single-day spike in a week, according to health authorities.

Also on Monday, the number of critically-ill patients who required intensive care increased by 92 to 5,433, exceeding the country's original capacity of 5,100 resuscitation beds, reports Xinhua news agency.

Deaths caused by the respiratory disease rose to 97,005, up by 197 on Mondau compared with 185 on Sunday.

The cumulative number of infections went over 4.8 million, with further 10,793 people tested positive within a day.

"We are already at 5,400 patients in intensive care and we know that in the coming weeks, whatever happens, the number of patients in intensive care will continue to increase automatically," Health Minister Olivier Veran told TF1 television on Monday.

Veran warned that in France "the epidemic situation remains tense" and expected the third coronavirus wave would reach its peak "this week".

France will receive 12 million additional doses this month, giving the government's vaccination plan a shot in the arm.

The objective of inoculating 10 million people by mid-April would be met and "even anticipated by few days", the Minister said.

Starting from mid-April people aged over 60 in France will be able to get vaccinated, from May 15 the vaccination will be open to people aged between 50 and 60 and from mid-June the age limit will be lifted.

Since the start of the vaccination campaign, over 9.35 million people, or 17.8 per cent of the adult population, have received at least one shot and more than 3.14 million have got two injections, the Health Ministry said on Monday.

This weekend, France went into one-month confinement to cope with the third wave.

People's movement is limited to a radius of 10 km from home and inter-cities travels are banned.

Schools are closed for three to four weeks and non-essential shops shut down.

Catering businesses and culture venues, forced to suspend their activities since October 2020, remained closed.
Forty years on from one of the most heinous IRA murders of the Troubles, the PSNI says the investigation remains open.

On April 7, 1981, mother-of-one Joanne Mathers was shot dead by an IRA gunman as she helped a resident to fill in a census form at a house in Anderson Crescent.

The honours graduate had given up her work in town planning to raise her son who was two-years-old at the time.

She took on a part-time census job to earn some money.

While standing at a doorway in the Gobnascale area, a masked man ran up to her, snatched the clipboard she was holding with one hand, put a gun to her head with the other and fired.

The victim cried out and ran past the homeowner into the property.

As the householder tried to slam the door shut, the killer rammed through waving his gun and grabbed the census forms before making off.

Inside the house, 29-year-old Joanne Mathers lay dead.

The killing took place as republicans, against a background of the H-Block hunger strike, boycotted the 1981 census.

It was claimed that forms were being used as intelligence gathering material by state agencies.

Collectors were robbed at gunpoint in places including Derry, Strabane, Cookstown and Omagh.

The IRA and INLA both denied responsibility for the murder of Joanne Mathers, saying it was an attempt to discredit the election of hunger striker Bobby Sands.

The RUC said the same gun used to carry out the murder was used by the IRA in two punishment shootings.

Over the years Joannes husband Lowry and son Shane (pictured with his mother below) have called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.

The family did not wish to make any further comment at this time.

The Derry News asked the police for an update on its investigation and questioned why nobody has ever been prosecuted for the murder.

In response, a PSNI spokesperson said: The case is open and remains within the caseload of Legacy Investigation Branch for future review.

The Legacy Investigation Branch (LIB) was formed in January 2015 as a component part of the Chief Constables response to his statutory responsibilities regarding the past.

LIBs role is primarily to investigate homicide and security forces related deaths arising from the Troubles between 1969 and 2004.

EMPTY CHAIR

Those who knew Joanne Mathers described her as unassuming and one of the most decent people you could meet, who saw the good in everyone.

Maureen Hetherington, Director of The Junction in Derry, has devoted herself to peace-building and reconciliation between divided communities in the North.

Recalling the senseless murder of Joanne Mathers, she said: Joanne Mathers was sentenced to death for collecting census papers and all the words of condemnation of the killers, or justification of her death by the killers, won't bring her back to her husband and son, family and friends.

There will always be an empty chair at the table, a missing presence of love at every celebration, every birthday, every holiday, every Christmas, every day... such are the devastating consequences of a senseless and violent act against a young, vulnerable, defenceless woman.

DUP MP Gregory Campbell, who previously backed calls for a fresh investigation into the murder, said the victims family were given a life sentence while the killers roamed free.

Joanne Mathers was carrying out this task and was singled out as an innocent victim and brutally gunned down in cold blood.

The Provisional IRA were responsible for the attack but no one has ever been convicted of her murder.

The added irony now is that last month people all across Northern Ireland were asked to complete their census forms safely and many will have done so online, 40 years ago in 1981 it was done door to door and a young innocent woman was gunned down while carrying out the task.

A close relative of Joanne's told me recently that the guilty people haven't served any of the life sentence they deserve, but the family were still serving theirs.

He continued: Like numerous other vicious killings no one has been made amenable for her murder, on a number of occasions I questioned the late Martin McGuinness about his time as the 2IC of the Provisional IRA in Londonderry regarding murders carried out by that unit during his time in charge, this included the murder of Joanne Mathers.

On every single occasion I confronted him about what part he played in or what knowledge he had of any of these atrocities, his answer was always the same, he knew nothing and approved nothing.

Most people could see through the brazen denials for what they were.

As we try and build a better future for all our people, we cannot and must not forget the past, lest there be those who would take refuge in trying to repeat it."

Sinn Fein was given the opportunity to respond to allegations made against Martin McGuinness.

A spokesperson for the party declined to comment.

Meanwhile, SDLP leader Colum Eastwood offered his support to the Mathers family in their quest for justice.

He commented: This was a heinous act that came to epitomise the futility of the Provisional IRA's actions when innocent people doing their jobs were considered legitimate targets.

Joanne was a young mother carrying out her role as a census worker and was murdered by someone who has evaded justice for 40 years.

It's crucial that Joanne's family can finally get justice.

The SDLP will support all efforts to help Joanne's family get the answers and justice they deserve.
About 50 protesters gathered in front of U.S. Sen. John Cornyns Houston office Tuesday demanding he take action for Dreamers.

We wanted to gather here to demand that John Cornyn support the DREAM Act that is in the Senate, said Norma Gonzalez, Texas lead organizer for United We Dream, the largest national organization of the so-called dreamers, young people who came to the United States illegally when they were children.

Cornyn has expressed intention to support some form of solution to provide permanent legal status for dreamers. But the dreamers and allies protesting in Houston said they have growing concerns that his words are not translating into action, and we have seen this before, said Juan Manuel Guzman, a young activist with United We Dream who said he would qualify for the DREAM Act currently in the U.S. Senate.

Most of the dreamers grew up in America and many have benefited from an Obama administration program called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals that protects them from deportation and provides permission to work. They have to reapply every two years to stay in the program.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Houston agency prepares for arrival of migrant children

Last year, he campaigned saying that he would support the act, but now we are not seeing any of that support, Gonzalez said.

Some of the activists have been rallying in front of Cornyns office since he ran for re-election for a fourth term in the 2020 elections.

I am part of a group that has been coming here every Tuesday for 217 weeks asking him to support the dreamers, said Nail Aquino, an independent activist. Cornyn used to say the right things about immigrants as people who contribute to our country. But as his party becomes more white supremacist, he is not as supportive anymore.

On a call with media last month, Cornyn said he wants to support measures for the dreamers.

I would like to vote for a version of the Dream Act or provide a legal solution, and permanent legal solution, to DACA recipients. It depends however, on where the lines are drawn and who is included, the senator said. I think we could do something that would provide a fair outcome for a large number of young people whove done nothing wrong, but without creating some additional problems.

Cornyns office insists that he has supported the cause of dreamers to obtain a permanent solution for a long time and continues to this day. He hasnt publicly expressed an opinion specifically about the current bill so far.

There are about 124,000 DACA recipients in my state of Texas, and I will proudly cast a vote soon to ensure that they stay here and contribute to our schools, our churches, and our communities, Cornym said before casting his vote on the failed Secure and Succeed Act of 2018. We are a nation of immigrants.

That bill was criticized because it included controversial provisions, such restricting the ability to bring parents and other family members into the country.

The Dream Act of 2021, introduced by Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, and Lindsey Graham R-South Carolina, has bipartisan support.

A solution to provide a stable legal status for dreamers has also strong support from Americans, according to several polls. One conducted in 2020 by Pew Research Center indicated that three quarters of Americans favor granting a permanent legal status to them.

Poll after poll has shown tremendous bipartisan support for Dreamers and for reforms that will put them on the path to permanent status, and ultimately citizenship, in the only country they call home, said Jennifer Minear, president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

However, dreamers are concerned that the bill currently in the Senate could face the same fate as many predecessors. A count from the nonprofit American Immigration Profit indicates that at least 11 dream act versions have been introduced in Congress over the last two decades.

Identical versions of the current bill in the Senate were introduced in the previous two congressional sessions.

The U.S. House of Representatives approved a similar proposal on March 3, the American Dream and Promise Act of 2021, with a bipartisan vote of 228 Democrats to 197 Republicans. The lower chamber version includes other potential beneficiaries who have been living in the country for many years with provisional legal conditions, such as those with Temporary Protected Status. TPS is a humanitarian status assigned to certain immigrants from designated countries impacted by extraordinary events such as natural disasters or political unrest.

It hurts deeply that my home, the place I have grown up in and that I have grown to love is the one leading the charge against me and my right to live and work, said Susie Lujano, a 28-year-old DACA recipient who was brought to Houston when she was 2. It is Texas the state leading a court case that could erase my chances to have a life Cornyn should support us.

Lujano was referring to a court challenge attempting to invalidate DACA led by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and including several Republican-led states. A looming decision is pending from U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen for the Southern District of Texas.

We urge Cornyn to support us and lead other senators to act now, said Lujano, who works for a legal firm in Houston.

After midday Tuesday, some of the activists at Cornyns office shifted the protest to the office of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, to make the same demands.

The caravan was accompanied by a truck carrying on oversized inflatable of a spider with the head as Cruz.

olivia.tallet@chron.com

Twitter.com/oliviaptallet
"Golden Harvest makes an extensive investment in agronomic research, and this tool is an example of how we bring our data and research to life to benefit our farmers," said Bruce Battles, technical agronomy manager at Syngenta Seeds. "The Seeding Rate Selector will help farmers act upon the data we've gathered by creating customized prescription seeding rates for specific hybrids in their specific environments."

Seeding rate calculations are based on two or more years of data per hybrid, collected at 70 or more trial locations each year. Trialing across many environments increases the ability to predict how individual corn hybrids should be spaced and managed.

The free, easily accessible Seeding Rate Selector allows farmers to enter several variables, including hybrid, input costs and yield goal, to determine the optimal seeding rate per acre. Insights from the tool enable farmers to enhance return on investment potential by identifying opportunities where yields might be negatively impacted by over- or underseeding.

"Farmers shouldn't have to guess at what their seeding rate should be," said Battles. "All fields and hybrids are different, and a generic seeding rate recommendation in a seed guide isn't sufficient. The Seeding Rate Selector takes this into consideration, providing farmers with specific rate prescriptions so that they can have the best experience with our products in relation to their local conditions."

Golden Harvest Seed Advisors can help fine-tune seeding rate estimates even further and build planter seeding rate scripts within the E-Luminate digital agronomy platform. To learn more about the Golden Harvest corn Seeding Rate Selector and develop a customized prescription seeding rate, contact a Golden Harvest Seed Advisor or visit www.goldenharvestseeds.com/seeding-rate/.

To learn more about Golden Harvest Agronomy in Action research trials, download a free copy of the Agronomy in Action 2021 Research Review.

The Golden Harvest portfolio is available from Golden Harvest Seed Advisors, who combine high-yielding corn and soybean seed options with local agronomic knowledge and deliver a Service 365 year-round commitment to doing whatever it takes to yield results for farmers. To find your local, independent Seed Advisor and gain more information on Golden Harvest corn and soybeans, visit GoldenHarvestSeeds.com.

About Golden Harvest

Golden Harvest Seeds has been rooted in genetics, agronomy and service since 1973, offering in-depth seeds expertise combined with the local agronomic know-how of an independent Seed Advisor to maximize yield potential on each field. Today, every Golden Harvest hybrid and variety is bred with the individual needs of hardworking farmers in mind. Find more information at GoldenHarvestSeeds.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GldnHarvest and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GldnHarvest.

Web Resources:

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Golden Harvest Corn Seeding Rate Selector

Agronomy in Action 2021 Research Review

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This document may contain forward-looking statements, which can be identified by terminology such as 'expect', 'would', 'will', 'potential', 'plans', 'prospects', 'estimated', 'aiming', 'on track' and similar expressions. Such statements may be subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from these statements. For Syngenta, such risks and uncertainties include risks relating to legal proceedings, regulatory approvals, new product development, increasing competition, customer credit risk, general economic and market conditions, compliance and remediation, intellectual property rights, implementation of organizational changes, impairment of intangible assets, consumer perceptions of genetically modified crops and organisms or crop protection chemicals, climatic variations, fluctuations in exchange rates and/or commodity prices, single source supply arrangements, political uncertainty, natural disasters, and breaches of data security or other disruptions of information technology. Syngenta assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors.

The Seeding Rate Selector is being provided to you for information purposes only and for your private use in preparing your own calculations. While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information and formulas, no guarantee is given or responsibility taken by Syngenta for the accuracy of the calculations or the applicability to your particular circumstances. SYNGENTA PROVIDES THIS SEEDING RATE SELECTOR AND ANY RESULT THEREFROM AS-IS, WHERE-IS, WITH ALL FAULTS AND WITH NO WARRANTY WHATSOEVER, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSE. YOU ASSUME ANY AND ALL RISKS IN USING THE SEEDING RATE SELECTOR AND RELYING ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN. IN NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL SYNGENTA BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF PROFIT, LOSS OF BUSINESS, LOSS OF SAVINGS OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF SYNGENTA HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AS SUCH.

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Product performance assumes disease presence.

2021 Syngenta. Important: Always read and follow label and bag tag instructions; only those labeled as tolerant to glufosinate may be sprayed with glufosinate ammonium-based herbicides.

LibertyLink, Liberty and the Water Droplet logo are registered trademarks of BASF. GT27 is a trademark of M.S. Technologies and BASF. HERCULEX and the HERCULEX Shield are trademarks of Dow AgroSciences, LLC. HERCULEX Insect Protection technology by Dow AgroSciences. ENLIST E3 soybean technology is jointly developed with Dow AgroSciences LLC and MS Technologies LLC. The ENLIST trait and ENLIST Weed Control System are technologies owned and developed by Dow AgroSciences LLC. ENLIST and ENLIST E3 are trademarks of Dow AgroSciences LLC.

Roundup Ready 2 Yield, Roundup Ready 2 Xtend, XtendFlex and YieldGard VT Pro are registered trademarks used under license from the Bayer Group.

Under federal and local laws, only dicamba-containing herbicides registered for use on dicamba-tolerant varieties may be applied. See product labels for details and tank mix partners. Golden Harvest and NK Soybean varieties are protected under granted or pending U.S. variety patents and other intellectual property rights, regardless of the trait(s) within the seed. The Enlist E3 traits, LibertyLink, Roundup Ready 2 Xtend, Roundup Ready 2 Yield and XtendFlex traits may be protected under numerous United States patents. It is unlawful to save soybeans containing these traits for planting or transfer to others for use as a planting seed. Only dicamba formulations that employ VaporGrip Technology are approved for use with Roundup Ready 2 Xtend and XtendFlex soybeans. Only 2,4-D choline formulations with Colex-D Technology are approved for use with Enlist E3 soybeans. The trademarks or service marks displayed or otherwise used herein are the property of a Syngenta Group Company. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. More information about Agrisure Duracade is available at http://www.biotradestatus.com/.

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PORTLAND (AP)  The group No More Freeways has filed a lawsuit against the Oregon Department of Transportation's plan to add auxiliary lanes and shoulders to Interstate 5 by Portland's Rose Quarter.

The federal government allowed the project to move forward without a full environmental impact statement and the group believes that's a violation of the National Environmental Policy Act, The Columbian reported Monday.





. . .
Seasoned Journalist Kwesi Pratt Jnr. has rebuked the two teenagers accused of committing a gruesome murder of a 10-year-old at Kasoa in the Central Region.



Two teenagers named Felix Nyarko, 15, and Nicholas Kini, 17, allegedly murdered a 10-year-old boy at Lamptey Mills in Kasoa on Saturday.



The deceased, Ishmael Mensah, was a Class Four pupil of the Maranatha School and was killed at about 10 a.m last Saturday.



It is believed the teenagers committed such hideous act for ritual money purposes.



They appeared before the Ofankor District Court today following their arrest by the Kasoa Police Command.



Meanwhile, the murder has provoked discussions on the human quest for quick riches and luxury life.



Speaking on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo", Kwesi Pratt expressed bitter feelings about the act by the teenagers, wondering how they could harbour a thought to kill for money.



To him, this incident has nothing to do with "religion but [rather] it's a bare-faced crime".



"Can killing a human be religion?" he questioned, silencing all critics who may want to toll the line of religion in addressing the issue.



He stressed; " . . it's important that we separate religion from crime. What's going on; it has nothing to do with religion . . . this is not religion. This is plain-faced criminal activity."





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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[April 06, 2021] Next Generation Lenovo ThinkSystem Servers Accelerate a Broader Range of Business-Critical Applications

Today, Lenovo (News - Alert) (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) announces the next-generation Lenovo ThinkSystem servers showcasing a unique balance of performance, security and efficiency - all built on 3rd Gen Intel (News - Alert) Xeon Scalable processors and PCIe Gen4. As companies of all sizes continue to work on solving real-world challenges - they require powerful infrastructure solutions to help them gain faster insights and remain competitive. With this new generation of ThinkSystem solutions, Lenovo introduces innovations for real-world workloads including high performance computing (HPC), artificial intelligence (AI), modeling and simulation, cloud, virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and advanced analytics. "Our next-generation ThinkSystem Server platform delivers a unique balance of performance, security, and efficiency," said Kamran Amini, Vice President and General Manager of Infrastructure Solutions Platforms, Lenovo Infrastructure Solutions Group. "With the combination of Lenovo innovation in security, water-cooling technology and as-a-service economics, we enable customers to accelerate and secure a broad range of real-world workloads with 3rd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors." Lenovo puts the 'smarter' into infrastructure solutions for data-intensive workloads Lenovo introduces four new servers, including ThinkSystem SR650 V2, SR630 V2, ST650 V2 and SN550 V2, offering enhanced performance, reliability, flexibility and security to meet mission-critical demands and customer concerns. Leveraging Intel's 3rd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors, this portfolio provides flexibility for the most demanding workloads and the freedom to configure to meet growing business demands: ThinkSystem SR650 V2: Ideal for scalability from SMB to large enterprises and managed cloud service providers, the 2U two-socket server is engineered for speed and expansion, with flexible storage and I/O for business-critical workloads. It provides Intel Optane persistent memory 200 series for increased performance and capacity for database and virtual machine deployments, with support for PCIe Gen4 networking to reduce data bottlenecks.

Ideal for scalability from SMB to large enterprises and managed cloud service providers, the 2U two-socket server is engineered for speed and expansion, with flexible storage and I/O for business-critical workloads. It provides Intel Optane persistent memory 200 series for increased performance and capacity for database and virtual machine deployments, with support for PCIe Gen4 networking to reduce data bottlenecks. ThinkSystem SR630 V2: Built for business-critical versatility, the 1U two-socket server features optimized performance and density for hybrid data center workloads such as cloud, virtualization, analytics, computing and gaming.

Built for business-critical versatility, the 1U two-socket server features optimized performance and density for hybrid data center workloads such as cloud, virtualization, analytics, computing and gaming. ThinkSystem ST650 V2: Built for performance and maximum scalability, the new two-socket mainstream tower server includes the industry's latest technology in a slimmer chassis (4U) to address highly configurable tower systems that provide support in remote offices or branch offices (ROBO), technology and retail, while optimizing workloads.

Built for performance and maximum scalability, the new two-socket mainstream tower server includes the industry's latest technology in a slimmer chassis (4U) to address highly configurable tower systems that provide support in remote offices or branch offices (ROBO), technology and retail, while optimizing workloads. ThinkSystem SN550 V2: Designed for enterprise performance and flexibility in a compact footprint, the newest building block in the Flex System family, this blade server node is optimized for performance, efficiency and security - designed to tackle business-critical workloads such as cloud, server virtualization, databases and VDI.

Designed for enterprise performance and flexibility in a compact footprint, the newest building block in the Flex System family, this blade server node is optimized for performance, efficiency and security - designed to tackle business-critical workloads such as cloud, server virtualization, databases and VDI. Looking to the Edge: Coming later this year, Lenovo is expanding its edge computing portfolio with 3rd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors, with the introduction of a new highly ruggedized, edge server designed to handle the extreme performance and environmental conditions needed for telecommunications, manufacturing and smarter cities use cases. Packing Petaflops of Performance on Two Data Center Floor Tiles Lenovo delivers on the promise of "From Exascale to Everyscale" with four new performance optimized servers that provide massive computing power in minimal floor space with reduced energy consumption: Lenovo ThinkSystem SD650 V2, SD650-N V2, SD630 V2 and SR670 V2. This new generation of ThinkSystem servers are designed to fully exploit PCIe Gen4 which doubles I/O bandwidth1 for network cards, NVMe devices and GPU/accelerators providing balanced system performance between the CPU and the I/O. Each system leverages Lenovo Neptune cooling to drive greater performance and energy efficiency. Lenovo offers a breadth of air and liquid cooling technologies to meet any customer deployment needs: ThinkSystem SD650 V2 : Based on industry-acclaimed fourth generation, Lenovo Neptune cooling technology, utilizes a highly reliable copper loop and cold plate architecture removing up to 90% of the systems heat 2 . The ThinkSystem SD650 V2 is built to tackle compute-intensive workloads such as HPC, AI, cloud, grid and advanced analytics.

: Based on industry-acclaimed fourth generation, Lenovo Neptune cooling technology, utilizes a highly reliable copper loop and cold plate architecture removing up to 90% of the systems heat . The ThinkSystem SD650 V2 is built to tackle compute-intensive workloads such as HPC, AI, cloud, grid and advanced analytics. ThinkSystem SD650-N V2: Expanding the Lenovo Neptune platform, direct water-cooling technology for GPUs, this server combines two 3rd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors with four NVIDIA (News - Alert)  A100 GPUs to delier maximum performance in a dense 1U package. A rack of Lenovo ThinkSystem SD650-N V2 delivers enough compute performance to place in the top 300 of the TOP500 list of supercomputers 3 .

Expanding the Lenovo Neptune platform, direct water-cooling technology for GPUs, this server combines two 3rd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors with four NVIDIA (News - Alert)  A100 GPUs to delier maximum performance in a dense 1U package. A rack of Lenovo ThinkSystem SD650-N V2 delivers enough compute performance to place in the top 300 of the TOP500 list of supercomputers . ThinkSystem SD630 V2: This ultra-dense, ultra-agile? server handles twice the workloads per server rack unit of rack space vs. traditional 1U servers. By leveraging Lenovo Neptune Thermal Transfer Modules (TTMs), the SD630 V2 supports processors up to 250W, driving 1.5 times the performance of the previous generation in the same rack space 4 .

This ultra-dense, ultra-agile? server handles twice the workloads per server rack unit of rack space vs. traditional 1U servers. By leveraging Lenovo Neptune Thermal Transfer Modules (TTMs), the SD630 V2 supports processors up to 250W, driving 1.5 times the performance of the previous generation in the same rack space . ThinkSystem SR670 V2: This highly versatile acceleration platform is designed for HPC and AI training workloads, supporting the vast NVIDIA Ampere datacenter GPU portfolio. With six base configurations that support up to eight small or large form factor GPUs, the SR670 V2 allows customers the flexibility to configure PCIe or SXMform factors. One of those configurations features a Lenovo Neptune liquid to air heat exchanger that provides the benefits of liquid cooling without the adding plumbing.



"KIT is excited that our new Lenovo supercomputer will be among the first in the world to run on the new 3rd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors. The liquid-cooled Lenovo Neptune system delivers the highest performance, while also being the most energy efficient, making it the clear choice," said Jennifer Buchmueller Head of Department, Scientific Computing and Simulation at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT).

Comprehensive Approach to Security Lenovo's ThinkSystem and ThinkAgile portfolio includes enterprise-class security features, leveraging Lenovo ThinkShield standards. Lenovo ThinkShield is a comprehensive approach to enhancing security in all products from end-to-end, including supply chain and manufacturing processes. This enables customers to be confident that they have a strong security foundation. As part of the solutions announced today, Lenovo enhances ThinkShield security capabilities including: New standards-compliant NIST SP800-193 Platform Firmware Resiliency (PFR) with Root of Trust (RoT) Hardware to provide key platform subsystem protection against cyberattacks, unauthorized firmware updates and corruption.

Discrete security processor testing validated by leading third-party security firms - available for customer review, providing unprecedented transparency and assurance. Customers can also count on innovation in intelligent systems management with Lenovo xClarity and Lenovo Intelligent Computing Orchestration (LiCO), to enable organizations to easily administer IT infrastructure from anywhere in the world. All of Lenovo's infrastructure solutions are supported by Lenovo TruScale Infrastructure Services delivering as-a-service economics with cloud-like flexibility. Learn more about Lenovo's edge-to-cloud infrastructure portfolio. Lenovo offerings are available as-a-service through Lenovo TruScaleTM Infrastructure Services. LENOVO, THINKSYSTEM, THINKSHIELD, THINKAGILE, LENOVO TRUSCALE and XCLARITY are trademarks of Lenovo. Intel and Xeon are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries. NVIDIA is a trademark of NVIDIA Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 2021, Lenovo Group Limited. Intel, the Intel logo, and other Intel marks are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries. About Lenovo Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is a US$50 billion Fortune Global 500 company, with 63,000 employees and operating in 180 markets around the world. Focused on a bold vision to deliver smarter technology for all, we are developing world-changing technologies that create a more inclusive, trustworthy, and sustainable digital society. By designing, engineering and building the world's most complete portfolio of smart devices and infrastructure, we are also leading an Intelligent Transformation - to create better experiences and opportunities for millions of customers around the world. To find out more visit https://www.lenovo.com, follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Weibo and read about the latest news via StoryHub. 1 Doubles its bandwidth over PCIe3, increasing the per-lane bandwidth to 2 gigabytes per second (2GBps)

2 Based on internal research by Lenovo - 90% heat removal via water. Jan-Mar 2021

3 Avg Rmax Perf per node ~ 50TF * 36 Nodes (1 rack) = 1.8PF >1.79PF in position 297 on the Nov 2020 TOP500 list

4 Intel: 8360Y CPU has 36 Cores with FP results of 419 vs. Intel: 8280 CPU has 28 cores with FP results of 270 8 = 1.55x PF performance improvement View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005311/en/

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 09:51:11|Editor: huaxia

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A seminar is held to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC) by Egypt-China Friendship Association in Cairo, Egypt, on April 4, 2021. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

CAIRO, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Egypt-China Friendship Association held a seminar on Sunday here to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

The seminar was attended by Egyptian experts on Chinese affairs, writers, diplomats, and professors of Chinese studies at Egyptian universities.

During his speech, former Egyptian diplomat and Chairman of Egypt-China Friendship Association Ahmed Waly said that leading China, the CPC has succeeded in many endeavors including eradicating illiteracy, building infrastructures, eliminating poverty, and promoting gender equality.

The party has always been driving the changes and development in the country and has been developing with it simultaneously, the former diplomat noted.

On a video call, Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang thanked Waly for organizing the event, expressing his appreciation for the friendship between China and Egypt.

"Under the leadership of the CPC, China's economic output has stayed the second in the world for years and has become the world's largest manufacturing country," he said.

The ambassador noted that over 40 years of reform and opening up, the contribution rate of China's economic growth to the world averaged 18 percent, and has reached as high as 30 percent in recent years.

The seminar focused on integrated development "because China's experience in this field during the last four decades teaches us many lessons," said Ali el-Hefny, Egypt's former ambassador to China and former deputy foreign minister.

Countries including Egypt can benefit from China's experiences in mutual cooperation, "as well as through the Belt and Road Initiative, which has positively impacted the global economy although it was launched a few years ago," he said.

"The CPC is behind all the achievements made, and those that are being made, in China," el-Hefny said. Enditem
Late-90s girl runs a thriving business producing mural painting, earns 40,000 yuan in six days

People's Daily Online) 10:22, April 06, 2021

Photo shows Zhang Lijia standing in front of her mural painting. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee)

A late-90s girl who was born in east China's Anhui province has not only realized her childhood dream of becoming a painter, but also turned this ideal job into a thriving fresco business  she pocketed 40,000 yuan ($ 6,096) in six days and earned up to 1 million yuan last year.

Zhang Lijia's fascination towards painting dates back to her childhood when she spent much of her leisure time drawing various pictures. Afterwards, the girl received professional education in drawing after she was admitted to an apparel design major at a university in south China's Guangdong province.

To cover her living expenses following her entrance into university, Zhang persisted in doing part-time jobs, including working as a model, reception team member and a leafleteer. In her sophomore year, Zhang first came into contact with mural paintings, with the owner of a newly-opened bakery near her school having employed her to paint some black lines on the walls.

"Before that, I never once laid a paintbrush on a wall. However, I found mural paintings to be not as difficult as I imagined, as they share some similarities with the dimensional cutting of apparel designs," recalled Zhang, citing this breakthrough as the initiating spark for her deep interest in this art form.

After obtaining her bachelor's degree, Zhang embarked on her career as a mural painter in an art painting company with its business operations spanning across the country. During her work, the girl often had to climb up scaffolding in order to complete her painting at great heights or work unremittingly for hours at a time while taking only a brief rest on the ground of messy construction sites when tired.

"At first, my parents were against my choice to become a mural painter as, in their opinion, a white-collar job seemed more suitable for girls," Zhang disclosed, adding that it was her passion towards drawing that finally earned her parents' support and made her more determined than ever to pursue this career.

In 2018, Zhang started to share videos of her painting process while in-the-act online upon her cousin's suggestion. To her surprise, a mural she painted during her stay in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region received 180,000 thumbs-up on the Internet, which also helped her to attract over 1,000 new customers.

Zhang resigned from the paint company and launched her own mural business in July last year, thanks to the growing popularity of her services. In November of the same year, she completed a mural painting that helped her pocket 40,000 yuan in six days during her stay in north China's Tianjin municipality.

According to Zhang, she was able to finish four to five murals in relief within one month and sixty in a year, and her personal income last year exceeded 1 million yuan. "My job is tough, but I am so lucky to pursue the career that I am truly fond of," said Zhang who currently employs two customer service representatives at her own company.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Taste of Thai will reopen this week after relocating from the former spot at the gas station off exit 3 to Black Mountain Square. The food truck is hoping to be open to the public on Thursday.
They say its darkest before the dawn  the scramble for vaccines has brought us into a pre-dawn country-wide depression. You would be forgiven for thinking it was 1845 and someone had just ripped the first black potato from the ground. Stay strong, Ireland, weve plenty of potatoes, and more on the way. Were nearly there, and guess what? You get to shape a new beginning, youll be making chips with those spuds before you know it!

What new world will we build? As a regular patient, I am often lolling about hospitals talking to people on the frontline, and it looks like the building has already begun.

During the height of this countrys first lockdown I found myself in hospital. I had some apprehensions as to what a HSE hospital in the grips of a virulent killer might look like. Covid was ripping up the script and the new face of healthcare was, well, no longer a face. The hospital was wall-to-wall masked crusaders. People were either snapping on rubber gloves or slathering themselves in hand sanitiser.

The reduced physical presence in the hospital was palpable. The long, empty weekends during the pandemic were the hardest for me, the time passed so slowly with no visitors allowed.

One evening a hospital porter, a salt-of-the-earth Dublin gent, was wheeling me from the cardiac ward to the stroke unit.

You know the way people have terrible fears, their worst nightmares? he said.

Ya know, like snakes or drowning or prison. Well my worst, absolute WORST, nightmare is a global viral pandemic! Im not messin, Im in BITS with this corona thing. As soon as it came out of China I had a full-on nervous breakdown for two weeks!

As we wound our way in the dead of night through a designated Covid hospital passing by ICUs, CCUs, stacks of PPE peeping out of presses, he concluded: Im grand now though. Still nall Jaaaysuz, wha?!

I still think back to that Jaaaysuz moment and smile. By now, weve all had our Jaaaysuz moments.

From the porter to the practitioner, Ive talked to them all. I had an enlightening conversation with Dr Rory ODonnell, consultant respiratory physician in St Jamess Hospital and one of the few doctors left in the health service who hasnt treated me directly. He didnt punctuate his sentences with Jaaaysuz but the fascination with our current situation was the same.

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Early on we knew that the traditional clinic structure of waiting rooms wouldnt work, so we started telephone outpatient clinics. Although the concept of remotely reviewing patients was not a novel one, for respiratory physicians in our department the approach was new.

The word new struck a chord with me, what future lies ahead for us all in this new world? Our awareness of our bodies and minds, and how precious they are, is visceral right now. We are never going back to how it was, but where are we heading in terms of care  telemedicine? Dr ODonnell noted the advent of Covid had forced a rapid but timely leap forward in work practices.

At this point, virtually the whole nation has spoken to a doctor or nurse on the phone/Zoom. I think it works wonderfully for minor ailments and routine check-ups, no travelling to appointments or sitting on plastic chairs for hours on end. In my own patient experience of virtual appointments, I find it much easier to rattle through my questions relaxed in my own surroundings.

Also, the visual clues a doctor may traditionally give that the appointment is over, such as standing up, walking to the door, calling you a taxi all those sledgehammer signals were not there.

ODonnell has also observed a shift. Until recently, the doctor appeared to hold court in a busy office, patients were obliged to arrive on time, not to do so risked losing their slot altogether. On the other hand, during a telephone outpatient appointment the patient is at home, where they feel most comfortable. Now it is the doctors responsibility to contact them.

I discussed the downsides with him, the most obvious being no physical examination  which is unsatisfying for all involved. I can talk with the best of them but when I feel seriously unwell, I wont say much more than Im grand (which every Irish person knows is code for drop it).

Dr ODonnell highlighted other caveats. An admonition to stop smoking is less weighty when delivered over the phone  and seems somewhat rude. Also, a doctor can often sense that something is up in a single glance from breathing pattern, demeanour, tremor or simply a lack of eye contact. Now the patient has to communicate effectively using only their speech, a tall order in the acutely unwell. In one instance I rang a patient after a six-month interval to discover the frail voice at the other end of the line now belonged to a dying man, lying in his hospice bed.

Despite talk of death we finished on an optimistic note (as Irish people often do): ODonnell, who deals with complaints for a living, believes business is conducted quite efficiently at telephone clinics and the advantages to the patient are so significant they will become standard practice.

As a patient, I believe telemedicine will cut the time suck, it will shorten waiting lists, it will protect the vulnerable against raging viruses, but its not the sole solution.

Im hopeful, the vaccines are coming, they will be that delicious burst of fresh bright sunrise, the dust of gold that will vanquish our dark night. The butter to put on the potatoes. I feel we are in the throes of constructing a blended approach between in-person and remote care that will strike the right balance for all. Well, not all, because you cant keep everyone happy all of the time  were still going to falter, were still going to rail, were still going to have our Jaaaysuz moments but well do it together.
Actor Shareena Clanton (Wentworth, The Cry, Nowhere Boys, Redfern Now), has levelled allegations against Neighbours following a recent appearance on the 10 Peach soap.

Struggling to post anything positive about the months I endured on @neighbours after multiple racist traumas and navigating ongoing counselling from this highly problematic show. Its been lonely, triggering and traumatising to work in such a culturally unsafe space, she wrote on Instagram.

Amongst a list of claims were levels of racism disguised as jokes, use of the N-word in the cast green room, inappropriate language used off camera, and complaints around Human Resources following up those concerns. She also paid for the hiring of a Wurundjeri Elder for cultural protocols, but also fired her own management, claiming they didnt adequately help.

Neighbours, which in recent years has hired Indigenous and LGBTQI performers and included a storyline over the debate around January 26, has acknowledged it needs to continue to evolve in this area.

A Fremantle spokesperson said in a statement, Neighbours strives to be a platform for diversity and inclusion on-screen and off-screen. Our quest is always to continue to grow and develop in this area and we acknowledge that this is an evolving process. Shareenas involvement in the creative process and on set was invaluable and hugely educational and will benefit the series moving forward. There have been significant and lengthy discussions with Shareena during her time on Neighbours and we will continue to work with all cast and crew to ensure Neighbours continues to be a fully inclusive environment.

In 2018 Screen Producers Australia & Live Performance Australia took steps to prevent workplace discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and bullying. A Screen Industry Code was released to offer practical tools to create a safe and positive work environment for all workers.

Shareena Clanton makes her first appearance on Neighbours on Wednesday.

Warning: Language.

Struggling to post anything positive about the months I endured on @neighbours after multiple racist traumas and navigating ongoing counselling from this highly problematic show. Its been lonely, triggering and traumatising to work in such a culturally unsafe space.

To avoid any lawsuit by the production or a potential defamation case, I have not included any specific names and made it non-identifiable in what Im about to reveal to you:

-A Head of Department thought it funny and appropriate to openly laugh at the word cum slut by a cast member who loudly spoke about cum, cum, cum in front of other cast and crew.

-Due to my insistence of engaging a Wurundjeri Elder to be included for ongoing cultural safety reasons like cultural protocols followed and debriefing, I was told this is not a film production, Shareena. and that we simply dont have the budget. The humble few hundred dollars a week Aunty and I proposed was in contrast to the thousands of dollars actors were receiving each pay. I paid Aunty directly out of my own income to make up for this lack of budget.

-A senior staff member openly laughed whilst using the term slave driver in reference to him working hard. My management at the time didnt help as they endorsed/encouraged this office banter. I fired the agent.

-Overt and covert levels of racism were rife, often disguised as jokes like a white actress openly calling another actress of colour a lil monkey.

-Twice I endured the N-word openly being used on-set and in the green room. I was even told to go somewhere else by staff when confronting the actor directly because I was making others uncomfortable.

-A white actress openly laughed at the racist N-word to only lie about laughing about it when questioned by HR. She said that I misconstrued what she was laughing at and that she was laughing at something else. That is a blatant lie.

-The retaliation for calling out this misconduct and racism often left me ostracised and further marginalised. In what was meant to have HR follow up and discuss this led to them saying they were unsure of what else they could do.

Ill never work for this show again.

Updated: Actor Meyne Wyatt, who played Nate Kinski from 2014  2016, also referred to an incident of racism through social media. He further claimed homophobia was rampant on set through jokes and innuendo, saying It made for a very unsafe environment for anyone in the LGBTQIA+ community and the shit needs to be stamped out. Racism and Homophobia needs an active and present force behind it to be driven out! Neighbours do better! The Film and TV Industry do better! Australia do better!

I was a series regular on Neighbours between 2014 to 2016 and I experienced Racism on set. It involved the C word and I called it out and it didnt happen around me again. Though I did walk in on this incident? so I have no doubt things were being said behind my back.  Meyne Wyatt (@meynewyatt) April 6, 2021

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Kirstie McGrath, 30 (left) and Niamh Mulreany, 25 (right) at Tallaght District Court on Saturday. Picture by Fergal Phillips

The mother of one of two friends who were ordered into quarantine after a trip to Dubai claimed they were both being refused access to independent Covid-19 testing.

Niamh Mulreany's mother Sabrina also said the women were 'being treated worse than animals and the whole situaton had become a circus.

Ms Mulreany (25) and Kirstie McGrath (30) allegedly refused to enter into mandatory hotel quarantine and were subsequently arrested for breaches to the Health Act last Friday.

Ms McGrath since received a positive PCR test result which has resulted in several gardai being told to self-isolate. However it is understood that a subsequent test result has been received which is negative.

Ms Mulreanys mother, speaking on behalf of the friends, has confirmed that both girls received a Covid-19 PCR test, after testing negative to a previous three, and an antibody exam, when they entered the womens prison on Saturday night.

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The friends are sharing a double room at the quarantine hotel where they are staying.

They had asked authorities, Department of Health, for independent PCR tests to be carried out on the girls on Monday evening.

She said a GP was to be allowed to enter the hotel at 7.30am on Tuesday. However, at 1.11am on Tuesday legal representatives were told that this had been stopped.

In correspondence from the quarantine hotel where the friends are staying, the girls parents were told, access to the mandatory quarantine facility is not approved.

The letter adds: The HSE as the person approved by the Minister for Health to conduct RT-PCR tests with the applicable travellers in designated facilities under section 38 of the Health Act. The Minister has not designated or approved any person other than the HSE to conduct RT-PCR tests.

There is no entitlement accruing to persons in quarantine to have RT-PCR tests conducted by anyone other than the HSE. In the circumstance the Department of Health cannot agree to the facilitation of a privately sourced PCR test.

In response, Ms Mulreanys mother, who is a frontline worker said: Niamh and Kirstie are being made examples of its as simple as that and the question has to be asked why?

"When those girls got onto the plane in Dubai they did not have Covid-19. The girls left Ireland on the morning of March 24 and the new rules on quarantining did not come in until March 26, two days later so why is this happening?

These two girls are not statistics and what is happening is having an awful affect on them.

Ms Mulreany added that the friends are being treated worse than animals - this is a complete circus.

The girls have done nothing wrong. They didnt break any rules and followed all guidance. Why are they being made examples of and why not those who gave vaccines to people who were not yet entitled to them?

They checked with the airline they were travelling to Dubai with and Government authorities as to what guidelines they had to follow. They were told they were allowed to travel as long as they had negative PCR tests and medical documentation explaining why they were leaving the country. They followed all the guidelines they were told to do.

They were kept in awful conditions in prison and left in a garda van for almost four hours in the heat prior to their court appearance on Saturday as they could not enter the court house due to Covid-19 restrictions. Both girls are suffering psychologically as we all are.

The arrest of the two women and subsequent court action has now resulted into a constitutional challenge against laws requiring persons to enter mandatory quarantine on their arrival into Ireland from certain countries.

The pair appeared at Tallaght District Court and were granted bail but remained in custody and detained at the Dochas womens prison as they could not access financial funds needed for bonds and sureties.

The High Court on Sunday made orders allowing mother-of-one Ms Mulreany and mother-of-two Ms McGrath to leave prison.

Mr Justice Paul Burns amended bail conditions imposed on the friends enabling them to leave prison and continue to quarantine at a designated hotel.

The judge also declined the womens application to be allowed quarantine at their respective homes instead of the hotel so they could be re-united with their children.

Read More




Canberra, April 6 : Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday welcomed New Zealand's decision to open its borders to travellers from the country.

Earlier in the day, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that Australians will be allowed to enter the country without mandatory quarantine from April 19.

It comes about six months after Australia opened its borders to New Zealand travellers in October 2020.

Morrison said the opening of the travel bubble both ways was the "first of many steps to come" as Australia begins to slowly open itself up to the rest of the world.

"This is the first of many more steps to come, I believe, as we get back to a normal, more normal position, not only over the course of this year but beyond," he said in Canberra.

"This will mean importantly, jobs for Australia." It will mark the first time that Australians will be able to freely leave the country since March 2020 when the National Cabinet banned citizens from leaving the country except for essential reasons.

Morrison flagged bubbles opening with Singapore, Japan and South Korea but warned they could be months away.

He also defended the speed of Australia's Covid-19 vaccine rollout, saying delays have largely been a result of international supply issues.

"There were over 3 million doses from overseas that never came. And that's obviously resulted in an inability to get 3 million doses out and distributed through the network," Morrison said.
One of the most revealing features of last weeks Australian Labor Party national conference was the enthusiastic support of the trade unions for the ramping-up of plans for war.

All the unions backed the unanimous votes for a party platform that is committed to expanding military and other war-related production, as well as strengthening the US military alliance because of its vital importance to Australias national security requirements and demonising China.

Party leader Anthony Albanese set the tone for the conference in his opening address, invoking the record of the World War II and post-war Labor governments of prime ministers Curtin and Chifley from 1941 to 1949. In Australias moment of greatest crisis at the height of the Second World War, John Curtin led the nation out of military danger then Ben Chifley led into reconstruction, Albanese declared. Their mottovictory in war and victory in peace.

In the same vein, shadow defence minister Brendan OConnor received an enthusiastic response when spoke against a backdrop of model military ships and helicopters. He vowed that a Labor government would enhance the countrys defence sovereign capability, and help build a defence industry that can make things here.

Union speakers were given pride of place throughout the staged-managed conference as it adopted a platform that pledges Labor will develop a strong national defence industry with local jobs and local content, including on major platforms like submarines and ships.

The unions helped pass no less than six resolutions denouncing China for aggression or human rights abuses on every front nominated by the Trump and Biden administrations, from Xinjiang to Taiwan and the South China Sea.

Not a single union or party speaker referred to the 30 years of unending war waged by successive US administrations, and backed by every Australian government, to attempt to reassert Washingtons post-World War II global hegemony, nor to the resulting massive tolls of death and devastation, from Afghanistan and Iraq to Libya.

A chilling contribution was made by Jenny Kruschel, the Textile Clothing and Footwear (TCF) national secretary of the Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union (CFMEU) Manufacturing Division. She echoed the urgent Productivity Commission inquiry ordered by the Liberal-National government into Australias supply chain risks and heavy dependence on China for imports that would be crucial in the event of war.

Kruschel declared that gaps in our supply chains showed how vulnerable the country was. She appealed for Australian-based TCF employers to be guaranteed government procurement contracts for military uniforms.

Having presided over the destruction of tens of thousands of jobs in the TCF industries during the past four decades, including by Australian companies like Bonds, the union is seeking to divert the disaffection among TCF workers into supporting the war drive by supplying the necessary battle dress.

Union speakers claimed, in line with the words of Labors platform, that military-related industries based on enforceable local content requirements would provide secure, decent, long-term jobs for Australians.

In fact, the opposite is true. Above all, the US confrontation with China threatens to trigger a catastrophic war, likely fought with nuclear weapons, that would endanger the lives of the entire Australian population.

Furthermore, the war effort itself will involve governments and the corporate elite demanding ever greater sacrifices of wages and conditions by workers, as happened in both world wars.

Australian-based employers, such as Qantas, Telstra and defence contractors like John Holland or Transfield are no less ruthless than their international counterparts and partners, such as BAE Systems, Raytheon and Thales, when it comes to slashing jobs and conditions.

In 2018, the Liberal-National government announced, with Labors bipartisan backing, a plan of support and subsidies to make Australia the 10th largest military exporting country, thus contributing to the global arms race, as well as corporate super-profits.

Last week, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a $1 billion program to build missiles in Australia. That is part of a massive $270 billion spend on military hardware over this decade, taking total military expenditure to $575 billion in just 10 years.

Last weeks conference made clear the readiness of Labor and the unions to implement a rapid expansion of the war industries. The platform declares: This will require national effort and commitment on the part of political parties, government, the Australian Defence Force, vocational and tertiary institutions, local defence industry and relevant unions.

There was a particularly toxic intervention by the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA). Its national secretary Paddy Crumlin claimed that Australia was being stood over by foreign powers and needed to establish a strategic fleet of warships and other vessels.

An MUA video featured Albanese addressing an MUA gathering outside parliament house, accusing the Morrison government of completely opening up our borders and putting up a white flag when the Australian flag should be flying from our ships. Another Labor leader, shadow financial services minister Stephen Jones, was shown waving an Australian flag on the floor of parliament to back the MUA agitation.

Labor Party leader Anthony Albanese addresses MUA protest outside parliament (Source: YouTube)

In the video, MUA national officer Ian Bray boasted that because of the national security issues, analysts and strategists from a military background were saying that the MUA was right on this.

The Labor Partys reliance on the unions to suppress the eruption of working class struggles while fomenting nationalist poison was personified by MUA national officer Mich-Elle Myers. She presided over the conference in her capacity as the partys national vice president.

As proposed by the MUA, the conference platform calls for a stronger interface and integration between commercial shipping and Naval, Customs and search/rescue/salvage/emergency response requirements of government to improve maritime security.

The conference took to a new level a long-running campaign by the unions to divert workers anger over job destruction into calls for the expansion of war-related industries. Throughout the closure of the countrys car industry by Ford, General Motors and Toyota from 2013 to 2017, the unions suppressed all resistance by car workers while agitating for the shuttered plants to be transformed into factories for military vehicles and other weaponry.

In 2014, the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) submitted a so-called auto jobs rescue plan, entitled A Prosperous Australia, to the Liberal-National government urging it to channel billions of dollars in subsidies, formerly allocated to the auto giants, to military industries.

Among other things, the AMWUs plan called on the government to immediately order additional Air Warfare Destroyers and link these builds into the future frigate project so a continuous build program can be developed that supports our Navy and our manufacturing industry.

Two prominent unions are currently conducting petition campaigns to boost the war industries. One by the AMWU declares that cuts to defence spending could kill. It claims that shortages are affecting a silent army of civilian workers who support the armed forces. To safeguard national security, Australia needs a civilian workforce capable of designing and maintaining a variety of military equipment, the petition states.

An Australian Workers Union petition urges Prime Minister Morrison to stand up to Chinas bullying, protect Australian sovereignty and jobs, and work with nations that support free and fair trade.

The trade unions have a long history of drumming up support for war and encouraging workers to fight on behalf of Australian capitalism. The official history of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, posted on its website, emphasises that once World War I began in 1914, tens-of-thousands of unionists signed up to the Australian Imperial Forces to serve at Gallipoli, and then on the Western Front.

In 1916, as the brutality of the war became obvious, the unions opposed the Labor governments bid to impose conscription for overseas service, but only on the nationalist basis that Australians should be free to choose whether or not they would fight in Europe.

Once more, however: When the Second World War began in 1939 the labour movement swung its support behind the war effort. Through the war years, unionists again signed up in droves to defend Australia.

To fight against the unions drive to again dragoon them into war, workers have to break from these pro-imperialist apparatuses. They need to form new working class organisations, informed by an anti-war program to unify workers globally in a unified struggle to overturn the capitalist nation-state system and build a socialist world.
Larry Elder Debunks Journalist For Claiming Whiteness Is A Pandemic

After the Atlanta massage parlor shooting where eight people were killed, Damon Young, a writer for The Root, wrote an op-ed piece titled Whiteness is a Pandemic. He claims white supremacy is a public health crisis, and the only way to stop it is by isolating, extracting, and killing the virus. Well, Mr. Young, consider checking the facts first before tying the massage parlor tragedy to one singular race. Watch as Larry debunks Youngs absurd claim with facts over feelings.

Larry Elder with Epoch Times show available on YouTube, Rumble, Youmaker, and The Epoch Times website. It also airs on cable on NTD America. Find out where you can watch us on TV.
China's State Council Information Office on Tuesday issued a white paper titled "Poverty Alleviation: China's Experience and Contribution."

The white paper was issued to record the course of the Chinese people's great fight in eliminating extreme poverty, introduce China's approach, and share its experience and actions in poverty alleviation.

Besides the preface and conclusion, the white paper consists of five parts: "The Solemn Commitment of the CPC," "Final Victory in the Fight against Extreme Poverty," "The Strategy of Targeted Poverty Alleviation," "Exploring a New Path of Poverty Alleviation" and "A Global Community of Shared Future Free from Poverty."

Noting that this year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the white paper said the Party has united and led the Chinese people in the battle against poverty with unwavering faith and will over the past century.

China is home to nearly one fifth of the world's population and its complete eradication of extreme poverty is a milestone in the history of the Chinese nation and the history of humankind, it said.

China's experience in poverty alleviation indicates that courage, vision, sense of responsibility, and the eagerness to take on challenges are the most essential, according to the white paper.
Documentary Analyzes Tibets Future Relations With the CCP

A new film analyzes the decades-long Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) occupation of Tibet, and questions whether Tibetans will resort to violence after the passing of the Dalai Lama as a means for freedom.

Crouching Snow Lion Rising Dragon premiered online on March 10, 2021, to mark the 62nd anniversary of the Tibetan Uprising. After a festival run, it will release later this year.

Pema Dhondup Gakyil, a Nepali filmmaker based in Los Angeles, produced and directed the film over a period of two decades because some of the witnesses and officials that saw the events of March 10, 1959 are no more and their accounts were recorded in late 1990s, he said in a statement.

The greatest achievement of the Dalai Lama for Tibets struggle is his conscious effort to keep the struggle peaceful and non-violent. Will it be the same after he is gone? Gakyil said.

With the Dalai Lama in his 86th year, many Tibetans question the future relationship between Tibet and the CCP and whether the conflict will turn violent.

No one wants conflict and confrontation and His Holiness [the Dalai Lama] says in the film that no human problem has been resolved through violence, so it would be unthinkable if Tibetans took that path after he is gone, Gakyil said.

[The] Dalai Lama has single handedly held the community together, but we can see ordinary Tibetans are getting frustrated with the impasse in the effort between Tibet and China to find an amicable solution to decades of occupation.

(Courtesy of Pema Dhondup Gakyil)

Gakyil has made several documentaries and short films with his production company, Clear Mirror Pictures. He wrote, co-produced, and directed a previous Tibetan feature film, Were No Monks. He has several films in development in Hollywood and Bollywood.

The film was shot mostly in India and the United States.
Ammonia decomposition for hydrogen economy, improvement in hydrogen extraction efficiency

For the implementation of the effective hydrogen economy in the forthcoming years, hydrogen produced from sources like coal and petroleum must be transported from its production sites to the end user often over long distances and to achieve successful hydrogen trade between countries. Drs. Hyuntae Sohn and Changwon Yoon and their team at the Center for Hydrogen-fuel Cell Research of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) have announced a novel nanometal catalyst, constituting 60% less *ruthenium (Ru), an expensive precious metal used to extract hydrogen via ammonia decomposition.

*Ruthenium is a metal with the atomic number 44, and is a hard, expensive, silvery-white member of the platinum group of elements.

Ammonia has recently emerged as a liquid storage and transport medium that has shown promising stability for long-distance hydrogen transport. At 108 kg H2/m3, liquefied ammonia (NH3) can store 50% more hydrogen than liquid hydrogen. When ammonia is decomposed at high temperatures, only hydrogen and nitrogen gases are produced, with minimal carbon dioxide emissions. Because over 200 million tons of ammonia is currently produced annually for industrial use around the globe, the infrastructure for its mass storage and long-distance transport already exists and can simply be re-purposed for hydrogen transport.

The need for a lot of heat has been a pressing issue thwarting the widespread adoption of ammonia for use in hydrogen transport and storage, however. The decomposition reaction through which hydrogen is extracted from ammonia can only proceed at high temperaturewhich requires high energy input. A catalyst in the form of a solid powder can be added during the decomposition reaction to lower the reaction temperature; however, the existing ruthenium-metal-based catalysts are very expensive and have low stability, thus requiring regular replacement.

The KIST research team has developed a catalyst for hydrogen production from ammonia decomposition in which ruthenium metal particles and **zeolite are strongly bound by calcination under vacuum, which results in the containment of sub-nanometer and nanometer (one billionth of a meter) ruthenium metal particles in each pore of the zeolite support. This novel catalyst exhibits 2.5-times higher ammonia decomposition performance than conventional commercial catalysts and achieves this efficiency while using only 40% of ruthenium metal. Because nanometer-sized (or smaller) ruthenium metal particles are present and maintain their stability during the ammonia decomposition process even at high reaction temperatures, the use of the proposed catalyst can overcome the problem of low stability, which has been significantly limiting the commercialization of existing catalysts.

** Zeolite is a mixed oxide of silicon and aluminum, which is a type of crystalline mineral connected by nanometer-level pores. It is often used as a catalyst support and exists in a structure in which pores having the size on the order of several nanometers to tens of nanometers are connected, depending on the type.

"The developed catalyst has an advantageous structure in that the nanometer-sized ruthenium metal particles are uniformly spread over zeolite, a crystalline mineral. Thus, this catalyst has shown higher performance and stability than previously reported catalysts and is expected to facilitate the commercialization of the process for high-purity hydrogen production from ammonia," said Dr. Hyuntae Sohn, KIST. "The importance of large-capacity hydrogen transport based on ammonia is rapidly increasing, with fierce competition among advanced countries over the development and acquisition of related technologies. The application of the proposed catalyst for large-capacity hydrogen production via ammonia decomposition, which is currently under research and development, will ultimately help the commercialization of ammonia-derived hydrogen and the large-capacity hydrogen transportation between countries," said Dr. Changwon Yoon.

###

This research was supported by the New & Renewable Energy Core Technology Program of the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning(KETEP), granted financial resources by the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy (MOTIE). The results of this study were published in the latest issue of "Applied Catalysis B: Environmental", an international journal in the field of energy and the environment.

This story has been published on: 2021-04-06. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Brisk polling was



witnessed in various places in Kerala on Tuesday with 52.41 percent of 2.74 crore electorate having already cast their vote by noon in the assembly elections being held under the shadow of COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the soaring temperatures, long queues were seen in various constituencies with men accounting for 54.31 per cent of the total votes polled till 2 pm.

As many as 50.63 per cent women and 23.87 transgender voters have also exercised their franchise.

Taliparamba, Dharmadam, Aroor, Chertala, Wadakkanchery and Karunagapally constituencies reported heavy polling.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan (Dharmadam) Opposition leader, Ramesh Chennithala (Haripad), Senior Congress leader Oommen Chandy (Puthupally), BJP state president K Surendran (Konni and Manjeswaram) and 'Metro Man' E Sreedharan, (Palakkad) were among those who had voted before noon.

According to the Election commission, 52.41 per cent polling was recorded by 2 pm, seven hours after polling commenced at 7am for the 140 seats.

Mohammed Ashraff Kalathil, a presiding officer of a booth in Payyanur constituency in Kannur was hospitalised after being allegedly attacked by CPI(M) activists as he prevented a man who had come to vote with his ration card.

The voting was held up for half an hour and another officer appointed while Kalathil was shifted to the hospital.

In another incident, UDF candidate in Andoor, Abdul Raheed, in Kannur was allegedly manhandled by marxist workers.

A 65-year-old man and a 75-year-old woman standing in the queue to vote at Aranmula in Pathanamthitta district and Chavittuvary in Kottayam respectively collapsed and died.

The state had witnessed a fierce campaign in the run up to the polls by the ruling CPI(M) led Left Democratic Front (LDF), Opposition Congress led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the BJP led NDA.

Talking to reporters after casting his vote, Chief Minister Vijayan expressed confidence that the LDF would be voted back to power.

"I have full faith in the people, who are with the left," he said adding the front would get more seats than it had won in the 2016 assembly polls, thus registering a 'historical' win.

The BJP account in Nemom, the solitary seat won by the saffron party in the 2016 polls, will be 'closed', he said.

On the polling day also, sparks flew over the Sabarimala issue with the LDF and UDF locking horns.

Vijayan said the devotees of Lord Ayyappa and all other gods will be with the LDF.

Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala opined that bhaktas will not forgive the left front, which will face the wrath of Lord Ayyappa as CWC member, A K Antony, sought the CM's apology.

Kerala had witnessed violent protests by activists of BJP and Right wing outfits after the LDF government decided to implement the 2018 Supreme court verdict allowing women of all age groups to offer prayers at the hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala, where traditionally women in the menstrual age group of 10-50 are banned from worshipping.

Besides Vijayan, 11 of his cabinet colleagues are among the 957 candidates in fray in the state.

The voting for Malappuram Lok Sabha bypoll, necessitated by the resignation of P K Kunhalikutty, who is contesting to the state assembly, is also being held.

(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.)
LOS ANGELES, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Amid the pandemic, the team at the International Myeloma Foundation remained steadfast about its goals: Myeloma Action Month (MAM) in March 2021 would inspire the myeloma community and beyond to take action and create awareness about this incurable cancer.

The IMF is proud to report the myeloma community showed great strength and resilience. Despite the challenges of quarantine, 37 nations joined together and built a movement. What began as a seed sprouted into a season for change, with branches reaching more than 25 million people. Of the millions of Myeloma Action Month social media posts, there were 45,000 interactions; 22,000 shares; and 22,000 likes.

IMF President, Founder, and CEO Susie Durie said, "This year for Myeloma Action Month, despite the pandemic, we celebrated how individuals stepped up, took a deep breath to nurture their resilience, and coped with change to become Myeloma Warriors."

In 2009, the IMF launched March as Myeloma Awareness Month to shed light on this little known cancer. By 2016, the organization elevated the campaign to Myeloma Action Month, with the added purpose of encouraging individuals and groups to take actions that positively impact the myeloma community as a whole.

The year 2021 was all about taking small actions on a daily basis to bolster resilience. At the Myeloma Action Month website, global community members were motivated by choosing to post from these 31 days of resilience activities or to post from these 31 days of myeloma facts.

Thirty-seven countries spanning six continents took part. Myeloma Action Month (MAM) social media badges were translated into more than 10 international languages. Individuals and groups shared their actions, posts, and pictures from far and wide.

Some examples of actions taken include the following:

IMF Regional Director of Support Groups, Kelley Sidorowicz , created guided audio meditations and yoga videos for those living with myeloma. These interactive programs are available for free at the Mind and Body Experience on the MAM website.



, created guided audio meditations and yoga videos for those living with myeloma. These interactive programs are available for free at the Mind and Body Experience on the MAM website. The Korean Blood Disease Cancer Awareness Association translated Myeloma Fact Sheets into Korean and made them available to its members. They also distributed badges with the MAM logo and wrote columns and press releases about myeloma in local South Korean newspapers.



In Beijing , myeloma doctors were provided a myeloma information manual and educational myeloma videos in Mandarin. These Chinese partners also launched new myeloma patient programs, and they placed MAM posters in hospitals and online.



, myeloma doctors were provided a myeloma information manual and educational myeloma videos in Mandarin. These Chinese partners also launched new myeloma patient programs, and they placed MAM posters in hospitals and online. The Italian organization AIL ( Associazione Italiana contro le Leucemie, linfomi e mieloma Onlus ), which works in the fight against blood cancers, held a patient webinar on March 29 with more than 6,000 participants in attendance.



), which works in the fight against blood cancers, held a patient webinar on with more than 6,000 participants in attendance. The Turkish organization Kanser Savasclar (Cancer Survivors) organized three webinars with myeloma experts answering patient and caregiver questions.



(Cancer Survivors) organized three webinars with myeloma experts answering patient and caregiver questions. Linda Huguelet , an IMF Support Group Leader of the Chattanooga Multiple Myeloma Networking Group, led the charge for the state of Tennessee to proclaim March as Myeloma Action Month.

With the help of so many generous individuals and groups, the IMF is thrilled to announce March 2021 has been the most impactful Myeloma Action Month yet.

The IMF is especially grateful to the following Platinum Sponsors for supporting Myeloma Action Month: Abbvie, Amgen, The Binding Site, Bluebird Bio, Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), GSK, Karyopharm Therapeutics, Oncopeptides, Sanofi Genzyme, and Takeda Oncology, as well as Gold Sponsor Arcotech Biopharma.

ABOUT MULTIPLE MYELOMA



Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the bone marrow plasma cells -- white blood cells that make antibodies. A cancerous or malignant plasma cell is called a myeloma cell. Myeloma is called "multiple" because there are frequently multiple patches or areas in bone where it grows. It can appear as both a tumor and/or an area of bone loss, and it affects the places where bone marrow is active in an adult: the hollow area within the bones of the spine, skull, pelvis, rib cage, and the areas around the shoulders and hips.

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL MYELOMA FOUNDATION

Founded in 1990, the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) is the first and largest foundation focusing specifically on multiple myeloma. The Foundation's reach extends to more than 525,000 members in 140 countries worldwide. The IMF is dedicated to improving the quality of life of myeloma patients while working toward prevention and a cure by focusing on four key areas: research, education, support, and advocacy. The IMF has conducted more than 250 educational seminars worldwide, maintains a world-renowned InfoLine, and in 2001, established the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG), a collaborative research initiative focused on improving myeloma treatment options for patients. In 2012, the IMF launched the Black Swan Research Initiative, a groundbreaking research project aimed at curing myeloma. The IMF can be reached at (800) 452-CURE (2873). The global website is www.myeloma.org.

Follow the IMF on Twitter @IMFmyeloma.

CONTACT:

Sapna Kumar [email protected] (818) 487-7455

SOURCE International Myeloma Foundation

Related Links

http://www.myeloma.org


GILMANTON, N.H. (AP)  A New Hampshire teen has been credited with saving a boy more than 800 miles (1,290 kilometers) away  thanks to TikTok.

Caden Cotnoir, 13, was watching a TikTok livestream of Trent Jarrett, 12, riding a four-wheeler in West Virginia, when something went awry, WMUR-TV reported.

All of a sudden his phone goes kind of blank, you can see a little bit of light and you can just hear him yelling for help, Caden said.

Caden said he could hear Trent yelling out numbers.

I was yelling out my grandparents house phone number, Trent said, adding it was the only number he could remember.

Caden made a virtual call for help and Trents parents managed to find him and lift the ATV off him. After being trapped for about 20 minutes, he sustained minor cuts and bruises.

He did was he was supposed to do and got the right people and it worked out. It was an Easter miracle, Cadens stepfather, Gilmanton Police Chief Matt Currier, said of him.

Caden had followed Trent because of the boys shared interests, including hunting and fishing, the station reported. The two met via Zoom on Monday, and Trent said hed like to thank Caden for everything he did.
The Tuesday moved the challenging the order directing the CBI to conduct a preliminary inquiry within 15 days into the allegations of corruption and misconduct levelled by former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh against ex-Home Minister Anil Deshmukh.

We have filed an appeal on behalf of state government against the of yesterday, said Maharashtra standing counsel Sachin Patil.

After the high court order on Monday, Deshmukh, a veteran politician from Vidarbha, resigned from the state government.

The high court had said that this was an "extraordinary" and "unprecedented" case which warranted an independent inquiry.

Singh, in his plea filed on March 25, sought the CBI probe against Deshmukh who, he claimed, had asked police officers, including suspended cop Sachin Waze, to extort Rs 100 crore from bars and restaurants.

Deshmukh has denied any wrongdoing.

(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.)
Another round of coronavirus stimulus payments are being issue to Social Security recipients and other federal beneficiaries who do not normally file a tax return, according to the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Treasury Department.

The majority of these payments would be sent electronically and received on the official payment date of Wednesday, April 7, the IRS says.

The stimulus cash would be issued through direct deposits and payments to existing Direct Express cards.

The third Economic Impact Payment program offers up to $1,400 each for those who qualify. Money began hitting many bank accounts via direct deposit on March 17. Others have begun receiving paper checks or plastic prepaid Visa cards, issued by MetaBank.

The IRS noted that many federal beneficiaries who filed 2019 or 2020 returns or used the Non-Filers tool last year were issued Economic Impact Payments, if eligible, during the last three weeks.

The update applies to Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) beneficiaries who did not file a 2019 or 2020 tax return or did not use the Non-Filers tool, the IRS said.

The IRS has said it will automatically send a third payment to people who didnt file a federal income tax return but receive Social Security retirement, survivor or disability benefits (SSDI), Railroad Retirement benefits, Supplemental Security Income or Veterans Affairs benefits. Social Security and other federal beneficiaries will generally receive this third payment the same way as their regular benefits, according to the IRS.

It could be necessary for some government beneficiaries to file a 2020 federal income tax return to receive stimulus money that applies to others in a family, such as a qualifying dependent or a spouse, according to the IRS.

The IRS notes: If you dont normally file a tax return but you need to file a federal tax return for 2020 and have no income or income of $72,000 or less, you can file your Federal tax return electronically for free through the IRS Free File Program. See IRS.gov for Free File.

So people who have been upset that they didnt get money in the first two batches of payments, which began in mid-March, now have some relief knowing when the money should arrive.

What many cannot understand is why their Social Security or other government payments arrive via direct deposit but theyve not yet seen stimulus money.

Some are disabled. Some said theyre as broke as a dog. One canceled a doctors appointment because of an overstretched budget. Most want some answers  and their money.

Whats the holdup on the SSA stimulus package? one simply emailed.

The IRS also noted: The Get My Payment tool on IRS.gov will not be updated with information for federal beneficiaries expecting payments.

The IRS has promoted its Get My Payment Tool at IRS.gov as a way for consumers to track down their stimulus payments.

A few people who emailed offered some signs of hope. One man in Ohio suggested that readers check a variety of places where the money could have possibly shown up already.

They need to check the account that gets their SSA direct deposit, wrote Brian Fialko, of Avon, Ohio.

He said his first two stimulus payments, one issued last year and another early in 2021, were issued by check.

The third I just learned was auto deposit to the account my SSA goes to, Fialko said.

I have never filed a tax return showing bank info, they must have gotten it with benefit info from SSA.

There could be a longer delay for some: The IRS continues to review data received for Veterans Affairs (VA) benefit recipients and expects to determine a payment date and provide more details soon. Some in this group could have to wait until mid-April for stimulus money.

The IRS said it received the necessary data from the Social Security Administration on March 25.

The IRS began the multistep process to review, validate and test tens of millions of records to ensure eligibility and proper calculation of Economic Impact Payments.

If no additional issues arise, the IRS expects to complete that work and to begin processing these payment files at the end of this week.

VA beneficiary payment information will be available in the Get My Payment tool at a future date.
The judge set a $30,000 recognizance bond for Zimmerman. Assistant states attorney Sharmila Manak told the judge that her office did not object to the recognizance bond, and that Zimmerman has been cooperative with authorities.
Just because a police officer feels uncomfortable doesnt mean that officer is unsafe.

Thats one lesson Guillermo Lopez hopes to impart to municipal police officers in Northampton County through a new implicit bias training program.

Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure announced the training at a press conference Tuesday.

Its not the countys place to provide policing, but the county is invested in providing human services, McClure said. The county already provides life-saving crisis intervention training to all first responders, including police officers. McClure feels implicit bias training is just as important.

This will save lives, he said.

Lopez runs the Bethlehem-based Intersekt Alliance, which already provides bias training at Northampton County Prison and to the Easton Police Department.

He said bias training is the norm for Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton police, but the countys commitment of $20,000 will help expand the training out to more suburban communities.

I think there is an urgency we can all point to after the George Floyd murder, Lopez said.

Bethlehem, Bethlehem Township, Palmer, Nazareth and the Colonial Regional police departments have all expressed interest in participating in the training, according to Northampton County Human Services Director Susan Wandalowski.

Northampton County Director of Human Services Susan Wandalowski speaks April 6, 2021, at a press conference about Northampton County's initiative to offer implicit bias training to local police departments.Rudy Miller | For lehighvalleylive.com

McClure hopes all the police departments in Northampton County eventually participate.

The three-hour sessions will consist of a mix of no more than 20 officers from various departments at one time. Lopez is expected to host about 20 sessions through June, Wandalowski said. She will then look for funding to continue the program through the end of the year and beyond.

Lopez says he assesses cultural competencies and practices before tailoring training to fit each departments needs.

He wants to teach police to proactively and reactively manage conflict more effectively by providing tools to assist diverse groups as they work together through emotionally charged conflicts.

By the end, the participants will be able to practice new skills and strategies meeting the needs of a diverse population of coworkers and other groups and individuals that interact with the department, Lopez said.

McClure thinks the training is well worth it and is eager to help local municipal police departments.

We know how stretched municipal budgets are, McClure said.

Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure speaks April 6, 2021, at a press conference about Northampton County's initiative to offer implicit bias training to local police departments.Rudy Miller | For lehighvalleylive.com

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In the face of overwhelming opposition, the 12-hour/seven-day work rotation for skilled trades at the Stellantis Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (SHAP) in the Detroit area has gone into effect. The draconian schedule establishes four rotating crews working seven days on and seven days off without overtime, after eight hours under terms of the alternative work schedule (AWS) negotiated by the UAW in the 2019 national auto contract.

While the 12-hour day will create enormous stress and disruption in the lives of workers, one immediate impact will likely be an exodus of skilled trades workers from SHAP through retirement or moves to other employers, forcing an even greater workload onto the already overstretched maintenance staff.

Workers at FCA Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (Photo: WSWS)

This is the first time that an AWS has been implemented in skilled trades, making it a test case for plants throughout the country. It shreds what is left of the principle of the eight-hour day, turning back the clock more than a century to a period where workers had no time for personal or family life.

At no point since the 12/7 schedule was first floated last fall has the UAW voiced any opposition, insisting that the contract language they slipped into the 2019 agreement permits the schedule change. The change in work schedule is doubly onerous under conditions where reports indicate that COVID-19 is once again rapidly spreading through the auto plants.

Concurrent with the imposition of the 12/7 schedule, management is implementing the so-called "team concept," where workers can be forced to perform multiple jobs. This is a recipe for overstress and accidents and is particularly dangerous during the pandemic under conditions where skilled trades workers may have to service multiple production lines.

A SHAP skilled trades worker told the World Socialist Web Site Autoworker Newsletter, This is crazy. They are going through with it. We havent gotten anything from the union except when it is going to start.

Reality is starting to sink in for supervisors. They dont even get any overtime on Sunday. Supervisors now have to work 84 hours, and they only get eight hours overtime. A management guy told me, I am not working seven days, 12 hours a day for nothing.

For us on the AWS there is no Saturday overtime unless you are working on your off week.

In 2009 they said the economy was bad, and they needed to restructure. Then soon thereafter they came up with the theory that people were taking advantage of the overtime system. If you worked on a Saturday, you would get time and a half on Saturday, even though you didnt work 40 hours.

They wanted to eliminate paying overtime unless you worked 40 hours during the week. The UAW agreed to that. And they agreed to that without the stipulation that if I come in on Saturday voluntarily and I missed during the week, you dont pay me overtime. But if it is mandatory, why wouldnt that be overtime?

With this AWS, Stellantis is not even offering 40 hours during the week. How can you penalize me for not working 40 hours by not paying overtime on Saturday when 40 hours isnt even available?

Beginning last week due to a shortage of critical computer chips, Stellantis shut down five North American assembly plants, including Warren Truck and Belvidere Assembly in the US. SHAP, which produces the highly profitable Dodge Ram light truck, is being kept in operation, with chips and even temporary part-time workers from Warren Truck being shifted to the plant. The Ram vehicle accounts for a significant share of the companys profits, with sales up a record 28 percent for the first quarter, making the plant among the most strategically important in the country.

Protests by SHAP workers over the shredding of the eight-hour day have predictably evoked no response on the part of the UAW. A fact sheet distributed by a group of skilled trades workers pointed to the multiple ways the imposition of the 12-hour/seven-day schedule violated the UAWs own constitution and urged workers to lodge protests with the new UAW ethics officer. However, workers attempting to call the office were redirected to voice mail, and their calls were not returned.

Referring to the pending unionization vote at the Amazon warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama, the skilled trades worker remarked, At Amazon I would be hard pressed to tell them to vote for a union. At this stage I dont see the benefit. I pay all this money every month, and I get a terrible deal? I could have done that for free.

The start of the 12/7 work schedule at SHAP comes just days after the release of the UAWs annual labor department filing for 2020. It shows that the unions 14 top officers raked in more than $3 million in salaries and benefits in a year that saw unprecedented sickness and death in the auto plants with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The payouts included $244,772 for UAW President Rory Gamble, who had at one point been named as a person of interest in a federal bribery investigation. UAW Vice President for Stellantis Cindy Estrada, whose private charity came under FBI scrutiny, made $220,506. Estrada has studiously ignored direct appeals from SHAP workers to intervene to halt the 12/7 work schedule.

Workers have also pointed out the 12-hour day violates the UAW Local 1700 (SHAP) agreement with Stellantis/Fiat Chrysler, which stipulates that workers cannot be forced to work more than 10 hours a day or more than one Sunday per month. Under the UAW constitution, the international union is barred from imposing regressive changes to local agreements.

A statement issued by the SHAP Rank-and-File Safety Committee, founded last year by workers in opposition to the treachery of the UAW, stressed the historic significance of the fight to defend the eight-hour workday.

The very concept of such a long day represents a major step backwards. For more than 150 years, the eight-hour day has been a central demand of the organized workers movement, needed to limit the stress and strain on the body and permit time for recreation, family life and mental development.

The committee called for the development of maximum opposition in the auto plants from all workers to the 12-hour/seven-day schedule at SHAP under the principle an injury to one is an injury to all.

The defeat of the 12/7 schedule will not come through appeals to management, the establishment news media or the corrupt UAW, which has demonstrated it does not stand for us. We as workers must stand together, skilled trades and production, tier one and tier two, full time and temporary to demand with one voice the halt to this violation of our rights.

The fight must not end here. We must oppose all unsafe conditions in the plant. In the first place, workers must have full and accurate real-time information about COVID-19 and have regular testing. We must not be targeted, written up, terminated or harassed in any way for taking time off to get tested and get results, or for raising concerns about safety. Whenever conditions are not safe, we have the right to collectively refuse to work without any threat of retaliation by management or the union. To join the fight, or for more information, write to autoworkers@wsws.org.
WOONSOCKET, R.I., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) has surpassed $200 million in affordable housing investments in California as part of an ongoing commitment to address housing insecurity throughout the country. Over the past years, the company and its subsidiaries have invested in over 130 affordable housing communities across California, facilitating the construction or rehabilitation of more than 12,500 affordable homes.

This milestone was achieved with CVS Health's recent closing of a $12.1 million investment to help finance LINC Housing's new development in Los Angeles County's Avocado Heights. Equa (named for LINC Housing's dedication to equality, as well as the neighborhood's equestrian history) will provide 80 homes for families with low incomes and individuals who have experienced homelessness. The development will feature a community room, computer room, private offices for supportive services staff, an after-school program room, and community kitchen. LINC Housing will provide a wide range of social and supportive services to help residents maintain housing stability.

The most recent project was part of more than $43 million in affordable housing investments made by CVS Health in California over the past year, which will lead to the construction or rehabilitation of more than 850 affordable homes in 10 cities across the state. 265 are dedicated to housing seniors, and close to 100 are reserved specifically for veterans and their families. More than 350 consist of Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) constructed to provide stable homes for people who may be experiencing homelessness, affected by chronic illness, victims of domestic violence, in need of behavioral health and addiction treatment. In addition to affordable housing, these residents will also receive access to a wide range of services to stabilize and improve their health including social, behavioral health and addiction recovery services.

"Our affordable housing investment strategy remains focused on funding the development of permanent housing where it is needed most," said Kristen Miranda, Senior Vice President of Markets for Aetna, a CVS Health company. "Our investments in California and collaboration with regional affordable housing organizations over the past year have enabled us to provide quality housing, economic support, and educational training opportunities that are based on the unique needs of the state's residents."

Tackling Housing Insecurity in the Bay State

California has been a key focus of CVS Health's recent investment strategy due the state's extended shortage of affordable housing for low-income families and individuals, which has been exacerbated by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to making housing investments, CVS Health is working with developers and community-based organizations to expand the reach of its COVID vaccine, Project Health, Workforce Initiatives and HealthHUB offerings, among other programs and services, to improve health outcomes and further promote housing stability. More affordable housing investments CVS Health made in California during the past year in collaboration with housing groups include:

$8.1 million in Rosa de Castilla , for 85 new PSH homes in Los Angeles' Eastside, by East LA Community Corporation (ELACC) and New Directions for Veterans (New Directions). 63 homes are reserved for people experiencing homelessness, 44 specifically for veterans. ELACC and New Directions will provide residents access to services such as after school tutoring, employment services, substance use treatment, legal assistance, peer support, advocacy and medication management.

in , for 85 new PSH homes in Eastside, by East LA Community Corporation (ELACC) and New Directions for Veterans (New Directions). 63 homes are reserved for people experiencing homelessness, 44 specifically for veterans. ELACC and New Directions will provide residents access to services such as after school tutoring, employment services, substance use treatment, legal assistance, peer support, advocacy and medication management. A $2.1 million investment in the Villages at Broadway, the Fresno Housing Authority's (FHA) substantial rehab of a vacant motel property to provide 26 new PSH homes for those experiencing homelessness in west Fresno . In 2019, CVS Health invested $4.6 million in a similar FHA development known as the Villages at Paragon. Residents at both communities will be receive extensive supportive services provided by FHA and the Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health.

investment in the Villages at Broadway, the Fresno Housing Authority's (FHA) substantial rehab of a vacant motel property to provide 26 new PSH homes for those experiencing homelessness in west . In 2019, CVS Health invested in a similar FHA development known as the Villages at Paragon. Residents at both communities will be receive extensive supportive services provided by FHA and the Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health. $2 million in North Harbor Village by Jamboree Housing Corp. (JHC) who will transform an existing motel in Santa Ana into 89 new PSH homes for formerly homeless veterans and those living with a mental health diagnosis. Resident services will be provided by Housing with Heart, JHC's in-house service provider. JHC recently completed Heroes Landing, a similar sized PSH community exclusively for Veteran's experiencing homelessness and estimates the new homes will save Orange County $3.9 million per year in emergency services, unnecessary hospitalizations and other related expenses annually.

in North Harbor Village by Jamboree Housing Corp. (JHC) who will transform an existing motel in into 89 new PSH homes for formerly homeless veterans and those living with a mental health diagnosis. Resident services will be provided by Housing with Heart, JHC's in-house service provider. JHC recently completed Heroes Landing, a similar sized PSH community exclusively for Veteran's experiencing homelessness and estimates the new homes will save per year in emergency services, unnecessary hospitalizations and other related expenses annually. A $2.4 million investment in The Lake House by Community Development Partners will provide 63 PSH for the formerly homeless and offer supportive services in the Westlake neighborhood of Los Angeles . It was estimated in the 2019 Point-in-Time Count that over 1,875 individuals were homeless in Westlake.

investment in The Lake House by Community Development Partners will provide 63 PSH for the formerly homeless and offer supportive services in the Westlake neighborhood of . It was estimated in the 2019 Point-in-Time Count that over 1,875 individuals were homeless in Westlake. $3.7 million toward NOVA, a PSH community with 56 homes in Oakland , by Affirmed Housing to provide new homes to formerly homeless individuals and families earning 20% (or less) of the area median income. Extensive on-site services will be provided by Life Long Medical Care.

CVS Health's efforts to address housing insecurity are a core part of Destination: Health, a series of company programs focused on helping people improve their health outside of a clinical setting. CVS Health will announce additional affordable housing initiatives throughout 2021.

About CVS Health

CVS Health is a different kind of health care company. We are a diversified health services company with nearly 300,000 employees united around a common purpose of helping people on their path to better health. In an increasingly connected and digital world, we are meeting people wherever they are and changing health care to meet their needs. Built on a foundation of unmatched community presence, our diversified model engages one in three Americans each year. From our innovative new services at HealthHUB locations, to transformative programs that help manage chronic conditions, we are making health care more accessible, more affordable and simply better. Learn more about how we're transforming health at www.cvshealth.com.

Media Contact

Rebecca Ferrick

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For tens of thousands of women, a diagnosis of endometriosis means a life of debilitating pain.

Despite it affecting one woman in ten in the UK, from teenagers through to middle age, treatment options remain limited.

There is no cure and the available treatments often have significant side-effects, affecting fertility, for example, because they contain hormones.

Now a hormone-free device, which would circumvent many of the side-effects associated with existing options, is being suggested as a new treatment  and the results so far look promising.

For tens of thousands of women, a diagnosis of endometriosis means a life of debilitating pain. Despite it affecting one woman in ten in the UK, from teenagers through to middle age, treatment options remain limited

Endometriosis occurs when cells similar to those found in the lining of the womb occur elsewhere in the body  commonly within the pelvis.

These cells behave like those in the womb, each month building up and then breaking down and bleeding as part of the menstrual cycle.

However, when they build up outside the womb, these cells cause pain and inflammation and can lead to scarring.

Women with endometriosis often have very painful periods as well as pelvic pain at other times of the month, and it can also cause a range of other conditions, including infertility, bowel and bladder problems caused by scarring, as well as fatigue and mental health and relationship difficulties.

The endometrial tissue can be removed surgically but this is only effective in about a quarter of patients, and 50 per cent have a recurrence of their symptoms within five years of an operation.

The other main option is hormone medication. As endometriosis tissue grows when exposed to the female hormone oestrogen, treatments that block or reduce the production of oestrogen from the ovaries are often used, such as the Pill, the Mirena coil and gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) injections (brand name Zoladex).

But these dont work for everyone and have side-effects such as nausea, headaches and mood changes.

Endometriosis occurs when cells similar to those found in the lining of the womb occur elsewhere in the body  commonly within the pelvis

They are also unsuitable for women who want to start a family and symptoms usually return once hormonal medication is stopped.

The latest solution, the drug dichloroacetate (DCA), is already used to treat rare metabolic conditions in children and is being investigated as a possible treatment for certain cancers.

DCA works by blocking changes in the metabolic processes of cells (which occur in the mitochondria, the powerhouse of a cell, that control how they produce energy); the drug effectively restores cell function to normal.

In 2019, researchers from the University of Edinburgh found that cells from the pelvic wall of women with endometriosis have a different metabolism. The cells in the pelvic wall produced higher amounts of lactate  a chemical by-product of metabolism.

The scientists believe lactate may encourage the growth of abnormal endometrial cells (similar to the behaviour of cancer cells, which is why the drug is also being investigated as a cancer treatment).

When the Edinburgh team tested DCA in mice, after seven days it reduced levels of lactate and the size of endometriosis lesions.

Now the researchers are trialling the drug on 30 women with the most common type of endometriosis, superficial peritoneal disease, which affects the lining of the pelvis and accounts for 80 to 90 per cent of cases.

Because the drug does not contain hormones, it should avoid the side-effects associated with conventional treatments.

In the trial, each woman has a dose of DCA matched to her weight, twice a day for six weeks, and patients record their pain.

If the women, who know they are taking DCA (as it is an early study, instead of a blinded one), feel it is working, they can take it for another six weeks. As this form of endometriosis cant be seen on a scan, researchers rely on symptoms reported by the women.

Andrew Horne, a professor of gynaecology and reproductive sciences at the university, who is leading the research, says the majority of women report an improvement in their symptoms.

However, some have reported nausea and, when they stop taking it, the symptoms recur.

Full results are expected this summer and the researchers hope to launch a bigger trial next year comparing it with women taking a placebo. If the trials are successful, then to avoid taking a daily pill women could use a device containing DCA.

As women have to keep taking dichloroacetate to get the benefits, one option we are looking at is a vaginal ring which contains the drug and delivers a steady dose, says Professor Horne.

This might be changed once a week and would be ideal as women wouldnt have to remember to take tablets every day.

Also, because a vaginal ring would deliver the drug direct to the pelvis, we hope it would reduce any side-effects.

Denis Tsepov, a consultant gynaecologist at The Harley Street Clinic in London, says there is a real need for more treatments. Dichloroacetate can potentially reduce the symptoms and slow the progression of the disease and we welcome this new research, he says. But, it is still experimental.

Another study at the University of Oxford identified genetic links between endometriosis and inflammatory conditions like asthma, osteoarthritis, migraines and back pain.

This raises the prospect that drugs used to treat these conditions, such as anti-inflammatories, may work for endometriosis, too.
Men Are Coming: 255 California Prison Inmates Have Requested Transfer to Womens Prisons Since January

Since January, 261 California prison inmates have requested transfers to prisons aligning with their gender identity, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation told the Daily Caller News Foundation Tuesday.

Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed S.B. 132 into law in January, a bill that requires the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to ask every individual entering the departments custody to specify their pronouns, their gender identity, and whether they identify as transgender, nonbinary, or intersex.

The law prevents CDCR from disciplining the individual if that individual refuses to give this information, allows for the information to be updated later on, and requires staff to use the gender pronouns that the individual requested.

It also requires that CDCR house the individual in a correctional facility designated for men or women based on the individuals preference. Similar legislation has been passed in Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Since the bill went into effect in January, 261 inmates have requested gender-based housing transfers, the CDCR told the DCNF Tuesday. The vast majority of these requests were from inmates requesting to be transferred to female facilities, and only six inmates did not request to be in a womens facility.

255 are from transgender women and non-binary incarcerated people who are requesting to be housed in a female institution and six are from transgender men and non-binary incarcerated people who are requesting to be housed in a male institution, Deputy Press Secretary Terry Thornton told the DCNF.

CDCR has not denied a single gender-based housing request, the spokeswoman confirmed.

The CDCR has approved 21 of the requests, and four of these 21 have been transferred to Central California Womens Facility in Chowchilla.

Two of the 21 have changed their minds, Thornton said. The spokeswoman said that as of April 2, 1,129 incarcerated people self-identify as transgender, non-binary, and intersex.

Prison inmates at Chowchilla told the Los Angeles Times that men are coming and that the prisoners should anticipate sexual violence.

That if we think its bad now, be prepared for the worst. That its going to be off the hook, its going to be jumping, 41-year-old Tomiekia Johnson told the publication that staffers said. They say were going to need a facility thats going to be like a maternity ward. They say were going to have an inmate program where inmates become nannies.

Prisoners fear that inmates requesting transfers are lying about their gender identity in order to be transferred to womens prisons, the LA Times reported. This has slowed down the transfer process, according to the publication.

Thornton told the LA Times that meetings and discussions have helped to dispel any fears and that a persons gender identity is self-reported and CDCR will evaluate any request submitted by an incarcerated person for gender-based housing.

The prison system requested several million dollars from California for implementing the law, Thornton said.

By Mary Margaret Olohan

From The Daily Caller News Foundation
Uber may remove California drivers' freedom to set their own prices and see trip destinations in advance after it no longer needs to prove they are independent contractors.

In January 2020, Uber announced it would allow their California rideshare drivers to see destinations before picking up passengers and let them set their own pricing.

But, the rideshare company said it led to drivers declining requests and cherry-picking more lucrative rides. Up to a third of rivers declined more than 80% of their ride requests, making the service unreliable, the company said.

The policy change was a strategic move for the company, and it was implemented it after the 2019 Assembly Bill 5 was signed into law. The bill forced gig-economy companies like the popular rideshare company to treat workers as employees with rights to benefits, including healthcare, instead of independent contractors.

That changed in November when California voters passed Prop 22 which exempts gig companies - like Uber and Lyft - from having to classify contractors as full time employees.

At least three drivers filed a lawsuit in January in California's Supreme Court alleging that Proposition 22 is unconstitutional. Under the proposition, elected officials are not able to amend the law so that driveres have safeguards like fair compensation, the right to organize, and healthcare.

In January 2020 Uber announced they would allow their California rideshare drivers to see ride destinations before picking up passengers and let them set pricing

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi. The rideshare company says they are considering eliminating its visible destinations and price-naming policy

If Prop 22 had not passed, experts projected that the cost of allowing drivers to be eligible for minimum wage, health care, and overtime protection, could have cost Uber an additional $500 million in annual operating cost, according to Quartz.

By allowing the drivers more control, Uber was able to say that drivers were actually independent contractors and stop them from being reclassified as employees under the AB5 law.

Now that the rideshare company no longer has to go out of it's way to prove that their drivers are independent, Uber is reversing course and eliminating its visible destinations and price-naming policy, the San Francisco Chronicle reported on Monday.

By allowing the drivers more control, Uber was able to say that drivers were actually independent contractors and stop them from being reclassified as employees under the AB5 law

Uber says weekly ride completion rates for San Francisco and Los Angeles Airports is less than 60%, the lowest for major airports in the country the company said

'Uber is re-evaluating past changes we made in California so we can make Uber more reliable,' the rideshare company told the Chronicle this week.

The changes included drivers being able to set their own fares as a multiple of an Uber base price and they could see where riders were going and could reject ride request without penalties. Riders also did not see pricing before a ride.

Uber said that as a result, a third of California drivers declined more than 80% of their ride request, making the service unreliable.

The policy has also lead to about a fifth of potential passengers in California not ending up finding a ride, a sevenfold increase from previously, Uber said.

Uber also said the changes have disproportionately hurt airport rides, which is considered one of the most profitable sources of the company.

Weekly ride completion rates for San Francisco and Los Angeles Airports is less than 60%, the lowest for major airports in the country the company said.

Uber pointed out customer complaints about haggling over prices, being forced to wait longer for rides and claims of being 'hijacked' into higher rates at last minute because they had no wiggle room to catch another ride.
The administration on Tuesday decided to impose night curfew from 10 pm to 5 am in the wake of rising COVID-19 cases in the city.

According to a spokesperson, the night curfew will be implemented after the deputy commissioner issues an order in this regard.

The city is witnessing a surge in the number of infections. On April 4, reported 341 cases, the highest single-day rise this year.

Administrator V P Singh Badnoredirected the police authorities to ensure strict implementation of the night curfew and told hospital authorities to ensure all health workers get themselves vaccinated at the earliest



Bandore also said stricter measures like weekend curfew, closure of 'Apni Mandis' and other crowded places will be considered if people doesn't follow Covid-appropriate behaviour.

"Keeping in view the rapid increase in the number of COVID cases, a decision was taken to enforce night curfew from 10 pm to 5 am everyday," said an official release, adding no gatherings, parties, non-essential activities will be allowed during the period.

Restaurants will also be required to shut down by 10 pm.

The night curfew will be reviewed when the situation improves, the official release 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.)
Production of Sputnik V at Panacea Biotec sites will help facilitate global supply of Sputnik V to international partners of RDIF

The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF, Russias sovereign wealth fund), and New Delhi based Panacea Biotec have announced cooperation to produce 100 million doses per year of Sputnik V, the worlds first registered vaccine against coronavirus.

Production of Sputnik V at Panacea Biotec sites will help facilitate global supply of Sputnik V to international partners of RDIF.

To date Sputnik V has been registered in 59 countries globally with total population of over 1.5 billion people. Efficacy of Sputnik V is 91.6% as confirmed by the data published in the Lancet, one of the world's oldest and most respected medical journals.

Dr. Rajesh Jain, Managing Director of Panacea Biotec, said:

We are pleased to collaborate with RDIF to produce Sputnik V for global markets. Panacea Biotec brings decades of vaccine manufacturing and distribution know-how to scale-up Sputnik V supplies. Panacea Biotec will produce Sputnik V in its internationally accredited facilities complying to strict GMP standards and prequalified by WHO.
MAIL-IN BALLOT OPTION

Local voters who qualify to cast their ballots by mail in the city of Kerrville or city of Ingram upcoming elections must submit an application for their ballots no later than April 20, said Kerr County Tax Assessor-Collector and Voter Registrar Bob Reeves.

Both elections to select new leaders for city governments are set for May 1. The city of Kerrville election will seat councilmember place 1 and councilmember place 2, while the city of Ingram election will elect three council members.

The Kerr County Elections Office started accepting requests for ballots by mail at the first of the year and will continue through April 20 only.

Qualifications for submitting a mail-in ballot are:

 65 years of age or older

 Disabled

 Confined to jail (but eligible)

 Qualified to vote but expect to be absent from Kerr County on election day or during the early, in-person voting, April 19-27.

Those who choose to vote by mail are reminded that they must be received at the elections office no later than 7 p.m. Saturday, May 1, if they are not postmarked, or no later than 5 p.m. Monday, May 3, if they are postmarked.

Its important to note that a voter can hand in their own ballot only on the actual election day  Saturday, May 1  at the Kerr County Tax Assessor-Collectors Office, 700 Main St., Suite 124, Kerrville TX 78028, Reeves said.

Voters may make inquiries for a ballot by mail to the Kerr County Elections Office at 830-792-2242 or by writing to: Bob Reeves, Kerr County tax assessor-collector, Attn: Elections Dept., 700 Main St., Suite 124, Kerrville TX 78028

More information about elections in Kerr County is available on the countys website at https://www.co.kerr.tx.us/elections/.
Kate Langbroek has admitted she misses life in Italy, despite spending most of last year in lockdown with her family.

In an interview with New Idea on Monday, the 55-year-old TV and radio host said she and her family 'hit the ground running' after returning to Melbourne in December.

'I slightly very slightly miss the lockdown days when all I had to do was organise our meals,' she admitted.

The good life: Kate Langbroek has admitted she misses life in Italy, despite spending most of last year in lockdown with her family. Pictured with her husband, Peter Lewis

She said she also appreciated the opportunity to spend uninterrupted periods of time with her four children.

'It made me realise what good company my children are. And how lazy I have let them be. Now they're a lot more helpful with housework,' she added.

Kate said while Italy's lockdown was 'frightening at first', they soon 'relaxed into it', and she can't wait to return to the country.

Back to reality: In an interview with New Idea on Monday, the 55-year-old radio host said she and her family (pictured) 'hit the ground running' after returning to Melbourne in December

'It was so beautiful to us, we love it - and it felt like the country loved us back,' she explained.

'There is a lot to be learnt from Italians - their love of family, their love of food, the way they take time to rest. The way they make everything beautiful.'

In an interview with the Herald Sun in January, Kate confessed that returning home to Australia after two years abroad had been an adjustment.

'I slightly very slightly miss the lockdown days when all I had to do was organise our meals,' she admitted

'There is a lot to be learnt from Italians - their love of family, their love of food, the way they take time to rest. The way they make everything beautiful,' she said

'I have not missed the Australian small mindedness... I liked the freedom over there. Just that finger wagging thing in Australia - I did not miss that,' she said.

Kate and her husband of 18 years, Peter Lewis, moved to Bologna with their four children, Lewis, 17, Sunday, 16, Artie, 14, and Jan, 11, in January 2019.

It was initially supposed to be a 'family gap year', but they decided to extend their stay for an additional 12 months.
A U.S. Air Force general's recent swipe at the Army's plans for long-range precision strike missiles in the Pacific led to the services' top leaders talking it out last week.

The Army did not release an official comment on remarks made by Gen. Timothy Ray, head of Air Force Global Strike Command. But an Army official confirmed to Military.com that Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville spoke with Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles "CQ" Brown by phone April 2 to discuss Ray's criticism of the missile effort.

The specific details of the phone call are unknown, the Army official said Monday. Defense News was first to report the conversation.

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Last week, in a discussion with David Deptula, a retired Air Force lieutenant general and dean of the Mitchell Institute, Ray said he "struggled" to understand why the Army wants to invest heavily to create operational hypersonic missile batteries by fiscal 2023 to take out targets from long distances -- but from the ground.

"I've had a few congressmen ask me [about it]," Ray said during the Mitchell podcast, posted April 1. "And you know what? Honestly, I think it's stupid.

"I just think it's a stupid idea to go and invest that kind of money that recreates something that the [Air Force] has mastered and that we're doing already right now," he said, referring to the U.S. bomber arsenal. "Why in the world would you try that? I try to make sure that my language isn't a little more colorful than it is, but give me a break.  I kind of get it in Europe, but I completely don't get it in the Pacific."

The Pentagon, which has named China the "pacing threat" in the region, has often looked for solutions to deter the enemy, especially if the U.S. can make China worry about a shifting array of locations rather than fixed bases.

Air Force officials have said the Pacific's vast expanses are well-suited for bombers to carry out this task since they are always on the move, giving friendly forces more flexibility for long-range strike.

Over the last year, the Air Force has made its bomber fleets more visible with multiple flights around the world. Through its Bomber Task Force missions, part of the Pentagon's larger "dynamic force employment" strategy, the service sends out two to four bombers for units to test how nimbly they can move from place to place.

B-1 Lancer supersonic bombers have been practicing stand-off precision strikes in the Pacific -- a dramatic pivot following years of flying close-air support missions in the Middle East, then-Maj. Gen. Jim Dawkins Jr., former commander of the Eighth Air Force and the Joint-Global Strike Operations Center, said in an interview last year. Dawkins has since been promoted to lieutenant general and is the Air Force's deputy chief of staff for strategic deterrence and nuclear integration at the Pentagon.

During the podcast, Ray said that the Air Force has proved it can be in specific locations "in hours -- not days, months, or weeks" through these exercises.

"There are a few hypersonic events coming up, but ... let's let the facts play out," he said, referring to B-52 Stratofortress hypersonic weapons tests scheduled this year. The Air Force is also looking at ways to incorporate hypersonic weapons into the B-1's arsenal.

By contrast, the Army's capability is stationary, making its fixed positions vulnerable to enemy attack. Developing and basing such long-range missile equipment will be a huge cost burden to the Pentagon, Ray said, and finding ally locations to host the mission will be even more cumbersome.

The Army's plans "skate right past that brutal reality to check that some of those countries are never going to let you put ... stuff like that in their theater," he added. "Why would we entertain a brutally expensive idea, when we don't, as a department, have the money?"

The news of Ray's comments spilled over into social media, where some experts noted that the long-range strike mission should be a collaborative effort.

"This type of parochial, 'stay-out-of-my-mission-area' thinking is fit for 1991-2015, not an era where the services have to conten[d] with a peer competitor that enjoys a geographic military advantage," tweeted Eric Sayers, a visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and a former special assistant to the commander at U.S. Pacific Command.

"Strike is a mission, but building redundancy of strike forces across the services is a strategy," Sayers told Military.com on Tuesday. "The best strategy is one of duplication of mission in the blunt force. The People's Liberation Army wants to only worry about B-21 [Raider] bombers performing a long-range strike mission or B-1s focused on the anti-ship mission. This is a recipe toward ensuring they decide they could achieve the fait accompli. I want them to worry about overlapping strike forces across all domains and from all services. This is redundant but toward more resiliency."

Tom Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, or CSIS, last week pointed to an Air Force leader who objects to Ray's outlook. In a conversation with Karako, Gen. John Hyten, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that the services should explore how they can operate together before any one service makes a decision.

"There's a couple [services] that are arguing pretty aggressively for a kind of a roles and missions look," Hyten said during a CSIS event in February. "But that's looking at the world from 1948. We got to look at the world from 2021.  I really would like to know the answers before I engage in some kind of broad roles and missions discussion or organizational theory discussion."

Sayers noted there isn't much time to study -- or fight over -- the intricacies of each branch's action plan. "This isn't a challenge for 2035. We need to be worried about the PLA of 2025," he said.

Just days before Ray made his comment, Brown and McConville appeared together on the "Future of Defense Summit," a March 29 webinar hosted by the news outlet The Hill to discuss how the services are working together to prepare for a possible future joint fight with adversaries such as China or Russia.

-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @oriana0214.

-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.

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It was supposed to be a utopia in the Lower 9th Ward, a shining example of philanthropists making up for the myriad failures of government. Instead, Brad Pitts Make It Right avant-garde housing development has become ground zero for a cluster bomb of lawsuits that pit the organization against residents and its own former leaders.

On Friday, the Make It Right Foundation sued its former executive director, Tom Darden III, along with the former treasurer and other officials, accusing them of mismanaging the $65 million project between 2007 and 2016. The suit, filed in in Civil District Court, also alleges that Darden and the others misled fellow Make It Right officials, including Pitt.

Make It Rights lawyer claims that Darden and the other executives are solely liable for any damages the court might impose on the nonprofit foundation for faulty design or shoddy construction of the 109 homes it built.

Make It Right was the most striking post-Katrina residential building project. As the hurricane roared through New Orleans in August 2005, a breach in the Industrial Canal floodwall led to sudden, catastrophic flooding in the neighborhood north of the Claiborne Bridge. In the aftermath, Pitt, a Hollywood leading man and part-time New Orleanian, became a real-life hero, employing his considerable magnetism to raise millions to replace the lost homes in the area.

And they werent just any homes. Pitt invited some of the world's greatest architects -- Shigeru Ban, Thom Mayne and Frank Gehry, to name a few -- to draw up dwellings that would be highly energy efficient, ecologically conscious and decidedly untraditional.

Make It Right began building the homes in 2008 and offering them at affordable prices to former residents and others. The non-profit organization didnt just rebuild a neighborhood, it produced a post-Katrina tourist attraction.

But the foundations glory was dimmed as reports of construction flaws began leaking from the neighborhood. Part of the problem was a purportedly weatherproof lumber called TimberSIL that was meant to hold up for decades but swiftly began rotting. Make It Right sued the lumber company for $500,000, though it's unclear if TimberSIL was made to pay. Though many of the homes were sound, by the 10th anniversary of the project, in 2018, one house had so deteriorated that it had to be demolished. Since then, another was bulldozed.

+14 Watch: Brad Pitt Make It Right house gets demolished in New Orleans' Lower 9th Ward The teeth of a backhoe bit into the blighted house at 1826 Reynes St. in the Lower 9th Ward on Tuesday afternoon. The avant-garde dwelling, de

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Later that year, two residents sued Make It Right, claiming they were sold defective homes. They were harbingers of a class-action lawsuit that could eventually include other Make It Right home owners and cost the foundation millions.

Shifting the spotlight, Make It Right then sued its overseeing architect, John C. Williams, blaming him for some of the defects in the homes. Now, Make It Right has also singled out Darden and three others as the parties responsible for the troubled architecture.

Brad Pitt wants Make It Right homeowners lawsuit against him dismissed What was once an avant-garde architecture development meant to restore a flood-ruined 9th Ward neighborhood has become a legal battleground. B

Specifically, Fridays lawsuit claims that in 2009 and 2010, Darden and the other former officers had not immediately used donations to construct houses. Instead, the lawsuit alleges, they had tied up money in the highly regulated federal New Markets Tax Credit Program, which is meant to foster investment in low-income communities.

Doing so temporarily stalled construction, then required Make It Right to embark on a hasty Blitz Build program to finish homes, the suit alleges. The stopping and starting resulted in the flawed design decisions and added costs that plagued the project, according to the lawsuit.

Make It Right attorney Sharonda Williams declined to answer questions about the suit. Darden could not immediately be reached for comment.
Riz Ahmed has spoken of his pride at being able to connect with a wider audience after being the first Muslim to be nominated for the Best Actor Oscar.

The actor, 38, is up for the award for his role as drummer Ruben Stone in Sound of Metal - a musician who slowly loses his hearing after playing in a rock band.

Riz said that he hopes both the Muslim and deaf communities will appreciate his appearance at the ceremony later this month.

Role model: Riz Ahmed has spoken of his pride at being able to connect with a wider audience after being the first Muslim to be nominated for the Best Actor Oscar

Riz told the BBC: 'What matters to me is, as many people as possible can find themselves in this moment.

'So some people really connect with the idea that I was the first Muslim nominated for lead actor, that's beautiful and I support that.

'If some people are overjoyed to see it's a film that focuses on deaf representation, which is something really lacking in cinema and they connect more with that, then that's beautiful.'

The Four Lions star added: 'If for some people they're rooting for the fact that it's someone from Wembley ... then that's cool.'

Character: The actor, 38, is up for the award for his role as drummer Ruben Stone in Sound of Metal - who slowly loses his hearing after playing in a rock band

Riz believes that his history-making recognition from the Academy is down to society moving forward as this year's Oscars features the most diverse group of nominees to date.

He added: 'But I think what's really important is looking at the whole field of nominees and seeing there are so many firsts.

'Steven Yeun is the first Asian-American actor, Sir Anthony Hopkins is the oldest, Chadwick Boseman's posthumous nomination  first time for a black actor in that position.

Tough: Riz won rave reviews for his depiction of Ruben Stone, a rock-and-roll drummer and recovering alcoholic whose life goes into a free-fall when he loses his hearing

'So I just think it is nice to be part of a moment where we all seem to be moving forward together as a culture.'

Riz  who has earned critical acclaim as a rapper - also revealed that he will be wearing ear plugs at gigs in the future having seen the effect that hearing loss had on his character.

He said: 'It's certainly made me realise I need to take ear plugs with me into venues.

'It's something I started doing years ago when I realised friends of mine, DJs, had started, kind of sadly, losing bits of their hearing. It's very, very common within music.'

Riz won rave reviews for his depiction of Ruben Stone, a rock-and-roll drummer and recovering alcoholic whose life goes into a free-fall when he loses his hearing.

The US actor Mahershala Ali was the first Muslim to win an Oscar when he was named best supporting actor for Moonlight in 2017, and won the same prize in 2019 for Green Book.

On hearing the news Riz tweeted earlier this month: 'Wow! I'm honoured to be nominated by my fellow actors alongside such inspiring performances, and am grateful to the Academy for their support and encouragement.'

The actor was praised for his 'passionate performance' on Sound Of Metal, which he prepared for by learning drumming and American Sign Language as well as attending Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings.

He was previously the first Muslim to win a lead acting Emmy in 2017 for his performance in The Night Of.

It was announced last week that the 93rd Academy Awards were not only set to take place between two locations in Los Angeles but also an additional 'British hub' despite other award shows opting to go the 'virtual' route amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

And it seems like producers of the award ceremony have an additional trick up their sleeve.

The Oscars - which are set to take place on Sunday, April 25 - are being produced by 2001 Best Director winner Steven Soderbergh as well as longtime collaborator Stacey Sher and pandemic awards-show expert Jesse Collins.

The trio recently spoke to Vanity Fair about the constantly-changing and top-secret plans for Hollywood's biggest night which include creating a European outpost - which was announced last week - after backlash that ensued after saying Zoom for nominees would not be an option.
New Delhi, April 6 : President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday signed off on the appointment of Justice N.V. Ramana as the next Chief Justice of India (CJI).

Elevated to the Supreme Court on February 17, 2014 after serving as Chief Justice of Delhi High Court since September 2, 2013, Justice Ramana will take over as the 48th CJI on April 24 after the retirement of incumbent S.A. Bobde on April 23.

According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice, the President, in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (2) of Article 124 of the Constitution, is pleased to appoint Justice Nuthalapati Venkata Ramana, Judge of the Supreme Court, to be Chief Justice of India, with effect from April 24.

Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister and Secretary, Justice, in the Law Ministry, Barun Mitra handed over the warrant of appointment signed by the President to Justice Ramana this morning.

Justice Ramana will have a tenure of over 16 months at the helm before he retires on August 26, 2022.

Chief Justice Bobde had recently recommended Justice Ramana as his successor in keeping with convention and norms of seniority.

Justice Ramana has presided over several high-profile cases in the top court.

In March last year, he headed five-judge Constitution bench which declined to refer to a larger seven-judge bench a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Centre's decision to revoke provisions of Article 370, which gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.

In Anuradha Bhasin v. Union of India, January last year, Justice Ramana expounded on the nature of fundamental rights and declared that the right to freedom of speech and expression over the internet is a fundamental right. This judgment ensured the eventual return of internet in the Kashmir valley.

In Foundation for Media Professionals v. State (UT OF J&K) matter, where petitioners sought high-speed internet, the Justice Ramana-headed bench balanced the fundamental rights and the concerns of the state security and appointed a special committee to ensure that restrictions, if required, are narrowly tailored and not permanent in nature.

In November 2019, he was also part of a five-judge Constitution bench which held that office of the CJI is a public authority under the Right to Information Act. In November 2019, a bench headed by Justice Ramana had ordered floor test for then Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to prove his majority in the House. The bench had observed that there is a "possibility of horse trading" in case of delay.

A Justice Ramana-headed bench also dealt with a petition seeking timely disposal of criminal cases against former and sitting lawmakers. It directed the Chief Justices of High Courts to submit an action plan for rationalisation of special courts to try these matters.
Washington: Since the deadly January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol, former president Donald Trump and his Republican allies have pushed false and misleading accounts to downplay the event that left five dead and scores of others wounded. His supporters appear to have listened.

Three months after a mob of Trump supporters stormed the building to try to overturn his November election loss, about half of Republicans believe the siege was largely a non-violent protest or was the handiwork of left-wing activists trying to make Trump look bad, a new Reuters/Ipsos poll has found.

Six in 10 Republicans also believe the false claim put out by Trump that the November presidential election was stolen from him due to widespread voter fraud, and the same proportion of Republicans think he should run again in 2024, the poll showed.

Security video of the January 6 riot shown to senators during Donald Trumps second impeachment trial. Credit:AP

Since the Capitol attack, Trump, many of his allies within the Republican Party and right-wing media personalities have publicly painted a picture of the days events jarringly at odds with reality.
 the right to one's own life (which includes that which one has worked for)

 the right to one's own liberty (freedom to live the way you want provided you don't hurt anyone else)

 the right to pursue one's own happiness (not everyone else's-yours)

The purpose of this article is to remind Patriots and others who love this country that all is not lost. This article in essence, plain and simple, is a call to action! The answer and solution lies in the very document that articles the principles and natural law philosophy which define our country and the very foundation upon which she rests - The Declaration of Independence. The reason people don't know this is because for too many decades now, the serious study of our founding documents has been removed from our public school curriculum.The solution lies in the first and second paragraphs of the Declaration. In the first paragraph, Thomas Jefferson boldly proclaimed:In the second paragraph, Jefferson explained:The reason why citizens need to be able to shed an abusive government is to protect and continue to secure their natural and God-given rights.Abolishing this government is an absolute must. I have little doubt that it will shed any of its powers, divest itself of unconstitutional offices and agencies, decrease taxation so it doesn't allow itself to spend for unconstitutional purposes, transform the federal judiciary into a system of courts that strictly interprets the Constitution (citing the Federalist Papers, the writings of any of its drafters or signers, or any of the debates in the state ratifying conventions in their). I have no doubt that any congressman or senator would have any desire to limit his or her power, or that of the leviathan that he or she works for. Power corrupts. The other option is for the country to split up. Yes, I'm talking about secession or a negotiated and peaceful split. This option might be preferable in order to accommodate the diametrically opposed philosophy (government-wise) of its people. And yes, the very words and truths articulated in the Declaration of Independence provide the basis for this.Now, as we have learned over the years -- talk is cheap. And the protests of elder, white-haired limping Americans is futile and laughable. Sure, we have the precious right of free speech and the right to petition our government (including protest). These rights are not only in the Bill of Rights but they are in the very FIRST amendment. We've seen how ineffective our speech, our massive protests, and our magnificent DC marches have been. More than anything, they have served to make us nothing more than fools, despicables ...And now we have learned that our popular voice (ie, our vote) doesn't work either. It can be bought, replicated, stolen, misappropriated from a death certificate, or simply fabricated by mal-intentioned party operatives.But violence, threats, leaking sensitive information, looting, property damage, and even murder ... now that's something. That is what works.Violence and destruction does work, doesn't it? Government recognizes it, responds to it (positively), and often encourages it (usually for its own purposes). And that's the problem, isn't it.? Government ignores the peaceful protests, the well-meaning petitions, the thoughtful supplications, and the intelligent debates but responds to the barbaric gang-style outbursts of hoodlum-types and ignoranuses. How are we to expect, or even hope to expect, that peaceful protests , well-meaning petitions, thoughtful supplications, intelligent debates, and sincere remonstrances will be effective? Surely they can't be the onlyin this novel scheme called America. Surely our Founding Fathers didn't think so.Ambrose Bierce wisely stated:Surely our Founding Fathers didn't expect such options to be the end all- be all in the defense of our liberties and in the vigilante oversight of our government.... one that has quickly become corrupt and tyrannical. After all, they certainly didn't limit themselves to those options. We just need to look at the fiery speech delivered by Patrick Henry's speech on March 23, 1775, at St. John's Church in Richmond, Virginia:The point I am trying to make is that while speech is cheap (and is actually an essential protected right), it is action that Patriots MUST take. They absolutely must commit themselves to engage in mass civil disobedience (at the very least; for example, a nationwide protest involving not paying federal income tax) and even to commit violence and property destruction for this country. The government has become so badly tyrannical and abusive (as well as undignified and a universal joke) that most people have absolutely no trust or faith in it to do the right thing for decent hard-working Americans - that is, those other than minorities who are stuck in lower-paying jobs or have become generationally- dependent on welfare, or who have placed too much attention on victim hood, illegal immigrants, or those with confused gender issues, This government is hostile to such patriotic hard-working Americans - punishing them with progressive schools, high taxes, property confiscation, and suppression of speech.James Madison wrote:(September 7, 1793)And so, again, the solution lies within the first and second paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence. It is grounded in the laws of Nature, Nature's God, and in the statement in the second paragraph that establishes the Right of the People to alter or to abolish the government, and to institute a new one that serves only its rightful purposes. After all, as the Declaration acknowledges and establishes: Governments derivewhich is we, the People. The Declaration of Independence, in a very sense, is the blueprint for the action we must take if we intend to save our original Constitution (with its stated meaning and intent), to continue securing our natural and God-given rights from government intervention, and to save our republic.In the 12th century in England, the people began to become aware of their rights and to assert them. An early document, the Charter of Liberties of 1100 was written by King Henry I when he ascended to the thrown in that year. It was an early recognition of individual liberties. And then in 1215, the English nobles forced King John to sign the Magna Carta (the "Great Charter") acknowledging the rights of those in his kingdom and therefore placing limits on his power. In 1649, after King Charles I suspended Parliament (the people's body; established in the Magna Carta), instigated a civil war, and proved to be an absolute tyrant, Parliament successfully brought charges of treason against him and had him executed for his excessive abuses of power. In 1688, being fed up with the objectionable policies of King James II (including the confiscation of firearms of political opponents), a group of English Parliamentarians invited the Dutch magistrate William III of Orange-Nassau (William of Orange) to overthrow the King. They promised a bloodless transition. intervention. William's successful invasion with a Dutch fleet and army led to James fleeing to France and abdicating the throne. In December 1688, Parliament appointed William as provisional governor. In 1689, William and his wife Mary (who happened to be King James II's daughter), were presented with the English Bill of Rights, which was essentially written to have the effect of a contract. William and Mary would lose their right to the throne if they dared to violate or abuse the human rights articulated therein.All of this history was absorbed into our history, and the repeated charters and remonstrances to the English kings and the subsequent abuses of those documents formed the bases for our founding documents - most especially our Declaration of Independence, our Constitution, and our Bill of Rights.In the 17th century, philosophers like John Locke pondered on such subjects as where our rights come from and what the rightful role of government should be. He was probably the most prominent philosopher of the Enlightenment era. His writings, together with the England's storied history, influenced our Founding Fathers, especially those who wrote and signed our founding documents, and certainly motivated those to fight for our independence in the American Revolution.The impact of what our Founders wrote and created to establish this nation is best summed up by Charlotte Cushman in her American Thinker article (July 4, 2016),Our country was the first and only country in history that was founded on a brand new idea, the idea that people have rights. These rights are:When America was created, there was another new idea -- the idea that the only legitimate purpose of government was to protect these rights, to make sure no person violated the rights of another. Government was not there to tell men what to do, or how to live their lives, or to take by force what each man has earned by his own efforts to give to another. Initiation of force was banned from human relationships. The only proper use of force was in retaliation against those who had initiated force or fraud against another. Force was only used as a means of defending rights through three branches of government: the police, the military and the courts. And that's it. The purpose of government was to only do that one thing and nothing else. It was to protect individual rights.
Michigan could reduce coronavirus deaths by 2,500 over the next three months by reenacting COVID-19 restrictions and doubling the current rate of vaccine administration for a two-week period, estimates a University of California researcher.

With regard to the reopening pause, this might be possible by closing indoor dining, indoor bars and indoor gyms for two weeks, wrote Joshua Schwab, a Berkeley biostatistician.

In an April 3 post, Schwab said his calculations estimated that enacting both strategies -- tighter restrictions and faster pace of vaccine administration, each for two weeks -- would reduce new hospital admissions by 23,000 and deaths by 2,500 from April 3 to July 1.

Just doubling vaccine administration would reduce hospital admissions by 10,000 and deaths by 1,200, Schwab wrote.

Restrictions on restaurants, bars and gyms would reduce hospital admissions by 16,000 and deaths by 1,700, he projected.

Without interventions, Schwab projects that COVID-19 hospitalizations will peak around May 1 at around 5,500 inpatients or more than 700 new inpatients a day.

That would exceed the previous peak of 4,300 during the first week of November. Michigan hospitals had more than 3,300 coronavirus inpatients on Monday, April 5.

In regards to deaths, Schwab estimates the state will have more than 20,000 coronavirus deaths by July 1 if no interventions are taken. The state has 16,239 confirmed coronavirus deaths as of Monday, April 5.

Schwab posted the model on LEMMA or Local Epidemic Modeling for Management and Action, which provides regional projections of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic under various scenarios.

Below is Schwabs projections on Michigan hospital admissions for COVID-19.

The light blue line is the projected trend under the status quo; the olive green line is the projected trend with doubling vaccine administration for two weeks; the bright green line is the trend with COVID-19 restrictions for two weeks, and the orange line is implementing both strategies. The purple dots represent actual hospital admissions.

Graphic from LEMMA.

Next is the chart showing Schwabs projections for COVID-19 deaths in Michigan.

(Once again, the light blue line is the projected trend under the status quo; the olive green line is the projected trend with doubling vaccine administration for two weeks; the bright green line is the trend with COVID-19 restrictions for two weeks, and the orange line is implementing both strategies. The purple dots represent actual death counts.)

Graphic from LEMMA

Schwab writes that hes basing his analysis on the assumptions that the UK variant is 50% of Michigans coronavirus cases and is growing at 3% per day and that variant is 70% more transmissible.

Schwabs analysis looks pretty valid to me, said Emily Toth Martin, a University of Michigan epidemiologist.

She added that model underscores something she is working to have people understand: Vaccine takes 6 weeks to make a full impact. We need to be careful not to count our chickens before they are hatched.

Ryan Malosh, another U-M epidemiologist, said hes a bit skeptical of just how steep that Schwab projects cases would drop with two weeks of restrictions in restaurants, bars and gyms.

It also is likely an oversimplification (all models are) in that it wont capture where (e.g. which counties) or in what age group the vaccination surge is applied, which would obviously influence the number of cases, hospitalizations and deaths averted, Malosh said.

But qualitatively I think this matches what we would expect, he added. A pause would help reduce case numbers in the short term followed by longer-term reductions with a vaccination surge.

And, without any inside information, it seems like there is little political will from the governors office to do a pause, Malosh added. But we could collectively tighten up on what were doing (more masks, more distancing) and hopefully reduce case counts until vaccine rollout can really increase.

More on MLive:

Sports, spring break & sleepovers: COVID chaos as outbreaks increase in Michigan schools

4.5M vaccine doses administered as Michigan prepares to expand eligibility to people 16 and older

Michigan grocers quickly adapted to the pandemic, and the changes are stick

Myths and facts about the COVID vaccine shot as Michigan opens access to all
Neither Cate Blanchett nor Nicole Kidman have walked away with a Screen Actors Guild award, in a ceremony that was rendered virtual by the coronavirus pandemic.

Courtroom drama The Trial of the Chicago 7 and jazz period film Ma Rainey's Black Bottom were the big winners at the SAG awards, one of the last major ceremonies before the Oscars.

The Trial of the Chicago 7, set during a Vietnam War protest in 1968, took the prize for best ensemble with a cast that includes Sacha Baron Cohen, Eddie Redmayne, Frank Langella and Mark Rylance.

Missed out: Neither Cate Blanchett (pictured) nor Nicole Kidman walked away with a Screen Actors Guild award, in a ceremony that was rendered virtual by the coronavirus pandemic

Langella credited writer and director Aaron Sorkin for the win, saying his 'voice is the soul of this movie'.

All four of the winning film actors were people of colour, the first time this has happened in the SAG awards' 27-history.

Chadwick Boseman, who died of cancer last year aged 43, picked up another award for his final role as an ambitious 1930s trumpet player in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.

Nods: Blanchett and Kidman (pictured) were both nominated for best actress in a limited series, with Blanchett earning a nod for her role in historical drama Mrs America and Kidman nominated alongside Hugh Grant in The Undoing

Sunday's SAG win positioned him as front-runner for his first Oscar at the Academy Awards on April 25.

Accepting on Boseman's behalf, his widow Simone Ledward Boseman cited a saying from the late actor himself.

'If you see the world unbalanced, be a crusader that pushes heavily on the see-saw of the mind,' she said.

Viola Davis won best actress for playing a jazz diva in Ma Rainey, besting presumed favourites Frances McDormand for Nomadland and Carey Mulligan in revenge drama Promising Young Woman.

Blanchett and Kidman were both nominated for best actress in a limited series, with Blanchett earning a nod for her role in historical drama Mrs America and Kidman nominated alongside Hugh Grant in The Undoing.

They lost out to Anya Taylor-Joy, who won for her role in chess drama The Queen's Gambit.

And the winner is! They lost out to Anya Taylor-Joy (pictured), who won for her role in chess drama The Queen's Gambit

The SAG awards, chosen by members of the acting union, are closely watched because actors form the largest voting group in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which organises the Oscars.

The win for The Trial of the Chicago 7 boosted the film's chances of winning the best picture Academy Award in a year that has seen modern recession-era movie Nomadland grab many of the pre-Oscar awards.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, this year's SAG ceremony was scaled down from a gala dinner to a one-hour presentation, held remotely, and peppered with jokes about how actors filled their free time during lockdown or got a start in their careers.

Minari, the Korean-language story of an immigrant family struggling to make it in 1980s Arkansas, brought a supporting actress award for South Korean veteran Youn Yuh-jung as a cantankerous grandmother.

'I am very pleased and happy,' said Youn, 73.

British actor Daniel Kaluuya won for his supporting role as the late Black Panther activist Fred Hampton in Judas and the Black Messiah.

The SAG awards also recognise television performers, with the casts of Schitt's Creek and The Crown taking the top prizes for comedy and drama respectively.

Many of the SAG winners and nominees are also up for honours at the British BAFTA awards next week, and the Independent Spirit awards on April 22.
Dean of the School of Performing Arts at the University of Ghana, Professor Kofi Agyekum, popularly known as Opanyin Agyekum has vehemently resented the gruesome murder act by two teenagers at Kasoa in the Central Region.



The two teenagers named Felix Nyarko, 15, and Nicholas Kini, 17, allegedly murdered a 10-year-old boy at Lamptey Mills in Kasoa on Saturday.



The deceased, Ishmael Mensah, was a Class Four pupil of the Maranatha School.



It is believed the teenagers committed the ghastly act for ritual money purposes.



Making a submission on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" programme, Opanyin Agyekum bemoaned the teenagers' crime blaming it on the moral corruption of the society.



According to him, the nation has lost the relevance of its cultural values which guide and govern the behaviour of people.



He also slammed the teenagers over the insatiable quest to kill human for money.



"What at all are they looking for? . . . For how long did they nurture the thought to commit murder? How many hours or days went into their planning?" he queried.



Opanyin Agyekum called for revolution in the society in order to churn out good teenagers and youth.



"We need a cultural revolution," he stressed.



He further left a moral lesson for the Ghanaian youth saying "a good name is better than riches".





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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One of the ways in which President Biden intends to pay for his $2-trillion Green New Deal spending plan is to raise the corporate tax rate. When Biden returned to the White House after spending time with his family for Easter (something you're not allowed to do, according to Democrats), reporters asked him whether it was wise to raise the corporate tax rate, which is currently at 21%, to 28% (an amount greater than the corporate tax in China). According to Biden, not only will the tax rate not be a problem, but it will encourage corporations that haven't paid taxes to start paying. Huh?

One of the most significant aspects of Trump's tax plan was that it lowered the corporate tax rate from 35%  one of the highest in the Western world  to 21%. Not coincidentally, the economy roared once those tax cuts went into effect. For anyone with an understanding of how business works, this wasn't surprising.

Businesses don't actually pay taxes because they're not the point at which the buck stops. Instead, they deal with taxes in four different ways: they increase costs to customers, they reduce employee salaries or numbers, they move the business to countries with lower costs, or they shut down. The corporation itself doesn't end up in the poor house, but all the people affected by its financial decisions just might.

Biden doesn't see things that way. As far as he's concerned, the increased rate not only won't result in higher costs, lower wages, and corporations off-shoring their business; it will somehow encourage corporations to stop using loopholes to avoid paying taxes. At least, that's what he said when reporters waylaid him on his return to the White House.

A reporter actually asked Biden a real question: "Are you afraid that a higher tax will drive corporations to other countries?"

Biden was firm: "Not at all. Not at all." He continued, "Because there's no evidence of that. The tax was 36%. It's now down to 21%. And the idea that... That's bizarre. We were talking about a 28% tax that everybody thought was just fair enough for everybody. The idea... Ya got... Here you have 51 or 52 corporations of the Fortune 500 that haven't paid a single penny in taxes in three years."

And then he wrapped up with a rousing, "C'mon, man! Let's get real."

Is it me, or did Biden essentially say corporations are going to pay all their taxes just because the rates go up? The whole point of being Amazon, one of the richest entities in the world, is that your billionaire owner speaks longingly of paying higher taxes to help the world and then works with his accountants to ensure no tax payments.

In any event, as Bryan Preston has pointed out, at the end of the day, the Biden administration isn't interested in the American economy. Instead, it's pushing a moral argument for raising the corporate tax rate above China's:

The Biden administration's argument for making America less tax-friendly than communist China is not an economic argument, that it would be good for jobs in a recovering economy. That's an afterthought at the most. Team Biden is making a sort of moral argument. Council of Economic Advisers Chair Cecilia Rouse on Sunday said the president is proposing corporate tax increases because it's the "right thing to do." CBS's "Face the Nation" anchor Margaret Brennan pressed Rouse about Biden's proposal to increase the corporate tax rate from 21% to 28% or potentially higher after Rouse said Biden's $2 trillion spending plan is "good for the economy." "This is 15 years of higher taxes to pay for eight years of spending. Can you really say that's not a cost?" Brennan asked. "I would say that the reason why the president is proposing these corporate tax increases is because that's just the right thing to do," Rouse said. "He believes we should be encouraging these corporations to pay their fair share." Just what is their "fair share"? Why stop at 28%, when 30% is just a couple of points away? Why not 35%? If it's morally right, doing more of it should be even more morally right.

The Democrats are in the grip of a secular religious revival, and we're all going to be forced to worship at the Altar of Marxism, complete with its painful, punitive moral strictures aimed at purifying a nation corrupted by Judeo-Christian values, a free-market economic system, and constitutional liberties.

Image: Biden speaks to reporters about corporate tax. C-Span video.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
Malik Muhammed (L) faces charges including attempted murder. An incendiary device (R) he allegedly threw at police in Portland, Oregon, on Sept. 21, 2020. (Multonomah County Jail; Portland Police Bureau)

Indiana Man Charged With Attempted Murder After Throwing Fire Bombs at Police in Portland

An Indiana man has been indicted on multiple charges, including attempted murder of two police officers, stemming from separate riots in Portland last year in which he is accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at law enforcement.

Malik Muhammed, 24, was arrested in Indianapolis on Friday on multiple warrants, according to the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office.

Muhammed will be extradited to Oregon, where he will face multiple felonies as part of a 28-count indictment, which includes charges of riot, unlawful manufacture of a destructive device, and attempted murder in the first degree.

Prosecutors said the charges stem from four separate incidents in the fall of 2020 in Portland, where Muhammed allegedly traveled for the specific purpose of engaging in multiple criminal acts.

In the first incident, on Sept. 5, Muhammed engaged in tumultuous and violent conduct near the Portland Police Bureaus East Precinct that resulted in a grave risk of causing public alarm, prosecutors said.

Later, on Sept. 21, Muhammed is accused of throwing a burning objectdescribed as a large yellow bottle similar to a beer growlertoward a police vehicle occupied by a Portland Police Bureau sergeant during a demonstration near the Penumbra Kelly Building.

The bottle had a burnt rag stuffed in the mouth of it and contained a large amount of liquid, prosecutors said, noting that, while the device did not explode, investigators tested the liquid inside and found it to be flammable.

A third incident, which took place on Sept. 23, involved a similar burning object that prosecutors said Muhammed threw at a group of police officers outside the Multnomah County Justice Center. This time, the device exploded and a large fireball reached one officer, whose lower leg briefly caught fire.

The fourth incident, on Oct. 11, involves allegations that Muhammed used a metal baton to smash out the windows of the Oregon Historical Society, Portland State University, Sprint T-Mobile, Bank of America, and Ben Bridge Jewelers. Police searched Muhammed and found a loaded magazine that fitted a 9 mm pistol recovered in the vicinity.

The Portland Police Bureau said Muhammed is responsible for tens of thousands of dollars in damage to properties in downtown Portland.

I am grateful to the investigators who spent many hours over the last few months following up these violent attacks against police officers and the community, Portland Police Bureau Chief Chuck Lovell said in a statement. I am also grateful to the brave officers who put themselves in harms way serving this community. More investigations are underway. Anyone who thinks they can get away with trying to murder police officers and destroy this city should think again.

Muhammed has been booked into the Marion County, Indiana jail, where he awaits extradition to Oregon, prosecutors said.

Portland has seen regular demonstrations since the police-custody death of George Floyd. Last summer, protests and riots took place in Portland for more than 100 straight days.

While many of the demonstrations took the form of peaceful marches and rallies around the city, some became violent, with police declaring 27 riots in the space of four months.

Shootings and murders significantly increased in Portland, starting in May 2020, and have plagued the city ever since.

Murders spiked 255 percent while shootings rose 173 percent in the months following the unrest in May, according to Portland police data analyzed by the Maryland Public Policy Institute.

Sean Kennedy, a visiting fellow at the institute, told The Epoch Times that he sees a clear link between the spike in violence and the demoralization, disempowerment, and defunding of police following Floyds death.

When the police stand down, criminals step up is the simplest way to put it, Kennedy said.

Zachary Stieber contributed to this report.
FTSE 100 opened higher on confirmation the UKs Covid-19 reopening plan is on track and after more records were smashed on Wall Street overnight. The blue-chip index rose 79 to 6,816.

Travel companies were among the best of the risers even though airlines expressed disappointment over the traffic light re-opening scheme unveiled by Boris Johnson. EasyJet said the testing requirements are too expensive at up to 200 a time.

( ) said it will hit its US$35bn (25bn) net debt target for the first quarter after a boost from the recovery in oil prices. Chief executive Bernard Looney said receipts from asset sales and a very strong trading performance recently had boosted its cash inflows.

has sacked two key executives and slashed bonuses due to losses caused by the crises at Greensill Capital and hedge fund Archegos. The Swiss bank s chief risk officer and investment banking chief are both leaving.

( ) shares tumbled 75% as it did not produce any conclusion from drilling the Merlin-1 well in Alaska. Multiple prospective zones were identified but samples were unobtainable because of technical issues said the explorer, which added it might have to drill again.

United Oil and Gas PLC ( ) has found more oil from the latest is a run of very successful exploration wells in Egypt. Meanwhile the Selva natural gas field in Italy, where the firm holds a 20% stake, has received environmental approval.

Holdings PLC ( ) has landed two substantial new contracts for an infectious disease panel with drug giant Roche and the world-famous Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The panel helps predict the severity of COVID-19 and the efficacy of drugs and vaccines used against it.
In a world full of crossovers (even the compact Bronco Sport can surpass the 300-hp mark nowadays), SUVs (do we need to name any Hellcat?), and all things trucks (supercharged madness all the way), its sometimes easy to forget there are still some great (stock) cars out there.Although Chevy and Dodge aficionados would tend to disagree, the brand-new 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 is definitely one of them. Of course, Ford knows very well that without proper support, even this fifth-generation 480-hp Coyote V8 cross between the Bullit and Shelbys would get lost in the background noise.So, heres the automotive vlog world to the rescue, with REVan Evan on site for a day full of sweet Mach 1 madness on and around the Willow Springs racetrack. Because youre not getting anywhere without an early wake up call, Evan and his friend Abe Tango start the day fresh while dawn hasnt even settled in just yet to give us the intro.They are prepared for a big workout with the Mach 1 as theyre showcasing the Mustang on the street (from the 1:56 mark, were shown the automatic transmission Grabber Yellow perspective) and on the legendary Willow Springs racetrack (from the 4:37 mark).As far as the street drive is concerned, the main highlight here is the soundtrack, but of course, we all know that Ford also prepared the Mach 1 for great circuit fun. Even better, REVan goes out for a spin on the track in a Mustang equipped with the Handling Package and the Tremec six-speed manual transmission it snatched from the defunct Shelby GT350.The cockpit POV isnt exactly our cup of tea, but at least the Coyote soundtrack comes in almost unfiltered between the remarks... allowing us to forget the Mach 1 isnt exactly cheap with a starting MSRP of $52,720.
In his debut book, The Art of Poet Philosopher, Cortez Brasean presents a compelling account of the hardships faced and missteps taken in his journey to make sense of a corrupt and cruel world. Through short stories, poems and personal philosophies, Brasean paints a vivid picture of his fight for survival, reflects on the choices that have shaped his life and offers insightful wisdom on finding the higher path.

As Brasean acknowledges throughout the book, people make the choices that are available to them, emphasizing the importance of uplifting others and showing them new possibilities. After Brasean himself made choices that led to incarceration, he discovered an opportunity to transform a negative situation into a positive one. With a renewed perspective, he began writing The Art of the Poet Philosopher to show readers that it is never too late to turn their lives around and pursue righteousness instead of destruction.

I come from a negative environment, and I have made every mistake that you could possibly make but this is not who I am or who I have grown to be, said Brasean. No matter what I may have lived in my past, I am standing here today saying I am sick of it and I am ready to grow from it and stand on what is righteous.

Through sharing his story, Brasean also illustrates the urgent need for unity, support, encouragement and strong ties within communities to combat the powerful influences of hate, corruption and other destructive forces. Whether readers are struggling on their own path toward prosperity or are looking for ways to uplift and aid others, The Art of the Poet Philosopher provides valuable insight into the role each person plays in changing the world.

The Art of Poet Philosopher

By Cortez Brasean

ISBN: 9781532099632 (softcover); 9781532099656 (hardcover); 9781532099649 (electronic)

Available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and iUniverse

About the author

Cortez Brasean was born and raised in Jackson, Tennessee. A lifetime of learning and growing from his mistakes has culminated in his first book, The Art of Poet Philosopher. Through sharing his own life lessons, he hopes to encourage others, especially youth, to not give up on themselves and inspire them to find the positive in the negative. To learn more about Brasean and his book, please visit cortezbrasean.com.

Review Copies & Interview Requests:

LAVIDGE  Phoenix

480-998-2600 x 586

lstandridge(at)lavidge(dot)com
About 30 students from three medical colleges have been asked to go home as their colleagues have got infected. (Representational Image/AP)

Hyderabad: Covid-19 infection is detected among medical students of first and second year in private medical colleges here as well as in the Ranga Reddy district. About 30 students from three medical colleges have been asked to go home as their colleagues have got infected.

A student of a private medical college in Telangana says, "Five students from our hostel block were infected. They are admitted to the college hospital for treatment. The block in which I stay is vacated. All the students of this block will be informed when they can return."

Similarly, two other private colleges have reported the virus infection, but they have shifted students to different blocks. Tests are being carried out and students have been asked to avoid going to or remaining in common areas.

A senior professor of a medical college explained, "Common areas are the culprits where students interact with each other, and it is very important to maintain social distancing norm in classrooms and canteens and keep the mask on all the time. When these protocols are not followed, there are bound to be fresh cases. We are counseling students regularly and lapses on their part lead to fresh eruptions."

Another senior doctor of the Indian Medical Association in Telangana says, "Medical colleges must strictly follow the safety protocols. Else, they will face the same fate as of other educational institutions. If there are rising cases, there will be panic in parents and also a pressure on the institute."

Taking measures of testing, tracking and treatment in an aggressive manner is must if the virus spread has to be controlled, say the experts.
Sir Keir Starmer is on course for a humiliating defeat in Hartlepool's by-election as a new poll shows the Tories have a seven-point lead.

Conservative candidate Jill Mortimer is set to win with 49 per cent of the vote at Labour stronghold Hartlepool in next month's by-election, a Survation poll has revealed.

Meanwhile, Labour's Candidate Dr Paul Williams is set to take home just 42 per cent, a rise of only four points on the share won by Mike Hill in the 2019 general election.

Mr Hill resigned last month in the wake of reports that he used taxpayers' money to fight a staff member's claim of unfair dismissal, sexual assault and harassment. He has denied the allegations.

A poll - commissioned by the Communication Workers Union (CWU) and conducted over the phone - suggests North Yorkshire farmer Ms Mortimer will walk away with a 20 percentage point increase on the votes won by the Tories in December 2019.

A win would make her first Tory MP to be elected in Hartlepool since 1959.

CWU leader Dave Ward said Hartlepool's Labour voters want politicians with 'a moral backbone' who are true to their personal beliefs.

Sir Keir Starmer (pictured) is on course for a humiliating defeat in Hartlepool's by-election as a new poll shows the Tories have a seven-point lead

Conservative candidate Jill Mortimer (left) is set to win with 49 per cent of the vote at Labour stronghold Hartlepool in next month's by-election, a Survation poll has revealed. Meanwhile, Labour's Candidate Dr Paul Williams (right) is set to take home just 42 per cent, a rise of only four points on the share won by Mike Hill in the 2019 general election

A poll - commissioned by the Communication Workers Union (CWU) and conducted over the phone - suggests North Yorkshire farmer Ms Mortimer will walk away with a 20 percentage point increase on the votes won by the Tories in December 2019. Pictured: The predicted split in votes

Sir Keir has left the working-class voter base 'shrugging its shoulders and asking, "Who are you then?"', he added.

The Labour leader has been facing mounting criticism of his leadership as the Conservatives have steadily pulled ahead in the polls since the turn of the year.

He has been accused of being too cautious and of failing to offer a clear direction for the party - while the Tories' fortunes have benefited from the rapid rollout of the coronavirus vaccine.

Mr Ward wrote in The Times: 'Working people want the real thing [...] politicians that have a moral backbone, that can tell you what they believe because its an integral part of who they are and not because it was approved by a focus group and a handful of the political elite.'

He said the Labour leader has been 'obsessed over telling people he isn't Jeremy Corbyn'.

Mr Johnson is more popular than Sir Keir in Hartlepool, with 49 per cent having a positive opinion of the PM - compared to just 24 per cent for the Labour leader.

Mike Hill with Jeremy Corbyn campaigning ahead of the 2019 general election, in which his majority was more than halved.

The CWU did not support Sir Keir in his bid to be Mr Corbyn's successor in 2020.

Reform UK, the Green Party and the Liberal Democrats are all set to take away 1 per cent of votes, the poll suggests - while the Northern Independence Party will take 2 per cent.

Last month, Sir Keir faced calls to axe Dr Williams as Labour candidate in Hartlepool after the MP-hopeful was forced to apologise for 'inappropriate' tweets.

Mr Williams - who represented Stockton South from 2017 to 2019 - was blasted for recently-resurfaced social media posts from 2011.

In one tweet, written during an event in October 2011 hosted by a Labour pressure group, he wrote: 'Do you have a favourite Tory MILF? Mind-blowing dinner table conversation.'

Dr Williams - who currently works as a GP - has since apologised .

But Sir Keir faced calls for his removal - with Labour peer Baroness Shami Chakrabarti urging: 'We need to change that candidate immediately.'

Labour issued a statement from Dr Williams in March which read: 'These tweets were inappropriate and I am sorry for using such language.

'They were from a decade ago, which doesn't diminish the fact that they were wrong, but I want to reassure people that I wouldn't dream of making comments like this now.'

Last week, Sir Keir warned Labour to prepare for an election in as little as two years - as he said he was looking forward to 'taking the mask off' after his first year in charge under Covid.

Sir Keir said the party's ambition 'must match the moment' with a plan to build an 'economy that works for everyone'.

Speaking to the Observer, Sir Keir said: 'I'm now looking forward to taking the mask off and opening the throttle. I've instructed the party to be election ready for 2023.

'The next election, whenever it comes, will be a once in a lifetime chance to get Britain working for everyone.'

Sir Keir believes that Boris Johnson will repeal the Fixed Term Parliament Act, which limits the ability of prime ministers to call elections outside a five-year cycle.

Doing so would allow him to go to the country in May 2023, the Labour leader said, a year ahead of schedule.

The Labour leader (left) faced criticism from his own party after he posted a video on Twitter praising Jesus House for All The Nations church in Brent Cross. The church's senior pastor, Agu Irukwu (right), has previously attracted controversy for his comments on LGBT+ rights

Sir Keir, a former director of public prosecutions, claimed he was 'not aware' of the establishment's views on gay rights and apologised for the hurt' caused

Sir Keir is attempting to modernise his party after its disastrous showing in the 2019 election, which saw it suffer its worst defeat in more than 80 years under Jeremy Corbyn.

But the former arch Brexiteer faces a potential headache over Europe, with a new poll showing almost 60 per cent of Labour Party members think he should campaign to rejoin the European Union.

Yesterday, Sir Keir was forced to apologise for the 'hurt' caused by his visit to a London church whose pastor has spoken out against gay marriage.

In a video uploaded while visiting a vaccine centre in Jesus House in Brent Cross on Good Friday, Sir Keir praised the establishment for serving its community during the pandemic and said it had set a 'wonderful example'.

However, the Labour leader faced criticism from his own party after LGBT+ activists said its senior pastor Agu Irukwu had opposed gay marriage.

In 2006, Mr Irukwu signed a letter which argued equality laws would 'force' churches to 'promote the idea that homosexuality is equal to heterosexuality'.

'For the sake of clarity, this is not what the Bible teaches and it is not what we believe to be the truth,' dozens of Christian pastors had claimed.

Shadow Cabinet Office minister Rachel Reeves passionately defended Sir Keir's visit to the church, adding: 'I don't think anyone can doubt Keir Starmer's and Labour's commitment to the rights of the LGBT+ community.'
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The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Tanko Muhammad, has spoken on the crippling nationwide strike embarked upon by judiciary workers on Tuesday.

The leadership of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) had called for the strike to demand financial autonomy for the Nigerian judiciary at all levels.

A statement by the CJNs media aide, Ahuraka Isah, said Mr Muhammad met with a delegation of the leadership of JUSUN at his Supreme Court chambers in Abuja where he descried the negative impact of the strike on court users on Tuesday.

The statement quoted the CJN as saying that would have ordinarily called each of the 36 state governors to give effect to the financial autonomy status of state judiciary, but for the fact that such could amount to asking for favour from them.

He said, The unintended sufferers of this strike are better imagined. It has spiral effects, including on our children and on the federal judiciary, which is a lesser culprit.

Ordinarily, I would say let me talk to the individual 36 state governors, which amounts to asking for their favours, but some of them would ask me to do 10 favours in return.

This is why as a judge I am prohibited from asking for favours.

The National Treasurer of JUSUN, Jimoh Musa, who led the unions delegation on behalf of its President, Marwan Adamu, said only three out of the 19 members of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the union was present.

He said the unions president, Mr Adamu, had an accident on his way to the meeting with the CJN.

Mr Musa said he would table the CJNs fatherly advice before JUSUNs NEC meeting.

Financial autonomy

The financial autonomy is less of a problem for the judiciary which is already a first-line-charge institution in the national budget.

President Muhammadu Buhari on May 22, 2020, signed the Executive Order 10 for the enforcement of the financial autonomy status granted the state legislature and judiciary in the Nigerian Constitution.

The Executive Order made it mandatory for all states to include the allocations of both the legislature and the judiciary in the first-line charge of their budgets.

The order also mandates the accountant-general of the federation to deduct from source amount due to the state legislatures and judiciaries from the monthly allocation to each state, for states that refuse to grant such autonomy.

But Nigerian governors, who are largely reluctant to grant the two other arms of government their full financial autonomy status, had approached the court to challenge the Executive Order.
[April 06, 2021] NEA leads $12M Series A in Rapid Robotics amid US manufacturing resurgence

SAN FRANCISCO , April 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rapid Robotics, creator of the first ready-to-work robotic machine operator, today announced $12M in Series A funding led by NEA, with existing investors Greycroft, Bee Partners and 468 Capital also participating. The latest investment brings Rapid Robotics total funding to $17.5M, with Rapids solutions producing more than 50,000,000 parts over the past year across almost every industry sector including plastics, metals, medical devices, automotive, pharma, semiconductors and electronics/EMS. Rapid Robotics entry into the market comes at a pivotal moment for US manufacturing, as the Biden administration rolls out ambitious plans to revitalize the sector, boosting competitiveness in areas including automotive, pharmaceuticals, public health and semiconductor. But these efforts face a serious challenge: a chronic shortage of factory workers. Deloitte estimates that by the end of the decade US manufacturers may have 2.4 million jobs they cannot fill, putting $454 billion of business at risk. The shortfall is especially acute with machine operators, the employees who work the machines that perform 80% of all factory tasks. By some accounts, American manufacturers need 600,000 more operators to meet demand and compete with factories overseas. If we dont solve this problem, US manufacturers will never be able to compete in a global market, said Rapid Robotics CEO Jordan Kretchmer. Its really that simple. Americas shortage of machine operators is a bona fide crisis, agreed NEA General Partner and former Silicon Graphics Chief Technology Officer Forest Baskett. We have to address it if we want to make America a manufacturing leader again. Until recently, manufacturers were caught between a scarcity of machine operators and an inability to automate. Robotics made sense for large-scale assembly-line jobs with decades-long indows for ROI, but not for operating the manufacturing machines that do most of the work on factory floors, Baskett said. Robots cost too much to begin with and even more to train. The numbers just didnt pencil out.



Rapid Robotics changed this automation equation with the Rapid Machine Operator, the first affordable robotics solution for automating machine tasks. Now its biggest problem is keeping up with demand. Ive been in manufacturing for more than 20 years, and the enthusiasm for the Rapid Machine Operator is like nothing Ive ever seen, said Mike Lewis, head of sales and marketing at Rapid Robotics, and former VP of business development at global technology, supply chain and manufacturing company Flex. When we meet with potential customers, at first theyre skeptical because theyve been burned by vendors who couldnt deliver. When they see what the Rapid Machine Operator can do, they start to get excited. By the end of the visit they just want to know how soon we can get RMOs in place.

The Rapid Machine Operator is an all-in-one robotics solution that comes ready to perform common machine operating tasks like injection molding, pad printing, heat stamping, pick-and-place and dozens of others. Unlike other robots, the Rapid Machine Operator arrives complete with machine vision and pretrained AI, so it can get to work in less than a day. And it gains capabilities over time, as the entire Rapid Machine Operator fleet shares expertise and new skills through the cloud. Each RMO is controlled via tabletno robotics expertise requiredand can be easily repurposed for new tasks as the need arises, using 3D-printed grippers that can be quickly fabricated on site for no additional charge. With Rapid Machine Operators available by subscription for less than $2,100/month, manufacturers increase profits by an average of $110K per year for each unit installed, and reach positive ROI almost immediately as a result of Rapids innovative OpEx pricing model, allowing them to successfully bid for work that previously would have gone overseas. Its hard to overstate the economic implications of the Rapid Machine Operator, said Aaron Jacobson, partner at NEA. After looking at numerous robotics startups in America and beyond, only Rapid Robotics had the right technology focused on the right needs to make a broad-based, immediate impact on the competitiveness of US companies. Recent Rapid Robotics customers include: TouchMark, a Hayward, California medical device company where Rapid Machine Operators are pad-printing plastic components for medical devices and semiconductors

Fabri-Tech, a global component fabricator using Rapid Machine Operators for package heat-sealing in their Fremont, CA facility

Applied Engineering, a contract manufacturing company that has Rapid Machine Operators applying labels to pharmaceutical vials in South San Jose.

Rapid Robotics customers report their RMOs have not only helped them win contracts but also to increase headcount and transition existing employees to less repetitive, higher-value, more satisfying work. We process many parts and have to expedite jobs frequently for our customers, but were struggling to keep adequately staffed to meet the demand. The highly precise process requires three human operators each day, which limited our ability to meet the customers needs and to take on new work, said Ryan Gagne, Engineering Manager at TouchMark. When we brought in Rapid's RMOs, we were able to upskill those employees to execute other more complex tasks and to oversee the new robotic workforce. Using Rapid Machine Operators on these simple tasks has also increased our capacity and reduced lead times for our customers. The Rapid Machine Operator flips the typical automation narrative on its head, Kretchmer said. It doesnt just increase productivity, it boosts employment. By bringing manufacturing work back onshore, Rapid Machine Operators are actually helping businesses create jobs for American workers. About Rapid Robotics

Rapid Robotics is the creator of the first affordable robotic machine operator designed for simple machine tasks. Available for just $25K a year and requiring absolutely no programming, systems integration, specialized hardware or robotics skills, the Rapid Machine Operator enables manufacturers to easily deploy a pre-trained cobot in hours, moving it between tasks as needed and seeing ROI in months. Rapid Robotics founding team combines robotics and manufacturing expertise with a SaaS business model to deliver affordable solutions to real-world industry problems. Investors include NEA, Greycroft, Bee Partners and 468 Capital. The company is based in San Francisco, California. Media contact

Chris Ulbrich

rapidrobotics@firebrand.marketing

415 848 9175



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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 6, 2021) - Mundoro Capital Inc. (TSXV: MUN) (OTCQB: MUNMF) (www.mundoro.com) ("Mundoro" or the "Company") announces update for the Vale-Mundoro JV Program in Serbia, that includes (i) Phase 1 drill program at the Skorusa copper-gold porphyry system ("Skorusa") and (ii) geophysical program at the Oblez license. Both programs are located in the southern portion of the Timok Magmatic Complex ("Timok") west-southwest of the Cukaru Peki Deposit and the Bor mining complex.

Highlights

Diamond drilling is ongoing at Skorusa copper-gold porphyry system, along with an Audio-frequency Magneto-telluric (AMT) geophysics program at the Tilva Mare prospect.

1,800 meters have been drilled over magnetic anomalies at Skorusa in three exploratory drill holes with an average depth of 600 meters (see Figure 2 ).

). Technical Committee has expanded the drill program for an additional 1,600 meters to test three additional targets within Skorusa at the West and East mineralized zones (see Figure 2 ).

). The ongoing AMT geophysical survey at the Tilva Mare prospect will identify drill targets under the cover units (see Figure 3). The prospect area is outlined by copper-in-soil geochemistry covering approximately 5 km x 5 km in the northern portion of the Oblez license.

Follow our weekly updates on: LinkedIn and Twitter: @Mundoro

Teo Dechev, CEO & President, commented: "The geophysical targets drill tested in the first three exploratory holes have provided valuable information to calibrate the understanding of the geophysical responses observed to the actual lithological units and mineralogy encountered. It is clear from the initial three drill holes that the targets drilled are in the periphery and distal to a porphyry system. The Technical Committee is expanding the target testing to additional targets focusing on depth extension at the West Zone and depth extension at a geochemical anomaly at the East Zone and a new geophysical ground magnetic anomaly south of the East Zone."

"In addition to drilling, the AMT survey is ongoing and is expected to be completed by the end of April with geophysical models expected by the end of May. The exploration team is excited to review the results to facilitate further targeting and to identify the source of the pervasive geochemical signature at Tilva Mare which is approximately 5 km by 5 km."

"From there, the team will follow up with additional field investigation of the newly identified alteration zone, Skorusa South target area, and the Markov Kamen East target area."

"The Vale-Mundoro JV Program is expected to continue throughout the course of the year testing this prospective region for porphyry and related epithermal systems."

Vale-Mundoro Projects

The approved exploration work program of US$1.9 million is in progress and primarily focused on two of the four Vale-Mundoro JV Projects - Skorusa and Oblez. Both projects are located west-southwest of the Cukaru Peki epithermal-porphyry copper gold deposit and within the Timok Magmatic Complex (Figure 1). Exploration completed to date over the two projects includes:

grid-based soil sampling (1345 samples collected)

geological and alteration mapping,

rock sampling, and

ground magnetic survey (876 line/km surveyed)

The results obtained have identified five target areas prospective for porphyry copper-molybdenum-gold deposits for initial testing. The Skorusa porphyry system is one of the five targets ranked as prospective for porphyry copper-molybdenum-gold deposits within the Vale-Mundoro Projects.

Skorusa Porphyry

The Skorusa copper-gold porphyry system comprises extensive phyllic alteration (2 km x 3 km) surrounding two localized areas with potassic/inner propylitic and peripheral propylitic alteration i.e., the Skorusa West Zone and the Skorusa East Zone. The Skorusa porphyry system was partially tested in 2015 and 2016 in two separate drill campaigns, with exploration primarily concentrated in the Skorusa West Zone.

The current exploratory drill program with Vale has tested 3 geophysical targets to 600 m depth at the outer north-eastern portion of the porphyry system that have not been previously tested. Drill core observation from recently completed drill holes suggests the elevated chargeability zones from the historical Induced Polarization (IP) survey are related to disseminated pyrite mineralisation from the country rock environment. Although the mineralisation observed in the first two holes was not significant in the northern portion of the system, further assays are still pending. The Technical Committee has expanded the drill program with an additional three targets to be tested (see Figure 2):

Target A - Drill hole will test down dip of the mineralized porphyry at the West Zone;

Target B - Drill hole will test the geochemical soil anomaly at depth at the East Zone;

Target C - Drill hole will test a ground magnetic anomaly which may represent the southern extension of the East Zone.

The Technical Committee is regularly reviewing the data and identifying further areas of testing. Assay results will be ongoing throughout the program.

Skorusa West Zone

Target delineation at the Skorusa West Zone, includes surface rock-chip sampling and geological mapping of identified quartz stockwork-hosted mineralization in potassic altered diorite porphyry which previously returned 23m with 0.17% copper and 0.72 g/t gold. Follow up drilling in 2016 proved the stockwork extends in depth and remains laterally open to west-northwest. Three main porphyry phases have been identified: early, inter-mineral and late-mineral. The early and inter-mineral phases display potassic alteration defined by a biotite-magnetite assemblage. The intervals of an early porphyry contain magnetite and chalcopyrite-bearing A and B-type quartz veinlet stockworks with potassic alteration. At depth, D-type veins with sericitic halos become more prominent and some are cut quartz-magnetite-chalcopyrite-pyrite veinlets indicating several vein generations related to different porphyry intrusions. Further drill testing is warranted for this target area.

Skorusa East Zone

At the Skorusa East Zone limited work has been carried out to date including two shallow RC drill holes and one diamond hole completed during a 2015 exploration program. The quartz and magnetite veinlets to stockwork mineralization found at the surface was shown to extend in depth. The Skorusa East Zone is an annular magnetic-high anomaly coincident with copper, molybdenum, and gold anomalies in the soil geochemistry. Like the West Zone, the East Zone has a zoned alteration pattern of phyllic surrounding an inner propylitic/potassic alteration core. What remains an area of open interest is the connection between the East Zone and West Zone at depth for a potential feeder zone.

Tilva Mare Prospect

The prospect area is outlined by copper in the soil geochemistry in the northern portion of the Oblez license (see Figure 3). The upper Cretaceous cover rock of volcanic agglomerate contains a variety of mineralized clasts with malachite, native copper and locally chalcocite. These clasts occur at the surface along road cuts and to a depth of 250 meters through one tested drill hole. Potential exists here for concealed epithermal and porphyry copper-gold mineralisation beneath the sediments and agglomerates from the upper Cretaceous stratigraphy. Audio-frequency Magneto-telluric (CS-NSAMT) geophysical surveying is in progress at the property. The survey is expected to be completed by end of April with geophysical models expected by the end of May.

Qualified Person

The exploration work programs described herein were supervised by Y. Khrischev, the Company's Exploration Manager in Serbia and Bulgaria who has also prepared the above technical information in this press release in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements as set out in National Instrument 43-101. The above technical disclosure in this press release has been reviewed, verified, and approved by R. Jemielita, PhD, MIMMM, a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and consultant to the Company.

Mundoro Capital Inc. (www.mundoro.com)

Mundoro is a Canadian listed royalty generator company with a portfolio of projects focused on base and precious metals that generate royalties and near-term revenue from mineral properties. To drive value for shareholders, Mundoro has generated a portfolio of mineral projects primarily focused on copper and gold in Serbia and Bulgaria. Value generated from our mineral properties is through near term revenues from various forms of payments from partners and long term through the generated royalties.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This News Release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "will", "expect", "intend", "plan", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe" or "continue" or similar words or the negative thereof, and include the following: completion of earn-in expenditures, options and completion of a definitive agreement by the parties. The material assumptions that were applied in making the forward looking statements in this News Release include expectations as to the mineral potential of the Company's projects, the Company's future strategy and business plan and execution of the Company's existing plans. We caution readers of this News Release not to place undue reliance on forward looking statements contained in this News Release, as there can be no assurance that they will occur and they are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include general economic and market conditions, exploration results, commodity prices, changes in law, regulatory processes, the status of Mundoro's assets and financial condition, actions of competitors and the ability to implement business strategies and pursue business opportunities. The forward-looking statements contained in this News Release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements included in this News Release are made as of the date of this News Release and the Board undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Shareholders are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and for a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, refer to the Company's filings with the Canadian securities regulators available on www.sedar.com.

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.

Teo Dechev,

Chief Executive Officer, President and Director

+1-604-669-8055

info@mundoro.com





Figure 1 - Skorusa Location Map in Timok, Serbia



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2408/79557_d9037b9774722bba_001full.jpg

Figure 2 - Map of Skorusa Porphyry target area showing geophysical anomalies superimposed on an alteration map with a satellite image background and drill holes. See inset on left for position of map within northern portion of Skorusa license.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2408/79557_d9037b9774722bba_002full.jpg





Figure 3- Map showing location of Tilva Mare prospects in Oblez license with geology and copper geochemistry. Skorusa Porphyry outline to the north is shown for reference.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2408/79557_d9037b9774722bba_003full.jpg

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79557
ANNISTON, Ala., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Public spaces such as Businesses, Schools, Retail Establishments, Shopping Malls and Events are becoming increasingly vulnerable to an Active Shooter attack. It is nearly impossible to predict when, or where the next attack will occur across the United States- to include small town America.

Public Safety Canine at Riverchase Galleria

From 2017-2019, there have been 89 Active Shooter attacks in public areas wherein firearms were prohibited. In 2020, during a worldwide pandemic, there were over 600 occurrences of gun violence that resulted in the death or injury of 4 or more people in public or semi-public places. These tragedies have taken place in all months, all days of the week, and times of day. Active shooters are all sexes, all ages, and all races.

Based on statistics, there is no way to predict the likelihood of an attack and very little can be done to mitigate loss once the attack has begun. Over the last three years, more than 50% of attacks were concluded in under 5 minutes. Early detection is the ONLY course of action to mitigate these threats.

It is these statistics and studies released by the National Threat Assessment Center in Mass Attacks in Public Spaces Reports 2018-2020, that influenced the 360K9 Group and their Body-Worn Canine Detection founder, VWK9, to expand on their Explosive Detection operational success, to include Firearms Detection.

VWK9 developed and launched its Public Safety Canine program in August of 2020 in response to the increased gun violence in public spaces. VWK9 leveraged their knowledge in Body-Worn Explosives Detection training protocols, scientifically proven methodologies, and extensive operational experience to provide a fully trained canine able to detect concealed explosive devices and firearms on an individual moving through a public space.

VWK9's Public Safety Canines are actively deployed in areas of public interest throughout the United States. The Public Safety Canine program since its inception, has 200+ confirmed concealed firearm finds being carried by individuals in areas wherein firearms are not authorized. This early detection method and employment of the Public Safety Canine has proven to be a significant deterrent for individuals who are illegally or impermissibly carrying a firearm in a public space.

As our world begins to reopen, it is important that our public spaces address realistic scenarios and become more pro-active with their existing security operations. VWK9's Public Safety Canines minimize potential security gaps by providing unobtrusive detection screening without adding additional fears, infringements on individuals' rights, or impairing freedom of movement.

For more information on Public Safety Canines visit www.vwk9.org or email [email protected].

Media contact:

Kristie Dober

[email protected]

833-895-9552

SOURCE VWK9

Related Links

http://www.vwk9.org


LG Electronics' smartphones are displayed at the company's retail store in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap



By Baek Byung-yeul



LG Electronics' decision to exit from the smartphone business after 26 years is expected to increase the dominance of the two top players  Samsung Electronics and Apple  in Korea's smartphone market.



Samsung, which currently holds around a 70 percent market share, is expected to further strengthen its dominance  but concerns are growing that its monopolistic status here could limit consumer options and lead to hikes in mobile phone prices.



In the bygone days of "feature" or "design-centric" phones, Korea's mobile phone market was controlled by several players including Samsung, LG, Motorola, Nokia and Pantech. But after smartphones became the norm, only three players were left vying on the local market.



In 2020, Samsung held a market share of 65 percent, followed by Apple with 20 percent and LG with 13 percent, according to data from Counterpoint Research.



Samsung grabbed a bigger slice of the pie this year as the world's largest phone maker released its latest Galaxy S21 smartphone at a more affordable price in January when speculation began that LG could withdraw from the phone business. As a result, Samsung's market share went up to 69 percent in February, while LG's portion decreased to 10 percent.



Industry analysts presume the vacancy left by LG will mostly benefit Samsung as its smartphones are operated on Google's Android operating system, which means existing LG smartphone users can adapt to them more comfortably.



"With LG exiting the mobile phone business, there will be room for price increases because only two companies  Samsung and Apple  will remain in the market," an official from a local mobile carrier said.



"Chinese phone makers may emerge as an alternative to LG smartphones, but their phones haven't been an attractive choice for consumers. In the end, it will be bad for consumers as less competition will eventually result in higher prices," the official added.



Chinese phone makers such as Huawei, Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo have been competitive overseas, but have failed to break into the Korean market, accounting for less than a 0.1 percent share.



Only Xiaomi has managed to maintain an official sales channel here. The Chinese smartphone maker launched its latest budget smartphone, the Redmi Note 10, last month. Priced at around 300,000 won ($267), Xiaomi's move can be interpreted as a move to fill LG's spot.



Against such concerns, Rep. Yang Jung-suk of the National Assembly ICT and Broadcasting Committee, called on the government Monday to come up with consumer protection measures so that people can continue to purchase smartphones at affordable prices.



"Unless there is a new supplier, Samsung and Apple will share the market, including LG's portion, and consumers will inevitably have limited options when buying new phones. Given LG has supplied various kinds of affordable smartphones, concern exists that consumers may end up having to pay higher smartphone prices," the lawmaker said, adding that 72.7 percent of Samsung phones sold here in 2019 were priced over 800,000 won ($712).


All criminal proceedings in which the name of MP, leader of the All-Ukrainian public movement "Ukrainian Choice  the Right of the People" Viktor Medvedchuk appears, will be brought to their logical conclusion, and if there are grounds, suspicions will be prepared, Prosecutor General of Ukraine Iryna Venediktova said.

"We have many proceedings in which this name appears [...] they will find their logical continuation, completion. To date, materials that would have been suspicion projects have not been submitted to me," Venediktova told Interfax-Ukraine, answering a question of whether there are any prepared suspicions after the active investigative actions of the SBU in the cases in which Medvedchuk is involved.

According to her, the investigation is actively working in various directions.

"In particular, on the network of fuel stations, on the facts of the possible illegal movement of oil products from Russia outside customs control and on tax evasion. Also on the activities of the Ukrainian Choice, where three members of the public movement have already been informed about suspicion of assistance in the occupation of Crimea," Venediktova said.

She said: "We will see what materials will be collected by the investigation in all industries, we will assess the quality of these materials, their validity, and then the issue of the project of suspicion will be raised."
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West Chester, PA -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/06/2021 -- The team at West Chester law firm Carosella & Associates knows that estate planning can be a difficult subject to broach, especially in blended families. It is never too early to plan for the future and ensure your wishes are carried out as you intended. The estate planning lawyers at Carosella understand the unique challenges that blended families often face when it comes to issues surrounding inheritance. Their wills and trusts attorneys take a comprehensive look at clients' finances, assets, family situations and estate planning goals to help them develop practical solutions that meet their specific needs.



"We're dedicated to helping families create estate planning strategies that protect everyone's interests," says Vincent Carosella, founding Partner. "Our attorneys consider a number of potential scenarios based on a client's specific circumstances and advise them of how their estate planning choices may affect certain family members in the future. Being prepared can help protect your assets and mitigate the conflict many blended families experience after the passing of a loved one."



Each family is unique. From wills and trusts to pre- and post-nuptial agreements, there are many different estate planning options that benefit blended families. The lawyers at Carosella & Associates understand that family dynamics can be complicated. Their estate planning attorneys work to help families find options that make everyone feel valued and respected.



About Carosella & Associates

For more than 25 years, the skilled team of attorneys, paralegals, firm administrators, administrative assistants and legal secretaries at Carosella & Associates has provided top-quality legal representation for matters in myriad aspects of the law. The full-service law firm has decades of experience in many different areas, including estate planning, business succession planning, commercial and residential real estate, zoning, contracts, bankruptcy, immigration, divorce, and criminal law. Several of the attorneys at Carosella & Associates are licensed to practice law in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. For more information visit carosella.com.
Raipur/ Jammu: A CRPF jawan, Rakesh Singh Manhas, who went missing in the April 3 Maoist ambush on security forces on the Sukma-Bijapur border in Chhattisgarh may have been held hostage by the Maoists, police said. Singhs family has launched an emotional appeal seeking his release.

Please, release my father, pleaded five-year-old Shragvi, the daughter of the commando. This is all the sobbing child could utter as she wiped away her tears.

A phone call from purported Maoists came to a reporter of a local news channel on Monday claiming that the missing commando, belonging to the COBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) of the CRPF, has been captured by them and was safe in their custody.

The reporter said he had received the call from a general number which Maoists use to communicate with the media at 11.30 am. The caller said the jawan will be released at the appropriate time and informed me that I will be updated about it from time to time, Raja Rathore, the local correspondent of a Hindi news channel, told this newspaper from Sukma on phone.

Rathore said he passed on the information to the family members of the jawan, a native of Jammu, in the presence of a couple of local CRPF officers on Monday.

The jawans wife and mother have appealed to the Maoists not to harm him and release him without any delay. The jawans five-year-old daughter has also made an appeal to the Naxals to release her father safely, Rathore said.

The CRPF as well as the security forces have maintained silence on the issue. We have no information if he has been held hostage by Maoists, a senior CRPF officer here told this newspaper. We are trying to locate the missing jawan, a senior police officer posted in Bastar said, unwilling to be quoted. Sources said a back channel effort has begun by the security establishment to secure release of the jawan from Maoist captivity.

Meanwhile, 'Jailbandi Rihai Samiti' (committee for release of undertrials), an outfit floated to secure release of undertrials facing charges of involvement in Maoists activities in Bastar, on Monday demanded the release of the jawan immediately without causing him any harm.

We came to know about the attack and that he went missing from news channels. Nobody from the government or the CRPF informed us, Meenu, Singhs wife, told reporters at her residence in Barnai on the Jammu-Akhnoor road.

She said she made frantic efforts to reach out to the CRPF headquarters in Jammu. I was told that there is nothing we can share with you. Once we get a clear picture, we will come to you, Meenu said the officers told her.

With her daughter in her lap, Meenu said an officer also visited her house and repeated the assurance. She said she had last spoken to her husband at 9.30 pm on Friday when he was leaving for duty.
The domestic barometers were trading firm in early afternoon trade. The Nifty index was trading tad above 14,700 mark. Pharma, realty and FMCG shares were in demand.

At 12:20 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, rose 179.11 points or 0.36% at 49,338.43. The Nifty 50 index gained 71 points or 0.49% at 14,708.80.

In the broader market, the S&P BSE Mid-Cap index added 1.04% while the S&P BSE Small-Cap index rose 0.93%.

The market breadth was strong. On the BSE, 1,713 shares rose and 960 shares fell. A total of 161 shares were unchanged.

Derivatives:

The NSE's India VIX, a gauge of market's expectation of volatility over the near term, fell 1.30% to 20.9375. The Nifty 29 April 2021 futures were trading at 14,788.95, at a premium of 80.15 points as compared with the spot at 14,708.80.

The Nifty option chain for 29 April 2021 expiry showed maximum Call OI of 21.4 lakh contracts at the 15,000 strike price. Maximum Put OI of 39.3 lakh contracts was seen at 14,000 strike price.

Coronavirus Update:

Total COVID-19 confirmed cases worldwide stood at 13,18,28,728 with 28,61,100 deaths. India reported 7,88,223 active cases of COVID-19 infection and 1,65,547 deaths while 1,17,32,279 patients have been discharged, according to the data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

India, on Monday, reported 96,982 fresh coronavirus cases and 446 related deaths. Of these, 47,288 cases were reported in Maharashtra. While cases in Chhattisgarh scaled a new high of 7,302, and the count in Karnataka crossed the 5,000-mark. The country's active case tally now stands at 7,88,223. While 164 people died in Maharashtra, 72 deceased in Punjab. Over 43 lakh people were also inoculated on Monday, pushing the vaccination count up to 8,31,10,926.

Meanwhile, the Delhi government has imposed a night curfew from 10 pm to 5 am till April 30 in the wake of rising cases. This comes a day after Maharashtra imposed full lockdown on weekends and fresh restrictions to last through April.

Buzzing Index:

The Nifty Pharma index rose 1.27% to 12,487.75. Cadila Healthcare (up 2.14%), Dr Reddy's Laboratories (up 1.55%), Cipla (up 1.48%), Torrent Pharma (up 1.40%) and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries (up 1.28%) were the top gainers in Pharma segment.

Stocks in Spotlight:

Trident slipped 0.93%. The company said that a major fire has been broken out on Monday in the cotton warehouse located in the manufacturing facilities at Budhni, Madhya Pradesh.

Sobha spurted 6.88% after the company's total new sales jumped 47.69% to 13,37,707 square feet in Q4 FY21 over 9,05,710 sq ft. in Q4 FY20. Total sales value grew 54.35% to Rs 1,072 crore in Q4 FY21 as against Rs 694.50 crore in Q4 FY20. Sobha's share of sales value soared 57.91% to Rs 874.20 crore in Q4 FY21 compared with Rs 553.60 crore in Q4 FY20. Total average price realisation rose 4.51% to Rs 8,014 per sq ft. in Q4 FY21 over Rs 7,668 per sq ft. in Q4 FY20.

Tilaknagar Industries gained 1.97% after the company said it entered into an agreement with Pernod Ricard India to manufacture its products in India. Tilaknagar Industries has entered and executed an agreement on 1 April 2021 with Pernod Ricard India (PRIPL) to manufacture products for PRIPL at the company's bottling facilities in Maharashtra. The agreement is effective immediately and shall remain valid for the period of 10 years and shall be renewable thereafter by mutual consent. The co-operation could be extended to more states in the near future.

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The Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has said it has found an illegal surface Automated Gas Oil (AGO) depot in Ore, Odigbo LGA of the state, where thousands of litres of the product are syphoned by vandals.

The corps said it impounded about 35,000 litres of adulterated AGO, also known as diesel, in its latest operation in the town.

Speaking on how the criminals engage in the illicit acts, the state commandant, Edenabu Eweka, while speaking to journalists on Monday in Ore, said the breakthrough was made possible through sustained and credible intelligence.

He said the criminal elements and those he described as economic saboteurs used the arena as a storage base after engaging in oil pipeline vandalism on the high sea and the creeks in the Niger Delta region.

He said after the oil theft, they would transport the illegally refined products through badges and boats to the coastal areas of Ondo State such as Agadagba, Ijaw, Ido Osun and the likes.

Consequently, these unscrupulous elements would defiantly proceed by conveying the products using buses, jeeps and cars to where it would finally be stored in the surface tanks located in Ore Town, said Mr Eweka.

Investigation further revealed that Ore Town in Ondo State is fast becoming the Headquarters of AGO illegal Surface Depot in the Southwest; most tankers do load adulterated AGO via Surface Tanks and thus distribute for sales across Nigeria.

He said when officials of the corps invaded the area where the product was being distributed, the criminals fled the scene on sighting the security operatives.

Mr Eweka noted that their escape was made possible because they were well-acquainted with the terrain.

Some of the exhibits recovered from the scene include a Toyota Sequoia Jeep, a Toyota Camry Car, One Pumping Machine, two (2) Industrial Hose Pipes, 70 Kegs of 30 litres AGO and 35,000 litres of suspected adulterated Automated Gas Oil (AGO).

Nearly two weeks ago, the command arrested six persons involved in syphoning about 45,000 litres of diesel in Akure.

They were apprehended on March 26 around 5 p.m. alongside a truck with Registration number Edo BEN 643 XC conveying 45,000 litres of suspected adulterated AGO.

According to the suspects, the tanker was said to have taken off from Oghara Depot in Delta State en route Benin city to Akure, Ondo State.

Consequently, on March 27, the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base, Igbokoda, handed over to the NSCDC Ondo Command two suspects  Moses Akinnehin (25) and Komiyo Jeje (29)  who were arrested alongside two wooden boats conveying 34 drums of suspected illegally refined adulterated AGO.

According to Mr Eweka, during a routine patrol on March 28 around 5:20 p.m., his officials apprehended a truck with registration number: Lagos, EPE 196 XR, conveying suspected adulterated AGO worth 33,000 litres. He said during a hot pursuit, the suspects escaped and left the truck.

The NSCDC is statutorily empowered to arrest with or without a warrant, investigate and prosecute in the law court person or group of persons found to have committed any criminal acts leading to economic sabotage and vandalism, as well as illegal and unauthorised dealings in petroleum products amongst others.
The ASD-1X exploration well, located 12km to the north-east of the producing Al Jahraa Field, safely reached its projected depth several days ahead of schedule and under budget.

United Oil and Gas PLC ( ) said it achieved a positive outcome in its drilling of the ASD-1X exploration well in the Abu Sennan concession.

Preliminary results suggest the ASD-1X exploration well encountered a total of at least 22mln net oil pay interpreted across a number of reservoirs, including the Abu Roash C , Abu Roash E, Lower Bahariya and Kharita formations.

Well-testing is now planned, and if successful, will be followed by an application to the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation for a development lease over this new discovery.

United Oil and Gas holds a 22% working interest in the onshore licence, which is operated by Kuwait Energy Egypt.

"Today's announcement is another positive result from Abu Sennan, which, initial interpretations suggest, is in line with our pre-drill estimates. With the well testing set to begin shortly, we look forward to understanding the full potential of the ASD-1X well, said Brian Larkin, the chief executive officer of United Oil and Gas.

"A number of additional targets and leads have been identified within the Abu Sennan concession and the results of ASD-1X and other recent wells will better inform our understanding of the acreage. We will continue to work with our JV partners to prioritise these opportunities which can ultimately be brought into production in short time frames.

"With the EDC-50 rig moving to drill the AJ-8 development well after the completion of ASD-1X, we look forward to providing further updates on the continuing 2021 Abu Sennan drilling campaign," Larkin added.

In a separate announcement, United Oil and Gas said the Italian government has given environmental approval for the development of the Selva natural gas field concession in Northern Italy, in which United Oil and Gas owns a 20% economic interest.
Australians who get vaccinated against Covid with the AstraZeneca jab have a 50 per cent chance of developing mild side effects.

AusVaxSafety, a national immunisation surveillance system, said symptoms including fever, headache, chills, and muscle aches could be expected.

Nearly half of all Australians (49.7 per cent) who received either the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccine reported developing one of more mild symptoms - while a quarter took some time off work.

AusVaxSafety, a national immunisation surveillance system, said mild symptoms including fever, headache, chills and muscle aches can be expected

AstraZeneca side effects Just over two-thirds of the 31,786 Australians who received the AstraZeneca jab said they experienced an adverse event. Of the 21,378 people who had side effects: 53.8 per cent reported fatigue 47.4 per cent reported headaches 45 per cent reported body aches 44.9 per cent reported injection site pain 34.9 per cent reported chills 29.5 per cent reported fever 27.8 per cent reported joint aches or pain Advertisement

Only 1.2 per cent of them had symptoms bad enough to warrant a visit to the doctor or hospital.

Just over two-thirds of the 31,786 Australians who received the AstraZeneca jab said they had an adverse reaction.

Of them, just over a quarter reported missing work, study, or day-to-day activities for a short period.

The most common side effect was fatigue, which 53.8 per cent said they developed.

Just over 47 per cent said they developed headaches, 45 per cent got muscle or body aches, while 34.9 per cent reported chills.

The AstraZeneca vaccine came under scrutiny in recent weeks due to concerns of a link to blood clots that killed several people after they had the jab.

A 44-year-old man in Melbourne was admitted to hospital last week with blood clots in his abdomen and a very low platelet count, prompting concerns from doctors.

Acting Chief Medical Officer Michael Kidd dismissed suggestions AstraZeneca posed any serious threat.

He said the benefits outweigh the risks of Covid vaccination, and that people should continue taking the jab.

'The risks of serious side effects remain very low,' he said.

The Pfizer had significantly less reporting of side effects following the first dose.

Only 36.3 per cent experienced any adverse effects - with 4.3 per cent missing work or study for a short period of time.

Just 0.6 per cent sought medical care after their first dose, compared with 2.3 per cent for the second.

However, vaccinating NSW's population of six million by October 'is a big stretch even for the first shot', according to NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

The premier laid the blame for delays at the federal government's feet.

'The NSW government was asked to do 300,000 and we've done more than a third of that already. We're actually ahead of schedule in terms of what our job was,' she said.

'It's up to the Commonwealth to work with us to allows us to help them with the remainder of the vaccine roll out.'

She said NSW would try to get 'as close to six million people ... as possible' vaccinated by year's end.

NSW had vaccinated 127,339 people as of 8pm on Monday.

Only 36.3 per cent of Aussie Pfizer patients experienced adverse events - with 4.3 per cent missing work or study for a short period of time

Vaccinating NSW's population of six million by October 'is a big stretch even for the first shot', Premier Gladys Berejiklian told reporters on Tuesday

Ms Berejiklian also said it was important not to rely only on big vaccine hubs after the federal government announced mass vaccination centres could be rolled out across the country.

'Having one centre detracts from people being access from their local communities and really ignores the rural and regional communities that need to have the vaccine as well,' she said.

The premier made it clear she wouldn't tolerate the federal government issuing misleading data about the rollout.

'We understand that sometimes there's very late notice when we're told how many doses we can have,' she said.

'But what we can't accept is when that data is manipulated or expressed in a way that tries to suggest that NSW isn't doing enough.'

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard last week accused federal Health Minister Greg Hunt of a 'breach of faith' over the release of vaccine distribution figures.
The Georgia Department of Public Safety has settled with 26 of the troopers it fired after they were accused of cheating on an exam.

All but two of these former troopers were offered their jobs back as part of the agreement, and those reinstated will receive several months of credit for future promotions. The plaintiffs also will share $850,000 in damages, news outlets reported.

A joint statement from DPS and the troopers attorneys said the agency denies any legal liability and wishes to move the Georgia State Patrol past this dispute and avoid years of contentious litigation.

In January 2020, 32 troopers from the 106th Georgia State Patrol class were fired and accused of cheating on an online exam for the speed detection operator component of the schools curriculum. The scandal also led to the resignation of Mark McDonough, then head of the Georgia State Patrol.

In November of the same year, 26 of the troopers sued the department, claiming they were whistleblowers who were exposing breach protocols during training and were wrongfully fired.

After a yearlong investigation, all but one of the 32 troopers were cleared of cheating. The one found to have actually cheated as a cadet submitted his resignation.

The investigation found that the troopers believed they were allowed to collaborate with each other and use computers and electronic devices for an online test. Academy staff said the troopers misunderstood; two instructors were decertified after the POST investigation. With the scandal now considered to be just a misunderstanding, the DPS moved to settle.

The state patrol previously said the incident would cost $2 million, including lost revenue from traffic citations issued by the troopers that were later thrown out.

Its unclear why two of the defendants were not offered their jobs back, and how many of them would return to the patrol. Its also not clear whether any aspect of the settlement extends to the five who didnt join the lawsuit and were later cleared of cheating accusations.

Daniel Cordell, one of the fired cadets, previously told new outlets he wasnt sure if hed accept his job back. The dismissal made landing another job difficult, he said; it took months before he was later hired by a nationwide retailer.

They made us feel like we were cheaters and thats not what we were, Cordell said. The damage to me was financial, emotional and reputational.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Georgia
UPDATE: The highway was reopened by 4:55 p.m., according to 511PA

A six-vehicle crash shut down westbound Route 22 between Route 512 and Schoenersville Road in Bethlehem for more than an hour Monday.

The crash was reported on the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation website, 511PA.com.

UPDATE: Crash on US 22 westbound between PA 512/Center St and PA 378/Schoenersville Rd. All lanes closed.  511PA Allentown (@511PAAllentown) April 5, 2021

A Northampton County 911 dispatcher said the crash was called in at 3:34 p.m.

Pennsylvania State Police trooper Nathan Branosky said the crash was just before the Schoenersville Road exit. It involved six vehicles and two vehicles caught fire, he said. One person was taken to the hospital and others suffered minor injuries, he said. He said one car struck the center median.

Traffic was briefly getting by on the shoulder, although the road remained closed until 4:55 p.m.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to Lehighvalleylive.com.

Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com.
Episode three of Line of Duty gave the viewers plenty to cheer about, with that AC-12 reunion, classic Hastings quotes, the link established between the OCG, Gail Vella and Jackie Laverty and the mention of 'H'.

But Sunday night's show also threw up some new talking points, fan theories, clues and red herrings, sending social media into overdrive and armchair detectives into a spin.

Let's take a look at a few.

Is Steph Corbett 'H'?

When DI Steve Arnott popped round - twice - to visit John Corbett's widow, viewers weren't too surprised. Arnott has a reputation for being a bit of a ladies' man and the pair have been growing closer.

However, some eagle-eyed fans were pretty shocked to see a massive 'H' shaped clue in Steph's kitchen of all places.

In a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment, the letter H could be seen briefly on the tiles on her kitchen walls. One viewer tweeted: "Did anyone else notice the random H on the tiles in Steph Corbett's kitchen? Seems FAR too obvious to be a clue but might just be writer Jed Mercurio's way of poking fun at us."

Seems more likely to be a red herring than a genuine clue, but there's something about Steph that doesn't ring true. I've got my eye on her.



Expand Close DI Steve Arnott, played by Martin Compston, in Sunday nights episode BBC/World Productions/Steffan Hi / Facebook

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The reappearance of prison officer Alison Merchant

In Sunday night's episode, prison guard Alison Merchant, played by Belfast actress Maria Connolly, was seen breaking Farida Jatri's wrist and therefore stopping her from talking further to AC-12. And if you think her face looked familiar, you'd be right.

Back in series two, Merchant poured boiling water over Lindsay Denton's hands when she was in prison, as a warning to her to stop talking to AC-12. Merchant is obviously in league with the OCG but is her reappearance significant? And does it spell more trouble for Jatri as the series goes on?

Who was DCI Davidson talking to at the end?

In the final seconds of the episode, Davidson opened up her laptop and logged into a familiar looking messaging service - the same programme the OCG used to contact 'H' before.

She wrote: "All under control now', in reference to the framing of her boss, Superintendent Buckells.

I was half expecting the reply: "Is it 'definately' under control?"

Instead, we got the credits and another cliffhanger. Also, why has Davidson so many locks on her door? Is that to keep someone out - or in?

Are Andrea Wise and Rohan Sindwhani bent?

PCC Rohan Sindwhani and DCC Andrea Wise are thorns in the side of Ted Hastings and AC-12. Both are antagonistic, both have issues with Ted and both maintain there is no institutionalised police corruption within the force.

Sindwhani obviously had a problem with murdered journalist Gail Vella, walking out of an interview with her when she pressed him on alleged police collusion in sex abuse. And Wise stifles Ted at every opportunity, even telling him that his investigation into 'H' must close.

I like neither but are they corrupt or just concerned about the reputation of their force?

Will Kate Fleming be killed?

In his brilliant podcast Obsessed with Line of Duty, Craig Parkinson (DI Dot Cottan) has discussed the strong possibility of one of the 'Three Musketeers' being killed off.

In Monday's podcast, he said he believed Davidson was 'going after' Fleming.

"There are a lot of steely looks from Jo (Davidson). She's got something on Kate. It's not attraction anymore. I think she's going after her'.

"Fleming is also onto Pilkington and knows he was involved in the accident that almost killed Terry Boyle. Pilkington has no qualms about killing so could Fleming be his next victim?

Now that she's back onside with the gaffer and her mate, it would be a crime to split the trio up again with a shocking death but show creator Jed Mercurio has never been afraid to bump off a key character.

I hate to say it, but I've a feeling Fleming's goose could really be cooked this series.
As more people get vaccinated and states begin to roll back some of the restrictions put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic  schools, agencies and workplaces are working on a plan on how to safely return to normal.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the swearing-in ceremony for Israel's 24th government, at the Knesset, or parliament, in Jerusalem, Israel, on April 6, 2021. (Alex Kolomoisky/Pool via AP)

Israeli President Picks Netanyahu to Try to Form Government

JERUSALEMIsraels president handed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the difficult task on Tuesday of trying to form a government from the countrys splintered parliament, giving the embattled leader a chance to prolong his lengthy term in office while he stands trial on corruption charges.

In his announcement, President Reuven Rivlin acknowledged that no party leader had the necessary support to form a majority coalition in the 120-seat Knesset. He also noted that many believe Netanyahu is unfit to serve as prime minister in light of his legal problems.

Nonetheless, Rivlin said that there was nothing in the law preventing Netanyahu from holding that office. After consulting with the 13 parties in the newly elected parliament, Rivlin said that Netanyahu had the best chance of any candidate forming a new government.

Israeli President Reuvan Rivlin speaks during the swearing-in ceremony for Israels 24th government, at the Knesset, or parliament, in Jerusalem, Israel, on April 6, 2021. (Alex Kolomoisky/Pool via AP)

I have decided to entrust him with the task, Rivlin said from Jerusalem.

This is not an easy decision on a moral and ethical basis, he added. The state of Israel is not to be taken for granted. And I fear for my country.

With that, Rivlin nudged forward the twin dramas over the countrys future and Netanyahus fate, giving Israels longest-serving premier a fresh chance to try to salvage his career. Netanyahu now has up to six weeks to try to cobble together a coalition. If he fails, Rivlin could give another party leader the opportunity to try to form a governmentor the country could be plunged into an unprecedented fifth election in just over two years.

Netanyahu has the most support52 seatsin Israels Knesset. But that is still short of a 61-seats needed for a majority. He is likely to use his powers of persuasion to try to lure a number of opponents, including close former aides who have vowed never to serve under him again, with generous offers of powerful government ministries or legislative committees.

The task wont be easy.

In order to secure a majority, Netanyahu would likely require the support of a small Arab Islamist party, and one of his partners, the Religious Zionists, say they will not serve in a government with Arab partners.

The chances of Netanyahu to form a government, as it seems right now, are quite low, said Yohan Plesner, president of the Israel Democracy Institute, a Jerusalem think tank.

Netanyahu will also likely need the support of the Yamina, a right-wing party led by a former ally turned rival. Yaminas leader, Naftali Bennett, has had a strained relationship with Netanyahu in recent years. He also been cool to an alliance with Arab parties.

Israeli lawmakers attend the swearing-in ceremony for Israels 24th government, at the Knesset, or parliament, in Jerusalem, Israel, on April 6, 2021. (Alex Kolomoisky/Pool via AP)

Bennett called for the formation of a stable, right-wing government on Tuesday and promised to negotiate in good faith. But he did not commit to backing Netanyahu, who has led the country for the past 12 years.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid, head of the centrist Yesh Atid party, acknowledged that the law left Rivlin no choice, but in the same tweet denounced the development as a shameful disgrace that tarnishes Israel.

Lapid has offered an alternative: a power-sharing arrangement with Bennett that would see the two men rotate into the prime ministers job. They are expected to hold intense negotiations in the coming weeks.

In a sign of the challenge ahead of Netanyahu, about 100 protesters hoisted a mock submarine in a noisy demonstration Tuesday that could be heard as officials began the swearing-in festivities of the new parliament in an outdoor plaza. The submarine points to a graft scandal involving the purchase of German subs.

As the new Knesset was sworn into office, Rivlin appealed for unity in a speech.

If we do not learn and find a model of partnership that will allow us to live here together, out of mutual respect for each other, out of commitment to each other, and genuine solidarity, our national resilience will be in real danger, he said, his voice appearing to shake with emotion.

Netanyahus coalition talks will be conducted in the shadow of his corruption trial. While a ruling is months or even years away, the proceedings are expected to take place up to three days a week, an embarrassing and time-consuming distraction that will shadow Netanyahus appeals to his rivals.

An activist protester wears a mask representing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as lawmakers are sworn in following the countrys fourth election in two years, in Jerusalem, Israel, on April 6, 2021. (Maya Alleruzzo/AP Photo)

In court, he faces fraud, breach of trust, and bribery charges in three separate cases. Proceedings resumed Tuesday, though the premier did not appear in court.

A key witness on Monday cast Netanyahu as an image-obsessed leader who forced a prominent news site to help his family and smear his opponents.

Netanyahu denies all charges and in a nationally televised address accused prosecutors of persecuting him in an effort to drive him out of office. This is what a coup attempt looks like, he said.

This weeks court proceedings focused on the most serious case against Netanyahuin which he is accused of promoting regulations that delivered hundreds of millions of dollars in profits to the Bezeq telecom company in exchange for positive coverage on the firms popular news site, Walla.

Ilan Yeshua, Wallas former chief editor, described a system in which Bezeqs owners, Shaul and Iris Elovitch, repeatedly pressured him to publish favorable things about Netanyahu and smear the prime ministers rivals.

The explanation he was given by the couple? Thats what the prime minister wanted, he said.

By Laurie Kellman and Ilan Ben Zion
New Delhi, April 6 : Amid exponential increase in coronavirus cases in the national capital, the Delhi government on Tuesday ordered the imposition of night curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. with immediate effect till April 30.

"Situation in Covid-19 in NCT of Delhi has been reviewed and it has been observed that there has been a sudden increase in Covid-19 cases in recent past along with high positivity rate and therefore, it was felt that night curfew needs to be imposed in the territory of NCT of Delhi from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., except or essential services/ activities as an emergency measure for well being and safety of people," an order issued by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) read.

It further said, "Officials of the Government of India, its autonomous/subordinates officers and public corporations and officials of GNCT of Delhi/autonomous bodies/ corporations involved in emergency services such as health and family welfare all related medical establishments, police prison, home guards, civil defence, fire and emergency services district administrations, pay and account office, electricity, water and sanitation, public transport, etc., are exempted from night curfew." According to the DDMA, all private medical persons, such as doctors, nursing staff, paramedical staff along with other hospital services will be exempted on valid ID card. The Delhi health department will issue a valid ID card for emergency services.

Pregnant women and patients, who need medical attention will also be exempted.

"People coming or going to Airports, Railway stations, ISBTs for bus services are allowed to travel on production of valid tickets. There will be no restrictions on inter-state and intra-state movement/transportation of essential/non-essential goods. No separate permission/e-pass will be required for such movements," the order reads.

Imposing night curfew is one of the toughest decisions of restrictions so far taken by the Delhi government this year to curb the Covid-19 situation. Before it, the government on March 27 had ordered for banning large public gatherings during the festivals.

The government has also put a cap of 200 guests in marriage and other events at open-air venues and 100 people for closed spaces in the city. In an order, the government on March 27 had said that 'not more than 50 people' would be allowed at funerals in the national capital.

The national capital on Monday reported 3,548 new Covid-19 cases, taking its overall tally to 6,79,962, while its test positivity rate stood at 5.54 per cent, according to the health bulletin released by the Delhi government.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Jushi Holdings Inc. Completes Previously Announced Acquisition of Established Nevada Operator

Jushi Holdings Inc. ("Jushi" or the "Company") (CSE: JUSH) (OTCMKTS: JUSHF), a vertically integrated, multi-state cannabis operator, announced that its subsidiary, Production Excellence, LLC ("Production Excellence"), has completed the previously announced acquisition on July 25, 2019 of 100% of the equity of Franklin Bioscience NV, LLC ("FBS Nevada"). FBS Nevada holds medical and adult-use cannabis cultivation, processing, and distribution licenses issued by the Nevada Cannabis Control Board and currently operates cultivation, production and distribution facilities in North Las Vegas, Nevada. Jushi also owns the real estate associated with FBS Nevada's facilities in North Las Vegas, Nevada. The facilities acquired include two adjacent buildings with cultivation, manufacturing and distribution capabilities.

In July 2019, the Company's subsidiary, Production Excellence, entered into the Nevada market under a management services agreement with FBS Nevada. FBS Nevada operates one of the two 7,500 square foot adjacent facilities and has upgraded the facility with state-of-the-art, indoor, double-stacked cultivation that yields approximately 2,500 lbs of high-quality dry flower per year. FBS Nevada has partnered with third-party extractors to produce a suite of high-quality vape products and concentrates, under the award-winning brand The Lab, and offer pre-packaged flower and infused blunts, under the award-winning brand The Bank. The Company has also introduced new products, including edibles, under the brand Tasteology, and fine flower and pre-rolls, under the brand Seche.

To better serve the Nevada market, FBS Nevada plans to connect the two facilities to create a single production space for a total of approximately 16,600 sq. ft. The expansion is expected to more than double cultivation capacity and incorporate a CO2 and hydrocarbon extraction facility with a full kitchen to ensure a broad assortment of products across all categories.

"We are extremely pleased to complete this acquisition and solidify our presence in Nevada, particularly the greater Las Vegas region," said Jim Cacioppo, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and Founder of Jushi. "We look forward to continuing to serve the Nevada wholesale market with high-quality flower and a full suite of cannabis brands including infused products. While Nevada, and specifically Las Vegas, has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, we see great opportunities with the expansion of our facility and exploring attractive M&A prospects as we look to expand our footprint in this strategic limited license market."

About Jushi Holdings Inc.

We are a vertically integrated cannabis company led by an industry-leading management team. In the United States, Jushi is focused on building a multi-state portfolio of branded cannabis assets through opportunistic acquisitions, distressed workouts, and competitive applications. Jushi strives to maximize shareholder value while delivering high-quality products across all levels of the cannabis ecosystem. For more information, please visit jushico.com or our social media channels, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Information and Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and may also contain statements that may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are not representative of historical facts or information or current conditions but instead represent only the Company's beliefs regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, involve estimates, projections, plans, goals, forecasts, and assumptions that may prove to be inaccurate. As a result, actual results could differ materially from those expressed by such forward-looking statements and such statements should not be relied upon. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans," "expects" or "does not expect," "is expected," "budget," "scheduled," "estimates," "forecasts," "intends," "anticipates" or "does not anticipate," or "believes," or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results "may," "could," "would," "might" or "will be taken," "will continue," "will occur" or "will be achieved".

By identifying such information and statements in this manner, the Company is alerting the reader that such information and statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such information and statements. In addition, in connection with the forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release, the Company has certain expectations and has made certain assumptions. Expectations, assumptions, and risk factors are more fully described in the Company's Management, Discussion and Analysis for the three months ended September 30, 2020, and other filings with securities and regulatory authorities which are available at www.sedar.com. Should one or more of these risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information or statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected.

The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information and/or forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking information and statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf is expressly qualified in its entirety by this notice.

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States.

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations Contact:

Michael Perlman

Executive Vice President of Investor Relations and Treasury

561-281-0247

Investors@jushico.com

Media Contact:

Ellen Mellody

MATTIO Communications

570-209-2947

Ellen@Mattio.com

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Warnock deletes tweet claiming people can save themselves, Easter transcends Jesus' resurrection

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Rev. Raphael Warnock, a Democratic U.S. senator from Georgia and pastor of Atlantas Ebenezer Baptist Church, has removed a controversial Easter tweet stating that even non-Christians can save themselves by doing good.

The meaning of Easter is more transcendent than the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Warnock wrote on Twitter Easter Sunday. Whether you are Christian or not, through a commitment to helping others we are able to save ourselves.

After backlash, the tweet was removed from Warnocks social media page.

The tweet caused some to accuse the 51-year-old reverend who won a Senate runoff election in January and propel Democrats to the Senate majority of heresy.

Warnock deleted his heretical tweet, President Donald Trumps former lawyer Jenna Ellis responded by tweeting. He should delete Reverend in front of his name too.

In an earlier tweet, Ellis said that Warnocks tweet was false gospel and heresy.

We cannot save ourselves, she wrote. The absolute truth and only meaning of Easter that matters is the literal, physical resurrection of Jesus Christ, and we must accept Him as Lord and Savior.

Ellis challenged Warnock to read Romans.

MSNBC host Joy Reid came to Warnock's defense in response to Ellis tweets.

This lady is literally calling the pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church -- The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s church -- a heretic, Reid wrote. This actually happened today. Madame, I'm gonna take @ReverendWarnock's take, as a pastor and a scholar on the Word over yours, if you don't mind.

The College Republicans at Georgia State University quoted Ephesians 2:8-10 in a tweet.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast, the organization tweeted. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Conservative podcast host Allie Beth Stuckey argued that There is nothing more transcendent than the resurrection of the God-man, Jesus.

Literally: his resurrection transcends our finite conceptions of science & rationality, Stuckey wrote in a tweet. That the Word became flesh, dwelt among us, then was slain for our sins only to conquer death 3 days later?

This is not the first time Warnock, a longtime civil rights activist and Georgias first black senator, has faced criticism for controversial comments.

Laurie Cardoza-Moore, the founder of Proclaiming Justice to the Nations, responded in an op-ed for The Christian Post to comments Warnock made in the past referring to Jesus as a poor Palestinian prophet.

The word Palestine does not appear one time throughout the New Testament and the Philistines referenced in the Old Testament became extinct during Biblical times, wrote Cardoza-Moore, who leads an evangelical Christian organization that encourages Christians to stand with Israel and the Jewish People against the rise of global anti-Semitism

It appears that Warnock is more interested in pushing a subversive political agenda than teaching Gods word, she remarked. Warnocks teachings are a fusion of two anti-Semitic doctrines that have led to the murder of countless Jews throughout history: Replacement Theology and Liberation Theology.

She added, The fact that Warnock pushes the Palestinian Jesus narrative is indicative of his broader perspective.

His spin doctors are working around the clock to cover his past and paint him as an heir of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr, a Zionist and staunch ally of Israel, when he is actually cut from the same cloth as his teacher Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Cardoza-Moore stated.

Wright, a pastor emeritus of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago and former pastor of President Barack Obama, has made his own controversial remarks, including that blacks should not sing God Bless America but God damn America.
Carolina Foods, a baked goods manufacturer in the US state of North Carolina, has attracted investment from local private-equity firm Falfurrias Capital Partners.

Falfurrias, which also owns the Dukes Mayonnaise and spices and sauces producer Sauer Brands in Virginia, did not disclose the investment amount or potential stake it has taken in Charlotte-based Carolina Foods, a business founded in 1934 employing around 400 people. The private-equity firm, which is located in the city of Charlotte, also counts popcorn seasoning firm Chicago Custom Foods in its portfolio.

Carolina Foods CEO Paul Scarborough, the son of late founder Vernon Scarborough, will remain with the company, as will third-generation leaders Katie Scarborough Caldwell and Ruffin Scarborough, according to a statement from Falfurrias.

The manufacturer produces doughnuts, honey buns, pies and fritters under the Duchess brand sold into foodservice customers, club stores, mass merchandisers and convenience retailers across the US, as well as Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico. It also serves the private label and co-manufacturing sectors from "multiple locations" in Charlotte totalling 240,000 square feet, including a production facility in the city's South End district.



"This partnership will give us the financial resources and management expertise to take Carolina Foods to another level," said CEO Scarborough, who joined the business in 1977. "Falfurrias has a tremendous track record of helping the companies they invest in realise next-stage growth, and their expertise in food marketing and distribution will be especially useful to our organisation."

Marc Oken, the chairman of Falfurrias, established in 2006, added: "We see tremendous growth potential for Carolina Foods, including expanding both its manufacturing capacity and distribution footprint. They've built a fantastic company based on great products, great people and sound management, and we're excited to be partners in this next stage of their development."
MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI  Now that it has an enforceable blight ordinance, Fruitport Township is demanding action from the owner of two half-built and deteriorating hotels.

Township Supervisor Todd Dunham said the owner of the hotels, Stellar Hospitality of Auburn Hills, recently was informed it was in violation of the ordinance and given 10 days to reply with its plans for the neighboring hotel structures.

The owner must respond by this week or legal action will be pursued, Dunham told MLive.

They dont call me back. They wont talk to me, Dunham said.

MLive was unable to reach Stellar Hospitality CEO Malik Abdulnoor for comment.

The hotels are located on Sternberg Road near The Lakes Mall in a busy shopping area. Theyre also near the site of a planned casino.

Construction on the hotels was halted in June 2019 as the result of a successful non-compete lawsuit brought by Parkland Properties, which owns the Delta Marriott and Shoreline Inn hotels in downtown Muskegon.

They have to be torn down, Dunham said. Its a shame to leave us that kind of mess.

Dunham was elected in November 2020. Upon taking office in January, he said he realized the township needed a new blight ordinance.

That ordinance was passed by the township board in February.

Dunham said township residents are fed up.

I get phone calls and pictures sent to me on a daily basis, he said.

The two hotels on which construction began in 2018 were set to be a Holiday Inn Express and a Town Place Suites by Marriott with an opening date in fall 2019.

Parkland Properties, owned by Jon Rooks, filed a lawsuit alleging violations of a non-compete agreement stemming from Rooks purchase of the Marriott  at the time a Holiday Inn  from Abdulnoor.

Rooks purchased the Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor, 939 Third St. in downtown Muskegon, for more than $6 million in June 2013 from an ownership group that included Abdulnoor, according to court documents.

The purchase included a non-compete agreement that prevents the sellers from owning, operating or being involved in any way in a hotel business within 14 miles of the Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor until 2028, according to court documents.

Stellar purchased the property, located 6 miles from the downtown hotel, in March 2017, and construction began on the hotels at 1951 and 1989 E. Sternberg Road in summer 2018.

Abdulnoor funded most of the project but took a silent role and didnt put his name on any public documents, Rooks told MLive earlier.

Rooks discovered Abdulnoors involvement through the International Hotel Group, which granted the Town Place and Holiday Inn franchises to Abdulnoor and his business partner.

Rooks attorneys in March 2019 filed the lawsuit against Abdulnoor and other owner and operator parties for violating the non-compete agreement. Construction stopped on the two hotels shortly after the suit was filed.

Muskegon County Circuit Judge Timothy Hicks ruled in June 2019 that the planned Holiday Inn and Town Place violated the non-compete agreement, according to court documents.

Rooks told MLive he thought the buildings could be turned into apartments.

Read more:

Whats next for the Muskegon County casino project?

2 hotels planned near The Lakes Mall, construction to begin this year

Non-compete lawsuit kills 2 partially-built hotels near Muskegon mall
Human remains found in a remote part of Western Australias Wheatbelt are believed to belong to Wade Cameron Dunn, who was fatally bashed by two drug dealers in 2015.

A WA Police spokeswoman said the remains were found on Monday afternoon in a remote area of the Udumung Nature Reserve in Wannamal.

Wade Cameron Dunn was killed in May 2015. Credit:WAtoday

Mr Dunn was killed by two friends in 2015, who then cut up his body with a chainsaw, with one of them keeping Mr Dunns head in his car for days.

Gary David Jackson, 51, was handed a 22-year minimum jail term for murdering the 40-year-old Ballajura resident at his cousin Mark David Corbetts Alexander Heights home in May 2015.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 21:33:56|Editor: huaxia

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (L, front) walks with Foreign Minister of Pakistan Shah Mahmood Qureshi (R, front) upon his arrival at an airport near Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, April 6, 2021. Sergei Lavrov arrived here on Tuesday for a two-day visit to Pakistan on bilateral and regional matters. (Press Information Department of Pakistan/Handout via Xinhua)

ISLAMABAD, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived here on Tuesday for a two-day visit to Pakistan on bilateral and regional matters.

Foreign Minister of Pakistan Shah Mahmood Qureshi welcomed Lavrov on his arrival, according to the state television of Pakistan.

The Foreign Ministry of Pakistan said on Monday that Lavrov will call on Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and have delegation-level talks with Qureshi.

The foreign ministry said that during the talks between the two foreign ministers, the entire gamut of Pakistan-Russia relations will be reviewed and ways will be discussed to further broaden and deepen bilateral cooperation in diverse fields.

Earlier on Tuesday, Qureshi said in a special video message ahead of the arrival of Lavrov that Pakistan-Russia relations are heading to a new direction with the prospects of enhanced trade and investment opportunities. Enditem
Destroyed: Ballymacelligott Creamery, which was burned down by Crown forces in the War of Independence. Photo courtesy of the National Library

Co-op managers these days might think they have a tough job keeping the business out of the red and keeping farmers happy.

But its a far cry from the challenges faced by their predecessors 100 years ago.

During the War of Independence, co-operatives found themselves on the receiving end of State violence in the most serious threat the movement ever faced.

Co-ops had developed hugely since the establishment of the first creamery in 1889.

And according to historian Patrick Doyle, who has extensively researched the history of the co-operative movement in Ireland, by the eve of World War I, co-ops were mainstream.

Farming had prospered during the Great War and by its conclusion, many farmers were highly reliant on co-ops for their income.

Doyle says it had been a complex journey to that point, highlighting that co-ops were, at first, viewed as a very controversial movement.

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When co-ops were established in a local area, it disrupted the economic fabric of that local area, he says.

It put a lot of noses out of joint. You had butter traders, merchants, commercial travellers and private creamery owners who would have seen the establishment of a co-operative creamery as a direct threat to their economic interests.

Its a very different type of business model. It was democratically owned by the farmers themselves. So it was economically empowering too.

This context is essential, Doyle says, as these tensions came back to the fore during the War of Independence.

Much of the violence associated with this period occurred in rural areas, with a particular concentration in the south-west  the centre of the dairying industry.

Confrontations between the IRA and Crown forces took the form of guerrilla warfare, raids on private property, martial law and industrial strike action, and the spread of terror dominated news stories about Ireland from 1919 until the announcement of a truce in July 1921.

Security policy

Doyle says the decision to target co-ops formed a central component of the British governments security policy.

By 1920, there were over 320 co-operative creameries, across rural Ireland. They are very prominent, visible and hugely important to many families in rural Ireland, he says.

By late summer/autumn of that year, the violence is intensifying and the co-op movement starts to feel the heat somewhat.

During 1920 and the first half of 1921, Crown forces responded to IRA provocation through attacks on co-operative societies as a way to punish a community.

While the British officially deny the involvement of their forces in this behaviour, Doyle says: Whats clear is that across the country in places like Sligo, Tipperary and Kerry, burning of creameries quickly becomes the reaction to local IRA guerrilla activity.

Its essentially a counter-insurgency strategy. If you dont know who the members of the local IRA or theyre on the run, then the decision is to punish the whole community.

Throughout 1920 and 21, IAOS (now ICOS) received regular updates about assaults on co-operative societies.

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One such incident was carried out on the night of October 23, 1920. A party of men travelled to the creamery in a police vehicle and stopped at a house in the townland of Ballydonoghue in Kerry, where they assaulted two young men and bobbed the hair of two girls.

They burned down a large part of the co-operative creamery, destroying machinery, a large quantity of cheese, and 1,000 worth of butter.

Estimated damage to the society stood at between 10,000 and 12,000.

The violence placed severe strain on the movement, with local societies forced to close and national resources stretched to breaking point.

The violent attacks on co-operatives spread anxiety throughout the local population and trade suffered as a result.

According to Doyles research, by January 1, 1921, 42 co-operatives had been destroyed and another 30 societies were described as unfit for work.

Further, it is claimed that each creamery destroyed put 800 farmers out of business.

Indeed an organisation called the Irish White Cross  set up by philanthropists in the United States to raise funds  estimated that 60,000 were exposed to acute distress as a result of losing their ability to make a livelihood.

We are talking about substantial numbers of people affected, Doyle says.

There were rumours of collusion between private creamery owners and the military, encouraging the attacks on co-operatives, but this remains a grey area, Doyle says.

In the later stages of the war, the attacks on co-ops begin to slow down due to public pressure.

But what they start to do then is just close them down, which obviously still impacts the local community.

At a local level, there does seem to be preferential treatment towards private creameries, and certainly a sense the British State was working closely with private creameries rather than the co-ops.

Tensions

What is clear, Doyle says, is that reprisal tactics rekindled socio-economic tensions between co-operative and private creameries that had remained dormant during World War I.

Despite the apparent success of the reprisal strategy from the point of view of the Crown forces, according to Doyle the attacks were ultimately counter-productive.

Violence aimed at co-ops undermined British legitimacy in Ireland, he says, adding: What it ends up doing is rather than quell or undermine IRA attacks, it actually just aggravates them further.

The co-op movement was really nationalised during this time and became an icon of an emerging Irish nation.

After the War of Independence and the creation of the Free State, the co-operative movement has become a national institution and it remains so for the next 40-50 years, says Doyle.
As vaccinations become more widely available for people in the United States and travel starts picking up, many people have started sharing their simple white vaccination cards on social media as prized new possessions.

With some destinations, cruise lines and venues already requiring travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19, keeping that record is key. In New York, for example, proof of vaccination or a recent negative test will be required for entry into large venues or catered events when they are allowed to reopen at reduced capacity Friday. Proof will be required at events with more than 100 people, so anyone having a wedding or Sweet 16 with more attendees will have to ask guests for evidence that they are complying with the rules.

There are already a number of vaccination passport initiatives underway that would make vaccination status easy to share digitally. Clear, a biometric screening program used in airports across the country, and the technology company IBM have created their own passes, for instance. And last week, New York became the first state to introduce a digital tool to allow people to easily show that they have either tested negative or been inoculated against the virus in order to gain entry to some events and venues.

But until such measures are taken more widely across the country, youll want to hang onto that little white card.

Heres everything you need to know about your vaccine record, why its important and how to keep it safe.

Whats on a vaccine card?

The vaccine card, given after your first shot and then updated if your vaccine requires a second one, includes the vaccine manufacturer, the dose numbers and the date and location each was administered, according to Alex Brown, a spokeswoman for Walgreens, which is administering vaccinations at more than 5,000 stores nationwide.

Walgreens, like other providers, is looking to make its records digital, Brown said, but for now it is still handing out cards.

Walmart and Sams Club are already offering their patrons digital access to their vaccine records through both the Health Pass by Clear and the CommonHealth and CommonPass apps from the Geneva-based nonprofit the Commons Project Foundation.

Our goal is to give customers vaccinated at Walmart free and secure digital access to their vaccine record and enable them to share that information with third parties seeking to confirm their vaccination status, John Furner, the chief executive officer and president of Walmart U.S., said in a statement.

What happens if I lose my card?

Getting a new card is easy enough if you got vaccinated at a pharmacy like Walgreens. Brown said that people who lose their card should return to where they were vaccinated and a pharmacy employee can print out a new card from the patients electronic records.

Vaccinations are also tracked by state health departments, so you can reach out to your states agency to get a replacement card, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency lists contact information for the Immunization Information System in each state, which tracks vaccinations, on its website.

How should I safeguard my card?

Start by taking a picture of it with your phone, so youll have the information in your photo library, and emailing it to yourself as backup, said Dr. Uchenna Ikediobi, an assistant professor of general internal medicine and infectious diseases at Yale University.

Laminating your card will make it more durable if youre planning to carry it around in your wallet, although there has been some concern about lamination because it would prevent information from future booster shots from being added. But Ikediobi said that this may be a moot point if new cards are issued after a booster shot, as would seem likely.

A number of companies have jumped in to offer free lamination. Staples is offering free lamination of vaccine cards for those who have gotten their doses, according to Jocelyn Moruzzi, a spokeswoman for the office goods retailer. The offer is valid at all of the companys U.S. locations with the offer code 81450 and does not yet have an end date.

Customers began seeking out ways to protect their COVID-19 vaccine record cards, knowing they will likely be important to have on hand in the future, Craig Grayson, vice president of print and marketing services for Staples, said in an email Wednesday. Leveraging our existing capabilities in store felt like a natural way to provide a free solution.

People can also get their completed vaccine cards laminated for free at Office Depot and OfficeMax stores nationwide using the code 52516714 through July 25.

Ikediobi also recommends keeping the card in a safe place, as you would your passport, rather than carrying it around. It does not necessarily need to be on your person at all times, she said.

Do I need my card to travel?

In some cases, yes. Border entry requirements are set by governments, not by airlines or by the International Air Transport Association, the trade association for the worlds airlines. Some destinations and cruise lines have started requiring that travelers be fully vaccinated before they travel. As of March 26, fully vaccinated Americans who can present proof of vaccination can visit Iceland, for example, and avoid border measures such as testing and quarantining, the countrys government said.

The cruise line Royal Caribbean is requiring passengers and crew members 18 or older to be vaccinated in order to board its ships, as are Virgin Voyages, Crystal Cruises and others. These companies will restart cruise operations this spring and summer. The companies are not yet operating cruises out of U.S. ports because the CDC has yet to give them the guidelines theyll need to follow.

For the moment, airlines are not requiring vaccinations for travel. But the idea has been much talked about in the industry. In an interview with NBC Nightly News recently, Ed Bastian, the chief executive officer of Delta Air Lines, said that proof of vaccination will likely eventually be required on international flights, but whether that is paper proof or a digital vaccine passport, is unclear.

Perry Flint, a spokesperson for the IATA, said that the agency does not support a mandatory vaccine requirement for air travel because it risks discriminating against those markets where vaccines may take longer to become widely available or against those who are not able to get vaccinated for medical reasons, or who are unwilling to do so owing to ethical or other concerns.

Still, the agency is developing its own vaccine pass called Travel Pass, which travelers can use to share COVID-related health information with governments or airlines that require it, Flint said.

Will New York require a vaccine passport?

Gov. Andrew Cuomo last week announced the launch of Excelsior Pass, a free app that will allow businesses to scan a code to confirm whether someone has been vaccinated or tested negative for the coronavirus. To sign up, New York residents should visit the Excelsior Pass website, where they will be asked to enter their name, date of birth and ZIP code. A pass  a QR code that can be scanned by businesses  will automatically be generated using data from state vaccination records or testing lab data.

No one is required to download Excelsior Pass, according to a spokesman for the governors office. The pass generated on the website can be printed out, or you can show your vaccine card or evidence of a negative test result instead.

Will the Biden administration require a vaccine passport?

Among the Biden administrations executive orders aimed at curbing the pandemic is one that asked government agencies to assess the feasibility of producing digital versions of vaccination documents. But while the government is involved in these efforts, the administration has said that it would not be passing a federal mandate or distributing its own vaccine passport.

In a White House COVID-19 news conference Monday, Andy Slavitt, the acting director for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said that unlike other parts of the world, the government here is not viewing its role as the place to create a passport, nor a place to hold the data of citizens.

We view this as something that the private sector is doing and will do, he said. Whats important to us  and were leading an interagency process right now to go through these details  are that some important criteria be met with these credentials, including equitable access and privacy and security concerns.

Are there other benefits?

Yes. Businesses across the country, from bars to marijuana dispensaries, have been offering perks to those with a COVID-19 vaccination card. Krispy Kreme, for instance, said last week that for the rest of the year, it would give one free glazed doughnut per day to anyone who presents proof of a COVID-19 vaccination.

Michael Tattersfield, the companys chief executive, told Fox News that as vaccinations have accelerated across the country, We made the decision that, Hey, we can support the next act of joy, which is, if you come by, show us a vaccine card, get a doughnut any time, any day, every day if you choose to.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
Craig Gold has been forecasting weather here in the Capital Region for nearly six years in his role as a meteorologist at CBS6 News.

Gold's weather career started back in 2004 down in Panama City Beach, Floria. Along the way, he's covered some wild stuff including hurricanes and was even the designated "station storm chaser" while working in Topeka, Kansas.

But, there's a lot more to this veteran meteorologist, who is today's 20 things, than reporting the weather.
(Natural News) CNNs Chris Fredo Cuomo spoke to former Planned Parenthood president Dr. Leana Wen the other day about the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) mass injection campaign, during which she openly admitted that freedom must be dangled in front of Americans like a carrot to coerce them into complying.

There is still so much vaccine hesitancy that Wen feels as though businesses need to remain closed and lives ruined if there is going to be any incentive at all for unvaccinated stragglers to finally agree to get jabbed.

If everything is reopened, then whats the carrot going to be? Wen asked Cuomo. How are we going to incentivize people to actually get the vaccine?

In Wens view, the Biden regime must team up with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to make an even bolder statement about the need to be vaccinated in order to bring about a new normal.

So thats why I think the CDC and Biden [regime] needs to come out a lot bolder and say, If you are vaccinated, you can do all these things. Here are all these freedoms you have,' Wen stated, indicating that she believes the government grants people freedom.

Because otherwise, people are going to go out and enjoy these freedoms anyway, and I fear a situation of coming into the fall where we never reach herd immunity, and then we get hit by the next surge of Covid-19 in the fall, she added. Something we could have prevented, if we just got people vaccinated now.

Globalists like Wen and Cuomo want you dead from your vaccination

Truth be told, the world reached herd immunity against the Chinese virus a long time ago. The problem is that the concept of herd immunity has been redefined to mean only those who have been vaccinated.

This means that even if an unvaccinated person is healthy and vibrant and never contracts Chinese germs, he or she will always be a risk in the eyes of the government. Merely existing as an unvaccinated person, in other words, now means that the new definition of herd immunity can never be achieved.

I know thats hard for a lot of people to believe  and theyre thinking, oh, its just a small percentage of people who are actually anti-vaxxers, and thats true, theres the anti-science, anti-vaxxer contingent, Wen whined.

But there are many more people, millions of people who for whatever reason have concerns about the vaccine, who just dont know whats in it for them. And we need to make it clear to them that the vaccine is the ticket back to pre-pandemic life.

If it is not already clear, the goal is to get everyone jabbed through any means possible. Whatever is in those syringes must be injected into the bodies of all humans in order for the next phase of the globalist takeover to work.

This writer has brought to your attention the Mark of the Beast elements associated with this vaccine. It appears to be a foundation for later installments of the Mark of the Beast, which cannot be reversed once inserted into the body.

In fact, even the mRNA (messenger RNA) component cannot be reversed, and many have speculated as to what will soon happen to everyone who has been injected with it  and it is not good, to be clear.

Even so, mainstream fake news outlets like CNN are going to push and push until most people are jabbed. Once that has been accomplished, the plan is more than likely to bully the resistant minority into complying or else face ostracization.

To learn more about how Chinese virus vaccines are injuring and killing thousands, be sure to check out ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

TheNationalPulse.com

NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com
Lucknow: The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has said that the candidates in the upcoming panchayat elections will be allowed to campaign only in groups of five.

The state government also ordered them to compulsorily wear masks while campaigning. Among other measures, the state government has said that not more than 100 persons will be allowed at a time in weddings and other functions in view of the spiralling Covid-19 cases.

The Chief Minister gave these instructions at a meeting of Team 11 on Monday morning. Guests will have to adhere to safety protocols that include wearing masks and maintaining social distancing, the state government order said.

The new order, issued on Monday, is bound to cause considerable inconvenience to those who are hosting weddings in the coming days and have already invited guests more than the prescribed numbers.

"My daughter`s wedding is on April 23 and I have already sent out invites to about 200 persons, besides there will be guests coming with the `baraat`. I do not know how to tell the guests now that I am withdrawing the invite. This is impossible," said Shriram Swarup, a local businessman.

India recorded 96,982 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours that took the country's active count to 7.88 lakh, as per the data official data released on Tuesday (April 6, 2021) morning.

India also recorded 50,143 recoveries along with 446 deaths in the last 24 hours. The country's COVID-19 total has now soared to 1.26 crore (1,26,86,049), of which, 1.17 crore (1,17,32,279) have recovered, whereas, 1.16 lakh (1,65,547) have died of the virus.

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Farm incomes in Scotland fell by more than a third in 2019/20 to its second lowest value over the last eight years, according to the Scottish government.

Average income declined 36% to 25,800 from the high estimate of 40,300 the previous year, its new report estimates.

This is a result of increased costs, decreased revenues and support payments in a number of different areas.

The cost of raw materials to farms increased while the value of outputs decreased, the Scottish government explains.

Income from support payments - which play an important role in farm income - and diversified activities also decreased.

The average Scottish farming business made a loss of around 17,100 without additional support in 2019-20, the report says.

The figures are based on the latest published statistics for the period 2019-20, a period where some farm activity may have been impacted by the pandemic.

Farms which do not receive support payments, such as pigs, poultry and horticulture, are not included in the survey.

The Scottish government said: Losses to the business were offset mainly by support payments; direct payments to farmers continued to have the largest impact on overall farm income."

"Farms on average made a loss from agricultural activity of 25,500, over twice the loss made in the previous year.

"Agricultural output decreased by five per cent on average. Output value from potatoes and cereals decreased and affected some farm types more than others.

"Input costs also increased by two per cent overall."

The report also says that just over half of farm businesses (52%) could not afford to pay at least the minimum agricultural wage of 8.12 per hour.

Meanwhile, nearly a third (29%) were unable to provide any earnings to unpaid labour from farm income.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 6, 2021) - Stakeholder Gold Corporation (TSXV: SRC) ("Stakeholder" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a new monthly production and sales record for the month of March 2021, and prospects for increasing production and sales of Blue Quartzite in Q2, 2021. Exotic Blue Quartzite is produced and sold from the Company's wholly owned operating quarry in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

During the month of March 2021 VMC (a wholly owned subsidiary of Stakeholder) produced and sold 180 m3 of exotic Blue Quartzite to high-end commercial customers in Brazil and Europe. Block sales resulted in gross revenues for the month of March, 2021 of 2 Million Reais ($450,000 CAD).

One buyer of the Company's exotic Blue Quartzite stone has committed to buying 100 m3 per month and the Company has restricted sales to 4 regular domestic and international customers. VMC expects to support production and sales of more than 240 m3 per month in Q2, 2021 with resulting monthly revenues exceeding 2.6 Million Reais ($600,000 CAD), or $1,800,000 CAD for the quarter.

"Market interest in the Company's exotic Blue Quartzite material has been better than first projected. We have engaged competent operators and provided production incentives which have resulted in high levels of motivation and achievement, while simultaneously supporting safe worksite practices. Strong demand for our exotic Blue Quartzite material has resulted in buying groups from Brazil and Europe requesting recurring block material orders. We now anticipate being able to achieve annual production and sales of 3,000 m3 resulting in annualized gross revenues exceeding 30 Million Reais ($6,800,000 CAD)," stated Marcus Chase, President of VMC.

"The success of our cash flow generating exotic Blue Quartzite operation in Brazil enables us to conduct non-dilutive exploration on the Company's Ballarat Gold Project in the Yukon Territory of Canada, and to consider further value accretive initiatives for the Company." Stated Christopher Berlet, President & CEO of Stakeholder.

About Stakeholder

Stakeholder Gold Corp. is a junior resource company developing cash flow from the production and sale of exotic Blue Quartzite at its wholly owned Blue Quartzite quarry in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Stakeholder Gold Corp. also has 100% ownership of the Ballarat Gold Project which holds 7,442 hectares of claims located in the heart of the White Gold District of the Yukon Territory, Canada. The Company's Ballarat Project claim group includes an area extending over 10 km of the road construction route for the Northern Gateway Road which is being built to service the White Gold District. The Ballarat claim group also includes title to 10 claims located within the nearby Coffee Project which is being developed by Newmont Corp. south of the Yukon river.

For further information please contact:

Stakeholder Gold Corporation

Telephone: (416) 525 - 6869

cberlet@stakeholdergold.com

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking information. All information, other than information of historical fact, constitute "forward-looking statements" and includes any information that addresses activities, events, or developments that the Corporation believes, expects, or anticipates will or may occur in the future including the Corporation's strategy, plans or future financial or operating performance.

When used in this news release, the words "estimate", "project", "anticipate", "expect", "intend", "believe", "hope", "may" and similar expressions, as well as "will", "shall" and other indications of future tense, are intended to identify forward- looking information. The forward-looking information is based on current expectations and applies only as of the date on which they were made. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, the ability of the Corporation to fund the exploration expenditures required under the Agreement. Other factors such as uncertainties regarding government regulations could also affect the results. Other risks may be set out in the Corporation's annual financial statements, MD&A and other publicly filed documents.

The Corporation cautions that there can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as required by law, the Corporation does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking information contained in this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service 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/79493
[April 06, 2021] RAY the Autonomous UVC Disinfecting Robot Manufactured by aero hygenx Enters Service on Hydro-Quebec Dash 8 Aircraft

Designed and manufactured by aero hygenx inc. in Canada , with support from De Havilland Canada, the autonomous disinfection robot, RAY provides a consistent, sustainable and chemical-free method to disinfect cabin air and surfaces between flights





, with support from De Havilland Canada, the autonomous disinfection robot, RAY provides a consistent, sustainable and chemical-free method to disinfect cabin air and surfaces between flights Images relating to this release are available at: https://dehavilland.com/en/media OTTAWA, ON and TORONTO, April 6, 2021 /CNW/ - Canadian-based operator of Dash 8 aircraft, Hydro-Quebec, has introduced cabin disinfection procedures between flights utilizing the autonomous robot, RAY. It is the first use of a cabin disinfecting procedure using ultraviolet-C (UVC) light delivered by an autonomous robot on in-service regional aircraft and follows Hydro-Quebec's acquisition of the robot from designer and manufacturer aero hygenx inc. Hydro-Quebec, Canada's largest electricity producer, operates three Dash 8-300 and Dash 8-400 aircraft manufactured by De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited ("De Havilland Canada"). RAY delivers high-frequency UVC light that destroys up to 99.9% of pathogens - including the COVID-19 virus. The use of UVC light reduces the need for frequent chemical-based disinfection that could impact aircraft interior surfaces and sensitive equipment, and leave residues that may come into contact with passengers and crew. The payback period for RAY is less than 12 months and operators will see significant savings compared to when using chemical disinfectants. In collaboration with De Havilland Canada, RAY has been optimized for use on the Dash 8 Series aircraft. "With the COVID-19 pandemic surging on, it is important that we utilize effective and efficient disinfection techniques to ensure a pathogen-free cabin. We believe that RAY will be beneficial to our operation while providing a high level of confidence to employees who fly on our Dash 8 shuttle to the hydro-electric generating sites," said Rene Collin, Manager  Air Transport, Hydro-Quebec. "Rapid, consistent, and chemical-free disinfection of air and surfaces is vital for employee and passenger safety in the fight against andemics," said Arash Mahin, Chief Executive Officer, aero hygenx. "We are mindful of the industry's economic challenges and are confident that RAY will deliver significant cost savings for aircraft operators from the onset. We are grateful and fortunate to have the support of De Havilland Canada, an aviation industry visionary, in helping us adapt RAY to assist the industry in these challenging times."



"The completion of development and testing of an innovative, chemical-free disinfection method at a rapid pace is a testament to the agility and versatility of the aero hygenx and De Havilland Canada teams who worked alongside each other to adapt RAY to cater to regional aircraft operations," said Robert Mobilio, Vice President, Engineering and Quality, De Havilland Canada. "The vision was to create a solution that would provide immediate benefits to the entire regional aviation industry during the ongoing pandemic, as well as in the post-pandemic era where enhanced disinfection is expected to be a mainstay. Hydro-Quebec is a highly accomplished, long-standing Dash 8 operator and we are happy to have them on board as launch customer for RAY." Optimized for use on Dash 8 Series aircraft, RAY has a compact body while still delivering the required UVC dosage and 360 coverage throughout the cabin, lavatories and crew area. The disinfection procedure between flights on Dash 8 Series aircraft can be completed in under five minutes, and no time is required to allow chemicals to dissipate before crew and passengers can board the aircraft, as is the case when chemical disinfection methods are used. Data analysis and reporting is available via the cloud-based HygenX Stream.

About Hydro-Quebec

Hydro-Quebec generates, transmits and distributes electricity. It is Canada's largest electricity producer and ranks among the world's largest hydropower producers. Its sole shareholder is the Quebec government. The company uses mainly renewable generating options, in particular large hydro. Its research facilities, collectively called Institut de recherche d'Hydro-Quebec (IREQ), conduct R&D in energy-related fields, including energy efficiency and storage. www.hydroquebec.com/ About aero hygenx

aero hygenx is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, where it has developed and manufactures its revolutionary autonomous UVC robot called RAY. Its founders and executives have a passion for the aviation industry and a combined 80+ years of experience in safety and quality management, airline operations, software, electrical engineering and electromagnetics. The company's vision is to instill confidence in passengers to travel again and set a new precedent in the transportation disinfecting industry. www.aerohygenx.com About De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited

De Havilland Canada's portfolio includes support to the worldwide fleet of Dash 8 Series aircraft (Dash 8-100/200/300/400 aircraft), as well as production and sales of the Dash 8-400 aircraft. With its low carbon footprint and operating costs, industry-leading passenger experience and jet-like performance, the Dash 8-400 aircraft, which seats up to 90 passengers, is the environmentally responsible choice for operators seeking optimal performance on regional routes. De Havilland Canada is a part of the Longview Aviation Capital family of companies. https://dehavilland.com De Havilland, Dash 8, Dash 8-100/200/300 and Dash 8-400 are trademarks of De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited. SOURCE De Havilland Aircraft of Canada

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American culture is a grand mix of the old and the not so old, as we all know. As is true in other cultures, including the island culture here Read more
Today Kansas City voters are likely to overwhelmingly endorse a tax and economic model that's quickly becoming obsolete.

Definition of terms . . .



In modern usage, late capitalism often refers to a new mix of high-tech advances, the concentration of (speculative) financial capital, post-Fordism, and a growing income inequality.

However . . .

In KCMO the E-Tax exemplifies "late capitalism" in a few frightening ways . . .

- As a selling point, the E-tax is leveled against people who don't get to vote. Supporters proudly proclaim: "Half the revenue generated by the e-tax is paid by people who live OUTSIDE Kansas City." And so, an effectively exploited and longstanding loophole in representative Democracy maintains this crucial revenue source.



- Telecommuting could quickly make the E-tax obsolete. The pandemic hastened workers simply avoiding KCMO and current world of wireless work threatens to siphon revenue from an old school economy based on internal combustion engine commuting.



- There is no viable backup plan. For a decade we've heard promises that local leaders will find other revenue sources but nothing has manifested over that time. Instead, taxpayer support of developer speculation and tourism schemes simply hope to distract voters.

Accordingly, economist critics of capitalism need look no further than Kansas City as an example of unsustainable "late capitalism" that risks implosion by way of divisive politics and poor planning for the future.



Check big picture further reading . . .

KCTV5: On April 6, Kansas City to vote on 1% earnings tax renewal

Decider: WeWork: or The Making and Breaking of a $47 Billion Unicorn on Hulu, a Late-Capitalism Documentary About a Steve Jobs Wannabe

Jacobin: The British Monarchy Will Not Survive Late Capitalism  And Harry and Meghan Are Proof

Romper: Universal Basic Income Came To My County  Its Not Enough, But Its A Start

NYMag: "Americas loss of faith may have won Biden the presidency."

Vanity Fair: Republicans Horrified at Bidens Plan to Fix the Country by Taxing the Rich

You decide . . .
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Orange Belgium will publish its results for the first quarter of 2021 on Wednesday, April 21 at 07:00 CET.



Orange Belgium Investor Relations is pleased to invite investors and analysts to participate in a conference call hosted by:

Xavier Pichon, CEO

Antoine Chouc, CFO

Koen Van Mol, Investor Relations

The conference call will start at 2:00 pm CET (1:00 pm UK / 8:00 am EST). To access the call, please dial one of the following numbers 5-10 minutes prior to the start of the conference call in order to avoid waiting time. Consequently register with following pin code: 48339699# and provide your name and the company you work for.

Belgium +32 24035816 Canada +1 4162164194 France +33 172727403 Germany +49 69222225429 Ireland +353 15060451 Italy +39 0236013817 Luxembourg +352 27300163 Netherlands +31 207095119 Spain +34 911140101 Switzerland +41 445831805 United Kingdom +44 2071943759 United States +1 6467224916

The recorded session will be available after the conference call and can be downloaded from our website. You will find the link to access the recorded session on the website below.

The press release for the first quarter of 2021, the roadshow presentation and the results toolkit will be available on Wednesday, April 21 on the financial section of the corporate website at Financial results

About Orange Belgium

Orange Belgium is a leading telecommunications operator on the Belgian market with over 3 million customers; Orange is also active in Luxembourg through its subsidiary Orange Communications Luxembourg.

As a convergent actor, we provide mobile telecommunications services, internet and TV to private clients as well as innovative mobile and fixed-line services to businesses. Our high-performance mobile network supports 2G, 3G, 4G and 4G+ technology and is the subject of ongoing investment.

Orange Belgium is a subsidiary of the Orange Group, one of the leading European and African operators for mobile telephony and internet access, as well as one of the world leaders in telecommunications services for enterprises.

Orange Belgium is listed on the Brussels Stock Exchange (OBEL).

For more information: corporate.orange.be , www.orange.be or follow us on Twitter: @pressOrangeBe.

Investors contact

Koen Van Mol - koen.vanmol@orange.com - +32 (0) 495 55 14 99

Ana Castano  ana.castanolopez@orange.com - +32 (0) 468 46 95 31

ir@orange.be

Press contacts

Younes Al Bouchouari - younes.albouchouari@orange.be - +32 (0)477 69 87 73

press@orange.be

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[April 06, 2021] Paytronix Integration Brings Enterprise Customer Experience Solution to Revel Systems Cloud-Based Point of Sale

NEWTON, Mass., April 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Paytronix Systems, Inc., the most advanced digital guest experience platform, today announced that it has integrated its loyalty platform with the Revel Systems cloud-based point of sale (POS) and business platform. Restaurants and retailers that have deployed Revel Enterprise can quickly access the full Paytronix Rewards platform -- which includes loyalty, online ordering/delivery management, and stored value.

Revel is bringing retailers the tools they need to identify and market to customers right at the POS with on-demand cloud access to Paytronix loyalty and customer engagement solutions, said Matt dArbeloff, head of strategy for Paytronix Systems. With this Revel integration, customers can simply deploy the Paytronix solutions right from the Revel cloud for a loyalty solution proven to drive additional visits and spend. For Revel Enterprise customers, the Paytronix integration provides access to its key offerings: Paytronix Loyalty makes it easy to start enrolling guests with information automatically pulled from the POS ordering process. Promotions and discounts can happen at the item level, enabling guests to redeem multiple rewards within a single order. Accruals and redemptions happen in real time and all rewards available are shown on the POS.

Paytronix Order & Delivery provides a flexible, feature-rich platform for rapid processing of digital orders, seamlessly linked with loyalty. An easy-to-use guest ordering interface is displayed directly on the Revel POS and includes both digital ordering management tools and links to incorporate premier third-party aggregators.

Gift and comp cards programs  including sales, redemption and accounting across multiple locations -- can also be managed via the Revel Management Console.





Revel is proud to bring Paytronix to our clients through this integration, making it easy for Revel Enterprise clients to launch innovative reward programs and loyalty solutions, said Chris Lybeer, Chief Strategy Officer, Revel Systems. Revel is now the solution of choice for large chains implementing a cloud-based POS. A key part of our success in this market segment is Revel Enterprises Open API, which makes it easy to extend our platform with best-of-breed solutions like Paytronix. Revels cloud platform is designed for multi-location merchants with complex requirements, providing an intuitive, secure and flexible POS and business platform anchored by the industrys market-leading iPad tablet. The Paytronix integration makes it easier to deploy loyalty and rewards, as well as new features and other Paytronix functionality, pushing software updates out over the cloud and eliminating the need to physically visit each store location to make an upgrade. Paytronix provides all the tools to collect and analyze data for managing customer relationships both on- and off-premises, presenting opportunities and promotional suggestions that motivate more visits and greater spend.

For more information about how to leverage Paytronix on the Revel POS, visit www.Paytronix.com or call 617-649-3300 ext. 5. About Paytronix Systems, Inc.

Based in Newton, Massachusetts, Paytronix is a provider of SaaS customer experience management (CXM) solutions for restaurants and convenience stores. Through its innovative software design and integrations with more than 30 widely used point-of-sale systems, Paytronix empowers more than 400 brands across 30,000 locations, giving them the flexibility to deliver unique, revenue-enhancing guest experiences. Through one-to-one engagement with more than 285 million guests via Order & Delivery, Loyalty, CRM, and Stored Value, Paytronix generates Big Data consumer insights that motivate increased visits and spend. For more information, visit www.paytronix.com. About Revel Systems

Revels point of sale and business solutions provide a native cloud technology platform that is at the heart of our clients businesses. The Revel platform helps restaurants and retailers deliver a better customer experience, diversify revenue streams, and scale their businesses with ease. The Revel Essentials solution, which has been deployed at thousands of customer locations, is designed for the needs of small chains. The Revel Enterprise solution is tailored for large chains and leads the industry with a broad footprint of national, big brand customer implementations. Revel is committed to client success and strives to be a people-first business, leading with integrity and transparency. For more information, please visit http://revelsystems.com or call (415) 744-1433. Paytronix Media Contact

Chuck Tanowitz

Paytronix Systems, Inc.

+1.617.871.2319

ctanowitz@paytronix.com Revel Media Contact

Sara Long

Spark for Revel Systems

revel@sparkpr.com



[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
HaluGen's DNA genetic testing provides insights into the sensitivity and risks associated with psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 6, 2021) - Entheon Biomedical Corp. (CSE: ENBI) (FSE: 1XU1) ("Entheon" or the "Company"), a biotechnology company focused on developing psychedelic medicines to treat addiction, announces the launch of the industry's first Psychedelics Genetic Test Kit, developed by wholly-owned subsidiary, HaluGen Life Sciences Inc. ("HaluGen"), and that it is now available for sale within Canada.

HaluGen's psychedelic pre-screening platform and DNA testing provides genetic, personal and familial insights to better inform one's psychedelic assisted therapy experience. By obtaining DNA test results, individuals and healthcare professionals are equipped with data to improve psychedelic assisted therapy patient care and reduce side effects and risk. The first of its kind, the proprietary test kit and platform are also expected to be available for purchase in US market within the coming months. The Company is currently pursuing various strategic partnerships with the goal of building brand awareness.

For more information on pricing and ordering, please visit HaluGen's website at www.HaluGen.com.

HaluGen's genetic-based testing platform was developed and tested in partnership with Lobo Genetics Inc. ("Lobo"), a Toronto-based healthcare technology company that has successfully commercialized a THC and CBD Genetic Test. Based on a Product Supply and Testing Services Agreement between Lobo and HaluGen, Lobo completed the requirements for the commercialization of the Psychedelic Pre-Screening Genetic Test, including the completion of the Assay Development and Technology Platform; the creation of operating procedures and the deployment and successful testing of the technology platform.

The Psychedelics Genetic Test leverages Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technology, which is a well-established method for genotyping and analyzing DNA. Customers receive a swab kit that is shipped directly to their home which they can then register on HaluGen's secure online portal. After a non-invasive cheek swab sample is taken, the kit is returned to be processed at HaluGen's Toronto-based testing facility. A personalized genetic profile with five individualized sensitivity and risk reports is sent directly to the customer and they are also given access to pre-screening mental health surveys and relevant peer-reviewed scientific studies.

Genetics can play an important role in how an individual responds to psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. For example, the HTR2A gene mutation, carried by ~20% of the population, can impact how a person responds to serotonin, which is the primarily mechanism of action for serotonergic psychedelics such as psilocybin, LSD and DMT. Another gene, CYP2B6, can influence the metabolism of ketamine for the 10-20% of people that carry a specific CYP2B6 gene variant.

HaluGen's Psychedelics Genetic Test provides users with personalized reports and actionable insights, delivered directly to one's smartphone, providing a convenient and safe means to better understand an individual's sensitivity to classical psychedelics and ketamine. The test also provides insights into the short and long-term potential of psychedelic-induced risks, such as psychosis.

"The launch of HaluGen's Psychedelics Genetic Test is not only a first in the psychedelics industry, but also an important milestone for both Entheon and HaluGen. For patients considering psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, and providers alike, this product gives greater insight into how an individual's genetic profile could impact treatment, ultimately improving outcomes," said Chief Executive Officer, Timothy Ko. "For Entheon, the launch of this product also represents our first revenue stream as we work to develop commercial partnerships for the mass sale of the test. Lastly, for HaluGen, the launch is the culmination of much hard work and dedication in proving out and commercializing the test, so a well-deserved congratulations to the entire HaluGen team."

"HaluGen's psychedelics genetic testing service has successfully leveraged Lobo's proven direct to consumer genetics technology," said Chief Executive Officer, John Lem, of Lobo Genetics. "HaluGen has created additional innovative features and functionality specifically designed to better inform and educate individuals as part of their psychedelics pre-screening platform, and we are thrilled to be their partner to assist them in their technology development."

About Entheon Biomedical Corp.

Entheon is a biotechnology research and development company committed to developing and commercializing a portfolio of safe and effective Dimethyltryptamine based psychedelic therapeutic products ("DMT Products") for the purposes of treating addiction and substance use disorders. Subject to obtaining all requisite regulatory approvals and permits, Entheon intends to generate revenue through the sale of its DMT Products to physicians, clinics and licensed psychiatrists in the United States, certain countries in the European Union and throughout Canada.

About HaluGen Life Sciences Inc.

HaluGen has developed a DNA testing and personalized psychedelic pre-screening platform that provides genetic, personal and familial insights to better inform the psychedelic experience, with the goal of improving patient care and reducing side effects and risk. HaluGen's genetic-based psychedelic pre-screening platform helps evaluate an individual's overall sensitivity and risk profile when using hallucinogenic drugs. This platform is the first of its kind with test results available within days. https://www.halugen.com

For more information, please contact the Company at:

Entheon Biomedical Corp.

Joseph Cullen, Investor Relations

Telephone: +1 (778) 919-8615

joe@entheonbiomedical.com

https://www.entheonbiomedical.com

For media inquiries, please contact Crystal Quast at:

Bullseye Corporate

Crystal Quast

Telephone: +1 (647) 529-6364

Quast@BullseyeCorporate.com

Cautionary Note on Forward Looking Information

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements with respect to HaluGen's genetic testing kit, potential market, generation of revenue by the Company, the efficacy of the products, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Often, but not always, forward looking information can be identified by words such as "pro forma", "plans", "expects", "will", "may", "should", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "potential" or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. 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 differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, the Company being able to follow through with anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, completion of the milestones in connection with the issuance of the Compensation Shares, the ability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to fund its business activities and plans, delays in obtaining regulatory approvals (including of the Canadian Securities Exchange), changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting the Company's operations and the Company's limited operating history.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this presentation or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise required by law.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79499
Mozambiques government said it is reclaiming territory from Islamic State-affiliated insurgents that besieged the key northern coastal town of Palma, with some of the thousands of civilians who fled now going back to take stock of their losses.

The population is returning, but they have nothing to eat because the terrorists have looted almost everything, Agostinho Muthisse, a Mozambican military commander, said to a small group of journalists that the government flew in to visit Palma on Sunday.

Militants armed with rocket launchers, rifles and machetes began an assault on Palma  a town of 75,000 in Mozambiques impoverished but resource-rich province of Cabo Delgado  on March 24. That day, the French oil gas company Total had planned to resume work on a nearby liquified natural gas (LNG) project after insecurity forced it to suspend operations in December. By last Friday, the company had withdrawn all its personnel.

The fresh attacks have uprooted more than 9,100 people in the province, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Even before the recent attacks there had been roughly 670,000 internally displaced people since 2017 as a result of the insurgency in northern Mozambique OCHA said.

One week since the attack on Palma, #Mozambique, began, the security situation reportedly remains volatile and thousands of people are on the move in search of safety & assistance.

Nearly 9,200 have already arrived in other districts of #CaboDelgado: https://t.co/bCfsRwb3JL pic.twitter.com/JXKTeEt9wL  OCHA Southern & Eastern Africa (@UNOCHA_ROSEA) April 2, 2021

Dozens of civilians died in the siege, according to the government. Also, a significant number of terrorists  were shot down, Commander Chongo Vidigal told state television TVM on Sunday, Agence France-Presse (AFP), the French news agency reported Monday. The dead included at least several foreigners, including British and South African nationals.

Vidigal, who led the military operation in Palma, said authorities would provide a more specific tally later.

Palma is under 100% control by Mozambican authorities, Cabo Delgado Governor Valygi Tualibo told visiting journalists, AFP reported.

But some experts are skeptical of the governments claims about the militants deaths and about Palmas security  details hard to verify independently because of limited access.

Call for outside help

A growing chorus is calling for Mozambiques government to bring in more reinforcements against the armed militants, who call themselves al-Shabab. Unafiliated with the Somalia-based terrorist group that shares the name, they pledge fealty to the Islamic State.

In this image taken from militant video released by the Islamic State group on Monday March 29, 2021, purporting to show fighters near the strategic north eastern Mozambique town of Palma.

The government urgently needs help from the Southern African Development Community and the African Union, Dewa Mavhinga, southern Africa director for Human Rights Watch, wrote last week in an op-ed for News 24.

He encouraged Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi, current SADC chairperson, to tap into regional support to ensure civilian protection against attacks and to restore security in Cabo Delgado.

Mavhinga, who also accused the African Union of being slow to act in the Cabo Delgado crisis, recommended that SADC and the AU consider appointing special envoys to lead stepped-up efforts to protect civilians, end the abuses by armed groups and government security forces, and ensure accountability.

Amnesty International, in a report in early March, called upon the African Union to get more involved in resolving Cabo Delgados massive humanitarian crisis.

SADC already has met several times on the issue.

Separately, several sources in South African President Cyril Ramaphosas administration told VOA they've been trying to get Maputo's cooperation for a long time, to no avail.

South Africa is pivotal to at least decreasing the violence, Liesl Louw-Vaudran, a senior researcher with the Institute for Security Studies in Pretoria, told VOA.

The Maputo government has accepted limited support from outsiders, Louw-Vaudran noted.

"The stumbling block seems to be that Mozambique doesn't want help from the neighbors, Louw-Vaudran said.  Is it because Mozambique doesn't want to admit that its army is too weak to actually safeguard citizens?

Military training

The Pentagon announced March 15 that a team of U.S. Special Operations Forces had just launched a two-month program to train and support Mozambican marines in fighting violent extremism. Portugal also is training troops to take on the insurgents.

Mozambique also has been paying the Dyck Advisory Group, a South Africa-based private military company, to supply security agents and helicopter gunships to bolster Mozambican forces. These agents been accused of atrocities in Cabo Delgado. Dycks contract with Mozambique expires Tuesday, DAG founder Lionel Dyck confirmed to AFP.

Willem Els, a former senior South African police and intelligence officer, pointed out the insurgencys broadening threat.

It has drawn in foreign fighters from especially Tanzania as far as Somalia, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, DRC and even South Africa, he told VOA. So, what started off as a very localized challenge is now a regional challenge.

Trouble ahead?

Eva Renon, a senior analyst with the London-based risk and research firm HIS Markit, anticipates more danger.

Unless the security situation changes significantly, she wrote in an assessment posted Monday on the company website,in the next six months insurgents are likely to attempt to capture Pemba, the Cabo Delgado provincial capital.

Renon also wrote that insurgents will likely target beachfront hotels, government facilities, and the personnel and assets of non-governmental organizations, the Catholic Church, and the United Nations.

The analyst sees other potential hazards. If insurgents capture Pemba, she wrote, they are likely to turn their attention west to areas around the Cabo communities of Montepuez and Balama. These areas are rich in ruby and graphite deposits, respectively, with the insurgents likely to seek to extort then ultimately control mining operations, with associated risks of kidnap, injury, and death to mining staff and subcontractors.

Most observers agree the long-term solution lies in SADC states, the African Union and the United Nations drawing up a road map to peace, with special emphasis on the development of Cabo Delgado. This would mean less opportunity for the extremists to exploit local grievances.

This report originated in VOAs Africa Division, with Darren Taylor reporting for the English to Africa Service from Johannesburg and Simiao Pongoane for the Portuguese Service from Maputo.
Financial situations worsening for consumers has been widely discussed amid the Covid-19 pandemic. However, many consumers managed to bypass this financial squeeze and have incidentally become efficient savers.

This trend should not be overlooked by tourism companies which need to realise that not all travelers will be wanting a budget-friendly option for their next holiday, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

With saved cash that has accumulated during the pandemic, many travellers may be planning to spend more than usual on their next trip.

According to GlobalDatas survey, when global respondents were asked if they were concerned about their personal financial situation, 13% stated that they were not concerned. Although this is still significantly less than the 34% that stated they are extremely concerned, it means that over one in ten of the global travel market could be financially unaffected by the pandemic and have even saved a considerable amount.

Ralph Hollister, Travel and Tourism Analyst at GlobalData, comments: Many of the travellers that make up this 13% are likely to be white-collar workers that can work effectively at home. Due to spending the vast majority of their time being confined to their homes in the past year, the urge to travel would have built up. This urge, combined with a significant increase in savings, could mean that many of these travelers will have developed a treat yourself mentality, to combat the impact of the pandemic which has increased boredom and frustration for many. This mentality could be present as these consumers start planning their next holiday, which could result in them spending more on room upgrades, business class flights and higher quality rental vehicles.

As well as saving money on commuting, eating out and on other recreational activities, many of these consumers who have been unaffected by the pandemic have also saved by not booking a holiday last year, or by having their cancelled trip refunded. This could mean that for their next trip, they will go bigger and better on more luxurious travel services and products. This trend could also be driven by a now or never mentality, as when travelers have the opportunity to go on holiday, they will spend significantly more and stay for longer in case another situation like the Covid-19 pandemic reoccurs, Hollister said. -TradeArabia News Service
A 24-year-old Indiana man is facing several charges of attempted murder after he was arrested in Indiana in connection with Portland demonstrations from last fall and is accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at officers on two separate occasions.

Malik Muhammed, 24, was arrested Friday in Indianapolis on multiple warrants. He faces charges of first- and second-degree attempted murder, attempted aggravated murder, unlawful manufacture of a destructive device and unlawful use of a weapon.

A grand jury indicted Muhammed on March 22 on 28 criminal counts, according to the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office. Investigators believe Muhammed traveled from Indiana to Portland specifically to commit those crimes and then returned home, prosecutors said.

Muhammeds charges stemmed from four different occasions, three in September and one in October, the District Attorneys Office said in a statement.

Police said Muhammed is suspected of throwing an incendiary device, which did not explode, at police officers at the Penumbra Kelly Building, a Southeast Portland building that houses some Portland Police and Multnomah County Sheriffs Office operations, on Sept. 21.

Police said he also threw a firebomb that scorched the uniform of an officer at a demonstration on Sept. 23, near the intersection of Southwest Second Avenue and Main Street in downtown. Protesters had gathered to protest the decision not to charge police officers in the death of Breonna Taylor, a Black woman who was fatally shot by police in Louisville, Kentucky.

Police had initially arrested another person for throwing the Molotov cocktail on Sept. 23. Joseph Sipe, 23, had been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, attempted assault, arson and unlawful possession of a destructive device. But prosecutors declined to charge Sipe, saying he did not appear to be the person who threw the incendiary device at police.

Muhammed is also suspected of breaking windows at the Oregon Historical Society and other downtown buildings on Oct. 11, police said. Muhammed was arrested after that case, and police said they found a loaded pistol magazine in his pocket that matched a gun that was found nearby.

At least half a dozen protesters broke windows at the Oregon Historical Society and other buildings downtown during an event protest organizers billed as an Indigenous Day of Rage. The event was declared a riot, and three were arrested.

Muhammed is in the Marion County Jail in Indiana.

Jayati Ramakrishnan; 503-221-4320; jramakrishnan@oregonian.com; @JRamakrishnanOR

Shane Dixon Kavanaugh of The Oregonian/OregonLive contributed to this report.
Syracuse native Johnathan Worden started writing a book about his dog Moose during the pandemic, just for fun.

After being furloughed from his job in the health care industry, his husband suggested finishing the story in his free time.

Really, it was a bucket list item, said Worden, who now lives in Buffalo, N.Y. I was doing it as a gift for my family and friends.

As Worden researched book-binding websites, he stumbled upon a video showing how to self-publish a book. He connected with an illustrator on the freelance app Fiverr, and self-published his book in February.

Wordens book The Great Dane Chronicles: Mr. Moose Caboose Finds His Way follows the journey of Moose, a Great Dane who has an identity crisis because hes bigger than other dogs, and his coat makes him look like a cow.

Worden put the book up for sale on Amazon on a whim.

If we sell 40 or 50 copies, wont that be cool? he told his husband, Nick.

A month later, his book sold 600 copies. It was a surprise success. Two Buffalo bookstores now carry the book, and Worden is closing a deal to sell it in a Minnesota airport. In the past month, he started doing TV interviews and virtual book readings through hospitals.

Pages from "The Great Dane Chronicles: Mr. Moose Caboose Finds His Way" by Johnathan Worden. Illustrations by Ayan Mansoori.Provided photo

But the celebration was short-lived.

Right around the time Worden released the book, Moose started to limp. He thought it might be a paw injury, but the limp kept getting worse.

This dog has been around for 11 years and never had anything wrong with him, and now hes limping every day, Worden said.

The vet brought Moose in for an X-ray and found an aggressive cancerous tumor in his leg. Moose only had about three weeks to live. The cancer was growing out of Mooses bone and starting to swell.

While Worden was talking about his dog on the local media circuit, he watched a rapid decline in Mooses health.

It was emotional because we were celebrating [the book] but we were also gutted and torn apart that he was leaving us, Worden said.

Three weeks later, they had to let Moose go.

Johnathan Worden (far left) poses with his dogs Moose and Duke, and his husband Nick. (Provided by Neal Urban Studio)Neal Urban Studio

Worden plans to keep Mooses legacy alive in The Great Dane Chronicles series. He donated 10 percent of his first books sales to the emergency fund of the Buffalo veterinary hospital that helped Moose during his final weeks. And he has another book on the way.

This all comes from my love for Moose, Worden said. He was very, very much connected to me. That dog taught me so much about being responsible and selfless. I grew a lot because of Moose.

Worden says hes been inundated with responses from parents sending him photos or videos of their kids reading the book.

Theres books out there about bullying, inclusion or belonging, but so many are through the lens of the child or parent teaching a lesson, Worden said. Mine are done through the animals. The connection is through the pet...learning to be comfortable in your own fur. Kids get it.

His next book in the series will release this summer, of Moose helping a lavender goose become comfortable in her own feathers.

Worden was born and raised in Syracuse. He lived for a few years in Canastota before his family moved to DeRuyter, N.Y., where he attended high school. When the pandemic is over, Worden plans to bring his book tour through Syracuse.

Katrina Tulloch shoots videos and writes culture stories for Syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Contact her: Email | Twitter | Facebook

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Union Minister on Tuesday said high voter turnout in Assam during polling reflects pro-incumbency as he exuded confidence that the will return to power in the state for the second consecutive term.

With the conclusion of the third and final phase of polling on Tuesday for the Assam Assembly election, the BJP's victory is sealed for definite, he said.

"When the results are declared on May 2, Assam is going to send out a message loud and clear, which is going to echo across the country," said Singh, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office.

He said that in each of the three phases of polling, the voter turnout was consistently around 80 per cent and this is a "pro-incumbency" vote.

"The will retain Assam for the second consecutive time. Votes cast in the polls are pro-incumbency and will help the only," the minister said.

Singh recalled that in 2016 too the voting percentage was in the same range but it was against the Congress.

"The people of Assam not only saw the commitment and sincerity of the BJP's work but also saw how under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi a revolutionary transformation has happened in Assam which had not happened in the last several decades of Congress rule," he said.

Singh claimed that it going to be noted with glory is that in the last seven years, the state not only underwent a revolutionary transformation as far as development is concerned, but even the psychological barriers were done away with and people of the entire region have completely intermingled and integrated with the rest of India.

"Today, even in the far-off southern and western states of India, the choicest aviation/aircrew or the hotel management industry is manned by youngsters from the northeastern region," 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.)
TORONTO, April 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SUBVERSIVE ACQUISITION LP (TSX: SVX.U, NEO: SVX.U, OTCQX: SBVRF) (SVX) announced today that InterCure Ltd. (dba Canndoc) (TASE: INCR) (InterCure), Israels leading cannabis company and SVXs intended target for its Qualifying Transaction (the Transaction), has signed a letter of intent with iconic cannabis brand Cookies for its European expansion. InterCure will work with Cookies to replicate the success achieved by Cookies in the United States and Israel.



Like InterCure's leading Israeli model, the operation will be vertically integrated and will include online and retail distribution for Cookies branded products. In addition to local production facilities, InterCure will cultivate Cookies products at InterCures southern facility, the largest and most advanced in Israel, which will also supply Cookies products to Cookies stores throughout Europe. The partnership with Cookies supports InterCure's international growth strategy to expand into major markets around the world.

Alexander Rabinovitch, InterCure CEO, said: "We are excited to expand our successful 2-year partnership with the Cookies team to Europe. Cookies is one of the world's top Cannabis brands with an exceptional winning positioning. InterCure is in a phase of rapid growth, and we plan to continue this path of expansion across Europe with the best-branded portfolio in the market leveraging on our existing licensed supply chain in territories like Germany, Austria and the UK. This partnership with Cookies further solidifies InterCure as a global cannabis leader, and we look forward to continuing to work together.

Furthermore, on April 1, 2021, the InterCure shareholder vote approving the Transaction passed. The Transaction is expected to close by April 8, 2021.

About SVX

Subversive Acquisition LP is a limited partnership established under the Limited Partnerships Act (Ontario) formed for the purpose of effecting, directly or indirectly, an acquisition of one or more businesses or assets, by way of a merger, amalgamation, arrangement, equity exchange, asset acquisition, equity purchase, reorganization, or any other similar business combination involving SVX that will qualify as its qualifying transaction for the purposes of the rules of the TSX and Neo Exchange Inc. SVX is a special purpose acquisition corporation for the purposes of the rules of the TSX and Neo Exchange Inc.

For more information, visit https://www.subversivecapital.com/svx .

About Subversive Capital

Subversive Capital is a leading investment firm dedicated to investing in radical companies whose core missions subvert the status quo. With almost a decade of experience in the global cannabis industry, Subversive Capital has lead investments in some of the most successful transactions in the industry including the recent launch and closing transaction of Subversive Capital Acquisition Corp. to form The Parent Company (TPCO Holding Corp.) currently traded on the Neo Exchange and OTCQX.

For more information, visit www.subversivecapital.com

About InterCure and Canndoc

InterCure (TASE: INCR) is the first public company on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange to hold a valid and permanent license for the medical cannabis value chain through its 100% ownership in Canndoc. Canndoc is a GMP medical cannabis producer. Licensed by the Israeli Ministry of Health since 2008, Canndoc is a leading pioneer in the research, cultivation, production, and distribution of pharma-grade cannabis-based products to patients, hospitals, pharmacies, research and governmental organizations.

Through its strategic exclusive collaboration with world leaders, distribution agreement with SLE (100% owned by Teva Pharmaceutical Industry) and long-term sales agreements, Canndoc is well-positioned as a leading and significant player in pharma-grade medical cannabis in Israel, Europe and the United Kingdom.

For more information: http://www.canndoc.com

About Cookies

At 18, Berner, known today as a prolific Bay Area rapper, entrepreneur and Cookies founder, served as the general manager of "Hemp Center," a medical cannabis dispensary in San Francisco. There, he was inspired by the city's progressive and compassionate view that cannabis could have a profound and positive impact on the lives of chronically or terminally ill patients.

Later, in 2008, Berner went on to found Cookies along with his partner Jai, a Bay Area cultivator and breeder. Their intention was to create the world's highest-quality, most innovative cannabis strains. After achieving success in its home state of California, Cookies quickly built a grassroots following while remaining loyal to its brand promise: authenticity and innovative genetics.

Today, Cookies is one of the most well-respected and top-selling cannabis brands in California and throughout the world. The company and its product are recognized globally and offer a collection of over 150 proprietary cannabis varieties and product lines including indoor and sungrown flower, pre-rolls, gel caps, vape carts and medicinal mushrooms. Cookies' seed-to-sale business allows for complete quality control at every step  from cultivation and production to customers' end retail experience. With a deep commitment to restorative justice and progressive drug policy, Cookies actively works to enrich communities disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs through advocacy work and social equity initiatives.

Press Contacts: Kimberly@cookies.co & cookiesteam@mygrasslands.com

ForwardLooking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation which reflects SVXs current expectations regarding future events. The words will, expects, intends and similar expressions are often intended to identify forward-looking information, although not all forward-looking information contains these identifying words. Specific forward-looking information contained in this press release includes, but is not limited to: statements concerning InterCures partnership with Cookies, the impact of the partnership on Intercures business, the projected growth and expansion of Intercures business, and the expected closing of the Transaction. Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond SVXs control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: failure to complete the Transaction, inability to obtain requisite regulatory or shareholder approvals, changes in general economic, business and political conditions, changes in applicable laws, the U.S. and Canadian regulatory landscapes and enforcement related to cannabis, changes in public opinion and perception of the cannabis industry, reliance on the expertise and judgment of senior management, as well as the factors discussed under the heading Risk Factors in the non-offering prospectus pertaining to the Transaction which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. SVX undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Subversive Acquisition LP

Investors:

Investor@subversivecapital.com

Media:

Berrin Noorata

Berrin@subversivecapital.com

InterCure Ltd.

Adam Haliva, Global Investor Relations

adam@canndoc-pharma.com, (972) 54-646-8778
PLEASANTON, Calif., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cowbell Cyber , the industry's first AI-powered cyber insurance provider for small to medium enterprises (SMEs), today announced that Cowbell Prime, its standalone cyber insurance program targeted at businesses with up to $100 million in revenue is now admitted in the state of New York. The latest roll-out into New York follows Cowbell Cyber's recent $20M funding announcement , further highlighting the company's aggressive momentum to deliver standalone cyber insurance across the nation.

The dramatic rise in cyber incidents has put real pressure on insurers to modernize how they underwrite cyber risk and inject technology and AI to bring speed, precision, and scale into the process. In fact, the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) recently introduced the Cyber Insurance Risk Framework, an overall guidance for insurers providing cyber insurance in the state. According to a statement from the DFS, the Framework  the first guidance by a U.S. regulator on cyber insurance  "outlines industry best practices for New York-regulated property/casualty insurers that write cyber insurance to effectively manage their cyber insurance risk."

"The Framework introduced by the State of New York complements exactly what Cowbell Cyber has been doing from the start: providing data-driven cyber risk assessment and clarity within refined underwriting," said Caroline Thompson, Head of Underwriting, Cowbell Cyber. "We are entering New York already meeting and exceeding the stipulations imposed on insurers. We are proud to offer New York businesses the cyber insurance underwriting they deserve, while also abiding to the guidance provided by the DFS."

All Cowbell cyber insurance policies include complimentary cyber risk management services including continuous risk assessment, recommendations for risk reduction and cybersecurity awareness training for employees such as phishing simulations. Agencies can visit https://cowbell.insure/for-agencies/ to learn more and get appointed.

About Cowbell Cyber

Cowbell Cyber is dedicated to providing standalone, admitted individualized, and easy-to-understand cyber insurance for businesses with up to $1 Billion in revenue. In its unique AI-based approach to risk selection and pricing, Cowbell's continuous underwriting platform, powered by Cowbell Factors, compresses the insurance process from submission to issue to less than 5 minutes. Cowbell Insurance Agency is currently licensed in 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia and provides SMEs with admitted cyber insurance on AM Best "A" rated paper with up to $15 Million in coverage. For more information, please visit www.cowbell.insure

Media Contact

John Kreuzer

Lumina Communications for Cowbell Cyber

[email protected]

SOURCE Cowbell Cyber

Related Links

https://www.cowbell.insure


Tomias Hinchcliff wasnt looking to move to Easton. And he wasnt looking to own a bike shop.

But fate conspired on both counts 47 years ago, when he became co-owner of Genesis Bicycles in Easton.

When we opened, I was in my teens. I dont think that anybody ever expected Genesis to be around long, said the 65-year-old.

He outlasted the flight of businesses and residents to the suburbs and did his small part to bring the city back to prosperity.

Now the longtime businessman is handing over the handlebars of his shop. Hell retire in May.

Dear Genesis Bicycles Community, We are excited to announce the purchase of our store by Trek Bicycle. Our Retirement... Posted by Genesis Bicycles on Wednesday, March 31, 2021

The industry is buoyed by the demand for outdoor recreation during the pandemic. But its also backlogged with supply shortages that could last over a year. So hes getting out at a good time and avoiding the hassles of filling orders and waiting for months to years for the products to arrive.

We are going out on a high. It seems like the right time to exit, Hinchcliff said.

He got his start when Lafayette College psychology professor Howard Gallup wanted to open a bike shop in Easton with his son. The son was married to Hinchcliffs sister. She knew he was working at a bike shop in New York City and thought he might want to help.

Hinchcliff said he agreed as long as he could be a partner in the business.

The first time we came to Easton we hitchhiked, he said of himself and his wife, Stephani.

Gallups son quickly lost interest in the business and Hinchcliff wound up buying him out.

The small shop on Second Street eventually made its way by 1990 to 126 Bushkill St., the place many Easton area bikers got their start.

Genesis Bicycles shop owner Tomias Hinchcliff of Easton poses in 2010 next to the iconic "big bike" on the roof of his shop.Matt Smith | lehighvalleylive.com file photo

Bikes are basically the answer to a lot of the big problems facing humanity: obesity, traffic, pollution, stress. A bike takes care of all that, Hinchcliff said. If youre lucky enough to ride a bike to work, you can peel off the stress of the work day breathing in the fresh air of your return commute, he said.

When you buy a bicycle at a local shop, you become part of a community, he said. You get a bike that fits you and tips for riding that you dont get when you buy a bike on the internet, he said.

Hes grateful the community of Easton has embraced him. He recalls many years ago donating the first bicycles for the Easton Police Departments bike patrol. He thanked Mayor Sal Panto Jr. and Easton Main Street Manager Kim Kmetz for their leadership.

He might not have intended to open a bike shop in Easton, but it was clearly the right fit.

Ive only had to own two ties in my life. Ive never had to learn to tie them and never wore one to work. I love that, he said.

He doesnt have concrete plans for his retirement but wants to spend time with his grandchildren.

My plans are less stress and more time with Stephani, he added.

Genesis will now become a Trek Bicycle dealership. The shop will close from May 4 to May 7 and then reopen as a Trek shop on May 8.

There may be some minor changes with Trek taking over, but the core principles of treating people like family and delivering outstanding customer service wont change. I expect theyll continue to serve our customers in even bigger and better ways, Hinchcliff said.

Quick quotes

Hinchcliffs first bike was a red Firestone. When my dad took the fenders off the bike I felt like 7-year-old James Dean. I just considered myself the epitome of cool.

His fondest memories of owning a bike shop: Being able to spend $1 million on cool bike stuff and the UPS driver bringing stuff like its Christmas every day.

Memorable comment from a customer: A woman said, Ill bet youve never sold a bike to fat lady. Hinchcliff said he just stood and stammered. What do you say to that? I could not come up with a good answer.

How he adjusted to the COVID pandemic: For about two weeks I was scared. I was wondering how we would survive. Then bicycle shops became considered essential businesses and overnight bicycles became the ultimate social distancing machines.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to Lehighvalleylive.com.

Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com.
Photo: LIAM DANIEL/NETFLIX

He really was set on pulling out of the show, what else can we say? The Hollywood Reporter reports that Rege-Jean Page made the decision to leave Bridgerton a little less amicably than what was initially believed, with the hunky Brit apparently rejecting an opportunity to return as a guest star in three to five episodes of the second season at a pay increase to $50,000 per episode. Sources told THR that Page declined for a multitude of reasons, which included wanting to focus on his flourishing film career and believing that his Bridgerton role ended on a high note. Upon the news of Pages departure becoming public last week, the actor issued a statement of gratitude to the show for the opportunity it gave him, noting that he was drawn to the Hot Duke because it was presented as a one-season gig. I get to come in, I get to contribute my bit and then the Bridgerton family rolls on, he explained. There is also value in completing these arcs and sticking the landing. The shows second season, as previously revealed, will move the action away from Daphne and the duke to Anthony as its star suitor. So try not to cry because its over  smile because all of those eye-fucks happened.
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Market Research Future Published a Half Cooked Research Report on Global Waterborne Coating Additives Research Report.

Market Scenario

Waterborne coating additives are added to improve the rheological properties of water-based coatings. They serve various functions such as wetting & dispersion, defoaming, surfactant, deaeration, hydrophobic agent, and rheological improver among other. The stringent regulation by E.P.A and REACH against the use of solvent based coatings, is expected to be the major driver to the growth of waterborne coating additives market during the forecast period.

Free Sample @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/5892

Competitive Analysis

Some of the key players of global waterborne coating additives market are Akzo Nobel NV (Netherlands), Allnex group (China), BASF SE (Germany), BELAMI FINE CHEMICALS PVT. LTD.(India), ALTANA (Germany), Evonik Industries AG (Germany), Dow Corning Corporation (U.S.), Falcon Technologies Inc. (U.S.), Harmony Additive Pvt. Ltd. (India), and UL LLC (U.S).

Market Segmentation

The Global Waterborne Coating Additives Market is segmented based on product type, end-use industry, and region.

On the basis of the product type, the global waterborne coating additives market is segmented into wetting agent & dispersing agent, defoamers, surface control additives, deaerators, rheology modifier, hydrophobic agents, and others. Wetting & dispersion agents market is estimated to be the largest market due to high requirement for dispersing and wetting of resins and pigments in paints & coating industry and is expected to continue dominance over the forecast period. Other product types are also expected to show significant demand due to varied application in construction, automotive, and, the packaging industry.

On the basis of the end-use industry, the global waterborne coating additives market is segmented into building & construction, automotive, packaging, and others. Building and construction industry is expected to have the major market share of waterborne coating additives due to high consumption of paints & coatings. Automotive industry is also expected to show rising demand over the forecast period due to strong automotive industry particularly in Europe and China of Asia Pacific region.

Access Report Details @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/waterborne-coating-additives-market-5892

Regional Analysis

The global waterborne coating additives market is spanned across five regions namely Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. Asia Pacific is expected to have the major market share of waterborne coating additives in terms of market size. North America and Europe markets are relatively mature and expected to show steady demand in the forecast period. Middle East and Africa is expected to show rising demand during the forecast period from growing construction industry of Middle East. Latin America is also expected to join hand with other regions and is expected to show rising demand from construction industry.
Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in the country, the Indian Medical Association has written to Prime Minister suggesting that vaccination be allowed for all people above the age of 18 years.

The daily rise in new infections in India remained above 90,000 for the third consecutive day on Tuesday taking the nationwide COVID-19 tally of cases to 1,26,86,049, according to the Union Health Ministry. The country had a day ago reported 1,03,558 new cases.

"At present, we are vaccinating the population above 45 years. In view of the rapid spread of the second wave of the disease, we suggest that our vaccination strategy be geared up with immediate effect and on war footing," the Indian Medical Association (IMA) said in its letter to the prime minister.

The doctors' body said that "we request following suggestions in the COVID-19 vaccination drive -- all citizens above 18 years of age shall be permitted to receive COVID vaccination and walk-in COVID vaccination should be available for all, free of cost at their nearest possible place".

The IMA also suggested that private sector family clinics should be included actively in the vaccination drive along with private hospitals.

Making vaccination certificate mandatory for entering public places and to receive products under the public distribution system, was also part of the suggestions made by the association.

The IMA stated that the pandemic's second wave surge is reaching record highs and added that "vaccination against COVID-19 stands as a single evidence-based resource for us to restrict cases by raising the personal immune response and pave the way for herd immunity to decrease the severity of the disease".

It said that availability of vaccination with all doctors and family physicians will have positive impact on the inoculation drive.

District level vaccine task force teams should be constituted with public and private participation to enforce mass vaccination, to monitor and mitigate adverse drug events, and to build confidence, the IMA suggested and added that it is willing to actively take part in it.

The doctors' body said that in view of rising cases and as an measure to break the transmission chain, "limited period continuous lockdowns" should be implemented, "especially for all non-essential areas like cinemas, cultural and religious events, sports, etc."



"Indian Medical Association assures and places its proactive support of its entire manpower and infrastructure facilities for rapid vaccination and stands with the government during this hour of crisis," 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.)
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As a physician who helps administer and analyze our medical staffs wellness data, I have been puzzled by one consistent finding from our semi-annual physician wellness survey  the group of physicians with the highest level of distress are the mid-career physicians, those who, like me, graduated from medical school 15 to 24 years ago.

Our hospital, a community-based, semi-academic hospital, utilizes a nine-question survey to track physicians well-being. Some of the data confirm what we know already; female physicians distress scores are twice as high as their male counterparts, and specialties like primary care and OB-GYN also fare worse.

But, why high levels of distress for the mid-career physician?

It seemed to me the mid-career physician was in medicines sweet spot. We should be the happiest of the bunch.

For one, most mid-career MDs are comfortable financially. We have been making real money for over a decade. Our student loans may be paid off. Those working in private practice are likely full partners, lending even more financial security.

Clinically, the mid-career physician is sought-after. The combination of experience and relative youth makes the mid-career physician desirable to patients and referring physicians.

Socially, mid-career MDs are established in their communities  finally rooted after a decade of transience dictated by medical school and post-graduate training.

Comfort + certainty = happiness

Reflecting on my own career, I was happiest during internal medicine residency when I worked twice as much and made 10 percent of my current salary.

In residency, I woke up every day with purpose: to learn how to put in an A-line, to (finally) be the one guess the mystery diagnosis at morning report (and win free movie tickets!), and to generally enjoy the company of my fellow residents.

Now, my day is spent largely working in isolation, thinking about RVUs, the number of inpatient consults, answering phone messages, and completing the torrent of EMR tasks as they roll in. Before I know it, the day is over. There is little time for idle conversation with colleagues, if I even see them, and the feeling of being part of a team seems quite distant.

The Japanese use the term, ikigai, to describe purposeful living. Loosely translated as the reason for being, ikigai, is strongly correlated with happiness (and, incidentally, longevity).

Maybe ikigai is what we mid-career MDs have been missing. We sacrificed for years to build a practice, create a nest egg, support our families. But, now what?

What takes the place of the excitement of putting in your first central line, seeing that flash of dark blood in the finder needle as you advance into the subclavian vein? What brings the same stimulation as sitting around the table discussing cases with colleagues?

Mid-career colleagues: its time to go back to the future.

Time to learn again. Time to build professional and social networks at work. Take a lunch break. Bring home a few fewer RVUs.

I recently started a monthly journal club for our small section of gastroenterologists as a way to recreate some of what I loved about residency. A case conference to discuss difficult cases is next.

While the rewards of these diversions are not quantifiable, they are still valuable.

I hope my colleagues feel the same way. Maybe Ill throw in some free movie tickets, as well.

Anish Sheth is a gastroenterologist.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
They are ponds the size of city blocks: Wastewater pits that hold the hazardous byproducts of coal. Lagoons brimming with diluted pig excrement. Vast pools atop stacks of radioactive tailings.

The risks posed by pools of waste like these, a common feature at thousands of industrial and agricultural sites across the country, have been brought into sharp relief by a giant wastewater pond in Piney Point, Fla., that in recent days had appeared in danger of catastrophic failure.

Officials on Monday said the threat of collapse had passed and residents were allowed to return home after an emergency effort had pumped millions of gallons of water out of the pond and into local waterways. The environmental effects of such a large release of contaminated water remained unknown. This past weekend, the specter of a deluge had prompted the authorities to evacuate hundreds of people from their homes.

Open-air ponds are vital to major industries, like livestock and power generation. But environmental groups say they pose major environmental, health and safety risks, whether from mismanagement, or, increasingly, from the effects of climate change.
Its been 65 days since the Myanmar military seized power from the democratically elected government of country leader Aung San Suu Kyi in a coup that has evolved into the savage repression of largely peaceful protesters who oppose the junta. In the early days of the power grab, security forces arrested several government leaders, including the state counselor, President Win Myint, lawmakers, and state and regional officials from the ruling National League for Democracy.

Under the State Administrative Council, as the military government is known, authorities have brought several charges, widely viewed as trumped-up, against Aung San Suu Kyi. She was hit with a new legal charge under the Official Secrets Act on April 1, her first online arraignment in cases brought by the junta that overthrew her government on Feb. 1. That same day, she was arraigned on four other charges for alleged incitement and sedition, violation of telecommunication laws, possession of unlicensed walkie-talkie radios, and violation of the Natural Disaster Management Law for breaching COVID-19 pandemic restrictions during the 2020 election campaign.

Myanmar legal expert Kyee Myint, a High Court lawyer not involved in any of the cases against Aung San Suu Kyi, says the military coup violated the countrys 2008 constitution drafted by another army junta that formerly ruled the country. He spoke with RFAs Myanmar Service about the current juntas arbitrary arrest of the state counselor and others  officials and civilians  who opposed the coup. Kyee Myint, who is chairman of the Union Attorney and Legal Aid Association, expressed disappointment with the lawlessness that has overtaken Myanmar and with the collapse of democratic institutions in the developing country.



RFA: From a legal point of view, what is your take on the five charges against Aung San Suu Kyi?

Kyee Myint: It is a show of force. The military has already taken over state power. They said they seized power in accordance with the 2008 constitution, but it couldnt be carried out like that. And now that we have no laws in the country, it is a waste of time to talk about legal issues. We are now in a lawless state. All those charges made against Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint are not really lawful.

RFA: How do you think these charges will affect Aung San Suu Kyis political career?

Kyee Myint: As Boyoke [General Aung Sans] daughter, Daw [honorific] Aung San Suu Kyi would not do anything illegal. She may not have been 100-percent perfect in carrying out her duties and responsibilities. It is a one-sided move to seize power at gunpoint from a leader elected by the populace. Even though they are saying the military coup was in accordance with the 2008 constitution, it is not so. Frankly speaking, Myanmar is now a lawless country. Everyone seems to be in danger from the military armed with the nations finances. People now have no security either during the day or at night. At which court are we going to carry out our work when the judge is a military officer or somebody appointed by or working for the military? It is better for us not to talk about the law in Myanmar at all. For us, even to talk about the law, I am very ashamed.

RFA: How long could Aung San Suu Kyi spend in jail if convicted of all the charges brought against her?

Kyee Myint: It could be up to 20 years or so. They might say they are going to be lenient because she is the Bogyokes daughter and ask her to bow out of the countrys political scene. But we shouldnt be thinking that far ahead because the unity of the entire population is really solid, and I dont think we should be worrying that much.

Reported by RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 10:13:54|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, April 6 (Xinhua) -- China's complete eradication of extreme poverty is a milestone in the history of the Chinese nation and the history of humankind, said a white paper released Tuesday by China's State Council Information Office.

China is home to nearly one fifth of the world's population and its complete eradication of extreme poverty has made an important contribution to the cause of global poverty alleviation, said the white paper titled "Poverty Alleviation: China's Experience and Contribution." Enditem
A newly formed group calling itself Citizens Affirming All Lives Matter plans to gather Saturday to honor William Billy Evans, the former North Adams man who died on duty as a police officer at the U.S. Capitol last week.

Evans was struck and killed by a man who rammed his vehicle into two officers at a barricade outside the building.

Is vigil to honor Billy Evans a political event in disguise? Some think so NORTH ADAMS  The reason for a vigil this Saturday got its own section, WHY, in the release organizer Rinaldo Del Gallo III sent this week: 

An event organizer says people are invited to come to North Adams City Hall at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Officer killed in Capitol attack was a native of North Adams NORTH ADAMS  The Capitol Police officer killed on Friday was a native of North Adams and a graduate of Drury High School.

A news release from the group said the event intends to celebrate the life of a Berkshire native who made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting us, and also to protest the race-based hate and hostility to law enforcement that took his life.

Evans, 41, grew up in North Adams and Clarksburg and attended Drury High School.

Rinaldo Del Gallo III, a Pittsfield attorney organizing the event, said he views the attack that killed Evans as a hate crime, given that it was directed at police.

There doesnt appear to be any other motive, he said in an interview Monday. We just want to call attention to this and speak against all hate crime.

He said that the group Citizens Affirming All Lives Matter was formed for the purpose of organizing Saturdays vigil.

If demand dictates it goes forward, it will, Del Gallo said of the group. It shouldnt be controversial to be for a colorblind approach to removing all kinds of hate.

Noah Green, the 25-year-old who rammed the barricade and was shot to death by police, was said to have suffered from delusions and paranoia.

The Associated Press reported that Green had described himself as a follower of the Nation of Islam and its founder, Louis Farrakhan.

Del Gallo said the event might include speakers. It might offer a chance for participants to speak. He called the vigil a tribute to Evans service as a police officer and a protest against all race-based hate crimes, regardless of the race of the perpetrator or race of the victim. The event will also protest senseless anti-police violence.
She is a longtime animal lover.

And Rumer Willis was spotted carrying one of her beloved pooches as she stepped out for a sunny stroll in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore wore a loose-fitted white T-shirt with a pair of casual blue jeans.

She is a longtime animal lover: And Rumer Willis was spotted carrying one of her beloved pooches as she stepped out for a sunny stroll in Los Angeles on Tuesday

Letting her waist-length wavy locks down she made sure to take the precaution of wearing a mask and chose a red option that added a pop of color to her look.

Her pets at home include her dogs Dolores, Peach and Lolo and she even adopted a Sphynx cat called Baby Icarus back in 2016.

Rumer and her sisters Scout, 29, and Tallulah, 27, come from Bruce and Demi's marriage which lasted from 1987 to 2000.

Only this Monday Rumer was seen spending a bit of quality time with her mother as the duo stepped out for a walk down a tree-lined road.

Off she goes: The 32-year-old daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore wore a loose-fitted white T-shirt with a pair of casual blue jeans

Bruce, still handsome at 66, is now married to 42-year-old model Emma Heming with whom he has two more daughters - Mabel, six, and Evelyn, eight.

The blended family get along so well that earlier in lockdown Bruce was isolating in Idaho with Emma, Demi and all of his daughters.

Scout is currently dating the leggy musician Jake Miller with whom she celebrated her three-year anniversary near the end of 2020.

Meanwhile early last month Rumer fired up her Insta Stories and candidly told her fans about her issues with anxiety.

Mover and shaker: Letting her luxurious wavy locks down she made sure to take the precaution of wearing a mask and chose a red option that added a pop of color to her look

'I have been Dealing with bad anxiety since yesterday, but working on learning how to self soothe,' Rumer revealed on social media.

'Its really had when they get bad and sometimes I feel like Im dying, I get nauseous and my heart wont show down.'

The showbiz legacy went on to note: 'But I realized the worst thing I can do is try to fight against it or be resistant to it.'

Rumer shared her process: 'I have to catch myself when I find myself focusing on just wishing it was somehow different.'
FREDERICTON - The steady rise in the number of COVID-19 patients in the greater Edmundston area, in northwestern New Brunswick, is forcing health officials to divert patients to other hospitals.

This 2020 electron microscope image made available by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows the spherical particles of the new coronavirus, colorized blue, from the first U.S. case of COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Hannah A. Bullock, Azaibi Tamin/CDC via AP

FREDERICTON - The steady rise in the number of COVID-19 patients in the greater Edmundston area, in northwestern New Brunswick, is forcing health officials to divert patients to other hospitals.

Dr. France Desrosiers, president of the Vitalite Health Network, said Tuesday the intensive care unit at the Edmundston Regional Hospital has reached its capacity to provide safe care to patients on respirators.

Effective immediately, COVID-19 patients from the Edmundston area will be diverted to the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital in Fredericton, she said, adding that non-COVID-19 patients will be sent to one of four other hospitals in northern New Brunswick.

Desrosiers said the decision to transfer patients will be re-evaluated Thursday.

"The U.K. variant of COVID-19 is hitting the Edmundston area with unprecedented strength," Desrosiers said in a statement. "Many patients with this variant must be admitted due to the seriousness of their symptoms requiring acute care."

Desrosiers said in an interview later on Tuesday that the Edmundston hospital has enough ventilators but has a limited number of staff to operate them.

"Its not the physical equipment that limits us, but rather the human resources," she said. "It takes a complete team to work a ventilator, so the number of ventilators is currently not the limiting factor.

"Clearly, its the staffing and this is why I say we have reached our maximal capacity to offer high-quality services."

Desrosiers said cases of the U.K. variant, known as B.1.1.7, have been more aggressive than cases involving the original virus, adding that patients admitted to hospital with the disease are younger than patients admitted during the earlier phase of the pandemic.

Edmundston deputy mayor Eric Marquis said the news is difficult on the residents of his city. "It's an unfortunate situation right now since we are in this crisis that doesn't seem to want to stop," he said in an interview Tuesday.

"Being in the red phase for over a week and a half now, having a number of active cases that is very high, having a lot of cases in the hospital, and the fact that we are seeing younger patients in the hospital right now  that is really tough on the population," Marquis said.

"Many people know somebody who is in the hospital right now fighting for their life," he added.

The province reported three new COVID-19 cases Tuesday, including one in the Edmundston region, which has 133 of the province's 162 active reported cases. The Fredericton and Saint John regions also had one new case each.

Health officials confirmed that the seven cases reported Monday in Moncton are connected and are travel-related.

There are currently 18 COVID-19 patients in hospital, including 12 in intensive care. New Brunswick has reported a total of 1,665 COVID-19 cases and 30 deaths linked to the virus.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 6, 2021.
Advanced technologies have played a major role in the UAEs social and economic development over the past two decades, most notably in terms of advanced projects, such as Dubai Internet City, renewable energy in Masdar City, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the national Covid-19 vaccination programme, and the success of the Emirates Mars Mission, said Sarah bint Yousif Al Amiri, Minister of State for Advanced Sciences, during a media briefing.

Developing advanced technologies will boost the UAEs economic competitiveness, flexibility and growth, she added, stressing that due to the visionary vision of its leadership, the country has integrated industry and advanced technologies, under the framework of a strategic future vision for the national economy.

She highlighted the importance of supporting research and development in the industrial sector and turning them into practical and meaningful business applications to enhance the countrys stature as a global destination for developing technology-reliant future industries.

"One of the key objectives of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology is to enable the UAE to lead the world in terms of future industries, focussing on the space industries sector, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, biological and medical technologies, alternative energy, and information and communication technology," Al Amiri said.

Youth Empowerment Omar Ahmed Suwaina Al Suwaidi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, highlighted the potential positive impact of the strategy on local Emirati talent, most notably in terms of providing young Emirati citizens with the necessary skills for future industries.

Due to the vision of its leadership, the UAE has made distinguished achievements in the industrial sector and is continuing to realise its ambitions, by creating a suitable working environment and adopting the applications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, to boost its global competitiveness, facilitate business activities, and develop its logistical and digital infrastructures, he added, noting that all other related measures aim to increase the industrial sectors contribution to GDP to AED300 billion by 2030.

Driver of the Economy Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) and Member of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Development Bank, said that the launch of the banks strategy is in line with the countrys national strategy for industry and advanced technology and will support the strategic future transformation of the UAE, noting that the bank aims to be the leading catalyst of the Emirati economy.

The Emirates Development Bank is a key driver of the national industrial sector and is helping to accelerate industrial development and the adoption of advanced technologies, and is supporting the role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), through providing various types of regular and bold financing programmes, he added.

'Make It in the Emirates' The speakers urged those involved in the process of advancing the national industrial sector to participate in the "Make it in the Emirates" campaign, which is an open invitation to local and international investors, innovators and developers to tap into the sector and benefit from the wide range of facilities, advantages and incentives available in the country.

Operation 300bn is a 10-year comprehensive strategy that aims to increase the industrial sectors contribution to GDP from AED 133bn to AED 300 billion by 2031.

The SMEs sector, a key tool that supports the strategic drive for a highly productive eco-system, represents more than 94 per cent of the total number of companies operating in the country. The sector provides 86 percent of the job opportunities for the work force in the private sector and contribute over 60 per cent of the UAEs GDP.

Operation 300bn will focus on promoting existing industries, building on their successes, and enhance their contributions to the GDP, thereby adding value to the UAE's export ecosystem. At the same time, it will focus on developing a new industrial ecosystem, primarily high-tech industries and 4IR ventures that form the basis of a knowledge-based economy.

It will also seek to build a strong and resilient economy, driven by industry and other key sectors, like food security, energy, financial services and business, to maintain the UAEs global lead in competitiveness, prosperity, stability and sustainable development and to strengthen its position as a leading global hub for future industries.
YEREVAN.  A centralized register of bank accounts will be created in Armenia. Nerses Yeritsyan, Vice-Governor of the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA), stated this at Tuesdays meeting of the Standing Committee on Financial-Credit and Budgetary Affairs of the National Assembly, during the discussion of the bill on addenda to the Law on the Central Bank of Armenia.

"The goal of the change is to increase the effectiveness of the fight against money laundering and funding of terrorism. (). The [aforesaid] effectiveness in terms of money laundering, funding of terrorism is that all [bank] accounts and banks will be questioned when conducting various analyzes and communicating with law enforcement agencies, Yeritsyan explained.

Thus, through the said register, the selective bank accounts that are in question will be approved.

The CBA official assured that the information on the initial balance, account movements, and their final balance will be collected and stored.

After lengthy discussions, the abovementioned parliamentary committee approved this legislative initiative.
The town of Chapel Hill, North Carolina is seeking proposals from agencies that can help attract more people downtown by promoting the area as a thriving, family-friendly destination to live, work and play.
New, London U.K. Based Firm Establishing World Leading Self-Serve Social NFT Platform

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 6, 2021 / Codebase Ventures Inc. ("Codebase" or the "Company") (CSE:CODE)(FSE:C5B)(OTCQB:BKLLF) is pleased to announce that the Company has invested in InstaCoin, a UK based NFT (non-fungible token) startup. Codebase's investment of 100,000 equates to a 50% share of the new London based NFT firm InstaCoin.

"Code has worked with the principals behind InstaCoin through our existing TRAD3R investment and we continue to be very excited by their innovative approach within the blockchain ecosystem," said Mr. George Tsafalas, Codebase President and CEO. "Our existing relationship put us in a position to seize this opportunity, which allows Code to establish a 50% equity position at an early stage of the venture that aims to democratize NFT's rather than focus primarily on multi-million dollar individual components."

InstaCoin is positioned as the world's first self-serve social NFT platform. InstaCoin will allow users to connect their social profiles to the blockchain and create instant NFT tokens from their own content. Followers and fans connect in the open market for immediate sales.

With a one-off cost of $1 per NFT, this simple streamlined model will aim at targeting the millions of existing social media users to create sales and drive revenue instantly as well as a lifetime commission model from the secondary markets.

The firm behind InstaCoin, previously was known for TRAD3R, has already achieved success with a social trading platform with millions of users across the world.

"After we built TRAD3R, we already understood what it meant to take complex stock trading and make it simple and appealing; we're just reapplying that same skill set with InstaCoin and the NFT market," says the team's Head of Blockchain Rabin Zhang

The recent interest around NFT has been focused on single expensive tokens, for instance Mad Dogs "Crash & Burn," which sold at over $3.9M.1 InstaCoin has a different approach as explained by its founder Gianni O'Connor;

We think the future is in millions of low cost NFTs ranging from $2-$20. We know that millions of people around the world have powerful cameras 24/7 via smartphones which makes them content creators already. With Instacoin they can now financially capitalize on that content."

Codebase Ventures is a founding investor in InstaCoin and was previously a significant investor In TRAD3R. As such it is poised to assist in growing this new company and capitalizing on the growing yet exciting new market of NFTs.

1 https://news.artnet.com/market/phillips-mad-dog-jones-nft-1956730

Note: In the previous press release on April 1st, 2021, the Company referred to TRPL (Transdermal Research Pharm Laboratories), which should have read RRL (Reformulation Research Laboratories Inc.)

About Codebase Ventures Inc.

Codebase Ventures Inc. seeks early-stage investments in sectors that have significant upside. We seek innovators who are establishing tomorrow's standards. We support those innovators and help take their ideas to market.

For further information, please contact:

George Tsafalas - Ivy Lu

Investor Relations

Telephone: Toll-Free (877) 806-CODE (2633) or 1 (778) 806-5150

E-mail: IR@codebase.ventures

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding future financial position, business strategy, use of proceeds, corporate vision, proposed acquisitions, partnerships, joint-ventures and strategic alliances and co-operations, budgets, cost and plans and objectives of or involving the Company. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. A number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the actual results or performance to materially differ from any future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions and dependence upon regulatory approvals. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities laws.

SOURCE: Codebase Ventures Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/639047/Codebase-Acquires-50-Stake-in-NFT-Startup-InstaCoin
Patna, April 6 : Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, said on Tuesday that the tall claims made by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of 'Sushasan' in the state are false, as he accused the JD-U leader of running a 'Rakshas Raj' in Bihar.

Tejashwi made the reamrk after meeting the victims of the recent Madhubani massacre.

"The main accused, Praveen Jha, is a local goon and has close connection with the district police which is why the police reached Mohamadpur village four hours after the incident despite several calls from the family members of the victims. Three women of one family lost their husbands because of the inaction of the police. Humanity was killed on March 29," Tejashwi said.

On the day of Holi (March 29), around 35 armed men had opened fired on the family of Ranvijay Singh over a land dispute in Mohamadpur village in Madhubani district. In the brutal attack, Ranvijay Singh and his cousin brother Virendra Singh were killed on the spot. Three other family members -- Rana Pratap Singh, Amrendra Singh and Rudra narayan Singh -- succumbed to their injuries a day later. Another injured person, Manoj Singh, is currently admitted to the Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital.

Madhubani SP Satya Prakash has claimed that 11 persons have been arrested in connection with the case, but the main accused, Praveen Jha, is still at large.

"Nitish Kumar claims that he talked to the DGP five times on that day, but still there has been no result. The main accused is absconding but the police are unable to track him. The family members of the victims are living in fear," Tejashwi said.

"Bihar government should sack the SP, DM and DSP of Madhubani with immediate effect and form a high-level Special Investigation Team (SIT) to arrest the criminals. Fair investigation is not possible without sacking the top officials," he added.

The RJD leader also criticised Nitish Kumar for not even sharing his condolences to the victims' families. "It is extremely shameful and inhuman that the CM has not expressed his condolence even once," he said.

"The main accused had a private armed force which he named 'Ravan Sena'. It reflects the mindset of the person. The victims claimed that the miscreants also mutilated the bodies after the massacre," Tejashwi said after meeting with victims' families in Mohamadpur village.

The RJD has given Rs 5 lakh as compensation to the family members of the victims.
SEOs long-term nature is unique and essential for future-proofing any companys online presence

SEOblog.com, a fast-growing website providing the latest SEO news, tips and resources and helping business owners connect with leading SEO agencies, has released its exclusive 2021 ratings naming the best SEO companies in Miami.

SEOblog analysts determined the 15 best SEO companies in Miami based on dozens of key quantitative and qualitative factors. SEOblog industry experts examined each Miami digital marketing agencys website, industry experience, market presence, client list, portfolio, expert certifications and authorship among other factors in its ranking system.

SEOblog has provided an in-depth view of companies in a particular city or focus area on various directory pages to help business owners find the expert help they need to grow. This was a new, free offer added by SEOblog in 2019.

Miami has several of the nations top SEO agencies that provide a very competitive digital marketing landscape.

In the digital marketing world, instant gratification is all around, said Shay Berman, president of Digital Resource. SEOs long-term nature is unique and essential for future-proofing any companys online presence. In the Miami area specifically, nearly every industry is heavily saturated; a solid SEO strategy can be a defining factor.

SEOblog.com rankings are updated regularly as the market shifts and new players emerge. SEOblog.com has published more than 2,300 agency listings with more added every day. There is no fee to participate, and the website welcomes all qualified agencies to apply.

SEOblog.coms 15 Best SEO Companies in Miami in 2021:

Digital Resource, On The Map, 561 Media, GD Design Studio, iAnalyst, Web Daytona, PaperStreet, Digital Age Marketing Group, Next Level SEM, Wegacha, SEO Smooth, IBIS Studio, Pacific54, OptFirst Internet Marketing and Smash Interactive Agency.

Link: https://www.seoblog.com/best-seo-companies/miami/

About SEOblog.com

SEOblog.com is a leading thought leadership site with a rich history of publishing educational and informative articles about SEO and digital marketing topics. In early 2019, SEOblog.com answered the call from buyers of digital marketing services that lacked unbiased, informative online resources and launched a comprehensive directory to highlight the best SEO companies in the United States -- https://www.seoblog.com/best-seo-companies/.

SEOblogs mission is to connect businesses with qualified digital marketing agencies while also offering further SEO education, best practices and industry trends.

SEOblog.com is a one-stop shop for educational SEO and digital marketing content, research, ratings and reviews for the best agencies in each local market across the United States. The website will be increasing its coverage of U.S. SEO agencies and accepting more guest blog posts in the coming months. Contact SEOblog if youre interested in getting involved.
When the Salvadoran family of Victoria Salazar discovered a Mexican police officer had kneeled on her neck until she died, it was through Facebook.

The Mexican authorities made no attempt to contact Salazars family following her brutal killing on March 27 on the streets of Tulum, one of the most coveted tourist destinations in the Mexican Caribbean.

Since then, the incident has triggered a diplomatic spat with El Salvador, but protests have not erupted over police brutality as they did in the United States in response to the death of George Floyd, who was also killed after a police officer kneeled on his neck. Rather, Salazar has become another statistic in a country where 10 women are murdered every day.

Graffiti with the message: They killed Victoria here. Teresa de Miguel

Four police officers were attempting to arrest Salazar for alleged disorderly conduct when she was killed, and an image taken in her last moments of life shows her face down on the street with two officers leaning on her back and neck, and two others looking on.

Days after her death, on the street where Salazar was killed, life continues as normal. The only sign of what happened are some dried-up flowers scattered by the wind, a few burned-out candles and a sign with her name on it stuck to a post. A stark contrast to the massive protests seen in the US and worldwide after Floyds death.

You cannot see the crystal waters of the sea from the dusty neighborhood where she died, an area far from the beach and home to hospitality workers serving tourists from the US and much further afield. The only reason my sister immigrated was in search of better opportunities, but of course, the violent situation in the country could have caused her to leave for reasons we dont know, says Salazars brother Rene Olivares when reached by phone by EL PAIS. He mentions Salazars two daughters, aged 16 and 17, who have been left without a mother. My nieces joined her in Mexico about two and a half years ago, but until then they lived with my mom and me, Olivares explains.

Amelia Magana, a witness to the crime, in Tulum. Teresa de Miguel

Her brother only really knew the details of his sisters life through his mother. Salazar worked in a hotel, she told him, and in one of the last conversations she had with her family by phone, Salazar told them she planned to settle permanently in Mexico. She had spoken to my mom a little while ago to ask us for help for a piece of land she wanted to buy where she could build her house, Olivares says.

In the street where she died, no one seems to have known her. At the tiny vigil, some curious locals approached to take pictures, but most of them adhered to the unspoken law of silence that prevails in working-class neighborhoods like this one. Nobody knew where she lived, who she was or what she did for a living. In this forgotten corner of a tourist paradise, the neighbors dont speak with the new tenants, and focus on work. They leave early in the morning for long shifts by the sea and in the air conditioning of the luxury hotels, and late at night, they return home to hot concrete buildings to snatch a few hours of sleep.

Salazar arrived in Mexico about five years ago, according to her brother, fleeing misery and gang violence in El Salvador. She lived in Mexicos Chiapas state for a while and then moved to Tulum with hopes of finding a job in the tourist town. Mexican authorities have since reported that she had a humanitarian visa, which granted her a status somewhere between a residence permit and refugee status and provided for a one-year stay in Mexico. But if she was fleeing violence in El Salvador, or the threat of it, the same misogyny caught up with her in Tulum.

The moment of Salazars arrest, captured by videos on social media. RR.SS / RR.SS

According to CCTV footage from a store that leaked onto social media, Salazar was in an agitated state when the police pulled up. The police arrived because she was very unsettled, they say she was throwing herself at cars. I just know that no matter how she was acting, she didnt deserve to die that way, says Amelia Magana, a witness to the crime and recent arrival to the area after Hurricane Eta destroyed her home in Mexicos Tabasco state last November. When I saw she wasnt moving, I grabbed my grandson and we ran home. Others say that Salazar did not live in the neighborhood where she was killed, but in one of the illegal settlements collectively known in Mexico as invasiones or invasions. These slums consist of homes propped together from wood and sheet metal and have been popping up in the area, some spontaneously and others to force the regularization of land use for hotel construction later on. In any case, these are areas the police do not enter.

The day after his sisters death, Olivares received a Facebook message from someone who knew her, and who had seen the video on social media. He watched the video. It was her. At the time I doubted it though. I told my mom that it could be a scam, a bad joke, he tells EL PAIS. Soon after, the nightmare began. It was impossible for the family to avoid the images of their sister and daughter suffering as she died on the street. When I see the video I feel immense pain, a lot of helplessness that I was not there to help her. But even though I feel bad that it is being shared, it is necessary for people to see it. We dont want something like this to happen again, says Olivares.

A death, a disappearance and a diplomatic conflict

Salazars death escalated into a diplomatic row between El Salvador and Mexico on the night of March 29, when the images of her treatment at the hands of the police were all over social media and television news. El Salvadors President Nayib Bukele demanded the Mexican government arrest not only the four police officers involved in Salazars death, but to find other possible suspects involved in her case. There are more aggressors in this case, and also other victims. Not all the culprits have been arrested yet, Bukele wrote in a message on Twitter. Mexicos usually slow-moving prosecution system kicked into gear with unusual efficiency, in a country where less than 10% of crimes are solved.

The Mexican Foreign Affairs Ministry has since worked around the clock to ensure the rapid repatriation of Salazars body. In a joint effort with the Salvadoran authorities, the Olivares family are due to travel to Cancun to identify Salazars body in person, after only seeing photographs of her corpse in a morgue. Mexican prosecutors arrested and charged the police officers involved with femicide, and the local government in Tulum dismissed the head of the municipal police, the force responsible for her death. This was followed by an announcement by President Bukele that Salazar that one of her daughters were sexually abused by an ex-partner in Mexico, who was promptly arrested too.

Graffiti against the death of Salazar on the welcome sign to Tulum. Teresa de Miguel

Salazars death, which began with an all too familiar scene of police brutality, has escalated into a political standoff between El Salvador and Mexico, and an increasingly complex story. One of Salazars daughters, it was then announced, was missing. A few hours after a missing persons alert went out, the Attorney Generals Office announced that she had been found.

After their mothers murder, the two teenage daughters have become wards of the Mexican state. A day before the search warrant for the 16-year-old was issued, Olivares was hopeful that he would soon see his two nieces in Mexico: We have spoken with them on Facebook and we want to decide together if they want to stay in Mexico or come back with us.
New York, April 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Hydraulic Fluid Market Research Report by Point Of Sale, by Base Oil, by End-use Industry - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06045485/?utm_source=GNW



Market Statistics:

The report provides market sizing and forecast across five major currencies - USD, EUR GBP, JPY, and AUD. This helps organization leaders make better decisions when currency exchange data is readily available.



1. The Global Hydraulic Fluid Market is expected to grow from USD 7,138.95 Million in 2020 to USD 8,974.26 Million by the end of 2025.

2. The Global Hydraulic Fluid Market is expected to grow from EUR 6,259.56 Million in 2020 to EUR 7,868.80 Million by the end of 2025.

3. The Global Hydraulic Fluid Market is expected to grow from GBP 5,564.76 Million in 2020 to GBP 6,995.38 Million by the end of 2025.

4. The Global Hydraulic Fluid Market is expected to grow from JPY 761,906.86 Million in 2020 to JPY 957,780.94 Million by the end of 2025.

5. The Global Hydraulic Fluid Market is expected to grow from AUD 10,366.70 Million in 2020 to AUD 13,031.81 Million by the end of 2025.



Market Segmentation & Coverage:

This research report categorizes the Hydraulic Fluid to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets:



Based on Point Of Sale, the Hydraulic Fluid Market studied across Aftermarket and Oem.



Based on Base Oil , the Hydraulic Fluid Market studied across Bio-based Oil, Mineral Oil, and Synthetic Oil. The Synthetic Oil further studied across Esters, Group Iii, Polyalkylene Glycols, and Polyalphaolefins.



Based on End-use Industry, the Hydraulic Fluid Market studied across Agriculture, Cement Production, Construction, Food Processing, Metal & Mining, and Transportation. The Metal & Mining further studied across Mining Industry Trends and Second-largest Consumer Of Hydraulic Fluids. The Transportation further studied across Automotive, Aviation, and Marine.



Based on Geography, the Hydraulic Fluid Market studied across Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa. The Americas region surveyed across Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and United States. The Asia-Pacific region surveyed across Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand. The Europe, Middle East & Africa region surveyed across France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom.



Company Usability Profiles:

The report deeply explores the recent significant developments by the leading vendors and innovation profiles in the Global Hydraulic Fluid Market including BASF SE, Bp P.L.C., Castrol, Chevron Corporation, Condat Corporation, Dow Chemical Company, Eastman Chemical Company, Exxonmobil Corporation, Fuchs Petrolub SE, Gazprom Neft, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, Houghton International Inc., Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd., Indian Oil Corporation Limited (Iocl), Jxtg Holdings, Inc., LUKOIL Lubricants Company, Motul, Petrochina Company Limited, Petroliam Nasional Berhad, Phillips 66 Company, PJSC Lukoil Oil Company, PT Pertamina, Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Schaeffer Manufacturing Co, Sinopec Limited, and Valvoline.



Cumulative Impact of COVID-19:

COVID-19 is an incomparable global public health emergency that has affected almost every industry, so for and, the long-term effects projected to impact the industry growth during the forecast period. Our ongoing research amplifies our research framework to ensure the inclusion of underlaying COVID-19 issues and potential paths forward. The report is delivering insights on COVID-19 considering the changes in consumer behavior and demand, purchasing patterns, re-routing of the supply chain, dynamics of current market forces, and the significant interventions of governments. The updated study provides insights, analysis, estimations, and forecast, considering the COVID-19 impact on the market.



FPNV Positioning Matrix:

The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Hydraulic Fluid Market on the basis of Business Strategy (Business Growth, Industry Coverage, Financial Viability, and Channel Support) and Product Satisfaction (Value for Money, Ease of Use, Product Features, and Customer Support) that aids businesses in better decision making and understanding the competitive landscape.



Competitive Strategic Window:

The Competitive Strategic Window analyses the competitive landscape in terms of markets, applications, and geographies. The Competitive Strategic Window helps the vendor define an alignment or fit between their capabilities and opportunities for future growth prospects. During a forecast period, it defines the optimal or favorable fit for the vendors to adopt successive merger and acquisition strategies, geography expansion, research & development, and new product introduction strategies to execute further business expansion and growth.



The report provides insights on the following pointers:

1. Market Penetration: Provides comprehensive information on the market offered by the key players

2. Market Development: Provides in-depth information about lucrative emerging markets and analyzes the markets

3. Market Diversification: Provides detailed information about new product launches, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments

4. Competitive Assessment & Intelligence: Provides an exhaustive assessment of market shares, strategies, products, and manufacturing capabilities of the leading players

5. Product Development & Innovation: Provides intelligent insights on future technologies, R&D activities, and new product developments



The report answers questions such as:

1. What is the market size and forecast of the Global Hydraulic Fluid Market?

2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Hydraulic Fluid Market during the forecast period?

3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Hydraulic Fluid Market?

4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Hydraulic Fluid Market?

5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Hydraulic Fluid Market?

6. What are the modes and strategic moves considered suitable for entering the Global Hydraulic Fluid Market?

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06045485/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



__________________________
CHICAGO, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Anchor Food Professionals , the foodservice brand of global dairy mainstay Fonterra , announced the relaunch of their Laminated Butter Sheets in the North American market. With the specific needs of pastry chefs and commercial bakers in mind, these butter sheets have been designed for ease of use and flexibility.

Croissants featuring Anchor Lamination Butter Sheets

Ensuring deliciously crisp, flaky croissants with a honeycomb texture and rich, authentic buttery flavor, these Laminated Butter Sheets are made using cream from grass-fed pasture-raised New Zealand cows. With a generous 83 percent milkfat composition and beautiful golden color, this product is made without the use of chemical processing or additives.

Anchor's new Laminated Butter Sheets have several performance advantages when used as an ingredient in baking and will save all food professionals an estimated 12-14 minutes per batch. From small family-owned bakeries to large commercial kitchens, it consistently delivers the superior flavor and mouthfeel needed for all pastry applications  from croissants to danishes to puff pastries and beyond.

"Our butter sheets render ease of use while cutting costs and time down to a minimum. This makes a laborious task much easier, without compromising on flavor. They allow me to proof quickly, while the high melt point allow for the perfect rise and honeycomb texture. As a chef, quality is key and Anchor's Butter Sheets produce high quality, consistent products with every use," said Christopher Hartford, Fonterra's Key Accounts Manager and Chef.

Known for their excellent plasticity, flexibility and workability, these pre-laminated butter sheets are designed to speed up production by eliminating the time spent on hand-prepping butter for pastries, enabling a higher lift and volume. With a melting point of 98 degrees Fahrenheit, they are perfect for warm bakeries in back-of-house environments.

"Anchor Food Professionals Lamination Butter Sheets are a one-of-a-kind product designed with the expert baker in mind. We begin with the finest in New Zealand grass-fed butter; we then form our butter into sheets that will allow for time-saving foolproof lamination when making artisanal croissants, brioche, challah breads, and more. Our Anchor butter sheets will help the most accomplished bakers save time, every time!" said Megan Patterson, Americas Marketing and Communications Manager for Fonterra.

Anchor's Laminated Butter Sheets remain shelf-stable for 24 months from the date of production when stored in the freezer. Each sheet weighs 2.2 lbs and with 20 sheets per package, bakers, pastry chefs and commercial kitchens can shave hours off of their prep time.

For more information and pricing details, please visit anchorfoodprofessionals.com.

About Anchor Food Professionals:

Anchor Food Professionals is the foodservice business of Fonterra. We create high-quality fit-for-purpose products and solutions for foodservice professionals in over 50 countries. As Anchor Food Professionals, we work alongside our customers, in their businesses, consistently sharing new ideas and ways of doing things. We focus on those applications where dairy provides the "wow" factor and work with our customers to improve their products and to grow their business. With our industry insights and world-leading research and innovation, we are continuously creating new high-function, fit-for-purpose dairy ingredients and service solutions that help meet the demands of our customers' food businesses.

About Fonterra USA:

Fonterra USA is an extension of the global dairy nutrition giant out of Auckland, New Zealand. Owned by 100,000 farmers, Fonterra is the world's leading exporter  shaping the industry in quality dairy solutions and disrupted differentiated innovations. Headquartered in Chicago, they are the regional home of NZMP, Anchor Dairy US consumer brands and Anchor Dairy Food Professionals. With roots firmly planted in New Zealand's rich land, Fonterra stands for environmental sustainability, connects communities, and delivers the most nutritious dairy products possible. Learn more at www.fonterra.com/us .

Media Contact:

Ashley Thomas

[email protected]

(224) 234-5232

SOURCE Anchor Food Professionals
Micro parties have emerged as the other big winner in the West Australian election, with the Legalise Cannabis WA party claiming two upper house seats.

The final count for the Legislative Council was completed on Tuesday, formalising Labor's commanding majority across both houses of parliament.

In addition to winning a remarkable 53 out of 59 lower house seats, Mark McGowan's Labor government has also claimed 22 upper house seats.

It is the first time Labor has won a majority in the Legislative Council.

Daylight Saving Party candidate Wilson Tucker was elected in the Mining and Pastoral region despite polling just 98 votes.

His victory was made possible by complex preference deals which have also catapulted Legalise Cannabis WA candidates to victories in the South West and East Metro regions.

In addition to winning a remarkable 53 out of 59 lower house seats, Mark McGowan's Labor government has also claimed 22 upper house seats

Former Fremantle mayor Brad Pettitt was elected for the Greens in the South Metro region in an otherwise disastrous showing for the party.

The party has been reduced from four upper house MPs to one, with former party leader Alison Xamon among those to lose their seat.

Mr Tucker's election comes despite the fact he has spent the past three years living in the United States where he has a software engineering job.

Voters in his region are staunchly opposed to introducing daylight saving.

Mr Tucker told Perth radio 6PR he was planning to return to Australia and undergo quarantine as soon as possible.

The newly re-elected Labor government has promised to look into electoral reforms which could stop micro party candidates from gaming the system.

Parliament is expected to resume at the end of the month with the obliterated Liberals facing an enormous rebuilding task.

The party has been reduced to just two lower house MPs, with the Nationals set to claim official opposition status.
Now Open

6 April 2021

AC Hotels, the modern, design-driven brand from Marriott, welcomed its first property to Montana, the AC Hotel Missoula Downtown. Located in the heart of downtown Missoula among the tree-lined streets and riverfront paths, on the corner of Main and Pattee Street, the newly-constructed property brings an elevated and harmonious guest experience centered on authentic service. The AC Hotel Missoula Downtown is managed by Aimbridge Hospitality, the leading, global, third-party hotel management company.

Modern Design with Nature-Based Elements

AC Hotels by Marriott is an internationally recognized hotel designed for the creative, well-traveled, entrepreneurial spirits who appreciate the oasis of a well-designed hotel that allows them to welcome moments of tranquility, be present, and make connections. The AC Hotel Missoula Downtown merges the brand's Spanish roots with the essence of Missoula by showcasing locally-made art pieces curated from Radius Art Gallery that emphasize the geologic nature-based concept of the hotel while also highlighting the character of its urban downtown location.

The AC Hotel Missoula Downtown features 105 thoughtfully designed guest rooms distributed over six floors. Each guest room has a 55-inch flat-screen SMART television with access to streaming content, an integrated work desk, seating area, and a sleek bathroom featuring rainfall showerheads and Korres amenities. The property also features 935 square feet of high-tech meeting space for up to 65 people. Additional amenities include a 24/7 state-of-the-art fitness studio, valet parking for hotel guests and visitors who need parking to access the downtown area, and complimentary Wi-Fi in the lobby and public spaces.

The modern, open lobby space showcases a collection of inviting furnishings and offers an innovative beverage and food program within the AC Lounge. The bar menu features expertly-made signature cocktails and a nightly ritual unique to this location, in addition to local microbrews and craft beers, a globally-inspired selection of wines, and a menu of small plates and locally sourced treats. Created by F&B Manager Jennifer Engle, the signature AC Lounge Ritual cocktail, The Josephine Doody, features Glacier Distillery's Josephine's Moonshine.

The 7R Bar, located on the rooftop of the AC Hotel, is slated to open in early Summer 2021 and will be the premier public rooftop bar in Missoula. Guests will be able to enjoy the entire beverage and food menus while taking in impressive views of downtown Missoula and the surrounding scenic landscape.

The AC Kitchen serves an elevated, European-inspired breakfast spread with a selection of freshly baked croissants from the local Le Petit Bakery, Spanish egg tarts, freshly sliced artisan prosciutto from a signature Berkel slicer, Nespresso coffee, and more.
Chief Minister has



said his government was keen on supporting new age firms in and assured to provide all necessary assistance.

He was speaking at a virtual meeting with the CEO and founder of Triton Electric Himanshu Patel on investment opportunities for Triton in on Monday.

"The Government of is very keen to support entry of new age firm like Triton and all assistance will be provided with complete customised facilitation," the Chief Minister was quoted as saying in an official statement.

He explained that the EV cluster in Ramanagara is being created over an area of 500 acres, which will offer a strong and concentrated EV ecosystem.

Karnataka being the first state to launch a dedicated policy in 2017 is now updating the EV Policy to make it more investor-friendly, he pointed out.

Despite COVID 19 hitting the economy across the globe, the Government of Karnataka has extended all possible support to the industry growth, Yediyurappa said.

He added that the New Industry Policy has special emphasis to make Karnataka an integral part of the global supply chain across industry sectors.

The statement said the Triton's CEO expressed interest to invest in Karnataka and assured to look into the prospects.

He also said he would be visiting India shortly for another round of discussions.

(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.)
Today marks a powerful milestone for all of the family at DSS, said Mark Byers, president of DSS, Inc. Weve seen an enormous amount of change in the healthcare industry over the past 30 years  everything from straight digitization of text to software-enabled visualization tools.

Document Storage Systems, Inc. (DSS, Inc.), a leading provider of health information technology (HIT) solutions for federal, private and public healthcare organizations, recently celebrated its 30 year anniversary. Since its founding in a Colorado basement by three brothers in 1991, DSS, Inc. has anticipated and facilitated enormous change in the healthcare industry.

Joe, Mark and Ron Byers knew three decades ago that the healthcare industrys reliance on paper was unsustainable. Digitized records shared via computers have revolutionized healthcare, empowering providers and protecting patients. Without the right technology partner however, this transformation has often bedeviled providers and frustrated patients.

DSS, Inc. has grown into a more than 600 employee company and a Healthcare Informatics 100 award winner by diving in and understanding client technology needs. This deep, hands on experience and understanding allow DSS, Inc. to help clients make the transition to person-centered care. The company focused on innovation from the very beginning, creating solutions that improved revenue cycles, regulatory compliance, interoperability  and, above all, patient care.

DSS, Inc. employees and partners include experienced clinicians and Veterans who work closely with customers every step of the way. Since 1994, the company has been providing and sustaining solutions for the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Today, every VA Medical Center uses at least 10 DSS solutions across clinical and business service lines. DSS, Inc. supports VHAs transformation to deliver high-reliability health care and helps with multiple complex challenges such as the VAs EHR modernization program.

Today marks a powerful milestone for all of the family at DSS, said Mark Byers, president of DSS, Inc. and a 2021 FedHealth IT 100 awardee. Weve seen an enormous amount of change in the healthcare industry over the past 30 years  everything from straight digitization of text to software-enabled visualization tools. Healthcare IT has not always lived up to its promise of enhancing the care received and making it more efficient. We understand the unique workflows of healthcare delivery and ensure that our software solves customer problems. Our success over the years is due to those customers and every one of our hard-working employees.

DSS, Inc.s experience from its decades of support for the VA, the nations largest healthcare system, has allowed it to grow into providing solutions for commercial healthcare providers.

An example of continuing innovation is its Juno EHR solution, which is the companys new electronic health record that provides enhanced usability, interoperability, security, and efficiency. It transforms the EHR from a source of frustration into an integrated feature of any clinical setting.

In addition, the company recently launched Juno RxTracker, which offers smarter, faster and safer ePrescribing for all medications, including controlled substances.

Designed by clinicians for clinicians, Juno RxTracker offers streamlined ePrescribing that empowers physicians to rapidly prescribe with ease, according to their unique workflows via desktop and mobile app. It also offers a concierge-set up for allowing providers to be quickly and easily up-and-running on the solution.

About Document Storage Systems, Inc. (DSS, Inc.)

With over 30 years of experience, DSS knows what works. We are a health information software development and systems integration company, providing services and solutions used daily by thousands of clinicians and administrative staff nationwide, to reduce costs, streamline workflows and improve patient care. For more information about DSS, visit http://www.dssinc.com.
Police in Huntsville arrested dozens of protesters downtown last summer, as officers fired tear gas and rubber bullets into crowds gathered on the courthouse square. Now the city is about to decide how to handle the remaining cases, setting up a mass hearing in the middle of April.

Police arrested about two dozen people on the nights of June 1 and June 3, charging most of them with disorderly conduct. The charge is the lowest level misdemeanor in Alabama and carries a maximum penalty of three months in the county jail.

In the nine months since the arrests, the city has quietly dropped some of the charges, in some cases only after the people who were arrested agreed not to sue the city.

Its the city saying we goofed up, and if youll agree not to sue us, then well dismiss these charges, said Joel Sullivan, a Huntsville attorney representing several of the arrested protesters.

But for those whose charges are still pending, a trial date is set for April 16 in Huntsville City Court. All of the cases have been assigned to one courtroom with one judge and one prosecutor.

Members of the public, speaking before the city council on multiple occasions, have repeatedly raised questions about whether police used excessive force by tear gassing and pepper spraying protesters in Huntsville on June 1 and June 3.

To get a handle on how many cases have been dropped and how many are pending, AL.com asked the city attorneys office for records and a copy of the April 16 court docket.

Eddie Blair, an assistant city attorney, said the court docket isnt available. But through interviews with people who were arrested and their lawyers, and through a review of court records, AL.com was able to confirm that charges have been dropped for at least a half dozen protesters.

In some cases, charges were dropped on the condition that the person who was arrested agree not to sue the city, according to records reviewed by AL.com.

In a motion to drop one such case, a city prosecutor wrote the disorderly conduct charge was being dismissed in the interest of the ends of justice.

The prosecutor also wrote that the defendant wasnt required to pay court costs or fees, and that the person signed a release form. The release forms are at times used in city court cases when prosecutors dismiss charges.

On June 3, several people were also seen bleeding or bruised after law enforcement fired rubber bullets at protesters. Huntsville police Chief Mark McMurray, in an appearance in front of the city council, has said HPD officers do not carry rubber bullet guns. Other local agencies, including the Madison County Sheriffs Office helped city police during the protests. The sheriffs office has not released any information about weapons or tactics used during the protests.

Sullivan, attorney for some of the protesters, said the city should drop the remaining charges of disorderly conduct and failure to disperse.

The court showdown comes as the actions police took at the protests are still under scrutiny.

Last summer, as protests swept the nation in the wake of the killing of George Floyd by police in Minnesota, hundreds of protesters gathered in downtown Huntsville, assembling outside the courthouse and marching in the streets. On June 1 and June 3, police ordered protesters to go home before blanketing the square in clouds of tear gas and pepper spray. On June 3, after ordering protesters to leave for about an hour, police in riot gear also hurled flash bang grenades and fired rubber bullets as snipers peered down from the courthouse roof and state helicopters flew overhead.

The Huntsville Police Citizens Advisory Council, a group of 10 volunteers, is reviewing what happened at the protests. Its not yet clear when the advisory council will issue its report.

The arrests were among several justifications police gave for their use of force. Huntsville police Chief Mark McMurray and Madison County Sheriff Kevin Turner said they believed their actions saved the city from being looted or burned, as protesters looted shops in numerous other cities and burned a police station in Minneapolis. But no such activity was seen in Huntsville.

In court records obtained by AL.com, Huntsville police alleged that the people arrested on June 3 created a risk of injury to themselves and others.

Sullivan told AL.com that body camera footage of the arrests disputes the police departments claims. He said the scene on June 3 was chaotic. Tear gas wafted through the air, state police helicopters flew overhead, some people were bleeding from rubber bullet wounds. And there was confusion about the time the protest was scheduled to end. Initially a permit issued by the city said the event would last until 8 p.m. But police started ordering people to leave more than an hour earlier.

McMurray also told the city council about questionable or false claims of antifa activity to justify the force. He cited some Facebook posts by someone who wasnt even at the protests. As for violence prompting the police response, beyond not dispersing, police noted one protester picked up a tear gas grenade and threw it back at police in gasmasks. Police also released a photo showing minor injuries to one officers head and said that at some point a window was busted on a police car near Big Spring Park.

Sullivan said he is concerned about how the police handled another aspect of the arrests: in almost all of the cases, police wrote the exact same allegations in charging documents, and one police sergeant is listed as the complaining witness. AL.com reviewed several of the records, and the only difference between the documents is the defendants name.

The above listed person was told multiple times by Huntsville Police to disperse and refused to leave the area, the charging documents state. The above listed person was standing in the street yelling causing an alarm and causing a public inconvenience.

In cities across the country, prosecutors have dropped the vast majority of the cases related to the 2020 protests after the death of Floyd. The New York Times reported that in many instances, prosecutors declined to pursue charges because they believed protesters were exercising their rights to free speech or that police had violated their civil rights.

In most instances, only cases involving more serious crimes are being prosecuted, The Times reported.

In Huntsville, at least one man pleaded guilty to a charge of failure to disperse. Sullivan said some of his clients were charged in Madison County court and allowed to enter pretrial diversion and take classes, rather than face trial.

At least two people were charged with crimes for bringing guns to demonstrations  which is illegal in Alabama  during the June protests. Those charges are set for trial in county court later this year, records show.
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan said Tuesday it was "not proper to ignore" the coronavirus pandemic, in comments suggesting a shift from her Covid-sceptic predecessor who downplayed the disease.

In another sign of change, Hassan also ordered an easing of restrictions on media that had been banned before she took office last month.

Hassan announced she would create an expert Covid taskforce to advise her government, saying they would canvass global opinion on the pandemic and make recommendations about "remedies" and policies.

"It is not proper to ignore it. We cannot reject or accept it without any evidence from research," Hassan told her newly-appointed permanent secretaries at a swearing-in ceremony in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday.

"They (experts) will tell us more about the pandemic, and advise us about what the world is proposing. We cannot accept everything as it comes, but we also cannot isolate ourselves as an island while the world is moving in a different direction."

Hassan became Tanzania's first female president last month following the death of John Magufuli, a Covid-sceptic who spent the better part of the pandemic denying coronavirus existed in his country before his sudden death at 61.

Authorities said Magufuli, nicknamed the "Bulldozer" for his uncompromising leadership style, died of a heart condition on March 17 after a mysterious three-week absence but his political opponents insisted he had coronavirus.

Hassan has vowed to "start where Magufuli ended" and all eyes have been on potential changes to the country's policies and openness regarding Covid-19.

Tanzania has not reported any Covid-19 data since April 2020 and few measures have been taken to curb the spread of the virus, which Magufuli said had been fended off by prayer, insisting face masks were not needed.

"We cannot be reading about Covid in the world and when you reach sections about Tanzania, one find gaps. I think we need to be clearer whether we accept or not," she said.

Story continues

In another policy announcement, Hassan ordered that officials "free" media outlets banned by her predecessor, whose administration was criticised for a heavy-handed crackdown on the press.

"We should not give any room to say that we are suppressing media freedom," she said.

"Our regulations should also be clear for every offence and their punishment. We should not use force to ban media platforms."

No media outlets were mentioned by name, but last year Tanzania's Daima newspaper was indefinitely banned while broadcaster Wasafi TV, and online network Kwanza TV, were handed suspensions.

Tanzania was long seen as a haven of stability and democracy in an otherwise volatile neighbourhood, but alarm grew over a slide into autocracy under Magufuli's rule.

Most foreign media were not allowed into Tanzania to cover the 2020 presidential election in which Magufuli and Hassan, then his deputy, won a second term in a disputed vote.

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Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday unloaded on '60 Minutes' after the CBS program aired a story alleging a 'pay-to-play' connection between a major supermarket chain's participation in the vaccine program and a campaing contribution it made to his campaign.

The show has faced blowback for the report, which did not provide evidence that the $100,000 contribution to DeSantis' PAC was linked to the store's participation in the state vaccine rollout.

'They cut out everything that showed that their narrative was a piece of horse manure,' DeSantis fumed at a press conference in the Florida panhandle.

'They cut out everything that showed that their narrative was a piece of horse manure,' Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis fumed at a press conference following a '60 Minutes' report. He also threatened 'consequences' for the CBS network

He also suggested he would get back at the network. 'I know corporate media thinks that they can just run over people  you ain't running over this governor. I'm punching back, and I'm going to continue to do it until the smear merchants are held accountable,' he said.

He also warned of unspecified 'consequences.'

'These are smear merchants that's why nobody trusts corporate media. They are a disaster, and what they're doing. They knew what they were doing was a lie. I knew what they were doing was a lie. Everybody here knows what they were doing is a lie. They know that we know they're lying and yet they continue to lie, and they lie, and they lie, and they lie. We've offered them the information, and they declined to interview the key people, because they didn't want to let go the narrative. Well guess what there's gonna be consequences for that,' said DeSantis.

'They were warned and yet they plowed ahead anyway,' he said, referring to them as 'New York corporate media.'

'They went for the smear. They've been caught red handed,' said DeSantis.

Prominent Democrats, including the mayor of Palm Beach, have come to the defense of DeSantis, an ally of former President Donald Trump.

The story also focused on disparities in vaccine distribution, including among poorer residents who didn't live near a Publix store.

Earlier, DeSantis slammed 60 Minutes for 'deceptively editing' his exchange with a correspondent in a piece accusing him of cutting a 'pay-for-play' deal with grocery chain Publix for COVID-19 vaccine distribution, as even Democratic officials in the state say the program ignored key evidence contradicting the allegation.

Sunday's episode revealed that weeks before Publix landed the lucrative contract, the chain donated $100,000 to DeSantis' PAC, Friends of Ron DeSantis.

60 Minutes implied in the piece that Publix was the only source of vaccines in Palm Beach County, which is false, and blamed the Publix deal for exacerbating racial and economic disparities in vaccine distribution.

The report also featured a testy exchange between correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi and the Republican governor, showing him slamming the allegations as a 'false narrative' - but cut out several minutes of DeSantis explaining the Publix contract, leading him and others to accuse the show of deceptive editing.

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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has slammed 60 Minutes for 'deceptively editing' his exchange with a correspondent in a piece accusing him of cutting a 'pay-for-play' deal

Sunday's episode of 60 Minutes featured a testy exchange between correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi (left) and the Republican governor, showing him slamming the allegations as a 'false narrative' -- but cut out several minutes of DeSantis explaining the Publix contract

A 60 Minutes spokesman told DailyMail.com in a statement: 'As we always do for clarity, 60 Minutes used the portion of the Governor's over two-minute response that directly addressed the question from the correspondent.'

The 60 Minutes team spent three months in Palm Beach County for the lengthy report, examining allegations of disparity in vaccine distribution there and pointing the finger at the Publix deal, which correspondent Alfonsi called 'pay-for-play'.

After the report aired, key Democrats in Florida responded to it harshly, saying they had offered 60 Minutes evidence that political donations played no role in the Publix contract, which the program ignored.

'I said this before and I'll say it again. @Publix was recommended by [Florida Division of Emergency Management] and [Department of Health] as the other pharmacies were not ready to start,' said Emergency Management Director Jared Moskowitz in a tweet.

'Period! Full Stop! No one from the Governors office suggested Publix. It's just absolute malarkey,' added Moskowitz, who previously served as a Democratic legislator in Florida's state House.

Palm Beach County Mayor Dave Kerner, also a Democrat, had even harsher words, calling the 60 Minutes report 'intentionally false' and saying the program 'should be ashamed.'

Florida Emergency Management Director Jared Moskowitz (left) and Palm Beach County Mayor Dave Kerner (right), both Democrats, slammed the 60 Minutes report as false

'The reporting was not just based on bad information -- it was intentionally false,' Kerner said in a statement. 'I know this because I offered to provide my insight into Palm Beach County's vaccination efforts and 60 Minutes declined.'

'They know that the governor came to Palm Beach County and met with me and the County Administrator and we asked to expand the state's partnership with Publix to Palm Beach County,' he said.

'They had that information, and they left it out because it kneecaps their narrative,' Kerner added. '60 Minutes should be ashamed.'

But another local Democrat, Palm Beach County Commissioner Melissa McKinlay, took on Kerner on Twitter.

'I'm not getting into the pay-to-play argument,' McKinlay wrote, the Orlando Sentinel reported. 'That wasn't my concern. My concern was [the] lack of Publix in Glades, which I warned State about PRIOR to Publix-only decision.'

A CBS News spokesman declined to respond to the criticism levied by Moskowitz and Kerner when reached by DailyMail.com on Monday night.

DeSantis also spoke out in an interview on Monday, saying 60 Minutes omitted key facts about Florida's vaccine rollout in their reporting.

'They don't believe in facts. It was a political narrative, it was done with malicious intent and a reckless disregard for the truth,' DeSantis told Fox News host Tucker Carlson.

'They would not talk to the people who were most relevant to this, because they know those key Democrats, Jared Moskowitz and Mayor Dave Kerner would blow up their narrative,' he continued. 'So they just put their head in the sand and pretended that those facts didn't exist.'

Palm Beach County Mayor Dave Kerner issued a withering statement calling the 60 Minutes report 'intentionally false' and saying the program 'should be ashamed'

DeSantis touted his approach to vaccine rollout, which rejected CDC guidance to focus early rollout on senior citizens, saying the state had seen 'hospitalizations among seniors plummet' as a result.

'Obviously they were in Florida for three months, 60 Minutes, trying to dredge up any dirt they could use to smear me, and the best they could come up with is a baseless conspiracy theory that was easily debunked,' DeSantis said.

'Not just by me - which they edited out - but by two prominent Democrats in the state of Florida,' he said.

Many critics likewise accused 60 Minutes of deceptively editing the correspondent's exchange with DeSantis, with conservative writer A.G. Hamilton pointing out that the program 'cut out several minutes' of the governor's comments explaining what led to the deal with Publix.

In the segment that aired on Sunday, the correspondent Alfonsi was seen in a brief but heated exchange with DeSantis.

'Publix, as you know, donated $100,000 to your campaign,' Alfonsi said to DeSantis in a clip from a March 22 press conference. 'And then you rewarded them with the exclusive rights to distribute the vaccination in Palm Beach...'

'First, of all what you're saying is wrong,' DeSantis shot back.

'How is that not pay for play?' Alfonsi then asked.

'That's a fake narrative,' DeSantis replied. 'I met with the county mayor, I met with the administrator, I met with all the folks at Palm Beach County and I said, 'Here's some of the options: We can do more drive-thru sites, we can give more to hospitals, we can do the Publix.' And they said, 'We think that would be the easiest thing for our residents.'

'The criticism here is that is pay for play, governor,' Alfonsi told DeSantis.

'And it's wrong, it's wrong,' the governor fired back. 'It's a fake narrative. I just disabused you of the narrative. And you don't care about the facts. Because, obviously, I laid it out for you in a way that is irrefutable.'

Critics accused 60 Minutes of deceptively editing the correspondent's exchange with DeSantis, who described at length the origins of the Publix contract

Sunday, Sharyn Alfonsi investigates allegations that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made decisions about COVID vaccine distribution favoring wealthy or connected individuals, including a supermarket chain that recently donated to the governor's PAC. https://t.co/VbVdXJ3xxv pic.twitter.com/6mbxfMdgPg  60 Minutes (@60Minutes) April 2, 2021

The full exchange, not seen on 60 Minutes, included the following remarks from DeSantis.

'First of all, the first pharmacies that had [the vaccine] were CVS and Walgreens and they had a long-term care mission, so they were going to the long-term care facilities,' DeSantis said during the portion omitted by 60 Minutes.

'They got the vaccine in the middle of December, they started going to the long-term care facilities the third week in December to do LTCs,' DeSantis told Alfonsi.

'So that was their mission, that was very important and we trusted them to do that. As we got into January, we wanted to expand the distribution points.'

'So yes, you had the counties, you had some drive-thru sites, you had hospitals that were doing a lot, but we wanted to get it into communities more,' he went on.

'So we reached out to other retail pharmacies: Publix, Walmart, obviously CVS and Walgreens had to finish that mission and we said we're going to use you as soon as you're done with that,' DeSantis continued.

DeSantis insisted that Publix was the 'first one to raise their hand' to say they were ready to distribute the vaccine.

They rolled out the vaccine on a 'trial basis' in three counties, which was met with '100 percent positive' feedback from seniors, he said.

Addressing concerns in Palm Beach County, DeSantis said that while the county had 'struggled' initially with distribution, it had now vaccinated nearly three-quarters of all seniors, with distribution set to expand further.

In a statement to 60 Minutes after the report ran, a Publix spokesperson blasted the allegation that donations affected the vaccine contract.

'The irresponsible suggestion that there was a connection between campaign contributions made to Governor DeSantis and our willingness to join other pharmacies in support of the state's vaccine distribution efforts is absolutely false and offensive,' the company said.

'We are proud of our pharmacy associates for administering more than 1.5 million doses of vaccine to date and for joining other retailers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia to do our part to help our communities emerge from the pandemic.'
We do think that there are going to be some people, going into next year, that say We liked doing eLearning, wed like to keep doing it, then we have to make a philosophical decision  do we think it was as good for the students, and do we want to keep being that sort of provider of eLearning and live instruction, especially at the secondary level, he said.
As illegal migrants surge across our southern border, NBC and the Daily Mail had a good, if limited, piece on the fact that the human smugglers profiting from it are openly advertising for clients on Facebook.

According to NBC News:

Human smugglers are openly advertising their services on Facebook, falsely telling Central Americans interested in crossing illegally into the United States that they can promise a "100 percent" safe journey. While the use of social media by smugglers is not new, the practice is growing, fueling false hope as more migrants fall prey to misinformation about how the Biden administration will welcome them, according to Department of Homeland Security officials, immigration experts and lawyers. "Travel to Mexico to the United States. Costs $8,000. 100 percent safe," reads a recent post written in Spanish. "Cross through Matamoros. You walk one hour, after in automobile until you arrive to your relative." The Spanish-language posts identified by NBC News were found on public Facebook pages with names like "Migrants from Various Countries in Mexico" and "Migrants in the Mexico-U.S.A. Border Awaiting Hearing."

NBC reported that the Facebook removed all the posts flagged as human-smuggling ads following after NBC alerted them.

Problem: There are a lot more of them. It's almost as if the Facebook removals were some sort of public relations gesture on behalf of the Biden administration, which is looking for some good spin for itself as the migrant surge grows into a tidal wave. Or maybe that Facebook's pro-open-borders founder, Mark Zuckerberg, doesn't mind if his site becomes an open-air bazaar for smugglers of illegal aliens. A few days ago, the Wall Street Journal reported that migrant arrests at the border reached a 15-year high at 170,000 arrests just for March alone.

So much for old Joe's recent claim that the migrant surge now is just cyclical and has nothing to do with his open invitation to migrants to enter the U.S. illegally, particularly to unaccompanied children.

With the Border Patrol preoccupied with rescuing kids and toddlers flung over the border wall and babysitting them while they try to get their illegal alien relatives to pick up the phone and provide their addresses so they can fly them to their destinations at taxpayer expense, you can bet that countless non-child illegals are rolling in, too, convinced the Border Patrol is going to be too busy with the kids to get them. The baseline stat for illegal immigration is one bust per nine escapes. Odds now are that the ratio is even lower. Plus, the Mexican consulate in San Francisco has a handy dandy guide for illegals on how to dodge the Border Patrol or lawyer one's way out. "It's better to be prepared," the guide says.

That leaves Joe Biden with a problem. And sure enough, being Biden, he's got an answer for this surge: Radio ads.

According to the Federation for Immigration Reform:

...the Biden White House still ran thousands of radio ads in Brazil, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras in Spanish, Portuguese, and six indigenous languages in hopes that it could set the record straight about the southern border.

That was Biden's solution to halting it. FAIR notes far from being radio that's driving the human waves, the vehicle now for illegal immigration is social media.

Talk radio, which was once seen as the dominant method of communication and coordination for migration in Central and South America, has seen a significant decline in these regions. The State Department has recently revealed that data shows mobile is the dominant source of media consumption in the region, and digital ads placed on Facebook and Instagram have reached more than 26 million people since Inauguration Day.

But sure enough, Joe goes radio to stop the migrant surge. On social media, he is silent. Way to go, Joe.

Biden sure as hell hasn't woken up to the scary reality of the huge human-smuggling presence on Facebook, which is there because billions in profits for smugglers are already rolling in:

I did a search of 'inmigrante' on Facebook looking for such groups and was floored by what I saw.

The first 'group' I found was called Inmigrante Centroamericano with 95,900 members. Within the last few hours, and last few days, you can read posts like this:

Here's a Google Translate:

We continue working to fulfill the American dream Crossing through Tijuana on the line INTERESTED PEOPLE more information send inbox SERIOUS PEOPLE, WITHOUT ADVANCES. IT IS PAID BEING ON THE OTHER SIDE.

It drew 29 messages of interest from would-be illegals. And who is Andrea Gomez?

Hard to say. She has a cartoon face. She has five facebook friends. She claims she is married and lives in San Diego. She has a few posted border pictures, including one on her banner page and pretty much nothing else. Sounds like she could be what she suggests she is ... someone who is engaged in an activity she doesn't want anyone, including the people she is asking money from, to know. One possibility, in any case, there are many.

Here's another:

Via Google Translate and my own tweaks: Study so that the Coyote can say: I helped him rise to become a medical doctor.

What a deal.

Here's a more low-rent direct approach:

Translation: We continue crossing into the United States successfully inbox for information

There's also this:

Via Google Translate:

Hello friends of  I offer drop-offs at the Mexico City airport, absolutely safe with a 180-day permit and for people with deportations or alerts there are also ... don't risk being deported or scammed We also have safe crosses, we will put you with someone you trust and we will take you to your destination in the USA   WITHOUT ADVANCES everything is paid when you are in a safe place  Don't think twice and fulfill the American dream today. For more information send inbox and we will attend you shortly. CONTACT US. I HAVE PROOF OF MY WORK.

Sounds like a lot of customer-service.

Or this, from someone who likes to show his "services" in action, through pictures, as his advertising tool:

Google Translate says: You want to achieve that great American dream we take you very safe and reliable I send them tests through inbox serious people I sent inbox

There are dozens more, I have the screen shots, just don't want to crash the system with that many photos or spend several hours image-optimizing them on Photoshop. They are interspersed with migrant warnings about bad human-smuggling experiences, migrant warnings about scammers, and cartel pornoviolence that I can't look at - one showed cartel members pointing guns at the temples of a tied-up distressed migrant on his knees with one stroking his head as if he were a cat as he begged for his life -- I couldn't look beyond that. There's also real porn and ads for what appear to be hookers displaying their "wares" for buyers alongside religious prayers and invocations for migrants, all mixed in. It's a hell of a grotesque Facebook page and pops up first every time you put the word 'inmigrante' into the Facebook search feature.

Bottom line: This stuff is going on something fierce and Facebook only seems to be shutting down such sites if they come to the attention of the press. The smugglers, though, don't seem to be shut down, they just migrate to advertise on other sites, or like con men traveling from town to town changing their names, changing their Facebook pages every time they get flagged, assuming the flagging has any effect.

A lot of money is changing hands now with these big migrant smuggling ads all over the place -- and on other social media sites such as WhatsApp, too. Twitter must have plenty as well if they are as 'diligent' as Facebook about deleting such human-smuggling ads. And yes, social media makes lots of money from its visitor participation.

It signals that migrant smuggling is big business with billions of dollars at stake, with a highly developed network infrastructure. That should be fairly easy for a social media giant like Facebook to shut down --- yet it isn't. Facebook, see, and its Chinese censors, is preoccupied with deleting Republicans, it seems.

The infrastructure is so well developed illegal migrants now have a Yelp-like page from which to post their human-smuggling experiences. I wrote about this here.

What does this say about Joe Biden? Robert Gates and his 2014 dictum on Joe Biden's reading of foreign policy springs to mind: "I think he has been wrong on nearly every major foreign policy and national security issue over the past four decades.

What does this say about Facebook with its leaders' loud support for open borders?

What does this say about all the worthless efforts so far to stem the tide of illegal migration? The only thing one can possibly conclude is that Biden doesn't really care, and open-borders advocate Mark Zuckerberg, who runs Facebook, is just a little disingenuous about deleting the human-smuggling services proliferating on his Facebook site.

Images: Screen shots from publicly visible Facebook.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
CINCINNATI, Ohio  An Ohio man has died after he was shot while driving on Interstate 75, police say.

Police have identified the victim as 29-year-old Ellonzo Martin. Martin died on Saturday, one day after he was shot, according to police.

Martin reportedly was driving south on I-75 just before noon on Friday when he was shot. He drove himself to the emergency room at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, police say.

No other details have been released on the incident and no arrests have been made. Police say they are continuing to investigate.

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Oregon lawmakers edged closer toward reinstating the statewide moratorium on residential foreclosures Tuesday as House Democrats pushed through a bill that would protect homeowners until at least June 30.

Two Republicans joined Democrats in voting to pass the bill, which still needs to gain approval from the Senate.

Oregonians need this sort of protection, said Rep. Paul Holvey, D-Eugene, the chief sponsor of the bill. Without it, I fear we face even more economic distress. More Oregonians will become homeless if this bill does not pass.

Oregon lawmakers allowed the states ban on foreclosures to expire at the end of December, leaving many struggling homeowners in a state of uncertainty.

House Speaker Tina Kotek, D-Portland, said in February that legislation to extend the foreclosure moratorium was left off the docket for the December special session due to opposition from the banking industry and a push from senators to keep it off the list. Lawmakers did extend the states eviction ban for renters until the end of June during that December special session.

The bill the House members approved Tuesday would reinstate the foreclosure moratorium, potentially banning lenders from foreclosing on homeowners who attest to experiencing a loss of income due to the coronavirus pandemic until the end of 2021.

Under House Bill 2009, the moratorium would be retroactive Dec. 31 and would run through at least June 30. The moratorium would be extended in 90-day intervals to the end of September, or even the end of the year, if Gov. Kate Brown extends the statewide emergency period.

The bill would also require any lender that initiated more than 30 foreclosures last year to participate in a foreclosure avoidance meeting with borrowers during any foreclosure process. Under current state law, only lenders who initiated more than 175 foreclosures during a year must participate in mediation.

Unlike a bill passed by lawmakers last June, the new legislation would not protect commercial property owners. Those that own more than five properties, or properties with more than four housing units, would not be covered, either.

Homeowners with federally backed mortgages are already protected by a federal moratorium on foreclosures, which runs until the end of June. Those homeowners also have the right to request forbearance by the end of June to delay their mortgage payments for up to a year.

But 30% of single-family mortgages, or roughly 14.5 million loans nationwide, are not backed or owned by a federal agency and are not covered by the federal moratorium, according to a report from the National Housing Law Project. Oregons legislation would give protections to those homeowners.

While the pandemic recession is continuing, the number of Oregon homeowners struggling to pay their mortgages appears to be on the decline.

Analytics firm Black Knight estimated that Oregon had a mortgage delinquency rate of just over 4% in February, fifth lowest in the country.

Meanwhile, in the U.S. Census Bureaus most recent Household Pulse Survey, 6% of more than one million Oregon homeowners surveyed who were still paying off their mortgages said they were behind on their payments.

That marks an improvement from January when 10% of Oregonians surveyed said they were behind on their mortgage payments.

At that time, nearly 27,000 Oregonians said their mortgage payments were being deferred. Just 13,000 said they were having payments deferred in the most recent survey in March.

A proposal defeated by the House on Tuesday would have prevented the moratorium from automatically continuing beyond June if the governor extends the emergency period. Republicans said an open-ended moratorium was unnecessary since it appears fewer homeowners are falling behind on their mortgages.

Other Republicans raised questions about the constitutionality of the bill, pointing to language in the Oregon Constitution that prohibits laws impairing the obligation of contracts.

As its stated right now, I believe this bill is unconstitutional, Rep. Jack Zika, R-Redmond, said.

Rep. Julie Fahey, D-Eugene, said it is imperative for Oregon to reinstate the moratorium to avoid the policy mistakes that led to a foreclosure crisis during the Great Recession and to ensure that homeowners have time to access financial relief that the state is on the verge of receiving.

The Oregon Homeownership Stabilization Initiative has already been providing financial relief to help homeowners affected by COVID-19 catch up with mortgage payments. Fahey said Oregon stands to receive between $50 and $100 million from the federal governments most recent relief bill to provide additional help.

We lost a lot of ground in the Great Recession in terms of homeownership, particularly for families of color, Fahey said. We cannot let that happen again.

-- Jamie Goldberg | jgoldberg@oregonian.com | @jamiebgoldberg
Alex Salmond today demanded fresh Scottish independence talks start immediately after May's Holyrood elections if separatist parties achieve a 'super-majority' of seats.

Launching his new Alba Party's election campaign today the former SNP First Minister said that discussions with Westminster should begin in 'week one' of the new assembly.

A poll at the weekend suggested pro-independence parties are on course to win 79 of the 129 seats available on May 6.

With a swipe at Boris Johnson's refusal to allow a new referendum, Mr Salmond said: 'The Tory Prime Minister must not be allowed to cast this great debate as party against party, Prime Minister against First Minister. If he does that, Scotland will lose.

'This needs to become what we all know it to be - a Tory Prime Minister standing against the will of Scotland's Parliament representing Scotland's people.

'Boris Johnson has already declared he will ignore an SNP victory as a basis for a referendum. But even if he can ignore a party, he cannot ignore a Parliament and a nation.'

Current SNP policy is to hold a referendum, with or without consent from the UK Government, if an independence majority is elected on May 6. However, the party has said any referendum, which could be challenged in the courts by Westminster, would only take place after the pandemic is over.

The Alba Party leader made what he called the 'declaration for Scotland', on the 701st anniversary of the 1320 Declaration of Arbroath, in which Scottish leaders including Robert the Bruce vowed not to be subjugated by England.

Launching his new Alba Party's election campaign today the former SNP First Minister said that discussions with Westminster should begin in 'week one' of the new assembly.

Mr Salmond had earlier pledged to work with arch enemy and former protegee Nicola Sturgeon today in a bid to win independence for Scotland.

Let judge rule on independence bid, court told Judges should rule on whether Scotland can hold a second independence referendum without Westminster's consent before the Holyrood election so that people do not have to vote 'in ignorance', a court has heard. Appeal judges are hearing a case brought forward by Martin Keatings on behalf of the Forward As One group, asking the court to declare the Scottish Parliament has the power to legislate for another vote. After a two-day hearing in January, Lady Carmichael dismissed the case - ruling it was 'plainly raised prematurely' and that the question of another referendum was 'also hypothetical, and may never come to pass'. At an appeal hearing at the Court of Session on Tuesday, Aidan O'Neill QC, appearing for Mr Keatings, said it is clear that the Scottish Parliament can legislate for an independence referendum. He said the Scottish Government has now published a draft Bill for a second vote on independence and Constitution Secretary Mike Russell has said the Bill will be introduced if the SNP gets a majority at next month's Scottish Parliament election. Mr O'Neill called on the court to make its decision before the ballot on May 6 so voters can make an informed choice. He said: 'The Cabinet Secretary says the Bill will be introduced if we get a majority, not if we find out it's within legislative competence. He says it's in legislative competence, he must be saying that. 'So what that means is that there is a real issue for this court to determine - is he right or is he wrong on that? Is the Scottish Government right or wrong in its claims? 'Because the voters need to know, because the voters have to determine whether to cast their votes on the basis of that claim being accurate or not. 'It is a live matter, it is an issue which has to be determined now because it will be too late for the voters if they have to cast their votes in ignorance of matters because the Scottish and UK governments have decided it's politically expedient for the voters to be kept in ignorance. That is not how democracy works.' He added: 'It's necessary that the decision of this court be made before this election precisely to allow democracy properly to work by informed voters.' Lord Carloway, Lord President of the Court of Session, asked: 'You expect the courts to make a decision on this matter in four weeks?' Mr O'Neill replied: 'It is a matter for the court but yes, I'm suggesting that that would be the court exercising its constitutional jurisdiction.' Lord Carloway pointed out the court has other cases on its rolls and it should not be assumed it would be capable of doing as suggested. Mr O'Neill also told the court, sitting in a virtual hearing, it was within the powers of the Scottish Parliament to legislate for an independence referendum and said that they were seeking assurances on that through the legal action. He said: 'The question itself I say is absolutely straightforward and it's clear that in any proper looking at the terms of the Scotland Act as it now stands, it is clear that that issue of whether or not an independence referendum can be legislated for by the Scottish Parliament is decidedly yes in favour of that proposition and that is why in this action we seek declarators to that effect.' Mr Keatings is standing as an independent candidate for Mid-Scotland and Fife in the vote on May 6. Andrew Webster QC, for the Advocate General of Scotland, said the case can be narrowed down to the idea the the pursuer (Mr Keatings) needs the court's advice to be able to decide how to vote in the election next month and that the court should not 'effectively give voting advice'. He said: 'As your Lordship has observed elsewhere there are certain political issues which require to be played out in the appropriate forum. 'This court should not enter that forum to effectively give voting advice to members of the public. 'The pursuer's argument in my submission confuses what is necessary for him with what is necessary to preserve the rule of law. 'The idea that advice is necessary for the pursuer is frankly far fetched.' He also said that a ruling by the court on a Bill while it is passing through parliament could encroach on parliamentary functions. Mr Webster said: 'You step into the legislative arena by expressing a view during the passage of a Bill then that is highly likely to encroach upon the parliamentary function of debate.' Advertisement

Mr Salmond added: 'Our belief is that in the first week of the parliament, the parliament together should issue an instruction to the Scottish government to begin negotiations for Scottish independence,' he said.

'Thereafter we see the formation of a Scottish independence convention which will represent all of the elected members in Scotland.

'We think that is the way to go to give strength and power, using the super-majority which we anticipate in the parliament to redress the balance between Westminster and Scotland.'

The former first minister urged his supporters to vote for his party on the regional list, while supporting the SNP in constituencies.

'I'll be voting SNP in my first constituency vote for that reason and I know that tens of thousands of SNP supporters are going to vote for Alba on the list for exactly the same reason,' he said.

'Because it is in the Scottish national interest to do so.

'In that unity and common purpose lies our strength and our greatest opportunity to deliver independence.

'That approach can deliver a shared parliamentary purpose in Holyrood which changes the context of the debate and which tilts the balance of power in Scotland's favour.

'It is the only way to guarantee that Scotland cannot again be sidelined and to ensure that democratic expression will prevail.'

Mr Salmond's party's success depends on electing what he calls a supermajority of independence-supporting MSPs who would ensure that the UK Government has to come to the table - but the Alba leader has so far not been able to say how many elected members would constitute such a majority.

In the Scotland Act 2016, a supermajority is described as two thirds of all 129 MSPs, meaning more than 86 would be needed for the Alba Party to reach its goal.

A Panelbase poll done for The Sunday Times this weekend suggested there could be up to 79 independence supporting MSPs elected in May.

However, Mr Salmond said: 'That is not the definition of supermajority that we are using.'

He added: 'If there were 70 MSPs supporting independence that would be a majority and I would expect to see that majority moving forward with an independence platform.

'If there were 80 MSPs supporting independence, as the polls at the weekend indicated, then we'd be well on our way to a supermajority.

'If there were 90 MSPs, which I think is well within our reach for the independence supporting parties, then that would be a bigger supermajority.

'The point we're making in the campaign is the stronger the supermajority of MSPs are supporting independence in the Scottish Parliament, the more the balance of power will be tilted in Scotland's favour.'

His campaign launch came as Scottish Tory leader Douglass Ross said pro-Union voters should not 'flirt' with smaller parties like George Galloway's All For Unity, claiming they will reduce the overall number of MSPs who oppose Scottish independence.

An opinion poll at the weekend put All for Unity (also known as Alliance for Unity) on 4 per cent of the list vote, which could be enough to gain it a single seat according to one analysis.

Mr Ross said this would come at the cost of reducing other pro-Union parties' MSPs in the list vote.

Speaking on Tuesday, he said: 'The numbers are clear in opinion polls.

'The fringe, smaller parties do enough to take support away from all pro-UK parties but don't get enough support to have a significant number of MSPs elected.'

Meanwhile a Scottish court was told today that judges should rule on whether Scotland can hold a second independence referendum without Westminster's consent before the Holyrood election so that people do not have to vote 'in ignorance'.

Appeal judges are hearing a case brought forward by Martin Keatings on behalf of the Forward As One group, asking the court to declare the Scottish Parliament has the power to legislate for another vote.

After a two-day hearing in January, Lady Carmichael dismissed the case - ruling it was 'plainly raised prematurely' and that the question of another referendum was 'also hypothetical, and may never come to pass'.

At an appeal hearing at the Court of Session on Tuesday, Aidan O'Neill QC, appearing for Mr Keatings, said it is clear that the Scottish Parliament can legislate for an independence referendum.

He said the Scottish Government has now published a draft Bill for a second vote on independence and Constitution Secretary Mike Russell has said the Bill will be introduced if the SNP gets a majority at next month's Scottish Parliament election.

Mr O'Neill called on the court to make its decision before the ballot on May 6 so voters can make an informed choice.

He said: 'The Cabinet Secretary says the Bill will be introduced if we get a majority, not if we find out it's within legislative competence. He says it's in legislative competence, he must be saying that.

'So what that means is that there is a real issue for this court to determine - is he right or is he wrong on that? Is the Scottish Government right or wrong in its claims?

'Because the voters need to know, because the voters have to determine whether to cast their votes on the basis of that claim being accurate or not.

'It is a live matter, it is an issue which has to be determined now because it will be too late for the voters if they have to cast their votes in ignorance of matters because the Scottish and UK governments have decided it's politically expedient for the voters to be kept in ignorance. That is not how democracy works.'

He added: 'It's necessary that the decision of this court be made before this election precisely to allow democracy properly to work by informed voters.'

The former First Minister said that 'independence is a bigger cause than personalities', just days after quitting the SNP to set up and lead the rival Alba Party.

But while he pledged to find 'common ground' with Ms Sturgeon (pictured yesterday as hairdressers in Scotland reopened) in the cause of Scottish independence, he admitted on Good Morning Britain they had yet to make up.

Scots independence claim of 1320 The Declaration of Arbroath was written in 1320 by Scottish barons and earls asking the Pope to recognise Scotland's independence and acknowledge Robert the Bruce as the country's lawful king. It was created during Scotland's long war of independence with England, which began with Edward I's attempts to conquer Scotland in 1296. Originally written in Latin, the most famous words in the declaration are: 'As long as but a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions be brought under English rule. 'It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours, that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.' Advertisement

Lord Carloway, Lord President of the Court of Session, asked: 'You expect the courts to make a decision on this matter in four weeks?'

Mr O'Neill replied: 'It is a matter for the court but yes, I'm suggesting that that would be the court exercising its constitutional jurisdiction.'

Lord Carloway pointed out the court has other cases on its rolls and it should not be assumed it would be capable of doing as suggested.

Mr Salmond had earlier pledged to work with arch enemy and former protegee Nicola Sturgeon today in a bid to win independence for Scotland.

The former First Minister said that 'independence is a bigger cause than personalities', just days after quitting the SNP to set up and lead the rival Alba Party.

He set up the new separatist group ahead of Scottish Parliament elections in May, after a long-running row with the current First Minister over the handling of allegations of sexual harassment against him.

But while he pledged to find 'common ground' with Ms Sturgeon in the cause of Scottish independence, he admitted on Good Morning Britain they had yet to make up.

Asked when they last spoke, he said: 'Way back, some considerable time ago.'

He added: 'Not just myself and Nicola, but all politicians have to cooperate on common cause, if the people elect Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister then I'll cooperate with Nicola Sturgeon.

'If people elect Alba into the Scottish parliament, with that strong predominant list of feminist politicians, a party led by me, then of course we'll be part of that contribution and part of the positive atmosphere. The national interest is above personalities.'

He told GMB this morning: 'We're trying to build an independent supermajority in the (Scottish) Parliament, basically because we think Boris Johnson will say no to a single party, the SNP,(but) he'll find it much more difficult to say no to an entire parliament speaking for a nation.'

A weekend poll found that pro-independence parties could win a 'super-majority' in May's Scottish Parliament elections, putting more pressure on Boris Johnson.

The SNP, the Scottish Greens and the Alba Party are forecast to win 79 of the 129 Holyrood seats between them, according to a survey by Panelbase for the Sunday Times.

The SNP is set to gain two seats to take it to 65, a narrow outright majority. The poll also found that the Greens will add six seats to their current two.

And in its most surprising finding it found that Alba, which only launched last week, could win six seats on the regional list.

An analysis of the poll by Sir John Curtice of Strathclyde University put the Scottish Conservatives on 24 seats, Scottish Labour on 20 and the Liberal Democrats on five.

George Galloway could enter the Scottish Parliament as his pro-union Alliance for Unity group may take a single seat.

But it means that the pro-independence parties are way ahead, which will buoy their efforts to force the Prime Minister to allow a rerun of the 2014 referendum.

He has refused to allow it, saying the 2014 vote, which went 55-45 in favour of Scotland remaining in the UK, was a 'once in a generation' poll.
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Global streaming service Netflix has acquired multi-territory streaming rights to upcoming Chinese fantasy film Super Me. The story is an aspirational tale, combining lucid dreaming and a rags to riches plot about a struggling screenwriter.

It was directed by Chong Zhang (Fourth Wall) and has a cast that is headed by Taiwans Darren Wang, along with Cao Bingkun, Song Jia and Wu Gang.

The film had its world premiere in the panorama section of the 2019 edition of the Sitges International Film Festival, known for its genre and fantasy leanings. It was also selected for the competition section of the Paris International Fantastic Film Festival in 2019 and for competition at the 2020 Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival.

But its hometown theatrical release, scheduled for 2019, was canceled by the distributor. Super Me finally enjoyed its mainland China premiere last week and will now reach commercial screens in China on Friday.

Netflix, which did not confirm an online release date, has picked up rights excluding mainland China, the former-Yugoslavia territories and the Indian subcontinent. Rights sales are handled by Beijing- and Amsterdam-based Fortissimo Films. Production is by Baima Film and Fortissimos parent company Hehe Pictures.

Netflix does not operate as a streaming service within mainland China. But in recent months it has licensed several mainland Chinese films to show to international audiences. These include The Yin Yang Master a fantasy film that was one of the big seven tentpole titles during the Lunar New Year holidays, directed by Li Weiran and starring Chen Kun and Zhou Xun. It also licensed (again from Fortissimo) The Yin-Yang Master: Dream of Eternity, directed by Guo Jingming (Tiny Times).

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It is a win-win outcome for ... trans-Tasman travel to be open. Both countries benefit from that occurring, Morrison said. But he would not speculate about international travel to other countries this year. New Zealand will no longer require passengers on flights from Australia to quarantine for 14 days. We have looked at places like Singapore and Japan and South Korea and countries like this, but at this stage we are not in a position to move forward on any of those, he said. Ardern said Tuesday was an exciting day and Morrison would be among the first visitors to her country.

Loading The trans-Tasman bubble represents the start of a new chapter in our COVID response and recovery, one that people have worked so hard for, and this makes New Zealand and Australia relatively unique, said Ardern. Morrison will probably visit Queenstown on New Zealands South Island in the next two or three weeks, Tourism Industry Aotearoa chief executive Chris Roberts said. As our premier tourism resort, its been suffering very badly from not having international visitors, as well as the magnificent area of Fiordland, theyre crying out to have visitors come back, he told ABC News 24. Traffic light system for outbreaks

Ardern said specific flights into Australia could be suspended if there were local outbreaks and conceded both countries retained the right to close borders at short notice. The NZ government has devised a traffic light system that dictates the scenarios that could interrupt travel: continue (green), pause (orange) and suspend (red). Ardern said a probable green continue scenario would be a quarantine hotel worker case that was contained quickly and all cases were linked. New Zealands traffic light system for quarantine-free travel. Credit:New Zealand government However, if a case were from an unknown source and there was a short lockdown in a state, such as the recent outbreak in Brisbane, the New Zealand government would pause flights for up to 72 hours.

The NZ government would only suspend flights for more than 72 hours if there were multiple cases of unknown origin, Ardern said. At least one insurance company, Cover-More Travel Insurance, has advised travellers will only be covered in Australia or overseas if they are forced to isolate or quarantine because they contract COVID-19 or are deemed a close contact of someone who does. There is no cancellation cover around border closures nor for any costs associated with a person having to go into mandatory quarantine in order to cross a border, a Cover-More Travel Insurance spokeswoman said on Tuesday. Morrison said he had a standing request that states and territories take proportionate responses to any future outbreaks in New Zealand, but any state border closures or controls were a matter for state governments.

From time to time, steps might have to be taken to protect both countries if there is a sizeable outbreak. I think that is just assumed as part of how we all live with COVID-19, he said. Loading We will continue to follow what I would call a proportionate response and I would encourage states to follow the same process. Increasingly, that is what were seeing this year. Australians flying into New Zealand will be booked on a green zone flight, which means there will be no passengers on that flight who have come from anywhere but Australia in the past 14 days, Ardern said. They will also be flown by crew who have not flown on any high-risk routes for a set period of time. Passengers will need to provide comprehensive information on how they can be contacted while in New Zealand [and] they wont be able to travel if they have cold or flu symptoms, she said.

Passengers will need to wear a mask while flying, must download the NZ COVID Tracer app for use in NZ and will be kept separate in NZ airports from passengers from other countries who are headed into hotel quarantine. We will also be undertaking random temperature checks of those arriving as an extra precaution, she said. Australians will not need to get a COVID-19 test before flying across the Tasman unless they are arriving from a location that may have had an outbreak. Ardern said New Zealand would decide next Wednesday if Queenslanders would need a COVID test. She said there would be no financial support for New Zealand nationals who may become stranded in Australia if a border were to close.

Of course while both Australia and New Zealand work very, very hard to prevent any outbreaks on either side, we are asking travellers to just simply prepare in case there is an outbreak that may cause a pause or a suspension in travel, she said. Loading Aviation, tourism industries relieved

Air New Zealand is offering flights for about $580 return from Sydney to Auckland. It has also announced a substantial increase in flights starting on April 19, with one to three daily flights between Melbourne and Auckland, and between three and five flights a day from Sydney to Auckland. In addition, the airline will resume direct flights to Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown.

Qantas, meanwhile, says it will operate up to 122 return flights a week across the Tasman on 15 routes starting on April 19, the equivalent of 83 per cent of its pre-COVID capacity. However, Virgin Australia will not resume flights to New Zealand until October 31, with the exception of a limited number of services to Queenstown from September 18. A Virgin spokesman said the airline remained committed to returning to New Zealand when the travel market fully recovered but would not do so in the interim because of evolving border requirements which add complexity to our business while it was still bringing back its domestic operations. Tourism New Zealand interim chief executive Rene de Monchy said reopening borders would provide a boost to the local industry but the number of travellers would still probably lag pre-pandemic levels.
AKRON, Ohio  The Akron Police Department announced Monday evening that an officer recently resigned while on administrative leave during an investigation into a use-of-force incident in February.

The department released a four-paragraph statement that did not identify the officer or provide specifics about the incident or investigation. A police spokesman did not immediately respond to messages left by cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.

The officer voluntarily resigned effective March 31, the police department said. The use-of-force investigation is ongoing, and the suspect who was involved did not report any injuries, police said.

The incident happened Feb. 7 as police responded to a call involving a man who was subsequently charged with domestic violence and resisting arrest. The officer used a tactic that prompted the investigation. Police did not identify the tactic in the statement released Monday.

To uphold accountability to the public it serves, the Akron Police Department has a standard policy to internally review all use-of-force incidents that occur between APD and a subject who is actively resisting arrest, the news release states. During this internal review, APD discovered a tactic employed by an officer during the arrest that required further investigation.

During the investigation, the unidentified officer was put on administrative leave, per departmental protocol, and later resigned.

The city will release more information about the investigation, including body-worn camera footage, after the internal investigation is complete, police said.

We know that accountability and transparency are the cornerstones of public trust, said Acting Chief Mike Caprez. All use of force incidents are thoroughly investigated and reviewed per departmental policy and the safety of all parties involved remains the highest priority. We are actively working to assure both our community members and our own officers are heard, supported and respected.
San Francisco office rental prices have steadily fallen over the past year, hitting a monumental low in the first quarter of 2021.

Prices dipped 14.8% since last year, making it the first time in five years that Manhattans office rental market is more expensive than San Franciscos, as first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle. (SFGATE and the San Francisco Chronicle are both owned by Hearst but operate independently of one another.)

S.F. offices were renting at an average of $75.32 per square foot in the first three months of the year, compared with Manhattans $75.99 per square foot, according to data from brokerage CBRE.

In the beginning of 2020, the office vacancy rate hovered around 4%, but has since more than quadrupled to 19.7% at the end of March 2021, according to CBRE. Manhattans vacancy rate hit 12.5% in the first quarter of the year.

That makes a total of 16.3 million square feet vacant in the city, with over half of the space vacant subleases. Typically, theres about 1 million square feet of subleasing space on the San Francisco market at any given time, but as the pandemic drags on, companies stuck in leases are trying to recoup some of their losses. With an additional 1.5 million square feet of sublease space added in Q1, theres now a total of 9.5 million square feet on the market. Subleases account for 45% of all available office space.

Its too soon to know if office rents have bottomed. San Francisco overall direct asking office rents decreased 1.5% in Q1 2021 and optimism abounds with widespread vaccines in April and the potential for lifted restrictions in June should the state hit certain goals, said Lexi Russell, Director of Research & Analysis at CBRE. However, with nearly 26% of office space being marketed as available there are still hurdles to jump through before rent growth returns in earnest.

S.F.s first-quarter vacancy rate also surpassed the previous record high of 19.1% at the peak of the dot-com era bust. The city also lost its title as the leading market for huge tech leases for the first time ever, dropping from No. 1 to No. 6 in CBREs rankings.

Even with vaccine efforts ramping up, offices are just beginning slow reopenings in San Francisco, and some of those will open with much smaller office footprints. In March, Salesforce, the citys largest private employer, canceled its 325,000-square-foot lease at the unbuilt Parcel F tower in San Franciscos Transbay neighborhood after the company announced in February that more than half of its workforce will continue working remotely or on a flexible schedule after the pandemic is over. It is also subleasing part of its offices at 350 Mission St.

Other companies recently listing office space include Yelp, which has its 161,876-square-foot office space at 140 New Montgomery St. up for rent in October 2021. WeWork is closing five downtown locations and Old Navy also announced in February it would be shutting down its Mission Bay offices and moving into parent company Gap Inc.s workspace.

When Twitter listed 104,850 square feet of its 1 10th St. building for sublease in September 2020, it was one of the first as the social media giant announced early on in the pandemic that a permanent work-from-home option for its employees would be available.

Perhaps the most famous example of tech companies scaling back is when Pinterest paid $89.5 million to terminate its lease for 88 Bluxome, a high-rise complex to be constructed near the company's existing San Francisco headquarters.
Yvonne Dite will never forget the moment she first locked eyes with her husband Bruce across a crowded pub in her Carla Zampatti mini dress.

Neither will the 73-year-old grandmother-of-four ever let go of the 1967 blue and purple zig zag shift gown after the legendary designer's death on Saturday.

Zampatti died at St Vincent's Hospital on Saturday morning - a week after she fell down stairs at an outdoor opening performance of Opera Australia's Traviata on Sydney Harbour.

Ms Dite, from Templestowe Lower in Melbourne's east, wore the dress she bought in 1967 to the Southside Six Hotel in Moorabbin on January 24, 1968.

Yvonne Dite, from Templestowe Lower in Melbourne's east, purchased a blue and purple zig zag shift dress from the designer in 1967

Born in Italy in 1942, Zampatti (pictured) migrated to Australia in 1950 and set up her now famous fashion famous label at 24

The pair spent the night dancing together, and Mr Dite fondly remembers the then-19-year-old being a 'standout'.

Mr Dite said he called his future wife at her job a few days later and they started dating soon after.

'And that was a start of a long, lovely romance,' Mrs Dite told The Age.

About 20 years later, in the early 1990s, Mrs Dite was spring cleaning and nearly threw out the dress, but her husband insisted she hold onto it.

She even surprised Mr Dite on their 40th wedding anniversary in Thailand in 2010 by wearing the dress to breakfast.

But it wasn't until two years ago that Mrs Dite properly looked at the tag for the first time and realised the designer behind the dress was Carla Zampatti.

'She was obviously a very talented, clever person. I wanted to say how much happiness she's given to so many people with her lovely outfits over the years,' Mrs Dite said.

The grandmother-of-four said the dress holds great sentimental value as it was the first outfit her now husband Bruce ever saw her in. Pictured far right with her mother Edie and sister Lesley

In 2019, Mrs Dite sent Zampatti a letter telling the designer how much she loved wearing the timeless dress.

A month later the grandmother received an unexpected phone call from Zampatti herself.

'She said she was so pleased to see one of her early designs still around, and what was lovely is she said: "You know, Yvonne, it's clients like you that make my job worthwhile".

Zampatti spokeswoman Kellie Hush commemorated the designer as 'Australia's most successful and enduring fashion designer' and a 'champion of Australian women'.

'She continued to thrive as a businesswoman through enormous radical and social change, designing clothes for women fighting for liberation through the women's rights movement in the 1960s to empowering women today in leadership, the workplace, in their home and at major life events,' Ms Hush said.

Her family said: 'Carla has long been celebrated for making Australian women feel confident and elegant through her exceptional design, tailoring and understanding of the modern woman.'

As women like Ms Dite vow to hold their staple Zampatti pieces close and pass them down in the family, others rushed to stores and online to snap up what they can of her latest collections.

About 20 years later, in the early 1990s, Mrs Dite was spring cleaning and nearly threw out the dress, but her husband insisted she hold onto it. Pictured: Mrs Dite in the dress on her honeymoon in 1970

It wasn't until two years ago that Mrs Dite properly looked at the tag for the first time and realised the iconic designer behind the dress was Carla Zampatti

Phoebe Burgess, who shares two children with her ex-husband, NRL star Sam Burgess, vowed to keep all of her Zampatti designs in pristine condition to one day pass down to her daughter, Poppy.

Zampatti launched her first collection in 1965 after emigrating to Sydney with her family from northern Italy in 1950.

She said: 'I'll hold on to my ''Carla's'' for my Poppy and hope they bring her as much confidence, power and joy as they did her mum.

'Thank you Carla, for the class and confidence your creations gave my mum, me and generations of Australian women. Forever a fan, we will miss you dearly.'

Burgess is among a bevy of mourning celebrities honouring Zampatti and her incredible success in the wake of her death.

Sam Armytage shared a photograph from her 2020 wedding to husband Richard Lavender, revealing her classy high-neck satin dress was a Carla Zampatti original.

'Absolutely devastated at the loss of my beautiful friend Carla Zampatti this morning. She was a creative genius, a wonderful generous elegant woman & very much a part of many of my favourite memories,' Armytage wrote.

'She will be dearly missed, but never forgotten. And will live on forever in my heart, & my wardrobe.'

Former Victoria's Secret angels Miranda Kerr (left) and Shanina Shaik (right) are both fans of the late iconic Australian fashion designer

Julie Bishop dazzled in this Carla Zampatti dress during fashion week in 2019

Princess Mary of Denmark wore a dusty pink floor length Carla Zampatti gown for an official royal portrait in 2015 alongside her husband Prince Frederik.

The Australian princess is not the only royal who adores the Australian designer's clothing.

Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York and ex-wife to Prince Andrew, was spotted in a zebra print Zampatti blazer during an official engagement.

Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard wore the same piece in 2016.

Julie Bishop, the former deputy leader of the Liberal Party and Minister for Foreign Affairs shared a moving tribute to Zampatti in the wake of her death, revealing she often wore the fashion icon's clothes both in professional and personal settings.

'Carla Zampatti was a truly great Australian who inspired generations of women with her style, grace and determination,' Bishop said on Saturday while sharing pictures of herself with Zampatti on several occasions.

'She was in a class of her own. It was a privilege to call her a friend.'

Zampatti, 78, tragically died a week after falling down stairs while attending the opening night of Verdi's La Traviata opera on Sydney Harbour. She is pictured at the event

Armytage farewelled Zampatti and shared several pictures of herself wearing other Carla Zampatti designs

Tribute: Phoebe Burgess (pictured) has paid tribute to Carla Zampatti after her death at age 78 on Saturday. The influencer, 31, posted two photos to Instagram showing off her favourite piece by the designer - a red top with puffed sleeves

Princess Mary of Denmark wore a dusty pink floor length Carla Zampatti gown for an official royal portrait in 2015 alongside her husband Prince Frederik

Former Victoria's Secret angel and model Miranda Kerr has been pictured several times in Zampatti designs - both on the runway and on red carpets.

The mother-of-three has been wearing Zampatti clothes since she was a teenager, describing a soft blue chiffon floor length gown she wore to the 2015 Women of Style Awards as her favourite.

Fellow Victoria's Secret model Shanina Shaik has also been pictured in her designs.

Margarita Marambio, who has worked in sales for Zampatti for 15 years, told the Sydney Morning Herald customers were marking the 'end of an era' by securing some of the final pieces the brand released while Zampatti was still alive.

Customers cried and laughed as they recalled their favourite Zampatti stories while making the purchases on Saturday and Sunday, Ms Marambio said.

Her latest collection will forever be remembered as the last line released prior to her tragic death, which could contribute to skyrocketing resale prices in the years and decades to come.

Zampatti will be given a state funeral to recognise her enormous contribution to the Australian fashion industry.

In a statement on Sunday, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian described the designer as 'talented, generous and inspiring. A true trailblazer in every respect'.
New Delhi:

After the Prime Ministers office (PMO) intervention in the Banaras Hindu Universitys crisis over rising eve-teasing incidents, the chief proctor of varsity resigned on Tuesday. Proctor ON Singh took moral responsibility for the violence.

The students who was victim of sexual assault within the universitys campus had lodged complain with the proctor. The proctor has been accused of not taking the complaint seriously.

Following the protests and lathicharge by police, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah had spoken to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over the eve-teasing incident and the crisis at the varsity.

The PMO had also summoned higher education secretary KK Sharma to take stock of the situation.

The violence erupted after some students, protesting against the incident on Thursday, wanted to meet the varsity's vice-chancellor at his residence.

A number of students, including women, and two journalists were injured in a lathicharge by the police in BHU where a protest on Saturday night against an alleged eve-teasing incident turned violent.

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A high school in Oregon that was considering changing its mascot to that of an evergreen tree is delaying its vote over concerns about the image's potential ties to lynching.

Ida B. Wells-Barnett High School in Portland was renamed earlier this year after a prominent black activist and reporter who documented lynching.

The school had wanted to ditch its old Trojan mascot along with the name change and settled on the evergreen tree after input from students and staff who chose from among 420 possible choices.

A vote on the new mascot was set to take place last Tuesday but was halted after a director on the board shared concerns from the community over the tree's imagery with suggestions that a tree might conjure up reminders of lynching.

'I'm wondering if there was any concern with the imagery there, in using a tree  as our mascot? I think everyone comes with blind spots and I think that might've been a really big blind spot,' said Michelle DePass, Portland Public Schools Board of Education Director.

The Ida B. Wells-Barnett High School, pictured, has postponed changing its mascot to an evergreen tree

Ida B. Wells-Barnett was a Pulitzer Prize-winning African American journalist who extensively documented lynching in the 1900s

A committee member raised concerns about possible connotations to lynching. The Zoom meeting of the Portland Public School committee is pictured, above

Another committee member said the issue had been brought up during the brainstorming process but stressed that evergreen trees were not typically associated with the barbaric act.

'We did talk about it, but we were looking at the symbolism more as a tree of life, than a tree of death,' said Martin Osborne, who is black, to the Portland Tribune. 'You could certainly take it either way, depending upon your position.'

Osborne said he believed the idea of using an evergreen as a mascot 'had nothing to do with the horrible history of lynching in the United States. Lynching trees typically are not evergreens.'

Michelle DePass, Portland Public Schools Board of Education Director, left, raised concerns about the use of a tree as a mascot. 'We were looking at the symbolism more as a tree of life, than a tree of death,' said Martin Osborne, who is black

A teacher defended the choice as a tree 'characterized by the life-giving force of their foliage, the strength of their massive trunk, and the depth of their roots'

Deciduous trees with large, lower branches were often used to hang black people in the south.

'Evergreens are characterized by the life-giving force of their foliage, the strength of their massive trunk, and the depth of their rootsin an individual tree and as a forest of trees,' said Ellen Whatmore, a teacher and mascot committee member

'Evergreens are characterized by the life-giving force of their foliage, the strength of their massive trunk, and the depth of their rootsin an individual tree and as a forest of trees,' said Ellen Whatmore, a teacher and mascot committee member.

'They provide shelter and sustenance. They have histories that preclude us and will continue in perpetuity after we are no more.'

The decision of having an evergreen as a mascot was chosen by staff and students at the school who submitted more than 400 different nominations.

The list was then whittled down to five which saw the evergreen tree emerge as the frontrunner.

DePass is to now reach out to the Wells-Barnett family to check that they approve with the new mascot of an evergreen tree before the next scheduled vote to take place in May.
People

Biden taps 18F veteran Robin Carnahan to lead GSA

Robin Carnahan, formerly Missouri's secretary of state and the lead of state and local government practice at 18F, is the administration's pick to lead the General Services Administration.

Carnahan founded GSA's state and local practice in 2016 and led the effort through 2020. The state and local practice grew out of a pilot project in California to rebuild the state's legacy Child Welfare System using human-centered design and agile acquisition and development practices.

More recently, Carnahan has been active in efforts to urge federal coordination for modernizing overstressed state and local legacy unemployment insurance and other benefits systems. The weaknesses in those systems have been exposed by claims activity associated with the pandemic and economic crisis.

"I've spent my career working to improve the delivery of government services to the public," Carnahan tweeted on Tuesday. GSA "plays a critical role in the government's ability to effectively deliver services, and I am honored to be nominated...to lead this important agency at this important moment."

Carnahan is currently a fellow at Georgetown University's Beeck Center and is co-founder of the State Software Collaborative.
Rachel Youens created a minor sensation in May 2019 when she opened FOMO Factory in the Galleria space once occupied by BBVA.

The 6,100-square-foot former office was converted to a colorful maze of experiential retail art exhibits: a camp room featuring a tent, canoe and binoculars; a game room with wall-sized Scrabble and Twister boards; a room with a pool filled with 5,000 plastic balls. Adults paying $28 could frolic there for an hour and a half.

Nearly two years later, and after Youens death in July 2019, her parents allege that Houstons Gallery Furniture, run by the flamboyant Jim Mattress Mack McIngvale, and an affiliated business hired the same artist used by FOMO Factory and recreated the copyrighted art installations as a means to draw customers into its stores. The couple is suing Gallery and the affiliate, Tov Furniture of New York, seeking unspecified damages and asking that the copyrighted displays be seized.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Retailers create experiences to attract shoppers in Amazon age

The alleged theft of intellectual property overwhelmed Youens, 35, in the weeks prior to her death by suicide, states the suit, filed March 29 the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas in Houston.

She believed that Gallery Furniture and Tov Furniture would get away with stealing her ideas, her dreams and that her business would inevitably fail as a result, the suit says.

Youens launched the company in 2018 with her parents, opening a pop-up shop first in Austin and later in Houston. Under Youens direction, FOMO Factory was an early adopter of the retail trend the suit calls immersive art.

Youens parents shuttered FOMOs location inside Houston Galleria after her death, but reopened it in December 2019 as a continuation of my daughter's legacy and whimsical imagination," Robert Youens said in a statement at the time.

The suit alleges that when Rachel Youens discovered what it describes as exact duplicates of her copyrighted works, she felt utterly violated. She confronted Gallery Furniture, its celebrity owner Jim Mattress Mack McIngvale and business affiliate Tov Furniture in written notices in the weeks prior to her death in July 2019, the suit states. Reached Monday, McIngvale declined to comment on the suit.

Responses sent by Tov Furniture to Youens belittled her claims and threatened her with legal action, the suit states.

On HoustonChronicle.com: FOMO Factory closes at the Galleria mall after owner's death

The only way to protect her intellectual property and her business that she and her family had poured so much of themselves into was to take legal action. However, she believed that it would be impossible for her to finance copyright infringement litigation against anyone, let alone a large, well-funded and well-respected business in Houston, the complaint says.

The suit accuses Gallery Furniture of interrupting a prime moment for the pop-up art business, a world in which timing is everything and public interest has an expiration date: usually around six months, the suit says.

The Youens family built out their Galleria space themselves, often sleeping in the space overnight while they readied its launch in June 2019, the suit states. Rachel Youens sunk her savings into the company and, banking on the companys success in Austin, her parents offered significant loans for capital expenses.

FOMO is suing for lost profits and enhanced damages, citing willful infringement on the part of Gallery. An attorney representing the company said the amount of money it is seeking will be determined during discovery, which should shed light on Gallery Furnitures profits.

Because we havent done any discovery, yet, we dont know what the profits were, said Christopher Stevenson, an attorney with the Houston firm Adair Myers Stevenson Yagi representing the Youenses.

The courts have been moving slowly during the pandemic, he said, and the case could take years to process.

amanda.drane@chron.com

Twitter.com/amandadrane
As we get deeper into the second year of the coronavirus pandemic, were slowly getting more information about how and where the virus has spread, and who was most affected.

Researchers hope this information not only helps guide aid to the most impacted communities but changes how leaders think about public health going forward.

Rutgers University-Camden on Tuesday released for the first time a detailed breakdown of COVID-19 infection rates in New Jersey towns during the spring, summer and fall of 2020.

This is the first comprehensive look at municipal-level COVID-19 infections in New Jersey since the pandemic began. The states coronavirus data hub shows some municipal-level stats, but excludes towns with populations under 20,000. Much of the case tracking has come at the county level.

Sarah Allred, faculty director of the Walter Rand Institute at Rutgers-Camden, who led the municipal infection research, said the town-by-town breakdown gives a clearer picture of the spread of coronavirus and helps us understand more about the devastation wrought.

Look up your town with the tool below. You can search by municipality name or click one of the prompts. (Story continues below.)

Cant see this graphic? Click here.

But the data also points to something else: Even though New Jersey has been among the states hardest hit by the pandemic, COVID-19 didnt spread evenly in the state, even in adjacent towns in the same county.

Last spring, as the coronavirus was overwhelming hospitals and upending lives, the worst of the virus in New Jersey was based on proximity to New York City, which at the time was a global epicenter of COVID-19.

Bergen, Essex and Hudson counties, all with large chunks of their populations traveling to Manhattan for work each day pre-pandemic, bore the brunt of the virus in the early days.

But cases werent equally distributed among towns in those counties, the Rutgers-Camden data shows. In fact, infection rates appear correlated with the diversity of the population of a town as well as its poverty rate, based on an NJ Advance Media analysis of the municipal data.

Take three towns in Hudson County as an example: Hoboken, Weehawken and West New York. Three practically adjacent towns  with West New York split from the other two by Union City  basically the same distance from New York City, which is largely where the virus migrated from last spring.

Hobokens COVID-19 infection rate in late April of 2020: 889 cases per 100,000 residents, according to the Rutgers data. Compare that with the rates in Weehawken, 1,857 cases per 100,000 residents, and West New York, 3,179 cases per 100,000 residents.

Then consider that Hoboken is 69% white with an 8.7% poverty rate, while Weehawken is only 47% white with a 10.1% poverty rate and West New York is just 14% white with a nearly 20% poverty rate, according to Census data.

(Click on your town in the map below and the infection rate data will pop up below the map.)

Cant see this graphic? Click here.

Stephanie Silvera, an epidemiologist at Montclair State University, said the disparity in the infection rates likely comes down to the different kinds of jobs people work in Hoboken, compared with West New York. And employment data backs up that assertion.

Two of the most common employment sectors for people in West New York are retail and food service, while Hobokens two most common employment sectors are management and finance, where people were more likely to be able to work remotely. That data is from the American Community Survey.

Not showing up at work means not getting paid and not getting paid means you might not have a place to live, so that affects your ability to get care, Silvera said about many workers in towns like West New York.

While the data doesnt always show that towns with the most poverty and fewest white residents had the highest infection rates last year, it does trend that way, particularly on a county-by-county basis. The towns with the lowest infection rates are, on average, richer and whiter than towns with the highest infection rates.

With no other source releasing detailed municipal-level coronavirus infection data, researchers at the Walter Rand Institute at Rutgers-Camden began tracking infection counts in N.J. towns on April 22, 2020.

The Rutgers-Camden data shows that while North Jersey fared worse during the first wave of the pandemic last spring, the rest of the state was just as affected as the pandemic wore on. And the disparities in infection continued as the virus spread through the state.

Sara Cullinane, director of Make the Road New Jersey, a group thats been advocating for Latinx communities in the state, said her organization has seen people of color disproportionately affected throughout the pandemic.

I think its consistent with the experience of our members and what were hearing, she said. I think the pandemic has really laid bare some of the deep inequities in our society in New Jersey. What were finding is its really about lack of access to health care, lack of access to aid and unsafe working conditions.

The NJ Advance Media analysis adds to what has already been a sobering reality in New Jersey: People of color in the state have been more likely to get sick and die of the coronavirus. The same has been true across the country.

What we are seeing with COVID is really highlighting the inequities that have been underlying other health issues that were previously chalked up to bad personal behavior, said Silvera. What were really looking at now is these are structural inequalities that are causing people to die at a higher rate.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Payton Guion may be reached at pguion@njadvancemedia.com.

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A small San Antonio maker of protective equipment worn by service members and troops blamed the resurgence of COVID-19 late last year and Februarys winter storm for pushing it into bankruptcy.

Alamo Strategic Manufacturing Inc., which produces elbow and knee pads and cold-weather gloves, listed assets and liabilities each in the range of $1 million to $10 million in a Chapter 11 petition.

At a bankruptcy hearing Monday, Allen DeBard, a lawyer for Alamo Strategic, said a rise in coronavirus cases in December led some of its suppliers to significantly shrink their workforce  resulting in capacity cuts. The company relies on subcontractors to handle sewing, packaging and shipping.

That was followed by power and water outages during Februarys storm, disrupting Alamo Strategics supply chains. It took almost a month before delivery of materials resumed and the company could ship its products to the Defense Department, DeBard said.

On ExpressNews.com: COVID pushes Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas into bankruptcy

Meanwhile, some merchant cash advance companies that Alamo Strategic had turned to for funding began automatically withdrawing $60,000 to $70,000 a week from its bank account. That hurt the companys ability to operate, DeBard said.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Craig Gargotta remarked on the convergence of events.

Between COVID and the freeze and a number of other things, how it affects distribution and supplies and all of that, theres only so much any of us can do, the judge said.

The cash advance companies have been advised that they cant make automatic withdrawals, given the bankruptcy filing. Chapter 11 allows debtors to reorganize their debts and pay creditors over time.

DeBard expects that it will be a quick trip in bankruptcy despite Alamo Strategics recent woes.

This is truly a case that we think will thrive in a Chapter 11, where there is just a breathing spell to have pre-petition creditors cease collection efforts, allow the debtor to operate and collect on these good receivables, he added.

The Defense Department is Alamo Strategics sole customer. The company posted a roughly $1.5 million profit on about $15 million in revenue last year, and it earned about $810,000 on $4.7 million in sales in 2019, court filings show.

The company is not in default under the contracts, DeBard said.

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Alamo Strategic is owned by CEO Rene Sosa and employs five people.

The company received a long-term, low-interest $150,000 Economic Injury Disaster Loan from the Small Business Administration. In return, Alamo Strategic pledged as collateral various assets, including amounts owed the business.

DeBard asked Gargotta to approve a request allowing the company to pay its critical vendors up to $950,000. They are government-approved vendors, and without them, Alamo Strategic wont survive, he said.

Its possible some of the vendors that havent been paid could seek to reclaim materials they provided Alamo Strategic before its bankruptcy filing, DeBard said.

The vendors that Alamo Strategic wants to pay werent disclosed by name.

We dont want to hurt anybodys feelings, DeBard told the judge. Everybodys critical but, obviously, some are more critical than others. If we were to divulge exactly who we are going to pay every penny to, that might even cause more trouble than not paying anybody.

Naming vendors usually is a condition of approving such requests, Gargotta said. He declined to make a ruling Monday. Instead, the judge will take up the request Wednesday after DeBard can consult with a bankruptcy trustee.

Gargotta approved a request to allow Alamo Strategic to pay wages owed to employees.

pdanner@express-news.net
The number of cases in India hit a record daily high since the outbreak of the pandemic in the country with over 1.07 lakh new infections reported on Tuesday, according to the data provided by governments of various states and Union territories.

The number of cases breached the 1-lakh mark for the second time in three days with the central government asserting that one of the major reasons for the surge in infections was people becoming lax towards following COVID-appropriate behaviour.

According to the daily numbers announced by various states and UTs, the nationwide tally of new cases reported on Tuesday crossed 1.07 lakh mark, the highest ever in India since the first case of the deadly virus was reported in January 2020.

The states and UTs reporting a large surge included Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Punjab, Chandigarh, Gujarat and Rajasthan, while several other states also reported a lot more new cases than in the recent past in what is being called the second wave of this deadly pandemic.

Among the states with a rapid surge in infections, Maharashtra reported 55,469 cases, Chhattisgarh 9,921 cases, Delhi 5,100 cases, Gujarat 3,280 cases and Rajasthan 2,236 cases. Among southern states, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Telangana also reported high daily figures.

Some states or UTs were yet to announce their tallies for new cases during the day and therefore the overall nationwide tally for the day could be higher than 1.07 lakh.

The Health Ministry data updated at 8 am on Tuesday morning showed that a total of 96,982 cases have been reported in a span of 24 hours.

The data on Monday morning showed 1,03,558 single day new infections in a span of 24 hours.

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, who reviewed the COVID-19 situation and the progress of vaccination in Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab and Rajasthan, said these 11 states together contributed 54 per cent of the total cases and 65 per cent of the total deaths in the country, with a disproportionately high number of deaths in Maharashtra and Punjab.

Vardhan noted that since February, these states have witnessed a steep increase in cases, the majority of which have been reported in the younger population of 15-44 years, the Health Ministry said in a statement.

The minister highlighted that one of the major reasons for the surge in cases in almost all parts of the country, more specifically in these 11 states, was people becoming lax towards following COVID appropriate behaviour and urged them take up mass awareness campaigns to re-instill the importance of such measures among the masses.

The health minister chaired a comprehensive and detailed review of the COVID-19 cases, vaccination status and challenges being faced by the states in management of coronavirus.

At a media briefing, NITI Aayog Member (Health) Dr V K Paul said the pandemic situation in the country has worsened with a sharp rise in cases and a large part of the population is still susceptible to the virus.

The tools to fight the pandemic remain the same and COVID-appropriate behaviour, containment measures, testing have to be implemented more efficiently, medical infrastructure has to be ramped up and vaccination drive intensified, he said.

COVID-appropriate behaviour like wearing masks, staying away from crowds have to be followed in a campaign mode, Paul said.

Amid the spike in coronavirus cases, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with chief ministers on Thursday to discuss the COVID-19 situation and the ongoing vaccination drive.

Modi's last interaction with chief ministers was on March 17 during which he had expressed concern over the rise in COVID-19 cases in parts of the country and called for "quick and decisive" steps to check the "emerging second peak".

The Centre also said on Tuesday an increase in the intensity of the pandemic has led COVID-19 to spread at a faster pace than last year and the next four weeks are very critical.

(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.)
LAUDA DR.LAUDA R. WOBSER GMBH & CO. KG is encouraging innovation within the LAUDA Group. new.degree GmbH, a new, wholly owned LAUDA subsidiary, was founded at the beginning of the year to deal with temperature control-related innovation activities outside the present core business. The new company is managed by Birgit Dillmann and comprises seven employees in Germany and abroad.

new.degree GmbH brings together LAUDA start-up management, the LAUDA innovation laboratory including the branch office in Morgan Hill, USA, as well as the LAUDA Digital Unit, which is responsible for digitalization projects within LAUDA. The LAUDA internal ideas management scheme, which picks up ideas from employees about new products or business areas and possible process improvements, is also supported in the new company. The objective of the merger is to further professionalize and strategically develop the activities which have been developed so far. new.degree GmbH is based at its current location in Lauda-Konigshofen. In the medium term, however, it is planned to move to the Brainstation innovation center planned by Dr. Gunther Wobser, the Managing Director of LAUDA, at Lauda railway station, the town that gives the company its name, in order to provide the creative space that is crucial to its success.

The core task of the new company is to identify innovation potentials relevant to temperature control outside LAUDAs current normal business activities, develop them into innovative solutions and test them in the market at an early stage. Potential approaches to this will be systematically generated by the analysis of trends and suitable search fields, uncovering opportunities for future-critical technologies, targeted collaboration with startups or also thanks to ideas provided via the internal idea management instrument. The innovation laboratory quickly and validly evaluates such ideas for their sales opportunities and innovation potential. Promising ideas are developed into so-called Minimum Viable Products using agile development methods such as Lean Startup and Design Thinking with the active involvement of potential users. They are then proposed for further development to market maturity in the event of a successful test.

Support and supervision of young companies

new.degree GmbH supports start-ups in their business development with relevant technology innovations and gives their business ideas the necessary initial momentum through joint pilot projects. In addition, the innovation experts of the LAUDA management recommend strategic investments in promising start-ups on the basis of a comprehensive system. LAUDA has so far successfully invested in three start-ups - watttron, ENER-IQ and Better Basics Laborbedarf.

By integrating the Digital Unit, which was previously part of the IT division, in new.degree GmbH, the new unit is also responsible for driving LAUDAs digital transformation. The development of customer-centric digital products and services, such as device diagnostics and data-based business models, implemented jointly with the parent company is of particular note here. At new.degree, experts from various disciplines such as marketing strategists, innovation managers, digitization experts, engineers and material scientists therefore work hand in hand at two locations. In addition, they are supported by the knowledge network of the entire LAUDA Group. LAUDA is also part of the Maschinenraum, an innovation ecosystem based in Berlin that brings together German SMEs and family-owned companies to collaboratively drive forward topics of future relevance.
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

Bern, 06.04.2021 - Today in Muscat, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis met with the Omani Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of the Royal Office. Discussions focused on the joint efforts by Switzerland and Oman to promote peace and regional stability in the Middle East. Oman was the second stop on the head of the FDFA's tour of the Middle East.

Mr Cassis met with Omani representatives to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East and report on his recent trip to Iraq. Cassis's diplomatic visit comes at a time of significant change in the region. "The new administration in the United States is committed to resuming a peace process in Yemen and is seeking a return to the Iran nuclear deal. Over the medium term, this could also have a positive impact on relations between conflicting states in the region, most notably Saudi Arabia and Iran. Switzerland and Oman support all efforts in this regard," announced Cassis following his meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi. Mr Cassis also signed a memorandum of understanding for regular political consultations with Oman.

Working together for greater peace and security in the Middle East

Like Switzerland, Oman pursues a neutral foreign policy and maintains good relations with all countries in the Gulf region. Both countries are known for their good offices and have successfully mediated conflicts in the past. In 2019, Switzerland signed a memorandum of understanding to expand cooperation in the areas of mediation and peacebuilding. In partnership with Oman, Switzerland would like to contribute to strengthening trust between states in the region. "Thanks to its expertise in this area, Switzerland is a much sought-after partner, and Oman has an excellent knowledge of the various interests in the region. The two countries therefore complement each other perfectly," said Cassis.



Economic opportunities and global health

Mr Cassis also spoke with the Omani Minister of Foreign Affairs about prospects for Swiss companies in Oman. They also discussed joint initiatives in the areas of global health as well as vocational education & young people  two priorities set out by the Federal Council in its MENA Strategy for Oman.

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 19:20:53|Editor: huaxia

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BEIRUT, April 6 (Xinhua) -- In the coastal town of El-Mina in Lebanon's northern city Tripoli, hundreds of families live in small tin rooms in a neighborhood called Hay al-Tanak.

Covering an area of less than 500 square meters, Hay al-Tanak is the poorest neighborhood in northern Lebanon according to charitable associations that provide occasional assistance to people in the area.

Poverty and misery appear clearly on faces of residents given the lack of hygiene, potable water supplies, sanitation, and dispensaries in Hay al-Tanak, full of rotten and decayed roofs.

Most of the children living in the neighborhood are illiterate as they started working at an early age to meet the urgent needs of their families.

Samira al-Ahmad, a 65-year-old woman, sitting along with her neighbors, told Xinhua about her daily suffering while living in an unhealthy environment as rainwater enters houses from dirty alleys of the neighborhood.

Summer is even worse as hot weather attracts insects, rats and even snakes, she said.

Al-Ahmad explained that the neighborhood's residents work in collecting and selling scrap mainly or in cafes spread on the nearby sea corniche, but a big number of people have become unemployed in light of the current economic crisis and COVID-19 outbreak in the country.

Khadija Mohammad, a 55-year-old woman, told Xinhua that she wishes to leave the neighborhood but cannot afford it.

"My husband and children sell coffee and cakes on carts at the corniche; we also get some aid from local associations, which helps us survive," Mohammad said while spreading clothes on a rope to dry them after they got wet with rainwater leaking from her room's ceiling.

Hay al-Tanak now includes around 1,000 families. Dozens of them sought refuge in the neighborhood by building temporary shelters after the outbreak of the Lebanese civil war in the 1970s. Others are victims of poverty or displaced families from Syria.

Amer Haddad, member of the engineering department at the municipality of El-Mina, told Xinhua that the land on which the Tanak neighborhood is built had been owned by the state, but in 1992 was sold to private owners in Tripoli.

He explained that the new owners of the land have taken legal action demanding the evacuation of residents, but people stopped bulldozers from entering their neighborhood, prompting judiciary bodies to halt the demolition decision until a settlement is reached between the two sides.

Meanwhile, one owner said that his plot of land is located opposite to the corniche and its value today is estimated at more than 1 million dollars.

The owner, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he offered to pay compensation to residents, and he is waiting for a legal decision to be able to get back his property and invest on it.

The problem of establishing random houses on other people's private properties or on public properties represents a dilemma in more than a region in Lebanon as successive governments have failed to address it. Enditem
The YarlungTsangpo, which becomes the Siang on entering Arunachal Pradesh and later the Brahmaputra in Assam (and the Meghna in Bangladesh) is one of the most eco-sensitive regions of the planet. (Representational image: AFP)

Recent developments not far from the India-China border in Arunachal Pradesh are worrying. On March 29, Dave Petley, pro vice-chancellor (research and innovation) at the University of Sheffield in Britain noted on his blog: I received an email from GoranEkstrom of Columbia University making a small group of us aware that he had detected, using seismic instruments, a probable large-scale landslide in the vicinity of the YarlungTsangpo in Tibet an idea of the mass (in this case about 100 million tonnes-- a very large one indeed).

Whether it was triggered by an earthquake in this highly seismic area, is still not clear; it could also be due to torrential rain.

Mr Pethley further explained: Either way, at YarlungTsangpoit is clear that a large amount of rock and ice have detached from the east side of the tributary valley, moving westwards and then to the south. Once again this has formed a catastrophic channelised flow that has travelled down the channel to deposit a large volume in the main channel.

The YarlungTsangpo, which becomes the Siang on entering Arunachal Pradesh and later the Brahmaputra in Assam (and the Meghna in Bangladesh) is one of the most eco-sensitive regions of the planet.

In a communique released during the sessions of the National Peoples Congress (NPC) in early March in Beijing, the Communist Party of China reiterated that according to the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035, adopted by Chinas top legislature: The construction of key projects, such as the Sichuan-Tibet Railway and hydropower development on the YarlungTsangpo River, will be promoted.

It practically means that a giga hydropower plant (HPP) will be constructed at Indias gates, on the YarlungTsangpo river.

The Chinese media also reported that Che Dalha, chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region,urged the authorities to accelerate the project and to immediately undertake all the comprehensive planning and necessary environmental impact assessments.

Will the Chinese scientiststake into account the presence of tens of thousands of trucks and GCBs moving earth around and changing the shape of the mountains and the rivers north of the Indian borders? Probably not.

It appears to be a matter of the Emperor wanting to show the world that he can construct a HPP of thrice the capacity of the Three Gorges Dam, with little consideration for the environment.

The new plan, submitted to the NPC for approval, provided the green light for the dams to be built on the lower reaches of YarlungTsangporiver.

Later adopted by the Chinese legislature, it called for a hydropower base on the lower reaches of the YarlungTsangporiver, along with clean energy bases in the upper and lower reaches of Jinsha river, known as the Upper Yangtze in Sichuan province.

On the occasion of the Chinese New Year, President Xi Jinping called the Communist Party a gigantic vessel that navigates Chinas stable and long-term development and stated: Upholding the principle of putting people first and remaining true to our founding mission, we can break the waves to reach the destination of realising the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Like any Emperor, Xi Jinping needs to think big.

The Seventh Tibet Work Forum (TWF), a large meeting which decides the fate of Tibet for the years to come (to which Tibetans are rarely invited), was held in Beijing on August 28-29, 2020. It was a crucial event not only asit concerns the fate of the Roof of the World, but for the Indian border too.

Some massive projects were announced soon after; first, the Pai-Metok (Pai-Mo) Highway linking Nyingchi to Metok, north of Upper Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh, which should open in July 2021.

After the completion of the highway, the length of the road from Nyingchi City to Metok County will be shortened from 346 km to 180 km and the driving time will be shortened from 11 hours to 4.5 hours. Though only 67 km long, in strategic terms the highway will be a game changer and greatly accelerate the developments of new model villages, and therefore relocation of populations on the border. But, more important, it will pave the way for a mega HPP.

In December 2020, Global Times had announced Beijings plan to build a cascade of mega dams on the YarlungTsangpo.

The Metok County government confirmed that the project would be built north of the Indian border, while Global Times added: The head of Power Construction Corp of China (POWERCHINA) suggested the planned hydropower station -- which is expected to have three times as much generating capacity as the world-leading Three Gorges power station -- aims to maintain water resources and domestic security.

A series of nine hydropower plants in cascade will definitely threaten life across the whole of Indias Northeast region.

The area soon became restricted by the Chinese authorities. A notice from the Metok Border Management Brigade announced that from March 1, the Chinese authorities began to check border pass, ID cards and other documents of people entering and exiting Metok.

Metok is the last small, but strategic town located near the Great Bend of the YarlungTsangpo, north of the McMahon Line.

Though there is no proof that the mudslides on March 22 were directly linked to the dam project, the fact remains that the entire area is environmentally extremely fragile.

And thats not all; already in 2016, China Daily reported the construction of a 1,629-km Sichuan-Tibet railway. It has now entered a crucial phase.The railway will be connecting Chengdu in Sichuan to Lhasa; the new rail line will shorten the travel time to less than 15 hours.

The Lhasa-Nyingchi section is scheduled to be opened in July.

All this will have incalculable strategic implications for India as the train will pass near the Indian border where the hydropower plant is located.

These two projects (HPP on the YarlungTsangpo and the Sichuan Railway) are directly affecting Indias security.

For Indias frontiers,Chinasdual-use (civil and military) infrastructure development will take place on a much larger and faster scale than today; a great tragedy in the making.

How will the mandarins of South Block react?

They will probably try to keep the information under the carpet for as long as possible. But if they wait too long, it may be too late. Remember the Aksai Chin road in the 1950s.
He blew the horn and rang the bell. Gov. Phil Murphy lived a kids dream Tuesday as he sat at the controls of NJ Transits newest $9 million locomotive at Newark Penn Station.

But Murphy said the bigger thrill is that the 25 new locomotives that are scheduled to be delivered through the year will improve NJ Transits rail reliability numbers and reduced canceled trains.

This is a big deal, Murphy said after being show the locomotive cabin. This is delivery of the first dual-powered dual-mode locomotive, it can run on diesel or electric power.

This not the railroads first dual mode, the first ones were delivered in 2011. But this fleet will be cleaner, using diesel engines that meet the most stringent Tier 4 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emissions standards, said Kevin Corbett, NJ Transits CEO and president.

Theyll reduce the average age of NJ Transits locomotive fleet and increase reliability, he said.

The new locomotive is the first to arrive from Germany, where they are being manufactured.

The locomotive can switch between using electric power from overhead wires to an onboard diesel engine in 83 seconds, he said. That gives this first of 25 new locomotives the flexibility to go anywhere on NJ Transits rail network.

Gov. Murphy exits the cabin of NJ Transit's newest locomotive after touring it at Newark Penn Station, on April 6, 2021.Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media

More than 80% of locomotives will be eco-friendly and more reliable, Murphy said. This is a huge step in right direction for NJ Transit.

Theyll replace PL-42 AC diesel locomotives built between 2004 and 2006. Theyre being retired because of their unique design, only found on NJ Transit that makes the cost to overhaul them close to their original purchase price, officials said.

Adding the new locomotives also will help reduce canceled trains

The younger the fleet, the less likely trains are to breakdown and be canceled, Corbett said.

Lowering the average age of our fleet improves mechanical reliability. The average age is 22 years, this will bring it to 17 years when all 25 dual modes are delivered, Corbett said. The target is 15 years old, thats the sweet spot where you have good reliability.

NJ Transit measures reliability by mean distance between failures or how many miles equipment travels between breakdowns.

Whats next on the horizon is delivery of 113 new electric multi-level rail cars in two years to replace the 40-year-old Arrow rail car fleet. And after that, the Comet II rail cars that also are 40 years old and have been rebuilt once.

We have options (to buy more multi-levels). With the Comets, that depends on having the funding available, Corbett said. Its in our capital plan, but only $12 billion is funded. Anything (from the Biden bill) that goes to filling that gap allows us to get rid of the aging Comets.

Ultimately the dual modes will allow rail lines that now rely on diesel locomotives to travel into New York Penn Station, after completion of the Gateway project to build two new Hudson River tunnels. Diesel locomotives are barred from regular use in the tunnels.

NJ Transit's newest dual mode locomotive, which was just delivered from Germany. It's the first of 17 received from the manufacturer and is powered by overhead electric lines or can switch to an on board diesel engine to operate anywhere on NJT's rail system. Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media

Will President Bidens proposed $2 trillion infrastructure bill help?

While specific projects to be funded through it havent been identified, if it passes Murphy said the state will benefit from earmarks for rail and public trains.

Assuming it passes, New Jersey will be a disproportionate winner. Im extremely optimistic of about our prospects specifically on Gateway, he said. That infrastructure bill is a game changer.

Federal funds could help finance further electrification of NJ Transit and highway infrastructure.

As a general matter, we want to electrify as much of transit, including cars, Murphy said. Its projects like this and getting an electric car fleet to be the norm in our state. Im optimistic, we have a federal administration that shares our values on the environment. Im very confident get a lot of help from them.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com.
They've been happily married for four years.

But Janette Manrara says she and Aljaz Skorjanec may have been forced to go their separate ways if Strictly Come Dancing hadn't offered them permanent contracts.

Speaking to The Sun, Janette, 37, revealed she was 'going back to Los Angeles' while Aljaz, 31, was considering a return to his native Slovenia when they were offered their Strictly roles.

Close call: Janette Manrara, 37, and Aljaz Skorjanec, 31, may have been forced to go their separate ways if the ballroom show hadn't offered them permanent contracts

She explained: 'Strictly Come Dancing, it saved us. It saved us really, in every way. We were going to try the long-distance thing and see what happened.

'So when we got that phone call to join Strictly it didn't only give us stability workwise, it saved our relationship.'

The talented duo tied the knot in 2017 after getting engaged two years prior. They have been permanent members of the Strictly line-up since 2013.

It comes after she appeared on Loose Women in February and talked about her hopes of having a baby with Aljaz 'when the time is right'.

The Strictly admitted to having concerns over losing half their household income while she was pregnant and on maternity leave.

Speaking candidly on the topic, Janette said: 'To be honest, I've always looked forward to becoming a mother.

'I think what Aljaz and I discovered in the first lockdown is how much we really are a team. When we decide to have children in the future, we will be more than ready.

Family: The Strictly pro said she was waiting for the 'perfect time' to have a baby, but said the Covid-19 crisis made her realise there is never an ideal moment (pictured in August 2019)

'For anyone considering to become parents, the most important thing is mom and dad have this unity.

'I think Aljaz will be the most incredible dad and yeah, when the time is right we will be more than ready.'

Sharing how she'd love to return to the show after having a child, Janette went on: 'Hopefully I can dance to the last second and I can pop right back into dancing.

'It is a scary choice because for me and Aljaz, we are a team when it comes to everything.

Family: Janette recently revealed that she is going to start a family with her husband Aljaz after ten years of romance (pictured in April 2019)

'If I fall pregnant, I would want to spend time with my baby and that's the scary point, then we lose 50 per cent of the household income coming in because we do it all together, that's the only bit that's tricky.

'Those nine months to a year that we just don't know what's going to happen.'

Meanwhile, The Sun revealed on Sunday that Strictly would return to screens for a 13-show run this autumn.

The famous dancing competition's annual trip to Blackpool is also on the schedule, after being scrapped last year in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

Strictly's eighteenth season faced major setbacks and was forced to go ahead with strict social distancing protocols in place.

This meant the annual Blackpool trip was scrapped, and the competition only ran for nine episodes.

However, the BBC succeeded in keeping the show on air despite a handful of COVID-19 outbreaks, with the likes of Katya and her celebrity partner, world champion boxer Nicola Adams, 38, testing positive for the virus and leaving the show early.

Popstar HRVY, 22, also tested positive before the show aired, however was able to recover in time to take part.

Last month BBC confirmed the 16 dancers who will hit the dance floor this Autumn, with fan favourites such as Anton Du Beke, Johannes Radebe and Dianne Buswell all back.

Making up the female pros are Oti, Janette Manrara, Amy Dowden, Dianne Buswell, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Luba Mushtuk, Nadiya Bychkova and Nancy Xu.

While Aljaz Skorjanec, Anton Du Beke, Giovanni Pernice, Gorka Marquez, Graziano Di Prima, Johannes Radebe and Neil Jones make up the male pros.

Here come the girls! Making up the 2021 female pros are Amy Dowden, Oti, Luba Mushtuk, Nadiya Bychkova, Dianne Buswell, Janette Manrara, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones and Nancy Xu (pictured L-R in 2020)

Sarah James, Executive Producer of BBC Studios said of the news: 'We are so thrilled to be welcoming back our incredible line-up of professional dancers for 2021.

'Their passion and dedication for Strictly shone through more than ever last year as they all sacrificed so much to deliver an unforgettable series during unprecedented and challenging times.

'With so much talent returning to the ballroom, the 2021 series promises more show-stopping choreography, memorable performances and world class dancing.
Janet Yellen has called time on the Trump era's isolationism at the IMF meetings. Photo: Erin Scott/Bloomberg

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen outlined the case for a harmonised corporate tax rate across the worlds major economies, part of an effort to restore global leadership and credibility with US allies following the unilateralist approach of the Trump era.

In her first major speech on international economic policy, Ms Yellen marked an American return to the global stage.

America first must never mean America alone, she said yesterday in a conference ahead of the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. A lack of global leadership and engagement makes our institutions and economy vulnerable.

Ms Yellen specifically criticised the strategy of the previous administration, decrying four years when the US isolated ourselves and retreated from the international order that we created.

The new multilateral approach begins with the US taking a leading role in working with Group of 20 nations to find an appropriate minimum corporate tax. Yellen wants to halt what she described as an international race to the bottom by countries competing to lure corporations with lower taxes.

Any US move to change the way big American multinationals are taxed could have implications for Ireland.

The US is involved in talks led by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development with about 140 countries to develop a global agreement on minimum levies, but participants havent yet reached a deal.

Ms Yellen is participating in her first round of meetings as Treasury secretary during the spring IMF and World Bank meetings.

Bloomberg

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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  Scientists have been using genetics to track diseases for decades. Now, a team at Purdue University that typically tracks malaria spread in Southern and Central Africa is using its expertise to track COVID-19 in Indiana.

Giovanna Carpis lab studies the genomics of infectious diseases to better understand how they spread. An assistant professor of biological sciences, she focuses her research primarily on malaria. With the onset of the pandemic, her lab pivoted to study the genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19, including tracking variants.

Tracking variants of diseases  whether they are bacterial like tuberculosis, viral like SARS-CoV-2 or parasitic like malaria  helps scientists understand how they travel in a community, how they mutate and adapt, and how vaccines and other mitigation strategies are working.

We study genomic epidemiology, large-scale genomic studies of communicable disease, and our lab is investing in new sequencing and informatic technologies to study the genomes of infectious diseases to understand transmission, Carpi said. This allows us to do sequencing in real time, to conduct genomic surveillance, which has transformed our understanding of the spread of diseases.

Carpi and her lab are part of the Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Disease, which works across disciplines to advance the treatment and understanding of infectious diseases, cancer and chronic inflammatory conditions. Carpi studies the way diseases spread as well as how pathogens evolve as they adapt within, and move among, infected individuals. Currently, her work focuses on malaria, especially in countries like Zambia, which is working to eliminate malaria. In situations where malaria cases are rare, it is even more important to understand how the pathogen is introduced and persists through a population, to better prevent sustained transmission. That important work has not been put on hold, but since January, the novel coronavirus has become another priority for her lab.

SARS-CoV-2 and malaria have very little in common with each other. Malaria is a protozoan, a parasite carried and transmitted by certain species of mosquitoes. SARS-CoV-2 is a virus, spread mainly by person-to-person contact and through tiny droplets of bodily fluids in the air. But though they are different diseases, both on the microscopic level and in how they are spread, the methods scientists use to study them are similar.

They are very different systems, but you use the same technology to study them both, Carpi said. The sequencing procedures and the computations are very similar.

In fact, the novel coronavirus may be easier to study than malaria because its genome is much smaller, simpler and easier to monitor. Carpis work on malaria, and the equipment and expertise in her lab, puts her in a prime position, along with Purdues Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, to be able to track COVID-19 variants.

We do this kind of tracking all the time for malaria, Carpi said. We switched quickly and were able to adapt to sequencing SARS-CoV-2 in December 2020 as variants of concern were introduced and started spreading in the United States. We had to scale up. We are the only lab in Indiana  along with our partners at the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory  to be able to switch overnight to studying the SARS-CoV-2 genome. I have an amazing lab team, and we have been able to adapt with a very fast turnaround time.

Tracking the genetics of a virus, or any disease, gives scientists insights into how it is moving through a community. Patients with similar variants  with viruses with similar mutations  probably got the virus from the same place or from each other. Novel variants can indicate new viruses coming into a community from elsewhere. Comparing genomics also can help scientists understand how the variant is responding to vaccinations, as well as other anti-infectious measures including masks, quarantines, social distancing, intensive cleaning and other procedures.

Since January, Carpis lab has sequenced and studied about 200 complete viral genomes, including variants that can be screened by testing. She is tracking the novel coronavirus in the Purdue community, working with the Protect Purdue Health Center, as well as throughout the state of Indiana. The information she gathers helps inform policymakers, ensuring that city, state and university leaders have the best and most accurate, up-to-date information possible.

The work my lab is doing has been critical, Carpi said. The Indiana state health department has sent us samples because we can do the work for them faster than the CDC labs can.

About the Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Disease

The Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Disease leverages the significant diversity of life sciences, physical sciences and engineering on campus to invent and integrate basic immunologic advances, new diagnostics, probe basic biological and inflammatory processes and to develop and commercialize novel intervention methods to control an array of chronic inflammatory conditions, cancer and infectious diseases.

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, Media contact: Brittany Steff; 765-494-7833; bsteff@purdue.edu

Source: Giovanna Carpi, gcarpi@purdue.edu

Journalists visiting campus : Journalists should follow Protect Purdue protocols and the following guidelines:
OnePlus launched its own digital payment service back in 2019 and it has remained exclusive to China since then. But it looks like that's about to change now as the 'OnePlus Pay' trademark has been filed and accepted by the India Trade Marks Registry.

Yes, it looks like OnePlus has registered the trademark for OnePlus Pay in India which means the service could be launching in India soon. The trademark listing doesn't reveal much about the mobile payments service or its launch timeline though.

The listing was spotted by a popular Twitter user who has a good track record of leaking accurate info. So it's safe to say that we can expect OnePlus Pay to arrive as a part of the OxygenOS update soon.

OnePlus Pay will go head-to-head with existing players like Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, and others in the country. We already have a ton of payments app in the country but this should allow OnePlus users to make mobile payments easily without having to rely on anything else. In China, OnePlus Pay is a part of the Wallet app and is exclusive to HydrogenOS.

To use OnePlus Pay, users can simply double press the power button to quickly access it. It works with NFC-enabled POS devices in local shops, malls, etc. OnePlus will most likely partner with an international payment gateway like Mastercard and Visa in India. OnePlus has a very good presence in India and it makes sense complete sense to enable new features for a huge chunk of its users here in India. We just have to wait for an official announcement to see how the service works out.
An emu has miraculous is the scary moment an emu wanders into the direct firing line of South Korean soldiers on a firing range.

The footage was captured by a sniper from the South Korean Armed forces at Puckapunyal Military Area, approximately 100km north of Melbourne.

Soldiers marvelled at the bird as it casually strolled across the firing range during the Australian Army Skill at Arms Meet.

 10 Posted by  on Sunday, March 31, 2019

Luckily, the emu keeps moving out of harms way so the soldiers can continue their shooting down the 450m firing range.

The soldiers are filmed with what appears to be a number of different guns as they they practice for a competition.

The South Korean soldiers were in Australia at the Puckapunyal Military Area during the service weapons competition in 2019 but the video has reappeared.

Soldiers from 22 nations gathered at Puckapunyal to compete in the combat marksmanship competition that is held annually by the Australian Army.

In the 2019 competition it was the Indonesia National Armed Forces who won the event, it was their 7th win in a row and 12th overall.

The Puckapunyal Military Area is one of the most well known bases in Australia, it was first used in World War 1, it is now a major military base situated on over 37,000 hectares.
Joining this community, is an honor and very exciting as we continue to integrate and partner with executives in our industry.

Shagun Malhotra, CEO and Founder of SkyStem, a leading provider of automated month-end close software, has been accepted into Forbes Finance Council, an invitation-only community for executives in accounting, financial planning, wealth and asset management, and investment firms.

Shagun was vetted and selected by a review committee based on the depth and diversity of her experience. Criteria for acceptance include a track record of successfully impacting business growth metrics, as well as personal and professional achievements and honors.

We are honored to welcome Shagun into the community, said Scott Gerber, founder of Forbes Councils, the collective that includes Forbes Finance Council. Our mission with Forbes Councils is to bring together proven leaders from every industry, creating a curated, social capital-driven network that helps every member grow professionally and make an even greater impact on the business world.

As an accepted member of the Council, Shagun has access to a variety of exclusive opportunities designed to help her reach peak professional influence. She will connect and collaborate with other respected local leaders in a private forum. Shagun will also be invited to work with a professional editorial team to share her expert insights in original business articles on Forbes.com, and to contribute to published Q&A panels alongside other experts.

Finally, Shagun will benefit from exclusive access to vetted business service partners, membership-branded marketing collateral, and the high-touch support of the Forbes Councils member concierge team.

Every accolade is important to us and being a part of the Forbes Finance Council is no different. said Shagun Malhotra, CEO and Founder of SkyStem. Joining this community, is an honor and very exciting as we continue to integrate and partner with executives in our industry. It is no secret that ones habits and goals lay the foundation of [Shagun Malhotra] ones success story, and Shaguns journey to success is no exception. Shagun is one of the few people who have managed to turn their dreams into reality. She has successfully established a thriving business and is recognized as a leader in the fintech industry.

ABOUT FORBES COUNCILS

Forbes Councils is a collective of invitation-only communities created in partnership with Forbes and the expert community builders who founded Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC). In Forbes Councils, exceptional business owners and leaders come together with the people and resources that can help them thrive.

For more information about Forbes Finance Council, visit forbesfinancecouncil.com. To learn more about Forbes Councils, visit forbescouncils.com.

ABOUT SKYSTEM LLC

Headquartered in the heart of New York City, SkyStem delivers a powerful month-end close solution for organizations seeking to streamline their financial processes. The companys flagship solution, ART, is an enterprise technology that helps CFOs and Controllers shorten the month-end close and the time to issue financials by automating balance sheet reconciliations, managing month-end tasks, performing flux and variance analysis, and providing insightful reporting. The web-based solution streamlines and eliminates up to 90% of manual activities while strengthening internal controls and corporate governance. To learn more about SkyStem, visit http://www.skystem.com
NEW YORK, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Europe rose from 1,080 million tons in 2016 to 1,095 million tons in 2017. As a result, the European electric scooters and motorcycles market size, which stood at $284.2 million in 2019, is projected to increase to $758.5 million by 2025, at a 27.6% CAGR during 20202025, according to the market research report published by P&S Intelligence.

This is because, concerned at the rapid degradation of the environment, the European Union (EU) and governments in individual countries have started implementing stringent emission regulations. Moreover, the European electric scooters and motorcycles market is being driven by the government initiatives to encourage people to switch to green mobility. For instance, the government of Italy has set aside $11.34 million (EUR 10 million) to offer subsidies on the purchase of electric scooters.

Key Highlights of Electric Scooters and Motorcycles Market in Europe

Electric scooters continue to witness highest adoption in Europe

Electric two-wheelers with a >80-km/h maximum speed witnessing rising demand

Government initiatives key driver for electric scooter and motorcycle sales in continent

France largest hub for electric two-wheelers in Europe

largest hub for electric two-wheelers in Market has consolidated nature

Automakers launching new vehicle models for higher revenue

Get the sample copy this report @ https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/europe-electric-scooters-and-motorcycles-market/report-sample

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the European electric scooters and motorcycles market has been dealt a severe blow, as the factory shutdowns and movement restrictions have almost completely halted the production and import of such automobiles. Moreover, even people have been facing financial distress because of job and salary cuts, which is why they are not spending on non-essential commodities, including automobiles.

In the coming years, the high-powered motorcycle category, under the product segment of the European electric scooters and motorcycles market, is predicted to witness the fastest growth. With time, European residents have begun opting for electric vehicles (EVs) that offer a higher motor power and greater speed.

In the years to come, electric scooters and motorcycles with lithium-ion batteries are expected to witness the higher sales value CAGR, of 27.8%, in Europe. This is because these batteries can carry more charge per volume, which offers the vehicle a longer driving range. Moreover, the cost of these batteries is declining, they are lighter, and their disposal has few associated environmental concerns.

Browse detailed report with COVID-19 impact analysis on Europe Electric Scooters and Motorcycles Market @ https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/europe-electric-scooters-and-motorcycles-market

Electric two-wheelers that support the removable battery charging mode are gaining widespread popularity among Europeans because their batteries are easier to charge and they are cost-effective.

France has been contributing the highest revenue to the European electric scooters and motorcycles market for some time now. The country's government has implemented several favorable policies to encourage the adoption of clean-energy vehicles. For instance, companies with fewer than 50 employees are offered subsidies of up to $3,543 (EUR 3,000) on electric two-wheelers, the batteries of which have a capacity of more than 10 kWh.

In the future, sales of electric scooters and motorcycles are expected to pick up the most rapidly in Spain, in terms of revenue. Like in France, government initiatives must be credited for the rising demand for such eco-friendly vehicles. In December 2018, the government started providing an $886 (EUR 750) subsidy in Madrid on electric motorcycles costing less than $9,440 (EUR 8,000) and offering a maximum speed of 70 km/h or above.

Make enquiry about this report @ https://www.psmarketresearch.com/send-enquiry?enquiry-url=europe-electric-scooters-and-motorcycles-market

The major players in the European electric scooters and motorcycles market are GOVECS AG, TORROT ELECTRIC EUROPA S.A., Gogoro Inc., Kwang Yang Motor Co. Ltd., BMW AG, unu GmbH, Niu Technologies, Zero Motorcycles Inc., Askoll EVA SpA, Lightning Motors Corp., Scutum Logistic S.L., Alta Motors, emco electroroller GmbH, Piaggio & C. SpA, and ETRIX AG.

More reports on electric scooters and motorcycles:

Global Electric Scooter and Motorcycle Market - The APAC accounted for the largest share of the electric scooter and motorcycle market in the past and is predicted to maintain its dominance over the market in the years to come as well.

North America Electric Scooters and Motorcycles Market - The North American electric scooters and motorcycles market valued $164.7 million in 2020, and it is expected to reach $590.4 million by 2025

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.

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P&S Intelligence

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Judiciary workers Tuesday morning shut down the Supreme Court in Abuja, in line with their threat to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike to press for financial autonomy for the judicial arm of government.

The development came as a defiance to the last minute appeal by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to the workers to shelve the industrial action, which it said was ill-timed considering the COVID-19 constraints the Nigerian courts had been battling with in the last year.

Our correspondent, who arrived at the entrance of the supreme court at about 7.10 a.m. on Tuesday, met the gate locked, leaving workers who intended to resume duties after the Easter holiday stranded.

Workers of other two key judiciary institutions  the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC)  which share the same premises with the Supreme Court are also affected.

Staff buses were also seen making a detour upon arriving at the barricaded gate of the Supreme Court.

The courts premises is located in the Three Arms Zone in Abuja, a neighbourhood it shares with the Presidential Villa and the National Assembly Complex.

Workers of both the NJC and the FJSC are part of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), the umbrella body of all judiciary workers at all levels in the nation, and are also bound by the strike declared by the union.

The action taken by the union at the Supreme Court Tuesday morning is expected to be replicated across all Nigerian courts.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that JUSUN had in an April 1, 2021, circular directed all its states and zonal heads to comply with the strike as from Tuesday.

The circular signed by the unions general secretary, I. M. Adetola, stated that the strike was necessitated by the failure of the federal and state governments to implement a judgement of the Federal High Court, which granted financial autonomy to the judicial arm of government.

The union stated that it had at its last National Executive meeting on March 13, 2021 in Abuja, issued a 21-day ultimatum to the government to implement the financial autonomy of the judiciary with a threat that failure of which JUSUN will have no other option but to resume the suspended national strike action.

Therefore, as a result of the public holiday on April 5, 2021, the strike action has been postponed to Tuesday, April 6, 2021.

You are directed to shut down courts/departments in your states until further notice from the National Secretariat of JUSUN in Abuja, the circular had added.
YEREVAN, APRIL 6, ARMENPRESS. In order to establish a lasting peace and restore the economic image in the region, Turkey needs to change its aggressive policy towards Armenia, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in an interview to Interfax.

PM Pashinyan reminded that the Armenian-Turkish border was unilaterally closed by Turkey back in 1993, noting that Armenia has always advocated the normalization of relations with Turkey without preconditions, but this was rejected by Turkey itself.

Such a hostile policy of Ankara received new scope during the 44-day aggression of Azerbaijan against Artsakh. Particularly, Turkey has provided direct military-political and military-technical support to Azerbaijan, by transferring also foreign armed terrorists to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict zone. In this respect, in order to establish a firm peace and restore the economic image in the region Turkey must change this aggressive policy towards Armenia, the Armenian PM said.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
Banks Gatchel, President of First Heritage Mortgage, LLC. We selected Banks because we knew he is naturally aligned with the FHM culture and has the industry experience needed to succeed in this role. As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the company this year, his addition to the team sets us up for a new era of success.  Alex Wish, CEO.

First Heritage Mortgage, LLC (FHM) announced last week that Banks Gatchel joined its executive leadership team in the role of President. Gatchel will support growth into new markets while maintaining the culture of excellence and friendliness that is synonymous with the FHM brand.

FHM is expanding its leadership structure to support its award-winning and record-breaking team of loan officers and operational staff. Gatchel understands the company culture and whats needed to continue this sustainable growth through his breadth of industry experience and previous working relationship with FHM.

Gatchel brings a wealth of mortgage experience and familiarity with the FHM operation to his role as President of the organization. He has worked in the mortgage financing industry for nearly three decades, starting as a mortgage support assistant. He later held roles in operations and production, leading to his positions as Chief Operating Officer at both independent and bank-owned mortgage companies. For the past two years, Gatchel served as President of Lenderworks, a consulting company that provides operational, technical, capital markets, and compliance support to residential mortgage lenders.

Im honored and excited to join First Heritage Mortgage. Ive had the privilege to work alongside many of my new team members in my previous role at Lenderworks, Gatchel said. Through that close relationship, we were able to build on the services we offered and expand our customer base. Im excited to pair my operational and production experience with the amazing culture at FHM to build on the tremendous success of this organization.

As part of Gatchels appointment to President, Alex Wish, who previously held the role, will transition to Chief Executive Officer. As CEO, Wish will focus on building the FHM brand and partnering with branch offices to support their growth plans. Gatchels and Wishs promotions are part of an expanded organizational structure that will ensure FHM is equipped to provide outstanding support and solutions to employees, customers, and business partners as the company continues to experience exponential growth.

I am confident that Banks will lead First Heritage Mortgage to new heights, Wish said. We selected Banks because we knew he is naturally aligned with the FHM culture and has the industry experience needed to succeed in this role. As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the company this year, his addition to the team sets us up for a new era of success.

About First Heritage Mortgage, LLC

Founded in 1996, First Heritage Mortgage, LLC (FHM) is a leading correspondent lender and one of the largest privately-owned mortgage companies in the Mid-Atlantic, originating more than $3.73 billion in mortgage loans in 2020. The company is headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, with 16 branch locations across Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and California, and a lending footprint that includes 13 states plus the District of Columbia. As a correspondent lender, FHM controls every aspect of the mortgage process from start to finish in a local branch, allowing the company to provide deeply personalized mortgage solutions to its clients and business partners. Learn more at https://fhmtg.com.

First Heritage Mortgage, LLC is an Equal Housing Lender | Company NMLS ID #86548 (http://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org)
ATLANTA, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The 45th annual Atlanta Film Festival will open this April with the world premiere of the long-awaited documentary, "CARTERLAND."

This groundbreaking new documentary film examines the tragic, yet inspiring story of America's most misunderstood president and explores how Jimmy Carter's selfless leadership and moral integrity ultimately cost him the presidency. The film features a wealth of archival footage and interviews with the former president as well as his vice president, Walter Mondale. Also featured is expert commentary from a range of politicians and scholars including billionaire activist Tom Steyer, Washington Governor Jay Inslee, Oregon Governor Kate Brown, former UN Ambassador Andrew Young, and many others. The documentary is directed and produced by brothers Jim Pattiz and Will Pattiz, collectively known as the Pattiz brothers. CARTERLAND will mark the brothers feature film debut.

"This remarkable film shows why the long struggle for peace, human rights, equal opportunity, and the environment must continue. While we made progress on all these fronts during my administration, there is much more to be done," Carter said in a statement. "I am proud of this fine film by the Pattiz brothers, and Rosalynn and I are delighted it will debut at the 2021 Atlanta Film Festival."

Author Jonathan Alter added, "Carterland' is an outstanding look at the hugely underrated Carter presidencythe best, most important documentary about this much-misunderstood man. The film is especially good at explaining how Carter was the greatest environmental president in American history."

The Pattiz brothers previous work has included a series of award winning films celebrating America's public lands. The filmmakers and environmentalists frequently donate their time and expertise to the National Park Service and can often be seen on The Weather Channel discussing America's public lands.

This year's Atlanta Film Festival will run from April 22-May 2 and will feature a mixture of drive-in, in-person, and virtual screenings. CARTERLAND will premiere April 24th to in-person and virtual festival-goers. Those in attendance can expect a "special guest appearance" prior to the screening in Atlanta.

Website: carterlandmovie.com

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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 6) The countrys treatment czar on Tuesday underscored the need to improve the governments platform for COVID-19 hospital occupancy data, as he admitted the information logged in the system is not real time.

Speaking to CNN Philippines' The Source, Health Undersecretary and treatment czar Leopoldo Vega admitted there is sometimes a mismatch between the officials dashboard data and the present situation on the ground.

He explained there is some delay in the hospitals' encoding of real-time information regarding their occupancy and vacancy for COVID-19 patients.

Thats not real time, Vega said. Sometimes there are institutions that would fail to put in the necessary registry of data or encoding, and it would be delayed.

We need to make sure that the operators or the data managers of the different hospitals must be able to register or encode on real time the data that they have, he stressed. So we need a certain upgrade of platforms.

Social media feeds as of late have been filled with cries for help from netizens reporting that their loved ones could not find hospitals to accept them  with admissions also surging amid the spike in COVID-19 cases.

In line with this, a group of medical experts earlier urged President Rodrigo Duterte to order the establishment of a centralized COVID-19 data warehouse and to expand the hospital referral system in the country to help decongest facilities.

READ: Health workers ask gov't to set up a centralized COVID-19 data warehouse, expanded hospital referral system

The Department of Health previously said that its online tracker relies on the data submission of hospitals, adding it does not show the full picture on the ground.

Makikita natin na ang hospital tracker, hindi niya naipapakita ngayon ang true picture ng ospital," Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in an online forum on Monday. "Kaya ngayon kumukuha tayo ng actual data on the ground to assess the situation para makita ang totoong admissions.

[Translation: We can see the hospital tracker does not show the true picture of the hospitals. So were getting actual data on the ground to assess the situation, so we can see the real admissions.]

Challenge to find vacancy

Meanwhile, Vega admitted it has been a challenge to find vacancies for patients particularly in Metro Manila, noting that several Level 3 hospitals are already under high or critical risk capacity.

Level 3 hospitals are facilities capable of handling critical cases, and have complete set-up and capacity for intensive care.

In line with this, the treatment czar urged medical centers to admit only the moderate to severe COVID-19 cases.

This is the reason why weve been tasking the different local government units and also the Level 1 hospitals to make sure that they do admit the moderate cases only and leave the mild and asymptomatic to the temporary treatment facility, he pointed out.

COVID-19 cases in the Philippines breached the 800,000 mark on Monday, with the DOH tallying 8,355 new virus infections.
New Delhi, April 6 : A Special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on Tuesday sentenced two fake Indian currency notes racketeers to four years imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 each in connection with a case of fake currency having face value of Rs 4.6 lakh seized from four people in Lucknow.

A NIA spokesperson here said that a Special NIA court in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow pronounced judgement in Lucknow FICN case and convicted Shiv Bhajan Gupta and Kuldeep Gupta under several sections of the IPC and sentenced them to four years of imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 5,000.

The case is related to the seizure of FICN by UP's STF on August 24, 2018 having face value of Rs 4.6 lakh from the possession of four accused namely Shiv Bhajan Gupta, Vivek Rajput aka Gurudev, Kuldeep Gupta and Rajneesh Yadav.

An FIR was registered at Hasanganj police station in Lucknow and the NIA took over the probe on September 18, 2018.

The official said that during probe it was revealed that consignment of FICN, which was recovered from the accused, was supplied to them by Abdul Salam who had procured the same from accused Jiyaul Haq.

"The consignment of FICN was supplied to accused Jiyaul Haq by another accused Gazlu Mia a resident of Bangladesh," the official said.

Earlier, the NIA has filed a charge sheet against six accused persons.

Earlier this year in March, Rajput and Yadav were convicted by NIA Special Court and sentenced to four years of imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 5,000.

The official said that trial against remaining two charge-sheeted accused continues.

The official said that probe against the absconding accused Gazlu Mia is on.
Gambling, infidelity, moving away from a shared religious faith. These topics, once hidden behind closed doors, are now discussed openly as couples choose to broadcast their relationships on podcasts.

On Marriage and Martinis, a New Jersey pair describes getting to the brink of divorce, propelled by the husbands trips to Atlantic City. On Black Millennial Marriage, a couple share their grief over a miscarriage and its lasting repercussions. The couple on the IMbetween Podcast talk about troubles with in-laws.

Podcasts have exploded in popularity in recent years, and now dozens of them are hosted by married couples who offer bracingly honest conversations about the challenges of long-term partnership.

The hosts say that podcasting serves as a form of couples therapy, forcing them to pay attention, confront problems head on and spend quality time together. They also hope to help others feel less alone by bringing up issues that are often couched in silence.
These 44 days were not a war; they were a slaughterhouse. All the media outlets were shut down and they [the Armenian authorities] were putting the youth under fire by the thousands. Vazgen Manukyan, the candidate for the post of Prime Minister of the Homeland Salvation Movementwhich demands the resignation of PM Nikol Pashinyan, stated this Tuesday during the movement's rally in Sevan, Armenia

"Will we forgive that? This is not a bad government that should be changed through elections; your heart should be filled with hatred toward them. They destroyed our homeland. The only way is to drive them away through the people. I do not accept elections; the more forcibly we drive these authorities away, the more respect we will have for ourselves.

And now they [the authorities] say that roads are being opened; that is, did you deliberately lose [the recent Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) war] to open roads? That's how it turns out. You live badly, you will live worse; this road leads there," he said.

Also, Manukyan expressed confidence that the snap parliamentary elections slated for June 20 will bring nothing to Armenia except for damage. "If we do not change the situation drastically, Armenia will slowly die," he added.

After Vazgen Manukyan's remarks, the Homeland Salvation Movements rally in Sevan concluded.
PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten  Mr. Garrick J. Richardson, LL.M, ML, took the oath of office as Secretary-General (Griffier) of the Parliament of Sint Maarten on April 1st, 2021. The swearing-in ceremony took place in the Legislative Hall of Parliament and was officiated by the President of Parliament, the Honorable Rolando Brison. Present at the ceremony were Members of Parliament, the Staff of the Secretariat, Faction staff, and family members of Mr. Richardson.

Garrick J. Richardson is a son of the soil, who was raised on St Maarten. Upon completing Secondary education at Milton Peters College, HAVO stream in 2007, he pursued his education in the Netherlands. Mr. Richardson moved to the Netherlands in 2008, where he attended the Hogeschool Leiden in Leiden from 2008 till 2012. While pursuing his Bachelor of Laws degree, he also interned at a bailiff's office in The Hague and a local law firm here on Sint Maarten. He attained his Bachelor of Laws degree (LL.B) in 2012.

After following the pre-Master program at the University of Tilburg from 2013 till 2015, he continued and pursued a Masters in Dutch Law with a concentration in Constitutional Law. During his time at the University of Tilburg, he interned at the Legal Affairs and Legislation Department of the Government of Sint Maarten and also at the Advisory Division of the Council of State of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in The Hague. He was also active in the law study association of the University of Tilburg, Magister JFT, and the Tilburg Debating Association Cicero.

Mr. G.J. Richardson attained his Masters of Laws degree (LL.M), at the University of Tilburg in 2017.In 2016, Mr. Richardson started working for the Parliament of Sint Maarten, stationed (on secondment) at the Ministry of Security and Justice of the Netherlands in The Hague. During his time at the Ministry, he followed a post-Masters in Legislation (LL.M leg/ML) at the Academy for Legislation in The Hague. For the completion of this degree and also in preparation for his return to Sint Maarten he also interned at the Second Chamber on numerous occasions and also the First Chamber of the Netherlands.

A cocktail reception was held in the afternoon where Mr. Richardson was officially introduced in his role as Secretary-General of the Parliament of Sint Maarten, to his counterparts and different departments. Present at the ceremony were among others, Members of Parliament, Secretaries General of the High Councils, Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers, Secretaries General of the Ministries as well as the Head of the Department of Legal Affairs.

In his address to the gathering, Mr. G.J. Richardson reminisced on his educational journey and highlighted the fact of his many opportunities for internships and the importance of contacting and keeping in contact with students and young professionals abroad. Cognizant of the challenge that awaits him as a very young Secretary-General of the islands highest legislative body, he placed the importance of his role in context explaining that the progress of the island calls for continuous improvement of the legislature. Appealing to the African philosophy of Ubuntu, he explained that he believes in the philosophy of I am because of who we all are and emphasized that collectively we can make Sint Maarten a better place! He used the philosophy of Ubuntu to call for cooperation as well as collaboration amongst all levels of the community in order to realize the very important (legislative) changes that are necessary through innovation, creativity, and solutions to problems within the confinement of the law.

He pledged his own, as well as the Secretariat of Parliaments, full support in bringing about the changes necessary from the role of the Secretary-General and the Secretariat of Parliament.

Mr. Richardson expressed appreciation to all those who have reached out in support of his appointment. He specifically thanked his family and support staff for their support and expressed his desire to continue a great working relationship with all.

The Secretary-General of Parliament fulfills the role of advising, assisting, and supporting the Presidium, President, Members of Parliament, and Parliament in the execution of their tasks, and manages the Secretariat of Parliament and the overall budget of Parliament.
A Somerville man was killed Monday in a single-vehicle crash in Lawrence County.

Antonio Cowley, 55, died when the 2002 Honda Shadow he was driving lost control, ran off the road, and hit a culvert when he was trying to move into the right lane, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

Cowley sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to a Huntsville hospital. He succumbed to those injuries and was pronounced deceased by the hospital staff, troopers said.

The crash happened about 12:30 p.m. Monday two miles east of Hillsboro on Alabama 20 at mile marker 58.

The crash remains under investigation.
This is the driving "menace" from Northern Ireland involved in a high-speed horror smash in the US which left six people injured including four teenage girls who required emergency surgery.

Dungiven man Shane Brolly (24) was arrested at the scene of the head-on crash in Pennsylvania and a local hero pulled the screaming girls from their burning Mazda.

Police found opened beer cans "strewn" across the interior of Brolly's GMC pick-up truck and say he admitted he had been drinking.

He and his passenger Eoin 'Spud' Quinn, from Dungannon, Co Tyrone, were rushed to hospital along with four high school students.

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According to police, Mr Quinn suffered "serious internal injuries" which required surgery.

Tributes have been paid to the GAA man on Facebook following the incident with former team-mates and family friends wishing him a speedy recovery.

Shane Brolly was previously busted for dangerous driving in Northern Ireland following a 114mph chase with the PSNI in 2019 before he moved to the US and settled in Philadelphia.

According to prosecutors in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, he was driving his pick-up on the Bridgetown Pike in Northampton Township last Saturday night, March 27, when it crossed into oncoming traffic while attempting to overtake.

His truck smashed into a Mazda CX5 carrying four teenage girls, all of whom sustained serious injuries with one girl being airlifted to hospital for emergency treatment.

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According to police documents published on the Bucks County District Attorney's website, Brolly admitted to driving the truck, drinking earlier in the day and officers could smell alcohol on him.

A sworn affidavit by an officer published says: "Shane Brolly identified himself as the operator of the 2013 GMC and did admit to consuming alcoholic beverages throughout the day on March 27 prior to driving which resulted in this crash.

"During the on-scene investigation police observed two cases of alcoholic beverage and also numerous opened and unopened cans strewn about the interior."

Brolly was later charged at his hospital bed on five counts each of aggravated assault and aggravated assault by vehicle, all of which are felonies (serious crimes), and eight counts of recklessly endangering another person.

Bucks County district attorney Matt Weintraub slammed Brolly's driving and said he was in the United States on an expired work visa.

He said: "He was completely reckless the way he was driving that night, he has a UK driver's licence so he is not properly licensed in the state of Pennsylvania. He shouldn't have been driving at all."

Brolly was arraigned in his hospital bed "because of the sheer recklessness, the malice, he demonstrated passing on the left-hand side at a high rate of speed, endangering everyone around him", Weintraub added.

Magisterial District Judge Daniel Finello set his bail at $10 million with a 10 per cent payment of $1m required for his release.

This is the second drink-drive horror crash Brolly is alleged to have been responsible for in the last 18 months after he was convicted of leading police on a 114mph chase on country roads just outside Dungiven in 2019.

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In June 2019, a Toyota Avensis driven by Brolly was spotted "all over the road" going through Mosside towards Coleraine.

A short time later police spotted the vehicle and put on blue lights and sirens but the car failed to stop, Coleraine Magistrates Court was told.

Court reports from the time say at one stage police drove alongside Brolly telling him to pull over, and although he indicated he would do so, he then drove on.

Over a period of 16 miles towards Dungiven he drove at speeds up to 114mph on dark country roads and was only stopped when police deployed a stinger device.

He fled the vehicle into a field before a PSNI helicopter located him lying face down trying to hide. He refused to give a preliminary breath sample but an evidential breath sample taken later showed a reading of 50 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, with 35mcgs being the legal limit.

The vehicle belonged to Brolly's father who had not given him permission to take the car.

At court he pleaded guilty to charges including dangerous driving; failing to stop for police; aggravated taking and causing damage to a vehicle; absence of insurance; failing to provide a preliminary breath sample, and driving with excess alcohol in his breath.

In September 2019 District Judge Peter King imposed an interim driving ban as he adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report before telling Brolly: "You are clearly a menace to road-users."

Following the crash a GoFundMe page has been set up to help the Neshaminy High School students, dubbed the 'Neshaminy 4', with their medical expenses. It has so far raised over $126,000.
In 2001, the famous herpetologist Joseph B. Slowinski died from snakebite by an immature black-and-white banded krait, while leading an expedition team in northern Myanmar. The very krait that caused his death is now confirmed to belong to the same species identified as a new to science venomous snake, following an examination of samples collected between 2016 and 2019 from Yingjiang County, Yunnan Province, China.

The new krait species, found in Southwestern China and Northern Myanmar, is described by Dr Zening Chen of Guangxi Normal University, PhD candidate Shengchao Shi, Dr Li Ding from the Chengdu Institute of Biology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dr Gernot Vogel of the Society for Southeast Asian Herpetology in Germany and Dr Jingsong Shi of the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology at Chinese Academy of Sciences. Their study is published in the open-access, peer-reviewed journal ZooKeys.

The researchers decided to name the new species Bungarus suzhenae - Suzhen's krait, after the mythical figure of Bai Su Zhen - a powerful snake goddess from the traditional Chinese myth 'Legend of White Snake'.

The legend says that, after thousands of years of practicing magic power, the white snake Bai Su Zhen transformed herself into a young woman and fell in love with the human man Xu Xian. Together, they ran a hospital, saving lots of human lives with medicine and magic. However, this love between goddess and human was forbidden by the world of the gods and, eventually, Bai Su Zhen was imprisoned in a tower for eternity. Since then, the Chinese regard her as a symbol of true love and good-heartedness.

"The black-and-white banded krait is one of the snakes most similar to the white snake in nature, so we decided to name it after Bai Su Zhen," say the authors.

In fact, the discovery of Suzhen's krait was inspired by another accident from 2015, when the Chinese herpetologist Mian Hou was bitten by a black-and-white banded krait in Yingjiang. "It hurt around the wound, and the skin around it turned dark," said the unfortunate man, who luckily survived.

The authors of the present study realized that the bite was different from those of the many-banded krait B. multicinctus, which go without clear symptoms or pain around the wound. This clue eventually led to the discovery of Suzhen's krait.

Because kraits are highly lethal, understanding their species diversity and geographic distribution is vital for saving human lives. Thanks to adequate description and classification of deadly snakes, research on venom, antivenom development and proper snakebite treatment can advance more rapidly.

The new study makes it easier to distinguish between krait species from China and adjacent southeastern Asia. "Three species of the black-and-white banded kraits from China were previously put under the same name - many-banded krait, which would hinder appropriate medical treatment," the authors point out. Additionally, they suggest that antivenom for the many-banded krait be reevaluated accordingly.

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Original source
Award-winning TV presenter, producer and radio host, Renaldo Schwarp has slid in behind the mic as the new host of 'OFM Nights' on weeknights from 7-10pm. Schwarp will also host the 12pm-4pm show on Sundays.

Jaco Janse van Rensburg

Radio is part of my DNA. I cant wait to spend my evenings and weekends connecting with the wonderful people of central South Africa. The stellar team at OFM fully understand family, fun and feel good - I'm excited to be part of that.

Congratulations on your new gig as the host of OFM Nights! How does it feel?

How and when did this come about?

OFM turns 35 Central South Africa's number one radio station, OFM, celebrates its 35th birthday this year...

It's clear that radio is part of your DNA. When was that 'aha' moment?

Not only are you a radio host, but you're a field presenter on kykNET & Kie. How do you keep that balance?

Our world was turned upside down by Covid-19. What's your recipe to avoid burnout?

What do you love most about your career, the industry, and what you do?

You're still quite young, yet achieved so much. What advice do you have for the youth entering the broadcasting industry?

Are you watching any series? Reading any books at the moment?

What's your theme song for 2021?

What's next for you?

We chat to Schwarp to find out more about his latest gig.Im thrilled at the opportunity! The move to weeknight commercial radio has been in the pipeline since his days on campus radio. Broadcasting is my first love, its where I feel most at home - so Im excited to have stepped behind the OFM-mic and Im looking forward to creating some radio magic with the people of central South Africa.The team at OFM fully understands family, fun, and the spirit of central South Africa - and Ive been a big fan of the station for many years. A few months after wrapping up my weekend shows at Jacaranda FM (where I also headed up the stations digital portfolio) I started talks with OFM, and it just felt like a perfect fit. As a bilingual broadcaster, I'm excited to be part of a station with such a broad and diverse audience.As a third-year US drama student, I specialised in TV and radio. I had the honour of having industry legends, Elsabe Daneel and Susanne Beyers as lecturers, and its these two that saw my passion for media and recommended that I join the campus radio station - and that is where it all started for me!The radio bug properly bit me at MFM 92.6. I have since had a very successful commercial radio career, filled with a long list of unforgettable moments - landing a weekday spot on OFMs lineup is currently top of that list.Since I started in media, Ive always worn a few professional hats  all of which fulfil a different passion of mine. As a radio host, TV presenter, digital strategist, filmmaker, and soon-to-be author Im grateful that I have access to platforms where I can tell stories that matter, connect with people, and just spread some joy.Sticking to a routine, having loads of me time, and mastering the art of saying no. If that doesnt work, a good glass of wine should do the trick!The people. Connection is what drives us as humans. At its core radio is all about connection. 2020 highlighted the power of the media, and that is what excites me the most about the industry and how I contribute to it.Diversify your skill set. Authenticity always wins.Ive just recently wrapped up the final edits on my first book. This project kept me occupied for the majority of 2020, so Im currently taking a bit of a hiatus from books. I am however excited to binge-watch the latest season ofLady Gaga & Ariana Grande - Rain On Me.Settling into my new show and city. Im also excited for my first book to hit shelves in September, just in time for local LGBTI+ Pride month. The book will be published by LAPA Publishers and is roughly based on my Showmax documentary,
Former Nottinghamshire chief constable Sue Fish said that she had reported one of the sexual assaults but the culprit remained in his job

A retired police chief has revealed that she was groped twice by senior officers early in her career.

Former Nottinghamshire chief constable Sue Fish said that she had reported one of the sexual assaults but the culprit remained in his job.

She later pioneered a policy of recording misogyny as a hate crime.

Mrs Fish said: 'Two of my particularly unpleasant experiences as a police officer were both... technically indecent assaults, both of them. I didn't report one at all and I did the second one. Unwanted touching would be probably the best way of describing it.'

She said she had felt unable to report the first assault because it was unlikely anyone would believe the allegations against a senior, well-regarded officer.

She had reported the second assault, by a man from a different force, but though it was made clear to him his behaviour was inappropriate, he remained in his senior role.

Mrs Fish joined Nottinghamshire as a constable in 1986 and worked in uniform and detective roles for forces including Nottinghamshire, the West Midlands and the Met.

It is not clear where she was working when the incidents took place.

Mrs Fish joined Nottinghamshire as a constable in 1986 and worked in uniform and detective roles for forces including Nottinghamshire, the West Midlands and the Met

She led Nottinghamshire Police until three years ago and said she feared such assaults are still being carried out in forces across Britain today.

In an interview with ITV Tonight, due to be broadcast tomorrow evening, she added: 'There are so many good people in policing, male and female, [but] there is still what I hope is a minority... that's absolutely toxic.

'It's still carrying on, despite the best endeavours of the leadership of the service. It still goes on.'

Mrs Fish said the abduction and murder of Sarah Everard, for which a police officer is the prime suspect, should act as 'wake-up call' to the force.

She led Nottinghamshire Police until three years ago and said she feared such assaults are still being carried out in forces across Britain today

She said: 'I hope that the tragic events of the past few weeks will actually serve as a wake-up call to policing, that this actually is really important.

'If we want women as half our population to have confidence in their police service, the police service needs to listen and to respond accordingly.'

Mrs Fish was the first chief constable to introduce recording misogyny as a hate crime in 2016, a measure which was later adopted by about a quarter of forces in England and Wales.

Last month peers agreed an amendment to the Domestic Abuse Bill that would make it a requirement for all forces.

The former chief constable, who was made an OBE for services to policing in 2008, has previously said senior colleagues across the country closed ranks on her when she brought it in.

Nottinghamshire Police has been contacted for comment.
DUBLIN, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Chocolate Market, By Type (Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate & White Chocolate), By Category (Tablets, Countlines, Pouches & Bags, Boxed & Others), By Distribution Channel, By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Global Chocolate Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 4% during 2021-2026F to reach around USD172 billion by 2026, on account of the increasing availability of premium chocolates, spurred by consumers' desire to consume delicious chocolates and rising food culture. Other factors driving the market include growing online sales of chocolates, rising personal disposable income, and gaining popularity of organic and sugar-free chocolates, etc.



The Global Chocolate Market was severely affected by the low sales volume due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including supply-side issues linked to quality and certification. Also, government support in strengthening the partnership between fine cocoa producers and chocolate companies to smoothen the supply of cocoa has helped in developing the Global Chocolate Market.



Regionally, the chocolate market has been segmented into regions including Asia Pacific, North America, South America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa. Among these regions, Europe accounted for around 35% market share in value, owing to increasing health concerns and the surge in the demand for fine cocoa flavored chocolates. European consumers are willing to pay extra prices for chocolates made from fine cocoa. Also, the European consumers' paradigm shift towards the consumption of high-quality chocolate products such as single-origin chocolates, organic chocolates, handmade chocolates, artisan chocolates, and other chocolate products, is a major factor driving the chocolate market in the region. There is a tremendous demand for dark chocolates as they have less sugar and more cocoa taste.



Mars Incorporated, Ferrero Group, The Hershey Company, Modelez International, Nestle SA, are few of the prominent players operating in the Global Chocolate Market. Nestle and Mars are also the most active companies in terms of product launches and marketing their products. The development of chocolate products to enhance the product portfolio and to capture untapped markets has driven the growth in the Global Chocolate Market. Owing to the changing tastes and preferences of consumers, there has been rapid development in chocolate products by various market players.



Years considered for this report:

Historical Years: 2016-2020

Base Year: 2020

Estimated Year: 2021

Forecast Period: 2022-2026

Objective of the Study:

To analyze the historical growth in the market size of the Global Chocolate Market from 2016 to 2020.

To estimate and forecast the market size of the Global Chocolate Market from 2021 to 2026 and growth rate until 2026.

To classify and forecast the Global Chocolate Market based on category, distribution channel, company, and regional distribution.

To identify dominant region or segment in the Global Chocolate Market.

To identify drivers and challenges for the Global Chocolate Market.

To examine competitive developments such as expansions, new product launches, mergers & acquisitions, etc., in the Global Chocolate Market.

To identify and analyze the profile of leading players operating in the Global Chocolate Market.

To identify key sustainable strategies adopted by market players in the Global Chocolate Market.

The publisher performed both primary as well as exhaustive secondary research for this study. Initially, the publisher sourced a list of manufacturers across the globe. Subsequently, the publisher conducted primary research surveys with the identified companies. While interviewing, the respondents were also enquired about their competitors. Through this technique, the publisher could include the manufacturers which could not be identified due to the limitations of secondary research. The publisher analyzed the manufacturers, distribution channels and presence of all major players across the globe.



The publisher calculated the market size of the Global Chocolate Market by using a top-down approach, wherein data for various end-user segments was recorded and forecast for the future years. The publisher sourced these values from the industry experts and company representatives and externally validated through analyzing historical data of these product types and applications for getting an appropriate, overall market size. Various secondary sources such as company websites, news articles, press releases, company annual reports, investor presentations and financial reports were also studied.



Key Topics Covered:



1. Product Overview



2. Research Methodology



3. Executive Summary



4. Voice of Customer



5. Impact of COVID-19 on Global Chocolate Market



6. Global Chocolate Market Outlook

6.1. Market Size and Forecast

6.1.1. By Value & Volume

6.2. Market Share and Forecast

6.2.1. By Product Type (Milk, Dark & White Chocolate)

6.2.2. By Category (Tablets, Countlines, Pouches & Bags, Boxed & Others)

6.2.3. By Distribution Channel (Supermarkets/Hypermarket, Convenience Stores, Independent Grocery Stores, Non-Store Retailing, Departmental Store)

6.2.4. By Region

6.2.5. By Company

6.3. Product Market Map (By Region & By Type)

7. Asia Pacific Chocolate Market Outlook

7.1. Market Size and Forecast

7.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.3. China Chocolate Market Outlook

7.4. Japan Chocolate Market Outlook

7.5. India Chocolate Market Outlook

7.6. South Korea Chocolate Market Outlook

7.7. Australia Chocolate Market Outlook

7.8. Indonesia Chocolate Market Outlook

8. Europe Chocolate Market Outlook

8.1. Market Size and Forecast

8.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.3. United Kingdom Chocolate Market Outlook

8.4. Italy Chocolate Market Outlook

8.5. France Chocolate Market Outlook

8.6. Germany Chocolate Market Outlook

9. North America Chocolate Market Outlook

9.1. Market Size and Forecast

9.2. Market Share & Forecast

9.3. United States Chocolate Market Outlook

9.4. Mexico Chocolate Market Outlook

9.5. Canada Chocolate Market Outlook

10. South America Chocolate Market Outlook

10.1. Market Size and Forecast

10.2. Market Share & Forecast

10.3. Brazil Chocolate Market Outlook

10.4. Argentina Chocolate Market Outlook

10.5. Colombia Chocolate Market Outlook

11. Middle East & Africa Chocolate Market Outlook

11.1. Market Size and Forecast

11.2. Market Share & Forecast

11.3. South Africa Chocolate Market Outlook

11.4. Saudi Arabia Chocolate Market Outlook

11.5. UAE Chocolate Market Outlook

12. Market Dynamics

12.1. Drivers

12.2. Challenges



13. Market Trends & Developments



14. Competitive Landscape

14.1. Competition Benchmarking

14.2. Company Profiles (Leading companies)

14.2.1. Mars, Incorporated

14.2.2. Ferrero Group

14.2.3. The Hershey Company

14.2.4. Nestle SA

14.2.5. Mondelez International

14.2.6. Meiji Holdings Co. Ltd

14.2.7. General Mills Inc.

14.2.8. Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprungli AG

14.2.9. Lotte Confectionery Co. Ltd

14.2.10. Crown Confectionery Co. Ltd



15. Strategic Recommendations



16. About the Publisher & Disclaimer

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/rue1u2

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

http://www.researchandmarkets.com


The Bill and Crissy Haslam Foundation, in partnership with youth-serving organizations across Tennessee, on Tuesday launched the second year of the statewide Tennessee Tutoring Corps program to provide summer learning opportunities for rising first  fourth grade students who have fallen behind academically due to the education disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.We launched this program last year to address the summer slide, a very real problem each year that was made significantly worse by students being out of school for so long because of COVID-19, Mr.Haslam said. Building on what we learned from the latest education research as well as student outcomes and tutor input from last years pilot, we are excited to continue the program this summer and to serve as one piece of the puzzle in supporting Tennessees youngest and most vulnerable students.Data released in February 2021 shows the greatest learning losses among first and second grade students in reading; according to Hechinger Report, Forty percent of first grade students and 35 percent of second grade students are significantly at risk of needing intensive intervention compared to 27 percent and 29 percent last year.Recent research also confirms widespread learning losses are exaggerating racial and socioeconomic disparities, with Hispanic and Black kindergarten and first grade students falling further behind than their White peers.Education experts have identified high-dosage or high-impact tutoring, defined as one-on-one or small group tutoring that takes place at least three times a week for a sustained period of time, as an effective strategy to reduce COVID learning losses and help students get back on track.Students participating in the 2020 TTC were assessed both at the beginning and end of the program. After completing between seven and eight weeks of tutoring, the average national percentile rank increased across all grades and subjects with the largest gains in grades K-second and in math. On average, students in K-second grade demonstrated the equivalent of a third of a year of academic growth. Across all grades and in both ELA and math, students who scored lower on the pretest had greater average growth over the course of the program.TTC aims to recruit at least 1,000 qualified college students or recent graduates to tutor rising first  fourth grade students. This years TTC is expanding to additional Tennessee counties through new partnerships with 50 youth-serving organizations, including charter schools, YMCAs and Boys and Girls Clubs across the state.Our goal is to attract and recruit tutors who care about their communities, want to make a difference during what continues to be a difficult time, and want to help younger students keep learning throughout the summer, Mrs. Haslam said. We learned a lot from our tutors last year and look forward to putting that information to use to make the experience even better. We are also excited that the program introduced college students to the profession of teaching, some of which had not considered that as a career path before.In a post-program survey, 85 percent of tutors reported building meaningful relationships with students, and nearly all tutors (98 percent) said they would recommend the Corps experience to other college students.Qualified tutors must be current college students or have been out of college for only a year and must pass a background check. Preference will be given to those who have a 3.0 GPA or higher, have at least completed their freshman year, and are Tennessee residents. Interested candidates can learn more and submit an application on the Tennessee Tutoring Corps website at www.tntutoringcorps.org. The deadline for applications is 11:59 a.m. on Tuesday, April 27.TTC will begin June 7 and run eight weeks, concluding in August. More information is available at www.tntutoringcorps.org.
NASSAU, Bahamas, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bahamas is heating up this spring with the recent announcement of the return of cruising to the destination in the coming months and Expedia Group's North American sites showing a 170% increase in searches about the destination in February. With a number of additional re-openings, The Bahamas is ready to continue to bring visitors the unparalleled vacation experience it is known for.

(PRNewsfoto/Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & A)

The Bahamas is ready to continue to bring visitors the unparalleled vacation experience it is known for.

NEWS

Cruising Returns to The Bahamas  Crystal Cruises and Royal Caribbean announced their return to The Bahamas this summer. Crystal Cruises will operate in a Bahamas bubble with itineraries calling on Nassau, Bimini, Harbour Island, Great Exuma, San Salvador and Long Island. Royal Caribbean announced that Nassau will be the homeport for Adventure of the Seas beginning in June and will visit additional islands including Grand Bahama Island and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private Bahamas destination.

Bahamas Ministry of Tourism Launches Romance Magazine  On the heels of its incredibly successful trade and consumer virtual romance expo, From The Bahamas With Love, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation launched its digital romance magazine by the same name. The magazine features exclusive wedding planning content including top venue recommendations, bachelorette party planning inspiration and made in The Bahamas decor and styling tips.

Hurricane Hole Superyacht Marina Expansion and Reconstruction Expected by Q4 2021  Famous among yachters, the highly anticipated reopening of Hurricane Hole Superyacht Marina at Paradise Landing is slated for completion Q4 2021.

Lighthouse Pointe Reopens to Guests  On March 25, Grand Bahama Island's Lighthouse Pointe reopened to guests as part of the phased reopening of the Grand Lucayan Resort. The property features 200 guest rooms and a number of on-site restaurants.

Story continues

John Watling's Distillery Reopens  The famed Bahamian distillery, John Watling's Distillery, reopened to visitors at the end of March. Free tours are available to visitors seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m

The Bahamas Launches Digital Payment Portals for Boaters and Fishermen - The Bahamas Customs & Excise Department and Ministry of Finance have developed electronic portals for boating and fishing permits to be booked online. Click2Clear, SeaZPass and Go Outdoors Bahamas ensure the ease of travel for all boaters and fishermen traveling to The Bahamas.

AWARDS AND ACCOLADES

The Bahamas Awarded Bronze in 2021 Adrian Award - The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) will honor the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation with a Bronze Adrian Award in the Integrated Marketing Campaign category for its Still Rockin' campaign. Following Hurricane Dorian, BMOTA's Still Rockin' campaign highlighted the country's 14 major islands unimpacted by the storm, which contributed to the country's record-breaking year of 7.2 million visitors in 2019.

The Bahamas Honored with Nine Nominations in World Travel Awards  The Islands of The Bahamas have been selected as a shortlisted nominee in the 28th annual World Travel Awards and are nominated in the lead beach, cruise, dive, honeymoon and overall destination categories. The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism is also nominated in the Caribbean's Leading Tourist Board 2021 category. Voting is open now through August 2, 2021.

PROMOTIONS AND OFFERS

For a complete listing of deals and packages for The Bahamas, visit www.bahamas.com/deals-packages.

PRESS INQUIRIES

Anita Johnson-Patty

Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation

ajohnson@bahamas.com

Weber Shandwick

Public Relations

Bahamas@webershandwick.com

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/whats-new-in-the-islands-of-the-bahamas-in-april-301263368.html

SOURCE Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation
The Morrison government has cautioned against increasing minimum wage this year. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Debate Heats Up Over Minimum Wage Increase in 2021

The Morrison government has cautioned that increasing Australias minimum wage this year could constrain small business recovery and employment.

Higher labour costs during this challenging period could present a major constraint to small business recovery and may dampen employment in the sector, the government noted in a submission (pdf) to the Fair Work Commissions annual review, urging the Commission to consider the job creation and business viability during the post-pandemic economic recovery.

The risk of domestic outbreaks and ongoing disruptions to other major economies mean the economic environment remains uncertain, the government stated.

Although the vaccine rollout is underway, COVID-19 outbreaks that would necessitate further containment measures remain a significant risk.

In response to the call, the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) is arguing for an increase of 3.5 percent, or $26.38 per week, for a full-time minimum wage worker.

The ACTU argued that one-fifth of Australian workers receive the minimum wage and rely on the Commissions annual review for pay increases.

The increase of 1.75 percent last year, which was delayed three months for 75 percent of recipients, meant Australia was falling behind other countries, such as the UK and New Zealand in establishing a living wage at 60 percent of median income.

If wages dont increase, it threatens the entire recovery, Sally McManus, the ACTU Secretary, said in a statement. Money in the hands of working people is what will create sustainable economic growth, not bigger profits for big business.

Secretary of the ACTU Sally McManus during a doorstop in the media gallery at Parliament House on March 18, 2021, in Canberra, Australia. (Sam Mooy/Getty Images)

The ACTU cited the Reserve Banks statements that wage growth is too low and argued that the labour share of GDP has fallen to a historic low.

Everyone suffers if wage growth doesnt bounce back. If minimum wage workers do not have money to spend, local businesses feel it the most.

Joining the ACTU, the Queensland (pdf) and Victorian (pdf) state governments in their submissions called for a wage rise.

Simultaneously, the South Australian and New South Wales (NSW) governments echoed the federal governments warnings in their submissions.

The National Farmer Federation (NFF) and Business NSW, one of the states top employer organisations, called for a freeze in minimum wage increases this year.

The NFF calls for the current minimum wage level to be maintained in order to minimise the financial pressure on agricultural businesses, the Federation said in its submission to the annual wage review.

The NFF argued that the drought, the bushfires last year, and the pandemic have hit hard on many farm businesses. At the same time, labour costs make up a big proportion of total cost in agriculture, especially for horticultural producers.

This will provide affected farms with some time and capacity to recover from recent adversities and protect the productivity and viability of the agricultural sector, the Federation said.
YEREVAN, APRIL 6, ARMENPRESS. The export from Armenia in January-February 2021 declined 5.5% compared to the same period of 2020, comprising 354 million 394.2 thousand drams, however, the export to some countries and especially the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union continued growing, the Statistical Committee of Armenia reports.

The greatest share in the export volumes belongs to the EAEU states, as goods worth 102 million 082.8 thousand USD were exported. Moreover, it has increased by 2.5% compared to the previous year. The export from Armenia to Russia increased by 2.2%, comprising 98 million 100.2 thousand USD, that to Kazakhstan increased by 60.2%, to Kyrgyzstan increased by 2.5 times, however the export to Belarus still remains low from the figure of the past year.

The export to Ukraine has greatly declined by 45.2% in January-February, comprising 2 million 66.4 thousand USD. As for the EU states, a decline in exports to Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy and Spain has been registered. Meanwhile, the export to Germany has increased by 20%, comprising 11 million 578.7 thousand USD.

The export to the United States has also increased by 34%, comprising 15 million 338.7 thousand USD. The export to China increased by 3.4 times, comprising 54 million 564.4 thousand USD.

Mining products have the largest share in the export volumes of Armenia, comprising 129 million 668.8 thousand USD (an increase of 10.7% compared to the previous year). The next are food products  74 million 691.0 thousand USD.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
She's getting ready to host the new season of Dancing with the Stars: All Stars on Channel Seven.

And Sonia Kruger certainly had a spring in her step on Saturday as she went for a walk in Sydney with her dog Teddy.

The 55-year-old presenter showcased her ageless figure in a sporty black dress and white sneakers.

Casual outing: Dancing with the Stars host Sonia Kruger certainly had a spring in her step on Saturday as she went for a walk in Sydney with her dog Teddy

She accessorised with sunglasses and styled her blonde hair in space buns inspired by Emma Bunton (a.k.a. Baby Spice) from '90s pop band Spice Girls.

Sonia has a packed schedule at the moment.

The mother of one is about to host the new season of Big Brother, and just wrapped production on Seven's DWTS reboot.

Slim: The 55-year-old showcased her ageless figure in a sporty black dress and white sneakers

Retro: She styled her blonde hair in space buns inspired by Emma Bunton (a.k.a. Baby Spice) from '90s pop band Spice Girls. Pictured (left to right) Melanie Chisholm, Emma Bunton, Victoria Beckham, Geri Horner and Melanie Brown in the '90s

It comes after Sonia revealed the secrets behind her age-defying bikini body in an interview with New Idea in January.

'I try to be consistent and do a workout from my program, Strictly You, every day,' she said.

'Whether it's one of the dance routines, or an upper or lower body workout, it's important to stay as active as possible.'

'It's important to stay as active as possible': It comes after Sonia revealed the secrets behind her age-defying bikini body in an interview with New Idea in January

Sonia added that she has a team of professionals who help her stay in shape.

'I see a great physio for weight training and conditioning. My advice would be to make a start, and before you know it, 30 minutes of exercise has flown by,' she said.

Sonia explained that keeping physically fit has mental health benefits, too.

Sonia's tips: 'I try to be consistent and do a workout from my program, Strictly You, every day,' she said. 'Whether it's one of the dance routines, or an upper or lower body workout, it's important to stay as active as possible'

'Medical science tells us that exercise and learning new things is as important for our mind as it is for our body. As they say, "Use it or lose it,"' she said.

Elsewhere in her interview with New Idea, Sonia confessed she doesn't look half as good in real life as she does on television.

'The first thing I do when the camera stops rolling is peel off my eyelashes, trade the heels for my Ugg boots and become a dag again,' she said.

Last year, Sonia told The Australian Women's Weekly she was enjoying life more than ever since turning 50, after spending her teenage years focusing on dancing.

Wise words: Sonia explained that keeping physically fit has mental health benefits, too

Sonia explained she was living her best and 'wildest' years in her fifties.

'Some people have this perception that you are not allowed to be sexy once you hit a certain age as a woman,' she said.

'It's more a state of mind and feeling good about yourself. It's not about what you weigh, not what you wear, it's that overall kind of confidence I want to inspire.'

In August last year, Sonia launched her new health and fitness website, Strictly You, where she provides her own health advice.

She shares a range of dances, workouts, recipes and fitness plans on the website.
Ethiopia on Tuesday accused Egypt and Sudan of obstructing talks on its contested dam on the Nile, which ended with recriminations and little progress.

The Democratic Republic of Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi, as the current chair of the African Union, hosted the talks in the latest bid to ease decade-long tensions over the waters of the world's longest river.

Ethiopia's construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), set to be Africa's largest hydroelectric project, is seen by both downstream countries as a threat to their own water supply.

Ethiopia's foreign ministry, in a statement posted on Twitter, said the meeting failed "due to Egypt and Sudan's rigid stance to make the negotiation and the outcome a tool to affirm their self-claimed water share and foreclose Ethiopia's share."

Ethiopia said talks centred on the role of observers to the mediation -- South Africa, the United States and the European Union. Egypt and Sudan want them to have the same role as the AU, which Ethiopia said it does not accept.

"The two countries followed an approach which seeks to undermine the AU-led process," said the statement, adding that Egypt and Sudan had sought to stall and "obstruct the process" by rejecting the draft communique.

The final text, read by DRC foreign minister Marie Tumba Nzeza, simply noted that the meeting had taken place, listed its participants and thanked Tshisekedi for his work.

Ethiopia said it would continue with the second stage of filling the dam's reservoir as scheduled during the upcoming rainy season. The country announced last July it had met its first year filling target, infuriating Egypt and Sudan.

Sudan's foreign minister, Mariam al-Sadiq al-Mahdi, told reporters Tuesday that Ethiopia "threatens the people of the Nile basin, and Sudan directly".

"We hope that President Tshisekedi's judgement will be able to end... these interminable and insufficient negotiations in which the Ethiopian side places everyone before a fait accompli, in a way that clearly violates international law and the principles of good neighbourliness," she said.

Story continues

- 'The first step' -

Ethiopia says power produced by the GERD will be vital to meet the development needs of its 110 million people.

But the two countries downstream fear their lifeline could be threatened.

"We are talking about taking into account all 250 million souls who live in the three countries and their interests," said al-Mahdi.

The head of a team of DRC experts, David Tshishiku, insisted that the Kinshasa talks were simply the beginning of Tshisekedi's efforts to mediate the tricky dispute.

The negotiations were "the first step, on which President Tshisekedi will set out alternatives and working approaches," he told reporters.

Al-Mahdi warned that "without a new programme (for discussions), Ethiopia has an open road to place the people of the region and the entire African continent in danger".

- 'Unimaginable instability'-

The US ambassador in Kinshasa, Mike Hammer, met during the night on Monday for three hours with the delegation chiefs of the three countries in a bid to push matters forward.

Egypt has said the Kinshasa talks are the last chance to reach an agreement, after President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said last week that the region faces "unimaginable stability" over the project.

"Nobody will be permitted to take a single drop of Egypt's water," he said.

Egypt, which depends on the Nile for about 97 percent of its irrigation and drinking water, sees the dam as an existential threat.

Sudan, also downstream, fears its own dams will be compromised if Ethiopia proceeds with filling the GERD before a deal is reached.

Ethiopia said in its statement that it expected the meeting to resume around the third week of April.

bmb-fb/rcb/tgb
Crossover ensures the administration of an active vaccine to all participants in the trials and has begun for Novavax's Phase 2b trial in South Africa and its pivotal Phase 3 trial in the UK

Novavax, Inc has announced the initiation of crossover arms in two ongoing clinical trials of NVX-CoV2373, the company's COVID-19 vaccine candidate. Crossover ensures the administration of the active vaccine to all participants in the trials and has begun for Novavax's Phase 2b trial in South Africa and its pivotal Phase 3 trial in the UK.

Under Novavax's updated clinical trial protocols, all participants in the UK and the US Phase 3 trials will be offered the opportunity to receive an additional round of injections. Participants who elect to do so will receive an additional two-dose regimen of either vaccine (for those who originally received placebo) or placebo (for those who originally received a vaccine).

Participants in the South Africa Phase 2b trial will receive either an active vaccine for those who initially received a placebo or a booster dose of an active vaccine for those who initially received the active vaccine.

Participants across all three trials will remain blinded to their courses of treatment to preserve the ability to assess efficacy in each trial, and all will be followed for up to two years to monitor the safety and durability of protection of the vaccine.

In the trials taking place in South Africa and the UK, half of the participants initially received the active vaccine while two-thirds of participants in PREVENT-19, the trial being conducted in the US and Mexico, initially received the active vaccine.

"The crossover arms ensure that all participants have access to an active vaccine candidate while allowing Novavax to continue to monitor the safety and efficacy of our vaccine over the long term," said Filip Dubovsky, Chief Medical Officer, Novavax.

The company is also planning a crossover in the PREVENT-19 study, for which the company expects to read out initial clinical data during the second quarter.
French English

Europes Order-to-Cash leader Sidetrade acquires major Order-to-Cash player in North America, Amalto

An accretive acquisition for $16m.

 The acquisition will provide a perfect synergy with Sidetrades Order-to-Cash offer and gives Sidetrade a decisive growth gas pedal in North America.

Sidetrade (Euronext Growth: ALBFR.PA), - publisher of an AI powered platform, dedicated to the management of the Order-to-Cash (O2C) cycle - has announced today conclusion of a firm acquisition agreement covering 100% of the capital and the voting rights of Amalto, one of the main players in the dematerialization of inter-company financial transactions in North America, for an amount of $16m. With this deal, Sidetrade enriches its O2C offering, and accelerates its penetration of the North American market.

Sidetrades offer is at $16m in cash for 100% of Amaltos equity. In addition, the directors could receive an earn-out at the end of 2024 depending on the growth of Amalto's revenues at that date. Two months after the launch of its Fusion 100 plan aiming for revenue of $100m by 2025, acquiring Amalto allows Sidetrade to reach an important milestone in the execution of its plan with a cumulative revenue that could approach $43m in 2021, including $7m in North America.

Sidetrade plans to finance the operation through bank debt in order to preserve cash for other possible acquisitions. The current cash position is 24m ($28.6m), including treasury stock.

Amalto has offices in Houston (USA), Calgary (Canada) and Paris (France), and is the North American integration specialist for the exchange and automation of O2C documents in the Oil and Gas industry. The business helps companies in a variety of industries where companies face a very high Day Sales Outstanding (DSO); and Environmental, where vertical markets present different business processes. Amalto does 90 percent of its business sales in North America and employs 21 people, including 15 in North America.

Each year, millions of transactions, representing billions of dollars, are made via Amalto cloud technology. Amaltos customers include multinational giants such as Chevron, General Electric, and Schlumberger. The company has been able to build sustainable partnerships with its customers who renew their trust over the long term with an attrition rate below 2.5%. It has been rated by global IT advisory firm Gartner as one of three Cool Vendors of Platform and Integration Middleware.

In 2020 Amalto had revenues of $4.3m and recorded high growth and profitability with EBITDA above 20%. As of 31st December 2020, Amalto had a net cash position of over $1.2m.

Olivier Novasque, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Sidetrade, comments:

"The Amalto deal is a powerful gas pedal for Sidetrades international business growth. Amaltos innovative solutions will enrich our B2B AI platform, and the intention is this will be rapidly available to all Sidetrade customers. Sidetrade's Cloud has recorded more than $2.4 trillion in business-to-business transactions over the past three years. Combining the technologies and talents of Sidetrade and Amalto will support our mission to be positioned as a true world-class leader in the O2C market.

We have been incredibly impressed by Amaltos expertise in the dematerialization of financial flows. Their solution has a considerable technological lead, with a unique capacity to automatically integrate invoices in the main accounting systems and purchasing portals. Amalto is a champion of electronic B2B document exchange, with a unique position, focused on management of the entire O2C cycle. Amaltos experienced teams in Houston and Calgary, and their loyal US and Canadian customer base, made up of large industrial and business service groups, will give Sidetrade great leverage in the North American market.

Amaltos shareholder-directors are fully supportive of this operation and expect to pursue the adventure with Sidetrade until at least 2024. To facilitate synergy and carry out the strategic plan, Sidetrade intends to set up a new organization from day one, resulting in:

Emmanuel Thiriez, Co-Founder and CEO of the Amalto group, joining the Sidetrade Executive committee as Chief Customer Officer, and being fully involved in the implementation of the Fusion 100 strategic plan

Bryan Pederson, CEO of Amalto Corp, becoming AVP Customer Success, responsible for customer loyalty in North America and reporting to Emmanuel Thiriez

The Amalto sales team immediately joining Sidetrades US salesforce

Sidetrade establishing their US headquarters at Amaltos Houston office

Sidetrade expanding their Canadian business, and setting up their third Tech Hub in Calgary (after those in Birmingham, UK and Boulogne-Billancourt, France)

Sidetrade counting on Amaltos current senior management team to ensure the continuity of product development and customer service.

Amalto shareholder-directors can expect an earn-out by the end of 2024, based on revenue growth of Amalto solutions.

Emmanuel Thiriez, Co-Founder and CEO of Amalto, adds:

"We are very pleased with the prospect of pursuing our adventure with Sidetrade. Being part of the Sidetrade family will allow us to realize our ambition of integrating the best of AI in our solutions and reaching the greatest numbers of businesses. By joining forces, we will strongly accelerate sales development in a buoyant market.

Sidetrade presents an impressive value proposition, built on innovation, customer value and growth. Our two firms are perfectly complementary in terms of solutions and geographic coverage. Our clients and products will benefit from synergy very easily due to seamless integration. Together, we will develop innovative solutions to meet the needs of businesses across the globe."

Digital transformation is gaining momentum in global businesses. The number of organizations looking to invest in O2C platforms and paperless transactions has been growing exponentially, and yet, only 5% of businesses have already found the solution they need. The market is ripe, and the potential for international sales is enormous.

The acquisition of Amalto permits Sidetrade to expand its footprint in a booming global market and fits perfectly with its Fusion 100 strategic plan in three ways:

1. Innovation

Sidetrade will enrich its augmented cash platform for the entire O2C cycle, with two new, high valued added modules:

Augmented Order dematerializes all incoming customer orders and automatically integrates them into information systems, regardless of format (e.g. PDF, XML, EDIFACT). This significantly saves time, and increases reliability in revenue management

Augmented Invoicing dematerializes, manages and strengthens the reliability of all customer invoices, automatically integrating them into accounting and purchasing systems. The solution enhances customer relations and ensures that billing fully conforms with the customers requirements to avoid payment disputes and reduce DSO.

The market launch of these two new modules in Sidetrades Augmented Cash platform will give Sidetrade a real competitive edge, with a multitude of new sales opportunities throughout their customer base.

2. Regulatory environment

A growing number of countries are expected to make e-invoicing mandatory, as is now the case in the EU, where member countries must adapt their legislation to Directives 2010/45/EU and 2014/55/EU, which seek to facilitate cross-border business transactions through common invoicing standards. Several EU countries have already been e-invoicing obligatory in public sector transactions to simplify tax compliance and cut costs.

3. Geographic expansion

Sidetrade already has a toehold in North America, working with big-name firms such as Expedia, Tech Data, Hearst Magazines and Talend. Now it is time for their North American business to really take off! For Sidetrade, conquering the North American market is fundamental to their ambitious development plan, called Fusion 100. The kick-off operations on North American soil, with sales management recruitment starting in February 2021, is the first step in this plan. Onboarding the members of Amaltos Houston and Calgary teams is a tremendous opportunity. The Houston operation is a chance for both to raise Sidetrades position in the US, and to promote other Sidetrade solutions to Amalto customers. The American market for O2C platforms is estimated at $5bn, which represents 50 percent of the global market, according to Midcap Partners.

With the operation, Sidetrade could be earning 20 percent of their income in North America, as early as next year.

Final completion of this acquisition will take place before 18th April, 2021.

For further information, visit: https://www.sidetrade.com/amalto/.

~

Next financial release

2020 Annual Results: 20 April 2021 (after stock market closes)

Investor relations

Christelle Dhrif, CCO

+33 6 10 46 72 00 / cdhrif@sidetrade.com

UK media relations

Amanda Bun, PR Account Director

+44 7595 768 277/ amanda@luminouspr.com

About Sidetrade ( www.ww.sidetrade.com )

Sidetrade (Euronext Growth: ALBFR.PA) is a fast-growing international SaaS company unlocking customer value.

Sidetrades next-generation AI, nicknamed Aimie, analyzes huge amounts of B2B customer payment behavior data to intelligently automate the order-to-cash process. Based on predictive analytics, Aimie delivers actionable recommendations in real time to enhance retention, upsell/cross-sell, and cash collection. Aimie is a real game-changer in augmented intelligence- a system whereby individuals and machines work together faster and smarter, in complementary ways.

Sidetrade has a global reach, with 250 talented employees based in Paris, London, Birmingham, Dublin, Amsterdam, Houston,and Calgary serving clients in 80 countries. Over 2,700 businesses from large multinationals to mid-size enterprises, in a range of industries, count on Sidetrade technology to outperform the competition.

For further information, visit us at www.sidetrade.com and follow us on Twitter @Sidetrade.

About Amalto ( www.ww.amalto.com )

Founded in 2005, Amalto Technologies provides innovative enterprise-level solutions enabling B2B integration and electronic document exchange. Amalto delivers services to various markets including Business Services, Chemicals, Environmental, Manufacturing, Oil & Gas, and Transportation. Present in the U.S. (Houston), Europe (Paris) and Canada (Calgary), the company supports Fortune 100 companies as well as Small-to-Medium Enterprises.

With millions of transactions and billions of dollars managed each year on behalf of its North American and European customers, Amalto delivers secured and flawless transactions between buyers, vendors, logistics providers, banks and many other types of Trading Partners.

In the event of any discrepancy between the French and English versions of this press release, only the French version is to be taken into account.

Attachment
Press Release

6 April 2021

Blackstone to Acquire Eight Hotels from Japan's Kintetsu

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Japanese-based railway company, Kintetsu Group Holdings ("Kintetsu"), will sell a portfolio of eight hotels to US-based investment fund, The Blackstone Group ("Blackstone") at an undisclosed sum. The Japanese media estimated the sale to be approximately JPY60 billion (USD550 million). The entire portfolio consists of 2,294 rooms, and Kintetsu will continue to operate the properties with the current team and the hotel names will remain unchanged. Within the portfolio, there are three prime assets including the 988-room Miyako Kyoto Hachijo, located across Kyoto station, the 456-room Universal City, adjacent to Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, and the newly built 208-room Miyako Hakata, next to Hakata station in Fukuoka. The remaining five properties, a mix of upscale hotels and resorts are located around key tourist destinations within the Greater Osaka and Nagoya regions, with the smallest property being the 30-room Miyako Kobe Kitano hotel. Christopher Heady, the head of real estate in Asia for Blackstone commented that the sale gives Blackstone a unique opportunity to access a sizeable, high-quality hotel portfolio in Japan's top hospitality markets. As of 31 March 2020, the properties had a book value of JPY42.3 billion (USD390 million), with Miyako Hakata alone accounting for JPY14.3 billion.

Beachcomber Hotel Acquired by Oscars Hotel Group for AUD20 Million in Australia

Australia-based hospitality company, Oscars Hotel Group ("Oscars"), announced their AUD20 million acquisition of the Beachcomber Hotel after operating under a single owner for 25 years. Situated within Toukley, a town in New South Wales Central Coast, the 79-key hotel features a 100-metre lake frontage and a private pier. The hotel group mentioned that they aim to relaunch the property into a modern beach club and resort complex, marketing the complex as a hip weekend getaway for those seeking "good vibes and lakeside relaxation" while providing an integrated hospitality experience. Spanning across one hectare, the complex will feature an 80-key upscale resort, numerous indoor and outdoor bars, restaurants, six function rooms, gaming and bottle shop facilities, a 20-metre pool, sauna, gymnasium, wellness services and a three-level carpark. Prior to this acquisition, Oscars' portfolio consists of 31 hotels across New South Wales, including The Como Hotel, The Belvedere Hotel and Towradgi Beach Hotel.

Australia Lifts Travel Ban on New Zealand Ahead of the Trans-Tasman Travel Bubble

From 22 March 2021, Australian citizens and those who have been in Australia for at least 14 days will be able to travel to New Zealand without applying for exemptions. However, travellers will still have to be quarantined for 14 days upon arrival. New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern revealed that the quarantine travel phase will soon end, and the two-way, quarantine-free trans-Tasman travel bubble between the two nations will be announced on 6 April 2021. While using the bubble, both nations have the rights to stop flights when an outbreak occurs. Ms Arden reminded the public that outbreaks would still be possible and to ensure that the virus does not return to New Zealand, travellers from New Zealand will have to risk being trapped in Australia. Kiwis will also not be covered by travel insurance if an outbreak leaves them stranded. When the bubble opens, the New Zealand airport will likely be separated into "Green Zones" and "Red Zones" where the former will be used by domestic and bubble travellers while the latter will be for travellers to be quarantined. Air New Zealand stated that non-stop flights will be launched between Auckland and Tasmania once the bubble starts.

Third Round of South Australia Travel Vouchers to Boost Tourism

A third round of South Australia's ("SA") Great State Voucher Program will be launched after the Easter weekend and April school holiday period. The voucher aims to entice more Australians to spend on tourism in South Australia to boost the tourism sector during the quieter and cooler months. Previously, the first two rounds of vouchers generated more than AUD32 million for SA's economy. The third round of vouchers, worth AUD50, AUD100 and AUD200, will be available to South Australians and a limited number of interstate tourists. An estimated 500 tour operators are expected to register their experiences, including hosted tours or adventures such as shark-cage diving, helicopter tours, wildlife experiences and guided food and wine trails. Tour operator EscapeGoat Adventures' Deborah Fehler mentioned that tour operators would greatly benefit from the tourism vouchers. She added that as two-thirds of SA's tourists were overseas and interstate visitors, she hopes that South Australians would travel and spend in SA just like how they would do when travelling interstates or overseas. The SA government stated that a system will be introduced to distribute the vouchers fairly and equitably.
A Philippine activist protests in Manila against Chinese actions in the South China Sea, Feb. 24, 2021.

The Philippines will push to resolve differences with Beijing peacefully, President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday, after Manilas foreign office threatened to file diplomatic protests for each day that Chinese ships remain moored at a disputed reef in the South China Sea.

This was the presidents first direct comment on the issue since Philippine government officials said that Chinese militia ships were spotted moored together at Whitsun Reef in the Spratly Islands last month.

We will continue to resolve the issues on Julian Felipe through diplomatic channels and through peaceful means, Duterte spokesman Harry Roque said, reading a statement from the president that used the Philippine name for Whitsun Reef. Whatever differences we have with China will not define our bilateral relations.

It will not be an obstacle to the overall positive trajectory of our bilateral friendly relations and our deepening cooperation in pandemic response, including vaccine cooperation and in post-pandemic recovery, he said.

Julian Felipe, or Whitsun Reef, is within the Philippines 200 nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

In recent days, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has engaged in a war of words with the Chinese Embassy over the ongoing presence of dozens of Chinese ships in the area. After cancelling a news conference, which he had scheduled for Tuesday on the issue, Lorenzana announced he had tested positive for COVID-19 and would be observing quarantine guidelines.

On Monday, the Department of Foreign Affairs threatened to file daily diplomatic protests against China until Beijing removed its ships from the Philippine EEZ.

In a Facebook post two days earlier, the Chinese Embassy had said the ships were in Beijings territory.

The Niue Jiao is part of Chinas Nansha Islands. The waters around Niue Jiao have been a traditional fishing ground for Chinese fishermen for many years, the statement said. Niue Jiao is the Chinese name for the Whitsun Reef.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to BenarNews requests for comment on Tuesday.

Beijing claims nearly all of the South China Sea as its own while six other Asian governments  Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam  have their own claims overlapping Chinas. While Indonesia does not regard itself as party to the South China Sea dispute, Beijing claims historic rights to parts of the sea that overlap Indonesias exclusive economic zone.

Vaccines

The Philippines began its coronavirus inoculation program in early March, using vaccines donated by a Chinese state-run firm, Sinovac. Doses of British-Swedish AstraZeneca vaccines arrived and have been given out as well.

China has been giving us everything but never asked anything from us actually, Duterte had said in February when the Philippines took delivery of 600,000 doses of vaccine developed by Sinovac.

The Philippines has received 2.5 million vaccine doses from Sinovac and AstraZeneca and has administered 855,000 vaccinations as of Tuesday, according to a document released by Carlito Galvez, the official who leads the governments vaccine procurement efforts.

Galvez, a former military general, said Chinese vaccines and Chinas moves in the South China Sea were separate issues.

The Chinese government is joining us in fighting against COVID-19, he said.

Its a fight for humanity. This issue of the West Philippine Sea is separate, he said, using the Philippine name for the South China Sea.

Strike group drills

While the Philippines is pushing for China to remove its ships from the region, American navy ships have returned to the South China Sea.

A U.S. aircraft carrier strike group entered the waterway on Sunday to carry out maritime strike exercises, anti-submarine operations, coordinated tactical training and other activities, according to the U.S. Navy. It did not state when the exercises were to end.

It is great to be back in the South China Sea to reassure our allies and partners that we remain committed to freedom of the seas, said the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Groups commander, Rear Adm. Doug Verissimo.

The strike group includes the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier, a guided-missile cruiser and a destroyer squadron.

Recent U.S. military maneuvers in the South China Sea have drawn criticism from Beijing.

When the same strike group entered the South China Sea in January, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said it does no good to regional peace and stability for the United States to frequently send military vessels and aircraft to the South China Sea to show off muscles, BenarNews reported at the time.

A month later, the strike group was joined by the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group in carrying out dual-carrier operations in the South China Sea.

Other countries have been conducting military maneuvers in the region as well. Canada sent the Halifax-class frigate HMCS Calgary through the South China Sea last week while sailing from Brunei to Vietnam, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported.

Meanwhile a Vietnamese frigate conducted combat drills with an anti-submarine helicopter in the Spratly Islands, Vietnamese media reported on Tuesday while not releasing the date of the drills.

Froilan Gallardo and Richel V. Umel in the Philippines, and Zachary Haver in Washington contributed to this report.
After years of negotiations, New York lawmakers have finally reached an agreement to expand the states medical marijuana program and incorporate the sale of cannabis for recreational use. Legislators hope to have a budget in place by April 1st, 2021.

The Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act NY S854 (21R) / NY A1248 (21R) was approved by both the state Assembly and Senate, and signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo the next day.

The passing of this historical bill was a top priority for the Democrats who recently attained a veto-proof majority in the state Legislature. Gov. Andrew Cuomo is optimistic about the pending legalization and believes the measure could yield approximately $350 million in revenue for the state of New York.

Senator Liz Krueger, Senate sponsor of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) said:

My goal in carrying this legislation has always been to end the racially disparate enforcement of marijuana prohibition that has taken such a toll on communities of color across our state, and to use the economic windfall of legalization to help heal and repair those same communities.

Whats the deal?

Once the system is firmly in place, New York residents will no longer need a medical marijuana card to buy cannabis, although the price is typically much less if residents have one. The new legislation allows adults 21 years and older to purchase and possess up to three ounces of marijuana, or 24 grams of marijuana concentrates. Individuals are now legally able to store up to five pounds of cannabis at home.

The legislation also allows for the personal cultivation of up to three mature, and three immature marijuana plants. The measure also legalized home delivery of cannabis and cannabis products.

Local governments in towns and cities would have the right to opt out of adult-cannabis retail sales at their own discretion by passing a local law. However, those municipalities will have to comply with the legalization measures.

The state of New York will impose a 9% tax on sales, as well as a 4% tax split between local governments and the country. THC levels will be taken into consideration and taxed accordingly, ranging from 0.5 cents per milligram for dried flower and up to 3 cents per milligram for edible marijuana products.

When will marijuana be legal in New York?

Parts of the new laws take effect immediately. However, until the state sets up a system for regulation and distribution, recreational marijuana sales are on hold.

Crystal People-Stokes, the Assembly Majority Leader, estimates that an 18-month to two-year period is required to iron out the finer details for a recreational marijuana industry in New York state. She believes the freshly minted legislation provides long-awaited marijuana justice for New Yorkers, and makes significant steps and investments to begin to address the generational devastation caused by marijuana prohibition and mass incarceration.

Cannabis is sweeping the USA

New York is the latest of a swarm of states that have been adding, upgrading their medical marijuana programs. And more are sure to follow their lead. So far, half of all states that started with medical marijuana programs have since legalized recreational use programs.

Missouri medical marijuana cardholders purchased more than $2 million in one week in March. Legislators there are looking to beef up the program. The Ohio medical marijuana program is looking at close to $400 million in sales per year sold at open OH dispensaries. And lawmakers recently expanded the Texas medical marijuana program to include new qualifying conditions. All three states plus many others are now debating the merits of legalizing marijuana for adult recreational markets.

The legalization of hemp and CBD has been another catalyst for changing public attitudes toward cannabis. Most states have legalized hemp-based CBD products. And states that formerly allowed only low-THC CBD oil for medical use (such as Texas) are looking at relaxing rules to include products with higher levels of THC in their programs.

Social justice efforts

Social justice has been a profound catalyst for legalization in many states where marijuana laws have disproportionately affected minorities. In some metropolitan areas, minority arrests are as much as 400 percent higher than caucasians.

The New York bill effectively eliminates prosecution and arrest for possession of fewer than three ounces of marijuana. The records of individuals charged with marijuana offenses would be expunged, as they would no longer be criminalized.

Advocates of the legislation are optimistic, and believe the new industry could dismantle the racial inequities created by the war on drugs. The same proponents also maintain that a legitimate cannabis industry would create thousands of jobs in under-funded communities disproportionately affected by the prohibition. The bill will also provide an economic boost to women, disabled veterans, and small farmers.

In the past, multiple efforts to legalize adult-use marijuana have been stymied by disagreements over logistics surrounding the distribution of taxes. Other obstacles arose in the form of reluctant suburban Democrats, school and community advocates, and law enforcement. Those opposing factions have many concerns regarding the impact of legalization on vulnerable youth, as well as the already-strained health care system during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The language of the bill is succinct and effectively highlights the inequality and irrationality of the draconian prohibition when it states:

Existing laws have been ineffective in reducing or curbing marihuana use and have instead resulted in devastating collateral consequences including mass incarceration and other complex generational trauma, that inhibit an otherwise law-abiding citizens ability to access housing, employment opportunities, and other vital services. Existing laws have also created an illicit market which represents a threat to public health and reduces the ability of the legislature to deter the access of marihuana by minors. Existing marijuana laws have disproportionately impacted African-American and Latinx communities.

Drug Policy Alliance Director, Melissa Moore, said the bill really puts a nail in the coffin of the drug war thats been so devastating to communities across New York, and puts in place comprehensive policies that are really grounded in community reinvestment.
SO, WERE approaching the 100th anniversary of the partition of our country. Big centenary that. And I want to ask you something. Just between us  I wont tell a soul.

Are you a partitionist?

Let me put it another way. Lets suppose were going to have a vote tomorrow  weve already had a long debate and all sorts of political campaigning, and tomorrow is the day, in the secrecy of the ballot box, when you get to vote for a united Ireland.

If you live down here, in the Republic, it will have become clear over the course of the debate that your vote might well cost you a few bob. Pretty quickly, if we all vote yes, Britain is going to start phasing out its massive subsidy to the North. And the North depends utterly for its way of life on that subsidy.

A mural thanking the NHS on Ballyregan Rd in East Belfast may serve to remind us of the entirely different level of state care provided to people in Northern Ireland. Picture: Brian Lawless

Somebody is going to have to pay. Europe will help a bit, but the reality staring you in the face in that dark little ballot box is that in all likelihood your taxes are going to have to go up to carry the North through.

Suppose you live up there, in the North. The minute you vote yes, youre going to lose your lifelong access to the NHS. Your children are going to lose their access to free schoolbooks. Your childcare is going to cost an awful lot more. Your health system will be a two-tier one  youd better start lashing out on health insurance pretty quickly.

So you might have to struggle to persuade yourself that the ending of partition is a core value.

Many may decide we're not ready

Getting the British out of Ireland has been the prime motivator for all sorts of politics throughout our lifetimes. Its been the stuff of leaders speeches at party gatherings down through the years.

And its been at the heart of darker matters too. There could be no justification for the carnage known as the armed struggle without the overriding principle of anti-partitionism. Bobby Storeys funeral would have been a much smaller and more law-abiding affair if he hadnt been one of the secret leaders of the anti-partitionist struggle in Ireland.

So there is at least the possibility (and maybe a lot more than that) that if we were faced with the decision to end partition, a majority of us might well decide, not just yet. Were not quite ready. There are more arguments to be had.

You can have an argument too, Ive discovered, about when the partition of Ireland started. Some say it was when the Government of Ireland Act was passed  that would be 100 years ago last December. Others would argue you have to wait until the anniversary of the acts coming into effect  that will be 100 years ago next month.

And there are proponents for other dates well, such as when King George V arrived in Stormont to open the new parliament there. One way or the other, this year will mark the centenary of the partition of Ireland.

Tribal politics

For the last couple of nights, weve been watching riots on the streets of Belfast and Derry and other parts of the North. Stones and bottles hurled at police, cars set alight, petrol bombs being used.

At the weekend, eight people were arrested in connection with the trouble in the Sandy Row area of Belfast. The oldest of them was 25, the youngest 13.

Theyve been rioting either about the Northern Ireland Protocol? Or the Bobby Storey funeral? Yeah, right.

These are kids in the main. Youngsters. Theyre not rioting about politics. Theyre rioting because somehow or other they believe theres this thing called the Northern Ireland Protocol, and Catholics or nationalists are going to use it to do them down.

Zero-sum game

I dont know what you call that. Bigotry? Sectarianism? Or just the same old zero-sum game that has characterised the tribal politics of the North throughout our lifetimes? The unshakeable belief that if youre doing well, it can only be at my expense. If youre winning, Im losing.

Im no historian, but Im always struck by the ironies around partition. It wasnt conceived in Britain as a way to punish us, but as a compromise  a way of giving the Irish something.

The War of Independence was in full swing and, despite its superior force, the Crown was taking something of a beating. And they were faced with the real threat of unionist violence if they conceded too much.

But the compromise they developed ended up being born in bigotry. Hardline unionists insisted they didnt want the nine counties of Ulster, only the six counties where they believed they had an

inbuilt majority. Although loyalists and Paisleyites have always called their bit of the island Ulster, Ulster it has never been.

Built-in discrimination

But the control they were given in six counties was exercised ruthlessly and often brutally, with Protestant discrimination against Catholics part of the polity of the system. The argument in favour of partition started out as a sort of Protestant fear that Home Rule would be Rome Rule but quickly transmogrified into a hard-edged system that oppressed the group they claimed to be afraid of.

The other great irony, it has always seemed to me, was that the partition of Ireland wasnt originally seen as particularly controversial. Partition began a few months before a truce was agreed in the War of Independence. The act of parliament that brought partition into being was referred to in the Treaty.

When the treaty was debated in the Dail, over many days, and in a highly charged atmosphere  you can still almost hear the emotion in Collins and de Valeras voices at the end  the subject of partition was barely mentioned.

De Valera opposed the treaty because it created a status for Ireland that was less than a full republic, and also because of the oath of allegiance to the British monarch. They were the things that caused the Civil War, and not particularly the partition of Ireland.

The principle of consent

Of course, the final irony is that, ultimately, the partition of Ireland was replaced by the principle of consent.

Our Constitution now says, in effect, that the North will remain British as long as a majority want it so. We voted for that, overwhelmingly. We consented to the partition of the country until a clear majority of both communities vote for it to end.

Its weird, isnt it? The opponents of partition see it as a vehicle for the oppression of a minority. The proponents of partition have always argued that without it they would be the oppressed minority.

Arguments about partition have always bedevilled and soured Irish politics. And yet, oddly, it has

always seemed to me that the bit of the country that had partition forced on it (the Republic) has managed to transcend it.

The bit of the country that wanted it is still trapped in the dependent mess it created for them.

So we might mark the centenary whenever it happens.

Im pretty sure we wont want to celebrate it. But Im equally sure that, if we get the chance any time soon, very few of us will vote to change it.
Walmart-owned has partnered with to accelerate use of in last mile delivery and will deploy over 25,000 EVs in the fleet by 2030, according to a regulatory filing.

The Mahindra Group's logistics arm has already launched an electric last mile delivery service - EDEL - in six cities and has partnered with in consumer and e-commerce space to provide such services.

will play a significant role in working with various original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and help Flipkart's sustainable transition to EVs, as per the filing.

has already partnered with many OEMs and introduced two and three-wheeler in its supply chain.

The company's partnership with EDEL will further propel this momentum and help in deployment at a national scale, further enhanced by infrastructure and technology support that spans charging, tracking, asset, safety, and cost, it said.

EDEL's robust multi-city presence across Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Kolkata, and Hyderabad, with a plan to cover the top 20 cities by year-end, will help facilitate a seamless and phased transition to EVs for Flipkart's pan-India supply chain, according to the filing.

Our focus is on expanding our network based on our deep partnership with large enterprise customers, said Rampraveen Swaminathan, CEO and MD, Mahindra Logistics.

Mahindra Logistics through EDEL will enable in its journey towards building a green supply chain by building supporting infrastructure and technology such as charging stations and parking lots, training workforce, route planning and battery swapping stations in the near future, it said.

Another key focus area will be technology and control tower operations to enable greater efficiency and cost competitiveness, said the filing.

Electrification of the logistics fleet is an important part of Flipkart's larger sustainability goal and a key focus area for the company. We are happy to have Mahindra Logistics on-board as a logistics partner, who will play a major role in helping us achieve our vision of making our logistics fleet fully electric by 2030, said Hemant Badri, SVP Supply Chain, Flipkart Group.

Through collective efforts, Flipkart aims to build and support solutions that boost EV adoption across the country and gradually make a 100 per cent transition to EVs in our logistics fleet, he added.

Flipkart has recently announced its partnership with leading manufacturers, including Hero Electric, Mahindra Electric and Piaggio, to deploy EVs in its logistics fleet across the country.

(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.)
Pupils wearing facemasks as a precaution against the transmission of the CCP virus arrive to attend Moor End Academy in Huddersfield, northern England on Sept. 11, 2020. (Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images)

Pupils Still Required to Wear Face Masks in England Secondary Schools After Easter

The UK government said on Tuesday that face coverings should continue to be worn in secondary schools and colleges in England when students return after the Easter break.

The government said this cautious approach will help limit the risk of transmission of COVID-19 and enable continued monitoring of the effect of school reopening.

Face coverings should continue to be worn by adults and pupils inside secondary schools and colleges after Easter We expect to no longer recommend face coverings in classrooms or for pupils in communal areas as part of Step 3 of the roadmap out of lockdown, depending on the data pic.twitter.com/vg0GBqpwrw  Department for Education (@educationgovuk) April 6, 2021

Secondary school pupils are also expected to continue to go through twice-weekly testing, which the government said is now established and embedded in pupils routines.

But the Department of Education said it expects that face coverings will no longer be required to be worn in classrooms, or by students in other communal areas, at step 3 of the roadmap, which will be no earlier than May 17.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said that the reopening of schools has been an incredible success and schools and students have done a great job adapting to COVID-secure guidance and working hard to make sure it doesnt impact learning.

We obviously all want to get back to facemask-free classrooms and we will do this in line with the latest scientific data while balancing the interests of students, teachers, and the wider community, he said in a statement.

The government is expanding its mass testing programme from schools and workplaces to the whole population. From Apr. 9, everyone in England will be offered free COVID-19 testing twice a week.

The programme has been criticised by some medical experts. Allyson Pollock, professor of public health at Newcastle University, told The Epoch Times on Monday, Its a hugely expensive and incoherent policy and not a public health strategy.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday that all shops, gyms, hairdressers, and outdoor hospitality areas in England will be reopened from Apr. 12, as part of step 2 of the governments roadmap out of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus lockdown.

In a newly published review of the roadmap, the government said it will also begin to trial COVID-status certification in certain settings, including large events.

The government said it believes that COVID-status certification could have an important role to play both domestically and internationally to allow some freedoms to be restored more safely.

The plan has met with resistance from lawmakers from across the political spectrum, who argue the measure would infringe upon civil liberties and deal a heavy blow to business.
The Kerala Lottery Department will release the 'Sthree Sakthi SS256' lottery results today at 04:00 pm. All those who tried their luck in this lottery can check the results at keralalotteryresult.net. Kerala State Lottery SS256 ticket is available at only Rs 6.

Winners of this lottery can take massive cash prizes home. First prize winner will get Rs 75 lakh whereas the second prize winner will take home a cash prize worth Rs 10 lakh.

Also read: Kerala lottery result 05.04.2021: Win Win W-123, Win Win W-610 results today; timings, where to check online

Third, fourth and fifth prize winners get Rs 5,000, Rs 4,000 and Rs 1,000 respectively. There is also a consolation prize worth Rs 8,000. Fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth prize winners get Rs 1,000, Rs 500, Rs 200 and Rs 100 respectively.

How to check 'Sthree Sakthi SS-256' lottery results today

Step 1: Visit the official Kerala State Lottery website

Step 2: Click on the link reading 'Sthree Sakthi SS-256' lottery 4pm

Step 3: You will be redirected to a new page displaying the results

Also read: Kerala Lottery Result 04.04.21: Result timings of Bhagyamithra Monthly Lottery Result BM-5; where to check list of prize winners

The Kerala Lottery is organised at the Gorky Bhawan near Bakery Junction, Thiruvananthapuram. The eligible candidates will have to verify their winning tickets in intact form at the Kerala Government Gazette Office within 30 days of the date of result announcement. Along with their tickets, the winners also need to carry a recognised identity card with their passport-sized photographs. Winners will get cash prizes after deduction of taxes and completion of verification process.

Lotteries in Kerala

The Kerala Department conducts seven weekly lotteries. These are Pournima (Sunday), Win Win (Monday), Sthree Sakthi (Tuesday), Akshaya (Wednesday), Karunya Plus (Thursday), Nirmal (Friday) and Karunya (Saturday). Besides this, the Kerala government also conducts six bumper lotteries.
HOLLAND, MI  New Holland Brewing Co. is once again brewing beer at its Holland production facility after a fired damaged the building on Feb. 21.

The damage was contained to one area of the brewhouse, but it did set us back considerably Jason Salas, the companys brewmaster, said in a statement. It has taken more than a month to repair the damage, clean the facility and get our equipment back up to the standard we require for producing the beer of the highest possible quality.

An electrical fire damaged one wall and the roof of the brewhouse. Repairs, which took five weeks to complete, were finished this week, the company said in a news release.

The fire and ensuring repairs impacted beer production at the facility. There will be shortages of some beers, while others will be out of stock altogether, for a few weeks.

Beers affected by the fire include Tangerine Space Machine, Hazy River and a newly release variety pack.

Our beer production came to a halt for more than three weeks, but thankfully we were able to package all of the beer that was in tanks, Salas said.

New Holland Founder and CEO Brett Vanderkamp said the company is doing everything in our power to brew and restock these brands in a timely manner.

We hope that our customers can be patient with us over the next few weeks and use this as an opportunity to sample another New Holland brew that they havent tried before, he said. We truly appreciate every one of our customers and are working diligently to provide the beer they know and love.

Read more:

How a fake lawyer and conservative outrage made Marlenas Bistro a national symbol of pandemic freedom

Northern Michigan county clerk says she wont count May election ballots by hand, despite pressure

Holland steakhouse co-owned by state Rep. Tommy Brann fined $1,750 for COVID-19 violations
HOLYOKE  Citizens for Holyoke is continuing its fight against a 16-bed group home for recovering addicts at 11 Yale St., a heavily residential area.

Days before Mayor Alex B. Morse resigned, his administration authorized occupancy for the group home at three times the original 16-person plan.

The group home will offer mental health and substance abuse education and counseling to members of the LGBTQ community.

Holyoke Building Commission Damien Cote signed a Certificate of Occupancy on March 18, which drew the ire of residents who lodged a legal challenge to the homes opening.

Mental Health Association, Inc. (MHA) bought the 6,085 square-foot property in April 2019 for $561,500 from Angela and Donna L Perrotta. The occupancy certificate allows for 48 persons inside the home at one time.

We are profoundly disturbed to report that on Alex Morses final days in office, his administration approved a 48 occupant medical facility in an R1 residential neighborhood at 11 Yale St, stated Scott DeFelice of Citizens for Holyoke.

He added the certificate was signed despite an ongoing legal challenge to prevent further development.

The groups statement singled out Cotes wife, City Councilor Rebecca Lisa, a declared mayoral candidate. The group noted that Councilor At-Large Michael J. Sullivan, also a mayoral candidate, referred the matter to the Ordinance Committee, which Lisis chairs.

Still, there is silence from Councilor Lisi, who is also running for mayor. I think it is now clear that the Lisi/Cote alliance has decided that we must accept a 48 occupant medical facility in any of our residential neighborhoods, the statement read.

Citizens for Holyoke called on Acting Mayor and City Council President Todd McGee to withdraw the city from legal proceedings that support MHAs stance.

We are further asking that all mayoral aspirants make clear their position on this issue so the voters can decide what they want their city to be like in the future, the statement noted.

Kimberly Lee, MHAs vice president of Development and Branding, said the Massachusetts Bureau of Substance Abuse Services issued MHA an operating license for 11 Yale St. The group home will welcome its first resident Friday.

According to Lee, the home will offer clients a recovery curriculum and clinical support that is education-based.

There isnt anyone who can step through doors of this beautifully renovated home and think its a medical facility, Lee said. It is truly a residential program designed to help members of the LGBTQ community who have co-occurrence and diagnosis of mental health and substance use to sustain their pathways to recovery.

Shortly after MHA closed on 11 Yale St., Lee said MHA was proactive in engaging residents in the neighborhood, including fielding phone calls.

I canvassed more than 50 homes in the neighborhood in order to invite them to a residential meeting we were having, Lee said. We want people to understand the essence of the programming happening here on Yale Street.

She added, As we did from the very first day we bought this house, we want to be, and we intend to be very good neighbors.

Lee cited the Dover Amendment that exempts zoning restrictions for specific uses, including operating a group home like Yale Street for educational purposes.

In an email, Lisi said Citizens for Holyokes press release contained a number of misleading pieces of misinformation. She said the occupancy certificate clearly states MHA would operate a 16-bed facility limited to 48 persons and not solely residents.

Lisi added that the homes square-footage and fire suppression system dictated the occupancy rate for the 16-bed facility.

I do not have a response beyond correcting the factual inaccuracies as Legal Counsel has advised that the City Council not discuss the matter or pursue orders related to the project or underlying zoning while there is pending litigation to which the City has been named a party, Lisi wrote.

Cotes municipal email account returned an out-of-the-office reply until April 12.

McGee, who was sworn March 26, said he could only serve as acting mayor for several weeks. In June 2019, McGee and Councilor At-Large James Leahy filed orders that contested the propertys use as a group home and called for a moratorium on such facilities.

In October 2019, the Holyoke Zoning Board of Appeals rejected an attempt to reverse a previously issued building permit for Yale Street.

During the public hearing, attorney Michael Pill, of Green, Miles and Lipton, LLP, questioned MHAs nonprofit status. He said the Building Commissioner erred in not classifying Yale Street as a medical facility and not qualify under local zoning laws.

Pill cited the McLean Hospital v. Town of Lincoln decision, which argued educational versus medical uses for a residential group home. Citizens for Holyokes website describes 11 Yale St as a 16-bed medical treatment facility and not for educational purposes.

Cote countered during the hearing that MHA provided an accurate description of what would occur at 11 Yale St., which complied with local and state building codes. He said his department must conduct exhaustive and periodic inspections of the facility, including if the use or MHAs operating model had changed.

As of this writing, the litigation is ongoing, and MHA is proceeding with the Yale street project at their own risk, with full support from the Citys Legal Department at taxpayer expense, DeFelice stated. MHA has asked for summary judgment, and this will be decided in the coming months. We hope the neighbors who are fighting this legal battle on their own will prevail.

In the past, Acting City Solicitor Crystal Barnes warned the City Council about pursuing a costly legal involvement concerning 11 Yale St. She stated her office lacked the staff and resources for a protracted court battle.

Last week, Barnes submitted her resignation, which would leave the citys Law Department with one attorney at months end. Barnes is one of a slew of resignations by department heads in the past few months.

Morse officially resigned March 26 to become town manager of Provincetown. Personnel Director Hector Carrasquillo followed the same day.
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP)  The Republican attorneys general of Kentucky and Tennessee have added their voices to those in several other states who are objecting to a provision in the $1.9 trillion pandemic aid plan that bars states from using relief money to offset tax cuts.

Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron and Tennessee Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III filed suit Tuesday in a federal district court in the Bluegrass State, accusing the federal government of an unprecedented power grab."

They requested an injunction to block enforcement of the tax-related provision and asked that the restriction ultimately be struck down.

The suit echoes similar action filed last week in federal court in Alabama by the attorneys general from 13 states that took aim at the provision prohibiting states from using $195 billion of federal aid to either directly or indirectly offset a reduction in net tax revenue.

The lawsuit by Cameron and Slatery claims the provision unconstitutionally wrests away the sovereign authority of each state's legislature to determine tax policies.

Their suit called it a case of federal overreach, saying states were being told they cannot lower their citizens tax burdens without suffering a penalty.

The tax mandate is an unprecedented power grab by the federal government, the suit said. At a time when the states are focused on helping their constituents overcome the devastating effects of the pandemic, Congress chose to use the pandemic to extend its control over state sovereignty in an unprecedented way.

Defendants in the joint Kentucky-Tennessee suit include the U.S. Treasury Department, which did not immediately return an email requesting comment Tuesday.

A larger group of 21 Republican attorneys general last month wrote a letter seeking clarification from Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on the provision. The department at the time said the provision isnt meant as a blanket prohibition on tax cuts. States can still offset tax reductions through other means.

Story continues

Nothing in the Act prevents States from enacting a broad variety of tax cuts, Yellen wrote in a response. It simply provides that funding received under the Act may not be used to offset a reduction in net tax revenue resulting from certain changes in state law.

The massive aid plan was backed by congressional Democrats in close party-line votes and signed by President Joe Biden. Kentucky's share of the aid for states is expected to be about $2.4 billion. Tennessee's allotment is expected to be about $3.7 billion.

Cameron said in a news release that the relief money is essential to helping Kentucky recover from the economic damage inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic. That contrasted with remarks by his fellow Republican and mentor, Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell, who said Monday that he didn't think the new relief money being sent to Kentucky state government was needed.

Cameron said it's unconstitutional for the Biden administration to hold the funds hostage if we don't agree to Washington's preferred tax policies.

Slatery said states have a constitutional right to implement their own tax policy.

Before ending this year's session, Kentucky's Republican-led legislature allocated more than $1 billion of the new infusion of federal money for several big-ticket items. Those items included school construction, water and sewer projects, broadband expansion and repayment of a federal loan that kept the states unemployment insurance program afloat.

Those spending decisions reflected several shared priorities between lawmakers and Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear. The governor called it a good start to create thousands of jobs and better position Kentucky for the post-pandemic economy.
NEW YORK, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Nevada region has just been named as the "world's top mining destination," leading to a growing number of mining portfolios in the area. Perhaps one of the reasons for this title is Nevada's substantial mining potential. With the state containing two key characteristics miners look for--best practice for mineral potential and policy perception--this makes Nevada an outstanding option for production. Mining companies such as Blackrock Silver Corporation (TSXV:BRC) (OTCQB:BKRFF), Barrick Gold Mines (NYSE:GOLD) (TSX:ABX), Nevada Sunrise Gold (TSXV:NEV) (OTCPK:NVSGF), Equinox Gold Corporation (NYSE:EQX) (TSX:EQX), and Victory Resources (CSE:VR) (OTCPK:VRCFF) go into more detail about the success they have achieved at Nevada mining sites.

Blackrock Silver Corporation (TSXV:BRC) (OTCQB:BKRFF), a mining exploration company focused on both silver and gold has attracted significant interest over the past year on the back of multiple high-grade discoveries made on its Tonopah West property. This property represents the consolidation of one of the largest silver districts in North America, of which Blackrock now controls more than half. In terms of historic production, the Tonopah silver district is second to only the Comstock Lode in the "Silver State" of Nevada. Since the company's initial discovery in August, Blackrock has wasted no time in advancing this exciting project, scaling up to a substantial and ongoing drill program that serves to determine just how big the deposit will be.

In early March 2021, Blackrock reported 13,000 meters of drilling since January 4, 2021 at its Tonopah West project, with a total of 41,300 meters of drilling since June 2020 in the area. Blackrock is looking to deliver a maiden resource on its Tonopah West property during Q4 2021. Currently, three main drills and one RC drill are operating on the project, with one specific drill exploring along the Victor vein system. Blackrock commented on its commitment to continue testing target areas while remaining focused on the bigger picture, a vision for the project to expand due to promising mineralization.

Nevada Mining Creates Partnership Opportunities For North American Companies

Barrick Gold Mines (NYSE:GOLD) (TSX:ABX), noted as one of the world's largest gold mining companies, established a joint venture in July 2019 with Newmont Corporation and introduced their subsidiary, Nevada Gold Mines. Barrick stated that the driving force behind the creation of Nevada Gold Mines was the large potential of the Nevada gold fields and prospective gold establishments.

With partnerships providing greater growth opportunities, Nevada Sunrise Gold (TSXV:NEV) (OTCPK:NVSGF) joined forces with mining company, New Placer Dome Gold Corporation. The 2020 Kinsley Mountain Gold Project, which is located close to Wendover, Nevada, reported its findings after completing 49 drill holes totaling 17,970 meters. During the exploration process, five target areas were also tested, but results are still pending for these areas. However, the second set of results from the 2020 drilling program at the Western Flank Zone reported a remarkable amount of gold contained throughout the Kinsley Mountain.

Heading in a slightly different direction to explore Nevada's mining reservoir, Equinox Gold Corporation (NYSE American:EQX) (TSX:EQX) has made the move to acquire Premier Gold Mines under its banner. By doing so, Equinox will own Premier's existing Nevada assets. Equinox has also executed a plan to introduce a US-focused gold production company, "i-80 Gold Corporation", which will operate the Nevada mining portfolio.

Victory Resources (CSE:VR) (OTCPK:VRCFF), a junior international mining corporation, is currently focused on developing its pre-existing projects , including its Loner property in Nevada. Previously considered a low priority, Victory has now reported a strong interest in the Nevada property. The company has had a busy start to 2021, with Victory gearing up for production on a 500-meter drill program at the Loner property. The company has organized a crew to begin the process and aims for drilling to be completed by mid-April 2021, as long as weather permits. The company anticipates that the drilling will provide a more detailed location of the mineralization demonstrated in the area.

With Nevada currently rated as the number one destination for the mining industry, companies like Blackrock Silver Corporation are set to take their Nevada portfolios to another level with a reassuring future of projects underway.

For more information on Blackrock Silver Corporation, click here .

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[April 06, 2021] Ed Grier to Become Dean of Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University

Santa Clara University has named Ed Grier, a veteran global operations executive and business-school leader, to be the next dean of Santa Clara University's Leavey School of Business. Grier will join Leavey this summer from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he has served as dean of the School of Business. He joined VCU in 2010 after a successful 29-year career with Walt Disney (News - Alert) Company, where he served in a variety of progressively more-responsible roles around the globe, including president of the $2 billion, 20,000-employee Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif. At SCU, Grier will lead a school with more than 170 faculty and 50 staff members, and more than 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students, located in one of the world's most innovative regions-Silicon Valley. As Leavey's dean, Grier will build on Santa Clara University's national reputation for teaching, research, and innovative business education programs. He plans to strengthen relationships, continue to raise national visibility, and generate new revenue streams for the long-term vitality of the School, all within the framework of Santa Clara's Jesuit mission and values. "We are delighted to welcome Dean Grier to the Leavey School of Business," said Santa Clara University Acting President Lisa Kloppenberg. "He brings a wealth of knowledge and a perspective from both academia and industry that will serve LSB well as it emerges from this pandemic year, strives to smartly leverage Silicon Valley corporate partnerships and SCU's graduate programs, and build on its tradition of excellence in the teaching-scholar model." Grier's executive leadership style emphasizes big thinking and productive collaboration. At VCU he oversaw the incorporation of the VCU Brandcenter and Center for Sport Leadership into the School of Business, creation of an International Consulting Program for both master and undergraduate students, and launch of the Master of Decision Analytics Professional Track degree program. n addition to spearheading a successful School of Business capital campaign, Grier guided the launch of the school's online MBA program, including establishing an in-house media production facility. He facilitated a partnership with the Henry Ford (News - Alert) Entrepreneurship Academy to provide three-day entrepreneurship training programs on four continents.



He served as interim vice president for development and alumni relations at VCU from March to September 2017, midway through the University's $840 million capital campaign. In addition to participating on the steering committee for the university budget redesign, Grier has chaired several key university leadership search committees. "I am thrilled about this opportunity to lead the Leavey School of Business at such an important and exciting time," said Grier. "Santa Clara University's values of preparing young men and women for leadership and service to the common good align exceptionally well with my personal values. I am eager to leverage my skills as a servant leader alongside the talented faculty and staff of Leavey School."

In the Central Virginia community, Grier serves as a board member of The Colonial Williamsburg Company, ChildFund International, and the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce. He also serves as a trustee of Brandman University, part of the Chapman University System in California. A sought-after speaker on topics including diversity, leadership, and corporate creativity, Grier earned his B.A. in accounting from Duquesne University, becoming a certified public accountant while at Ernst & Ernst (now known as Ernst & Young) for four years before joining Disney. Grier and his wife Valerie rejoin their three sons and their families, who all reside in California, after spending 11 wonderful years with VCU in Richmond, Va. Grier says he thoroughly enjoyed his time at VCU but welcomes the opportunity to live close to his family. About Santa Clara University Santa Clara University is a private Jesuit, Catholic University in the epicenter of Silicon Valley, infusing ethics and social consciousness into a rigorous cross-disciplinary education for its nearly 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students. For more information, see www.scu.edu. About Leavey School of Business Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, one of the most dynamic business environments in the world, Santa Clara University's Leavey School of Business combines academic excellence in the 450-year Jesuit tradition, with an energetic, innovative spirit that typifies the region. The Leavey School of Business offers one of the nation's best graduate business programs, ranked No. 13 for executive MBA, No. 20 for evening MBA and No. 40 for online MBA by U.S. News & World Report. Our undergraduate business programs rank in the Top 15% and No. 23 nationwide in best undergraduate teaching, according to U.S. News & World Report. For more information, visit www.scu.edu/business. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406006040/en/

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ALLENTOWN, Pa., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Got a spring do-it-yourself project in the works? Planning to add a fence, mailbox or new landscaping on your property?

Make sure you don't go digging for trouble. Always make the free 811 call before starting any project that requires digging. It could save a life.

Calling 811 helps ensure that a crew will visit the work site to mark areas where underground utilities, including underground power lines, exist so that those doing the work will avoid contacting them.

Pennsylvania law requires an 811 call at least three business days before digging with any power equipment in Pennsylvania. Once the call is placed, a crew is sent out to survey the area and mark with spray paint, flags or other markers where underground utilities  power, water, sewer and gas lines and other utilities  are located.

When calling 811, be prepared to provide the following:

The county and municipality in which the planned dig is located.

The street name and address.

The nearest intersecting/cross street to the address.

Details of the dig site, including the area of the property where excavation will occur and what kind of work is being done.

When the project is scheduled to take place.

The name of the company doing the work (if applicable).

If you see digging going on in your neighborhood and believe the 811 call may not have been placed, make the call yourself to make sure everyone stays safe.

A recent survey by Common Ground Alliance (CGA), an association committed to raising public awareness about underground safety, showed nearly four in 10 homeowners planned to dig on their properties this year, but nearly half did not plan to call 811 before digging.

CGA says there were 532,000 instances of excavation-related damages to underground utilities in the U.S. in 2019. Costs associated with that damage were estimated at $30 million.

"We want to make sure everyone stays safe and avoids injury at sites wherever digging is taking place," said Mark Santayana, public safety manager for PPL Electric Utilities. "The best way to do that is to make that 811 call every time."

PPL Electric Utilities provides electric delivery service to more than 1.4 million homes and businesses in Pennsylvania and ranks among the best utility companies in the country for customer service and reliability. PPL Electric Utilities is a major employer in the communities it serves. It is a subsidiary of PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL). For more information, visit www.pplelectric.com.

Note to Editors: Visit our media website at www.pplnewsroom.com.

Contact: For news media: Patrick Lester, 610-774-5997, [email protected]

PPL Electric Utilities

SOURCE PPL Corporation

Related Links

http://www.pplweb.com


Police are appealing for help from the public to solve the mysterious death of a father found in the Murray River in Victoria almost six years ago.

Terrence McCallion was found fully clothed in the water by people onboard a houseboat between Bruce's Bend and Psyche Pumps in Mildura on the afternoon of May 1, 2015.

Another man was on the bank at the time and began yelling out for those on the houseboat to help.

A man who is a person of interest to police is believed to have left the scene in Mr McCallion's white Nissan Pulsar (pictured)

The man, who is a person of interest to police, is believed to have left the scene in Mr McCallion's white Nissan Pulsar shortly after.

The group used a small boat to recover Mr McCallion and began performing CPR on him before emergency services arrived. He died in hospital later that night.

Detectives believe the 55-year-old was assaulted prior to his death and had spoken to the man of interest a number of times.

They have released images of Mr McCallion's car, which had a distinctive spider sticker on its back-right door, in the hope someone may have seen it either before or after the incident.

Detectives are also hopeful community members may have information about his whereabouts in the lead up to his death.

'We haven't given up on solving the case and are hopeful someone in the community is now ready to come forward with information,' Detective Acting Sergeant Adam Bryme from the Mildura crime investigation unit said on Tuesday.

Detectives released images of Mr McCallion's car, which had a distinctive spider sticker on its back-right door

'Terrence's family have a right to know of the circumstances in which led him to his death so they can get the closure they deserve.'

'No matter how small or insignificant the information may be, it could be all we need to piece together the case.'

In a statement, Mr McCallion's family said they have been left wondering what happened to him and why.

'The death of a parent is never easy but the violent nature of dad's death and the mystery surrounding it made it especially traumatic,' the family said.

'Dad welcomed everyone into his home and created an extended family that he loved as his own.

'Answers will help give us much-needed closure, so we can finally move forward from the constant pain of not knowing, to remember him for who is was and what he meant to each of us.'
WASHINGTON, April 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Students from the Rice Space Institute will have an opportunity this week to hear from NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station. The Earth-to-space call will air live at 10:10 a.m. EDT Thursday, April 8, on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency's website.

NASA astronauts Kate Rubins and Mike Hopkins will answer prerecorded video questions from students in the greater Houston area, Scotland, and Ecuador who are connected through the Rice Space Institute. The Rice Space Institute, at Rice University in Houston, fosters interdisciplinary research and education focusing on space science, engineering, and technology development.

The event will be held virtually. U.S. media interested in covering it should contact Mike Williams at 671-281-6854 or [email protected]. Scottish media interested in covering the event should contact Kim McAllister at 07740-336991 or [email protected]. Ecuadorian media interested in covering the event should contact Robert Aillon at 593-98-647-9655 or [email protected].

Linking students directly to astronauts aboard the space station provides unique, authentic experiences designed to enhance student learning, performance, and interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Astronauts living in space on the orbiting laboratory communicate with NASA's Mission Control Center in Houston 24 hours a day through the Space Network's Tracking and Data Relay Satellites.

For more than 20 years, astronauts have continuously lived and worked on the space station, testing technologies, performing science, and developing the skills needed to explore farther from Earth. Through NASA's Artemis program, the agency will return astronauts to the Moon, with eventual human exploration of Mars. Inspiring the next generation of explorers  the Artemis Generation  ensures America will continue to lead in space exploration and discovery.

Follow America's Moon to Mars exploration at:

https://www.nasa.gov/topics/moon-to-mars

Follow NASA astronauts on social media at:

https://www.twitter.com/NASA_astronauts

See videos and lesson plans highlighting research on the International Space Station at:

https://www.nasa.gov/stemonstation

SOURCE NASA

Related Links

http://www.nasa.gov


WINNIPEG, MB, April 6, 2021 /CNW/ - Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. The COVID-19 crisis has made it clear that affordable housing is key to Canada's recovery, as communities across the country are dealing with the devastating impacts of rising levels of homelessness and housing need.

Today, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and Kevin Lamoureux, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg North, announced close to $40.1 million to support the construction of 222 permanent affordable housing units for individuals and families in Manitoba, with nearly 70% of the units committed to Indigenous peoples through the Rapid Housing Initiative.

This funding is providing 134 safe and affordable new homes for vulnerable populations across the province under the Projects Stream, and 88 units in Winnipeg which will address severe housing needs and high rates of homelessness under the Major Cities Stream.

Delivered by CMHC, under the National Housing Strategy (NHS), RHI provides capital contributions to develop new, permanent affordable housing by covering costs associated with modular multi-unit rental construction; conversion of non-residential to affordable multi-residential homes; and, rehabilitation of buildings in disrepair and/or abandoned to affordable multi-residential homes. Investments made under the RHI are expected to support thousands of construction-related jobs for Canadians from coast to coast to coast.

Quotes:

"Our Government wants to ensure that every Canadian has a safe and affordable place to call home. The Rapid Housing Initiative will go a long way to supporting those who need it most by quickly providing 222 new affordable housing units to vulnerable individuals and families in Manitoba to keep them safe. This is one of the ways our Government's National Housing Strategy continues to provide housing for Canadians from coast to coast to coast."  The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

"The National Housing Strategy continues to ensure more adequate and affordable housing for Canadians. This funding is part of our government's commitment to affordable housing across the country. It will provide immediate support in the rapid creation of stable and affordable housing in Winnipeg and across Manitoba that will assist the most vulnerable with nearly 70% of the units committed to Indigenous peoples."  Kevin Lamoureux, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg North

Quick facts:

Nationally, at 4,700 units, the RHI has exceeded its initial target of 3000 permanent affordable housing units thanks to the support of the provincial, territorial and municipal governments as well as Indigenous governing bodies.

The RHI has received significant interest from Indigenous groups, which resulted in nearly 40% of all units created under the program to be targeted to Indigenous peoples.

The RHI takes a human rights-based approach to housing, serving people experiencing or at risk of homelessness and others who are among the most vulnerable, including: women and children fleeing domestic violence, seniors, young adults, Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, people dealing with mental health and addiction issues, veterans, LGBTQ2+, racialized groups, Black Canadians, and recent immigrants or refugees.

Canada's National Housing Strategy (NHS) is a 10-year, $70+ billion plan that will give more Canadians a place to call homethis includes more than $13 billion committed through the 2020 Fall Economic Statement.

Associated links:

As Canada's authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. CMHC's aim is that by 2030, everyone in Canada has a home they can afford, and that meets their needs. For more information, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.

SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

For further information: Media contacts: Mikaela Harrison, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, [email protected]; Leonard Catling, Media Relations, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, [email protected]

Related Links

www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca


Complaints about parcel delivery cover are rocketing as couriers wriggle out of paying customer claims.

Most major delivery firms offer people the option to pay extra to cover their packages against theft and damage.

But the small print is littered with dozens of exclusions, leaving customers out of pocket when they try to get their money back.

While it's common for couriers to offer free cover for low-value parcels, some will charge 100 for more valuable items.

Most major delivery firms offer people the option to pay extra to cover their packages against theft and damage. But the small print is littered with dozens of exclusions

Experts have slammed the plans as 'virtually useless' for many customers.

One of the companies, DPD, refuses to pay out for more than 170 selected items, including alcoholic drinks, watches and tickets for events.

In some cases, customers have reported being sold worthless cover online even after specifying the item they are sending.

Complaints about parcel cover have soared 139 per cent over the past two years, with 1,989 gripes recorded by complaints site Resolver last year.

Each courier has its own excluded items list; this typically includes plants, glasses and jewellery.

But TNT will not cover the full value of laptops, while DHL has antiques, works of art and silverware on its list. Royal Mail courier Parcelforce excludes electric scooters and hoverboards.

Alex Neill, Resolver chief executive, says: 'People are increasingly reliant on delivery companies for sending gifts to loved ones and arranging the safe delivery of vital supplies.

TNT will not cover the full value of laptops whilst Parcelforce excludes electric scooters

So, it's disappointing to see big-name firms with pages of sneaky exclusions that render this cover virtually useless.'

As such companies offer 'compensation cover', rather than insurance, unhappy customers cannot take their complaints to the Financial Ombudsman.

Dean Griffin was left almost 1,300 out of pocket after a camera he sent to Denmark was damaged.

He had paid Parcelforce Worldwide 42.75 for extra cover. But the firm rejected his claim because cameras were excluded in its small print.

Dean, 57, a business consultant from Kent, says: 'I couldn't believe it. I had stated what I was sending on the form.'

Parcelforce has since said that cameras are not in fact excluded, and now Dean has received a full payout.

A Parcelforce spokesman says: 'We have apologised to Mr Griffin. Although such errors are rare, we are making changes to our processes to prevent mistakes from happening in the future.'

f.parker@dailymail.co.uk
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 6, 2021) - Tudor Gold Corp. (TSXV: TUD) (FSE: TUC) (the "Company" or "Tudor Gold") is pleased to announce that Vice-President and Head of Research, Siddharth Rajeev, B.Tech, MBA, CFA of Fundamental Research Corp. - a Vancouver, Canada based investment research company, published an initial equity analyst research report on the Company.

Furthermore, Tudor is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Chris Curran, an arm's length party to the Company that has no present interest, directly or indirectly, in the Company or its securities, to act as the Company's Head of Corporate Development and Communications for a period 12 months beginning on April 6th, 2021.

Mr. Curran has over 20 years of experience in business development, communications and capital markets that includes working with several publicly listed companies within the mining and exploration sector. Most recently, he was Manager of Corporate Communications for Northern Vertex Mining Corp., which acquired and advanced the Moss gold project from exploration to commercial production. Preceding Northern Vertex, Mr. Curran was responsible for the development of corporate communications programs for the Northair Group of Companies. Mr. Curran holds a BA in Economics and Geography from the University of Regina.

Under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Curran will be paid $12,000 per month and be granted 200,000 inventive stock options (each an "Option") under the Company's stock option plan (the "Stock Option Plan"). Subject to the policies of the TSX Venture exchange and the terms and conditions of the Stock Option Plan, the 200,000 Options will have an exercise price equal $3.14 per Option and shall expire five years from the date of issuance and shall vest as follows: (i) 50,000 Options shall vest on the date that is 3 months after the grant date; (ii) 50,000 Options shall vest on the date that is 6 months after the grant date; (iii) 50,000 Options shall vest on the date that is 9 months after the grant date; and (iv) 50,000 Options shall vest on the date that is 12 months after the grant date.

This recently created position is part of the Company's commitment to materially expanding its market presence as a prime exploration and development company focused on precious and base metals in British Columbia's Golden Triangle, an area that hosts past-producing mines and several large deposits that are approaching potential development.

The Company also announces the issuance of 250,000 Options under the Stock Option Plan. Subject to the policies of the TSX Venture exchange and the terms and conditions of the Stock Option Plan, the 250,000 Options will have an exercise price of $3.14 per Option and shall expire five years from the date of issuance and shall vest immediately. The 250,000 Options are being issued to certain directors and officers of the Company.

About Tudor Gold

TUDOR GOLD Corp. is a precious and base metals explorer with properties in British Columbia's Golden Triangle, an area that hosts producing and past-producing mines and several large deposits that are approaching potential development. The 17,913 hectare Treaty Creek project (in which TUDOR GOLD has a 60% interest) borders Seabridge Gold Inc.'s KSM property to the southwest and borders Pretium Resources Inc.'s Brucejack property to the southeast. The Company also has a 100% interest in the Electrum Project, earn in options and 100% interests in other prospective projects located in the Golden Triangle area.

"Walter Storm"

Walter Storm

President and Chief Executive Officer

For further information, please visit the Company's website at www.tudor-gold.com or contact:

Chris Curran

Head of Corporate Development and Communications

Phone: (604) 559 8092

E-Mail: cbcurran@hotmail.com

or

Carsten Ringler

Head of Investor Relations and Communications

Phone: +49 1726918274

E-Mail: carsten.ringler@tudor-gold.com

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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79426
[April 06, 2021] WebBank Announces New Board Member - Abhinav Tiwari

WebBank today announced the appointment of Abhinav Tiwari to the Company's Board of Directors effective March 23, 2021. "Abhinav's strong background and experience in the convergence of technology and financial innovation makes him a valuable addition to the WebBank Board of Directors," said Jason Lloyd, President. "His expertise and insights will provide meaningful contributions to the Bank's strategy." Mr. Tiwari is a technology executive and investor with 15+ years of experience in Enterprise Technology and Financial Services. He is currently General Partner of the Venture Capital firm, Owl Capital. Prior to Owl Capital, Mr. Tiwari led early-stage investments and acquisitions at Stripe. Prior to Stripe, Abhinav led corporate development, strategic business development and new market development at Amazon Web Services and Dell (News - Alert) . Mr. Tiwari received his MBA from Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University and a Bachelor's in Coputer Engineering from University of Mumbai.



"WebBank is a pioneer of the Bank Strategic Partner model for startups and enterprises that are innovating across the breadth of digital lending and credit. I am delighted and privileged to join the WebBank board as a new independent director," said Mr. Tiwari. About WebBank

WebBank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Steel Partners Holdings LP, is a Utah chartered Industrial Bank headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. Established in 1997, WebBank has originated and funded over $138 billion since inception. As "The Bank Behind the Brand", WebBank is a national issuer of and capital provider to consumer and small business credit products through Strategic Partner (Brand) platforms, which includes retailers, manufacturers, finance companies, and financial technology (FinTech) companies. The Bank is a leading player in the digital lending space, driving innovation in financial products through Strategic Partner platforms. WebBank engages in a full range of banking activities including consumer and commercial loan products, revolving lines of credit, credit cards, private-label card issuance, auto-refinancing and more. The Bank is also a capital provider to Brand platforms, credit funds, and other lenders with a targeted focus on specialty finance assets. The Bank is also a leading provider of commercial insurance premium finance products through its wholly owned subsidiary National Partners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406006017/en/

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DALLAS, April 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Last week, Senators Grassley and Leahy introduced the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2021 (EB-5 Reform Act) to provide for a five-year extension of the EB-5 program and establish much needed integrity reforms. CMB Regional Centers, as the leading EB-5 regional center and long-term member of the EB-5 trade organization IIUSA, has consistently advocated for ethical reforms, investor protections, transparency, and accountability within the EB-5 industry. We fully support this bill as it is an important step toward stabilizing and strengthening the EB-5 program, which is a valuable tool for the U.S. economy.



There has been significant research that demonstrates how the EB-5 program has attracted billions of dollars in foreign direct investment, created tens of thousands of new Americans jobs in needy communities, and benefitted the U.S. economy at no cost to the American Tax Payer. Ninety-five percent of EB-5 program participants invest through a regional center, thereby providing the greatest measure of the benefits from Americas EB-5 program.

The integrity requirements of the bill that are imposed on regional centers and promoters in the EB-5 industry will provide much needed protections to all current and future EB-5 investors. Additionally, the proposed legislation also carries language intended to eliminate threats to national security through the EB-5 program by prohibiting foreign ownership or administration of an EB-5 regional center, new commercial enterprise or job creating enterprise. Perhaps most important to investors and regional center operators alike, the bill introduces measures for shortening and standardizing petition processing times.

The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act includes the following reforms and integrity requirements:

Background Checks for Regional Center and affiliated Job Creating Enterprise (JCE) principals



Elimination of foreign ownership or administration of regional centers, any New Commercial Enterprise (NCE), and JCEs



Require the USCIS to audit regional centers at least once every 5 years

Regional Centers must file a business plan and associated documents for an NCE in an application with the USCIS prior to investors filing I-526 petitions associated to the NCE



An NCE must engage a third party fund administrator or have annual independent third party financial audits of the NCE, and provides those audits to the USCIS and individual investors

Third-party promoters and migration agents must register with the USCIS and establishes requirements for transparency in payment of all fees to such third parties.



Establishes an EB-5 Integrity Fund - 100% funded by regional centers  allowing USCIS to audit, monitor, and ensure regional center compliance with the law

Source of funds vetting by USCIS strengthened to ensure investment funds lawfully sourced



Requirement for investor capital to be maintained in segregated accounts to prevent misuse

Protections for investors whose regional center is terminated or debarred



Protections for child age-out scenarios

Provides for a requirement for USCIS to research and identify fee structure that will allow for certain EB-5 applications to be processed within an identified target number of days



Allows for additional structured fees to be used to benefit USCIS improvements in electronic and IT processing and storage



As the leading regional center in the EB-5 program, CMB Regional Centers is unwavering in the support of the reauthorization of the EB-5 program and supports and encourages the passage of the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2021. Further, we invite all to get involved and show your support for Senators Grassley and Leahy. Lend your support by writing to your Congressman (a template is available through IIUSA), and by joining the Coalition to Save and Create Jobs.

The elements found in the Integrity Act present an opportunity to extend the EB-5 Regional Center program, protect investors, bring about needed ethics reform and best practices for regional centers, defend Americas interests, and provide the job creation benefits to the American economy today and for the future.

Additional Important information

If you would like to learn more about the EB-5 Investor Visa, or CMBs current EB-5 offerings, please contact us to schedule a free initial consultation with a CMB Investor Relations Manager.



To stay up to date with CMB and EB-5 News, Subscribe to CMBs Newsletter



CMB engages Prevail Capital, LLC, a broker-dealer registered with the SEC and a member of FINRA and SIPC, to be the administrative placement agent for all CMB EB-5 partnerships.

If you would like to contact CMB Regional Centers please call +1-309-797-1550 or email us at info@cmbeb5visa.com
In a strategic collaboration that will transform inflight connectivity for North American airlines and their passengers we have joined forces with Hughes Network Systems, the global leader in broadband satellite networks and services, to launch the ground-breaking connectivity solution, GX+ North America.

This unique connectivity service is unlike anything available from any other satellite provider as it ensures passengers on North American airlines will have access to gold standard connectivity wherever they fly.

The inflight broadband service passengers have long demanded

By seamlessly integrating the unrivalled capacity of the Hughes JUPITER High-Throughput Satellite (HTS) constellation across North America with the extensive worldwide coverage, redundancy, and reliability of our Global Xpress (GX) HTS satellite network, the connectivity expectations of todays digitally-savvy, always-on passengers will be met. The service they receive in the air is comparable to that which they enjoy  and take for granted  on the ground.

Not only is this great news for the regions flyers, its of critical importance to the areas airlines too. No longer will carriers have to compromise their Wi-Fi services on intercontinental flights. Now they can provide seamless, reliable and high-speed inflight broadband for the entire duration of the flight.

And whereas inadequate bandwidth had previously frustrated the best efforts of those involved in unlocking the commercial possibilities of connected service innovations, the ultra-high capacity offered by this single solution enables such potential to be realised. This means maximising the value of additional revenue streams such as retail, premium content, sponsorship and advertising. Additionally, airlines can now offer free Wi-Fi and be assured capacity will be met.

A new terminal ensuring a seamless experience

The flexible integration at the heart of GX+ North America allows passengers to get the best-in-class connectivity experience at every point in their journey.

The new terminal from GDC Technics includes a robust flat panel antenna developed by ThinKom. With its light weight, low drag, and smart dual aero modem technology, the terminal is truly next-generation. Its antenna intelligently selects the optimal network ensuring seamless switching and uninterrupted connectivity. While over continental USA passengers will connect to Hughes JUPITER satellite fleet. When a plane leaves US airspace the system automatically switches to our resilient Global Xpress network, thus ensuring reliability, consistency and certainty to the passenger experience every time.

The dynamism of GX+ North America is also bolstered by the fact that it can layer capacity when required  over busy airport hubs for example. In addition, the flat panel antenna intelligently chooses the optimal satellite path so there are no service interruptions or delays.

A solution that is future-proofed

GX+ North Americas fully-funded technology roadmap means aviations changing needs  from both airlines and passengers  will continue to be met. By 2025, the combined constellation of GX and JUPITER satellites will double to a total of 15 spacecraft.

These satellites  including Hughes ultra-high capacity JUPITER 3 satellite and our seven next-generation GX satellite payloads (6A, 6B, 7, 8, 9, 10A & 10B)  will increase capacity and coverage across the globe including providing polar coverage.

A catalyst for profitable recovery and sustainable growth

Connectivity is vital for returning passenger confidence and the future health of aviation. GX+ North America will not only play a critical role in reassuring passengers that it is safe to fly again in the coming years, it will also enhance passenger experience and allow airlines to take advantage of the ancillary revenue streams offered by high-quality connected services.

GX+ North America is a testament to our strategic vision and proof that amazing things happen when the industrys best collaborate.
MEXICO CITY, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --

New Notes Offering

The United Mexican States (" Mexico ") announced today the commencement of a global offering (the " New Notes Offering ") of its global notes to be denominated in U.S. dollars due 2041 (the " New Notes "). The New Notes offered may include New Notes that are issued and sold to certain tendering holders in the Tender Offer (as described below). BBVA Securities Inc., BofA Securities, Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC will serve as Joint Lead Underwriters for the New Notes Offering.

The New Notes Offering is being made only by means of a preliminary prospectus supplement and an accompanying base prospectus. Copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement and the related prospectus for the New Notes Offering may be obtained by contacting: BBVA Securities Inc., by calling +1-800-422-8692 (U.S. toll free), BofA Securities, Inc., by calling +1-800-294-1322 (U.S. toll free), Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, by calling +1-800-820-1653 or J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, by calling +1-866-846-2874.

Application will be made for the New Notes to be admitted to listing on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and admitted to trading on the Euro MTF Market of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.

Tender Offer

Mexico also announced today that it has commenced an offer to purchase for cash (the " Tender Offer ") its outstanding notes of the series set forth in the table below (collectively, the " Old Notes " and each, a " series " of Old Notes) in an aggregate principal amount of all series of Old Notes that does not exceed an amount determined by Mexico in its sole discretion (the " Old Notes Maximum Purchase Amount ").

Mexico will purchase notes of each series of Old Notes, in an aggregate principal amount for such series that does not exceed an amount determined by Mexico in its sole discretion (the " Maximum Purchase Amount " for such series).

Mexico will give preference to tendering holders who concurrently submit an indication of interest for the purchase of New Notes. " Indication of Interest " means the submission to the underwriters of the New Notes Offering, during the Tender Period, of a firm bid for an amount certain of New Notes at an indicated spread over the applicable Treasury bond yield. The Tender Offer is made on the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the Offer to Purchase, dated Tuesday, April 6, 2021(the " Offer to Purchase "), including the pricing of the issue of the New Notes in an amount and on terms and subject to conditions acceptable to Mexico, which is expected to occur today. All capitalized terms used but not defined under the heading "Tender Offer" in this communication have the respective meanings specified in the Offer to Purchase.

The tender period (the " Tender Period ") will commence at open of market today, and, unless extended or earlier terminated by Mexico in its sole discretion, the Tender Period will expire at 12:00 noon, New York City time, today for Non-Preferred Tenders and at 2:00 p.m., New York City time, today for Preferred Tenders.

Mexico expects to announce the Old Notes Maximum Purchase Amount, the aggregate principal amount of Preferred and Non-Preferred Tenders of each series of the Old Notes that have been accepted and whether any proration has occurred on Wednesday, April 7, 2021. The settlement of the Tender Offer is scheduled to occur on Friday, April 9, 2021 (the " Tender Offer Settlement Date ") and is subject to change without notice.

The purchase price to be paid for the Old Notes of each series that are validly tendered and accepted pursuant to the Tender Offer will be determined, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Offer to Purchase, based on (i) the U.S. Treasury Rate for such series, which is a yield to maturity (or par call date) based on the price of the Reference U.S. Treasury Security identified for such series in the table below and (ii) the Fixed Spread for such series set forth in the table below. Mexico will announce the price to be paid for each series of Old Notes at or around 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Tuesday, April 6, 2021 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Holders of the Old Notes participating in the Tender Offer will also receive any accrued and unpaid interest on their Old Notes up to (but excluding) the Settlement Date (" Accrued Interest ").

Old Notes

Old Notes Outstanding Principal Amount

as of April 5, 2021 ISIN CUSIP Reference U.S.

Treasury Security(1) Fixed Spread

(basis points) Hypothetical

Price(2) 4.000% Global Notes due 2023 U.S.$2,913,174,000 US91086QBC15 91086QBC1 2.875% due 9/30/23 +25 U.S.$1,086.07 3.600% Global Notes due 2025 U.S.$1,824,808,000 US91087BAA89 91087BAA8 0.75% due 3/31/26 +20 U.S.$1,092.04 3.900% Global Notes due 2025* U.S.$942,864,000 US91087BAJ98 91087BAJ9 0.75% due 3/31/26 +35 U.S.$1,101.26 4.125% Global Notes due 2026 U.S.$2,097,689,000 US91086QBG29 91086QBG2 0.75% due 3/31/26 +66 U.S.$1,116.59 4.150% Global Notes due 2027 U.S.$2,501,740,000 US91087BAC46 91087BAC4 0.75% due 3/31/26 +115 U.S.$1,115.99 4.500% Global Notes due 2029 U.S.$3,455,664,000 US91087BAF76 91087BAF7 1.125% due 2/15/31 +116 U.S.$1,116.69 4.750% Global Notes due 2032* U.S.$2,500,000,000 US91087BAK61 91087BAK6 1.125% due 2/15/31 +169 U.S.$1,121.77 6.750% Global Notes due 2034 U.S.$1,806,712,000 US91086QAS75 91086QAS7 1.125% due 2/15/31 +215 U.S.$1,302.01 6.050% Global Notes due 2040 U.S.$3,069,439,000 US91086QAV05 91086QAV0 1.875% due 2/15/41 +208 U.S.$1,217.39





(1) The Dealer Managers will calculate the applicable U.S. Treasury Rate using the bid-side price of the Reference U.S. Treasury Security on Bloomberg Pages PXI and PX5 (as applicable). (2) Per $1,000 principal amount of Old Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase (the "Purchase Price"). Holders will also receive Accrued Interest on Old Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase. Hypothetical prices are calculated for illustration purposes, using prices for the Reference U.S. Treasury Security as referenced on the applicable Bloomberg screen at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on Monday, April 5, 2021. * For the 3.900% Global Notes due 2025 and the 4.750% Global Notes due 2032, if the repurchase yield as determined in accordance with the Offer to Purchase is less than the contractual annual rate of interest for such series, then the Purchase Price for such series will be calculated based on the par call date for such series, and if such repurchase yield is higher than or equal to the contractual annual rate of interest for such series, then the Purchase Price for such series will be calculated based on the applicable maturity date for such series. The par call date for the 3.900% Global Bonds due 2025 is March 27, 2025. The par call date for the 4.750% Global Notes due 2032 is January 27, 2032.

During the Tender Period, a holder of Old Notes may place orders to tender Old Notes (" Tender Orders ") only through any of the Dealer Managers. If a holder does not have an account with a Dealer Manager and desires to tender its Old Notes, it may do so through a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company, other financial institution or other custodian that has an account with a Dealer Manager. Holders will NOT be able to submit tenders through Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., Clearstream Banking, societe anonyme or the Depository Trust Company (" DTC ") system. BofA Securities, Inc. as the billing and delivering bank for the Tender Offer (in such capacity, the " Billing and Delivering Bank ") will consolidate all Tender Orders and accept Old Notes for purchase pursuant to the terms and conditions in the Offer to Purchase on behalf of Mexico, subject to proration as described in the Offer to Purchase, on Friday, April 9, 2021 or as soon as possible thereafter. Mexico may subject each series of Old Notes to different amounts of proration in its sole discretion. Failure to deliver Old Notes on time may result, in the sole discretion of the Billing and Delivering Bank, in any of the following: (i) the cancellation of your tender and your becoming liable for any damages resulting from that failure, and/or (ii) the delivery of a buy-in notice for the purchase of such Old Notes, executed in accordance with customary brokerage practices for corporate fixed income securities, and/or (iii) in the case of Preferred Tenders, the cancellation of your tender and your remaining obligated to purchase your allocation of New Notes in respect of your related Indication of Interest.

To the extent proration occurs with respect to any series of Old Notes, the Billing and Delivering Bank will accept Old Notes of such series with appropriate adjustments to avoid purchase of Old Notes in principal amounts other than Permitted Tender Amounts. Each holder submitting an Indication of Interest and tendering Old Notes of any series shall be deemed to represent to Mexico, the Dealer Managers and the Billing and Delivering Bank that such holder held, from the time of its submission of its Tender Order through the Expiration Time, at least the amount of Old Notes of each such series as are being tendered.

All Old Notes that are validly tendered pursuant to Tender Orders and are accepted by Mexico will be purchased by the Billing and Delivering Bank on behalf of Mexico. Only the Billing and Delivering Bank will be liable for the payment of the Purchase Price and Accrued Interest for Old Notes validly tendered and accepted as instructed by Mexico. Mexico will not be liable under any circumstances for the payment of the Purchase Price and Accrued Interest for any Old Notes tendered in the Offer by any holder. There is no letter of transmittal for the Tender Offer. Old Notes held through DTC must be delivered for settlement no later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Tender Offer Settlement Date. If a holder holds Old Notes through Euroclear or Clearstream, the latest process it can use to deliver its Old Notes is the overnight process, one day prior to the Settlement Date; holders may not use the optional daylight process. Holders will not have withdrawal rights with respect to any tenders of Old Notes in the Tender Offer. Old Notes accepted for purchase will be settled on a delivery versus payment basis in accordance with customary brokerage practices for corporate fixed income securities.

Mexico may, but is not required to, issue and sell New Notes to holders who validly tender their Old Notes pursuant to the Tender Offer and place firm orders for New Notes during the Tender Period (as well as investors that are not participating in the Tender Offer). If Mexico determines to issue and sell New Notes to such holders, the scheduled settlement date for the New Notes is expected to occur on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 (the " Offering Settlement Date "). Any New Notes issued to tendering holders in the Tender Offer as described above will be consolidated and form a single series with, and be fully fungible with, the other New Notes of the same series, to be issued and sold pursuant to the offering of New Notes on the Offering Settlement Date.

Following payment for Old Notes accepted pursuant to the terms of the Offer, Mexico currently intends to redeem all or part of its U.S. dollar-denominated 4.000% Global Notes due 2023 (the " 2023 Notes ") that remain outstanding in accordance with the terms of the fiscal agency agreement relating to that series of notes. The Offer does not constitute a notice of redemption or obligate Mexico to issue a notice of redemption for the 2023 Notes.

The Tender Offer is subject to Mexico's right, at its sole discretion and subject to applicable law, to extend, terminate, withdraw, or amend the Tender Offer at any time. Each of the Dealer Managers and Mexico reserves the right, in the sole discretion of each of them, not to accept tenders for any reason.

The Offer to Purchase may be downloaded from the Information Agent's website at www.dfking.com/ums or obtained from the Information Agent, D. F. King & Co., Inc., at [email protected] or from any of the Dealer Managers.

The Dealer Managers for the Tender Offer are:

BBVA Securities Inc. 1345 Avenue of the

Americas, 44th Floor New York, NY 10105 Call toll-free: +1-800-422-8692 BofA Securities, Inc. One Bryant Park

New York, NY 10036 Call toll-free: +1-888-292-0070 Credit Suisse Securities

(USA) LLC 11 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10010-3629 Call toll-free: +1-800-820-1653 J.P. Morgan Securities LLC 383 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10179 Call toll-free: +1-866-846-2874

The Billing and Delivering Bank for this Tender Offer is: BofA Securities, Inc.

Questions regarding the Tender Offer may be directed to the Dealer Managers at the above contact.

Mexico has filed a registration statement (including the prospectus ) and the preliminary prospectus supplement with the SEC for the New Notes Offering. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement and other documents Mexico has filed with the SEC for more complete information about Mexico and the New Notes Offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov . Alternatively, the Joint Lead Underwriters, the Dealer Managers or the Information Agent, as the case may be, will arrange to send you the prospectus supplement and the prospectus if you request it by calling any one of them at the numbers specified above.

Important Notice

The distribution of materials relating to the New Notes Offering and the Tender Offer and the transactions contemplated by the New Notes Offering and the Tender Offer may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. Each of the New Notes Offering and the Tender Offer is void in all jurisdictions where it is prohibited. If materials relating to the New Notes Offering or the Tender Offer come into your possession, you are required by Mexico to inform yourself of and to observe all of these restrictions. The materials relating to the New Notes Offering or the Tender Offer, including this communication, do not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer or solicitation in any place where offers or solicitations are not permitted by law. If a jurisdiction requires that the New Notes Offering or the Tender Offer be made by a licensed broker or dealer and a Dealer Manager or any affiliate of a Dealer Manager is a licensed broker or dealer in that jurisdiction, the New Notes Offering or the Tender Offer, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be made by the Dealer Manager or such affiliate on behalf of Mexico in that jurisdiction. Owners who may lawfully participate in the Tender Offer in accordance with the terms thereof are referred to as "holders."

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities nor will there be any sale of these securities in any state or other 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 other jurisdiction. The offering of these securities will be made only by means of the preliminary prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus.

The New Notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the European Economic Area ("EEA"). For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, "MiFID II"); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 (as amended, the "Insurance Distribution Directive"), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II. Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the "PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the New Notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the New Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.

The New Notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investors in the United Kingdom (" UK "). For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client, 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 (as amended, the " EUWA "); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the UK Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended, the " FSMA ") and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to the Insurance Distribution Directive, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA. Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended) as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the "UK PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the New Notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the UK has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the New Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the UK may be unlawful under the UK PRIIPs Regulation.

In Belgium, the New Notes Offering and the Tender Offer are not directly or indirectly, being made to, or for the account of, any person other than to qualified investors (gekwalificeerde beleggers/investisseurs qualifies) within the meaning of Article 2(e) Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2017 on the prospectus to be published when securities are offered to the public or admitted to trading on a regulated market, and repealing Directive 2003/71/EC. (Reglement (UE) 2017/1129 du 14 juin 2017 du Parlement europeen et du Conseil concernant le prospectus a publier en cas d'offre au public de valeurs mobilieres ou en vue de l'admission de valeurs mobilieres a la negociation sur un marche reglemente, et abrogeant la directive 2003/71/CE / Verordening (EU) 2017/1129 van het Europees Parlement en de Raad van 14 juni 2017 betreffende het prospectus dat moet worden gepubliceerd wanneer effecten aan het publiek worden aangeboden of tot de handel op een gereglementeerde markt worden toegelaten en tot intrekking van Richtlijn 2003/71/EG), as amended or replaced from time to time (Belgian Qualified Investor), that do not qualify as consumers (consumenten/consommateurs) within the meaning of Article I.1, 2 of the Belgian Code of Economic Law of February 28, 2013 (Wetboek van economisch recht/Code de droit economique), as amended or replaced from time to time (Consumers). A Consumer within the meaning of Article I.1, 2 of the Belgian Code of Economic Law is any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside their trade, business, craft or profession.

As a result, the New Notes Offering and the Tender Offer do not constitute a public takeover bid pursuant to Articles 3, 1, 1 and 6,  1 of the Belgian law of April 1, 2007 on public takeover bids (Wet op de openbare overnamebiedingen/Loi relative aux offres publiques d'acquisition), as amended or replaced from time to time.

Consequently, the New Notes Offering and the Tender Offer and any material relating thereto have not been and will not be, notified or submitted to, nor approved by the Belgian Financial Services and Markets Authority (Autoriteit voor Financiele Diensten en Markten/Autorite des Services et Marches Financiers) pursuant to the Belgian laws and regulations applicable to the public offering or tendering of securities.

The New Notes Offering and the Tender Offer as well as any materials relating thereto may not be advertised, nor distributed, directly or indirectly, to any person in Belgium other than Belgian Qualified Investors acting for their own account who are not Consumers, and may not be used in connection with any offering in Belgium except as may otherwise be permitted by law.

The New Notes and the Old Notes will not be registered under Chilean Law No. 18,045, as amended, with the Comision para el Mercado Financiero de Chile (Financial Market Commission of Chile, or " CMF ") and, accordingly, the New Notes and the Old Notes cannot and will not be offered or sold to persons in Chile except in circumstances which have not resulted and will not result in a public offering under Chilean law, and in compliance with Norma de Caracter General (Rule) No. 336, dated June 27, 2012, issued by the CMF.

The New Notes may not be offered, sold or negotiated in Colombia, except in compliance with Part 4 of Decree 2555 of 2010. The Offer to Purchase and the New Notes Offering do not constitute and may not be used for, or in connection with, a public offering as defined under Colombian law.

The New Notes Offering and the Tender Offer have not been and will not be approved by the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority, as neither constitute a public offer in accordance with the EU Prospectus Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2017/1129) nor the Danish Capital Market Act.

This announcement does not constitute an offer to the public in France. It is not a prospectus within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation.

No prospectus (including any amendment, supplement or replacement thereto) has been prepared in connection with the New Notes Offering that has been approved by the French Autorite des marches financiers (" AMF ") or by the competent authority of another Member State of the EEA and notified to the AMF under the Prospectus Regulation; the materials relating to the New Notes have not been distributed or caused to be distributed and will not be released, issued or distributed or caused to be released, issued or distributed, directly or indirectly, to the public in France, or used in connection with any offer for subscription, exchange or sale of the notes to the public in France. Any such offers, sales and distributions have been and shall only be made in France to (i) qualified investors (investisseurs qualifies) acting for their own account, and/or to (ii) investment services providers authorized to engage in portfolio management services on behalf of third parties and/or to (iii) a limited group of investors (cercle restreint d'investisseurs) acting for their own account, all as defined in, and in accordance with, Articles L.411-2, II, D.411-1, D.411-4, D.744-l, D.754-l and D.764-1 of the French Code monetaire et financier.

In the event that the New Notes purchased or subscribed by investors listed above are offered or resold, directly or indirectly, to the public in France, the conditions relating to public offers set forth in Articles L.411-1, L.411-2, L.412-1 and L.621-8 to L.621-8-3 of the French Code monetaire et financier must be complied with. Investors in France and persons into whose possession offering materials come must inform themselves about, and observe, any such restrictions.

The Tender Offer is made in the Federal Republic of Germany (" Germany ") to existing holders of the Old Notes only.

The prospectus supplement does not constitute a prospectus compliant with the Prospectus Regulation and does therefore not allow any public offering in Germany. No action has been or will be taken in Germany that would permit a public offering of the New Notes, or distribution of a prospectus or prospectus supplement or any other offering material relating to the New Notes. In particular, no prospectus (Prospekt) within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation and the German Securities Trading Act (Wertpapierprospektgesetz) or any other applicable laws in Germany has been or will be published in Germany, nor has any prospectus or the prospectus supplement been filed with or approved by the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (Bundesanstalt fur Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht) for publication in Germany.

The prospectus supplement is strictly for use of the person who has received it. It may not be forwarded to other persons or published in Germany.

With respect to persons in Hong Kong, the New Notes Offering and the Tender Offer are only made to, and are only capable of acceptance by, "professional investors" within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong (the " SFO ") and any rules made thereunder. No person or entity may issue or have in its possession for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, any advertisement, invitation or document relating to the New Notes, Old Notes or the Tender Offer, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to the Old Notes which are or are intended to be tendered, or New Notes which are intended to be purchased, only by persons outside Hong Kong or only by "professional investors" as defined in the SFO and any rules made under thereunder.

The Old Notes and the New Notes, and the Offer to Purchase and the New Notes Offering prospectus supplement, and any other documents or materials related to such offers have not and will not be registered with the Italian Securities Exchange Commission (Commissione Nazionale per le Societa e la Borsa, or " CONSOB ") pursuant to applicable Italian laws and regulations. The Offer to Purchase and the New Notes Offering are being carried out pursuant to the exemptions provided for, with respect to the Offer to Purchase, in Article 101 bis, paragraph 3 bis of Legislative Decree No. 58 of 24 February 1998, as amended (the " Consolidated Financial Act ") and Article 35 bis, paragraph 4, of CONSOB Regulation No. 11971 of 14 May 1999, as amended; and, with respect to the New Bonds Offering, in Article 1, paragraph 4, letter c), of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.

Holders or beneficial owners of the Old Notes that are resident and/or located in Italy can tender the Old Notes for purchase, and the New Notes Offerings can be offered, sold and delivered, through authorized persons (such as investment firms, banks or financial intermediaries permitted to conduct such activities in Italy in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/1129, the Consolidated Financial Act, the CONSOB Regulation No. 20307 of 15 February 2018, as amended, and Legislative Decree No. 385 of September 1, 1993, as amended) and in compliance with any other applicable laws and regulations or with any requirements imposed by CONSOB or any other Italian authority. Each intermediary must comply with the applicable laws and regulations concerning information duties vis a vis its clients in connection with the bonds or the relevant offering. In Luxembourg, this announcement has been prepared on the basis that the offer of the New Notes, the Tender Offer and the potential exchange offer will be made pursuant to an exemption under Article 1 (4) of the Prospectus Regulation from the requirement to produce a prospectus for offers of securities.

Neither the Offer to Purchase, nor any other documents or materials relating to the Offer to Purchase have been approved by or will be submitted for the approval of, the Mexican National Banking and Securities Commission (Comision Nacional Bancaria y de Valores, or the " CNBV ") and, the New Notes have not been and will not be registered with the Mexican National Securities Registry (Registro Nacional de Valores) maintained by the CNBV, and therefore the Old Notes and New Notes have not and may not be offered or sold publicly in Mexico. However, investors that qualify as institutional or qualified investors pursuant to the private placement exemption set forth in Article 8 of the Mexican Securities Market Law (Ley del Mercado de Valores), may be contacted in connection with, and may participate in the Offer to Purchase, and can be offered with or purchase New Notes. The participation in the Offer to Purchase or the acquisition of New Notes will be made under such investor's own responsibility.

In Norway, the New Notes Offering and the Tender Offer are made only in accordance with applicable exemptions from the requirement to prepare a prospectus or offer document in accordance with the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. Accordingly, the New Notes Offering and the Tender Offer have not been and will not be filed with or approved by the Norwegian Financial Supervisory Authority, the Oslo Stock Exchange or the Norwegian Registry of Business Enterprises.

The Tender Offer is not intended for any person who is not qualified as an institutional investor, in accordance with provisions set forth in Resolution SMV No. 021-2013-SMV-01 issued by Superintendencia del Mercado de Valores (Superintendency of Capital Markets) of Peru, and as subsequently amended. No legal, financial, tax or any other kind of advice is hereby being provided.

The New Notes Offering prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the Offer to Purchase have not been and will not be registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. The Offer to Purchase does not constitute an offering of securities in Singapore pursuant to the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the " SFA "). The New Notes will not be offered or sold or cause that such New Notes to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase and will not offer or sell such New Notes or cause such New Notes to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, and has not circulated or distributed, nor will it circulate or distribute, this prospectus supplement or any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of such New Notes, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA) under Section 274 of the SFA, (ii) to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA) pursuant to Section 275(1), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA and (where applicable) Regulation 3 of the Securities and Futures (Classes of Investors) Regulations 2018 of Singapore or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Where the New Notes are subscribed or purchased in reliance on an exemption under Sections 274 or 275 of the SFA, the New Notes shall not be sold within the period of six months from the date of the initial acquisition of the notes, except to any of the following persons:

an institutional investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA);

a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA); or

any person pursuant to an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) of the SFA,

unless expressly specified otherwise in Section 276(7) of the SFA or Regulation 37A of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Securities and Securities-based Derivatives Contracts) Regulations 2018 of Singapore.

Where the New Notes are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:

a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or

a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor,

securities or securities-based derivatives contracts (each term as defined in Section 2(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries' rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the New Notes pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:

to an institutional investor or to a relevant person as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or (in the case of such corporation) where the transfer arises from an offer referred to in 276(3)(i)(B) of the SFA or (in the case of such trust) where the transfer arises from an offer referred to in Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA;

where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer;

where the transfer is by operation of law;

as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or

as specified in Regulation 37A of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Securities and Securities-based Derivatives Contracts) Regulations 2018 of Singapore .

None of the offer materials related to the New Notes Offering or Tender Offer have been approved or registered in the administrative registries of the Spanish Securities Market Commission (Comision Nacional del Mercado de Valores). Consequently, the securities may not be offered, sold or distributed in Spain except in circumstances which do not constitute a public offer of securities in Spain within the meaning of Article 35 of the restated text of the Securities Markets Act approved by Royal Legislative Decree 4/2015, dated October 23, 2015 (Real Decreto Legislativo 4/2015, de 23 de octubre, por el que se aprueba el texto refundido de la Ley del Mercado de Valores), Royal Decree 1310/2005, dated November 4, 2005 (Real Decreto 1310/2005 de 4 de noviembre), or otherwise in reliance on an exception from registration available thereunder.

The prospectus supplement is not intended to constitute an offer or solicitation to purchase or invest in the New Notes described therein in Switzerland, except as permitted by law. The New Notes may not be publicly offered, directly or indirectly, in Switzerland within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act (" FinSA ") and will not be admitted to any trading venue (exchange or multilateral trading facility) in Switzerland.

Neither the prospectus supplement nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the New Notes constitutes a prospectus as such term is understood pursuant to the FinSA, and neither the prospectus supplement nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the New Notes may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

Neither this communication, the Offer to Purchase nor any other offer material relating to the Tender Offer or the New Notes Offering has been approved by an authorized person for the purposes of section 21 of the FSMA. This communication, the Offer to Purchase and the prospectus supplement are only being distributed to and are only directed at (i) persons who are outside the UK or (ii) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the " Order ") or (iii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such other persons together being referred to as " relevant persons "). Any investment or investment activity to which the Offer to Purchase or the New Notes Offering relates will only be available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire the same will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. The New Notes will only be available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire the New Notes will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on the Offer to Purchase, the prospectus supplement or any of their contents.

The New Notes Offering and the Tender Offer qualifies as a private placement pursuant to section 2 of Uruguayan law 18.627. The New Notes and the Old Notes are not and will not be registered with the Central Bank of Uruguay to be publicly offered in Uruguay.

Contact information:

D. F. King & Co., Inc.

48 Wall Street, 22nd Floor

New York, NY 10005

E-mail: [email protected]

Call Collect:: +1 (212) 269-5550

Call Toll-Free: +1 (866) 829-1035

website: www.dfking.com/ums

ANY DISCLAIMERS OR OTHER NOTICES THAT MAY APPEAR AFTER THIS MESSAGE ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO THIS COMMUNICATION AND SHOULD BE DISREGARDED. SUCH DISCLAIMERS OR OTHER NOTICES WERE AUTOMATICALLY GENERATED AS A RESULT OF THIS COMMUNICATION BEING SENT VIA BLOOMBERG OR ANOTHER EMAIL SYSTEM.

SOURCE The United Mexican States

Related Links

http://www.dfking.com/ums


In light of the rising COVID-19 cases in the capital, the Delhi government has announced a night curfew for the territory. The restrictions for the night curfew are the following:

As stated by ANI, 'Night curfew imposed in Delhi from 10 pm to 5 am with immediate effect till 30th April.'



Also read: Ventilators Reportedly Transported In Garbage Trucks In Gujarat Amid Spike In COVID-19 Cases

No restrictions on traffic movement during night curfew. People can get vaccinated but need to have an e-pass. Owners of ration, general, fruits, vegetables & medical stores will be allowed on e-pass. Print & electronic media personnel will be allowed to move on e-pass:Delhi Govt  ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2021

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, "We will be reviewing the situation. In future, if the need for a lockdown arises, I will consult before taking any such decision."

However, it seems like the latest development in an attempt to curb the spread of coronavirus infections, the public is not very content with the government's decision to impose a night curfew.

There shall be no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement/transportation of essential/non-essential goods. No separate permission/e-pass will be required for such movements: Delhi government pic.twitter.com/2dcxsfp3dx  ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2021

While some think just a night curfew will not make a difference, others want to know the reason behind choosing the night time to impose restrictions when the day is when people are stepping out in large numbers.

People took to social media to express their views and opinions on the night curfew announced today.

Also read: Testing In Crowded Places, Negative Report For Malls: How BMC Plans To Curb COVID In Mumbai

It's my birthday month and then this happened

Oh no,

Oh no,

Oh, no, no, no, no

Not again :/#NightCurfew #NightCurfewindelhi  Blog stint (@BlogStint) April 6, 2021

Exactly , #NightCurfewindelhi does no good cause anyhow Nothing really remains open in night ... https://t.co/4av2KHlYRy  asrmyra (@Arya1842000) April 6, 2021

Anyone violating the #nightcurfewinDelhi should be vaccinated forthwith.  Anil Talwar (@aniltalwar2) April 6, 2021

Imagine, someone out there is having birthday tomorrow and he has made all arrangement for this midnight and now everything is ruined because of night curfew.

Everything is very uncertain these days. #NightCurfewindelhi  Kishan Pandey (@whtsappGraduate) April 6, 2021

Can anyone explain the science behind the #NightCurfew ?

Really curious #NightCurfewindelhi #NightCurfew  RAZZ RAHUL (@itzrazzrahul91) April 6, 2021

is there someone who can explain the meaning of "night curfew". Worst decision #NightCurfew  keshav kunal (@keshavkunal15) April 6, 2021

The Delhi government's decision to impose a night curfew has come after the Maharashtra government announced a night and weekend curfew till April 30.

On Monday, Delhi reported 3,548 new Covid-19 cases, taking its overall tally to 6,79,962, while its test positivity rate stood at 5.54 per cent, according to the health bulletin released by the Delhi government.

Delhi has reported more than 3,500 cases in four days in a row till today.
Moscow, April 6 : Russia will respond to the recent sanctions imposed by Kiev against Moscow amid the escalating conflict in eastern Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"The Russian side will react in such a way that is in line with our own interests," Xinhua news agency quoted Peskov as saying at a briefing on Monday.

He added that by doing this, Ukraine risks severing all remaining ties between the two countries.

According to the spokesman, Ukraine has not been fulfilling its obligations under the Minsk agreements, leading to an escalation of the ongoing tensions in parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, collectively known as Donbas.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday announced sanctions against Russia's international cooperation agency Rossotrudnichestvo, the Volga-Dnepr company, and more than 60 other Russian and foreign companies.

Russia voiced "serious concerns" over the escalation of armed confrontation between the Donbas insurgents and Ukrainian government forces, following the escalation of tensions in the region.

Commenting on the movement of Russian troops near the border with Ukraine, Peskov said last week that Moscow was taking necessary measures to ensure its border security and poses no threat to others.

During the weekend, Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists in the conflict-hit region accused each other of attacks.

Insurgents have controlled parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, collectively known as Donbas, along the Russian border for almost seven years.

According to UN estimates, more than 13,000 people have been killed since then.

Despite an agreed ceasefire, at least 21 soldiers have been killed on the government side since the beginning of the year.

According to the separatists, about 23 people have been killed in the same period.

A peace plan agreed in 2015 is on ice.

Meanwhile, the International Red Cross recently pointed out that parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions were among the most heavily mined areas in the world.
On Monday, Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) appeared on CNBC's Squawk Box to discuss the fact that various corporate CEOs working for companies headquartered in Atlanta decided to challenge Georgia's new voting law. Cotton scored on the usual factual points (Biden and others are lying about the law), but what fascinated me most was a point he made about corporate campaign donations.

Faced with leftist journalists, Cotton never lost his cool, nor did he bog everyone down in irrelevancies. For example, when Andrew Ross Sorkin injected race by pointing out that 72 Black corporate leaders had attacked the statute, Cotton calmly pointed out that they were ill informed  and then cited facts to make the point.

Something Cotton noted, which I hadn't heard before, is that demanding identification in the form of a driver's license is a better, more expansive system than the existing system based upon matching signatures. The latter system, he noted, can be "arbitrary and difficult for election volunteers to do."

That's a good argument to remember. Most of us will note the ways the law makes voting easier and then follow up by saying, "So the only problem for leftists is the demand for identification when requesting an absentee ballot." It's more powerful to say this is a better, fairer system.

Other than that, Cotton did a good job of making the usual points. He nailed corporate hypocrisy, given that Americans must show identification to board a Delta airplane or pick up a ticket from MLB "will call" offices.

He noted that Delta and Coca-Cola, even while they've been attacking Georgia's voting law, have been lobbying to oppose a bill calling out China's using religious minorities for slave labor. Delta also partners with a Chinese communist-owned airline. In other words, they have no qualms about doing business with a country in which there are no rights but are, instead, terrible civil rights abuses.

Sorkin tried to trick Cotton into admitting that there were no election irregularities in 2020 or into getting himself labeled on the left as a "crackpot" for claiming that there were in fact problems. Thus, Sorkin asked, "What is the evidence that there was a problem that triggered what is now 330 ballot restriction initiatives in 43 states?" He insisted (inaccurately) that the courts ran away from the cases showing election irregularities.

Again, Cotton kept his cool. He explained that Georgia's Governor Kemp had said that the elections were rife with "inefficiencies and delays and so forth. And it wasn't just on November 3rd. Look at their primaries in the summer as well. They had lines in which voters were waiting for hours." The whole point is to move more voters through the process quickly and efficiently.

Ultimately, said Cotton, "these ill informed CEOs are just buying it [woke smears] hook, line, and sinker because they don't want to be protested, they don't want to be boycotted, they don't want their little social justice warriors with their newly-minted Ivy League MBAs rising up in their head corporate headquarters." Huzzah! Bravo!

There's more of the same as Cotton bats aside the silly fibs Sorkin raises. What fascinated me, though, was Cotton's response when Sorkin threw a "gotcha" question at him:

You have been a recipient of money over the years from many of the same companies that are now speaking out publicly against these laws. How do you square that? I'm thinking of Bank of America, I'm thinking of Walmart, I'm thinking of Paul Weiss, a law firm which has now made a big effort to actually fight these laws across the county.

Most politicians would stumble over themselves explaining how they and the corporations are allies on other issues and that they can't be bought  a statement that always sounds dishonest. Cotton, instead, said something every politician should have on a placard sitting on his desk:

It's very simple, Andrew: I don't endorse my donors' agenda. They endorse my agenda. They know that when they contribute to me, whether $5 or $5,000, that I'm going to do what's right for Arkansas and what's right for America. And what's right for America is to have safe, convenient, accessible elections, and that's exactly what this Georgia law has done. What's not right is to have these moral corporate hypocrites weighing in on public policies when they don't have any specific knowledge about them, they don't have any particular expertise, and they haven't taken the time to inform themselves about the facts.

Yeah, what he said. Cotton just gave a master class in dealing with hostile media and stated the appropriate relationship between politicians and those who fund them.

Image: Tom Cotton on Squawk Box. YouTube screen grab.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
New Delhi, April 6 : Union minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday asked the Central Warehouse Corporation (CWC) to double its storage capacity by 2023 and achieve a turnover of Rs 10,000 crore by the FY 2024-25.

Goyal, the Minister of Railways, Commerce & Industry, and Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, reviewed the modernisation plan of the CWC and directed it to increase its storage capacity to 25 million tonnes from the presently 12.5 million tonnes.

In the review meeting, Goyal said that the tariff rationalisation and setting of warehouses should be done independently by the CWC without any bureaucratic interference, adding that the maximum power of decision making for operations should be delegated to the CWC.

He also asked the CWC to focus on building cold chain storage facilities in the country on a priority basis. Goyal instructed the CWC to conduct safety audit for fire, earthquake, burglary and accidents in all its warehouses regularly.

He further said that the CWC should build modern silos for wheat and rice storage all over the country, so that maximum grains could be stored for longer periods.

Goyal also said that the CWC should build more cold chain facilities for storing onion, potato and tomato in coordination with the NAFED.

The Union minister suggested that the CWC should prepare a masterplan for upgradation of all its 423 warehouses. The CWC should do a warehouse/storage gap analysis for agricultural produce and accordingly prepare plans with the help of architects and experts, he said.

The minister further said that the CWC should work in a mission mode for taking care of all the stakeholders, i.e., staff, clients, workers, truck drivers etc.
Napa County on Tuesday moved to orange on the states COVID-19 rating scale and is subject to fewer business and activity restrictions  for now.

Being in orange allows restaurants, movie theaters and fitness centers to serve more people indoors. Wineries can hold indoor tastings and bowling alleys can reopen.

The move up to orange takes effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.

But Dr. Karen Relucio, county public health officer, said that the countys most recent COVID-19 rates are trending higher. Unless that changes, the county could fall back into red on April 14.

Our overarching goal is to remain orange, Relucio told the Napa County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. We dont want this to be short-lived.

Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register.

Board of Supervisors Chairperson Alfredo Pedroza said businesses and residents want certainty. He noted the state with its rating system is trying to keep the health care system from being overwhelmed, something that isnt happening in Napa County.

Changes could be coming. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday said Californias economy could fully reopen on June 15, if vaccine supply is sufficient for Californians 16 years and older who wish to be inoculated and hospital rates are stable and low.
ROME, APR 6 - Premier Mario Draghi said Tuesday that it was time for Italy and Libya to rebuild their friendship in a joint declaration with his Libyan counterpart, Abdul Hamid Dabaiba, after a meeting in Tripoli on Tuesday. "It is a unique moment for Libya," Draghi said during his first trip to a foreign country as the head of the Italian government. "There is a government of national unity legitimized by parliament that is proceeding on the path of national reconciliation. "It is a unique moment to reconstruct what was a long-standing friendship. "It was an extraordinarily satisfying meeting," Draghi added. "We spoke about cooperation in the infrastructure, energy, health and cultural fields. "Italy will increase bursaries for Libyan students and the activities of the Italian Institute of Culture. "There is a desire to make this partnership the driving force for the future, with full respect of Libyan sovereignty". Draghi said a condition for cooperation to move forward was that the ceasefire in the North African country continues. "There is a desire to see trade and cultural exchanges return to the levels of five-six years ago," he said. (ANSA).
 Recommendations for needed reform to Massachusetts clemency process | Main | Just a week's worth of good reads from The Appeal 

April 6, 2021

"A Reintegration Agenda for the 117th Congress: Criminal Record Relief, Federal Benefits, & Employment"

The title of this post is the title of this notable new short report from the Collateral Consequences Resource Center. This blog posting at CCRC, titled "Second Chance Month: A Federal Reintegration Agenda" provides some background on the report. Here is the report's introduction:

The new Congress has an opportunity to make significant bipartisan progress on criminal justice reform, including reducing barriers to successful reintegration for people with a criminal record. This agenda recommends specific measures by which Congress can accomplish this. During the wave of criminal record reform that began around 2013, every state legislature has taken some steps to chip away at the negative effects of a record, thereby supporting opportunities to earn a living, access public benefits, education, and housing, regain voting rights, and otherwise reintegrate into society. Many states have entirely remade their record relief systems  authorizing or expanding expungement, sealing, set-aside, certificates of relief, and/or deferred adjudication  and limited the consideration of arrest and conviction records in employment and licensing. Congress has belatedly become interested in the reintegration agenda, limiting background checks in federal employment and contracting in 2019, and removing some barriers to public benefits in 2020. However, many federal barriers remain, and individuals with federal records have no access to the kind of relief mechanisms now available in most states. During the pandemic, the need to access opportunities and resources has been perhaps unprecedented. We therefore urge Congress and the Biden Administration to take an ambitious and bipartisan approach to criminal record reforms in the four areas described below: Record relief: Authorize federal courts to expunge certain records, grant certificates of relief, and increase use to deferred adjudication; give effect to state relief in federal law; prohibit dissemination of certain records by background screeners and the FBI; and, provide relief from firearms dispossession.

Authorize federal courts to expunge certain records, grant certificates of relief, and increase use to deferred adjudication; give effect to state relief in federal law; prohibit dissemination of certain records by background screeners and the FBI; and, provide relief from firearms dispossession. Federal public benefits: End record-related restrictions in financial assistance to small businesses, SNAP and TANF benefits, and student aid.

End record-related restrictions in financial assistance to small businesses, SNAP and TANF benefits, and student aid. Employment & licensing: Establish enforceable standards for consideration of criminal record in federal employment and contracting, and limit record-based restrictions in federally-regulated occupations.

Establish enforceable standards for consideration of criminal record in federal employment and contracting, and limit record-based restrictions in federally-regulated occupations. Voting rights: Allow voting in federal elections regardless of a person's criminal record unless currently incarcerated for a felony conviction.

April 6, 2021 at 10:13 AM | Permalink

Comments

I am a Prison Wife in Cincinnati, Ohio! I am trying to get my husband's criminal records expunged and sealed. He was released in Nov. 2020. I am so thrilled to find your blog and let me offer my round of applause for your work and effort! You are appreciated! I would be so pleased to stay in contact with you! I send you my warmest wishes and motivation to keep up your good work- you are changing my life for the better, and many other lives will also benefit from your care and effort. Your mind is a beautiful gift and I am so glad to know you have found a way to share your knowledge and expertise with the world, to make our world a better place for all of us. Thank you for you generosity, kindness, attention to detail and intense focus. What you are doing really does matter to those of us who would be lost without you. I have had to learn as I go through this nightmare alone, I've met so many wonderful advocates and I now add you to my list of new friends. I would be so honored to shake your hand, and meet you, whenever the opportunity presents itself. If you're ever in Cincinnati, Ohio please don't hesitate to look me up, I would be glad to have dinner with you and pick your brain. I hope to establish a lasting connection of friendship and solidarity.

Posted by: Natalie Spencer | Apr 12, 2021 12:57:13 PM

Post a comment
[April 06, 2021] LotLinx Continues Innovation With Addition of Marketing Executive Melanie Borden

PETERBOROUGH, N.H., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- LotLinx, the automotive industry's leading inventory marketing technology company, announced today that veteran marketing executive Melanie Borden has joined the company as the Vice President of Marketing. Borden has worked in several different settings in the automotive industry, from public tech companies to private startups, and most recently came from a retail automotive group based in the Greater New York City area. Borden joins LotLinx with a deep understanding of the industry and a proven track record of increasing profitability and exceeding business goals. With over 15 years of marketing experience, Borden has found her true passion in storytelling after building her personal brand. She takes great pride in using marketing to create positive associations between brands and their consumers. Most recently, Borden wrote a children's book called "Our Mommy Works with Cars," about the roles that women have in a retail dealership. "Melanie's experience and skill set around non-traditional markting methods will allow us to capitalize on the strength of the LotLinx brand," says LotLinx President Neal Gann. "As we continue to innovate and grow as a tech company within the automotive space, Melanie will be a valuable addition to the team."



At LotLinx, Borden will oversee marketing strategies, brand awareness, tactics, and efforts in order to strengthen the company's position in the industry while growing and expanding the brand. Borden joins LotLinx at a pivotal time in the company's development as it expands its mission to solve dealership pain points and eliminate waste in marketing strategies nationwide. This announcement marks another significant milestone for LotLinx following the release of TURNx, a browser extension that brings real-time pricing, demand, and competitor data right to a dealer's desktop.

"I am beyond excited that my journey with LotLinx is beginning," added Borden. "Harnessing my automotive retail experience, I plan to use every opportunity to grow the LotLinx brand to help dealerships close the gaps in going to market with their inventory - successfully and profitably." About LotLinx: Founded in 2012 and based out of Peterborough, NH, LotLinx harnesses today's industry data to develop a specific marketing plan for each vehicle on a dealer's lot. With a proven track record of progressing dealers to #1 in their markets, LotLinx is committed to providing precision-level marketing that accelerates inventory turn, increases gross margin, and returns control back to the dealer. To learn more about LotLinx, please visit www.lotlinx.com or email hello@lotlinx.com. Contact:

Mary McDonnell

marketing@lotlinx.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lotlinx-continues-innovation-with-addition-of-marketing-executive-melanie-borden-301263075.html SOURCE LotLinx

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A woman takes a photograph with her smart phone of a burnt out car at the Cloughfern roundabout junction following overnight Loyalist violence on April 4, 2021 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Northern Ireland Sees 3rd Night of Unrest Amid Post-Brexit Tensions

LONDONPolice and politicians in Northern Ireland appealed for calm on Monday after a third night of violence that saw Protestant youths start fires and pelt officers with bricks and gasoline bombs.

The flareups come amid rising tensions over post-Brexit trade rules for Northern Ireland and worsening relations between the parties in the Protestant-Catholic power-sharing Belfast government.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland said officers were attacked in Londonderry on Sunday night, and there was also unrest in two pro-British unionist areas near Belfast. Police said most of those involved were teenagers.

Chief Superintendent Darrin Jones condemned the senseless and reckless criminal behavior that [does] nothing but cause damage to the community.

The disturbances followed unrest Friday and Saturday in unionist areas in and around Belfast and Londonderry, also known as Derry, that saw cars set on fire and projectiles and gasoline bombs hurled at police officers. Police said 27 officers were injured, and eight people have been charged, the youngest a boy of 13.

Britains economic split from the European Union at the end of 2020 has shaken the delicate political balance in Northern Ireland, a part of the UK where some people identify as British and some as Irish.

A new UK-EU trade deal has imposed customs and border checks on some goods moving between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. The arrangement was designed to avoid checks between Northern Ireland and Ireland, an EU member, because an open Irish border has helped underpin the peace process built on the 1998 Good Friday accord.

The accord ended decades of violence involving Irish republicans, British loyalists, and UK armed forces in which more than 3,000 people died. But unionists say the new checks amount to a new border in the Irish Sea between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

The Democratic Unionist Party, which jointly governs Northern Ireland with Irish nationalist party Sinn Fein, has called for the Brexit deal to be scrapped.

Unionists are also angry at a police decision not to prosecute Sinn Fein politicians who attended the funeral of a former Irish Republican Army commander in June. The funeral of Bobby Storey drew a large crowd, despite coronavirus rules barring mass gatherings.

The main unionist parties have demanded the resignation of Northern Irelands police chief over the controversy, claiming he has lost the confidence of their community.

Mark Lindsay, chairman of the Police Federation of Northern Ireland, said the political atmosphere was being used as an excuse for violence, orchestrated by banned paramilitary groups.

Older, more sinister, elements use the youth and use children  to achieve their aims, Lindsay told BBC radio.
This is not an academic course; this is the manual everyone can use when suddenly youre a caregiver.

Age Safe America, LLC is pleased to offer the Family Caregiver ESSENTIALS online program to empower and support this invisible army. Being a Caregiver doesnt come with an instruction manual, and most family caregivers feel overwhelmed and under trained. This online video course offers real world advice for caregiving for aging parents or loved ones with short or long-term chronic illness. The information is presented by two professionals with personal experience and perspective on important topics that are essential tools in caregiving.

The free online program provides individuals with actionable ways to fulfill their role more effectively. Caregiving can happen suddenly or evolve over time and this program has topics along the entire spectrum of the caregiving experience. Individual modules address important topics such as care advocacy, creating care teams, self-care, impacts on home and career life, as well as planning for the legal and financial implications of caregiving.

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Monday's Supreme Court's ruling in favor of Google over Oracle left much of the software industry feeling like they'd dodged a bullet.

Why it matters: By resolving an 11-year-old dispute over rights to program code in favor of Google, the Supreme Court is allowing tech companies to largely continue with their practice of building on past software advances in creation of new technology.

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Driving the news: The court ruled 6-2 Monday that Google's use of a portion of Java programming code owned by Oracle was allowable under the rules of fair use, putting an end to what many in the industry saw as a threat to software interoperability.

The big picture: Software companies have always invented new products by building on others' work  sometimes aggressively enough to evoke cries of "thief!"

Microsoft's MS-DOS operating system was a rewrite of a competitor's very similar system. Apple expanded on ideas from Xerox to create the Macintosh. Windows, in turn, drew heavily on approaches used by the Mac.

Indeed, many companies have forsaken efforts to keep their code proprietary, making their underlying code and interfaces freely available under open source licenses.

Between the lines: The dispute centered on Google's reuse of the application programming interface (API) for the popular programming language Java.

APIs are essentially directions for different pieces and kinds of software to talk directly to each other.

By incorporating Java's API in the Android smartphone operating system, Google made it possible for legions of Java experts to write Android apps.

The long legal battle centered on whether an API is copyrightable.

Lower courts divided on that question, and the Supreme Court punted on it.

Since Google's use of Java was covered under fair use, the justices ruled, they didn't have to make a final call on whether you can copyright an API.

What they're saying: "This is a re-affirmation of what we, and I think most of the software development community and copyright community had always thought was American law," Google senior vice president of global affairs Kent Walker told Axios.

Story continues

"A ruling in the other direction would have been a tectonic shift in the way we've all dealt with software," he said, adding that the decision will help enable the next competitor to Google, too.

"From a policy standpoint, there is some logic to not making software developers reinvent the wheel, and spend money to create identical functionality using different forms of expression," said Bill Frankel, chair of Brinks Gilson & Lione's copyright group.

The intrigue: Oracle has agitated for regulatory action against Google for years, funding anti-big tech groups, lobbying states and members of Congress directly and taking shots at Google's business practices.

What's next: This case is done, but Oracle continues to support strong regulatory action on privacy, content moderation and antitrust targeting Google and other large tech companies, Ken Glueck, the company's vice president, told Axios.

"The U.S. software industry is going to be weaker as a result... I will guarantee you  it may not be me, but the software industry is going to go to Congress and reverse this decision," he said. "We fought a hard fight, we lost, we move on. But I see no reason why we'd say, everything else Google is doing doesn't matter."

The other side: "I would say the decision supports the use of Android and others in free and open source ways that benefit competition and consumers," said Walker.

Meanwhile: While not directly related to the case, CNBC reported that Google is in the process of swapping out some Oracle finance software in favor of SAP.

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The Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) has resumed international flights, one year after they were suspended over COVID-19 concerns.

The flights resumed at the new terminal of the international wing of the airport on Tuesday.

The Nigerian government had earlier announced dates for the resumption of international flights at the Enugu, Kano and Port Harcourt airports.

The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, announced the resumption.

We will be opening Enugu airport on the 3rd of May 2021, Kano on the 5th of April, 2021 and Port Harcourt on the 15th of April, 2021 for international flights, the minister had said.

PREMIUM TIMES learnt that the reopening of Kano International wing was delayed for a day due to the Easter Monday public holiday.

President Muhammadu Buhari had in March 2020 ordered the suspension of international flights to limit the spread of the virus and halt imported cases.

While domestic flights were also suspended at tge time, they resumed in September 2020.

The government later approved the reopening of international flights in batches beginning with Lagos and Abuja international airports.

On Tuesdays afternoon, Premium Times correspondent witnessed the arrival of the first flight operated by Ethiopian Airlines at the international wing of the airport, amidst excitement by residents and officials.

PREMIUM TIMES learnt that more flights are expected on Wednesday as officials expressed optimism that things will gradually returned to normal following months of uncertainty due to coronavirus pandemic.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-07 00:38:50|Editor: huaxia

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KAMPALA, April 6 (Xinhua) -- A court in the Ugandan capital Kampala on Tuesday charged two police officers over illegal possession of elephant tusks, weighing 23 kilograms.

Boniface Okello and Martin Ocen appeared before a Special Utilities Court at Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Court for being in possession of protected species under the Uganda Wildlife Act 2019.

Charles Twiine, police spokesperson for the criminal investigations directorate, told Xinhua by telephone that the offence attracts a maximum sentence of life imprisonment upon conviction.

"Every police officer that commits an offence is individually liable. They risk life imprisonment on conviction," said Twiine.

"We shall produce sufficient evidence to ensure that these culprits are successfully prosecuted and convicted," he said.

Most of the ivory in Uganda is smuggled from neighboring countries such as Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Uganda is mainly used as a transit point for smugglers of wildlife products as the offenders take advantage of porous borders. Enditem
LAST March 20, US authorities told hikers planning to tackle the 4,250km Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) to cancel their trips.

"Limiting the spread of the coronavirus - and the associated economic fall-out - requires sacrifice from everyone," the Pacific Crest Association said.

For Carmel O'Sullivan, that sacrifice has had heartbreaking consequences as the on- going searches for her missing son were called off.

The same association once told her it "wasn't a babysitting service" after she rang them to say she was worried about David, who had not made contact in days.

Expand Close David O'Sullivan who went missing in the US while hiking the Pacific Crest Trail on April 7, 2017 / Facebook

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Mrs O'Sullivan and her husband Con, from Midleton, Co Cork, last heard from their son on April 7, 2017.

"Every day I wake up and think, 'Please God, let today be the day they find him'," she said.

"It's the not knowing that's torture. You're always hoping and always waiting.

"His friends have moved on, they have girlfriends now or they're getting engaged.

"He's missing family moments and milestones that he should be here to celebrate.

"All his clothes are still here, even his books and his games."

In March 2017, David left Cork for the adventure of a lifetime.

He had just completed a media course as well as a degree in English and philosophy at University College Cork and had saved money from his job in a local garage in Midleton to fund his trip.

He was inspired by a book called Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail.

The memoir, by Cheryl Strayed, which was later made into a film starring Reese Witherspoon, describes a woman's journey of self-discovery as she hikes the trail.

The PCT runs from Mexico to Canada and takes hikers through vast desert, rough wilderness and the crests of the Cascade and Sierra Nevada mountains.

Hundreds complete the five-month trek every year, but dozens have lost their lives in accidents and many others have disappeared.

"We're not a big hiking family, so I had never even heard of the PCT," Mrs O'Sullivan said.

"I'd heard of the Camino, obviously, but that's a picnic in the park compared to this.

"At the worst, I thought he might fall or pull a calf muscle. I didn't think this was possible.

"I thought he'd give up and go away on a holiday. There's real hardship involved.

"You're talking seven or eight days of walking with no shower or hot food and sure, if you hit snow in the mountains, it's very dangerous".

On April 5, 2017, David arrived in Idyllwild, a town in the San Jacinto mountains, about 160km east of Los Angeles.

He was around two-and-a-half weeks into his hike and stayed in a hotel in the town.

He sent an update to his family via email, and that was the last time Mrs O'Sullivan heard from her son.

After withdrawing some money from a Bank of America ATM, he left on the morning of April 7 for the next stage of his journey through the mountains and has not been seen since.

Pre-Covid, volunteers from the California Irish community scoured the area looking for any signs of David.

Drones captured thousands of images that have been meticulously examined for any clue or sign of hope.

"They've found old shoes, tents, beds and a load of different things, but none of them was his," Mrs O'Sullivan said.

"It's the same as the beaches here, I suppose - people lose things, the wind takes them away and the animals take them away.

"We've even had people who went to psychics on our behalf.

"There's no harm in trying it, but I couldn't do it personally.

"It's strange the things you try. I would give anything to find out what happened."

Several hikers have given statements over the years, saying they might have seen David at some point on the trail.

However, none of these was positively confirmed.

The O'Sullivan family were due to travel to America last May, but the pandemic put a halt to that.

Mrs O'Sullivan used the time to join forces with the mother of another hiker who went missing on the PCT to set up the Fowler-O'Sullivan Foundation.

Sally Fowler's stepson Kris (34) disappeared in October 2016.

Four months into his trek and with fewer than 700km to go, he was last seen around White Pass in Washington.

The two mothers work with volunteers to guide the families of missing loved ones.

For her, her son Niall and husband Con, the wait goes on.

"We will always have hope, oh God we will. We can't give up. He'll never be forgotten by us," Mrs O'Sullivan said.




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Airlines have rushed to schedule hundreds of flights between Australia and New Zealand every week from April 19 in response to the opening of a bubble allowing quarantine-free travel between the two countries.

Air New Zealand boss Greg Foran said he expected strong demand from people desperate to reconnect with friends and family after being cut off for the past year, and had scheduled close to 50 per cent of his airlines pre-COVID capacity across the Tasman.

Qantas and Air New Zealand have scheduled hundreds of flights per week in response to the opening of a travel bubble. Credit:Wolter Peeters

Mr Foran said it was not clear whether the risk of the bubble closing again would deter visitors, after New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern warned on Tuesday it could be paused or suspended at short notice in response to COVID-19 outbreaks which could leave visitors stranded.

Theres no doubt that some people will be a little bit wary. Others will say: Im going and Ill take the risk, he said.
Mumbai, April 6 : Actor Sonu Sood on Tuesday tweeted gratitude to Telangana police for nabbing a fraudster who used his name to cheat people and take money from them via social media.

As per the report, the accused cheated people by claiming he was an advisor of Sonu Sood.

The actor also warned frauds to refrain from such activities saying they will be "behind bars soon".

"Thank you @cyberabadpolice @TelanganaCOPs @cpcybd @TelanganaDGP for helping us catch the culprits who are trying to cheat the needy. Requesting all the frauds to stop their activities else they will be behind bars soon. Stop cheating poor people," Sonu wrote on Twitter.

The actor's tweet came in reaction to a news piece that talks about the fraudster using his name to cheat people by taking money from them via Twitter.

The accused, reportedly called Ashish Kumar, hails from Muzaffarpur in Bihar. He was arrested by the Cyber Crime Unit of Cyberabad Police on April 4.
Busy Easter weekend for volunteer North East Wales Search and Rescue team

This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Apr 6th, 2021

The local search and rescue team have had a busy weekend, helping rescue two injured individuals.

The North East Wales Search and Rescue (NEWSAR) team were called to the scene on Saturday evening after the Welsh Ambulance Service requested their assistance to evacuate a man from a footpath above Garth, Nr. Llangollen who had sustained a lower leg injury and couldnt move without assistance.

The NEWSAR team said, The ambulance crew were already there and just needed our help to move him. Team members put him into our Casualty Bag and then onto our stretcher, before carrying him down to the waiting ambulance. 

On Sunday team was called by Dyfed Powys Police following reports of a person injured on a walk in uplands near Llangynog, The team set off to assist and we then used some phone technology to get an exact location

It soon became clear that the stretcher carry would be very long and it was in the casualties best interest to be evacuated more swiftly. We therefore requested assistance from HM Coastguard and the aircraft from Caernarfon picked up the casualty and took them to hospital.

The helicopter took the individual to Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

The large HM Coastguard large SAR chopper coming into town  appears call out was somewhere south of Bala  Wrexham.com (@wrexham) April 4, 2021

The NEWSAR service is made up of volunteers team members and they do not receive any payment for providing this service to society. You can read more about fundraising and donation to NEWSAR via this link.
An injection in the cheek with a local anaesthetic could banish tinnitus, the ringing in the ears that affects around six million people in the UK.

The drug, lidocaine, is already widely used to numb the gums during dental procedures, and as a nerve block before surgery.

Now research suggests injecting it into a specific bundle of nerves  called the otic ganglion  just beneath the surface of the inner cheek could also tackle tinnitus, by disrupting the transmission of rogue sounds to the brain.

Many of us suffer temporary tinnitus that lasts no more than a few hours, after attending a loud concert or having a cold, but for around one in 100 people, the ringing is a long-term problem.

This is especially the case in those over 60, as it often goes hand in hand with hearing loss.

The drug, lidocaine, is already widely used to numb the gums during dental procedures, and as a nerve block before surgery [File photo]

The tinnitus that occurs following exposure to loud noise, or as a result of ear infections, occurs when the tiny hair cells in the ear that help transmit sounds to the brain become stressed and emit excess quantities of glutamate, a chemical messenger.

This over-stimulates, and eventually kills, nerve cells in the inner ear, which normally send sound impulses up to the auditory cortex  the part of the brain that processes noise.

This leaves nerve cells in the auditory cortex in a permanently switched-on state, where they constantly relay sound to the brain, leading sufferers to hear ringing or buzzing, for instance.

By this point, the tinnitus is no longer being caused by the damaged ear cells, but is rooted in the brain itself and is more difficult to treat. Its often called phantom tinnitus, and there are no drugs for this.

Treatments instead include meditation to ease the stress it causes, or sound therapy, where patients listen to background noise such as music to distract them.

But another form, somatosensory tinnitus, stems from malfunctioning nerves in the face and upper spine involved in facial movement, touch and sensations of temperature and pain. These can affect the auditory system, causing tinnitus.

Some studies suggest somatosensory tinnitus accounts for more than half of all cases. The numbing jab is aimed at treating only this type.

The tinnitus that occurs following exposure to loud noise, or as a result of ear infections, occurs when the tiny hair cells in the ear that help transmit sounds to the brain become stressed and emit excess quantities of glutamate, a chemical messenger

Scientists at the University of Regensburg in Germany hoped using lidocaine to numb the otic ganglion  which is connected to the auditory pathway, the network of nerves carrying sounds to the brain  would have a blocking effect on the nerve cells causing tinnitus.

The scientists recruited 19 tinnitus patients and assessed the severity of their symptoms with a recognised questionnaire. They each had three jabs over two weeks, given in the cheek by the affected ear, or on both sides if both ears were affected.

The results, published in the journal Progress in Brain Research, showed the severity of symptoms dropped by more than a third, and disruption to everyday life from tinnitus nearly halved. Two thirds of the participants had temporary numbness in the cheek after the jab, and a quarter had a sore throat.

The researchers said their results show the injections are a feasible approach to treating tinnitus, with limited side-effects.

However, Dr Will Sedley, a tinnitus researcher and lecturer in neurology at Newcastle University, says more studies are needed.

The injection was not compared to a placebo which, in studies, would typically lead to a 30 per cent reduction in symptoms anyway, he says.

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Clarityn Allergy Syrup Mixed Berries Flavour can provide symptom relief for children aged two and over.

The sugar-free formula protects against more than 150 airborne allergens, including pollen and dust, says the maker. 5 for 60ml, most pharmacies.
Zac Efron has visited a farm in Victoria as he continues his tour of Australia while filming Netflix travel series Down to Earth.

The Hollywood actor, 33, shared a post on Instagram on Tuesday after stopping by Jonai Farms and Meatsmiths in Eganstown.

The photo showed Zac crouching down near a trio of black piglets, and was imaginatively captioned: 'Three little pigs.'

Too cute: Zac Efron visited the Jonai Farms and Meatsmiths in Eganstown, Victoria, on Tuesday as he continues his tour of Australia while filming Netflix travel series Down to Earth

On the official Down to Earth Instagram page, Zac and his co-star Darin Olien can be seen patting a large pig and speaking to a farmer.

'Jonai Farms raises the animals on their farm with love,' the post stated.

'Using regenerative and ethical farming methods, they're reframing the standards of agriculture by learning from the past.'

Loving it: The Hollywood star, 33, who is seeking out more sustainable ways to live on his Netflix docu-series, was enamoured by the 'three little pigs'

Zac is exploring some of Australia's most iconic tourist attractions for his new series Down to Earth.

On Saturday, he shared an incredible video of himself jumping into a waterfall in the New South Wales Blue Mountains.

'One way down,' he captioned the impressive boomerang clip.

'One way down': On Saturday, Zac shared an incredible video of himself jumping into a waterfall in the New South Wales Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains is about 100km west of Sydney.

Zac is travelling around Australia with wellness expert Darin Olien, the co-host of Down to Earth.

The docu-series will follow their search for healthy and sustainable ways to live.

He also embraces local food, culture and customs while exploring the land Down Under.
Russian foreign minister Lavrov said both his country and India had agreed to keep in close touch on the situation in the strife-torn nation, pointing to the contributions that neighbours and old powerful actors in the region can make in the Afghan peace process.  AFP

New Delhi: Batting unabashedly for the need to have the Taliban as part of the peace process in Afghanistan, Russia on Tuesday termed it a movement that is part of Afghan society. In remarks that raised eyebrows at a joint press conference in the presence of external affairs minister S. Jaishankar after detailed bilateral talks with him, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said the participation of all Afghan political groups was necessary in the peace talks otherwise, it is not going to be stable. A concerned and apprehensive New Delhi meanwhile told Moscow that for India, what happens in Afghanistan impacts its security directly, and that the (Afghan) peace process must be based on foundational principles to which we all subscribe, adding that a political solution should mean an independent, sovereign, united and democratic Afghanistan.

But in a clear indication of a tilt towards the Taliban, an unfazed Mr Lavrov told reporters that the exclusion of a group will not lead to implementation of a peace agreement and that it is fraught with the risk of hostilities. He said it would be sad if the Afghan peace process breaks down. The Russian stand and perceived softness towards the Taliban is seen by observers as further evidence of the new found proximity between Russia and Pakistan, that is seen as the main backer of the Taliban. Mr Lavrov also left for Islamabad Tuesday evening, where the Afghan peace process will no doubt be further discussed by him.

The Russian foreign minister said both his country and India had agreed to keep in close touch on the situation in the strife-torn nation, pointing to the contributions that neighbours and old powerful actors in the region can make in the Afghan peace process. He also referred to the Moscow format in this regard, a reference to recent Afghan peace talks in the Russian capital that had involved the Taliban.

Mr Jaishankar meanwhile said: One question on which we spent some time is the unfolding developments in and around Afghanistan. As you all know, the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process conference took place last week ... (in Dushanbe). There have been other discussions of a bilateral or plurilateral nature as well. Many more can be expected in the coming days. For India, what happens in Afghanistan impacts its security directly. I shared our approach that a durable peace there would require harmonising interests of all, both within and around that country. The peace process must be based on foundational principles to which we all subscribe. And a political solution should mean an independent, sovereign, united and democratic Afghanistan.

It may be recalled that India is strongly backing Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, who is hated by the Taliban. Mr Jaishankar had only recently reassured Afghan foreign minister Haneef Atmar of Indias long-term commitment towards a peaceful, sovereign, stable and inclusive Afghanistan where the rights of all sections of the society are protected within a democratic constitutional framework.

It may be recalled that in February, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed concern over the increasing violence in the war-torn nation and had called for a ceasefire and an immediate end to violence in Afghanistan. Mr Modi had reiterated New Delhis stand in favour of a peace process that is Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled, while pointing out how innocent citizens, journalists and activists are being targeted in a cowardly manner in the strife-torn nation, even as a desperate Taliban continues to mount deadly terror attacks in that country against its targets including women.

It may also be recalled that recently, while seeking a role for India as well apart from a host of other countries in the Afghan peace process, the United States under the Joe Biden administration had proposed a UN-led peace conference in Turkey attended by foreign ministers and envoys from Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran, India and the US.

India, which has already successfully carried out several development projects in Afghanistan, had in February announced that it would build a second dam there -- the Lalandar (Shatoot) Dam -- to meet the drinking water needs of Afghan capital Kabul. This is the second major dam being built by India in Afghanistan, after the India-Afghanistan Friendship Dam (Salma Dam), which was inaugurated in 2016.
Kellie Hwang, San Francisco Chronicle (TNS)

The Bay Area has yet another coronavirus variant to contend with.

Through genomic sequencing, the Stanford Clinical Virology Lab has identified and confirmed one case of an emerging variant that originated in India, according to lab director Dr. Benjamin Pinsky. The lab is screening seven other presumptive cases and should have the results early this week, he said.

According to Pinsky and news reports, the confirmed case is a patient from a Stanford Health Care clinic and likely occurred in Santa Clara County. County health officials said they are not yet monitoring the new variant because it is not yet on the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions list of concern.

The variant is being dubbed the double mutant because it carries two mutations in the virus that helps it latch itself onto cells. It could possibly be responsible for the troubling new surge in cases in India. It is not yet known if the variant is more infectious or resistant to vaccine antibodies.

Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at UCSF, said it appears the variant could be more infectious because it accounts for 20% of cases in the heavily hit state of Maharashtra. Chin-Hong said cases have increased more than 50% there in the past week.

It also makes sense that it will be more transmissible from a biological perspective as the two mutations act at the receptor binding domain of the virus, but there have been no official transmission studies to date, he wrote in an email.

One of the mutations, E484Q, is similar to the E484K mutation found on both of the variants first detected in Brazil and South Africa. The other mutation, L452R, is also found in a variant first detected in California. Pinsky said both mutations could possibly reduce neutralization by antibodies, therefore making vaccinations less effective against the strain.

This Indian variant contains two mutations in the same virus for the first time, previously seen on separate variants, Chin-Hong said. Since we know that the domain affected is the part that the virus uses to enter the body, and that the California variant is already potentially more resistant to some vaccine antibodies, it seems to reason that there is a chance that the Indian variant may do that too.

He said so far no studies have confirmed any of this. Still, Chin-Hong said it appears this variant may be more regional, as the B.1.1.7 variant that originated in the U.K. is the more dominant strain in India. And while its not certain if the variant is resistant to vaccines, he is optimistic that vaccinations will work given what is known about their efficacy against the variants originating from South Africa and California.

The latest discovery adds to the list of worrisome variants that have made their way to the U.S., including the widely spreading B.1.1.7. variant, which is 50% more infectious. The P.1 strain that originated in Brazil and a variant from South Africa have both been found in the Bay Area, and both are believed to be somewhat resistant to vaccines.

There are many cases statewide of the variants originating in California that are more infectious and could possibly be resistant to vaccines, and ones from New York identified in Santa Clara County that could also be potentially vaccine-resistant.

Pinsky said there is still much to be learned about the variant from India, but nobody should panic, especially because case numbers are down in California and large numbers of people are getting vaccinated.

Its important for us to continue to monitor the emergence of these variants, he said. The point is to keep getting vaccinated and to keep monitoring for the emergence of variants. I dont think it is of significant concern yet. We just have to be vigilant.


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Dr Michael Osterholm, director for the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, said the highly contagious Covid-19 variant first identified in the UK has now been reported in every U.S. state.



'America appears to be done with the pandemic. The virus is not done with us,' he told reporters.



76594 new coronavirus cases were reported in the United States on Monday, taking the national total to 30785415. This is higher than the 7-day average of 64851.



530 new deaths were reported in the country on the same day, which is lower than the weekly average of 794. With this, the COVID death toll in the U.S. increased to 555615.



New York led in both COVID metrics - 6717 new cases and 71 deaths.



CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said cases are increasing nationally, and that these increases are partly due to more highly transmissible variants.



CDC's most recent data show the seven-day average of new cases is about 64,000 per day. This is approximately 7 percent more compared to the prior seven-day period.



'Importantly, we are now entering our fourth week of increased trends and cases,' Dr. Walensky saidf at a White House news conference.



Hospital admissions have also increased. The most recent seven-day trend average is about 4,970 admissions per day.



Deaths have decreased to an average of approximately 800 per day.



White House Senior Advisor for COVID Response Andy Slavitt said that an average of 3.1 million vaccine shots are being administered to people in the U.S. every day.



Over the weekend, there were more than 4 million recorded vaccinations in a single day for the first time.



Nearly one in three Americans and over 40 percent of adults have at least one shot, and nearly one in four adults are fully vaccinated. More than fifty-five percent of seniors are fully vaccinated.



Till Monday, more than 106 million people have received at least one dose, and more than 61.4 million, or 18.5 percent, are fully vaccinated, Slavitt told reporters.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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Ardonagh Global Partners accelerates the international strategy of the Ardonagh Group

Announces acquisition of AccuRisk Solutions LLC ("AccuRisk"), a US-based medical stop loss Managing General Underwriter (MGU)

Following summer 2020 refinancing, to date Ardonagh has committed to invest 155 million in M&A

LONDON, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ardonagh Group ('Ardonagh' or the 'Group'), a Top 20 Global Broker with gross written premium in excess of $10 billion, today announces the launch of Ardonagh Global Partners ("AGP") and its first acquisition in the United States.

AGP's strategy is to invest in leading platforms operating in attractive markets and product verticals outside of the UK and Europe and will sit within Ardonagh's new International platform. By offering access to Ardonagh's commercial capabilities, management expertise and funding, AGP will become a partner of choice for best in class management teams.

AGP will be led by Des O'Connor, who ran a successful buy-and-build strategy as CEO of Bravo Group, the largest network of independent insurance brokers in the UK which became part of Ardonagh in 2020.

AGP has today agreed to acquire US healthcare and benefits underwriter AccuRisk in a joint venture with the Amynta Group. In addition to AccuRisk, AGP will oversee Resilium, Australia's largest independently owned intermediary network, and M&A specialist broker Hemsley Wynne Furlonge LLP, companies it acquired February and March 2021 respectively. All three acquisitions have been funded through the Group's committed acquisition facility.

Resilium is Australia's largest independently owned intermediary network and will act as the centrepiece of the Australian operations and allow Ardonagh to leverage opportunities for the wider portfolio within Australia.

Hemsley Wynne Furlonge is a specialist M&A insurance broker which structures bespoke insurance solutions for transactional risks, specialising in Warranty & Indemnity, Tax, Contingent Risk, and Environmental Indemnity products. With offices in London and Germany, the business has grown substantially since its launch in 2014.

AccuRisk is a Chicago-based MGU specialising in medical stop loss, occupational accident and supplemental health products for small and mid-sized businesses. The US medical stop loss market has rapidly expanded from $10 billion in 2010 to $24 billion in 2020, as employers look for alternatives to the fully insured market. AccuRisk has also expanded into the Captive and Ancillary service lines as these markets have significant growth opportunities in the US. The acquisition will allow Ardonagh to enter the strategically important US market which is the largest insurance market in the world.

In 2020, Ardonagh generated 9% of its Pro Forma Income of 836 million from its International platform from an almost standing start in 2019, demonstrating the rapid growth of this segment. The Group expects further substantial growth and investment in Ardonagh International over the next 12 months and beyond.

David Ross, Chief Executive of Ardonagh, commented: "The creation of Ardonagh Global Partners opens an exciting new chapter in our story with presence in three continents in addition to our global wholesale operations.

"With every acquisition, we aim to become a strategic partner to high quality businesses and management teams, leveraging our collective scale and expertise to build value for all concerned."

NOTES TO EDITORS

THE ARDONAGH GROUP

The Ardonagh Group Limited is a holding company and is not regulated. Various subsidiaries of the Group are regulated, as required, to conduct their business.

The Group is the UK's largest independent insurance broker powered by a network of over 100 locations across the UK and Ireland and a workforce of over 7,000 people.

Formed in 2017, Ardonagh today brings together best-in-class brands in specialist haulage businesses and vans, classic cars and motorcycles and private health insurance to UK SMEs.

The Ardonagh Group was established in 2017 with the backing of majority shareholders HPS and Madison Dearborn Partners, two blue chip US based private equity groups.

For more information, please contact: [email protected]

Contact:

+44 (0) 20 7250 1446

SOURCE Ardonagh Group
A Monasteraden man, who admitted charges of possession of and of selling cocaine and cannabis in Carrick-on-Shannon has been given an 11 month jail sentence suspended for two years, at Sligo District Court.

Thirty-year-old Patrick Evans, Clogher, Monasteraden pleaded guilty to the charges that happened on September 20, 2019 at Rosebank Retail Park, Carrick-on-Shannon.

Defence solicitor Tom MacSharry said the defendant, who appeared in custody via video link, was pleading guilty to the charges.

There was also a report from his addiction counsellor before the court.



Sergeant Derek Butler said that the drugs included 470 of cocaine, 171.86 of cannabis and the rest was ecstasy that was found in the car he was driving.

The defendant had 49 previous convictions including five counts of driving with no insurance, false imprisonment and obstruction.

It was noted the defendant is currently in custody on other matters, and is due for release on June 26.

In a letter read out to the court, the defendant said he was asking the court for a chance and said his past behaviour had a deep effect on him.

He said he had a life changing experience in prison, was an enhanced prisoner and was a model prisoner in Loughan House open prison since last July.

He was employed as a cleaner and trusted with the keys to open the gym every morning and he had taken full advantage of the educational facilities including studying Spanish, and health and fitness something he was passionate about and keen to pursue once he got out of jail.

He was working with an addiction counsellor who was helping him to deal with his past.



He was now 30 years of age and was not proud of what he had done and was looking forward to getting back into society and was aware of the hurt he had caused his loved ones.

He added that drugs destroys lives, and he was apologising to society for the man he used to be and to his partner and family for the decisions he had taken in the past.

Mr MacSharry said there was a very impressive report from the defendants addiction counsellor.

The solicitor asked the court to note the early plea and to be as lenient as possible given what he had told the court.

He has covered everything I would say.

Judge Kevin Kilrane said the defendant had made a very effective plea for mercy.

But noted anyone with 46 previous convictions would make the court a bit sceptical, and someone with that background would have a certain skill in making a plea for leniency adding he certainly has that skill.



The defendant said he had a girlfriend and a two-year- old child as an incentive for him to go straight.

The defendant had been moved to Loughan House, which was an open prison which indicated that he was trusted by the prison authorities and may indicate that he realises at this stage, that the way forward is not to re-offend.

The judge said he assumed if the court made a custodial sentence the defendant would be sent back to Castlerea jail.

The judge added that he had an impressive report from the defendants addiction counsellor which backs up his plea that he had indeed turned a corner.



The judge gave the defendant an 11 month jail sentence suspended for two years on the charge of selling drugs and he took the simple possession charge into consideration.

The terms of the suspension were for there to be no credible allegations against him in respect of dangerous and drunk driving or any other matter relating to illegal drugs. Judge Kilrane remanded the defendant on a bond of 100.
Lexmark, a global imaging solutions leader, is being acknowledged by CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, in its 2021 Partner Program Guide. This annual guide provides a conclusive list of the most distinguished partner programs from leading technology companies that provide products and services through the IT Channel. The 5-Star rating is awarded to an exclusive group of companies that offer solution providers the best of the best, going above and beyond in their partner programs.

Given the importance of IT vendor channel programs, each year CRN develops its Partner Program Guide to provide the channel community with a detailed look at the partner programs offered by IT manufacturers, software developers, service companies, and distributors. Vendors are scored based on investments in program offerings, partner profitability, partner training, education and support, marketing programs and resources, sales support, and communication.

Lexmark was honored for its Lexmark Connect program, which features different tracks tailored to a partner's specific business model and customer base with geo-specific offers and programs that consider a partner's unique challenges. The program's tiered rewards structure makes it easy for partners to grow revenue and profitability.

"Recognition for the fourth consecutive year in CRN's Partner Program Guide and 5-Star rating validates our continued commitment to our channel partners," Brock Saladin, Lexmark senior vice president and chief commercial officer. "The Lexmark Connect partner program aims to deliver secure, reliable devices and innovative solutions that differentiate our partners and help them build long-lasting relationships with their customers. The 5-Star recognition confirms this program delivers real value to Lexmark partners."

"As innovation continues to fuel the speed and intricacy of technology, solution providers need partners that can keep up and support their developing business," said Blaine Raddon, CEO of The Channel Company. "CRN's 2021 Partner Program Guide gives insight into the strengths of each organization's program to recognize those that continually support and push positive change inside the IT channel."

The 2021 Partner Program Guide will be featured in the April 2021 issue of CRN and online at http://www.CRN.com/PPG.

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Learn more about Lexmark Channel Programs.

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Lexmark creates innovative IoT- and cloud-enabled imaging technologies that help customers

worldwide achieve their vision of print simplicity, security, savings and sustainability.

Lexmark and the Lexmark logo are trademarks of Lexmark International, Inc., registered in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About The Channel Company

The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers and end-users. Backed by nearly 40 years of unequaled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. http://www.thechannelcompany.com

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 2021. CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, LLC. All rights reserved.
Burma Myanmar Military Raids Kachin Churches

A Kachin Baptist Convention prayer service on Easter Sunday, April 4. / KBC

Myanmars military regime has searched churches in Mohnyin Township, Kachin State, claiming illegal activity was taking place.

Northern Command troops searched Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC), Roman Catholic Association and Anglican Association churches in Mohnyin on Saturday.

It was not a random search. They were thorough, climbed over fences and went into every building in the compound. An officer came through the door but did not say a word and went straight to search my house, said Rev. Awng Seng of Mohnyin KBC.

Soldiers only said they had been informed a protest leader was inside the compound and that religious leaders were participating in anti-regime protests.

They also searched dustbins, said the priest.

This is a religious site that shares Christian teachings. If they want to search, they should have sought faith leaders approval. Instead, weapon-wielding personnel arrived like they were conducting a military operation. It is unacceptable and I strongly condemn it. If they behave like this on religious land, we cant imagine how they behave in peoples homes. Nowhere is safe, said Rev. Awng Seng.

The security forces reportedly found nothing illegal in all three churches.

A member of the Roman Catholic Association said: They searched everywhere. They were also after anti-regime protesters. They even searched our motorbikes.

On March 13, the security forces carried out a midnight search at Kachin Theological College and Seminary (Nawng Nang) in Kachin States capital, Myitkyina.

The military, however, sought prior approval from the KBC to search the college.

Dr. Hkalam Samson, the KBC president, said: We religious associations always preach for the truth. Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims do the same. As religious organizations always preach for the truth, searching religious buildings is appalling.

Searches using unnecessary force were signs of a dictatorship, he said.

Religious sites are sacred. Not to mention God, people dont like bullying with rifles and boots in a sacred place, he added.

On March 1, the security forces broke open the gate of a KBC church in Lashio, northern Shan State, and detained more than 10 faith leaders and staff for two days. They fired shots inside the church while looking for anti-regime protesters who had reportedly run into the compound.

With over 400,000 members and 429 churches, the KBC plays a leading role in Kachin political and social issues.

The KBC has said it opposes the military regime and has been holding daily prayer services, asking for a federal democracy with equality.

You may also like these stories:

Myanmar Regime Detains Family of NLD Fugitive, Including Three Children

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Outspoken GAA pundit Joe Brolly is involved in high-level talks aimed at bringing vaccine manufacturing to Ireland.

The plan is described as involving high-powered people, at the very highest level in the world.

Mr Brolly, a personal friend of US president Joe Biden, is acting as a conduit for a number of individuals with interests in the pharmaceutical industry in this country.

The Derry barrister met with Taoiseach Micheal Martin about his proposal. Senior executives in the IDA were also called in to follow up.

The plan would involve a specific pharmaceutical plant in the south of the country manufacturing vaccines next year for a multinational which has developed a jab.

However, the plan has hit a wall due to a lack of interest from vaccine developers in sub-contracting to other producers.

Most of the main players in the Covid-19 vaccine market are already based in Ireland with Pfizer in Cork, Dublin, and Kildare; Johnson & Johnson in Cork, Limerick and Dublin; and AstraZeneca in Dublin. The IDA is regularly in contact with these companies and a host of other medicine and medical supplies companies based here.

Mr Brolly held a meeting with Mr Martin last month, just days before the Taoiseachs meeting with president Biden on St Patricks Day.

The Taoiseach had a virtual call with Joe Brolly on March 11. Following the call, the Taoiseach asked the IDA to engage with the company to see if it could play any role in helping with vaccine supply, a spokesman for Mr Martin said.

Mr Brolly was unavailable for comment. The IDA had no comment to make.

Sources close to the process say the plan would help Ireland secure vaccine supply into the future. The production of up to 20 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine at the plant in the south of the country was suggested. The plant would need to be upgraded to produce the vaccines so production couldnt happen until at least next year.

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Tanaiste Leo Varadkars view on the proposal has been sought and Health Minister Stephen Donnelly was asked about the plan last week. Fine Gael Senator Paddy Burke said he was aware there was a proposal before Government on vaccine production in Ireland.

This would create jobs and would come at no cost to the taxpayer. The Taoiseach is aware of the proposal. Some very high-powered people, at the very highest level in the world, are involved. I hope that the minister will pursue this as it would allow vaccines to be produced in this country for next year and would give us the safeguard of having our own vaccines here, he said in the Seanad.

Senator Burke also said the Government has to ensure pharmaceutical companies based here, which may have spare capacity because there has been no flu this year, can produce Covid-19 vaccines. He wants the Departments of Health, Finance and Enterprise to assess if vaccines could be produced in this country.

The IDA made an approach to a major multinational involved in vaccine production to sound them out about using another Irish-based plant. However, the developers were not interested.

The EU is also keen to increase the amount of vaccine being produced in Europe. The IDA has been in contact with the pharmaceutical companies based in Ireland to see if any of them have spare capacity to produce vaccines.

Every pharmaceutical plant here is already at full capacity, making important drugs to treat diseases like cancer, hepatitis, HIV and heart conditions. Theres no question of being able to displace those drugs as they are part of a global supply chain. To expand to production of Covid-19 vaccines would require huge investment. The kind of plant would have to be very high spec and a new plant would take too long, a source said.

Sources close to the talks say it is in Irelands interest to have vaccine production based in this country.

We should be doing everything we can to make it happen. There have been contacts with the Taoiseachs department. Its embarrassing for the IDA that none of the pharmaceutical companies based here are producing the vaccines, a source said.
Mexico faces important challenges in access to health , due to the fact that in the last 30 years there has been an underinvestment in this area.

While most OECD member countries invest an average of 9 percent of Gross Domestic Product, Mexico has historically allocated 6 percent.

"This difference is a problem, since it significantly affects the out-of-pocket spending of Mexicans," explains Hector Valle Mesto, FUNSALUD executive president.

The out-of-pocket health expenditure of Mexicans is 41 percent, while in the rest of Latin America it is 28 percent.

COVID-19, an accelerator in issues of access to health

To reduce out-of-pocket expenses, comprehensive health systems must be created that lead the population towards preventive behaviors that minimize catastrophic expenses derived from the complication of a disease.

In 2020, serious diseases such as diabetes or cancer - which could be prevented with adequate care - were among the most expensive with an average price of 200 thousand pesos.

With the aim of helping more Mexicans to reduce these expenses through primary care, since February the Consorcio Mexicano de Hospitales has contributed to the amplification of the scope of the health services of the AXA Keralty alliance through the contribution of the infrastructure of its 45 hospitals located in 43 cities of the country.

Through this agreement with the insurer AXA, Mexicans will have access to different quality medical services such as unlimited consultations for general medicine, specialties and studies, depending on the chosen modality.

The product created by this alliance offers unlimited consultations for 2,799 pesos, in order to add clients in the private health insurance market.

First contact care has been neglected by the private sector, so it is time to create a link, explained Alejandro Perez Galindo, CEO of Axa Keralty.

This service has provided medical care, from August 2019 to date, to more than 70 thousand patients in its Medical Attention Centers and carried out about 42 thousand video consultations.

Some of the cities that AXA Keralty users will access to this comprehensive private health system are Guadalajara, Hermosillo, Queretaro, Puebla, Mexicali and Ciudad Juarez.

In 2020, serious diseases such as diabetes or cancer were among the most expensive with an average price of 200 thousand pesos / Image: Depositphotos.com

Home clinic

Quick and effective health tools are needed now more than ever to deal with the pandemic . In this context, various service providers undertook certain actions, but in the face of the coronavirus maelstrom, they considered that an alliance would be more beneficial.

This is how 'Home Clinic' arose, an effort between public and private sector institutions to offer a platform that facilitates comprehensive medical care to patients with Covid-19 and their families.

With the arrival of the Easter holidays, infections could increase, so having verified information on hand and, above all, various service providers in one place is invaluable.

Online care directory, informative videos, specific oxygen services, home pharmacies and postcovid care, are just some of the items on the 'Home Clinic' page, which is already in service.

We learned that what is missing is who to look for and how; these alternatives help what is most important: early care specified the executive president of FUNSALUD, Hector Valle Mesto.

Telemedicine, on the rise

Telemedicine is already a reality, recalled Morgan Guerra, CEO of Previta, a company specializing in disease prevention.

An investigation carried out in the United States revealed that in March 2020 telemedicine grew more than 1,000 percent and by April it reached 4,000 percent. In Mexico the increase was similar, he says.

Hospital saturation pushed the global population to medical care through digital media. "You already know that it is safe," Guerra said.

And the figures speak: Of the five thousand patients that Previta has treated in this pandemic, only 7 percent were referred to a hospital and only 1.2 percent died.

Plus, the cost of home care is only a fraction of what you would spend in a hospital, so having telemedicine is a benefit. This modality will transcend Covid; after this, not only will traditional media exist .

Technology is making the world live an unusual approach in the field of health. "I never thought I would see this now," says Marilu Acosta, telemedicine coordinator at the ABC Medical Center.

The pandemic took us out of the comfort zone

A situation like the current one can be fought with joint work, says Alejando Lara, medical director of Farmacias del Ahorro. "This is going to be a differentiator in the fight against this pandemic, since both the doctor and the patient left their comfort zone and used new tools."

A robust information platform allows conscious decision making.

"Today, access to health in a more practical, cheap and risk-free way is very important. It is a way of protecting each other" explains Jose Antonio Crespo from Farmalisto, a digital home health platform.

In addition, it helps greater coverage, which is not possible now in the absence of health professionals. "In Mexico there are 180 thousand doctors, they are few, since it represents 2.1 doctors for every thousand inhabitants, when the ideal is 3.4 for every thousand, according to OECD standards," says Crespo.

Hospital saturation pushed the global population to medical care through digital media / Image: Depositphotps.com

Prevention, the main objective of the platform

Remote monitoring of vital signs and symptoms not only helps prevent complications, but also makes it possible to accompany patients and their families in the diagnosis or suspicion of COVID-19 and the steps to follow to have adequate treatment.

Users will find a directory of remote healthcare platforms, as well as information on federal and state public services, linked to Covid-19 care.

Participate:

ABC Medical Center

Axa Keralty

Savings Pharmacies

Pharmacist

Midoconline

Anticipates

Viive / Med Silanes

The page offers information on specialized services such as pharmacies, ambulances, oxygen and home services for taking laboratory samples or face-to-face consultations.

Free and risk-free medical training

One more agreement, but that this case favors doctors, is the one between Fundacion IMSS and Novartis Mexico. The alliance aims to provide doctors with free access to a platform for digitizing medical offices and online medical guidance that favors their practice through Telemedicine.

Once registered, they will be able to be trained through interactive content, access to the most recent publications in various specialties, live broadcasts, personalized advice or together.

They also have the possibility to interact and communicate with their peers and, above all, they will have a secure digital space to give online medical guidance to their patients.

"The agreement is of great relevance, as it will allow specialist doctors to train for free in a virtual environment, that is, without putting people at risk given the health contingency" explains the director of the IMSS Foundation, Ana Lia de Fatima Garcia .

The impact of this cutting-edge tool on the control of diseases and the well-being of patients, especially in chronic-degenerative diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, will be evaluated by the IMSS Foundation.

ConsultorioMOVIL.net will make it easier for doctors to forget about files on paper or in other impractical formats, since the digital clinical record may contain the patient's symptoms and the photographs necessary to facilitate diagnosis and follow-up may be shared and saved.

In the same way, formats will be offered to contain the results of laboratory and image studies and their historical behavior will be displayed.

Doctors will be able to consult the Vademecum, as it is complete and preloaded.

These tools will allow the doctor to improve their practice and benefit from digital and personalized monitoring, points out Fernando Cruz, president of Novartis Mexico.

In addition, they have access to a free and encrypted platform so that communication with their patients does not have risks such as those presented when using public videoconferencing platforms or instant messaging services that are vulnerable.

Interested physicians can learn more details on the Fundacion IMSS page www.fundacionimss.org.mx or in MedForum https://www.medforum.com.mx

Copyright 2021 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
The US Supreme Court ruled that Google didnt commit copyright infringement when it used Oracles programming code in the Android operating system, sparing Google from what could have been a multibillion-dollar award.

The 6-2 ruling, which overturns a victory for Oracle, marks a climax to a decade-old case that divided Silicon Valley and promised to reshape the rules for the software industry. Oracle was seeking as much as $US9 billion ($11.8 billion).

The court said Google engaged in legitimate fair use when it put key aspects of Oracles Java programming language in the Android operating system. Writing for the court, Justice Stephen Breyer said Google used only what was needed to allow users to put their accrued talents to work in a new and transformative program.

The Supreme Court ruling ends a legal battle between the two tech giants that has lasted more than a decade. Credit:AP

Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissented. Justice Amy Coney Barrett didnt take part in the case, which was argued before she joined the court.
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CAIRO  Tribal clashes that erupted over the weekend between Arabs and non-Arabs in Sudans western Darfur region have killed at least 40 people and wounded around 60 others, the U.N. said Monday.

The violence was between the Arab Rizeigat and the Masalit tribes in Genena, the provincial capital of West Darfur province. It happened after unknown armed men on Saturday shot dead two people from the Masalit, according to the U.N. humanitarian affairs agency.

Two others from the Masalit were wounded in that shooting, it said. The circumstances of the shootings were not immediately clear.

Since then, the two tribes have mobilized forces and gun fire could still be heard in Genena late Monday, the U.N. said.

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Authorities declared a state of emergency in West Darfur.

Adam Regal, a spokesman for a local organization that helps run refugee camps in Darfur, said a shell hit a camp for displaced people in Genena on Monday, causing a fire that burned several houses. He shared video footage showing flames and thick clouds of black smoke.

The situation is very difficult and grave, he said.

The Sudanese doctors committee in West Darfur said armed men also opened fire on an ambulance late Sunday, wounding three health care workers.

Dr. Ibrahim Adam Othman, a member of the committer, said the death toll could be much higher because many were not able to reach hospitals.

The U.N. said all humanitarian activities were suspended as roads around the southern part of Genena were blocked.

It said more than 700,000 people have been affected by the clashes, since Genena serves as a hub for aid delivery to the conflict-wrecked region.

An unknown number of people fled their homes in Hay al-Jabal and al-Jamarik neighborhoods in Genena and took refuge in nearby mosques and public buildings, the U.N. agency added.

West Darfur Gov. Mohammed Abdalla al-Duma said in a statement that officials were taking necessary measures without elaborating. He urged residents in Genena to stay vigilant and remain at home until security forces contain the situation.

The clashes posed a challenge to efforts by Sudans transitional government to end decades-long rebellions in areas like Darfur.

Earlier this year, tribal violence in West Darfur and South Darfur provinces killed around 470 people. It also displaced more than 120,000 people, mostly women and children, including at least 4,300 who crossed into neighboring Chad, according to the U.N.

Sudan is on a fragile path to democracy after a popular uprising led the military to overthrow longtime autocratic President Omar al-Bashir in April 2019. A military-civilian government now rules the country, trying to end decades-long rebellions in various parts of the country, like the Darfur region.

The Darfur conflict broke out when rebels from the territorys ethnic central and sub-Saharan African community launched an insurgency in 2003, complaining of oppression by the Arab-dominated government in the capital Khartoum.

Al-Bashirs government responded with a scorched-earth campaign of aerial bombings and unleashed militias known as janjaweed who are accused of mass killings and rapes. Up to 300,000 people were killed and 2.7 million were driven from their homes.

The International Criminal Court charged al-Bashir, who has been in jail in Khartoum since his 2019 ouster, with war crimes and genocide for allegedly masterminding the campaign of attacks in Darfur.
Siddharth Nigam and Abhishek Nigam enjoy a tremendous fan following for their dashing looks and their charismatic on-screen presence and the Nigam brothers are now uniting for the upcoming episodes of Sony SABs Hero  Gayab Mode On. Sci-fi fantasy show Hero - Gayab Mode On has continued to capture viewers hearts with its thrilling action sequences and to add to the entire excitement of the show, television heartthrob Siddharth Nigam is making a comeback on the Sony SAB show. Siddharths entry will add a new dimension to the entire storyline of the show.

With new challenges, new missions and exciting action sequences, the show's upcoming episodes promise an exhilarating ride as it ferries the viewers on a roller coaster ride thats bound to keep them on the edge of their seats. With Siddharth's entry, the show will take an exciting turn and it will be a visual treat to watch the Nigam brothers on our television screens, creating magic and raising the excitement level. Siddharth joins an already illustrious cast of the show consisting of the veteran actors Manish Wadhwa and Nitesh Pandey, the terrific twins  Surabhi Samriddhi, the talented Yesha Rughanni and Keshav Sadhna along with the Hero  Abhishek Nigam.



On his entry on the show, Siddharth Nigam said, I am delighted to be back on Sony SAB. This is a special moment for me as I am uniting with my brother Abhishek this time. I want to thank Sony SAB and Peninsula Pictures for creating this amazing storyline and I am sure our fans will enjoy it thoroughly. I am sure my fans are excited to know more about my character and my look in the show, but fans will have to wait

and watch.

Keep Watching Hero  Gayab Mode On only on Sony SAB Monday to Friday at 8 PM.
Australias biggest miners are poised to benefit from better-than-expected iron ore prices for at least the rest of the year as global ratings agency S&P upgrades its forecasts for the key steel-making raw material.

After surging Chinese steel output in 2020 propelled iron ore prices to a 10-year high and delivered bumper returns to shareholders of BHP, Rio Tinto and Fortescue, S&P Global on Friday upgraded its price assumption for the commodity from $US100 a tonne to $US130 a tonne for this year. For 2022, the firm has lifted its forecast from $US80 to $US100.

Booming iron ore prices are set to boost the coffers of Australias top mining companies. Credit:AP

The ramp-up of industrial activity in China post-COVID-19 is continuing to fuel robust steel demand in China, according to S&P, at the same time as disruptions are affecting rival iron ore suppliers in Brazil.

We anticipate that the global seaborne supply deficit could deepen further in 2021 while the timing of the resumption of activity at Vales disrupted mines remains uncertain and will likely to continue to support prices over the next 12 months at least, S&P analyst Donald Marleau said in a report.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 21:37:12|Editor: huaxia

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LAGOS, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Five of the 39 students kidnapped from a college in Nigeria's restive northwest state of Kaduna have regained their freedom, an official said.

A group of unknown gunmen abducted the students from the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization in Afaka, Igabi local government area of the state on March 11.

In a statement issued in Kaduna late on Monday, Samuel Aruwan, the state commissioner for internal security and home affairs, said the military has informed the state government that the students who have been freed are presently in a military facility where they are undergoing a thorough medical check-up.

"The Kaduna State Government will provide updates on further operational feedback to be received on this case," he said. Enditem
Fany Gerson of La Newyorkina, which sells Mexican sweets, prepared foods and groceries, will hold a chocolate doughnut celebration at her Brooklyn shop, Fan-Fan Doughnuts, from April 13 through 15. With travel so restricted because of the pandemic, her thought was to evoke faraway destinations through flavors like rooibos (South Africa), sticky toffee (the United Kingdom), blue corn (Mexico) and pistachios (Iran). The company Guittard is supplying the chocolate for this tasty little event. The doughnuts are $3.50 to $5 each and will be sold from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., or whenever they sell out. They can be reserved between noon and 4 p.m. a day in advance.

Fan-Fan Doughnuts, 448 Lafayette Avenue (Franklin Avenue), Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, 347-533-7544, fan-fandoughnuts.com.

Follow NYT Food on Twitter and NYT Cooking on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. Get regular updates from NYT Cooking, with recipe suggestions, cooking tips and shopping advice.
A man has died after injuring himself with a hedge trimmer in Sydney's northern suburbs.

Emergency services were called to a home on Smith Rd, in Artarmon, just after 5pm on Tuesday following reports of an accident involving a hedge trimmer.

NSW Ambulance paramedics arrived to find the man in his 50s had a severe laceration to his arm and was in a critical condition.

Emergency services were called to a home on Smith Rd (pictured), in Artarmon, just after 5pm on Tuesday to reports a man had injured himself with a hedge trimmer

Four crews and the Careflight Rapid Response Rescue Helicopter responded to the incident and rushed the man to Royal North Shore Hospital, where he later died.

NSW Ambulance Inspector Carolyn Parish said paramedics worked hard to stabilise the man after he had lost a 'large amount' of blood.

'The patient had been using a power tool whilst hedging prior to the medical emergency,' she said.

'Paramedic crews did an amazing job in an understandably traumatic and chaotic scene.'
Help India!



Broad coalition says expose published by Al Jazeera shows lack of proper safeguards resulted in diversion of Covid-19 relief to fund hate and bigotry in the US and India.

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The Coalition to Stop Genocide in India, a broad coalition of Indian Americans and US-based civil rights organizations and activists, Tuesday called on the US Small Business Administration (SBA) to probe how US-based Hindu supremacist organizations received hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal Covid-19 relief funding.

The coalition was responding to an expose published in Al Jazeera that five US-based organizations with ties to Hindu supremacists and religious groups in India received pandemic aid to the tune of $833,000. The funds were disbursed by the United States Small Business Administration (SBA), a federal agency that helps small business owners and entrepreneurs.

The organizations called out in the expose  Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA), Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation, Infinity Foundation, Sewa International, and Hindu American Foundation  are US-based front organizations for Hindutva, the supremacist ideology that is the driving force behind much of the persecution of Christians, Muslims, Dalits and other minorities in India.

According to the report, the SBA gave the funds as part of its Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Acts Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance (EIDLA), Disaster Assistance Loan (DAL), and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The three programs leveraged by right-wing Hindutva organizations in the US were all intended to provide relief to struggling businesses and prevent workforce layoffs during the Covid-19 crisis.

US taxpayers money being used to keep hate groups in business is absolutely unacceptable and should concern all who believe in fairness, justice and government accountability, said Mr Rasheed Ahmed, Executive Director of Indian American Muslims Council (IAMC). There are families across America still reeling from the human and economic toll of Covid 19, while groups that seem to be essentially serving as front organizations for a violent and supremacist ideology are raking in the windfall from federal Covid funding, added Mr. Ahmed.

These organizations have existential links to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the fountainhead of the Hindu supremacist ideology, and the ideological parent of Indias ruling party, the BJP.

The RSS has been directly involved in orchestrating anti-Christian and anti-Muslim pogroms and instigating terror attacks, as part of a relentless campaign to subvert Indias secular moorings and turn it into a Hindu authoritarian state where minorities are relegated to the status of second class citizens. Its members and affiliated organizations have been implicated in countless acts of massacres, ethnic cleansing, terrorism, forced-conversions and other forms of violence against religious minorities in India. RSS leaders openly declare plans of wiping off Christianity and Islam from India and advocate for denying Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism a separate religious identity, and insist that these religions are simply branches of Hinduism.

The Office of the Inspector General, which is tasked with probing fraud, waste and abuse of programs run by the Small Business Administration, needs to take cognizance of the expose published by Al Jazeera and open a formal investigation into the matter.

The organizations that have siphoned off such a large sum in Covid-19 funding have long been funding hate and bigotry in India through their direct links with RSS and VHP. As early as 2002, a report by Sabrang Communications and South Asia Citizens showed that 50% of disbursements between 1994 and 2000 from the India Development and Relief Fund, a US-based, VHPA linked, Hindu nationalist organization, went to RSS affiliates in India. Despite the dangers, the report outlined, the funding continued unabated. In 2014, another ground-breaking report titled Hindu Nationalism in the United States: A Report on Nonprofit Groups exposed how the Hindu charity groups in the US were, directly and indirectly, financing activities of violent Hindu supremacists in India. The report analyzed the tax records of many US-based development-related charities that have connections to Hindu right-wing groups in India. It found that between 2001 and 2012, five organizations, including Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation, VHPA, and Sewa International together allocated more than $55 million to projects run by RSS across various Indian states.

Since 2014, when Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the political arm of RSS, rose to power in India, the Hindu American Foundation has spent substantial resources deflecting any scrutiny of Hindutvas repressive and discriminatory policies that specifically target members of the minority communities.

The rise of HAF and other organizations linked with Hindutva has emboldened Hindu supremacist organizations in India, while also stifling the moderate Hindu voices here in the US, said Mr. Raju Rajagopal of Hindus for Human Rights, a Hindu organization that exemplifies the distinction between Hinduism and Hindutva.

Indias rapidly escalating human rights abuses and violations of religious freedom can be gauged from the latest Freedom Houses Freedom in the World report that downgraded Indias status from a Free country to a Partly Free country.

Government watchdog groups as well as human rights organizations need to take serious note of the misappropriation of Covid funding by Hindu supremacist groups the United States, Mr. John Prabhudoss, Chairman of Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations (FIACONA) A comprehensive probe and corrective action is needed to ensure that hard-working American taxpayers money is not funneled towards sponsoring hate, persecution and the slow genocide of minorities and marginalized communities in India, he added.

The Coalition to Stop Genocide in India is committed to ensuring that American institutions and discourse are safeguarded from the virulent Hindutva ideology. To that end, the coalition will continue to expose Hindutva front organizations in the US and their role in normalizing the human rights abuses and religious freedom violations in India.
Hadassah Johnson, of Auburn, is one of three Onondaga Community College students to receive the 2021 SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence, the highest honor that can be bestowed on a SUNY student.

Johnson, who was homeschooled, is majoring in music with a specialization in voice. She is a member and officer in the college's chapter of international honor society Phi Theta Kappa. She is also one of two students at the college who was nominated to the society's All-New York State Academic Team, and one of two students who is a national semifinalist for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship.

Johnson will transfer to the Boston Conservatory at Berklee College of Music, where she will major in vocal performance.

The two other recipients of the award at the college are Gina Segreti, of Liverpool, and Hope Spencer, of Camillus.
The Azerbaijanis threw stones at an Armenian car traveling on the Kapan-Yerevan motorway. This information was confirmed to Armenian News-NEWS.am by mayor Gevorg Parsyan of Kapan, Armenia.

He informed that the incident had taken place about 2-3 days ago.

The mayor said that the Azerbaijanis threw stones at the car from their positioned area in the direction of the road. "The incident took place on the Davit Bek-Shurnukh road section; at the sector that is under the monitoring domain of the Russian border guards," Parsyan said.

He added that there was no major damage to the car.
"[I]n my view, it all comes down to this. Are you on the side of the working people in America who desperately need a raise? Or are you on the side of the wealthy and the powerful who want to continue exploiting their workers and paying starvation wages? It ain't more complicated than that."

This is a comment from my high school fellow track team buddy, the junior senator from Vermont.

Bernie Sanders is wrong; it is quite a bit more complicated than that. If it were that simple, why, oh, why do advocates of this pernicious legislation merely call for a stinking, lousy, cheap-skatey $15 per hour? Wouldn't an hourly $25, or $50, or $150 show even more support for the working class? The senator from Vermont is forever waxing eloquent about a "living wage." Surely these other figures are more "livable" than his $15!

But even with regard to that niggardly $15, Bernie says this: "I am offering an amendment today with Majority Leader Schumer, Senator Patty Murray, Senator Ron Wyden, and many others in this Chamber to gradually increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2025."

But why gradually? According to his lights, the poor are suffering, grievously, by presently being underpaid. Why, oh, why do they have to wait until 2025 to be completely rescued?

Senator Sanders says: "Nobody in America can survive on $7.25 an hour, $9 an hour, or $12 an hour. We need an economy in which all of our workers earn at least a living wage." How does he square this with his espoused gradualism?

If there were someone in need of a full dose of penicillin, Dr. B. Sanders would administer it to him right away, this minute. He would not do it gradually, bit by bit, more each year until the full dose finally reached the patient in, of all years, 2025. Enquiring minds want to know about this present postponement.

In Bernie's recent Senate speech, he also said this: "For too long, Congress has responded to the needs of the wealthy and the powerful. Now it is time to respond to the needs of working families  black and white, Latino, Native American[.]"

Bernie doesn't seem to realize that before the advent of this vicious legislation, in the 1930s, the unemployment rate of whites and blacks, youngsters and the middle-aged was about equal; all were within a few points of each other. But due to the minimum wage law, the unemployment rate of teens is double that of adults, and blacks suffer twice the rate of unemployment of whites. Black young people suffer from quadruple the unemployment rate of middle-aged whites!

Why is this? It is due to the fact that wages are not determined by employer generosity, as socialists like Bernie seem to believe. Rather, these levels are predicated upon productivity. LeBron James earns a large remuneration not because the Lakers are nice guys. The person who pushes a broom or washes dishes is at the bottom of the economic pyramid not due to skinflint bosses. Those just starting out in the labor force have lower productivity than others with more experience. The point is that black teens are priced out of the market by this malicious legislation Sanders is supporting.

Suppose I were to pass a law saying black kids had to be paid at least $10,000 per hour. Would I be doing them a favor? Surely, people with even a modicum of common sense can see that none of them, ever, would be added to any payroll.

Bernie favors foreign aid to poor countries, right? Why not end this on humane grounds and just tell them to institute, or raise, their minimum wage levels? Evidently, he does not have all that much confidence in this nostrum of his.

All men of goodwill should use their best efforts not to raise the level of the federal minimum wage from its present $7.25, nor even to stand pat on this, nor even to lower it. Instead, they should call for its total elimination. At present, it ensures that those with productivity levels of less than that are forever unemployable. Why would anyone pay this amount to someone with a productivity level of $5? He'd lose $2.25!

Bernie has shown courage in not backing away from socialism when this policy was far less popular than at present and at calling for voting rights not only for ex-cons, but for those presently incarcerated. He should show some moxie now! His voice on this issue is so powerful that he alone can turn the tide and end the permanent unemployment of the least skillful in our society.

Image: AFGE via Flickr.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
The Swedish clothing and fashion accessories chain H&M announced this Tuesday (6 April) its intention to close 30 stores in Spain and lay off about 1,100 employees while carrying out a "substantial" modification of working conditions.

The company says that the retail industry is experiencing a "great change" as a result of the pandemic and digitisation due to the "constant growth of online".

For this reason, the group will carry out a "transformation and reorganisation" process worldwide to have a "more efficient" structure and integrate physical and online stores.

To achieve this it will close 350 stores around the world. In Spain this will affect 30 of its 150 stores - 27 H&M and three COS stores - this year, although the company acknowledges that it may take until 2022.

In a statement the chain said that its objective is "to maintain as many jobs as possible", and this ERE layoff will affect about 1,100 employees in Spain, around 17 per cent of its total workforce of about 6,200 workers split between stores and warehouses.

The company has said that it will prioritise voluntary redundancies to "minimise" the impact.

The CC OO union, which represents a majority of the staff, has described the step from the ERTE furlough scheme to ERE as "unjustified and disproportionate".

The union says that although they understand that there has been a change in the way people shop following the pandemic, "this does not justify in any way such a number of layoffs, especially as H&M has been benefiting from the ERTE scheme that the Government introduced during the pandemic," they claim.

Locally, the fashion chain has H&M stores in Marbella, Fuengirola, Malaga and Velez-Malaga, as well as COS in Malaga and Marbella, but it is not yet known how the company's plans will affect them.
Sisters dropped by human smugglers over 14-foot border barrier are OK, Border Patrol agent says

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Two toddler girls who were dropped over a 14-foot border barrier in New Mexico Tuesday night are "doing well," according to El Paso Border Patrol Sector Chief Gloria Chavez.

After two human smugglers dropped the young girls, identified as two Ecuadorian sisters aged 3 and 5, over the U.S. side of a remote desert area in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, the girls were immediately transported to the Santa Teresa Border Patrol Station for medical evaluation after being rescued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents, according to the agency.

The two sisters are doing fine after being dropped by smugglers over the southern border wall, Chavez told Fox News host Neil Cavuto on Your World Thursday. Chavez said she was really horrified and appalled and worried when she initially saw the footage.

After the first girl was dropped to the ground and didn't immediately move, Chavez said she was concerned that she'd hit her head and was unconscious. Then, after the second child was dropped, Santa Teresa agents responded to the remote location to rescue the children.

Chavez credited the agents and mobile [surveillance] technology for finding the girls who were dropped in the middle of the desolate and mountainous desert, "miles from the closet residence."

She also raised concerns that human smugglers will be dropping off children in remote and rocky areas like the New Mexico desert, which would make it logistically difficult for border agents to reach them.

The smugglers also dropped over the barrier a bag containing a phone, phone number and the girls passports. Through this, agents were able to get in touch with the girls mother, who lives in New York.

Chavez visited with the girls whom she described as being so loving and so talkative, and asked the names of the agents around them. They were hungry, so Chavez helped them peel a banana and open a juice box.

You know, children are just so resilient, and I'm so grateful that they're not severely injured or [have] broken limbs or anything like that, Chavez added.

Chavez has worked in border security for over two decades and stressed that human smugglers devalue human life and are in the business only for money.

Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, noted in a recent interview with Sharyl Attkisson that "... anytime they bring somebody over, they make an average of $6,000. But let's say a hundred thousand that we saw in February at $6,000. What does that add up to? [It's] $600 million in one month ... that's not a bad profit. So the ones who are really winning over this ... suffering of the young people and the migrants, are the drug organizations."

Chavez added in her interview with Cavuto: We need to protect [the children]. We need to keep them safe and fed and clean. Thats our number one priority. But when we see images like this, I am telling you, I am appalled. I committed myself to working with law enforcement [on] the south side in Mexico. I want this guy [who smuggled them]. I want us to identify him, and I want us to prosecute him. And we are working very closely with the government of Mexico to do just that.

The Mexico border is primarily run by cartels who work independently and with other smuggling operations to traffic people from around the world into the U.S.

Human beings are a commodity to these ruthless smugglers, Chavez said. We know their tactics.  For them, its just a profit.

Smugglers recently threw a 6-month-old baby girl into the Rio Grande along the Texas-Mexico border and she was saved by Texas Rangers in March.

The recent surge of immigrants at the southern border has caused border agents to struggle in securing the border and monitoring illegal operations.

CBP estimates up to 184,000 unaccompanied minors could cross the U.S. southern border in the fiscal year 2021.

Border crossings reached the highest level in 15 years, and over 171,000 migrants were taken into custody along the southern border in March.

In February, Customs and Border Control detained 100,441 people, including 71,598 single adults, nearly 9,500 unaccompanied minors, and 19,246 individuals in family units. This marked a 28% increase from January when over 78,000 individuals were detained.

In the wake of criticism from congressional Republicans, members of the Biden administration have attempted to send a message to migrants seeking to enter the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas stressed that we are saying dont come now, although his plea was preceded by an assertion that we are not saying dont come at all.

Weeks later, Mayorkas said on ABCs This Week": The message is quite clear, do not come. The border is closed, the border is secure.

We are encouraging children not to come, he added. Now is not the time to come. Do not come. The journey is dangerous. We are building safe, orderly and humane ways to address the needs of vulnerable children. Do not come.

On March 6, Texas launched Operation Lone Star to fight the rise in drug smuggling and human trafficking across the 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, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement at the time.

CBP noted that the 100,441 people detained in February and 78,442 detained in January marked a drastic increase from the 36,687 and 36,585 detentions in January and February 2020.

The border is wide open  its not secure. Drugs are pouring in, and criminal aliens are pouring in right now, former CBP Commissioner Mark Morgan, who served under President Donald Trump, said during a March 30 press conference along the Rio Grande, The Epoch Times reported.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel last week joined 44 other states in an effort to curb the sale of fraudulent vaccination cards online.

Nessel signed onto an April 1 letter from attorneys general across the nation that was sent to Shopify, Twitter and eBay asking them to monitor for and remove ads or links selling blank or fraudulently completed vaccination cards. The websites are also being asked to preserve records about the ads for possible future prosecution.

We are deeply concerned about this use of your platforms to spread false and misleading information regarding COVID vaccines, the letter said. The false and deceptive marketing and sales of fake COVID vaccine cards threatens the health of our communities, slows progress in getting our residents protected from the virus, and are a violation of the laws of many states.

The law enforcers are requesting a formal response from the websites by April 9 and a virtual remote meeting to discuss the issue further.

Attorneys general from 45 states, territories, commonwealths and Washington D.C. have joined to send the letter. The websites sent the letter were identified by attorneys general of North Carolina and Tennessee as ones being used to market fraudulent or blank vaccine cards bearing the logo of the Centers for Disease Control, according to AGs Office spokesperson Kelly Rossman-McKinney.

Driving demand for fraudulent cards are announcements by certain international destinations, cruise lines and some venues that they may require proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test prior to entry.

These cards look legitimate, but are anything but, Nessel said. By selling these fake vaccine cards, bad actors are undermining the public safety and prolonging this pandemic.

The fake cards mimic the legitimate ones being issued by health care providers and are sometimes left blank for the purchaser to complete, according to the attorney generals office.

A Tuesday afternoon search for blank vaccine card on eBay returned no clear offers for counterfeit vaccination cards but mostly card holders or protectors.

Michigan began vaccinating all residents age 16 and up Monday, April 5. As of Sunday, April 4, health officials report having administered more than 4.7 million doses. About 36.5% of Michigan residents age 16 and older had received their first dose, and 23% had completed all doses, according to data from the Department of Health and Human Services.

Michigan consumers may file complaints with the AGs Office online or by calling 877-765-8388.

More: Nearly 3M Michiganders have received first dose of COVID-19 vaccine
MAHWAH, N.J., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Core Development Group, a nationally ranked solar energy developer, announced today it has officially hired two military veterans from Hiring Our Heroes (a nationwide initiative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation), following the completion of their 12-week Corporate Fellowship Program.

Naval Commander Bill Nesbitt and former Air Force Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Josh Kenyon joined Core Development Group in January, where each week they completed on-the-job training in the development and operations departments (respectively) followed by a "leadership huddle" focused on transitioning to the private sector.

"Bill and Josh exhibited inimitable discipline and dedication emblematic of a service member over the 12-week program, immersing themselves in the education of renewable energy," said Henry Cortes, Owner and Founder of Core Development Group. "They proved to be a vital asset to our company, educating and inspiring all within the team over the course of the program."

Nesbitt, who has been hired as an operations manager, is a graduate of the US Naval Academy in Annapolis Maryland with a Master of Science degree in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School. With over twenty years of active-duty service, he has deployed multiple times as a Surface Warfare Officer and Information Warfare Officer - serving aboard ships and shore-based facilities worldwide.

Kenyon has retired after 20 years of military service to accept a position as developer for Core Development Group. He commissioned in 2001 as a graduate of the Air Force ROTC program at Clarkson University. Kenyon has been an aircraft commander, instructor, and flight examiner in both the KC-10A and T-6II aircraft. His career includes numerous operational and staff positions across four major commands, and he has served as a squadron commander twice.

"I am very grateful to have participated in Hiring Our Heroes and to the Core Development Group team for providing me this fantastic fellowship opportunity," said Kenyon. "The lessons learned gave me the ability to pivot my career into a position as solar development leader. I look forward to new opportunities with this amazing and growing company."

About Core Development Group

Core Development Group is a leading renewable energy developer and provider of full turnkey EPC services for commercial, government, and utility-scale solar installations. Core's expert team serves clients in site feasibility and development, Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), site entitlements and planning, solar system engineering design, interconnection agreements, procurement, project management, construction management, commissioning, operations, and maintenance.

About Hiring Our Heroes

Hiring our Heroes is a nonprofit, nationwide initiative to help veterans, transitioning service members and military spouses find meaningful employment opportunities. Their vision is to bridge the civilian-military divide within the business community. To date, more than 31,000 veterans and military spouses have obtained employment opportunities through Hiring Our Heroes. Learn more at hiringourheroes.org.

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Core Development Group

Alex Neely

[email protected] / 201-906-0397

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Democrats May Be Able to Sidestep Filibusters A ruling from the Senate parliamentarian means Democrats may be able to push through President Bidens $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan without any Republican support. The Arkansas State Legislature voted to override a governors veto to enact a law prohibiting gender-affirming treatment for transgender minors, the first ban of its kind in the country.

A ruling by a top Senate official gives Democrats a way around filibusters. I always would prefer to do legislation in a bipartisan way, but we have to get big, bold things done, said Senator Chuck Schumer, the majority leader. Credit... Anna Moneymaker for The New York Times Democrats might not have the votes to gut the filibuster, but they were just handed the procedural keys to a backdoor assault on the Senates famous obstruction tactic. With a ruling on Monday that Democrats can reuse this years budget blueprint at least once to employ the fast-track reconciliation process, Democrats can now conceivably advance multiple spending and tax packages this year without a single Republican vote, as long they hold their 50 members together. It is a means of weakening the filibuster without having to take the politically charged vote to do so. Democrats insist that they have made no decisions about how to use the tool. It is always good to have a series of insurance policies, said Senator Chris Van Hollen, Democrat of Maryland, about the possibility that Democrats could duplicate last months party-line passage of the $1.9 trillion virus relief legislation, should they not be able to work out deals with Republicans. But whatever strategy they employ, it is clear that the decision by the Senate parliamentarian to agree with Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York and the majority leader, that a 47-year-old budget provision could be used more than once in a fiscal year widens President Bidens path to enacting his infrastructure plan by shielding it from a filibuster. It also means other Democratic initiatives could become filibuster-proof moving forward, and is already spurring creative efforts among lawmakers and activists to imagine other priorities that could be stuffed into reconciliation packages. I always would prefer to do legislation in a bipartisan way, but we have to get big, bold things done, Mr. Schumer said in an interview. And so we need to have as many options as possible if Republicans continue to obstruct. The filibuster  which takes 60 votes to overcome  remains an obstacle for many of the policies Democrats would like to enact, such as a sweeping campaign finance and elections measure as well as new gun laws. Centrist Democrats including Senators Joe Manchin III of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona are opposed to eliminating it, arguing that the supermajority requirement forces the kind of broad compromise that lawmakers should be seeking. But the ruling means that if stymied by Republicans on plans that they can protect under reconciliation  which applies to measures that directly affect federal spending and revenues  Democrats will have more opportunities to move ahead on their own if they choose. Senator Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader who had been hoping for an adverse ruling, said Democrats were being driven to twist the process by their inability to win Republican support for their plans and the fear that they will lose the majority next year. Republicans can be expected to put up as many roadblocks as possible to what they see as an attempt to exploit a loophole. This is a party that is going hard left, and they are audacious, and they are ambitious, and they will bend the rules and break the rules and rewrite the rules and do everything they can to get what they want as fast as they can, Mr. McConnell said in an interview. Both parties have used reconciliation in the past to push a variety of tax cuts and social programs into law, often over the unified opposition of the minority party. Progressives who want to overturn the filibuster cheered the decision by the parliamentarian because of the possibilities it opened up for enacting Mr. Bidens agenda. But some of them expressed concern that the ruling could sap momentum for the broader fight to eliminate the filibuster altogether, or push the Senate into a series of reconciliation battles that would leave behind the voting rights bill, known as H.R. 1, and other liberal priorities. The Parliamentarians ruling on reconciliation is great but doesnt change the fact that Democrats must either end or reform the filibuster, or HR1 and other voting rights bills will die, Adam Jentleson, a former Senate Democratic aide backing a filibuster overhaul, wrote on Twitter. The ruling allows for more vehicles but doesnt expand the scope of what they contain.

Matt Gaetz is said to have sought a blanket pardon from Trump. Rep. Matt Gaetz, Republican of Florida, at a rally in opposition to Rep. Liz Cheney, Repbublican of Wyoming, in January. Credit... Daniel Brenner for The New York Times Representative Matt Gaetz, Republican of Florida, was one of President Donald J. Trumps most vocal allies during his term, publicly pledging loyalty and even signing a letter nominating the president for the Nobel Peace Prize. In the final weeks of Mr. Trumps term, Mr. Gaetz sought something in return. He privately asked the White House for blanket pre-emptive pardons for himself and unidentified congressional allies for any crimes they may have committed, according to two people told of the discussions. Around that time, Mr. Gaetz was also publicly calling for broad pardons from Mr. Trump to thwart what he termed the bloodlust of their political opponents. But Justice Department investigators had begun questioning Mr. Gaetzs associates about his conduct, including whether he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old that violated sex trafficking laws, in an inquiry that grew out of the case of an indicted associate in Florida. Mr. Trump denied the account, responding in a statement issued from his office on Wednesday. Congressman Matt Gaetz has never asked me for a pardon, he said in the statement. It must also be remembered that he has totally denied the accusations against him. It was unclear whether Mr. Gaetz or the White House knew at the time about the inquiry, or who else he sought pardons for. Mr. Gaetz did not tell White House aides that he was under investigation for potential sex trafficking violations when he made the request. But top White House lawyers and officials viewed the request for a pre-emptive pardon as a nonstarter that would set a bad precedent, the people said. Aides told Mr. Trump of the request, though it is unclear whether Mr. Gaetz discussed the matter directly with the president. Mr. Trump ultimately pardoned dozens of allies and others in the final months of his presidency, but Mr. Gaetz was not among them. This account of Mr. Gaetzs dealings with the Trump White House is based on interviews with four people briefed on the exchanges about his pardon request and other Trump confidants. A spokesman for Mr. Trump declined to comment. In recent days, some Trump associates have speculated that Mr. Gaetzs request for a group pardon was an attempt to camouflage his own potential criminal exposure. Either way, Mr. Gaetzs appeal to the Trump White House shows how the third-term congressman sought to leverage an unlikely presidential relationship he had spent years cultivating. Mr. Gaetz has denied having sex with a 17-year-old or paying for sex. A spokesman denied that he privately requested a pardon in connection with the continuing Justice Department inquiry. Entry-level political operatives have conflated a pardon call from Representative Gaetz  where he called for President Trump to pardon everyone from himself, to his administration, to Joe Exotic  with these false and increasingly bizarre, partisan allegations against him, the spokesman said in a statement. Those comments have been on the record for some time, and President Trump even retweeted the congressman, who tweeted them out himself. Since the existence of the investigation was publicly revealed last week, Mr. Trumps advisers have urged him to stay quiet and sought to distance the former president from Mr. Gaetz. Michael S. Schmidt, Maggie Haberman and

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Arkansas legislators enact an anti-transgender law over the governors veto. Gov. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas had vetoed the bill on Monday, calling it overbroad and extreme. Credit... Thomas Metthe/The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, via Associated Press The Arkansas State Legislature voted Tuesday afternoon to override a veto from Gov. Asa Hutchinson and enact a law prohibiting gender-affirming treatment for transgender minors, the first ban of its kind in the country. Mr. Hutchinson, a Republican, had vetoed the bill on Monday, calling it overbroad and extreme. The legislature voted overwhelmingly, 71 to 24 in the House and 25 to 8 in the Senate, to override him. The American Civil Liberties Union announced immediately that it would challenge the law, known as House Bill 1570, in court. Laws that single out transgender people for discrimination violate the Constitution and a range of federal civil rights statutes, said Chase Strangio, a lawyer at the A.C.L.U. focused on transgender rights. H.B. 1570 bans health care only when it is being provided to transgender patients while permitting the care for others, Mr. Strangio said, which is a classic example of a violation of the equal protection rights of transgender people. The law is premised on the claim, as stated in its text, that the risks of gender transition procedures far outweigh any benefit at this stage of clinical study on these procedures. But research shows the opposite. The Arkansas chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics lobbied against the bill, and other medical organizations, including the American Psychiatric Association and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, support gender-affirming treatment. Sam Brinton, vice president for advocacy and government affairs at the Trevor Project, an L.G.B.T. suicide prevention organization, said research showed that more than half of transgender and nonbinary youth had seriously considered suicide, and that many of them cited discrimination as a driving factor. These types of bills endanger young trans lives, Mx. Brinton said after the governors veto on Monday. In a statement on Tuesday after legislators overrode the veto, they said: Governor Hutchinson listened to trans youth and their doctors. The state legislature clearly did not. Federal case law on transgender rights is more limited than on gay rights, which means challenges to the Arkansas law could create new legal precedents if they reach higher courts. Carl W. Tobias, a law professor at the University of Richmond, said that the A.C.L.U. and other organizations could seek a temporary injunction to block the law from taking effect while the challenges proceed. If a district court ruled against the law, Arkansas could appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, which consists largely of Republican appointees. Legislators in other states, including Alabama and Tennessee, are considering similar measures as part of a nationwide conservative effort to limit transgender peoples participation in various arenas, including school sports.

McConnell, long a defender of corporate speech, now suggests executives stay out of politics. Senator Mitch McConnell has lashed out at executives with Major League Baseball, Coca-Cola, Delta and other corporations for criticizing Republican-led efforts to impose restrictions on voting access. Credit... Michael A. McCoy for The New York Times Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky, has long argued that corporate campaign donations are a protected, nearly sacred, form of political communication. On Tuesday he made the case that business executives might be better off limiting their free speech to writing checks. In recent days, Mr. McConnell, the minority leader, has lashed out at executives with Major League Baseball, Coca-Cola, Delta and other corporations for criticizing Republican-led efforts to impose restrictions on voting access in Georgia and other states, accusing them of bullying politicians. Mr. McConnell went even further on Tuesday, speaking in his home state during an extended back-and-forth with reporters. My warning, if you will, to corporate America is to stay out of politics, said Mr. McConnell, after an appearance promoting vaccine distribution in Louisville. Its not what youre designed for. And dont be intimidated by the left into taking up causes that put you right in the middle of Americas greatest political debates. When asked to define the activities that executives should avoid, he responded, Im not talking about political contributions. Brian Fallon, a former top aide to Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic majority leader, said Mr. McConnells comments reflect the struggle of a once-powerful leader trying to find his way following his loss of the Senate majority and a break with former President Donald J. Trump over the Jan. 6 riot. The earth is shifting under his feet, said Mr. Fallon, who now runs a group opposed to Mr. McConnells judicial nominations. Hes criticizing corporations for wading into political debates after years of defending their right to spend unlimited sums on political campaigns. This is a guy used to calling the shots, but he is suddenly powerless and flailing. People close to Mr. McConnell say he is simply pointing out the political perils of business leaders jumping into partisan debates, even though he has often touted the support of corporate leaders for his efforts to cut taxes and regulation. Mr. McConnell told reporters he was not implying business leaders did not have the right to express themselves, but suggested the best way to communicate was by contributing money to campaigns. Republicans, he said, drink Coca-Cola too, and we fly. Companies and sports leagues were not very smart to weigh in on the voting bills, he said. And M.L.B.s decision to pull the All-Star Game out of Atlanta in protest of the Georgia law, he added, was irritating one whole hell of a lot of Republican fans. Mr. McConnell was one of the leading opponents of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law that restricted spending by corporations and unions, challenging it in court nearly two decades ago. And he celebrated the landmark Citizens United decision by the Supreme Court that struck it down in 2010, a decision that asserted corporations had similar free speech rights to individuals. For too long, some in this country have been deprived of full participation in the political process. With todays monumental decision, the Supreme Court took an important step in the direction of restoring the First Amendment rights of these groups, he said in a statement at the time.

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Alcee Hastings, who represented Florida in the House, dies at 84. Representative Alcee Hastings, Democrat of Florida, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2019. Credit... Erin Schaff/The New York Times Representative Alcee Hastings of Florida, a former civil rights lawyer and federal judge who served in Congress for nearly three decades and became the vice chairman of the House Rules Committee, died Tuesday morning. He was 84. Mr. Hastings, a Democrat, had announced in 2019 that he had pancreatic cancer. His death was confirmed by his chief of staff, Lale Morrison. He lived a full life with an indelible fighting spirit dedicated to equal justice, Mr. Hastingss family said in a statement released by his office. He believed that progress and change can only be achieved through recognizing and respecting the humanity of all mankind. He was never afraid to speak his mind and truly loved serving his constituents and his family. His death will narrow Democrats already-slim House majority until a special election can be held to fill the seat. His district  Floridas 20th, which includes Black communities around Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach as well as a huge area around Lake Okeechobee  is reliably Democratic. Mr. Hastings was born September 5, 1936, in Altamonte Springs, Fla. He attended Fisk University and earned a law degree from Florida A&M University. He began his career as a civil rights lawyer, including fighting to desegregate schools in Broward County, Fla. In 1979, President Jimmy Carter appointed him to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, making him the states first Black federal judge, according to his congressional biography. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Williams, and four children. With Mr. Hastingss death, there are now 218 Democrats and 211 Republicans in the House, with six seats vacant. One of those seats is expected to be filled next week by Julia Letlow, a Republican who won a special election in Louisiana after her husband, Representative-elect Luke Letlow, died of Covid-19. The Congressional Black Caucus said in a statement on Monday that he never forgot where he came from and continued to fight up until his last breath. Rest well, our dear brother, the caucus said. Well take it from here.

Kamala Harris will move into the vice presidents residence this evening. The home underwent extensive renovations, including the installation of a new heating and air system, refurbished wooden floors, and updated chimney liners, the vice presidents office said. Credit... Pablo Martinez Monsivais/Associated Press Number One Observatory Circle is finally ready for its newest resident. After months spent living in temporary quarters at Blair House, Vice President Kamala Harris is moving into her 33-room official residence on Tuesday evening following the completion of renovations, an administration official said. On Tuesday, Doug Emhoff, the second gentleman, visited Washington State, and Ms. Harris stopped in Chicago to tour a coronavirus vaccination site. The two were then expected to return to their new home, said the official who could not speak publicly because of security concerns. Scheduled improvements delayed the vice presidents move to the Victorian home, which has housed vice presidents and their families since the Mondales in the 1970s. Over the past two months, the home underwent extensive renovations, including the installation of a new heating and air system, refurbished wooden floors, and updated chimney liners, the vice presidents office said. The home, which features a large veranda, a pool and a sunroom, sits on the grounds of the Naval Observatory in northwest Washington. The Navy provides funding for most structural refurbishments, like heating and air conditioning or refurbishment of floors, according to Philip Dufour, who served as the homes manager and social secretary to Vice President Al Gore. According to government spending data, the Navy has awarded contracts worth at least $4.2 million in air conditioning, plumbing and heating upgrades since 2018. Payment for preservation or aesthetic-related home improvements comes from the coffers of the Vice Presidents Residence Foundation, which was started in 1991 after Vice President Dan Quayle began soliciting donations for a $130,000 pool, a gym and a putting green, among other improvements. It has also become somewhat of a tradition for each new tenant to preside over improvements to the 127-year-old house. The Cheneys remodeled the kitchenette. The Pences added a beehive. (On Tuesday, an official with Ms. Harriss office said the bees would absolutely be staying.) And the Bidens added a small garden that features the names of every past occupant, and their pets, etched in stones surrounding a fountain. On Tuesday, an official in Ms. Harriss office said that the vice president and Mr. Emhoff would be discussing long-term projects that would incorporate elements of California, where she served as attorney general and as a senator, and her cultural heritage as the first woman of color to hold the job.

Fact-check: Biden officials overstate the jobs impact of the presidents infrastructure plan. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg touring a UPS facility in Landover, Md., last month. Credit... Al Drago for The New York Times In promoting President Bidens $2 trillion infrastructure plan, administration officials have exaggerated a projection of its job creation impact. The American Jobs Plan is about a generational investment. Its going to create 19 million jobs, Pete Buttigieg, the transportation secretary, said on NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday. And Brian Deese, Mr. Bidens top economic aide, said on Fox News Sunday, You look at just the analyses weve seen this week, Moodys suggests it would create 19 million jobs. Goldman Sachs is projecting more than 7 percent growth this year if we passed the investment and the corporate tax plan. These claims were an inaccurate citation of a projection from Moodys Analytics. The research firm estimated that the economy would add about 19 million jobs within 10 years if the infrastructure package became law, and 16.3 million within 10 years if it did not pass. In other words, the infrastructure package itself would create approximately 2.7 million jobs  about one-seventh of what Mr. Buttigieg and Mr. Deese claimed. Other White House officials have offered more accurate renditions of this claim. Mr. Biden himself said last week that the economy overall will create 19 million jobs if the plan passes while Jen Psaki, his press secretary, said Monday that the infrastructure proposal helps create 19 million jobs. Mr. Buttigieg corrected his claim on Monday, telling CNN that he should be precise about this and that the infrastructure plan creates 2.7 million more jobs than the baseline scenario.

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The U.S. and Iran agree on initial steps toward reviving the 2015 nuclear deal. Journalists waited outside the Vienna hotel where closed-door talks over Irans nuclear program were taking place on Tuesday. Credit... Florian Schroetter/Associated Press The United States and Iran agreed through intermediaries on Tuesday to establish two working groups to try to get both countries back into compliance with the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. In a meeting of the current members of the deal in Vienna, all parties agreed to establish one working group to focus on how to get the United States back to the deal by lifting harsh economic sanctions imposed or reimposed after President Donald J. Trump pulled out of the accord in May 2018. The other working group will focus on how to get Iran back into compliance with the accords limitations on nuclear enrichment and stockpiles of enriched uranium. The two groups have already begun their efforts, according to Mikhail Ulyanov, the Russian representative who is ambassador to international organizations in Vienna. He called Tuesdays meeting of the joint commission on the Iran deal an initial success. President Biden has vowed to bring the United States back into the deal, which would mean removing sanctions imposed on Iran after Mr. Trump pulled out of an accord he regarded as too weak. After the American withdrawal, the European signatories failed to provide the economic benefits Iran was due as part of the deal. In 2019, Iran began to violate the enrichment limits of the accord. United States officials now estimate that Irans breakout time  the time necessary to assemble enough highly enriched uranium for a nuclear weapon  is down to a few months.

The Biden administration will seek the publics input on a Title IX overhaul. Miguel Cardona, the education secretary, is leading a review of the policies under Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded schools. Credit... Pool photo by Anna Moneymaker The Biden administration announced Tuesday that the publics input will be included in an expansive effort to review all existing policies on sex and gender discrimination and violence in schools. The review, announced by executive order last month, is part of President Bidens effort to dismantle Trump-era rules on sexual misconduct that afforded greater protections to students accused of assault. On Tuesday, Suzanne B. Goldberg, the acting assistant secretary for the Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights, issued a letter outlining ways for members of the public to include themselves in the process. According to the letter, the department will hold a public hearing for students, educators and other stakeholders to share important insights on the issue of sexual harassment in school environments, including sexual violence, and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Students and faculty will also be issued questionnaires meant to provide a fuller picture of how the Trump-era rules have impacted schools handling of sexual harassment. Lastly, the department will publish a notice in the Federal Register of its intent to amend existing Title IX regulations, an act that will open up additional opportunities for public comment. With his efforts to overhaul Title IX, Mr. Biden has waded into an area that is important to him but has been politically charged for more than a decade. As vice president, Mr. Biden was integral to President Barack Obamas efforts to overhaul Title IX, which critics in and out of academia said leaned too heavily toward accusers and offered scant protections or due process for students and faculty accused of sexual harassment, assault or other misconduct. The Trump administration swept those rules aside and delivered the first-ever regulations on sexual misconduct, which many saw as swinging too far the other way, offering the accused too much power through guaranteed court-like tribunals and cross-examination of accusers. The changes have led to a flood of lawsuits from accused students who have successfully claimed sex-based discrimination, a sign that could complicate efforts to undo the Trump-era rules. It is unclear whether Mr. Bidens review of all policies under Title IX, a 1972 law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded schools, will return the rules to the Obama administrations approach or find some middle ground that incorporates lessons from the last two administrations.

Capitol Rioters Face the Consequences of Their Selfie Sabotage Joe Biggs, right, in 2019. Mr. Biggs, who was indicted last month on charges that included conspiracy and destruction of government property, potentially faces decades in prison for his role in the Capitol riot Credit... John Rudoff/Agence France-Presse  Getty Images On Jan. 6, Joe Biggs, a former Army staff sergeant turned Proud Boys lieutenant, led the far-right group to the Capitol from the Washington Monument, charged over the wreckage of police barricades, pulled down another barrier, faced off with the police and then filmed himself. Weve just taken the Capitol! Mr. Biggs shouted to the world. All that was laid out in court documents, but it was also in plain view. Mr. Biggs, indicted last month on charges that included conspiracy and destruction of government property, potentially faces decades in prison for his role in the Capitol riot. He has himself to blame. Like other Proud Boys, he helped document the prosecutions case. Wanting to show how smart they are, theyve basically outlined the charges against them, said Grant Fredericks, a forensic video analyst in Seattle who examined the online evidence against Mr. Biggs and Proud Boys facing similar charges. The Justice Department predicted last month that the Capitol attack investigation and prosecution would be one of the largest in American history. In Mr. Biggss case, prosecutors are relying heavily on private communications obtained through search warrants. But the government is also reviewing records from 1,600 electronic devices and more than 210,000 tips, of which a substantial portion include video, photo and social media, the Justice Department said. Many of the tips came from independent and amateur investigators combing through gigabytes of material from social media. By now, the footage from the Capitol has become familiar. Rioters filmed themselves and one another fighting with law enforcement, destroying property, looting offices and smashing news media equipment. As the cases against the rioters inch forward, some judges propose banning them from social media. One defendants lawyer argued for it: If it werent for social media, she wouldnt even be a defendant, Charles Peruto, a lawyer for Gina Bisignano, an aesthetician in Beverly Hills who was filmed at the Capitol riot, told The Los Angeles Times.

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Biden will keep Trumps policy on land mines, for now Anti-personnel land mines, small explosive weapons that are buried underground or laid on the surface and designed to kill or maim people, can remain deadly for many decades and are banned by 164 countries around the world. Credit... Reuters The Defense Department announced Tuesday that it would retain the Trump administrations policy and keep antipersonnel land mines in its arsenal, reserving the right to use them in war. In a statement, Mike Howard, a Pentagon spokesman, called such weapons a vital tool in conventional warfare that the military cannot responsibly forgo, particularly when faced with substantial and potentially overwhelming enemy forces in the early stages of combat. The announcement drew swift condemnation from human rights groups. The Pentagon press secretary, John Kirby, subsequently addressed the issue with reporters, saying Mr. Howards words were accurate and factual, but he added that the land mine policy was under review. The current policy dates to Jan. 31, 2020, when Mark T. Esper, the secretary of defense under President Donald J. Trump, announced a major change to the Pentagons policy on antipersonnel land mines, small explosive weapons that are buried underground or laid on the surface to kill or maim people. Their use was permitted so long as the weapons had self-destruct features or could self-deactivate. Mr. Espers decision followed Mr. Trumps cancellation of a presidential directive signed by President Barack Obama in 2014 that limited the use of so-called persistent mines, which stay deadly indefinitely, to the Korean Peninsula. Older types of antipersonnel land mines can remain deadly for many decades and their use has been condemned because of the indiscriminate manner in which they operate: Most will explode when stepped upon, no matter whether by an enemy fighter or a noncombatant. That President Biden might continue to support the use of antipersonnel land mines came as a disappointment to many human rights groups that expected him to join the 164 countries that have the banned the weapons, based on comments Mr. Biden made on the campaign trail. The Defense Departments reiteration of the Trump-era policy also seemed to come as a surprise at the United Nations, where the Mine Action Service plays an important role in clearing antipersonnel mines from former war zones.

A former H.U.D. official is punished for duping tenants into filming a pro-Trump video. Lynne Patton said she did not regret creating the video. Credit... Drew Angerer/Getty Images A former top federal housing official in New York under President Donald J. Trump admitted on Tuesday that she violated federal rules by creating a pro-Trump re-election video featuring public housing tenants shown last summer at the Republican National Convention. The official, Lynne Patton, will not serve in federal government for at least the next four years and will pay a $1,000 fine as part of an agreement with the federal agency that investigates violations of the Hatch Act. The act bars most federal employees from using their government position to engage in political activities. The video, which was broadcast on the final night of the Republican National Convention, featured four New Yorkers who lived in public housing and who appeared to support Mr. Trump. But the day after it aired, three of the tenants told The New York Times that Ms. Patton had recruited them to appear in the video and tricked them into believing that it would focus on problems at the New York City Housing Authority, the citys public housing agency. By using information and N.Y.C.H.A. connections available to her solely by virtue of her H.U.D. position, Patton improperly harnessed the authority of her federal position to assist the Trump campaign, the Office of Special Counsel, the agency that enforces the Hatch Act, said in a statement. Ms. Patton, who previously said the White House had given her permission to produce the video, said in an email on Tuesday that she did not regret creating it. Claudia Perez, one of the four tenants who appeared in the video, said on Tuesday that Ms. Patton should have received a more severe punishment. I dont think it was stern enough, she said. The video was not the first time that Ms. Patton ran afoul of the Hatch Act. In 2019, the Office of Special Counsel found that she violated the law when she displayed a Trump campaign hat in her New York office and when she liked political tweets. At the time of the video, Ms. Patton was the administrator for the New York region in the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development and had some oversight of the citys public housing agency. Ms. Patton joined the federal agency after working as a personal assistant for Mr. Trumps family and at the Trump Organization.

The corporate protest of restrictive voting laws draws a governors rebuke. Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas said he would no longer throw out the first pitch at a Texas Rangers game in protest of Major League Baseballs disapproval of new voting laws. Credit... Joel Martinez/The Monitor, via Associated Press A battle between state politicians and the large companies that generate jobs and tax revenue shows no signs of slowing after Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas announced a personal protest against Major League Baseball after its decision to move the All-Star Game out of Atlanta. Corporate America began flexing its muscle after Georgia recently passed election restrictions, with companies including Coca-Cola and Delta Air Lines, which are headquartered in the state, publicly criticizing the changes. And now politicians are fighting back, at least symbolically. Mr. Abbott, who is pushing similar election legislation in Texas, said on Monday that he was declining an invitation to throw out a ceremonial first pitch for the Texas Rangers, that the state would no longer pursue the All-Star Game, and that he would cease participating in any M.L.B. events. It is shameful that Americas pastime is not only being influenced by partisan political politics, but also perpetuating false political narratives, the governor, a Republican, said in a letter he sent to the Rangers. Lawmakers in more than 40 states are pursuing voting laws, with Republicans saying that limiting early voting, absentee balloting and poll watchers are necessary steps to ensure election integrity and Democrats warning that those changes would make it more difficult for people of color to vote. It is a head-spinning new landscape for big companies, which are trying to appease Democrats focused on social justice, as well as populist Republicans who are suddenly unafraid to break ties with business. Individuals like Gregg Popovich, the Spurs coach who denounced the Texas bills before a game this weekend, are given some leeway to present their personal opinions. But companies are often caught in the middle, facing steep political consequences no matter what they do. Georgia lawmakers have already voted for new taxes on Delta, and more than 100 other companies have spoken out in defense of voting rights. Business leaders are still facing challenges on how to navigate a range of issues, and the elections issue is among the most sensitive, said Rich Lesser, the chief executive of Boston Consulting Group. Hours after Mr. Abbotts announcement, a broad swath of the political leadership throughout Harris County, Texas largest Democratic stronghold, criticized the states election proposals and called for broader engagement from the business world to help stop the efforts. These bills will go through unless we collectively stand up and say no, said Mayor Sylvester Turner of Houston, a former Democratic legislator. The mayor applauded Major League Baseballs decision to move the All-Star Game and assailed Mr. Abbott for his public display of disapproval. There are a whole lot of people that can throw out that ball, he said. David Montgomery and

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Born in Scotland in 1847, Bell was the son and grandson of elocutionists, and his driving passion was to understand how human beings create the sounds that make up speech. He produced a speaking machine that replicated a range of phonemes when properly aerated, and continued to tinker with ways of bringing forth spoken words where no such words had been heard before; he even tried to teach speech to his dog. His father had designed a universal alphabet to represent the mechanics of articulation, and Alexander Graham Bell lectured widely on its importance, certain that anyone would be able to verbalize any language transliterated into these symbols.

That anyone included deaf people. Bell believed that with the correct methods, they could learn to speak, and be integrated into the larger society. As he tried to understand hearing and sound, he stumbled into inventions. Though the telephone made him rich, he had relatively little emotional attachment to it, seeing it as a distraction from his wish to reform the education of deaf people. (Nevertheless, he devoted years to defending his patents, which some critics believe were granted unfairly; if Bell did invent the telephone, he stood on the shoulders of giants.)

Mabel had lost her hearing as a child, a consequence of scarlet fever, after learning some speech, and she was able to master verbal communication anew. Bell believed that others would share her aptitude if properly taught. But he did nothing to lift the stigma that even she associated with her condition; Mabel long refused to socialize with other deaf people because to do so instantly brought the hardly concealed fact [of my own deafness] into evidence.

Bell seems to have been disconnected from most human drama; the man Booth describes sounds as though he may have been on the mild end of the autism spectrum, as many great inventors are. She believes he was lonely in his later life, rather a sad man, but the evidence she presents suggests he was merely a loner in his intellectual adventures and, Mabel notwithstanding, not much drawn to intimacy. His mind was fixed on the human voice, and everything else came second, including his own family. That detachment perhaps explains the failures of empathy that poisoned his relationship with the very people he wished to serve. Mabel said: Your deaf mute business is hardly human to you. You are very tender and gentle to the deaf children, but their interest to you lies in their being deaf, not in their humanity.

Immune to the beauty of sign language, Bell never saw deafness as anything more than a deficit, though already in his day deaf people were organizing around the defense of their language and society. The oralism Bell championed was a disaster for the deaf. While examples abound of deaf people who have mastered speech, they do not represent the larger deaf community; an acuity at producing sounds is a splinter talent. Moreover, instructing deaf people on the mechanics of speech is terribly time-consuming, and those who aspire to this skill can do so only by ignoring all other domains of education. Deaf people in a signing environment are likely to learn mathematics and science and literature, while those raised orally learn pronunciation and little else. Finally, oralism implicitly teaches a kind of self-abnegation  that deaf people are of value only insofar as they can approximate another kind of person. Devoted oralists believed that sign language should be forbidden in oralist environments, which meant that language acquisition in oralist schools was painfully gradual. Without early language development, as Booth notes, the human mind cannot fully develop, and many children taught orally acquire little or no language during the crucial window of brain plasticity.
TRIPOLI (Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi on Tuesday urged the Libyan government to ensure that the country's ceasefire is maintained and strictly observed.

In comments to the press alongside Libya's interim Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibeh, Draghi said the two leaders had spoken about immigration and economic cooperation between the two countries with strong historic ties.

For Libya "to be able to proceed with courage and decisiveness it is a prerequisite that the ceasefire must continue and be strictly observed," Draghi said after his first foreign trip since he took office in February.

Dbeibeh's new U.N.-backed unity government took office last month with a mandate to improve services and prepare for a national election in December.

Libya has been torn by division and violence for a decade since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising against Muammar Gaddafi and split between warring western and eastern factions in 2014.

(Reporting by Gavin Jones, editing by Angelo Amante)
( ) announced it exchanged contracts to acquire the entire issued share capital of Nottingham Mortgage Services (NMS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Nottingham Building Society.

The deal is valued at 600,000 to be paid in cash from existing cash resources, the estate agents said, with completion scheduled for 31 July.

The AIM-listed firm said the acquisition is expected to be immediately earnings accretive.

NMS delivers tailored mortgage and protection services to the members and customers of The Nottingham with its team based either in The Nottingham's branches, or from The Nottingham's Head Office, with NMS facilities in all 48 Nottingham Building Society branches across nine counties.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP)  Dutch police arrested a suspect Tuesday in the theft last year of two valuable paintings by Vincent van Gogh and Frans Hals from different museums, a spokeswoman said. The paintings, however, remain missing.

In a statement posted on Twitter, police spokeswoman Maren Wonder said a 58-year-old man was arrested at his home in the Dutch town of Baarn, 40 kilometers (25 miles) southeast of Amsterdam. His identity was not released, in line with Dutch privacy guidelines.

Unfortunately, we havent yet recovered the paintings and the investigation is continuing, Wonder said. She called the arrest a really important step in the investigation.

Van Gogh's The Parsonage Garden at Nuenen in Spring 1884 was snatched from the Singer Laren museum east of Amsterdam in the early hours of March 30, 2020. The museum was closed at the time due to a coronavirus lockdown.

The 25-by-57-centimeter (10-by-22-inch) oil-on-paper painting shows a person standing in a garden surrounded by trees with a church tower in the background.

The Hals work, Two Laughing Boys, was stolen some five months later from Museum Hofje van Mevrouw van Aerden in Leerdam, 60 kilometers (about 35 miles) south of Amsterdam.

The Van Gogh painting was on loan from the Groninger Museum in the Netherlands when a burglar smashed through reinforced glass doors to get into the Singer Laren, which is less than 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the town where the suspect was arrested.

Singer Laren spokeswoman Esther Driessen welcomed the arrest and said she hopes it leads detectives to the painting.

The most important thing is that the painting returns as quickly as possible to the Groninger Museum, where it belongs, she said.

The Hofje van Mevrouw van Aerden had no comment on the arrest. Police said last year that the same Hals painting was stolen in 1988 together with a work by Jacob van Ruisdael. Both were recovered three years later.

In 2011, the two paintings were again stolen and recovered six months later.
Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.), center, speaks about black judicial nominees, while flanked by (L-R) Rep. Fredrica Wilson (D-Fla.), Rep. Marc Veasey (D-Texas), Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio), during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington on July 17, 2013. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Democrat House Rep. Alcee Hastings Dies at Age 84

Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.) died on Tuesday at age 84 following a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Palm Beach County Commissioner Mack Bernard announced his death at Tuesdays commission meeting. Friends and family members confirmed the news to several local news outlets.

It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of Congressman Alcee Hastings, Bernard said, reported WPTV. Congressman Hastings was a dedicated public servant and leader. We are very thankful for his service and contributions to Palm Beach County and all of the residents of Palm Beach County and the 20th congressional district.

Hastings spent nearly 30 years representing a district in South Florida as a House representative.

Congressman Hastings broke barriers as he fought to advance civil rights as the first Black Federal Judge in the State of Florida and first black Congressperson to represent Florida since the Civil War, said State Sen. Lauren Book, a Democrat, in a statement to Miamis 6 News. I am grateful for the decades of advocacy Congressman Hastings provided for Floridians and offer my sincerest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.

He started his career as a civil rights attorney before he was nominated in 1979 by then-President Jimmy Carter as a federal judge. Hastings was later impeached by the House for perjury and bribery, and was later convicted in the Senate.

However, Hastings was able to mount a political comeback in 1992 and won a seat in the House before he was reelected 14 more times. He most recently served as Vice Chairman of the House Rules Committee and was also a member of the U.S. Helsinki Commission and the Dean and Co-Chairman of the Florida Delegation.

Hastings said in 2019 that he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

I have been convinced that this is a battle worth fighting, and my life is defined by fighting battles worth fighting, Hastings said at the time of his diagnosis. Should it become clear that this cancer which has invaded my body cannot be defeated, I will tell you so.

Hastings added: My doctors have stated that the advancement in the treatment of cancer is evolutionary and the success rates continue to climb resulting in a dramatic decrease in the number of cancer-related deaths. The lawmaker said that despite the diagnosis, he is hopeful about survival and his ability to serve as a House representative.

Also in 2019, the House Ethics Committee opened an investigation into him citing allegations about a personal relationship with an individual employed in his congressional office. Hastings later said he was in a relationship with his longtime aide, Patricia Williams. The ethics investigation was ended after the disclosure last year.

I have cooperated with the committee since May 14, 2019. As they continue to conduct their work, I stand ready to fully cooperate with their inquiry, he said about the inquiry.

Hastings defeated Republican challenger Greg Musselwhite during the Nov. 3 election.

The Epoch Times has contacted his office for comment.
Metamaterials that can control the refractive direction of light or absorb it to enable invisible cloaks are gaining attention. Recently, a research team at POSTECH has designed a metasurface that can control the acoustic or elastic waves. It is gaining attention as it can be used to escape from threatening earthquakes or build submarines untraceable to SONAR.

Professor Junsuk Rho of POSTECH's departments of mechanical engineering and chemical engineering and Ph.D. candidate Dongwoo Lee of the Department of Mechanical Engineering in collaboration with Professor Jensen Li of HKUST have designed an artificial structure that can control not only the domain of underwater sound but also of vibration. The research team has presented an underwater stealth metasurface independent from SONAR by controlling the acoustic resonance to absorb the wave. They also confirmed that the wave propagation through a curved plate, such as vibrations, can be drastically altered; and have presented a methodology that can actually achieve the cloaking effect with singularity of infinite refractive index, which has been considered impossible to demonstrate until now. These research findings were recently published in Journal of Applied Physics and Physical Review Applied, respectively.

When light encounters a substance in nature, it generally refracts in the positive (+) direction. Metamaterials can design this refractive of light as a negative (-) direction, a zero refractive index (0) that allows complete transmission, or a complete absorber. This is the reason why things look transparent when they encounter metamaterials.

The research team theoretically confirmed a metasurface that can significantly absorb sound waves without reflecting them by tailoring the resonance of sound. Through layers of split-orifice-conduit (SOC) hybrid resonators, a thin metasurface was designed to absorb sound waves in broadband (14 kHz to 17 kHz). The metasurface designed this way can achieve underwater stealth capability untraceable by SONAR, which detects objects using the information between transmitted and reflected waves.

The research team confirmed that it is possible to transmit or change the direction of elastic waves - like seismic waves - according to the design of curved plates. Applying Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity which states that the path of light changes in the warping of space-time due to the change in the gravitational field caused by mass, the research team proposed a platform capable of extremely controlling elastic waves on a curved plate. As an example, a refractive index singularity lens, which is a metasurface lens that approaches near-zero thickness, is implemented to demonstrate an elastic version of Eaton lenses that can be bent at 90 and 180 degrees in the broad frequency range (15 kHz to 18 kHz) on thin curved plates.

In addition, by proposing a methodology that can actually implement the cloaking effect in which the singularity exists in theory, it is expected that extreme celestial phenomena such as black hole enabled by gravitational fields can be explored as a test bed in the elastic platform in the near future. Based on this understanding of the singularity of refractive index, it is anticipated to enable technologies that protect nuclear power plants or buildings from earthquakes or to control wave energy generated when tectonic plates collide or split.

"Until now, metamaterial research has focused on light and electromagnetic waves, but we have confirmed that it can be applied to sound waves and seismic waves," remarked Professor Junsuk Rho, renown worldwide for his research on metamaterials. "We anticipate that it will be applicable to building untraceable submarines or nuclear power plants that can stay intact even during earthquakes."

###

This research was conducted with the support from the K-Cloud grant of the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. the Global Frontier Program, the Mid-career Researcher Program, and the Regional Leading Research Center program of the National Research Foundation of Korea and the Global Ph.D. Fellowship funded by the Korean Ministry of Education.
Kate Ritchie will become emotional on Tuesday's episode of Anh's Brush with Fame while reflecting on her decision to leave Home and Away in 2008.

A trailer for the season premiere of the popular ABC interview program shows the 42-year-old actress choking back tears as she discusses leaving behind the character she played for 20 years, Sally Fletcher.

She told artist-turned-TV presenter Anh Do she struggled to carve out her own identity separate from Sally and 'felt lost' when it came time to move on.

'I was lost': Kate Ritchie will become emotional on Tuesday's episode of Anh's Brush with Fame while reflecting on her decision to leave Home and Away in 2008

In the trailer, she said she didn't know how she would 'survive' without her Home and Away character to give her a sense of identity and purpose.

Kate explained: 'She'd been my best friend of 20 years. She gave me purpose and a sense of achievement because I felt - I feel differently now - after loads of therapy...

'I thought the only thing I had ever done of value in my life, was when I was her. That kind of thing.'

Looking back: A trailer for the program shows the 42-year-old actress choking back tears as she discusses leaving behind the character she'd played for 20 years, Sally Fletcher. Pictured here in a scene with a pre-Hollywood fame Heath Ledger

Anh asked Kate if she felt 'lost' when she left Home and Away, and Kate said she was.

'I was lost and I wondered how I was going to survive without her and how were people going to react to me if I wasn't Sally,' she added.

Kate had spent two decades on Home and Away, and feared how she would cope without having a full-time job.

Iconic role: In the trailer, Kate (pictured as a child actress) said she didn't know how she would 'survive' without her Home and Away character to give her a sense of identity and purpose

But she said quitting the soap ended up being the best decision she ever made.

'I think the best thing to come out of all of this, is that I'm great without [Sally]. I nearly choked on the words! We're all great without our security blankets,' she said.

Kate captioned the teaser on Instagram: 'I worry so often of what people think... of me revisiting the same old chapter of my life.

Leap of faith: 'I think the best thing to come out of all of this, is that I'm great without [Sally]. I nearly choked on the words! We're all great without our security blankets,' she said

'The chapter people continue to ask me about and the one that defined me, publicly and personally. One day I'll move through that worry, but for now I'll speak with Anh.'

Kate, who shares a daughter with her ex-husband Stuart Webb, starred on Home and Away from 1988 to 2008. She reprised her role as Sally Fletcher briefly in 2013.

She is now a successful radio presenter for Nova 96.9 in Sydney.

Fan favourite: Kate starred on Home and Away from 1988 to 2008. She reprised her role as Sally Fletcher briefly in 2013

Newfound fame: She is now a successful radio presenter for Nova 96.9 in Sydney

Last June, Kate surprised fans when she revealed she would love to return to acting.

She told TV Week: 'The day I walk back onto a film set will be a very happy one.

'I look forward to being part of an ensemble again one day. It's all about finding the right role. Don't worry - I'm still searching.'

She added: 'I will always feel attached to Home and Away.

'Even now, with some distance from those days and having had the chance to develop into my own person without the security blanket of Sally, I still miss it desperately.'
- By GF Value





The stock of Permian Basin Royalty Trust (NYSE:PBT, 30-year Financials) gives every indication of being significantly overvalued, according to GuruFocus Value calculation. GuruFocus Value is GuruFocus' estimate of the fair value at which the stock should be traded. It is calculated based on the historical multiples that the stock has traded at, the past business growth and analyst estimates of future business performance. If the price of a stock is significantly above the GF Value Line, it is overvalued and its future return is likely to be poor. On the other hand, if it is significantly below the GF Value Line, its future return will likely be higher. At its current price of $3.93 per share and the market cap of $183.2 million, Permian Basin Royalty Trust stock gives every indication of being significantly overvalued. GF Value for Permian Basin Royalty Trust is shown in the chart below.





Permian Basin Royalty Trust Stock Appears To Be Significantly Overvalued

Because Permian Basin Royalty Trust is significantly overvalued, the long-term return of its stock is likely to be much lower than its future business growth.

Link: These companies may deliever higher future returns at reduced risk.

Investing in companies with poor financial strength has a higher risk of permanent loss of capital. Thus, it is important to carefully review the financial strength of a company before deciding whether to buy its stock. Looking at the cash-to-debt ratio and interest coverage is a great starting point for understanding the financial strength of a company. Permian Basin Royalty Trust has a cash-to-debt ratio of 10000.00, which is better than 100% of the companies in Oil & Gas industry. GuruFocus ranks the overall financial strength of Permian Basin Royalty Trust at 8 out of 10, which indicates that the financial strength of Permian Basin Royalty Trust is strong. This is the debt and cash of Permian Basin Royalty Trust over the past years:

Story continues

Permian Basin Royalty Trust Stock Appears To Be Significantly Overvalued

It is less risky to invest in profitable companies, especially those with consistent profitability over long term. A company with high profit margins is usually a safer investment than those with low profit margins. Permian Basin Royalty Trust has been profitable 10 over the past 10 years. Over the past twelve months, the company had a revenue of $12.1 million and earnings of $0.237 a share. Its operating margin is 90.52%, which ranks better than 99% of the companies in Oil & Gas industry. Overall, the profitability of Permian Basin Royalty Trust is ranked 7 out of 10, which indicates fair profitability. This is the revenue and net income of Permian Basin Royalty Trust over the past years:

Permian Basin Royalty Trust Stock Appears To Be Significantly Overvalued

Growth is probably the most important factor in the valuation of a company. GuruFocus research has found that growth is closely correlated with the long term stock performance of a company. A faster growing company creates more value for shareholders, especially if the growth is profitable. The 3-year average annual revenue growth of Permian Basin Royalty Trust is -26.6%, which ranks worse than 87% of the companies in Oil & Gas industry. The 3-year average EBITDA growth rate is -28%, which ranks worse than 80% of the companies in Oil & Gas industry.

Another method of determining the profitability of a company is to compare its return on invested capital to the weighted average cost of capital. Return on invested capital (ROIC) measures how well a company generates cash flow relative to the capital it has invested in its business. The weighted average cost of capital (WACC) is the rate that a company is expected to pay on average to all its security holders to finance its assets. When the ROIC is higher than the WACC, it implies the company is creating value for shareholders. For the past 12 months, Permian Basin Royalty Trust's return on invested capital is 2713.43, and its cost of capital is 9.34. The historical ROIC vs WACC comparison of Permian Basin Royalty Trust is shown below:

Permian Basin Royalty Trust Stock Appears To Be Significantly Overvalued

To conclude, The stock of Permian Basin Royalty Trust (NYSE:PBT, 30-year Financials) appears to be significantly overvalued. The company's financial condition is strong and its profitability is fair. Its growth ranks worse than 80% of the companies in Oil & Gas industry. To learn more about Permian Basin Royalty Trust stock, you can check out its 30-year Financials here.

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This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


New York, April 6 : Emergency medical service (EMS) workers are three times more at risk of mental health problems such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared to the general population, according to a new study.

The findings showed that each day EMS workers experience a diverse array of occupational stressors -- routine work demands, critical incidents involving serious harm or death, and social conflicts.

"Each additional work demand or critical event that an EMS worker encountered on a given workday was associated with a 5 per cent increase in their PTSD symptom severity levels that day, while each social conflict was associated with a 12 per cent increase in their depression symptom severity levels," said lead researcher Bryce Hruska, Assistant Professor of public health at the Syracuse University in New York, US.

"Together, these occupational stressors negatively impacted mental health each day that they occurred," Hruska added.

Exercising, socialising with other people, and finding meaning in a given day's challenges can help reduce mental health symptoms for EMS workers, revealed the study published by the Journal of Affective Disorders.

"These activities had a beneficial impact on mental health; each additional recovery activity in which a worker engaged was associated with a 5 per cent decrease in their depression symptom severity levels that day," Hruska said.

The researchers surveyed EMS workers at American Medical Response in Syracuse, for eight consecutive days in 2019 to better understand their mental health symptoms related to daily occupational stressors.

EMS workers who looked for lessons to learn from the day's challenges had a 3 per cent decrease in their daily depression symptoms, the results showed.

The Covid-19 pandemic has underscored the significant mental health burden experienced by EMS workers.

Increasing interaction with family, friends and co-workers, recognising conflicts as an opportunity for learning, relaxing after a particularly demanding shift may help in alleviating the stress, the researchers said.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
MOSCOW  President Vladimir Putin on Monday called his Argentine counterpart, who has tested positive for COVID-19 despite receiving a Russian vaccine.

The Kremlin said in its readout of the call that Argentine President Alberto Fernandez told Putin that he only had minor symptoms thanks to receiving the Sputnik V vaccine. Fernandez thanked Russia for offering assistance in fighting the coronavirus and expressed interest in getting additional supplies of the Russian vaccine, according to the Kremlin statement.

Putin congratulated Fernandez, who turned 62 on Friday, on his birthday and wished him a quick recovery.

In a tweet Saturday, Fernandez said he had a headache and was experiencing a fever of 37.3 Celsius (99.1 Fahrenheit). He said he otherwise has slight symptoms, is isolating and is physically well.

The Argentine president received a dose of Sputnik V on Jan. 21 and a second dose a few days later.

The Russian Gamaleya Institute, which produced the vaccine, tweeted that it wished the president a quick recovery, and said the vaccine has a 91.6% rate of effectiveness against infection and 100% against critical cases.

More than 650,000 people in Argentina have received both scheduled shots of the vaccine and only about 1,000 of those have been found to be infected more than 14 days after the final dose, according to national health statistics.

None of the vaccines used against the new coronavirus completely eliminate infections, though they have been shown to sharply reduce the rate of infection and its severity.

___

Follow APs pandemic coverage at:

https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic

https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine

https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

The Associated Press
UDP Renewables, an investment and development company in the field of renewable energy, in a consortium with the Qatari energy company Nebras Power, plans to invest about $ 250 million in "green" energy in Ukraine in 2021-2022, UDP Renewables CEO Serhiy Yevtushenko said.

"he next big step in the life of UDP Renewables and UFuture is the conclusion of an investment agreement with the largest energy company in Qatar, Nebras Power. At the first stage of our strategic partnership, Qataris together with us become shareholders of a large portfolio of operating solar power plants, and then the formation of a consortium for the construction of a whole portfolio of projects in wind energy," Yevtushenko said on Facebook.

"He noted that the planned volume of investments of the consortium in 2021-2022 could reach $ 250 million, calling it "a good start for a long-term partnership."

According to him, the signing of contracts by UDP Renewables and Nebras Power during the official visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the State of Qatar is proof of the intentions of both states to develop long-term cooperation.

In addition, Yevtushenko noted that with the conclusion of the investment agreement with Nebras Power, the Ukrainian team received another unique experience in structuring and closing a complex international transaction, which had been working on for two years. Everlegal law firm acted as a legal advisor to UDP Renewables.
AN OUT-of-work chef caught selling heroin substitute metadone on the street was financing his own drug addiction at the time, a court heard.

After he got clean, Farzad Tavakolipour (54) was left with a 2,000 drug debt and stole petrol from a filling station so he could drive his pregnant girlfriend around.

Judge Bryan Smyth gave him a four-month suspended sentence and fined him 200.

Tavakolipour, of Inverness Road, Fairview, pleaded guilty to possession of methadone for sale or supply, and theft.

Dublin District Court heard gardai were on patrol at Townsend Street on May 20, 2019 when they saw the accused, who was in a car, interact with another man.

This other man was stopped and found to be in possession of 20 worth of methadone, Garda Sergeant Michelle Lynch said.

When Tavakolipour was searched, empty methadone bottles were found in the driver's side door, along with cash and methadone worth 40.

Tavakolipour became agg- ressive and shouted at the garda in the search.

He also admitted stealing 15 worth of petrol in two drive-offs from the Circle K filling station on Richmond Road, Ballybough, last January 5 and 8.

After getting clean a year ago, the accused was still in significant debt and had stolen only small amounts to drive his pregnant girlfriend around, the defence said.

He had gone back to the petrol station before he was charged and offered to pay, but this was not accepted.




Secretary of State Antony Blinken has appointed a former veteran diplomat and humanitarian aid chief to be a special envoy for US vaccine and prevention efforts.

Blinken announced Monday that he had named Gayle Smith to be America's Global COVID-19 coordinator as the Biden administration ramps up its efforts to combat the virus at home and abroad.

She's tested. She's highly respected. She will hit the ground running, Blinken said.

And I can say from having worked with Gayle and admired her for years, that no one will work harder, faster, or more effectively to get us to the finish line.

Smith is a former director of the U.S. Agency for International Development and has held senior State Department and National Security Council positions focused on Africa.

She was active in the Obama administration's initiatives to eradicate the Ebola virus and was most recently the president of the ONE Campaign, the organization founded by U2 frontman Bono and others to combat extreme poverty and diseases like malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.

In her new job, Smith will be charged with overseeing U.S. programmes to prevent, detect and respond to disease outbreaks, including COVID-19, abroad.

(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.)
GENEVA (Reuters) - The World Health Organization expects there will be no reason to change its assessment that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine against COVID-19 outweigh any risks, its regulatory director said on Tuesday.

The WHO is closely studying the latest data alongside European and other regulators, in light of reports of blood clots among people who have been vaccinated, said Rogerio Gaspar, WHO director of regulation and prequalification.

A senior official at Europe's medicines regulator has said there is a clear "association" between AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine and very rare blood clots in the brain, though the direct cause of the clots is still unknown.

The European Medical Agency (EMA) said in a statement after the comments by Marco Cavaleri, chair of its vaccine evaluation team, that it was still conducting a review of the vaccine and expected to announce its findings on Wednesday or Thursday.

Gaspar said the WHO expects to reach a fresh assessment on Wednesday or Thursday, after its own vaccine safety advisory group meets, but does not believe there will be a reason to change its advice that the benefits outweigh any risks.

"What we can say is that the appraisal that we have for the moment - and this is under consideration by the experts - is that the benefits-risk assessment for the vaccine is still largely positive," he told a Geneva news conference.

"We continue to see a number of events that are rare events linking thrombocytopenia to thromboembolic events and those rare events are now being categorised in terms of the diagnostics, in terms of the population, in terms of the distribution within the population," he said.

WHO was in touch with various national and regional expert committees that will decide on the vaccine's regulatory status, Gaspar said.

"For the time being there is no evidence that the benefit-risk assessment for the vaccine needs to be changed," he added.

(Reporting by John Miller and Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva; Writing by Peter Graff; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Matthew Lewis)
SITEKI  Grade I teachers at KaMkhweli Primary School fear being exposed to the COVID-19 pandemic as they teach over 40 pupils per class.

A concerned parent said the educators had voiced their concern with the Head teacher, Sakhile Dlamini. The parent said the pupils sat in pairs in their desks, which also puts them at high risk of spreading the virus due to the close proximity seating arrangements. The parent said there were three Grade I classrooms which accommodates a large number of pupils.

According to the parent, the pupils start lessons at 8am and finish at 2:15pm. In fact, I was told that there are 45 pupils per class. They sit in pairs and that is one of the concerns raised by the teachers. Due to their numbers, they are expected to come for their lessons every day compared to the others who come on scheduled days. The teachers fear that they might contract the virus because of this arrangement, the parent said. Called to shed light on this matter, a teacher at the school, who asked to remain anonymous, confirmed that they feared contracting the virus.

Concerned

*Zama said they had about 45 pupils per class in all the three Grade I classrooms. She said they were concerned with the level of safety because they were exposed to a high number of pupils. The teacher further said they had no masks to distribute among the learners who did not have any. She said they were faced by the same challenge with sanitisers, which put them at a high risk of being infected with the virus. The other classes have the normal number of 20 pupils per class. But Grade I classes are overcrowded. The children come from different homes and some without masks and it is chaos. As teachers, we are afraid that we are at a high risk of contracting and spreding the virus due to exposure to this environment that is not conducive in this pandemic era, she said.

The educator asked government to intervene and provide them with masks and sanitisers. Interestingly, the pictures shared to this publication showed some of the pupils without masks.

The schools Head teacher, Dlamini, sounded surprised on how the pictures of pupils in class had been leaked to the media.
Western expressions of support for Ukraine are growing amid an uptick in violence and an increased Russian troop presence across the border that have heightened concerns of a widening conflict.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on April 6 that he had called Ukraine's president "to express serious concern about Russias military activities in and around Ukraine & ongoing ceasefire violations."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy reportedly told Stoltenberg that a path toward NATO membership was the only way to end war in eastern Ukraine, where Russia-backed separatists continue to battle Ukrainian government forces seven years into the conflict.

Zelenskiy also urged NATO member states to strengthen their military presence in the Black Sea region as a "powerful deterrent" to Moscow.

Stoltenberg tweeted that "#NATO firmly supports #Ukraines sovereignty & territorial integrity. We remain committed to our close partnership."



A spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin later misleadingly characterized the situation as a "domestic problem" and said Ukrainian membership in the transatlantic military alliance would make things worse.

Since occupying and annexing Crimea from Ukraine early in 2014, overwhelming evidence suggests Russia has continued to lend diplomatic and military aid to armed separatists fighting in eastern Ukraine, despite denials to the contrary.

"We very much doubt that this will help Ukraine settle its domestic problem," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on April 6. "From our point of view, it will only worsen the situation."

Earlier in the day, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said high-level Russian and U.S. officials had discussed the situation in southeastern Ukraine. That TASS report has not yet been confirmed by U.S. officials.

The Russian report follows a demand a day earlier by the U.S. State Department that Moscow explain "provocations," including military movements in the region.

On April 5, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed "significant concerns" about the Russian buildup near Ukraine's border. In a call with Zelenskiy on April 5, Johnson voiced unwavering support for Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity, Johnson's office said.

U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with Zelenskiy on April 2 about the buildup in his first call with the Ukrainian leader since taking power in January.

Fighting between Ukrainian government forces and Russia-backed separatists in two eastern provinces has spiked in recent weeks despite a cease-fire agreement reached in the summer.

Officials in Kyiv reported on April 6 that two more Ukrainian servicemen had been killed by Russia-backed forces in the previous 24 hours. Four soldiers were killed by separatist shelling in late March.

Russia has acknowledged moving troops toward its border with Ukraine in what Moscow says is an exercise. The United States has called it an attempt to intimidate Ukraine.

"Russia's recent actions pose a serious challenge to the security of Ukraine, NATO member states, and the whole of Europe," Zelenskiy reportedly told Johnson during their conversation, adding a call for a stronger physical presence in the region.

He also urged Western nations to impose tougher sanctions on Russia for its destabilizing activities and invite Ukraine into NATOs Membership Action Plan.

Russia is opposed to Ukraine joining the military alliance and recently warned NATO countries against sending troops to support Ukraine.

Ukraine has been battling the Russia-backed separatists in a low-simmering war since 2014, when unrest in Kyiv toppled Kremlin-friendly President Viktor Yanukovych.

More than 13,000 people have been killed in the ensuring seven years. Russia is demanding Ukraine give the separatist-controlled regions greater autonomy, which would effectively prevent the country from joining NATO.

Ukraine has blamed the Russia-backed separatists for the recent spike in hostilities, while Moscow has pointed the finger at Kyiv.

Some analysts have suggested that the recent actions may be Russias way of testing the new Biden administration's commitment to Ukraine.

With reporting by Reuters and AFP
NEW YORK, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ardonagh Group and Amynta Group today announce that they have acquired AccuRisk Holdings LLC, a Chicago-based managing general underwriter specialising in medical stop loss, occupational accident and supplemental health products for small and mid-sized businesses.

Accurisk has grown steadily through organic growth and targeted acquisitions since it was founded in 2017. Its 82 staff operate from offices in Boston, Kansas City, Baltimore, Dallas, Indianapolis, Milwaukee and Phoenix. AccuRisk wrote $137 million of premiums in 2020.

Medical stop loss is bought by employers that self-fund healthcare benefits for their employees. The US medical stop loss market has rapidly expanded from $10 billion in 2010 to $24 billion in 2020, as employers look for alternatives to the fully insured market. AccuRisk has also expanded into the Captive and Ancillary service lines as these markets have significant growth opportunities in the US.

AccuRisk will operate within Ardonagh's Global Partners segment.

AccuRisk CEO Dan Boisvert said: "This is a really exciting moment for the company and we're incredibly proud to become part of the Ardonagh and Amynta portfolios."

"Our team's success is driven by our focus on creating and bringing innovative products to market that meet a very real customer demand. More than half the US workforce is currently enrolled in a self-funded health plan, and we anticipate further growth as employers look to create customised and affordable health insurance plans."

"With the firepower of an independent Top 20 global broker like Ardonagh behind us, and the relationships and experience of Amynta, we will accelerate our expansion plans and continue to deliver our broker and agent partners and their clients an even better range of products and services."

Ardonagh Group CEO David Ross said: "Dan's team are proven leaders with a desire to drive the best results for their clients. Their data driven focus is designed to provide the next generation of healthcare solutions to their distribution partners. We're incredibly excited that they have chosen to partner with us to fuel the next chapter of their journey."

"We're also very pleased to be working in partnership with Amynta, as we enter a new geography of strategic significance."

Amynta Group CEO Rob Giammarco said: "Dan and his team have built a great platform, differentiating themselves in the market by delivering innovative, client focused solutions, with a strong track record of growth and profitability. We see significant opportunity to expand the business and are excited to join forces with Ardonagh in entering the Accident & Health market and building on the success of AccuRisk."

About The Ardonagh Group

The Ardonagh Group is the UK's largest independent insurance broker powered by a network of over 100 locations across the UK and Ireland and a workforce of over 7,000 people. Formed in 2017, Ardonagh today brings together best-in-class brands including Autonet, Arachas, Bishopsgate, Broker Network, Carole Nash, Compass Networks, Ethos Broking, Geo Underwriting, Price Forbes, Swinton, Towergate and URIS.

About Amynta Group

Amynta Group is a premier insurance services company with more than $3.5 billion in managed premium and 2,000 associates across North America, Europe, and Australia. An independent, customer-centered, and underwriting-focused company, Amynta serves leading carriers, wholesalers, retail agencies, auto dealers, OEMs, and consumer product retailers with innovative insurance and warranty protection solutions. Amynta operates through three segments: Managing General Agencies; Warranty, including automotive, consumer and specialty equipment; and Specialty Risk Services. For more information, please visit amyntagroup.com.

Media Contact:

Brenna Tetley

Phone: +1.646.887.9498

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE The Amynta Group

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Guwahati/Agartala, April 7 : Hundreds of people from Assam and Tripura on Tuesday bid farewell three of their bravehearts -- Inspector Dilip Kumar Das, Constables Bablu Rabha and Sambhu Roy, who among the 22 security personnel martyred in Sunday's Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh.

Das hailed from Sarupeta in Barpeta district, Rabha from Damra Patpara near Dudhnoi in Goalpara district while Roy was a resident of north Tripura district.

All three martyrs belong to Central Reserve Police Force's (CRPF) elite CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) unit's 210 battalion.

The CRPF officials along with local administrations and other state security forces on Tuesday offered full force honours during the last rites of the three para-military bravehearts in their respective native villages.

In gloomy ceremonies, the CRPF paid homage to the gallant para-military personnel on behalf of the nation as hundreds of villagers, elected leaders, senior administrative officials, high force personnel, family members and friends bid tearful adieu to the bravehearts of Assam and Tripura.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and his Tripura counterpart Biplab Kumar Deb condoling the killing said that the nation salutes the supreme sacrifice of the bravehearts who were martyred while fighting the Maoists in Chhattisgarh.

With these three victims, there are eight para-military force personnel from the northeast region to be martyred in terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir and Chhattisgarh during the past five months.

On March 25, militants killed CRPF sub-inspector Manga Ram Deb Barma from Tripura at Parimpora in Srinagar.

On December 23 last year, CRPF jawan Mrityunjoy Chetia from Sissiborgaon village in Assam's Dhemaji district was martyred in a grenade attack by militants in Jammu and Kashmir.

On December 1, Border Security Force (BSF) sub-inspector Paotinsat Guite from Kangpokpi district in Manipur was martyred in unprovoked ceasefire violation by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.

On November 13, Indian Army havildar Hardhan Chandra Roy from Dhubri district in Assam was martyred in unprovoked ceasefire violation by Pakistan along the LoC in J&K.

On November 8, BSF constable Sudip Kumar Sarkar from Tripura was killed in a terrorist attack in Machil sector in Kashmir's Kupwara district.
Air Force officials waived airmen's in-person vehicle training requirements during the global pandemic, something investigators noted in a comprehensive review of a vehicle rollover accident in the Middle East that killed a 26-year-old senior airman.

Senior Airman Jason Khai Phan, from the 66th Security Forces Squadron at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., died after being ejected from an all-terrain vehicle while on a routine perimeter sweep of Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait in September, an Air Force ground investigation board report found.

Phan and two other airmen were on a 12-hour night patrol in a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain Vehicle outside the fenced perimeter and were not wearing their seat belts or helmets when the accident occurred, the board report, released Monday, states. They were assigned to the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron.

Read Next: 2 in Critical Condition After Navy Hospital Corpsman Opens Fire Near Fort Detrick

Only the driver's door may have been "combat-locked," which offers additional protection to lock doors from the inside, the report found.

On Sept. 12, 2020, Phan, who had been promoted to senior airman a month earlier, was accompanying the truck commander, identified only as a female senior airman, and the driver, identified as a female staff sergeant.

All three airmen had completed local training and certification on how to operate the M-ATV. However, due to COVID-19 stop-movement orders and other restrictions, the in-person Tactical Vehicle Course requirement was waived for many Security Forces personnel deploying to the Middle East, the report states. According to their records, Phan and the two other airmen completed only the "Phase One" local welcome training given to newcomers within the first few days of arriving at the base.

Toward the end of their shift outside the perimeter, in an area known as "Viperland," the driver felt the vehicle begin to pull to the right "as the right wheels appeared to be getting stuck in the sand," according to a release accompanying the report. The driver said she thought the brakes were malfunctioning. The report said the vehicle was traveling at at least 43 miles per hour -- more than double the vehicle approved speed limit -- when it began to veer to the right.

Citing what she learned during training, the driver said she continued to press down on the gas pedal, steering the vehicle in a serpentine pattern for roughly 200 yards, but ultimately lost control.

The ATV rolled over completely once, before coming to rest on the driver's side. During the rollover, the back door behind the driver opened, ejecting Phan and shearing the door off its hinges. The combat lock was not in place on Phan's door.

The two other Security Forces airmen in the vehicle were injured and experienced traumatic brain injuries, per the report. They were taken to the Camp Arifjan Army regional medical facility and later released.

The M-ATV had passed all its inspections; the team that had used the vehicle prior to handing it off for the night patrol did not indicate any issues with it.

The emergency response was delayed after the accident, according to the report. The truck commander had to use her cell phone to call for assistance because the airmen were unable to locate their mobile radios. When emergency responders were contacted, the operator was unfamiliar with a term used to identify the ATV's location. Responding Security Forces members administered aid until emergency crews got to the site, the report states.

"It is a tragedy anytime we lose an Airman, and this accident highlights the dangers our members who serve face daily in the defense of our nation," said Maj. Gen. Maureen Banavige, president of the Ground Accident Investigation Board, in the release.

The Air Forces report comes amid a sweeping Army- and Marine Corps-wide investigation into vehicle training deaths. The probe was ordered by lawmakers following the death of 1st Lt. Hugh Conor McDowell. McDowell, a 24-year-old Marine Corps platoon commander, was participating in a May 2019 training exercise at Camp Pendleton, California, when his light armored vehicle flipped in the tall grass terrain. Six other Marines were injured in the LAV accident.

Phan, from Anaheim, California, was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, the Defense Department's campaign against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. According to Hanscom officials, his work while deployed included helping with preliminary criminal investigations, supporting base security, rendering emergency first aid and other base support functions.

The Air Force operates alongside the Kuwaiti air force from the base, roughly 20 miles from the Iraqi border. Ali Al Salem functions as the primary airlift hub and "gateway for delivering combat power to joint and coalition forces," according to the service.

-- Gina Harkins contributed to this report.

-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214.

Related: Pentagon IDs Airman Who Died in Kuwait Military Vehicle Accident
Prince William has paid tribute to the efforts of the NHS and its workers during the pandemic, describing the institution as 'probably the most admired organisation around'.

The Duke of Cambridge's praise came during a call to a consultant working in a Belfast hospital, after a series of telephone and video calls to NHS staff across the country and in all departments since the start of the year.

During the call - made on March 17 with Dr Thelma Craig, a respiratory consultant at the Mater Hospital - William, 38, said: 'I just want to say on behalf of everyone what a fantastic job you've done.

'You've all held it together and been absolutely wonderful people.

Prince William has paid tribute to the efforts of the NHS and its workers during the pandemic, describing the institution as 'probably the most admired organisation around'.

'It's been a real team effort but we're all very proud of you. The NHS has gone from already being much loved to probably the most admired organisation around.

'Thank you so much for all your hard work.'

Kensington Palace said that since the start of the year the duke has spoken to more than 300 staff and volunteers spanning the breadth of the NHS workforce across the UK.

William's office said he wanted to check in on the wellbeing of all those supporting the NHS, and to thank them for the vital part they are playing in the UK's response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Duke of Cambridge's praise came during a call to a consultant working in a Belfast hospital, after a series of telephone and video calls to NHS staff across the country and in all departments since the start of the year.

Last month, William had an emotional call with nurse Jenny Manson, 54, who formed a bubble with the family of a terminally ill girl to protect them from Covid-19 last summer.

Ms Manson, a community children's nurse from Kirkcudbright in Dumfries and Galloway, told the duke how she had cared for nine-year-old Holly Clarke at her home, so her parents Richard and Stevie Clarke, her twin sister Becca and older sister Emily could spend their last precious months with her before her death in October.

The family nominated her in the Nurse of Year category of the Scottish Health Awards and she won, receiving her honour late last year.

Kate Middleton and Prince William visited the Westminster Abbey vaccination centre earlier this month

The 54-year-old nurse, a single mother herself to 16-year-old twin daughters, worked at the family's home from May last year, to protect them from the risk of catching the virus.

Speaking about her call with William she said: 'I'm just a little nurse who works in Scotland but for the duke to actually want to take time to talk to me it felt I was so privileged. I felt like my job and the role of the NHS was really being acknowledged.

'He was unbelievably genuine and sincere.'

She added: 'He said as a father it made him feel quite emotional, the conversation we were having. He talked to me about when he was working as a helicopter pilot and how when he went to a child who had had a trauma or an accident that that used to be called really sad. He spoke about that a lot and he was just so sincere.'

During the visit Kate and William spoke to staff and paid tribute to the efforts of those involved in the Covid-19 vaccine rollout

The nurse went on to say: 'He was really interested to know how I managed that situation and I told him that what I did was that I became part of that family's bubble.

'I worked with them constantly really so it stopped other professionals having to go into the house, which the family really, really appreciated.'

In February, William spoke to Shamraze Zeb, 41, a practice manager at Black Country and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group, who has been helping to manage the vaccine rollout across a Primary Care Network of nine GP practices.

Mr Zeb told the duke how the team had set up pop-up clinics at local Mosques and Gurdwaras to tackle the problem of vaccine hesitancy in the area.

The practice manager said: 'He asked me about the uptake in the mosque and how it went and I explained to him that we had patients that had declined previously, but they turned up at the mosque just because of public trust.'

He added: 'We had a conversation about how he was aware of the vaccine hesitancy, but he was saying that the more factual information we can get out into the media and into different channels that will help the cause and he said that it was fantastic that me and my team are going out and doing these initiatives to increase the uptake.'
SPRINGFIELD  The owners of the former All Saints Church in the Forest Park neighborhood area are hoping its newly approved designation as a single-building historic district enhances plans for a major restoration project.

The Drama Studio, which owns and occupies the church property at 41 Oakland St., said approval of the All Saints Church Historic District by the City Council on Monday will help in its efforts to raise private and public funds for renovations.

We need to raise about $650,000 to restore it, said Steve Hays, founding director of The Drama Studio. It only can enhance the quality of life in the Forest Park area and the city as a whole in preserving and strengthening that particular part of Oakland Street.

The council vote was unanimous. The historic district proposal was supported by the local and state Historical Commissions and the Forest Park Civic Association.

The Drama Studio has occupied the building for 33 years, and purchased the property from the Episcopal Church in 2017. Its program for youth includes classrooms and performance space.

With the creation of the historic district, any exterior changes to the building will need approval from the Springfield Historical Commission. There are now 17 local historic districts in Springfield, including several single-property districts.

The architect of the 1908 building, Guy Kirkham, was one of the major architects of Springfield in the early 20th century, with works that included MassMutuals home office, the Forbes and Wallace store and Forest Park Library, according to a city Planning and Historical Commission report.

In addition, the choice of the English Country Gothic style for the Episcopal Church is a reference to Forest Parks image, and was designed to mirror an 11th century church in Chelmsford, England where Springfield founder William Pynchon served as a warden, the city report stated.

The Drama Studio received a grant from the Community Preservation Act Committee for a building alarm system. It will seek further funds under the Preservation Act as well as through private fundraising and grant aid from the Massachusetts Council on the Arts, Hays said.

The restoration project includes plans for installation of a sprinkler system, exterior improvements including removal of rotted wood, painting and an elevator to make the building fully accessible, Hays said.

Councilor at Large Kateri Walsh and Ward 6 Councilor Victor Davila praised The Drama Studio for its programs and improvement plans.

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Haiti - FLASH : Floods, at least 3 dead, hundreds of victims (partial assessment)





The torrential rains caused by the passage of a frontal system that have hit Haiti for at least three days, have so far affected 4 departments. At least 3 people have lost their lives, 3 others are missing and extensive damage is reported in several departments.



Floods and river overflows have been recorded in the Center, North, North-East and North-West and several communes are affected by flooding.



One person lost his life to Jean-Rabel and 149 houses flooded. President Jovenel Moise visited the affected families and declared "I visited the affected families following the flood in Jean-Rabel. On this occasion, I spoke with the city authorities including the mayoress, members of the civil protection. [...] I asked the Prime Minister to issue instructions to the Ministers of the Interior and of Social Affairs in order to come to the aid of some sixty affected families [...] "



2 deaths have been confirmed in the commune of Bois de Lance (North) and 3 other people are missing in the department. More than 1,270 houses were flooded in the communes of Terrier-Rouge, Caracol and Trou-du-Nord (North-East)... Interventions mobilizing volunteers from Civil Protection made it possible to shelter 137 families in Terrier-Rouge and Caracol.



Heavy rains affected several main streets in the city of Cap Haitien and the districts of Blue-Hills, Haut du Cap, Petite Anse, Charrier, Zo-Vincent Cite du Peuple, Fort Saint Michel, Bas-Champin were flooded. A shelter that has been activated in Cap Haitien houses around 85 people. The departmental directorates of Civil Protection partially activated their emergency operations centers.



The rain episodes continue and threaten to spread to the rest of the country on Tuesday, April 6, according to the bulletin of the Hydrometeorological Unit.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















The prime ministers of Italy and Greece on Tuesday joined a growing number of foreign leaders visiting Libya as it seeks to emerge from a decade of post-revolution chaos under a UN-sponsored peace process.

Italy's Mario Draghi, whose country was the former colonial power in the North African state, held talks in the capital Tripoli, making his first trip abroad since taking office in mid-February.

"This is a unique moment for Libya," with a new unity government in place, Draghi told a news conference, standing alongside interim Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah.

Libya's latest government hopes to bring together rival forces, especially the two main camps in the east and west, that have each been supported by foreign powers.

Parliament last month confirmed Dbeibah to lead Libya to December 24 elections.

"The prerequisite for being able to move forward with courage is that the ceasefire continues and is strictly observed," Draghi said, referring to an October deal that helped pave the way for the transitional government.

Draghi said it was time "to rebuild what is an old friendship."

He said Italy's embassy flew the flag as the "only" Western diplomatic mission to stay open through "all the long years of conflict" that followed Libya's 2011 revolution which toppled dictator Moamer Kadhafi.

- Migration and maritime borders -

Italy is a major commercial partner for oil-rich Libya, where its energy giant Eni is a key player.

Draghi also expressed "satisfaction" with Libya's missions to intercept and rescue migrants trying to reach Italy, some 300 kilometres (190 miles) north across the Mediterranean.

Libya is a major route for migrants trying to reach Europe, and traffickers thrived in the lawlessness that followed Kadhafi's overthrow.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis also arrived in Tripoli on Tuesday, to reopen his country's embassy, following the example of France and Malta.

Story continues

He said a Greek consulate in the second city Benghazi, in Libya's east, would follow.

"Developments during the past decade have limited our economic relations, but the presence of Greek entrepreneurs in Libya has never been interrupted," Mitsotakis told reporters, standing beside Dbeibah.

"Now that the situation has stabilised, interest is re-emerging."

During Libya's conflict, Athens backed eastern strongman Khalifa Haftar, after a UN-recognised Government of National Accord signed a controversial maritime agreement with Turkey in 2019.

Athens is fiercely opposed to the deal with Ankara, which claims much of the Mediterranean for energy exploration, conflicting with rival claims by Greece and Cyprus.

Mitsotakis said that "this new stage in our relations will allow us to correct and erase the errors made during the previous phase".

He called for "the cancellation of illegal documents presented as agreements between states, even though they do not have any legal value".

Tensions have spiked over Turkey's hunt for gas in disputed eastern Mediterranean waters and an aggressive foreign policy push across North Africa and the Middle East.

On Tuesday, European Council President Charles Michel -- who was in Tripoli himself last week offering EU support -- was in Ankara along with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, in their first meeting in a year with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

- 'National reconciliation' -

Dbeibah meanwhile said Libya was "ready to establish joint committees with Greece to resume discussions on maritime border demarcation and define the exclusive economic zone for each country between Crete and Libya".

"We emphasise the importance of all agreements capable of leading to appropriate solutions, while preserving the rights of Libya, Greece and Turkey," he added.

Dbeibah also called for European nations to reopen the airspace to Libyan aircraft.

No foreign airline currently flies to Libya for security reasons, and international flights -- to Tunisia, Turkey and Egypt -- are operated by Libyan companies.

On Monday, Malta's Prime Minister Robert Abela visited Tripoli where he announced its embassy was to reopen, as well as promising that air links would "also be restored".

The Libya meetings came as the head of the country's presidential council, Mohammad Younes Menfi, announced the formation Tuesday of a High National Reconciliation Commission.

Menfi said the commission was mandated "to bring Libyans together, to repair and deliver justice".

UN special envoy Jan Kubis said the commission was hoped to "promote unity, tolerance, justice, human rights, and to restore the social fabric".

hme/rb/pjm/fz/lg/pjm
The Wiggles star Emma Watkins announced her engagement to the band's guitarist Oliver Brian on Monday night.

Oliver had proposed to her with a stunning diamond ring the previous week.

However, Emma chose to keep their news a secret a little while longer as she jetted into Sydney on Friday without her fiance or ring in sight.

Scroll down for video

Where's the ring? The Wiggles star Emma Watkins chose to keep her engagement to the band's guitarist Oliver Brian a secret as she jetted into Sydney on Friday without her ring in sight. She went on to announce the news on Monday, after Oliver had proposed the previous week

She was seemingly hiding her ring as she jetted into Australia in order to keep the happy news under wraps before making the official announcement on Monday.

Despite this, the Yellow Wiggle couldn't help but smile while walking through the terminal with the other members of The Wiggles.

Emma, 31, looked worlds away from her TV persona as she wore a black T-shirt, grey pleated skirt and white sneakers.

She appeared to fly in without her fiance, in perhaps another move to conceal their engagement news until they were both able to share it together.

Nothing to see here! She was seemingly hiding her engagement ring as she flew into Australia in order to keep the news under wraps before making the official announcement on Monday

Happy news: Emma announced her engagement to guitarist Oliver Brian (right) on Monday

Where's her man? The children's entertainer appeared to fly in without her fiance, in perhaps another move to conceal their happy news until they were both able to share it together

Instead, Emma was seen arriving in Sydney with notable Wiggles stars Anthony Field, Simon Pryce and Lachlan Gillespie - who happens to be her ex-husband.

Simon was also joined by his wife, Lauren Hannaford, and their baby son, Asher.

Anthony, the original Blue Wiggle, wore a pink polo shirt and green denim jacket for his flight from New Zealand to Sydney.

No yellow in sight: Emma, 31, looked worlds away from her TV persona as she wore a black T-shirt, grey pleated skirt and white sneakers

Concealing: Despite hiding her engagement ring, the Yellow Wiggle couldn't help but smile while walking through the terminal with the other members of The Wiggles

Whirlwind romance: Emma confirmed her relationship with Oliver in an interview with The Daily Telegraph's Stellar Magazine in December 2019

Emma confirmed her relationship with Oliver in an interview with The Daily Telegraph's Stellar Magazine in December 2019.

'Yes, I'm in love and I feel very excited to tell you,' she told the publication.

She said Oliver was the 'opposite' to her in personality, but described their relationship as being 'nice'.

The pair took the next step in their relationship in April last year, moving in together during the coronavirus lockdown.

In September, they bought a puppy together.

Moving on: Emma's ex-husband, fellow Wiggles member Lachlan Gillespie (right), announced his own engagement to Wiggles dancer Dana Stephensen last year

No bad blood: Despite their break-up, Lachlan and Emma have vowed to remain friends and still perform together in The Wiggles

Family trip: Red Wiggle Simon Pryce (right) was also on the tour of New Zealand with his wife, Lauren Hannaford (left), and their baby son, Asher

Wiggly romance: Fitness trainer Lauren, 32, met Simon, 49, while dancing on tour with The Wiggles. She has played Wags the Dog, Henry the Octopus, and Dorothy the Dinosaur

News of the couple moving in together came less than two weeks after Emma's ex-husband, fellow Wiggles member Lachlan Gillespie, 35, announced his engagement to dancer Dana Stephensen.

'On Thursday night, Dana asked me to marry her at home under a fairy light sky and a very excited little boy in a beautiful bow tie,' the Purple Wiggle announced on Instagram on April 13.

Emma appeared to give their engagement her approval, commenting with three purple hearts on Lachy's post.

Lachlan and Dana now share seven-month-old twins Lulu and Lottie.

He's still got it! Anthony Field, the original Blue Wiggle, wore a pink polo shirt and green denim jacket for his flight from New Zealand to Sydney

Moving on gracefully: Emma gave Lachlan's engagement to Dana her approval last year by posting love-heart emojis on his announcement post

In August 2018, Emma and former husband Lachlan announced their split.

The former couple - who joined The Wiggles in 2013 and started dating weeks later - had married in Bowral, New South Wales, in 2016.

Despite their break-up, Lachlan and Emma have vowed to remain friends and still perform together in The Wiggles.

When Emma announced her engagement to Oliver on Monday, Lachlan left several purple-heart emojis in the comments section and wrote: 'Love you guys.'
WASHINGTON  Texas is yet again pushing back on President Joe Bidens efforts to undo Trump-era immigration policies, this time targeting the new administrations move to narrow deportation targets, which Attorney General Ken Paxton says has left the state picking up the federal governments slack.

The Texas Republican on Tuesday filed a lawsuit, joined by the Louisiana attorney general, challenging new enforcement priorities the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The department no longer prioritizes the deportations of immigrants living in the U.S. without legal authorization who are convicted of drug offenses or crimes of moral turpitude, such as evading arrest or fraud.

Paxton claims immigration law requires the administration to deport such individuals.

LEADING THE CHARGE: Texas Republicans battle Biden on oil, immigration, guns

President Bidens outright refusal to enforce the law is exacerbating an unprecedented border crisis, Paxton said in a statement. The Biden administration is demonstrating a blatant disregard for Texans and Americans safety.

Immigration attorneys on Tuesday questioned Paxtons logic, saying the lawsuit appears to admit the state is illegally jailing immigrants even after the federal government has rescinded its requests that they remain incarcerated.

Kate Huddleston, an attorney for the ACLU of Texas, said Paxtons latest suit is yet another baseless, xenophobic attempt to distract from the real problems facing the state of Texas.

Texas does not have veto power to force this administration to continue the Trump administrations policies, Huddleston said.

Paxton has sought to make Texas the leader in pushing back on Bidens policies on immigration, energy and more. Last month he led 13 other Republican attorneys general in asking the Supreme Court to allow them to defend a Trump-era rule that made it harder for immigrants to obtain green cards if they rely on safety net programs, such as Medicaid or food stamps. He also led a group of 19 other Republican attorneys general in suing Biden for revoking the 2019 presidential permit for the Keystone XL pipeline, arguing the president cant change energy policy set by Congress.

The most recent lawsuit is a sort of spinoff from an earlier case Paxton filed which led a federal judge to block Bidens order halting certain deportations for 100 days.

TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox

Bidens White House has said the deportation pause was meant to give the Department of Homeland Security time to recalibrate and focus on the highest enforcement priorities for securing the southwest border and national security.

Now Paxton is targeting the administrations early steps in redefining its goals.

The Biden administration took steps to narrow deportation targets that the Trump administration had broadened to include immigrants without serious criminal records. Homeland Security in February issued temporary guidance to only go after those with aggravated felonies, people considered national security threats or those who crossed the border illegally after Nov. 1.

Paxtons lawsuit claims the guidance has led Immigration and Customs Enforcement to revoke dozens of requests from Texas jails to detain immigrants. The federal government has also declined to take custody of some it had previously sought, the lawsuit says.

Of course, the States of Texas and Louisiana must do what they can to protect their citizens, so some of these criminal aliens have remained in state custody at the states expense, the lawsuit says.

Immigration attorneys and advocates were questioning that move on Tuesday.

Leon Fresco, an immigration attorney in Washington, D.C., said that unless the state was jailing them for a separate crime, they have no legal justification to hold them after ICE rescinds detainer requests.

Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, policy counsel at the American Immigration Council  a D.C. think tank that opposed Trumps immigration policies  called it the worst political theater.

Uh, is Texas admitting *in their lawsuit* to illegally holding people after theyve finished serving their sentences, in direct violation of the Fourth Amendment? Reichlin-Melnick tweeted. If so, that is just flagrantly unconstitutional.

Paxtons office did not respond to a request for more information on those still in custody.

Paxton, meanwhile, says the administration failed to give Texas warning about the change in policy, despite an enforcement agreement with DHS that says the state will help with immigration enforcement, but requires DHS to consult Texas before taking administrative actions.

Fresco said the courts have tended to grant presidents freedom in deciding enforcement priorities, though he said Paxtons arguments are new.

At the end of the day, the administration has broad discretion over who to deport, when to deport them and for what reason to deport them, Fresco said.

The lawsuit comes as Texas Republicans have sought to keep a focus on an influx of migration at the border that they call a crisis of Bidens creation  blaming his shifting immigration policies, despite the fact that border crossings were on the rise while Trump was still in office and similar surges have occurred in past years, including 2019 and 2014.

The Biden administration has said it is still turning away the majority of those seeking to enter the country at the southern border, though thousands of migrant children and a growing number of families seeking asylum have been let in.

Paxton, who was indicted by a grand jury in 2015, is still awaiting trial on state securities fraud charges. He is also the focus of an FBI investigation into allegations that he used his office to benefit a political donor. Paxton has denied wrongdoing in both cases.

ben.wermund@chron.com
Highlights HMD Global now has over 900 physical touchpoints across India that offer repair support for Nokia phones.

It includes over 300 Nokia Mobile Care centres across India and 600 collection points via its RDS partners.

Nokia phones in India come preloaded with the My Phone App, which is a single-window for Support Chat, User guide, FAQs, Care Locator, Warranty, Insurance, and more.

Nokia is a brand that needs no introduction and has been around in India for more than a decade. There was a time when Nokia used to set an example for phone brands on how to offer a complete after-sales experience. However, the smartphone brand has gone through many changes over these years, and we won't be entirely wrong in saying that it has lost its Midas touch when it comes to after-sales service in the country. In October last year, Counterpoint Research named Nokia the leading phone manufacturer for software, security updates and build quality.

The market research firm's study included phones from OnePlus, Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo, Realme, and more. This gives a lot of assurance that HMD Global, the new home for Nokia phones, is bullish about the Indian market, but how exactly is the after-sales service. We tried to get the answer from Sanmeet Singh Kochhar, Vice President, HMD Global, on how the brand has ramped up its after-sales services in India and what are the innovations for its existing consumers.

Nokia had a legacy when it came to after-sales service in India and was one of the most trusted brands back then. However, there has been a change in after-sales strategy now, and it's not that versatile it was a decade back.

"HMD Global's focus has always been to bring a great experience to the Nokia phones customers through the lifetime of the ownership of their phone. Beyond a great build quality, two years of software upgrades and three years of security, we provide a great after sales experience as well. Customers can rest assured that Nokia phones stand the test of time which is now getting increasingly important for them given phone replacement cycle is getting longer, now approaching 30 months," said Kochhar.

"We have a strong Nokia Mobile Care network and support for our customers and a transparent process of measuring customer satisfaction score. In fact, Covid-19 provided us the opportunity to outdo ourselves for our customers while ensuring safety measures for our extended teams. Since the pandemic, we have ensured top experience to our customers, and our Customer Satisfaction Score in India has soared to 90%," he added.

Kochchar stressed that small things have helped HMD Global make a big difference in their customers' lives. He explained that the after-sales service experience doesn't just stop at a point where customers drop their device at a centre.

"We keep consumers informed at each step of repair journey, which has helped deliver a great consumer experience. We ask for voluntary customer feedback through the My Phone App and through the Customer Feedback form at Nokia Mobile Care. This voluntary satisfaction data help us enhance our products and services. During the consumer journey at Nokia Mobile Care, at any given point of time, if the customers need support, they can reach out to us by just sending an SMS with 'UNHAPPY' shortcode, and our teams swing into action to support the consumers thereon," Kochchar added.

Interestingly, HMD Global mandates that after-sale service centres to ensure that no phone is delivered to a customer without a complete quality check.

Let's say if I'm a Nokia user and I'm having trouble with my smartphone. What are the things I need to do? "For the ease of our customers, we have 900+ physical touchpoints across India that offer repair support for Nokia phones. These include 300+ Nokia Mobile Care centres across India and 600 collection points via our RDS partners. We also offer customer support through phone, e-mail, chat-in-app (MyPhone app) and on Nokia.com/phones," Kochchar explained.

The company now also offers a home pick-up and drop facility. Kochchar added, "We also have the facility of home pick-up and drop where the phone is sent to a centralized repair centre and delivered back to customers at their doorstep. Currently, across India, we have online repair services in 24 states with 11,500+ pin codes across the country. Services are offered for both In-warranty and out-of-warranty consumers, with minimum charges applicable for out of warranty phones."

Nokia phones come with an app pre-installed that's dedicated to Nokia Care. How can a Nokia user benefit from that app? Kochchar starts by explaining what is the My Phone App that comes preloaded on all Nokia smartphones in India.

The app gives users a portal to get information about the device such as battery health, signal strength, and more, he adds. It is a single-window for Support Chat, User guide, FAQs, Care Locator, Warranty and Insurance, Community Forum and Device Monitor.

The app also helps Nokia get direct feedback from the consumers' post repair services. The app's key features include IMEI wise unique notification survey to capture consumer feedback and online-live chat support process available, he explains.

Talking about some after-sale innovations and an array of VAS services for Indian consumers, he further said, "We launched an industry-first a 1-year Replacement Guarantee, which we have launched on the popular Nokia 2.3 and Nokia C3 smartphones. As per this program, if a consumer finds a hardware failure or a manufacturing defect at any time during the 1-year warranty period of their ownership, they need to simply carry their device to the nearest Nokia Mobile Care centre along with the original invoice to receive a replacement. This ensures our customers can sit back and enjoy peace of mind with their Nokia phones."

Interestingly, HMD Global has also been focusing on phones that are now out-of-warranty. Kochchar adds, "Customers in India end up spending on servicing of out-of-warranty smartphones every time there is an issue. We realize that customers are increasingly look for peace of mind, and for these customers, we have brought a host of insurance and extended warranty plans in partnership with Servify."

The company offers some insurance plans with 12 and 6-months cover available via offline and online channels, including the Nokia phones accident and the liquid damage protection plan and the Nokia phone screen protection plan.

The pandemic was tough for all of us, but it was a bad phase for people who faced issues on their phones. How did HMD Global prepare and managed the post lockdown surge in Nokia Mobile Care centres.



"The pandemic provided us the opportunity to outdo ourselves for our customers while ensuring safety measures for our extended teams. We rolled out 60-days extended warranty to our customers whose warranty was expiring during the lockdown. We carefully planned and managed the post lockdown surge in our Nokia Mobile Care centres by putting in the right resources and also putting a ticketing/appointment system for walk-ins. We continue to maintain the highest safety and hygiene standards at Nokia Mobile Care centres. Strict guidelines are being followed to ensure safety and complete hygiene is maintained during the entire repair journey," Sanmeet Singh Kochhar said.
A dispute within Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has spilled into public view with a deputy commander lashing out at an aide to the IRGC's commander in chief who has ambitions to win the presidency in a June election.



Divisions within the IRGC over the vote became public when Yadollah Javani, an IRGC deputy commander for political affairs, gave an interview with the Fars news agency on April 3.



Javani accused Saeed Mohammad, the former commander of IRGC's construction conglomerate Khatam al-Anbya, of "violations" and said he had been dismissed due to his pursuit of the presidency.



Mohammad has been raising his profile ahead of the June 18 vote, which could bring a hard-liner to power.



"The IRGC does not and will not support Saeed Mohammad or any other candidate in the election," Javani told Fars.



Javani also said the IRGC opposes members of its ranks entering the election arena without going through "legal processes."



Mohammad announced his resignation from the construction conglomerate in early March, suggesting that he could run for the presidency.



Following his resignation, he was appointed as a special adviser to IRGC Commander in Chief Mohammad Salami.



Mohammad has hit back at Javani -- denying he committed any "violations" and saying that Javani is not a spokesman for the IRGC. Mohammad said Javani's criticism was "his personal" view.



A statement from Mohammad's office published by Iranian state media charged that Javani's interview has created public distrust and undermines the "maximum participation" in the election that has been demanded by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

No Agreed Candidate?



Washington-based analyst Ali Afshari says the public dispute suggests the IRGC leadership has not agreed upon a single presidential candidate.



Afshari told RFE/RL that Mohammad, 53, does not appear to be the establishment's preferred candidate -- despite speculation that his profile fits Khamenei's call for a relatively young and ideologically hard-line president.



"The attacks against Saeed Mohammad do not come only from senior IRGC officials and hard-line figures," Afshari said. "Some in the [IRGC's] Basij force have also launched heavy attacks against him while calling for the Guardians Council to disqualify him" from the election.



In his interview with Fars, which is affiliated with the IRGC, Javani said Khamenei's call for a "young and Hezbollahi" government means the Iranian leader is seeking a government with "an Islamic approach."



"Therefore, being young is a symbol of dynamism and [hard] work," Javani said.



A day after Javani's interview, IRGC spokesman Ramezan Sharif denied that there were divisions within the IRGC. Sharif said the IRGC will not "approve or destroy" any candidate.



He also would not confirm whether Mohammad had violated the IRGC's legal procedures, saying: "An IRGC deputy perceived that a violation took place, but this may not be the IRGC's official view."

"If [Mohammad] committed any violation, then why did an IRGC commander appoint him as his adviser," Sharif said, referring to Salami's decision to designate Mohammad as his special adviser.



There are reports that several former IRGC members could contest the presidency in June.



They include parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and former IRGC commander Saeed Dehghan, who serves as a military adviser to Khamenei.



Other conservatives have also signaled their intention to run for president, including the former head of the state television, Ezatollah Zarghami.



Hard-liners aim to unify power in Iran after having taken control of the parliament in 2019 elections characterized by mass disqualifications of candidates by the hard-line Guardians Council.



Turnout in that vote was the lowest in the history of the Islamic republic.

Swiss-based political analyst Mehdi Talaati said the hard-line faction of the Iranian establishment is attempting to restrict the number of candidates to create unity and raise its chances of winning the election.



"If the hard-line faction, which has several military candidates, enters the election with multiple candidates, they could be defeated by the reformists. Therefore, they're trying to resolve this issue before the vote," Talati said in an interview with the BBC.



The younger brother of Khamenei, a reformist cleric named Hadi Khamenei, said in an April 5 interview with Enetkhabnews that the future president could come from the Iranian establishment's hard-line faction.



"It's still not clear. But it is very likely that the future government will be from the [faction] that already controls everything," he said.
In trying to figure out what might have happened at Perth Childrens Hospital on Easter Saturday night, an experienced medico shared a chilling observation.

The workforce had been asked by the system to sprint for the past four or so years and clinicians are fatigued, worn out, and have got to the point where they are very tolerant of the misery of others.

Nurses feel anxious about working for fear they cannot deliver adequate care to their patients. Credit:Nic Walker

The senior clinician, it must be stressed, does not work at PCH and has no direct knowledge of events that led to the death of sunny, intelligent seven-year-old Aishwarya Aswath.

Those matters will be the subject of a 4-6 week root cause analysis by the hospital  a formality after any SAC 1 (severity assessment code 1) event, that is one that has or could have had serious or fatal consequences attributed to healthcare provision or a lack thereof.
Sporadic violence was reported and some candidates were attacked during the third phase of on Tuesday, even as 68.04 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 3 pm, officials said.

Voting is underway with strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols in 16 seats in South 24 Parganas district (part II), seven in Howrah (part I) and eight in Hooghly (part I), they said.

"Voter turnout of 68.04 per cent was recorded till 3 pm in 31 seats," an EC official said.

Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee alleged "blatant misuse" of central forces to "influence voters".

"The blatant misuse of Central forces continues unabated. Despite us repeatedly raising this issue, @ECISVEEP continues to be a mute spectator, while men in uniform are being misused at several places to openly intimidate TMC voters & influence many to vote in favour of one party," she tweeted.

BJP MP Soumitra Khan's estranged wife and TMC candidate Sujata Mondal Khan was allegedly assaulted by the BJP cadre in Arambag, a charge denied by the saffron party.

TV grabs showed the TMC leader being chased in an open field by people wielding sticks and iron rods and then hit on the head with sticks. Her security officer was also injured.

The TMC claimed that BJP "goons" didn't allow the party's polling agents inside the polling stations.

The BJP, on the other hand, accused Sujata of entering the area with TMC "goons" and creating unrest by threatening people against going to the polling stations to cast their votes.

The CEO sought a report from the DEO over the incident, sources said.

TMC candidate Dr Nirmal Maji claimed that he was "heckled" by BJP supporters and his vehicle vandalised when he tried visiting a booth in Uluberia (Uttar) constituency.

Majhi was made to wear a helmet and escorted out of the troubled area by the police.

In Khanakul, TMC candidate Najmul Karim was allegedly beaten up by the BJP activists and slogans were raised against him. Later, central forces rescued him from the area.

In Falta seat, a BJP candidate's vehicle was attacked. In Bishnupur constituency, a man was seen threatening a woman against going to cast her vote. She, however, was seen not yielding to the pressure.

The ECI later sought a report from local authorities, and the accused man was arrested.

At least one person was injured when crude bombs were lobbed outside a polling station in Canning Purba assembly seat. TMC candidate Shaukat Mollah accused Abbas Siddiqui-led Indian Secular Front (ISF) for the attack, a charge denied by the party.

TMC turncoat and BJP candidate from Diamond Harbour seat, Dipak Haldar, alleged that his former party is not allowing voters to come to polling stations.

In the Dhanekhali seat, state minister Asima Patra accused the central forces of high-handedness and alleged that voters were being stopped by BJP "goons" from going to polling stations, an allegation dismissed by the saffron party.

A BJP supporter's family member was allegedly killed in Hooghly district, hours before polling in the area, police said.

Madhabi Adak succumbed to her injuries sustained while protecting her son from a few men who barged into their house, they said.

Adak's family accused the TMC, a charge denied by the ruling party behind the incident.

Over 78.5 lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise to decide the fate of 205 candidates, including BJP leader Swapan Dasgupta, state minister Ashima Patra and CPI(M) leader Kanti Ganguly.

The Election Commission has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC in all the constituencies, declaring them as 'sensitive'.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
NEW YORK, April 6, 2021-- The Vilcek Foundation has launched an online celebration to honor the recipients of the 2021 Vilcek Foundation Prizes. Formatted as a microsite, the online celebration recognizes and shares the accomplishments of the 2021 Vilcek Foundation Prizewinners in lieu of the Vilcek Foundation's annual gala.

Awarded annually, the Vilcek Foundation Prizes celebrate the value and importance of immigration by recognizing the outstanding achievements of foreign-born individuals in the United States. In 2021, the Vilcek Foundation Prizes are awarded in Biomedical Science, in Filmmaking, and for Excellence in Public Service.

The microsite includes an introductory statement from Vilcek Foundation President Rick Kinsel, and written statements from Jan and Marica Vilcek, cofounders of the Vilcek Foundation. The site provides an in-depth profile of each prize recipient, accompanied by insights from leading scientists and experts who participated in the juried review of all of the candidates for the 2021 Vilcek Foundation Prizes.

"Through our foundation's prizes, we create a platform that celebrates foreign-born biomedical scientists and the important discoveries they have made. Their contributions benefit the sciences, medicine, and society in profound ways," says Jan Vilcek, chairman and CEO of the Vilcek Foundation. "Immigration enables scientists from around the world to bring their experience, perspective, and expertise to the United States' foremost research institutions."

"The work of this year's prizewinners helps us to better understand our world, and empowers us to imagine a better future," says Kinsel. "In honoring immigrants whose work has a positive impact on our society, we amplify the importance of diversity and cultural exchange."

Ruth Lehmann (b. Germany) is the recipient of the 2021 Vilcek Prize in Biomedical Science. Lehmann is the director of the Whitehead Institute. She receives the prize for her foundational contributions to the understanding of primordial germ cells and the germ cell life cycle, and for her institutional leadership in the field. As a juror, the late Angelika Amon wrote on Lehmann's candidacy for the award: "The community Ruth has built, the young people Ruth has fostered--it's just another dimension to her scientific personality that needs to be taken into account. On both a scientific and enterprise level, there are few people that can match Ruth Lehmann."

Mohamed Abou Donia (b. Egypt), Ibrahim Cisse (b. Niger), and Silvi Rouskin (b. Bulgaria) each receive a Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science.

Mohamed Abou Donia is an associate professor at Princeton University. Trained as a pharmacist, he received his PhD in medicinal chemistry at the University of Utah College of Pharmacy, and completed postdoctoral work in the laboratory of Dr. Michael Fischbach at the Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco. He receives the award for his research leadership on the impact of the microbiomes of humans and other organisms on host health, disease outcomes, and the environment.

Ibrahim Cisse is a professor of physics at Caltech. He receives the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science for his pioneering work using Photo-Activated Localization Microscopy (PALM microscopy) to observe the physical properties and behaviors of RNA polymerase enzymes as they decode DNA into RNA. Leslie B. Vosshall of the Rockefeller University remarks that, "Ibrahim's work using cutting-edge microscopy to look at liquid phase separation is incredible. Applying the tools of physics to look at single molecules is inspiring. His work is beautiful and rigorous."

Silvi Rouskin is the Andria and Paul Heafy Whitehead Fellow at the Whitehead Institute. She receives the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise for her groundbreaking work exploring the structures of viral RNA, aiding the potential development of RNA-based therapeutics for HIV and COVID-19. "Silvi has shown breathtaking ambition through all stages of her career," writes Harmit Malik of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, "from tackling the challenging task of elucidating RNA structure in living cells, and connecting this structural insight into functional consequences on gene expression and disease."

###

The site highlighting and honoring the recipients of the 2021 Vilcek Foundation Prizes may be found here: https:/ / gala. 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 $5.3 million in grants.

The Vilcek Foundation is a private operating foundation, a federally tax-exempt nonprofit organization under IRS Section 501(c)(3).
The vaccine rollout received a major boost today as a new poll revealed that more than 90 per cent of non-white Britons have either had the vaccine or are planning to.

Just six per cent of ethnic minorities said they would not accept a vaccine in March, down from 22 per cent in January.

It comes amid a huge celebrity-led publicity drive by ministers to improve the take-up among Bame groups, who lagged behind white Britons.

Additionally the proportion of all adults who would refuse to have a jab has more than halved in three months.

Just 6 per cent of those polled by Ipsos MORI in March said they would probably or definitely avoid taking any of the vaccines available, down from 14 per cent in December.

Just six per cent of ethnic minorities said they would not accept a vaccine in March, down from 22 per cent in January.

Kelly Beaver, the managing director of Ipsos MORI, said: 'It is extraordinarily encouraging to see the steady progress being made with vaccine confidence across the UK.

'The increase in vaccine confidence among ethnic minority Brits is a particularly welcome sign given the disproportionate impact that Covid has had on ethnic minority communities.'

Four in 10 black elderly people in England have not yet had their coronavirus vaccine, official figures in the first major breakdown of jab rates among ethnic minorities revealed last week.

A report published by the Office for National Statistics revealed just 58.8 per cent of black African Brits over the age of 70 had received at least one dose of either Pfizer or AstraZeneca's vaccine by March 11.

The ONS said that, nationally, uptake in the over-70s was 90.2 per cent when all ethnic groups were included, with rates highest among white people (91.3 per cent) and Indians (86.2 per cent).

A report published last week by the Office for National Statistics found just 58.89 per cent of black African Brits over the age of 70 had received at least one dose of either Pfizer or AstraZeneca 's vaccine by March 11

The report found that Muslims were the religious group least likely to take the vaccine, with only 72.3 per cent of over-70s getting one so far, followed by Buddhists (78.1 per cent)

After black African Brits, the poorest rates were recorded in black Caribbeans (68.7 per cent), Bangladeshis (72.7) and Pakistanis (74 per cent).

The report, which included data from 20million over-70s invited for their jab in England, also found Muslims were the religious group least likely to take the vaccine, with only 72.3 per cent of over-70s getting one so far, followed by Buddhists (78.1 per cent).

Last week a slew of Brits including Hollywood stars Chiwetel Ejiofor and Thandie Newton, author Malorie Blackman and radio DJ Trevor Nelson signed an open letter by Sir Lenny Henry urging black Britons to get the Covid-19 vaccine.

In the letter Sir Lenny acknowledges the 'legitimate worries and concerns' that people feel, adding: 'We know change needs to happen and that it's hard to trust some institutions and authorities.'

He continues: 'But we're asking you to trust the facts about the vaccine from our own professors, doctors, scientists involved in the vaccine's development, GPs, not just in the UK but across the world including the Caribbean and Africa.

'Many of whom are our relatives, many of whom have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the people of this country from this pandemic.'
This is the moment a dog owner gave their pet a shock by pouring fizzy water into his bowl.

Bentley, a chocolate Labrador from Montreal, Quebec, was tricked by his owner as part of the 'Sparkling Water Challenge' on TikTok.

Footage shows the unsuspecting pup sticking his snout into his water bowl and reacting in disgust when he encounters the bubbles.

Bentley, a chocolate Labrador from Montreal, Quebec, was given a shock when his owner poured carbonated water into his bowl (left) instead of his usual still water

His owners shared the comical clip on social media as part of a popular trend which sees owners tricking their pets into taking sips of fizzy water.

In the clip, Bentley's owner can be seen pouring some of their lemon-flavoured Bubly sparkling water into the dog's water bowl.

Hearing something new drop in his bowl, Bentley quickly comes around the corner and laps up the water without hesitation.

But as soon as he gets a taste of the water he jumps backwards in shock at the unusual taste and bares his teeth, as if he is disgusted with what he has just consumed.

Clearly still in shock, he stares at the bowl confused and trying to figure out what was different.

His owner said: 'I was just sitting around one day, sipping my Bubly sparkling water - when I decided to give some to my Chocolate Lab Bentley.

After getting a shock from the sparkling water, Bentley sniffed and stared at his water as if he was confused by what had just happened (pictured)

'He loves to eat and drink everything so I figured, why not give him a sip? Needless to say, his reaction was hilarious.'

The comical video, posted last month, has gained the attention of millions of Tik Tok users, with more than 4.5million likes and thousands of comments.

One person replied: 'That's exactly how I look every time I try it and think I might like it this time.'

'He flinched so hard,' another said.

But thankfully the experience was not enough to put Bentley off, with his owners posting another video afterwards showing him lapping up still water with ease.

According to Rover, dogs can consume a 'pinch' of sparkling water but on rare occasions, if guzzled, it can cause a gas build up.
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Market Definition:

Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) is a highly versatile synthetic rubber, which exhibits excellent resistance to oxygen, ozone, polar materials, and sunlight and is highly resistant to steam, heat, and water. It is used across diverse industry verticals for a wide range of applications. Market Research Future (MRFR) has added the global COVID-19 Impact ON Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer Market to its existing portfolio, which is a compilation of the key dynamics affecting the market. As per the report, COVID-19 Impact ON Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer Market is expected to catapult to USD 6.5 Bn by the end of 2025 from USD 3.9 Bn in 2019, at a CAGR of 6% over the forecast period of 2019-2025.

Get a Free Sample of This Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2767

Market Scenario and Growth Factors:

EPDM experiences significant demand from the automotive industry, where its properties such as excellent resistance to heat, UV rays, and ozone is highly desirable. They help in reflection of UV rays and reduce polymer degradation due to which they are used in engine mounts, vehicle glazing systems, moisture barriers, valves, and pumps. They are used in the manufacturing of seals & gaskets, weather-stripping, brake parts, radiator, tubing, belts, windshield wipers, and others. Expanding the automotive industry and increasing the production of vehicles is supporting the growth of the market. EPDM is also used in the construction industry for waterproofing applications. They help in lowering air-conditioning costs as well. The booming construction industry in the developing countries of Asia Pacific is favoring the growth of the market. Other factors supporting the growth of the market include numerous rainwater harvesting initiatives undertaken in various countries and increasing adoption of green cities.

On the other hand, the growth of the market might be hindered by the volatile price of raw materials.

Competitive Landscape:

Firestone Building Products Company (US),

Exxon Mobil Corporation (US),

SABIC (Saudi Arabia), Dow (US),

Carlisle Companies Inc. (US),

JSR Corporation (Japan),

SK global chemical Co., Ltd (South Korea),

Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. (Japan),

Lion Elastomers (US),

LANXESS AG (Germany),

KUMHO POLYCHEM (South Korea),

Johns Manville (US),

Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd (Japan)

Segmentation:

The Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer Market has been segmented based on application and end-use industry.

By application, the ethylene propylene diene monomer market has been segmented into seals & gaskets, weather-stripping, tires & tubes, wire & cables, roofing membranes, electric insulation, radiators, oil additives, and others.

By end-use industry, the ethylene propylene diene monomer market has been segmented into automotive, building & construction, aerospace & defense, electrical & electronics, consumer goods, medical, and others.

Regional Analysis:

Region-wise, the ethylene propylene diene monomer market has been segmented into North America, Latin America, the Middle East & Africa (MEA), Europe, and Asia Pacific (APAC).

The largest share of the market was captured by APAC in 2019. The region is in the midst of rapid industrialization, and various end-use industries of EPDM are expanding at an accelerated pace in the region, which is generating constant demand within the market.

The prolific growth of the automotive industry in the UK, Germany, Italy, and France are supporting the growth of the EPDM market in Europe. Besides, the European Union (EU) has laid down stringent regulations for environment protection, which works in favor of the EPDM market. The region is investing significantly in the medical sector, which is inducing the growth of the market.

North America EPDM market is likely to exhibit substantial growth in the coming years. Demand will be generated from the automotive, electrical & electronics, construction, and healthcare industries.

The growth of Latin America EPDM market can be attributed to the fast track industrialization in countries such as Brazil and Chile.

The MEA market growth is driven by the GCC countries. Construction activities are going on at a torrid pace, which is inducing high demand within the market.

Access Complete Report Details @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer-market-2767
The dish called patacon Gloria at Golden Gate Bistro starts with a long plank of pounded, fried plantain buried under bits of grilled steak, chicken and pork, streaks of creamy salsa rosada and a cap of melted, stretchy queso blanco.

Atop it all goes a toothpick-sized Colombian flag, proclaiming the national pride that every inch of this restaurant makes vividly clear anyway. Folded into the whole operation is a story of lifting other people on your way up and how food opens doors.

Golden Gate Bistro is a small restaurant for platters of grilled meat and sticky-sweet fried plantains, garlicky whole fried fish, stuffed arepas and juices made from South American fruit. The plates are generous in the way that makes a workday lunch feel like an everyman-a-king feast.

The restaurant is on the ground floor of the Colmex Construction office, on a bend of Earhart Boulevard in Gert Town. Most people passing by here are on the way somewhere else, but even from the street the bright colors draw the eye.

This restaurant came about through a partnership of two Colombian women who have made their home in New Orleans. Bleidys Lobelo is the self-taught chef who first created Golden Gate Bistro in her own home kitchen. Angelica Rivera is the self-made businesswoman who runs Colmex.

Rivera is here because her husband, Roman Lopez, came to New Orleans for construction work in the post-Katrina rebuilding boom. Joining him meant leaving an omnipresent extended family in Orlando, Florida, their previous home, for an unknown city. But soon the warmth and welcome of New Orleans people won her over; it felt familiar from her hometown of Bogota.

The couples first employees were two Mexican men, so they combined Colombia and Mexico to name their new company Colmex. Years later, when she redeveloped an abandoned commercial building as the Colmex headquarters, Rivera built in space for others too.

Part of the ground floor was reserved for a possible future cafe. Upstairs, just down the corridor from her own office, Rivera added a business incubator, with six shoebox-sized office units. She offers them to other entrepreneurs at nominal fees until they can afford to move on.

The incubator is something that I didn't have when I was starting out, but I thought other people should have now, Rivera said.

The incubator also brought Golden Gate to Colmex.

A few years ago, Lobelo was selling plate lunches from home as a side gig to her hotel jobs. By 2019, she had opened a stand at Nawlins Market, a flea market in Harvey with an ever-changing collection of vendors. She named her stand Golden Gate after the nickname for her hometown, Barranquilla, a port city on Colombias Caribbean coast.

Her plates were beautifully presented, her flavors were deep and soothing and her dream, as she told anyone who asked, was to grow the business into a proper restaurant.

I want people who come here to feel the love we put into the cooking. It's like my mother's cooking  everything is done with love, she said recently.

She got that chance after she catered an event in the Colmex incubator. Her empanadas reminded Rivera of home; the chef's drive to make her own business reminded her of herself.

Restaurant plans were set, Lopez and his in-house crew built out the space, and this new Golden Gate Bistro opened on July 20, Colombian Independence Day.

When you have a dream, and you see it coming day by day, that is a good feeling, Lobelo said.

Arepas anchor her menu. These thick, dense, corn cakes are moist with cheese blended in and crisp from the grill.

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Theyre split open and stuffed with various meats like sandwiches, and they stand as a first course on their own, splashed with different salsas (the green is bright and herbal, the pink is creamy and spicy, the chunky, murky one is downright fire).

The sancocho de castilla is thick, creamy stew served next to a hunk of beef rib of prehistoric proportions, with a precise dome of rice and slices of avocado to intersperse between bites.

The empanadas that got Lobelo in the door are Colombian classics, with shredded beef wrapped in a golden cornmeal coating thats crisp as chips.

The bandeja paisa is another dish found all over Colombia, and of course on this menu. Its like a one-plate buffet of various plantain preparations, an arepa and steak, chorizo and the Colombian-style chicharron, a great, corrugated curl of fried pork fat clinging to a crunchy edge of meat.

Lobelo makes up different lunch specials that are always a bargain at $12. One recent example filled a long platter with a thin, flavorful steak, black-eyed peas, rice and plantain. It didn't feel all that different from a Creole plate lunch.

The list of juices draws from some Colombian specialties, like lulo, which gives a creamy, citrusy juice. The restaurant recently acquired a liquor license, so in addition to a small selection of beer it also serves spiked versions of the juices.

All around Golden Gate, theres a feel of tropical vibrancy and stylish craftsmanship, from the light fixtures above to the swirling lacquered floor. Much of it was made by Riveras husband.

That handmade approach extends to the kitchen.

Rivera and her family have a small farm in Pearl River where they're producing an increasing number of staples for the restaurant, including eggs and potatoes.

On a normal weekday, many in the lunch crowd are speaking Spanish and wearing logo gear from various local construction companies. More families turn up for dinner. Lately, the waitresses report more newcomers to Colombian cooking are finding their way through the doors too.

To Rivera, thats a glowing affirmation.

I mean, this is New Orleans. It has very high culinary standards, so to open a restaurant here is serious, Rivera said. We're so happy that people seem to like it.

Golden Gate Bistro

4334 Earhart Blvd., (504) 503-1049

Lunch and dinner Fri.-Wed. (closed Thu).

+7 Cafe Sbisa brings back a French Quarter classic with Creole flavor and Black leadership The setting at Cafe Sbisa seems to conjure stories all on its own, between the paintings over the bar, the patina on the walls and the contour

+18 At new Kenner restaurant Big EZ Seafood, Viet-Cajun seafood and Mardi Gras float art From a small seafood market in Gretna, Big EZ Seafood made a name with garlic butter-coated crawfish. In Kenner, its latest location is out to

+12 Dunbars Creole Cuisine gets a reality TV revamp, and new hope to survive pandemic The gumbo goes back at Dunbars Creole Cuisine. The urgent question now for the family here is how to carry it forward.
By the time I was born, they had stopped making Hudsons, but in 1963, my family had a secondhand green Hornet, with a Terraplane hood ornament and a hole in the floor on the passenger side.

On a Friday afternoon in November, my father (Hap) came home from his job as a frame man, climbing telephone poles and splicing them together for Ma Bell. Hap parked the Hornet in front of our house in South Ozone Park and got out a bucket and hose to clean it. Any excuse to spray water, I grabbed a sponge and soaped up the front right bumper. I didnt need to see Hap; I could smell his cigar from near the left hubcap.

Then the aluminum door to the house banged and my mother, Nurse Vivian, stood on the top of the stoop. She wore a housecoat: cream, caramel and rust stripes.

Harold! Theyve shot the president, she announced. I stood up. Hap nodded. Nurse Vivian ran back into the house. A minute passed and Hap scrubbed the whitewall of the tire. The door came open again.

Harold. Didnt you hear me? Theyve shot President Kennedy! Hes on the way to the hospital, Nurse Vivian insisted.

Hap sucked in one more drag of the cigar, exhaled and responded: Im not a doctor, Vivian.

You ask any Baby Boomer where they were on Nov. 22, 1963, and theyll tell you what bus they took. What they ate for lunch. What the nun said over the loudspeaker.

The other moment for our generation was the moon landing. July 20, 1969, was my birthday, and Nurse Vivian had baked a pecan pie (my favorite) instead of a cake.

Our old black-and-white television wasnt working, so we went to Richie Zeltmanns house, down the block. Nurse Vivian had rosary beads in her hand and kept saying, I hope they dont sink into the dust. We followed the coverage until 11 that night when Neil Armstrong stepped out of the Eagle saying, This is one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.

Each age group remembers its crises as well as its celebrations. For Hap and Nurse Vivian, the Greatest Generation, it was Pearl Harbor and V-E Day. For Generation X, Id guess the Challenger explosion and the fall of the Berlin Wall. For Millennials its 9/11 and Obamas election.

Zane and Aidans generation, those born in the early 2000s, is known as Generation Z. Which history will they hold most fiercely? Black Lives Matter? Gay marriage? I surveyed one Gen Z, my son Aidan, and asked about his happiest historical event, and he said, The Biden election. So, you could stop talking about Trump.

The Zoomers will remember the year of COVID. Theyll remember losing loved ones, missed graduations, virtual school, washing their hands to the tune of Happy Birthday, hoarded toilet paper, surgical masks and standing 6 feet apart.

No sorrow is perfect. Theres joy in every tragedy and grief in every comedy. On the Friday of Kennedys assassination, Hap made that old Hornet sparkle. On the Sunday of the lunar landing, as Nurse Vivian jammed a candle into a pecan pie, she cursed our old Zenith television, Let me tell you this. Well have a color TV by the time they land on Mars.

What will Generation Z look back on? Theyll remember the dead, almost 3 million souls. But I hope they also recall that, because we werent going out to crab feeds, church or Giants games, we stayed home and talked.

The outer, outer, outer, outer Excelsior was the boundary of our wandering. We sat down every night to family dinner, and after saying grace and toasting the best boys in the world, I asked my sons How was your day?

My sons laughed, because it was always the same as the day before, and the day before that: four humans and three dogs riding out a global crisis. Together.

Kevin Fisher-Paulsons column appears Wednesdays in Datebook. Email: datebook@sfchronicle.com
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Land values around Sydneys new airport soared dramatically even before the land was rezoned, with some properties increasing by almost 250 per cent ahead of planning overhauls.

The first study of its kind by the states valuer general found that property values rose years ahead of rezonings, in an analysis released ahead of a NSW parliamentary inquiry sparked by widespread upset over land acquisitions for the major infrastructure project.

The Western Sydney International Airport site at Badgerys Creek. Credit:James Brickwood

Valuer General David Parker said the review of the precincts announced as part of the planned Western Sydney Aerotropolis was designed to aid future negotiations over fair value, including for landowners whose properties are being acquired by government agencies.

The aim is to provide fairness, Dr Parker said following the reviews release on Tuesday.
Over the past week, it has become abundantly clear that K-12 schools are one of the leading sources for the spread of COVID-19 throughout the US. The Biden administrations criminal pursuit of reopening the majority of all schools by the end of April, a goal which has already been reached, is now fueling the deepening surge of more infectious and lethal variants that are taking hold throughout the country. At present, only 18.5 percent of the American population is fully vaccinated, meaning that the current surge will intensify in the coming weeks and will soon produce another wave of deaths throughout the country.

The B.1.1.7 UK variant, which is 50 percent more transmissible than wild-type SARS-CoV-2, is becoming dominant throughout much of the Upper Midwest and Northeast regions. The situation is most dire in Michigan, Minnesota, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Connecticut, all of which reopened the majority of K-12 schools for in-person learning by March or earlier. In Michigan, where 82 percent of students are in schools that offer fully in-person learning, those under 10 years old are the second fastest rising group of COVID-19 cases, up 238 percent over the past month, with those aged 1019 seeing the highest increase in cases.

What is unfolding is premeditated mass murder, which has been orchestrated by the White House, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the corporate media and the teachers unions, all of whom have conspired to distort science and stifle educators opposition in order to reopen schools everywhere on behalf of the ruling class. The primary motive behind this policy is to enable parents to return to unsafe workplaces in order to produce corporate profits.

Throughout the pandemic, there has been no federal program to monitor COVID-19 infections and deaths tied to K-12 schools, with each district and state left to its own devices. Nearly 3.5 million children have been infected with the virus in the US, with unknown long-term repercussions. Education Week notes that as of March 29, 2021, at least 913 active and retired K-12 educators and personnel have died of COVID-19, of whom 257 were active teachers. While damning in themselves, these figures on infections and deaths are undoubtedly significant undercounts.

Similarly, there is no federal tracking of what type of instruction students are receivingfully remote learning, fully in-person, or the unsafe hybrid model, which combines the two. According to data compiled by Burbio, the percentage of students learning remotely has decreased from 54.7 percent in mid-Januaryjust before Bidens inauguration on January 20to 16.3 percent today. Of that 38.4 percentage point decline in students learning safely from home, 16.1 percent have moved to a hybrid model (now 30.6 percent of all students) and 22.3 percent resumed fully in-person learning (now 53.1 percent of all students).

Trends in learning plans in the US since August 9, 2020 (credit: Burbio)

Immediately after Bidens inauguration, the dominant workers struggle in the US became the fight over reopening Chicago schools. The corporate media issued endless propaganda vilifying teachers, while Biden, Chicagos Democratic Mayor Lori Lightfoot, American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten, Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) President Jesse Sharkey and others engaged in back-room conspiracies to reach a deal to reopen schools, which the CTU pressured its members to support.

The reopening of Chicago schools marked a turning point in the national campaign to reopen all schools. It set the precedent for other major Democratic Party-led cities to negotiate their own deals, including in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Detroit, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Oakland, Seattle, Portland, Las Vegas, Memphis, Nashville and other cities. At this point, every major school district in the US has either begun to reopen or is poised to do so in the coming weeks, with millions more children packed into dilapidated and poorly ventilated classrooms.

Percent of students currently attending in-person in each state, calculated by weighting % virtual instruction at 0, % hybrid instruction (2-3 days per week in-person) at 50 and % traditional (5-days in person) at 100) (credit: Burbio)

A growing number of epidemiologists and other scientists are speaking out on the dangers of opening schools and the impact children are having on the current surge.

Dr. Michael Osterholm, Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, appeared on NBCs Meet the Press program on Sunday and pointed to the dire situation in Michigan, where those aged 3050 are increasingly being hospitalized and the B.1.1.7 variant is spreading rapidly. He then stated, Right here in Minnesota were now seeing the other aspect of this B.1.1.7 variant that hasnt been talked much about. It infects kids very readily These kids now are really major challenges in terms of how they transmit, noting that 749 schools in Minnesota have had confirmed COVID-19 cases.

By early March, roughly 90 percent of all Minnesota schools had returned for in-person learning, and state officials estimate that roughly 50 percent of the COVID-19 cases in Minnesota are now the B.1.1.7 variant. Another noted epidemiologist in the state, Dr. Ruth Lynfield, recently commented on the higher attack rate that the B.1.1.7 variant has among children, stating, We certainly get the sense that youth are what we might refer to as the leading edge of the spread of variants.

Speaking on CBSs Face the Nation on Sunday, former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb raised similar concerns, saying, What were seeing is pockets of infection around the country, particularly in younger people who havent been vaccinated, and also in school-aged children.

In Michigan, the daily case rate is now more than six times higher than its low in late Februarythe seven-day moving average of daily new cases was 6,588 on April 4, compared to 1,045 on February 20. Over this time period, the number one source of new outbreaks was K-12 schools, which have reopened en masse in recent months.

Since February 22, Michigans Department of Health and Human Services recorded 357 outbreaks in K-12 schools, and another 131 outbreaks in child care facilities and at school sporting events. Together these account for more than a third of Michigans total outbreaks, which are defined as two or more cases linked by time and location among people from different households. Even more alarming, school-based outbreaks across the state have jumped 20 percent in just the last week, going from 67 outbreaks for the week reported March 29, to 81 outbreaks on April 5.

Michigan is now the state with both the countrys highest case rate, 64.4 cases per 100,000 people, and the highest test positivity rate, 14.7 percent. According to Covid Act Now, on April 5 the five metropolitan areas in the US with the highest daily case rates were all in Michigan: Jackson, with 88.3 cases per 100,000 people; Detroit (78.1); Monroe (77.5); Flint (70.7); and Lansing (67.5).

Michigan has become a breeding ground for new and more dangerous variants of the virus, with all five of the CDCs variants of concern detected in the state. The B.1.1.7 variant has now been detected 1,237 times in Michigan, according to the CDC, more than any other state except Florida, which has twice the population. First appearing in Michigan on January 16, this variant had been detected 420 times by March 4, with this figure tripling in the past month.

The B.1.351 South African variant, which is 50 percent more transmissible than the wild type of the virus, has been detected seven times in Michigan since first appearing in Jackson on March 9. The two California variants, B.1.427 and B.1.429, which are roughly 20 percent more transmissible, have each been detected three times in Michigan as of March 31, the same day the states first P.1 Brazilian variant appeared in Bay County.

Despite these enormous dangers, Michigans Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer refuses to implement any public health measures to contain the pandemic, recently stating, You dont have a policy problem in Michigan. You have a compliance, mobility and variant problem and thats why vaccines are so important.

In Massachusetts, children and teens also account for the largest number of new COVID-19 infections in the last two weeks. The state now has the fifth-highest number of recorded B.1.1.7 cases in the US. Last week, there were 801 new cases reported among students and 244 among school staff, while the state is pressing ahead with resuming fully in-person learning at all elementary schools by May 3. Russell Johnston, senior associate commissioner at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, absurdly stated, The school numbers going up does not mean that schools are not safe. In fact, schools are very safe.

The full scale of the long-term impacts stemming from school reopenings is not yet known, but this will leave deep scars on society and an entire generation. Potentially tens of thousands more families will be devastated as children continue to transmit the virus to their parents.

A study published in JAMA Pediatrics on Monday estimates that between 37,30043,000 children have lost at least one parent due to the pandemic. The studys authors note, Children who lose a parent are at elevated risk of traumatic grief, depression, poor educational outcomes, and unintentional death or suicide, and these consequences can persist into adulthood. This underscores the hypocrisy of all politicians who falsely claim to be opening schools out of concern for the mental health of students.

Furthermore, millions of children may suffer from long-term complications associated with COVID-19. A recent study from the UK found that 1015 percent of children younger than 16 infected with COVID-19 still had at least one symptom five weeks later.

Any claim that this disaster could not have been predicted, or that schools were not expected to be sources for COVID-19 transmission, is belied by the repeated warnings made by the World Socialist Web Site. Throughout the past year, no other outlet has so consistently warned of the dangers posed by reopening schools or fought to arm educators and the working class with a scientific understanding of the pandemic.

Throughout the pandemic, the WSWS and the Socialist Equality Parties throughout the world have worked with educators, parents, students and workers in other industries to form networks of rank-and-file committees to oppose the homicidal policies of the ruling class. With the pandemic threatening to kill millions more people globally, it is essential that these committees be expanded in every country and that they popularize the call for general strike action to close all schools and nonessential workplaces and provide economic security to all workers affected until the pandemic is fully contained.
COLUMBIA  U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham and Gov. Henry McMaster are railing against a sweeping voting rights bill that recently passed the U.S. House, with Graham calling the legislation "an attempt by the radical left to take over every election system in the country."

In an April 6 news conference in the governor's office, Graham said he's "never been more worried about a piece of legislation" than H.R. 1, also known as the "For the People Act."

"They would be demolishing the Constitution, in my view," said Graham, R-S.C. "The contents of this bill should scare everybody in South Carolina and throughout the nation who believe in robust voting integrity at the ballot box."

Among the many provisions included in the 791-page Democratic-backed bill are national voter registration and mail-in voting standards, nonpartisan redistricting commissions, requiring super PACs to disclose donors, increasing oversight for lobbyists and requiring presidential candidates to disclose their tax returns.

It would also add a public financing option for campaigns, designed to limit the influence of big donors. Candidates could get a 6-to-1 match for small-dollar donations if they have raised at least $50,000 from 1,000 people, with the money coming from fines on corporations that commit malfeasance.

The bill passed the U.S. House in March, but it would require 60 votes to pass in the Senate, where Democrats only hold 50 seats. Some Democrats have called for ending the legislative filibuster, which would allow them to pass such bills with a simple 50-vote majority, but other Democrats have opposed that idea.

One of the bill's foremost supporters has been House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, D-Columbia, who recently told The Post and Courier he believes "there needs to be a work around the filibuster when it comes to civil rights and voting rights."

Graham directed some of his remarks toward U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, the moderate West Virginia Democrat who has been most resistant to eliminating the filibuster.

"I think that Joe Manchin is not going to turn on the people of West Virginia," Graham said. "I'm hopeful that Joe Manchin will look at H.R. 1 as destroying the ability of West Virginia to conduct an election as they see fit following the laws of the land."

Graham claimed that the bill would ban voter ID. The bill would not ban the practice, but it would require states to let voters who do not have ID sign a statement under oath attesting to their identity  a measure that would only apply to federal elections.

But Graham said he believes that would effectively nullify the requirement. If people do not have driver's licenses, as surveys have shown applies to millions of Americans, Graham said he would support giving everybody an ID in order to vote.

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McMaster called the bill "insane" and said it would "threaten the constitutional sovereignty of the state of South Carolina." Graham took issue with the requirement for an independent redistricting commission, saying that "taking away the power of the states to draw the state lines is devastating for South Carolina."

"Those are not just words, it's very important," McMaster said. "This country, our state, is built on the sovereignty of the states. This bill takes that away."

Graham also claimed that the bill would mean all voters would automatically receive ballots by mail "whether you want it or not." But it would actually only send voters applications for mail ballots, which they would then have to fill out and return in order to get the ballot.

Former U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham, the Charleston Democrat who supported the bill when he was in Congress, said South Carolinians "won't be lied to and lectured about voting integrity by the same men who promoted The Big Lie," referring to unfounded allegations that election fraud stole the 2020 election from Donald Trump.

"Its disappointing, but not surprising, that Lindsey Graham and Henry McMaster, two career politicians and lifelong members of the status quo, would stand in the way of such important reforms," Cunningham said.

The federal efforts come as a number of conservative states have pushed to bolster voting restrictions in the wake of the 2020 election, most notably Georgia, where the Legislature recently passed a bill adding new hurdles for absentee voting and other changes.

The only major election legislation in South Carolina has come in the form of a pair of competing bills to reform the state Election Commission.

In the House, Speaker Jay Lucas proposed giving the state agency more power over county election commissions, allowing them to standardize the election process statewide. Senators have resisted that idea, instead passing a bill to add confirmation votes for the governor's appointments to the Election Commission.

McMaster sided firmly with the House effort, saying he believes that one would shore up election integrity while the Senate measure is not necessary and "a bad idea."

Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, responded that giving more authority to a state election agency that "reports solely to a disengaged governor would be disastrous."
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Rescuers were searching for dozens of people still missing on Tuesday after floods and landslides swept away villages in Indonesia and East Timor, killing at least 86 people and leaving thousands more homeless.

Torrential rains from Tropical Cyclone Seroja turned small communities into wastelands of mud, uprooted trees and sent around 10,000 people fleeing to shelters across the neighbouring Southeast Asian nations.

Indonesia's disaster management agency said it had recorded 86 deaths in a cluster of remote islands near East Timor, where another 34 have been officially listed as dead since the disaster struck on Sunday.

Rescuers were searching for dozens of people still missing on Tuesday after floods and landslides swept away villages in Indonesia and East Timor, killing at least 86 people and leaving thousands more homeless

Torrential rains from Tropical Cyclone Seroja turned small communities into wastelands of mud, uprooted trees and sent around 10,000 people fleeing to shelters across the neighbouring Southeast Asian nations

Indonesia's disaster management agency said it had recorded 86 deaths in a cluster of remote islands near East Timor, where another 34 have been officially listed as dead since the disaster struck on Sunday

Authorities revised down a higher death toll for Indonesia, citing miscommunication with local agencies.

But search and rescue teams there were racing to find more than 100 people still missing and using diggers to clear mountains of debris.

The storm swept buildings in some villages down a mountainside and to the shore of the ocean on Lembata island, where some small communities have been wiped off the map.

'This area will never be inhabited again,' said Lembata district official Eliyaser Yentji Sunur, referring to a flattened part of Waimatan village.

'We won't let people live here. Like it or not, they'll have to relocate.'

Search and rescue teams in the affected areas are racing to find more than 100 people still missing and using diggers to clear mountains of debris

The storm swept buildings in some villages down a mountainside and to the shore of the ocean on Lembata island, where some small communities have been wiped off the map

Waimatan resident Onesimus Sili said floods early on Sunday destroyed his community before anyone knew what was happening.

'Around midnight, we heard a very loud rumbling sound and we thought it was a nearby volcano erupting,' he told AFP.

'By the time we realised that it was a flash flood, the houses were already gone.'

Authorities in both nations were scrambling to shelter evacuees while trying to prevent any spread of Covid-19.

On Tuesday, East Timor recorded its first virus death - a 44-year-old woman - since the pandemic broke out last year.

The tiny half-island nation of 1.3 million sandwiched between Indonesia and Australia, officially known as Timor-Leste, quickly shut down its borders to avoid a widespread outbreak that threatened to overwhelm its creaky health care system.

But the disaster has heightened fears of a spike in cases as thousands cram into shelters across Timor's inundated capital Dili and elsewhere.

Authorities in both Indonesia and East Timor were scrambling to shelter evacuees while trying to prevent any spread of Covid-19 after flash floods hit on Sunday

On Tuesday, East Timor recorded its first virus death - a 44-year-old woman - since the pandemic broke out last year. But the disaster has heightened fears of a spike in cases as thousands cram into shelters across Timor's inundated capital Dili and elsewhere (pictured, a flood-affected village in Indonesia)

Local officials in Lembata, East Nusa Tenggara province, were bracing for its meagre health facilities to be overwhelmed as the number of injured coming from isolated villages soars

Many residents who survived the flash floods and mudslides have been left with severe injuries including broken bones because they were hit by rocks, logs, and debris

Local officials in Lembata were bracing for its meagre health facilities to be overwhelmed as the number of injured coming from isolated villages soars.

'These evacuees fled here with just wet clothes on their backs and nothing else,' said the area's deputy mayor, Thomas Ola Longaday.

'They need blankets, pillows, mattresses and tents.'

There was also a dire shortage of trained doctors.

'We don't have enough anaesthesiologists and surgeons, but we've been promised that help will come,' Longaday said.

'Many survivors have broken bones because they were hit by rocks, logs, and debris.'

The bodies of three people were recovered after being swept away by floods in the village of Oyang Barang, Indonesia, where 40 houses were also destroyed

Indonesian President Joko Widodo said he had ordered his cabinet ministers and the chiefs of the military, police and disaster agency to carry out emergency response measures and search and rescue operations as quickly as possible

Tropical Cyclone Seroja has produced high waves, strong winds and heavy rains for the past three days and its effects were expected to last until Friday

Extreme weather has also caused tens more deaths in East Timor (pictured), but rescue efforts in the remote island nation have been hampered by damaged bridges and roads

Nearby in East Flores municipality, torrents of mud washed over homes, bridges and roads.

Earlier images from Indonesia's search and rescue agency showed workers digging up mud-covered corpses before placing them in body bags.

Hospitals, bridges and thousands of homes were damaged or destroyed by the storm, which is now moving toward the west coast of Australia.

But Indonesia 'could still see extreme weather for the next few days,' said national disaster agency spokesman Raditya Jati.

Relief efforts have been hampered by power outages, as well as blocked roads covered in thick mud after torrents of water and mud washed over homes, bridges and roads when the tropical weather system hit over the weekend

Hospitals, bridges and thousands of homes in Indonesia and East Timor were damaged or destroyed by the storm, which is now moving toward the west coast of Australia

At least nine villages have been affected by flash floods and a landslide that damaged five bridges on the island of Lembata (pictured, residents of Ile Ape, Lembata Island, clean up mud and debris from their house)

Authorities were still working to evacuate remote communities and provide shelter to those hit by the storm, he added.

Fatal landslides and flash floods are common across the Indonesian archipelago during the rainy season.

January saw flash floods hit the Indonesian town of Sumedang in West Java, killing 40 people.

And last September, at least 11 people were killed in landslides on Borneo.

The disaster agency has estimated that 125 million Indonesians - nearly half of the country's population - live in areas at risk of landslides.

The disasters are often caused by deforestation, according to environmentalists.

Authorities were still working to evacuate remote communities and provide shelter to those hit by the storm. Fatal landslides and flash floods are common across the Indonesian archipelago during the rainy season
The San Francisco school board considered  but ultimately decided against  destroying an anti-racist mural at one of its schools. (Eric Risberg / Associated Press)

Its been one embarrassment after another for San Francisco's schools in recent years. Now things have reached a new low, with the former vice president of the school board suing her colleagues because of an escalating dispute triggered by some old, ugly tweets.

More important: The city and county of San Francisco has sued the school district, not over some contested property or other minor dispute, but for allegedly depriving students of a good education. School officials did so, the lawsuit argues, by refusing to reopen schools despite low COVID-19 rates.

So much drama, all coming on top of years worth of frankly nonsensical moments in the San Francisco Unified School District  perhaps most famously, its attempt to change the names of 44 schools. On Tuesday the school board is scheduled to consider pausing the renaming plan, but the reputational damage has already been done.

The district is clearly unable to climb out of the hole it has dug for itself. Time for it to bring in some outside guidance. If it doesnt, the state Education Department should be taking a look and advising  that is, pushing  school leaders to get their students an education without all the internecine battles and diversions.

Four years ago, San Francisco was the worst county in the state for Black students, who account for 7% of the enrollment there. They attended segregated schools and scored far lower on standardized tests than their counterparts statewide. The city, which is far wealthier than Los Angeles, posted much worse achievement gaps for Black students, regardless of whether they lived in poverty. The districts effort to desegregate its schools and give Black and Latino families more access to coveted campuses actually made things worse and was scrapped.

Since then, the district seems to have spent its time worrying more about making symbolic and sometimes harmful gestures on racial equity than about providing Black and Latino students the kind of education to which they are entitled. For example, witness the board's debate two years ago over whether to destroy an anti-racist, Depression-era mural at one of its schools on the grounds that its image of Americas racist past was, in a sense, racist itself. It eventually decided to cover the mural rather than destroy it, only a nominally better decision.

Story continues

Or consider how the district tried to address the disproportionately low enrollment of Black and Latino students at its most prestigious school, Lowell High, which had a competitive admissions policy. It instituted a lottery, a counterproductive move for a school designated to maintain especially high expectations of its students. A group of parents has threatened to sue. This could have been resolved equitably and sensibly by adopting a holistic admissions system like the one at the University of California, which considers multiple factors aside from grades and test scores to measure applicants' potential.

In late January, when the school board should have been considering how to reopen its campuses so that students  especially low-income students  could get a better education, it was instead voting to rechristen 44 schools whose names were perceived as honoring racist or otherwise oppressive people or places. Some of the renamings made sense; other cullings, such as schools named for George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, were highly questionable, and yet others, such as Paul Revere, were based on research too sloppy for a fourth-grader. This provoked a lawsuit claiming that the school board had rushed the process and failed to include parents and the public, as well as the lawsuit from the city and county, which said, for crying out loud, would you just focus on reopening the schools?

Topping it off was the discovery of an old tweet from Alison Collins, until recently the school boards vice president, invoking racist tropes against Asian Americans. Collins apologized for hurting feelings but has not apologized for the tweets themselves or admitted that they were racist. As a result, the board stripped her of her vice presidency, which in turn led her to sue her colleagues.

If this were made into a play about the schools, people would be tempted to say it was a parody, that it couldnt possibly be about real people in charge of educating 57,000 kids. If only.

The board has one very important move that it needs to make now: Bring in a top consultant to knock some sense into its members and put the schools on the right track. The best way to bring equity to low-income students of color? Fewer lawsuit-worthy shenanigans, please, and more education.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 23:51:45|Editor: huaxia

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ABUJA, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday appointed an acting police chief in a bid to rejig the country's security architecture, to ensure that the security challenges bedeviling the West African nation are brought to an end.

Minister of Police Affairs Maigari Dingyadi told reporters in Abuja that the appointment of Usman Baba as acting inspector-general of police will take immediate effect.

Baba is taking over from Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, whose tenure in office was extended for three months on Feb. 4 by the president.

"The president has, therefore, charged the new appointee to rise to the challenge to ensure policing reform policies of this administration are fully prioritized and implemented to enable the police performs most effective for the peace and security of lives and property of all Nigerians," Dingyadi said. Enditem
Are we witnessing the failure of the American experiment in government by the people, of the people, and for the people? America today certainly has the look and feel of terminal decline. Meanwhile, America's enemies, foreign and domestic, are licking their chops.

In our public life, we are witnessing the abandonment of moral understanding and common sense. If there is a future America the Founders would recognize, one still devoted to truth, justice, and the American way, future Americans will look back on this time as a radical departure from everything that made America great.

We now have rulers, and our rulers, backed by their minions in the press, are lying to us, the better to boss us around.

Science, we are told, has shown that mask mandates by government decree are necessary. But masks are ineffective. Science, we are told, has shown that government must impose radical and unwelcome restrictions on the way we live because our planet is overheating. Is this the biggest lie of them all?

It seems we must look to our ruling elite for guidance on more and more and still more. Have you heard the news that we don't even know how to figure out whether a newborn is a boy or a girl? Here is how Devan Cole, CNN's breaking news and politics reporter, recently broke the news about this problem: "there is [sic] no consensus criteria for assigning sex at birth." We can only hope experts get to work on this lack of criteria right away.

As for the 2020 election, the people in government and the media assure us that the election was on the up and up, that Biden was elected fair and square. However, my greengrocer, a likable fellow with little interest in politics and no love for Donald Trump, mentioned to me in passing that the election was obviously stolen. But what does he know? He is no expert. He probably also believes he can figure out whether a newborn is a boy or a girl.

Interestingly, he also believes, without consulting any experts, that stealing an election is wrong. On that, I am with him all the way. If we let the people in politics get away with stealing the election and we let the people in the news get away with covering it up, the American way of life may not be long for this world.

Robert Curry serves on the Board of Directors of the Claremont Institute. He is the author of Reclaiming Common Sense: Finding Truth in a Post-Truth World and Common Sense Nation: Unlocking the Forgotten Power of the American Idea. Both are published by Encounter Books.

Image via Max Pixel.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
Delhi will be under curfew from 10 pm to 5 am night till April 30, the city government said on Tuesday as Covid-19 cases rise in the capital.





Delhi recorded 3,548 fresh cases and 15 deaths on Monday.

NDTV reports that traffic would not be stopped and those going for vaccinations will be allowed with an e-pass. Essential services and retailers who need to travel after hours for ration, grocery stocks, vegetables, milk and medicines will also be allowed with similar passes. Journalists of the print and electronic media will be allowed to travel, too.

Private doctors, nurses and other medical staff would be allowed movement with ID cards. Exceptions will also be made for pregnant women and those needing treatment.

The curfew will check the movement of people, not essential services, said the Delhi government in an order.

Chief Minister had on Friday said Delhi faced a fourth wave of Covid-19 but a was not being considered yet.

He has said before that cannot be a solution in the fight against the pandemic. On April 2, he had said the government does not plan to impose any
Les Etats-Unis voudraient creer un impot minimum mondial sur les societes

Avec son plan de relance, Joe Biden propose une augmentation des impots sur les societes aux Etats-Unis. Sur ce principe, il propose au G20 d'instaurer un taux minimum mondial d'impot sur les entreprises, pour eviter un dumping fiscal.
But scrolling through Instagram and seeing people in Miami with no masks spraying Champagne into another persons mouth, while she sits in her apartment, having not had a haircut or been to a restaurant in more than a year, has made patience hard to practice. Its like when every friend is getting engaged before you, and youre like, Oh, Im happy for them, but when is it my turn? she said.
Kelly Rossman-McKinney 517-512-9342 Attorney General

April 6, 2021

LANSING  Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel called on Twitter, eBay, and Shopify to act immediately to prevent people from offering to sell fraudulent Centers for Disease Control (CDC) vaccination cards on their platforms. A bipartisan coalition of 45 attorneys general raised concerns about the public health risks of these fake cards in a letter to the companies CEOs.

"These cards look legitimate, but are anything but. By selling these fake vaccine cards, bad actors are undermining the public safety and prolonging this pandemic, Nessel said. My colleagues and I are urging Twitter, eBay and Shopify to help prevent the sale of these phony cards and protect the public health.

Legitimate vaccination cards are given by providers when the vaccine is administered. People who buy fake cards can have their own information added to the card or add it in themselves, so it appears they have been vaccinated when they have not. These deceptive cards threaten the health of our communities, slow progress in getting people protected from the virus, and violate many state laws.

In their letter, the attorneys general ask the CEOs to:

Monitor their platforms for ads or links selling blank or fraudulently-completed vaccination cards.

Promptly remove ads or links that are selling cards.

Preserve records and information about the ads and the people offering the fake vaccination cards.

Joining Attorney General Nessel in sending this letter are the attorneys general of Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

A copy of the letter is available here.
Traces of Texas on Sunday tweeted out a San Antonio Light photo from 1951 of an area farmer overcome with joy as rain fell on Easter Sunday.

The photo captures the relief of not only the farmer, Sam Smith, but of the entire state, which had been hammered by a severe drought.

The twitter account, which regularly tweets out historic photos from around the state, pointed out the sheer joy in the farmer's face. The photo was taken by then-San Antonio Light photographer Harvey H. Belgin, who died in 2003 at the age of 91. Belgin's photo was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize the following year.

According to a 2015 San Antonio Express-News article, the years-long drought of the 1950s is considered one of the worst natural disasters in Texas history and lasted from 1950 to 1957.

The story said crops were scarce because of the lack of precipitation and ranchers resorted to burning the thorns off prickly pear cactus to feed their cattle

Some Twitter users shared their memories of the drought in replies to Traces of Texas' tweet, which has received more then 1,700 likes on the social media platform as of Monday.

One man said he was out of town with his mother visiting relatives when his dad called to tell his mom they had received rain. "He was crying & praising God," the man tweeted.

In a 1981 San Antonio Light article announcing Belgin's retirement, the paper called the Sam Smith photo "probably the most famous San Antonio news photograph of the century." The Associated Press later included the photograph as one of the best news photos of the past half century, the article said.

The photo was taken on March 25, 1951, and published the following day in the Light.

Express-News researcher Misty Harris contributed to this story

peter.rasmussen@mysa.com
ROME, APR 6 - Over 80% of Italy's school personnel have been vaccinated for COVID-19, Antonello Giannelli, the president of the national head teacher association, told SkyTg24 on Tuesday. He said that there is a "logistical problem" for the monitoring of the spread of the coronavirus in Italian schools. "The number of operators are not yet sufficient to do this operation on a major scale," he said. (ANSA).
Mumbai, April 6 : Actress Tara Sutaria on Tuesday shared a stunning black and white picture, and her rumoured boyfriend Aadar Jain indulged in some social media romance.

Tara posted the picture on Instagram, where she is seen posing in an off-shoulder crop top paired with denims.

She captioned it: "Fever (black and white hearts emoji)".

Aadar took to the comment section and wrote: "You give me (black heart)."

Tara and Aadar were first linked after they made an appearance at Malaika Arora's party in 2019, and then at Amitabh Bachchan's Diwali party.

The actress had also penned a birthday wish for Aadar a while back, calling him her "favourite person".

Aadar, who made his Bollywood debut in 2017 with "Qaidi Band", will next be seen in "Hello Charlie".

Tara has "Tadap" and "Ek Villain 2" coming up. "Tadap" is Milan Luthria's remake of the Telugu hit "RX 100".

-- Syndicated from IANS
Former Married At First Sight star Cheryl Maitland has revealed the surprising reason why a Gold Coast venue refused to host her 30th birthday party.

The 29-year-old, who appeared on season four of MAFS in 2017, said her request for a booking was rejected because her guests have tattoos that can't be concealed.

'Trying to organise my 30th venue and got told that finger tattoos and roses on hands is a NO entry,' she wrote on Instagram on Tuesday.

'This is a joke!' Former Married At First Sight star Cheryl Maitland has revealed the surprising reason why a Gold Coast venue is refusing to host her 30th birthday party

'I've also been to this venue multiple times with people that have more tattoos than this,' she added.

'This is an absolute joke and I'll never step foot into this venue again.'

Cheryl was paired with entrepreneur Jonathan Troughton on Married At First Sight four years ago. They didn't make it past the first commitment ceremony.

The Queenslander met former police constable Dean Gibbs in March 2017 and they have been dating ever since.

Denied entry: The 29-year-old, who appeared on season four of MAFS in 2017, said her request for a booking was rejected because her guests have tattoos that can't be concealed

Earlier this year, Cheryl proudly showed off her new pearly whites on Instagram, after getting 'no prep' veneers fitted - meaning her natural teeth remain underneath, should she ever want to remove them.

Alongside a before-and-after picture of her new gnashers, Cheryl wrote, 'New Year calls for new teeth,' alongside a link to the clinic where she got her new smile.

However, shortly after posting the photos, she was flooded with comments from fans questioning her decision, with many saying they couldn't even notice the difference between the two images.

Rise to fame: Cheryl was paired with entrepreneur Jonathan Troughton on Married At First Sight four years ago. They didn't make it past the first commitment ceremony

Moving on! The Queenslander met former police constable Dean Gibbs in March 2017 and they have been dating ever since

Speaking on her Instagram Stories, the reality star bit back: 'I can tell the difference so that's all that matters.

'It's something I wanted done, and I'm so happy with the results.'

Explaining why she decided to get veneers, she added: 'I'm still adjusting on how to smile and speak, because my side teeth were so much smaller than my front teeth.'
Six family members were dead in apparent murder-suicide in suburban Dallas after two brothers made a suicide pact that included the deaths of the other relatives, police said.

Allen police discovered the deaths after a concerned friend called police around 1 a.m. Monday worried that a person was suicidal, police Sgt. Jon Felty said.

"The two brothers had entered into an agreement that they were going to complete suicide, and from that, it went to where the entire family was taken with them," Felty said.

One of the brothers described in an Instagram post what occurred or would occur, Felty said.

One brother was 19 and the other was in his 20s, he said. The victims included a grandparent, two parents and a sister, he said.

Police identified the dead as father Towhidul Islam, 54; mother Iren Islam, 56; grandmother Altafun Nessa, 77; Tanvir Towhid, 21; and 19-year-old Farhan Towhid and his twin sister Farbin Towhid.

Neighbors told the NBC Dallas-Fort Worththey were stunned by the discovery. "The family is a very nice and happy family," friend Deelra Hassan said.

Police have had no substantive contact with the family, except for a call in 2018 about an unknown person who had rung their doorbell, Felty said. He said that evidence suggests the killings happened on Saturday.

Felty said the family is from Bangladesh, and investigators found some family members in Florida, who were en route to Texas.

"We have never had an incident like this in the 21 years that I have been here," Felty said. "... It's just a tragedy. There's no other way to describe it. It's a tragedy that you just can't imagine."

The police investigation was ongoing Monday.

The letter posted to social media said the brothers planned to fatally shoot their family members and then themselves, and it mentioned being clinically depressed, NBC Dallas-Fort Worth reported.

Allen is a suburban city of around 105,000 north of Dallas.

If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide please call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text TALK to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.
A hilariously bad Soviet TV adaptation of The Lord of the Rings made in 1991 has reappeared on YouTube, years after it was thought to have been lost.

Khranietli, based on the first volume in the trilogy by JRR Tolkien, was a made-for-TV film complete with terrible special effects, bizarre costumes and low budget production.

Despite being released only ten years before Peter Jackson's first epic film in the trilogy, Khraniteli could not look more different.

They're taking the hobbits to Stalingrad! A hilariously bad Soviet TV adaptation of The Lord of the Rings made in 1991 has reappeared on YouTube featuring Frodo Baggins (right) and Tom Bombadil (left)

Khranietli, based on the first volume in the trilogy by JRR Tolkien, was a made-for-TV film complete with terrible special effects

It was reportedly aired only once on TV before it disappeared in the archives of Leningrad Television, according to The Guardian.

Fans of the English-language book and film series will recognise a number of scenes and characters in the Soviet version which has been uploaded in two parts.

The film opens with a song by composer Andrei Romanov from the rock band Akvarium to a montage of the ring, Bilbo and Frodo Baggins.

One commenter wrote: 'It is as absurd and monstrous as it is divine and magnificent. The opening song is especially lovely. Thanks to the one who found this rarity.'

Bilbo (right) is seen arriving at his birthday party in the Shire with Frodo at his side in the TV film

The Soviet version (pictured, Frodo and Bilbo Baggins) was made only ten years before the Hollywood adaptation

Elijah Wood and Ian Holm starred as Frodo and Bilbo in the successful Peter Jackson trilogy

Gandalf the Grey and his questionable hair and beard and purple tunic in the Soviet version is almost unrecognisable from Sir Ian McKellen's portrayal

The 2001 film won four Oscars and grossed $887.8 million worldwide and was lauded by fans and critics

Five minutes in, Bilbo arrives at his birthday party in the Shire with Gandalf the Grey to cheers from the hobbits as rudimentary white fireworks appear drawn on the screen, a far cry from the $93million Peter Jackson production.

When Bilbo first uses the ring, a robotic sound effect reminiscent of an early episode of Doctor Who is heard as the hobbit vanishes, to badly-acted expressions of astonishment from his audience.

Viewers later meet Smeagol as he tries on the ring for the first time and transforms into Gollum with a green painted face and what appears to be hay around his neck.

But keen fans of the series will notice the character of Tom Bombadil, a forest-dweller who was cut from the Percy Jackson films, features in the Soviet version.

Smeagol with sideburns and an archer's hat finds the ring and dramatically places it on his finger

As he transforms into Gollum, a shimmering silver blur appears on the screen in the low-budget special effects

Gollum then emerges on screen with a face painted dark green and a bizarre headpiece with hay coming out the back

In Peter Jackson's version, motion capture was used as Andy Serkis played the role of the creature

Few Russians knew about the existence of the film which was thought to be lost until Leningrad Television's successor 5TV posted it on YouTube last week.

It has already gained more than 800,000 views in days.

World of Fantasy, a Russian-language publication, said: 'Fans have been searching the archives but had not able to find this film for decades.'

There are few other adaptations or translations of Lord of the Rings in the Soviet Union, with some believing it was censored due to its tale of an alliance of men fighting a totalitarian power.

Few Russians knew about the existence of the film which was thought to be lost until Leningrad Television's successor 5TV posted it on YouTube last week

It was reportedly aired only once on TV before it disappeared in the archives of Leningrad Television

Fans of the English-language book and film series will recognise a number of scenes and characters in the Soviet version

World of Fantasy, a Russian-language publication, said: 'Fans have been searching the archives but had not able to find this film for decades'

Peter Jackson's films proved more successful in Russia after they were dubbed into an expletive-laden version

There are few other adaptations or translations of Lord of the Rings in the Soviet Union

The first clandestine Soviet translation of the Fellowship of the Ring appeared in 1966, while fans had to wait until 1982 for the first published translation.

The Two Towers and The Return of the King were not released until many years later.

Leningrad Television made another low-budget adaptation of The Hobbit in 1985 featuring ballet dances in a version titled The Fantastic Journey of Mister Bilbo Baggins, the Hobbit.

The version was believed to be the only finished Tolkien adaptation made during the Soviet Union.

Peter Jackson's films proved more successful in Russia after they were dubbed into an expletive-laden version.
Highlights The incident took place at the Sector 52 Noida Metro station.

A man wearing a black mask snatched the phone of a Twitter user and ran off.

The thief threw the device back after knowing it wasn't the make he was looking for.

Many of us have been victims of phone snatching and thefts in various public places. What follows is even more tedious and mind-numbing than the act itself. This often involves reporting the incident to authorities, trying to salvage the lost data and shopping for a new device. Seldom, however, we get our lost phones back, and a Twitter user has now shared his story of such a miraculous retrieval.

Twitter user Debayan Roy recently shared a tweet on an incident that left him a "little numb", but reading about it has the Twitterati in splits. As Debayan was texting on his phone at the Sector 52 Noida Metro station, a man wearing a black mask snatched his phone and ran off.

Such an occurrence would understandably leave anyone stunned for a few moments. As he gained his senses, Debayan ran towards the thief in an attempt to catch him and retrieve his lost phone. What happened next could not possibly be predicted by Debayan or any of us for that matter.

As he ran towards the thief, Debayan noted that the guy turned back and ran towards him instead of trying to escape. He confronted Debayan and said, "Bhai mujhe laga One Plus 9 pro model hai" (Brother, I thought this is an OnePlus 9 Pro model). Saying this, he dropped the device on the floor and ran off again.

(Image: Twitter/ Debayan Roy)

Debayan ends the tweet with #WhatWasThis. Understandably so, as it is safe to say that none of us saw this coming until we read the tweet in its entirety. Twitterati has since had a field day trying to justify the actions of the miscreant.

While most asked Debayan about his well-being after the incident, some remarked that even thieves have standards these days. Many laughed at the incident and couldn't really put in words what to make of it.

A curious mind even asked Debayan about the smartphone that he uses, trying to judge why the thief would have thrown it back after snatching it away. Replying to the tweet, Debayan confirmed that he uses a Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus.

(Image: Twitter)

Several of the tweets expressed relief on knowing that such (and their own) phones are not interesting targets for phone snatchers. Others asked Debayan if he felt relieved or offended by the thief's actions.

Relieved was the obvious answer as any of us would be.

And possibly a little amused.
"Our society is sick", seasoned Journalist Kwesi Pratt fumes as he discusses the murder of a 10-year old pupil during Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show Tuesday morning.



Two teenagers named Felix Nyarko, 15, and Nicholas Kini, 17, allegedly murdered a 10-year-old boy at Lamptey Mills in Kasoa on Saturday.



The deceased, Ishmael Mensah, was a Class Four pupil of the Maranatha School.



It is believed the teenagers committed such hideous act for ritual money purposes.



The teenagers were today arraigned before the Ofankor District Court after their arrest by the Kasoa Police Command.



Reacting to the incident, Kwesi Pratt expressed disgust over the greed of people for money.



He sought to find out what would drive young teenagers to kill to enrich themselves asking ''what do they want the money for?''



To Kwesi Pratt, all these are happening in the country because the society is sick.



He explained that, in Ghana, unnecessary things are rewarded while the things that make positive impact are overlooked, to wit the nation has misplaced their priorities.



"What do we reward in our society?" he queried.



Mr. Pratt was utterly filled with disgust over the teenagers' act as he exclaimed; "What's this disease in our country that a child aged sixteen years wants money that his ancestor couldn't even have? If you want to kill a person for money ritual, then it's not 5 cedis or 10 cedis that you're looking for. So, what has happened to our society? Our society is sick!"





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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Leaders of countries around the world have sent messages and letters of congratulations and made phone calls to newly-elected Vietnamese leaders, including President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, PM Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc takes the oath of office (Photo: VNA)

In his congratulatory letter and phone call to President Phuc, General Secretary of the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party and President of Laos Thounglun Sisolith stressed that Phucs election as State President reflected the high trust of the Party, State and people of Vietnam.

The Lao leader believed that, with his capacity, prestige and experience, President Phuc and the new leadership will continue to bring Vietnam to greater achievements, thus successfully implementing the Resolution of the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

President Phuc thanked the Lao leader for sending congratulations and making the phone call, expressing his wish to continue working closely with Thounglun Sisolith in his new position to foster the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos. On this occasion, President Phuc once again congratulated Laos on successfully organising the 11th National Congress of the LPRP and the 9th National Assembly elections, and Thounglun Sisolith on his election as LPRP General Secretary and President of Laos.

The two leaders affirmed that the Party, State and people of the two countries always attach great importance and give top priority to promoting the special bilateral relations. They highly appreciated the two countries efforts to keep cooperation momentum amid the COVID-19 pandemic by maintaining high-level visits and meetings and promoting the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation mechanisms.

Thounglun Sisolith also spoke highly of the completed construction on schedule of the Lao National Assembly building - a special and meaningful gift of the Party, State and people of Vietnam - to serve the first session of the 9th National Assembly.

The leaders agreed that in the coming time, the two sides should continue their coordination to well implement high-level agreements, constantly deepening the bilateral cooperation for practical benefits of the two countries people. Both sides also agreed to coordinate in increasing the education of young generations on the great special relationship between Vietnam and Laos, which has been nurtured by generations of leaders and people of the two countries.

President Phuc hoped that the Lao leader would soon pay a visit to Vietnam and the latter also invited the Vietnamese leader to visit Laos at an appropriate time.

He also sent the best wishes to the Lao leaders and people on the occasion of the Lao traditional New Year (Bunpimay).

On the same day, in his congratulatory letter sent to PM Pham Minh Chinh, Lao PM Phankham Viphavanh wrote that the election of Chinh as Prime Minister of Vietnam demonstrates the confidence of the Party, the Government and the people of Vietnam in his role, capacity and vision in leading the country to constant development and prosperity.

I will do my best together with you to fruitfully develop the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and people of our two countries, for the sake of our people as well as for regional and international peace, stability, development and cooperation, he stressed.

Also on April 5, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message of congratulations to President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, noting the positive growth of the bilateral ties over the past year.

The Chinese leader affirmed that he attaches importance to the development of China-Vietnam relations, and is ready to make efforts to promote the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two nations to obtain new and greater achievements, bringing benefits to both countries and their people.

In his congratulatory message, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang emphasised that China and Vietnam are two friendly neighbours and important cooperation partners. He affirmed that he would actively build a win-win cooperation complexion, thus contributing to the friendly neighbourliness and comprehensive cooperation between China and Vietnam.

State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) (Photo: VNA)

The same day, President of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen also sent a congratulatory letter to and made a phone call to President Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

During the phone call, Hun Sen spoke highly of Vietnams impressive achievements in socio-economic development and international integration cause and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He expressed his belief that in the new position, President Phuc will continue making great contributions to the renewal and national development cause, thereby continuously enhancing the countrys international position.

President Phuc affirmed that the Vietnamese Party, State and people always hope to continuously consolidate the good neighbourliness, traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. He also expressed his belief that under the sound leadership of PM Hun Sen, Cambodia will successfully put the pandemic under control, soon stabilise and recover strongly.

Having been delighted at the development in bilateral relations, especially two-way trade, the two leaders affirmed their commitments to maintaining high-level meetings and suitable cooperative mechanisms. They also agreed to intensify collaboration in defence and security and increase the efficiency of borderline management, boost investment and transport connectivity, education and training and people-to-people exchanges.

PM Hun Sen thanked the Vietnamese Government and people for the donation of 200,000 USD to support Cambodias fight against the pandemic. President Phuc showed his hope that the Cambodian Government will continue caring for and creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese Cambodians living, studying and working in Cambodia.

The Cambodian PM also sent a congratulatory letter to newly-elected Vietnamese PM Pham Minh Chinh, in which he affirmed his willingness to closely coordinate with his Vietnamese counterpart to deepen the two countries long-lasting relations on the principles of good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, mutual understanding and enhancing multi-faceted cooperation.

He expressed his belief that with the joint efforts and determination to cooperate closely in both bilateral and multilateral frameworks, Cambodia and Vietnam can overcome unprecedented challenges caused by the pandemic, for the interests of the two nations, for peace, stability, sustainable development and prosperity in the region and the world.

In his congratulatory message sent to President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that the result of ballot casting at the National Assembly demonstrated the great prestige that the Vietnamese leader deserves to receive during the years of working in noble state positions.

Confirming that the Russia-Vietnam relationship relies on the foundation of long-lasting tradition of friendship and mutual respect, Putin said with the joint efforts, both sides will continue developing the bilateral strategic partnership and win-win cooperation in different fields, thus meeting basic interests of the Russian and Vietnamese people, and helping consolidate stability and security in the Asia-Pacific region.

On the same day, Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide extended congratulations to President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and PM Pham Minh Chinh.

Italian President Sergio Matterella also sent greetings to President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, while Italian Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Roberto Fico cabled a congratulatory message to NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue./. VNA

Nguyen Xuan Phuc elected as State President The National Assembly (NA) elected Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Politburo member of the 13th tenure and a deputy of the 14th legislature, as State President for the 2016-2021 term on April 5 morning, during the 14th legislatures 11th sitting.
Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has announced an ex gratia of Rs 30 lakh each to the families of martyred soldiers in Bijapur encounter with the Maoists in Chhattisgarh.  DC file photo

Visakhapatnam/Vijayawada: Paramilitary jawan Routh Jagadish, killed in an encounter with Maoists in Bijapur forests of Chhattisgarh on Saturday, had fixed his marriage for May 22 and planned for shopping this Tuesday.

The untimely death of the local youth shocked the entire town after the news broke out. Hundreds of people came out in rallies and raised slogans praising his supreme sacrifice. His garlanded portraits were seen all over the town.

On Monday evening, a bike rally was taken out from the central town to his home in Gajularega, on the city outskirts, paying tributes to the jawan.

Friends of Jagadish said his parents Ramanamma and Simhachalam were inconsolable. They started preparations in advance for the marriage as they thought Jagadish, posted in Assam, might not have much time to be at home due to his nature of duties.

He called me four days ago and said he would be arriving today and start shopping for wedding clothes etc from Tuesday. That was the last call we got. His superiors broke the news of his death, Jagadishs father Simhachalam said.

Jagadish studied in a local school and completed his degree in a private college. He dreamed of joining the armed forces ever since his childhood. He could finally make it in 2014 and joined Cobra 210 of CRPF. Recently, he was transferred to Assam and sent to Chhattisgarh for anti-Maoists operations.

His superiors appreciated his skills in the operation and praised him for saving his immediate commandant in the exchange of fire, Simhachalam said.

Family members said the body was on its way to Vizianagaram and the cremation would take place in the morning on Tuesday. A state funeral would be accorded to the body, which would be attended by joint collector GC Kishore and superintendent of police B Raja Kumari.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has announced an ex gratia of Rs 30 lakh each to the families of martyred soldiers in Bijapur encounter with the Maoists in Chhattisgarh.

The CM offered his heartfelt condolences to the family members of slain soldiers Routh Jagadeesh of Visakhapatnam and Shakamuri Murali Krishna of Guntur and prayed that they get the strength to overcome the loss.

Jagadeesh hailed from Gajularega of Vizianagaram district and Murali Krishna from Sattenapalli in Guntur district.

AP Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan condoled the death of two jawans and prayed for peace to the martyrs. He offered condolences to the members of the bereaved families.
Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador shifted his gears, claiming on Monday that he will no longer get the COVID vaccine, arguing that he still has antibodies left in his system.

The announcement of the Mexican president regarding the vaccine shot that he decided to not take was made during his daily news conference, according to an Al Jazeera report. Lopez Obrador argued that his decision is anchored on the levels of antibodies that are still present in his system, following his contraction with the notorious disease earlier in the year.

READ NEXT: Mexico's COVID-19 Death Toll Becomes the World's 2nd Highest After Data Revision

Mexico President and the COVID Vaccine

The Mexico president noted that his doctors mentioned with him that he still has high levels of antibodies, according to an Associated Press report.

"They [doctors] reviewed my results and came to the conclusion that I have enough antibodies," said Lopez Obrador. The Mexico president furthered that his doctors also told him that it is not essential for him to be vaccinated against the notorious disease for the time being.

In January, the Mexico president tested positive for COVID-19, making him isolated for about two weeks in the National Palace. Lopez Obrador only suffered from mild manifestations of COVID-19 such as low-grade fever. The president also has a history of heart disease and blood pressure before he contracted COVID-19.

In the previous week, Lopez Obrador announced that he will get the shot of the COVID vaccine once the people who are over 60 years old are made eligible. The Mexico president added that he will get the vaccine upon the advice of his doctor. Lopez Obrador also noted that he will not let the media know which vaccination site will immunize him to avoid making "a spectacle" out of it.

However, on Monday, the Mexican president immediately announced that he will not get the vaccine as per the advice of the second group of doctors, highlighting the antibody still present in his system.

Mexico is currently focusing its vaccine rollout on the elderly population in mass vaccination sites that are available across the country. The Mexico president aims that most of the senior citizens in the country have at least one shot of the COVID vaccine by the end of April.

Mexico and COVID-19

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recorded a total of 2,249,195 COVID positive patients in Mexico since January 3, 2020, and April 5, 2021. Meanwhile, the organization has recorded about 204,011 COVID-19 related deaths in the country. As of March 31, 2021, a total of 7,214,746 vaccine doses have been administered in Mexico.

So far, Mexico has received 14.7 million doses of several COVID vaccine brands. Mexico has been one of the hardest-hit countries in the region.

The Mexico president was criticized for his response to the pandemic. In addition, Lopez Obrador also received backlash from shrugging off the threats of the notorious disease. There are episodes where the Mexico president was often seen in public without a mask even after testing positive for COVID-19. Lopez Obrador was supposed to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine before he decided not to take it.

READ MORE: Mexico Unsure if Seized Russian Sputnik V Vaccines Are Real or Fake

WATCH: Mexico's president to ask U.S. to share vaccines - from Reuters
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission advises the public to thoroughly research and fully understand how commodity futures markets, physical markets, and securities markets differas well as the risks associated with speculative tradingbefore acting on tips or other information communicated via social media.

Recently, posts on online message boards and social media platforms have been cited as contributing to increased volatility in markets for certain commodities. Large numbers of individual speculatorstraders who try to profit from short-term tradesrushed into commodity-backed exchange traded products, physical commodities such as gold and silver, commodity futures, and options contributing to brief but dramatic price swings.

Unfortunately, those who came late, held on too long, or didnt fully understand what they were doing, may have lost big. For every post about taking it to the moon, there are many more posts about individuals losing some or all of their money.

Speculative short-term trading is always risky, but mixing it with unfamiliar products and markets, leverage, and advice from anonymous individuals is a recipe for disaster.

What to Consider

Before jumping into any trade that involves commodity futures or physical commodities like precious metals, here are some things to consider:

Only trade with risk capital. This is money you can afford to lose, not the cash used for basic necessities, savings to cover emergencies, or long-term needs like retirement. Also, research has shown that after commissions the majority of individual speculators lose money. [1]

Experience in one market may not transfer to success in others. Markets are not all the same. Learning the differences between securities markets, futures markets, options markets, and physical markets can help you avoid costly mistakes. For example, you cannot buy the dip in futures markets when a spot price of a commodity looks like a bargain. Futures contracts convey the right to buy or sell an asset at some point in the future. They do not convey ownership in the asset itself. Contracts are also time-limited and cannot be held indefinitely waiting for prices to rebound.

Commodity-backed exchange traded products (ETPs) are sold on stock exchanges but can own physical commodities such as gold or silver, be wholly backed by derivatives, or hold a combination of assets. The ETPs underlying holdings and trading strategies will determine how they respond to changes in the markets and the economy. It is important to know exactly what is in a commodity ETP, and how its trading strategy can be affected by market forces. Always ensure that you receive or have direct access to timely prospectuses and other disclosure documents, and read them carefully. Take your time, do your research, and ask questions.

Its better to develop your own trading plan targeted to your particular situation and risk tolerance than to follow others. As the saying goes, plan the trade and trade the plan. Having a plan will help take some of the emotion out of trading and help avoid common biases, like selling winners too soon or holding losers too long.

Consider the informations source. Professional advisors and brokers are regulated and have limits on what they can recommend online. The individuals behind online tips and information may not have significant relevant knowledge or experience or they may be newcomers themselves. Some may already be holding the asset they are trying to pump or have ulterior motives. Similarly, dont pay for signals or online programs that promise winning trades. There are no silver bullets and programs based on past performance cannot guarantee future results.

Although investing in physical precious metals is commonly considered to be a safe way to ride out volatile markets or economic uncertainty, it is not risk-free. Spot pricesthe cash price for immediate deliverycan be volatile, and the transaction costs for bullion can be high. Dealers set their own spreads. The spread is the difference between the price dealers will sell you a specific coin or ingot and the price they would buy it back from you. These spreads can often be 10 percent or more, which means the value of your investment must climb more than 10 percent for you to break even, let alone cover taxes, storage costs, and possibly insurance. Always compare dealers prices including spreads on specific coins or ingots, as well as fees and other charges.

cftc.gov/LearnAndProtect. If you would like to learn to trade, there are many free or low-cost resources available online. But be careful, as there are also a lot of fraudsters using get-rich-quick promises to sell classes, seminars, books, and programs. Start with your broker to see if it offers a market simulator that uses live market data. Use it to develop trading strategies and practice before risking real money. The exchanges and some industry groups also offer educational information (see box below). To learn more about how to protect yourself in markets regulated by the CFTC, visit

Sources to Help You Learn More about Futures and Options Trading Before you pay for classes or training software, you may find that it is useful to tap into free resources to learn how markets and trading really work. The more you learn from a variety of sources, the better situated you will be to identify misinformation and avoid scams. Although not exhaustive, the list below offers some potential resources to help you get started. CME Institute ( cmegroup.com/education.html ) includes free online courses and tools for practicing trades.

) includes free online courses and tools for practicing trades. Futures Fundamentals ( futuresfundamentals.org ) includes articles and videos on how futures markets work and how to trade.

) includes articles and videos on how futures markets work and how to trade. Intercontinental Exchange ( theice.com/support/education ) offers in-person and online courses covering a range of derivatives market topics.

) offers in-person and online courses covering a range of derivatives market topics. The Institute for Financial Markets ( theifm.org ) offers a collection of resources, including a printed guide to derivatives markets, available for purchase.

) offers a collection of resources, including a printed guide to derivatives markets, available for purchase. Options Industry Council ( optionseducation.org ) hosts free webinars and courses geared to different knowledge levels, along with educational videos, podcasts, and articles.

) hosts free webinars and courses geared to different knowledge levels, along with educational videos, podcasts, and articles. Your local library may offer free educational sessions on trading and investing, as well as books on trading strategies.
Senior NCP leader Dilip Walse Patil was on Monday given the charge of Maharashtra Home department following the resignation of Anil Deshmukh.

Earlier in the day, Deshmukh resigned as the home minister after the Bombay High Court ordered a preliminary inquiry by the CBI into allegations of extortion raised against him by former Mumbai police chief Param Bir Singh.

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has forwarded the resignation letter of Anil Deshmukh to Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari with a request that it may be accepted, the CMO said in a statement.

This letter also mentioned that Walse Patil be given the charge of the Home department.

Walse Patil is currently holding the Labour and Excise portfolios.

The labour portfolio being held by Walse Patil is now assigned to Rural Development Minister Hassan Mushrif while Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar will look after the Excise department, the statement said.

Also read: COVID-19 vaccination: Uddhav Thackeray asks PM Modi to reduce eligible age to 25 yrs
Senate Democrats Propose Changes to Trumps Tax Reform to Raise Revenue and Discourage Offshoring

A group of Democrat senators has proposed changes to international tax provisions in former President Donald Trumps 2017 tax reform law in a bid to discourage offshoring and raise tax revenue for domestic investment.

The crux of the efforts of Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), Mark Warner (D-Virginia), and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) are calls to reform three systems: the Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (GILTI), the Foreign Derived Intangible Income (FDII), and the Base Erosion and Anti-Abuse Tax (BEAT). They argue that some of the international tax provisions in Trumps 2017 tax reforms inadvertently created incentives for American corporations to offshore jobs and production, and shift profits to foreign tax havens.

The systems were meant to return companies deferred offshore income to the United States at lower tax rates, where those profits could be invested in American jobs. But in practice, the Democrat senators said, they created new incentives for companies to invest more overseas to take advantage of new exemptions.

Many companies did not even bring back the profits. Those that did, most of it was spent on stock buybacks, Warner told reporters on a conference call.

One of their proposals is to raise the GILTI rate to the same level as the FDII rate, according to a document entitled the Overhauling International Taxation, jointly developed by Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee (pdf).

The architects of the 2017 tax law could not help but put the thumb on the scale for offshoring income, by making the GILTI rate (10.5 percent) lower than the FDII rate (13.125 percent). If FDII remains, regardless of what the final GILTI and FDII rates are, those rates should be equalized, the document says.

The lawmakers also suggested repealing an incentive stemming from an exemption for qualified business asset investment (QBAI) in the GILTI system, which they said gave multinational corporations the ability to earn tax-free foreign income by investing in tangible assetsfactories, machinery, buildings, and so onabroad.

This is an irrational incentive to put new investment abroad rather than here, or, even worse, shut down U.S. factories and move them overseasthose factories and jobs could have remained in the U.S., they wrote in the document.

Another proposed reform to the GILTI framework is to change its foreign tax credit system into a country-by-country arrangement, rather than on a global averaging basis. They said the current arrangement opens the door to the abuse of tax havens by allowing companies to structure their tax-minimization strategies in a way that shifts profits to tax havens to reduce or eliminate GILTI taxes.

For example, if a corporation operates in nine countries, it would have nine GILTI country baskets, with no aggregation among them. This system would help reduce profit shifting and the abuse of tax havens, they wrote.

Another change they propose to GILTI is to treat expenses for research and management that actually occur in the United States as entirely domestic expenses, eliminating foreign tax credit penalties under GILTI and helping retain these activities in the U.S.

They also propose a repeal of a similar QBAI incentive under the FDII system that they argue encourages offshoring. They also suggest replacing FDIIs deemed intangible income with a new innovation income metric, which they argue would spur domestic innovation activity.

The lawmakers also argued that the BEAT provisions could be tweaked to capture more revenue from companies eroding the U.S. tax base. To do so, they propose changes to the BEAT system, including by raising the BEAT rate on tax-base erosion payments and increasing the value of domestic business tax credits.

While their proposal is unrelated to President Joe Bidens idea of raising the corporate tax rate to 28 percent to partially fund his $2 trillion infrastructure plan, they said in their framework that the measures can raise revenue necessary to invest in America.

And while it is unclear how corporations will view the Democrat proposals, the Tax Foundation cautions that international tax reforms should be undertaken with care and with a view to how they interact with other tax burdens on companies, so as not to undermine their international competitiveness. Trumps tax reforms generally improved business taxation and competitiveness for U.S. multinationals, the organization said.
A train derailment in Taiwan last Friday has left 48 people dead and 198 more injured. The number of fatalities could rise as victims succumb to their injuries and others are identified.

Authorities are currently attributing the cause of the derailment to an improperly parked truck at a construction site that slid down a hill and stopped on the tracks before colliding with the train.

Workers try to remove a part of the derailed train near Taroko Gorge in Hualien, Taiwan on Saturday, April 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)

The accident is the worst derailment in Taiwan in four decades. The eight-carriage train called the Taroko Express was carrying 496 people when the crash occurred at 9:28 in the morning. Of that number, 372 were seated passengers, 120 were standing and four were train staff.

People were traveling for the beginning of the Qingming holiday weekend. Qingming, or Tomb-sweeping Day, is an occasion when many in Taiwan and throughout China travel to clean the graves of ancestors and spend time with family members.

The accident took place near the city of Hualien on the east coast of Taiwan. The train model is one of the fastest in Taiwan and typically travels at a top speed of 130 kilometers per hour. The train was emerging from a tunnel when it struck the construction vehicle. Several of the carriages and their passengers were stuck inside the tunnel and unable to escape.

A passenger posted a video on social media describing how the accident occurred. Our train crashed into this truck, he stated, showing the wreckage. The truck rolled down, and now the whole train is twisted.

Rescuers did not begin to arrive until shortly after 11 a.m. As the train lost power and was stuck inside the tunnel, many passengers were forced to wait in the dark train for over an hour before rescuers were able to guide them out through the carriages. Others were able to smash windows and escape the wreckage by crawling along the top of the train. While all survivors were freed from the train by Friday afternoon, recovery work continued throughout the weekend and it will likely take a week before the entire site is cleared.

Lin Chi-feng, one of the first responders, told Taiwans Central News Agency (CNA) that the scene was a living hell. Chairs were mangled, objects were scattered all over the floor, and blood was everywhere.

Among those killed were the trains driver, Yuan Chun-hsiu, who was only 33, and his assistant. Yuan had activated the emergency brake on the train shortly before it struck the construction vehicle, according to the trains conductor.

Lee Yi-hsiang, the manager of the construction site where the vehicle was located, was arrested on suspicion of negligence for failing to ensure an emergency brake on the truck was applied properly. He was initially released on bail on Saturday. However, that decision was reversed on Sunday following an appeal by prosecutors and he has been ordered detained for two months.

As is the case whenever such preventable disasters occur, government officials have been quick to offer phony words of condolences to cover up the fact that little to nothing will be done to address relevant safety issues. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen visited survivors in hospital on Saturday, and stated, This heartbreaking accident caused many injuries and deaths. I came to Hualien today to visit the injured and express my condolences to the deceased passengers families. We will surely help them in the aftermath.

Transportation Minister Lin Chia-lung admitted on Friday that not enough had been done to ensure railway safety following the last major train accident in 2018, saying clearly the speed and results of the reforms were not enough. The 2018 derailment took place in Yilan in the northeast, killing 18 people and injuring 187. Prior to that, the largest train accident was in 1981 when 31 people were killed. Lin stated in a Facebook post that he would resign as soon as the initial rescue work ended.

The accident raises a number of questions, including why there was no proper barrier between the construction site and the railroad tracks and why the Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA), which operated the train, oversold so many standing tickets to passengers. As is too often the case, safety is often sacrificed on worksites in order to speed up construction and cut costs. Passenger safety is also sacrificed in order to maximize profits.

Whatever the individual role of the construction site manager may be, it is clear that the Taiwanese authorities will use him or some other scapegoat in an attempt to stop people from drawing the conclusion that these types of accidents are caused by a broader, profit-driven disregard for safety.

Fridays derailment also follows an accident in February when two maintenance workers were struck and killed by a train while a third was injured in eastern Taitung County.

Wei Yu-ling, the secretary-general of the Taiwan Labor Railway Union (TLRU), stated that the recent accidents exposed the inner problems of the Taiwan Railways Administration from top to bottom. Despite the record of negligence, Wei said she expected the government to conduct a thorough investigation, essentially telling workers to place their faith in the very authorities who have created the conditions for the recent accidents.

Weis comments demonstrate that the union has no intention of carrying out a fight for workers safety.

The TLRU has sold-out its membership in the past, most recently when 200 station workers with the Yilan County branch pledged not to work over the April 2 to 5 holiday weekend. The branch has a total membership of 1,200. Workers stated they would strike to protest a new TRA work scheme that would cut their monthly overtime pay by approximately $NT11,000 ($US392).

The union opposed the plans for a stoppage, declaring that it was not authorised. A grovelling TLRU statement declared that Disputes between management and workers should be resolved with wisdom and unity, but the Tomb Sweeping Day holiday is not the time to settle them.
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JetBlue announced Tuesday that it will be launching its first-ever transatlantic route to London from two US airports despite COVID-19 restrictions still in place for international travel.

According to a press release from the airline, the 7-hour flights will take off from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and the Boston Logan International Airport this summer.

JetBlue will also introduce the Airbus A321 Long Range single-aisle aircraft, which only has 114 seats and 24 Mint suites, for the transatlantic service.

The airline, which is known for its low prices, has not released estimated costs for the new transatlantic flights. It's also unclear which London airport the airline will fly in to.

It's unclear why exactly JetBlue is choosing to launch now, and a DailyMail.com request for comment was not immediately returned Tuesday afternoon.

The announcement comes while the United Kingdom still has restrictions in place on international travel.

According to a press release from the airline, the flights will take off from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and the Boston Logan International Airport this summer. The inside design of the Airbus A321 Long Range single-aisle aircraft

JetBlue, which is known for its low prices, has not released estimated costs for the new transatlantic flights. This image shows one of the suites in the aircraft that will be used for the transatlantic flights

More than 1 million travelers have gone through US airports for each of the last 20 days

This graphic compares the amount of passengers screened by the TSA in 2020 and up to April 5, 2021

Currently, travelers are only allowed to leave the UK from England if they have a reasonable excuse such as work, medical visits, etc. The rule applies to holders of UK and non-UK passports.

For now, it is illegal to travel abroad without a reasonable excuse and traveling abroad for the holidays is not permitted.

It's unclear when international restrictions will be lifted in the UK, but air travel in the US appears to be recovering from pandemic lows as travel numbers continue to rise as summer vacation nears.

Due to the impact of the pandemic on air travel, other low-cost carriers like Norwegian Air Shuttle, were forced to end all of their long-haul routes from the US to London.

The company said in January that it plans to pivot to short-haul flying between Nordic countries and Europe instead. The move by Norwegian is one that its board of directors believe will help it survive the pandemic.

More than 1 million travelers have gone through US airports for each of the last 20 days, although March traffic remains down nearly half from the same month in 2019.

Four out of the last five days saw more than 1.5 million passengers screened by agents of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Last summer was a catastrophe for the airlines, making them eager to boost revenue as quickly as possible.

It's also unclear which London airport the airline will fly into. This image shows one of the suites in the aircraft that will be used for the transatlantic flights

When it comes to the food offering, the airline has partnered with restaurant chain Dig to bring its 'signature build-your-own dining concept to tray tables at 35,000 feet'

On average, transatlantic fares are usually well over $3,000 roundtrip, and in some cases that cost can creep up to $4,000 depending on when travelers book

JetBlue forecast a slowing pace in its first-quarter revenue drop, projecting a decline of between 61 per cent and 64 per cent, compared with the same period in 2019. It had previously forecast a 65 per cent to 70 per cent fall in revenue.

Tuesday's announcement also comes less than a month after JetBlue said it's considering whether to stay in New York, where it was founded two decades ago, or move its headquarters to Florida.

A spokeswoman for the airline said in March that a decision is expected later this year. She said more than 1,300 employees work at the headquarters in Long Island City, across the East River from Manhattan.

The airline said in a statement that its current lease expires in July 2023 and it is reviewing its options 'and considering how our space requirements may evolve in a hybrid work environment post-pandemic'.

JetBlue said it is exploring a number of options, including staying in its current headquarters, moving elsewhere in New York City, or shifting some New York-based jobs to existing JetBlue facilities in Florida. The airline has a training center in Orlando and a travel-products subsidiary in Fort Lauderdale.

The airline said that no matter what it decides about the headquarters, it still plans to expand at all three New York City-area major airports.

Last month, major US airlines dropped plans to lay off thousands of workers after Congress approved President Joe Biden's $1.9trillion economic relief package.

The legislation included $14billion in payroll support for flight attendants, pilots and other staff.

The hope is that the funding - Congress' third round of help to carriers since the coronavirus devastated the US travel industry - will be the last needed before they can return to profitability.
(APRIL 6, 2021) -- Researchers at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) are surveying households in two San Antonio zip codes, 78230 and 78202, about their energy use, mobility and chronic health conditions. Once the survey is complete, the data will be combined with cell phone GPS data to improve the ability to predict energy demand through time at the neighborhood level.

Using a Transdisciplinary Teams (T2) seed grant from the UTSA Research, Economic Development, and Knowledge Enterprise (REDKE), this collaborative project is led by Wenbo Wu, assistant professor of management science and statistics. He also engaged the expertise of Eric Shattuck, head of the Institute for Health Disparities Research (IHDR) and Ying Huang, assistant professor of demography.

Initially proposed by Wu, the study is a representation of a multidisciplinary approach.

"We have Eric from public health, Ying from demography, and I'm from data science," Wu said. "We'll also be getting support from a former colleague who is now in Syracuse to conduct the energy simulation, and to understand the different neighborhoods and their consumption of energy."

The researchers also sought out community partners in San Antonio to engage in and help with the data collection. The neighborhood housing services department, part of the neighborhood engagement team of San Antonio, helped to identify neighborhoods for the study.

The results of the study will have a positive impact on the city, and aligns with the mission of the College for Health, Community and Policy to develop solutions to affect change in order to imporive the well-being of communities.

"We are working to expand the neighborhood registry and bring in more associations that are or haven't been registered in the past," said Elizabeth Mercado, City of San Antonio neighborhood engagement officer. "Pushing out information, especially when we're working with different partners like UTSA, keeps that flow of information and the neighborhood leaders can look to us as a source of information that it's going to impact them where they live."

Shattuck explained, in addition to residents having a sense of belonging by participating the survey, there can be other, far-reaching benefits.

"The city can use the research products to apply for other grants," he said. "For example, in the survey we wanted to identify what the prevalence is of energy hardships, so we can see where the gap is and how big it is. It will be helpful for the city to use that information to apply for some other larger federal grants to help address the energy consumption or energy hardship problems."

Because of the neighborhood engagement team's work, the team was able to collect 800 surveys in two days. Coming on the heels of the winter weather that crippled San Antonio's energy, this data will be particularly relevant.

"Our hope is that we'll be successful with the survey, and we can turn around and use that pilot data to then apply for a larger federal grant to further our research," Shattuck concluded.

###
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 6, 2021) - ArcPacific Resources Corp. (TSXV: ACP) ("ACP" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has commenced drilling at its Rickard Gold Project (the "Property") near Timmins, Ontario. The initial drilling program now underway is designed to identify and define mineralization within a series of quartz veins, varying in size from under 1 metre to several metres in width, that are historically reported to contain gold. The initial drilling program will consist of up to 4,000 metres of NQ sized core in 15 drill holes.

The primary target type at the Property is high-grade gold within a well-developed greenstone-hosted quartz-carbonate vein system. The Property sits within the prolific Abitibi Greenstone Belt which hosts several world class gold deposits and boasts some of the deepest mining operations in the world. Geological similarities to other gold deposits within the region further highlight the significant depth potential at the Property, suggesting that it could extend several kilometers in depth.

Adrian Smith, CEO of ACP, comments: "We are incredibly pleased to report the commencement of ACP's first drillhole of this initial drilling program. ACP benefits from the Property's close location to key infrastructure which allows for cost-effective drilling and year-round access. We look forward to providing additional updates on our progress at the Property as they become available."

The Property is located approximately 70 kilometres from the town of Timmins in the Timmins Gold Camp which has produced over 80 million ounces of gold over the last 100 years. The Property sits within 25 to 60 kilometers of six currently producing gold mines and eight previous producers.

The Property consists of 5,656 hectares of mining claims, including three patented parcels which are road accessible, proximal to power and a local work force. Access onto the project area is 20 kilometers from the nearest main highway where well-developed road networks make year-round operations possible. The Property remains open in multiple areas for new discoveries.

Disclosure

Adrian Smith, P.Geo., is a QP as defined by National Instrument 43-101 for the above-mentioned project. The QP is a member in good standing of the Professional Geoscientists Ontario (PGO) and is a registered Professional Geoscientist (P.Geo.). Mr. Smith has reviewed and approved the technical information disclosed above.

About ArcPacific Resources Corp.

ArcPacific Resources Corp. (TSXV: ACP) is a Canadian based exploration company expanding the exploration initiative at multiple historic past producing gold and silver mines in the Timmins Gold Camp, Ontario, and in the Nicola Mining Division in Southern British Columbia. The Company is focused on creating shareholder value through new discoveries and strategic development of its mineral properties. For further information, please visit http://www.arcpacific.ca .

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

/S "Adrian Smith"

CEO and Director

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and ArcPacific Resources Corp. undertakes no obligations to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information, please contact us at info@arcpacific.ca or 1.778.331.3816.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79489
Alabama's face mask mandate ended Apr. 9, so its up to individual school districts to decide whether or not to keep a policy in place.

Masks are required:

Arab City Schools

Athens City Schools

Boaz City Schools

Decatur City Schools (Not required outside)

Florence City Schools

Fort Payne City Schools

Guntersville City Schools

Hartselle City Schools

Huntsville City Schools

Madison City Schools

Madison County Schools

Marshall County Schools

Morgan County Schools

Muscle Shoals City Schools

Russellville City Schools

Sheffield City Schools

Masks not required (Students and employees have the option to wear masks if theyd like to):

Albertville City Schools

Colbert County Schools

DeKalb County Schools

Franklin County Schools

Lauderdale County Schools

Lawrence County Schools

Limestone County Schools

Scottsboro City Schools

Tuscumbia City Schools

RELATED STORIES:

List of school districts that will or won't require masks after April 9th

Huntsville City Schools will still require masks, for now

Alabama mask-wearing order ends April 9; more hospital, nursing home visitors OK now
A heated argument at Disney World started after a man refused to have his temperature taken and ended with him being escorted out of the park and arrested by Orange County deputies two months ago.

This week, authorities released the body-camera footage that captured the incident, in which Kelly Sills, 47, of Baton Rouge, argued with deputies arresting him for trespassing after he refused to have his temperature taken. The brief check for a fever is part of the Orlando theme park's COVID-19 screening.

Sills, a guest at Disneys Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, told the deputies outside of the Boathouse restaurant that he wasn't trespassing because he spent $15,000 to visit Disney World.

'I paid $15,000:' Baton Rouge man arrested at Disney resort for refusing temperature check ORLANDO, Fla.  A Louisiana tourist complained he paid $15,000 for a Disney World vacation that was disrupted when he was arrested after refus

If I take $15,000 from you, I cant kick you out," Sills said. "... Bring me to jail for 15 grand, Im fine ... In front of my kids, too, at Disney World.

As deputies walked him to a squad car in handcuffs, Sills changed his mind and asked if it wasn't too late to get his temperature checked after all.

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

Theyll do that in jail, sir, a deputy said in the video.

The Advocate was sent several videos of Sills' encounter with Orange County deputies and his arrest. The video below has been condensed to feature only part of his arrest.

Can't see video below? Click here to watch.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
MORE than 140,000 in funding has been announced for 30 heritage projects across Limerick under the Government's Built Heritage Investment Scheme.

In addition to supporting owners and custodians of historic and protected structures to safeguard and maintain their properties, this funding will also provide a welcome boost to local construction and heritage trades by facilitating works - in line with the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.

The money, which has been approved by Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan, will be used to fund essential repairs and maintenance at the properties - many of which are privately owned.

His party colleague and Limerick TD, Kieran O'Donnell has welcomed the inclusion of 30 projects locally in the latest round of funding.

"The funding will help provide a welcome boost and employment for small businesses, skilled conservation specialists and tradespeople involved in heritage-related construction activity in Limerick," he said.

The Limerick projects approved for funding, between 2,000 and 10,000 include.

O'Connor's Thatched House, Doonbeirne, Ballingarry: Thatching - 7,500

Rockhill, Bruree: Localised, timely, repairs - 3,000

Irish War of Independence Memorial, Bruff: External masonry repairs - 8,950

Murphy's Thatched House, Rathanny, Knockainey: Localised, timely, repairs - 2,500

Patrickswell: External joinery; internal joinery - 5,500

Lowe's Thatched Cottage, Ornee, Adare: Thatching; external masonry - 7,000

Castle Comfort, Murroe: External Joinery - 3,000

The Hunt Museum, Rutland Street, Limerick: External masonry repairs - 7,000

St. Mary's Cathedral, Bridge Street, Limerick: External masonry repairs - 7,000

McCarthy's Thatched House, Feenagh: Thatching - 2,500

Scarteen, Knocklong: Roofing - 7,500

Kilballyowen House, Bruff: Roofing - 7,000

Cooleen House, Bruree: External joinery - 3,000

Athlunkard Boat Club, O'Dwyer Bridge, Limerick: Rainwater goods repair / replacement - 5,000

Franklin's Thatched House, Ballysimon: Thatching - 7,000

28 Glentworth Street, Limerick: External joinery - 3,500

5 St Alphonsus Avenue, SCR, Limerick: Southern gable render; External joinery - 3,000

O'Grady's Thatched House, Flemingstown, Kilmallock: External joinery - 2,750

Heaphy's Thatched House, Scarteen, Knocklong: External renders - 3,000

O'Malley's Thatched House, Dromalta, Dromkeen: Thatching - 2,500.00

Glin Castle, Glin: Internal walls repair - 7,000.00

Ballindeel House, Askeaton: Rainwater goods repair / replacement - 4,000

'Westview', Lower Shelbourne Road, Limerick: Southern gable render - 4,000

Georgian Core Initiative, Limerick city: Stabilistation of masonry and iron work - 2,500

Glenwilliam Castle, Ballingarry: Roofing - 10,000

Mona Lodge, Portcrusha, Montpelier: Structural repair - 2,500

17 Cecil Street, Limerick city: Structural repair of chimney breast on southern gable - 4,400

Former St. Paul's Church of Ireland Church, Glin: Roofing over the Vestry Entrance; Ancillary works to rainwater goods -

3,000

Cragbeg House: External joinery - 3,000

Muintir na Tire Hall, Murroe: External renders - 3,000
HOLLYWOOD, Fla., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Point-of-Care Partners (POCP), leader in Health IT consulting and program management, is pleased to announce that they have been awarded a General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract. The five-year, Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract allows government customers the ability to easily acquire POCP's Health IT expertise, consulting and program management and support using the following Special Item Numbers in the GSA Advantage Marketplace:

5451S: Information Technology (IT) Professional Services

54151HEAL Health Information Technology Services

"We are proud of the contributions we've made to support the health IT strategy of the federal government so far," said Tony Schueth, CEO and Founding Partner of POCP. "This contract award gives government agencies a new avenue to access our expertise in program management, health IT strategy and standards development and adoption."

POCP has long been seen as an objective player in the health IT landscape working with stakeholders across the healthcare ecosystem to provide unbiased insight into how to best leverage available technologies and standards and how to prioritize resources most effectively to achieve short- and long-term goals.

"I think what sets POCP apart is that we as a company are constantly focused on how our work can improve healthcare delivery at the point of care," said Jocelyn Keegan, Payer Lead at POCP and Program Manager for the HL7 Da Vinci Project. "Whether that's through freeing data so physicians have more information at the time of prescribing, empowering patients through access to their own data or reducing administrative burden by automating manual transactions, we just want to make healthcare better and this contract award gives us another way to do that."

About Point-of-Care Partners

Point-of-Care Partners is a health IT management consulting firm with almost two decades of in-depth expertise in ePrescribing, eMedication management, health information exchange, population health management and multi-stakeholder initiatives. To learn more about how Point-of-Care Partners can help your company understand the changing healthcare landscape and implement effective strategies, visit https://info.pocp.com/gsa or contact [email protected]

Related Links

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Contacts

Point-of-Care Partners

Melissa Bundy, 877-312-7627, ext. 4

SOURCE Point-of-Care Partners
TORRINGTON  Hartford HealthCare has announced new hours for its Torrington based COVID-19 testing location, starting April 12. Visit www.charlottehungerford.org for the latest updates.

Hartford HealthCare Testing Center, 211 High St., Torrington: Hours are 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday.
US representatives were not present at the very meeting of the commission on the nuclear deal with Iran, which took place earlier in the day, Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna, said

VIENNA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 06th April, 2021) US representatives were not present at the very meeting of the commission on the nuclear deal with Iran, which took place earlier in the day, Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna, said.

The in-person meeting of the Joint Commission of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iranian nuclear program was held at the level of political directors in Vienna on Tuesday.

"No, they weren't even nearby. They were accommodated in a hotel opposite. In principle, I mean that experts from the JCPOA countries will meet with them tonight, talk, without Iran, of course," Ulyanov told reporters.

The Iranians are still not going to communicate with the United States either directly or indirectly in the discussion of the JCPOA, Ulyanov said.

"No, Iran is straight-out. The Iranians have suffered so much from the Americans during the Trump period that they are not going to communicate with them, at least at this stage. This is a categorical position, neither directly or indirectly, there will be no communication yet. There is no trust, there are no conditions for this yet," he explained.

The Russian envoy said that on Wednesday he intended to hold a meeting with the head of the US delegation, Rob Malley.
A new poll suggests that vaccine skepticism is more widespread among white evangelical Christians than almost any other major bloc of Americans.

In a March poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, 40% of white evangelical Protestants said they likely won't get vaccinated compared with 25% of all Americans, 28% of white mainline Protestants and 27% of nonwhite Protestants.

The findings have caused concern even within evangelical circles who point out that with white evangelicals comprising an estimated 20% of the U.S. population, resistance to vaccination by half of them would seriously hamper efforts to achieve herd immunity.

The skepticism among Christians was clear when Reverend J.D. Greear, the president of the Southern Baptist Convention, posted an image of himself on Facebook. His caption read: '#sleeveup for a future safe from #COVID19. One step back closer to normal!'

It sparked backlash among some evangelical Christians with one user, Jeff Pritchard, questioning why he would post it on social media.

'As a leader you know you are bound to influence others to do the same. You made a personal decision about your own health. This should have remained between you and your doctor.'

Other comments highlighted some of the growing concerns regarding vaccination in religious circles - including the idea of not being able to go anywhere without a 'vaccine passport', the depiction of the the vaccines as satanic or unsafe, or that anyone promoting getting vaccinated is complicit in government propaganda.

Reverend J.D. Greear, president of the Southern Baptist Convention-America's largest evangelical denomination - posted a photo on Facebook of him getting the COVID-19 vaccine

White evangelicals reportedly comprise an estimated 20% of the U.S. population

In a March poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, 40% of white evangelical Protestants said they likely won't get vaccinated compared with 25% of all Americans

In a March poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, 28% of white mainline Protestantssaid they likely wont get vaccinated compared with 27% of nonwhite Protestants

The findings of the AP/Norc poll has caused concern even within evangelical circles. The National Association of Evangelicals, which represents more than 45,000 local churches, is part of a new coalition that will host events, work with media outlets and distribute various public messages to build trust among wary evangelicals.

Curtis Chang, a former pastor and missionary founded ChristiansAndTheVaccine.com, a resource for Christians to answer pressing questions about vaccination like 'is the COVID vaccine the ''mark of the beast''?' and 'is the COVID vaccine a form of government control?'

The spread of conspiracy theories regarding the vaccine has been facilitated by online conversations in evangelical circles.

Last week controversial Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene suggested a connection between the Mark of the Beast and vaccines

'Is this something like Biden's mark of the beast because that is really disturbing and not good,' the congresswoman asked during a Facebook livestream.

According to Chang, with white evangelicals comprising an estimated 20% of the U.S. population, resistance to vaccination by half of them would seriously hamper efforts to achieve herd immunity, Chang contends.

'The pathway to ending the pandemic runs through the evangelical church,'

Revered J. D. Greear's Facebook post of him getting a COVID vaccine attracted over 1,000 comments, many congratulating him and some criticizing him

Daily COVID-19 vaccinations are on the rise in the US, surpassing previous expectations

Chang is not the only one in the Christian community speaking up in support of vaccinations, evangelical leaders ranging from Dallas megachurch pastor Robert Jeffress to the Rev. Russell Moore, head of the Southern Baptists' public policy arm, are calling on congregators to keep an open mind.

Jeffress believes a majority of his congregation at First Baptist Dallas welcome the vaccines, while some have doubts about their safety or worry they have links to abortion.

Jeffress is among numerous religious leaders who say the leading vaccines are acceptable given their remote, indirect links to lines of cells developed from aborted fetuses.

Moore expressed hope that SBC pastors would provide 'wise counsel' to their congregations if members raise questions about vaccinations.

'These vaccines are cause for evangelicals to celebrate and give thanks to God,' he told AP via email. 'I am confident that pastors and lay members alike want churches full again and vaccines will help all of us get there sooner rather than later.'

Other evangelical pastors have been hesitant to take a public stance.

Aaron Harris, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Junction City, Kansas, hasn't discussed the vaccine from the pulpit or decided whether he'll be vaccinated.

'We dont believe that this is a scriptural issue; it is a personal issue,' said Harris, who estimates that 50% of the congregations older adults have been vaccinated, while fewer younger members plan to do so.

'We shouldnt live in fear of the virus because we do have a faith in eternity. However, just because we arent in fear of it, where is the line of what we ought to do?' he asked. 'Im not going to lay down in front of a bunch of alligators to show my faith in that way.'

Some Christians say they prefer to leave their fate in Gods hands, rather than be vaccinated.

'We are going to go through times of trials and all kinds of awful things, but we still know where we are going at the end,' said Ron Holloway, 75, of Forsyth, Missouri. 'And heaven is so much better than here on earth. Why would we fight leaving here?'

John Elkins, pastor at Sovereign Grace Fellowship in Brazoria, Texas, about 50 miles south of Houston, said only one person in his SBC congregation of about 50 has been vaccinated.

'We're in a very libertarian area. Theres a lot of hesitancy to anything that feels like it's coming from the federal government,' said Elkins, who is also forgoing the vaccine, at least for now, along with his wife.

Elkins, whose father was a professor of gynecology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, said his congregants' doubts are not theologically based.

'It's skepticism about effectiveness,' he said. 'People are concerned it was rushed out too quickly.'

Earlier this year there was widespread concern that many Black Americans would be hesitant to take them due to historic, racism-related mistrust of government health initiatives. But recent surveys show Black Protestants are more open to vaccinations than white evangelicals.

'This pandemic has hit our community like a plague - and thats made our job easier,' said Bishop Timothy Clarke of First Church of God, a Black evangelical church in Columbus, Ohio. 'Weve done a tremendous job of educating.'

Chang said that as a former pastor, he understands why some whose congregations are mistrustful of the government and the vaccines muzzle themselves rather than risk backlash if they urge their flock to get vaccinated.

'There's going to be some courage required,' he said.
New Delhi, April 6 : India's highest-ranked singles player Sumit Nagal lost in the opening round of the ATP 250 Sardegna Open to Slovakian qualifier Jozef Kovalik 6-3, 1-6, 3-6 in Cagliari, Italy on Tuesday. Nagal collected 12 ATP points for qualifying into the main round.

It was a disappointing outing for the Haryana player after a good show in the two qualifying matches, which saw him enter the main draw full of confidence.

The 136th-ranked Indian had crushed Frenchman Maxime Janvier 6-2, 6-1 in the second round of qualifiers to set up an opening-round clash with the 28-year-old Slovakian Josef Kovalik, ranked 124th on the ATP.

Nagal was expecting to carry forward the form he displayed at the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires last month where he scalped the world No. 22 Cristian Garin of Chile --- his maiden win over a top-25 player --- to enter the quarter-finals.

He had eventually lost to Albert Ramos-Vinolas, the fifth seed from Spain, in three sets in Buenos Aires.

Over the last couple of years, Nagal has been aiming to consistently play more ATP 250, 500 and bigger tournaments to improve his singles ranking and enter the top-100 club. His performance has kept on improving ever since he won his maiden Challenger title in 2017, but Tuesday's loss to a fellow qualifier came as a dampener.

The 23-year-old made his Grand Slam debut at the 2019 US Open, notched his first Grand Slam victory at the 2020 US Open and got a wild card entry into the Australian Open this year.

The legendary doubles specialist and former Davis Cup captain Mahesh Bhupathi has gone on record saying that Nagal will most certainly break into the top-100 of the world rankings very soon. But the loss to Kovalik on Tuesday has exposed his inconsistency.
STOCKHOLM, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Zinzino is very proud to announce the launch of India as the company's next step in their global expansion strategy.

After several years of preparing the launch of the Indian market and having carried out multiple country establishment processes in recent years, the company has learned the importance of ensuring thorough preparatory work and adapting to the local conditions in each market.Profitable growth is an important business strategy for the e-commerce-based health tech company Zinzino.

During 2020 the company sales target was exceeded by an excellent sales growth and a strong EBITA performance. The overall sales grew to 1.139 billion SEK from 771 million in 2019.

"Strong growth provides economies of scale and increased profitability. This strengthens our faith in the future and creates great expectations for continued good profits going forward. India, with its huge population, is a very interesting and a high potential market for Zinzino," says CEO Dag Bergheim Pettersen.

Zinzino is a direct selling company with a focus on test-based, scientifically proven nutrition and health products. The company has high growth ambitions with a goal to reach 1 million customers before 2025 and 20 million by 2035. Zinzino will now be operating in 98 markets with a focus on global expansion.

For more information:

Dag Bergheim Pettersen

CEO Zinzino

+47 (0) 932 25 700,

zinzino.com

Fredrik Nielsen

CFO Zinzino

+46 707 900 174,

fredrik.nielsen@zinzino.com

Pictures for publication free of charge: Marcus Tollbom +46 (0) 70 190 03 12, marcus.tollblom@zinzino.com

Certified Adviser: Erik Penser Bank Aktiebolag, +46 (0) 8 463 83 00, email: certifiedadviser@penser.se

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/zinzino/r/zinzino-ab--publ--zinzino-announces-the-launch-of-india-as-next-step-in-their-global-expansion-strat,c3320038

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The story of criminal mastermind Charles Sobhraj has captivated true crime followers for more than 40 years. The serial killer left a trail of bodies  mostly young European and North American backpackers  across Asia in the 1970s, then stunned everyone when he escaped from prison not once but at least four times.

(Caution: Spoilers ahead! Do not read until you have watched The Serpent.)

Now on Netflix, the devious con mans story is an eight-part docudrama from Mammoth Screen first shown on BBC, created by Tom Shankland and Richard Warlow. The creators decided to frame the story around Dutch diplomat Herman Knippenberg, who spent years on the trail of Sobhraj and was key to his eventual arrest. They interviewed Knippenberg along with several other real-life figures who are still alive. However, they did not speak with the imprisoned Sobhraj, who has already sensationally manipulated his own story over the years.

Young people embarking on backpacking trips in Asia in the 1970s and 80s were sometimes cautioned to first read Thomas Thompsons book Serpentine, which told the story of Sobhraj, his girlfriend Marie-Andree Leclerc (known as Monique) and their seductive approach to wooing his victims. The lengthy account of his crimes was a non-fiction bestseller and a useful cautionary tale about the dangers of overly-helpful friends offering free drinks. But the producers of The Serpent didnt adapt the series from a book; instead they based it on interviews that recounted the real life story of Sobhraj.

The Serpent convincingly pulls in viewers with a wealth of period detail, from impeccable 70s threads to getting your mail at Poste Restante to the ubiquitous apple strudel sign on Katmandu storefronts. At the time, young travelers on the hippie trail in Asia were seen both by authorities and in the media as druggies or sexually permissive, and tracking down their killers wasnt always a priority for authorities in several different countries. Without social media, email or even the ability to easily phone home, its easy to see how the backpackers, far from their homes and cultures, could have been taken in by a friendly, sophisticated couple offering meals, parties and jobs.

Are there any other movies about Sobhraj?

A 1989 mini-series called Shadow of the Cobra was based on the book The Life and Crime of Charles Sobhraj by Richard Neville and Julie Clarke. Homeland actor Art Malik starred as Sobhraj. At least four documentaries have been made about his life, as well as an Indian docudrama based on his escape from the Delhi prison.

Why was the book Serpentine never adapted as a film or TV series?

Sobhraj has tried to sell rights to his story many times, reportedly trying charge up to $15 million, but factual information is not copyrightable, so anyone can make a story around on facts in the media or from independent interviews. Since his story covers so much ground, it might have been difficult to fit into a two-hour feature film. Director Paul Schrader was among those who tried to obtain rights to the book, he recounted on Facebook.

How many times did Sobhraj escape from prison?

He escaped from prison and hospital confinement at least four times. Twice he escaped by feigning illness and then drugging the hospital guards.

Who really cracked the case?

As shown in the series, the tenacious Knippenberg and his wife Angela Kane, who later became a high-ranking United Nations official, were indeed key to getting Sobhraj finally convicted in Nepal, 28 years after the murders of Laurent Carriere and Connie Bronzich. However, Kane told The Mirror she thought her role had been downplayed in the series, and she was more of a true partner to her husband in pursuing justice. In addition, Thai Interpol colonel Sompol Suthimai, who was also investigating Sobhraj in the 1970s, provided invaluable procedural understanding, said Shankland.

Was the series really filmed in Thailand, Greece, New Zealand, Nepal and India?

Filming started out in Thai locations including Bangkok and the seaside village of Hua Hin. But after production was shut down at the beginning of the pandemic, the bulk of the remaining scenes were shot several months later in Hertfordshire, outside of London, including portions set in Kabul, Paris, Mumbai and Delhi.

What happened to Sobhrajs daughter?

Sobhraj had a daughter who is briefly shown in The Serpent with his first wife, Chantal Compagnon. The daughter, Usha, is in her early 50s and is said to live in the U.S. He may also have had other children.

What really happened to Ajay Chowdrury?

He was last seen after he travelled to Malaysia with Sobhraj and Marie-Andree in 1976. Though Sobhrajs accomplice was reportedly once seen in Germany, the sighting was never verified. His remains have never been found and his case remains open.

Did Marie-Andree (Monique) ever help the authorities track Charles down or turn on him in any way?

She stayed loyal to him to the end of her (short) life, testifying in his defense at his murder trial in India. After they were both imprisoned in Delhi, she was eventually allowed to leave the country on compassionate grounds as she was suffering from ovarian cancer. She died in Canada in 1984 at just 38 years old, after writing her story in the book Je reviens (Ill Be Back).

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This month marks the 30th anniversary of the final report of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. This, combined with the fact that there were four Aboriginal deaths in custody last March and another one more recently, makes it timely to examine the issue again.

It is very controversial, but unnecessarily so. The Guardian recently referred to it as this festering crisis. If March was a typical month for Aboriginal deaths in custody, then maybe concerns would be justified, but there is not yet evidence this is the case.

Lets set the record straight. Yes, any death in custody is sad, but the reality is people die. Whether they are in custody or not, Aboriginal or not, people die. The Australian Institute of Criminology, reporting in 2019 on the first 25 years since the royal commission, found the majority of prison deaths for Aboriginal prisoners were due to natural causes.

Justice James Muirhead at the opening of the royal commission into the deaths of Aboriginals in custody, January 27, 1988. Credit:Source Unknown

The next highest group was due to hanging, and investigations must get to the bottom of suggestions that two of the recent deaths in custody occurred when prisoners found hanging points in their cells: the commission recommended the removal of all hanging points.
Oil prices edged down in early Asian trade on Monday (Apr 5) after OPEC+ agreed last week to gradually ease some of its production cuts between May and July, Channel News Asia reports. Brent crude futures for June fell 16 cents, or 0.2 per cent, to US$64.70 a barrel by 2351 GMT while US West Texas Intermediate crude for May was at US$61.32 a barrel, down 13 cents, or 0.2 per cent.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Russia and their allies, a group known as OPEC+, agreed to ease production curbs by 350,000 barrels per day (bpd) in May, another 350,000 bpd in June and further 400,000 bpd or so in July.

The decision came after the new US administration called on Saudi Arabia to keep energy affordable for consumers despite demand concerns as parts of Europe remained under lockdown while Japan could expand emergency measures as needed to contain a new wave of coronavirus infections.

Under Thursday's agreement, OPEC+ cuts would be just above 6.5 million bpd from May, compared with slightly below 7 million bpd in April. Most of the increase in supplies will come from the world's top exporter, Saudi Arabia, which said it was phasing out its extra voluntary cuts by July, a move that will add 1 million bpd.

This week, investors are focused on indirect talks in Vienna between Iran and the United States as part of broader negotiations to revive the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and global powers.

Ahead of the talks, Iran's foreign ministry said it wanted the United States to lift all sanctions and rejected any "step-by-step" easing of restrictions. Eurasia's analyst Henry Rome said he expects US sanctions, including restrictions on the sale of Iranian oil, to be lifted only after these talks are completed and until Iran returns to compliance. "Diplomacy could stretch for months and nuclear compliance could take as long as three months," he said in a note, adding that implementation of such a deal and a ramp-up of oil exports could stretch into early 2022.
Outspoken GAA pundit Joe Brolly is involved in high-level talks aimed at bringing vaccine manufacturing to Ireland.

The plan is described as involving high-powered people, at the very highest level in the world.

Mr Brolly, a personal friend of US President Joe Biden, is acting as a conduit for a number of individuals with interests in the pharmaceutical industry in Ireland.

The Derry barrister met with Taoiseach Micheal Martin about his proposal. Senior executives in the IDA were also called in to follow up.

The plan would involve a specific pharmaceutical plant in the south of the country manufacturing vaccines next year for a multinational which has developed a jab.

However, the plan has hit a wall due to a lack of interest from vaccine developers in sub-contracting to other producers.

Most of the main players in the Covid-19 vaccine market are already based in Ireland, with Pfizer in Cork, Dublin and Kildare; Johnson & Johnson in Cork, Limerick and Dublin, and AstraZeneca in Dublin. The IDA is regularly in contact with these companies and a host of other medicine and medical supplies companies based in Ireland.

Mr Brolly held a meeting with Mr Martin last month, just days before the Taoiseachs meeting with President Biden on St Patricks Day.

The Taoiseach had a virtual call with Joe Brolly on March 11, a spokesman for Mr Martin said.

The Taoiseach asked the IDA to engage with the company to see if it could play any role in helping with vaccine supply.

Mr Brolly was unavailable for comment. The IDA had no comment to make.

Sources close to the process say the plan would help Ireland secure vaccine supply into the future.

The production of up to 20 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine at the plant in the south of the country was suggested.

The plant would need to be upgraded to produce the vaccines, so production couldnt happen until at least next year.

Tanaiste Leo Varadkars view on the proposal has been sought and Health Minister Stephen Donnelly was asked about the plan last week.

Fine Gael Senator Paddy Burke said he was aware there is a proposal before Government on vaccine production in Ireland.

This would create jobs and would come at no cost to the taxpayer, he said in the Seanad.

The Taoiseach is aware of the proposal. Some very high-powered people, at the very highest level in the world, are involved. I hope that the minister will pursue this as it would allow vaccines to be produced in this country for next year and would give us the safeguard of having our own vaccines here.

He also said the Irish Government has to ensure pharmaceutical firms based in the Republic, which may have spare capacity because there has been no flu this year, can produce Covid-19 vaccines. He wants the Departments of Health, Finance and Enterprise to assess if vaccines could be produced in Ireland.

The IDA made an approach to a major multinational involved in vaccine production to sound them out about using another Irish-based plant. However, the developers were not interested.
Case Study: Indie artists HURTS releases Faith

Here we break down the findings from a case study on London-based duo HURTS fifth studio album release, analyzing their goals, tactics, and ultimate results.

Guest post by Michelle Golden of The Orchards The Daily Rind

Goals

London-based English musical duo HURTS released their fifth studio album Faith on September 4, 2020. The overall goal of the campaign was to heighten the awareness around the release of the new album, expand the bands social presence, and strengthen existing social profiles.

Faith landed #21 on the UK Album Charts and became the #1 independent release in the UK. The album secured a Top 10 position across Germany at #9, Switzerland at #10, and Austria at #8. The album has over 5 million streams, with the videos for Voices, Suffer, Redemption and Somebody clocking a combined 7 million views.

Tactics

The band produced and art directed all creative content for the FAITH campaign, including concepts, design elements, official videos, social media clips, and live performances like their 360 IGTV performance exclusive video. The album artwork became the driving force for the creative, self shot by Adam and Theo. All content was strategically released organically, incorporated within a larger digital social strategy alongside management. Key campaign assets incorporated creative use of hiding clues and using different languages to activate multiple territory fanbases.

HURTS was one of the first to utilize the messenger platform Telegram, building an ecosystem whereby the band had a direct line to their global fanbase. Telegram launched the album campaign, which involved a social blackout followed by a call to action to sign up, along with a teaser video with hidden messages that was utilised for Spotify canvas and across socials. HURTS could personally interact with fans via Q&As and listening parties. Fans also had access to exclusive content and were able to communicate with each other via an encrypted chat feature and breakdown clues together in teaser hunts. This way, the artist team was able to identify superfans.

Content was teased across the website in stages in anticipation of their first single Voices. An encrypted Join us was included within a random group of floating letters on the website, sending hints to fans to join the Telegram group. During the next phase, the band revealed a teaser video with cryptic audio messages and text that gave away details of the album. The final phase featured arebrand of the websiteinspired by Voices.

Before the album release, a pre-save campaign kicked off. Fans were encouraged to pre-save the album for a chance to win a Golden Ticket. The Golden Ticket was to get them into a show of their choice during the Faith Tour 2021 and an opportunity to meet the band.

Leading up to the album launch, HURTS hosted weekly listening parties for their back catalogue to get fans hyped for what was to come and educate any new fans on the bands catalogue.

Throughout the campaign, a Spotify Canvas Activation was used to tease out new content and drive the fanbase to the platform through a treasure hunt format. After the first single Voices came out, Spotify Canvas was used to facilitate a fan competition to submit artwork and video content. This was an opportunity for fans to have the chance to appear on the Voices Spotify Canvas. The Canvas was swapped out each day for a week, directing fans from both Telegram and Instagram Stories to listen to the album. Also on Spotify, a new themed playlist was updated each week. Fans were asked to post their suggestions with their Instagram handles. If a fans selection was chosen to be added to the playlist, they were tagged on Instagram Stories.

How Faithful are you to HURTS? Well, the Faith Detection appwas able to connect fans to their Spotify accounts to display how faithful they were to the band. The most faithful fans  those who streamed the album  were displayed on a leaderboard. The world map depicted a broad overview of each fans location, emphasizing the bands global fan base.

Due to travel restrictions imposed by COVID-19, live listening sessions for media partners werent an option for this release. So the band and team had to get creative. They knew they wanted to provide a sensory experience for industry supporters and create a special moment for them to fully embrace and experience the album. In tandem with the artist team, The Orchards design team created an album playback website for listeners. This website went live at a certain time frame the week ahead of album release. The week prior, industry listeners were given a specially curated media pack.

The Orchard created a number of physical formats for the album release including a premium box set, 12 picture disc, 12 gatefold vinyl, and two cassettes. The vinyl hit #8 on the UK physical vinyl chart. To support these releases, Theo from the band used Instagram Live while signing the physical albums. 28,000 people tuned into that live stream. Facebook ads, using the Carousel and Collection ad features, drove engagement to the D2C store for exclusive bundles and signed products.

Results

Album landed #21 on the UK Album Charts and #1 Independent UK release

Album secured Top 10 position across GSA, with Germany at #9, Switzerland at #10, Austria at #8

The album has over 5 million streams, with the videos for Voices, Suffer, Redemption and Somebody collectively at 7 million views

Drove over 26 million impressions and over 366k clicks across digital marketing

9% growth across each band members individual Instagram accounts

16% growth across Spotify since the beginning of the campaign

Facebook/Instagram shopping collection ads drove traffic to D2C website, with over 8,000 clicks for the UK

Peak Viewership to Telegram channel in one day: 132,260 (Channel is not set to private)

Peak Telegram Channel Users: 13,047

Average Telegram Messages Shared Per Month: 267,000

Peak Telegram Messages shared in a single day: 15,589

5,313 Spotify pre-saves during The Golden Ticket campaign

Recognized as one of Music Allys Best Marketing Campaigns of 2020

Secured Exclusive Apple interview content piece, a first for the band

The physical vinyl product hit #8 on the UK physical vinyl chart

View

https://www.youtube.com/embed/LpQ4l_-ZheY?enablejsapi=1&autoplay=0&cc_load_policy=1&cc_lang_pref=&iv_load_policy=1&loop=0&modestbranding=1&rel=0&fs=1&playsinline=1&autohide=2&theme=dark&color=red&controls=1& https://www.youtube.com/embed/DZboqZuznFo?enablejsapi=1&autoplay=0&cc_load_policy=1&cc_lang_pref=&iv_load_policy=1&loop=0&modestbranding=1&rel=0&fs=1&playsinline=1&autohide=2&theme=dark&color=red&controls=1&

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(CNN) -- Justice Clarence Thomas suggested on Monday that Congress should consider whether laws should be updated to better regulate social media platforms that, he said, have come to have "unbridled control" over "unprecedented" amounts of speech.

The provocative and controversial opinion comes as Twitter banned former President Donald Trump from its platform for violating its rules on incitement of violence and some conservatives have called on more regulations in the tech world to combat what they view as political bias on social media.

"If part of the problem is private, concentrated control over online content and platforms available to the public, then part of the solution may be found in doctrines that limit the right of a private company to exclude, " Thomas wrote in a 12-page concurring opinion Monday.

Thomas's stance will raise concerns from critics who point out that social media platforms have not historically been subject to such content regulation, but instead have been left to devise their policies on their own.

"Justice Thomas's opinion represents the first time that we've seen a Supreme Court Justice appear to endorse the view increasingly prevalent among conservatives that private social media platforms should potentially be subject to significant government regulation notwithstanding the First Amendment," said Steve Vladeck, CNN Supreme Court analyst and professor at the University of Texas School of Law.

No other justice joined Thomas's opinion, that came as he agreed with the court's decision to dismiss a case concerning Trump's use of Twitter while he was President. Thomas said the court was right to dismiss the case that predated the election and Twitter's decision to ban Trump after the Capitol Hill riot.

But Thomas said the issue caused him to think about the "principal legal difficulty that surrounds" a digital platform, specifically the concentration of power in the hands of so few owners at social media companies. He took the opportunity to suggest further exploration which could lead to a sea change for tech platforms if it ever gained traction.

Today's digital platforms, Thomas argued, "provide avenues for historically unprecedented amounts of speech," but he said it also concentrates control "of so much speech in the hands of a few private parties."

In particular he pointed out that Twitter was able to remove any person from the platform -- "even the President of the United States."

"As Twitter made clear, the right to cut off speech lies most powerfully in the hands of private digital platforms," Thomas said.

"The extent to which that power matters for purposes of the First Amendment and the extent to which that power could lawfully be modified raise interesting and important questions," he added.

Thomas has a history of using solo dissents or concurring opinions to press an issue that he thinks deserves more contemplation. In 2019 he used one abortion dispute to write a concurrence about his fear that abortion could become a "tool of eugenic manipulation."

In 2019, he called for reconsideration of a landmark First Amendment precedent New York Times v. Sullivan, which makes it more difficult for public figures to sue for defamation, opining that the decision that was a "policy-driven" decision "masquerading as constitutional law."

And earlier this year, Thomas in a dissent revealed some support for Trump and Republicans who have refused to accept the result of the 2020 election.

"We are fortunate that many of the cases we have seen alleged only improper rule changes, not fraud. But that observation provides only small comfort," Thomas said, dissenting as the court rejected a long-pending challenge to Pennsylvania mail-in voting procedures.

Monday, Thomas emphasized that Facebook, controlled by Mark Zuckerberg, has nearly 3 billion people who use and that Google brought in $182.5 billion last year, 40.3 billion in net income.

The conservative justice said that the court will soon have "no choice" but to address how legal doctrines apply to "privately owned information infrastructure such as digital platforms."

Public utilities and 'common carriers'

He questioned whether the platforms should be viewed as "common carriers" like train services and telephone companies that have historically been subject to government regulations because of the essential service they provide to the public.

Katie Fallow, a First Amendment expert at the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University said that the group actually shares Thomas concern about the power over speech being concentrated in the hands of so few. "But we think that concentrating that same power in the hands of government regulators will not necessarily solve the problems associated with social media companies." Instead, she worried it might exacerbate the issue.

"So even if the platforms were treated as 'common carriers,'" she said any attempt to regulate the content of the platforms' content "would raise significant First Amendment concerns."

Vladeck noted that none of the justices joined Thomas in his opinion Monday and the real question is whether they will embrace this stance in the future.

"Of course, this isn't the first time Justice Thomas has offered an idiosyncratic view of the First Amendment," Vladeck said. "The bigger question is whether any of his colleagues agree with him."

The-CNN-Wire

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According to Mumbais Municipal commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal there are plenty intensive care unit (ICU) beds and fully air-conditioned facilities available at all Jumbo Covid Centres but middle-class patients who form about 95% of the new COVID wave do not want to go there. This is causing confusion and a false sense of scarcity, said the commissioner, who is striving to help increase private hospital capacity, even while pointing out that most Jumbo centres set up by the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) or Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) are air-conditioned and equipped with plenty of beds with ventilator facility,

Despite the sharp spike in corona patients in the past few weeks, the MCGM has more than 5,400 beds vacant overall, in designated hospitals. This includes, 148 ICU beds and 63 ventilator beds. The commissioner was responding to panic caused on social media by someone, who drove around for five hours with a 75-year-old Covid patient looking for hospitals. The municipal commissioner is at pains to tell people not to panic and to work through the dedicated helplines to avail of hospital facilities.

Responding to a tweet from a relative of a patient who was moving around in car in search of a bed in hospital, the BMC says, "We request all Mumbaikars to contact respective war rooms or 1916 - we have enough beds vacant and no one needs to go through this chase."

Maam. Hope you got clarity on a call from our Municipal Commissioner Mr Chahal, on how you violating the protocol led to all the confusion. We request all Mumbaikars to contact respective war rooms or 1916 - we have enough beds vacant and no one needs to go through this chase . https://t.co/kor6V3XLd4  ???? Mumbai, ???? BMC (@mybmc) April 5, 2021

The MCGM has set up a ward wise war room for bed allotment and has been requesting families of patients to call on numbers of their respective wards without going out of home.

Protocol For COVID-19 Bed Allotment:



Contact Ward War Room on attached numbers for COVID bed requirement



Do not collect test reports directly from the lab. BMC will provide report & bed details



Dont insist on bed at preferred hospital since treatment protocol are same for all https://t.co/76xBw8WnNU pic.twitter.com/VcDHqSF4rP  ???? Mumbai, ???? BMC (@mybmc) April 5, 2021

A report in the Indian Express also points to odd requests from families of Covid-19 patients. Quoting, Kiran Dighavkar, assistant municipal commissioner for G-North ward, the report says, "We have enough beds in our Covid centres. But I get many calls every day seeking beds in Hinduja Hospital or Raheja Hospital. These hospitals have a waiting period for beds. When our team from the war room requests them to go to civic Covid care centres, they refuse and keep waiting."

Another ward officer told the newspaper that due to reluctance, condition of many patients starts deteriorating. People call and ask if a bed is available in a particular hospital. If there is a waiting period, they remain in home isolation. In some cases, the patients condition worsens, says Prashant Gaikwad, assistant municipal commissioner for D ward.

Many people, who had s friends, relatives or colleagues admitted at BMC's Covid centre are full of praise of the facilities and service provided by doctors, nurses, and all staff there.

We are very happy to know your colleague has recovered well, @FanViveck



It is our duty to provide access to quality healthcare to all residents of Mumbai, and the entire staff at BMC is committed to ensure that it happens. #NaToCorona https://t.co/K1aMMue73E  ???? Mumbai, ???? BMC (@mybmc) April 6, 2021

Coming back to the availability of beds in Mumbai, as on 5th April, there were 1,924 ICU beds, spread across public and private hospitals, out of which 1,776 were occupied and 148 available. Overall, BMC has a bed capacity of 21,752, including dedicated COVID-19 health centres (DCHC) and dedicated COVID-19 hospitals (DCH) and COVID Care Centre-2 (government centres with doctors and nurses present all the time). Out of these, about 16,352 beds were occupied and 5,400 were vacant, information available on the municipal corporations' dashboard shows.
CHICAGO, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Keller Williams ONEChicago, a leading residential and commercial real estate company in Chicagoland, announced that it has recently welcomed Cara Hults as its new Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operations Officer (CFO and COO).

Cara Hults, CFO and COO, Keller Williams ONEChicago

"We are ecstatic to have Cara on our team," says Joe Zimmerman, Chief Growth Officer. "Cara has an impressive track record in finance and operations and has shown a genuine eagerness to contribute to the Keller Williams mission. As ONEChicago continues to grow, our team and customers are going to benefit from her forward-thinking approach to process improvement, financial analytics, and technology."

In her new role, Hults will oversee accounting across Keller Williams ONEChicago's offices in Lakeview, Lincoln Park, and O'Hare. She will also work with the Agent Services, Client Experience Coordinators, and Productivity departments to continue enhancing and streamlining processes and procedures throughout the business.

"I am extremely proud to be part of the Keller Williams family," says Hults. "Keller Williams is already a leader in technology, diversity, training, and customer experience. This is an exciting opportunity that will allow me to build on the wonderful tools that are already in place and deepen our support for agents and customers."

Hults is a Chicago native with over 20 years of experience in finance, working as a multi-site accountant and operations director in a number of industries, including food and beverage and technology. She served as Controller at the HEIDENHAIN CORPORATION and Perfect Plastics, and she oversaw logistics Flavorchem Corporation. A Roosevelt University alumna, Hults earned a Bachelors in Accounting and Business and Masters of Organizational Development, Business Administration, Management, and Operations. Additionally, Hults has always been passionate about real estate and has taken courses toward a broker's license.

"Cara has an innovative, entrepreneurial mindset that matches the spirit of our team," says Zimmerman. "She is going to be a key partner to our agents and associates moving forward. With Cara's support, our agents can continue to scale their businesses by using proven models and systems that enable them to make greater profits, get more time back in their lives, and meet the needs of their buyers and sellers."

Interested in opportunities with ONEChicago? Please contact Joe Zimmerman, Chief Growth Officer, at [email protected] or 773.230.0826.

About Keller Williams ONEChicago: Keller Williams ONEChicago launched in October 2020 and has over 450 like-minded agents who are empowered to own their business and leave a legacy in the Chicagoland real estate market. The brokerage is made up of the former Keller Williams Chicago Lakeview, Lincoln Park, and O'Hare brokerages. To learn more about Keller Williams ONEChicago, visit kwonechicago.com . #beleiveit

SOURCE Keller Williams Chicago

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First Minister Arlene Foster has said "malign and criminal elements" are to blame for whipping up young people involved in recent violence and disorder as she called for the immediate reopening of all youth clubs in a bid to bring an end to the rioting.

It was confirmed by the PSNI on Tuesday that nine more officers were injured as riot police intervened in an unlawful march of loyalists through Ballymena on Monday.

During the unrest, debris, including a wheelie bin, was thrown onto the M2 motorway, forcing its closure.

Violent scenes also erupted in Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey as youths threw petrol bombs and debris at police. Last night a crowd gathered to protest in Larne.

DUP leader Arlene Foster said the move to reopen youth clubs will get young people off the streets and away from "malign influences in our society".

"I do absolutely accept that that is the case in a particular area of Northern Ireland, but South East Antrim UDA does not have rite in other parts of Northern Ireland, so there are concerns right across Northern Ireland," she stated.

A total of 41 officers have now been injured during the rioting in some loyalist areas across Northern Ireland over the past week.

Police also confirmed that 10 arrests have been made because of the disturbances, including children as young as 13 and 14.

Those as young as 12 have also been involved in the chaos.

It came as Mrs Foster said she has no intention of speaking with Chief Constable Simon Byrne and again called for his resignation following the PSNI's handling of Bobby Storey's funeral.

On her stance that Mr Byrne should resign from his role, Mrs Foster said: "He needs to take responsibility for the actions that were taken by his senior command team [during the Storey funeral] because confidence has gone in his leadership and I think confidence has gone in the senior management team."

The rioting follows the growing anger around the Northern Ireland Protocol and last week's announcement by the PPS that 24 members of Sinn Fein will not be prosecuted for attending Storey's funeral.

North Area Commander Chief Superintendent Davy Beck, said the PSNI understands "disaffected groups who are linked to criminality" have orchestrated a number of riots.

The Assembly will be recalled tomorrow to allow MLAs the chance to condemn the trouble, while Mr Byrne will deliver a report to the Policing Board on Wednesday to outline the disorder, injuries to officers and the PSNI's assessment of the situation in a private briefing.

Mrs Foster spoke with a number of youth workers in areas such as Portadown and Londonderry on Tuesday in response to the rioting.

A spokesperson for the DUP told the Belfast Telegraph that Education Minister Peter Weir has tabled a paper to the Executive calling for the immediate reopening of youth services in Northern Ireland.

Justice Minister Naomi Long criticised unionist leaders after demanding Mr Byrne's resignation and said they "have helped fan the flames".

Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster's Talkback, the Alliance Party leader described it as "entirely depressing" that young people could "end up with criminal records".

"I think when you criticise as forcefully and recklessly, in some cases, as some have. When you accuse them [the PSNI] of two tier policing...you make them a lightning conductor for people's anger," added Ms Long.

Those involved in the rioting were also warned not to get sucked into "senseless" loyalist violence by Mr Beck.

"These are officers who leave their home, put on a uniform and who I think deserve to get home safe and well to their families," he said during a briefing at PSNI headquarters. I would appeal to everyone of influence across the community to bring this senseless violence to a stop."

He also appealed to "all people of influence" to help bring and end to the violence and thanked those who have done so.
Sen. Kennedy: Democrats Infrastructure Bill Is the Green New Deal, Plus Welfare

Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) says that the Biden infrastructure bill proposed by Democrats is actually a welfare and reparations bill that follows the agenda of the progressive Green New Deal, rather than infrastructure.

This is a Green New Deal, welfare, and reparations bill. Being charitable, less than 10 percent of the bill is devoted to infrastructure and we dont even know what the projects are, you know who picks and projects? Speaker Pelosi, Senator Schumer, and President Biden, Kennedy told Fox News on Tuesday.

Now one need not be clairvoyant to see that their projects are going to end up in New York and California and blue states, said Kennedy. So, there you have ityouve got a political slush fund.

Kennedy also criticized the bills massive price tag, urging Democrats to make an effort to get GOP input.

Now, will they work with us? I hope so, I hope they do. I will do old-man backflips if theyll work with us, but I dont have my hopes up.

The Green New Deal Kennedy referred to was introduced by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) with the main objective being to achieve economic and racial justice in the United States.

Her 2019 resolution states, clean air and water, healthy food, access to nature, a sustainable environment, and the promotion of justice and equity by stopping oppression of indigenous peoples, communities of color, migrant communities, deindustrialized communities, depopulated rural communities, the poor, low-income workers, women, the elderly, the unhoused, people with disabilities, and youth are the priorities of the bill.

The Deal also aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions through a fair and just transition for all communities and workers.

Although Bidens infrastructure plan would spend less on each item, it will nonetheless fund many of the Green New Deals objectives like non-fossil fuel energy, transportation, childcare, agriculture, housing, schools, broadband, water supply, and land protection.

Some of the proposals in Bidens infrastructure package that dont have an estimated price tag, but are part of the Green New Deal agenda, include calling on Congress to:

Tackle long-term unemployment and underemployment through a new subsidized jobs program.

Eliminate sub-minimum wage provisions in section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act and expand access to competitive, integrated employment opportunities and fair wages for workers with disabilities.

Ensure all workers have a free and fair choice to join a union by passing the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act and guarantee union and bargaining rights for public service workers.

Tie federal investments in clean energy and infrastructure to prevailing wages and require transportation investments to meet existing transit labor protections.

Provide the federal government with the tools it needs to ensure employers are providing workers with good jobsincluding jobs with fair and equal pay, safe and healthy workplaces, and workplaces free from racial, gender, and other forms of discrimination and harassment.

Take immediate steps to spur the construction and rehabilitation of homes for underserved communities.

Pass the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act, which calls for the creation of a new federal tax credit that will produce new equity investment dollars for the development and renovation of 1-4 family housing in distressed urban, suburban, and rural neighborhoods.

Quadruple support for the Manufacturing Extensions Partnershipincreasing the involvement of minority-owned and rurally-located small-and-medium-sized enterprises in technological advancement.

Ensure that new jobs created in clean energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure are open and accessible to women and people of color.

Invest in job training for formerly incarcerated individuals and in improving public safety.

Bowen Xiao contributed to this report.
Polling for assembly elections in the state of Tamil Nadu is currently underway, and, it only gets more crucial after the death of AIADMK face J Jayalalithaa and DMK chief M Karunanidhi as the political battle between DMK and AIADMK is now going to determine the contours of Dravidian politics in the state.

Tamil Nadu politics remains incomplete without the mention of the Dravidian ideology that basically dominates politics in the state. DMK and AIADMK, the two Dravidian parties of Tamil Nadu have been robustly retaining power in the state, siding even the national parties like BJP and Congress.

The Dravidian movement that emerged from the ethos of Tamil culture, valour and languages seems like its nowhere to go, in fact, is here to stay. Dravidian politics in the state is quite deep-rooted as it also marked an end to the rule of Congress in the state (then known as Madras) in 1967. There have been social experiments carried out that concluded in Tamil Nadu youth saying that even if they dont know anything about elections, they would cast their votes to parties with a Dravidian base only. A section in the youth of Tamil Nadu said that they would vote for non-imposition of Hindi, non-brahminical set-up and secularism.

Polling for assembly elections in the state of Tamil Nadu is currently underway, and, it only gets more crucial after the death of AIADMK face J Jayalalithaa and DMK chief M Karunanidhi as the political battle between DMK and AIADMK is now going to determine the contours of Dravidian politics in the state.

Debates over Dravidian politics in Tamil Nadu keep surfacing time and again. In one such instance, DMK chief MK-Stalin said to Amit Shah that Tamil Nadu was not a North Indian state, and, he went on to say that Amit Shah was angry because Dravidians were the race that had come to uproot the Aryans. In response to this, BJP said that the whole Dravidian-Aryan divide was a myth and DMK used it in favour of its dynastic politics.

The offshoot of DMK, AIADMK has forged an alliance led by TN Chief Minister Edapaddi K Palaniswami with BJP against the DMK-Congress alliance that swept 38 out of 39 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Todays battle will not just decide the ruler of Tamil Nadu for the next 5-years but will also clarify what exactly the people of Tamil Nadu are rooting for.
People aged over 50 in Wales strongly encouraged to contact health-board if not been offered Covid jab

This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Apr 6th, 2021

All over-50s and at-risk adults with underlying health conditions have been offered a Covid-19 vaccine in Wales, the Welsh government has said.

The Welsh Government target was to have offered the first dose of the vaccine to everyone in Priority Groups 1-9 by April 19.

First minister Mark Drakeford said last week Wales will hit its target of offering all over-50s a first dose of the Coronavirus vaccine Sunday.

During a press conference on Thursday, Mr Drakeford said: By Sunday, we will have offered a vaccine to everyone in the first nine priority groups, thats everyone over 50 or adults with an underlying health condition and a great many unpaid carers.





Despite the claim of all over 50s being offered the Covid jab, several people have been in touch with Deeside.com saying they have not been contacted as yet.

Speaking to BBC Radio Wales this morning Dr Giri Shankar, lead consultant for health protection and incident director for the COVID-19 at Public Health Wales said vaccine delivery plans across all health boards are managed by the local teams.:

He continued: All those individuals who believe that they should have received a call for a vaccine and havent yet had one, we strongly encourage them to make contact with the local health boards.

If there are any such missed appointments they will be offered those appointments immediately.

A Welsh government spokesman said: I can confirm that the second milestone has been achieved, all phase one priority groups have been offered a vaccine by the NHS.
[April 06, 2021] Jolt Launches US Referral Partner Program

LEHI, Utah, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Jolt Software Inc.  Jolt Software, leading operations management and digital food safety platform for the deskless worker, announced today the launch of its new US Referral Partner Program. The Jolt Referral Partner Program focuses on allowing sales representatives, sales organizations, and sales channels to refer Jolt to their prospects and clients looking to add the capabilities of the Jolt platform to their operations. Being a Jolt Referral Partner allows partners to promote and be rewarded for introducing Jolt's operational efficiencies, brand standards, and food safety to any deskless operation. "Our focus with Jolt's Referral Partner Program is to offer impactful and value-added solutions to any seller or trusted advisor's portfolio. Jolt offers solutions that can positively impact the bottom line, add health and safety measures, and protect brand reputation through consistency," saysTim Pincelli, Global Vice President, Partner Programs at Jolt. He went on to say that the Jolt Referral Partner Program offers ways for trusted advisors to open a new conversation with prospects or to fortify existing relationships by recommending a platform like Jolt.



"We are excited about the potential opportunities as a new Jolt Referral Partner," said Alexis Kukuka, Director of Operations at JBH Advisory Group and a Jolt raving fan and user at Sous Vide Kitchen in New York. "We see an incredible opportunity to offer our current and future clients a platform like Jolt as a tool to monitor and measure their existing operations while giving them the freedom that comes with peace of mind to help our clients grow faster." If you are an independent sales organization, industry consultant, or large sales channel looking for an edge and want to improve your position as a trusted advisor to your prospects and customers, becoming a Jolt Referral partner will help you! Apply to be a Jolt Referral Partner at https://www.jolt.com/referral-partner-program

About Jolt Software

Jolt is operations execution software available on smartphones and tablets that helps restaurants and other deskless businesses achieve team accountability, digital food safety compliance, and boost employee performance. Headquartered in Lehi, Utah, Jolt Software was founded in 2014 by current CEO, Josh Bird. To learn more, visit www.jolt.com or contact us at marketing@jolt.com. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jolt-launches-us-referral-partner-program-301263171.html SOURCE Jolt Software

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Cllr Colm Murray has called for Longford County Council write to Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan to register the councils dissent to turf and unseasoned wood being proposed for inclusion on the national proposed ban on smoky coal at this time.

Whilst acknowledging that climate action is urgent, and supporting the ban on the sale of smoky coal as there are viable, affordable alternatives available, we cannot agree to the mooted restrictions on turf and timber as the requisite alternatives and supports are not available or viable for large areas of the country, particularly the midlands, he said.

Fellow councillors at the March meeting of Longford County Council, which was held via Microsoft Teams backed Cllr Murray in his motion.
Because of the pandemic, most of the auditors drew their conclusions from documents and video tours, during which Emergent workers controlled the camera angles, one former company official said.

Johnson & Johnsons auditors said monitoring reports for bacteria or other contaminants were filed four to six months late. AstraZenecas said that Emergent repeatedly loosened monitoring criteria so it appeared to meet them, resorting to measures like historical averages. But even then it failed the tests, the report said.

In another audit, BARDA officials documented similar concerns, classifying some of them, including the risks of microbiological contamination, as critical. That designation is reserved for the most serious problems that pose an immediate and significant risk.

Emergents own internal audit in July also said the flow of workers and materials through the plant was not adequately controlled to prevent mix-ups or contamination.

The reports echoed quality-control shortcomings documented in an April inspection by the F.D.A., reported earlier by The Associated Press, that concluded the facility was not ready for commercial operations.

Multiple audits underscore how poorly the company was prepared for the huge workload it accepted.

The Covid-19 projects required significantly more testing to ensure materials remained stable, but Emergent had just one employee coordinating it all, the BARDA audit found. Emergent acknowledged at the time that its testing system was not ideal and pledged to train at least one more Emergent worker and hire a third. BARDA did not respond to requests for comment on its audit or any of the others, beyond saying that it had worked with Emergent to resolve the issues raised during the F.D.A. inspection.

Another internal investigation in August found that Emergent approved four raw materials used to produce AstraZenecas vaccine without first fully testing them. That type of shortcut, called a conditional release of material, occurred on average twice a week in October, internal logs show. The measure was deemed necessary because the company was working with shortened production times, testing backlogs and the needs of Operation Warp Speed, the Trump administrations crash vaccine development program. And while a manager knowingly deviated from standards, the report said, the batches of vaccine would not be released without quality and safety tests.
Corporate results are thin over the next couple of weeks on both sides of the pond, ahead of the new earnings season which kick offs in the US on April 19th.

The week ahead

In the UK, we anticipate interim results from PLC (LON: TRCS) on Thursday, with (LON: QXT) and (LON: INS) reporting final results next Monday.

Tracsis, which provides technology and data to the transport industries, reports interim results on Thursday. In its trading update in February, it said that first-half trading was in line with the board's expectations as lower sales in the Events and Traffic Data business units, due to ongoing COVID-19 related restrictions, outweighed underlying growth in the Rail Technology & Services Division.

Group revenue slipped by around 17% to about 22mln with the impact of COVID-19 expected to be around 6.0mln. Nevertheless, underlying earnings (EBITDA) are expected to be only slightly lower than the 5.6mln generated in the first half (H1) of last year due to a larger share of revenue coming from the higher-margin Rail Technology & Services Division, in combination with the positive impact of cost reduction actions taken in response to the pandemic. At the end of the period, cash balances were around 21mln (H1 2020: 26.0mln, 31 July 2020: 17.9mln).

Early last month, the company announced the acquisition of FFC, a London-based transport consultancy business that operates predominantly across the rail and bus sectors, for around 2.5mln. Additionally, Tracsis is creating a new business unit called Tracsis Transport Consultancy, comprising of its existing rail consulting and passenger analytics businesses along with the newly acquired FFC.

Quixant, which provides technology products for the global gaming and broadcast industries, announces final results on Monday. In its trading update in late January, it said it expects to report revenue for the year of US$63.8mln and confirmed that adjusted profit before tax would exceed US$1mln. Net cash at the end of 2020 was US$17.4mln.

Instem, which provides information technology (IT) solutions to the global life sciences market, reports final results on Monday. In its trading update in January, the company said it had traded in line with the board's expectations, with revenue growth exceeding 11%. The group ended the period with net cash of 26.7mln, boosted by the 15mln (net of expenses) share placement conducted in July.

Last month Instem announced two acquisitions  The Edge, which provides technology and services that improve the efficiency of drug discovery research and development, for up to 8.5mln and d-wise, a US-based clinical trial technology & consulting business, for up to US$31mln.

Across the pond, it is very quiet on the earnings front over the next two weeks. The only notable tech-related company reporting we are aware of is , the human capital management solutions provider, which reports today. The new quarterly results season kicks off on April 19 when IBM and on the tech side are reporting their first-quarter (Q1) numbers. Meanwhile, Applied Materials and Crowdstrike are holding investor days today and Thursday respectively.

Date Company Event Period ending 08-Apr Tracsis Interim results 31-Jan 08-Apr Alpha FMC Trading update 31-Mar 12-Apr Quixant Final results 31-Dec 12-Apr Instem Final results 31-Dec 20-Apr Avast Q1 trading update 31-Mar 21-Apr Pennant Final results 31-Dec 27-Apr XLMedia Final results 31-Dec 28-Apr Final results 31-Jan 29-Apr Proactis Interim results 31-Jan 29-Apr Immotion Final results 31-Dec April AdEPT Technology Trading update 31-Mar Week of 26 Apr Assimilar Final results 30-Sep Week of 26 Apr Assimilar Interim results 31-Mar 24-May Final results 31-Mar May Bango Strategy day 18-20 May Blue Prism Blue Prism World Late May/E June Bytes Technology Final results 28-Feb 15-Jun CML Microsystems Final results 31-Mar 18-Jun Blue Prism Interim results 30-Apr Early July AdEPT Technology Final results 31-Mar

Source: Data from regulatory news and company websites
Vasfije Krasniqi-Goodman, a newly elected member of Kosovo's parliament, has broken taboos in the country by speaking about her experience as a survivor of rape during the 1998-99 war. Despite the prevalence of such war crimes, no perpetrators have been convicted in Kosovo. In her new role as a lawmaker, Krasniqi-Goodman says she will try to act as the voice of her fellow survivors as she fights for justice.
Chennai, April 6 : Telangana Governor and the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry Tamilisai Soundararajan on Tuesday cast her vote here and went back to Puducherry.

In a tweet Soundararajan said: "After executing my democratic duty to vote in Chennai, reached back #Puducherry now. Interacted with Advisors & CS to get feedback on the situation in Puducherry. Happy to hear good turnout in the morning. Expecting maximum percentage by evening. #100% voting." She said the voting percentage in Puducherry by 11 a.m. was 35.71 per cent.
Debris at the scene where a Ukrainian plane crashed in Shahedshahr, south-west of Tehran, Iran (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP)

Ten officials have been indicted in Iran over the 2020 military shooting down of a Ukrainian passenger plane that killed 176 people, a prosecutor said.

The announcement comes just as Tehran begins indirect negotiations with the West over its collapsed nuclear deal with world powers.

The timing of the announcement comes after Iran faced withering international criticism last month for releasing a final report into the shooting down of Ukraine International Airlines flight number PS752 that blamed human error but named no-one responsible for the incident.

Tehran military prosecutor Gholamabbas Torki similarly avoided naming those responsible when he announced the indictments on Tuesday while handing over his office to Nasser Seraj.

The semi-official ISNA news agency and the Iranian judiciarys Mizan news agency both reported the remarks, without elaborating.

Expand Close People gather for a candlelight vigil to remember the victims of the Ukraine plane crash at the gate of Amri Kabir University in Tehran, Iran, in January 2020 (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP) / Facebook

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Whatsapp People gather for a candlelight vigil to remember the victims of the Ukraine plane crash at the gate of Amri Kabir University in Tehran, Iran, in January 2020 (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP)

Following three days of denial in January 2020 in the face of mounting evidence, Iran finally acknowledged that its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard mistakenly downed the Ukrainian plane with two surface-to-air missiles.

In preliminary reports on the disaster last year, Iranian authorities blamed an air defence operator who they said mistook the Boeing 737-800 for an American cruise missile.

The incident happened on the same day Iran launched a ballistic missile attack on US troops in Iraq in retaliation for an American drone strike that killed a top Iranian general.

While Guard officials publicly apologised for the incident, the hesitancy of Iran to elaborate on what happened in the incident shows the power the force wields.

Following the release of Irans final investigative report, Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba lambasted the findings as a cynical attempt to hide the true causes of the downing of our passenger aircraft.

He accused Iran of conducting a biased probe into the disaster that resulted in deceptive conclusions.

Many on the flight planned to connect in Kyiv to fly on to Canada, which is home to a large Iranian population.

Canadas foreign and transport ministers similarly criticised the report, saying that it has no hard facts or evidence and makes no attempt to answer critical questions about what truly happened.

The announcement came just hours before Iran and the five world powers remaining in its atomic accord meet in Vienna, where the US is due to start indirect talks with Tehran.
Restaurants ask those booking tables: Do you have a Green Pass? Are you vaccinated?

The system is imperfect, and, beyond the Green Pass, in many ways system may be an overstatement. Enforcement has been patchy. There are troubling questions about those who are not vaccinated and noisy debates playing out in real time  some landing in court  about the rules and responsibilities of the return to near normalcy.

Moreover, theres no guarantee that this really is the start of a post-pandemic future. Any number of factors  delays in vaccine production, the emergence of a new vaccine-resistant variant and the huge numbers of Israelis who remain unvaccinated  could rip the rug out from under it.

The new world has also underscored the inequities and divides between societies with more or less access to the vaccine. Many in the West Bank and Gaza have not been able to get vaccinations yet.

The Palestinian vaccination campaign is just getting started, with doses largely donated by other countries amid a bitter debate over Israels legal and moral obligations for the health of people in territory it occupies. Israel has vaccinated about 100,000 Palestinians who work in Israel or in West Bank settlements but has been criticized for not doing more.

More than 5.2 million Israelis have received at least one shot of the Pfizer vaccine. About four million remain unvaccinated, half of them people under 16 who are not yet eligible to receive the vaccine pending regulatory approvals and further testing on children. Hundreds of thousands of citizens who have recovered from Covid-19 were only recently included in Israels vaccination program.
Yes, along most or all of the coast

Yes, but only places where an entry fee can cover their cost

No, people can continue swimming at their own risk

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Mohammed Zaber, a Rohingya refugee in Bangladesh, holds the identity card of his daughter Rozia Akhter, who was refused entry into Myanmar after being detained in India for two years

A Rohingya teenager is stuck in northeastern India because neither Bangladesh nor Myanmar will take her in, in yet another case that highlights the plight of people from the stateless Muslim minority group and barriers they face.

Police in Indias Assam state took the 14-year-old girl, Rozia Ahkter, to the Myanmar border to deport her last Thursday, but Burmese officials refused to let her in as they cited the coronavirus pandemic and the situation inside the country, according to reporting by the state-run Press Trust of India (PTI).

Mohammed Zaber, the girls father who lives at a refugee camp in southeastern Bangladesh, said he spoke to his daughter in Assam on Thursday, after New Delhis attempt to send her to Myanmar  where the Rohingya are from  failed.

The officials there [Assam] told my daughter that they would try to send her to us, Zaber told BenarNews.

She told me that she was happy that her repatriation in Myanmar stopped.

Rozia did not want to go back to Myanmar, a police official also confirmed to The Hindustan Times, an Indian daily.

BenarNews contacted Md. Delwar Hossain, the director general of the Myanmar office at Bangladeshs foreign ministry, about whether Rozia could be united with her family in a refugee camp in Coxs Bazar  like she reportedly wanted.

Hossain said she could not.

I think it is lawfully logical that the girl should be sent back to Myanmar. According to law, a person must go back to his or her place of origin, Hossain told BenarNews.

Diplomatically, there is no scope to send any Rohingya to Bangladesh from India. This is because they are not our nationals. Any third country can take the girl to their country, but she cannot be sent to Bangladesh.

He said Bangladesh had done more than it could for the Rohingya, hundreds of thousands of whom are sheltering on Bangladeshi soil after fleeing persecution in Rakhine state and a brutal military offensive there in 2017.

Now, the other neighboring countries should stand beside them. The girl can be reunited with her family members in another way  the family members can be taken there [to India], Hossain said.

Destination Malaysia

Rozias father and his family crossed into Bangladesh from Buthidaung town in Myanmars northern Rakhine state after fleeing from the 2017 offensive.

Zaber said he and his family have been living in one of the 34 refugee camps in Coxs Bazar district since they crossed the border.

After Rozia went missing in March 2019, the father told BenarNews, he later learned that she had left Bangladesh along with some people who were planning to go to Malaysia.

The Southeast Asian nation, which hosts as many as 150,000 of the estimated 1.8 million to 2 million Rohingya in the world, is a desired destination for Rohingya fleeing from Myanmar.

Over the years, thousands of Rohingya have paid traffickers to transport them to Thailand and Malaysia where they can find work.

Groups of Rohingya have packed onto boats and set sail for Malaysia and other locations in search of asylum, but have often been turned away.

Last June, Malaysian authorities towed a disabled boat ashore and detained 269 Rohingya after dozens jumped overboard and began swimming to Langkawi, an island off the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia, a Thai marine police commander told BenarNews.

Last June and September, 400 Rohingya who were on their way to Malaysia were rescued by locals in Indonesias Aceh province after their boats were seen adrift on the sea.

Scores of people lost their lives on these passages.

As of March 31 this year, there had been no news for 10 days on the more than 80 Rohingya refugees who were reported stranded in a boat in the Andaman Sea, the Indo-Asian News Service reported.

This group, too, had been making its way to Malaysia.

It is not known whether Rozia, also, was promised safe passage to Malaysia.

I came to know that she accompanied some other people to go to Malaysia by sea, and got caught in India, Zaber said, adding that he had no idea where his daughter was until she was found by Indian authorities.

Reunite girl with her family

Assam Police told PTI that Rozia was found unconscious at a house in the states Cachar district two years ago.

While Rozia was considered an undocumented immigrant, she was also a minor and, as a result, was sent to a shelter called the Ujjala Ashroy Center, PTI said.

After a year there  during which she learned the local language  she was sent to another home run by the NGO Nibedita Nari Sangstha, in Assams Silchar town, the news agency reported.

After Myanmar border authorities turned Rozia away, the police brought her back to the NGO, said its founder, Dibya Roy.

She is happy to have come back and avoided going to Myanmar, Roy told BenarNews in an email.

The best interest of the child will be to reunite her with her parents, which is also what she wants.

Assam Police declined interview requests from BenarNews.

Nibedita Nari Sangstha will work with United Nations refugee agency UNHCR and Indias External Affairs Ministry to try and facilitate Rozias return to Bangladesh, Roy said.

The UNHCR office in Bangladesh did not respond immediately to a BenarNews request for comment.

I have not seen her for over two years. Sometimes, I talk to her over the telephone. I am worried about what would happen to her, Zaber, Rozias father, said.

I doggedly visited different government offices to get her back, but in vain.

Bangladeshi officials brief Dhaka-based diplomats during their visit to Bhashan Char Island, Bangladesh, April 3, 2021. [Photo courtesy Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs]

Envoys visit Bhashan Char

Separately, Rohingya who were relocated to a remote Bay of Bengal island told ambassadors from nine countries and the European Union that they had moved there voluntarily, but must be allowed to visit relatives in the camps they left on the Bangladeshi mainland, refugees told BenarNews by phone.

They also told the envoys who visited the low-lying Bhashan Char Island for the first time on Saturday that the Bangladesh government had provided good accommodation at the new location.

The Bangladesh foreign ministry said the government had relocated 18,334 Rohingya to Bhashan Char since December and planned to move a total of 100,000 refugees there.

Their move came amid widespread international concern about the islands safety and on-site facilities.

The diplomats, who included ambassadors from countries such as the United States, Japan, Australia and Turkey, talked to 41 men and women, said Nur Hossain, a Rohingya refugee living on the island.

Officials at several embassies that were represented on the trip did not immediately respond to or declined post-visit interview requests from BenarNews.

At least 13 men and women among us demanded that the government should allow us to visit our relatives living in Coxs Bazar and go to Noakhali district headquarters for shopping, Hossain told BenarNews.

Hossain said he told the envoys that the camps in Coxs Bazar were densely populated, and because they were situated on hills, were vulnerable to landslides and flooding. Violence and abductions were also increasing in the camps, he said.

But Bhashan Char is free from such incidents; no violence has taken place here. The accommodations are good and the children can play in the big fields. There are facilities for cultivation, said Hossain.
Managing Editor of the Dispatch Newspaper, Mr Ben Ephson has attributed the current disquiet among supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to the failure of the leadership to be factual in their commentary on issues with the vetting of President Akufo-Addos ministerial nominees to their followers.



Mr Ephson said on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday, April 3 that the leadership of the NDC should have told their supporters that they do not have the numbers in parliament to enable them to get away with some decisions they expected.



His comments follow the internal wangling ongoing in the NDC after the approval of all of President Akufo-Addos ministers.



A lawmaker for North Tongu Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa resigned from the Appointments Committee of Parliament.

He said in a letter addressed to the Speaker, Alban Kingsford Bagbin that the decision was taken after days of careful reflection and thoughtful considerations.



Mr. Ablakwa resigned from the Committee on Wednesday, March 31.



I shall like to state that the reasons for this difficult decision are both personal and on principle.



Mr. Epshon told the host of the show Abena Tabi that The leadership of the NDC should have told their supporters the fact that the NDC does not have the numbers. Some NDC supporters have forgotten that that is that animal called secrete which makes Bagbin the speaker. The same animal was exploited that is why many of the ministers were passed after vetting.



Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the NDC Ade Coker has rejected the claim saying the leadership speaks the fact to their followers.



He further dismissed suggestions that the leadership of the NDC in parliament should be changed following the approval of all ministers of President Akufo-Addo when some of them were not qualified by their answers during the vetting.



According to him, any such move will rather disturb the NDC as a party.



He suggested on the Key Points programmes Saturday, April 3 that the party must rather remain focused and go back to the table to correct the wrongs.



Mr. Coker said There is no need to change leadership now. It will rather muddy the waters. We need to remain focused and also be circumspect. It is premature to attempt to change leader.



He further noted that there a lot of speculations regarding what led to the resignation of Mr. Ablakwa from the Committee.



This is a result of the failure of Mr. Ablakwa to give reasons for his resignation, he said.



To that end, Mr. Ade Coker said there is the need to know the voting line of Mr. Ablakwa when he was on the Committee during the vetting of President Akufo-Addos ministerial nominees.



Speaking on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday, April 3, Mr. Ade Coker told host Abena Tabi that In future, your voting record in parliament can be pulled out. If you go to the US, there is nothing like consensus.



We will have to find out during the vetting process what his [Ablakwas] voting line was. That will determine and help us to make a judgment on what he is saying about principles.



If you had consistently voted against the nominees then it looks like well, then you can say is of no use for me to still be on the committee.



I want to know how the voting pattern went. if the voting pattern went in such a way that you lost, then you are obliged to accept the results of what has taken place but here we are they only come and tell us it is consensus.



He added, the resignation gives room for conjecture, it gives room for a lot of rumours against the NDC.





Source: 3news









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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Patel is passionate about the digital transformation in the automotive industry and is driven to bring the most cutting-edge marketing capabilities to the ecosystem.

Orbee, a fast-growing digital marketing technology company that provides analytics, data, and automation solutions, has appointed Atul Patel as its new Chief Executive Officer as of March 2021. Patel co-founded the company and recently served as its Chief Operating Officer. Daniel Kim, who was the CEO since co-founding the company with Patel, will continue to serve on the board of directors. Over the last five years together, Patel and Kim have built Orbee into a leading marketing solutions provider in the automotive industry.

Patel brings twenty years of marketing and advertising technology experience to the industry. He has built businesses in lead management and scoring, advertising across display, video, and social channels, as well as behavioral data and intelligence; all of which have had successful acquisitions. Most recently in late 2020, Jornaya, a data company Patel co-founded and whose core intellectual property was co-invented by him was acquired by Verisk to add to their growing set of marketing solutions for the insurance and financial services markets. Patel is passionate about the same digital transformation in the automotive industry and is driven to bring the most cutting-edge marketing capabilities to the ecosystem.

In September 2020, Orbee announced the appointment of automotive industry veteran Peter L. Fong as Chief Revenue Officer. Over the last six months, Patel and Fong have worked closely to introduce Orbees offerings to the broader automotive ecosystem including large dealership groups, media agencies, and strategic integration partners. Atul has proven to be a digital marketing thought-leader in the automotive industry that I have called home for over 26 years, stated Peter Fong, Chief Revenue Officer of Orbee. He is able to decode complex scenarios in our ever-changing digital landscape while working closely with our entire team to execute for the success of our customers and partners.

I am thrilled to be leading the amazing Orbee team in the nascent automotive industry where the tiered structure and disparate integrations provide significant opportunity for digital marketing innovation, stated Atul Patel, Chief Executive Officer of Orbee. This is a critical time for improving consumer experience because of the fundamental changes underway in automotive such as with digital retailing, dealers having to compete with direct-to-consumer services, and manufacturers launching improved new car buying tools for consumers, and beyond automotive with new privacy-first business models with Googles Federated Learning of Cohorts (FloC) and Apples App Tracking Transparency (ATT). Orbee has an aggressive product roadmap including its Tier X solution for large dealership groups and its capabilities for large and niche agencies who are using its platform APIs and SDKs to better serve their customers. As reported by eMarketer in January 2021, automotive companies will recover to nearly $13.29 billion in advertising spending, and Orbee is well-positioned to help the industry balance this investment with intelligent marketing capabilities.

Patel and the Orbee team have already completed a significant amount of the transition. As of April 2021, the predecessor California corporation, Sparki Labs, Inc. D/B/A Orbee Auto, has merged with the surviving Delaware corporation, Orbee, Inc. Additionally, complemented by its new logo, the company has been rebranded from Orbee Auto to Orbee to signify how the companys products and services for automotive are relevant to the broader digital marketing landscape. Customers, partners, and vendors will continue to receive communication from the company about these changes.

About Orbee, Inc.

Orbee provides digital marketing analytics, data, and automation solutions to the automotive industry. Franchise and independent dealers and large dealership groups utilize the companys platform to make actionable decisions based on analytics of their campaigns, inventory, and consumer experiences, build comprehensive buyer profiles by connecting first-party data signals from their web sites and integrated partners and automate messaging across all paid and earned channels with personalization and segmentation. The company partners with dealer-centric media agencies, service providers, and OEM programs to expand the reach of its powerful technologies. Orbees core technology products include its proprietary data collection, processing, and reporting pipeline, its robust set of dashboards and APIs, and campaign and creative tools for email, search, social, on and off-site display, and video. Orbee was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Irvine, California. Learn more at http://www.orbeeauto.com.
A Uyghur holds a sign asking the Chinese regime to release her husband at a parade near the Chinese consulate in Istanbul, Turkey on Feb. 22, 2021. (Ozan Kose/AFP via Getty Images)

Authenticity of French Journalist With Chinese State-Owned Media Questioned

The authenticity of a so-called French journalist was called into question after someone published articles on Chinese state-run media promoting the CCPs propaganda about Xinjiang; a French newspaper has said the woman does exist but might be someone who blindly promotes the regime.

French-language fact-checking website RTL announced on April 5 that Laurene Beaumond does not exist, at least not under that name, after investigating reports on two Chinese state-run media as well as reports from two French independent newspapers.

Real Person or Pseudonym?

Laurene Beaumond first appeared as a columnist on the Chinese state-run CGTNs website on March 28, where she was described as an independent journalist based in France, who has a double degree in history of art and archeology from the Paris-Sorbonne University (also known as Paris-IV) and a Masters in journalism.  [She] has worked in various editorial offices in Paris.

Beaumond was revealed again at Chinese state-run China National Radio on March 31, in which she was presented as a specialist in China with a passion about Asian literature and pop culture.

French newspaper Le Monde reported on March 31 that theres no journalist registered under the name Laurene Beaumond in France, and no media in Paris has hired a person with this name before. In France, all professional journalists need to register at la Commission de la carte.

Radio France Internationale also reported that they couldnt find any French journalist named Laurene Beaumond.

Chinese foreign affairs ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying claimed at her April 1s press conference that the journalist is real and has a French citizenship. She refused to answer whether the name is an alias.

A traditional Uyghur cemetery was destroyed in Shayar in the Chinese region of Xinjiang on Sept. 12, 2019. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images)

On April 2, the French newspaper Le Figaro reported that they found the journalist, a woman in her early 40s who lives in Sarthe, western France. Laurene Beaumond is a pseudonym.

The report said the woman did study at Paris-IV, and had some internship experience in some newspapers in France before she went to China. The woman said she didnt do any fact-checking when she wrote the articles for CGTN.

Le Figaro didnt reveal the real name of the woman. They said she worked in Beijing from 2011 to 2017 as a translator, then a presenter on CCTV. Like many foreigners, she was working for state television under the strict control of censors.

CCTV is a Chinese state-controlled broadcaster, and has a network of 50 channels broadcasting in six languages. In December 2016, CCTV separated its foreign language services into CGTN. Both CCTV and CGTN are part of the CCPs propaganda system.

Le Figaro said the womans husband was from Urumqi, the capital city of Xinjiang, which is the reason she visited the city several times and visited some tourist sites in the region from 2011 to 2016.

The woman is afraid of being attacked but said she wouldnt stop her cooperation with Chinese state-run media, and she wouldnt use the name Beaumoud anymore, according to Le Figaro.

Le Figaro explained that the CCPs propaganda system has a tactic, in which the regime packages some westerners as professional journalists or famous researchers, and uses their testimonies on media to counter the accusations and criticism from western countries.

The woman is one of the targeted westerners, the report said.

A Uyghur woman is cleaning a path in a restored section of the old city in Kashgar in Chinas northwest Xinjiang region on June 4, 2019. (Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images)

Speaking for the CCP

Laurene Beaumonds article on French-language CGTN claimed that there were no concentration camps, no sterilization, no forced labor, no cultural erasure, nor genocide against Uyghurs in Xinjiang.

She even tried to create a harmonious scene in Xinjiang by saying I have seen Han [Chinese native ethnic] people eat in Uyghur restaurants and vice versa.

In fact, this description might reveal one of the CCPs evil methods.

Uyghurs are Muslims for whom eating pork and drinking alcohol are strictly forbidden. In general, Muslims wont eat at Han restaurants that serve pork and alcohol in China, especially when they are in Xinjiang and Ningxia Province where they can easily find a Halal restaurant.

The Chinese regime has forced Uyghurs to eat Han specialtiesbraised pork belly and pork trottersat Han restaurants in Xinjiang, as a method of eradicating Uyghur customs and traditions, Bitter Winter reported on April 14, 2020.

The other claims that the French author made might not be the truth either.

In November 2019, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) published China Cables, after The New York Times revealed a series of Chinese government documents, both showed that the Chinese Communist Party had detained millions of Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang in concentration camps.

In the past years, a large number of Uyghurs testified overseas about tortures they suffered in Xinjiang, which included forced sterilization, forced labor, not being able to follow religious rules and customs, and being detained inside concentration camps.

A Uyghur woman waits with children on a street in Kashgar in northwest Chinas Xinjiang region on June 4, 2019. (Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images)

Other religious groups in China are suffering persecution as well.

A very large but unknown number of Falun Gong practitioners have been killed through the practice of forced, live organ harvesting, which some researchers have warned is a cold genocide.

At the Human Freedom Index 2020 that the U.S.-based Cato Institute and the Canadian Fraser Institute co-published in March, Chinas freedom was ranked 129 out of a total of 162 countries (pdf).
AS Covid-19 deaths show little sign of abating, good news has come to Trinidad and Tobago of a vaccine gift from the United States.

According to Shante Moore, Charge dAffaires at the US Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago, this gift comes with no hidden conditions and imposing conditions as other countries are doing.
The Unionville Sebewaing Area School District announced new COVID-19 positive cases among its staff and student body, with the district preparing to return from spring break.

On April 2, the district announced that two staff members and a volunteer worker had tested positive for COVID-19. The news came a day after it was announced that one high school student and one elementary student had tested positive.

The news comes after announcements that other students had tested positive earlier in the week.

USA Schools Superintendent George Rierson said the new cases were separate occurrences, with the staff members working in different school departments and knowing how they were exposed to the virus.

Every single staff member is important, Rierson emphasized. Whenever one cannot come in due to quarantine, it causes a ripple effect that affects the rest of the team.

The district had previously gone to virtual learning briefly in March due to staff shortages from quarantining and scheduled time off.

Rierson also remarked that staff members have helped others out wherever they could so that the schools can remain open and provide face to face learning.

Im proud the staff could work together to keep us moving forward, Rierson said.

With these new announced cases, the USA school district now has had 28 students and 16 staff members test positive since the pandemic started.

With the school district set to come off of spring break and resume in-person learning on April 6, the district asks that parents monitor their children for the following symptoms:

 Fever.

 Cough.

 Shortness of breath.

 Chills.

 Repeated shaking with chills.

 Muscle Pain.

 Headache.

 Sore throat.

 New loss of taste or smell.
Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America "...current COVID restrictions limiting the capacity of indoor venues and the state of the reopening plan for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as related to Convention facilities, have recently made it evident that we cannot move forward with planning an event like ours.

In light of ongoing public health concerns caused by the pandemic, Diversified Communications, organizer of Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America, has reluctantly determined it would be impossible to hold an event in Boston this July. The 2021 edition of Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America, originally scheduled to take place March 14-16, had been postponed to July 11-13, 2021.

We were determined to host an in-person event for our seafood community and have worked diligently over the past several months seeking a way to safely make the July 2021 edition happen, said Liz Plizga, Group Vice President, Diversified Communications. However, current COVID restrictions limiting the capacity of indoor venues and the state of the reopening plan for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as related to Convention facilities, have recently made it evident that we cannot move forward with planning an event like ours.

The 2022 edition of Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America will proceed as scheduled on March 13-15, 2022 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center in Boston, MA.

Conversations with customers, including high-volume buyers in retail and foodservice, have confirmed they will be ready to meet in-person in 2022. Buyers have expressed the importance and unique value of meeting face to face in maintaining current relationships and finding new products and suppliers at the event.

We recognize that business continuity is important to our seafood community, and until we meet again in-person in Boston, we will be reviewing opportunities to connect buyers and sellers digitally, added Plizga.

Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global, the worlds largest seafood event, also produced by Diversified Communications, is scheduled to take place this year in Barcelona, Spain, on September 7-9, 2021.

For more information about Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America, visit: http://www.seafoodexpo.com/north-america.

About Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America

Seafood Expo North America/ Seafood Processing North America is North Americas largest seafood exposition. Thousands of buyers and suppliers from around the world attend the annual, three-day exhibition to meet, network and do business. Attending buyers represent importers, exporters, wholesalers, restaurants, supermarkets, hotels, and other retail and foodservice companies. Exhibiting suppliers offer the newest seafood products, processing and packaging equipment, and services available in the seafood market. The exposition is sponsored by the National Fisheries Institute. SeafoodSource is the official media. The exposition is produced by Diversified Communications, the international leader in seafood-industry expositions and media. For more information, visit: http://www.seafoodexpo.com/north-america

About Diversified Communications

Diversified Communications is a leading international media company with a portfolio of face-to-face exhibitions and conferences, online communities and digital and print publications. As producers of these market-leading products Diversified Communications connects, educates and strengthens business communities in over 15 industries including: food and beverage, healthcare, natural and organic, business management and technology. The companys global seafood portfolio of expositions and media includes Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America, Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global, Seafood Expo Asia and SeafoodSource.com. Established in 1949 and headquartered in Portland, Maine, USA with divisions and offices around the world, Diversified Communications remains a privately held, third generation, family-owned business. For more information, visit: http://www.divcom.com


SPRINGFIELD  As more people receive their COVID-19 vaccinations, polling shows people across the state are feeling hopeful the pandemic is on the wane. But many still have some reservations about making dinner reservations, going to a movie, or working out at a gym.

A poll conducted by the Western New England University Polling Institute showed Massachusetts residents generally are feeling a little less worried about the coronavirus, but there are significant differences in views when the data is broken down by race and ethnicity or by political affiliation.

The survey was conducted over the month of March. The Polling Institute contacted 415 adults by randomly dialing both landlines and cellphone numbers. The surveys were conducted only in English.

Of the 415 people surveyed, 377 said they were registered voters, and of those 133 identified as Democrats, 42 as Republicans and 188 were unenrolled.

The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 6 percentage points.

The survey found that 44% of respondents had concerns about contracting COVID-19, while 54% had few to no worries.

This is a basically reversal from a similar survey conducted in October, where 64% were either very or somewhat worried, and 32% were either not worried very much or not worried at all.

Just over a third of those surveyed in March reported having at least one vaccination shot.

In Western Massachusetts, 34% had concerns about exposure, while 61% did not.

Sixty-one percent of those surveyed said they feel life will return to normal in a year or less, a slight uptick from October, when it was 59%.

Statewide, 85% favored wearing masks in public and 13% opposed it. In October, 90% favored masks.

Tim Vercellotti, director of the Polling Institute and a professor of political science at the university, said the survey indicates people are ready for things to return to what they were like a year ago, before the pandemic, but many are cautious about getting their hopes up.

More people are willing to get vaccinated, and there is some sense of diminished threat from COVID-19, he said. But people remain worried about contracting the virus and a significant number believed that the pandemic is far from over.

Just over half, or 51%, expressed feeling safe or somewhat safe eating inside a restaurant, an increase of 5 percentage points from October. Also 46% felt safe attending a religious service, an increase of 7 percentage points, and 42% felt safe going to a movie, an increase of 11 points.

Most people, however, seemed reluctant to resume their gym membership. While the percentage feeling comfortable in a gym increased by 5 percentage points from the fall, it remained at 39%.

Perception of risk for these activities has softened somewhat since our last survey, but a lot of people still view these as potentially dangerous undertakings, Vercellotti said.

The survey also shows that, statewide, 60% supported elementary school students returning to school for in-person instruction five days a week. Twenty-nine percent expressed either strong or partial opposition. Many schools across the state resumed in-person instruction on Monday.

Among Western Massachusetts residents, the support for returning to the classroom was not as strong, with 49% in favor, 41% opposed and 10% with no opinion.

When the question is broken down by race or ethnicity, there appears to be a large split between whites and nonwhites.

Sixty-two percent of whites surveyed favored reopening schools, 26% opposed it, and 13% were neutral or had no opinion. Among nonwhites, 47% were in favor, 50% were opposed and 2% were neutral or had no opinion.

Overall, a majority of those surveyed gave Gov. Charlie Baker passing grades for the rollout of the vaccines, although his overall numbers for job performance and for leading the pandemic response each showed a dip from October.

His approval rating for overall job performance and for pandemic leadership were both 62%. This marks a decline of 6% in job performance and 5% in leadership since the previous survey.

When the data is broken down by political affiliation, Baker, a Republican, is less popular with his own party than he is among Democrats or unenrolled voters. Sixty-three percent of Democrats and 69% of unenrolled voters said they approve of Bakers job performance, compared to 47% of Republicans.

In terms of Bakers handling of the pandemic, 63% of Democrats and 70% of the unenrolled approved, compared to 51% of Republicans.

That same split by political affiliation turns up in a number of other areas when one drills down into the data, which could be a reflection of how politicized the pandemic response has become over the last several months.

Overall, 54% of Democrats and 45% of unenrolled voters were worried or somewhat worried about exposure to COVID-19, compared to 33% of Republicans. Sixty-four percent of Republicans said they have little to no worries about the coronavirus, including 39% who said they are not worried at all.

In the five categories chosen for public activity, Republicans felt relatively safe eating in a restaurant, going to a movie, attending religious services, flying in an airplane or working out in a gym.

For example, 61% of Republicans said they feel safe eating inside a restaurant, compared to 53% of independents and 36% of Democrats. Also 56% of Republicans feel safe working out in a gym, compared to 41% of independents and 27% of Democrats.

Ninety-five percent of Democrats and 84% of independents favored requiring people to wear masks in public, compared to 71% of Republicans.

Also 49% of Democrats reported receiving at least one dose of the vaccine, compared to 22% of Republicans and 30% of independents.

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Colombo, April 6 : Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has imposed an immediate ban on the import of palm oil and ordered the gradual removal of the crops, in a move to eliminate the environmentally harmful cultivations in the country, an official said on Tuesday.

Rajapaksa on Monday ordered his officials to promulgate laws preventing fresh imports of palm oil, releasing already imported stocks to the markets and gradually starting to uproot palm plantations, dpa news agency quoted a spokesperson for the presidential office as saying.

"The objective of the President is to free the country of use of palm oil and eradicate palm cultivations from the country," the spokesperson said.

In the run-up to the presidential elections in 2019, Rajapaksa vowed to stop palm cultivation in the country after villages complained about the environmental damage it causes, including deforestation, soil erosion and water pollution.

Under a phased out plan to stop palm cultivation, the President ordered the uprooting of 10 per cent of existing palm plantations annually, and that they be replaced by rubber or environmentally friendly crops.

However, no immediate reason was given for the ban on imports of palm oil into the country.

The move by the government to ban palm oil imports met immediate resistance from a section of industry that uses palm oil to manufacture bakery products, animal feed and soaps.

Sri Lanka imports around 200,000 tonnes of palm oil annually, mainly from Indonesia and Malaysia, according to trade sources.

There are currently around 11,000 hectares of palm plantations in the country.
SANTIAGO, Chile, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Vina Don Melchor has announced their next release  2018 Don Melchor  scheduled to debut in April 2021. More than thirty vintages after its first release, Don Melchor has accomplished an unparalleled record, showcasing Chile's potential for crafting world-class Cabernet Sauvignon from Puente Alto Vineyard. Highly anticipated, 2018 Don Melchor is one of the few Chilean wines to receive a perfect 100-point score from global wine critic James Suckling, and constitutes a rare release composed of four varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot.

"Don Melchor is the constant quest for the best expression of every vine in the vineyard, so as to capture the beauty of the balance of the Puente Alto terroir," said Enrique Tirado, winemaker and general manager of Vina Don Melchor. "This is my true obsession. I use technology as a tool for attaining a deeper understanding, but more than that, watching and touching each plant and each vine is what allows us to attain the perfect balance in each vintage."

In the tradition of First Growth Bordeaux, Don Melchor is known for its artful blending process, an annual collaboration between Tirado and expert blender Eric Boissenot designed to find the truest expression of Puente Alto. The unique weather conditions in 2018 allowed the team to showcase the beauty of the composition between all four Bordeaux varieties planted in Puente Alto, with a perfectly balanced blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot. The vintage was warmer than average, but unlike 2017 a more even distribution of rainfall allowed for steady maturation of multiple varieties. Harvested by hand between March and May, 2018 Don Melchor shows expression and complexity of small red fruits and floral notes. On the palate, the wine is full of flavor and elegance, defined by well-integrated tannins and a long, refined finish. The wine has an aging potential of 35 years.

"We call our approach the 'Beauty of the Composition' to capture the artistry that defines each vintage," explains Tirado. "When we start working on the blend, we have not one expression but hundreds of micro-vinifications to consider that collectively represent the distinct flavors, aromas, textures and color variations of our terroir. Creating the final assemblage of Don Melchor is like painting in many colors and tones to illustrate the beauty of this extraordinary vineyard."

2018 Don Melchor retails for a suggested $120/750-ml bottle and will be available as of April 2021. For more information, please contact Helen Gregory, helen@gregoryvine.com, or Amanda Davis, amanda@gregoryvine.com

About Don MelchorDon Melchor is a legacy wine from Chile, first created in 1987 by the Guilisasti family of Concha y Toro and named for their forefather in Chilean wine. A Cabernet Sauvignon of refinement and elegant character, Don Melchor represents a singular expression of the Puente Alto Vineyard in the upper Maipo Valley, overseen by winemaker Enrique Tirado since 1995. The 7 parcels of Don Melchor are harvested independently to support over 150 micro-vinifications in the cellar, then tasted and selected for the final composition. In a tradition that dates back over 30 years to their first vintage release, Don Melchor is known for the 'Beauty of the Composition,' an annual collaboration with the Boissenot family in Bordeaux designed to find the truest expression of Puente Alto. Don Melchor was the first wine to showcase Chile's profound potential for quality, with an unparalleled record as a collector's Cabernet Sauvignon. The second vintage of Don Melchor (1988) was the first Chilean wine to be named to Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of the World, where it has since placed nine times, including three placements in the Top 10. Currently in its 32nd vintage release, Don Melchor is one of the world's most awarded wines  and launched as an independent winery, Vina Don Melchor, in fall 2019.

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SOURCE Vina Don Melchor
A security guard for Kodak Black is in serious condition after being shot in the leg in the parking lot of a McDonald's in Florida.

The gunfire rang out around three in the morning on Monday in Tallahassee not long after the rapper performed at Cultur3 Fest Featuring Kodak Black + Friends over the weekend, WCTV reported.

Black was not injured during the shooting.

Shooting! Kodak Black's security guard was shot outside a McDonald's as the rapper was inside getting food; he's pictured in August 2017

The 23-year-old and his crew were followed by several people in vehicles when they left the venue, and at one point tried to cut them off, according to a police account told to the Tallahassee Democrat.

Black's entourage then drove to the McDonald's near the Tally Strip where they blocked the entrance to the parking lot with one of their cars as the rapper went inside to get his food.

Eventually, the people who were trailing Black pulled up to the fast-food establishment and one of the passengers opened fire.

The rapper's security guard was hit once in the leg during the confrontation. Making things worse: the bullet hit his femoral artery, which upgraded him to serious condition.

Black (legal name Bill Kahan Kapri) and the victim were put into an armored vehicle and driven to a local hospital, according to reports.

Dicey: The Florida native, 23, and his crew were followed not long after he played a show and made their way to the fast-food establishment; he is pictured during show in December 2018

Not long after, Kodak's associate underwent surgery. So far there's no official word on his updated status.

The Tunnel Vision star's career has been a mix of mainstream success, public controversies and legal issues.

His troubles culminated in 2019 when the Florida native was arrested for weapons possession and was sentenced to almost four years in federal prison. While incarcerated, he released his third studio album, Bill Israel (2020).

Former President Donald Trump would end up commuting his 46-month prison sentence in early 2020 for making a false statement to buy a firearm. But he still faces charges of criminal sexual assault in Florence, South Carolina, which prosecutors are looking to aggressively pursue.

Black was engaged to fellow rapper Mellow Rackz in February. Not long after the pair had each other's names tattooed on their faces.
He's been dubbed the 'groom from hell' on this season of Married At First Sight, thanks to his controversial on-screen antics.

And on Tuesday night's episode, Bryce Ruthven was sensationally thrown under the bus by his own friends - who claim the former radio host is 'no doubt' lying to his wife Melissa Rawson about having a secret girlfriend away from the show.

During the episode, Bryce brought his wife to Canberra to meet three of his pals - including Big Brother star Jason Roses - where she questioned them point-blank about the rumours.

Yes ANOTHER MAFS bombshell: On Tuesday night's episode, Bryce Ruthven was sensationally thrown under the bus by his own friends - who claimed the former radio host is 'no doubt' lying to his wife Melissa Ruthven about having a secret girlfriend away from the show

Melissa asked the trio directly about the supposed 'secret girlfriend' who he met on Tinder, a question which made the sheepish gang quiver in their seats.

'I don't have heaps to comment. If I knew more I'd totally jump in and say something... but... yeah,' Mikayla awkwardly chimed in.

When a producer asked Jason if the rumours were true, he said: 'No... I don't know. I don't know what he's doing, all I know is that he was seeing a girl on the outside, and I'm sure it ended when he went on the show. I'm going to believe what he's saying.'

However, once Melissa and Bryce left the room - and it appeared the group didn't know they were being filmed - they had something very different to say.

'Do you think he's lied to her?' Jason asked, to which Elly replied: 'Yep.'

Awkward: During the episode, Bryce brought Melissa to Canberra to meet three of his pals - including Big Brother star Jason Roses (pictured)

Spilling the tea: Once Melissa and Bryce left - and it appeared the group didn't know they were being filmed - they had something very different to say

'Yeah. No doubt,' Jason added.

'Because the gift thing is true,' Elly said, referring to the rumours he asked a friend to buy a gift for a mystery woman while he was with Melissa.

Later in the episode, Melissa and Bryce had a romantic picnic together - and he continued with the claim he'd been 'open and honest' with his bride the entire time.

Melissa explained that she was still unsure whether or not to believe in her husband, after his friends didn't 'absolutely deny' the claims to her face.

'I don't know why they didn't really give a clear answer, so, I can't really answer for them what they were thinking, so...' he blurted out.

Honesty: 'Do you think he's lied to her?' Jason asked, to which Elly (pictured) replied: 'Yep.'

Who is lying? Later in the episode, Melissa and Bryce had a romantic picnic together - and Bryce continued with the claim he'd been 'open and honest' with his bride the entire season

After asking him point-blank if there was anything he needed to tell her, he said: 'No, I've been so open and honest with you the whole way through the experiment. Like, sometimes, it's been my downfall... it's just not true.'

He then said he was 'falling in love' with Melissa, saying he likes how she 'tolerates his behaviour'.

Speaking to producers, Melissa later said: 'If I find out down the track that any of these rumours are true, I would just be completely and utterly humiliated.'

Married At First Sight continues Wednesday at 7:30pm on Channel Nine
The Ukrainian side at the Joint Center for the Coordination and Control of the Ceasefire (JCCC) appealed to the OSCE in order to establish the causes of the death of a five-year-old child in the uncontrolled settlement of Oleksandrivske, Donetsk region of Ukraine, the Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) said.

"[...] Recently, in the information space of ORDLO, Russia has been actively spreading information about the death of a five-year-old child and an elderly woman on April 02, 2021 in a private household located in the village of Oleksandrivske, allegedly as a result of the detonation of an explosive device dropped by an unmanned aerial vehicle of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. [...] The Ukrainian side in the JCCC appeals to the mission [of the OSCE] with a request to carefully check the above information in order to establish the truth and inform the Ukrainian side of the JCCC about the results," the Ukrainian delegation to the TCG said on Facebook.

It is noted that "Russia and ORDLO, disseminating information about the death of a five-year-old child, as well as the injury of an elderly woman as a result of the alleged detonation of an explosive device dropped by an unmanned aerial vehicle of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, do not provide evidence of the involvement of the Ukrainian side in the event, in particular photo and video materials, exact coordinates, fragments of an explosive device, etc.."

It also noted "the significant remoteness, within 15 kilometers, of the settlement of Oleksandrivske from the contact line, which casts doubt on the possibility of using an unmanned aerial vehicle at such a distance."

It is reported that "the Ukrainian side categorically denies any involvement in the incident, and the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine strictly adhere to additional measures to strengthen the ceasefire from July 22, 2020, including the ban on the use of any types of aircraft."
[April 06, 2021] Endeavor Business Media Launches New Corporate Website

NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Endeavor Business Media announces the re-launch of its corporate website, providing an enhanced user-friendly experience in design, navigation and access to its wide range of resources, products, marketing solutions, research and events. With usability at the forefront of the redesign, the new website showcases Endeavor's unique story of growth through strategic acquisitions while providing clear paths to the 120+ brand and event sites across multiple vertical markets. The site was a culmination of expertise and skills from more than 50 Endeavor team members, resulting in a reimagined corporate identity that defines the founding vision of the company and its goals for continued expansion. "Our new website reflects our core values of accountability, continuous improvement, passion about value creation and teamwork that drive our mission of being a world-clas B2B media company for the 9 million audience members we serve," said Chris Ferrell, President and CEO of Endeavor Business Media. "We are excited to unveil this comprehensive new entry point to learning who our company is and how our content, insights, marketing expertise and resources can facilitate the growth and advancement of both our readers and advertisers."



Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, Endeavor Business Media, LLC was formed in late 2017 to acquire and operate trade publications, websites, events and marketing solutions. The company targets U.S. B2B audiences in the accounting, aviation, dental, facilities maintenance, fire & public safety, design engineering, buildings and construction, energy, manufacturing, industrial, technology, medical, securities, laser, lighting, oil & gas, public services, security, construction, vehicle repair, vending, and water & wastewater markets. The company has offices in Nashville, TN; Tulsa, OK; Nashua, NH; Birmingham, AL; Sarasota, FL; Skokie, IL; Fort Atkinson, WI; Akron, OH; Cleveland, OH; Santa Barbara, CA; Fort Collins, CO, and Overland Park, KS. To view the new website, visit www.endeavorbusinessmedia.com. Contact: Anna Wackenhuth, awackenhuth@endeavorb2b.com

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/endeavor-business-media-launches-new-corporate-website-301263523.html SOURCE Endeavor Business Media

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Longis move reflects a trend of higher integration between new-energy firms and the power storage business including hydrogen, an analyst said. Photo: VCG

Chinas Longi Green Energy Technology Co. (601012.SH), the worlds top solar panel-maker, is moving into the hydrogen sector, a move that could allow for storage of excess solar power generated during the day for use during low-production periods.

Longi  which manufactures wafers, cells and solar panels  has established a hydrogen-focused subsidiary with Shanghai-based private equity fund Rosefinch Asset Management Co. Ltd. with registered capital of 300 million yuan ($45.67 million), according to the National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System. It didnt disclose how much each partner plans to invest.

The new company, Xian Longi Hydrogen Technology Co., was founded on March 31 and specializes in separation of gases and liquids, as well as the manufacture of purification equipment, according to the document. Longis founder Li Zhenguo will be the new companys CEO and chairman.

China officially defined hydrogen  a clean energy source that produces power by combining with oxygen, with water created as a byproduct  as an energy source for the first time in April last year. As the country aims to achieve peak carbon emissions by 2030, the its state-owned energy conglomerates such as Sinopec are betting big on hydrogen despite marginal profits using current technology.

Such hydrogen-generated power is being seen as a potential solution to the erratic nature of renewable solar and wind power supplies, which are dependent on daylight and weather conditions to produce electricity. During peak periods, such solar and wind power stations often end up wasting power due to insufficient demand and having no place to store excess output.

The special form of hydrogen used in hydrogen power itself requires power to produce. Thus excess energy from solar and wind power stations generated during peak periods can be used to create such hydrogen, which can then be used to create electricity later using hydrogen fuel cells when the sun isnt shining or winds arent blowing.

Solar power capacity is set to increase in the future, which means demand for storage will rise too, a solar power analyst told Caixin, adding that use of hydrogen fuel could be one way to address that issue.

China added 48.2 gigawatts (GW) of solar power capacity in 2020, up 60% year-on-year, according to the National Energy Administration, which predicted the energy source would edge ahead of wind to become the countrys third-largest electricity source by the end of 2020.

The rising amount of solar installation is making the (power) consumption problem one of the bottlenecks restricting large-scale development of solar power and the solar-to-hydrogen model could effectively solve the problem said Longi in a post on its social media account a day before the new hydrogen venture was formally established.

Longis move also reflects a trend of higher integration between new-energy firms and the power storage business including hydrogen, said the analyst, who added that tapping into the field could provide new momentum for Longis development.

Longis share price rose 4.84% on Tuesday.

Contact reporter Lu Yutong (yutonglu@caixin.com) and editor Yang Ge (geyang@caixin.com)

Download our app to receive breaking news alerts and read the news on the go.

Follow the Chinese markets in real time with Caixin Globals new stock database.
A man prays and mourns in Orange, Calif. April 5 next to a memorial set up in front of a business building where four people were killed on March 31, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Daughter of Mass Shooting Victim Patiently Waiting for Justice

A man suspected of fatally shooting four people in Orange, California, remains unconscious in the hospital, forcing law officials to delay his scheduled April 5 arraignment.

We are patiently waiting for him to be conscious, Vania Tovar, who lost her father and sister in the shootings, told The Epoch Times. They will be checking every day. The only thing I can ask is that we keep this story alive so we can make sure justice is served.

Victims of a March 31, 2021 mass shooting in Orange, Calif. include (from left) nine-year-old Matthew Farias, 28-year-old Jenevieve Raygoza, Leticia Solis Guzman, and Luis Tovar.

On March 31 at about 5:30 p.m., a man used bicycle-type locks to secure the gates leading to an office building at 202 W. Lincoln Avenue in Orange before opening fire inside a Unified Homes office.

He was later shot by police and was transported to the hospital in critical but stable condition.

The victims include 28-year-old Jenevieve Raygoza, her 50-year-old father, Luis Tovar, 9-year-old Matthew Farias, and Leticia Solis.

Blanca Tamayo, the mother of Jenevieve and Matthew, survived the shooting. As of April 5, she remained hospitalized in critical condition.

Aminadab Gaxiola Gonzalez was charged April 2 with four felony counts of murder, one felony count of attempted murder, and two felony counts of attempted murder of a police officer.

He was also charged with four felony enhancements of the personal discharge of a firearm causing death, one felony enhancement of the personal discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury, one felony enhancement of premeditation, one felony enhancement of the personal use of a firearm, and one felony enhancement of the personal discharge of a firearm.

Gonzalez, who is currently in a hospital bed at the UC Irvine Medical Center, was initially scheduled to be arraigned on April 2. The arraignment was postponed until April 5 due to him being incapacitated and unable to communicate with attorneys, although he has reportedly opened his eyes.

On April 5, Gonzalez remained incapacitated, so the arraignment was rescheduled to April 6.

The Orange County District Attorneys office told The Epoch Times that the arraignment will continue to be postponed until he is conscious and able to respond.

He Visited Our Homes

Vania Tovar said she recognized the suspect as the ex-husband of a former employee who worked at Unified homes about two years ago.

As recently as three years ago, his children would play with the victims children during family gatherings, she said.

He visited our homes, his children played with our children, Tovar said. He would go to barbecues and Christmas parties, he went to Jenevieves house for birthday parties. Before this all happened I never thought he would be the shooter based on my interactions with him.

Tovar earlier described her half-sister, Raygoza, as the sweetest woman alive.

Not a cold bone in her body, Tovar said. My sweet sister didnt deserve this. She was never in a bad mood and always helped me in my decisions. We spoke every day. She was my sanity. She was my soul. I know all she would want now is to make sure her family is taken care of.

Raygozas sons, who are 4 and 8, were playing softball at the time of the shooting, with their dad Armando Raygoza watching from the sidelines.

They have since learned of their mothers death.

He said, No, not my mommy, Tovar said, describing how one of the young boys reacted to the killing.

Tovar also lost her father, Luis, in the shootings.

He was our everything and the glue to the entire Tovar family, she said. He was the best dad, the best grandfather to all of his grandchildren, and the most selfless person on the earth. If anyone was going through a rough time or was in a difficult situation they came to my dad.

She said shes currently working to plan funerals.

Luis Tovar owned Unified Homes, a manufactured home dealer and real estate company in Orange County.

Alexis Pina, the youngest son of Leticia Solis Guzman, who was also killed in the shooting, said his mother worked at Unified Homes since he was just a little boy. Employees there were like an extended family, he said.

They were [close]. Theyre all like a family, Pina told The Epoch Times. They had Christmas parties together and stuff like that. So they were very close-knit.

If found guilty, Gonzalez may face the death penalty, OCDA Todd Spitzer has said.

Although a specific motive isnt clear, police said the victims knew the suspect both personally and professionally.
Surreal artist Leonora Carrington's home in Mexico will open for virtual visits after a university from the country has finished the restoration of her residence. The 431-square-meter three-level home of the artists will open to the public virtually with a 360-degree view, according to an El Universal report.

Carrington a British-born artist has called Mexico her home for almost 70 years before resting in peace in 2011. The virtual tour will be available on Tuesday for people to witness the house Carrington and her family shared.

READ NEXT: Latin Artists' Good Deeds to People Who are in Need During COVID-19 Pandemic

Leonora Carrington's House Restoration

Metropolitan Autonomous University (UAM) was the one responsible for restoring Carrington's Mexico City home. The UAM has started restoring the residence in 2018 and made it look like how it appears when Carrington was still residing in the house.

"This is not a museum, it's a home study," said Francisco Mata. Mata also added that Leonora Carrington's residence will also serve as an "academic and cultural project." Francisco Mata is UAM's communications coordinator.

Leonora Carrington's restored home in Mexico has displayed her artworks throughout the residence. Carrington's Erstwhile clothes are secured in her closet. Moreover, black and white photographs of the family books she owned are also present in the restored abode. In addition, the spices that Leonora Carrington has used are also displayed on her kitchen shelves.

About $590,000 were spent by the UAM in purchasing the residence and restoration. Most of the restoration is completed in 2020 including the panting of Carrington's home, building a new staircase, repairing the floors, and even rewiring.

Alejandra Osorio confirmed that the house is now completely restored. However, Leonora Carrington's residence is still not yet available for an in-person visit due to the coronavirus pandemic. Osorio is the one who led the restoration of Carrington's home in its former glory.

"Leonora Carrington lived here with her family... The house itself is a great document," said Francisco Mata. Mata also pointed out that Carrington's restored home in Mexico will also feature domestic items such as combs, glasses, hair clips, and even letters, and diaries.

Osorio noted that more than 8,600 objects inside the residence were removed and cataloged. Many of them will be digitalized to make them available for researchers and people who are interested in Carrington's life.

Who is Leonora Carrington?

Leonora Carrington is born in English born Mexican surrealist artist and writer. She was born on April 6, 1917, in Clayton Green, Lancashire England. Carrington arrived in Mexico in 1942. She became a Mexican citizen and lived in Mexico City for the rest of her life.

Carrington was honored with her one-woman exhibition in Pierre Matisse Gallery in 1948. Carrington is known for her haunting, autobiographical, and somewhat mysterious paintings. Most of her works feature alchemy, metamorphosis, sorcery, and the occult.

Because Leonora Carrington was well recognized by the country that adopted her, the National Museum for Anthropology in Mexico City commissioned her to create a large mural. She entitled her mural El Mundo Magico de Los Mayas which translates to "the magical world of the Maya."

The Virtual tour of Leonora Carrington's residence in Mexico City concurs with the Anniversary of her birth.

READ MORE: Guaranteed Income Pilot to Help San Francisco Artists Amid the Pandemic

WATCH: Leonora Carrington - Britain's Lost Surrealist - from Tate
New laws that create carbon ceilings for industries as part of the Governments climate action bill are set to boost demand for cement that is produced with lower emissions, according to a key player in the market.

Weve seen the benefits of it already. Id like to see a real legal driver by 2022, said Susan McGarry, managing director of Ireland Ecocem.

Thats going to drive change in the industry. Thats going to drive the cement sector in Ireland to find alternatives to try and lower their emissions, to adopt our product.

Ecocem manufactures ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS), a byproduct from steel-making, which is essentially half as polluting as normal cement. It has been used to help build the Aviva Stadium and the Convention Centre Dublin, and the company is now eyeing the residential housing market.

Theres movement happening here. This is going to go from a nice to have to a have to have, said Ms McGarry.

Ecocem is telling its customers to make changes now, before the climate bill comes into law. One of its Galway-based customers, a cement block manufacturer, is already seeing demand for GGBS.

Hes being asked for blocks all over the country  architects in Dublin are demanding blocks, said Ms McGarry.

Its very much a partnership between us and the customers that are making that jump, to go out before anyone else.

Read More

Ecocem has been manufacturing in Ireland since 2003, and has plants in France and the Netherlands that supply its low-carbon products across the UK and EU. The legal drivers have been in place for in other EU countries  particularly France and The Netherlands  for years, said Ms McGarry, and Ireland is finally catching up.

Pretty much all of those markets have legal drivers for the use of low-carbon products. The private market is very experienced with low-carbon products. They demand them.

The new law will create sector-specific carbon ceilings that will force change on the industry.

Thats going to create a cost for carbon, that is going to penalise traditional products such as cement and theyre going to have to make adjustments to lower the carbon footprint of the product through substitutes like GGBS, said Ms McGarry.

If you replace 50pc of your traditional cement that you would use with 50pc GGBS youre going to save up to about 49pc of your carbon emissions on that.

Conor ORiain, managing director, Europe, said Ecocem plans to release new products and technologies over the next few years that have the potential to halve the carbon footprint of the cement industry.

He said the new direct ferry shipping routes from France to Ireland in the wake of Brexit had helped cut the carbon footprint of cement imports from the companys two French plants.
Former Illinois congressman and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has resigned as chairman of the board of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, officials announced Monday.

The move comes days after federal prosecutors in California revealed LaHood paid a fine in 2019 for failing to disclose a $50,000 loan from a foreign national while a member of President Barack Obamas cabinet.

A spokeswoman says Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who appointed LaHood to the post, accepted his resignation.

Gov. Pritzker is grateful for Mr. LaHoods service, and especially his vision in attracting an outstanding and historic new executive director: Christina Shutt. His stewardship of the museum during this pandemic also preserved this remarkable Illinois gem, Emily Bittner said in a statement.

Federal prosecutors last week revealed LaHood paid a $40,000 fine for failing to disclose a loan from Lebanese-Nigerian businessman Gilbert Chagoury. LaHood, denied to FBI agents he received a $50,000 loan from Chagoury through an intermediary until he was shown a copy of the check. He also didnt tell agents he knew Chagoury was the ultimate source of the loan.

The loan was uncovered during an investigation of Chagoury that was unrelated to LaHood, authorities said. LaHood, who was transportation secretary from 2009 to 2013, was suffering financial difficulties at the time of the loan.

In an agreement with federal prosecutors, LaHood agreed to repay Chagoury and pay the fine.

Prosecutors said they agreed not to prosecute LaHood because of his willingness to acknowledge and accept responsibility for his actions, his cooperation with the government, the nature of the offense and LaHoods substantial mitigating factors.

LaHood has declined to comment on the case against him.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 6) Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon has urged President Rodrigo Duterte to call for a special session of Congress to pass measures, including the proposed third Bayanihan law, to help families most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This comes after Malacanang announced that there will be no additional aid for households affected by the enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila and four nearby provinces.

I urge the President to call a special session of Congress to pass the proposed Bayanihan 3 and expand the governments cash subsidy program amid the spike in COVID-19 cases, Drilon said in a statement on Tuesday.

While Congress is on break until May 17, Drilon said the Senate is always prepared to hold a special session to tackle the necessary legislation.

He also proposed the realignment of some items in the General Appropriations Act  particularly the funds for the anti-insurgency and intelligence campaigns.

Over at the House of Representatives, Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said the chamber is open to a possible special session if needed.

Velasco said the Bayanihan 3 and related bills are "already being studied at the committee level.

By the time the measures are finished at the committee level, we would have resumed session in May, the Speaker said in a separate statement. However, if Malacanang certifies the bill as urgent, we will comply.

The government earlier passed two stimulus packages, Bayanihan 1 and 2, aimed at funding programs to address the adverse impact of the health crisis. They covered the healthcare system capacity, unemployment, and business activity, among others.

Lawmakers have also filed different versions of their Bayanihan 3 that also intend to provide emergency assistance to affected sectors and revive the ailing economy.

In a previous interview with CNN Philippines, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said there will be no extra assistance despite the extended lockdown in the NCR Plus, which also includes Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal.

He said the almost 23 billion subsidy budget downloaded to LGUs will be the total aid for now, as the government planned the program with a two-week ECQ already in mind.

Roque pointed out that Congress may be called for a special session if there is a need for further aid. The Palace, however, has yet to reply to Drilons fresh call.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 10:36:27|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, April 6 (Xinhua) -- China's ethnic minority areas have made notable progress in fighting poverty, said a white paper issued on Tuesday.

From 2016 to 2020, the number of the poor dropped by 15.6 million in the country's five autonomous regions -- Inner Mongolia, Guangxi, Tibet, Ningxia and Xinjiang -- and three provinces with a large multi-ethnic population -- Guizhou, Yunnan and Qinghai, said the white paper issued by the State Council Information Office, titled "Poverty Alleviation: China's Experience and Contribution."

The paper stated that extreme poverty was eliminated in all 28 of the minority ethnic groups with a small population.

Some ethnic groups, still at the later stage of primitive society when the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949, leapfrogged to socialism and then again made great strides towards moderate prosperity in all respects, said the paper. Enditem
SAN DIEGO, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sergeant Bio Cleanz, a sanitizing and disinfecting service based in San Diego, California, announced that it will use non-toxic safe methods to combat COVID-19 effectively. The company is ready to provide its services to various locations around the area immediately.

The latest announcement is geared towards providing a completely natural and safe method to disinfect commercial businesses, schools, daycares, medical and dental offices, country clubs, nursing facilities, and more.

Founder, Sergeant Bio Cleanz fighting COVID one building at a time Healthcare Worker on a mission to put COVID and Pathogens out of Commission

With the use of hypochlorous acid in a solution, the company will use an effective and safe method called fogging to disinfect buildings and spaces. Hypochlorous acid is made of salt, vinegar, and electrically-charged water, and is already used in healthcare, water treatment, and general sanitation. The acid is EPA-approved.

Fogging can reach cracks most traditional cleaning methods cannot get into. Due to the acid's completely natural composition, mild ingestion will not pose any risks to any person's health. Only excessive amounts of the acid will start to become dangerous to the human body.

Sergeant Bio Cleanz will use fogging to disinfect a location and ask that the target space be evacuated for at least 30 minutes. It is also recommended that fogging be done regularly to keep the location free of viruses and bacteria. Fogging is particularly effective against airborne pathogens, including COVID-19, Influenza, and many more.

Occasionally, a Botanical solution derived from thyme oil approved by the EPA will also be used. It is separate from the use of hypochlorous acid to disinfect the target location.

Sergeant Bio Cleanz is certified in OSHA COVID-19 awareness and prevention plus Infection and Disease Control. It has the capabilities to disinfect any enclosed location through fogging. The company is currently open to working for clients in the San Diego area.

Founder of Sergeant Bio Cleanz Wilma Guion-Abdelaziz, a Healthcare Frontline worker, says "Since this pandemic we all have felt that we were being held hostage by this virus. I am happy to offer a service that combats COVID and perhaps gives the people a little more peace of mind in the environment they enter."

Interested parties can contact Sergeant Bio Cleanz at:

Telephone number: (619) 679-8374

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.sbcleanz.com

Summary: San Diego, California company Sergeant Bio Cleanz employs a fogging method that uses botanicals and natural solutions to combat COVID-19 and other pathogens.

SOURCE Sergeant Bio Cleanz

Related Links

http://www.sbcleanz.com


Children who lose a parent are at elevated risk of traumatic grief, depression, poor educational outcomes and unintentional death or suicide, and these consequences can persist into adulthood, they write. Sudden parental death, such as that occurring owing to COVID-19, can be particularly traumatizing for children and leave families ill prepared to navigate its consequences. Moreover, COVID-19 losses are occurring at a time of social isolation, institutional strain and economic hardship, potentially leaving bereaved children without the supports they need.
A leaked phone number said to belong to Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg has been found attached to an account on WhatsApp rival messaging service Signal.

Details from more than 500 million Facebook users were found available on a website for hackers last week, including those thought to belong to Zuckerberg.

Technologist Dave Walker spotted Zuckerberg's name and details in the data leak, then searched the Signal app to find an account linked to the same phone number.

This isn't confirmation Zuckerberg is using the Signal app, but it didn't stop Signal taking to Twitter to claim he was 'leading the way' in an exodus from the Facebook owned messaging service WhatsApp.

If it is a Zuckerberg account, it wouldn't be the first time the Facebook CEO has created a profile on a rival platform, having tried Twitter and Google+ in the past.

Walker said the account associated with the Zuckerberg phone number was closed on Monday, a few days after it was first discovered.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg was one of the people to have their details leaked on a hacker forum and his phone number has been found linked to a Signal account

Technologist Dave Walker spotted Zuckerberg's name and details in the data leak, then searched the Signal app to find an account linked to the same phone number.

The information on the hacker forum that appears to show Zuckerberg's phone number is thought to be several years old.

'This is old data that was previously reported on in 2019,' the Menlo Park, California-based company said in a statement. 'We found and fixed this issue in August 2019.'

Finding a Mark Zuckerberg account on a major WhatsApp rival could be embarrassing for Facebook, as the firm was hit by a massive privacy backlash that saw millions of users leave for Signal and Telegram.

Figures suggest Signal gained 7.5 million new users in the first three weeks of the year, and Telegram gained 25 million.

The mass exodus came after WhatsApp alerted users to a change in its terms and conditions, and told them they had to accept them or leave the service.

The update affects users in all countries outside of Europe and the UK, where there are strict data protection laws.

Users in these regions will be required to give their consent for Facebook to access their data, including their phone numbers and information about how they interact with others, in order to continue using the app.

The requirement will apply regardless of whether or not the WhatsApp user has a Facebook account.

While the change was originally planned to come into play from February 8, WhatsApp has pushed this back to May 15, in the hopes of holding on to its users.

Facebook hasn't confirmed whether the Signal account actually belongs to Zuckerberg, or even if the leaked phone number was actually his.

Walker, who first revealed the existence of the Zuckerberg Signal account wrote on Twitter: 'In another turn of events, Mark Zuckerberg also respects his own privacy, by using a chat app that has end-to-end encryption and isn't owned by Facebook.'

He said some people have tried to get hold of Mark Zuckerberg since his number, and details of the Signal account, were released online, adding that it feels like it is 'close to becoming harassment.'

However, he personally has 'no interest in talking to the chap.'

Apparently the hack contained information from 106 countries including phone numbers, Facebook IDs, full names, locations, birthdates, and email addresses.

On discovering that Zuckerberg may have a Signal account, the social messaging firm wrote on Twitter: 'With the May 15th WhatsApp Terms of Service acceptance deadline fast approaching, Mark leads by example.'

If you use WhatsApp you should have received a notification last week, explaining the changes. The notification for users outside the UK and Europe is shown left, while those in the UK and Europe will have received the notification on the right

BleepingComputer shared the revelation that Zuckerberg was listed, but this was discovered by Dave Walker (@Daviey). The snippet includes his location, partner, date of birth and contact

WHATSAPP ALTERNATIVES There are several WhatsApp alternative apps to choose from: 1. Telegram With more than 400 million users, Telegram is one of the most popular WhatsApp alternatives. While it looks very similar to WhatsApp, what sets it apart is the fact that it gives the option to set messages to self-destruct after a given period of time, leaving no trace. Telegram also offers end-to-end encryption. 2. Signal Signal is one of the most secure messaging apps, thanks to the fact that it is open-source. This means that the code for the app is publicly available to view, making it near-impossible for the app's creators to sneak in any backdoors that could allow governments or hackers to spy on your messages. 3. iMessage If you use an iPhone, you may consider simply switching to iMessage, Apple's own messaging app. The app has a number of impressive features included no character limits, the ability to send pictures and videos, and of course Apple's animated emoji feature, Animoji. 4. Google Messages Google's answer to iMessage is Google Messages, an Android-only messaging service. The app replaces your standard SMS app, and integrates with all of Google's apps and services, making it easy to share images or use Google Assistant. 5. Facebook Messenger If you were put off using WhatsApp due to its sharing of data with Facebook, Facebook Messenger may not be the best option for you. However, the app offers a number of helpful features, including games, secret conversations and video calls. Advertisement

When comparing the number of downloads from December 21 - January 3 to January 4 - January 17, WhatsApp installations fell by 16 per cent, while Signal saw a huge 9,493 per cent increase, and Telegram installations increased by 151 per cent.

WhatsApp first alerted users to the new privacy policy changes in a notification earlier this month.

The privacy policy explains: 'As part of the Facebook Companies, WhatsApp receives information from, and shares information with, the other Facebook Companies.

'We may use the information we receive from them, and they may use the information we share with them, to help operate, provide, improve, understand, customise, support, and market our Services and their offerings, including the Facebook Company Products.'

Essentially, this means Facebook will be able to access account information including your phone number, information on how you interact with other users, and logs of how often and how long you use WhatsApp.

Other data that could be shared with Facebook includes your IP address, browser details, language and time zone.

WhatsApp has confirmed that users in the UK and Europe will not have their data shared with Facebook.

Instead, they'll be asked to agree with a different privacy policy to allow businesses to store and manage their WhatsApp chats on Facebook.

Facebook has been grappling with data security issues for years, including a feature in 2018 that allowed users to search for one another via phone number.

Speaking to MailOnline, a WhatsApp spokesperson said: 'There are no changes to WhatsApp's data sharing practices in the European region (including UK) arising from the updated Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

'For the avoidance of any doubt, it is still the case that WhatsApp does not share European region WhatsApp user data with Facebook for the purpose of Facebook using this data to improve its products or advertisements.'

The privacy policy changes will mainly affect the way businesses can communicate with customers on WhatsApp.

When speaking to businesses via WhatsApp, your messages may now be stored and managed on Facebook, if the business is run through this channel.

Details from more than 500 million Facebook users have been found available on a website for hackers

However, if that is the case, users should be notified and will be given the option to stop talking to the business if they'd prefer their information was not shared.

This was disabled following revelations that the political firm Cambridge Analytica had accessed information on up to 87 million Facebook users without their knowledge or consent.

In December 2019, a Ukrainian security researcher reported finding a database with the names, phone numbers and unique user IDs of more than 267 million Facebook users - nearly all US-based - on the open internet.

It is unclear if the current data dump is related to this database.
Merit and training are among reasons for success of CPC

17:03, April 06, 2021 By Zamir Ahmed Awan ( People's Daily Online

The Communist Party of China (CPC) was established on July 1, 1921, in Shanghai, China. After 28 years of intense struggle under Chairman Mao's extraordinary leadership, the CPC finally founded the People's Republic of China on October 1, 1949.

As Chinas ruling party, the CPC conducts its activities within the Constitution of the People's Republic of China and the law. It has no right to transcend the constitution or the law. All Party members, like all citizens, are equal before the law.

Members of the Communist Party of China (CPC) review the oath of the CPC when visiting the site of the Second Plenary Session of the 7th CPC Central Committee in Xibaipo, north China's Hebei Province, June 20, 2019. (Xinhua/Zhu Xudong)

The Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee, held in December 1978, decided to transform the Party's work to socialist modernization and set a policy of reform and opening up to the outside world.

Any forward-thinking Chinese worker, farmer, member of the armed forces, intellectual, or person from any other social strata who has reached the age of 18, accepts the Party's Program and Constitution and is willing to join and work actively in one of the Party organizations, carry out the Party's resolutions, and pay regular membership dues, may apply for membership of the CPC. Its membership has gone from just over 50 when it was founded in 1921 to nearly 92 million as of the end of 2019.

History is full of the CPC's achievements. Both before and after the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949, it was the CPC that played a leading role. Before 1949, the CPC played a crucial role in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. The CPC's victory against the Kuomintang, which led to the PRC's creation, was a huge achievement.

After 1949, the most critical CPC achievement was uniting the whole nation under one umbrella and emerging as one nation. The struggle against the class system achieved equality for all citizens. The achievement helped the country to unite as one body.

After 1978, economic reforms were introduced, and the CPC played its due role in modernizing agriculture, industry, defense and education, science & technology. The CPC was instrumental in introducing reform, policymaking, and implementations to achieve the desired results. With the hard work of the CPC, visible achievements in all sectors of social and economic developments have been witnessed.

The CPC's role in eradicating the menace of poverty and establishing a moderately prosperous society was admired worldwide. The miraculous economic and social developments during the last four decades are the result of the hard work of the CPC.

There are many reasons why the CPC has been so successful and achieved enormous success in its history of one century. But the most important two reasons that I consider vital are as follows:

One is merit: Induction of Party members is based purely on merit and on close monitoring of applicants over a certain period of time. If he or she meets all the criteria, then they are admitted to the CPC. Whether it is the Youth League or the CPC, entry is based strictly on merit.

The other is regular training and education for Party members. Members are introduced to the latest government policies on a regular basis and taught how to implement their latest knowledge acquired in training.

As long as merit and regular training are maintained, China's further development will remain guaranteed.

Zamir Ahmed Awan is a senior fellow with the Center for China and Globalization (CCG) and a sinologist at the National University of Sciences and Technology in Pakistan. E-mail: [email protected]

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
London, April 6 : Simple foetal heartbeat monitoring is still the best method for determining whether a baby is in distress during delivery and can reduce 30 per cent unnecessary caesareans, suggests a study.

Caesarean delivery is the most common surgical procedure worldwide, performed to expedite birth and avoid neonatal complications. However, the procedures carry risks like infection, excessive bleeding, damage to reproductive organs and blood clots.

Listening to the foetal heart rate using a stethoscope -- intermittent auscultation -- has been used for years to assess the foetal state and whether the baby is experiencing distress that might require a caesarean delivery. Other monitoring techniques have become common in recent years, including echocardiograms and blood tests.

The study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, showed that all methods had similar outcomes for babies, but only intermittent auscultation reduced the risk of caesarean deliveries up to 30 per cent without increasing the risk to babies' health.

"Our analysis suggests that all additional methods introduced to improve the accuracy of electronic foetal heart monitoring have failed to reduce the risk of adverse neonatal or maternal outcomes beyond what intermittent auscultation achieved 50 years ago, and this may have contributed to the increased incidence of unnecessary emergency caesarean deliveries," said researchers including Bassel Al Wattar, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry in the UK.

For the study, the team reviewed 33 studies that included more than 118,000 women, mainly from high-income countries as well as India and Tanzania, to evaluate the effectiveness of different monitoring methods in improving outcomes for mothers and babies and reducing the number of caesarean deliveries.

Rates of C-sections, have risen in the developed world to more than 20 per cent of births, even though the World Health Organization recommends this surgery only for the roughly 10 to 15 per cent of cases when the health of the mother or baby is in danger.

The researchers urged investments in developing novel techniques to monitor foetuses to make delivery safer for mothers and their babies.
One of the most accomplished pacing stallions currently racing, Western Fame will now compete for new owners after being sold on Tuesday (April 6).

The speedy stakes-winning son of Western Ideal, with a mark of 1:48.1f and nearly $1.9 million in purses, is currently facing the best pacers in the country in the MGM Borgata Series at Yonkers while racing from the Shane Tritton stable. The partnership of Soulsby, Klunowski, B & I Stables LLC and Singh sold the pacer through onGait.com for $114,000. Ronald Gold of New Jersey was the winning bidder.

Also on Tuesday, Lyons Girlhanover p,5,1:52.2s, a six-year-old daughter of Well Said racing in Ontario until the shutdown, sold for $20,400 to Larry Stalbaum of New York.

(with files from OnGait)
The Michigan-based company that took over the large Jourdan Road cold storage facility at the Port of New Orleans last summer, will get millions of dollars in state subsidies to help fund an expansion of the facility, Gov. John Bel Edwards said on Tuesday.

Lineage Logistics will invest $30 million, while the state will put up $10 million and Port Nola $2 million, to nearly double the size of the cold storage facility from 160,000 square feet to 304,000 square feet.

Lineage acquired Jourdan Road last summer when it purchased Emergent Cold. The company, which is now based in the Detroit suburb of Novi, was created by two San Francisco investors in 2008 and grown through 70 acquisitions over the past decade to become the world's largest cold storage operator.

Lineage's acquisition target, Emergent Cold, was itself a company set up by investors with the aim of growing quickly through acquisitions. It had purchased the 133-year-old New Orleans Cold Storage and its Jourdan Road facility in September, just two months before Lineage announced its intention to buy Emergent Cold.

NOCS, which was the oldest cold storage operator in North America before it was bought, employs about 2,500 stevedores and support staff in three cities, including its home sites at the Henry Clay Avenue Wharf, abutting the Port of New Orleans, and its warehousing on Jourdan Road along the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal.

Edwards said Tuesday at a ceremony to announce the investment and state backing that it would help fuel chicken and other exports from the state. The value-added exports of Lineage Logistics will continue to strengthen Louisianas $1.6 billion poultry industry, including nearly 300 commercial broiler producers throughout 11 parishes," he said.

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The Jourdan Road facility exported 380,000 tons of poultry products last year, making it the leading port in the nation in that category. It already had U.S. Department of Agriculture export certification, as well as license to import into Russian and Mexico, when it was owned by New Orleans Cold Storage.

Louisiana Economic Development, the state's economic development agency, said in a statement Tuesday that the expansion would facilitate additional fresh produce imports.

This expansion is critical, due to increasing worldwide demand for U.S. poultry, primarily from Angola, Cuba, Hong Kong, Mexico and Taiwan, according to Mike McClendon, Lineages president of International Operations.

Lineage has pledged that it will create 50 new direct maritime and warehousing jobs, bringing total employment at Jourdan Road to 238.

On the need for state and port subsidy, Matt Gresham, a spokesman for the port said that the expansion project was a priority for both. "The state and port investment was a commitment made to ensure the success of this project," he said, noting that the investment is into a port-owned asset that is leased over many years by Lineage.

Mayor LaToya Cantrell, also commenting on the project, welcomed the jobs, including 150 construction jobs for the building phase of the project, which is expected to be completed in the second quarter of next year.

As well as the direct subsidies, Lineage is expected to take advantage of Louisianas Quality Jobs Program, which gives companies a cash rebate of up to 6% of annual payroll for 10 years and tax breaks on capital investments.
COLUMBIA  South Carolina will receive more than $47 million from the federal government to boost COVID-19 vaccination rates in the state, with most of the funds directed toward minority communities.

At least 75 percent of the money must be spent on initiatives increasing vaccine access among racial and ethnic minorities. Most of the money must go to local health departments, community-based organizations or community health centers, according to the April 6 announcement shared first with The Post and Courier.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention distributed the funds as part of the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package signed by President Joe Biden last month.

Giving examples of how the money can be spent, the CDC suggested training residents to go door to door in their own communities to educate people about the vaccines and help them make appointments, and hiring bilingual health workers to explain the process to residents who speak another language.

South Carolina's minority communities have been harder to reach with the vaccine.

For instance, despite making up 27 percent of the state's population, Black people represent just 17 percent of South Carolina residents who have gotten at least one dose of the vaccine so far, according to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.

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Hispanic residents make up 6 percent of the state's population but represent only 2.5 percent of the South Carolinians who have gotten at least one dose.

CDC director Rochelle Walensky said the federal agency is doing all it can to expand access to the vaccines.

"Millions of Americans are getting vaccinated every day, but we need to ensure that we are reaching those in the communities hit hardest by this pandemic," Walensky said. "This investment will support state and local health departments and community-based organizations as they work on the frontlines to increase vaccine access, acceptance, and uptake."

The latest installment of federal financial help comes a few weeks after the White House announced that 23 community health centers in South Carolina would receive more than $95 million in total funding from the COVID-19 relief package.

A new federal community vaccination center, which will be capable of administering 7,000 doses per week, is also slated to open in Columbia by April 14.
Piers Morgan has hit out at The Talk panelist Sheryl Underwood for challenging Sharon Osbourne on her support for the embattled former Good Morning Britain host, saying he's 'staggered' Underwood still has her job.

Morgan, the Editor-at-Large of DailyMail.com, spoke out on Monday in his first sit-down interview since being forced to leave Good Morning Britain.

'Theres a real hypocrisy at The Talk as well involving Sheryl Underwood,' he told Tucker Carlson on the Fox News host's new online series for Fox Nation.

Morgan recounted an incident from 2017 in which comedian George Lopez told a joke that there 'two rules' in the Latino community, one being never marry a black woman, and then berated a black woman in the audience who stood up an flipped him off.

'Now, you would think that Sheryl Underwood -- who is so outraged by people saying racist things that she evens imagines them saying it when they haven't -- that when she was confronted with clear evidence on video of her good friend George Lopez saying racist things and abusing a young black woman who then had to leave a venue, that Sheryl would be outraged, but she wasn't. She defended George Lopez on The Talk four days later,' said Morgan.

'So, there's a real sickening hypocrisy. I'm staggered Sheryl Underwood's still on that show,' said Morgan. 'But there lies the hypocrisy in the heart of this debate.'

Piers Morgan has praised his friend Sharon Osbourne for defending his right to an opinion even at the cost of her job, accusing CBS of 'hypocrisy' for forcing her out at The Talk

'When it really mattered, when the chips were down for me, she was there, she was a loyal friend. And my God has she paid for that loyalty,' Morgan said of Osbourne (with him above)

'I know Sheryl Underwood. I've been on that show many times. She knows I'm not a racist. She knows that. So, she deliberately did what she did to create a firestorm with Sharon who defended me passionately,' he continued.

'And the one who has to leave is not the person falsely accusing Sharon's friend of being a racist with no evidence. It's Sharon for defending me against the fake charge,' said Morgan.

'That to me is outrageous. And Americans should be outraged. This is show called "The Talk" and because Sharon talked the truth, not anyone else's truth or even her truth, just the truth, I hadn't said racist things, because she said that she had to go. And I found that just so disgraceful,' he added.

Last month, Morgan became the target of online outrage and wild accusations of racism after stating that he did not believe key claims made by Meghan Markle in her interview with Oprah Winfrey, including that a senior Royal made racist comments about her son Archie's skin tone, and that Palace staff rebuffed her attempts to seek counseling when she had suicidal thoughts.

He was forced out of his job at UK breakfast show GMB when he refused to back down from his position, and the controversy spread to the U.S. when Osbourne was forced to leave her long-time role at The Talk after defending Morgan's right to his opinion.

After Osbourne spoke out on Twitter to defend Morgan, a heated on-air exchange followed in which her co-hosts accused Morgan of 'unconscious racism' and slammed her for supporting him.

Sharon Osbourne left The Talk after a controversy that began with her on-air defense of Piers Morgan, who said he did not believe Meghan Markle

Morgan had said he did not believe Meghan Markle's remarks in the Oprah interview, in which she accused the Royal Family of racism and said she was driven to suicidal thoughts

'She was taken down very deliberately and it was all because she dared to tweet that I was entitled to my opinion,' Morgan said. 'And then because she said that on Twitter, she was attacked on her own show by her co-host who said that [her defense of me] effectively was her supporting someone who said racist things.'

'When Sharon got annoyed and said, well, what did he say that was racist? They couldnt say anything because I never had. And yet now, Sharons gone, too. So I -- I look at this - this cancel culture, its a real thing,' he continued.

'This woke mob want to cancel people who do not follow their narratives and its got increasingly dangerous,' Morgan said.

Morgan slammed claims that his criticism of Meghan Markle was racially motivated, and noted that his critics offered no specific examples of any racist remarks on his part.

'What did I say that was racist? What have I ever said thats ever been even remotely construable as racist towards Meghan Markle?' he asked.

'Now, Sharon Osbourne said it could be, I just dont like her. And I dont like her because I think shes causing enormous damage to my country and its reputation and to the monarchy, which I love, and to the Royal Family and the Queen,' Morgan continued.

Morgan accused CBS of hypocrisy, after The Talk co-host Sheryl Underwood defended her friend George Lopez in 2017 after he told a joke that Latinos have a 'rule' against marrying black women. Above, Underwood and Lopez are seen in 2018

CBS said in a statement confirming Osbourne's departure: 'The events of the March 10 broadcast were upsetting to everyone involved, including the audience watching at home'

'I thought it took enormous courage by Sharon in the middle of my firestorm... Sharon went on Twitter immediately, within one hour of the news breaking that I'd gone and defended me and my right to have an opinion,' Morgan said.

'She didn't agree with everything I've said. She was already on the record from the day before as saying she disagreed with me about a lot of things,' Morgan said. 'But, when it really mattered, when the chips were down for me, she was there, she was a loyal friend. And my God has she paid for that loyalty.'

Osbourne, who managed the solo career of her rocker husband Ozzy Osbourne for decades, first gained national fame of her own with the debut of the MTV reality show The Osbournes in 2002.

She went on to become a panelist on America's Got Talent, alongside Morgan, before joining The Talk in its premier season in 2010.

Before her departure, she had been the last remaining co-host from The Talk's original lineup.
Pakistan denim manufacturer Soorty has partnered with WWF-Pakistan and the Department of Agriculture Extension, Balochistan to launch an initiative aimed at driving an organic cotton revolution.

With support and input from the Laudes Foundation, the Soorty Organic Cotton Initiative (SOCI), aims to reach out to all the farmers from the district of Balochistan in the southwest to identify receptive communities looking to transform their small holdings into exclusively organic farmlands over the long term.

Soorty says it has a different take on organic farming, and, with the help of its partners, is using the project as a vehicle for community uplift.

SOCI goes beyond just cultivating organic cotton, says Asad Soorty, director at Soorty Enterprises. SOCI is about uplifting the farming families of this deprived region through higher income, better schooling and access to professional health services. Its about transforming the way cotton buying is conducted, by creating a blockchain-based transparent digital marketplace and traceability mechanism. This is our first foray into farming, and were excited by the possibilities in front of us.

The use of organic cotton has acquired unique favour for the entire denim value chain  from retailers to brands, manufacturers, and consumers in recent years, Soorty says. The use of regenerative practices  with fewer, if any, chemicals, or fertilisers  to reap a rich and healthy crop isnt just environmentally conscious but making responsible practices mainstream and the sale of these crops also translates, directly, into more income for farmers and societies.



Senior director, WWF-Pakistan, Dr Masood Arshad, says the project has helped initiate organic cotton cultivation and its sourcing in the country, and the new initiative will help scale this. The partnership will help accelerate organic cotton cultivation and will be a model for other local textile entities as well as international brands.

The first project to be implemented in the region is at Nall  a sub-division of Khuzdar District of Balochistan. People from this largely rural region rely heavily on income from agriculture and husbandry to survive and basic government services like education, health and utilities are practically absent. Soorty will provide several health and education interventions to improve the quality of life for the locals.

The project is slated to bring an area of about 7,000 acres under organic cultivation producing over 17,000 metric tonnes of seed cotton and 6,000 metric tonnes of cotton lint over the next four years. In order to ensure the integrity of the organic cotton, Soorty is putting emphasis on blockchain-oriented transparency, tracking and traceability of its organic cotton along with rigorous and frequent GMO testing at every step of the chain.

Soortys hope is that the project will prove itself over time, and lead to other organisations taking on more community-focused responsibilities.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- LandSouth Construction, a Jacksonville, Fla.-based, award-winning general contractor began construction on a 292-unit, luxury multifamily development located off Fowler Avenue in northeastern Tampa, Florida.

LIV Development is the developer of the Fowler Avenue community. This is the third project that LandSouth and LIV are building together in the Tampa Bay region. "We enjoy a great partnership with LIV Development," shared James Pyle, LandSouth President, and CEO. "We're thrilled to work with them to bring luxury living opportunities to the growing Tampa area."

Built on 32 acres, the development will include three-story apartment buildings, two-story carriage buildings, and a standalone clubhouse with a resort-style pool, fitness/yoga center, demonstration kitchen, and game rooms. Charlan Brock & Associates, the development architect, designed the project to preserve natural characteristics. Unit finishes will include granite countertops, tiled backsplashes, kitchen islands, full-size stainless-steel appliances, washer/dryers, and designer fixtures.

The Fowler Avenue site is centrally located immediately off I-75, providing proximity to Hidden River, New Tampa, and the Tampa Innovation District. This community will be less than four miles from the University of South Florida, the James Haley Veterans Hospital, the Moffit Cancer Center, the USF Research Park, and the Amazon Fulfillment Center under construction in Temple Terrace.

LandSouth is committed to delivering best-in-class multifamily communities. To accomplish this, LandSouth will employ its unique, integrated construction approach to build the Fowler Avenue project. Service components work together to provide a seamless delivery system through proven construction procedures, systems, and technology.

Jeff Ryan will lead the LandSouth project team as project manager for this development.

"LandSouth and LIV have worked together several times to bring superb communities to life. This project will serve as another example of the best in multifamily living and our continued commitment to excellence," stated Jeff Ryan, LandSouth Project Manager.

ABOUT LANDSOUTH CONSTRUCTION

LandSouth Construction, the Southeast's premier general contractor, specializing in multifamily, senior living, and mixed-use development, was named one of the nation's Top 25 apartment builders by the National Multifamily Housing Council. Since 1998 LandSouth has transformed ideas into best-in-class communities. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla. LandSouth has completed more than 20,000 units including apartments, hotels, senior living, student and military housing, condominiums, townhomes, and mixed-use.

For more information, visit www.landsouth.com

SOURCE LandSouth Construction
Students and scientists at the Vietnam National University  Ho Chi Minh City (VNUHCM) have carried out extensive research and developed products that help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Dr. Nguyen Thuy Vy and two students, Le Tran Dang Khoi and Vo Ho My Phuc. (Photo courtesy of VNUHCM)



Out of 2,000 projects from 79 countries, one on producing protein from Ecoli bacteria in laboratories by a student team from the University of Science won sponsorship from the Agence Universitaire de La Francophonie  a society of universities offering training in the French language.



Firstly, they collaborated with a company in the bio-technology industry to carry out the project under Dr. Nguyen Thuy Vy, head of the genetics department at the universitys biology and bio-technology faculty. The research was prompted by the fact that asymptomatic COVID patients and those with mild symptoms were believed to be a hurdle to control the pandemic in the community.



To detect infection, many countries use antibody tests. The advantages of this method are that it is fast, easy to deploy on a large scale and has great accuracy. However, Vietnam does not have suppliers of SARSCoV2 viral protein antigens, making it difficult for companies to seek manufacturing antibody testing kits. Dr Vy said: We use a technology to produce protein from Ecoli bacteria at low cost. Around the world, most proteins are produced from animal tissue. Vy and two students, Le Tran Dang Khoi and Vo Ho My Phuc began the research in early June 2020 with sponsorship from AUF and they created products within three months.



The project does not only contribute to COVID-19 prevention but also inspires other students to take up research. The product is useful for COVID-19 tests with fast, accurate results and affordable prices.



The VNUHCMs National Key Laboratory of Digital Control and System Engineerings scientists also made an automatic chamber for disinfection and obtaining samples from patients without making contact.



The chamber disinfects automatically before the next person enters for giving samples. Though ultraviolet disinfection technology is used, the UV rays do not directly touch peoples bodies and so are not harmful to health officials or patients. Moreover, the high-efficiency particulate air filter technology combines with UV to completely kill viruses and bacteria remaining in the air after being sucked out of the chamber.



Another VNUHCMs member university, the University of Technology, has innovated dozens of useful and convenient products to serve the community in terms of COVID-19 prevention and containment.



Scientists at the Bach Khoa Research Centre for Manufacturing Engineering at the University of Technology have also made a mobile disinfection system with air filters to ensure clean air is discharged in the environment. The technology has been transferred to companies for commercialisation and mass production.



A research team at the University of Technologys material technology faculty has made masks that could be used by healthcare workers for continuous hours.



Assoc. Prof. Dr. Huynh Dai Phu, the faculty dean, said when COVID-19 broke out, one urgent issue was a shortage of medical equipment. Healthcare workers faced a high risk of infection because of working for many hours in an environment without negative pressure chamber. It was very important for them to use preventive clothes, goggles and masks to prevent the risk of contracting the virus, and his team made these masks with a bacteria and air filter membrane to avoid infection, Phu said.



The medical workers at Trung Vuong Hospital are using them.



One of VNUHCMs strategies is to continue focusing on scientific and technological development and innovation to help implement national and southern region development strategies and to raise its international profile.



As of October 2020, it had filed 527 applications for patents and 566 technology transfer contracts and scientific services that fetched revenues of 104.2 billion VND (4,5 million USD).

VNA
A city voter in Harrisburg has ended his challenge to mayoral candidate Otto V. Banks city residency, erasing any doubt about Banks appearance on the May 18 Democratic Party primary.

The petitioner in the case, Green Street resident Joseph Wright, opted not to appeal his April 1 defeat in Dauphin County court to Pennsylvanias Commonwealth Court, bringing the case against Banks to a formal end, Wrights attorney Karen Balaban said. Attempts to reach Wright were not successful.

But Balaban said the case has been dropped because Judge Andrew Dowlings decision relied on a credibility finding giving more weight to Banks testimony explaining low usage of utilities at the South 19th Street residence he calls his home than the evidence of the low usage itself.

Banks testified during a March 31 hearing that he bought the South 19th property in 2020 with the intent to move back into the city, and did live there immediately after the purchase last fall. That has been interrupted by a series of major renovation projects at the home, some of which have been slowed by the pandemic, the candidate said.

Banks contended he had spent time there to establish it as his residence last year, and it has always been his intent to return there for the long term.

Its a tough burden on appeal, Balaban wrote in an email to PennLive, noting the state courts scope of review is limited to an examination of the hearing record to determine whether the trial court committed errors of law and whether the courts findings were supported by adequate evidence.

While declining to appeal, Balaban also said she felt Wrights case was successful in raising questions for voters about Banks level of commitment to Harrisburg.

Banks attorney John Bravacos said: Im pleased that Otto will have the chance to stand for election. I think hes the best candidate.

With the legal wrangling over, the Democratic primary field is set with these five candidates, in the order of their appearance on the ballot: Eric Papenfuse, the incumbent; Banks, a former city councilman and high-ranking Housing & Urban Development official in President George W. Bushs administration; retired Central Penn Business Journal publisher Dave Schankweiler; Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center manager Kevyn Knox; and City Council President Wanda Williams.
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Fears are rife in Irele Ekiti, in Ikole LGA of Ekiti State, following an attack on three farmers by suspected armed herdsmen.

The area has been the hotbed of a prolonged conflict between herders and farmers despite several rapproachement and other government interventions.

Tuesdays incident is coming barely a month after two farmers were shot dead by persons believed to be herdsmen in Isaba-Ekiti, in the same local government area.

The victims sustained severe and life threatening cuts, and were rushed to a hospital where they are currently receiving treatment.

Witnesses reported that the assailants, numbering six, and armed had stormed the farm settlement in the early hours of Tuesday and unleashed mayhem on the three farmers.

It was further gathered that the attackers, had demanded money from the victims during the attack, and were infuriated when their expectations were not met.

They were said to have made attempts to rape the women.

The women were unable to meet up with the demand as they said they were only with just N200 with them, a resident at the settlement, who did not want to be named for safety reasons, said.

The herdsmen collected all the money found in them and made attempt to forcefully sleep with the women.

The refusal of the women to grant their demand for such immoral act led to the brutal attack before they fled the scene.

The women were so macheted to the extent that it will take the grace of God for them to survive because they have lost so much of blood.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Sunday Abutu, confirmed the attack on the three women, saying investigations have begun in a bid to arrest the perpetrators.

Yes, we got the report this morning that three persons were attacked and I can tell you that they are responding to treatment in the hospital, said Mr Abutu.

We have commenced investigation into the attack and the criminals will soon be arrested.

He urged residents of the community to remain calm and support the police with relevant and accurate information that would help.

Criminals, masquerading as herders, have serially been accused of perpetrating kidnapping and robberies across the nation.

The last attack which led to the death of two farmers had led to state-wide protest, calling for action by the government.
PSNI officers have been attacked with stones after attending the scene where a suspicious object was discovered.

Police attended to protect a bomb disposal unit that was sent to the scene at the Templemore Road, in a predominantly nationalist part of Derry.

The incident was subsequently declared an "elaborate hoax" by police, and a security alert was stood down shortly after 9pm.

A PSNI statement said: "Police and ATO (ammunition technical officer) examined a suspicious object, which was discovered in the area at around 4.20pm this afternoon, and have declared it an elaborate hoax."

Roads were closed and the public asked to keep away after the alarm was raised on Easter Monday.

Pictures show a number of youths attacking a PSNI vehicle, hurling stones and pieces of wood.

Video captured from the scene that is circulating on social media showed a number of youths being chased away by riot vehicles.

It follows several nights of unrest in loyalist areas in both Derry and Belfast.

However, the incident is not linked to the unrest in unionist communities seen in the last week.

A PSNI statement said: "Police are currently attending a report of a suspicious object located at the Templemore Road area of Derry/Londonderry this evening.

"A number of roads in the area have been closed and members of the public are asked to avoid the area whilst the object is examined."
Fakes about murdered children are an integral part of Russian psychological operations against Ukraine, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) spokesman Oleg Nikolenko has said.

"We all remember the fictional 'crucified' boy in Sloviansk. Like the previous fake, the current one is aimed at inciting hostility in the occupied territories and in Russia, distorting reality, justifying provocations by Russian groups," he wrote on his Facebook page.

Nikolenko denied Russian media reports of a child killed in the village of Oleksandrivske in the Ukrainian-controlled part of the Donetsk region as a result of an alleged Ukrainian drone attack.

He referred to a StopFake investigation, which, in particular, draws attention to the fact that no drone of the Ukrainian Armed Forces would be able to fly 30 kilometers to the village.

"Witnesses reported an accident: a child died in the explosion of a mine found in the garage. Moreover, Oleksandrivske is located at a distance of 30 kilometers from Ukrainian positions. No drone of the Ukrainian Armed Forces will simply be able to fly there," Nikolenko said.

He also stressed that Russia uses such information provocations every time it starts to aggravate the situation in eastern Ukraine.

"That is why, in its contacts with international partners, Ukraine emphasizes that as soon as Russia escalates the security situation in the east, its information troops go ahead and form a media 'background' to justify the crimes of the Russian army. The story of a child from Oleksandrivske is another example of the tools of such operations. Our strategic partners understand this perfectly and do not accept Russian insinuations," Nikolenko said.

In its investigation, StopFake, citing military and political observer Oleksandr Kovalenko, noted that the distance from Oleksandrivske to the territory controlled by Kyiv is about 30 kilometers, and a military drone of the Ukrainian Armed Forces will simply not be able to fly there.

There were also reports on social media from local residents who claim that the grandfather of the dead child was bringing home the ammunition that he found, as well as that before the explosion no one heard a "whistle" from the shell.

op
An overview of the Canadian spousal and common-law partner sponsorship process for Hongkongers and the Canadians who love them.

How to sponsor your spouse from Hong Kong for Canadian immigration An overview of the Canadian spousal and common-law partner sponsorship process for Hongkongers and the Canadians who love them.

How to sponsor your spouse from Hong Kong for Canadian immigration An overview of the Canadian spousal and common-law partner sponsorship process for Hongkongers and the Canadians who love them.

How to sponsor your spouse from Hong Kong for Canadian immigration An overview of the Canadian spousal and common-law partner sponsorship process for Hongkongers and the Canadians who love them. Shelby Thevenot Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

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If you are Canadian and you want to sponsor your spouse or common-law partner from Hong Kong for Canadian immigration, the first step is to see if you are eligible.

As the sponsor, you have to be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or First Nation over the age of 18. You also need to sign an undertaking, confirming that you will be financially responsible for yourself as well as your partner and any dependent children you have. If your dependents do end up receiving social assistance, you may have to pay back what they received during the years that you agreed to provide for them.

Certain circumstances could make you ineligible to sponsor. Beyond violent criminal offences, you could also be inadmissible if you failed to pay an immigration loan, are going through bankruptcy and not discharged, or if you sponsored a previous spouse within three years of your application. These are just some of the factors that could affect your eligibility to sponsor.

If you are the partner of a Canadian, you also have to be eligible to be sponsored. You must be over the age of 18, and pass background, security, as well as medical checks. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will look to see that your relationship is genuine, and you did not just tie the knot to get Canadian permanent residency status.

See if Youre Eligible for Spousal Sponsorship

Outland vs Inland sponsorship for Hong Kong residents

If you are living in Hong Kong while you and your Canadian partner are going through the sponsorship process, you will be considered outland applicants. It is possible for your Canadian partner to live with you in Hong Kong throughout the process, but you have to demonstrate that you will both move to Canada if you are approved for permanent residency.

If you are living with your partner in Canada, you will likely be processed as inland applicants. When applying from within Canada, you may be eligible for an Open Work Permit.

Hong Kong residents also have other options to come to Canada. In 2021, Canada began unveiling special immigration pathways for Hong Kong residents. In February, IRCC launched an open work permit for Hongkongers who graduated from a post-secondary institution. Amid COVID-19 travel restrictions, Hongkongers who are outside Canada will need to be exempt in order to enter the country. Spouses and common-law partners of Canadians are exempt, but they still have to comply with other public health measures.

What documents do you need from Hong Kong?

IRCC changes guidelines regularly. The instructions for foreign nationals will depend on your residency status, where you are applying from, and maybe even your travel history with your Canadian partner. The government provides an application guide with more specific and up-to-date information.

For Hongkongers living in Hong Kong, there are currently special instructions for documents on IRCCs document checklist. At the time this article was written, IRCC asked for people born in the Peoples Republic of China since 1996 to submit a notarized copy of the original medical certificate of birth. If this pertains to you, and you cant provide this document, you will have to explain why in your application.

Hong Kong passport-holders must provide the household register called the hukou, and proof of marital status for children 16 years of age and older.

If you were divorced in Hong Kong, you need to provide an Absolute nisi decree.

What happens after you submit the application?

The processing begins once IRCC receives your complete application. If the department determines that your application is incomplete they will return it.

IRCC has a 12-month processing standard on spousal sponsorship applications. In March 2021, Canada expanded its family-sponsorship processing capacity to help meet this one-year standard.

During the processing period, IRCC asks for biometrics and a medical exam from the foreign spouse. You will have 30 days to send them in. IRCC may also ask for more information or an in-person interview at any time.

You can track and update your application status online until IRCC makes a decision on your application. IRCC will send you instructions about the final steps the foreign spouse or common-law partner needs to take to become a permanent resident.

The last step is to complete the landing process, and then you are officially a Canadian permanent resident.

See if Youre Eligible for Spousal Sponsorship

 CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options.
HOLLAND, MI  The co-owner of Branns Steakhouse and Grille in Holland has paid a $1,750 state fine for COVID-19 workplace violations at his restaurant.

Violations at the restaurant, co-owned by state Rep. Tommy Brann, R-Wyoming, include failing to require face masks when social distancing could not be maintained and lacking protective barriers at the bar and hostess station, according to the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA).

The fine, issued Feb. 11, was originally for $3,500. The inspection that led to the fine occurred in response to an employee complaint.

MIOSHA spokesperson Camara Lewis said Branns filed an appeal on Feb. 24. The agency upheld the citation but offered to reduce the fine by half. Branns accepted the agreement and paid the reduced penalty, she said.

In an interview with Grand Rapids Press/MLive, Brann said the fine was issued because there was not a protective shield installed at the hostess station and because a few employees had their masks down.

Were doing all the right things we can and require masks, Brann said. But do we slip up? Everyones human.

Brann said he asked for a break with the fine because his business has been struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic and has been relying on its line of credit to make ends meet. We just asked for a break  if you want to call $1,750 a break. To me, thats a lot of money.

Brann is the full owner of the Branns Steakhouse and Grille at 4157 S. Division Ave. in Wyoming. He said hes a co-owner of Branns locations in Holland, Muskegon, Grandville, Cascade Township, as well as a permanently shuttered location in Portage.

Brann said he co-owns the Holland restaurant with his brothers Johnny and Mike Brann.

Lewis said the Feb. 11 violation is the first COVID-19 violation for a Branns restaurant.

In total, 190 workplaces have been cited for pandemic-related issues by MIOSHA. Branns restaurant was among 16 recently added to the agencys website.

Related: Grocery store, ice cream factory among 16 Michigan workplaces fined for COVID-19 violations

Brann was first elected to the state House in 2016, and represents Michigans 77th District, which includes the city of Wyoming and Byron Township. Hes been an advocate for small businesses, including for state and federal relief for those hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic.

His steakhouse received a $15,000 Michigan Small Business Survival Grant that helped the restaurant retain or rehire 20 positions, according to state data.

Tommy Branns Steak & Seafood Inc. received two loans through the federal paycheck protection program (PPP), which was designed to help businesses keep workers hurt by the pandemic keep workers on the payroll.

One loan, approved Jan. 23, was for $229,646. Another, approved in April 2020, was for $164,033, according to data compiled by the news website Propublica.

Certain PPP borrowers may be eligible for loan forgiveness.

Brann has said he supports face masks, and that he supported a proposal requiring the use of facemasks as way to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brann says hes running for the vacant 28th District state Senate seat in Kent County. The seat was formerly held by Republican Peter MacGregor, who left the seat after he was elected Kent County Treasurer last year. A special primary election for the 28th District seat is scheduled for Aug. 3, followed by the Nov. 2 general election.

Read more:

How a fake lawyer and conservative outrage made Marlenas Bistro a national symbol of pandemic freedom

MDOT seeks input on proposed roundabouts at US-10 interchange in Bay County

Saginaw County Health Department offering post-spring break COVID-19 testing
Over a crackling phone line, Ashraf Ali, a 35-year-old father in Bangladesh, described feeling suicidal and desperate to feed his family. Sokunthea Yi, in Cambodia, said she spends sleepless nights worrying about how she will pay off loans she took out to build her house. And at only 23, Dina Arviah in Indonesia said she was hopeless about her future as there were no longer any jobs in her district.

All once held jobs as garment workers in factories producing clothes and shoes for companies like Nike, Walmart and Benetton. But in the last 12 months those jobs have disappeared, as major brands in the United States and Europe canceled or refused to pay for orders in the wake of the pandemic and suppliers resorted to mass layoffs or closures.

Most garment workers earn chronically low wages, and few have any savings. Which means the only thing standing between them and dire poverty are legally mandated severance benefits that most garment workers are owed upon termination, wherever they are in the world.

According to a new report from the Worker Rights Consortium, however, garment workers like Mr. Ali, Ms. Yi and Ms. Dina Arviah are being denied some or all of these wages.
First Study of Ensovibep in Patients With Symptomatic COVID-19 Disease

Designed To Evaluate Dynamics of Viral Clearance, Pharmacokinetics and Tolerability of Ensovibep

Ensovibep Is Additionally Planned To Be Tested in Two Global, Placebo Controlled, Double Blinded Trials: A Phase 2-3 Trial in an Ambulatory Patient Setting (Named EMPATHY), and a Phase 3 Trial in a Hospitalized Patient Setting Sponsored by the NIH (ACTIV-3)

ZURICH-SCHLIEREN, SWITZERLAND / ACCESWIRE / April 6, 2021 / Molecular Partners AG (SWX:MOLN), a clinical-stage biotech company that is developing a new class of custom-built protein drugs known as DARPin therapeutics, today announced that the first patient has been dosed in a Phase 2a clinical trial of ensovibep, a DARPin therapeutic candidate designed to bind to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein at three distinct locations to prevent viral entry into cells. The single-arm study will enroll patients with symptomatic COVID-19, and is designed to evaluate dynamics of viral clearance, pharmacokinetics and tolerability of ensovibep. The study, recruiting in the Netherlands, is designed to enroll up to 40 patients in two dose cohorts.

"In this first trial of ensovibep in patients, we hope to gain an early look at the viral clearance and the pharmacodynamic behavior of our lead COVID-19 candidate in the presence of the virus. Our preclinical trials with ensovibep have shown that it was able to bind and neutralize SARS-CoV-2 viruses both in vitro and in vivo, including against all currently known mutations of concern," said Patrick Amstutz, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Molecular Partners. "As part of our development program, we aim to see if these results mechanistically translate into clinical efficacy in patients, with the current trial focused on examining viral presence in treated patients and the potential of the remaining virus to infect cells."

In a Phase 1, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled single ascending dose study for safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of intravenously administered ensovibep, run by Molecular Partners, initial data indicate that ensovibep is well tolerated with a half-life in the range of 2-3 weeks.

In partnership with Novartis, Molecular Partners aims to initiate additional clinical studies of ensovibep throughout the first half of 2021 with the goal of achieving clinical proof-of-concept and potential submission for emergency use authorization within 2021. The intended clinical program includes participation in the NIH's ACTIV-3 clinical trial, as recently announced, as well as a global Phase 2-3 study (EMPATHY), which will seek to enroll over 2,100 patients in the ambulatory setting to evaluate the ability of ensovibep to prevent disease worsening, hospitalizations and death.

About Molecular Partners' anti-COVID-19 program

Molecular Partners' two antiviral DARPin candidates, ensovibep and MP0423, are designed to target multiple different sites on the SARS-CoV-2 virus simultaneously for enhanced antiviral effects and potential use as both COVID-19 prophylaxis and treatment. The benefits of this multi-specificity include cooperative binding, extremely high potencies and potential prevention of viral 'escape' via mutations. The candidates are formatted with a DARPin domain that binds to human serum albumin (HSA) to support a longer half-life and hence longer activity. All DARPin candidates are constructed to benefit from high-yield and cost-effective manufacturing. Molecular Partners is investigating whether the high thermal stability of DARPin molecules can be used to overcome cold-chain requirements.

In March 2021, the Company announced positive initial data from its Phase 1 study of ensovibep in healthy volunteers, which showed that ensovibep was safe and well-tolerated with a half-life of 2-3 weeks. In October 2020, Molecular Partners entered into a collaboration with Novartis AG in the form of an option agreement to develop, manufacture and commercialize Molecular Partners' anti-COVID-19 DARPin candidates. Per the terms of the agreement, Molecular Partners will conduct Phase 1 clinical trials for ensovibep and perform all remaining preclinical work for MP0423; Novartis will conduct Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical trials, with Molecular Partners as sponsor of those trials. Upon option exercise, Novartis would be responsible for all further development and commercialization activities. Molecular Partners is also collaborating with AGC Biologics, Baccinex, and Ivers-Lee Clinical Supply Management (IL-CSM) to support development of its anti-COVID-19 program, and has reached an agreement with the Swiss Government regarding rights to purchase up to 3.2 million doses of ensovibep, if it is approved in Switzerland.

About Molecular Partners AG

Molecular Partners AG is a clinical-stage biotech company developing DARPin therapeutics, a new class of custom-built protein drugs designed to address challenges current modalities cannot. The Company has formed partnerships with leading pharmaceutical companies to advance DARPin therapeutics in the areas of ophthalmology, oncology and infectious disease, and has compounds in various stages of clinical and preclinical development across multiple therapeutic areas.

For more information see www.molecularpartners.com and follow the Company on Twitter at @MolecularPrtnrs.

For further details, please contact:

Investors:

Seth Lewis

seth.lewis@molecularpartners.com

Tel: +1 781 420 2361

Media:

Shai Biran, Ph.D.

shai.biran@molecularpartners.com

Tel: +1 978 254 6286

Thomas Schneckenburger, European IR & Media

thomas.schneckenburger@molecularpartners.com

Tel: +41 79 407 9952

Forward-looking statements

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements relating to the company and its business. Although the company believes its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, all statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release about future events are subject to (i) change without notice and (ii) factors beyond the company's control. These statements may include, without limitation, any statements preceded by, followed by, or including words such as "target," "believe," "expect," "aim," "intend," "may," "anticipate," "estimate," "plan," "project," "will," "can have," "likely," "should," "would," "could", and other words and terms of similar meaning or the negative thereof. Forward-looking statements involve certain risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Readers should therefore not place undue reliance on these statements, particularly not in connection with any contract or investment decision. Except as required by law, the company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

SOURCE: Molecular Partners AG

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/639045/Molecular-Partners-Announces-First-Patient-Dosed-in-a-Phase-2-Clinical-Trial-of-Ensovibep-in-COVID-19-Patients
anjan_c2007 Distinguished - BHPian



Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 6,426 Thanked: 9,355 Times

View My Garage





Re: Cars & 4x4s of the Indian Army















The Dodge Power Wagon WC- 51 with its 3.8 L flat head 6 cylinder engine as a pick-up and a personnel carrier of the WW II vintage were also popular in our forces.







Soon, Premier Automobiles began to supply its Dodge cars, mainly the Kingsway in the 1950's for the very senior officers. I have seen the 1957 tail-fin model, with quite a few AOC-in-C's and GOC-in-C's with their three stars on the plate, above and below the front and rear number plates respectively. These Kingsways replaced the British imports, mainly the Humber Super Snipe (one survives in Hyderabad with the Army) and the Austin Sheerline (one survives in Kolkata with the Eastern Command) that were used by the very senior officers. These two survivors are very original and are still painstakingly preserved.







This Austin Sheerline was used by Field Marshal Cariappa, who was Chief of the Army Staff and is now with the Eastern Command Hqs, Calcutta.



The Humber Super Snipe is now with the Military College of Electronic and Mechanical Engineering (MCEME)











Premier Automobiles also supplied the Dodge range of trucks. The Dodge B Series and the D-500 of the 1950's were not very common though. Hindustan Motors supplied the Indian assembled Studebaker trucks that were also not very common. Tata Mercedes Benz also took over for a long haul in the late 1950's with the diesel truck. But all through, till the mid-1960's the older WW II Fords and Chevrolets CMP 15 dominated the scene. Their numbers were very huge and no other brand came near them. Even the older WW II Ford and Willys GPW jeeps went away from the scene by the early 1960's, making way for the dominance of the Mahindra CJ 3 B, jeeps that were in for a very long haul. After the Gun Carriage Factory, Jabalpur started assembling the Nissan's Jonga Patrol and Man of Germany's Shaktiman trucks since the early 1960's, the scenario changed and these two with Mahindra and Tata made the numbers for our defence forces



Many senior officers were reluctant to hand over their Dodge Kingsways, owning to its immediate replacement with an Ambassador. Many tried to keep the Dodges fit and running with the help of their workshops (Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (EME) maintained these). Ambassadors came during the early 1960's with the earliest model and this car's dominance was all through the next decades of the 1960's, 70's, 80's, 90's, 2000's and even the early part of 2010-2020 decade. It had become symbolic with the Lt Colonels, Colonels, Brigadiers, Major Generals, Lt Generals, Generals (and equivalent ranks of the Air Force and Navy) and even the two Field Marshals Cariappa and Manekshaw of the Army and Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh had used Ambassadors. The Mahindra Armada was also ushered in during the mid-1990's, though none of these could be surviving now.











(this Ambassador Army I still survives with the Army Chief's fleet)



These days the Tata Safari, Maruti Ciaz and Mahindra Scorpio are used by the senior most officers. The Maruti SX-4 was in use by these high-ranking officers ,but are now being passed on to the lower ranks, after the Maruti Ciaz got these replaced. These are the current makes of cars used by the three service chiefs.















The highly decorated Air Force officer entitled to use an official car with five stars befitting his rank Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh, used an Ambassador and that was lastly replaced with a Maruti Ciaz. Yes, officers of this rank are entitled to use and official car with the five stars on the plate even after retirement, whereas other ranks are not similarly entitled.















And lastly, Field Marshal S.H.F.J. Manekshaw of the Indian Army was also similarly entitled. This is an image of the Field Marshal, who was an invitee to a CRPF ceremony, while in service. The car appears to be a Dodge or Plymouth of the early 1950's.



In the post Independence era, the Indian defence forces continued to use the Chevrolet CMP 15 (Canadian Military Pattern) of the early 1940's WW II vintage. Ford of Canada too due to the World War II emergency, manufactured very similar trucks for the British Commonwealth of nations. A longer chassis and a crane variant were also in vogue. The Chevrolet had a 3.5 L and the Ford had a 3.9 L engine respectively. These totally dominated the 4 X 4 fleets with the Ford and Willys GPW, WW II jeeps and the Dodge Power Wagon.The Dodge Power Wagon WC- 51 with its 3.8 L flat head 6 cylinder engine as a pick-up and a personnel carrier of the WW II vintage were also popular in our forces.Soon, Premier Automobiles began to supply its Dodge cars, mainly the Kingsway in the 1950's for the very senior officers. I have seen the 1957 tail-fin model, with quite a few AOC-in-C's and GOC-in-C's with their three stars on the plate, above and below the front and rear number plates respectively. These Kingsways replaced the British imports, mainly the Humber Super Snipe (one survives in Hyderabad with the Army) and the Austin Sheerline (one survives in Kolkata with the Eastern Command) that were used by the very senior officers. These two survivors are very original and are still painstakingly preserved.This Austin Sheerline was used by Field Marshal Cariappa, who was Chief of the Army Staff and is now with the Eastern Command Hqs, Calcutta.The Humber Super Snipe is now with the Military College of Electronic and Mechanical Engineering (MCEME)Premier Automobiles also supplied the Dodge range of trucks. The Dodge B Series and the D-500 of the 1950's were not very common though. Hindustan Motors supplied the Indian assembled Studebaker trucks that were also not very common. Tata Mercedes Benz also took over for a long haul in the late 1950's with the diesel truck. But all through, till the mid-1960's the older WW II Fords and Chevrolets CMP 15 dominated the scene. Their numbers were very huge and no other brand came near them. Even the older WW II Ford and Willys GPW jeeps went away from the scene by the early 1960's, making way for the dominance of the Mahindra CJ 3 B, jeeps that were in for a very long haul. After the Gun Carriage Factory, Jabalpur started assembling the Nissan's Jonga Patrol and Man of Germany's Shaktiman trucks since the early 1960's, the scenario changed and these two with Mahindra and Tata made the numbers for our defence forcesMany senior officers were reluctant to hand over their Dodge Kingsways, owning to its immediate replacement with an Ambassador. Many tried to keep the Dodges fit and running with the help of their workshops (Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (EME) maintained these). Ambassadors came during the early 1960's with the earliest model and this car's dominance was all through the next decades of the 1960's, 70's, 80's, 90's, 2000's and even the early part of 2010-2020 decade. It had become symbolic with the Lt Colonels, Colonels, Brigadiers, Major Generals, Lt Generals, Generals (and equivalent ranks of the Air Force and Navy) and even the two Field Marshals Cariappa and Manekshaw of the Army and Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh had used Ambassadors. The Mahindra Armada was also ushered in during the mid-1990's, though none of these could be surviving now.(this Ambassador Army I still survives with the Army Chief's fleet)These days the Tata Safari, Maruti Ciaz and Mahindra Scorpio are used by the senior most officers. The Maruti SX-4 was in use by these high-ranking officers ,but are now being passed on to the lower ranks, after the Maruti Ciaz got these replaced. These are the current makes of cars used by the three service chiefs.The highly decorated Air Force officer entitled to use an official car with five stars befitting his rank Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh, used an Ambassador and that was lastly replaced with a Maruti Ciaz. Yes, officers of this rank are entitled to use and official car with the five stars on the plate even after retirement, whereas other ranks are not similarly entitled.And lastly, Field Marshal S.H.F.J. Manekshaw of the Indian Army was also similarly entitled. This is an image of the Field Marshal, who was an invitee to a CRPF ceremony, while in service. The car appears to be a Dodge or Plymouth of the early 1950's. Last edited by anjan_c2007 : 4th April 2021 at 19:01 .
A man wanted over a drugs-related killing in the United States has been dealt a new blow in his legal fight against extradition from Northern Ireland.

Jonah Horne was seeking to introduce fresh evidence to back claims he could be exposed to the risk of sexual and physical violence in a Florida jail.

But the High Court in Belfast refused expert witness status to the author of a report alleging a rampant culture of murder and brutality within the states prison system.

Lord Justice McCloskey held: The declaration is replete with hyperbole.

Horne (26) is being sought on a charge of second degree murder with a firearm.

He is alleged to have shot 25-year-old Jacob Walsh during a drugs dispute at North Military Trail, Boca Raton on June 7, 2016.

Horne was arrested in Lisburn, Co Antrim back in March 2017 and remains in custody amid a protracted legal battle to have him returned to the United States.

As part of an appeal against extradition, his lawyers wanted to introduce a report by Paul Wright, director of the US-based Human Rights Defense Center.

Mr Wright appeared by video-link from America at a hearing to determine if his document should be admitted as expert testimony.

He alleged widespread violence within the Florida prison system, with an abnormally high death rates from murder, suicide and medical neglect.

His report concluded: Mr Horne faces substantial risk of inhuman and degrading treatment, to include physical violence, sexual assault, solitary confinement and discrimination if he is imprisoned in the Florida Department of Correction (FDOC) which is both incapable and unwilling to guarantee the safety of any of the prisoners in its care.

During the hearing Mr Wright described himself as a leading expert on the American criminal justice system.

He spent 16 years behind bars in Washington State following a conviction for murder, but was never an inmate at any penitential institution in Florida.

Ruling on the application to admit Mr Wrights report as fresh evidence, Lord Justice McCloskey identified no attempt to discriminate between assertion and fact.

Arguably the stand out illustration of this is his bare claim that every one of the 320 natural deaths in the FDOC prison system in the fiscal year 2019/2020 was due to medical neglect, the judge said.

This is an extraordinary claim in the absence of a scintilla of supporting evidence.

He also highlighted Mr Wrights further allegation that the jails are notorious for employing doctors with suspended licences or no licences who have killed and sexually abused their patients to the point that only the prison system will hire them.

Lord Justice McCloskey stated: While this claim appears inherently improbable, if it has any semblance of accuracy substantiating it with appropriate supporting medical or other evidence is what this court would have expected: there is none.

Describing him as an advocate and activist for prisoners, the judge concluded: Mr Wright must be declined the accreditation of expert witness.

A full hearing of Hornes appeal against extradition is listed for hearing later this month.




When the late Reggae legend Bunny Wailer suffered the first stroke in 2018, it set in motion a chain of events that led to a deep dive into the challenging medical system that exists in Jamaica.

Within a 29 month period, Livingtons medical expenses cost a whopping US$615,000 (J$92 million)  and that was before a final bill of an additional J$5.2 million to cover the month before his death.

Within that period of time, the family used an astonishing array of private hospital services and local and international rehabilitation services to care for Jah B.

According to Stowe, Bunny was under medical care as early as May 2016, when he got ill while on tour in the United States. It was later discovered in between trips to Cuba for treatment that he had developed a hypertensive condition which they sought to manage with medication.

His most increased costs started in October 2018 when he got his first strike, until his transition in March 2021. Thats 29 months of doctor/hospitalization, business manager Maxine Stowe was quoted as saying in the Jamaica Observer.

A stroke is a serious medical emergency because strokes can lead to death or permanent disability. Stroke is the number one cause of permanent and long-term disability, of working-age Jamaican adults. Stroke is also one of the major causes of poverty in many Jamaican families, where the main income earner suffered a stroke.

Stowe told the Jamaica Observer that during the period between October 2018 to July 2020, the medical bill each month averaged US$15,000 per month, and then after the second stroke, in July 2020, the costs associated with 8 months of critical care in a private facility mushroomed to roughly US$30,000 per month which included the cost of private doctors and nurses to provide round-the-clock treatment.

Stowe said there were other medical costs associated with physical and neurological therapy that kept popping up.

In May to June 2020, when Sister Jean went missing, he had a seizure, and he was in a private facility for seven to ten days. We were in Cuba for two months at a Neurologic Restoration program that cost US$25,000 plus airfare, the costs just kept ballooning and ballooning, sometimes, my head hurt me for days, sometimes I couldnt sleep, it was challenging to keep up this crazy whirlwind of bills, she said.

Stowe said that when she paid the medical costs in February 2021, a quick accounting check revealed that roughly $615,000 USD had already been spent since October 18th. The final bill which covered the final month of his hospitalization left behind a $5.2 million bill (US$35,545).

Dr. June Francis, Bunny Wailers primary care physician, said that Bunny Wailer got the best medical care money could provide.

Jah B got the best care that was possible, the best treatment in the world. I admitted him to the hospital, he had two top class doctors, we had a round the clock nurse apart from the nurse in the hospital. If it were anyone else, they maybe wouldnt have made it that far, Dr. Francis said.

It took a lot of specialized personal care which is not cheap anywhere in the world. It costs more to treat strokes so preventative care is the best care.

She warned Jamaicans to heed the advice of doctors and to take their treatments seriously, even Dancehall and Reggae artistes, who distrust medical science.

When Jamaicans get diagnosed, they dont spend their money wisely, they find a little reader man and all sorts of foolishness. We have a problem in Jamaica, we dont like medication, the artistes not taking anything, whether they are Rasta or not, they find someone who tells them they have a herb, and the herbs have side effect and when you mix it with certain things, it is catastrophic, Dr. Francis said.

Dr. Francis said that stroke is the silent killer in Jamaica.

Stroke is the number one killer in Jamaica along with heart disease. They call it the silent killer, it is damaging you while youre not taking anything. Jamaican people like to take garlic, which does not lower the blood pressure. Garlic is a mild antibiotic so it does nothing to the blood pressure but gives you bad breath and halitosis, you must take your pressure pills, Dr. Francis implored.

Bunny Wailers ordeal is a somber warning for other Reggae and Dancehall artists to ponder as they age and mature.

The question Stowe asked is all at once and compelling: If you had the money, would you not spend every cent to extend your life?.

Jah B was so kind, he was not a miser, he was the Don Dada, he fed hundreds of people, communities, he didnt keep money, Stowe said.

The US$260,000 he made every year in royalties ran his businesses, paid rent, took care of Sister Jeans expenses, it was a lot.
To their neighbors in Ho Chi Minh City, the sight of Gia Hung carrying his twin sibling Gia Lam on his back to school has become familiar over the last several years.

Nguyen Gia Hung and Nguyen Gia Lam are twins and 8th-grade students in District 10.

While Hung was born normal and healthy, Lam suffered from Tetralogy of Fallot, which is a birth defect that affects normal blood flow through the heart.

At the age of two, Lam had to have four of his limbs amputated in an operation to stay alive.

His parents had to take their children, the twins and a daughter, to Ho Chi Minh City from their home in the southeast province of Tay Ninh due to Lams condition.

They did everything they could to make ends meet and to have enough money to pay for the treatments given to Gia Lam for about ten years.

To make the treatment process more convenient, the family moved into a small house they rented in the city.

Five people shared a living space of around 15 square meters and lived on the money they got from selling soy milk.

Hung loves Lam very much. He helps the parents with taking care of his younger brother.

Neighbors got quickly accustomed to the fact that Hung takes Lam to the school and brings his younger brother back home every day.

Feeling for the poor family and the disabled boy, a neighbor presented them with a wheelchair, which helps the two brothers go to school more easily.

The heart-touching story of Hung and Lam reminds their neighbors of one very famous Vietnamese folk song saying the connection between a brother and a younger brother is like that between arms and legs, and brothers should help each other in difficult situations in life.

The two brothers are not only twins, they are also friends who have studied and played together for many years.

Lap, Lam and Hung's father, combs Lams hair in their rented house in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre

Nguyen Gia Hung holds the wheelchair while Nguyen Gia Lam gets in to go to school in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre

Nguyen Gia Hung carries Nguyen Gia Lam on his back with their school bags clutched firmly in his hands when they go to school together. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre

Nguyen Gia Hung pushes the wheelchair carrying his younger brother Nguyen Gia Lam. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre

A teacher points to a book opened before the two brothers, who sit next to each other in the classroom. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre

Nguyen Gia Lam lies on his bed while playing with a cellphone in a 15-square-meter rented house he shares with his parents and siblings. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre

Nguyen Gia Hung and his parents are preparing raw materials for a day. Hungs parents sell soy milk to earn a living in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre

Contact Tuoi Tre if you want to help the brothers If you want to donate to help Nguyen Gia Hung and Nguyen Gia Lam, choose one of the following ways. You can donate directly to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper at 60A, Hoang Van Thu Street, Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City, or to the newspapers representative offices in other regions. You can also transfer money to Tuoi Tres account number 113000006100 at Vietinbank Ho Chi Minh City Branch 3. Leave a note that reads Support the brothers Gia Hung and Gia Lam when you choose this way of donation.

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Teamsters Local 337 has ended the strike of roughly 90 warehouse and delivery workers at the Keurig/Dr Pepper/Seven-Up Bottling Co (KDS) distribution facility in Redford, Michigan after 22 days, with none of the basic issues having been resolved. The contract ratification vote was conducted on March 31st and April 1st.

Workers were on strike since March 11 after their five-year contract ended in February. After weeks of dragging negotiations, the Teamsters were compelled to call a strike. Workers are opposed in particular to the existence of a multi-tiered wage structure including use of lower-tier non-licensed driver positions paid at half the normal rate, the status of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as an unpaid holiday and 12-hour mandatory shifts.

After over three weeks of striking, the tier system still remains. The company has agreed instead to a "pathway" to elevate second tier workers to tier one pay through retirement, termination or death according to a union steward. The use of a multi-tiered wage structure has been pioneered in recent years in the auto industry as a means of slashing wages while attempting to pit newer hires against older legacy workers.

The pay increases are under the new deal are a meager 2.5 percent each year across all tiers. KDS management and the Teamsters agreed to cap non-certified drivers at 25 percent of the workforce, and they would not hire any more non-certified drivers until 2023. In fact, the proposal was presented by the Teamsters and approved by KDS.

In a comment to the media, recording secretary and business agent of the union Tony Reisdorf said, through attrition, we were able to address our tier pay system. Workers also got pay raises across the board and they were able to maintain health insurance.

In reality, even the most minuscule demand of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a paid holiday was removed by the union in favor of a paid personal leave day.

Prior to this strike, full pay for warehouse workers was over $20 an hour, but the pickets reported to the World Socialist Web Site that anybody hired in after 2005 gets around $16 by the two-tier system.

We dont want [non-certified drivers], one worker told the WSWS last month. Right now, we might leave with 600 cases on a semi to deliver. Thats how we get overtime. If we allow these B and C class drivers, the company will break up our loads and let them take out box trucks and vans with smaller loads for less money. Then they [the company] can cut pay and cut hours.

At one point during the strike, Michigan Democratic Party politicians like Rashida Tlaib, Haley Stevens and Debbie Dingell paid visits to the picket line to posture as supporters of the strike, while presenting the struggle in racial terms and promoting the PRO Act to strengthen the bureaucracy over the workers. Debbie Dingell, like her late husband and predecessor in office John Dingell, enjoys close ties to the union bureaucracy.

The stunt by the congresspeople represents their fear of the growing anger in the working class. It was Dingells late husband and predecessor John Dingell who played a key role with the Obama administrations restructuring of the auto industry, supported by the United Auto Workers union in slashing wages for new hires.

This is only the latest sellout conducted by the Teamsters union. In 2018, the union rammed through a national contract at UPS in spite of a majority "no" vote, which created a new tier of lower-paid delivery drivers. Earlier this year, the Teamsters shut down a strike by produce workers at Hunts Point in New York City without having achieved even the modest demand of a $1 per hour wage increase.

Teamsters Local 337 also represents Sysco delivery drivers in Monroe, Michigan, who struck one year ago for their first contract. Like the KDS strike, the Teamsters called the Sysco strike over unfair labor practices. Rather than calling the entire workforce in a joint struggle, they isolated the KDS and Sysco workers.

The UAW, which has spearheaded with the auto companies the use of two- and even three-tier wage structures, worked to isolate the strike, calling only for a toothless boycott of Seven-Up/Dr. Pepper products.

The latest sellout by the Teamsters shows the need for workers to organize themselves independently of the union bureaucracy in order to oppose their betrayals and appeal for the broadest possible unity within the working class. The World Socialist Web Site has assisted autoworkers, Amazon workers and teachers in establishing such committees over the past year. For more information, visit wsws.org/workers.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 6, 2021) - Origen Resources Inc. (CSE: ORGN) (FSE: 4VX) (the "Company" or "Origen") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an arrangement agreement dated effective April 1, 2021 with its wholly-owned subsidiary, Forty Pillars Mining Corp. ("Forty Pillars").

The Arrangement Agreement, a copy of which will be available under Origen's profile on SEDAR, sets out the terms on which Origen will complete a plan of arrangement (the "Arrangement") under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) with Forty Pillars whereby Origen's Silver Dollar Property (and Beatrice Property which is included within Silver Dollar but referenced separately in Origen's financial statements) and $66,893.60 will be spun out to Forty Pillars. The Arrangement, if completed, will result in, among other things, Origen being entitled to receive one common share of Forty Pillars in exchange for each five common shares of Origen outstanding on the effective date of the Arrangement. Origen will retain 40% of such shares of Forty Pillars and through a reorganization of its share capital, distribute the remaining 60% of such Forty Pillars shares to the shareholders of Origen, on a pro rata basis.

"This spin off, once approved, will be another milestone in Origen's short history. We are pleased that the implementation of our business plan which focuses on generating and then monetizing our mineral assets has resulted in a portfolio of shares currently valued at over $2 million. This transaction will not only add to this total but more importantly enable the realization of the potential of our Silver Dollar asset under a new highly motivated and experienced management team," states Blake Morgan Company President.

Forty Pillars intends to seek a listing of its common shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") following the completion of the Arrangement. Forty Pillars is presently raising funds by way of a convertible note financing to fund its working capital operations and certain costs of the Arrangement. The directors of Forty Pillars on closing of the Arrangement are anticipated to be Gary Schellenberg (who is a director of Origen and presently the sole director of Forty Pillars), Mike Sieb (who is currently a director of Origen), Nader Vatanchi, Abbey Abdiye and Alex Klenman.

On closing of the Arrangement, Forty Pillars will conduct a concurrent private placement of common shares at a price of $0.08 per common share for estimated proceeds of $450,000. Forty Pillars is also funding itself via convertible debt prior to closing the Arrangement to cover transaction costs.

The anticipated incoming directors of Forty Pillars include Nader Vatanchi, having 9 years of experience in finance starting with Edward Jones and IG Wealth Management in 2012 where he spent a combined 6 years before selling his business to pursue his entrepreneurial goals. Mr. Vatanchi graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from Simon Fraser University. Currently he serves as CEO of Musk Metals Corp. (CSE: MUSK), CEO of Spey Resources Corp. (CSE: SPEY), and CFO of Triangle Industries Ltd., a reporting issuer.

Abbey Abdiye will be Forty Pillars' CFO. Mr. Abdiye is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and has served as CFO for a range of public companies during his career. Prior to obtaining his CPA designation Mr. Abdiye obtained a Bachelor Business Administration Degree from Simon Fraser and a Co - Op Education Certificate.

Mr. Abdiye will provide leadership and coordination in the administrative, business planning, reporting, and budgeting efforts for the company. He will oversee Forty Pillar's financial reporting, internal controls, and corporate governance and oversee annual audit and regulatory compliance matters.

Mr. Alex Klenman is an experienced junior mining executive whose career spans over 30 years in the private and public sectors. Over the past decade he has held and continues to hold leadership roles with several publicly traded resource companies, including senior officer and/or director positions with Nexus Gold Corp., Azincourt Energy Corp., Manning Ventures Inc., Tisdale Resources Corp., and Arbor Metals Corp.

As a marketing, communications, and finance consultant he has worked with companies such as Roxgold Inc., Forum Uranium, Integra Gold, Midnight Sun Mining, and others. He began his professional career in television broadcasting which evolved in the late 1990's into communications, finance and marketing roles principally for publicly traded companies.

The Silver Dollar property is located 45 kilometers southeast of the city of Revelstoke and 15 kilometers north-northeast of the community of Trout Lake, British Columbia in the Revelstoke Mining Division in southwestern British Columbia, Canada. The property lies within the historical Camborne gold-silver mining camp and includes several past producing mines and developed prospects and showings of silver, gold, lead and zinc. The Silver Dollar property consists of 28 contiguous mineral claims covering 3,344.68 hectares of land and two Crown grants totalling 41.85 hectares of land.

Origen will be seeking shareholder approval of the Arrangement at the upcoming annual general and special meeting of shareholders scheduled to be held on May 12, 2021, in accordance with the terms of the Arrangement and the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia). The Arrangement will also be subject to, among other things, approval of the CSE and the Supreme Court of British Columbia.

Full details of the proposed Arrangement, the business of Forty Pillars and the Silver Dollar property will be contained in a notice of meeting and information circular, which will be mailed to shareholders and filed on SEDAR in due course.

About Origen

Origen is an exploration company engaged in generating, acquiring and advancing base and precious metal properties. The Company currently holds a property portfolio of four 100% owned base and precious metal projects in southern British Columbia, a 100% interest in the 26,771 ha LGM project, an option to acquire a 100% interest in the 3,971 ha Wishbone property in the mineral-rich Golden Triangle of British Columbia, and a 100% interest in the Middle Ridge gold project in Newfoundland.

On behalf of Origen,

Gary Schellenberg, CEO

For further information, please contact Gary Schellenberg, CEO at 604-681-0221 or Blake Morgan, President at 236-878-4938.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

This press release should not be considered a comprehensive summary of the Arrangement. Additional information required by applicable securities laws and the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") will be disseminated at a future date following a satisfactory review by the CSE. Completion of the Arrangement is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, CSE acceptance and Origen shareholder approval. The Arrangement cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Arrangement will be completed as proposed or at all. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the Management Information Circular to be prepared in connection with the Arrangement, any information released or received with respect to the Arrangement may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of Origen should be considered highly speculative. The proposed Arrangement has not been approved by the CSE and remains subject to CSE approval.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially and there are no assurances that the transaction described in this news release will close on the terms described or at all. Except as required pursuant to applicable securities laws, the Company will not update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. More detailed information about potential factors that could affect financial results is included in the documents filed from time to time with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities by the Company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79504
The former Air Force intelligence officer accused of trying to extort $25million from Florida Rep Matt Gaetz's family over a federal sex trafficking investigation has admitted that he did approach the congressman's father for money - but insists it wasn't an extortion scheme.

Bob Kent sought to clear his name in a bizarre interview with CNN's Chris Cuomo on Monday night, where he explained that he contacted Gaetz's father Don last month seeking a $25million loan to finance a plot to rescue American hostage Robert Levinson in Iran.

Kent claims to have evidence that Levinson, who disappeared more than a decade ago, is still alive, even though experts and his own family believe he is dead.

He said that he thought involving Gaetz in the rescue mission would create 'good will' for the congressman as he faced 'legal issues' - in reference to allegations aired in the New York Times last week that Gaetz is under investigation for his relationship with a 17-year-old girl.

'Matt Gaetz is in need of good publicity, and I'm in need of $25million to save Robert Levinson,' Kent said.

He insisted that it was not his intention to extort the Gaetz family, saying that he told Don he wouldn't expose the investigation if he said no to the loan.

'I stopped [Don] immediately and explained this was not an extortion attempt,' he explained. 'I said, look, this is a legitimate offer to help rescue Robert Levinson.'

Bob Kent, the former Air Force intelligence officer accused of trying to extort $25million from Florida Rep Matt Gaetz's family over a federal sex trafficking investigation, appeared on CNN on Monday and admitted that he did approach the congressman's father for money - but insists it wasn't an extortion scheme

Kent sought to clear his name in a bizarre interview with CNN's Chris Cuomo on Monday night, where he explained that he approached Gaetz's father Don (above together) last month seeking a $25million lean to finance a plot to rescue American hostage Robert Levinson in Iran

Kent told the same story in an interview with Sirius Radio host Michael Smerconish earlier on Monday.

'I never threatened the man - matter of fact, it was the opposite: I told him if he decides not to help us, he'll never hear from me again,' Kent said of Don.

'I can't help how it sounds.'

The complex saga began last week when the Times published its report citing three anonymous sources that Gaetz was under investigation by the Department of Justice for sex trafficking the 17-year-old girl.

Gaetz hit back by denying that he'd had sex with the underage girl or trafficked her across state lines, as the Times story claimed, and instead claimed he was being targeted by extortionists.

He said that a former DoJ official - David McGee - and Kent were trying to get $25million out of his family and was using the sex trafficking probe as leverage. McGee has denied it.

Gaetz's father Don, a former Florida senator, backed up his son's claim and said that the pair were both working with the FBI on a simultaneous investigation into the alleged extortion attempt.

On Wednesday, Gaetz produced text message screenshots and emails to The Washington Examiner in which McGee and Kent claimed to have knowledge of the sex trafficking investigation.

According to the documents, Gaetz had been seen in compromising photos having sex with underage prostitutes.

This is the text Matt Gaetz's father Don says he received from Kent

This document was given to Gaetz's father Don on March 17, allegedly by Kent. The plan involved the Gaetz family putting up $25million to secure Levinson's release but it doesn't say how the money would secure that

Another document that Gaetz has produced is an email from the Assistant US Attorney for the Northern District of Florida which confirms that the family was working with the FBI

Bombshell texts, an email and a printout with the heading 'Project Homecoming' detail the alleged scheme involving former DOJ official David McGee (left) and former Air Force intelligence officer Bob Kent to free US hostage Robert Levinson (right)

TIMELINE OF THE GAETZ SAGA MARCH 30: The New York Times reports that Gaetz is under investigation for a sexual relationship with an underage girl. Details are sparse but the relationship is said to have happened two years ago. Gaetz went on Tucker Carlson's FOX News show that night to deny the allegations and claim he was the victim of an extortion plot. He names David McGee as a DoJ official who is extorting him. McGee denies it. MARCH 31: Gaetz's father Don tells Politico that the extortion plot is real and that he was working with his son and the FBI to expose it APRIL 1: Texts emerge to support Gaetz's claim that he was being extorted and they introduce a new element to the saga - that the extortion plot was part of a ruse to rescue American hostage Robert Levinson from Iran. WHO'S WHO Rep Matt Gaetz Gaetz, 38, is the representative for Florida's 1st congressional district. He is a Trump ally who has ties to Roger Stone and he's been known to fan the flames of controversy in the past. He has DUI convictions, has been accused of inciting violence on Twitter and claimed that facial recognition technology proved some of the January 6 Capitol rioters were not Trump fans, but 'antifa' masquerading as them. Don Gaetz Gaetz's father who was a well-liked Senator. He sold his company with his partners for $406million in 2004. They had founded VITAS Healthcare in the 1980s. He was a senator for ten years from 2006 until 2016. David McGee McGee was a prosecutor with the Department of Justice but he is now a private practice attorney. According to his bio on his law firm's website, he spent six years as the First Assistant at the United States Attorneys Office and for seven years as the Lead Attorney for a United States Department of Justice Organized Crime Task Force. Bob Kent Kent is an Air Force intelligence officer whose involvement in the alleged plot was only revealed on Wednesday night through the texts. Robert Levinson Levinson spent 22 years working for the FBI before he vanished in Iran in 2007. The government claimed they knew nothing about it but later admitted he had been working there for the CIA. The last time he was seen alive was in 2011, when he appeared in proof of life photos. His family say that this month, they were given reason to believe he was dead. Advertisement

McGee and Kent said that Gaetz was about to be indicted but that they could stop it if the Gaetz family put up $25million which would help secure Levinson's release.

Levinson worked for the FBI for 22 years then vanished in 2007 while in Iran. Nothing was known as to whether he was alive or dead until 2011 when Levinson's family shared images and a video of him being held captive and pleading for help.

Levinson's family said in March 2020 that they had been informed by US officials that he had died in Iranian custody, while being held in Iran as the longest-held hostage in American history.

But Kent claimed he was very much alive and that if Gaetz provided the money to release him, he would be given public credit for the operation and the 'team' would tell President Biden to give him a pardon in the sex trafficking case.

McGee used to work for the Department of Justice but now works in private practice and is the Levinson family's lawyer.

Kent has claimed in the past that he has worked on plans to secure Levinson's release.

Speaking to CNN on Monday night, Kent said that if Gaetz really believed he was being extorted 'he could have kept this quiet and gone to the FBI'.

Instead Kent said Gaetz 'exposed the Levinson family to additional grief, and he's capitalizing off that and trying to direct attention from himself'.

'Robert Levinson is a constituent of Matt Gaetz, and you know - the congressman just made the Levinson situation worse,' Kent said.

'If he is alive, he is directly impacting his predicament right now.'

Cuomo pressed Kent to explain the details about the investigation that he included in his letter to Don - specifically the part about the allegedly compromising photos.

'How confident are you in what you are told?' Cuomo asked.

Kent replied: 'So, you can never be confident of rumors. Those are just rumors that are rampant in north Florida among the legal and journalist communities.

'I don't have any information on a federal investigation. Those were just rumors that were circulating.'

Asked about Don's claims that he was wearing a wire during their meeting, Kent said he hoped that was true because it would prove what he'd said.

Kent spoke out for the first time as Gaetz published a defiant op-ed for the Washington Examiner, in which he insisted that he will not quit Congress, denied accusations he had sex with a 17-year-old girl and said he's being targeted by political enemies because he 'loathes the swamp.'

In a column the embattled Florida Republican predicted that 'some of my feckless colleagues in Congress' will call for him to step down.

'No, I am absolutely not resigning,' he wrote in one of his first public comments about the allegations.

Gaetz, starting his fifth year in Congress, has been battling to preserve his political career since reports last week that he is under federal investigation for possible sex crimes.

There is also a string of lurid allegations against him including claims he was involved in a Harry Potter-themed sex game, paid for sex using Apple Pay and showed Congressional colleagues naked photos of women during session.

Democrats have called for an ethics investigation over the nude images and Republicans have said they will call on him to resign if he is indicted, according to reports.

'The Biden Justice Department would rather investigate me for adult, consensual sex than for his shady business dealings, than others for illegal leaks, or a former Justice Department official for the evident extortion of a congressman. Go figure,' he said.

Engaged since New Year's Eve to Ginger Lucky (left), he wrote: 'My lifestyle of yesteryear may be different from how I live now, but it was not and is not illegal.'

As a Trump ally, Gaetz has so far received almost no public support from his congressional Republican colleagues and none from the former president.

The 38-year-old Gaetz is under scrutiny by federal prosecutors over whether he had sex with a 17-year-old and other underage girls and violated federal sex trafficking laws. That's according to people familiar with the investigation who spoke on condition of anonymity because they could not discuss details publicly.

Gaetz, who has not been charged with any crimes, denied the accusations Monday.

'First, I have never, ever paid for sex,' he wrote. 'And second, I, as an adult man, have not slept with a 17-year-old.'

Engaged since New Year's Eve, he wrote: 'My lifestyle of yesteryear may be different from how I live now, but it was not and is not illegal.'

He added: 'Washington scandal cycles are predictable, and sex is especially potent in politics. Let me first remind everyone that I am a representative in Congress, not a monk, and certainly not a criminal.

Gaetz also criticized Democrats, including Nancy Pelosi, who defended Bill Clinton during the Monica Lewinsky scandal (left) and referred to Cuomo's ten accusers

'Nancy Pelosi once defended President Bill Clinton after he got an intern to fellate him in the Oval Office.

'But when it comes to the allegation that I, a grown man, paid for an adult girlfriend's expenses? Well, consider that a bridge too far for the power-hungry hypocrites.

'I want to be clear about something as we process the leaks and lies from the past week. To this point, there are exactly zero credible (or even non-credible) accusers willing to come forward by name and state on the public record that I behaved improperly toward them, in the manner by which Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo has ten accusers.

'Instead, CNN, the New York Times, Politico, and others are just repeating false allegations about a congressman who loathes the swamp and fights both sides of it on a daily basis.'

Gaetz used his column to attack Democrats, news organizations and others, saying his enemies are 'just repeating false allegations about a congressman who loathes the swamp and fights both sides of it on a daily basis.'

Trump has remained silent on the allegations despite the two men being close allies, Gaetz publicly supporting him in his impeachment trials and Gaetz getting engaged at Mar-a-Lago in December. Pictured Trump and Gaetz

He also predicted: 'Im sure some partisan crooks in Merrick Garlands Justice Department want to pervert the truth and the law to go after me.'

The FBI, the Biden administration's Justice Department and 'the Cheney political dynasty' were among the entities Gaetz accused of unjustly targeting him. Gaetz helped lead an unsuccessful battle early this year to depose Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, from her job as No. 3 House GOP leader.

'Folks won't be surprised that bizarre claims are being made about me shortly after I decided to take on the most powerful institutions in the Beltway: the establishment; the FBI; the Biden Justice Department; the Cheney political dynasty; even the Justice Department under Trump,' he added.

'Yes, just like the mafia, the D.C. swamp protects its 'made men.' Since I'm taking my turn under the gun, let me address the allegations against me directly. First, I have never, ever paid for sex. And second, I, as an adult man, have not slept with a 17-year-old.'

He also pointed out criticism from 'anti-Trump cheerleaders' Meghan McCain and Bill Kristol.

Gaetz's article was published the same day a former congressional aide told reporters he was interviewed last week by the FBI.

Nathan Nelson, a military adviser who left Gaetz's office in October, said he was questioned about whether he'd left that job because he knew of Gaetz's 'involvement in illegal activities.'

'Im here this morning to state that nothing could be farther from the truth. Neither I nor any other member of Congressman Gaetz's staff had any knowledge of illegal activities,' Nelson said at his home in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.

Nelson provided no specific details about the FBI's questioning. Without detailing them, he said he believes the charges against Gaetz are false.

Ginger Luckey and Matt Gaetz. Gaetz got engaged to food analyst Luckey, 26, in December at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago
A bee hive was removed from the ceiling of a family home after the stinging insects invaded the ceiling of the suburban house.

The professional beekeeper who removed the swarm said the owner of the Bald Hills property in Brisbane's north was not bothered by the bees - she just wanted to make sure they got a good home and were not hurt.

Paul Wood, who owns Brisbane Backyard Bees, told Daily Mail Australia the thousands of insects were painstakingly removed over the Easter weekend without any being harmed.

A terrifying bee hive was removed from the ceiling of a family home after the stinging insects invaded the ceiling of the suburban house

The owner of the Bald Hills property in Brisbane's north was not bothered by the bees - she just wanted to make sure they got a good home and were not hurt

Although he gets stung 'most days' this time he left unscathed.

'I didn't get stung with this one and I didn't wear much protective gear. This was a very calm hive,' he said.

He insists that bees are 'nice little creatures' and that homeowners shouldn't get scared or over-react when they find them buzzing around their property.

The number of callouts in regional centres and suburban areas has been dramatically increasing lately as more people take up beekeeping as a hobby.

'When they reproduce the hive splits in two and sometimes they go into ceilings and walls because we don't leave enough trees standing,' Mr Wood said.

'They would normally go into a hollow tree now they go into homes because they are the next best thing.'

The number of callouts in regional centres and suburban areas has been increasing lately as more people take up beekeeping as a hobby

Mr Wood also revealed that he gets stung by bees 'most days' and that he find protective gloves 'get in the way'

Just days ago the beekeeping company posted photos on Facebook of another menacing swarm which was removed from a residential address in Northgate, in Brisbane's north.

He called it a 'simple job'.

'It only took me a couple of hours from start to finish,' he said.

'Some of the bigger calls I've responded to in recent months have taken six hours or more.'

Brisbane Backyard Bees business owner Paul Wood (pictured above) said the hive was actually on the smaller side compared to other recent jobs

The bee hive which was removed from a ceiling from a home in Brisbane's north on Thursday
RANCHO TEHAMA, Calif.  Investigators arrested a 19-year-old Washington man after serving search warrants at three properties in the Rancho Tehama Reserve.

The three properties were not related to each other but had been identified as potential criminal marijuana growing locations, authorities said.

In total, investigators said they located 2,442 growing marijuana plants; 18 pounds of processed marijuana bud packaged and ready for sale, and three firearms, including one AR-15 rifle that had been brought into California from Washington.

Jose Lucatero, 19, of Washington, was arrested and booked into the Tehama County Jail for possession of assault weapon, possession of marijuana for sale, and cultivation of marijuana, the sheriffs office said.

The Tehama County District Attorney Bureau of Investigations Office said others were identified and criminal charges will be pending.
The state government has not ruled out heading to court to fight home owners who believe they are owed compensation for West Gate Tunnel works deep below their homes.

Seventy-four property owners represented by Slater & Gordon want compensation for land acquired below ground as part of the $6.7 billion toll road which will connect the West Gate Freeway in Spotswood and CityLink in Docklands.

Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan. Credit:Joe Armao

Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan on Tuesday said all the land was 15 metres or more below ground, but claims would be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Its hard to predict what will happen as we work through these things on a case-by-case basis, other than to say we will work very carefully with each of the landowners, Ms Allan said.
A fifth-grade girl died after being struck by a long-haul bus in Vietnam on Monday afternoon.

A bus of Khanh Quynh Company operating on the Vinh City - Con Cuong Town route in Nghe An Province collided with a motorbike traveling in the same direction on National Highway 7 in Dinh Son Commune, Anh Son District at around 2:00 pm on Monday, according to initial information.

The bus kept running after the crash and struck a 10-year-old girl, who hailed from Dinh Son and was riding a bicycle to school.

Two people were rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment, but the little girl was declared dead at the scene.

Rain caused roads to become slippery at that time, witnesses said.

At the scene, the passenger bus tipped over in a roadside ditch and the bicycle of the fifth grader was still trapped under the vehicle.

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The Texas rent relief program has paid out only 250 applicants out of its $1 billion fund, according to a scathing report from the Texas State House Committee on Urban Affairs.

The report, first obtained by Quorum Report, was issued April 5 and details problems that applicants have complained about since the programs inception: A complicated website, unstaffed phone lines and a lack of communication. The program is run through the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.

Committee members are rightfully concerned that the assistance tens of thousands of Texans need is not getting to them, committee staff wrote in the report. Despite having applied, in many cases weeks ago, tenants remain anxious and stressed about the lack of approval or denial. Landlords, too, await decisions as rent goes uncollected or greatly reduced.

On HoustonChronicle.com: How to fix the US public housing problem? Ask the tenants.

Most applications in the system, per the report, are at least 30 days old. As of March 31, more than 170,000 tenants had begun the application, and more than 72,000 had submitted the application. Just 0.14 percent of tenants who began the application have received money.

Reports represent a snapshot in time. The Texas Rent Relief program has made tremendous strides in our efforts to provide assistance to Texas renters in need, and were continuing to help more people each day, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs spokesperson Kristina Tirloni said in an email. We are working hard to ensure Texans get access as quickly as possible.

The state rent relief program opened Feb. 15 and was plagued with accessibility issues almost since its inception. Tenants reported issues entering their phone numbers and salary, and had trouble accessing the website on their mobile phones. People tried to call the hotline but were placed on long holds and, upon leaving a message, didnt hear back for days.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Her daughter was sick in their old place. Finally they moved out.

The call center was doing great, said Bobby Wilkinson, executive director of the state housing department, at the agencys March 11 board meeting.

House committee staff tried calling the rent relief hotline in February. Staff waited for at least 20 minutes and hung up without getting anyone on the line.

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs has added more staffers to the phone lines. The agency reports that the average time on hold is now less than 3 minutes.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Living Hell: As HUD pays private company millions, tenants say complaints of mold, pests go ignored

The slow rollout of payments frustrated landlords and tenants alike.

We are going to start making payments this week, said Wilkinson during March 3 testimony cited by the House report.

But on the next Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs board meeting on March 11, the report says, Wilkinson said no payments had yet gone out.

The agency twice updated its software to streamline the application and review process, but the backlog remains.

The software failures have created a backlog that has forced TDHCA to contract for 3 to 4 times the number of analysts initially hired, the report reads. Whether such actions will reduce the backlog quickly is yet to be determined.

The state rent relief program is separate from the joint City of Houston/Harris County rental assistance program. As of Tuesday morning, the city-county program has paid $18.7 million. Of its 44,476 applications, it has either pledged money to or paid 8,056 people.
Adina Peyton has spent the past five months searching for information about what happened on the night her son Brad Pugh was shot 16 times and killed by Huntsville police.

Peyton said the city has refused to answer her questions, release body camera video or even let her family watch the full, unedited footage of what happened that night outside a barbecue restaurant in Five Points.

I dont understand why this is so secret, Peyton said at a press conference this morning. Bodycams were put on police officers to show us the truth  to protect police officers, and to protect our children.

Pugh was suicidal when he stole his mothers unloaded gun and climbed atop the roof of Teds Bar-B-Q on Nov. 16. Police tried for hours to convince Pugh, a 41-year-old father and local business owner, to come down from the roof.

Police say when Pugh finally climbed down, he pointed the gun at officers and started to run away. Before fatally shooting Pugh, police fired non-lethal rounds to try and stop him.

Peyton said her son was attempting suicide by cop. Pugh told police that night that they were going to have to kill him, according to a news release from Rob Broussard, the Madison County district attorney.

Broussard determined the shooting was legally justified and declined to prosecute any police officers.

Peyton said she doesnt have plans to file a wrongful death lawsuit and has never asked that anyone face criminal charges. She said she recognizes the situation police faced that night.

But she wonders whether there are lessons to be learned from Pughs death and how police handled the situation. She questions whether things would have turned out differently if police were better trained to respond to mental-health crises or if a mental-health professional had been at the scene to assist the officers. She wants to know whether changes to police policy can save someone else in the future.

My son is gone, she said. This is not just for Brad Pugh. Its for all of us.

But Peyton said she cant get answers to her questions, and the city cant improve police response to mental health crises if theres no transparency over what happened to her son.

After the shooting, the city showed portions of the video to two people representing Peyton: a family friend and an attorney she contacted for help getting information about the case. But Peyton said no one answered their questions about the shooting, or the actions police took that night.

Ms. Peyton and her attorney were given access to speak with Internal Affairs and review the incidents surrounding the death of her son, Kelly Schrimsher, the citys communications director, said in a statement. The review of relevant video included body camera, car camera and security camera footage of what happened that night. Ms. Peyton, understandably, chose to leave the room and not personally view the video, but her attorney and a friend stayed to watch. Ms. Peyton was given an additional opportunity to review the presentation but declined.

The city attorneys office, in an email obtained by AL.com, said the video isnt a public record and that it wouldnt release the footage because of the graphic/disturbing nature of the footage and privacy concerns for the family. The city attorneys office said it believed Peyton was planning a lawsuit  a claim she disputes  and would have to obtain the footage in court.

Schrimsher said the city has provided sufficient access to relevant information to allow Ms. Peyton to learn what led to her sons tragic death.

For a number of reasons, including the privacy interests of Mr. Pughs entire family, the City respectfully declines to make the video available to the general public, the citys statement says.

Adina Peyton held a press conference in Huntsville, Ala. on April 5, 2020 to demand transparency from the city about her son's shooting death. She also announced a billboard campaign.

Peyton said community members  many of them mothers  have reached out to her, scared about what might happen if their own children or other mentally ill family members encounter police.

Thats why she is calling on the community to demand change and pressure city leaders to be transparent about what happened to Pugh. At todays press conference, surrounded by family, friends and Pughs children, Peyton unveiled a billboard campaign to raise awareness in the city. She said shes paying for the signs using money raised through an online crowdfunding account.

Justice for Brad is finding out the truth about what happened that night and using it to make a change so that every mentally ill person in this town gets treatment or help, not tragedy, Peyton said.

Mental illness is not a crime.
This is almost too easy, but I cant resist. I was actually going to write a column about President Bidens dog, Major, biting people; also among the lowest of the hanging fruits. Presidents dog a Major pain. It writes itself.

But then, out of nowhere, NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt served up some choice morsels and made an excellent case for entry into the Stupid Things Journalists Said Hall of Fame.

If youre playing catch up, Holt  who was receiving a lifetime achievement award for journalism at the Murrow Symposium  said journalists dont need to provide both sides of an issue, that fairness is overrated and the idea that we should always give two sides equal weight and merit does not reflect the world we find ourselves in.

He also said the media should not be in the business of providing an open platform for misinformation. This, of course, is correct. Misinformation is more of a Facebook and Twitter thing.

That the sun sets in the west is a fact. Any contrary view does not deserve our time or attention, Holt said.

Again, Holt is correct, but unless Im missing something, no one is debating that the sun sets in the west. Even with my lousy sense of direction, Im willing to stipulate.

There is, however, fierce debate over a number of issues that werent settled at the dawn of creation  illegal immigration, abortion and economic policy to name a few.

In the interest of context, Holt also said, Decisions to not give unsupported arguments equal time are not a dereliction of journalistic responsibility or some kind of agenda, in fact, its just the opposite.

What constitutes an unsupported argument? There are, for example, plenty of bonafide scientists who question the causes of and solutions to climate change. But I suppose that as long the science is settled, Holt is right. The other side doesnt deserve a hearing. Contrary arguments are unsupported by the kind of evidence we, in the media, deem relevant.

In other words, your evidence runs contrary to our conclusions.

That Holts comments were lauded by his media colleagues on the left and liberal academics is not a surprise. This stuff is being taught in journalism schools throughout the country. Nor should it be a major revelation that Holts twist on truth has made its way into straight news reporting.

If Holt can get buy-in for his fractured take on fairness, it could transcend journalism. It could also transform our criminal justice system. After all, you would only need to hear whichever side of a case that comported with your version of truth. Due process? Bah! We can have the preliminary hearing in the morning and get to the penalty phase by lunchtime.

Journalism is a pursuit of truth. A free press provides a necessary check on power. But remove objectivity, as Holt suggests, and journalists become either advocates or part of the resistance.

I dont know that I need to get another perspective on this.

After all, the sun sets in the west.

Rich Manieri is a journalist, author and a professor of journalism at Asbury University in Kentucky. He can be reached at manieri2@gmail.com.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-07 04:54:56|Editor: huaxia

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VIENNA, April 6 (Xinhua) -- The Joint Commission of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), known as the Iran nuclear deal, resumed talks here on Tuesday, with lifting sanctions on Iran and nuclear implementation measures on top of the agenda.

The meeting has drawn public attention as representatives from the United States are in Vienna to save the deal, which was struck in 2015 but paralyzed by the U.S. withdrawal in 2018 and Iran's counter-sanctions moves afterwards.

Senior diplomats of China, France, Germany, Russia, Britain and Iran met behind closed doors in the Grand Hotel Wien. The talks were chaired by Enrique Mora, deputy Secretary-General and Political Director of the European External Action Service (EEAS), on behalf of High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell. Media reports said the U.S. delegation led by Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley was based in a nearby hotel.

Mora said on Twitter following the meeting that they had a "constructive Joint Commission meeting."

"There's unity and ambition for a joint diplomatic process with two expert groups on nuclear implementation and sanctions lifting. As Coordinator I will intensify separate contacts here in Vienna with all relevant parties, including the U.S.," he added.

The U.S. should lift all illegal sanctions against Tehran, and the Iranian side should resume full compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal on that basis, said Wang Qun, Chinese envoy to the United Nations and other international organizations in Vienna.

China will continue to unswervingly maintain the JCPOA, and the key to reviving the nuclear talks is that the U.S. side should remove all illegal sanctions against Iran, Wang said after the JCPOA meeting.

He stressed that China firmly opposes any illegal unilateral sanctions imposed by the U.S. and will safeguard its own legitimate rights and interests. Therefore, he demanded that the U.S. should immediately remove its illegal sanctions on Iran and its "long-arm jurisdiction" against third-party entities and individuals, including those from China.

According to the official Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Abbas Araqchi told the commission meeting that lifting U.S. sanctions is the first and most necessary step to revive the 2015 nuclear deal.

The U.S. and Iranian negotiators were not supposed to meet face-to-face but a shuttle diplomacy approach was adopted with the intensified help of the coordinators.

Prior to Tuesday's meeting, Araqchi said he would "not hold any direct or indirect talks" with U.S. representatives but would only negotiate with the Joint Commission of JCPOA.

If the P4+1 countries, including China, Britain, France and Russia, plus Germany, succeed in convincing Washington to lift all the sanctions "by any means they know," Iran will comply, said Araqchi, who is also Iran's deputy foreign minister.

Washington said on Monday that its goal of the talks was to set the stage for a mutual return to compliance with the 2015 accord but did not anticipate an immediate breakthrough.

Walter Posch, an Austrian expert on Iran, told Austria Press Agency that the fact that talks were held in Vienna to revive the crippling nuclear agreement, albeit indirectly, was already a success.

The JCPOA was reached in 2015 between Iran and the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council -- the United States, Britain, Russia, France, China, plus Germany) and the EU. Tehran agreed to roll back parts of its nuclear weapons program in exchange for decreased economic sanctions.

Washington under former President Donald Trump withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 and tightened sanctions on Iran.

The United States and Iran are in a standoff over reviving the nuclear deal. The Joe Biden administration said that if Iran returns to full compliance with the JCPOA, the United States would do the same. But Iran insisted its compliance would only take place once U.S. sanctions were removed. Enditem
Since announcing his mayoral campaign in January, Andrew Yang has proposed several worthwhile ideas. He wants New York City to have its first public bank and a geothermal power plant. The cash-transfer program he has offered for the very poorest residents will, at the minimum, offer beneficial extra income.

But Yang, who is new to the citys political firmament, has swung and missed too. He called for anillegal casino on Governors Island. He has repeatedly recalibrated positions on various local issues,like the busway in Flushing andeducational standards for yeshivas. He is not a friend of progressives who, wisely,want to tax the ultrawealthy who have only grown richer during the pandemic.

On Thursday, Yang misfired again. During a speech in front of the Association for a Better New York, the former presidential candidate and entrepreneurproposed an odd and unworkable idea: giving tax breaks to large companies that refuse to allow remote work. Yangs proposal would run counter to where the market is headed, anger white-collar workers and deny the municipal government much-needed revenue.

The first thing we have to do is support companies bringing their workers back, Yang said. I think we are going to have to invest some resources.

Yang began to discuss thelong-repealed commuter tax, which levied a tax on about 800,000 people who worked but did not live in the city, and said that New York needed the reverse of this policy.

Were going to have to provide either individual or employer incentives or employer tax breaks or incentives for workers who are commuting into the city five days a week, Yang said. Years ago, there was an idea put out that was a commuter's tax, I am suggesting we are going to need essentially the oppositewe are going to need commuter incentives.

Such a proposal would have to pass the Democrat-controlled state Legislature, where a tax break would hold little appeal. But its worth asking on the merits  why should big corporations that require workers to shlep into an office every day pay less in taxes?

Yang must recognize that the future, for the many large companies that populated Midtown and downtown Manhattan, is in remote work. The pandemic has taught them that they can remain efficient and earn great profits keeping their workers at home, closer to their families. Commutes are expensive and time-wasting.

More importantly, for these companies, office space in Manhattan is incredibly costly. Why spend millions housing workers in large buildings?

A tax cut wont halt the inexorable shift toward remote work. There will be some companies, perhaps, that take advantage of it  mostly those that were already planning on requiring in-office work anyway.

Inevitably, even among many of the companies that maintain sprawling Manhattan headquarters, there will be a hybrid model: some workers in the office, some at home and some in the office part-time. This will mean, at the minimum, companies will require less floor space.

Corporate America has spoken. JP Morgan & Chase, Target, Ford, and Salesforcehave all said they would embrace remote work. For them, it is common sense: a cost-saver that their workforce largely favors. This trend is inevitable, global and already underway. It cannot be stopped with local tax incentives.

The problem with a future of remote work is that there will be less demand for office space, leading to lower commercial rents, lower property values and property tax receipts. And fewer white-collar workers in Manhattan means fewer lunches, after-work drinks and dinners, shopping excursions and cab rides to meetings. For local service workers, many of them immigrants, this is a catastrophe, but an ill-advised tax incentive wont save them.

Instead, the next mayor  be it Yang or anyone else  should dream up a new vision for the core of Manhattan. Here, Yang and several of the candidates have been open to certain innovative ideas, like embracing the return of single-room occupancy dwellings and exploring the conversion, when possible, of office space into residential units. This is easier said than done, with commercial landlords still holding out for well-heeled tenants and office architecture standing in the way of simple conversions.

Still, it must be pursued. The collapse of blue-collar manufacturing in downtown Manhattan was a disaster for the city, but new housing sprung up in vacant lofts and a bohemia blossomed. Housing is one answer to the woes of Midtown. Another is the reimagining of empty space and what attractions can exist that will draw tourists and residents alike. Community centers, art galleries, performance spaces, libraries and museums  spaces that foster socialization  can fill vacancies in the coming years. Yang should abandon the tax-break mindset that too many would-be technocrats view as a citys salvation. It goes against the future and is doomed to fail.
COLOMBO: In a bid to eliminate the environmentally harmful cultivations in Sri Lanka, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has imposed an immediate ban on the import of palm oil and ordered the gradual removal of the crops, an official said on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka, President on Monday ordered his officials to promulgate laws preventing fresh imports of palm oil, releasing already imported stocks to the markets and gradually starting to uproot palm plantations, as per DPA news report. "The objective of the President is to free the country of use of palm oil and eradicate palm cultivations from the country," the spokesperson said.

Under a phased-out plan to stop palm cultivation, the President ordered the uprooting of 10 percent of existing palm plantations annually, and that they be replaced by rubber or environmentally friendly crops.

In the run-up to the presidential elections in 2019, Rajapaksa vowed to stop palm cultivation in the country after villages complained about the environmental damage it causes, including deforestation, soil erosion and water pollution.

The move by the government to ban palm oil imports met immediate resistance from a section of the industry that uses palm oil to manufacture bakery products, animal feed and soaps.

Sri Lanka imports around 200,000 tonnes of palm oil annually, mainly from Indonesia and Malaysia, according to trade sources. There are currently around 11,000 hectares of palm plantations in the country.

Pak FM says India and Pakistan cannot afford to engage in an all-out war

Saudi Arabia Allows Only Vaccinated Pilgrims to Enter Mecca

Australian Prime Minister welcomes New Zealand's travel bubble
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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 6, 2021) - Lobe Sciences Ltd. (CSE: LOBE) (OTC Pink: GTSIF) ("Lobe" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Ilan Hayman, B.IS, ITIL Cert, M. ProjMngt to its Advisory Board.

Philip Young, CEO and Director of Lobe states, "We are very pleased to welcome Ilan to our Advisory Board. Ilan's operational experience in healthcare will complement our research and development expertise with psychedelic medicine. Mental health is a priority worldwide and psychedelic medicine has been at the forefront of research initiatives. Ilan's association with Mind Medicine Australia will allow Lobe to be introduced to this organization's mandate and we are excited about fostering this relationship. Ilan is our latest addition to supplement our team and enhance our international reach. We are committed to strengthening our team and relationships to build the business and achieve the Company's key priorities."

Ilan is an experienced operations executive with a demonstrated history of working in the healthcare industry and IT sector. Since 2019 he has been the Operations Manager with Mind Medicine Australia ("MMA"). MMA is a charity that helps to alleviate the suffering caused by mental illness in Australia through expanding the treatment options available to medical practitioners and their patients by establishing safe and effective psychedelic assisted treatments to cure a range of mental illnesses. The charity was founded by Tania de Jong AM and Peter Hunt AM. It acts as a central node between stakeholders to facilitate the delivery of psychedelic-assisted treatments in Australia. This is accomplished by bringing together the key stakeholders including academia, government, medical practitioners, technology, philanthropy, and culture. Mind Medicine Australia is focused specifically on the clinical application of medicinal psilocybin and medicinal MDMA for certain mental illnesses and supports and funds clinical psychedelic research, conducted by independent institutions and affiliates, working towards regulatory-approved and evidence-based psychedelic-assisted therapies.

Ilan Hayman states, "It is a pleasure to join Lobe during this exciting time for the company. With the current preclinical trials with the University of Miami and the development of its nasal mist delivery device I look forward to working with the team to position the company as a leader in the space."

Prior to joining MMA, Ilan oversaw a group of national medical centers and was involved in general management of healthcare businesses including a private cosmetic surgery chain and led the development and commercialization of a line of skincare products.

Ilan is a board member for several not-for-profit organizations. He also holds Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh awards and brings along a unique set of community and industry related experience. Ilan received his Bachelor Degree in Information Systems from the Macquarie University Australia as well as a Masters Degree focused on Project Management from Torrens University Australia.

About Lobe Sciences Ltd.

Lobe is a life sciences company focused on psychedelic medicines. The Company, through collaborations with industry leading partners, is engaged in drug research and development using psychedelic compounds and the development of innovative devices and delivery mechanisms to improve mental health and wellness.

For further information please contact:

Lobe Sciences Ltd.

Philip J. Young

Chief Executive Officer and Director

info@lobesciences.com

Tel: (949) 505-5623

THE CSE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS RELEASE.

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the future operations of the Company and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including statements regarding the future plans and objectives of the Company, research and development using psychedelic compounds, the development of innovative devices and delivery mechanisms to improve mental health and wellness, the ability to foster a relationship with Mind Medicine Australia and enhance its international reach, are forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Readers are cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of the forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including changes to the regulatory environment; that the Company's drug research and development activities may be unsuccessful; that drugs and medical devices produced by, or on behalf of, the Company, may not work in the manner intended or at all, and may subject the Company to product liability or other liability claims; that the Company may not be able to attain the Company's corporate goals and objectives; and other risk factors detailed in the Company's continuous disclosure filings from time to time, as available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. As a result, the Company cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will materialize and the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made only as of the date of this news release and the Company does not intend to update any of the included forward-looking statements except as expressly required by applicable Canadian securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/79430
Price hikes follow lockdowns as women feel they have 'lost a year of their lives'

Sally Cheshire, ex-chairman of HFEA said price limits need to be set by regulator

Those wishing to start a family are being charged 'eye-watering' prices by IVF clinics as services experience a rush following a year of closures and delays in lockdown.

Britain's fertility watchdog has warned that inflated prices are taking advantage of desperate women who feel they have 'lost a year of their lives' in their quest to become parents.

Sally Cheshire, ex-chairman of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) told The Daily Telegraph that the regulator needed to be given the power to set price limits for fertility treatments in order to protect vulnerable customers.

Mrs Cheshire, who recently stepped down from her role as chairman at HFEA after 15 years, told the paper that she would have set a limit of 5,000 per cycle of IVF - some clinics are currently charging up to 20,000 per cycle.

Sally Cheshire, ex-chairman of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) said price limits for treatments needed to be set by the regulator

The ex-chairman said she had urged ministers to update 30-year-old legislation that had been established before a commercial fertility market existed in the UK.

She called for the government to give HFEA the powers to set limits that would stop private fertility clinics from overcharging and making false claims over 'add-on' treatments that had not been proven to work.

These add-on treatments include endometrial glue (costing up to 320) an endometrial scratch (up to 350) and time-lapse monitoring (775).

Mrs Cheshire told The Daily Telegraph: 'We need to have some curbs on that commercial competitive environment, given two thirds of fertility patients fund their own treatment.'

The number of women opting to freeze their eggs or embryos in the UK rose 523 per cent rise between 2013 and 2018, the latest data from HFEA reveals.

In 2018, 9,000 women underwent fertility treatment to store their eggs or embryos until a later date. This was up from 1,500 so-called 'storage cycles' in 2013.

Mrs Cheshire called for the government to give HFEA the powers to set limits that would stop private fertility clinics from overcharging. Stock image

Within this, the number of women opting to freeze their unfertilised eggs rose from 569 to 2,000 during the five-year period  a 240 per cent rise.

Inquiries into fertility treatments jumped by 50 per cent at some fertility clinics in the country last summer compared with the same period last year as an increasing number looked at the fertility treatment as an 'insurance policy'.

The findings come after campaigners called on the arbitrary ten-year limit for storing women's eggs to be extended in order to those wanting to have children more time.

Freezing allows women who are not ready to have children  either for career or financial reasons, or because they have not found the right partner  to store their eggs, so they can be used in IVF when they are ready for a family.

The whole process for egg freezing and thawing costs an average of 7,000-8,000, according to HFEA.

Women under 40 could be eligible for three cycles of IVF on the NHS - however if they are between 40 to 42 this falls to one cycle, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommends.

Whilst clinics were only forced to close for the first month of lockdown in England, the pandemic has caused delays to NHS services.

This has meant that for some women they have passed the 'cut-off' point for using NHS funded services - meaning they will need to turn to private clinics for treatment if they wish to try for children.
The new, free e-book available from the official site consists of several ab workout plans that promise readers a six-pack in just 28 days. Boston, MA  Get Fit King has come out with a new eBook consisting of 8-minute ab workouts. The new ab workout plans are available for free and go into a detailed 28-day workout plan for ripped abs. The series of workouts promise a shredded six-pack, 
Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/06/2021 -- Well stimulation vessels are designed for effectiveness and endurance in oil & gas exploration and production globally. These stimulation vessels are considered to be of huge capacity that includes latest stimulation and marine technologies, allowing stimulation vessels to face severe environments. Well stimulation vessels provide reliability to lower non productive time, rig time, and risk while enhancing profits and production.



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Well stimulation vessels can provide a broad range of services in deep water such as acid fracturing, matrix acidizing, sand control, prop pant fracturing, and scale control. Developments in measurement and real time monitoring systems are expected to dominate the advancements and new fabricated vessels in the well stimulation vessels market. Advancements of well stimulation vessels are led by the international governing bodies for better environmental standards. Well stimulation vessels play an important role in improving the flow of hydrocarbons from drainage areas into the wellbore.



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Well stimulation vessels are primarily used for transporting and handling chemicals and liquid cargo for use in well stimulation operations. Well stimulation vessels market can be segmented based on application. Well stimulation vessels are mainly utilized in deep water and ultra deep water operations. New generation well stimulation vessels are the largest, safest and multipurpose stimulation vessels ever made. These stimulation vessels enable longer deployments and greater storage capacity with less environmental impact. Well stimulation vessels are heavily equipped with blender equipment, stimulation pump rooms and acid storages. Deepwater well stimulation vessel develops efficiency in well stimulation operation by performing multiple well completions on a single trip. Deep water well stimulation vessel integrates a data acquisition in-house software technology to process, acquire, display and record, data in real time. Efficient design of the well stimulation vessel can deliver well stimulation treatments at high volume and high rate.



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Gulf of Mexico has evolved as one of the largest regions in well stimulation vessels market followed by South America. Huge demand for well stimulation vessels was concentrated in Gulf of Mexico that is expected to contain a huge share of the total world fleet. Well stimulation vessels market is expected to remain deployed in the emerging regions such as North Sea, the Middle East, and West Africa. South America, West Africa and North Atlantic regions are likely to have huge future growth potential in well stimulation vessels market.



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https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/global-artificial-lift-systems-market-to-earn-revenue-worth-us-12-3-bn-by-2027-growing-at-a-cagr-of-5-0-over-2019-to-2027-transparency-market-research-853459071.html



Rising oil & gas demand, coupled with steady growth in capital expenditure on well stimulation vessels, followed by brisk and constant transmission ability are likely to drive well stimulation vessels market over the coming years. Remote oil & gas operations has resulted in added distance for vessel maintenance, re-supply and increased travel time between platforms and rigs. Optimization of materials and onboard systems are some of the key factors to maintain the competitiveness and efficiencies in well stimulation vessels market.



Rapid development in infrastructure in the economies such as Gulf of Mexico and West Africa has led to the surge in demand for well stimulation vessels. Increase in transport capacity and logistics has positively contributed towards the growth of well stimulation vessels market.



Some of the major players in well stimulation vessels market are Island Offshore, Damen Shipyards Group, DeepSTIM Stimulation Vessels, Halliburton Company and Dixon Marine Consulting Ltd. among others.
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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.  A man who pleaded guilty to conspiracy in the shooting deaths of two Colorado Springs teenagers was sentenced Monday to 30 years in prison.

Marco Garcia-Bravo, 34, was sentenced during a tearful hearing after previously pleading guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit second-degree murder in the 2017 deaths of 16-year-old Natalie Cano-Partida and 15-year-old Derek Greer, The Colorado Springs Gazette reported.

Investigators said the teens were abducted from a party in Colorado Springs, driven to a remote location and made to kneel for the shootings after begging for their lives.

Addressing the courtroom by phone, Greers mother, Heather Ferguson, called the penalty unfair to her son. She said he was a great kid who was kind to everyone.

He was the reason I loved, she said, adding that Garcia-Bravo will one day be free, but I will never have a fully happy day in my life.

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Garcia-Bravo is the last of 10 people to be prosecuted in what authorities called a revenge plot by the South Side Soldados, whose members suspected Cano-Partida of helping a rival street gang plan back-to-back shootings targeting them. Greer was abducted because he was with Cano-Partida at the party, according to authorities who said neither had anything to do with gang attacks.

Garcia-Bravo was initially charged with first-degree murder and accused of being one of two gunmen in the shootings, but his trial ended with a hung jury in February. A plea deal averted a retrial that was set to begin Wednesday.

He declined to address the court Monday, and no one spoke in his support. One of his attorneys limited her comments to asking the judge to accept the plea deal.

Diego Chacon is serving a 65-year prison sentence after pleading guilty in December 2018 to two counts of second-degree murder.
Toronto is the latest COVID-19 hot spot in Ontario to order schools closed while the provincial government maintains that classrooms are safe for in-person learning.

Students cross the street at Tomken Road Middle School during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mississauga, Ont., Thursday, April 1, 2021. Schools in Peel Region are closed for in-person learning starting today. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Toronto is the latest COVID-19 hot spot in Ontario to order schools closed while the provincial government maintains that classrooms are safe for in-person learning.

Chief medical officer of health Dr. Eileen de Villa issued the order on Tuesday, following similar moves by her counterparts in Peel Region and Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph. Classes are to move online Wednesday in Toronto, with the closure to be re-assessed on April 18 when the scheduled spring break ends.

The health unit said schools should be the last places to close but new variants have increased the risk of serious illness and death from COVID-19 and strong measures are necessary.

"Unfortunately, current circumstances require that difficult decisions must be taken locally to protect all those in our school communities, including students, teachers and staff," Toronto Public Health said in a statement.

Toronto's move came amid growing calls from unions and politicians to vaccinate education workers against COVID-19 as new variants of concern are sending younger Ontarians to intensive care units that are being pushed to the brink.

Romana Siddiqui said her family had already decided to keep their three kids home by the time the Peel Region school closure was announced Monday.

"I knew it was going to be a matter of when, not if, schools would be closed, not to say that that's easy for people," she said Tuesday from her home in Mississauga, Ont. "I think it's necessary."

Siddiqui said her family will decide based on case numbers whether it's safe for their children to return to in-person classes after the spring break ends.

"We'll have to just take a wait-and-see approach," she said.

In regions where schools remain open, some parents still chose to keep their children at home, citing safety concerns.

Mark Fisher, a trustee with the Ottawa-Carleton District school board, said his family decided the two youngest kids would stay home this week, even though they will not have access to online classes, given the spike in cases in Ottawa.

"We looked at the situation from our own family circumstances and felt that it was best to keep our kids home this week and go into the break and, hopefully, that will cause a meaningful break in the transmissions locally," he said.

Fisher said he would have liked to see the board switch to online classes this week, and the province impose tougher stay-at-home measures.

The province has entered a four-week shutdown in response to a worsening third wave of the pandemic driven by more infectious and deadly variants. The move puts further restrictions on some businesses but leaves schools open for in-class learning.

Ontario's education minister has said that keeping schools open is crucial for students' mental health. The province intends to go ahead with the break set to begin on April 12 and a return to in-person classes the following week.

Premier Doug Ford said on Tuesday that the government is focusing on vaccinating older residents and people living in communities with high rates of infection, including essential workers.

"I know we're working on a plan as well, for the teachers, and we'll be working along with the boards, the minister of education and the minister of health," Ford said.

He also maintained that schools are safe and infections happen in hot spot communities, not schools, pointing to data showing the vast majority of schools remained open.

"When the kids go back into the community, that's where it's happening. It's not happening in the schools. It's happening when there's community spread in hot areas," he said.

The province's top doctor also expressed confidence on Tuesday that schools are safe, but said contact tracers in Peel Region and Toronto were dealing with too many cases to confidently rule out transmission within schools.

"In some schools, they were concerned that there might have been some transmission, but their case contact management was starting to get overwhelmed with all the contacts to follow," he said. "They have asked for a pause at this moment, for the short week between Easter long weekend and April break, to get reorganized on that."

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said Tuesday that the government should "urgently" vaccinate education workers and use the upcoming April break to make other safety upgrades to classrooms.

Three teachers' unions have also asked the government to close schools for in-class learning in virus hot spots and offer vaccines to education workers, arguing not enough measures have been taken to keep schools safe.

According to government statistics, there were 1,062 schools in Ontario with at least one case of COVID-19, out of 4,828 total schools.

Meanwhile, two Niagara Region school boards said staff would be eligible for COVID-19 shots starting next week.

Shots will be administered on a voluntary basis at a vaccine clinic in St. Catharines, Ont., the Niagara Catholic District school board said Tuesday.

"Schools are microcosms of the community, and we know that we are not immune to being affected by community cases," Camillo Cipriano, the board's director of education, said in a statement.

The District School Board of Niagara said as many as 4,000 staff who work in schools will have the option to be vaccinated next week.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 6, 2021.
GILBERT, Ariz., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Beginning this Saturday, Sun Valley Community Church will kick off a post-Easter series of talks with a healthy dose of self-reflection and humility. The series, aptly titled Church People Are The Worst, will explore the label 'Christian' and why it can evoke both positive and negative connotations.

Church People Series Graphic

With over 2.5 billion estimated Christians in the world, most people can likely picture someone they have been around who does not quite practice what they preach. For many outside the faith, that person may be the only representation they have of what a real Christian looks like.

"All kinds of people have identified themselves as Christian," said Chad Moore, Lead Pastor at Sun Valley. "People like Mother Theresa, Justin Bieber, and Kim Kardashian have all claimed to be Christians, so what does that mean? What is a 'Christian'?"

Each weekend beginning April 10th and continuing through May 9th, the church will highlight a different topic, including where the term came from, when the big-C Church has gotten it right and gotten it wrong, and what it would look like for Christians today to embody the representation of what Jesus himself intended. The church is even running a digital billboard along the Loop 101 to draw extra attention to the series.

"I'm excited for this one," Moore said, "We're going to laugh a lot and we're going to learn a lot about what it means to really follow Jesus. I hope to see you there!"

To stay up to date on the latest, visit the series microsite http://www.churchpeople.org.

About Sun Valley Community Church

Sun Valley Community Church first opened its doors in 1990 and meets in multiple East Valley locations including Gilbert, East Mesa, Queen Creek, Tempe, Casa Grande, as well as Online. The church believes that everybody matters to God and He loves you just as you are, not as you should be. Its mission is to "Help People Meet, Know and Follow Jesus."

Media Contact:

Mika Casey

480-257-3932

[email protected]

SOURCE Sun Valley Community Church

Related Links

http://www.churchpeople.org


The auditors are coming and it's "a lot earlier than anyone expected".

Customs expert Michael Nolan says now is the time for Irish importers to get their declarations in order and make sure that they've followed all the post-Brexit rules.

"The business is always the entity that's liable to Irish customs," said Mr Nolan, CEO of customs clearance agency, Declaron. "The declaration is a tax return, effectively, so it needs to be accurate."

Although the EU-UK trade deal eliminated tariffs and quotas on most goods being brought into the Republic, it brought with it a raft of new declarations, health certification and licensing requirements, particularly on food, animals, plants and even goods such as face masks or power tools.

To get goods through customs quickly, some companies might be tempted to enter a lower value or a different commodity code in their declarations, for instance - one which avoids extra health certification or physical checks, or which attracts lower duties.

A decade ago, vegetable farmer Paul Begley was jailed for mislabelling Chinese garlic as apples to avoid an estimated 1.6m in duties.

While there is no hard evidence of post-Brexit fraud, tax experts have warned that companies are making poor decisions based on a lack of information, and face a ticking time bomb of import duties and penalties further down the line.

"There are definitely mistakes or incorrect declarations that have gone on, and our recommendation is always to 'fess up to Revenue as soon as you see that," said Mr Nolan.

"People might say the commodity code isn't what it actually is. They might say it originates from a country it doesn't originate from. Or they might change the value.

"Whether that's innocent mistakes or not, I probably shouldn't comment on."

When the auditors come in - and that is likely to be much sooner than anticipated, according to Mr Nolan - businesses might get a nasty shock.

Declaron, a customs clearance service established in 2020 by customs and tech experts from UK-based accountants BDO and Irish financial services firm Fexco, promises to help companies avoid this ticking time bomb.

"What we're trying to do is put the power back into the hands of the businesses," said Mr Nolan. "Traditionally, with customs clearance, you've gone along to an agent and the agent goes off and does something magic in the background and your goods get through. But the business is always the entity that's liable to Irish customs."

In the past, companies might not have had a record of the declarations made on their behalf. Or they could have gone through multiple hauliers for each delivery, meaning their paperwork was scattered all over the place.

Declaron offers a cloud-based system, which is operated by the importing or exporting business, with support from Declaron's trained agents over web chat, phone or email.

"What we find is, after we set a company up to do their first declaration, maybe their second declaration, then they're pretty much independent and they can do it themselves. They're in control then of what they should be in control of," said Mr Nolan.

One of the biggest post-Brexit challenges has been getting to grips with double import duties on goods that are warehoused or distributed to Ireland via the UK.

"You will have, say, tomatoes coming from Spain and leeks coming from France, and they all come into the UK and then they're sent on to Ireland," said Mr Nolan.

"When those goods are coming from France into the UK, they'll benefit from the free trade agreement. Once they're going from the UK back to the EU, they no longer benefit.

"And UK companies were being advised by UK authorities that that kind of 'double hop' didn't attract duties."

The UK distribution model is now "uneconomical" for many producers. A 10% duty on cucumbers, where margins are usually razor thin, eliminates your profit entirely.

The Port of Dunkirk in northern France, near the Belgian border, is positioning itself as a potential distribution and warehousing hub for Ireland.

A second challenge has been getting to grips with special licenses for sensitive goods such as personal protective equipment, oil and petrol (which attract excise duties), steel (which is limited by a quota) or goods for "military use".

"There are some power tools that require licensing. [Face] masks now come with a requirement on licensing. Just pieces that people wouldn't have ever had to experience before are now coming to light," said Mr Nolan.

All of these extra requirements will mean a permanent delay in turnaround times for importers, which makes importing directly from Europe, via the longer direct ferry routes to France, more viable.

"If they're going to be delayed by 24-36 hours getting goods from the UK to Ireland, suddenly the differential between getting them from mainland Europe direct to Ireland isn't so big."

Because of these delays, trade patterns on the island of Ireland are shifting.

According to the Central Statistics Office, exports from Great Britain to Ireland dropped by 65% in January, while the Department of Transport says volumes were still down about 50% in February and into March.

On the other hand, Stena Line says freight levels are up by about the same amount on most routes between Northern Ireland and Britain.

Hauliers have confirmed that goods are coming into the Republic via Northern Ireland, where customs rules on certain foods, parcels and other goods have been temporarily suspended.

Those grace periods were unilaterally extended by the UK until next year, a move which the EU says breaches international law.

The longer the grace periods last, the less control the EU - and the Revenue Commissioners - have over what kinds of goods are coming in to the country.

"Goods could bypass Irish Revenue requirements by coming in through northern ports," explained Mr Nolan. "This is why the EU have had to be so strict in inspecting goods coming in at Larne etc. And that's what's causing the frustrations that it's causing in the north."

There is also a grace period on the other side, which Irish exporters need to watch.

Although it has also been pushed out from April to October, the UK does intend to phase in its full customs code later this year.

"You're going to have that first week in January all over again come October," warned Mr Nolan. "They can start planning for that now, rather than when they have a truck waiting outside the door."

So in the long term, how will Brexit impact Irish producers?

"There will be a continuous shift in our supply chain. The UK will become a smaller trade partner to Ireland.

"Historic ways of doing things, whereby things were centralised in the UK and then sent to Ireland, I think they're going to shift.

"There will be delays added in to supply chains. Not massive, in the overall scheme of things, but you know, an extra 24 hours is most likely to be the situation," he added.

"So whether it's people being able to expect something for next-day delivery, I think it's things like that that we'll start to see drop off."
Prime Minister Hun Sen instructed the Health Ministry to prepare guidelines to treat people with mild COVID-19 symptoms in their homes, as the recent surge in cases puts immense pressure on the countrys shaky healthcare system.

In an audio message released on Tuesday, Hun Sen said the ministry should create a code of conduct for treating patients in their homes safely, without risking the health of other family members in the household.

We cant treat everyone [at a hospital] if cases increase more and more. There are fewer recoveries than the new cases, he said on Tuesday.

Even we add more health facilities, they are still insufficient. The only solution is to keep patients with mild symptoms for treatment at home, he added.

The prime minister said that at least 50 percent of patients were willing to be treated at home.

I think we will reach that point where the February 20 event has not gotten better, especially in Phnom Penh and Kandal province, he said.

Cambodia has recorded 2,293 cases of COVID-19 since February 20, the most recent community transmission incident, and has reported 22 deaths attributed to the disease. The Health Ministry on Tuesday said that there are currently 1,003 patients who are being treated at health facilities across the country.

The explosion of cases resulted in the government turning The Great Duke hotel in Phnom Penh into a makeshift hospital and the nationalization of the Nokor Tep Womens Hospital with private donations from influential business tycoons and corporations.

Hun Sen added that each patient would be given 20,000 riels, or $5, per day for home treatment. He also wanted more mobile medical teams to help with the new effort.

Home treatment has been routinely used in different countries to ease the strain on hospitals and limited resources, such as ICU beds and ventilators.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that anyone with mild symptoms or an asymptomatic case can isolate at home and need not be hospitalized.

It recommends isolating the sick person in a sick room and, ideally, have them use a separate bathroom, monitor their symptoms routinely, not share anything with the patient, and encourages the wearing of masks.

The World Health Organization states that people with high-risk factors, such as the elderly, people who are smokers, obese, have non-communicable diseases like cardiovascular disease or diabetes, might need further evaluation before being recommended for home treatment.

Additionally, the WHO guidelines recommend adequate handwashing, no visitors, safe disinfecting of the sick person's room, and safe cleaning or disposal of materials used by the patient.

The Cambodian government has been concerned about people evading or escaping from home quarantine and dedicated facilities, passing a new COVID-19 law that strongly penalizes people who intentionally spread the disease with up to 10 years in prison.

Meas Nee, a social and political analyst, urged the government to create a clear plan to implement the proposed home treatment of COVID-19 patients by ensuring a strict monitoring system that prevents people from breaking the rules.
A new anti-establishment party came second place in Bulgaria's parliamentary election, the central electoral commission said Monday.

With 72% of ballots counted, the There is Such Nation party led by popular TV entertainer Slavi Trifonov came in second with 18.2% of the vote.

The ruling GERB party won 25.8% and the Socialist Party was in third place with 14.9%.

Georgy Yordanov, a resident of Bulgaria's capital, congratulated Trifonov, noting that he'd gained many votes despite not being an established politician.

But Preslava Petranova was more sceptical, suggesting this wasn't the change Bulgarians need.

"But let's see how he will handle it," she said. "This is not my choice, but if he gathered so much trust, I am expressing my support as well."

The election was widely seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Boyko Borissov after months of anti-government protests and amid a surge in coronavirus infections.

Late Sunday, Borissov called on his opponents to form a broad-based governing coalition.

(Image Credit: The Associated Press)

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Police have been banned from contacting officers after hours and on their days off, after employees complained of being mentally drained by the work toll.

Victorian Police staff have won 'the right to disconnect' in the union's latest negotiations which aim to support officers strike a better work-life balance.

Managers will no longer be able to contact officers outside of work hours unless in an emergency or to check on their welfare.

Victorian Police staff have won 'the right to disconnect' after growing evidence of the negative impact a culture of being constantly contactable was having on mental health

Sergeant Rachel Dunkinson, who has worked in the police force for 16 years, said being constantly contactable has added undue stress to her job.

'I don't know anyone that doesn't walk away from a day at work, when they've done [a big job] and it's not on their mind, in their thinking about it,' she told the ABC.

'So then to get a call at home because of something that needs to be chased up, or something that they just want to continue on while you're not there, it's just an added stress.'

Sergeant Dunkinson said she was usually contacted about an issue that could have waited until the next day, and the unnecessary intrusion made it hard to switch-off.

Managers can only contact staff in the case of an emergency or to check on their welfare to support police officers strike a better work-life balance

The right to disconnect, which was written into the enterprise bargaining agreement between the work force and the police, does have some exceptions.

The agreements makes clear officers can be contacted for emergencies including bushfires, pandemics, terrorist attacks, or any similar event.

However, employees can no longer be expected to answer calls about a piece of correspondence or the scheduling of work hours.

Wanye Gatt, secretary of the Police Association of Victoria, said the new right to disconnect was reminiscent of when he started at the force.

Wanye Gatt, secretary of the Police Association of Victoria said the new provision is already having a positive impact on officer's health and wellbeing

'When I joined Victoria Police we didn't have a culture that meant you rang people 24/7', he said.

'We didn't have (mobile) phones back then, we didn't have the intrusive technology that we have today. We know we can do this.'

New efforts were taken to improve the mental health of emergency workers, prompted by growing evidence of the toll difficult work days were having.

Mr Gatt said the new provision was already having a positive impact on officer's health and wellbeing and would support a long and productive career in the force.

'It's really important that as much as possible  though you can't all the time  but as much as possible we try and introduce some barriers so our members can wind down, so they can return to normal,' he said.
The US Military has built six tents at the Fort Bliss Army base in Texas that can each hold up to 1,000 migrants - but soldiers have reportedly been banned from photographing the camp amid the border crisis.

The tents, officially referred to as Emergency Intake Shelters, were set up at Fort Bliss in El Paso last month to house unaccompanied migrants amid an influx arriving at the US-Mexico border.

Officials have refused to say how many migrants are currently being held at the army base but White House press secretary Jen Psaki said last month that the Fort Bliss facility could house about 5,000 beds.

No official photos have been released of the Fort Bliss Emergency Intake Shelters so far.

The tents, officially referred to as Emergency Intake Shelters, were set up at Fort Bliss in El Paso last month to cater for unaccompanied migrant children amid an influx of those arriving at the US-Mexico border. Photo courtesy of CBS4

Officials have refused to say how many migrants are currently being held at the army base but White House press secretary Jen Psaki said last month that the Fort Bliss facility could house about 5,000 beds. Photo courtesy of CBS4

Sources told Fox News that military personnel at the army base have been ordered not to take photos of the tents.

The only images of the tents that have been made public have come from two lawmakers who visited Fort Bliss to inspect the intake shelters over the last two weeks.

The six tents can be seen in the background of photos posted on Twitter by Democrat Rep. Veronica Escobar and Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales.

Those same sources said there were plans to have more tents erected in the future to cater for more migrants.

The tents erected so far came after the Department of Health and Human Services received approval from the Pentagon last month to house unaccompanied migrant children at the army base.

The Biden administration has been battling to house and process an increasing number of unaccompanied children at the border in recent weeks, who have been backed up in crowded border stations and processing centers for days.

The tents, officially referred to as Emergency Intake Shelters, (pictured above) were set up at Fort Bliss in El Paso last month to cater for unaccompanied migrant children amid an influx of those arriving at the US-Mexico border

The only images of the tents that have been made public have come from two lawmakers, Democrat Rep. Veronica Escobar, who visited Fort Bliss to inspect the intake shelters over the last two weeks

No official photos have been released of the Fort Bliss Emergency Intake Shelters so far

The shelter system that houses the children has been overwhelmed and the Department of Health and Human Services has scrambled in to open the emergency shelters.

After weeks of shutting the media out and releasing their own photos, the Biden administration let a handful of photographers into its main border detention facility for migrant children in Donna, Texas, last week.

More than 4,000 migrants, including children and families, were seen crammed into pods, with the facility running at 1,700 percent capacity.

At that point, 2,000 children had already overstayed their 72-hour legal limit.

Most of those inside the tents were unaccompanied children who were being processed before being taken to shelters run by the Department of Health and Human Services and then subsequently placed with a family member, relative or sponsor.

Meanwhile, new government statistics released last week revealed that 171,000 migrants were caught by US authorities at the border in March - the highest monthly total in two decades and the latest sign of the mounting humanitarian challenge confronting President Joe Biden.

The total includes about 19,000 unaccompanied migrant children and 53,000 family members traveling together, the preliminary figures showed.

The preliminary March arrest totals at the US-Mexico border represent the highest monthly level since April 2000 when border patrol agents caught more than 180,000 migrants.

After weeks of shutting the media out and releasing their own photos, the Biden administration let a handful of photographers into its main border detention facility for migrant children in Donna, Texas, last week (above)

More than 4,000 migrants, including children and families, were seen crammed into pods, with the facility running at 1,700 percent capacity

Monitored by a caretaker young unaccompanied migrants, ages 3-9, watch TV inside a playpen at the Donna Department of Homeland Security holding facility, the main detention center for unaccompanied children, last week

Young migrants lie inside a pod at the Donna Department of Homeland Security holding facility last week

Separately, two Yemeni nationals who were placed on the FBI's terror watchlist were arrested in California after crossing illegally from Mexico.

The two unnamed men, aged 33 and 26, were detained over the last three months in the Calexico area of California.

The captures were made by US Customs and Border Protection agents assigned to the El Centro Station.

CBP said in a statement on Monday that the two men were on a US government watchlist for terrorism suspects and were also named on a 'no-fly' list.

'Part of the Border Patrol's mission states we will protect the country from terrorists,' said Chief Patrol Agent Gregory K. Bovino.

'These apprehensions at our border illustrates the importance of our mission and how we can never stop being vigilant in our everyday mission to protect this great country.'

Republicans critical of Biden's border response have previously warned that terrorists could be among those entering illegally and evading detection.

The US government does not release data on terrorist detentions along the border with Mexico.

Migrants cross the Rio Bravo river to turn themselves in on March 30 in El Paso, Texas

Migrant children play near the border fence in Tijuana, Mexico, on April 2

Migrants board a van at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission, Texas, on Sunday
Leaving behind aged parents and a young family made the sting of Yinka Odumakins death even more painful for his loved ones, associates and admirers.

The heart-rending moment the news was broken to his centenarian father was captured in a video.

Not even the scriptural sermon and proverbs employed by a pastor in breaking the sad news could cushion the blow on Pa Ezekiel Odumakin, a church elder at the Christ Apostolic Church, Waasinmi, in Moro, a small community in Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State.

Baba Ijo, as Pa Odumakin is called in the ancient town, must have thought life lost its purpose with the death of a beloved and personable son who died at the age of 54.

To Yinka Odumakins nonagenarian mother, Alice Odumakin, losing the familys lastborn to the cold hand of death was too devastating.

But many seemed to have mistaken the young Odumakin for much older, with different media outlets reporting conflicting birth dates. He, however, owed this to his early rise to national prominence, due largely to his contributions to debates on national issues and the visible roles he played in many national struggles.

According to his wife, who he met at the barricade, Josephine Okei-Odumakin, Mr Odumakin had survived COVID-19 infection but could not survive the respiratory complications arising from his underlying ailments.

Until about two weeks preceding his death when he told journalists he was too weak to pick calls to his mobile phones and introduced an associate to be responsible for his communications, the vocal spokesperson for the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, was up and doing.

Despite his swollen legs and face, Mr Odumakin still held press conferences and continued with his column, Candid Notes, in the Vanguard newspaper where he regularly addressed issues of restructuring, insecurity, corruption and all sorts of maladies confronting Nigeria as a nation.

His last column, with the title: Decoding the no flight zone, was published on March 9, 2021.

Mr Odumakin was not free from controversies, especially his volte-face on the ambitions of President Muhammadu Buhari and his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, and his unending war of words with the former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu.

Thus, until his last breath in the early hours of Saturday, the journalist-turned-politician and pro-democracy activist fought on many fronts. As he silently battled his ill health, he also joined voice with his compatriots to rail against the national malaise of poor governance, insecurity and injustice.

From Moro to the world

On December 4, 1950, the United Nations at the 317th Plenary Meeting of its General Assembly, passed resolution 423(V) setting aside every December 10 for the celebration of World Human Rights Day

On the same December 4 in 1966, Mr Odumakin was born in Moro to a devout Christian family of Latunla compound. Named after the biblical Peter, the Rock and leader of Jesus 12 disciples, Mr Odumakin took after his namesake.

At an early stage, he charted a path for his struggles and never lost his voice till his last days.

For his primary education, he attended St Augustine Primary School, Ondo, in Ondo State, and CAC Grammar school, Edunabon, near Moro, in Osun State, for his secondary school education.

As a students union leader

At 19, Mr Odumakin gained admission to the department of English at the then University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife.

From that young age, Mr Odumakin was not intimidated from engaging in socio-political activities on the campus.

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Espousing Marxist-Leninist ideas, he was elected the public relations officer of the students union.

Lanre Arogundade, a former chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), and Adeola Soetan, a former president of the same students union, testified to his power of oration, clear thoughts and convictions and mobilisation capacity even in those early days.

Yinka was a prolific writer, a polemist, a rigorous social commentator with a sharp pen and razor tongue who spared no one in the unending contest of ideas, characters and issues. This attribute he developed greatly when we were together in the Leninist-Marxist Students Movement in the 80s in Great Ife Students union where he eventually became the PRO at a very young age, Mr Soetan, aka Baba Show, wrote in his tributes.

The current public relations officer of the university, Abiodun Olarewaju, said the deceased could convince the devil to attend a church.

Mr Olarewaju, who graduated from the English department in 1990, a year after Mr Odumakin, said as a member of the students representative council himself, he saw a persuasive but firm character in the deceased.

Journalism career

Between 1990 and 1993, the late Mr Odumakin had a stint in journalism, first as a features reporter at The Punch before moving over to The Guardian.

However, quitting mainstream journalism did not end his journalism career. He established Effective Company Limited, a media and publishing company in partnership with fellow journalist and former schoolmate, Femi Ige.

Mr Ige, who also resigned from The Guardian in 1994, later returned to the mainstream media and was the chief operating officer at the now rested Newswatch Daily.

And apart from maintaining his column in a national daily, Mr Odumakin recently launched a radio station, Petals 102.3 FM, in Ibadan, Oyo State capital. Until his death, he was the chairman of the station.

As a pro-democracy activist

Apart from his roles in the fight against commercialisation of education by successive military administrations during his student days, Mr Odumakin made strategic contributions to the nationwide protest against the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.

Giving the account of the deceaseds roles in the then mass protests, Mr Arogundade stated on his Facebook wall how the late Mr Odumakin joined forces to mobilise the densely populated communities of Sango, Agbado, Agege, among others, for the protest.

Living during this period with comrades Shola Aiyebola and Ayodele Arogundade in Sango, while the likes of myself, Rotimi Sankore and late comrades Remi Ogunlana and Rotimi Ewebiyi and others lived in the Alagbado area, we combined forces to command the June 12 troops along the Sango, Alagbado, Ijaye, Abule-Egba, Agege and Ikeja axis.

Not surprisingly too, he was there as a foundation member when in 1994 Chief Gani Fawehinmi decided to form the National Conscience Party (NCP) in defiance of the ban on political activities by the Abacha junta.

He also played key roles in the formation and activities of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO). The group, a coalition of Nigerian democrats, civil society leaders and human rights activists formed on May 15, 1994, spearheaded the fight against military dictatorship and particularly the regime of the late rapacious head of state, Sani Abacha.

Marriage

Till his death on Saturday, Mrs Okei-Odumakin called her husband Comrade. This must be in reference to how they met.

The deceased in an interview with The Punch newspaper had recalled how they met.

We met at a detention facility in Alagbon where she was transferred from Ilorin, Kwara State, after her detention over some pro-democracy campaigns.

Mr Odumakin said the late fiery lawyer, Gani Fawehinmi, had introduced the female comrade to him at the prison.

I had read the name in the newspapers before then but I thought the person was a man. Two persons and I were picked alongside Chief Gani Fawehinmi at a rally in Lagos and taken to the same facility. When we saw her there, Chief stopped and greeted her and asked if I knew her. I said no. He then introduced us and I told him that I thought she was a man. That was our first contact and we thereafter became comrades and later friends. The rest as they say is history, Mr Odumakin said in the interview.

A community man

As much as he was engrossed in issues of national importance, Mr Odumakin did not lose sight of his expected contributions to the place of his birth. Not long ago, when the community was embroiled in a communal clash with its neighbour, Yakooyo town, the deceased reportedly played an active role in resolving the crisis.

He also contributed financially towards the construction of Moro civic centre, a community initiative that is aimed at addressing youth restiveness.

Afeniferes firebrand spokesman

Since he took over the role from Ayo Opadokun, an ebullient pro-democracy fighter and lawyer, Mr Odumakin had redefined public engagements for the Yorubas socio-cultural and political group, Afenifere.

Mr Odumakin ensured balance in the affairs of the group between the methodical approach of the older generation and the aggressive tumult of the young generation.

He also doubled as one of the spokespersons for the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF), a group of leaders of ethnic nationalities in the South-West, South-South, South-East and the Middle Belt parts of Nigeria.

A frequent face on television screens, Mr Odumakins youthful carriage and charisma endeared him to many reporters who often sought his opinions on major issues of national interest. And he always had an opinion to share, even if you would not like it.

His political escapades and volte faces

Having started out as a member of the leftist Alliance of Progressive Students (ALPS) while on the campus in Ile-Ife, Mr Odumakin, according to Mr Arogundade, later joined the Labour Militant, a group of labour leaders and pro-democracy activists.

The Labour Militant soon metamorphosed into the now Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM). But he soon left the group for what his erstwhile associates and comrades described as bourgeois party politics.

His relationship with the former Lagos State Governor, Mr Tinubu, especially during the NADECO activities, soon blossomed and he reportedly played active roles in Mr Tinubus emergence as the gubernatorial candidate of the Alliance for Democracy in 1998. But their friendship only lasted till 2006 when they parted ways due to what many described as irreconcilable differences.

Mr Odumakin, in his acerbic style, would later attack Mr Tinubu in his various writings.

To Mr Tinubus admirers, the deceased was an ingrate.

Like Tinubu like Buhari

Prior to the 2011 general elections when the then-presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Mr Buhari, appointed him his spokesperson, Mr Odumakin saw Mr Buhari as the best thing waiting to happen to Nigeria.

He toured the country marketing the man as a messiah and attacking the incumbent president, Goodluck Jonathan.

But in less than four years, Mr Odumakin switched camp, replacing Mr Buhari with Mr Jonathan, and swallowed all his vomit about the latter.

His book, Watch the Watcher: A Book of Remembrance of Obasanjo Years, which was launched ahead of the 2015 presidential election, was seen by many as a sponsored response to former President Olusegun Obasanjos three-volume book, My Watch.

Mr Obasanjos book had critiqued major political events and personalities, running down many of the political gladiators including Mr Odumakins newly found patron, Mr Jonathan.

Till his death, Mr Odumakin was very critical of Mr Buhari and never hid his regret for backing him in 2011.

He blamed the president for what he described in many of his outbursts as the gradual disintegration of Nigeria and called for restructuring as a panacea for the many socio-economic and political crises confronting the nation.

Contributions at National Confab

When on March 17, 2014, Mr Jonathan inaugurated the national conference, he appointed Mr Odumakin and his wife into the 492-member assembly that represented various interests.

As the only couple in the list, though representing different interests, critics accused the family of being bought by the administration.

His endorsement of Mr Jonathans second-term ambition was seen by many as a confirmation of the insinuation.

Shortly after the elections, Mr Odumakin opened a radio station and relocated to a new apartment at Omole Estate in Lagos.

He lived in the new house till he was rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) about two weeks ago, where he eventually died on Saturday.

Torrent of tributes

Mr Odumakins death attests to the saying that Good men must die, but death cannot kill their names.

Mr Tinubus tribute may have simply confirmed this.

In the course of the last two and a half decades, Odumakin and I had cause to collaborate in various organizations and in pursuit of different political causes at different times and I can testify to his capacity for hard work, his brilliance, his tenacity in his loyalty to his cherished principles.

Even if we differed politically, I had no cause to doubt his sincerity in charting his chosen path. He will forever remain a model of what a citizen who places the good of his country above his personal interest could be. For, given his talents and abilities, Odumakin could easily have opted to focus on his personal welfare and that of his family rather than embroil himself in the several struggles he dedicated his life to.

On his part, Mr Buhari simply described his one-time spokesperson as dutiful, and a person of conviction.

The young family Mr Odumakin left behind is devastated. However, it will eventually be consoled by the worthy legacy of a good name he has left behind.
Yet another story about airlines behaving badly broke on Monday. This time, a family of four got kicked off a flight because the two-year-old toddler was eating. However, unlike all the other grotesque examples of panicked mask fascism, this story has a happy ending: the flight attendant who caused the ruckus was the one who ultimately got kicked off the plane, and the family was allowed back on.

As a preliminary matter, the evidence is very strong that little children neither get nor give COVID from or to those around them. And as a factual matter, putting masks on a child who has just turned two is cruel. The family's situation was also difficult: not only did they have a baby who had just turned two, but they also had a special needs child who has seizures, and the mother is seven months pregnant. Also, it may matter that the family was obviously Jewish (for the father was wearing a yarmulke), a point I'll address a little later.

In the case of this family, people surrounding the family objected to the flight attendant kicking the family off when the toddler wanted to eat something. Eventually, the flight attendants, for reasons that aren't clear, kicked everyone off the plane.

This story has a happy ending: everybody but the bullying flight attendant was allowed back on the plane.

But back to that point about the family being Jewish. This is the third time in two years that flight attendants have kicked Jewish families off planes for weird or inappropriate reasons.

Just last month, Frontier Airlines kicked 22 Hassidic family members off a plane because of an alleged mask violation. Family members as well as witnesses said the unmasked member of the party was 15 months old, and the federal guidelines about masks do not apply to children under two. Worse, according to witnesses, "Frontier staffers 'cheered' and 'high-fived each other' while exclaiming 'We did it!' after ordering all 22 Jewish passengers off the plane." The airline, however, insisted that several other family members were non-compliant.

In 2019, American Airlines kicked a Jewish family off the plane, claiming they smelled bad. The gate agent even said he knew that Orthodox Jews don't bathe regularly. The family denies that claim and filed suit against American Airlines last year. (I don't know what became of the suit.)

There's a definite theme here of obviously Jewish passengers running into trouble with airline attendants. There's one other twist to this story of the family kicked off the plane on Monday. In the second video, above, the father notes explicitly that the push for them to leave came from a Black woman. At the very least, this reflects ongoing tensions between Blacks and Jews. Blacks are second only to Muslims in America when it comes to anti-Semitism.

I'm someone who believes that masks are pure theater. If we handled masks in a sterile fashion, putting on new N95 masks every time we are required to wear them, trashing the old ones, and instantly sterilizing our hands, I might believe in them. As it is, though, the masks themselves are ridiculous disease vectors, being handled constantly and taken on and off repeatedly. Their only utility is to offer some protection from large loogies if people cough or sneeze  and even that is doubtful, given the way masks are mishandled.

But there is good news. On Monday, the passengers fought back simply by being the opposite of Karens. They understood that it's insane to kick a family off a plane because a toddler is eating without a mask. Even the pilot and other crew members stood up against one flight attendant's madness  and Spirit Airline itself punished the attendant, not the family.

We, the People, have the power to make this stop. When we sit silently, we are complicit. When we speak up, things get better.

Image: Family booted off Spirit Airlines. Twitter screen grab.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
Denton, TX (76205)

Today

Generally cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 81F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 65F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
A brand new species of parasitic cuckoo wasp was discovered based on its clever use of pheromones

Cuckoo wasps - also called emerald wasps - are some of the most beautiful insects we have, with colourful exteriors that shine like jewels. However, these beauties have also created a lot of headaches.

"Normally we distinguish insects from each other by their appearance, but cuckoo wasps are so similar to each other that it makes it difficult," says Frode degaard.

degaard is an insect researcher at the NTNU (Norwegian University of Science and Technology) University Museum and belongs to the European research group that has now described thia recent contribution to species diversity. The new species is very rare, and is only a single specimen has been found on the Lista peninsula in Agder county in Norway.

For more than 200 years, insect researchers have struggled to sort cuckoo wasps into the right "species boxes," and to determine which characteristics are variations within a species and which are species-specific differences.

In the last 10 years, DNA barcoding has brought about a major breakthrough by making it possible to distinguish different species of cuckoo wasps from each other by looking at the differences in their genetic material.

"But it's not always that easy, either. In this case, we had two cuckoo wasps with microscopic differences in appearance and very small differences in DNA," degaard says.

"The next step was to look at the language of each of the wasps to find out if they belonged to different species," he says.

Insects communicate with each other through pheromones - in other words, they have a chemical language. Very closely related species often have completely different languages to prevent them from interbreeding.

The cuckoo wasp is an insect with above-average linguistic abilities. They are parasites, which means that they behave like cuckoos and lay their eggs in the nests of other bees and wasps. The larvae grow quickly and hatch before the host's eggs. Then they eat the eggs, the larvae and the food supply that the host has arranged in the nest.

"When you live as a parasite, it's important not to be discovered, and therefore the cuckoo wasp has also learned the language of its host," says degaard.

By conducting an ever-so-small language study, the researchers were able to discover that the two almost identical cuckoo wasps did indeed belong to different species. They use different hosts - and that means that they also speak completely different languages.

"The evolutionary development associated with sponging off another species happens very fast. That's why you can have two species that are really similar genetically but still belong to different species," says degaard.

When a new species is described it has to be given a name, and Frode degaard had the good fortune to receive the honour of naming the newcomer.

"A naming competition was announced among researchers in Europe who work with cuckoo wasps, and then the proposals that came in were voted on. It turned out my proposal actually got the most votes!" degaard says.

"As mentioned, the new wasp is very similar to another species called Chrysis brevitarsis, so the new species was named Chrysis parabrevitarsis, which means 'the one standing next to brevitarsis'."

degaard was also responsible for giving the species its slightly simpler Norwegian name of sporegullveps. He makes no secret of the fact that he found it great to be able to name a new species.

"In a way, you place yourself in the perspective of eternity, because that species will always have that name. There's something very fundamental about it."

The only known specimen of this cuckoo wasp has been captured and pinned in an insect collection. So it may seem both morally reprehensible and unnecessary that this one lone individual was stuck onto a needle.

"Even with today's advanced methods, using live animals for studies like this isn't possible, but collecting individual specimens fortunately has no impact on the population," degaard says.

"The insects have enormous reproductive potential, and the size and quality of the habitats are what determine the viability of the population, not whether any specimens are eaten by birds or collected by an insect researcher."

He adds that the collected insects are absolutely crucial for researchers to be able to map and describe their diversity and thus take care of viable populations for posterity.

###

You can read more about how Frode combines his role of mass murderer and conservation biologist in his blog (in Norwegian): http://www. beetlebee. me/
have said they are well prepared and working closely with delivery partners to ensure smooth and safe delivery of packages in where the government has announced a slew of restrictions, including night curfews and weekend to control the spike in COVID-19 cases.

However, there are concerns around the mandate for delivery staff to be either vaccinated or carry a negative RT-PCR report.

According to the health ministry data, till 8 am on Tuesday Maharashtra's COVID-19 caseload was 4,52,777 with an addition of 20,881 from the previous day.

In an order on Sunday, the government said all personnel belonging to home delivery services will have to be vaccinated and in case they are not vaccinated, they will have to carry a negative RT-PCR report. This will be applicable from April 10, 2021.

The state government also announced a weekend and night curfew during the weekdays from April 5 to April 30.

A senior e-commerce executive said with the number of cases in on the rise, the waiting time for getting the test and report may increase, which may in turn, affect the overall availability of staff.

Also, large-scale drives would have to be conducted to vaccinate the large workforce in the state that is engaged in making e-commerce and food deliveries.

A Flipkart spokesperson said the Group is committed to the safety of all its employees, sellers and stakeholders conducting business, while meeting the requirements of millions of its customers through safe supply chain.

In view of the state government's new guidelines, Flipkart is taking definitive steps to ensure frontline workers, including delivery, product installation executives and kirana partners, are tested for COVID-19 as expected while delivering shipments, the spokesperson added.

An Amazon spokesperson said the company is studying the latest state government guidelines to continue deliveries during curfew hours and on weekends in Maharashtra.

"We continue to practice stringent preventive measures for the safety of our associates such as adherence to social distancing norms, mandatory use of face covering and daily temperature screenings for our delivery associates and people working in operations sites," the spokesperson said.

A Snapdeal spokesperson said since the company works with multiple logistics partners, it does not anticipate any imminent disruption in its operations in Maharashtra.

"As in the past instances of lockdowns, we will continue to work very closely with our delivery partners to support the safety of personnel and the safe delivery of packages. In the last 48 hours, we have seen marked increase in orders from Maharashtra for home utility products, personal care products and apparel," the spokesperson noted.

Industry estimates suggest that Maharashtra makes a double digit contribution to e-commerce sales in the country and is a major market, along with geographies like Delhi-NCR and Karnataka.

Lockdowns are not a new phenomenon for in the country. Last year in March, as the pandemic broke out, a nationwide was imposed that brought transportation of goods and movement of personnel to a grinding halt.

However, the e-commerce sector has also been one of the biggest beneficiaries of the pandemic, as containment measures introduced millions to the convenience of online shopping, and prompted seasoned online shoppers to buy more.

There were initial hiccups and struggled to complete deliveries even as orders piled up. During the first two phases of the lockdown, e-commerce companies were allowed to sell only essential items like grocery, healthcare and pharmaceutical products. In the following phases (starting May 4), the restrictions were gradually lifted.

The players will bank on that situation to manage the situation better this time.

"Throughout the pandemic, our efforts have been to prioritise the safety of our supply chain and delivery executives and our customers...The learnings have been immense, and Flipkart is ensuring that appropriate safety equipment such as masks, sanitisers are available with employees as they follow COVID-appropriate behaviour," the Flipkart spokesperson added.

A spokesperson for online grocery delivery platform Grofers said the company is ensuring its delivery staff carries a negative RT-PCR report until they are vaccinated, as per the current government guidelines.

"To ensure the utmost safety of our employees, we are regularly conducting testing for our entire operations team," the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson noted that the platform has already witnessed a 30 per cent spike in weekly demand in Mumbai and Pune.

"With the state government announcing stricter lockdown norms, we are ramping up our capacities to serve our customers in a safe and secure manner as we anticipate an even greater surge in the coming few days. There has been a surge in demand in the hygiene category (disinfectants - up to 50 per cent and repellants - up to 100 per cent," the spokesperson said.

Grofers is also working closely with its manufacturing, merchant and brand partners to ensure there is no shortage of essential food items, and sanitation and personal hygiene 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.)
By Steven Church, Bloomberg News (TNS)

Wayne LaPierre, the top executive of the National Rifle Association, put the gun rights group into bankruptcy to avoid facing a financial investigation by New Yorks attorney general, a lawyer for the state said at the start of a trial that could reshape one of the most politically powerful organizations in the U.S.

New Yorks top law enforcement officer, Letitia James, is asking a federal bankruptcy judge in Dallas to either appoint a trustee to run the NRA instead of LaPierre, or to throw out its bankruptcy case, which would make it easier for her to seize the groups assets if she prevails in a New York lawsuit.

LaPierres only goal is to cling to the power that his position holds, Assistant Attorney General Monica Connell told the judge Monday during the first day of the trial, which is being held by video.

James filed a lawsuit against LaPierre and the NRA in August after investigating alleged financial misdeeds by the organizations top executives. The suit seeks to dissolve the NRA and redistribute its $200 million worth of assets to other nonprofits.

NRA attorney Greg Garman defended LaPierre, calling his fundraising prowess irreplaceable. Throwing out the bankruptcy would wrongly expose the NRA to a politically motivated attack on the groups First Amendment rights, Garman said. And replacing LaPierre would pose an immediate danger to the organizations future, Garman told U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Harlin D. Cooter Hale.

A trustee is in fact a death sentence, Garman said, because LaPierre raises $100 million annually for the 150-year-old organization.

Hale isnt expected to rule until after the multiday trial ends. Both sides will focus on the results of James investigation, which concluded the NRA executives illegally diverted tens of millions of dollars away from the groups charitable mission.

The NRA will acknowledge some lapses in financial oversight, Garman said. But those problems have all been resolved and the people mainly responsible have either left or been dismissed, he said.

Current and former top NRA officials are expected to testify about the decision to file for bankruptcy and LaPierres leadership.

One of those witnesses may be Phillip Journey, a family court judge in Wichita and member of the NRAs board. Journey inserted himself into the groups bankruptcy by asking Hale to appoint an examiner to look into the allegations against LaPierre and the NRAs counterclaims that it is being unfairly persecuted by James, who had called the gun-rights group a terrorist organization even before she took office.

The NRA filed its Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition in January as part of a bid to restructure and transfer its charter from New York to Texas. It said at the time that it remained not only solvent but in its strongest financial condition in years.

The filing came five months after James sued it for violating her states nonprofit laws. She has since accused the NRA of using bankruptcy in a bad faith bid to undercut the New York dissolution case.

The official committee of NRA unsecured creditors opposes an independent examiner, arguing another probe would just duplicate the efforts of the creditor panel. The committee also opposes the effort to dismiss the bankruptcy case and asked Hale to appoint a restructuring officer to oversee the reorganization instead of replacing NRA management with a trustee.
LIBERTY, Mo. (AP)  Decomposed remains found in a Missouri park have been positively identified as those of a Chinese woman who had been missing from Columbia, Missouri, since 2019, authorities said Tuesday.

Columbia Mayor Brian Treece said forensic experts used dental records to identify Mengqi Ji's remains, which were found by a hunter on March 25 at Rock Bridge Memorial State Park about 5 miles (8.05 kilometers) south of Columbia.

I want to express to Mengqi Jis family members, and to their community of supporters, that we support you and your wish for justice, Treece said.

Investigators are still trying to determine how Ji died, Assistant Chief Jeremiah Hunter said.

It's also unclear how long her body had been at the site but it had been there for some time, Police Chief Geoff Jones said.

Current evidence does not indicate other suspects but Jones said investigators were keeping an open mind and would go where the evidence took them.

Jis husband, Joseph Elledge, was charged in February 2020 with first-degree murder in her death. He has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. He also pleaded not guilty to child endangerment and domestic abuse charges. The couple has a 2-year-old daughter.

Prosecutors have speculated that Elledge strangled his wife to avoid a costly divorce and to stop her from fleeing to China with their daughter.

Boone County Prosecutor Dan Knight has said little since the remains were found but Jones said Knight is as confident as he was a year ago that Jis husband is responsible for her death.

I think we're closer to the truth than we've ever been, and I hope we can get there for her family," Jones said.

Authorities said when the remains were found that they believed they were Ji's. Hunter said authorities were notified of the positive identification late Friday afternoon but waited to release details until they could talk to Ji's family early Tuesday.

The family's attorney, Amy Salladay, said in a statement Tuesday that they took comfort in having closure with respect to what happened to their daughter. And they are grateful to the hunter who found the body, she said.

Story continues

She said domestic violence incidents and anti-Asian harassment and violence have been underreported because of the coronavirus pandemic and she urged Columbia to begin discussing the intersection between domestic violence and racism.

Xenophobia isnt new but this is a pivotal moment where Columbia should choose to take specific, measurable actions to make sure everyone is safe. she said.

During the news conference, Jones thanked those who came forward in Ji's case and urged them to continue offering information in other cases of violent crime.
Samsung C&T has won a 1.8tn (US$1.6bn) contract from the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport Corporation for the construction of Terminal 3 at Taoyuan International Airport.

Samsung C&T formed a consortium with RSEA Engineering, a Taiwanese general construction company, to win this project, which is expected to last 60 months. The new 550,000m2 passenger terminal and boarding hall will have a capacity of 45 million passengers per year and Samsung will be working closely with architects Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners (RSHP), who won the design competition in 2015, to deliver the new gateway project to the island of Taiwan.

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According to Samsung C&T, this is a high-level construction project due to the large-scale roof steel trusses and irregular ceiling construction and the need to avoid interfering with the operations of the existing Terminals 1 and 2.

Samsung C&T has previous airport construction experience, having successfully built Incheon International Airports first passenger terminal and carried out the expansion of Mongolias Ulaanbaatar New International Airport. Samsung C&T is currently working on a ground improvement project for Hong Kongs Chek Lap Kok International Airport, the expansion of a runway in Singapores Changi International Airport and the expansion of Bangladeshs Dhaka International Airport.

An official from Samsung C&T said, Through this order, we have once again consolidated our position as a top player in the airport construction project.
How well are we preparing the next generation of cyber professional? Photo: Shutterstock

There is a dire shortage of talent in the information security industry.

Today, industry roles command big salaries, but also bigger workloads.

When you read articles about the best jobs or highest paying jobs to consider, information security is always in the top 10 of the list.

How does this industry sustain current security professionals and prepare the next generation?

Here, I look at what current professionals can do, and offer sound advice for preparing the next generation of security pros.

Malicious cyber activities are becoming very common.

Some have gone so far as to say that this form of crime knows no bounds.

It is global and unlimited, like the internet itself.

The deficit of a well-developed, skilled workforce makes government and businesses recruitment efforts very difficult.

Developing sophisticated technical capacities has become a priority for US and global industries and governments.

The role of educators

No-one plays a more important role in preparing the next generation security professionals than educators and trainers.

We need to make sure existing education gives students a holistic view of cyber security with focus on relevance and proficiency.

The complicated state of cyber threats requires a learning methodology engendering critical thinking and deeper understanding to defend against increasingly complex cyberattacks.

A number of shortcomings exist in the conventional classroom training model in creating efficient and reliable cyber security professionals, according to the Software Engineering Institute.

Going forward, we will be facing increasingly interdisciplinary and multi-faceted challenges.

These will necessitate knowledge in different fields and areas, including law and law enforcement, criminology, engineering, computer science, to name a few.

This is hardly a surprise, as the main elements of cyber security  technical perfection, process, and people  must be supplemented by the capability to manage shortcomings.

Deterrence Doctrine and SPC (Situational Crime Prevention) theories

Information system researchers analysing security compliance and behaviour use the deterrence doctrine, according to which the likelihood of violations is inversely proportional to the perceived risk and punishment.

A review found that this theory has been the most-cited one in Centre for Internet Security (CIS) security literature over the past three decades.

According to this literature, one must increase awareness of an organisations efforts to limit ICT abuse and of the likelihood and/or extent of sanctions in order to reduce ICT violations.

The Situational Crime Prevention (SCP) Theory is widely used to study cybercrime and reduce criminal activities perpetrated or otherwise related to employees.

Most crimes are opportunistic and occur when a motivated offender detects a suitable and unguarded (or incapably guarded) target.

Proponents of the SCP theory find violators to be rational decisionmakers who carry out an analysis of costs and benefits before committing a crime.

Accordingly, the SCP theory outlines five broad categories of efforts to counteract cybercrime that security professionals should make. They are presented in the table below:



Table 1. Categories of efforts to counteract cybercrime, according to SCP

The US government established a cyber skill task force to address the crisis in human capital in the field of cyber security, improve retention and recruitment of cyber security professionals, and identify the best ways to create and support a national cyber security workforce.

This initiative gave rise to the NICE Framework: a proposal to group, organise, and describe cyber security tasks.

The framework is comprised of seven categories covering 31 specialty areas, as well as details regarding work roles, skills, abilities, knowledge, and tasks.

It has become a good starting point for developing a central cyber security curriculum and a useful categorisation of topics and related skills.

Cyber security exercises

The NICE Framework and the Situational Crime Prevention Theory have been combined to design and deliver cutting-edge tools and strategies.

One notable example of how these are used is the Cyber Security Exercises (CSE), an offense/defense environment, in which students are grouped and get a virtual machine to host HTTP(S), FTP, SSH, and other services.

These services can then be accessed by other groups.

The CSE aim to reflect real-life environments for students to apply their skills.

The approach of CSE architecture has proved useful for translating theory into practice.

More specifically, CSE are elaborate learning experiences aimed at developing competence and expert knowledge through simulation.

They are associated with a number of pedagogical issues, including design of exercises and training outcomes and evaluation.

Training effectiveness can be improved based on analysis, observation, and integrating educational knowledge and focus at each stage of the life cycle of CSE, including planning, feedback, and implementation.

Its necessary to measure change systematically in order to improve CSE, ranging from organisational change to changing customer experiences.

Scenarios to help prepare cyber security professionals

According to the Center for Internet Security, technical professionals, admins, and users share the responsibility for security.

The CIS has prepared a series of tabletop exercises to help cyber security professionals and teams secure their systems by means of tactical strategies.

These exercises are intended to assist organisations in comprehending various risk scenarios and preparing for potential cyberthreats.

The exercises Im about to present do not take very long to complete.

They are a convenient tool to develop a cyber security mindset.

They consist of six scenarios which list relevant processes, threat actors, and impacted assets:

Scenario 1: Malware infection





While using the companys digital camera for work, a staff member takes a picture that he then moves to his personal computer.

He does so by inserting the SD card, which while connected to his PC becomes infected with malware.

Unsuspecting of this fact, he re-inserts the card into his work computer and the malware spreads throughout the organisations system.

The question is how the company will now deal with this issue.

To answer this question, one needs to consider a few additional ones.

The first of these is who youd need to notify within the companys structure.

Its important to identify the vector of the infection and to establish a process for doing so.

In addition, what should managements reaction be?

Are there any other devices that could present a similar risk?

Does the company have policies and training to prevent this and do these apply to all storage devices?

At the core of this scenario is user awareness and detection ability.



Scenario 2: Quick fix





Your underpaid and overworked network administrator is finally going on vacation.

Just as shes packing the last item in her suitcase, her boss asks her to deploy a critical security patch.

She comes up with a quick fix so she can make her flight.

Soon after that, your service desk technician tells you people have been complaining that they cant log in.

It appears the admin did not run any tests for the critical patch she installed.

Does the technician have the skills and knowledge to handle the issue?

If not, whom should it be escalated to?

Does the company have a formal policy to change control in place?

Is staff sufficiently trained to escalate such issues?

Does the company have any disciplinary measures to take if an employee doesnt adhere to policies?

In the event of unexpected adverse impact, does the company have an option to rescind patches?

This is one of the threats that impact an organisations internal network.

Patch management is the process tested.



Scenario 3: An unexpected hacktivist threat





In the wake of an incident involving accusations of use of excessive force by authorities, a hacktivist threatens to attack your company.

You have no idea what kind of attack they are planning.

What measures can you take to best protect your organisation?

What is your reaction?

Again, you need to look at the potential threat vectors.

Perhaps certain vectors have been common in the last few weeks or months.

What methods can be used to prioritise threats?

You must alert your help desk as well as other departments within the organisation to the threat.

A bulletin board is a nifty solution.

You need to check your patch management status if you havent already, and augment IDS and IPS monitoring.

Think about getting outside help if you dont have the resources to manage all this by yourself.

Ask yourself what companies or organisations can help you analyse any malware identified.

Its evident that your response plan should account for such situations.

Your preparation is the process tested.

Your security professionals may be the first line of defense, but as you can see, they cant be the only one.

Your whole organisation needs to be involved, active, adequate, and compliant when security is at stake.



Scenario 4: Financial break-in

Following a financial audit, it emerges that a few people who have never actually worked for the company are receiving paychecks.

You conduct a review, which shows someone added them to the payroll a few weeks earlier, simultaneously, using a computer in the finance department.

How do you react?

The strategy starts with investigating how these people were added to payroll.

Lets say there was a break-in at the finance department prior to the addition.

A few computers were stolen.

However, there was no sensitive data on them, so the incident did not get serious attention.

Upon further and more in-depth review, it emerged that all of your employees were being charged a new fee of ten dollars and someone was siphoning this money to an offshore account.

Nobody noticed because its just ten dollars.

Its important to outline possible actions to take after any break-in.

Decide who needs to be notified and whether you can assess the full extent of damage.

Can you audit your physical security system?

Can you see what information (credentials) was stored on the stolen computers?

How can you contain the damage and how is it best to notify staff of it?

Last but not least, is it possible to compensate ones employees?

Here, response to incidents is the process tested.

More specifically, were dealing with an external threat affecting our financial information.



Scenario 5: Cloud compromise





One of the departments of the company often uses an external cloud to store huge volumes of data, some of which sensitive.

Recently, you found out this storage provider suffered a breach leading to exposure of large amounts of data.

It may be that all user data stored in this cloud has been compromised, including all user passwords.

Consider whether the company has existing polices taking third party cloud storage into account.

If so, is it right to hold the company accountable for the data breach?

What should your managements reaction be?

If the breach occurred on your own LAN, would any of your procedures and actions be different?

When and how would you inform your users?

What do you tell them, if anything?

This scenario tests response to incidents and deals with an external threat just like the previous one.

The difference is that it affects the cloud, not financial information.



Scenario 6: Natural disaster and ransomware





Your company has been hit by some kind of disaster.

As you struggle to manage it, you suffer another blow: a ransomware attack that renders your computer systems inoperable.

What do you do?

Every organisation should have a disaster recovery plan and a plan to continue operations.

Whats more, your organisation should conduct an annual simulation to make sure these plans are adequate and run smoothly.

Your emergency response plan should detail the steps to take after a ransomware attack.

If backup isnt an option, what steps will you take?

Does your ERP take both situation severity and the financial implications of a cyber security breach into account? It should.

A ransomware attacker (or any other type of cyber security attacker for that matter) will demand funds in cryptocurrency in the vast majority of cases.

Its easy to see why  they are untraceable.

Ask yourself if your organisation will be able to acquire cryptos, how much you can get, and the extent, to which cryptos will be accessible.

You need to be able to route emergency processes or communications through a neighbouring entity.

Who must you notify and how will you do it?

There may be line congestion due to increased phone traffic.

This last scenario tests your emergency response to an external threat.

Tips to organise exercises

One single person must be tasked with facilitating the respective exercise.

Each scenario should be broken down into meaningful and digestible learning units.

To make sure the group understands the scenario, read it out loud and try to facilitate a discussion of the ways, in which the members of the group would handle it.

As you talk, focus on key learning points.

Not only security professionals, but also representatives of other relevant business units should take part.

Identify any gaps and follow up on them.

Set exercise goals

Start by identifying the goals and desired outcomes of each exercise.

Its impossible to plan a meaningful initiative without clear goals.

Your goals will enable you to structure the scenarios clearly and see if your organisation has the capabilities required to defend itself against cyberthreats and operate within a hostile environment successfully.

Its of paramount importance to establish a baseline for each scenario because guiding principles, procedures, tactics, and tools differ from organisation to organisation.

Make sure info networks and systems operate in support of the scenario in question.

This is the main purpose of conducting cyber security training that involves numerous entities.

Plan exercises properly

Once youve established your goals, you can proceed to look at what sort of exercise would match them.

A cyber exercise can transpire within a bigger exercise on a general operational network or as a stand-alone event on an isolated one.

The former requires additional coordination to make sure it supports the bigger goal through controlled impact to the comprehensive network.

In general, these are the most important objectives:

 Evaluate effectiveness of incident reporting and analyse guides to remedy deficits

 Before the exercise begins, determine the effectiveness of the cyber training provided to participants

 Evaluate the participants ability to detect and counteract hostile acts

 Establish a contingency plan to cope with full or partial IT systems loss

 Determine scenario planning and execution success

 Evaluate your organisations capability to recognise the full operational impact of cyberattacks and introduce the right recovery practices and procedures for the exercise

 Capture workaround for loss of trust in IT systems and understand its implications

 Reveal and remedy deficiencies in cyber operations policies and procedures

 Reveal and remedy cyber security system weaknesses

 Determine what capabilities or enhancements are required to protect an information system and establish support for operations in a hostile environment

 Enhance cyber coordination, readiness, and awareness

 Determine if your interventions will help attain training goals

How to evaluate training outcomes

The outcome to aim for is enhancing awareness of and evaluating responses to different cyber threats.

Outcomes should be connected to the main goals of the exercises.

The solutions to the common cyber security issues detailed above should be customised to meet desired outcomes.

For example, exercise planners must develop one or more scenarios that involve threats to IT assets if the exercise focuses on evaluating the ability to detect and react to hostile activity.

These scenarios should be designed to stimulate participants and elicit responses in line with the goals and desired outcomes of the exercise.



Table 2. Desirable Outcomes

In terms of the first outcome, network administrators, cyber security administrators, end users, and system administrators have to undergo cyber awareness training that includes response to incidents, cyber threats, and responsibilities.

Specialists must provide the right cyber tool training required by security professionals for the exercise.

This should include procedures (detection, log review, and incident response), security devices (antivirus, firewalls, IDS), and accreditation policies.

Finally, the stage of application involves use of unclassified techniques and tools that security professionals can share.

These can include fake websites, social engineering, spear phishing, internal network manipulation, and/or physical access attempts.

The purpose is to run the exercise in line with the scenario and its goal.

Formal education

In-house training isnt always sufficient; formal education is often necessary.

For example, Fairfield University in Connecticut recently launched a Master of Science program in Cyber Security, which offers students practical experience using real-world apps.

The universitys cyber security lab helps enhance coursework complexity, motivating students to solve complicated problems and ultimately equipping them with the technological and critical thinking skills they need to mitigate, monitor, and prevent cyber security risks.

Being able to work under pressure is very important because security threats thrive off distraction and human error.

The right training and education will prepare the next generation of cyber security professionals by simulating real-world challenges realistically.

Nishant Srivastava, MACS CP, is an Australian cyber security expert currently based in New York City. He began his career in IT with the ACS scholarship program a decade ago. He is also a board member of the Information System Security Association (SSA) for the New Jersey chapter.
by Melani Manel Perera

The prelate slams the former head of state for seeking office again. According to the Archbishop of Colombo, Sirisena must be indicted. If no justice is done by 21 April, he will take to the streets. At 8.45 am, the moment of the first blasts, church bells tolled across Sri Lanka.

Colombo (AsiaNews)  Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith of Colombo has called for legal action against former president Maithripala Sirisena, saying that he has no shame.

I am still demanding justice. If justice is not done before 21 April, the anniversary of the Easter massacres, we will all take to the streets, said the prelate during the Easter service.

On Sunday, Sri Lankas Catholics celebrated Easter by remembering the victims of the 2019 attacks during Mass, prayers and ringing church bells at 8.45 am, the moment when the first bombings took place.

The faithful prayed for the victims and their families, but Church leaders were focused on the results of the ongoing investigations into the tragedy.

Two years ago, the first two explosions simultaneously hit St Anthony's Church in Kochchikade and St Sebastian's Church in Katuwapitiya.

The Evangelical church in Batticaloa (Eastern Province) and three luxury hotels in the capital: Shangri-La, Kingsbury and Cinnamon Grand were also attacked that day.

In total, 270 people were killed, including 30 foreigners; another 500 were injured in one of the bloodiest suicide attacks in recent history.

The question, the Archbishop of Colombo stressed, is whether some politicians held responsible for the attacks on the basis of the report by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCol) are so shameless that they dare run for office again.

Have I heard that the former president (Sirisena) plans to run again? How is it possible that someone with knowledge of the deaths can contest an election? How can he be leader of a party?

On behalf of Catholics, the Archbishop of Colombo called for the commission's report to be implemented expeditiously.

The document points the finger at the former head of state; for Card Ranjith, it should not be too late to take legal action against him.

The prelate calls on the authorities not wash their hands like Pontius Pilate, but to do their utmost to see justice done.

Card Ranjith notes that the PCol clearly indicates who the people involved in the attack were and wonders why they have not yet been punished.

Some ministers from the Sirisena administration still sit in Parliament today, while legal action is likely to take months, if not years. According to the prelate, this is an insult to Catholics.

Given the situation, the Archbishop of Colombo reiterated his intention to take to the streets to protest if there is no justice by 21 April.

Our protest movement will continue with the involvement of other religious organisations, until we get a definitive sign in a matter that affects not only Christians, but the whole country.
The U.S. Air Force announced Tuesday that the highly anticipated test flight of its new hypersonic weapon failed, with the prototype missile unable to fire from a bomber aircraft.

Calling the incident a "setback in demonstrating its progress in hypersonic weapons" development, the service said in a release that the AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon, known as ARRW (pronounced "Arrow"), booster vehicle failed to launch from a B-52 Stratofortress during an April 5 test over the Point Mugu Sea Range off the coast of California.

The test was meant to serve as ARRW's inaugural launch.

Read Next: Lack of Training a Factor in ATV Rollover That Killed 26-Year-Old Airman in Kuwait

"The test missile was not able to complete its launch sequence and was safely retained on the aircraft, which returned to Edwards Air Force Base," officials said.

"The ARRW program has been pushing boundaries since its inception and taking calculated risks to move this important capability forward," Brig. Gen. Heath Collins, executive officer of the Armament Directorate Program, said in the release. "While not launching was disappointing, the recent test provided invaluable information to learn from and continue ahead; this is why we test."

In June 2019, the service conducted the first "captive carry" test flight of ARRW, which is being developed by Lockheed Martin Corp. The Air Force still anticipates delivery of the conventional hypersonic weapon in the early 2020s, the release states.

ARRW leverages efforts from the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency's Tactical Boost Glide project, in which a glide-body vehicle reaches high speeds before separating its payload and gliding toward its intended target, though ARRW employs a boost glide.

ARRW's preliminary design review was completed in March 2019, Lockheed said at the time.

Monday's mission was the eighth flight test for the program, following seven captive-carry flights that did not include a missile release. Its objectives included safely releasing the booster vehicle from the B-52 and assessing its performance, including how the missile separated from its external location on the aircraft before the glide vehicle kicked in to propel the missile.

A Lockheed spokesperson referred questions to the Air Force "due to the classified nature of the program."

Because the vehicle returned to Edwards aboard the bomber, engineers and testers will investigate the defect before returning the prototype for testing, the Air Force said.

In 2020, the service canceled its Hypersonic Conventional Strike Weapon, known as HCSW (pronounced "Hacksaw"), in order to shift more resources to the ARRW program.

The Pentagon has shown great interest in developing hypersonic weapons, which move at more than five times the speed of sound and could potentially act as deterrents -- even game changers -- when responding to conflict from hundreds of miles away. Officials have said the services are working closely together on prototyping efforts.

-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @oriana0214.

Related: Service Chiefs Confer After Air Force General Calls Army Hypersonic Missile Plan 'Stupid'
New Delhi, April 6: Yakov Iosifovich Shapiro, the renowned sculptor of Uzbekistan who sculpted the much-famous statue and the bronze bust of former India Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri in Tashkent, has died at the age of 84. The statue and the bust, erected in Shastri's memory adjacent to Lal Bahadur Shastri street, has for past many decades been one of the major attractions for the visiting Indians.

Commissioned by the USSR government, the bust was unveiled in 1976, ten years after India's second PM had died in the in the Uzbekistan capital after signing the Tashkent Declaration that formally ended a war between India and Pakistan. Shapiro was also awarded by the then Prime Minister of the Soviet Union, Alexei Nikolayevich Kosygin for it.

International multimedia project, Uzbekistan's Cultural Heritage in World Collections reported how Yakov Shapiro made art panels for five metro stations, as well as monuments to Maxim Gorky, Shota Rustaveli, Hamid Alimdzhan, Sharaf Rashidov, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Batyr Zakirov and national hero Khoja Nasreddin Afandi in Bukhara.

His works have been exhibited in Uzbekistan, Russia, the United States, France, Italy, Israel, Japan and other countries. The artist also worked on a number of architectural and sculptural ensembles, including a composition on a star theme: with the figures of Mother Earth, Icarus, Ulugbek, Tsiolkovsky, Korolev, Gagarin and with a bust of the Soviet Union cosmonaut hero Vladimir Dzhanibeko.

The Indian Embassy in Uzbekistan paid homage to the legendary sculptor, saying that a few of his works, which speak volumes of his artistic talent and creativity, will be forever etched in everyone's memory.

"Sad to know of passing away of great sculptor Yakov Shapiro. His statue and bust of Lal Bahadur Shastri immortalised the memory of Shastri in Uzbekistan. Shapiro will ever be remembered for his artistic brilliance. Condolences to his family and friends," tweeted Manish Prabhat, the Indian Ambassador in Tashkent.

The Indian Cultural Centre in Uzbekistan, established in 1995 and renamed as the Lal Bahadur Shastri Centre for Indian Culture (LBSCIC) in March 2005, also remembered Shapiro as a great artist.

During a visit to Tashkent in August 2018, late Sushma Swaraj, the former External Affairs Minister of India, had visited the Shastri memorial and also met Shapiro.

Tributes are paid at the Shastri Memorial in Tashkent regularly with the birth and death anniversaries of the former PM, who has become a symbol of friendship between both the countries, being observed in Uzbekistan every year.

India and Uzbekistan - the deepening strategic partnership India and Uzbekistan continue to share deep-rooted historical and cultural linkages. However, ever since the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Tashkent in July 2015, both countries have further deepened strategic relations, mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation in various fields, as well as international and regional issues of mutual interest.

Remaining committed to expanding bilateral cooperation with Uzbekistan in meeting the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, India had supplied 660,000 doses of 'Made in India' vaccine to Tashkent last month under the 'Vaccine Maitri' initiative.

Last year, India had gifted HCQ and Paracetamol tablets sought by Uzbekistan, along with lifting ban on export of essential medicines to fight Covid-19. India also conducted e-ITEC programmes for capacity building of medical professionals from Uzbekistan.

In December, during the virtual summit between PM Modi and Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the President of Uzbekistan, both sides had also reiterated their continued commitment for enhancing connectivity in the larger Central Asian region to bolster trade and investment.

"India and Uzbekistan are two historic civilizations. We have been maintaining regular contacts since ancient times. There is immense resemblance in our understanding and approach to the challenges and opportunities of our region. And thus, our bonding has always been strong," PM Modi had said during his opening remarks at the summit.

"We have similar concerns about extremism, fundamentalism and separatism. We both stand firmly together against terrorism. We also have an identical approach on regional security issues," he had added.

It is here that the role of Chabahar Port, India's first overseas port project with strategic objectives and a gateway to and for the landlocked Afghanistan and the Central Asian region, becomes highly significant.

Citing the successful functioning of the Chabahar port that could be a fulcrum of connectivity to Central Asia, India had welcomed the Uzbek proposal to hold a trilateral dialogue among India, Iran and Uzbekistan to promote connectivity through Chabahar.

India had also requested the Uzbek side to consider joining the international North-South Transport Corridor which would add to the overall improvement of connectivity in the larger Eurasian space.

Giving a further push to the connectivity project, Uzbekistan Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov had travelled to New Delhi and met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, inviting him to an international conference on regional connectivity being organized by Uzbekistan in Tashkent on 15-16 July, 2021.

Post Kamilov's visit, the armies of India and Uzbekistan held a joint military exercise 'DUSTLIK II' in Uttarakhand, last month.

The joint exercise, which saw participation of 45 soldiers each from Uzbekistan and Indian Army, saw both contingents sharing their expertise and skills in the field of counter terrorist operations in mountainous/rural/urban scenario.

(This content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative/
BROOKLYN, N.Y., April 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pakistani American Youth Society, and Helping Hands of Brighton along with Imam Sheriff Ul Islam are gathering at NetCost Market's 532 Neptune Avenue, Brooklyn location on Tuesday April, 6th at 4pm and will be hosting a press conference and ceremonial presentation of "Humanitarian of the Year" Award to NetCost Market EVP Angelina Khristichenko.

Ms. Khristichenko, on behalf of NetCost Market, has conducted many philanthropic efforts throughout the last year to benefit local communities, charities, front line workers, families in need of assistance, and first responders. This year during Ramadan, NetCost Market will be donating 200 food gift bags per day for the duration of Ramadan to families in the local Brooklyn community.

NetCost Market (www.netcostmarket.com) is a full service, 12 store grocery chain with 6 store locations in Brooklyn. The chain, family-founded and operated was started in Brooklyn in 2000 to supply imported foods from Eastern Europe and Russia to immigrated families searching for foods from their homelands. NetCost Market began its journey as a local food supplier and has since expanded to the NYC boroughs, NJ, and Greater Philadelphia. NetCost Market often partners with charities and local community and religious organizations of all denominations to provide service to the community including providing the needy with food and the neighborhoods with fun events.

SOURCE NetCost Market

Related Links

https://www.netcostmarket.com


ZURICH (dpa-AFX) - Credit Suisse sold about $2.3 billion worth of stocks tied to the Archegos Capital. The Zurich-based lender will change its executives after the bank was affected by the collapse of Archegos Capital Management, Bloomberg reported citing people familiar with the matter. Archegos Capital Management is a family office capital management firm run by Bill Hwang. Credit Suisse's investment-bank chief Brian Chin is set to leave, with his exit announced as soon as Tuesday, the report said. The report also said Zurich-based lender is discussing replacing Chief Risk Officer Lara Warner while sparing Chief Executive Officer Thomas Gottstein as they tally Archegos-related losses. Paul Galietto, head of equities sales and trading, has stepped down effective immediately, but he will stay through April to assist in the transition, the report said. Anthony Abenante will reportedly replace Galietto on an interim basis while continuing in his current role as global head of execution services. On March 29, Credit Suisse reportedly disclosed that it anticipated significant losses in connection with positions linked to Archegos Capital Management after Archegos failed to meet margin calls the prior week, forcing the liquidation of more than $20 billion in holdings. On 26 March Archegos defaulted on margin calls from several global investment banks, including Credit Suisse and Nomura Holdings, as well as Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. The fund had large, concentrated positions in ViacomCBS, Baidu, and other companies, and the firm's use of total return swaps had helped to hide its high exposure from lending banks. Its derivative contracts 'exposed the firm to severe losses when the trades went bad.' The Wall Street Journal had reported that Hwang lost $8 billion in ten days. 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.
Former Gov. Chris Christie, like most Republican leaders, is campaigning hard against President Bidens $2.2 trillion infrastructure plan, arguing that its a Trojan Horse loaded with liberal ambitions.

About 25 percent of $2.2 trillion goes to what he just talked about, roads, bridges, tunnels, airports, Internet, he said during his regular appearance on ABCs This Week. The rest of the bill goes to a lot of other thingsand thats fine. Lets make the arguments on the merits for those things and not call them infrastructure.

Its true that Democrats are stretching the definition of infrastructure to the breaking point in this bill. It includes $213 billion for affordable housing, and $400 billion more to expand caregiving for the elderly and disabled, and to lift the medieval wages of the workers in that industry, most of whom are women. Nearly $600 billion would be devoted to beefing up cutting edge manufacturing, job training and research, with an eye to competing with China. So, like it or not, the Trojan Horse metaphor is fair.

But Christie is exaggerating the other way when he says just 25 percent of the bill is aimed at infrastructure. And other Republican leaders who have put the number as low as 5 percent are spreading Trumpian nonsense.

Heres a breakdown: The bill includes $621 billion for transportation, including roads, bridges, mass transit and an initiative to build 500,000 charging stations for electric vehicles. Thats in line with the strictest definition of infrastructure, and amount to almost exactly 25 percent.

But that ignores a lot. Christie isnt including the $100 billion Biden wants to spend expanding broadband service to underserved areas, including vast swaths of rural America. Why should a road count as infrastructure, but not wiring for internet access? Bidens plan includes $100 billion to modernize decrepit drinking water systems, and $45 billion to finally remove all the lead pipes that are poisoning our children. Thats infrastructure, too.

The low-ball estimate doesnt include initiatives to fight climate change, either, like the $100 billion to modernize the electric grid, which has the added benefit of improving its reliability. The millions in Texas who just had to melt snow in their bathtubs to flush their toilets would surely consider that infrastructure spending.

Biden includes $126 billion to build over 1 million energy efficient housing units, and $400 billion in tax credits to encourage the production of wind, solar and other green energy. He includes $50 billion for the National Science Foundation, $40 billion to upgrade the nations laboratories, and $50 billion to fund climate demonstration projects.

Fighting climate may not fall within the traditional definition of infrastructure, but times have changed. Spending on green energy will strengthen the hard-wiring of our economy and protect our environment. Thats infrastructure, too, even if the problem it addresses is new.

So, a more fair estimate is that Bidens infrastructure bill is about half infrastructure, and half unrelated liberal initiatives.

Why is Biden being so ambitious? Because history has shown him that Republicans are almost certain to vote against his plan, even if he scales it back, just as they uniformly opposed the $1.9 trillion relief plan.

Biden was present when President Obama shaped his agenda with an eye towards winning GOP support, scaling back both the 2009 stimulus and his health care plan -- and in both cases he got virtually no Republican votes in return. Their reflexive opposition means that Biden has little incentive to meet them halfway. And given that Republicans could retake control of the Senate or House in 2022, Biden knows he must use the majorities he has while he can.

Bidens plan is popular, at least so far. And that includes his means to pay for it, primarily by raising taxes on corporations, including profits they earn abroad, and by ending tax breaks for the fossil fuel industry. Republicans are universally opposed to that, of course, but the American people are not. A recent poll from Reuters/Ipsos found that 64 percent support a tax hike on large businesses, and 56 percent support ending the breaks for fossil fuel.

Times are changing. Americans have a felt sense of the economic injustice, as the spoils of our economy are funneled increasingly to the wealthiest. Biden wants some of that money back to rebuild the country for all of us. Republican leaders dont like that, but Americans do. Heres hoping Biden keeps pressing hard.

More: Tom Moran columns

Tom Moran may be reached at tmoran@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @tomamoran. Find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.
Scratch the surface of many small, price-competitive brands and you will often find a big, established premium brand hiding underneath.

In Australia, it is often called the Jetstar strategy after Qantas budget subsidiary. However, the broader term used in business and marketing circles is multi-brand strategy.

Porsche is one of multiple brands owned by Volkswagen. Credit:Tony Davis.

For example, Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche and Skoda are all owned by Volkswagen. LOreal also owns Garnier, Maybelline and Kiehls. Facebook owns Instagram and WhatsApp.

It is the same with household energy bills, insurance and banking. There may be dozens of competitors in each sector but many of them are owned by a handful of mothership corporations.
Late yesterday, Patently Apple posted a report titled "Two new Executives have joined Molly Thompson, Head of Documentaries / Non-Fiction, to beef up Non-Fiction Content." One of the new executives, Erika Clarke, joined Apple in January and was previously an executive producer at Spotify Studios where she co-ran the companys podcast studio division that included original content.

Today we're learning that Apple TV+ has announced its first combination Apple podcast-Apple TV+ original, titled "The Line."

Alex Gibneys Jigsaw Productions has produced "The Line," which comprises two non-fiction series: a six-part narrative non-fiction audio series that debuted Monday (April 6) on Apple Podcasts and a four-part limited documentary series premiering this fall on Apple TV Plus.

The pair of original series promises to reveal "previously untold aspects" about the story of former Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher, who in 2018 was charged with committing war crimes after he had posed for a photo with a corpse in Iraq. Members of his platoon had broken ranks and accused Gallagher of murder; he was ultimately acquitted on all but one minor count and in the fall of 2019 and was pardoned by President Trump.

Both series will examine "the complicated realities involved with fighting a decades-long war, stripping back the layers surrounding Gallaghers alleged crimes," according to Apple.

The first two episodes of "The Line" are available now on Apple Podcasts and the following four episodes will premiere weekly each Tuesday through May 4.

In the fall of 2021, Apple TV Plus plans to debut a four-part docu-series, also called "The Line," which will include "never-before-seen footage" and take a deep dive into the U.S.s counterterrorism efforts in the Middle East.

For more on this, read the full report on Variety.

Archive: Apple TV News
Uxbridge, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/06/2021 -- For over 15 years, Sapphire Info Solutions has provided accounting outsourcing services to various sizes of accountancy practices. The company was established by Kawitansh (Kevin) Khanna and is being managed by him. Apart from being a Chartered Accountant, he has several qualifications such as information system audit from ICAI, and fellow international association of bookkeepers (FIAB), UK. Furthermore, Sapphire Info Solutions offers accounting outsourcing services with stringent security and productivity standards; they are a company dedicated to the data security of their clients.



Answering a query, Sapphire Info Solutions' spokesperson said," Our workers are intensely versed in all the major accounting software used mainly in Australia and the UK. At this moment, our team consists of over 75 persons in 2 places in the country. In the United Kingdom, we are among the licensed outsourcing partners for the TaxAssist franchisees chain. Our security policies are strictly adhered to ensure our clients' data are kept private and safe".



Accounting outsourcing services help with handling bookkeeping, payroll, tax calculations, among others. It is an efficient means to go about accounting works, and it has positive impacts on decision-making. Effective monitoring of businesses and their expenses and reduced operating cost is also among the advantages it offers. Accounting outsourcing services are time-efficient, as it enables concentration on aspects that lead to business growth. At Sapphire Info Solutions, their team of professionals are highly knowledgeable about the standards to deliver an excellent result. Accountancy practices deliberating on where to get accounting outsource services can contact Sapphire Info Solutions.



The spokesperson further added, "Our outsourced accounting services include bookkeeping, tax preparation, VAT returns, and GST returns. We help accounting firms to improve the profits in their bottom-line and also to attain expansion. Being among the top accounts outsourcing companies, our professionals are well-experienced and competent in taxation and corporate laws of the United Kingdom and Australia. They avail our clients with exceptional outsourcing advantages. We allow access to a secured bespoke web-based job portal that helps our clients share their data, as well as to conveniently monitor the status of their outsourced accounting and bookkeeping works".



More so, Sapphire Info Solutions is registered in the United Kingdom, and its management is made up of a group of well-certified accountants from India. Sapphire Info Solutions helps clients, such as management consultants, IT experts, sole proprietors, doctors, and their business's productivity. Accountancy practices in search of one of the top accounting outsourcing firms can visit Sapphire Info Solutions' website.



About Sapphire Info Solutions

Sapphire Info Solutions is an outstanding accounts outsourcing company. The company, as in its employ professionals who are immensely experienced in outsourced bookkeeping and accounting services. These professionals are also very efficient at using accounting software such as QuickBooks, XERO, SAGE, MYOB, IRIS, among others. Thus, accountancy companies looking out to find accounting outsourcing firms in the UK can reach out to Sapphire Info Solutions.



Contact Information:



Sapphire Info Solutions



#3-4, 4th Floor, Nego Complex,

Pakhowal Road,

Ludhiana-141002

Punjab, India.

Phone 1: +91 161 5002086

Phone 2: +91 161 2443434



4 Whiteleys Parade,

Uxbridge Road,

Hillingdon, Uxbridge UB10 0PD

Phone: 020 3002 6314



E-mail: info@sapphireinfo.net

Web: https://www.sapphireinfo.net/
Metabolic engineering and computer-simulated enzyme engineering led to the production of carminic acid, a natural red colorant, from bacteria for the first time

A research group at KAIST has engineered a bacterium capable of producing a natural red colorant, carminic acid, which is widely used for food and cosmetics. The research team reported the complete biosynthesis of carminic acid from glucose in engineered Escherichia coli. The strategies will be useful for the design and construction of biosynthetic pathways involving unknown enzymes and consequently the production of diverse industrially important natural products for the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.

Carminic acid is a natural red colorant widely being used for products such as strawberry milk and lipstick. However, carminic acid has been produced by farming cochineals, a scale insect which only grows in the region around Peru and Canary Islands, followed by complicated multi-step purification processes. Moreover, carminic acid often contains protein contaminants that cause allergies so many people are unwilling to consume products made of insect-driven colorants. On that account, manufacturers around the world are using alternative red colorants despite the fact that carminic acid is one of the most stable natural red colorants.

These challenges inspired the metabolic engineering research group at KAIST to address this issue. Its members include postdoctoral researchers Dongsoo Yang and Woo Dae Jang, and Distinguished Professor Sang Yup Lee of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. This study entitled "Production of carminic acid by metabolically engineered Escherichia coli" was published online in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS) on April 2.

This research reports for the first time the development of a bacterial strain capable of producing carminic acid from glucose via metabolic engineering and computer simulation-assisted enzyme engineering. The research group optimized the type II polyketide synthase machinery to efficiently produce the precursor of carminic acid, flavokermesic acid.

Since the enzymes responsible for the remaining two reactions were neither discovered nor functional, biochemical reaction analysis was performed to identify enzymes that can convert flavokermesic acid into carminic acid. Then, homology modeling and docking simulations were performed to enhance the activities of the two identified enzymes. The team could confirm that the final engineered strain could produce carminic acid directly from glucose. The C-glucosyltransferase developed in this study was found to be generally applicable for other natural products as showcased by the successful production of an additional product, aloesin, which is found in aloe leaves.

"The most important part of this research is that unknown enzymes for the production of target natural products were identified and improved by biochemical reaction analyses and computer simulation-assisted enzyme engineering," says Dr. Dongsoo Yang. He explained the development of a generally applicable C-glucosyltransferase is also useful since C-glucosylation is a relatively unexplored reaction in bacteria including Escherichia coli. Using the C-glucosyltransferase developed in this study, both carminic acid and aloesin were successfully produced from glucose.

"A sustainable and insect-free method of producing carminic acid was achieved for the first time in this study. Unknown or inefficient enzymes have always been a major problem in natural product biosynthesis, and here we suggest one effective solution for solving this problem. As maintaining good health in the aging society is becoming increasingly important, we expect that the technology and strategies developed here will play pivotal roles in producing other valuable natural products of medical or nutritional importance," said Distinguished Professor Sang Yup Lee.

###

This work was supported by the Technology Development Program to Solve Climate Changes on Systems Metabolic Engineering for Biorefineries of the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) through the National Research Foundation (NRF) of Korea and the KAIST Cross-Generation Collaborative Lab project; Sang Yup Lee and Dongsoo Yang were also supported by Novo Nordisk Foundation in Denmark.

-About KAIST

KAIST is the first and top science and technology university in Korea. KAIST was established in 1971 by the Korean government to educate scientists and engineers committed to the industrialization and economic growth of Korea.

Since then, KAIST and its 64,739 graduates have been the gateway to advanced science and technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. KAIST has emerged as one of the most innovative universities with more than 10,000 students enrolled in five colleges and seven schools including 1,039 international students from 90 countries.

On the precipice of its semi-centennial anniversary in 2021, KAIST continues to strive to make the world better through the pursuit in education, research, entrepreneurship, and globalization.
New Delhi: After Ramya Krishnan uploaded an emotional video of watching evergreen Bollywood actress Rekha performing on singing reality show 'Indian Idol 12', now Sona Mohapatra also expressed her happiness on seeing the 'Silsila' actress' appearance on the show. However, she reiterated her disappointment with the show makers for sheltering music composer Anu Malik, who was accused of sexual harassment during India's MeToo movement.

In her tweet, Sona wrote, "Happy to see #Rekha , a fine artist & sparkling woman giving a boost to a sad music reality show on social media. Why sad?What would U call a show that kept a known serial sexual predator & pervert on its payroll year after year?Anu Malik.Doesnt even deserve a hashtag, #India."

Replying to her tweet, one of the users wrote how the show had treated Anu Malik's recent return on 'Indian Idol 12' as a guest. "They called him back and glorified him as a guest this year. He sang 'Ladki dekhi mooh se seeti Baji haath se taali" and I watched and squirmed," the user wrote.

Sona replied to tweet writing, "Basically they called Anu Malik on the sad show & made him sing this to instigate good people to protest & give the channel free publicity & promotions. Sexual perversion & perverts are a marketing tool for marketeer tools Ive figured."

For the unversed, Anu Malik was removed as the jury panel of 'Indian Idol' after he was accused of sexual harassment and misconduct. He, however, was hired back as one of the judges during the 11th season of the singing reality show.

The 12th season of 'Indian Idol' is judged by Vishal Dadlani, Himesh Reshammiya and Neha Kakkar and hosted by Aditya Narayan.
The Nsawam Police of the Akwapim South District of the Eastern Region is investigating a case involving a suspected goat thief, whose beating allegedly resulted in his death.



Police Sergeant Francis Gomado, Eastern Regional Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the police received information about the incident on April 3, and had since launched investigations into the matter.



He said preliminary investigations, however, revealed that on April 1, at about 1500 hours, the man, popularly known as Abombi, was arrested with a suspected stolen pregnant goat at Ayigbe Town, a suburb of Nsawam by some unknown persons.



He was then sent to Nana Odiasempa Nii Ade Quaye's palace at Ayigbe Town, who also happened to be the owner of the goat.



He said that on arrival, one WO1 Adjona Henry, 50, a driver of the chief, allegedly subjected Abombi to severe beatings with a rope.



He reportedly also stepped on his chest and neck, while the deceased laid on the ground.



Subsequently, he became weak and was thus released.



The deceased managed to walk away to a spot at a railway crossing, where he was found dead the following morning, he said.



Sgt Gomado said the suspects, Nana Odiasempa Nii Ade Quaye and WO1 Adjona Henry had been detained in police cells to assist in investigations.

Source: GNA









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Apple grower Sue Finger says it's crunch time for Victoria's horticulture workforce.

As her Vernview Orchard at Launching Place welcomed some of the first overseas farm workers returning to the state, Ms Finger has warned the industry needs to rethink how it sources labour during peak harvest periods.

Six workers from Vanuatu have arrived at Vernview in the Yarra Valley and they are among the first group of 200 from Pacific islands that has arrived in Victoria after quarantining in Tasmania.

Eventually, farms in the state will welcome 1500 Pacific workers under the deal struck between the Victorian and Tasmanian governments.

The new workers will join a raft of East Timorese people who boarded an airplane (pictured) as in Dili in December 2020 to pick fruit in Australia

While the workers are welcome, Ms Finger warns they are not enough and says the industry needs to look at its use of migrant labour.

'It won't be enough to service Victoria - (it's) one of the biggest horticulture states in Australia,' she said.

'We have to be a little more intuitive about how to attract workers and move forward.

'The solution may be that we have to rethink what we've been doing.

'It's a stressful time for us all - there are enough issues with weather and prices without having labour issues as well.'

Pacific Island nations can bypass Australia's travel bans to work on farms (pictured) under a agreement between the countries

Ms Finger said it was becoming 'pretty desperate' before Easter, with her farm's labourers struggling to harvest a bumper crop.

She added Vernview would be about $3000 out of pocket per overseas worker, but said the cost is worth it.

'Sometimes you have to do what's required to keep your business going,' she said.

'We'll take a hit, but we're prepared to do that.

'With perennial tree crops, if you lose a year of income you've lost your business.

'You have to weigh up the challenges sometimes and accept them head-on.'

State Agriculture Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said the Victorian government had provided $76 million to help the industry find local and overseas workers.

It is proving a major problem for farmers in the wake of the pandemic.

'What the pandemic has exposed is that the horticulture industry is over-reliant on overseas workers,' she said.

A seasonal worker harvest oranges (pictured) on a NSW farm during the Covid travel bans in 2020

'Backpackers are not coming back any time soon.

'Any industry that relies on overseas workers is going to find itself under the pump this year and has to think about different ways in which it can attract a local workforce.'

The state opposition says the arrival of the overseas workers is too little, too late, accusing the Victorian government of incompetence by not establishing a country quarantine facility for overseas farm workers six months ago.

'Labor's delays have dragged our farmers' livelihood through the dirt,' said Nationals MP Peter Walsh.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 20:17:21|Editor: huaxia

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HONG KONG, April 6 (Xinhua) -- The COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread in Asia-Pacific countries as the Philippines reported its record daily COVID-19 deaths on Tuesday while the Delhi government decided to impose a night curfew to check the surging cases in the Indian capital.

India's COVID-19 tally reached 12,686,049, with 96,982 new cases registered across the country in past 24 hours.

With 446 deaths since Monday morning, the death toll stood at 165,547.

There are still 788,223 active cases in the country, while 11,732,279 people have been discharged so far from hospitals after medical treatment.

The Delhi government decided on Tuesday to impose a night curfew in a bid to curb the rising graph of COVID-19 cases. The dusk-to-dawn curfew will begin from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. local time, and it lasts till the month end.

The Philippines recorded 382 deaths related to COVID-19, the highest daily death toll in the Southeast Asian country, bringing its total fatalities to 13,817, the Department of Health (DOH) said.

The DOH also reported 9,373 new COVID-19 infections, raising the total number of confirmed cases to 812,760.

The DOH explained that 341 deaths went unreported due to "a technical issue with the case collection systems" over the past week.

The COVID-19 cases in Indonesia rose by 4,549 within one day to 1,542,516, with the death toll adding by 162 to 41,977, the Health Ministry said.

According to the ministry, 4,296 more people were discharged from hospitals, bringing the total number of recovered patients to 1,385,973.

South Korea reported 478 more cases of COVID-19 as of midnight Monday compared to 24 hours ago, raising the total number of infections to 106,230.

The daily caseload was slightly up from 473 in the previous day, staying below 500 for two days.

Four more deaths were confirmed, leaving the death toll at 1,752. The total fatality rate stood at 1.65 percent.

Thailand's COVID-19 cases have continued to surge with 250 cases confirmed on Tuesday, and nearly two-thirds of the new infections were reported in the capital Bangkok, according to a report of the Center for the COVID-19 Situation Administration.

Some 156 of the domestic cases were confirmed in Bangkok, 30 in Narathiwat, 20 in Samut Prakan and 18 in Chonburi, among other provinces, the report said.

Thailand's total caseload has risen to 29,571, with 26,415 of which being domestic cases while 3,156 others being imported cases. So far, 27,948 patients have fully recovered and been released from hospitals, while 1,528 others are currently hospitalized and 95 fatalities have been reported. Enditem
What Alliance Pharma does:

( ) is an AIM traded company that focuses on the acquisition and licensing of pharmaceutical and healthcare products.

Over the past 20 years, the group has made over 35 acquisitions, which include healthcare and pharma businesses and rights to products.

Alliance has a clutch of so-called "star" brands, which are managed and marketed centrally and sold internationally.

These include: Lice treatment Vamousse; Kelo-cote, a scar reduction product; MacuShield, a supplement recommended by eye experts and anti-fungal shampoo Nizoral.

The company runs its business across three broad regions: Europe, where the company sells a combination of prescription and OTC products; the newer US business, where it is focusing on the promotion of Vamousse; and the fast-growing Asia Pacific business, which has a tilt towards dermatology.

How it's doing:

Alliance tripled its dividend for 2020 and said the new year started well as it integrates the substantial acquisition of Biogix and eyes other opportunities to add to its portfolio.

The AIM-listed company, which focuses on the acquisition and licensing of pharmaceutical and healthcare products, has proposed a final dividend payment of 1.074p per share for the past year, giving a total dividend of 1.610p compared to 0.536p a year ago.

This follows a year when sales of consumer healthcare brands improved to partly offset a decline in prescription medicine as routine treatments were delayed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Sales of Kelo-cote, for scar prevention and treatment revenues, were up 12% and Nizoral, a medicated anti-dandruff shampoo, rose 4% to contribute to a 1% increase in overall consumer healthcare see-through revenues to 93mln.

But a 12% fall in prescription medicine to 44.5mln led to statutory revenues falling 4% to 129.8m.

Underlying profit before tax, excluding the costs of the Biogix deal and non-cash impairments, increased 2% to 33.5mln, while reported pre-tax profits fell 58% to 13mln.

What the boss says, Peter Butterfield chief executive

Through maintaining good control of our operating costs, we have continued to deliver a resilient underlying operating performance and our free cash flow has also remained very strong, enabling us to pay down more of our debt than expected ahead of completing the Biogix acquisition, he said.

This strategically significant acquisition bears testament to our ability to continue to deliver on our longer-term growth strategy, notwithstanding the global pandemic.

What the broker says

Alliance Pharma has transformed its exposure to consumer healthcare over the last 5-6 years, something that the market is overlooking says broker RBC.

Almost three-quarters of Alliances revenues now come from consumer healthcare with superior growth to legacy prescription products and helped by a playbook of internationalisation, new distribution channels, packaging and line extensions.

The switch has also reduced the exposure to risk from government pricing and regulatory decisions.

Revenues should grow by 8% over the next four years driving profits up by 12% a year, with more if the company flexes its balance sheet fully.

Outperform with a 106p price target is the broker's view.
LOS ANGELES, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- GP Solutions, Inc. (OTC: GWPD), developer of GrowPods  innovative controlled environment indoor micro-farms, announced it has teamed with Caterina's Club and Chef Bruno to feed hungry children.

Caterina's Club's "Feeding the Kids Program" provides over children with a hot dinner every night at throughout Southern California.

Today, due to COVID-19, the region is now one of the most economically impacted in the country. The area is reliant on conferences, tourism, and the hospitality industry, and has been catastrophically hit by lock-downs. These are the industries that provide employment for many lower wage adults.

Restaurateur, Chef, and Philanthropist Sir Bruno Serato, owns the acclaimed Anaheim White House restaurant and makes the meals for the program. He has earned international recognition for his humanitarian work, is an Ellis Island Medal of Honor Recipient, and has been recognized by Pope Francis for his campaign to end world hunger. He recently addressed the United Nations with a message on the importance of corporate social responsibility.

GP Solutions is donating fresh lettuce to the organization each week. The lettuce is grown in the company's innovative GrowPods, which feature a self-contained, contaminant-free environment in which to grow ultra-pure food with no pesticides, herbicides, or harmful chemicals.

"We are pleased to partner with Chef Bruno and Caterina's Club to help provide hungry children with healthy food each week," said George Natzic, President of GP Solutions, inc. "Our lettuce is not only the most delicious around (so children will love it), but is also highly nutritious and ultra-clean. We are so proud to be able to help support this extraordinary cause."

California is the land of Hollywood and bright lights, so most people don't realize that the state has the highest level of functional poverty in the U.S., according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

Slightly more than 36 percent of California's residents are at or near the poverty level, more than one third of its population.

GP Solutions aims to help reduce hunger by working with community organizations and utilizing its GrowPods so that communities can have access to fresh, safe and nutritious food.

For more information, call: (855) 247-8054 or visit: www.growpodsolutions.com .

Connect:

Website: www.growpodsolutions.com

Facebook: facebook.com/GrowPodTechnology

Twitter: @GrowPodSolution

Forward-Looking Statements

This release includes predictions or information that might be considered "forward-looking" within securities laws. These statements represent Company's current judgments, but are subject to uncertainties that could cause results to differ. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on these statements, which reflect management's opinions only as of the date of this release. The Company is not obligated to revise any statements in light of new information or events.

SOURCE GP Solutions

Related Links

http://www.growpodsolutions.com


Toto Wolff has slammed McLaren supremo Zak Brown for predicting an all-new driver lineup for Mercedes in 2022.

Although McLaren has switched to Mercedes power for 2021 and beyond, that didn't stop Brown from predicting that Max Verstappen and George Russell would replace both Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas next year.

"Brown is just like Christian Horner - they just spread sh*t," Mercedes team boss Wolff told Osterreich newspaper.

"I think Zak just wanted to hang out with Christian but I don't care," he added.

However, it is rumoured that the relationship between seven time world champion Hamilton and Russell has soured over the past months to the point that the pair no longer speak.

"I'm hearing that for the first time," Wolff said.

"My situation between our drivers is the least of my worries, but I can imagine that because the competition between them is very strong. The big guys feel when another good guy is coming up.

"There is no doubt that George is the next generation," the Austrian added.

Wolff also confirmed that he thinks it is the new aerodynamic regulations that have particularly hurt Mercedes compared to 2020.

"Our disadvantage with the new regulations is simply there - it cannot be restored," he said. "The point now is that we can do what we have to in order to be competitive."

(GMM)
Worcester residents logged onto Zoom and dialed into the virtual Board of Health meeting Monday night to discuss institutional racism, police reform and public health.

Not long into the 90-minute conversation, which began within the Board of Health last June following the death of George Floyd, the idea of fact versus interpretation emerged.

Its about compassion, its about listening to each other and not talking at each other, said Dianne Langford James, East Coast Executive Director of The Torch Foundation. Its coming up with some solutions. There are facts and there are interpretations. And we are dealing with some facts right now.

Many of the Worcester residents who spoke during the meeting felt Worcester police were dealing in interpretations when it came to systemic racism rather than facts.

Former Worcester Police Officer William Gardner shared his experience as a Black man in the department. Gardner said when he was an officer, he was told by a lieutenant that he performed too much social work and not enough police work.

Gardner also told a story of an older man sleeping on a bench outside Worcester City Hall. Gardner said the man was angry the officer woke him up. One of the officers responded by swinging and striking the man down to the ground, Gardner said.

These problems still continue to this day, Gardner said. Something more than this quick phone call with a few of us speaking out needs to be done.

Less than 10 minutes after Gardner shared his experience in Worcester, Sgt. Rick Cipro, a white man and president of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers Local 504, said officers are always looking to improve but the department is not racist.

He said he is waiting for the public to show evidence of policies and procedures other than anecdotes that reveal systemic racism exists within the department.

I think the word racism just is thrown around a little bit freely, but I do welcome continued dialogue, Cipro said.

Cipros comments sparked several responses with callers pointing to Gardners experience as well as other examples provided by people of color during the meeting.

The idea that the stories being shared are trying to be described and undermined as just anecdotes, as if thats not a form of evidence, Marie Brouillette said. There are lots of kinds of data. Theres quantitative data that is in numbers. Theres qualitative data thats in words. And that matters and thats important.

Councilor-at-Large Khrystian King responded to Cipro with procedural matters that depicted systemic racism, not only in the Worcester Police Department but in the city of Worcester.

King said when he was elected to the council in 2016, he became the first Black man to win a seat since 1936.

Eighty years. That is structural. That is systemic, King said.

In the same year, King said he participated in honoring the promotion of Kenneth J. Davenport to captain, becoming the first Black man to be promoted to that rank.

I contend he is not the first Black, American male or female who could have served in that capacity. That I contend is systemic, King said.

Johanna Hampton-Dance, a Black and Native American woman running for a city council seat to represent District 2, also shared her experiences with the Worcester police.

Rick Cipro, I dont know him that well, but I do have to disagree with what he said about the systemic racism being here in our city, Hampton-Dance said. It is across the United States and to think Worcester is untouched its just, I dont know, mindless.

Hampton-Dance said she has witnessed Worcester police officers assaulting people of the public.

She said about a year and a half ago, she experienced the utter lack of confidence she has in the department after she was called racist and derogatory names.

I did not feel safe enough to contact the police, even though it was a hate crime, Hampton-Dance said. But what are they going to do for me, because they probably share the same sentiments.

The overwhelming majority of comments during the meeting offered support for further conversations about systemic racism and how to address the topic. Many of the speakers said racism exists within the police department.

Cipro denied the existence and welcomed a review as it would show that the department is not racist. Police Chief Steve Sargent was on the call as well. He thanked the commenters for sharing their experiences and said he attended the meeting to listen and learn.

Several speakers, including Board of Health Member David Fort, said the police must first acknowledge the systemic racism that exists before change could take place.

Zach Dyer, the former Deputy Director of Public Health, explained the differences between racism and systemic racism - that while Worcester police may not be full of racists, it could still be plagued with systemic racism.

The efforts to address institutional racism cant just be about addressing personally mediated racism or bias, Dyer said. They cant just be limited to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. We need to recognize that inequities exist because of a legacy of racist policies.

The conversation was not the first Board of Health meeting to touch on institutional racism. It wont be the last either. Fort said the conversation with public comments will continue at the next meeting.

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Unpaid salary backlogs, unfulfilled agreements, victimisation are among the reasons members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) are going on strike, the unions national president, Anderson Ezeibe, has said.

Lecturers in the nations polytechnics and monotechnics downed tools indefinitely on Tuesday after a meeting with the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu.

They had set last March as an ultimatum for their demands to be met, but shelved their plans due to COVID-19, Mr Ezeibe explained.

Mr Ezeibe said during an interview on ChannelsTV afternoon News Track that his colleagues were shutting schools nationwide because of the governments failure to implement the needs assessment report of public polytechnics and colleges of education which the government carried out in 2014.

Already, lecturers at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, have shut the school. The polytechnic in Ede, Osun State, has also joined the strike.

He added that since the report was completed and a funding deficit of over N800 billion was uncovered, successive governments have not released a penny to bridge this funding gap.

You must have heard in some state universities where they are owed for 24 whole months. And we expect these lecturers to produce young men and women who will transform this nation? Certainly there is no future in that direction, he noted.

For our members in the federal institutions, they are owed 10 months in arrears of the new minimum wage implementation  thats since April 2019.

In federal polytechnics, we dont have governing councils which is already disturbing the smooth running of the polytechnics. Promotion cannot be effected because of this.

He alleged that the government has been victimising the union members who have joined forces with the union in its protest.

The office of the Accountant-General of the federation is also making demands of purported tax liability of N20 billion from 20 polytechnics spanning between 2002 and 2018. The government wants to transfer this burden to the workers, he further said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the federal government has promised to address the issues that led to the ongoing industrial action by the teachers.

Residents doctors and judiciary workers are already on strike across the country.
After two false starts, a north Queensland couple might finally be able to tie the knot in front of the brides family thanks to the trans-Tasman travel bubble.

Amelia Williams was set to marry her partner, Alex Knight-Colling, on October 31 last year, however the pandemic and border closures prevented the wedding at her dream venue in Wellington, New Zealand.

Amelia Williams and her partner Alex Knight-Colling when they got engaged in the Maldives in 2019. Credit:Amelia Williams

The Townsville-based couple lost thousands of dollars and moved the date to Easter Saturday, which also had to be cancelled due to COVID-19 and border concerns.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Tuesday that the trans-Tasman bubble would begin on April 18, meaning Australians could travel to New Zealand with no mandatory quarantine.
A vast majority of businesses (83 percent) expect to work remote at least half the time, whereas 60 percent of employees not only agree but are happy to do so, according to Lenovos new Future of Work and Digital Transformation study.



Among the key insights is that workers have hit their stride navigating their new WFH lives. Most employees (83 percent) want a hybrid work model post-Covid, which businesses say are more than happy to accommodate because they know its a way to drive employee engagement and attract new talent.



Enabling remote work has meant a change in digital adoption, with an increased usage of personal devices for work; wider adoption of collaboration cloud and software; and a heightened focus on data security among IT functions across businesses of all sizes. The study also shows that trusted technology providers will need to play a key role in developing future digital strategies, while Device-as-a-Service (DaaS) is gaining traction among larger businesses to make it easier to provide employees with up-to-date technology devices and as a way to free up precious resources for more strategic priorities.



Over the past year, businesses and employees alike have gained deep understanding of both the challenges and benefits of remote working practices. As organizations the world over seek to adopt hybrid working models, todays IT departments must grapple the domains of data security and compliance more than ever. Businesses need reliable technology partners to fully manage their hardware, software and services to maximize value, boost security, and ultimately empower employees to work from anywhere, said Shashank Sharma, Executive Director and General Manager  Lenovo Middle East, Turkey and Africa.



Employees overcome remote work burnout and start embracing hybrid work



Contrary to initial concerns that remote work would lead to a rise in employee burnout within the first year of the pandemic, the Lenovo study showed that most workers have adapted remarkably well to WFH and WFA  70 percent say that the flexibility leaves them more satisfied with their job overall. About 60 percent of surveyed employees now prefer remote work at least half the time, while over one-third want to WFH/WFA most or all of the time.



This sentiment increases among workers in larger companies, with approximately two-thirds of those respondents in large companies preferring to work remote at least half the time. Its not unusual, particularly in large organizations, to be working with teams across continents and time zones, which make the physical location of an office less relevant for effective collaboration.



Employees nevertheless cite a number of challenges. Chief among them are slow or unstable Internet connections at home. Additionally, about half the employees in medium-sized businesses (50 percent) and small or very small businesses (42 percent) report delays or challenges in getting any kind of IT support when needed.



Businesses may want to consider always-connected PCs with integrated LTE or 5G as a way to offer employees freedom from reliance on the home Wi-Fi network alone and to provide higher security. Smarter devices, services and software solutions that can self-diagnose and pre-empt IT issues can also help small businesses that dont typically have a robust IT support team.



With 90 percent of workers surveyed still wanting the option to go into the office to connect with colleagues and 56 percent saying they are more productive at home, its clear that the role of the office will be changing. The office is no longer the place where work gets done; its evolving into a place where one can connect and collaborate while leaving deep work for focused time at home.



The blurring lines of workers personal and professional digital devices show how we work



Remote work has also led to a new suite of digital hardware, software and services solutions. Ones collection of devices and technology for work has become increasingly personal and collaborative. Employees are increasingly leaning into the use of their personal devices such as laptops, smartphones and tablets for work, with 79 percent of employee respondents saying theyre now using their smartphones for work-related tasks such as voice and video calls, email and work chat.



When it comes to PCs, technologies such as AI-based noise cancellation during calls, webcam privacy shutter for when the cameras not in use, eye care for displays natural low blue light and better device cooling all rank as the top smart device features across employees of all business sizes. However, workers arent taking enough advantage of company programs to finance their technology purchases. While 80 percent of IT departments reported they are willing to cover purchases of work-related equipment, sometimes as little as 22 percent of employees have used these policies.



Unsurprisingly, collaboration cloud and software tools for needs like video calls and simultaneous document collaboration are now essential for a whopping 97 percent of employees. Almost two-thirds of respondents also say that these tools help improve productivity and efficiency.



Innovation first, security always  Theres no digital transformation without digital security and services



With the increasing use of remotely-connected cloud and collaboration tools  where even smart home devices may increase risk to company data as employees log on from home  data security has understandably jumped to the forefront of IT considerations and is now the number one priority for digital transformation.



This concern is putting a growing strain on IT department resources. ITDMs feel more prepared for another pandemic than against data threats. Data security and compliance are now siphoning the most time and money from IT functions, while most large and medium-sized companies already subscribe to an IT security service.



Businesses of all sizes will need to grapple with how best to keep themselves secured with the integration of partner security services and commit to a more agile business-centric approach to security that also focuses on the cloud and data. Against these growing concerns, almost all businesses report having some sort of continuity plan in place, such as cloud-based data backup (45 percent), physical data backup (39 percent) and data security training (39 percent).  TradeArabia News Service




Appointment

6 April 2021

Anthony Duggan has been appointed Area Vice President of Miraval Group, which includes the three award-winning wellness resorts: Miraval Arizona, Miraval Austin and Miraval Berkshires. In his new role, Anthony will provide operational direction for the resorts, leading with creativity and care to ensure that the guest experience upholds Miraval's promise to inspire a life in balance and that guest comfort and wellbeing remains paramount.

As General Manager of Miraval Austin, a role that he'll continue as he assumes his new position, Anthony has personified Hyatt's guiding mission to care for people so they can be their best. When Miraval Austin temporarily paused operations at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Anthony spearheaded an initiative to donate the organic produce grown on its 10-acre Cypress Creek Farm to colleagues in the Austin area.

Once the property resumed operations, Anthony was responsible for continually reimagining its offerings to reflect new safety protocols and feedback from guests and colleagues to ensure that each guest could feel safe, inspired and restored while on property. For example, working hand-in-hand with Miraval's wellbeing specialists, he expanded the resort's outdoor offerings to allow guests to experience the therapeutic benefits of nature while also social distancing. He and the team also developed and re-worked programming to teach guests how to live with renewed purpose and mindfulness during difficult times.

Anthony will continue to innovate and be nimble as he oversees and supports operations at Miraval's three properties, using his innate sense of leadership and sincere commitment to the wellbeing of guests and colleagues to offer an experience consistent with Miraval's guiding principles of mindfulness and a life in balance.

Anthony frequently incorporates Miraval's mindfulness practice into his own life when exploring the nature around Texas Hill Country. He also treats the act of cooking healthy meals at home as a meditative experience that gives him balance and energy.

Before joining Miraval Austin, Anthony spent more than 25 years in hospitality, leading some of the most iconic resorts in the world, including Amangiri in Utah, L'Auberge de Sedona in Arizona, Fairmont Kea Lani in Hawaii and Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 23:05:02|Editor: huaxia

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Libya's Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah (R front) meets with his visiting Italian counterpart Mario Draghi in Tripoli, Libya, April 6, 2021. The two leaders delved into a variety of issues to promote bilateral cooperation, such as the renewal of a 2008 friendship pact and opening the Italian air space to the Libyan airplanes. (Photo by Hamza Turkia/Xinhua)

TRIPOLI, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Libya's Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah on Tuesday met with his visiting Italian counterpart Mario Draghi in the capital Tripoli and discussed mutual cooperation, according to a statement issued by the government's information office.

Praising Italy's support for the North African country's stability, Dbeibah said Libya is willing to build a strategic partnership with Italy.

The two leaders, the statement said, delved into a variety of issues to promote bilateral cooperation, such as the renewal of a 2008 friendship pact and opening the Italian air space to the Libyan airplanes.

The Libyan prime minister also pointed out that Libya and Italy face the common challenge of illegal immigration, which requires contribution from the international community.

Draghi highlighted the importance of the cooperation between the two countries in areas of infrastructure, energy, and health care, praising Libya's efforts regarding illegal immigration. Enditem
I've been a reporter and editor at Missouri community newspapers for 35 years and joined the Columbia Missourian in 2003. My emphasis at the Missourian is on local government and elections. You can reach me at swaffords@missouri.edu or at 573-884-5366.

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FAIRFAX, Va., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Salient CRGT has been awarded a $70M new contract in support of the US Navy's Foreign Military Sales case supporting the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) Training, Logistics Support, and English Language Instruction. The US Navy uses International Security Assistance processes to promote interoperability with coalition with partner nations by procuring, integrating, training, and supporting integrated naval capabilities. They also provide extensive logistics support to foreign nations around the world and English language instruction to prepare allied and coalition partners to take more advanced technical training in the United States. These contracts provide training services, including curriculum development, as well as, execution and facilitation of courses both in the United States and abroad.

"Our superior work on our existing RSNF contract combined with our extensive knowledge of technical and job-specific training development, proved to be the best value to the US Navy. We are committed to continuing our outstanding relationship with NETSAFA; a relationship built on years of successfully supporting their RSNF partner and delivering the high-level training required to truly build partner capacity in a strategically vital part of our world," said Tom Ferrando, Salient CRGT CEO. "We are honored by their confidence in us and committed to exceeding their expectations."
Bree Dellamarta wanted her partner to stop calling her names, but instead of asking, she picked up a large kitchen knife and plunged it into his chest

Bree Dellamarta wanted her partner to stop calling her names, but instead of asking, she picked up a large kitchen knife and plunged it into his chest.

Mark Ward, 55, had earlier been out with his 41-year-old partner and her family enjoying a good night at their local RSL in Melbourne where he'd won some money and been generous with his earnings.

They went to bed happy, but later got up and the deadly argument began.

Dellamarta told police Mr Ward had been calling her names and she wanted him to stop. She was also tired of how much time he was spending at her flat instead of his own.

The woman, who has an intellectual disability, had only moved into her own home three months earlier, after the death of her parents.

'It is tragic Ms Dellamarta resolved that argument by picking up a knife and stabbing Mr Ward, and not by other non-violent means,' her lawyer Julia Munster told Victoria's Supreme Court on Tuesday at a pre-sentence hearing.

'She is someone who is not does not have strong skills in mediating conflict and she does not have strong social skills.'

Dellamarta, after initially being charged with murder, pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

The incident happened at her Heidelberg West home in January 2020. Dellamarta has been in custody since then.

The court heard Mr Ward collapsed immediately after being stabbed, and that Dellamarta straight away attempted to resuscitate him while calling for help.

She told emergency services she had stabbed her boyfriend and in the hours afterwards answered more than 800 questions in a police interview.

Dellamarta, after initially being charged with murder, pleaded guilty to manslaughter

Ms Munster said Dellamarta was remorseful and had accepted she should not have stabbed Mr Ward.

Prosecutor David Glynn described the killing as a serious example of manslaughter, on the borderline with murder.

'This is a deliberate assault with a deadly weapon, by a woman who has plunged a knife right into a man's chest,' he said.

Mr Ward's family, including two children, described feeling angry and numb after his death.

His daughter had planned to go to university, but has instead put that on hold and decided to take a year off work to work through her grief.

Justice Lesley Taylor will hand down her sentence at a later date.
Beauty experts have revealed the eight best-selling products every woman needs in her beauty bag, including a coffee body scrub that promises silky skin all year round and a foundation that models and professionals swear by.

The team at beauty superstore Mecca rounded up the items that get five-star reviews from their customers on a daily basis, as well as the beauty buys their own team keep in their bathroom cupboards.

The products range from SPF to perfume, hair masks and makeup.

Beauty experts have revealed the eight best-selling products every woman needs in her beauty bag, including a tinted moisturiser the models and professionals love (pictured in use)

Mecca said the formula of this tinted moisturiser is 'like no other' (pictured)

1. Nars Tinted Moisturiser, $68

The first item on Mecca's beauty hitlist is a $68 tinted moisturiser by the beloved beauty brand Nars.

Mecca said the formula of this tinted moisturiser is 'like no other'.

'Oil-free and lightweight, it provides a translucent veil of radiance and colour,' their team said.

It is also infused with natural botanicals and hydrating extracts like Kopara from French Polynesia.

This hydrates the skin and encourages natural cell renewal for a healthier looking complexion.

There aren't many women who don't want a healthy 'just been out for a walk' glow, and Westman Atelier's $73 Blush Stick is the perfect makeup cheat (pictured in use)

2. Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick, $73

Just one swipe of the stick - which is available in an array of six different colours - will give you a soft flush (product pictured)

There aren't many women who don't want a healthy 'just been out for a walk' glow, and Westman Atelier's $73 Blush Stick is the perfect makeup cheat to achieve this look quickly.

Just one swipe of the stick - which is available in an array of six different colours - will give you a soft flush.

The Mecca team said it provides 'soft and buildable colour' that looks natural while looking after your skin.

Hero ingredients include organic jojoba oil, which delivers essential moisture to skin while providing anti-inflammatory and antibacterial benefits.

The stick also includes biomimicry pigments, which mimic the natural elements of the skin to grant natural-looking, even-toned colour.

Byredo Gypsy Water is the celebrity go-to scent for the likes of Sienna Miller, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Kate Bosworth (pictured)

3. Byredo Gypsy Water, $337

Byredo Gypsy Water is the celebrity go-to scent for the likes of Sienna Miller, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Kate Bosworth.

It's easy to see why when you smell the heavenly $337 perfume.

'Gypsy Water's allure comes from the blend of sandalwood and amber with fresh lemon and juniper berry,' Mecca's team reported.

The scent boasts hundreds of five-star reviews on the Mecca website, where it has been described as 'divine', 'beautiful' and the 'best smell in the world'.

The Living Proof Restore Repair Mask ($58) is a favourite for thousands, thanks to its ability to transform dry straw-like hair into silky soft locks (pictured after use)

This restorative hair mask leaves hair looking and feeling healthier and stronger even after the first use (product pictured)

4. Living Proof Restore Repair Mask, $58

The Living Proof Restore Repair Mask ($58) is a favourite for thousands, thanks to its ability to transform dry straw-like hair into silky soft locks.

This restorative hair mask leaves hair looking and feeling healthier and stronger even after the first use, and it promises a 70 per cent reduction in hair breakage.

Many hairdressers use the mask on clients as well as themselves, and claim it's the secret to your best hair yet.

Estee Lauder's Double Wear Foundation has been a cult favourite for decades, and with good reason; it offers matte yet buildable coverage (pictured in use)

The $60 product (pictured) won't budge and it leaves your complexion 'fresh and flawless'

5. Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Foundation, $60

Estee Lauder's Double Wear Foundation has been a cult favourite for decades, and with good reason.

The $60 product offers 'matte yet natural coverage' that won't budge, and it leaves your complexion 'fresh and flawless thanks to its sweat, humidity and heat-resistant promise'.

The foundation is made without oil or fragrance, and it won't sit in your pores or fine lines.

If you're looking for a high protection sun cream that you can wear with or without makeup, then look no further than Mecca Cosmetica's To Save Face SPF50+ ($42 and pictured)

6. Mecca Cosmetica To Save Face SPF50+, $42

If you're looking for a high protection sun cream that you can wear with or without makeup, then look no further than Mecca Cosmetica's To Save Face SPF50+ ($42).

The budget facial sunscreen features broad spectrum 50+ UVA and UVB protection, and it has a matte, non-greasy finish that won't leave your skin covered in unsightly white marks.

The sun cream was recently re-formulated to be oxybenzone-free (also known as reef safe).

Designed with makeup wearers in mind, it's the perfect addition to your beauty bag.

The creamy long-wearing richly pigmented matte lipstick by Tom Ford (pictured) will give the lips bold colour with just one swipe, but it is still 'lightweight and comfortable' for everyday use

7. Tom Ford Lip Colour Matte, $74

While expensive, many say once you try a Tom Ford lipstick, you will not go back to any other lip brand.

The creamy long-wearing richly pigmented matte lipstick will give the lips bold colour with just one swipe, but it is still 'lightweight and comfortable' to wear for everyday use.

Tom Ford offers a broad range of colours in the matte range, from 'Best Revenge' red all the way through to 'Equus' nude and deep berry shades.

The final - and cheapest - item on the list was an exfoliating coffee scrub by the Aussie brand Frank Body (pictured)

8. Frank Body Original Coffee Scrub, $16.95

The final - and cheapest - item on the list was an exfoliating coffee scrub by the Aussie brand Frank Body.

Mecca reported that the scrub is 'an all-natural coffee scrub that prevents and removes dry skin whilst helping to fade stretch marks, reduce cellulite and breakouts'.

The scrub features robusta coffee grinds to stimulate the blood flow and promote collagen production, as well as cold-pressed sweet almond oil and vitamin E to protect the skin from free radical damage.

The Frank Body scrub has more than 700 glowing five-star reviews, and it has been described as 'easy to use', 'amazing' and 'game-changing'.
The movement against unconscious bias training, once a key element of employers diversity and inclusion strategies, is growing. A controversial UK report into racial inequality has called for organizations to drop the courses entirely. It may actually be too soon to write them off, but investor pressure may help find something better.

Courses to tackle unconscious bias seek to address the problem that deep-seated, reflexive ways of thinking lead to discriminatory behavior. While theres plenty of evidence that such ingrained prejudices exist, studies have struggled to establish whether these often one-off sessions make the slightest difference to what people actually do.

Worse, such training may even do harm. Britains Equality and Human Rights Commission has argued that it could backfire by suggesting stereotypes and biases are unchangeable. Employees who have taken such courses may feel they have cover to discriminate.

The British civil service decided to phase out its courses on the subject last year. Infamously, the former head of auditor KPMGs UK arm of told staff that the training had never resulted in any improvement and hence unconscious bias was crap. He apologized and left days later saying his position was untenable.

Cue Boris Johnsons Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities.Led by educational consultant Tony Sewell, this has generated a storm by concluding that the concept of institutional racism is overused and distracts from other factors that contribute to racial inequality. However, the body wasnt being radical when it said diversity training doesnt work, and that it merely exemplifies how organizations prioritize process over outcomes.

Ad-hoc sessions on unconscious bias are clearly no silver bullet. The mounting consensus against training that raises employees awareness of how their words and actions can disadvantage colleagues of a different race, gender or sexual orientation neverthelessmerits some caution. The potential benefits may be hard to prove simply because theres no standard model of what these courses should consist of. So its possible that a form of unconscious bias training could be effective  it just hasnt been developed yet.

Such training may have a role to play as an amplifier of other policies. Frederick Herbert, a behavioral scientist with the London School of Economics Inclusion Initiative, recently argued that unconscious bias trainingat least raises peoples knowledge of implicit prejudicial associations. Such awareness may not be sufficient to change behavior, but it is a requisite for doing so, Herbert suggests.

The question is what to replace unconscious bias training with, or how to build on it in a way that has measurable impact. The Sewell commission advocates giving ethnic minority staffmore exposureto peers, managers and decision makers, and providing routine skills support that could disproportionately benefit more disadvantaged groups.

It also favors nudge measures. Sometimes the changes are so simple that they seem trite, for example, using images of successful colleagues with an ethnic minority background on walls, it says.

But the commission also says more work is needed to identify what really works to advance workplace fairness. If thats the case, it may be counterproductive to be too prescriptive in precisely how employers address disparities. The result could be more ineffectual box-ticking. The business value of hiring from a diverse talent pool and creating an inclusive culture is beyond doubt. Better for investors to hold boards to account for achieving that, and pressure companies find the best solutions.

This will happen faster if shareholders have the necessary information to form a view. The latest Workforce Disclosure Initiative survey by ShareAction, the responsible investment campaigner, showed that just 4% of companies provided data on their ethnicity pay gap (allowing for legal restrictions on collecting the data), compared with 57% in the case of their gender pay gap. Just 36% of the companies surveyed their workforces ethnic composition, against 75% for gender.

The Sewell report puts little additional pressure on employers to disclose more detailed pay data if they arent doing so already. It acknowledges the challenges of ethnicity pay disclosure given multipleclassifications and geographical differences. But that shouldnt excuse companies from including this data in their annual reports, and then providing a narrative context if they feel their situation is more nuanced than the numbers can capture.

As ShareAction says, without workforce composition data, companies cant design initiatives that will respond to the needs of their staff. Training may have work to do to justify its placein the fairness toolkit. But theres no excuse for companies to dodge a data-backed commentary on what theyre doing to promote an inclusive culture.

Copyright 2021 Bloomberg.

Topics Diversity
In a methodologically state-of-the-art approach, US researchers have developed a protein-based nanoparticle vaccine against coronavirus disease (COVID-19), with a swift generation of antibodies and the potential to protect individuals who cannot receive other COVID-19 vaccines for medical reasons. The research is posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server.

Vaccines currently in use against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a causative agent of COVID-19, focus on the viral spike glycoprotein that mediates cell entry by targeting angiotensin receptor 2 (ACE2) as the main receptor and heparin as the co-receptor.

However, not all vaccine candidates are the same, and those with a multivalent display of antigen are able to induce a longer-lasting immune response when compared to monovalent antigens. Such multivalent options tend to use virus-like particles or nanoparticles as their principal strategy for vaccine development.

In any case, we are familiar with the footprint of the most potent neutralizing antibodies that usually line within the epitope for ACE2 binding on the receptor-binding domain of the spike glycoprotein, suggesting that this is actually a desirable place on the virus to exert neutralizing action.

Having all that in mind, a research group led by Dr. Maggie Gu from the ReVacc Scientific biotech company in Maryland, United States, developed a nanoparticle vaccine candidate named REVC-128, and showed its potential for enabling early protection against SARS-CoV-2.

SARS-CoV-2 spike ectodomain and nanoparticle presenting trimeric spike ectodomain. (A) Schematic of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein ectodomain. NTD: N-terminal domain; RBD: receptor-binding domain; S1/S2= S1/S2 protease cleavage site; FP= fusion peptide; HR= heptad repeat. Two arrows indicate the cleavage sites. The native furin cleavage site was knocked out (RRARSGAG), two proline at positions K986 and V987 substituted, and one glycine at position D614 substituted for ectodomain expression and nanoparticle conjugation. (B) Schematic of prefusion conformation of SARS-Cov-2 trimeric S structure with NTD, RBD and S2 subunit highlighted in blue, green and grey on one protomer, respectively (PDB:6VSB). (C) Size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) profiles of spike NP (red) and spike non-NP (blue) presentation on a Superose 6 column. (D) Spike NP observation by negative stain EM. In the raw micrograph, the representative of nanoparticle single particle, spike NP aggregates and NPs with varying stoichiometries was circled in blue, yellow and red, respectively. The closer observation of a selected multivalent spike NP is on the right. The grey scale bar represents 200 nm. (E) 2D classes averages of spike NP. The pictures show varying numbers of spike proteins on NPs. (F) Spike trimers are in the desired prefusion conformation on NP.

From structure generation to animal experiments

In a nutshell, multiple trimeric subunits of spike glycoprotein ectodomain with glycine at position 614 were multimerized onto the ferritin nanoparticle in order to develop this vaccine candidate, and the design aimed at preferentially presenting the neutralizing antibody epitope.

Furthermore, in order to evaluate the immunogenicity of this vaccine, two groups of laboratory mice were immunized with spike nanoparticle and spike non-nanoparticle with the Sigma Adjuvant System by utilizing a subcutaneous injection route, while the third group of mice was given phosphate-buffered saline as a negative control.

Vaccine protection efficacy was then evaluated in detail in Syrian golden hamsters, which one of few small animal models susceptible to the infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The scientists assessed not only clinical and immunological correlates of infections but also conducted histopathology analyses of the lungs and nares of two groups of infected hamsters.

High titers and thermostability

In vitro characterization of REVC-128 confirmed its antigenic and structural integrity, while subsequent immunogenicity evaluation in mice implied that a single dose of this vaccine could induce potent serum neutralizing antibody titers two weeks after immunization.

This is significantly higher than titers induced by trimeric spike protein without nanoparticle presentation. One really favorable trait revealed by this study is a significant thermostability of this new vaccine candidate  up to 37 C for at least four weeks.

Furthermore, the results demonstrate that vaccination successfully protects hamsters against SARS-CoV-2 viral challenge with evidence of suppressed viral loads, steady body weight, and the reduction of tissue damage (lung and nares) for protected animals, in comparison to higher viral loads, weight loss, and tissue damage in unprotected ones.

A promising vaccine candidate

These findings, along with a long history of safety for protein vaccines, suggest that the REVC-128 is a safe, stable and efficacious single-shot vaccine candidate to induce the earliest protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection, summarize study authors the main findings of this bioRxiv paper.

This is actually the first COVID-19 vaccine that exerts vaccine-induced protection two weeks after immunization, which is much earlier compared to other vaccine candidates that show induced protection approximately four weeks after the first dose of immunization.

In addition, this type of vaccine design might prevent the development of severe symptoms in cases when patients get infected with other coronaviruses after immunization, such as seasonal coronaviruses (which are one group of common cold viruses) mutated SARS-CoV-2 variants.

*Important Notice

bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
[April 06, 2021] Clearbanc & FirePower Announce Partnership to Expand Breadth of Offerings to Entrepreneurs

Clearbanc and FirePower were started by entrepreneurs who figured there had to be a better way to support entrepreneurs, and have now partnered to create a better growth experience for business owners across North America. Andrew D'Souza and Michele Romanow, Co-Founders of Clearbanc, offer ecommerce and other SaaS (News - Alert) start-ups an alternative to traditional capital providers in the form of non-dilutive growth capital. To date, Clearbanc has over $1.6B in capital deployed, and 4,000+ companies funded who leverage their program to grow revenues to all-time highs and acquire new customers. Ilan Jacobson, Founding Partner & CEO of FirePower, reimagined how venture debt, private equity and M&A advisory are delivered to meet the underserved needs of the mid market. Clearbanc and Firepower remain true to their entrepreneurial roots: both are growing, moving quickly and collaborating with like-minded organizations. The two have now partnered to create an even better "growth experience" for business owners across North America. Financing the Growth Journey Every day, Clearbanc and FirePower speak to companies with exceptional plans that are faced with a big decision - how do I grow? It takes capital to scale whether it be investing in inventory, expanding a sales team, adding developers, or buying a competitor. If a company decides to go down the venture capital or private equity route too early they end up having to give up a significant percentage of the business. This is where the power of the Clearbanc / FirePower partnership comes in. Clearbanc's growth capital and SaaS offerings and FirePower's Gap Debt and Private Credit products are non-dilutive financing options for growing companies that are available and relevant regardless of their stage of growth. Clearbanc gets started as low as $10k up to $10m for eCommerce and SaaS businesses. FirePower lends between $1m to $60m to companies that have excellent visibility into their future cash flows. They can burn cash today, but must have a well-dfined plan to profitability.



Combined, Clearbanc and FirePower can invest as little as $10K and up to $60M, with terms and conditions that are developed by founders, for founders. Considering an Exit

Using Clearbanc's Valuation tool and FirePower's M&A Advisory practice, company founders can now access an end-to-end M&A sell-side experience, supported by FirePower's transactional know-how, network and experience. Their M&A Advisory team has a track record making it one of the most active independent groups in Canada, and is working on live deals with an aggregate value of approx. $1B. Importantly, crafting and telling the right story to the right buyer is imperative to delivering great outcomes for companies going through an M&A process. On that, Ilan says, "As entrepreneurs ourselves, we communicate the narrative of our clients in a more compelling, pragmatic and enthusiastic fashion than a traditional banker-that resonates with buyers." Of note, FirePower is the exclusive Canadian member of Mergers Alliance, which unlocks local representation in over 20 international markets to ensure the most relevant buyers see the opportunity first-hand. To find out more on how Clearbanc and FirePower can help go to www.clearbanc.com/firepower or www.firepowercapital.com/clearbanc. About Clearbanc Founded in 2015 by Michele Romanow (Canada's Shark Tank), Andrew D'Souza, Ivan Gritsiniak, Charlie Feng, and Tanay Delima, Clearbanc is changing the way companies raise money by providing fast, affordable capital to online brands and B2B SaaS companies. Clearbanc's data-driven algorithm has invested in 4,000+ companies across 50 states and backed 8x more female-founders than traditional VC. Clearbanc customers span small businesses across the United States, Canada, and the UK to some of the fastest-growing consumer brands today, like Le Tote, Leesa Sleep, Farmgirl Flowers, and Public Goods. For more information visit Clearbanc.com. About FirePower Capital FirePower Capital is the private capital and M&A advisory firm built for Canada's entrepreneurs. Its team of 40+ deal professionals helps mid-market businesses complete mission-critical transactions, by advising them or investing in their companies directly. FirePower Capital has offices in Toronto and Montreal. For additional information, please visit FirePower Capital's website: www.firepowercapital.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005687/en/

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Fresh Out Of Quarantine, Kartik Aaryan Gifts Himself A Swany Black Lamborghini Costing Over Rs. 4.5 Crores

Kartik Aaryan who is fresh out of his Covid-19 isolation is now rejuvenating in his own special way. The actor brought home a swanky new Lamborghini adding the vehicle to his growing car collection. The actor already owns a BMW 5 series and a Mini Cooper which he gifted his mom.

The actor was seen posing with his brand new black Lamborghini Urus on Monday evening in Juhu Mumbai. Kartiks new car costs a pretty penny and is priced at over Rs. 4.5 crores.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kartik's Fp (@kartikaaryanfq)

View this post on Instagram A post shared by KARTIK AARYAN (@kartikaaryan)

In January 2020 too the Dostana 2 star had invested in a car. The actor had sweetly brought a Mini Cooper convertible for his mother which was her dream car and was seen taking her out for a drive.

Kartik was shooting for Bhool Bhulaiya 2 when he tested positive for Covid-19 in March after which he was quarantined at home. The shoot of the film came to a halt after his diagnosis but the actor kept in touch with his fans via social media. On April 5 the actor posted a sun-kissed selfie informing fans that he has finally tested negative.

He wrote, "Negative 14 din ka vanvaas khatam Back to work."
H.E. Mr. Yevhen Korniychuk, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the State of Israel and the Mayor of Jerusalem Moshe Lyon have reached an agreement on holding a number of events aimed at developing Ukrainian-Israeli relations at the municipal level. The Embassy reported this at Facebook.

During the meeting, topical issues of bilateral cooperation at the regional level were discussed. In particular, the Ambassador informed the Israeli side about the economic and investment potential of Ukrainian cities and the interest of the city authorities in intensifying cooperation with Israel. It was agreed to work out a number of economic, cultural and humanitarian measures with the support of the Jerusalem City Hall, which would promote the development of relations between the two countries at the municipal level, - the statement says.

The mayor of Jerusalem also expressed readiness to receive a delegation of the Kyiv city authorities headed by Mayor Vitali Klitschko after the improvement of the epidemiological situation.

The meeting was attended by the leadership of the Jerusalem Foundation - a non-profit organization, that finances social, cultural and charitable projects.
The publication of stolen personal Facebook data is expected to lead to an increase in phishing scams and online fraud - and experts say it's 'extremely likely' your phone number is included if you have an account.

The data - which includes phone numbers, names, location details, birthdates, email addresses, relationship statuses and bios of 533 million Facebook accounts from 106 countries - was stolen in 2019 when the social media giant did a security upgrade.

But the data was dumped for free in a hacker forum over the Easter long weekend - including the details of 7,320,478 Australian Facebook users.

If correct, this means 75 per cent of Australia's 10 million Facebook users have had their data stolen.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg's cell phone number is among the leaked personal data from 533 million users of the site posted online by hackers

The data - which includes phone numbers, names, location details, birthdates, email addresses, relationship statuses and bios of 533 million Facebook accounts from 106 countries - was stolen in 2019 when the social media giant did a security upgrade

Even if you did not have a phone number visible on your Facebook account, the data can still be traced because in many cases it is used in the 'back end' if you need to quickly reset your password.

'This means that if you have a Facebook account, it is extremely likely the phone number used for the account was leaked,' tweeted Alon Gal, Chief Technology Officer for cybercrime company Hudson Rock.

It is understood Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg's own personal details were leaked.

Zuckerberg's name, location and marriage information, date of birth and Facebook user ID were published on the hacker forum.

Experts say the data publication will almost certainly lead to increases in various cybercrimes - criminals looking to scam, defraud or steal money via not just websites but also email, text messages and even phone calls.

Computer servers that store users' photos and other data are seen at the Facebook site in Prineville Oregon in a file photo. Details from more than 500 million Facebook users have been found available on a website for hackers

A common approach tactic is when someone contacts an unsuspecting member of the public asking them to verify their identity by clicking on a link.

'These types of phishing attempts remain the most recurrent type of scam in Australia, and so individuals should always be wary of any communication whether that is in the form of email, text message, social media, or via a phone call, from someone they do not recognise,' Crispin Kerr, vice president of cyber security firm Proofpoint told the Australian Financial Review.

While Facebook did not leak the data, experts blame it for not adequately securing people's personal information.

'I have yet to see Facebook acknowledging this absolute negligence of your data,' Mr Gal said.

A Facebook spokesman said in a statement to DailyMail.com: 'This is old data that was previously reported on in 2019. We found and fixed this issue in August 2019.'

'Facebook knew about this in 2019, but at the time the data was very very hard to get a hold of,' Josh Lemon, a digital forensics expert from Ankura told the AFR.

But that changed when a user in a hacking forum tried to sell the data in January, and at Easter when the entire database of stolen Facebook personal data was posted on the same website for free.

Mr Lemon said the release of data could prove very serious if criminals or stalkers attempted to track someone who was under protection.

The database appears to be the same set of numbers circulating in hacker circles since January, according to Alon Gal, co-founder of Israeli cybercrime intelligence firm Hudson Rock
Xiaomi sub-brand Redmi is getting ready to launch yet another smartphone, not that anyone is surprised anymore. This one may be confined to the company's home market of China, though, as its predecessor was.

We're talking about the Redmi 20X, which, logic dictates, would be the successor to the Redmi 10X from last year. That model arrived in China in June, so we may be looking at a similar release timeline again.

The promo poster you can see above got outed on Weibo, and it shows us the phone's design, tells us to expect four colorways (black, white/silver, blue, and green), and advertises 5G support, a 90 Hz screen, and a 48 MP main rear camera. The price for the entry-level version with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage is apparently set at CNY 999, which at the current exchange rates translates into approximately $152 or 128.

Past rumors and leaks told us to expect the Redmi 20X to be powered by MediaTek's Dimensity 700 chipset, and the phone to sport a 6.5-inch FHD+ LCD screen, a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, up to 6GB of RAM, a dedicated microSD card slot, a triple rear camera system with two 2 MP shooters flanking that main 48 MP one, an 8 MP selfie snapper, and a 5,000 mAh battery with 18W charging. It should boot Android 11 with MIUI 12 on top.

Via
British motorcycle brand Triumph will launch Trident 660 in India on Tuesday. Triumph has not revealed its price but it is expected to cost anywhere near Rs 7 lakh.. The booking for Triumph's middle-weight street bike had started in November 2020 and will be soon available on Indian roads after 6th April 2021. The company has already revealed all the details of the motorcycle.

Lets take a look at what the new Trident 660 has on offer

Design

The Trident has a modern styling. However, at the same time, the bike also has retro-inspired features such as full LED round headlamp. It also has a circular tank and a floating tail with a single-piece seat. The bikes overall aesthetics is accompanied by LED tail light, body-coloured radiator cowl, body-coloured fork protectors, teardrop-shaped mirrors, and five-spoke alloy wheels. The fuel tank gets a two-tone finish, giving the bike a modern look. The bike is designed by Italian Rodolfo Frasceli, who has also designed the Triumph Tiger 900.

The new Trident 660...The perfect commuter?

Contact your dealer to see for yourself https://t.co/VyNJju8nnv pic.twitter.com/ZkEdbJpSgZ  (@UKTriumph) February 7, 2021

The bike has been designed with an aim to provide access to a premium range of bikes at an affordable price. Trident 660 also aims to provide an easy rideability experience.

Engine

Trident 660 comes with a 660 cc inline three-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine which produces 79.8bhp at 10,250 rpm and 64Nm of torque at 6,250 rpm. It also comes with a six-speed gearbox and assist clutch. The braking duties are handled by a pair of 310mm twin discs for the front and a single disc of 255mm at the rear.

Features

Make your Trident your own. What will you choose from our collection of Triumph genuine accessories: https://t.co/z9GWkzdple pic.twitter.com/3yXipzhOsQ  (@UKTriumph) February 7, 2021

Trident 660 has a lot of features on offer despite being an entry-level bike. The bike is fitted with TFT instrument cluster for all important readouts. It also has features which include switchable traction control system, two riding modes, and ride-by-wire for precise throttle response.

Competition

Trident 660 will compete with Kawasaki W800, Triumph Street Twin and, Ducati Scrambler Icon. Yamaha MT 07, which will be launched in May 2021, will also compete with Trident 660.

Price

Price could be its biggest attraction in India. Trident 660 will be the most affordable Triumph bike in India and could build new benchmarks for mid-size roadster segment. The bike is expected to be the most affordable in Triump's portfolio.
An Armenian judge has dropped a criminal case against former President Robert Kocharian and his co-defendants over a deadly crackdown on protesters more than a decade ago.

Anna Danibekian, the judge presiding over the two-year trial in Yerevan, threw out the coup charges on April 6, 11 days after the Constitutional Court found invalid an article of the Criminal Code under which the accused were being prosecuted.

However, Danibekian ruled that Kocharian and his former chief of staff, Armen Gevorgian, will continue to stand trial on bribery charges which they also deny.

Kocharian, who served as president from 1998 to 2008, and two retired generals, Yuri Khachaturov and Seyran Ohanian, were charged in 2018 with overthrowing the constitutional order.

The charge stemmed from clashes during postelection protests in Yerevan in 2008 during which eight demonstrators and two police officers died.

The 66-year-old ex-president has rejected the allegations against him as political retaliation by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian.

He was released from detention in June 2020 after paying a record $4.1 million bail.

Pashinian was one of the organizers of the 2008 protest and was ultimately jailed until being released in 2011 under a government amnesty. He came to power in 2018 after leading massive demonstrations that ousted his predecessor.

Danibekians decision comes as Armenia prepares for early parliamentary elections in June, triggered by opposition demands Pashinian step down over his leadership during a six-week war with Azerbaijan over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region, which ended in what many Armenians felt was a humiliating defeat.

Kocharian, a native of Nagorno-Karabakh, was one of the leaders of the region's separatist forces and was Nagorno-Karabakhs first de facto president between December 1994 and March 1997.

In January, Kocharian said he would participate in any early elections.
Rapid Covid tests could make foreign holidays affordable within weeks.

Costly 'gold-standard' swabs are currently required for all travellers arriving in Britain.

But last night Boris Johnson said he had asked officials to consider whether cheap on-the-spot tests could be used instead. The Mail can also reveal that he sees reopening the holiday market as a 'priority' and hopes to restart travel from May 17.

Anyone coming to the UK has to take a pre-flight test and buy a two-swab package to be used two and eight days after arrival.

Official packages use gold-standard PCR technology and cost around 200 a head.

Mr Johnson's officials will examine whether travellers could switch to the fast-turnaround 'lateral flow devices' that the Government is giving away.

The move would bring hope to the millions of Britons desperate for a foreign holiday after months of lockdown.

Mr Johnson revealed he was looking at using cheaper tests and said: 'I do think we want to make things as easy as we possibly can.

'The boss of easyJet is right to focus on this issue. We're going to see what we can do to make things as flexible and as affordable as possible.'

The Government's traffic light system for resuming international travel will assess countries on criteria like vaccination rates and coronavirus case numbers. Using those criteria, countries like the US and the UAE could be given 'green' status

Travel chiefs have warned families might be priced out of going abroad if they had to pay hundreds of pounds for testing.

The development came as the Prime Minister pushed back against scientific predictions of a third wave of disease when restrictions are eased.

He said he was determined to stick to his roadmap of lifting almost all curbs by June 21 and he saw nothing in the data to change that.

In other developments:

2,379 Covid cases and 20 deaths were reported yesterday  down from 4,040 and 56 respectively last Tuesday;

Supplies of Moderna vaccine should be available by the end of the month;

Mr Johnson publicly backed the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab amid growing suggestions that the UK's medical regulator could impose limits on its use;

A trial of the vaccine on children has been paused while the watchdog probes a possible link with rare blood clots;

Labour signalled it would vote down plans for the use of vaccine passports;

Secondary school and college pupils in England will have to continue wearing face masks in class after Easter;

Mr Johnson hailed the result from an early-stage trial of another jab, from French firm Valneva;

Researchers said resistance to Covid vaccines among ethnic minority Britons was fading quickly;

The International Monetary Fund said Britain's economy was set to grow at its fastest rate in more than 30 years.

EasyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren today hit out at Boris Johnson's traffic light system for resuming international travel

How much could the testing requirement cost families going on holiday to 'green list' countries? Current travel rules for entering the UK state that people must be able to show proof of a negative test taken in the three days before arrival. It is recommended that these tests are of the PCR laboratory-based type which can cost approximately 100. The new traffic light system states that travel from 'green list' countries will require people to be tested before and after they fly. It is thought the system could consist of a mix of a PCR test before departure and a cheaper and more rapid lateral flow test on arrival back in the UK. Children under the age of 11 do not have to be tested under the current rules. But that means a family of four, with two children over the age of 11, could still face a testing bill of more than 400 under the new system. Lateral flow tests are much cheaper than the standard PCR ones, with some reports suggesting No10 can buy them for as little as 5 each. They also offer results in as little as 15 minutes. They are not as sensitive as the gold-standard laboratory tests, which can take up to three days to produce a result. One study found they missed up to 40 per cent of asymptomatic cases and are less accurate when self-administered. However, they perform much better at picking up cases where people have a high viral load. Advertisement

On Monday, the PM confirmed plans for a traffic-light system to kickstart foreign travel.

This would lift quarantine but keep the testing system in place for arrivals from low-risk 'green countries'.

Passengers would be forced to undertake a test within 72 hours of boarding a return flight and at least one post-arrival, possibly two.

Destination countries may also require more tests as a condition of entry, meaning the cost of a family holiday could soar by more than 1,500. Bosses at Heathrow, Virgin Atlantic and British Airways raised concerns, with easyJet's chief branding the plans 'unfair'.

Anyone testing positive would still have to take a confirmatory PCR test because it can detect 'variants of concern'.

However a move to lateral flow kits would still save families hundreds of pounds. They can cost as little as 12 each.

Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, said: 'Testing will be essential for restarting travel safely, but private tests in the UK are currently too expensive and risk pricing most people out of travel.

'Other countries have found solutions to reduce the cost of private testing, so if the Government is serious about making travel safe and affordable when it restarts, it must urgently look at ways to reduce these expenses.'

Heathrow chief John Holland-Kaye said: 'The main concern is the cost of all of the pre-departure test and post-arrival tests, which as I understand it needs to be a [more expensive] PCR-based test.

'We need to make sure that this doesn't just become something that only the wealthy people can afford to do, that it's much more democratic and widely accessible.'

Shai Weiss, chief of Virgin Atlantic, said: 'We can't have a prohibitively expensive testing system that puts businesses, people and families off travelling.'

Johan Lundgren, head of easyJet, said PCR tests were 'way over and above what the cost is of an average easyJet fare'.

Mr Johnson's system will see British travellers going to 'green list' countries required to take two Covid tests

Forcing travellers to pay for them, he added, would mean 'you wouldn't open up international travel for everyone, you would open up international travel for people who can afford it'.

Under the traffic-light scheme those returning from 'red' countries would have to quarantine in a hotel for ten days, while arrivals from amber destinations will have to self-isolate at home.

Ten-day self-isolation will only be lifted for green countries, although it is thought only a handful of destinations will make it on to this list by early summer. Officials say it is too early to say which countries will start on it.

Whitehall sources said the Prime Minister saw the return of summer holidays as a priority, both for the economy and for national morale. 'He wants people to be able to have a summer holiday  that is his aim,' an insider said.
Note: This story contains graphic content.

The latest sexual assault lawsuit against Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson  the 22nd case of its kind lodged since last month  contends he contacted at least 50 women for massages and that he, at times, told them what to wear.

Some of the women, whom Watson found on social media, were unlicensed and did not specialize in massage therapy, court documents filed on Monday read. The latest plaintiff  a licensed esthetician  accuses Watson of sexual assault and harassment, alleging that he inappropriately touched himself and her.

Watson and his attorney, Rusty Hardin, have denied the allegations.

'A TIRED TROPE': Why Deshaun Watson's accusers may have turned to lawsuits, not police

Watson is accused in the lawsuits, filed by Houston attorney Tony Buzbee, of sexually assaulting or harassing 22 massage therapists or wellness professionals from 2020 up until recent months. The litigation claims Watson became aggressive during massage therapy sessions and compelled women to touch near his genitals and anus. Several women say he purposefully moved himself so his penis touched them. Others said he ejaculated on them. In three cases, the women said he coerced or forced them to perform oral sex, according to court documents.

The Houston Police Department confirmed Friday that it is conducting an investigation into a criminal complaint made against Watson.

In the most recent suit, Buzbee says some of the women told Watson they were not licensed therapists, but he pursued their work regardless. The lawsuit did not indicate how Buzbee accounted for all 50 women.

From publicly available information, in a short time frame, in addition to the vast physical therapy and training resources available from the Houston Texans organization, Watson used more than fifty different women for massages, the lawsuit states.

The latest plaintiff said Watson exposed himself to her and repeatedly tried to make her touch his anus and genitals, according to the lawsuit.

Watson reached out to the esthetician in November after seeing her Instagram account, the lawsuit says. On the phone, the woman explained that she does not perform massages and offered to connect him with a licensed therapist, according to court documents.

Watson declined, saying he already had licensed massage therapists and trainers provided by the Texans organization, and insisted that he wanted her to perform a massage, the lawsuit reads.

The woman said she agreed because she was actively trying to grow her business and expand her client base.

When the session began, Watson brought a washcloth to cover his genitals, refusing the larger towels typically provided during a massage therapy session, court filings say.

Watson asked the woman multiple times to apply more pressure in areas near his anus and genitals, according to the lawsuit. The woman told him that she was uncomfortable and tried repositioning him to avoid those areas, court records say.

At one point, Watson grabbed the womans buttocks, the claim states. He exposed his erect penis and moved it in an attempt to make the woman touch it, court filings say. When the woman confronted him, he verbally sexually harassed her, according to court documents.

The woman told Watson he was not being professional and ended the appointment, court records say. She said he left him alone in the room to get dressed for five minutes.

When he came out, Watson presented the woman with a non-disclosure agreement, according to the lawsuit, and told the woman she had to sign it before he would pay her.

The woman signed the document without reading it, court records say, and Watson then sent her $250 through CashApp. The cost of the session was $65, the woman said.

Watson reached out to the woman again weeks later, but she refused to work with him again, the lawsuit says.

The esthetician immediately told her business partner what happened and that she felt violated, disturbed and terrified, the complaint says.

The woman suffers from anxiety and panic attacks as a result, the claim states, and continues to replay the scenario in her head. She said that shes now afraid to work with any new clients for fear of experiencing assault and harassment again.

hannah.dellinger@chron.com

nicole.hensley@chron.com
Several vaccines have been developed, approved and rolled out to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. However, some concern is mounting that a sufficient number of vaccine doses may not be available to promptly promote global herd immunity. This predicament has led researchers to explore the possibility of administering partial vaccine doses to boost coverage.

But this, in turn, raises the question of how vaccine fractionation affects vaccine-elicited immunity. In a vaccine fractionation (also known as dose-sparing), a smaller amount of antigen would be used per dose to increase the number of persons who can be vaccinated with a given quantity of vaccine.

In a recently released paper on the bioRxiv* server, researchers from Northwestern University and the University of Rochester in the U.S. addressed this question in their study. The researchers also explored whether the vaccines administered across the world could confer sterilizing immunity while preventing severe disease and death.

A rationale for fractionating SARS-CoV-2 vaccines is that it may result in wider herd immunity even if vaccine efficacy is only partial and that this could have a more striking effect in blocking transmission at the population level.

Using an adenovirus-based vaccine encoding SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (Ad5-SARS-2 spike), the researchers studied how the priming dose of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine affects long-term immunity in mice to SARS-CoV-2. This vaccine is similar to that used in the CanSino and Sputnik V vaccines.

They found that low dose (LD) prime induced lower immune responses relative to the standard dose (SD) prime. However, the researchers reported that the LD prime elicited immune responses that are qualitatively superior. And upon boosting, the LD primed mice exhibited significantly more potent immune responses.

Particularly, the researchers found that limiting the priming dose of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine may confer an unexpected qualitative benefit to T cell responses and antibody responses. They showed that an LD prime favors Tcm differentiation, characterized by high expression of CD127, the IL-7 receptor alpha chain, which allows the T cell to survive long-term.

Also, the researchers observed that the LD/SD regimen induced superior antibody responses compared to the SD/SD regimen. Thus, a gentle antigen prime also generates memory B cell responses with significantly superior anamnestic capacity.

Because the effect of an LD prime is strikingly more on the antibody responses than on the T cell responses, the researchers added that their future studies will be aimed at understanding how the LD prime affects memory B cell differentiation.

Based on the data from this study, the researchers argue that limiting the priming dose of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine may confer unexpected benefits. A single shot of LD/SD provided sterilizing protection. The protective advantage may also be long-term, where in most cases, the vaccine-elicited responses may wane.

The researchers also highlighted that the LD/SD regimen may also be useful to improve vaccine efficacy in individuals who develop suboptimal immune responses to vaccines, and who may benefit from having a higher level of immune responses. With the imminent threat from SARS-CoV-2 variants and re-emergence of SARS-CoV-1, the researchers also showed that the LD/SD regimen resulted in improved cross-reactive antibody responses compared to SD/SD.

While the researchers showed that fractionating the priming dose of an adenovirus-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccine confers an unexpected immunological benefit, the minimum level of immune responses required to protect against severe COVID-19 is yet unclear.

They also noted that the low levels of immune responses protect individuals from the COVID-19, explaining the extraordinary success of multiple experimental SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in the last year.

Vaccine fractionation is an effective strategy to extend vaccine supplies and thwart the pandemic causing infection. Based on the results from this study, optimization of current vaccine regimes may warrant a re-evaluation. These findings may be useful for improving vaccine availability and for rational vaccine design, the researchers conclude.

*Important Notice

bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
The Age of Decadence is a successor volume to the same authors well-regarded High Minds: The Victorians and the Birth of Modern Britain (2013), which charted Britains rise to greatness in the earlier part of the 19th century. Heffer picks up here with Gladstone taking over the premiership from his great rival, Disraeli, in 1880, then guides us through the high-Victorian era into the 20th century with the accession of King Edward VII in 1901. He ends in 1914 with Britain facing an unhappy choice between a European war with Germany and a civil war in Ireland. He wisely does not include the origins of the world war substantively in this volume (his book on this topic has just been published in Britain). In such a way he avoids the teleological danger of making everything in Britain about the war as the country hurtles toward some kind of inevitable abyss. In fact, until the last moment, even after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Ireland seemed the more important priority for Britain.

Image

There are many pleasures to be had in this fine book, not the least of which is the vivacity of Heffers prose. A columnist for The Sunday Telegraph as well as a historian, he writes elegantly but punchily, combining seriousness with welcome flashes of waspishness that stop things from getting stuffy. Pointing, for example, to the socially entitled Virginia Woolfs sneering at a fellow novelist, the shopkeepers son Arnold Bennett, Heffer notes that her put-downs had him written off for much of the 20th century by generations of university lecturers and critics, who confused snobbery with literary criticism. That, as they say, is a twofer.

Heffer has little interest in debates among historians on the period, but unlike many general surveys of this kind, he does not rely just on secondary literature and makes excellent use of wide-ranging archival research. That approach gives the book a fresh perspective, although not necessarily a new one. What is striking about The Age of Decadence is that it brings us full circle to the view the late Victorians and Edwardians so often had of themselves and it echoes George Dangerfields seminal 1935 book The Strange Death of Liberal England, which evocatively depicted how by the end of 1913 Liberal England was reduced to ashes. In Heffers telling it is perhaps less ashes to ashes than an overripe piece of fruit rotting and putrefying in front of our eyes.

The Age of Decadence is a masterpiece of pacing. After an amiable perambulation with the last of the Victorians, we build to a frantic cliff-top scramble as the Edwardians lose their grip on events and themselves. The book culminates in three powerful chapters on the suffragists, industrial unrest and the threat of civil war in Ireland. By the final pages, Heffer has skillfully conjured a country in chaos and heading over the edge. The prime minister, Herbert Henry Asquith, had rarely felt more hopeless and by July 1914 believed the United Kingdom had reached an impasse, with unspeakable consequences. The Lord Mayor of Liverpool told the Earl of Derby he feared a revolution is in progress. In the circumstances, a war with Germany looked to many like the easy option.

Heffer has no hesitation in pointing the finger of blame at the complacent, swaggering late-Victorian and Edwardian elites who ran the show in these four decades. From 1880 until the apocalypse came in 1914, he writes reprovingly, there was among the upper and upper-middle classes a resting on laurels; a decision, literal and metaphorical, to live off dividends rather than work that little bit harder and improve more. The end result: Britain was diminished and British power was in decline.
RAI Jets Service Center, a Part 145 FAA-approved Repair Station, operates in tandem with RAI Jets LLC, a jet charter and aviation specialist based at KAZO in Portage and KIRS in Sturgis. The opening of our Part 145 Repair station puts us in a position for additional growth and is part of our overall plan for expansion in 2021.

RAI Jets, LLC, a part 135 operator headquartered at Kalamazoo Battle Creek International Airport (KAZO), is pleased to announce the establishment of RAI Jets Service Center, a designated Part 145 Repair Station #RJSR819D by the Federal Aviation Administration.

We have pursued this designation for nearly two years and are proud of all our team has done to make it happen, said RAI Jets Director of Operations David Riley. RAI Jets Service Center will operate as a sister company to RAI Jets LLC and a testament to our ongoing dedication to providing stellar aircraft maintenance as part of our overall aircraft management operations.

Although operating as a separate entity known as RAI Jets Service Center, both companies will serve customers from RAI Jets two southwestern Michigan locations at Kalamazoo Battle Creek International (KAZO) in Portage and Kirsch Municipal Airport (KIRS) in Sturgis.

The opening of our Part 145 Repair station puts us in a position for additional growth and is part of our overall plan for expansion in 2021, said Riley.

RAI Jets, which was founded at KIRS in 2009 after a long history as a flight school, expanded to a 30,000 square foot hangar at KAZO in 2016. All repairs will continue to be handled by the same expert, longstanding maintenance team at RAI Jets that the operators regular and new customers have come to rely on for excellent service. Jet maintenance is part of an entire suite of aircraft maintenance available at RAI Jets.

As a Part 135 operator, the company offers jet owners the opportunity to offset their operating costs by adding their aircraft to RAI Jets FAA Air Charter Certificate to charter flights when the aircraft is not in use. Aircraft owners can reduce their operating costs by 30 percent or more working in conjunction with the charter operations at RAI Jets.

About RAI Jets

RAI Jets LLC is a Kalamazoo, MI-based aviation specialist and repair station featuring aircraft management, jet charter, and maintenance services through their sister company and Part 145 Repair Station, RAI Jets Service Center. The family-owned company officially opened in 2009, preceded by more than two decades of generational experience in aviation. For individuals and businesses, the Part 135 operator offers customized, jet charter for business or leisure, as well as turnkey management and aircraft maintenance for jet owners. RAI Jets operates its own fleet of aircraft for charter and offers jet owners (personal and corporate) with the option to offset operating costs by adding their aircraft to RAI Jets FAA approved Air Carrier Certificate. RAI Jets also offers aircraft acquisition service and hangar space. For more information visit FlyRAI.com or call (800) 247-2834.
Jeff Samuels "Jeff Samuels is charged with leading our growth in the region and will be a great resource for all our Northern California agents and their clients. I am delighted to welcome Jeff to The Agency team, said Rainy Hake Austin, President of The Agency

Global real estate brokerage, The Agency is proud to announce the appointment of Jeff Samuels as Regional Manager of Northern California. Samuels is a veteran industry leader and comes to the firm with more than 17 years of real estate experience. He will join members of the leadership team to grow the firms foothold in Northern California. The Agency currently has offices in Alamo, Carmel, Marin, Healdsburg, and San Francisco, and leads sales for the prestigious Yerba Buena Island new development project.

Jeff Samuels is an inspiring leader and a well-respected member of the Northern California real estate community, said Rainy Hake Austin, President of The Agency. Jeff is charged with leading our growth in the region and will be a great resource for all our Northern California agents and their clients. I am delighted to welcome Jeff to The Agency team.

Samuels joins The Agency from Compass where he held the role of Vice President/Manager, overseeing hundreds of agents in offices spanning the areas of Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley, Orinda, and Burlingame. He also served as a top-producing broker at Better Homes Realty throughout his career, where he owned and operated two franchises. He received a degree in Mechanical Engineering from UC Davis before entering the family business of real estate.

I have long admired what The Agency has been able to achieve in growing their team around the world with experienced professionals while maintaining their boutique feel and white-glove service for agents, Samuels said. I am looking forward to working with Rainy Hake Austin and the firms leadership to expand The Agencys presence in Northern California.

The appointment of Samuels comes on the heels of the addition of President Rainy Hake Austin and Executive Vice President of Franchise Sales James Ramsay to The Agency. Both Austin and Ramsay have held leadership positions at top brokerages and bring to the firm a wealth of experience, knowledge and industry connections as The Agency continues its strategic expansion.

The Agency recently announced the launch of two new franchise offices in New Canaan, Connecticut and Oakville, Canada. The firm additionally unveiled a new corporate office in Studio City, California and will announce a new franchisee partnership in Huntington, Long Island.

###

The Agency

The Agency is a full-service, luxury real estate brokerage and lifestyle company representing clients in a spectrum of classes, including residential, new development, resort real estate, residential leasing, and luxury vacation rentals. Since its inception in 2011, The Agency has modernized and advanced the real estate industry by fostering a culture of partnership in which all clients and listings are represented in a collaborative environment. Shunning the traditional brokerage model, agents share knowledge, spheres of influence, contacts, and expertise, ensuring clients better representation and a true competitive edge. The Agency has closed more than $25 billion in real estate transactions since its inception and has almost 700 agents in more than 39 offices in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
Dhaka, April 6 : The death toll from a ferry capsize in Bangladesh has increased to 34 after more bodies in the Shitalakkhya river in Narayanganj district, officials said on Tuesday.

The overcrowded ferry, ML Sabit Al Hasan, carrying some 50 passengers onboard, capsized after colliding with the SKL-3 cargo ship at around 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Around 20 passengers managed to swim to safety following the capsize.

Local government official Nahida Barik said the search crews found eight more bodies adrift on the waters since the salvage operation was officially called off on Monday, reports dpa news agency.

Twenty-one bodies were found trapped inside the double-decker ferry when the vessel was towed to the shore after an 18-hour salvage operation conducted by a team made up of navy, coast guard, police and fire service and civil defence department staff.

Five more bodies were found adrift hours later.

Commodore Golam Sadeq, the head of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority, said that the coast guards would continue their search operation for the time being in case others were found.

Two separate probe bodies have been formed by the Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner and the Bangladesh Inland and Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) to probe the accident.
Mind the gap: British beef finishers are securing the equivalent of 5-5.15/kg for beef on the back of buoyant supermarket sales

Mind the gap: British beef finishers are securing the equivalent of 5-5.15/kg for beef on the back of buoyant supermarket sales

MEAT factories have hit back at claims that Irish farmers are not receiving the market value for beef exported to Britain, as a stand-off on cattle price gathers pace across the country.

While Irish base prices have hardened to 3.85/kg for bullocks and 3.90/kg for heifers, factories are struggling to secure supplies this week as bigger finishers hold out for 4/kg.

The differential in finished cattle prices between Britain and Ireland, which stands at over 1/kg or around 300/hd, continues to cause difficulties on the ground for meat factories, with finishers convinced that more can and will be paid for beef.

Buoyant

British beef finishers are securing the equivalent of 5-5.15/kg for beef on the back of buoyant supermarket sales, which have surged by close to 16pc.

Despite the emerging standoff, Meat Industry Ireland (MII) defended the cattle prices being offered by the factories.

MII pointed out that only UK cattle that qualified for the Red Tractor beef label were making premium prices in Britain.

The factories also claimed that the lift in British retail beef sales was of limited benefit to Irish factories as just three UK supermarket chains stocked Irish beef.

There is a supply-demand dynamic in the British market at present that is driving the domestic British cattle price, said Cormac Healy, MII director.

British [beef] production is down 2-3pc below last years levels and demand in British retail for domestic Red Tractor British beef has driven price there.

And while retail demand is strong, only three of the top 10 UK retailers stock Irish beef.

The majority of our beef destined for the UK market goes to foodservice and manufacturing channels, where demand is still significantly curtailed by the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions.

Not all of our beef goes to the UK; and, of the beef that does, not all of the cuts go into retail.

MII pointed out that the Department of Agriculture reported price for R4 grade steer last week was 405c/kg compared to 388.5c/kg in the same week last year.

Current prices are 4pc ahead of this time last year, despite the ongoing serious Covid-19 related challenges in the marketplace, particularly for sales of beef to the restaurant and hospitality sector throughout Europe. Prime cattle price in Ireland has increased by 10c/kg since end-February, Mr Healy said.

The widening differential between British and Irish beef prices has provoked an angry reaction from the farm organisations.

ICSA president Dermot Kelleher has called for the office of the Food Ombudsman to be ramped up with additional legislation to create an effective regulator for the beef chain.

Opaque

He described beef prices as opaque and dismissed MII assertions that farmers received 80pc of the revenue generated from Irish beef sales.

He reiterated that robust legislation was required to create a food regulator.

I am the third ICSA president to be calling for a beef regulator, he said.

Our efforts led to the introduction of the Unfair Trading Practices (UTP) directive which, while a step in the right direction, does not go far enough when applied to the beef sector.

That is why we need to change from a Food Ombudsman to a

regulator.

We must determine the truth behind who gets what margin from the food chain.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expressed concern over Russia's military actions in and around Ukraine and reaffirmed the Alliance's strong support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

According to an Ukrinform correspondent, Stoltenberg wrote this on his Twitter account.

"I called President Zelensky to express serious concern about Russia's military activities in and around Ukraine & ongoing ceasefire violations. NATO firmly supports Ukraine's sovereignty & territorial integrity. We remain committed to our close partnership," the tweet reads.

Earlier reports said that Russia continues its military escalation around Ukraine and a propaganda campaign to justify possible aggression against Ukraine.

Earlier, Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Ruslan Khomchak said in his speech to the Verkhovna Rada that Russia had deployed 28 battalion tactical groups along the state border of Ukraine, as well as in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and Crimea, which poses a potential threat to Ukraine's national security.

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Meteor season is back after along break with the yearly peak of the Lyrid meteor shower in the month of April.

The Lyrids are set to become active in 2021 around April 15, according to the American Meteor Society. They will peak on the evening of April 21 into the early morning hours of April 22.

Also read: Meteorite Found In Africa's Sahara Desert Dates Back To 4.6 Billion Years, Older Than Earth Itself

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However, if you are not able to step out that night or the weather is not in cahoots with your plan, one night before or after the peak is also expected to present a good viewing opportunity.

The Lyrids don't particularly produce a lot of meteors - somewhere between 10 to 15 per hour. However, they are more likely to include bright, dramatic fireballs than other major showers.

Every few decades, there is an outburst during the Lyrids that boosts the rate up to about 100 per hour. However, that is not predicted to take place in 2021 but these things are also very hard to predict.

Also read: Meteorologist Believes 'Floating Ship' Phenomenon Has The Answers To What Happened To The Titanic

EarthSky

The source of the Lyrids is the debris cloud left behind by a comet named C/1861 G1 Thatcher that was last seen in the 19th century and won't pass through the inner solar system again for more than two centuries.

Every year, our planet drifts through the dust cloud it left behind.

This year, the moon will be more than two-thirds full at the peak of the Lyrids and it is a good idea to see the show before dawn and after the moon has set at your location.

When you go to watch the show, try to get as far away from light pollution as possible and find a place which is open like a field or a hilltop with an unobstructed view of the night sky.

It is also not important to look at a particular part of the sky. Instead, Lyrids will appear to emanate outward from their namesake constellation Lyra.

If you can spot Lyra and focus towards it, that's great but absolutely not required.



Also read: Space Fans In France Told To Look Out For An Apricot-Sized Meteor That Fell To Earth

Star Registration

The Lyrids will reach their peak on the night of April 21-22 and you can see an average of 10 meteors per hour in the dark.
Massachusetts State Police have identified the driver killed in a wrong-way crash on Interstate 91 on Saturday as Debra Palata, of Holyoke.

Palata, 69, was driving a 2005 Mercedes Benz south in the northbound lanes on Interstate 91 when she crashed head-on into another vehicle at about noon just north of the highway overpass at Bemis Road, police said.

She died at the scene. The driver of the second vehicle, a 25-year-old Springfield man, suffered serious injuries. He was taken to Baystate Medical Center by ambulance, police said.

He was driving a 2013 Honda Civic. One of the vehicles caught fire during the crash, police said.

Police have not said how or where Palata entered the wrong side of the highway or how far she drove before the collision took place.

The crash remains under investigation by the State Police at Troop B with the assistance of its Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section and Crime Scene Services Section.

Related content:
China in Focus (April 5): Relatives Mourn Victims of Taiwan Train Crash

The last body was retrieved from the wreckage of Taiwans deadly train crash last week. One survivor lost her entire family. Her husband and two children are among the 51 dead.

A cluster of CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus cases is emerging in a Chinese city bordering Burma (also known as Myanmar). Residents there are now under strict lockdown measures.

Amid Beijings aggression, Japan and Germany are gearing up to counter the communist regime. A high-level meeting between the two countries is reportedly being arranged for this month.

A former U.S. deputy national security adviser is warning about a second cold warthis time, between the United States and communist China.

And a CCP official embezzled more than $1.5 billion and over 2,700 propertiesa new level of corruption in China.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more first-hand news from China.

For more news and videos, please visit our website and Twitter.
Imperial Valley News Center

Authorities Seize 44 Pounds of Cocaine on a Freighter anchored near Baltimore

Baltimore, Maryland - A multi-agency team discovered more than 44 pounds of cocaine on Wednesday during a freighter inspection in the Chesapeake Bay near Annapolis, Maryland.

Officers and agents from the DEA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Coast Guard, and Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police conducted an early morning examination aboard the M/V Samjohn Solidarity, a 958-foot breakbulk carrier ship, which was anchored near Annapolis.

Authorities discovered about 44 pounds of

cocaine on a ship anchored near Annapolis.

During the inspection, the team discovered 20 bricks concealed inside the vessels anchor locker. The bricks contained a white, powdery substance that field-tested positive for the properties of cocaine. The cocaine weighed 20 kilograms, or a little more than 44 pounds, and has a street value of more than $1 million.

No arrests were made. An investigation continues.

Customs and Border Protection along with our law enforcement partners remain committed to intercepting transnational criminal organizations attempts to smuggle their dangerous drugs into the United States and we remain steadfast in our resolve to help keep our communities safe, said Keith Fleming, Acting Director of Field Operations for CBPs Baltimore Field Office.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents work diligently to trace and identify criminal drug activity taking place across the U.S., said Special Agent in Charge James Mancuso for HSIs Baltimore field office. Our unique investigative capabilities coupled with the capabilities of our agency partners help prevent more illicit and illegal drugs from being distributed and deter criminals looking to make a profit from them.

The U.S. Coast Guard and our robust network of law enforcement partners offer unique capabilities and personnel to combat illicit maritime activities, said Captain Joseph Loring, commander of Sector Maryland-National Capital Region. This seizure demonstrated our collective efforts and unwavering commitment to keeping America safe and secure.

DEA has always worked closely with our federal partners, especially in Baltimore, said Orville O. Greene, Assistant Special Agent in Charge DEA Baltimore District Office. This operation exemplifies how separate law enforcement entities can work together as one cohesive unit.

"This is an example of a collaborative effort that suppresses illegal drug activity and keeps our citizens safe," said Colonel Adrian Baker of the Maryland Natural Resources Police. "The success of this effort is due to the extraordinary effort among the joint partnership. The Maryland Natural Resources Police will continue to work with our federal partners to provide security for our citizens both on and off the water."

CBP seized an average of 3,677 pounds of dangerous drugs every day across the United States last year. Learn more about what CBP accomplished during A Typical Day in 2020.

CBP's border security mission is led at ports of entry by CBP officers from the Office of Field Operations. CBP officers screen international travelers and cargo and search for illicit narcotics, unreported currency, weapons, counterfeit consumer goods, prohibited agriculture, and other illicit products that could potentially harm the American public, U.S. businesses, and our nations safety and economic vitality.
New Delhi, April 6 : India hosted a meeting of BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors virtually on Tuesday The meeting, jointly chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das, was the first meeting of the BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors under India's chairship in 2021.

As BRICS chair, India's approach is focused on strengthening intra-BRICS cooperation based on continuity, consolidation, and consensus.

At the meeting, BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors discussed financial cooperation agenda set by India for 2021 - the global economic outlook and response to Covid-19 pandemic, New Development Bank (NDB) activities, social infrastructure financing and use of digital technologies, and cooperation on customs-related issues.

The meeting also discussed IMF reforms, fintech for SMEs and financial inclusion, BRICS Rapid Information Security channel and BRICS Bond Fund.

On the BRICS priorities and agenda for 2021, Sitharaman said that the efforts should be made towards delivering outcomes that reflect the needs and aspirations of BRICS in particular, and emerging markets and developing economies in general.

She emphasised the importance of BRICS in responding to the Covid-19 crisis through policy support and enhancing international coordination.

Sitharaman also highlighted that world's largest vaccine drive by India is under way. India has supplied 64.5 million vaccine doses to 84 countries.

On the importance of social infrastructure and use of digital technologies, she underscored the merit in engaging with private sector and exploring the innovative financing models.

Sitharaman stated that the Prime Minister's Health Insurance Scheme using an output-based funding model has triggered a major private investment cycle in health-care infrastructure, enabling significant expansion of health-care services to vulnerable citizens.

She also talked about thematic priorities for the New Development Bank for discussion during 2021 and the issues of membership expansion and called for greater coordination among BRICS member countries on the issues of 16th general review of Quotas of IMF.
Just days after Maharashtra imposed stringent restrictions, came under night curfew starting Tuesday to control the spread of Covid cases. Following its latest round of review, the Disaster Management Authority decided to announce a 10 pm to 5 am curfew till the end of the month.

It has been observed that there has been a sudden increase in Covid-19 cases in the recent past along with high positivity rate and therefore it is felt that night curfew needs to be imposed in the territory of NCT of Delhi, the DDMA order said. Essential activities and services can continue as usual.

With cases rising rapidly across geographies, many states may look at similar measures. The Gujarat High Court, for instance, on Tuesday asked the state government to consider imposing a full for three to four days. Some major cities in Gujarat such as Ahmedabad have already been under night curfew for the past few weeks.

Soon after the decision, neighbouring Chandigarh announced similar night curfew. In Rajasthans touristy city of Jodhpur, curfew has been imposed between 8 pm and 6 am.

ALSO READ: Global Covid-19 death toll surpasses 3 mn amid new infections resurgence

In the second wave, daily reported cases have risen sharply. On Sunday, Covid cases breached the 100,00-mark for the first time.

So far, the restrictions are much less stringent in Delhi than in Maharashtra. The DDMA has also listed out a large number of exemptions during the night hours. All central and government employees involved in healthcare, law and order, transportation and services like public amenities have been exempted. Healthcare workers in private sector, patients, commuters availing flights, trains or surface transports with valid tickets and diplomats among others, are allowed to travel with a curfew pass. Inter and intra-state transport of goods and services and shops dealing in essential items like grocery and medicines too will be allowed to operate.





ALSO READ: Covid-19: India records over 107,000 new cases in single day for first time

Many of the private enterprises Business Standard spoke to said there was an immediate need for universal vaccination to curb the pandemic. In the past few days, Arvind Kejriwal, chief minister of Delhi, Uddhav Thackeray, CM of Maharashtra and business chambers such as Ficci, have urged the union government to widen the vaccination drive.

Joining the chorus, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking vaccination for all above the age of 18 years.

In the business community, restaurants, pubs, bars and hotels will be impacted heavily due to the curbs across Delhi and Chandigarh.

Kabir Suri, vice-president, National Restaurants Association of India, said the night curfew would hurt their business. It is going to be a very difficult time for the restaurant sector. We somehow survived so far, but with the new guidelines, it seems highly unlikely that we can sustain any longer, he said. In a letter to Home Minister Amit Shah, the Confederation of All India Traders said the night curfew would help little in checking the spread of Covid cases. It has already estimated a loss of Rs 1 trillion to the retail business due to the curfew in Mumbai and adjoining regions.
The ruling Democratic Party's Seoul mayoral candidate Park Young-sun, right, heads to Noryangjin Fish Market in Seoul's Dongjak District in the early morning of April 6 in a public transit bus. Courtesy of Park Young-sun's election camp



On the eve of the April 7 Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections, rival parties scrambled to make final appeals to voters in the country's two biggest cities Tuesday.



Voting for the two mayoral seats and 19 other regional public posts is set to begin at 6 a.m. and last till 8 p.m. on Wednesday at 3,459 polling stations across the country in by-elections that are deemed harbingers of public opinions ahead of next year's presidential poll.



Leaders and candidates of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) and the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) were scheduled to crisscross the capital and the biggest port city in last-minute efforts to win voters Tuesday, the last day of the official 13-day campaign period for the elections.



Rep. Kim Tae-nyeon, acting DP chairman, was scheduled to host an online plenary party meeting from Busan to lend support to the party's Busan mayoral candidate Kim Young-choon, in the first leg of last-day campaigning.









In Seoul, Rep. Lee Nak-yon, the DP's election committee chairman, is scheduled to stop first at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul and move to eastern Seoul to rally support for the party's Seoul mayoral candidate Park Young-sun.





Main opposition People Power Party's Seoul mayoral candidate Oh Se-hoon speaks while canvassing at a major intersection in Jayang area in Seoul's Gwangjin District, April 6. Joint Press Corp.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 6, 2021 / Gold Terra Resource Corp. (TSXV:YGT)(FRA:TX0)(OTCQX:YGTFF) ("Gold Terra" or the "Company") is pleased to announce assays for an additional 3 holes drilled on the Company's initial winter drilling program at the Company's optioned property from Newmont Ventures Limited and Miramar Northern Mining Limited (the "Newmont Option") adjacent to its Yellowknife City Gold Project ("YCG"), NWT.

The Phase 1 drilling program is testing over 1.2 kilometres of the immediate southern extension of the Campbell Shear, which produced approximately 5 of the 6 million ounces of gold produced at the former Con Mine (1938-2002). The latest drill results extend gold mineralization at the Yellorex zone of the Campbell Shear structure (see Figure 2), which is located immediately south of the former Con Mine.

President and CEO David Suda stated, "We are very pleased with the continued success of the drilling results on the Newmont Option ground. Drill results from the Yellorex zone demonstrate good continuity and the extension of the gold mineralization from historical holes, which may potentially add ounces to a future resource calculation. The latest results add confidence to our program to outline high-grade gold mineralization. With our recent financing completed in early March, we are planning to drill more than 20,000 metres this year along the prolific Campbell shear target which remains open at depth and along strike to the south."

Drilling Highlights

The Company has completed an additional 3 holes totaling 1,900.51 metres of the current winter 2021 drilling program. Holes GTCM21-004 and 006 were drilled south of the Yellorex deposit and hole GTCM21-005 was drilled 100 metres underneath hole GTCM21-003 (which returned 10.85g/t Au over 4.35 metres on Yellorex deposit, see March 23, 2021 News Release). The hole locations are shown in Figure 1 and 2.

Hole GTCM21-005 intersected 5.77 g/t Au over 12.35 metres including 14.09 g/t Au over 4.65 metres within the Campbell Shear structure at Yellorex deposit at a vertical depth of 275 metres below surface and 100 metres downdip from hole GTCM21-003. This high-grade gold-bearing zone consists of smoky quartz veins with pyrite, arsenopyrite and stibnite within a wider sericite altered schist. This intersection is open down dip and along strike.

intersected within the Campbell Shear structure at Yellorex deposit at a vertical depth of 275 metres below surface and 100 metres downdip from hole GTCM21-003. This high-grade gold-bearing zone consists of smoky quartz veins with pyrite, arsenopyrite and stibnite within a wider sericite altered schist. This intersection is open down dip and along strike. Hole GTCM21-004 intersected 5.69 g/t Au over 1.50 metres and 0.871 g/t over 3 metres (including 1.76 g/t Au over 1 metre). The hole which is on the same section as hole GTCM21-002, intersected the Campbell shear structure from 495 metres to 680 metres where anomalous gold mineralization is well present across the Campbell shear structure.

intersected and 0.871 g/t over 3 metres (including 1.76 g/t Au over 1 metre). The hole which is on the same section as hole GTCM21-002, intersected the Campbell shear structure from 495 metres to 680 metres where anomalous gold mineralization is well present across the Campbell shear structure. Hole GTCM21-006, which is located 200m south of GTCM21-004, intersected the Campbell Shear from 290 metres to 380 metres followed by a second gold anomalous shear zone from 478 metres to 498.50 metres. The latter shear is very promising as the 20.50 metre-wide alteration zone is very anomalous in gold and other markers of Con Mine mineralization: 0.29g/t Au over 20.50 metres, in addition to 1985 ppm As, 48 ppm Sb. Antimony is a very important element in the gold mineralization environment of the Campbell Shear which indicate getting proximal to higher grade gold zones.

The 3 additional holes are shown in longitudinal section (looking west) in Figure 2. Holes 3 and 5 are shown in cross-section in Figure 3. As drilling continues, additional cross-sections will be available on the Company's website at https://www.goldterracorp.com/.

The mineralization at Yellorex (GTCM21-005) conforms to the historically identified geological controls in the Con Mine, consisting of strongly sericitized and sheared mafic volcanic rock associated with arsenopyrite, pyrite and stibnite mineralization with the highest-grade gold in smoky quartz veins. The initial 6 holes in this winter program have provided strong anomalies in As and Sb within sericitic halos around anomalous gold mineralized zones that provide Gold Terra with vectors to higher grade gold zones within the Campbell Shear. An important example is the sericite alteration halo intersected by hole GTCM21-006, with As, Sb and 0.29 g/t Au over 20.50 metres. This wide intersection of anomalous gold values suggests proximity to higher grade gold, and it will be followed up by drilling the area of this strong alteration halo.

Figure 1 - Location map showing drill holes GTCM21-001 to GTCM21-006.

Figure 2 - Longitudinal Section showing drill holes GTCM21-004, 005 and 006.

Figures 3 - Drill hole cross-section

Technical Appendix

This news release reports the assay results from three (3) drill holes totaling 1,900 metres from which 506 core samples were assays. Assays results range from non-detectable gold to a highest assay of 24.8 g/t Au. The best intersections are listed in Table 1. The Company inserts certified standards and blanks into the sample stream as a check on laboratory Quality Control (QC). Drill core samples are cut by diamond saw at Gold Terra's core facilities in Yellowknife. A halved core sample is left in the core box. The other half core is sampled and transported by Gold Terra personnel in securely sealed bags to ALS (ALS) preparation laboratory in Yellowknife. After sample preparation, samples are shipped to ALS's Vancouver facility for gold analysis. Gold assays of >3 g/t are re-assayed on a 30 g split by fire assay with gravimetric finish. Samples with visible gold are additionally assayed using a screen metallic method. ALS is a certified and accredited laboratory service. ALS routinely inserts certified gold standards, blanks and pulp duplicates, and results of all QC samples are reported.

Drill holes were drilled at right angles to the structure hosting the mineralization and dip angles of holes were designed to intersect the zones as close to normal as possible. Zones reported here are interpreted to be 80 to 90 percent true thickness.

Table 1:Campbell Shear DDH intersections

Drill Hole Azimuth Dip Easting (UTM, NAD83, Z11) Northing (UTM, NAD83, Z11) From (m) To (m) Length (m) Au g/t GTCM21-004 082 -50 635396 6921989 592.20 593.70 1.50 5.50 GTCM21-004 621.46 624.46 3.00 0.87 GTCM21-005 106.9 -60 635769 6922628 280.65 293.00 12.35 5.77 Including 280.65 285.30 4.65 14.09 GTCM21-006 086.9 -50 635565 6921832 478.00 498.50 20.50 0.29 including 491.50 492.50 1.00 1.18

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Joseph Campbell, Chief Operating Officer, a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects

About Gold Terra's Yellowknife City Gold Project

The YCG project encompasses 800 sq. km of contiguous land immediately north, south and east of the City of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. Through a series of acquisitions, Gold Terra controls one of the six major high-grade gold camps in Canada. Being within 10 kilometers of the City of Yellowknife, the YCG is close to vital infrastructure, including all-season roads, air transportation, service providers, hydro-electric power and skilled tradespeople.

The YCG lies on the prolific Yellowknife greenstone belt, covering nearly 70 kilometers of strike length along the main mineralized shear system that host the former-producing high-grade Con and Giant gold mines. The Company's exploration programs have successfully identified significant zones of gold mineralization and multiple targets that remain to be tested which reinforces the Company's objective of re-establishing Yellowknife as one of the premier gold mining districts in Canada.

Visit our website at www.goldterracorp.com.

For more information, please contact:

David Suda, President and CEO

Phone: 604-928-3101 | Toll-Free: 1-855-737-2684

dsuda@goldterracorp.com

Mara Strazdins, Manager of Investor Relations

Phone: 1-778-897-1590 | 604-689-1749 ext 102

Strazdins@goldterracorp.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements made and information contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation ("forward-looking information"). Generally, this forward-looking information can, but not always, be identified by use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events, conditions or results "will", "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotations thereof.

All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information regarding the current drilling on the Campbell Shear on the Newmont Option potentially adding high grade ounces to the Company's current YCG mineral resource, future planned drilling on the Newmont Option area and the Company's objective of re-establishing Yellowknife as one of the premier gold mining districts in Canada.

There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as the Company's actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of the factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section in the Company's most recent MD&A and annual information form available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that would cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on information available to the Company as of the date of this news release. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. All of the forward-looking information contained in this news release is qualified by these cautionary statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information due to the inherent uncertainty thereof. Except as required under applicable securities legislation and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information.

SOURCE: Gold Terra Resource Corp

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/639073/Gold-Terra-Intersects-577-gt-of-Gold-Over-1235-Metres-Including-1409-gt-Over-465-Metres-Extending-Gold-Mineralization-in-the-Campbell-Shear-Newmont-Option-Yellowknife-NWT
The took suspended police



officer Sachin Waze to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in south Mumbai from where he had boarded a train to neighbouring Thane on the day of businessman Mansukh Hiran's murder, a police official said on Tuesday.

In a CCTV footage of March 4, Waze was seen taking a train from the CSMT to Thane, hence a team of the Investigation Agency (NIA) took Waze to the CSMT late Monday night to recreate the scene, he said.

Later, the also took Waze to the Mumbra creek in Thane district were Hiran's body was found on March 5.

The is conducting a probe into the case of an explosives-laden SUV found near industrialist Mukesh Ambani's residence in south Mumbai on February 25 and the subsequent murder of Hiran.

The probe agency arrested Waze last month for his alleged role in planting the vehicle with explosives near Ambani's house.

During recreation of the scene at the CSMT on Monday, the NIA sleuths asked Waze to walk on its platform no. 4 to compare his movement with the man seen in the CCTV footage, the official said.

Later, they took Waze to the Mumbra creek where Hiran's body was found last month.

The NIA team, which spent over an hour each at the CSMT and the Mumbra creek, was accompanied by some witnesses, forensic experts and the Railway Protection Force officials.

Earlier also, the NIA had taken Waze to various places, including a five-star hotel where he stayed on a fake identity, an office in suburban Andheri where a conspiracy meeting was allegedly held, and the Mumbra creek.

As part of its probe into the case, the NIA has seized a number of high-end vehicles used by Waze.

(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.)
[April 06, 2021] 57% of Indian organizations suffered unexpected downtime in 2020 due to data loss, reveals Acronis Survey

MUMBAI, India, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Singapore's Acronis, a global leader in cyber protection, released the findings of its second annual Cyber Protection Week survey, which uncovered a dangerous disconnect between the need for organizations to keep their data protected and the ineffective investments they've made trying to reach that goal. While 2020 saw companies purchase new systems to enable and secure remote workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, those investments are not paying off. The global survey discovered that 70% of companies in India now run as many as 10 solutions simultaneously for their data protection and cybersecurity needs, while the remaining 30% run more than 10 solutions  yet 57% of all those organizations suffered unexpected downtime last year because of data loss. The findings from Acronis' annual survey, which polled 4,400 IT users and professionals in 22 countries across six continents, including India, dispel the myth that simply adding more solutions will solve cybersecurity and data protection challenges. Not only does investing in more solutions not deliver more protection, in many cases trying to manage protection across multiple solutions creates greater complexity and less visibility for the IT team, which increases risk. "This year's Cyber Protection Week survey clearly illustrates that more solutions do not deliver greater protection, as using separate tools to address indiviual types of exposure is complicated, inefficient, and costly," said Serguei "SB" Beloussov, Founder and CEO of Acronis. "These findings confirm our belief that the smarter approach is cyber protection, which unifies data protection, cybersecurity, and endpoint management in one."



Knowledge gap contributes to IT challenges in India Complicating matters, there is a significant gap in awareness among users and IT pros in India of what IT and cybersecurity capabilities are available to them, which can cause them to lose valuable time, money, and security:

35% of IT users and 11% of IT professionals in India (63% and 16% for global) would not know if their data had been modified without their knowledge because their solution makes determining that kind of tampering difficult.

(63% and 16% for global) would not know if their data had been modified without their knowledge because their solution makes determining that kind of tampering difficult. 10% of IT users in India don't know if their anti-malware stops zero-day threats (43% for global), because their solution doesn't make that information easily available  but 58% claim to have it. Having easy access to such cybersecurity insights is critical to ensuring data is protected.

don't know if their anti-malware stops zero-day threats (43% for global), because their solution doesn't make that information easily available  but 58% claim to have it. Having easy access to such cybersecurity insights is critical to ensuring data is protected. A shocking 20% of IT pros in India (13% for global) don't know if their organization is subject to data privacy regulations. If those responsible for ensuring data privacy don't know they are culpable, they cannot implement strategies or evaluate the solutions needed to address the requirements. That ignorance puts the business at tremendous risk of major fines for potential compliance violations in 2021. For anyone using multiple solutions to solve their IT and cybersecurity needs, the lack of transparency into such information only gets worse. Not only must they remember which solution provides a particular data point, they are constantly switching between consoles to find the details they need  leading to inefficiencies and missed insights. Individuals' lax approach to protection The survey also revealed a staggeringly lax approach to data protection among IT users in India: 98% of IT users spent more time on their devices last year (92% for global), and 85% of them took extra steps to protect those devices (just over 50% for global)

35% admit to not updating their devices until at least a week after being notified of a patch, or even longer (41% for global)

98% of IT users reported performing backups, with 40% claiming to back up daily  yet 90% (69% for global) have irretrievably lost data at least once, suggesting that they don't know how to back up or recover properly The efforts of individuals to protect their data aren't keeping pace with threats, which is likely due to false assumptions (such as believing Microsoft 365 backs up their data) or a reliance on automatic solutions. Action items for Cyber Protection Week The challenges of protecting and securing data, applications, and systems will continue to grow in the post-pandemic world. To ensure that data is protected, Acronis recommends five simple steps: Create backups of important data . Keep multiple copies of your backups, with one local copy for fast recovery and one off-site in the cloud to guarantee recovery if disaster destroys your copies.

. Keep multiple copies of your backups, with one local copy for fast recovery and one off-site in the cloud to guarantee recovery if disaster destroys your copies. Update your operating systems and applications . Outdated systems and apps lack the security fixes that stop cybercriminals from gaining access. Regular patching is required to avoid exploits.

. Outdated systems and apps lack the security fixes that stop cybercriminals from gaining access. Regular patching is required to avoid exploits. Avoid suspicious emails, links, and attachments . Most malware infections are the result of social engineering techniques that trick unsuspecting individuals into opening infected email attachments or clicking on links to websites that host malware.

. Most malware infections are the result of social engineering techniques that trick unsuspecting individuals into opening infected email attachments or clicking on links to websites that host malware. Install antivirus, anti-malware, and anti-ransomware software while enabling automatic updates so your system is protected against malware.

while enabling automatic updates so your system is protected against malware. Consider adopting a single cyber protection solution to have the central management and integrated protection needed to meet today's IT requirements.

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City Lodge Hotel Group is delighted to announce the appointment of one of South Africa's top chefs, Trevor Boyd, to the newly created position of general manager: food and beverage, effective 1 April 2021.

Trevor Boyd is general manager of food and beverage at City Lodge Hotels

(From left) Zuki Jantjies, divisional director of sales and marketing with Trevor Boyd, newly appointed general manager of food and beverage, pictured at the City Lodge Hotel Bryanston.

Trevor started his culinary career as a chef on Rovos Rail after completing his National Diploma in Catering Management at Wits Technikon Hotel School. In 1995, he joined a brigade at the Rand Aid Association preparing cook/chill meals for 3000 people a day. He went on to join Fedics at Country Club Johannesburg as chef de partie then sous chef, followed by head chef at the Country Clubs Woodmead clubhouse, and onto Carnival City where he was appointed executive chef in charge of all of the food and beverage outlets and catering for the entire complex.In 2002, Trevor took up a position as senior sous chef at the Mount Nelson Hotel before being transferred to the renowned Cape Colony Restaurant. He moved back to Johannesburg to the position of executive chef at the Mount Grace Country Hotel, and then back to Cape Town to open Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa as executive chef. In 2007, he returned to Gauteng as executive chef of the Sheraton Hotel Pretoria before sharing his expertise with young minds at HTA School of Culinary Art as Culinary Quality Assurance Manager.Trevor embarked on an entrepreneurial journey for a few years, launching Salon de Culinaire and Schweet Emporium, before returning to the kitchen as executive chef of the InterContinental OR Tambo Airport. He then joined the Michelangelo Hotel in 2015, overseeing all aspects of the kitchen and priding himself on delivering great meals at the famous gourmet food and wine dinners held at the hotels restaurant Piccolo Mondo, which sadly closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.On the competitions front, Trevor joined the South African Chefs Associations prestigious Team South Africa in 2000, which went on to compete in the American Culinary Classic in Chicago in 2003, winning two silver and two bronze medals, and the IKA Culinary Olympics in Erfurt, Germany in 2004, bringing home three silver medals and one bronze. He has also represented South Africa at the Food & Hotel Asia 2006 Culinary Challenge in Singapore, where the Team won two silver medals. One of his international competition highlights was at the IKA Culinary Olympics in Erfurt in 2008 when Team South Africa achieved a gold medal in the Restaurant of Nations, and two silver medals and one bronze in the Culinary Arts display.In 2016, Trevor once again joined Culinary Team South Africa at the IKA Culinary Olympics in Erfurt winning a bronze medal. This led to Trevors appointment as team manager, training the young chefs for the IKA Culinary Olympics 2020 in Stuttgart, Germany, at which they achieved three bronze medals. In 2019, Trevor was inducted into the Academy of Chefs, an elite fellowship within the SA Chefs Association that acknowledges achievements and aims at development and succession within the industry.Lindiwe Sangweni-Siddo, chief operating officer at City Lodge Hotel Group, says, The City Lodge Hotel group has had an enormous amount of success in its culinary journey to date which has contributed towards excellent guest feedback and superb revenue growth. During the past two years, including the challenging Covid-19 period, we have immersed ourselves in listening and reacting to the evolving wants and needs of our guests. In order to embrace the changing traveller and hone our competitive edge, we have taken the strategic move towards creatively and cleverly enhancing our food and beverage offerings across all brands of the group. Trevor is an enthusiastic, experienced and talented chef with immense energy and a contagious smile and we look forward to embarking on our new food and beverage journey with him at the helm.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Wagner College is the only university on Staten Island that will offer in-person, on-campus commencement ceremonies for its graduates this year, but due to New York States restrictions created last year amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, no guests will be allowed to attend the ceremonies, the Grymes Hill college recently announced.

According to a letter sent to students from Jeffrey Kraus, provost and vice president for academic affairs, the college will host commencement ceremonies at the end of May for the Class of 2021 and the Class of 2020. But current state regulations limit the number of individuals who can attend the event, which means only graduates will be able to attend the ceremony in person, and guests will not be permitted.

Instead, families will need to watch their loved ones graduate through live webcasts of the program, or watch the video after the ceremony is over on Wagners website.

Please know that this decision was not made lightly. We have been monitoring data, speaking with institutions that are similar in size and reviewing scenarios for logistically managing Commencement in ways that will ensure the safety of all involved. Our main goal has always been to provide you with an in-person experience that offers, to the greatest extent possible, a Commencement that will reflect your achievement. You deserve that, Kraus stated in the letter.

GUIDANCE FROM LAST YEAR

The announcement was made because schools and colleges in New York State are still required to follow guidance on graduation ceremonies last updated in June 2020. According to the guidance  which was initially released last year to allow schools to celebrate the Class of 2020  outdoor in-person ceremonies can occur with several restrictions, including a maximum of 150 individuals during the program seated six feet apart and wearing a face mask.

Lee Manchester, a spokesperson for Wagner College, explained that at a normal commencement program, the college would be awarding more than 600 people with their bachelor, master, or doctor degree. When adding in family members, friends, faculty, school officials and staff, the average attendance is about 3,000.

New York State, however, has limited commencement events during the pandemic to 150 people  a limit first imposed last summer that has not been adjusted since, Manchester said. Meanwhile, New York State has adjusted its rules for weddings to allow 500 people at an outdoor ceremony. With the 150-person limit, even after breaking our graduates up into smaller groups, we cannot possibly allow guests to attend in-person commencement events this spring.

Currently, due to event-size restrictions, Wagner expects to hold multiple ceremonies for the Class of 2020 on May 22 and multiples ceremonies for the Class of 2021 on May 27.

IF RESTRICTIONS EASE, SCHOOL WILL PIVOT

Kraus said in the letter that the college is hopeful that, with continued decreases in coronavirus positivity rates and hospitalization rates, the state will ease restrictions on academic gatherings. Should those restrictions ease, Kraus said the college can pivot to add elements and guests to its planning more smoothly than if it had to minimize plans at the last minute.

If the state adjusts restrictions on commencement events to match those for weddings, Wagner College will be able to allow two guests per graduate to attend, using a ticketing system, Manchester said.

Its unclear when new guidance from the state regarding commencement ceremonies would be available.

We understand the need and are working to advise consistent with existing guidance and capacities, said Erin Silk, a spokesperson for the New York State Department of Health.

But parents of graduates are disappointed they may not be able to see their child receive their diploma if the state doesnt change its restrictions.

ITS NOT FAIR

One parent of a graduate, who asked to remain anonymous, said its unfair that the state capped outdoor commencements at 150, but that outdoor weddings can have 500 people, sporting events can welcome back fans, and indoor dining can open.

I dont understand why  its an outdoor event  why we cant just have social distancing and masks and two people, thats it, were not asking for 10 guests per student, the parent said. To say this is disappointing is just horrendous. It broke my heart and it broke a lot of other parents hearts, my daughter too. Its not fair. Its wrong.

She said she hopes by the time May rolls around, the states restrictions will change.

I feel like by the end of May, the way things are and the fact that its an outdoor event on a humungous lawn  put the chairs six feet apart, have everyone wear a mask. This is just not right, I dont want to watch my daughter graduate on Facebook, she said.

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 05:57:20|Editor: huaxia

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File photo shows a meeting of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) Joint Commission is held in Vienna, Austria, on Sept. 1, 2020. (JCOPA/Handout via Xinhua)

"Our goal of these talks in Vienna is to set the stage for that mutual return to compliance," a State Department spokesperson said. "We don't anticipate an early or immediate breakthrough as these discussions we fully expect will be difficult."

WASHINGTON, April 5 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. State Department said on Monday that its goal of the upcoming talks in Vienna is to set the stage for a mutual return to compliance with the Iran nuclear deal but does not anticipate an immediate breakthrough.

State Department spokesperson Ned Price told reporters during a press briefing that Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley will lead the U.S. delegation to Vienna, where the United States and Iran will hold in-direct talks on Tuesday over respective steps to revive the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

"Our goal of these talks in Vienna is to set the stage for that mutual return to compliance," Price said. "We don't anticipate an early or immediate breakthrough as these discussions we fully expect will be difficult."

"The original formulation is one that still holds today," he noted. "It's the limited lifting of sanctions, nuclear sanctions, in return for permanent and verifiable limits on Iran's nuclear program."

Price reiterated the United States would not "entertain unilateral gestures or concessions to induce Iran to a better place."

Meanwhile, he acknowledged that the United States is approaching the talks with Iran "with "urgency" as Tehran continued to take steps away from the deal.

"We are not seeking to drag these talks on any longer than necessary come about, we're also not going to cut corners, given the profound stakes that are at play here," he added.

Washington withdrew from the deal in 2018 and tightened sanctions on Iran under former President Donald Trump. In response to the U.S. moves, Iran suspended the implementation of parts of its obligations under the deal. 
Jo Wood has revealed she once saw a UFO while holidaying in Brazil in the 90s.

Speaking on Loose Women on Tuesday, Jo, 65, who has a podcast dedicated to extra-terrestrial activity called Alien Nation, said she one saw 'strange lights over the sea'.

She said: 'It was in the late 90s, around 99, and we were in Brazil and Ronnie called out to say there was some strange lights over the sea near this holiday house we had.

'I've never seen anything like it in my life': Jo Wood told Loose Women viewers on Tuesday she once witnessed a UFO while holidaying in Brazil in the 90s

'We went out and there was this craft hanging over the sea with the lights down into the sea, Ronnie [Wood] went to get his glasses.

The former Strictly Come Dancing star added that the strange lights zoomed 'so fast' across the sky and she knew she'd witnessed alien activity.

Jo, who was married to The Rolling Stone's legend Ronnie Wood, 73, for 26 years, continued: 'And it lifted up, went to the side, and then just like so fast zoomed across the sky.

Witness: The former Strictly Come Dancing star added that the strange lights zoomed 'so fast' across the sky and she knew she'd witnessed alien activity

'I just knew I'd seen a UFO. They came round with the paper and it said: "UFO invades Brazilia", and hundreds of people have seen so I knew I wasn't going mad.'

Panelist Gloria Hunniford jokingly asked Jo if may have been 'off her face when she saw it'.

But Jo insisted she was sober, adding that she was packing her children's clothes because they were leaving the next day.

Speaking of another incident with potential aliens, Jo recalls seeing a 'green orb' flying past the window.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Jo said ex-husband Ronnie, who she was married to for 26 years, went to get his glasses after witnessing the 'UFO' (pictured together in 2006)

She said: We were all over South America, I was about 15 or 16, and we were looking out the window and huge green orb flew round the window.

'I said: "Mum, mum what's that?" I said: "God I've never seen anything like that in my life!"'

Mother-of-three Jo recently voiced her regrets over her time with The Rolling Stones and admitted frontman Mick Jagger made her feel 'uncomfortable' when she took pictures.

Speaking on the new series of The Hot Mess Mums Club podcast, hosted by Jenny Powell and Kelly Pegg, Jo, revealed details of touring with her ex-husband Ronnie before splitting in 2011.

Rock 'n' Roll: Jo said she 'wished she'd taken more pictures of the band but Mick Jagger made her feel 'uncomfortable' when she got her camera out (pictured L-R: Rolling Stones members Ronnie, Mick Jagger, Charlie Watts, Keith Richards)

On touring with the iconic rockers, she lamented not taking more snaps while also discussing taking their kids, Leah, 42, and Tyrone, 37, and her son Jamie, 46, from a previous marriage, around the world with the band.

In the podcast, Jo admitted she wished she had taken more pictures of the band after Ronnie bought her a camera, saying: 'Ronnie bought me my first Polaroid when we moved to LA then he bought me my first camera in the 80s.

'I actually wish I had taken more pictures, because there were so many times, I wish I had taken more pictures of Mick, but he always made me feel so uncomfortable when I got my camera out'

Host Jenny, who was in a three-year relationship with Take That star Jason Orange, said: 'I used to feel like that with Gary Barlow.'

Family: The mother-of-three said her children 'learned so much from travelling' while on tour with the band [Jo pictured with Ronnie and children Jamie, Tyrone and Leah in 1989]

Mother-of-three Jo added: 'So, I wish I had but mind you, Keith made up for that because, he would pose or anything, he was great, great guy.'

The former model also spoke about taking her children on tour with the band, adding that they 'learned so much from travelling'

She said: 'We weren't allowed to bring the kids on tour, maybe because they were too young, and then in '89 I missed my kids so much on the first leg of the tour and I said to Ronnie, 'come on, it's a kids' holiday, let's take the kids to Japan...

'Then after that all the kids started coming out, only in school holidays, but it was lovely because they learnt so much from travelling around the world, and learning about other cultures and it was great.'
A man accused of drugging and raping three teenage girls in Brisbane last year has been released from custody.

The 21-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was granted bail when he appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The apprentice mechanic, two men aged 24 and 20, and a 16-year-old boy were arrested on Thursday over the alleged offences committed in December.

The 21-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was granted bail when he appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court (pictured) on Tuesday

It will be alleged the four invited three girls to a party in Toowong, where they were drugged and sexually assaulted multiple times, police said last week.

The court heard the girls were allegedly given alcohol and cannabis - with one girl refusing to consume the drug.

There is no allegation the other girls took both the alcohol and cannabis unwillingly, but it is alleged the substances were given for the purposes of stupefying them, the court was told.

The 21-year-old's DNA was allegedly found on the inside of a condom, while the DNA of one girl was found on the outside, the court heard.

The man, who was already on bail on other unrelated charges, is charged with seven counts of rape, three of administering a stupefying drug to commit rape and two of sexual assault.

Police have appealed for anyone with further information or victims of similar incidents to come forward.

The man is expected to appear in the same court with the two adult co-accused on April 27.
Prosecutor General about leak of information in PrivatBank case: Sytnyk and I understand who did it and why

According to the results of checking the circumstances of the leakage of information in the case of PrivatBank (Kyiv), those involved in this will incur criminal or disciplinary responsibility, Ukrainian Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova has said.

"I know how the information leaked, why [ex-first deputy head of PrivatBank Volodymyr] Yatsenko flew out on Monday. I know that Artem Sytnyk [Director of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine, NABU] also understands. We talked about this. We have a common position. Sytnyk and I understand how, why and who did it," she said in an exclusive interview to Interfax-Ukraine.

At the same time, Venediktova said that there are still no results of checking the circumstances of the information leak.

Asked whether it is a question of suspicion of specific persons in connection with the leak, the prosecutor general said: "We will see what it will be criminal or disciplinary liability."

As reported, on February 23, 2021, Venediktova said that the notices of suspicion of three former employees from the management of PrivatBank of embezzlement of other people's property through abuse of office, committed by prior conspiracy by a group of persons, on an especially large scale, and of an official forgery, which led to embezzlement UAH 136 million, were approved.

One of them was Yatsenko, who, according to NABU, the day before, having flown out of the Dnipro, planned to leave Ukraine on a private plane in the direction of Vienna. "Thanks to the efforts of the chief of the group of detectives and the director of NABU, who contacted the State Aviation Service, the plane landed at the Boryspil airport," the NABU said.

Three days later, the detained Yatsenko was released on UAH 52 million bail.
Over the past two months, daily new COVID-19 cases around the world have surged by more than 60 percent, driven by more dangerous and deadly variants of the disease. Within weeks, public health experts warn, the number of global daily new cases, now at nearly 600,000, will reach the highest levels since the start of the pandemic.

In many countries this is already the case. On Saturday, India reached 100,000 daily new COVID-19 cases, the highest number ever and a nine-fold increase since the start of 2021.

Teachers, parents and children march in the Brooklyn borough of New York to protest the reopening of city public schools amid the threat of a teachers strike, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020 in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

France had a record 60,922 daily new cases on Sunday. Turkey had 41,000, a seven-fold increase in a matter of months. In Ukraine, over 400 people are dying every day, and only 250,000 out of a population of 40 million have received a first dose of the vaccine. In Poland, infections are now 60 times higher than at the start of the pandemic.

Throughout Eastern Europe, hospitals are full, and health experts in Germany and France warn that their health systems will be totally overwhelmed within a matter of weeks. In Brazil, with nearly 3,000 deaths a day, hospitals and morgues are overflowing and bodies are being disinterred from graves to make room for the newly deceased.

In the United States, sections of the Midwest are seeing a massive surge in new cases, with Michiganthe heart of the US auto industryreaching its worst daily caseloads since the start of the pandemic.

Much of the surge is being driven by new variants of the disease, which, unlike the earlier types, disproportionately affect young people. According to figures published by the State of Michigan, more than 40 percent of the states major outbreaks are centered in schools, childcare facilities and centers of higher education.

We are just beginning this surge and denying it is not going to help us, warned infectious disease expert Michael Osterholm. We are walking into the mouth of this virus monster as if somehow we dont know its here, and it is here. He added, Now is the time to do all the things that we must do to slow down transmission, not open up.

But all over the world, governments are doing the exact opposite, accelerating their efforts to abandon all measures to contain the disease. In the US, the Biden administration is spearheading the drive to reopen schools, and in the past week alone, the governors of Washington, Massachusetts and Ohio announced moves to reopen schools.

In refusing to close businesses to contain the disease, French President Emmanuel Macron last week reiterated, We are going to live with the virus. Macron said society must take into account the consequences of measures to stop the disease on the economy.

Macron was articulating the principle that has governed the response of every country in Europe and North America to the pandemic. Instead of implementing the public health measures necessary to eradicate COVID-19, capitalist governments decided at the outset to make the population live with the virus, because taking the measures needed to stop it would impinge on the profits of major corporations.

The defenders of this policy have argued that allowing the pandemic to spread will generate herd immunity. Once enough people are infected, coupled with vaccination, the disease will go away on its own, they declare.

This policy has led to disaster. The claim was that allowing the disease to spread unchecked would result in its disappearance on its own. It has led instead to the creation of new, more virulent and more lethal variants of COVID-19. In addition to making people more susceptible to reinfection, the variants have partially degraded the effectiveness of at least some vaccines, squandering one of the most potent weapons available to suppress COVID-19.

Emergency measures are necessary to stop the spread of the virus and millions more deaths! The International Committee of the Fourth International demands the following urgent actions:

All non-essential production must immediately stop until the disease is brought under control . This includes all manufacturing not directly related to core social infrastructure, as well as all non-essential retail and in-person food service. Unlike the partial lockdowns implemented in March of 2020, the suspension of non-essential production must be total, and executives of corporations that violate public health guidelines must be imprisoned. All workers must receive 100 percent pay either for remote work or, when remote work is impossible, to fully compensate them for lost income over the entire time they are furloughed.





. This includes all manufacturing not directly related to core social infrastructure, as well as all non-essential retail and in-person food service. Unlike the partial lockdowns implemented in March of 2020, the suspension of non-essential production must be total, and executives of corporations that violate public health guidelines must be imprisoned. All workers must receive 100 percent pay either for remote work or, when remote work is impossible, to fully compensate them for lost income over the entire time they are furloughed. All self-employed tradesmen and tradeswomen, contractors and small business owners must receive full compensation for all lost earnings resulting from the halting of non-essential production.





All in-person education must be immediately suspended and replaced with remote instruction. Billions of dollars must be made available to ensure that every child and adolescent is provided with his or her own modern laptop and high-speed internet service, along with a safe, spacious and comfortable learning environment at home.





Billions of dollars must be made available to ensure that every child and adolescent is provided with his or her own modern laptop and high-speed internet service, along with a safe, spacious and comfortable learning environment at home. The public health system must be massively expanded and tens of thousands of public health coordinators hired. Eradicating COVID-19 means treating every infection and exposure as an emergency. Everyone infected with the disease, or exposed to it, must have immediate and timely access to public health staff, nurses and doctors who can monitor their symptoms and help them safely quarantine without infecting others.





Eradicating COVID-19 means treating every infection and exposure as an emergency. Everyone infected with the disease, or exposed to it, must have immediate and timely access to public health staff, nurses and doctors who can monitor their symptoms and help them safely quarantine without infecting others. Trillions of dollars must be allocated for the creation of a global vaccination program. The distribution of vaccines must be administered by scientists and public health experts with a mandate to protect the whole world. It must not be subject to the geopolitical interests of competing capitalists ruling elites.

Eight months ago, the Socialist Equality Party (US) adopted a resolution at its Congress drawing a balance sheet of the pandemic and the response of the ruling class to it. Comparing the pandemic to the outbreak of World War I, the resolution stated: When World War I began, it was assumed by all belligerents that it would be over relatively quickly. However, the conflict dragged on and on, year after year, because the capitalist ruling elites, who dictated government policy, considered the sacrifice of the lives of millions of workers an acceptable cost in achieving their geostrategic interests in the conflict.

Now, 14 months into the pandemic, the catastrophe is not only continuing, it is intensifying. Workers throughout the world, influenced by the propaganda of the ruling elites, may have wanted a truce, but there is no truce. This is because the ruling class is unwilling to take the necessary measures to stop the ongoing carnage.

The fight against the pandemic is not simply a medical issue. It requires a political struggle of the working class against the capitalist system.

The necessary measures to stop the pandemic must be paid for through a frontal assault on the wealth of the capitalist oligarchy. Since March 2020, the wealth of billionaires in the US has increased by 44 percent, or $1.3 trillion, with similar orgies of wealth accumulation taking place in every capitalist country.

This wealth must be seized and used to contain the pandemic. The gigantic corporations that control economic life must be transformed into publicly controlled enterprises, run on the basis of social need, democratic control and a rational plan, not private profit.

Above all, a response to the pandemic in the interests of public health requires a global plan and global coordination.

An injury to one is an injury to all, as the old slogan of labor solidarity recognized. In the case of the pandemic, an injury to one country is an injury to the entire globe. As disease ecologist Peter Daszak has noted, viruses dont think about national boundaries.

But a global approach conflicts at every point with the capitalist nation-state system, which is incapable of international coordination because of its inherently competing nation-state interests. Already, the initial rollout of the vaccines has been hampered by the efforts of capitalist governments, above all the United States, to leverage their control over life-saving treatments to advance their geopolitical interests against their rivals.

Two different trajectories arise out of the pandemic, representing the interests of two different classes. The policy of the ruling class means the continuation of the pandemic and, with it, mass death and social devastation.

On the other side, the pandemic is already producing a growing wave of working class unrest, which is an initial expression of the eruption of class struggle on a global scale. The logic of these struggles raises the necessity for the working class to take power, expropriate the wealth of the rich, and reorganize all of social and economic life.

The working class is the only truly international class. United in the process of global production, workers of every country share the same interests. It is only through the intervention of the working class that the global pandemic can be answered with an internationally coordinated response, dictated by public health needs and not the profit interests of the oligarchs.

The development of the objective movement of the working class as a conscious and revolutionary struggle for socialism requires the building of a revolutionary leadership: the International Committee of the Fourth International and its national sections, the Socialist Equality Parties.
We had mentioned in Mondays closing report that Nifty, Sensex may recover from its fall yesterday. On Tuesday, the indices opened higher but lost all gains and ended flat. On the NSE, there were 1,157 advances, 769 declines and 79 unchanged.

The trends of the major indices in the course of Tuesdays trading are given in the table below:

Adani Ports handled cargo volume in the March quarter grew 41% YoY at 26 MMT.

Maruti Suzuki reported production of 1,72,433 vehicles in March 2021, against 92,540 vehicles produced in the corresponding period. Passenger vehicle production increased to 1,70,036 vehicles from 91,602 in the same period.

Panacea Biotec said it would produce 100 million doses a year of the Russia-made Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine.

GM Breweries net profits for March 2021 quarter jumped 154% YoY at Rs 45.3 crore. Revenue from operations grew 16.7% YoYat Rs 464.12 crore. EBITDA was up 45.7% at Rs 27.4 crore.

Jindal Steel & Power reported a 34.41% rise in its output to 2.07 million tonne (MT) of steel during March 2021 quarter, compared to 1.54 MT YoY. Sales grew 37.41% YoY.

Sobhas new sales in March 2021 quarter increased to 13,37,707 square feet compared to 9,05,710 sq. ft YoY. Total sales value grew to Rs 1,072 crore from Rs 694.5 crore YoY.

Bharti Airtel announced an agreement with Reliance Jio Infocomm to transfer the 'Right to Use' of Airtel's 800 MHz spectrum in Andhra Pradesh (3.75 MHz), Delhi (1.25 MHz) and Mumbai (2.50 MHz) to Jio.

Ircon International board approved bonus shares in the ratio of 1:1 i.e. 1 fully paid-up equity share for every 1 fully paid-up equity share held.

RBL Banks gross advances grew 5% YoY to Rs 60,012 crore during January-March 2021. Total deposits rose 9% to Rs 73,123 crore, as against Rs 57,812 crore YoY.

NTPCs installed capacity has risen to 65,810 MW after the successful completion of trial operations in Tanda Super Thermal Power Station in Uttar Pradesh.

Trident said a major fire had broken out in the cotton warehouse in the manufacturing facilities at Budhni, Madhya Pradesh. The fire resulted in major damage to stocks of cotton lying in the warehouse.

The top gainers and top losers of the major indices are given in the table below:

The closing values of the major Asian indices are given in the table below:
In a proposal that sparked immediate controversy, a state Senate leader and others have filed a bill that would divide the parks and recreation system for East Baton Rouge Parish and set up new recreation districts in St. George, Zachary and Central.

The measure, Senate Bill 205, is sponsored primarily by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Bodi White, R-Central.

It would revamp BREC by creating three new, independent districts, each with its own governing board and superintendent.

BREC has 1,000 employees, an annual budget of about $95 million and oversees 182 parks and a wide range of other attractions.

BREC superintendent gets pay increase; Baton Rouge Zoo, Greenwood Park revamp advances The BREC Board of Commissioners Wednesday night granted Superintendent Corey Wilson a two-year extension on his contract with the parks and re

It is financed largely with parish property tax revenue that generates $65 million per year and user fees that total $10 million annually, along with other revenues.

BREC is managed by a nine-member commission, including six members named by the Metro Council.

In an interview, White said Tuesday he launched a similar effort more than a decade ago but shelved it after getting assurances from BREC leaders, including commission member Collis Temple Jr., that Central would see improvements.

"They have done some things but it has been 12 years," he said. "They haven't done what they said they were going to do."

"It's time for a change and everyone knows it," White said in a statement issued later in the day. "Each city in this parish can manage their parks more effectively and efficiently than having one huge system trying to do it all. It's just common sense."

White said Zachary has the best park system in the parish and its residents still pay property taxes to support BREC.

"I think if Central had their own parks they would be very nice like their schools and make a first class for recreation, for all the people out there and all kinds of amenities and opportunities," he said.

White said residents of the new districts would pay the same as they do now to support BREC.

The lawmaker holds wide power as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, which plays a major role in shaping Louisiana's annual operating and other budgets.

BREC Superintendent Corey K. Wilson issued a statement in which he denounced White's proposal.

Wilson said the bill would "add three more layers of government" to operate parks in East Baton Rouge Parish.

"Parks should not be used as a political football," he said. "This proposal screams of government inefficiency and duplication when now more than ever it is vital that tax dollars are used to their highest and most optimal benefit by agencies like BREC with a track record of delivering on this mandate."

In an interview, Wilson said he has talked to White about the issue since shortly after becoming superintendent in 2019, met with the senator about two weeks ago and heard "rumblings that he was not really happy with how things were operating."

The 2021 regular legislative session begins April 12.

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In a statement, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome, a former state lawmaker herself, questioned the need for changing BREC.

"I hope to speak with Senator White to better understand the motivations of his legislation," Broome said. "With that said, BREC is a well renowned park system and I believe all of our citizens are best served under a united organization."

Broome narrowly defeated White in her first bid for mayor in 2016.

The proposal is already sparking arguments among Baton Rouge area lawmakers.

Rep. C. Denise Marcelle, D-Baton Rouge, said Tuesday she plans to oppose the measure.

"I am not happy with that at all," Marcelle said.

She questioned the wisdom of overhauling the current setup, which she said would simply create more layers of government.

Why East Baton Rouge property owners will get a little tax help, thanks to BREC Property owners in East Baton Rouge Parish will receive some relief on their tax bills after the city-parish's parks and recreation system opt

BREC was created 75 years ago, and officials said it is one of just four systems in the nation to receive national accreditation six times.

The agency said multiple "transformative" projects are in the works, including improvements to the Baton Rouge Zoo and Greenwood Community Park, a plan to erect 450 miles of trails across the parish and the development of measures to reduce flood risks to neighborhoods and businesses around BREC parks.

In 2019 voters opted to incorporate the boundaries of St. George in the southeast part of the parish.

Opponents have filed a lawsuit aimed at nullifying the effort.

The timetable for the parks changes would be different for St. George than for Central and Zachary, and would take effect 180 days after the resolution of the lawsuit.

Aside from White the bill is also sponsored by Sens. Heather Cloud, R-Turkey Creek and vice-chairwoman of the Senate Finance Committee; Cameron Henry, R-Metairie; Franklin Foil, R-Baton Rouge and Greg Tarver, D-Shreveport.

White is no stranger to efforts to revamp parish operations.

He sponsored the legislation that paved the way for the Central School District, which is one of the top rated in the state.

White twice fell short in his push to carve out a new school district in southeast Baton Rouge.

That failure played a big role in the wider push to create the city of St. George.
A California prosecutor on Tuesday filed 33 criminal charges against Pacific Gas & Electric for the 2019 Kincade Fire, which injured six firefighters, destroyed hundreds of homes and forced nearly 200,000 people to evacuate.

Driving the news: Cal Fire concluded that the October 2019 fire was caused by a jumper cable on a PG&E transmission tower that broke due to high winds. PG&E on Tuesday acknowledged that its transmission line caused the fire, but the company did not agree that a crime was committed.

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Details: The Sonoma County district attorney charged PG&E with five felony and 28 misdemeanor counts, including unlawfully causing a fire that resulted in great bodily injury and unlawfully causing a fire that resulted in the burning of inhabited structures.

PG&E said in a statement that "in the spirit of working to do whats right for the victims, we will accept CAL FIREs finding that a PG&E transmission line caused the fire, even though we have not had access to the agencys report or the evidence it gathered."

"However, we do not believe there was any crime here. We remain committed to making it right for all those impacted and working to further reduce wildfire risk on our system.

The big picture: Last year, the utility company pleaded guilty to 84 felony counts of involuntary manslaughter for its role in starting the 2018 Camp Fire.

The company was fined $4 million, but no one went to prison.

"PG&E emerged from bankruptcy protection shortly after those guilty pleas after negotiating a series of settlements to cover the damages caused by its fraying grid," AP noted. Those included a $13.5 billion fund to help victims of wildfires.

The bottom line: "The Sonoma case shows that PG&E, nearly a year removed from a Chapter 11 bankruptcy driven by wildfire liabilities, continues to struggle with fire risk and its legal consequences," the Sacramento Bee wrote.

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Nicola Sturgeon stole a march on Boris Johnson today as she revealed that the first consignment of the eagerly-awaited Moderna vaccine has arrived in the UK.

The First Minister told a press conference the first delivery arrived safely in Scotland yesterday, giving the country three different jabs to administer.

Her surprise announcement at lunchtime came as UK government figures said it would be another two weeks before it was ready to be rolled out, without confirming whether supplies had arrived or not.

Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi said this morning the first batch of the jab  which which uses mRNA technology such as Pfizer's and was approved by regulators in January  was set to be 'deployed' in the third week of April, with 'more volume' expected in May.

Ms Sturgeon's revelation raises questions over whether the Moderna supplies for the rest of the UK have also arrived and if there is a two-week delay in their introduction.

The UK has ordered 17million doses, if which more than a million are due to be delivered to Scotland.

But the First Minister today said its arrival would not speed up the country's vaccine rollout as the doses had already been factored in to projections.

In a televised address today, Ms Sturgeon said: 'I can confirm that the first batch of the Moderna vaccine arrived in Scotland safely yesterday.

The First Minister told a press conference the first consignment arrived safely yesterday, giving the country three different jabs to administer.

Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi pictured receiving his Covid jab. He said today they are expecting the first doses of the long-awaited Moderna jab to arrive this month

WHICH VACCINES ARE BRITAIN USING? AND HOW EFFECTIVE ARE THEY? Pfizer-BioNTech Approved: December 2, 2020 Doses dished out: 10.8million* Doses ordered: 40million Phase 3 trials data Efficacy at blocking symptoms : 95%

Efficacy against severe illness: 100% Real world data: Efficacy at stopping transmission : 66%

: 66% Efficacy at blocking symptoms (one dose) : Between 57 and 61%

Efficacy against severe illness: 80% How it works: mRNA vaccine  Genetic material from coronavirus is injected to trick the immune system into making 'spike' proteins and learning how to attack them. Oxford-AstraZeneca Approved: December 30, 2020 Doses dished out: 15.8million* Doses ordered: 100million Phase 3 trials data Efficacy at blocking symptoms (one dose) : 70%

Efficacy against severe illness (one dose): 100% Real world data: Efficacy at stopping transmission : 70%

: 70% Efficacy at blocking symptoms : Between 60 and 73%

Efficacy against severe illness: 80% How it works: Adenovirus vaccine  To make the vaccine, the common cold virus is genetically modified to trigger it to make the Covid spike protein  which the virus uses to invade cells. When the vaccine is administered the patient's immune system attacks the spike protein by building antibodies, priming it to fight off Covid before it leads to an infection. Moderna Approved: January 8, 2021 Doses dished out: Zero Doses ordered: 17million Phase 3 trials data Efficacy at blocking symptoms : 94.1%

Efficacy against severe illness : 100 % Real world data: Efficacy at stopping transmission : Not known

: Not known Efficacy at blocking symptoms : 90%**

Efficacy against severe illness : Not known How it works: mRNA vaccine  both Moderna's and Pfizer and BioNTech's vaccines work in the same way. * the latest data goes up to March 21 ** data taken from a US study, joint with Pfizer. Other real world data comes from Public Health England in the UK Advertisement

'A total of 17million doses of this vaccine have been ordered for the UK and of that total Scotland will receive well over a million doses.

'It's important to stress though that Moderna vaccines will arrive over a period of months, not all at once.

'The doses we expect to receive are already factored into our forward projections. So the arrival of this first batch doesn't mean that we are able to accelerate the vaccination programme. The speed of vaccination is already taking account of the expected Moderna supplies.

'Nevertheless the fact that we now have three vaccines in use is clearly very welcome and it does give us additional security of supply, which is important.'

Earlier, announcing the impending arrival of the Moderna vaccine, Mr Zahawi told BBC Breakfast: 'It will be in deployment around the third week of April in the NHS and we will get more volume in May as well.

'And of course more volume of Pfizer and Oxford/AstraZeneca and we have got other vaccines. We have got the Janssen  Johnson and Johnson  vaccine coming through as well.

'So I am confident that we will be able to meet our target of mid-April offering the vaccine to all over-50s and then end of July offering the vaccine to all adults.'

The numbers of Covid-19 patients in hospital in Scotland has fallen to 196, the First Minister revealed.

She told a Scottish Government coronavirus briefing this figure is 19 fewer than when it was last provided before the Easter break.

Of these patients, the number in intensive care remains the same as prior to the Easter break at 21.

The First Minister said 2,577,816 people have received the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccination and 463,780 have received their second dose.

The welcome boost to the vaccine roll-out came as Valneva's Covid jab  which has also been bought by No10  was shown to trigger antibodies in all volunteers who received a high dose in early-stage trials.

Scientists testing the jab added they identified no safety concerns, and that it would now move to final phase three trials, with the view of submitting it for approval in the autumn.

Britain has already ordered 100million doses of the jab  which contains a destroyed version of the real coronavirus  which are being made in Scotland.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock heralded today's results as 'fantastic' and showing a 'strong immune response'. 'This is another boost to British life science,' he added.

Mr Zahawi said the results were 'very promising' and provided 'renewed hope' that a jab using an inactivated virus could spark immunity.

Bosses of Valneva, which is headquartered in France, added they were also looking at ways to tweak their jab to protect against future variants, which may be able to dodge immunity.

More than 31million Brits have already received their first dose of either AstraZeneca or Pfizer's Covid vaccine, which were the first to be approved in the UK.

Ms Sturgeon also confirmed schools in Scotland will reopen fully after the Easter break, weeks after they went back in England.

Speaking at the coronavirus briefing in Edinburgh, she said: 'Having assessed the data with the input of our clinical advisers, when the Easter holidays end virtually all pupils will return to school full time, so secondary schools after Easter will go back to in-person, full-time learning.

'The one exception to this is children that are on the shielding list, we are continuing to recommend that they stay at home until April 26 and that's in line with the advice already received from the chief medical officer.'

It came as Valneva said its Covid vaccine was 100 per cent effective at triggering antibodies among all those who received a high dose. It will now move to phase 3 trials

Ms Sturgeon added: 'This, I know, will be a huge relief to many children and young people and of course to many parents and carers and as I said a moment ago, by the end of April we want to see children on the shielding list get back to school in person as well.'

The First Minister also confirmed she would follow England's lead and provide two Covid tests a week for Scots.

She said the lateral flow tests, which give quicker results but are considered to be less sensitive than the PCR tests in use for those with symptoms, will be available universally.

More details of the programme will be announced later this week, she told the coronavirus briefing in Edinburgh.

The First Minister said: 'This testing will be in addition to and will supplement the additional testing routes that are in place in priority areas.'

She added: 'This more universal approach to asymptomatic testing will allow us to assess the impact that might have on further suppressing transmission.'

Similar tests are currently available to school staff and secondary school pupils, health workers and in some workplaces, such as food processing plants, and some particularly hard-hit areas have had universal testing rolled out.

The First Minister said the expansion would be on top of the current offering of lateral flow tests and it was important that those who were able to take up testing currently continued to do so.

She added: 'What I've set out today is in addition to this, which will be anybody in the population can access lateral flow testing twice a week if they want it.

'So you don't have to be symptomatic, in fact this is about trying to pick up more asymptomatic cases and again it's just about extending the reach of testing to see what impact that has on driving down transmission.'

Ms Sturgeon said the decision had been taken to expand testing because of 'greater confidence' in the stocks being available to carry out the tests.

But she added that testing should not be seen as a 'substitute' for following the current restrictions.

'You might test yourself one day and be negative, you could still be incubating the virus and it doesn't show up on the test, or you could test negative, go out your front door and meet somebody that passes the virus to you,' she said.

'It doesn't mean you can throw caution to the wind and just live completely normally.

'It's got a big part to play, but it's really important that we don't talk about testing in a way that encourages people to stop taking all of the other precautions.'
YEREVAN, APRIL 6, ARMENPRESS. The early parliamentary elections in Armenia will be held in a way that there will be no need to appeal, ARMENPRESS reports Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said in an interview with Ria Novosti.

He said that the early parliamentary elections scheduled on June 20 will show who enjoys the trust of the citizens.

Pashinyan noted that they will present to the people a program that will address security, development and welfare issues.

''I am confident that our public will be able to establish a legitimate power'', Pashinyan said.

According to Nikol Pashinyan, the elections of 2018 when he was elected Prime Minister of Armenia, were unique for the reason that for the first time since 1996 the elections in Armenia were not appealed at the Constitutional Court''.

''We were able to ensure fully transparent, free and fair elections, the results of which were accepted by everyone. Those elections were also highly assessed by international observer institutions. I am confident that the upcoming elections will again be held at a high level. I am confident that this time again our people will establish a legitimate power by their free expression of will. We are able to ensure elections that will have no need for appealing'', PM Pashiyan said.
In an instance of poll violence, Tamil Nadu Deputy CM O Paneerselvam's son - AIADMK MP OP Ravindhranath Kumar's car was allegedly attacked by DMK cadres when he visited his father's constituency on Tuesday. The Theni MP claims that his car was attacked by DMK cadres who were allegedly drunk when he went to meet party workers in Bodinayakkanur. Visuals from the site show his car's front window cracked. Currently, all 234 constituencies of Tamil Nadu are polling in a single phase, with results to be declared on May 2.

OPS' son's car attacked

Talking to Republic TV, OP Ravindhranath Kumar said, "I went to meet my party workers. DMK people came and attacked me at that time. They were drunk. Investigation is going on".

In Bodinayakkanur, Facing a tough re-election, Deputy CM O Pannerselvam (OPS) is pitted against DMKs Thanga Tamilselvan in his constituency. Inspite of holding Bodinayakkanur from Theni district since 2011, OPS will face a tough poll battle as he is pitted against Tamilselvan who was once a trusted aide of Jayalalithaa. Moreover, OPS who had rebelled against Sasikala's choice EPS as the CM candidate, is widely being seen as not able to hold his seat. The two-time CM and AIADMK co-convener has since then buried his hatchet with EPS, often jointly campaigning with him across the state.

Tamil Nadu polls

Marking the first state polls since the demise of DMK veteran MK Karunanidhi and AIADMK chief J Jayalalitha, all 234 constituencies of Tamil Nadu is going to polls in a single phase on Tuesday, with results to be declared on May 2. The battle for the CM post is mainly between 'Son of the soil' CM E Palaniswamy (EPS) and 'CM-in-waiting' DMK chief MK Stalin, while Sasikala's nephew AMMK chief TTV Dinakaran, actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi eye to make inroads. While BJP has campaigned heavily, pushing its 'double engine' idea - BJP in Centre, ally in state, it is Stalin's extensive campaign across all 234 constituencies holding 'gram sabhas' aided by Rahul Gandhi's lacklustre campaign, which has tipped the scales heavily in his favour.

As many as 74,162 personnel from Tamil Nadu Local & Armed Reserve (AR) Police, 8,010 personnel from Tamil Nadu Special Police (TSP) and 23, 200 personnel from the CAPF have been deployed for the elections, according to the Tamil Nadu Police. 34,130 non-police personnel have also been deployed, including Home Guard, Forest Guard, Retired Police and ex-CAPF along with 6,350 police personnel and 12,411 Home Guard from other states. Polling across 234 assembly constituencies in 38 districts of the state will begin at 7 am. A total of 3,998 candidates are in the poll fray. In view of COVID-19, the number of polling stations has been increased to 88,937 where over 6.28 crore people will vote.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  When an artist spray-painted a Cinco De Mayo announcement on the shuttered gates of The Phoenix, West Brighton neighbors buzzed on the future of the storefront. But Burrito Bar satisfied that curiosity by announcing this week that it would be rolling into the space for a one-day gig on Cinco De Mayo.

Burrito Bars owners Kim Beckett and Andrew Greenfield will offer a pop-up restaurant at 382 Forest Avenue. For those 21-plus, eats will include $2 food specials  tacos, Mexican rice balls and mini-chimichangas. A $5 menu features quesadillas plus guacamole and chips. Drink deals for May 5, 2021 are $6 margaritas and sangrias along with $5 sangrias and White Claws.

Seatings are two hours per table.

Cocktails from Burrito Bar, West Brighton (Courtesy of Andrew Greenfield)

The space is open by reservation only starting at 3 p.m.  calls should be made to 718-815-9200  and offers a live DJ plus a salsa station. A Burrito Bar logo glass is presented to each guest as a gift.

A more family-friendly celebration of Cinco de Mayo also is presented at the mother location a bit farther down the corridor at 585 Forest Avenue. Reservations for igloos and tables are required for the day, traditionally among the busiest of the year for the 27-year old Tex-Mex spot. Margarita kits to-go are available from this address, a successful offering that was a brainchild of the pandemic.

Burrito Bar can be found at 585 Forest Ave., West Brighton; 718-815-9200, Burritobar.com.

The West Brighton bar where Burrito Bar will set up shop for the day is The Phoenix. Formerly known as Liberty Tavern Grill, the business shut down at the start of the COVID-19 crisis in March 2020. Its ownership (not affiliated with Burrito Bar) rebranded last spring. It reemerged onto Forest Avenue like the proverbial phoenix from the ashes  hence its new name The Phoenix.

As bar seating is currently prohibited in New York City, Phoenix owner Kevin Harrigan said the future of his business is unclear right now.

Pamela Silvestri is Advance Food Editor. She can be reached at silvestri@siadvance.com.
Budding modelling act Diamond Victoria better known as 'Sika' has won the maiden edition of the Pose for Africa TV reality show.



After partaking in a series of tasks over 13-weeks, Sika stood out among her fellow contestants as she won herself a trip to a fashion show in Milan, a modelling contract as well as a special cash prize.



Delali Agor, another sensational modelling act was the first runner-up (Silver Model) having won herself a trip to Paris while Jacqueline Wiafe Konadu, who was the pre-final favourite picked up the third prize (Bronze Model) with a trip to Dubai for a special fashion show.



Speaking at the glamorous grand finale held at the Premier Beach Resort in Krokobite, Madam Afua Asantewaa Aduonum, Executive Director of ASKOF Productions (Organizers of the show), said it was a dream true for her to stage this reality which is the first of its kind in Ghana.



I had a dream of becoming a top model but since I couldnt fulfil that dream, I thought I could give others the opportunity to pursue modeling at the top level that was why I created this project.



Modelling is often associated with the Western world and not that popular in Africa. So I decided to also create this show in order to project our arts and culture as Ghanaians and Africans as a whole, she said.



Additionally, Madam Aduonum expressed hope that the reality show would help bridge the gap between the international and Africa modelling market thus showcasing the numerous talents we have on the continent.



The night saw legendary Highlife performer Gyedu Blay Ambulley delivering a masterclass performance to the amusement of the few audiences who were gathered at the event.



Nakeeyat Dramani, a one-time winner of TV3's Talented Kids, also delivered an inspirational poetic speech reminding women about the need to strive hard to exploit numerous opportunities to make Ghana a better place.



The maiden edition of Pose for Africa was sponsored by Adonko Next Level, KIA, TeeBay Beauty, Geodrill, BelaQua, Premier Beach Club, among other supporting sponsors.

Source: GNA









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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

In some ways, Monday started like a typical school day. Parents at Cleveland Middle School ushered children out of cars and other students shuffled off buses as the assistant principal greeted everyone with a wave and presumably a smile under her face mask.

But Monday marked something bigger than a typical school day. It was the first time all Albuquerque Public Schools students who chose in-person learning were able to come back to campus full time since last school year.

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But the inaugural day brought big challenges for some.

As students moved through school, they were sure to notice differences brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as signs reminding them to wash their hands, water fountains unavailable fo and markers in the hallways directing traffic.

Their classes likely had fewer people, too. Some classrooms at Cleveland had one student per table as about half of the schools nearly 600 students came back for in-person learning on Monday and the rest learned remotely.

The 2020-21 school year has been unlike any other, with learning taking place primarily online for APS. Though small face-to-face groups for some students had been allowed.

In part, that was because all schools werent initially allowed to open in New Mexico. Classes were held remotely until Sept. 8 and then a hybrid of in-person and online schooling was allowed for most elementaries. It wasnt until February that all grades were able to open in hybrid.

After a great deal of discussion and debate about reopening APS schools, the state Public Education Departments push for all campuses across the state to open fully for students who opt into in-person learning was the catalyst. According to state officials, as of last week, roughly one-third of school districts were open for full in-person learning.

Parents at Cleveland Middle School were eager to get their kids back into the classroom.

Im excited for (my daughter) to be able to come back to middle school and return to some normalcy, said Catherine Jaramillo, mother of a sixth-grader.

Fellow parent Adriana Suvia said she was over being a home-school teacher of sorts.

That enthusiasm was shared by Superintendent Scott Elder.

This feels so good, he said. This is awesome. Its good to see the students again  its really good.

Elder didnt have a tally of how many students were returning to campus on Monday district-wide, but said it ranges from 90% of the student body at some schools to 40% at others.

I think, this week, were really going to focus on building routines, and helping the students and the staff get comfortable, Elder said.

The first day ended up bringing issues for many in-person learners trying to connect their devices to the internet at school. APS spokeswoman Monica Armenta said the district is trying to find a fix, but the cause was unknown as of Monday night.

We could not have anticipated this particular problem, and it may have happened if we were face-to-face or virtual, she said in a statement.

This was a major hindrance, among others, that Ricardo Romeros senior at Manzano High School faced on the first day back. It was enough for his daughter to want to stay home.

Romero said that his daughters learning was disrupted because of the internet failures and the main solution given to students was to use their cellphones as hotspots.

We were excited for her to go back today  she gets to her first class, and the doors locked and its empty, Romero said.

He was told that the teacher was a high-risk employee and would be working from home initially. That meant his daughter learned online in a classroom, while a separate in-person lesson was being conducted by a different teacher.

More than anything, I think they just became a distraction to the other kids, he said.

The family also said one teacher wouldnt wear a mask in class and encouraged others not to.

Armenta said the district has consistently repeated the public health order that all students and all staff must wear masks at all times, except during meals.

From what weve seen firsthand or heard about, the excitement and joy experienced by those who returned to in-person learning today far outweighs the challenges experienced by some, she said.

Transportation was expected to be an obstacle for reopening and the district had warned previously that there would not be full bus service. However, APS officials reported that all but three buses ran Monday, meaning an estimated 99% of routes were covered.

We will continue to ask parents to drop their kids off, Elder said, citing coronavirus mitigation efforts.

He added that simultaneously teaching students in the classroom and at home will be a journey of discovery in the coming days.

Keith Jeneski, a teacher at Cleveland, said he was glad that students have the opportunity to come back, but emphasized that some students have been successful with online learning.

On Monday, Jeneski was aiming to strike the balance that teachers across the district will be striving for  teaching some students via a computer, while attending to the kids in front of them.

Expectations are going to be the same whether you are here or at home, he told his students.
MEXICO CITY (AP)  The attack on Gahela Cari came following a televised political debate in the form of a searing tweet from her opponent. Attached to it was an image of her Peruvian elections registration with her names and gender given at birth, all of which she no longer identifies with, highlighted in red.

Many defended Cari, who is running for a seat in Peru's Congress, but the tweet also garnered hundreds of likes and supportive comments. Seriously, I dont see where the discrimination is, one person replied.

Like most political candidates, Cari has faced attacks over her campaign proposals, but unlike the rest, she has had to fend off transphobic harassment in a socially conservative South American country with culturally entrenched discrimination against transgender people. Just last year, police officers forced a group of trans women to yell: I want to be a man.

It is extremely necessary for us to raise our voices, fight for our own representation within decision-making spaces, Cari, 28, said ahead of Sunday's elections. I hope that, at some point, it is not news that a trans woman wins a seat in Congress or an award."

A report last year by a university in Peru registered 170 cases of rights violations of LGBT people in 2019, but researchers acknowledged that is a significant undercount. Of those cases, 73 involved attacks against trans women.

The report from the LGBT Rights Observatory of the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia accused government agencies, including police, of being the main violators of rights based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It described filing a violence or discrimination complaint at a police station as walking into the mouth of the wolf.

In Peru, an Andean nation of 32.2 million people with a long Pacific coast, churches and state are intricately linked, with a strong presence of religiously affiliated organizations and the increasing political participation of evangelicals promoting traditional family formats. The groups are behind movements like the Do Not Mess With My Children campaign, an effort against a sex education school curriculum advocating gender equality.

Story continues

Discrimination is part of everyday life throughout Latin America, with better conditions in some countries than in others, and I think it comes from a shared cultural star, said Alessia Injoque, director of the Chile-based Fundacion Iguales, which advocates for the rights of LGBT people. All societies in Latin America come from a strong heritage of Christianity, where men and women were defined based on our genitals."

Peru's transgender people were even caught in the coronavirus crossfire when early in the pandemic the government implemented a gender-based, stay-at-home measure designating specific days for men and women to leave their homes. Officers were accused of asking trans women for their national identification cards to verify their gender. In an April incident, police ordered three trans women to do squats on the street and yell that they wanted to be men.

Despite lobbying by activists, Peru does not have a law allowing people to administratively change the name and sex on their national IDs. A congressional committee approved a bill on March 29 that would make this possible, but it must still be approved by the full legislature. The committees approval came months after a court ordered the national records agency to within a year design a process allowing people to change their names, genders and photos on official documents.

The court said the absence of an administrative process constitutes a systematic violation of the right to equality and non-discrimination, the right to identity and legal personality, (and) the right to dignity and disregards the standards set by an opinion of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.

Currently, people instead must go through a lengthy and expensive judicial process to make the change, including a psychological evaluation, a criminal background check and witness interviews.

Gabriela Marino, 63, is a longtime activist who runs a community center in the countrys capital, Lima, geared primarily to trans women. She says she followed the process, but her case stalled when a judge ruled that her witnesses were not credible.

Long before hormone therapy became an option in Peru, Marino used to help trans women achieve their desired appearances as a hair stylist. She had abandoned her dream of becoming a lawyer in the 1970s, when a university official called her a slur and denied her a chance to register for the law schools admissions exam.

Marino, who lobbied for the name change bill, said getting national IDs with their true gender identities and names would allow trans men and women to get better jobs.

Marino recalled how a woman she assisted dropped out of college fearing she would never be hired if her ID and diploma showed her former name. Instead, she continued to be a sex worker. In 2020, the woman was diagnosed with cancer and died this year, but not before her family coerced her to return to her rural community and took away her dignity, Marino said.

(Her mother) sat her on a chair and cut her hair really short like a man. Why? Because only that way was she going to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, Marino said. It hurt my soul to see it because she even posted it on Facebook, and she buried her with her name as a man.

In 2015, Perus first transgender elected official took office. Voters in a northern Peru community elected to city council Luisa Revilla, whose campaign promises included creating shelters for people with HIV and supporting the rights of the LGBT community.

Caris campaign proposals include creating a protocol for health care services for trans people and establishing anti-bullying measures in schools. She also wants a National Law on Comprehensive Sexual Education encompassing elementary school through college, which she said would reduce violence and discrimination against women and the LGBT community.

This is the second time in as many years that Cari has run for Congress. Her attempts follow those of two other trans women over a decade ago. The womens defeats several years apart may show Perus lack of progress toward gender equality but, Cari said, it takes time for a country to shake off the vestiges of colonialism.

It seems that since their campaigns, it has been a long time, but it is not like that, she said. No, in reality, it is a very short time compared to the centuries, the decades, the years that trans people have lived and been made invisible, beaten and violated.
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Joan Carty knows the 22 condominium units her Housing Development Fund is building in Stamford will not reverse Connecticuts long-term trend lines for home ownership.

But if you add similar-sized developments in each town statewide, a home comes into reach for 3,700 more Connecticut families  many of whom are finding affordable options dwindling fast in the spring of 2021, as a hot real estate market stokes prices.

Connecticut entered this year ranked 32nd nationally for home ownership, with 67.1 percent of all units of housing owned by their occupants as estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau.

While that was slightly above the national rate of 65.8 percent, Connecticut home ownership has yet to recover to its levels on the eve of the Great Recession, even as neighboring Rhode Island has seen a surge. The Ocean State is nearly on par today with Connecticut for home ownership, after languishing in the cellar nationally only 15 years ago.

Connecticut home ownership had peaked at 72.3 percent in the early months of 2010, only to drop below the 70 percent threshold within 18 months, as mortgage underwriting standards stiffened after the financial panic and younger couples delayed purchasing homes in favor of urban apartment life.

Builders latched onto the trend, focusing their development dollars on large rental complexes in city centers in Stamford, Norwalk and New Haven, along with smaller cities and towns. At the same time, some municipalities continue to balk at allowing larger developments of a dozen or more houses priced at or below median prices, limiting the number of starter homes within the reach of those with lower incomes.

Most of the developers in Connecticut have migrated to doing apartments  theyre not building condos, said Joan Carty, CEO of Stamford nonprofit Housing Development Fund, which assists first-time home buyers. With zoning requirements, land is your biggest cost. If you dont have a zoning code that allows for small lots, then you are passing the cost of an acre of land onto the future buyer.

This week, the Housing Development Fund will hold a commemorative groundbreaking for its 22-unit condo development in Stamfords South End, which will sell to people making half the area median income.

The Housing Development Fund was selected last December to receive a $4 million grant from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, after she decided to accelerate $4 billion in donations from her charitable fund during the COVID-19 pandemic. Scott handpicked nonprofits nationally to apply for the funding, ultimately awarding less than 400 grants.

Starting in January, the Housing Development Fund expanded its SmartMove CT down payment assistance program to cover amounts owed at the close of a purchase transaction, such as mortgage loan fees, legal bills and title insurance.

It is one of a handful of Connecticut entities offering help for renters looking to buy, along with the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority and city programs like one in New Haven that offers assistance for down payments and closing costs.

We found that 25 percent of our otherwise eligible candidates were stopped because they did not have closing costs covered, Carty said. To the degree that people are ready and can find a house within their reach, they are getting a great mortgage rate. But you need the other pieces to fall into place too.

If buying a home is top of mind for many in the spring market of 2021, keeping a home is an even bigger worry for some.

The Biden administrations American Rescue Plan includes $10 billion to funnel mortgage assistance to those meeting qualifications for funding. Gov. Ned Lamont announced plans last month to distribute $10 million in mortgage assistance in Connecticut through the Connecticut Department of Housings UniteCT pandemic relief umbrella, with the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority also offering an emergency mortgage assistance program.

Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; @casoulman
Beginning in April, customers in New Brunswick will be able to purchase Heritage Cannabis products such as RAD Vapes and RAD Crumble, as well as Premium 5 Full Spectrum Extract

Heritage Cannabis said it expects the positive reaction and strong following for its products to continue growing

Heritage Cannabis Holdings Corp ( ) ( ) (FRA:2UE) said it has received the first order from New Brunswicks legal recreational cannabis retailer, Cannabis NB, to sell its Premium 5 and RAD branded products in the province.

The company noted that beginning in April, customers in New Brunswick will be able to purchase RAD Vapes, RAD Shatter, RAD Crumble, RAD Live Resin, and RAD CBD Isolate, as well as Premium 5 Full Spectrum Extract and Live Resin Caviar.

We are very pleased to be entering the New Brunswick market with Cannabis NBs order of our RAD and Premium 5 brands, Heritage Cannabis Recreational Division President David Schwede said in a statement.

Consumers in New Brunswick will have a broad range of choice of extract and extract derivative products across our high-quality Premium 5 and favourably priced RAD brands, and we expect the positive reaction and strong following for our products to continue growing, he added.

Heritage added that with this order, the company has two brands available in New Brunswick, including 19 Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) across the RAD and Premium 5 brands.

Heritage Cannabis is a vertically integrated cannabis provider that currently has two Health Canada-approved licensed producers, through its subsidiaries Voyage Cannabis Corp and CannaCure Corp, both of which are regulated under the Cannabis Act Regulations.

The company recently acquired Canadian recreational and medical cannabis company Premium 5 Ltd, which Heritage Cannabis expects will make it a leader in the extract and extract derivatives market, as Premium 5 is a premium provider of Cannabis 2.0 hydrocarbon and solventless concentrates in Canada.

Contact Sean at sean@proactiveinvestors.com
The past few days have seen the Tanzanian government take action after what has been described as public uproar relating to new data bundle pricing from the countrys operators.

It seems that last Friday operators revised their bundles for voice calls, data and SMS in an effort to align them with new regulations from the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA).

In practice, this mean a significant rise in prices for data bundles, a move deeply unpopular with subscribers, some of whom showed their displeasure on social media platforms.

It seems to have taken only a matter of hours before the government issued a statement announcing the suspension of the new data charges until the matter gets resolved.

Tanzanias Citizen newspaper reports that the message was followed by a statement from the regulator, saying the suspension of data bundles was meant to give room for further discussions.

The Citizen adds that the new regulations allowed Tanzanians to freely share already purchased data bundles. They also directed service providers to seek TCRAs approval before offering new bundles.

The idea, it seems, was to bring data bundling under control after consumers complained about high package costs, frequent changes in data packages, promotional messages and losing bundles on expiration even if they hadnt been used. Under the new rules subscribers would be allowed to use their purchased airtime or unit packages beyond the set expiry time.

Why data prices have gone up is unclear. The Citizen quotes the head of corporate communications at TCRA, Mr Semu Mwakyanjala, who noted, The prices for both voice calls and short messaging service have gone down, which is good, but for data the prices unexpectedly went up. The prices for voice and SMS will continue as they are but those of data have been suspended immediately.
Lembata, Indonesia Rescuers in remote eastern Indonesia dug through the debris of a landslide on Tuesday in search of as many as 21 people believed to be buried in one of several disasters brought on by severe weather in the South-East Asian nation and neighbouring East Timor.

More than a dozen villages were affected by Sundays landslide on Lembata island, which was triggered when torrential rains caused solidified lava from an eruption in November to tumble down the slopes of the Ili Lewotolok volcano. At least 16 people have been confirmed dead, according to Indonesias National Disaster Mitigation Agency.

Soldiers and police officers assist residents to cross a flooded road in Malaka Tengah, East Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia. Credit:AP

Hundreds of police, soldiers and residents, battling heavy rain, dug through the debris with their bare hands, shovels and hoes searching for those buried. Relatives wailed as they watched rescuers pull out a mud-caked body, place it on a bamboo stretcher and take it away for burial.

Landslides and flooding from heavy rains from a tropical cyclone have killed at least 86 people across several islands in Indonesia and 27 people in East Timor. Thousands of homes have been damaged and thousands of people displaced by the disasters, which could worsen because the storm is expected to continue affecting the region for several days as it moves south towards Australia.
Gladys Berejiklian has been mobbed by admiring supporters requesting selfies with the popular politician at Sydney's Royal Easter Show.

The New South Wales Premier made an appearance at the annual carnival on Tuesday and proved a popular attendee.

Ms Berejiklian was seen chatting, giving hugs to and taking photos with dozens of revellers at the fete as she helps navigate the state out of coronavirus restrictions.

Glady Berejiklian has been mobbed by admiring supporters requesting selfies with the popular politician at Sydney's Royal Easter Show

The New South Wales Premier made an appearance at the annual carnival on Tuesday and proved a popular attendee

The NSW Premier made an appearance at the Easter Show saying she hopes it can be a chance to 'reconnect with the bush'

The NSW Premier made an appearance at the Easter Show saying she hopes it can be a chance to 'reconnect with the bush'.

Wearing a denim dress and boots, Ms Berejiklian would be unrecognisable from the others in attendance if not for the nonstop attention from the crowd.

'Today the show goes on and I'm so pleased to see families having fun, families that have come right across the state here to Homebush to really appreciate all the country has to offer,' she said from the show.

'It's a demonstration of the hope and optimism of the future.'

Ms Berejiklian was seen speaking with, giving hugs to and taking photos with dozens of revellers at the fete as she helps navigate the state out of coronavirus restrictions

Ms Berejiklian was stopped by people of all ages, with male tradies working at the event and young children all requesting photos with the Premier

One woman even appeared to hand Ms Berejiklian a bouquet of flowers as she walked through the Woolworths Fresh Food Dome

Ms Berejiklian was stopped by people of all ages, with male tradies working at the event and young children all requesting photos with the Premier.

One woman even appeared to hand Ms Berejiklian a bouquet of flowers as she walked through the Woolworths Fresh Food Dome.

She encouraged everyone in attendance to keep practicing social distancing despite taking photos with dozens of people.

The event, which is running on a reduced period than normal from April 1-12, is capped at 60,000 people per day, about half the regular daily attendace.
Police deal with disorder in the North Road area of Carrickfergus on April 5, 2021 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)

The PSNI have confirmed that nine more officers have been injured during the latest violent scenes on Monday night in Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey.

It brings the total number according to the police service to 41. Police also confirmed on Tuesday that 10 arrests have been made to date.

Monday night saw a crowd of around 30 youths clash with police officers in Carrickfergus, in what is a further escalation of violence across Belfast and Londonderry.

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According to a PSNI statement: "The nine officers were injured during disorder in Ballymena after Tactical Support Group officers were attacked after police attempted to engage with those present at an un-notified procession in the town, in the Crebilly Road area, at around 9:35pm. The officers are expected to be able to return to duty today.

"During the night, as a result of the disorder in Ballymena, a stretch of the M2 was closed to allow debris to be cleared from the carriageway, including a wheelie bin, that had been thrown onto the motorway.

"In relation to the disorder in Carrickfergus, an 18-year-old man was arrested last night on suspicion of possessing articles for use with petrol bombs, and he remains in custody assisting with enquiries."

Expand Close Police deal with disorder in the North Road area of Carrickfergus on April 5, 2021 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph / Facebook

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North Area Commander, Chief Superintendent Davy Beck added: "The disorder we witnessed last night, and which our officers had to deal with, is extremely disappointing. Yet again we have seen people make a deliberate decision to damage our communities and target our officers.

"Not only did their reckless and criminal behaviour place the lives of our officers in danger, but such senseless behaviour shows the blatant disregard those responsible have for the safety of others by throwing debris onto a motorway. It is extremely fortunate no one was seriously injured, or worse.

"As your Police Service we are here to protect life and property and to keep people safe, and we will continue to do that. However, I am calling on all those who have influence to do what you can to bring an end to this violence as no one wants a repeat of these disgraceful scenes."

Expand Close Police deal with disorder in the North Road area of Carrickfergus on April 4, 2021 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph / Facebook

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Speaking on Tuesday afternoon, the Justice Minister Naomi Long described a "toxic combination" of issues which have been "floating around" in communities.

Mrs Long's Alliance Party submitted a recall petition to the Stormont Assembly on Tuesday afternoon. It is expected according to the leader, to have support across the chamber and it is likely the Assembly will meet on Thursday after the 30 signatures have been collected.

Speaking to BBC's Talkback programme, she criticised the "lack of respect" shown to the rule of law among some political representatives.

"I think the lack of respect for the law being shown by political representatives both in their actions around Bobby Storey's funeral, but also in their words in terms of how they have responded in terms of the outworking of that process, have helped to fan the flames," she said.

Amid the scenes of young people being involved in the street violence, Mrs Long described it as "entirely depressing" that another generation of young people could "end up with criminal records".

"41 police officers have been injured after a week of constant criticism of the PSNI. I dont think you can ignore those facts," she added.

"I think when you criticise as forcefully and recklessly, in some cases, as some have. When you accuse them [the PSNI] of two tier policing...you make them a lightning conductor for peoples anger."

Mrs Long also criticised unionist leaders for their criticism of the PSNI, after the three unionist Stormont parties demanded chief constable Simon Bryne should resign.

"It isnt, frankly, for leaders of unionism to say there is no confidence in policing in the unionist community," said the Alliance leader.

"That in itself triggers a lack of confidence. It is up to them to use due process where they have concerns for those actions.

"I think it is an incredibly serious thing for politicians to call on the chief constable to resign.

"I think that is an incredibly serious thing to do at a time when our policing is meant to be separate from our politics and for good reason. I think those who cross that line...trigger events that are often beyond their control."

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In response to the violence, the Progressive Unionist Party councillor Billy Hutchinson urged unionism to get on the same page and to find political solutions for political problems.

While he condemned the violent scenes and called on young people to step away from the disorder, he said the PSNI needed to take responsibility around the Bobby Storey funeral.

The police need to take responsibility as well for how they resolve this issue. Whether we like it or not, people will point to what happened on the day of the Bobby Storey funeral, said Mr Hutchinson.

We need to make sure that we are in some way influencing people to protest in a very peaceful way. We need to be in there talking. I want young loyalists to grow up in a society where they can make their decisions in a political process.

There is no way I want to sit here and condemn young people to prison.
HOUSTON, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation (NYSE: COG) ("Cabot" or the "Company") announced today that it plans to release its first quarter 2021 financial and operating results on Thursday, April 29, 2021, after the market closes. The Company will host its first quarter 2021 earnings conference call on Friday, April 30, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time.

To access the live audio webcast, please visit the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at www.cabotog.com. A replay of the call will also be available on the Company's website.

Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a leading independent natural gas producer with its entire resource base located in the continental United States. For additional information, visit the Company's website at www.cabotog.com.

SOURCE Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation

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A week ahead of Peru's general elections where voters will cast their ballot for the next president and congressional representatives, Yonhy Lescano of the Popular Action party remains the leading candidate in the latest polls.

Lescano is followed in the polls by George Forsyth of the National Victory party. In total 18 candidates are vying for the presidency.

Lescano has been touring the country and during the last days of campaigning which ends Thursday, has been visiting various parts of Lima.

Meanwhile, presidential candidate of the Victoria Nacional political party George Forsyth announced Sunday that he contracted COVID-19 during his campaign activities in Madre de Dios, Junin and Cajamarca.

"It's already been four days that I've been (feeling) a bit beaten," he said in a video.

The elections, on April 11th, seek to replace President Francisco Sagasti, who took office after his predecessor, Martin Vizcarra, was impeached during an investigation on corruption allegations.

Peru will hold elections amid a political crisis that saw three presidents in a period of two years and a devastating coronavirus pandemic that killed thousands.

Peru has had more than 1.5 million confirmed cases of coronavirus infections, with 52,877 deaths related to COVID-19 according to Johns Hopkins University's collated data.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has received a Russian-developed Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine shot, his office said on Tuesday.

Tokayev, 67, has reported no side effects from the vaccine which was produced locally under an agreement with the Russian Direct Investment Fund. Kazakhstan is using the same vaccine, both imported and domestically produced, in its mass vaccination campaign, Reuters reported.
PORT ARTHUR  Mayor Thurman Bill Bartie was as jovial as ever Monday afternoon while getting his second COVID-19 shot. He was decked out in mostly crimson and cream  his fraternity colors  waving to friends and making jokes with clinic nurses.

But even amid the light mood, his words were given between pauses to catch his breath and he told one nurse about an appointment he has scheduled later this week with his kidney doctor  remnants of the COVID-19 infection he contracted late last year.

Bartie said he had chills and body aches with his first vaccine dose. But even with the possibility of side effects, Bartie said hed rather take the vaccine than get coronavirus again.

I had the side effects (with the first dose), but I also had the COVID, he said. I had (vaccine) side effects for 14 hours, but the COVID is still with me.

Related: COVID-19 cases fall as vaccines expand, yet deaths continue

As the rate of vaccinations for Latino and Black residents across the country lags behind that of white individuals, Bartie said its important for community leaders to lead by example. In fact, he even asked a few local ministers to engage with church members about getting the vaccine.

According to data from the Texas Department of State Health Services, 25% of people vaccinated in Jefferson County are Black and nearly 10% are Latino. But Black people make up 34% of the countys residents and 22% of the countys residents are Latino.

DSHS lists the race of 15% of individuals who have gotten a vaccine in Jefferson County as unknown.

Jesus Abrego, Catholic Diocese of Beaumont director of Hispanic ministry, previously said that the biggest challenge to prompting buy-in from the Latino community largely is the language barrier and concerns from members of the community that the vaccine doesnt help.

But Bartie noted hed rather err on the side of caution and get a vaccine instead of taking his chances with COVID-19 again.

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

Even with remaining vaccine hesitancy, Jefferson County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike White calls the effort a success thus far.

He said the region set up a hub to vaccinate residents in an effort to make doses more available in the region. And it was so successful that it was able to close sooner than expected.

We went from 1,000 a week to 11,000 to 22,000, he said. Thats been wildly successful.

But as the availability of vaccine doses has risen, demand continues to fall.

White said the countys mobile medical unit already has given first vaccine doses to all logged homebound residents in rural Jefferson County.

He said the unit could be used to target specific parts of the community, such as underrepresented populations, but at this time the demand just isnt there.

Related: Vaccine coalition disbands as appointment demand falls

But that doesnt mean a week from now that wont change, he said. The mobile medical unit can be available to do whatever whenever its needed.

The state also has offered to send teams to offer vaccinations like it did last year for COVID-19 testing, but White said the public health departments within the county havent felt like such a service was necessary.

To help cope with the drop in demand, nearby Hardin County on Monday opened a walk-in vaccine clinic. The county also was the first in the area to begin offering vaccines to any residents, regardless of their age or preexisting conditions.

Hardin County Judge Wayne McDaniel in a news release noted that the clinic was not limited to the countys residents and, if vaccine appointments continue to decline, he anticipates announcing additional walk-in clinics.

Vaccine appointments across Southeast Texas still can be scheduled at vaccine.beaumonttexas.gov or by calling (409) 654-3645.

kaitlin.bain@beaumontenterprise.com

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Two men walked into a bar. Specifically, it was Brookes, a gentlemans club on St. James Street in London. The two were prominent English gentlemen who probably should have been at home with their families -- it was Christmas Day 1776.

Instead, they were there to share drinks and make a wager. One of the men was Charles Fox, a former (and future) member of Parliament who was bullish about the Americans chances of gaining their independence. The other was Gen. Gentleman John Burgoyne, who was not.

Not only was Burgoyne certain the Americans would not be successful, Burgoyne was determined that he was going to defeat them himself, if necessary.

You probably know how this is going to end.

Brookes was famous for its betting book, where English gentlemen would make wagers and place them with the bar, where nothing was off the table. For example, one patron, George James Cholmondeley, 1st Marquess of Cholmondeley, bet the 12th Earl of Derby, Lord Edward Stanley, 500 guineas that he would make love to a woman in a balloon 1,000 yards above the Earth.

The wager between Fox and Burgoyne had less to do with joining the mile-high club and more to do with the unruly American colonists. Many of Brookes patrons made bets on the potential war and its outcome; that was nothing new. Fox alone made numerous wagers with many fellow club members that the colonies no longer would belong to the king. Hed lost money on the exact timing of the event on a handful of occasions, but he was sure of the outcome.

For Gen. Burgoyne, the bet was different because he might be the one to make or break any potential revolution. He had just returned from Quebec, where he ended the American siege of the city by Benedict Arnold and followed their retreat up Lake Champlain. He was determined he could perform better than Sir Guy Carleton, the governor of Quebec.

So the two gentlemen made their wager. Burgoyne bet Fox 50 guineas that he would return by the next Christmas having subdued the colonies, who still would be loyal to King George. Burgoyne pushed for command of the troops from the Crown, who gave it to him.

Burgoyne returned to Quebec City in the spring of 1777, and within six weeks, he was marching into New York at the head of 7,500 regulars, 400 Indians and 100 loyalists, a force he believed to be overwhelming. His expedition was doomed from the start, which was a reflection of the overconfidence he displayed in his bet with Fox.

His transportation leaving Quebec was inadequate from the start, he proposed using nearly impassable trails as opposed to roads and he was ill-supplied for the number of men and the 2,000 noncombatants who were following the army. Then, there was the matter of the overall grand scheme, which involved linking up with British forces under Gens. William Howe and Henry Clinton, neither of which would materialize.

Due to poorly worded orders, Howe instead invaded Pennsylvania, determined to capture the rebel city of Philadelphia. Clinton would not make it to Burgoynes aid in time.

But Burgoyne saw immediate successes at Fort Ticonderoga but was soon low on supplies, as the Americans had started a scorched-earth campaign, destroying anything of value in their retreat. He sent a raiding party to Bennington, Vermont, but it was turned away by the Americans. The British lost 1,000 men in the raids, and the native allies deserted.

The classic mistake of not bringing enough food.

Low on morale and food and inciting the locals to arms with his presence, he cut off communications with the north and crossed the Hudson River and moved to Saratoga, New York, where an American army under Gens. Horatio Gates and Arnold were gathering.

The resulting series of battles saw early British success, but it cost them. Burgoyne pushed his demoralized army into one more attack, but the British soon were pushed back to Saratoga, where the Americans surrounded his army and forced its surrender.

Burgoyne was taken prisoner but paroled on the condition that he not return to North America. So he was back at Brookes by the following Christmas to pay Fox his 50 guineas.

Charles Fox looks like a man who enjoys a good bar bet.

As for the Americans, the victory at Saratoga was just what they needed to prove to France that they actually could win the war. The French recognized the United States shortly after, entering the war and providing French soldiers, money, arms, supplies and ships as well as fighting the British elsewhere around the world.

-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on Facebook.

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New Delhi, April 6 : Voting for the crucial third phase of Assembly polls in Assam and West Bengal, and the single phase elections in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry, ended on Tuesday with all the major political parties -- BJP, Trinamool Congress, Congress, AIADMK and Left -- having high stakes.

Polling was held for 475 seats in five states/UT, including 31 seats in West Bengal, 40 in Assam, 234 in Tamil Nadu, 140 in Kerala and 30 in Puducherry.

The elections to elect the new Assemblies in Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry concluded on Tuesday, while West Bengal will see five more phases with the last one scheduled on April 29.

The BJP has high stakes in all the five states/UT, either alone or with its alliance partners. The saffron party is going solo in the high-octane battle in West Bengal to end the 10-year rule of the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress. Banerjee, who is seeking a third term in office, is fighting a fierce battle with the BJP and the Congress-Left combine.

Most of the 31 seats that went to the polls in West Bengal on Tuesday are Trinamool strongholds. But the BJP has also deployed all its resources to make inroads into the Trinamool bastions this time. On Tuesday, the BJP accused the ruling Trinamool of intimidating its polling agents and voters.

In the third and final phase of elections in Assam, the fates of the candidates in 40 Assembly constituencies have been sealed.

The BJP is fighting the Assam polls in alliance with the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the United People's Party Liberal (UPPL). It had broken away from its old alliance partner Bodoland People's Front (BPF) to join hands with the UPPL.

The Congress, on the other hand, has formed a 'Mahajoth' (grand alliance) with the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), BPF, CPI (M), CPI, CPI (ML) Liberation, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Anchalik Gana Morcha (AGM).

For the BJP, a lot depends on the performance of its alliance partners in the third phase, and the biggest challenge for it is the consolidation of minority votes which many feel may go to the Mahajoth of which the AIUDF is a part.

In Tamil Nadu, it is a direct fight between the ruling AIADMK-led NDA and the opposition DMK-Congress alliance. This was the first elections in the state held in the absence J Jayalalithaa and M. Karunanidhi. The opposition DMK is trying hard of uproot the ruling AIADMK. It is believed that the polls will decide the future of both the main parties in the state -- AIADMK and DMK.

Superstar Kamal Haasan's Makkal Needhi Maiam and T.T.V. Dhinakaran's AMMK are also trying their luck in Tamil Nadu.

In Kerala, the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) are in a direct fight. The BJP is also trying to make its presence felt in the Kerala Assembly, where it had just one member in the previous term. The BJP has left no stones unturned to make inroads into the southern state, including reaching out to the Christian community.

In the Union Territory of Puducherry, it is a direct fight between the Congress and the NDA led by the All India N.R. Congress (AINRC). Former Puducherry Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy, whose government lost the trust vote just before the announcement of polls, is leading the Congress fight.

People in these five states/UT exercised their franchise in about 1,53,538 polling stations spread across 475 Assembly constituencies.
A firearms officer was caught spying on his ex-girlfriend by 'staking out' her home and peering over her wall in an eight-month stalking campaign, a misconduct tribunal heard today.

Benjamin Robinson, 33, was caught lurking outside the home in full uniform and while carrying a police issue sidearm by his Humberside Police colleagues.

The armed officer had gone missing from Melton Police Station in North Ferriby, Hull, when he was spotted peering over the woman's wall in east Yorkshire.

Robinson was suspended from duty and an investigation was launched.

It was alleged that the stalking activities against his ex-girlfriend, also a police officer, had taken place both on and off duty.

Robinson, who quit the force ahead of today's hearing in Goole, accepted the facts but denied the 'multiple' incidents between September 2019 and April 2019 amounted to stalking.

Benjamin Robinson, 33, was caught lurking outside the home in full uniform and while carrying a police issue sidearm by his Humberside Police colleagues. Pictured: Melton Police Station in North Ferriby, Hull

He also denied that he intended to cause his victim, Officer A, distress.

Humberside Chief Constable Lee Freeman said the evidence was 'overwhelming'.

The misconduct hearing was told Robinson had already been convicted of misusing the police computer to look up the registration numbers of cars parked in his ex's driveway.

It also heard that a copy of his victim's duty rota had been found in his locker and he was unable to properly explain why.

Robinson had tried to interrogate her mobile phone and was 'only thwarted' because he could not get past her pin lock, the Chief Constable said.

He had accepted 'multiple unsolicited attendances' at her home and had also followed her, Mr Freeman added.

The man had also stalked her on social media and messaged her on WhatsApp.

He had 'loitered' outside her home and her workplace, Mr Freeman said, adding: 'I am satisfied Robinson watched and spied on her home address.'

The Chief Constable said Robinson had been 'manipulative and controlling' and may 'have manipulated her (Officer A's) sense of duty'.

He added: 'I have read Officer A's personal statement and I am satisfied she has suffered psychological harm as a direct result of former officer Robinson's misconduct.

'It was premeditated. It involved planning and deliberate targeting of Officer A.

'Many if the acts were committed on duty while performing a specialist role so the public was deprived.

'There are multiple breaches of standards of professional behaviour.

'His resignation was at the last minute and faced with overwhelming evidence he had no choice but to accept.'

Robinson was found guilty of gross misconduct on four separate counts.

Robinson, who quit the force ahead of today's hearing in Goole, accepted the facts but denied the 'multiple' incidents between September 2019 and April 2019 amounted to stalking. Pictured: Humberside Police HQ

'The impropriety of a single police officer can tarnish the reputation of the force and the service as a whole,' Mr Freeman said.

'The only outcome would be dismissal without notice had he still been a serving officer.

'Had he not been found loitering at her address, which led to his suspension and investigation, I am satisfied he would have continued in this behaviour.'

But he was able to ensure Robinson's name appeared on the College of Policing's Barred List, a public blacklist of suspect officers who have left under a cloud before being carpeted.

In mitigation, Police Federation representative Ian Spain said: 'He says it was not his intention to stalk Officer A.

'He attended her address to see what callers were visiting Officer A and wanted to see why that was.

'He did not intend to upset her. He did not intend to cause her distress.

'This all has to be seen in the context of a relationship break-down in which he was not thinking clearly.'
How would you characterize the Christian life? If we believe that the goal of our life in Christ is to be like Him, and that to accomplish this, our faith needs to be anchored in Him, then how do we do it? Through Christs victory on the cross, He has given us all that we need to live out this life in Him. The apostle Peter speaks about this when he wrote:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3).

These things spoken about here are, at least in part, the disciplines that He has afforded us because of our union with Him. These things can be added to the spiritual blessings that the apostle Paul speaks about in the first chapter of the book of Ephesians, where he said:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).

He goes on to tell us just some of the blessings that we have in Christ. As we live for the Lord, and things become difficult, due to the enemy of our soul constantly making his bid for our faith, we can rely on at least three things, as our faith remains rooted in Christ. These things not only define the Christian life, but at the same time, help to instruct us on living for the Lord.

1. Approach Boldly

Let us then approach Gods throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

First, we are to approach boldly. When is the last time you really needed the Lord? Truth be told, we need him every day. Yet there are those times in our life when we find ourselves overwhelmed for one reason or another, and we need in a special way those three things mentioned in this verse: namely, mercy, grace, and help.

As referenced earlier, Satan plays his part in trying to shake us loose from our trust in the Lord. Sin can also creep into our lives in various ways, as we take our eyes off the Lord. The world system, corrupted as it is, also wants a piece of our life. All these things individually are enough the drive the most faithful of us to our knees, but when these things converge, we must quickly cast our cares upon the Lord.

This boldness means that as we approach the throne grace in prayer, we are to do it in full confidence and assurance, holding nothing back. Our attitude should be that of the psalmist David when he wrote:

Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge (Psalm 62:8).

As we approach His throne it is good to remember that our Lord is not so far removed from us that he cannot understand what we are going through. Two powerful verses come to mind from the book of Hebrews which bear this out:

Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted (Hebrews 2:18).

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15).

As the apostle Paul dealt with an exceptionally painful time in his life, he approached the throne of grace boldly, and received just thatgrace. We read his powerful words:

Or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christs power may rest on me. That is why, for Christs sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).

We can expect no less as we approach his throne; He will give us the grace that we need when we need it. So let us approach boldly.





Photo credit: Getty Images/m-imagephotography

2. Abide Faithfully

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing (John 15:4-5).

Second, we are to abide faithfully. Have you ever felt like giving up? Perhaps there has been a time in your life when you uttered the words, I cant take it anymore. When these words are spoken in reference to our walk with the Lord, Jesus has commanded us to remain in Him. If we would ever entertain the thought of walking away from the Lord, we not only take these words to heart, but also remember this dialogue between Peter and the Lord:

From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. You do not want to leave too, do you? Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God (John 6:66-69).

At this point in Jesus ministry, He had many followers. In order to sift out those who were not truly devoted to Him, Jesus spoke some very powerful words about commitment and eating His flesh, that left His listeners stunned. His words resulted in many of His followers no longer walking with Him. He then turned to His core group and asked if they would go too.

Whenever we are tempted to give up, Peters words should ring in our hearts, and we should ask ourselves, Where are you going? Paul spoke these familiar words to the Christians in Galatia:

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9).

Dont give up! There is nothing that we go through that should cause us to forsake His faithfulness to us. We do not speak these words insensitively; we are fully aware of the damage the enemy seeks to bring to our faith. However, we must remain fully assured that God will never put more on us than we can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13). Satan on the other hand, would like to see us abandon our faith, and give heed to his lies. He wants us to believe that we can somehow live this life apart from the Lord.

Though we may not do such a thing spitefully, or with malicious intent; it happens nonetheless; subtly at best. But just taking our eyes off of Christ indicates that we are attempting to live for Him in our own strength; and Jesus has spoken to us clearly that we can do nothing without Him. Abiding in Christ faithfully ensures that we will have the help we need when we find ourselves overwhelmed.

3. Apply Abundantly

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like (James 1:22-24).

Finally, we are to apply abundantly. I recently heard someone make a statement that I had never heard before, and it rang so true in my spirit; maybe it will do the same for you. He said, Proclamation without application is hallucination. Wow. It simply says that you can speak the word all you want (or hear it for that matter), but if you do not apply what you speak or hear to your life, it will gain you nothing. As cited previously, we have been given all things that pertain to life and godliness. One of these things is the Word of God.

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever (2 Peter 3:18).

The only way we can grow in grace is by regularly ingesting the Word of God and then living it out. How else will we even begin to meet our goal of becoming more like Christ?

As we approach boldly, abide faithfully, and apply abundantly, all the while keeping our faith in Christ, we can rest assured that He will be faithful and see us through our most difficult times as we navigate through our time here with the Lord.

Related articles

How Should Christians Live in a World thats Not Our Home?

7 Hopeful Reasons to Live with Eternity in Mind

5 Commands of Jesus to Live an Abundant Life



Photo credit: Getty Images/solarseven
The motorist said his back got 'very hot' before seeing a burn hole in his jumper

A driver who burnt his backside on the heated seat of his BMW has told the German car maker that it needs to check out all other models for potential electrical faults.

David Murch had driven his wife to a Sainsbury's store in his BMW 650i and was waiting outside in the car park in the 7,250 car when he started to feel an unusual sensation.

The 61-year-old said: 'I was in my car and I had the heated seat on which is very cosy. I was just waiting outside Sainsbury's and I was suddenly conscious my back was getting very hot.

'It was just a little bit above my right buttock. I got out of the car and wondered what the hell was going on. There was a bit of smoke but not a lot.

David Murch has told BMW that it needs to check out its car models for potential electrical faults after the heated seat of his 14-year-old BMW 650i burnt a hole in his jumper

The 61-year-old has taken the car, which has 90,000 miles on the clock, to BMW where he was told he had to pay 120 for a diagnostic test before he could get the car back.

'There was a hole, it looked like a cigarette burn hole.'

Mr Murch's wife Claire, also aged 61 years, was shocked to return to the car and find the heated seat electric element had burned a hole in the leather and in Mr Murch's dark blue jumper, before also scorching his charcoal coloured tee-shirt.

He added: 'There was a bit of smoke and a hole so I turned off the engine. The smoke then cleared but there is no smoke without fire!

'I haven't switched the heated seat on since.'

The incident happened in the car park of Sainsbury's in Warlingham, Surrey, on March 5 this year.

The property developer has since taken the car, which has 90,000 miles on the clock, to BMW where he was told he had to pay 120 for a diagnostic test before he could get the car back.

He had driven his wife to a Sainsbury's store in his BMW 650i and was waiting outside in the car park in the 7,250 car when he started to feel an unusual sensation. When he got out of the car he found what looked like cigarette burns hole in his jumper

Today the car was back from the local dealership but Mr Murch said BMW had told him there was nothing they could do and they were not responsible for doing any repair work or to provide a new seat as a result of the fault which engineers discovered was as a result of a short circuit.

Mr Murch said he was 'fed up' with the response.

'If it was me maltreating the vehicle and it was my fault, then fair enough, I would deserve what I get. But I think they should take some responsibility and issue a warning about similar aged models,' he added

Mr Murch said he was concerned about the consequences if a similar short circuit happened to another BMW driver.

'The fact that I was parked meant I could get out and sort it without any more major problems,' he said.

'The concern is that if one was driving on a motorway, particularly one of these new smart motorways, there is no place to pull in and if you we wearing synthetic clothes, the fire could accelerate into something a lot more serious.

Today the car was back from the local dealership but Mr Murch said BMW had told him there was nothing they could do and they were not responsible for doing any repair work or to provide a new seat as a result of the fault which engineers discovered was as a result of a short circuit

A BMW spokesman said: 'BMW offers a comprehensive, full three-year warranty on all new cars sold in the UK. The vehicle in this case is more than 14 years old and well outside its warranty period'

'Who knows what might happen?'

While he was acknowledges that his car is 14 years old and he has owned it for the last three years, Mr Murch said he wants BMW to take action to check other vehicles to make sure their owners are not in for an uncomfortable surprise.

'This has happened with BMW cars before,' he said.

'They told the owner of one that it was a cigarette burn. He told them he didn't smoke - just like me - but they have done nothing about it.

'There is obviously some sort of design fault,' he claimed.

The property developer said that he was adamant BMW needed to do better, adding: 'Certainly I would be looking for them to pay my repair and replace the seat and the burned pullover.

'They ought to be recalling these vehicles if there is seen to be a problem and sorting it out. It is going to be too late if somebody does go up in smoke or there is a life-changing incident.

'They have a moral obligation to look after us BMW customers and to make sure something worse does not happen in the future. Other people who are thinking about getting a car like mine should be made aware of this case.'

A BMW spokesman said: 'BMW offers a comprehensive, full three-year warranty on all new cars sold in the UK.

'The vehicle in this case is more than 14 years old and well outside its warranty period.

'There is no known manufacturing defect and the vehicle warranty does not cover wear and tear, which is the likely cause of this fault due to the age of the vehicle.

'However, we recognise this must have been an unpleasant experience and as a gesture of goodwill, BMW UK has offered to cover the initial diagnosis fee in full via the customers chosen BMW retailer.'
New Delhi, April 6 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday said drug trafficking is a more heinous crime than murder, as people dealing in narcotics are instruments in causing death or in inflicting a death blow to several innocent, young victims.

A bench comprising Justices D.Y. Chandrachud and M.R. Shah said psychotropic substances pose serious problems to national governments. "it should be borne in mind that in a murder case, the accused commits murder of one or two persons, while those persons who are dealing in narcotic drugs are instruments in causing death or in inflicting death blow to number of innocent young victims who are vulnerable", said the bench.

The bench added that drug traffickers cause deleterious effects and deadly impact on society. The court further added that organised activities of the underworld and the clandestine smuggling of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances into this country lead to drug addiction among a sizeable section of the public, particularly adolescents and students of both sexes. "The menace has assumed serious and alarming proportions in the recent years. Therefore, it has a deadly impact on the society as a whole", noted the bench.

The observations from the top court came while dismissing an appeal challenging the November 2019 verdict of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The High Court had upheld a trial court order which convicted a man found in possession of 1 kg heroin, for the offence punishable under the provision of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The accused was sentenced to 15 years in jail along with a fine of Rs 2 lakh.

The bench noted that while awarding sentence in NDPS Act cases, the interest of the society as a whole is supposed to be considered. "Therefore, while striking balance between the mitigating and aggravating circumstances, public interest, impact on the society as a whole will always be tilt in favour of the suitable higher punishment", said the top court.

The counsel for the accused argued that he was not the mastermind in the drug trafficking racket, instead he was a poor person, a first-time convict, and was only a carrier. "Merely because the accused is a poor man and/or a carrier and/or is a sole bread earner cannot be such mitigating circumstances in favour of the accused while awarding the sentence/punishment in the case of NDPS Act", noted the top court.

The bench cited its December, last year, where it had refused to interfere with the conviction of the accused under section 21 of the NDPS Act in the case and had issued notice confined to the question of sentence.
Members of the South East Antrim UDA warned business owners to shut their premises early or risk being attacked ahead of a weekend of carefully planned violence.

It is understood that members of the paramilitary group visited businesses in Newtownabbey and told them that a riot was going to take place and to close early. Police were made aware of the actions of the breakaway loyalist group.

Sources confirmed that senior officers have been reaching out to loyalists perceived to have influence to try and calm the situation, worried that violence may spread to other areas.

PSNI Chief Superintendent Davy Beck confirmed the attacks on police were clearly orchestrated, saying the recent arrests of alleged senior members of the South East Antrim UDA may form part of the reason for the reaction in the Newtownabbey area.

I believe that theres a small group of disaffected criminal elements that are clearly involved in influencing young people, and I would appeal to young people in those areas not to allow this to happen, he said.

I think its also fair to say that theres probably no coincidence to this. We have been successful in that area in respect of some of these criminal gangs. So I think that this perhaps has been a reaction from some of those people who are involved in criminality.

Over 30 petrol bombs were thrown at police lines on Sunday evening, while five officers were injured during the sustained period of violence in Cloughfern and Carrickfergus.

It brings the total number of police injured in incidents in Derry, where children as young as 12 were involved, and Belfast over the Easter weekend to 32. One suffered a serious leg injury.

Chief Supt Beck said while police stand ready for further nights of unrest, he has urged community leaders to put a stop to it. The PSNI are concerned that the violence could spread to other areas of Northern Ireland.

On Monday masked men were seen marching through the streets of Portadown accompanied by a loyalist band.

The Portadown show of strength and accompanying parade, that had not been declared to the Parades Commission, was said by a senior Mid Ulster loyalist source to be the first of many planned for the next number of weeks.

The gathering was peaceful but there was no 11/1 (application) and the message was clear, if the law doesnt apply to republicans then it doesnt apply to loyalists. These gatherings will be repeated in the coming days and weeks.

Our community has had enough of two tier policing, the constant appeasement of republicans and most of all the Protocol will not be tolerated. The message from the men on the street was enough is enough.

There are no plans for violence, but groups gathering and unnotified parades will continue and whatever comes from that, so be it.

On Monday night Sinn Fein MLA John ODowd said the images of masked loyalists in Portadown was akin to scenes witnessed recently in Pitt Park in east Belfast.

Calling for calm he said: Tonights so-called band parade in Portadown was led by masked men through the streets reminiscent of the scenes recently in Pitt Park in east Belfast when a loyalist mob went on a rampage to intimidate families out of their homes. Irresponsible and dangerous sabre rattling and reckless rhetoric from unionist politicians has seen tensions rise right across the community.

The PSNI said they received a report about an un-notified parade and enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances of this event.

While the South East Antrim UDA are believed to be connected to some of the attacks on police in Newtownabbey, more sporadic outbreaks of violence in south Belfast on Friday and in the Waterside area of Derry over the last week are being linked to a network of fake online social media accounts.

The Belfast Telegraph understands police are looking at the IP addresses of a number of Facebook accounts that sprung up over the last few weeks dedicated to promoting protests. Loyalists say they are being run by a former loyalist prisoner aged in his 50s and his associate, a Co Down-based child sex offender.

The pair were responsible for promoting the Sandy Row protest. Local loyalists say the first they heard it was taking place was through a Facebook post.

The two also tried to organise a protest on Friday at a volatile interface in north Belfast. A Facebook post claimed that loyalists were to meet at the North Queen Street interface that links the loyalist Tigers Bay with the nationalist New Lodge. However, local community workers stepped in and prevented the protest from taking place.

Meanwhile on Monday night PSNI officers were attacked with stones after attending the scene where a suspicious object was discovered.

Police attended to protect a bomb disposal unit that was sent to the scene at the Templemore Road, in a predominantly nationalist part of Londonderry.

The incident was subsequently declared an elaborate hoax.
by Peter Tran

On Easter eve, a group of ethnic Jarai became Christian in Anphongso, at the local Redemptorist mission. This is a sign of hope in a farming area seriously affected by the global health crisis.

Kontum (AsiaNews)  On Easter night, 60 ethnic Jarai received the sacrament of baptism. The celebration took place in Anphongso sub-parish (Diocese of Kontum).

The mission is located in Ia RSai, a village in Krong Pa District (Gia Lai Province) with a population of 6,175 residents, 80 per cent of whom belong to minority ethnic groups, making a living mostly from farming and livestock.

Fr Vincent Bui Thanh Quang, head of the Anphongso sub-parish, celebrated the service, said Fr Jos Huu Hoan, a member of the Redemptorist order. These brothers and sisters spent a long time learning the catechism and participating in the pastoral activities of the parish. Now, on the day that Jesus is risen, they have become Gods children.

Baptism is a sign of hope at a particularly difficult time. This part of Vietnam came under a new lockdown from 14 February to 9 March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

That is why agricultural production and the economic situation of families have been negatively affected. This came on top of increasingly extreme weather conditions, frequent droughts, epidemics and outdated farming techniques that have cut harvest yields.

The prices of agricultural goods and products are also not stable and this has drastically affected the lives of people living in small communities such as that of Ia RSai.

Most local farmers grow cassava (khoai mi), from which comes tapioca. They were particularly affected by the fall in prices.

In the previous harvest season, said Ksor H'Ly, who lives in the village of Ktinh, drought and parasites reduced tapioca output. In my familys case, we have more than one hectare to grow cassava. We only got nearly eight tonnes of fresh cassava tubers, she explained.

Revenue decreased by nearly a half of the previous harvest season. At that time, the price was also very low. The price ranges from 1,000 VND to 1,400 VND (about US$ 0,043 to US$ 0,061) for one kilogram. So, after we subtracted the investment costs, my family only earned some millions VND, about two or three hundreds US dollars.

The road to the village is almost all unpaved, said Ro O HNga. It is very difficult to travel, especially in the rainy season. Moreover, traders put pressure on farmers to lower their prices.

In Ia RSai, the chairman of the People's Committee (municipality) noted that through the support of the local population, the new Rural Construction Programme achieved some initial results.

in recent years, some experts helped local farmers (Catholic and non-Catholic) to change the way they grow and breed, applying science and technology.

In the spirit of the Easter season, Catholics in Anphongso hope that this too can be a beginning of a better life.
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A pattern emerges whenever a culture tries to fix itself with only the resources of its own unmoored virtues. A problem is identified, but misdiagnosed. Then, a solution is offered that accomplishes the exact opposite of the goal.

Examples of this include trampling on the rights of women in the name of inclusion, firing ethnic minorities for racism, and the new brand form of anti-Semitism prevalent on college campuses that are supposed to be (even because they are) woke.

These many examples reveal why worldview matters. Every worldview answers the questions Whats wrong with the world? and How can it be fixed? Some worldviews get the answers to these questions very, very wrong.

Hatred of the Jews, for example, is perhaps the oldest hatred in the world. Typically, anti-Semitism is perceived as coming from far-right, white supremacists or radical Muslim extremists. However, according to a new student group called the New Zionist Congress, anti-Semitism is increasingly found on college campuses, notably among far-left activists.

Apparently, the progressive orthodoxies built around Critical Theory offer little space for Jewish people. In the name of standing up for the oppressed, maybe the most oppressed group in world history is being excluded.

Blake Flayton, a self-proclaimed progressive, gay, Jewish college student, first explained the problem in a 2019 op-ed in The New York Times. At many American universities, he wrote, it is now normal for student organizations to freely call Israel an imperialist power and an outpost of white colonialism with little pushback or discussion  never mind that more than half of Israels population consists of Israeli Jews from the Middle East and North Africa, and that the country boasts a 20-percent Arab minority.

The problem, of course, is that Critical Theory is not big enough as a worldview to deal with a real world that constantly crosses racial, socio-economic and national lines. Critical Theory relies on those lines to determine human worth, dignity, and moral standing. No room is allowed for actual progress. Once an oppressor, always an oppressor. And, if an oppressed group rises above their oppression, whether perceived or real, they risk falling on the wrong side of the measuring stick.

Jewish history is long and winding. Even after the Germans attempted to exterminate them, and much of the world closed their borders to Jewish refugees, the Jewish people somehow managed to reclaim their homeland in Israel. Now that Israel has secured relative safety and freedom, all of a sudden, theyre evil?

This self-defeating and dehumanizing logic is a central flaw of this way of seeing the world. Any worldview that grounds human value in a perceived proximity to power or ethnicity robs individuals of their humanity. Gods Image is what makes us human and therefore valuable, regardless of whether we have any power or belong to any group.

The Bible not only provides a much better standard for determining human worth, but it also offers us a clue as to why anti-Semitism has persisted for so long. God formed the nation of Israel and chose the Jewish people through which to send the Messiah in order to bless all the peoples of the Earth. A world animated by His Enemy will hate them.

Years ago in a sermon, John Piper said that a church that fails to evangelize the Jewish people  to accept, value, learn from, and minister to them  cannot long hold on to the gospel. He was drawing heavily from the writings of Paul, which explore the mystery of Gods love for the Jewish people. The worlds new or, more accurately, renewed hate for Jewish people is another opportunity for the Church to be profoundly counter-cultural. Psalm 122 instructs us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. That peace remains a long way off. We should keep praying.

Originally published at Break Point
New Delhi:

A Goa court on Thursday finalised the next date of hearing in a rape case against Tarun Tejpal, former editor-in-chief of Tehelka magazine, on November 21.

Public Prosecutor Francisco Taviera informed that charges were framed and has been explained to Tarun Tejpal. He added that Tejpal has pleaded not guilty to rape charge.

Taviera said that Tejpal has pleaded not guilty to charges under sections 341, 342, 354 A&B, 376 sub section 2, F&K.

Tejpal earlier had challenged the lower court saying the case was false accusation of rape.

Justice Prithviraj Chavan has offered Tejpal was deferring examination of the first witness to a date after November 1, the day when High Court will hear his appeal.

Tejpal is accused of sexually assaulting a female colleague inside a lift at Hotel Grand Hyatt on November 7, 2013.

Tejpals counsel, Aman Lekhi, had argued the fight is asymmetrical and made a case that the state has aligned with the victim, while the reputation of the accused is being systematically destroyed.

Tejpal counsel also maintained that the case doesnt stand a fit to trial and Tejpal should be relieved from undergoing trauma of a trial as there are no sufficient ground to proceed.

#WATCH: Initial confusion caused as Public Prosecutor Francisco Taviera had mentioned "Tarun Tejpal pleaded guilty to all of them (charges)" pic.twitter.com/hGL1Vn3DrN  ANI (@ANI) September 28, 2017

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SAN DIEGO, April 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Forbes School of Business and Technology Center for Women's Leadership celebrated International Women's Day with a Week of Resilience, March 512, 2021. The week of events included a distinguished lineup of global women leaders, recognition of women advancing women's leadership, and celebration of women's stories and experiences of resiliency.

The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media was the recipient of the inaugural Center for Women's Leadership 2021 Award for Excellence in Advancing Women's Leadership which recognizes a leader and/or organization that has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to advancing gender equality and women as leaders in business and society. The institute's award-winning feature film documentary This Changes Everything (2019) was streamed for registrants as part of the Week of Resilience events.

Madeline Di Nonno, President and CEO of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media said, "On behalf of Geena and all of us here at the Institute, we are so thrilled to be receiving this inaugural award. We know that seeing role models has a profound importance in inspiring women and girls to pursue leadership. Our motto is 'if she can see it, she can be it.' If we don't see women and girls as leaders onscreen, we are limiting the aspirations of girls and women."

The Center for Women's Leadership Week of Resilience also included an artistic expression call for submissions and viewing titled "Honoring Women's Resilience." Global Campus student Kaitlynn Mascetti was awarded the 2021 Champion trophy for her personal story video entitled "Overcome & Empower."

Dr. Jennie Walker, Center for Women's Leadership Chair said, "The series of events was positive and powerful. We celebrated women's resilience in a dynamic way by learning from diverse female leaders that include high profile leaders from various nations and representatives from field operations at the United Nations Office for Project Services. The message we imparted is that each individual's story of resilience matters."

About University of Arizona Global Campus

The University of Arizona Global Campus ("UAGC" or " Global Campus") is an independent university that is operated in affiliation with the University of Arizona. UAGC provides flexible opportunities for working students from diverse backgrounds who seek to gain knowledge and skills that will help them to achieve their life and career goals. UAGC builds on Ashford University's promise of high-quality online learning, access and inclusivity and the University of Arizona's mission as a land-grant institution focused on student success. UAGC is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and is one of the nation's most innovative online universities with approximately 35,000 students. UAGC offers more than 50 degrees at the associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels. For more information, visit uagc.edu, www.facebook.com/UniversityOfArizonaGlobalCampus, or www.twitter.com/UAZGlobalCampus.

About the Center for Women's Leadership (CWL)

The CWL envisions a world in which all women are empowered as leaders. The Center's mission supports this by providing a community for networking and professional development and making recommendations to organizational practices through existing and novel research. The Center encompasses four distinct areas: events, education, mentorship, and research, each aimed at the empowerment of women leaders. For more information please see: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/6925212/ and https://www.uagc.edu/forbes-school-of-business-and-technology/center-womens-leadership

SOURCE University of Arizona Global Campus

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Jacksonville Police

THEFTS, BURGLARIES

 Property was stolen from Signature Event Rental at 328 S. Main St. after someone broke in between 12:15 and 12:25 a.m. Monday.

VANDALISM

 Something was thrown on the porch of a residence in the 700 block of West Railroad Street, according to a report filed at 2:09 p.m. Monday.



Pike County

Sheriff

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Zachary T. Blumenberg, 35, of Argyle, Wisconsin, was arrested at 6:19 p.m Saturday on a charge of violating an order of protection.

 Alex T. Van Alstine, 62, of Florence was arrested at 4:03 p.m. March 29 on a charge of aggravated battery and on a petition to revoke conditional discharge.

 John M. Martin, 27, of Griggsville was arrested at 7:06 p.m. Thursday on a charge of criminal damage to property.

 Cathy L. Bonds, 55, of Griggsville was arrested at 7:06 p.m. Friday on a charge of driving under the influence.

 Melissa J. Becker, 48, of Hannibal, Missouri, was arrested at 6:40 p.m. March 29 on a petition to revoke conditional discharge.

 James W. Dodd, 51, of Hannibal, Missouri, was arrested at 12:51 p.m. March 30 on a charge of possession of methamphetamine.

 Harold D. Fogle, 59, of Hannibal, Missouri, was arrested at 7:34 p.m. March 30 on charges of possession of methamphetamine, aggravated fleeing, driving under the influence, driving while license is revoked or suspended, operating an uninsured motor vehicle and having no valid registration. He also was arrested on a Ralls County, Missouri, warrant accusing him of failing to obey a judges orders.

Pittsfield Police

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Anthony J. Kimber, 39, of Pittsfield was arrested at 6:48 p.m. March 30 on a domestic battery charge.

 Shelley D. Evans, 49, of Pittsfield was arrested at 3:02 p.m. Friday on a charge of driving under the influence and on a petition to revoke bond.

 Malik H. Hill, 26, of Springfield was arrested at 2:29 a.m. Saturday on a charge of possession of a controlled substance.

State police

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Tamara L. Hill, 30, of Griggsville was arrested at 3:01 a.m. Sunday on a domestic battery charge.

Compiled by David C.L. Bauer
DENVER, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cimarex Energy Co. (NYSE: XEC) will host a conference call on Thursday, May 6, 2021, at 9:00 AM MT (11:00 AM ET) to discuss first-quarter 2021 financial and operating results. The Company plans to announce first-quarter 2021 results on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, after close of trading.

A live audio webcast of the presentation will be available on the "Events & Presentations" page under the "Investor Relations" section of the Company's website at www.cimarex.com. The webcast will be archived and available at the same location after the conclusion of the live event.

Conference Call Information

Dial-in (for callers in the U.S.): (866) 367-3053

Dial-in (for callers in Canada): (855) 669-9657

Intl. dial-in: (412) 902-4216

Cimarex Energy

Denver-based Cimarex Energy Co. is an independent oil and gas exploration and production company with principal operations in the Permian Basin and Mid-Continent areas of the U.S. For more information about Cimarex, visit www.cimarex.com.

SOURCE Cimarex Energy Co.

Related Links

www.cimarex.com


PRESS RELEASE

AB SCIENCE ANNOUNCES COLLABORATION WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO TO CONDUCT RESEARCH FOR THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF COVID-19 WITH MASITINIB AND OTHER AB SCIENCE PROPRIETARY DRUGS

Paris, April 6 2021, 8am CET

AB Science SA (Euronext - FR0010557264 - AB), together with the University of Chicago, today announces the signing of an exclusive licensing agreement for conducting research on the prevention and treatment of humans infected with nidoviruses, coronaviruses and picornaviruses.

This collaboration follows the discovery by the University of Chicago that masitinib inhibits the main protease (3CLpro) necessary for the SARS-CoV-2 viral replication cycle [1].

Under this agreement, AB Science will supply masitinib and more than 130 other AB Science proprietary drugs that have demonstrated activity against SARS-CoV-2 main protease 3CL-Pro via virtual screening methodology, and will benefit from the proprietary research platform of the University of Chicago.

The University of Chicago will perform the following research activities:

Enhance the preclinical program of masitinib against SARS-CoV-2

Initiate investigation with masitinib against other viruses that are dependent on protease 3CL-Pro for replication

Test and identify analogues of masitinib active against SARS-CoV-2 protease 3CL-Pro

To secure and consolidate patent positions, AB Science and the University of Chicago will merge their patent rights related to masitinib or masitinib analogues related to virology applications. The University of Chicagos Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation worked with the researchers to file the associated patents and then completed the license agreement with AB Science.

In case of commercialization in viral disease, AB Science will benefit from an exclusive, royalty-bearing license on any discoveries made with AB Science products (1% of net sales on first registered product and 0.3% of net sales on further registered product to be paid to the University of Chicago).

Dr Nir Drayman, researcher at the Pritzker School for Molecular Engineering (University of Chicago) said, We are delighted to work with AB Science on this global program. The discovery of masitinib as an anti-protease against multiple coronaviruses is a major discovery. Masitinib should be a priority drug to develop against COVID-19 and future emerging viruses. Unfortunately, this pandemic is not over and the world urgently needs anti-virals to combat this virus, and masitinib is a very promising candidate.

Professor Savas Tay, principal investigator of the 3CLpro inhibitor study and author of the article (Pritzker School for Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago) said. In a context where we face the emergence of a number of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, the development of efficacious anti-viral therapeutics is urgently needed. Because masitinib specifically targets the catalytic residues of 3CLpro, its anti-viral activity is likely to be insensitive to genetic alterations of the Spike protein. Thus, masitinib constitutes a uniquely valuable therapeutic option for both ancestral SARS-CoV-2 and variants against which vaccines or monoclonal antibodies may become less or not effective. This is why we are extremely pleased to collaborate with AB Science and eager to continue our research with masitinib and analogues of masitinib.

Collaboration is necessary for the rapid development of new drugs in the fight against this pandemic. We are proud to collaborate in all aspects with the School for Molecular Engineering of the University of Chicago, one of the best research centers in the world. Our ultimate objective in Covid19 is to deliver as soon as possible a drug that is a direct antiviral against the protease of the virus said Alain Moussy, cofounder and CEO of AB Science.

Professor Olivier Hermine, President of the Scientific Committee of AB Science and member of the Academie des Sciences in France said, Masitinib could represent an important therapeutic option against SARS-CoV-2 because of its dual mechanism of action. First, masitinib targets the protease, which is a validated scientific strategy to inhibit virus replication, the efficacy of which is not dependent on the emergence of new variants whose mutations primarily affect the virus spike protein but not the protease catalytic site, and second, masitinib bears anti-inflammatory properties that could reduce the cytokine storm.

Masitinib in COVID-19

Research led by the University of Chicago [1] have shown that masitinib inhibits 3CLpro, a SARS-CoV-2 protease that is crucial for virus infection and reproduction, by directly binding to the protease catalytic site.

Key points from this research article include: The study objective was to identify safe-in-human drugs with potential anti-coronavirus properties from an initial library of 1,900 compounds, either approved for human use or with extensive safety data in humans (Phase 2 or 3 clinical trials). Masitinib significantly inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication in human lung cells. Notably, masitinib completely inhibited 3CLpro activity. 3CLpro is the SARS-CoV-2 main protease, necessary for its viral replication cycle. X-ray crystallography revealed that masitinib directly binds to the active site of 3CLpro, thereby having a direct antiviral activity by blocking its enzymatic activity. Masitinib was also effective in blocking the replication of multiple picornaviruses (human pathogens that cause a range of diseases including meningitis, hepatitis, and poliomyelitis). Overall, masitinib was shown to have broad anti-coronavirus and anti-picornavirus activity.



A Phase 2 study is on-going to evaluate masitinib in combination with isoquercetin for the treatment of COVID-19. This study (AB20001) is a randomized (1:1), double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of masitinib combined with isoquercetin in hospitalized patients with moderate and severe COVID-19. The study will enroll 200 patients (age 18 without an upper age limit) at medical centers in France and other countries. The primary objective is to improve the clinical status of patients after 15 days of treatment.

[1] Drayman N, Jones KA, Azizi S-A, et al. Drug repurposing screen identifies masitinib as a 3CLpro inhibitor that blocks replication of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. bioRxiv 2020.08.31.274639; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.08.31.274639

About the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Chicago

The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation is the central resource for transforming groundbreaking ideas and discoveries into new products, services, and ventures at the University of Chicago. A dedicated team of professionals with deep technical expertise exclusively focused on enabling technology commercialization perform market analysis, manage intellectual property, identify partners, and negotiate partnerships and licenses for discoveries and inventions developed by faculty, researchers, and staff.

About masitinib

Masitinib is a new orally administered tyrosine kinase inhibitor that targets mast cells and macrophages, important cells for immunity, through inhibiting a limited number of kinases. Based on its unique mechanism of action, masitinib can be developed in a large number of conditions in oncology, in inflammatory diseases, and in certain diseases of the central nervous system. In oncology due to its immunotherapy effect, masitinib can have an effect on survival, alone or in combination with chemotherapy. Through its activity on mast cells and microglia and consequently the inhibition of the activation of the inflammatory process, masitinib can have an effect on the symptoms associated with some inflammatory and central nervous system diseases and the degeneration of these diseases.

About AB Science

Founded in 2001, AB Science is a pharmaceutical company specializing in the research, development and commercialization of protein kinase inhibitors (PKIs), a class of targeted proteins whose action are key in signaling pathways within cells. Our programs target only diseases with high unmet medical needs, often lethal with short term survival or rare or refractory to previous line of treatment.

AB Science has developed a proprietary portfolio of molecules and the Companys lead compound, masitinib, has already been registered for veterinary medicine and is developed in human medicine in oncology, neurological diseases, and inflammatory diseases. The company is headquartered in Paris, France, and listed on Euronext Paris (ticker: AB).

Further information is available on AB Sciences website:

www.ab-science.com .

Forward-looking Statements - AB Science

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are not historical facts. These statements include projections and estimates as well as the assumptions on which they are based, statements based on projects, objectives, intentions and expectations regarding financial results, events, operations, future services, product development and their potential or future performance.

These forward-looking statements can often be identified by the words "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "estimate" or "plan" as well as other similar terms. While AB Science believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of AB Science and which may imply that results and actual events significantly differ from those expressed, induced or anticipated in the forward-looking information and statements. These risks and uncertainties include the uncertainties related to product development of the Company which may not be successful or to the marketing authorizations granted by competent authorities or, more generally, any factors that may affect marketing capacity of the products developed by AB Science, as well as those developed or identified in the public documents filed by AB Science with the Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF), including those listed in the Chapter 4 "Risk Factors" of AB Science reference document filed with the AMF on November 22, 2016, under the number R. 16-078. AB Science disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update the forward-looking information and statements, subject to the applicable regulations, in particular articles 223-1 et seq. of the AMF General Regulations.

For additional information, please contact:

AB Science

Financial Communication & Media Relations

investors@ab-science.com

Media Relations  USA

RooneyPartners

Jeffrey Freedman

jfreedman@rooneyco.com

+1 646 432 0191

Media Relations  France

NewCap

Arthur Rouille

arouille@newcap.fr

+33 (0)1 44 71 00 15

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Arricano Real Estate PLC - shopping mall network operator - Says Zaporizhzhia local government in Ukraine on Friday last week announced, in response to the continuing Covid pandemic, temporary restrictions on customer access to retail shopping centres from last Saturday until further notice. As a result, stores, other than hypermarket, pharmacy and some other essential stores, in Arricano's City Mall shopping centre in Zaporizhzhia will be closed over this period.

Current stock price: USD0.30

By Evelina Grecenko; evelinagrecenko@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
A leading historian has said the Irish Land Commission records are unnecessarily being kept locked away by the State, preventing vital research.

Professor Terence Dooley of Maynooth University says the full, complex story of Irelands revolutionary period can only be told when the Land Commission records are made accessible to researchers.

The records, now housed in Portlaoise, remain closed to the research public on, Mr Dooley says, the pretext that they are working records and do not come under Freedom of Information legislation.

For 70 years, questions have been asked in the Dail as to why they have remained closed, and the answer is the same in 2021 as it was back then, he said.

For decades, I have been arguing that the history of Ireland, from the Land Commissions establishment in 1881  and, indeed, well before, because of the records the Commission inherited  is being unnecessarily kept locked away. So, therefore, is the history of how the Irish revolution eventually played out after 1923. I believe this is now unacceptable.

Mr Dooley said that the information stored in the records illuminated this period.

The personal family information is no more sensitive than [what] is contained in the IRA pension claims, which required people to bare their souls for a few, but important, pounds per month.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture, which has responsibility for the records, said there are no immediate plans to make the eight million or so records generally available to the public.

The records are stored at a Department of Agriculture facility in Portlaoise, are available in paper format only and are fragile, some dating back as far as the late 1800s, the spokesperson said. In order to maintain them, it is essential that they are handled and stored appropriately.

Wider access and digitisation will be a matter for consideration when the completion of the work of the former Commission is at a more advanced stage.
The AIM-listed company has decided to delay the final testing of the shallower target zones into the next drilling season

( ) said it started flow testing at the Talitha #A well on Alaskas North Slope after delays caused by blizzards.

Weather conditions have since improved meaning operations have resumed and testing has now commenced on the Kupurak horizon, with the Talitha #A well currently flaring natural gas as it cleans up," it said in a statement.

Whilst this is an encouraging sign, the company cautions that it is too early to make a definitive assessment as to the ultimate commerciality of the Kupurak horizon. Results will be announced at the conclusion of testing operations.

Pantheon also intends to perform Pressure Transient Analysis to maximise its understanding of the Kuparuk reservoir to help its development plans.

The AIM-listed company added it has also decided to delay the final testing of the shallower target zones into the next drilling season in Alaska to give it time to make a detailed evaluation of all the data.

Mass spectrometry analysis on rock cuttings will also be used to test the wellbore core from Talitha#A.

Work so far on the shallower Brookian section has indicated strong indicators of oil pay zones at several stratigraphic levels, said Pantheon, with work at Kubrak yet to completed.

This work is particularly important considering the shallower Brookian oil zones will not be tested in this current operation, said the company.

Independent data and analysis from VAS reinforce the Company's opinion that it has made oil discoveries in multiple zones including all predrill targets in this wellbore (four Brookian horizons), allowing the company to move forward with confidence in the planning of a major testing operation in the next winter season, added the statement.

Jay Cheatham, chief executive, said: "Flow testing at Kuparuk to date is further encouraging news for Pantheon - a case of 'so far, so good'. Now that we have finally begun testing, the weather won't have as severe an impact.

We are flaring gas as the well cleans up and we would then expect oil to follow. As has been well documented, we have had operational difficulties drilling the Kuparuk in this well, but future well design should ensure these issues aren't repeated. However, we had to persevere; it was simply too good a target.

"If successful, the Kuparuk would be of enormous value to Pantheon considering its location adjoining the Trans Alaska Pipeline and Dalton Highway. Our pre-drill resource estimate for the Kuparuk horizon alone was 1.4 billion barrels of oil in place with 341 million barrels of recoverable oil.

We will leave the wellbore in perfect condition to come back next winter and test the shallower four zones, all of which encountered hydrocarbons. The next testing operation will not require any drilling and can be tested using a low-cost workover rig."
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 20:13:03|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, April 6 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Civil Affairs on Tuesday urged the prohibition of unregulated performance appraisals and commendations carried out by national social organizations on the occasion of the centenary celebration of the Communist Party of China.

The ministry called for national social organizations to strictly comply with relevant policies and regulations in a circular on strengthening the management and regulation of social organizations and their activities.

Authorized appraisal and commendation events should be held in accordance with guidelines outlining their content, scope and timing, the circular said, warning against the holding of activities outside of these parameters without permission. Enditem
One man died while in police custody while the other was said to have hanged himself in quarantine.

A photo of the body of Pich Theareth purportedly shows bruising on his legs following his death in police custody in Cambodia's Battambang province, April 3, 2021.

Two men have died under suspicious circumstances in Cambodias Battambang province, according to their family members and human rights groups, who say few details were released about their deaths and called on authorities to reinvestigate their cases.

Pich Theareth, a 31-year-old also known as Sna, died while in police custody on April 3 following his arrest for allegedly murdering his wife Chea Chanrachna by electrocution out of jealousy that same day. Snas sister, Pich Lina, said his wife had died in an accident, but Snas mother-in-law accused him of cutting a power line to kill her and demanded that the police arrest him.

He was later found dead of what authorities said was a heart attack, but Pich Lina said that head-to-toe bruising on his face, legs, and arms suggested that he had been tortured to death in custody.

Photos of Snas bloody and bruised body quickly circulated on social media and on April 4, amid public criticism of the authorities over his death, Battambang Provincial Police Commissioner Kosal issued a statement. In it, he claimed that Sna had been taken for questioning the day before by the Sangke District Police Inspectorate, during which he admitted to murdering his wife and that he was a regular drug user who had taken the methamphetamine known as ice twice in just over an hour on the day he killed her.

Kosal said that after questioning him, police locked Sna in the local detention center, where he shouted repeatedly in his cell before making abnormal noises and finally going silent. When police inspected his cell, they found him unconscious and rushed him to the hospital, the commissioner said, but he died on the way.

The commissioner claimed that the autopsy showed that Sna had died of a heart attack due to drug overdose and stressed that police did not beat or torture him. He did not comment on what had caused the injuries and bruises found on Snas body but said that his family is free to file a complaint with the courts seeking justice if they were not satisfied by the police report.

Pich Lina told RFAs Khmer Service Monday that during Snas arrest, police handcuffed him and beat him at the scene and then took him away, later informing her of his death. She said she had never heard of her brother taking drugs before and said he was in good health, questioning the police claims and calling for a reinvestigation.

He was beatenhis ears were bleeding, head was swollen, his arms, legs, and thighs all had bad bruise marks  and both of his ankles showed electric scars, she said, adding that she believes he was tortured like an animal.

I do not know for sure whether the police allowed the relatives of my brothers wife to beat him up or the police themselves tortured him. Where is the law?  If my brother is a murderer, put him in prison for 20 to 30 years, or for life. You have no right to take away my brothers life. A murderer must be convicted.

Common among suspects

The Battambang provincial coordinating officer for local rights group Adhoc, Yin Mengly, confirmed to RFA that photos of Snas body showed multiple wounds and bruises, leading him to suspect torture.

He added that any case of torture involves a serious crime because authorities have no right to use such methods, even if the suspect is guilty. But he expressed concern that justice would be unlikely to prevail for the victim and his family because Snas body has already been cremated and the case involves police officers.

Torture and scarring are common among suspects and [the police] do this for the purpose of obtaining answers, he said.

Our criminal law also deals with torture and crime [as] Cambodia is a signatory to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment  We ask to have independent groups seriously examine his body because heart attacks dont produce bruises or scars.

Cases of police officers beating or torturing suspects during arrest or interrogation, causing serious injuries or death, are common in Cambodia. The families of the victims rarely receive justice without intervention by Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Article 210 of the Penal Code stipulates that torture or other cruel acts committed against a person shall be punishable by imprisonment for seven to 15 years. In addition, if the crime was committed by a public official within the framework of his function or on the job, the official must be sentenced to between 10 and 20 years in prison.

Suicide in quarantine

Also on Monday, Adhocs Yin Mengly called on authorities to launch an in-depth investigation into the death of 47-year-old migrant worker Ny Mab, who Battambang provincial police said died by suicide in the bathroom of the Bavel-Samaki Secondary School building in Bovel district on April 4 while in quarantine after recently returning home from Thailand to ensure that he had not been infected with the coronavirus.

In a letter to Battambang provincial governor Nguon Rattanak, Bavel district governor Nou Bunyang claimed that Ny Mab suffered from a severe mental health disorder that caused him to kill himself and that there is no need for further investigation into his death.

They have already done an autopsy with the health department concluding that he hanged himself in the bathroom, provincial police chief Sat Kimsan told RFA on Monday.

You can get detailed information from the commissioner [website] about his case, he said, adding that the commissioners office has additional documents confirming Ny Mabs cause of death.

But Yin Mengly told RFA that Ny Mabs death cannot end with a simple report from the Bavel district governor, noting that authorities had failed to provide detailed evidence or witnesses that could confirm any history that might have led him to kill himself. Instead, he said, an independent commission should be established to determine the cause of death.

We cant determine this because the person in question has already died, he said.

This is why we are asking authorities to explain the case in detail so that there is no doubt about his cause of death. The death of a person is not like the death of a pig or a cowhuman life is  more valuable than that of animals. So, the situation needs to be made clear.

RFA was unable to reach Ny Mabs relatives for comment Monday.

Deaths in quarantine

Ny Mabs death is not the first time a Cambodian worker has died during quarantine for the coronavirus. In early January, a 52-year-old worker died during a 14-day quarantine in Tbong Khmum province. At the time, Information Minister Khieu Kanharith wrote on his Facebook page that the victim had a heart attack after falling and hitting his head on a toilet bowl, but authorities released little information about the circumstances surrounding the death.

As of Monday, Cambodia has recorded 2,752 cases of COVID-19the disease caused by the coronavirussince its latest outbreak began in February. While Cambodia has remained relatively unscathed by the virus, 21 people have died from COVID-19 since the country recorded its first deathon the one-year anniversary of the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring the virus a global pandemic last month.

Reported by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Sok Ry Sum. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
PITTSFIELD  This summer, Barrington Stage Company is moving theater back indoors.

Taking advantage of Gov. Charlie Bakers COVID-19 safety guidelines permitting the reopening of theaters and performance venues in Massachusetts, Barrington Stage Company will be the first  and, as of this date, only  Berkshires-area theater to produce indoors this summer.

Four of the seven productions scheduled by BSC for its 2021 season will be staged at the theaters Boyd-Quinson Stage on Union Street. Three other shows will be presented outdoors, under a tent at BSCs Production Center at 34 Laurel St., just off Merrill Road.

The Boyd-Quinson Stage opens June 18 with Joseph Doughertys Chester Bailey, starring Reed Birney and his son, Ephraim Birney, as, respectively, a doctor in a Long Island hospital at the end of World War II and his patient, a young man recovering from a crippling assault who denies that what has happened to him has actually happened.

Chester Bailey, which runs through July 3, will be followed by Mark St. Germains Eleanor (July 16-Aug. 1), a one-character play starring Harriet Harris as Eleanor Roosevelt; Sister Sorry (Aug. 12-29), a new two-character play by New Yorker writer Alec Wilkinson based on his 1993 New Yorker article about a conceptual artist who encouraged callers to confess their crimes on his answering machine; and A Crossing (Sept. 23-Oct. 17), a world premiere musical created in association with Calpulli Mexican Dance Company, directed and choreographed by Joshua Bergasse and co-conceived by Bergasse and playwright Mark St. Germain.

BSCs season begins outdoors June 10, with Who Could Ask for Anything More? The Songs of George Gershwin, conceived by BSC Artistic Director Julianne Boyd, who also directs, and Darren R. Cohen. The Gershwin show runs through July 3. It will be followed July 9-24 by a show to be announced, and July 30-Aug. 22 by the world premiere of Boca by Jessica Provenz, an evening of short comedies about the senior lifestyle in Boca Raton, Fla.

In addition to the productions, BSC has planned several special events, most notable a concert performance June 28 in the outdoor tent by Tony Award nominee Elizabeth Stanley (Jagged Little Pill).

With the exception of A Crossing, Boyd characterized the Boyd-Quinson shows as the kind of small, psychological dramas that typically turn up in BSCs intimate St. Germain Stage.

For the tents, she said, I wanted material that is upbeat and lots of fun. I want people to come out, laugh, smile.

Seating capacity in the tent will be 200; probably 180 by the time all the groupings are in place, according to Boyd.

The Boyd-Quinson will be at one-third capacity  160 seats; most likely, Boyd said, 140 to 150 by the time groupings are in place.

Were actually permitted 50 percent under the reopening guidelines, but we felt that keeping admission to about one-third capacity would make us better prepared if we need to make changes, Boyd said.

The theater was reconfigured last year to accommodate audiences safely in anticipation of being able to support live, in-person shows, but strict state, local and Actors Equity Association guidelines in the face of a raging pandemic kept theaters and performance venues closed.

In reconfiguring the Boyd-Quinson, the distance between rows and seats has been increased, Boyd said. The theater will be deep-cleaned after every performance, and the HVAC air purification system is at maximum effect.

Boyd acknowledged that the biggest challenge is the unknown; not being sure what the governor or Actors Equity might allow; not being sure about COVID.

She is hedging her bets. There is one week between each show in the Boyd-Quinson to allow time to film a production for streaming. That way, Boyd said, we can accommodate audience members who might be wary about coming to the theater.

The open week also will permit a brief extension of a shows run if audience demand warrants.

Boyd said it was strong audience interest that bolstered her decision to go ahead with indoor performances. When the question was put forward in an informal poll of BSC audiences, we got an overwhelming yes, Boyd said.

Boyd senses an overall groundswell. Most of our audience has been vaccinated, Boyd said.

I think people are ready to come out. I think this summer in the Berkshires is going to be very exciting.
A west Belfast company which pivoted from making packaging for McDonald's to visors for NHS staff during the pandemic has reported turnover of 62.3m in its latest accounts.

Huhtamaki Foodservice Delta had pre-tax profits of 3.5m for 2019, down from 4m.

However, turnover went up 13% from 55m to 62.3m, the accounts show, with staff numbers also up 20% to 428.

The business, based at Kennedy Way Industrial Estate, also makes packaging for other fast-food firms like KFC and Nando's, as well as food companies like Kellogg's.

Delta Print was set up by businessman Terry Cross in 1981. It was sold to Finnish firm Huhtamaki in 2016, and is now led by Huhtamaki Foodservice UK general manager Ciaran Doherty.

In a strategic report with the just-filed accounts, the company said the opening of a second factory with a new production line had brought additional costs early in 2019 but added more revenues later in the year. In the pandemic, the second factory was used for the production of visors in a project with Bloc Blinds, Magherafelt.

The strategic report said the Covid pandemic had hit the company's work. "This impact was mitigated by the reconfiguration of some company assets, in order to produce personal protective equipment. Demand for normal operations has returned to expected levels from mid-2020."

It added: "The business continues to focus on growing sectors within the core foodservice market, while continuing to review the cost base throughout the year.

"Significant capital investment has continued to be made in automation and infrastructure in order to support the continued growth of our customers."

The company said it faced risks from currency variations as it bought raw materials in euros but made sales in sterling though the company used forward foreign currency contracts to manage the risk.

It had also worked on Brexit planning. "Where key supply items are currently sourced from EU, we have taken steps to ensure we are carrying a minimum of one month's stock... we have secured additional warehousing space to facilitate raw material stock build.

"We have worked extensively with Belfast port to understand any current risk in material movements as a result of increased paperwork. We also have a contingency plan to utilise Dublin Port for raw material coming from EU to minimise port delays."

The report also referred to the company's ability to continue as a going concern in light of the impact of Covid-19. The company was expected to be able to continue to generate cash though it relied on its parent company, the Huhtamaki Oyj Group, for cash support. However, the group confirmed it would still support the business.

A government grant of 246,000 was received to help with funding new plant, machinery and equipment.

Staff numbers also grew from 354 to 428 with the pay bill growing from 11m to 12.3m. The highest-paid director received nearly 212,700, including company contributions to a defined contribution pension plan.
There is continuous travel and after that social interaction with family and friends leading to a rise in Covid cases.  Representational image/DC

Hyderabad: Closed spaces, extensive travel, crowding and not following safety protocols are the main reasons for the exponential rise in Covid 19 cases.

Not just single individuals but even four or more members of families are coming to hospitals with symptoms of Covid-19. In cases of group gatherings, it is noted that the clusters are of as high as 10 to 15 cases. From a marriage ceremony in the state, 86 people contracted the virus, of whom 20 required oxygen support.

With tracking and surveillance by government officials, it was found that marriages, family gatherings, birthdays and other celebrations carried out in March have been the source of the spread.

The symptoms in people have manifested after 14 to 19 days. It was also seen that secondary contacts reported for testing after 10 to 15 days of arrival of the primary contacts.

A health official said, "There is a lot of human activity and large-scale interaction. Hence, most cases are also of those having had contacts with a minimum of 25 to 100 people. Tracing them is a challenge but they are coming to hospitals and their social history indicates that they have been part of an event."

It has also been noted that the spread is fast especially in closed areas with air-conditioning. Those who are not wearing masks are easy preys to the virus. It is seen that, in marriages, group gatherings, parties and other meets, people are removing masks for interaction. For photographs too, masks are removed. There is no social distancing as is often observed in photo frames.

These indulgences have added to the vulnerability in many situations and that is the reason for the spread, say health officials.

Dr Narsinga Reddy, senior member of Indian Medical Association in Telangana, said, "People completely gave up the safety protocols. Many have started saying there is no virus. This behaviour has led to an easy spread of the virus. There is also a hesitation to go for vaccination. Vaccine will protect us from the virus but people must continue following the safety protocols even after vaccination.

Covid 19 safety protocols cannot be given up and it must be followed for some time now."

Another reason, noted doctors, is the resumption of extensive travel within India. There is continuous travel and after that social interaction with family and friends.

"There are so many different virus strains around here that it is becoming a challenge in terms of treatment. There is the double mutant E484Q and L452R from Maharashtra. The B.1.1.7 has come here from Punjab and Karnataka; and there are many others which are mutating due to the demographic shifts. The dominant strain is D614G and that is multiplying because there are so many human bodies available for the virus to enter, said Dr Prabhu Kumar, senior internal medicine specialist.

The control measures like stopping travel, managing work for a month from home and not venturing out until and unless it is an emergency have to be re-introduced. When people co-operate, they are helping themselves," Dr Kumar said.

Doctors in small and big private hospitals state that they have double the number of patients in home quarantine treatment and their Covid-19 sections in hospitals are full.

It is also noted that serious cases from Maharashtra and Karnataka, which are not getting space in hospitals in the state, are brought to Hyderabad for treatment.

Experts say it is high time to adhere to safety protocols and stay at home, if required, to protect oneself from the fast-spreading virus.
In a further escalation of tensions, Chinas Navy on April 5 said that its carrier group is exercising near Taiwan and such drills will become regular. According to ANI, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy said that the carrier group, led by the Liaoning, which is the countrys first aircraft carrier put into active service, was carrying out routine drills in the water near Taiwan. It added that the aim is to test the effectiveness of troop training and to improve capacity to safeguard the countrys sovereignty, safety and development interests.

The Chinese Navy added, Similar exercises would continue to be organised as planned.

The Chinese aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, passed through the Miyako Strait off southwestern Japan on Saturday. Taiwan has repeatedly complained of an increase in Chinese military activity near it in recent months. China, on the other hand, has stepped up efforts to assert its sovereignty over the democratically run island.

Rising tensions between Taiwan, China

The statement by the Chinese Navy follows Taiwans Defence Ministry reporting a new incursion by Chinas air force into the islands air defence identification zone on Monday. On April 3, Beijings warplane also entered the Taiwanese southwest air defence identification zone (ADIZ), Focus Taiwan reported. The Chinese aircraft flew into the airspace between Taiwan and the Dongsha Islands in the South China Sea, which are controlled by the self-ruled democratic island according to the chart provided by the Taiwan Defence Ministry.

Reportedly, responding to incursion by China, Taiwans Air Force scrambled planes to monitor the foreign aircraft and issued radio warnings. Taiwan Air Force also mobilized its defence assets until the Chinese aircraft left the ADIZ. It is worth mentioning that in March alone, the Chinese warplanes have intruded Taiwans ADIZ 17 times.

Taiwan, on the other hand, has started the mass production of a long-range missile along with developing three other models, in a bid to develop its strike capacity as Chinese pressure intensified. China has always considered Taiwan as its own breakaway province and has repeatedly warned of using force against the elements that demand Tapeis independence. However, Taiwan officially recognises itself as the Republic of China (ROC) even though Beijing has said Taiwansindependence means war. The Democratic and self-ruled island lived under the constant threat of invasion by China.

(With inputs from ANI)


The Guam Police Department conducted an investigation at this house in Umatac where former Mayor Daniel Sanchez was fatally stabbed and beaten over the weekend.

Photo by Kevin Milan/The Guam Daily Post
China is holding naval drills involving an aircraft carrier battlegroup near Taiwan it says are aimed at safeguarding Chinese sovereignty, an apparent reference to Beijings claim to the self-governed island.

The navy said the exercises involving the Liaoning, one of its two aircraft carriers, are routine and assigned under an annual schedule.

China has been steadily increasing its threat to take control of the island militarily with exercises and incursions into the islands air defence identification zone by Chinese warplanes.

In a statement late on Monday, the navy did not say when the exercises began or how long they would last, but said more such drills will be held in the future.

Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group Returns to South China Sea https://t.co/fsgSBDrHtD  7th Fleet (@US7thFleet) April 6, 2021

It said the exercises aim to assist in improving the ability to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, terms often interpreted as being directed at Taiwans democratically elected government, which has refused to give in to Beijings demands that it recognise the island as part of Chinese territory.

China operates two aircraft carriers, of which the Liaoning, originally purchased as a hulk from Ukraine, is the first, having been operating in a combat role since at least 2019.

US military officials and observers have recently warned of increased Chinese threats toward Taiwan, which split from the mainland during a civil war in 1949.

The US has recently agreed to sell upgraded warplanes, missiles and other defensive hardware to Taiwan and the island is also revitalising its own defence industries, particularly by starting a submarine development programme.

In a move certain to anger Beijing, the US Navy said the carrier Theodore Roosevelt and its strike group had re-entered the South China Sea on Saturday to conduct routine operations.

It is the second time the strike group has entered the waterway this year as part of its 2021 deployment to the US 7th Fleet area of operations.

While in the area, the strike group will conduct fixed and rotary-wing flight operations, maritime strike exercises, anti-submarine operations, coordinated tactical training, and more, the 7th Fleet said in a statement.

China claims virtually all of the South China Sea and routinely objects to the presence of foreign militaries in the area, especially the US Navy.

The US Navy says it has a right to operate in international waters, emphasising the point by sending destroyers to sail close by Chinese-held features in the area in what it calls freedom of navigation operations.

Beijing considers them highly provocative.

The US presence in the area also underscores its strong alliances and other partnerships with countries from Japan to Australia.

Japanese prime minister Yoshihide Suga on Sunday said Japan will cooperate with the United States to calm rising tensions between China and Taiwan, saying Taiwans peace and stability are key to the region.

Mr Suga is to meet with President Joe Biden in Washington in coming days in the US leaders first in-person summit since taking office in January.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-07 06:37:31|Editor: huaxia

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UNITED NATIONS, April 6 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations on Tuesday called for compromise and cooperation in order to reach an agreement over the disputed Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile.

"I think we can't underscore enough the importance of compromise and cooperation," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, when asked about Guterres' reaction to the failed talks between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan under the auspices of the African Union (AU).

"We've taken note of the conclusion of the discussions in Kinshasa (of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or DRC). We continue to urge the parties to continue with the efforts to take concrete steps towards reaching an agreement on the issue."

The initiatives of DRC President Felix Tshisekedi, as AU chairperson, in reconvening the parties is to be welcomed. The United Nations stands ready to support these efforts as guided by the parties, said Dujarric. "But I think the critical message is one of continued compromise and cooperation."

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that the latest negotiations in Kinshasa made no progress and failed to reach an agreement.

Ethiopia, an upstream Nile basin country, started building the dam in 2011, while Egypt is concerned that the dam might affect its annual share of the Nile water. Sudan has recently been raising similar concerns. Over the past few years, tripartite talks on the rules of filling and operating the dam with a total capacity of 74 billion cubic meters have been fruitless, including the early ones hosted by Washington and the recent ones by the AU. Enditem
People stand near a sign as they wait in line to receive the first of two doses of the Pfizer vaccine for COVID-19. PHOTO:(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

Kentuckians 16 and Up Now Eligible for a Vaccine

By West Kentucky Star Staff





FRANKFORT - On Monday, Governor Andy Beshear said all Kentuckians 16 and older are now eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine.The Pfizer vaccine is approved for everyone 16 and older; the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are approved for everyone 18 and older."Beginning today, Kentuckians as young as 16 can sign up for their shot of hope," said Gov. Beshear. "This means Kentucky has beaten by a full month President Joe Biden's goal and timeline for all Americans 16 and up being able to get the vaccine. These vaccines are our ticket out of this pandemic. They are not only safe; they are saving lives."The governor reports 110 new cases and 4 deaths. There are currently 353 Kentuckians hospitalized with the virus, with 97 in the ICU. At least 46 Kentuckians are on a ventilator.You can see Beshear's full update below.
PARADISE, NEVADA

By Dario Diofebi

Las Vegas is a city of stories, Dario Diofebi asserts more than once in his debut novel, Paradise, Nevada. Lets leave aside for the moment the fact that any city, whether Rome or Seattle, Paris or Paducah, is a city of stories. Las Vegas is a city of the kinds of stories that appeal to ambitious writers keen to advance a grand statement: tales of working-class people and moneyed tourists, professional poker players, Mormons, criminals and drifters, all of whom rub shoulders at the casinos on the Strip. Las Vegas is so gauche, this line of thinking goes, so unabashed about its own vulgarity, that it is a perfect metonym for that original embarrassment, America. The same might be said of this gaseous, bloated 500-page exemplar of narrative sprawl.

Paradise, Nev., is a real place  the unincorporated, census-designated town where the Las Vegas Strip is actually located  and the titles obvious joke is that this unfortunate outpost in the desert (the ugliest city in America, as a character who has come to shop at its outlet malls puts it) is anything but. Here, an eccentric, reclusive billionaire named Al Wiles has built the Positano, a facsimile of Italys Amalfi Coast that is meant to resemble the real lasagna in every faux detail: the cliffs, the sea, down to the  lemon trees!

The resort, where much of the drama takes place, exerts its gaudy, philistine pull on the four main characters. Tom, an Italian immigrant and hopeless beta who overstays his visa to play professional poker. Ray, an online poker whiz turned live player who exists in pursuit of a perfect machinelike neutrality toward outcomes, and whose tedious sections read as if they were generated by A.I. Mary Ann, a depressed, down-on-her-luck (of course) cocktail waitress who wants to metaphorically vomit herself out of her body and finds purpose in joining a shadow union working to sabotage the casino. And Lindsay, a 20-something Mormon journalist who has written an article about layoffs at one of Wiless secondary resorts. The omniscient third-person narrator weaves in and out of their thoughts, along with those of a chorus of minor characters  so many that the book feels fractured and lacks momentum.
Our top initiative is fostering strong connections with our students from their initial moment of curiosity. Built on the trusted Microsoft stack, Anthologys solutions are student-centric and accommodate our heavy dual credit needs, said Dr. L. Dean Fisher, President of CSI.

Anthology, a leading provider of proven higher education solutions that support the entire learner lifecycle, announced today that College of Southern Idaho (CSI) has selected its comprehensive solutions suite to engage students throughout their education journeys and ensure a fully connected student experience.

Replacing an outdated and inefficient group of products with state-of-the-art, streamlined technology, CSI will implement Anthologys CampusNexus Student, Engage, Finance, HR, Student Verification and Occupation Insight solutions, as well as its Campus Labs Academic Economics, Milestone, Course Evaluation and Engage solutions for campus effectiveness.

Our top initiative is fostering strong connections with our students from their initial moment of curiosity through enrollment, coursework, student life activities and career preparation. Built on the trusted Microsoft stack, Anthologys solutions are student-centric and accommodate our heavy dual credit needs, said Dr. L. Dean Fisher, President of CSI. As we are dedicated to providing consistent and complete student support at all times, we needed a new level of innovation to serve our broad student population both on campus and online.

CSI currently uses Microsoft technology and during the selection process began exploring enterprise-wide solutions that were a member of the Microsoft partner network and had proven integrations. Anthologys CampusNexus and Campus Labs solutions are built using Microsoft Dynamics 365, Microsoft Azure, and Microsoft Power BI, and are designed to harness the collective power of world-class technologies. One example is the visualization and analytics aspect of how the Microsoft platform will empower informed decision making across campus.

Using the cloud-based, mobile-enabled suite, institutions have 24/7 access to their accounts and information. Faculty and staff teams are able to use enterprise-wide data to power reports and analytics from anywhere.

We look forward to helping CSI establish a fully connected campus in support of their strategic initiatives including continuing to build on its impressive student retention and enrollment numbers  this is achieved by a stable and efficient experience from recruitment and enrollment initiatives to academics and all business offices, said Jim Milton, CEO of Anthology. Our holistic solutions were purposefully built to enable pathways across multiple departments that center around the student experience and extend institutions value with improved learning outcomes and elevated student success.

Microsoft continues to enhance the core suite of solutions available to higher education institutions, said Jamie Harper, vice president, Education, Microsoft. Our relationship with Anthology allows institutions like CSI to worry less about maintenance and more about developing an atmosphere of student-centricity.

About Anthology

Campus Labs, Campus Management and iModules have joined together to form Anthology. We exist to help higher education advance and thrive. Through a connected data experience that offers a holistic view, creates efficiencies, and provides intelligence, Anthology inspires constituents to reach their full potential using technology insights in admission and enrollment management; student success and retention; institutional and learning effectiveness; alumni and advancement; and enterprise applications and infrastructure. Anthology partners with more than 2,100 colleges and institutions in over 30 countries to address the needs of all constituents in higher education. Visit us at http://www.anthology.com.

About College of Southern Idaho

Located in Twin Falls, Idaho and established in 1965, College of Southern Idaho is a progressive two-year public community college offering state-of-the-art facilities situated on a 315-acre campus. As one of the fastest growing institutions in Idaho, CSI has more than 12,600 students and offers over 120 degrees and certificates spanning both academic and technical programs. The college also serves over 7,000 community learners who participate in courses for personal development, workforce training, personal enrichment, GED, and college preparation.
After serving 39 years as a civilian employee with the U.S. Army, Yolanda Lopez divided her free time volunteering at three places: the Thrift Shop of Fort Sam Houston, Brooke Army Medical Center and Moreno Primary Care Clinic.

Then the pandemic hit, leaving Lopez  like most San Antonians  stuck inside.

The retiree didnt know what to do. Sometimes she got in her white 2009 Toyota Venza and drove to Corpus Christi, or around the entire Loop 410 just to get out, she said. Lopez even drove to Round Rock  almost 100 miles away from downtown San Antonio  for donuts.

Lopez, 60, then saw an opportunity. The San Antonio Food Bank, with a demand greater than ever, had a diminished volunteer force, with many seasoned volunteers scared of possible infection.

I need to go there, Lopez said to herself. So thats what she did, sorting and packing items at the Food Banks warehouse for the first time in late May.

On ExpressNews.com: A contact tracer finds purpose on pandemic's front line

Since then, she has dedicated more than 360 hours to the organization  working in the warehouse, delivering food to peoples homes, preparing meals in the community kitchen  and has worked more than 30 mega distribution events, which serve up to 2,000 families at a time.

Lopez is just one of the 62,716 dedicated volunteers who have given their time to the Food Bank during a tumultuous year.

The year before had more people, with 78,438 volunteers from March 2019 to March 2020, but the fewer people in the coronavirus year put in many more hours  224,901 hours compared with 218,560, according to data from the San Antonio Food Bank.

Its truly a testament of the dedication of our volunteers, said Mendy Escamilla, the director of volunteer services for the San Antonio Food Bank.

Lopez grew up in Sunnyvale, Calif. Her family used food stamps and the free lunches provided by the schools to get by. She remembers eating sandwiches filled with just mayonnaise or butter because there was nothing else.

I learned how to make something out of nothing, she said. I know what that need is; I can relate.

On ExpressNews.com: Keeping San Antonio fed  Food Bank gave out $160 million in food since pandemic began

On a recent Friday, Lopez was helping with the mega distribution at Toyota Field, handing out food to families in need.

Good morning, the cheery volunteer said, placing a tray full of ripe, red tomatoes in the trunk of a car in Lane #2. She then slapped the back of the car with her hands, covered in turquoise gloves ideal for food handling, letting the driver know to move on to the next station for prepared meals from H-E-B.

More than 1,200 families had registered for the distribution, with the Food Bank giving out 237,000 pounds of food.

Lopez had a lanyard around her neck, signifying she was a member of the Food Banks Apple Corps, a group of about 75 regular volunteers that serve as guides for less experienced volunteers.

When I show up to a site and see her, I just feel calm, Escamilla said. She knows exactly what to do. Shes just a joy to be around.

Lopez will resume volunteering at the thrift shop that recently reopened, but she plans to stay with the Food Bank, going in on Mondays and Tuesdays, as well as helping with the mega distributions on Fridays.

I feel like Im really helping, Lopez said.

To volunteer at the Food Bank, visit www.SAFoodBank.org/Ways-To-Help/Give-Time or call 210-431-8388.

liz.hardaway@hearst.com | Twitter: @liz_hardaway
New Delhi:

A Border Security Force (BSF) constable was shot dead in Bandipora's Hajin on late Wednesday evening by suspected terrorists who charged into his home and fatally shot him.

The constable had gone to his home in Jammu & Kashmirs Bandipora district on a vacation.

The jawan, who has been identified as Rameez Ahmad Parray, died on the spot while three of his family members were injured in firing by terrorists.

J&K: BSF constable Rameez Ahmad Parray, shot dead by terrorists in Bandipora's Hajin pic.twitter.com/v5B0RxPkJS  ANI (@ANI) September 27, 2017

The condition of the jawans aunt was stated to be serious, while that of the three others was stable.

The Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police, S P Vaid, termed the incident as barbaric and inhumane and said the guilty would be punished.

Meanwhile, BSF issued a statement: Constable Rameez Parrey, a serving personnel of 73 Bn BSF, who was on leave has been cowardly killed by terrorists.

1987 born Constable Rameez Ahmad Parray spent 6 years in service. The entire area has been cordoned off and a massive search operation has been launched.





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Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media

COVID-19 has exacted a devastating toll on this nation, especially in communities of color and low-income communities. Prior to COVID-19, and in Connecticut, many in these communities were faced with disproportionately high levels of low-wage work, underemployment and unemployment, economic instability, food insecurity, exposure to environmental pollution, comorbidities and persistent stressors upon health. In 2021, these harsh truths are alarmingly glaring.

In 2019, the Urban League of Southern Connecticut, in partnership with Quinnipiac University, produced State of Urban Connecticut, an evidenced-based report that examined the impact of education, employment, income, affordable housing, health disparities and other issues on the quality of living for urban Connecticut residents. It found significant gaps between communities of color and low-income communities in comparison to white communities. From underfunded and underresourced inner-city schools with yawning opportunity gaps, the proliferation of low-wage, less-stable work with few to no benefits, widening income and wealth gaps, lack of housing that is affordable and safe, to poorer health outcomes made worse by limited or no health insurance and limited or no health care services. These issues have resulted in a series of crises in these communities that have persisted for decades and which are largely ignored or not addressed. A common theme that is expressed in the report is the need for access to resources, services and opportunities, and the deployment of these assets in ways that promote cultural awareness and equity. This was before COVID-19 became a pandemic and brought with it an economic crisis, reshaping the way we live.
A1 boy band star Ben Adams has revealed that he and his fiancee Sara Skjoldnes are expecting their first child together.

The 39-year-old musician took to his Instagram account over the weekend to share the happy news, as he also announced the couple will be launching a baby podcast.

After teasing the big news, Ben captioned a snippet of his new podcast: 'What was the big news? Well, we are suuuuuper happy to announce that we are having a baby!

Baby on the way! A1 boy band star Ben Adams has revealed that he and his fiancee Sara Skjoldnes are expecting their first child together

'And so that you can all join us on our journey into consciously saying goodbye to our freedom for at least the next 18 years or so, we have created a podcast called "THE BABY POODCAST"!'

Sharing a similar post on her own Instagram account, blonde beauty Sara wrote: 'Soooo, @benadamsuk and I decided to start a podcast. Why? Because we are expecting a baby, and wanted to document the pregnancy journey week by week.'

In a teaser clip for the podcast, Ben is heard saying: 'If you don't know what you're doing, then this podcast is for you.'

His wife-to-be then responded: 'But then we don't know what we're doing, either.'

Wedding plans: The photogenic couple revealed toward the end of 2019 that they were engaged, as they celebrated 10 years together

'Exactly so this podcast is for them,' Ben replied, prompting Sara to conclude: 'Oh, I see, so together we can be clueless.'

Ben lives in Oslo with Norwegian model Sara, who he had planned to tie the knot with back in August. But their plans were scuppered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

On what would have been their wedding day, Sara took to Instagram to share a snap of the pair posing together before a sparkling swimming pool.

She wrote: '01.08.2020 ended up being a slightly different day than what we had planned for, but still a really amazing day .

'Today was supposed to be our wedding day, instead (like so many other couples) we have moved it back to 2021 due to corona. The day was instead spent celebrating the union of two great people .'

Announcement: The 39-year-old musician took to his Instagram account over the weekend to share the happy news, as he also announced the couple will be launching a baby podcast

News: Sharing a similar post on her own Instagram account, blonde beauty Sara wrote,'Soooo, @benadamsuk and I decided to start a podcast. Why? Because we are expecting a baby'

The photogenic couple revealed toward the end of 2019 that they were engaged, as they celebrated 10 years together.

London native Ben shot to fame after joining Christian Ingebrigtsen, Paul Marazzi and Mark Read in the boy band A1 back in 1998.

However, Ben stunned fans when he announced in 2001 that he was quitting the band for 'personal reasons'.

In 2014, A1 got together again, without Paul, to appear on ITV2 documentary The Big Reunion along with such bands as Eternal, Damage, Girl Thing and 3T.

Ben, who came fifth in Celebrity Big Brother in 2009, has written and produced songs for other artists including Robin Thicke, JLS and Alexandra Burke.
The doormen at the Midtown Manhattan apartment that was the site of a horrific hate crime last month are out of jobs.

The attack shocked many, with a man allegedly kicking and stomping on a 65-year-old Asian woman directly outside of the luxury condo at 360 West 43rd Street.

Video released after the attack appeared to show several employees witnessing the attack, but apparently failing to act.

The Brodsky Organization, which owns the luxury condo, initially suspended the two doormen before firing them.

A week after a violent attack, two doormen who served as witnesses are out of a job

The attack happened last Monday in front of a Midtown Manhattan luxury building

In a surveillance video, one doorman was even seen closing the door after the assault

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT

In a statement released on Tuesday, the company said: 'The Brodsky Organization stands with the Asian-American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community against racism and hate.

'We are extremely distraught and shocked by this incident, and our hearts go out to the victim. We have been working with the AAPI civic community to reach her family, as well as to determine how best to support the fight against anti-Asian hate crimes.

'We continue to partner with elected officials, the NYPD, and civic groups regarding larger issues of safety and justice.'

It added: 'Today, The Brodsky Organization completed an inquiry into the response of the two doormen who were present inside the building at the time of this incident.

'While the full lobby video shows that once the assailant had departed, the doormen emerged to assist the victim and flag down an NYPD vehicle, it is clear that required emergency and safety protocols were not followed.

'For this reason, their employment has been terminated, effective immediately.'

The names of the doormen have not been publicly released.

Footage from March 29 shows one of the doormen closing the door to the building while the alleged attacker, Brandon Elliot, 38, kicked and stomped on the the face of Vilma Kari, 65, at least three times.

The Brodsky Organization later released footage showing three men coming to Kari's aid after the attack ended.

Whether or not the men called for help during the attack has been disputed, according to CBSNewYork.

The union representing the doormen initially claimed they called 911, before shifting to say they flagged down a police car.

Brandon Elliot, 38, was picked up and charged as the alleged attacker in the hate crime

Prior to Elliot's arrest, the police were offering a $2,500 reward for information

The NYPD, meanwhile, says they happened to come upon the victim while driving around.

Residents of the luxury building publicly came to the defense of the doormen following criticism of them for their lack of action during the attack.

Pictured: 360 West 43rd Street in Midtown Manhattan, the backdrop for the vicious attack

'The security footage of the assault, which was edited to focus on the assailant and intended to procure his apprehension, most certainly mischaracterizes the door staff of 360 West,' said the residents in a letter obtained by Real Estate Weekly.

'The viral clip was unfortunately cut to inadvertently exclude the compassionate action taken by 360 West staff.

'It is very apparent to us that the doorman who acted to secure our building by closing the front door, did not have line of sight at the time of the attack and was merely reacting to the aftermath of a physical altercation.

'Immediately upon comprehending what had transpired, we commend the staffs quick response in rendering aid to the victim, alerting medics, and cooperating with law enforcement.'

'Our union is working to get further details for a more complete account, and urge the public to avoid a rush to judgment while the facts are determined,' added SEIU 32BJ leader Kyle Bragg.

Elliot (left) faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the hate crime charges. Vilma Kari (right), 65, continues her recovery from the brutal attack at home

A fundraiser for Kari, meanwhile, has raised almost $250,000 for her care.

'There are no words to describe how appreciative we are of your kindness and time,' Kari's daughter Liz wrote on GoFundMe.

'We are blessed and humbled by your uplifting messages and reminded that despite how unique and different we may be from one another, we can still come together just as strong, compassionate, and resilient.'

Kari was discharged from the hospital last Tuesday.

Elliot was formally indicted during a court appearance on Monday in the case, according to the New York Post. The homeless man was out on parole in the death of his own mother.

He is scheduled to be arraigned on April 21.

Protesters have stood outside of the luxury buildings with signs of support for Asian lives

Anti-Asian violence has tripled in New York City this year, from 11 to 33 attacks from a year ago

He has been charged with two counts of felony assault as a hate crime, as well as a count of attempted assault in the first degree.

Last week, Elliot was represented in court by two public defenders who did not contest his detention because his lifetime parole was violated.

Elliot faces 25 years in prison, plus further penalties for violating his parole if he is convicted.

Elliot murdered his mother in the Bronx in 2002, in front of his five-year-old sister, and was sentenced to 25 years to life. He was released from prison on lifetime parole in 2019.

Police said Elliot was living at a hotel that serves as a homeless shelter a few blocks from the scene of the attack.

There is no indication Elliot knew the victim, a source previously told DailyMail.com.

NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said Elliot's post-release behavior raises serious questions about failures in the social services.

'For the life of me, I don't understand why we are releasing or pushing people out of prison - not to give them second chances, but to put them into homeless facilities or shelters, or in this case a hotel - and expect good outcomes,' Shea said at a news conference last Wednesday.

'We need real opportunities. We need real safety nets.'

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called the attack 'absolutely disgusting and outrageous,' adding it was 'absolutely unacceptable' that witnesses didn't help the woman.

CBSNewYork reports angry protesters gathered outside of the court where Elliot was set to appear.

'It makes absolutely no sense to release somebody who killed his own mother and let him walk free in the streets with little or no follow-up or social services,' said one protester. 'Where was the parole officer?'

According to the police, there have been 33 anti-Asian hate crime victims so far in 2021 through March 28 in New York City, triple the amount from a year ago.
We lacked experience of a great pandemic; but we knew that it could cause many deaths, much pain and incalculable financial disruption. But we didn't know that it would cause other problems. In Spain Covid-19 has created great confusion which, for more than a year now, has left us all uncertain and disorientated.

The authorities, from the central government down, have collaborated efficiently with the virus to leave us all in a permanent state of bewilderment, not just about the future but also about the present situation.

It all started when the official spokesperson said that the wearing of protective face masks was a superfluous initiative. This was the prelude to an order declaring them obligatory.

Since then we've been walking around with our faces half-covered, barely recognising one another and with difficulty understanding and making ourselves understood. I have no objection. The face mask is now an essential item of clothing. Confusion grew and multiplied as the days went by with no practical solutions as politicians blindly adopted measures without listening to scientists and experts.

Things got even more complicated when the regional governments got involved, eager to display their power. The state government clearly started to weaken. The problem was exactly the same for all citizens, but the measures to solve it were decided differently, often contradictorily.

Hence the chaos we are struggling through now: areas were locked down, different timetables were fixed in each place and official propaganda stubbornly turned a shared problem into absurd comparisons with which each regional government aimed to best satisfy its parisioners.

The closing time for restaurants, bars and taverns, for example. Some, I'm sure with good criteria, ordered the total closure; others established limits, thinking of the votes of the suffering business owners watching their livelihoods crumble.

Many of us now wake up wondering whether our turn for a vaccine will ever come or whether today restaurants can open and close one hour earlier or later.

Before we leave home we have to consult Google to find out if we are in lockdown, if we can go to the bar on the corner for breakfast, as our neighbour across the road does, and risk getting a fine, or whether it would be wise to stay in front of the computer thinking that, at least in this case, perhaps we would be better off with a single authority.
YEREVAN, APRIL 6, ARMENPRESS. The strategic and allied relations between Armenia and Russia do not depend on the outcome of the upcoming snap parliamentary elections, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said in an interview to Interfax.

The Armenian-Russian strategic and allied relations are quite rich and extensive. They are based on the historical friendship of our peoples. The nature of these relations does not depend on the outcome of the future snap elections, Pashinyan said.

Armenia will hold early parliamentary elections on June 20.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
Yvonne Kyle is used to handing out personal achievement badges as a volunteer with Scouts Canada, but now shes the one being recognized for her good work.

Opinion

Yvonne Kyle is used to handing out personal achievement badges as a volunteer with Scouts Canada, but now shes the one being recognized for her good work.

Kyle learned in January she will receive the Sovereigns Medal for Volunteers in recognition of her more than 40 years of service to Scouts. Presented by the Governor General, the medal recognizes Canadian citizens who have made significant, sustained and unpaid contributions to their communities.

Kyle, who currently serves as group commissioner for the 60th Winnipeg Scout Group, is thrilled by the recognition.

"Its so nice to have somebody from outside scouting  from outside the world I live in every day  say Ive done good, and that they appreciate and like what Ive done," the Charleswood resident said.

Established in 1914, Scouts Canada brings adventure, outdoor experience, friendship and leadership skills to young people so that they become capable, confident, well-rounded people.

Kyle, who was born and raised in Thompson, was 14 years old when she started volunteering with the organization. Over the years, she has been involved with Scouts groups everywhere she has lived, including Ontario and Saskatchewan.

In addition to her role as group commissioner, Kyle oversees youth ages 11 to 14 at the 60th Winnipeg Scout Group.

She is also the primary co-ordinator and team leader for Quest, a one-week wilderness canoeing and camping adventure that involves 30 youth every July, and she edits the Campfire, a provincewide scouting newsletter published six times a year.

Scouting is a family affair for the recently retired 60-year-old. Her husband, Colin, has 30 years of volunteering with Scouts Canada to his credit. The couple met at a scouting event, and their two adult children, Heather and Eric, are also involved with Scouts.

Combined, the family has more than 100 years of volunteer experience with the organization.

When asked what she enjoys about volunteering with Scouts, Kyle pointed to what she calls "the why-am-I-in-scouting moments"  experiences she can point to as reasons for her ongoing commitment to the organization.

One of those moments happened on the Quest trip in July 2019, as participants were making their way home. The previous days rainfall created a situation where the youth were portaging through water up to their waists.

A scenario that might have included a lot of complaining induced merriment instead. The group even helped a young family they encountered along the way that was having difficulty with the portage.

"The teamwork, the leadership, the helping other people, the being outdoors, the laughter, the fun  all the good things about scouting showed up in that three hours of doing that portage," Kyle said. "That really, really tough portage that could have brought the kids down turned into the kind of story theyll tell 20 years from now when they talk about scouting."

Arlene Hintsa, who nominated Kyle for the medal, said she is an amazing, enthusiastic person.

"Shes a natural leader, and if you attended her meetings or went camping with her group, youd see her passion  for learning new skills, for the environment, for watching you become more confident in yourself," Hintsa said. "Most of all, Id say youd just have fun, because Yvonnes having fun and her enjoyment is contagious."

Pandemic restrictions permitting, the 60th Winnipeg Scout Group will present Kyle with her Sovereigns Medal during a special celebration sometime this summer.

"With Scouts, you can watch the development of a young person and see that what youre doing makes a difference. It feels good," Kyle said. "It feels like what youre supposed to do in the world  help people and share with people."

If you know a special volunteer, please contact aaron.epp@gmail.com.
A projectile is launched from a Taiwanese-made Thunderbolt-2000 multiple rocket system during the annual Han Kuang military drills in Taichung, Taiwan, on July 16, 2020. (Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images)

CCP Adviser Outlines Plan to Control South China Sea, Challenge US Dominance in Indo-Pacific

The Chinese regime aims to seize all of the South China Sea to eventually control parts of the wider Indo-Pacific and challenge U.S. dominance in the region, according to a well-known Chinese professor.

The plans illustrated by the professor, who also advises the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), stand in stark contrast with the CCPs public declarations on its behavior in the waterway.

The Chinese regime has continued to lay claims to almost all of the South China Sea, despite a 2016 international tribunal ruling that rejected Beijings territorial claims. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam all have competing claims over various atolls, islands, and reefs in the strategic waterway that is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.

The communist regime has consistently portrayed itself as a non-aggressor in the territorial dispute. Chinas Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in a September statement, said the regime follows a policy of pursuing amity and friendship with its neighbors with regards to the South China Sea.

But the CCP is in fact adopting a creeping strategy to take control of the entire waterway; once this is achieved it can challenge the U.S. presence in the Indian Ocean and invade Taiwan, Jin Canrong, a professor and associate dean of the School of International Studies at Beijings Renmin University of China, said in a July 2016 speech recently uncovered by The Epoch Times. Jin is also a well-known adviser to the CCP.

CCPs Tactics

Jin boasted about the regimes success in snatching control of Mischief Reef and Scarborough Shoal from the Philippines in 1995 and 2012 respectively.

After we occupied [Mischief Reef], we drove away the Philippines fishermen. So the Filipinos were very upset, Jin said. Their fishermen had been there fishing for thousands of years.

In 1995, Beijing began to occupy Mischief Reef, located within the Philippines 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ), by building huts that it claimed were shelters for Chinese fishermen. The construction effort angered Manila but Washington did not take a side at the time.

[The U.S.] takes no position on the legal merits of the competing claims to sovereignty over the various islands, reefs, atolls, and cays in the South China Sea, the U.S. State Department stated in 1995.

The regime has since built a large artificial island on the reef. In February, U.S.-based tech firm Simularity released satellite images showing that China was continuing to carry out new construction operations on the artificial island.

In April 2012, the spotting of eight Chinese fishing vessels anchored at Scarborough Shoal, a reef 120 nautical miles from the main Philippine island of Luzon, precipitated a naval standoff between the Philippines and China. The United States brokered a deal to defuse tensions, but Beijing later reneged on the deal and has blocked Filipino fishermen from fishing in the area.

Jin highlighted the effectiveness of using Chinese fishing boats to advance the CCPs ambitions in the region. Even if the Philippines decided to hand over to the United States all of its territory in the South China Sea, U.S. forces wouldnt be able to defend them from China, he said. The Philippines currently occupies at least eight reefs, shoals, and islands, in the Spratly archipelago.

If the United States stations an aircraft carrier there, China can simply send 2,000 fishing boats and surround the carrier. The carrier doesnt dare to fire at the fishing boats, Jin said.

An aerial view of the uninhabited island of Spratlys in the disputed South China Sea, on April 21, 2017. (Erik De Castro/Reuters)

Some Chinese fishermen are known to work with either the Chinese military or the coast guard in gray-zone operations, according to a recent article in Military Review, a publication of the U.S. Army. Gray-zone warfare refers to using nontraditional methods and actors to achieve the goals of war, but without triggering an armed conflict. If accused of aiding the Chinese military, these fishermen could hide behind plausible deniability due to their dual identity as military personnel and civilian mariners, the article states.

The article pointed to the Scarborough Shoal standoff as one of several incidents when China used its militia to assert maritime claims in the South China Sea.

In one incident in 2009, Chinese vessels including fishing trawlers harassed U.S. ocean surveillance ship USNS Impeccable in the South China Sea.

Last week, State Department spokesperson Ned Price took to Twitter, criticizing China after more than 200 Chinese fishing vessels, believed to be manned by maritime militia, moored at Whitsun Reef, located within Manilas EEZ.

We call on Beijing to stop using its maritime militia to intimidate and provoke others, which undermines peace and security, Price wrote.

Philippines Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on April 4 the continued presence of the Chinese vessels showed Beijings intent to occupy further areas of the South China Sea.

String of Pearls

Seizing the South China Sea is also critical to the CCPs plan to challenge the United States influence in the Indo-Pacific region, Jin said.

If the United States loses control of the Indian Ocean, it would lose its influence in the Middle East. Then the United States would lose its No. 1 standing in the world, he said.

We are working on a string of pearls strategy in the northern Indian Ocean, with bases stretching from Thailand, Burma, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. If we complete this string strategy and own the South China Sea, we can wipe out the U.S. naval base at Diego Garcia in minutes.

Chinas string of pearls is a concept first coined in a 2005 Pentagon report used to describe how China intends to project its influence in the Indian Ocean by leveraging a network of Chinese military and commercial sites in South Asian countries. While CCP officials have publicly denied that Beijing was pursuing such a strategy in the Indian Ocean, the Chinese regime has over the years taken control of several seaports in the Indian Ocean in the form of a lease.

These ports include: Pakistans Gwadar port on a 40-year lease from 2015; Burmas Kyaukpyu Port on a 50-year lease from 2015; Djiboutis Obock Port on a 10-year lease beginning from 2016; Maldives Feydhoo Finolhu Port on a 50-year lease from 2017; and Sri Lankas Hambantota Port on a 99-year lease from 2017, according to a 2018 report by Sweden-based Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

The U.S. military currently has a navy support facility at Diego Garcia, an island of the Chagos Archipelago in the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). The naval base served a critical role in the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the first Gulf war.

Currently, Mauritius, a former British colony, and the UK government are locked in a territorial dispute over the BIOT. In June last year, British politician Daniel Kawczynski wrote an article for the British newspaper the Daily Express, warning that if the UK were to lose the BIOT, it would be a serious coup for Beijing.

If the BIOT is ceded to Mauritius, I have little doubt it will not be long before the naval facilities at Diego Garcia join Xi Jinpings string of pearlsand become an anchor for a very different world order, Kawczynski wrote.

Taiwans President Tsai Ing-wen speaks in front of a domestically-manufactured F-CK-1 indigenous defense fighter jet during her visit to Penghu Air Force Base, Taiwan, on Sept. 20, 2020. (Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images)

Seizing Taiwan

Having total control of the South China Sea would just be the first step, according to Jin. With the United States out of the picture in the area, he said the next target would be Taiwan.

At that time, Jin said that Chinas large military presence in the region alone could force Taiwan to surrender without shedding blood.

If Taiwan surrenders, the United States does not have any reason to interfere, Jin explained.

The CCP sees Taiwan as a renegade province that must be united with the mainland, even though the communist regime has never ruled the island. The Republic of China, Taiwans official name, is a de facto independent entity with its own democratically-elected officials, military, constitution, and currency.

The United States sees Taiwan as a key ally in the Indo-Pacific and has been the islands main military supplier. Last month, Adm. Philip Davidson, head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, warned during a Senate hearing that the Chinese regime could invade Taiwan in the next six years.

With China having the South China Sea and Taiwan in its possession, Jin said Washington would see Beijing as an equal partner.

As equal partners, China and the United States would be able to cooperate on many issues  this would be good for the entire world, Jin added.

An overwhelming majority of Taiwanese people have rejected unification with the mainland.

According to a March telephone poll of 1,078 locals conducted by Taiwans Mainland Affairs Council, a government agency responsible for cross-strait issues, only 2.3 percent of respondents said they wanted to unite with the mainland as soon as possible, while 5.3 percent said they wanted to maintain the status quo and reunite with the mainland at a later date.

Meanwhile, 6.5 percent wanted Taiwan to formally declare independence as soon as possible; 25.1 percent wanted Taiwan to maintain the current status quo and move toward an independent nation later; and 27.3 percent wanted Taiwan to maintain the current status quo forever.

Over 28 percent said that they wanted to maintain the current status quo and then make a decision on unification or independence later, while the remaining 5.4 percent did not have an opinion.
US states that have legalized recreational marijuana have seen an increase in deadly car crashes, according to a new study.

Researchers at McGill University found fatal automobile accidents increased 15 percent and associated deaths increased 16 percent.

However, the team notes that if cannabis were legalized nationwide in the US, it would contribute to an additional 4,843 motor-vehicle fatalities per year.

The researchers encouraged increased involvement from the government and healthcare organizations to help mitigate the increased risk.

Scroll down for video

Researchers at McGill University found fatal accidents in US states increased 15 percent after marijuana legalization. If cannabis were legalized nationwide, that could amount to an additional 4,843 fatalities per year

After recreational marijuana became legal across Canada in 2018, researchers at McGill University wanted to know what impact that might have on driver safety.

Without robust enough data on Canuck drivers, they looked to the US, where 15 states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational marijuana since 2012.

'With the recent legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada, cannabis-impaired driving is an important public safety concern,' the researchers wrote in a study published this month in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

'Our aim was to examine the association between recreational cannabis legalization and fatal motor vehicle collisions using data from the United States, which present a timely natural experiment of cannabis legalization.'

The researchers encouraged increased involvement from the government and healthcare organizations to help mitigate the increased risk, as more US states move to legalize the drug

Looking at the US Fatality Analysis Reporting System, they examined jurisdiction-specific rates of fatal collisions and associated deaths both before and after legalization and found 'a small but significant increase.'

The relative increase of fatal collisions was 15 percent after legalization and the relative increase in associated fatalities was 16 percent, 'with no conclusive difference between the first and subsequent years after legalization.'

Extrapolating for Canada, they wrote, that would result in up to 308 additional deaths each year.

Analysis from 2012 put the cost of cannabis-related collisions in Canada is $1.1 billion annually in societal and economic costs, with drivers 34 years and younger responsible for the bulk of accidents.

According to lead author Sarah Windle, a researcher at Montreal's Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, the suggested wait time between toking and getting behind the wheel is 'at least six hours.'

Among Canadian marijuana users with a valid driver's license, the percentage who reported driving within two hours of partaking rose from about 12.4 to roughly 13.6 percent after legalization.

Among daily users, though, it shot up to nearly 29 percent.

The researchers aren't advocating for re-criminalization in Canada, though, but rather more education and awareness, similar to how drunk driving is treated.

While expert say you should wait at least six hours between consuming cannabis and driving, the study found more than 13 percent of pot users waited less than two hours. For daily consumers, that percentage rose to nearly 30 percent

'Healthcare professionals have an opportunity to educate patients about the safer use of cannabis products, including advising against cannabis use and driving,' they wrote.

'Implementation of impaired driving regulations and educational campaigns, including federal THC driving limits and public awareness of these limits, may contribute to the prevention of potential increases in cannabis-impaired driving in Canada.'

Sorting data on fatal accidents and marijuana use is by no means straightforward: Windle's findings come on the heels of a 2020 report from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety that found the percentage of Washington state drivers involved in fatal crashes who tested positive for THC doubled after legalization.

But AAA officials acknowledged the study found only a correlation, not a causative link, according to The Washington Post. In fact, traffic fatalities declined overall.

A 2017 report from the Highway Loss Data Institute indicated legalizing recreational marijuana in Colorado, Oregon and Washington State amounted to just a 3 percent increase in car crashes reported to insurers.

Today, more than 40 percent of Americans live in a state where pot is legal, according to Politico.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act on March 31, the same day the New Mexico legislature passed a legalization bill.

Since marijuana is still considered a Schedule One narcotic by the Drug Enforcement Agency, cannabis businesses often find themselves in a gray area legallyunable to get bank loans or accept credit cards.

In his campaign, President Biden indicated he supported decriminalizing marijuana and letting individual states decide about recreational use, USA Today reported.

Decriminalization typically means 'no arrest, prison time, or criminal record for the first-time possession of a small amount of marijuana for personal consumption,' according to the marijuana advocacy group NORML.

'In most decriminalized states, these offenses are treated like a minor traffic violation,' the group said on its website.

Legalization, however, removes any legal penalties for possession or use, and sets up a framework for home cultivation and legal commercial production and retail sales.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) has indicated Democrats will move forward on a bill legalizing marijuana nationwide.
An Australian camper has left a heartwarming note congratulating the mums at the caravan park where she was staying over the Easter long weekend.

The woman stuck the note to a wall in the amenities block of a Victorian caravan park, using two pink bandaids, but it is the message that has mums buzzing.

'To all of the mums, when I look at you or are in ears reach of you trying to discipline or comfort your child I want you to know I am not judging you,' she wrote.

'I admire you, your strength, patience and the pure determination you have to try to give your family beautiful memories is priceless.

An Australian camper has left a heartwarming note congratulating the mums at the caravan park where she was staying over the Easter long weekend

'Love and respect to you all! Happy Easter,' she wrote.

The anonymous note was posted online and was a hit with mums across Australia.

'I wish all campers thought like this. Taking children camping is sometimes difficult,' one mum said.

'Another queen lifting other queens up,' one woman said.

Others said the uplifting note was beautiful while another said 'we need more kindness like this in the world'.

Others said they had seen similar notes on their holidays and wish they stopped to take a photo to publicly appreciate the writer.

'Ive had a retired couple say that to us in Mildura, it was so lovely to hear and talk about when theyd travelled with their three kids,' another woman said.

Another woman agreed the note was a lovely find, she had spent a weekend camping in bad weather with her friend and their five children and said it was very difficult.

Poll Do you ever judge noisy kids and their parents on holiday? Yes, it's disruptive No, they're just having fun Do you ever judge noisy kids and their parents on holiday? Yes, it's disruptive 195 votes

No, they're just having fun 208 votes Now share your opinion





'I don't think some people realise how hurtful their words can be sometimes,' she said.

'This morning my girlfriend and I were having a little chat through my window as it was still raining. This older lady who camped behind us told us we were appalling,' she said explaining they were left speechless.

'She went on to say she had come here for a quiet weekend away and all she could hear was our noisy kids and us yelling at the top of our lungs and we have no control over our kids at all,' she said.

The woman went on to explain she had been keeping her children entertained with craft and by watching movies - even leaving the campsite to visit local markets and eat out so they wouldn't be disruptive.

'She was totally out of line. My kids have been in our van each night by 7.30pm, we dont come out till after 8am in the mornings. We don't let them run around people's campsites or anything. We have certainly not yelled at the top of our lungs and neither have the kids,' she said.

The post has been shared over a hundred times but has been like by more than 1500 mum on the Mum Central Facebook page.
NEW YORK, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of SoftBank Group Corporation ("SoftBank" or the "Company") (OTCMKTS: SFTBY). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.

The investigation concerns whether SoftBank and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On March 24, 2021, the short seller research site PlainSite posted a letter from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Twitter, in response to a December 2020 Freedom of Information Act ("FOIA") request, which revealed that SoftBank was the subject of an ongoing SEC investigation. The initial FOIA request sought information related to SoftBank's trading of the securities of companies controlled by SoftBank Chief Executive Officer Masayoshi Son.

On this news, SoftBank's stock price fell $2.30 per share, or 5.12%, to close at $42.65 per share on March 24, 2021.

The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com

Contact:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP

Related Links

www.pomerantzlaw.com


WASHINGTON, D.C. - Positioning himself as a conservative outsider businessman in the mold of former President Donald Trump, Westlake car dealer and tech entrepreneur Bernie Moreno announced Tuesday that hes running for the U.S. Senate seat that will be vacated by Republican Rob Portmans upcoming retirement.

The announcement from Moreno, 54, said hes entering the 2022 race as a Republican to stop the socialist agenda, protect Trumps gains and protect the American dream. Its his first bid for public office. Moreno says he came to the United States as a child with his mother and siblings to flee socialism in their native Colombia. He believes that same ideology is rising in the United States, and he wants to fight back.

Moreno is joining a crowded field of candidates who are interested in Portmans job. Other Republicans who have formally announced their campaigns for the seat are former Ohio Republican Party chair Jane Timken and former Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel. Businessman Mike Gibbons, who unsuccessfully sought the 2018 GOP nomination to run against Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown is also weighing a run, and billionaire Peter Thiel has donated $10 million to a Super PAC thats trying to recruit author J.D. Vance to seek the job as a Republican. Congressmen Mike Turner and Steve Stivers are among other Republicans considering a bid. Democrats who have expressed interest in the contest include U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of the Niles area and former state health director Dr. Amy Acton.

In a campaign announcement video that compares Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to radicals like Fidel Castro and Che Guevara, Moreno declares: If were going to protect this country from the socialist left, and keep this precious idea built on the concept of freedom, then we need outsiders who back up their words with action.

This is personal to me, Moreno says in the video. My parents came here legally, because they wanted us to see that in America, we can accomplish anything.

Moreno says he backs term limits, cracking down on China, protecting Trumps policy victories, and fighting back against cancel cultures attempts to silence conservatives.

His announcement lists steering committees of leaders from Ohio and across the national conservative movement who support his campaign and will advise it.

Members of his Ohio steering committee include: Pastor Darrell Scott of New Spirit Revival Center in Cleveland Heights; Cincinnati auto dealers Jeff Wyler and David Wyler; Jones Day attorney Heather Lennox; Elsons International CEO Andrew Jackson; Will Lucas, Founder and CEO of A William Lucas Company; Cuyahoga Community College development chairperson Howard L. Lewis; Retired Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & Museum President Terry Stewart; Real Estate Broker Terry Coyne; DiGeronimo Companies CEO Vic DiGeronimo, Jr.; Thogus Procuts Company CEO Matt Hlavin and Huntington Bank Vice President Jared Barker.

Members of his National Steering committee include. former U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell; former U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland Ed McMullen; former U.S. Ambassador to Morocco David T. Fischer; Cardone Capital CEO Grant Cardone; indiGO Auto Group retired founder Todd Blue; former Trump aide JaRon Smith, Bikers for Trump founder Chris Cox, and former Health and Human Services Chief Information Officer Jose Arrieta.

I can think of no one better to represent the people of Ohio in the U.S. Senate than my friend Bernie Moreno, said a statement from Grenell, who also served as Acting Director of National Intelligence in Trumps Cabinet. Bernie Moreno will be the DC outsider who wont be concerned what the Washington types think of him. Just like President Donald J. Trump did, Bernie Moreno will challenge the political system and establishment of D.C.

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(@FahadShabbir)

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 06th April, 2021) Former Bolivian Minister of Environment and Water Maria Pinckert, who served during the de facto government of Jeanine Anez, says she has fled the country after the prosecutor's office opened an investigation and issued an arrest warrant against her.

In a letter, circulated on social media, Pinckert said she had requested political asylum, but did not reveal in which country. The former minister said she was willing to appear before the Bolivian justice "when it is impartial again" and guarantees her fundamental rights.

The Bolivian prosecutor's office issued an arrest warrant for Pinckert on April 1, as she did not appear on March 31 to testify in connection with the ongoing corruption investigation against her.

In March, Bolivia's ex-interim President Jeanine Anez was detained on suspicions of terrorism, sedition and conspiracy related to what investigators consider a coup that led to the resignation of former Bolivian President Evo Morales. Later Anez announced she was given four months of administrative detention pending trial.

Two former members of Anez' caretaker government, ex-Justice Minister Alvaro Coimbra and ex-Energy Minister Rodrigo Guzman, were also detained as part of the same probe.

At the end of last month, Anez's four-month detention was extended to six months. The extension also applies to Coimbra and Guzman.

In November 2019, Evo Morales resigned as president and left Bolivia under pressure from the military, after the Bolivian opposition, led by Carlos Mesa, claimed that there were mass violations during the October 2019 vote. Most of Bolivia's senior officials resigned in his wake.

Power in the country was assumed by then opposition vice-speaker of the senate, Jeanine Anez. Morales called the events a coup. Anez arranged for a new presidential vote, which took place on October 18, 2020. The election was won by Luis Arce from Morales' Movement for Socialism party (MAS).

Morales reacted to Arce's victory by saying that the Bolivian people managed to regain political power via democracy. The former president returned to Bolivia in November 2020.
A top European Medicines Agency (EMA) official said in an interview published Tuesday that there is a link between the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine and blood clots.

"In my opinion, we can say it now, it is clear there is a link with the vaccine. But we still do not know what causes this reaction," Marco Cavaleri, EMA head of vaccines, told Italy's Il Messaggero newspaper.

He said that "in the next few hours, we will say that there is a connection, but we still have to understand how this happens."

Persistent questions on whether rare but serious blood clots among those getting the AstraZeneca jab against COVID-19 are more frequent than in the general population have undermined confidence in the beleaguered vaccine.

After several countries suspended the use of the jab  including Italy  the EMA declared that the benefits outweigh the risks and it should remain in use, Daily Sabah reported.

But the agency has said that a causal link between clots and the vaccine is possible, and is expected to provide an updated assessment this week.

"We are trying to get a precise picture of what is happening, to define in detail this syndrome due to the vaccine," Cavaleri said. "Among the vaccinated, there are more cases of cerebral thrombosis... among young people than we would expect," he added.
A new law in Utah will require biological fathers to pay half of the medical expenses for any pregnancy and birth, stirring debate about the states abortion and maternal health care policies.

The law, which Gov. Spencer J. Cox signed on March 16, amends Utahs Child Support Act by requiring any father whose paternity has been established to pay half of the mothers insurance premiums while she is pregnant, and any related medical costs, including the birth.

Some critics of the law have said it does not directly support pregnant women, and raised concerns it could tie women to abusive partners.

The bill, HB113, was sponsored by State Representative Brady Brammer and State Senator Daniel McCay, both Republicans, who argued it would increase the responsibility of men in pregnancies for which their paternity has been confirmed. When lawmakers passed the measure in January, Mr. Brammer said it was meant to be seen as a type of pro-life measure, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.
Iran has charged 10 officials over the crash of a Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) jet that was accidentally shot down last year, killing all 176 people on board.



Gholam Abbas Torki, the former military prosecutor for Tehran Province, said on April 6 that the 10 have been "brought to responsibility," adding that they will face trial to determine "the necessary conclusions" over the incident in January 2020, the semiofficial ISNA news agency reported.



Torki, who made the comments at a ceremony where he was handing over the office to his successor, gave no further details.



Tehran initially claimed the passenger plane had crashed, but admitted after several days of secrecy and untrue statements that Flight PS752, which was headed to Kyiv, had been fired on by the countrys air defenses.



Iranian forces say they downed the Boeing 737 after mistaking it for an incoming missile at a time of high tensions with the United States.



Iran later called it a "disastrous mistake" by forces who were on high alert.



Claims by the Islamic Republic that the reason for the shooting was "human error" have been questioned by Ukraine, Canada, and many observers.

Iran's Civil Aviation Organizations interim report blamed the tragedy on the misalignment of a radar system and a lack of communication between the air-defense operator and his commanders. But Ukraine and Canada have rejected these claims as well.



"The international community will not allow Iran to escape responsibility for the crime of downing a Ukrainian plane," Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Yevgeny Yenin told RFE/RL's Radio Farda in response to the report.



Those who died in the crash included citizens of Afghanistan, Britain, Canada, Germany, Iran, Sweden, and Ukraine.

With reporting by ISNA
With theatres set to open NEXT MONTH (all being well, we thought we'd run through shows that are sticking to the socially distanced formula for the time being  keeping audiences spaced out while the vaccine roll-out continues and case rates fall.









BATH / BRISTOL

Theatre Royal Bath  Reopening from 25 May with Ralph Fiennes' new version of T.S. Eliot's epic poem Four Quartets.

Bristol Old Vic  The theatre will be back with a bang, streaming and staging its hit production of Touching the Void with social distancing.

Tobacco Factory Theatres  The venue opens with a special staging of Shakespeare's sonnets from 26 to 28 May!





CHICHESTER

Chichester Festival Theatre  The venue will have a select few performances of South Pacific with social distancing, and an outdoor festival to be revealed!





CIRENCESTER

The Barn Theatre  The venue will reopen with new play A Russian Doll on 18 May, based on reports of hacking from the country over the last decade.





COVENTRY/ BIRMINGHAM

Belgrade Theatre  In line with the City of Culture, check out these goodies.

Birmingham Rep  A few shows will open to socially distanced audiences this summer, with a bulky winter season also on the cards as the venue celebrates a big anniversary.

Birmingham Hippodrome  The venue reopens in May with its immersive Van Gogh experience.

Coventry City of Culture  The programme had pushed back its dates  but there's now a raft of socially distanced richness ready to roll.





Sondheim Theatre

 Matt Crockett





GUILDFORD / READING

Guildford's Yvonne Arnaud  The venue will reopen with a season of shows including Siobhan Basset's The Hound of the Baskervilles from 3 June, with a plethora of touring shows also available.

The Mill At Sonning  Back from May, with shows unveiled into 2022.





LEEDS / SCARBOROUGH / YORK

Leeds Playhouse  The venue will welcome audiences back from May with family shows, exhibitions, monologues and more!

Stephen Joseph Theatre  Scarborough's lovely venue will open from 18 May, with the first show being Julie Hesmondhalgh's The Greatest Play in the History of the World

York Theatre Royal  The venue returns in late May with a love-filled, cockle-warming season.





LEICESTERSHIRE

Curve, Leicester  The venue has set Christmas plans (A Chorus Line!) and even plans through to 2023.

Kilworth House Theatre  The venue has shuffled around plans and revealed a new show.





Stephen Joseph Theatre

 Tony Bartholomew





LONDON  WEST END

Amelie the Musical  The Grammy-nominated production returns from May  with tickets on sale now.

Constellations  The Donmar will produce an epic revival of the show, featuring FOUR different cast combinations. Pucker.

Cruise  Jack Holden's new play Cruise will be getting its stage premiere in May at the Duchess Theatre  a chance to watch some charged new writing!

Doctor Who: Time Fracture  Whovians get ready  a Covid-secure immersive piece heads for the West End!

Death Drop  The "Dragatha Christie" murder mystery will be at the Garrick from May.

Everybody's Talking About Jamie  Out of the darkness, into the spotlight  from 20 May 2021 at the Apollo! Tour plans are to be confirmed.

Hairspray the Musical  The starry production, led by Michael Ball and Lizzie Bea, will initially open with socially distanced audiences! Find out more.

Here Come The Boys  The dance show with Strictly stars comes to London for a run at the Palladium.

Les Miserables  The concert production of Les Miserables will be back from May with a cracking cast  now announced in full.

Magic Mike Live  Bustin' moves back at the Hippodrome, Magic Mike Live returns from 21 May with social distancing  find out more.

The Mousetrap  The long-runner murder mystery returns with some surprise faces in the two casts.

National Theatre: Under Milk Wood / After Life  The National will be back in action from June with two shows, including Under Milk Wood with Michael Sheen. See more.

Nimax Theatres  Venue owner Nica Burns has confirmed her venues will open from May in a similar fashion to what occurred in December  with socially distanced performances featuring risk mitigation measures. New shows include the "The Show Must Go On!" West End concerts.

The Prince of Egypt  Delivery expected  starting with a socially distanced run, the show will be back from 1 July! Find out more.

Re: Emerge season  Sonia Friedman helms this brilliant season of cracking new writing  with wonderful casts involved.

Skin Hunger  Dante or Die's new piece, which only has three audience members per experience, will be heading to Stone Nest on Shaftesbury Avenue  don't get much more exclusive than that!

Six the Musical  The Queendom will get back to doing what it does best from 21 May 2021 in the West End, with tour plans to be revealed.





LONDON  GREATER LONDON

Almeida Theatre  The venue will kick off with a W-I-P season of semi-staged work.

Bridge Theatre  The venue has unveiled a full season through to the end of the year, with some social distancing in place early on  get to it.

Bush Theatre  Two brand-new shows will be staged in the west London's reopening venue  Phoebe Eclair-Powell's Harm and Benedict Lombe's Lava.

King's Head Theatre  The veteran pub theatre reopens with Charles Entsie's Adrian Pagan award winning drama, No Strings Attached, starting on 25 May!

Pleasance Theatre  The North London space returns, producing work in conjunction with VAULT Festival.

Old Red Lion Theatre  The venue will be back with the world premiere of Saving Britney from 18 May!

Wilton's Music Hall  The venerable space will be back from 28 May with a socially distanced series of shows including Apphia Campbell's solo performance in Black Is The Colour of My Voice and A Super Happy Story (About Feeling Super Sad).

The Turbine Theatre  Rob Madge's debut play will reopen the venue in June, with perspex in palce to keep people safe.

Soho Theatre  The theatre is back with Amanda Wilkin's Shedding a Skin.

Sadler's Wells  The theatre will be back in action from May.

Shakespeare's Globe  It's all systems Globe for the London home of the Bard.

Kiln Theatre  Opening from May!

Battersea Arts Centre  A new season! Check it out.

Riverside Studios  The Lisa Dwan-led Happy Days has found dates from 11 June to 25 July at the Hammersmith venue.

Orange Tree Theatre  The venue will initially open with social distancing in place.

Southwark Playhouse  Again, straight out of the gate, the theatre will stage a socially distanced new musical starring Wendi Peters.

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre  The outdoor venue will begin shows at reduced capacity  to keep audiences safe. Find out more.

Little Angel Theatre  The family-friendly north London venue will be back with a new piece from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

Shakespeare's Globe



West End Musical Drive-In  The Troubadour Meridian Water is back in action with a cavalcade of musical performances from April!

Hampstead Theatre  Reopening with social distancing from 28 May with a revival of Alfred Fagon's The Death of a Black Man.

Theatre Royal Stratford East  The venue returns with a season packed full of new writing and revivals.

London County Hall  Ahead of Witness for the Prosecution's return, there will be a special staging of Kaleider's The Money.

Queen's Theatre Hornchurch  Neville's Island reopens the space on 20 May!





MANCHESTER/ GREATER MANCHESTER

HOME Manchester  When you're HOME, head outdoors! The theatre is building a new al fresco space.

C-o-n-t-a-c-t  The immersive experience heads to Manchester and Salford from May.





MOLD

Theatr Clwyd  FOUR world premieres see the Welsh venue reopening in style from June.





NORFOLK/ESSEX

Norfolk and Norwich Festival  The festival will kick off from 18 May with socially distanced experiences set to run.





NORTHAMPTON

Royal & Derngate  The theatre will be welcoming audiences back to live performances from 17 May, with its rescheduled co-productions of Animal Farm and Othello.





NOTTINGHAM

Nottingham Playhouse  Back with Piaf!





OXFORDSHIRE / NEWBURY

Oxford Playhouse  The venue has pledged to reopen from mid-May  with programming including Ralph Fiennes and the Donmar's Blindness.

The Watermill  The beloved rustic space is back with a full outdoor season!





PLYMOUTH

Theatre Royal Plymouth  The venue will reopen for a socially distanced season on 27 May including Rambert and The Three Musketeers.





SOUTHAMPTON

MAST Mayflower Studios  The brand new venue opens from Friday 28 May with its inaugural season of productions starting with Rambert 2 and a season of drama in June with Oleanna, Copenhagen, Ralph Fiennes in Four Quartets and opening the tour of Educating Rita.





STOKE

New Vic Theatre in Staffordshire  Family shows will be the order of the day, with the space opening in June with a piece based on the Staffordshire Hoard, followed by mystery play Coppelia.





STRATFORD-UPON-AVON

Royal Shakespeare Company  The venue will run an outdoor show with a specially constructed space! Get all the details.





TOUR'

Judy and Liza  Emma Dears and Helen Sheals will lead the tour, based on performers Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli!

The Language of Kindness  The touring piece will explore the experiences of NHS nurses and their families this summer.
Imagine that youre walking on the street and see a man viciously beating an older woman.

What would you, just a passerby, do?

That question  about the ethical responsibility to help a stranger in distress and the dynamics that prevent people from acting  has been the focus of research for decades and helps inform some of the debate last week around two chilling incidents.

In one, a man pummels and chokes a subway passenger in New York into unconsciousness; in the other, an assailant on a busy Midtown street in Manhattan knocks a Filipino immigrant to the ground and then repeatedly kicks her head.

The videos, which were posted, prompted swift condemnation, with many asking why witnesses had seemingly failed to intervene during the acts of violence. For many, the incidents revived a common complaint about the atomized selfishness of big-city residents.

New York has, once again, cemented its long-standing reputation for apathy, wrote Alex Lo, a columnist for The South China Morning Post in Hong Kong. Given the level of ethnic violence against Asians that has been widely reported in recent months, its all the more puzzling why no one saw fit to intervene to help those two victims.

But those who study whats known as the bystander effect say the narrative of callous apathy is an outdated trope that dates to a New York Times account of the 1964 murder of Kitty Genovese. She was a bar manager stabbed to death outside her building in Queens while three dozen neighbors supposedly ignored her cries for help. Although many key details of the article have since been debunked  the claim that 38 people witnessed the crime, for one, was greatly exaggerated  the account gained international attention and fueled a largely one-sided debate about the perils of urban living.

The crime also gave birth to an entire branch of psychology dedicated to understanding the behavioral dynamics of people confronted by public violence. And in the intervening years, researchers have found that popular beliefs about the cold detachment of urban dwellers is largely a canard, one sustained by headline-grabbing media accounts of people who appear to ignore a crime in progress. Such incidents, experts say, are actually quite rare.

In a 2019 study published in the journal American Psychologist, researchers in Britain and the Netherlands reviewed surveillance footage of 200 violent altercations in three countries and found that bystanders had intervened about 90% of the time. In many of the instances, several strangers worked together to calm a fight.

The authors of the study found little variation in the rates of intervention in the three cities  Amsterdam; Cape Town, South Africa; and Lancaster, England  suggesting that the human impulse to help strangers despite risks to ones own personal safety is universal.

Richard Philpot, lead author of the study, said the uniform rate of interventions was especially surprising given the climate of fear in Cape Town, a city with a comparatively higher rate of violent crime.

Now that we can examine real-life public conflicts on a large scale, we see that people actually help out a lot, said Philpot, a social psychologist at Lancaster University.

This is certainly reassuring, to know that others around do not exclusively inhibit helping, but are a resource for good.

Still, the decision to intervene comes with real risks. Earlier this year, a Chinese immigrant who was reportedly troubled by the spate of attacks on Asian Americans was stabbed to death when he tried to break up a street brawl in Brooklyn. In 2020, a man who intervened in a fight at a Harlem subway station was pushed onto the tracks and killed by a train.

Jackson Katz, co-founder of Mentors in Violence Prevention, an influential program started in 1997 that empowers people to intervene in instances of sexual assault, said fear, not apathy, is the main reason people fail to act when confronted by violence.

From the outside, its easy to look at these people and say, Oh, youre a coward, youre apathetic or Our culture is so screwed up, but the fear of physical retribution can be paralyzing, even if a person is terribly upset by what they are witnessing, he said. And its a realistic fear, especially in a country where guns are everywhere.

In a way, that explains some of the tragic testimony heard last week during the trial for Derek Chauvin, the former police officer charged with killing George Floyd in Minneapolis. Witnesses took the stand to describe their frustration and feelings of helplessness as the officer ignored their pleas while kneeling on Floyds neck.

Darnella Frazier, 18, testified that she sometimes lies awake at night, apologizing to George Floyd for not doing more and not physically interacting and not saving his life.

Fear is not the only factor that determines whether bystanders act in such moments. Bibb Latane, a social psychologist who helped pioneer the field of bystander intervention in the years after the Genovese murder, described another dynamic at play: the diffusion of responsibility that can lead to inaction among strangers who witness a crime.

Latane, along with social psychologist John Darley, sought to replicate real-life emergencies through a series of lab experiments with people who did not know one another. The greater the number of onlookers, they found, the less likely people were to intervene. They also determined that strangers unconsciously took their cues from those around them, a concept known as social influence, and were less likely to intervene when others were similarly passive.

In an interview, Latane said the theories that he and Darley had developed nearly five decades ago were frequently overlooked by those who cling to popular notions of the emotionally detached bystander. He said those sentiments were often fanned by the news media, which tends to publicize incidents in which witnesses failed to act while ignoring instances when onlookers intervened.

Its the unusual event that makes it newsworthy, he said. It was never about apathy, its about social inhibition, and Ive always thought it was unfair that New York was condemned for what happened to Genovese.

More-recent research that examines real-life interactions has called into question some of their earlier findings. The 2019 study by Philpot, for one, found that a greater number of bystanders increased the prospects for intervention. In reviewing the surveillance footage, the researchers found that on average at least three people chose to act, and they determined that the presence of each additional bystander led to a 10% increase in the odds that a victim would receive help.

Although Philpot said his research was not aimed at testing the bystander-effect theory, the findings suggest that there is safety in numbers.

While the presence of more bystanders may reduce the likelihood that each single individual intervenes, it also provides a wider pool of potential help givers, thus boosting the overall likelihood that the victim receives help from at least someone, he said.

Alan Berkowitz, an expert on the bystander effect and author of Response-Ability: A Complete Guide to Bystander Intervention, said other factors, including the race of the perpetrator or victim, could play an unconscious role in determining whether people help a stranger in need.

Research suggests that bystanders who, for instance, are white might not feel its worth their while getting involved in an incident involving two people of color, but they might feel more comfortable intervening in a fight between two white male executives, said Berkowitz, a psychologist who runs workshops for college students, community groups and members of the military about ways to effectively intervene to prevent acts of violence and sexual assault. Once you train yourself to become aware of these things, and you are trained to do interventions that are safe and effective, you become more comfortable acting on your desire to help.

Some of those tactics include distracting the perpetrator, calling for help or finding a way to enlist other bystanders to intervene more collaboratively.

Talking to other bystanders is really important, because often we dont know that others are also concerned, he said.
CHICO, Calif. - California created new rules for live events and large gatherings in the orange tier as virus positivity rates have dropped to record lows.

Weddings and other big events can be up to 100 people, or 300 if everyone is fully vaccinated.

California Regional Theater is doing what it can to make sure performers and patrons are protected in order to have live performances again.

White Ranch is quickly filling up its wedding reservations as wedding gatherings are allowed with COVID-19 safety guidelines in the orange tier. White Ranch is quickly filling up its wedding reservations as wedding gatherings are allowed with COVID-19 safety guidelines in the orange tier.

In the orange tier, weddings and other big events can have 100 people. If everyone is vaccinated, they can have 300 people. In the orange tier, weddings and other big events can have 100 people. If everyone is vaccinated, they can have 300 people. California Regional Theater is doing what it can to make sure performers and patrons are protected in order to have live performances again.

Outdoor gatherings of up to 50 people are allowed in the orange tier.

Indoor live events will have capacity limits, distancing and advance ticket purchases.

After a year of only hosting micro weddings, these new guidelines mean that White Ranch Events in Chico can finally welcome more people back to their venue.

All my tulips were in bloom, the flowers were bloom, the grass was green and nobody could come, Donna White, owner and manager of White Ranch told Action News Now.

Last year White canceled 25 weddings but gave everybody a full refund.

So these new guidelines will mean bigger celebrations and business.

Were doing catchup now, White said. Its paying for what we didnt have last year.

Being an outdoor venue means they have lots of space to safely social distance.

Some of these protocols will include sanitation stations, separation of chairs at the ceremony and limitation on the number of people per reception tables.

People are really thoughtful and respectful of that, said White. I think a lot of older grandparents and stuff say if its going to be big then I am not going to be there.

White said she is most looking forward to sharing her beautiful space with people again.

Its their wedding day, said White. We cant deny them a wedding day.

Many of the weddings that were canceled in 2020 are now getting pushed into 2021 and even 2022, so White Ranchs schedule is getting booked very quickly.

Another business that these new guidelines will affect is live-in-door theatres.

The California Regional Theater is planning on being back live on stage this fall.

January 2020 was the last time this theater group took a bow in front of a live audience.

For more than a year they've been recording shows for the public.

Bob Maness with the California Regional Theater said they taking every safety precaution they can to protect the performers and patrons.

"We are going to be very careful and very cautious about protecting the public, said Maness. At the same time, getting the voice of the arts back out into the public as soon as we can."

Maness tells Action News Now that they understand protocols are continually changing, but for now, they are hopeful to have their doors open to smaller shows in the fall.

"We understand that patrons might have a little bit of hesitancy in buying tickets, so we are going to make sure we offer that credit or refund if those guidelines at any point change, said Maness.

West Side Story is one of the shows they are looking forward to bringing to life this fall or early next year.

Click here to find out more about upcoming auditions and shows.
BROOKLYN, New York, Tuesday, April 6, 2021 - Out of a field of over 80 proposals by organizations in Africa -- many working in collaboration -- The Governance Lab (GovLab) at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, L'Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD), and Expertise France chose seven projects to receive the #Data4COVID19 Africa Challenge. The challenge seeks to address the social, economic, and health challenges resulting from COVID-19 in Africa through new collaborations around non-traditional, non-statistical datasets.

Following a call for innovative proposals that ran from December 15, 2020 through February 5, 2021, and with the input of a panel of outside data experts, The GovLab, AFD and their partners selected the following:

Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement (Mali) will seek to quantify missed opportunities for COVID-19 screening in vulnerable populations (such as people with HIV).

'Universite Alioune Diop de Bambey (Senegal) will investigate how the crisis impacted the students pursuing higher education and which action can be taken to support them.

Nigeria Centre for Disease and Control (Nigeria) will study the social, economic, and political factors that influence individual knowledge and perception of COVID-19.

Code for Africa (Nigeria, Senegal) will develop an "African COVID-19 Vulnerability Index" in coordination to give leaders up-to-date and granular resources.

The Population Council of Kenya (Kenya, Zimbabwe) will examine how perceptions of COVID-19 and vulnerability to it affect adoption of protective behaviors among different subgroups.

Institut National d'Hygiene Publique (Cote d'Ivoire) will study how organizations can track the spread of acute respiratory tract infections with various datasets.

Data Science Institute - INPHB CI (Cote d'Ivoire) will seek to understand public needs and concerns about government actions taken amid the pandemic.

"Though there's been much progress around the world to develop collaborative data ecosystems that can improve people's lives, there are still significant gaps. By funding this new and innovative work, we hope to build the data infrastructure needed to tackle the pandemic and other dynamic societal threats," said Stefaan Verhulst, co-founder and chief research and development officer of The GovLab.

"Creating an environment to enable multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder collaboration for innovation to provide actionable strategic insights and contextual intelligence that leverage on data to address issues related to the COVID19 crisis is at the core of this initiative", said Thomas Melonio, Executive Director of Innovation, Research & Knowledge at AFD. Peter Addo, AFD data specialist and Director of Datalab, echoed this point, noting, "This initiative is part of AFD's effort to prioritize investments in data and the Fourth Industrial Revolution to contribute to an innovation-led, knowledge based economy in Africa."

"The important number of proposals received is a genuine proof that there is a real need for data related support in Africa," said Beata Suszterova, project coordinator within Expertise France. "The selected proposals are all very relevant and we are looking forward to working with our African counterparts on this data challenge."

###

In addition to funding, funded projects will have access to a Situation Room, an online meeting place where funded researchers and select data experts can meet to discuss their current work, brainstorm solutions to major challenges, and share findings. This resource will enable peer-to-peer learning and broaden the impact and reach of each individual project. Data-driven professionals interested in providing support can send an email inquiring at datastewards@thegovlab.org.

AFD and its partners will remain engaged and help manage the Situation Room. It will also communicate outcomes as they emerge. Organizations are encouraged to visit https:/ / datachallenge. africa for more information on forthcoming work.

About the New York University Tandon School of Engineering

The NYU Tandon School of Engineering dates to 1854, the founding date for both the New York University School of Civil Engineering and Architecture and the Brooklyn Collegiate and Polytechnic Institute. A January 2014 merger created a comprehensive school of education and research in engineering and applied sciences as part of a global university, with close connections to engineering programs at NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU Shanghai. NYU Tandon is rooted in a vibrant tradition of entrepreneurship, intellectual curiosity, and innovative solutions to humanity's most pressing global challenges. Research at Tandon focuses on vital intersections between communications/IT, cybersecurity, and data science/AI/robotics systems and tools and critical areas of society that they influence, including emerging media, health, sustainability, and urban living. We believe diversity is integral to excellence, and are creating a vibrant, inclusive, and equitable environment for all of our students, faculty and staff. For more information, visit engineering.nyu.edu.

About The Governance Lab at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering

The Governance Lab's mission is to improve people's lives by changing the way we govern. Our goal at The GovLab is to strengthen the ability of institutions -- including but not limited to governments -- and people to work more openly, collaboratively, effectively, and legitimately to make better decisions and solve public problems. We believe that increased availability and use of data, new ways to leverage the capacity, intelligence, and expertise of people in the problem-solving process, combined with new advances in technology and science, can transform governance. For more information, visit thegovlab.org.

About L'Agence Francaise de Developpement

L'Agence Francaise de Developpement Group (AFD) is a public institution that implements France's policy in the areas of development and international solidarity: climate, biodiversity, peace, education, town planning, health, governance, etc. Our teams are actively involved in more than 4,000 projects with a high social and environmental impact in the French Overseas Departments and Territories and in 115 countries. We thus contribute to the commitment of France and the French people to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). http://www. afd. fr @AFD_France

About Expertise France :
EV

SUV

The latter has just outed in Los Angeles its Genesis X -based high-performance GT concept car. But that wasnt enough for the company because on the other side of the planet, it has dazed and amazed the worlds largest automotive market to signal its official arrival in China.Basically, the company used the sky of downtown Shanghai as a virtual canvas. In what appears as something inspired by Kias recent showcase of pyrodrones, Genesis literally filled the skies with no less than 3,281 illuminated drones that were used to paint an evocative picture of its brand identity and distinctive design philosophy.Naturally, just like the sister company before it, Genesis also snatched its own Guinness World Record in the process. The performance was specifically set up to mark the brands official arrival in China. The brand saw its name wrote alongside the Guinness accolade for The Most Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) airborne simultaneously.Nicknamed the Genesis of Genesis, this light show included a string of creations which included a Genesis silhouette, the Crest grille, full looks at the G80 and GV80 designs, and of course, the winged Genesis logo.The aerial display was a special opportunity to engage with our audience and show what Genesis is about. With this record-breaking drone performance, we brought our brand story and philosophy to life for many Chinese consumers, explained Markus Henne, Chief Executive Officer of Genesis Motor China.For now, the G80 sedan and the GV80sibling seem to be the first models set to arrive in China, but the company promised it would soon expand its local operations to bring new Genesis experiences and products.
Yong Choy Chee admits recklessly causing serious injury to 29-year-old Hardeep Singh at a Springvale boarding house in November 2016

A man fled to New South Wales after inflicting near-fatal injuries on his Melbourne housemate over a knife fight about visa money.

Yong Choy Chee admits recklessly causing serious injury to 29-year-old Hardeep Singh at a Springvale boarding house in November 2016.

Both men came from Malaysia to Australia on tourist visas, but they expired and the duo remained in the country illegally.

They argued over roughly $400 Mr Singh had given to Chee's cousin to obtain a new visa, Victoria's Supreme Court was told on Tuesday.

Prosecutor Catherine Parkes said Chee repeatedly stabbed Mr Singh's head and upper body, cutting an artery.

Ms Parkes said Mr Singh ran from the house and then back inside, screaming for help as he thought he was going to die.

He ended up in intensive care for six days, and required a blood transfusion and surgery.

At one point, he did not have a pulse and had to be revived. His left shoulder is permanently damaged.

Chee, then aged 30, fled before police arrived, leaving a trail of blood in the house.

The court was told he stopped accessing his bank accounts, changed his phone number and registered a new one in a false name.

He was arrested in NSW in February 2019 when police who stopped him about a ticketing offence realised he was wanted in Victoria.

Chee, then aged 30, fled before police arrived, leaving a trail of blood in the house. He was arrested in NSW in February 2019 when police who stopped him about a ticketing offence realised he was wanted in Victoria

Chee said he was sleeping when Mr Singh drunkenly and aggressively banged on his door.

'He was holding a knife wanting to chop me. I was very fearful,' Chee told the court.

He said he tried to shut the door and Mr Singh dropped the knife.

Chee also said his own wrist was cut, and he picked up the weapon and waved it in front of the other man.

'I'm regretful for what I have done,' he said.

'At the time I was fearful. I'm not sure whether I stabbed him or not.'

The contested plea hearing before Justice Lex Lasry continues.
Webhelp, a leading global provider of customer experience (CX) and business solutions, today announces a host of positive results from the implementation of machine learning (ML) and natural language processing (NLP) technologies, which improve customer operations in written text channels such as email, chat and social media through augmenting human delivery with these enhanced automation capabilities.

As a leading technology enabler in CX, Webhelp's integrated technology platform leverages partnerships with established enterprise tools, curated start-up technologies, and Webhelp's own proprietary development capabilities to deliver tailored customer experience solutions for brands.

The innovative technology, launched as part of the Webhelp platform in 2020 in partnership with EmailTree, has enabled Webhelp to integrate the solution into existing operations with clients such as Samsung, to support agents through several models including email understanding, robotic process automation (RPA) of business tasks, and personalised email composition.

Results include an initial performance improvement of around 20%. In turn, this enables a higher-quality customer and employee experience, as representatives have more time to focus on value-added work for customers.

Raluca Leonte, Head of Global Delivery Transformation at Webhelp, said, "We are delighted to see this initiative generating such standout results so far. It's exciting to know that we can expect the program to deliver up to a 50% increase in performance as we scale in the future. Our partnership with EmailTree AI is part of our commitment as a technology enabler to ensure that our clients benefit from best-in-class solutions designed and delivered in the right way to serve their brand and customers. Omnichannel strategies are more important than ever, and in a global, multilingual business like Webhelp, automation is a critical part of enabling our people to take brand experiences to the next level. We know that AI and ML are quickly evolving in text-based channels such as email, and as a company founded in the digital era, we are continuously helping our clients further their digital transformation agenda."

Samsung, a Webhelp client, has been utilising this groundbreaking technology and is already seeing some standout results. Abira Siran, Senior Professional, Customer Experience Manager at Samsung Electronics France, explains:"The high-tech industry is ready to take technology and innovation to the next level helping to design a better customer and employee experience. Digital interactions have the highest potential to create innovation at scale, and Webhelp has enabled this through its innovative partnership with EmailTree AI. These initial results are very encouraging. The program delivers a more intelligent way of working to allow the operational team to naturally choose quality over quantity."

Casius Morea, Founder and CEO of EmailTree AI said, "We're thrilled to partner with such an innovative player like Webhelp, with such a deep understanding of what's needed to drive a stellar digital experience. Our mission is to reinvent the customer experience with intelligent end-to-end customer service automation driven by people. Naturally, as technology enablement is a core pillar of Webhelp's culture, we were delighted to partner to strengthen their offering to clients across multiple sectors."

END

About Webhelp

Making business more human for the world's most exciting brands

We live in an era of fast connectivity and AI. Today, human experiences have even more power to make businesses come to life in customers' hearts and minds. Webhelp is committed to making business more human. It's through this commitment that Webhelp enriches customer experience, and designs business solutions that create value for the world's most exciting companies. Webhelp is a partner across a range of services including customer experience solutions, social media moderation through to payment services. Hundreds of brands across the world trust Webhelp because of their people, the culture they work in, and the ideas and technology they put to work. Webhelp believes that Emotional Intelligence creates a lasting impact, and their skill in marrying a differentiating human touch to the right technology is what makes a real difference for their clients. By choosing Webhelp they access the passion and experience of more than 75,000 game-changers from more than 150 locations in over 50 countries. Each one determined to bring their own intelligence, empathy and experience to the table every day. Webhelp invests in people and the environment they work in, because they know that when people thrive, it has a powerful impact on them, their customers and on their partners' business. Webhelp believes that making business more human leads to a better customer experience and a healthier bottom line. Webhelp is the European leader in their industry, with a revenue of more than 1,6B in 2020, and aims for a global leadership position. Webhelp is currently owned by its management and GBL, a leading global investment holding, as of November 2019.

More information can be found at www.webhelp.com

About EmailTree AI

EmailTree AI comes as an end-to-end AI-driven solution to empower customer services and support teams with a complete customer service automation solution which helps enterprises, SMEs and individuals to decrease the time spent for customer requests and email management, reduce costs, automate repetitive tasks and increase the customers' satisfaction. The artificial intelligence helps the human reaching a higher value-added and it is always the human that keeps control. The reply suggestions proposed by the AI can always be improved by the human touch. The solution is used by top telecom companies in Europe (e.g. Orange Luxembourg), utilities' providers (EDF France), ecommerce platforms (BWM Mediasoft), banks, insurance companies, global customer outsourcing and business process outsourcing leaders.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005649/en/

Contacts:

PRESS CONTACTS:

Holly Pither

Holly@tribepr.co.uk

+44 (0)7961 088 878
TAMPA, Fla., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Primo Water Corporation (NYSE: PRMW) (TSX: PRMW) (the "Company" or "Primo"), a leading provider of water direct to consumers and water filtration services in North America and Europe as well as a leading provider of water dispensers, purified and spring bottled water, and self-service refill drinking water in the U.S. and Canada, today announced that the Company will release its first quarter ended April 3, 2021 financial results before the markets open on Thursday, May 6, 2021.

Primo will host a conference call, to be simultaneously webcast, on Thursday, May 6, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. A question and answer session will follow management's presentation. To participate, please call the following numbers:

First Quarter 2021 Earnings Conference Call

North America: (888) 231-8191

International: (647) 427-7450

Conference ID: 2174707

This is a live, listen-only dial-in telephone line.

Webcast for First Quarter 2021 Earnings Conference Call

A live audio webcast will be available through the Company's website at www.primowatercorp.com. The webcast will be recorded and archived for playback on the investor relations section of the website for two weeks following the event.

2021 Annual and Special Meeting of Shareowners

Out of an abundance of caution, to proactively deal with the unprecedented impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and to mitigate risks to the health and safety of our shareowners, associates and other stakeholders, the Company's 2021 Annual and Special Meeting of Shareowners will again be held solely by remote communication, in a virtual-only format on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. ET.

The meeting can be accessed by shareowners at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/PRMW2021 using the control number on their proxy card, voting instruction form or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials. Technicians will be ready to assist you with any technical difficulties you may have accessing the virtual meeting. If you encounter any difficulties accessing the virtual meeting during check-in or during the meeting, please call the technical support number that will be posted on the meeting login page at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/PRMW2021. Primo Water Corporation has designed the format of the 2021 Annual and Special Meeting of Shareowners to ensure that shareowners are afforded the same rights and opportunities to participate as they would at an in-person meeting and to enhance shareowners' access, participation and communication through online tools.

Guests can listen to the meeting at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/PRMW2021, but only shareowners may communicate or vote at the meeting.

At the meeting, shareowners will be asked to receive the financial statements for the year ended January 2, 2021 and the report on those statements by Primo's independent registered certified public accounting firm, elect directors, approve the appointment of Primo's independent registered certified public accounting firm, hold a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation, confirm, ratify and approve Primo's Shareholder Rights Plan, approve the continuance of Primo under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) from the Canada Business Corporations Act, and transact any other business that properly may be brought before the meeting and any adjournment of the meeting.

The meeting will be recorded and archived for playback on the investor relations section of the website for two weeks following the event.

A live audio webcast will be available through the Company's website at www.primowatercorp.com. The webcast will be recorded and archived for playback on the investor relations section of the website for two weeks following the event.

ABOUT PRIMO WATER CORPORATION

Primo Water Corporation is a leading pure-play water solutions provider in North America, Europe and Israel and generates approximately $2.0 billion in annual revenue. Primo operates largely under a recurring razor/razorblade revenue model. The razor in Primo's revenue model is its industry leading line-up of sleek and innovative water dispensers, which are sold through major retailers and online at various price points or leased to customers. The dispensers help increase household penetration which drives recurring purchases of Primo's razorblade offering. Primo's razorblade offering is comprised of Water Direct, Water Exchange, and Water Refill. Through its Water Direct business, Primo delivers sustainable hydration solutions across its 21-country footprint direct to the customer's door, whether at home or to commercial businesses. Through its Water Exchange and Water Refill businesses, Primo offers pre-filled and reusable containers at over 13,000 locations and water refill units at approximately 22,000 locations, respectively. Primo also offers water filtration units across its 21-country footprint representing a top five position.

Primo's water solutions expand consumer access to purified, spring and mineral water to promote a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle while simultaneously reducing plastic waste and pollution. Primo is committed to its water stewardship standards and is proud to partner with the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) in North America as well as with Watercoolers Europe (WE), which ensure strict adherence to safety, quality, sanitation and regulatory standards for the benefit of consumer protection.

Primo is headquartered in Tampa, Florida (USA). For more information, visit www.primowatercorp.com.

SOURCE Primo Water Corporation

Related Links

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There is a link between the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine and blood clots according to a senior official in the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

EMAs head of vaccines Marco Cavaleri told Italian newspaper Il Messaggero:

In my opinion, we can say it now, it is clear there is a link with the vaccine. But we still do not know what causes this reaction, he said.

In the next few hours, we will say that there is a connection, but we still have to understand how this happens.

Read More

Use of the AstraZeneca vaccine was temporarily halted in many countries in March after several cases of blood clots were found in Norway.

Ireland was one of those countries that suspended the rollout of the vaccine.

However, the EMA then conducted an investigation into the vaccine, and found that the benefits outweigh the risks and it should continue to be used.

But it added that a causal link between clots and the vaccine is possible and the EMA is expected to provide an updated assessment on the investigation this week.

So far in Ireland, over 203,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine have currently been administered.

Mr Cavaleri said they are still trying to understand where exactly this link comes from.

We are trying to get a precise picture of what is happening, to define in detail this syndrome due to the vaccine, he said.

Among the vaccinated, there are more cases of cerebral thrombosis ... among young people than we would expect.

An investigation is also underway in the UK, where researchers are looking at the possibility of links between the AstraZeneca vaccine and rare blood clots. Many countries have already begun to restrict the use of the vaccine in younger people.

In total, the UK has ordered 457 million doses, of which 100 million are from AstraZeneca. Should the UK government restrict access to AstraZeneca, the speed of their vaccine rollout could be greatly slowed down.

The UKs health agency has identified 30 cases of rare blood clot events out of 18.1 million doses of the jab administered up to and including 24 March. There have been seven deaths among the 30 cases.

But the regulator said the benefits of the vaccine in preventing coronavirus outweigh any risks and it urged the public to continue coming forward for the jab.
U.S. actor Bobby Cannavale has been in a relationship with Australian actress Rose Byrne since 2012.

And despite spending a lot of time Down Under over the past decade, the Ant-Man star, 50, says there's still one aspect of Australian life he's yet to fully understand.

Bobby, who lives in New York, told News.com.au he's embraced going barefoot in public and driving on the left-hand side of the road, but he still can't quite get his head around the nation's 'real drinking culture'.

'I dont know how that's possible': Rose Byrne's partner Bobby Cannavale (pictured in 2020) has revealed the one thing he still doesn't understand about Australian culture

'I find myself getting on the drink earlier in the day in Australia than I would anywhere else in the world,' he said.

'You walk past a pub at three o'clock and you go, "Really? Is the work day over at three o'clock in this country?"'

'The bars are packed at three o'clock and I don't know how that's possible,' the two-time Emmy winner added.

Bobby said his recent work trip to Byron Bay, New South Wales, was the epitome of the laid-back beach culture stereotype Australia is known for.

'I find myself getting on the drink earlier in the day in Australia': Bobby said he is constantly puzzled by the 'real drinking culture' Down Under and how everyone is at the pub by 3pm

He and Rose, 41, had travelled to Byron last year so that Bobby could film the Hulu limited series Nine Perfect Strangers.

The show was produced by Nicole Kidman, and stars the likes of Melissa McCarthy, Luke Evans and Samara Weaving.

Production began on August 10 and ran for 19 weeks.

Rose then returned to Los Angeles early this year to begin shooting the Apple TV+ dramedy Physical.

The long-term couple are not married, but both often refer to one another as 'husband' and 'wife'.

Last year, during an interview on The Late Late Show with James Corden, Bobby explained: 'I haven't found a better word for it, to be honest.

'"Boyfriend/girlfriend" feels too young, "partner" feels too clinical... You know, my "lady partner"? That feels weird. So it's just easier. People don't ask questions when you say, "It's my wife."'

Bobby and Rose share two sons, Rafa, two, and Rocco, four.
In this series, Lagniappe presents a different work each week from the collection of the New Orleans Museum of Art, with commentary from a curator.

Yasuhiro Ishimoto (1921-2012) was born in San Francisco and lived in Japan as a child before returning in 1939 to study architecture at Northwestern University. In 1942, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066, Ishimoto and over 70,000 other American citizens of Japanese ancestry were relocated to concentration camps throughout the United States. In total, the government imprisoned more than 120,000 Japanese Americans during the course of World War II.

While held for two years at Amache Internment Camp in Colorado, Ishimoto began to study photography. Later in his life, Ishimoto achieved great success as a photographer, but the historical oppression of Japanese Americans impacted Ishimoto's artistic vision across the course of his career.

In 1948, Ishimoto enrolled at the Institute of Design in Chicago and developed a photographic style driven by his twin interests in both the built environment and how humans used those spaces. After graduating in 1952, Ishimoto spent much of the next decade between Japan and the United States, while completing a number of prestigious fellowships. Ishimoto embraced Chicago, and the city served as a muse that he turned to throughout his career.

Due in part to American anti-Japanese hostility after the war, however, Ishimoto often occupied the position of an outsider in the country of his birth. The photographer emigrated permanently to Tokyo in 1961 and became a citizen of Japan by the end of the decade.

In Ishimotos American photographs, we might see his lived experience translating into a sense of detached objectivity, which, filtered through his incredible eye for design, resulted in a remarkable clarity about his surroundings. Often, as in the photograph here, Ishimoto marshaled his vision into photos that could puncture American myths with playfulness and a wry sense of humor.

This photograph itself does not indicate whether we are looking at a sculptures installation or a removal, whether this is a photograph about the past or what is yet to come, or whether this is a moment of celebration or cause for shame. Rather than elevate his cameras position or wait for the resolution of this scene, Ishimoto photographed this horse and rider as he encountered them.

The monumental statue looms over the photographer, but Ishimoto insists on looking closely and revealing all of the strange and frightening details. Paused between a difficult history and an uncertain future, Ishimotos photograph insists on the importance of keeping a human-sized perspective and argues that often, those who are most deeply wronged are able to see the world most clearly.

+2 With camera hidden in his bowler hat, German photographer captured drama behind the scenes In this series, Lagniappe presents a different work each week from the collection of the New Orleans Museum of Art, with commentary from a curator.
Even as the CMs of Delhi, Maharashtra and Rajasthan urged the Centre to relax the age cap for COVID-19 vaccination, the latter defended its approach on Tuesday. At present, only people above 45 years of age can get inoculated. Addressing a press briefing, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan explained that the two aims of the inoculation drive are to prevent deaths and protect the healthcare system. Countering the demand to make vaccination available for all those aged above 18 years, he stressed that the goal is to administer the vaccine to those who need it the most. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to chair a meeting of all the CMs on Thursday to take stock of the COVID-19 situation.

Weighing in on the efforts to tackle the rising novel coronavirus cases, Bhushan said, "We have deployed 50 high-level multidisciplinary public health teams in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh & Punjab. They will be going to 30 districts of Maharashtra, 11 districts of Chhattisgarh and 9 districts of Punjab". Comparing the country's vaccination progress with the US, he added, " The US has a daily average of 30.53 lakh doses of vaccine administration, whereas 26.53 lakhs of vaccine doses are administered in India daily. As per a website, the US has administered 16 crore doses in 112 days, while India administered 7.9 crores doses in 79 days".

Many people ask why shouldn't we open vaccination for all. There are two aims of such vaccination drives -- to prevent deaths & protect healthcare system. The aim is not to administer the vaccine to those who want it but to those who need it: Union Health Secy Rajesh Bhushan pic.twitter.com/FCqiW93qsG  ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2021

COVID-19 vaccination in India

On January 3, the Drugs Controller General of India accepted the recommendations of the Subject Expert Committee of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, paving way for the approval of COVISHIELD and COVAXIN. Manufactured by the Serum Institute of India with technology transfer from Oxford University-AstraZeneca, COVISHIELD is a Recombinant Chimpanzee Adenovirus vector vaccine with its overall efficacy of 70.42 per cent. On the other hand, COVAXIN is a Whole Virion Inactivated Corona Virus Vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with ICMR and NIV.

On January 16, PM Modi launched the pan-India rollout of the novel coronavirus vaccination drive via video conferencing. Marking the commencement of the second phase of the inoculation drive on March 1, the PM was administered the first dose of COVAXIN by Puducherry nurse V Niveda while nurse Rosamma Anil hailing from Kerala was present on this occasion. So far, 7,16,21,439 beneficiaries have been inoculated out of which 99,92,454 have been administered the second dose of the vaccine too.
Gong Ping, CEO of WaferChina, a Xi'an-based epi-house fab, called on local policymakers and high-tech startups on April 2 to work together and build a more transparent, far-sighted, and fairer environment for the development of the semiconductor industry.



Gong, also a senior engineer with 20 years of experience in the production, marketing, and sales within the metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) industry, suggested the local government include R&D personnel and expert opinions in the decision-making process and avoid introducing policies in a one-size-fits-all fashion.

He thus noted that supporting policies for innovators in Xi'an need to focus on long-range goals rather than specific short-term targets.

Research work, especially in the fields of semiconductors and optoelectronics, should be first and foremost practical, Gong told China.org.cn.

Established in November 2017, Gong's company specializes in producing high-quality III-V compound semiconductor epi-wafers. As China has experienced growing technical barriers over the past few years, Gong and his colleagues have needed to redouble their efforts in training professional personnel.

First, however, startups must reduce the talent gap and attract university students in China to work for innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) rather than high-tech giants.

"We need to fully exploit the institutional advantages of our system," Gong said, suggesting more transparency and support from local governments in helping university students reshape their concept of employment.

According to Gong's colleagues, Xi'an's local government has been working to raise public awareness on the issue by organizing teams of innovative SMEs to participate in campus recruitment events at the city's major sci-tech universities.

Over the years, the Chinese government has vowed to facilitate collaborative innovation between firms, universities, and research institutes in a bid to support companies heading major science and technology programs. A market-oriented system for technological innovation in which enterprises are the main players has also been established.
There are fears a major Melbourne shopping centre is set to be demolished to make way for a massive new housing development.

Staff at Kmart and Priceline at the Brandon Park Shopping Centre in Wheelers Hill, in Melbourne's south-east, have been told by management both would close forever by Christmas, the Herald Sun reported.

This has sparked rumours the entire centre, which was opened in 1970 and has more than 80 retail stores, is about to close.

The 23,000 square metre shopping complex also struggled to maintain foot traffic during the Covid pandemic, experiencing a significant drop of physical customers in store.

Priceline at Wheelers Hill in Melbourne's south-east will soon be closing its doors permanently

Kmart workers have been informed the store in Melbourne's south-east will close before Christmas, with a housing development looming (stock image)

High rent, early closing hours and an outdated venue in some parts have seen the complex fail to attract regular customers in recent years.

Hundreds of people could be out of work if the housing development is rubber stamped, with more than 80 retailers currently trading at the shopping centre.

In 2019, the complex was sold to Newmark Capital for a reported $135million, in a syndicate owned by ex-Hawthorn AFL player Chris Langford.

Melbourne's south-east is already serviced by shopping centres at the likes of Eastland, Fountain Gate, Chadstone and Frankston.

Last week, Myer Holdings Limited confirmed speculation they will be closing the nearby Knox Shopping Centre store following more than 40 years of trading.

A statement said Myer factored in a significant increase in online profits following the pandemic in addition to the myriad of competing shopping centres in the area.

'We thank our Knox team members for their significant contribution to Myer, and we look forward to continuing to serve our loyal customers either in nearby stores or online,' Myer's CEO, John King said in a statement confirming the decision.

'Myer will support all impacted team members through a period of consultation and will look to redeploy as many team members as possible.'

A Kmart spokeswoman confirmed the store, which has been operation for the past 37 years at Brandon Park, will formally close in early January next year with the long term lease expiring.

'Our lease is coming to an end and sadly, this means our store will be closing after Christmas, on January 8, 2022,' the spokeswoman said in a statement.

'We will spend the next few months working through redeployment opportunities for the team, but we're happy to confirm that all permanent team members will been guaranteed jobs within the Kmart Group network of (nearby) stores.'

Daily Mail Australia contacted Priceline for comment.

The Brandon Park shopping centre (pictured above) is poised to be replaced by a housing development in Melbourne's south-east
New Delhi:

Pluto was demoted to non-planet, according to definition approved by International Astronomical Union (IAU) in the year 2006 and the number of planets from then dropped from nine to eight.

NASA's New Horizons mission - which flew past Pluto in July 2015 - discovered the strange formations resembling giant knife blades of ice, whose origin had remained a mystery.

The mysterious "bladed terrain" of Pluto is made almost entirely of methane ice, and likely formed as a kind of erosion that wore away the planet's surfaces, leaving dramatic crests and sharp divides, scientists say.

These jagged geological ridges are found at the highest altitudes on Pluto's surface, near its equator, and can soar many hundreds of feet into the sky as high as a New York City skyscraper.

They are one of the most puzzling feature types on Pluto, and it now appears the blades are related to Pluto's complex climate and geological history. A team led by Jeffrey Moore, a research scientist at NASA's Ames Research Center in the US has determined that formation of the bladed terrain begins with methane freezing out of the atmosphere at extreme altitudes on Pluto, in the same way frost freezes on the ground on Earth, or even in your freezer.

"When we realized that bladed terrain consists of tall deposits of methane ice, we asked ourselves why it forms all of these ridges, as opposed to just being big blobs of ice on the ground," said Moore.

"It turns out that Pluto undergoes climate variation and sometimes, when Pluto is a little warmer, the methane ice begins to basically 'evaporate' away," he said.

This process is called sublimation where ice transforms directly into gas, skipping over the intermediate liquid form. Similar structures can be found in high-altitude snowfields along Earth's equator, though on a very different scale than the blades on Pluto.

The findings, published in the journal Icarus, show that surface and air of Pluto are far more dynamic than previously thought. Identifying the nature of the exotic bladed terrain also brings us a step closer to understanding the global topography of Pluto, researchers said.

The New Horizons spacecraft provided spectacular, high- resolution data about one side of Pluto, called the encounter hemisphere, and observed the other side of Pluto at lower resolution.

Since methane has now been linked to high elevations, researchers can use data that indicates where methane is present around Pluto's globe to infer which locations are at higher altitudes.

This provides an opportunity to map out altitudes of some parts of Pluto's surface not captured in high resolution, where bladed terrains also appear to exist. Though the detailed coverage of Pluto's bladed terrain covers only a small area, researchers have been able to conclude from several types of data that these sharp ridges may be a widespread feature on Pluto's far side, helping to develop a working understanding of Pluto's global geography.

With PTI Input

For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Charleston, WV (25301)

Today

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 60F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 60F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Glanbia farmers are seeking to become dual suppliers to other dairies as they battle to circumvent the impact of peak milk controls which were recently introduced by the Kilkenny-based co-op.

Neighbouring dairy processors have received a flood of calls from Glanbia farmers who are looking to continue expanding by delivering a proportion of their supply between April and June to neighbouring processors.

Such a move would enable the farmers to side-step penalties that might be levied by Glanbia on milk delivered at peak.

While Dairygold, Lakeland Dairies and Aurivo did not answer when asked directly by the Farming Independent if approaches had been made to them by Glanbia suppliers, one industry insider insisted that a lot of calls were being made.

Another well-placed source in the dairy sector claimed that board members at the various co-ops were being approached by Glanbia suppliers who were desperate to keep expanding.

Ruairi Cunningham of Strathroy Dairies confirmed that the company had received numerous calls from Glanbia farmers since the announcement of peak milk supply restrictions by the countrys largest processor.

He said the company was not really interested in most instances as the calls were from spring calving lads.

A Dairygold spokesman said the co-op recognised the challenges Glanbia faces, and added that it will continue to offer whatever assistance we can at a corporate level.

Lakeland Dairies said it doesnt comment on the business or operations of other dairy processors, while Aurivo said the co-op has a policy of not discussing matters that are potentially commercially sensitive.

Northern suppliers

Meanwhile, the ICMSA has criticised Glanbias decision to impose the peak milk supply controls in the Republic of Ireland, while leaving dairy farmers in the North free to expand without any restrictions.

Making distinctions between suppliers and showing favouritism to areas or groups, whatever the rationale, will almost certainly aggravate an already tense situation, said ICMSA leader Pat McCormack

Mr McCormack said farmers in Glanbias Southern base will be entitled to object to such a move.

The decision will lead to exactly the kind of anomaly that ICMSA had already warned against, he added.

Peak production restrictions are a bad idea in their own right and every tweak that follows and tries to make sense of the original bad idea generally makes it worse. This is a perfect example of that process, said Mr McCormack.

A spokesman for Glanbia defended the exclusion of Northern Ireland from the peak milk supply restrictions.

He pointed out that milk supply to Glanbia in the North had not grown to the same extent over the last few years as deliveries in the South.

There is a far flatter supply profile in the North as well, he added.
04 Jun 2021 | 10:57 PM

Bhopal, June 4 (UNI) Madhya Pradeshs erstwhile chief minister Digvijaya Singh alleged on Friday that land mafia pressure is making the ruling Bharatiya Janata Partys local leaders in Ujjain restrict the area reserved for the Simhastha Mela in that ancient temple town.

In a communication to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Congress stalwart wrote, Lakhs of pilgrims from India and abroad attend the fair that is conducted once every 12 years. In 2004, the event was organised over 2,151 hectares and that increased to 4,151 ha in 2016. Owing to increase in population, the acreage will have to be enhanced for the next Simhastha.



The Rajya Sabha Member even mentioned a minister by name and accused him of supporting a move to hand over land in Sanwrakhedi and Jeevankhedi to builders under the garb of a fresh master plan.
Amy Thorn has unveiled other Thorn Hill sparkling wines in the past.

For years the winemaker for the Lancaster, Pennsylvania, producer that sources its grapes from several California counties has made a Brut Cuvee de Prestige, a blend of 60 percent Pinot Noir and 40 percent Chardonnay from the Carneros American Viticultural Area (AVA).

At the second of this years release parties, scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Lancaster tasting room at 1945 Fruitville Pike, shell show off a bubby that has its roots in another memorable California vintage, one not involving fires. Tickets for the event are still available and can be purchased at this link.

I always had this dream that I wanted to make a single-varietal, single-vineyard, and of all the Dijon clones, which are the Pinot Noir clones, Pommard is my favorite, she said during a recent Zoom interview. So in 2014, which was the year of the big earthquake  that was the earth-rocking experience  every year we have some major seismic event going on out there.

So this wine was born out of that. I just decided that I was going to take the Pommard clone and make a 100 percent Pinot Noir sparkling wine. But, to do that, when you have that quality of fruit, I wanted it to age a very, very long time.

The 2014 JWT Vintage Blanc de Noir Reserve spent 60 months in bottle, but more than wine spent time aging in that bottle. There are the memories of the late-August 2014 earthquake, which caused damage to older wines that were maturing in barrels as opposed to spoiling any of the grapes harvested that year. It also was a summer and fall that Jonathan Thorn, Amy and husband Jacks late son, spent days taking grapes off the vine. He helped me pick the grapes, Amy remembered, noting that sparkling was her sons favorite. Jonathan died in a car accident in Napa County in November 2019. His initials have been included in the name of this bubbly.

I just really wanted to have a bottle of wine that honors Jonathan, she said. When wed get together we would drink sparkling wine. He was fascinated with the process, the champenoise process. He was there for all of the aspects as we sort of birthed this one together.

Last fall she talked about making her first blend called Big Magic out of a vintage that saw major fires across wine country. Now theres this wine, attached by vintage to the worst earthquake in California in 25 years that caused an estimated $50 million in damage to the wine industry.

You know my philosophy, she said, that something positive always comes out of a negative. You just have to look for it. And so, for me, the JWT in that 2014 year is what Id consider my crowning achievement as a winemaker is really embodied in this. Im quite proud of it.

That will be joined at the release party by Thorns Alchemy Cabernet Sauvignon, a product of Clone 337 grapes from vines planted in the volcanic vineyards of Lake Countrys Red Hills.

Alchemy is the newest Cabernet Sauvignon on the Thorn Hill Vineyards wine list.

Similar to the sparkling, she has made plenty of Cabernet Sauvignon. You can take one look at the winerys portfolio and find a variety of them. But this was her first shot at making a 100 percent varietal out of the clone, which she calls her favorite.

Its big, its bold, it has unbelievable intense flavors, and it comes from our particular estate there in Lake County, she said. Again, in 2017, that was also the year I made Big Magic and I made some standout wines that year, but I really decided I was going to take this clone and age it a little bit longer in French barrels and I wanted people to experience [the clone]. I wanted them to understand why its my favorite clone.

Thorn said the Clone 337 grapes escaped the fires and the smoke taint, and that she had more to source with several new vineyards reaching the point where they could provide some fruit to harvest. Its a clone she has used in all her other Cabs in the past.

I just took that clone out early, she said. because I just knew what my intent was going to be, that I was going to take this clone and make a distinctive wine. Ive been wanting to do that for probably 10 years, but I hadnt done it.

It was exciting, it was a combination of what I love. It is obviously grown there in the Red Hills. I think that volcanic soul lends itself to 337. I have had it in other terroirs. I still like it. The clone is very distinctive. But I think when its grown at a high elevation in volcanic soil, its alchemy. Its magic. Its magic in your mouth.

One other new product thats available in the tasting room is the Legacy Estate Olive Oil. It is flying off the shelf, she said, a development gratifying for several reasons beginning with the fact that Jonathan planted the olive trees.

The entire production process, she said, has been educational,

With wine, theres a lot of waste. You have the grape, the seeds, you have everything, and theres just a little juice that comes out to make the wine. But with olives, theres even less. You need so many more olives to just get that one tablespoon of olive oil. You dont realize that until you actually start making them. You look and you have all this tonnage and you see the yields, and youre like, wow, thats something

But the flavors are just so beautiful. We harvested them in 2019 and we harvested most of the olives as late as December, she said. So it gave this incredible butteriness to the fruit and the varietals brought a little of that pepper. So its like the perfect combination; its smooth, its like having melted butter in your mouth and has a peppery finish.

ALSO READ: Clover Hill Winery owners look at 2021 as a chance to reinvent ourselves as a family and a business
But few kids get to follow through when it comes to that dream. And I can think of several reasons why that is the case. In just a few days from now, we will be celebrating 60 years since Russian cosmonaut Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin became the first human being to ever travel into space. Humanity is still making baby steps in this direction, and the percentage of human beings who came to be astronauts is ridiculously small.Less than 1,000 people have ever reached Earth Orbit. At present time, NASA only has less than 50 active astronauts, according to their latest website update, which happened on December 11th, 2020. We can't even begin to comprehend how large the Universe is, as it spans billions and billions of light-years across. The average distance between the Earth and the Sun is 8.317 light minutes. And the farthest we've ever been is about 0.022 light minutes.With that in mind, you tend to realize that we are but a spec of dust in the vastness of space. And Carl Sagan puts things in perspective with his "Pale Blue Dot" excerpt: "The Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena...Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the Universe, are challenged by this point of pale light. Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark"But we have gone a long way since our early days of being nomads and just learning to carve tools out of wood, rock, and bones. The technological progress of our species is obvious, even if you look at how things evolved over the past decade or two. Just 30 years ago, who could've imagined that we would all own or use smartphones, electric cars, and the internet on such a large scale?And now, our attention is slowly but consistently moving towards the Cosmos . We are making baby steps still, as we're currently trying to strengthen our position in Earth's orbit while thinking about what the Moon has to offer. We are just beginning to scratch the surface in terms of exploring Mars, but yet we dare to dream about exoplanets and the possibility of life on other worlds.We are explorers in our hearts, and as Cristopher Columbus or even the Vikings and many others before us, we long to discover new worlds. And as was the case for the settlers and explorers of the past, it is up to the astronauts, organizations, and companies dedicated to space exploration to bring light where there was darkness.And while the likes of NASA or SpaceX are doing their part from North America, the ESA is also making a move from across the Atlantic Ocean. The European Space Agency has just recently announced that it is opening up applications for their first astronaut selection in over a decade! As it encourages all qualified candidates to come forward and pursue their childhood dreams of venturing into space, a new era for mankind begins.The first-ever European Space Agency astronaut selection took place in 1977. And as of today, it has been 13 years since the last time such a process has been undertaken by the ESA. Things have been kicked off in November 2019 as ESA's Space 19+ Ministerial Council discussed Europe's ambitions and commitment in terms of space exploration.The plans for the next few years include astronaut flights to the International Space Station, the first European astronaut flights beyond low Earth orbit, and the continued robotic exploration of Mars. Within the next ten years, ESA plans on having an astronaut step foot on the Moon , and also participating in a joint-venture, human mission to Mars. If any of you will make it so far into the process, do remember to send a selfie when you're there!The start of this campaign has been recently promoted via a short video entitled "Your way to space ", which might be enough to have you questioning all your career decisions so far. If you've ever felt that you wanted to do more for humanity, if you've ever felt that there's a higher purpose waiting for you out there, this might be it. Sure, you can't just apply for a job like this without having a proper background in terms of education.But the European Space Agency has been considerate enough to put up a 32-page long booklet, entitled the "Astronaut Applicant Handbook" that covers pretty much everything you need to know to apply to these jobs. Only four applicants will make it into the program, and they have to be citizens from one of ESA's member states. For the first time in history, professionals with a physical disability will also be eligible to apply for the program.Applications can be sent in until the May 28th, 2021. If you want in, you're going to need a Master's degree (or higher) and at least three years of experience in natural sciences, medicine, engineering, mathematics, or computer science. There are several phases applicants will go through, including initial screening, psychological test series, practical and psychometric testing, medical selection, two rounds of interviews, and the appointment and announcement, set for October of 2022.Applicants over the age of 50 will not be considered for the role , unfortunately, as the ESA plans to have its crew members fly at least two missions during their contract. Among the numerous tests that you will be required to go through, there is also a swimming test, which needs to be passed during the first month of training.As we're moving along with our Space Month special, it feels exhilarating to see what we have accomplished so far, what we are working on right now, and what our plans for the future are. In ten years from now, the world is going to be an entirely new place to live in, and as most people have pointed out, there will come a time when there will be one more address line added to our passports, and that line will read: Planet of Birth.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 6, 2021) - Blackrock Silver Corp. (TSXV: BRC) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that its wholly-owned subsidiary Blackrock Gold Corporation has entered a Property Exchange Agreement with Nevada Select Royalties, Inc., the wholly-owned subsidiary of Ely Gold Royalties Inc., and three other landowners who have surface use rights on certain of the lands within the Company's Tonopah West project located in the Walker Lane trend in Nevada.

Under the agreement, Nevada Select Royalties, Inc. will acquire three patented mining claims consisting of 35.411 acres (14.3 hectares) which were a hole within the Tonopah West property and contiguous to the mining claims on which the Company is currently drilling. In exchange for the three patented claims, the landowners will gain Surface Rights to 100 feet (30.48 metres) below the surface on 48.94 acres (19.8 hectares), and the Company will retain the Mineral Estate below 100 feet.

Andrew Pollard, the Company's President and CEO stated, "This is a win-win deal for Blackrock and the surface landowners. Each group will be able to achieve their desired objectives with all groups working toward the benefit of the community and stakeholders. Our rapid advancement of the Tonopah West project will eventually take drilling underground and the land exchange provides potential expansion opportunity for Blackrock, while also having no material impact on our Tonopah West Exploration and Development plans."

The newly acquired patented mining claims will be subject to the Blackrock Gold Corp. Option Agreement dated February 24, 2020, between the Company and Nevada Select Royalties, Inc., pursuant to which the Company is acquiring a 100% interest in the Tonopah West Project lands. The Property Exchange Agreement will close on or before April 30, 2021.

Tonopah West Project Land Exchange Map

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/676/79433_b0e78e15a497a9a5_002full.jpg

Blackrock's exploration activities at the Tonopah West Project are being conducted and supervised by Mr. William Howald, Executive Chairman of Blackrock Silver Corp. Mr. William Howald, AIPG Certified Professional Geologist #11041, is a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101. He has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release.

Blackrock also announces that it has moved its corporate head office to SUITE 2710 - 200 GRANVILLE STREET, VANCOUVER, BC V6C 1S4

About Blackrock Silver Corp.

Blackrock is a junior silver-focused exploration company that is on a quest to make an economic discovery. Anchored by a seasoned Board, the Company is focused on its Nevada portfolio of properties consisting of low-sulphidation epithermal gold & silver projects located along on the established Northern Nevada Rift in north-central Nevada and the Walker Lane trend in western Nevada.

For further information, please contact:

Andrew Pollard, President & CEO

Blackrock Silver Corp.

Phone: 604 817-6044

Email: andrew@blackrocksilver.com

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking statements concern the Company's strategic plans, completion and exercise of the Tonopah option agreement, timing and expectations for the Company's exploration and drilling programs, estimates of mineralization from drilling, geological information projected from sampling results and the potential quantities and grades of the target zones. Such forward-looking statements or information are based on a number of assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: conditions in general economic and financial markets; accuracy of assay results; geological interpretations from drilling results, timing and amount of capital expenditures; performance of available laboratory and other related services; future operating costs; and the historical basis for current estimates of potential quantities and grades of target zones. The actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the risk factors including: the ability of the Company to complete the Tonopah lease option, the timing and content of work programs; results of exploration activities and development of mineral properties; the interpretation and uncertainties of drilling results and other geological data; receipt, maintenance and security of permits and mineral property titles; environmental and other regulatory risks; project costs overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses; availability of funds; failure to delineate potential quantities and grades of the target zones based on historical data, and general market and industry conditions. Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this news release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law.

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/79433
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PARIS  Frances role before and during the 1994 Rwandan genocide was a monumental failure that the country must acknowledge, the lead author of a report commissioned by President Emmanuel Macron said, as the country is about to open its archives from this period to the public.

The report, published in March, concluded that French authorities remained blind to the preparations for genocide as they supported the racist and violent government of then-Rwandan President Juvenal Habyarimana and then reacted too slowly in appreciating the extent of the killings. But it cleared them of complicity in the slaughter that left over 800,000 people dead, mainly ethnic Tutsis and the Hutus who tried to protect them.

Macrons decision to commission the report  and open the archives to the public  are part of his efforts to more fully confront the French role in the genocide and to improve relations with Rwanda, including making April 7, the day the massacre began, a day of commemoration. While long overdue, the moves may finally help the two countries reconcile.

Historian Vincent Duclert, who led the commission that studied Frances actions in Rwanda between 1990 and 1994, told The Associated Press that for 30 years, the debate on Rwanda was full of lies, violence, manipulations, threats of trials. That was a suffocating atmosphere.

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Duclert said it was important to acknowledge Frances role for what it was: a monumental failure.

Now we must speak the truth, he added. And that truth will allow, we hope, (France) to get a dialogue and a reconciliation with Rwanda and Africa.

Macron said in a statement that the report marks a major step forward toward understanding Frances actions in Rwanda.

About 8,000 archive documents that the commission examined for two years, including some that were previously classified, will be made accessible to the general public starting Wednesday, the 27th anniversary of the start of the killings.

Duclert said documents  mostly from the French presidency and the prime ministers office  show how then-President Francois Mitterrand and the small group of diplomats and military officials surrounding him shared views inherited from colonial times, including the desire to maintain influence on a French-speaking country, that led them to keep supporting Habyarimana despite warning signs, including through delivery of weapons and military training in the years prior to the genocide.

Instead of ultimately supporting the democratization and peace in Rwanda, the French authorities in Rwanda supported the ethnicization, the radicalization of (Habyarimanas) government, Duclert stressed.

France was not complicit in the criminal act of genocide, he said, but its action contributed to strengthening (the genocides) mechanisms.

And thats an enormous intellectual responsibility, he said.

The report also criticized Frances passive policy in April and May 1994, at the height of the genocide.

That was a terrible lost opportunity, Duclert noted. In 1994, there was a possibility to stop the genocide  and it did not happen. France and the world bear a considerable guilt.

Eventually they did step in. Operation Turquoise, a French-led military intervention backed by the U.N., started on June 22.

Duclert said that Frances blindness must be questioned and, maybe, brought to trial, though he insisted it was not the commissions role to suggest charges.

The report was welcomed as an important step by activists who had long hoped France would officially acknowledge its responsibilities in the genocide. On a visit to Rwanda in 2010, then-French President Nicolas Sarkozy admitted that his country had made errors of judgment and political errors regarding the genocide  but the report may allow Macron to go further.

Dafroza Gauthier, a Rwandan who lost more than 80 members of her family in the mass killing, welcomed it as a a great document against genocide denial.

For 27 years, or longer, we were in a kind of fog, said Gauthier, who with her husband, Alain, founded the Collective of Civil Plaintiffs for Rwanda, a French-based group that seeks the prosecution of alleged perpetrators of the genocide. The report is clearly stating things.

There also may be a shift in the attitude of Rwandan authorities, who welcomed the report in a brief statement but have given no detailed response. They said the conclusions of their own report, to be released soon, will complement and enrich it.

Thats different from Rwandas firm assertions of French complicity as recently as 2017. Relations between the two countries, strained for years since the genocide, have improved under Macrons presidency.

Felicien Kabuga, a Rwandan long wanted for his alleged role in supplying machetes to the killers, was arrested outside Paris last May.

And in July an appeals court in Paris upheld a decision to end a years-long investigation into the plane crash that killed Habyarimana and set off the genocide. That probe aggravated Rwandas government because it targeted several people close to President Paul Kagame for their alleged role, charges they denied.

It now appears Rwandan authorities will accept the olive branch from Paris, said Dismas Nkunda, head of the watchdog group Atrocities Watch Africa who covered the genocide as a journalist.

Maybe theyre saying, The past is the past. Lets move on,' he said of Rwandan authorities.

The Gauthiers said the report and access to the archives may also help activists in their efforts to bring people involved in the genocide to justice  including potentially French officials who served at the time.

There have been three Rwandan nationals convicted of genocide so far in France, they stressed. Four others are expected to go on trial. Thats out of about 30 complaints against Rwandan nationals living in France that their group has filed with authorities.

Thats still very few compared to the more than 100 alleged perpetrators who are believed to live on French territory, they said.

___

Associated Press journalists Jeffrey Schaeffer in Paris and Rodney Muhumuza in Kampala, Uganda, contributed to this report.
(Updates with details of visits)

MEXICO CITY, April 6 (Reuters) - Mexico's foreign minister said on Tuesday he planned visits soon to Russia, China, India and the United States as part of his government's efforts to make sure that its supply agreements for vaccines against COVID-19 are honored.

Speaking at a regular government news conference alongside President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said the dates for his visits were still to be confirmed, but that he planned to embark on them "very soon."

"The aim is to ensure that Mexico has the vaccines agreed in the times set out during the next few weeks," Ebrard said.

Mexico moved quickly to sign agreements with global vaccine makers to secure sufficient supply, but hold-ups have delayed its initial timetable for inoculating the population.

The government complained at the United Nations that rich countries were hoarding vaccines at the expense of poorer ones, and supply has picked up in the last few weeks.

Lopez Obrador has repeatedly thanked China, Russia and India for their help in delivering vaccines, as well as the United States, which late last month sent vaccines to Mexico.

Ebrard also noted health regulator COFEPRIS would likely soon approve the first COVID-19 vaccine of Indian origin for use in Mexico. Mexico has been studying the potential application of the Covaxin vaccine made by Indian company Bharat Biotech. (Writing by Dave Graham; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
Jacinda Ardern has brushed off participating in a cringeworthy singalong to Kiwi classic Slice of Heaven after expressing her delight in welcoming Australians back to New Zealand for the first time in more than a year.

The long awaited trans-Tasman travel bubble between the two countries has been cleared for take-off from April 19 following the coronavirus pandemic.

An excited Ms Ardern appeared on the Today show on Wednesday morning to discuss Tuesday's announcement with hosts Karl Stefanovic and Leila McKinnon.

The interview ended awkwardly when the Kiwi prime minister refused an invitation to sing along to a classic New Zealand hit from her childhood, Dave Dobbyn's Slice of Heaven.

'We have got a special song for you this morning. We would love you to sing along, but it may be beneath you, but we will give it a go anyway,' Stefanovic said.

Ms Ardern quickly shut down the invitation to join in.

Australians are welcome back to visit New Zealand from April 19 following Kiwi prime minister Jacinda Ardern's announcement on Tuesday

'There is absolutely zero chance of me singing along to this track right now,' she replied.

'Politicians should not dance, and they should not sing.'

The interview began on a much happier note with Ms Ardern keen to welcome back Australians with open arms and explain how the travel bubble will work.

'I can't believe I'm saying this, but we have absolutely missed you. We want you to come and see us again,' she beamed.

'Distance makes the heart grow fonder, that's definitely the case for us here I think.'

During the interview, Ms Ardern defended the delays in opening up the travel bubble both ways, insisting they had to get it right.

The new trans-Tasman travel bubble will reunite hundreds of families who haven't seen

'If you think about when we first started talking about having a Trans-Tasman arrangement back between we were talking about the test being 28 days free of any case outside of a managed isolation facility and the time that we have taken to establish this protocol and this arrangement we have learnt so much,' she explained.

'We now believe and know that we can safely manage outbreaks without necessarily having that prolonged month-long period in the aftermath of a case.

'Time has been of benefit to us. I think we now have a regime that will be flexible, but pretty sophisticated, and ultimately it means now we are in a position to welcome you here and to do it safely, which is what we are all so excited about.'

Australians should expect new rules such as temperature checks and mask wearing the next time they cross the Tasman.

Australians and Kiwi ex-pats flocked online to book tickets to New Zealand following Tuesday's announcement. Pictured are grounded Qantas and Air New Zealand planes at Sydney Airport

Ms Ardern also warned of possible disruptions to the trans-Tasman when outbreaks occur - with a traffic light system in place to suspend travel if outbreaks occur.

'I think we all acknowledge that in a COVID environment just in the same way that anyone in Australia who is travelling between states is prepared for outbreaks and there possibly being disruption, and to view New Zealand as another state in that way,' she said.

'If there is a hot spot in one of the states of Australia we may just act in the same way that another state would, with just limitation of people to come in and out of our borders until that issue is resolved.'

'We are trying to make it as simple for travellers as possible.'
Pastor Greg Locke tells congregants take them stupid masks off during Easter service

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Despite federal guidance urging the wearing of masks to control the spread of COVID-19, popular internet personality Greg Locke, who leads the Global Vision Bible Church in Tennessee, mocked some of his congregants for following that advice like sheep on Easter Sunday before telling them to take them stupid masks off!

Unless youre under a doctors orders  and a few of you are  take them stupid masks off when you come to Global Vision! There, I said it on Easter. Take them stupid masks off, Locke declared during his Holy Week sermon. Call me crazy? You come, pull up in the parking lot wearing two masks in a car by yourself. Call me crazy? Thats crack-smoking crazy is what that is.

His shot at his mask-wearing attendees came after he referenced Isaiah 53:6, which says: All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Its interesting God calls us that [sheep]. Not much has changed, has it? You remember this time last year? This time last year, they were like, Oh my goodness! You cannot have resurrection service; you will kill everybody. You are going to kill everybody within 250 miles. We aint killed nobody yet, by the way, the pastor said.

And so the media started infusing us with fear tactics. You see, they know this verse, apparently. They know that people that are ignorant of Scripture willfully will obey any ridiculous mandate that the media gives them because it makes them feel better about themselves.

While some churches chose to close during the pandemic, he praised other churches, like his, that stayed open.

Since were a year in, I just want to verifiably say, thanks be to God for other churches that opened, that reopened, and thank God for churches that decided that they werent going to close at all. They saw through it. Weve never closed yet. Weve never closed one single time during all this COVID debacle, Locke said.

With his congregation cheering him on, Locke added that it would have taken the entire United States military to shutter his church.

They will roll up in tanks. They will drop down from helicopters. And I promise you, it wont be a dozen police out there from Wilson County and from Mt. Juliet, he declared. Its going to take the entire United States military to roll up into this parking lot and tell us, Hey, we cant worship Jesus, and that we got to shut our church down, and that we cant preach, and we cant pray  You have lost your mind if you think Ive given in to that! You have lost your mind if you think Im giving into that mess! We are staying open forever! Forever!

Locke has remained consistent in his opposition to mask mandates and gathering restrictions to limit the spread of the coronavirus, which has infected more than 30 million people across the U.S.

More than 550,000 people have also died from COVID-19 related illnesses, according to the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. This includes former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain, who also publicly eschewed wearing masks.

The outspoken pastor stood his ground on the issue even when former President Donald Trump, who contracted the virus, called for mask-wearing last summer. Locke had referred to masks as idols.

These have become idols. These dont do anything whatsoever. They are the dumbest thing to have ever been created by humanity, Locke declared last summer. They are scientifically proven to do Jack sprat! But Ill tell you, religiously, what theyve done, theyve divided the body of the Lord Jesus Christ. These things are so dumb.

According to the CDC, masks are primarily intended to reduce the emission of virus-laden droplets. Masks are especially relevant for asymptomatic or presymptomatic infected wearers who feel well and may be unaware of the risk they pose to others. They are estimated to account for more than 50% of transmissions. Masks also help wearers reduce inhalation of these droplets.

In his sermon Sunday, Locke also revealed he had several media interviews scheduled but would give up his next 50 media interviews for just five minutes on ABCs The View with co-host Whoopi Goldberg.

Five minutes on The View with Whoopi Goldberg. Thats all I want, he said. Thats it! Id give up CNN. Id give up NewsMax. Id give up Fox. Id give up all. Man, me and Whoopi got some stuff to talk about on TV. Just one time can one of us preachers say 'Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father.'"
Enoc Group (Emirates National Oil Company) has unveiled its plans to invest AED 250 million ($68 million) of its overall 2021 expenditure towards further progressing its digital transformation strategy.



Enocs growth strategy will place strong emphasis on enhancing its business and operations through digitalisation; which will play a key component in optimizing operations and identifying synergies within its businesses, while continuing to serve its main goal of meeting the growing energy demand in Dubai and the UAE.



The primary focus of the Groups strategy is to leverage its competencies across the energy value chain to identify new avenues for growth, while gearing its efforts on customer centricity, thereby enabling the growth of the UAEs energy sector.



Saif Humaid Al Falasi, Group CEO, Enoc, said: 2020 was an unprecedented year for all and at Enoc we believe that italso presented great opportunities. It made us re-evaluate our operations and urged us to adopt innovative measures to keep up with the fast-paced transformation that our sector is going through. Understanding the current market realities allowed us to introduce changes to emerge as an agile, resilient and future ready organisation, while aligning our efforts with the national mandate.



While increasing our market share remains a priority, we are focused on strengthening our business to ensure that we have the capabilities to face any future challenges. As we gear up to our nations Golden Jubilee, we remain committed to our leaderships vision to honor our past achievements and continue investing to further our digital acceleration and maintaining sustainable growth and diversification to meet UAEs growing energy demands, added Al Falasi.



Enoc plans to adopt state-of-the-art technologies across its operating assets to create efficiencies and enhance value for its shareholders. The Group also plans to educate the current and potential employees on the importance of digitalisation and why it is crucial for the Groups growth for the next 15-20 years.



The talent pool we need to drive for our organisations growth is constantly changing. We are on track with our Emiratisation efforts to achieve 50% by 2021 and are dedicating our efforts to hone our young national talents. We are also working to understand what attracts and motivates young Emirati nationals to join the energy sector.



Wewill dedicate our time and resources to ensure that our employees fully understand the potential that digitalisation has to offer, added Al Falasi.



In 2020, the Group focused its efforts to ensure employee safety, business continuity and maintain asset integrity. Despite the challenges, the Group achieved significant milestones through developing new business models.



These included the optimisation of retail non-fuel business, increasing capabilities of its storage and terminalling arm, enhancing performance of its various subsidiaries, which ultimately contributed to 60 percent in budgetary savings.  TradeArabia News Service
March and April are in the traditional peak season for downstream construction, and steel demand will continue to rise in April of previous years. Taking into account the rapid resumption of downstream work after the holiday this year, it is expected that the steel demand in April will continue the better situation in late March, but the room for growth may be limited.

On the supply side: On the one hand, environmental protection supervision has become stricter this year, and the output growth of long-process steel mills has been suppressed. In particular, it is expected that environmental protection production restrictions in Tangshan will become normal. On the other hand, as the efficiency of steel mills has improved significantly, the enthusiasm for the production of short-process steel mills is on the rise. The supply side is expected to expand slightly in April.

In terms of inventory: According to My steel\'s research, as of March 25, the total national steel inventory (factory warehouse + community warehouse) was 29,581,400 tons, a month-on-month decline for three consecutive weeks, down 15.9% from the same period last year. Steel inventory in March accelerated weekly decline, The fundamentals of supply and demand in the steel market continued to improve.

Entering April, it is expected that the demand for steel will continue to be in a good situation, the output of short-process steel mills will increase or faster, the supply and demand fundamentals of the steel market are biased, and the inventory is expected to further decline, but the decline may be narrowed. Since the Spring Festival, domestic steel prices have risen significantly.

Affected by Steel demand continued to grow in April ,the Nano diamond market is changing rapidly. These changes are indicators of market growth.This year-on-year upward trend in the market indicates that the next November 2020-2026 will show an oval but steady growth.If you are looking for Nano diamond or buy Nano diamond in bulk,please send an email to sales@ozbo.com .

The price of Nano diamond continues to be affected by factors such as market growth momentum,various opportunities and challenges.However,during the forecast period from 2020 to 2026,the global Nano diamond sales market is expected to continue to be above average.The growth rate will continue to increase.It is expected that from today to next week,the price of Nano diamond will increase to a certain extent.

Due to changes in consumer demand,import and export conditions,and various investigations on the development of Nano diamond,the cost of Nano diamond is constantly changing.Taking into account the current market macroeconomic parameters, value chain analysis,channel partners,demand and supply,the cost of Nano diamond will also be affected to a certain extent.It is estimated that the cost of Nano diamond will increase slightly from today to next week.

However,Ozbo.com provides high purity Nano Nano diamond with steady price.In order to feedback to old customers,the company is still in full operations to provide Nano diamond with competitive price.said Olina,sales manager of Ozbo.com.

About Ozbo.com

Ozbo.com (aka.Tanki New Materials Co.Ltd.) is a trusted global chemical material supplier & manufacturer with over 12 years experience in providing super high-quality chemicals and Nanomaterials.As a leading nanotechnology development and Nano diamond manufacturer,Tanki New Materials Co.Ltd dominates the market.Our professional work team provides perfect solutions to help improve the efficiency of various industries,create value,and easily cope with various challenges.If you are looking for Nano diamond, please send an email to sales@ozbo.com
NEW YORK (AP)  An Orthodox Jewish couple sued two New York City agencies that supervise affordable housing lotteries Tuesday, saying their family of eight faced religious discrimination when they were repeatedly rejected because of their familys size.

In the Manhattan federal court lawsuit, Chaim Katz and Chana Katz maintain they faced discrimination from two affordable housing lotteries when they applied for a three-bedroom apartment on Manhattans Lower East Side in 2017.

Their lawyer, Justin Kelton, said they were repeatedly rejected on the basis that the two adults and six children had too many members in their family for affordable housing.

It is extremely upsetting, as you can imagine, to think that youre being discriminated against because of your fervent, deep religious belief in having a large family, he said in an interview.

The lawsuit said the couple has a sincerely held religious belief that having many children is both an obligation and blessing from God. The plaintiffs are seeking a declaration that they were unlawfully discriminated against, in addition to unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.

And, of course, its a fundamental right in this country to practice your religion and its also a right to have affordable housing. You should not have to choose between these two basic rights that everybody needs, Kelton said.

Two city agencies  the New York City Housing Preservation & Development and the New York City Housing Development Corporation  were named as defendants, along with several companies.

We are committed to a fair and equitable process in our housing lottery system, and are reviewing the details of this case, a city law office spokesperson said in a statement.

According to the lawsuit, decisions based on family size disproportionately affected Orthodox Jewish individuals based upon their religious beliefs and tenets.

The lawsuit cited a study that found that nearly half of Orthodox Jewish families have comparatively large families of four children or more.

It also noted that a 2013 Pew Research report found that Orthodox Jewish individuals ages 40 to 59 had an average of 4.1 children in their lifetime, while all other Jewish individuals in that age group had an average of 1.7 children.

In March 2019, the New York State Division of Human Rights determined there was probable cause to believe the city and some companies involved in the affordable housing lotteries had engaged in unlawful discrimination.

Kelton said his clients had heard of other families rejected by affordable housing lotteries because of their size.

He said the Katz family had also been rejected by the lotteries on similar grounds before 2017, but those rejections are not included in the lawsuit because the statute of limitations had expired.

By LARRY NEUMEISTER

Associated Press
Christians in Indian village beaten, forced to reconvert to tribal religions

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Christian families in a village in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh fled after villagers belonging to a tribal religion ostracized and threatened to kill them if they did not convert back to their ancestral religion, but the 10 Christians who could not flee were beaten and forced to reconvert, according to a report.

The village gathering (last month) threatened to beat us to death if we did not attend the ceremony, Raidhar Nag, 21, who was among the Christians who fled Chhingur village in Chhattisgarh states Bastar District, told Morning Star News. They stopped us from fetching water from the village well, obtaining the free government ration or even working in our own fields.

Nag added that while his family and a few others fled the village on March 10, four Christian families decided to hide inside the village. But they were tracked down, beaten and forced to recant their faith and worship tribal deities in a ceremony.

They took them along and forcibly sprinkled some water on them as per the tradition and made them worship the tribal deities, Nag said of the ceremony.

Tensions in Chhingur village began on March 2 when a villager, who had requested that a local pastor pray for him for healing, died and the tribal villagers refused to allow him to be buried. With the intervention of police, area Christians took him to another village for the burial.

Also last month, a mob of about 70 people carrying weapons attacked a group of Christians who were praying at a believers home in Surguda village Bastar District, burning Bibles and vandalizing furniture and injuring at least six Christians, according to the U.K.-based group, Christian Solidarity Worldwide.

Christians in Chhattisgarh state, the majority of whom are from tribal or indigenous people groups, have witnessed a rise in attacks since last September.

The persecution is taking place amid radical Hindu groups campaign to stop the countrys tribal people from converting to Christianity. These groups have been demanding that the government ban those who convert from receiving education and employment opportunities.

Most tribals do not identify as Hindus; they have diverse religious practices and many worship nature. However, the governments census identifies them as Hindu. Radical nationalist groups, which have been working in tribal-majority areas to compete with Christian workers, have influenced some groups among the tribal population.

In three separate attacks in Chhattisgarhs Kondagaon district in September, tribal villagers vandalized 16 houses belonging to Christians from the same tribe and attacked at least one tribal Christian woman, forcing all male family members to flee into jungles for safety at the time.

The Christian men were able to return to their homes days later after the Bilaspur High Court passed an order in a Public Interest Litigation filed by 12 Christians to seek security for the displaced Christians.

Chhattisgarh is one of the states where an anti-conversion law is in force. These laws, which presume that Christians use money or other fraudulent means to convert Hindus, have been in place for decades in some states, but no Christian has been convicted of forcibly converting anyone to Christianity. These laws, however, allow Hindu nationalist groups to make false charges against Christians and launch attacks on them under the pretext of the alleged forced conversion.

Since the current ruling party took power in 2014, incidents against Christians have increased, and Hindu radicals often attack Christians with little to no consequences, noted Open Doors World Watch List last year, which ranked India as the 10th worst country for Christians.

The view of the Hindu nationalists is that to be Indian is to be Hindu, so any other faith  including Christianity  is viewed as non-Indian. Also, converts to Christianity from Hindu backgrounds or tribal religions are often extremely persecuted by their family members and communities, Open Doors said at the time.
Teachers are seeking to have more time off to grieve after the loss of a loved one, describing the current five days as "cruel".

The annual conference of the Teachers Union of Ireland, which represents teachers in post-primary schools and lecturers in institutes of technology, heard how teachers want to get longer bereavement leave after the loss of immediate family members.

Teachers who lose a spouse, partner, child, or parent are allowed five days' consecutive leave, including a Saturday and Sunday. Civil servants, by way of comparison, get 20 days for similar family bereavements.

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Delegate Mary Quaid told the conference she lost her son on a June Bank Holiday, but if the tragedy had occurred during the school year, she wouldn't have been able to return to work.

Bill Kavanagh, a lecturer at Cork Institute of Technology, said he proposed this motion after a colleague, whose wife was terminally ill, asked HR about time off.

He was told he would only get five days off after she passed away.

"You have to look at how it affects people. I would like to support this motion and redouble our efforts to get something done on it," Mr Kavanagh said.

The conference heard how this proposal has previously been rejected by the Department of Education due to the issue of costs.

Other speakers said it was unfair on children to have a teacher forced to come into school when they are not in the right frame of mind.

The leave entitlement depends on the teachers' relationship to the deceased and when the person died.

Up to five days may be taken in the event of an immediate family members' death and a maximum of three days following the death of a near relative, in-law or a member of their religious community.

Near relatives include grandparents, an uncle or aunt or a niece or nephew.

Bereavement leave commences from the day of the death, unless the death occurs after school hours or on a weekend, in which case it starts the following day.
Kolkata: Polling for the crucial third phase of the West Bengal assembly election 2021 is underway in 31 assembly constituencies spread across three districts on Tuesday. Considering the sensitivity of these 31 seats the Election Commission has not only declared all the 10,871 booths sensitive but also made an extensive arrangement to avoid any kind of untoward situation.

These 31 Assembly seats spread across South 24 Parganas, Howrah and Hooghly are crucial both for the Trinamool Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party.

Though in the last Parliamentary election the BJP won 18 seats Assembly segment-wise they only managed to get two out of the 31 seats that are going for the fray on Tuesday.

The TMC despite its dismal performance was able to retain the rest of the 29 seats. Election analysts believe that if the TMC manages to retain its vote share in these 31 Assembly seats then they might have an edge in their run-up to form the government.

On the other hand, the BJP has left no stone unturned to make a dent in this Trinamool bastion. All prominent leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, BJP President JP Nadda have held political rallies and roadshows here.

The interest of the BJP leaders stems from the fact that TMC led in 164 Assembly segments in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, and the BJP in 121 and if BJP can scoop out some seats then it will be a strong step towards the majority.

Factually, the 31 seats are divided among three districts where the election will be held in 16 constituencies of South Parganas, 8 constituencies of Hooghly and 7 constituencies of Howrah.

The total number of electors in these constituencies are 78,56,474 that includes 4,049 service voters with 39,97,218 are male electors and 38,59,013 female voters.

The total number of polling stations are 10,871 that includes 8,480 main and 2,391 auxiliary booths. The number of 80 plus voters is 1,26,177 while 64,083 are PWD (Persons with Disabilities) voters. The total number of third-gender voters is 243 while overseas voters are only two.

The election data also shows that 205 candidates including 13 females from different political parties are in the fray for the third phase of polls.

"The auxiliary booths have been set up to abide by the Covid norms in the voting process as per guidelines of the Commission that mandates that there should not be more than 1,000 voters in a particular booth," a senior official of the state CEO (Chief Electoral Officer) office said.

The Election Commission has made an extensive arrangement to avoid any kind of untoward situation. The highest poll body has deployed 22 general observers, nine expenditure observers and seven police observers and 914 micro-observers for the third phase of polls.

There will be webcasting facilities in 5,507 booths, video facilities in 326 places. Apart from that, there will be 1,694 CCTVs to monitor the polling process.

The Election Commission has decided to deploy 618 companies of central forces for the third phase and has also retained another 89 companies of central forces from the second phase which are already stationed in South 24 Parganas and that pushes up the number of forces to 707 companies - the highest deployment in this election so far.

South 24 Parganas divided into three police districts including Baruipur, Diamond Harbour and Sunderban - has the highest deployment with 396 companies of central paramilitary forces for its 5,544 booths with a concentration of approximately 5.1 personnel per booth. According to sources in the commission, of the 396 companies 151 companies will be deployed in Baruipur PD, 113 companies in Diamond Harbour and another 132 companies have been commissioned for Sunderban PD.

Apart from that another 166 companies will be deployed for eight Assembly constituencies of Hooghly and 133 companies for seven constituencies of Howrah rural areas. In Hooghly and Howrah, there are cumulatively 5,120 booths for which the commission has allotted 298 companies of central forces with a concentration of 4.1 personnel per booth.

Sources in the commission said that the central forces will be used not only for booth management but will also accompany the Quick Response Teams. "The central forces will be mainly deployed in and around the booths and the state force will be used for the maintenance of law and order. The constables will be used for the queue management," the EC official said.

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NEW YORK and TEL AVIV, Israel, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- HASAQUE SPAC Advisors, the SPAC-focused investment advisor and research provider, today released a new market report, covering the top 30 Israeli-tech companies that could go public through a SPAC merger, according to HASAQUE's analysts. The report provides a business overview and key insights on each company, as well as founders' bios and contact details. According to Zvika Finkelstein, HASAQUE's Founder and CEO:

HASAQUE SPAC Advisors

"In light of the growing competition among SPAC sponsors to find the best companies to take public, we decided to launch a series of market reports that cover some privately-held companies that we believe could be a great fit to going public via SPAC. The new repot introduces the Israeli tech ecosystem as a fertile ground for acquisitions by US-listed SPACs, as more Israeli companies are discovering the SPAC route as a viable back door to Wall-St, while at the same time, many new SPACs mention the Israeli tech sector as a target area."

The new report, which is available now on HASAQUE's website, features some of the most promising privately-held technology companies that were either established in Israel, founded by Israelis, or have significant operations in Israel. The covered companies operate in a wide range of sectors including Fintech, Media, Healthcare, Agtech, Proptech, Foodtech, Insurtech, Gaming and Cybersecurity, among others.

About HASAQUE SPAC Advisors

HASAQUE is an alternative investment advisor which is purely focused on Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs). The company delivers agnostic analyses of SPAC transactions and business combinations across the US capital markets, offering the most comprehensive library of SPAC-focused due-diligence reports currently available on the market. For more information regarding HASAQUE's offerings, please refer to its website at HASAQUE.com

Disclaimer

Under no circumstances should any information contained above be construed as investment advice, or as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or other financial instruments. The financial instruments discussed above may not be suitable for all investors and investors must make their own investment decisions based upon their specific investment objectives and financial situation utilizing their own financial advisors as they deem necessary.

HASAQUE's research and advisory services are provided on a standalone basis. The company does not have a brokerage business, nor it holds any commercial relationships with companies under its coverage.

Contact Details

Laura Miscolzi / [email protected] / +972-842-0719

SOURCE HASAQUE SPAC Advisors

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Shares of and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) surged 10 per cent to Rs 814.95, also its fresh record high, on the BSE in the intra-day trade on Tuesday after the company reported a 41 per cent year on year (YoY) jump in cargo volume business at 26 million metric tonnes (MMT) in March. The stock of the Adani Group company surpassed its previous high of Rs 768.40, touched on March 8.

Earlier today, APSEZ said that it handled cargo volume of 73 MMT in January-March quarter of the financial year 2021 (Q4FY21). For the full FY21, APSEZ handled cargo volume of 247 MMT, registering a growth of 11 per cent on a YoY basis.

Market share of APSEZ in container increased to 41 per cent of All India container volume in FY21. The west coast ports of APSEZ (Mundra and Hazira) handled 6.32 Mn TEUs of container volume in FY21. The market share of western ports, the company said, has increased to 48 per cent in FY21 in container segment.

In a separate regulatory filing on April 4, APSEZ informed the stock exchanges that the company has signed agreement with Vishwa Samudra Holdings Pvt. Ltd., to acquire 25 per cent stake of Adani.

"The company has signed agreement with Vishwa Samudra Holdings Pvt. Ltd., to acquire 25 per cent stake of Adani Krishnapatnam Port Limited for Rs 2,800 crore. This will result in APSEZ increasing its stake from 75 per cent to 100 per cent in Krishnapatnam Port," it said.

Krishnapatnam Port is engaged in the business of handling containers, coal, break bulk and other bulk cargo including liquid cargo. Krishnapatnam Port is an all-weather; deep water port has multi-cargo facility with a current capacity of 64 MMTPA. With a waterfront of 20 km and 6,800 acres of land, Krishnapatnam Port has a master plan capacity of 300 MMTPA and a 50 year concession.

The port is expected to have volumes of 38 MMT, revenues of Rs 1,840 crore and Ebitda (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) of Rs 1,325 crore in FY21. Since the acquisition, Krishnapatnam Port has focused on business process re-engineering which has resulted in Ebitda margins improving from 57 per cent in FY20 to 72 per cent in FY21.

The management said Krishnapatnam Port is on track to handle double the traffic by 2025 and will deliver high growth through a multi-product and cargo enhancement strategy while enhancing return on capital employed. We are confident that we will be able to double throughput and triple Ebitda at Krishnapatnam Port by 2025, it said.

At 01:43 pm, the stock was trading 9 per cent higher at Rs 806, as compared to a 0.12 per cent decline in the S&P BSE Sensex. The trading volumes on the counter more-than-doubled with a combined 46 million equity shares having changed hands on the BSE and NSE till the time of writing of this report.
(Natural News) A vaccine research expert has published an open letter calling on the World Health Organization (WHO) to immediately halt all coronavirus (COVID-19) mass vaccinations. According to Dr. Geert Vanden Bossche, mass vaccinations could lead to the emergence of more dangerous forms of the virus.

Vanden Bossches concerns center around the notion that a combination of lockdowns and extreme selection pressure on the virus, induced by the intense global mass vaccination program, might diminish the number of cases, hospitalizations and deaths in the short-term, but will ultimately induce the emergence of more dangerous variants.

I am not against vaccination. On the contrary, I can assure you that each of the current vaccines has been designed, developed and manufactured by brilliant and competent scientists, wrote Dr. Vanden Bossche, a seasoned vaccine developer who coordinated the Ebola vaccine program at the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI).

However, this type of prophylactic vaccines is completely inappropriate, and even highly dangerous, when used in mass vaccination campaigns during a viral pandemic,

A prophylactic or preventative vaccine involves introducing antigens into a persons body. The goal is that the individuals immune system will create antibodies for those antigens, and become immune to the associated illness.

Vaccination drives, government interventions make matters worse

Vanden Bossche believes that the ongoing mass vaccination drives are likely to further enhance adaptive immune escape as none of the current vaccines will prevent replication or transmission of viral variants.

Immune escape is a term used to describe when the host, in this case humans, is no longer able to recognize and counter a pathogen such as a relevant variant or mutant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes COVID-19.

The more we use these vaccines for immunizing people in the midst of a pandemic, the more infectious the virus will become, Vanden Bossche wrote. With increasing infectiousness comes an increased likelihood of viral resistance to the vaccines. (Related: Biden plans to expand coronavirus vaccine injections nationwide using FEMA and the National Guard.)

Under this scenario, manufacturers will be forced to refine or improve the vaccines, which will then increase the selection pressure.

Selection pressure is a term used to describe the process that helps an organism or pathogen to evolve in ways that make it better adapted to its changing environment. An antibiotic resistance, which is caused by overuse of antibiotic drugs, is a good example of selection pressure.

The virus will effectively outsmart the highly specific antigen-based vaccines that are being used and tweaked.

Vanden Bossche said the multiple emerging, much more infectious viral variants are already examples of immune escape from our innate immunity, and most-likely created by the government interventions themselves  lockdowns and mask mandates.

Our innate immune system, which often called the first line of immune defense, protects us from a multitude of pathogens, thereby preventing these pathogens from causing disease.

As the innate immune system cannot remember the pathogens it encountered  innate immunity has no so-called immunological memory  we can only continue to rely on it provided we keep it trained well enough.

By keeping the innate immune system trained, we can much more easily resist germs which have real pathogenic potential. It has, for example, been reported and scientifically proven that exposure to other, quite harmless coronaviruses causing a common cold can provide protection, although short-lived, against Covid-19 and its loyal henchmen (i.e., the more infectious variants), wrote Dr. Vanden Bossche.

Training is achieved by regular exposure to a myriad of environmental agents, including pathogens. Thus, lockdowns and mask mandates are possibly stunting the training of our innate immune system.

Vanden Bossche noted that suppression of innate immunity, especially in the younger age groups, can become very problematic. There can be no doubt that lack of exposure due to stringent containment measures implemented as of the beginning of the pandemic has not been beneficial to keeping peoples innate immune system well trained, he wrote.

McGill article discredits Dr. Vanden Bossche

An article published by the website McGill discredited the scientific evidence presented by Vanden Bossche in his open letter.

The article stated that in the letter, Dr. Vanden Bossche makes a number of incorrect or exaggerated claims about the use of mass vaccination during a pandemic.

The writer of the article reached out to Dr. Paul Offit, a pediatrician who specialized in vaccines and immunology and the co-inventor of the rotavirus vaccine, to get his thoughts on whether antibiotic resistance and vaccine-associated immune escape are indeed comparable.

In a sense it is, but he misses the main point, Dr. Offit said. If you have a vaccine that results in high levels of neutralizing antibodies, thats not a way to create variants.

A vaccine shows your body an inert part of the virus so that it can make neutralizing antibodies against it. If the body ends up making low levels of these antibodies, this could allow the virus to stick around in your body and make copies of itself. Some of these copies may by chance have the right kinds of errors in their genetic code to become variants of concern, although the mutation rate of the coronavirus is quite low.

The article also asserted that data from the vaccine clinical trials and from countries that have vaccinated a large percentage of their population showed a significant reduction in cases and mortality.

Another important counterpoint to Dr. Vanden Bossches claim is that we can simply reformulate our vaccines to match new variants of concern, the article stated.

The article continued: There is a reason why a new flu vaccine is made each year: The influenza virus drifts and shifts and the vaccine needs to be reformulated to be a better match for the specific viruses that are predicted to be common during the next flu season. Similarly, if a new SARS-CoV-2 variant emerges and is so different that our current vaccines dont match it, scientists can simply tweak their vaccines.

But Vanden Bossche has expected this kind of argument from non-experts and rebuffed them. My statements are based on nothing else but science. They shall only be contradicted by science, he wrote in his open letter.

Follow Immunization.news for more news and information related to coronavirus vaccines.

Sources include:

Dryburgh.com

WakingTimes.com

McGill.ca
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  Well, you cant call it sweltering or Phoenix-like, but Albuquerque on Monday managed to tie the highest temperature on record for April 5.

At 4:59 p.m. Monday, the official high was 81 degrees, matching the record set in 1972. The lowest reading for Monday was 48 degrees at 5:15 a.m., about 8 degrees above normal and significantly above the lowest temperature on record for the date  19 degrees, set in 1945  according to Todd Shoemake, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Albuquerque.

To put Mondays high temperatures in perspective, the average high is 66 degrees, and the normal lows are around 40 degrees, Shoemake said.

Sundays high temperature of 80 was just a couple of degrees shy of the record of 82 degrees set in 1943.

If you kind of look back on the last 20 or 30 years, our normal temperatures are increasing, and thats largely attributed to climate change and urbanization, Shoemake said.

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Thats especially true for nighttime temperatures, which are really creeping up more so than the daytime high temperatures, and a lot of that is all the concrete and asphalt, which acts like a heat sink and continues to radiate that heat back out long after the sun sets, Shoemake said.

National Weather Service forecasters also issued red-flag high-wind warnings for 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, the latter for all of north and central New Mexico due to strong winds, low humidity and what they call an unstable atmosphere.

Sustained winds of 20 to 35 mph, with gusts to 55 mph are expected, with humidity dropping below 10% and dipping below 5% in the Rio Grande Valley.
Panacea Biotec share rose 20% today after the drug maker said it has inked pact with Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) to produce 100 million doses per year of the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine in India. Share of the pharma firm rose 19.99% to Rs 220.85 against previous close of Rs 184.40 on BSE.

The stock opened with a gain of 15.68% at Rs 212.90. Panacea Biotec stock is trading higher than 5 day, 20 day, 50 day, 100 day and 200 day moving averages. The share has risen 70% in one year and fallen 10.17% since the beginning of this year. Market cap of the firm rose to Rs 1,314 crore on BSE.

Production of Sputnik V at Panacea Biotec sites will help facilitate global supply of Sputnik V to international partners of RDIF, the New-Delhi based company said in a release. Panacea Biotec has production facilities at Baddi (Himachal Pradesh), Lalru (Punjab) and Delhi.

Sputnik V, the human adenoviral vector-based platform vaccine candidate developed by Russia's Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, was registered by the Ministry of Health of Russia on August 11, 2020.

"Efficacy of Sputnik V is 91.6 per cent as confirmed by the data published in the Lancet, one of the world's oldest and most respected medical journals," the release said. "Vaccine partnerships are the only way to overcome the pandemic...Cooperation with Panacea Biotec is an important step to produce the vaccine in India and to supply our international partners around the world," RDIF CEO Kirill Dmitriev said.

Share Market LIVE Updates: Sensex rises over 300 pts, Nifty above 14,750; Bajaj Finance, Powergrid top gainers

Panacea Biotec MD Rajesh Jain said the company will produce Sputnik V in its internationally accredited facilities, complying to strict GMP (good manufacturing practice) standards and prequalified by WHO.
Civil rights leader the Reverend Jesse Jackson has today weighed into the UK's debate on race, by saying that Britain is the 'mother of racism'.

The influential American, 79, said Britain must face up to its role in slavery, as he flatly rejected the findings of the recent report into race and racism in the UK.

It comes after the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities, chaired by Tony Sewell, said it could find no conclusive evidence of institutionalised racism in Britain.

In its report, the commission also declared that the UK was a model to the world of a successful multi-ethnic society - while accepting that 'overt' prejudice still exists.

However, Rev Jackson, who worked closely with civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr, said there was a 'pattern of racism' in the UK.

Speaking to Times Radio, he said: 'Britain has a certain responsibility to face up to racism and change it.

Civil rights leader the Reverend Jesse Jackson (pictured today speaking to Times Radio) has today weighed into the UK's debate on race, by saying that Britain is the 'mother of racism'

For more than 200 hundred years Britain was at the very centre of the transatlantic slave trade (pictured: A drawing showing a slave trader holding a cane as slaves are forced to work) It is believed that English sea captain Sir John Hawkins led the first slaving expedition around 1562 under the commission of Queen Elizabeth I

'I've traveled across Britain and clearly there's a pattern of racism.'

Britains role in the transatlantic slave trade: How 3.1million Africans were transported to colonies in the Caribbean, North and South America For more than 200 hundred years Britain was at the very centre of the transatlantic slave trade. It is believed that English sea captain Sir John Hawkins led the first slaving expedition around 1562 under the commission of Queen Elizabeth I. He set sail with three ships to the West African nation of Sierra Leon, where he captured 300 slaves, and took them to the plantations in the Americas before heading back to Europe. This would later become known as the Atlantic triangular slave trade. Initially slaves were transported to Spanish and Portuguese colonies in South America - in what is sometimes known as the 'First Transatlantic Slave Trade'. In what is now modern day American, the first slaves arrived in 1619 arriving at what is now Fort Hampton in Virginia - beginning the 'Second Transatlantic Slave Trade'. The arrival was a year earlier than the pilgrims, who arrived on the Mayflower at Cape Cod, Massachusett, in 1620. Back in England, in 1660, the Royal Africa Company were granted a charter to carry Africans to the Americas. The company would ship more African slaves to the Americas than any other institution in the history of the transatlantic slave trade. Many of the slaves were taken from Africa to British colonies, including Jamaica. By 1690 the English were shipping the most slaves from West Africa, though Portuguese Angola was also a major contributor to the slave trade. As the 18th century drew on, and the slave trade continued, opinion back at home was changing. Slavery was made illegal in Scotland in 1778 and in 1790 the first bill for the Abolition of the Slave Trade was put through Parliament - though it was initially knocked back by MPs. It would take another 17 years, until 1807, that the transatlantic slave trade was abolished by the British Parliament. Slavery was finally abolished in 1834 but in reality for many of those enslaved it continued until at least 1838 through apprenticeship schemes. In America, Northern states had abolished slavery in some way by 1805 - though the process was in parts gradual. The Southern states would continue with slavery. When Abraham Lincoln won the 1860 election on a platform of halting the expansion of slavery, seven slave states broke away to form the Confederacy. After the American civil war, the Emancipation Proclamation and the Confiscation Act effectively ended slavery in 1863. However it was not officially ratified in the American Constitution until 1865, when the Thirteenth Amendment was added. Current estimates are that as many as 13million Africans were shipped across the Atlantic over a span of 400 years. Of those, Britain is thought to have transported around three million, according to the National Archive. Advertisement

He also claimed 'blacks cannot... be part of the Crown' when asked if he thought the Royal Family was racist - in the wake of Meghan Markle's bombshell claims made in her interview with Oprah Winfrey.

The Duchess of Sussex claimed an unnamed member of the royal family had asked what colour skin Archie would be when she was pregnant with Prince Harry's first child.

Reverand Jackson refused to say if he thought the royal family were racist, but instead said the marriage between Harry and Meghan showed 'change is in the air'.

He added: 'In a democracy, everybody has the chance to be everything.

'(There is) no superior race and no inferior race. All of us have royal blood. We're all God's children. Everybody matters.'

Rev Jackson is one of the most influential civil rights campaigners of his generation and was once close with Martin Luther King Jr.

The baptist minister was by the side of the civil rights campaigner when he was assassinated in 1968.

Alongside his civil rights work, Rev Jackson has also been involved in the creation of charities and twice ran to become the presidential candidate for the Democrats in the 1980s.

His criticism comes amid a strong debate over the findings of the report, which were published last week.

The Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities, set up by Boris Johnson in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests, concluded that although Britain is not yet a 'post-racial society', its success should be a model for white-majority countries.

Chairman Dr Sewell said the UK had progressed into a 'successful multi-ethnic and multicultural community' which was a 'beacon to the rest of Europe and the world'.

He warned ministers must also consider the needs of the white working class, saying his report had uncovered how 'stuck' some groups were.

Dr Sewell later insisted he was not denying the existence of racism - but railed against people deploying the charge of institutional racism 'willy-nilly'.

But the report has faced a chorus of criticism from campaigners and politicians, including Baroness Doreen Lawrence.

Baroness Lawrence, whose son Stephen was murdered in 1993 in a racially motivated attack in south-east London, said the authors of the report are 'not in touch with reality'.

Speaking at a public event organised by De Montfort University Leicester's Stephen Lawrence Research Centre on Wednesday, she said: 'When I first heard about the report my first thought was it has pushed [the fight against] racism back 20 years or more.

'I think if you were to speak to somebody whose employer speaks to them in a certain way, where do you go with that now?

'If a person is up for promotion and has been denied that, where does he go with that now?

'You know, all these things we've been working for and showing that structural racism exists - we talk about the pandemic when you look at how many of our people have died, all the nurses, the doctors, the frontline staff, of Covid, and to have this report denying that those people have suffered... they are denying that the likes of my son was murdered through racism and the fact that it took 18 years to get justice for him. The report is denying all those issues.

'Those people who marched for Black Lives Matter? It's denying all of that. The George Floyd stuff? It's denied all of that.

'So those who sit behind this report (saying) that racism doesn't exist or it no longer exists need to speak to the young boys who are stopped and searched constantly on the street. They need to speak to those young people.'

Baroness Lawrence continued: 'They (the report authors) are not in touch with reality basically.

'That's what it boils down to. When you are privileged you do not have those experiences.

Reverend Jackson rejected the report by the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities, chaired by Dr Tony Sewell (pictured), which concluded there was no evidence of institutionalised racism in Britain

Civil rights leader the Reverend Jesse Jackson has today weighed into the UK race row, by saying that Britain is the 'mother of racism'

Rev Jackson is one of the most influential civil rights campaigners of his generation, having been close with Martin Luther King. Pictured: Rev Jackson walks with then Mayor of London Ken Livingston during an anti-war march in London in 2003

'My son was murdered because of racism and you cannot forget that. Once you start covering it up, it is giving the green light to racists.

'You imagine what's going to happen come tomorrow. What's going to happen on our streets with our young people? You are giving racists the green light.'

Labour justice spokesman David Lammy said black Britons were being 'gaslighted' and called the report an insult to anyone in Britain who had experienced structural racism.

Meanwhile, Boris Johnson insisted there are 'serious issues that our society faces to do with racism' and that work needed to be done to 'fix it', but warned the report's findings weren't necessarily aligned with the thoughts of those at No10.

He said: 'This is a very interesting piece of work. I don't say the Government is going to agree with absolutely everything in it, but it has some original and stimulating work in it that I think people need to read and to consider.

'There are very serious issues that our society faces to do with racism that we need to address.'
Photo credit: Courtesy of Sotheby's

On 11 May, an exquisite diamond and pearl tiara that has been passed down through generations of the Italian royal family will be the star lot of Sothebys Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels auction, to be held in Geneva.

Composed of scroll motifs set with cushion, circular and single-cut diamonds, framing 11 drop-shaped natural pearls (a symbol of wealth and status since time immemorial), the diadem is believed to have been created by the Court Jeweller of Turin and will be on sale with an estimate of between 700,000 and 1.1 million.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Sothebys

The headpiece dates from the second half of the 19th century and is thought to have been presented to the Italian noblewoman Maria Vittoria Dal Pozzo, the sixth Princess of La Cisterna, on the occasion of her marriage in 1867 to Amadeo I of Savoy, Duke of Aoste, the son of King Vittorio Emanuele II of Italy.

Established in 1003, the House of Savoy is one of the oldest royal dynasties in the world and at one point ruled over Sicily, Sardinia, Italy and, briefly, Spain. In 1870, Amedeo was elected of King of Spain in place of the deposed Queen Isabella II, making Maria Vittoria his Queen Consort.

Photo credit: Museo Romantico-Grabado, Comunidad de Madrid, Espana

This important royal piece comes on sale at a time of unprecedented demand for antique tiaras, fuelled by a growing international appreciation of the jewels as works of art as well as historical artefacts - plus various recent high-profile royal weddings and the return of regal headpieces in fashion, as seen on the Dolce & Gabbana, Simone Rocha and Givenchy catwalks.

Tiaras have always been the crowing glory of major jewellery collections but in the past decade, their popularity has soared to unprecedented heights, says Benoit Repellin, the head of the upcoming Sothebys Geneva Magnificent Jewels auction. The tiara we have the privilege to present in Geneva in May encapsulates all the pomp, power and presence associated with royal jewels, and with an option to be worn as a necklace, the versatility of [this piece] will undoubtedly make it a very covetable piece for many collectors.

Story continues

In another first, would-be bidders (indeed, anyone who fancies seeing themselves in a piece of royal headwear) can now try on the tiara in virtual reality thanks to a new filter created for Sothebys, which is available now via the auction house's Instagram handle, @Sothebys, and its dedicated jewellery account, @SothebysJewels.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Sothebys

As a final touch, the new filter even comes with a 360-degree background of an Italian royal palace: the Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigni in Turin  the former hunting lodge for the House of Savoy. Consider it the ultimate opportunity to try before you buy.

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-06 11:00:42|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, April 6 (Xinhua) -- In the battle against poverty, China has accumulated valuable experience which belongs both to China itself and to the rest of the world, and offers enlightenment to the international community, said a white paper released Tuesday.

Bearing in mind its prevailing reality and understanding the nature of poverty and the status of poverty reduction, China embarked on a path of poverty reduction and designed an approach with Chinese characteristics, according to the white paper titled "Poverty Alleviation: China's Experience and Contribution."

In this battle, the nation has upheld the leadership of the Communist Party of China and the people-centered philosophy. It has taken advantage of one of the strengths of its socialist system -- the ability to pool resources on major endeavors, said the document.

The country has also adopted targeted measures and stimulated the enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity of the people in poverty.

While carrying forward the great tradition of working together and offering mutual support, China has adopted a down-to-earth and pragmatic style of work, the white paper said. Enditem
The Edo State chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) is yet to join the nationwide strike directed by its national leadership on Tuesday.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that JUSUN had in an April 1, 2021 circular, directed all its states and zonal heads to comply with the strike as from Tuesday.

JUSUN had called for the strike in protest against the failure of the government to comply with a constitutional provision granting financial autonomy to the judiciary and a judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja affirming it in a January 2014 judgment.

The union had similarly embarked on a three-week strike in January 2015, over the failure to obey the court judgment.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the fresh strike directive was enforced in Lagos, Kaduna, Kano, and Benue states, as well as Abuja, and other parts of the country on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the members of the union refused to be part of the strike in Edo State on the grounds of what they called the 2015 experience.

2015 experience

A NAN correspondent, who visited some of the courts in Benin, the capital of Edo state, observed that workers were at their duty posts, notwithstanding the directive of the national body of JUSUN.

One of the workers, who spoke with NAN but did not give his name, said that they were not ready for the strike based on their experience when they joined a similar nationwide strike in 2015.

He said, In 2015, we joined the nationwide strike and the state government refused to pay our salary for seven months. The national body did not intervene and till date, we have not been paid.

The state chairman of JUSUN, Uyi Ogieriakhi, who spoke on the development, said that the union executives got the information late on April 1 and could not address the workers before the close of work that day.

But he said the workers in the state were afraid of a repeat of the 2015 experience.

Mr Ogieriakhi said, The truth of the matter is that in 2015, we joined this same strike.

The state government, under then Governor Adams Oshiomhole, refused to pay us for the six months period of the strike, including the one month he was owing us before, making it seven months.

So, the workers are now afraid. These are poor workers who live on salaries, and the national body just directed that we should proceed on another strike.

But even aside from that, we got the information late on Thursday, while Friday and Monday were public holidays and we couldnt address our members.

The option now is that they should come to work today so that we can brief them on the directive from the national body to which we cant say no.

Continuing, he said, Dont look at the situation today. We may decide to observe the strike from tomorrow. Its just because we got the directive late.

(NAN)

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The Feed in Tariff (FIT) price of VND2,000 per kwh will expire in seven months, but the price for the next period has not been fixed yet.

Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) reported that it has signed contracts on purchasing electricity from 113 wind power projects with total capacity of 6,038 MW. Twelve projects with total capacity of 582 MW have been put into commercial operation.

Reports by investors show that 87 projects (4,432 MW) may become operational prior to October 31, 2021. Meanwhile, 14 projects (1,024 MW) are not likely to become operational prior to that day.

However, the figures reported by investors are described as "too optimistic". Analysts point out that some investors have not completed site clearance. But firms say their can complete construction prior to the deadline to be eligible for the FIT.

In Quang Tri alone, the total electricity capacity of all sources approved by the provincial authorities is 4,724 MW.

According to the provincial Industry and Trade Department, of 25 approved projects, only 16 can open before October 31.

However, experts believe the number of projects will be no more than eight to 10.

An investor implementing three wind power projects in Ninh Thuan and Dak Lak provinces said he is worried as the proposal to extend the FIT until the end of 2022 has not been approved, and there is no information about the new price.

He said it is more difficult to execute wind power projects than solar power. Covid-19 has made it harder to buy equipment and materials and to send specialists to Vietnam, slowing down project implementation.

Even when equipment docks at Vietnams ports, it is not easy to move oversized or overweight cargo.

Wind power projects also heavily depend on weather conditions. There are only three months in the year when the conditions are favorable enough to install equipment and meet standards and requirements on labor safety.

Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) reported that it has signed contracts on purchasing electricity from 113 wind power projects with total capacity of 6,038 MW. Twelve projects with total capacity of 582 MW have been put into commercial operation.

As a result, it is doubtful that 4,432 MW of wind power will be operational by October 31. About 2,000 MW is the more realistic figure.

Investors want transparency

With total capacity of 582 MW, wind power accounts for less than 1 percent of total capacity (70,000 MW). Solar power, however, is witnessing a boom.

Under the eighth national power development plan, Vietnam would have 11,320 MW of wind power. As for solar power, the total capacity of solar power by the end of 2020 had exceeded the designed capacity by 2025.

Experts believe that wind power should be promoted because it is more efficient and stable than solar power.

Once the Covid-19 pandemic is contained, the demand for electricity will increase. The ongoing electricity oversupply will exist only for a short time.

The development of different electricity generation sources is needed to avoid electricity shortages which occurred in 2018 and 2019.

At meetings with Quang Tri provincial Peoples Committee and EVN, many investors proposed extending the FIT application. However, EVN said this is within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Government.

In late 2020, the Ministry of Industry and Investment (MOIT) sent a document to the Government, proposing to continue the FIT after October 31, but at lower prices.

It proposed prices of 7.02 cent per kwh for onshore projects that will be operational from November 2021 to December 2022, and 6.81 cent for projects to be operational in 2022.

As for offshore projects, the prices are 8.47 cent and 8.21 cent, respectively.

At a working session with wind power investors in Quang Tri province, an EVN leader asked if investors would develop projects with these tentative prices.

Huong Hoa has become the main wind power site of Quang Tri province. There are 22 communes and towns in the district, and half of the communes have wind power investors.

In reply, an investor did not answer, but said that under the pressure of time, the prices for equipment, construction and transportation all will be higher. And assessment of investment efficiency will be based on the FIT of VND2,000 per kwh as stipulated in Decision 39.

However, investors need to be informed about the new policies as soon as possible.

Luong Bang

Wind power developers worried about low electricity price The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) has proposed continuing the FIT (feed in tariff) for wind power, but lowering the tariff by 20 percent, causing concern among wind power developers.
RTHK: Rescuers hunt for survivors after Indonesia storm

Rescuers searched for dozens of people missing in remote islands of southeast Indonesia on Tuesday while expecting more casualties in the aftermath of a tropical cyclone that has killed at least 128.

Helicopters were deployed to aid the search for survivors among 72 people reported missing so far in the East Nusa Tenggara islands, where tropical cyclone Seroja brought strong winds and heavy rains that triggered flash floods and landslides.

An amateur video taken by a local official in Tanjung Batu village on Lembata island, home to the Mount Ile Lewotolok volcano, showed felled trees and large rocks of cold lava that had crushed homes after being dislodged by the cyclone.

Authorities said the death toll could rise as rescuers reach more isolated areas.

Images from the region on Monday showed downed trees, choppy seas and wooden homes flattened by the storm and debris floating in muddy floodwater.

At least 8,424 people were displaced, nearly 2,000 buildings including a hospital impacted, and more than 100 homes heavily damaged by the cyclone, which had moved over the Indian Ocean by Tuesday morning, headed towards northern Australia.

Weather agency head Dwikorita Karnawati said once-rare tropical cyclones were happening more often in Indonesia and climate change could be to blame.

"Seroja is the first time we're seeing tremendous impact because it hit the land. It's not common," she told a news conference.

In nearby West Nusa Tenggara province, authorities on Monday said two had died, while in neighbouring country East Timor at least 27 have died.

Some residents of Lembata island may have been washed away by mud into the sea.

The deputy head of the district hoped help was on the way.

"We were only able to search on the seashore, not in the deeper area, because of lack of equipment yesterday," Thomas Ola Langoday told Reuters by phone.

Lembata suffered a volcano eruption last month, wiping out vegetation atop the mountain, which allowed hardened lava to slide towards 300 houses when the cyclone struck, he said.

President Joko Widodo held a cabinet meeting on Tuesday to speed up evacuation and relief efforts and the restoration of power.

"If we cannot reach there by road, I ask that we swiftly open the access by sea as well as by air," the president said, adding that extreme weather had hampered aid distribution. (Reuters)

This story has been published on: 2021-04-06. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
IIHS

Why the crash took place to begin with is still unknown, although CarNewsChina reports that local authorities believe driver error may have been at fault: Due to improper operation, the vehicle lost control and collided with the electric bicycle.Improper operation does sound like something the driver would be responsible forthe human element, so to speak. But without an official inquiry, its impossible to say whos to blame and in exacly what capacity.In terms of damage, the Teslas front fascia disintegrating the way it did is nothing new . In fact, its part of the cars passive safety capabilities where the front-end crumples up as much as possible to absorb the shock of a collision. The driver was really lucky not to have been hurt by that railing that smashed through the windshield, though.Even with cars as advanced as the Tesla Model 3, accidents can still happen. Sure, you have a bundle of driver-assistance systems designed to keep you out of trouble, but theres no such thing as foolproof in this industry, at least not yet. Generally speaking, though, the Model 3 aced both itsand Euro NCAP tests, so rest assured that driving a Tesla means driving a very safe automobile.Of course, if youre wondering what happened to this Model 3s lane-keeping tech or its emergency braking system, know that those are some very valid questions. So, if the driver really was at fault, they may have made some really poor choices in the moments leading up to the crash.
World Bank President David Malpass has said that with the Serum Institute, India is blessed to have a major manufacturer of global vaccines and he is encouraged by the country's ramping up of its domestic vaccination programme. Malpass made the comments on Monday during a media roundtable ahead of the spring meeting of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.

I've had substantial contact with the Serum Institute. India is blessed with having a major manufacturer of global vaccines in India, he said. Responding to a question, Malpass said that he has encouraged more transparency in terms of what the national requirements are for local production, and that extends to countries around the world.

It hasn't been clear, whether in the United States or in Europe, or in South Africa, or in India, what the requirements are of their local production to meet local demands. I've been encouraged by India's ramping up of its domestic vaccination programme, and we're working with them on that. This is a high priority for the world, Malpass said.

Because capacity constraints are immense, it takes a lot of people to do the scale of vaccination campaign that we are conducting, he said. The Health Ministry on Saturday said that the India has administered a total of 7,06,18,026 COVID-19 vaccine doses till Friday.

As such, Malpass said it is important and vital to have early delivery of vaccines to developing countries because it's going to take a long time to actually do the vaccinations. So, I think one of the highest priorities for the world is to begin allowing the supply of vaccines to go to developing countries themselves, including the poorest countries, so that the vaccination process can get under way, Malpass said.

By the middle of this year, he said, the World Bank will have 50 countries with the financing contracts in place that allow the funding to be used to buy vaccines as those become available from around the world. The bank is working actively on that, he said. India, he said, is the World Bank's biggest programme, and as such he mentioned climate change issues.

As we work with India and the transitions that are done in order to have cleaner, lower-carbon fuels for electricity, all forms of energy is going to be one of the world's highest challenges, and I know India is working directly on that itself. It's an important country within the world's mix in terms of both greenhouse gas emissions and in terms of adaptation, Malpass said.

According to the Johns Hopkins University data, there are 131,666,045 COVID-19 cases worldwide with 2,858,491 deaths.

Also read: 50 high-level teams rushed to Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Punjab amid Covid spike

Also read: COVID-19 vaccination: Uddhav Thackeray asks PM Modi to reduce eligible age to 25 yrs
London: The World Health Organisation says people should not be required to prove they have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to travel overseas, warning that vaccine passports would isolate poorer countries.

Dr Mike Ryan, who leads WHOs public health emergencies program, said it was vital to record that a person had been vaccinated, but said using that information to allow or prohibit a person from taking part in regular life raised complex, ethical issues.

The World Health Organisation says people should not have to prove they are vaccinated before they can travel internationally. Credit:Andrew Quilty

This is a complex issue ... There are ethical issues regarding equity, we already have a huge issue with vaccine equity in the world, Dr Ryan told a virtual news conference from WHOs headquarters in Geneva.

The imposition of requirements for certification of vaccination before travel could introduce another layer or such inequity.
Xi congratulates Nguyen Xuan Phuc on election as Vietnam's new president

Xinhua) 08:25, April 06, 2021

BEIJING, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday sent a congratulatory message to Nguyen Xuan Phuc on his election as Vietnam's state president.

In his message, Xi pointed out that China and Vietnam are socialist neighbors linked by mountains and rivers.

Since last year, the two countries have helped each other and together made major achievements in the COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control, Xi said.

With continuous sound development in bilateral relations, the two countries have jointly written a new chapter of China-Vietnam neighborly friendship, Xi said.

Noting that the world today is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, Xi stressed that the China-Vietnam relations and their cause of socialist construction have entered a crucial stage of inheriting the past and ushering in the future.

Saying he attaches great importance to the development of China-Vietnam relations, the Chinese president expressed willingness to work with Phuc, guided by building a community with a shared future with strategic significance to both sides, to strive for continuous, fresh and greater achievements in their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and better benefit the two countries and peoples.

On the same day, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also sent a congratulatory message to Pham Minh Chinh on his election as Vietnamese prime minister.

Li said he stands ready to work with his Vietnamese counterpart to steadily promote the synergy of the two countries' development strategies, speed up the construction of a mutually beneficial cooperation paradigm, and make positive contributions to the development of China-Vietnam relations featuring good-neighborly friendship and all-round cooperation.

(Web editor: Liang Jun)


The trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin continues in Minneapolis, Minnesota and the jury in the case is hearing a lot about the use of force by police.

Chauvin is known to have kept his knee on the neck of George Floyd for more than nine minutes in May 2020 while the detained man stopped breathing and died. The neck is the part of the body between the head and the body.

The former police officer is being charged with murder and manslaughter, a less serious crime related to causing the death of another person.

The Minneapolis police chief, Medaria Arradondo, answered lawyers questions on Monday during the trial. Soon after Floyd died in police custody last year, Arradondo called what happened murder.

During the trial on Monday, Arradondo said what Chauvin did to Floyd was in no way part of his departments training. Arradondo has said Chauvin broke the rules during his arrest of Floyd, who was accused of trying to use false money at a store.



On Monday, Arradondo listed a number of things Chauvin did wrong while arresting Floyd. He said Chauvin should have eased pressure on Floyd sooner. He said Chauvin used too much pressure on Floyds neck. He also did not try to help Floyd when it seemed like he was not breathing. And he did not follow the police departments rules to try to ease the worry in a difficult situation.

That action is not de-escalation, he said.

Earlier in the trial, a doctor said Floyd most likely died because his heart stopped from a lack of oxygen.

Here are some of the important questions that came up on Monday.

What kind of restraints on the neck are permitted?

The police department permits restraint of a persons neck. One is called a conscious restraint and another is an unconscious restraint. One is supposed to give a police officer control of someone who is fighting against them. The other is supposed to make the person go to sleep, or lose consciousness.

In both cases, the pressure is supposed to be reduced if the person is having trouble breathing.

Floyd said he could not breathe many times based on videos recorded by people watching the incident.

What do the lawyers say?

Chauvins lawyer is Eric Nelson. Nelson provided a document to the court that showed a trainer kneeling on the neck of someone being arrested. The documents were part of a guide given to police officers.

However, other officers said that Chauvin kept his knee on Floyds neck for too long. Especially after he lost consciousness.

What do experts say?

People who are trained in the restraint used on Floyd  known as a choke hold  say it is easy for the move to go wrong. Jack Ryan is a lawyer and a former police officer who knows about choke holds. He said it is easy to make a mistake and make it hard for a person to breathe.

Another expert said the move requires a lot of training and precision, and that it is easy to lose the skill without additional training.

How much pressure was Chauvin using?

Some people who saw what happened said it looked like Chauvin put his full weight on Floyd. But Chauvins lawyer pointed out that a doctor who saw Floyd after he died said there was not tissue damage or injuries to his neck.

Im Dan Friedell.

The Associated Press wrote this story. Dan Friedell adapted it for Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor.

Do you think the police broke the rules when restraining George Floyd? Tell us in the Comments Section and visit our Facebook page.

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

knee n. the joint between the upper and lower leg

custody n. the state of being kept in a prison or jail, or being held by police

escalate v. to become worse or to make (something) worse or more severe

conscious adj. awake and able to understand what is happening around you

choke v. to cause (someone) to stop breathing by squeezing the throat

precision adj. done in a very careful and exact way
Lucknow, April 6 : With Covid cases in Uttar Pradesh rising by the hour, state Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has now asked health officials to undertake additional surveillance measures in districts having more than 100 active cases.

There are around 40 districts in the state that fall in this category, including Lucknow, Prayagraj, Kanpur, Varanasi, Agra, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur, Saharanpur, Bareilly, Jhansi and Gautam Buddha Nagar.

The Chief Minister, during his meeting with Team 11, also told officials to keep a close eye on the situation in Lucknow, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Varanasi and Gorakhpur considering the rapid rise in Covid cases in these districts.

According to sources, nearly 50 per cent of the present case load is being reported in these five big cities.

The government spokesman said that the Chief Minister had asked officials to ensure that crowds do not collect at any one point through effective policing.

Additional chief secretary, health and family welfare, Amit Mohan Prasad, said that as many as 22,820 active cases were under observation. Of the total, 12,338 were under home isolation.

He said that all arrangements to provide best possible treatment to patients in need, beds and necessary medical equipment was in place. The deployment of the required work force was also being ensured.

He further said that the importance of contact tracing and testing for Covid-19 control was being followed with full capacity.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
GRANTS PASS  A Grants Pass diner was fined almost $18,000 Tuesday for what state regulators called a willful violation of COVID-19 rules.

Oregon Occupational Safety and Health said Gold Miner Restaurant allowed indoor dining on or about Feb. 14 at at time when it was illegal and continued to do so illegally for almost a month, The Grants Pass Daily Courier reported.

The agency says Oregon OSHA Administrator Michael Wood exercised his discretionary authority under state law to issue a $17,800 fine  double the minimum penalty for such a violation. A fine of $100 also was issued for a mask violation.

During the inspection, the restaurants owner, Nancie Bowers, said she was aware that allowing indoor dining during the Extreme Risk period went against workplace health requirements, the news release said.

It wasnt immediately known if the restaurant owner plans to appeal the fine.

--The Associated Press
Cebu and Tacloban City (CNN Philippines, April 6) - Some 70 healthcare workers from Cebu province and Eastern Visayas will be deployed to National Capital Region this month to provide assistance to hospitals struggling with the surge in COVID-19 cases.

The Department of Health Region 7 in Cebu will provide 50 healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, and medical technologists. They will arrive in Manila on April 7.

Aside from the medical workers, DOH-Region 7 spokesperson Dr. Mary Jean Loreche said an additional 200 blood products, including 40 units of fresh frozen plasma and 30 units of convalescent plasma, will also be sent to Manila.

Loreche assured the public Cebu has enough manpower in hospitals, saying the situation in the province has already "leveled off."

"With what we are doing right now, I am very confident that we will not be needing so much healthcare workers and not needing more beds than what we have because our critical care utilization is very very low at 31 percent. So we really are in the safe zone for our bed allocation and for our manpower," she said in a press conference.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Presidential Adviser to the Visayas is targeting to deploy 16 doctors and four nurses from Eastern Visayas within this week.

OPAV Undersecretary Anthony Gerard Gonzales is calling for more volunteers in the region to assist Metro Manila hospitals.

"We are also calling on the different provinces, yung mga governors na magpadala rin sila. I'm sure there are many nurses who do not have job at this time. Maganda naman yung package at meron namang incentives ang ibibigay ang OPAV at Project Balik Buhay na P5,000 every month for three months plus other benefits na ibibigay ng government," Gonzales said.

[Translation: We are also calling on the governors of different provinces to also send some. I'm sure there are many nurses who do not have job at this time. The package pays well and the OPAV and Project Balik Buhay will grant incentives of P5,000 every month for three months plus other benefits from the government.]

Metro Manila and four nearby provinces were again placed under enhanced community quarantine to control the rising cases of COVID-19 infections.

As of April 5, the NCR has the greatest number of COVID-19 cases among regions with 354,847 infections.

The country's COVID-19 cases have reached 812,760 as of Tuesday.

CNN Philippines' Cebu correspondent Dale Israel, Tacloban City correspondent Wilmark Ali, and Multi-Platform News Writer Vince Ferreras contributed to this report
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH FREE2MOVE STELLANTIS GROUP WHICH ENABLES DIRECT ACCESS TO VEHICLE DATA, FOR AN ENHANCED CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE AND BETTER FLEET MANAGEMENT CAPACITIES

Regulatory News:

Europcar Mobility Group (Paris:EUCAR) announces today that it is accelerating the roll-out of its "Connected vehicles" program, while significantly strengthening its technological backbone. After Telefonica and Geotab in October 2020, Free2Move joins the program, simplifying access to data of Peugeot, Citroen, Opel, Vauxhall, DS vehicles and soon other Stellantis brands.

Through this international partnership, Free2Move will provide the Group with seamless access to vehicle telemetry data such as geolocation, fuel level, mileage and maintenance alerts in accordance with data protection regulations.

As a key component of Europcar Mobility Group's "Connected Vehicles" program, this data will be processed to help improve customer experience and optimize business applications, as well as internal processes such as fleet inventory management, vehicle delivery and collection, vehicle maintenance, vehicle return, and more

Olivier Baldassari, Europcar Mobility Group Chief Countries Operations Officer, comments:

"I would like to thank Free2Move, a mobility brand of Stellantis, for being the first frontline player of the OEMs ecosystem to join our Connected Vehicles' program and for giving us the possibility to be directly plugged to their vehicles. This strategic partnership is a key milestone in our roadmap and will allow us to strongly accelerate its implementation, as we no longer need to install and setup aftermarket devices in the Peugeot, Citroen, DS, Opel and Vauxhall vehicles, and soon in all Stellantis cars which are part of our fleet.

Our ambition is to have 100% of our vehicles connected in 2023. But connectivity is only one side of the coin: what truly matters, in the end, is how we leverage direct access to vehicle data and turn it into an operational excellence and customer value creation driver."

Brigitte Courtehoux, Free2Move Brand CEO, adds:

"Free2Move, as a Data Service provider, brings not only the best, connected services for our Business Customers to help them reduce their costs, but also offers complementary value-added services for their own clients. We are happy to support Europcar Mobility Group in the project of having its fleet 100% connected in 2023."

About Europcar Mobility Group

Europcar Mobility Group is a major player in mobility markets and listed on Euronext Paris. The mission of Europcar Mobility Group is to be the preferred "Mobility Service Company" by offering attractive alternatives to vehicle ownership, with a wide range of mobility-related services and solutions: from car rental and light commercial vehicle rental to car-sharing. Customers' satisfaction is at the heart of the Group's mission and all of its employees and this commitment fuels the continuous development of new services. Europcar Mobility Group operates through a diversified portfolio of brands meeting every customer specific need and use cases, be it for 1 hour, 1 day, 1 week or longer; its 4 major brands being: Europcar the European leader of car rental and light commercial vehicle rental, Goldcar the low-cost car-rental Leader in Europe, InterRent 'mid-tier' car rental and Ubeeqo a 24/7 and 100% digital service in urban environments (BtoB, BtoC). Europcar Mobility Group delivers its mobility solutions worldwide solutions through an extensive network in over 140 countries (including wholly owned subsidiaries 18 in Europe, 1 in the USA, 2 in Australia and New Zealand completed by franchises and partners).

Further details on our website:

www.europcar-mobility-group.com

About Free2Move

Since September 2016, Free2Move, a Stellantis brand, has been bringing together a range of new mobility services to satisfy the different mobility needs of its private and business customers whether for 1 hour, 1 day, 1 month or more. Users have access on a single platform to a car-sharing service, short and medium or long-term rental, as well as solutions to support the energy transition and fleet management for professionals. They can also access charging stations, VTC drivers and book parking spaces. Today, Free2Move is present in 170 countries and has 1.2 million active and convinced customers.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210406005927/en/

Contacts:

Europcar Mobility Group contacts

Valerie Sauteret valerie.sauteret@europcar.com

Vincent Vevaud vincent.vevaud@europcar.com

Judith Grandcoing judith.grandcoing@publicisconsultants.com

Free2Move contact

Aurelie Denizanne aurelie.denizanne@free2move.com
17 fishermen missing after collision with bulk carrier off Indonesia's Java Sea

April 06,2021 | Source: Marine Link

Divers were scouring the waters of the Java Sea on Sunday for 17 fishermen reported missing after their boat capsized following a crash involving a bulk carrier, a spokesman for Indonesias search and rescue agency said.



Fifteen crew of the fishing boat, the Barokah Jaya, were evacuated after Saturdays crash, but five divers are searching for the remaining 17, Yusuf Latif, the spokesman of the agency, Basarnas, said in a statement.



Were still conducting the search, Yusuf said, adding that an agency rescue ship had taken the survivors aboard.



The crash happened at 0930 GMT, Yusuf said. The other vessel was the bulk carrier Habco Pioneer, which has a capacity of nearly 30,000 tonnes. Both vessels are Indonesia-flagged.



There were no reports of casualties or missing crew on the Habco Pioneer, owned by tugboats and barges company PT Habco Primatama.

 1996-2021 Maritime Activity Reports, Inc.

Theme(s): Others.
A hungry heron was caught on camera gulping down a 20-year-old pet fish.

Photographer Gary Clarke recorded the footage outside his home in Liverpool after the bird snatched a Golden Orfe from his pond.

The 47-year-old said he heard a commotion and went out to investigate but 'couldn't believe his eyes'.

Photographer Gary Clarke recorded the footage outside his home in Liverpool after the bird snatched a Golden Orfe from his pond

The bird appeared to have bitten off more than it could chew as it dropped its snack to the ground

In the clip the grey heron can be seen grappling with the large orange fish in an attempt to gulp it down.

But it seems the bird has bitten off more than it could chew as it drops its snack to the ground.

Just a moment later it is ready to chow down once again as it scoops the Golden Orfe back up into its beak.

It eventually manoeuvres the fish into the perfect position and swallows it down whole.

Gary, 47, said he heard a commotion and went out to investigate but 'couldn't believe his eyes' as the heron attempted to swallow the pet fish

The grey heron battled with the fish before it eventually manoeuvred it into the perfect position and swallowed it down whole

Gary, a self-employed kitchen and bathroom fitter, said: 'We must have had the fish for over 20 years going off the size of it.

'So it was quite painful watching the bird devour the Golden Orfe.

'At the end of the day, it's nature and the heron has to eat I suppose.'

Golden Orfe are active shoaling fish that can grow to more than two feet long.

They are often a popular choice for those with ponds as they do not seem to fall prey to many of the diseases or parasites that affect other common fish - such as goldfish and koi - and are fairly resistant to disease and illness.

Orfe can often live up to 20 years although there are some reports of them reaching closer to 30 years of age.
Army delivers donated aid to fleeing Karen

THAILAND: The government has shipped items donated by different organisations to Karen refugees fleeing the violence in Myanmar, the Third Army Region said yesterday (Apr 5).

COVID-19CoronavirusMyanmar

By Bangkok Post

Tuesday 6 April 2021, 09:20AM

Soldiers check basic supplies donated by Thais yesterday (Apr 5) before they are loaded on long-tailed boats which will carry the goods to Karen refugees in Myanmar. Photo: 36th Ranger Forces Regiment.

Its commander, Lt Gen Apichet Suesat, who is in charge of security in the North, said he had instructed the 36th Ranger Forces Regiment to deliver the donations, which included dried food and medicines, to Myanmar citizens sheltering on the banks of the Salween River, opposite the Thai border in Mae Hong Son.

Five boats were hired to deliver the donations, accompanied by rangers from the regiment who were tasked with ensure the boats were protected as they made multiple trips to and from the river bank on the Myanmar side of the border.

Lt Gen Apichet stressed that due to the current COVID-19 situation and the escalating conflict across the border, donations can only be delivered by authorities.

Between 2,000-3,000 refugees from Myanmar have crossed the border to seek shelter in Mae Hong Sons Mae Sa Riang district.

Lt Gen Apichet said the refugees generally stayed on the Myanmar side of the border, but they would cross the river to seek shelter in Thai territory  usually at night  when they feel their lives were threatened.

The army is assisting with COVID-19 screening at checkpoints and patrolling natural border channels to prevent illegal entry.

More obstructions to stem illegal entry have been set up along the Thai-Myanmar border, he said.

Assistant army spokesperson Col Sirichan Ngathong said over 5,300 troops patrolling along the Thai-Myanmar border were vaccinated by the Public Health Ministry in March.

Anti COVID-19 measures are strictly maintained along Thailands borders, she said.

A total of 3,625 soldiers in other army units have been vaccinated  most of whom are health workers and personnel working in Samut Sakhon.

Army spokesperson Lt Santipong Thammapiya said yesterday army chief Narongphan Jitkaewtae had instructed all army units to boost security for Thais living along the border and help prevent COVID-19 infections spreading from neighbouring countries.

The Thai military has extended humanitarian assistance to refugees in compliance with anti-COVID-19 measures, the spokesperson said, before adding that the refugees have been gradually returning to Myanmar since March 27.

Around 2,700 Myanmar refugees crossed the Salween River to Thailand following the outbreak of fresh clashes in Myanmar on March 26-27 opposite Mae Hong Son, Lt Santipong said.
A new film is being produced to raise awareness of the importance of mental health and wellbeing in the farming community.

The film, to be launched this summer, aims to highlight the hidden mental health issues which exist within farming.

'Unearthing Farming Lives' is currently in production, but the trailer is now available to view online.

Directed by Pink Sphynx Media, it is the brainchild of several groups, including NFU Scotland, Robert Gordons University, Samaritans and Aberdeenshire Council.

The target audience includes farmers and their staff as well as the wider agricultural supply sector.

Additionally, the groups say there is a need to ensure the film, and the messages within, are heard and viewed by the government.

NFU Scotlands North East Regional Chair, Alan Simpson welcomed the launch of the film's new trailer.

Many of us are well aware of fellow farmers who are silently suffering from mental health challenges," he said.

"The stress and strains suffered by themselves, and sometimes their loved ones too, is unbelievable.

"We need to help the farming community by more outwardly promoting the message that it is brave to speak out and ask for support."

He added: "There are many organisations and experts who are available to help, but the sufferer needs to find a way to summon up courage to ask for their aid.

"This film will help shine a light upon the mental health status of our farming industry.

The main film will be launched and available for viewing in late May or early June.
A Rangers fanatic who slashed car tyres of GAA fans whod parked in the cemetery his mum is buried in has been charged with urinating on graves.

Sectarian super-Prod Gary McBlain was listed to appear at Omagh Magistrates Court on Tuesday where he faces four counts of indecent behaviour.

The 42-year-old of McClay Park, Omagh, is accused of urinating on graves on four occasions in Greenhill Cemetery on the Gortin Road in the town on June 29, August 17, 28 and 31 last year.

Last November we revealed McBlain had been interviewed by police about the alleged incidents after cemetery staff had alerted them having seen someone urinating on graves on their newly-installed CCTV cameras.

Those cameras were put in place after a number of graves were severely damaged by vandals.

In one incident, a large Celtic cross which was fixed to the headstone of someone whose family had placed a green, white and orange flower arrangement was smashed up.

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A statue of Jesus Christ had its head removed and three other graves in the same area had been badly damaged.

McBlain was questioned about those attacks but was never charged, Shortly after, however, the council erected CCTV cameras throughout the cemetery.

He was suspected after he was convicted of damaging a number of parked cars belonging to Tyrone GAA fans who had an agreement they could use the cemetery during matches at Healy Park across the road.

We revealed how McBlain, who calls his house Ibrox, was sentenced to nine months in jail, suspended for two years, for the shocking attacks on the cars.

When we asked McBlain last March had he been arrested and quizzed about the previous grave attacks, he replied: I wasnt arrested, I was interviewed about it, but they have no evidence.

Sacrilege

He added: I heard about what happened, but it had nothing to do with me.

But he did tell us he damaged a number of cars parked in the cemetery belonging to GAA fans because he said they had committed an act of sacrilege.

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He admitted damaging a Range Rover, a Volkswagen Transport van and a Kia Sportage. Other similar charges were dropped as McBlains blood was only found on three vehicles.

McBlain  who even has the blinds of his house colour co-ordinated red, white and blue  accused the GAA of being sectarian.

He also confirmed to us he had actually written to Fermanagh and Omagh District Council to claim it was sectarian for GAA fans to use Greenhill Cemetery car park during games.

McBlains excuse for the attack is based on the fact his mum is buried in the cemetery and told us GAA fans using the car park on match days was sacrilegious.

They [GAA fans] just park wherever they like, and they shouldnt be allowed to, he said.

They think they can do whatever they like but this is sacred ground. Its sacrilegious. Theres a straight road all the way to Gortin for them to park on.

When we asked him if he thought it would be okay if Rangers fans parked in the same car park, he smiled widely and said: Of course it would be okay, Rangers arent sectarian, the GAA are, sure they wouldnt have a Protestant about them.

Last July following a series of fresh incidents, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, who maintain the cemetery, had erected CCTV cameras in a bid to halt attacks on graves.

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Brussels, Apr 06, 2021 (SPS) - Algeria's recent call for a resumption of negotiations between the Frente POLISARIO and Morocco is part of the implementation of the resolutions of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) which had launched a call for direct negotiations leading to a political settlement of the Saharawi question, said on Monday, Sahrawi Minister Delegate to Europe and EU, Oubi Bouchraya El Bachir.

The Saharawi official said in a statement to the Algerian channel "El Yaoum TV" posted on Youtube that "this call comes within the framework of the recent decision of the PSC of the AU".

The latest decision of the PSC called at the end of its summit on March 9 for "the imperative resumption of negotiations to reach a settlement taking into account the fourth point of the Constitutive Act of the AU which calls for respect for borders inherited after independence ", he recalled.SPS

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Since the city's cherry blossom trees reached full bloom last week, canopies of pink and white flowers have blanketed Washington, D.C.

The first cherry trees in Washington, D.C., were a gift from Japan in 1912. This year's peak flowering of cherry trees in Kyoto, Japan, was the earliest on record in 1,200 years. Since the 1800s, there has been a trend of earlier and earlier blooms. According to The Washington Post, this year's blossoms in D.C. peaked several days ahead of the 30-year average.

Scientists note that the blooms are just one symptom of a larger climate problem on the horizon; early blooms may mean colder spring temperatures.

Responding to Warmer Weathers

Plants and insects can react to rising temperatures at different ways, throwing their life cycles out of whack. Flowers may bloom before insects are ready and vice versa, indicating that insects may not find enough food to eat from the plants, and the plants may not have enough pollinators (to reproduce).

Related Article: Rare $480-Worth Chinese Medicine Plant Learns to Hide From Humans

Regular Blooming Time

According to Naoko Abe, author of The Sakura Fascination, cherry trees deserve a full month of cool weather below 41 degrees to fully blossom when the weather warms up. They bloom later if they don't have the cold air, Abe says, so "they can't wake up properly."

"I believe the influence of climate change is undeniable," Abe says on NPR's All Things Considered. "However, the winter weather is the deciding factor for cherry blossoms."

Although warm springs induce early blooms, delayed blooms may result from warmer winters, which is also concerning. Any of these delayed blooms have already occurred in southern Japan.

According to Abe, if winter temperatures begin to increase, the delays will become so severe the trees will not blossom at all.

Yoshino cherry trees, which account for roughly 70% of all cherry trees in Japan, were planted in Washington, D.C. They're simple to grow and can bloom in as little as five years.

Yoshinos, however, are very sensitive to temperature changes and illness. Abe warns that unless we start diversifying cherry tree varieties now, we might not have cherry blossoms at all times of the year in a century.

Other Cherry Blossom Species

Other cherry species have been forgotten and endangered in Japan since Yoshinos became common in the 19th century.

She said, "We have to discourage that, and we will prevent that." "We have to change our mindset and realize that the Yoshino cherries aren't the only cherries."

Risk of Extinction

According to Theresa Crimmins, assistant director of the USA National Phenology Network in Tucson, Ariz., "the general reaction of plants is to experience the onset of their springtime seasonal activity earlier in the year, too" in several temperate areas of the world where there are long-term patterns toward warmer winters and earlier heating in the spring. She did point out, though, that not all animals evolve at the same rate or in the same direction.

Disruptions of plant and pollinator behavior, which have evolved over centuries to be coincident, are among the most apparent implications of these changes, she said.

Also Read: Weird Nature: 5 of the Most Bizarre Bug Eating Plants on the Planet

For more news about rare plant species, don't forget to follow Nature World News!
Drinking straws, beverage bottles and product packaging are some of the common plastics that are now degrading inside the Tennessee River system and other freshwater streams. Once in the water, the plastic waste slowly degrades into smaller particles that are often ingested by fish.

The concern is that microplastics act as super magnets to absorb concentrated amounts of toxins that are suspended in minute levels throughout most all public drinking-water sources. UT is studying the potential impact of these toxins by trawling for microplastics inside the entrails of a small school of some 3,000 preserved fish.

The first-of-its-kind study hinges solely on the universitys on-campus pickled-fish museum, known as the David A. Etnier Ichthyological Collection. The archive is essentially a 45,000-jar library that contains an estimated 420,000 specimens from the Tennessee River. The fish samples  originally collected by both Tennessee Valley Authority biologists and university students  date as far back as 1965.

Tissue samples taken from some of these specimens are helping UT determine if ingested microplastics can contaminate edible parts of a public food source. Researchers are also mapping the decades worth of pollution data they are finding trapped inside many of the fish. The work is helping the team better understand whether microplastics can disrupt the underwater food chain by harming fish offspring or increasing their mortality rate.

There is currently no evidence that suggests the presence of microplastics in freshwater streams pose a direct danger to human health or the environment. But that may simply be because  unlike heavy metals, chemicals, harmful bacteria and other freshwater contaminants  no state or federal authority monitors or regulates microplastics pollution in the United States.

To date, no freshwater long-term studies on microplastics pollution have been conducted. Only limited saltwater research exists, and the results are largely non-conclusive.

UT hopes to fill the void by publishing its comprehensive findings by fall of 2021.

Studying preserved fish is all about plotting new data. And to get it, UTs biologists are taking a deep dive into a microplastics discovery that occurred in 2017.

The find came when Dr. Andreas Fath, a water chemist from Germanys Furtwangen University, secured a pollution sensor to his wetsuit and swam the entire 652-mile Tennessee River for science. He completed the education initiative with the help of a small team of scientists and students from the University of the South at Sewanee, Tennessee.

Dr. Faths 34-day, long-distance soak drew international recognition and bolstered public awareness to the drinking-water source of more than 5 million people. The Tenneswim study revealed large amounts of microplastics pollution throughout the Tennessee River and confirmed that suspended toxins do in fact bond to microplastics in concentrated amounts.

"If a microplastic particle can have 100 even 1,000 times the concentration of harmful pollutants, could that same microplastic dissolve throughout the fish? Dr. Fath said. Is it a problem? We dont know. Thats why conducting this research is so important.

Dr. Ben Keck, the Etnier Collections director and curator agrees.

When I saw on the news about Dr. Faths swim, I knew UT had the perfect resource to take the Tenneswim research further, Dr. Keck said. Using the Etnier Collection for this study not only benefits our students, but its providing valuable microplastics data for the entire world.

The Tennessee River system is one of the most bio-diverse freshwater natural resources in the world. It is home to more than 350 known fish species, and is a recreation asset that provides a critical economic benefit to the Tennessee Valley.

According to a 2017 TVA/UT study, the Tennessee River supports 130,000 jobs and hooks an estimated $12 billion in annual revenue throughout the region.

Three of its reservoirs  Guntersville, Pickwick and Chickamauga  are ranked among Bassmaster Magazines Top 25 Best Bass Lakes of the Decade. And the Bassmaster Classic, which is often regarded as the sports pinnacle attraction, generated $32.2 million for the host city of Knoxville in 2019.

In short: the Tennessee River Watershed is a prized natural resource that must be protected.

However, the job requires foresight. Thats why TVA and UT biologists are focused on studying small fish, such as minnows and darters.

The changes or patterns we discover in these fishes are often early indicators of potential problems that might be developing in our rivers, Dr. Keck said. The science gives us the ability to raise the flag and hopefully correct water-quality issues before they ever have a chance to become a concern. Thats why we are studying microplastics pollution in fishes.

Dr. Keck says the depth of UTs fish library is the key to understanding microplastics pollution. Not only is the Etnier Collection a trove that holds decades of environmental records for the entire 40,890-square-mile Tennessee River Watershed, but it preserves multiple species of fish that live, feed and reproduce in various parts of the ecosystem.

The museums diversity is critical to UTs study, because it gives biologists and students access to fundamental links in the underwater food chain. By extracting microplastics particles and fibers that are lodged or have been ingested by three types of fish  a stoneroller minnow, white-tail shiner and black bass  the team is mapping generations of pollution data across a large-scale gradient.

Our great-grandfathers werent thinking about microplastics, but because they had the foresight to fill a bunch of jars with creek minnows and formalin, were now reading the Tennessee Rivers entire microplastics story, Dr. Keck said.

He says its simple. Each of the museums jars  referred to as a lots  is essentially a time capsule that holds an environmental snapshot of the river. If they want to know what type of microplastics were in the water in 1977 or 1992, all they have to do is look inside a few fish that were pickled during those same years.

Weve pulled lots every five years, all the way back to 1965, Dr. Keck said. Were studying nine specific locations upstream of Chattanooga.

Polyester, for example, is a common microplastic fiber that the team is finding hung inside the fishes gills. And polyethylene, which is the standard material of plastic packaging and the everyday grocery bag, is showing up in the bellies of many specimens  some collected as recently as the 1980s.

The presence of polyethylene is not a surprise. According Dr. Martin Knoll, the Sewanee geology and hydrology professor who helped conduct the Tenneswim survey, about half of the Tennessee Rivers microplastics pollution is polyethylene.

Bottom line is that the Tennessee River is a pretty darn clean river. Its got low levels of everything except microplastics, Dr. Knoll said. Its not a divisive or political subject. Everyone wants clean water, but there is no way to get a definitive answer about microplastics until we go out and test it.

Will UT find the answer? No one knows. The only certainty is that it takes time to dissect 3,000 pickled fish for pieces to an unsolved puzzle.






The U.S. Supreme Court in a ruling on Monday sided with Google in a copyright dispute with Oracle ending a decade-long battle over copied Java API codes while building the Android operating system.

This decision also overturns an earlier federal court ruling that found the search giants use of the API constituting infringement.

For those unaware, Oracle had filed a legal lawsuit against Google in 2010 in San Francisco federal court accusing it of infringing Oracles copyright by copying the structure, sequence, and organization of 37 separate Java application programming interfaces (APIs) into Android. It was seeking a $9 billion pay-day in the copyright case.

APIs allow programmers to call upon prewritten packages of computer code for use in their own programs, websites, or apps.

Oracle has accused Google of illegally copying roughly 11,500 lines of Java API code to develop Android, which powers more than 70 percent of the worlds mobile devices.

Justice Stephen Breyer, writing for the majority in the case, said that Googles use of the Java code was protected under fair use.

Googles copying of the API to reimplement a user interface, taking only what was needed to allow users to put their accrued talents to work in a new and transformative program, constituted a fair use of that material.

He added, Google copied only what was needed to allow programmers to work in a different computing environment without discarding a portion of a familiar programming language. Googles purpose was to create a different task-related system for a different computing environment (smartphones) and to create a platform  the Android platform  that would help achieve and popularize that objective.

Breyer warned that allowing Oracle to enforce a copyright on its code would harm the public by making it a lock limiting the future creativity of new programs. Oracle alone would hold the key.

Disagreeing firmly with the courts judgement, Oracle said that Googles power has increased further with the Supreme Court decision and damaged other companies ability to compete.

The Google platform just got bigger and market power greater. The barriers to entry higher and the ability to compete lower. They stole Java and spent a decade litigating as only a monopolist can, said Dorian Daley, the companys general counsel, in a statement.

This behaviour is exactly why regulatory authorities around the world and in the United States are examining Googles business practices.

Meanwhile, Kent Walker, Googles Chief Legal Officer and Senior Vice President for Global Affairs, said the ruling is a victory for consumers, interoperability, and computer science. The decision gives legal certainty to the next generation of developers whose new products and services will benefit consumers.

While the majority of judges agreed on Googles copying of the Java code, they disagreed on whether or not APIs are copyrightable in the first place and the application of the traditional copyright law to computer code.

It is difficult to apply traditional copyright concepts in that technological world, wrote Breyer.
In 2020, former President Trump's reelection campaign is said to have given a total of $122 million in refunds to supporters.

Trump campaign refunded donations in 2021

Officials used a fine-print disclaimer in communications to continue billing one-time contributors or multiplying their donation amounts, prompting the refunds. The Trump campaign reportedly set up weekly periodic contributions as the default for online contributors beginning in September, with just two months before the 2020 presidential election, according to a New York Times report released Saturday.

Donors had to manually uncheck a box to opt-out, and the note of recurring donations was only included in a fine-print statement, as per the Times. As Election Day approached, the Trump campaign added a second pre-checked box that doubles a person's contribution, as well as new lines of text in bold and capital letters, which the paper said diverted contributors from language advising them about how to opt-out of the automated donation plan.

Several Trump backers, including retirees and service veterans, submitted fraud reports to banks and credit card firms after witnessing fraudulent transactions from their accounts shortly after the campaign introduced these practices, according to the news site. Stacy Blatt, a 63-year-old hospice patient who contributed $500 to Trump's campaign in September, was one of them. The Trump campaign, on the other hand, reportedly withdrew $3,000 from Blatt in less than a month. In February, Blatt died due to cancer.

Pence Unveils Plans for 2024 Presidential Run Following Reports He's Not Included as Trump's Pick

After the election, Trump sought to collect funds in what he said was an effort to combat widespread voting fraud in many states. Following the 2020 election, he argued twice that the election has been tainted by massive voter fraud.

Federal and state election authorities, on the other hand, have confirmed that there is no proof of widespread voting fraud. The Trump campaign reportedly used tens of millions of dollars from his "Stop the Steal" attempts to help offset the returns promised to contributors, according to the Times.

The New York Times discovered that the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee gave more than 530,000 refunds totaling $64.3 million to online donors in the last two and a half months of 2020. The news outlet said that the Trump campaign refunded 10.7% of the money earned from the Republican Party's funding site WinRed in 2020.

The public reports checked by the Times indicate that the Biden campaign just refunded 2.2% of its estimated 2020 donations, as per The Hill. Meanwhile, only 0.87% of WinRed transactions were involved in structured credit card conflicts, Trump spokesman Jason Miller pushed back.

Eric Trump Claims His Father 'Fixed' Undocumented Immigration Problem Prior to Biden's Election

Trump refutes New York Times' story on campaign refunds

Former President Donald Trump rejected New York Times' report alleging he used questionable fundraising strategies during the 2020 campaign, calling it a "one-sided attack piece" published by the newspaper. "In yet another intensely partisan tale, the collapsing New York Times published a completely false, one-sided hit piece this weekend that attempted to disparage our record-setting grassroots fundraising effort during the 2020 campaign," Trump said in a statement released Monday by his Save America political action committee (PAC).

Trump said in a statement released Monday that his 2020 campaign would use Democratic fundraising strategies, including the ActBlue website. "We took what leftist ActBlue taught us, and now we're smarter than they are!" In reality, many people were so excited that they donated again and again, and we would immediately refund their donations if they gave too much. Our average conflict rate was less than 1% of all online contributions, which is very low," said the former commander-in-chief.

This is done by Democrats as well. The New York Times was aware of this, but omitted it from their story, he added. Trump said that the 2020 campaign's efforts, in collaboration with the GOP, were "all done lawfully," The Epoch Times reported.

Donald Trump Claims America Is Turning Into a Communist After Facebook, Twitter Remove Interview With Lara

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Other Southern states embraced changes like voter registration, which had a stark and negative effect on turnout, made worse by the discretion given to registrars.

Heres Kousser:

According to the North Carolina law of 1889, for instance, registrars, appointed indirectly by the Democratic legislature, could require that a voter prove as near as may be his age, occupation, place of birth and place of residency  by such testimony, under oath, as may be satisfactory to the registrar.

Democrats, he notes, employed this law to deny the vote to white and Black Republicans and Populists in the early 1890s. Louisiana lawmakers passed a registration law in 1896. That year, 95.6 percent of Black adult males appeared on the voter rolls. Two years later, at which point voters were required to have reregistered, 9.5 percent of Blacks were listed.

In addition to registration requirements, there were the now-infamous literacy tests. In Virginia, a potential voter had to read a section of the state or federal constitution  and persuade the registrar that he understood the words  in order to qualify to vote. Mississippis similar requirement came with an understanding clause that allowed a would-be voter to cast a ballot only if he could understand the text read to him.

A recently published paper by the political scientists Luke Keele, William Cubbison and Ismail White on the use of the understanding clause in Louisiana during the 1950s underscores the impact of voting laws that rely on discretion for their effect. These results highlight that voting restrictions that give local officials greater authority to deny the franchise may be particularly susceptible to discriminatory outcomes, they note.

Rounding out these legal restrictions on the right to vote were poll taxes. On their own, they may not have had the decisive impact that critics at the time attributed to them, but in conjunction with other measures, they worked to discourage many Southern men, Black and white, from even trying to vote. Although the $1 to $2 levies did not seem high to middle-class convention delegates and legislators, Kousser writes, they represented a significant charge to many inhabitants of the nations economic backwater region.

For as much as Southern lawmakers were often explicit about their intentions and aims (Discrimination!, declared Carter Glass, who as a state senator helped write Virginias 1901 Constitution. Why, that is precisely what we propose; that, exactly, is what this convention was elected for.), they also knew that they had to mask these laws and provisions in the language of neutrality. The authors of the Mississippi Constitution of 1890 even added an addendum to this effect:

Every provision in the Mississippi Constitution applies equally, and without discrimination whatever, to both the white and Negro races. Any assumption, therefore, that the purpose of the framers of the Constitution was ulterior, and dishonest, is gratuitous and cannot be sustained.

One of Koussers conclusions is that Jim Crow voting restrictions were as much about partisanship as they were about race, with Southern Democrats targeting the two groups outside of plantation-dominated areas, Blacks and low-income whites, who powered their Republican and Populist opposition.

This brings us back to the Georgia law. To the extent that it plays at neutrality while placing burdens on specific groups of voters on a partisan (and inescapably racial) basis, it is, at least, Jim Crow-adjacent. And as my Times colleagues Nick Corasaniti and Reid Epstein wrote last week, there are key provisions that fit this bill.
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COVID-19 vaccination: Uddhav Thackeray asks PM Modi to reduce eligible age to 25 yrs

Meesho becomes latest entrant to Indian unicorn club with $300 million fundraise

COVID-19: Panacea Biotec to produce 100 million doses of Sputnik V in India annually

Economy to take Rs 40,000 crore hit due to Maharashtra lockdown: CARE

Swiggy raises $800 million from fund managers, investors

IOC, BPCL to buy 36% less oil from Saudi Arabia in May

Indian economy well prepared to handle second wave of COVID-19: FinMin

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking to reduce the age for getting COVID-19 vaccination to 25 years. Saying that the second wave of the coronavirus is much stronger than the first wave in the state, Thackeray said Maharashtra is taking up vaccination at a rapid pace and is the number 1 state in the country in terms of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered.Indian social commerce platform Meesho has entered the unicorn club after raising $300 million in the latest round of funding. The Series E funding round, led by SoftBank Group's Vision Fund 2, saw the valuation of the Bengaluru-based start-up rise to $2.1 billion from around $700 million in 2019.Panacea Biotec on Monday said it has entered into an agreement with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) to produce 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V in India annually. Sputnik V, developed by Russia's Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, was registered by the Ministry of Health of Russia on August 11, 2020.Maharashtra's "radical" lockdown move will have an economic impact of Rs 40,000 crore, with the trade, hotels and transport sector to bear the biggest dent, Care Ratings said on Monday. The rating agency said the loss of economic activity will have a 0.32 per cent impact on the gross value added (GVA) growth at the national levelFood delivery start-up Swiggy has raised $800 million from investors, including Goldman Sachs and global alternative asset manager Falcon Edge.The fund raise by Swiggy comes at a time when its rival Zomato is looking to go public. As per reports, the company plans to raise about $650 million from its initial public offering.Indian state refiners will buy 36% less oil from Saudi Arabia in May than normal, three sources said, in a sign of escalating tensions with Riyadh even after the Kingdom supported the idea of boosting output from OPEC and allied producers last week. Energy relations between India, the world's third biggest oil importer and consumer, and Saudi Arabia have soured as global oil prices spiked.Backed by vaccinations and the experience from controlling the first wave of coronavirus pandemic, the Indian economy is well prepared to handle any downside risks posed by the second wave of COVID-19 cases, the Finance Ministry has said. India is well-equipped with adequate testing and health infrastructure, and economic activity has adapted to the pandemic.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-05 23:19:04|Editor: huaxia

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (C) is seen as he arrives for an opening arguments of the prosecution at the Jerusalem District Court in Jerusalem, on April 5, 2021. Netanyahu's criminal trial over corruption charges resumed on Monday. (Oren Ben Hakoon/ JINI via Xinhua)

JERUSALEM, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's criminal trial over corruption charges resumed on Monday.

Netanyahu arrived at the Jerusalem District Court for the opening arguments of the prosecution after the judges rejected his request not to attend the session.

The lead prosecutor, Liat Ben-Ari, accused Netanyahu of abusing his power to receive favors and expensive gifts. "The relationship between Netanyahu and the defendants became currency, something that could be traded," she said. "The currency could distort a public servant's judgment."

Netanyahu left immediately after Ben-Ari concluded her remarks.

The session then began hearing the testimony of the first witness in the trial, Ilan Yeshua, a former CEO of Walla news site.

Yeshua is involved in a case dubbed as Case 4000, in which Netanyahu is accused of giving regulatory and financial benefits to Shaul Elovitch, the former control-holder of Walla and Bezeq, Israel's largest telecom company, in return for favorable coverage on Walla.

In another case dubbed Case 1000, Netanyahu and his family allegedly received expensive cigars, champagne, and jewellery worth about 1 million new shekels (300,000 U.S. dollars) from the Israeli businessman and Hollywood tycoon, Arnon Milchan, between 2007 and 2016.

In Case 2000, Netanyahu and Arnon Mozes, publisher of Yedioth Ahronoth, one of Israel's largest newspapers, allegedly talked over an exchange deal, in which Netanyahu would receive favorable coverage in Yedioth Ahronoth.

Netanyahu has denied all allegations against him as a witch-hunt that aims to topple him.

Dozens of protesters rallied outside the court, calling on the longtime leader to resign, while supporters and lawmakers with Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party gathered in a counter-rally and held signs accusing the prosecution of a witch-hunt. Enditem
U.S. Senator Joe Manchin is calling on U.S. health officials to investigate an outbreak of HIV related to needle-sharing in West Virginia's largest county.

The West Virginia Democrat asked requested a congressional inquiry from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on behalf of the Kanawha County Commission.

It comes two months after a CDC official warned that the county's outbreak was 'the most concerning in the United States.'

The number of HIV cases linked to needle sharing in Kanawha County doubled from 2019 to 35 in 2020, compared to just two in 2018.

Kanawha County has a population of just 178,000. By comparison, there were only about 3,273 needle-linked HIV cases in 2018 in the entire U.S., which has a population of 331 million.

Surges in cases of needle sharing-related HIV coincide with the cancellation in 2018 of a controversial exchange program that offered clean needles to addicts.

Commission President Kent Carper said in a statement that the outbreak 'is an important public health issue and is deserving of our full understanding.'

In a letter to Dr Rochelle Walensky, the CDC director, Manchin asked that the CDC review the commission's concerns and reply by Friday.

Last year, there were at least 35 cases of HIV linked to needle sharing found in West Virginia's Kanawha County, up from 15 in 2019 and two in 2018

The surge in cases coincides with the end of a controversial clean needle exchange program in West Virginia and organized in part by Solutions Oriented Addiction Response, which distributes HIV testing kits (pictured) and used to give out clean syringes

Later Monday, Manchin released a letter from the CDC saying it was eager to meet with public health officials.

It said Dr Jonathan Mermin, director of the CDCs National Center for HIV-AIDS, would be included in the meeting.

In early February, Dr Demetre Daskalakis, the CDCs chief of HIV prevention, gave a presentation at a meeting of a Kanawha County HIV task force.

'It is possible the current case count represents the tip of the iceberg,' Dr Daskalakis said.

'There are likely many more undiagnosed cases in the community. We are concerned that transmission is ongoing and that the number of people with HIV will continue to increase unless urgent action is taken.'

The commission's letter to Manchin asked whether the CDC has completed an official investigation into the countys HIV surge.

The letter said the commission is concerned that the statements referring to the outbreak as the most concerning in the nation 'are being made without factual and empirical evidence.'

As recently as 2014, only 12.5 percent of HIV cases in West Virginia were the result of intravenous drug use.

By 2019, 64.2 percent were, according to state health department data. The increase was due primarily to clusters in Kanawha and Cabell counties.

Kanawha County, which includes Charleston and has 178,000 residents, had two intravenous drug-related HIV cases in 2018.

The number grew to 15 in 2019 and at least 35 last year, said Shannon McBee, a state epidemiologist.

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin is calling on U.S. health officials to investigate an outbreak of HIV in his state of West Virginia

The nonprofit group SOAR operates health fairs for residents, including a syringe exchange and information about HIV testing

By comparison, New York City, with a population of more than 8 million, recorded 36 HIV cases tied to intravenous drug use in 2019, according to the CDC.

Counties in other states with populations similar to Kanawha had an average of less than one HIV diagnosis among people who inject drugs, Dr Daskalakis said.

The surge, clustered primarily around the capital of Charleston and the city of Huntington, is being attributed at least in part to the cancellation in 2018 of a needle exchange program that offered clean syringes to injection drug users not able to quit the habit altogether.

Needle exchange programs are included in the CDC's recommendations for controlling disease outbreaks among intravenous drug users.

Such programs exist in dozens of states, but they are not without their critics, including in West Virginia, who say they dont do enough to prevent or stop drug abuse.

With less than a week left in the regular session, the state Legislature is considering a bill to regulate needle exchange providers.

The nonprofit organization Solutions Oriented Addiction Response provides addicts with clean needles in Charleston and group shares information about HIV testing with residents, including the homeless. SOAR co-founder Sarah Stone has said the legislation could shut down her group's needle exchange program.

Citing the pending state bill, the Charleston City Council on Monday night postponed voting on a proposed needle exchange ordinance until April 19.
GEORGETOWN COUNTY  In its first meeting since January 2019, the Georgetown County Legislative Delegation, which typically meets annually, met at the Howard Center April 5 to discuss appointments to county volunteer boards that oversee elections, airports, recreational agencies and other services.

The meeting originally was set to happen March 29 at Chairman Senator Stephen Goldfinch's law office in Pawleys Island, but out of an abundance of caution over a threatened ethics complaint by the state Democratic party chair Trav Robertson, Goldfinch rescheduled the meeting for the following Monday.

"Senator Goldfinchs use of his private law firm to conduct county and state business provides an opportunity to showcase his private law firm to the public," Robertson said in a press release that threatened the ethics complaint.

Goldfinch cited members of the delegation not feeling comfortable meeting in person due to COVID-19 as the reason for such a gap in between meetings, as well as the loss of its secretary of 30 years. The delegation had to hire a new secretary and build a system from scratch, he said, causing the inconsistent meetings.

There is no law designating how often county legislative delegations should meet, though Goldfinch confirmed it was practice for Georgetown County's to meet once a year.

Because the meeting location was moved, there was no longer an ethics complaint to file, but several residents before the meeting April 5, including Georgetown's NAACP chapter president, Marvin Neal, said they were upset over the previous location of the meeting and that this meeting was the first one in more than two years.

Neal also addressed topics such as a hate crime law, open carry laws, women's rights to an abortion and teacher wages, taking an ideologically left-leaning stance on all and urging the delegation to act.

"The confederate mindset still exists in the county we live in right now, its time to stop talking about moving forward and its time to demonstrate sound leadership," Neal said.

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Though resident and former Republican South Carolina Senate nominee, David Ellison, outwardly disagreed with Neal's ideological points, he agreed that he was upset by the previous proposed location of the meeting.

"I was troubled by the way that the meeting wasn't intended to be held in a public forum," said Ellison, who lost to Senator Ronnie Sabb in November 2020.

Among the appointments was James Sanderson to the county board of voter registration and elections, which Goldfinch abstained from the vote on. Goldfinch said while he respects not interfering with appointments in districts that aren't his, he believes Sanderson's union involvement and outward Democratic ideologies make him unfit for the board.

"If we go down this path of partisanship on the election commission, I will personally have to respond with somebody who leans Republican, and I don't want to have to do that," Goldfinch said to Representative Carl Anderson, who still voted to appoint Sanderson to a vacant position on the board along with Sabb.

To finish off the meeting, the delegation assigned Anderson as its new chairman. The delegation switches chairman every two years and takes turns on party. Since Goldfinch is a Republican, a Democrat needed to be chairman next. Though it was Sabb's turn to be chairman, he declined, pushing it onto Anderson, who was chairman before Goldfinch.

Anderson said as the next chairman he hopes to ensure the delegation meets quarterly.
Rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine, slow though it may be, is creating optimism not only for community health and safety, but also because it will allow the economic engine to start getting up to cruising speed.

Rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine, slow though it may be, is creating optimism not only for community health and safety, but also because it will allow the economic engine to start getting up to cruising speed.

In the latest edition of the Winnipeg Economic Perspective survey that Probe Research produces for Economic Development Winnipeg, optimism about the economic future of the city was up 12 per cent from December.

That rate of increase in optimism mirrors findings the Conference Board of Canada reported in its own consumer confidence index released at the end of last month. The boards data shows that nationally that index was up 14 per cent since December.

While Dayna Spiring, the chief executive officer of EDW, thought the increased confidence bodes well for the city, respondents voiced a greater level of concern about the duration of the pandemics effects than she believes is healthy.

Asked when things will return to the way they were before the pandemic, 45 per cent said not until 2022 and 10 per cent refused to predict.

"I think people are far more pessimistic than they should be," she said. "This concerns me. When I see poll numbers that say that 45 per cent of people think things will not get back to normal until 2022 or later, I think, we cant afford that."

One of the reasons for her concern is the fact the U.S. economy is opening much faster in the wake of a more aggressive vaccine program.

"We cant afford to wait until 2022," she said. "I think those numbers (the 45 per cent who believe we wont be back to normal until 2022) are wrong. I think you are going to see something more like normal this summer. The fact that people dont see that yet tells me we have more work to do."

Spiring acknowledged certain sectors  like the hotel, restaurant and hospitality industries  are really hurting and that her organization is focusing efforts to develop programs that will encourage people to patronize the local tourism industry.

"What that looks like exactly, we are still working out the details, but that is something we are working on," she said.

Economic Development Winnipeg CEO Dayna Spiring thinks people are more pessimistic than they should be. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press files)

Spring believes there would be benefits to the community at large if there was greater awareness of the elements of the economy that are performing well, like the manufacturing sector.

Not only have many manufacturers continued to keep firing and servicing demand for their products, but others have pivoted to produce personal protective equipment (PPE), something that should be able to be leveraged to the communitys advantage in the future.

"This has been a brutal year... but we have to figure out how to come out and take advantage of the strengths we have built up over time," she said.

The survey of 600 that was done between March 10 to 26 of this year has a 95 per cent certainty that the results are within plus or minus 4.0 percentage points of what they would have been if the entire adult population of Winnipeg had been surveyed.

It also found that fewer people believe they are worse off now than they were a year ago and fewer people believe they will be worse off a year from now than was the case in December.

As well, more believe they are better off and will be better off a year from now.

In addition, job satisfaction remains the same as it was in the December survey and people are less concerned  27 per cent in March 2021 compared to 33 per cent in December 2020  about losing their jobs.

martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca
Minister Daryanani on BBC 5 Live Radio

The Minister for Tourism, Hon Vijay Daryanani MP, was interviewed by BBC 5 Live Radio.

Minister Daryanani was asked about our successful vaccination program, the general COVID-19 situation and our plans on welcoming British tourists to Gibraltar.

Another point he was quizzed on was the announcement of the new traffic light system for travel being considered by the UK Government.

Commenting on the interview, Minister Daryanani said: This was an excellent opportunity to inform UK radio listeners about how well we have done during these difficult times, how hard our community has worked to follow the rules to protect each other, and our intentions of welcoming British tourists to Gibraltar as soon as the UK Government allows its citizens to travel.

They were keen to know that we are a safe destination for travel. As we continue to raise awareness of Gibraltar, we will advertise our product in the UK news media as much as possible. I

also took the opportunity to thank the UK Government for their steadfast support in providing us with the vaccine. We couldnt have done it without them
[April 06, 2021] ENGIE and Georgetown University launch partnership to promote energy sustainability

HOUSTON and WASHINGTON, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ENGIE and Georgetown University in Washington DC, USA announced today that they have entered into a comprehensive energy agreement to address sustainability and energy conservation through ENGIE's management of the university's utility system. This strategic alignment will help the university achieve its ambitious sustainability goals, positively impacting students, faculty and the community. Georgetown University's main campus is located in the historic Georgetown neighborhood of Washington DC. It covers more than 100 acres and houses approximately 60 main buildings and has 19,000 students, and 6,200 employees, including 2,200 faculty. Its campus also includes MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. During the term of the agreement, ENGIE will assume responsibility for the enhancement, operation and upkeep of the electrical, heating and cooling and domestic water systems. Georgetown will retain ownership of its facilities and control over decisions related to capital improvements. Through capital improvement and energy conservation programs, the partnership will generate operational efficiencies, position Georgetown to reduce its energy use intensity by at least 35 percent by 2030 and create additional resources that will enable the University to deepen its focus on fostering a leading academic community in a sustainable way. "After committing to divest from fossil fuels and launching a power purchase agreement that will ensure that two-thirds of the university's electricity needs will be sourced through solar power, this partnership further enhances our ambitious sustainability goals," said Geoff Chatas, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Georgetown University. "We are excited to partner with ENGIE to accelerate our progress toward aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, integrating sustainability across our functional areas, and becoming a model for how universities and other complex organizations can strengthen their sustainability efforts. We are confident that ENGIE's expertise in clean energy management will improve the experience of students, faculty and the broader Georgetown community." "ENGIE is proud to become Georgetown University's energy partner to achieve its sustainability goals," said Cecile Previeu, Executive Vice President in charge of Client Solutions at ENGIE. "Innovative solutions will be developed through our collaborative program with the campuscommunity and will help us to operate, maintain, and improve campus utility services."



ENGIE is a leader in energy services for major universities, cities, and critical infrastructure entities around the world. The 50-year partnership with globally-renowned Georgetown University is the latest example in which institutions are turning to a partnership model to manage and operate energy infrastructure upgrades. Over the last three years, ENGIE has implemented successful energy concession partnerships at The Ohio State University and the University of Iowa. Most recently, ENGIE announced its new collaboration with Howard University, for a 20-year agreement managing the design, construction, operation and maintenance of a new central utility plant on campus. Barclays served as exclusive financial advisor and Jones Day served as exclusive legal advisor to Georgetown University for the transaction. For more information on Georgetown Energy Partners please visit https://georgetownenergypartners.com/

About Georgetown University

Established in 1789 by Archbishop John Carroll, Georgetown is the oldest Catholic and Jesuit university in the United States. Located in Washington, DC; Doha, Qatar; and around the world; Georgetown University is a leading academic and research institution, offering a unique educational experience that prepares the next generation of global citizens to lead and make a difference in the world. For more information about Georgetown University, visit Georgetown.edu or connect with Georgetown on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Instagram. About ENGIE North America

ENGIE North America Inc. offers a range of capabilities in the United States and Canada to help our customers achieve their sustainability goals as we work together to shape a sustainable future. Our comprehensive services include helping run facilities more efficiently and optimize energy and other resource use and costs; clean power generation; energy storage; and retail energy supply that includes renewable, demand response, and on-bill financing options. Nearly 100% of the company's power generation portfolio is low-carbon or renewable. ENGIE S.A. is a global organization focused on low-carbon energy and services, that relies on its key businesses (gas, renewable energy, services) to offer competitive solutions to its customers. With 170,000 employees, along with its customers, partners and stakeholders, the group is committed to accelerating the transition to a carbon-neutral world through reduced energy consumption and more environmentally-friendly solutions. For more information on ENGIE North America, please visit our LinkedIn page or Twitter feed, https://www.engie-na.com/ and https://www.engie.com. Media Contacts: Georgetown University Media Contact: gucomm@georgetown.edu, (202) 687 4328

ENGIE North America: Sandrine Deparis, sandrine.deparis@engie.com, (202) 855 3705 View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/engie-and-georgetown-university-launch-partnership-to-promote-energy-sustainability-301263113.html SOURCE ENGIE North America

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Kobie, a recognized global leader in loyalty strategy and platform development and management, announced today that it has been named a Leader in The Forrester Wave: Loyalty Solutions, Q2 2021 report.

The Forrester Wave report, evaluated 14 companies who offer loyalty solutions. Forrester evaluates criteria across loyalty management, loyalty marketing, member data management, measurement and analytics, user experience, services, loyalty strategy and market presence. The research categorizes these companies as Leaders, Strong Performers and Contenders based on their current offering and approach to the market (strategy). Kobie was cited as one of only five Leaders in the loyalty solutions provider space, receiving the highest scores possible in the Solution Vision, Data Management & Integration, Predictive Analytics & Machine Learning, Emotion Measurement, Personalization, User Experience, Program Management Services, and Testing & Optimization criteria.

The report states, Kobie anchors winning client strategies with behavioral and emotional data... [Kobies] vision focuses on solving key client problems to enable [clients] to win, serve and retain their best customers. Forrester notes that one client reference said, Kobie has demonstrated that it is interested in our success  not just [having] our business. The report also quotes a client as stating that, Leadership is really smart in the space. They think about tomorrow.

Kobies President, Marti Beller, states, We believe being recognized as a Leader in The Forrester Wave: Loyalty Solutions, Q2 2021 is a special distinction and few companies achieve this honor. We are proud to be named a Leader by Forrester, but equally proud of the accomplishments we have made together with our clients over this past year. 2020 presented unique challenges that demanded an intense focus on partnering with our clients as they reacted to unforeseen market dynamics. They needed us to execute nimbly, while evolving their long-term strategic advantage, aligned with new consumer needs post-pandemic. Kobies CEO, Bram Hechtkopf added, Kobies recognition further validates for us our commitment to deliver comprehensive and innovative end-to-end loyalty solutions that focus on a holistic view of the customer; going beyond transactional data and adding behavioral and emotional data to predict and ensure a consumer experience that delivers brand loyalty.

To read the full Forrester Wave: Loyalty Solutions, Q2 2021 report, visit Kobies page.

About Kobie

Kobies loyalty offering goes well beyond points and one-time rewards by enabling brands to develop a loyalty strategy and program that outperforms traditional, transaction-based experiences. Using our proprietary and proven Loyalty Drivers and Emotional Loyalty Scoring tools, Kobie provides brands with superior competitive insights on their customers' transactional and emotional behaviors across key touchpoints in the customer journey. Our best-in-industry services translate those insights into strategies that can be seamlessly executed through Kobies newest generation loyalty platform, Alchemy, to deliver lasting, profitable relationships with a brands most valuable customers.

Connect with Kobie:


SirajPower said it has been engaged as a long-term partner starting with a significant 7 MWp solar rooftop installation for Emirates Printing Press in three of their plants, one of the regions leading, high-quality press facilities in Dubai Industrial City (DIC) and Al Quoz.

The solar rooftop project covers an area of 56,000 sq m, and will produce 10.6 GWh of clean energy annually, offsetting more than 7,000 MT of CO2 emissions, it stated.

On the deal, Chairman Mohammed Abdulghaffar Hussain said: "We continue to take the lead in the local energy sector with another significant deal signed with Al Shirawi Group, a prominent local and regional market player."

"Over a very short period of time, many local conglomerates have joined our journey to a greener economy, and this further strengthens our position as the preferred solar partner for major UAE groups," he stated.

"The current momentum from these important established companies gives a strong message to the market as it showcases the private sectors commitment to achieving national priorities. This also perfectly aligns with the UAEs vision for the next 50 years. Together with our existing and new partners, we want to support our country in its next phase of development where clean energy plays a central role," he added.

Group Chairman Mohamed Al Shirawi said: "We want to continue growing our core businesses more sustainably while contributing to UAEs green economy. Choosing SirajPower as our green partner of choice to take us through this new exciting journey wasnt a hard choice."

"SirajPower's impressive track record of successfully working with reputable UAE conglomerates from various industries such as Al Ghurair, Mir Hashem Khoory Group (MHK), Bin Dasmal Group, and Airlink International UAE played a key role in our decision," he noted.

Al Shirawi Group was established over 50 years ago and is part of Oasis Investment company, the holding company. It consists of 30 companies across various industries and employs more than 10,000 workers.-TradeArabia News Service
Capitol Police officer Billy Evans, who was killed last Friday in a vehicle attack on the Capitol, will lie in honor in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on April 13, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced Tuesday.

What they're saying: "In giving his life to protect our Capitol and our Country, Officer Evans became a martyr for our democracy," Pelosi and Schumer said in a statement.

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"It is our hope that this tribute will be a comfort to the family of Officer Evans, particularly his children Logan and Abigail, as will the knowledge that so many Americans mourn and pray for them at this sad time," they added.

"May this tribute also be a source of comfort and an expression of gratitude to the U.S. Capitol Police Force, which has awed our nation with their courage and resilience during this devastating time."

The big picture: Evans, an 18-year veteran of the force, died last week after a suspect rammed into Capitol Police officers with a car at an entrance to the U.S. Capitol.

Capitol Police was already struggling after losing two officers in the wake of the Jan. 6 insurrection  one as a result of injuries sustained during the riot and another by suicide.

After the second attack, the Capitol Police union chief said the force is approaching "a crisis in morale and force numbers."

What they're saying: "Billy was so proud to be a United States Capitol Police Officer. His colleagues from the North Barricade were the people he spent so many hours with, and their friendship was one of the best parts of his job. We hold them in our hearts, as we know they acutely share our grief," Evans' family wrote in a statement on Tuesday.

"Our family is grateful for the immense level of support we have received from USCP in the darkest moment of our lives," they added.

What to watch: Evans will receive a ceremonial arrival next Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. on the East Front of the Capitol, according to Pelosi and Schumer.

Go deeper: Capitol security task force leader urges Congress to boost resources

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Mike Zouhri PainWorth co-founder in hospital after accident

PainWorthone of 15 winners at the 2021 American Bar Association TechShowannounced today the acquisition of California-based legal-tech company ProSe Claims.

PainWorth has already been turning heads by revolutionizing the claims process for claimants, insurance companies, and lawyers.

The free-to-use PainWorth app makes it possible for injury claimants to easily find outon their ownwhat their claim might be worth. Users who choose to self-represent can even use the app to generate the paperwork they need to start their settlement process.

PainWorths secret ingredient is its algorithm that automatically scans thousands of past cases to find relevant case law and citations. It then performs all the necessary statistical calculations and arithmetic in secondsa process that typically takes human economists, claims adjusters, and lawyers dozens of hours.

Indeed, in a recent industry interview, one insurance insider declared that PainWorth was the future of claims settlement.

Mike Zouhriwho co-founded PainWorth after being struck by a drunk driver in 2019is thrilled to finally announce the acquisition:

While weve been working to address access-to-justice problems in Canada, ProSe Claims has been tackling very similar problems in the United States. Weve been chatting with them for quite some time, and they really believejust as we dothat the legal system is broken and incredibly slow at delivering justice.

In addition to acquiring the assets of ProSe Claims, key members of the ProSe Claims team will also be joining PainWorth.

For example, ProSe Claims Co-Founder and CEO, Justin MacFayden, will be bringing his American legal experience to the PainWorth team.

It was just a natural fit, said MacFayden. The PainWorth team has built an elegant, easy-to-use app to help resolve a very real access-to-justice problem. Their app is free-to-use for claimants, greatly reduces time and labour costs for lawyers and insurance companies alike, andbetter yetit greatly speeds up the settlement process. Working together, we can now start to adapt the PainWorth app to the USA and to American legislation, andin so doinghelp more people than ever before. Its no secret that Americans pay the highest medical costs in the world, so an app like PainWorth is urgently needed in the United States to help those involved in car accidents, medical malpractice suits, or even assault and battery cases.

Hot on the heels of its acquisition of ProSe Claims, PainWorth will next appear at the 2021 edition of InsureTech North on April 22-23. There, they will be offering demonstrations of their soon-to-be-unveiled Pro Portal app for insurance companies and claims adjusters.

Following this, the next steps on PainWorths roadmap will be an official entry into the US market and pursuing investors for a seed round to fund future expansion and product offerings.

We believe that there are still some major issues to tackle in the global justice system, said Zouhri. And so were aimingwith technologyto solve those problems now and into the future. Our goal is simple: we want to democratize and modernize a slow, biased, and antiquated justice system. We want everybody to be able to get justice, regardless of their age, sex, race, or economic situation.

For more information about Painworth visit: https://painworth.com/